Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee

1 MINUTES City of Holmes Beach Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee January 8, 2025, 9:00 a.m. Patricia A. Geyer Commission Chambers 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217 Present: Marty Hicks, Jennifer Miller, Mike Pritchett, Ron Huibers Absent: Jeff Drinkard, John Kolojeski, William Romberger Also Present: Commissioner Schaefer, PW Superintendent Kamiya, Engineering Specialist Calella, Digital & Media Strategist McDonough _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order Chair Huibers called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. 2. Roll Call 3. Review and Approval of June 12, 2024, Minutes Motion by Chair Huibers to defer approval to February meeting to allow time for member review. Moved by Ron Huibers Seconded by Marty Hicks Motion Approved 4. Local Water Quality Overview - Summer and Post-Hurricane Superintendent of Public Works Kamiya addressed the pre-storm efforts regarding the presence of lyngbya and other algae. PW applied the Waterway Remediation protocol (“thermometer”) developed by the Committee. The situation did not reach the trigger point for action, but the protocol works well. Superintendent of Public Works Kamiya also reported on several water quality test reports both pre- and post-storm and there were no surprises. Post-storm there was some debris in Spring Lake, but aerator is working. SOLitude Lake Management has been working with PW on this. Lastly, the project to install a few aerators at the T-end canals on Marina Drive is moving forward. There have been some permitting delays, but the funding is there. The first will be at 77th Street. Chair Huibers suggested the TBEP might help with the permitting and offered to contact Dave Tomasko to ask him to contact SFWMD to see if anything can be done to expedite. Commissioner Schaefer said he is seeing PW begin to refocus on CWC priorities now that the incredible work burden created by the storms has declined.

2 A discussion of storm damage clean-up followed. Chair Huibers noted the extensive damage to docks and seawalls, and the continuing presence of debris in the water. Recommended placing a PSA in the newspapers and on the website with a telephone number on who to call for removal. Superintendent of Public Works Kamiya commented on some jurisdictional issues between State, County, City, etc., agencies as to who was responsible for what in terms of cleanup. He stated that residents should call PW regarding dock and other debris, and they will make sure it is addressed. Commissioner Schaefer referenced the daily updates put on the City’s website showing the enormity of the work done (e.g., household debris equal to 25 football fields piled 3 feet high). He also noted the commitment of FEMA to cover restoration of City Field, as the City stayed in full compliance with FEMA rules. 5. Grant Status Superintendent of Public Works Kamiya stated that the City continues to seek grants, especially one to fund the algae harvester purchase. One application was rejected, but PW will keep working on it. He noted the annual DEP grants, which includes grants for Water Quality Implementation and for Innovative Technology for Harmful Algal Bloom. The City applied last year for the latter grant and was denied but will apply again. PW Engineer Calella is using the FLC Grant Assistance Program database to search for grant opportunities. Marty is also using the database to assist. Superintendent of Public Works Kamiya also noted efforts by PW such as its participation in FDEP training and seeking access to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Regarding TDC funding, Commissioner Shaefer noted that, as the election changed the make-up of the County Commission (which had previously blocked TDC-recommended funding to the City), future funding may be more likely. 6. Review & Discussion on 2024 Priorities After opening comments, Chair Huibers led a review of a slide deck (contained in the packet) outlining the Committee’s 2024 priorities. Undergirding the priorities was the FDEP classification of the Anna Maria Sound waters as “impaired.” In addition to a slide on each of the 5 priorities, the deck included a slide on the CWC’s Objectives, which has served as a reference point for all our work. 7. CWC 2025 Organization and Develop Priorities Newly installed Committee Chair Jenny Miller (see item 8 below) led a discussion on 2025 priorities, suggesting that we avoid “reinventing the wheel” by starting with our 2024 priorities. From there the exercise can be to add, delete, refine, and reorder priorities—and identify new specific tasks under each priority—based on discussion at our next meeting. The consensus was that priority number one remains Mitigation & Remediation. The preliminary discussion touched on several key ongoing tasks, including Algae Harvester funding, roll out of more aeration, conducting a small-scale microbial pilot and continuing efforts to obtain TDC funding given the significant financial impact to the local economy that can result from water quality problems. A common theme was the need for continuing efforts on awareness and education (especially I4CW). When it comes to keeping our beaches clean, Mike expressed a need to follow this up with enforcement efforts, for example via police patrols. In regard to ordinance development, Commissioner Shaefer asked the Committee to determine whether irrigation best practices could be made part of the City’s landscaping ordinance. Marty will raise with Chad Minor. Included in the meeting packet is a handout of the City of Holmes Beach 2025 Legislative Priorities. Commissioner Shaefer provided an overview of the 8 priorities, which he will be presenting to the State Delegation of Legislators. He drew particular attention to the item on

3 Water and Air Quality, as well as the items on Phosphorus Mining Regulation and Plastics Reduction, which can impact water quality. The plan for next year is to seek common priorities with the City of Bradenton Beach and the City of Anna Maria. 8. Additional Business Digital & Media Strategist Matt McDonough provided an update on the Islanders 4 Clean Water program, using a slide deck (included in the packet) to highlight the many initiatives undertaken in 2024. All agreed the program has been very successful in educating the public (and our local students) and raising awareness. Jenny asked whether I4CW “leave no trace” signs could be installed at beach access points. Mike asked whether the City could provide I4CW buckets at the access points that people can take onto the beach to do cleanup. Matt will pursue these items. Chair Huibers motioned to nominate Jenny to succeed him as Chair of the Committee, Mike seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously. Jenny accepted and thanked the Committee. Members thanked Ron for his chairmanship and his extraordinarily hard work in leading the Committee. Ron made comments thanking Commissioner Shaefer and the committee members for the opportunity to serve. Commissioner Shaefer added his thanks for Ron’s service and for the work of the Committee. 9. Questions and Comments 9.a Questions and Comments from Clean Water Committee Members None. 9.b Questions and Comments from Mayor and City Commission Commissioner Shaefer suggested getting Code Compliance Chief Thomas involved in our efforts. 9.c Questions and Comments from Staff None. 9.d Questions and Comments from The Public and Press AMI Sun reporter Joe Hendricks attended the meeting and asked whether there is an opportunity to share costs for the algae harvester with the other cities. Commissioner Shaefer answered that the plan is for the City to own it but to recover some costs by offering it for use by the other cities. 10. Confirm Next Meeting Date, February 12, 2025 - 9:00 AM 11. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:47 a.m. Minutes Prepared by: Marty Hicks Minutes Approved: February 12, 2025