Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Choose a Division.
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Agreement between Broward County and Global Resilient Cities Network, Inc. (“R-Cities”), providing for Broward County’s membership in R-Cities’ network, effective from the date of execution for a term of 48-months for a total amount of $100,000; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same; authorize the County Administrator, after review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, to execute future amendments to the agreement that do not impose additional financial obligations on the County; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the agreement.
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Why Action is Necessary
Board Action is required to enter into an agreement with R-Cities, a not-for-profit corporation.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides for Broward County’s participation as a member of R-Cities’ organization.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None taken.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE RESILIENT ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
Approval of this item supports the Board’s value of “building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives,” and the goals of “consistently delivering responsive, efficient, inclusive, and equitable quality services to the public and internal customers while providing a safe community to live, work and visit” and “ensuring accessible, seamlessly integrated investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices, manufacturing, resilient infrastructure, and environmental protection.”
R-Cities’ network builds upon the 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) initiative pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation in 2013 as part of its Global Centennial Initiative. In 2019, the 100RC initiative ended and its member cities and Chief Resilience Officers spearheaded the next phase of the initiative - the Resilient Cities Network. The Resilient Cities Network, launched in 2020, seeks to reduce vulnerability and improve the well-being of over 220 million urban dwellers around the world. R-Cities brings together global knowledge, practice, partnerships, and funding to empower member cities and strengthen their urban resilience.
Toward the close of 2023 and leading into the United Nations 28th Conference of Party (COP28) convening in Dubai, Broward County (County) was formally invited to join the Resilient Cities Network as its 101st member. R-Cities extended this invitation because of the County’s notable contributions in resilience, demonstrated through prominent internal initiatives, strong county-wide collaboration, and regional efforts. R-Cities also recognized the County’s stated interest in expanding its expertise in equity-based resilience activities, purposeful integration of green infrastructure strategies as part of resilience planning, and desire to build its network of resources through expanded peer learning and information exchange.
This agreement allows the County to forge better connections with other global urban resilience pioneers, fosters continuous growth and expansion of the County’s resilience initiatives, and enables the County and its leadership to highlight its own expertise on the global stage. This expansion of partners, resources, and leadership engagement comes at a critical time in the County’s finalization and anticipated advanced of a county-wide resilience plan. It will help inspire a more formal resilience strategy within the County, as modeled by existing R-Cities member communities.
Approval of the agreement provides for the County’s inclusion as a member community in the Resilient Cities Network for four years. Under the agreement, the County and R-Cities will jointly implement a two-year program of activities that will enable County to 1) share its knowledge and collaborate with other network members on climate resilience solutions and 2) expand its knowledge and skills on how to embed a strong equity lens within its resiliency efforts.
The key initiatives of the two-year program include:
1) Broward County Climate Resilience LAB - the County will share its knowledge, collaborate with other cities in the network, and elevate the County/region as a pioneering hub for climate resilience solutions.
2) Capacity Building for Social Equity and Community Engagement - the County will undertake activities designed to support the County in embedding equity in resilience work.
3) Global and regional communication and advocacy - the County will participate in global and regional events (e.g., COP, NY Climate Week) and R-Cities global knowledge sharing and communication activities.
Activities will include peer to peer exchange, co-production of materials, participation in speaker series, engagement in communities of practice, mentorship, and hosting/participation in knowledge exchanges.
The County’s participation in the Resilient Cities Network is supported via a contract agreement for a total value of $100,000 over two years. Additional internal expenses supporting the County’s engagement are anticipated to be requested in year 2, estimated at $50,000 as part of engagement activities.
Upon completion of the two-year skill-building and sharing program, the County retains all rights and privileges of a full member of the R-Cities network for the remaining term of the agreement.
The Office of the County Attorney provided final legal review and approval of the Agreement.
Source of Additional Information
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Chief Resilience Officer and Deputy Director, Resilient Environment Department, (954) 519-1464.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Broward County will provide the Resilient Cities Network with $100,000 over 2 years ($50,000 a year for 2 years). The $50,000 for year 1 is already included in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Additional internal/in-kind expenses, estimated at $50,000, are anticipated to be requested in year 2 as part of the County’s participation in engagement activities.