HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Environmental Advisory Committee_7/12/2023 MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL
JULY 12, 2023 2:00 PM VILLAGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Thomas Bradford at 2:00 PM. A roll call was taken by
Village Clerk Lori McWilliams.
Present were:
Brad Freese, Clay Damon, Jill Wenta, Michelle Shearouse, Thomas Bradford, EAC Chair, and
Russ Redman.
Late were:
Jessica Namath.
Absent were:
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Member Freese made a motion to approve the agenda; EAC Member Wenta seconded
the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0 (absent: Member Namath).
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
There were none.
PRESENTATIONS
There were none.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. MINUTES:June 14, 2023
MOTION: EAC Member Wenta made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented. Regular Member Seat 5 Redman seconded the motion. Carried unanimously
7-0.
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END OF CONSENT AGENDA
REGULAR AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS
Committee Member Michelle Shearouse was sworn in prior to the start of the meeting.
Chair Bradford informed the group of the 6 initiatives, in order of ranking
• GHG Reduction Actions
• Shoreline Protection Actions
• Perchlorates
• Increased Recycling
• Leaf Blowers
• Medical Waste
Chair Bradford urged the group to come up with things to do that the Village could afford. Vice
Chair Namath added that she would be in favor of starting a Junior Naturalists group. The
Committee also discussed the GHG Reduction Action and how to obtain grants. Green House
Gasses would be discussed further and broken down at the next meeting.
Natural Shorelines were discussed as related to mangroves and seawalls, in both existing and
future builds. Placing mangroves in front of a sea wall was a recommendation for extending the
life of the sea wall. A typical life cycle of a sea wall was around 20 years. Rip rap was another
idea brought forth to transition to a natural shoreline. Committee Member Redmond volunteered
to look further into the subject, with Vice Chair Namath as his backup.
Perchlorates were discussed and it was determined that there was nothing the EAC could advise
until the testing of Village water was complete. Currently, the Village had not received the results
for unregulated contaminants. Determining the seriousness of the perchlorates in the water, was
suggested (natural vs. unnatural). It was a consensus of the Committee to support the Village
utilities in future endeavors of testing for perchlorates. Committee Member Freese understood
the EAC was holding off on perchlorates, but would like to offer input in the future.
Recycle bins and receptacles in the Village parks were discussed. Member Damon agreed to look
into what the Village parks were in need of as far as recycling was concerned.
Gas leaf blowers vs battery/electric were discussed. The group was not interesting in pursuing
this initiative, currently and agreed to defer to a later date.
Medical waste was discussed and the Committee agreed that the initiative was larger than
anything the group could tackle.
2. Next Steps for EAC New Initiatives:
L GHG Reduction Actions
iL Shoreline Protection Actions
iii. Perchlorates
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iv. Increased Recycling
v. Leaf Blowers
vi. Medical Waste
NEW BUSINESS
COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFFC
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ANY OTHER MATTERS
3. Meeting Task Assignments
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 PM
MOTION: Regular Member Seat 5 Redman made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Member
Namath seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 7-0.
— qw�
Lori McWilliams, Village Clerk
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