EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* 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
Introduced by: The Council President
At the request of: The Administration (Commission on Sustainability - Department of Planning)
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Title
Baltimore City Sustainability Plan
FOR the purpose of establishing a Sustainability Plan for the City of Baltimore; and providing for a special effective date.
Body
Recitals
The Sustainability Plan is written in compliance with the directives of City Code Article 5, § 34-4 {"Duties [of Sustainability Commission]"} and § 34-5 {"Comprehensive Sustainability Plan"}. The Plan will create a framework to guide the implementation of sustainable principles for the City of Baltimore.
The Sustainability Plan encompasses all elements of sustainability, including air quality, water quality, resource conservation and recycling, energy, public health, environmental justice, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing use of alternative means of transportation.
The Plan establishes sustainability targets and recommends public and private sustainability initiatives. The Plan includes a public information component, and it establishes key sustainability indicators to track progress of plan implementation.
The Plan is organized around a structure centered on seven themes: cleanliness, pollution prevention, resource conservation, greening, transportation, education and awareness, and green economy. These themes are meant to capture the main elements of sustainability, as experienced by Baltimore's citizens, workers, visitors, and other stakeholders.
Each of these themes overlap with several of the "element" areas covered in the Goals and Strategies of the Sustainability Plan. The Goals and Strategies are as follows:
CLEANLINESS
Goal #1: Eliminate Litter Throughout the City
Strategy A: Educate residents and businesses about proper trash storage and disposal
Strategy B: Expand existing programs to maximize public trash and recycling bin use
Strategy C: Launch a social marketing campaign to change the public's attitude toward litter
Goal #2: Sustain a Clean and Maintained Appearance of Public Land
Strategy A: Establish City-wide maintenance standards for publicly owned land
Strategy B: Build capacity of existing City maintenance staff through training and education
Strategy C: Expand adoption and community stewardship of public land
Goal #3: Transform Vacant Lots from Liabilities to Assets That Provide Social and Environmental Benefits
Strategy A: Strengthen enforcement of dumping and litter laws
Strategy B: Increase participation in community maintenance and stewardship efforts
Strategy C: Create and sustain a land trust to support community-managed open space
Strategy D: Return abandoned properties to productive use
Strategy E: Establish a new fee schedule charged to absent property owners
POLLUTION PREVENTION
Goal #1: Reduce Baltimore's Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 15% by 2015
Strategy A: Create a Climate Action Plan for the City of Baltimore
Strategy B: Implement Climate Action Plan for the City of Baltimore
Goal #2: Improve Baltimore's Air Quality and Eliminate Code Red Days
Strategy A: Add an air-quality and climate-change implication evaluation to all government-funded projects
Strategy B: Create Code Red/Orange Day policies
Strategy C: Explore options for more efficient fleet conversion
Strategy D: Institute and enforce a City-wide no-idling policy
Goal #3: Ensure that Baltimore's Waters Are Fishable and Swimmable
Strategy A: Implement recommendations contained in the City County Watershed Agreement
Strategy B: Study creation of a stormwater-utility or other new funding sources
Strategy C: Reduce the amount of impervious surface in the City by at least 25%Strategy D: Protect and restore Baltimore's stream corridors
Strategy E: Create watershed-based natural resource management plans
Strategy F: Increase actions by individual property owners to treat stormwater.
Goal #4: Reduce Risks from Hazardous Materials
Strategy A: Adopt the "Precautionary Principle" as the underlying policy standard
Strategy B: Adopt a policy and plan for eliminating the use of pesticides and other toxic chemicals
Strategy C: Comply with the Maryland mandate for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Schools
Strategy D: Enact an ordinance prohibiting the use of known toxins in health-care-delivery settings
Strategy E: Aggressively promote the redevelopment of Brownfield sites
Goal #5: Improve the Health of Our Indoor Environments
Strategy A: Use green cleaning products in schools, government offices, and businesses
Strategy B: Explore the feasibility of making all Baltimore multifamily dwellings smoke-free by 2010
Strategy C: Increase and coordinate all healthy housing efforts
Strategy D: Ensure coordination among weatherization, lead remediation, and healthy homes activities
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Goal #1: Reduce Baltimore's Electricity Use by 15% by 2015
Strategy A: Require aggressive energy efficiency standards as part of the Baltimore Green Building Standards
Strategy B: Improve the energy efficiency of existing homes and buildings
Strategy C: Increase renewable energy generation in Baltimore City
Strategy D: Mandate efficiency upgrades to homes at point of sale
Strategy E: Increase energy conservation by residents, City government, businesses, and institutions
Strategy E: Dedicate resources to assist Baltimore in leveraging state and federal funds for energy efficiency
Goal #2: Reduce Baltimore's Water Use While Supporting System Maintenance
Strategy A: Conduct outreach campaign on reducing water consumption
Strategy B: Study methods to fund the construction and maintenance of Baltimore's water supply system
Strategy C: Maintain a comprehensive water facilities master plan
Goal #3: Minimize the Production of Waste
Strategy A: Distribute information on waste-reducing purchasing policies
Strategy B: Establish Baltimore City Green Purchasing guidelines
Strategy C: Educate consumers about product life-cycle analysis
Strategy D: Link industrial and commercial users to close waste loops
Strategy E: Expand Baltimore's composting program and opportunities
Strategy F: Develop and implement local legislation related to waste minimization
Goal #4: Maximize Reuse and Recycling of Materials
Strategy A: Increase recycling opportunities throughout the City
Strategy B: Increase resident and business participation in the single-stream recycling program
Strategy C: Expand types of materials accepted by the single-stream recycling program
Strategy D: Establish construction and demolish waste regulations for reuse or recycling
GREENING
Goal #1: Double Baltimore's Tree Canopy by 2037
Strategy A: Assess current urban forest
Strategy B: Protect our existing trees
Strategy C: Build communication and cooperation among City agencies to support Baltimore's trees
Strategy D: Develop a City-wide education program about the value of trees
Strategy E: Develop and strengthen innovative public-private partnerships
Strategy F: Identify and pursue opportunities for increasing trees planted on private property
Goal #2: Establish Baltimore as a Leader in Sustainable, Local Food Systems
Strategy A: Increase the percentage of land under cultivation for agricultural purposes
Strategy B: Improve the quantity and quality of food available at food outlets
Strategy C: Increase demand for locally-produced, healthy foods among schools, institutions, supermarkets, and citizens
Strategy D: Develop an urban agriculture plan
Strategy E: Implement Baltimore Food Policy Task Force recommendations related to sustainability and food
Strategy F: Compile local and regional data on various components of the food system
Goal #3: Provide Safe, Well-maintained Public Recreational Space Within ¼ Mile of All Residents
Strategy A: Conduct an inventory and assessment of existing and potential outdoor spaces for recreation
Strategy B: Develop a plan with recommendations for increasing the quantity, quality, and use of recreation spaces
Strategy C: Create an inclusive organizational system to support stewardship of public spaces
Goal #4: Protect Baltimore's Ecology and Bio-Diversity
Strategy A: Manage Baltimore City land to restore, conserve, and create habitat for native species and to eliminate invasive plant species
Strategy B: Implement sustainable landscape maintenance practices
Strategy C: Develop and implement a system to regenerate soil health in Baltimore City
Strategy D: Build community support to conserve and restore Baltimore City's urban stream ecosystem
Strategy E: Support and develop native plant nurseries in the City
TRANSPORTATION
Goal #1: Improve Public Transit Services
Strategy A: Make software upgrades to allow for transit signal priority
Strategy B: Implement an integrated system of downtown shuttle and trolley routes
Strategy C: Work with the MTA to expand QuickBuses to more high-volume transit corridors
Strategy D: Bring the Red Line Transit project to Baltimore
Strategy E: Work with the MTA to develop and implement an ideal transit service profile for MTA routes
Goal #2: Make Baltimore Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly
Strategy A: Implement the Baltimore Bicycle Master Plan
Strategy B: Develop a Bike-to-Work program for Baltimore
Strategy C: Evaluate the creation of a bicycle sharing service
Strategy D: Expand the Safe Routes to Schools program
Strategy E: Implement "Sunday Streets" recreational street closure program
Strategy F: Increase sidewalk repair miles
Goal #3: Facilitate Shared-Vehicle Usage
Strategy A: Establish a Baltimore Car-Share program
Strategy B: Expand the City Commute Rideshare program
Strategy C: Leverage new Baltimore Green Building Standards to increase shared-vehicle use
Goal #4: Measure and Improve the Equity of Transportation
Strategy A: Track the disparity of transportation costs by neighborhood relative to income
Strategy B: Identify strategies to reduce the disparity in cost of transportation relative to income
Strategy C: Work with the MTA to measure the quality of transit service in Baltimore neighborhoods
Goal #5: Increase Transportation Funding for Sustainable Modes of Travel
Strategy A: Advocate for more funding for transit and sustainable transportation
Strategy B: Implement goals of Mayor's Transportation Investment Commission (TIC) report
Strategy C: Explore options for a new regional transit funding source and a larger local role in managing the MTA
Strategy D: Expand eligible expenses under sustainable transportation programs
Strategy E: Advocate shifting funding from roadway capacity expansion to transit, bicycling, and walking projects
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Goal #1: Turn Every Baltimore City School into a Green School
Strategy A: Incorporate sustainability into curriculum and activities
Strategy B: Build and retrofit green school buildings
Strategy C: Adopt a green facilities management guide for school operations
Strategy D: Develop a teacher training and certification program for sustainability
Strategy E: Recognize schools making strides in sustainability
Goal #2: Ensure All City Youth Have Access to Environmental Stewardship Programs and Information
Strategy A: Develop a sustainability education and community service program
Strategy B: Create a website devoted to the youth perspective on the environment
Strategy C: Create a Youth Ambassador Team to educate their peers about sustainability
Goal #3: Raise the Environmental Awareness of Baltimore
Strategy A: Utilize a Sustainability Ambassador network for community outreach
Strategy B: Coordinate a Year-Long Baltimore Sustainability Calendar
Strategy C: Increase public knowledge of alternative transportation options
Strategy D: Launch City-wide sustainability challenges to a variety of audiences
Strategy E: Engage membership organizations to develop and disseminate targeted sustainability information
Goal #4: Expand Access to Informational Resources on Sustainability
Strategy A: Develop an interactive website for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability
Strategy B: Create local Green Pages as resource guide
Strategy C: Utilize existing community centers to distribute sustainability information
Strategy D: Support innovative resources on sustainability
GREEN ECONOMY
Goal #1: Create Green Jobs and Prepare City Residents for These Jobs
Strategy A: Add clean technology to Baltimore's targeted growth sectors
Strategy B: Conduct needs assessment of green job demand
Strategy C: Link existing job training programs to the information provided in the green jobs needs assessment (above)
Strategy D: Encourage the employment of Baltimore residents in City clean energy projects
Strategy E: Convene Green Collar Summit
Strategy F: Develop a strategy to secure available funding
Goal #2: Make Baltimore a Center for Green Business
Strategy A: Leverage Baltimore's natural amenities attractive to green technology businesses and market them
Strategy B: Establish and market creative financing strategies for local green businesses
Strategy C: Encourage construction industry to use "green" building practices
Goal #3: Support Local Baltimore Businesses
Strategy A: Educate Baltimore City residents on the importance of supporting local businesses
Strategy B: Develop tools to connect local suppliers to businesses, consumers, and government
Strategy C: Increase local government purchasing of local products
Goal #4: Raise Baltimore's Profile as a Forward-Thinking, Green City
Strategy A: Create a brand for Baltimore's Sustainability initiative
Strategy B: Attract sustainability-related conventions and events to Baltimore
Strategy C: Target the tourism industry to promote Baltimore as a green city
Strategy D: Support innovative and pilot projects and technologies
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Baltimore City Sustainability Plan, dated ____________, 200_, its goals, strategies, and recommendations, are approved. The Sustainability Plan, as approved, shall be incorporated into the City's Comprehensive Master Plan as an appendix.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the Sustainability Commission annually shall review and submit a written report to the City Council on the state of the Sustainability Plan's implementation, goal achievements, and other effects, and recommend any amendments to the Plan that the Commission finds necessary or appropriate.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That after enactment of this Ordinance, a copy of it and of the Sustainability Plan adopted by it be sent to the Mayor, Mayor's Office of Employment Development, Department of Finance, Health Department, Baltimore City Heritage Area, Baltimore Housing (Department of Housing and Community Development/Housing Authority of Baltimore City), Law Department, Department of Legislative Reference, Mayor's Office of Minority Business Development, Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods, Department of Planning, Police Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Recreation and Parks, the Department of Transportation, the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities, the Enoch Pratt Free Library System, the Baltimore City Public School System, and the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals.
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on the date it is enacted.
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