Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Board

SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCY ADVISORY BOARD COUNCIL CHAMBERS 400 NW 73RD AVE. PLANTATION, FL 33317 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Dr. Julie Long at 6:30 p.m. Roll call was conducted by the clerk. A quorum was present. Present: Chair Dr. Julie Long, Ronald R. Eyma, Maria Oliva (at 6:34 p.m.), Dr. Kate Peach, and Vice Chair Dr. Mary Hope Schwoebel Also Present: Assistant City Administrator Carole Morris; Utilities Director Danny Pollio; and Councilmember Tim Fadgen Maria Oliva joined the meeting at 6:34 p.m. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES July 10, 2023 Meeting Minutes Dr. Mary Hope Schwoebel moved to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2023, meeting as presented; seconded by Dr. Kate Peach. Motion passed: 4-0. 2023-07-10 SRAB Minutes.pdf NEW BUSINESS 1. Presentation - Danny Pollio, Director of Utilities Danny Pollio, Director of Utilities, introduced himself and provided a presentation regarding the City of Plantation Utilities Department with a focus on water, including an overview of operations and services, regulations, day-to-day challenges, cooperation with other municipalities, ongoing maintenance and programs, and utilities financial planning, as well as conservation, sustainability, and resiliency initiatives. He noted he would return the following month to discuss sewer topics.

A question-and-answer period ensued. Board members asked about educating the public on the high quality and safety of the water in Plantation, PFAS testing, water infrastructure, building codes, community outreach, and incorporating sustainability into procurement processes. Director of Utilities Pollio responded. Dr. Peach asked whether the City offers water plant tours. Discussion ensued regarding education outreach targeted at students and young adults. Councilmember Fadgen spoke briefly to highlight topics from Mr. Pollio’s presentation, including the fiscally responsible way in which the Water Fund is operated, and noted the Utilities Department is a shining star in the City. He suggested a demonstration at Earth Day or another event showing the testing of bottled water against Plantation municipal water. OLD BUSINESS 1. Sustainability and Resiliency Priorities from City Departments. Chair Long shared that she had asked whether the City has a Sustainability Plan, and been advised they do not. She stated it was great that the City is incorporating resiliency into each of its departments, but the Board does not know what is being done or how it can assist and amplify the message. Assistant City Administrator Carole Morris noted that presentations from the departments were scheduled through the end of the year. She confirmed that there was not a Sustainability Plan, though there was a Budget Plan and a Strategic Plan which the City was in the process of finalizing. She noted the Comprehensive Plan was also in process, with plans to finish it early next year. Chair Long asked for clarification on the Comprehensive Plan and the Strategic Plan. Assistant City Administrator Morris explained the contents of the plans, as well as the process for adoption and revision. Councilmember Fadgen provided additional detail. Poster.pdf 2. Draft Green Business Certification Program - FOR DISCUSSION Assistant City Administrator Morris provided a draft application for the Green Business Certification Program. She noted two (2) Tri-County area cities (Boynton Beach and Delray Beach) had gone forward with the program, and both had faced issues with participation. She stated she had spoken with the director of one (1) program, and he believed participation was low because the program was too complicated. Continuing, Assistant City Administrator Morris stated in addition to the two (2) local cities, she had also spoken with a few out-of-state program administrators. She suggested starting with restaurants and bars and noted staff had come up with a sample window cling for participants to display. She noted there were details remaining to flesh out.

Dr. Schwoebel suggested the item be placed on the October agenda, and Board members spend time reviewing the draft prior to the meeting. Maria Oliva asked about implementation and communication with the businesses. Assistant City Administrator Morris stated those were details remaining to be worked out, but it might include a form on the City website, a social media campaign, and reaching out to the Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Fadgen shared his ideas for the program, including a window cling and sign for near the register with a QR code to learn more about the criteria. He asked if a modest application fee had been considered, as an economic commitment might be compelling. Discussion continued regarding ideas, including a badge for the business’ website and potential expansion to include tiered participation in the future. Draft Application.pdf 3. Items carried over from prior meetings for discussion: • Assistant City Administrator Carole Morris • National Wildlife Designation Item addressed prior to Item 2. • Education Event for Spring 2024 Chair Long asked for an update on the previous discussion regarding holding an education event in Spring 2024. Assistant City Administrator Morris explained she had spoken with the Parks and Recreation Department regarding the idea, and they suggested something like a speaker series leading up to Earth Day. She noted a variety of sites could be utilized. Discussion ensued briefly regarding the locations. Dr. Schwoebel asserted it might be difficult to plan a spring event within the constraints of the regular meetings and suggested a sub-committee. Assistant City Administrator Morris explained sub-committee meetings would need to be public. Discussion ensued regarding the logistics of creating a sub-committee and planning an event. Councilmember Fadgen commented that he would prefer to see the Board come up with a plan to hold its discussions inside the scheduled meetings rather than creating sub-committees. Dr. Long proposed the Board determine which months the regular meeting would be dedicated to creating a spring educational activity, rather than creating a sub-committee. Assistant City Administrator Morris stated she had speakers lined up through the end of the year, but they could be rearranged or shifted as needed. She noted Parks and Recreation was scheduled for November, and that may be a good nexus for discussing the event.

Dr. Schwoebel expressed concern that the Board’s role is less public education, and more advisory to the Council, and planning educational events during the meetings might take up too much time at the regular meetings. She asserted that sub-committees would allow the Board to work on multiple fronts at the same time. Consensus was to move forward with plans to host a presentation in October from Director of Utilities Pollio on the topic of sewers. Assistant City Administrator Morris suggested Board members gather ideas for speakers and topics for the spring event. • Ron Eyma’s Matters of Interest • Inflation Reduction Act Grant Availability • Upcoming Presentations by City Departments o October – Sewer o November – Parks and Recreation o December – Engineering • Trash and Solid Waste Interlocal Agreement • Public Education • Meeting Dates/Times Chair Long stated the list of Old Business items was getting lengthy, and there was not time to discuss all of them. She suggested some items may need to be moved to the back burner. OTHER BUSINESS/DISCUSSIONS 1. Discussion – Partnering with Education Advisory Board on School Recycling Contest Assistant City Manager Morris shared a proposal to collaborate with the Education Advisory Board to launch a recycling poster contest. She provided a brief overview of the issue of contamination in recycling and the need to educate residents on how to recycle properly to keep recycling from being sent to the landfill. She noted other types of contests which might be useful and suggested starting with an elementary school program that included recognition at a Council meeting for the winners. Mr. Eyma shared a story about his daughter starting a recycling program in his home. Chair Long stated she liked the idea and appreciated it being brought to the Board. She encouraged Board members to bring ideas to the next meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: 8:05 p.m. The next meeting of the SRAB will be October 9, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.