The Sunnyvale Sun

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Sunnyvale committed to going green

By MICHELLE MAGHRIBI

In its latest effort to make it easy being green, the city of Sunnyvale has added the Sunnyvale Community Center to its list of the businesses recognized by the Santa Clara County Green Business Program. In 2005, the Sunnyvale Senior Center and the Sunnyvale Fleet services were also certified as green businesses.

Recognition by the county commends the city's efforts to reduce pollution in areas ranging from using environmentally friendly cleaning products, to extensive recycling, to buildings that conserve energy--buildings such as the Sunnyvale Community Center.

"Sunnyvale's commitment to environmental responsibility is something we take very seriously. We're absolutely committed to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and that demands a 'greener' approach to building and development," Mayor Ron Swegles said.

The center's green qualities include using recycled paper products, envelopes, business cards, toilet paper and paper towels. The center also recycles office paper, batteries, and fluorescent lamps.

According to the city's spokesperson, Adam Levermore-Rich, these efforts are just the latest in Sunnyvale's longstanding commitment to conservation.

Levermore-Rich said the city's Environmental Procurement Policy was adopted in 1999, but has had an energy policy on the books since the late 1970s.

As a part of this effort, the city uses only Green Seal-certified cleaning products and conserves energy through the Energy Star office equipment, T-8 lamps and LED exit signs.

Using shut-off devices as part of the city's irrigation control conserves water.

Pest control is also addressed. Integrated pest management methods focus on long-term prevention of pests and pest damage on city property.

Some methods include hand labor, mulching, soaps, oils, and even natural alternatives such as voracious goats.

Levermore-Rich said about two years ago, the city started using goats to clear wild grass at the Sunnyvale landfill. "It's been a big hit. It's completely environmentally friendly, and it's a good alternative to using gas-powered lawn mowers, especially since we are trying to prevent a fire hazard by clearing the area," Levermore-Rich said.

According to Levermore-Rich, in some cases--such as with the goats--the initial cost of the eco-goats may be slightly more than going with conventional less friendly environmental methods, but there are other benefits. (The goat service is approximately $20,000 compared to roughly $17,000 for gas mower lawn care).

"The mowers generated air pollution, created a potential fire hazard, and had a habit of damaging the methane-collection equipment installed just beneath the surface of the landfill," Levermore-Rich said. "So while the goats were slightly more expensive, we knew they'd be more environmentally friendly and that they'd save us money in repairs to the methane-collection system." Prior recognition of the senior center and the city's fleet services highlighted different areas of environmental conservation. "The senior center is a good example of energy conservation," Levermore-Rich said. "We use solar panels to help reduce energy costs." Levermore- Rich said 15 percent of the city's vehicles run on alternative fuel options that include hybrid, electric and compressed natural gas.

"Our comprehensive approach to waste diversion keeps recyclables from ending up in the landfill and saves the city millions of dollars in disposal fees," Swegles said.

The Bay Area Green Business program is a voluntary program and encourages businesses to take action that benefits the environment and can save money. Other businesses recognized by the county as Bay Area Green Businesses for 2006 include Environmental and Occupational Risk Management, Juniper Networks, Sunnyvale Ford, Sunnyvale Toyota and Ultimodule.

According to the regional coordinator for the program, Ceil Scandone, it has been in place for 10 years and has 692 businesses certified in seven counties, 85 of those in Santa Clara County.

Scandone said within the last 18 months, all of the cities in Santa Clara County have expressed their desire to participate in the green program. "The program is aimed at smaller to mediu- sized businesses," Scandone said. "Last year, we added about 150 businesses and this year we are on track to certify more than 200 new businesses in the Bay Area."

Scandone said she thought the increased participation was part of a larger environmental consciousness. "In my view, more and more people are becoming aware."

Sunnyvale to review soliciting ordinance

The city of Sunnyvale has decided to review its current ordinance that prohibits day laborers from soliciting work from passing drivers, due to a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Consuelo Marshall of Los Angeles.

Marshall ruled at the end of April the law in Redondo Beach, a city located southwest of Los Angeles, kept laborers from their constitutional right to work, effectively violating their freedom of speech rights. The ruling revoked restrictions on day laborer soliciting nationwide.

Sunnyvale deputy communications manager, Adam Levermore-Rich, said, while the city does have an ordinance in place (Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 9.56), it is currently being re-examined.

"We are aware of the recent decisions on similar ordinances, and we are reviewing our ordinance to see if and how it needs to be changed," Levermore-Rich said. According to city documents, the ordinance was adopted at a regular city council meeting June 3, 1997.

A nonprofit organization called the Mountain View Worker Center at 1880 California St. in Mountain View has been around since 1996. It connects workers with employers, eliminating the need for laborers to loiter on sidewalks and streets. For more information call 650.903.4102 or visit www.dayworkercenter.org.