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A green day at City Hall

Tampa City Council members discuss water quality, hybrid cars and green building.

By TImes staff writer
Published January 26, 2007

TAMPA - The Tampa City Council went green on Thursday, with members bringing up three different environmental issues: protection of the Hillsborough River, hybrid vehicles for the city and green building.

Council member Linda Saul-Sena asked for a presentation on fresh water flow in the river.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, also known as Swiftmud, recently recommended letting 13-million gallons a day of fresh water flow over the Hillsborough River dam to keep the river healthy for fish and plants.

Currently, about half that amount flows over the dam, which collects water in a reservoir that the city uses for much of its drinkable water.

Environmental groups recommend an even higher flow than that suggested by Swiftmud, but Mayor Pam Iorio is resisting any measures that will cut into the city's drinking water supply. "City Council might have a different opinion," Saul-Sena said.

Swiftmud is expected to make a final recommendation this spring.

Council member Shawn Harrison asked for information on converting the city's fleet of vehicles to cleaner-burning fuels. Late last year, at the request of Saul-Sena, public works director Irvin Lee told the council the cost to buy and maintain green cars doesn't balance out the savings. Harrison was out that day.

Harrison also said he wants an update on the city's "green building" initiatives, noting there no longer seems to be much argument about the existence of global warming.

"Everybody ought to get on board and do something about it," he said.

[Last modified January 26, 2007, 01:15:36]