Sustainability Task Force Final ReportMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Final Report of Sustainability Task Force to City Council
DATE: February 11, 2010
3. Resource Management Dubuque is a community that values the benefits of
reducing, reusing and recycling resources.
Dubuque
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Sustainability Coordinator Cori Burbach is recommending adoption of the
recommendations of the City's Sustainability Task Force, including the following vision
Statement, 3 -Part Model and 11 Sustainability Principles.
"Dubuque is a viable, livable and equitable community. We embrace economic
prosperity, environmental integrity, and social /cultural vibrancy to create a sustainable
legacy for generations to come."
Dubuque's 11 Sustainability Principles
Economic Prosperity
1. Regional Economy Dubuque is a community that values a diversified regional
economy with opportunities for new and green markets, jobs, products and services.
2. Smart Energy Use Dubuque is a community that values energy conservation and
expanded use of renewable energy as a means to save money and protect the
environment.
4. Community Design Dubuque is a community that values the built environment of the
past, present and future which contributes to its identity, heritage and sense of place.
Social /Cultural Vibrancy
5. Green Buildings Dubuque is a community that values a productive and healthy built
environment.
6. Healthy Local Food Dubuque is a community that values the benefits of wholesome
food from local producers, distributors, farms, gardens and hunters.
7. Community Knowledge Dubuque is a community that values education,
empowerment and engagement to achieve economic prosperity, environmental integrity
and social /cultural vibrancy.
8. Reasonable Mobility Dubuque is a community that values safe, reasonable and
equitable choices to access to live, work and play opportunities.
Environmental Integrity
9. Healthy Air Dubuque is a community that values fresh, clean air, reduced
greenhouse gas emissions and minimized health risks.
10. Clean Water Dubuque is a community that values water as the source of life and
seeks to preserve and manage it in all forms.
11. Native Plants and Animals Dubuque is a community that values biodiversity
through the preservation, restoration and connection of nature and people.
While the task force has completed the work requested by the City Council, many of the
individuals involved in the process are considered leaders of sustainability initiatives in
Dubuque and will continue to be engaged in achieving the vision through the City and
other organizations. The City Sustainability Coordinator will work with interested former
task force members and other City staff as members of an informal Green Team to
develop policies and procedures that help address each of the 11 principles. In the
coming months, a baseline Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the City organization and
larger Dubuque community will be presented to City Council for approval. The next
steps in the ICLEI 5 Milestone process include the identifications of target Green House
Gas emission reductions and specific strategies to meet those targets. Many of the
specific activities recommended by the task force will be included in that document and
monitored for progress by this group.
City staff and former task force members continue to be engaged in the Dubuque 2.0
initiative. Many serve on the Steering Committee and /or are involved in other
subcommittee activities. These individuals will continue to collaborate with Dubuque 2.0
to engage all community members in activities that help promote Dubuque's
sustainability vision.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator
David Lyons, Project Manager
Justin Thiltgen, Dubuque 2.0 Program Coordinator
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator
SUBJECT: Final Report of Sustainability Task Force to City Council
DATE: February 10, 2010
Dubuque
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INTRODUCTION
The purposes of this memo are to provide a final report on the activity of the
Sustainability Task Force, request formal City Council approval of the sustainability
vision statement as defined by the Task Force, and provide initial next steps for this
group and the City organization.
BACKGROUND
In September 2006, the Dubuque City Council identified Sustainability and Green City
Designation as one of its top priorities. Since then, the city has been working on
numerous projects to help implement this priority including, but not limited to: creation of
a Sustainability Coordinator position, organizing Growing Sustainable Communities
Conferences, creating an asset map of sustainable initiatives in the city of Dubuque,
development of a sustainability model that balances economic prosperity with
environmental integrity and social /cultural vibrancy, development of numerous
marketing pieces including the green pledge card, partnering with IBM to become the
first Smarter City in North America, and completing numerous American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (Stimulus) grant applications, as well as individual city department
initiatives as listed on the www.sustainabledubuque.orq website. The Dubuque Area
Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque have
formed Dubuque 2.0 to conduct a community dialogue on making sustainability
sustainable, looking to create jobs and save individuals and businesses money. Also as
part of this process the City Council approved the creation of a community task force to
help develop a vision statement and principles that would further define the
sustainability initiative.
The Sustainable City Task Force was created in December 2007. The task force
includes representatives from local government, schools, utility companies, religious
organizations, neighborhood associations, youth organizations, non - profits,
environmental organizations and business stakeholders (see Appendix A for list of task
force members).
The City issued an RFP for consulting services and received 14 responses. The
Durrant Group was chosen by the City Council to work with City staff to facilitate the
visioning process. The task force has been meeting regularly over the past two years to
develop a process to get input from the citizens of Dubuque about what is important to
them and what sustainable initiatives they would like to see incorporated into a vision
statement and strategic document.
DISCUSSION
Community Input
Over 20 presentations were made to community organizations to gather input. In July
2007, 150 community members participated in stakeholder meetings to discuss targeted
visions and ideas. The meetings were organized into the following groups: Small
Business, Business Associations and Retailers; Developers and Lenders; Not - for - profit
organizations; Large Business, Industry, Utilities and Greater Dubuque Development
Corporation; Institutions, Healthcare and Religious; and Transportation organizations.
There was also a meeting for the general public held that night that was attended by
approximately 40 citizens.
In addition to public meetings, over 860 community surveys were completed. The
survey was launched online in July 2007. The results of the survey were used, along
with other data collected by the task force, to help guide the development of the
sustainability vision statement and guiding principles. Specific strategies and action
steps to implement sustainable initiatives were also explored.
Task force members also participated in the Sustainable Design Assessment Team
(SDAT) process, Growing Sustainable Communities Conferences, 2008 Earth Day
community breakfast, and 2008 City Expo. Task force members, including City staff,
have been involved in many community organizations and groups that have formed
and /or expanded to meet the vision of sustainability defined by the group.
City Council Work Session
In November 2008, City Council requested the task force present a draft of the vision
statement and sustainability principles, as well as a summary of work to date to them.
In that session, Council voiced their support for the draft proposal, listed below.
Dubuque Sustainability Vision Statement
"Dubuque is a viable, livable and equitable community. We embrace economic
prosperity, environmental integrity, and social /cultural vibrancy to create a sustainable
legacy for generations to come."
The following model is used to illustrate Dubuque's model.
Environmental/
Ecological
Integrity
Viable Livable
Economic
Prosperity Equilab
Dubuque's 11 Sustainability Principles
Economic Prosperity
1. Regional Economy Dubuque is a community that values a diversified regional
economy with opportunities for new and green markets, jobs, products and services.
2. Smart Energy Use Dubuque is a community that values energy conservation and
expanded use of renewable energy as a means to save money and protect the
environment.
3. Resource Management Dubuque is a community that values the benefits of
reducing, reusing and recycling resources.
4. Community Design Dubuque is a community that values the built environment of the
past, present and future which contributes to its identity, heritage and sense of place.
Social /Cultural Vibrancy
5. Green Buildings Dubuque is a community that values a productive and healthy built
environment.
6. Healthy Local Food Dubuque is a community that values the benefits of wholesome
food from local producers, distributors, farms, gardens and hunters.
7. Community Knowledge Dubuque is a community that values education,
empowerment and engagement to achieve economic prosperity, environmental integrity
and social /cultural vibrancy.
8. Reasonable Mobility Dubuque is a community that values safe, reasonable and
equitable choices to access to live, work and play opportunities.
Environmental Integrity
9. Healthy Air Dubuque is a community that values fresh, clean air, reduced
greenhouse gas emissions and minimized health risks.
10. Clean Water Dubuque is a community that values water as the source of life and
seeks to preserve and manage it in all forms.
11. Native Plants and Animals Dubuque is a community that values biodiversity
through the preservation, restoration and connection of nature and people.
Additional Detail: Key Concepts & Action Items
The Sustainability Task Force was tasked by the City Council with gathering community
input to define Dubuque's vision for sustainability. After defining the vision, stated
above, and receiving positive input from the City Council, the group felt it was important
to provide examples of what each principle meant and how it could be implemented.
Appendix B provides a draft version of suggested Themes & Key Concepts developed
by the group. Many of the action steps and strategies discussed by the group are
already implemented, or planning has been begun to implement them. However, it is
not possible to identify all of the activities that could make Dubuque a more sustainable
community. The Smarter City initiative, for example, was not conceived of when the
task force formed their recommendations. It will, however, help the community to
accomplish the sustainability vision and make Dubuque a model for communities across
the country.
For this reason, City staff recommend that Council formally adopt the sustainability
vision statement and principles and use the task force's draft key concepts as examples
of the work that would help to achieve the vision. Please see below for more detail on
recommended action.
Task Force Impact: Sustainability Activity Since the Task Force's Inception
The work of the Sustainability Task Force has been instrumental in helping Dubuque
become known across the state and nation as a leader in sustainability. Examples of
Dubuque's recognitions include the following:
• National partners including ICLEI -Local Governments for Sustainability and
Climate Communities have recognized Dubuque's model for sustainability and
the community -wide approach we have taken to define that model.
• Dubuque has a strong partnership with the National Trust for Historic
Preservation, and has been named one of three Preservation Green Labs across
the country. Dubuque was also chosen to participate in the international Carbon
Disclosure Project and is working to implement the report provided through the
SDAT process.
• In September 2009, Dubuque announced a partnership with IBM to become the
first Smarter City in North America. On the same day, cabinet secretaries from
the US Departments of Housing & Urban Development and Transportation and
the Environmental Protection Agency visited Dubuque and used our community
as an example of their newly- formed Livable Communities initiative.
• Dubuque's comprehensive approach to sustainability has attracted grant funding
through the Stimulus Package and other state and federal programs.
• Dubuque has been named a 2009 American Crowne Community, among
America's Top 100 Places to Live (RelocateAmerica.com), and been awarded
the Economic Development Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation -led
Strategies, in part because of our sustainability initiative.
• Numerous community initiatives have developed to help us achieve our
sustainability vision, including but not limited to Dubuque 2.0, Project HOPE, the
Sustainability Innovation Consortium, Green Vision Schools, and ECIA's Petal
Project. Local businesses are using the growth of sustainable markets to create
new jobs, and residents are finding ways to save money and improve their
environment and community by implementing the 11 sustainability principles.
Sustainabilitv Activity Moving Forward
The sustainability vision and principles City staff are recommending Council approval of
are meant to be a guiding document for the City and other Dubuque organizations, and
are therefore less detailed than many other community's sustainability plans. City staff
recommend this approach to allow the continued development of sustainable projects
and programming.
The recommendation of staff is that City Council use this document in much the same
way the Comprehensive Plan is used. It is the intent that Council would use the vision
and principles to guide their definition of annual priorities. In 2010, for instance, Council
priorities of the Historic Millwork District, Water Pollution Control Plant Upgrades, Arts &
Culture, Smarter City initiative, partnerships, workforce housing, Every Child Every
Promise, neighborhood safety, and defining a new public transportation model all help
to achieve the sustainability mission. City staff will also use the sustainability framework
as a way to analyze budget, policy and capital improvement decisions and make
recommendations for future more detailed studies that may be required to address each
principle. The recently - completed KeyLine Transit and East -West Corridor studies are
examples of what this more detailed planning may look like.
While the task force has completed the work requested by the City Council, many of the
individuals involved in the process are considered leaders of sustainability initiatives in
Dubuque and will continue to be engaged in achieving the vision through the City and
other organizations. The City Sustainability Coordinator will work with interested former
task force members and other City staff as members of an informal Green Team to
develop policies and procedures that help address each of the 11 principles. In the
coming months, a baseline Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the City organization and
larger Dubuque community will be presented to City Council for approval. The next
steps in the ICLEI 5 Milestone process include the identifications of target Green House
Gas emission reductions and specific strategies to meet those targets. Many of the
specific activities recommended by the task force will be included in that document and
monitored for progress by this group.
City staff and former task force members continue to be engaged in the Dubuque 2.0
initiative. Many serve on the Steering Committee and /or are involved in other
subcommittee activities. These individuals will continue to collaborate with Dubuque 2.0
to engage all community members in activities that help promote Dubuque's
sustainability vision.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend City Council adoption of Dubuque's Sustainability Vision, 3 -Part
Model, and 11 Sustainability Principles as developed by the Sustainability Task Force
and listed above.
cc: Sustainability Task Force Members
Dubuque 2.0 Core Committee Members
City of Dubuque Sustainability Task Force Final Report
Appendix A. Sustainability Task Force Members
Community Members:
Joan Belcastro
Theresa Caldwell
Craig Clefisch
Tony Clemen
Rick Dickinson
Mark Ernst
Renae Gabrielson
Raki Giannakouros
Barry Gentry
Allan Goldberg
Dave Gross
Gayle Gross
Dianne Hanson
Brian Howes
Brendan Houlihan
Ric Jones
Randy Klauer
Dana Livingston
Dan LoBianco
Marty McNamer
Chad Oberdoerster
Jim Prochaska
Chandra Ravada
Corey Roeder
Donna Smith
Alan Stache
Jeff Stiles
Lynn Sutton
Nancy Van Milligen
Bev Wagner
Chris Wand
Charles Winterwood
City Staff
Cori Burbach
Laura Carstens
Mary Rose Corrigan
Bob Fritsch
Chuck Goddard
Teri Goodmann
Kelly Larson
Deron Muehring
Jerelyn O'Connor
Rich Russell
Steve Sampson -Brown
Sheila Samuelson
Paul Schultz
Russ Stecklein
Cindy Steinhauser
Grandview Avenue Neighborhood Association
Washington Neighborhood Association
Alliant Energy
Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Black Hills
White Pine Group of the Sierra Club
Green Dubuque
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Holy Family Schools
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
Alliant Energy
Dubuque Community Schools
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce (prior)
City Council Member
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Loras College
Dubuque Main Street
Developer's Roundtable
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
East Central Intergovernmental Agency
Dubuque Area Congregations United
Dubuque County
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Zoning Advisory Commission
Hilltop /Ivy League Neighborhood Association
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency
Historic Preservation Advisory Commission
Dubuque Audubon Society
Sustainability Coordinator
Planning Services Manager
Public Health Specialist
Park Division Manager
Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency
Assistant City Manager
Human Rights Director
Civil Engineer
Neighborhood Development Specialist
Building Services Manager
Project Manager
Former Sustainability Coordinator
Resource Management Coordinator
Police Captain
Assistant City Manager
City of Dubuque Sustainability Task Force Final Report
Appendix B. Example Themes & Key Concepts of Dubuque's 11 Sustainability Principles
SOCIAL /CULTURAL VIBRANCY
Principle: Green Buildings
Theme: Mix of Quality Housing
• Affordable
• Market Rate
• Functional Neighborhoods
Theme: Efficient & Healthy Buildings
• Residential
• Commercial /Institutional
• Industrial
Theme: Entertainment & Cultural Venues
• Local opportunities
• Artistic impact
Theme: Historic Preservation
Principle: Healthy Local Foods
Theme: Farmer's Markets
• Historic 3 Season Market
• Winter Market (Public Support)
• Mid -Week Market(s)
Theme: Gardens
• Community Gardens
• Edible Landscaping
• Public Incentives
Theme: Local Food Production
• Local supply to restaurants, institutions,
colleges & grocery stores
• Buy Fresh, Buy Local Chapter
• Greenhouse and extended season cropping
• Community Supported Agriculture
Theme: Local Food Processing /Storage
• Community Canning
• Freezer Shared Storage
• Refrigerated Storage
Principle: Community Knowledge
Theme: Service Learning
• Community building
• Intercultural Competency
• Effective Empowerment of citizenry in
community life
Theme: Eco- literacy
• City staff
• Businesses
• Community at -large
Theme: Sense of Place
• Cultural Heritage
• Local Celebrations
• "Discovering" Dubuque
Principle: Reasonable Mobility
Theme: Walkable Neighborhoods
• Mixed -use Neighborhoods
• Hike /bike Trails
• Bicycle Commuting
Theme: Safe Transportation of People &
Products
• Bike
• Car Pool
• BusNan/Trolley
• Air
• Rail
• River
• Alternate Vehicles
Theme: Accessibility
City of Dubuque Sustainability Task Force Final Report
Appendix B. Example Themes & Key Concepts of Dubuque's 11 Sustainability Principles
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
Principle:Community Desgin
Theme: Smart Sites
Theme: Safe Complete Streets
Theme: Smart Growth
• New development
• Redevelopment
• Mixed -use development
Principle: Resource Management
Theme: Reduce
Theme: Reuse
• Repair
• Restore
• Deconstruct
• Remodel
• Rethink
Theme: Recycle
• "Buy Recycled"
• Construction/
Demolition
• Residential
• Commercial
• Take Back / Drop -Off
• Events
• Manufacture with Recycled Content Materials
Theme: Composting
• Backyard
• Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency
(DMASWA) Facility
• Private facilities
Theme: Toxic Reductions
• Litter reduction
• Methane recovery
• Hazardous Materials
Theme: Redesgin
Principle: Regional Economy
Theme: Buy Local and Regional First
• Materials
• Products
• Services
Theme: Renewed Economy
• Retail
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Institutional
• Hospitality /Entertainment
• Education
Principle: Smart Energy Use
Theme: Renewable Energy
• Biomass
• Solar
• Wind
• Geothermal
• Biofuels
• Hydro Power
Theme: Energy Savings
City of Dubuque Sustainability Task Force Final Report
Appendix B. Example Themes & Key Concepts of Dubuque's 11 Sustainability Principles
ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY
Principle: Healthy Air
Theme: Air Pollution
• Open Burning
• Air Emissions
Theme: Greenhouse Gas Reduction
• Identify Target Reductions
• Residential
• Commercial
• Government
• Industrial
• Inventory
Theme: Indoor Air Quality
• Health
• Productivity
Principle: Clean Water
Theme: Potable Water and Groundwater
Protection
• Drinking Water Quality
• Contaminated Soils
• Efficiency of Water Use
Theme: Wastewater Infrastructure and
Treatment
Theme: Watershed and Surface Water
Management
• Stormwater Quality
• Stormwater Quantity
• Local Watersheds
• Point Source Discharges
• NPDES
Principle: Native Plants & Animals
Theme: Natural Habitats
• Biodiversity
• Educational resources
Theme: Parks & Preserves
• Expanded native plantings
• Expanded field programs & signage
Theme: Conservation Design
• Tree Canopy
• Open Space
• Conservation Easements