Reimaging City Services Blog Series
Public Works Services Edition
We are living in extraordinary times. As a community, we are grappling with health, economic, environmental, and social challenges all at the same time. As a City organization, we are evolving to meet your needs.
To build a community where every person can thrive, we have to have the right staff, providing the right services, with the right resources. We are taking a fresh look at what services we provide and how we provide them. We invite your feedback as we reimagine city services.
Through this Blog Series: Reimagining City Services, we will be highlighting how we are reimagining public services in light of evolving community needs and limited financial resources. This post focuses on Public Safety Services. We are fortunate that Redwood City has a diverse and informed community, and we welcome your ideas and innovative spirit. Local government is a place you can make a difference on issues that matter to you. If you missed our previous Blog posts in this series, you can read them here: Reimagining Public Safety, Reimagining Library Services, Reimagining Parks, Recreation and Community Services.
Why Change?
We are proud of the services we provide — and we also know community needs are changing. We want to be sure we are thinking creatively about services, and that we continue to live within our means. The City has been recognized for over three decades for following financial best practices. This ensures stability in providing City services and reduces taxpayer costs when we borrow funds for capital projects. While the City has been able to maintain essential services during the pandemic largely because of the City’s strong reserve levels and one-time federal funds, we face mounting deficits. Like most public agencies, the pandemic has exacerbated long-term financial challenges.
A Greener Redwood City: Progress on Climate Action and Sustainability
The City of Redwood City has taken a significant step toward a more sustainable future with the 2030 Climate Action Plan. The Plan is our community’s roadmap for addressing climate change and adapting to the climate change impacts we are already experiencing. The compounded impacts of increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) have begun to manifest in the forms of sea-level rise, longer wildfire seasons, extreme heat events, air pollution, an increase in the prevalence and strength of storms, and a decrease in the reliability of the water supply; all of which impact Redwood City directly. In California, aggressive climate change goals are set by the State to curb these emissions, with local governments implementing much of the policy.
The objective of sustainability includes encouraging financial investments in entities that support community well-being through safe and environmentally sound practices, fair labor practices, and equality of rights regardless of sex, race, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The 2030 Climate Action Plan describes the measures the City is taking to lead by example in reducing communitywide GHG emissions and recommends new measures that will make our municipal government an even more efficient and resource conservation-minded organization. The updated Plan extends through 2030 with the goal to reduce the City’s GHG to 50% below 2005 levels. This is an interim step toward the City’s ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
To help us reach that goal, the City is exploring the feasibility of converting Fire Station 9 and the adjacent Marshall Street Garage emergency generator to microgrid. This will allow for utilization of solar and battery storage for emergency power generation in-lieu of a traditional diesel generator, completely eliminating fossil fuel usage. The feasibility study will be completed by summer and implementation could be seen by the end of 2022 or early 2023.
Sustainability Added to City Investment Policy
The City invests funds not immediately required for services in accordance with state law and City policy. The City’s current portfolio is approximately $320M, generally invested in very secure, high-quality investments to ensure City funds are preserved for future needs. Recently, the City Council updated the City’s investment policy to add sustainability as one of the primary investment objectives. This includes restrictions on investments to exclude investment in companies in fossil fuel extraction, refining, and distribution industries or subindustries, as classified by a global standard such as the Global Industry Classification Standard or Bloomberg Industry Classification System. The staff report is available here and the updated policy is available here.
Clean, Renewable Energy Saves 1.2M Metric Tons of Carbon Emissions
The compounded impacts of increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) have begun to manifest in the forms of sea-level rise, longer wildfire seasons, extreme heat events, air pollution, an increase in the prevalence and strength of storms, and a decrease in the reliability of the water supply; all of which impact Redwood City directly.
The 2019 emissions inventory, much like the historical inventories, shows that the transportation and energy sectors account for the overwhelming majority of community emissions, totaling 97%. Accordingly, the City’s Climate Action Plan strategies focus on these sectors.
Redwood City has been an area leader in developing infill, higher density, transportation oriented and mixed-use development near transportation hubs and along transportation corridors. The award-winning 2010 General Plan, the Downtown Precise Plan, Stanford in Redwood City, the El Camino Real Corridor Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance include measures for increasing density and destination accessibility that result in decreased vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled. This Plan accounts for the estimated emissions reductions associated with the existing General Plan, Downtown Precise Plan, and Zoning Ordinance and calls for the City to continue to implement, monitor, and evaluate the existing policies through 2030.
We are also increasing bicycle and pedestrian safety — like the Roosevelt and Hopkins Avenue traffic calming projects — and developing a Transportation Demand Management policy to offset the impact of new developments among other improvements.
In addition to promoting alternative modes of transportation, Redwood City has also developed parking standards and parking management policies, which address transportation-related emissions by encouraging walking, biking, and public transit use.
One of the most important actions the City has taken to reduce our community’s GHG emissions is to adopt Peninsula Clean Energy as our community’s electricity provider. Since 2016, PCE has saved over 1.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions, an amount equivalent to avoiding the use of 141 million gallons of gas!
PCE provides clean energy, including from sources such as wind and solar that are 100% carbon-free and PCE is on target to become 100% renewable by 2025.
Since 2016, the City has been purchasing 100% clean, renewable electricity at competitive prices from Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) for all City facilities. Over 97% of the community participates in PCE, and purchasing renewable energy from PCE has had the most significant positive impact of all measures in the City’s Climate Action Plan.
Promoting Building Electrification to Fight Climate Change
Using natural gas to heat water and space in buildings is the second-largest source of GHGs in Redwood City. Redwood City was one of the first cities on the Peninsula to adopt Reach Codes. These new building codes to electrify buildings will reduce these GHG in buildings over time. Late this year, the City Council will receive an update on the first year implementation of the codes and opportunities to continue to improve air quality and reduce GHGs.
Preparing for Sea Level Rise; Improving Redwood Shores Levees
It is essential to work regionally to address sea level rise and flooding. The City has partnered with the Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (One Shoreline) on multiple project to protect Redwood City’s shoreline. The Bayfront Canal project, which provides flood protection in southern Redwood City, is now nearly complete. One Shoreline coordinated the construction of this project which diverts stormwater flows coming from Woodside, Atherton, Menlo Park, Atherton and San Mateo County as well as Redwood City, to the San Francisco Bay. One Shoreline also will work closely with the City to improve the levees around Redwood Shores. Additionally, the City is partnering with One Shoreline to develop a Redwood City-specific sea level rise assessment this year. This effort builds on the San Mateo County Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and will enable the City to identify policy or engineering changes needed to protect the community. The study will also help us refine emergency preparedness efforts.
Another Year of Severe Drought; Every Drop Counts When Saving Water
California is entering a third year of intensifying drought and Governor Newsom issued four proclamations in 2021 regarding worsening drought conditions as shown in the U.S. Drought Monitor for California.
Redwood City’s purchases drinking water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and about 85% of that supply comes from the Tuolumne River through the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Current reservoir levels in the San Francisco Regional Water System (SFRWS) are available through the SFPUC’s Storage and Delivery Updates web page by accessing the We Deliver Report or the Regional Water System Data Viewer.
On January 10, 2022, Redwood City declared a Stage 2 water shortage emergency, which calls for all customers to reduce water use based on their water allocation. Residential customers have an indoor allocation of 45 gallons per person per day, and are to reduce water for outdoor irrigation by 35%.
In addition, unless you have a dedicated irrigation meter, outdoor water use for irrigating ornamental landscapes or turf is only allowed two days per week as follows:
· Addresses ending with an odd number only irrigate on Mondays and Thursdays
· Customers with no address only irrigate on Mondays and Thursdays
· Addresses ending with an even number only irrigate on Tuesdays and Fridays
Most residential customers can meet the outdoor reduction requirement by irrigating two days per week as required above.
Water budgets for landscapes irrigated through a dedicated irrigation meter are required to reduce water use by 35% and are allowed to irrigate any day of the week.
Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) customers are required to reduce water use by 7% as compared to the same billing period prior to the onset of the water shortage declaration.
Prohibited water uses include:
· The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures.
· The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use.
· The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks.
· The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system.
· The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall.
· The irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians.
· The irrigation with potable water of landscapes outside of newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulations or other requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
· Use of potable water through broken or defective plumbing and irrigation systems.
If you need ideas on how to save water please take a look at our water saving tips and conservation programs.
Thanks to the City’s Investment in Recycled Water, Sufficient Water Supply for Development and Planning Efforts
The largest component of the City’s recycled water program is focused on expanding recycled water infrastructure and connecting new customers for both indoor and outdoor use of recycled water.
Recycled water is an alternative water source that can safely replace potable water in a variety of uses. This significantly reduces demands on the potable water supply. As you can see in the diagram to the right, wastewater has two main destinations: the bay, or recycled water.
Rather than go to the bay, wastewater is given extra, tertiary treatment turning it into recycled water. Recycled water is safe to use in place of potable water for select uses, such as watering plants, filling decorative fountains, and flushing toilets.
Thanks to the investment in recycled water, the City anticipates having sufficient water supply for development currently projected in the General Plan and current planning efforts.
Paving the Way Towards Accessible, Safe Sidewalks
Did you know that Redwood City has an estimated 300 miles of sidewalks? And, the City is committed to promoting pedestrian safety on all them! City staff regularly inspect sidewalks along public roadways throughout the city and when needed, temporary and permanent repairs are made. Having accessible, safe sidewalks encourages walking instead of vehicle travel, reducing GHG emissions, and reduces the risk of trip and fall accidents.
Per the City’s Municipal Code, property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk bordering their property. Property owners currently have two options for permanent sidewalk repair (temporary repairs can be completed free of charge by contacting Public Works):
- Participate in the City’s 50/50 Cost Shared Sidewalk Repair Program or
- Make the repair independently by hiring a licensed contractor and submitting a sidewalk repair permit.
Participating in the City’s 50/50 Cost Shared Sidewalk Repair Program is efficient and cost-effective because no permits are needed and property owners can take advantage of the City’s contract pricing. A typical repair can cost between $2,600 — $3,000, of which the property owner would be responsible for half that, or $1,300 — $1,500. We don’t want a financial hardship to prevent a repair, so we are looking to reimagine the current program to make it more accessible and equitable to all. We are currently seeking community feedback on the program and we want to hear from you! Send Adrian Lee an email at alee@redwoodcity.org or call (650) 780–7468.
Tree Inventory Underway and Planning for More!
Trees reduce the heat impact associated with climate change, clean the air, enhance the overall beauty of the community and raise the quality of life for all who live and work in the city. The Public Works Department strives to plant more trees then are removed each year. The City has two tree protection ordinances to protect and preserve this natural asset. Proper pruning standards are also encouraged to maximize the health and beauty of the tree and minimize potential problems. A tree takes many years to grow and only minutes to cut down. Removal is the last resort option, when no other reasonable alternative can correct a problem. We are currently in the process of inventorying all our public trees throughout the City and once completed, will begin to look at updating our Tree Ordinance and planting more trees in underserved areas.
Your Feedback is Welcome!
We are here to serve our community — to build it, operate it and maintain it so that everyone gets the maximum benefit. Everything we do is with a single focus: how can we serve our community better?
There are many ways you can share your thoughts on Public Works Services. You can participate in City Council meetings, particularly the annual budget study session on June 13 (go here for information about City Council agendas). You can reach our main line at (650) 780–7464 or report a problem online via myRWC here.
