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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01-29-2008 ST. LUCIE COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY AD HOC COMMITTEE January 28, 2008 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Oxbow Eco-Center MEMBERS: Eric Winterstein, J. Gellermann, Dr. Bobbie Conti, Robert Tabor, Jim Sculley, Doug Coward, Allen Gilbert, Leon Camarda, Nick Blount, Donna Rhoden (alternate for Jesus Merejo) SLC STAFF: Lee Ann Lowery, Sandra Bogan, Yvette Alger The meeting was called to order at 3:30pm. The minutes from the December 11, 2007 meeting were unanimously approved. Three new members, Allen Gilbert, Leon Camarda and Nick Blount introduced themselves to the committee. JP Gellerman discussed a proposed means of focusing the committee’s efforts for 2008, which includes selecting three or four priority issues and inviting expert guest speakers to meetings to help further educate the group so they can give guidance and make recommendations. Mr. Tabor stated that he felt that many members on the committee may already have expertise in a lot of the areas that the group is interested in and requested that the committee members be given an opportunity to share their knowledge of these topics, including any green practices their representative companies/municipalities may be practicing or considering. Mr. Winterstein shared some of the practices FPUA is pursuing, including xeriscaping, waterless urinals, hybrid fleet vehicles, and other conservation measures. JP presented the group with a preliminary list of broad topics that included: ?? Green Building Technologies and Standards (LEED, FGBC, EnergyStar, etc.) ?? Clean Energy Production – (alternative clean energy sources such as solar, biomass, wind) ?? Waste Management (conservation, recycling, re-use, community outreach) ?? Water Conservation/Water Quality/Water Management/Alternative Water Sources ?? Erosion (beach and river) ?? Energy Conservation (ways government, business, and private residences can reduce energy use) ?? Alternative Fuels for transportation/Flex-cars/Mass Transit/Alternative Transit (bike, walk) ?? Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases/Climate Change The committee added Brownfields reclamation as an additional priority topic. They also discussed adding environmental land preservation to the list of topics, but agreed that this topic was already being covered by other committees including the Smart Growth and Environmental Advisory Committees. Commissioner Coward recommended that the group give consideration to the final report of the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast. The group agreed that this report would be a valuable tool in identifying potential strategies/action steps for addressing the priority topics. Mr. Winterstein (FPUA) asked what the Committee and the County could do to make progress on the topic of Clean Energy. He asked whether this would be better covered by the Utility companies themselves. Ms. Lowery responded that the guest speakers brought in could serve as an educational resource not only for the committee, but county and city governments, businesses and the general community on issues surrounding different alternative energy sources. Commissioner Coward added that the Committee could provide guidance to the Board of County Commissioners on the costs/benefits of different energy sources and help to determine which of these sources would be best for our County; this would represent more of a proactive approach to addressing energy issues. The group then voted on the list of topics. The top four issues were as follows: ??Green Building Technologies and Standards; ??Waste Management; ??Water Conservation/Water Quality/Water Management/Alternative Water Sources; and ??Energy Conservation. From this list, the group then voted for Green Building Technologies and Standards to be the first issue they will address. After the vote, Mr. Tabor raised the concern that although it did not come through as a top priority, he felt that alternative energy, particularly alternative vehicle fuel sources, should be addressed by the Committee. However, the group agreed to stand by the prioritization determined via the voting process. rd Ms. Bogan informed the group that her survey of members’ meeting day preferences led to the 3 Monday of the month at 3:30 as the most preferred meeting day/time. Future meetings are to be rd held in the 3 Floor Conference Room in the County Administration Building. Allen Gilbert and Leon Camarda were identified as resident experts for the February meeting who could give presentations and assist the group in determining the next steps on the path toward providing informed recommendations regarding Green Building Technologies and Standards. Ms. Bogan gave an update of the Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green Local Government Certification. On January 8, the Board of County Commissioners approved the Committee’s recommendation for the County to pursue green certification. The application was submitted to the FGBC in late January. The next step will involve County staff meetings with the various Department Directors in order to inventory existing green practices and identify potential new practices. She told the group that County staff would provide the Committee with regular updates on progress toward this certification. Ms. Bogan informed the group that St. Lucie County is initiating a Change a Light Campaign in our area. This is an Energy Star campaign that encourages citizens to take a pledge on-line that they will change at least one light in their home or business to an energy efficient bulb. The County is interested in partnering with others to help drive this campaign, and contribute toward bulb purchases that can be given away at community events, including Oxbow’s upcoming Earth Day th Festival on April 19. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm.