Sustainability Advisory Board

Parking Department Conference Room - 204 Minorca Ave

Agenda — 11 items

1. 1. Roll Call / Introductions
2. 2. Approval of November 17, 2025, Meeting Minutes Approved on Consent Agenda Pass
3. 3. Public Comment No public comments.
4. 4. Keep Coral Gables Beautiful Program Updates a. Recent Events 1. Recycling Drive Thru – November 15 a. This was the second drive-thru of the year with 1,140 participants who dropped off 31,509 pounds of household hazardous waste, electronic waste, paper shredding, cardboard, plastic bags/film that were properly recycled and clothing donated to Camillus House. We received great feedback from the public as well as the board during the event even with the paper shredding mishap at the end of the event. 2. Holiday Downtown Community Cleanup – December 1 a. During the last Downtown Cleanup of 2025, there were 21 volunteers who picked up 335 pounds of litter which was followed with a post-event mixer at Café Grumpy. 3. Business Recycling Drive-Thru – December 6 a. During the annual Business Recycling Drive-Thru there were 86 participants and 7,900 pounds recycled between electronic waste, paper shredding, cardboard, plastic bags/film, and clothing donated. This is the highest attendance. This event is hosted by Economic Development, KCGB, and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. b. Upcoming Events 1. Holiday Cardboard Recycling & Christmas Tree Recycling – December through January a. The City’s Christmas tree and cardboard recycling programs ran through January 16. An update on the numbers will be presented at the next meeting. The City provides this as an additional service on top of the normal weekly pickups it provides for the community. A short discussion was held on the recycling of glass and what is done with it at the Waste Management facility. It is recycled, can be used as a layer in landfills, and UM currently works with Glass for Life to help reuse glass in several different ways.
5. 5. Sustainability Related City Commission Items a. Brief Update on the Keep Florida Beautiful Conference – November 18 1. The City was the host of the Keep Florida Beautiful Conference from November 5 to 7 and gave a brief overview of it in Commission. There were over 100 attendees and 29 KFB affiliates. The Mayor presented at the conference and it was met positively by the Commission. b. Waterway Filter Project Resolution – November 18 1. Commission approved a two month no-cost pilot with Clean Rivers Foundation through Applied6 Engineering. They will be using an Aquabot to remove microplastics, oils, heavy metals, fertilizers, and more from Coral Gables’ waterways. They will be picking a location in conjunction with FIU and Miami Waterkeeper at the suggestion of the Vice Mayor and the Mayor respectively. Clean Rivers will return after the study with results to be presented to Commission. c. Andromeda District & Giralda Cleaners Received KCGB Commercial Beautification Awards – December 9 1. The Board voted for Andromeda District to receive the Commercial Beautification Award in November, and they were awarded before the Commission at the December 9 meeting. Giralda Cleaners was also recognized on January 13 Commission meeting. It was suggested to change the rules to not allow plastic decorations and make them only natural plants. The Board will discuss in the future the potential of changing the criteria of the awards. The criteria will be sent to the Board members. d. Ordinance Prohibiting the Release of Balloons or Use of Plastic/Metallic Decorations by Special Events Permittees – December 9 1. An ordinance banning glitter, confetti, sequins, tinsel, Mylar streamers, etc. during special events in City parks passed on second reading with commission support. The ban targets environmental impacts of small debris and aligns with existing plastic waste regulations. Enforcement includes education, warnings, potential permit revocation, and code enforcement involvement. Signage and permit language will communicate rules, with accountability placed on event organizers. e. Official Zoning Code to Incorporate Composite Recycled Materials – December 9 1. New zoning code changes allow property owners to use at least 60 percent recycled composite materials for docks, trellises, decks, walkways, and pavers. This is an optional provision designed to encourage sustainable building without mandating recycled materials. Material approval will be part of the permit process to ensure compliance. The policy applies to both residential and commercial properties. f. Rebuilding Green Building Ordinance 1. The City updated the Green Building Ordinance by removing the vague “or equivalent” language and formally recognizing LEED Silver, National Green Building Standard Silver, and Energy Star certifications. The clarification streamlines compliance and aligns with current certification frameworks. New municipal projects will continue to require LEED Silver, while renovations (e.g., City Hall) will pursue certification under existing building standards. Further meetings will refine implementation details.
6. 6. Sustainability Management Plan Review & Discussion for Future Sustainability Management Plan a. The City’s Sustainability Plan, launched in 2015, remains a data-driven framework guiding environmental goals, including energy reduction, waste diversion, and fuel use reductions. Key accomplishments include LED streetlight conversions, irrigation upgrades, and measurable greenhouse gas reductions. Following the closure of the waste-to-energy facility, alternative diversion strategies are being explored with Miami-Dade County. The Sustainability team now manages performance data in-house using EnergyCAP software, tracking electricity, water, waste, fuel use, and carbon emissions through EPA factors for real-time monitoring. b. The City intends to update the Plan internally, reducing reliance on external consultants previously costing approximately $200,000. The update will incorporate community input and interdepartmental collaboration, with potential expansion to include net-zero, heat mitigation, and resilience strategies. The City Manager’s Office will align budget priorities, and Board members will provide ongoing input through iterative updates and annual progress reviews. The planning horizon under consideration ranges from 10 to 20 years.
7. 7. Standing Agenda Items a. Vulnerability Assessment Update 1. The City is 75 percent through its Vulnerability Assessment, integrating sea level rise, heat, and stormwater planning. The first Stormwater Master Plan is underway, coordinated with water quality advisory efforts. Future presentations to the Board are planned as assessments near completion. b. EV Charging Infrastructure 1. The City continues advancing fleet electrification, replacing most light-duty vehicles with EVs and significantly reducing fuel consumption. A no-cost electric garbage truck pilot with Battle Motors is launching, with charging infrastructure in place. Hybrid vehicles are being deployed where full EV options remain limited, and pursuit-rated electric police vehicles are being introduced as the market evolves. Vehicles are purchased through state contracts to ensure competitive pricing. Although the City can no longer \leverage the $7,500 federal tax credit previously accessed through lease-purchase agreements, EV adoption remains strategic and cost-conscious. 2. The City is replacing 28 aging ChargePoint stations with 11 new Blink Charging stations providing 22 public ports under a revenue- sharing model. Existing ChargePoint units will be dedicated to fleet use. The upgrade modernizes infrastructure and improves reliability. Fleet management oversees charging operations and vehicle replacement cycles, with some 2016 Nissan Leaf vehicles exceeding expected service life following battery replacements. Average daily vehicle use (approximately 25 miles) supports extended EV longevity.
8. 8. Member Comments a. Steven: 1. Happy to be part of the Board and ready to provide his services. b. Joe: 1. Praised the canopies the City installed to the trolley stops which were provided by a grant to make trolley stops ADA compliant. c. Anabella: 1. Mentioned her meeting with the Sustainability team and Jorge, the new President of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, to continue working on the remodel of the Green Business Certification program. d. Nelson: 1. Shared ideas for increasing youth engagement through NOAA’s Marine Debris Monitoring Program and local school partnerships. They provide supplies for youth to do citizen science that is uploaded to their database. e. Teddy: 1. Working with Hard Rock and Green Sports Alliance to make their events zero waste. UM is also working on another floating wetland project.
9. 9 Next Meeting – Wednesday, February 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Parking & Mobility Services Office ADJOURNED: 6:40 p.m.
10. 10 For more information on the Sustainability Advisory Board please visit: CoralGables.com/SAB Email Sustainability@coralgables.com
11. 11 NOTE