Res. No. 091-07-12476RESOLUTION NO. 91-07-12476
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, RELATED TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
GREEN DESIGN INITIATIVES TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL
RESOURCES AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL RESIDENTS IN THE
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI.
WHEREAS, the available scientific evidence suggest the existence of
serious and escalating threats to our environment as a result of a continuous increase
in the emission of greenhouse gas; and
WHEREAS, cities in Miami-Dade County have a unique opportunity to
provide leadership to develop sustainable communities based on environmental,
cultural and economic policies that protect our natural resources and quality of life;
and
WHEREAS, the City of South Miami is committed to being a responsive,
effective and collaborated government committed to take action to reduce emissions
of greenhouse gas in order to minimize the impacts of global warming; and
WHEREAS, the City of South Miami has demonstrated leadership on
environment issues by supporting the designation of the transit development district,
purchasing energy efficient equipment, reducing energy usage, and internalizing
green building practice; and
, WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commissioners will join other mayors
throughout Florida and the United States in support of environmental policies and
programs designed to minimize global warming and promote green design for
commercial and residential development and major renovations; and
WHEREAS, a green building shall mean one whose design, construction and
operation promote the preservation of resources and environmentally sensitive
construction practices, system and materials and be certified by the United States
Green Building Council under the building design certification program known as
Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEER); and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City of South Miami to encourage and
promote enviromnentally sensitive design and construction within the city's
boundary;
19. � 102 =11 9 194 0144 AN K A • 01
X1104 10 1 W1 UJIMIJ = I I I wo I aw) w-'rein U., ELVA I igul I M a Koji -11,4 1 1XV
Pg. 2 of Res. No. 91-07-12476
Section 1: The City Manager is directed to prepare the following resolutions:
a. Support the state of Florida legislative effort to minimize the
amount of carbon dioxide emission.
b. Recommend the membership, duties and responsibilities of the
City of South Miami Green Task Force.
Section 2: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this �aday of
ATTEST:
Ity -
T CLERK
M
1 2007
Commission Vote:
5-0
Mayor Feliu
Yea
Vice Mayor Wiscombe:
Yea
Commissioner Palmer:
Yea
Commissioner Birts-Cooper:
Yea
Commissioner Beckman:
Yea,
jp/jp
PACornm Items\2007\6-5-07\Green Building Resolution 4-17-2007.doc
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM 2001
To: The Honorable Mayor Feliu and Members of the City Commission
Via: Yvonne S. McKinley, City Manager __L �r ,
From: Julian Perez, Planning Direct d9p-
Date: June 5 2007 ITEM No.
Subject:
The intent of this report is to brief the Mayor and City Commissioners on current efforts by the public,
institutional and private sectors to address the "Greenhouse-Gas Emissions Effect (Global Warming)"
through "Green Design." The first several sections of the report provide a brief discussion of the
international and national efforts to address global warming. The remaining sections focus on the state
and local policies and programs addressing global warming, and a brief explanation of the LEED
certification process.
A. International Initiatives. Since the 1980s the United Nations has sponsored several international
conferences to address the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions. One of the most prominent
conferences was United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), informally
known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. As a result of this conference, the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international environmental
treaty was produced. The intent of this treaty was to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas in order to
minimize the impacts of global warming. This treaty was originally structured did not require mandatory
limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual 'nations and contained no enforcement. Despite the
lack of mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions and enforcement, the treaty was adopted on
March 21, 2004. Eventually, this treaty was considered legally non-bidding.
The UNCED conference was followed by the Kyoto Protocol (1997). The Kyoto Protocol called for
mandatory emission limitations in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions among the signatory.
nations. As of December 2006, a total of "169 countries and other governmental entities" have ratified
the protocol. The most noticeable exception has been the United States and Australia. (Note: China
and India who have rectified the protocol are not required to reduce carbon emissions under the present
agreement.) The Bush administration has outlined three concerns for not ratifying the protocol: (1) the
main developing countries need to adhere by the requirements as stated in the present agreement; (2)
existing uncertainties regarding climate change and its impact on society; and (3) preference for
voluntarism over enforceable regulations.
In the past two years, the Kyoto protocol's clean development mechanism, which encourages investment
in development projects that reduce "greenhouse gas emissions" has resulted in more than 500 projects
in more than 40 developing countries. The impact of this effort is expected to reduce emission discharge
by 1.8 billion tons of CO2 from 2005 through 2012. In addition, more than 1,900 companies worldwide
are now filing sustainability reports, according to the Global Reporting Initiative.
B. National Initiatives (United States Efforts). In the United States, the overall emissions of carbon
dioxide rose by 18 percent between 1990 thru 20041 (study period), with Texas and Nevada leading the
way. The state of Texas carbon emissions grew by 95.8 million metric tons during the study period,
considered the largest increase of any state, followed by Florida, Illinois, North Carolina and Georgia.
During the study period, carbon emission in the power generation and transportation industry grew by 28
percent and 23 percent, respectively. The State of Florida reported the highest increase in vehicle miles
traveled (79 percent) during the study period. If we continue on this path and action is not taken by the
public and private sectors, global warming pollution in those states generating a significant percentage of
the carbon emission will increase significantly. This means that a significant percentage of state and
municipal budgets will have to be used to address water shortage; flooding in coastal areas;
displacement of people; loss productivity; damage to major infrastructure; and loss of environmentally
sensitive lands and species. These are only a few of the problems that will have to be confronted by
policyrnakers, elected officials and residents as a result of global warming pollution.
Despite the lack of support for the Kyoto Protocols and increases in overall emissions of carbon dioxide,
the U.S. government and private industries are investing millions of dollars annually to promote
alternative energy research and development (clean technology); government sponsored water
conservation research; financial and regulatory incentives to promote the development of energy efficient
technology; and public education campaign to promote awareness and acceptance of energy efficiency
products.
C. Local Initiatives (Florida Efforts). Until recently the State of Florida has lagged behind California,
Texas and other major states in addressing the "greenhouse gas emission impacts; carbon caps or offset
requirements for power plants; climate action plans; regional climate initiatives; greenhouse-gas
reporting and registries; and state green-building standards. ,2 However, since the election of Governor
Crist, the state is taking a more proactive approach to address this issue. In his first budget (Fiscal year
2007-2008), Governor Crist is proposing $68 million in grants, rebates, and tax incentives to encourage
Floridians to save energy. There are also provisions in the budget for promoting development of
alternative fuels and other energy resources, and development of infrastructure needed to manufacture
and deliver renewal energy resources. The incentives proposed by the Governor in this budget include
$40 million in non-recurring General Revenue to create a new "Alternative Energy Incentive Fund" to
promote alternative energy research innovation (includes development of ethanol and manufacturing,
blending, I fueling and distribution facilities throughout the state of Florida). Other incentives and
programs proposed by Governor Crist are:
• Sales tax exemption and corporate income tax credits;
• Promotion of energy efficient appliances as a way to conserve energy;
• Enact legislation to establish a permanent "Energy Efficient Product Sales Tax Holiday" for
two weeks each October;
• Public education campaign to promote energy efficient uses;
• Fund the "Renewable Energy Technology Grant Program;"
• Continue funding for the Bio-energy Grant Program; and
• Continue funding for the Solar Energy Rebate Program.
In addition to Governor Crist's efforts, the legislature is considering significant actions to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. One of the legislative proposals (CS/CS/SB 996) calls for the creation of a
corporation ("Florida Alternative Energy Development Corporation") to promote the development of
alternative energy technologies. This bill also provides incentives and grants to promote research and
development of alternative and renewable energy.
D. Green Design Standard and Certification. In the United States, the discussion regarding the green
design has been less urgent in comparison to our European counterparts. In the last few years, both the
government and the private sector have taken action to ensure that policies and programs are
implemented to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. In 1998, the U.S. Green Building Council
established a building design certification program known as the Leadership Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED). The intent of this program is to establish a national standard for the design, construction
and operation of green buildings (ex. new commercial construction and major renovation projects). In
order for a building to be considered a viable candidate for LEED certification, the applicant must
successfully meet the following performance benchmarks (prerequisites rating system):
1. Sustainable sites (14 possible points for certification);
2. Water efficiency (5 possible points for certification);
3. Energy and atmosphere (17 possible points for certification);
4. Material and resources selection (13 possible points for certification);
5. Indoor environmental quality (15 possible points for certification); and
6. Innovation and design process (5 possible points for certification).
The LEED prerequisites rating system totals 69 elective points. The points are tallied and LEED awards
the building, one of their four levels of certification: basic (26-32 points), silver (33-38 points), gold (39-51
points), and platinum (52-69 points) certifications. These points may be given in several ways, for
instance, by significantly reducing construction waste or using lights that automatically turn off when
people leave or when there is adequate natural light. Points may also be obtained by the type of
material used on the building, for example, roofs that deflect sunlight or by laying down biodegradable
carpet. A LEED building may collect rainwater that may be used later to irrigate plants and trees.
E. LEED Certification Effort. In 2004, the State of Florida only had thirty (30) projects seeking LEED
certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Since December 2004, this number has risen from
thirty (30) to one-hundred and thirty-three (133) applications. In 2006, the number of projects seeking
LEED certification in South Florida grew from eight (8) to twenty-seven (27). In January of 2007, nine (9)
projects from South Florida registered with the U.S. Green Building Council to obtain LEED certification.
Although South Florida local governments are promoting "green building" it continues to lag behind in the
national green-building trend, when compared to other states. Currently, there are no LEED certified
buildings in South Florida and only 10 in the State. These buildings are:
1. Eugene M. & Christine Lynn Business Center, Deland; Owner: Stetson University
2. Rinker Hall, Gainesville; Owner: University of Florida
3. Navy Federal Credit Union Remote Call Center, Pensacola; Owner: Navy Federal Credit Union
4. Happy Feet Plus Inc., Clearwater; Owner: Jacob Wurtz and Jane Strong
5. North Sarasota Public Library, Sarasota; Owner: Sarasota County
6. McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodeversity, Gainesville; Owner: University of Florida
7. Whole Foods Market, Sarasota; Owner: Whole Foods Market
8. Twin Lakes Park Office Complex, Sarasota; Owner: Sarasota County
9. Deer Park Bottling Plant, Lee; Owner: Nestle Waters North America
10. Powell Structures and Materials Testing Laboratory, Gainesville; Owner: University of Florida
By comparison, Texas has nine LEED buildings, in California there are more than 70 buildings that have
won LEED certifications, Seattle has 23, and the first building to go up on ground zero in New York is
LEED certified. Some of these buildings include public libraries, universities, high schools, commercial
buildings, and homes. Arguably, many developers and architects are adamant about "green building"
because of the increased cost. Although green building is now only marginally more expensive than
conventional construction, a LEED building comes with huge operating savings. However, it has been
found by states like California, New York, and Texas that the positive outcomes outweigh the proposed
cost.
The following summarizes a few selected programs and projects sponsored by public, institutional and
private entities in Miami-Dade County to promote the green building concept and LEED design
principles.
Miami-Dade offers fast track permitting and tax incentives for developers that build green. The
County has also mandated that all future county government buildings (ex. future family court
building) be built "green."
City of Miami has held two forums on green building to educate and inform builders and architect
on the concept. The City will consider offering density incentives to build green. The green
building efforts are include in the Miami 21't Plan. The mayor's office has proposed several
green-related resolutions to the city commission. The mayor has established a "Green
Commission" to guide the development of the City's environmental policy. The Commission is
currently "working on the development of a comprehensive urban forestry strategy to include both
short-term and long-term tree plantings" (Office of the Mayor; Miami Green Commission. 2006).
Union Credit Bank is the first small bank in the United States and the first lender from Florida to
sign an agreement with the United Nations to promote sustainable financial practices. The bank
has pledge to offer attractive loan rates and financing for energy efficient cars (hybrid cars), green
homes and green business.
Bank of America has initiated a $20 billion campaign to build an "environmentally sustainable
economy." This effort provides employees with a $3000 credit toward the purchasing of a hybrid
car.
• Baptist Health South Florida (West Kendall Baptist Hospital) plans to be the first LEED certified
hospital in Miami-Dade County.
• University of Miami has made a commitment that all new construction will meet the U.S. Green
Building Council LEED certification requirements.
• Brickell Financial Center (office tower located at 600 Brickell Avenue).
• Miami Green (office condo development located at 3150 SW 38th Avenue).
• Habitat at Broadway (150 -unit hotel located at Southwest 15th Road and Second Avenue)
As mentioned, this list is only a representative sample of how the public, institutional and private entities
are applying green design methods to protect our natural resources, economic base and quality of life of
Miami-Dade County residences.
F. Staff Recommendation. The CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI has an excellent opportunity to join force
with Miami-Dade County and other municipalities as a proactive stakeholder to engage in the
development of environmental policies and programs to minimize the emissions of carbon dioxide. In the
meantime, there are series of short-term actions that the mayor and city commission should consider to
promote the green design and LEED principles in the City of South Miami.
0
® Creation of a local resolution to support the state of Florida legislative effort to minimize the
amount of carbon dioxide emission.
Establishment of a local green task force to study the application of LEED certification for new or
remodeled city owned buildings; new building construction; development of a green master plan;
evaluation of local incentives to promote LEED certification; and develop language to mandate
that future commercial and residential developments are energy and water efficient.
Coordinate with adjacent cities and regional agencies promoting programs and policies to
address the greenhouse effects.
Support the LEED certification by promoting green design for both commercial and residential
projects.
G. Conclusions. Green design will enhance and protect our ecosystem and biodiversity, improve air
and Water quality, reduce solid waste, and conserve our natural resources. Economically it will enhance
operating costs, optimize life-cycle economic performance, enhance asset value and profits, and improve
employee productivity and satisfaction.
G. Backup Documentation.
Draft Resolution Relating to the implementation of "Green Design Initiatives."
H. Footnotes.
1. Gram, David. "U.S. carbon dioxide emissions up 18% since 1990." U.S. Today. Associated Press
Report. April 13, 2007.
2. Barnett, Cynthia. "Adapting: Can Florida become a model for how U.S. states adapt to climate
change." Florida Trend. April 2007.
1. Literature Review.
This section provides a series of articles on greenhouse and green design.
JP/JP
PAComm Items\2007\6-5-07\Green Design Memo Report 4-9-2007.doc
' . :{[S. carbon dioxide emissions npl8% since lgg8-
By David Gram, Associated Press Writer
MONTPELIER, Vt. —Emissions of the greenhouse carbon dioxide rose 18% in the
USA from 1990 to 2004, with Texas and Nevada leading the way, an environmental
group reported Thursday.
Using data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Public Interest Research
Group analyzed carbon emissions in 48 states and rank-ordered them, finding that only
Delaware, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia cut back on those emissions.
Among the findings:
Texas'corbon emissions grew by95.8 million metric tons during the period, the largest
increase of any state, followed by Florida, Illinois, North Carolina and Georgia.
Fast-growing Nevada ranked first for percentage growth in carbon emissions, sd55%.
followed by Arizona (54). New Hampshire (6O) and South Carolina (4S).
Carb' n emissions hompower generation grew by2O�� and by2396inthe
tnsnapodotionsector, with vehicle miles traveled growing fastest in the state ofFlorida,
up7Q96 during the period.
"Global warming pollution is skyrocketing in the United States just aa scientists are
sounding alarms that wemust rapidly reduce pollution to protect future generations,"
said Emi!yFigdor, director nf the Washington, D.C.,-based U.G. Public Interest
Research Group. "This report is a wake-up call to cap pollution levels now before it is
too late."
The report comes on the heels ofo United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change report pointing to what scientists have concluded would be the dire effects of
unchecked carbon emissions and resulting global warming.
|na supplemental report released Tuesday that focused on North America, the U.Wi
panel said*cities like Chicago and Los Angeles could see heat waves much more often;
New York and Boston could be flooded by ocean storm surges and cities in the West
that use melting snow for water could face severe shortages.
Page o[2
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U.S. Public Interest Research Group is supporting legislation --UiSL Sen. Bernie
Sanders, |-Vt,,is the lead sponsor in the Senate —that would cut carbon emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by
I I Report: U.S. carbon dioxide emissions up 18% since 1990 - USATODAY.com Page 2 of 2
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten
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Find this article at:
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El Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article.
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4
45% of Florida's electricity
needs by 2023 could be met
through improvements in
efficiency and development
of renewable energy, says
the American Council for
an Energy Efficient
Economy.
cross Europe these days, de-
Abate rages over how nations
and states should prepare for a
changing climate, particularly
rising sea levels that will test
waterfront cities from Venice to Amsterdam.
Governments and insurance companies
alike have started telling residents there that
they'll have to make more drastic lifestyle
changes than just switching to efficient light
bulbs or hybrid cars. Serious questions about
whether citizens can keep building homes
on islands and near lowlands are the order of
the day.
In the U.S., the discussion has been less
urgent Only this year have Americans begun
dropping the question mark from their con-
versations about global warming, with the
Intergoverinnental Panel on Climate Change
stressing in its latest five -year report that
global warming is "unequivocal" and "very
likely" man-made. The panel, representing
600 scientists in more than 100 countries,
estimated in its February report a 3.5- to 8-
degree increase in average surface tempera-
tures, and a 7- to 23 -inch sea -level rise, by
2100. Faster- than- expected melting of ice in
Greenland and Antarctica could mean much
higher seas.
Florida, with its already -hot summers and
1,400 -mile coastline, clearly has a lot to lose in
a world of warming temperatures and rising
oceans. Early signs of global warming in the
state include drought and increased forest
fires, eroding shorelines, dying coral reefs,
saltwater intrusion into inland freshwater
aquifers and dying trees in low -lying areas
such as Cedar Key, says Stephen Mulkey,
director of special projects at the School of
Natural Resources and the Environment at
the University of Florida and science adviser
to the Century Commission for a Sustainable
Florida, which is charged with focusing long-
term on Florida's essential interests.
According to a report to the Century
Commission by the Virginia -based Institute
By Cynthia Barnett
for Alternative Futures, Florida has lagged
as states from California to Texas to Maine
have forged policies that now include green -
house gas emission targets, carbon caps
or offset requirements for power plants,
climate -action plans, regional climate initia-
tives, greenhouse -gas reporting and regis-
tries, and state green - building standards.
Given the state's vulnerability, "it is striking
that Florida is not a leader of states respond-
ing to climate change," Mulkey says.
But whether because of political shifts
or the handwriting on the seawalls, Florida
finally appears to be taking climate change
more seriously. The Century Commission,
the Cabinet; Florida's new Energy Corm is-
sion, the Senate's utility and natural resources
committees and Gov. Charlie Crist all seem to
be putting global warming on their agendas
in meaningful ways. The Natural Resources
Defense Council's Susan Glickman told the
St. Petersburg Times that between last year
and now, "it feels like 10 years have passed in
terms of level of interest and understanding"
The Legislature is considering steps this
session toward what Mulkey and other sci-
entists say is the most important first step:
Cutting the greenhouse gas emissions that
lead to global warming Proposals include
forced emissions reductions and approval
of up to $100 - million in alternative energy
funding. (Driving the discussion as much as
climate change: Curtailing Florida's depen-
dence on foreign oil)
Perhaps most interesting, the Century
Commission is pushing the idea that Florida
not only mitigate the impacts of climate
change, but become a model for how to adapt
"We really believe this is a place where Flor-
ida can become a national leader," says Steve
Seibert, executive director of the commission.
Terry Tamminen, climate change adviser
to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger,
who met with the commission and Crist in
February, suggests Florida could lead the
way in areas such as: