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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-12 PACKET 05.1. TO: Environmental Commission FROM: Ryan Burfeind, Project Engineer Emily Schmitz, Code Enforcement DATE: November 6, 2014 RE: Environmental Commission Short Term Work Plan for 2015 BACKGROUND The current work plan for the environmental commission was adopted in 2012 and was created to extend through 2015. The work plan goals and objectives addressed environmental steward- ship in three areas: permits, policies, and education. The plan addresses how they will seek to advance and promote environmental awareness in the community through permit review, policy recommendations, and educational outreach. Review and updating of the work plan as well as creating a short-term work plan annually is recommended to continue to move towards the achievement of Commission goals. DISCUSSION The current long-term work plan will create a guide for the 2015 short-term work plan. Focus will be placed on education and policy with continued maintenance of permits and regulations. GreenStep Cities: The next benchmark to meet in the GreenStep Cities program is to become a Step 3 City. To reach the Step 3 goal, a total of 16 completed best practices will be required, nine of which are specifically chosen by the program. Currently Cottage Grove meets four of the nine required best practices. Focus on the remaining best practices and others which require promotion of sustainable actions throughout the community would be a reachable short-term goal and would complete the required 16 best practices to meet the Step 3 requirements.  Best Practice #1 – Efficient Existing Public Buildings Requires baseline information to be entered into the Minnesota B3 benchmarking o database and routinely enter monthly energy use data from all city-owned buildings.  Best Practice #11 – Complete Green Streets Adopt a complete streets policy that addresses street trees and stormwater. o Comprehensive plan includes measures for reducing automobile trips through  enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities and improved transit service.  Best Practice #15 – Purchasing Adopt an environmentally preferable purchasing policy. o Environmental Commission Short-Term Work Plan for 2015 November 7, 2014 Page 2 of 3  Best Practice #22 – Solid Waste Reduction (Complete) Adopt and meet reduction goals for waste generated from internal city operations o (parks) Five parks currently funded for waste and recycling collection.  Implementation of the recycling pilot program at the River Oaks Golf Course will  be monitored by:  Review the amount of waste diverted in 2015 comparable to 2014 weight  Review the outcome of the recycling pilot program in fall of 2015 Adopt and meet recycling goals for waste generated from internal city operations (City o Hall, Public Works, Fire Stations, BEC, and River Oaks) River Oaks recycling program will work to meet goals for recycling   Best Practice #24 – Bench Marks and Community Engagement Report progress to community on implementation of GreenStep best practices o Create a webpage to be updated monthly  Include updates monthly in the newsletter  Organize goals/outcome measures from all city plans and report to community the o progress towards these goals Energy audit- carbon footprint evaluation  Sustainability report  Promote MN Energy Challenge to the community, schools, and neighborhoods.   Best Practice #25 – Green Business Development Connect businesses with assistance providers who conduct personalized energy, o water, environmental sustainability, or waste audits and assistance. Offer handouts to businesses applying for a building permit or at Strawberry Fest  Share links on the City’s website  Education Continue to focus on awareness of environmental issues to businesses, community, and schools. Creation of a local rain garden guide  Create a complete sustainable action section on the website and/or in the newsletter  Incorporate high priority stormwater topics when attending community events. The new  General Stormwater Permit with the MPCA requires MS4 permit holders to prioritize stormwater topics when providing community education and outreach. Policy Continue to monitor and review implementation of wellhead protection plan  Adopt an environmentally friendly purchasing policy.  Create an environmental ordinance section for simplification.  Permits and Regulation Monitor changes to the City of Cottage Grove SWPPP and MS4 program to stay in compliance with new changes to the NPDES General Stormwater Permit as issued by the MPCA. Below is a list of updates that have been completed to date:  Develop written procedures for illicit discharge inspections Environmental Commission Short-Term Work Plan for 2015 November 7, 2014 Page 3 of 3  Identify high priority illicit discharge inspection areas  Develop written procedures for site plan review  Develop written procedures for receiving public input on active construction sites  Prioritizing education efforts  Employee training program Additional updates to be completed include:  Post the MS4 permit application and SWPPP document to the City website  Updating the illicit discharge & connection ordinance to meet MS4 permit requirements  Updating the grading, filling, and excavation ordinance to meet MS4 requirements  Develop a regulatory mechanism allowing the City to conduct inspections on private structural stormwater BMP’s, and if necessary perform maintenance and assess costs  Update the SWMP to meet MS4 requirements for post-construction stormwater management  Complete the facilities inventory  Perform quarterly stockpile inspections  Develop procedures to determine the total suspended solids and total phosphorus treat- ment effectiveness of City stormwater ponds Climb Theater Climb Theater will provide their water conservation presentation to interested elementary schools (grades K through 2). In 2014, the theater presented their waste reduction and recycling productions for students at Pine Hill, Hillside, and Crestview. Small giveaways including a reus- able water bottle, bracelet, pencil, and coloring book were given to the students after the show. RECOMMENDATION Review and discuss changes to the Environmental Commission 2015 Short-Term Work Plan. Cottage Grove Environmental Commission Work Plan 2012-2015 PURPOSE: The purpose of the Environmental Commission is to assist and advise the Mayor, City Council, and City departments on matters relating to Cottage Grove’s physical environment. This would include, but is not limited to, the quality of air, water, and soil that affect the economic conditions, general well being, and physical health of its citizens. RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Review data assembled and released by federal and state agencies; specifically, but is not limited to, environmental permit applications, modifications, and renewals. B. The Environmental Commission shall seek to advise the City on issues of environmental equity, environmental safety, and environmental health. The Commission will: 1. Act as a conduit for information and education regarding Cottage Grove residents and government officials on issues affecting the City’s environmental health and well being; 2. Act as an advocate for the environmental cleanup and prevention of pollution with the City; 3. Promote sustainable development in Cottage Grove and sustainable city operations; 4. Act in partnership with other agencies and organizations to promote policies and practices that impact the well being of Cottage Grove residents; 5. Act in partnership with other agencies and organizations to promote policies and practices that impact the well being of Cottage Grove businesses; 6. Act as environmental ambassadors to promote Cottage Grove as forward thinking and acting on environmental issues; 7. Advise the Mayor and City Council on proposed legislation and policies that impact Cottage Grove and its environment; 8. Advocate for the full enforcement of environmental laws; 9. Engage in public and community relations activities; 10. Recommend annual goals and an annual environmental action plan for the City of Cottage Grove. WORK PLAN STRATEGIES: A. The Commission identified three key areas of focus: Cottage Grove Environmental Commission Work Plan 2012-2015 Page 2 of 6 1. Permits and Regulations 2. Policy 3. Education B. The Environmental Commission strategies include: 1. Review all appropriate permits and regulations that effect environmental equity, environ- mental safety, and environmental health for a recommendation to the City Council. 2. Review policies, plans and programs and provide advice to the City Council. 3. Recommend and implement educational activities to further the responsibilities of the Commission. PERMITS AND REGULATIONS: The goal is to understand all of the Cottage Grove “environmental” regulations affecting entities in Cottage Grove and all permits granted to entities in Cottage Grove that impact environmental quality in Cottage Grove and the broader community. Priority Ranked Tasks: 1. Create, maintain, and monitor a list of permits that have environmental impact on Cottage Grove and beyond the city borders. 2. Review applicable permits and review preventative measures. 3. Create list/map of dump sites (hazardous storage) or areas of environmental concern. 4. Monitor PFC developments in the region. POLICY: The goal is to draft, recommend, and help implement environmental and sustainably focused pol- icies and practices within the City. The Commission recognizes the importance of policies and practices to promote good environmental stewardship in the community. The Commission also recognizes that sustainability is a local, regional, national, and global responsibility. Priority Ranked Tasks: 1. Consider creating an environmental ordinance section for simplification. 2. GreenStep Cities – Pursue next step and review work plan. 3. Improved ordinance for shoreline, natural resource management and education. (What/ where to plant native plants, mowing policies, fertilizing near ponds, etc.). Cottage Grove Environmental Commission Work Plan 2012-2015 Page 3 of 6 4. Review/monitor implementation wellhead protection plan. 5. Review previously approved water conservation ordinance (lawn sprinkling restrictions and rain sensors for irrigation systems). EDUCATION: The goal is to create awareness of environmental issues with the belief that understanding their solutions is vital in the protection and preservations of the environment. Community education plays a key role in fulfilling this goal and vision. Providing informative literature, planning events and creating educational opportunities for individuals, organizations, school groups and busi- nesses will provide the tools necessary to achieve success in the environmental 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Priority Ranked Tasks: 1. Establish recycling in the parks. 2. Promote food recycling in the schools. 3. Create quarterly newsletters and publications. 4. Utilize display boards to promote environmental issues at community events. 5. Continue promoting annual Sustainable City Award to businesses and residents. 6. Increase information on Cottage Grove website and make information on the web easier to find and access. 7. Promote the use of environmentally friendly products for the city and its residents. 8. Promote “green or sustainable” practices in commercial, residential, and the business community. 9. Learn from and work collaboratively with surrounding communities and Washington County. 10. Promotion of alternative modes of transportation opportunities in the community (bicycling, walking, rollerblading, etc.). SHORT TERM WORK PLAN SCHEDULE: A. GREENSTEP CITIES – STEP 3 ACHIEVEMENT GOAL 1. Review and explore options for developing an environmental preferable purchasing policy directing that the City purchase at least EnergyStar certified appliances and paper containing at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled content. Cottage Grove Environmental Commission Work Plan 2012-2015 Page 4 of 6 2. Review ideas and options to create a complete streets policy. 3. Review and explore options in which progress within the GreenStep program can be reported to the community. 4. Review and explore options to organize goals and outcomes from City plans (compre- hensive plan, trail plans, park plans) and report to community members the progress of meeting these goals on an annual basis. B. EDUCATION 1. Explore ideas for the creation of a local rain garden guide for community use. 2. Review ideas to create a sustainable action section on the website. 3. Explore options to prioritize stormwater topics when providing community education and outreach as required for MS4 permit holders by the new General Stormwater Permit. C. POLICY 1. Review options to create an environmental ordinance section for simplification. 2. Review options to create an environmentally friendly purchasing policy. D. PERMITS AND REGULATION 1. Monitor changes to the City of Cottage Grove SWPPP and MS4 program to stay in compliance with new changes to the NPDES General Stormwater Permit as issued by the MPCA. E. RIVER OAKS RECYCLING PROJECT 1. Review the amount of waste diverted by the recycling program, as determined by comparing the weight of waste generated in 2014 to the amount of waste/recycling in 2015. 2. Review the case study and lessons learned from the pilot program upon completion in the fall of 2015. LONG TERM WORK PLAN GOALS: A. PERMITS AND REGULATIONS 1. Create, maintain, and monitor a list of permits that have environmental impact on Cottage Grove and beyond the city borders. a. This activity will be an ongoing activity as permits and environmental related items are occurring in the community. Cottage Grove Environmental Commission Work Plan 2012-2015 Page 5 of 6 2. Review applicable permits and review preventative measures. a. This activity will be an ongoing activity as permits and environmental related items are occurring in the community. 3. Monitor PFC developments in the region. B. POLICY 1. GreenStep Cities – Pursue next step and review work plan. a. The GreenStep Cities will continue to evolve and change with new developments and technology, and the City’s work plan will need to be amended to adapt to the changing conditions. The creation of a specific work plan will take time to develop and fully implement. 2. Review/monitor implementation wellhead protection plan. a. This will be an ongoing activity. b. Starting in 2014/2015, work will be underway to make the required updates to the City’s Wellhead Protection. C. EDUCATION 1. Promote food recycling in the schools. a. This will be a long-term project to study, develop, create, and implement a plan. 2. Promote the use of environmentally friendly products for the city and its residents. a. This will be an ongoing activity that will be promoted in newsletters and display boards presented at community events. 3. Promote “green” or “sustainable” practices in commercial and residential communities. a. This will be an ongoing activity that will be promoted in newsletters and display boards presented at community events. b. Forums for engagement and promotion will need to be sought for businesses. 4. To learn from and work collaboratively with surrounding communities and Washington County. a. This will be an ongoing activity. Specifically there will be one annual joint commis- sion meeting with environmental commissions in Washington County. 5. Promotion of alternative modes of transportation opportunities in the community (bicy- cling, walking, rollerblading, etc.). a. This will be a long-term visioning of transportation into future. b. Promotional opportunities will be sought and can be promoted in newsletters and publications. Cottage Grove Environmental Commission Work Plan 2012-2015 Page 6 of 6 PERFORMANCE MEASURES: The performance measures of each activity will be reviewed annually along with routine debrief- ings following events and activities. It is recognized that due to the variation of activities and tasks to be engaged in by the Commission, there is not one specific mechanism for evaluation. Evalua- tion tools and performance measurements will continue to be sought throughout the Work Plan to find better ways to serve the community on environmental related topics.