Mid-Year Review of Dublin’s Progress
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual “Breakfast with the Mayor” mixed on Wednesday, July 29th at McNamara’s Steak and Chop House, allowing me a great opportunity to give an update about Dublin to business members, community leaders, and residents.
I talked about how the City Council met the recent economic challenges head-on over the past 11 months. I explained the strategies we used to adopt a budget without any cuts to city programs or services, along with detailing the many capital improvement projects that are still moving forward. I also gave an update on the economic incentive program to attract jobs and amenities to Dublin, listing the many new businesses and public agencies that are moving or have moved to our city to fill some of our current vacancies despite the current recession.
In closing, I focused on Dublin’s commitment to continue “Growing Greener Everyday.” Rich Rifkin, the founder of New Home Inc., who is locating Northern California’s first green retail superstore in Dublin at the former Good Guys location in the Enea Plaza, was introduced as an example of the type of business our city is working to attract. Many of the business and community leaders in attendance agreed that the arrival of New Home Inc. along with the green initiatives we are already pursuing will be a catalyst for economic growth in this growing sector of the economy. Some of the green initiatives our city has embarked upon in the last six months that I identified for the Chamber include the following:
- The creation of an Environmental Services Division
- The partnering with the Davis Energy Group of residential energy retrofits
- The partnering with the cities of Pleasanton and Livermore on a Solar Cities Program
- The pursuit of LED lighting for city parks and streets
- The exploration of how AB 811 can work to create a revolving energy fund to finance green initiatives
- The adoption of ordinances enhancing our Green Building standards and Bay-Friendly landscaping for both residential and commercial projects.
In addition, as part of the the City Council’s adopted 2009-2010 Goals and Objectives, a Green Initiatives Task Force will be created this fall for Dublin residents to explore additional ways in which Dublin can continue to “Grow Greener Everyday.” The Task Force will be making policy recommendations to the City Council. I will post more information on this when applications become available.
