Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout62-07 ResolutionRECORD OF RESOLUTIONS Dayton Legal Blank Inc ,Form No 30045 Resolution No. 62-07 Passed , 20 A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CENTRAL OHIO GREEN PACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE PACT 1 1 WHEREAS, the City of Dublin is committed to protecting and preserving its natural resources and pursuing initiatives that will have a positive impact on its environment; and WHEREAS, the City of Dublin recognizes its ability as a local government to lead and influence sustainable practices within our community; and WHEREAS, the City of Dublin desires to work cooperatively with other central Ohio communities to carry out the initiatives identified in the Central Ohio Green Pact. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Dublin, State of Ohio, ~ of the elected members concurring that: Section 1: The City of Dublin supports the Central Ohio Green Pact and is committed to pursuing and/or continuing to pursue the initiatives outlined in the Pact. Section 2: The Mayor and the City Manager are hereby authorized to sign the Central Ohio Green Pact at a signing ceremony that will occur in October, 2007. Section 3: This resolution is effective upon passage in accordance with Section 4.04(a) of the Revised Charter. Passed this ~ day of ~-e ~~'Yi. ~/~!~ , 2007. -- I' \ l M /~W~ Mayor -Presiding Officer ATTEST: of Council 1 f,1TY OF DLBLIN Office of the City Manager 5200 Emerald Parkway • Dublin, OH 43017 Phone: 614-410-4400 • Fax: 614-410-4490 To: Members of Dublin City Council From: Jane S. Brautigam, City Manager ~'c~~ 5 ~j, C~.~J Date: September 13, 2007 / Initiated By: Michelle L. Crandall, Director of Administrative Services Memo Re: Resolution 62-07 - In Support of the Central Ohio Green Pact and Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to Sign the Pact Summary Attached is a copy of the Central Ohio Green Pact. This document was developed based on input received from members of the Central Ohio Mayors and Managers Group. The Mayors and Managers met on August 29 to review a draft of the Pact and, with some suggested minor modifications, agreed to move forward with the Pact as attached. This Green Pact will be signed by Mayors and City Managers throughout central Ohio on October 4, 2007 at a ceremonial signing event. October 4 was selected because this date has been designated for a "National Conversation on Climate Action," convening local dialogues throughout the country to discuss climate change causes, impacts and solutions. Along with the signing of the Green Pact, there will be a keynote speaker and a forum for dialogue among the attendees. Our Progress on Green Pact Initiatives The City of Dublin has already been focusing on or is currently examining many of the initiatives identified in the Central Ohio Green Pact. The following is a brief overview of our progress in each corresponding area identified in the Pact: 1. Greener Municipal Fleets Dublin currently has in place a City vehicle anti-idling policy for all employees. Additionally, the City has a vehicle maintenance and replacement program that ensures vehicles are performing effectively. Currently, staff is examining options to move a portion of our fleet toward compressed natural gas and staff continues to examine other alternative fuel options, the purchase of hybrids and retrofitting options. Several types of grants are available for the conversion of fleet to alternative fuel options. As we recommend a fleet option to Council, staff will also suggest possible grant funding that could be secured. 2. Growing a Strong, Green Economy Dublin currently has a strong relationship with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), partnering on various initiatives and events. We would support SWACO in efforts to attract and retain green businesses in Central Ohio and, as appropriate, in Dublin. To encourage the attraction of businesses that wish to develop buildings and sites that incorporate sustainable design, staff will research our current zoning and building codes to determine any code changes needed to allow for "greener" buildings and overall site developments. Recommendations will be brought back to Council once completed. Memo to City Council re Green Pact September 13, 2007 Page 2 Staff is also planning to discuss with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce avenues to educate and assist current businesses in adopting sustainable practices, such as increasing recycling and energy efficiency. 3. Collaborating to Purchase Green Products Staff is currently reviewing and revising our purchasing policies to focus on greener procurement practices. While the City purchases many items that contain recycled content or that can be recycled, increased effort is needed in this area. The concept of collaborative purchasing in conjunction with the City of Columbus and other surrounding communities could allow us to purchase green products at a lower cost. 4. Adopting Sustainable Land Use Policies Many of our current land use policies and practices encourage bike paths, tree preservation, stormwater management controls, and river preservation. Updates contained in the revised Community Plan place an even stronger emphasis on sustainable land use and natural resource preservation. 5. Building Green Facilities and Reducing Energy Consumption The City of Dublin is responsible for maintaining 617,000 square feet of facility space. The City office buildings and Community Recreation Center comprise 314,000 square feet of this space. We recognize that our building footprints and the energy use of these buildings can have a significant environmental impact. To address and reduce this impact, a green maintenance strategy has been pursued over the past several years. Elements of this plan include the following: Seven years ago, the City had an energy audit conducted of all City-owned buildings. As a result of this audit, we began installing more energy efficient lighting, switched to computer- controlled HVAC systems and replaced, as needed, existing HVAC equipment with more energy efficient choices. This year the City will participate in the EPA's Portfolio Manager Program. This program will allow us to track all energy and water data for our buildings and better understand the consumption, performance and cost of our systems. In 2007, the Facilities staff began using low VOC paint and "green" cleaning products. The cleaning products were first tested in City Hall. This test proved successful and the "green clean" program is now being expanded to al] buildings. As part of this roll-out, workshops were offered to our custodial staff so there is a deeper understanding of the benefits of the new products and proper use of each. The cleaning products are phosphate-free, no or low VOC and, in some cases, bio-based --made out of ingredients such as citrus, corn, coconut and soy. 6. Reducing Waste Dublin is proud to have a combined recycling diversion rate of 43 percent for refuse and yard waste in 2006. Our goal is to increase this diversion rate over time by offering more opportunities for residents to recycle. In 2003, the City instituted a pilot program with a small group of residents to test 64-gallon, wheeled recycling containers. Based on the success of this pilot program, we have expanded the rollout of the 64-gallon containers to 5,400 homes. Over the next several years, we will continue to expand this program to our 12,000 plus solid waste customers. Beginning this fall, staff will begin placing recycling containers in Avery Park and Danee Fields to begin implementing a park recycling program. Avery and Daree Fields will be "test" parks to monitor the success of this program and to examine proper placement of recycling bins. Memo to City Council re Green Pact September 13, 2007 Page 3 Staff will consider proposing legislation requiring that demolition projects recycle at least 25 percent of the materials generated. Currently, the City of Columbus has this type of legislation in place and has seen success with its implementation and monitoring. Recommendations related to this initiative would be brought to Council for review. 7. Educating and Engaging Our Communities A significant key to the City of Dublin achieving higher levels of "greenness" is the level to which we as a local government are able to effectively educate and engage our community members in environmental efforts. Several key initiatives have been undertaken in the last few years to help in this effort. Several volunteer opportunities have been initiated, including three learn-and-serve volunteer teams: the Green Team, the Blue Bird Team and the Plant Salvaging Team. Each of these teams has between 20-40 members. The Green Team has been in place for several years, completing 6-8 projects each year ranging from the removal of invasive plants, to native plantings, and to developing tennis shoe recycling and bicycle recycling events. In addition to these teams, an annual river clean-up takes place each August. During Earth Week each year, the City offers several opportunities for resident engagement in environmental efforts. Established only two years ago, with the addition of a full-time Nature Education Coordinator, the City has developed an extensive nature education program. In 2006, 5,540 people, ranging in age from pre- school to senior citizens, took part in one of the City's nature education classes. A strong partnership with our schools has ensured the success of this program today and well into the future. On September 26, 2007 the City will sponsor a presentation on climate change by David Robinson, who has been trained by the Climate Project. This event will provide an opportunity for education and input from our residents. The presenter will provide information about what each of us can do on a daily basis to positively impact the environment and will also discuss what Dublin as a local government can do. 8. Reducing Emissions and Climate Protection We are collecting historical data related to the energy usage of our buildings and outdoor lighting systems and will also gather historical data related to vehicle fuel usage and mileage. We have yet to determine a baseline year from which to work forward. We will work with MORPC to establish the appropriate baseline data. 9. Preserving Green Space and Creating Greenways Dublin is currently home to 39 parks which provide more than 1,500 acres of park land and open space, along with 88 miles of bike path. Aside from significant investments each year in parkland acquisition and development, the City has also made a $7.7 million commitment to Franklin County Metro Parks for land purchase and development of the Glacier Ridge Metro Park. Dublin plants between 1,100 to 1,300 new street trees each year and currently has a total inventory of more than 21,500 street trees throughout the City. For the past 19 years, the City of Dublin has been designated as a Tree Ciry USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, demonstrating our commitment to the management and care of trees within our community. Memo to City Council re Green Pact September 13, 2007 Page 4 The City also values our native plantings and strives to preserve them. To date, we have completed 23 floristic assessments throughout our park system to determine native plant variety and health. Additionally, through the efforts of City Staff and numerous volunteers, we attempt to remove invasive species and plant native plants to restore areas. 10. Mass Transportation Discussion took place regarding this topic during the August Mayors and Managers meeting, and it is an agenda item for the group's next meeting. There was consensus that mass transit, such as light rail, should be focused upon -- not only for environmental reasons, but also for economic development and workforce attraction. Dublin will participate in this discussion and provide updates to Council. Recommendation Staff is recommending adoption of Resolution 62-07 in support of the Central Ohio Green Pact. Final Draft 9/4/07 CENTRAL OHIO GREEN PACT We, the community leaders of Central Ohio, are committed to enhancing and protecting the quality of life and economic vibrancy of the region. With this Green Pact, we affirm that it is in the best interest of our residents, business community and natural environment to take practical steps to protect our air and water, to preserve natural resources, to increase green space, reduce our consumption of raw materials and increase recycling. We hereby commit to lead by example, through this series of common sense steps to greener growth, management and living for our municipalities. 1. Greener Municipal Fleets Vehicles are a major source of air pollution. We agree to take responsibility to reduce our contribution to this problem by adopting a Green Fleet Policy, which may include: anti-idling directives, purchase of higher performing vehicles, use of alternative fuels, and/or retrofitting existing vehicles. 2. Growing a Strong, Green Economy Environmentally-friendly businesses are one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Recycling, for instance, is a $22 billion dollar business in Ohio. We need to collaborate to make sure that Central Ohio develops a larger market share of these emerging businesses. We agree to work together, and with SWACO, to attract and retain green businesses. We also need to celebrate and reward our existing businesses that adopt sustainable practices. 3. Collaborating to Purchase Green Products Purchasing products that are environmentally friendly, including those that have recycled content, can preserve natural resources, reduce waste going into the landfill, and nurture the green marketplace. We will review purchasing codes to implement green procurement practices. In addition, we will work together and explore ways to leverage our combined purchasing power and create a green regional procurement network that provides us with greater savings on better products. 4. Adopting Sustainable Land Use Policies The way our communities grow can have a significant impact on the environment. We agree to examine our codes and policies to determine how we can: create walkable, bikeable communities; promote infill; protect natural resources such as trees; protect our rivers through stormwater controls; and create more green neighborhood infrastructure, such as green roofs, bio-swales and rain gardens. 5. Building Green Facilities and Reducing Energy Consumption Buildings account for one-third of the energy and two-thirds of the electricity consumed in this country. We will explore creating high performing municipal buildings that are more energy efficient, conserve water, and use environmentally Res. 62-07 - Exhibit A -Central Ohio Green Pact Page 2 of 2 friendly products. We may also, where appropriate, conduct energy audits of existing buildings. We will look for other opportunities to reduce our energy consumption, such as making our streetlights and traffic lights higher efficiency. 6. Reducing Waste Reducing the waste that is going to our landfill is of vital economic interest to every jurisdiction and tax-payer in Central Ohio. It is estimated that 66% of the waste going to the landfill consists of recyclable materials, and we need to reduce that waste stream to prolong the life of our landfill. We agree that we will lead by example in our own operations by establishing municipal recycling programs. We will also support adoption of an ordinance requiring that demolition projects recycle at least 25% of the material generated. Reducing waste by reducing unnecessary packaging will also further the life of the landfill. We will encourage reducing packaging in our purchasing and in our local industries. 7. Educating and Engaging Our Communities Our responsibility is to not only for our own operations, but also to lead by example to encourage greater environmental stewardship by residents and local businesses. We will reach out to our stakeholders and citizens to teach the value and practice of sustainable living. We will also make periodic reports to our community about our efforts. 8. Reducing Emissions and Climate Protection The science supporting climate change caused by emissions is well established. We agree to perform a baseline emission inventory of greenhouse gases and then develop an action plan to address those emissions. We further agree to engage the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission on regional solutions. 9. Preserving Green Space and Creating Greenways Abundant parkland and a strong, accessible system of greenways and fitness paths are necessary components of a healthy, "green" community. We will support regional efforts to conserve streams, wetlands, forests and the other important natural resources of Central Ohio and increase the amount of parks and recreation areas for our residents. We will work together to create an interconnected system of greenways and bike trails that provide opportunities for alternative transportation, outdoor recreation, and healthy living. 10. Mass Transportation We agree to explore ways to improve and promote mass transit in Central Ohio. Office of the City Manager 5200 Emerald Parkway • Dublin, OH 43017 Phone: 614-410-4400 • Fax: 614-410-4490 G1TY OF DUBLIN To: A~lembers of Dublin City Council From: Jane S. Brautigam, City Manager Date: September 13, 2007 Initiated By: Michelle L. Crandall, Director of Administrative Services Memo Re: Resolution 62-07 - In Support of the Central Ohio Green Pact and Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to Sign the Pact Summary Attached is a copy of the Central Ohio Green Pact. This document was developed based on input received from members of the Central Ohio Mayors and Managers Group. The Mayors and Managers met on August 29 to review a draft of the Pact and, with some suggested minor modifications, agreed to move forward with the Pact as attached. This Green Pact will be signed by Mayors and City Managers throughout central Ohio on October 4, 2007 at a ceremonial signing event. October 4 was selected because this date has been designated for a "National Conversation on Climate Action," convening local dialogues throughout the country to discuss climate change causes, impacts and solutions. Along with the signing of the Green Pact, there will be a keynote speaker and a forum for dialogue among the attendees. Our Progress on Green Pact Initiatives The City of Dublin has already been focusing on or is currently examining many of the initiatives identified in the Central Ohio Green Pact. The following is a brief overview of our progress in each corresponding area identified in the Pact: 1. Greener Municipal Fleets Dublin currently has in place a City vehicle anti-idling policy for all employees. Additionally, the City has a vehicle maintenance and replacement program that ensures vehicles are performing effectively. Currently, staff is examining options to move a portion of our fleet toward compressed natural gas and staff continues to examine other alternative fuel options, the purchase of hybrids and retrofitting aptians. Several types of grants are available for the conversion of fleet to alternative fuel options. As we recommend a fleet option to Council, staff will also suggest possible grant funding that could be secured. 2. Growing a Strong, Green Economy Dublin currently has a strong relationship with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), partnering on various initiatives and events. We would support SWACO in efforts to attract and retain green businesses in Central Ohio and, as appropriate, in Dublin. To encourage the attraction of businesses that wish to develop buildings and sites that incorporate sustainable design, staff will research our current zoning and building codes to determine any code changes needed to allow for "greener" buildings and overall site developments. Recommendations will be brought back to Council once completed. Memo to City Council re Green Pact September 13, 2007 Page 2 Staff is also planning to discuss with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce avenues to educate and assist current businesses in adopting sustainable practices, such as increasing recycling and energy efficiency. 3. Collaborating to Purchase Green Products Staff is currently reviewing and revising our purchasing policies to focus on greener procurement practices. While the City purchases many items that contain recycled content or that can be recycled, increased effort is needed in this area. The concept of collaborative purchasing in conjunction with the City of Columbus and other surrounding communities could allow us to purchase green products at a lower cost. 4. Adopting Sustainable Land Use Policies Many of our current land use policies and practices encourage bike paths, tree preservation, stormwater management controls, and river preservation. Updates contained in the revised Community Plan place an even stronger emphasis on sustainable land use and natural resource preservation. 5. Building Green Facilities and Reducing Energy Consumption The City of Dublin is responsible for maintaining 617,000 square feet of facility space. The City office buildings and Community Recreation Center comprise 314,000 square feet of this space. We recognize that our building footprints and the energy use of these buildings can have a significant environmental impact. To address and reduce this impact, a green maintenance strategy has been pursued over the past several years. Elements of this plan include the following: • Seven years ago, the City had an energy audit conducted of all City-owned buildings. As a result of this audit, we began installing more energy efficient lighting, switched to computer- controlled HVAC systems and replaced, as needed, existing HVAC equipment with more energy efficient choices. This year the City will participate in the EPA's Portfolio Manager Program. Tlus program will allow us to track all energy and water data for our buildings and better understand the consumption, performance and cost of our systems. • In 2007, the Facilities staff began using low VOC paint and "green" cleaning products. The cleaning products were first tested in City Hall. This test proved successful and the "green clean" program is now being expanded to all buildings. As part of this roll-out, workshops were offered to our custodial staff so there is a deeper understanding of the benefits of the new products and proper use of each. The cleaning products are phosphate-free, no or low VOC and, in some cases, bio-based --made out of ingredients such as citrus, corn, coconut and soy. 6. Reducing Waste Dublin is proud to have a combined recycling diversion rate of 43 percent for refuse and yard waste in 2006. Our goal is to increase this diversion rate over time by offering more opportunities for residents to recycle. In 2003, the City instituted a pilot program with a small group of residents to test 64-gallon, wheeled recycling containers. Based on the success of this pilot program, we have expanded the rollout of the 64-gallon containers to 5,400 homes. Over the next several years, we will continue to expand this program to our 12,000 plus solid waste customers. Beginning this fall, staff will begin placing recycling containers in Avery Park and Darree Fields to begin implementing a park recycling program. Avery and Daree Fields will be "test" parks to monitor the success of this program and to examine proper placement of recycling bins. Memo to City Council re Green Pact September 13, 2007 Page 3 Staff will consider proposing legislation requiring that demolition projects recycle at least 25 percent of the materials generated. Currently, the City of Columbus has this type of legislation in place and has seen success with its implementation and monitoring. Recommendations related to this initiative would be brought to Council for review. 7. Educating and Engaging Qur Communities A significant key to the City of Dublin achieving higher levels of "greenness" is the level to which we as a local government are able to effectively educate and engage our community members in environmental efforts. Several key initiatives have been undertaken in the last few years to help in this effort. Several volunteer opportunities have been initiated, including three learn-and-serve volunteer teams: the Green Team, the Blue Bird Team and the Plant Salvaging Team. Each of these teams has between 20-40 members. The Green Team has been in place for several years, completing 6-8 projects each year ranging from the removal of invasive plants, to native plantings, and to developing tennis shoe recycling and bicycle recycling events. In addition to these teams, an annual river clean-up takes place each August. During Earth Week each year, the City offers several opportunities for resident engagement in environmental efforts. Established only two years ago, with the addition of a full-time Nature Education Coordinator, the City has developed an extensive nature education program. In 2006, 5,540 people, ranging in age from pre- school to senior citizens, took part in one of the City's nature education classes. A strong partnership with our schools has ensured the success of this program today and well into the future. On September 26, 2007 the City will sponsor a presentation on climate change by David Robinson, who has been trained by the Climate Project. This event will provide an opportunity for education and input from our residents. The presenter will provide information about what each of us can do on a daily basis to positively impact the environment and will also discuss what Dublin as a local government can do. 8. Reducing Emissions and Climate Protection We are collecting historical data related to the energy usage of our buildings and outdoor lighting systems and will also gather historical data related to vehicle fuel usage and mileage. We have yet to determine a baseline year from which to work forward. We will work with MORPC to establish the appropriate baseline data. 9. Preserving Green Space and Creating Greenways Dublin is currently home to 39 parks which provide more than 1,500 acres of park land and open space, along with 88 miles of bike path. Aside from significant investments each year in parkland acquisition and development, the City has also made a $7.7 million commitment to Franklin County Metro Parks for land purchase and development of the Glacier Ridge Metro Park. Dublin plants between 1,100 to 1,300 new street trees each year and currently has a total inventory of more than 21,500 street trees throughout the City. For the past 19 years, the City of Dublin has been designated as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, demonstrating our commitment to the management and care of trees within our community. Memo to City Council re Green Pact September 13, 2007 Page 4 The City also values our native plantings and strives to preserve them. To date, we have completed 23 floristic assessments throughout our park system to determine native plant variety and health. Additionally, through the efforts of City Staff and numerous volunteers, we attempt to remove invasive species and plant native plants to restore areas. 14. Mass Transportation Discussion took place regarding this topic during the August Mayors and Managers meeting, and it is an agenda item for the group's next meeting. There was consensus that mass transit, such as light rail, should be focused upon -- not only for environmental reasons, but also for economic development and workforce attraction. Dublin will participate in this discussion and provide updates to Council. Recommendation Staff is recommending adoption of Resolution 62-07 in support of the Central Ohio Green Pact. CENTRAL OHIO GREEN PACT We, the community leaders of Central Ohio, are committed to enhancing and protecting the quality of life and economic vibrancy of the region. With this Green Pact, we affirm that it is in the best interest of our residents, business community and natural environment to take practical steps to protect our air and water, to preserve natural resources, to increase green space, reduce our consumption of raw materials and increase recycling. We hereby commit to lead by example, through this series of common sense steps to greener growth, management and living for our municipalities. 1. Greener Municipal Fleets Vehicles are a major source of air pollution. We agree to take responsibility to reduce our contribution to this problem by adopting a Green Fleet Policy, which may include: anti-idling directives, purchase of higher performing vehicles, use of alternative fuels, and/or retrofitting existing vehicles. 2. Growing a Strong, Green Economy Environmentally-friendly businesses are one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Recycling, for instance, is a $22 billion dollar business in Ohio. We need to collaborate to make sure that Central Ohio develops a larger market share of these emerging businesses. We agree to work together, and with SWACO, to attract and retain green businesses. We also need to celebrate and reward our existing businesses that adopt sustainable practices. 3. Collaborating to Purchase Green Products Purchasing products that are environmentally friendly, including those that have recycled content, can preserve natural resources, reduce waste going into the landfill, and nurture the green marketplace. We will review purchasing codes to implement green procurement practices. In addition, we will work together and explore ways to leverage our combined purchasing power and create a green regional procurement network that provides us with greater savings on better products. 4. Adapting Sustainable Land Use Policies The way our communities grow can have a significant impact on the environment. We agree to examine our codes and policies to determine how we can: create walkable, bikeable communities; promote infill; protect natural resources such as trees; protect our rivers through stormwater controls; and create more green neighborhood infrastructure, such as green roofs, bio-swales and rain gardens. 5. Building Green Facilities and Reducing Energy Consumption Buildings account for one-third of the energy and two-thirds of the electricity consumed in this country. We will explore creating high performing municipal buildings that are more energy efficient, conserve water, and use environmentally friendly products. We may also, where appropriate, conduct energy audits of existing buildings. We will look for other opportunities to reduce our energy consumption, Res. 62-07 - Exhibit A -Central Ohio Green Pact Page 2 of 2 such as making our streetlights and traffic lights higher efficiency. 6. Reducing Waste Reducing the waste that is going to our landfill is of vital economic interest to every jurisdiction and tax-payer in Central Ohio. It is estimated that 66% of the waste going to the landfill consists of recyclable materials, and we need to reduce that waste stream to prolong the life of our landfill. We agree that we will lead by example in our own operations by establishing municipal recycling programs. We will also support adoption of an ordinance requiring that demolition projects recycle at least 25% of the material generated. Reducing waste by reducing unnecessary packaging will alsa further the life of the landfill. We will encourage reducing packaging in our purchasing and in our local industries. 7. Educating and Engaging Our Communities Our responsibility is to not only far our own operations, but also to lead by example to encourage greater environmental stewardship by residents and local businesses. We will reach out to our stakeholders and citizens to teach the value and practice of sustainable living. We will also make periodic reports to our community about our efforts. 8. Reducing Emissions and Climate Protection The science supporting climate change caused by emissions is well established. We agree to perform a baseline emission inventory of greenhouse gases and then develop an action plan to address those emissions. We further agree to engage the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission on regional solutions. 9. Preserving Green Space and Creating Greenways Abundant parkland and a strong, accessible system of greenways and fitness paths are necessary components of a healthy, "green" community. We will support regional efforts to conserve streams, wetlands, forests and the other important natural resources of Central Ohio and increase the amount of parks and recreation areas far our residents. We will work together to create an interconnected system of greenways and bike trails that provide opportunities for alternative transportation, outdoor recreation, and healthy living. 10. Mass Transportation We agree to explore ways to improve and promote mass transit in Central Ohio.