HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Environmental Advisory Committee_6/9/2021MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL
VILLAGE COUNCIL
JUNE 9, 2021 2:00 PM CHAMBERS/ZOOM
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Thomas Bradford at 2:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by
Village Clerk Lori McWilliams.
Present were:
Thomas Bradford, Robert Shaw, Frank Harding, Maria Pearson, Marguerite Wilson
Late were:
Jessica Namath, Russ Redman
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Vice -Chair Shaw made a motion to approve the agenda; Member Pearson seconded
the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0 (absent: Member Namath and Regular Member Seat 5
Redman).
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
Ms. Linda Smithe, a Jupiter resident and an environmental volunteer, addressed the
Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) and distributed handouts. The literature consisted of
information regarding the Jupiter Inlet Colony Resolution, urging Congress to address climate
change and mitigate the impacts by enacting the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of
2019. Also included was a City of Boca Raton Waste Reduction Ordinance and the Citizen's
Climate Lobby proposal to the Village of Tequesta regarding the Energy Innovation and Carbon
Dividend Act. She asked the Village to consider reducing single use plastics on property and
explained how the carbon dividend fee worked as an incentive for being efficient.
PRESENTATIONS
New committee members Marguerite Wilson and Russ Redman summarized their experiences
with environmental issues and reasons they wanted to serve on the committee.
CONSENT AGENDA
MINUTES: May 12, 2021
MOTION: Member Namath made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented. Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 7-0.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
REGULAR AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
2. Requested and Proposed EAC Projects:
a) Creation of an educational article from EAC on Pesticide Usage and the New
Pesticide Ordinance provisions for Inclusion on the VOT Website, Social Media,
and Other Platforms - Robert Shaw, Vice -Chair, EAC
b) Facilitation of Greater Recycling Participation, With Benefits of Doing the
Same
c) Trees for Tequesta
Vice Chair Shaw described to the Committee the details on the proposed revisions to the
pesticide portion of the Village's Code, which was presented during the May Council
meeting. Council asked the Committee to create and provide communication materials to
educate the public. Chair Bradford discussed instances when the Village Clerk would
need to reduce the message length and Clerk McWilliams explained how the information
would be disseminated via the committee's webpage, social media and newsletters.
Chair Bradford explained how the Village Council had asked the committee to facilitate
greater recycling participation throughout the Village. Mr. Bradford asked for a committee
volunteer to generate the communications for Council, in order to increase recycling
participation. He reached out to the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) to see if they would
attend a committee meeting to make a presentation, however, had not heard back as of
yet. Discussion ensued on additional bins, upgrading bins, cost to upgrade, sorting
recyclables, single stream recycling, and items left at the curb for the garbage truck and
not recycled. Ms. Pearson agreed to reach out to the SWA and create messages for the
Village Clerk to disseminate.
Chair Bradford reviewed a "Trees for Tequesta" program that Mr. Mark Sapirie provided
to him. He explained the concept of the program and how it might work through the
generation of donated funds, in the planting of trees throughout the Village. This would
require coordination with the Village and a plan to address placement. The following was
discussed:
• cost of trees
• root barriers
• placement and affordability
• responsible party for planting trees in the Village
• project as a fundraiser
• who will facilitate planting and who in the Village could facilitate
• incorporation within the existing structure of the Village
• finance create an account for donations and funds tie to specific projects
• solicitation of donations
• how to bring the idea forth to Council.
Chair Bradford stated he would come back next month with a plan outline for the
Committee to review.
MOTION: Member Harding made a motion to approve the educational article written by
Vice Chair Shaw: Member Namath seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 7-0.
3. Review of Draft Recommendations to the EAC on the Utilities Element, Sub
Element Stormwater Management, of the Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of
the Village Council and Staff
Chair Bradford explained that stormwater was one of the most important elements within
the Village Comprehensive Plan. He felt stormwater was closely linked to negative
impacts due to sea level rise. The Committee discussed natural landscaping mandated
for all new developments as a way to reduce stormwater and associated pollution. Other
ideas and concerns the Committee discusssed were cisterns for irrigation and residential
areas experiencing redevelopment/drainage issues.
The group discussed how stormwater assessment fees could increase, if proactive
measures were not taken. A pilot system, natural landscaping, tree conservation in
relation to new developments, stormwater assessments based upon impervious surfaces,
and preservation of land and open space were also discussed.
4. Discussion on Time of Day for Future EAC Meetings
Chair Bradford explained Member Redman's schedule would now work well; Member
Wilson travels and would need to tie in remotely from time to time; and Member Pearson
had taken a full-time job. Member Pearson stated she would be able to do Zoom or
evening meetings. Mr. Bradford noted staff would prefer daytime meetings and felt the
current day and time was working well. The committee members agreed. Council
Member Brandon preferred earlier in the day before school dismissal. The committee
agreed to leave the committee meeting date and time as currently being held.
At Ms. Pearson's request, Clerk McWilliams read the term dates for each committee seat.
COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF
Member Jessica Namath commented on a parcel of land located in unincorporated Palm Beach
County, near Tequesta, which had just sold. She was concerned with protecting any Gopher
Tortoises on the vacant land.
Vice Chair Bob Shaw commented on the fact that a higher than usual amount of manatee
deaths occurred in the past year, due to starvation. Fertilizer run off caused algae growth and
subsequently river plant death.
Member Maria Pearson asked about the application for review, that had been submitted and
wondered if there had been any feedback as of yet. It was noted that there had been no
feedback as of yet on the application.
Chair Tom Bradford had been notified by a resident regarding boat speed and the negative
consequence of disappearing river grass. He also mentioned that local fertilizing companies
were not adhering to the new ordinance regarding application during rainy season.
5. Meeting Task Assignments
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ANY OTHER MATTERS
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4.21 PM
MOTION: Member Pearson made a motion to adjourn the meeting Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the
motion. Carried unanimously 7-0.
Lori McWilliams, Village Clerk