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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Environmental Advisory Committee_8/28/2019 MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL AUGUST 28, 2019 9:00 AM CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Chair Tom Bradford; A roll call was taken by Administrative Assistant Kelly Bonneau. Member Maria Pearson arrived at 9:50 AM. Present were: Chair Bradford, Vice-Chair Shaw, Member Harding, Member Krimsky, Member Listort, and Member Namath. Late were: Member Pearson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Chair Bradford made a motion to approve the agenda; Member Harding seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 6-0 (absent: Member Pearson). COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS There were none. PRESENTATIONS 1. Bud Howard, Director of Information Services, Loxahatchee River District - Loxahatchee River District's River Research and Monitoring Programs, Followed by Q&A Bud Howard, Director of Information Services for the Loxahatchee River District and Tequesta resident, provided a presentation regarding their research and monitoring programs. The presentation was followed by questions and answers from the members of the EAC and members of the audience. Bud advised that he would provide a copy of the powerpoint presentation that he shared with the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) to Village Clerk McWilliams. 2. Doug Chambers, Director of Public Works, Village of Tequesta, Update on Testing of Organic Herbicide Alternatives to Roundup/Glyphosate, Followed by Q&A Page 1 of 6 Doug Chambers, Director of Public Works, provided an update regarding the use and testing of organic herbicide alternatives in comparison to the use of Round-Up / Glyphosate usage. This update was followed by questions from the members of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) and the public. Mr. Chambers agreed to determine if there were any phosphates in the soap component of the organic herbicide alternatives that the Village of Tequesta was currently using. The members of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) discussed Mr. Chambers' update and determined the appropriate path to take to share information and results with the Council. It was further recommended by Members Pearson and Krimsky that the pilot include before, during and after pictures showing side-by-side results of both options. Chair Bradford would send a letter to the Village Manager by the end of the week. MOTION: Vice-Chair Shaw made a motion to have Chair Tom Bradford contact Jeremy Allen, Village Manager, formally requesting the Public Works department do a pilot test showing the results of using organic herbicide alternatives in comparison to the use of Round-Up / Glyphosphate; Member Pearson seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 7-0. CONSENT AGENDA 3. MINUTES: July 31, 2019 and August 14, 2019 Chair Bradford provided the following corrections for the July 31, 2019 EAC minutes: • #3 Tom Bradford is the Chair. • #7 pipe drilling should read building of break waters; • Jupiter Inlet District instead of Town of Jupiter • Mangroves instead of mangoes MOTION: Member Namath made a motion to approve the minutes with noted alterations; Vice-Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 7-0. END OF CONSENT AGENDA REGULAR AGENDA Chair Bradford stated that due to time constraints, item number 10 was to be discussed next. 10. Village Manager Request for EAC Comments on Draft Environmental Goals and Objectives for Strategic Plan Chair Bradford reviewed the attachment memo from Village Manager Jeremy Allen regarding Sustainable and Environmental Stewardship. He further reviewed his proposed Page 2 of 6 changes and/or additions. All members entered into a discussion of the appropriateness of the changes and/or additions and determined that additional time was needed to be given to this effort. Timelines were discussed. Members discussed the need to keep agendas and attachments to a minimum in the future. In addition, Chair Bradford advised that the Committee would need to meet with Village Clerk McWilliams to learn how to create Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant documents in the future. As a result, Chair Bradford asked if a special meeting could be called for September 4, 2019 in order to meet Village Manager Jeremy Allen's request and comply with ADA requirements going forward. The following was the response from each member: Listort— leave by 10:30am Krimsky — no Pearson- yes Shaw — no Bradford- yes Harding- yes Namath —yes Chair Bradford asked Members to share comments in advance via email with no responses. Member Pearson recommended that the Committee request ADA video training from Lori McWilliams in advance of the next meeting. Member Pearson also requested that the Committee limit ADA discussion to 1 hour. The Committee agreed to table this item until the next meeting. OLD BUSINESS 4. Lisa Krimsky- Introduction to EAC and Florida Sunshine Law Overview Committee Member Lisa Krimsky introduced herself, and Chair Bradford provided an overview of the Florida Sunshine Law. Member Krimsky advised she was familiar with the Florida Sunshine Law. Mr. David Tinoco, Village Water Distribution Superintendent offered an update. He revealed that the Stormwater Standard Operating Proceedures (SOPs) had been updated and finalized for the department. In addition, Mr. Tinoco had contractors remove some of the mangroves blocking water flow. He also stated that storm drains were marked and labeled with a Village decal. Schematics of where storm drains were located could be requested as a public information request. Mr. Tinoco would reach out to Bud Howard regarding filters for drains. Page 3 of 6 Member Pearson introduced a framework proposal that was sent out to all members via email. She requested it be reviewed for a future meeting agenda item. 5. Update on EAC Business Card Design and Logistics on Acquisition Chair Bradford asked that Member Listort provide a brief review of her business card options and recommendations. She provided an update. Feedback was provided to her requesting that a tree be added to the logo. Member Listort agreed to provide an updated logo by the September 4, 2019 meeting. Member Namath also offered to send her ideas as a graphic designer to the members via email, requesting no response. Chair Bradford asked for a clarification from Council Member Laurie Brandon, as to issues that may arise in creating EAC business cards. Council Member Brandon advised that it was new, and needed discussion and approval from Council Members. Chair Bradford reminded the members that they would be responsible for paying for their own business cards at a cost of $9.99. Member Listort offered to order the cards if it was a problem for anyone to do themselves. Chair Bradford said he would be willing to continue through the Agenda Items as long as there was a quorum. 6. Update on EAC Events/Presence at October-April Recreation Events (Food Trucks) and Conversation with Greg Corbitt, Recreation Director Member Namath updated the Committee regarding the Food Truck Event coordination. She advised that she had spoken with Wendy Schmidt from the Village (who was in charge of the food trucks). Member Namath indicated she had seven (7) different groups for each of the seven events. Member Namath provided a brief overview of each: The Committee discussed putting Village of Tequesta sticker / decals on existing handouts provided at the Food Truck events. Members Listort and Krimsky left the meeting. MOTION: Member Pearson made a motion to allow Member Namath ability to coordinate the efforts of seven (7) events during Food Truck evenings in coordination of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC). Member Harding seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0 (absent: Member Krimsky and Member Listort). 7. Update on Fertilizer Sample Ordinances and Review by EAC Vice Chair Shaw shared that he had sent links out to all members via the Agenda. He advised there were a variety of different approaches taken by other communities. Page 4 of 6 Discussion ensued about the need for a framework, organization, and the approach the Committee should take as an Advisory Committee regarding fertilizer ordinances or any future recommendations. Vice Chair Shaw agreed to research and talk to experts about the positive results of limiting chemicals and fertilizers into the soil. This request would include a concise summary from the expert so that Vice Chair Shaw could provide a recommendation to the Committee for review and discussion. Vice-Chair Shaw agreed to put forth this effort; however, time considerations would need to be given to this subject as it should not be rushed. 8. Additional Discussion on Yard Waste Dumping Enforcement and Educational/Information Program Vice- Chair Shaw asked that this item be tabled as it was part of a greater discussion on enforcement. 9. Update of Landscape Maintenance Firm Registration and Mandatory Landscaper Placement of Filter Fabric Over Storm Drains During Work Activities Chair Bradford indicated that the Village of Tequesta had a state of the art code for business licenses and business registrations for those doing business within the Village. He further referred to the agenda item number 9 attachment, to show the actual ordinances that were in place. After discussion, Chair Bradford was asked by Member Pearson what his recommendation was based upon his research. Chair Bradford felt it needed to be addressed. Member Pearson offered to put together a draft of a memo from the Committee to Village Manager Jeremy Allen. Council Member Laurie Brandon reminded the members that as individual residents they were always welcome to reach out to the Village Manager with ideas and/or concerns. NEW BUSINESS COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Item numbers 11-14 were designated tabled until a future meeting. 11. Update on Energy Efficiency Assessment for VOT Operations 12. Update on Tree Canopy Completion (Grants & Donations) 13. Request for Village Council to Assist Town of Palm Beach and Other Florida Local Governments in Changing Florida Law to Allow Local Prohibition of Plastics Page 5of6 14. Other Items 15. Next Meeting, Date, Time and Place; Speaker From The next meeting was scheduled for September 4, 2019 from 9-11 AM. ANY OTHER MATTERS Member Namath shared that when she attended a local chamber meeting they announced the first Environment Award Banquet whereas businesses, government entities and schools would be recognized for being environmentally conscious in Tequesta. She would provide marketing materials when they were available. Vice-Chair Shaw wanted to make sure the Committee was following up with Nate Litteral, Water Plant Superintendent, regarding the Remedial Action Plan (RAP). Chair Bradford agreed to call Nate regarding our attendance, the RAP, and to let him know what the Committee was working on. Chair Bradford asked for items that should be discussed in future agendas. The following were shared: a. Member Namath — Seven (7) Food Truck events b. Member Pearson — Proposed Framework c. Chair Bradford— Enforcement of Ordinances Memo d. Member Namath - List of organizations and resources available to us including their meeting dates and times. She will email in advance to all. ADJOURNMENT Chair Bradford made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Vice-Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. Page 6 of 6