Environmental Task Force Meeting October 28, 2024 (2024-10-28)

MINUTES TOWN OF JUPITER ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE (ETF) TOWN HALL COMMUNITY ROOM October 28, 2024 6:00 PM

Call to Order

ROLL CALL:

Chair Willie Puz X Member Beth Summers X

Vice- Chair Christina Akly X Member Paul Kabalin (Alt) □

Member Christa Cherry X Member Jill Watson (Alt) X

Member Emily O'Mahoney X Vacant □

Member Anne Shoffner

Staff Liaisons: Barrett Cruce, Natural Resources Supervisor Stephanie A. Thoburn, Asst.Director of Planning and Zoning

CITIZEN COMMENTS

All non-agenda items are limited to three (3) minutes. Anyone wishing to speak is asked to go to the podium and state his/her name and address for the record. The Task Force will not discuss these items this evening.

No comments submitted

MINUTES

MINUTES

1. Jonathan Dickinson State Park- Letter from Town Council \[Attachment 2\] Staff provided a brief update regarding the letter from Town Council that was sent to Tallahassee.

Approval of the July 22, 2024 ETF Meeting Minutes \[Attachment 1\]

Member Emily O'Mahoney abstained

Second: Christina Akly

* * *

Anne: Does the amendment regarding the right to hunt and fish have any impact on how they will use this land in the future? Staff advised that the Town cannot make a comment necessarily on this topic. Chair Puz provided some insight that he has heard on the topic and advised when the next legislative session begins.

Member Akly inquired as to whether the Town had any authority over what happens at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, staff responded that the Town of Jupiter does not have any authority over the park.

Anne asked how this letter came to fruition? Staff advised that this is a stance the Council took. Chair Puz discussed the citizen comments from the Council meeting where it was requested by citizens to have Council provide a letter to the State.

2. NOAA Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grant - Letter of Support \[Attachment 3\]

Staff, Ashley Reeves, provided an update and status of the grant. Advised that this will be our third attempt. Staff has requested the task force review the draft letter of support.

O'Mahoney asked if we have received the grant in the past?

Anne: Did the Town ask why they were rejected?

Ashley confirmed the Town has received feedback and met with the NOAA regional coordinator to discuss what is needed for the next grant cycle.

Puz asked if the Town would need to submit the initial letter and then additional letters to enhance the chance to receive this grant. Staff advised that there is a limit on pages to be submitted, but additional letters can be submitted as attachments.

Staff advised that there is not a time constraint as of yet, dates are expected to be announced later this year.

* * *

O'Mahoney suggested that the letter for support include all the Environmental task force members names and titles for their work in the industry. Anne volunteered to help draft and prep the letter of support with the caveat that she would need to review the application requirements and design plans.

3. Centennial Natural Environment Committee Workshop - discussion of ETF member event participation and engagement \[Attachment 4\] Staff introduced Jocelyn O'Neil (LRD) and Cami Cunningham (JID), members of the Natural Environment Centennial Committee.

Staff provided a brief update on upcoming Centennial events for those members that were not at the last meeting. Staff is looking for the task force to be involved with the different events that the Town will be hosting.

Akly brought to Staff's attention that the Town's website does not have the Town's open spaces listed on the Town's website and it is not easily accessible. Staff is aware and will be fixing the issue and update the task force once this has been completed. Multiple task force members suggested updates to the open space webpage to include easier access and pictures.

Task force agreed to highlight Jones Creek Hammock and Delaware Scrub open spaces for next year's celebration.

Staff discussed the Natural History Bus Tours, presentation and panels, beach cleanup, arbor day celebration, and paddleboard / waterway cleanup programs and request task force member involvement at each event. List the dates, times and needs for each of the events. \*\*be clear to explain what the ask is for these events \*\* Staff to send out the PowerPoint presentation to the task force.

O'Mahoney reached out to Kate Pokorny for sponsorship opportunities and is waiting for a response. Staff will reach out and follow up.

4. Vulnerability Assessment Update

* * *

Staff confirmed Utilities has started the process for the assessment and advised that it will take roughly a year. Once it has been completed Utilities will attend an ETF meeting to present the findings.