HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES-CC-2008-37City of Moab
Council Resolution # 37-2008
A Resolution for a Sustainable Moab
WHEREAS, the Western Governors' Association, under the leadership of Utah Governor
Jon M. Huntsman, issued a policy resolution in June 2008 calling for clean and
diversified energy, assessment of promising new technologies and resources, and a
significant expansion of research into and incentives for increased energy efficiency and
increased alternative energy development; and
WHEREAS, the Western Governors' Association, in a November 2008 letter to
President-elect Barack Obama, strongly urged the incoming Administration "not to delay
in exercising the leadership necessary to ensure swift adoption and implementation of
an energy plan that will provide affordable and clean energy to sustain our economy,
stimulate greater energy efficiency, strengthen our energy security and independence,
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."; and,
WHEREAS, Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman and California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger approved a memorandum of understanding between the two states
pledging to "continue our efforts to reduce our states' impact on the environment,
thereby improving air quality, energy efficiency and economic stability for the region.";
and,
WHEREAS, Moab, founded as a farming and ranching community, has consistently
valued the principles of efficiency and sustainability as necessary conditions for survival
and improvement; and,
WHEREAS, Moab, as an energy resource community throughout much of its history,
understands the need to conserve and husband energy resources in a sound and
efficient manner for the best interests of local residents; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Moab, Utah was founded on the principles and values of
effective, efficient, and results -oriented local government; and,
WHEREAS, the World Commission on Environment and Development defined
sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs," and this
definition has been adopted and endorsed by people and communities around the globe;
and,
WHEREAS, the residents of the City of Moab are connected to the regional, national,
and global community; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Moab has recognized that for local governments, sustainability
requires attention to interdependent elements including but not limited to: environmental
stewardship, economic development, and inclusive civic engagement; and,
WHEREAS, healthy urban and rural communities are an integral part of a sustainable
world; and,
WHEREAS, the Moab City Council (Council) has determined that the leadership role for
the protection and conservation of the natural environment is a high priority; and,
WHEREAS, Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the municipal,
regional, national, and global community that efforts to conserve our environment would
best be carried out through a plan to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Reinvent and,
WHEREAS, Council has a long and proud history among local governments of
promoting sustainable practices, including smart growth, maintenance of critical
infrastructure, environmental management systems, sound financial planning, equitable
economic development, and inclusive civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, community awareness, responsibility, participation and education are key to
creating and maintaining a sustainable Moab; and,
WHEREAS, as a local and regional community, we play an essential role in mitigating
climate change through our local and regional jurisdiction over policy decisions for land
use planning, agriculture, transportation, zoning, forest and water conservation, and
wastewater and solid waste management; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Moab identifies and promotes "sustainability" as critical to insure
the future for residents of the area; and,
WHEREAS, sustainable development can secure a community's future by creating
family -wage jobs, improving the environment and quality of life, and strengthening the
economy; and,
WHEREAS, for sustainable solutions to be successfully integrated into the City of Moab,
commitment to action is required at all levels.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MOAB CITY COUNCIL that the City of
Moab is committed to building a sustainable community and to that end directs Planning
Staff to develop a city-wide action plan to initiate the following activities:
1. Work with elected officials, community members, and other local governments
to incorporate sustainable principles and practices into all functions and
operations of local government.
2. Champion and facilitate decisions at the local level that balance the needs of
current residents with the needs of future generations.
3. Balance the often -competing values within our communities to develop
solutions and practices that are truly holistic and comprehensive.
4. Review the operations of our local governments to maximize efficiency,
effectiveness, and relevance, and to ensure maximum use of sustainable
practices such as energy conservation, using fuel efficient or alternative -fuel cars
for local government business, promoting and implementing the principles of
smart growth within our communities, increasing the use of renewable energy to
meet local government energy needs, investing in critical infrastructure, and
ensuring sound financial management.
5. Urge all levels of government to adopt practices that foster sustainable
communities.
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6. Work with business, residents and non-profit groups to create a community -
wide commitment to the ethos and practice of sustainability.
7. Work with neighboring jurisdictions to build sustainable communities at the
regional level.
8. Share information about successful practices through programs of information
dissemination and professional development spearheaded by the City of Moab.
9. Educate our elected officials, government staff, and community members in
sustainable practices in local government and in everyday life.
10. Use the City of Moab to monitor legislative and administrative developments
at other levels of government that may affect pertinent local government efforts in
this area and communicating regularly through the City of Moab public
information resources.
11. Reduce fossil fuel use in both energy consumption to power vehicles and
buildings.
PASSED AND APPROVED in open Council by a majority vote of the Governing Body of
Moab City Council on December 9, 2008.
/54-2ST:
.AoAiv
el Ellison, Recorder
ov
SIGNED:
David L. Sakrison, Mayor
Resolution #37-2008 Page 3 of 3