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IA DNR Inter Environmental assess. i5~~%duE ~ck~ MEMORANDUM ('."\ -" , December 13, 2006 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Green Communities Internship Opportunity The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) offers the award winning Pollution Prevention Intern Program (P2) to partner with local government and businesses to improve sustainable facility technology and practices. The non-regulatory, 12-week summer program focuses on the reduction of wasted resources causing pollution and the improvement of energy efficiency. IDNR oversees the program and provides training and technical support. The IDNR Solid Waste Alternatives Program pays the full wages of the intern. The responsibilities of the City would be to: 1.) provide a computer and work area, 2.) send a City representative to the "Company Day Activities" during the week of intern training, 3.) provide safety equipment, and, 4.) be responsible for transportation or reimbursement of intern expenses if the intern is required to travel from the designated work site. Solid Waste Coordinator Paul Schultz is recommending the City apply to host a P2 Intern to perform environmental assessments at City buildings and facilities. These assessments would focus primarily on energy efficiency, waste minimization, recycling, and hazardous waste management. Applications are Due December 31,2006 for the 2007 summer Program. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. f2!~(';,1~ Michael C. Van Milligen ~ MCVM:cs , , Dii~~E ~<k~ MEMORANDUM December 13, 2006 TO: Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager FROM: Paul Schultz, Solid Waste Management Supervisor SUBJECT: Green Communities Initiative - Pollution Prevention (P2) Intern Introduction The purpose of this memo is to respond to the City Council's request to prioritize Green Communities Best Practices in the process of establishing Dubuque as a Green City by proposing consideration of hosting an IDNR Pollution Prevention Intern during the summer of 2007. Backaround In September 2006, the Dubuque City Council identified Green City Designation as one of its top priorities. In response to this a committee of city staff have been meeting to discuss the concept of a Green City and how best to approach implementation of this priority. Discussion At a recent City Council meeting there was much discussion what the city of Dubuque is doing to implement "green initiatives", to address, among other things, climate disruption, greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The Kyoto Protocol was recently endorsed by the US Conference of Mayors and included the signature of Mayor Buol. The city of Dubuque has already implemented a number of projects and policies that support the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) offers the award winning Pollution Prevention Intern Program (P2) to partner with local government and businesses to improve sustainable facility technology and practices. The non-regulatory, 12-week summer program focuses on the reduction of wasted resources causing pollution and the improvement of energy efficiency. IDNR oversees the program and provides training and technical support. Iowa universities and colleges supply the talent and enthusiasm of the students. Businesses and government entities identify issues and cooperate in their resolution. Each year, about 20 graduate and undergraduate college students participate in the program. Students and companies are chosen through a competitive process each January for an internship that lasts from May to August of the same year. The IDNR Solid Waste Alternatives Program pays the full wages of the intern. The responsibilities of the City would be to: 1.) provide a computer and work area, 2.) send a City representative to the "Company Day Activities" during the week of intern training, 3.) provide safety equipment, and, 4.) be responsible for transportation or reimbursement of intern expenses if the intern is required to travel from the designated work site. I propose that the City apply to host a P2 Intern to perform environmental assessments at City buildings and facilities. These assessments would focus primarily on energy efficiency, waste minimization, recycling, and hazardous waste management. The objectives would be measurable and designed to promote a process of continual improvement. Deliverables would address economic benefits and pollution, waste and risk reduction. Recommendations would address both proposed technology improvements as well as procedures to foster more sustainable behaviors by city employees and facility users. Applications are Due December 31, 2006 for the 2007 summer Program. Reauest The requested action is for you to review the above recommendation and provide direction.