Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee

1 MINUTES City of Holmes Beach Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee January 14, 2026, 9:00 a.m. Patricia A. Geyer Commission Chambers 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217 Present: Marty Hicks, John Kolojeski, Scott MacGregor, Charles Mopps, Mike Pritchett, William Romberger, Chair Jennifer Miller Absent: Digital & Media Strategist McDonough Also Present: Commissioner Schaefer, Mayor Titsworth, Digital & Media Strategist McDonough _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. 2. Roll Call 3. Review and Approval of December 10, 2026, Minutes Moved by William Romberger Seconded by Mike Pritchett Motion Approved 4. Working Session to Discuss Framework for 2026 Chair Miller opened the discussion noting this work session was a follow up to our December meeting to put together a workshop with partner organizations in early 2026 to help the CWC align its goals and objectives with these organizations. Our role being to support these organizations without duplicating efforts already planned and funded by these groups. Charlie noted that our current framework of goals was good with the workshop providing directional clarity on areas we could focus on within this framework. For example, assisting TBEP and Suncoast Waterkeepers with the AMI sound Seagrass Transect later this year. It was also suggested that once our goals were refined the CWC should present them to the Holmes Beach Commission. CWC members agreed the output from the discussion today should be:  A date to hold the workshop with partner organizations  A list of partner organizations to invite to attend and/or present  A framework for the discussion with these organizations  A communication strategy for approaching partner organizations

2 Commissioner Schaefer suggested we add a goal oriented towards some of the activities conducted by the LBK Green Team. He offered to ask the Mayor if a staff member could be assigned to help coordinate with other City organizations, such as the Parks & Beautification Committee, to pursue a Green Team-like initiative. Proposed Workshop Date After a short discussion the CWC agreed that we needed to give partner organizations a few months’ notice. Charlie suggested that we pick the April 8th meeting of the CWC as the date for the Workshop. Chair Miller asked Digital Specialist Matt McDonough what remote options we had available for the proposed meeting with our partner organizations. Matt confirmed we could offer remote access to participants through Zoom. Proposed Workshop Participants Chair Miller asked the CWC to provide feedback on who should participate and or present at the workshop. After a good discussion there was good agreement to invite representatives from the following organizations:  Sarasota Bay Estuary Program – Request Ex. Director Ryan Gandy or delegate to present  Tampa Bay Estuary Program – Request Ex. Director Ed Sherwood or delegate to present  Suncoast Waterkeepers – Request Chairman Rusty Chinnis, Ex. Director Dr. Amy Tyrna or delegate to present  University of Florida – Request Dr. Bowden or delegate to present  Manatee County – Request Charlie Hunsicker or delegate present  Oyster River Ecology – Damon Moore Invitation to attend and participate in Roundtable discussion  Mote – Invitation to attend and participate in Roundtable discussion Invitation/ Agenda for the Workshop Chair Miller agreed to put a draft invitation and agenda together and circulate it to the CWC members through proper channels for review and approval as soon as possible. The CWC discussed and agreed that the agenda should include  Presentations of 15-20 minutes by invited organizations stating their short- and long-term goals and objectives  A roundtable discussion with all participants on key priorities through collaboration between these organizations, the Island Cities and the CWC.  Commissioner Schaefer suggested the simple objective is to ask the organizations to explain what they are doing and collaborate on what we can do to help. Communication Strategy The Committee discussed who should receive the invitations and how to communicate with each partner organization. Several members of the CWC already have standing relationships or connections with the organizations listed. A combination of reaching out though these relationships to assess availability and then a formal invitation from the committee including the agenda was agreed appropriate. This would be a “save the date” email.

3 5. Additional Business Reusable Islanders for Clean Water Shopping Bag Distribution Scott requested the committee discuss the distribution of the reusable bags ordered by Digital & Media Strategist Matt McDonough on behalf of the CWC to raise citizen and visitor awareness and promote the reduction of single use plastic bags on the islands. The CWC previously voted and allocated $5,000 to purchase bags which cost approximately $2.50-2.75/ bag to produce. Matt provided samples of the two bags purchased (one with AMI and one without AMI under the turtle logo). After a short discussion the CWC agreed to start distributing bags as follows:  Scott will attend the AMI Farmers Market (held every Tuesday) and approach the Rosa Thrift Shop, Beach Bums the Coffee Shop on AMI.  Mike will approach the Episcopal Church  Bill will provide bags to the AMI Chamber of Commerce  Charlie will provide bags to the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and through the upcoming Citizens Academy and the City of Longboat Key open house The CWC discussed whether we should ask for a donation for each bag. It was agreed that this would be optional as the primary goal of the program was to get the message out regarding reducing the use of single use plastic bags. A donation box can be provided for cash donations, and the box would display a QR code for those who may wish to support the Islanders 4 Clean Water program. Cortez Fish Festival February 14-15th 2026 Chair Miller asked the CWC, Mayor Judy, and Commissioner Schaefer whether we should look into attending the Cortez Fish Festival coming up in February. Bill agreed to contact the organizers to find out what is involved and then notify the CWC. Assuming there are no roadblocks to attending final planning will occur at our February 11th meeting. Digital & Media Strategist Matt McDonough would provide the giveaways and banners. AMI Museum Heritage Day March 18th 2026 The AMI Museum will be hosting a Heritage Day on March 18th. Bill will reach out to the organizers of this event to get more details. 6. Questions and Comments 6.a Questions and Comments from Clean Water Committee Members Chair Miller requested an update on fish sampling for the UF PFAS testing program. Mayor Judy said she would follow up but had not received any feedback from local captains at this time. Charlie confirmed he will be absent from the next meeting as he will be participating in the annual Longboat Key Citizens Academy. Mike reminded the CWC that he had extended an invitation to Senator Boyd to come and speak to the CWC in April. Mike agreed to verify the Senator’s availability and possibly suggest the May meeting as an alternate date. 6.b Questions and Comments from Mayor and City Commission Mayor Judy Titsworth commented that she would be attending the Manatee County Chamber of commerce meeting today.

4 Commissioner Schaefer commented that the City Commission voted on January 12th to support a resolution to oppose Offshore Drilling. At Mike’s request, Commissioner Schaefer also addressed SB 479, which prohibits counties & municipalities from adopting laws, regulations, rules, policies, or ordinances that restrict activities that are outside certain wetland buffers. Commissioner Schaefer described it as a direct threat to the CWC’s work and the City’s interest in working to provide clean water. 6.c Questions and Comments from Staff None. 6.d Questions and Comments from The Public and Press AMI Sun Reporter Joe Hendricks provided contact information for the Cortez Fish Festival. The CWC thanked Joe for the recent article in the SUN updating readers on the work by the CWC and Islanders 4 Clean Water. 7. Confirm Next Meeting Date, February 11, 2026 - 9:00 AM 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 a.m. Minutes Prepared by: Jennifer Miller Minutes Approved: February 11, 2026