Minutes 09-24-08
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH GREEN TASK FORCE MEETING
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2008, AT 10:30 A.M.
IN CONFERENCE ROOM B, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Carisse LeJeune, Assistant to the City Manager
Nancy Byrne, Assistant Director of Development
Mike Dauta, Warehouse Manager
Debbie Majors, Grants Administrator
Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent
Christine Roberts, Assistant Director of Public Works
Chris Roschek, Engineering Manager/Utilities
ABSENT:
Mike Simon
ALSO PRESENT:
Katy Swanson, Guest
Ms. Byrne called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m., as Ms. LeJeune’s arrival was
delayed.
It was noted a sample rain barrel was currently on display at the West Wing. It was
originally thought the rain barrels should be given away at the workshop. However, it
was believed if a cost was involved, individuals were more likely to utilize the barrels.
As such, it was suggested a reasonable price be established. Depending upon what Mr.
Evans determined and what Development could contribute, Ms. Byrne suggested
underwriting the cost. Ms. Byrne came across a detailed booklet issued by the
Southwest Florida Water Management District on rain barrel construction, and believed
this would be a good source for obtaining materials. It was suggested the booklet be
purchased and provided to individuals at the workshop.
Mr. Roschek met with Mr. Evans, Ms. Hall and Mr. Hallahan, and the team’s contact,
James Barton, who provided the loaner rain barrel. The cost of the rain barrels was
approximately $50, and could be purchased from a Miami location. Mr. Barton offered
to assemble the rain barrels. Ms. Byrne suggested volunteers be solicited throughout
the City to ensure the booths were managed, and to help with the assembly of the rain
barrels. It was suggested flyers be designed to publicize the event. While the Green
Market’s advertisement ran in the Sun-Sentinel, there was no mention of the workshop.
Ms. Rivers would be meeting with Mr. Segal on this issue. Ms. Byrne suggested both
the rain barrel and planting demonstrations be videotaped for airing on BBTV and for
future events. The assistance of Phyllis Koch, the new ITS Director, would be sought.
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Green Task Force
Boynton Beach, Florida September 24, 2008
The following comments were suggested in regard to the draft white paper:
“Enhanced Statewide Recycling”:
?Ms. Roberts noted Mr. Livergood suggested the following language be included:
“To expand recycling is costly, and the State is not offering funding. Therefore,
staff is working with the Solid Waste Authority, as well as with private companies
to enhance and look at recycling participation.”
?Mr. Livergood suggested the following language also be included: “Staff will
continue to look in the future at possibly cutting the recycling program.” Ms.
Roberts was not in favor of this language. Additionally, she noted staff was
working with Waste Management as well as the Solid Waste Authority.
?The Florida Green Local Government envisioned local governments would create
a recycling plan. Ms. Byrne suggested thought be given to who would put the
plan together and who would research the best practices for it. She believed the
City was equipped at this time to be registered as a Florida Green Local
Government.
“Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory”:
?“State” was misspelled.
? Ms. LeJeune suggested “unfunded” be added to the sentence pertaining to
“state level mandates,” in order for the Commission to be aware that the funding
for the mandates would not currently be coming from the State. The team
agreed.
“Development Department”:
?“Recycling Initiatives”: Ms. Roberts suggested the first sentence which reads as
follows:
“As a LEED Certification requirement, the City will need to partner with a
private company to provide single-stream recycling of building materials.”
be changed to read as follows:
“As a LEED Certification requirement, the City will need to investigate
alternatives to provide single-stream recycling of building materials.”
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Boynton Beach, Florida September 24, 2008
Ms. LeJeune noted the Green Task Force’s recommendation to the Commission would
include an agenda cover sheet with exhibits attached, including the white paper, which
would incorporate introductory language.
The team members inquired whether the Green Task Force had sunsetted, as they
wished to discuss the water conservation workshop with staff. Ms. LeJeune believed
the Green Task Force was to have sunsetted six months from its inception on February
19, 2008, but was uncertain whether affirmation was required by the City Commission.
Additionally, further recommendations could be made to the City Commission. Ms.
LeJeune would clarify the issue with City Attorney Cherof.
Additional comments and suggestions on the draft white paper were as follows:
“Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory”:
?Mr. Roschek noted the completion date for the inventory was left open. Ms.
LeJeune suggested inserting language similar to the following: “The best
practices from the City of Clearwater indicated the inventory took a total of 400
hours to complete. If staff were to continue to work on the project, it would
have to be coordinated with their other duties. The team was investigating
possible grant funding for an intern to complete the project.” Ms. LeJeune
wanted it clear that if staff was expected to continue the project, the process
could be delayed. Mr. Roschek agreed to rewrite the paragraph to include the
language suggested.
?It was noted different formats and fonts were used in the departmental reports.
In order to address this, all initiatives would be uniformly formatted.
Additionally, it was agreed the departments would focus on initiatives to be
proposed for future consideration.
The Golf Course, Library, and City Clerk’s office had submitted items for the Best 118
Practices. No items had been submitted from ITS to date. Ms. LeJeune suggested a
list be provided of future recommendations composited together as one
recommendation, such as “City facilities would explore greywater irrigation.” Current
initiatives would be removed, and future recommendations would be consolidated into a
single definitive list. The white paper’s introduction would point out that public input
would be solicited with regard to prioritization of limited budget funding, and that
grants and other funding methods would be targeted. The team concurred.
With respect to “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory,” Ms. LeJeune suggested the first
sentence at the top of page 3 which reads as follows:
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Green Task Force
Boynton Beach, Florida September 24, 2008
“Our desire is to continue these efforts in formulating a plan for Boynton that
both complements the State and Federal mandates while including the specific
local targets determined by forming community alliances.”
be changed to read as follows:
“Our desire is to continue these efforts in formulating a plan for Boynton that
both adheres to the State and Federal mandates while including the specific local
targets determined by forming community alliances.”
The team concurred.
Under “Community Alliances,” Ms. LeJeune suggested the following sentence beginning
on the fourth line which reads as follows:
“We would like to recommend that the City Commission direct the City Manager
to allow staff to continue working on the plan by incorporating additional City
staff and the public.”
be changed to read as follows:
“We would like to recommend that the City Commission direct the City Manager
to allow staff to continue working on the plan and to incorporate public input.”
Ms. LeJeune noted additional staff would not be needed, as the City Manager would be
assigning staff to the various tasks. The team concurred.
Ms. Byrne noted Development staff reviewed the document and believed there should
be greater accountability to the City Manager and/or the Commission in reporting back
the activities of the alliances that were not defined.
It was suggested language be developed to indicate the team would be working as staff
under the direction of the City Manager’s office to facilitate the implementation of the
recommendations. Recommendations could be made by the public as part of the
implementation project, but the Green Task Force would not be making
recommendations to the Commission.
It was agreed the Green Task Force recommend to the City Commission that the
community alliances incorporate key professionals in the following areas:
?LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
?Architect
?Environmental Engineer
?Landscape Architect
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Green Task Force
Boynton Beach, Florida September 24, 2008
?Transportation Specialist
?General Contractor
?Non-profit Environmentalist
?Utility/Energy Professional
?Lender
?Two residents at large
?Environmental Scientist
Ms. LeJeune suggested the sentence in the fourth paragraph on page 3, which reads as
follows:
“In continuing our efforts under the direction of the City Manager, these various
community alliances will explore of the following Climate Action Programs for
recommended incorporation into the Boynton Climate Action Plan.”
be changed to read as follows:
“In continuing our efforts under the direction of the City Manager’s Office, these
various community alliances will explore the following Climate Action Programs
for recommended incorporation into the Boynton Climate Action Plan.”
The team concurred with the suggestions.
th
In the 12 program on page 4, the sentence which reads as follows:
“Developing financial, regulatory, policy, and market incentives for development
of energy-efficiency and renewable-energy projects and programs, training and
incentivizing green jobs, assisting existing local businesses through retention and
expansion.”
be changed to read as follows:
“Develop financial, regulatory, policy, and market incentives for development of
energy-efficiency and renewable-energy projects and programs, training and
incentivizing green jobs, and assisting existing local businesses through
partnerships with local agencies (for example, the Boynton Beach Chamber of
Commerce).”
The team concurred.
It was agreed the 14th program on page 4 should read: “Define low impact, green
development incentives.”
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Green Task Force
Boynton Beach, Florida September 24, 2008
th
With regard to the 17 program on page 4, it was agreed to investigate, rather than
create workforce transportation alternatives to reduce reliance on individual
transportation.
th
Ms. LeJeune recommended deleting the 18 program on page 4 which reads as follows:
“Partner with PBCC and local schools to prepare programs to develop workers in
green building, living and sustainability techniques.”
The team agreed.
The following changes were agreed to under “Parks & Recreation.”
?The first sentence under “Natural Resources Management and Environmental
Protection” on page 7, which reads as follows:
“The City should consider becoming a designated Waterfronts Florida
community.”
be changed to read as follows:
“The City should investigate becoming a designated Waterfronts Florida
community.”
?The last paragraph on page 7 which reads as follows:
“Continue to remove invasive plant species from public lands. Although the
grant funding sources has been eliminated, the City should continue to
remove invasive species.”
should be changed to read as follows:
“Continue to remove invasive plant species from public lands through regular
maintenance, community involvement and grant funding.”
?The estimated costs to convert the grass field to synthetic turf at Ezell Hester
Park should be added to the first sentence on page 8.
The following changes were agreed to under “City Wide Incentives” on pages 9 and 10.
?The title “City Wide Incentives,” would be changed to read as follows: “City
Wide Incentives for Consideration in Green Building Ordinance.”
?Incentives requiring judicial action would be identified in such manner.
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Green Task Force
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 24, 2008
. With respect to parking, the reference to the City employees' parking lot at City
Hall would be removed pending further discussion with staff.
Adjournment
There being no further business to, discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 11:50
p.m.
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Stephanie D. Kahn
Recording Secretary
100708
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