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Minutes 08-02-16
MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016, AT 6:30 P.M. COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Steven B. Grant, Mayor Lori LaVerriere, City Manager Mack McCray, Vice Mayor Grant James Cherof, City Attorney Justin Commissioner Katz, Commissioner Judith A. Pyle, Interim City Clerk Christina L. Romelus, Commissioner Joe Casello, Commissioner. 1. OPENINGS A. CaII to Order - Mayor Steven B. Grant Mayor Grant called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Invocation by Rev. Rick Riccardi - Police Chaplain Reverend Rick Riccardi gave the Invocation. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Vice Mayor McCray Vice Mayor McCray led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Agenda Approval: 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections Vice Mayor McCray added to Item E, Announcements, Presentation on Suits for Seniors. 2. Adoption Motion Commissioner Casello moved to approve the agenda as amended. Vice Mayor McCray seconded the motion. Vote The motion unanimously passed. Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 2. OTHER A. Informational items by Members of the City Commission Commissioner Casello disclosed he met with Bradley Miller, Miller Land Planning regarding the Villages of E. Ocean, and attended the Palm Beach League of Cities meeting. He is a member of the Executive Board and they had a good meeting at Lake Worth Casino Complex. He explained he is assigned to the State Attorney Task Force for Sober /Recovery Residences and they are exploring ways to get a handle on the regulations and licensing of these homes. It was not going to be about zoning, it was about the vendors and marketing issues. There is also a police component of the Task Force. The Task Force would return with a plan and direction how to address the issue and they were enlisting the help of Senator Jeff Clemens and Representative Bill Hager. Commissioner Katz met with representatives from South Tech regarding some of their future plans and expansion. He met with residents of Intracoastal communities regarding the downtown and Consolidated Plan and met with Fire Chief Joseph regarding the budget. The newspaper stated the annual cost to hire six firefighters and clarified the amount this year was far less than $100,000; not $120,000. He commended the Chief and City employees for researching cost savings for new positions. He planned to budget for them in the future. Vice Mayor McCray met with Isram Realty regarding the Riverwalk project they plan to build in Boynton Beach, attended the Palm Beach County League of Cities Luncheon and had addressed Boynton Beach High School students regarding the Suits for Seniors program. Mayor Grant on August 20th, attended an event with South Palm Beach Jewish Federation, attended a Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting, attended the Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce meeting with Career Source Palm Beach County who assists individuals to become employed, write resumes, and has grant programs. The web address was CareerSourcePBC.com. On July 22 he attended the Boynton Beach Human Resources Quarterly Orientation, attended a Keller Williams event in Wellington regarding flooding. He received 100 backpacks from the Office Depot Foundation in Delray for the City. He attended the Palm Beach League of Cities meeting at the Casino Complex in Lake Worth. He was on Channel 12 news on July 27 discussing public safety in the City and on the 28 he attended a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) meeting as they were seeking public input regarding the interchanges on Boynton Beach Boulevard and Gateway Boulevard at I- 95. Three different options were proposed. If nothing is done, there would be a 10- minute wait to turn off the exit. He favored a one -light option, which the State would pay and install. He invited all to review the flyers in the back of the room and submit comments to FDOT. 2 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 Mayor Grant attended a Real Property Probate Trust Law meeting at the Breakers about new land use and new regulations regarding Coastal High Zazards areas and making Comprehensive Plan changes. On the 30 n , he attended the Hurricane Alley Summer Sizzle event. Yesterday, he met with the Fire Chief and the City will obtain more ambulance transports. He commented on Project Seahorse which is a summer camp teaching youth to snorkel and swim by Boynton Bay. There was a barbeque and it was an opportunity for dive boats at the Marina to give back to the community. He spoke with Boynton Beach /Delray Flotilla No. 54. They have great information and free or reduced prices boat safety classes in memory of the Jupiter youth who were lost at sea. He spoke with Channel 12 regarding an upcoming legal settlement Commissioner Romelus met with representatives of BIG representing the Intracoastal Communities and District III. She attended the Summer Sizzle event and complimented Kim Kelly of Hurricane Alley and her staff on a great job. She announced a Town Hall meeting she was hosting on Thursday in the Library Program Room at 6:30 p.m. There were many rumors and misconceptions regarding the proposed Riverwalk Development and she wanted to ensure all were on the same page regarding what is being proposed and what residents are for and against. She explained this was an opportunity for the public to speak and for the developer to clarify their proposal. She invited all to attend. Commissioner Casello inquired if other Commissioners could attend the Town Hall. Jim Cherof, City Attorney advised Commissioners can attend, but it was not a forum for cross discussion on issues that will come before the Commission so there is some risk associated with attendance. Commissioners could attend and remain silent. Commissioner Romelus explained she would not proffer an opinion. It was to obtain clear consensus so they could move for or against in a positive manner. Vice Mayor McCray received confirmation the Commission could attend to observe. 3. ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNITY & SPECIAL EVENTS & PRESENTATIONS A. Highlights of the Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee 2014 -16. Presented by Gerda Klein Gerda Klein, Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee thanked Mental Health Committee Members Margret Newton, Chairman and Reverend Woodrow Hay and Cynthia Shulman. Ms. Klein announced the Committee was in its second full year and making in -roads in promoting education and awareness about mental health and wellness. Highlights of the Committee's activities included partnering with Boynton Beach High School. Art students participated in a logo contest in 2015 that produced the Committee's logo. The Committee initiated an Annual Psychology Day and area mental health professionals came to the High School presenting different career options in the field of psychology to psychology students. Photos of Psychology Day from 2015 and 2016 were viewed. Three peer professionals from the National Alliance on Mental 3 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 Illness (NAMI) conversed with 40 students about their life with mental illness. This year, for the first time, Boynton Beach High School is one of seven county schools casting a musical about bullying called the Weight of Words. The musical will be held for most of their feeder schools and there will be one performance for the community. More than 1,600 people were trained in the County learning how to assist someone in a mental health emergency and the Committee trained 54 individuals. Visuals of the classes held in October and November were viewed. Parks and Recreation staff will take a Youth Training class this fall designed for staff working with youth. The Committee has been in contact with the Police Department and hopes to meet with the Fire Department, Emergency Services, and plans to meet with caregivers and clergy. Bethesda Hospital is a strong community partner and they will work together to promote awareness and the importance of accessing mental health services. The Committee co- chaired a Mental Health dialogue with area clergy, featuring National Mental Health Guest Speaker Hakeen Rahim. It was a cooperative venture with Reverend Hay who focused on Boynton Beach Clergy and Reverend Kevin Jones who is associated with the clergy in West Palm Beach. Reverend Hay now chairs a clergy task force to address next steps in meeting mental health educational needs of clergy. The Healthier Boynton Beach project is a collective impact initiative of the Palm Healthcare Foundation. The topic is Family Care Giving and the Committee is on the steering committee and work group to ensure there is a strong mental health focus on family care giving. Anxiety and depression is prevalent among caregivers. The Committee is in discussion with the Boynton Beach Human Resource Department to provide education and awareness opportunities for City employee Wellness and Benefits Fair. She invited all to contact them to learn more. Their mission to make Boynton Beach a Model City for mental health and they were looking for a volunteer to help manage social media. B. Approve changing the date of the first meeting in September from Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 6:30 pm to Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 6:30 pm to have First Public Budget Hearing on Proposed FY 16/17 Budget in accordance with the Truth in Millage (TRIM) calendar. Lori LaVerriere, City Manager, announced, due to the Trim and Fire Assessment schedule, they need to change the meeting as noted above. She advised she would advertise the meeting through social media. She also announced the schedule for the September City Commission meetings as noted below: C. The schedule for September City Commission meetings is as follows: Regular City Commission Meeting & 1st Budget Public Hearing - Thursday, September 8, 2016 @ 6:30 p.m. in Commission Chambers; 4 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 Special City Commission Meeting to adopt the final Fire Assessment Rate Resolution - Tuesday, September 13, 2016 @ 6:00 p.m. in Commission Chambers; and Regular City Commission Meeting & 2nd Budget Public Hearing to adopt the Final Millage Rate and Final Budget for FY 2016 -17 - Tuesday, September 20, 2016 @ 6:30 p.m. in Commission Chambers D. The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency will hold its Fiscal Year 2016 -2017 Public Budget Meeting: 6:OOpm Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Intracoastal Park Clubhouse Mayor Grant announced the above noted CRA Budget Meeting. E. Suits for Seniors. Jervonte Edmonds, 905 Southridge Road, thanked the City Commission and advised Suits for Seniors is a non - profit organization to inspire, educate and empower young graduates. The focus is on professionalism, education, healthy lifestyles and image. The organization has a special program in Boynton Beach High School involving eight weeks of mentoring, hard work and education. He acknowledged and commended the help and support from partner Jackie Jones who was amazing. He wanted to recognize individuals for their support such as Commissioner Romelus and Mayor Grant noting they introduced themselves to the students and shared what is important to be successful. He also recognized Officers Roper, Paramore, Rodriguez, Ward, Whitfield and others. Other partners were Wells Fargo, Attorneys, the CRA Director, Realtors, P2P and a Healthier Boynton. The support for the program was amazing and he appreciated the individuals who help students become successful. They are holding an event on Saturday, August 20 including food vendors and booths for the various organizations, at 12 noon, to honor the seniors for their hard work. Mr. Edmond commended Vice Mayor McCray for his support and for coming out to speak to the students and his donation. He commented Vice Mayor McCray believes in the students of Boynton Beach. He announced 10% of every donation received would be given to the schools. Funds are for suits as well, but they want to ensure they support, empower and educate students at the High School. He invited all to donate at www.suitsforseniors.org Commissioner Casello inquired if the program was for males or females. Mr. Edmonds responded the program has evolved and includes woman as well. Dress for Success is strictly a program for women, aged 18 to 24 geared to graduated individuals. The Suits for Seniors sticks to high school seniors and college bound students. Commissioner Casello commended him for his work. 5 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 Vice Mayor McCray explained he went to the program at the High School and was amazed 50 to 60 young men were ready to do what was required. They took an initiative. He explained to the youth he works for them as citizens which they were unaware of and they asked many questions. He counseled them to not ever let anyone see them cry and if so, to do so privately. He mentioned the vandalism at the Hester Center and told the youth it cost over $40,000 to replace the equipment. During his presentation, some students snickered and on his way out of the building, one student approached him and thanked him for not losing faith in them and the youth would not let him down. He explained he went to his truck and wept. He shared this was investing in the future. He challenged Chief Katz to mentor the Captain of the Football Team and Assistant Chief Snow be the next mentor. He encouraged the Police Department to join with this group and help one student who is trying to make a difference in the community. This is an opportunity to check on youth, make sure their homework is done, and follow them. It was time to step up to the plate and they needed someone to acknowledge they have faith in their efforts. He praised the organization. Vice Mayor McCray approached the Chief about forfeiture fund donations which was still on the table 4. PUBLIC AUDIENCE INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO 3 MINUTE PRESENTATIONS (at the discretion of the Chair, this 3 minute allowance may need to be adjusted depending on the level of business coming before the City Commission) Fred Barch, Principal Boynton Beach High School, thanked Mayor Grant, Vice Mayor McCray and Commissioner Casello for participating in the Homeless Teen Awareness Project last May. It was an art project displayed in City Hall focusing on awareness. He commended Mr. Edmonds and Ms. Jones on the Suits for Seniors program as it attracted numerous volunteers to help the students. The students were captivated. He thanked Chief Katz and Assistant Chief Snow for going to the school with Officers because that is how they build bridges. Great conversations and hugs occurred and the students thought it important to actually get to know the officers. He praised the program for its awesome experiences and advised the Officers were terrific. Mr. Barch explained the High School was able to obtain $550,000 in private donations to start a medical academy. The effort was successful and the school had a 100% pass rate for the students. They are starting a new leadership academy based on a Marine Corp. JROTC Program. The school had sought the program for years and he announced they just recognized the first Marine Cadet at Boynton Beach High School. He thanked the City Commission for their support and requested they visit the school any time. He agreed the psychology presentations were outstanding and the students loved seeing the community take an interest in them. 6 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 David Katz, 67 Midwood Lane, announced he and three other members of the Planning and Development Board attended a July 15 Planning Officials workforce in Palm Springs sponsored by the American Planning Association. There were presentations on planning principals, processes, legal considerations, responsibility of advisory boards, sustainability, urban design, economics of new development and growth, current trends and public participation methods. He was impressed with two speakers; one was an attorney and land planner from Broward County and another who is a planner who worked in the private and public sector in Tallahassee. The advisory board members travelled at their own expense and it was a great experience. He announced the City has a Planning and Development Board that is 12.0. Reverend Bernard Wright, CEO Bernard Wright Ministries, Real Talk Radio and the Robert E. Wells Foundation thanked the City Commission and the Historic Resource Preservation Board for the signs that would be installed on MLK Jr. Boulevard. He thanked Vice Mayor McCray for his support. Rev. Wright explained they are in a prophetic spirit of a better Boynton. He and the clergy were praying all the time. Rev. Wright explained he had presented a petition last week about the pool. He was present with an attorney and advised they wanted to resolve the issue noting there was almost two months left of summer. Minisha Maraj, from Richardson and Maraj, LLC, commented Rev. Wright raised a legitimate issue. The pool is a historical neighborhood pool and the matter is potentially unconstitutional. Reverend Wright wanted to resolve the issue, instead of pursuing a lawsuit. The pool is investing in the neighborhood's future and it deprives a sense of community to youth in an underprivileged neighborhood during the summer. She thought it was a travesty and it would perpetuate many problems. The hours were restrictive and they had to accommodate swimming lessons, depriving youth of the pool for a significant amount of the day. She hoped the City Commission would take the petition seriously. Betty Denson, 710 NW 3rd Street, explained on March 9 she purchased property at 115 NW 6 Avenue and it took until June 6 for the tenant to move out. The home needed a lot of repairs and there were Code violations. After the tenant left, she improved the property inside and out, put stucco on the wall, pressure cleaned and painted the house, boarded the windows to secure the home and put doors on the front of the house and the washroom. She was now addressing the roof. She commented the house is an old house, with tiles she is having a hard time finding. She asked Code to inspect what she had done. She also asked if they could stop the liens now for the roof and give her more time. She may have to replace the roof and does not have the funds. The liens accumulated before she purchased the house. She spoke with Mr. Yannuzzi, Code Compliance Coordinator, earlier in the day and he explained how Code worked, but advised he could not stop the liens on the roof because it was all included in one. She wanted it on record she asked for help. She contacted Octavia Sherrod, Manager, Community Improvement, for assistance but was ineligible because she did not yet live 7 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 in the home. She wanted the liens stopped until she had the money because the home needed more work than appeared to be done. She had before and after photos. She paid $10,279 and purchased the home because it belonged to her grandparents. He asked Mr. Yannuzzi for the current amount of the lien. Chris Yannuzzi, Code Compliance Coordinator conducted an inspection last week and two of the three cases complied; one fine was over $61,000 and another was $64,000. The open case accumulated $137,000 to -date. He commented he had explained the lien reduction process for the two closed cases, but she must continue to work on the open case. Mayor Grant asked how much the hard costs were and learned it was about $1,900. Mayor Grant explained once the third case complied, she could speak with the magistrate and get the fines reduced. If she did not agree with the amount, she could appeal it to the City Commission. If appealing the City Commission decision, she can go to court. Ms. Benson acknowledged she was told the same, but was concerned because the fines were still accruing. Mayor Grant advised the City will not foreclose on the home. Debby Lytle, 1700 SW 14 Avenue, corrected a statement she previously made about Barrier Free Park signage. This weekend she found the sign and commented it was poorly located and not very visible. It sits on the ground at the intersection and if cars are stopped at the light, the sign is not visible. It faces away from Congress Avenue and one only sees the tennis courts. She worked for the City for 18 years and for the Promenade and Casa Costa. She and residents want the best for the City and she commented a Downtown is a central location for people to enjoy city living and attend events and festivals, culture and theater, museums and art displays. She did not think filling the City with townhomes would create a vital downtown. She hoped the City Commission would be receptive to other plans for the City. Margret Newton, 701 NW 4th Street, explained a few days after the last City Commission meeting, a frantic neighbor called her wanting to know what was going on as she saw, and the Police Department confirmed, the City's SWAT team returning from 4 Street. The officers were in fatigues and armed and the sight was menacing. Ms. Newton objected as youth and the elderly residents witnessed them and were frightened. She explained the HOB residents were trying to understand the ministry of the Police Department and the image she witnessed was not the one she wanted to see and opined it was probably not the one the City Commission wants. She thought the SWAT Team should refrain from behaving that way. Vice Mayor McCray advised he was apprised and that the Police Department had contacted him. Susan Oyer, 140 SE 27 Way, distributed research she had annotated to strengthen comments she had made at a previous meeting. She also advised the Zika virus was an issue. She already spoke with Mr. Yannuzzi, Code Compliance Coordinator, earlier in the meeting. Her street has pools that have not been cleaned in a year, and they are potential Zika factories. She urged the City look at the pools and standing water 8 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 problems. She requested the City also look at the take home cars in the budget because the City is spending an excessive amount of money on people who do not need take home vehicles. She asked when the Mayor portraits would be updated. She noted there are no black bands on former mayors who had passed and not all mayor pictures were up. She requested a picture of former Mayor Jose Rodriguez should be displayed as he was still elected. She thanked Kim Kelly for a great festival and was glad all had a great time. Mayor Grant suggested Ms. Oyer call County Mosquito Control at 561.967.6480. Butch Buoni, 450 Horizons East, No. 304 commented he represents 840 families that pay taxes. He requested the Planning and Development Board review the CRA Consolidated Plan prior to the City Commission review. He conveyed the dissatisfaction of the residents of Sterling Village who are at the center of the proposed changes. Sterling Village would be impacted more than anyone else. He was glad the City cannot allow building on the Intracoastal and he asked the City Commission support his request Commissioner Casello disclosed he had a meeting with Tom McClure earlier in the day. Tom McClure, 2004 S. Federal Highway, President of the Boynton Intracoastal Group representing over 5,000 unit owners in Boynton Beach requested the City Commission reject the CRA Consolidated Plan as one size does not fit all. Approval would turn the City over to developers and the City would lose control in restricting height and density or whatever a developer would want to do. He thought the City Commission would be left to make recommendations regarding the placement of dumpsters and other similar items. If passing the CRA plan, a developer can assert they complied with all the requirements of the Plan and if the City denies them the opportunity to develop, threaten a lawsuit. He wanted a Plan to be approved area by area, and do what is responsible, project by project. He asserted Riverwalk Plaza was not responsible development. If the demand by the developers is approved, the Plan has been changed to fit and the City Commission, City Hall and the CRA and the citizens of Boynton will be left with a black eye. They have heard during the last election they will make a change, and citizens are threatening if you don't do it our way you will be voted out. He encouraged all think about what the residents are saying, and suggested going back to a zero based budget to look at each expense and see what can be done internally rather than look for new revenue opportunities. Richard Dames, 7284 W. Boynton Beach Boulevard, and President of the Boynton Beach Coalition of Clergy, thanked Chief Katz, Assistant Chief Snow and the Community Policing Department. Recently, he attended a training course for the implementation of a Cub Scouts Organization. He was born and raised in the City and he did not recall there ever being such an organization in District II. Participants were certified in the course and he was excited about the opportunity for young boys. He 9 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 explained the CRA Policing Program was exactly what they envisioned and could not thank Sgt. Diehl and Officer Paramore enough for the impact they have made in the City building bridges. He thanked the Chief for their work in District II. Commissioner Casello asked if the Cub Scouts was a 501(c)(3) organization and was referred to Chief Snow or Sgt. Diehl as they only had one meeting and would have more information the next month. Vice Mayor McCray recalled there was a Cub Scout Pack in District II, 60 years ago as he was a member. Herb Suss, 1711 Woodfern Drive, explained he was in the pool business for 40 years and he agreed with the prior comments made about Zika. Contacting the County was a good step, but thought it would be more effective if the Commissioners made the call to protect the citizens. Mr. Suss also commented he was a highly decorated Police Auxiliary Officer and thought the millage rate should be kept at 7.9 because the Police deserve an increase. They represent the finest and he asked the citizens to support them as well. They do more than just patrol the community. The City and the Citizens should support them. He commented the majority of the Police in the Country and City are terrific. Christine De Haseth with an office at 4600 N. Ocean Boulevard, commented countless citizens have attended meetings, signed petitions, sent emails, and there seems to be no reflection of their voices in the CRA Consolidated Plan. After a June workshop for developers, their request for density was immediately granted, but not one request for reasonable height restrictions in the entire 1,650 CRA District was given any credence. Citizens did not know about the 100 to 150 feet height allowances on the corner of Ocean Avenue, Woolbright and Federal because the plans were changed after the June and July workshops. She asked who reviewed them and how citizen voices are being heard. A month ago, the CRA Board requested the CRA Advisory Board provide an executive summary. When the CRA Advisory Board reviewed the Plan, a last minute item was added to the agenda, which was a 15- minute presentation by Isram. The citizens were not given 15 minutes to make a presentation. The month prior, the City Commission voted against the CRA Advisory Board reviewing the project. She thought the CRA had an underhanded maneuver and the City Manager and City Attorney should not have allowed it to be added to the agenda. The CRA Advisory Board ignored public comments. Most of the residents begged the Board to limit height and the Board, after disclosing meetings with Isram, voted to support height and density. Citizens are discouraged and frustrated. She thought giving Isram a platform to present their project would not solve the issue. She thought it would result in the opposite. She thought the CRA and City staff should be reminded they are at will employees and the City Commission work as elected representatives for the citizens. She asked who was listening to the citizens. 10 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 Mayor Grant explained Attorney Michael Weiner planned to speak about land use as a land use attorney. He had commented he was retained by Isram, and acting as an agent of Isram and Riverwalk, the item was pulled due to a conflict of interest. Michael Weiner, Attorney on behalf of Isram, was present with Mati Rikman and put it on record they took careful notes of the additional public comments. They look forward to Thursday's decision and look forward to whatever the City will present to them for the planning within the CRA District. They will continue to be at each meeting to listen to citizen comments. No one else coming forward, Public Audience was closed. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE A. Appoint eligible members of the community to serve in vacant positions on City advisory boards. The following Regular (Reg) and Alternate (Alt) Student (Stu) and Nonvoting Stu (NN Stu) openings exist: Arts Commission: 2 Regs and 1 Alt Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals: 2 Alts Education and Youth Advisory Bd: 2 Alts and 1 Stu NN Library Bd: 1 Reg Planning and Development Bd: 1 Alt Senior Advisory Board: 1 Reg and 2 Alts Mayor Grant nominated Christian Zanartu for the Building Board of Adjustments and Appeal. Commissioner Casello explained it was his appointment and the reason he tabled his appointment at the last meeting was there are no references on Mr. Zanartu's application. Motion Vice Mayor McCray moved to remove from the table. Commissioner Casello asked if Mr. Zanartu was in the audience. Commissioner Romelus seconded the motion. Vote The motion unanimously passed. 11 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 Christian Zanartu, 2709 SW 4 Street, explained this would be the first time he will serve on an advisory board. He has been in Delray Beach for 28 years and the last three years in Boynton Beach. He looked forward to the opportunity to serve the community. Motion Commissioner Casello moved to accept the nomination. Vice Mayor McCray seconded the motion. Vote The motion unanimously passed. Commissioner Casello noted there were three applicants for the Planning and Development Board. He nominated James Brake as he had served the community and was on various advisory boards, including the Planning and Development Board and he is a committed citizen. Motion Commissioner Casello moved to accept James Brake as an alternate on the Planning and Development Board. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. Vote The motion unanimously passed. Motion Mayor Grant moved to approve Roberta Mann as the second alternate on the Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Commissioner Romelus seconded the motion. Vote The motion unanimously passed. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Matters in this section of the Agenda are proposed and recommended by the City Manager for "Consent Agenda" approval of the action indicated in each item, with all of the accompanying material to become a part of the Public Record and subject to staff comments 12 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 A. PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO. R16 -095 - Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Boynton Beach and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to investigate officer involved shootings as well as in- custody deaths. B. Approve the purchase of two Police Department vehicles to replace two that were involved in accidents and deemed totaled, from Duval Ford in the amount of $28,552/ea. for a total of $57,104 off of the Florida Sheriffs Association Bid #15 -23 -0904. The Florida Sheriffs Association complies with the competitive bid requirements. C. Approve the extensions for RFPs /Bids and/ or piggy -backs for the procurement of services and /or commodities as described in the written report for August 2, 2016 - "Request for Extensions and /or Piggybacks ". D. Accept the Fiscal Year 2015 -2016 Budget Status Report of the General Fund and the Utilities Fund for the nine (9) month period ending June 30, 2016. E. Approve the minutes from the Strategic Planning Meeting held on June 24th and the Regular City Commission meeting held on July 19, 2016. E. Accept third quarter report on operations of the Schoolhouse Children's Museum and Learning Center for FY15/16 Motion Vice Mayor McCray moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Casello seconded the motion. Vote The motion unanimously passed. 7. BIDS AND PURCHASES OVER $100,000 - None 8. CODE COMPLIANCE & LEGAL SETTLEMENTS A. Approve negotiated settlement in the amount of $50,000 in the case of Fernando Bass v. City of Boynton Beach, et al. Attorney Cherof read the item was a request to approve a negotiated settlement in court ordered mediation in the amount of $50,000. This is the matter the City Commission had been able to discuss in a prior closed -door session. Risk Management and the Legal Department recommended it be approved. 13 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 Motion Vice Mayor McCray moved to approve. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. Vote The motion unanimously passed. Commissioner Casello explained he advocates for defending lawsuits, but in this instance it was cheaper to settle. 9. PUBLIC HEARING 7 P.M. OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS THE AGENDA PERMITS The City Commission will conduct these public hearings in its dual capacity as Local Planning Agency and City Commission. 10. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT A. Informational Presentation of the new Customer Service Policy that will be used by staff when performing Utility interactions with new and existing customers. Vice Mayor McCray asked if anything was done with staff regarding the report and learned they met with staff two weeks ago. He asked about the feedback from staff. Barb Conboy, Manager Utilities, Customer Relations, explained they reviewed the policy, key highlights, questions and answer sessions and there was a lot of positive feedback. Ms. Conboy introduced Erin Dunn, Supervisor, Customer Relations, and Waneya Bryant, Supervisor, Meter Services. She noted the City never had a formal policy in place for customers or staff. The City's customer base has 36,000 metered accounts and over 100,000 customers. The service area is twice the size of the City. Accounts are grouped into 16 cycles, billing approximately 2,200 customers daily. The goal is to protect customers and their privacy in connection with the City's infrastructure, bill customers accurately and timely and provide various ways to access information and for customers to pay. The goal is to manage accounts efficiently, with consistent information, process payments properly and manage delinquency rates to minimize the City's exposure to lost revenue. The policy provides a clear, standardized and equitable approach for all customers and employees. It identifies service timeframes and establishes a timeframe for billing adjustments, clear excessive -use credits, payment plans, defines terms, identifies promises to pay and provides for Director and Manager administrative discretion for unusual and extenuating circumstances. It establishes a 14 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 property lien filing process for past due accounts, establishes clear responsibility for the utility bill and the balance responsibility. It reiterates the customer's responsibility to connect to available services and he pointed out the policy will be available on the web. Ms. Conboy confirmed the policy pertains to Utility customers. Ms. Bryant commented the policy details the services the City provides to customers and how they are billed. Depending on the location, services include: water, sewer, refuse, stormwater and reclaimed water. The two classifications of customers were residential and commercial. They use the services differently and have different requirements detailed in the policy. The policy includes guidelines for inspections of new and existing connections and staff worked closely with the engineering group to ensure inspections are conducted and backflow devices are installed when needed, before services are provided which protects customers from health hazards and the system from contamination. Ms. Dunn reviewed two forms of identification are needed, a completed application and proof of ownership, such as a deed or lease for new customers. A deposit is charged and after 24 months of timely payments, the deposit is refunded. The Department is on call 24 hours. If a customer is disconnected and needs services after normal business hours, there is an extra fee charged to those customers. Billing occurs monthly regardless of occupancy and consumption, and customers are billed for water, sewer, refuse, and stormwater. Payments are generally due within 25 days of the bill. New payment options were forthcoming and could be made via the website. Paper bills are sent through the United States Postal Service and electronic email. New features are forthcoming with the new vendor which would make it more convenient for customers to pay and receive their statements. If payment is not made by the due date, it is delinquent. The next bill customers receive indicates it is past due and must be paid immediately to avoid disconnection of service. Disconnection occurs about 10 to 15 days after receiving the past due notice. Disconnections occur Monday to Thursday and about 50 accounts per day are disconnected. Staff also reviews consumption information with an application they have with Meter Services to determine if there are any leaks. The goal is to minimize revenue loss and protect against theft and tampering. The Department reviews and handles account closures, collection processes, write -offs and accounts receivable management, adjust payment agreements, bill inquiries and leak adjustments. Ms. Dunn clarified leak adjustments are for excessive use, and it is defined as four times the average monthly usage for the past 12 months. The website can show hourly usage, and when high consumption is identified, staff contacts the customer and advise they have a possible leak. Payment extensions and plans are offered, as are adjustments for errors. The policy was developed for front line personnel and customers to promote fair and equitable treatment. 15 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 Vice Mayor McCray noted the Commission supported electronic bills and bills were sent out incorrectly. He asked if it was corrected. Colin Groff, Assistant City Manager - Public Services /Utilities Director responded it was. Vice Mayor McCray asked for the total amount of uncollectable fees for water. Mr. Groff agreed to provide the information. Vice Mayor McCray asked how employees would be dealt with if not following the guidelines. Mr. Groff explained counselling and training will occur first. If the employee continues to not follow the guidelines, they will be disciplined. He commented employees provided a lot of positive feedback on the policy and with training. When people are upset about mistakes or service shut offs, having a policy to ensure customers are treated exactly the same is important and the employees appreciate it. Vice Mayor McCray asked if the policy is printed in other languages. Mr. Groff responded they would, but it has not yet been translated. Additionally, there are employees speaking all those languages in the department. Commissioner Casello thanked staff for the presentation and commented Mr. Groff had indicated at the Strategic Planning meeting the CRA Building would be a suitable site for customer service. He asked if it was still a possibility. Mr. Groff explained the CRA has a lease on the building. If the lease was no longer required by the CRA because of a change the CRA made, the building could be used for Customer Service. There is currently an issue in Customer Service because it is not set up for the rules and regulations they have to follow. It is difficult to do business in the City Hall lobby because it is private information in a public setting. This is something they could review down the road. Mayor Grant asked about the excessive usage credit. Ms. Conboy explained there is a leak directive that was created using calculations and averages. The Department set parameters and are limiting the credit to once every three years as people would come in annually. It is four times the average monthly usage and it must be over 10,000 gallons. Customers would receive a credit for everything over 10,000. Staff is creating a worksheet to simplify the process. Customers would receive a credit and adjustment on their bill, and their account would be placed in a bill inquiry status to avoid shut -off or penalties. Mayor Grant asked about the timeframe before water shut off. Mr. Groff clarified it was about 45 days from the first day of non - payment and if paid late there is extra $10 late fee. Vice Mayor McCray disagreed and explained his niece had to pay a water bill at 806 NW 4 Street. She was notified and before she could get there, the water was turned off. The same thing happened the next day. She did not receive any leeway. He came to City Hall within 15 days with payment and he had to pay a reconnection fee. He thought the comment was untrue. Mr. Groff explained he had indicated they call everyone, but they do not. They call all commercial customers and look through the late 16 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 account file. He wanted to add residential customer calls to the procedure, but it takes equipment and time. Billing will be handled by a third -party vendor which will free up employees. When Mr. Groff started in Utilities, Customer Service was not turning off accounts and the City had large past due accounts. The processes are not up to date and they will make mistakes. The purpose of the policy was they find errors, they put new systems in place. They want to add as many ways to pay as possible and planned to issue bills via email, online October 1 including various payment locations. Commissioner Casello noted when his constituents call about a utility or water issue, it is addressed timely and professionally. Ms. LaVerriere explained as part of professional leadership development, more managers and supervisors will make presentations. She complimented Ms. Conboy, Ms. Bryant and Ms. Dunn on the presentation. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO. R16 -076 - Supporting the Atlanta Braves returning to Palm Beach County for their spring training at John Prince Park. (TABLED on 6/21/16 for 90 days) Commissioner Romelus wanted to remove this item completely as no information was received. Mayor Grant explained they have received calls from the Atlanta Braves. Commissioner Romelus suggested waiting until the information is received and put it back on the agenda instead of carrying the item. They have until the second meeting in September to make a presentation otherwise they can remove it from the table. Commissioner Katz explained its a County decision. He wanted them to make a presentation at some point and did not want to take any action until the County acted. When the County makes a decision the City could weigh in. There was agreement to keep the item on the table until the September date. 12. NEW BUSINESS A. Mayor Grant has placed this item on the agenda for Commission discussion and consideration of having the P & D Board review the CRA Consolidated Plan prior to City Commission review. Mayor Grant reviewed the Land Development Regulations regarding the Planning and Development Board, Advisory Authority Functions Powers and Duties. He commented the Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Commission by conducting investigations and holding public hearings. He pointed out it specifically reviews changes or amendments relating to the boundaries of the City, its zoning districts, or future land use map classifications. Mayor Grant thought allowing the City to present an 17 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 executive summary to the Planning and Development Board would not move any timetables back. He hoped they would receive a recommendation by September 8th Commissioner Katz explained it is not typical for Planning and Development to be involved with these types of plans. It was a function for the CRA Advisory Board and they would complete their decision on Thursday. He thought it would undermine the CRA Advisory Board's recommendations and it was a slippery slope. He could assert the Arts Commission could weigh in on it because there would be public art, and the Library Board could weigh in on Town Square because it affects the Library and other advisory boards. They are about to have a recommendation from the CRA Advisory Board and it undermines them. He questioned if the CRA Advisory Board had indicated a different direction if they were going, there would be a call for a different committee to review the matter that is not part of the original process. He respected the CRA Advisory Board decision, the City Commission should respect their potential recommendation and it was not appropriate. Vice Mayor McCray agreed with Commissioner Katz to let the Advisory Board function and let them do what they are charged to do. Commissioner Casello commented the CRA Advisory Board is made up of residents and business owners in the CRA District and their recommendation has a lot of weight. Commissioner Casello agreed with Commissioner Katz and Vice Mayor McCray. Commissioner Romelus noted the Chair of the Planning and Development Board was present and preferred to ask him. David Katz, 67 Midwood Lane, speaking as an outside opinion and not a member of the Board, responded any additional citizen input allowed into something controversial is a positive, and he thought that was one of the issues of the people who feel they are being affected by the Consolidated Plan. He could not speak to the legality of what Mayor Grant alluded to. He thought the City should allow for any administrative process, just in case someone wants to sue. He thought it was important to allow for all possible input. Mayor Grant asked Mr. Katz if land use was discussed during training and learned it was. Commissioner Casello explained this project will eventually come before the Planning and Development Board. Mr. Katz noted Commissioner Casello mentioned the project, and Mr. Katz pointed out he was discussing the Consolidated Plan and input. Mayor Grant commented he reviewed the 2007 Ordinance that made changes to the Planning and Development Board, because the CRA Board was supposed to do this, acting as independent citizens. When the City Commission took it over, the power was transferred to the Planning and Development Board to review the future land use and zoning districts. He noted there was a difference in qualifications between the Planning and Development Board members and the CRA Board and he did not think it 18 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 would hurt their choices in making a decision by obtaining another recommendation. He receives recommendations every day via email and the Land Development Regulations indicate they have the advisory authority to do this regarding future land uses. He thought if the Commission did not want to follow the rules, they should remove the provision they look at future land use. Mr. Commissioner Katz explained the difference between Planning and Development Board and the CRA Board is the Planning and Development Board is quasi - judicial. Attorney Cherof explained the quasi - judicial function would not apply with something as broad as this. Motion Mayor Grant passed the gavel and moved the Commission have an executive summary to the Planning and Development Board by this August at their meeting so they can have a recommendation for the first meeting of the hearing of the Consolidated CRA Plan. Commissioner Romelus seconded the motion. Commissioner Romelus added the City Commission is receiving accusations because they are trying to do exactly what the citizens ask for which was to allow for the public to speak to the different issues and that was why she was holding the Town Hall. She explained it was not to appease any developers or make someone feel they can go in one direction or not, it was to allow the public to speak directly to the developer and for the developers to speak directly to the public because there is a communication breakdown and it seems the City Commission and the CRA Board serve as the middle man. There are different connotations being thrown around. She thought the City Commission should entertain the idea of bringing it up to the Planning and Development Board if it would not delay the time frame or stall what the Commission is trying to implement in the City. It was another form of transparency to allow for the citizens to again give their input whether people feel like they are listening or not, and it had merit. Vote Vote motion failed 2 -3 (Vice Mayor McCray and Commissioners Casello and Katz dissenting.) B. Approve the request of Vice Mayor Mack McCray to distribute $1,000 of his Community Support Funds to the Suits for Seniors program, a non- profit organization. Motion Commissioner Casello moved to approve. Commissioner Romelus seconded the motion. 19 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 Vote The motion unanimously passed. 13. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD A. Reports -- None B. Pending Items 1. City Services Survey for the CRA C. New Assignments -- None 14. LEGAL - None 15. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS A. Interlocal Agreement between City of Boynton Beach and Ocean Ridge for Fire Rescue Services - TBD B. Monthly Departmental Presentations: Golf - August 2016 Development - September 2016 Fire - October 2016 Human Resources - November 2016 City Clerk - December 2016 Library - January 2017 Communications /Marketing - February 2017 C. 211 E. Ocean Avenue (MSPM 16 -005) (Heard by Planning & Development Board on July 26, 2016) - August 16, 2016 D. Comprehensive Plan's Coastal Management Element Text Amendments (CPTA 16 -001) (Heard by Planning and Development Board on July 26, 2016) - August 16, 2016. E. Review results from Employee Clinic RFP - August 16, 2016 F. Commission to discuss red Tight camera program and American Traffic Solutions contract. - August 16, 2016 20 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 G. City Commission at the July 19, 2016 meeting requested that legal review the outstanding legal issues that involve the District and update the City Commission -- TBD Commissioner Casello wanted statistics for the Red Light Camera program including the number of violations there were over the last couple of years, what the City pays monthly, the fees, what the costs are and the revenue for the next meeting. Mayor Grant wanted to know if it impacted the accident rates. Commissioner Katz commented on the Interlocal Agreement for Fire Rescue Services between the City and Ocean Ridge and advised a former Commissioner pointed out that fire services contracts with other municipalities tend to pay a lower rate than City residents. In lieu of the fact the City is potentially building a new fire station and added six new firefighters to ensure the City is providing the best and most comprehensive services, he thought whoever they contract for fire services should pay an amount equal to City residents. 16. ADJOURNMENT Motion Vice Mayor McCray moved to adjourn. Commissioner Romelus seconded the motion. Vote The motion unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m. (Continued on next page) 21 Meeting Minutes City Commission Boynton Beach, Florida August 2, 2016 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH /r / ,i Mayor - =n :, e e t)VP_ .. ,Adr Vice Mayor - M McCray Commissioner, Justin Katz ---- ilf-'- C mmissi• T er Christina Romelus tI Cthmmissioner - Joe Casello ATTEST r i J h A. Pyle, C I terim City Clerk dativuxt. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 22 02 May 2016 Home»IoES News » Buildings loom large in street-level air quality f Suzanne Paulson is always looking for way€ to help Los by David Angeles—and the world— Colgan Director of breathe a little easier. Communications. Hiking, writing, exploring and experiencing L.A. has made progress over the years. The L.A.'s renaissance. notorious smog that led filmmaker John Waters to remark, "Only in L.A. will you glimpse a green sun or a brown moon," has all but vanished. Cars are more efficient and gasoline burns cleaner—thanks to state regulations and research Join Our Mailing List from chemistry experts like UCLA's Paulson. "We Enter Email changed the gasoline and within a year the air got cleaner," Paulson said. "That's probably the closest thing we've ever had to a silver bullet." But even with those improvements, L.A. air quality Recent News ranks as the worst in the nation. The lifestyles of Bug banquet Metta World millions of people, sunny weather and basin Peace & UCLA geography are a perfect storm for pollution to students eat crickets July l , 2016 develop and stagnate. And every time scientists address one issue, others emerge. Los Angeles is a Paulson hasn't taken her eye off of the problem metropolitan, den for mountain lions which has serious health impacts for residents. July 13, 2016 • She's now looking at how buildings and streets " "" College kids: What will their can be engineered to improve air quality. lives he like? Julie 20i6 One way to improve air quality at street level is by getting vehicular emissions to disperse away from the ground. On that subject, Paulson recently co- authored a study—funded by the California Air Resources Board—to be published in the May edition of Science of the Total Environment. Its main findingMiot ,., .at' e in air qua "The built environment has a surprisingly large influence on concentrations of freshly-emitted pollutants at the sidewalk level," Paulson said. To reach that conclusion, researchers drove electric cars with instruments that measure ultrafine particles—pollutants 7,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. They also looked at video recordings, painstakingly counting vehicles to determine traffic flow. They focused on five different sites in the L.A. area: • Broadway and 7th Street in downtown L.A., which has rows of tall commercial buildings stacked close together; • Olive and 12th Street, which features an isolated, tall skyscraper surrounded by open spaces and low buildings; • Vermont Avenue and 7th Street, which has a tall skyscraper surrounded by buildings of varying height; • Wilshire Boulevard and Carondelet Street near MacArthur Park, which has a mixture of open space and moderately-sized buildings; and • Las Tunas Drive in Temple City, a low, flat residential area with single-family homes and a few small commercial buildings. From here, things get a little complicated. The researchers created a new measurement called "areal aspect ratio." It assigns a numerical value for how big and tall buildings are, how close together they are, the size of buildings' footprints and the amount of open space in the area. They used that measurement to evaluate each location in the morning and afternoon. 441Billial.clif-LS.U.LaiLy.‘torosiiikiipSireeitiv el pollution was higher at that time of day, with no winds to disperse it. Th'e-besterrtifrL57771757MTtai. lessas *19*Ni t.o4W44.35.1241 , the better_ In the afternoon, however, winds above street level become turbulent. That's good for dispersing pollutants—and buildings have a significant effect on how it happens. In particular, isolated tall buildings were effective. "A very tall building can channel that turbulence down and create more mixing," Paulson said. .aitutiAli•tii.ligwakiwatiP44651eQiiiiciagts were 'straiiitia.. cri4:464444rgoiof-taiLiattiLdings_witficwt ...5jaarsioalliorlrrTrithern-fthe downtown L.A. site is a good example),Street canyons prevent airraititornift, xirg and-Otow4441;le.big.b.t.ilti‘Maniaimm. .01poliutants:"'"1""`" The study recommends that planners consider making room for isolated, tall buildings and buildings of various heights and sizes. Open spaces help, too. Especially in the afternoon, these features play a "major role" in dispersing pollutants. Another of the study's recommendations focuses on traffic management. Keeping cars moving—a tall order in a city like L.A.—also reduces pollution at street level. "There are plenty of places in Los Angeles with a stop sign at almost every block," Paulson said. "Planners should consider whether all those signs are really necessary." The study is the first of its kind to take a comprehensive look at how various built environments affect air quality. lamiiiifta aFFICIdPnr c ^f haalth nroblemc lino acfhrn ni iticznn IMAGE: The view down Broadway from 8th Street in Downtown L.A. I Photo by Derek Lau. PREVIOUS NEXT> UCLA Institute of the Eryuiporrment and Sustainability• La Kretz Hall,Suite 300• Box 951496• Los"~ Angeles,CA 90095-1496 , _ s., JournaList's Resource Research on today's news topics CITIES, CLIMATE CHANGE, DEVELOPMENT, ECOLOGY Global forecasts of urban expansion to 2030 and impacts on biodiversity and carbon pools Tags: biodiversity, carbon, global warming, greenhouse gases I Last updated: September 21, 2013 According to the U.S. Census Bureau,the world's population reached 7 billion in , 2012, and is on track to add another ' F billion by 2030. As the global population "'"'""" ,:, k0, il M ft ;` _ swells,so do cities: According to a United ii ' " ' :; Nations report, more than half of the -r • 4 .' world's residents now live in urban areas .4.n ` „; _ and by 2050 more than 70% will. And as • ,'.,%L.,* �, - both the number of people and the area J. t� .'t « , ,, ,ice K .," ' '� ..;-'— of developed land on Earth increase, so Rocinha favela, Brazil (Wikimedia) does the potential for negative effects on the environment. A 2012 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,"Global Forecasts of Urban Expansion to 2030 and Direct Impacts on Biodiversity and Carbon Pools," looked at how the projected increase in urban area will affect the planet.The researchers, based at Yale University, Texas A&M and Boston University, begin the study by noting that traditionally cities were - extremely denseand expanded slowly as their population increased. However,"Today, urban areas around the world are expanding on average twice as fast than their populations,"in part because of the spread of low-density urban sprawl, be it suburbs in developed nations or shantytowns in the developing world. To better understand what the world of 2030 might look like if current population trends continue, the scholars used year 2000 data on global land cover and biodiversity, urban growth projections, and GDP forecasts to develop more than a thousand probabilistic forecasts. They focus on the negative environmental impact of urban sprawl on 34 biodiversity hotspots as well as the loss of natural carbon sequestration through deforestation. The study's findings include: • By 2030, approximately 5 billion of the world's 8 billion residents— more than 60% — will live in urbanized areas. • Nearly 6 million square kilometers of land could be converted to urban areas by the same year. Of this, 1.2 million square kilometers (20%) have a greater than 75% chance of being converted to urban uses."If all areas with hiah probability undergo urban land conversion, there will be a 185% increase in the global urban extent from circa 2000"—a near tripling. • The highest projected rate of urbanization is in Africa, up 590% from 2000 levels by 2030. "Expansion will be concentrated in five regions: The Nile River in Egypt, the coast of West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, the northern shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya and Uganda and extending into Rwanda and Burundi, the Kano region in northern Nigeria, and greater Addis Ababa, Ethiopia." • Almost half of the projected increase in global urban areas will occur in Asia."In China, urban expansion is forecasted to create a 1,800-km coastal urban corridor from Hangzhou to Shenyang. In India, urban expansion is forecasted to be clustered around seven state capital cities." • While the proportion of North Americans living in urban areas was already high in the year 2000 (78%), the amount of urban land cover is expected to nearly double by 2030. • "Less than 1% of all [biodiversity] hotspot areas were urbanized circa 2000. By 2030, new urban expansion will take up an additional 1.8% of all hotspot areas. Five biodiversity hotspots are forecasted to have the largest percentages of their areas to become urban: The Guinean forests of West Africa (7%), Japan (6%), the Caribbean Islands (4%), the Philippines (4%), and the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka (4%)." • "The highest rates of growth in urban area are forecasted to take place in regions that were relatively undisturbed by urban development circa 2000: The Eastern Afromontane, the Guinean Forests of West Africa, and the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka hotspots. Urban areas in these three hotspots are forecasted to increase by [approximately] 1,900%, 920%, and 900% over their 2000 levels, respectively." • If all areas with high probability become urban, the urban land cover in the biodiversity hotspots around the world will increase by more than 200% between 2000 and 2030, with substantial variations in the rate and amount of increase across individual hotspots." • In tropical regions with high probability of urban expansion, resulting biomass loss is estimated to be the equivalent of 1.38 billion tons of carbon by 2030. This is"equal to approximately 5% of emissions from tropical deforestation and land-use change."In addition, "the soil carbon losses associated with expanding impervious surface cover have the potential to reduce soil carbon pools by 66%." The researchers state:"Alth I i gregate fre ar P1�'Cl�i� er 43dabatim of-projected urba rmansir n will ifi lis -icha g - -affect futures. "at rowth trajectorie inimize globalybi lei n ag; ionxcar n_lasses-Ain particular, policies could focus on increasing growth and density within current cities rather than urbanizing new areas. Keywords: biodiversity, carbon, greenhouse gases, global warming, urbanization, density Writer: Leighton Walter Kille 1 September 21, 2013 Home Solar Energy Ditch Your Energy Bill.Contact Us for a Quote Today! ABOUT US CONTACT US SPONSOR A POST ADVERTISE E-MAIL SIGN UP LOCAL SOLAR DISCOUNTS GREEN LIVING AFFILIATES PROGRAM a,. 'green Flow much could S O 4 living switching to solar save you? Find out today) ideas r .t,.< „ r Back to Top t v ialt fAt ks,N w { rem!' Urban Air Pollution Increases � , '.4 ,. z . Blood Pressure Sponsored By: There are many aspects of city life that are stressful. From traffic to noise,urban residents encounter many situations each day that have the potential to raise their blood pressure. littoclien Even if you live a calm,meditative municipal life,the very air you breathe is enough to raise your blood pressure,according to a new study wh d , . --- ... INITOPMITRIPiiikipliiiiiiiiiimilaialliemelotowtatiOsessculawakesseisamigmaikagep eimoisaf,Barbaral4offmansoffaiiiiMiliaMimillyest autsbura.Esap Adve+-tisernents ' Major Find in Egyptian Desert Stuns a;, Biblical Scholars.Details Here - - I> Photo by ninahale Forget Needing A Gun The military recently released technology that .,,,,,,,;,,, ,44,4M4vu is now available to the public,Get yours ,,,;-,'..r,,,:%,,,:',,',, 4. before they run out-limited stock in the US Yr 1 1" S i -F + ,f E 7Cs `6y X5,1 n�f4.04 ,y U,' Read Merea> t d a R i� g t Yr l F c '"" t 7 zea ' ' ';� ' 'A�rvt�- i 4 e '�i'f�,es �YY� '�` ,yit�r� +�.y -- $ �, o^ t���� 'Y'�i"�r`�a "`x",ia`m'' R ��`�`yA 6 r 4 ? 1M tMrMM le t;r . S-t '� R,�V'"4� s a t o 'n q sir. s t' 5, i,�,y 4 ', � « s� x ,^ W: g,� X10 �, y t�, ' o . �5 qtr a � 'ms '::, r:,4',y ., "b._ . II.nt > ;- r -e .T.1r r _ 1111 ( 1 We tested this page and blocked content that comes from potentially dangerous or - - McAfee WebAdvisor View all blocked content suspicious sites.Allow this content only if you're sure it comes from safe sites. I VI\V LiVIPIL frPreVtOtourid ll1._Mn111111llution k bad for __ _.. .. 0077:7 ,.. . AmEro,tt00 _.._ eat. r,—I ke. LBu: ""'�' ' . ys leiwilMIPIMPIghis new study found the source of pollution that increased urban dweller's blood tE^ pressure ranged from car exhaust to factory fumes. Researchers included other factors,such c i 4 a: as"age,gender,smoking,weight and even local noise"in the data on 5000 people included in ; t 4M `" f ., 1 : � . P.- this ongoing stud People who live in urban areas tend to have higher blood pressure, according to a new study that pins the blame on arti-ulate air pollution... High blood pressure increases the risk for atherosclerosis, a Connect with its, hardening of the arteries, which leads to cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes. Previous work had shown that daily increases in air pollution can raise blood pressure, but little Get all the week's GLI news as known about long-term effects. in your tnbox ... "Our results might explain why people who live in more polluted e. areas are at a higher risk to suffer and die from these diseases," Hoffman said. ( J 2.9K people I e tins. Dr. o an warns,It is therefore necessary to further our attempts to prevent chronic exposure to high air pollution as much as possible." -- . _ _ . . - Unfortunately,the US Environrnential P.r..o action Agency has failed to protect public health in the past by "disregarding and misrepresenting recommendations from its staff scientists"regarding particulate matter". Home Solar Energy la ' Ditch Your Energy Bill.Contact Us for a Quote Today! Do you enjoy homes? Green Home , . Improvements.„, , Do it fora living! r , GreenLivingldeas is a top 20 home Green Franchise Opportunity improvement site,right up there with Bob Vila! r CLICK HERE ' Read the story here! • '° nt rt. POND HOME fr Adv~_�rttsernents OBAMA URGES I. How much money can a solar roof save you in your HOMEOWNERS TO PAY OFF THEIR state? HOUSE AT A Profit from your roof space:find local deals on solar FURIOUS PACE IF in your area,eliminate your power bill,and join the THEY HAVE NOT solar revolution. MISSED A PAYMENT IN 6 MONTHS -,k",.,, Your Zip Code If you owe less than $300,000 on Calculate My Savings± your home, use Obama's once in a lifetime mortgage relief program. The program is totally free and doesn't add any cost to Tags:air pollution,blood pressure,cardiovascular,health,heart disease,infant health, your refi. c) McAfee WebAdvisor We tested this page and blocked content that comes from potentially dangerous or Uew all blocked content suspicious sites.Allowthis content only if you're sure it comes from safe sites. About the Author 2016. You'll be shocked when you see how much you can save. + jenniter tante „+!la TAP YOUR AGE: TAP YOUR AGE TAP YOUR AGE TAP YOUR AGE *a,� "I* 18-25 26-35 36-45 16., ,. TAP YOUR AGE.TAP YOUR AGE TAP YOUR AGE 46-55 56-65 OVER 65 Related Posts Calculate New House Payment N.V.::0,t-:3i a r,.:.::-s:eoaixw..:,., ta,4•0M„dAC„m V Chapter 14 Effects of Population Density and Land Management on the Intensity of Urban Heat Islands: A Case Study on the City of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Ilham S. M. Elsayed Additional information is available at the end of the chapter http://dx.doi.org/10.577V47943 1. Introduction • • . • • •• .- the last two decades all over the globe rapid changes in technology and in the re-location of population from rural to urban areas have altered local natural environments beyond recognition, now the global environment is at risk. Most people would argue that changes in the location and concentration of commercial activities, especially in large cities, have produced the greatest visual impact on the built environment (Tamagno et al., 1990). In many developing countries, towns are expanding and an increasing proportion of the land is being taken up for urban land uses, replacing fields, farms, forests and open spacesogitstriweesiivolimbiasiiissmp inhabitants in the- '-"-•l- }--a (Shaharuddin, 1997). Urban settlements provide one of the best examples of change in human activities and perceptions. Residential areas are constantly undergoing modification and expansion into areas that were formally occupied by agriculture and the natural environment. Residential lands were reclaimed or will be reclaimed from the sea or swampland if the demand for land is sufficiently high. By 1950, approximately 30% of the world's population lived in urban areas. That number is now nearing 50%, with a current urban population estimated at 2.9 billion people. By the year 2030, the global population is predicted to rise by two billion (Streutker, 2003), a growth II4T E C H ©2012 Elsayed,licensee InTech.This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0),which permits unrestricted use, open science open minds distribution,and reproduction in any medium,provided the original work is properly cited. J 268 Application of Geographic Information Systems expected to occur almost entirely in urban areas. The increased capacity of the human race provokes adverse environmental change on a truly global scale, something to which urban populations make a major contribution. Atmospheric modifications through urbanization have been noted. Climatically (Sham, 1987), one obvious consequence of urbanization is the creation of the heat island. (Streutker, 2003) focused on one of the primary effects of urbanization on weather and climate, the urban heat island; he found that the urban temperature depends on population density. Several factors result in temperature difference between the urban and rural areas, stemming from changes in the thermal properties of surface materials to alterations of the topography and man activities in cities. Large urbanized regions have been shown to physically alter their climates in the form of elevated temperatures relative to rural areas at their periphery (Brain, 2001). The effect of metropolitan regions is not only confined to horizontal temperatures but also to those in the vertical direction with far-reaching consequences, studies have shown that the thermal influence of a large city commonly extends up to 200-300 m and even to 500 m and more(Sham, 1993). The study aims to study the level of urbanization in terms of population density and land management and its effect on the intensity of the urban heat island of the city of Kuala Lumpur. The measurements for level of urbanization vary from country to another. Usually, national procedures followed for such measurements based on specific criteria that may include any/ some/all of the following: ++'a. The concentration or size of populations. b. The process in which the in-migrltion of people to cities blends into an urban lifestyle. c. The process in whif%urban culture spreads to agricultural villages. d. The predominant type of economic activity. e. The development of urban areas and their urban characteristics such as specific services and facilities. f. The process in which the proportion of people living in an urban area increases. Of these definitions, the last one is the most quantitative. Therefore, for the purposes and limitations of this study, the last definition is used to defining and measuring the level of urbanization. Thus, the level of urbanization depends solely on density of population per acres and land use for the city. .e 2. Methodology The data related to the population density and land management of the city of Kuala Lumpur was gathered from Malaysian Governmental sources, specifically, from the City Hall of Kuala Lumpur. On the other hand, two major sources of data are used to study the UHI of the city. Effects of Population Density and Land Management on the Intensity of Urban Heat Islands:A Case Study on the City of Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia 279 4. Conclusion The effects of population density on the intensity of the urban heat island of the city of Kuala Lumpur could be concluded from Table 1,Figure 1 and Table 3 above which illustrate the changos in the population densities for KL and City centre in1980, 2000 &2004, anc``the intensity and location of the UHI of the city of Kuala Lumpur in 1985&2004 respectively. The study shows that, the population density of the city is proportional to the records of temperature taken during the survey. The population density of the city of KL has''been increasing from 670 in 1980 to 6085 in 2000 to 6429 in 2004. Consequently the intensity of the UHI of the cif!,increased from 4.0°C in 1985 to 5.5°C in 2004. Thus, there is a proportional relationship between the population density and the UHI of the city of KL. Therefore, the study concludes that, the UHI of the city of Kuala Lumpur is proportional to the population density of the city. Accordingly, the study concludes that,the population density affects the urban heat island of the city and contributes to the increase in the intensity of the urban heat Wand of the city of Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. n The study shows that, although the overall population density of the city increases, that of the city centre*decreases, while the nucleus of this UHI is the city centre. Therefore it is difficult to conclude4nat the intensity of the UHLis inversely proportional to the population density of the city centre. Nevertheless, it is possible to conclude that, the increase in the intensity of the UHI is not only related to the popul4tion density of the city centre, it is actually affected by other different factors and human activities. The study finds that, the commercial, road an11 rail reserves lands of the city is prolortional to the intensity of the UHI, while the open space and recreational, residential, institutional, and agricultural/ fishery/ forest lands is inversely proportional to the intensity of the UHI of the city. Therefore - - nt-, grin-TIMM'• '• • T- •. os a•e l e o a -- , • .. . . ithin the city of KL,Many optn areas are covered with blocks of • marble, granite or tiles. Although these are better than black tarmac, these areas-still absorb a?lot of heat in direct sunlight and release the heat at late afternoons, evenings and early nights.Again,the author recommends that,such open areas should be turned into green areas or even very small parks. Furthermore, trees should be planted to shade the hot tarmac of inner city roads like Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit...etc;or low level bushes planted along the covered drains in such areas.In addition to that, some roads and highways, which take up an increasing proportion of the urban area, should also be creatively designed to include green shade. The large masses of concrete in new flyovers that are continuously being built all over the city, capture and store large quantities of solar heat,should also take into consideration some plant cover, like overhanging creepers which can shield or block absorption of the heat and reduce the air temperature significantly. - - --- the very least along the 280 Application of Geographic Information Systems medians.The large masses of concrete in new flyovers continuously being built all over the city,which can capture and store large quantities of solar heat, should also take into consideration plant cover, like overhanging creepers which can shield or block sorption of the heat. Previous studies ([Eliasson, 1993; Sham, 1987, 1990/1991; Shashua, 2000) show that shade trees contribute significantly to temperature reduction, hence the reduction on the intensity of the UHI. Therefore, the author suggests that, urban car parks should comply with a minimum of 50%shade requirement by plantation of trees or/and low level bushes. centives and subsidies should be part of the long term planning. • Many commercial buildings, almost all (Ahmad, 2004) are having flat roofs in Malaysia either to accommodate air-conditioning equipment or water tanks, or for another purpos- - _ •• • •_ -- . - .. .16 . . - -• • • •• • • - • -_o _ As proven in previous studies;please check chapter 2 for more details. .. .. • situation and help significantly in reducing the intensity of the UHI of the city. Thereforriwwrlrtiiil� vroerams should be ri "ii"milat" the city of KL, and incentives and subsidies should be part of the long term planning for the city.Previous studies IEliasson, 1993;Sham, 1987, 1990/1991; Shashua, 2000 he results of this study confirm this theory;it shows that,the green areas are relatively low in temperature than the non-green areas. • Reduce summer solar radiation liy managing the land covered by critical surfaces, for example, pedestrian walks, waiting areas, and busy stree - - . •• . - - • - - - - - . ... . _ . . - - _ . . . • . .. . . . . • over and building dagirlibn. Author details Ilham S.M. Elsayed University of Dammam, College of Engineering, Saudi Arabia Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the financial support provided by Sudan University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Higher Education, Sudan, and the Centre for Built Environment,International Islamic University Malaysia,for field works and surveys. �s... Search for publications,researchers,or questions or Discover by join for free Q ( !..etas in Impact of Increasing Urban Density on Local Climate: Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Surface Energy Balance in Melbourne, Australia Article(PDF Available) in Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 46(4):477- 493 March 2007 with 347 Reads D 01:10.1175/j am 2462.1 1st Andrew Coutts y 2nd Jason Beringer 20.92 Monash University(Austra... 40.96•University of Western Aust... 3rd Nigel Tapper 37.231911) Monash University(Austra... Abstract Variations in urban surface characteristics are known to alter the local climate through modification of land surface processes that influence the surface energy balance and boundary layer and lead to distinct urban climates.In Melbourne,Australia,urban densities are planned to increase under a new strategic urban plan.Using the eddy covariance technique,this study aimed to determine the impact of increasing housing density on the surface energy balance and to investigate the relationship to Melbourne's local climate. Across four sites of increasing housing density and varying land surface characteristics (three urban and one rural),it was found that the partitioning of available energy was similar at all three urban sites.Bowen ratios were consistently greater than 1 throughout the year at the urban sites(often as high as 5)and were higher than the rural site(less than 1)because of reduced evapotranspiration.The greatest difference among sites was seen in urban heat storage,which was influenced by urban canopy complexity,albedo,and thermal admittance.Resulting daily surface temperatures were therefore different among the urban sites,yet differences in above-canopy daytime air temperatures were small because of similar energy partitioning and efficient mixing.However,greater nocturnal temperatures were observed with increasing density as a result of variations in heat storage release that are in part due to urban canyon morphology.Knowledge of the surface energy balance is imperative for urban planning schemes because there is a B UK R possibility for manipulation of land surface characteristics for improved urban climates. See all> See all> 128 Citations 54 References Share R=-ad ailxt i Ilt1 SellultlVfty cti t;llllctliLCU ced.UFdl,.y • 100 million publications of the maXis i! LC-MS/MS system • 2.5 million new publications each month provides total confidence in the • 10 million members accuracy of your protein's structural information Juin for fr e WOW Iktialls AMC,2007 COUTTS ET AL. 477 Impact of Increasing Urban Density on Local Climate: Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Surface Energy Balance in Melbourne, Australia ANDREW M. COUTTS, JASON BERINGER, AND NIGEL J. TAPPER School of Geography and Environmental Science,Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria,Australia (Manuscript received 23 September 2005,in final form 28 April 2006) ABSTRACT Variations in urban surface characteristics are known to alter the local climate through modification of land surface processes that influence the surface energy balance and boundary layer and lead to distinct urban climates. In Melbourne, Australia,urban densities are planned to increase under a new strategic urban plan.Using the eddy covariance technique,this study aimed to determine the impact of increasing housing density on the surface energy balance and to investigate the relationship to Melbourne's local climate.Across four sites of increasing housing density and varying land surface characteristics(three urban and one rural),it was found that the partitioning of available energy was similar at all three urban sites. Bowen ratios were consistently greater than 1 throughout the year at the urban sites(often as high as 5)and were higher than the rural site(less than 1)because of reduced evapotranspiration.The greatest difference among sites was seen in urban heat storage,which was influenced by urban canopy complexity,albedo,and thermal admittance.Resulting daily surface temperatures were therefore different among the urban sites, yet differences in above-canopy daytime air temperatures were small because of similar energy partitioning and efficient mixing.However,greater nocturnal temperatures were observed with increasing density as a result of variations in heat storage release that are in part due to urban canyon morphology.Knowledge of the surface energy balance is imperative for urban planning schemes because there is a possibility for manipulation of land surface characteristics for improved urban climates. 1. Introduction from the sky and/or increased absorption of shortwave radiation (depending on the pollutant), anthropogenic In 2003, 47% of the world's 6.3 billion inhabitants heating, reduced horizontal airflow due to increased were living in urban areas; in more developed coun- friction, absorption and retention of energy from solar tries,75% of the population (1.2 billion) lived in urban radiation due to canyon geometry, reduced longwave areas (Population Reference Bureau 2003).As increas- loss due to limited sky-view factor and redured evano- ing numbers of people make tl heart of the industrial and coma People who read this publication also read: tion will continue to grow. Alt( environment, resulting from th( Article:Mapping Environmental Inequalities Relevant for Health for the city and its artificial energy a Informing Urban Planning Interventions—A Case Study in the Ci... interact to form distinct urban cli Full-text Jul 2016•International Journal of E... 1995). These urban climates car rancina inrraacs.c in sir nnlhitinr See all) See all) Share '=w -•: -• 128 Citations 54 References o • a in net t +ins stir lam vny aaIU{7tn141N.tlu ax.t.utat.y nt the UHI are believed to include emissions of atmo- heating of the maXis II LC-MS/MS system n_ spheric pollutants that increase longwave radiation provides total confidence In the back et Melb accuracy of your protein's structural 6 million, inbrmation ar Corresponding author address: Andrew M. Coutts, School of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University, (Morris View Details et Wellington Rd.,Clayton,Victoria 3800,Australia. across t___ _.________-_ __ _-- _�___ __-- -._ o E-mail:amcoul@student.monash.edu.au a peak warming of 7.1°C in the central business district 490 JOURNAL OF APPLIED METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY VoL.UME46 . . _ ,—T 250 HiGN ��_— ,--T 250 Cr I.0* iii, 200 I$20I if iii?,i E 240 T trz " I i 150' l ?� 150 I i gi 100 X X 1 100 14 ,re% 1 is 1 c za tiNatei • *14 t1 arranesrtr4a-a1f4aa5n3> a tt4.,8,4 ...1 w 4aoad ; *ata 1 . tYi,-rS,T .Y1ESilCit Y-■ar See all> See all> 128 Citations 54 References Share ead full-tem Timnobt LOW <—� � •. 250 RURAL — � — — _ —• 260 4. • 200 TQx off j fi . S1 ON 1405 1 tea M'� �},A 111 t 150 lTt z 100 x i Z f100 4 ni A 0 i I =.m.seis. 11s.: !1,x.+r...r.t.ts$ ;�¢ (f r�¢{� t1 .. Evm t�ry -� � f 1X(� 1 '1q?I'.i29�9,0,_aY'x`s'La'.YS r`�'s@444-i1 .i �... :,,1 liitiith -50 1 a 0 200 400 800 800 1000 1200 1400 1800 1800 2000 2200 0 200 400 800 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 Time Tofte Fm.7. As in Fig.6,but for May 2004. at street level,where inhabitants will feel the difference tures at night, and aided the development of the UHI. (Svensson and Eliasson 2002).Therefore,an increase in Sakakibara (1996) found that the surface temperature density would result in decreased thermarcomfort and of an urban street floor cooled more slowly than a park- could have more serious health implications if coupled ing lot, because of the geometry of the urban area. In with heat waves and extreme temperature events. our study, surface radiative temperatures (Table 4) During the night,density-related patterns were more were modified primarily by the partitioning of energy pronounced,with surface temperatures increasing with into stSSrage and the subsequent release into the atmo- increasing densities.This was driven by the greater re- sphere at night(Fig. 5)and therefore supported higher lease of AQ5 and maintenance of positive QH into the surface temperatures at HIGH. evening (Fig. 6), which increased with increasing den- Introducing larger amounts of vegetation cover into sity as found by Christen and Vogt (2004)The slower suburban neighborhoods and increasing the albedo of rate of energy release at HIGH was like) to be asso- the surface to improve thermal comfort have often ciated with urban canyon differences of greater H:W been proposed in previous studies (Rosenfeld et al. and W:P ratios and a lower sky-view factor, at well as 1998). An increase in albedo and vegetation cover can the flux of QF. This pattern extends through to May generally reduce ground-level temperatures and would and also then extends into the day. Increasing within- be expected to improve thermal comfort as seen at canopy air temperatures would be expected with in- LOW in this study. However, during winter, the mor- creasing density because of changes in the morphology phology of the surface (H:W and W:P) was a more of the buildings. For example, Kusaka land Kimura important feature that requires further investigation,in (2004) found that higher-density sites decreased the particular addressing the modification of local climate sky-view factor, resulting in higher surfaceetempera- at street level. Across the sites we elfamined in Mel- APRIL 2007 COUTTS ET AL. 491 bourne, QE did not respond significantly to changes in ergy-saving strategies would be beneficial for reducing vegetation cover, although had unlimited irrigation summer anthropogenic heat flux; however, the in- rates been allowed differences may have become more creased relative contribution of QE in the winter is not pronounced and relationships may have become appar- likely to be seen as a negative impact.Althou ent between vegetation cover and QE, as seen in some compact city with high-density activity cent North American studies. plan for Melbourne and the increase in tote surfaces cannot be changed, these suggested 5. Conclusions could easily be incorporated into the planni work to improve local climates. Investigating current partitioning of energy into the The investigation of local-scale fluxes the surface energy balance and the resulting climates across eddy covariance technique gave a good ind See all See all> Share Read full-test 128 Citations 54 References 2030 vision. L .-resuhs Lraiwalii.galyaisugat lar interest for thermal comfort levels. To identify fur- ether the driving forces of urban climates through the 1 surface energy balance,temperature analysis within the urban canopy would be beneficial as well as further qmarabgAiiiiiiiiifiikalliadalmafifilmidilimiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiabut characterization of the urban canyon. The patterns of more so through increased built-up surface area (e.g., temperature and wind within the urban street canyons H:W ratio).4kis would raise urban,41111.144;4•18161114111.10- will be different from those above the canopy,and this raw' *vner t„rpc ita.ti i t., ...,F—ii1ismosOli- area of research needs further work.It is clear from the thos difference between the urban and rural sites that the thereby contradicting the potential range of surface energy partitioning and air goals of Melbourne 2030.The low evapotranspiration at temperatures is large and that urban dwellers will ex- all sites as a result of water restrictions led to high perience a range of climates across different areas of Bowen ratios during the summer months. A move to- the city. In this study, sites were chosen to represent ward a more compact city will extend the seasonal ex- areas of low-,medium-, and high-density housing. Be- posure to unfavorable climatic conditions,with warmer cause of the difficulty of finding a site in a truly high temperatures expected in the shoulder months on ei- density area, we likely underestimate the impact of a ther side of summer. In addition, diurnal exposure will high-density site. The impact of increased density also also increase with warmer temperatures continuing into assumes that densification follows current urban con- the evening,because of increasing built-up surface area figurations, and the impact could be amplified or re- (including walls) and increased storage. duced if alternate designs are considered.We were also lat,ain result f th Cndingg•kiirrIM I Ill'7'fil}I!!- unable to quantify the energy balance over the Mel- jr -'-t Mel- activitreeriOssmould benniniesithrough strobe- bourne CBD,which would likely display a distinct cli- such as reduciorftwillrailable energy by meows., mate itself. Coupled land surface—atmosphere modeling of the nimtar;.,' ._:---- se albederabie highest observed heat Melbourne region, incorporating the features of the storage at MEDIUM was driven by a lower albedo de- Melbourne 2030 plan and knowledge acquired from the spite a low H:W ratio,demonstrating that higher albe- observational results presented in this study,would be dos can be a significant option for reducing energy stor- useful to determine particularly vulnerable areas age.Also,itiliewirlliwation of roofs ap ga,r.lag ar artizity around Melbourne and to examine further the potential inirpntprc to inrrF.ig.,1 e.eyapoo th,rartinn and the 41. impact of the Melbourne 2030 key directions across the otnhliqhrirrit of y hia-‘;aaumeadisiagiiiiiivould help entire city.Indeed,if the modeling results were in good em er _ ow- agreement with above-canopy flux observations, ever,this option may a limited to the nighttime hours screen-level temperatures could be modeled with a in its effect because Melbourne now employs perma- large degree of confidence and climate impacts associ- nent water restrictions,and so natural evaporative cool- ated with increased urbanization and planning manage- ing from vegetation would be small without daytime ment directions could be assessed and recommenda- irrigatio ' • -on . save .ili- tions reported to the appropriate authorities. If it is ' y. allow greater prfll1llll1111.f possible to improve the urban planning directions by lirrivatinn and increase daAiiianpirEn- employing climatic strategies that work with the key • , Search for publications,researchers,or questions = • See all See all Join ResechGate to find the 43 Citations 141 References people and research you need to help your work. The Consequences of Living in High- O+million members Rise Buildings • 100+million publications 100k+research projects Article(PDF Available) in Architecture!Science Review 50{1):2-17 February Join for tree �w 2007 with ? 14 Reads D u l:10.37631asre.2007.5002 et Robert Gifford 3b.4•University of Victoria Abstract A full account of architectural science must include empirical findings about the social and psychological influences that buildings have on their occupants.Tall residential buildings can have a myriad of such effects.This review summarizes the results of research on the influences of high-rise buildings on residents'experiences of the building,satisfaction, preferences,social behavior,crime and fear of crime,children,mental health and suicide. Most conclusions are tempered by moderating factors,including residential socioeconomic status,neighborhood quality,parenting,gender,stage of life,indoor density,and the ability to choose a housing form.However,moderators aside,the literature suggests that high-rises are less satisfactory than of rer housing forms for mos pew , "it a1fhey are not op ima or c u ren, at social relations are more impersonal and help'g l behavior s ess t an in other ous ng orms,that crime an• ear of crime are greater,an rat they may!n ependently account for some suicides. Discover the world's research 10+million members • 100+million publications • 1 ook,research projects • Full-text(PDF Available from:Robert ciifrir',Apr 1 3,2014 • • 2 Architectural Science Review • Volume 50,Number 1,March 2007 Join ResearchGate to find the Modern,formal study of the social and psychological effects of The IssiK l��ernc b E !U¢or architecture may lit attributed to the Chicago school(c.g., Park, People?� +� t. 1925),whose members studied the social ecology of cities,which help your work. led to a number of sociningical studies of housing anti-community What is Bad About Mem? What is Good? (e.g.,Chapin, 1938; Isaacs, 1948;McClanahan, 1945). Research = 10+million members began to focus un the more personal ur psychological scale with High rises Imbii.Wilbeffideiddthif using many unpleasant uut- several seminal studies in the 1950s on housing in relation to social comes.Amon those examined in this paper arcfear;dissatisfaction, _ 'took +,r search oro cts behavior and mental health (e.g., Campelnian, 1951; Chapin, stress, behavior problems,wawa, poor socia) relations, reduced 1951;Pestittger, Schachter&Back, 1950;Kennedy, 1950;Wal- helpfulnessr 1<rd Join for free lace, 1956;Mint,Wilkley ie Tayback, 1956). reviews cor; for residents(e.g.,Angrist,1974;Cappon,1972;Conway,1977). 'Ile field then organized itself in the 1960s,moving from iso- At the soci etal level.they are accused of burden ing existi ng services laced studies to conferences un what was then called architectural and infrastructure,worsening tragic problems,and damaging the psychology at the University of Utah(1961 and 1966),books like character of neighbourhoods(Broy-er,2002). Robert Sommers Persanaiipdce.'Me behavioral bast;oftlesip(1967), special issues of journals,like that in the/ammo./of Social limes Hi h-rise residence.;evoke at least six fears�lhe fiast i,,that die (October, 1966),the Environmental Design Research Association resi ants themse vex,ai�(we one,nr a neighbour will fall or*um (first conference, 1969, cu-founded by the current editor of this oma g n window. Whenever us tragedy occurs, it receives journal),journals(EnvzrnnrreentoneiBekivior,begun in 1969),and much a attention,perhaps because the nightmare has come interest from sociologists(e.g., Michelson, 1970). true for someone. Second,perhaps paradoxically,some residents fear char the. era, • , ed inside . n a fire;it usually=takes In short,architectural science must be a social science as well as longer to reach the street front a high-rise dwelling than from a physical and technical science.In this regard,this paper focuses dwellings of a few storeys. Third, residents in places with active on the psychological, behavioral and interpersonal influences of tectonic plates worry about the entire err in ellen because of high-rise buildings. an earatl ynilke.Fourth,in the post-i.4cV'y,post-911 era,residents_ cannot help harbour' oat least a vta it fear t tat r ruildin• ABrirfHx tory of High-Rise.Buildings.Buildings.Buildings might be attac.e da,the sheer number of people who reside If the minimal definition of a high-rise is a building taller than in ebbe Big Residence means chat,in a sense,strangers share your three stnreys,then the history of high rises may be traced back to dwelling,at least the semi-public areas of it.This fear of strangers the pyramids of Egypt(about 48 storeys in height)and the Tower leads to fear of crime,a felt lack of social supeort and the absence of Babel. Genesis 11 in the Christian Bible briefly cells the story of communi a in he midst of man . Anon ous interaction in of the Tower of Babel.According to the account,before the tower visually screened areas within high rises creates the objective pos- was complete God decided that if humans could complete such a sibiliey of crime.This is more likely when outsiders can enter the tower,they could accomplish anything.That was not acceptable, building.The very fact that many high-rises have entrances with so God caused confusion among the people by cursing them with keys and guards proves that this fear exists, even if no strangers multiple languages(everyone had spoken die same language until manage to enter.Sixth,the sheer number ofieoplc in one build- then, and their tower-building success was attributed to this). ing may incre iso c TT: of becoming ill from communicable Then the people were dispersed, and apparently the tower was dis_t:ists scnuatcd y others.Air-and touch-borne fins and colds, deconstructed soon afterward. Sonic modern critics of high-rise f r example,spread more easily when many people share hallway building;may believe that God had the right idea about the hu- air,door handles and elevator buttons. man conceit involved in building tall buildings. Perhaps none of these fears is realistic.Perhaps they simply are People did not build tall structures again until the late 1600s, salient because so many people live so close together. and corn- apart from afew Romanapartment buildingsofsix orseven storeys municate their fears verbally or nonverbally. Perhaps, on a base and Europe's gothic cathedrals. Seventeenth-century Paris had rate or per capita basis,no mule negative outcomes occur among thousands of houses five to seven storeys tall(Laurens, 1954).Tall high-rise residents than among residents of any other form of buildings with iron skeletons began to be constructed in the 1860s housing.On the other hand,perhaps,there truly arc more nega- (Sundstrom, 1986);in 1885,a ten-storey bui]dingwas constructed tive outcomes,but they are caused by factors other th in Chicago by William Le Baron Jenney(Young, 1977),followed form.These extra-architectural moderators of negativ by Sullivan's Wainwright Building five years later. The rest is his- arecunsideredlatcr.First,this qutisdonmightbcncetori tory;millions now live in high-rise buildings. Why is it that so few writers(Jacobs, 1961,is a notable hypothesize that high-rise buildings will lead to positiz Thus,given the age nfnur species,living more than a few storeys for those who live in them? up is a very recent phenomenon.This tempts one to conclude that 4 Architectural Science Review Volume 50,Number 1,March 2.007 Join Reseal'chOate to find the In a fifth research design that can he very useful,but also has spatial tug e°Die pane• reensea ,than eerirtcsizc of disadvantages,researchers assess the progress of a group of resi- their unit ti nal it yew -. ortunat y,, mesti are dents over time,in a longitudinal design.This approach may be unanswere411107-i3 Ur work. used with any of the four previous designs,which is one reason Residential S ,,�pr, it can be less or more ideal. Longitudinal designs also have the i plii1jJ references in High-Rise advantage of assessing changes in the same group of residents,but Rrcilrlings 100+trillion publications disadvantages,too,such as not always being able to ensure that Satisfaction or(the lack of it)obviously is an important outcome 1 0Uit+r scare Protects any observed changes in the residents are caused by factors other of living in ones dweJiing,a tnodgn subsequent sections will show than the building. that it is no . i- Join tor free dents oflrig - - Ilts Probably no study of hie,i rises has been conductedmeets all of low-rise.dwellings' Of course,neither all high-rise residents nor are'iequif'cinentso a true cvperimenc,and therefore no absolutely _ all low-rise residents arc satisfied. Among high-rise residents, for ter am causa curs unions may c drawn.Many studies have slrurt- example,presumably must wealthy denizens of rail expensive apart- comings partcomings and a tewhave been mo •s of i cal research.Complaints moist buildings in desirable locations ate quite pleased with their about the adequacy of high-rise housing research have been aired high rises,and we know that many residents are miserably unhappy for the last 35 years(e.g.,Ceippon, 1972;Evans, Wells&Moeh, with their hrnken-down ghetto high-rise dwellings. Neverthelecs,is 1998;van Vliet, 1983). However,researchers are not entirely to there a difference,on average,nr in particular contexts? blame. To carry out a study of housing that meets standard criteria forscien tific hypothesis testing is verydiffi cult;often researchers are A number of studies report broad satisfaction with high-rise forced to use non-optimal research designs. On the other hand, apartments. For example,Jephcott(1971,p.48)reported that 90 when numerous imperfect studies reach similar conclusions, that %of the Glasgow residents in her study of multi-storey buildings c+o usion has the weight of replication behind it. Alternatively, were satisfied. Over 75'1'i of Singapore high-rise public housing when different methorasareemployed("triangulationofinethods") residents were satisfied,according to Bch and Tan(1975,p.226). and similar results arc found, conclusions based on those resultsThree studies have been conducted in Israel. One found two-thirds may be taken more seriously. This review occasionally will mute ofhigh rise residents were satisfied,although over 40%intended to which grade of research design a study employed,as a reminder move any-sway(Ginsberg&Churdiman,1984);anuther found drat that even published res_ardi does not always (in fact, can not) 85%of the women interviewed were satisfied with the building, meet the most rigorous standards. yet half were interested in moving,and only half of them would They choose a high-rise again(Landau,1999). The third reported that The Evidence: Findings, Conclusions and general satisfaction was high,but only a few wished to move away Interpretations (Troyer,2002). The latter study reported that willingness to reside in tall buildings increased with floor level. A study of eight high Experiencing the Dwelling rises in major U.S.cities found a high level of satisfaction among residents at all floor levels(Kira, 1997). Beton residents are satisfied or nor with a dwelling,they perceive or experience its features or quali cies, For example,a study ofdormi- Sceptics might point to a well-known social psychological torics found that residents of higher flouts experienced thrix moms, principle,cognitive dissonance(Fisting", 1957),in discounting which were all the same size,as larger(Sdriffcnbaurr,Brown,Perry, these results. Once a choice is made(where to live,for example), Shulak&Zauzola,1977). A similar investigation in another college if residents are not pleased after living there for some time,it may dormicory'complex founddilfe'rent experiences for men and women: be easier for them to change their mind(decide it is a good place the women found higher rooms more spacious,but the men found to live) than to change their residence(move),as a way to reduce higher moms less spacious(Mandel,Baron&Fisher, 1980). the discomfort of living in a place they do not like. Few studies have examined even such an obvious topic as Furthermore, some of the studies just cited investigated only the ways in which high-rises are perceived. However, one study high rises;it may he that residents of nearby low-rise or single-.fam- examined how silhouette drawings of high-rises were related to ily residences more(or less) satisfied, but without a comparison, pleasure and psychological arousal in viewers (Heath, Smith & we cannot know. For example,Kim's (1997)study showed that Lim, 2000). Visual complexity was the strongest predictor of residents of lower floors were no less satisfied than : pleasure and :uuusal. Surely, however, there is much more to upper flours,which is interesting in itself,but within die experiencing of a dwelling titan this. Presumably, high-rise cable group of low-rise residents,to conclude that hi buildings influence residents' moods, thinking, imagination, more or less satisfactory than low rises to their resid be incorrect. 1 In true experimental studies(often conducted in laboratories),partici Frantz;are assigned to different conditions truly nuldonily,by using a table Six studies that included buildings of different hcig