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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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