HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislationCity of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 07-00494
Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, URGING THE GOVERNOR
AND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE
ISSUES AS STATED HEREIN, DURING THE 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION;
DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION
TO THE OFFICIALS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
WHEREAS, during the past five (5) years, the City of Miami has launched a comprehensive and
aggressive environmental program to clean our streets, our waterways, brown fields, storm drains, and
improve our air and water quality, thus erasing decades of environmental neglect; and,
WHEREAS, in furtherance of this environmental program, Mayor Manuel A. Diaz ("Mayor") was one of
the first United States Mayors to sign the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement (the "Agreement").
committing cities to take actions to reduce global warming pollution by striving to meet or exceed
Kyoto Protocol targets; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor's commitment to join other mayors throughout the country (today 400 Mayors
representing over 58 million people have signed the Agreement) brought the issue of environmental
policy to the forefront of South Florida priorities; and,
WHEREAS, during the Mayor's 2006 State of the City Address, core steps for environmental policy
were etched out, increasing the level of focus on innovation, and developing a strong foundation for
environmentalism; and,
WHEREAS, many Florida cities are increasingly recognizing the value and importance of local
programs that encourage energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and "green
building" practices within their communities; and
WHEREAS, several Florida cities have adopted, or are working to adopt, such programs and practices
for their own municipal operations, and are also encouraging such programs and practices for the
residential, commercial and industrial sectors within their communities; and
WHEREAS, locally -based energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy, and "green
building" programs can help reduce energy use, thereby reducing local energy costs and improving
local air quality; and
WHEREAS, local energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy, and "green building"
programs can provide a host of additional community benefits including strengthening the local
economy and creating new jobs in the areas of energy and green buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Governor Members of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives are currently
considering several pieces of energy legislation that will affect energy policy for the state.
City of Miami Page 1 of 3 Printed On: 4/3/2007
File Number: 07-00494
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The Miami City Commission urges the Governor and the members of the Florida
Legislature to support legislation that advances the following principles:
Green Public Buildings - Support the requirement that state, county, municipal, and public colleges
and university buildings of a certain square footage be constructed in accordance to USGBC LEED
silver standards as a minimum on a prospective basis starting January 1, 2008 or sooner if possible.
Further support that the state issue financial incentives and grants to support municipalities in efforts
to contruct LEED certified buildings and retrofits.
Energy Efficiency Sales Tax Holiday - Support the creation of a permanent "Energy Efficient Week"
where sales of any new energy efficient product having a selling price of below $1,500 will be sold tax
free and continue to provide the solar energy systems program for rebates on purchases of solar
photovoltaic systems. Also support increasing the cap on the sales tax exemption on materials used
in the distribution of biodiesel and ethanol.
Sales Tax Refund for Alterna-Fuel Vehicles - Support the creation of a substantial sales tax refund for
energy efficient vehicles that includes hybrid vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and
advanced lean burning technology vehicles. Further support that the state issue financial incentives
and grants to support municipal fleet conversion to alterna-fuel vehicles.
Property Tax Exemption for Renewabies - Support an increase in the property tax exemption for real
property where renewable energy source devices are installed and in operation.
Renewable Energy Portfolio Requirement - Support the creation of an aggressive renewable energy
portfolio standard that calls for fifty (50%) of all energy generation by Florida public utilities to come
from renewable sources by the year 2017.
Net Metering - Support the creation of a "net metering program" where an electric utility buys back
energy produced by a customer who uses one or more renewable energy systems and produces more
energy than is used.
State Energy and Sustainability Entity - Support the creation of a state entity that consolidates all state
energy and sustainability policy functions with the authority to recommend state alternative and
renewable energy policy and manage incentives for achieving energy policy goals. Further support the
creation of a state clearinghouse for the research and development of energy, plan for development of
renewable energy sources, and to gather and index all information related to energy research in the
state.
"25 x'25" Vision - Support "25 by '25" and "Farm to Fuel," encouraging the production of renewable
energy and fuels by farms and ranches to help meet the future energy needs of our city, state, and
nation.
Biodiesel Fuel - Support a requirement that diesel fuel sold in this state contain a specified minimum
volume of biodiesel. Further support that all wholesalers of diesel to marinas must offer biodiesel for
sale.
City of Miami Page 2 of 3 Printed On: 4/3/2007
File Number: 07-00494
Green Schools Pilot - Support the establishment of the Green Schools Pilot Project toward
encouraging that all new school construction be USGBC LEED certified.
Section 2. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Governor, the
President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and all the members of the Florida Legislature.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of the
Mayor.{1}
Footnotes:
{1} If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
City of Miami Page 3 of 3 Printed On: 4/3/2007