COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR RESOLUTION NO. 041059

 

Requesting that the City Manager include green roof technology initiatives in new City buildings and facilities improvements to include as many design approaches of the U.S. Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design into the Citys design development process which are in the Citys best interest and supported from a cost/benefit perspective

 

WHEREAS, it is the policy of Kansas City to be good stewards of the environment and to finance, plan, design, construct, manage, renovate, maintain and decommission its facilities and buildings to be sustainable; and

 

WHEREAS, it is therefore important that Kansas City constantly review and consider cost conscious, efficient building construction and operation policies and guidelines for all the buildings and facilities it owns and operates; and

 

WHEREAS, Kansas City is responsible for ensuring that all new buildings and facilities owned and operated by the City meet the high quality building standards as they are constructed, remodeled and renovated; and

 

WHEREAS, recognizing that building construction and operation standards are constantly being revised, improved and upgraded and that the U.S. Green Building Council has established a widely accepted, comprehensive guide and rating system for the design and operation of buildings, structures and facilities emphasizing energy efficiency and environmental stewardship called its Green Building Rating System; and

 

WHEREAS, "green roofs technology" improves air quality, conserves energy, reduces storm water run-off, and helps lessen the urban heat island effect. The garden's plants reflect heat, provide shade and help cool the surrounding air through evapotranspiration, which occurs when plants secrete or "transpire" water through pores in their leaves. The water draws heat as it evaporates, cooling the air in the process. Plants also filter the air, which improves air quality by using excess carbon dioxide to produce oxygen, provide economic benefits through protection of the roof membrane and savings on heating and cooling costs, provide sound insulation, provide an aesthetic benefit and an opportunity for food production; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

 

That the Mayor and Council hereby requests that the City Manager include green roof technology initiatives in new City buildings and facilities and to include as many of the design approaches of the U.S. Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System for the design and construction of new City-owned buildings and facilities when it is in the Citys best interest and supported from a cost/benefit perspective.

 

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