Hold Us Accountable

For anyone interested in the new Office of Sustainability's Performance Measures:

DESCRIPTION

Our citizens have come to expect the City of Knoxville to be a good steward of federal and local tax dollars and to provide sustainable amenities such as recycling, bike lanes, greenways, and proactive zoning. The initial hurdle of showing sustainability as a means of reducing inefficiencies, avoiding costs and improving health, rather than an expensive diminishing of individual rights, has largely been overcome. The time is right to build on the federal financial foundation and embed the program as a way the City operates.

The City evaluates performance by department and individual; however, pay or funding is not tied to performance. The Office of Sustainability will continue to track and perform as if our salaries depend on it, and will evaluate office and staff roles and performance annually to insure we are the best we can be and growing in effectiveness and efficiency.

In 2009, we were established as DOE-funded staff with granted capital for established project funding. In 2010, we established our office as a top DOE performer. In 2011, we established our office as a national leader. In 2012, we were established and recognized as an office with official salaried City staff, with project funding to be obtained through an innovative financing portfolio.

GOAL STATEMENT

The goal of the Office of Sustainability is to grow economic prosperity through environmental and social responsibility.

OBJECTIVES

To excel both locally and nationally as outlined in the City’s Energy and Sustainability Work Plan and as opportunities arise, in the following categories:

1.) Community Involvement – citizen input and city accountability
2.) Energy – efficiency and renewable energy for all sectors
3.) Goods and Services – responsible purchasing, waste avoidance, and city land management
4.) Infrastructure – making complete streets a priority in retrofits and new construction
5.) Sustainable Growth – ensuring our policies enable sustainable best practices
6.) Transportation – fostering commuting options that suit our community dynamics

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1.) Community Involvement – citizen input and city accountability

a.) Publically vetted, created, and distributed the Energy and Sustainability Work Plan; and began implementation of 12 new activities for 2012

b.) Completed public campaigns for the recycling and green building incentive programs

c.) Gave 47 presentations to classes, community groups, state and national audiences

d.) Coordinated 25 workshops and 2 solar tours / fairs to educate 1,163 on solar viability

e.) Developed a Citizen’s How-To Guide for Sustainability (posted online)


2.) Energy – efficiency and renewable energy for all sectors

a.) Completed the Solar America Cities grant on time and in budget: solar capacity in Knoxville/Knox Co. grew from 30 kilowatts (kW) to over 1 megawatt (1,000 kW)

b.) Continued energy data collection partnerships with ORNL and KUB to obtain and use spatial data for energy consumption monitoring

c.) Installed 5 city-owned Solar PV systems for a total of almost 150 kW

d.) Completed all 7 activities in the Department of Energy’s Conservation Block Grant on time, in budget, and cited as a national leader in energy best practice by DOE

f.) Energy retrofits from Ameresco / Energy Savings Performance Contract Phase I completed, measuring results and prepping Phase II

g.) Selected as a Department Of Energy Better Buildings Challenge Partner/City


3.) Goods and Services – responsible purchasing, waste avoidance, and city land management

a.) Reached initial goal of 20,000 in recycling program participants, averaging 673 tons / month diverted waste (including downtown and drop off centers)

b.) Continued to push community garden legislation and programming (for 2013 season)

c.) Started recycling in some parks as budget allows, and at special events

d.) Completed an Employee Purchasing Guide

e.) Developed and rolled out a City Disposables Policy

f.) Recycling Services Contractual Framework developed for joint purchasing

g.) Established permanent downtown recycling for residents


4.) Infrastructure – making complete streets a priority in retrofits and new construction

a.) Installed 14 non-solar and 10 solar charging stations through the EV project

b.) In the process of modifying ordinances to legalize Car sharing program


5.) Sustainable Growth – ensuring our policies enable sustainable best practice

a.) Collaborated with National Academies on sustainability guide: US EPA Green Book

b.) Collaborated with Environmental Law Institute on book Acting as if Tomorrow Matters

c.) In the process of updating Energy Code to 2012 and State standard

d.) Co-founded the Southeast Sustainability Network


6.) Transportation – fostering commuting options that suit our community dynamics

a.) Partnered with TPO on a car sharing program for 2013 program start

b.) Designated part of a city employee’s time to bicycle commuting in ROW

c.) Developed and rolled out new No-Idling Policy with Director enforcement

d.) Developed and rolled out Green Fleet Policy with Fleet Department