The city of SeaTac is going green.

SeaTac lawmakers have voted to join ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, a group with a membership of 800 cities worldwide, including 400 in the United States.

The group was established in 1990 as the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives.

SeaTac will use the organization's software to track its carbon footprint, according to public works director Dale Schroeder.

To combat climate change, local governments have immediate control over their facilities and possible regulatory control over privately owned entities, Schroeder noted.

"Let's start by cleaning our own house," Schroeder suggested.

Schroeder said actions the city could take on public facilities include building retrofits, vehicle fleet conversions, tree planting, recycling and lighting replacements.

Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher noted he supports the city's efforts, but called for a balanced approach.

"Every time government makes regulations, the pendulum swings to one side," Fisher said. "We need extreme caution."

Schroeder replied the ICEI is an advisory group that asks for voluntary commitments.

Fisher added that when people start getting "hysterical" about causes, others move in to make lots of money.

"There have been special interests (making large profits) but they are usually oil companies," Councilman Chris Wythe countered.

In other business, council members adopted findings of facts to support a moratorium on building, grading and drainage permits in the Sunrise View area.

Lawmakers imposed the six-month moratorium on the permits to give the city time to solve flooding problems along the east side of SeaTac.

The area is from 51st Avenue South to 53rd Avenue South, between South 170th Street and South 172nd Place. Forty-five parcels are affected.

The permit moratorium will likely be extended until a drainage project is completed next spring.

Earlier, council members also approved a $300,000 consultant agreement with PACE Engineers Inc. to design the drainage system.

City Manager Craig Ward also announced that Todd Cutts has been promoted to assistant city manager. Cutts had been the city's economic development manager.

Cutts replaces Tina Rogers who left to take a job with King County.