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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/10/03 Item 6 COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT Item Meeting Date ,! U 10/03/06 ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA TO ADOPT THE TENETS OF THE U.S. MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT; AND AtJTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO , EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT SUBMITTED BY: AlliSO~~fe, Land Use/Coastal Policy Advisor City Attorney (4/5ths Vote: Yes _ No-XJ Chief of Staff REVIEWED BY: BACKGROUND: In April 2006, the Sierra Club, San Diego Chapter, contacted the Mayor's Office expressing its concerns about global warming and urging the Mayor to sign on to the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. Prior to the formal request by the Sierra Club, the Mayor's Office had been urged informally by Environmental Health Coalition and other individuals to sign on to the Agreement. Citing evidence that no reasonable doubt remains regarding the connection between atmospheric pollution and global warming, these organizations and individuals requested that the City of Chula Vista participate in the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and take all necessary steps locally to reduce atmospheric pollution. History of the Climate Protection Agreement To date, 284 other mayors representing nearly 49 million Americans have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. In June 2005, the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution endorsing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Mayor Padilla attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting and supported the resolution on which staff had previously completed an analysis (Attachment I). This resolution urges all mayors to participate and calls for a strong partnership between the U.S. Conference of Mayors and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability to help the growing number of participating cities implement the Agreement and track progress. It also encourages the federal government to assist cities in sharing best practices on local climate protection programs. RECOMMENDATION: That Council adopt the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Resolution and authorize Mayor Padilla to sign the Agreement (Exhibit A). BOARDS/COMMISSIONS: N/A DISCUSSION: Mounting scientific evidence has forced an end to any serious scientific debate on whether humans are causing global climate change. Debate is now focused on whether or not this warming trend can be reversed and if not, how soon it will reach the "tipping point." Regardless, awareness is growing that this warming is strong enough to have serious consequences in the next century. Furthermore, nine of the ten hottest years on record occurred in the last decade. Constituents turn to their local governments for help during dangerous heat waves, wildfires, droughts and floods. b-1 ! Page 2, Item (fi Meeting Date 10/03/06 Here in Chula Vista we are likely to be directly impacted by global climate disruption. Our location on the San Diego Bay and the potential for a significant rise in the sea level, as well as an increasing frequency of wildfires are two of the more conspicuous examples.. The potential impacts to coastal lands such a wetlands and marshes would impact bayfront develdpment and tourism. We are also vulnerable because of low-lying infrastructure and our dependence on imported water and energy. The problems associated with global climate change increase exponentially making it critically important to do as much as is possible before the situation worsens. The City of Chula Vista has always been a leader in these areas as evidenced by the fact that our aggressive pollution reduction programs have recently attracted the National Energy Center for Sustainable Communities. We can set an example for other cities thereby multiplying our positive contribution to combating this global problem. The actions and investments needed to stave off these negative consequences have the additional benefit of making our community healthier and more livable by reducing traffic congestion and toxic air pollution from diesel emissions, for example. It will also increase our energy independence, keeping more money circulating in the local economy and creating a market for alternative forms of energy potentially positioning us as a prime site for solar manufacturing. Families and businesses also stand to benefit from the cost-savings that result from energy efficiency and climate-friendly community design. The City of Chula Vista is already taking a leadership position in the pursuit against global climate change. Since 1993, the City has worked with rCLEr to develop a Carbon Dioxide (C02) Reduction Plan, track greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate for climate change impacts. The City is currently working to quantify 2005 emission levels that will enable the City to formally assess the Plan's effectiveness. The Department of Conservation & Environmental Services plans on reconvening a Climate Change Task Force in Spring 2007 to develop new emission reduction measures to further the City's efforts. Commitments required bv the U.S. Mavors Climate Agreement On February 16,2005 the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement to address climate disruption, became law for the 141 countries that have ratified it to date. On that day, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched an initiative to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol through leadership and action by American cities. Mayor Nickels, along with a growing number of other US mayors, is leading the development of a U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Under the Agreement, participating cities commit to take following three actions: I. Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns; 2. Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol-- 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and 3. Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system. b-2 Page 3, Item Meeting Date 10/03/06 ~ With respect to item (1) above, the City Council has already initiated the following actions with the creation of the C02 Reduction Plan and Task Force in 1996 (Attachment 2): 1. Establishment of a baseline assessment of 1990 emission levels; 2. Creation of a forecast of the City's emissions in the year 2010; 3. Development of a list of20 actions that the City could undertake to help reach the ultimate emissions target of 80% of 1990 levels by 2010. These generally fall into 3 policy areas including land use, energy conservation and transportation. Some of the actions are: . Municipal Clean Fuel Vehicles - to reduce transit emissions . Green Power Public Education - to inform citizens of renewable energy options . An Energy Efficient Building Program - to encourage home energy conservation . Increased Land Use Mix & Bicycle Lanes- to get residents out of their cars . Energy Efficient Landscaping - to strategically place shade trees . Traffic Signal Upgrades - to reduce municipal energy use . An Updated General Plan (2005) that supports anti-sprawl land use policies Over the last 10 years, the City has made notable progress in implementing these actions. Public Works' Transit Division has updated its fleet so that 84% of buses use Compressed Natural Gas. The Department of Conservation & Environmental Services, in partnership with SDG&E, has distributed over 9,100 compact fluorescent lightbulbs to residents for free, and the Planning Department's GreenStar program has built/approved 2,500 energy efficient homes. The Planning Department has also been pivotal in implementing smart growth, transit-oriented and waIkable communities. Among a host of other significant actions, they have designed neighborhoods around dedicated mass transit right-of-ways, punched through cul-de-sacs to improve walkability and required extensive permeable pathways to encourage a reduction in auto dependence. The Department of Conservation & Environmental Services and the City Arborist have planted over 2,000 shade trees along older residential streets. The Engineering Department has converted all traffic and pedestrian indicator signals to LED bulbs which use about 90% less energy then normal signals, and General Services has incorporated energy saving features such as a Cool Roof and skylights into the design of its Public Works Facility and has installed a photovoltaic solar system at its Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The City's "Building Energy Efficiency Policy" requires all new buildings and facilities be equipped with EnergyStar qualified products and existing buildings and facilities be upgraded as higher efficiency technology becomes available. It is estimated that the City's internal efforts alone have cut its municipal C02 emissions by up to 50%. U.S. Mavors Climate Agreement commitments that exceed current City policv As evidenced, the great majority of actions required in the Climate Agreement have already been taken by the City of Chula Vista. However, there are general commitments in the Agreement that warrant additional attention, including the need to reduce sprawl, preserve open space and create compact, walkable communities in all future land use decisions. Additionally, focused attention should be devoted to the promotion of multi-modal transportation options such as bicycle facilities, commute trip reduction programs, parking maximums and incentives for public transit. Many of these policies have been established through the City's recently adopted General Plan. Others could be included in implementing documents such as the Urban Core Specific Plan. Although C02-focused actions/ordinances are generally captured in the City's C02 Plan, policies that influence actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects h-3 ( ( Page 4, Item & Meeting Date 10/03/06 are diffuse and scattered throughout a nwnber of guiding docwnents. They take various forms such as policies, ordinances, codes, etc. and are not consolidated in one place. Staff recommends that the City Council consider creating a "sustainability guidebook" for the City of Chula Vista. Through the process of compiling the many existing policies and regulations, gaps could be identified and additional policies brought forward for adoption. This has the benefit of simplifying the process of implementation, gauging progress, analyzing gaps and bolstering our environmental policies for the City. Additionally, there is one specific commitment in the Climate Agreement that the City has yet to adopt. It is: 1. C.7. of the Climate Agreement "Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) program or a similar system." Tonight's action would include the approval of this new commitment. The long term cost benefits of this policy are discussed in the "Fiscal Impacts" section. The City does have a GreenStarprogram to promote energy efficient homes, and the Urban Core Specific Plan (Public Hearing Draft, Sept. 2006) would require "all newly constructed City-sponsored buildings in the Urban Core to qualify for the equivalent of the LEED Silver Certification." However, staff recommends following the lead of other cities by establishing a clear policy requiring LEED certification for all city buildings. Future action might also include directing staff to study the residential LEED standards (currently in development) and make a recommendation regarding adopting a LEED policy or other sustainability standards that apply to all new structures rather than only new city buildings. The following are a list of what other governments are doing with respect to LEED standards: 1. State of California - Executive Order #S-20-04 requires all new and renovated state-owned facilities to be LEED Silver. 2. Boulder, CO - Requires all municipally funded new construction and major addition projects to achieve LEED Silver certification. Also considering requiring certification of commercial projects or developing a LEED-based incentive program. 3. City of Los Angeles - Requires LEED Certification of all public works construction projects over 7,500 gsf. 4. Portland, OR - City requires LEED certification of all new construction and major renovations funded by the city. Have developed city-specific Portland LEED guidelines and encourage Silver, Gold and Platinwn ratings. 5. City of San Diego - City Buildings must meet LEED Silver rating as of April 2002. 6. San Mateo, CA - Requires LEED Certification of public projects. 7. Seattle, W A - Requires LEED Silver Certification of all public projects over 5,000 gsf. Although the City of Chula Vista's Urban Core Specific Plan, if adopted, would require the LEED Silver standard for all new City buildings in the urban core, staff recommends beginning by adopting the same standard as the City of San Diego, (5) above. This would require that all new City buildings meet the LEED Silver rating. DECISION MAKER CONFLICTS: Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500 foot rule found in f.-4 Page 5, Item Meeting Date 10/03/06 ~ the California Code of Regulations section I 8704.2( a) (1 ) is not applicable to this decision. FISCAL IMP ACT: There is no direct impact to the General Fund. The cost of building to LEED standards is comparable to conventional construction and can ultimately save the City money over the long term. The cost per square foot for building'S seeking LEED Certification falls into the existing range of costs for buildings not seeking LEED Certification (Source: 2004 study done by the cost consultants David Langdon, "Costing Green,"). An upfront investment of 2% in green building design, on average, results in life cycle savings of 20% of the total construction costs - more than ten times the initial investment (Source: The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings: A Report to California's Sustainable Building Task Force, October 2003). A $4 investment (per square foot) in building green nets a $58 benefit (per sq. ft.) over 20 years: . Estimated health & productivity benefits: $46 . Operations & maintenance: $8.50 . Energy savings: $5.80 . Emissions savings: $1.20 . Water savings: $0.50 Therefore any building costs accrued by the City for meeting the LEED Silver rating standard on new buildings are marginal or would be offset by long-term cost savings such as those described above. Additionally, future projects will be brought forward on an individual basis with specific budgets and a range of options for consideration. At that time, the City Council can fully assess the costs and benefits of using sustainability guidelines on a proj ect specific basis. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1 - Information Memo from Ken Lee, Principal Community Development Specialist to Zaneta Encarnacion, Constituent Services Manager, Office of the Mayor Attachment 2 - Chula Vista C02 Reduction Plan, Adopted November 14,2000 /'-5 . , Attachment 1 ~~~ -.- . - ---- - -- - - - - - - - Community Development Department City Of Chula Vista 276 Fourth Avenue Chula Vista, Ca 91910 619.691.5047 - 619.476.5310 Fax cvcomdev@ci.chula-vista.ca.us INFORMATION MEMO C1lY OF CHULA VISTA TO: Zaneta Encarnacion, Constituent Services Manager Office of the Mayor VIA: Dana M. Smith, Assistant City Manager FROM: Ken Lee, Principal Community Development Specialist CC: David D. Rowlands, Jr., City Manager Denny Stone, Economic Development Manager Michael Meacham, Director, Conservation and Environmental Services DAlE: May 31,2006 SUBJECT: U.S. Conference of Mayors - Proposed Resolution No. 50 On May 20, 2006, the Mayor's Office received an e-mail from a constituent requesting the Mayor's support for Resolution No. 50, a policy measure that is currently being proposed for adoption by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Resolutions adopted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors do not impact federal, state, or local laws, but instead establish priorities and policy direction for the U.S. Conference of Mayors in their outreach and coordination efforts with local municipalities on key policy issues. These policy resolutions are adopted each year by the U.S. Conference of Mayors at their annual conference. Resolution No. 50 will be considered for adoption at the upcoming 74th Annual Conference which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 2 to 6. Resolutions must be approved by an assigned Standing Committee and by a vote of the entire membership of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Resolution No, 50 and the "2030 Challene:e" Resolution No. 50 (attached) was collaboratively submitted for consideration of the U.S. Conference of Mayors by the Mayors of Alburquerque, Seattle, Chicago, and Miami. The resolution would seek to support new and progressive goals and standards for fossil fuel emissions and energy efficiency in new and renovated buildings. These new standards are contained in the "2030 Challenge," a policy statement developed by the American Institute of Architects (AlA) calling for the immediate energy reduction of all new and renovated buildings to one-half the national average, with increased reductions of 10% every five years so that, by the year 2030, all new and renovated buildings will be carbon neutral and free of fossil fuels. Procedures for Considerine: and Votioe: 00 Resolutions The Agenda for the 74th Annual Conference of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (attached) includes a concurrent session on Friday, June 2 at 2:30 pm on "Solving the Nation's Energy and Environmental Crisis." Discussion topics during this session will include climate protection, fossil fuel emissions, 6-6 , , May 31, 2006 Information Memo to Mayor's Office re U.S. Conference of Mayors Resolution No. 50 Page 2 green building designs, and sustainable development. On Saturday, June 3, a Standing Committee on Energy will meet at 2:30 pm to vote on Resolution No. SO, and other energy-related resolutions submitted to the U.S. Conference. This meeting is open to all mayors, but only members of the Standing Committee may vote on the proposed resolutions. Resolutions that pass Committee will then be debated and voted on by the full membership of the U.S. Conference of Mayors on Monday, June 5 at lOam, during the "Business/Plenary Session" of the conference. Resolution No. 50 is one of 82 resolutions that are being proposed in 2006 to the U.S. Conference of Mayors in total, and one of seven that are being proposed on energy issues. Recommendation The sustainability policies set forth in Resolution No. 50 and the 2030 Challenge are consistent with practices already being developed and implemented in the City of Chula Vista, including multi-level efforts to promote new conservation design and management practices. Recent efforts include: Q The energy efficiency and sustainability components of the proposed University Park & Research Center (UPRC), including the research and technology elements of the UPRC. Q The updated sustainable development policies established in the recently adopted General Plan Update. Q The progressive incentive programs contained in the Draft Urban Core Specific Plan to promote and encourage sustainable development practices and green building designs. Q The various educational and outreach programs of the City's Conservation and Environmental Services Department on the topic of energy and natural resource conservation. Resolution No. 50 and the 2030 Challenge supports these efforts and would promote new, cutting- edge sustainability practices across the country. Staff therefore recommends that the Mayor support and vote in favor of Resolution No. 50 at the upcoming 74'" Annual Conference of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. If you or the Mayor has any questions or concerns about Resolution No. 50, please contact Dana M. Smith, Assistant City Manager, or myself at (619) 691-5047. b-7 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA TO ADOPT THE TENETS OF THE U.S. MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT; AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has previously adopted strong policy resolutions calling for cities, communities and the federal government to take actions to reduce global warming pollution; and WHEREAS, the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international community's most respected assemblage of scientists, has found that climate disruption is a reality and that human activities are largely responsible for increasing concentrations of global warming pollution; and WHEREAS, recent, well-documented impacts of climate disruption include average global sea level increases of four to eight inches during the 20th century; a 40 percent decline in Arctic sea-ice thickness; and nine of the ten hottest years on record occurring in the past decade; and WHEREAS, climate disruption of the magnitude now predicted by the scientific community will cause extremely costly disruption of human and natural systems throughout the world including: increased risk of floods or droughts; sea-level rises that interact with coastal storms to erode beaches, inundate land, and damage structures; more frequent and extreme heat waves; more frequent and greater concentrations of smog; and WHEREAS, on February 16,2005, the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to address climate disruption, went into effect in the 141 countries that have ratified it to date; 38 of those countries are now legally required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on average 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and WHEREAS, the United States of America, with less than five percent of the world's population, is responsible for producing approximately 25 percent of the world's global warming pollutants; and WHEREAS, the Kyoto Protocol emissions reduction target for the U.S. would have been 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and WHEREAS, many leading US companies that have adopted greenhouse gas reduction programs to demonstrate corporate social responsibility have also publicly expressed preference for the US to adopt precise and mandatory emissions targets and timetables as a means by which to remain competitive in the international marketplace, to mitigate financial risk and to promote sound investment decisions; and '-8 WHEREAS, state and local governments throughout the United States are adopting emission reduction targets and programs and that this leadership is bipartisan, coming from Republican and Democratic governors and mayors alike; and WHEREAS, many cities throughout the nation, both large and small, are reducing global warming pollutants through programs that provide ,economic and quality of life benefits such as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, reduced traffic congestion, improved transportation choices, and economic development and job creation through energy conservation and new energy technologies; and WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista in adopting the updated General Plan in December 2005 committed to certain sustainable development policies; and WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista has been a leader in the reduction of CO2 and other pollutants; and WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista, in partnership with the National Energy Center for Sustainable Communities, has committed the resources to reducing global warming through development of a model sustainable cornmunity for the state and nation; and WHEREAS, Chula Vista Mayor Stephen C. Padilla participated in the 73rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting and supported adoption of the Resolution supporting the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement; and WHEREAS, mayors from around the nation have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement which, as amended at the 73rd Annual U.S, Conference of Mayors meeting, reads: The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States' dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel- efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels; B. We urge the U.S, Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that includes 1) clear timetables and emissions limits and 2) a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as: b-9 ! I I 1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan. 2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, waIkable urban communities; 3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit; 4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for.example, investing in "green tags", advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology; 5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money; 6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use; 7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U. S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system; 8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel; 9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production; 10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community; II. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb C02; and 12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista adopt the tenets of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement "Exhibit A". Presented by Approved as to form by Allison Rolfe Land Use/Coastal Policy Advisor oore 1'(Sity At(o ey 't-10 Exhibit A US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement - Signature Page You have my support for the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Date: Mayor: Signature: Address: City: State: Zip: Mayor's Email: Staff Contact Name: Staff Contact Title: Staff Phone: Staff Email: Please add my comments in support of the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. We will add these to the Website (optional): Please return completed form at your earliest convenience to: US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement By Mail: cIa City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment Seattle Municipal Tower PO Box 94729 Seattle, WA 98124-4729 By Fax: (206) 684-3013 By Email: john.mauro@sealtle.gov For more Information: (206) 733-9084 "6-11 , , US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement - Contact Information Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is coordinating this initiative. He can be reached at 206-684-4000. The primary staff contacts for Seattle are: John Mauro, Climate Project Analyst Office of Sustainability and Environment (206) 733-9084 iohn. mauro@seattle.oov PO Box 94729 Seattle Municipal Tower Seattle, WA 98124-4729 Kim Drury, Senior Policy Advisor Office of Sustainability and Environment (206) 684-3214 kim. drurv@seattle.oov PO Box 94729 Seattle Municipal Tower Seattle, WA 98124-4729 US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Website: wwwseattle.oov/mavor/c1imate ir12 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I - -----I Tkm0 Attachment 2 Adopted November 14, CHULA VISTA CO2 REDUCTIONyP , Cof/ON HI-E ( ()~:3D-/4 ~\~~ ~ -- - ._-- ~-----~~ ""'"~""'"-~ CllY OF CHUlAVISfA