At the 7/1 Lone Tree City Council Study Session, Asst. City Manager Seth Hoffman and Sustainablity Coordinator iLona Major presented an Environmental Sustainability Report almost ready for publication. Highlights:

-- Pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation for the cultural facility. (Still undetermined which precious metal level to shoot for on the bronze to platinum scale.)

-- Possibly funding wheeled recycling toters, even though the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) grant request was denied. In other cities, replacing buckets upped recycling 30%.

-- Continuing environmentally friendly tips to residents like What To Do With Toilet Paper Rolls (recyclable) and How To Get Rid of Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (special recycling roundup.)

-- Russian Olive (a noxious plant) removal, where the Power Point presentation included an estimate on sending them back to Russia. No one on Council laughed, but I appreciated an embedded joke.

-- Suggestion that Lone Tree offer a sprinkler rain sensor incentive program. Denver Water offers a $50 rebate, too.

-- Providing resources/links for developers on the City website encouraging them to Go Green.

Another suggestion not included would be bike riding, after hearing Public Works Director John Cotten's presentation on the inevitably deteriorating City roads.

Currently the Overall Condition Index (OCI) is 68 (out of 100, good) but after a $500,000 investment, the City would still drop to 56.8 (average). Another $250,000 added to the budget brings it to a 57.7 score.

Council Member Jackie Millet questioned the less than one point rating gain for a quarter million, but Cotten explained deterioration is exponentially cumulative; a minor improvement now still extends the overall asphalt lifespan. I think that theory applies to home maintenance, too, but now it's too late for me.

Possibly improving road wear and tear, a mall sidewalk contract was approved. The City and the Park Meadows Business Improvement District will fund sidewalks ($400,000 budgeted) from the soon-to-be-constructed RTD pedestrian bridge leading light rail riders to the mall.

The approved 4-story RidgeGate Point Office has applied for silver LEED status, even if it's flecked gray precast concrete rather than earth tones like every other Lone Tree building. Council Member Pat Braden dissented.

There was unanimous approval of the nearby Remington Medical Resort, although they didn't mention LEED rating and don't plan on providing recycling dumpsters.

As to the other side of green ($):

A $1,343,331.46 contract was approved for Phase I and Phase II of the Lone Tree Community Park ball fields. Your GOCO grant and bond dollars at work.

Lone Tree qualified for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting again. Mayor Jim Gunning noted only 30% of applicants get it the first time around like Lone Tree did. When meeting accounting guideline standards, what difference would it make how many times you've applied? I guess that's why I'll never understand professional association awards.

In other financial news, Council approved new Caselle, Inc. municipal finance software for $71,975. From the City of Lone Tree 2008 Budget:

"2007 Accomplishments and Outcomes

Completed the launch of Innoprise, a new financial software platform that will allow us to integrate several different systems, including sales tax, permitting, accounts payable and budgeting. Previously, those functions each had their own software system."

Guess that one didn't work out after all. Couldn't find previous software cost in my notes, but I'm sure it's been financially reported.

Plus, a new sushi restaurant got a liquor license. With four sushi places in Lone Tree, one has to wonder if we're contributing to over-harvesting the ocean.