The Havre de Grace City Council will hold a public hearing Monday night regarding a resolution which would create a “Green Team,” charged with surveying the city for opportunities to save energey, reduce the municipal carbon footprint, protect water supplies, and generally revitalize the community by protecting its natural assets.
The public hearing, which begins at 7pm, concerns the Sustainable Maryland Certification Program – an initiative of the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center, the Maryland Municipal League and the National Center for Smart Growth, along with a coalition of non-profit organizations.
According to the resolution, “SMC directs that in order for a municipality to achieve SMC certification two of the six action categories from SMC priorities must be completed; they are: 1) A municipal energy audit; 2) A community garden program; 3) A municipal carbon footprint program; 4) Adopting a Green purchasing policy; 5) Adopting a watershed plan; 6) Adopting a storm water management plan.”
The mayor and city council are currently exploring the costs to implement any of the six SMC priorities, however, no costs or expenses for SMC were included in the 2011/2012 city budget.
If the resolution is approved, the city of Havre de Grace would agree to participate in the Sustainable Maryland Certified program, designate Patrick Sypolt as the city’s point of contact, and create a Green Team made up of nine members; five citizens and four city representatives (two members of the city council and two city employees), as chosen by the mayor with the approval of the mayor and city council. The members will serve a one-year term from the date of appointment.
The Sustainable Maryland Certification resolution woulds not obligate the city to expend any funds for implementation of the program in the current fiscal year or any future years.
Monday night’s agenda also includes the introduction of a resolution concerning the Local Government Insurance Trust Agreement and introduction of an ordinance concerning the Forest Conversation Code.
Also Monday night, the mayor and city council will recognize PFC Jonathan Sova and PFC Aaron Sandruck of Havre de Grace Police Department and receive a presentation on the Water and Sewer Commission by Garrett Lyttle.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
The full agenda is listed below:
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
December 19, 2011
7:00 p.m.Public Hearing: Resolution 2011-18, as amended- Sustainability
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 23A OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND AND CHARTER SECTION 34 OF THE HAVRE DE GRACE CITY CHARTER INDICATING SUPPORT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUSTAINABLE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Opening Prayer by: Pastor Gary Sieglein; Darlington and Rock Run United Methodist
5. Approval of the Minutes: December 5, 2011
6. Recognitions: (Presented by Mayor Dougherty and Chief Walter)
A. PFC Jonathan Sova- Havre de Grace Police DepartmentB. PFC Aaron Sandruck- Havre de Grace Police Department
7. Proclamations: None
8. Presentations:
A. Mr. Garrett Lyttle- Water and Sewer Commission, 2010/11 Budget Year9. Appointments: None
10. Oath of Office: None
11. Comments from Citizens on Agenda Items:
12. Resolutions:
A resolution concerning the Local Government Insurance Trust Agreement (Council President Martin)
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 23A OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND AND SECTION 34 OF THE HAVRE DE GRACE CITY CHARTER APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSURANCE TRUST AGREEMENT.
13. Ordinances:
An Ordinance concerning the Forest Conversation Code (Councilmember Miller)
AN ORDINANCE BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 23A OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, TITLE 5 OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND AND SECTION 34 OF THE HAVRE DE GRACE CITY CHARTER RESCINDING THE CURRENT FOREST CONSERVATION CODE IN CHAPTER 81 OF THE CITY CODE AND REPLACING IT IN ITS ENTIRETY.
14. Unfinished Business/Old Business: None
15. New Business: None
16. Director’s Report:
A. Ms. Carol Mathis – Director of Administration
B. Mr. Neal Mills-Director of Planning
C. Mr. George DeHority-Director of Finance
D. Mr. Larry Parks – Director of Public Works
E. Chief Teresa Walter- Police Department17. Business from Mayor Dougherty:
18. Business from Council:
A. Councilmember Cullum:
B. Councilmember: Wagner
C. Councilmember Correri:
D. Councilmember Miller:
E. Councilmember Craig:19. Business from Council President Martin:
20. Comments from Citizens:
21. Adjournment:
Not sure if it’s a good idea for the government to get involved in mandating “green initiatives”. Could be very costly to the city of Havre de Grace.
It’s worth noting that participation in the Sustainable Maryland Certified program is not a mandate. Instead, the Environmental Finance Center at UMD awards certificates of achievement to municipalities that implement things like water conservation, fitness, and “buy local” programs to boost the community’s economy. See http://www.sustainablemaryland.com.