HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Environmental Advisory Committee_10/13/2021 MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL
OCTOBER 13, 2021 2:00 PM VILLAGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Tom Bradford. A roll call was taken by Deputy Clerk
Mary Ann Grieser.
Present were:
Member Jessica Namath, Member Maria Pearson, Member Marguerite Wilson, Regular Member
Seat 5 Russ Redman, Vice-Chair Robert Shaw, Chair Thomas Bradford, EAC Chair, and Member
Frank Harding.
Members Pierson, Wilson and Namath attended via Zoom.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Member Namath made a motion to approval of the agenda: Vice-Chair Shaw seconded
the motion. Carried unanimously 7-0.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
Ms. Linda Smith, a resident of Jupiter spoke to the Committee about tree initiatives, single use
plastic, solar and youtube recourses. She provided 4 handouts for the Committee.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Laura Tellez, South Florida Program Coordinator, Solar United Neighbors of Florida.
Presentation on: Issues and Policies Impacting Your Ability to Go Solar in Florida.
TIME CERTAIN @ 2:00 PM
Ms. Tellez of the Solar United Neighbors of Florida, presented a power point presentation
via Zoom. She spoke of the benefits of going solar which included subtopics of: solar
thermal, system components (panels and cells) inverters, attachment systems, permitting,
roof types, kilowatts, connection to electrical panel, siting, grid tied systems, net metering,
solar technology utility grid outage, battery storage, energy storage, battery costs, solar co-
op benefits and parameters, solar economics, affordability, cost break down, economics,
and financing.
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Committee Members asked about specific roofing types, generators and salt water
intrusion. Battery costs and usages for vehicles was part of the discussion. It was
confirmed that the solar battery could also power a vehicle.
Homeowner Association regulations had very limited control regarding height and street
facing panels. Additionally, Laura mentioned there was a Solar Bill of Rights for consumers.
Solar Co-ops would be beginning next year (2022) and would need to include at least 100+
neighbors. Carbon emissions metrics data could be provided for Palm Beach County and
there was no sales tax on solar panels.
2. Jesse Carpentier, Program Officer, ICLEI USA (Local Governments for
Sustainability). Presentation on: ICLEI, Membership and Resources; Overview of the
GHG Inventory Process, and the ICLEI ClearPath Tool. TIME CERTAIN @ 3:00 PM
Ms. Jesse Carpentier of ICLEI gave a brief overview of Local Governments for
Sustainability and what the organization could offer its members. Sub topics included:
customized support of goals, access to tools, opportunity for trainings, technical support
and domestic and global recognition. Memberjourneys were given as an example of what
to expect.
Recommendations on actions would be provided to the Village once the data had been
gathered. Also, greenhouse gas inventory for Village property was discussed in terms of
the hours involved.
US Community Protocol and Municipality Operations Protocol were available on the
company website. It was unclear as to who would input the information on the report and
other municipalities would have to be involved in order to create a baseline.
The Committee agreed that Manager Allen would need to weigh in on whether or not to
move forward with membership.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. MINUTES: September 8, 2021
MOTION: Member Harding made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented; Member Namath seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 7-0.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
REGULAR AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS
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4. VOT Code Sec. 78-402. — Florida-Friendly Landscaping
This item was tabled until the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
5. Village Earth Day Event in April 2022
Chair Bradford informed the Committee of an upcoming Village Earth Day Event. Manager
Allen asked if the Committee would like to be a part of it and was looking for a point of
contact. Member Namath volunteered to be the point person for the Village.
COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ANY OTHER MATTERS
6. Meeting Task Assignments
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:27 PM
MOTION: Member Pearson made a motion to adjourn the meeting Member Namath seconded the
motion. Carried unanimously 7-0.
Lori McWilliams, Village Clerk
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