Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Board

SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCY ADVISORY BOARD COUNCIL CHAMBERS 400 NW 73RD AVE. PLANTATION, FL 33317 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Dr. Julie Long at 6:35 p.m. Roll call was conducted by the clerk. A quorum was present. Present: Chair Dr. Julie Long, Ronald R. Eyma, Maria Oliva, Dr. Kate Peach, Guithele Ruiz-Nicholas, Dr. Mary Hope Schwoebel, and Joseph Winn Also Present: Assistant City Administrator Carole Morris and South Plantation High School representatives Misha Khan and Lilly Overstreet APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES January 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes Dr. Peach noted she had missed the meeting and asked for clarification on a reference to the Farmers Market. Mr. Eyma explained. Guithele Ruiz-Nicholas moved to approve the January 22, 2024 meeting minutes as presented; seconded by Ronald Eyma. Motion passed: 7-0. New Board member Joseph Winn introduced himself briefly. NEW BUSINESS Food Waste Prevention Week Chair Long introduced South Plantation High School Seniors Misha Khan and Lilly Overstreet. Ms. Khan and Ms. Overstreet made a presentation regarding their project related to food waste

and encouraged the City to recognize Food Waste Prevention Week, as well as to share its position on the issue. Chair Long shared brief background on Food Waste Prevention Week, which runs from April 1 through April 7, 2024. She noted there is a toolkit and things to do on the program website, and asked if the City would consider a resolution. Assistant City Administrator Carole Morris advised it would typically be a proclamation and outlined the process briefly. Chair Long asked if South Plantation High School has a table for unopened food. Ms. Khan and Ms. Overstreet explained the effort to implement a food share table. Dr. Schwoebel asked if food waste was addressed in the Green Business program. Assistant City Administrator Morris stated there are questions about waste on the application. She noted that food waste is an item in the Broward County Solid Waste scope of work. Mr. Winn asked if the students had found specific items were being wasted, and asked if they were keeping an inventory that could be translated to financial costs. The students explained, and the discussion continued. Chair Long invited the students to participate in the Rock the Park Environmental Event. Dr. Schwoebel moved to recommend the City Council make a resolution regarding Food Waste Prevention Week; seconded by Guithele Ruiz-Nicholas. Motion passed: 7-0. OLD BUSINESS Sustainability Plan - Dr. Mary Hope Schwoebel Dr. Schwoebel provided an update on her progress on the sustainability plan. She asked that the item be placed on the agenda for the next meeting to discuss a proposed process for breaking down and moving through the individual items in the plan. She stated she would provide an outline shortly. Chair Long suggested Board members review plans from other municipalities to get ideas. Earth Day - Saturday, April 20th Chair Long reviewed the previous discussion on Earth Day, including a survey both written and by QR code. Dr. Peach stated she thought the intent of the survey at Rock the Park was to home in on what the group should share at the Earth Day event. Discussion continued as to ways the data could be utilized.

Rock the Park Event - March 1, 2024 Chair Long outlined plans for the event briefly. Assistant City Administrator Morris provided logistical details. Discussion ensued regarding the survey, the location, and who would be attending. The Board reviewed and discussed the survey questions. Mr. Winn commented that the important question to ask as a Board was why they are asking the public these questions, what they aim to gain from it, and what they plan to do with the information. Discussion continued. Assistant City Administrator Morris stated she would send a draft survey for review via email. Discussion continued regarding the questions. Green Business Certification Program - continued discussion Assistant City Administrator Morris demonstrated the Green Business Certification Program section of the City website and discussed ideas for implementation of the program and for the future, including a map and directory. She discussed the timeline briefly and noted the Board may want to think about businesses to approach in the initial outreach effort. Discussion continued regarding tree giveaways, the Monarch Butterfly Pledge, and public information related to Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS). Ms. Ruiz-Nicholas stated she loved what had been done with the website. She suggested a launch at a business or other location, perhaps with a reception to encourage businesses to participate. She commented that someone should speak about the program at Earth Day. Assistant City Administrator Morris advised that the City had not hosted speakers at Earth Day in the past because the outdoor, park experience is not especially conducive to it. She noted she and a former employee had discussed a speaker series or a video series. Discussion continued regarding topics and the potential to tour solid waste and recycling facilities. Assistant City Administrator Morris provided a brief update on the Broward County Solid Waste Authority. OTHER BUSINESS/DISCUSSIONS Chair Long updated the Board on upcoming events, including Water Mater Days on March 16, as well as the Sierra Club Earth Day event and trash art contest. Mr. Winn shared regarding his academic and business background, specifically his experience helping to create green business programs. He noted he would like to take part in the process. Discussion ensued regarding tap water versus bottled water, including taste, testing, and public perception. Discussion continued regarding the limitations of public meetings via Zoom.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: 8:07 p.m.