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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem VI-Resolution Green Tier Legacy Communities ProgramRESOLUTION APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE GREEN TIER LEGACY COMMUNITY PROGRAM. WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corp, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Wisconsin Counties Association and the cities of Appleton, Bayfield, Fitchburg, Middleton, Ashland, Monona, Eau Claire, Bayside, Port Washington, Sheboygan, La Crosse and the Village of Weston have created a Green Tier Charter For Legacy Communities with goals of: 1. To assist (municipalities, counties) in achieving superior environmental performance in one or both of the following two areas: (1) water resource management; (2) sustainability practices; and goals relating to economic development, public health and social equity; and to recognize their efforts and progress; 2. To improve the quality of life and economic vitality of communities; 3. To help (municipalities, counties) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources address wastewater, stormwater, drinking water, wetlands and other water issues in a holistic, watershed-based manner; 4. To assist (municipalities, counties) in preparing, implementing, and improving an overall watershed plan(s) that integrates the municipality’s full range of water resources issues; 5. To assist (municipalities, counties) in preparing, implementing and improving over time a sustainability plan that reduces a (municipality’s, county’s) impact on the environment; 6. To facilitate access to state and federal funding for projects and activities related to achieving the purposes of this charter, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions, comprehensive planning, transportation policies, and integrated planning for wastewater treatment, storm water treatment and management; and drinking water; 7. To realize taxpayer savings through reduced municipal expenditures on motor vehicles fuels and energy resulting from efficient development patterns; 8. To help (municipalities, counties) comply with various water regulations in a more efficient, cost effective and flexible manner; 9. To achieve other demonstrable and measurable environmental improvements beyond what is required by local, state, or federal law; and WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh was invited to join in this voluntary program and believe participation will further enhance the City of Oshkosh’s current commitments to sustainability, and WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh will benefit from such a partnership with the Green Tier Legacy Communities Program by receiving positive recognition, gaining access to a DNR staff liaison and their resource team, receiving prioritization in applying for certain grants and streamlining in certain DNR permitting processes, and WHERAS, by adopting this resolution the City of Oshkosh agrees to sign and hold to the Green Tier Charter for Legacy Communities. We will participate in the quarterly meetings, networks and share information with our public and the communities in the program, and provide an annual report noting the progress in our goals, baselines and sustainability plans. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Oshkosh Common Council declares itself a signatory to the Green Tier Charter for Legacy Communities and authorizes the Council President, City Manager and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the City Council, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City of Oshkosh staff are directed to assist with meeting the Charter goals and to submit an annual report to the Organizational Signatories, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon adoption, the City of Oshkosh Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Wisconsin DNR and the Legacy Communities Green Tier Steering Committee. (Adoption Date) (SEAL) (SEAL) (ATTESTED)