Minutes 09-04-08
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH GREEN TASK FORCE MEETING
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2008, AT 1:00 P.M. AT THE
LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Present:
Carisse Lejeune, Assistant to the City Manager
Nancy Byrne, Assistant Director of Development
Debbie Majors, Grants Administrator
Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent
Christine Roberts, Assistant Director of Public Works
Chris Roschek, Engineering Manager/Utilities
Absent:
Mike Dauta, Warehouse Manager
Mike Simon, CRA Development Manager
Also Present:
Wayne Segal, Public Affairs Director
Steve Evans, Labs Supervisor
I. Open Meeting and Approval of August 21,2008 Meeting Minutes
The August 21, 2008 minutes would be approved at the next meeting.
II. Water/Landscaping Workshop Update
Mr. Evans reported he had put together a basic outline for a potential Powerpoint
presentation on the merits and methods of conservation. He was also working on a
rain barrel workshop. A large supply of rain barrels was maintained at the West Plant
and could be used for the demonstrations. Indoor conservation kits and literature could
be provided to workshop attendees.
Ms. Lejeune and Mr. Segal met with Sherry Johnson, of the Green Market. Ms. Johnson
was delighted at the prospect of having the workshop coincide with the grand opening
of the Green Market on November 1, 2008. Ms. Johnson received a $10,000 grant to
advertise the Green Market, and she indicated the Green Task Force could piggyback on
her advertising.
It was suggested the workshop be given a name. Ms. Rivers and Mr. Segal would work
on an "edgy" title for the workshop and bring their thoughts back to the team.
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Green Task Force
Boynton Beach
September 4, 2008
Ms. LeJeune noted it would be necessary for Mr. Hallahan, Ms. Hall and Mr. Evans to
meet as soon as possible with regard to the format of the workshop. As irrigation
would be a major theme, it was believed information should be provided relating to
terminology (native, invasive and exotic), and the manner in which appropriate native
material should be planted. It was also suggested the Green Task Force provide
information at a green table highlighting Boynton's "118 Best Practices," and any
Commission action taken to date. Other suggestions included having a mixture of
PowerPoint presentations which could be scheduled at various times during the day,
and displays both inside and outside the Civic Center. A tent could be pitched which
would be surrounded by tables or booths, and a bridge would link the Green Market to
the Civic Center. Organizations such as Florida Yards and Neighborhoods and the Palm
Beach County Extension could provide information and displays pertaining to
environmental horticulture. Ms. Rivers would be responsible for reserving the Civic
Center for November 1, 2008.
Ms. LeJeune noted vendors wishing to attend the workshop and to provide a display
would be allowed to place their ancillaries on a table to promote conservation; however,
they would not be permitted to promote their products. Ms. LeJeune believed, in
addition to educating the public on green initiatives, the workshop should also
showcase the Green Task Force's accomplishments.
III. GHG Inventory Update
Mr. Evans advised he did not have any results to report. Additional information had
been provided by Human Resources with regard to the employee commute. He was
awaiting information pertaining to natural gas. He believed it would be more
expeditious to focus on the City's operations and the community thereafter. Analysis of
the City's energy and greenhouse gas usages would become critical, as this would be
required by the State.
IV. Update on Public Service Announcement
Mr. Segal provided an update on the Public Service Announcement campaign. He met
with Ms. Shea and explored a variety of public service announcements on the Internet
and came up with a concept. The middle segment reflected children coming out of the
Children's Schoolhouse Museum holding bottles and throwing the bottles into recycling
bins while jumping in the air exclaiming, "Kids in Boynton Beach are committed to
recycling; won't don't you do the same?" Appropriate music would accompany the
segment. Mr. Segal pointed out the announcement would have to be completed by the
end of the month as funding was included in this year's budget.
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Boynton Beach
September 4, 2008
V. Final Report/White Paper and Recommendations
Ms. LeJeune noted all the department elements had been received, and she sought
direction as to the manner in which the report was to be assembled. It was noted a
further analysis would be required of the Florida Energy Code and changes to State
Statutes. The report would reflect the actions taken by the Governor which would
directly impact Boynton Beach. Changes in the State Building Code would also be
reflected, as would Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
requirements. One of the recommendations of the Development Department would
impact the Public Works Department, and should have been included in the Public
Works element. It would be necessary for the City to partner with a private company
to provide single-stream recycling of building materials, and this was a prerequisite to
obtaining green certification. Public Works staff would be meeting with Waste
Management in order to explore single-stream recycling and revenue sharing.
Ms. LeJeune suggested Ms. Byrne assemble the documents and forward them to Ms.
Lejeune for fine tuning. Thereafter, Ms. LeJeune would provide the team with a final
draft for review. Ms. Byrne agreed, noting she could tie in the Governor's initiatives
with the elements provided.
Ms. Byrne referred to Paragraph 4, "City Wide Incentives" of the Development element.
This initiative addressed private sector partnership funding. Staff met with
representatives of EcoZone, who wanted to partner with the City on the issue of street
signage. While this was not feasible, there could be other opportunities to pursue. For
example, the City could partner with EcoZone on a recycling program. If the recycling
were performed in-house, EcoZone could provide the recycling containers containing
their logo and pro-green message. Both the City and EcoZone would benefit from the
revenue stream. While this concept would be presented to the Commission, Ms.
Lejeune still wanted to schedule a meeting with Johnson Controls, key executive staff
members and EcoZone.
An item identified through the City Manager's office subsequent to the Round Table
workshop was how to incentivize going green. Sembler funds provided to Community
Improvement were earmarked for affordable housing and could be used for that
purpose only. However, there was the potential to draw $55,000 out of the Sembler
funds to incentivize green affordable housing, and it was suggested this be included in
the recommendations to the Commission.
Ms. Byrne requested support for the creation of a Sustainability Coordinator which
would expand Ms. Byrne's position as Assistant Director of Development. Ms. Byrne
was volunteering to do the job in conjunction with her existing duties. The Sustainability
Coordinator would serve as a watchdog, ensuring that every department tasked with
expediting reviews and inspections followed through with the specific timelines
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Boynton Beach
September 4, 2008
established. In this way, the City's commitment to the development community would
be maintained at all times.
Motion
Ms. LeJeune moved that Ms. Byrne name herself as a potential Sustainability
Coordinator. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Ms. Byrne pointed out that it would be necessary for Ms. Majors to serve as a key
person to assist Ms. Byrne, as the Sustainability Coordinator would also provide
incentive assistance and search for funding opportunities outside the City. Ms. Majors
agreed to serve in such capacity. Ms. LeJeune suggested Ms. Majors serve as the third
reviewer of the elements in order to insert the grant funding information before the
draft was provided to the team. The team agreed to Ms. LeJeune's suggestion.
The question was raised whether there was any consideration of expanding the City's
recycling program to include multi-families. Ms. Roberts advised the City currently
maintained a recycling program for multi-families; however the service required the
approval of the property owner or the management company. Ms. Roberts noted most
families participated in the program.
During a conference call with Climate Communities regarding funding issues,
representatives of Broward County commented that a one-foot rise in sea level would
cause a catastrophic infrastructure failure of the County's sewer system. Ms. Byrne
suggested Utilities might wish to give thought to this as an item for future
consideration. A recommendation could be made to fund an analysis to determine how
the City could adapt its water systems to changing water levels in Florida.
Ms. LeJeune noted ancillary information could be added once the report was put
together. As previously discussed, recommendations could include a request to allow
the team to continue working together on green initiatives after the Green Task Force
had sunsetted, and for a group of concerned citizens to be assembled to assist in
providing education on green initiatives. It would be necessary to compile a list of the
disciplines that would contribute towards the educational component.
Palm Beach County assembled a seven-member Green Task Force comprised of
individuals from all disciplines, all of whom met specific criteria. Ms. LeJeune would put
together a preliminary list for the team's review prior to its inclusion in the final report.
The white paper would be presented by Ms. Lejeune and Ms. Byrne at the first
Commission meeting in October.
The transportation initiatives called for all City employees to be charged for parking at
any City facility. Alternative transportation would be proposed, including carpooling.
Carpooling could be set up at the Boynton Beach Mall or other location in the City,
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Boynton Beach
September 4, 2008
allowing employees to reduce their vehicle miles traveled and incentivizing individuals
who carpooled. City fleet vehicles could be used in cases of emergency. If the
Commission favored this program, it would be explored in depth.
The Greenway concept would be moving forward and would be tied into the
Comprehensive Plan element. The Greenway Plan was adopted in concept only, and
Ms. Rivers had been attempting to complete it for several years. The Greenway Plan
would be put in as a recommendation and if selected by the Commission, there would
an opportunity for fine tuning.
Ms. LeJeune did not anticipate anything more than preliminary discussion and questions
at the October 7, 2008 Commission meeting. She believed the Commission would
accept the report and absorb it over one or two meetings before making their policy
decisions.
VI. New Business
Mr. Segal read a communication received from Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary
McCarty announcing the County's recent formation of a Green Task Force. The
committee would focus on encouraging more efficient and sustainable buildings, energy
and natural resources, conservation and environmental sustainability. The committee
was comprised of 16 voting members from the community, three non-voting members
and a Task Force Chair, County Commissioner Robert Kanjian. The members would
inventory current County policies and identify initial actions and policies that would save
energy. Boca Raton City Commissioner Susan Haynie was appointed by Commissioner
McCarty as the District IV representative of the committee.
Ms. Rivers reported the City met all of the requirements for Blueway certification, but
did not have the $2,500 application fee.
Mr. Hallahan joined the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 2:00
p.m.
~9.L
Stephanie D. Kahn
Recording Secretary
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