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STAFF REPORT C I T Y C L E R K
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File # ^~~0-00
DATE: March 15, 2011
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Joni L. Pattillo, City Manager
SUBJEC : nvironmental Recognition Program for Businesses
Prepared By: Jordan Figueiredo, Environmental Technician
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
As part of the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Goals and Objectives Program, Staff was directed to
research an environmental recognition program to implement for Dublin businesses. This
recognition program could serve as a way to recognize those who are acting sustainably but
cannot meet every requirement of the Alameda County Green Business program. Such a
program could serve as a stepping stone, however, for those businesses to take more
sustainable measures in the future and possibly become an Alameda County Certified Green
Business in the future.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
In order to implement the program, $5,000 would be required to develop program and outreach
media, which are proposed to be funded from the City's Measure D recycling fund. The
expected Staff impact will be 10 hours per month.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council provide Staff with direction on whether to proceed with
development of a Dublin Green Business Recognition Program.
Submitted By
Senior Administr ' Analyst
~
evie d B
Assistant City anager
Page 1 of 4 ITEM NO. •~
DESCRIPTION:
As part of the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Goals and Objectives Program, Staff was directed to
"Explore an environmental recognition program for targeted program practices for Dublin
businesses" (Goal 1-F-4). The purpose of the recognition program would be to recognize those
who are already acting sustainably but perhaps cannot meet every requirement of the County
Green Business program to become an Alameda County Certified Green Business. Such a
program could serve as a stepping stone, however, for those businesses to possibly become an
Alameda County Certified Green Business one day.
Including the Civic Center, the City of Dublin currently has only 9 businesses certified by the
Alameda County Green Business Program. Staff believes that the reason for the low
participation rate in the program among Dublin businesses can be readily attributed to three
items: 1) the certification process is quite lengthy and time-consuming; 2) the County has
limited resources when it comes to promoting the program and City Staff has found that most
Dublin businesses are not aware of the program; and 3) the barrier to becoming certified can
vary by type and size of business, but the Alameda County Green Business Program
Coordinator has found the installation of more energy efficient light bulbs and higher efficiency
toilets to be the largest of barriers. Whife researching a potential program, Staff found three
examples to learn from in considering an environmental recognition program for Dublin, all of
which provide services free of charge to businesses. While the Alameda County Green
Business Program is valuab~le and effective, the examples outlined below show that
encouraging environmental progress through an environmental recognition program can have
less rigorous requirements and still be successful and effective.
Lafayette Green Proqram
This program presents what Staff believes is the best example on which to model a program
for Dublin. After speaking with the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce about its program, it
seems that program administration is not too labor intensive with one main administrator
who spends approximately 6-8 hours per month on the program. The details of the program
are as follows:
o The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, which acts as the administrator of the Lafayette
Green program, promotes this program in Lafayette, which has a population of
approximately 27,000 people.
o The program has been in existence since 2008 and has recognized 23 businesses as
"Lafayette Green," and 14 businesses as Lafayette Green and Bay Area Green Business
Certified. The dual certification is automatic and doesn't require certification by Lafayette
if the business has already been certified by the county.
o In order to become enrolled in the program, businesses are required to attend a one hour
training, which is conducted by the Chamber of Commerce (held every 2-3 months).
o There are three independent levels to the program:
o One, businesses pledge to wo~k on green practices.
o Two, businesses complete an initial list of green practices to become recognized
as Lafayette Green.
o Three, businesses complete the Bay Area Green Business Program certification.
o Unlike Alameda County's Green Business Program, businesses are not required to
complete any specific measures for the Lafayette Green program such as change all
light bulbs, faucets and toilets to a more efficient alternative. Businesses are required to
pick a few items from a list of ineasures, such as assist one other business in learning
about the program, discourage the printing of emails and reusing office paper as scratch
paper. Individual measures are separated into the following categories:
Page 2 of 4
o General
o Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling
o Energy Conservation -
o Water Conservation
o Trip Reduction and Pollution Prevention
o Green Purchasing
o Program outreach is conducted by the Lafayette Chamber via its Chamber newsletter
and local newspapers.
Sustainable Sacramento Business Proqram
o The Sustainable Sacramento Business program is administered by the Business
Environmental Resource Center (BERC) and sponsored by government agencies and
utility providers in the counties of EI Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo.
o The program has been in existence for over 12 years and has certified over 300
businesses.
o Unlike Alameda County's Green Business Program, businesses are not required to
complete any specific measures. This program is similar to Lafayette in that businesses
are required to pick a few items from a list of ineasures in the following categories:
o Energy Conservation
o Water Conservation
o Pollution Prevention
o Solid Waste Reduction
o Green Building
o Transportation and Air Quality
o The program recognizes businesses by each individual category and businesses can be
recognized in more than one category at a time if they so chose.
o The program also recognizes businesses that complete a required number of ineasures
in all six categories with a Silver Star and a Gold Star for those who complete more than
the required amount.
Kirkland, Washinqton Green Business Proqram
o The City of Kirkland, Washington, with an approximate population of 49,000 people,
works with its Chamber of Commerce and Puget Sound Energy to provide a program to
businesses.
o The program has been in existence since 2007 and has recognized 77 businesses.
o Unlike the County Green Business Programs in the Bay Area, businesses are not
required to do any specific measures, they are required to pick a few items from a menu
of ineasures in the following categories:
o Green Building
o Waste Reduction and Recycling
o Water Conservation
o Energy Efficiency
o Transportation
o Pollution Prevention
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City pursue a program similar to the Lafayette program. The
Lafayette program is a general green business certification that is more inclusive of businesses
that are pursuing sustainability on one level or another. Staff estimates total startup costs for a
similar program in Dublin to be $5,000 at most for logo, checklist, window decal and other
outreach material development, including design fees. Due to the cross-promotional opportunity
Page 3 of 4
that Staff has with the eBusiness newsletter, City web pages, and various business inspections
conducted by Staff each year, Staff does not estimate that outreach will be too time consuming.
Staff has approached the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, and it is more than willing to help in
hosting training sessions and assisting with outreach. Ongoing staff administration of the
program, including outreach and trainings/presentations would be approximately 10 hours per
month. The goal for the program would be to certify 10 new businesses in the first year
(approximately 10% of the businesses visited for Clean Water Program inspections).
The recommended Dublin Green Business Program would have the following main
components:
1) Development of an outreach brochure, flyer, window decal, program logo,
certification checklist, training presentation and City web page for the program (all
adapted from Lafayette materials).
a. There will be one checklist for all businesses to fill out composed of a menu of
options or choices of sustainable practices to employ and no specific option
requirements from each section. Although, there would be a required number
of sustainable practices to complete within each section.
i. Sections included in the checklist will be: clean air, energy
conservation, environmentally preferable purchasing, general, pollution
prevention, solid waste and recycling and water conservation.
2) One level of recognition will be given (ex: Dublin Green Certified), for all types of
businesses to keep costs and program administration low.
3) Presentations or workshops would be conducted two or three times a year at the
Dublin Chamber of Commerce by City and Chamber Staff to inform and educate
prospective Dublin Green Businesses on the program and general green business
practices.
4) Staff would make information available on any energy efficient lighting rebates that
Pacific Gas and Electric offers and would work with Zone 7 and Dublin San Ramon
Services District to educate the business community on the high efficiency toilet
rebate programs offered as a mechanism to overcome barriers to completing
Alameda County Green Business Program certification.
5) Outreach will be conducted through the City's eBusiness newsletter, the Dublin
Chamber of Commerce newsletter, the City's webpages and the various inspections
conducted by City Staff within the business community.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
None.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Lafayette Green Business Program Brochure
2. Lafayette Green Business Checklist
3. Budget Change
Page 4 of 4
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L~ FAZf TTE
Join the City of Lafayette in its efforts to
become a more sustoinuble community...
The City of Latayette is working hard to become c- mare
~ sustainable community and many residents are starting to '
• seek out the most green businesses and services in town.
W Now is the time to look ut how to green your business!
,,,~~ Save money, build customer loyQlty, and preserve the
~ ~?`~ environment!
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Lafayette is working hard to become n more
sustninnble community and your business can get
involved in the effort!
There are exciting things going on in Lafayette. Did you know
that The Chamber of Commerce started a Green Committee last
January? The Green Committee was created to help local
businesses save money by adopting green practices. Lafayette also
recently joined hundreds of other cities and towns across the
country in becoming a Cool City. This means that we have
calculated our town's carbon footprint, or the annual tons of
carbon dioxide emitted, and are now working to reduce emissions.
In addition, Sustainable Lafayette is a network of residents and
organizations that learns from each other through an active website
about what solutions work best for making our homes, businesses,
and community more sustainable. The City of Lafayette has also
started a Lafayette Green Awards program that recognizes
outstanding efforts by businesses and residents that contributed to
a more sustainable community.
By adopting green practices, your business can join in Lafayette's
efforts to reduce our town's environmental impact!
There are many good reasons for greening your
business, including:
• Cost savings
• Consumers are becoming increasingly environmentally
conscious and are impressed by businesses with a green
conscience
• Reducing your businesses' environmental impact
If you are a Lafnyette business thnt is interested in
adopting some green practices, this is how you do it...
Become a Lafayette Green Business! The Lafayette
Chamber of Commerce is assisting businesses in becoming
green. Green businesses will receive promotion and
recognition as special members of our community. If you
wish to apply, contact
Jay Lifson
Lay(c~ 1 afayettechamber.org
or
Bart Carr
bart(~a sustainablelafavette.net
15 Ways to 6reen your Business (from the Sustainable
Lufcyette Network)
1. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs
2. Turn off lights when not in use
3. Install reduced flow taps and high-efficiency toilets
4. Print double-sided
5. Reduce bag waste by asking customers if they need a bag before
assuming they do
6. Turn computers and other appliances off when not in use
7. Reduce packaging to ship ar offer your products in
8. Have employees use their own mugs to avoid throwing away
disposable coffee cups
9. Make the effort to remove your business from unwanted catalogs and
mailings
10. Encourage employees to walk, bike, take public transportation, or
car-pool to work
11. Purchase only Energy-Star compliant equipment
12. Purchase office/printing paper with at least 30% recycled content
13. Buy local-especially if your business sells food
14. Use green, non-toxic cleaning supplies
15. Make sure you are properly recycling
°~ printed on recycled paper ~~v~~
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L~ F AYs: i T~
Join the City of Lafayette in its efforts to
become a ~nore sustainnble community...
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce is assisting businesses in adopting
environmental practices. Businesses that make an effort to be green and
work towards sustainability will receive free promotion and be
recognized as special members of our community. Just fill out the
application provided and send it in!
There are many good reasons for greening your
business, including:
• Cost savings
• Consumers are becoming increasingly environmentally
conscious and are impressed by businesses with a green
conscience
• Reducing your businesses' environmental impact
Oo you wnnt to save money, attract customers
becnuse of your green prnctices, nnd reduce your
business' environmental i~npact?
The first step is to fill out the application in this packet and send it in to
the Chamber of Commerce!
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Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
"Lafayette Green" Business Recognition Program
Instructions:
To be recognized as a Lafayette Green Business you must implement a variety of ineasures to save energy, water,
reduce waste, etc. There are six general areas listed below. You will need to adopt the minimum number of specified
measures from each area for a minimum of twenty-seven (27) measures in order to be recognized as a"Lafayette
Green" business. Please print this form, check off the items you have implemented, sign and return to the chamber for
review. For questions, contact the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce at 284-7404.
General
Two (2) or more general practices required.
^ 1. Track water and energy usage and solid and hazardous waste generation. .
^ 2. Provide 3 on-going incentives or training opportunities to encourage management and employee
participation in the Green Business program.
^ 3. Assist at least one other business in learning about becoming a Green Business.
^ 4. Complete a carbon calculator for your business. .
^ 5. Attend a training class or seminar on how to green your business.
^ 6. Submit an environmental "success story" at www.sustainablelafayette.net
Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling
Three (3) or more waste reduction practices required.
^ 1. Discourage the printing of emails.
^ 2. Set copier/printer defaults to double-sided.
^ 3. Use computer fax modems (Efax) that allow faxing directly from computers without printing.
^ 4. Use a bultetin board or routing lists for memos and journals to reduce printed copies.
^ 5. Reduce all unwanted mailings:
^ Eliminate duplicates by returning labels requesting all but one be removed.
^ Reduce junk mail. Guidance and a PDF kit are at http://stopiunkmail.orq Reduce catalogs at
www.cata loqchoice.orq
^ Eliminate duplicates in your own mailing lists.
^ 6. Work with vendors to minimize packaging.
^ 7. Eliminate the use of non-recyclable packaging, such as Styrofoam.
^ 8. In the lunch/break room, replace disposables with permanent items (e.g., mugs, dishes, utensils,
towels/rags, coffee filters, etc.) and use refillable containers for sugar, salt & pepper, etc. to avoid
individual condiment packets.
^ 9. Reduce single-use plastic water bottles.
Two (2) or more of the following reuse practices required.
^ 1. Print on previously printed-paper, o~ designate a tray on printers as a"draft" tray.
^ 2. Reuse office paper as scratch paper.
^ 3. Reuse envelopes by covering otd addresses and postage, and affixing new.
^ 4. Offer a small incentive to customers bringing their own shopping bags, coffee mugs, etc.
^ 5. Have your customers return packaging to you for reuse.
^ 6. Reuse paper or plastic packaging materials.
^ 7. Reuse garbage bag liners.
January 1, 2009 Business Name
ATTACHMENT 2
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2
^ 8. Have your toner cartridges refilled for reuse.
^ 9. Donate furniture, supplies, scrap materials, etc., or use a waste exchange program where another
business can take your unwanted items (www.ciwmb.ca.qov/CaIMAX).
Recvcle four (4) or more of the following recyclables.
^ 1. Cardboard
^ 2. Newspapers, office/mixed paper, junk mail
^ 3. Glass bottles and jars
^ 4. Metal cans, containers, and aluminum foil
^ 5. Plastic bottles and containers
^ 6. Ewaste: batteries, CLFs and old Fluorescence tubes.
^ 7.Other:
Buy/selt three (3) or more items with recycled content.
^ 1. Copier/printer paper with at least 30% post-consumer waste.
^ 2. Copier/printer paper with 100% post-consumer waste.
^ 3. Folders or other paper products.
^ 4. Envelops.
^ 5. Letterhead.
^ 6. Business cards.
^ 7. Garbage bags.
^ 8. Recycled or remanufactured laser and copier toner cartridges.
^ 9. Sell products made with recycled content.
Energy Conservation
Save energy in at least three (3) ways.
ENERGY EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT 8 FACILITY FEATURES:
General
^ 1. Use electrical equipment with energy saving features (e.g. Energy Star~) and ensure Energy Star
settings are enabled.
^ 2. Use computer and printer hardware and software programs that save energy by automatically going
into energy savings mode after a short period of non-use.
^ 3. Complete regularly scheduled maintenance on your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and
Refrigeration systems.
Liqhtinq
^ 1. Replace incandescent bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescents.
^ 2. Replace older T-12 fluorescent lighting with energy-efficient T-8 or T-5 fixtures with electronic ballasts.
^ 3. Use lighting controls such as occupancy sensors, bypass/delay timers, photocells, or time clocks,
especially in low occupancy areas such as closets and restrooms.
Heatinq, Ventilation & Coolinq
^ 1. Shade sun-exposed windows and walls: use awnings, sunscreens, shade trees or shrubbery,
ceiling fans (use 98% less energy than central AC units), programmable thermostats for HVAC,
and shade for AC condensers.
January 1, 2009 Business Name
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ENERGY CONSERVIIVG PRACTICES:
Genera!
^ 1. Institute a formal policy that all electronic devices and lighting be turned off when not in use.
^ 2. Rearrange workspace to take advantage of areas with natural light and design for increased
natural lighting when remodeling.
^ 3. Timer switches to automatically turn off equipment when not in use.
Heatinq. Ventilation & Coolinq
^ 1. Set thermostat to 78° F for cooling, 68° F for heating and use the thermostaYs night setback.
Water Conservation
Facility: Save water in at least two (2) ways.
^ 1. Assign a person to monitor each water bill for sudden rises in water use. Call your water company
should this happen. You can also ask for ways to save water.
^ 2. Regularly check for and repair all leaks in your facility. Leaks in toilet tanks can be detected with
leak detecting tablets, which may be available from your local water provider.
^ 3. Install low-flow aerators and showerheads (your water company may offer these for free):
^ As low as 0.5 gpm and no greater than
2.5 gpm for lavatory sinks
^ 2.0 gpm or less for kitchen sinks
^ 2.0 gpm or less for showerheads
^ 4. Use signs in restrooms to encourage water conservation and to report leaks.
^ 5. Use only dry methods to clean outdoor hard surfaces.
^ 6. Indoors, use dry floor cleaning methods, followed by damp mopping, rather than spraying or hosing
with water.
^ 7. Change window-cleaning schedule from "periodic" to "as required."
^ 8. Set up an annual program with water supplier to educate staff about the benefits of efficient water use.
Landscaping: Save water in at least three (3) ways.'`
^ 1. Mulch all non-turf areas.
^ 2. Modify your existing ir,rigation system to include drip irrigation.
^ 3. Install water efficient shrubs, ground cover, cobblestones, brick, or mulch in place of turt.
^ 4. If installing new turf, limit area and use drought tolerant species, space sprinkler heads such that
the water from one sprinkler head reaches the adjacent sprinkler heads.
^ 5. Install rain shut-off devices that turn off the irrigation system during rain.
^ 6. Plant drought tolerant plants (assistance is available from your water company).
^ 7. Hydrozone: Group plants with similar water requirements together on the same irrigation line,
separating plants with different water requirements on separate irrigation lines.
^ 8. Install irrigation controllers that have at a minimum the following features: precise
1-minute runtime capability; a minimum of
3 separate programs; and 3 cycle start time features. '
^ 9. Reduce irrigation system water pressure to no higher than 50 psi (pressure-reducing valves must be
installed to do this).
^10. Use reclaimed water for irrigation and other approved uses.
^11. Install a self-adjusting weather-based irrigation controller that automatically tailors watering schedules
to match local weather, plant types, and other site-specific conditions. Controller must be certified
under the Irrigation Association's SWAT protocol.
^ 12. Work with your water company to develop a site-specific "water budget". Track your water use to
ensure efficient watering.
^ 13. Adjust sprinklers for proper coverage, optimize spacing and avoid runoff onto paved surfaces.
* Not Applicable. This business does not possess or directly manage landscaping
January 1, 2009 Business Name
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Vehicle Trip Reduction & Pollution Prevention
Reduce vehicle emissions in two (2) or more ways:
^ 1. Join the Air DistricYs "Spare the Air" program (see box below) and notify staff of "Spare the Air" days.
^ 2. When possible, arrange for a single vendor who makes deliveries for several items.
^ 3. Patronize services close to your business (e.g., food/catering, copy center, etc.) and encourage
employees to do the same.
^ 4. Link trips to run all errands in one outing.
Commufe A/ternatives
^ 5. Offer telecommuting opportunities and/or flexible schedules so workers can avoid heavy traffic
commutes.
^ 6. Hire locally.
^ 7. Offer secures bicycle storage for staff and customers.
Greenhouse Gas Emrssions
^ 1. Complete a C02 or eco-footprint calculator to determine your own greenhouse gas emissions.
^ 2. Dispose of hazardous waste properly.
^ 3. Identify actual and potential sources of pollution, and ways to prevent it in each area of your business.
^ 4. Use formaldehyde-free paint and finishes.
Green Purchasing
Make green purchases for your business in three (3) or more ways:
^ 1. Buy products in bulk.
^ 2. Choose products using reduced packaging or recycled/recyclable packaging.
^ 3. Purchase products with post-consumer content.
^ 4. Purchase "green" merchandise for b~siness marketing (e.g., paper, pencils, etc.)
^ 5. Use one or few multipurpose cleaners rather than many special-purpose cleaners.
^ 6. Purchase biodegradable tableware
^ 7. Use services or products offered by other Contra Costa Green Businesses! Please identify:
Note: The measures above that appear in bold print also appear on several of the Bay Area Green Business
Program checklists.
I certify that
(Business Name)
has satisfied the required number of ineasures specified on the "Lafayette Green" Business Recognition
Program self-certification form and submit this form for review by Lafayette Chamber of Commerce staff.
Signed:
Pr+nted Name & Position:
Tell #: Email:
January 1, 2009 Business Name
CITY OF DUBLI~
BIJDGET CHANGE FORf~ FY 2010 / 2011
New Appropriations (City Council Approval Required)
X From Unappropriated Reserves (*)
* i~leasure D Fund
From New Revenues**
Other
CHANGE FORIVI #
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Budget Transfers: ,
From Budgeted Contingent Reserve (1001.1901.81101)
Within Same Department Activity
Between Departments (City Councii Approval Required)
~. ~~
~ DEGREASEWBUDGETACCQUNT'~`§`~Al~i~OUNT:,~~,~ ~,,.:; INCRE~SE,~BUDGET,A~CCOUNT „ ~w:~MOUNT~~~`
- _ Name: EXPENSE - MEASURE D
FUft~D -Operating Budget -
Community Promotion
Acct #: 2302. 5101. 61118
$5,000
REASON FOR BUDGET CHANGE ENTRY:
As part of the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Goals and Objectives, the City Council directed Staff to
research and accomplish Goal 1-F-4 Explore an Environmental Recognition Program for Targeted
Program Practices for Dublin Businesses. At its meeting of March 15, 2011, the City Council
received a staff report entitled Environmental Recognition Program for Businesses. The City Councif
was asked to authorize and subsequently approved a budget of $5,000 be drawn from the Measure
D Fund Unappropriated Reserve to establish the Dublin Green Business program.
Fin Mgr/ASD:
Signature
City Manager:
Signature
Date: '~~~/~ ~
Date:
As Approved at the City Council. Meeting on: Y~, ; , ;. Date 3/15/2011 ~:
Mayor: Date:
Signature
Posted By: Date:
ATTAC~IlV~NT 3
G:IBudget Changesl3_2010_lII25_3_!.i_[I_Envir_Recognitlon_J_Be~sinesses.doc