Environment And Infrastructure Committee

COLUMBIA ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 The Columbia Environment and Infrastructure Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room at City Hall, 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes. CALL TO ORDER COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Presentation of the Climate Protection Action Plan - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1  1 MEETING DATE: January 22, 2019 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Moore, City Clerk SUBJECT: Presentation of the Climate Protection Action Plan - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator FINANCIAL IMPACT: ATTACHMENTS:  Climate Protection Action Plan_Updated_July_2018 (PDF) Updated: 1/7/2019 12:41 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 2  1.a The Climate Protection Action Plan provides measures to reduce emission levels of the City of Columbia consistent with the commitment made by the U.S. in the Paris Agreement: Attachment: Climate Protection Action Plan_Updated_July_2018 (4839 : Presentation of the Climate 28% reduction by 2025 . The City’s baseline emissions will serve as the threshold for measuring the success of these efforts. Item # Action Items Conduct an energy audit of municipal facilities and implement the Audit completed. City Council decided against performance contract financing. 1 recommendations. Implemented lighting upgrades with ARRA/EECBG funding. Recommended as part of energy audit, but not implemented. Funding 2 Implement an energy tracking and management system. unavailable. Investigating possibilities. Develop plan to install digital thermostats in city facilities. Adjust thermostats Installing as replacements needed. No mass replacement due to funding 3 based on the industry standards to reduce consumption. limitations. Now installed in approximately 95% of City facilities. Develop a plan to install energy efficient exit sign lightings in all city facilities 4 Complete. over a defined period of time. Develop a plan to perform energy-efficient lighting retrofits in all city facilities 5 Complete. over a period of time. 6 Institute a lights out policy in all city facilities when not in use. Complete. Require city employees to turn off computer monitors each evening and turn 7 Complete. off the computer over the weekend. Install motion detectors and/or timers that will turn lights off if room is Installed in some areas - focusing on conference rooms. Installed where possible during 8 lighting upgrades. unoccupied for a certain length of time. Develop plan to perform heating, cooling and ventilation system retrofits (e.g., (Ongoing.) As replacements are made, energy efficient units will be used. Currently in use at 9 chillers, boilers, fans, pumps, belts) based on the energy audit. Consider 1225 Laurel, Washington Sq, Municipal Ct, Fleet Services, Eau Claire, Animal Shelter, W est Beltline. alternative energy resources. Develop a plan to install ENERGY STAR appliances in all city facilities as 10 Underway as appliances are replaced deemed appropriate and feasible. Using reflective roofing as roofing is replaced. Used at City Hall, W ashington 11 Develop a plan to install green or reflective roofing on city facilities. Square, Station 12. West Beltline has a green roof. U&E constantly aware of need to operate system in most efficient manner 12 Develop a plan to improve water pumping energy efficiency. possible due to meeting system demand (ongoing) Replace hot water heater units with hot water on demand systems if they are 13 Unable to do on demand. more energy efficient. Page 1 of 6 Packet Pg. 3  1.a The Climate Protection Action Plan provides measures to reduce emission levels of the City of Columbia consistent with the commitment made by the U.S. in the Paris Agreement: Attachment: Climate Protection Action Plan_Updated_July_2018 (4839 : Presentation of the Climate 28% reduction by 2025 . The City’s baseline emissions will serve as the threshold for measuring the success of these efforts. Encourage Commission of the Blind to install energy-efficient vending 14 Exploring options as feasible. machines in all city facilities that currently utilize vending machines. Require that all new construction and renovations of municipal buildings Parks and Rec Building followed LEED guidelines, but was not certified. W est 15 follow LEED Certified guidelines. Beltline Building is certified LEED Gold. Outdoor Lighting Continue to install energy-efficient traffic lights and replace all incandescent 16 95% of traffic signals have been converted. traffic signals with LED signals. Develop ordinance requiring all street lighting inside City limits to be energy- City leases the majority of street lights, and those are HPS. All City-owned lights 17 efficient street lights (e.g., high pressure sodium) – plan will accommodate are either HPS or led. Working with SCE&G to consider all options. normal replacement schedule of existing lights. Evaluate street lighting to determine if the average daily time streetlights are on 18 can be reduced without compromising public safety. City will work with Using improved photocells to reduce day-burning of lights. SCE&G on this initiative. Develop energy efficient lighting programs for city parks including the All parking garages have been upfitted to high efficiency linear 19 greenways, and city parking garages. fluorescent. Develop and implement lighting standard to be used citywide to include 20 City has standards that are being followed. specifications regarding spacing and lighting levels. Renewable Energy Conversations have taken place with SCE&G officials regarding energy 21 Encourage SCE&G to produce/provide Green Energy. efficiency. Purchase green electricity from solar, geothermal, wind, landfill or City purchasing Green Power for all City Council meetings, the first City 22 hydroelectric sources if made available. in SC to do so. 23 Purchase green tags / renewable energy certificates if made available. No action to date. Former member investigating options. Using fuel cell battery backup at multiple generator sites. Using solar flashers @ new 24 Use alternative energy sources in municipal facilities when possible. pedestrian crossings. Looking at solar grant opportunities. Transportation Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Page 2 of 6 Packet Pg. 4  1.a The Climate Protection Action Plan provides measures to reduce emission levels of the City of Columbia consistent with the commitment made by the U.S. in the Paris Agreement: Attachment: Climate Protection Action Plan_Updated_July_2018 (4839 : Presentation of the Climate 28% reduction by 2025 . The City’s baseline emissions will serve as the threshold for measuring the success of these efforts. Continue to monitor use of take home vehicles and ensure proper justification 25 Ongoing is in place for all approved. 26 Enforce policy to trailer equipment to job sites. Policy written and communicated. 27 Retire old and under-used vehicles and equipment. Implementing as resources allow Departments are encouraged to budget for such; limited by funding availability. Of 28 Purchase fuel efficient or electric (e.g., hybrid) and/or smaller fleet vehicles. 1069 licensed vehicles, the City owns 33 hybrids, nine electric and 419 flex-fuel vehicles. Alternative Fuels Purchasing vehicles capable of using alternative fuels. Currently using 29 Evaluate option of using alternative fuel in City vehicles. B5 biofuel and E10 gasoline in entire fleet. 30 Evaluate option of running bio-diesel in municipal fleet. Complete. All diesel vehicles use biofuel. Implementing as funding allows. CPD using electric golf carts, six 31 Utilize electric vehicles in municipal fleet. Segways. 32 Develop and place sticker on municipal vehicles that are using alternative fuels. Complete. All diesel vehicles use biofuel. 33 Educate employees regarding use of alternative fuels and encourage use in personal vehicles. Featuring information in Green@Works city employee newsletter. Trip Reduction / Transportation Demand Management Encouraging use of employee carpooling. Green Team piloted Take a 34 • Encourage car-pooling or vanpooling by municipal employees. Break from Exhaust online tracking. Waiting for program revision to implement further. 35 • Evaluate option of telecommuting by municipal employee. No action to date • Evaluate use of alternate work schedules by municipal employees so Alternate Work Scheduled implemented in Public Works and some other 36 arrival and departure times are staggered. areas of the City. Page 3 of 6 Packet Pg. 5  1.a The Climate Protection Action Plan provides measures to reduce emission levels of the City of Columbia consistent with the commitment made by the U.S. in the Paris Agreement: Attachment: Climate Protection Action Plan_Updated_July_2018 (4839 : Presentation of the Climate 28% reduction by 2025 . The City’s baseline emissions will serve as the threshold for measuring the success of these efforts. • Encourage use of mass-transit by municipal employees. Work with RTA City promotes The Comet and free Soda Cap Connector. Works w/The Comet on special 37 events such as Dump the Pump Day. to allow city employees to ride for free or reduced rate on mass transit. • Evaluate police use of motorcycles and bicycles to determine suitable 38 No action to date locations and implement accordingly. City designated Bronze Level Bike and Walk Friendly Community. Complete • Expand community bicycle infrastructure (e.g., dedicated bicycle lanes, Street resolution approved by City Council. BPAC master plan in progress. Bike 39 additional bicycle parking spaces). corrals installed in business districts. Public-private partnership underway to install specially-designed bicycle racks. City has worked with Rosewood and Lyon Street Elementary Schools to 40 • Institute a “safe routes to school” program. secure funding for Safe Routes to School programs. Other Transportation-Related Measures Develop and Enforce policy to limit idling of municipal vehicles. Explore anti- 41 Complete. idling software for older vehicles. Continue studies to determine if further measures can be taken to improve Signals are synchronized. Staff evaluates frequently as requests are 42 traffic signal synchronization. received. Complete with passage of Richland County penny sales tax referendum, 43 Secure stable funding for Midlands Regional Transit Authority The Comet. November 2012; collection of which started May 2013. Recycling & Waste Ongoing. Recycling bins placed in facilities as available. Employees Enhance recycling programs in municipal facilities by offering incentives for 44 educated via Green Team. Green@Work newsletter and other internal departments/divisions and for solid waste customers. publications. Page 4 of 6 Packet Pg. 6  1.a The Climate Protection Action Plan provides measures to reduce emission levels of the City of Columbia consistent with the commitment made by the U.S. in the Paris Agreement: Attachment: Climate Protection Action Plan_Updated_July_2018 (4839 : Presentation of the Climate 28% reduction by 2025 . The City’s baseline emissions will serve as the threshold for measuring the success of these efforts. Ongoing. Extensive PR with launch of new recycling roll carts, summer 2015. Conduct a public relations campaign to inform the public of the details of 45 Outreach includes app, website, social media, presentations and other forms of recycling programs and encourage recycling. outreach. Also participate in partnerships as available. Conduct a public relations campaign to inform citizens of the City’s 46 Included as part of CPAC initiatives and public outreach efforts composting operation and encourage its use. 47 Utilize city compost material as much as possible. Ongoing. Not STA approved for this use. Other options being considered and 48 Evaluate use of compost material as stabilization material for embankments. evaluated for material use. 49 Establish internal system for reuse or recycling of construction and demolition materials. Options considered as feasible. Implement solid waste reduction programs. Reduce use of paper through Ongoing. Educating employees via Green Team, Green@Work 50 copying on both sides, minimize printing when information can be read on the newsletter and other internal communications. Internet and require grant applicants to use both sides of the paper. Evaluate on-line grant applications for the city’s grant programs (community Underway. Also implemented online payment options for various City 51 promotions, accommodations, hospitality, community development block services. grant, etc.) Evaluate establishing methane recovery in local wastewater treatment plant and 52 Project identified for recovery of Methane Gas generated at MWWTP landfills. Implement Electronic Waste Recycling Program for Residential Customers Implemented. Collect and recycle approximately 85 tons of e-waste 53 (State Law limits the city’s ability to provide electronic-waste services to annually. commercial customers). 54 Utilize recycled items when possible. Continuous Effort Citywide Provide advice and information to commercial businesses and the public on Ongoing. The City also provides free (grant-funded containers) 55 recycling hazardous substances. commercial recycling for 130 workplaces. Land Use 56 Educate public about the requirements of the landscape ordinance On-Going Page 5 of 6 Packet Pg. 7  1.a The Climate Protection Action Plan provides measures to reduce emission levels of the City of Columbia consistent with the commitment made by the U.S. in the Paris Agreement: Attachment: Climate Protection Action Plan_Updated_July_2018 (4839 : Presentation of the Climate 28% reduction by 2025 . The City’s baseline emissions will serve as the threshold for measuring the success of these efforts. Modify landscape ordinance to allow planted green rooftops as an option to 57 Consideration of options being identified. meet the landscape ordinance tree density factor requirement. Review and modify planning and zoning codes to discourage sprawl and 58 promote green space through such practices as infill development, traditional Consideration of options being identified. neighborhood development and mixed use neighborhood development 59 Promote Forever Forest and Treasured Trees Programs Included as part of CPAC initiatives and public outreach efforts Perform Tree Survey and develop Five Year Plan for Maintenance and Got as far as preparing RFP; unable to go further due to funding 60 Replacements limitations. Looking at internal resource options. 61 Institute programs to preserve open space Consideration given when applicable. Continue to fund efforts to perform landscape maintenance and planting of 62 Ongoing. shade trees Encourage planting of new trees and shrubs strategically to shelter buildings 63 Ongoing. and reduce fuel consumption needed to cool buildings. Review existing parking lot ordinance and consider incentives for retrofitting 64 existing parking lots. Encourage use of pervious paving and best practices to Staff evaluating possibilities, tied to Stormwater Permit. reduce runoff. Create a reward system for development projects that go beyond the tree Columbia Choice Awards currently available through City/Columbia 65 protection requirements or in other ways demonstrate environmentally sensitive Green partnership. design. Transition community power supply to 100% renewables by 2036, per Ready NEW Ongoing; assigned to CPAC for recommendations. for 100. Certified as three-STAR Community in December 2017. 2020 goal: to NEW Achieve STAR Communities sustainability rating; become STAR Certified. recertify as 4-STAR. Page 6 of 6 Packet Pg. 8