HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-24-08-2o - Resolution - 01/24/2008RESOLUTION NO. 1- 24 -08 -20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION,
TEXAS, APPROVING GREEN COLLEGE STATION POLICY.
WHEREAS, Sustainability and resource conservation has become a constant on the local
government landscape; and
WHEREAS, Sustainability and conservation of resources has a direct connection to the
quality of life in the community; and
WHEREAS, Viewing sustainability holistically, cities can account for real savings in terms of
deferring capital and operating costs; and
WHEREAS, many cities throughout the nation, both large and small, are adopting
sustainability and resource conservation programs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of College Station, Texas has expressed a strong desire to
address sustainability issues, resource conservation, and reduction of the carbon footprint
through the establishment of clear policy and the development of GREEN COLLEGE
STATION ACTION PLAN; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas, has been briefed on the
proposed GREEN COLLEGE STATION INITIATIVE; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE
STATION, TEXAS:
PART 1: That the City Council hereby establishes GREEN COLLEGE STATION
policy statement as follows: College Station is committed to being a leader in
resource conservation and protection of our environment. GREEN
COLLEGE STATION will express the City's commitment to achieve
resource conservation and sustainability over the long -term. It is recognized
there are four interdependent elements to the quality of life aspects of
sustainability: (a) balancing environmental stewardship; (b) economic
development; (c) social equity; and (d) financial and organizational viability.
College Station City Manager is directed to develop the GREEN COLLEGE
STATION ACTION PLAN for Council approval to direct the City's efforts
to implement its green strategies..
PART 2: That the City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to sign and submit to the
US Conference of Mayors — the US Conference of Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement on behalf of the City of College Station (attachment
1).
PART 3: That the City Council recognizes the need to engage a broad cross section of
the community in the GREEN COLLEGE STATION INITIATIVE, the
Council will appoint a seven (7) member task force to support the City
Manager's efforts to develop the GREEN COLLEGE STATION ACTION
RESOLUTION NO. 1- 24 -08 -2o
Page 2
PLAN; The City Manager will provide for broad community education,
input, and comments on the proposed GREEN COLLEGE STATION
ACTION PLAN prior to submission to Council for consideration.
PART 4: That this resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage.
ADOPTED this 24 day of januaty, A.D. 2008.
ATTEST:
Y
City Secretary
APPROVED:
•'
APPROVED:
City Attorney
CCIVII
Attachment 1
'rhe U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (As endorsed by the 73rd
Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, Chicago, 2005)
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 1)
includes 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:
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, walkable 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;
11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to
absorb CO2; and
12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations,
business and industry about reducing global warming pollution