SR-9-A (20)
If-A
CM:EPD:CP:susprog
Council Meeting: April 13, 1993
.r,..
i~!-I-\
Santa Monica, California
,
..L.... ~J...
To:
Mayor and City council
From:
city Staff
Subject: Recommendation to Adopt Resolution Supporting the
Creation of a Santa Monica sustainable City Program and
Approve Sponsorship of the Southern California
Conference on Environment and Development
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends Council support for a community process to
create a Santa Monica Sustainable city Program and approval for
City sponsorship of the Southern California Conference on
Environment and Development to be held on June 14, 1993 in Los
Angeles.
BACKGROUND
In August 1991, the city Council established the Task Force on
the EnVlronment comprised of seven members from the Santa Monica
cowmunity. The Task Force has been meeting on a monthly basis
since September 1991. One of the early issues addressed by the
Task Force was the importance of formulating a mission statement
which would allow the Task Force to better focus its efforts.
During the process of developing their mission statement, it
became clear to Task Force members that the fundamental vision
Wh1Ch should guide the City's environmental pol1cies and programs
1S sustainability. As a result, members of the Task Force and
1
q-A
-...\~." -....
...j-\-
~ ..r...i
City staff have, over the past SlX months, crafted the proposed
Santa Monica Sustainable C1ty Program which is attached.
The proposed sustainable City Program was adopted by the Task
Force at their meeting of March 8, 1993 and has also been
endorsed by the C1ty'S Housing Commission. staff has commenced
distribution of the document to various groups and individuals in
the community for their review and input. This staff report is
intended to inform Council about how this public review process
will be implemented and to describe the main elements of the
proposed program.
DISCUSSION
Broadly stated, a sustainable city is one in which residents can
meet their current needs w~thout compromls~ng the ability of
future generations to do the same. sustainability focuses on the
long term rather than short term ramifications of decisions. It
encompasses not only tradltlonal env1ronmental tOp1CS of air,
water and soil, but also housing, economic development,
environmental justice and sense of commun1ty. The concept of
sustainability compels us to deal with the underlY1ng cause of
problems rather than their sy~ptoms. It leads to creative (yet
often incredibly logical) thinking such as charging each
household for the amount of trash they generate rather than a
flat fee, or concentrating our efforts not on the collection and
disposal of hazardous materials but on helping households and
2
businesses to use alternative products which are non-toxic. What
a susta1nable city attempts to avoid is addressing environmental
concerns 1n an ad hoc, disjointed or contradictory fashion,
leading to inefficient and less effective responses and lost
opportunities.
The United Nations Earth Summit, which convened in Brazil last
June, endorsed a global agenda for sustainability. The final
document of the summit, Agenda 21, provides a general blueprint
for creating sustainable communities. Recognizing that many of
our environmental problems and solutions have their roots in
local act1v1t1es, Agenda 21 calls on local authorities to enter
into a dialogue with citizens, local organizations and private
enterprises to adopt local Agenda 21 sustainability plans for
their communities.
Santa Mon1ca's Task Force on the Env1ronment has responded to
this challenge by formulatlng the proposed Santa Monica
sustainable city Program. The proposed program states, among
others, the following principles:
The concept of sustainability will guide City policy.
The long-term lmpacts of policy choices will always be
considered;
Environmental quality and economic health are mutually
3
dependent. A healthy environment is crucial for the
long term prosperlty of the City and its residents;
All decisions have environmental implications. The city
will ensure that each of its policies and programs are
inter-connected through the common bond of
sustainabilitYi and
Community awareness, responslbility and involvement are
the key elements of successful environmental programs.
One early product of the Santa Monica Sustainable city Program
will be a checklist to be utllized by all city departments to
make sure that the broad envlronmental implications of each
decision, as encompassed by sustainab1lity, are considered. The
program will also set forth ambitious and mostly quantifiable
targets in each of four major policy areas to be reached by the
year 2000. The goals stated ln the proposed draft can be modified
as a result of input recelved during the lmpending public review
process. The four major policy areas (Resource conservation,
Transportation, Pollution Prevention & Public Health Protection,
and socio-Economic) which are lncluded 1n the proposed program
represent the focus of both current and future city programs
which adhere to the gU1ding principles and strive to attain the
specific goals which will be established within the document.
4
As ever greater demands are placed on the financ1al and human
resources of local govern~ents, it is imperative that policies
and programs which are adopted represent the most cost-effective
long-term alternative. The proposed Sustainable City Program
provides a powerful instrument for identifying the best approach
to our environmental problems by broadly and properly defining
the "environment!' as includlng all lssues impacting our quality
of life, articulating a V1Slon which compels a recogn1tion of the
inter-connectlons between different environmental problems and
their solutions, and by demanding a long-term perspective in all
decision-making.
Program ImpleMentation
The strategy for review, adoption and implementation of the
proposed sustainable City Program is guided by the premise that
public education and public part1clpation are key to the ultimate
success of the City/s environmental programs. The process for
public review and comment will include cOMmun1ty workshops,
presentations to community groups and, ultimately, a Council
publlC hearlng. An effort will be made to reach all the major
stakeholders in the communlty lncludlng neighborhood
organizatlons, the Chamber of Commerce, the school dlstrict,
Santa Mon1ca College, maJor businessesjinstitut10ns, city boards
and comnissions and the Clty Councll. It 15 critical to the long
range success of the program that these major stakeholders
participate ln the creatlon of the program and thereby make an
5
investment in its success. It is also important to note that the
final document WhlCh staff brlngs back to Council for adoption
will have incorporated var10US changes as a result of public
review and will therefore differ from the version attached.
Following f1nal adoptlon of the Sustainable City Program by
Council, an 1nter-departmental working group will meet regularly
to integrate the program and a sustainability checklist (to be
developed) into the operations of city departments. A "State of
the Environment" report for the Clty wlll also be compiled during
the next year to establish baseline data for the measurement of
program achievements. Program accomplishments will be assessed
annually, as Flll the need for program modification based on
changed conditions ln the City's environment.
Information about the Sustainable City Program will be
disseminated through neFspapers, Seascape, PEN, CityTV,
brochures, community presentations, and meetlngs of the Task
Force on the Environment and Clty Council. An effort will also be
made to cOMMunicate the Santa Monica sustainable city Program to
local governments in the region and appropr1ate state/federal
agencies as a potential model for slmllar actlon in other
communitles.
6
Conference Sponsorship
The Southern California Conference on EnV1ronment and Development
(SCCED), which will convene on June 14, 1993 at the California
Museum of Science and Industry in Exposition Park, is intended to
initiate a new process for creating a comprehensive, coordinated
plan for sustainable communities in the Los Angeles area. The
SCCED conference will be preceded by a preparatory-conference on
Earth Day (Aprll 22). Organized by a coalition of env1ronmental
organizationsl private enterprises, citizen groups, government
agencles and others, it is hoped that SCCED will launch a multi-
year process of dlalogue, education and consensus building toward
the formulation of responsible environmental policies predicated
on the concept of sustainability.
Community leaders from each local municipalitYI representatives
frOM neighborhood groups, envlronmental organlzations and
business/industry will be invited as delegates to the conference.
Discussion groups in ten different 1ssue areas will define the
problems, set goals and identlfy strateg1es that can lead to
long-term solutions. This information will be tabulated,
compiled, and sent to delegates to assist theM in creating
sustainable city programs in their communities. As the purpose of
the SCCED conference is directly relevant to Santa Monica's
proposed Sustainable Clty Program, it is recommended that the
City agree to be a sponsor and contrlbute $2,000 towards the
costs for the conference.
7
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the staff recommendations w1ll result in the
expenditure of $2,000 from funds which are already budgeted in
the Environmental Programs Division.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that C1ty Council adopt the attached resolution
supporting the creation of a Santa Monica sustainable C1ty
Program and approve sponsorship of the Southern Callfornia
Conference on Envlronment and Development wlth a contribution of
$2,000.
Prepared by:
Attachments
Craig Perkins, Environmental Programs Manager
8
EPD:CP:susprog
Santa Monica, California
Resolution Number
(Clty Councll Serles)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF
A SUSTAINABLE CITY PROGRAM AND URGING REGIONAL
EFFORTS TO ADOPT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS BASED ON THE
CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY TO ENSURE THE FUTURE
WELL-BEING OF OUR NATURAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, The C1ty of Santa Monlca recognizes that we live in a
period of great envlronmental crisis; and
WHEREAS, As a community we need to create the basis for a more
sustainable way of life both locally and globally through the
safeguarding and enhancing of our resources and by prevent1ng
harm to the natural environment and human health; and
IVHEREAS, We are resolved that our impact on the natural
environment must not ]eOpardlze the prospects of future
generations; and
WHEREAS, The policies and programs which are adopted by the city
Must recognize the inter-connections between dlfferent
environmental problems and thelr solutlons and should be based on
a comprehenslve analysis of long-term costs and benefltsi and
9
WHEREAS, It is of fundamental importance to the environmental
future of the world that citizens of industrialized nations
reduce their consumption of natural resources and generation of
pollutants and wastes to a level which is sustainable;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Monica does
resolve as follows:
1. The City Council of the city of Santa Monica supports the
creation of a Santa Monica Sustainable city Program which
will be developed through the participation of all segments
of the community.
2. The City Council of the city of Santa Monica urges regional
efforts to adopt policies and programs based on the concept
of sustainability to ensure the future well-being of our
natural and human resources.
SECTION 1. The city Clerk shall certify to the adoption of
this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be
in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Lawrence
City Attorney
10
Proposed
SANTA l\IONICA SUSTAINABLE CITY PROGRAM
The CIty of Santa Momca recogmzes that \ve hve m a penod of great envIronmental cnSlS.
As a commumty, we need to create the basIs for a more sustamable way of lIfe both locally
and globally through the safeguardmg and enhancmg of our resources and by preventing
harm to the natural environment and human health. We are resolved that our Impact on the
natural enVIronment must not Jeopardize the prospects of future generatIOns.
To pursue these goals, Santa Momca embraces the followmg Gmdmg PnnClples:
I The Concept of Sustainability Guides City Policy
Santa l'domca IS commItted to trymg to meet Its eXlstmg needs WIthout
compromlSlng the ability of fmure generatlons to meet theIr own needs The
long-term Impacts of policy chOICes Will be conSIdered so that our
envIronmental legacy IS protected
2 Protection, Preservation and Restoration of the I\atural Environment is a
High Priority of the City
Santa MOnIca IS committed to restonng and ensunng the mtegnty of the
natural envlTonment CIty declSlon-makmg should be gUIded by a mandate to
maXImize environmental benefits and reduce or elImmate negatIve
envIronmental Impacts
3. Environmental Quality and Economic Health are .Mutually Dependent
A healthy environment ]S lOtegral to the long-term economIC mterests of the
City, and achiev1I1g a healthy enVIronment must ensure that 1I1eqmtable
burdens are not placed on anyone geographiC or sOCIOeconomIC sector of the
population
4 All Decisions Have Enyironmental Implicatious
The City Will ensure that each of Its poltcy deCISions and programs are
1I1terconnected through the common bond of susramabIlIty as expressed m
these gmdll1g pnnc]ples The polley and declSlon-makmg processes of the
Ctty will ret1eet our enVIronmental ObjectIVes
5. Community Awareness. Responsibility, Involvement and Education are
Key Elements of Successful Environmental Programs/Policies
Individual cltlzens. commumty-based groups, and busmesses must' be aware of
theu envIronment and the Impacts of human achvltles on It; take
responsibility for reducmg or elimmatmg those Impacts, and be actively
Involved III commumty and government efforts to address environmental
concerns The City must therefore be a leader III the creatIon and sponsorship
of envlfonmental educatIon opportunltles In cooperatlon WIth schools, colleges
and other orgamzatlons m the commumty
6. Santa lUonica Recognizes Its Linliage with the Regional, Kational, and
Global Community
Local envlfonmental problems and amelioratIve actiOns cannot be separated
from theIr broader context. ThIS relatIOnshIp between local Issues and reglOnal,
natlOnal and global Issues WIll be recogmzed and acted upon In the CIty's
programs and pohc]es The Cay's envIronmental programs and poliCIes should
therefore be developed as models whIch can be emulated by other
commumties The Cuy must also act as a strong advocate for the development
and l1nplementatlon of model programs and mnovatlve approaches by state
and federal government whIch embody the goals of sustamabIhty
7 Those Environmental Issues 1\105t Important to the Community Should be
4ddressed First, and the i\fost Cost-Effective Programs and Policies
Should be Selected
The fInancIal and human resources whIch are avmlable to the CIty are !tmited.
The CIty and the coml11ul1lty should reevaluate Its environmental pnontIes and
Implemented programs and pohCles annually to ensure that the best pOSSIble
mvestments m the future are bemg made The evaluatIon of a program's cost-
effectiveness should be based on a complete analysts of the assoClated costs
and benefIts, Including envIronmental and SOCIal costs and benefits
8 The City is Committed to Procurement Decisions which .l\Iinimize Negative
Em:ironmental and Social Impacts
The procurement of products and serVIces by the CIty results m enVIronmental
and socIallmpacts both ITI thIs country and In other areas of the world. The
CIty must develop and abIde by an enVIronmentally and SOCIally responsIble
procurement policy .......hlCh emphaSIzes long-term values and WIll become a
model for other public as well as pnvate orgamzatlOns The adopted
procurement polIcy w111 be applicable to City programs and serVIces m all
areas
2
The SustaInable CIty Program IS exempl1fied In four major policy areas These major pohcy
areas represent the focus of both current and future CIty programs whIch adhere to the
gmdmg pnnClples and stnve to attam the specIfIC goals WhICh are establIshed for each area.
A descnptIOn of each polley area. its goals, and ongomg and proposed programs follows.
For each goal, the base year is 1990 and the target J'ear is 2000.
I. RES01JRCE CONSERVATIO~
Pohcy. Promote the use of conservatIOn technologIes and practlces and reduce the
use of non-renewable resources Develop local, non-pollutmg, renewable energy,
water and matenal resources, and expand recychng technology m these areas
Goals.
a Reduce energy usage 15 %
b Reduce potable waler usage 25 %
c Reduce solId waste volumes at least 50%
d Achieve average recycled content of 20 % In Clty
procurement
e Convert 75 % of the CIty fleet to reduced-emIssIOn fuels
Programs
SOLID WASTE
a CurbSide Recychng -- smgle family (ongomg)
b Recychng Drop-Off Zones (ongOIng)
c }'.lml Recyc1lT1g Zones -- multi-famtly (ongomg & proposed)
d Busmess Recychng (ongoll1g & proposed)
e Yard Waste Compostmg (ongoIng & proposed)
f Procurement PohCles (ongoIng & proposed)
g Volume-Based Rates (ongomg & proposed)
h Source ReductlOn (ongomg & proposed)
1. Advance DIsposal Fees (proposed)
J J.,.farket Development (proposed)
WATER & WASTEWATER
k Baysaver TOIlet RetrofIt Program (ongomg)
1 Retrofit On Sale ReqUlrements (ongoIng)
m No-Net Waler Gam from New Development (ongomg)
n \Valer Re-lIse Projects (ongomg & proposed)
o. Urban Water ConservatIon Best l\-Ianagement PractIces
(ongomg & proposed)
p Fmancml IncentIves for Busmess \Vater ConservatIOn (ongomg &
proposed)
q Water EffiCIent Landscape ReqUIrements (ongomg & proposed)
r Conservatlon-Based Rate Structure (ongomg & proposed)
s ReSidentIal Grey Water Systems (proposed)
3
ENERGY
t City FaClhty Energy Efficiency Retrofits (proposed)
u Publlc!Pnvate Energy EffiClency Partnership (proposed)
v New Construcuon Energy EffiClency Incentives (proposed)
w. Urban Tree Plantmg Program (proposed)
x. ComprehenslVe City Energy Pohey (proposed)
II. TRAI\'"SPORTATIOX
Pohey' rvlaXlmize the utlhzatlOn of alternative forms of transportatlon, mcludmg
walkIng, bIcychng, publIc transit, and car-pools/ndeshare Develop Innovatlve traffic
pohcIes whIch reduce negative impacts from vehIcles and lImIt pavement area to the
mInimum necessary Implement \\'ork schedules whIch reduce the number of
employee commute days Advocate for the regIonal development of publIc
transportatlOn systems
Goals
a. Reduce vehlcle mIles traveled In Santa Momca by 15 %
Programs
a City Traffic 1'fanagement Program mcludmg 9/80 Work Schedule
for CIty Employees (ongomg)
b Business Traffic fvIanagement Programs (ongomg & proposed)
c Innovanve Pubhc TransIt ServIces mcludmg Santa Momca Bus
LlI1es and Light RaIl System (ongomg & proposed)
d BIcycle f\:1aster Plan (proposed)
e TelecommutIng (proposed)
III. POLLUTION PREVENTIO:\ & PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION
Pohcy- Protect and enhance environmental health and pubhc health by reducmg or
ehmmatmg the use of hazardous and tOXIC matenals by reSIdents and busmesses, mlmmlzmg
the levels of pollutants entenng the aIr, SOlI and ocean. and lessemng the nsks WhICh
enVlronmental problems pose to human health Examme the dlstnbutIon of enVIronmental
pollutants to ensure that no one geographic or SOCIOeconomlC group In the CIty IS bemg
unfalTly Impacted
Goals
a Determme the types and levels of envlfonmental and publIc health
rIsks which eXist 111 the commumty
b Implement programs to reduce or elIminate the nsks to the commumty
from exposure to hazardous and toXIC substances
c Implement programs to reduce or elImmate the levels of pollutants
entenng the alf, soil and ocean
Programs
a Control of Ozone-Depletmg Chemicals (ongomg)
b Water, SOlI and AIr QualIty Testmg/Momtonng (ongomg & proposed)
4
c Household Hazardous Waste and Small Busmess Hazardous
Waste CollectIon (ongomg & proposed)
d Catch Basm Stencil Program (ongoing & proposed)
e Hazardous Waste J..-ImlffilzatlOn Programs (ongomg & proposed)
f Illegal Dumpmg Enforcement (ongomg & proposed)
g Urban Runoff PollutIOn Control Program (ongomg and proposed)
h. NPDES PermIt Best 1\1anagement Practices (ongomg & proposed)
1 Pomt of Sale Household Hazardous Matenals Labelmg (proposed)
J. CIty Toxles Use Reduction Pohey (proposed)
k Strengthened Hazardous SpIll Emergency Response CapabIl1tles
(proposed)
I TestIng, Identification and MltIgauon of Lead, Asbestos and other
Hazardous Substances In the Commumty (proposed)
ill Dry-Weather Urban Runoff ReclamatIOn FaCIlIty (proposed)
n Reduced-EmisSIOn Fuels Pohcy for CIty Fleet (proposed)
IV. SOCIO-ECONO~nC
Polley Encourage the development of compact, fin.ed-use, pedestnan-onented projects
deSigned to maXImize affordable hOUSing. encourage walk1l1g. blcyclmg, use of eXlstmg and
future publlc transIt systems and creatIon of commumty gardens Promote the growth of
local busmesses WhICh proVide employment opportunltles to Santa ~Iomca reSidents and have
positive environmental and socml Impacts
Goals'
a ProVide 750 additIOnal affordable hOUSIng Ul11ts
b Create 10 C0111ll1L1l1lty gardem
Programs
a. Affordable Housmg Programs (ongOing)
b Local EconomIc Development Programs (ongOIng & proposed)
c Commumty Gardens Program (proposed)
d Local Jobs Creanon Program (proposed)
e City-Sponsored DemonstratIon Projects (proposed)
5
PROGRAM IMPLE:\IENT ATION
The strategy for ImplementatIOn of the SustaInable CIty Program IS outlIned below. The underlYIng
premIse \vhlCh gUIdes the ImplementatIOn strategy IS that pubhc educatIon and pubhc partICIpation
are preemInent values
1. Define Program
a DIssemmate Proposed Sustamable CIty Program to the CIty CouncIl and to all appropnate
CIty Boards and CommIssIons
b BegIn compllanon of a "State of the EnvIronment" report for the CIty whIch wIll serve as an
on-gomg Instrument for measunng accomplIshments
c. Develop prelImInary checkhst SImIlar to an Imtlal Study checkhst to be utilIzed for
evaluatmg major CHy declSlons The checklIst would Include envIronmental and SOCIO-
economIC conslderatlOns for each actlOn or polIcy The checklIst \vould encourage decIsions
that are future-onented, conSIstent \\,'lth the Sustamable CHy VlSlon and Interconnected With
other City programs
d Formulate cntena and estabhsh benchmarks for measunng progress toward achievement of
estabhshed goals
2. Raise Community Awareness and Initiate Community Networking Process
a Conduct publle heanngs/eommulUty workshops on the Sustamable CIty Program to solICIt
pubhc Input and support, and to aSsIst neIghborhood groups m IdentIfyIng and pnontIzmg
theIr speClt1c areas of concern
b 1{eet \\l11h neIghborhood groups, Chamber of Commerce. school dlstnct, Santa Momca
College and Other commumty representatlves to sohCit mput and support
c Prepare and dlstnbute pubhc mformatlon matenals on Santa MOnica's Sustamable CIty
program
d UUhze CIty CounCll Study SeSSlOns and publIc heanngs to commumcate the program
concepts
6
3. Integmte with City Policies and Programs
a. Adopt Sustamable City Program as a gmdmg VISIOn for the City. The VISIOn Should be
clearly and sImply stated and serve to umfy people throughout CIty government and In the
commumty toward a common task
b. Where appropnate, mcorporate the Sustamable CIty Program Into the CIty's General Plan
and the Elements of the General Plan
c. Adopt the checklIst as a tool for ImplementIng actIOns and polICIes m accordance with the
Sustamable CIty Program. Identlfy and Implement a method for Incorporatmg the checkhst
IOta the decIslOn-makmg process, mcludmg defmmg the types of deClSlons to WhICh It would
appl y
d. EstablIsh Interdepartmental Workmg Group to coordmate mtegratIOn of Sustamable CIty
Program WIth CIty operatIons, aCtIVItles and poliCIes. and raise the awareness of CIty staff
4. COOl'dinate Implementation of Program
a :t\.fonltor and evaluate the applicatIon of the checklist to the CIty's deCIsIOn-makmg processes
and modify as necessary
b Measure speCIfIC mdlcators of progress to\.vard achIevement of goals and proVIde annual
status report to CIty CounCIl
c Comrnumcate Sustamable City Program successes to other local governments and to state
and federal government representatIves
d. Pursue non-CIty finanCIal support for sustamable CIty programs, and develop medIUm-term
and long-term finanCIng strategIes for the Sustamable City Program through a cOmbInatIOn of
eXIstmg fees and charges and new fees and charges based on eqUItable cost-shanng by the
communIty These financIng strategIes WIll 111 co rporate a cost-effectIveness analYSIS of
proposed programs whIch Includes the conslderatlOn of enVIronmental benefits and costs
7
5. Support On-Going Community Dialogue on Sustainability
a. DISSeminate infOrmatIOn about Santa MOnIca's SustaInable City Program through eXIstmg
medIa (newspaper artIcles, CItyTV, Seascape, PEN, uUlIty bIll mserts, dIrect mall brochures,
school and community group presentatIons) Develop new publIc mformatIon medIa for
presentatIon and dISCUSSIOn of the Sustamable CIty Program (Santa MOnIca "Greenbook",
cUrrIculum for schools, SustalllabJe CIty EducatIon Center, etc )
b. Sponsor commumty events/celebratIOns to raIse awareness of Sustamable CIty Program
c. PartIcIpate m regional/stateWide networlang aCtiVItIes
d. Assess feasIbility of establIshmg a Sustamable CIty Roundtable, compnsed of Task Force on
EnvIronment members and representatIves from Chamber EnvIronment CommIttee, Housmg
CommISSIon, NeIghborhood Support Center. local envIronmental groups, and other
approprIate llldI\-'Iduals and groups to meet perIOdIcally and dIscuss/evaluate the Cny's
progress toward ItS adopted program goals
8