COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Board of Supervisors

DATE:

April 16, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 24, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

4/5^th Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Mark Church, Supervisor

Jim Porter, Director of Public Works

Brian Lee, Deputy Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Green Business Program for San Mateo County of San Mateo

RECOMMENDATION:

1.

Adopt a resolution approving the establishment of a Green Business Program in San Mateo County.

2.

Adopt a resolution authorizing a transfer in the amount of $30,000 from the General Fund to the Solid Waste Fund for expenses associated with the start-up of the program.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 22: County and local governments effectively communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County.

BACKGROUND:

In 1996, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) began the Bay Area Green Business Program (BAGBP), which certifies and promotes small and medium sized businesses that embrace environmentally friendly practices in all aspects of their operations. The goals of BAGBP are to reduce pollution, conserve resources and improve recycling practices in the business community. Over 850 businesses in other counties have been certified as “green” through the ABAG program.

BAGBP is a collaborative program involving ABAG and county and city governments. County staff will coordinate the program and work with city coordinators and local chambers of commerce to identify interested businesses. For businesses located in cities, the city staff will arrange and conduct the initial “green” review using the BAGBP template. The city staff also coordinates compliance agency audits such as a review by PG&E of energy use or a water company review of water conservation practices. County staff will act as the main liaison with ABAG. County staff will also certify businesses in the unincorporated areas of the County. After the initial review and compliance audit, the county staff will meet with the business to confirm that all the BAGBP requirements have been met and if so, issue the “Green Business” certification. Certified businesses are audited every three years to confirm continued compliance with the BAGBP program standards. At the renewal visits, BAGBP auditors also recommend new environmental best practices to the business owners.

DISCUSSION:

In an effort to start a Green Business Program in San Mateo County, Supervisor Mark Church has brought together the cities and chambers of commerce of San Carlos, San Mateo, Burlingame, Millbrae, Daly City, and Redwood City with the Waste Management and Environmental Services Division in the Department of Public Works, and Sustainable San Mateo County to develop a 6 month Green Business pilot program for San Mateo County. City and county staff will be ready to begin auditing businesses in July of 2007. The initial goal is to certify a minimum of 12 businesses. Assuming the pilot is successful, it will be expanded to include all cities and businesses throughout the county. In the meantime, the Green Business Committee will continue to meet and develop the final details of the program. There will be a report back to the Board of Supervisors in June of this year once the final terms are determined and again in early 2008 to evaluate the pilot program.

In addition to working with city businesses and businesses in the unincorporated area, the County will certify at least one County government Division during the pilot period.

ABAG promotes the certified businesses in a Green Business Directory and also maintains a website listing all certified businesses in the Bay Area. According to the ABAG program organizers, the Green Business program is not only good for the environment, it is also good for business and employee morale.

FISCAL IMPACT:

ABAG does not provide any funding for this program. The Waste Management and Environmental Services Division of the Department of Public Works will provide the program staff for Green Business in FY 2007-08. However, an additional $30,000 is needed to customize the outreach and recognition materials for the San Mateo County program. Those funds would be transferred to the Solid Waste Fund from the General Fund.