HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-14 City CouncilCity of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT:CITY MANAGER
CMR: 132:00
DATE:FEBRUARY 14, 2000
SUBJECT: STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
In April 1999, the Council approved a proclamation for Earth Day 1999, which
encouraged all residents, businesses and institutions to commit their time and energy to
responsible environmental stewardship. That proclamation also committed the City
government to the development of a strategic environmental management plan designed
to implement the numerous policies and programs in the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan
which would move the community closer toward the vision of responsible environmental
stewardship.
In July 1999, the City Council approved a resolution acknowledging City participation in
the Santa Clara County Green Business Program. The objective of this voluntary
program is to use market-based and educational incentives to encourage the use of
environmentally responsible business practices. The program intends to identify
environmentally responsible businesses and make them highly visible to the public in
order to increase their marketing advantage (through publicity, identifying logo, etc.). To
be consistent with expectations of the Green Business Program for participating
businesses, the City has also adopted a Green Government Pledge. The pledge requires
that the City:
Agree to continue to work cooperatively with other inspection, pollution
prevention and resource conservation agencies involved in the program,
and
Agree to continue to work in a cooperative, educative manner with
businesses.
CMR:132:00 Page 1 of 3
On September 30, 1999, the City Manager appointed an interdepartmental committee to
develop a strategic environmental plan (SEM Plan) for the City that would bring together
and enhance the environmental components of the Comprehensive Plan. Responsibility
for that committee has been assigned to the Emily Harrison, Assistant City Manager. The
committee was charged with ensuring that the SEM Plan be compatible with existing
environmental programs, promote best management practices, and support cooperative
efforts already under way such as the countywide Green Business Program and Green
Government Pledge. The committee is also to provide "vision, direction and education to
other City staff who are appointed to subcommittees needed to complete specific tasks
¯ that support the SEM Plan." As a first step in that process, staff was directed tO prepare a
comprehensive inventory of environmental activities and accomplishments and any
current or planned projects and programs.
DISCUSSION
The City of Palo Alto has demonstrated leadership and has been an advocate of
environmental awareness and protection for many years. City staff has worked to
educate the public and businesses in Palo Alto regarding laws, regulations and practices
necessary to protect the environment. Staff has led and participated in many efforts to
develop new protection methods, from ordinances regulating discharges to the Regional
Water Quality Control Plant and storage practices for hazardous materials to improved
waste reduction and recycling management practices. Attachment A provides
information, by department, on these efforts.
These achievements, however, do not encompass all of the ways in which the City could
demonstrate its commitment to environmental management. The goal of the strategic
environmental management plan is to reinvigorate the City organization’s vision of itself
as an innovator and leader in environmental issues. This is a multi-year effort. For the
first year, the SEM committee will focus on the development of the SEM Plan itself.
This includes the following goals:
Seek out and provide training opportunities in order to educate the
committee members and other interested and involved staff in an effort to
increase awareness of environmental improvement opportunities. Bring the
committee up to a common level of understanding on environmental issues.
Through ongoing communications, improve interdepartmental
communication and collaboration on environmental projects. Consider the
use of one or two pilot projects which cross departmental lines as
opportunities to practice this kind of collaboration.
Using the Green Government Pledge as a springboard, initiate and foster
collaborative efforts with the private sector and other governmental
agencies in environmental programs.
CMR: 132:00 Page 2 of 3
Identify the programs and policies of the Comprehensive Plan that should
be included in the SEM Plan. Prepare a work plan for those elements of the
SEM Plan that will be the focus for implementation in Calendar Year 2001.
Attachment B is an example of how the Comprehensive Plan goals could be
operationalized into specific SEM Plan components. While the Comprehensive Plan is
the foundation of the SEM Plan, .any other, department initiatives and programs that result
in environmental improvements will also be included in the SEM Plan.
The next phase in the SEM plan efforts is envisioned to last several years, and involves
the actual implementation of SEM Plan components. Success at achieving SEM Plan
goals will be evaluated annually.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Work on the SEM Plan in not anticipated to add significantly to staff’s existing workload
as the primary focus is to work within the parameters of the adopted Comprehensive
Plan. Meetings will be limited in size and frequency. While there will be constraints on
the amount of staff time that will be available to create the Plan, it is anticipated that
departments had already committed resources to implementation of the Comprehensive
Plan in future years.
PREPARED BY: Emily Harrison, Assistant City Manager
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
CMR: 132:00 Page 3 of 3
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
Industrial Comprehensive Audit Program (ICAP): Offers funding for energy analysis and
implementation of waste and energy efficiency projects. Qualifying projects include:
modifications to a building shell (windows, insulation), lighting systems, air
conditioning, motors, refrigeration, process equipment and water conservation projects.
(This program is funding a portion of the Civic Center 3ra floor lighting project).
New Construction Design Review: Offers free consultant review of all new construction
and tenant improvement projects to identify energy efficiency opportunities.
PV Partners: Offers rebate funding to Photovoltaic (solar electric) systems. This program
is funding a new Photovoltaic (PV) system at the Arastradero Preserve building to
provide electricity without expanding the electric distribution system out to the Preserve.
Dedicated Public Benefit Funds for Ci_ty Facilitiesi Under development, this program will
provide expanded efficiency programs targeted ..at projects at all City facilities. It may
fund City projects at a 100 percent of the total project cost to reduce the City’s utility
bills and thus decrease costs for the General Fund.
Alternative Fueled Vehicles: Provides funding and consultant assistance for city fleet
vehicles using alternative fuels including the pilot shuttle system.
Green Pricing: Will offer "green" energy electric rates to City facilities to support
renewable energy generation. This program is under development.
Energy Star: Utilities currently using the federal (Department of Energy) guidelines as
benchmarks for our residential appliance rebate programs (refrigerators, washing
machines, dish washers). As programs are expanded to other systems (windows, water
heaters, etc.) similar standards will be adopted by Palo Alto Utilities.
Partnership with the Santa Clara Valley Water District: Under development, this program
will seek to co- brand and jointly market selected residential, commercial and industrial
water efficiency programs and services with this agency in order to increase geographic
coverage (all of Santa Clara County) and utilize economies of scale.
Partnership for a Joint Compressed Natural Gas/Electric Vehicle Charging Station: Under
development. Currently seeking a local partner to site and utilize a combined alternative
fuel charging station. This station may provide public access, as well as serving as a
back-up facility for the City’s alternative fuel vehicle fleet.
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Dedicated Irrigation Metering: Under development. The City is signatory (1991) to the
Best Management Practices for water efficiency as administered by the California Urban
Water Conservation Council as has been promoting the BMPs for years. This proposed
rebate program will serve as an extension to the current City Ordinance requiring such
metering on new or renovated commercial landscaping by offering incentives to split
existing systems. This will improve our ability to manage our resources during the next
drought.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Facilities Management
Asbestos Abatement: The possible presence of asbestos is considered in every facilities
project. Material sampling is performed and samples analyzed prior to the work being
done. If asbestos is detected, the material is removed as part of the project. Maintenance
personnel receive required training in hazard recognition, asbestos ’control procedures,
and respirators are fitted for all those that might need to work in an asbestos hazard area.
New employees are provided with initial training and all employees are provided with
annual updates. Specific projects accomplished recently that have reduced this hazard in
the workplace are: Removed and disposed of 4,000 square feet of vinyl-asbest0s floor tile
as part of the carpet replacement project at the Junior Museum; and removed and
disposed of 3,200 square feet of vinyl-asbestos floor tile as part of the carpet replacement
project in the main gallery at the Art Center.
Hazardous Materials Usage: Materials used in the various work processes in facilities are
reviewed to consider if there are more environmentally friendly alternatives. Hazardous
materials have been segregated from other materials, and all hazardous materials are
properly stored in approved containers. In the custodial area, all cleaning products used
have been reviewed in consultation with the Water Quality Management Division, and
many have been changed as a result. Paper towels and toilet paper used in facilities was
recently changed to a non-diazinon type. Refrigerants from cooling systems that are
removed during maintenance are now recovered and retumed to the manufacturer for
recycling. The Rinconada Pool project installed a new swimming pool filter backwash
system. This new system disposes of filter sediment and approximately 5,000
gallons/day of pool water (used for flushing) to the water quality control plant instead of
the storm drain system (SF Bay).
Lead Paint Abatement: Lead Paint Hazard clauses have been inserted in all contracts to
provide for protection of the building surroundings during projects involving surface
preparation and repainting. All maintenance employees have been trained in lead paint
abatement and containment.
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Energy Conservation: New technology in lighting is being implemented in the course of
normal building maintenance wherever possible. Older F-40 fluorescent fixtures are
being replaced with new T-8 fixtures that are approximately 20% more efficient.
Photocells and/or time clocks are increasingly used to control exterior lights. In addition,
several one-time projects were recently completed that significantly improved our energy
posture: The Rinconada Swimming Pool project separated the lap pool and children’s
pool heating systems. This feature saves natural gas heating costs of approximately
$2,000/month through the winter when only the lap pool is open. In addition, a time
clock controller on the pool house heating and ventilating system was installed so heating
is coordinated with the building usage schedules; pilotless ignition type heating units for
the men’s and women’s shower rooms were installed; and the salt electrolysis system
used for chlorine generation was replaced (the new system uses sodium hypochlorite
solution delivered in bulk to a double-walled tank at the pool. This saves electricity cost
over the salt system); and replaced two old furnaces at Fire Station #1 with high
efficiency, pilotless ignition-type fumaces.
Noise Abatement: Redirected and baffled the Public Address System loudspeakers in the
Rinconada Pool area in response to citizen concerns about noise pollution on Hopkins
Ave.
Equipment Management
Altematively Fueled Vehicle Program: The program goal is to exceed federal mandates
for the purchase of alternatively fueled vehicles. The greatest emphasis currently is on
the purchase of compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled automobiles and light trucks,
although Equipment Management did order one CNG-fueled heavy truck this year.
Several electric vehicles have been leased for "real-world" evaluation purposes.
Consideration will be given to the use of biodiesel and other clean-burning synthetic fuels
a~er the MSC fueling facility is replaced in FY 1999-00.
Recycled Fluids Program: The City purchases recycled/re-refined motor oil and hydraulic-
fluid whenever it is available. All waste oil is sent to a recycling facility. The City also
purchases recycled antifreeze, in a "closed loop" arrangement wherein the vendor picks
up the waste fluid and returns fresh antifreeze.. Both programs have been in existence
since 1992.
Fluid Change Intervals: Every effort is made to extend fluid change intervals, which
reduces the amount of used fluids entering the waste stream. Change intervals are
optimized through a study of the equipment and its oPerating conditions, and validated
through a comprehensive fluid analysis program.
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Oil Filter Recycling: All used oil filters are drained, crushed, and disposed of through a
licensed recycling facility. The recycling facility extracts any remaining oil from the
filters, incinerates the filter media, and recycles the steel filter housing.
Retreaded Tire Program: Retreaded tires are used extensively on light, medium and
heavy trucks, as well as selected pieces of construction equipment. High-quality truck
tires, which are designed to be retreaded several times, are purchased. This program has
the Significant benefit of minimizing the number of large tire casings that are disposed of
in landfills.
Aqueous-Based Parts Cleaning: Equipment Management replaced the solvent-based parts
cleaning machines in the maintenance shop with similar machines that utilize a water-
based cleaning fluid. The aqueous fluid lasts almost indefinitely and the machines
require only infrequent filter changes. The filters contain only solid material, and are
disposed of through a licensed hazardous waste facility.
Engineering Division
Urban Runoff Program: A portion of the Urban Runoff Program is implemented by the
Engineering Division through the development review process. Development sites over 5
acres require a site specific Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to control
runoff during construction. New developments are also required to incorporate best
management practices designed to minimize runoff and pollutant loadings. Examples of
measures taken on recent development projects include the following: the use of grassy
swales for part of the on-site storm water collection system; reducing impervious areas
where possible; draining roof leaders into landscaped areas; and stenciling storm water
inlets. An additional measure being evaluated to reduce runoff is the use of permeable
pavements.
Baylands Marsh Restoration Monitoring Program: The Engineering Division continues to
implement a ten-year program to monitor restoration of the Baylands Marsh Area.
Wetland plant species, which have not done well, will be replaced with more suitable
species in certain areas. This year a series of interpretive signs are being installed at the
Baylands to educate park visitors about the wetland restoration process. Engineering
staff worked with an artist to develop the signs.
Regional Water Quail ,ty Control Plant
Wastewater Treatment: Treat wastewater to remove pollutants and protect San Francisco
Bay.
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Recycled Water Program: Provide enhanced treatment for re-use of wastewater for
irrigation and construction site use.
Water Pollution Awareness Public Outreach: Conduct the following programs to tell
residents how they can prevent water pollution: Plant tours; school outreach/visits;
fairs/events; brochures/fact sheets; media outreach; Web site; special incentive, coupon
and related programs for (e.g., car washes, mercury collection).
Industrial Pollutant Reduction Program: Conduct the following programs to reduce
pollutant loadings to the RWQCP and the storm drain system from large
businesses/institutions: permit program; sewer use ordinance enforcement; encourage
voluntary measures; review new/remodeled sources
Commercial Pollutant Reduction Program: Conduct the following programs to reduce
pollutant loadings to the RWQCP and the storm drain system: Clean Bay Business
Program; Vehicle Repair Facilities Program; Photoprocessing/X-ray Program; Restaurant
Program; Machine Shop Program
Special Programs: Regulate and control the following potential sources of water
pollution:
Septic Tank Waste
Restaurant Grease
Mobile Cleaner Waste
Swimming Pool Discharges
Cooling Systems Discharges
Emergency Discharges
Special Cleaning Discharges
Groundwater Discharges
Construction Sites
Vehicle Wash Water Discharges
Monitoring and Chemical Analysis Programs: Sample and analyze air, water, and soil to
determine environmentalsafety in the following areas: drinking water; RWQCP
performance; regulation of business; environmental trends.
--Operations Division
Regulatory_ Compliance: Implementation of federal, state, and local regulations and
permit requirements for solid waste, hazardous waste, household hazardous waste
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
facilities, and any air, water, solid and hazardous waste discharge permits. Permitting
agencies include:
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Califomia Environmental Protection Agency
California Integrated Waste Management Board
Regional Water Quality Control Board
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Department of Toxic Substance Control
County of Santa Clara - Local Enforcement Agency
Santa Clara County Valley Water District
Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant
Palo Alto Fire Department
(USEPA)
(Cal-EPA)
(C WM )
(RWQCB)
(BAAQMD)
(DTSC)
(LEA)
(SCVWD)
(PARQCP)
(PAFD)
Permits maintained include:
Solid Waste Facility Permit
Landfill Closure Approvals and Permits
Landfill Waste Discharge Requirements
Leachate Discharge Permit
Landfill Air. Quality Management Permits
Household Hazardous Waste Temporary Facility Permit
City Hazardous Waste Generator Permit
Landfill and MSC Hazardous Materials and Storm
Water Discharge Permits
(CIWMB)
(RWQCB)
(BAAQMD)
(PARWQCP)
(BAAQMD)
(DTSC)
(DTSC)
(RWQCB,
(LEA, PAFD)
Plans maintained and implemented include:
Report of Disposal Site Information
Joint Technical Document
Landfill Preliminary Closure and Post Closure Maintenance Plan
Closure Construction Quality Assurance Plan
Landfill Emergency Response and Contingency Plan
Detection Monitoring Plan
Hazardous Waste Source Reduction and Evaluation and Review Plan
MSC and Landfill Business Plan and Hazardous Material Inventory Statement
USEPA Hazardous Waste Biennial Report
Landfill Environmental Monitoring Programs: Environmental programs required by
federal and state regulations and permits include: Groundwater Monitoring Program;
Constituents of Concern Monitoring Program; Leachate Monitoring Program; Landfill
Gas Migration Monitoring Program; Landfill Gas Collection, Removal, and Electricity
Generation; and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program.
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Hazardous Waste Programs: Includes Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program;
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Programi City-Generated Hazardous
Waste Management and Disposal Program; and Landfill Hazardous Waste Exclusion
Program. Recycled hazardous waste streams include household battery recycling; lead-
acid battery recycling; waste oil recycling; oil filter recycling; waste antifreeze recycling;
fluorescent light and street light recycling, and mercury thermometer, recycling. In
addition, plan to implement Household Hazardous Waste Door-to-Door Program
targeting those individuals (such as, seniors, disabled persons and shut-ins) who may
have limited access or more difficulty using the temporary collection events.
Emergency Response: Provide 24-hr emergency respon.se for any hazardous waste
incidents generated by City operations.
Recycling Program Accomplishments: Exceeded 50 percent solid waste diversion rate as
per AB939 prior to the 2000 deadline date. Since the start of recycling programs in Palo
Alto (1971) the City has received over 15 state and national awards. The latest award
given by the California Integrated Waste Management Board for "Outstanding Organics
Program" in 1998.
Sunnwale Materials Recovery_ and Transfer Station (SMART Station): Two thirds of
waste collected at the curbside is hauled to the SMART Station where remaining
recyclables are recovered. Approximately 8000 tons of recyclables are recovered
annually reducing waste going to the Kirby Canyon Landfill by 15 percent.
Landfill Recycling: Annually 13,000 tons of recyclables are recovered for recycling at
the City landfill. Programs include: Goodwill trailer, asphalt/concrete, tires, mattresses
and scrap metal recovery.
Composting: Approximately 17,000 tons of yard waste is processed annually and
marketed at the City compost facility. Programs supporting the composting operation
include backyard composting workshops, firewood recovery, bagged sales, bulk sales,
Christmas tree recycling and compost give away events.
Collection and Drop-Off: Approximately 12,000 tons of recyclables are collected and
processed at the City Recycle Center. Special drop-off recycling programs include the
interim mixed paper and the phone book recycling event.
Educational: Annual educational programs promoting reuse, recycling and composting
include: Recycling services provided to all businesses upon request (desk top containers,
waste audits, etc.), newsletters, media campaigns, compost workshops, Recycling Wizard
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Program and paper making demonstrations at local schools, special events and campaigns
(e.g., city-wide garage sale, junk-mail reduction campaign, Earth Day and Voluntary
Simplicity Month), informational packets, Recycling Link meetings (discusses local
challenges and solutions with businesses), a web site and a local informational phone
line responding only to reuse, recycling, waste prevention and composting information.
The educational section also manages all City facility recycling services.
Policies: Policies have been implemented to promote waste prevention and recycling
including: an ordinance requiring retailers to offer consumers either paper bags only or a
choice between paper and plastic bags (implemented 1989); a procurement policy giving
priority to buy recYcled products (implemented 1990); change from a flat refuse rate
structure to a variable rate structure (implemented 1992); adopted standard specifications
requiring City projects to recycle all concrete and asphalt being generated as waste
(implemented 1993); plans for adequate recycling enclosures and large construction and
demolition projects to submit a recycling plan per to granting a building permit.
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
Employee Commute Alternatives Program: Provides employees using alternative
commutes to work subsidies in the form of vouchers for shoes, gas, bicycle accessories
and commuter checks. Activity results: has provided over 40 empty spaces per day in the
downtown garage; reduced air pollutants by 3/4 of a ton per year; takes approximately
1800 cars of the road each month going to and from work; the City has been able to meet
the Vehicle/Employee Ratio established by the Bay Area Air Quality Management
District for the past 5 years.
Caltrain Employee Shuttle: Implemented a shuttle to service City’s E. BayshoCe Road
work sites. Provides access to Caltrain and other public transportation routes. Service is
free and financed with the help of a $72,000 subsidy grant from Caltrain. Activity
results: By inviting other employers in the same commute corridor to participate in the
Caltrain shuttle, the program has taken approximately 110 single occupancy autos off the
road per month going to and from work. The number is steadily increasing.
Vanpool Program: The City has added a vanpool component to its Commute Altematives
Program. A subsidy is given to each member of a vanpool comprised of City employees
to alleviate the high cost of commuting long distances. There are currently two vanpools,
one from the Modesto~atterson area and another from Antioch/Livermore. Activity
results: the vanpools take 378 cars offthe road each month going to and from work.
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
New Employee Orientation: The City has included a presentation by the City’s Recycling
Coordinator in the New Employee Orientation program. Activity results:
heightened awareness of the importance of recycling and the City’s commitment to the
program.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Model Hazardous Materials Storage Ordinance (HMSO): Participation in the
development of the HMSO to reduce the likelihood of releases of hazardous materials to
the environment and to provide a means for the Fire Department and the public to know
what hazardous materials are used and stored at a facility, adoption, implementation and
ongoing enforcement.
Establishment of the Hazardous Materials Program: Participation in the development of
the Model Toxic Gas Ordinance (TGO) to reduce the likelihood of releases of toxic gases
to the environment, adoption, implementation and ongoing enforcement.
Staff Training and Development: Training of Fire staff on proper disposal methods for
blood borne pathogens; addition of the Environmental Coordinator’s Position into the
Fire Department; joint development with the Public Works’ Environmental Compliance
Division of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention training video for Fire staff to raise
awareness of activities or conditions which can result in release of pollutants to the San
Francisco Bay.
Vehicle Wash Water Collection Systems: Installed at 3 fire stations and plans to install
additional systems at another two stations in the next fiscal year to reduce the amount of
pollutants entering the San Francisco Bay as a result of washing fire apparatus.
Green Business Program: Participation on the countywide committee to establish the
Green Business Program.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - PURCHASING
Recycled Materials Procurement: Palo Alto Municipal Code 2.30.150 provides a 5
percent premium for bidders offering a recycled or reusable product as a substitute for a
disposable product or one made from virgin raw material. Purchasing now administers
this program.
Dioxins: Purchasing has responded to a request of the Water Quality Control Plant’s
Environmental Compliance Division to reduce the release of dioxins into the
ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
environment. It has replaced bleached sanitary paper supplies and feminine products
with products manufactured in a different manner that will not release dioxins.
Surplus Materials: Stores collects surplus equipment and supply items for reuse by other
City departments. If not used within the city, it is turned over to an auctioneer for sale to
the public for reuse.
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Parks & Golf Division
Golf Course wildlife habitat development
pesticide reduction through cultural programs e.g. top-dressing~ seeding, aerification
Baylands native plant restoration
Audubon Sanctuary Program evolvement with certification in the future
Integrated pest management program
Alternatives to pesticides for weed control; elimination of pesticides and oil based
materials for field marking
Staff training and certification in areas regarding pesticide use and safety
In parks, using natural predators for pest control - e.g. ladybugs for plants; dogs for
Canada geese
Golf (and golf cart) equipment washing facilities to prevent undue runoff to Bay
Enhanced recycling of cardboard and glass by Golf Course tenants
Electric golf carts used instead of gasoline powered.
Enhanced golf tree planting program
Expanded golf area turf canopy (reduced siltation and runoff).
Use of alternative fuel trucks and equipment (CNG)
Using small utility vehicles in parks instead of large trucks.
Use of non-or slowly water-soluble fertilizers to prevent leaching of materials.
Increasing amount of lan~lscape materials on median, islands and other areas to reduce
siltation and runoff.
Improved park tree trimming program.
Replacing defective park irrigation systems, saving water and reducing runoff
Central computer irrigation control systems to manage water resources more
effectively
Using re-cycled water in limited areas, reducing dependence of potable water
San Francisquito Creek vegetation management
Athletic field drainage enhancements to p.revent turf degradation and subsequent
runoff and siltation.
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ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Use of recyclable materials for furnishings and other amenities.
Use of mulching type mowers to return grass clippings to the earth
Use of mulching materials in landscape areas for water retention and enhanced plant
development
Using drought resistant plant materials in landscaping
Using environmentally safe equipment cleaning solvents and supplies
Arts and Culture
New way to process the chemicals used in the art studios; working closely with Water
Quality to monitor the amount of chemicals and to recover some of the elements such
as the metals used in the glazes. ~.
Recycling of theatrical props, scenery and costumes.
Recreation
Positive Alternatives For Youth (PAY) participants are involved in community
service projects (e.g, Baylands cleanup and habitat restoration; graffiti removal)
Middle School Athletics (MSA): Parents encouraged to carpool when transporting
students to games
Recreation recycles - e.g. left over run T-shirts used for prizes in other-programs;
props from events are re-used and/or recycled to other events
Recycle bins at community centers
Rinconada Pool - energy savings (pool covers - reduces heating needs; showers in
locker rooms go off automatically; new circulation system provides more efficient use
of energy )
Athletic Field lining - work with community groups to use material .friendly to the
environment
Continu. e to teach ecologically related classes and programs on wildlife appreciation,
habitat restoration and protection, and natural history.
Continue to provide educational exhibits on. protection of wetlands, protection of
wildlife (i.e., songbird and mountain lion exhibits). Continue to develop
understanding about the effect of run-off water on the San Francisco Bay.
Continue to provide ranger and docent led field trips for exploration of environmental
issues.
Continue to work with volunteers to restore native plants to the Arastradero Preserve.
Continue also to work to control non-native invasive pest plants in the foothills and
Baylands.
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ATTACHMENT A
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Continue to limit the use of pesticides and herbicides in the control of pests in open
space areas.
Installed hand dryers in open space restrooms to reduce paper waste from paper
towels.
Remodeled parking lots at the Baylands to prevent water run-off in the lagoon or bay,
instead using "state of the art" ecologically friendly drainage design techniques.
Continue to operate a natural gas van for field trips and work trips.
Continue to provide regional trail routes for alternative non-polluting transportation.
Continue to actively work with the BCDC, Fish & Games departments, regional water
quality control boards and other regulatory agencies to avoid ecological damage when
designing projects (trails, roadways or levees).
Reduced erosion and soil run-off by. re-sloping steep trails and pathways in open
space areas.
Junior Museum & Zoo
Continue to teach ecologically related science and nature classes to preschool and
school age children
Exhibits in the zoo continue to teach themes of habitat protection, protection of local
wildlife, creating hummingbird and butterfly habitat in you back yard, arid safe &
environmental friendly ways to deter insects and pest animals around your home and
garden
Library
Recycling containers for collection of white & mixed paper in public & staff areas
(inside libraries)
24 hour drop-off sites (i.e. dumpsters) in parking lots of all libraries for white &
mixed paper
*Two-sided photocopying
.Recycling of newsprint & phone books
*Donation of discarded library books to Friends of the Library for resale. Items unsold
by Friends are donated to non-profit groups, schools, jails, etc. or recycled (when
possible).
*Recycling of glasses, plastic & cans used by staff
*Styrofoam packing pellets taken to mailing vendor for reuse
o Recycle printer toner, batteries.
.Converted to environmentally friendly microfilm ~ machines (former ones used toxic
toner chemicals)
*Greeting cards gathered for reuse ’
*Recycle leftover flyers for notes & scratch pads
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