FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A local advisory board voted Wednesday to recommend an environmental mission statement for adoption by the city.

The Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board will present the proposal at Monday’s City Council meeting, as well as provide an update on other projects, said Jim Horner, the group’s chairman.

“We are already a very environmentally astute city,” Horner said. “This board would not exist otherwise.”

The proposed mission statement is one of several projects the group has worked on this year that are close to completion, including working with the city’s Strategic Planning Process Committee. One of FEAB’s purposes is to provide policy advice on environmental matters to the City Council, according to the city Web site. One project the group has not completed this year is to update the information on that Web site regarding the new leaders and members of the group.

“The city is doing a lot for the environment and needs recognition,” said Lisa Adams, the group’s vice chairwoman, who gave a report on the issue Wednesday.

“The city should incorporate an environmental statement as a component of its overall vision for the future.” the report stated. “It is evident that the city recognizes the need for protection and enhancement of natural areas, and is aware that a healthy environment positively impacts the quality of life enjoyed by Fairhope residents. The city staff review development and infrastructure projects for environmental consistency and provide appropriate guidance.”

Her report listed several environmental projects proposed or supported by the city: the volunteer Environmental Advisory Board; a comprehensive recycling program; an annual coastal cleanup; native plant restoration in sensitive areas; maintenance and assistance in the city’s open space areas; hazardous waste receptacles at city public works facilities; the annual Arbor Day event; a permeable concrete sidewalk project; a wetland treatment pond at Beachfront Park; and a rain garden demonstration project.

“It is a unique idea for a city the size of Fairhope to have a statement like this included in its overall vision,” Adams said, referring to the research she conducted on other cities with environmental mission statements. “Most cities that do have populations greater than 75,000, and many are trying to obtain EPA recognition as ‘sustainable cities.’”

In other business, the group:

• Voted to adopt a list of eight recommendations regarding city parks. The list includes the following: periodic review of environmental aspects of parks; greater use of porous surfaces for sidewalks, path, roadways and parking; control of invasive plants and stabilization of bluff and gully walls; and greater public awareness of parks. The group plans to present the recommendations to the council at a future date, Horner said. The group narrowed the recommendations from a list of 28 environmental issues affecting the parks, said Gary Gover, the group member who led the project.

• Heard an update on plans to publish a brochure about protection of the local stormwater conveyance system, which includes the city’s extensive network of gullies. The group received a commitment from Mobile Bay National Estuary Program to help finance the project, said Ron Heveran, the group member who chaired that effort.

• Heard an update on plans to develop a waste oil recycling program in the city similar to the one in Daphne. The group contacted all restaurants and grocery stores in the city, of which about 60 percent said they would participate in the project, Horner said. Those businesses produce about 4,719 pounds, or 678 gallons, of grease per week, which is collected by private companies that sell or process it into biofuel, he said. The project would include commercial and residential pick-up of waste oil, and the processing of it by the city for use in city vehicles. “Over a period of two to three years, with good planning and program implementation, I could visualize the program saving us up to 50 percent in fuel costs, as long as our production abilities keep up with our increasing fuel consumption demands,” said Ken Eslava, assistant public works director.

• Discussed plans to develop a public map of the city’s park system, showing walking trails and other landmarks.

• Heard a report about legislation passed during the recent special session that would create a stormwater authority for the county if passed as a constitutional amendment by Baldwin County voters in November 2010. Horner said Mobile Bay NEP has budgeted funds to convene a steering committee to specify what the authority will do and educate the public about the issue regarding having one governmental body in charge of controlling stormwater runoff problems in the county.

The Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board meets at 9 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month in City Hall. The Aug. 13 meeting will have a presentation on how cities can conduct an energy audit in order to develop a plan to save energy costs in city buildings, Horner said.