Sponsor
Alderman Tate
Title
Green Tier Legacy Community Program
Resolution approving participation in the Green Tier Legacy Community Program.
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corp, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Wisconsin Counties Association, and cities including Appleton, Bayfield, Fitchburg, Middleton, Ashland, Monona, Eau Claire, Bayside, Port Washington, Sheboygan, La Crosse, and Wauwatosa, created a Green Tier Charter For Legacy Communities; and
WHEREAS, the Green Tier Legacy Communities Charter is a unique partnership among Wisconsin communities, non-profit organizations, and state agencies working together to assist communities in developing and implementing sustainability measures allowing municipalities to take actions and share information to achieve superior environmental stewardship by focusing on water resources management and/or sustainability practices; and
WHEREAS, the Green Tier Legacy Communities Charter has goals of:
Assisting municipalities in achieving superior environmental performance in one or both of water resource management and sustainability practices, goals relating to economic development, public health, and social equity, and to recognize their efforts and progress;
Improving the quality of life and economic vitality of communities;
Helping municipalities and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources address wastewater, stormwater, drinking water, wetlands, and other water issues in a holistic, watershed-based manner;
Assisting municipalities in preparing, implementing, and improving overall watershed plan that integrates the municipalities’ full range of water resources issues;
Assisting municipalities in preparing, implementing, and improving over time a sustainability plan that reduces municipalities’ impact on the environment;
Facilitating access to state and federal funding for projects and activities related to achieving the purposes of this charter, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions, comprehensive planning, transportation policies, and integrated planning for wastewater treatment, storm water treatment and management, and drinking water;
Realizing taxpayer savings through reduced municipal expenditures on motor vehicles fuels and energy resulting from efficient development patterns;
Helping municipalities comply with various water regulations in a more efficient, cost effective, and flexible manner;
Achieving other demonstrable and measurable environmental improvements beyond what is required by local, state, or federal law; and
WHEREAS, the City of Racine was invited to join in this voluntary program and the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Racine believe participation will further enhance the City’s current commitments to sustainability; and
WHEREAS, the City of Racine will benefit from such a partnership with the Green Tier Legacy Communities Program by receiving positive recognition, gaining access to a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff liaison and its resource team, receiving prioritization in applying for certain grants and streamlining in certain DNR permitting processes; and
WHERAS, by adopting this resolution the City of Racine agrees to sign and hold to the Green Tier Charter for Legacy Communities, participate in the quarterly meetings and networks, share information with the public and with the communities in the program, and provide an annual report noting the progress in the City’s goals, baselines, and sustainability plans;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Racine Common Council declares itself a signatory to the Green Tier Charter for Legacy Communities and authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the City of Racine; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City staff are directed to assist with meeting the Charter goals and to submit an annual report to the organizational signatories; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, upon adoption, the City Clerk is directed to deliver a copy of this Resolution to the Wisconsin DNR and the Legacy Communities Green Tier Steering Committee.
Fiscal Note: N/A