Consider Approval of Environmental Policy Board Work Plan

As outlined in Section 2-159 of City Code, the primary objective of the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) is to review, consider, initiate and recommend to the City Council such policies, plans or projects which will enhance and preserve the natural environment of the City. Furthermore, the Board’s scope shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, matters of the preservation of the community forest, water quality, wetland preservation, ground water protection, ecological preservation, and control of soil erosion and air, noise and light pollution.

The EPB is responsible for developing an annual work plan that is subject to the approval of City Council.  The draft work plan was presented to the City Council at a work session on May 3, 2011 and the City Council provided some feedback and ideas for the work plan and stated that this item should be added as a regular agenda item of a future City Council meeting.

At the EPB's June meeting, they reviewed the work session discussion and directed Staff to update the draft work plan to include the following items:

• Research and review green building principles and low impact development practices that could be encouraged or incentivized within The COR as well as their return on investment.
• Enhance visibility of 'green' information on the City's website.
• Promote, enhance and expand recycling opportunities at the Municipal Center and other public buildings.

Traditionally, the Board has developed its work plan for an upcoming year in December and finalized it in January. However, with Board and Commission terms now running from April through March, the Board delayed finalizing its' proposed work plan until April, which gave new members the opportunity to not only review it but also to provide input as well. This also ensured that the work plan would not be presented to City Council prior to the Council finalizing its strategic goals for the year. However, this delay also puts the EPB in a time crunch, essentially leaving just over half a year to complete any items on the work plan. With that in mind, the Board is proposing that the work plan take effect July 1, 2011 and run through June 30, 2012.

The EPB operates with no budget.  Any costs incurred with their work plan would be covered as part of Staff's regular duties.

Motion to adopt Resolution #11-06-___ approving the EPB's annual work plan.