1. Just How Green is Grand Prairie?

2. A department-by-department look at the City of Grand Prairie’s Energy Conservation and Sustainability Practices.

3. City Manager’s Office Reuse magazines by donating to nonprofits Purchase recycled paper products Use coffee mugs instead of disposable cups Utilize flex schedule (when appropriate) to reduce driving during peak drive times Use teleconferencing in place of person-to-person meetings when possible

4. Code Enforcement Investigate and orchestrate clean-up of illegally dumped materials (about 270 cases/year) Demolish substandard houses (10 this year ) Investigate and refurbish abandoned houses Report over 20,000 code violations ( clear trash, remove derelict vehicles, etc.) Conduct auto-related business inspections Reduce the amount of high grass and weed-infested areas Work closely with Engineering for Storm Water prevention Utilize paperless work system to create notices that are completely computerized

5. Equipment Services Adopted a Clean Air Policy which includes: Anti-Idling Policy (Staff must shut off vehicle ignition when vehicle is not attended) City Utility Trainer trains staff on efficient energy usage DFW Air Quality Training Ozone instruction and training Motivate Employees with signage: ie, More children have asthma due to poor air quality Discuss the importance of having regular oil changes Enforce PM Maintenance Oil change, tire rotation, tires properly inflated = reduced emissions 80 – 90% of Fleet Uses Alternative Fuel/Propane

6. Engineering Utilize LEED principles for new buildings:Utilize LEED principles for new buildings: Fire Station 7 / Lake Parks Rescue facilitiesFire Station 7 / Lake Parks Rescue facilities Public Safety Building and Adult Activity CenterPublic Safety Building and Adult Activity Center Exploring the potential for conversion of various facilities from traditional heating and cooling equipment to geothermal where that opportunity may exist.Exploring the potential for conversion of various facilities from traditional heating and cooling equipment to geothermal where that opportunity may exist.

7. Use an online system for all inspections to reduce paper consumption Use an online system for all inspections to reduce paper consumption Use rechargeable batteries for mobile electronics Use rechargeable batteries for mobile electronics Power off computers upon departure from work Power off computers upon departure from work Carpool to events attended by multiple staff Carpool to events attended by multiple staff Report any vehicles with poor emissions to: Report any vehicles with poor emissions to: http://www.nctcog.org/trans/air/smoking/formn.asp http://www.nctcog.org/trans/air/smoking/formn.asp Use city vehicles that conserve petroleum gas Use city vehicles that conserve petroleum gas Environmental Quality

8. Protect storm drains from illegal dumpingProtect storm drains from illegal dumping Regulate the Installation of Onsite Sewage FacilitiesRegulate the Installation of Onsite Sewage Facilities Promote Energy Saving Practices in regulated establishments (Restaurants, Convenience Stores, etc.)Promote Energy Saving Practices in regulated establishments (Restaurants, Convenience Stores, etc.) Hold periodic Household Hazardous Waste Disposal EventsHold periodic Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Events Environmental Quality

9. Installed a control system on the City Hall fountain so that it only works from 7am to 9 pm; also scheduled it to suspend on HolidaysInstalled a control system on the City Hall fountain so that it only works from 7am to 9 pm; also scheduled it to suspend on Holidays Automated lighting timers in City Hall and the main restroomsAutomated lighting timers in City Hall and the main restrooms Motion-sensored lightsMotion-sensored lights Programmable thermostatsProgrammable thermostats –Turn on/off at the times staff are in the building –Established set-points with only a 6 degree variance for individual comfort levels –Repositioned sensors to read the temperature more effectively (ie, not near a door or window) Installed control software for Air conditioning and heating units that identifies potential issues before they arise and warns when maintenance is needed.Installed control software for Air conditioning and heating units that identifies potential issues before they arise and warns when maintenance is needed. Facilities Services

10. Utilize energy-efficient bulbs wherever possibleUtilize energy-efficient bulbs wherever possible Purchase A/C units in the highest energy-savings affordable (some are Energy-Star certified)Purchase A/C units in the highest energy-savings affordable (some are Energy-Star certified) Utilize natural gas vehicles and schedule routes such that less driving is necessaryUtilize natural gas vehicles and schedule routes such that less driving is necessary Train janitorial staff on recycling pickupsTrain janitorial staff on recycling pickups Send staff to LEED’s seminarsSend staff to LEED’s seminars Use recycled carpet to replace worn carpetUse recycled carpet to replace worn carpet Replace roofs with a white coating and white gravel which reflects light instead of absorbing it like darker roofs doReplace roofs with a white coating and white gravel which reflects light instead of absorbing it like darker roofs do Utilize a modified granule roof on the Courts building the top-layer of which is all whiteUtilize a modified granule roof on the Courts building the top-layer of which is all white

11. Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful Adopt-A-Street Adopt-A-Stream Adopt-A-Senior Adopt-A- Cemetery Clean & Beautiful Neighborhoods Clean Company Program Community Art Program Green & Clean Campus Program Litter-Free Hotline Median Litter Receptacles ShadeMakers Community Forestry Program Senior Environmental Corps Tool Depot Youth for Environmental Action! (YEA!) Program Anti-Recidivism and Community Service Programs

12. Marketing Turn out lights upon departure Recycle cans Reuse paper (print on the unused side of scratch paper) Print documents double sided instead of single sided

13. Parks and Recreation Installed drip irrigation in bed areas to reduce water run off and waste.Installed drip irrigation in bed areas to reduce water run off and waste. Include landscaping and irrigation in every capital improvement project. Native and adaptive plant materials are incorporated into each design to reduce water use, runoff and pollution.Include landscaping and irrigation in every capital improvement project. Native and adaptive plant materials are incorporated into each design to reduce water use, runoff and pollution. Incorporate more hardscape to reduce water consumption.Incorporate more hardscape to reduce water consumption. Utilize Smart Irrigation controllers which have as a feature evapo-transpiration to ensure that irrigation is not operating during rain or freeze events.Utilize Smart Irrigation controllers which have as a feature evapo-transpiration to ensure that irrigation is not operating during rain or freeze events.

14. Parks and Recreation Control irrigation by computers so that leaks in main lines are identified and controlled within minutesControl irrigation by computers so that leaks in main lines are identified and controlled within minutes Mulch beds twice a year to reduce water use, moderate soil temperatures and reduce weeding and chemical useMulch beds twice a year to reduce water use, moderate soil temperatures and reduce weeding and chemical use Reduce the number of mowing cycles per year by employing a three herbicide program that includes post (kills weeds) and pre- emergent herbicidesReduce the number of mowing cycles per year by employing a three herbicide program that includes post (kills weeds) and pre- emergent herbicides Incorporate native turf grasses to reduce mowingIncorporate native turf grasses to reduce mowing Recycle plastic and aluminum at special eventsRecycle plastic and aluminum at special events

15. Planning Three staff persons are members of the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) and attend sessions to learn more about green building practicesThree staff persons are members of the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) and attend sessions to learn more about green building practices Allow Windmills for lots of 2 acres and largerAllow Windmills for lots of 2 acres and larger Encourage native/adaptive options which conserve water:Encourage native/adaptive options which conserve water: –Permits use of nonpotable/grey water for landscaping –Requires irrigation controls to be weather-based with moisture, wind, and freeze sensors –Requires drip irrigation on all groundcover and shrub areas –Underground irrigation required along street frontages –Provides tree credits to encourage retention of existing trees –Encourage the use of rainwater harvesting devices except in utility easements or required setbacks –Provide a listing of native/adaptive trees, shrubs, ground cover and grasses

16. Planning Reduced parking requirements for new projects Allow cellular grass paving systems for overflow parking Green (iSWM) practices Depictions of Integrated Design Practices and Site Design Techniques: –conforming to natural topography –utilizing natural drainage –15% common/public open space for all residential development with more than 20 units/10 acres –one mile separation between large multi-family complexes Under Review – Green Building Standard adopted by Dallas City Council (4.9.2008) to determine which elements may be incorporated into Grand Prairie’s Unified Development Code. Internal study, The Greening of Grand Prairie, now underway for older area of Grand Prairie looking at the Conservation, Economy, Livability of the area from IH-30 to SH-303 between the Tarrant County Line and east City Limits of Grand Prairie. Study should be completed with recommendations in about 12 months.

17. Public Works Conduct water wise tours around Grand PrairieConduct water wise tours around Grand Prairie Perform Grand Prairie well site beautificationsPerform Grand Prairie well site beautifications Use propane in city vehiclesUse propane in city vehicles Offer Water Conservation and Wastewater Education Classes:Offer Water Conservation and Wastewater Education Classes: –Let's Talk Dirt: Preparing Landscape for Spring and Summer –Does your Grass have a Drinking Problem? –Are You Throwing Water Up-Hill?: Situational Gardening –Make It & Take It Rain Barrel Class –Annuals: Crayons in the Landscape –Get Smart: Smartscape Principals –Dream Smart: Smartscape Design –Play Smart: Smartscape Maintenance –Keeping It Contained: Container Gardening –Butterfly Gardening –Spring Clean –Up

18. Solid Waste & Recycling Litter Collection ContractLitter Collection Contract Wetland Mitigation ProjectWetland Mitigation Project Buy recycled productsBuy recycled products TV Take-back programTV Take-back program Large Venue and Event RecyclingLarge Venue and Event Recycling Composting ClassesComposting Classes Rain Water Harvesting ClassesRain Water Harvesting Classes Kirby Creek Experiential gardensKirby Creek Experiential gardens Community educationCommunity education Onsite XeriscapeOnsite Xeriscape Mulching serviceMulching service Recycling Drop-Off Sites for ResidentsRecycling Drop-Off Sites for Residents

19. Methane Gas Project – determines ways to utilize naturally-occurring methane gas as an energy sourceMethane Gas Project – determines ways to utilize naturally-occurring methane gas as an energy source Drop-Off Location for tires & bulky items (couches, stoves, refrigerators, etc)Drop-Off Location for tires & bulky items (couches, stoves, refrigerators, etc) City Offices Recycling of paper, aluminum & plasticCity Offices Recycling of paper, aluminum & plastic Solid Waste & Recycling

20. Streets Dirt and material are recycled and shred into flex-base to build/support temporary roads and make alley repairsDirt and material are recycled and shred into flex-base to build/support temporary roads and make alley repairs Asphalt is milled off and stock piled for road repairsAsphalt is milled off and stock piled for road repairs Silt is removed from creeks, dried out and used as backfill for sidewards and to put grass back when it has had to be damaged for repairsSilt is removed from creeks, dried out and used as backfill for sidewards and to put grass back when it has had to be damaged for repairs Six vehicles have a plug-in unit that monitors idling time (alarms after five minutes of idling).Six vehicles have a plug-in unit that monitors idling time (alarms after five minutes of idling). Use GPS units to plan routes and track drivers.Use GPS units to plan routes and track drivers.

21. Transportation Signals are timed to keep the traffic moving and avoid engines idling at the signalSignals are timed to keep the traffic moving and avoid engines idling at the signal The Grand Connection, the City’s elderly and disabled transit system, reduces emissions by using a dispatch software to combine and coordinate tripsThe Grand Connection, the City’s elderly and disabled transit system, reduces emissions by using a dispatch software to combine and coordinate trips

22. So…. Just How Green is Grand Prairie? GREEN

23. Just How Green is Grand Prairie? Questions... Comments.. Recommendations ??

24. Just How Green is Grand Prairie? Created by Marchella Bell-West Senior Environmental Specialist mbell@gptx.org under the advisement of Jim Cummings, Director of the City of Grand Prairie’s Environmental Services Department