Testing Energy Efficiency of LED Streetlights: Mill Valley is the first city in Marin to test new light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights by installing four different types of LED fixtures at a few sites around town. Those sites include 26 Buena Vista Ave., 21 Oakdale Ave., Camino Alto at Miller Avenue and Blithedale Avenue at Alta Vista Avenue. The City plans to examine the effectiveness of the lights over several months and assess for energy reductions. LED lights last far longer than conventional lamps and do not generate as much wasteful heat. The program, spearheaded by Public Works Director Wayne Bush, could, by some estimates, save the City 60 percent in energy savings.
Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) Resolution: On March 17, 2008 the City Council joined numerous other Bay area communities in adopting a resolution of opposition to the State’s planned aerial spraying for the LBAM. On June 19th, the California Department of Food and Agriculture announced its decision to cancel its aerial spray program in favor of a more focused ground campaign. The full text of the LBAM resolution can be found here.
Bottled Water Ban: On June 3rd, 2008 City Manager Anne Montgomery issued a directive, authored by Misseldine and City Green, that requires the phase-out of the use of City funds for single serve plastic water bottles and requires that dispensers be changed to bottle-less dispensers that are connected to Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) water. The high quality of MMWD water, the use of 47 million gallons of oil to manufacture and transport plastic water bottles, and the devastating impacts of plastics on marine life were all cited as reasons for the directive. It is estimated that the City will save $5000 a year as a result of this directive. Click on the following links for all documents related to the bottle ban: directive, press release, and educational flyer about alternatives to bottled water.
Mill Valley’s leadership on the bottle ban issue was validated on June 24, 2008 when the U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution calling for a phase-out of bottled water by all municipalities in the United States, and promoting the importance of public water supplies.
Green Building Ordinance: On December 1, 2008, the City Council unanimously adopted a Green Building Ordinance, authored and advanced by City Green, that establishes green building requirements for residential and commercial development in the City. “Buildings are responsible for almost 40% of total energy use, 12% of water use, and 40% of all raw materials used,” said then-Mayor Shawn Marshall. “By adopting this Ordinance, Mill Valley joins other municipalities in the Bay area and across the world in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and our overall ecological footprint.”
For all documents related to the Green Building ordinance, including the ordinance, resolution, compliance form, press release and process information, go to the Mill Valley’s Planning Forms & Resources page.
Paper Reduction and Recycled Content Directive: In September 2008, the City Manager issued a directive authored by City Green that mandates a reduction in overall paper use in the City, and that all paper purchased by the City be 100% recycled. Click on the following links for all documents related to the paper directive: directive, press release and informational flyer on best practices to reduce paper use.
Reducing Employee Commute Trips: Employee commutes comprise a substantial portion of Mill Valley’s climate changing greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce emissions from that source, members of City Green are developing recommendations for the City Manager to consider on how to promote carpooling and other alternate modes of transportation. The Alternative Transportation Incentive Program is scheduled for completion by June 2009. In the meantime, City Green prepared an informational flyer for employees to help them find potential carpool partners by using the 511.org program. That flyer can be found here.
City Green also disseminated information about the Transportation Authority of Marin’s new VanPool Incentive program which, in collaboration with 511 Rideshare, offers substantial financial incentives for the establishment of new Vanpools. More information on this program can be found here.
Click here for City Green's Upcoming Plans.