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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Agenda Packet 09-11-17 SPECIAL STUDY SESSION AGENDA CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge CO September 11, 2017 Upon adjournment from Regular Council Meeting Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. Call Sara Spaulding, Public Information Officer 303-235-2877 at least one week in advance of a meeting if you are interested in participating and need inclusion assistance. Citizen Comment on Agenda Item 1. Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee (WRESC) Report ADJOURNMENT Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Patrick Goff, City Manager DATE: September 11, 2017 SUBJECT: Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee (WRESC) The Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee was formed in May 2017. It is comprised of eleven members appointed by the Mayor and ratified by a vote of the City Council. The committee was formed to involve the community in recommending and prioritizing environmental sustainability goals for the City and to support other community-wide sustainability efforts. Members of the committee would like to present a mission update before the City Council at the September 11, 2017, special study session. The presentation will be approximately 30 minutes long, followed by discussion or questions from the Council. Presentation Outline: • Committee introduction • Overview of experts, organizations, and business representatives interviewed by committee • Analysis of six key areas of sustainability (as directed by Mayor and Council): o Green building o Energy efficiency o Solid waste & recycling o Transportation o Water o Communication & engagement • Analysis in each area will include: o Summary of what's currently being done o Summary of current metrics o Strengths o Challenges o Guiding principles for future goals o Next steps • 1i 09.11.2017 Environmental Sustainability Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee Presentation to City Council September 11, 2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 1 Progress to date • Eight (8) meetings June 2017 -September 2017 • Interviewed 19 leaders/organizers/facilitators/decision makers regarding sustainability • Interviewed five (5) from within City of Wheat Ridge government, based on charged topic areas from WR City Council. • Interviewed eight (8) from Wheat Ridge Community, including businesses • Interviewed three (3) from WR supporting organizations, such as Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Xcel • Interviewed three (3) from surrounding communities • Evaluated specific next steps for the six (6) sustainability areas as defined by the City 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 3 Green Building and Energy Efficiency • What is currently being done • In City of Wheat Ridge • Many municipal facilities have been audited • Some recommendations have been implemented, mostly lighting retrofit •Community • Adopted 2012 building energy codes • Metrics • Energy use laid out in sustainability plan • City has completed energy audits • Baseline established 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 5 Renewable Energy • Defined as: Sources of energy used in Wheat Ridge • Importance to Wheat Ridge • Social • Health, safety, comfort • Economic • Security against price fluctuations • Security against supply fluctuations • Consumer choice • Infrastructure is same, choice is from consumer • Increase jobs • Environmental • Reduce water and air pollution 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 7 Renewable Energy • Metrics • Xcel provides updated metrics on energy supply mix • 2.2% of electricity sales in WR subscribed to Xcel wind and solar programs Wheat Ridge Emissions by Sector Industry 24(1,r- Bul!d~!!.Ci!.L--___, '·:::; i::~ 09.11.2017 Transportation s: .7"~ Wheat Ridge Emissions by Source Electricity ~8 .. 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Natu'.:'.al Gas . . . ~:lJ.~:.:·· 9 Renewable Energy • Proposed next steps • Emissions inventory • Research 100% RE Goal for municipal facilities • Xcel Partners in Energy Action Plan • Fuel switching incentives • Solar ready homes • Community education -energy audits benefits, process • Partner with other local communities in urging County, State, and Federal lawmakers to reduce green house gases 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 11 Transportation • What is currently being done • In City of Wheat Ridge • Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, Walkability audit • Transportation language in the City Sustainability Plan • Comp plan and Sustainability plan • Ward Rd Transit Oriented Development (TOD) (celebrate success/progress) • Other cities/regionally • Incentives available for alternative vehicles/infrastructure • Multimodal projects • Golden and Lakewood examples vehicles miles traveled (VMT) reduction goals, targets, and strategies • Support active transportation, connections with transit • Connectedness of bike infrastructure • "Shop Local" campaign to encourage shorter trips and support local businesses • Potential for incentives from Xcel for EVs • Metrics • VMT, transit ridership, bicycle counts, pedestrian counts, emissions, air quality indicators 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 13 Transportation • Proposed next steps • Fleet efficiency improvements • Incentives • Continue implementation of bike and pedestrian plans • Continue pursuing mixed use developments • Pursue grant funding for alternative vehicle fuel infrastructure • Electric car show at Wheat Ridge Bowl 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 15 Solid Waste and Recycling • What is currently being done • Within WR City Programs (operational) • Recycle bins in city parks • Increased recycling in city offices/buildings • Increases use of electronic documentation/forms • Regionally • Clear Intentions glass recycling services in area • City Partnership Localworks for 'Clean-up' days for yard waste and large trash items • Neighboring communities pursuing city contracted trash services with mixed results • Five Fridges Farm active food waste diversion program with local restaurants • Metrics • For City and impacts of highly dispersed trash collection • Noise, nuisance, air pollution, road wear, street maintenance • Understanding landfill horizon year and waste needs for WR now and future 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 17 Solid Waste and Recycling • Proposed next steps • Community driven 'pilot' programs • Neighborhood/block waste management solutions • Educational opportunities on composting and recycling • "Teach" a neighbor composting construction/management • Behavior changes • Low effort opportunities through straightforward behavior change • Identify waste reduction and composting benefits to community/environment • Identify strategies or policies for sustainable waste management • Identify return on investment {ROI) and funding for city staff to develop and implement operational and community programs • Research inclusion of Clear Intentions drop-off in WR 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 19 Water • What is currently being done • In Wheat Ridge • City code-more xeric/low water use landscape options in City comprehensive plan • City Comp Plan -major drainage corridors identified • City progress made in stormwater enforcement, drought tolerant landscaping • City water supply secure for supply and infrastructure • Wastewater infrastructure aging • Wastewater infrastructure is sanitary storm overflow (SSO) • Community/Regionally • Community-Localworks landscape plans and resources for low water usage/water conservation • Utility • Some drinking water supply services to WR offer some rebates for water conservation • Landscape • Appliances • Fixtures • Metrics • No known metrics for water supply, stormwater, or wastewater being collected by, for or within City/community • Drinking water suppliers -per capital water usage 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 21 Water • Proposed next steps • Water conservation -"Use only what you need", WR specific • Water quality-"This goes to Clear Creek" • Identify regional/similar municipality structure for stormwater management • Investigate fund~ng for stormwater management/water conservation • Research incentivizing xeriscape/low water landscaping • Research incentives for low water appliances, fixtures • Research DRCOG/Partners regarding water planning • Community and City education/outreach regarding water conservation values • Campaign/education regarding how to protect waste water • Identify pharma drop off resources for wastewater protection 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 23 Communication and Engagement • What is currently being done: • City • Access to various planning documents on City website • Volunteer website page • Notify Me service through website •Community • High levels of soda! media engagement on city programs related to sustainability • Localworks Volunteer Programs • Publications on City operations • Gazette • Connections • Metrics • Data regarding volunteer participation • Possible metrics on distribution of local newspaper/online publication • Attendance to recent city town halls/citizen engagement events 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 2S . , . Communication and Engagement • Proposed next steps • Consider adopting Sustainable Neighborhoods Program • Discuss update to city website to include more effective communication tools about WRESC and sustainability related information • Discuss how to identify and support dispersed leadership throughout WR • City recognition of leadership in civic sustainability work (sustainability themed award) 09.11.2017 WRESC Presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council 27