Environment And Infrastructure Committee

COLUMBIA ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019 The Columbia Environment and Infrastructure Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 12:00 p.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. Climate Protection Action Plan Update - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Administrator ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1  1 MEETING DATE: October 1, 2019 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Moore, City Clerk SUBJECT: Climate Protection Action Plan Update - Ms. Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Administrator FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: FOCUS AREAS: Innovative & High Quality Municipal Services ATTACHMENTS:  Action Plan for EI_Oct_2019 (PDF)  CPAC Webpage Updated: 9/25/2019 6:22 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: 28% reduction by 2025 . The City’s baseline emissions will serve as the threshold for measuring the success of these efforts. Secondary/Support Item # Action Items Primary Depts Action Action Required Status Depts Energy Efficiency Obtain Approval to Proceed with Audit completed by Ameresco in 2007. City Council decided General Services (Support 1 Conduct an energy audit of municipal facilities and implement the recommendations. All Depts Consultant, Execute Contract, Begin against performance contract financing. Implemented lighting Services) Work upgrades with ARRA/EECBG funding. General Services (Support Recommended as part of energy audit, but not implemented. 2 Implement an energy tracking and management system. Finance (Accounting) Attachment: Action Plan for EI_Oct_2019 (5453 : Climate Protection Action Plan Update) Services) Funding unavailable. Investigating possibilities. General Services (Support Installing as replacements needed. No mass replacement due to Develop plan to install digital thermostats in city facilities. Adjust thermostats based on the industry standards to reduce 3 Services) / Finance All Depts funding limitations. Now installed in approximately 95% of City consumption. (Purchasing) facilities. General Services (Support 4 Develop a plan to install energy efficient exit sign lightings in all city facilities over a defined period of time. Services) / Finance All Depts Develop Implementation Plan Complete. (Purchasing) General Services (Support Develop Policy and Implement 5 Develop a plan to perform energy-efficient lighting retrofits in all city facilities over a period of time. Services) / Finance All Depts Complete. Citywide (Purchasing) General Services (Support Develop Policy and Communicate to 6 Institute a lights out policy in all city facilities when not in use. All Depts Complete. Services) all Dept / Employees All Depts Abide by Develop Policy and Communicate to 7 Require city employees to turn off computer monitors each evening and turn off the computer over the weekend. Information Technology Complete. Policy all Dept / Computer Users Depts help fund and General Services (Support Develop Policy and Implementation Installed in some areas - focusing on conference rooms. Installed 8 Install motion detectors and/or timers that will turn lights off if room is unoccupied for a certain length of time. implement plan as Services) Plan where possible during lighting upgrades. feasible (Ongoing.) As replacements are made, energy efficient units will Develop plan to perform heating, cooling and ventilation system retrofits (e.g., chillers, boilers, fans, pumps, belts) based General Services (Support Depts help fund and Develop Implementation Plan and be used. Currently in use at 1225 Laurel, Washington Sq, 9 on the energy audit. Consider alternative energy resources. Services) implement plan Implement as Feasible Municipal Ct, Fleet Services, Eau Claire, Animal Shelter, West Beltline. General Services (Support Develop Implementation Plan and 10 Develop a plan to install ENERGY STAR appliances in all city facilities as deemed appropriate and feasible. Services) / Finance All Depts Underway as appliances are replaced Implement as Feasible (Purchasing) General Services (Support Develop Implementation Plan and Using reflective roofing as roofing is replaced. Used at City Hall, 11 Develop a plan to install green or reflective roofing on city facilities. All Depts Services) Implement as Feasible Washington Square, Station 12. West Beltline has a green roof. Develop Implementation Plan and U&E constantly aware of need to operate system in most efficient 12 Develop a plan to improve water pumping energy efficiency. U&E Develop a Plan U&E Implement Plan Implement as Feasible / Study manner possible due to meeting system demand (ongoing) Pumping Cycles General Services (Support Develop Implementation Plan and 13 Replace hot water heater units with hot water on demand systems if they are more energy efficient. Services) / Finance All Depts Unable to do on demand. Implement as Feasible (Purchasing) General Services (Support Encourage Commission of the Blind to install energy-efficient vending machines in all city facilities that currently utilize 14 Services) / Finance All Depts Exploring options as feasible. vending machines. (Purchasing) Develop Guidelines to Use for all General Services (Support Parks and Rec Building followed LEED guidelines, but was not 15 Require that all new construction and renovations of municipal buildings follow LEED Certified guidelines. All Depts Municipal Construction and Services) certified. West Beltline Building is certified LEED Gold. Renovation Projects Outdoor Lighting Develop Implementation Plan and 16 Continue to install energy-efficient traffic lights and replace all incandescent traffic signals with LED signals. Public Works (Traffic) 95% of traffic signals have been converted. Implement as Feasible City leases the majority of street lights, and those are HPS. All Develop ordinance requiring all street lighting inside City limits to be energy-efficient street lights (e.g., high pressure Construction 17 Public Works (Traffic) Develop Lighting Ordinance City-owned lights are either HPS or led. Working with Dominion sodium) – plan will accommodate normal replacement schedule of existing lights. Management Energy SC to consider all options. Evaluate Lighting Usage and Identify Evaluate street lighting to determine if the average daily time streetlights are on can be reduced without compromising 18 Public Works (Traffic) Potential Changes to Improve Using improved photocells to reduce day-burning of lights. public safety. City will work with SCE&G on this initiative. Efficiency Packet Pg. 3  Secondary/Support 1.a Item # Action Items Primary Depts Action Action Required Status Depts Public Works (Traffic), Parks Develop Implementation Plan and All parking garages have been unfitted to high efficiency linear 19 Develop energy efficient lighting programs for city parks including the greenways, and city parking garages. and Rec, Parking Services Implement as Feasible fluorescent. U&E, Construction Develop and implement lighting standard to be used citywide to include specifications regarding spacing and lighting Management, Parks and Develop Implementation Plan and 20 Public Works (Traffic) City has standards that are being followed. levels. Rec, Development Implement as Feasible Services Renewable Energy City Management / City Initiate Conversations regarding Conversations have taken place with SCE&G officials regarding 21 Encourage SCE&G to produce/provide Green Energy. Council Green Energy energy efficiency. From 2015-17, the City purchased Green Power offsets for all City Council meetings, the first City in SC to do so. Purchase was 22 Purchase green electricity from solar, geothermal, wind, landfill or hydroelectric sources if made available. TBD Attachment: Action Plan for EI_Oct_2019 (5453 : Climate Protection Action Plan Update) made through Pace, a non-profit that funded green power for the major utilities. Pace ended in 2017, and there is no replacement. 23 Purchase green tags / renewable energy certificates if made available. TBD No action to date. Using fuel cell battery backup at multiple generator sites. Using General Services (Support 24 Use alternative energy sources in municipal facilities when possible. All Depts solar flashers @ new pedestrian crossings. Looking at solar grant Services) opportunities. Transportation: Vehicle Fuel Efficiency General Services (Fleet), Enforce Existing Policy and Monitor 25 Continue to monitor use of take home vehicles and ensure proper justification is in place for all approved. All Depts Ongoing Public Works Vehicle Usage General Services (Fleet), Public Works, U&E, 26 Enforce policy to trailer equipment to job sites. Enforce Existing Fleet Policy Policy written and communicated. Public Works Park and Rec City Management, Finance, 27 Retire old and under-used vehicles and equipment. Budget, General Services All Depts Develop Plan and Update as Needed Implementing as resources allow (Fleet Services) Evaluate Feasibility of Alternative Departments are encouraged to budget for such; limited by General Services (Fleet), 28 Purchase fuel efficient or electric (e.g., hybrid) and/or smaller fleet vehicles. All Depts Fuel/Fuel Efficient Vehicles for all funding availability. Of 1069 licensed vehicles, the City owns 33 Public Works Purchases hybrids, nine electric and 419 flex-fuel vehicles. Alternative Fuels General Services (Fleet), Evaluate Benefits and Make Purchasing vehicles capable of using alternative fuels. Currently 29 Evaluate option of using alternative fuel in City vehicles. All Depts Public Works Recommendation using B5 biofuel and E10 gasoline in entire fleet. Evaluate Feasibility of Bio-Diesel General Services (Fleet), 30 Evaluate option of running bio-diesel in municipal fleet. All Depts based on '07 Emission Complete. All diesel vehicles use biofuel. Public Works Requirements Evaluate Feasibility of Electric Implementing as funding allows. CPD using electric golf carts, six 31 Utilize electric vehicles in municipal fleet. General Services (Fleet) All Depts Vehicles and Utilize where feasible Segways. Continue to Evaluate options 32 Develop and place sticker on municipal vehicles that are using alternative fuels. General Services (Fleet) All Depts Available, Purchase when Complete. All diesel vehicles use biofuel. Appropriate Develop Education Program, Utilize General Services, Public 33 Educate employees regarding use of alternative fuels and encourage use in personal vehicles. All Depts Resources Available (newsletter, Featuring information in Green@Works city employee newsletter. Works, Public Information email, Channel 2, etc.) Trip Reduction / Transportation Demand Management City Management, General Encouraging use of employee carpooling. Green Team piloted Develop Policy and Implement 34 Encourage car-pooling or vanpooling by municipal employees. Services (Fleet), Public All Depts Take a Break from Exhaust online tracking. Waiting for program Citywide Works revision to implement further. Public Works Research other municipalities and No action to date 35 Evaluate option of telecommuting by municipal employee. determine feasibility of telecommunicating Research other municipalities and Alternate Work Scheduled implemented in Public Works and 36 Evaluate use of alternate work schedules by municipal employees so arrival and departure times are staggered. Public Works determine feasibility of some other areas of the City. telecommunicating Encourage use of mass-transit by municipal employees. Work with RTA to allow city employees to ride for free or City Management / Public City promotes The Comet and free Soda Cap Connector. Works 37 Develop Communication with RTA to reduced rate on mass transit. Works w/The Comet on special events such as Dump the Pump Day. Packet Pg. 4  Secondary/Support 1.a Item # Action Items Primary Depts Action Action Required Status Depts Evaluate Feasibility of Motorcycle General Services (Fleet 38 Evaluate police use of motorcycles and bicycles to determine suitable locations and implement accordingly. Police Dept and Bicycle use and Identify No action to date Services) Parameters for such use City designated Bronze Level Bike and Walk Friendly Community. Complete Street resolution approved by City Council. BPAC Staff of the Bicycle Friendly Public Works (Traffic master plan in progress. Bike corrals installed in business 39 Expand community bicycle infrastructure (e.g., dedicated bicycle lanes, additional bicycle parking spaces). Community Committee Engineering) districts. Public-private partnership underway to install specially- designed bicycle racks. Bike Share program established 10/2018, growing as demand increases. Staff of the Safe routes to Public Works (Traffic City has worked with Rosewood and Lyon Street Elementary 40 Institute a “safe routes to school” program. School Committee Engineering) Schools to secure funding for Safe Routes to School programs. Other Transportation-Related Measures Attachment: Action Plan for EI_Oct_2019 (5453 : Climate Protection Action Plan Update) General Service (Fleet Develop Policy and Implement 41 Develop and Enforce policy to limit idling of municipal vehicles. Explore anti-idling software for older vehicles. All Depts Complete. Services), Public Works Citywide Public Works (Traffic Signals are synchronized. Staff evaluates frequently as requests 42 Continue studies to determine if further measures can be taken to improve traffic signal synchronization. Engineering) are received. Complete with passage of Richland County penny sales tax City Management / City 43 Secure stable funding for Midlands Regional Transit Authority The Comet. Work with Counties on Issue referendum, November 2012; collection of which started May Council 2013. Recycling & Waste Reduction Ongoing. Recycling bins placed in facilities as available. Enhance recycling programs in municipal facilities by offering incentives for departments/divisions and for solid waste Public Works (Solid Waste), Identify locations and depts work 44 All Depts Employees educated via Green Team. Green@Work newsletter customers. General Services together to implement and other internal publications. Ongoing. Extensive PR with launch of new recycling roll carts, Public Works (Solid Waste), summer 2015. Outreach includes app, website, social media, 45 Conduct a public relations campaign to inform the public of the details of recycling programs and encourage recycling. Channel 2, newspaper Public Information presentations and other forms of outreach. Also participate in partnerships as available. Public Works (Solid Waste), 46 Conduct a public relations campaign to inform citizens of the City’s composting operation and encourage its use. Channel 2, newspaper Included as part of CPAC initiatives and public outreach efforts Public Information Public Works (SW, Street, 47 Utilize city compost material as much as possible. Parks and Rec Channel 2, newspaper Ongoing. F&B) U&E (WM, WWM) Identify measures needed to make Public Works (Solid Waste Not STA approved for this use. Other options being considered 48 Evaluate use of compost material as stabilization material for embankments. Parks and Rec material more suitable for use by city and Street Div) and evaluated for material use. staff Public Works (Solid Waste, Research Possibilities and Develop 49 Establish internal system for reuse or recycling of construction and demolition materials. Street), Utilities and All Depts Options considered as feasible. Plan Engineering Implement solid waste reduction programs. Reduce use of paper through copying on both sides, minimize printing when Research Possibilities and Develop Ongoing. Educating employees via Green Team, Green@Work 50 All Depts information can be read on the Internet and require grant applicants to use both sides of the paper. Plan newsletter and other internal communications. Evaluate on-line grant applications for the city’s grant programs (community promotions, accommodations, hospitality, Community Development, Underway. Also implemented online payment options for various 51 All Depts community development block grant, etc.) OBO, City services. Project identified for recovery of Methane Gas generated at 52 Evaluate establishing methane recovery in local wastewater treatment plant and landfills. Public Works, U&E MWWTP Implement Electronic Waste Recycling Program for Residential Customers (State Law limits the city’s ability to provide Implemented. Collect and recycle approximately 85 tons of e- 53 Public Works Complete electronic-waste services to commercial customers). waste annually. All Depts / Finance 54 Utilize recycled items when possible. Continuous Effort Citywide (Purchasing) Public Works, Public Ongoing. The City also provides free (grant-funded containers) 55 Provide advice and information to commercial businesses and the public on recycling hazardous substances. Develop Policy Information commercial recycling for 130 workplaces. Co-founded Lose the Baggage, an initiative that seeks to reduce the number of plastic bags used by Midlands residents Added by at least seven million bags a year. Development Services, 56 Educate public about the requirements of the landscape ordinance Zoning, Public Works, Public Ongoing Information Modify landscape ordinance to allow planted green rooftops as an option to meet the landscape ordinance tree density Development Services, 57 Consideration of options being identified. factor requirement. Zoning, Public Works Review and modify planning and zoning codes to discourage sprawl and promote green space through such practices as Development Services, 58 Consideration of options being identified. infill development, traditional neighborhood development and mixed use neighborhood development Zoning Public Works, Zoning, 59 Promote Forever Forest and Treasured Trees Programs Development Services, Included as part of CPAC initiatives and public outreach efforts Public Information Packet Pg. 5  Secondary/Support 1.a Item # Action Items Primary Depts Action Action Required Status Depts Got as far as preparing RFP; unable to go further due to funding 60 Perform Tree Survey and develop Five Year Plan for Maintenance and Replacements Public Works limitations. Looking at internal resource options. Development Services, 61 Institute programs to preserve open space Public Works Consideration given when applicable. Zoning City Management, Public 62 Continue to fund efforts to perform landscape maintenance and planting of shade trees Ongoing. Works Encourage planting of new trees and shrubs strategically to shelter buildings and reduce fuel consumption needed to Development Services, 63 Ongoing. cool buildings. Zoning, Public Works (F&B) Development Services, Review existing parking lot ordinance and consider incentives for retrofitting existing parking lots. Encourage use of 64 Zoning, Public Works (F&B), Staff evaluating possibilities, tied to Stormwater Permit. pervious paving and best practices to reduce runoff. U&E (Engr) Create a reward system for development projects that go beyond the tree protection requirements or in other ways Development Services, Columbia Choice Awards currently available through Attachment: Action Plan for EI_Oct_2019 (5453 : Climate Protection Action Plan Update) 65 demonstrate environmentally sensitive design. Zoning, Public Works (F&B) City/Columbia Green partnership. Additions City Council set a goal to convert to 100% renewable power community-wide by 2036. Mayor assigned committee including staff and council member to manage; committee has not yet met. Added Transition community power supply to 100% renewables by 2036, per Ready for 100. Sierra Club hired SC Ready for 100 organizer who participates on CPAC. Working with UMich project to assist cities with implementation; kickoff 11/2019. Certified Three STAR Community in 2017. Goal: Renew in 2021 as a FOUR-STAR community. 2018: STAR Communities Added Achieve STAR Communities sustainability rating; become STAR Certified. Public Works acquired by US Green Building, merged with LEED for Cities to create LEED for Cities and Communities. Currently monitoring LEED for Cities/Communities to determine City's participation. Staff met with organization to plan projects to help reduce maternal, infant exposure to toxins. Projects planned for Columbia Added Received $20,000 grant from Healthy Babies, Bright Futures to become Bright Cities member. Public Works Water, Forestry & Beautification, Food Policy Council, Community Development, Parks/Rec. Grant closes December, 2019,. In 2009, CPAC created a City Green Business membership to engage workplaces in climate action activities. In 2016, City joined Lexington, Richland counties to create regional membership, assisted by KMB. City staff recognize, promote Added Engage businesses and workplaces in Climate Action efforts via membership, special outreach opportunities. MGB members w/in City limits. MGB partners host quarterly membership outreach meetings, cost split between Lexington and Richland Counties; staff requested KMB pay for City's meeting from financial contract funds. Some 140,000 analogue water meters will be replaced with smart automatic meter infrastructure. Replacements scheduled 6000 Added Modernize water network, improve customer service of Columbia Water by installing smart water meters. Columbia Water per month through 2020. AMI will provide more accurate billing, allow customers to better monitor usage and take water vehicles used in meter reading off the road, thus reducing GHG emissions. Considering proposal from Cenergistic to detect and correct Added Investigate proposal to transform staff energy consumption behavior and habits. anomalies in energy usage. Paid out of savings achieved. Staff submitted program pros and cons list to new ACM for evaluation. Considering proposal from Utility Management Services Inc. to Added Investigate proposal to audit energy expenditures for accuracy. provide risk-free audit of electric bills for errors and overcharges. Paid out of the savings obtained. Encouraged by citizen request, current efforts to bans plastic bags throughout SC, Councilwoman Devine convened an 8/2018 Added Investigate possibility of banning single use plastic bags. Public Works meeting to discuss plastic bag ban option. Staff researched programs, created white paper for City Manager. Staff now monitoring progress of Richland County's proposed ban. Packet Pg. 6  Secondary/Support 1.a Item # Action Items Primary Depts Action Action Required Status Depts Until the October 2015 flood, talks were underway with SCE&G to locate a solar farm at the WWTP. Those talks ended with the flood, but staff moved forward, researching option sreaseacrhed Added Investigate opportunities for solar farm installation at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Columibia Water similar installations. After issuing an RFQ/P for the project, the City selected Consolidated Edison, Inc.(Con Ed) to proceed with a feasibility study, and if deemed appropriate, to start the process. Information is largely available via Richland County. City specific STAR Prepare communitywide risk assessment. report required for STAR points; with move to LEED for Cities. Is now a moot point. Participating in a cohort to become SolSmart certified. Going for STAR Become solar ready community. the Bronze certification, Attachment: Action Plan for EI_Oct_2019 (5453 : Climate Protection Action Plan Update) STAR Conduct industrial and commercial water conservation workshop series Columbia Water Ongoing via Columbia Water. STAR Expedite LEED permits. No formal policy in place. STAR Investigate adding a sustainability component to Development and Design Review Committee. STAR Implement environmentally responsible product preference policy. STAR Implement diversity training and workshops for City employees. AARP is working with Mayor's Office to achieve this. Various staff STAR Obtain Age Friendly City certification from World Health Organization serving on Advisory Committee. Packet Pg. 7