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toweling. Significant waste prevention opportunities still exist in areas related to paper reuse, food <br /> composting, and buying recycled but require expanded coordination, control, and leadership. <br /> Reprographics, Copying and Use of Printers -This spring, the City commissioned a study of the document <br /> output processes and methods, including printers, copiers, Reprographics Services and the use of outside <br /> printers. The consultants were charged with looking at these processes in terms of environmental, financial <br /> and technical goals. The report was completed at the end of September and conclusions and <br /> recommendations will be shared with City management in late November. ISD staff plan to provide <br /> additional informational activities to all interested City staff. <br /> i <br /> Fleet Activities Towards Sustainability -The City's Fleet fuel pumps are dispensing a new diesel blend <br /> called bio-diesel B20. The blend contains 80% regular diesel fuel and 20%bio-diesel, aclean-burning <br /> i' alternative fuel produced from the best feed stock from Midwest farmers or renewable resources such as <br /> virgin vegetable oils, tallow, and waste grease. Bio-diesel B20 can be used in any diesel engine with no <br /> modification to the en ine or fuels st <br /> g em. The <br /> . Y switch to bio-dies <br /> el res <br /> onds to <br /> p the City s goals of <br /> sustainability and environmental stewardship. Because bio-diesel is made from domestic, renewable <br /> resources, it cuts down the City's use ofnon-sustainable fossil fuels. Bio-diesel B20 substantially reduces <br /> tailpipe emissions of unburned hydrocarbons and other pollutants, cutting smog and ozone. <br /> <br /> i <br /> Vegetation Control in Channels -Natural Resource Maintenance staff have reduced the slope area that is <br /> routinel mowed a <br /> Y lon ma' <br /> or draina <br /> g e ch <br /> J annels <br /> down the slope. At minimum, staff attempt to leave aa10 fo t or w der buffe~ of unmowed ve etationaY <br /> above the waterline or above the bottom of the channel. For fire and safety reasons, the mowing frequency <br /> has remained stable at 2 to 3 times per year. However, this varies from site to site depending on the extent <br /> of nuisance or invasive vegetation along the banks. Except when necessary to access levees, channels and <br /> ditches to perform maintenance activities, staff only mow along unpaved roads to prevent the establishment <br /> of woody vegetation that will eventually block vehicle use, to control invasive species, or to mitigate <br /> potential fire hazards to neighboring property. <br /> Natural Resource -Maintenance staff routinely conduct vegetation inspections on all open waterways at <br /> least twice each year. Trees and woody vegetation that are growing in the bottom of channels or could <br /> otherwise create significant impacts to necessary conveyance are identified for scheduled for later removal. <br /> Removal is done almost exclusively by the use of hand labor and a chipper and is regularly scheduled to ~ <br /> start no earlier than mid July in order to maximize the habitat benefits for nesting birds. Trees and shrubs <br /> that are not deemed to be creating a significant impact on conveyance are allowed to remain in and along <br /> channel banks in order to maximize water quality and natural resource benefits. <br /> Green Building Task Team: E <br /> The Green Building Task Team was created by the EPT in March 2001. This team is charged with <br /> reviewing the use of green building technology in the City's internal buildin desi <br /> g gn, construction and <br /> ,maintenance practices and identifying potential areas of improvement. The team also reviews <br /> 4 <br /> information on green building research and practices in the public and private sectors, and identifies <br /> practices for potential application to the City. <br /> { <br /> City agencies are applying green buildin ? <br /> g principles to improve the environmental performance of City <br /> facilities. During FY02, a set of Energy Conservation Program Policies was adopted that specifically <br /> addressed building operations and maintenance practices as elements of a comprehensive energy i <br /> program. These policies incorporated the ongoing effort to upgrade HVAC systems in City buildings to <br /> I <br /> a "best practices" standardized direct digital control technology where feasible. In terms of new public <br /> buildings, the City has adopted the USGBC (the U. S. Green Building Council) "Leadership in Energy <br /> and Environmental Design" criteria (LEED) for new City construction projects. The City is a member i <br /> <br />