Maitland City Talk

By Howard Schieferdecker
| 7:37 a.m. November 9, 2011

Winter Park - Maitland Observer
Opinion

On Oct. 26, the U.S. Green Building Council, Central Florida Chapter, hosted their annual LEEDership Dinner at the Hilton Orlando. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” a program that encourages energy-efficient building design and construction. The purpose of the dinner event was to formally recognize outstanding projects and achievements by businesses, community leaders and volunteers who are helping to shape the green building initiative in Central Florida.

At the dinner, the Green Building Council presented awards in eight categories, and I am proud to announce that Maitland’s new Edward J. Doyle Police Station won the award for “Project of the Year for New Construction” in the small construction category. This award represents the hard work and close collaboration of a great number of people who were involved in the project. Wharton Smith, Inc., as construction manager, assembled a very capable team of contractors and sub-contractors who were careful to follow the LEED guidelines closely. This included regular monitoring and close coordination among contractors, materials suppliers and design professionals. ACi, the project architect, and AVCON, the project engineer, set the stage by designing an efficient site and building that incorporated construction methods, fixtures and equipment that represented the latest in energy-efficient technology. Some examples of these innovations include energy-saving windows, efficient indoor lighting, extra roof insulation, a cool roof, occupancy sensors and an energy recovery ventilation system. Water conservation was also a major focus of the project. Stormwater quality and quantity were key focus points included in the site planning for the project. Additionally, zero potable water is used to provide for landscaping needs.

The City staff who managed the project were careful to provide the monitoring and administration necessary to maintain focus on the LEED requirements for the building as it progressed and to address the necessary criteria. With the help of the project’s LEED facilitator, the City researched the possibility of purchasing “Renewable Energy Credits” that allow for the research and development of renewable energy technologies. By contributing to this type of credit, the City did its part to direct the community toward a more energy-efficient future. Ultimately, the new police station actually exceeded the “LEED Silver” level of achievement that was the original goal and was awarded “LEED Gold,” based on some final modifications to the building’s construction and operation methods.

I am gratified that the new Edward J. Doyle Police Station has received this kind of recognition, and I hope that the citizens of Maitland will take note of this worthy achievement and see what modifications they can make in their own environments to save energy.

— Dick Wells, Director,

Community Development

Department

City Council Agenda of Nov. 14

City Council meets the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for November 14th in the Council Chambers, 1776 Independence Lane. Below are items that will be addressed at that meeting.

Special Presentation:

• Retirement Resolution – Lt. Jonni Schardine

Public Hearing:

• Ordinance – Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) Text Amendment

Consent Agenda:

• Approve Council Minutes of Oct. 24, 2011

• Receive various Advisory Board meeting minutes

• Approve FY 11 Carry Forward List

• Change Order – Fire Station 45

• Change Order – Lake Eulalia Wetland Treatment Retrofit

Decision Item:

• Time Limit for Speakers – Council Meetings