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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 kitiiii All- Amedcagty II r 2007 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 hitill AIFAmedcaCAD 1 I I I 2007 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