CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMORANDUM

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1 City and County of Broomfield, Colorado CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMORANDUM To: From: Prepared by: Mayor and City Council George Di Ciero, City and County Manager Shirley Garcia, Environmental Services Coordinator Kathy Schnoor, Environmental Services Superintendent Meeting Date Agenda Category Agenda Item # April 13, 2010 Petitions and Communications 3 (a) Agenda Title: 2010 Broomfield Earth Day Events and Activities Summary Earth Day 2010 Proclamation The Mayor has signed the attached proclamation designating April 22 as Earth Day 2010 (Attachment 1). The proclamation supports and strengthens commitments made in the environmental element of Broomfield s Comprehensive Plan to undertake programs and projects that protect and enhance the community s natural environment. Earth Day Events and Activities In addition to efforts to accomplish environmental goals for Broomfield, many activities have been organized to help residents commemorate this occasion and show their individual commitment to the environment. The Earth Day Calendar of Events was mailed to all Broomfield residents with their February utility bills. Activities include: Colorado Trees seminar; Designing a Xeriscape Yard workshops; Arbor Day tree plantings; Earth Day Program Just for Kids ; tree limb recycling drop-off; Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day; waste motor oil and cooking oil recycling; Spring Cleanup; and West Nile Virus/Integrated Pest Management seminar The attached Earth Day 2010 Calendar of Events lists the dates, times and locations for all the events (Attachment 2). Advertising for these events has been or will be provided in the Broomfield Enterprise, on the local cable channel, B in the Loop, and on the City s web page. All of the events are free to Broomfield residents. Attachment 3 is a brief follow-up report on some of the City s recycling activities in Attachment 4 is a map showing Spring Cleanup areas. Prior Council Action Financial Considerations Alternatives Proposed Actions/Recommendations

2 00LOROP PROCLAMATION Earth Day 2010 WHEREAS, Broomfield recognizes the fragile balance among the earths intricately woven ystems; and WHEREAS, humans play an influential part within the complex web of life; and WHEREAS, a healthy environment and diverse ecoystems are essential to a thriving communiy and vigorous local economy; and WHEREAS, some human activities are resulting in global and local environmental change to the detriment of human health and biological diversity; and WHEREAS, we have the potential to use our creativiy, innovation, and education, to affect environmental change and correct orprevent environmental degradation; and WHEREAS, local communities can lead the way in taking steps to protect and preserve our natural resources by encouraging sustainable energy and water consumption, land-use, transportation practices, and waste reduction; and WHEREAS, Broomfield has embarked on an effort to gauge sustainabiliy through the fforts ofa Sustainability Task Force to facilitate sustainable resource conservation in Broomfield, and offer a process to the nationfor similar efforts; and WHEREAS, there are compelling aesthetic, economic and social reasons for local governments to initiate and support ^PAM sustainable community practices; and 4101 WHEREAS, Earth Day offers citizens, businesses and institutions an opportunity to commit to practices that will protect and preserve the earth and its inhabitants. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Patrick Quinn, Mayor of the City and County of Broomfield do hereby declare andproclaim April22, 2010 as Earth Day in Broomfield And encourage all ofbroomfield to recognise this day s value by participating in the efforts of the Sustainability Task Force, and by committing to implement environmental stewardship policies through the Environmental Stewardship chapter of the Comprehensive Plan that help to create a desirable and sustainable communiy now andfor future generations. I DO FURTHER encourage and welcome the support of all residents, businesses and institutions in the city's quest to create a clean, green and healthy community. To that end, I do hereby set my hand and cause the seal of the City and County of Broomfield to be hereon affixed.

3 City and County of Broomfield Earth Day Events Calendar Spring 2010 In observance of Earth Day 2010, Broomfield residents are invited and encouraged to participate in these upcoming and ongoing events: COLORADO TREES presented by Park Maintenance City Forester, Environmental Services Division and the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library. Do you have a question about the type of tree to plant in your yard or the best location to plant a tree? Learn more about the current trends affecting trees in Colorado such as disease and insects, or how to maintain a healthy tree. Discover why trees are so important for our environment and how you make a difference by planting and/or maintaining a tree in Broomfield. Dates: Thursday, March 11, 7-8:30 pm Location: Mamie Doud Eisenhower Library (second floor), 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield Contact: Tom Wells, twells@broomfield.org, DESIGNING A XERISCAPE YARD presented by Environmental Services Division, the Colorado State University Master Gardeners in Broomfield and the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library. Planning and designing a Xeriscape landscape can add to the value of your home, reduce water consumption, and reduce the amount of maintenance needed in your yard. Learn how to start with a good design either for re-landscaping an existing yard or planting a new one. Make this the year you will have that beautiful yard that protects the environment by reducing water consumption. Dates: Thursday evening, March 18, 7 8:30 p.m. or Saturday morning, March 20, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Location: Mamie Doud Eisenhower Library (second floor), 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield Contact: CSU Extension Office in Broomfield, ONE-ON-ONE ASK A MASTER GARDENER presented by the Colorado State University Master Gardeners in Broomfield and the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library. Running short of ideas or have specific questions? This 45- minute session will assist you with a wide range of gardening tips for your yard. Dates: Location: Cost: Contact: Thursday, March 25, 6:30-7:15 p.m. OR 7-8:30 p.m. Mamie Doud Eisenhower Library (second floor), 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield $20 per 45-minute session CSU Extension Office in Broomfield, for your reservation ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTINGS Date: Week of April 5 9 Location: Several park and school plantings at various Broomfield locations. Please call for specific dates, times and locations. Contact: Tom Wells, twells@broomfield.org, EARTH DAY PROGRAM JUST FOR KIDS! presented by Environmental Services Division, Stormwater Division and the Colorado State University Master Gardeners. Only 50 slots are available for children ages 6 to 12, to be dropped off for an afternoon of crafts, fun activities and educational materials to promote sustainability, environmental awareness, and resource conservation. Date: Saturday, April 17 Time: 2-3:30 p.m. Location: Broomfield Community Center, Lakeshore Rooms, 280 Lamar St., Broomfield Contact: Please register with the CSU Extension Office/Broomfield at

4 SPRING CLEAN UP! Broomfield residents get ready for our new schedule! The Broomfield Rotary Clubs and ARC Thrift Store will provide FRONT PORCH pick-up of tagged clothes and reusable items. Call the ARC number below for donation guidelines and to guarantee your pick-up. The city has contracted with Western Disposal Services to provide CURBSIDE pick-up of large non-hazardous waste items not normally taken by the trash haulers. Pile your large waste items at the curb by 7 a.m. on your designated weekday, and they will be picked up either for recycling or taken to the landfill for free! Please make sure your large items are separated from your normal weekly household trash items. Watch the city s web page at in March for a map and a more detailed list of accepted and nonaccepted items. Additional information will also be provided in the Broomfield Enterprise and on Channel 8 s community calendar in March. This program is for Broomfield residents only. Contact: Field Services at for waste questions ARC Thrift Store at for reusable item donation information HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY By Appointment Only! Call today! Environmental Services provides this program for Broomfield residents only to dispose of household hazardous waste. Additional information and instructions will be provided when your appointment is confirmed. Date: Saturday, May 8 Time: 9 a.m. - Noon Location: Norman Smith Service Center, 3001 W. 124 th Ave., Broomfield Contact: Kathy Schaefer, kschaefer@broomfield.org, Can t wait for the collection day in May? For year-round Household Hazardous Waste program information, call the Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at Contact: Eric Heyboer, eheyboer@bouldercounty.org WEST NILE VIRUS/INTEGRATED PEST MAGEMENT SEMIR presented by Colorado Mosquito Control and Broomfield s Environmental Services. Find out what the city is doing to reduce summer mosquito populations, and what you can do to protect yourself from West Nile Virus. Free fat-head minnows for residents with outside water features. Date: Wednesday, June 30 Time: 7-8 p.m. Location: White tent near Community Park Amphitheater north of Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library, 3 Community Park Dr., Broomfield Contact: Rob Kozar, rkozar@comosquitocontrol.com, TREE LIMB RECYCLING DROP-OFF The Parks Maintenance Division provides this program for Broomfield residents only. (No commercial or business use.) The facility is video monitored and proof of residency is required to prevent unauthorized use. Surplus mulch is available free to residents. Bring your shovel and take as much as you need. Time: Please note the hours of operation are Saturdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Wednesdays 1-5 p.m. only. The drop-off is CLOSED at all other times. Location: Broomfield Recycling Center, 225 Commerce St., Broomfield Contact: Tom Wells, twells@broomfield.org, WASTE MOTOR OIL AND COOKING OIL RECYCLING The Fleet Division provides two popular year-round recycling programs for motor oil and cooking oil, (limit five gallons for each type of oil per Broomfield household, per month). Never mix motor oil and cooking oil with each other or any other liquid. Once contaminated, the oil cannot be recycled. Collect your used oils separately in sturdy sealed containers to transport to the Norman Smith Center. Cooking oil must be liquid to be poured into the receiving barrel. All containers are returned to residents for reuse or proper disposal. Days: Tuesday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. and the first Saturday of every month (excluding holiday weekends), 8 a.m. - Noon Location: Norman Smith Service Center, 3001 W. 124 th Ave., Broomfield Contact: Kathy Schaefer, kschaefer@broomfield.org, Please note: All of these programs are available to Broomfield residents only. No business or commercial wastes will be accepted at any of the above collection events or programs. All programs are offered free of charge and are subject to cancellation in the event of severe weather. When in doubt, please call the contact number to verify status of the program.

5 ATTACHMENT 3 Earth Day Everyday! There are many things that residents can do individually to protect and preserve our environment every day. The Broomfield NewsNotes and Newsletter utility bill stuffer provides monthly Sustainability Tips for water and energy conservation for residents. To further cultivate earth-friendly attitudes and involvement, Broomfield provides many opportunities throughout the year for residents to celebrate as a community. Highlights These programs were implemented or enhanced in 2009: Reusable Bag Program was implemented to reduce the amount of plastic bags wasted each year. 3,000 bags were provided to residents during Broomfield Days and other outreach events. The reusable bags are also sold on Broomfield s web page. The reusable bag program continues to be very popular. Electronic waste recycling was provided free to Broomfield residents during the Spring Cleanup and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events. The three cleanup days--two HHW days and in-house operations--collected a total of 28 tons of e-waste for reuse and recycling. This program diverts the potentially hazardous materials from nearby landfills reducing the risk of soil and groundwater contamination. Progress continues to be made in providing recycling services at special events. In 2009, portable recycling containers were provided for the 4 th of July Great American Picnic and Broomfield Days celebration. The 2009 goal to celebrate Broomfield Days as a Zero Waste Event was obtained with new Broomfield Zero Waste Stations. Parks, Recreation Services, Environmental Services and event staff worked to provide zero-waste stations for food and compostable waste in addition to recyclables. Portable recycling bins were stationed throughout the park to collect single-stream recyclables and compostables. Broomfield staff provided a booth with environmental program information and distributed 1,500 reusable grocery bags to promote resource conservation. To promote energy conservation, 500 compact fluorescent bulbs were provided to residents during National Night Out along with educational material to reduce energy consumption and conserve resources. Two Home Energy Audit Conservation classes were held at the Broomfield Recycling and Education Center to promote energy conservation. Ongoing Programs for Broomfield Residents These services and events are provided to Broomfield residents free of charge: The Broomfield Recycling Center (BRC), owned by the City & County of Broomfield continued its 11 th year of operations. The City and County began managing operation of the recycling facility and education program in November Broomfield residents recycled over 1,396 tons of material at the BRC in Tree Branch Recycling continues to be a popular waste diversion program. Over 10,300 cubic yards of trees and branches, and 2,165 Christmas trees were chipped into 132 cubic yards of landscape mulch. The Parks Division uses the mulch to help conserve soil moisture and add organic matter to the soil. The surplus mulch is offered free to residents for their landscaping needs. The permanent regional Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility in Boulder received waste from 244 Broomfield households. Two local HHW drop-off events provided safe, environmentally-friendly disposal of waste from 916 households. In addition to household chemical waste, 22.5 tons of electronic waste was collected for recycling. The citywide curbside Spring Cleanup serviced 22,127 households in 2009, with these results:

6 Broomfield residents cleaned out 1,891 compacted yards of material from their homes, garages, yards, and neighborhoods; tons of material were collected during the 3-day event; tons (14%) of the collected material were recycled; 9.76 tons of electronic waste was collected to be reused or recycled. Commingled container recycling is available in city parks and facilities. 100 recycling receptacles made from recycled plastic are placed in parks and shelters around Broomfield to collect water bottles and soda cans from park patrons. Recycling bins specifically for commingled containers have now been placed in the public areas of all of the City and County of Broomfield facilities. The Cooking Oil Recycling collects oil in parallel to the existing Motor Oil Recycling Program. Broomfield residents and the Fleet Division recycled 2,900 gallons of waste motor oil and 208 gallons of waste cooking oil. In-house Programs for City and County operations Broomfield staff is encouraged to participate in the following recycling programs: Single-stream recycling is available to Broomfield staff. Recycling receptacles for single stream were placed in all public areas of the facilities as well as staff break rooms, coffee stations, and workrooms. The Grass Recycling Program continues to save disposal fees and keeps organic material out of the landfill. All of the grass clippings from the Parks Division were recycled either by leaving them on the lawn or by collecting them for composting. The Electronic Waste Program recycled 2.5 tons of computers, cell phones, and televisions. 125 pounds of batteries, toners, cartridges, CDs and DVDs were recycled in The Fluorescent Light Bulb and Sodium Vapor Bulb Program recycled over 2, 500 bulbs last year.

7 ATTACHMENT 4