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2023_02-08 SRC - Minutes 1 SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2023 10050 NE 2nd Avenue 6:30 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Weber called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM 2. ROLL CALL Present: Ms. Malebranche Ms. McSherry Ms. Weber Mr. Pluhar Chairperson Meyer Late- in at 8:10 PM Absent: Mr. Suman Also, Present: Ms. Tanya Wilson, Deputy Village Manager Mr. Christopher Miranda, Public Works Director Mr. Lazaro Remond, Neighborhood Services Director Ms. Claudia Hasbun, Planning and Zoning Director Ms. Mariana Gracia, Secretary for the Committee 3. MINUTES 3.a. MINUTES Approval of the Minutes for January 11, 2023 Motion to approve the Minutes for January 11, 2023 by Mr. Pluhar seconded by Ms. Malebranche and the Motion was approved 4-0. 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS: a) Miami Shores Staff Presentations a. Ms. Tanya Wilson, Deputy Village Manager Ms. Wilson started and expressed how excited she is to present. Looking forward to collaborating with the committee. She spoke about the memorandum prepared two weeks ago regarding a 2 sustainability plan of action and started the presentation. Any goal that you have we consider a wish list. The direction and the goal needed to go forward. She asked how we manage our resources for future generations. Resilience focuses on different issues for everyday issues like traffic. Ms. Wilson continued to present about the sustainability and resiliency issue for years to come. Carbon neutrality program, economy of the system, focused on the environment. Social aspects also involved. Sustainable Miami Shores looks at the economy and the environment for future generations to come; these issues are not unique to just Miami Shores. We are prone to flooding, flash floods, rising tides that affect your seawall. As a community, you can cross your fingers and hope or start planning. Why comprehensive plan, you have to have proper policy to mitigate and prepare for those risks that is specific to our community and identify the most affected areas of higher vulnerability. Implementation strategies, highest risks neighborhoods. Coastal risks with king tide and expectations, temperature rise. How do we mitigate? For example, we can protect trees; why not put these policies in our comprehensive plans. The foliage in our village is amazing, these are valuable we should protect, preserve, and increase the foliage. Tree ordinance is our goal. We need to gather data about what areas in the Village need to increase our foliage. Another area is significance, Biscayne Bay is our home, we currently have fertilizer bans but also our septic systems have been in place for long time, some leaching on to the Biscayne Bay. Not just the fertilizer issue, all our system affects the bay. When you see our study, you will see the importance of this topic. Storm water management, currently we have a D score. Which is bad. How do we respond to these risks? What is our plan? Three plan approach to move forward. The board is involved in the climate change element. Strategic management plan. Most cities are 10 years behind. There is room and an appetite for this. To be a voice and a part in the process in our vulnerability risk. Educations is a big part of the program. Sustainable lifestyle is important. A mindset change. There are partners that we know of. Green day. How do we bring back. Mayor’s monarch pledge is one. Project area. How do we fund these programs? Focus on policies, programs and projects. She introduced Chris Miranda from Public Works Department. b. Mr. Christopher Miranda, Public Works Director Mr. Miranda started with his presentation, being greener taking into account; our village led lighting, flooring system for cooler air. Comfortable for our employees, overhead streets lights changed through FPL. New lights are cost effective. We have applied for the neat streets program for years to improve tree canopy around the Village. Look for areas that are open, infestation and to decease, car accidents, and wide-open programs for trees. Anywhere from 50 to 100 trees. For over 10 years. The tree canopy has increase enormously. Constitution Park with smaller oak trees and other species that we install. Best practices that we have implemented. Stains from a dye that is added to a chemical drew some controversies, therefore we modified. Next project was awarded by the Miami Dade sewer program. It allowed the business downtown and allow them to bring in more food service oriented. There are 26 parcels and village owned properties. Dunking doughnuts, with stations in the alleys with the pilot 3 program. Small force main, large pump state, lift station that is how the system works. Ms. Weber asked if there is a cost related to the property owner. Masonic lodge did not connect to the sewer. The fire department has not connected, four not connected. There is an enforcement feature by DERM to force them to connect. Ms. McSherry asked do they pay for the pump station. Mr. Miranda responded that every year there is an assessment to connect. The engineers calculated at the time they constructed the project. The dialysis center had a great deal of discharge. That center was in part a negative. 5000- gallon septic system. The board commented on this center. He gave the specifics about where these small force main changed to larger stations. Septic and sewer conversion, typically a gravity lines. They work much better. They consume electricity. Ms. Weber since we were a pilot it took a bit longer. Mr. Miranda explained how it is very common in the keys. Monroe County, you have to go further. Their challenge was how they were going to move these. Discussion about septic to sewer conversion. We are very far out, estimating $25, 0000,000 million sewer system estimate. The drain field be raised is a requirement for the county. You have to maintain the pump, replace them. Ms. Weber should there be an ordinance about septic. DERM have something on it but is not enforced. Ms. Wilson data shows that eventually there will step up monitoring and enforcing. Mr. Miranda discussed the benefits of sewer system. Explained how the cleaning of it goes. Shores estates, storm water. We finally got approval, the next two to three months will be in place. The cost associated approximately $10,000 per home. Ms. Wilson there are system in place that will assist the homeowners. Mr. Miranda mentioned that in 2015 lift station costed $700,000. A location is need to sit the station. Miami Dade sewer will determine. Mr. Pluhar asked does the county already pays for this. Treatment of the grey water is an issue. Mr. Miranda said that the county is the lead; we are in with other surrounding areas. The canal. New development Ms. Weber asked. Ms. Hasbun said that new development is allowed and it depends on how much gallons of water usage. Mr. Miranda said we do have funds that match those dollars. The owners need to pay for connection. All the construction donated to the Miami Dade. Paid for by the residents. Mr. Miranda mentioned if the sewer brought to the property. Discussion took place about the planning part of this. For planning and zoning. Policy is not there. The treat from the agencies is to turn off the water from the residents. Flagger trail green way study. We found three options to construct this trail. Water flow control. Kissimmee south through Okeechobee west to east canals to push water out to the bay. Built in 1952. Salt-water intrusion is an issue. Water moved out in the event of a wet hurricane. No money commitment from out part. Timeline is 2027. Discussion about how it will affect all the properties on the canal. Many areas do not have a seawall. Mr. Miranda explained that the windows at village hall and recreation center are impact windows for more energy efficiency. These are actually ongoing projects. The Board asked questions. 70 per cent of the buildings are impact windows. The golf course does not have impact windows. Wish list for the future. Ms. Weber appreciates these programs, how are we going to contribute. Finds it difficult for the board to do. Ms. Wilson this board has done a lot more than the predecessors have. You can advocate assist with grant funding opportunity. You 4 are ambassadors looking out there that is where the board comes in. Marketing, ambassadors, how do I maximize my influence to push these things further. Ms. Weber, you start with the children. Mr. Miranda introduced the upcoming project with $6,000,000 worth. Mr. Miranda gave the coordinates for the area that is in the vulnerability study. My view is when king tide comes there is fish there. Update from the county highest predicted king tide, October, November, December to stay ahead of the weather. This year we have been proactive. Let us get the pumps running. Ms. Malebranche asked about 103 St. Mr. Miranda said that a grant to upgrade the generator portion of 93 St System. Storm surge with Ian. 20-foot storm surge you would not survive. The board on 103 has a pump system. Ms. Wilson vulnerability study on the web site will be very helpful to Ms. Malebranche. Ms. Hasbun three months ago there is a link to the vulnerability study. Mr. Pluhar how do we influence. Mr. Miranda said 100 street east of 12 there is no issue. Raising the soils are an issue. Water running off the swales. Ponding and flooding there is a huge difference. Mr. Miranda gave coordinates for flooding areas in Miami shores. He went over the difference between ponding and flooding. Where I cannot get the water to reside that is where we have flooding. Mr. Pluhar, from a sustainability stand point what be done. Ms. Wilson making sure the programing is more solid. Within the last year. Mr. Pluhar how do all of these correlate. Ms. Wilson the comp plan is state mandated. Comprehensive plan is within 10 to 20 years. Strategic plan. Ms. Hasbun explain that the comp plan is legal, we need a more strategic and practical plan. Mr. Miranda vulnerability study got us the $6 million dollars in grants. Explanation about storm water runoff. Septic to sewer master plan will allow us to go to the state and ask for grants. Ms. Willson more intentionality to septic to sewer. Ho w do we move now? Miami Shores is going in the right way. Concrete data is what will get you the money. Mr. Miranda this is how we get to the funding. He pointed to the PowerPoint to the ones he anticipates the time it will take. A and E list 21 firms agreements for master plans. Treating storm water will be in all of our projects. All of our projects will mandated. Pollution control systems. We will have community meetings for feedback to make sure to tailor for the affected areas. Currently there are no ordinance in Miami Shores for tree ordinance. The ordinance drafted now, ready by next meeting. Education is key for people to see the benefit. Bird sanctuary would be great. Mr. Miranda has 9 divisions in public works. Arbor Day celebrate and make it your thing Ms. Wilson suggested. Green day will take place in March. We look for ways. Mr. Miranda said. Private property we do not go into. Mike Skofstad is our arborist. Public works does not service private property. Bayfront park seawall a new company that awarded for this project. This is public area so other neighborhood areas come visit. If the water does not go away, it is flooding. Mr. Miranda went over the requirements for additional funding through Florida department of environmental protection. He gave an overview of what the seawall is going through. Incorporating the entire park. Benches refurbishing. Water meter water main lines for water fountains installed. -Little River Adaptation area grant partnership – expanded from the bay up to 10th avenue. 5 Sept 30 deadline for meeting this deadline we have to have an approved design. Ms. Malebranche asked about the houses there and how they are affected. New house with their own drainage system installed. c. Mr. Lazaro Remond, Neighborhood Services Director Mr. Remond introduced himself –Neighborhood Services Director in charge of the CRS. This whole presentation is what we are doing to sustain this program. FEMA, what is the base and the community rating system. He went through the rating system is set and how it is factored. 1 -10 with 10 being the worst. What types of saving the benefits is the lower insurance prices. Miami Shores and the CRS. We are now a seven on our way to a six. Seven gives us 15 percent discount. We cans save the residents money. Every resident is being affected. Preliminary maps and the new maps for flood plain. There is $149,000 Savings to the residents. Ms. Wilson, FEMA tracks the $149,000. Requirements by the city to meet. These flood maps from FEMA affect flood insurance. In increments of 5% discount. Many cities are in the 9 to 10 percent. From 7 to a 6 changes in the code and resolutions processed. We can be one-step ahead of the game. With public education, CRS is a point’s bank. Last council we picked up points. The goal is to get the number as small as we can. How do we get those points is the question we are addressing. Mr. Remond mentioned areas of focus. Doubling points with targeted areas. Flood plain areas we send out letters. FEMA askes for pictures of the posting. Real estate, contractors, areas of focus have to be touched on. This is a plan in progress. Code compliance is CRS certified. Ms. Wilson said this is more than a job is our lifestyle. Project area needs the board assistance. Ms. McSherry asked a question about regional policy language and supporting partnering agents. The village is very involved. Ms. Hasbun answered requires for three level elevation. Implementing the code. Combining the points to get to the points is more education. Maybe a topic that the board can bring forth. General audience, target audience then we bring on more points. This meeting is part of getting points. Anything that has to do with floods will get us those points. Ms. Wilson there is a checklist. Cutler Bay mentioned as having a good CRS score. Mr. Remond moved us from an eight to almost a six now. Huge priority. The realtors will include it in their packets. Moving to policy making to get us to that number. Mr. Remond in our next conversation. How do we educate the residents? Mr. Remond improvements of monthly newsletter. Has to have a section for flood articles. BTR section and a code section. Library flood books, flyers, having the books, social media outlets, Facebook, neighbor, Instagram, etc. Neighborhood. Ms. Meyer mentioned pool drainage. Ms. Wilson encouraged covering all issues that the board things are important. b) Comprehensive Plan – Climate Change, Resiliency and Sustainability White Paper – Tabled to next meeting 5. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS 6. NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING – MARCH 8, 2023 6 7. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM by Ms. Meyer. Miami Shores Village complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disability Act. If you are a disabled person requirin g any accommodations or assistance, including materials in accessible format, a sign language interpreter (5 days’ notice required), or information, please notify the Village Clerk's office of such need at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance. In accordance with Village code and section 2-11.1(s) of the Miami-Dade County Code, any person engaging in lobbying activities, as defined therein, must register at the Village Clerk’s Office before addressing the Council on the above matters or engaging in lobbying activi ties.