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Res 71-07~~ RESOLUTION NO. 71-07 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, TO PURSUE MEASURES TO BECOME A "GREEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT" THROUGH IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE, USING CRITERIA AND STANDARDS DEVELOPED BY THE FLORIDA GREEN BUILDING COALITION, AND ENCOURAGING THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT THE GREEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM. WHEREAS, the City of Delray Beach, recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship in a variety of media, including energy, water, air, land and waste; and WHEREAS, successful environmental stewazdship practices will enhance local and national energy security, protect natural resources fox future generations, and result in long term cost savings; and WHEREAS, the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc., is a Florida non-profit corporation with open membership whose primary mission is to develop and maintain Green Designation Standards for Florida and to promote cost-effective, sustainable improvements in the built environment; and WHEREAS, the Florida Green Building Coalition not only presents opportunities fox a municipality to "be green", but also provides examples and resources covering how to do it; and WHEREAS, the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. has developed the "Green Local Government Standazd," which designates Green Cities and Green Counties fox outstanding environmental stewazdship; and WHEREAS, the Green Local Government Standazd focuses on improving municipal environmental performance through measurable criteria for municipalities to pursue in order to promote alternative energies and a cleaner environment; and WHEREAS, because the Green Local Government Standard was developed with the participation of cities and counties, it recognizes the diversity of Florida's municipalities and rhea need for flexibility and autonomy; and WHEREAS, municipalities who incorporate sufficient criteria such that they meet or exceed designated thresholds are "certified" or `Yegistered" as a Green Local Government; and WHEREAS, a Green Local Government is defined as a city or county that incorporates multiple environmental, ecological and sustainabiliry features throughout the functions they perform that improve the environmental perfom~ance considerably over a city or a county that just minimally meets state and local regulations; and ~~ WHEREAS, the Green Local Government Standazd is a useful reference even for those municipalities who do not choose to become "certified" or "registered", but who are trying to achieve a particular environmental goal. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the City of Delray Beach endorses the Florida Green Building Coalition's "Green Local Government Standard" as a voluntary means for municipalities to take positive steps toward improving and advancing environmental quality and energy security. Section 2. That the City of Dekay Beach will pursue steps toward becoming a Florida Green Local Government using the Green Local Government Standard developed by the Florida Green Building Coalition. Section 3. That the City of Delray Beach encourages the Florida Legislature and Governor Crist to support the Green Local Government program of the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc., as a means for Florida municipalities to use their home rule powers to improve their environmental stewardship through participation in a program that is voluntary, fiscally defensible, and tailored to the specific environmental goals of each municipality and its citizens. PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on this 11's day of December, 2007. ATTEST: ~_ e .~.~~.r~1 City Clerk Q. ~ ^~ MAYOR RES. NO. 71-07 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Commissioners FROM: Douglas E. Smith, Assistant City Manager THROUGH: David T. Hazden, City Manager DATE: December 6, 2007 SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM -REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER~_2007 RESOLUTION 71-07 -GREEN LOC. AL GOVERNMENT_STANDARD ITEM BEFORE COMMISSION The item before the Commission is consideration of Resolution 71-07 regazding the City pursuing measures to become a Green Local Government using the Green Local Government Standazd developed by the Florida Green Building Coaltion. BACKGROUND The City received information the from the Florida League of Cities regarding a Green Local Government Designation (see attached letter). The Florida Green Building Coaltion has developed a Green Local Government Standazd for environmental performance. Background information on the standazd from the Florida Green Building Coaltion is attached. The standazd includes criteria grouped by functions. Points aze awazded for meeting tazgets. If enough points are obtained, a city can receive a registered designation (lower level designation) or certifed designation (with silver, gold, and platinum level certifications). The review process involves the City completing a comprehensive assessment of how we rate on the Green Standazd's criteria. The Green Local Government Standazd information will be useful for the Green Task Force to review, and they may be able to assist in the assessment process. Once the review is completed and plans for compliance with the standazd aze established, we can submit an application for certification. The application fee for our size city is $3,000. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of Resolution 71-07 regarding the City pursuing measures to become a Green Local Government using the Green Local Government Standazd developed by the Florida Green Building Coaltion. 9P RESOLUTION NO. 71-07 A RESOLUTION OF THE QTY COMNIISSION OF THE QTY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, TO PURSUE MEASURES TO BECOME A "GREEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT" THROUGH IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE, USING CRITERIA AND STANDARDS DEVELOPED BY THE FLORIDA GREEN BUILDING COALTTION, AND ENCOURAGING THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT THE GREEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the City of Delray Beach, recognizes the importance of atviroruxierttal sbewazdship in a variety of media, includ'atg energy, mnata, air, land and waste; and WHEREAS, successful atvironrxierttal stewarrlsltip practices will enhance local and national aiergy sectaity, protect natural xesoruces for ftrimue gertierations, and result in long term cost savings; and WHEREAS, the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc., is a Florida nonprofit corporation with open rnerribaship whose primvy mission is to develop and maintain Green Designaflon Standards for Florida and to promote cost~ffective, sustainable improvenmts in the brn7t atvironrrmermt; and WHEREAS, the Florida Green Budding Coalition not only presertts oppommities for a municipality to 'be gzeen" but also provides exarr~les and resotaces covernmg how to do it; and WHEREAS, the Florida Great Budding Coalition, Inc. has developed the "Green Local Govemmamt Standard," which designates Green Cities and Gr+eert Cotarties for otrtstartding environmental stew~lmip; and WHEREAS, the Great Local Govenmmertt Standard focuses on improving municipal elvironmental perfoarr-mce through rreasraable criteria for rrnmicipalities to p2usue in order to promote alternative energies and a cleaner environment; and WHEREAS, because the Great Local Governmerrt Standard was developed with the participation of cities and counties, it recognizes the diversity of Florida's ruricipalities and their need for flewbilityand autonomy, and WHEREAS, rnrmicipalities wino incorporate sufficient criteria such that they rreet or exceed designated thresholds are "certified" or "registered" as a Great Local Goverrnriamt; and WHEREAS, a Green Local Governmalt is defined as a city or cotmty that incorporates multiple environmermtal, ecological and ststamability featraes througJmout the functions they perform {hat irx~xove the environmental performance considerably over a city or a county that just minimally meets state and local regulations; and WHEREAS, the Green Local Govemmatt Standard is a useful refaeitce ever for those municipalities who do not choose to become "certified" or "registered", but who are trying to achieve a particular arviroxuruattal goal NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the City of Delray Beach endorsees the Florida Grew Building Coalition s "Gra3t Local Govaitrnerrt Standard' as a voluntary mans for municipalities to take positive steps toward improving and advancing environmental qurality and energy secumty Section 2. That the City of Delray Beach will puusue steps toward becoming a Florida Great Local Government using the Green Local Goverrurterrt Standard developed by the Florida Great Building Coalition ection 3. That the City of Delray Beach encourages the Florida Izgislatuue and Governor Crist to support the Green Local Govemmertt program of the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc., as a means for Florida rxnmicipalities to use their home rule powers to improve their environmental stewardship through participation in a progFam that is voluntary, fiscally deferrable, and ta110T~ed t0 the Specific environmartal goals Of each irn miripality and 1t5 C1tlZellS. PASSED AND ADOPTED um regular session on this 11"' day of December, 2007. MAYOR ATTEST: City Clerk RES. N0.71-07 ~;~.~ :~ (7~ QCT ~ ~- 2007 :~~.~:~ CITY COMMISSION FLORIDA LEAGi1E OF CITIES INC. 301 South Bronough Street, Suite 300 • P.O. Box 1757 • Tallahassee, FL 32302-1757 (850) 222-9684 • Suncom 278-5331 • Fax (850) 222-3806 • Web site: www.flcities.com October 29, 2007 Dear Mayor: This year, my priority as President of the Florida League of Cities is to assist Florida's cities in becoming "Green Local Governments." It would be my desire that all 412 cities in Florida embrace this as a priority for their city. Accordingly, the Florida League of Cities' Board of Directors approved the attached resolution and requests your city's consideration of this resolution. The Florida League of Cities recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship and understands that successful environmental stewardship practices will enhance local and national energy security, protect natural resources for future generations and result in long term cost savings. The Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc., is anon-profit corporation whose primary mission is to develop and maintain Green Designation Standards for Florida and to promote cost-effective, sustainable environmental improvements. The Coalition has developed the "Green Local Government Standard," which focuses on improving municipal environmental performance through measurable criteria in ode rot promote alternative energies and a cleaner environment. In short, the Coalition is a one-stop source of guidance, "how-to" steps and information. It can assist municipalities in developing a comprehensive program for improving environmental stewardship and energy efficiency that is tailored to the individual municipality and which includes measurable criteria for evaluating progress. We encourage you to adopt the attached resolution, support the "Green Local Government Standard" and pursue steps toward becoming a Florida Green Local Government. For further information, please contact Rebecca O'Hara at the Florida League of Cities at 1-800-342-8112 or the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. on the web at www.floridaPreenbuilding orb President Frank Ortis, Mayor, Pembroke. Pines First Vice President Carmine Priore, Councilmember, Wellington • Second Vice President John Marks, Mayor, Tallahassee Executive Director Michael Sittig • General Counsel Harry Morrison, Jr. Florida Mayors October 29, 2007 Page Two Thanking you in advance for your consideration of and action regarding this request, I am Sincerely, Frank C. Ortis, President Mayor, City of Pembroke Pines Attachments -- Sample Resolution -- Information regarding Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. Green Local Government Standard ~ Florida Green Building Coalition Green Local Government Standard The Green Local Govemment Standard designates Green Cities and Green Counties for outstanding environmental stewardship. It is expected that certified green city and county governments will not only gain recognition and publicity, but also function in a more efficient manner though better internal communication, dollar savings, and effective risk and asset management. FGBC is actively working towards the availability of incentives that are based on compliance with this standard. This standard presents a comprehensive list of criteria, organized in terms of local government department functions. It focuses on improving their environmental performance through a number of mediums (energy, water, air, land, waste), and evaluates: . Environmental practices done "in-house." . Incentives and ordinances to foster green practices. . Educational activities to improve the environment. The Florida Green Local Government Standard is similar to other green standards currently in effect in Florida and many other states, yet very unique in its target. In essence, a list of criteria is presented, and each is assigned a point value. A minimum total point value is set that represents a bar, and local governments who incorporate sufficient criteria such that they meet or exceed the bar are "certified" or "registered" as a Green Local Government. Typical components of green building programs have traditionally targeted individual buildings and land developments. One of the goals of the Local Government Standard is to increase the penetration of many types of green activities. The Florida Green Local Government Standard leverages many existing programs, and also presents new criteria. Existing programs that are leveraged include statewide programs such as Watertronts Florida, and Florida Main Street Designation, and national programs such as Tree City USA from the National Arbor Day Foundation. Examples of criteria that are not defined by an existing program include developing local government energy reduction plans, instituting an environmentally preferable purchasing program, utilizing green fleet management, and working with water utilities to promote conservation. Background The Florida Green Local Government Standard was created by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), working under a contract from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Florida Energy Office. A number of organizations and agencies served as subcontractors or contributed, including: The Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. FGBC will maintain the standard over time and award all designations. . The Miami Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management put together educational modules on fleet management and on landscape maintenance to assist local governments with the process. http://www.floridagreenbuilding.org/db/?q=node/5751 Page 1 of 6 10/23/2007 Green Local Government Standard ~ Florida Green Building Coalition . Sarasota ,Alachua and Miami-Dade counties and the City of Gainesville helped with creation and review of the standard. . City of Orlando representatives also participated in development of the standard. It is envisioned that successful local governments will create and enforce landscape codes that help preserve natural Florida ecosystems, conserve water, create pedestrian-friendly environments, and follow green policies throughout their own organization in everything from ball field maintenance to in-house recycling. The standard is presented in such a way that it is much more than just aerogram - it is a powerful tool. The guiding documents of the standard are designed to act as educational material for a wide audience of readers. Here, the documents not only present opportunities for a local government to "be green", but also provide examples and resources covering how to do it. In many cases, based on current application of criteria in pilot Florida cities and counties, as well as other US local govemments, quantifiable results can also be presented such as dollar savings, tons of CO 2 reduction, pounds of waste diverted from landfill, etc. With such a broad scope and the uniqueness of tying in many suggestions, resources, existing programs to leverage, etc. into one comprehensive standard, a "one stop shop" of information is created so to speak. In this case, the standard is an excellent reference for Florida local governments to refer to when trying to accomplish environmental goals - whetherfrom aregulatory, arisk /asset management, an economic development, or a cost reduction standpoint. The standard is meant to be a useful reference even for those local governments who have no interest in becoming certified, but are trying to accomplish a singular goal, rather than the big "green" picture. For those that do wish to become certified, there are flexible paths to qualification so that cities and counties can tailor qualification to meet their goals, while still maintaining the well-rounded profile that has come to define "green". Flexibility is also important, for no two local governments look alike, nor do they all perform the same functions. Part of what started the development of the Florida Green Local Government Standard was a desire of the Florida Energy Office and the US Department of Energy to achieve "Energy and Environmental Integration" within government. A solicitation was announced, and The Florida Solar Energy Center (part of the University of Central Florida ), the Florida Green Building Coalition, and Miami/Dade Department of Environmental Management (DERM) teamed together on a winning proposal. The original request for proposal indicated that while energy and environmental elements are tightly linked in natural and economic systems, federal, state, and local governments have traditionally approached these two issues by segmenting them into separate organizations in a way that obscures their connections. One goal of the Florida Green Local Government Standard is to bring together entities with common objectives and overlapping interests to develop integrated energy/environmental solutions to statewide as well as local issues. Such integrated energy/environmental strategies offer new opportunities for increased energy efficiency, multi-pollutant prevention, and environmental improvements as well as greater operational efficiency, increased customer service, and expanded public acceptance. These goals can be well accomplished by incorporating the actions of green building into the framework of local govemments, http://vvvvw.floridagreenbuilding. org/db/?q=node/5751 Page 2 of 6 10/23/2007 Green Local Governrent Standard ~ Florida Green Building Coalition through the process of striving to meet a green building standard. Part of the process for determining qualification with the standard is to look across all local govemment departments to determine what is currently being done, what the needsldesires are, and what remains to be done in order to qualify. This process inherently requires extensive communication between departments, eventually identifying areas of potential cooperation to better achieve common goals. Another aspect is that as local governments learn more about how being green can help them accomplish their goals, they will see the benefit of encouraging the private sector to apply the same principles through the creation of green homes, green commercial buildings, and green land developments. There are already standards in effect for these sectors in Florida ,and green local governments can increase the penetration of green buildings and land developments through various incentives. The City of Gainesville recently passed an ordinance giving a $300 discount on building permits for certified green projects, as well as free fast track permitting (a $350 value). They are also actively promoting and publicizing such projects. Green building is not just good for the property owner or those living on the property, it is good for the whole community. Developing a standard, rather than a comprehensive guidebook is important for a number of reasons. Creating a standard and setting a bar gives local governments a meaningful goal to aim towards. The bar is designed to be a realistic one (based on pilot city/county involvement), and gives local champions of the effort something to point towards in order to keep things on track. It may provide enough driving force to push a local government who would have only achieved 50% of the bar with a simple guidebook achieve 100% of the bar such that they can become certified. The certification will allow a local government to publicize their efforts in order to gain the recognition they deserve from the local community as well as the state. Other stakeholders will also be taking part in publicizing the existence of the standard, as well as the efforts of certified cities and counties. It is also envisioned that the standard will act as an excellent metric on which to base eventual statewide incentives to cities and counties who become certified. It could also be used in the regulatory arena, where anon-compliant local government could be given the option of achieving the certification, as opposed to other regulatory actions that may be taken against them. Steps to Becoming a Florida Green Local Government 1. Learn about the Florida Green Loca! Government Standard. Contact the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. (FGBC) who operates and maintains the standard. An individual will be available to introduce you to the process or call 321-638-1450 2. Designate an office, department, or individual as Project Coordinator. The Project Coordinator will be the main link between the local govemment and FGBC. A project evaluator will be assigned to your team by FGBC. 3. Determine what criteria apply to the local govemment. Page 3 of 6 http://www.floridagreenbuilding.org/db/?q~rode/5751 10/23/2007 Green Local Government Standard ~ Florida Green Building Coalition Since the standard's criteria are organized in terms of genedc local govemment functions, the coordinator will pertorm an exercise to determine what criteria will apply to the local govemment. For example, if there is no public electric utility, certain criteria will not apply. The exercise will enable the Project Coordinator to determine the Maximum Applicable Points Total . The Project Coordinator will also determine which department is likely to pertorm each function, in order to distribute criteria effectively. 4. Conduct a local govemment assessment review in cooperation with departments. After criteria has been distributed to appropriate departments, individual departments review the criteria and indicate what has been done or is planned for implementation, and also indicate what is likely to be considered in the interest of achieving the standaM, and for the benefit of the local govemment. 5. Conduct a local government evaluation. The Project Coordinator collects all departmental information, and determines where the local govemment currently falls in reference to the suggested levels of compliance. The Project Coordinator then prepares a summary report that is sent to all applicable local govemment departments. 6. Schedule implementation meeting to outline path towards qualification. The coordinator then assembles a meeting of departmental representatives to discuss the status in reference to the standard. An interactive process then begins whereby areas of cooperation are explored, potential sustainable and green improvements are identified, and a plan is outlined with the intent of brining the cdy/county towards compliance with the standard. Designation levels are awarded based on achieving percentages of the Maximum Applicable Points Total. 7. Submit application and all necessary documentation to FGBC, Inc. for evaluation. At which time the local govemment believes they have met the minimum requirements of the standard, a submittal is provided to FGBC with necessary documentation such that the efforts can be reviewed, and the designation awarded. Cost to apply: Population 1 <20,000 $1,500 Population 20,000 - 100,000 $3,000 Population > 100,000 $4,500 Application Tool An Excel spreadsheet helps a local coordinator apply the FGBC criteria to local government departments, assign repsonsibilities and determine which criteria are applicable to teh local http://www.floridagreenbuilding.org/db/?q=node/5751 Page 4 of 6 10/23/2007 Green Local Government Standazd ~ Florida Green Building Coalition government body. This tool allows the local coordinator to filter on key criteria for reporting progress, and serves as an electronic application form. Tool and Application Instructions (included on spreadsheet) 1. To start the process enter names of Local Government Departments in the designated spreadsheet rows. 2. Worksheets allow you to determine which criteria apply to your city/county, and help you to track progress as criteria are implemented. Tools are provided for you to flag criteria according to appropriate department and staff member. Point totals are tallied for each government function. 3. The "Filter Tool" contains all criteria, and allows criteria to be organized according to a number of variables. Point totals are tallied for the entire program. 4. A complete application package will include an electronic copy of the completed tool or hard copy of all "sheets" except the "filter tool", all required documentation, and the required application fee. Green Local Government Documents S Cover and Introduction Cover, acknowledgements, overview, processing 3.5MB ~°~~~`~ steps, table of contents ';,h.4f Standard Administration of standard 170kb ~,) Reference Guide Details of how to eam credit and designation 3.7M6 ~~ Fleet Management Module Guide to Fleet Management for Local Governments 3.6MB ~, Landscape Maintenance Guide to Landscape Maintenance for Local 3.5M6 ---+- Module Governments Ability to enter local government departments, ~.. Application Tool assign responsibilities and determine applicable 1.7M6 items as well as designation points earned Modification Form (Word) Modification Form (pdf) ~'°'°. Total Modification Process Suggested modifications for next revision 4.7MB Cover, introduction, standard, modification form and 7 2M6 reference guide. . Suggested revisions shall be submitted to the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. using a form available at the FloridaGreenBuilding.org web site. . Applications shall be compiled and circulated to the Florida Green Building Coalition Green Local Government Committee, past applicants, and project evaluators for comments. The comment period shall be at least thirty days. . Following the public comment period, each application and its public comments shall Page 5 of 6 http://www.floridagreenbuilding.org/db/?q=node/5751 10/23/2007 Gt ;en Local Government Standazd ~ Florida Green Building Coalition be reviewed by the Florida Green Building Coalition Green Local Government Committee, which will make written consensus recommendations to the Board of Directors for suggested revisions to the standard along with the original applications. . The Board of Directors of the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. shall adopt, adopt with modification, or reject each application for change. Revision Cycle for the Green Local Government Designation Standard: . Periodic review. At least triennially, the provisions set forth in these Green Local Government Designation Standards shall be reviewed by the Standards Committee of the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. in collaboration with other stakeholders. At a minimum, this review shall include consideration and evaluation of changes in the law, technological innovations, and comments and requests received from interested parties. . All applications for revision shall be disposed of on an annual cycle such that applications received prior to the last working day of June 15 are included in the application review cycle that concludes no later than Septemberl5. . The Board shall approve any changes to the standard by the last day of October in any year in which it is to be revised. . Any new standard shall be in placed on the web site (along with the current standard) no later than November 15. . The effective date of any new Green Local Government Designation Standards shall be January 1. Only those proposals to change these Green Local Government Designation Standards that are received on or prior to June 15 shall be considered for the revisions to these Green Local Government Designation Standards that may become effective on January 1 of the following year. The reference guide and module text, graphics and examples maybe updated at anytime by FGBC; so long as they are of a clarifying nature. Page 6 of 6 http://vvvvw.floridagreenbuilding.org/db/?q=node/5751 10/23/2007