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01/17/2024 Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 17, 2024 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 e Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 17, 2024 4:00 PM Main Library - Council Chambers Environmental Advisory Board 1 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 17, 2024 Roll Call Present - Chair Jared Leone, Vice Chair John Thomas, Board Member Glenna Wentworth, Board Member Kelly Dobbin, and Board Member Marita Lynch Also Present— Cassie Cordova — Sustainability Manager and Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk 1. Call To Order The chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve the minutes of the July 19, 2023 and the October 23, 2023 Environmental Advisory Board meetings. Member Wentworth moved to approve the minutes of the July 19, 2023 and October 23, 2023 Environmental Advisory Board meetings as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda: None. 4. New Business Items 4.1 Use of Phosphogypsum Sustainability Manager Cassie Cordova provided a summary of the legislative bill regarding the use of phosphogypsum in road construction aggregate material. The environmental advocacy group, Surfrider Foundation, has expressed concerns with the use of radioactive material. She said the Chair proposed a resolution that she forwarded to the Board earlier in the day along with the adopted resolution from the Cooper City, FL. Chair Leone said the Surfrider Foundation is who forwarded the approved Cooper City resolution. He said support or opposition for the usage should come from the community, he said the Board should consider opposing the use. In response to questions, Ms. Cordova said FDOT owned roads in Clearwater would be subject to the approved material. Comments were made that the referenced study is not yet complete. It was said that the fifth whereas clause of the proposed resolution is unnecessary. It was said that the EPA would have to give approval for the use. 2 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 17, 2024 Chair Leone said he will incorporate the proposed resolution changes and send it to Ms. Cordova for approval at the next meeting. 4.2 Shark Fishing Ban Chair Leone said the topic and issue came about because of a pregnant tiger shark that was found dead on the sand in Indian Shores. He said fishing for sharks and dangerous fish from the beach is creating public safety concerns. Indian Shores adopted an ordinance banning shark fishing from their beaches. Their neighbor, Redington Shores, adopted a similar ordinance. Discussion ensued with comments made that input from the police department would be needed regarding enforcement if the City wanted to pursue a similar ordinance. In response to a question, Ms. Cordova said that fishing on public bathing beaches is prohibited in Clearwater. She said if this issue goes to Council, she will coordinate with Public Communications to advertise the topic on social media. 4.3 Ready for 100 update Sustainability Specialist Melody Yin provided a PowerPoint presentation. She said the plan was adopted by Council in December 2022. In response to questions, Ms. Yin said the savings for power is a net savings after the cost of being in the program. She said the City has a big arbor day event where Public Works gives out two trees per resident annually. She said the tree vulnerability study will be presented to the Board once it is complete. She said solar is being planned for the new city hall. 4.4 SolSmart Designation Ms. Cordova provided a PowerPoint presentation. She said she initiated this designation program at her previous employer. There is no cost for the program and it aligns with Greenprint goals. It is a federally funded program that uses experts in the field to help municipalities develop solar programs. In response to questions, Ms. Cordova said she has not reached out to Tampa who also uses the program. She said at her last job, she created a landing page online which had FAQs and she would update it with federal incentives. She said it can be done in Clearwater, but more time 3 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 17, 2024 is needed to get the program started. She said the next step for the designation is a commitment letter. She said Greenprint includes solar related strategies would help the City obtain a bronze or even silver designation. She said a recommendation to pursue the designation from this Board to Council would be appropriate. Member Lynch moved to direct staff to draft a letter in support of the SolSmart program to send to Council. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5. Old Business Items In response to questions, Ms. Cordova said the beach marina project will have EV charging capabilities. She said she will find out what information was provided to Council regarding the use of artificial tun` She said she has met with Planning and Development staff regarding the installation of solar and EV chargers in new development projects. She said staff has reached out to neighboring municipalities to find out if Clearwater is on par with other communities when it comes to EV charging and solar installations. 6. Director's Report: None. 7. Board Members to be Heard Member Lynch thanked staff for the SolSmart and Ready for 100 presentations. She suggested EAB members provide Board related business updates at community and neighborhood association meetings. She requested an update on the Greenprint effort/reward analysis. In response to questions, Ms. Cordova said after discussing Greenprint with the City Manager, it was suggested to implement a Greenprint 3.0 to condense, streamline and ensure all Greenprint goals are feasible, relevant, achievable, and timely. She said Greenprint needs to be a real guide to say what needs to be accomplished and when. Member Thomas said be read an email from the Estuary Program regarding funds for habitat restoration in the Tampa Bay area. He said Clearwater has one of the largest areas undeveloped land in Pinellas County. He noticed Brazilian peppers growing at the entrance gate to Cooper's Point and would like to pursue the removal of the plant as a volunteer. Chair Leone said Friday is Florida Arbor Day. He said Duke Energy is doing a tree give away and the Clearwater Garden Club is hosting an 4 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board 8. Adjourn event, too. Meeting Minutes January 17, 2024 The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m. 5 City of Clearwater