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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW Agenda Item VIII (02/12/2008) \ Mount Prospect Village of Mount Prospect Mount Prospect, Illinois ~ INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: MICHAEL E. JANONIS, VILLAGE MANAGER FROM: MICHAEL DALLAS, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST DATE: FEBRUARY 7,2008 SUBJECT: GREENEST REGION COMPACT PURPOSE To secure adoption of a resolution endorsing the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus' Greenest Region Compact. BACKGROUND The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus has developed an environmental initiative, known as the Greenest Region Compact, to address the region's impact on its natural resources. See Exhibit A. The Compact requires each member community to adopt at least seven of several outlined strategies, including the following three priority strategies: 1. Priority Strategy #1 - Promote residential water conservation practices; 2. Priority Strategy #2 - Enact electronic waste recycling programs; 3. Priority Strategy #3 - Participate in the Northern Illinois Energy Project's Residential Lighting Program. The Caucus has created a workbook to help local officials determine what strategies and associated actions can be taken to meet the Compact's requirements. See Exhibit B. As an incentive to adopting the Compact prior to February 15, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus plans to provide free compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to Compact members. The bulbs may be distributed in any manner the community member desires. See later note about CFL bulb disposal warning. The distribution of CFL bulbs is an action that will help satisfy Priority Strategy #3 above. DISCUSSION In order to evaluate the Compact's potential benefits as well as the impact on staff time, I spoke with staff members to determine what, if anything, the Village already does to meet the Compact's strategies. Not surprisingly, Public Works and their waste disposal/recycling partner, Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), currently conduct many environmental activities, including: PRIORITY STRATEGIES A. Priority Strateav #1 - Promote residential water conservation practices (Note: Since 2000, water usage in the Village has decreased by 9% (1.587M gallons - 2000; 1.450M gallons in 2007), more than half of the Compact's goal); H:\VILM\lntern\MDallas\Green Initiatives\COW Meeting\Greenest Region Compact Support Memo.doc Greenest Region Compact February 7,2008 Page 2 1. Education: a. During the annual Public Works Open House event, provides educational opportunities to learn about water conservation; b. In past Village newsletters, outlined water conservation techniques; 2. Water code restrictions: Village code restricts outdoor water usage (odd/even days; time of day - 4:00 pm to 10:00 am); 3. Water main leaks: a. Conducts aggressive water main leak repair program throughout the year; b. Twice a year, conducts a water leak audit of the entire system using specialized electronic leak detection equipment (2007 - 0% unaccounted water flow); 4. Water meters: a. Village code requires installation of residential and commercial water meters; b. Staff meets with customers routinely to demonstrate meter usage and monitoring strategies. B. Priority Strateay #2 - Enact electronic waste recyclina proarams: 1. Education: Village distributes recycling information via the Village newsletter and websites; 2. Recycling programs (SWANCC): a. Conducts an annual electronic recycling program (co-sponsored with Motorola); b. Conducts a computer hardware at-home pick-up program (2007 pilot program - fee based). c. Priority Strateay #3 - Participate in the Northern Illinois Eneray Proiect's Residential Liahtina Proaram: 1. Plans to become a CFL bulb recycling/disposal site within the next month (have received the collection container; awaiting the Merc Pack which absorbs harmful mercury vapor); 2. Proposed: Participate in Metropolitan Mayors Caucus' CFL bulb distribution (must adopt Compact prior to February 15, 2008, to receive bulbs). OTHER STRATEGIES D. Air Strateaies: 1. Clean Air: In 2004, the Village received the Metropolitan Mayor Caucus Bronze level Clean Air Counts award; Greenest Region Compact February 7,2008 Page 3 2. Travel: Bus shelters and bike racks have been constructed at various sites throughout the Village. E. Energy Strategies: 1. Thus far, installed light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs in pedestrian signals at 6 intersections thus far with 9 more planned in the future; 2. Illinois Department of Transportation (lOOT) owns and maintains most traffic signals in the Village and they have installed LED bulbs at eight intersections. F. Land Strategies: 1. Conducts a comprehensive urban forestry management program (received the Tree City USA award for 22 consecutive years); 2. As an incentive, offers cost-sharing program to residents to plant trees in parkway; 3. Village code requires tree impact fees for new development (right-of-way trees only). G. Waste Strategies: Village has offered a curbside recycling program for last 16 years (landfill diversion rate is approximately 35%). H. Water Strategies: Village code currently meets or exceeds the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Great Chicago's stormwater management requirements, as well as the USEPA's National Pollutant Discharged Elimination System Phase 2 rule. Other departments have also contributed to the Village's current conservation efforts, including donating used computers, distributing and storing records electronically, and purchasing hybrid vehicles. While evaluating the Compact's strategies, it is important to note that implementing some of the Compact's proposed actions may have negative consequences, such as · CFL bulbs must be recycled at an approved hazardous material collection site because the bulbs contain small amounts of mercury. While the United States Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges this by-product, it still encourages the transition from incandescent bulbs to CFL bulbs because they are more cost-effective and energy efficient than incandescent bulbs; · Conserving additional water may negatively impact the revenues generated for the water fund, which could lead to a decrease in future funding for capital improvements. RECOMMENDATION The Village staff recommends the Board adopt the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus Greenest Region Compact. From the brief analysis above, it is clear the Village has engaged in "green" practices for some time. Nevertheless, based on the numerous potential cost-effective actions identified by the Compact, there appears to be more the Village can or should at least consider doing to help lead others meet the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus's laudable goal of preserving our natural resources and economic viability for future generations. Greenest Region Compact February 7,2008 Page 4 If the Compact is adopted, staff plans to form a "Green Team," composed of staff members from different departments, and use the Compact's workbook as a guide to do the following: 1. In addition to what is already identified above, determine what the Village is already doing to meet the Compact's strategies and categorize them under the different strategies; 2. In addition to the Compact's priority strategies, identify at least four new strategies that the Village is willing to pursue as additional activities in 2008; 3. Identify new actions that each department can take to further the new strategies that it adopts; 4. Develop performance measurements related to proposed actions and strategic goals; 5. Begin implementation; 6. Develop a web-site that: a. Identifies the environmental initiatives the Village has taken thus far and what it plans to do in the future to meet the Compact's requirements; b. Create or provide a link to a youth environmental educational web site; 7. Evaluate performance measurements. Michael Dallas Administrative Analyst c: Dave Strahl, Assistant Village Manager Glen Andler, Public Works Director EXHIBIT A RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE METROPOLITAN MAYORS CAUCUS' GREENEST REGION COMPACT WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus provides a forum for the chief elected officials of the Chicago region to develop consensus and act on common public policy issues and multi- jurisdictional challenges; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus' participating Mayors and their communities have a history of improving the environment, from promoting environmental practices through waste management, green purchasing, and participation in Clean Air Counts; and WHEREAS, it is important for Mayors and local governments throughout the United States to take leadership roles by adopting environmental programs that provide economic and quality of life benefits such as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, and improved transportation choices; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus created the Greenest Region Compact to address environmental issues of global importance at the local level; and WHEREAS, the Compact outlines a number of cost-effective environmental sustainability measures that enhance health and safety, reduce the consumption of energy and fossil fuels, conserve water, and reduce hazardous and solid waste, and air pollution emissions. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS: SECTION ONE: The President and Board of Trustees endorse the Greenest Region Compact proposed by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and agree to join this effort to improve the metropolitan Chicago region's environment. SECTION TWO: That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law. AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: PASSED AND APPROVED this 1ih day of February 2008. Irvana K. Wilks Mayor ATTEST: M. Lisa Angell Village Clerk H:\VILM\lntern\MDallas\Green Initiatives\COW Meeting\Greenest Region Compact - Exhibit Adoc , Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact of Metropolitan Chicago We the undersigned Mayors will strive to improve the environment in the Chicago region by taking actions in our own operations and communities. Through our leadership we will demonstrate the economic and social viability of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. greenest ch IcagoO'itan To create the greenest region in the United States, we will commit to: 1. Setting environmental goals within our communities, and 2. Implementing at least seven strategies identified in the Workbook that support the achievement of our goals, including the three Priority Strategies identified by the Caucus' Environmental Committee as described below. Priority Strategy 1 : Promote residential water conservation practices. Goal: Measurably reduce the amount of water used by 15% below 2000 water consumption levels by 2015. Potential Adaptation Actions: 1. Educate residents to increase their knowledge of water saving practices. 2. Provide information on simple ways to save water. 3. Enact sprinkler and outdoor water usage ordinances. 4. Promote use of rain barrels. 5. Encourage use of aerators on water faucets. 6. Repair or replace leaking municipal water mains. 7. Encourage residents to install water meters and check for household leaks. 8. Provide financial incentives to encourage behavioral changes. 9. Encourage xeriscaping - a set of landscape design principles which minimize water usage. 10. Incorporate conservation practices into new development guidelines and incentives, such as for low-flow toilets and showerheads and higher efficiency appliances. 11. Any additional strategy identified by a municipality that is compatible with its environmental goals. Priority Strategy 2: Enact E-Waste Recycling Programs. Goal: Measurably decrease the amount of electronic waste collected by curbside waste haulers. Potential Adaptation Actions: 1. Develop an e-waste recycling program. 2. Provide information to residents on the hazards of improper disposal of e-waste and the environmental benefits of recycling e-waste; 3. Host, sponsor or advertise at least one e-waste recycling event annually. 4. Donate used equipment to schools, libraries, non-profits, etc. 5. Any additional strategy identified by a municipality that is compatible with its environmental goals. Priority Strategy 3: Participate in the Northern Illinois Energy Project's Residential Lighting Program. Goal: Reduce residential energy consumption by encouraging the use of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. Potential Adaptation Actions: 1. Partner with the Northern Illinois Energy Project to offer free, or discounted, CFL light bulbs to residents. 2. Any additional strategy identified by a municipality that is compatible with its environmental goals. Additional Environmental Strategies: Air Strategies: 1. Retrofit municipal diesel engines by installing pollution control devices. 2. Raise awareness of public transit options by displaying information about options and promoting these choices to citizens, employees, and visitors. 3. Build bus shelters and install bike racks to encourage non-automotive travel. Energy Strategies: 4. Reduce energy consumption by changing out incandescent traffic signal bulbs to light emitting diodes (LEOs). 5. Commit to annually purchasing renewable energy or renewable energy certificates. Land Strategies: 6. Implement a municipal tree planting ordinance to establish, and maintain maximum tree cover. Waste Strategies: 7. Adopt a local ordinance or policy which requires the recycling of construction and demolition debris. 8. Offer a residential paint recycling program. 9. Implement a curbside recycling program. Water Strategies: 10. Review local stormwater ordinances, identify barriers to implementation, and encourage the implementation of Stormwater Best Management Practices though local planned developments and redevelopments. By signing the Greenest Region Compact of Metropolitan Chicago, we pledge to make environmental considerations a priority. We will demonstrate that environmental practices are fiscally responsible. We call on our residents and businesses to join us as environmental stewards to preserve our resources, climate, and economic viability of our region for future generations.