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2019.12.09_NRPB_Minutes_Regular. • • TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Town Hall / Commission Chambers 3614 South Ocean Boulevard Highland Beach, Florida 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Mara] called the Regular Meeting to order at 1:30 PM. 2. PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL: Member Susan Amerling-Stern Member Steven Parks Member Jack Halpern Member Katharina Braun Member Diane Matthewman Vice Chairperson Dario Tertan Chairperson Nievecita Maraj Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins Administrative Support Specialist Ganelle Thompson 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Board Members led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Date: December 09, 2019 Time: 1:30 PM Vice Chairperson Tertan added "Discussion on Clean -Up of Beaches reference small plastic parts," as Item 9D under New Business. Member Halpern added, "Discussion of the Role of the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board to include meetings, the overview of the Board, and tasks," as Item 9E under New Business; and "List of Natural Resource Threatened Activities in Highland Beach" as Item 9F under New Business. MOTION: Vice Chairperson Tertan moved to accept the agenda as amended, which passed unanimously (7-0). Chairperson Maraj mentioned that she might have to leave the meeting early, depending upon how long the meeting run. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 2 of 12 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments from the public. 6. PRESENTATIONS: None. Chairperson Mara] welcomed new staff member Ganelle Thompson, Administrative Support Specialist. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. June 13, 2019 — Regular Minutes MOTION: Member Halpern moved to approve the June 13, 2019, Regular Minutes as presented. Member Amerlin Stern seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 8. OLD BUSINESS: A. None. 9. NEW BUSINESS: A. Welcome New Members: Chairperson Mara] welcomed new members Steven Parks and Susan Amerling-Stern. Steven Parks Susan Amerling-Stern B. Discussion on 2020 Earth Day Activity for the Spring Fling Event Chairperson Mara] introduced this item and explained that the next year the Spring Fling event would be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020. (tentative date). Earth day is on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, with a theme of Climate Action. She went on to explained that last year, the board members agreed to hand out seeds during the spring fling event. Discussion ensued about last year's Spring Fling event, including the number of children and people that attended the event, the board members' participation at that event, and seed and information packet handed last year. Discussion continued about the theme "Climate Action," for 2020 earth day, and the activities that the Board Members would like to have at the upcoming Spring Fling event. The members Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 3 of 12 discussed the non -biodegradable products such as plastic and Styrofoam not being used by the hotel, educating and acquainting the community about the existence of the Natural Resource Preservation Advisory Board (NRPAB), informational handout to the public, recyclable bags, recyclable stainless steel straws, preparing an article for advertisement in the Coastal Star newspaper. Member Parks asked if there was a budget. Town Manager Labadie replied yes. He explained that in the Manager's budget, there was funding for specials projects, and this would be something that could be done within reason. Deputy Town Clerk Beverly Wright could prepare and design an article and possibly order recyclable straws. Discussion continued amongst the board members about recyclable stainless-steel straws, silicone straws, wooden straws, bumper stickers, and promoting the concept of taking care of the beaches, a large blow-up picture to display what the plastic debris looks like in the ocean, contacting 4Ocean and have them participate at the NRPAB educational booth during the Spring Fling event. Member Braun explained that last year the event was like a happy spring celebration type of event with children. She mentioned that the Natural Resources Preservation Board should have a table. All board members should attend, hand out informational flyers, encourage the people to talk to the manager in their building. Member Amerling Stern inquired if an article could be placed in the Coastal Star newspaper with a picture of the terrible debris in the ocean. Chairperson Mara] noted that someone from the audience was raising their hand, and she inquired how to handle this matter. Town Clerk Gaskins explained that the chairperson would have to obtain the consensus of the board. It was the consensus of the Board to allow public comments. Douglas Hillman of Dalton Place noted if the Board develop a communication plan for the residents and the town, then they could go to the hotel and ask them if they would be part of it, and possibly even sponsor it. Kick it off at the event, co-sponsored by the hotel. With the hotel being a portion of it, they will begin to become better citizens and change their package. It could kill two birds with one stone — combing two efforts here. He also provided comments about different educational fun activities for kids. There was a discussion about the kid activities last year during the 2019 Spring Fling event. Mr. Hillman suggested that the NRPAB coming up with a communication plan to present to the Commission. Member Parks commented that the children are the most undervalued resources. Their input to their parents, their ability to say why this was happening, and their world-wide participation in climate change make them a much more valuable resource than people are estimating. He proceeded to explained that Mr. Hillman's concept was great because if we make the children accountable, or at least make them believe that they are accountable, they go to their parents and ask their parents to be accountable it is going to indirectly cause a situation to occur where the Delray Sands is going to have to participate in the earth project or going to have to change their packaging, or they have to become an earth -friendly hotel which may give them more business. He stated he is endorsing what Mr. Hillman said, it was a wonderful idea. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 4 of 12 Member Braun commented about the hotel usage of plastic straws serving on the beach. In the turtle season, the lounge chairs are still on the beach and not far back. They have huge (unintelligible) on their parking deck during the parking season, which should not be there. Chairperson Maraj clarified that they are talking about two different things — the Delray Sands and Spring Fling. Member Parks explained that he was thinking about Spring Fling, using as a conduit to positively reinforce the board's intention of making this a more natural or sensitive situation for the environment. This is about bringing it to the 2020 earth day event where there is a booth with some negative impact and asking the kids to participate. Chairperson Maraj if the Board talk about Delray Sands, it should be talked about as a separate item, and then talk about the Spring Fling creative educational awareness idea and evolve with that idea. Member Parks mentioned it yield the Board to the public and bring forward positive ideas to reinforce conservation of resources in Highland Beach. Chairperson Maraj mentioned the Delray Sands keep coming up, and she inquired about how to address the matter going forward. Should the Board add this as an item Member Halpern suggested making this a separate item on the next agenda — "Conversation and Recycling Town -wide in terms of residents recycling." Look at some type of program which includes the Delray Sands and all of the residents. Mr. Halpern also suggested that the Board discuss future meeting dates. Town Clerk Gaskins stated that the item Conservation and Recycling would be placed on the next meeting agenda. She also explained that the Town Commission adopted an ordinance, and the NRPAB meet quarterly, but the board members can call meeting dates. Ms. Gaskins distributed a copy of the Ordinance No. 18-004 O to all board members. Member Amerling Stern commented that the board should have another meeting before March to further discuss earth day, Spring Fling. Town Clerk Gaskins explained that the purchase of the meeting today was to discuss Earth day activities for the March event so that staff can begin preparing for the event. Member Parks asked Town Manager Labadie if the board members could get a report from Waste Management on how effective the recycling has been over the last year and what has been done to preserve the recycling program. Town Manager Labadie explained that he would email each of the board members along with with the Commissioners the tonnage report from Waste Management. He has been receiving the reports for about eight months, and we will start plotting that data to see how we do as far as volume. The report consists of volume only and does not contain source separate. Chairperson Maraj inquired about comparison with other municipalities to see how well Highland Beach has done. Town Manager explained he could check. Member Parks mentioned Highland Beach has been doing pretty well. Discussion ensued about how well Highland Beach was doing with the overall recycling program, no money in recycling, Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 5 of 12 types of materials, cost to recycle, positive educational reinforcement in the community as it related to recycling, to make the community more aware of the NRPB, 4Ocean participating in Earth day, magnetic stickers on refrigerator. Chairperson Maraj inquired about the seed packets handed out last year during the Spring Fling event. Town Clerk Gaskins distributed the seed packets to the board members. There was discussion amongst the board members about the seed packets. Member Braun asked if we could order more. Last year the board handed out earth day information packets. Town Clerk Gaskins mentioned that Earth Day 50'' anniversary is next year. Member Parks asked if there was anything that eluded the community that NRPAB exists. Chairperson Mara] explained that it was kind of like the board members giving information. Member Halpern mentioned that there was the Town's mailing list that can be used to disseminate recycling conversation information to the residents. Member Matthewman noted an article in the Coastal Star newspaper would be a great idea. Town Manager Labadie stated we could package that with a theme with the Spring Event. An environmental message brought to you by the NRPAB of Highland Beach. He could insert that in the Manager's Minute, which is starting to become a monthly newsletter from the Manager's Office. He proceeded to explain that if there is a message that needs to get out to the public, his office can disseminate that information on behalf of this group so the NRPAB can become the voice of the environmental affairs. We can help get that message out. Chairperson Maraj stated that she would like to add Board Communication to the next meeting agenda. She explained that so far, she had six different ideas that the Board came up with to add to the information packet for earth day. We can discuss this at the next meeting. Think about some other ideas. Discussion ensued about promoting earth day in the Coastal Star newspaper, a meeting date in January, and promotional. Chairperson Maraj suggested that all Board members to email the Town Clerk with a list of items they would like to add for earth day. Ms. Maraj stated that she would email Town Clerk Gaskins her list of items for the Clerk to forward them to the members. Douglas Hillman of Dalton Place commented that the Coastal Star newspaper has a regional edition, their deadline is usually the last week of the month. Rich is very sympathetic to Highland Beach and about advertising in the Coastal Star and explained that their He also provided remarks about an event that he had attended about two to three years ago at the West Palm Arboretum. There was a 10 to 12 -foot presentations made out of garbage from different artists. Mr. Hillman stated if there were some way to get one or two of them here, that would be incredible because it showed the debris it was made of, such as toothbrushes. Member Braun mentioned that it was color -coded. Mr. Hillman stated all the pieces were identifiable, and the kids would like it because it could be part of a treasure hunt activity for them. Discussion ensued about prizes for the kids. Chairperson Maraj explained that she would provide the list to Town Clerk Gaskins, and she would forward the list to the board members. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 6 of 12 C. Update from the Town Manager Town Manager Labadie provided updates and explained the following: The Town Commission recently approved the Coastal Resiliency Partnership interlocal agreement, and we are now participating with neighboring municipalities. The next phase was to conduct a climate vulnerability assessment to evaluate all of the resources and connections to the neighbor municipalities to see where we are vulnerable to climate change. The plan will come up with a series of strategies that can be implemented to help heighten our resiliency to the climate. Palm Beach County will approve the interlocal agreement on December 17th, and they are the last partnership to pull this together. The municipalities that make up the Southeast Coastal Resiliency Partnership are the City of Boca Raton, City of Delray Beach, Town of Highland Beach, Town of Lantana, Town of Ocean Ridge, Town of Hypoluxo, City of Lake Worth Beach, and the City of Boynton Beach. There are grant dollars from the Department of Environmental Protection Agency (DEP) as a collective inter -governmental group that allows the municipalities to work together on the project collectively. Each municipality pay to conduct the assessment along with the grant dollars, which is for part of this project. The fiduciary would be Lake Worth Beach, and the grant recipient is the City of Boynton Beach. He mentioned that the first step to getting to the interlocal agreement was that we received a $75,000 grant from the State of Florida and that we received another seventy-five to help with the assessment. The long-term goal is after we found out where the vulnerabilities and strengthens are. We would get to our threats to the climate change components; those will be identified, and then with the collective group, we can solicit more grants to implement some of the strategies. Town Manager. Labadie mentioned that he would send the strategy to the board members so they can see what is being targeted with the assessment, and they can look at the seven items. Member Halpern asked who would be conducting the study. Town Manager Labadie explained that it would go through the request for proposal (RFP) process. The group is currently preparing the proposal packet with the scope of work for competitive bidding. He stated that he would email the board members the information so that they can see the project detail. About communications, Town Manager Labadie explained that Terisha and the IT Consultant was almost done with the new website, which we plan to go live the first of the year. A Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board webpage can be created for hosting information and exchanging of ideas, keeping fresh information out to the public. The new website will be mobile friendly for the residents and the public. We will be able to get a page of for the NRPAB, obtain the members photograph for the webpage, and start getting the message out on a regular basis. Mr. Labadie introduced Ingrid Allen, the new Town Planner. He explained that part of her duties was to help the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board with some of the events, the day- to-day activities and quarterly activities, as well as help the board, form their mission, purpose. She is that staff person more committed to helping the board take that next step, formalizing the group, and achieving its purpose/goals. Ingrid Allen, Town Planner, stated that she has 15 years of municipal planning experience. She worked most recently with the City of Boca Raton for six years and was the liaison to the Historic Preservation Board. Before that she worked for the City of Davie. She explained that she also worked a little bit with the Environmental Advisory Board at the City of Boca Raton. She was Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 7 of 12 familiar with the environmental issues and concerns that the board brought up today. She continued to explain that she has a lot of ideas, and there are a lot of resources available. Gumbo Limbo has some amazing displays in particular how long it takes to recycle gallons of water or a plastic bag. Those things have an enormous effect on people. She spoke about some ideas that has for earth day, such as the board members bring their own recycled bags and wear them proudly, going on the beach a month early and picking up whatever is found and displaying it on the table to show the people what was picked up off of the beach in Highland Beach. She looks forward to working with all the board members. Member Halpern asked Ms. Allen if she was full-time. He welcomed her to Highland Beach. Member Parks inquired about who does the recycling in Boca Raton. Town Planner Allen replied that the City has a sustainability administrator who deals with recycling and the climate action plan. She also provided comments about being sustainable, impact windows, and historical integrity. Town Manager Labadie spoke about the beach raking component. He explained that he had spoken with the DEP to help formulate that. He will bring the beach raking ordinance to the Commission in the winter to see if they want to do something with it. D. Discussion on Clean -Up of Beaches reference Small Plastic Particles — Vice Chairperson Tertan (THIS ITEM WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA) Member Matthewman stated that she went to the beach the other day, and it was remarkably clean. She asked if nothing has changed so far. Vice Chairperson Tertan replied yes, it has. Yesterday, a lot of seaweed came in. If you go today and I am at the Regency Highland. The beach rakers that do the Regency section buried the seaweed. They put mounds to the north and south of Regency Highland and left them there, and you can see them now. Member Parks asked if the board was supposed to make recommendations with regards to the raking situation to the Commission. Town Manager Labadie explained that the Board had made recommendations to the Commission. This was one of the big issues that the Commission was trying to wrestle to the ground if you will, and it is the last one. It will probably come back in January or February to see if there is something they want to do. He continued to explain that it started as a broad campaign from the Town taking overdo the beach raking as a company or having only one hauler to more of a simplified mirror set of regulations that the state has. If there is ever an issue, the town would have a means to get on the beach and do our own. It requires some basic low-cost permits so that we can have access. He spoke with the State, a gentleman at the DEP in the West Palm Beach office and they do not see an issue, find any problem with the beach rakers or the beach raking, and neither do they have the means come out on smaller type issues that we may experience in Highland Beach. The Commission will have to think about it is worth putting something on the books, just so the Town can enforce what the State may not be able to if it becomes a bigger issue. He went on to explain that he had not heard a lot of complaints about the beaches. The beaches have been spectacular for the last few months. He continued to provide more comments about the beach rakers and Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 8 of 12 explained that they have permits to burry. The Town had considered more restrictive requirements and prohibitions that would go against the State. We have to determine what we want to do. Member Braun asked how many miles we have and the number of beach raker companies. Town Manager Labadie replied three points one mile and two beach rakers. Discussion ensued about the beach rakers, the coordination, the beaches in Highland Beach being private beaches, and trespassing on private properties. Town Manager Labadie noted that having private beaches put a lot of difficulty as to what we want to do. Member Parks explained, do not be so sure about private beaches being a problem. He stated that he had the pleasure to investigate Ocean Place Estates, and their deeds all have easements in favor of the public that goes beyond the high tides for the enjoyment of the public. Those particular sets of deeds are geared towards giving us access to the property up to the point where they have their sawgrass, which is at the bottom of the berm. He had to look at the deeds because he had a problem with Ocean Place Estates. He asked was the environmental problem access to the beach in general, and the problem with access points. Town Manager Labadie explained that Boca Highlands had given the Town access through its beach house restoration, which is on the south end of the town for the emergency and public works ATV utility vehicles. The Town will need to obtain access to the north end of town. In the event, an emergency such as a drowning or heart attack, most people, condos will allow access to the beaches. The concern was access for tractors to clean the beaches. Susan Amerling-Stern asked if there were any areas with imminent domains. Town Manager Labadie replied no. He continued to explain that currently, there is access through the Atlantic Dunes and Spanish River, which are the traditional entry points. Vice Chairperson Tertan asked if there is an ordinance that requires houses, mansions, etc. to keep the front of their homes well maintained. If they do not cut their grass, are we going to allow it to grow wild? Town Manager replied no. Mr. Tertan mentioned why don't we do the same thing on the beach. Anybody that has a dwelling east of A 1 A, their living quarter/front is on the beach. We can pass an ordinance and have them clean their front lawn. Town Manager Labadie explained that some people like the naturalized beachfront because the native plans, some people like the sargassum, more native plans, leave it wild, and some people like a more groomed beachfront. Mr. Tertan provided comments about the house that was torn down around 4020. He mentioned that the previous owners had the beach rakers clean the property. The new builder stopped, and he cannot keep the beach rakers cleaning that property. He asked if they could say something. Town Manager Labadie explained that the Town nor the State has regulations requiring the owner to remove the seaweed. Member Halpern stated that the Town Manager Labadie talked about taking the regulations that are proposed back to the Commission. We looked at that about a year ago. He said that he strongly suggested that regulations be put before the Natural Resources Preservation Board with public input. The Commission should work on the more important matter such as stormwater, Milani Park, etc. Member Matthewman explained that she was at a beach over the Thanksgiving, they had a wooden pole with arms on it, and on each arm was a bucket. The bucket can be filled with trash and then emptied into a trash can. She asked how we can go about trying to do something like that, so it is Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 9 of 12 more comfortable? Her recommendations are to make it easier for the people who are walking the beaches. Discussion ensued about the trash and emptying the garbage cans on the beach. Town Manager Labadie explained that there is a slight problem with emptying the garbage cans on the beach because the beaches are private. Right now, everyone is generally cooperative with allowing the Town to get on the beach and collect the trash. But technically, we should not unless we have permission from everybody as we go. From time to time, we cannot traverse below the highwater mark. Most people want it, and we have no problem providing the service. Commission has been very supportive of the service. The staff is gladly doing it, and there was one more trash can put out at Jamaica Manor. Member Braun asked is the police is back on the beach and patrolling the beach. Town Manager Labadie stated that we could get on the beach. He will check with the Chief. Chairperson Marai stated she is going to leave the meeting and turned it over to Vice Chairperson Tertan. Discussion ensued about scheduling the next Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board meeting in January. Town Clerk Gaskins explained that she would check the calendar and email the board members for their availability in January. Chairperson Maraj passed the gavel to Vice Chairperson Tertan and she left the dais at 2:48 p.m., Member Braun stated that the Commission decided to have an environmental person on staff. She asked if that was still in the making. Town Manager Labadie noted that it was budgeted for an environmental consultant/lobbyist, we did not exercise some of that. We had to use some of the funding to buy some equipment here. The Commission was agreeable to hiring a full-time planner. Ingrid Allen, Town Planner, is going to fill some of those roles or gaps that we have not had, to perhaps resources to pursue things, and help with other initiatives. So, it is a yes and a no. Yes, it was budgeted. No, not as probably a lobbyist of its intent. Lobbying will be done as a Commission and, hopefully, work on special topics. We will get Ingrid working on those. Member Parks asked if you ever worked with a beach co-operative. Town Manager Labadie replied, personally no. Mr. Parks explained a beach co-operative and mentioned that it suggests that the owners and the actual properties along with the beach work in a cooperative manner or organize a co-operative association to facilitate the beach raking or at least give us the cooperation in a generalized manner to go their property to facilitate it. Town Manager Labadie mentioned he does not know how cooperative the condo groups are. But that is a possibility to potentially do it collectively. There is some state statute that allows collaboration, or we could facilitate something from the municipal side for them. He stated it is interesting and he has never explored it, but it is not a bad idea. Member Parks explained that individual owners have phenomenal access to the beach, and they have a vested interest in keeping it looking decent. The condominiums have a vested interested on behalf of their constitutes. Collectively they could give us their cooperation and possibility want to collaborate regarding the expense. It may be possible to offset part of the town's expense. He spoke about an area in Fort Lauderdale where the properties around an area shared a lake, and the property owners paid a certain extra amount of money every month to facilitate the treatment of the lake. Town Manager Labadie mentioned that a special district or special benefit district. Mr. Parks explained that the property owners around the lake gave a contribution, and they collaborated to do this voluntarily. He stated we have the ocean, and perhaps we can approach the property owners and even the communities across from the ocean Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 10 of 12 who would be willing to put money up to facilitate beach raking. We could this about this as a resource. Member Braun explained that her building pays around $5,000 a year for the beach raking company to clean a piece of the beach. Stated that her question a year ago was, how do the communities participate from the other side of the street when they have access to the beach through certain kinds of accesses. We, Villa Magna, clean the beach, and somebody else can go on it. So, how can the Town do that one project, and everybody pays a fair share. Discussion ensued about asking other buildings contributing and whether each building pays for beach raking. Member Halpern reminded the members that there was an assessment report conducted about two years ago was reviewed and discussed in terms of some kind of financial contribution by everybody in town. He suggested that if the board moves forward with the beach raking ordinance that there be a meeting to discuss only the report and beach raking. Vice Chairperson Tertan explained that he joined this board about a year and a half ago with the express purpose of improving the beach, cleaning up the beach. The Town has not done anything in the year and a half. The only help we have received was from Hurricane Dorian because it cleaned the beach. Now plastic and trash are beginning to build up again. People that walk the beach pick up the more significant pieces and throw them in the trash can. Then there are the smaller pieces of plastic. He provided comments about a newspaper article from the Sun -Sentinel that said, "the dead baby turtle had 104 pieces of plastic in its body." He stated that are small pieces of plastic on the beach that is a danger to the animals. He said he is asking the Commission to set aside $50,000 in the budget next year and get some temporary workers a couple of times a month, take a section of the beach and clean it up. A good way for the owners to keep people off of the beach is not clean the beach. People would rather walk at the edge o the water instead of walking through the sargassum because they do not want to step on sharp plastic or any sharp objects. Member Parks asked how do you propose to clean up the beach. What individual activities do you have in mind for that section of the beach? People, labor -intense, individual going out and picking up the pieces on the beach. Vice Chairperson Tertan mentioned he is thinking about going through a temp agency and getting two guys to pick up anything small twice a month. Member Matthewman asked, are we allowed to have beach raking as a community service for students or would that be hard labor, if they are volunteering. Town Manager Labadie explained it could be done; however, it is a little tricky because it is all private property. The owner would have to agree to allow the individuals onto their property. There are some risk and legal entanglements that would have to work through with the town attorney and commission. Discussion ensued about some property owners no allowing individuals on their property to clean up the beach, and the reason an ordinance is needed to require the property owners to clean the beach. Member Parks asked if the Board could get a list of all the property owners on the beach and get a copy of their deeds. Is that something that would be extraordinarily expensive for the Town Attorney to do. Town Manager Labadie replied it is public records. It could be done. It might Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 11 of 12 take a little bit of time, but we can do it. Member Parks explained that he would be very interested to see what the deeds say and what their responsibilities are. Town Manager Labadie then stated that maybe we should comb through it because there may be some provisions with more flexibility. Perhaps the condos have more written in it for public and private properties are going to be more different. Member Parks explained that there were two instances in Highland Beach where property owners thought they had rights, and they did not. The public has certain rights and responsibilities, and the beach owners only have a certain amount of access points. We say to the Commission, you have a responsibility to enforce the public's right to clean the beach, and we can take steps and measures. We need to see the deeds or have someone review the deeds to what the easement says. There are protections in there. It might be less onerous. Mr. Park stated that if the Board could make a community group, then they could get judges to assign adolescences to the beach cleanup. Discussion ensued about offering community service hours, offering the service hours through schools only, and hard labor. E. Discussion of the Role of the Natural Resources Preservation to include meetings, the overview of the Board, and Tasks — Member Halpern (THIS ITEM WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA) Town Clerk Gaskins explained that there is an ordinance that explains the purpose of the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board on page 9, and the duties and power of the board are on page 10. Member Halpern explained that it is very apparent that Section 2-140 — Powers and Duties does not represent the intent of the purpose that was written in Section 2-139. He read the purpose of the Board. The power and duties are extremely limited, and he agrees with the purpose. Member Parks explained that it says, "to include." He stated the purpose is the key. Member Parks explained that the board has to look at the entire town as a natural resource. F. List of Natural Resources Threatened Activities in Highland Beach — Member Halpern (THIS ITEM WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA) Member Halpern introduced this item. Each board member provided a list of threats as follows: Trash on the Beach Beach Erosion Vegetation on the Ocean Invasive Species on the Beach Beach Stormwater Milani Park: • Eastside of A 1 A (historical resources) • Air quality Public Ambivalence or Lack of Education Beach Member Matthewman Member Braun Vice Chairperson Tertan Member Halpern Member Parks Member Amerling-Stern Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Regular Minutes Monday, December 09, 2019 Page 12 of 12 Member Amerling Stern agreed with everyone and all the problems, especially the beach. She proceeded to explain that 95% of the people moved to Highland Beach because of the beaches. She provided comments about community service for adolescences cleaning the beaches. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Vice Chairperson Tertan read the announcement as follows. Planning Board Meeting — December 12, 2019 — 9:30 AM Town Commission Regular Meeting — December 17, 2019 — 1:30 PM (CANCELLED) 11. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chairperson Tertan adjourned the meeting at 3:15 p.m. APPROVED at: January 8, 2020 — Regular Meeting ATTES Lan6lda Gaskins, M Town Clerk ;&ieve, Chairperson Transcribed by: Lanelda Gaskins //y -2 Date