* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Kraft
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Celebrating Baltimore Green Week - May 7 - 11, 2007
FOR the purpose of declaring May 7, 2007, through May 11, 2007, Baltimore Green Week and to encourage the development of green initiatives for Baltimore City, which can help enhance economic development, improve public health, address housing concerns, address energy use and water quality issues, as well as show support for the EcoFestival event "Black + White = Green", which seeks to bring together our communities in order to learn and educate them about green living in Baltimore City.
Body
Recitals
In 2003, a dedicated group of local design and construction professionals joined together to educate the citizens of Baltimore City about the growing need for sustainable buildings, architecture, design, and development. Scientists, environmentalists, community members, and public officials soon joined and provided new perspectives of the impact of sustainable design on the environment and health of our communities. From this collaboration grew Baltimore Green Week (BGW), an organization committed to organizing annual weeklong programs comprising community events, hands-on activities, forums and lectures throughout the city highlighting and promoting a sustainable lifestyle for Baltimore City and its citizens.
BGW represents a coalition of private corporations, professional associations, citizen groups, governmental bodies, and corporate sponsors. This year marks the fourth year of BGW, and it remains a volunteer-driven event providing public forums for the dissemination of ideas and solutions addressing economic development, public health, housing, energy use, and water quality problems through the promotion of sustainable lifestyles and practices. This year's events include the following:
* "EcoFestival" on Saturday, May 5th, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Raindate - Sunday May 6th) at Druid Hill Park in celebration of Sustainable Living with workshops, demonstrations, vendors with sustainable products, healthy food, music and art, and in pursuance of the following goals: (1) to attract families from all neighborhoods and backgrounds; (2) to have a local fair feel and include a farmers market, speakers, guided nature walks, exhibitors, food purveyors; (3) to include environmental art, local music and a wellness pavilion; (4) to have a low environmental impact as a Net-zero carbon and waste event and provide recycling collection on-site; (5) to hold an Eco-Art Market where the public can purchase the art; and (6) to serve as Baltimore's Premier Green Event -fun and educational!
* A midday lunch event and a happy hour on Monday, May 7th in celebration of "Sustainable Food". The Lunch Event will be held from 12 noon to 1:30pm at Woodberry Kitchen in Clipper Mill with a presentation on "Agriculture, the Environment, Our Food and Sustainability" by David Smith, a local farmer whose Springfield Farm provides locally sourced food products for the Baltimore region. The Happy Hour, hosted by Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance, will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Howard P. Rawlings Conservatory in historic Druid Hill Park, where attendees will learn more about local groups focused on food issues within our community.
* "Green Building Day" on Tuesday, May 8th, at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park will feature a City Council Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee public hearing for "green" bills 07-0582 - Resource Sustainability, and 07-0602 - Building Code - Green Building Requirements. The hearing will be followed by panel discussions focused on healthy hospitals, schools and community buildings and healthy residences and housing.
* "Climate Change Day" on Wednesday, May 9th will feature a moderated discussion on "Green Entrepreneurship" from 1:30pm to 3:00pm at the Berman Auditorium at Johns Hopkins University's 10 N. Charles Street location with leading green entrepreneurs and an evening with our elected officials discussing the connection between local, state and federal environmental legislation. In the evening, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, join scientists, elected officials, policy advocates, local community and activist leaders, and concerned citizens as we explore the link between ourselves, local conservation issues, state legislative initiatives and larger environmental concerns like fighting Global Warming for "Connections", a presentation on local, state and federal environment advocacy.
* "Public Health Day" on Thursday, May 10th will feature events focused on Public Health and Environmental Justice.
* End of Baltimore Green Week Party on Friday, May 11th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Austin Grill at The Can Company in celebration of the success of Baltimore's Green Week.
We urge citizens to attend the educational events located throughout the City to learn more about the benefits and possibilities of living in a greener Baltimore.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body declares May 7, 2007, through May 11, 2007, Baltimore Green Week, to encourage the development of green initiatives for Baltimore City, which can help enhance economic development, improve public health, address housing concerns, address energy use and water quality issues, as well as show support for the EcoFestival event "Black + White = Green," which seeks to bring together our communities in order to learn and educate them about green living in Baltimore City.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Planning Department, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Housing, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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