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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 11 ENVIRON COMPL 07-06-93AGENDA' DATE: JULY 6, 1993 'CONSENT CALENDAR NO. 11 7-6-93 Inter-Gore (' TO: .WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FRONk. ' PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION SUBJECT: RESOLUTION REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 93-63 establishing an environmental policy for the City of Tustin. FISCAL IMPACT There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the proposed Environmental Compliance Program other than the staff time involved. Also, each of the specific environmental programs may have associated costs which will be addressed as needed at a later date. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION The proposed environmental compliance program has been developed based upon a recommendation from the City Attorney's Office based upon review of court cases. The intent of the proposed program is to minimize exposure risks involved with hazardous materials, as well as minimizing the potential financial and legal liabilities associated with" n6n- compliance with environmental regulations. An environmental compliance policy is the beginning element for an aggressive environmental program in the City of Tustin. Because of the increasing amount of regulations dealing with environmental issues, such as pollution prevention, storm water discharge, hazardous materials · utilization and hazardous waste generation, it is becoming evident that the City of Tustin must allocate resources to an environmental ~ompliance policy composed of 'sound management practices. Based upon the recommendation from the City Attorney's Office, staff has prepared the following guiding principles: Make health, safety, and environmental considerations a priority in our planning for all existing and new City programs, processes, and operations. . Operate City facilities in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of City employees and the public. ~ Work with others to resolve possible problems created by the City through .the past handling and disposal of hazardous substances. In order to implement the new environmental policy, staff will ~ conducting a self-audit of City operations to assist with compliance efforts by revealing potential environmental issues in time to pro- actively address these problems. This self-audit will include conducting a hazardous waste reduction analysis utilizing the hazardous materials inventory generated through compliance with Senate Bill 198, the Hazard Communication Standard;insuring weekly inspections of the City's hazardous waste accumulation areas; development of clea~!y defined responsibilities, establishing a mechanism for effectively managing the hazardous waste program; and evaluating the City's hazardous waste stream. Staff will also be evaluating the City's hazardous waste transporter, ensuring that all the required permits and licenses have been obtained. The self-audit will be an on-going process, as it is anticipated that the number of environmental regulations will continue to increase. CONCLUSION The City of Tustin has a responsibility to its employees, the residents, and the environment to insure that we are minimizing the exposure risks involved with hazardous materials, as well as minimizing potential financial liability by not complying with the various environmental regulations. Thus, Resolution No. 93-63 has'been prepared as the first element in the City's Environmental Policy. Robert S. Ledendecker Director of Public Works/City Engineer - - '- P~tcher Administrative Assistant II RSL: KP: ccg: envcomp Attachment 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2O 21 24 25 26 27 28 RESOLUTION NO. 93-63 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLIBHING AN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY WHEREAS, the care of the environment by observance of environmentally sound work place practices will benefit our community as a whole; and WHEREAS, a policy of environmental care in the conduct of City business, operations and enterprises will evidence the City of Tustin's commitment to promote principles and practices that are responsive to the needs of human health, safety and the environment; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined it is in the best interest of the City of 'Tustin to adopt a statement of environmental policy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the City Council of the City of Tustin resolves as follows: Section 1: It shall be the policy of the City of Tustin that sound environmental management principles shall guide the operation of the City. Section 2: The business of the City shall be done in a manner that reflects care of human health, safety and sound management of our'environment. Section 3: The City shall evaluate its operations to assure its activities are in compliance with applicable environmental regulations and promote this Environmental Policy. Section 4: The City shall encourage its employees and the community to handle harmful substances safely, reduce and recycle waste, use energy wisely, and substitute safe technology wherever possible. Section 5: The City shall be responsible to the concerns of the community and its employees by preparing for emergencies and providing information on environmental hazards 'and protective measures as promptly as possible in the event of an emergency. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tustin held on the 6th day of July, 1993. ATTEST: Jim Potts, Mayor City Clerk