02-03-09 Item 201 RESOLUTION NO.
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3 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
4 SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA ADOPTING A PROPOSED WORK PROGRAM
5 PREPARED BY THE GREEN TASK FORCE WHICH WILL RESULT IN THE CITY OF
6 SOUTH MIAMI BECOMING CARBON - NEUTRAL BY 2030; PROVIDING AN
7 EFFECTIVE DATE.
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9 WHEREAS, The City of South Miami sits on the frontline of man -made climate change.
10 over the next century resulting in escalating greenhouse gas emissions which will threaten to
11 dramatically increase the earth's temperatures and raise sea levels, making Greater Miami one of
12 the most vulnerable urban areas in the world. If climate change proceeds unmitigated, living in
13 South Miami will become extremely difficult, if not impossible.
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15 WHEREAS, at the City Commission Meeting on May 15, 2007, the City Administration
16 presented a report on Green Design initiatives and activities to protect the quality of life in South
17 Miami, and recommended the establishment of a Green Taskforce. The Green Task Force was
18 established at the city commission meeting on January 8'b 2008; and
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20 WHEREAS, Governor Charles Christ on July 13, 2007 signed an executive order titled
21 "Establishing Climate Change Leadership by Example which requires all Florida agencies to
22 adopt actions consistent with the proposed H13697; and
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24 WHEREAS, the State of Florida on July 1, 2008 adopted HB 697 which updated Florida
25 State Law Section 163.3177(6)(a -f) which requires local governments to implement policies
26 that will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; and
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28 WHEREAS, the City of South Miami was informed by the Florida Department of
29 Community Affairs on August 28, 2008 that the city's Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) is
30 no longer in compliance with Florida State Law as a result of HB 697, which requires local
31 governments to account for greenhouse gases in their EAR Report, and Comprehensive Plan.
32 Non Compliance can lead to sanctions by the state of Florida such as a loss of infrastructure funds
33 and ineligibility for certain state grants; and
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35 WHEREAS, Grey Read made a presentation on behalf of the Green Task Force on
36 September 2, 2008 to the City Commission recommending the city implement a Green Agenda
37 with a goal of reducing greenhouse gases and slowing down the rate of warming in the City of
38 South Miami; and
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40 WHEREAS, the top Fortune 500 companies have adopted the use of the Global
41 Reporting Initiative, which accounts for the economic, social and environmental impacts of their
42 companies. These companies have adopted this accounting method as a means to remain
43 competitive in the international marketplace, bring about innovation, mitigate financial risk and to
44 promote sound investment decisions; and
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46 WHEREAS, many municipalities throughout the nation, both large and small, are
47 reducing global warming pollutants through programs, such as the International Council for
48 Local Environmental Initiatives' (ICLEI), that provide economic and quality of life benefits such
49 as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, reduced traffic
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3 congestion, improved transportation choices, and economic development and job creation through
4 energy conservation and new energy technologies; and
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6 WHEREAS, Horace Feliu, the Mayor of South Miami signed the US Mayors' Climate
7 Protection Agreement under which South Miami agreed to strive to meet or beat the Kyoto
8 Protocol targets, through actions ranging from anti - sprawl land -use policies to urban forest
9 restoration projects to public information campaigns.
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11 WHEREAS, the City Commission amended Resolution No. 09 -09 -12818 by adding a
12 Section 3. (Attached as Exhibit 1), that provides for utilization of the grant administrator and city
13 lobbyist without first appearing before the Commission.
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15 WHEREAS, since the Green Task Force advises and recommends strategies, policies
16 and initiatives to the City Commission prior to implementation the use of city resources should be
17 first approved by the Commission.
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19 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE
20 CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
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22 Section 1.
23 (a) The City of South Miami commits to a Carbon Neutral Initiative to lead the community by
24 example and to implement policies to eliminate net emission of carbon dioxide and other
25 greenhouse gases by the end of 2030.
26 (b) That through public - private partnerships, the Carbon Neutral Initiative shall feature the City
27 of South Miami as a key stakeholder in a comprehensive community-wide greenhouse gas
28 reduction effort, which shall include institutions, businesses, civic organization, and individual
29 families and residents.
30 (c) The City of South Miami and all of its departments and boards shall coordinate and implement
31 the Carbon Neutral Initiative, insofar as funds, voluntary efforts, or other resources become
32 available, in particular, working to partner with efforts of governments, agencies, institutions and
33 other appropriate public and private organizations in our region, and to track the progress and
34 implementation of the initiative.
35 Section 2. The City of South Miami shall progress towards a 2030 Carbon Neutral status by
36 implementing the initiatives in the following work plan titled Exhibit A, "Carbon Neutral
37 Initiative Work Plan."
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Section 3. This resolution supersedes Resolution No. 09 -09 -12818 and shall take effect
immediately upon approval.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of 12009.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
CITY CLERK
MAYOR
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READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Luis R. Figueredo
Nagin Gallop Figueredo, P.A.
Office of City Attorney
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Feliu:
Vice Mayor Beasley:
Commissioner Beckman:
Commissioner Palmer:
Commissioner: Newman
WAMy Documents\resolutions \Green Task Revised Carbon Neutral Resolution.beasley.doc