HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-14 City Council (8)City of Palo Alto
C ty Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGERS OFFICE
DATE:DECEMBER 2, 2002 CMR: 459:02
SUBJECT: DRAFT SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
This is an informational report, providing background for the Council study session.
BACKGROUND
On April 2, 2001 Palo Alto City Council adopted a Sustainability Policy:
"It is the intent of the City of Palo Alto to be a sustainable community - one which
meets its current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. In adopting this policy, the City of Palo Alto accepts its
responsibility, through its programs and services, to:
Economy: Maintain a healthy, thriving and well-balanced economy
comprised of a blend of large and small business, which encourages the
development of independent businesses and is resilient to the economic
changes common to California’s economy
Social Equity: Continuously improve the quality of life for all Palo Alto
community members.
®Environment: Reduce resource use and pollution in a cost-effective manner
while striving to protect and enhance the quality of the air, water, land and
other natural resources; promote and support the conservation of native
vegetation, fish, wildlife habitat and other ecosystems; and minimize
human impacts on local and regional ecosystems.
In working toward these goals, the City will, when appropriate, align and partner
with community groups, businesses and non-profits."
CMR:459:02 Page 1 of 4
In adopting this policy, Council directed staff to align the day-to-day operations of the
City of Palo Alto, as well as the Capital Improvement Program, with the goal of
becoming a sustainable entity.
DISCUSSION
City staff has developed a proposed format for a sustainability plan which breaks down
City activities and programs into key areas of sustainability focus, referred to as
categories. Within each category, staff has identified a goal, objectives, and measurable
aspects called indicators that can be used to gauge progress towards sustainability.
The Comprehensive Plan was the primary resource for determining the goals for each
sustainability category in order to ensure that all sustainability efforts were
complementary to and closely aligned with the Comprehensive Plan. This had an added
advantage in that the majority of work required to implement the Sustainability Plan is
already planned as part of the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
The ’sustainability objectives that have been established for focusing progress within
these categories are structured in a two-tier format:
Continuous Improvement: These objectives generate incremental, measurable
reductions to adverse impacts in the areas represented by the individual
indicators.
Restorative: These objectives focus beyond the reduction of adverse impacts to
the restoration of a resource or category.
Leading indicators are chosen for each category to. monitor for the fiscal year. Each year
staff will review the previous year’s indicators to assess progress and decide if the
indicators should be changed.
The indicators identified for each category for this first year were selected based on their
representation of the City’s activities pertaining to the category. Where possible,
indicators were selected that are already in use as metrics for other departmental
reporting, thereby minimizing any additional workload for departmental staff.
Additionally, some indicators may be used by other departments for other reporting
purposes. For example, the City Auditor is developing an annual Service Efforts and
Accomplishments Report. Several of the current indicators are also included in this
report. Staff will continue to work to ensure that whenever possible data will be shared.
On a fiscal year basis, staff plans to:
CMR:459:02 Page 2 of 4
@
@
Monitor activities related to the sustainability goals and objectives,
Compile achievements for tl~e year in a report to the City Council,
budget process,
~ Reviewing the goals and indicators, and
~ Establishing new goals and indicators as needed.
as part of the
NEXT STEPS
Staff will make this plan available to groups in the community who wish to use it to assist
in the development of their own sustainability efforts, and will look into enhancing
pa .r~nerships with citizen, business and industrial groups in order to make sustainability a
real community effort.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The Assistant City Manager will oversee this effort with the assistance of staff
volunteers. A special assignment in the City Managers Office has been created that will
allow a city staff member to volunteer for six to twelve months at a time to assist with
this program.
POLICY IMPLICATION
This plan is consistent with the citywide Sustainability Policy and past Council actions.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 :
Attachment 2:
Attachment 3:
Attachment 4:
Attachment 5:
Attachment 6:
Attachment 7:
Attachment 8:
Attachment 9:
Executive Summary - Water
Executive Summary - Air Quality
Executive Summary - Energy
Executive Summary - Solid Waste
Executive Summary - Transportation
Executive Summary - Public Safety and Community Services
Executive Summary - Procurement
Executive Summary - Land Use
Executive Summary - Economic Vitality
CMR:459:02 Page 3 of 4
Attachment 10:Executive Sumrnary- Affordable Housing
PREPARED B"
Oalq Environmental Protection Coordinator
Dodds, Sustainability Intern
Emil~y--Harrison, AssistaXtrt~.~ Manager
CMR:459:02
Page 4 of 4
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 1
Palo Alto Goal
CITY OF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY INVENTORY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY- WATER
To prudently manage water resources to sustain plant and animal life, support urban
activities and protect public health and safety (CP Goal N-4).
Overview
Water is the lifeblood of human, animal, and plant life. It is also critically important for
industry and commerce. The water source for the City of Palo Alto (principally Hetch
Hetchy Reservoir in the Sierra Nevada Mountains) is one of the highest quality source
water in the world. However, because the source is far away and limited, there are issues
that must be anticipated and addressed, particularly the cost and reliability of the pipeline
system, and quantity limitations. There is also the issue of managing the used water.
Most is discharged to San Francisco Bay, a critically important ecosystem.
Water supply sustainability goals are driven by three needs, 1) to maximize water
conservation efforts, 2) maintain the current high level of water quality, and 3)
continuously improve the reliability of the delivery system to prevent interruptions from
earthquakes and other disasters.
With respect to used water, the current focus is on reducing the mass loading of
persistent, bioaccumulative, or toxic chemicals to San Francisco Bay. Palo Alto has
substantially reduced the discharge of copper, silver, and other toxics and has
documented corresponding reductions in indicator clams in the Bay. The challenge for
the future would be to identify how much and which other chemicals must be reduced to
achieve sustainability. However, due to the thousands and thousands of chemicals
society uses, determining chemical specific goals is not possible, so more universal goals
are stated below. The mass reduction goals for Bay Discharge could, in theory, be met
by further treatment, pollution prevention or reusing water. More and more, reuse will be
relied upon to keep contaminants out of San Francisco Bay.
For storm water, the challenge is even more daunting, because City facilities (streets,
gutters, and storm drains) are conveyances for all kinds of pollutants emitted by vehicles,
businesses, residents, erosion, and construction. Yet a sustainable ecosystem will be one
in which these activities are not causing a build-up of these contaminants in the
ecosystem (air, water, or land). Best Management Practices (BMPs) implemented by
business, government and residents will be the key to reducing pollutants in storm water.
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Water 11/19/02
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
Improve the reliability of the Hetch-Hetchy water supply system so that potential
service interruptions can be covered by alternative supplies.
Maintain the existing high quality of water delivered by water supply systems in
Palo Alto
®Reduce the mass of persistent, bioacumulative, or toxic chemicals discharged to
San Francisco Bay. ’
® Achieve stable Hetch-Hetchy water supply use by using RWQCP effluent for any
needed increases.
Achieve "no-net increase" in the volume of Bay discharge from the RWQCP
through reuse of effluent.
®Achieve "no-net increase" of the mass discharge of each pollutant to the creeks
and bay through a combination of RWQCP effluent reuse, RWQCP pollutant
decreases and storm water pollutant decreases.
~ Achieve "no-net" increase of pollutant concentrations in the ecosystem (air,
water, and land) from the residuals generated by the RWQCP.
Match water supplies and needs, by choosing the least pure water supply which
can fulfill a given human need.
Restorative:
Assist in the mitigation of any negative effects that the water supply system is
found to have in the watersheds remote to Palo Alto.
Reuse all RWQCP effluent except that needed to optimize the fresh water flow
into Lower South San Francisco Bay.
Eliminate the mass and concentration of pollutants entering the ecosystem (air,
land, and water) from the RWQCP.
Leading Indicators:
Water consumption at City municipal facilities.
Water efficiency investments, expenses and benefits at city municipal facilities.
Others listed in attachment; Water for a Sustainable Palo Alto Brochure
City Programs:
2002-03 Water and Energy Environmental Management Plan for City Facilities
(WEEMP)
Source Control Program to reduce Industrial Pollutants
Others listed in attachment; Water for a Sustainable Palo Alto Brochure
DRAFT
SUSTAINABLE WATER THE ECOSYSTEM
,TION ---~ USE -~ TREATMENT ~ REUSE ---~POLLUTION PREVENTIO~
activities and protect public health and safety.
PALO ALTO WATER USE
Objective: Conserve Water!
17.07 Supply Assurance*
990 ] 992 ~ 9N ~ 996 ] 998 2000
Year
*From San Francisco (Not guaranteed durim
RESIDENTIAL WATER USE
Objective: Conserve Water!
8 -200
~ 6 150
[~Residential Total
~Per Capita
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
- 5O
0
Year
COMMERCIAL & CITY WATER USE
Objective: Conserve Water!
1990
’~Com mercial
~City Parks & Facilities
1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
=._.. _ Year __
WASTEWATER TREATED ~ REUSED
Objective: Stay below Plant capacity and maximize
re-use!
20 ~Existing Wastewater ~- 200
~Plmlt Capacity1!5.26
15 ~ .......+ 150
~ lo LPAFlow ~ 100
~" 5J_
~- ,50
0 0
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
Year [ D
POLLUTANT (COPPER) DISCHARGE
To SAN FRANOSCO BAY
Objective: Minimize Pollutant Discharge!
40000
El Influent (Ib/yr)
30000 ¯ Effluent (Ib/yr)
20000
1oooo
0
1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001
Year I E
POLLUTANT (COPPER) CONCENTRATION IN
CLAMS (M.BATmCA)
Objective: Minimize Pollutant Concentration!
ar IF
PALO ALTO FY 02-03 ACTIONS
FOR
SUSTAINABLE WATER ’oR THE ECOSYSTEM.
EFFICIENCY
Implement the Water Efficiency Measures
identified in the Water and Energy
Management Plan for City Facilities.
Implement water rate schedules specifically
for outdoor irrigation at commercial
facilities.
Implement and report on the City’s actions to
meet the requirements of the Best
Management Practices of the California
Urban Water Conservation Council.
Work cooperatively with Federal State and
local water agencies to increase market
penetration of water efficiency programs in
Palo Alto.
Revise the Palo Alto Municipal Code’s
"Landscape Water Efficiency Standards" as
appropriate.
POLLUTION PREVENTION
Mercury Release Reduction
Pollution prevention training for dental
offices.
-Mercury investigations at hospitals
-/nvestigate alternatives for industrial
switches.
Expand fluorescent tube recycling.
Copper Release Reduction
Establish new ordinance restrictions on
copper roofs and gutters.
Training for engineers and plumbers to
reduce corrosion of copper pipe.
Pesticide Release Reduction
Implement new Plan for City use of
pesticides.
Continue less-toxic alternative outreach
through hardware stores.
Assist School District in implementing
new legislative restrictions at school sites.
Conduct residential workshops.
Dioxin Release Reduction
Publicize BMPs for dioxin control in
fireplaces and implement new Ordinance.
Encourage expansion of City’s chlorine-
free paper purchases to private sector.
REUSE
500
hnplement Sewer
Repair & Replacement 400
projects to continue to ~ 300reduce chloride "~
(saltwater) inflow,IE 200
making the wastewater
better for reuse.1 O0
CHLORIDE CONTENT-RWQCP EFFLUENT
0
1 990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
YEAR.
[~
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 2
Palo Alto Goal
CITYOF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY INVENTORY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY- AIR QUALITY
To ensure clean, healthful air for Palo Alto and the San Francisco Bay Area
(CP Goal N-5)
Overview
There are various regional, state and federal regulatory bodies that set standards for the
allowable level of pollution from various sources such as automobiles and industry to
maintain acceptable air quality and to address global warming and ozone layer
depletion. Most people living in the Bay area are familiar with "spare the air" days.
These happen when the air quality is so poor that it can cause immediate health
problems for some people. Palo Alto’s residents and businesses can and do help work
on these regional air quality problems. Since standard setting and most testing and
reporting is conducted at the regional level, City government is less involved in air
quality control than other environmental programs.
Air quality will be considered "sustainable" when pollutants are kept below harmful
levels and when pollutant amounts are no longer increasing.
Moving beyond sustainability means moving toward zero emissions from man-made
sources and restoring damage done to date by air pollution.
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
Compliance with government regulations for limitin.g air.pollution.
Restorative:
Moving toward zero emissions from man-made sources and restoring damage to
the ozone layer and other natural systems impacted by air pollution.
Leading Indicators
City Operations Indicators:
Compliance of City-owned stationary air sources permitted by Bay Area Air
Quality Management District (the City’s 30 permitted stationary air sources are
in compliance with applicable requirements.)
Note: Also refer to the Transportation Category Summary
Draft Executive Summary-Air Quality 11/19/02
City Programs
Pilot Spare the Air Program for maintenance operations.
Alternative fuel vehicles used extensively.
City Employee Commute Program.
Pilot Bio-diesel Fuel Program instituted with vehicles at the landfill.
Flexible Work Hours Program for most City employees; 9/80 (nine hour days
with City Offices closed every other Friday), and the 4/11 (eleven hour days four
days per week) for Police. Significant reduction in pollution through reduced
commuting.
DRAFT
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 3
Palo Alto Goal
CITY OF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY INVENTORY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY-- ENERGY
Palo Alto’s energy goal for City facilities is to reduce overall consumption over time
while providing the level of physical and mechanical building performance required by
the users of the facilities.,
This goal is addressed through the annual "City of Palo Alto Water, Energy and
Environmental Management Plan for City Facilities (WEEMP)".
(City of Palo Alto 2002-03 Water, Energy and Environmental Management Plan;
Utilities Strategic Plan; Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan Goal N-9 & Programs N-63 &
N-65)
Overview
WEEMP operates under four Key Principles:
.To implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Sustainability Policy by being a
responsible steward;
.To educate staff and citizens on the wise and efficient use of natural resources;
*To offset current and future environmental impacts by making resource-efficient
investments guided by prudent business practices; and,
.To maintain health and safety for residents and City staff.
Several specific Strategies shape the activities under WEEMP:
*Establish dedicated funding and associated implementation staff to achieve the plan’s
goals;
*Seek other funding such as grants and loans, and leverage activities with technical
assistance from state or federal agencies;
*Achieve greater impacts through use of Life Cycle Costing analysis in budgeting and
construction of new infrastructure projects;
*Enhance the design of new projects with "Green Building" elements and approaches;
*Implement real-time monitoring systems on resource consumption with respect to
annual usage targets and budgets; and,
*Review and update the Plan on an annual basis.
The 2002-03 WEEMP Obiectives are tied to the Strategies as follows:
*Create a Sustainability Fund, based upon a specific percentage of the General Fund’s
infrastructure capital improvement plan, and create a new position dedicated to carrying
out WEEMP activities that are designed to save enough money to fund the position.
DRAFT
Draft Executive Sm-nmaty-Energy 11/19/02
oIn addition to using Utilities Department programs, seek other funding such as State
and Federal grants and loans, and the use of loaned personnel or tools fi’om other state
or federal agencies.
®In the design and operation of current City buildings, create design standards which
exceed current Title 24 requirements and incorporate "green building" standards, while
training staff in using and specifying Life Cycle Costing methodologies in the design
and operation of buildings.
o Incorporate design standards similar to LEED into the design of new City buildings or
into the City building code with more stringent resource-consumption standards than
current Title 24 requirements, and consider use of photovoltaic cells to power new
lighting systems in public areas.
oInstall better meters, expand and improve reporting on energy use to three City
departments, and expand the reporting and control capabilities of City Hall’s energy
management system.
*Conduct energy audits to help City facilities identify and reduce their resource-
consumption levels by specified percentages compared to the previous year’s or a
baseline year.
*Seek recognition for past and future efforts to reduce resource consumption and
publicize successes to both internal and external audiences.
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
Reduce overall water and energy consumption to the greatest cost-effective extent
possible by:
*Replacement of inefficient energy systems in existing buildings and offices.
eIncreased use of solar thermal, geothermal sources or waste heat recovery in appropriate
applications to offset natural gas use.
*Decreasing use of non-renewable electricity by installing renewable sources for existing
facilities.
Reduce non-renewable energy consumption to the greatest extent possible (even when
not cost effective) by:
einstallation of efficiency measures to reduce non-renewable resource consumption that
are not financially cost-effective but do meet some other necessary criteria.
-Building new facilities to greater-than-minimum construction and!or "green" standards.
®Decreasing use of non-renewable electricity by installation of renewable sources on (or
for) new facilities.
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Energy 11 / 19/02
oCeasing all use of non-renewable electricity by purchasing 100% of electrical needs
through the Utilities "Green Power" programs.
Restorative:
o Ceasing all use of natural gas through 100% use of solar thermal, geothermal, landfill
gas or heat recovery sources.
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Energy 11/19/02
Leading Indicators
Measure, track and report monthly, quarterly or annually on the following consumption
parameters:
*Gross kWh per square foot (in aggregate, by facility or by meter)
*Gross Therms per square foot (in aggregate, by facility or by meter)
®BTU per square foot of conditioned space (in aggregate, by facility or by meter)
*kWh per square foot of unconditioned space (i.e. parking garages, parking lots, etc.).
*CCF per acre of irrigated grounds (adjusted for weather).
*Percent of renewable to non-renewable electricity consumed.
*Added costs Versus non-renewable energy saved..
*Added costs versus total water and energy saved.
*Renewable energy generated or purchased.
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
City Facility Gas Usage (100 Cubic Ft)
93-94-95- 96- 97- 98- 99- 00-
95 96 97 98 99 00 01
[] City Facilities
DRAFT
Drait Executive Summary-Energy 11/19/02
City Facilities Electricity Usage (kwh)
31,000,000
30,000,000
29,000,000
28,O0O,0OO
27,000,000
26,000,000
25,000,000
24,000,000
23,000,000
22,000,000
92-93- 94- 95- 96- 97- 98- 99- 00-
93 94 95 96" 97 98 99 00 01
I [] City Facilities
45,000,000
40,000,000
35,000,000
30,000,000
25,000,000
20,000,000
15,000,000
10,000,000
5,000,000
Gas Usage (100 cubic Feet)
93-94- 95- 96- 97- 98- 99- 00-
94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01
E3 City Facilities
[] Public Facilities
[] Industrial
r] Commercial
[] Multi-Family
[] Single Family
Draft Executive Summary-Energy 11 / 19/02
1,200,000,000
1,000,000,000
800,000,000
600,000,000
400,000,000
200,000,000
Electricity Usage (kwh)
[]City Facilities
[]Public Facilities
[3Industrial
[3Commercial
[]Multi-Family
[]Single Family
92- 93- 94- 95- 96- 97- 98- 99- 00-
93 94 95 96 97 98 99 O0 01
Programs
®See "2001-02 Water and Energy Management Plan for City Facilities (WEMP)"
oSee "2002-03 Water, Energy and Environmental Plan for City Facilities (WEEMP)"
DRAFT
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 4
Palo Alto Goal
CITYOF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY INVENTORY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - SOLID WASTE
To reduce the amount of solid waste generated and ensure that which is generated is
recycled or efficiently disposed in an environmentally safe manner (CP Goal N-7)
Overview
One of the ultimate goals of sustainability, as architect William McDonough suggests, is
to design for no waste. When examined closely, the solid waste we generate contains
many valuable nutrients and materials. Sealing these up in a landfill forever is not very
effective, especially now that society has realized that resources are limited.
The City is actively building programs to divert potential waste away from landfills
through recycling, reuse, source reduction, and composting. Improvements are already
noticeable. Beyond the goal of reducing waste is the idea of a city (or world) in which
everything either safely biodegrades or could be recycled forever.
With that vision as a long-term goal, the City focuses in the short term on measuring the
waste generated and the percentage of waste diverted from the landfills. Many programs
are already in place and achieving positive results. Achieving the long-term goals will
require other approaches as well, including efforts from other Sustainability Inventory
categories such as Procurement, Transportation, and Water Quality.
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
® Implement aggressive recycling, reuse, Source reduction, and composting
programs that reduce waste.
Promote usage of products or materials that are either reusable, recyclable or able
to be composted.
*Purchase products that have been made with recycling content.
-Dispose of all hazardous waste generated in a safe manner.
Restorative:
Eliminate waste generated within the community.
® Eliminate the use of hazardous waste chemicals.
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Solid Waste 11/19/02
Leading Indicators
Palo Alto waste diversion programs and tons of each type of waste diverted.
Tons of yard trimmings tons processed at the City Compost Facility.
Total amount ofrecyclables collected and processed at the City’s Recycle Center
Number of educational outreach programs to the community on waste prevention
and number of residents that participate.
School outreach efforts.
Pounds of hazardous waste collected through the Household Hazardous Waste
Program for FY 2001/02:436,821 lbs.
Pounds of hazardous waste generated by City operations for FY 2001/02:312,540
lbs.
Pounds of hazardous waste collected through the Small Businesses Collection
Program for FY 2001/02:6,100 lbs.
Solid Waste Generated and Percent Diverted
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
lOO,OOO
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
70%
60%
50%
40% ~
30% ?5
20% ~
10%
0%
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Residential non-hazardous waste generated.
Commercial/Industrial waste generated
Diversion Rate
City Programs
Integrated Pest Management Policy
Sustainable Purchasing Committee
Household and Small Business Hazardous Waste Collection/Drop Off Program
Recycling Programs
Junk Mail Reduction Programs
Home Composting Program
Pollution Prevention Program
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Solid Waste 11/19/02
DRAFT
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 5
Palo Alto Goal
CITY OF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY INVENTORY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY- TRANSPORTATION
To provide accessible, attractive, economically viable and environmentally sound
transportation options that meet the needs of residents, employers, employees and
visitors for safe, convenient and efficient travel by a variety of methods.
Overview
Anyone who drives in the Bay area knows about traffic (then try to find a place to
park.) During the busiest, most congested drive times, people tend to be driving in their
cars alone. Why do people make that choice? Why not use public transportation or
carpool or bike or walk? Usually the reasons are accessibility, cost, and convenience.
Current efforts to improve the transportation situation focus on reducing the number of
trips people make; encouraging car-pooling, biking, walking, and the use of public
transportation; and using vehicles with alternative fuels. Sustainable transportation
would utilize all of these approaches with the additional aspect of encouraging the use
of renewable energy to fuel vehicles and using sustainable methods in the construction
of transportation systems, such as roads, bridges and railway tracks.
Ultimately, in a sustainable world, transportation would be part of a larger design for a
community. Walking, riding a bike, and taking public transportation become better
options than driving a car. Alternative fuels such as hydrogen would be as readily
available as gasoline is today.
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
¯Reduce vehicle trips
e Encourage shared rides, bicycling, and walking
¯Decrease transportation related accidents
®Increase the use of clean fuel
®Encourage and maximize the use of transportation fueled with renewable energy
Restorative:
Transportation is designed into eco-effective communities; bicycling, walking,
and using public transportation become the most convenient and cost effective
modes.
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Transportation 11/19/02
Leading Indicators
Percentage of City workers commuting to work via public transportation,
bicycles, carpooling, and walking
City-owned alternatively fueled vehicles as a percentage of the City owned fleet
City Programs
City-Owned Alternative Fuel Vehicles
City Employee Commute Program
Way2Go program encouraging community participation in alternative
transportation modes.
Palo Alto Shuttle
Creation ofa Palo Alto Intermodal Transit Center
Development of new bicycle and pedestrian facilities
Adult and Youth bicycle education training.
FRIDAY AND HOLIDAY CLOSURES
(City Administrative offices closed)
Dec 6 Jan 17
Dec 20 Jan 20
Dec 24 Jan 31
Dec 25 Feb 14
Jan 1 Feb 17
Jan 3 Feb 28
Page 8 - bottom box
FRIDAY AND HOLIDAY CLOSURES
(City Administrative offices closed)
Dec 6 Jan 17
Dec 20 Jan 20
Dec 24 Jan 31
Dec 25 Feb 14
Jan 1 Feb 17
Jan 3 Feb 28
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 6
CITY OF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY INVENTORY
F~XECUTIVE SUMMARY-- PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Palo Alto Goal
To maintain a safe City that provides excellent community services that meet the needs of
its residents.
Overview
The category of Public Safety and Community Services encompasses many aspects such
as public health and cleanliness; the arts, recreation, education, human and social services
and personal enrichment; architecture and landscaping; police and fire services; and
community participation and interaction with the programs and services the City
provides. These features are crucial in defining a community and establishing it as a
desirable place to live.
Sustainability, in this sense, can be defined as the point at which the community moves
from concentrating on the negative to emphasizing and celebrating the positive.
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
¯ ¯ Provide basic social services that provide a safety net of services in the areas of
child care, homelessness, economically disadvantaged and senior services
®Reduce automobile accidents
¯Reduce likelihood of fires and hazardous materials incidents
¯Continue to provide superior emergency medical response services
~Reduce crime
o Maintain pedestrian safe sidewalks and streets
¯Promote the arts, the libraries and recreational activities
¯Maintain City facilities at optimal level considering their age
o Encourage more community members to participate in programs
¯Provide services and programs in the arts, libraries and recreation that are relevant
to the needs of our constituents.
® Assist community members to take ownership in resolving their problems.
®Ensure public safety facilities provide the capability of protecting life and
property is maintained
Restorative:
® Prevention programs and community involvement that addresses each area of
public safety and protection to the degree desired by the community.
Community services that effectively meet the needs of all members of the
community.
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Public Safety & Community Services 11/19/02
Leading Indicators
Number of automobile accidents
Number of fires (all types) for 2001/02:285
Number of medical rescue calls for 2001/02:2986
Number of hazardous materials incidents (all types) for 2001/02: 218
Number of permitted hazardous materials facilities for 2001/02: 463
Number of hazardous materials facilities inspections for 2001/02:306
Number of major crimes: See chart below
Number of library materials and collections available for 2001/02:273,167
Number of street and sidewalk claims received
Number of people registered for arts, recreation and sciences class and camps
programs in 2001/02:20,167
Number of residents involved in problem solving/resolution activities (active
graduates from the Family Resources Ambassador Program plus residents
enrolled as community mediators): 137
City Programs
Infrastructure programs to maintain community services facilities
Volunteer programs for safety and community service programs
Building renewal program to provide for services envisioned for the future
Marketing/outreach plan for community services programs
Crime prevention programs
Hazardous Materials Inspection and Permitting Program
High Rise Inspection Program
Fire Prevention and Inspection Program
PANDA program
Neighborhood watch program
Business watch program
Family Resources
Seasonal Worker Program
Special Events
Day care and summer camps
Continuing Education Programs
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Public Safety & Community Services 11/19/02
Crimes Committed in Palo Alto
9O0
8OO
700
6O0
50O
4OO
300
2OO
100
0
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
[] Vehicle Their
[] Burglary
E]Assaults
[] Robbery
[] Rape
[] Homicides
FY 98-99
FY 99-00
FY 00-01
FY 01-02
Number of Number of
Number of Fire Medical permitted
Calls Rescue hazardous
matedalsIncidents facilities
285 2986
457
455 est.
454
463
Numberof
hazardous
matedals
inspections
326
273 est.
304
306
Number of
hazardous
materials
incidents
218
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 7
CITY OF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -- PROCUREMENT
Palo Alto Goal
To research, establish and promote model City procurement policies and procedures
which supports markets for sustainable products and services, first targeting the areas of
construction, facilities maintenance and general office activities.
Overview
In Fiscal Year 2001-02, the City of Palo spent approximately $80 million on goods and
services. Recognizing that procurement decisions have important environmental
consequences, the City plans to reexamine its traditional purchasing procurement
practices to move toward more sustainable alternatives. For example, the Municipal
Code allows a price premium for products made with recycled content, and the City has
recently begun purchasing 100% recycled, chlorine free paper, and alternatively bleached
or unbleached bathroom products. Similarly, Public Works has converted to least-toxic
custodial products for use by City contractors and staff. Additional policy and practices
can be developed to further sustainable products and service procurement goals while
adhering to the traditional price and performance considerations influencing every
purchasing decision.
Saving or reducing the cost of sustainable products may be addressed by looking beyond
the initial cost of a product or procedural change and examining the lifecycle savings
resulting from reduced material handling, pollution abatement, avoided disposal costs,
energy and water conservation measures, impacts of local purchases, and reduced
employee and public health risks.
Educating staff about sustainable products, services and processes, can allow the City’s
purchases to improve the environment, the economy, employee health, and ultimately,
our community as a whole.
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
® Increase the categories and types of sustainable goods and services purchased by
the City.
e Incorporate more sustainable technical requirements when developing plans and
specifications for construction and maintenance services for the City.
®Evaluate all products, services, supply chains and Purchasing-related projects and
policies using sustainability criteria.
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Procurement 11 / 19/02
Restorative:
The City purchases only goods and services that meet economic, environmental
and socially.sustainable and restorative criteria.
Leading Indicators
Separately track percentage or number of increased purchase requisitions,
scopes of work and technical Specifications and contract language referencing
the need for sustainability criteria evaluation.
Dollar amount of goods purchased that meet the sustainability goals of
departments.
City Programs
Certified green business initiative
Sustainable Procurement Committee
DRAFT
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 8
Palo Alto Goal
CITY OF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY INVENTORY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - LAND USE
To provide attractive neighborhoods, work places, shopping districts, public facilities,
and an open space system that protects and conserves natural resources (CP Goals L-1
and N-l)
Overview
Land use is the direct impact our society has on the local ecosystem. Every building
that is erected and every road constructed has consumed some of the local ecosystem.
Trees and plants have been removed which are the homes and food for many species.
They also provide natural drainage systems for the rain and are the main antidote for
carbon dioxide.
The desire for a thriving economy and with it the need for residential, commercial,
industrial, and public land use must be balanced with the need for open space. Open
space allows native habitat to survive while giving the community natural beauty and
recreation areas.
Traditionally, land use tends to look at efficiency in terms of return on investment.
Office buildings are designed based on the return the rent is expected to generate as are
industrial and retail businesses. The part missing from this equation is the ’return on
investment’ for open space to the environment or for society overall.
Sustainable land use considers the factors of the environment and society along with the
economic return. Local species of plants and animals must be preserved in their natural,
regenerative habitat. The materials used for the roads and buildings should also follow
sustainable principles.
Viewed from this perspective, land use works hand-in-hand with other aspects of a
sustainable community such as transportation, economic vitality, energy, solid waste,
etc.
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
*Maintain and preserve existing protected open space, parks and preserves
®Restore open spaces
*Require native species replacement in protected open spaces
*Encourage sustainable development
Restorative:
DRAFT
Draft Executive Summary-Land Use 11/19/02
Require sustainable development
A process to create sustainable development balanced with open space goals.
Wildlife and habitat restoration
Restore vacant, former industrial land to usable and/or natural state
Leading Indicators.
@
Ratio of open space to developed land ( Currently 40% parks and open space)
Total land area occupied by city, broken down by land use type (residential,
commercial, industrial, agricultural, transportation, institutional, open space,
etc.)
City Programs
Coordinated Area Planning
Arastradero Preserve Master Plan
Baylands Master Plan
MSC Master Plan
DRAFT
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 9
Palo Alto Goal
CITY OF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY ]NVENTORY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -- ECONOMIC VITALITY
To create and maintain a thriving business environment comprising a diverse mix of
commercial, retail and professional services that is compatible with Palo Alto’s residential
character and natural environment (CP Goals B-1 & B-2)
Overview
Economic vitality is one of sustainability’s three main points of focus. Along with social equity
and the environment, these three components are critical to the city’s sustainability.
The city’s economic health can be evaluated by measures such as sales tax revenue, property
tax revenue, commercial vacancy rates and unemployment. City initiatives that strengthen the
economic base will also contribute to the economic strength of the community. These
initiatives can include land use policies, local purchasing policies and enhancements to make
the business climate a more positive one in which to conduct business operations.
Measurements to gauge sustainability must be flexible. As the economy changes and regional
variables (e.g. traffic, unemployment, business climate) fluctuate, ways to measure economic
health must also adapt.
The community must maintain its local commercial centers and diversity of businesses to
sustain City revenues that service community needs. By maintaining the ratio of large business
to small business, the relative diversity of business and industry types and the ratio of service
providers versus retail firms, the City can maintain its economic health.
As Palo Alto is a part of a larger region, many of the decisions that are made by government
must reflect the needs of the region as well as the needs of the local community. Energy,
transportation, and land use are all components of the regional environment that impact
economic viability.
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
*Increase the number of certified green businesses
o Foster initiatives that positively affect the City’s business climate and strengthen
business operations in Palo Alto
® Facilitate the development of an effective mix of businesses (size, type and geographic
location)
Work to maintain diversity in economic sectors to weather economic fluctuations and
provide needed goods and services required to meet community needs
¯ Draft Executive Summary-Economic Vitality 11/19/02
Restorative:
Work with the private sector to solicit, incubate and sustain a diverse business and
industry mix to ensure the local economy can react quickly to impending regional,
national and global changes and provide needed goods and services to the local
residential and business community.
Leading Indicators
City Operations Indicators:
Sales Tax Revenue (3rd Quarter)
$30,000,000
$25,0O0,000
$20,000,000
$15,000,000
$I0,000,000
$5,000,000
Q399 Q300 Q301
Vacancy Rates
25.00%
20.00% =
15.00% I : ~:
10.00% ..............
5.00%
0.00%
Q300 Q301
1"1 Office Vacancy B All Types
Community Indicators:
®Number of businesses in commercial, retail, and professional services
¯Unemployment rate
o Revenues from sales tax, property tax and transient occupancy tax
City Programs
Economic Development/Redevelopment
Local business preference policies development
o Business ombudsman services in the permitting process
o Matching commercial vacancies with prospective tenants
Business outreach
Support of Downtown Marketing Association (of the Chamber)
Support of Chamber of Commerce
Support of California Avenue Business Association
DRAFT
Draft 11/19/02 ATTACHMENT 10
Palo Alto Goal
CITY OF PALO ALTO SUSTAINABILITY INVENTORY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -- AFFORDABLE HOUSING
To provide affordable housing that meets Palo Alto’s share of regional needs, conserve
existing housing and residential neighborhoods, provide housing opportunities for
diverse populations and work to end housing discrimination (CP Goals H-l, H-2, H-3,
H-4)
Overview
Affordable housing is one of the social aspects of sustainability. Market rate housing is
also important and necessary for sustainability. While transforming society to eliminate
dependence on fossil fuels and toxic chemicals, and preventing the destruction of
natural habitat, we must ensure human needs, including housing, are met.
Affordable housing has been a public policy concern for some time throughout the
country. Because of this, there are recognized definitions for which housing can be
classified as affordable. This is the approach of the City of Palo Alto for its continuous
improvement efforts.
Sustainability means moving beyond meeting arbitrary targets to looking to see that the
needs of the community are being met today and for the future. Many people who
work in Palo Alto choose to live in other cities. In fact, there are a larger number of
people that work in Palo Alto than live here. Sustainability may mean that the work
force is able to live either in Palo Alto or in a neighboring community where there is an
efficient mass transit system that allows the work force the flexibility to choose where
they live without adversely affecting other sustainability categories such as air quality
or transportation.
Sustainability Objectives
Continuous Improvement:
Increasing the amount of affordable housing in the city
~,Encourage smaller housing units
®Encourage intensification of units in new housing developments
Restorative:
Meet or exceed ABAG’s thresholds for affordable housing
Leading Indicators
% of all housing units in the city units that are affordable housing units
o % of new units developed each year set aside as affordable
Dra~ Executive S~-Affordable Housing 11/19/02
City Programs
Approximately 50% of CDBG monies set aside annually to assist in housing
development
Below Market Rate Housing program
Housing Trust Fund
In lieu fees for commercial development
DRAFT