Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

DATE:

7/13/2010

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:

Eileen Horn, Sustainability Coordinator

CC:

Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

Jonathan Douglass, Assistant to the City Manager

RE:

Sustainability Coordinator’s Update & Energy Improvement Plan

 

Please place the following items on the agenda for consideration of the City Commission at their meeting on July 20, 2010:

 

1)    Receive update of sustainability initiatives, provide direction.

2)    Authorize application for an EPA Climate Showcase Communities Grant (RFP: EPA-OAR-CPPD-10-09) in the amount of $150,000.

 

Update of Sustainability Initiatives

 

Since beginning duties in late April, I have been working with all City departments to review existing sustainability initiatives, and to recommend best practices for the City to save energy and save money.   Staff in various city departments, particularly, Public Works and Information Systems, were already monitoring and reporting historical energy usage - creating the building blocks for improved energy management. 

 

Based upon consultation with City departments and regional municipal peers, I developed a plan of work for the coming year. This plan will be presented at the City Commission Meeting on Tuesday.  An overview of current and future initiatives includes:

 

1)      Update of current efforts to better publicize and share the sustainability success stories of City departments.

 

a.    Creation of a City webpage: www.ci.lawrence.ks.us/sustainability that highlights City operations success stories, and directs citizens to programs and resources. (completed July 14, 2010).

 

b.    Partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, KU, LJWorld, schools, etc. to promote community-wide examples of sustainability.  The focus will be on a “Sustainability Tour” of Lawrence – with stops at business, nonprofit, municipal, and educational institution examples of sustainability.  (ongoing – plan for launch in fall/winter 2010).

 

 

 

 

2)      Recommendations for a strategic Energy Improvement Plan for the City that builds upon existing successes, leverages the Westar smart grid project, and positions the City as a model for its citizens in energy stewardship best practices.

 

 

           

3)      A proposal for an EPA Climate Showcase Communities grant for $150,000 to plan and implement the Energy Improvement Plan.  This grant would be matched by $75,000 of Equipment Reserve Funds.  The proposal, “Lawrence Leading by Design” would provide $225,000 for:  

 

·         Contract with engineering firm for targeted Investment Grade Energy Audit.

·         Energy monitoring/reporting tool software for all City facilities- allows us to monitor energy use, ID investment priorities, and model potential savings.

·         Implementation of the top recommendations of the audit – either energy efficiency improvements and/or appropriate renewable energy applications.

·         Kiosks in most publicly-visited facilities. These show real-time energy savings data, providing public education and engagement.

·         Staff education and engagement – training on energy reporting tool, and utilization for department v. department energy conservation contests.

·         Formation of a staff-led Sustainability Task Force to drive further sustainability initiatives and prioritize additional projects.

·         Communication to citizens - coordinated with SmartStar Spring 2011 launch.

 

Action Item:  Staff requests the City Commission authorize application for an EPA Climate Showcase Communities Grant (RFP: EPA-OAR-CPPD-10-09) in the amount of $150,000.