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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Minnella, Alex
DATE: October 5, 2018
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of the Cool DuPage Initiative and Goals as a Charter Community in Partnership with DuPage County (City of Aurora - 18-0918 / KDWK-18.120-PZ/S - AM - Ward
PURPOSE:
Staff is requesting to authorize the acceptance of the Cool DuPage initiative and goals as a charter community in partnership with DuPage County. The details of the proposal include the reduction of countryside greenhouse gas emissions.
BACKGROUND:
This resolution supports the common goal of the City of Aurora and the County of DuPage of reducing countryside greenhouse gas emissions under the April 14, 2015 DuPage County Energy Conservation and Air Quality Improvement Plan. The City of Aurora currently holds membership in many environmentally minded organizations including U.S. Conference of Mayors, Chicago Area Clean Cities, Clean Air Counts, Cool Cities, U.S. Green Buildings Council, Illinois Recycling Organization, and Tree City USA.
This Cool DuPage effort originated as a part of the Sierra Club’s nationwide Cool Counties initiative, and the County’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ten percent by 2020 and twenty percent by 2030 by reducing energy consumption and vehicles miles traveled on a countryside basis.
There is no monetary incentive or cost to the City.
By accepting the Cool DuPage initiative the City of Aurora becomes a charter community level partner and agrees to complete a few actions to obtain technical and outreach assistance and recognition from the County.
Municipalities that adopt the resolution, pledge their leadership and support to promote energy efficiency and improved air quality to their residents, commercial businesses and local governments.
By joining the effort, the City will be required to look at its buildings and analyze the study to be conducted to see what programs might help reduce energy consumption.
Partner goals include the following:
• Promote Cool DuPage and its objectives and strategies;
• Engage with school districts, libraries and other governmental entities about energy saving opportunities and techniques to reduce vehicle miles traveled;
• Share information in the community through newsletters or other public outreach methods;
• Review citywide energy consumption provided by the County and/or its Green Government Council members;
• Complete a municipal building energy consumption assessment and work on areas of implementation identified in the assessment;
• Track and share results from comparative assessments using the 2007 baseline data.
It is in the City’s best interest to use all available resources, networks and experts to achieve the goals listed above, and coherent with the existing Sustainability Plan approved in 2009.
More information on Cool DuPage can be found on www.dupageco.org/cooldupage <http://www.dupageco.org/cooldupage> and the DuPage County Energy Conservation and Air Quality Improvement Plan is hereafter attached.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Cool DuPage initiative and the benefits of partnering with Cool DuPage.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Staff would anticipate that this initiative will increase the City’s overall tax base, by facilitating investment and development, which will offset any incidental Department or staffing impacts.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff would recommend APPROVAL of the Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of the Cool DuPage Initiative and Goals as a Charter Community in Partnership with DuPage County.
ATTACHMENTS:
DuPage County Energy Conservation & Air Quality Improvement Plan
Legistar Number: 18-0918
cc: Alderman Saville, Chairman
Alderman Jenkins
Alderman Franco
Alderman Donnell, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of the Cool DuPage Initiative and Goals as a Charter Community in Partnership with DuPage County.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora and the County of DuPage are seeking common goals
under the April 14, 2015 DuPage County Energy Conservation and Air Quality Improvement Plan; and
WHEREAS, the goal of Cool DuPage is to reduce countywide greenhouse gas emissions ten percent by 2020 and twenty percent by 2030 based on the 2007 levels as calculated in the DuPage Energy and Emissions Profile; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora endeavors to reduce resident and business’ energy costs while improving air quality and determines that it is in the interest of the City of Aurora to undertake such activities to improve air quality and reduce energy consumption; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has reviewed the DuPage County Energy Conservation and Air Quality Improvement Plan and recommends approval and adoption of this resolution at the Charter Community level to actively work towards the goals and strategies set forth in the aforementioned plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora will strive to achieve the baseline recommendations provided by Cool DuPage within publically owned buildings and within the community; and
WHEREAS, DuPage County, under the auspices of Cool DuPage will assist the City of Aurora through technical assistance, when appropriate, to reach baseline recommendations and goals as adopted within the DuPage County Energy Conservation and Air Quality Improvement Plan; and
WHEREAS, on October 11, 2018, the Planning and Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said Planning and Zoning Project and the before mentioned recommendations and recommended APPROVAL of said petition; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, hereby enters into an active partnership with and adopts the goals of the Cool DuPage initiative; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Aurora desires to be listed as an active partner on the County’s Cool DuPage website and in any applicable publications and social media supporting Cool DuPage.