08/20/2008
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 20th, 2008
Present: Anna Fusari Chair
Ron Gregory Vice Chair
D. Michael Flanery Board Member
Richard Packman Board Member
Joseph A. Calio Board Member
Also Present: Ed Chesney Environmental Manager
Veronica Josef Senior Staff Assistant
Absent: Leslie Dougall Sides Assistant City Attorney
UNAPPROVED
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Conference Room 221 of the MSB
Building.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
1. ADMINISTRATION
Approval Of Minutes - June 18th, 2008
??
Amendments to the June 18th, 2008 Minutes - Member Joe Calio stated to add under
“Discussion Items” “The City of Clearwater to consider to establish a position for a full time
Environmental Sustainability Coordinator. The position would independently review
opportunities within the City for energy savings, utilize the Green House Gas Inventory to
prepare “benchmark” measures to assist the City in attaining its goals, and provide
feedback on efforts made to the community. Energy savings by even such simple goals as
installing automatic shutoffs for empty rooms and confirming buildings are adjusted to not
overcool, saving alone will offset cost of position.”
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
None
3. ACTION ITEMS
None
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
Comprehensive Plan Amendments Update
Chair Anna Fusari stated that a letter was submitted to Ms. Catherine Porter, Long Range
Planning Manager, Planning Department, requesting the following items to be considered
for inclusion in the plan update.
a. Construction – The City of Clearwater where possible shall encourage Green
Building Construction Techniques.
Environmental Advisory 2008-08-20 1
b. Transportation – The City of Clearwater shall continue to actively support and participate in
PSTA buses, the direct primary transit service provider in the City of Clearwater. Second to
the electricity demand, transportation is the highest source of emission. Chair Anna Fusari
also stated other municipalities have obtained grants to help retrofit school buses to reduce
emission.
c. Utilities – To amend the last sentence under Solid Waste section of the Utility Needs
Summary “The City should also promote the Mobil Household Chemical Collection
Program” with efforts made to hold such collections on a more frequent basis.
d. Capital Improvement Projects – Request City facilities projects be performed using green
building guidelines. Require construction renovations/upgrades using LEED, FGBC or
similar accredited protocols.
Vice Chair Ron Gregory suggested that the City updates the Comprehensive Plan every 7
years and the EAB should send out a formal request to the City Council and the Planning
Department to include the Environmental Advisory Board as well.
5. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Protection of Nesting Shorebirds
Ed Chesney stated that it was discussed on August 4th, 2008 Work Session, letter sent to
the City Council from Clearwater Audubon Society - Banning Dogs on North Clearwater
Beach from Shorebird Nesting Areas. The actual Council discussion was reviewed online
by the EAB members. The City Council would like suggestions from the Environmental
Advisory Board on the protection of the shorebirds.
Ed Chesney stated that he will have Sara Josuns, Environmental Specialist to do more
research on Shorebird Protection and also looking into other municipalities, cities and
agencies on how they deal with this problem,
Vice Chair Ron Gregory suggested that the City’s Environmental Group should contact both
State and Federal Agencies who are legislatively responsible for the protection of the
species and get guidelines and what protection is provided for the species. Vice Chair Ron
Gregory also suggested that the EAB board to do their own research and bring the
information for discussion at the next EAB Meeting.
Environmental Advisory 2008-08-20 2
Sustainability Coordinators
Member Joe Calio stated that he had done some research on the US Council of Mayors. 49
Council of Mayors were listed, out of which 29 had full time for Environmental Coordinator
positions, 11 part time were specifically for green projects and 8 part time for utilities.
Vice Chair Ron Gregory stated that a lot of sustainability managers and coordinators' positions
were created for major governmental and private organizations.
Chair Anna Fusari stated that research on sustainability coordinators will be discussed at the next
EAB meeting and will present the information to the Council that sustainability coordinator will be
cost savings to the City.
The EAB members advised Veronica Josef to resend the letter that was sent to the Mayor on June
20th, 2008, drafted and signed by the former EAB Chair D. Michael Flanery, requesting items to be
included in the Comprehensive Plan Amendments, EAB's accomplishments and
recommendations.
6. ESTABLISH AGENDA
Shore Bird Information
Sustainability Coordinator
Response from the Mayor
7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The EAB will meet on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 at 4:00 pm.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
~~ ~=~~.
hair ( v
Environmental Advisory Board
Attest:
Environmental Advisory 2008.08.20
3