Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Board

SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCY ADVISORY BOARD COUNCIL CHAMBERS 400 NW 73RD AVE. PLANTATION, FL 33317 MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Dr. Julie Long at 6:32 p.m. A Roll call was conducted by the clerk. A quorum was present. Present: Chair Dr. Julie Long, Ronald R. Eyma, Maria Oliva, Guithele Ruiz-Nicholas Absent: Dr. Mary Hope Schwoebel and Dr. Kate Peach Also Present: Assistant City Administrator Carole Morris and Councilmember Tim Fadgen Appointment of Chair/Vice Chair for 2024 Session Chair Long advised that the City Council rotates its Chair each year, and the Board could choose to do that or elect a Chair. She noted there were two (2) members missing, so the item could be tabled. The consensus was to move forward with the appointments. Mr. Eyma asked if there were any vacancies on the Board. Assistant City Administrator Morris advised that there is one (1) vacant position. Guithele Ruiz-Nicholas moved to reappoint Dr. Julie Long as Board Chair; seconded by Ronald Eyma. Motion passed: 4-0. Ronald Eyma moved to appoint Guithele Ruiz-Nicholas as Vice Chair; seconded by Dr. Julie Long. Motion passed: 4-0.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES December 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes Ronald Eyma moved to approve the December 12, 2023 meeting minutes as presented; seconded by Guithele Ruiz-Nicholas. Motion passed: 4-0. OLD BUSINESS 1. Discussion of Revised Green Business Application and Webpage Information Chair Long suggested the Board review each section of the webpage information provided. Mr. Eyma asked if there had been any changes since last discussion. Assistant City Administrator Morris advised the application had not changed, but the accompanying document was written by Ms. Ruiz-Nicholas between meetings. Ms. Ruiz-Nicholas explained she had provided the document because there was a wonderful, comprehensive application, and she felt there needed to be something to explain the objectives to businesses and make it appealing to them. Mr. Eyma commented that he believed the focus should be closer to home, talking about how Plantation needs to do its part rather than commenting on the country and the globe. Discussion continued. Chair Long asked if the City planned to provide marketing materials and support. Assistant City Administrator Morris stated there would be initial marketing, but she was not sure how much support the City would be able to provide for individual businesses filling out the application. She noted the intent of the website was to provide direction. Mr. Eyma suggested a table at the Farmers Market to promote the program. Discussion ensued regarding the logistics of attending City events. Councilmember Fadgen suggested coming up with an elevator pitch and canvassing businesses door-to-door. Discussion continued. Chair Long noted she had contacts with high school students that may be interested in canvassing. Ms. Oliva asked whether the Economic Development Department and Chamber of Commerce would be a good place to start. Councilmember recommended starting by targeting a small, targeted list of businesses and then growing from there.

Chair Long asked about the decals. Assistant City Administrator Morris stated a logo had been created, and decals would be given to approved businesses. She noted it is also on the application and would be on the website and certificate. Mr. Eyma asked what kind of enticements there were to get the logo. Assistant City Administrator Morris stated the initial intent was to create a recognition program, but that may be something to build toward. Ms. Ruiz-Nicholas commented that a directory of businesses that participate would also provide great exposure to those businesses. Assistant City Administrator Morris stated the City’s calendar is hugely popular and noted it may be an idea in the future to list green businesses on a page in the calendar. Chair Long asked about the timeline for rolling out the program. Assistant City Administrator Morris advised that the City has a lot of initiatives at the moment, so they have to compete for social media. She stated she hoped to have a mock-up of the website for the next meeting, and then the Board can discuss launching. Chair Long asked if they needed Council approval prior to launch. Assistant City Administrator Morris stated there is a workshop with Council on January 24 to provide the board chairs with an opportunity to identify what was accomplished in the last year and share the goals for the coming year. Discussion continued regarding the timeline and launching the program at Earth Day. 2. Sustainability Plan Chair Long advised that Dr. Schwoebel was going to report on this item, but she is ill. She discussed the initiatives of surrounding municipalities and noted the value of a sustainability plan as an educational tool and vision for the future. Mr. Eyma suggested using the items in other plans as bullet points but fleshing the plan out specific to Plantation’s needs and capabilities. Ms. Ruiz-Nicholas stated she was not comfortable with taking on a sustainability plan as an advisory board at this time, but there may be grant opportunities or intern opportunities that could be engaged to research best practices and educate the Board further. 3. Rock the Park - Environmental Event Chair Long reminded the Board that the Rock the Park Environmental Event was scheduled for March 1. She stated Dr. Peach had already advised that she would not be able to attend, but she had provided draft survey questions. She asked whether other Board members would be able to attend, and all were available.

Mr. Eyma stated a QR code is great, but there should also be an in-person questionnaire of five (5) to 10 questions to determine where people are. Discussion continued regarding the survey, including potential questions and an effort to keep it short. Chair Long invited ideas for what to do at the table. The Board discussed potential volunteers they had identified. Assistant City Administrator Morris advised that she would email the details of the event and setup times. OTHER BUSINESS/DISCUSSIONS 1. Discussion - Continuation of City Departmental Presentations Chair Long stated the Board had been hosting presentations from City departments and asked if they wanted to continue. She noted she would like to hear from Planning and Zoning. Mr. Eyma reviewed the past presentations, and stated Community Development and Engineering would be good to hear from, and pointed out Human Resources and Finance would also have a big influence on green initiatives. Chair Long commented that Parks and Recreation had done an excellent job of highlighting sustainable practices in their department and asked that this suggestion be passed on to future presenters. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: 7:26 p.m.