Detroit council gets list of green priorities from task force

Detroit's City Council has operated with an environmental advisory board since 2007. On Tuesday, the Green Task Force presented its latest policy priorities to the legislative body.

The task force works with the Office of Sustainability. Its members include business leaders, government employees, and community advocates. The group advises the council on environmental practices. It helped pass the city's post-construction stormwater ordinance. It also supported the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Ordinance.

Council members largely supported the group's work. Scott Benson, the task force chair, urged patience. He told the council that these efforts are a marathon, not a sprint. He noted that such changes take time.

The group submitted a list of specific requests to the council. The Transportation and Mobility subcommittee asked for Complete Streets. This approach integrates people and places into network planning and maintenance. The Water subcommittee wants to make compost a required material for demolition backfill. This would help create permeable soil.

The Recycling and Waste Reduction subcommittee pointed to a tax issue. It noted that property tax billing acts as a barrier to commercial recycling. The Organics Reduction and Urban Ag group placed diverting food waste from landfills at the top of its list. The Energy Waste Reduction group wants to lower the cost of energy bills for residents.

The Renewable Energy subcommittee asked the council to support residential solar legislation. This includes plug-in or balcony systems. The Climate Action subcommittee asked the council to recognize extreme heat and flooding as public health events. This would protect the health of Detroit residents.

The council did not vote on these items during the presentation. The task force plans to continue its advisory role. It will work with the Office of Sustainability on the requested changes.