4970 CITY HALL BLVD

NORTH PORT, FL 34286

City of North Port

Meeting Minutes

Environmental Advisory Board

Monday, November 6, 2023

5:30 PM

City Hall Room 244

1. Call to Order

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

2. Roll Call

7 -

Present

Chair English, Board Member Hall, Board Member Eik, Board Member Robinson,

Vice Chair McGowan, Board Member Clayton and Board Member Amos

1 - Board Member Holland

Absent

Also Present:

Staff Liaison Jeremy Rogus and Recording Secretary Matthew Powell

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Board.

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Public Comment

There was no public comment.

Board Member Amos and Board Member Clayton provided introductions.

5. Approval of Minutes

23-1496

Approval of the October 2, 2023 Environmental Advisory Board Meeting

Minutes

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

McGowan, to approve the Minutes as presented. The motion carried on the

following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Chair English, Board Member Hall, Board Member Eik, Board Member Robinson,

Vice Chair McGowan, Board Member Clayton and Board Member Amos

1 - Board Member Holland

Absent:

6. Unfinished Business

23-0742

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Advising the City Commission

on the Implementation of Additional Community Gardens (Lola Robinson)

Vice Chair English announced the item.

Discussion took place regarding University of Florida (UF) resources.

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

McGowan, to continue Item No. 23-0742 to the December 4, 2023 Environmental

Advisory Board Meeting. The motion carried on the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Chair English, Board Member Hall, Board Member Eik, Board Member Robinson,

Vice Chair McGowan, Board Member Clayton and Board Member Amos

1 - Board Member Holland

Absent:

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

Vice Chair English announced the item.

Discussion took place regarding draft memorandum relating to Natural Resources

Manager position, Environmental Conservancy of North Port conservation easements

recommendations, tree fund usage, Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) rewrite, and

tree planting costs.

There was consensus to transmit the Natural Resources Manager Memorandum to

City Commission.

7. New Business

23-1482

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Approval of the 2024 Meeting

Schedule

Vice Chair English announced the item.

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

McGowan, to approve the Environmental Advisory Board 2024 Meeting Schedule

as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Chair English, Board Member Hall, Board Member Eik, Board Member Robinson,

Vice Chair McGowan, Board Member Clayton and Board Member Amos

1 - Board Member Holland

Absent:

23-1512

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Sending a Memorandum to

City Commission Requesting Direction to Pursue a Logo and Signage for

the Environmental Advisory Board

Vice Chair English announced the item.

Discussion took place regarding draft memorandum and timeline.

Mr. Rogus spoke to board roles and responsibilities.

Discussion continued regarding City role.

A motion was made by Board Member Eik, seconded by Board Member Amos, to

direct staff to research potential next steps regarding the logo and signage

memorandum. The motion carried on the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Chair English, Board Member Hall, Board Member Eik, Board Member Robinson,

Vice Chair McGowan, Board Member Clayton and Board Member Amos

1 - Board Member Holland

Absent:

23-1513

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Advising the City Commission

on the Creation of A City Environmental Health, Water, Trees, and Air

Quality Scorecard

Vice Chair English announced the item.

Discussion took place regarding intent, measurement frequency timeline, examples, staff

requirements, draft memorandum, Natural Resources Manager role, wildlife and habitat

protection, arsenic testing requirements, water quality control, and City versus County

role.

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

to continue Item No. 23-1513 to the December 4, 2023 Environmental Advisory

Board Meeting. The motion carried on the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Chair English, Board Member Hall, Board Member Eik, Board Member Robinson,

Vice Chair McGowan, Board Member Clayton and Board Member Amos

1 - Board Member Holland

Absent:

23-1514

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Advising the City Commission

on Pesticide Usage for Pollinators.

Vice Chair English announced the item.

Discussion took place regarding pesticide contents, feedback requested, and budget

usage.

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

Hall, to continue Item No. 23-1514 to the December 4, 2023 Environmental Advisory

Board Meeting. The motion carried on the following vote:

6 -

Yes:

Chair English, Board Member Hall, Board Member Eik, Vice Chair McGowan, Board

Member Clayton and Board Member Amos

1 - Board Member Robinson

Not Present:

Absent:

1 - Board Member Holland

23-1515

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Advising the City Commission

on Retention Pond Planting Regulations and Potential Incentives.

Vice Chair English announced the item.

A motion was made by Board Member Hall, seconded by Board Member Amos, to

continue Item No. 23-1515 to the December 4, 2023 Environmental Advisory Board

Meeting. The motion carried on the following vote:

6 -

Yes:

Chair English, Board Member Hall, Board Member Eik, Vice Chair McGowan, Board

Member Clayton and Board Member Amos

1 - Board Member Robinson

Not Present:

Absent:

1 - Board Member Holland

8. Future Agenda Items

Discussion took place regarding micro forests and tree planting program.