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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12-11-2007 ST. LUCIE COUNTY SUSTAINABILlTY AD HOC COMMITTEE December 11, 2007 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM OxBow Eco-Center MEMBERS: Eric Winterstein, J. Gellermann, Dr. Bobbie Conti, Councilwoman Linda Bartz, Robert Tabor, Jesus Merejo, Jim Sculley, Doug Coward ST AFF: Sandra Bogan, Yvette Alger I The minutes from the August 8 and 29, 2007 meetings were approved. J.P. Gellerman was elected as the new committee chairperson. The main purpose of the meeting was to determine whether or not the group would Iil:?e to recommend to the BOCC that the County apply for certification through the FL Green Building Coalition's Green Local Government program. If the BOCC elects to enroll the County in the certification process by paying the initial $500 pre-application fee in early January 2008, the current certification fee of $4,500 can be locl:?ed in. After early January, the FGBC will be raising their fees to almost double the 2007 rates. The group discussed the benefits and costs, rationale, and needs for obtaining this certification: Costs/Needs . Involves expenditure of a total of $4,500 at a time when the county is facing severe budget cut-bacl:?s. Green practices/technologies could be implemented without formally seel:?ing certification. . More information is needed from County Departments regarding existing green practices/technologies and the feasibility of incorporating new programs within the coming year. Benefits . Provides a way to objectively and quantifiably demonstrate our County's commitment to sustainability. . Demonstrates to the development community and to the County's residents that sustainability is important to our County's future. . Offers tools for promoting sustainability, including sample ordinance language and sustainability incentives/programs. These resources save County staff time by providing at least some of the bacl:?ground research for our consideration. . Many of the standards (Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, LEED, etc.) included within the certification are those which the County has been encouraging the development community to begin adopting. . As part of really demonstrating progress toward sustainability, the County would benefit from some benchmarl:?s, which are provided by certification. If we as a County government align ourselves with these quantifiable objective benchmarl:?s, it promotes similar benchmarl:?ing amongst developers. . The cost of applying for certification may be offset by the cost-savings generated through incorporation of resource-saving practices/equipment. Funding for certification was discussed in detail. The committee suggested that funding may be available through a grant program, through the Chamber of Commerce, or another agency/program. Initially, a pre-application fee of $500 would be the only requirement; the additional funding could come after County Departments have been able to determine the feasibility of obtaining certification. The group also discussed committee worl:?load and priorities. There was a concern that certification may tal:?e precedence over other important committee functions. Generally, the group agreed that much of the certification process, if implemented, would be conducted by individual County Departments. The committee's other functions, including worl:? on the Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report and Land Development Code, could occur in concert with the County's certification process. Most sustainability Land Development and Comprehensive Plan changes would contribute credits toward certification. Commissioner Coward discussed another potential Committee function, which would be to provide input to the BOCC on different potential future energy sources. Commissioner Coward indicated that with the move toward Green technologies, several new power sources are being promoted as Green alternatives. More research is needed to determine how "green" these technologies would actually be, and whether or not any guidelines would be important in terms of defining appropriate locations, sizes, etc. for these facilities. No formal motions or course of action was defined by committee members at the time. Overall, the Committee agreed that the benefits of obtaining the FGBC certification outweighed the costs/risl:?s. Two motions were made, seconded and passed unanimously: 1) The BOCC should initiate the process of Florida Green Building Coalition Green Local Government Certification. 2) The BOCC should direct County Department heads to evaluate where they currently stand with regard to implementation of the green practices outlined in the FGBC certification document and utilizing the evaluation tool. Which practices have already been adopted, and which could readily be adopted in the coming year? Action Items: . Distribute summary of EAR scoping meeting public input from SLC Consultant (Consultant to have summary prepared by 12/14) - Staff . Place Comprehensive Plan on County website, and provide committee members with weblinl:? - Staff . Prepare two motions as agenda item for BOCC January 8, 2007 mtg - Staff