HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Environmental Advisory Committee_12/13/2023 MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL
DECEMBER 13, 2023 2:00 PM VILLAGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair, Jessica Namath at 2.00 p.m. A roll call was taken
by Community Development Planner, Catherine Wagner.
Jill Wenta arrived late at 2-.02 P.M.
Present were-
Michelle Shearouse, Jessica Namath, Chair, Brad Freese, Vice Chair, Clay Damon, and Russ
Redman.
Late were:
Member Jill Wenta.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Member Damon made a motion to approve, Member Redman seconded this motion. Carried
unanimously 5-0.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Grant Update: Manager Jeremy Allen
Village Manger, Jeremy Allen gave a presentation pertaining to the grant process including
information on who applies for grants in the Village, how studies apply to the grant
application process, and that grants often go for council approval and require lots of staff
time. Village Manager, Allen also explained to the committee that grants do not stop at the
application step, but the process continues on by working with the grant provider and/or
the state, providing additional documentation and how to receive the funds.
The committee asked questions regarding the best way the EAC could support Village staff
in grant research.
Thomas Bradford provided input on how grant writing worked in the town of Palm Beach.
2. Living Shorelines Presentation and Consideration of Code Update
Community Development Director, Hubsch gave a presentation on the different shoreline
varieties, and explained how neighboring municipalities are implementing living shorelines
in their code. Hubsch, showed code language from the Town of Jupiter in comparison to
the Village of Tequesta's Code regarding living shorelines.
The committee asked questions on implementing living shorelines adjacent to armored
shorelines, how unarmored shorelines work, existing seawalls, and new construction of
seawalls.
The committee conversed amongst themselves about shorelines varieties.
Community Development Director, Hubsch informed the committee about workshopping
code language with the Village Council and bringing it back to EAC.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Previous meeting minutes were approved:
MOTION: EAC Member Damon made a motion to approve the November 8th meeting
minutes; Regular Member Seat 5 Redman seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-
0.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
REGULAR AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS
4. EAC Member's Specific Assigned GHG Reduction Elements:
LEED
1. Communications/Pamphlet & LEED Presentation— Jill Wenta, EAC
2. LEED Incentives -Michele Shearouse, EAC
B. Potential GHG Reduction Grants Research — Brad Freese, EAC (see attachment
spreadsheet)
C. Communication with LRECD for GHG Reductions — Previously Assigned to
Thomas Bradford
D. Shoreline Protection Actions — Russ Redman, EAC
E. Perchlorates (Monitoring)— Brad Freese - EAC
F. Increased Recycling
1. Tequesta Facilities - Clay Damon, EAC
2. Business/Commercial Facilities- Jessica Namath, Vice-Chair, EAC
G. Green Infrastructure— Not Assigned
H. Green Buildings — See LEED Above
1. Member, Jill Wenta explained additional research is necessary.
2. Member, Michele Shearouse explained additional research is necessary.
B. Brad Freese will apply the new criteria given in Jeremey Allen's presentation.
C. Vice-Chair, Jessica Namath will follow up on Thomas Bradford research.
D. Member, Russ Redman gave information on dune protection.
E. Member, Brad Freese explained additional research is necessary.
F. A Constitution Park employee discussed the new recycling program in the park.
1. Member, Clay Damon explained additional research is necessary.
2. Vice-Chair, Jessica Namath explained additional research is necessary.
G. Member, Jill Wenta explained additional research is necessary.
H. Thomas Bradford advised including the utilities department.
5. Continued Discussion on Development of a Communications Plan to Inform
Tequesta Citizens on the Importance of Environmental Protection and Enhancement
Using Smoke Signals and Other VOT Media Platforms. (Jessica Namath, Vice- Chair,
EAC)
Vice-chair, Jessica Namath asked the committee to email her ideas or topics to promote
on the communications platforms.
NEW BUSINESS
6. Election of the New EAC Chair
MOTION: EAC Member Shearouse made a motion to nominate Jesscia Namath for
chair; EAC Member Wenta seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0.
MOTION: Regular Member Seat 5 Redman made a motion To nominate member Brad
Freese to Vice-chair EAC Member Wenta seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-
0.
MOTION: Regular Member Seat 5 Redman made a motion To recommend to Village
Council to hold the empty seat vacant. EAC Member Wenta seconded the motion.
Carried unanimously 6-0.
7. Overview and discussion of Remembrance Park Landscape Plan
The committee provided input on their experiences with butterfly gardens.
Community Development Director, Hubsch explained the difference between the native
and non-native Clusia.
Marsha Neilson gave her experience on the butterfly gardens, and raised concern on who
would take care of the garden.
MOTION: Regular Member Seat 5 Redman made a motion to volunteer the EAC in
assisting the maintenance of the butterfly garden at Remembrance Park and recommend
to the Village Council to add milkweed. Vice Chair Freese, Vice Chair seconded the
motion. Carried unanimously 6-0.
COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ANY OTHER MATTERS
8. Meeting Task Assignments
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Russ Redman made a motion to Adjourn at 4.06, Seconded by Michele Shearouse.
Carried unanimously 6-0
-G
Ay Wilbsch, AICP