2004-385ORDINANCE NO. 2004- ,~.~
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE
FORMATION OF A DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WITHIN THE WATER
UTILITIES DEPARTMENT; PLEDGING THAT THIS NEWLY-FORMED DIVISION WILL
SERVE AS THE MAIN CONTACT, COORDINATOR, AND SOURCE OF INFORMATION
CONCERNING DENTON'S ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES; ASSURING THAT THE
RESOURCES OF THE DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WILL BE DIRECTED
TOWARDS ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCE THE CITY OF DENTON'S RESPONSIBILITY
AS A STEWARD OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT; AND DIRECTING THIS
DIVISION TO ENSURE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND CONDUCT RELATED
ACTIVITIES THAT WILL PROVIDE GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS TO
DENTON RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES; AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF
FUNDS THEREFOR; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas believes that every citizen of
Denton has an equal right to a healthy and safe environment; and that our air, water, and land
resources must be of a sufficiently high standard that individuals and communities can live
healthy, fulfilling, and dignified lives; and
WHEREAS, a municipality such as the City of Denton, Texas is a custodian of
environmental resources, whose course of action is necessarily enriched by broadly-based public
participation, where a full range of alternatives is considered based on input from diverse
individuals and groups, including government, residents, citizens and businesses, all of whom
bear the ecological and health consequences of environmental decisions; and
WHEREAS, environmental management is extraordinarily challenging and complex, and
must therefore be approached holistically, balancing a myriad of values and interests, in order to
create an environment that protects the health and safety of Denton's citizens; and
WHEREAS, the City of Denton, Texas has experienced, and is currently experiencing, a
large mount of growth, which impacts environmental resources within a variety of different
areas, including: transportation, construction, land use, planning, water, energy, health care,
recreation, purchasing, and public expenditures; and
WHEREAS, the City of Denton, Texas faces significant current and future regulatory
compliance issues, as well as quality of life issues, that are related to Denton% environmental
resources; and
WHEREAS, the City of Denton, Texas is currently a leader in a wide variety of
environmentally protective activities, and will remain a leader in the future through a strong
commitment to environmental management, and in so doing will provide the infrastructure and
quality of life that makes our community a desirable place to live and work; and
WHEREAS, the goal of providing a safe, clean, and healthy environment for all City of
Denton, Texas residences and businesses can only be effectively accomplished through
efficiently implementing federal, state, and local environmental regulations, preserving or
enhancing natural environments through responsible development practices, practicing
appropriate environmental stewardship, and making well informed, science-based decisions; the
City Council believes that the formation of the Environmental Quality Division of the Water
Utilities Department is in the best interest of the citizens of Denton; NOW THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON, HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. That the findings and recitations contained in the preamble of this
ordinance are true and correct and are incorporated herewith by reference.
SECTION 2. That the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas hereby forms an
Environmental Quality Division within the Water Utilities Department in order to facilitate a
more effective means of meeting the myriad of regulatory and non-regulatory challenges related
to Denton's environmental resources.
SECTION 3. That Denton municipal staff at all levels will cooperate with the
Environmental Quality Division; striving to identify commonalities and gaps among programs,
meeting all state and federal regulatory requirements regarding environmental matters, and
committing to supporting activities that will provide greater environmental benefits for our City.
SECTION 4. That the Environmental Quality Division will serve as the main point of
contact, coordinator, and mechanism for information exchange concerning issues related to
Denton's environmental resources.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of funds to provide for such Environmental Quality
Division is hereby authorized.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage
and approval.
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PASSED AND APPROVED this the ~'~ dayof ~~[j ,2004.
EULINEBROC~MAYOR
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ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
S:\Our Documents\Ordinances\04\Ordinance-Environmental Quality Division-Water Utilities Dept-2004.do¢
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