AGENDA #7
TO:Mayor and Town Council
FROM:W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT:Proposal to Participate in Carbon Reduction Project Program
[Rescheduled from April 11, 2005]
DATE:September 12, 2005
We are forwarding a memorandum from the Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment recommending the Town of Chapel Hill join the Carbon Reduction Project (please see Attachment 1). The item was originally scheduled for April 11, 2005 but was deferred because of a scheduling conflict with Douglas Crawford-Brown, director of the Carolina Environmental Program.
The attached Resolution, originally submitted by the Council Committee on April 11, would have the Town join the Carbon Reduction Project and link the project with the development of a countywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan, which is to proceed this fall. The Resolution would refer the proposal to the Town Manager for a follow-up report on coordinating the Carbon Reduction Project with the greenhouse gas emissions plan.
We have updated the Resolution to reflect progress made on proceeding with the development of the emissions reduction plan.
Tonight the Council will hear a presentation by Dr. Crawford-Brown on the Carolina Environmental Program’s current proposal. The proposal, drafted by Dr. Crawford-Brown, has been revised to include adjustments to the project timetable (please see Attachment 2).
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL’S INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CARBON REDUCTION PROJECT (2005-09-12/R-14)
WHEREAS, the Town’s Comprehensive Plan states that “the Town shall encourage site planning, landscaping, and structure design which maximizes the potential for energy conservation by reducing the demand for artificial heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting, and facilitating the use of solar and other energy resources.”; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill is a member of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and participant in the organization’s Cities for Climate Protection Campaign; and
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2005, the Council referred to the Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment a proposal from the Carolina Environmental Program at the University of North Carolina seeking a commitment from the Town to become a Carbon Reduction Project Demonstration Site; and
WHEREAS, on February 11, 2005, the Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment discussed the proposal with Douglas Crawford-Brown, director of the Carolina Environmental Program, and voted to forward a recommendation to the Council to join the Carbon Reduction Project; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and Orange County are proceeding with the development of a Countywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan to begin in the fall of 2005;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council declares the Town of Chapel Hill will join the Carbon Reduction Project working with the Carolina Environmental Program of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council refers the proposal attached with this memorandum to the Town Manager for a follow-up report that will include a recommendation for coordinating the Carbon Reduction Project with the development of a Countywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan.
This the 12th day of September, 2005.