HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-16-2015 - 8a 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 16, 2015
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-a
SUBJECT: Orange County Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility Update
DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
(AMS), Department of
Environment, Agriculture,
Parks & Recreation (DEAPR),
Information Technologies (IT),
Planning, & Solid Waste
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1) Environmental Responsibility Goal Brennan Bouma, AMS, 919-245-2626
and Objectives, 2005 Jeff Thompson, AMS, 919-245-2658
David Stancil, DEAPR, 919-245-2522
UNDER SEPARATE COVER Craig Benedict, Planning, 919-245-2592
2) PowerPoint Presentation Slides— Jim Northrup, IT, 919-245-2276
Only Available Electronically at: Blair Pollock, Solid Waste, 919-968-
ttp:11www.oran ecountync.govldel2 2788, x206
artments/asset mana-qement servi Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste, 919-968-
ces (ams)/reports.php (Copies will 2885, x106
also be provided to Board members
at the Meeting)
PURPOSE: To receive information and progress reports on current initiatives from several
County Departments related to sustainability, including the Environmental Responsibility in
County Government (ERG) goal and the Energy Scorecard.
BACKGROUND: On June 7, 2011 the Energy Conservation Team within Asset Management
Services ("AMS") presented a comprehensive report on the County's historical use of energy,
water, and fuel as well as a work plan for ongoing conservation and efficiency. Staff presented
a set of goals in these areas relative to a fiscal year 2010 baseline, and committed to annual
updates on the County's performance relative to these goals. The 2011 report and presentation
represented a subset of the larger body of "Environmental Responsibility in County
Government" Goals adopted by the Board in December 2005.
Similar performance reports on energy and the Environmental Responsibility Goal were
presented in October 2012 and April 2014, in collaboration with the Department of Environment,
Agriculture, Parks and Recreation ("DEAPR") and the Orange County Solid Waste Management
Department.
2
In keeping with discussions of the internal Environmental Stewardship Leadership Team, this
year's report includes additional County departments and updates on a variety of sustainability
initiatives, as the annual update begins a transition into a planned more-comprehensive annual
Sustainability Report Card model.
The presentation (Attachment 2) is only available electronically at-
ht!p-://www.oranqecountvnc.qov/departments/asset management services (ams)/reports.php
(Copies will also be provided to Board members at the Meeting). It provides the latest updates
on several ERG performance goals, which includes data for fiscal year 2014, as well as current
year initiatives and proposed initiatives across several departments for fiscal year 2015-16. This
collaboration will continue to grow in future performance reports to include or represent other
departments that are involved.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving the information in
these updates and reports. Future actions to address these topics may have financial impacts,
and these would be assessed as specific action strategies are considered.
RECOMMENDATIONS: The Manager recommends that the Board receive these reports and
updates, and provide feedback to staff for consideration.
Attachment 1 3
Environmental Responsibility in County Government
Adopted as an Orange County Goal, 1215105
Goal Statement:
Perform all County governmental functions, both internal and external, with a sensitivity and
ethic that promotes environmental responsibility and leadership, and an understanding of the
actions of government activities as they affect the natural and cultural resources of the County,
region, state, nation and world.
Objectives (suggested departmental responsibility)
1 . Develop a Countywide Environmental Leadership Policy, and institute a
standing Orange County Environmental Action Committee as an internal
mechanism to periodically monitor and assess the County's progress
toward meeting the objectives of the environmental responsibility goal.
(ERCD, with representatives from all departments);
2. Initiate policies and programs that conserve energy, reduce
fuel/utility/resource consumption, increase the use of recycled products and
renewable energy services, and minimize waste stream impacts on the
environment. (Public Works, all departments);
3. Continue to aggressively pursue waste reduction/recycling efforts, including
the reduction of paper. (soma Waste, IT);
4. Continue, expand and formally adopt the use of green building standards;
construct new facilities/deconstruct outdated facilities in a way that is eco-
friendly, utilizes energy conserving measures, and minimizes impacts on the
environment. (Purchasing, Public Works, Planning, Recreation and Parks, Solid Waste,
ERCD, among others);
5. Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality
by promoting public transportation options and incentives within the County
that increase connectivity and decrease dependence on personal vehicles,
and by selecting alternative fuel and low emission fuels/vehicles for the
County's vehicle fleet. (Purchasing, Public Works, ERCD, Planning, Personnel, among
others);
6. Conduct sustainable and eco-sensitive forestry practices on County-owned
lands with a goal of no net loss of woodlands. Promote and encourage eco-
sensitive forestry practices on privately held lands within the County. (ERCD,
4
Soil & Water, R&P);
7. Promote the use of environmentally-sensitive chemical and materials,
including a) the use of "Green Seal" chemicals and cleaning products in
daily operation and maintenance of County facilities; b) utilize an IPM
(Integrated Pest Management) Program for County facilities that minimizes
use of chemical compounds; and c) require that County events and services
(including those involving outside vendors) use eco-friendly and
biodegradable materials wherever possible. (Purchasing, Public Works, R&P);
8. Consider innovative new technologies for conserving and protecting ground
water, indoor air quality and wastewater, to lessen impacts on the natural
environment, and promote water conservation, collection and reuse in both
current and future County facilities. (Health, ERCD, Engineer);
9. Implement growth management policies and procedures within the County so
that development is directed toward areas where it can be accommodated
without compromising the County's goals for protecting natural and cultural
resources. (Planning, ERCD); and
10. Develop an Information Services policy that promotes energy conservation
through the use of electronic and alternative media of communication. (IT).
Possible Action Strategies
Each department, advisory board and/or organization should be asked to develop specific
action strategies based on the 10 objectives listed above. The possible action strategies should
be collated and compared for consistency and coordination, and then incorporated into the
goal.
Example of an Action Strategy
Objective 5 (Implement programs to monitor and improve local and regional air quality: by
promoting public transportation options and incentives within the County that increase
connectivity and decrease dependence on personal vehicles, and selecting alternative fuel and
low emission fuels/vehicles for the County's vehicle fleet)
Action Strategy A:
Acquire 3-5 alternative-fuel vehicles (AFV's) per year, based on evaluation of proposed vehicle
purchases and the "fit" with available AFV options, as funds permit.
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Adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, December 5, 2005