Agenda Memo REVISED
Revised 5/15/10
CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM
May 13, 2010
TO: City Council
FROM: Eric J. Levitt, City Manager
SUBJECT: Joint Study Session with the Sustainable Janesville Committee to
evaluate expectations and initiate goals for the coming year.
Summary
This Study Session’s intent is to provide the ability for the City Council to discuss
its expectations of areas to be accomplished by the Sustainable Janesville
Committee. The Study Session will also provide the Sustainable Janesville
members an opportunity to discuss and receive feedback on potential goals for
the upcoming year.
Requested Action
No action is requested at the Study Session.
Background/Analysis
In 2009 /2010 the Sustainable Janesville Committee completed the following
accomplishments:
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Letters sent to local retailers regarding voluntary compliance with plastic
bag recycling
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Creation of the RAH (Recycle Away From Home) Program. This program
has been implemented in the City Facilities, 4 Major City Parks, and
included in the Special Events Guidelines.
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Proposed a Green Building Resolution
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Provided feedback for the Comprehensive Plan adoption
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Provided feedback regarding the land filling of deer carcasses
Some potential goals for the Sustainable Janesville Committee to pursue moving
forward are:
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Broader discussion on Committee role in relation to how projects have an
impact on sustainability.
More specific goals could include:
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Take a more regional view/framework for sustainability in the County
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Address landfill issues
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Address land preservation issues
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Look at enacting a “Pay-as-you-throw” initiative
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Enacting the Green Tier Program (as prepared with the 1,000 Friends
group of Beloit)
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Create a Sustainability Committee Webpage in conjunction with website
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Developing a Green Action Plan (with EECBG funding)
?
Possible inclusion in City’s discussion on PACE
Revised Section:
Based on some questions, from Council members I want to highlight my thoughts
on how to proceed with the Study Session.
1. I believe that a good start would be to find out briefly from the Committee
members what their goals in serving on the committee are.
2. Then the Council members would provide expectations of what your intent
of the committee is.
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This can include do you see the committee functioning as a project
oriented committee or more regulatory recommending committee.
In addition, one question is how or should they be involved in
recommendations such as the future of the Solid Waste and Landfill
recommendations.
3. Then if there are specific goals that the Committee would like to pursue,
the Council could provide some direction. However, any final action on a
goal would be required to come back for Council review.
4. One item listed above is the Green Action Plan, this was funded through a
grant and previously authorized by Council. I believe this would be a
valuable initiative to pursue in particular.
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