Environmental Advisory Board

4970 CITY HALL BLVD NORTH PORT, FL 34286City of North Port Meeting Minutes Environmental Advisory Board 6:30 PM City Hall Room 244Monday, August 4, 2025 Special Joint Meeting with Parks and Rec 1. Call to Order Chair McGowan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call Board Member Eik, Chair McGowan, Board Member Frattallone, Board Member Jackomin and Board Member Drumm Present 5 - Also Present Environmental Staff Liaison Kalev, Parks and Recreation Staff Liaison Sturgess, Assistant City Clerk Powell, and Board Specialist Gray 3. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Board. 4. Public Comment There was no public comment. 5. Approval of Minutes A. 25-239625-2 471 Approve the June 2, 2025 Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes. Chair McGowan announced the item and requested a motion. A motion was made by Board Member Jackomin, seconded by Board Member Eik, to approve the Minutes as presented. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: Board Member Eik, Chair McGowan, Board Member Frattallone, Board Member Jackomin and Drumm 5 - 6. New Business A. 25-2238 Environmental Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Members and Liaisons Introductions Chair McGowan announced and introduced the item. Board discussion took place regarding introductions, reasons for serving, length of residency in North Port, and goals. Page 1City of North Port Printed on 9/11/2025 August 4, 2025Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes B. 25-2233 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Environmental Conservation Easements of Natural Areas of City Parks and City-Owned Recreation Property Chair McGowan announced the item. Ms. Sturgess introduced the item and spoke to maintenance costs, invasive plant assessments, and road and drainage considerations. Mr. Kalev spoke to the land acquisition list and the property scoring process. Ms. Sturgess continued discussion regarding criteria for designating environmentally sensitive lands. Board discussion took place regarding park maintenance, development of a land management plan, minimum property size for environmentally sensitive land designation, use of conservation easements, the roles of the Environmental Advisory Board, Commissioners, procedures for joint meetings, and considerations of property value. A motion was made by Board Member Jackomin, seconded by Board Member Frattallone, to review the property inventory list for potential environmentally sensitive land designations. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: Board Member Eik, Chair McGowan, Board Member Frattallone, Board Member Jackomin and Drumm 5 - C. 25-2234 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Improved Communication Process Between the Environmental Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Related to Mutually Beneficial Topics Chair McGowan announced the item. Mr. Kalev introduced the item and provided guidance on obtaining information in compliance with the Sunshine Law. Board discussion took place regarding Sunshine Law. Chair McGowan requested a motion. A motion was made by Board Member Jackomin, seconded by Board Member Frattallone, to add a Park and Recreation Advisory Board update to the monthly agenda to be presented by the dual member Mr. Jackomin, or alternate. The motion carried with the following vote: Yes: Board Member Eik, Chair McGowan, Board Member Frattallone, Board Member Jackomin and Drumm 5 - D. 25-2235 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Future City Park Plans and their Potential Community Benefits Chair McGowan announced the item. Ms. Sturgess introduced the item and spoke to park locations, accessibility, design considerations, gopher tortoise habitat, and public education. Page 2City of North Port Printed on 9/11/2025 August 4, 2025Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes E. 25-2236 Discussion and Possible Action on Micro Forest Planting Initiatives and Their Potential Benefits for Park Areas Chair McGowan announced the item. Mr. Kalev introduced the item. Board discussion took place regarding the microforest project, including cost considerations, tree integrity concerns, planting timeframe, fire risk, invasive plant removal, selection of native species, and strategies for presenting the information to the Commission. F. 25-2237 Discussion and Possible Action on Flooding Susceptibility in Park Areas Chair McGowan announced the item. Ms. Sturgess introduced the item. Board discussion took place regarding the observation deck at Myakkahatchee Creek, and related funding considerations. 7. Future Agenda Items Chair McGowan announced the item. Future agenda items include Vice Chair election, Tree Fund, scorecard data, tree tax assessment, county or other board meeting minutes reporting, and volunteer involvement. 8. Public Comment There was no public comment. 9. Adjournment Chair McGowan adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m. By: _____________________________ Casey McGowan, Chair Page 3City of North Port Printed on 9/11/2025