Sustainability Action Plan - Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, IndianaSustainability Action PlanCity of Bloomington 2018
ContentsLetter from the MayorExecutive SummaryIntroduction1. Climate Change and Adaptation2. Energy and the Built Environment3. Transportation4. Local Food and Agriculture5. Waste6. Water7. Ecosystem Health8. City OperationsAcknowledgmentsAppendices
Letter from the MayorThe Bloomington community has long known that caring for our naturalenvironment, upholding the rights of all residents — including ourmost vulnerable — and nurturing the artistic and aesthetic elements of ourdaily life are ways to strengthen the fabric of our city. And those elementsthat contribute to the city’s cultural and humanistic legacy are also afoundation of our economic health. Historically, and within certain pocketsof corporate culture still, concerns for the environment and social justicehave at times been considered antithetical to prosperity and development.But the City of Bloomington thinks differently, and has integrated thesegoals within our foremost policy documents. I am pleased to present this2018 Sustainability Action Plan as our latest embodiment of this view.This report builds on a foundation laid by a series of documents, reports, and plans that ourCity has produced over the past decades, and in particular on several recent efforts since Iassumed the responsibilities of the mayor’s office — from the Bloomington Comprehensive Plan(2018), distilling our vision for everything from our built landscape to our quality of life, to theBloomington Habitat Connectivity Plan (2018) and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory(2016) — that declare our City’s commitment to sustainability. Together these documents ensurethat Bloomington’s goals are calibrated for the long haul, and that the changes we implement nowpromote abundance and vitality for Bloomingtonians 20, 50, and 100 years hence.Bloomington believes so strongly in the connectedness of environmental, cultural, and economicgoals, in fact, that we have a City department that bundles the three. I am grateful to the effortsof the staff of our Economic and Sustainable Development Department — Alex Crowley, BrianPayne, Autumn Salamack, and Sean Starowitz — for your vision and expertise in developingthis document, and for the efforts you consistently make to engage with thoughtful membersof the Bloomington community in identifying our most pressing sustainability issues with aview toward resiliency. This document was produced with great attention to measurable goalsand accomplishments, and incorporates best practices gleaned from an array of benchmarkedcommunities grappling with forces and concerns comparable to ours.Those of us who love this place know that Bloomington has what it takes to lead the nation insustainable practices — from conservation efforts to measures to promote social equity. With thisreport, the City of Bloomington manifests our collective commitment to do so.John HamiltonMayor, City of BloomingtonOctober 20183
Executive SummaryThe City of Bloomington has a long-standingcommitment to environmental sustainability andCity-public partnerships. Programs related to energyconservation, renewable energy, waste reduction and thelocal food movement have helped establish Bloomingtonas a regional sustainability leader and strengthened thevolunteer and entrepreneurial spirit of the community.This plan is divided into eight areas of focus: climatechange and adaptation, energy and the builtenvironment, transportation, local food and agriculture,waste, water, ecosystem health and City operations. Asummary of current and past sustainability initiativesis provided for each focus area, along with tables thatidentify short-term goals, actions, timelines, partnersand estimated costs for continued progress in each area.A comprehensive list of goals and associated actions isprovided below.While the City has addressed sustainability in numerousplans and reports, this plan represents the first formalsustainability planning effort for the Bloomingtoncommunity, with an explicit focus on goals and actionsthat address the most pressing environmental issues, witha view towards economic prosperity and social equity.An asterisk (*) indicates an ongoing cost (i.e. a costwith more than a one-time expense); (CP) indicatesthat a similar goal or action was outlined in the 2018Comprehensive Plan.CHAPTER 1: CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATIONGOAL 1.1: Reduce community GHG emissions 11 percent by 2023, relative to a baseline of1.3 million metric tons of GHG emissions in 2016ACTIONLEAD PARTNERS1.1.aEstablish a consistent methodology for measuring andreporting community GHG emissions (CP)Economic & SustainableDevelopment (ESD)2019 *1.1.bEvaluate the viability of creating a community renewableenergy goal (CP)ESD, BCOS, UtilityCompanies, MCEC2019 1.1.cImplement Solarize Bloomington with the Solar IndianaRenewable Energy Network (SIREN) to aid residential lowcost solar installationsESD, SIREN, othernonprofit partner2019 *1.1.dAchieve designation as a SolSmart community by takingsteps to streamline development requirements andencourage local solar marketsPlanning andTransportation, ESD2019 1.1.eEducate the public about the Monroe County Solar for Allcampaign and geothermal installations (CP)ESD, HAND, MonroeCounty Solar for All2019 *1.1.fInvestigate the feasibility of becoming a Green PowerCommunity to encourage businesses, institutions, andindividuals to collectively use more clean powerESD2020 1.1.gFacilitate habitat restoration and tree planting with propersiting on public and private properties to sequester carbondioxide and reduce building energy needs (CP)ESD, Parks & Recreation2020 *1.1.hEngage local businesses to reduce GHG emissions throughoutreach, education, and advisory servicesMCEC, ESD, Chamber ofCommerce2020 *4TIMEFRAME COST
Executive SummaryGOAL 1.2: Create a community climate adaptation plan by 2022ACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAMECOST1.2.aConduct a climate vulnerability assessmentESD, IU/EnvironmentalResilience Institute2020 1.2.bCreate a public campaign to educate citizens andbusinesses about the effects of climate changeESD, IU/EnvironmentalResilience Institute2021 *CHAPTER 2: ENERGY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENTGOAL 2.1: Reduce building energy use in the Bloomington community 20 percent by 2023,relative to a baseline usage of 9.4 million MMBTUs in 2016ACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAMECOST2.1.aDevelop and implement an annual work plan for theMonroe County Energy Challenge (MCEC) to improveresidential and commercial energy efficiencyMCEC, Utility Companies2019 *2.1.bEstablish a consistent methodolgy to monitor andreport community-wide energy use (CP)ESD, BCOS, UtilityCompanies2020 2.1.cCollaborate with the business community on avoluntary program to disclose energy usage andcosts, to help drive future energy savings (CP)ESD, Chamber ofCommerce, BEDC2020 *2.1.dCollaborate with local utility companies to improveenergy efficiency programs and sub-meteringUtility Companies, MCEC,ESD2021 2.1.eCollaborate with local landlords to establish avoluntary program for green leases that clarifylandlord and tenant responsibilities for energyefficiency projects and associated energy savingsESD, landlords2022 2.1.fWork with private and non-profit lenders to establishlow-interest loans for small-scale energy efficiencyimprovements and renewable energy projectsESD, local banks, HVACand other buildingprofessionals2023 *5
Executive SummaryGOAL 2.2: Increase the percentage of residential and commercial buildings using sustainablebuilding certification programs and incentives by 2023, relative to a 2019 baselineACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAMECOST2.2.aUpdate the Sustainable Development Incentiveprogram and develop a mechanism to trackutilization of the program and post data to BClearPlanning and Transportation,IT2019 *2.2.bDevelop an educational program on sustainablebuilding certifications and incentive programs incollaboration with the business communityESD, Planning &Transportation, Chamber ofCommerce, Living BuildingCollaborative (LBC)2019 *2.2.cEvaluate the development of a SMART goalfor increasing the use of sustainable buildingcertification program, per the development of a2019 baselinePlanning & Transportation,ESD2020 2.2.dDevelop a list of sustainable building projects toestablish a baseline for 2019, and a mechanism fortracking this data moving forwardESD, Planning &Transportation, LBC2020 2.2.eCreate annual sustainable building tour forcommercial buildersESD, Planning &Transportation, LBC2020 *2.2.fComplete at least one Living Building Challengepetal certification projectPlanning & Transportation,LBC, developers2021 2.2.gHost an annual green home show to showcasesustainable building features and programsESD, Planning &Transportation, LBC, othercommunity partners2021 *6
Executive SummaryCHAPTER 3: TRANSPORTATIONGoal 3.1: Ensure Five Urban Village Centers meet the criteria established in theComprehensive Plan by 2023 (CP)ACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAMECOST3.1.aEstablish an inter-departmental team to organizeresources and expertise needed to establish UrbanVillage Centers and identify five priority focus areasthat would have maximum community impact andimprove social equityPlanning & Transportation,ESD, Housing &NeighborhoodDevelopment (HAND),Public Works, CityUtilities, BloomingtonEconomic DevelopmentCorp (BEDC)2019 3.1.bIncorporate electric vehicle charging stations intosustainable development incentives to influencecommon infrastructure at Urban Village CentersPlanning & Transportation2019 *3.1.cEstablish an infill development program to inventoryvacant or underused lots, help ensure infill areasare build-ready when possible, and offer financialincentives to spur development of compactcommunities and prevent urban sprawlPlanning & Transportation,ESD2020 *3.1.dAttract a variety of amenities to locate in or nearpriority Village CentersESD, BEDC2023 3.1.eImplement appropriate multi-modal projectsin priority Village Centers, emphasizing thoseidentified in the 2018 Bloomington TransportationPlan; with streets that provide safe access forvisitors of all levels of abilityPlanning & Transportation,Public Works2023 3.1.fLocate planned affordable housing within or nearbyVillage Centers or collaborate to pilot affordablehousing in the vicinityPlanning & Transportation,ESD, HAND, SouthCentral Indiana HousingOpportunities2023 7
Executive SummaryGOAL 3.2: Shift the Bloomington Community transportation commute mode split to 60percent Single Occupancy Vehicle by 2022, compared to a baseline of 62.8 percent in 2016 (asmeasured in the American Community Survey)ACTIONLEAD PARTNERSWork with businesses to expand bicycle parking andencourage participation in the American League of CyclistsBicycle Friendly Business programPlanning &Transportation,ESD, Chamber ofCommerce2019 *3.2.bExpand the use of marketing efforts for bike share programPace bike share,Planning &Transportation, ESD,IU2019 3.2.cCreate a campaign to encourage use of car share programsin lieu of automobile ownership through marketing andincentivesIU, ESD, Planning &Transportation2019 *3.2.dDevelop a program to encourage local businesses and majorempoloyers to establish commute trip reduction programs,including incentives for multi-modal transportation and anemergency ride home program for individuals who don’tdrive to work aloneESD, Chamber ofCommerce, IU2021 *3.2.aTIMEFRAME COSTGOAL 3.3: Achieve bicycle and pedestrian fatality rates of zero by 2023ACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAMECOST3.3.aEncourage citizen use of UReport mechanism to reportsafety issuesPlanning &Transportation2019 3.3.bAdopt a Vision Zero Policy to signal commitment to zerosafety incidents in the communityPlanning &Transportation2020 3.3.cDevelop schedule for improvements and implement at mostdangerous intersections, as identified by the BloomingtonMonroe County Metropolitan Planning OrganizationPlanning &Transportation2020 *3.3.dImplement a 4 to 5 second vehicle traffic signal delay afterpedestrian lights indicate “walk” so that pedestrians andcyclists have time to become visible before automobiles aregiven the green lightPublic Works, UtilityCompanies2022 8
Executive SummaryGOAL 3.4: Achieve the Walk Friendly Communities Platinum level designation by 2022ACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAME COST3.4.aHost a “Walking to Platinum” community summit to identifypriority actions and opportunities to enhance walkabilityin BloomingtonPlanning &Transportation,ESD2020 3.4.bFocus priorities for infrastructure investment usingWalk Scores, Urban Village Center designations andsocio-economic dataPlanning &Transportation,ESD, Public Works2020 *3.4.cImplement recommended projects in 2018 TransportationPlan to increase the miles of pedestrian pathways andsidewalks that support multi-modal transportation (CP)Planning &Transportation,MPO, Public Works2020 *GOAL 3.5: Achieve the League of American Bicyclists Platinum Rating by 2022 (CP)ACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAMECOST3.5.aDevelop a new Complete Streets Policy and DesignGuidebookPlanning &Transportation2020 3.5.bDevelop and implement a plan for improved lighting onbicycle pathsPlanning andTransportation, Parks& Recreation2020 3.5.cEncourage people walking and bicycling to report lightingissues and maintenance needs and issues (i.e., potholerepair and debris removal) with the UReport appPlanning &Transportation2021 3.5.dIncrease safe and secure bicycle parking through coveredparking and indoor options (CP)Planning &Transportation2021 3.5.eIncrease the miles of bicycle facilities, including thoserecommended in the 2018 Transportation Plan andTransform 2040 Plan (CP)Planning &Transportation, MPO,IU2023 *9
Executive SummaryGOAL 3.6: Increase the use of the Bloomington Transit system 5 percent by 2023, relative toa baseline of 3.3 million transit users in 2017ACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAMECOST3.6.aExpand “Way-To-Go” user-training program offered by BTand monitor participation ratesBT2018 *3.6.bAssess Walk Score ratings for public transit for Bloomington’s56 neighborhoods to determine needed route improvementsBT2019 3.6.cCreate a marketing campaign to minimize first-time userapprehension, such as online “how-to” guides for safe use ofpublic transit, a mentor program to partner first-time transitusers with experienced riders, and educational campaignsdesigned specifically for youth ridersBT2019 3.6.dMake all youth tickets on BT freeBT2020 *Collaborate with employers to provide transit benefitsprograms that promote use of public transitBT, MajorEmployers,Chamber ofCommerce, ESD,IU2020 *3.6.e10
Executive SummaryCHAPTER4: LOCAL FOOD AND AGRICULTUREGOAL 4.1: Increase access to healthy, local food relative to 2019 baseline levels, as definedby a community survey developed in coordination with the City and community partnersACTIONLEAD PARTNERS4.1.aDevelop an annual community survey designed to evaluatechanges in healthy food access over timeESD, CommunityPartners2019 *4.1.bDevelop a food system asset map of existing groups andefforts related to the functional food system (transportation,etc.) and social support services (restaurants, food banks, etc.)ESD, CommunityPartners2019 4.1.cCoordinate community efforts to address root causes offood insecurity, healthy food access, productive reuse ofvacant land, and economic opportunities and educationaround the local food systemESD, CommunityPartners2019 *4.1.dDesign and host quarterly, community Healthy Food Fairs,where people can sign up for SNAP and MCCSC foodprograms, learn about local food resources, etc., andsupplement fairs with a web presence to provide access toall resources in one spotESD, CommunityPartners, PurdueExtension MonroeCounty2019 *4.1.eEvaluate the development of a SMART goal for increasingaccess to healthy, local food per the results of the 2019survey and baseline developmentESD, CommunityPartners2020 4.1.fImplement the Stock Healthy, Shop Healthy communityprogram to improve access to healthy, affordable foods byworking with small food retailersESD, CommunityPartners2020 *4.1.gEstablish a refrigerated food truck program to transporthealthy foods to food desertsESD, Monroe CountySoil and Water2020 *2020 *4.1.h4.1.i4.1.jCollaborate with convenience stores to expand healthy foodESD, Community PartnersofferingsTIMEFRAME COSTRecruit organizations located in/near food deserts to hostcommunity gardens and/or pop-up farm standsESD, CommunityPartners2020 *Determine the potential for produce prescription programto enable doctors to prescribe produce for health issuesexperienced among individuals with low access to healthy,local food, and implement if feasibleESD, Food PolicyCouncil, Volunteers inMedicine, BloomingtonHealth Foundation,Community Foundationof Bloomington &Monroe County2021 *11
Executive SummaryGOAL 4.2: Increase the area of food gardens within the community, compared to a 2019baseline (CP)ACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAMECOST4.2.aEstablish a 2019 baseline for the number and sizeof gardens in the community used to grow food forpersonal consumption or sale, and a mechanism fortracking this data moving forwardParks & Recreation, FoodPolicy Council, MonroeCounty Soil & Water(MCSW)2019 4.2.bDevelop a consultation and implementation programto create additional gardens at community locationsinterested in sponsoring a garden for individualsaffiliated with their organization (e.g. churches,neighborhood associations) (CP)Hilltop Gardens, MotherHubbard’s Cupboard,MCSW, Purdue ExtensionMonroe County2019 *4.2.cEvaluate the development of a SMART goal forincreasing the area of food gardens in the community,per the results of the 2019 survey and baselinedevelopmentESD, Community Partners2020 4.2.dAdd 39 raised garden beds at Switchyard ParkParks & Recreation2020 4.2.ePlace a garden in all committed elementary schoolsand other organizations and provide consultation onestablishment and maintenanceMCCSC, ESD, Parks& Recreation, HilltopGardens, MotherHubbard’s Cupboard,MCSW, Purdue ExtensionMonroe County2020 *4.2.fCollaborate with Bloomington Housing Authority(BHA) to ensure public housing residents have accessto sufficient gardening space, tools, and otherresources needed to be successful (CP)BHA, Food Policy Council,Mother Hubbard’sCupboard2020 *4.2.gFacilitate a guided tour of farms and gardens withincity limits to inspire and encourage acceptance ofvegetative alternative practicesParks and Recreation,Food Policy Council2021 *12
Executive SummaryGOAL 4.3: Increase the percentage of food that large institutional buyers purchase from localfarmers (defined as farmers in the state of Indiana) by 2023, compared to a 2019 baselineACTIONLEAD PARTNERSTIMEFRAMECOST4.3.aEstablish a 2019 baseline measurement of total value andpercentage of local food purchases for large institutionalbuyers, and a mechanism for tracking this informationmoving forwardESD, IU, Cook, IvyTech, MCCSC, IUHealth2019 4.3.bHire a local full-time value chain coordinator for the City ofBloomington to assist with initiatives to create economicopportunities for farmers and gardenersESD, MCSW2019 *4.3.cHost a community meeting with institutional buyers andlocal growers to identify challenges and opportunities forcollaborationESD2019 4.3.dEvaluate the development of a SMART goal for increasingthe percentage of food purchased by large institutionalbuyers from local farmers, per the development of a 2019baselineESD, CommunityPartners2020 4.3.eConduct research on locations of nearby processingfacilities to determine how shared community resources(i.e. grain mills, mobile abattoirs, food storage, root cellars,refrigeration) are structured in other communities to providesupport for small local farmersESD, Food PolicyCouncil2020 13
Executive SummaryCHAPTER 5: WASTEGOAL 5.1: Divert at least 40 percent of the volume of residential waste collected by CitySanitation from being landfilled by 202314ACTIONLEAD PARTNERS5.1.aConduct a waste cha
sustainability planning effort for the Bloomington community, with an explicit focus on goals and actions that address the most pressing environmental issues, with a view towards economic prosperity and social equity. This plan is divided into eight areas of focus: climate change and adaptation, energy and the built
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organizations like Bloomington Independent Restaurant Association (BIRA), Downtown Bloomington, and Local First Bloomington to do so. Using this as a model, OWE should also look to form partnerships with local farmers to reduce gr
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