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2011-27582 Reso RESOLUTION NO 2011- 27582 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH SUSTAINABILITY PLAN. Z WHEREAS, the City of. Miami Beach Sustainability Plan will help the City fulfill it tY tY p y its key intended outcome of enhancing its environmental sustainability; and WHEREAS, the Plan will provide structure and focus to the City's green initiatives; �/ policies and g p initiatives; and WHEREAS, the Plan will serve as a uidin document to direct the Sustainability g y Committee in its mission; and WHEREAS, the Plan will serve as a living document adaptable to changing g p g g environmental conditions, new technologies, and legislative initiatives through the refinement of its Indicators, Initiatives, and Targets; and WHEREAS, the . Plan concentrates on economic, environmental, and social improvement efforts in ten (10) Program Areas, whose success will be measured through g the use of Goals, Indicators, and Targets; and WHEREAS, these metrics have been developed in concert with Miami-Dade ami Dade County's sustainability goals and the City's Strategic Plan; and WHEREAS, on May 25, 2010, the Sustainabili Committee passed a r tY p resolution approving the Plan; and WHEREAS, on December 16, 2010, the Finance and Citywide Projects C yw Projects Committee recommended the Plan move to City Commission for approval and adoption. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the t Mayor and City Commission hereby approve the Miami Beach Sustainability Plan. PASSED and ADOPTED this 19 day of y January, 2011. q . •, AT ire EST: I/J dt-tit ' M MAYOR CITY CLERK T:\ AGENDA \2011 \1 -19 -11 \Sustainability Plan Resolution.doc APPROVED AS TO i . FORM & LANGUAGE c ,ip , & F,, , , CUTION ] . TTORNEY A 11 4 COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY Condensed Title: 1 A Resolution Approving and Adopting the Miami Beach Sustainability Plan. Key Intended Outcome Supported: Enhance the environmental sustainability of the community. Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): According to the 2009 Customer Satisfaction Survey, 86% of respondents of the environmental scan reported Miami Beach as an Excellent/Good place to live. Issue: 1 Shall the City Commission approve and adopt the City of Miami Beach Sustainability Plan? Item Summary /Recommendation: The objective of the Sustainability Plan is to assist the City in enhancing environmental sustainability and to also guide the Sustainability Committee in its mission. The purpose of the Plan is to improve our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment, protect human health, and benefit the social, economic, and environmental well -being of the community for present and future generations. The Sustainability Plan has also been developed as the work plan for the Energy Economic Zone Program and identifies opportunities for economic development that maximize the potential for economic benefit to the community. The Sustainability Plan serves to capture both existing initiatives and provide a platform for the introduction and approval of new green initiatives that are in line with the City's Strategic Plan Guiding Principles. The Plan will facilitate understanding and accelerate progress of the City's green efforts by melding existing and future environmental policies under a common framework that is linked to the Strategic Plan. Staff presented the concept of a Sustainability Plan to the Sustainability Committee in July 2009. A draft plan was developed through researching other municipalities' efforts and obtaining feedback from the Sustainability Committee, various City Departments, local universities, the Miami -Dade County Office of Sustainability, Florida Department of Community Affairs and community organizations such as the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation. It is the intent of the Plan to look for efficiencies and identify areas where the City could be saving costs associated with resource use. The adoption and implementation of the Plan will provide both short -term and long -term benefits to government operations and the community. THE ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS ADOPTING THE RESOLUTION. Advisory Board Recommendation: This item was recommended for approval by the Neighborhoods /Community Affairs Committee at the November 12, 2009 meeting, by the Sustainability Committee at the May 25, 2010 meeting, and by the Finance Committee at the December 16, 2010 meeting. Financial Information: Source of Amount Account Funds: 1 2 3 4 Total Financial Impact Summary: City Clerk's Office Legislati Tr cking: Fernando Vazquez, ext 6399 Si g n -Offs: Department � Der _ m r p Assistant City M - ! er City Manager FHB ff ,l� JGG �- JMG r . T.\AGENDA \2011 \1 -19 -1 \Su tainabi y Plan Summary.doc MIAMIBEACH AGENDA ITEM DATE 1 ' t /-1/ (A MIAMI BEACH s City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Co • •- 'ssion FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager DATE: January 19, 2011 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE MIAMI BEACH SUSTAINABILITY PLAN. ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION Adopt the resolution. BACKGROUND A sustainability plan is intended to provide a straightforward and flexible process to create a long -term plan that brings together environmental, economic, and social initiatives under one holistic vision. The objectives of the City of Miami Beach's Sustainability Plan are to assist the City in realizing the Key Intended Outcome (KIO) of enhancing environmental sustainability of the community and guide the Sustainability Committee in its mission. The Plan will provide structure and focus to existing and future green policies and initiatives in order to successfully enhance the three basic components of sustainability; environment, society, . and economy. The purpose of the Plan is to improve our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment, protect human health, and benefit the social, economic, and environmental well -being of the community for present and future generations. In addition, the Sustainability Plan also functions as the work plan for the City's participation in Y p p the Energy Economic Zone (EEZ) Pilot Program, which is an economic development program administered by the Florida Department of Community Affairs. The Plan identifies opportunities for economic development and redevelopment that maximize the potential for economic benefit to the community. As one of two selected participants in the EEZ Pilot Program, the City seeks to become an urban community model for the establishment and maintenance of long -term economic and quality of life needs. Staff presented the concept of a sustainability plan to the Sustainability Committee in Jul 2009 Y July 2009, included ncluded suggested program areas and example goals and objectives. Staff then conducted additional research into sustainability planning at the local, state, national and international levels to gain insight into the development process. A draft plan was developed based on this research and was presented to the Committee in September 2009. In the following months, Staff elicited feedback from other City departments, local universities, the Miami -Dade County Office of Sustainability, Florida Department of Community Affairs, advisory committees and community organizations such as the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation. On the November 12, 2009, Neighborhoods and Community Affairs Committee meeting the Y g Committee unanimously moved to accept the plan. Throughout the planning process, the Sustainability Committee provided feedback regarding the Plan's Guiding Principles, Program Areas, Goals, Indicators and Targets. On May 25 2010, the Committee passed a resolution to present the Plan to the City Commission for adoption and to further develop the plan based on its Commission Memorandum- Miami Beach Sustainability Plan January 19, 2011 Page 2 of 5 comments. On December 16 2010, the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee (FCWPC) moved the Sustainability Plan to Commission for approval and adoption. The Plan focuses the City's sustainability goals and initiatives in ten (10) specific Program Areas, which were developed through research and analysis of comparable communities across the country: • Green Building & Housing • Community Outreach & • Solid Waste Management Participation • Water Conservation & Quality • Green Procurement • Energy Conservation • Economic Development & • Alternative Transportation Planning • Natural Resources & Ecosystem • Air Quality & Climate Change Management Green Building & Housing Buildings consume a large portion of water, wood, energy, and other natural resources. Green buildings are designed to reduce environmental impacts on land, water, energy and material resources, while creating healthy indoor environments. By encouraging green building and housing practices in Miami Beach, the City will help preserve our natural resources by reducing construction impacts to the environment and reducing greenhouse gases emitted through energy /water /material resource extraction, transportation, and disposal. Solid Waste Management Nearly everything we produce, use or consume leaves behind some kind of waste. The treatment and disposal of waste can be a source of water, land, and air pollution. By managing solid waste and conserving resources through reduction, reuse, and recycling, the City will help minimize impacts to the quality and safety of the local environment, reduce costs of waste disposal and pollution mitigation, and decrease the carbon foot print associated with the production, use and disposal of materials. Water Conservation & Quality Miami -Dade County's main source of drinking water is the Biscayne aquifer, which is a finite source that must be protected and managed sustainably in order to meet the County's needs over the long -term. By reducing our consumption of water, we contribute to the preservation of groundwater as our sole- source of drinking water and potentially off-set costs of developing infrastructure for new drinking water sources in the future. In addition, by protecting the quality of our water bodies, we help preserve aquatic habitat and support water - related recreational activities that depend on a clean, safe ocean and bay. Energy Conservation The energy sources upon which we largely depend — nuclear, coal, natural gas and oil — impact the social, economic, and environmental facets of our communities. Air pollution and greenhouse gases, primarily from transportation and fossil fuel power plants, are linked to respiratory diseases and contribute to climate change. By reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency at the municipal, commercial and residential levels, the City can increase economic performance, decrease dependence on non - renewable resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative Transportation Most of our modern means of transportation are powered by fossil fuels, which contribute to local air pollution and greenhouse gas pro system production. A safe, multi -modal transportation s ste . p Y . that reduces reliance on motorized vehicles serves to increase mobility and economic Commission Memorandum- Miami Beach Sustainability Plan January 19, 2011 Page 3 of 5 accessibility throughout the community. The improvement of the City's alternative transportation network also reduces the production of greenhouse gas emissions and supports healthy modes of transport such as walking and bicycling. Natural Resources & Ecosystem Management The City of Miami Beach boasts great natural capital, such as waterways, coastal dunes, natural mangrove shorelines, 26 parks and green spaces, and just over 7 miles of white, sandy beaches. The City is also the nesting habitat for endangered sea turtles, butterflies, and several plant species including the Biscayne Prickly Ash, Beach Cluster Vine and the Beach Star. The protection and enhancement of our natural resources is closely linked to the preservation of quality of life and the stability of our tourism -based economy. Community Outreach & Participation The success of a sustainability plan is dependent on community awareness and the support of the Goals and Targets of each initiative. Well- developed education and outreach strategies will promote an understanding of sustainable growth and development; foster an educated community; and a forge connection between the community and its natural resources. Greater environmental outreach will also heighten community stewardship and facilitate resident participation in civic affairs. Green Procurement Almost everything created or purchased has a life cycle that impacts the environment from the moment of production to the final disposal stage. By practicing and encouraging the purchasing of environmentally - friendly or non -toxic products, the City will reduce the amount of toxic or hazardous material introduced into neighborhoods, waterways, and landfills. In addition, the increased use of products derived from renewable or local sources decreases pressure on finite resources and stimulates the growth of a greener economy. Economic Development &Planning The resilience of a community in large part depends on a diverse economic base that is supportive of emerging technologies. The developing green business sector and smart growth initiatives are economic opportunities for which communities must plan in order to reap the social, environmental and economic benefits. Also, encouraging environmental and social stewardship within the local business sectors, including the tourism, entertainment, real estate, and construction industries, promotes long -term stability and competitiveness of our local economy. Air Quality & Climate Change We utilize use fossil fuels every day for almost every modern convenience, including electricity Y and transportation. The use of fossil fuel emits greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, reduce air quality and affect the health of residents. Future impacts of climate change, such as sea -level rise, may affect quality of life and property within the City as well. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions where possible, the City can meaningfully contribute to local air quality and the avoidance or reduction of anticipated climate change impacts. ANALYSIS The current Sustainability Plan was created as the first step toward developing a citywide sustainability assessment, a process that includes the development of a baseline, implementation of a plan, monitoring and evaluation. Similarly, the County has begun this process with the assistance of International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Toolkit for Local Governments. Staff is currently investigating the requirements and benefits of joining ICLEI to determine if utilization of this organization is advantageous. Commission Memorandum- Miami Beach Sustainability Plan January 19, 2011 Page 4 of 5 Should the Sustainability Plan be passed by the City Commission, staff will then begin developing a Baseline Report. The Report will provide an understanding of the City's green initiatives, including current rates of water and energy usage. Following the development of the Report, further refinement of Targets will be possible. Subsequently, staff will identify necessary policies to further develop or support the Plan, such as internal education and consensus building in order to execute initiatives successfully. Status Reports will be conducted annually to provide information to the City Commission, City staff and community members on the progress being made toward meeting Goals, Indicators and Targets. It is the intent of the Plan to look for efficiencies and identify areas where the City could be saving costs associated with resource use. In general, is anticipated that many green initiatives will provide for more efficient use of resources and result in long -term financial savings for the City. For example, in the areas of water and energy conservation, Ameresco's approved Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) will have an initial investment of $14M. This investment will be recuperated within thirteen (13) years and then begin providing cost savings to the City in the amount of roughly $1M a year, which will be derived from greater energy and water use efficiencies. Some other examples of the City's existing green initiatives include: the continued development of the Atlantic Greenway Network, the Urban Reforestation Program, the Green Building Ordinance and the Stormwater Master Plan (SWMP). The implementation of these initiatives is already underway and is included in existing capital and operational budgets; therefore, additional financial impact from the inclusion of these initiatives in the Plan is not anticipated. It should be noted, however, that while development of the SWMP is currently funded, it will generate capital outlays for drainage infrastructure improvements in the future and these will be brought before the FCWPC for review. The Sustainability Plan also provides a platform for the introduction and approval of new green initiatives that are in line with the Plans Guiding Principles, which include resource use efficiency and protection. However, it is not the intent of the Plan to create unfunded or underfunded programs or initiatives, but rather to provide a mechanism to wisely select those initiatives that are both environmentally and economically feasible for the City. Each new initiative that is proposed will be assessed for its potential financial impact and brought before the FCWPC for approval, if necessary. Several new green initiatives have already evolved from the support of the Sustainability Committee. For example, the 2009 expansion of recycling throughout the right -of -way, public parks and beach entrances was strongly advocated by the Committee. This particular initiative was implemented at no additional cost to the City through negotiations with the waste haulers during the franchise agreement renewal process. Another example of a Committee -based initiative is the draft Recycling Ordinance. In this case, the proposed Ordinance will be brought to the FCWPC for review at its January 2011 before being brought to Commission for consideration. The adoption and implementation of the Plan will provide both short -term and long-term benefits g to government operations and the community. Short -term benefits include decreased energy and water costs, improved alternative transportation and mobility, diversion of solid waste from the landfill, improved urban forest and local air quality, and increased environmental awareness and stewardship throughout the community. In addition, the development of a sustainability plan supports the need to demonstrate an overall strategic goal when applying for federal and state grant funding of sustainable initiatives. Long -term benefits are numerous and include understanding and reducing the City's carbon footprint; minimizing potential risks and costs from environmental impacts, mitigation, and adaptation strategies; maintaining a high quality of life for residents and visitors; and reinforcing the City of Miami Beach as a world -class cit y b y preserving its resources for the future. Commission Memorandum- Miami Beach Sustainability Plan January 19, 2011 Page 5 of 5 Initially, the Sustainability Plan can be supported with existing Environmental Management staff; however, future coordination and implementation of the green initiatives as outlined in the Plan would be best executed under the guidance and direction of a new position - Sustainability Manager. This position would be responsible for organizing, developing and coordinating all aspects of the Plan, including reporting and assessment aspects. The FCWPC recommended that this request be addressed during the Fiscal Year 2012 budget process. CONCLUSION The Administration recommends approving the Resolution. Attachment 1: City of Miami Beach Sustainability Plan JMG /JGG /FHB/ /LEB /ESW T:\AGENDA\ 2011 \1 -19 -11 \Sustainability Plan Memo FINAL.doc ATTACHMENTI CITY OF MIAMI BEACH SUSTAINABILITY PLAN (TO BE SUBMITTED UNDER SEPARATE COVER)