4970 CITY HALL BLVD

NORTH PORT, FL 34286

City of North Port

Meeting Minutes

Environmental Advisory Board

Monday, October 2, 2023

5:30 PM

City Hall Room 244

1. Call to Order

Chair Holland called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call

6 - Vice Chair English, Board Member Hall, Board Member Eik, Board Member

Robinson, Chair Holland and Board Member McGowan

Present

Board Member McGowan provided introductions.

Staff Liaison Jeremy Rogus and Recording Secretary Matthew Powell

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Board.

There was no public comment.

Also Present:

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Public Comment

5. Approval of Minutes

23-1412

Approval of the September 11, 2023 Environmental Advisory Board

Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Vice Chair English, seconded by Board Member Hall, to

approve the Minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously on

vote.

voice

6. Unfinished Business

23-0742

Discussion

and

Possible

Action

Regarding

Advising

the

City

Commission on the Implementation of Additional Community Gardens

(Lola Robinson)

Chair Holland announced the item.

Discussion

took

place

regarding

survey

requirement,

Parks

and

Recreation

collaboration efforts, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), and next steps.

A motion was made by Board Member English, seconded by Board Member Hall,

to continue Item No. 23-0742 to the November 6, 2023 Environmental Advisory

Board Meeting. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.

23-1089

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding New Recommendations or

Advisements to City Commission Pertaining to Preserving and

Promoting Wildlife, Habitat Protection, Trees, the City's Natural and

Environmental Resources, Tree Planting, and Beautification of Public

Spaces

Chair Holland announced the item

Discussion took place regarding conservation easements memorandum transmittal,

and tree versus habitat restoration fund name.

7. New Business

23-1453

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding North Port Adopt-A-Park

Program Process

Chair Holland announced the item

Discussion took place regarding Hope Park planting collaboration, park selection

process, native planting options, City Center Front Green, funding, signage, social

media

communication,

logo

creation,

steps,

Board

role,

intent,

and

recommendations.

motion was made by Board Member Hall, seconded by Board Member

McGowan, to add to future agenda items a discussion relating to developing a

logo and signage for the Environmental Advisory Board including assistance

from the local high school community. The motion carried unanimously on

voice vote.

Mr. Rogus spoke to Board role and responsibilities.

Discussion

continued

regarding

Board

goals,

environmental

studies,

and

recommendations.

motion was made by Board Member McGowan, seconded by Board Member

Eik, to direct Board Member McGowan to draft memorandum advising City

Commission to create City environmental health, water, trees, and air quality

scorecard to be presented and reviewed at the November 6, 2023 Environmental

Advisory Board Meeting. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.

8. Future Agenda Items

Discussion took place regarding mosquito control environmental effects and previous

pesticides advisement.

A motion was made by Board Member Hall, seconded by Vice Chair English, to

add to future agenda items

discussion regarding pesticide usage for

pollinators. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.

Discussion continued regarding retention pond plantings and maintenance.

motion was made by Board Member Eik, seconded by Board Member

McGowan, to add to future agenda items a discussion regarding retention pond

planting regulations and potential incentives. The motion carried unanimously on

a voice vote.