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 :
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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