Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee

1 MINUTES City of Holmes Beach Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee December 10, 2025, 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 Also Present: Commissioner Schaefer, Mayor Titsworth, Digital & Media Strategist McDonough, Longboat Key Green Team Jeff & Terry Driver _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. 2. Roll Call 3. Review and Approval of November 12, 2025, Minutes Moved by Charles Mopps Seconded by Marty Hicks 4. Review November Calendar 4.a Theme of the Month - Leave No Trace 4.b Local Community/Partner Organization Upcoming Events The committee reviewed the calendar, and the consensus was that we need a longer- term approach to identifying calendar items. It’s important for all to be looking for events to add to the following month’s calendar, tapping resources such as the local newspapers and the Chamber, etc. that list upcoming events. 5. Town of Longboat Key Green Team Program Charlie did a presentation of a slide deck (included in the meeting materials) he and the LBK Green Team presented to the LBK Commission, providing an update on their initiatives. Assisting Charlie were Green Team members Jeff and Terry Driver. The Green Team is a group of concerned citizens who collaborate with LBK Public Works to coordinate on and facilitate ongoing and planned environmental initiatives within the Town. The Green Team’s focus includes shoreline protection and water quality, closely aligning with the committee’s work. Charlie touched on the many ongoing and completed initiatives in the slide deck. There was extensive discussion of the Green Team’s collaboration with media students from Ringling College in the production of “Eco Films” on various topics such as seabirds, turtles, seawalls, etc. Jeff Driver provided an explanation of the project. Each film is roughly 3-5 minutes long (at a cost

2 of $3,000 to $10,000), and there are 7 or 8 films that have been produced. There was enthusiasm about the possibility of getting links to these films on the I4CW website and perhaps using them in the AME and local high schools. Jeff noted that the Green Team is also seeking a grant to establish a YouTube channel, and Charlie noted that the Town has engaged with the SBEP to seek sponsorship. John suggested a PFAS film. Chair Miller thought Isabella Cioffi from UF could be a very good person to include in a film on PFAS or another topic. Another discussion item was LBK’s project of geo-mapping their mangroves using aerial photography and drones. Governance of mangroves is with the FDEP. Commissioner Schaefer noted that the City is asking our state delegation to stay on top of enforcement measures. Charlie noted that the FDEP has been very responsive to requests for investigation of violations. Also discussed was the general interest in promoting Florida friendly trees and native plants. Chair Miller noted that the big box stores sell certain plants that are considered invasive in our area. Terry Driver noted the several local nurseries that have or even specialize in native plants. It was agreed that both the CWC and the LBK Green Team can make an impact in raising awareness on this issue. Chair Miller suggested an Eco Film on the impact of Florida friendly landscaping on attracting birds and butterflies. Another initiative of the Green Team -- and one for which a film is being made -- is the Living Seawall project, which entails among other things the placing of concrete panels in front of the vinyl panels being used to replace seawalls today, since oysters, barnacles and other beneficial organisms cannot attach to the vinyl. Commissioner Schaefer noted the City’s endorsement of living shorelines, referencing a project on East 28th St using a natural barrier approach. The City has applied for a grant. 6. Open Forum Discussion - CWC goals for Fiscal Year 2026 Chair Miller kicked off a preliminary discussion of the Committee’s goals for 2026. All agreed the basic focus remains education/awareness, prevention, and remediation. Chair Miller asked for specific focus items. Marty suggested we continue to work on promoting seagrass growth and preservation efforts. Bill noted he will continue to coordinate with Ed Sherwood of TBEP on this and other items discussed when he presented to the Committee. Charlie noted that the SBEP (Dave Tomasko and now Ryan Gandy) have also focused on “bio sumps” - holes in the seabed where macro algae gather and prevent seagrass from growing. The solution is to fill in the holes. Charlie noted that the Army Corp of Engineers would be dredging the ICW in the next few years and there is an opportunity to get the Corp to fill in the holes with quality dredged material (identified via core sampling) to meet their “70% beneficial use” requirement. The TBEP may have aerial mapping as part of their seagrass project to identify holes. Charlie mentioned a Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association (FSBPA) conference in Charlotte Harbor September 23-26, 2026, where he would be able to connect us with Corps and FDEP attendees. On a procedural note, Bill asked whether we should conduct CWC Work Sessions at our meetings early next year to sharpen our objectives and action plan. All agreed, and the January 2026 meeting will have this as the one agenda item. Commissioner Schaefer suggested we not finalize our Goals & Objectives until after we have an opportunity to interact with groups such as the SPBEP, TBEP, UF and Suncoast Waterkeeper. In this regard, we need to decide in January which group to invite to our February meeting so it can be scheduled. 7. UF Update on Fish Sample Protocols and Fish Species Chair Miller reported on a conversation with UF graduate research assistant Isabella Cioffi regarding this topic. Isabella followed up with an email and set of guidelines (included in the meeting materials) on fish species they are seeking samples for. She also informed that the sample kits each have 25 sampling bags, a data sheet with room for 25 entries and a protocol sheet. This should help clarify how to proceed with the sampling. Chair Miller noted we need to

3 get this information to the charter captains and other interested fishermen. Mayor Titsworth said she had contacts she can use, and we can also put it on the City’s social media. 8. Legislative Update 8.a Senate Bill 240 Plastics Reduction As this is a legislative priority for the City, Commissioner Schaefer indicated he had written to Senator Boyd to push for state-level attention to this issue. The letter noted the City’s efforts to have businesses voluntarily reduce the use of plastic bags. Regulation in this area is pre-empted by the state, with the exception of plastic straws and stirrers. S.B. 240 proposes an expansion of the exceptions to certain containers. 9. Additional Business Digital & Media Strategist Matt McDonough was requested to provide an update on the City’s reusable bag initiative. An order was placed and has shipped. Bill reported that the Chamber is interested in helping in whatever way we see fit. Publix, however, do not participate in distribution initiatives. Chair Miller noted that off-island Publix stores have parking lot signs reminding customers to use their reusable bags, and perhaps we can ask the Holmes Beach Publix to do the same. Scott reported that the Anna Maria Farmer’s Market has agreed to distribute the City’s bags. Scott will pick up bags when they are available to provide. Mayor Titsworth observed that it would be best to raise some revenue from the bags to make the initiative self-sustaining. The cost of each bag is two dollars. More thinking on the revenue issue. Bill reported on the Egmont Key Cleanup event. He noted that the key is owned by the Coast Guard, and the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is supposed to police it. It is uninhabited now (no harbor pilot operation) and the bird sanctuary is not being kept up. 10. Questions and Comments 10.a Questions and Comments from Clean Water Committee Members None. 10.b Questions and Comments from Mayor and City Commission Mayor Titsworth reported on a STEM night at the school, which Matt will be present. She also gave details on the Christmas parade, and the representation of the CWC on the float. Commissioner Schaefer noted that he produces a summary report for the City Commission following each CWC meeting, and offered to include it in the CWC meeting materials packet. The Committee agreed. 10.c Questions and Comments from Staff Matt noted the free tree giveaway taking place in January to raise environmental awareness. 10.d Questions and Comments from The Public and Press None. 11. Confirm Next Meeting Date, January 14, 2026 - 9:00 AM 12. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:59 a.m. Minutes Prepared by: Marty Hicks Minutes Approved: January 14, 2026