Proposed Sustainability Framework for the City of Holland and The Holland Board of Public Works Proposed by Holland Community Sustainability Committee August 2012
Table of contents:
page
Introduction ……………………………………………………………
1
Sustainablity Statement………………………………………………
2
Sustainablity Framework
Quality of Life……………………………………………………………………
3
Environmental Awareness / Action…………………………...
4
Smart Energy……………………………………………………………………
5
Economic Development…………………………………………………
6
Transportation………………………………………………………………… .
7
Community & Neighborhood……………………………………….
8
Community Knowledge………………………………………………….
9
Other Community and Regional Organizations..………….
10
Current City and BPW sustainability initiatives…………….
11
Examples of other dashboard efforts in West Michigan…
12‐13
Introduction This framework is proposed after a task team of the Holland Community Sustainability Committee (SUSCOM) gathered information, considered the categories and compared them with the broad issues within Holland. The team then developed title descriptions that parallel our governmental structure and issues ownership. This is intended to be a starting point in refining and further defining the sustainability efforts of the City of Holland and the Holland Board of Public Works. While we have reviewed metrics used in other organizations and considered how they might fit our situation we have not included any in this document. The process used in developing sustainability efforts should evolve along the process described below. We have taken this process to step 3 and want to explore the City’s support for pursuing this work. Steps in developing Sustainability Goals 1. Explore the issues facing the organization or region. Identify the organization and span of control the topics will cover. Gather information on other efforts to do similar work. 2. Identify the topics that may be included and group them by category. 3. Develop descriptions and identify potential groups that play a role in issues 4. Review categories and topics with affected groups and build consensus on issues. 5. Develop metrics that allow issues to be quantified. Gather metrics. 6. Using metrics, develop goals or targets and consider how to use them. (dashboards) 7. Develop support from leadership to incorporate the sustainability goals into their areas of responsibility and establish how they will provide metrics of performance. 8. Review the performance and issues and adjust process as needed. Identify new issues and develop categories / topics/metrics to track and manage. 9. Develop educational and informational programs for all levels of involvement and public at large. 10. Establish a regular review process.
The following should be considered a living document. It is a starting point to grow and develop our understanding and support for sustainability within our individual actions and those which we expect of our elected officials and our City /BPW staffs. This is a journey not a destination.
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Sustainablity Statement The Holland community is a caring and thoughtful group of people with a deep interest in the natural, economic and human environments. The relationships of people to one another and their community are strong and based in the historical faith and family traditions. It is the desire of the City Governance to embrace and support sustainable practices in all aspects of the city operations and community actions. We will approach sustainability with a triple bottom line evaluation approach. Social, environmental and economic evaluations should be used to review ideas and direct decision making. While we will begin with the activities within the city we recognize that true sustainability must be a regional, multi governmental, broad social and economic activity. The following categories and topics are a starting point. While we have begun to identify departments, functions and groups within the City this is only a preliminary identification of those that may be involved with establishing and contributing to these sustainability issues. 2
Quality of Life Ultimately, the feelings and state of mind of individuals in the collective make up a community’s quality of life. The community, through governmental, religious, business and social organizations, makes decisions and supports actions that contribute to the community’s well‐being. Healthcare / Wellness / Family Support (5, 6)
(1) Parks & Recreation
Community of Choice (5, 3, 6 ) • Access to healthcare • Affordable living • Access to culture • Access to education Safety & Security (1,2,5)
(2) Public Safety
(3) Leisure & Cultural Services Recreation (4) Public Health Departments
(5) ) Hospital Boards
Leisure & Cultural Services (3)
3
Environmental Awareness / Action The natural and built environments interact with one another over time with intended and unintended consequences. Our history contains many examples of the impact on natural environments and our limited ability to change the results. The effects of a healthy natural ecosystem can be demonstrated and our ability to reverse impacts of its degradation limited. Enhance and promote Natural systems / natural diversity/urban nature
Improve surface water quality (1,2, 3,6)
(1)Parks and Cemeteries
Storm water management (2, 3,6)
(2) Streets
Continuous improvement of air quality (4,5, 6)
(3)Engineering
Promote Water Conservation (1,4, 6)
(4) BPW
(5) Transportation
(6) MACC
4
Smart Energy Our way of living requires a stream of energy to operate personal and infrastructure devices. We know that energy is produced with scarce resources and the byproducts impact our environment. We need to promote both conservation and efficiency measures to manage the resources we have, and to provide access to reliable and cost effective energy. Sustainable energy (for example ‐ geothermal) (5)
(1) BPW
Renewable energy (1,5)
(2) Engineering
Energy efficiency (1, 2, 3,4,6) (code and green building)
(3) Semco
Energy Conservation (1, 2,3,4)
(4) Community & Leisure
Base load energy management (1)
(5) Private Energy Production
(6) Code Enforcement
5
Economic Development The business community is the driving engine within the area. While it is dependent on the community resources and structure for support, it also generates capital essential to growth and development. We wish to be a location of choice for new business and industry. Maintain economic sustainable and promote Economic Prosperity (all)
(1) MACC
Balanced land redevelopment /revitalization of brown fields
(2) West MI Strategic Alliance
Natural versus developed lands Regional economy (shared infrastructure) (1,2,3,5,6)
(3) Holland Chamber of Commerce
(4) Lakeshore Advantage
(5) Downtown Development Auth.
(6) BPW
6
Transportation The movement of people, goods, and services within the area is an evolving process. We must interact with other regional, national and international elements to create a total network. Alternative Transportation – green vehicles, bike paths
MACC
Transportation and mobility (planning & design)
MAX
Road Commission
MDOT
Transportation Services
7
Community & Neighborhood The fiber of our lives can be traced to the places we live and the individuals we interact with on a daily basis. The places we live support the development of our personalities and perspectives on life. Communities at all scales have a vital role to play. Encouraging vital and effective communities is an important element. Permits & Inspection Planning, Design & Zoning that promote sustainable community Smart resource use through recycling, reduction, minimization and reuse Promote reduction of all recognized forms of pollution and waste reduction (ie. Light, noise, visual and sensory pollution)
8
Planning (code enforcement ) Holland Recycles Community & Neighborhood
Neighborhood Groups
Community Knowledge The collective knowledge of the community is an incredible resource. The ability to tap into this intelligence is essential for continued growth. The availability and importance of quality education to all members of the community must be promoted. Employment and Workforce Training
Local School Boards
Pre K – 12 Curriculum
Colleges ( Hope, GVSU, Davenport, etal)
Lifelong Education
Adult Education
Higher Education
Holland / Zeeland Community Foundation
Community and Individual Empowerment
Mi Works
Community Collaboration and
Library
information dissemination and access
Public Museum
Churches
Adult Education Opportunities
9
Other organizations that will have a role.
League of Women Voters
Creation Cares
Faith / Church Organizations
United Way
Holland/ Zeeland Foundation
Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Allegan County Board of Commissioners
Park Twp
City of Zeeland
Holland Twp.
Fillmore Twp.
Laketown Twp.
Zeeland Twp.
Kandu
Evergreen Commons
10
Current City and BPW sustainability initiatives:
Initiative Community Forums/Keystone Sustainability Commission Recycling Program Recycling Staff Manager Sale of Municipal Stadium Purchase of Lakeview School Fall Leaf Pickup Spring Cleanup Project PRIDE Tree City USA Green Pest Management Green De‐Icing Agent Rain Garden Projects Low Flow Public Toilets Storm Drain Maintenance Snowmelt Gray Water Irrigation WW Effluent to Power Plant Partner w/ Mac Watershed Recreational Viability of Lake Mac Storm Drain Sep from Sewer Partner w/ Mac Greenway Regional WW Authority Lakeshore Advantage Farmer's Market Wellness Trail Van Raalte Farm Funding for Neighborhood Rehab America In Bloom Ourstreet Creation of City Energy Plan City Flex Fuel Purchase Retrofit of City Buildings for EE Motion Activated Lights Wind Project @ Civic Center Solar Project @ BPW Service Center Retrofit of DeYoung 4 & 5 for gas Investigation of Bio‐Gas by BPW BPW Invoice showing E usage BPW Conservation Manager Dark Sky Lighting
Primary Category CK CK CN CN CN CN CN CN CN EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA EAA ED Q Q Q Q Q Q SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE
Initiative
Participant in WM Green Study Expansion of DeYoung Plant Ed Grant for LED study in HS Alternate Energy Streetlights Wind Turbine Farm Testing BPW Report on Renewable E Sources Downtown LED Lighting Project Heinz Walkway/I‐196 Bridge Downtown Bike Racks Bike Paths Share the Road Signs Dial‐a‐Ride MAX Transit Primary Category Key CK ‐ Community Knowledge CN ‐ Community & Neigborhood EAA ‐ Environmental Awareness/Action ED ‐ Economic Development Q ‐ Quality of Life SE ‐ Smart Energy T ‐ Transportation
11
Primary Category
SE SE SE SE SE SE SE T T T T T T
Examples of other dashboard efforts in West Michigan:
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Examples of other dashboard efforts in West Michigan:
13