"If you want trees, I have trees."

City Manager, Joyce Wilson, was the featured speaker this morning at Mayor Pro-Tem Susie Byrd's monthly Thursday public meeting now at Tierra del Sol Restaurant on Alabama Street. Ms. Wilson principally addressed economic concerns and the City budget along with some comments on the PSB and stormwater management.

When she took questions from the audience, I asked her what the City was doing now to be more "green" and energy efficient in spite of the current economic challenges. What amazed me was how quickly she listed many of the efforts of the City currently to be more green - to be more energy efficient. Her alacrity told me that this is an issue near and dear to her heart.

Here is the Litany:

The City has a contract with Johnson Controls to modernize controls at City facilities. There will be solar panels at the pools and LED signalization for traffic control. Everything that they are doing will pay for itself in five years.

All future City facilities must meet LEED Green Building Standards.
Landscaping projects are being done with water smart plants and with the goal of "cooling" more areas of the City.

More City vehicles will be converted so that they can use liquid natural gas. The City is also buying hybrid cars for their carpool.

The City is offering green incentives for businesses.

Finally as a board member of the West Texas Urban Forestry Council and a former member of the Tree Board, I asked how she plans to increase the native tree canopy. She responded by saying the City has a Tree Farm. "If you want trees," Joyce said, "I have trees."

Sounds like a good start.