Sustainability District Meeting (2024-10-15)

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Sustainability District Meeting October 15, 2024 Convened: 9:03 AM Adjourned: 9:11 AM 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 9:03 AM by Chair Jamie Fowler, District No. 4. Present Commissioner Cathy Townsend District 5, Commissioner Linda Bartz District 3, Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky District 1, Commissioner Larry Leet District 2, Commissioner Jamie Fowler District 4 Also Present Dan McIntyre, County Attorney George Landry, County Administrator Mayte Santamaria, Deputy County Administrator Jason Davis, Deputy County Administrator John Ferguson, St. Lucie County 4-H Agent Benjamin Balcer, Planning & Development Services Director Tahir Curry, Planning & Development Services Associate Planner Thad Crowe, Planning & Development Services Senior Planner Patrick Dayan, Public Works Director Aimee Cooper, Environmental Regulations Manager Brian Ingram, Environmental Planner Barbara Guettler, MSBU Coordinator Kori Benton, Planning & Development Services Planning Manager Katrina Slay, Executive Aide to County Administration/Agenda Coordinator Sydney Halleran, Agenda Coordinator Vera Smith, Deputy Clerk Recording Secretary 2. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Fowler opened the meeting for public comment at this time. With no one wishing to address the Board, Chair Fowler closed public comment. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. PUBLIC WORKS 1. Energy Special Assessment District Barbara Guettler, MSBU Coordinator, presented this item to the Board. One of the funding methods available for energy conservation and renewable energy improvements is to levy non-ad

Sustainability District Meeting Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:01 AM 2 | P a g e valorem special assessments on those properties that derive a direct benefit from the improvements. This assessment is based on benefits and collected with property taxes using the uniform method pursuant to Section 197.3632, of the Florida Statutes. To preserve this collection option, the Board must adopt a resolution expressing its intent to use the uniform method commencing in November 2025. The resolution must be considered at a duly advertised public hearing held before January 1, 2025. The resolution does not in any way obligate the County to levy special assessments; rather, it simply satisfies the legal requirement, preserving the County’s option to use the uniform method of collecting if special assessments are levied. Staff recommended the Board adopt the Energy Special Assessment District (SAD), notice of intent resolution, and authorization for the chair to documents as approved by the County Attorney. Chair Fowler opened the hearing for public comment at this time. The following people addressed the Board. • Chris Peterson (Fortify) • Mark Shuffle (Wyatt Green Energy Fund) With no one else wishing to address the Board, Chair Fowler closed the public hearing. Commissioner Dzadovsky addressed the challenges in St. Lucie County as a leader in PACE efforts with the solar energy loan fund. As part of that, the County created the highest level of consumer protection. He advised that while there are new consumer protections, he highlighted the importance of maintaining higher consumer protection standards within the state's limited consumer protection elements. He is aware that there are bad actors across the country, which should be considered when selecting a full-service provider in the PACE sector. He advised it is the County’s responsibility to protect the citizens for consumer protection, to ensure individuals can afford necessary services while protecting their interests. Some companies in the past have provided homes with doors, windows, air conditioning, solar panels, and reinforced roofs, which resulted in improvements exceeding the value of the homes and the financial capacity of the individuals living in them. He believes community members should advocate for these improvements while ensuring stronger consumer protection and vetting presenting companies. Chair Fowler, agreed. The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this item. A motion was made to approve staff recommendations, and it passed unanimously. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commissioner District 3 Linda Bartz SECONDER: Commissioner District 5 Cathy Townsend AYES: Cathy Townsend, Linda Bartz, Chris Dzadovsky, Larry Leet, Jamie Fowler NAYS: None EXCUSED: None

Sustainability District Meeting Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:01 AM 3 | P a g e 4. REGULAR AGENDA A. COUNTY ATTORNEY 1. Permission to Advertise - Request for Applications - Program Administrator Services - Property Assessment Clean Energy (PACE) Daniel McIntyre, County Attorney, presented this item to the Board. The proposal is to grant permission to advertise and request applications for PACE program administrator services. In 2010 the County created the Sustainability District and established an Energy Financing Program which offers qualified owners of real property an opportunity to acquire qualifying improvements and repay the costs through a PACE Project and finance agreements. Revenue bonds were issued in 2010, and they were validated through a final judgment dated November 30, 2010. At the Board's September 10, 2024, informal meeting, the Board discussed the newly enacted state law Chapter 2024-273 also known as Senate Bill 770. During the meeting, the Board provided general directions to staff to develop a proposed competitive process for PACE providers for the Board to consider at a regularly scheduled meeting. The application request has been provided to the Board with the draft being based on a similar request prepared by the City of Cape Coral. The draft has been updated to reflect the new state law and includes suggested revisions from County staff and the County's special assessment bond counsel. Additional consumer protections for PACE funding were adopted in August of 2023. Staff recommended that the Board grant permission to advertise the Request for Applications. Chair Townsend asked for clarification on accepting applications and vetting companies. In response, Mr. McIntyre confirmed that the process will involve accepting applications from all interested parties and vetting them through the Board. Commissioner Dzadovsky commented, reiterating his previous statement from item 3. A.1. for the record. The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this item. A motion was made to approve staff recommendations, and it passed unanimously. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commissioner District 3 Linda Bartz SECONDER: Commissioner District 2 Larry Leet AYES: Cathy Townsend, Linda Bartz, Chris Dzadovsky, Larry Leet, Jamie Fowler NAYS: None EXCUSED: None 5. MOTION TO ADJOURN With no other information to be brought for consideration before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:11 AM.

Sustainability District Meeting Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:01 AM 4 | P a g e Please note: Final minutes are recorded in the official minute books filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller available for inspection upon request.