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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-22 CSC Regular Meeting Agenda PacketCITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEEE AGENDA MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 — 3:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Any person wishing to discuss any item not otherwise on the Agenda may address the Citizens' Sustainability Committee at this point by giving his/her name and address for the record. Remarks shall be limited to a maximum of five minutes unless additional time is authorized by the Committee. Because the Brown Act does not allow the Citizens' Sustainability Committee to take action on items not on the Agenda, members will not enter into discussion with speakers but briefly respond or instead refer the matter to staff for report and recommendation at a future Citizen's Sustainability Committee meeting. This is also the time and place for any person who wishes to comment on Agenda items. It should be noted that at Citizen's Sustainability Committee discretion, these comments may be deferred until such time on the agenda as the item is discussed. Remarks shall be limited to a maximum of five minutes unless additional time is authorized by the Citizens' Sustainability Committee. Reports and documents relating to each of the following items listed on the agenda, including those received following posting/distribution, are on file in the Office of the Department of Community Development and are available for public inspection during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260, telephone (760) 346-0611, Extension 484. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR ALL MATTERS LISTED ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE ROLL CALL VOTE. THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS UNLESS MEMBERS OF THE CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OR AUDIENCE REQUEST ITEMS BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION AND ACTION UNDER SECTION V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER, OF THE AGENDA. A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of January 28, 2019. Rec: Approve as presented. Action: POSTED AGENDA CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER VI. NEW BUSINESS APRIL 22, 2019 A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to the City Councii for an electric vehicle charging station project. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a recommendation to the City Council for an electric vehicle charging station project. Action: B. PRESENTATION on public education and community outreach by Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services. Action: C. DISCUSSION on a plastics awareness campaign. Action: D. REVIEW of Palm Desert's Environmental Sustainability Plan. Action: VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Staff 1. SCAQMD Commercial Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Incentive and Exchange Program. B. Committee Members X. ADJOURNMENT I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda for the Citizens' Sustainability Committee was posted on the City Hall bulletin board not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting. Dated on this 17th day of April 2019. �"\ . �� Monica O'Reilly, Recording ecretary 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2019Wgenda\4-22-19 a.docx CITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE PRELIMINARY MINUTES MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2019 — 3:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Gritters called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. Due to a lack of a quorum at 3:00 p.m., the meeting began with New Business, Item B, which did not require an action from the Committee. After the presentation, Vice- Chair Gritters called the meeting to order as noted above. II. ROLL CALL Present: u�i�,� "� '�����ill� ���N'IIIIIIu!���;:, Member Tommy Edwards - Member Dennis Guinaw Member David O'Donnell arrived at 3:09 Vice-Chair Gregory Gritters Also Present: Absent: Member Jim Schmid Member Ralph Raya Chair Dean Gatons Councilmember Gina Nestande '����� �����"�" Lauri Aylaian, City Manager Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Tom Garcia, Director of Public Works Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Heather Horning, Senior Management Analyst Amy Lawrence, Management Analyst Christopher Gerry, Management Analyst Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS MR. KIM FLOYD, Palm Desert, California, thanked the Committee for their efforts concerning sustainability. He suggested the Committee look into the issue concerning plastic. Secondly, he mentioned that Councilmember Jan Harnik recommended the City's Youth Committee work with the Citizens' Sustainability Committee on selected sustainability issues. PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JANUARY 28, 2019 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of October 15, 2018. Rec: Approve as presented. Management Specialist Monica O'Reilly noted two minor changes to the minutes. Upon a motion by Member Edwards, second by Member O'Donnell, and a 4-0 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, the Consent Calendar was approved as amended (AYES: Edwards, Gritters, Guinaw, and O'Donnell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gatons, Raya, and Schmid). V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS ���,�a����� �� �''"��i� IIN'i�� �� ,,,I�li„rI� �1� �i �!III������,. A. PRESENTATION on Saving the Salton Sea by Phil Rosentrater, Salton Sea Authority. With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Phil Rosentrater presented information on revitalizing the Salton Sea. He gave the Committee a copy of the 2017 Revitalized Salton Sea Analysis of Potential Economic Benefits booklet and offered to answer any questions. Councilmember Gina Nestande inquired if there is a call for an action plan from the City of Palm Desert. Mr. Rosentrater responded that the current call for an action plan is for other entities risk if they do nothing or there is an opportunity for entities to work together. Therefore, entities need to endorse a memorandum of understanding (MOU), a cooperative land- use planning document between the counties. The MOU would need to go before the Palm Desert City Council for approval in support of the document. He mentioned that all the cities in the Imperial Valley and most cities in the Coachella Valley have signed on for cooperative planning at the Salton Sea. He expressed that together they could go to Washington D.C. and Sacramento and be heard. Vice-Chair Gritters commented that $280 million is needed and asked how much money they have now. Mr. Rosentrater informed the Committee that they are asking for $400 million and they have $280.5 million from the State of California. Member Tommy Edwards inquired if City staff could work with Mr. Rosentrater to put something together for the Committee. 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2019\Minutes\t-28-19 min.docx PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JANUARY 28, 2019 Management Analyst Amy Lawrence responded that staff is working with Mr. Rosentrater. � Management Analyst Christopher Gerry added that if the Citizens' Sustainability Committee was interested in supporting the revitalization of the Salton Sea with the Salton Sea Authority, staff could prepare a resolution and present it to the City Council. He said staff would seek the Committee's recommendation for the resolution. Vice-Chair Gritters asked who the signatories to the MOU are. Mr. Rosentrater replied Imperial County and Riverside County. Member Edwards moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that City staff prepare a resolution for the City Council to endorse an MOU to improve the Salton Sea. The motion was seconded by Member Guinaw and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: Edwards, Gritters, Guinaw, and O'Donnell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gatons, Raya, and Schmid). B. PRESENTATION on the San Pablo Corridor Improvements by Principal Planner Eric Ceja. Principal Planner Eric Ceja presented the proposed San Pablo Avenue improvements. The updated General Plan identified San Pablo Avenue as a key area to change into a downtown/city center. Staff noted that construction of Phase 1 would take approximately one year. The approximate cost for the first phase is $7 million; to be determined by the bids received. C. PRESENTATION on a Shared Motorized Scooter Program by Management Analyst Christopher Gerry. Management Analyst Christopher Gerry provided a presentation about shared motorized scooters. He mentioned that a scooter provider dropped off 100 to 200 scooters in another Coachella Valley city without prior knowledge. Based on that event, the Palm Desert City Council issued an urgency ordinance to prohibit mobility sharing devices (electric bikes and scooters) at their December 13 Council meeting. At that meeting, the Council directed staff to provide additional information on best practices and include language within the ordinance that could allow a pilot program if the City Council chose to issue a program. On January 24, the Council reviewed the additional information, and they did not have any interest in having a pilot program at this time. Vice-Chair Gritters inquired if an operator has presented a proposal to the City. Mr. Gerry responded that he requested proposals and received five proposals. Councilmember Nestande commented that the City Council voted to receive and file the information. She believed that the City does not have the proper infrastructure to handle scooters at this time. However, she felt there could be a great pilot program once the CV Link is completed in Palm Desert. She voiced her concern in which the 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2019\Minutes\1•28-19 min.docx PRELIMINARY MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JANUARY 28, 2019 scooters could be left anywhere. She preferred a company that would provide a docking station and bike lanes need improvement. � The Committee agreed with the City Council's decision. Some of the members made the following comments: 1) transportation should accommodate disabled persons; 2) the City Council should continue considering shared mobility; and 3) bike lanes need to be improved. Member Dennis Guinaw commended Mr. Gerry for the work done on this matter. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS ;,�;,, ���, � �, �i�R: ,��;i�,,, Member Guinaw suggested the Committee continue to look into issues with plastics and polystyrene. , Ms. Lawrence remarked that Councilmember Jan Harnik requested that the Sustainability Committee look into plastic recycling and awareness. She stated that staff would bring more information to the April meeting. Vice-Chair Gritters commented that he would also like to discuss the City's Sustainability Plan at the next meeting. He noted that the plan was issued in August 2015. He suggested discussion on any updated recommendations compared to what was done in 2015. The City of Berkley recently approved a comprehensive sustainable ordinance on plastics and other recyclables. It was suggested a copy of the ordinance is brought to the next meeting. Mr. Mike Veto, Burrtec Waste & Recycling, introduced himself and mentioned he would me back for the meeting in April to talk about what they are currently doing with education outreach and recycling. X. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, Vice-Chair Gritters adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secretary 4 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2019\Minutes\t-28-19 min.docx CITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE STAFF REPORT REQUEST: Consideration for approval of a recammendation to #he City Councii for Electric Vehicle Charging Station Praject SUBMITTED BY: Ernify Roethler, Project Manager DATE: April 22, 2419 CONTENTS: Vicinity Map Recommendation By Minute Motion, approve recammendation to the City Council for Electric Vehicle Charging Station Praject. Strate ic Plan Ob'ective The installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations addresses Energy and Sustainability Priority 2 of the City's 2013-2033 Strategic Plan, Envision Palm Desert -- Forward Together, which is to "promote greater usage of more sustainable materiafs". Specificaliy, installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations helps to reduce air pollution and expands the availability of altemative fuet options throughout the community. Backqround The Southem Califomia lncentive Project {SCIP} is a funding source that has been made available and promotes the expansion of zero-emission vehicle infrastructu�e. The incentive includes up to $140,000 for reimbursabls costs, or 7S% of the total project cost, whichever is iess. In December 2018, City staff submitted an application for $i40,00Q. In February 2019, staff received notice that funds for the full $140,000 were reserved for new vehicle charger installation in the parking lot north of City Hall, adjacent to Fred Waring Drive. The project must be completed within one year from the date funds become available and grant funds for this project will lapse on February 20, 2Q20. Proiect Scope This project includes the installation of two (2) new DC Fast Chargers and one (1) Level 2 Charger at the Civic Center near the existing Level 2 charging stations in the parking lot north of City Hali, adjacent to Fred Waring Drive (see attached). Citizens' Sustainability Committee Staff Report Apri! 22, 2019 Justification In March 2012, Govemor Jerry Brown Jr. issued an Executive Order (B-16-2012) to help accelerate the market far zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) in Califomia and set a long- term gaaf of reaching 1.5 mi(lion ZEVs on California's roadways by 2025. According to this Executive Order, by 2020, California's ZEV infrastructure will be able to support up ta 1 million vehicfes. By installing new chargers, and updating existing chargers, users will be encouraged to visit the surrounding areas af Palm Desert while their vehicles are charging. Fiscal Analvsis Staff submitted an application for a Southem Califomia lncentive Projec# (SC1P� Grant in December 2018 in the amount of $140,000; the City of Palm Desert would be required to match funds in the amount of $70,000 which are available under AB2766, Air Quality Management Distribution (AQMD) funding. Emily Ro ler, Project Manager .:��:x�;+':��i}S:s1Sri'ii1�-'�� �; : � }� ...n*4 +ws �r�:�t -� * , p 4� � � � f �1 *M' � i� � Location of proposed EVSE (2-DCFC and 1-Level 2) 73-510 %2 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 0.25 mile radius considered for SCIP grant A' � PA�tv1 DE5EF2T The City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan February 11, 2010 Updated August 2015 . � .• � t�, : << :; _ �� �rs ° ��� � ��` �-as�,� _ � .n '� ���r� � �� '` '':�� s4 � � �� � �.`�' � ,� "..t ..... e- e � rr Y; r � r r � ��.: . ,.... �;y.,�` �i " � City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 1 Outline Executive Summary Regulation: AB 32 and SB 375 Environmental Sustainability Greenhouse Gas Compliance Taking Action 1. Introduction Defining Sustainability A History with Sustainability Palm Desert's Chronology of Sustainability Initiatives 2. Sustainability Resource Areas The Built Environment Energy Management Materials Management Regional Air Quality Transportation Resources Water Management 3. Greenhouse Gas Compliance Background Greenhouse Gas Inventory Emissions Reduction Plan 4. The Action Plan Organizational Design Managing Costs Three-Phase Implementation Seizing the Opportunity to Lead Appendices • The Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Planning Process • Lists of Sustainability Plan Resource Team Members • Background Papers for Resource Team Meetings • Background PowerPoint Presentations for each Resource Team • Lists of Resource Team Recommendations • Council Resolution on Sustainability: Resolution 07-78 • Greenhouse Gas 2008 Baseline Inventory • Database of Recommended Actions • Five-Point Ranking Values City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 2 Executive Summary Palm Desert is a leading sustainable city. This Sustainability Plan shows that Palm Desert has already demonstrated high levels of civic leadership on many issues related to environmental sustainability, from energy and water management, to storm-water diversion, water reclamation, alternative transportation and fuels, and desert landscaping. The bus system, civic center solar arrays, new LEED certified buildings, and the City's bricks and mortar commitment to higher education speak to the City's forward-thinking nature. The Set to Save energy partnership program and the Energy Independence Program were statewide models that were emulated by cities and counties throughout California. Palm Desert is recognized for its pioneering work with Assembly Bill 811 that enables property assessments for energy efficient fixtures and renewable energy systems. By October 2009, there was legislation in fourteen states including Texas and New York for this new and appealing local government financing. More recently, the City has implemented Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs through the regional CV Upgrade and HERO programs. Through these kinds of initiatives and the ones presented in this Plan, Palm Desert will maintain its preeminence in sustainability, addressing climate change and land use planning mandates with clarity and conviction. Regulation This Plan presents an action plan. It is being driven by impending regulations and two laws, specifically California Assembly Bill 32 — the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 — and the more recent California Senate Bill 375, known as the "anti-sprawl bill." Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 established a first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. The law proposes to reduce carbon emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020. The law will result in a 25% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2020. AB 32 requires the California Air Resource Board to develop regulations and market mechanisms to achieve the goals. Mandatory caps for key industries will begin in 2012 and will ratchet down. Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) SB 375, passed in 2008, is the nation's first law to control greenhouse gas emissions by controlling sprawl and fully utilizing transportation demand models. It mandates that the State's 18 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 3 include sustainable community strategies in regional transportation plans for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gases. The Governor's Office believes that SB 375 will be as transformative in shaping our communities as railroads were years ago, making them more walk-able with increased transportation options, and improved quality of life. SB 375 requires the California Air Resources Board to develop regional greenhouse gas emission reduction targets to be achieved from the automobile and light truck sectors for 2020 and 2035. The 18 MPOs in California will prepare a"sustainable communities strategy" to reduce the amount of vehicle miles traveled in their respective regions and demonstrate the ability for the region to attain ARB's targets. These laws and others are forcing cities throughout California to re-think the way we live. They are driving a transformation and Palm Desert is preparing for these changes. This Environmental Sustainability Plan integrates local visions with State regulations. It is a roadmap for action that begins with pragmatic, low-cost measures that have significant effect. This Plan presents a planning tool for Palm Desert to maintain a proactive position, finding win-win solutions that are good for the environment and for business. The Plan's actions will create jobs. Through a deliberate, phased-in approach, Palm Desert will take strategic steps toward sustainability while maintaining the high quality of life residents enjoy. This Plan present three phases of planned activity in six resource areas, beginning with low and no-cost measures to the City that deliver the greatest energy, consumer, and carbon savings. Environmental Sustainability The Environmental Sustainability Plan addresses six resource areas. Resource Teams of local stakeholders and staff were formed to examine each area during the planning process. Each team meeting was marked by opinioned discussions of goals and recommended policies and programs. These have been debated and prioritized, guided by the Core Sustainability Team and Council. The six resource areas are as follows: a. The "Built Environment" is also the man-made environment -- buildings, parking structures, golf courses, rights of way, etc. Super-efficient building standards suitable for desert conditions are proposed for immediate adoption. The Plan identifies policies that comply with portions of SB 375, testing new forms of development shaped by Palm Desert's style that has earned broad community support. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 4 b. The Plan addresses "Energy Management" aggressively given its measures' potential to cut use and avoid emissions. It calls for a major commitment to achieve the energy efficiency goals, reducing tens of thousands of inetric tons of CO2 emissions annually. The energy management goals were developed as a program to achieve reductions city-wide in electricity and gas consumption along with a reduction in peak electricity demand. In the short term, the Plan called for securing ample financing for Energy Independence Program loans. The long- term vision is to exceed the goals by fully developing renewable power generation. c. "Materials ManagemenY' — from cradle to cradle — is another area of City excellence. Pilot programs have tested positive and can be expanded. The Plan details upstream procurement policies and downstream management. It calls for increasing the City's overall diversion rate. d. "Regional Air Quality" is essential to Palm Desert. While largely out of direct local control, the City's ultimate goal is to work with regional partners to significantly reduce visible particulates, notably PM 10. Other goals are more local; reducing airborne particulates during the annual reseeding process for golf courses and lawns; reducing automotive vehicle miles travelled and tightening buildings will also result in better air quality. e. "Transportation" is framed in terms of increasing mobility. This is being done in Palm Desert in more "alternative" means — walking, golf carts, biking, buses — decreasing vehicle miles travelled (VMT) and thus gasoline consumption. The Plan calls for reducing municipal gasoline use, and throughout the community, by promoting personal and community-benefitting alternatives. f. "Water Management" is a critical challenge, largely out of sight but not out of mind at the City. Declining aquifer levels and increasing amounts of embedded energy in water provide direction to leveraging efficient water use to "generate" savings. The Plan for the first time sets specific savings goals. Greenhouse Gas Compliance Many experts believe that the threat of climate change is the most important sustainability challenge of the century. Regulations — AB 32 in particular — are forcing local governments to take action. This Plan is linked with the City's Greenhouse Gas Inventory and includes a sequenced approach to emissions reductions. In 1990 the City's ecological footprint was 406,607 metric tons of CO2. By 2008, the baseline year, this impact had increased to 621,225 metric tons. Through the Plan's action steps, this trend will be reversed. Details of the inventory are presented in a separate document, The Palm Desert Greenhouse Gas Inventory with Technical Appendix. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 5 Taking Action Each of the six resource areas presented is critical for environmental sustainability. They are presented in a narrative form in the Plan with discussions of visions, principles, goals, policies, and programs. Many leading cities' programs were evaluated. Over three hundred recommended actions were considered in the planning process. The Plan presents recommended actions to achieve the City's sustainability goals. The actions are also presented in tabular form, an Excel spreadsheet decision-making tool. It ranks measures with relative numeric values for five key variables according to a five-point rating system. The highest ranked recommendations are most feasible, lowest cost to the City, most cost-effective, embraced by the community, and cut significant levels of CO2. Five-year costs to the City were estimated; notes present assumptions. The Plan concludes with a pragmatic, three-phase approach over a ten-year period. Phase I activities are low and no-cost measures that are feasible given the current economic situation and can be carried out in the short term. Financing and ordinances will drive efficiency; collaborations will be strengthened. Phase II and III activities will build on Phase I initiatives. Policy initiatives will continue. Sustainability investments will be required to leverage greater levels of efficiency. A portfolio approach will blend cost-effective and non-cost effective measures for community benefit. Palm Desert will achieve its environmental and growth management goals, while fostering local economic development and a positive economic and social impact. The City will maintain its high quality of life while meeting the challenges of the times. 1. Introduction The City of Palm Desert is unique in many ways, a desert community with many resorts and an affluent population. It is marked by the distinction of having the most golf courses per capita of any city, worldwide. Palm Desert is an idyllic place to live and retire, with dry, warm winters. Visitors come for winter; many residents leave town to escape the high heat of the summer. Palm Desert is an unquestioned leader in the Coachella Valley in many ways. Palm Desert's citizens are proud of their City; its businesses are pleased to be in the City; and its institutions — from Desert Willow Golf Resort, to University of California Riverside at Palm Desert, and College of the Desert — are strong, thanks to relationships with the City. The City has certainly been a leader in sustainability as this Plan shows. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 6 Defining Sustainability The United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainability in the following way: "Sustainability meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Clearly it is an all-encompassing exercise. • Sustainability is the ultimate environmental pursuit. • Sustainability integrates all environmental and social and even economic issues. While the definition of "sustainable" varies, one way to define it is to consider it as the aggregate of people living day by day, on par, in ways that are workable, manageable; in ways that maintain, support, conserve, restore, replenish, safeguard, perpetuate; in ways that allow us to continue living versus grinding to a halt; in ways that do not deplete, use up, or empty; in ways that have a net zero impact. To some, sustainability goes beyond environmentalism. Whereas environmental sustainability is a condition during which we make sure not to deplete finite natural resources, social sustainability encompasses adequate access to health care and job and educational opportunities. In a socially sustainable community, "all people have a sense of well-being and purchasing power." Financial sustainability is living within our means, our ability to pay. In the broadest context, the "universe of sustainability" includes social, health, and economic facets of the community. To be fully sustainable involves these three Es of economy, environment, and equity in an ongoing balance. Cities, counties, and other jurisdictions slice sustainability in many ways; defining sustainability draws on many of the elements from public health to human dignity, economic development, food production, and civic participation. While cognizant of the broader universe of sustainability, this first Plan focuses on environmental sustainability and six resource areas. A History with Sustainability Palm Desert has engaged in a mosaic of "green" policies and programs for over 25 years, starting before the City was incorporated. Its award-winning works have included storm water management, waste stream diversion and recycling, drought-tolerant landscaping, clean and e�cient transportation, and most recently, unparalleled work with energy management and the financing of energy efficiency and renewable energy installations. The recommended actions presented in the Plan build on this record of many years of progress and success. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 7 Palm Desert's Chronology of Sustainability Initiatives 1970 The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert is established The zoo and botanical garden is based entirely on the ecosystem of the desert. It currently occupies about 1,200 acres of land, is a pioneer in environmental education, a native wildlife rehabilitation preserve, is active in captive breeding and plant propagation programs, and sustains itself through active membership and volunteers. 1973 The City of Palm Desert is Incorporated 1983 Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Introduced Palm Desert embraces water-wise desert and semi-arid plants to create vibrant arrays in medians, parks, parkways, and open spaces around public facilities. Policy initiated to remove turf from street medians and install water-wise desert landscaping. 1989 Palm Desert complies with AB 939: Integrated Waste Management Act To comply with Act, Palm Desert had to recycle 50% of its waste. Today, Palm Desert is diverting 72% and rising. 1990 .:� >��: ..� � �� � � �.,, ��� e:� .��� 4..� ,Y r;. State Implementation Plan for PM 10 in the Coachella Valley The State Implementation Plan (SIP) for Particulate Matter 10 (PM 10) was jointly developed by South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), and member cities, approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as a mechanism for reducing suspended particulates, especially fugitive dust emissions in the Coachella Valley. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Implemented The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) implements the federal Clean Water Act and mandates that plans and programs for storm water management be developed, adopted, and implemented to assure that municipalities effectively prohibit non-storm water discharge into storm drains. Palm Desert is a co-permittee and Public Works manages the NPDES program. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 8 Curbside Recycling Program Implemented The Curbside recycling program was started in partnership with Waste Management of the Desert, now replaced by Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services. This was the first curbside program in Riverside County. Water-Efficient Landscape Ordinance Passes As required by California Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 1990, the Water- Efficient Landscape Ordinance passed by the Palm Desert City Council establishes minimum water-efficient landscape requirements for some new and rehabilitated public and private landscape projects, including tract homes. 1993 Palm Desert's Golf Cart Transportation Program Begins Authorized by Assembly Bill 1229, the program allows golf carts for travel to schools, parks, businesses, shopping centers, and government offices. 1994 Natural Gas Buses Join Fleet Palm Desert worked with SunLine to convert their buses to natural gas over a period of two years. Today, SunLine's natural gas buses serve the entire Coachella Valley. Concurrently, SunLine engaged in a fuel cell demonstration project with Humboldt State University. Arbor Day Program Begins with Tree Planting Demonstration A tree planting demonstration program for schools, the Arbor Day Program was created to involve schoolchildren in the process and appreciation of planting trees. 1998 Light Emitting Diode Lights are Installed in Traffic Signals Palm Desert was the first city in Coachella Valley to implement LED signals lights. Palm Desert Air Resources Board Air Quality Forum is Held Air Resources Board (ARB) seeks public participation in Palm Desert by setting a public forum, one of the ten that ARB scheduled around the state to study new federal standards, existing programs, local conditions, and planned future activities to reduce PM 10 and 2.5. 1999 Landscape Services Division of Public Works is Established Palm Desert established the Landscape Services Department Program to maintain City properties and to conduct plan reviews. Its work is based on the Tree Maintenance City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 9 Ordinance, the Parking Lot Shade Tree Ordinance, and the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. Fugitive Dust / PM 10 Control Ordinance is Passed The ordinance established minimum dust control requirements for construction and demolition activities and other specified land uses. Bus Shelter Improvement Program Launched In 1999, City Council approved the Bus Shelter Improvement Program to advocate more contemporary, self-sufficient, and durable bus shelters with features such as solar powered security lighting and advertisement elimination on all the new shelters. Parking Lot Tree Resolution Passes to Cut Water Use and Increase Shade This resolution identifies specific landscaping requirements for parking lots that will also be responsive to water conservation goals. Shade must cover 50% of pavement. 2001 Local Particulate Matter 10 Air Quality Inspector Program Commences Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), and Building Industries Association (BIA) approved the hiring of a PM 10 Air Quality Inspector to monitor and identify development activities that are not meeting emission standards, and to work to educate developers and cities on meeting PM 10 standards. Employee Commute Program Takes Shape The South Coast Air Quality Management implemented Rule 2202 designed to reduce employee commutes at major employers by alternatives. District (SCAQMD) developed and vehicular emissions associated with providing various emission-reducing Six Cities Energy Project Puts Palm Desert among Leading Cities in Energy Innovation City joins Irvine, Santa Monica, Brea, Moreno Valley, and West Hollywood in the Six Cities Energy Project managed by The Energy Coalition on behalf of Southern California Edison. The creative approach included the PEAK Student Energy Actions Program. Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Palm Desert's water efficiency ordinance becomes the most conserving in the State of California. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 10 2004 Palm Desert's Comprehensive General Plan is Adopted Palm Desert's General Plan states the visions and goals of Palm Desert in community development, environmental resources, environmental hazards, as well as public services and facilities. Community Energy Partnership Expands Six City Partnership to Ten Highly Diverse Member Cities In 2004, the City of Palm Desert joined the Community Energy Partnership (CEP), an ongoing multidimensional collaboration that delivered programs educating communities about sustainable energy efficiency in Southern California. 2005 City Publishes First Desert Flora Palette and Maintenance Manuals These manuals highlight desert plant material and maintenance guidelines for successful desert planting. Weather-Based Irrigation /"Smart" Controller Program Begins This program with the Coachella Valley Water District uses weather-based irrigation clocks that automatically adjust irrigation systems' run time based on historic weather data, reducing the amount of water in cooler months and increasing the amount in the summer. UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center Establishes Sustainable Native Garden Two-year, $4.5 million demonstration project is a joint effort between four universities which will use plants native to the desert and create a demonstration zone that shows how desert plants can be used to create a suburban landscape with "curb appeal." Energy Independence Program Enabled by Pioneering Work with Assembly Bill 811 Palm Desert spearheaded effort to craft and get Assembly Bill 811 passed. Bill allows cities and counties to provide preferential loans to property owners making energy improvements through liens on their properties and assessments on their property taxes. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 11 2006 Palm Desert Establishes the Office of Energy Management The OEM was designed to work with Palm Desert residents, Southern California Edison staff, and The Energy Coalition to raise awareness in the community. Curbside Landscape Retro-Fit Pilot Project A$75,000 program ($20,000 allotted to Palm Desert) partnered between Palm Desert, Coachella Valley Water District, and the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District designed to focus initially on parkway areas near country clubs and hotels. Palm Desert Features U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Certification Program The City used the LEED certification for the Palm Desert Visitor Center (LEED Silver Certification) and Henderson Community Building (LEED Silver Certification). The Visitor Center opened as the first LEED-certified building in the Coachella Valley. Estonia Protocol Signed / 30:30 Program Established A stretch goal followed by a detailed analysis of how to achieve a 30% reduction in city- wide electricity and gas consumption and 30% reduction in peak electricity demand in five years. 2007 Resolution 07-78 Passes and Serves as the City's First Step in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Council adopted a resolution pledging to enact policies and programs to reduce harmful global emissions. Palm Desert Building Ordinance is Adopted by City Council City Council passed Ordinance No. 1124 adopting local energy efficiency standards for buildings covered by the 2005 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, setting forth minimum energy efficiency standards within the City for all new construction, including remodels, additions, alterations, condominium conversions and tenant improvements. The new standards required energy efficiency up to 15% above the state standards. Set to Save Program Launched The 30:30 program was renamed for consumer marketing. This implementation partnership with Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas provided services to local businesses and homeowners to help decrease energy use with free on-site energy surveys, on-line tips, and discount programs. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 12 2010 ` Initiation of Cooperative Landscape Water Conservation Program A program established along with CVWD to remove landscape turf and retro-fit landscapes with desert plant material for homeowners and homeowners associations. Desert Flora Design Manual Published City publishes its Desert Flora Design Manual and makes all three Desert Flora publications available on-line. Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Approved City approves updated Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance which meets State AB 1881 requirements and continues to maintain its leadership in landscape water conservation. Greenhouse Gas Connection Of the common elements of sustainable planning, the greenhouse gas (GHG) connection is most challenging. Most experts agree that sustainability and sustainable development require stemming and decreasing greenhouse gases in major proportions. The magnitude of required, transformative changes that may be on the horizon is impressive, as are the opportunities for job creation, professional workforce development, and exported know-how. This Plan guides Palm Desert towards spurring new businesses that benefit from this transformation. Palm Desert can work with the business community to develop new products and services for a sustainable world. By getting ahead of the curve, Palm Desert can prosper and profit, increasing the quality of life and community through strategic investments. California Assembly Bill 32 — the Global Warming Solutions Act — was passed in 2006. It is the nation's most far-reaching GHG rule. It presents sweeping mandates for GHG reductions with little direction on a) how local governments will be required to fulfill these reductions, and b) when and how these will be measured. In 2007, Palm Desert passed Resolution 07-78 that called for reducing CO2 emissions by 7% below the City's 1990 baseline. The City's first greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory was completed in 2009. After careful consideration of Resolution 07-78 along with the mandates and measures necessary to realistically achieve this goal, Palm Desert re-established the City's baseline year to 2008, rather than 1990. Detailed data collected to complete the GHG inventory was primarily obtained from 2008; logically, Palm Desert needs to establish measures and reduction goals based on the current levels of GHG present in the atmosphere today. Palm Desert is preparing for GHG mandates and the climate protection requirements that will be specified by the California Air Resources Board. Local governments will be required to address those issues within their control, such as building standards, land- use, and local mass transit. Palm Desert has joined the International Council for Local City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 13 Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Cities for Climate Protection and has used the Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) software to develop a baseline of GHG emissions. 2. Sustainability Resource Areas The Built Environment The Built Environment refers to all man-made structures, from buildings, to roads and resorts. It is the collective "impression" that mankind makes upon the Earth, often best seen from an aerial perspective. It's how communities are built within a particular geography for mobility, residential, educational, recreational, and business activity. Palm Desert has been very conscientious about maintaining continuity in design of its built environment. As one travels through the City, the different neighborhoods transition seamlessly into each other. Older neighborhoods lie next to newer ones. Country club communities mix with time-shares; a half dozen mobile home parks provide affordable desert living. The variety of housing products is desirable to the community. A thousand low and moderate income housing units are located within the City. Over the past few years, neighborhood malls/shopping centers in the "Palm Desert style" have been developed along the perimeter of town to provide neighborhood shopping, while "big box" and large commercial buildings have emerged in the area along the Interstate 10 corridor. Development has been tasteful and cohesive. Buildings and the built environment are resource intensive. They are responsible for nearly 40% of greenhouse gases, even more than transportation. In Palm Desert, the built environment is dramatically shaped by golf courses and resorts. Much of Palm Desert was built during an era of cheap and plentiful energy. Many homes lack insulation and advanced window glazing. Thus the City's greatest savings will come from retrofitting this aging and energy-inefficient housing stock. Principle Retrofitting the existing building stock for sustainability is the City's Built Environment priority. Building efficiency standards continue to ratchet up; "greener" designs are resulting in more efficient and comfortable spaces. Green building ordinances are exemplary in maintaining a focus on green building in new construction. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 14 Principle The City will maintain a focus on green building in new construction. Addressing the Heat Palm Desert faces a very significant built-environment challenge: Climate. Palm Desert homes use an average of 50% more energy than similar homes elsewhere. This places a tremendous burden on the serving utility, especially during peak periods, and a tremendous cost on consumers. Palm Desert addressed this head on by implementing building efficiency standards that were more stringent than the State's Title 24 at the time. In 2007, and after a detailed technical appeal to the California Energy Commission, Palm Desert instituted the Green Building Ordinance that addressed energy usage in all new buildings, retrofits, condominium conversions and tenant improvements. It required new structures to be 5% - 15% more efficient than Title 24. More recently, the City has implemented the updates to Title 24 mandated by the State, and implemented a Voluntary Green Building Program. Taking a Green Building Leadership Position Palm Desert, with the support of the Building Industry Association and others, took early action, updating the Green Building Ordinance to make all new construction in the City adhere to both the new California Title 24 and its Green Building Code. This harmonizes the green building industry in the State, and provides for the energy and environmental benefits that Palm Desert continues to desire. The City implemented the most recent updates to the Building Code, which made Green Building Code components mandatory. Two other goals for the built environment reflect the City's commitment to high performance and sustainable design for the desert environment. The community center reflects this goal. Parking lots are tremendous heat sinks, thus greater shading will reduce the urban heat island effect and keep cars cooler, in turn reducing air conditioning requirements. Goal Promote measurable, high perFormance, sustainable design throughout the city. The City led by example on this goal with the design and construction of Carlos Ortega Villas. Carlos Ortega Villas is a 72- unit senior rental housing project. Specifications required that the project achieve a minimum of LEED Silver Certification, and ultimately designed and built a net zero energy project. Net zero energy use is the ability to produce an amount of renewable energy on-site equal to the amount of energy required to sustain the energy used by the project. Through projects such as Carlos Ortega City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 15 Villas, the City is not only able to lead by example, but to provide detailed information, based on experience, to individuals interested in sustainable design. Goal Reduce the heat island effect. The premise of this goal would require a complete review and analysis of the effectiveness of the City's current ordinances pertaining to heat gain from hard surfaces. The City has surveyed the implementation of shade requirements to determine where reductions have achieved goals, and will continue to put forward proposals to reduce the heat island effect. Recommended Actions Solar Readiness The City requires that developers of production homes sell "solar ready" homes — with conduits and junction boxes in place for future solar installations, as required by the Building Code. Developers must also offer at least one sample home with solar in place; all homes for sale must have a solar option. Recommended Action BE 1 Developers must sell "solar ready" homes {conduits, junction boxes, etc.). Recommended Action BE 2 Developers must offer one sample home with solar; all with solar option. In addition, solar readiness will be further defined through building design to accommodate panels on south-facing roofs, avoid penetrations and obstructions, while providing sufficient structural engineering to allow for additional weight on the roof, known as "dead load." Net Zero Buildings In 2004, Palm Desert built the first LEED certified building in the Coachella Valley, and now it has many that qualify or are in process. Now the City will support the State's move toward net zero energy building (NZE), including educating residents about the concepts of net zero through its Voluntary Green Building Program. Recommended Action BE 3 Develop, define, and promote a net zero energy building approacn and timeline. Recommended Action BE 4 Provide incentives, plan, and coordinate demonstration project(s). City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 16 Existing Buildings While the California Building Code focuses on new construction, important for making sure that all new buildings are highly efficient, Palm Desert is largely "built out." This means that to reap large energy savings benefits, the focus has to be on existing buildings. They can be surveyed for their efficiency and solar potential, the City can assist the property owners in many ways, and the City can launch energy savings campaigns for specific, hard-to-reach demographics. Recommended Action BE 5 Survey existing buildings' efficiency, sustainability, and solar potential. Recommended Action BE 6 Continue to identify the benefit to property owners offered by local, State and Federal tax incentives and rebates for retrofits. Recommended Action BE 7 Design targeted homeowner energy education programs for specific demographic audiences. Municipal Buildings The City will continue to lead by making sure that its buildings are efficient. Upgrades could include waterless urinals, modern climate controls and occupancy sensors, efficient lighting, etc. As funding becomes available, the City will invest in additional, cost-effective solar systems. Recommended Action BE 8 Continue to retrofit/renovate Civic Center and other City buildings with advanced energy/water efficiency measures. Recommended Action BE 9 Add capacity to the solar systems at Civic Center; move/incorporate carports that are currently shaded. Hotels and Resorts The Set to Save program initiated a peer-to-peer hotel and resort energy management program. The City supports this effort and participates in it. The City can also design a program for small hotels that will identify energy and dollar-saving opportunities, such as existing utility and state incentives and potentially EIP assessments. Technical services can steer hoteliers toward specific measures to assist a hotel in improving its bottom line, the comfort of its guests, and its contribution to sustainability. Other program highlights being discussed are "mentoring" by the larger hotel chains, hotel sustainability audits, technical support, and guest information services. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 17 Recommended Action BE 10 Develop and maintain a hotel mentoring, peer-to-peer efficiency initiative. A number of greening opportunities involve positioning Palm Desert as an eco-tourism destination. Imagine visitors coming to Palm Desert to relax, but also to learn about solar power, wind turbines, and geothermal energy. Conferences might be situated in Palm Desert to demonstrate the principles in reality, and throughout the community. There are a number of action plans to build this reputation, making it part of the visitor experience. Eco-tours can be promoted. Locally, interested citizens can form to discuss what the green country club of the future might look like. Recommended Action BE 11 Work with Chamber et al to promote sustainability as part of the "visitor experience." Recommended Action BE 12 Incorporate Eco-Tourism into the City's marketing efforts Recommended Action BE 13 Co-promote "Eco-Tours" of wind turbines, solar systems, desert ecosystems, wildlife, and the Salton Sea. Parking Lots Parking lots offer potential for a number of sustainability upgrades. The City has a parking lot ordinance seeking to provide shade on 50% of its parking stalls. Additional recommendations for a study of this sector: • Identify potential for solar-covered shaded spaces. • Identify where upgrades to the surface of the lot could be improved, for permeability and/or to offset heat island effect. • Provide preferred parking to encourage alternate energy and fueled vehicles, hybrids, car share and carpool vehicles. • Provide incentives to retrofit parking lot lighting with LED or other high- efficiency lights. Recommended Action BE 14 Assess potential for light-colored surfaces and shading to reduce urban heat island effect. Recommended Action BE 15 Provide incentives and/or demonstrations for light-colo�ed parking lot surfaces. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 18 Recommended Action BE 16 Assess potentiai for semi-permeable paving systems. Recommended Action BE 17 Provide incentives and/or demonstrations for semi-permeable paving systems. Recommended Action BE 18 Continue to provide preferentiai parking for alternate vehicles, hybrids, car share, carpool vehicles. Recommended Action BE 19 Provide incentives to retrofit parking lot lighting with LED or other high-efficiency lights. Urban Forestry Trees in any community provide profound benefits, from shading to ambiance and sense of permanence. The City of Palm Desert has been deliberate in growing its urban forest, and in maintaining it. Recently the City completed an inventory of trees on public land. These trees each sequester about 28 pounds of CO2 per year. Recommended Action BE 20 Continue urban forestry initiatives on City land to minimize urban heat island and maximize sequestration. Energy Management Palm Desert has been a leader with energy management in the Coachella Valley for at least a decade. Council, senior management and staff have masterfully guided Palm Desert to be an energy inspiration for all of California. Its Civic Center showcases solar power. Palm Desert has joined the ranks of Berkeley and San Francisco as the "sustainable energy pioneers" in California. Principle Continue to exhibit leadership by demonstrating energy efficiency and use of solar power. Principle Continue to exhibit leadership by financing property owners' efficiency upgrades and solar installations. Palm Desert's quest for energy independence — local responsibility in partnership with utilities -- has not gone without mention. This preeminence has expanded statewide, and even nationally. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 19 Community Energy Partnership In 2002 the City of Palm Desert joined the Six Cities Energy Partnership ("the Partnership"), an innovative utility-sponsored program managed by The Energy Coalition, a non-profit organization based in Orange County. With enthusiastic City leadership, and with the financial support of the Partnership (funded by California ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission), the City took on a number of activities for the first time. Within two years Palm Desert's accomplishments included: • Drafting the City's first comprehensive Energy Plan • Establishing the position of Director, Office of Energy Management for the City • Planning for the Visitors Center building which received the first LEED rating certification in the Coachella Valley, ultimately achieving the certification level of LEED Silver • Hosting the 2003 Aspen Accord of senior utility, city government, and California Public Utilities Commission regulators • Completing "efficiency tune-ups" that reached over 600 homes and 300 businesses • Incorporating the Peak Student Energy Actions program in all elementary schools Over the next three years, the Community Energy Partnership continued and expanded these energy efficiency efforts, bringing energy awareness and new efficiencies to hundreds more families and businesses. Through door-to-door outreach activities, community events, demonstration projects and recognition at City Hall, Palm Desert made clear its commitment to saving energy for the benefit of its citizens and of the State. Set to Save In 2005, the City of Palm Desert's leaders and members of the Aspen Accord signed the "Estonia Protocol" drafted by City of Palm Desert Council members. Its objectives led to the development of "The Palm Desert 30:30 Strategic Plan" in 2006. The bold goals set forth by this document — to save 30% in electricity and natural gas consumption in five years across the entire City -- drove significant energy actions in the C ity. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 20 The Energy Partnership between Palm Desert, Southern California Edison, The Gas Company, and The Energy Coalition was first funded with $14,000,000 to implement the "Set to Save" program. These funds — matched with City funds for local marketing and outreach -- have been used in a number of ways: • Establishing the Office of Energy Management and storefront • Marketing "Set to Save," the partnership name for the 30:30 program • Offering special incentives for early HVAC replacement and pool pump upgrades • Offering free in-home and in-business energy audits The City of Palm Desert intends to continue this partnership into the next utility funding cycle with its utility partners, both Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas. As the previous funding ended, the City joined the regional Desert Cities Energy Partnership to continue its participation in energy efficiency projects and programs. The City's participation in Set to Save achieved a reduction of 17% in energy use. With the end of the Set to Save Program, the City is now implementing CVAG's Green For Life Program to meet energy efficiency goals. Goal Continue to promote energy efficiency throughout the City. Energy Independence Program In 2008, the City's now well-known AB 811 legislation became law, proving that a small city can leverage huge opportunities for all cities and counties in California. It amended the California Streets and Highways Code and enabled municipal assessment districts to include efficiency and renewable system upgrades. Palm Desert immediately launched the Energy Independence Program with a broad vision of securing the energy future. The first in California, the Energy Independence Program has provided loans for hundreds of homeowners and provided financing for over $7.5 million in energy projects that will result in over $40 million in savings in time. The success of these initiatives is significant. This Plan builds on dramatic successes, setting the bar that much higher. The City also set net zero building energy goals to support State initiatives, and to support the local economy. While considered far-fetched a few years ago, the net zero building movement provides architects and builders with new specialties and opportunities for income generation, and will be required for new home construction by 2020. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 21 Goal Encourage net zero energy buildings. The City has also taken on legislative efforts regarding utility regulations and solar tariffs. Working with Assembly member Brian Nestande, the City pursued a form of feed-in tariff to compensate property owners for extra power they may produce when they are out of town. This work continues. Palm Desert recognizes that local actions must in many cases be enabled by changes at the State and federal level. Recommended Actions Ongoing Initiatives With the end of Set to Save and the Energy Independence program, the City has continued to look for and implement innovative strategies for energy use reductions. In 2015, it partnered with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) to implement the regional Green For Life program. Green For Life includes a Voluntary Green Building Program and Zero Net Energy Guide; an update to this Plan and the City's greenhouse gas inventory; and tools to help the City manage energy use at City facitities, including use of an energy management program (EEMIS), and the adoption of Benchmarking and Retro-Commissioning policies. The City has also extended its incentives for private investment in energy efficient upgrades through two regional PACE programs: CV Upgrade and HERO. Both these programs allow home and building owners to leverage their equity to fund energy efficiency upgrades. The City will continue to participate and seek out innovative programs that encourage energy efficiency in all walks of life. Federal Stimulus Immediate actions can be taken that are no cost. Others are low cost relative to their benefits and need to be carefully evaluated. The City seeks to leverage program opportunities, minimizing risk and maximizing citizen, business, and municipal benefit. Recommended Action EM 1 Continue to track stimulus grant opportunities. Program announcements are being made on numerous stimulus funding opportunities that the City is tracking. Some funding opportunities require innovative partnerships and arrangements that may require special attention. ---_- --- Recommended Action EM 2 Develop partnerships and prepare grant applications for innovative City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 22 There is a need to continue to foster a climate of suggestion and innovation within the City, to continue to develop innovative partnerships, preparing grant applications, and contract partnerships, focusing on and preparing for "the green moment." Student Actions The City recognizes the profound impact of students on our future. Thus, it will continue to develop and deliver school programs such as PEAK. This can foster new lesson plans, specials, field trips, etc. that excite kids and stimulate action. The City can support projects to start "energy clubs" in local middle and high schools. Similarly, the City can continue to collaborate with COD to develop/enhance its "Energy Management" course. Recommended Action EM 3 Expand delivery of school energy efficiency programs to educate young families and leverage lasting change. Recommended Action EM 4 Conitnue to support school programs with field trips, special speakers, "energy clubs" in middle and high schools, etc. City Coordination with the Community There are many roles for the City's staff in promoting energy efficiency and management. Given the dominance of energy management in the realm of cost effective measures for sustainability, it is of great importance and will necessarily be of growing importance. The roles provide a variety of customer services: • Technical services such as advising and facilitating complete demonstration home retrofits. • Basic customer support helping citizens take advantage of Set to Save discounts, Energy Independence Program financing. • Providing a showcase of demonstration items, with counter space and meeting spaces for customers, and periodic workshops. • Proposal and grant writing: Proposals to be a smart meter demonstration city, or micro-grid pilot. • Maintain campaigns and program visibility, with technology give-aways, and perhaps an electronics educational program for business. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 23 Recommended Action EM 5 Help citizens with financing, solar incentives, contractor referrals, technical assistance. Working with the Fuel Cell Consortium, College of the Desert and/or other educational/research organizations, and outside funding resources, Palm Desert will explore installing a fuel cell power generation plant within one of its buildings. Fuel cells convert natural gas at high efficiencies,. Recommended Action EM 6 Provide showcase with demo items, counter space, meeting area; periodic 101 workshops on efficiencv and solar. • Advertising campaigns (Web site, BrightSide, Desert Sun, etc.). • Partner with manufacturers, installers to get group purchase discounts. • Develop and deliver special "senior savings" campaign. Recommended Action EM 7 Propose to be a smart meter demonstration city to encourage and track community and individual meter usage and savings. Recommended Action EM 8 Maintain campaigns and program visibility; use contests and technology giveaways, e.g., smart power strips, etc. Recommended Action EM 9 Develop "plug-load" electronics education and action pragram for businesses and institutions. Recommended Action EM 10 Develop proposal for homeowners association demonstration micro-grid to demonstrate net zero concept. Recommended Action EM 11 Plan demonstration project to showcase fuel cell technology in large hotel or institution. Messaging Several actions relate to messaging, and keeping the word fresh and current in the community about sustainability, and in this case energy management. Recommended Action EM 12 Maintain the message of "save energy, money, and the environmenY' through on-going advertising, BrightSide, etc. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 24 Recommended Action EM 13 Partner with manufacturers and installers to get and promote group purchase discounts. Recommended Action EM 14 Develop and deliver special "senior savings" campaign. Program Design While IID serves a small fraction of the City of Palm Desert, residents within these pockets do not currently have access to programs funded by Edison. This complicates marketing Set to Save, as well as Energy independence Program assessments and California Solar Initiative rebates. The City can work with IID to develop comparable programs and services. Recommended Action EM 15 Encourage IID to offer additional energy-saving programs. Policy Initiatives AB 811 Financing Provisions: At the Federal level, Palm Desert has been active in promoting tax-exempt financing for AB 811 loans. This would lower interest rates, making the program more attractive to participants, and increasing energy savings and thus climate protection values. A new opportunity involves regional PACE programs. Recommended Action EM 16 Continue to promote tax-exempt financing and government backed bonds for energy efficient improvement loans, including PACE programs. Feed-In Tariffs: The City of Palm Desert continues to promote effective feed-in tariffs in the California legislature to provide a complementary incentive structure for solar developments — particularly related to multi-metered commercial and residential properties -- so that cost-effective solar production can be maximized and excess power generation from a solar system can be fairly compensated. Recommended Action EM 17 Continue to promote feed-in tariff legislation for owners to maximize rooftops through solar power development and to help the City achieve its COz reduction goals. Utility Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) advocacy: One of the most profound aspects of Palm Desert's carbon footprint is electricity, and its relative carbon content. As the utilities achieve their RPS goals, their emissions are lessened. In turn, Palm Desert's footprint is lessened. For this reason, Palm Desert is interested, and may elect to lobby for, goals being met despite the challenges. The City can also track regulatory matters at the CPUC and City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 25 CEC, preparing testimony and testifying as warranted on utility regulations from RPS to efficiency portfolios. Recommended Action EM 18 Continue to advocate that utilities achieve renewable portfolio standards. Recommended Action EM 19 Track, comment, influence CPUC hearings/CEC meetings on efficiency/distributed generation. One proven means of developing regulatory and legislative interest is by maintaining a Leadership Palm Desert program of young and upcoming professionals in the community. This form of workforce has been used to tackle issues of importance in other cities; these young professionals may well be eager for policy engagement. Recommended Action EM 20 Maintain a Citizens Sustainability Committee to advise City and promote "Leadership Palm Desert" for young professionals. Renewable Energy The City realizes that it will have to promote solar power. insufficient. Thus the City may provide additional incentives, need be. This need will be tracked; potentially limited offe local investments and thus economic activity and jobs. Current incentives may be or piggy-back incentives, if �s can be explored to spur Recommended Action EM 21 Explore the need/opportunity for additional incentives for renewable energy installations. Recommended Action EM 22 Promote additional incentives to help reach City goals. Green Jobs Jobs have been mentioned throughout the Plan. Strategically shifting to environmental sustainability will open up many avenues for green jobs, from entry-level, to highly trained engineering and other technical services. The City can proactively work with its institutions of higher learning — College of the Desert, Cal State San Bernardino, and University of California Riverside at Palm Desert — to promote green curricula and training programs. Recommended Action EM 23 Working with College of the Desert, continue to promote technical training in the areas of energy efficiency and renewables. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 26 Recommended Action EM 24 Support Cal State in expanding research capabilities into alternative fuels, transportation, energy, and/or water. Recommended Action EM 25 Promote a new course in environmental studies/sustainability at University of California Riverside at Palm Desert. Recommended Action EM 26 Identify and promote meaningful jobs in the economy that are attractive for younger generations. Local Level Energy, naturally, is a critical resource. Electricity, the most refined energy product, is responsible for nearly 40% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Palm Desert is directed to focus on electricity use and how to reduce its use while maintaining services. Energy management at the local level is done through ordinances. Long Term Long-term energy visions for Palm Desert range considerably. Many Resource Team members believe that the City can go far beyond simply reducing energy use in the future. With a strong trio of wind, sunshine, and geothermal energy, the Coachella Valley is rich in renewable energy. This Plan suggests that these explorations be considered by the Sustainability Committee, recognizing that there is merit in exploring possibilities and finding potentially unique opportunities. This can take the form of incentives per kW of capacity (to complement the CSI incentives), expedited permitting, negotiable variances (height, architectural review), and City-sponsored recognition. Materials Management Palm Desert takes great pride, and deserves recognition, for its comprehensive efforts with materials management. When California passed AB 939, the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, Californians were throwing away 90% of their waste. Diverting half of this from landfills by the year 2000 seemed impossible. Within a single year, Palm Desert instituted its first curbside recycling program. By the year 2000, Palm Desert reached and surpassed the 50% diversion goal. The diversion rate stood at 72% in 2008, and had risen to 74% in 2014. This success was certainly not without effort. The City and its staff took action promoting recycling at fairs, schools, and community events, launching and maintaining City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 27 the "Recycle Binny" advertisements, instituting commercial recycling programs, managing commercial solid waste disposal, supporting green waste and biomass fuel programs, developing demonstration food waste programs, and helping to develop local markets for recycled materials. When one thinks of materials management and progressive waste management, recycling immediately comes to mind. But recycling is only one element of waste management. Waste management involves landfills, composting facilities, incinerators, etc. Recycling is third priority of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and "Recover." Principle The City embraces a"cradle-to-cradle" approach to materials management, from its manufacturing to disposal and reuse. Waste management is an element of the larger field called "materials management." It consists of management of the entire "life cycle" of materials — the make-up and origin of original components or products, how they are managed during their useful life, and how they are dealt with at the end of their lives. This is known as a"cradle to grave" perspective. This is refined with a"cradle-to-cradle" approach in which there is no disposal, only re-use and "net zero." Goal Increase overall City landfill diversion rate. Goal Pioneer innovative recycling approaches with commercial segments such as restaurants and hotels. Recommended Actions Raising Awareness Without question, continuing to increase the diversion rate will involve continued marketing and outreach, raising awareness to boost participation levels. This can be done in a variety of ways, none particularly compelling, but essential in aggregate. The notion of developing and marketing a"green supplier of the month" speaks to the times. Recommended Action MM 1 Continue recycling and re-use awareness through initiatives with schools, civic groups, volunteers, etc. Recommended Action MM 2 Develop targeted educational materials for young students, seniors, businesses, etc. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 28 Recommended Action MM 3 Develop a"Palm Desert Green Supplier of the Month" promotion. City Leadership The City of Palm Desert has led in materials management, and will continue to do so through purchasing policies, waste stream audits, and action plans. Recommended Action MM 4 Enhance municipal purchasing policy to recognize sustainable materials management. Recommended Action MM 5 Audit waste streams of government buildings to ascertain baseline usage. Begin with Civic Center. Recommended Action MM 6 Set goals, policies, and procedures based on waste stream audit. Re-evaluate every two years. Recommended Action MM 7 Implement program to reach municipal diversion goal including investments in bins, signage, etc. Deeper Education Part of an effective campaign is capturing interest. What's interesting about recycling? The "Dirty Dozen" program is an ongoing means of shedding light on particularly difficult materials to recycle. It is aimed to marshal community involvement and change behavior. For example, the "Dirty Dozen" might include Styrofoam food service containers, or plastic bags, or Styrofoam packaging peanuts. Engage residents by developing a contest based on getting residents to send in their list of offenders. Recommended Action MM 8 Create an "Annual Dirty Dozen" initiative to focus community efforts on the least recyclable materials. Recommended Action MM 9 Continue to work with the County in promoting their home composting information. Food Waste Managing food waste is more challenging than managing green landscaping or wood waste, yet is vital if Palm Desert is to reach sustainability goals. Palm Desert has City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 29 encouraged food waste management in the past; a reinvigorated effort is recommended. A food waste demonstration project starts with education about ordering and preparing food to avoid waste in the first place, then moves to distribution of excess food, and finally to dealing with food waste. This can be developed in conjunction with neighboring cities. Recommended Action MM 10 Introduce the pilot food waste program to markets, hotels, and more restaurants. Composting at home — or in HOAs, businesses, schools or other facilities — is relatively easy, healthful and very effective at reducing amounts of green and some organic waste. Composting can also be combined with community gardens. A composting workshop helps participants understand what can and can't be composted, which bins or containers are available or appropriate, and how to keep the compost pile "healthy and active." Recommended Action MM 11 Work with Burrtec to create a food waste demonstration project for homes and businesses. Recycling Incentives The City has and will remain open to all sorts of creative means of giving incentives and recognition. It will consider adopting or designing a recycling "rewards" program that identifies the amount of waste generated by a particular family or business and gives points for rewards. Schools, apartment complexes, and business parks can compete for prizes based on recycling. Recommended Action MM 12 Explore need/cost for additional incentives for recycling and materials management. Recommended Action MM 13 Promote a"Recycling Rewards" system to identify waste champions diverting the highest percent waste. Recommended Action MM 14 Establish waste reduction competitions with prizes for schools, apartment complexes, and business parks. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 30 Mandatory Recycling Recommended Action MM 15 Draft and pass ordinances for mandatory residential and commercial recycling. Key to mandatory recycling is the means for all to participate. The City will work with its vendor, Burrtec, to make bins available to all residents and businesses. Recommended Action MM 16 Strive for City project recycling requirements: 100% inert, 75% other construction material. Recommended Action MM 17 Implement Building Code requirements for residential, commercial, and construction debris. Recommended Action MM 18 Make bins available to all residents, businesses, and construction sites; provide periodic bin inspections. Enforcement will require both penalties and incentives. Penalties will come in the form of "red tagging" a construction or renovation project until recycling requirements are met. Regional Air Quality Coming from the Los Angeles Basin into the Coachella Valley, one is struck by the difference in air quality. In the desert, it seems as though mountains are clearer and closer; colors are at the same time brighter and more nuanced. Take a deep breath, no smell of diesel. At night, stars are clearly visible. This is the desert that attracts people from all over the country and visitors from all over the world. But long-time residents have more to say about air quality: "On a bad day, you can watch the smog blowing down the valley from Los Angeles." "High winds and blowing sand that caused problems for motorists in the Coachella Valley on Tuesday are expected through Wednesday afternoon. In Palm Springs, police shut down Gene Autry Trail at the wash about 2:30 p.m. due to "zero visibility." (weather report) Clearly, air quality is an issue for Palm Desert — and an issue that will require not only local efforts but regional cooperation to address. Principle Palm Desert is committed to regional collaboratives to combat negative regional air quality. Palm Desert lies within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), the local agency responsible for implementing and enforcing emissions primarily from City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 31 stationary sources of air pollution. Emission standards for mobile sources within the region are set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition to these agencies, CVAG plays a significant role in addressing local air quality issues. Palm Desert has been and will continue to be committed to working with each of these to alleviate air quality concerns. Air quality in Palm Desert is impacted by growth and activity in the Los Angeles Basin. With prevailing winds traveling from the west, every day the Coachella Valley "imports" smog and dust. Coastal cities have improved their air quality, but steady increases in population and attendant development — particularly in Riverside County — have resulted in little reprieve for the desert. Principle The City will actively address local air quality issues. During the development process, there is a potential to negatively impact air quality if soil stabilization techniques are not implemented. When construction occurs over the delicate cover of the desert floor, the natural groundcover is disturbed and sand becomes airborne. Over the past 20 years, Palm Desert has addressed these man- made Particulate Matter — 10 (PM-10) issues; the region is verging on achieving attainment status now. Goals and Visions The most basic vision is just and far-reaching: The goal for air quality in Palm Desert is for there to be no visible smog or particles in the air. A second goal is to help the Coachella Valley meet State and Federal air quality standards, for the health and safety of all Valley residents. Goal Reduce airborne particulates during annual over-seeding process. Goal Work in regional collaboration to reduce PM 10 from the air. Goal Continue participation with South Coast Air Quality Management District to support PM 2.5 reduction. The recommended action steps presented in this section fall into two primary categories: outdoor and indoor air quality. Other sections of this Plan also support the City's goals for air quality, for instance encouraging less driving. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 32 Regional and State Policies Working with CVAG includes helping to select projects to be funded by "non-attainment" fees. The City can suppo�t CVAG with written and oral testimony as needed in hearings and committee meetings. Recommended Action RAQ 1 Continue to work with and support CVAG in developing regional solutions to air quality issues. Recommended Action RAQ 2 Track and support as warranted, regional, state, national, and international policies to clean the air. Landscaping One of the major pollutants of outdoor air comes from seasonal "scalping" of turf, both residential and on golf courses. In 2008 CVAG created a model ordinance for member jurisdictions and developed a landscaping certification program for landscaping companies, with the recommendation that enforcement take place in the business license process. Recommended Action RAQ 3 Continue the sustainable landscape education program for current and prospective home owners and home owners associations. Visitor Information Visitors to Palm Desert have long expressed their desire to have it "lush." They like green vegetation and rushing waters. 2015 drought conditions forced residents and businesses to learn quickly how to reduce their water use. Recommended Action RAQ 4 Develop additional community and visitor information to highlight the benefits of desert landscaping. Potential Landscaping Incentives There are a number of ineans of providing incentives for water efficient landscaping. For instance, the City partners with CVWD to offer incentives for replacing turf with native low water-use plants, trees and ground cover. The City can partner with AQMD to hold periodic "lawn-mower trade-ins" to replace gasoline-powered lawn mowers with electrical models. It can promote the services of "solar landscaping services" (that use on-site solar power to recharge their equipment) and other landscapers who use green practices in their professions. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 33 Recommended Action RAQ 5 Explore additional incentives to encourage residents to change their landscaping practices. Recommended Action RAQ 6 Continue to implement incentives for replacing turf w�th native low water-use plants, trees, ground cover and "hardscapes." Recommended Action RAQ 7 Continue to cooperate with SCAQMD to hold "lawn-mower trade-ins", to replace gasoline- powered lawn mowers with electric models or push mowers. Indoor Air Quality People spend as much as 90% of their time indoors. The health of our homes and work places, therefore, is profound. Studies have shown that the levels of pollutants inside buildings can be as much as 2- 5 times higher than outdoor levels. Indoor air quality is negatively affected by a number of factors: • Building materials release gases into the space. Indoor air quality suffers from a lack of ventilation, high temperatures and humidity. Fortunately, healthier building materials are rapidly becoming more available at competitive prices and many lessons are being learned about making healthier living and work environments. The Building Code contains requirements for ventilation (during construction) and a 14- day flush-out process before a building is inhabited. These construction standards also list volatile organic compound limits for paints and coatings, carpets, flooring, and insulation. Since Palm Desert is mostly built out, the focus on cleaning the air needs to be on existing buildings and to intervene during remodeling. Most homes and businesses are continually refreshing or re-decorating interior spaces — and they can be encouraged to use healthier building materials and to install air-to-air heat exchangers in extreme situations. Raising IAQ Awareness There are many ways to raise awareness about indoor air quality. A basic means is to develop and distribute a flyer specifically on indoor air quality for property owners and/or contractors. Information might be distributed at the permitting desk of the City; City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 34 brochures at retail establishments where paints, carpeting, etc. are sold. The City can prepare and publish alerts in the BrightSide, on the City Website, and potentially outside advertising resources. The City can also support presentations to home owners associations and other community groups, service clubs, and church groups. Recommended Action RAQ 8 Develop a strategy and plan for raising awareness on indoor air quality including brochures for home owners and contractors. Recommended Action RAQ 9 Provide community information through the BrightSide, City website, etc. Cleaning Products Indoor air quality can also be affected by products that property owners typically use for cleaning. New "green" products are coming onto the market and Palm Desert will identify reference materials and links that sell "green" cleaning products and post them on the City's website for their promotion. The City can partner with manufacturers of green cleaning products to provide discounts for Palm Desert consumers. This might include a coupon in the BrightSide. Recommended Action RAQ 10 Continue to utilize green cleaning products for municipal application where feasible. Transportation Resources The City of Palm Desert has been a transportation leader in the Coachella Valley, and the State and nation. In 1977, Palm Desert helped found the regional SunLine Transit Agency to develop and run low-emission buses. Its fleet includes the most efficient and clean burning buses in the world. In 1993, Palm Desert sponsored Assembly Bill 1229 which allowed residents to use golf carts for travel to schools, parks, businesses, shopping centers and government offices. It was the first city in the nation to do so. In 2001, when the South Coast Air Quality Management District implemented Rule 2202, Palm Desert established an employee commute program to reduce emissions by providing incentives for alternative means of transportation. The City's Public Works Department has made it a practice of replacing all gasoline-powered vehicles with hybrid and alternate-fuel powered cars and trucks. And over 50 miles of committed bicycle trails have been established, often in conjunction with golf cart lanes/routes. This represents more bike trails than the rest of valley combined. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 35 This leadership has resulted in a) transportation options, b) greater efficiency, and c) cleaner air. Principle Palm Desert will enhance mobility and quality of life for residents and visitors by offering transportation options. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that transportation sources accounted for 28% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2006. Transportation is also the fastest-growing source of GHGs in the U.S. and is expected to increase another 48% by 2025. At the local level, this translates into traffic congestion. For Palm Desert to enhance its transportation and the mobility of its residents, it will explore means of providing transportation options. It will reinvigorate the SunLine bus system, continue to promote more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly modes, and increase vehicle occupancy rates. SunLine The crown jewel of Palm Desert's commitment to transportation management is the SunLine Transit Agency. Palm Desert's partnership with SunLine Transit Agency was essential to establishing the regional bus line; Palm Desert's stewardship of the line has been and continues to be essential to its progressive management. Thanks to a loan from the City of Palm Desert, SunLine opened for business in 1977 just five years after Palm Desert was founded. It is now the Valley's transportation link with a network of established routes. It has offered a variety of different-sized vehicles from its first years in business. In conjunction with College of the Desert, SunLine helped develop the Energy Technology Training Center for mechanics. In 1994, SunLine converted its fleet to 100% Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). In 2000, SunLine became a founding partner in the International Fuel Cell Consortium. In 2005, the first in-service, hydrogen-fueled electric hybrid bus joined the SunLine fleet. SunLine's successes have been recognized around the world, and Palm Desert residents have benefitted from the years of low and even no-emission public transportation. Goals The City of Palm Desert has been a leader in transportation, and will continue to be so. This Plan sets goals for cutting gasoline use —through more efficient vehicles and fewer vehicle miles travelled — both within the City government itself, and throughout the community. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 36 Given the enormity of GHGs related to automobile transportation, the City of Palm Desert has taken and will continue to take a multifaceted, carefully staged approach to transportation demand management. Goal Cut municipal fleet gasoline use. Goal Community-wide, reduce gasoline use. Goal Increase passenger miles in alternative vehicles and transport modes. This Plan takes into account a number of factors related to mobility in and out of Palm Desert. Mobility that takes place within the City can involve walking, biking, golf carts, and buses, not just autos. With its location in the center of the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is bound closely to its neighbors and to regional transportation trends and issues. As a tourist and retail center, Palm Desert serves as a destination, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from outside the area to its resorts and shopping areas. The workers and suppliers who support these activities are also pulled in from outside the City on a daily basis. This dramatic influx constantly challenges the City's traffic management experts, and is responsible for regular congestion, time delays, and a decrease in air quality. Biking There is nothing more fundamental than offering safe walking and biking opportunities to Palm Desert residents. Great strides have already been made to accommodate these forms of transit. By increasing these opportunities, intra-city vehicle miles travelled can be cut by 5- 10%. The City will continue to make sure that pedestrians have ample and safe sidewalks as well as crosswalks. The City will continue to promote biking through the development of bike lanes and in some instances bike paths. This Plan calls for increasing the connectivity of Class 1 and 2 bike lanes and golf cart lanes to provide access throughout the city. Recommended Action T 1 Develop plan for increasing the connectivity of Class 1 and 2 bicycle lanes and golf cart lanes. Recommended Action T 2 Enhance the City's solar bus stop program with free electric bicycle recharging stations. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 37 Recommended Action T 3 Expand the Waik-to-Work and Bike-to-Work campaigns with the help of bicycling clubs, educationai groups. Other ways of promoting biking include expanding the City's solar bus stop program with free electric bicycle recharging stations. The City can also identify existing alternative-commuter facilities such as bike racks. It can also study the requirement and potential for additional facilities to promote bike commuting. Commuter Programs (City) Alternative commuter incentives will be promoted within the City government and to other employers. This helps to avoids peak travel time, which in turn increases safety, and allows for cool early morning biking. The City can promote alternate fuel and/or hybrid limousines and taxis. Recommended Action T 4 Explore partnerships to increase "Rideshare Reward" incentives for golf cart, bicycle travel to work, Shuttles and Taxis The City also can explore mass transit options for visitors' and locals' airport connections, and enhancing and developing resort employee mass transit program. Other options include incentives — such as bonus and buddy tickets for students, tourists, seniors. The City can explore developing recognition program such as "Clean Air Citizen of the Week." A key challenge and opportunity is exploring how resorts can lessen reliance on private automobiles to enhance the visitor experience. Recommended Action T 5 Explore options for pramoting multi-person vehicles for local transport: shuttles, vans, and taxis. Recommended Action T 6 Work with SunLine, social service agencies and others to encourage conversion of taxis, shuttles and tourist vehicles to hybrid or electric motors. Recommended Action T 7 Encourage College of the Desert to maintain and expand its bus pass program for students. Traffic Management There are a number of options for traffic management, some involving commuters, others involving truckers. Homeowner associations can establish sites to encourage City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 38 ride sharing for work and shopping. A commuter ride-share site already exists. The City can publish it with community partners. Recommended Action T 8 Continue to coordinate traffic management with adjacent cities. Recommended Action T 9 Publicize existing commuter ride-share site. Community Education There is no question that despite SunLine's great success, it is falling short of its potential in terms of popular acceptance and use. People may like to look at the buses, but most don't ride them. Despite efforts to build ridership, it is generally relegated to those that can't afford cars. Mass transit is at the core of sustainability. Its energy intensity — measured in BTU's per revenue passenger mile — varies wildly from single occupancy vehicles, to buses and rail systems. This Plan begins a process of developing an outreach strategy to promote mass transit. The City can publish information and incentives in the "Brightside" and "Desert Sun" and on the City's website, develop outreach campaigns for schools and local businesses, and provide full information on mass transit options at employment centers. The City can also work with SunLine on new promotions. Recommended Action T 10 Develop outreach strategy to re-educate the public about transportation options within their community. Recommended Action T 11 Publish transportation maps, options and incentives in the "Brightside" and "Desert Sun" and on the City's website. Alternative Fuels There are a number of ways to promote alternative transportation. These include financing options as well as government mandates, and in this case, leading by example. Palm Desert intends to promote alternative fuels in a number of ways, through upholding City fleet purchasing requirements, encouraging local employers to take similar actions, continuing to explore new technologies to reduce VMT and emissions, encouraging suppliers to the City to use alternate-fuel vehicles, partnering with hybrid or City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 39 alternate vehicle manufacturers to demonstrate new vehicles, and working with government and non-governmental organizations to demonstrate new fuel mixes. Recommended Action T 12 Promote City fleet purchasing requirements for alternative fuels. autreach and incentives by working in collaboration with SunLine and others. _ __ ----- --- Recommended Action T 13 Continue to support regional initiatives, such as ge#ting older vehicles off the road, smog checks, etc. Long-Term Transportation In the long term, Palm Desert will broaden its award-winning transportation system by offering alternatives for its residents, commuters, and visitors. These alternatives — in all forms from additional bike lanes to shuttles and perhaps ultimately fixed guideways — will enhance the quality of life in the desert. Concurrently, the City and region will be attaining energy and environmental protection goals. The most dramatic enhancement that Palm Desert can make to the sustainability of its transportation system involves creating a regional transportation link using a"backbone" in the Valley. For years, alternative transportation advocates have called for using the Whitewater Channel as a regional transportation backbone. It could also link to high speed rail to Los Angeles. Developing a transportation backbone that uses a fixed or dedicated guide-way system may take 10 - 20 years to complete. Steady leadership — and Valley-wide cooperation -- will be required to succeed in finding an agreeable alignment and building a system. This Plan calls for ongoing investigation and discussions to advance the concept. Recommended Action T 14 Continue to explore regional transportation strategies with one or more transportation corridors. School Siting Recommended Action T 15 Coardinate the City's land use plan with schools to assure that schools are built within neighborhoods that promote walking to school. Water Management Palm Desert has been a Coachella Valley and Southern California leader in water management. The City's focus on water conservation began in earnest in 1980. A fact- City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 40 finding trip to Arizona created the inspiration for Palm Desert's desert/drought tolerant landscaping focus... what is known as "desert landscaping." This led to the City's first desert landscaped median in 1984 along Fred Waring Drive 25 years ago. Principle Water conservation begins with reducing water waste. Since then, the City has consistently managed its properties using the desert landscaping model. In both policy and practice, Palm Desert has made a priority of desert landscaping and "urban forestry" with clear results: • The Visitors Center and the Henderson Community Center, LEED icons of Palm Desert's sustainability initiatives, showcase desert landscaping and its beauty. • The Water-Efficient Landscape Ordinance sets minimum water-e�cient landscape requirements for newly installed and renovated landscapes. • The Weather-Based Irrigation Controller Program, in partnership with Coachella Valley Water District, offers "smart" irrigation systems at a discount. • The Nuisance Water Program focuses on eliminating wasteful and destructive standing water or running water in gutters and street crossings, mostly from overwatering. • Working with CVWD, Palm Desert has a world-class water reclamation system for golf courses. Water-Wise in the Desert Palm Desert sits atop a huge aquifer that is more than 135 square miles in size. But its levels have been steadily dropping since the early 1990s, causing Valley water agencies, farmers, and other property owners to dig deeper and pump harder. Despite a series of replenishment and recharge programs, water levels continue to decline. Principle Palm Desert will encourage and educate others on the value and appropriateness of desert style landscaping. Palm Desert thrives as a beautiful resort and retirement community. Surveys show that lush is desirable. The City, therefore, seeks to balance responsible use and visitor/resident amenities. In addition to declining aquifer levels, the water situation is exacerbated by the fact that external water supplies are tight. Colorado River water supplies are limited. Since 2006, California has suffered from drought with snowpack, precipitation, and reservoir storage City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 41 well below average. Some say that the current situation in the Coachella Valley is the "worst dry spell in 80 years." Principle Palm Desert aspires to a sustainable state in which water use equals reliable su Palm Desert is focused, with its partner agencies, on both water supply and demand. In terms of demand, the City is focused on both interior and exterior water use. Goals Palm Desert has three key goals for managing its water use: First, a new educational campaign is presented to break complacency and to spur action. Second, the City worked toward reducing electricity and natural gas use; and cutting water use City-wide. Goal Continue to educate residents and businesses in Palm Desert about the current water situation and the need to conserve. Goal Reduce water use City-wide through aggressive water management and reclamation. The challenge — as with electricity and gas — is to achieve these deep cuts without loss of vacation and resort amenity, without reducing landscapes' aesthetic quality. Goal To the greatest extent possible, eliminate "nuisance water". Third, the City will to the greatest extent possible eliminate nuisance water that results from over-spray and malfunctioning irrigation systems, etc. Nothing is more troubling than a precious resource heading down the drain. Community Awareness The City of Palm Desert has educated its residents on a number of resource issues, from storm water management to recycling. Once again, residents and visitors to Palm Desert need to be reminded and informed of the current water situation. This Plan calls for a renewed awareness campaign about the Valley's water status. It will require multiple messages featuring the benefits of treating water as a precious commodity. The City can work with Coachella Valley Water District on a reinvigorated public media campaign about the Valley's water status. This can include developing a series of public service announcements — for TV, radio, and the press — that emphasize reality of the current situation and thus the importance of water savings. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 42 The City can develop simple printed checklists of water-saving tips, in both English and Spanish. And it can distribute these tips widely at fairs, homeowner association meetings, the Visitors' Center, tourist bureaus, restaurants, hotel lob�ies, the Bright Side, and on the website. The City can develop educational materials to distribute through other channels including the Chamber of Commerce, the Visitors and Convention Bureau, and real estate developers. The City will consider expanding the public art program to include desert landscaping. Another option is to work directly with CVWD to explain the new tiered rates, promote existing incentive programs for different categories of water customers and to develop more urgent messaging. Deliver these messages via water bill inserts, local TV, etc. Special messaging may be required for home owners associations. The City of Palm Desert understands that its maximum leverage comes from educating the next generation. Young students will pioneer highly efficient water use and — like recycling -- it will become their norm. California teaching standards require education about water at all elementary levels. The City will find and/or develop supplemental teaching materials that emphasize conservation in the desert environment. These materials will be augmented through student field trips to local water-management sites such as CVWD's "The Dam Tour," Water Reclamation Plant #10, and "net zero" homes as they are developed to demonstrate comprehensive efficiency and gray water use. Concurrent to launching a new campaign for judicious water use, the City of Palm Desert will continue to support pricing — as with energy — that reflects its actual costs. The tiered rates being introduced by CVWD are the first significant step toward this recommendation and will likely have a significant and measurable conservation effect. Helping to make consumers aware of this and other pricing changes will smooth the transition to cost-based pricing. Recommended Action WM 1 Educate citizens of the current status of water supplies through a public media campaign. Recommended Action WM 2 Encourage time-of-use irrigating -- notably pre-dawn watering -- to minimize evaporation. Recommended Action WM 3 Work with CVWD to coordinate educational campaigns including school focus. Recommended Action WM 4 Support pricing and water-saving programs with Coachella VaA2y Water District so the City achieves its goals. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 43 Recommended Action WM 5 Support a pilot educationai program on gray-water i Exterior Water Use Palm Desert and CVWD have made notable progress in reducing water usage by golf courses and in new residential and commercial developments. The majority of water usage, however, takes place in existing homes and buildings supporting traditional landscaping like turf and flower gardens. In Palm Desert, 70% of residential water use is for outdoor consumption. There are many ways to raise awareness and to effect change regarding exterior water use. These include drafting and distributing descriptions and photos of appropriate desert landscaping, contrasting it to traditional landscaping. This might be particularly effective in older neighborhoods. Recommended Action WM 6 Continue to provide water efficient iandscaping materials. The City can partner with others on tours of demonstration gardens and low-water usage homes, and interview and write up the stories of people who have changed their landscaping to be responsive to the regional water situation, and who have found means of making drought-tolerant planting very aesthetically pleasing. Recommended Action WM 7 Support tours of demonstration gardens and low-water usage homes. Creative means of getting action and transforming the look and feel include arranging with local nurseries to co-promote special offers of water-efficient plants. These can be supported by "reinvigorated" offers for drip irrigation and smart controller systems through CVWD. Other options include promoting gray-water irrigation systems through pilot programs and analysis. Recommended Action WM 8 Partner with local nurseries and co-promote special offers of water-efficient plants. Recommended Action WM 9 Continue supporting the offers for drip irrigation and smart controller systems through CVWD. The City can help raise awareness about evaporation and its direct and societal costs. The City can consider incentives to promote swimming pool covers and potentially surFactants to reduce evaporation. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 44 Recommended Action WM 10 Explore education and incentives to limit swimming pool evaporation. Interior Use Interior water use has less potential for savings than exterior initiatives, but an effective plan for water conservation includes alJ sectors and sources. An option for residential water audits is to encourage and partner with CVWD to expand existing audits (for golf courses and HOAs) to include residential properties. Commercial sector programs can be customized, designed to address specific sectors of the economy. Palm Desert will explore the opportunity to develop a campaign to permeate the community and various sectors. In the restaurant sector, conservation efforts might have a goal of reaching 20% of all restaurants each year. Elements of the program include recognition "window sticker" and table announcement cards describing the program, drinking water on request only, retrofit for on-demand water heaters in restrooms, instant-on faucets with automatic shut-offs, and low-flow toilets. In the kitchens, there are opportunities for water-efficient dishwashers and efficient ice machines Another City function is to coordinate with utility and Federal programs and rebates to retrofit water-using appliances and to introduce or strengthen behavioral/awareness programs at small hotels that lack the resources to do so on their own. Property owners can retrofit laundry facilities to include high-efficiency washers for water and electricity savings and dryers for gas and electricity savings. There are a number of ineans of beating the water-saving drum such as announcing programs in lobbies, rooms, and on websites. Recommended Action WM 11 Analyze option of expanding CVWD's water ordinance 1302.1 to also include residential properties with landscapes less than 5,000 square feet. Recommended Action WM 12 Promote water efficiency measures for PACE programs. Recommended Action WM 13 Develop and target new water efficiency campaign for restaurant sector. Recommended Action WM 14 Develop and target water efficiency campaign for small hotels. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 45 Golf Courses More than a dozen golf courses in CVWD territory use recycled water for at least part of their irrigation. Reportedly, they'll take as much of this less-expensive water as they can get. This water commodity is in great demand, and dovetails nicely with sustainability. Much more recycled water is needed to reach the goal of 100% of City golf courses to be irrigated with recycled water. Palm Desert can help existing golf courses by encouraging redesign of courses to reduce the amount of land that requires irrigation, providing incentives for replacing traditional grass with drought-tolerant species, providing incentives for installing moisture-sensor, controlled irrigation systems. Recommended Action WM 15 Support special water conservation training for golf course managers and golfers. Recommended Action WM 16 Promote golf course design and re-design that reduces the amount of land that requires irrigation. Recommended Action WM 17 Continue to support replacing "traditional" grass with more drought-tolerant species. Recommended Action WM 18 Provide incentives for installing or upgrading existing computerized moisture-sensor, controlled irrigation systems. Recommended Action WM 19 Educate homeowners about the merits of not over-seedina. Policies This Plan takes a major step in developing a local policy of reducing water use throughout the City. This commitment is based on a belief that the situation is dire, and will get worse with no action. This Plan presents a broad menu of conservation and efficiency steps. There are also system considerations. The City supports the CVWD efforts to expand its treatment plant to reclaim additional water for landscaping and golf courses. Recommended Action WM 20 Support CVWD efforts to expand water treatment plants. There is also an interesting opportunity for the City to link water and energy resources, by helping to arrange solar systems at pumping stations. These may be eligible for net City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 46 energy metering, or feed-in tariffs, and they might best be privately owned to take tax benefits. This Plan calls for an exploration that begins by identifying the pumping locations, and studying the feasibility of solar on top of back-feed ponds to generate electricity and reduce evaporation. Recommended Action WM 21 Analyze economics and benefits of a solar-powered water pump partnership with Coachella Valley Water Dis#rict. 3. Greenhouse Gas Compliance This section of the Plan covers greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and how Palm Desert will reduce its "carbon footprint" to comply with state, national and international mandates and agreements. Background In 2007, the Palm Desert City Council adopted Resolution 07-78. It was a major step in the City's systematic approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Resolution was passed without in-depth analysis, and targets cutting greenhouse gas emissions in Palm Desert to a level 7% below 1990 levels. With increased awareness of current emissions levels, brought about by completion of the city's greenhouse gas inventory, the City elected to establish 2008 as the baseline year from which reduction was measured. The findings of Palm Desert's first Greenhouse Gas Inventory — completed in parallel with this Environmental Sustainability Plan — provided key insights. In particular, Palm Desert's population has doubled since 1990. Despite a decoupling of population and GHG growth, the City has experienced a major rise in emissions as presented in the inventory. This Plan, therefore, presents a framework for taking pragmatic action, beginning with the first of three phases over a ten-year period. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Six primary greenhouse gases trap the Sun's heat within the Earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the predominant greenhouse gas. The five others are methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N20) are particularly relevant for Palm Desert. For measurement purposes, where GHGs occur in a local jurisdiction they are all converted to "CO2 equivalents." City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 47 Developing an inventory involves assembling data and analysis of the major sources of emissions: electricity, natural gas, transportation, and solid waste. Imagine putting a bubble over the City limits. All emissions such as car and truck exhaust stay within the bubble. The process then accounts for the "embedded carbon" of key materials coming into the bubble, such as electricity and water for the City. Wastes pass from the bubble to a regional landfill. These flows are tracked and calculated to establish an emissions baseline year. Since 1990, per capita energy and thus carbon intensity has fallen considerably in Palm Desert. In 1990, the average per capita GHG emissions of a Palm Desert resident was 17.5 metric tons. (A measurement of mass, 1 metric ton is equal to 2,204.61b or 1,000 kg.) By 2008, this average intensity dropped to 12.2 metric tons, well below the 1990 value. However, since 1990, the population within the Palm Desert bubble has doubled. With an increased population, there's much more CO2 in the bubble than before, while the City strives for an absolute 7% reduction. In 1990, the population was 23,252. By 2008, the population had swelled to 50,907. Despite the drop in intensity, annual CO2 emissions have risen from 406,607 metric tons in 1990 to 621,225 metric tons in 2008, a 51 % increase. Emissions Reduction Plan This Plan calls for a ten year, three-phase period to address emissions reductions goals. Adhering to the principles presented, and taking action on the goals in this Plan will be a major boost to realizing emissions reductions. Implementing the actions outlined for Phase I will be significant, providing an estimated 35,829 metric tons of annual reductions. The Top 20 Phase I Actions The Top 20 recommended actions presented below scored the highest in the five- variable prioritization process. These measures are 1) feasibility, 2) low cost to the City, 3) efficiency of leveraging energy, dollar, and carbon savings, 4) level of community support, and 5) ability to offset significant amounts of carbon. These actions are presented in the accompanying decision-making matrix. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 48 Top 20 Actions and Annual Carbon Offsets (Annual Metric Tons CO2e) Resource Area Cateqory Action Score Offset Carbon EM-7 EM-6 EM-12 EM-26 MM-19 EM-3 EM - 24 EM - 28 MM-7 WM-12 EM-2 EM-8 EM-9 MM - 20 MM-21 T-14 T-22 EM-25 MM-5 RAQ - 8 EIP Loans EIP Loans Office of Energy Policy Policies Set to Save Policy Policy City leadership Interior Use Set to Save Federal stimulus Federal stimulus Policies Policies Shuttles/taxis Alternative fuels Policy Initiatives City Leadership Landscaping Un-cap loan sizes Assure ample EIP funding Consumer and technical assistance Advocate for utilities' renewable portfolios Draft ordinances for mandatory recycling Explore alternative funding Promote tax-exempt / gov. backed bonds Form leadership group Waste stream audits and policy Expand EIP to include water Submit re-application Track stimulus opportunities Partner and prepare grants City recycling, 100% inert, 75% other Enact mandatory recycle ord. by 2011 Promote clean air vehicles Codify City fleet procurement Continue to promote feed-in tariff Sustainable purchasing policy Lawn mower trade-in 25 24 23. 23 23 22 20 22 22 22 21 21 21 21 21 22 21 20 20 20 683 2,061 2,883 3,651 11,181 3,604 687 3,494 224 155 Total 4,579 195 974 158 18 1,275 +/_ 35,829 The scoring for the Top 20 in total score reflects the current economy: Equally weighted in the scoring is a"Low Cost" parameter. This refers to low cost to the City. Implementing these measures will cost the City $27,500 —$742,500 depending on the ability to use City staff time to carry out the action steps. Meanwhile, the benefit is significant as the City reverses two decades of carbon growth. Estimates suggest that Phase I savings will be 35,829 metric tons, a reduction of 5.8% from the 2008 baseline. 2015 Inventory Update The City completed an update that City emissions had been achieved in the consumption analysis showed increases in � City will use this update to g� come. to its GHG inventory in 2015. That effort demonstrated reduced by 5,284 tonnes of CO2E. Reductions were of electricity and natural gas, as well as PM10. The �missions related to transportation and solid waste. The ide its focus in implementing this Plan in the years to Most importantly, these action steps begin a systematic and deliberate, strategic process of shifting to carbon sustainability. Carrying out this Plan reverses the current growth in GHG emissions, beginning the absolute downward trend essential to hit targets. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 49 4. The Action Plan There are a number of common principles of sustainable development in Palm Desert. For instance, all agree that Palm Desert: a. Is a great place to live that needs to be nurtured b. Continues to stay ahead and shape national, State, and regional mandates c. Provides high levels of sustainability services for its residents and businesses d. Must plan strategically and cost effectively through timed roll-outs, partnerships, bundling, and leveraging savings To be effectively implemented, Palm Desert will a) integrate efforts internally, and b) reach out to the community... building support for the long and tough marathon. Organizational Design Sustainability is ripe with challenge and potentially huge costs. Its benefits are undeniable; the threat of un-sustainability is absolute. How to get there with the least fiscal impact and greatest economic development benefit is the challenge for Palm Desert and its residents. To coordinate the City's effort and to maintain the focus on sustainability within Palm Desert's government and through-out the community, Palm Desert will: a. Assign a Sustainability Coordinator b. Formalize the Core Sustainability Team c. Prepare and Present a Periodic Sustainability Report Sustainability Coordinator: Most cities and corporations have established Sustainability Coordinators. This individual is responsible for a number of tasks, foremost among them integrating initiatives being carried out by various departments, linking disparate efforts into a community-wide emphasis, and keeping sustainability and the City's progress front and center. Palm Desert will accomplish this by reassignment of existing staff through the completion work in Phase I of the Sustainability Plan. Core Sustainability Team: The Core Sustainability Team has been essential to the development of the City's Sustainability Plan. The City will formally establish the CST to guide the Office of Sustainable Development and the Sustainability Coordinator. Managing Costs Palm Desert will climb the steps to sustainability. The process begins with no and low- cost actions that the City can take that will lead to significant resource benefits. For example, green building codes, expedited permitting, special treatment for super City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 50 efficient, green and LEED-certified buildings cost the City very little and result in major benefits for the City and owner/developers over time. The City will take care to document savings, in some cases creating savings accounts that will later seed revolving loans to enable further investments of longer payback measures. Going forward, City programs will be measured not just for their costs and cost-effectiveness, but by how much carbon dioxide they avoid. An important screening tool will be developed to help guide the City in fulfilling future climate protection goals. Three-Phase Implementation This Plan presents a three-step, multi-year implementation schedule and work plan. While the three phases need not necessarily be sequential, they represent steps to greater and greater complexity and program commitment. Phase I: Low-Cost, No-Cost First Steps Phase I focuses on actions that can be addressed immediately. These are low-cost, no- cost measures that include maintaining existing programs and initiatives such as the Energy Independence Program. The first phase also includes steps in the critical path to sustainability... for instance maximizing the City's own efficiency, and in turn, reducing its footprint. This report identifies logical Phase I programs. The City will regularly re-evaluate its progress and make adjustments as necessary. Phase II: Leveraging Opportunities The second phase will necessarily cost more, and will involve innovative financing and community partners. These policies and programs and activities will be detailed in the framing process. How can the costs of sustainability be shared? What government and foundation resources are available? How can Palm Desert position itself for external funding? How much internal funding will be required? Are there means of co-marketing to link private sector funding with public support? Are there ways for consumers to bear the costs, while reaping multiple benefits? Issues like feed-in tariffs with effective prices — that could open up great levels of participation in distributed solar generation — will continue to be promoted given their potential leverage. Phase III: Scaling up to Sustainability Phase III is all about scaling up to sustainability, based on the success of initial phases. This involves major steps that involve significantly increasing renewable energy production and mandating net zero developments and remodels. New technologies and ingenuity will help Palm Desert and other cities attain these seemingly impossible goals. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 51 Phase III involves a longer-term view, and thus engages a variety of concepts, which could include items such as distributed generation, carbon markets, and potentially even reforms in land-use planning. In order to attain goals for resource efficiency, and to fulfill global warming commitments, Palm Desert will continually explore different ways of doing business and the ways in which we live and use the resources available in our community. Seizing the Opportunity to Lead Can Palm Desert turn State mandates into opportunity? Given the Coachella Valley's abundance of wind, sun, and geothermal energy, Palm Desert can first improve its own energy-use profile, then support development of regional energy resources, potentially providing excess generation to neighboring communities and the regional power grids. With proper legislation, and appropriate prices, this can be done for long-term profit and sustainable development. Sustainability can drive local economic development in Palm Desert: Youth can be trained for green collar jobs; the community can be retrofitted to care for the Earth, water systems, energy generation, and materials. In collaboration with academic institutions, the City can train energy specialists. The City intends to lure white and blue collar industries to Palm Desert to "ride the wave" of sustainability. This kind of strategic planning is at the core of Palm Desert's vision for the community. Finding ways to profit, to transform threat into opportunity, is a key to garnering community support. Palm Desert will continue its leadership pace in the Coachella Valley and throughout California in responsible sustainability. Sustainability will become part of the City of Palm Desert's community fabric. City of Palm Desert Environmental Sustainability Plan Page 52