Richmond Heights Green Initiatives
FRIENDS GROUP WORKED WITH CITY TO SECURE GRANT
The Friends of the City of Richmond Heights (FRIENDS) -- the City's citizen-led nonprofit organization -- is focused on several endeavors to help to make Richmond Heights a more lively, beautiful and sustainable place to live and work. To learn more about the greenhouse gas emission inventory, the design of a new bio-rentention garden system, and other projects the City and the FRIENDS are working on, please see the hyperlinks below.
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER:
Two years ago, an employee committee called Ec3 made up of representatives from each department meet monthly to brainstorm, initiate and implement sustainability efforts and education amongst city staff and disseminate information to the general public using the city's communication tools - newsletter, Web site and RHTV-993. The City Manager appoints a staff member to represent the City of Richmond Heights on the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District's Sustainable Future Committee. In addition to Richmond Heights, The committee is made up of representatives from the City of Maplewood, local businesses, local architects, planners, residents, and the MRH School Superintendent. Through collective thinking, the committee will establish short-term goals and develop priorities that most likely will focus on the following:
- Social Justice - elderly, poor
- Schools
- Municipalities
- Businesses
- Community Garden
Richmond Heights and five other municipalities worked together to increase their spending power by negotiating a lower cost for the purchase of recycled computer and copier paper.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report 2011
Richmond Heights Climate Action Plan, 2012 Adopted
RECREATION:
- High rate hand dryers instead of paper towels in the restrooms.
- Occupancy sensors on most lights in the building.
- Working toward overhauling the majority of our lighting systems at THE HEIGHTS to more efficient systems through the grant.
- Working on making our Activity Guide/Brochure and online clickable flip-page flash production to increase online usage and cut down on printing and postage of paper brochure
- Currently using as many Green Certified cleaning chemicals and hand/body soaps that we affordably purchase.
- Strive to purchase post-consumer recycled products when available.
- Flex schedules available to staff helps reduce carbon footprints via less driving, less lighting of their office spaces...
- Major funding was received in 2007 from MoDOT and East-West Gateway to develop the four-city bikeable/walkable community master plan.
After two years of meetings, public presentations and community input, the study is now complete.
- This comprehensive study looked at several areas. Existing conditions, including socio-economic factors, physical features and land use, existing bicycle facilities, current usage, and projected needs. The plan identified goals and objectives, bicycle facility components, as well as a strategy for implementation and potential funding sources.
- Trailnet Update - The completed four city (Brentwood, Clayton, Maplewood and Richmond Heights) master plan study on bikeable and walkable community plans. Jim Pona & Associates, a planning consultant will present an overview. Staff has asked for additional copies of the plan which we will distribute to City Council next week. Attached is a memo from Teresa Proebsting, Parks and Recreation Director.
PARKS:
- Use of programmable and low-volume irrigation systems for landscaping & turf
- Use of programmable HVAC thermostats in Park Ops work bays at Public Services
- Use of Native Perennial landscaping at various parks & city properties
- Recycling of all forestry by-products into landscape mulch
- Recycling of approximately 3300 cubic yards leaves & yard waste through Leaf Compost Program
- Use of new technology EPA registered two-cycle engines on handheld power equipment
- Use of Best Management Practices for Grounds Maintenance to reduce the number of site visits per week
- Use of Best Management Practices for Turf Management to reduce the number of site visits per week
- Increase number of Preventative Maintenance inspections on storm water drain inlets on Park Operations leaf collection streets to reduce the occurrence of flooding caused by clogged inlet covers
- Increase the number of leaf collection pick-ups on Park Operations leaf collection streets to reduce the amount of leaves that enter our storm water collection system and often cause clogging and flooding
- Recycling as much scrap materials found around the city as possible
- Participate in single-source recycling at city facilities through city's waste hauler
- Use solar LED lighting for Flagpoles at THE HEIGHTS and Arlington Island
- Working to upgrade lighting systems at THE HEIGHTS, AB Green Park and Highland Park through Energizing Missouri Communities grant to be more energy efficicent
CITY HALL BUILDING:
- Grants were awarded to install efficiency lights in City Hall.
PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING:
- Eight (8) Hybrid solar powered parking lot lights on the new Municipal Parking Lot
- Grants were awarded to install efficiency lights in the Public Safety Building
- The City will realize a savings of approximately $4000 annually (from annual boiler service maintenance agreement and utility bills - gas and electric) with the installation of containers that have been used to drain antifreeze from two boilers during the spring and summer months. With this, approximately 300 gallons of antifreeze will be recycled.
BUILDING ORDINANCES:
The International Code Council recently published a Green Code. Staff has placed an order for this book. Once Dave Reary, Building Commissioner has had a chance to review the book, he will make recommendations to the City Manager and the City Council. It is worth note mention that the adoption of the new code, if approved by the City Council could possibly restrict or inhibit new building construction in Richmond Heights. At this time, we do not know how developers or builders will respond to this kind of change. However, in the last year or two, there have been two (2) family unit houses built (Lindbergh and Yale) by developers who have used green concepts.
GATEWAY BIKE PLAN:
Gateway Bike Plan Identifies a 1,000-mile Bicycle Network
The Gateway Bike Plan is a result of a collaborative effort between the Great Rivers Greenway District, Missouri Department of Transportation, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, Metro, numerous municipalities, St. Louis and St. Charles counties, City of St. Louis and Trailnet.
Read More...
GREEN INITIATIVES FOR CITIZENS
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