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MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL
MARCH 13, 2024 2:00 PM VILLAGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Namath. A roll call was taken by Deputy Village Clerk
Mary Ann Grieser
Present were:
Chair Jessica Namath, Member Michelle Shearouse, Vice Chair Brad Freese, Member Jill Wenta,
and Member Russ Redman.
Late were:
Member Clay Damon.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Namath asked to add the emails the group had sent and food truck educational material
added as additions to the agenda.
MOTION: EAC Member Damon made a motion to approve the agenda with Chair Namath's
additional items; EAC Member Shearouse seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
Ms. Lynda Smith of the Sierra Club addressed the Committee and thanked the Village for the
strong fertilizer ordinance. She spoke of single use plastics, filling stations, and double sided
agendas.
PRESENTATIONS
CONSENT AGENDA
1. MINUTES:February 14, 2024
MOTION: EAC Member Shearouse made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented; EAC Member Damon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
REGULAR AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS
2. Updates from EAC Committee Members on Assigned Initiatives
Member Shearouse planned to have a conversation with the previous Mayor of Jupiter Inlet
Colony on their experience with LEED.
Vice Chair Freese suggested the group coming up with several target grants that would
address the GHG element effectively. He would share links to the Committee on how to
search for grants as well as the excel spreadsheet with the list of grants.
Mr. Thomas Bradford of 44 Chestnut Trail remembered that the largest source of
greenhouse gas were electricity and vehicular miles driven. Grants that focused on
reducing electrical consumption for the water plant would be very useful. Street tree
canopies, charging stations and solar panels were in his opinion the way to target energy
savings.
Mr. Jay Hubsch announced there would be an Arbor Day celebration planned for the
Village on April 26th.
The Committee discussed EV chargers being required by new developments both
residential and commercial.
Increased recycling education through the Village business liaison was discussed and it
was determined that Mr. Hubsch would speak with the building department.
Creating easy ways for residents to recycle at Food Truck events would be preferred.
Mr. Thomas Bradford of 44 Chestnut Trail commented on recycling rebates being a five
figure number. He suggested contacting Willie at the Solid Waste Authority and Jeff Sabin
at Waste Management Additionally recycling contracts were important to review.
MOTION: EAC Member Damon made a motion to ask Council to evaluate incentives for
EV charging stations when updating the Village's commercial code; Regular Member
Seat 5 Redman seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Emails from Vice Chair Freese on Sandsaver
Vice Chair Freese spoke of a beach erosion product "sandsaver" he had recently been
researching for personal reasons. He would update the group as he received more
information.
Member Redmond had concerns regarding the plastics company that manufactured the
product offering natural solutions. Additionally, he was concerned with the wording and
the fact that it was made of polyethylene.
Mr. Hubsch had concerns with the sand displacement from the sandsaver.
4. Food Truck Education
Chair Namath asked for ideas to enhance the EAC tent that would lead to enhancing the
educational materials. She felt that a personalized tent would be helpful as well as banners
and informational pamphlets.
Mr. Hubsch would find out about the EAC budget and report back.
COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Community Development Director Hubsch informed the Committee that the living shoreline topic
would be brought to the EAC for the April meeting.
Member Shearouse asked if the Group wanted to have specific strategies for Council.
ANY OTHER MATTERS
A trail at the north end of the BLM off of US Highway One was mentioned with Chair Namath
reaching out to Mr. Peter DeWitt. Additionally, she felt a database would be helpful.
The Group asked that a link be placed on the website under "I'd like To" in order to consolidate
EAC data and articles.
5. Meeting Task Assignments
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:37 PM
MOTION: EAC Member Damon made a motion to adjourn the meeting; EAC Member Shearouse
seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0.
Jay Absch, AICP