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2025-02-12 SRC MinutesSUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY COMMITTEE Wednesday, 12 February 2025 Council Chambers 10050 NE 2nd Avenue 6:30pm Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER – By Chair Ms. Meyer at 6:30pm 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Ms. Nicola Meyer Ms. Lauren Rangel Ms. Patricia Casey Mr. Richard Pluhar Mr. Nestor Alvarez Ms. Carol Eannace Respondek Absent: Ms. Silvia Kang Also present: Mr. Delroy Peters, Public Works Director & Staff Liaison Mr. Neil Cantor, Councilmember & Council Liaison Mr. Esmond Scott, Village Manager Mr. George Burch, Mayor 3. MINUTES: Minutes approved from Meeting of 1-8-25. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: George Burch – 1. Stated that Ft. Lauderdale requires 7.5 NAVD on Public seawalls and 4.0 NAVD for Residential seawalls, as well as the latest projections from NOAA for an increase of 2’ of sea level rise in the next 25 years. Suggested that we consider raising our seawalls at Bayfront Park more than we are currently planning. 2. Mentioned a LIDAR map he sent to all Committee members showing the current NAVD of the Miami Shores area and explained that it is not just Shores Estates that has low elevation, but also most of the residences east of 12th Avenue. He stated that these properties need septic to sewer conversion quickly, as failing septic tanks are polluting our waters. Esmond Scott – 1. Thanked the Committee for participating in Biscayne Blvd. Beautification project by suggesting alternate plants for landscaping the median that are FL natives rather than non-native plants spec’d by landscape designer. 5. DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION 5a. Bayfront Park Seawall – Presentation by Kind Designs (Anya Freeman, Andrew Valdes & Maddie Rieger) Anya presented the living seawalls that Kind Designs creates – precast concrete seawalls that can be substituted for regular flat precast concrete seawalls, but do not leech, and provide the added benefit of creating habitat for sea life by mimicking roots of mangroves and creating caves for fish to hide from predators as well as an uneven surface for oysters and other mollusks to affix. She stated that the cost to purchase these seawalls is the same as regular flat precast concrete seawalls and can be delivered by truck or barge and installed traditionally. The panels are created in their shop on the Miami River quickly, so they can speed up the schedule for completion of a project. The one page shop drawing can be easily submitted to DERM for approval, and has been done by designers known to the Village staff. After much dialogue between Committee members, the Village Manager, Public Works Director, Councilmember Cantor and Mayor Burch, Mr. Scott offered to introduce Kind Designs to our project contractor, YC Group LLC, in hopes that they would be considered as a source for the precast concrete seawalls. Additionally Mr. Scott will speak to Procurement about several issues that need to be addressed to consider Kind Designs. Ms. Respondek will share the contact information of Kind Designs with Mr. Scott and Mr. Peters. Mayor Burch suggested the Committee read through the current MS Ordinance that regulates seawalls, especially as it relates to height in consideration of sea level rise. Mayor Burch also suggested that we record our meetings so that more residents might benefit from great presentations especially like that given by Kind Designs. Councilmember Cantor stated that he would follow up on this. Mayor Burch reiterated his belief that it is important that Council be apprised of Committee meetings and discussions. Ms. Respondek was previously appointed to do this and will continue in this role. 5b. Upcoming workshops – Ms. Respondek shared the flyers for the upcoming workshop, Reducing Stormwater Runoff on March 10, 6:30 pm at the Library. She suggested that all Committee members rsvp through the EventBrite link on the flyer. The following workshop on April 22, Creating a Florida Friendly Landscape is also scheduled at the Library. Both workshops will be presented by Barbara McAdam, a well known and appreciated Urban Horticulture specialist from UF IFAS. Ms. Respondek asked Mr. Peters to send the flyer digitally to all Committee members so they can invite their friends and contacts. Committee members discussed the possibility of exploring the current MS driveway code to allow for more pervious options. 5c. Changes to Ordinance 2020-01 – SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY COMMITTEE Ms. Meyer discussed the original Ordinance briefly as well as the document she sent to Committee members which details her ideas for improvement. It was decided that Committee members would review both the original Ordinance and Ms. Meyer’s document and submit each person’s views to Mr. Peters for further review by Ms. Casey, who can advise and create a revised Ordinance. It is suggested that this happen quickly and via email through Mr. Peters office so the final document can be reviewed by Council at a Workshop later in February. 5d. Biscayne Beautification project – from NE 104th Street – NE 6 Ave. Mr. Peters reported on the status of the project. FL DOT had asked that the project be delayed 2 years while they refurbish that stretch of Biscayne Blvd. Ms. Peters did not accept this delay. Some of the suggestions the Committee made for native plants rather than the non-natives stipulated by the landscape designer were accepted. Mr. Peters will forward the final plans to Committee members. 5e. Neighborhood Cleanups Ms. Meyer reviewed the dates for Cleanups: Earth Day, 20 April and Int. Coastal Cleanup Day, 20 September. Ms. Rangel volunteered her husband to create the flyers for these events. 5f. ACE Campaign Mr. Peters reviewed the ACE campaign. Councilmember Cantor stressed his support for the program and appreciation for the way in which it was being rolled out with education first before Code Compliance. 6. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS 1. Ms. Casey suggested that it was unacceptable for the Committee to have no representation for Green Day. Mr. Peters concurred. The Committee discussed some ideas. Ms. Casey stated that anything that would draw kids in would work. Ms. Respondek suggested a game with Recycling Do’s and Don’ts using real bottles, boxes, plastic bags, etc. Ms. Casey hopes that we can also direct Green Day visitors to our table to our next meeting or workshop which could be Composting? Ms. Rangel suggested a Permeability exhibit, but no suggestions were made as to who or how this would be created.