Loading...
Minutes 08-21-08 MINUTES OF THE BOYNTON BEACH GREEN TASK FORCE MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 21, 2008, AT 1:00 P.M. AT THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Carisse Lejeune, Assistant to the City Manager Mike Dauta, Warehouse Manager Debbie Majors, Grants Administrator Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent Christine Roberts, Assistant Director of Public Works Chris Roschek, Engineering Manager/Utilities Mike Simon, CRA Development Manager Absent: Nancy Byrne, Assistant Director of Development Also Present: Wayne Segal, Public Affairs Director I. Open Meeting and Approval of August 7,2008 Meeting Summary Ms. Lejeune called the regular meeting of the Green Task Force to order at 1:35 p.m. Motion Mr. Dauta moved to accept the minutes as written. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion that passed unanimously. II. Water I Landscaping Workshop Update Ms. Lejeune met with Sherry Johnson to discuss scheduling the workshop to coincide with the opening of the Green Market. The date for the workshop could not be finalized, as input from Kathy Biscuiti was necessary. There were issues pertaining to the Green Market being held outside the Children's Schoolhouse Museum during the holidays. It was noted Mr. Evans and Ms. Hall had not yet had an opportunity to discuss this item. However, Mr. Evans was working on an outline for a presentation and was gathering information with regard to the rain barrels and giveaway items. Ms. Lejeune pointed out the workshop could be brought forward as a recommendation and, as such, it would not be necessary for the details to be finalized at the time the final report was prepared. Meeting Minutes Green Task Force Boynton Beach, Florida August 21, 2008 Ms. LeJeune suggested this item remain on the agenda, and additional information would be provided at the next meeting. III. Climate Communities Update Ms. LeJeune reported Climate Communities sent out a form letter after the last conference call. Mayor Taylor signed the letter which was sent to Robert Wexler, Ron Klein, Alcee Hastings, Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson requesting their support of the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant. The City was hoping to receive grant funding, especially in light of the unfunded green mandates. Ms. LeJeune noted Ms. Byrne would be attending the New York conference, and would recommend membership in Climate Communities be included in her budget for next year. A conference call regarding the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant was scheduled for Thursday, September 4, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. Ms. Lejeune would be participating and inquired whether any other members of the team would be interested. As the members had scheduling conflicts and could not attend, Ms. LeJeune noted she would bring back the information for discussion at the next meeting. IV. Legislation/Florida Building Code As Ms. Byrne was not present to provide an update, the team agreed to table this item to the next meeting. V. GHG Inventory Update Mr. Roschek advised he did not have any results to report and was still in the process of obtaining information for the model. He noted the following: . Ms. Goebelt provided information regarding the employee commute survey, and Ms. Byrne had calculated the mileage to City Hall. . Mr. Weiser, Fleet Administrator, provided information relating to the fleet; however, this had not yet been reviewed. . Information had been received from Florida Power and Light (FPL). . The natural gas information still had not been received. . Mr. Roschek would contact either John Archambo or Linda Hodgkins at Solid Waste Authority to obtain the information required. 2 Meeting Minutes Green Task Force Boynton Beach, Florida August 21, 2008 Ms. Lejeune questioned whether the graduate student, who previously assisted the City in preparing the GHG inventory report, was compensated for her efforts. This could be researched and, thereafter, the Green Task Force could make a recommendation that the City Commission authorize the Green Task Force to bring in an intern. It could then be identified whether there would be any cost to the City to do so. Mr. Roschek agreed to research the issue. Mr. Roschek advised he was contacted by Nancy Schneider and Randal Krejcarek, of the City of Delray Beach. They were attempting to obtain ICLEI software and inquired as to the Green Task Force's contact at ICLEI. Ms. Lejeune remarked she had been contacted by Ms. Schneider and Mr. Krejcarek as well. She advised them that ICLEI had assigned a person to the Green Task Force and through ICLEI, the Green Task Force was able to contact other cities. She also advised them while the Green Task Force could not provide the information they sought, it was likely ICLEI could. VI. Final Report/White Paper and Recommendations Discussion ensued with regard to the elements submitted by Ms. Rivers and Mr. Dauta. Ms. Lejeune inquired whether Commission approval would be required for implementation of any of the "Future Practices" submitted by Mr. Dauta. Mr. Dauta was unaware of any practice that would have to be brought before the Commission. Mr. Dauta noted he would be working with Ms. Doppler on the forthcoming janitorial bid for biodegradable products. Ms. Lejeune suggested a recommendation could be made to the Commission for the purchase of biodegradable products. Ms. Roberts believed a recycling ordinance existed which suggested recyclable materials be purchased for projects or office use whenever possible. The ordinance did not mandate the lowest bidder be selected. Ms. Roberts and Mr. Dauta would research the previous ordinance, with a view toward adopting a green ordinance. It was suggested the Purchasing Department be encouraged to select local bidders, as they would have less of an impact on the carbon footprint. Ms. Lejeune suggested this be included with the Green Task Force's recommendations. It was noted Purchasing utilized "DemandStar," and received bids from across the country. Ms. Rivers and Mr. Dauta were commended for the reports, and it was suggested the reports be used as models for the team's submissions. Ms. Lejeune requested the submissions be provided to her as soon as possible for inclusion on the September 18, 2008 Commission meeting agenda. Ms. LeJeune believed Ms. Byrne's portion of the report would be the most wide-ranging, as so much of it would affect the City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations. Ms. Lejeune noted the Green Task Force would not be presenting a complete report to the Commission, knowing a good deal of work remained to be completed. However, the team's recommendations to date would be provided, with a request for the team to continue working together as 3 Meeting Minutes Green Task Force Boynton Beach, Florida August 21, 2008 staff. The Green Task Force would also alert the Commission of the large-ticket items (police complex, vehicles and fleet) associated with its recommendations. VII. Delray GTF Meeting/Vendor Presentations The City of Delray Beach's Green Task Force had invited Ms. LeJeune to attend their last meeting. Areas of discussion at the meeting pertained to baseline software and Climate Communities. Delray was unaware of House Bill 7135 mandating the greening of all public buildings. Ms. Lejeune promised to keep them updated on all legislation. Delray had recommended two vendors: Johnson Controls, an Energy Service Company (ESCQ), and EcoZone, that assisted municipalities with various programs. Johnson Controls would assist in identifying methods for greening facilities. Performance contracting would facilitate improvements without a municipality having to expend monies upfront. EcoZone would assist with environmental projects. Ms. LeJeune sought consensus from the team to set a special meeting to bring in both vendors to provide a presentation. The City Manager, Finance Director, Director of Engineering, Director of Development and staff would be invited to attend, as would Joe Snider, of the Delray Beach Green Task Force. Consensus The team agreed to have Ms. Lejeune set a special meeting for presentations by Johnson Controls and EcoZone. Discussion ensued with regard to the greening of buildings as mandated by House Bill 7135 and compliance by municipalities. It was thought the mandate would likely be added to the Florida Building Code. Ms. LeJeune pointed out when soliciting for bids for construction of the new police facility, the scope of services would require a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified professional to certify every step of the permitting process. Ms. LeJeune noted. while Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification offered four certification levels (Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum), House Bill 7135 required only the Certified level. The cost to construct the 81,000 square foot police complex was estimated at $31 million, together with additional costs to green the buildings. The City's Director of Engineering estimated the greening costs to be an additional 10%. However, when Ms. LeJeune addressed this issue at the Delray Beach Green Task Force meeting, Mr. Snider, who was LEED certified, opined the 10% was overstated. Ms. LeJeune noted Delray indicated an interest in partnering with the Boynton Beach Green Task Force, with the understanding that Boynton could not share its ICLEI software. 4 Meeting Minutes Green Task Force Boynton Beach, Florida August 21, 2008 Consensus The team agreed to partner with Delray in the areas identified as being beneficial. Ms. LeJeune pointed out a consensus would be required for any action taken while the Green Task Force was in effect. After the Green Task Force sunsetted, Ms. Lejeune would request the Commission allow the team to work together as staff. In the event the Commission desired to have a Green Task Force in effect, it would be Ms. Lejeune's recommendation to establish a Boynton Citizens Green Task Force, who could partner with the Delray Green Task Force. VIII. New Business Ms. Lejeune reported she received an email from Robert Gottlieb, of South Palm Beach, who would be serving on the Green Energy County Committee and had also been nominated to represent the Palm Beach League of Cities. Mr. Gottlieb sought input from the team. Ms. Lejeune believed this would be a good opportunity to present some of the City's initiatives, including Greenways. Ms. LeJeune suggested the team send any suggestions to her, and she would provide them to Mr. Gottlieb. Mr. Segal spoke about the City's public service announcement campaign, indicating this had not "fallen through the cracks." He had been working with 10 school districts and several television stations and work would resume after things had settled down. Mr. Segal had met with Jayne Kupperman, of "The Education Network" and Commissioner Ross in her capacity as Community Relations Director at WXEl. They discussed the greening of the station and possible funding for the filming and production of green efforts. It was noted Ms. Kupperman would contact Ms. Majors with regard to funding. Ms. LeJeune again thanked Mr. Dauta and Ms. Rivers for the reports, and requested reports from the other team members be submitted as soon as possible. Ms. Lejeune noted she would be away from September 7-12, 2008, and as such, Ms. Byrne would likely head the group in Ms. LeJeune's absence. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 2:20 p.mpr- Q. ~~ah~~ Recording Secretary 08-29-08 5