05-14-12 Council Agenda & Packet

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Ordinance No. Bill No. AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 8, BY THE INCLUSION OF THE SOUTHBEND MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE INCLUSION OF NEW SECTION 2-123.2 ADDRESSING REGULATIONS AND REPORTING MECHANISMS ON CITY USAGE OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS: COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS CNG AND LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS LNG AND RELATED ENERGY EFFICIENCIES STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT In 1982, the South Bend Common Council passed Ordinance No. 7108-82 which was subsequently updated by Ordinance No. 7739-87 in 1987. Those regulations among other things, set forth an annual reporting requirement on all motor vehicles owned or operated by the City of South Bend, with such report due by July 31" of each year. Those regulations are codified into the South Bend Municipal Code as Section 2-123. Pursuant to those regulations, the Central Services Director now files an annual CD along with a written report which summarizes by Department detailed information on all vehicles which are part of the City Fleet. On February 27, 2012, the Council adopted Resolution No. 4158-12 which recommended stepped-up initiatives so that more "best practices" addressing fuel-efficient sustainable programs be implemented. That Resolution urged the City Energy Director and the Green Ribbon Commission to collaborate and regularly update the Common Council. This ordinance is introduced in the interest of carrying out the goals and objectives of Resolution No. 4158-12 and to implement many of the proposals and initiatives promoted by the U.S, Department of Energy addressing energy efficiency and renewable energy as well as the Office of Energy Development for the State of Indiana. The City of South Bend Central Services Division is currently a silver member of the South Shore Clean Cities, Inc. (SSCC) which was founded on June 15, 1999 as part of the Clean Cities Coalition. The Coalition is dedicated "to preserve and revitalize Northern Indiana by promoting the use of clean fuels and clean vehicle technology". Section 1. Chapter 2, Article 8, Section 2-123.2 of the South Bend Municipal Code is created to read in its entirety as follows: See. 2-123.2 Regulations and Reporting Mechanisms on City Usage of Alternative Fuels: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). (a) Purpose and Intent: This section is aimed at promoting greater usage by the City of South Bend of alternative fuels and overall energy efficiency. It is believed that greater usage of alternative fuel vehicle conversion programs, related infrastructure improvements, implementation of more hybrid vehicles, and further diversification of the City's vehicle fleet will result in cleaner air and cost savings for taxpayers. It is further believed that the City should pursue all grants available which are aimed at energy efficiency, reducing energy costs, and reducing fossil fuel emissions.