DATE: December 10, 2015
TO: Council Sustainability Committee
FROM: Director of Utilities and Environmental Services
SUBJECT
Title
Addressing Sustainability Impacts in Staff Reports
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Committee reviews and comments on this report and provides a recommendation to the full City Council.
Body
SUMMARY
Hayward prides itself on being "Green" and has many projects, policies, and programs that demonstrate the City's leadership in sustainability. The City also has many Green policies, primarily incorporated in the General Plan, to help guide future projects and Council decisions in a way that continues and expands the City's leadership. However, given the number and breadth of policies established by Council, it is sometimes a challenge to ensure consistency with those policies related to sustainability. This report proposes incorporating a new section in staff reports to Council, Commissions, and Committees wherein Sustainability Impacts would be addressed in a succinct and consistent manner at a defined place in each report.
BACKGROUND
Since 2011, "Green", i.e., sustainable practices, has been one of the Council's top three priorities, although Hayward's efforts to innovate in the area of sustainability have been in place for much longer. Following are a few examples:
* 1991 - Hayward was among the first to establish a curbside recycling program.
* 1992 - Hayward was the first jurisdiction in Alameda County and among the first in California to adopt a Source Reduction and Recycling Element (SRRE)
* 1993 - Hayward was a trail blazer when the Council adopted and implemented tiered water rates to encourage water conservation. Many water districts have only recently adopted tiered rates in the face of the current drought. Hayward is now among the lowest 4% of all water users in California in average residential per capita water consumption.
* 20...
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