Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission_Goals and PrioritiesApril 14, 2014
Honorable Mayor Roy Buol and City Council Members
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission participated in a Strategic
Planning and Goal Setting process in recent meetings. The purpose of the goal setting
was to review City Council priorities relating to the ESAC, determined what City
environmental monitoring reports should be reviewed and also to focus on participation
by ESAC in other City -related topics.
Please review the attached ESAC goals and priorities. The ESAC requests City Council
approval and concurrence on these goals and priorities for the next eighteen months.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Michae(Buelow
Michael Buelow, Chair
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
cc: ESAC members
Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator
Don Vogt, Public Works Director
Jon Brown, Water Pollution Control Manager
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission Goals & Priorities
April 8, 2014
Purpose
The duties of the commission shall be as follows:
A. To develop, articulate and propose goals, objectives and policies for the stewardship
of the city's environment and its ecological systems for present and future
generations. An initial report to the city council should be completed within a year
and thenceforth periodically. It shall also include sections on the current condition of
the city's natural environments and on the progress being made in achieving the
city's environmental quality goals.
B. To advise and inform the city council on environmental stewardship issues, including
the implementation of and compliance with, legislation, regulations and policies.
C. To hold public forums on specific issues at the direction of the city council.
D. To provide, upon request, to other boards, commissions and city departments
information for environmental educational programs, educational materials, and
environmental volunteer opportunities.
E. To provide input to the long range planning advisory commission regarding
environmental stewardship issues in the comprehensive plan. (2007 Code § 18.5-
24)
City Council Priorities (2013-2014) related to ESAC
• Storm Water Management
• Sustainable Dubuque
• Clean Air Attainment Strategy
• Environmental Monitoring (Water, Storm Water)
City monitoring reports that ESAC requests be on their agenda for review:
• Consumer Confidence Report- Annually in Feb/Mar in each year. Water
Department obtains ESAC input in Dec/Jan of each year. Input from ESAC to be
coordinated by Water and Health Departments.
• Chemical, pathogen, and pesticide testing- Conducted Bi -Annually by Water
Resource and Recovery Center (WRRC). Input from ESAC to be coordinated by
WRRC and Health Departments.
Participation
• Developers round table (Planning Services Department)
• Sustainability Grant Review (Julie Beck or other ESAC member)
• Comprehensive Plan Update Review (Planning Services Department)
• Sustainable Dubuque Collaborative (Julie Beck or other ESAC member)
Regular communication to City Council by the following:
• Monthly minutes
• Review work of the ESAC
• Annual Deer Management presentation/report
• Annual Report to City Council
• City Council work session participation, as needed
City Council Referrals:
• Provide information to City Council on various environmental issues as requested
by the City Council
Review City Council agenda items to see if there are items related to the ESAC
priorities.
ESAC focus (2014-2015):
• Storm Water Management
• Review of any WRRC Monitoring/Testing
• Plastic bag reduction
• Sustainable Dubuque Collaborative
• Hydraulic Fracturing
In summary, the ESAC requests City Council approval and concurrence on the results
of their goal setting process. Specifically:
• Presence of an ESAC representative at the committees mentioned, under
"Participation" and other opportunities for ESAC input.
• Review of City water and waste water reports.
• Communication to City Council.
• City Council referrals.
• Priorities set for the next 18 months.