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Politics & Government

City Looks to Hire Sustainability Help

Councilman explains how consultants will help city's sustainability efforts.

The following comes from Councilman Steve Mandel's blog, "On the Table."

Discussions will be unveiled in the next few weeks to hire a Green Czar Consulting Firm. The firm will examine our staff, our community and look at the structure and education to implement our plan. Along with that task I will be asking for help real time in moving forward on issues we can currently achieve.

We have put together a work group on construction demolition recycling that will include the help of SWALCO's Walter Willis. Walter has been promoting strategies on reducing landfill waste through reuse and recycling. He has been working with several industries to promote best management strategies statewide and we are privileged to have him on our team.

The final touches are being made on our continued assault on water runoff (storm water) though controlling the amount of land you can seal off to absorption. Otherwise known as the lot coverage ordinance, this legislation will charge fees for overbuilding and credits for green technologies of best storm water practices.

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We are also looking to have receptacles for electric (plug in) vehicles in our community and am told we are negotiating a package to implement soon.

Along with these issues many others are on the burner and will be rolling them out soon. 

August round-up

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  • ComEd . We have asked them to come back in 60 days with a detailed remediation plan for all the troubled areas. We have also requested a detailed sheet of their power structure including Main feeders down to the secondary and home lines that go to our homes. that we need more reliable service. Will give full update in two months.
  • Waste Management presented the City of Highland Park an environmental award for our promotion of the Compressed Natural Gas refuse trucks on our streets. Because of our efforts they have built a multi million dollar CNG facility that will serve their entire future fleet.
  • Highland Park Theater discussion with the development of a RFQ/RFP. We should get this outreach rolling in August for proposals for private operations or development.
  • Port Clinton has come up with  that will continue to bring vibrancy and beauty to our downtown. I am hopeful we can continue discussions soon. They have also done a sensational job with plantings and seating areas that have enhanced the existing space... Check it out on the Highland Park News website.
  • Fence over 41 pedestrian overpass was put on hold for a year to see what funding is available. I was very disappointed the Council did not move forward immediately on a fix for what I see is a bad situation.
  • is an official Councilman and the guy is pretty smart and cool. Really glad to see him share a seat with us.
  • The Council Rejected a $377,265 bid to rebuild the parking lot to the South of City Hall. Councilman Frank brought this item to our attention and got consensus that it was not an immediate priority. Looking for other programs to use this budgeted money that make more sense now.
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