M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Members of the Town Council
From: Mayor Tim Meerbott
Date: May 15, 2019
Re: Establishing the “Cutler Bay Environmental Stewardship Award”
Recognition Program
REQUEST
…Title
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE “CUTLER BAY ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD” RECOGNITION PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Town of Cutler Bay (the “Town”) is a leader in the State of Florida for promoting environmental stewardship. In 2009, the Town implemented the Go Green initiative, which led to the Town becoming the first municipality in Miami-Dade County to receive the Florida Green City designation, “Certified Silver” City, from the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC).
The launch of the “Green Corridor” or Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) district was the next step in the Town’s Go Green Initiative. In 2010, the Town lobbied Florida lawmakers and was instrumental in the adoption of House Bill 7179, which created Florida’s PACE program. This bipartisan local government program allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for their homes and commercial buildings, simply and with no government subsidies.
The Town furthered our commitment to environmental sustainability by adopting a Green Master Plan in 2018. With participation from our residents, the 2018 Green Master Plan analyzed the Town’s existing green policies and activities, addressed the future implementation of current green initiatives, and recommended activities to move the Town from a “Silver” designation to a “Gold” FGBC designation.
The proposed Resolution is aligned with Goal #2 of the Green Master Plan, which is to “increase knowledge and skills of the community” (Attachment “A”). The Town Council proposes to create an environmental award program sponsored by the Town entitled “Cutler Bay Environmental Stewardship Award” Recognition Program (the “Program”). The Program will recognize local businesses that voluntarily adopt green practices that include, but are not limited to:
• securing Green Building Certification;
• significantly reducing or eliminating the use of plastic straws, bags, and expanded polystyrene;
• implementing the 9 principles of Florida Friendly Yards (FFY) in landscaping projects and/or seek FFY Designation;
• providing golf cart and electric vehicle parking and charging stations; and
• other environmentally friendly best practices.
The purpose of the Program is to encourage and recognize businesses that conserve natural resources, such as water, electricity, and fuel; reduce, reuse and recycle materials; reduce the hazardous materials and generation of hazardous waste; and take affirmative steps to prevent pollution. The Program shall be voluntary and target the various business sectors operating in the Town; including, but not limited to, restaurants, garment cleaning, dental practices and retail offices.
Businesses that rise to the challenge and voluntarily adopt green practices will receive a formal recognition by the Town Mayor and Council, a plaque to display at their place of business, and acknowledgement on the Town’s website, social media platforms, and the center pages of the Cutler Bay Newspaper.
The Town Council directs the Town Manager to take all necessary actions to develop and implement the Program.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt the attached Resolution, creating the “Cutler Bay Environmental Stewardship Award” Recognition Program.
ATTACHMENTS
Ø Attachment “A” - Green Master Plan Excerpt