HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Workshop_Tab 02_7/29/2024 Agenda Item #2.
Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)
STAFF MEMO
Meeting: Workshop - Jul 29 2024
Staff Contact: Thomas G. Bradford Department: Environmental Advisory
Committee
Environmental Advisory Committee Activities 2023/2024 Report
SUMMARY:
attached memorandum addresses recent activities by the EAC over the years 2023 and 2024.
This document and any attachments may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by
completing our Accessibility Feedback Form, sending an e-mail to the Village Clerk or calling 561-
768-0443.
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EAC Activities-2023-2024 Tom Bradford Memo
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Agenda Item #2.
Village of Tequesta
Environmental Advisory
Committee
Memo
To: Village Council
From: Thomas G. Bradford, Vice-Chair, EAC
Cc: EAC Members, Jay Hubsch, Director of Community Development
Date: July 17, 2024
Subject: Environmental Advisory Committee(EAC) Activities 2023/2024 Report
This memorandum addresses the most recent activities of the VOT EAC. Also, for reference, this
memo includes attachments pertaining to the recent EAC activities. This helps to pinpoint trends
that may exist in the Committee's focus over time.
For the benefit of those who may not be aware of the EAC history, at the request of then Mayor
Abby Brennan, the EAC was formed in the summer of 2019 by the unanimous adoption of Village
Council Resolution No. 21-19.. Section 3 of the resolution calls for the EAC to "...hold uP blic
meetings for the purpose of developing recommendations for best practices,fostering community
partnerships, and within the bounds of the Village's Comprehensive Development Plan,
developing recommendations for goals, objectives and policies relative to sustaining and
improving the environment of the Village of Tequesta. The Village of Tequesta Environmental
Committee shall report to the Village Council from time to time and shall present its
recommendations to the Village Council for further direction,final review and ultimate approval. "
As you know, Tequesta is the northernmost municipality in Palm Beach County consisting of a
population of approximately 6,200 persons residing on three peninsulas surrounded on three sides
by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, or the Loxahatchee River and its
North and Northwest forks portions of which were designated a National Wild and Scenic River
in 1985 (the first in Florida). To Tequesta's north and on its doorstep lies Jonathan Dickinson State
Park consisting of 11,500 acres. Being a waterfront community, Tequesta is susceptible to storm
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Agenda Item #2.
surge from tropical cyclones and sea level rise. To protect our valuable lands and the natural
environment that surrounds us it is incumbent upon us as proper stewards of our lands, the air we
breathe and our waters to do all things reasonably possible to stabilize and enhance the overall
health of our local environment. For a profile of Tequesta see this link:
https:Hdata.census.gov/cedsci/profile?a=1600000US 1271525
Map of Tequesta and Surrounding Area
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Jupiter Inlet Color
To this end, the VOT EAC has worked hard now for a number of years to improve the local
environment by making numerous recommendations to the Village Council and staff. The work
that is deemed most important is inherently subjective,but for this author the following are actions
and recommendations that are the most noteworthy for 2023/2024 to date. It should be noted that
I was not directly involved with the EAC for about 4.5 months during this time frame.
o We completed updating EAC comments on the VOT Comprehensive Plan elements and
thereafter submitted a full report submitted to the Village Council, Planning and Zoning
Board,Village Manager and other staff on or about June 19, 2023. The report is 252 pages
in length and too voluminous to attach hereto, but I have attached the cover page so you
will know what it looks like. If you have not received it, please request a copy from your
staff.
o We made assignments to each EAC member for tackling the issue of reducing green house
gases (GHG) for (1) the Village Community and (2) the Village municipal corporation.
The EAC continues its work in this regard.
o We made EAC member assignments on the ultimate development of a communications
plan and related pamphlet to ensure regular information for the public on environmental
issues on multiple VOT communication platforms. More work is required here by the
EAC,but we are pleased to see that your staff often provides environmental information to
the public on their own initiative.
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Agenda Item #2.
o The EAC continues to learn of potential environmental issues or problems that may pertain
to Tequesta and about the organizations that can provide us with information needed to
make determinations as to applicability to Tequesta via data from such organization and/or
by presentations from such organizations. As just one example,the long-term health of the
Loxahatchee River and its forks is dependent in large part by increasing fresh water flows
to the river to combat salt water encroachment impacts to the river and the related shoreline
environment. We learned that the SFWMD and potentially others appear to be planning to
divert fresh water from Lake Okeechobee via the Loxahatchee Slough for discharge into
the Loxahatchee River. Lake Okeechobee is highly polluted, particularly in regard to
nitrogen levels and phosphorus. Meanwhile, the Loxahatchee River Coordinating Council
formed by FDEP for which Tequesta is a participant was created in part to find ways to
reduce nitrogen levels and other pollution in the Loxahatchee River based on current high
nutrient levels. There appears to be potential counter productive work going on here that
the EAC needs to get to the bottom of in order to make an informed recommendation to
the Village Council. We, and/or staff have reached out to SFWMD and FDEP for
information and presentations to us. These activities are in the works.
The EAC requested that I bring the following to your attention. The EAC recently became aware
that the Village's ongoing Vulnerability Assessment work to date has preliminarily revealed that
some infrastructure owned by the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District (LRECD),
primarily sanitary lift stations, are at potential risk due to rising sea levels over time. Mitigation of
the potential problem may entail increasing the height of electrical equipment and maybe even
mechanical equipment modifications. We know that LRECD has an array of portable generators
to keep lift stations operational for long term power outages,but their use assumes lift stations are
accessible and that the necessary electrical components are fully functional, both of which are
problematic when the area is flooded. The EAC does not know if LRECD is aware of or is eligible
for the state's Vulnerability Assessment Program and the part of the Vulnerability Assessment
Program that ultimately will provide a 50150 cost share using state funds and the funds of the local
government applicant. What the EAC does know is in a major storm event, major high tide event
or due to rising sea levels should these sanitary lift stations fail due to flooding the areas served by
the sanitary lift stations may experience backed up sewage into their homes or businesses which
no one wants. Before doing anything, confirm the extent of the potential problem and the location
of identified infrastructure with staff and consultants. The EAC is of the opinion that being
proactive is called for and that the Village Manager or the Mayor should write a letter to the
LRECD Executive Director and/or the Chair of their Board or both to (1) inform them of the
Village's preliminary Vulnerability Assessment findings in regard to the identified sanitary sewer
lift stations; (2) inform them of the state's Vulnerability Assessment Program for which LRECD
may be eligible; and(3)encourage them to take advantage of this program, if they have not already
done so, in order for LRECD to address the potential problem with 50150 funding with the state to
address the matter satisfactorily to avoid sanitary sewage problems in the future. Please consider
doing this and whatever else you may deem necessary in this regard.
The EAC encourages the public to attend our meetings to provide any recommendations for our
consideration and to learn of the environmental issues Tequesta is working on for its betterment.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or any EAC member.
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Agenda Item #2.
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TEQUESTA ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE
TEQUESTA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
ELEMENTS
2023
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Page 32 of 51
Agenda Item #2.
EAC SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS FROM
01/01/2023 to 07/01/2024
January 2023 EAC Meeting:
o Completed EAC review and recommendations on the Coastal
Management Element of the VOT Comprehensive Plan
o Approved EAC Recommendations on the Capital Improvements
Element of the VOT Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the
Village Council and Staff.
o Compiled EAC Recommendations and Issues found at the Cypress
Drive Park for Landscape Plan Development for VOT.
February 2023 EAC Meeting
o Updated EAC Draft Recommendations on the Future Land Use
Element of the VOT Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the
Village Council and Staff.
March 2023 EAC Meeting
o Re-visited Draft Recommendations on the Housing Element of the
VOT Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the Village Council
and Staff.
o Began the process for EAC Recommendations and Incentives for
Green Buildings and Green Infrastructure for Consideration of the
Planning and Zoning Board, Village Council and Staff.
April 2023 EAC Meeting
o Re-visited EAC Draft Recommendations on the Transportation
Element of the VOT Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the
Planning and Zoning Board, Village Council and Staff.
o Considered a Possible U.S. Green Building Council Presentation to
the EAC on Community and Private Sector Rating System and Ways
to Facilitate Home Builder Involvement.
o Commenced Development of a List of Green House Gas (GHG)
Reduction Options for EAC Preferred VOT Municipal Corporation
GHG Reductions for EAC Preferred VOT Municipal Corporation GHG
Reductions.
o Communication Options for Newsletter and Social Media w/Article for
Introducing the Community to GHG Reduction Plan.
May 2023 EAC Meeting
o Commenced Development of an EAC Green House Gas (GHG)
Reduction Priorities Document for the (1) VOT Municipal
Corporation and EAC Use with (2) a Communication Plan.
June 2023 EAC Meeting
o Reviewed Information on Beach Road Jupiter Narrows Mangrove
Islands Stabilization Plan.
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Agenda Item #2.
June 19, 2023
o Submitted the EAC final report on EAC comments and
recommendations pertaining to the current adopted Tequesta
Comprehensive Plan to the Village Council, Planning and Zoning
Board, Village Manager and other Staff.
July 2023 EAC Meeting
o Considered the Next Steps for Proposed EAC New Initiatives, which
were (1) GHG Reduction Actions; (2) Shoreline Protection
Actions;(3) Perchlorates;(4) Increased Recycling;(5) Leaf Blowers;
(6) Medical Waste.
August 2023 EAC Meeting
o Further Consideration of the Next Steps for EAC New Initiatives
Assignment of GHG Reduction Actions
o Assigned GHG Reduction Actions to an EAC Committee Member
that Volunteered to take on the work and made other assignments as
well.
September 2023 EAC Meeting
o Received Updates from EAC Committee Members Assigned New
Initiatives as follows:
(1) Communications/Pamphlet & LEED Presentation—Jill
Wenta, EAC
(2) LEED Incentives -Michele Shearouse, EAC
(3) Potential GHG Reduction Grants Research—Brad Freese,
EAC
(4) Communication with LRECD for GHG Reductions —
Thomas Bradford, EAC
(5) Shoreline Protection Actions —Russ Redman, EAC
(6) Perchlorates (Monitoring)—Brad Freese—EAC
(7) Increased Recycling:
Tequesta Facilities - Clay Damon, EAC
Business/Commercial Facilities- Jessica Namath, EAC
(8) Green Infrastructure —Not Assigned
(9) Green Buildings —See LEED Above
October 2023 EAC Meeting
o Continued Reporting on New Initiative Assignments by EAC
Members.
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Agenda Item #2.
EAC SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS FROM
01/01/2023 to 07/01/2024
o Worked on Development of a Consistent Way to Inform Tequesta
Citizens on the Importance of Environmental Protection and
Enhancement Using Smoke Signals and Other VOT Media Platforms.
November 2023 EAC Meeting
o Received a LEED For Cities Presentation, with presenter Bill
Whiteford, Planning and Zoning Administrator, Jupiter Inlet Colony
o Continued Reporting on New Initiative Assignments by EAC
Members.
o Continued work on Development of a Consistent Way to Inform
Tequesta Citizens on the Importance of Environmental Protection and
Enhancement Using Smoke Signals and Other VOT Media Platforms
December 2023 EAC Meeting
o Continued Reporting on New Initiative Assignments by EAC
Members.
o Continued work on Development of a Consistent Way to Inform
Tequesta Citizens on the Importance of Environmental Protection and
Enhancement Using Smoke Signals and Other VOT Media Platforms.
January 2024 EAC Meeting
o Continued Reporting on New Initiative Assignments by EAC
Members.
o Continued work on Development of a Consistent Way to Inform
Tequesta Citizens on the Importance of Environmental Protection and
Enhancement Using Smoke Signals and Other VOT Media Platforms.
o Reviewed the 2023-2024 Strategic Plan and EAC Initiatives for the
Village Council to Consider Including the 2024-2025 Strategic Plan.
o Discussed Legislative Priorities related to Issues and Home Rule.
o Discussed an article to be inserted in the next Smoke Signals
highlighting and/or education residents on an Environmental topic.
February 2024 EAC Meeting
o Continued Review of the 23/24 Strategic Plan and discussion of EAC
Initiatives for the Village Council to Consider Including in the 24/25
Strategic Plan.
March 2024 EAC Meeting
o Updates from EAC Committee Members on Assigned Initiatives.
April 2024 EAC Meeting
o A meeting was not held that month.
May 2024 EAC Meeting
o Received a Report and Recommendation on LEED Certified Cities
EAC Member Michelle Shearouse.
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Agenda Item #2.
o Reviewed the Results of 2024 Village of Tequesta Citizen Survey.
o Received an Arbor Day Celebration and Tree City USA Update form
Jay Hubsch.
o Jessica Namath Reported on Florida's Coral Reef Bleaching.
o Jessica Namath Reported on Issues Associated with Light Pollution.
o Jessica Namath Spoke on Matters Pertaining to a Loxahatchee River
Presentation.
o Jessica Namath Informed the EAC on Matters Pertaining to the South
Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force.
o The EAC Conducted its Annual Reorganization Naming Jessica
Namath as Chair and Brad Freese as Vice-Chair.
June 2024 EAC Meeting
o Jessica Namath informed the EAC about an Update from Peter Dewitt
on Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area North Trails in
Tequesta.
o The EAC Reviewed and Considered Recommendations to ultimately
make to the Village Council Regarding the Current list of prohibited
invasive trees and plants listed in the VOT Code of Ordinances.
o The Committee Discussed the Requested EAC Update to Village
Council to be Presented at the July 29 Village Council Workshop with
EAC Members to provide their input on what should be reported by
the Chair at the Next EAC Meeting in July 2024.
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