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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2006 - Environmental Quality Commission Annual Report1  Jefferson City 2006 Environmental Quality Annual Report Submitted by the Environmental Quality Commission April 16, 2007 The City of Jefferson established the Environmental Quality Commission to fulfill the following powers and duties: A. To monitor the quality of the environment within the city, including measurements of air, water and noise pollution, utilizing available sources of data supplemented by such additional measurements as the commission shall deem necessary. B. Monitor the streets street rights­of­way and public parking lots of the city to ascertain the quality of existing tree plantings. After consulting with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Parks and Recreation, prepare or cause to have prepared and/or amend a long range for planting trees within city street rights­of­way and public parking lots. Such plan shall specify and list varieties of trees approved for planting within designated streets rights­of­way and parking lots and shall, after Council approval, constitute the Non­Park Tree Planting Plan for the City of Jefferson. (Ord. No. 12731, § 1, 3­ 2­98) C. Prepare a long range city beautification program, including recommendations to the Council for new plazas, fountains, statuary and similar elements of a civic beautification...(Ord. No. 12731, § 2, 3­2­ 98) D. Examine the City codes and other ordinances of the city as they relate to environmental quality, including those that regulate or restrict the use of billboards and signs and those that relate to pollution by sound. The commission shall prepare such recommendations as it may deem appropriate regarding the consolidation, improvement and strengthening of such laws and ordinances and the removal of inconsistencies there from. Any new or proposed bills relating to environmental quality shall be submitted by the city clerk to the environmental quality commission, and such commission shall have not less than ten (10) days in which to review such bills and make recommendations to the city council. 2 E. By making sample investigations, from time to time monitor the enforcement of all city laws or ordinances relating to the environmental quality and report to the city council any instance found of lack of vigorous enforcement of such regulations. F. In cooperation with the state public service commission and the utilities involved, prepare a program looking toward the eventual under grounding of all overhead wires in the city.(Code 1977, § 2­206; Code 1983, § 2­431) Sec. 7-18. Annual report. The environmental quality commission shall make an annual report to the city council giving a full account of its business and its accomplishments.(Code 1977, § 2­207; Code 1983, § 2­432) Sec. 7-19. Finances. The city council may appropriate funds for the use of the environmental quality commission in its work, and the commission shall submit to the council a proposed budget indicating the amounts needed and the purpose for which they would be used. The commission, or the city council acting for the commission, may receive federal and state grants for the work of the commission. The commission also is empowered to accept and use private contributions for the furtherance of its work.(Code 1977, § 2­208; Code 1983, § 2­433) Sec. 7-20. Staff; city cooperation. Subject to the limitations imposed by a budget approved by the city council, the commission on environmental quality may employ such full­time or part­time employees, consultants or experts as it deems necessary in the furtherance of its work. The commission may request and shall receive the cooperation of city officials and city employees to the extent reasonably possible in providing it assistance for the furtherance of its duties. Introduction: Across the country, communities that maintain and improve environmental quality ensure a safe and healthy community for their citizens. In addition, communities that are committed to outstanding environmental quality and green infrastructure, including greenways, parks, trails, infill development and adaptive reuse of historic structures establish reputations of being desirable places to live.Moreover, such communities have successfully attracted new businesses and retained existing ones, and taxable properties in such communities often increase in value and general greater overall revenue for a community. The Environmental Quality Commission is pleased to report on numerous projects initiated or continued in 2006 that will improve the quality of life and economic sustainability of Jefferson City. Projects summarized in this report were initiated by the city or by other groups within the city. 3  City Development / Redevelopment: Riverfront Development: Through the leadership of the Chamber of Commerce a committee formed and a consultant was hired to locate the best site for access to the Missouri River. The Missouri River presents a tremendous recreational and ecological resource that cannot be overlooked. Access to Adrian’s Island has been studied in the past and plans had been formulated. The potential of reconnecting the river to the city will affirm a rich and important heritage and add a valuable ecological edge that has eroded. Additionally, the riverfront needs to be connected to the city’s greenway plan. Weirs creek affords an excellent opportunity to redevelop a watershed. A key initiative for downtown development is the proposed new Conference Center which is planned across from the Truman Building. The Conference Center will form a new gateway to the downtown and the Capitol Complex. The proposed Conference Center –an adaptive re-use of the State health Lab will allow for much needed meeting and conference space. Once completed the facility will bring yet another draw to the study area. Prison Redevelopment Progress: 2006 brought a commitment to locate a federal courthouse on site; ancillary development continues. The Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) Redevelopment has the potential to be the largest single redevelopment site in the history of the City of Jefferson and Cole. A master plan has been developed and includes such uses as a new Federal Courthouse, State and private offices, a prison Museum, community facilities, restaurants, retail and commercial and hotels. In addition, the headquarters for the Department of Natural Resources was completed in 2004 and the new State Health Laboratory was completed in fall of 2006. 4  Air Quality: Open Burning Restrictions: Jefferson City Council passed an ordinance in 2006 eliminating the burning of trash, paper and cardboard and limiting the burning of yard waste to November through March. As a result, residents enjoyed healthier air quality Water & Storm Water: Water Line Replacement: Missouri American Water Company replaced 4000 linear feet of water line was replaced last year on the south side and central east side. Also the company initiated a comprehensive study for a 20 year plan that will address the distribution and plant needs. More line replacements are underway and will completed in 2007 Wears Creek Clean-up: Efforts continued to keep the stream clean, making the stream a beautiful part of the community rather than an eyesore. Storm water Staff/Citizens Committee was re-formed to address issues. Recommendations were studied to develop no- disturbance zones adjacent to creeks and streams. Additionally, interest in raingardens continued to develop. A demonstrative raingarden, which is a landscaped feature designed to slow and absorb rain water from impervious surfaces, (see photo below) was planted in Washington Park next to the Skate Park. Parks & Recreation: The Wonderful World of Water Festival was held April 29 at Washington Park’s Ice Skating Area, designed to be a family-friendly, hands-on community event that also helped Jefferson City meet outreach and education requirements of its National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. The festival was coordinated by the city’s Department of Community Development, which received funding from a 319 mini-grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and assisted by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. A total of 300 citizens attended the event and enjoyed a wide variety of displays, games and other activities pertaining to storm water quality and how to protect water quality of local streams. In addition, a rain garden was constructed in Washington Park. Event sponsors included the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Streams Unit and Runge Nature Center, the Hazardous Waste Division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, U.S.G.S., Capital Fly Fishers, MoDot’s No More Trash Campaign, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery and MU Extension. 5  Greenway Construction: The City’s Greenway Master Plan continued expansion with segments completed to Lincoln University and Schnucks/SW Blvd. Katy Trailhead and Pedestrian Bicycle Bridge: The Tea-21 Grant for development of Katy Trailhead was awarded in 2006 allowing final plans and design for the trailhead are to be initiated in the Capitol Complex. The Missouri Parks Foundation took the lead in local fundraising (local match) efforts for a pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River. Endangered Species Run: A total of 545 people from Jefferson City and elsewhere converged on the Katy Trail in Jefferson City on October 7 for the 7 th annual Endangered Species Walk/Run Race, co-hosted by the Department of Conservation, the Department of Natural Resources, and Jefferson City Parks, Recreation, and Forestry. The race raised $13,000 to help restore habitat, conduct research, and support education projects for endangered animals and plants in Missouri. In addition, more than 900 students from across Missouri created buttons depicting the habitat of endangered species that live on Missouri’s glades. Runge Nature Center:The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Runge Conservation Nature Center continued to provide conservation and environmental programming to the Jefferson City community. In 2006, Runge Nature Center’s total visitation was 81,735. In addition, Runge offered 637 programs, special events and off-site exhibits to the public relating to fish, forestry, wildlife and environmental quality protection, attended by a total of 47,499 people. Topics of programs, events and exhibits included native plant landscaping, rain gardening and Stream Team clean-ups of local water bodies, among the hundreds of others related to wildlife and natural community conservation and protection. Beautification The Downtown Association implemented a Planting Pride Program in the spring of 2006, which resulted in 25 tree wells being planted. The City Master gardeners provided oversight and labor with assistance from the City Parks and Recreation Department. 6  New uniform signage is proposed for storefronts in 2006. The Downtown Association is working with the city to create an ordinance to allow for uniform signs that will be perpendicular to the sidewalk Recycling The Downtown Association appointed a Recycling Committee which soon added cardboard recycling for downtown businesses. In addition a “can cottage” has been placed in front of Café via Roma with all proceeds from the cans to benefit the local Habitat chapter. A new Economic Development Committee was formed to explore the possibilities of developing the upper levels of the buildings into offices and living space. This group will also helping fill vacancies and will assist property owners who want to use the new financing options to renovate the building facades. Numerous private businesses have adopted recycling programs for their work environment. The State of Missouri, Unilever and Central Bank are good examples. Recycling at Central Bank began as a test program offering recycling of ink cartridges for its customers and the general public at its bank locations. Downtown Recycling: The Downtown Jefferson City organization, with help from the News Tribune, established paper and cardboard recycling for downtown businesses. The drop-off containers are located in the News tribune parking lot. In 2006, Lincoln University (LU) continued efforts to compost a weekly average of one ton of food residues collected from the university’s cafeteria and kitchen, together with horse barn clean- out material, at the LU Composting facility at Busby Farm. After three months of curing, the compost is suitable for application, and has been applied to flower beds on campus. LU composting efforts annually divert an estimated 70 tons of food residue and horse barn clean-out material from the landfill and convert the wastes to a high quality soil amendment. In addition, LU’s composting activity strengthens education, research, and community outreach programs with a goal of improving environmental quality. 7  Besides food waste composting, LU recycles paper, soda bottles, and cardboard on campus. LU Cooperative Research and the university’s Department of Buildings and Grounds worked collaboratively to formulate a grant proposal and successfully competed for funding to support LU campus recycling. In July 2006 the Mid-Missouri Solid Waste Management District funded LU with $5,000 to purchasing additional recycling bins and design and build cardboard carts to strengthen and expand the current recycling program on campus. Cardboard carts were specially designed to facilitate the high volume of cardboard collection and transport at sites such as the cafeteria. LU projects an increase in total recycling volume by 25% at the end of the funding cycle in July 2007. Two recycling companies currently assist LU with pick-up services of recyclables: Kingdom Project located at Fulton has been collecting cardboard and MRS Inc has been servicing LU for paper and plastic bottle recycling. Looking forward: In 2007, the Environmental Quality Commission looks forward to improved environmental quality on a variety of fronts: • Incorporation of rain gardens in storm water mitigation plans. Rain gardens are a cost- effective method of reducing storm water and beautifying the city at the same time. • Greater choice in household recycling and yard waste collection. • Creation of a landscaping ordinance to continue city beautification efforts. • Continued greenway expansion, including linkage to Adrian’s Island in the Missouri River. • Wears Creek erosion control efforts and continued clean ups. • Creation of environmental public forums to raise awareness of the importance of the city’s environmental health and its link to economic sustainability. The Jefferson City Environmental Quality Commissioners include the following: Jim Crabtree Chair Carol Davit Secretary Pam Barkhaus Jim Wisch Gil Womack Richard Koon (P &Z representative) Michael Couty (P&R representative) Melva Fast City Staff