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Home My WebLink About07-232 Resolution No. 07-232 RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN,ILLINOIS,that the City of Elgin,Illinois hereby expresses its support of the provisions of the U.S.Mayor's climate protection agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto. s/Ed Schock Ed Schock, Mayor Presented: September 26, 2007 Adopted: September 26, 2007 Omnibus Vote: Yeas: 7 Nays: 0 Attest: s/Diane Robertson Diane Robertson, City Clerk The U.S* Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (As endorsed by the 73rd Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, Chicago, 2005) A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012,including efforts to:reduce the United States'dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean,economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as conservation,methane recovery for energy generation,waste to energy,wind and solar energy,fuel cells,efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels; B. We urge the U.S.Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that 1)includes clear timetables and emissions limits and 2)a flexible,market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries;and C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as: 1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan. 2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact,walkable urban communities; 3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails,commute trip reduction programs,incentives for car pooling and public transit; 4. Increase the use of clean,alternative energy by,for example, investing in "green tags", advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production,and supporting the use of waste to energy technology; 5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money; 6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use; 7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S.Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system; 8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti- idling messages;convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel; 9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems;recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production; 10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community; 11. Maintain healthy urban forests;promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2;and 12. Help educate the public,schools,other jurisdictions,professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution. 1 September 7, 2007 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Olufemi Folarin, City Manager "°��i"iH� ;��fnt William A. Cogley, Corporation Counsel City C,nr SUBJECT: Proposed Resolution in Support of the United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement PURPOSE The purpose of this memorandum is to submit to the Mayor and members of the City Council a proposed resolution in support of the United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Mayor and Members of the City Council adopt the proposed resolution in support of the United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. BACKGROUND At a recent city council meeting Councilman Kaptain requested that staff bring forward legislation providing for the City of Elgin's support of the Kyoto Protocol. In subsequent discussions with Councilman Kaptain, the United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement was discussed as a possible mechanism for same. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has endorsed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. A copy of this agreement is attached. Such agreement may be summarized as follows. 1. The agreement urges the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to seven percent (7%) below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel efficient technology such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and bio-fuels. The United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement September 7, 2007 Page 2 2. The agreement urges U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that 1) includes clear timetables and emissions limits and 2) a flexible, market- based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries. 3. The agreement provides that participating municipalities will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking action in their own operations and communities. The attached agreement includes a listing of 12 example areas of effort to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol targets. The first of these areas is to inventory global warming emissions in city operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan. To date, 600 U.S. Mayors have signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Sixteen cities in Illinois have signed on to the agreement including Aurora, Carbondale, Carol Stream, Chicago, Evanston, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Normal, Northbrook, Plainfield, Rock Falls, Rock Island, Schaumburg, Urbana, Waukegan and Wilmette. COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED None. FINANCIAL IMPACT Increased costs can be expected in the event the city pursues the initiatives in the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection agreement. The amount of such increased costs is unknown and will depend upon the nature and extent of the initiatives pursued by the city. Such increased costs can be expected to be offset in part by anticipated savings for future energy costs for more energy efficient buildings and equipment. LEGALIMPACT None. ALTERNATIVES 1. Adoption of the resolution in support of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. 2. Do not adopt a resolution in support of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. 3. Adoption of an alternative policy statement in support of the Kyoto Protocol targets. Respectfully submitted for Council consideration. WAC/bf Attachment The United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement September 7, 2007 Page 3 ot, G:\City Wide Shared COW Memos\COW K •r� The U.S.Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement—Signature Page You have my support for the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Date: September 26, 2007 Mayor: Ed Schock Signature: Address: City of Elgin, 150 Dexter Court.: City: Elgin State: _ IL Zip: 60120 Mayor's a-mail: schock—e@cityofelgin.org Staff Contact Name: David Lawry Staff Contact Title: General Services Manager Staff Phone: (847) 931-5961 Staff e-mail: lawry d @cityofelgin.org Please add my comments in support of the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.We will add these to the Website(optional): Please return completed form at your earliest convenience to: The U.S.Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Center By Mail: By Fax: (202)429-0422 16201 Street,NW Washington,DC 20006 By e-mail:brosenbergRusmayors.or For more information: (202)861-6782