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04/19/2017 Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 19, 2017 City of Clearwater City Hall 112 S. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33756 9 ' e Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 19, 2017 4:00 PM Council Chambers Environmental Advisory Board Page 1 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 19, 2017 Roll Call Present 5 - Board Member Michael Engelmann, Chair Leann DuPont, Vice Chair Jared Leone, Board Member Mark Wright, and Board Member Ashley Wilson Pimley Also Present: Laura Mahony —Assistant City Attorney, Ed Chesney — Environmental Manager, Patricia O. Sullivan — Board Reporter 1. Call To Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve the minutes of the January 18, 2017 Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Member Engelmann moved to approve minutes of the January 18, 2017 Environmental Advisory Board meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda Lisa Lanza said TBRPC (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council), Sierra Club Suncoast Chapter, and Audubon Society newsletters could provide topics for EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) discussion and recommended the board view streaming video of the consultant presentation on the Imagine Clearwater Vision for the downtown waterfront at the February 21, 2017 City Council Special Meeting. She said the public indicated they wanted the downtown waterfront to be open, free to the public, and feature an estuary. 4. New Business Items 4.1 EAB Workshop for Single Use Plastic Campaign - EAB Members Discussion ensued re public workshops. It was stated while few attended the The Surfrider Foundation - Suncoast Chapter presentation to the CBA (Clearwater Beach Association), it was felt the CBA would support efforts by the Chambers of Commerce and businesses to reduce the use of single use plastics. It was stated a workshop in St. Petersburg was well attended by interested residents. It was reported a Board member was invited to address the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce in May regarding single use plastics. Page 2 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 19, 2017 Discussion ensued re restaurants with a suggestion that beachfront restaurants should not be the only ones targeted. Concern was expressed that beachfront restaurants, such as Frenchies and Palm Pavilion at Rockaway Beach, could be more proactive by preventing plastic products and cellophane from blowing off their decks onto the beach. It was stated that restaurants could enhance public awareness with a universal message re hazards associated with plastics in the environment by providing cards or table tents on the subject at place settings that customers would have time to read. It was stated a sign about the program on a St. Pete Beach restaurant wall drove awareness of the program. It was felt similar efforts would reduce customer requests for straws. It was recommended that members speak to managers each time they eat out and provide information re this issue. It was found that restaurant staff sometimes was unaware of some restaurant's policy to only distribute straws when requested. Surfrider Foundation successes reducing or eliminating single use plastics at Madeira Beach and Treasure Island restaurants and the Hyatt's practice of not distributing straws at its tiki bar were complimented. It was recommended that the Surfrider Foundation commend the Hyatt for its efforts. It was stated these efforts provide restaurants and hotels a great opportunity to promote themselves as ocean friendly businesses, encouraging patronage by like minded consumers. It was suggested the Surfrider Foundation may have information re sources for alternative green materials as few restaurants had time for research. Concern was expressed that trash behind restaurants often was not stored properly or was improperly packed into overloaded containers. Discussion ensued re trashcans with concerns expressed that trash in wire mesh containers at City beaches and parks blew out on windy days, sometimes landing in the water. It was recommended when wire mesh trashcans reach their useful life, the City replace them with improved containers with lids so trash thrown away stayed thrown away. It was noted a recycling container at a State park was designed with a hole that fit single bottles. Concern was expressed that lids may not solve trash problems. Concern was expressed that public events at City parks generated significant trash and offered few recycling opportunities. It was stated the City could better plan for trash disposal at public events. A resident suggested installing recycling containers at Spectrum Stadium, Coachman Park, during festivals, and on the beaches. It was recommended that the Board request that the City Council support further EAB action to reduce single use plastic, adopt an Page 3 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 19, 2017 Ordinance requiring restaurants and businesses to properly store outside trash, install a proactive entry sign on the Causeway identifying Clearwater as an ocean friendly destination, and provide beach combers with buckets and trash pickers to use and return when done. Discussion ensued regarding future actions including a suggestion that the Chambers of Commerce be asked to encourage member participation in reducing single use plastic and the City be asked to prohibit vendor distribution of single use plastic, improve trash containers, and install recycling containers at City parks and bushes, especially for events. It was recommended that the Surfrider Foundation be contacted re 1) Madeira Beach and Treasure Island voluntary program information to reduce single use plastic; 2) distribution of table tents and cards outlining the program for restaurant tables; 3) distribution of cards encouraging the reduction of single use plastic for hotel rooms, 4) wording for signage and literature encouraging businesses and residents to reduce single use plastic, 5) ability to add City logo to foundation materials for City use on its website, social media sites, and in Sunshine Lines to promote Clearwater's beach friendly community, 6) lists and sources of alternative green materials, 7) logos that identify ocean friendly restaurants and hotels for onsite display and use in advertising and marketing efforts, and 8) an offer to help support foundation efforts. Discussion ensued regarding nationwide challenges with recyclables, the waste stream, and durability of biodegradable materials. In response to questions, Environmental Manager Ed Chesney said groups such as the Audubon Society organized cleanup of some Intracoastal spoil islands, FDOT(Florida Department of Transportation) managed the islands which belonged to the State. He discussed City recycling program efforts. 5. Old Business Item: None 6. Director's Report: None. 6.1 Agenda for July 19, 2017 Meeting Mr. Chesney will email Imagine Clearwater Vision updates to members prior to the next meeting. Page 4 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes 7. Board Members to be Heard: None. 8. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. April 19, 2017 C, Chair Environmental Advisory Board Page 5 City of Clearwater