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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-28 - AGENDA REPORTS - EARTH DAY 2000 (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: March 28, 2000 Item to be presented by: EARTH DAY 2000 Planning & Building Services RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt Resolution supporting Earth Day 2000 and direct staff to finalize and send the letter from the Mayor to the Earth Day Network. BACKGROUND April is Earth Month. April 22, 2000 is the 30th anniversary of Earth Day. The City celebrates Earth Day through providing the City sponsored Pride Week Clean -Up and the County sponsored Household Hazardous Waste Round -Up at College of the Canyons. In this way, the City promotes the proper disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and encourages the community to take an active role in keeping the City clean. Pride Day and the Household Hazardous Waste Round -Up are on April 29, 2000. The Earth Day Network, an environmental organization out of Seattle, has challenged cities throughout the nation to become Earth Day Communities through making Earth Day 2000 Commitments and passing a resolution supporting Earth Day 2000. The theme of Earth Day 2000 is "Clean Energy Now!" Staff has identified the following clean air and energy programs to include in a letter of commitment from the Mayor: - • Pass Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita Adopting Principles and Supporting Earth Day 2000 on March 28, 2000. • Continue and expand alternative fuel vehicle program. City currently has 1-EV1, 1. Honda EV, and 2 -CNG Trucks. • Develop and implement a local air quality enhancement strategy in partnership with the South Coast Air Quality Management District. • Join the Clean Air Partnership Project coordinated by the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals to identify tools and incentives needed by local communities to meet national air quality standards. • Implement green building strategies, including air quality improvements, for City building projects and facilities. • Develop and implement an air quality and alternative fuels outreach and education program. 1: Apgonda Item:4— The letter will also include a reference to the City's Project Pollution Prevention environmental education program. The City of Santa Clarita is a leader in taking proactive steps to enhance and preserve the environment. Support of Earth Day 2000 is just another step in continuing in this leadership role. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other actions as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT None ATTACHMENTS Letter to Earth Day Network Resolution AJR:ch S:\PBS\ENVSRVCS\COUNCIL\p3upd.DOC City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Blvd. Suite 300 Santa Clarita California 91355-2196 Website: Www.santa-clarita.com March 28, 2000 Earth Day Network 91 Marion Street Seattle, WA 98104 Phone (661) 259-2489 Fax (661) 259-8125 Subject: City of Santa Clarita Earth Day 2000 Commitments Dear Members of the Network: The City of Santa Clarita is dedicated to the sustainability of our community and our region. One key aspect of achieving sustainability is reducing pollution and protecting natural resources. The City has adopted a Sustainable Santa Clarita Action Plan and has implemented an aggressive environmental education and outreach program entitled "Project Pollution Prevention ... Preserving Our Quality of Life." The Earth Day Network's theme of "Clean Energy Now!" for Earth Day 2000 is consistent with the City of Santa Clarita's sustainability strategy. The City is pleased to inform you of the projects and programs that are in process that will help to clean air and save energy: 1. Passed Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita Adopting Principles and Supporting Earth Day 2000 on March 28, 2000. 2. Continue and expand alternative fuel vehicle program. City currently has 1-EVI, 1 -Honda EV, and 2 -CNG Trucks. 3. Develop and implement a local air quality enhancement strategy in partnership with the South Coast Air Quality Management District. 4. Join the Clean Air Partnership Project coordinated by the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals to identify tools and incentives needed by local communities to meet national air quality standards. 5. Implement green building strategies, including air quality improvements, for City building projects and facilities. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 6. Develop and implement an air quality and alternative fuels outreach and education program. The City's Earth Day 2000 activity is our elementary school poster contest. The poster theme is "Keep Santa Clarita Clean All Year Long." The art will be mounted onto a poster that has a year 2000 calendar on it. This way we hope that local businesses and public buildings will keep the poster up all year. Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in this important venture. We hope that you will designate the City of Santa Clarita as an "Earth Day 2000 Community." If you need additional information or assistance please contact Ms. Amelia Rietzel, Environmental Services Coordinator at (661) 255-4337 or grietzel@santa-clarita.com. Sincerely, Jo Anne Darcy Mayor JD:AJR:ch S:\PBS\ENVSRVCS\SUSTAIN\ED2000.DOC Attachments Earth Day 2000 Resolution Project Pollution Prevention Pledge cc: George A. Caravalho, City Manager Jeffrey J. Lambert, AICP, Director Planning & Building Services FEE -01-00 TUE 09:00 Aho earth day 2000 EARTH DAY NETWORK FAx:206 682 1184 PAGE 3 BECOME AN EARTH DAY 2000 COMMUNITY Earth Day Network (EDN),.a global alliance of environmental organizations, has big plans for Earth Day 2000, Under the banner "Clean Energy Now!" EDN is promoting a rapid transition from polluting and wasteful energy systems to efficient, safe and renewable energy sources. As a key part of its Earth Day program, EDN is undertaking a campaign to launch sustainable energy projects in at least 500 cities and counties around the U.S. by April 22, 2000. Earth Day projects could include:. developing energy efficiency projects for residences and businesses, initiating commuting alternatives such as car pools and shuttle buses, energy retrofitting buildings and implementing green building codes, shifting city vehicle fleets and public transit to alternative fuels, purchasing renewable energy, and planting trees to cool urban heat islands. EDN has a "Communities and Energy" guide that outlines a number of Earth Day sustainable energy strategies. The city of Berkeley, California, for example, has selected as its Earth Day 2000 project a city-wide conversion to light emitting diode (LED) traffic signals. It is estimated this step will reduce the city's traffic signal energy bill by over 50% and, since LEDs last up to five times Ionger than standard incandescent signal lamps, provide additional savings through reduced maintenance costs. In addition to celebrating their environmental achievements on Earth Day and launchingsustainable energy projects, cities and counties are encouraged to pass resolutions endorsing EDN's "Clean Energy Agenda" and to consider joining the "Cities for Climate protection Campaign" sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, EDN's national strategic partner. For more information about becoming an "Earth Day 2000 Community" contact Michael C;losson at. Earth Day Network, 91 Marion Street, Seattle, WA 98104,2()6_876_ 2000, mclossg—n@earthLay.net Earth Day Network Earth Day Network's website is www.earthday.net. 91 Madam Street Seattle, WA 98104 USA TEL 206.264.0114 FAX 206.682.i 134 emthday@earihdryaet x.w.eart6doy.tlot amm ON GfYafD /UY rmN leFWWde