“Your Utah, Your Future” Survey

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How do you envision the future of Utah?  By 2050, our population will nearly double, and Utah will add an estimated 2.5 million residents. Will we have enough water to drink? Will our air be clean? How will we educate twice as many students? Will our economy remain strong? What kind of future will we leave for our children and grandchildren?

Envision Utah has created a survey called “Your Utah, Your Future” commissioned by Governor Herbert.  The survey gives five scenarios for the future of Utah.  Each scenario includes 11 topics affected by our population growth.  In the survey you select the choices you want to make in each topic area and then choose an overall scenario for Utah in 2050.

The survey will close on May 31, and at over 31,000 recorded responses, it is already the single largest community visioning effort ever undertaken in the US.  The goal is 50,000 participants.  Take the survey!

Please consider sharing it with your employees and coworkers, family and friends, and encourage them to take it, also.

Additionally, over 300 schools have registered across the state.  You can earn money for your local schools- $1 for every response collected!YourUtah

e2 Business Best Practice: Future of Food Waste

On Tuesday, e2 Business members gathered at the Central Valley Water Reclamation facility to learn about anaerobic digestion and how it can help solve the long standing issue of what to do to “recycle” food waste and prevent it from ending up in our valley’s landfills. And by food waste they mean just about anything — from bread, to fish, to expired milk and everything in between!
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Glen Perry is Vice President of ALPRO Energy & Water, the project development firm that has partnered with Momentum Recycling and Central Valley Water Reclamation facility to develop the proposed food waste anaerobic digester.

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The group noshed on delicious vegan sandwiches, salads and burritos from Bud’s Sandwich Company as they learned the ins and outs of anaerobic digestion (and its similarities to human digestion — interesting lunch talk!)

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Kate Whitbeck with Momentum Recycling shared how their organization plans to play a roll in providing the “feedstock” for the anaerobic digester in the form of post-consumer food waste, primarily from restaurants.

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Following the discussion, the group took a tour of the Central Valley Water Reclamation facility, highlights including a rooftop view of the reactors and waste digesters. Learn more about the waste operations at the facility.

Green your business with the help of Salt Lake City’s e2 business program!

Volunteer along the Jordan River!

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Be a part of the biggest volunteer project of the year along the Jordan River Parkway!

Volunteer on Thursday morning, May 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  You can even “Get into the River” with canoe-based river cleanup in addition to trail-side service projects!

Jordan River Commission is providing each volunteer with:

  • One free ticket to a Real Monarchs game on May 16th
  • 40% off registration fees for the Jordan River Marathon (Full, Half and 5K)
  • A ticket for an opportunity drawing on May 30, 2015
  • A chance to win the Thistle Wrangler award for the most invasive thistle plants removed

Sign up to volunteer and join the fun here!

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Salt Lake City Searching for New Sanitation Program Director

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Salt Lake City is looking for a new Sanitation Program Director that will help the City achieve it’s goal of zero waste by 2040!

Apply at SLCgov.com.

Position: SANITATION PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Job Code: 001609
Job Bid: 150228
Department: Public Services
Salary: (031) $4,933.00 – $8,538.00
Close Date: 6/4/2015

Directs and manages the City’s operations for the Sanitation Program. As Program Director, incumbent is responsible for managing operations associated with the City’s recycling and waste collection programs, including but not limited to: curbside refuse, compost and recycling collection; neighborhood clean-up; enforcement and education; and container maintenance. Plans, develops and implements city-wide waste diversion and reduction policies and initiatives to meet the City’s goal to reach Zero Waste by 2040.

Position requires specialized knowledge of best management practices for waste diversion, sanitation operations and requires the knowledge and ability to address local challenges.

Plans for and directs operations associated with the delivery of citywide sanitation services, including: curbside refuse, compost and recycling collection; neighborhood cleanup; enforcement and education; and container maintenance programs. Develops and implements strategies for aggressively moving the City towards Zero Waste. Designs, implements, and monitors program including the implementation of best management practices, environmental stewardship, operating budgets, performance measures, personnel and equipment maintenance. Recommends and initiates process improvements, cost saving measures, operational efficiencies and other program changes necessary to achieve Zero Waste.  Directs the preparation and necessary adjustments to the program budget, including the support needed for updates and revisions to the annual budget document. Monitors and manages budget, resources, and financial transactions. Ensures appropriate processes, procedures, and policies are in place and followed for all financial transactions. Analyzes and develops program policies, goals, and objectives to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Creates strategic plans to support the policies, goals and objectives of the program. Resolves complex issues involving operations and environmental stewardship. Ensures operations comply with City, State and Federal regulations to protect the environment and ensure safe work practices. Presents the program’s policies and positions in meetings, negotiations, and communications with the public, citizen and industry groups, Mayor and City Council members, other government agencies, the media and other public forums within assigned area of authority.

Ensures employee productivity and effective use of resources by coaching, mentoring and training supervisory staff and building an effective team. Evaluates and documents performance of program managers and office staff, administers appropriate employee recognition and disciplinary actions. Develops technical specifications, project design and standards for procurement bids and proposals related to sanitation. Reviews bids and proposals and assists with the selection of contractors. Ensures contractor performance. Plays key roll establishing disaster and emergency preparedness program. Represents the department in public meetings and/or on various committees as directed. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Management or closely related degree, plus six (6) years progressively responsible experience managing public programs including a minimum four (4) years in a supervisory capacity. A combination of six (6) years of directly related program and/or management experience may be substituted for the required education.

Thorough knowledge of materials, techniques, equipment, personnel management and best management practices associated with waste diversion, recycling, resource management, composting, and landfill operations.

Experience in budget preparation and administration, and ability to implement budget requirements into departmental operations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department directors, employees, and the general public. Highly effective collaboration and communication skills.

Possession of a valid driver’s license or Utah driving privilege card, including the ability to travel between office and external locations.

Apply at SLCgov.com.

Salt Lake City Announces Grant for Development of Culinary Incubator Kitchen

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Salt Lake City is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals, government partners, non-profit organizations, for-profit business, and institutions to develop and manage a Culinary Incubator Kitchen (CIK) located within the Salt Lake City boundaries.

The Mayor and Salt Lake City Council have approved a total of $600,000 to support the development of a Culinary Incubator Kitchen in Salt Lake City. $350,000 will be available through a grant, while the additional $250,000 will be made available through a loan.

What is an incubator kitchen?

An incubator kitchen is designed to give small food businesses a competitive advantage when entering or continuing in the local marketplace by providing an affordable certified kitchen space for food prep.

Grant application process

Applicants should present a proposal to plan, construct, and operate the CIK in Salt Lake City using either an existing commercial kitchen or a commercial kitchen constructed specifically for this CIK project.

Interested parties must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Division of Sustainability by May 17, 2015 by 12:00 a.m. MDT.

If interested, please submit your LOI electronically to bridget.stuchly@slcgov.com, and include the following information;

  • Name of company or organization
  • Contact information
  • Potential location (if identified)
  • Potential partners (if identified)
  • Declaration of interest

Visit SLCgreen.com to download the grant application and learn more about this exciting opportunity!

City Seeks Public Input on Parley’s Way Corridor Plan

Salt Lake City’s Planning Division invites residents and users of Parley’s Way to help shape the future of one of the Capital City’s busiest travel corridors.

Parley’s Way has long been identified as an important gateway into Salt Lake City and regular users have expressed their interest in enhancing the safety, efficiency and aesthetics of the corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and transit riders. The City’s Planning Division is requesting public input to shape the Parley’s Way Corridor Plan.

Participants will have the opportunity to weigh-in on four focus areas:

  • Transportation
  • Neighborhood Connectivity
  • Land Use
  • Streetscape Design

You can participate in the Parley’s Way Corridor Plan survey by visiting www.slcgov.com/opencityhall.

Encouraging Alternative Transportation: e2 Best Practice Series

The April Best Practices session was held at Impact HUB, Salt Lake City’s newly completed headquarters at 150 S. State Street. In one of their beautifully finished lecture rooms, the group enjoyed sandwiches from Even Stevens while hearing presentations from Bike Utah, the Governor’s Office of Energy Development, and Utah Transit Authority.

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Phil Sarnoff, Director of Bike Utah, started off the session with a look at the policy and advocacy work his organization is doing to make Salt Lake City an ever more bikeable community.

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Richard Brockmyer of Utah Transit Authority discussed new projects UTA is currently pursuing, including First Mile/Last Mile. Richard explained that the first and last mile of travel when using public transportation are the most crucial, and so UTA has unveiled a suite of strategies for improving that ridership experience, including facilities for bikes and vanpooling service.

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The lunch session finished off with a group discussion where the attendees could pose their own questions and thoughts with the speakers from Bike Utah, UTA and Governor’s Office of Energy Development. There were many questions for Blake Thomas of O.E.D. about the work being done in his office to support for alternative fuel vehicles in Utah.

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Earth Day, Every Day!

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Here are some #EarthDayEveryDay tips for Earth week!

Monday– Meatless Mondays!

Tuesday– Transportation Tuesdays

Wednesday– Wildlife Wednesdays

Thursday– Green Thumb Thursdays

  • Tend to your garden today. Or start a garden! Spring is the perfect time to plant in Salt Lake City!
  • Need gardening space? Consider community gardening! 

Friday– Idle Free Fridays

Saturday– Crafty Saturday- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

  • Go to a yard sale, host a clothing swap, find a new use for something you were going to throw away, buy a used item instead of a new item!
  • Crafty Saturday upcycle ideas! 

Sunday– Solar SUNdays

  • Try to abstain from using one thing that depends on fossil fuels today (like your car or heater)!
  • Learn something new about solar power today:

“Obama touts solar initiative” 

“The world is now adding more capacity for renewable power each year than coal, natural gas, and oil combined.” 

Vancouver commits to 100% renewable energy use! 

On the cost of renewable energy. 

Happy Earth Day from SLCgreen!  #EarthDayEveryDay