HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7869 'i INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7869
opATEnto October 11, 1994
FOR
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
r
.% Subject: CITY OF FORT WORTH OZONE POLICY UPDATE
The adoption of the Clean.Air Act Amendments of 1990 placed the City of Fort Worth
into one of eighty-nine ozone non-attainment zones located across the United States.
Due to our moderate pollution level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has given the area inclusive of Collin,Dallas,Denton and Tarrant counties until the end
of 1996 to voluntarily bring the ozone level into attainment. If the area does not attain
compliance, more stringent federal mandates and sanctions may be levied.
The North Texas Clean Air Coalition, the Fort Worth and the Dallas Chambers of
Commerce, The T and DART have devised and implemented the Ozone Alert Program.
This program is designed to inform the public and the business community when
conditions are conducive to formation of high levels of ozone. On those days,an "ozone
alert" is issued and everyone is encouraged to follow the guidelines designed to reduce
ozone generating activities.
In 1993 the Department of Environmental Management designed the City's first set of
ozone alert operation guidelines. Following the end of the 1993 ozone season, these
guidelines were reviewed and updated to reflect a more proactive approach. These
updated guidelines were issued to the departments.in late May, 1994. Shortly after the
revised guidelines were issued, a meeting between Environmental Management and
department representatives was held, which resulted in additional guidelines and an
implementation strategy.
Some examples of what City departments are doing to curb ozone-generating activities
on alert days are:
1) Water Field Operations; field personnel day shift is changed to 1,0:00 a.m. -
7:00 p.m.;
2) Parks & Community Services and Aviation; outdoor staff and mowing
contractors are asked to rearrange their schedule to delay any work
requiring the use of gas powered equipment until after 10:00 a.m.;
3) Library extension service personnel reschedule shift to 10:00 a.m. - 7:00
p.m.;
4) City Services Equipment Services Division has put signage on all service
center entrances outlining Ozone Alert guidelines, and notices on the fuel
pumps not to fuel until after 10:00 a.m.;
5) Fire Stations and Support Services curtail non-emergency ozone generating
activities; fire inspections and non-emergency fueling are delayed until
after 10:00 a.m.;
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER cnor�arncaru Tom.. .
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7869
T October 11, 1994
F + , To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 2
r�A Subject: CITY OF FORT WORTH OZONE POLICY UPDATE
6) Transportation & Public Works field crews reschedule their work so that
they do not go into the field until after 10:00 a.m.; until then work is
performed within the service centers; and
7) Several departments reschedule meetings outside _the building, delay
inspections to after 10:00 a.m.(doing office duties until that time), or drive
only City vehicles that have been equipped with alternative fuel systems
(propane or compressed natural gas), practice trip consolidation and
carpool to outside meetings.
In June 1994 the Department of Environmental Management sent information to all
employees through the payroll distribution system on the ten top tips to reduce ozone
pollution. In August, a memo was sent to each department head to inform them that
an employee trip reduction questionnaire would be distributed. They were also asked
to identify a departmental representative for the City's Ozone Alert Policy/Employee
Trip.Reduction Coordination Committee. This committee will be evaluating the City's
present policy; investigating new ideas to improve the policy; and recommending to the
,. City Manager a comprehensive implementation plan for the 1995 ozone period (April
to October). This committee's first meeting was held October 5, 1994.
Should additional information be required, or if there are any questions, please contact
Mike Groomer at x6140 or Brian Boemer at x6107.
Bob Terrell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS