To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Dick Hawes, Director, Facilities and Fleet Management
Prepared By:
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Dick Hawes, Director, Facilities and Fleet Management
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presenter
Presenter: Dick Hawes, Director, Facilities and Fleet Management
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Subject:
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2:30 PM *Sustainability Plan Update
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
This study session was scheduled to update the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on our facilities sustainability plan.
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Background and Discussion: In 2020 we presented the framework for a long-term facilities sustainability plan to the BOCC. The plan was developed in collaboration with stakeholders from other county business units and identified the following vision and goals to examine areas where we could further improve on our waste reduction and utility consumption programs:
Vision: Improve resource conservation in county facilities through a workplace culture focused on staff engagement, sustainability, and economics.
Goals:
1. Reduced water consumption.
2. Reduced electricity and natural gas consumption.
3. Improved waste diversion, including paper reduction.
4. Engagement and education of staff.
5. Net Zero Buildings.
6. More sustainable Fleet (Increased use of EV).
7. Sustainable landscaping.
Board members concurred with the plan concept and it was agreed that facilities would move forward with examining strategies to accomplish the vision.
While all the goals are important to create a comprehensive approach to sustainability, it was also agreed that some required more research and evaluation to determine feasibility and the next steps should be to implement ideas for the first four areas initially.
Recommendations
The presentation for this study session will focus on updating the Board on progress we have made to support the initial goals and gain the Board’s concurrence on implementing some new recommendations:
Developing a guide for employees to follow on some common-sense approaches to reducing energy consumption. This would include things like keeping window blinds closed during the summer and shutting down energy consuming equipment during non-business hours. For this guide to be effective we would have to issue it with a strong endorsement from the Board.
Collaborate with Communication Services to develop a method to keep county residents informed about our energy consumption programs and results. This would help educate citizens on what the county is doing to conserve and keep them informed about new programs underway.
Replace a portion of the existing turf at Admin I with native grass/plantings. The intent of this proposal is to reduce the long-term amount of irrigation water that is currently needed to sustain the existing turf. A preliminary plan to accomplish this initiative will be presented at the study session.
Fiscal Impact: No additional resources will be required to implement the above recommendations.
Any cost to develop the employee guide or the citizen communication can be subsumed within the 2020 facilities budget to support our energy conservation program.
As part of the capital improvement program the Board approved funds to replace the irrigation systems at Admin I. If the Board agrees with the native planting recommendation facilities will seek local grants from sources such as Denver Water to supplement the irrigation funds so that the project can be completed without additional capital funds.
Alternatives: Click or tap here to enter text.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☐Be fiscally sustainable
☐Provide essential and mandated service
☐Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: Click or tap here to enter text.
Concurrence: Click or tap here to enter text.