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Resolution 1170RESOLUTION NO. 1170 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND POLICY Whereas the City of Edmonds is gifted with unique environmental assets, such as the shoreline on Puget Sound, urban forest lands, diverse streams, Lake Ballinger and a range of parks; and Whereas the City of Edmonds is experiencing the development of significant economic assets which can be utilized to foster smart environmental policies, such as new fiber-optic infrastructure, businesses like Green For Good, and non-profit organizations like Sustainable Edmonds; and Whereas the Mayor's Citizens Committee on U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement has proven successful at harnessing the power of citizen knowledge in environmental policy, encouraging and supporting changes in City policies and operations which are making the City a leader in environmental stewardship; and Whereas given these environmental assets, economic assets, and citizen knowledge which exist in the City of Edmonds, the City of Edmonds has a tremendous social responsibility to utilize these capabilities to address the challenges of climate change, energy efficiency, and suburban re -development; and Whereas the understanding by policy makers of environmental impacts related to development, transportation, and other policy areas is continuously being updated by new science, and the rate of change of which is so rapid that this resolution should be considered a `work in progress' as more information becomes available; now Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds commits to the following principles: 1) The City of Edmonds recognizes that global climate change brings significant risks to our community as a shoreline city. 2) The City of Edmonds recognizes the unique leadership role the City of Seattle has played in galvanizing interest and support for addressing climate issues by jurisdictions across the county, and believes Edmonds is called upon to play a leadership role both within its own community as well as the larger Puget Sound region. 3) That the role of mass transit, via commuter rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and other bus service will be central to addressing many of these challenges, and Edmonds is uniquely positioned to utilize these strategies 4) The City of Edmonds should strive to address both the need to reduce green house gas emissions as well as the need to mitigate potential impacts from future climate change that can affect the Edmonds community. 5) Green house gas emissions should be limited and reduced through a comprehensive set of strategies, such as incentives for transit -oriented development, pedestrian - friendly development and similar strategies. 6) Low impact development, which conserves open space, maintains the integrity of the existing topography, and efficiently uses energy and materials, should be fostered when possible. 7) The City of Edmonds should play an exemplary role as a corporate entity in meeting the goals and policies laid out through this and like-minded processes adopted by the Council and Mayor. 8) The education of the public regarding the benefits, projects, and successes (when achieved) related to these policies should be promoted to the greatest extent possible. 9) The City shall seek to take action consistent with a complete and coordinated policy framework rather than using a "one-off' or ad -hoc, piecemeal approach. Be it further RESOLVED that the City of Edmonds commits to the following policy goals: 1) To become an environmental standard bearer for suburban cities under 50,000 population in the following areas: a. Code development emphasizing incentives for environmentally sensitive growth b. Transit oriented development c. Reduction of green house gas emissions d. Fostering of LEED and other "green" standards for development 2) Develop a plan for limiting growth of green house gas emissions with a vision to ultimately reducing per capita levels to a level of "carbon neutrality." 3) Develop a long term "brand strategy" that highlights this leadership and leverages the role technology infrastructure can play in a "green" economy in Edmonds 4) Establish clear vehicles for public education, with possible examples being: a. Websites b. Newsletters c. City participation in local education events (like fairs or tradeshows), including the possible sponsorship of such events where appropriate d. Encouraging both public and private demonstration projects that illustrate how sustainable and "green" development can be accomplished in both retrofit and new development situations. Be it further RESOLVED that the City Council directs city staff to complete the following specific tasks, either through allocation of internal staff or retaining an external consultant: 1) Inventory and summarize current City code, policy, and operations and the environmental impact of such; and 2) Consider the status and "lessons learned" of other jurisdictions, both within and outside of the Puget Sound region, to learn of the experiences, approaches and potential strategies that Edmonds may employ 3) Report back to the City Council on findings with recommendations for Council to pursue or adopt "best practices" or strategies to meet the adopted principles and policies. Reporting should take the form of: a. An annual report and recommendations on an overall approach to climate change policies and programs timed to correspond with the annual update of the City's Comprehensive Plan, which is due to be adopted by the end of the 2008 calendar year b. Periodic updates from the Mayor's `Climate Protection' Committee reporting on work -in -progress and actions taken on City climate change and related environmental issues, where appropriate RESOLVED this 22nd day of April, 2008. APPROVE : z"b4141— M OR, Y HAAKENSON ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED : CITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 04/18/2008 PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 04/22/2008 RESOLUTION NO. 1170