HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/29/2007 (2)May 29, 2007
THE GREEN COUNTY INITIATIVE WORKSHOP
SPONSORED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA GREEN BUILDING COALITION &
AIA FORUM FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
MAY 29, 2007
The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, held a
Public Workshop at the Richardson Center of the Indian River Community College
Mueller Campus, 6155 College Lane, Vero Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, May 29, 2007, to
discuss Green County Initiatives. Indian River County, Florida Green Building
Coalition, and the AIA Forum for a Sustainable Future, sponsored the Workshop.
Present for the County were Vice Chair Sandra L. Bowden, Commissioners Joseph
E. Flescher and Peter D. O'Bryan. Chairman Wheeler and Commissioner Davis were
absent. Also present were County's Chief of Environmental Engineer Roland DeBlois,
Planning Director Stan Boling, Public Works Director Jim Davis, Code Enforcement Chief
Sasan Rohani, Utilities Environmental Engineer Himanshu Mehta, General Services
Director Tom Frame, Interim Executive Aide Darcy Vasilas, and Recording Secretary
Maureen Gelfo.
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Green County Initiative Workshop
Present for the Indian River County School Board were Karen Disney-Brombach,
Ann Reuter and Susan Olson.
Present for the City of Sebastian were Council Member Al Paternoster.
Present for the City of Vero Beach were Vice Mayor Sabin Abell and Council
Member Kenneth Daige.
Present for the City of Fellsmere were Mayor Sara Savage and staff members
Kenneth Hamilton and William H. "Bud" Roode.
Present for Indian River Shores were Council Member Fran Atchison and staff
members Richard Jefferson and Bill Schauman.
1. WELCOME BY COMMISSIONER O'BRYAN
Commissioner O'Bryan spoke about the creation of the Indian River Sustainability
Committee, which was formed to explore how Indian River County and the five
municipalities could become "green governments". He also acknowledged Judy Orcutt for
her assistance with the group's development.
Commissioner O'Bryan recognized other Committee members: Sabin Abell, City
of Vero Beach; Barbara Brooks, Indian River Green Team; Himanshu Mehta,
Environmental Chair of Indian River County Utilities Department; Nancy Offut, Treasure
Coast Homebuilders Association; Susan Olson, Indian River County Schools; Judy Orcutt,
Indian River Sustainability Committee; Fran Atchison, City of Indian River Shores; Holly
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Green County Initiative Workshop
Dill, Director of the Environmental Learning Center; Amy Thoma, Tierra Verde
Development Center; Jason Nunemaker, City Manager of Fellsmere; Deb Branwell,
Clerk of the Town of Orchid; Kelly Brown, Habitat for Humanity; and David Ederer,
Encore Development Group.
Commissioner O'Bryan stated that the purpose of today's workshop was to provide
an awareness of what could be done to create a more sustainable community. He hoped to
bring before the County Commissioners a resolution stating that Indian River County
would like to achieve Green Government certification
2. WHAT IS GREEN AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
PRESENTED BY AMY THOMA
Amy Thoma, Tierra Verde Builders, Designers and Consultants, who helped put
this Workshop together, recognized the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc.'s (FGBC)
Executive Director Roy Bonnell, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the
Energy Office, and the AIA Forum for a Sustainable Future as co-sponsors. She
announced that the FGBC's Green Trends Conference would be held July 12 through July
14, 2007, at the Southeast Builder's Conference in Orlando, Florida. She explained,
through a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file), "green" language and gave an overview
of the shift that is occurring towards "green" building. Her presentation also included
background information on the beginning of the environmental movement, and humanity's
past and emerging worldviews. Ms. Thoma defined "sustainability" as the ability to
provide for the needs of the world's current population without damaging the ability of
future generations to provide for their needs. She talked about the steps taken by and the
progress made towards sustainable living by Sarasota County, whose Commissioners
adopted a Sustainability Resolution in 2002 (see the backup).
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3. GREEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT STANDARD PRESENTED BY ERIC
MARTIN, FSEC
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Eric Martin, Senior Research Engineer at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)
presented background information on the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc., a
non-profit organization which has developed a certification standard for Florida City and
County governments to help them "go green". Through a PowerPoint presentation (on
file) Mr. Martin discussed the general elements of "green" building and sustainability and
gave an overview of the general categories in which local governments would be involved.
He talked about the information that is available to help governments evolve and the steps
governments must take towards receiving their "Certified Green Local Government"
certification. Mr. Martin talked about what the City of St. Petersburg, FL has done and
currently was doing to achieve and maintain their "Certified Green Local Government"
designation. Mr. Martin then presented some examples of "green" Building Resolutions
(see the backup), which had been passed by Sarasota County, Florida. In conclusion, Mr.
Martin revealed two websites containing further information on "Green" living as follows:
www.FloridaGreenBuilding.org
www.fsec.ucfedu
Mr. Martin responded to questions from the public relative to the cost factors of
"green" building and whether the Certified Green Local Government designation was long
term. To the first inquiry, Mr. Martin replied that although first costs are estimated to be
from two to ten percent above traditional building costs, a life cycle analysis should be
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Green County Initiative Workshop
taken. To the second question, Mr. Martin responded that the Certification was good for
five years and governments were asked to re -apply at that point.
Commissioner O'Bryan interjected that increased worker productivity, resulting
from better air quality and daylight, should be considered in the total cost factor. Mr.
Martin concurred that there are a lot of intangibles that are hard to put a dollar amount on.
Nancy Wood, Vero Beach, requested that the Commission contemplate raising
incentives for local businesses to become "greener".
Commissioner O'Bryan called for a break at 10:17 a.m., and reconvened the
meeting at 10:40 a.m. with all members present.
4. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND GREEN BUILDING
PRACTICES PRESENTED BY JENNIFER LANGUELL, PH.D.,
TRIFECTA CONSTRUCTION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Jennifer Languell, Ph.D., Trifecta Construction Solutions, whose company
worked with Habitat for Humanity on the development of their first "green" home,
presented the Green Home Certification to Habitat's Management Director Kelly Brown.
Ms. Languell, through a PowerPoint presentation (on file), explained that the
seven key concepts of green building are as follows:
• Energy Efficiency
• Indoor Air Quality
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Green County Initiative Workshop
• Water Efficiency
• Passive Designs
• Selection Materials
• The Construction Process
• Site and Landscape
Ms. Languell talked about the various certifications available such as Energy Star,
the Florida Green Building Coalition, and the US Green Building Council (LEED). She
discussed many existing environmental issues, and demonstrated how "green" building
could solve some of these problems. Ms. Languell pointed out that "green" buildings
could resemble regular homes of any architecture and provided examples of "green"
homes and communities.
Ms. Languell revealed many ways to create more energy efficient homes including
the replacement of incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights or Light Emitting
Diodes (LEDs). She presented recommended actions for creating "green" communities
and stated that further information was available at USGBC.org.
Ms. Languell reviewed the history of "green" building programs and of the US
Green Building Council, both of which have seen tremendous growth, and noted that the
"green" building movement continues to gain momentum.
Ms. Languell discussed poor indoor air quality and pointed out that better air
filters, the use of low or no Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) materials, and eco -friendly
flooring materials could be used to improve indoor air pollution.
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Green County Initiative Workshop
Susan Olson, Indian River County Schools, was concerned about the mercury
found in compact fluorescent lights (CFL). Ms. Languell responded that this is an issue
that is being addressed, but substituting CFL's for fluorescents still saves energy.
Commissioner O'Bryan commented that it was very important to realize that
residents did not have to sacrifice their lifestyles to embrace "green" living and building.
He issued a challenge to local elected officials to move ahead with this program.
5. PANEL OF LOCAL LEADERS GOING GREEN
HIMANSHUMEHTA, P.E., IR COUNTY
SUSAN OLSON, IR COUNTY SCHOOLS
KELLY BROWN, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
RICHARD BIALOSKY, AIA, MANDALA CLUB
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Richard Bialosky, AIA, Mandala Development Group, through his PowerPoint
Presentation (on file), discussed past and current "non-toxic" housing projects, including
Mandala Club, a new "green" community being developed in Vero Beach, and made
detailed observations regarding eco -friendly building materials and practices. Mr.
Bialosky talked about thinking "green" and acting holistically in accordance with the laws
of nature.
Continuing his presentation, Mr. Bialosky provided two important points relative
to public policy: reducing dependence and designing energy efficient air conditioning
units.
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Green County Initiative Workshop
Mr. Bialosky talked about urban sprawl and stated that the question was not
"should we build, it's how we build." He advocated creating compact walkable
communities. Concluding, Mr. Bialosky divulged that solar photovoltaics in Florida are
not more widely used due to the lack of net metering (when solar collectors generate power
with the unused power being sold back to the utility at the original price).
Commissioner O'Bryan noted that the City of Vero Beach now uses
a net metering program.
Kelly Brown, Habitat for Humanity, through a PowerPoint presentation (on file)
explained how her organization operates and what their goals are. She conveyed that the
group had received an Energy Star rating on the newly constructed first "green" Habitat
for Humanity Home in the State of Florida. Ms. Brown discussed the materials and
environmentally friendly practices and ideas that were used to attain the Energy Star
rating (some of which had already been in practice) and displayed a cost differential for
old and new construction methods.
Ms. Brown talked about the Green Team, a volunteer group formed to strategize
building techniques, waste reduction, and recycling. She discussed the materials and
scrap items that are sold at Habitat for Humanity's Home Center Store, and the revenues
that are generated from them. In conclusion, Ms. Brown announced that Habitat for
Humanity would be evaluating the features from their Energy Star home to see what items
would be incorporated in building future "green" homes.
Susan Olson, Indian River County School Board, began her presentation by
commenting that being "green" is the new patriotism. She detailed, through a PowerPoint
presentation (on file), the necessary and desirable components for facilitating creation of
the new "green" middle school and spoke about the importance of making "green" design
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Green County Initiative Workshop
part of the educational experience. Ms. Olson discussed the energy and water conservation
resulting from Thermal Energy Storage, Xeriscaping, and from the new fuel -saving North
County Bus Compound.
Ms. Olson discussed the cost factors, possible State grants, and savings that could
result from building "green". She talked about recycling unwanted school system items
and about switching to environmentally friendly flooring in classrooms. In conclusion,
Ms. Olson emphasized the importance of involving and educating young people in "green"
living and building.
Himanshu Mehta, P.E., Environmental Engineer Indian River County, through a
PowerPoint presentation (on file), examined the Green Government Certification standards
as they relate to the Solid Waste Disposal and Utilities Departments. He mentioned that
the Excel Spreadsheet, supplied by the FGBC to governments who apply for Certification,
was an excellent management tool. Mr. Mehta touched upon the point system used by the
FGBC to qualify governments, noting that some existing practices already qualify. He
detailed the seven categories that the Solid Waste Disposal District and the Department of
Utility Services would need to address for Certification.
Mr. Mehta spoke about the various levels, and benefits of attaining Green
Certification. In conclusion, Mr. Mehta recommended the creation of a community
sustainable website to communicate and document the Green Certification process.
6. CLOSING, COMMISSIONER O'BRYAN
Commissioner O'Bryan invited questions and comments from the audience.
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Green County Initiative Workshop
Christine Purinton, Indian River Estates, asked if the County could institute a
magazine recycling program.
Billy Wagner, Vero Beach, wanted to know if builders could incorporate any type
of substance into window glass to deter bird deaths. She asked Mr. Mehta to consider instituting
an annual electronic recycling day.
Nancy Wood, Vero Beach, talked about the Re -Use Exchange Center that is
located in the Sebastian Municipality Building.
Barbara Brooks, Indian River Green Team (The Green Team), suggested that
recycling areas be set up at community events, and related that The Green Team is researching
biodegradable disposal products.
Commissioner O'Bryan appreciated the wonderful input from the audience, and
encouraged them to contact elected officials with their thoughts and ideas.
Roy Bonnell, FGBC Executive Director, thanked all the sponsors of the Green
Initiative Workshop, declaring that today's meeting was an important step towards sustainability.
He suggested that the City and County follow Sarasota County's model in establishing an "Office
of Sustainability".
Nancy Offutt, Treasure Coast Builders Association, remarked that the Florida
Home Builders Association, in partnership with the Florida Green Building Coalition, is
establishing the Treasure Coast Green Building Council to encourage its diverse members to
continue using and exploring "green" techniques.
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Green County Initiative Workshop
Suzie Senko, Vero Beach, mentioned the importance of using biodegradable
non-toxic cleaning products.
Commissioner O'Bryan reminded the Panel and elected officials that the FGBC
Certification Standards and sustainability information on Sarasota County (on file) could
be reviewed on the DVD provided to them by the FGBC. He asked audience members to
fill out the comment cards with their feedback. Commissioner O'Bryan thanked the
elected officials and Panelists for attending, and applauded Amy Thoma, Judy Orcutt, and
Darcy Vasilas for putting today's workshop together. He praised the ideas and excitement
generated at today's Green County Initiative Workshop and reiterated his challenge to the
municipalities and the County to "move forward and become a `green community'."
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded and carried, the
Board adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk Gary C. Wheeler, Chairman
Minutes Approved:
BCC/MG/2007Minutes
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