Clayton Takes the LEED in Being Green

CLAYTON, Missouri . . . a model for environmental preservation

April 4, 2007

COOL CITIES

When Clayton Mayor Ben Uchitelle signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in February 2006 and then again in 2007, Clayton became one of the Sierra Club’s Cool Cities; one of nine in the State of Missouri. Mayors from around the world, who sign the agreement, pledge to meet or exceed 12 Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution, 11 of which the Clayton has already implemented.

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Clayton leads the way in implementing Kyoto Protocol targets, such as "practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council’s (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) LEED program or a similar system." The City is one of the first cities to implement the LEED certification program in Missouri. This certification, created by the U.S. Green Building Council, requires buildings to have environmentally friendly features.  An article in the Jan. 29, 2007 St. Louis Business Journal identified Clayton and Kansas City as the first municipalities in the State to adopt an ordinance calling for LEED certification. The ordinance requires all new construction and major renovation projects owned, occupied or funded by the City of Clayton that are 5,000 square feet of floor area or greater be certified to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver level.

The planning and zoning process helped to further demonstrate the City's commitment to environmentally responsible and energy efficient buildings practices and sustainable development concepts. In September 2006, the Board of Aldermen added LEED certification to the public benefits criteria section in the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Projects guidelines. A PUD is a distinct zoning classification established to provide flexibility for unified developments by waiving certain zoning requirements in exchange for public benefit. PUD guidelines reward developers for environmentally responsible developments; two new projects have already pledged to be LEED certified.

In October 2006, the American Planning Association of Missouri recognized the City of Clayton for its efforts in promoting sustainable development practices. "We take our commitment to protecting the environment very seriously," said City Manager Mike Schoedel. "We are extremely proud of staff's expanded role in this area and the Board's commitment to sustainable development."

TREES
Clayton has been named Tree City USA every year since 1992

Trees produce life-giving oxygen, remove air pollution and lower air temperature.  Clayton's Public Works staff understands the benefits and importance of maintaining Clayton's public right-of-way tree population, which totals 7,921 trees worth approximately $17,015,928. To protect this valuavaluable community asset, staff has established guidelines for maintaining the City's urban forest.

The City's Right-of-Way Urban Forestry Management Tree Policy/Procedures outlines the City's long-term commitment to the preservation process. The tree population is inspected and maintained according to a one, three and five year tree trimming and removal program. To view the Policy, click Tree Policy/Procedures on the HOME page of the City’s Website: www.ci.clayton.mo.us. BIOSWALES

In addition to implementing the forestry management program, to prevent rainfall runoff and soil erosion, the Public Works Department has also created bioswales. Bioswales or rain gardens are structural storm water strategies that promote natural infiltration of storm water and increase runoff duration rather than piping water directly into the storm water infrastructure. The bioswale and rain garden plantings also filter and clean the water.

RECYCLING

Residential

The City, in collaboration with the Clayton citizens on the Ecology & Environmental Awareness Committee, Allied Waste and the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste District, applied for a grant to obtain new recycling containers. The containers help reduce the amount of waste and increase the amount of material converted into recycled products, which will have a positive effect on the City environmentally and financially. Decreasing the amount of waste in landfills helps the environment and reduces the need for new landfills. Reductions in landfills decrease costs for the waste hauler by offsetting rising fuel costs to run the waste trucks, which allows the waste hauler to pass the savings onto the City.

Electronics

Besides its own internal recycling program, each year the City partners with Web Innovations & Technology Services (WITS) to hold the annual electronic recycling event. On March 23 and 24, 2007, residents and businesses were invited to discard their used electronic equipment at a site in Shaw Park for proper disposal by WITS. With 9 box trucks of equipment collected, this year's event surpassed expectations.

Light Rail

In August 2006, the City of Clayton celebrated the opening of the Cross County Extension of MetroLink, the region’s light rail system. As part of the City’s aggressive campaign to promote the use of MetroLink to reduce pollution, Clayton businesses were encouraged to participate in the Partial Expense Reduction for Commuters (PERC) program. The program promotes the use of mass transit by offering benefits to businesses and their employees. Clayton is one of the first cities to be part of this program. The City subsidizes passes to encourage its employees to ride MetroLink. Since the program operates on a pre-tax basis, it benefits employees by reducing their taxable income; it also reduces their out-of-pocket cost for transit. It saves employers money not only by reducing payroll taxes and payroll tax liability; it also reduces employers’ costs for employee parking and reduces absenteeism and tardiness. Everyone benefits by reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality and conserving energy by encouraging employees to commute using transit.

Cycling

Recently the City completed a bicycle “Share the Road” sign project. This spring Bike St. Louis will provide signs marking a bike route from the City of St. Louis through Clayton to MetroLink passenger stations and Clayton’s Shaw Park. To emphasize the route, the City of Clayton partnered with the Great Rivers Greenway on a banner program that promotes the benefits of cycling. The City will install bike racks throughout the Clayton community.

City Operations

The City has had new textured crosswalks installed to improve pedestrians’ experience, and promote walking as an alternative to cars and will enhance the access to MetroLink stations.

To reduce pollution, the City is replacing a portion of its fleet with hybrid vehicles, and has been using bio-diesel in fleet vehicles for several years.

In City-owned buildings, an energy efficient pulse type heating system and environmentally safe light bulbs are used to reduce energy waste.

In order to reduce paper usage and waste and increase efficiency, the City is implementing a web-based portal that will house all key Board of Alderman documents, such as meeting agendas, minutes, ordinances, supporting documents. Via the portal, Board members and City staff have access to these documents from any PC, home or office. Additionally, City Hall Council Chambers is wired with internet access so Board members can view all necessary documents online during Board meetings, thus eliminating the need for printing, copying, and
saving paper.

The City is considering using green purchasing/procurement policies. The policies make evaluating green criteria a significant factor when making purchasing decisions. Employees will be required to look for products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. In all bid solicitations, environmental factors or impact will be considered when requirements are defined. Bid solicitations will include instructions asking bidders to identify any environmental benefits over the life cycle of their products and/or services. In the past, purchasing was based on both price and quality of service. The new policy includes green criteria in determining the best value overall to both the City of Clayton and the environment.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

The City has two committees working environmental issues. In 1997, the Ecology and Environmental Awareness Committee was formed, and is comprised of citizens committed to conservation. The group makes recommendations on development and support of ecologically sound programs and practices within Clayton.

This year a group of City employees banded together to promote conservation and preservation. The committee’s preliminary efforts include: starting a calendar of environmental events for the community; planning programs to facilitate recycling; and adding a new “environmental” section to the City’s Website, which will contain information on topics like landscaping, recycling and energy efficiency.

The City believes patterns of consumption will change gradually. Throughout the conservation process, the City of Clayton encourages everyone to do his part . . . conserve, recycle, use alternate modes of travel. Each of us must do what we can to protect the environment and reverse the effects of global warming.