SR-510-001-01
EPWM:CP:DK:F\EPWM\ADMIN\STAFFREPORT\11-23-99\Green Team.doc
Council Meeting: November 23, 1999 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize Continuation of the Santa Monica
Green Team Program for an Additional Year in Partnership with Santa
Monica College
INTRODUCTION
This report requests that City Council authorize continuation of the Santa Monica Green
Team Program, a neighborhood environmental outreach program designed to raise
public awareness and increase participation in the Sustainable City Program (SCP), for
an additional year in partnership with Santa Monica College.
BACKGROUND
On March 24, 1998, City Council authorized the creation and implementation of the
Santa Monica Green Team Program, a neighborhood environmental outreach program,
on a pilot basis for a period of 19 months. Green Teams are groups of six to eight
neighbors who meet regularly over a three-month period to learn how to implement
residential conservation methods with the help of a guidebook and team coach. The
guidebook offers information and recommends action steps for each of six topic areas:
solid waste, chemicals, energy, transportation, water and community action. The
purpose of the program is to involve community members in helping the City to meet the
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goals of the Sustainable City Program by reducing residential energy use, water use,
and the generation of waste and pollutants.
The City contracted with the Green Team Project, a San Francisco-based non-profit
organization, in May 1998 to develop a Santa Monica-specific guidebook, informational
binder and supplementary materials, and to hire, train and oversee local staff persons to
implement the program. The contracted scope of work for the pilot phase of this
program will be completed by November 30, 1999.
The Santa Monica Green Team Program has been successful in helping the City meet
the goals of the Sustainable City Program, and in raising awareness about the program
and increasing residential involvement throughout the community. Preliminary data
indicate that Santa Monica Green Team members typically save between $60 and $290
annually, reduce household energy use by 25%, reduce water use by 30%, reduce solid
waste generation by 30%, and eliminate over one ton of air pollution per year. Total
environmental benefits and cost savings accrued by all teams in the Program are being
compiled.
Following development of the workbook, local Green Team Program staff were hired
and trained in August 1998 and recruitment of residents to form teams began in
September 1998. Since that time, a total of 30 Green Teams have been formed,
comprising 177 Santa Monica households. In addition to reducing household resource
use and waste generation, Green Team members have become involved in ?greening?
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local businesses, organizations and events, and participating as volunteers in
community service projects at local middle schools and the Santa Monica-Malibu
Unified School District Salad Bar Program. Green Team Program staff have developed
a quarterly newsletter and a monthly Environmental Speakers Series at the Santa
Monica Public Library. Approximately 300 individuals have submitted applications to
participate in future Santa Monica Green Teams.
DISCUSSION
The Green Team Program office is housed at the Center for Environmental Studies on
the Santa Monica College campus. A number of Santa Monica College (SMC)
students and several faculty members have participated on Green Teams. SMC faculty
and staff have expressed interest in partnering with the City to continue implementation
of the Santa Monica Green Team Program for an additional year, with the ultimate goal
of SMC significantly increasing their participation in oversight and funding of the
program thereafter. The program will assist SMC staff in their efforts to provide
environmental outreach to the community and to SMC students through the Center.
Under the proposed partnership beginning December 1, 1999 and continuing through
November 30, 2000, SMC will provide: office space; office supplies; utilities and
telephone service; computer, email and internet service; duplication and reproduction
services; postage and mail services; signage and an operating expense budget to
continue the Green Team Program for an additional year. The City will provide funding
to cover a full year of salary costs for the two Green Team Program staff positions
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operating as separate independent contractors for the City. The total cost will not
exceed $75,000 for the full year.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
Funds necessary for Green Team staff costs during FY 1999-2000 are estimated not to
exceed $43,000 and are available in existing Environmental Programs Division account
number 31662.555060. The remaining $32,000 in funds needed for the program in FY
2000-2001 will be requested as part of next year?s budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council authorize continuation of the Santa Monica Green
Team Program for an additional year in partnership with Santa Monica College.
Attachment A: Santa Monica Green Team Green Action Guide
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Environmental and Public Works Management Director
Dean Kubani, Senior Environmental Programs Analyst
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