HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-29-2007
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
SUSTAINABILlTY AD HOC COMMITTEE
AUGUST 29, 2007
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
FPUA Building - 206 South 6th Street
MEMBERS: Eric Winterstein, Jim Sculley, J. Gellermann, Dr. Bobbie Conti, Don Santos,
Commissioner Joe Smith, Councilwoman Linda Bartz, Ed Lounds,
GUEST: Robert Cannellos
STAFF: Vanessa Bessey, Yvette Alger, Jennifer Evans, Sharon Woll?owicz, Carin
Smith
The minutes from the August 8, 2007 meeting were not approved. The committee
moved to approve at the next meeting.
Commissioner Joe Smith gave an overview of what St. Lucie County is doing to "go
green". He discussed energy efficiency, sustainability, etc. He discussed that we could
not invite developers to participate in sustainable practices if the County was not
"wall?ing the wall?" He noted that the Board of County Commissioners is committed
to this as is evidenced by the passing of two resolutions. He also noted that the CierI? of
the Courts building, the Special Needs Shelter, and the Emergency Operations Center
are all being constructed using green technologies.
Don Santos with the Treasure Coast Builders Association stated that he sat on the
Treasure Coast Sustainability Committee and that this group needed to I?now how
sustainability was being defined. Sustainability is not just about green building, it
involves a lot of other parameters such as protecting environmentally significant lands,
and social issues.
Councilwoman Linda Bartz informed the group that the Port St. Lucie City Council was
in the process of establishing "green" guidelines for the City.
The group had a lengthy discussion on LEED standards and it was suggested that the
group tal?e a lool? at the existing energy code and energy star criteria. Mr. Santos said
that these were already pretty strict.
Mr. Robert Cannellos addressed the group on different standards.
Mr. Santos stated that foll?s need to see a value in going green. As the costs associated
with going green decrease, more and more foll?s will consider.
Mr. Lounds asl?ed if we could require all commercial to be green? Mr. Santos
cautioned this and stated that builders and developers in communities that have
"green ordinances" that provide incentives for building green, don't believe that they
will actually receive the incentives.
Dr. Conti indicated that she thought the committee needed more time to become
educated and that guest speal?ers would be beneficial. She suggested field trips to
green building projects.
Commissioner Smith stated that he wanted to start with unincorporated St. Lucie
County.