04/16/2014 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 16, 2014
Present: Chair D. Michael Flanery, Vice Chair Lynn F. Sumerson, Board Member R. Peter
Stasis, Board Member Michael Engelmann, Board Member Linda S. Varonich
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides -Assistant City Attorney, Ed Chesney - Environmental
Manager, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 —Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approve the minutes of the January 15, 2014 Environmental Advisory Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Engelmann moved to approve Item 2.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3 —Citizen To Be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4— Kapok Park Birds
Engineer Systems Coordinator Pawel Dembinski presented photographs and video of birds and
wildlife at Kapok and Lake Chautauqua parks.
5— Resiliency and Regional Initiatives
See EXHIBIT: Planning for Climate Resiliency & Adaptation in Florida
EXHIBIT: Solar Ready Florida
Planning Manager Lauren Matzke and Planner II Andrew Hayslip provided updates re activities
related to initiatives "Planning for Climate Resiliency and Adaptation in Florida" and "Solar
Ready Florida. A working group met regularly re local mitigation; Hillsborough County was
further along in the process. The annual update was due to the State in October. Resiliency was
the new word re additional vulnerability analysis. A resiliency working group had not yet formed;
currently tech scientists were meeting. The City of St. Petersburg had a sustainability
coordinator to lead their efforts.
In response to questions, Mr. Hayslip said resiliency needed an infrastructure component,
including stormwater. Ft. Lauderdale was spending significant funds overhauling its
infrastructure to pump out flood water, a recurring problem. The new flood zone map site had
shortcomings. Ms. Matzke said before low impact development could be added to the Code,
Environmental Advisory 2014-04-16 1
staff was waiting for Pinellas County to finish its work with an engineering consultant on this
issue.
Discussion ensued with recommendations that new lift stations near the beach be designed for
higher sea levels and that wind power be considered. Concerns were expressed that rising sea
levels would affect beach and inland areas, increase insurance rates, force people from the
region, and cost billions of dollars. Based on accelerating sea level rise, it was suggested the
City consider as an option the Netherland's mitigation plan for floating houses.
Concern was expressed that Mayor Cretekos was the only County mayor who did not sign the
initiative to promote the use for solar energy, he did not seem to appreciate the enormity of
climate change affects. It was stated that Duke Energy and other anti-environmental groups
were funding efforts to block solar energy while Duke Energy charged its Florida customers for
nuclear power. It was noted the cost of solar panels had come down.
Member Sumerson moved to incorporate the Planning for Climate Resiliency &Adaptation in
Florida and Solar Ready Florida! reports into the minutes. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
In response to a question, Ms. Matzke said these reports tied in with Greenprint. The next
Greenprint web page update would highlight projects such as Florida Friendly Landscaping.
It was stated the Dark Sky Initiative would be a good addendum to Greenprint. It was noted the
Council had taken no action following Ms. Morris' request that they adopt the Dark Skies
Initiative. Discussion ensued regarding the increasing impact and harshness of LED and other
new lights.
It was recommend the City apply for grants to work on zero net energy building.
Items not on the Agenda
It was reported the Audubon Society had financed a bird blind now installed at Moccasin Lake
Nature Park. Concern was expressed the Parks & Recreation Department had been
uncooperative re its installation and now planned to relocate staff and close the park 4 days a
week, including Sunday when parents would visit with their children. It was stated the park was
poorly promoted and would attract more visitors if hours were extended. In response to a
concern re volunteer related liability, It was commented the Audubon Society had trained
volunteers in the City of Largo to care for birds. It was stated the Moccasin Lake Nature Park's
inclusion on the bird watching trail would greatly increase visitor counts.
Discussion ensued with comments that economic benefits related to bird watching tourists
would be significant and recommendations that the City advertise the park in the Audubon
Society's magazine, attract volunteers through "My Clearwater" magazine, and install an honor
box for visitor contributions.
Member Sumerson moved that Moccasin Lake Nature Park was an attractive and
environmentally green area for the City with economic and educational benefits and the
Environmental Advisory 2014-04-16 2
Environmental Advisory Board recommended that the park remain open for visitors at least 5
days a week, including weekends. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Concern was expressed that Parks & Recreation Department projects lack signage advising
residents about the project, funding sources, and contact telephone numbers.
6 - Agenda Topics for July 16, 2014 meeting
Signage requirements for City projects.
Stevenson Creek Update
Greenprint
Dark Skies Initiative
7 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
air
Environmental Advisory Board
Environmental Advisory 2014 -04 -16 3
Planning for Climate Resiliency and Adaptation in Florida
Climate change and the hazards associated with it such as increased extreme weather events
and sea level rise, present several institutional challenges for local governments across the
country. Sea level rise is of particular concern in Florida, which has thousands of miles of shoreline
and a maximum elevation of less than 400 feet above sea level. Additionally, three-fourths of
Florida's population resides in coastal counties (Florida Oceans and Coastal Council, 2010).
SE A LEVEL
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2050 High:24
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Sea levels, which have been relatively constant for the last 2000 years, rose 8 inches over the last century,
and are accelerating. On the California coast, by 2050, we are likely to see 1 1 inches additional rise and by
2100, 36 inches of rise. Due to uncertainty, there is a wide range of estimated possibilities, from 17 to 66
inches by 2100. Sources:Nationalgeographic.com, 2014, based on data from CSIRO, NASA, NOAH, and
other sources;National Research Council, 2012.
As local, state, and federal governments recognize the environmental, economic, and social
threat that climate change and associated sea level rise presents, there has been a unifying
emphasis placed on the importance of resilience and adaptation. Resilience has many
definitions depending upon the context, but in this context it can be defined as the capacity of
a system (either a city, county, particular ecosystem, etc.) to absorb disturbance and reorganize
while undergoing change, but still retain essentially the same function (Walker et al., 2004).
At the state level, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) kicked off a five-year project
to integrate adaptation to potential sea level rise into current planning efforts including the local
comprehensive plan, local hazard mitigation plan, and post-disaster redevelopment plan. This
statewide focus includes defining and implementing an "adaptation action area" at the local
level, and the DEO is working with a few cities as pilot projects for this initiative including the City
of Ft. Lauderdale.
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Adaptation Action Area
GOAL 1
increase the City`s resiliency to the impacts of climate
change and rising sea levels by developing can
implementing adaptation strategies and measures in order
to protect human life., natural systems and resources, and
adapt public infrastructure, services, and public and
private property.
Source: City of Ft. Lauderdale
The DEO defines "adaptation action areas" as those areas that are below, at, or near mean
higher high water level; areas which have a hydrological connection to coastal waters; and
areas designated as evacuation zones for storm surge. In addition to this state effort, there are
numerous local efforts throughout the state to better plan for climate change and sea level rise,
including:
The Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact-Consists of Broward, Miami-
Dade, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties partnering in mitigating the causes and
adapting to the consequence of climate change.
Lee County Climate Change Resiliency Strategy- Lee County followed up a 2010
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment with the Climate Change Resiliency Strategy.
The City of Punta Gorda Adaptation Plan -The City of Punta Gorda completed a
publically lead adaptation planning process at the city-level to address sea level rise in
their downtown area.
Municipal Adaptation to Sea-Level Rise: City of Satellite Beach, Florida - In the fall of
2009, the City of Satellite Beach, Florida embarked on a project to: assess municipal
vulnerability to rising sea level and initiate the planning process to properly mitigate
impacts.
More locally, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) is applying for the NOAA
Coastal Resilience Networks funding opportunity,which is designed to support the
implementation of activities that enhance the resilience of coastal communities to natural
hazard and climate risks. According to the TBRPC, the proposed outcomes of this initiative are
to:
Enhance the existing ONE BAY Working Group to convene an in-person network of
practitioners for information sharing related to sea level rise and other coastal resilience
issues.
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Participate in the development of and promote a regionally determined, science-based
consensus on a common sea level rise projection scenario for planning purposes and
policy development consistency.
Identify, develop and enhance existing decision-support tools such as GIS models,
risk/vulnerability assessments, model ordinances, Best Management Practices, etc.
Provide technical assistance for adaptation planning; incorporating sea level rise and
other coastal hazards into comprehensive plans, land development regulations, local
mitigation strategies, business continuity plans, etc.
Create a website that inventories existing Tampa Bay-specific research, programmatic
efforts and decision support tools and identifies relevant information gaps.
Regardless as to whether or not the grant is awarded, the TBRPC will proceed with this initiative.
Indeed, the City of Clearwater recognizes the need to plan for resiliency and adaptation in the
face of a changing climate. The City's Post Disaster Redevelopment Plan (approved June 2013)
recommends additional vulnerability analyses that could be completed by the City to provide a
more accurate picture of the City's vulnerabilities so the City can increase its disaster resiliency;
this list includes sea level rise. The City will continue to work with the TBRPC, the Pinellas County
OF/IFAS Extension, and the Florida Sea Grant to ensure a resilient and sustainable future for the
City, its environments, and its people, but there is a lot of work left to do in this regard.
Additional Information/Resources:
"Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise in Florida: An Update on the Effects of Climate
Change on Florida's Ocean &Coastal Resources:" http://www.flseagrant.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012/02/Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in FL.pdf
"How Countries,States, and Florida Address Sea Level Rise:"
http://www.floridajobs.org/fdcp/dcp/Adaptationplanning/CompendiumNationalStateLo
caAda ptation Projects.pdf
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Community Resiliency and Adaptation
Planning Website: http://www.floridajobs.org/community planning-and-
development/programs/technical-assistance/community-resiliency/adaptation-
planning
Southeast Florida Regional Climate Action Plan
http://southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org/compact-documents/
Climate Preparedness, Adaptation & Resilience- Knowledge Network Group
http://transformaov.org/en/knowledge network/groups/kn/Group/1331/Climate Prepar
edness Adaptation Resilience
Is Your State Resilient? Planning for Climate Change (webinar)
Slides (handout):
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.ohioplannina.ora/resource/resmar/webcast series/04.11.
14 pdf.pdf
Webinar (replay): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bx8izeQRfo
Environmental Advisory 2014-04-16 6
Solar Ready Florida!
In 2011, TBRPC, with support from the region's local governments and other stakeholders,
applied for the first round of Rooftop Solar Challenge (RSC) grants, which are supported by the
U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) SunShot Initiative. TBRPC's application was not one of the
22 chosen for funding in the first round of RSC awards. However, one of the funded projects was
from the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) in the Kansas City region for a program called
"Solar Ready KC". Broward County was also chosen to receive a grant award in the first round
of RSC.
For the second round of RSC grants, first round awardees applied for funding to expand their
initial programs. MARC teamed with the National Association of Regional Councils (MARC) and
identified nine other regional planning councils/councils of governments to start programs
based upon MARC's work program for its initial grant award. TBRPC is one of the nine other
RPCs/COGS to participate in this RSC second round project, led by MARC and MARC and called
"Solar Ready II". Along with TBRPC, the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (SWFRPC) is
also participating in the Solar Ready II project. TBRPC and SWFRPC have decided to co-brand
their separate-but-parallel Solar Ready II programs as "Solar Ready Florida," and share the
website www.solarreadyflorida.com.
Broward County also received a second-round RSC award. I believe they are expanding their
original RSC program to other jurisdictions in South Florida/Treasure Coast.
So from the top-down, the hierarchy is:
• SunShot Initiative (US DOE)
• Rooftop Solar Challenge (US DOE-22 first-round recipients, 8 second-round recipients)
• Solar Ready II (led by MARC and MARC -includes 10 participating regions around the US)
• Solar Ready Florida (TBRPC and SWFRPC)
The TBRPC is forming a local Solar Ready Florida working group, and envisions a variety of
people/positions from local governments being represented. This will likely include
representatives from planning/community development departments, building/construction
services, and possibly even public works, especially if the local government's green initiatives are
being coordinated from there. The first work group meeting is on Wednesday, April 23.
Additional Information/Resources:
SunShot Initiative: http://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/sunshot-initiative
Solar Ready Florida: www.solarreadyflorida.com
TBRPC Contact: Brady Smith, 727-570-5151 x42 or
Brady@ tbrpc.ora<mailto:brady @tbrpc.org
Environmental Advisory 2014-04-16 7