4970 CITY HALL BLVD  
NORTH PORT, FL 34286  
City of North Port  
Meeting Minutes  
Environmental Advisory Board  
Monday, August 4, 2025  
6:30 PM  
City Hall Room 244  
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  
5 -  
Present  
Board Member Eik, Chair McGowan, Board Member Frattallone, Board Member  
Jackomin and Board Member Drumm  
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  
Approve the June 2, 2025 Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes.  
A. 25-239625-2  
471  
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:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Board Member Eik, Chair McGowan, Board Member Frattallone, Board Member  
Jackomin and Drumm  
6. New Business  
25-2238  
A.  
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.  
25-2233  
B.  
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:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Board Member Eik, Chair McGowan, Board Member Frattallone, Board Member  
Jackomin and Drumm  
25-2234  
C.  
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:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Board Member Eik, Chair McGowan, Board Member Frattallone, Board Member  
Jackomin and Drumm  
25-2235  
25-2236  
D.  
E.  
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.  
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.  
25-2237  
Discussion and Possible Action on Flooding Susceptibility in Park Areas  
F.  
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  
9. Adjournment  
There was no public comment.  
Chair McGowan adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.  
By: _____________________________  
Casey McGowan, Chair