2012.04.19_BSAB_Minutes_RegularL 4
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
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MINUTES OF THE
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BEACHES & SHORES ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday April 19, 2012 9:30 AM
Members Present: Chair Rosalind Svenstrup; Vice Chair Ira Oaklander; Member Linda
Albertson; Member Susan Hiles; Member Elyse Riesa and Member Jim Jiovanazzo.
Member Absent: Elizabeth Andrews. Also Attending: Kathleen Weiser, Town
Manager; Mayor Bernard Featherman; Commissioner Louis Stem; Vice Mayor Ron
Brown; Lt. Eric Lundberg; Sgt. Richard Carl; Rosalie DeMartino, Administrative
Assistant and members of the public.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Svensp-qp called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Roll Call was taken
by Rosalie DeMartino, Administrative Assistant, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Chair SvenstnM called for any additions, deletions or acceptance of the agenda. By
consensus, the Board accepted the agenda as presented.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REOUESTS:
No Public Comments.
4. PRESENTATIONS:
Sea Turtle Talk Day presented by Dr. Kirt Rusenko of Gumbo Limbo Nature
and Rehab Center:
Chair SvensLillp introduced Dr. Kirt Rusenko, Marine Conservationist, of Gumbo
Limbo Nature and Rehab Center. Dr. Rusenko gave a power point presentation on the
various sea turtles native to Florida. Turtle season is from March I thru October 3 I't
and the three types of sea turtle nests found on our beaches are the green turtle,
loggerhead and leatherback. It takes approximately 55 to 65 days for the eggs to hatch
and the gender is determined by the temperature of the sand (hot is female, cool is
male). South Florida has the largest nesting population of loggerheads in the world.
Dr. Rusenko stated that there has been a decline in turtle nesting over the years. Two of
the causes are long line fishing since turtles are attracted to the fishing hooks and the
coastal development. He did state that there has been a slight upturn over the last two
years in turtle nesting due to the efforts of all the conservationists and people helping
the sea turtles on the beach. Leatherbacks are increasing at a rate of 5 to 10% per year
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April 19,2012 Paae 2 of 4
and the green turtle nesting has increased about 14% a year in Florida. It takes 20 to 30
years for a sea turtle to grow up.
Dr. Rusenko indicated that one of the biggest issues with sea turtles is lighting and 20%
of the hatchlings in Florida die every year because of the lighting. One form of lighting
is "Sky Glow" that comes from the city west of the beach area which Dr. Rusenko feels
will be a major issue in the next decade. Over the last few years the numbers of
disorientation have been increasing even though beach front lighting has been
controlled to a degree. The "Sky Glow" is more prevalent in Boca Raton then it is in
Highland Beach. Another cause of disorientation is the "Moon Phase" and the number
of disorientations correlates with the new moon. Dr. Rusenko addressed the lighting on
the sky box in the new stadium at Florida Atlantic University which causes a glare and
is pointed directly at Spanish River Park, a distance of 2.3 miles. Spanish River Park
had the highest disorientation rate in Boca Raton. Fox and raccoons are also a problem
and Gumbo Limbo Center uses hot pepper to deter them from eating the turtle eggs.
Dr. Rusenko showed slides and described the renovations and new additions to Gumbo
Limbo Center. Hopefully the new tanks will be ready for viewing by the public in two
to three weeks. Some displays may not be ready until the end of August.
Chair SvenspnM introduced Barbara James, Turtle Permit Holder and the Head of the
Volunteer Program for Highland Beach. Barbara James introduced Sgt. Carl who will
talk about the action the Police Department takes to help protect the sea turtles during
their nesting season.
SZ. Richard Carl of the Highland Beach Police Department spoke about the issues
regarding the sea turtles. Sgt. Carl has been involved with the program and worked
very closely with Barbara James over the last few years. One of the main fimctions of
the Police Department is to educate the residents by informing them of the Town Code
which is "Lights off at dusk — Lights on at dawn". ' Sgt. Carl explained the different
types of lighting that can be used which would not affect turtle nesting; samples of
these lights can be found at Gumbo Limbo Center. Homeowners and condominiums
are required to stack the beach chairs when not in use and beach cleaners. are not
permitted on the beach until after 9:00 a.m. When the Police Department receives a
complaint, they will first ask the homeowner or condominium association to turn off
the lights and if they continue to ignore the request then a fine will be issued. If
necessary, a federal case could be filed against the violator. Sgt. Carl indicated that
their goal is to have the lights on the west side of A I A turned off as well.
Vice Chair Oaklander asked Sgt. Carl if there are any regulations for the west side of
AIA regarding lighting. Sgt. Carl indicated that since the beach side has become so
dark, the lights on the west side are more noticeable. They have not addressed the west
side as yet since they still have a few more issues to deal with on the beach side.
Vice Chair Oaklander asked if they are doing anything to protect the Manatees. 5gt.
Carl indicated that they don't have the ability to protect the Manatees since they are in
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April 19,2012 Paae 3 of 4
the water. If there is a Manatee issue, they contact the volunteers and state employees
since it is more of a state issue.
Chair SvenstnM addressed the lighting issue on the west side as well as her particular
condominium complex and asked if the flat pancake type lights are acceptable. 5g.
Carl was not sure about those lights but believes that using shields would be a better
alternative. He advised Chair Svenstrup to visit Gumbo Limbo Center and view the
different options available for lighting.
Chair Svengrup introduced Patti Hansen, Head Sea Turtle Volunteer. Patti Hansen
stated that she has been a sea turtle volunteer for over 20 years. Highland Beach is
divided into 5 zones and each zone is monitored by a volunteer who walks the beach
just before sunrise looking for evidence that a turtle has come to shore to nest. The
volunteer must distinguish what type of turtle it is from its tracks, whether it nested or
not and where the nest is. All information is recorded, given to Barbara James who
compiles all of the paper work and gives it to the state.
Patti Hansen talked about how the residents could help make the beaches safe for the
turtles such as picking up debris while on the beach and stacking beach chairs when not
in use. Scattered beach furniture can create barriers; green turtles and leatherbacks will
move and carry the chairs while loggerheads will turn around and go back into the
water. Patti Hansen stated that there should be no human interaction while a turtle is
laying her eggs since she will stop, turn around and go back into the water. If a
hatchling is spotted on the beach, day or night and cannot make it to the water, it should
be brought to Gumbo Limbo Center. The hatchling should not be placed in water but in
a pail or box with a damp cloth over it to protect it from the hot sun. If this should
occur, they should be brought to Gumbo Limbo Center and placed in a box labeled
"Hatchlings" at the front of the Center.
Member Hiles addressed the issue of beach chairs on the beach. She indicated that in
addition to the chairs interrupting the turtle nesting, the turtles can get caught in the
lounge chairs and there were a couple of incidents last year where they had to be
rescued.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
9 March 13, 2012 — Regular Meeting
MOTION: Member Riesa moved to approve the March 13, 2012 Regular Meeting
Minutes; seconded by Member Hiles. Motion passed with all in favor.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
No old business.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
No new business.
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April 19,2012 Pa2e 4 of 4
Chair Svenstrup reminded everyone that on Monday, April 23 rd there will be a town
wide beach clean-up day. All volunteers will meet at Town Hall at 9:00 a.m. to pick
up trash bags, gloves and water that the Town is providing and divided into groups.
Please be sure to have sun screen, hats and appropriate foot wear for the beach.
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Chair SvenstnM called for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
MOTION: Member Riesa moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 a.m. Member
Albertson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
APPROVED:
AIraa alklander, Vice Chair
Lin
-a Albertson, Member
Absent , - I
Elizabeth Andrews, Member
james Jiovanazz
,9�ember
Elysel�mber
ATTESTED:
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lCo7sa—fie DeMartino
Administrative Assistant
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