Loading...
2018.10.23_NRPB_Minutes_Regular TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Town Hall/Commission Chambers Date: October 23,2018 3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 9:30 AM Highland Beach, Florida 1. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairperson Maraj called the Natural Resources Preservation Meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Roll call was taken followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. MEMBERS PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL: Member Dario Tertan Member Katharine Braun Vice Chairperson Nievicita Maraj Member Jack Halpern Member Diane Matthewman 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: A. Chairperson MOTION: Member Halpern moved to nominate Nievicita Mpj as Chairperson. The motion was seconded by Member Braun, which passed unanimously. B. Vice Chairperson MOTION: Member Matthewman moved to nominate Member Tertan as Vice Chairperson. The motion was seconded by Member Halpern, which passed unanimously. 3. ADDITIONS,DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Member Halpern added the following items: "Green Board Event"as Item 8B. "Discussion on the Mission of the Natural Resources Preservation Board" as Item 8C. MOTION: Member Halpern moved to accept the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairperson Tertan, which passed unanimously. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Tuesday, October 23, 2018 Pate 2 of 5 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS: There were no public comments. 5. PRESENTATIONS: A. Welcome new Member Diane Matthewman B. Welcome new Member Dario Tertan Chairperson Marl welcomed the new Board Members. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. August 23, 2018 —Regular Minutes MOTION: Member Halpern moved to approve the minutes of August 23, 2018, Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Tertan, which passed unanimously. 7. OLD BUSINESS: A. Discussion on Options for Beach Raking: 1. Manual Beach Raking 2. Mechanical Beach Raking a. Financial Responsibility Chairperson Marai introduced this item. Member Halpern commented on the status of beach access. Town Manager Labadie provided comments regarding obtaining beach access from either a condominium association or homeowner. The Commission is in the process of working on this to see who would be willing to participate and what direction the Town would go in. Member Matthewman asked how wide an access would be needed. Town Manager Labadie replied twenty (20) feet would be best. The access would not only help with the removal of debris from the beach but also provide for emergency access. Vice Chairperson Tertan provided comments on the difference between the north end and the south end of the beach and the different beach raking companies. They bury the debris and suggested the Town hire one company to rake the entire beach. Member Halpern explained that the rakers are burying a great deal of seaweed and if there are large objects on the beach, they do remove them. He agreed that the differences in the beach needs to be addressed. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Tuesday, October 23,2018 Page 3 of 5 I Member Matthewman suggested having more trash cans on the beach. i Member Braun explained how her condominium handles beach raking and the cost to their association,which is $4,800 per year. They have no beach access for any neighbors on the west side of A-1-A. She commented on the beach rakers burying the garbage. Chairperson Marai was not in favor of manual beach raking for the entire beach. Member Halpern referred to the manual raking being done in Juno Beach due to the large amount of turtle nesting. He concurs with Chairperson Maraj, and manual beach raking is not an option. He provided comments regarding whether the Town should take over the beach raking, hiring one company, resident's financial responsibility and beach access if the debris is to be removed. Vice Chairperson Tertan agreed that mechanical is the only option. There should be only one company. The Town should take it over, and it should go out for bid. Discussion ensued regarding the Town taking over the beach raking, hiring one company and the financial responsibility of the residents. MOTION: Member Matthewman moved to recommend to the Commission that the Town hire one company and all homeowners contribute to pay for the cost, and it is coordinated by the Town. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairperson Tertan. Commissioner Riesa asked if anyone was able to determine what the cost would be. If it is over $350,000 it would have to go to referendum. Vice Chairperson Tetran explained that it would be a yearly cost and would be part of the budget. Commissioner Riesa explained if it is part of the budget, the Commission would determine how much they would have to include to incorporate into the taxes to cover it,if it is approved. She referred to the Assessment Methodology Report/Highland Beach Cleaning Program prepared in 2010. At that time, the residents were not in favor of the increase in their taxes to pay for beach cleaning. Member Matthewman asked if there was enforcement on beach raking. Town Manager Labadie explained there is no ordinance in place at this time. The Commission is putting ordinances in place to control this. If the Town takes over the beach raking, he explained how the residents would be taxed depending on the value of their home. UPON ROLL CALL: Member Matthewman - Yes Chairperson Tetran - Yes Member Braun - Yes Member Halpern - Yes Chairperson Maraj - Yes Motion passed on a 5 to 0 vote. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Tuesday, October 23,2018 Paze 4 of 5 B. Green Board Event — Member Halpern (THIS ITEM WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA) Member Halpern introduced this item. He attended the Delray Beach Green Board Event and explained that the board is involved in many things such as recycling, climate change and king waves. He will forward the information on the Green Board to Administrative Support Specialist DeMartino for the board members to review. C. Discussion on the Mission of the Natural Resources Preservation Board—Member Halpern (THIS ITEM WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA). Member Halpern introduced this item. He explained what needs to be done in terms of the beaches and our environment. He encouraged the members to attend the Commission meeting to hear the presentation on PEM(Pressure Equalization Modules)by Kenneth Christenson of Eco Shore. He provided comments on the necessity of rebuilding the beach and vegetation on the beach; especially on the south end of Town. Chairperson Marai referred to Dan Bellante's presentation on Dune Restoration given at the last meeting. Discussion ensued regarding vegetation on the beach. Member Halpern provided comments regarding sea level rising. Florida International University has a great deal of information on their website regarding beaches. Member Braun requested information on the Seawall Coalition that Highland Beach is a member of. Vice Chairperson Tetran requested more trash cans on the beach as well as plastic bags so residents can pick up any trash they find on the beach. Each member will submit their ideas for the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board's mission to be placed on the next agenda for discussion. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairperson Mares called for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Member Halpern moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 AM. Vice Chaimerson Tertan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Tuesday, October 23,2018 Page 5 of 5 APPROVED at the January 24, 2019 Regular Meeting. 4 Inv Nievicita Maraj, Chairperson ATTEST: rWsalie DeMartino, ate: Administrative Support Specialist