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Advisory committee unveils 5-year parkette plan, seeks free FPL solar evaluations for city buildings
Summary
The Sustainability/Environmental Planning Advisory Committee presented a five-year plan for parkette improvements, a volunteer maintenance model and recommended staff accept free solar evaluations from Florida Power & Light for city-owned buildings.
The City of Saint Augustine Beach’s Sustainability/Environmental Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC) presented a five‑year plan for small park improvements, a volunteer maintenance model and proposed pursuing a free solar evaluation from Florida Power & Light for city-owned facilities.
“We've put together a rough 5 year plan,” CPAC member Todd Grant told the commission on May 5, saying the committee had prioritized two parkette projects for the coming year and recommended a planning-then-implement cadence to reduce burden on the city’s public-works staff.
Grant told commissioners the committee favored removing grass where possible and retooling landscaping to reduce irrigation needs at small green spaces across the island. Grant also described a volunteer-maintenance approach and said a neighborhood group has offered to “adopt” the parkette at the Eighth Street parking area to handle weeding, litter pickup and mulching.
On renewable energy, Grant said CPAC has discussed Florida Power & Light’s commercial solar program, which offers a no-cost evaluation and design and permits a finance structure where FPL retains a portion of project value for its financing role. Grant noted a Public Service Commission limitation: no building may export more than 10% of the electricity it consumes. He asked for permission to provide FPL account numbers so the utility can run free site evaluations; public works staff had no objection to receiving the assessments.
Commissioners and CPAC members also described a “climate change challenge” survey that was relaunched on the city website to gather resident feedback; staff will promote the survey in the city newsletter. CPAC members said additional grant opportunities – including the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) – are being explored to cover installation costs so limited city capital can be directed toward maintenance.
Ending
CPAC received the commission’s informal blessing to proceed with FPL’s free evaluations and to continue planning and volunteer recruitment; staff and the committee will return with more detailed cost estimates and any required permitting steps.
