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2020.01.08_NRPB_Minutes_Regular OF�1GHLgy4 3. % o i PLOR%O' TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD QUARTERLY MINUTES Town Hall / Commission Chambers Date: January 8, 2020 3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 10:00 AM Highland Beach, Florida 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Mara[called the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Meeting to order at 10:00 AM. She asked all present to please silence cell phones. 2. PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL Member Susan Amerling-Stern Member Diane Matthewman Member Katharina Braun Vice Chairperson Dario Tertan Chairperson Nievicita Maraj Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins Administrative Support Specialist Ganelle Thompson Town Planner Ingrid Allen ABSENT: Member Steven Parks Member Jack Halpern 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; hearing none, she called for a motion. MOTION: Member Matthewman moved to accept the agenda as presented. Member Amerlinq-Stern seconded the motion, which passed unanimously (4-0). Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Quarterly Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 2 of 10 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairperson Maraj opened Public Comments and asked if any wished to speak. Mr. Harry Adwar of Braemar Isle noted he was present to determine the purpose of this Advisory Board. He indicated there was a Beach Committee he served on in the past which used to clean the beach on Fridays. He noted the Committee had considered plantings to prevent sand erosion and discussed the plan of action which was ended by the Acting Deputy Mayor at the time. He indicated since then the beach had become filthy and Highland Beach needed another beach clean-up committee. He recommended the Advisory Board consider the need for regular beach clean-up. Board Member Matthewman indicated the Advisory Board agreed with Mr. Adwar. Vice Chairperson Dario agreed regular clean-up was important. He stated he would be speaking with the Town Commission in this regard. Mr. John Ross of Casuarina stated in regard to Item 9B: this information was freely available on the Palm Beach County website. He explained how to use this website to research this information. Chairperson Maras asked if any others wished to speak; hearing none, she closed Public Comments. 6. PRESENTATIONS: There were no Presentations. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. December 9, 2019 — Regular Minutes Chairperson Maraj asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of December 9, 2019; hearing none, she called for a motion. MOTION: Member Amerling-Stern moved to approve the December 9, 2019 Minutes. Member Braun seconded the motion, which passed unanimously (4-0). 8. OLD BUSINESS: A. Discussion on 2020 Earth Day Activity for the Spring Fling Event Chairperson Marat reported at the December 9, 2019 Meeting, the Board discussed various activities related to Earth Day. She noted included in the Agenda Packet was a list of items for which she wished to obtain the Board's input. She stated the Board Members needed to select some items to promote at the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Quarterly Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 3 of 10 upcoming Spring Fling Event. She noted the Clerk's Office had prepared a flyer for Earth Day; the Board reviewed the Earth Day flyer. Discussion ensued regarding: the items the Board wanted to include for Earth Day at Spring Fling, the possibility of distributing wooden toothbrushes, the possibility of distributing reusable washable bags which could be stored inside a purse, the cost of wooden toothbrushes, the possibility of distributing reusable straws, distributing recycling bags, the possibility of a Highland Beach logo or a "protect the environment" type logo on the recycling bags, Florida Power & Light (FPL) having donated the recycling bags and it being presumptuous to ask FPL to add a logo to the already donated bags, the possible dangers associated with reusable metal straw distribution, toothbrushes being preferred over metal straws, including information about plastic toothbrushes with the wooden toothbrush distribution, and decorating the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board (NRPAB) table with ocean debris. It was the consensus of the Board to distribute wooden toothbrushes at the Spring Fling Event and to research the best possible price for the toothbrushes. Discussion ensued regarding decorating the NRPAB table at the Spring Fling Event, the size of the table (6 feet), how to make residents aware of the NRPAB, information about the NRPAB being printed on the flyer, Staff creating a poster or banner to display at the table. It was the consensus of the Board to display a Staff- created NRPAB banner at the NRPAB table. Discussion ensued regarding recycling data from the Town Manager, and the possibility of distributing this information at the Spring Event. It was agreed this information would not be distributed at the Spring Event. Discussion ensued regarding possible display of a garbage statue at the Spring Event, displaying a large picture of the statue, creating a "Where's Waldo" type game from the picture for children (for example, "where's the toothbrush?" or "where's the plastic spoon?"), space considerations for the table, consideration of wind conditions, distributing the seed packets left over from the previous year. It was the consensus of the Board to distribute the seed packets. Discussion continued regarding the 4Ocean trash statue, displaying a poster of the 4Ocean trash statue, displaying a poster of a sea animal suffering as a result of pollution to better discourage pollution and plastic waste, not wishing to be overly gloomy in the display, and keeping the Spring Fling cheerful. It was the consensus of the Board not to display the trash statue or a poster of the trash statue. Discussion ensued regarding a children's treasure hunt, the difficulty with this activity, 2019 Spring Fling hosting an Easter Egg Hunt, this year's Spring Fling not being close to Easter, distributing photocopies of the trash statue and asking children to circle five specific pieces of trash to win a prize, using candy as a prize, distributing recycling educational-type coloring books to children as part of the prize, having a children's table next to the NRPAB table, and calling the paper treasure hunt "I-Spy." It was the consensus of the Board to distribute "I-Spy" Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Quarterly Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 4 of 10 sheets with a photo of the garbage statue at a children's table for children to "Spy" various pieces of trash and win a prize. Discussion ensued regarding plastic takeaway containers, how to encourage residents to refuse Styrofoam or plastic takeaway containers, promoting awareness regarding takeaway containers, and displaying a poster which illustrated which types of takeaway containers were bad for the environment and which were acceptable. Town Planner Allen reported Community Green made a presentation at yesterday's Town Commission Meeting. She stated she spoke with Town Manager Labadie regarding a tree giveaway. She indicated there was money in the Budget for this and the Town Manager was considering 20 trees which would be obtained from Community Green. She noted she did not know what type of trees would be given away or the tree size; however, she did know the trees were native. She indicated she could obtain more information for the Board. Discussion ensued about how the trees would be given away to the residents, the possibility of holding a raffle, the possibility of having residents sign-up if they wished to take home a tree, the trees being small enough for residents to pick up and carry home, the trees being used to beautify the NRPAB booth, and the possibility of giving away more than 20 trees if the Town Manager agreed. It was the consensus of the Board to give trees from Community Green away during the Spring Fling event through the use of a signup sheet at the table. Town Clerk Gaskins noted the Town had resources for a possible display regarding alternatives to Styrofoam and plastic take-home containers. Discussion ensued regarding educating the public regarding take-home containers. It was the consensus of the Board to display the alternatives for take-home containers suggested by Town Clerk Gaskins. Discussion ensued regarding Delray Sands' continued use of plastic containers and plastic bags for leftovers and encouraging Delray Sands (as residents) to utilize cardboard containers. Discussion ensued regarding balloon alternatives for parties, including a display of information regarding balloon alternatives at the booth, discouraging balloon use at parties, educating the public about the dangers of balloon use, federal law precluding the use of 20 or more balloons, and including "did you know..." information in the displays such as "did you know how long it takes a water bottle to disintegrate?" or "did you know it's against federal law to utilize more than 20 balloons?" Discussion ensued regarding displaying trash collected from Highland Beach, picking up trash from the beach just before heading over to the Spring Fling, displaying the trash in a pile on the table with a sign indicating the trash was from the beach, displaying the trash in a shallow box, creating a sign for the box. It was the consensus of the Board to pick up trash to bring to the Spring Fling for display in a shallow box and to create a sign reading "Highland Beach Trash" for the box. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Quarterly Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 5 of 10 Discussion ensued regarding contacting 4Ocean, Ms. Gaskins having contacted 4Ocean and receiving no response, and contacting 4Ocean regarding next year's event. Chairperson Maraj indicated she would provide Ms. Gaskins with a list of the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board's recommendations regarding the Spring Fling Event. Chairperson Maraj asked who would be present and able to assist with the Spring Fling Event; four of the five Board Members present agreed to assist with the Spring Fling Event; the fifth Board Member would be out of town this day. Town Clerk Gaskins indicated she would email Member Parks and Member Halpern regarding availability to assist with the Event. B. Recommendation on the Natural Resource Threatened Activities in Highland Beach Chairperson Maraj explained that at the December 9 meeting,the Board discussed the list of activities which threatened natural resources in Highland Beach. She indicated the Board needed to develop a clear plan of action in this regard. Town Planner Allen stated there was a list of threats included in the previous Meeting Minutes: Trash on the Beach, Beach Erosion, Vegetation on the Ocean, Invasive Species on the Beach, and Public Ambivalence or Lack of Education. Chairperson Mara' stated she felt Member Halpern should be present for discussion of this Item. Town Clerk Gaskins indicated this Item could be tabled until the next meeting with a consensus of the Board. Discussion ensued regarding tabling this Item until Member Halpern was present. Chairperson Maraj asked if the Board agreed to table this Item; it was agreed. It was the consensus of the Board to TABLE this item until the next meeting. 9. NEW BUSINESS: A. Discussion on Recycling and Conservation — Member Halpern: Chairperson Maraj stated as Member Halpern was not present, and this was his presentation, this Item should be tabled until the next meeting. She asked if the Board agreed; the Board agreed. It was the consensus of the Board to TABLE this item until the next meeting. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Quarterly Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 6 of 10 B. Recommendation on Town Staff compiling a list of Property Owners on the Beach and researching and retrieving a copy of the deeds Chairperson Mara'reported at the December 9 meeting, the Board asked the Town Manager if Town Staff or the Town Attorney could compile a list of property owners on the beach and also research and retrieve a copy of each property deed. She explained the purpose of this research was to determine each property owner's responsibilities regarding beach cleanup. Vice Chairperson Tertan explained this was to determine property lines in an effort to determine how much of the beach property owners should be maintaining individually. Discussion ensued regarding Florida Law requiring property owners to maintain clean property, Florida Law designating the property line as the mean water line, the dunes being the responsibility of the property owner, the responsibility of code enforcement to inspect dunes, and the need for a Town Ordinance to clearly set the rules. Mr. Ross of Casuarina indicated all Town Codes and Ordinances were available for review on the Town website. He noted State law indicated property owners were responsible for land up to the mean high watermark. He noted the Palm Beach County website delineated this line for each property. Chairperson Marat stated she understood this information was freely accessible; the question was what to do with the information. She read from the previous Meeting's Minutes: "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." Chairperson Marai stated the goal was to determine the best way to clean the beach and be allowed access to do so possibly via the easements. Mr. Ross indicated it was the property owner's responsibility to keep the beach area clean. He noted he did not wish to have criminals cleaning his beach in his backyard regardless of age. He stated it was important for Code Enforcement to enforce compliance with clean beach code. He suggested inviting the Town Attorney and a representative of the Code Enforcement Board to attend a meeting to answer questions. Town Planner Allen indicated she would review Town Code in regard to property owners and beach cleaning. Chairperson Marat asked for information regarding Town Code public beach cleaning, as well as volunteer group cleanup in areas Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Quarterly Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 7 of 10 which were accessible. Town Planner Allen responded finding information regarding property owner responsibilities was the first step. Chairperson Maraj indicated the Board wished to make a recommendation for Town Staff to research Town Code to determine property owner responsibility regarding beach cleanup. Town Clerk Gaskins indicated the request was understood. Mr. Doug Hillman stated if the Board wished the Town to research code as related to beaches and beach maintenance and cleanup, it should also identify which properties were having difficulty keeping the beach clean. He noted then the deeds for these problem properties could be reviewed. He stated at this point the Town's access could be researched and Code Enforcement's rights could be determined. He indicated separately the Advisory Board could consider forming a beach cleanup program for the resident access portions of the beach. Vice Chairperson Tertan stated quarterly cleanup was not effective; beach cleanup needed to occur much more regularly, at least weekly, as the tides brought in new trash twice daily. He stated he believed the Town could afford to hire staff to clean the beach once weekly for four hours. Discussion ensued regarding the Spring Event raising public awareness, encouraging residents to pick up trash when visiting the beach, trash remaining on the beach for months, and turtles eating discarded plastic. C. Discussion on Board Communications: Board webpage, Inclusion in the Manager Monthly Letter, Resident awareness of the Board Chairperson Maraj asked if it was possible for the NRPAB to have its own webpage. Town Clerk Gaskins responded the Town website included a page regarding the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board; however, Staff could enhance this page with the new website. Discussion ensued regarding including a link to the NRPAB page on the main website homepage, including before and after pics of beach cleanup on the webpage, including takeaway container alternatives on the webpage, and including various environmental awareness information on the webpage. Chairperson Mara' asked if these webpage inclusions would be possible. Town Planner Allen responded in the affirmative. She asked Chairperson Maraj to send her an email containing the information the Board would like to see posted on the webpage. Chairperson MaraL asked if information regarding the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board was included in the Town Manager's monthly newsletter. Town Clerk Gaskins responded information regarding the Spring Fling would be included in the monthly newsletter and information regarding the various Town Advisory Boards was included as well. Chairperson Maraj asked if an "Awareness" section could be included in each newsletter. Town Clerk Gaskins responded in the affirmative. He noted the Town Manager encouraged "Fun Facts" and if the NRPAB emailed a "Fun Fact" to Town Manager Labadie it would be included with the newsletter. Chairperson Mara' asked if the Board agreed a "Fun Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Quarterly Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 8 of 10 Fact" or similar from the Board should be emailed to Town Manager Labadie for inclusion in the monthly newsletter. It was agreed. Town Clerk Gaskins asked if the Board would send an email containing said information to Town Manager Labadie monthly. Chairperson MaraE responded in the affirmative. Discussion ensued regarding the proper process, and who needed to be contacted regarding such information for the Newsletter. It was the consensus of the Board to recommend to Town Staff for the Board to be included in the Manager's Monthly Newsletter through a Fun Fact, awareness information, etc. Chairperson Maraj indicated in regard to public awareness of the NRPAB, information regarding the Board would be included in the Manager's Newsletter, as well as on the webpage. Discussion ensued regarding whether the Board would be able to exercise some control over its webpage, discovering the parameters of the webpage, the Board being mindful of what the was posted on its webpage, and checking with Ms. Terisha Cuebas regarding the webpage preferred parameters. Ms. Terisha Cuebas, Assistant to the Town Manager, reported all Town Boards currently had a webpage. She indicated documents and pictures were easily included on the webpage; however, videos were limited. Chairperson Maraj asked about webpage theme. Ms. Cuebas responded the theme should remain consistent with the Town website theme: professional, ocean, greens and blues, coastal community theme. She recommended the Board Members visit the webpage. She noted it would be simple to include an Earth Day title with some informational documents. She indicated it was important not to inundate webpage visitors with too much information. Chairperson Maras asked if the Fun Fact included in the Manager's Monthly Newsletter could be posted monthly on the Board's webpage. Ms. Cuebas responded in the affirmative. She noted the information would be updated by Staff and the Board should consider creating a schedule for webpage updates. Chairperson Mara'asked who webpage content should be emailed to for updating. Ms. Cuebas responded any information the Board wished to post to the webpage should be emailed to herself. She recommended streamlining the information through Chairperson Maraj. Chairperson Maraj indicated email communication between Board Members was not permitted; communication would be through Ms. Lanelda Gaskins. Ms. Cuebas recommended deciding what the Board wished to see on the webpage during Board Meetings. Discussion ensued regarding including "webpage ideas" on future Agendas, including the Earth Day Flyer and information regarding alternative takeaway containers on the webpage; it was agreed. Chairperson Marat stated it was the consensus of the Board to post the Earth Day Flyer and the alternative takeaway container awareness information on the website. Ms. Gaskins indicated she would communicate this information to Ms. Cuebas and Ms. Allen. Discussion ensued regarding what this awareness Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Quarterly Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 9 of 10 information should say and look like and including this information in the next Town Manager's Newsletter; it was agreed. Chairperson Maraj indicated it was the consensus of the Board to include this information in the next Town Manager's Newsletter. She asked if a link to the NRPAB webpage could be included in the Town Manager's Newsletter. Ms. Gaskins responded in the affirmative. Ms. Cuebas asked if the Board had a document with the desired information regarding alternative takeaway containers to be included on the webpage. Chairperson Maraj responded in the negative and related the Board's idea regarding what the information should look like. Discussion ensued regarding this information. Ms. Cuebas summarized: the flyer and takeaway container information would be posted on the webpage; the flyer, the link to the NRPAB webpage, and takeaway container information would be included in the Manager's Newsletter. The Board agreed. Member Amerlinq-Stern suggested including this same information in the Coastal Star. Discussion ensued regarding whether the Coastal Star would advertise the Spring Fling, advertising in the Coastal Star regarding the NRPAB, the Board needing to recommend an advertisement in the Coastal Star if it wished to see this done, inviting a Coastal Star reporter to attend a Board Meeting and write an article, inviting a Coastal Star reporter to interview Chairperson Maraj in a discussion of the Board and Earth Day/Spring Fling. It was the consensus of the Board to recommend to Town Staff to contact the Coastal Star reporter to interview the Chairperson regarding Spring Fling, Earth Day, and the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board. D. Discussion of Future Meeting Dates Chairperson Maraj asked if there were any comments. Member Matthewman requested including an Agenda item for the next meeting regarding placing buckets on the beach to be used for trash pickup. She indicated Boca Raton approved bucket placement on Boca Raton beaches through the Community Coastal Cleanup program at Red Reef, Spanish River and South Beach parks. Town Clerk Gaskins indicated this Item would be added to the Agenda. Member Matthewman requested addition of an Agenda item discussing teens with required high school community service hours doing beach cleanup. Town Clerk Gaskins indicated this subject was included in the Item tabled at today's meeting and would be discussed at the next meeting. Discussion ensued regarding holding quarterly meetings, the next meeting being held in April, holding the meeting after the Easter Holiday, and the best day in April to hold the meeting. It was the consensus of the Board to have meetings on a quarterly basis. Chairperson Maraj indicated the next quarterly meeting will be held in April. Town Clerk Gaskins indicated she would schedule a meeting for the Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board Quarterly Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 10 of 10 Board on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. She indicated she would contact the two absent Board Members regarding this meeting date. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chairperson Maraj read the following announcements: • Planning Board Meeting — January 9, 2020 — 9:30 AM • Financial Advisory Board Meeting — January 16, 2020 — 3:00 PM • Town Hall Closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day— January 20, 2020 • Town Commission Regular Meeting — January 21 , 2020 — 1:30 PM 11. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairperson Maraj adjourned the meeting at 11:47 a.m. APPROVED at July 2, 2020 Quarterly Meeting: gev2G/Z mate Nievicita Maraj, Chairperson ATTEST: Transcribed by: TEI/he A tA aA. 4 7/7/20z0 a elda Gaskin , MMC ate To n Clerk 01 .08.2020 Natural Resources Preservation Minutes Final Audit Report 2020-07-08 Created: 2020-07-07 By: Beverly Wright(bwright@highlandbeach.us) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCH BCAABAAIZ1nWFHtbuGGcS3BYjgBb2F1H ItAHXSa "01 .08.2020 Natural Resources Preservation Minutes" History 5 Document created by Beverly Wright(bwright@highlandbeach.us) 2020-07-07-3:46:06 PM GMT-IP address: 12.18.232.162 y Document emailed to Nievecita Maraj (nievecitasnow@gmail.com)for signature 2020-07-07-3:46:43 PM GMT ,t Email viewed by Nievecita Maraj (nievecitasnow@gmail.com) 2020-07-07-7:18:30 PM GMT-IP address: 107.72.178.26 b© Document e-signed by Nievecita Maraj (nievecitasnow@gmail.com) Signature Date:2020-07-08-2:38:33 AM GMT-Time Source:server-IP address:99.117.110.178 Signed document emailed to Lanelda Gaskins(Igaskins@highlandbeach.us), Nievecita Maraj (nievecitasnow@gmail.com), Ganelle Thompson (gthompson@highlandbeach.us), and Beverly Wright (bwright@highlandbeach.us) 2020-07-08-2:38:33 AM GMT Adobe Sign