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2019.01.24_NRPB_Minutes_Regular TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Town Hall/Commission Chambers Date: January 24,2019 3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 9:30 AM Highland Beach, Florida 1. CALL TO ORDER: 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: Vice Chairperson Dario Tertan Member Katharina Braun Chairperson Nievicita Maraj Member Jack Halpern Member Diane Matthewman 2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Member Halpern added the following items: "Discussion regarding meetings on a regular monthly basis" as Item 7D. "Discussion on Ocean Walk and More as Item 7E. MOTION: Member Halpern moved to accept the agenda as amended. Vice Chairperson Tertan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REOUESTS: John Boden provided comments regarding Item 7C—Board Mission and Potential Special Projects/Tasks. He recommended the Board set up a special Sargassum seaweed project to learn about the Sargassum seaweed and the best way to handle the seaweed once it is on our beaches and make recommendations to the Town Manager to help the Public Works Department follow best practices in operations. Commissioner Barry Donaldson suggested to the Commission that the original Beaches and Shores Advisory Board group were in search of a mission. Some of the outcomes of that discussion is the reason why this board is here today. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday,January 24, 2019 Page 2 of 6 4. PRESENTATIONS: None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. October 23, 2018, Regular Meeting. MOTION: Vice Chairperson Tertan moved to approve the minutes of October 23, 2018, Regular Meeting. Member Halpern seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 6. OLD BUSINESS: None. 7. NEW BUSINESS: A. Review of Coastal Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Mary McKinney, Town Planner, introduced this item and explained that the Planning Board has been reviewing and updating the Coastal Element. At their last meeting, they approved the Coastal Element to go forward to the Town Commission. In the interim, we are bringing this to the Natural Resources Preservation Board for your comments. She introduced Marry Minor of Urban Design Kilday Studios who will present the highlights of the element. Mr. Minor explained that the State of Florida requires each community to have a Comprehensive Plan, which is the policy framework for the Town. The State requires the communities to update these plans periodically, and they are requiring these communities to address sea level rise. He has worked with the Planning Board, and they have come up with a series of new policies,goals,and objectives. He provided comments regarding some of the highlights which included future land use change,rezoning or any large development within the Town. Under the new language,they will have to address sea level rise such as the vulnerabilities and related issues and which areas always flood. At the recommendation of the Planning Board, they have added measurement benchmarks. Member Matthewman questioned why the new construction does not have the necessary drainage. Town Planner McKinney explained that each one of the new houses that are built does have drainage accommodations which cannot be seen since they are buried under the ground and have some type of coverage over them. Member Braun asked for clarification regarding Mr. Minor's statement "it carried law". Will it be enforced if someone does not abide by the Comprehensive Plan? Mr. Minor explained that it will be enforced. Member Braun provided comments regarding a part of the mission of the Natural Resource Preservation Board that is being incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday,January 24, 2019 Page 3 of 6 Mr. Minor explained that the sentences scratched out are currently in the Comprehensive Plan and we are proposing to eliminate them. They will be replaced with something else. Everything that is underlined and in bold is the new language. Everything that is in regular text is the existing language. Member Matthewman asked what a builder would have to do regarding sea level rising. Would it involve a sea wall and is the homeowner allowed to raise a sea wall? Town Planner McKinney explained that if there is an existing sea wall and you want to raise it or change it, you must get environmental permits from the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) and Army Corps of Engineers and permits from the Town of Highland Beach. If there is a new development on the ocean, they have to build the sea wall before they could build the unit. Member Halpern provided comments regarding rising sea levels and the ocean. The ocean side is higher than the Intracoastal side, and his concern is that the impact will be greater on the Intracoastal side than on the Oceanside. As the Intracoastal goes up, the groundwater will go up and will affect not only existing structures but new ones. He asked if this is addressed in the Coastal Element Plan. Mr. Minor concurred with Member Halpern. He explained that within the documents they tried to address it more as waterfront. The water table is a big issue. They are looking at ways to increase the open space and the areas to hold the water. Member Halpern suggested they differentiate between the Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway because of the narrowness of the island. B. Upcoming Earth Day—April 22, 2019 Chairperson Mara' distributed pamphlets to the Board Members regarding Earth Day Organizer's Toolkit. She presented some of her ideas to acknowledge Earth Day as follows: • Commemorate the day by planting a tree. • Organizing a Farmer's Market. • 3K walk/run. • Raise money for charities with the walk/run. Member Matthewman suggested having the elementary school students do an essay regarding Earth Day and give a prize to the winner. Discussion ensued regarding the 3K walk/run. Earth Day is the day after Easter and the end of the season, which could pose a problem for attendance. Member Braun explained that Earth Day was established in 1970 for the idea of awareness. She gave an example such as eliminating plastic bags, plastic straws and Styrofoam plates and cups. Commissioner Riesa suggested to submitted information and requests to the Town Commission that is strictly environmental, which could be placed in the newsletter. She provided comments regarding the Spring Fling Event and suggested having Earth Day as part of the event to promote awareness and what can be done to save the environment. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday,January 24,2019 Page 4 of 6 Chairperson Mara] suggested giving the residents packs of seeds to plant on Earth Day. MOTION: Member Halpern moved to go forward advertising for Earth Day utilizing the Spring Fling Event. Member Matthewman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. MOTION: Member Halpern moved to support having an Earth Day table set up at Spring Fling event with brochures informing residents of awareness to help the environment. Have seed packets or seedlings to be given to the residents to plant on Earth Day. Member Matthewman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mayor Zelniker suggested asking the Town Gardner if they would possibly donate seedlings; specifically, a native tree. MOTION: Member Matthewman moved to have an annual 5K run on each Earth Day beginning 2020 and going forward. Member Halpern seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Discussion ensued about having a Farmer's Market which would be geared towards the residents and beach cleaning. Member Braun explained that part of her mission is to establish an official relationship with the Beaches and Shores Club in order to have beach cleaning events. MOTION: Vice Chai1person Tertan moved to have a beach clean-up day on Monday, April 22, 2019 (Earth Day) and every first of each month going forward. Member Matthewman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Member Braun suggested this be part of Earth Day awareness at the Spring Fling Event. As part of our mission,we should make people aware that when walking the beaches,they should pick up at least three pieces. C. Discussion of Board Mission and Potential Special Projects/Tasks. Member Halpern questioned Mr. Boden regarding his comments on seaweed and what it is that this Board could do in terms of understanding the Sargassum showing up on the beaches. Mr. Boden suggested the Board be educated and aware of how this happens and investigate and research the solutions to remove the seaweed and make recommendations to the Town Manager on what the Town could do to remedy the problem. Vice Chairperson Tertan referred to the task given to the Board regarding beach raking, both manual and mechanical,and the recommendation given to the Commission. He asked for an update on the beach raking and beach access. Member Halpern asked that the Town Manager address this at the next meeting. Chairperson Maraj referred to the article in the Palm Beach Post regarding Delray Beach and Boca Raton eliminating the use of plastic straws. She emailed the Delray Sands Resort asking them if they would consider doing the same and will advise the members of his response. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday,January 24, 2019 Pay-e 5 of 6 Member Halpern suggested the mission of this Board be put on the next agenda for discussion. D. Discussion Regarding Meetings on a Regular Monthly Basis by Member Halpern. (THIS ITEM WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA). Member Halpern proposed a regular monthly meeting on the fourth Thursday of the month at 9:30 AM. The Board Members concurred with Member Halpern"s proposal. E. Discussion regarding Ocean Walk and More by Member Halpern. ams ITEM WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA). Member Halpern presented this item. He wanted to bring this before the Board for discussion since this is an environmental board and the project will have a great impact on the environment. Discussion ensued regarding the referendum. the money and funding for beach erosion. Chairperson Marai questioned how the Town could get money for the beach re-nourishment. Member Matthewman asked about the PEM system presentation that went before the Commission. Commissioner Riesa explained that any project that costs over $350,000 must go to referendum for voter approval. She provided comments regarding the not to exceed $45 million amount on the referendum and whether the residents would be willing to vote on an additional $10 million referendum for beach nourishment. She addressed the presentation by Ken Christianson of Eco Shore regarding the PEM system. His proposal was under$1 million but over $350,000. This was put on hold until after the outcome of the referendum. Member Halpern submitted questions to the Commission regarding this and explained that until the questions were answered, we should no go forward with this. There were technical and financial issues with this project. Vice Chairperson Tertan provided comments regarding Mr. Christianson"s presentation at the Commission Meeting and was in favor of revisiting his proposal. Commissioner Riesa explained his proposal including the initial cost and other alternatives for beach nourishment. It is up to this Board if they would like to move forward with Mr. Christianson"s proposal or pursue other options for the beach re-nourishment. She referred to the Beach Restoration Feasibility Study that was done in 2013 that showed the different ways to fix beach erosion. Dune replenishment helps the beach with non-invasive specie plants. It helps the dunes but it doesn't help the beach. She suggested the members read the study to educate themselves regarding the re-nourishment and the cost involved. Commissioner Donaldson provided comments regarding a Commissioner making extended remarks for this body on an item that is not on the agenda and not in the presence of the full Commission. Beach re-nourishment is a totally separate topic. He urged the members to restructure their meetings and take control going forward. Member Halpern informed Commissioner Donaldson that his comments were totally inappropriate and he should not have been trashing a fellow Commissioner here at this meeting. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday,January 24,2019 Page 6 of 6 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Administrative Support Specialist DeMartino read the following announcements: • Town Commission Workshop Meeting—January 29. 2019— 1:30 PM • Town Commission Regular Meeting—February 5, 2019— 1:30 PM • Town Commission Workshop Meeting—February 26, 2019— 1:30 PM • TOWN HALL CLOSED: February 18, 2019 - President's Day 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairperson Mara called for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Member Matthewman moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:21 AM. Member Halpern seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. APPROVED at the February 21, 2019, Regular Meeting. 7 ievicita Maraj, Chairperson ATTEST: 9,02 V4,(-, �i moi 9 osalie DeMartino, Date: Administrative Support Specialist