Central to the discussions was the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025, presented by the Public Services Director, which underscored the city’s sustainability ambitions. The budget, which is still subject to review and approval by city entities, highlighted increased professional services funding for a solar feasibility study, allocations for community events, marketing materials, EV chargers, and sustainability organization memberships. Notably, the sustainability coordinator’s position would be funded equally by the Enterprise Fund for Water and Sewer and the General Fund. Concerns were voiced over the salary placeholder for this role and the reduction in the printing and binding budget. The Public Services Director provided clarifications, noting the transition to paperless materials and the budget’s flexibility to accommodate training and conference involvement for the new coordinator.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the development of a preliminary framework for incorporating EVs into the city’s fleet. The committee worked on establishing a protocol involving a series of evaluative questions to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of EVs, considering factors such as emergency operations, specialized functions, and model suitability. The possibility of utilizing fleet analysis software to aid in the decision-making process was discussed, as was the idea of downsizing vehicles where appropriate, like considering the Chevy Bolt for certain tasks. Members highlighted the non-monetary benefits of EVs, including reduced pollution, lower maintenance costs, and positive environmental impact. The committee also acknowledged the need for a formalized policy and a greenhouse gas reduction target for fleet management.

The committee debated the benefits and challenges of EV incorporation, including the necessity of establishing infrastructure such as charging stations potentially powered by solar energy. They addressed the steps taken by waste management in adopting greener vehicle options and recognized the importance of a realistic approach to integrating EVs into the fleet, taking into account the functionalities of vehicles and the availability of suitable models, particularly for emergency operations.

Further discussions involved the procurement of electric vehicles through a statewide contract, which offers significant buying power and reduced procurement barriers. Members also deliberated on the Florida Green Building Council certification, concluding to redirect funds from its renewal toward other sustainability priorities in line with the city’s plan. The committee then transitioned to communication strategies, emphasizing the need for clear goals and outcomes in public engagement. It was noted that new newsletters focusing on sustainability initiatives were in progress and attention was given to the promotion of an Earth Day kickoff event.

The committee evaluated various strategies to increase turnout at sustainability events and community engagement. Suggestions included using Facebook for event promotion and creating handouts on sustainability topics for city meetings and workshops. The committee also recognized the importance of engaging younger demographics and considered involving students in sustainability initiatives, as well as the potential use of Instagram despite security concerns. Plans were made to refine communication goals and bring them to the next meeting for further discussion.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on community engagement and potential future agenda items, such as a vulnerability assessment and a presentation on tree removal by Duke Energy. Concerns about the impact of tree removal on the city’s tree canopy were raised. The committee was interested in the progress of the climate action plan, the greenhouse gas reduction target, and the solar feasibility study, alongside the recruitment of a new sustainability coordinator. The idea of including high school students in the committee was raised. Lastly, infrastructure issues such as road accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians and the impact of drainage plans were discussed.