SRC at City Council

On Tuesday, August 9, 2011, the USGBC North Florida Chapter presented their case for the approval of Ordinance 2011-494 to Jacksonville’s City Council.  Here is the bill summary:

Bill Type and Number:  Ordinance 2011-494

Introducer/Sponsor:  Council President at the Request of the Mayor

Date of Introduction:  July 26, 2011

Committee(s) of Reference:  TEU; F

Date of Analysis:  July 28, 2011

Type of Action:  Lease Approval

Bill Summary:  This bill approves a lease agreement with the U. S. Green Building Council-NorthFlorida Chapter, Inc. (USGBC), authorizing the Mayor and Corporation Secretary to execute the agreement.  Provision is made for technical modifications which do not involve any increased financial obligations or liability to the City, and do not alter basic lease terms.

Background Information:  USGBC is aFlorida not-for-profit corporation focused on accelerating the adoption of green development practices, technologies, policies and standards.  Its Sustainability Resource Center is to be open to the public for educational purposes, including the provision of resources to the public on energy and water conservation efficiency, and green building and sustainable development practices.  The lease is for five years, with no renewal option, for 4,940 square feet of retail space on the first floor of the Main Library Parking Garage located at33 West Duval Street.  In consideration of USGBC’s build-out of the space for use as aSustainabilityResourceCenter, the City agrees to allow use at no rental or utility cost to the tenant.  Information on file states that the space has been empty for six years, and that occupation will have a high impact on downtown visits and revitalization, and possibly be a seed for filling the rest of the space.

Policy Impact Area:  Leases; Environmental Protection; Green Building and Sustainable Development; Downtown Development

WE NEED YOU!

The ordinance will now head to the Finance Committee and the TEU Committee.  Please plan to attend so that our City Council sees how many people in the community want this to happen:

Finance Committee:  Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10am

TEU Committee:  Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2pm

Once the Ordinance makes its way through the committees, it will then be presented at Council for it’s final reading:

City Council:  Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 5pm

PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!  If Council doesn’t see strong support from their constituents, it will be much easier for them to dismiss it.  Your presence there is NEEDED.

If you have any questions about how you can support the SRC, please email or call:

Sarah Boren, Executive Director USGBC NF:  (904) 535-0055 or sarahboren@usgbcnf.org

Hava Binkley, SRC Committee USGBC NF:  organikgirl2112@yahoo.com>