Staff will brief City Council on department sustainability activities and programs that are in operation, have been accomplished and are planned for the future.

During his 2008 State of the City address, Mayor Phil Hardberger announced the need for a comprehensive energy policy for the City of San Antonio – the 7^th largest city in the nation. Such a policy, he said, should include efficiency, conservation and the pursuit of renewable and sustainable energy sources. At about the same time, Councilman Justin Rodriguez authored a Council Consideration Request (CCR) on pursuing an initiative similar to the “Green Initiative” in Chicago.

Based on those appeals, city staff began the process of developing a framework for a sustainability policy for San Antonio. To help fashion that framework, the City sought the assistance of knowledgeable experts with a history of success in the field of sustainable development. On March 4, 2008, the City contracted with the Center for Neighborhood Technologies (CNT), based in Chicago. CNT is a national leader in creating sustainable development plans for urban communities. CNT President Scott Bernstein visited San Antonio on two occasions to meet with a broad range of stakeholders in San Antonio. Mr. Bernstein also reviewed recent analyses of the local economy and energy and transportation policies impacting the San Antonio area. Those assessments resulted in a “scan of opportunities” that will serve as a template for creating sustainable development strategies unique for San Antonio.

The CNT scan identified three broad task areas for the City: energy efficiency, transportation and economic development. Within those broad areas, CNT has made specific recommendations for “achievable tasks.”

Energy Efficiency

·        Develop sustainable building strategies that emphasize energy and water conservation. These strategies should include the use of performance-based standards and financial incentives to spur further “green development;”

·        Coordinate information sharing and infrastructure between city agencies and utilities;

·        Integrate conservation initiatives through “advanced metering,” which provides information on consumption and price levels in a real-time setting for both providers and consumers;

·        Find ways to make City buildings and operations more sustainable.

Transportation

·        Develop a comprehensive, long-range transportation plan for the community;

·        Promote short-term solutions to transportation congestion, such as car-sharing and expanded bus service;

·        Align regional transportation partners to pursue high-priority investments such as rail relocation and commuter rail.

Economic Development

·        Create funding mechanisms to support the private and public sectors in reaching both financial and social “bottom lines;”

·        Develop a workforce of “green collar” job opportunities that can benefit from an expanded focus on sustainability (for example, solar panel or wind turbine installation training).

·        Encourage strategies for neighborhood development that incorporate distributive and renewable energy practices, such as residential solar programs.

There are no alternatives, as this is a staff presentation only. No immediate City Council action is required.

There is no fiscal impact associated with this presentation. Future fiscal impact has yet to be determined.

This is an overview and update on the City of San Antonio’s Sustainability Plan and City department environmental initiatives.  No immediate City Council action is required.