HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 14_2/9/2023Agenda Item #14.
Regular Council
STAFF MEMO
Meeting: Regular Council - Feb 09 2023
Staff Contact: Jeremy Allen, Village Manager Department: Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 05-23, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
TEQUESTA, FLORIDA REQUESTING LEGISLATIVE EXEMPTION FROM THE PREEMPTION LAWS
GOVERNING THE REGULATION OF PESTICIDES WITHIN THE VILLAGE; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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Resolution No. 05-23 - Supporting Pesticide Law Revision
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Agenda Item #14.
RESOLUTION NO. 05-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
TEQUESTA, FLORIDA REQUESTING LEGISLATIVE EXEMPTION
FROM THE PREEMPTION LAWS GOVERNING THE REGULATION OF
PESTICIDES WITHIN THE VILLAGE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the Governor's Freedom First budget for 2022-23 continues his
commitment to water quality by allocating more than $2.2 billion for key environmental
priorities, including $972 million dedicated to Everglades and water quality protection;
and
WHEREAS, this funding allows the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP) and other partners to continue work to expedite Everglades
restoration through sound science and project collaboration; implement clean water
projects to reduce nutrients in our waterways; assist communities with water supply
projects to meet Florida's future water needs; combat blue-green algae and red tide
which have harmful environmental and economic impacts on surrounding communities;
and improve community resilience through technical assistance and funding to address
flooding, erosion and ecosystem changes; and
WHEREAS, currently, Florida law preempts the Village of Tequesta (Village)
from regulating the application of pesticides within the Village; and
WHEREAS, the Village's municipal boundaries include three peninsulas entirely
surrounded by water creating a unique and very fragile marine and estuarine ecosystem
particularly susceptible to the effects of these harmful synthetic pesticides; and
WHEREAS, the over -application of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides,
herbicides and fungicides, on residential and commercial properties within the Village
creates the potential for these chemicals to percolate into the groundwater and runoff
impervious areas during storm events, creating a hazard for Village residents and the
natural environment including the Loxahatchee River; Indian River Lagoon, Jupiter
Aquatic Preserve and Atlantic Ocean; and
WHEREAS, exposure to pesticides is acknowledged by the State of Florida to be
harmful to humans, pets and other wildlife, including birds, beneficial pollinators, and
aquatic life as evidenced by its mandatory signage program warning residents to keep
children and pets off properties recently treated with these chemicals; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of State of Florida has repeatedly recognized that
"One size doesn't fit all" on numerous important issues affecting the state, and
consistent with this understanding and the Governor's commitment to water quality, the
Village respectfully requests a legislative exemption from preemption laws governing
the applications of pesticides within the Village.
Page 162 of 1094
Agenda Item #14.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are declared to be true and correct and are
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. The Village Manager is directed to provide a copy of this resolution
to the Governor of the State of Florida, the elected officials of the Town of Palm Beach,
Village of North Palm Beach, City of Palm Beach Gardens, Town of Juno Beach, Town
of Jupiter, Town of Jupiter Inlet Colony, and all members of the Palm Beach County
Legislative Delegation.
SECTION 3. This resolution shall take effective immediately upon its adoption.
Page 163 of 1094