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Oakland Park and Wilton Manors present five-year update to joint climate action plan
Summary
City staff presented a five-year update to the Joint Climate Action Plan (JCAP), outlining seven strategies for emissions reduction and resilience and noting new and ongoing actions including flood vulnerability assessments, infrastructure upgrades and public outreach efforts.
City staff presented a five-year update to the joint climate action plan for Oakland Park and Wilton Manors, outlining seven broad strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience to flooding, heat and other climate risks.
City Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Molly Furch said the 2019 plan has been revisited “with fresh eyes and renewed commitment” and that the update is intended to move the cities from planning to action. The update highlights progress and adds new proposed actions, she said, and aims to make the plan “clear and accessible to everyone, not just planners, engineers.”
The presentation listed seven overarching strategies: sustainable communities and transportation; water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure; natural systems; energy and fuel; risk reduction and emergency management; public policy advocacy; and public outreach and engagement. Furch and Public Works Director Albert Carbon emphasized water and stormwater systems as a primary area of focus for local resilience work.
In response to a commissioner question about septic systems in Broward County, Carbon said Oakland Park itself is “100% sewer” but that roughly a third of the county overall still relies on septic systems. He described an ongoing county ordinance and planning effort to convert remaining septic-served areas to sanitary sewer and said residents who alter or replace septic systems are required to connect to sewer where available.
Commissioners commented favorably on the update and urged continued emphasis on planting trees, improving landscaping in public planters, and coordinating with county and neighboring jurisdictions for funding and infrastructure work. Furch noted one new proposed action in the update: “to develop and implement a plan to continuously educate residents on what can and cannot be recycled.”
The presentation was informational; no ordinance or formal action was taken on the plan during the April 16 meeting. Staff said the update will guide city and intercity work moving forward and that departments will continue to revise and implement actions as needed.
