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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 03_10/13/2021Agenda Item #3. [Draft) A cy cou�+� MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 2:00 PM VILLAGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order Chair Tom Bradford. A roll call was taken by Deputy Village Clerk Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Chair Bradford, Vice Chair Shaw, Member Harding, Member Namath, Member Redman, and Member Wilson. Absent were: Member Pearson APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Vice -Chair Shaw made a motion to approve the agenda; Member Namath seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0 (absent: Member Pearson). COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENTATIONS 1. Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative and Request for Village Council Letter of Endorsement by Geraldine Dube Mrs. Geraldine Dube brought handouts for the Committee on saving the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters. One of the goals of the endeavor was to preserve the water quality in the area. The organization worked with non -governmental organizations and had formed a collaboration to purchase land that they felt was threatened by development. This was accomplished through fundraising efforts that, had thus far raised $3.5 million dollars. Currently there were 700,000 acres in the area that the organization would like to purchase, parcel by parcel. So far, government agencies had not been able to acquire any of the acreage. Additionally, wetlands were permitted to be developed if they were not connected to flowing water. PlRggE6 bt)fl 0 Agenda Item #3. 01 Draft The Committee asked questions and learned that the timeframe was as soon as possible and $1 billion dollars were needed to acquire all of the land. Most recently, a parcel of land comprised of 138 acres near the northern tip of Johnathan Dickenson State Park had been purchased by the organization. CONSENT AGENDA 2. MINUTES. -August 11, 2021 MOTION: Member Harding made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0. END OF CONSENT AGENDA REGULAR AGENDA OLD BUSINESS 3. Village Request for the EAC to Develop a Race to Zero Like Plan for Tequesta. Chair Bradford gave a brief history of the request for a Race to Zero like plan for the Village. Areas of focus would be aquifers, electricity, water, energy overviews, and vehicular energy. 4. Update on Review of web/webinars on Local Ways and Means to Address Carbon Footprint Reduction Vice Chair Shaw spoke of the many contacts and organizations related to carbon footprint reduction. He asked the Committee if they would like to hear from a speaker from Solar United Neighbors (SUN). The Committee welcomed the opportunity to have SUN speak at an upcoming meeting. It was recommended that the Village work with Local Governments for Sustainability. The local contact was Cale Roberts and he could give an inventory analysis on the Village's greenhouse gasses. Vice Chair Shaw recommended that Manager Allen attend the meeting. There was a pledge available if the Village was interested. Additionally, there was a climate change summit scheduled for December in West Palm Beach. The EAC Members agreed on having Mr. Cale Roberts speak at an upcoming meeting either via zoom or live in person. 5. Update on Information from the Sustainability Sub -Committee of the Economic Development Committee of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, if any. PIRggd2)bfl 0 Agenda Item #3. 01 Draft Member Jessica Namath reported that a company known as "Waste Wise" was used by USA Recycling. She felt that Waste Wise could help the Village in areas of recycling, battery recycling, electronic and metal waste, and overall waste reduction. 6. Discussion on Remembrance Park: L Moving Remembrance Park Forward ii. Asking the Village Council to Match the Grant Dollars in. Starting the Tree for Tequesta Initiative with Remembrance Park. Member Marguerite Wilson recommended the Village move forward with the design for Remembrance Park. She conveyed to the Committee that the $50, 000 grant would expire if not used. Mrs. Marcia Nielson of Beechwood trail opined that work on Remembrance Park should be started in order to keep the grant money. She believed there was an additional $70,000 budgeted for next year for the park and asked what had happened to the Tree City program. Member Wilson believed Greg Corbit, Parks and Rec Director would have valuable input. Council would need to revisit the plan in order to have staff move forward. Parking was discussed and it was mentioned that there were ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, although other area parks had no designated parking. MOTION: Vice -Chair Shaw made a motion to direct Chair Bradford to draft a letter to Council, supporting the adoption of a plan with the ability to make changes; Member Harding seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0 (absent: Member Pearson). NEW BUSINESS 7. Village Council Request for a Letter of Endorsement for the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative Requested by Geraldine Genco Dube Chair Bradford commented on the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative and was concerned with the natural flow being mirrored during the acquisition of any wetlands. Last month he had concerns with other possible motives for acquiring the wetlands. He was convinced now that the motive was to save the environmental lands and waters. MOTION: Member Namath made a motion to have Chair Bradford write a letter of endorsement for Council to support the Loxi Lucie Headwaters Initiative; Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0 (absent: Member Pearson). 8. Draft Recommendations to the EAC on the Conservation Element, v1, of the Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the Village Council and Staff Per Request of EAC Members PIRggE83bbfl0 Agenda Item #3. 01 Draft Chair Bradford believed there were 111 items that needed attention within the Comprehensive Plan. His goal was to eliminate ambiguity within the plan. There was discussion on the increased need for vegetation in the Florida Friendly Landscape minimum requirements. The Committee recommended the wording reflect taking out "preservation" and inserting "implementation" as reflected on page 6. MOTION: Member Harding made a motion to approve the recommendations; Member Namath seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 7-0. COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ANY OTHER MATTERS 9. Meeting Task Assignments ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:04 PM MOTION: Member Harding made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Member Namath seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0. Lori McWilliams, Village Clerk PlRgg&bbfl 0 Agenda Item #3. MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 2:00 PM VILLAGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order Chair Tom Bradford. A roll call was taken by Deputy Village Clerk Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Chair Bradford, Vice Chair Shaw, Member Harding, Member Namath, Member Redman, and Member Wilson. Absent were: Member Pearson APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Vice -Chair Shaw made a motion to approve the agenda; Member Namath seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0 (absent: Member Pearson). COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENTATIONS 1. Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative and Request for Village Council Letter of Endorsement by Geraldine Dube Mrs. Geraldine Dube brought handouts for the Committee on saving the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters. One of the goals of the endeavor was to preserve the water quality in the area. The organization worked with non -governmental organizations and had formed a collaboration to purchase land that they felt was threatened by development. This was accomplished through fundraising efforts that, had thus far raised $3.5 million dollars. Currently there were 700,000 acres in the area that the organization would like to purchase, parcel by parcel. So far, government agencies had not been able to acquire any of the acreage. Additionally, wetlands were permitted to be developed if they were not connected to flowing water. Page 10 of 19 Agenda Item #3. The Committee asked questions and learned that the timeframe was as soon as possible and $1 billion dollars were needed to acquire all of the land. Most recently, a parcel of land comprised of 138 acres near the northern tip of Johnathan Dickenson State Park had been purchased by the organization. CONSENT AGENDA 2. MINUTES. -August 11, 2021 MOTION: Member Harding made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0. END OF CONSENT AGENDA REGULAR AGENDA OLD BUSINESS 3. Village Request for the EA C to Develop a Race to Zero Like Plan for Tequesta. Chair Bradford gave a brief history of the request for a Race to Zero like plan for the Village. Areas of focus would be aquifers, electricity, water, energy overviews, and vehicular energy. 4. Update on Review of web/webinars on Local Ways and Means to Address Carbon Footprint Reduction Vice Chair Shaw spoke of the many contacts and organizations related to carbon footprint reduction. He asked the Committee if they would like to hear from a speaker from Solar United Neighbors (SUN). The Committee welcomed the opportunity to have SUN speak at an upcoming meeting. It was recommended that the Village work with Local Governments for Sustainability. The local contact was Cale Roberts and he could give an inventory analysis on the Village's greenhouse gasses. Vice Chair Shaw recommended that Manager Allen attend the meeting. There was a pledge available if the Village was interested. Additionally, there was a climate change summit scheduled for December in West Palm Beach. The EAC Members agreed on having Mr. Cale Roberts speak at an upcoming meeting either via zoom or live in person. 5. Update on Information from the Sustainability Sub -Committee of the Economic Development Committee of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, if any. Page 11 of 19 Agenda Item #3. Member Jessica Namath reported that a company known as "Waste Wise" was used by USA Recycling. She felt that Waste Wise could help the Village in areas of recycling, battery recycling, electronic and metal waste, and overall waste reduction. 6. Discussion on Remembrance Park: Moving Remembrance Park Forward ii. Asking the Village Council to Match the Grant Dollars iii. Starting the Tree for Tequesta Initiative with Remembrance Park. Member Marguerite Wilson recommended the Village move forward with the design for Remembrance Park. She conveyed to the Committee that the $50, 000 grant would expire if not used. Mrs. Marcia Nielson of Beechwood trail opined that work on Remembrance Park should be started in order to keep the grant money. She believed there was an additional $70,000 budgeted for next year for the park and asked what had happened to the Tree City program. Member Wilson believed Greg Corbit, Parks and Rec Director would have valuable input. Council would need to revisit the plan in order to have staff move forward. Parking was discussed and it was mentioned that there were ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, although other area parks had no designated parking. MOTION: Vice -Chair Shaw made a motion to direct Chair Bradford to draft a letter to Council, supporting the adoption of a plan with the ability to make changes; Member Harding seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0 (absent: Member Pearson). NEW BUSINESS 7. Village Council Request for a Letter of Endorsement for the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative Requested by Geraldine Genco Dube Chair Bradford commented on the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative and was concerned with the natural flow being mirrored during the acquisition of any wetlands. Last month he had concerns with other possible motives for acquiring the wetlands. He was convinced now that the motive was to save the environmental lands and waters. MOTION; Member Namath made a motion to have Chair Bradford write a letter of endorsement for Council to support the Loxi Lucie Headwaters Initiative; Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0 (absent: Member Pearson). 8. Draft Recommendations to the EAC on the Conservation Element, v1, of the Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the Village Council and Staff Per Request of EAC Members Page 12 of 19 Agenda Item #3. Chair Bradford believed there were 111 items that needed attention within the Comprehensive Plan. His goal was to eliminate ambiguity within the plan. There was discussion on the increased need for vegetation in the Florida Friendly Landscape minimum requirements. The Committee recommended the wording reflect taking out "preservation" and inserting "implementation" as reflected on page 6. MOTION: Member Harding made a motion to approve the recommendations; Member Namath seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 7-0. COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ANY OTHER MATTERS 9. Meeting Task Assignments ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:04 PM MOTION: Member Harding made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Member Namath seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0. Lori McWilliams, Village Clerk Page 13 of 19