HomeMy WebLinkAboutGovernment Chapter GOVERNMENT
With almost five percent of the city's working population and more than two dozen city-owned
buildings, the city has numerous opportunities to lead by example in sustainability efforts. This
section provides sustainable policies and actions for city staff and departments to incorporate
into daily operations and municipal projects. It also suggests administrative procedures to
facilitate community actions. A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for municipal buildings has
been completed and reduction targets set. City
staff continues to attend seminars and workshops
to increase their knowledge of sustainable p
practices. Through the Sustainability Advisory Board
(SAB), the city has created a sustainability website
providing information on sustainable actions as well
as a full range of available resources. City
departments continue to implement sustainable
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measures as they become available. Examples
include the use of biodegradable paint, increased
use of LEDs and motion/occupancy sensors, improved traffic signal timing, and solar-powered
pedestrian crossing flashers, and permeable pavers.
Objective: Lead lby example and foster sustainabillity 1pollicies and actions for cost-effect live,
socially responsible and environmentally sound governmental practices to meet community
needs.
Policies
Administering Sustainability.
1.) Seek the creation of a position responsible for coordination of sustainability activities to
report to the City Manager.
2.) Incorporate sustainability responsibilities in job descriptions for relevant city staff.
3.) Form a green team of representatives from each department under
direction of the Sustainability Coordinator to evaluate and
implement internal sustainable actions. PF�„���19
4.) Continue to involve the public in sustainability activity through the
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website, online surveys, social networks, governmental meetings,
and workshops. (NIFo
5.) Review the Sustainability Plan annually. Present an update of how 11101tak
well the city is meeting sustainability targets at the State of the City
event.
Energy Management.
1.) Require energy modeling as part of architectural design in all new public building
construction to help determine the greatest efficiencies for energy conservation.
2.) Demonstrate a wind turbine or solar energy in a high traffic location to serve as a model
for the community.
3.) Develop an energy conservation policy for all city facilities and implement it through
promotion, education, employee training, and action.
4.) Continue to develop policies to preserve and plant trees around city buildings and
within and adjacent to city parking lots.
5.) Analyze the energy savings impact of a four day work week for buildings where public
contact is not a major consideration.
6.) Incorporate life cycle analysis as part of the architectural design process.
Green Building.
1.) As fiscal resources permit, use respected rating systems to help in the design process
and monitoring of new municipal buildings, additions and renovations.
2.) Consider adaptive reuse of existing buildings as first priority for expanded municipal
space.
3.) Use local and recycled building materials when possible.
4. Consider consolidation of departments with other units of i�����'�"�������
government, such as done with the city/county health
department to promote more efficient use of space and
resources.
5.) Continue changing existing annual plantings at municipal JIIJJIJJII � �/
facilities to perennial native species.
Purchasing.
1.) Develop a purchasing policy that incorporates preferences for sustainable
purchasing. When possible, utilize Full Cost Accounting (FCA) to analyze all costs,
advantages, and alternatives.
2.) Define 'cost' not just as the monetary cost, but also include social, environmental and
life cycle costs.
3.) Use this process rather than relying solely on the low bid process.
4.) Modify requests for proposals, specification and contract language to ensure
sustainable energy procedures are an integral part of each project.
5.) Adopt purchasing policies for procuring equipment, computers and appliances that
consider and promote energy savings (e.g. using ENERGY STAR procurement policies as
guidelines). Include a policy with standards for worker safety, handling of chemicals, and
alternative products and equipment.
6.) Use a refill purchasing policy, replacing consumables instead of stocking excess.
7.) Continue to use recycled paper wherever applicable.
8.) Encourage use of 100% post-consumer recycled content products.
9.) Continue to encourage use of electronic documents and email rather than generating
paper copies.
10.) Continue to work with vendors to reduce packaging.
11.) Continue to buy local when possible.
12.) Eventually reduce or eliminate non-green products and cleaners.
13.) Continue to partner in shared purchasing ventures.
14.) Encourage the City to divest from all fossil fuels.
Environmental Considerations.
1.) Review and adopt recycling practices at all municipal facilities.
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2.) Install low flow faucet aerators and high efficiency toilets in all
municipal bathrooms to conserve water.
3.) Encourage use of city water, e.g., installation of bubblers,
hydration stations, etc.
4.) Highlight the savings in number of plastic bottles kept out of the
waste streams due to use of hydration stations in City facilities.
5.) Increase use of hydration stations in City facilities.
6.) Implement a fleet replacement program incorporating the use of
the most cost and energy efficient technology available.
7.) Install a few electric charging stations at City Hall.
8.) Demonstrate environmentally safe landscaping practices by using
natural fertilizers and no chemicals in areas surrounding city buildings.
9.) Reduce mowing wherever possible.
10.) Install rain barrels and rain gardens at city facilities to reduce runoff.
11.) Follow standardized environmental management procedures, such as
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001.
12.) Continue to implement measures such as prairie treatment demonstration
gardens.
Communication/Training.
1.) Continue to raise awareness and provide training opportunities for city staff about
sustainability practices.
2.) Explore ways to share facilities and services with other governmental entities—the
school district, county, technical college and university.
3.) Continue participation in Sustainable
Communities Network, Green Tier, and other
regional and state sustainability networks.
4.) Partner with the University of Wisconsin-
Oshkosh and other local groups to maximize
sharing of knowledge.
5.) Use local media on a regular basis to
communicate sustainable activities the city is
undertaking.
Human Resources.
1.) Hire and promote people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
2.) Adopt human resource management practices that support sustainability objectives,
such as allowing "flex time" or telecommuting, or offering incentives for use of public
transit, biking, and ride-sharing.
3.) Continue to provide a wellness program and maintain efforts to become certified as a
Well Workplace.
4.) Provide appropriate compensation for all city employees.
5.) Empower employees to think creatively, generate ideas, and share suggestions on
municipal sustainability.
Government Commitments.
1.) Maintain membership in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
(ICLEI). Use ICLEI support to help the city assess greenhouse gas emissions from energy
use, especially the 85% of our energy derived from fossil fuel.
2.) Fulfill the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement approved in 2007
(Resolution 07-262) and the ICLEI Five Milestones for Climate Mitigation approved in
2008 (Resolution 08-295) by developing a Climate Action Plan with goals to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions matched with strategies for reducing the use of fossil fuels.
3.) Consider becoming a Wisconsin Energy Independent Community, which would mean
adopting the State of Wisconsin's goal of 25% renewable energy by the year 2025.
4.) Pursue additional beneficial commitments to a more sustainable community and
maintain existing commitments, e.g.,Tree City USA and Bird City Wisconsin.
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