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c;cror City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: May 12, 2009
Agenda Item: ~'-~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Robert Trimborn, Acting Airport Director
Dean Kubani, Director, Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Subject: Santa Monica Airport Sustainability Plan.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the Santa Monica Airport Sustainability
Plan as an addendum to the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan and direct staff to
implement the provisions of the Plan as City policy in terms of City operations and
procedures and as part of Airport leasing policies.
Executive Summary
The proposed Santa Monica .Airport Sustainability Plan follows the City format. and
provides policy goals and objectives for eleven areas, which are summarized in this
report. Staff is recommending that the Cjty Council adopt the Santa Monica
Sustainability Plan as an addendum to the Santa Monica Sustainability City Plan. The
Airport Commission. and the Task Force on the Environment have reviewed and
recommended the attached proposed plan. There are no direct budget impacts
associated with the Plan's adoption..
Discussion
In September 1994, ,the Santa Monica City Council adopted the Santa Monica
Sustainable City Program to begin to addressing issues related to sustainability in the
community. The program seeks to address all aspects of City operations and has
continued to examine, update and expand its inclusion and perspective throughout the
City. Airport Staff has reviewed the City's Sustainability Plan as well as environmental
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efforts at other cities and airports to develop a draft plan that incorporates general
concepts as well as specific policies and procedures to address both community
concerns and enhancement opportunities for Santa Monica Airport. Airport and Office of
Sustainability and the Environment staff worked together to ensure a comprehensive
sustainability policy for the Airport that incorporates the full range of sustainability issues
and activities consistent with the goals, objectives and programs of the City's most
recent 2003 Sustainability Plan and subsequent policies.
The Plan is organized into eleven areas, with specific policies as follows:
• Air Quality- Advocacy with federal agencies, as well as seeking support and
cooperation with regional and state agencies,. for reductions in aircraft emissions
and for alternative fuels, for studies and monitoring, and for reduced taxiing and
hold times.
• Noise -Continued vigorous monitoring and enforcement, exploration of stronger
restrictions, and installation of noise attenuation barriers.
• Water -Water conservation systems and irrigation, maximization of permeable
landscaped area and regularly updated Airport Runoff Plan.
• Open Space/Landscaping - Maintain and expand .open/community space
available for the public, develop open space/landscaped corridors and buffers
around the Airport with the objective of maximizing landscaping including trees.
• Hazardous Materials -Provide for the minimization or elimination of hazardous
materials use by Airport operations and tenants in concert and consistent with
the programs and polices of the City's Office of Sustainability and the
Environment.
• Transportation -Encourage the use of public transportation by Airport staff,
users, tenants and visitors; implement programs and polices to minimize traffic
impacts to surrounding neighborhoods; provide safe pedestrian access the
length of Airport Avenue.
• Construction Practices -Require any new structures to achieve a minimum of
LEED Silver rating and any leasehold buildings a minimum LEED Certification for
all remodels or renovations over 7,500 sq. ft., and require all new City buildings
to incorporate water efficient landscaping ---and irrigation systems.
• Eneray -Maximize the use of renewable energy for buildings and operations;
adapt practices and procedures to conserve/minimize energy use.
• Solid Waste -Maximize recycling efforts and recycling facilities/sites as well as
instituting waste reduction procedures.
• Information and Research -Development of on-line accessible sustainability
reference materials, programs and polices for the public and tenants; provide
annual reports to the Airport Commission and the City's Task Force on the
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Environment on Airport reviewing the Airport's activities, findings and progress
on goals.
• Public Participation -Provide opportunities at the Airport Commission meeting
for a public workshop and public input on annual sustainability report and post
report to the Airport website; conduct outreach and education activities with
neighbors; community groups as well as with other agencies.
• Advocacy -Maintain on-going efforts with regional, state and federal officials and
agencies as well as the community in support of the Plan goals and objectives.
The proposed initiative will commit the Santa Monica Airport to taking a proactive
leadership role. It will be among the first general aviation airports in the country with a
sustainability plan and policy. The Airport Commission reviewed the draft Santa Monica
Airport sustainability Plan at its July 23, 2007 meeting and forwarded it for review by the
City Task Force on the Environment. The Task Force approved the draft with minor
revisions that Airport staff worked with Office of sustainability and the Environmental
staff to incorporate into a revised draft, which the Airport Commission reviewed at its
November 26, 2007 meeting. It was further reviewed and approved at the February 23,
2009 meeting of the City Task Force on the Environment. The Airport Commission
concurred with the final draft document and recommended it to the City Council for
adoption as City policy. The Airport Commission's approval included additional goals of
landscaping along the Cloverfield Park boundary, expansion of trees in the Airport and
consideration of tugging or other self propelled taxiing options. These have been
incorporated in the attached proposed Santa Monica Airport sustainability Plan.
Budget/Financial Impact
There are no direct budget impacts as a consequence of the proposed policy document.
There will be some indirect financial impact due to inclusion of standards in all future
tenant leases and agreements.
Prepared by:
Robert D. Trimborn, Acting Airport Director
Dean Kubani, Director, Office of sustainability and the Environment
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Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
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~~- _ -_ i
Robe D. Trimborn P. mont Ewell `
Acting Airport Director C Manager
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Dean Kubani
Director, Office of Sustainability and the
Environment
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Attachment 1
SANTA MONICA AIRPORT
Sustainability Plan
Santa Monica Airport Sustainability Plan Overview
Vision: The Santa Monica Airport Sustainability Plan will build upon existing
efforts and implement new policies and programs that will make Santa Monica
Airport the most environmentally sustainable general aviation airport in the
United States.
AIR QUALITY -Reduce Airport emissions through advocacy for federal action to
strengthen aircraft emission reduction standards for all aircraft and increase the study o1
aviation impacts, alternative aviation fuels and mitigation strategies and programs. The
Airport will continue its cooperationwith the SCAOMD and as well as seek to work with
other regional, state and federal agencies to collect scientifically valid data on air quality
impacts from the aircraft operating at the Airport. The Airport shall continue to use
alternatively fueled vehicles for Airport operations and seek to maximize use of
alternative energy power sources such as solar.
NOISE -Maintain strong monitoring and enforcement of existing noise restrictions for
aircraft and explore the feasibility of other noise restrictions, noise barriers and
containment projects.
OPEN SPACE -Expand the amount of open space at the Airport that is available for
landscaping, recreation and relaxation and develop and maintain a landscaped buffer
area around the Airport perimeter.
WATER -Reduce water use in all areas of airport operations through: Installation of
water efficient plumbing fixtures in all Airport buildings controlled by the City; Installation
of water efficient landscaping and irrigation systems in all landscaped areas of the
Airport; and installation of graywater and stormwater capture systems, where feasible
for landscape irrigation and building plumbing uses, to reduce the use of potable water
resources.
URBAN RUNOFF -Implement best management practices and projects to maximize
the onsite retention and reuse of urban runoff from the Airport and minimize the level of
contaminated runoff from the Airport. The Airport will seek to maximize permeable
landscaped areas.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS -Eliminate or minimize the use of hazardous materials by
airport and tenaht operations, provide for their proper handling and remediate all
existing soil and groundwater contamination.
CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES -Require all new buildings at the Airport to achieve a
minimum LEED Silver rating and all remodels or renovations of buildings over 7,500
square feet to achieve a minimum LEED Certification rating.
TRANSPORTATION -Implement policies, programs and measures to encourage use
of public transportation by Airport users and visitors, address circulation issues and
reduce traffic impacts on surrounding neighborhoods from Airport users.
SOLID WASTE -Implement waste reduction and waste recycling requirements for the
Airport to achieve an overall 80% diversion rate by 2010.
PUBLIC PARTCIPATION -Conduct ongoing outreach and education with neighbors,
community groups, public agencies and other Airport stakeholders to provide
information on Airport activities and policies so that they can be fully informed as to
important discussions and actions in which they can become involved. Provide annual
sustainability reports to the Airport Commission and the City's Task Force on the
Environment.
ADVOCACY -Undertake an active role with regional, State and federal officials and
agencies to ensure that the vision and goals of the Santa Monica Airport sustainability
Initiative and the best interests of Santa Monica citizens are supported.
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Guiding Principles
The City's. sustainability program has ten guiding principles, which are summarized
below:
• The concept of sustainability guides City policy. Santa Monica is committed
to meeting its existing needs without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.
• Protection, preservation and restoration of the natural environment are a
high priority of the City. City decision-making will be guided by a mandate
to maximize environmental benefits and reduce or eliminate negative
environmental impacts.
• Environmental quality, economic health and social equity are mutually
dependent.
• All decisions have long-term implications to the sustainability of Santa Monica.
• Community awareness, responsibility, participation and education are key
elements of a sustainable community.
• Santa Monica recognizes it linkage with the regional, national and global
community
• The sustainability issues most important to the community will be
addressed first, and the most cost-effective programs and policies will be
selected.
• The City is committed to procurement decisions which minimize negative
environmental and social impacts.
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• Cross-sector partnerships are necessary to achieve sustainable goals.
Threats to long-term sustainability of Santa Monica are multi-sector in their
causes and require multi-sector solutions.
The Precautionary Principle Provides a Complimentary Framework to
Help Guide City Decision-Makers in the Pursuit of sustainability
These are the City guidelines for the development of the Airport sustainability
Plan that were used by City staff in examining the Airport and its operations and
programs.
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Santa Monica Airport
Sustainability Goals and Objectives
• AIR QUALITY
o Reduce Airport emissions through on-going advocacy for action by the
federal government and the International Civil Aviation Organization to
apply and to strengthen emission reduction standards for all aircraft, and
that all present as well as future emissions and noise standards shall be
applied to general aviation aircraft, including those under 90,000 pounds.
Such advocacy shall seek multi-jurisdictional and community support and
involvement.
o Advocacy shall include presenting to regional, state, federal and
international agencies the uniquely close proximity in highly urbanized
settings of general aviation to residential and community facilities and
potential impacts and the increased use of turbine aircraft at such airports.
o Continued advocacy, cooperation and participation with the South Coast
Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), as well as with other
regional, state and federal agencies, to collect and develop scientifically
valid data and analysis (consistent with United State Environmental
Protection Agency scientific standards and procedures) on aviation air
quality impacts particularly those at General Aviation Airports and their
surrounding communities and primarily Santa Monica Airport, that can be
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presented to the appropriate regulatory agencies for federal action to
implement appropriate regulatory standards, enforcement and mitigation
measures and programs.
o Advocacy for the development and implementation of less polluting
alternative aviation fuels for all aircraft.
o Advocacy for the elimination of all lead in aviation fuel (AVGAS)
o Continued and expanded use of alternatively fueled vehicles for Airport
operations, as well as advocacy with tenants to also maximize their use of
alternatively fueled vehicles. The Airport should have all alternative fuel
City vehicles no later than 2010 and seek tenant all alternative vehicles by
2013
o Advocacy for improved federal aviation air monitoring and modeling tools,
including improvements in the FAA's EDMS (Emissions and Dispersion
Modeling System) to include full particulate and hazardous air pollutants
considerations by 2009 and inclusion of ultrafine particulates by 2012.
o Advocacy for continuation and expansion of the FAA, EPA and California
Air Resources Board Aircraft Particle Emissions Experiment (APEX)
project with the inclusion of an array of general aviation aircraft, including
turbine aircraft under 90,000 pounds. Emissions data from such aircraft is
crucial for effective modeling of general aviation aircraft impacts.
o Advocacy for increased funding for the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Ultra Efficient Engine Technology Program, which is the
only federal program. dedicated to developing IesS polluting and quieter
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aircraft engines and the inclusion of General Aviation turbine aircraft
engines in the program..
o Advocacy with the FAA for procedures that minimize aircraft taxiing and
hold times and for prioritizing development and deployment of alternate
technologies such as on-board electric motor or tugging strategies for
taxiing movements to reduce air emissions.
o Discourage the use of any diesel powered vehicles and equipment
wherever and whenever possible by Airport tenant operations and aim to
eliminate any City diesel powered vehicles by 2012.
• NOISE
o Continue active monitoring and enforcement of existing noise restrictions
for aircraft using the Airport and on-going exploration of the feasibility of
stronger noise restrictions and/or procedures.
o Maintain and expand noise control education outreach program to pilots,
aircraft owners and operators, and aviation tenants.
o Installation of appropriate noise attenuation barriers both on the Airport
operating areas and at Airport Property lines where feasible. A solid wall
with noise attenuation elements shall be constructed along the south
boundary line by 2011.
o Develop appropriate run-up area sites and procedures and seek to
provide as much noise attenuation as feasible by 2012.
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WATER
o Maintain water efficient plumbing fixtures, including waterless urinals, in all
Airport buildings controlled by the City and seek similar measures from all
tenants. Any improvements or renovation must incorporate such fixtures.
o Maintain existing water efficient landscaping and irrigation systems in all
landscaped areas of the Airport. Any improvements or renovation must
incorporate such fixtures.
o Maintain watering/irrigation schedules and procedures that minimize
waste and/or "over watering" and provide for maximum benefit to the
landscaping and minimum impact on water demand cycles.
o Install gray-water-and storm-water capture systems, where feasible for
landscape irrigation and building plumbing uses, to further reduce the use
of potable water resources. Such measures shall be part of the Storm
Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
o Update and implement a revise Airport Runoff Plan that incorporates
current conditions including Airport Park and coordinates with overall City
urban runoff program by 2009.
o Implement best management practices and projects to maximize the
onsite retention and reuse of urban runoff from the Airport, maximize
permeable landscaped areas and minimize the level of contaminated
runoff from Airport property by 2009.
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• OPEN SPACE /LANDSCAPING
o Maintain and expand the amount of open/community space at the Airport
that is available to Santa Monica citizens for recreation and relaxation.
Additionally, where possible establish open space corridors along Airport
boundaries. .
o Enhance public walkways and pedestrian oriented activities on the south-
side of the Airport. The pedestrian walkway on the south side of Airport
Avenue shall be installed and landscaped by 2013.
o The Airport shall seek to maximize landscaping including new trees,
particularly along the boundary lines of the Airport to create a perimeter
buffer with priority for the boundaries with residential areas and Clover
Park.
o The Airport shall continue to provide areas for the relocation/placement of
trees from other areas of the City that are impacted by City projects.
• HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
o All soil and ground water remediation has been completed for past
operations of areas under direct Airport control. On-going monitoring shall
be maintained. The Airport shall seek the full remediation and closure for
alt non-Airport controlled areas regarding past uses. The Airport shall
eliminate or minimize the use of hazardous materials by Airport operations
to prevent future soil and groundwater contamination on Airport property.
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o Require all (private?) operations to maintain a complete and readily
accessible library of Material Safety Data Sheets- (MSDS) and to provide
appropriate safety training to any staff involved with hazardous materials.
o Insure proper storage and disposal for all hazardous materials.
o Airport maintenance staff will only use approved solvents, cleaners,
detergents, and other chemical products, as defined by the city's Office of
Sustainability and the Environment to maintain Airport facilities.
o Incorporate these provisions in Airport leasing agreements.
TRANSPORTATION
o Continue to implement policies, programs and measures to encourage use of
public transportation (such as Big Blue Bus) by Airport users, tenants and
visitors. The Airport has provided for a new Big Blue Bus bustop at Airport
Avenue and Donald Douglas Loop South.
o Continue to prioritize and implement policies, programs and measures to
address circulation issues.and reduce traffic impacts from Airport users on
surrounding neighborhoods.
o Provide safe and convenient pedestrian access to public areas of the Airport,
particularly along Airport Avenue and Donald Douglas Loop South. Fully
developed pedestrian walkways to be completed by 2013
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• CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES
o All new City buildings at the Airport are required to achieve a minimum
LEED Silver rating and all new leasehold buildings to achieve a minimum
LEED Certification rating for remodels or renovations of more than 7,500
square feet.
o Seek to achieve LEED EB (Existing Building) certification for all City
operated buildings.
o All new City buildings at the Airport shall be required to incorporate water
efficient landscaping and irrigation systems.
o All construction projects shall be required to limit diesel powered
equipment and to control all dust and run-off from project sites.
• ENERGY
o The Airport shall continue to require that 100 percent of electricity used in
its buildings and operations be generated from renewable sources.
o The Airport installed a 70 Kilowatt photovoltaic solar system at 3200
Airport Avenue and shall seek to add additional systems, to implement
renewable and clean energy distributed generation projects and increase
the energy efficiency of Airport facilities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
o Replace existing runway and taxiway lighting with low energy LED lighting
systems by 2010.
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o Establish practices and procedures to conserve energy use through:
^ Specification of more energy efficient equipment for new and
replacement purchasing.
^ The minimization or elimination of the use of non-essential lights
and electrical equipment.
The scheduling of the use of electrical equipment to the maximum
extent possible during non-peak demand. periods.
SOLID WASTE
o Implement waste reduction and waste recycling requirements for the
Airport to achieve an overall 80% diversion rate by 2010.
o Maintain the four existing used oil and hazardous waste stations on the
Airport and make efforts to increase their use by Airport tenants.
o Maintain existing and expand appropriate recycling containers at all City
buildings on the Airport. Promote recycling efforts with Airport tenants.
o Provide regular sweeping of Airport parking lots and walkways. Airport
staff will work with Community Maintenance Department, the Public
Works Department and the Office of Sustainability and the Environment
to develop a program for the composting of sweeping. materials.
o Maintain and expand programs and policies to prevent solid waste
materials from getting into storm drains.
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• INFORMATION AND RESEARCH
o Airport staff is developing a body of information on the sustainability topics
in the Santa Monica Airport sustainability Goals and Objectives that will
be available oh the Airport website by 2010 for public reference.
o Airport staff will continue to monitor new developments, research,
innovations and legislation regarding the sustainability topics in the Santa
Monica. sustainability Goals and Objectives and develop analysis and
updates to provide a context for the review and updating of the Airport
sustainability Plan
o Airport staff will work with federal, state and regional agencies to
encourage, and collaborate with, studies, analysis and research regarding
the topics in the Santa Monica Airport sustainability Goals and Objectives.
o Provide Airport tenants with information regarding recycling, energy and
water conservation and proper procedures with regard to urban runoff and
hazardous materials.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
o Airport staff will provide updates to the Airport. Commission and other
appropriate City agencies on asemi-annual basis of actions/status of the
Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan and on developments in the field
regarding. the topics of the Airport sustainability Plan.
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o Airport staff shall prepare and present an annual report on the status of
Airport Sustainability Plan's goals, targets and activities to the Airport
Commission and the City's Task Force on the Environment.
o Conduct ongoing outreach and education with neighbors, community
groups, public agencies and other Airport stakeholders to provide
information on Airport activities and policies so that they can be fully
informed as to important discussions- and actions in which they can
become involved.
o The Airport shall maintain on its website the carbon off-set information and
opportunity to participate links
• ADVOCACY
o Undertake an on-going active role with regional, state and federal officials
and agencies as well as the community to ensure that the vision and goals
of the Santa Monica Airport Sustainability Plan and the best interests of
Santa Monica citizens are supported.
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