Environmental Advisory Board - Regular Meeting

Anybody see what's going to be here? All right, I guess we can get started. Call to order for the Environmental Advisory Board September meeting. Taking roll call. Rick Vance, member.

Casey McGowan. Robin Sandicente, member. Tim Drum, president.

Megan Taylor, member. Doreen German, member.

Stefan Caleb, board liaison.

Let's rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right. Public comment.

Hi everybody, I'm Grace Hanson and I'm kind of new to all this so forgive me if this is going to be addressed at a later time. But is there like a timeline at which this board will be involved in the ULDC provisions or what have you that they're sorting out regarding the data center? I mean, not an absolute like date, but like a sequence of events. Do you know what I'm saying?

So normally for this format, you just state your comment. It's not really a question Q&A type of format. But yeah, that's something that the board does

Should I have restated it like, can I have a timeline, theoretically?

So at this point, that could be something that you can always state. And if the board would like to bring this up as a future agenda item discussion, they can. I would like that.

Thank you.

All right. That was the only public comment. All right, moving on to item number five, approval of minutes. This is item A26-1069, minutes of the August 3rd meeting. Anybody have anything they'd like to add, amend?

Not for me. All right. Motion to approve.

Second. All in favor? Aye. And so it passes. All right. Moving on to updates, 26-1003. Stefan? Yeah, thank you, Chair.

Just wanted to provide a quick update to the board members regarding the landscape compliance program that we have initiated for our commercial areas throughout the city. And in less than six months, we have planted for We have communicated with property owners, which has ultimately led to the planting of close to 300 trees and over 1500 shrubs planted at no city expense on these privately owned properties. So just wanted to remind the board that Each of these developed commercial sites have certain responsibilities to upkeep their landscaping in perpetuity. yeah it has been quite a success story so far so some of the most visited areas throughout our city are looking different in my opinion so just wanted to provide you with a quick update about that we are currently working on the environmental scorecard and the tree canopy assessment work in progress there Many other tasks on a daily basis, lots of engagements, a lot happening, but these are sort of the main updates that I have for the EAB.

Okay. Lisa, I have one question in regards to the second item, the purchases of properties. I know we keep that, you know, close so information doesn't get out. But at what point will this board be made aware of the ones that are really intended to be looked at for possible purchase?

Yeah. Thanks for this question. So at this point, a list has been identified in the past for these properties. And some of these properties actually have been recommended by the EAB. So the board has already Now, as far as any updates, once we have a contract finalized with the parcel ID at this time, we can provide those specifics.

Is the board up to date on which properties they have lists? I am. Okay. Very good. Anyone else have any questions for Stefan?

When do we think we'll see the scorecard?

Any other questions? We're on the update. Remember, Ann Lane has attended as well, for the record. All right. We'll be moving on to unfinished business, item A, 26-0893, reoccurring agenda items for discussion and possible action regarding development review committee's project and environmental concern. OK.

The big environmental concern would be the data center. So I would like that actually to be a recurring agenda item since we're going to be going forth and the commission and the building department and the natural resources department is going to be looking at the ULDC. So I'd like to have this as a recurring agenda item. So we can discuss it at each month's meeting. What we want to maybe see as far as provisions, protocols, and so forth within the ULDC. The other projects really are of no environmental concern. That's within the Development Review Committee. This is just the major one.

And if I may, ma'am, this is already a reoccurring item. So you will see it on the agenda. Any DAB members who would like to have a specific

proposed that I just liked it to have under the actual agenda item a little bullet point this is data center I don't want that to get lost in just recurring projects I want to specifically list the data center as a recurring item Well, but this is, why can't it go under here? It's a recurring agenda item.

We just have to.

Technically, yeah, technically it can be on there, but if we change the title of an existing recurring item that, I mean, technically we're changing it, which is. specific item and we can include it immediately after, for example, if you would like. But that would be your decision.

Okay. I'd like to just add to that one. So what kind of a timeline are you guys thinking about in terms of potentially having changes to the ULDC? We're going to want to know that, so if we're going to make a recommendation, it'd be nice to do it

Well, the moratorium is for second reading September 22nd. If that is adopted at that particular meeting, then we've got 18 months. That is what the moratorium period is, 18 months to really get everything within the ULDC that we want.

Right.

Yeah. When in, when. What I'm interested in is making sure that we have a sense of when it's going to go before commission.

The commission at their last meeting said they were going to update the citizenry on a monthly basis as to where they are. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean the ULDC where they are. That means the review process.

So what I'm saying, though, is that at some point, The recommendations are going to be made, and this is going to be what's new to the ULDC. And what I'm saying is that I think we want to get our arms around what that target date is. It won't be on the day of the eighth month or whatever. We want to make sure that we've got some cogent recommendations to make prior to that. That's what I'm getting at. So as a dude in the city, do you have a sense for that?

I do not have that information. That's great.

I just want to make sure we have the proper urgency to get in ahead of, right before any final decisions made, because we weren't even considered on the original one. Right. As a board. I mean, that was.

Very good. Anybody else?

All right, moving on. Item B, 26-0894, discussion and possible action regarding future utilization of the Environmental Protection Fund. This is something I brought up, and I believe this is still something that's just kind of...

The final budget is the 24th of this month. So after that, I think then we can really start looking at this.

Are we concerned at all about Amendment 3? Will that impact the budget? All I'm saying is, right, maybe we just wait. I think we need to do it, 100%. I'm way on board. But if we're worried about what the budget's going to be and what the tax situation looks like, I'd recommend that we get an understanding of what that's going to be first.

We'll keep it on there and just keep updating it as needed. Is there any other comments on this item? OK. Item C, 26-1005, discussion and possible action regarding establishment of a conservation area for wetlands at that partial ID.

Well, the commission's fallen all over themselves to approve that. So in the meeting last week, at least what I saw was the Parks and Rec's liaison made the recommendation and they couldn't get in line fast enough to say okay, right?

The actual motion at the September 8th meeting was from the Commission after they reviewed the memo and the recommendation from Parks and Rec was to move to direct the city manager to evaluate placing the wetland portion of parcel, and they give the number, under conservation as part of the circle of honor, including any necessary legal environmental survey, land management, maintenance, and budget considerations, and to bring the proposed implementation back to the city commission for consideration. So that was what the commission, and that passed unanimously by the commission on the 8th.

They were definitely far ahead of me.

Yeah. Yeah. But I still think as a board, we need to still look at that. And I think, Stefan, were you going to give us some kind of an update on that with surveys or anything like that?

So I do not have, one of the updates was, of course, from the commission meeting last week. I do not have a survey, actual survey of this site as no such was conducted by anyone from our team, so we don't really have that. But as I've stated before, this, or perhaps just discuss only if that's all you would like to do but at this point if you want to concentrate on the conservation easement part the update is that there's a consensus to an extent from This area is not intended for development, however, placing a conservation easement is something that certainly will be beneficial and certainly not harmful for that area. So from an environmental standpoint, there are many benefits and this is an area that's fairly unique for this immediate vicinity. the background is that there's some But that's where we are and the EAB members, there were a few members who were.

Yeah, didn't you say something?

I did say that I was going to provide a draft recommendation and send that to you, but I have not had the time to do that.

Okay.

Can you please remind me from what you were just reading that they were asking for a survey, they were asking for maintenance, and what was the third thing that they were? asking for their?

So necessary legal environmental survey, land management, maintenance, and budget considerations.

Budget considerations.

OK. So they were looking at it as a whole from the memo that was issued from Parks and Rec. It wasn't just for the conservation. It was incorporating and combining the Circle of Honor with that area. So they wanted everything to be considered in that motion, not just the conservation easement. So I mean, as a board, of course we want to get involved. We want to issue a memo. So if everyone's ready just to issue a memo for the conservation easement, we could do that. And then we could study the connectivity of the Circle of Honor and then that wetland portion.

I don't see that as a problem. So is that a motion?

Yeah, I make a motion to do a memo. supporting the conservation easement on that parcel.

All in favor? Aye. So we just need to get you a memo so that it can go.

The next step will be for you to one of the members to write a memo and as I mentioned

Is he allowed to make a comment at this time? Yes.

OK. Public comment? I was hoping to make public comment prior to your motion, but I deeply appreciate the motion. I want to give you a little background. This is part of a promise that was made back in the early days The essence of it was that that wetland, that area, are the last vestiges of any natural habitat or naturalized habitat within City Green. That was the premise of it. And to be attached to the Circle of Honor, well, it was decided that it would be put aside in order to facilitate the Circle of Honor. I'm here to endeavor to keep that promise, that it would be incorporated as Circle of Honor area preservation, Circle of Honor Preserve. Much of what you've asked has gone before the Parks and Rec, and as Stefan said, It's been put before staff and have received no negative response for it. Parks and Rec from Narrow Memo, and if there was a motion, I would have recommended that your motion be in support of Parks and Recreation. It is a multi-phased project. The first phase is conservation. Second phase is preservation. Third phase is possibly enhancing it with low-impact amenities of parks and recreation. Let's see. I have a tendency to use my train of thought. I apologize. So there's no way. being a former member of this board, that I would bypass this board as it relates to any environmental studies. And the basic thing is, as part of the Circle of Honor, there's already gopher tortoises within the area, which were relocated from the Circle of Honor within that area. So they're still there. many of the surveys, preliminary surveys, right, should already be out there. There should be water quality testing by road and drainage or other entities as to the health of that wetland. The last environmental survey that was done by a certified ecologist stated that that was a impacted wetland. All right. I won't go as far as severe. Yeah, yeah. Thank you very much. I deeply appreciate every single one of you, you both. And I definitely want to talk to you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

All right. Any more comment on that one? All right. Moving on. Item D, 26-1006.

So unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it to the meeting that we were discussing, but I know that Ms. Hawke said that they were able to at least discuss it at the meeting.

We did. So the school decision-making team at Northport High School did vote and approved the use of the recycle bins. And so they have placed that in the environmental club's hands to instigate the next steps. I can

principal there if you guys would like so yes that sounds great thank you so much you're welcome so much that's going that's great well done great that handles that item so moving on item e 26-1008 discussion and possible action regarding ideas to enhance the city's natural resources and improve north port's attractiveness to residents and visitors comments to add on this item?

This could be taking up weeks, days, and months on how discussions... Yeah, but I see that's another agenda item, so I'll have to wait on that one.

That's a reoccurring one.

Yeah.

So we can continue to have that. All right. So there's nothing to add there. We'll move on to new business. Item A, 26.1009, discussion on possible action regarding approval of the Environmental Advisory Board meeting schedule for 2027. Looks like we've been given a calendar for meetings. So anybody who would like to propose anything?

I would. I would just like to get everybody's opinion, 5.30 p.m. versus 6.00 p.m., Does anybody have a preference? I mean, does 5.30 still work for everybody? 5.30 works for me. Yeah? Works for me. I just. I mean, can we do a 6 p.m. or a 5.45? So this is something that has to be coordinated. If we accept this, we're not accepting the time period? We're just accepting the dates?

You're accepting it as it is, but you're proposing a time change or required coordination with the clerk's office to make sure that they can accommodate that.

Well, what about 545? I mean, just so Ann and everybody doesn't have to get rushed and be walking in late. I mean, we're talking 15 minutes.

I am not 100%, so we need to double check with the clerk's office about the time. Okay, so do we not accept this, or do we accept it with the... Yeah, you don't need to accept it, and you can potentially propose an alternative and discuss that, and we can verify on our end whether that's a possibility.

So can we do that now? Yeah. OK. So would anybody have a problem if we moved the time to 5.45 or 6?

I'm OK with keeping it at 5.30. I mean, I don't know.

But then you're walking in late.

Two minutes. I was two minutes late. We just walked a little slow today.

I'm just trying to make sure everybody's comfortable making it at 5.30, you know, because of work schedules and so forth. Yeah. We're OK with 530? We're OK with 530. OK. All right. Yeah. Then I'll just keep quiet. All right.

Does it affect your work schedule?

No, it doesn't affect me. I'm semi-retired. I'm good.

OK. Do you have any

I'm okay with the dates. Yeah, I just checked them against the calendar and they moved the one like for July, you know, because of July 4th weekend. So yeah, it looks good. I'm okay with the dates.

It's January 4th, but.

All right. So at this point, if any member would like to move with approving the meeting dates for

I mean, we can move the January 4th meeting to the next Monday if we have to.

There's just a possibility I might be out of town that January 4th, but not 100% yet. But I don't want to screw everybody up.

Well, what about January 11th? I can't hear one word you're saying.

Sunshine Training is supposed to be there. Oh, OK. Because I've done it about four times.

I might be out of town, too.

Yeah, me, too. So you give folks an alternative date for that day, and January 11 is OK with people?

I think January 11. January 11?

Yeah.

So I'll propose for the 11th of January to see if it's available.

I second.

Anybody opposed? Okay, we're good. Second. Moving on, item B, discussion and possible action regarding the election of interim vice chair. So we'll need a new one.

Yes, sir, because the former vice chair is no longer with this body. So now would be a time to elect a new one.

OK. Anybody have any recommendations for Vice Chair? Outside of me, I can recommend Robin.

I was going to recommend myself. Thank you.

You want to be the president? I'll switch.

No, no, no. That's OK. Next.

All right. So I've proposed Robin.

Second.

Second. She approves. Any comments? Anybody disagree?

So now you will vote. Whoever votes in favor, either raise your hand.

All in favor of Robin as vice chair? Aye. All right. Pass unanimously. Congratulations.

Congratulations and thank you for your service.

That was probably the easiest vote we've had. All right. Okay. Moving on, item C, 26-1160, discussion and possible action regarding wildflower habitats to support pollinators and wildlife.

Okay, that was something that I brought up. I think you all remember the discussion with the common office sumter, looking at that gorgeous little North Port book. But I think, Stefan, I had at the last meeting mentioned maybe it could go with similar to the Adopt-a-Park program, where we can adopt different parts within the city of Northport, and then people can adopt that particular area. So we're not adding expenses to actually the city of maintaining it.

So that's correct, ma'am. And for through the Adopt-a-Park, that program is only for properties So there are currently only four parks throughout the city with anyone involved or being adopted. So as part of this program, any group that's willing to dedicate a couple of hours per month, I believe four hours per month, could potentially and explain what they would like to accomplish and which area they're interested in adopting.

And you said there were only four parks?

Currently, there are only four parks that have been adopted. All other parks have not been.

Correct.

OK. So there's a lot more than four parks. There's a lot more. OK. I just want to set the record straight.

How do you go about getting people to adopt? How do you advertise that that's available?

So that would be a good question for the Parks and Recreation Department. They do have a web page where they have these parks, and they do have an FAQ page, and they talk about some of the benefits. sure that they advertise it via social media and email newsletter and all that but there's a dedicated page for it and currently excuse me there were actually six parts which have been adopted and these are the specific parts but if you would like to find out more about it you can visit the page

OK, so when you adopt a park, that's cleaning it and that's doing all that other stuff, picking up trash or whatever. But for this particular type of a program, we're looking at, or I'm looking at, planting pollinator gardens. So how would that work with the adopt-a-park program

You're not limited to only picking up trash and cleaning the park. There are many other activities that make these parks a better space.

But I'm looking to get plants in there. It doesn't stop.

If it meets their criteria for this program, that should not be an issue. And it would be part of the application process so you can explain what you're proposing or what you would like to do for this park.

Can we maybe at the next meeting have somebody from Parks and Rec explain to the board about this Adopt-a-Park program so we can and how that would be incorporated for certain areas within parks to have pollinator gardens put in them?

So I don't want to speak on their behalf. I need to verify with them. I know that they are quite busy and It's something that we can always ask, but as I reached out to them, I was explained that such activity would potentially qualify as one of the allowable activities associated with this program. As long as the group spends, I believe, four hours per month on site, evaluate the application.

Okay, and then outside of the park, and I'm going to focus again on the Welcome to Northport fountain. So how can we get that cleaned up and incorporate a pollinator garden in that particular area and maybe even have other test sites around the city at the city's expense?

There, the most efficient mechanism here would be through the recommendation process to commission is, as I stated before, the EAB direct staff. Something like that may involve some type of maintenance. As I said before, having unallowable use risk considerations you know if let's say the area is in proximity to a road or there may be other risk factors you know the city city staff may have reservations and in this case the decision maker will be the public works department so if you're interested in in this as a as a city public works and make this recommendation to them directly as citizens or as a body you can make a recommendation to the commission and then the commission evaluates and accepts that and approves it

Yeah, and in order to make that kind of recommendation, my thinking is it shouldn't be just limited to the parks. So if we're gonna have an Adopt-a-Park program, we can have an extension of an Adopt-a-Park program that maybe takes different areas of the city as a test site, and then it is then completed through the Adopt-a, not park, but we'd have to change the extension of that, and then have, let's say, the Conservancy. maintain that particular area. So it's not up to the city to maintain it. Oh, you know what I'm saying? As an extension of the Adopt-a-Park program, a sub...

So it's going to be a separate program because there are two different departments which would manage it. One would fall under Parks and Recreation, the other would have to fall under Public Works Department.

So potentially you can...

I have a comment to say. Yeah. I did a little research on where to put a park for a pollinator garden and scientific research says

Parks in the quiet area not high traffic is the best place okay, and they give many reasons why I printed it out Things for attracting people to our city our logo has got a tree on it, so Okay, why not at Sumter plant some flowering trees there instead of a pollinator garden because it's not a good place for a pollinator garden But flowering trees, we can get different ones that flower that are native, and they'd be blooming all different times of the year, so it would always look nice, less maintenance. You don't have to worry about bugs and animals getting killed by road and pollution. That would be my suggestion is to recommend, yes, we'll have a pollinator garden with one department, and then with the other department, let's plant some nice trees there.

Well, it could also be part of the same program. Well, it's two different entities doing the work. But it's still public works, as Stefan was stating. So we've got parks, adopted parks, within the parks. And then we have public works, which is outside of the parks. So we can put together, if the board's willing, to put together a program through public works so we're not just limited to parks. There's beautiful areas within our city that they don't have to be roadside. And there are safe flowering plants and shrubs that can be put on the, whatever you call it, in the middle of the roads there. What is that called?

Median.

The median, thank you. So it's not just limited to just pollinator gardens. It's beautifying the city and allowing bees and the pollinators, but all them, to be... spread out throughout our city, not just limited to the parks. So yeah, we've got flowering trees, and of course that's going to attract some pollinators also. I don't see any fruit trees within our parks or anything. Is there? I think that's the only one. So, I mean, you know, as everything is getting overdeveloped and we're running out of areas that look beautiful and that remind us of nature, I don't want to have to just drive to a park. I'd like to be able to walk my neighborhood or walk the street or drive the streets and say, oh, look how beautiful. Not like, oh, look, welcome to Northport Fountains. I'm sorry, but that bothers me so much. It should be beautiful. And trees would be great. Flowering trees right there. And then power wash the cement there. Public works should do that. Just to have it beautified. I'm tired of looking at vacant land in our city with nothing.

Go ahead, Casey. I need a blade. They've got all the new business there, and there's nothing in front of them. Exactly.

So I don't want to just limit it to the parks, you know?

Along those city lines, we ought to think about is there something that we can incorporate into the tree giveaway?

I think we mentioned that a while ago, that the next tree giveaway should have other types of shrubberies that are native, not just trees for people to plant. Because if you go through neighborhoods, you're seeing palm trees, basically. You're not seeing any kind of- I'm talking about pollinators. Yeah, but even in the neighborhoods, if we can encourage people to plant native on their own properties, Anything we can do to get more pollinators out before we don't have any because of all the development.

So we are, as we're doing our giveaways, we're experimenting and observing what people are interested, most interested in. So we are kind of narrowing down some of the species that people like the most. But as I mentioned before, some shrubs can also be. So what do we want to do as a board? Do we want to continue this discussion and look into different areas and different methodologies of where to do this, maybe?

I would say if there's any specific places you're looking at.

The fountain.

Yeah.

That's my main problem is that fountain. Sorry.

And when you get off at Toledo Blake, you've just gotten a sign. That's it. And then the other side of the road is all weeds. We should ask the businesses that are going in there to do something. Give them free trees or something.

It's in the public works land. There's nothing that developers should be doing in public works land.

Maybe we can recommend a program for public works similar to the Adopt-A-Park program. Let's look at that outline that the Adopt-A-Park program has, see how we can retrofit it to maybe public works to look at different areas and then make that recommendation.

I believe trying to set up a meeting with Public Works might be a good idea. That would be a great idea. If you want to set that up, I'd be happy to attend that. I know some of those guys. No, I would say we should set one up. Oh, gotcha. And I'd be happy to attend that meeting.

Can we do that?

Well, that would just be something like here.

Oh, okay. Two things will happen from there. Either a staff member will be able to accommodate that, or if they don't have time, then it needs to go to the commission where they need to direct that. But I can extend that request to their department. I don't want to speak on that.

Well, of course. Of course.

And I also wanted to mention about replanting. And last but not least, in Florida, especially for successful tree establishments, some type of irrigation needs to be present. Otherwise, we may risk planting trees that might not make it. So that's just something that I wanted for you to keep in mind that irrigation is important.

Drip systems. You can put the hose right into the fountain if the fountain was working.

For different areas, you would work differently.

Some have access, such as that area near the fountain.

Others are more irrigation nearby. There might be additional posts associated with that.

Well, and again, maybe Public Works would have recommendations. If we're really wanting to do this, maybe they would say, hey, this area, that area would be good. We can test it here. you know, looking for a pilot-type program just to get something started.

We're actually coordinating with them in identifying areas where we can put more trees in the ground. And so they are in communication with our urban forestry people. I know that they communicate quite a bit. And we've identified some areas that they propose. So that is currently happening.

So I will make a motion to have this agenda item continued on a regular basis so we can continue to talk about it, look into it, explore it, discuss it, all that lovely stuff.

I guess technically that would be under our future agenda items for protocol reasons. So just bring it up in like two or three minutes.

Well.

Right.

Why? It's already an agenda item. Why can't we just have it as a continuing agenda item? It's already there as an agenda item.

Can we do it under this?

So if the subject of this agenda item is not exhausted, and there's going to be an additional discussion, I will include it on this.

OK. Thank you.

What are we on ? What does success look like on this?

For me? it would be number one, that fountain area. And there's other areas within our city that just look so depressing that needs beautification as more and more of these developments that go in and All we're seeing is vacant land or warehouses going up and retail and commercial entities going up. And the only plantings that really take place are within the parking lot. I'm on board with the concept.

What I'm trying to figure out is, what are we trying to get to? I love it. I think it's a great idea. But the whole tramp of just putting it on the recurring

Well, we have to first study areas. I would love everybody's input on what area within the city they would like to see targeted, where you think a pollinator garden would be appropriate. I'd like to hear from Public Works if they would be interested in coming before us as a board and maybe working an initiative through them. similar to the Adopt-a-Park program, but through a beautification-type program incorporating pollinator gardens into it. I don't want to just have to keep going to parks for beauty.

I just wanted to explain that the two things you mentioned may or will be into separate parts. So, first one, Public Works potentially coming here and providing some input to be which is if you're interested in recommending establishing similar program to adult parks that will require recommendation

That I know, but I'd like to hear from the board if they have areas within the city that they would like to see a pollinator garden incorporated into, then pick the area and come back and let us know so we then can look at that area and say, oh, yeah, that is a horrible area.

It's a brand new park, and the entrance is all full of just weeds and trees, and it's right ready to put in a pollinator garden there. And it would be an entrance into the park.

So I would love for them to take a picture and say, hey, look at this. And then I could take a picture of that fountain and say, hey, look at this. And then somebody could say, hey, look at this area. And then as a board, we can say, well, look at all these areas that we have here that people are pointing to that really need beautification and incorporating pollinator gardens into it. then as a board we're acting and we can go to the commission and say, here's the areas we'd like to do a pilot program, these specific areas, right? And then work on those specific areas and see if we cannot incorporate something with public works and then make that full recommendation to the commission. So there is, you know, parts.

So from what, Stefano, you have said, it sounds like we would need to request to see if Public Works is willing to come talk to us, give us some guidelines and pointers, things that we need to think about, see, and then we can go from there to try to find places that would work. That sounds like what I'm hearing. Yeah. So is that something that we can request?

So I can make that request and that's all I can promise at this point. Also I wanted to let the members know if you're not familiar with the property appraisers property appraiser which will take you to this page and then you can go on the map and locate parcels of potential interest and any parcels that you are interested in unifying When you click on that parcel, you should see whether the parcel is ordered by the city or private owner. That makes a big difference. Just to make sure that you're not looking at a parcel that's privately owned.

Once we look at and target an area, we would then verify who owns it before we would make that recommendation.

And then you can, any areas that you like, you can email those. month's agenda, I can compile a list with sites that you're interested in. Okay.

Okay. I'm good.

All right. I'm going to bring back an old concept. One of the biggest detriments to habitat is the amount of mowing the city does. I believe they could probably save an awful lot of money by reducing the amount of mowing they do. And the concept that's been put forth before is to plant the drainage banks with wildflowers and pollinators. It would increase the pollination, and reduce the amount of mowing needed. Just want to throw that out there.

I actually remember that. I like that a lot. Yeah, I remember that.

Public works.

Yeah.

But it's an old concept.

Yeah, I remember that one. Grass is bad. Thank you, sir.

Very good. All right, moving on. Item D, 26-1161, discussion on possible action regarding Nona Springs and the ecological value of the springs in the city of Northport.

Yes, so thank you, Chair. I think that that's quite a relevant item. As I mentioned earlier, the city is currently engaged with the homeowner's side. or potentially . and there will be many, many, many benefits if this area is acquired. There's always, there's no intent as of right now for this parcel to be developed and there will be significant burdens or challenges, I must say, to the owner developing. However, per state statute, each parcel can be developed in theory, so opportunities may exist, and that's something, speaking on behalf of the Natural Resources team, We certainly are hoping not to see. So we are trying to make sure that this area remains developed and unique and special, as it has been for a while.

But has he been amenable to the city of Northport? Because he wasn't with the county. Are you making any headway in that area with him?

There's dialogue. We are... devil's in the details with these things. There may be some options existing to make this a success story, but there are many challenges as well. With the company, yeah, they've also tried certain ways to acquire, but it was not successful. Ultimately, the owner has their interests, and their interests may not align with our interests. So it's a conversation, and that's where we're at.

Have we ever thought of, okay, I hate the word eminent domains. But he's going to do it on Spring Haven, right? And hopefully that's still in the works. But with this particular property, this is a critical area of concern. Can we not classify it, get the paperwork, do what is required in order to have that classified as a critical area of concern so he can't sell it to another developer, and the next thing you know, we've got a data center moving in next to the spring because it's an abundance of water. That's my concern. Wherever there's water, it seems somebody's going to stick a data center or something over there. And I know it might not really be relative to this particular spring, but the concern is there. What can we do as a municipality to preserve that spring from him selling it to somebody else who will pay his price?

So certainly, things go in order of where we want to be, and domain will be the very end of that list.

Yeah, I know.

And it's the nuclear option, so to speak.

I know.

We are We want to ensure that all possible other options are exhausted. As I mentioned before, this area contains plenty of wetlands. You have a spring. You have an archaeological site. So there are many, many challenges towards future development of that parcel. However, that's not a guarantee that it may never happen. While we understand that that sounds good in one way, it comes with many, many other setbacks. So we don't want to even, we're not even considering that at this point, eminent domain. What about critical area of concern? There are certain limitations as far as statute where we cannot tell them, you cannot develop this parcel.

Right, but under the archaeological and historical statutes, I mean, there are ways and there's loopholes and everything. So as a resort, as a last resort before eminent domain, because I don't trust the guy. I've dealt with him years ago. He wants what he wants, and if he can get somebody to pay it, guess what? It's going to get developed.

We are exploring all options to make this a successful, a potential successful venture that's successful both for us as the city and the seller and the owner. So that's the realm that we are concentrating our efforts right now.

So how do we stay informed as a board so this doesn't slip by?

You can always reach out or you can always request an update.

Can the city just update this board on a regular basis? If this is a concern of the board, this particular area, why can't we be updated on a regular basis or a semi-basis? as a board so it doesn't slip through our hands like other matters have in the past?

Great question. So I can always provide an update to you, but I am limited as far as what I can say. And sometimes saying less is better, because when it's a sensitive matter that involves a seller like this, there's things that I cannot provide, and there's things that are probably not beneficial to provide. But if there's some type of an update, such as, all right, we have a contract, you know, or things are, or there are certain steps along the way of the acquisition process have been successful and I can announce, I will. But that you can create an item, ongoing item, if you'd like to.

I know.

If there are too many ongoing items, we may be short on time.

I just don't want things to get lost, because that's what's happened in the past. Things have gotten lost. Memos have gotten lost. And then we look at each other going, what happened?

We are doing everything possible right now to make this a success for the city, for this program. But it takes two sides and that's a factor too. But also anything, any significant decisions, before any significant decisions are made, for any upcoming items to commission and then all the members of the city commission will make the final call. Right now there's nothing really that I can present to them.

Okay, that sounds fair. Thank you. Yeah.

Okay, very good. Any other comments? All right, moving on. Nine, future agenda items. Item A, 261004, discussion of possible action regarding environmental advisory board future agenda items. I know they're up there. I think probably the only other thing that needs to be added as a future agenda item that's a hot topic is the data centers and all the things surrounding that. I'm assuming the rest of the board members agree with that. I'm just trying to read it. So that's something we want to make sure that is on.

And the pollinator. Did you say the pollinator?

since it wasn't.

We were going to add it to future agenda items.

So we do have a general pollinator garden item that we discussed just a few minutes ago, which is discussion of possible action regarding wildflower habitats or pollinators in wildlife. If you would like to make it more specific,

Where is that? Because I don't have my glasses. Where is that on there?

I think what he's saying is it's in our new business, and if you want to move it into the future...

and wildlife that was previously discussed that's going to be also in the next meeting's agenda.

The pollinator one is, yeah, okay.

So that's not going anywhere. But you can propose any other future agenda items now. And I wanted to remind you that we have Three items pending to get on the schedule agenda list, and these are the three items. We didn't have time to add those for today's agenda, but they're pending. But any other ones that you would like to add?

Just the data center needs to be on there. I'm good.

All right. All right. So any other future items you'd like to add? Okay. Public comment? No public comment? All right.

I have a public comment. Are you okay? Can you make a public comment? I didn't write it in.

Oh, write my name in there? Oh, Michael Taylor. Yeah. Sure. They have specific grants from the Secretary of the Interior to protect wetlands. I don't know if anybody's ever thought about that. If you really have that question or you really want to protect something, you can always try to write a grant to purchase those lands through the Secretary of the Interior. The EPA is the one who really protects that, too. So just for the board's information. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. If there's no other public comments, I will adjourn the meeting. Thank you.