Charter Revision - discussion draft

Click for the Discussion draft

Take a look at Article 6, Chapter 6, which details modifications to the section about the Department of Building Safety Engineering [and now] Environment. In particular, there is provision for a "Green Initiatives and Sustainable Technologies feasibility study and plan, to be reviewed and updated annually.

Section 6-609:

"The department shall study the matter and prepare and implement a long-term strategic
plan (“Green Initiatives and Sustainable Technologies Plan” or “GIST Plan”) for the
establishment, use and support of green initiatives, technologies and businesses, utilizing
public and private partners. The Mayor shall commission a public study (“Study and
Report on Green Initiatives and Sustainable Technologies” or “SRGIST”) to determine
the feasibility and requirements for engaging in and supporting this activity in the City of
Detroit and areas outside the City of Detroit for the benefit of residents. The SRGIST
shall be initiated within three (3) months of the effective date of this Charter, completed
within one (1) year of its commencement and publicly disseminated upon its completion.
2. Within six (6) months after completion of the SRGIST the Mayor shall prepare the GIST
Plan and submit it to City Council for approval before it may be implemented. City
Council may hold public hearing prior to taking formal action on the GIST Plan, and if
approved shall create any ordinances required to achieve the GIST Plan‟s objectives.
3. The GIST Plan shall be comprehensive and may include solar, wind, thermal and other
forms of alternative and renewable energy production and uses; alternative fuels; or other
sustainable technologies and endeavors; green public works, construction and building
programs; and any other green initiative or technology considered feasible. The GIST
Plan shall incorporate green initiatives and technologies within the workplace and for use
with City owned vehicles and property, real and personal. The GIST Plan may include
methods and support for citizen initiated green initiatives and sustainable technology
uses.Discussion Draft May 6, 2011
4. The GIST Plan shall be reviewed yearly by the department and revised as necessary. All
revisions to the GIST Plan must be approved by City Council, who shall implement all
ordinances necessary to achieve the objectives of the revised GIST Plan.
5. The Mayor may create advisory commissions under section 7-103 to assist with the
development, monitoring, implementation and revision of the GIST Plan.
COMMENTARY: Revitalization of the City of Detroit requires that it develop and utilize
green initiatives, technologies and businesses. The utilization of such technologies will place the City squarely within the 21st century and serve as a solid foundation for substantive economic growth and improvement in the quality of life for Detroit residents.
Indeed, the “green” job opportunities presented in the area of construction are promising and
the potential for economic growth is undeniable. As noted in a 2009 special report of Green
Technology, a leading non-profit “green” initiative:
Fueled by concerns about energy, greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air quality, an
explosion of interest in green building is creating new job opportunities in the construction
industry. A 2008 report from McGraw Hill Construction, “The Green Outlook: Trends
Driving Change,” notes that the size of the national green building market has expanded fivefold over the last three years, and is projected to triple again in the next five years, reaching
$96-$140 billion.
To meet the demands of government programs and increasingly stringent regulations
regarding energy efficiency, alternative energy use, water conservation and environmentallyfriendly building materials, working professionals such as plumbers and electricians find that
they need training on new equipment and technologies. At the same time, entirely new jobs are
emerging, such as solar panel installers, energy efficiency building auditors, and recycling
specialists.
According to a recent report from the Vocational and Technical Education Act (VTEA)
Industrial and Technical Statewide Collaborative, 30,450 new employment opportunities are
projected in California construction occupations between now and 2016. In contrast to this
increasing demand, VTEA notes that an aging workforce, and a negative perception of
construction as “common, dirty work,” have restricted the pipeline of new workers.
As the first state to enact a Green Building Code, and the home of numerous local
governments that have mandated green standards for new construction, California is poised to
set the standard for greening of residential and commercial structures. Effective outreach and
training programs for green construction jobs are crucial if the state is to make the most of the
current potential for economic growth and increased sustainability. These can help men and
women from all sectors of California‟s diverse student and working populations gain access to
a range of high-paying jobs that also offer the reward of tangible and immediate impact on
environmental quality. (See, http://www.green-technology.org/greentech-report-june09r.pdf)
This new Charter section requires the development of a long-term strategic “Green Initiative
and Sustainable Technology Plan” (“GIST Plan”) by the Mayor, after a one (1) year study
period that results in a public report (“Study and Report on Green Initiatives and Sustainable
Technologies” or “SRGIST”). Approval of the GIST Plan by City Council assures that the Discussion Draft May 6, 2011
entire community and all facets of city government have input. This section calls for continual
review and update of the GIST Plan. The use of public advisory commissions in the
development, monitoring, implementation and revision of the GIST Plan is provided for in this
section. All forms of feasible green initiatives and technologies are to be included into the GIST
Plan with public and private partnerships serving as a vehicle for achieving its objectives.
The appreciable resources in the City of Detroit and State of Michigan, in the form of research
universities, for-profit and non-profit green technology companies, local green initiatives and
access to national and international expertise and funding, makes the development and execution
of such a plan not only feasible, but a practical necessity in light of the current economic
condition and opportunities for growth currently existing in the City."