2019.06.13_NRPB_Minutes_Regular. • . • TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MINUTES Town Hall / Commission Chambers Date: June 13, 2019 3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 9:30 AM Highland Beach, Florida CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Maraj. called the Natural Resources Preservation Meeting to order at 9:30 AM. 2. PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL Member Diane Matthewman Member Jack Halpern Member Katharina Braun Vice Chairperson Dario Tertan Chairperson Nievicita Mara' Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chairperson Maraj asked if there were any additions, deletions or modifications to the Agenda. Member Halpern asked to discuss the email he forwarded to the Board regarding Golden City and Milani Park. Town Clerk Gaskins stated this would be added as a New Business Item. Member Halpern asked for the Item to be listed as discussion of current planned projects, which may affect environmental impact in Town. MOTION: Member Halpern moved to accept the agenda as amended. Member Braun seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairperson Maraj indicated public comments were limited to three minutes per speaker. Discussion ensued regarding the three-minute time limit. It was decided this subject would be added to a future Agenda. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Page 2 of 11 Mayor Rhoda Zelniker, President of Regency Highland, reported she was at the last Planning Board Meeting during which two Items were passed: 1) Motion to have the Town Manager look into the wake zones and possibly get in touch with Delray and Boca Raton regarding an interlocal agreement; and 2) Motion to advise the Commission not to employ a building moratorium, but to continue looking at the environmental impacts of development. She noted the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board may wish to watch the Planning Board Meeting. Member Matthewman asked if the wake zone in the Intercoastal was regulated federally. Mayor Zelniker responded in the affirmative. She noted the problem was there was no enforcement for the wake zone speed limit. Member Matthewman noted there was an area north of the Spanish River Bridge which lacked a wake zone and she would like a designated wake zone in this area. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of a wake zone north of the Spanish River Bridge. Member Halpern asked about the conservation moratorium. Mayor Zelniker responded it was worded as a "building moratorium" and the Planning Board wished to continue to investigate what properties belonged to the State or otherwise; the Planning Board recommended the Commission not impose a building moratorium, but to continue research regarding how best to utilize natural spaces when developing. Assistant to the Town Manager Terisha Cuebas stated based on yesterday's discussion at the Planning Board Meeting, the motion was to direct staff to continue researching and further investigate into removing the potential conservation label included in the Comprehensive Plan. She noted Town Planner Mary McKinney would provide further information. Member Braun stated there was confusion in how land was defined; natural spaces, such as mangroves, etc., should never be touched and the Town needed to define these spaces. Member Halpern noted the confusion was in whether the natural spaces were State owned, County owned, or privately owned. Discussion ensued regarding purchasing conservation land. Mr. Doug Hillman Stated his address was 4748 S. Ocean. He reported the problem originated due to lack of a Town Planner in the Town's early days, as well as lack of proper definition of land with some being owned by the State, County, and private individuals. He noted if a building moratorium was imposed property owners would be extremely unhappy and the Town would end up in litigation. He noted it was important to be very careful and keep in mind that many of the land owners were residents in Highland Beach. Member Matthewman stated it seemed there was not much land left to be developed along A 1 A and she asked where the properties in question were located. Mr. Hillman responded he did not have a complete understanding, but he believed some of the land was up against the intercoastal and some was behind residential property and was potentially developable. He noted the Town needed green space; however, if an individual who owned a $1 million dollar property was told the property was not buildable, and therefore no longer worth $1 million dollars, serious problems would arise. Member Halpern agreed. He stated he believed the first step was determining who owned what property, and he recommended using Google Earth to get a good view of what property was undeveloped in the Town. Discussion ensued regarding property ownership and careful decision making. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Page 3 of 11 Ms. Kerry Borg (ph) stated her address was 3115 S. Ocean. She stated she and her neighbors who faced the ocean would appreciate if beach raking did not begin prior to 9 a.m. She noted for eight months out of the year the beach rakers began at 9 a.m. due to turtle season. She asked to have the beach rakers begin at 9 a.m. year-round as the raking was very noisy and would wake up residents. She noted she spoke with the rakers and the rakers had no qualms about beginning at 9 a.m. year-round. Member Braun stated she understood Town Manager Labadie was working on this situation. She noted the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board (NRPAB) did not have the authority to change the beach raking schedule. Ms. Borg stated she was pleased to hear the Town Manager was researching the situation. She asked if the NRPAB could influence the size of real estate advertisement signs. She explained she had visited another town which used much smaller signs and it was much more attractive. She noted she wished to beautify Highland Beach and smaller realty signs were a step in this direction. Member Matthewman noted this fell under the jurisdiction of Code Enforcement. Ms. Mary McKinney, Town Planner, reported yesterday the Planning Board discussed a possible moratorium on parcels within the potential conservation overlay district which was a designation within the Comprehensive Plan, but was not well defined. She noted the first approach was going to be to define "potential conservation" and the moratorium would allow time to develop this definition. She stated it became apparent it would be in the Town's best interest to remove the potential conservation district from the Comprehensive Plan as it was vague. She stated Planning Board felt it would be best to remove the potential conservation overlay district from the map and keep the Comprehensive Plan map with land use designations only. She stated at the next Planning Board meeting the amendment with "potential conservation" removed from the Comprehensive Plan would be voted upon, and if approved, would then go to the Town Commission for review. Member Braun asked if she understood "potential conservation" was being removed as it was confusing. Ms. McKinney responded in the affirmative. Member Braun asked if it would be added back to the Comprehensive Plan in the future once it was clarified. Ms. McKinney responded in the negative. Discussion ensued regarding determining property owners, ownership of property containing mangroves, and mangrove protection laws. Member Halpern asked if Staff was looking into gaining ownership of conservation properties. Ms. McKinney responded all parcels with potential conservation areas were owned by private individuals and she did not believe the Town was interested in attempting to buy the parcels. Member Halpern asked if the Town was going to track and list the potential conservation properties, and then determine the ownership. Ms. McKinney responded this could be done easily with aerial photos. She noted the only way for the Town to change the land use on a private piece of property was to purchase the property. Member Halpern asked what the Town's position was on the banking of wetlands from Golden City up into Ocean Ridge. Ms. McKinney responded the Town had not discussed this matter; Golden City had not approached Highland Beach for any reason. She noted the Town had been monitoring the Army Corp and the Water Management District process. Member Halpern stated he understood Golden City had filed for an ERP (Environmental Resource Permit) with the South Florida Water Management District and if approved the ERP would allow Golden City to continue with destruction of the wetlands and banking in Ocean Ridge. Ms. McKinney disagreed. She stated Golden City could not do any further Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Palze 4 of 11 development without Town approval. Discussion ensued regarding the ERP, banking in Ocean Ridge, and petitioning against the ERP. Member Matthewman asked if properties owners were permitted to construct boat ramps in mangrove areas. Ms. McKinney responded any individual who wished to install a boat ramp in a mangrove area would be required to obtain a permit from Army Corp, DEP, and the Town of Highland Beach; however, the Town had mangrove protection codes in place which were enforceable. Chairperson Maraj asked if there were any further public comments. Hearing none, she closed the public comment portion of the meeting. 6. PRESENTATIONS: A. None 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 21, 2019, Regular Minutes Chairperson Marai asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the February 21, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes. There were none. MOTION: Member Halpern moved to approve the February 21, 2019 Regular Minutes. Vice Chairperson Tertan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 8. OLD BUSINESS A. None 9. NEW BUSINESS: A. Discussion regarding Board meeting dates Chairperson Marai asked if there was priority organization of the various Board Meetings in regards to scheduling. She explained she had asked to hold an NRPAB Meeting shortly after Spring Fling, and tonight was the first opportunity the NRPAB was given to meet. She asked what had caused the NRPAB meeting delay. Town Clerk Gaskins responded according to Ordinance the NRPAB met on a quarterly basis while many quasi judicial meetings were required to meet in the interim. Chairperson Maraj noted it had been decided at the previous NRPAB Meeting that the Board wished to meet monthly, or at least every other month. She asked if the NRPAB would be permitted to meet monthly. Town Clerk Gaskins responded in the affirmative; the Chairperson could call a meeting. Chairperson Maraj asked if the Planning Board was considered a higher priority board than the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board. Town Clerk Gaskins responded if Town Commission gave the Planning Board a directive, then Staff scheduled the Planning Board Meeting first. She noted if Chairperson Maraj called a meeting and there was availability, Staff would move forward with the meeting. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Page 5 of 11 Vice Chairperson Tertan noted the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board discussed the condition of the beach and requested the Town look into beach cleanup and beach raking. He asked for an update in this regard. Chairperson Maraj asked when in the agenda the Board could receive updates. Town Clerk Gaskins stated a time for updates could be added to future Agendas. She stated in regards to the beach raking she understood the issue had gone before the Commission; Ms. Terisha Cuebas was present and could speak in this regard. Chairperson Maraj noted Item 9C was discussion with Town Manager during which she felt it would be an appropriate time to hear updates. It was agreed. Member Halpern commented if a neglected property was affecting a neighbor's property value the owner of the neglected property could be brought before the Code Enforcement Board and fined. B. Discussion on plastic straws and Togo containers Chairperson Marai reported as a resident of Delray Sands she requested the development begin using paper straws, which was granted. She noted following this she sent emails regarding the prohibition of Styrofoam containers, but had not yet heard a response. She noted she was pleased with the switch to paper straws. C. Discussion with Town Manager about giving an update on all environmental projects to include Q&A Assistant to the Town Manager Terisha Cuebas stated Town Manager Labadie was attending a Coastal Resilience Partnership Meeting. She reported the Palm Beach County Coastal Resilience Partnership (PBCCRP) was compiled of eleven local communities and gave a brief history of the PBCCRP which was formed to take a coordinated approach in planning for sea level rise and coastal resilience efforts. She stated the PBCCRP was working to develop a Climate Vulnerability Assessment, performing a gap analysis using geographical data while raising awareness and engaging the public. She noted Town Manager Labadie would provide an update regarding this Partnership. Ms. Cuebas reported the beach raking ordinance was a regulatory policy reviewed by the Boards and Commission. She noted the issue of seaweed was raised, questioning its removal, as well as considering potential negative effects on sea turtle habitats. She stated Dr. Milton from FAU provided an educated opinion on the proposed ordinance and the beach raking company made a presentation to the Commission. She stated the Town Manager's Office engaged in conversations with Dr. Kirt Rusenko, a marine conservationist, who provided comments on the proposed ordinance. She noted Staff contacted Dr. Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach), an FIU professor in the Department of Earth and Environment, who provided a proposal: for $4,200 dollars he would conduct a site visit, assess the beaches, speak with the Commission and provide a recommendation. She reported the Town Commission did not provide any direction to move forward with engaging Dr. Leatherman. She stated the Town Manager's Office did not feel the expenditure for Dr. Leatherman's report at this time was prudent, but would keep him in mind for a future, more beneficial, project. She reported the beach nourishment project was on the Town Manager's list to bring before Town Commission for discussion. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Pave 6 of 11 Member Halpern stated he was pleased the Town decided against hiring Dr. Beach as he felt there were other professionals better qualified to conduct research for Highland Beach. Member Braun stated she understood the nonprofit organization 40cean was partnering with Boca Raton and she wondered if Highland Beach might be included. Ms. Cuebas responded the Town Manager's Office had conducted preliminary conversations with 40cean; however, 40cean had a contract with Boca Raton to clean the intercoastal waterways, not for beach cleanup. She reported in 2018 40cean began a pilot program with Boca Raton in an effort to determine how much debris could be collected from the intercoastal waterways, and whether it would be necessary to have a company on contract to clean the intercoastal waterways. She explained it was determined to be necessary, the intercoastal cleanup project went out to bid, and 40cean was awarded the bid for the year. She stated the Board was welcome to recommend the Commission direct Staff to engage in further conversation regarding a beach cleanup with 40cean. Member Braun asked about the possibility of partnering with Boca Raton for beach cleanup. Ms. Cuebas stated the Board was welcome to recommend the Commission direct Staff to look into the possibility of partnering with Boca Raton in a beach cleanup project. Discussion ensued regarding Highland Beach intercoastal waterway pollution, Highland Beach being able to afford to pay someone to clean the beach regularly, only needing someone two days a week to clean the beach, straws not the primary beach pollution material, Highland Beach consisting of all private beaches, the Town needing an Ordinance which required homeowners to keep the beaches clean, Code Enforcement walking the beaches to enforce the Ordinance, the need for garbage cans on the beach, homeowners not wishing to have garbage cans on private property, the need for regular beach inspection, a beach clean-up staff position needing to be budgeted for, the need for beach cleanliness guidelines, spending public funds to clean private beaches being problematic, only a few properties being problematic regarding beach pollution. MOTION: Member Matthewman moved for next years' budget to include money for an individual to hand clean the beach of small debris which beach rakers did not collect. Chairperson Maraj seconded the motion. Member Braun stated she believed the motion should be better defined. She recommended an ordinance which indicated private (beach) property was required to be kept clean by the property owners at all times, enforceable by fines. Discussion ensued regarding whether the Town of Highland Beach had such an ordinance in place, the need to determine whether home owners were required to clean up the beach areas, tabling this motion and setting up a meeting specifically to discuss the need for clean beaches, inviting the Town Manager, the Chair of the Code Enforcement Board, and the beach raking company, and ensuring the deadline for next year's budget was not missed. Member Matthewman withdrew her above motion. MOTION: Member Matthewman moved to recommend to the Commission to ask the Bel Air to grant beach access to the Town and ask Staff to research the proper individual to contact in this regard. Member Halpern seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Palle 7 of 11 D. Discussion with Town Manager on giving a Report on the Workshop Meeting on May 15' in the Town's Library (Dr. Beach), along with a status report on the beaches). Member Braun stated she did not believe the Town Manager participated in this Workshop Meeting. She stated she felt it was a very interesting meeting. She asked Member Halpern what his thoughts were regarding this meeting and the speakers who were present to discuss the condition of Highland Beach beaches. Member Halpern noted the Coastal Engineer present at the Workshop Meeting was an internationally renowned Coastal Engineer and he was pleased with the Engineer's participation. He stated the other participant was a graduate student with Dr. Beach. He explained he felt Dr. Beach did not fully disclose his financial interests and worried the methods Dr. Beach recommended (PEM system) were not the best option and not in the best interest of Highland Beach. He stated he believed Highland Beach needed to hire the Coastal Engineer on retainer. He reported Boca Raton was dredging, which created holes which caused sand loss in Highland Beach. He stated he would forward the Coastal Engineer's power point presentation to the Members of the NRPAB. Member Braun stated she wished the Coastal Engineer would visit an NRPAB meeting to discuss his findings. Discussion ensued regarding the Coastal Engineer and the information presented. Vice Chairperson Tertan stated he felt more consideration should be given to Dr. Beach's recommendation to install a PEM system. Member Braun stated she believed there were many questions which needed to be answered regarding the PEM system. Discussion ensued regarding the PEM system, Dr. Beach being a salesperson for the PEM system, and the PEM system failing in Hillsborough Beach. Mr. Doug Hillman stated the bigger issue regarding the PEM system was the issue of spending public Highland Beach money on a privately owned beach. Discussion ensued regarding the private beaches and public funds, rising water levels reducing beach space, and the need to protect the beaches. Mr. Steven Parks stated his address was 4408 S. Ocean Blvd. He explained all land below the high tide line was federal public land and the land above the high tide line was private land. He stated he worried if Highland Beach required homeowners to keep the beaches clean, said homeowners might decide to ask the Town to keep the public off of private beach land. He mentioned the possibility of a beach cleanup program which distributed garbage bags to interested members of the public. He stated he felt it was an excellent idea to hire an individual to clean the beach regularly. He discussed the difficulty with beach access points. Discussion ensued regarding paving and widening the beach access path near 45th Street to allow access for Police vehicles, liability issues related to this beach access point, making the access point public, keeping the access point private, only Highland Beach residents being the public which used beach access points, visitors to Highland Beach parking illegally and walking to the beach, problems with visitors parking at Milani Park and walking to the beach, private property being above mean high water lines not above high tide water lines, the possibility of asking HOAs to encourage homeowners to keep the beach space clean, private property owners legally being prohibited from barring public access below the dunes through deed restriction, and private property owners not wishing to clean up after public visitors. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Palze 8 of 11 Member Matthewman suggested recommending Town Commission consider putting out bags at every staircase to the beach with signs reading "Please leave the beach cleaner than the way you found it." Member Braun indicated the Town could not install bag dispensers such as this; however, HOAs could. Ms. Kerry Borg (ph) stated her address was 3115 S. Ocean Terrace. She stated she welcomed the proposed special meeting regarding beach cleanup. She stated she believed Highland Beach was experiencing a crisis in beach pollution. She noted the beach rakers buried seaweed during the raking process which was turning the sand the color of seaweed. She stated she would no longer walk barefoot due to the pollution. She stated according EPA (Environmental Protection Act) rules and regulations the beach rakers were in fact required to pick up the smaller bits of plastic which were being buried by the raker machines. E. Discussion on ideas of how to fill Board seats. Member Braun encouraged the current Board Members to mention the NRPAB still had two open seats to friends, neighbors, HOAs, etc. F. Discussion/Report/Thoughts about the public comments in the March Special meeting, Workshop meeting and at the April 2"d Commission meeting (General situation of beaches, erosion, and etc.). Member Braun noted she was absent for the above Meetings and discussed her reactions once she reviewed the Meetings. She stated she was pleased residents kept the bigger picture in mind when discussing Highland Beach. G. Discussion with the Town Manager about assisting with an active approach in working with the Beach Club's Committee. Member Braun stated there were certain restrictions upon the NRPAB by the Florida Sunshine Law. The NRPAB could not meet and discuss Board items outside of meetings. She asked if there was active communication between the Town and Beach Club members. She stated the special meeting regarding beach cleanup should include the Beach Club. She asked for information regarding the Beach Club. Chairperson Maraj stated she communicated with Mr. Dan Balante (ph) and asked him to keep her updated regarding the Beach Club activity. Ms. Cuebas responded the Town was unsure whether the Beaches and Shores Club (as she felt it was called) was still active. She noted she had not received any communications from the Beaches and Shores Club in months. Chairperson Maraj stated Mr. Balante sent her a web link for the club; however, the website was extremely basic. Discussion ensued regarding the Club, the possibility of the Club having disbanded, and inviting the Club to attend the special beach cleaning meeting. Chairperson Maraj asked Ms. Cuebas to have the Town Manager's Office reach out to Mr. Balante and extend an invitation to the special meeting. Ms. Cuebas agreed. H. Discussion of current planned projects which may affect environmental impact in Town. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Pale 9 of 11 Member Halpern stated he wished to discuss the environmental impacts of the Golden City and Milani Park projects. He noted he previously discussed the Golden City project and summarized: Golden City had filled in some wetlands and mangroves and if Golden City received the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) from SFWMD no wetland or mangrove restoration would be required. He stated if Golden City was granted the ERP Highland Beach would lose some wetlands and Ocean Ridge would have bank wetlands. He stated he was not against the development of houses by Golden City, he just wished to preserve the wetlands and mangroves. He stated wetlands and mangroves provided stormwater relief. He stated West Palm Beach had filed a petition against the FDOT objecting to an ERP (which he sent to the Board Members via email). He stated he believed the Town of Highland Beach should do the same. Discussion ensued regarding state laws which required mangrove and wetland restoration, the ERP negating these laws, the Water Management District expressing there should be no problem with Golden City obtaining the ERP, and an administrative hearing regarding the ERP having been requested. Member Halpern stated the County owned Milani Park with 352 feet of ocean front property. He stated he believed half of the beach at Milani Park was non -swimmable which would become problematic in season. He stated he was also concerned about potential traffic impact if visitors were lined up waiting for a parking place in Milani Park during season (similar to what occurred in South Boca Raton Beach). He stated he understood the County was developing plans to begin construction within the next five years. He stated a cultural resource assessment study was done on the Milani Property which read there were "significant archeological resources in the proposed park area." He stated the report recommended the historical resources be listed on the national historical register of places. He stated he wondered how you could develop Milani Park with all of the historical resources. He noted Milani Park flooded during rain events and would require elevation prior to any development. He explained currently the road drained into Milani Park; however, after development the Park would most likely drain into the road causing road flooding and into the intercoastal causing water pollution. He stated there was an agreement between the Town and the County regarding Milani Park which he felt needed to be reviewed. Member Matthewman asked if the Town had any legal pull in this matter. She stated she believed the County had the right to develop the property as it pleased. Discussion ensued regarding legal rights, the Milani Tribe having first right of refusal to purchase the property if the County sold the property, the agreement between the Town and the County, the past public hearings, the Town encouraging a low density development in Milani Park such as single family homes or a pedestrian park area, the Town discouraging Milani Park from being developed as a parking lot, and encouraging the Commission to review the agreement to determine if the Town had any options or rights. Mr. Doug Hillman stated he was the President of Boca Highland, which wrapped around the location of the Milani Park parking lot. He stated he agreed with Member Halpern; he believed the agreement should be reviewed and the Town should weigh its options and work to encourage a low-density development. Discussion ensued regarding the current plan for Milani Park and there being no need for public beach area. Mr. Hillman recommended putting together a Committee of interested individuals with appropriate expertise to evaluate the situation and develop a plan to defend. Member Matthewman Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Pale 10 of 11 asked if the current plan in place was to make Milani Park a parking lot. Mr. Hillman responded in the affirmative; a 100 -space parking lot. Member Matthewman stated she agreed a special Committee needed to be formed in this regard. Member Braun asked if Milani Park was developed as a public beach area would the entirety of Highland Beach become public beach area. Mr. Hillman responded in the negative. He noted if Highland Beach had a public beach area, Highland Beach would then have the opportunity to gain County, State and Federal funds to assist with the nourishment and preservation of the beaches; however, Highland Beach would not qualify for most grants. Discussion ensued regarding Milani Park, Yamato Rock, Yamato Rock not being swimmable, Yamato Rock being good for snorkeling, Milani Park design, the possibility of beach overcrowding, and any development of Milani Park requiring Highland Beach approval. Mr. Steve Parks stated he felt the Milani Park situation was money motivated; Palm Beach County would never consider returning the Park to Ms. Milani. He stated the development of Milani Park would have a significant impact on the natural resources of Highland Beach. He stated 300 feet of beach front area was not large enough for 100 cars full of visitors and the visitors would overflow onto private beaches which would cause more pollution, as well as policing issues. He stated he believed a beach impact study was necessary. Discussion ensued regarding the environmental impact study and a traffic impact study. Member Matthewman asked if a motion to recommend the Town Commission begin researching Milani Park was necessary. Discussion ensued regarding the necessity of making a recommendation to the Town Commission. Mayor Rhoda Zelniker stated she was the President of Regency Highland and the Mayor of Highland Beach. She stated the Town Commission had been working on the issue of Milani Park for many years. She gave a brief history of actions taken in the past regarding Milani Park. She reported efforts were being made currently to discover a project which would please both Highland Beach and the County. She stated the Town Manager was aware of the situation and was in communication with County Commissioner Weinroth. Member Matthewman asked if a traffic study might help. Mayor Zelniker stated the County was required to obtain permits from environmental groups and she did not believe the land would be developed outside Environmental Protection Act (EPA) guidelines. Member Halpern stated the time to act and make changes was at the beginning of the project. He explained once large amounts of money had been invested it was much more difficult to stop or change a project. Mayor Zelniker stated Town Staff and Town Commission had been working on behalf of the Town of Highland Beach's interests regarding Milani Park for several years. Discussion ensued regarding the need for public awareness. Ms. Cuebas concurred with Mayor Zelniker; Town Manager Labadie was in communication with the stakeholders, the County Commission, and the Town Commission. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Thursday, June 13, 2019 Page 11 of 11 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chairperson Marai announced there was a Town Commission Workshop Meeting on June 25, 2019 at 1:30 PM. 11. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Maras adjourned the Meeting at 11:52 AM. MOTION: Member Halpern moved to adjourn. Member Matthewman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. APPROVED at: December 9, 2019 — Regular Meeting ATTEST: Lea" Gaskins, Town Clerk Nie`6eci ' araj, Chairperson Transcribed by: TEI/he Date