Management Assistant Tori Schlievert introduced the item and Management Intern Russ Newberg.
Mr. Newberg stated that the three components to Environmental Sustainability were environment, economy and equity.
He stated that the Town was exploring the adoption of environmental policy which would:
~Reflect the Town’s high standard of environmental integrity.
~Protect and preserve the diverse Sonoran Desert ecology.
~Protect and maintain the Town’s air and water quality.
~Increase the Town’s energy independence.
Mr. Newberg noted that the International City and County Management Association (ICMA) made environmental sustainability its number one priority in October, 2007.
He stated that local governments had the advantage to enact environmental changes. He noted that over 600 cities had signed the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.
Mr. Newberg acknowledged that the Town of Oro Valley already adhered to environmentally conscious practices:
~New buildings and modifications will meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) Silver Certification Level.
~Traffic signals used Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology.
~Rubber asphalt and chip seal in road construction
~Green janitorial products
~Household Hazardous Waste Program for residents
~Solar powered flashing school zone lights.
~Recycling of paper, aluminum cans and cardboard
~Adopt-A-Wash, tree replacement and Buffel grass eradication programs
~Water conservation
*Residential on-site water audits
*Reclaimed water
~Provided education to residents regarding wastewater disposal.
~Encouraged walking and biking through trails and multi-use paths.
He noted the efforts that were currently in development:
~Solar powered lights in the Municipal Operations Complex parking lot.
~Expanding recycling to park facilities.
~Water harvesting.
Mr. Newberg stated that the Town’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship as continuing to explore methods to:
~Protect air and water quality.
~Protect the Sonoran Desert ecology.
~Use less energy.
~Increase usage of renewable resources.
~Increase recycling and reduce waste.
~Develop partnerships.
~Provide environmental sustainability education.
He noted that the Town may consider short term measures that were cost effective and manageable:
~Perform lighting retrofits.
~Purchase Energy Star equipment and appliances.
~Install motion-activated faucets and water-saver toilets.
~Purchase hybrid electric and/or electric vehicles.
He stated that partnerships should be sought in order to share knowledge. He noted the following as possible partners for the Town of Oro Valley:
~City of Tucson Office of Conservation and Sustainable Development
~Greater Tucson Coalition for Solar Energy
~Pima County Building Safety and Sustainability
~Pima Community College
~Tucson-Pima Metropolitan Energy Commission
~University of Arizona - Campus Sustainability
~U.S. Green Building Council - Southern Arizona
~U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords Solar Advisory Panel
~Pima Association of Governments (PAG)
~Oro Valley residents
Mr. Newberg introduced Procurement Administrator Brian Garrity to discuss the cost involved with "Going Green" via the following programs:
~LEED Certification:
*Design costs were 5% higher.
*Construction costs were 4 - 11% higher.
*Soft costs (application fees, documentation, commissioning, etc.) were 3 - 5% higher.
*Overall, the costs were dependent on the building, the site and the level of certification.
~Alternative fuels:
*Gas vs. hybrid vehicles
-Initial cost of a hybrid vehicle is higher
-Long term savings estimates were in the thousands of dollars.
~Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) (E85)
*FFV’s cost same as traditional gas engines.
*E85 burns cleaner.
*E85 can cost less than gas.
*E85 will yield 20% fewer miles per gallon than traditional fuel.
*Only six E85 refueling stations located in Tucson.
~Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
*1/3 the cost of gasoline.
*Large reduction in emissions.
*Stable prices.
*Lower maintenance costs.
*Expensive, large fuel cylinders.
*Limited driving range.
*A fossil fuel.
*Costs $3,000 to convert a vehicle.
Mr. Garrity discussed environmentally friendly building fixtures:
~Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL)
*More expensive than regular light bulbs.
*Saves approximately $30 per year in energy costs.
*Lifespan is ten times longer.
*Contain mercury and create disposal hazards.
~LED Exit Signs
*Save approximately $20 per year in energy costs.
*Can last up to 10 years without burning out.
~Occupancy Sensors
*Energy savings of 35 - 45%
*Average cost of sensors is $50 each.
~Automatic Faucets
*Up to 70% water savings
*Average cost of faucet is $250 each.
Mr. Garrity noted that there were community programs available to residents such as:
~Energy Conservation Kits at a cost of $9.00 each.
~Water Conservation Kits at a cost of $6.00 each.
Mr. Garrity recommended enacting low or no cost programs such as:
~Lights-out at night program
~Energy Star appliances and computer equipment
~Recycling
~Use E-mail instead of mailing a letter
~Lighting replacements
~Use water pitchers instead of bottles
~Recycling rainwater / water harvesting
~Distance learning / Teleconferencing
Mr. Garrity urged Council to completely analyze each situation, building, use, potential savings and future resources with regard to political, social, environmental and economic concerns.
Council Member Dankwerth stated that the prospect of a Town disposal site for CFL’s should be researched.
Council Member Parish stated that politics did not belong in environmental issues. He stated that he wanted the safety aspect considered and the social factor removed from cost analysis.
Council Member Gillaspie thanked Staff for their work on this issue. He stated that he felt that Council needed to define how to move forward effectively. He also noted that preservation of the Sonoran Desert encompassed more than riparian areas.
Council Member Parish commented on the wording of the proposed resolution.
~A partner should not be named in a resolution.
~The United Nations and climate change should not be referenced.
~Omit the word, "new" in the phrase, "...in an era of new change..."
Town Manager David Andrews stated that "going green" was considered to be more mainstream than left wing. He noted that Family Circle magazine had contacted him regarding the Town of Oro Valley being one of the best places to raise a family. He stated that "going green" was one of the reasons for their call.
Mayor Loomis noted that the local governments were driving this issue.
Council Member Parish stated that he wanted to establish criteria to follow for environmentally friendly practices.
Members of Council stated their support as a Town, for the Town in the effort to "go green."
Communications Administrator Mary Davis stated the principles for Town communications:
~Make communication a top priority within the organization and to the public.
~Open to others’ ideas to generate unity.
~Create a climate of trust.
*Build trust through effective public outreach and education.
~Create instruments for communication.
Ms. Davis stated that the Communications Division was responsible for:
~Media relations
~Publications
*Employee newsletter
*Oro Valley Vista community publication
*Department brochures
*Programs for events
~Assisting departments with various communication needs
~Visual production and management
~Speech writing
~Advertising
~Providing support in issues management
~Brand management
~Customer service
Ms. Davis stated that the goals of the Communications Plan were to:
~Be responsive responsibly.
~Keep effective communication a top priority.
~Build trust through effective internal and external outreach.
She stated that the strategies and tactics were as follows:
~Communicate to residents via:
*Oro Valley Vista
*Working with the Information Technology (IT) department to develop the Town website.
*Granicus video streaming of Town Council meetings
*Partnering with Comcast.
*Free utilizations for council meetings.
*Publish an annual State of the Town update.
*Community outreach
-Sharing resources with community regarding events.
-Outreach for families
-Children’s activity books regarding how the Town works.
~Coordinate special events for various departments.
~Provide communication support to Council and Staff.
~Create a Town blog as a resource to reach the younger generation.
~Provide customers with opportunities to become involved.
*Ask graduates of the Citizens Planning Institute to share what they have
learned.
*Speaker’s bureau
~Develop and implement a comprehensive internal communications program.
~Build a strong relationship with media.
*Submit one news release per week.
*Host annual tours with local media.
*Meet with reporters monthly.
~Strengthen intergovernmental relations
Ms. Davis stated that targeting communication properly is important.
Vice Mayor Kunisch thanked Ms. Davis for her accomplishments. He noted that Homeowners Associations (HOA's) were not being reached and better communication was needed to address their concerns.
Council Members voiced concerns regarding a Town blog conflicting with the Open Meeting Law.
Council Member Dankwerth thanked Ms. Davis for the for the comprehensive report. She suggested that there should be a formal training period for new council members.
Council Member Gillaspie thanked Ms. Davis for the report. He stated that he was concerned about trying to build Town communications with the public due to the shortage of Staff.
Mayor Loomis stated, that in addition to CPI graduates, he would like to see graduates of the Police Academy included. He noted that standards for PowerPoint presentations and document preparation should be implemented Town wide.
Mayor Loomis called for a recess at 7:18 p.m. The meeting resumed at 7:26 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Director Sarah More noted that this topic was brought forward by Council Member Parish. She stated that this item was to address the issue of developers that do not follow through on their responsibilities.
Ms. More noted that developers were motivated to complete jobs due to the fact that they must post a hefty bond; otherwise the bond would be forfeited. She further stated that if a project had not been addressed for one year by the developer, the work would be considered abandoned.
Council Member Parish stated that the bonds should be withheld until all of the work is completed.
Vice Mayor Kunisch recommended that a maintenance warranty should be imposed stating that if any aspect of the project should need repair within 5 years of construction, the builder will be held responsible.
Mayor Loomis stated that the length of time it takes to address an abandoned project as well as loopholes needed to be dealt with. He suggested that the Town's process to address abandoned work should be reduced to 6 months.
Council Member Parish stated that the code should be changed to reflect that bonds will not be released or partially released until the job has been completely finished.
Senior Zoning Inspector Dee Widero agreed with imposing a maintenance warranty. She stated that, with regard to landscaping and assurances, bonds could be held until all of the work has been completed. She noted, however, that bonds for roads were so costly that some of the bond should be released as stages of the work were finished.
Ms. Widero noted that grading permits may need more emphasis to be completed more quickly.
Council Member Carter stated that Maintenance bonds should be researched carefully.
Mayor Loomis asked Ms. More to address the issues and concerns discussed and return with her research and plan to move forward at a future study session.