C6B-Report- May 27 2015 Sustainability And Resiliency Committee -SRC- Meeting,,',imffiAtt*l
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
June 10,2015
MEETING OF THE SUSTAINABI
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27,2015
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor Philip Levine and Members of the City C
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
RESTLTENCY COMMTTTEE (SRC) ON
A meeting of the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee was held on Wednesday, May 27,2015in
the Commission Chambers, 3'd Floor of City Hall. Commissioners in attendance: Commissioner
Michael Grieco, Commissioner Micky Steinberg, Commissioner Deedee Weithorn and Commissioner
Joy Malakoff. Members from the administration and the public were also in attendance
The meeting was called to order at 1:06 PM
OtD BUS'NESS
1. Mayor's Blue Ribbon on Flooding and Sea Level Rise Update
AFTER.ACTION
Scott Robins, Committee Chairman presented the item. Mr. Robins provided an update on the
April 28, 2015 Mayor's Blue Ribbon Panel.
Bruce Mowry, City Engineer provided an update on current flood control projects throughout the
City including the ongoing installation of pump stations. The largest rated capacity pump station
systems in the City to date is currently being installed at the north end of Crespi Boulevard. He
added that it will be functional in approximately 2 weeks. Mr. Mowry explained, that the section of
lndian Creek from 27th-38th street may experience flooding related to high tide events from August
through December. FDOT and the City are developing a proposal for commission to approve a
plan to minimize flooding in this area. Lastly, Sunset Harbor has all underground utilities
completed and the city will now work on raising the streets.
Commissioner Grieco added that residents have been questioning on where the water goes once
streets are raised. Mr. Mowry responded that the City has invested over $12 million dollars to
date in Sunset Harbor. This includes the drainage system in that neighborhood. The streets have
been designed so that that any water that falls on the right-of-way drains down the street where it
is then retained and moved into a nearby inlet. The water then flows into to the pump stations,
cleaned by a pollution control device and then pumped out into the bay.
David Martinez, CIP Director provided an update on ongoing capital improvement projects
throughout the City related to flooding. He announced that Sunset 3 and 4 had a ground breaking
ceremony earlier in the month. He added that Central Bay Shore South is in the cone of silence
and that the 1"t step of the design build process is in the RFQ process. Mr. Martinez added that
the south side of San Marino lsland is now paved. The northern section will be paved within the
To request this material in accessible format, sign language interpreters, information on access for persons with disabilities,
review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceeding, please contact 305-604-2489 (voice) or 305{73-721 8
initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).
Agenda ltem COB
o^t - G)/04(66
2.
3.
next week or two which should alleviate traffic concerns.
Commissioner Malakoff inquired about the need for more public outreach. She explained that
residents do not react positively to having landscaping removed although there is a purpose for
the action. She added that an example of this has happened in the Venetian lslands where
landscaping was removed to make way for pump stations.
Eric Crpenter added that part of the challenge is that the City has to put in the pumps stations
because the streets are not able to retain water as much as they have in the past. He explained
that swales have been built in overtime causing water to not drain. He added that encroachments
become an additional problem but that the city is empathetic with the concerns of the public.
MOTION: NO ACTION TAKEN
Sustainability Commiftee Update
Dave Doebler, Committee Chairman provided an updated for the April 23,2015 sustainability
committee meeting.
Referral to consider alternative trash receptacles in high-traffic areas.
Commission ltem C4C, January 27, 2015
(Req uested by Commissioner Grieco)
AFTER.ACT!ON
Commissioner Weithorn informed the committee that the presentation would be heard but that
actions will not be taken until staff is able to fully review the assessment report provided by Big
Belly Solar.
Commissioner Grieco responded that it is still possible to move forward with the presentation
since the assessment. report is not requesting funding.
Joe Murphy, Senior Vice President for Big Belly Solar presented Big Belly receptacles to the
committee. He gave an overview of the client assessment report conducted for Miami Beach. The
study summarizes points from the survey findings and makes recommendations for a potential
program for the City. He added that if needed, a cigarette butt option can be included to the
receptacles. The presentation also incorporated locations of where a pilot program could be
initiated. Mr. Murphy stated that there is an advertising option for the receptacles and that they
also have WlFl capabilities that do not require electricity.
Commissioner Weithorn expressed concerns over advertising options and the visual pollution it
creates and requested that legal research what regulations are in place regarding advertising.
She also asked what the cost to the city is to install these receptacles without advertising. Mr.
Murphy stated that the pilot program includes 24 stations on an annual subscription of $36,000 in
addition to any savings from a decrease in manual labor.
Commissioner Grieco added that he understand CommissionerWeithorn's concern butfeels that
actual pollution is more of a problem then visual pollution. He added that he is ln favor of options
that allow for littering to be minimized.
MOTION: The Sustainability and Resiliency Committee refers the item to the Gity
Commission with direction to staff to explore the range of finance options offered by Big
Belly Solar without the recommendation of advertising options.
Motion made by Gommissioner Steinberg, seconded by Commisoner Grieco.
NEW BUS'A'ESS 67
4.Discussion Regarding the Provision of Renewable Energy Sources ln New Construction
Projects.
Commission ltem C4G, April 15, 2015
(Requested by Commissioner Steinberg)
AFTER ACTION
Commissioner Steinberg presented the item. She clarified that the ordinance presented is a
draft.
Elizabeth Wheaton, Assistant Building Director added that she has been working with planning
on promoting sustainable development. The item would require that new construction to be
LEED certified. The benefit of LEED certification is that it is an outside party conducts the
certification. This organization utilizes a ranking system that looks at water conservation, water
quality, renewable energy, clean energy, and the health of building occupants.
Rogelio Madan, Principal Planner explained that LEED is accredited by the U.S. Building Council
and that they would be in charge of distributing the certification. A Sustainability fee program
would be implemented where new construction projects that do not become LEED certified will be
required to pay a percentage of the construction costs. This fee would be paid prior to
construction in the form of a bond orescrow. A separate sustainabilityfund would be established
for the funds to go to. He added that fees will be based on the level of LEED certification that is
acquired.
Ms. Wheaton explained that outreach will be carried out with the design and construction
community to obtain feedback. This will include contractors, architects, and internal staff. The
meeting will help ensure that the incentives are put in place and that this initiative does not
become a burden on the development community. She stated that the funds will be used for
sustainability and resiliency projects in addition to promoting green infrastructure.
Commissioner Grieco asked that this item also take into consideration of utilizing green roofs as
part of the incentive. Mr. Madan explained that green roofs in historic areas that may not have the
capabilities for this option.
MOTION: Staff to continue to develop the ordinance and consult with the design and
construction community before presenting an updated draft to the Sustainability and
Resiliency Commiftee.
Motion made by Gommissioner Steinberg, seconded by Gommissioner Weithorn.
Referral regarding the citywide prohibition of polystyrene.
Commission ltem C4L, May 6, 2015
(Requested by Commissioner Grieco)
AFTER-ACTION
Debora Turner, First City Attorney presented this item. She explained to the committee that her
department has conducted research to see how other cities have regulated expanded
polystyrene food service articles. She added that the New York City has enacted a polystyrene
ban and has had litigations filed against them as a result. The ordinance was put on hold for this
reason. She added that Dart and other polystyrene suppliers created a petition to prevent the ban
from occurring.
Commissioner Grieco recommended that additional research be conducted on the economic
impact of this ban on food service. He added that the next step would be to eliminate the sale of
Styrofoam coolers and cups.
5.
68
6.
Commissioner Steinberg added that enforcement must also occur in order to help make this
initiative successful.
MOTION: Direct Staff in the City Attorney's office to draft an amendment that would
include extending the current prohibition to the sale and purchase of polystyrene cups,
coolers, food service articles within city limits.
Motion made by Commissioner Steinberg, seconded by Commissioner Weithorn.
Referra! Regarding The Endorsement Of The Floridians For Solar Choice Ballot lnitiative
Commission ltem C4G, May 6, 2015
(Req uested by Commissioner Grieco)
ACTION: ltem deferred to June 24,201 5 Sustainability and Resiliency Committee Meeting.
Discussion Regarding AECOM's Progress On The Development Of The City's
Comprehensive Resiliency Program
Commission ltem C4F, May 6, 2015
(Req uested by Commissioner Grieco)
AFTER.ACTION
Scott Robins presented this item. He explained that AECOM is producing a resiliency manual
that will review existing codes and ordinances related to sea level rise adaptation strategies. The
document will be completed in three phases which will include review of existing
codes/ordinances, risk vulnerability assessment, and an implementation program. The report
from AECOM is anticipated to be finalized by the end of 2015.
Marsha Tobin with the AECOM Climate ResiliencyTeam and Jason Bird, the SustainabilityTeam
Lead, provided a brief summary of the program that AECOM is currently developing for the City.
They explained that the document analyzed assets that are at risk in the built environment and
added that the origin of this document stems from the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon
Panel. They are also looking into building codes, land development regulations and how they
can be improved in addition to developing policies that are adaptable to sea level rise.
Commissioner Grieco inquired about how much time AECOM needs before they come back to
this committee with more information. Ms. Tobin replied that by September should be sufficient
and that any additional updates could be provided through staff.
ACTION: ltem continued to the September 9, 2015 Sustainability and Resiliency Committee
Meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 2:55 PM
69