City Commission Regular Meeting - meeting_joint

Good afternoon. Today is Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026. It's 3 PM. We're in the City Chambers and I call the City Commission joint meeting to order. Commissioners present are Commissioner Duvall, Commissioner Stokes, Mayor Emmerich, Vice Mayor Langdon, and Commissioner Petro. There is a quorum present for this meeting. Also present are City Manager Fletcher, City Attorney Fawino, City Clerk Faust, Board Specialist Linder. We got Captain Fussell in the back. Also, we have the Environmental Board, Mr. Drum, if you would like to have your members identify themselves for the record. Yes, Timothy Drum, President of the EAB.

Robin San Vicente, Member.

Marie German, Member.

Casey McGowan, Member.

and Stephan Califf, Board Liaison.

Thank you. I am requesting that all Commissioners, public participants, and staff maintain order and decorum throughout this meeting. City Commission Policy 2021-03 states that attendees shall refrain from engaging in personal attacks, and boisterous, immaterial, inflammatory, obscene, profane, or disorderly conduct. Additionally, meeting attendees must refrain from obscene, profane, or disorderly conduct, including hand clapping, yelling, and similar demonstrations, all of which disturbs the peace and good in the order of the meeting. Thank you. Mr. Drum, would you like to lead us in the pledge today, sir? God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, sir. I'm going to request a motion to approve the agenda.

So moved. Second.

I have a motion on the floor made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor, to approve the agenda. Nothing to that. Please vote. And that passes five to zero. City Clerk, do we have any public comment? All right, we're gonna move on to general business. Item 26-0777, discussion and possible action regarding the Environmental Advisory Board 2025 Annual Report. City Clerk, do you have anything to this at this time?

I do not.

All right, then I'm gonna turn it over to you, Mr. Drum, or your liaison. whoever wishes to take charge on your annual report.

Good afternoon, mayors, commissioners. As mentioned earlier, my name is Stefan Califf. I'm the liaison. And it was the wish of the environmental advisory board members to have this joint meeting with our commission where the board could go over some of their goals

You can read over the 2025 accomplishments as well. Completing the annual sunshine training done in February of 2025, discussed following by installation of the monitoring station in June 2nd, 2025. We held joint meetings with the Park and Recreation Advisory Board following several months of coordination done in August 2025. Completed the 2024 Northport Environmental Scorecard, including refinement of scorecard criteria identified by the Environmental Advisory Board in September of 2025. Streamline and implemented updated procedures for introducing new environmental advisory board members. September 2025. Discuss North Port mitigation fees and the tree removal process. November 2025. Initiated monthly updates from the Park and Recreational Advisory Board through the liaison member, Paul Jackman, who serves on both ports. Discussed and made recommendations regarding potential and environmental acquisition properties, which were incorporated by the Natural Resource Division, which was done in late of 2025. Made a recommendation regarding possible actions for the City Land Acquisition Program, which was done in December of 2025. And we've had a number of new members have joined in the recent months, which we are excited about. So these were the accomplishments that were done in 2025. kind of go over them briefly and then if any of the members would like to speak more in depth about why they are goals for us and then if commissioners have any questions regarding it we can address those so another goal for 2026 is again completing the annual sunshine training we want to evaluate the duties of the boards to enhance the board's effectiveness within its established roles provide feedback on the annual update to the city's environmental scorecard, clarify and redefine how the EAB provides input during the city's decision-making process, review and discuss information on our environmental funding expenditures to better understand how resources support city initiatives, improve the clarity and effectiveness of the recommendation provided to the city commissioners, review and provide input on the city's efforts, explore opportunities to improve public awareness of city environmental initiatives, improve the board's understandings of the city code, the comprehensive plan, and key environmental projects, support efforts to measure the economical impact of the Natural Resource Division, and continue to provide feedback to the Natural Resource Division funding expenditures one of the goals that i believe a lot of my board members share is just we want to make sure to have some type of understanding of and slash accountability of the funds that are raised these are raised off of mainly trees being removed from the sites we just want to make sure that trees are definitely being percentage or amount that make sure, we make sure we're doing that, not just getting funds, money in the funds that aren't going to that. So that's one of my goals. And then if there's any other members who would like to speak up, make sure you turn your mic on.

Thank you. Okay, another one of the goals was to improve the clarity and effectiveness of recommendations provided to the City Commission. So that is providing clarity through additional education on our part, so that when we do give you memos and our opinions and recommendations, they're coming from an educated viewpoint and standpoint. There's a lot of research that will go in behind that, so we're not just talking in layman's terms. We'll supply you with information that you need, detailed information, so that you can make an informed decision through our recommendations. Another one was to improve the board's understanding of the city code, the comprehensive plan, and key improvement environmental projects. That comes from a lot of the people are not familiar with the city codes. the ULDC, the comprehensive plan, and all the other landscaping, everything that goes into you guys making your decision. So we felt it necessary in order to educate the board fully and have a complete understanding of all the codes so that when we do come before you with recommendations, it's based again on information and an understanding of what is laid down before us and what we can and what we cannot do. SUPPORT THE EFFORTS TO MEASURE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION. THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT THE NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION IS DOING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. AND WE WANTED TO ADD TO THAT SPECIFICALLY TO IMPACTED SPECIES THAT ARE PROTECTED, LIKE THE GOPHER TORTUS. like the scrub jay, like the indigo, like the wood storks. We can go on and on about protected species. But other municipalities have a way of measuring that. With all the land clearing that's going on, they can say, how many gopher tortoise are actually relocated within the city? And where have they been relocated to? I don't believe we are measuring that and have an accurate number. So that we can work with the Natural Resources Division to see if we can't acquire that kind of information so we have a better understanding of what we're actually doing to the environment and what impacts to species it's having. That's kind of all that I need to talk about. Doreen?

I'd like to build on the economic impact of natural resources. When you plant a tree, it helps valuations. When you do work on preventing flooding, that helps valuations. There's a nice economic value there that I think we need to be capturing. And I think that because as you think about it, as you're working through your budgets and we're looking at different programs, all right, so we did this is what we think the economic value of that is. And a lot of cities actually do do that sort of thing. Tampa does it right on their website. Great thing to add to our scorecard.

I do not have anything to add, but I am here to answer any questions that anyone may have.

All right. Commissioners, anybody have any questions, comments?

So we don't have any metrics of measuring any of the mentioned statistics, for example, relocation of endangered species. I do believe you do go on the lot, whatever, if there was a location, you check and find it. So do you keep score of that or do you keep the records?

Normally the relocation process is governed by the state. Commission so I know that they are keeping some track throughout through their permitting system that what we are starting to do now is to record and document each relocation and as part of the environmental scorecard for the next floor for this year's environmental scorecard we would like to include some Thankfully, there are some online tools that are free of charge that can be utilized, let's say, to quantify the impact of each tree saved. So we are planning to implement some of that as part of our environmental scorecard.

OK. That's all.

Commissioner Duvall.

Thank you, Mayor. I really like this idea of an environmental scorecard. In the budget for last year, there was a goal, and I believe the goal was that 500 trees would be planted by the city, in the city. Three meetings on this dais, I have asked how many trees were actually planted. And three times I was told, well, we don't have those numbers right now. I would like an environmental scorecard that, you know, basically is looking at, you know, the goals and the results. Another, you know, concern of mine, you know, talking about gopher tortoise boroughs. This city developed I can't even tell you how many years ago now GIS mapping over Tortoise Boroughs. At one time, maybe even today, I held the record for the number that were reported around this city. One thing that bothers me as I drive around, sometimes on or just after a weekend, I see a lot that's been cleared. And I wonder, was there a survey actually done for Bofors-Tortoise boroughs on that lot before it was cleared? Maybe if the Environmental Advisory Board could look at possibility of having some kind of a form that has to be filled out by the owner of the property, the developer, whatever, that actually there is an inspection done and things are removed or relocated properly beforehand. A lot of times I think on weekends things get done and no questions asked. But I really do like that idea of environmental scorecard. One other thing I'd like, this is just a question of something that comes in my head every now and then. We do have a plan in this city for converting someday from septic to city water and sewer. Do we do any kind of environmental testing, you know, just like random testing as far as the groundwater? You know, say in front of my property, I'm on well and septic. Does anybody ever test that water that's in the swale in front of my house to see what's actually coming out of the ground? Something like that is just a, Might be worth a look at. Thank you.

Any manager I see you hit the queue.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to reply to Commissioner Duvall because we have heard you the three times that you've asked for that information. We have the development services team has created a map that we are going to share with you next week during our budget session that will show you not only the amount of trees that were planted in last year, the amount planted for this year, as well as next year and a map of where they are. Thank you. Yes, sir. Vice Mayor.

Yeah, thank you, Mayor. I'm also concerned about the trees and making sure that we plant, you know, the maximum number of trees possible every year, and I'd like metrics on that. I think sometimes we lose sight of the fact that when the city plants trees that can only be on city properties. So our parks and all of that. And personally, my observation is we're really failing when it comes to homes. And so I'm wondering what we might be able to do to ramp up our engagement with the community and to encourage property owners to plant more trees. I want to plant a tree in my front yard, but I'm scared to death of digging into some pipe or something like that. So I think perhaps some education around that. I know the city does tree sales and tree giveaways, people for trees. It gives tree giveaways. There might be other organizations as well who do that. I'm a firm believer that we're more powerful together if we sort of pull all of our efforts together and have a big presence, let's say, at our newcomer days. So I think there are some things that we can do to encourage homeowners to plant more on their properties. I have three oak trees that were left when my home was built. I didn't build it. And I know people are shocked at how little I pay for energy. And I know for sure it's because of those trees that are sheltering the whole back of my house, which is where most of my windows are. And it's cooler because of that. So that would be my suggestion. I'd like to see the EAB maybe take that on as one of your goals for next year. And I can only talk for me, but I would be delighted to see that because we're stronger together.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor. If I may also... Quickly respond to Commissioner DePaul as a manager with the natural resources team. To your question, sir, for each site that would undergo a land clearing or any type of earth moving, a natural resources inspection is conducted. before any work commences. So a team member, one of my team members, who are highly trained professionals, they go and do a survey for each residential site for commercial properties. The process is a bit different. But before any work can commence regarding clearing, earth moving, they need to obtain a certificate of zoning compliance. And prior to them getting it, that would involve a full environmental inspection and approval from our staff. If there are any listed species present on site, they need to address those accordingly before any work can commence. And a good indicator if they have done this, would be to check for the posting of the certificate of zoning compliance. They need to post that on site to inform the community that they have done all these steps. Now, if this hasn't occurred, any resident can reach out to us and we will investigate as soon as possible. Absolutely. Okay.

As a follow-up to what he just said regarding the gopher tortoises and other protected species, we all know things happen on the weekends. We all know even in the evenings or early morning when people aren't looking. So a lot of times they're not going to go through natural resources and the required permitting process. So we are aware of that. We know that. We're working on that. We've got eyes all over the city that are reporting that, and then it's gonna go through code enforcement of Fish and Wildlife. We're also going to be working with Fish and Wildlife to issue better reports to the Natural Resources Division so we can have a coordinated effort on exactly how many gopher tortoises are being monitored. Because a lot of times, as you know, they're relocated on site on a particular project. One of the projects was the Biscayne Church, which was relocated 12 gopher tortoises at the back end of the property. Nobody's keeping an eye on it. Have those gopher tortoises been affected by all the land clearing activities that have been going on on that particular parcel? So we're trying to get a better coordination between fish and wildlife. And let us know when you're monitoring it, because we don't have the natural resource staff to go out all over the city and continue to monitor all these relocations that are happening on site. So we're trying to fix that and have better coordination, like I said, with the fish and wildlife and the natural resources division. And we've got our eyes on it as a board. because we know it's been going on, just like the illegal tree clearing, which doesn't just affect the trees, it affects the whole habitat. So we've got our eyes on that and trying to work with them, the two departments, just so you know.

One thing I would like to add into something that maybe the commissioners can look into as well, because I'm an engineer and a lot of the things I do with site designs, there are a lot of constraints with where are pipes, where are things, where are the septic systems, where can you even build or place trees where they can actually meet the requirements that are safe for the structure. design a house with standard hurricane, but a tree falls into the house, it's kind of hard to design for that. So maybe something that the commissioners or even us as a board can look at is where are proper places to plant trees? In rear easements where power lines are not present, I would say is a prime location to put it. There's hardly ever any type of plumbing or utilities in the rear of the property. Maybe even more incentives can be done the residential designs, where if they're planting trees in acceptable locations, that it can help compensate better the amount of money an owner might have to pay to remove trees. It all comes down to dollars and cents. It's how the world works. But if the city is serious about trying to maintain trees, keep trees, I would say the best thing to do is to try to incentivize the city citizens to plant trees in the proper locations where they will thrive an actual added protection and benefit. So maybe some stuff can be looked into at pushing people that direction.

And if I may to the vice mayor's comments as well, we are working on several projects and programs to place more trees within these city-owned parcels. And from what I can tell is that within the next years we're going to be planting more and more trees. So that's one effort. I also wanted to mention that we are partnering with other entities and any party that reaches out to us and would like to work with us on spreading the word and making the tree planting process more effective throughout the community, we're always open for that. Currently we're partnering with People for Trees and with the North Portland Conservancy. Actually two more quick notes, if I may. Over the past two quarters, we've initiated the private tree giveaway, which intends to have trees native trees planted on private properties and last but not least our newly established landscaping compliance program which focuses on reaching out to our businesses within the community and working with them to reinvigorate their landscaping that may have been impacted during the hurricanes. And over the past few weeks alone, we see an ability to put many more trees in the grounds to make these commercial areas much more appealing and providing much better shape to our residents. Excellent.

As a follow up to what Stefan was just saying, We're also going to be forthcoming with meeting with builders to not have them clear the whole parcel. You can clear where the footprint of the house is, but you don't necessarily have to clear everything out. And explain that to the builders, because they just want to clear everything. And then also educate the homeowners that they don't have to clear everything on that parcel. they can leave it within a certain amount of distance so that you still have stepping stones for habitat to go forth through the suburban areas. That's one thing that's lacking. Everything is clear cut and there's just nothing of original habitat for species to exist on. So if we could work with the builders and educate the citizens at the same time that they don't have to clear cut everything, that's going to help as well. And then it also incentivize some of the builders working with the natural resources with their landscaping program, which hopefully is going to go into the residential area as well, not just commercial, because there's a lot of things going residentially that is not being taken care of or not being followed through. So we're going to work on that as well.

Commissioner Stokes. One, I want to thank you folks for what you're doing, for stepping up and volunteering. appreciates it. Just want to touch on, you know, last year I advocated for, and I believe this commission unanimously voted, set aside two and a half million dollars in the budget for the purchase of environmentally sensitive lands. And so I would hope that you guys can help us there by identifying and creating a listing that at some point via workshop and then with resolution or ordinance, we can talk about what we might wanna do. Because that two and a half million is set aside and I plan on advocating for it again in this budget, whether it's a million, two million, two and a half, three million, whatever we can afford to do. But I think every year a portion, needs to go into that fund and continue to build, because there are environmentally sensitive properties in the city that we want to protect, not only from the standpoint of the habitat Perspective, so anything you guys can do to help us there is greatly appreciated to help us identify them and look forward to working together. I know just a touch on what vice mayor said when you want to plant trees and we should not just advocate for what our city does in terms of replanting. But Alice always said it. People buy a house. Okay. Builder comes in the clear cuts and they buy a house. There is nothing to prevent property owners from planting their own trees. That is for sure. And they're not always that expensive to plan. I've redone all my landscape to make it much more Florida friendly, even in plan communities, like, well, in park where I live. Okay. The builders more concerned with the aesthetics than they are. The environmental impact of it all, I've relandscape my entire property more Florida friendly. So we don't have to use water. And when I needed to know where the heck I could plant things, you call 811, they come out, they flag where all the utilities line, the hotline, you know, the hotwire lines run. So, you know, you know, you're not going to dig right into something. So, you know, again, more. The more communicating we can do to our citizenry, the better too because it's easy to plant trees and it enhances, as you said, the value of people's properties. It doesn't all have to come from the taxpayers' coffers. People can do it individually. They can enhance their properties. It's a lot of its education. Like you say, when a builder comes in, there's no need for them to clear cut everything. I mean, not everyone can spend a million dollars to relocate trees like they did in Welland Park, but there's still ways to tell your builder that you don't want certain trees cut down when they're clearing a property. So, thank you again for everything you guys do.

Yeah, I had a couple questions. Where, when they relocate the gopher trees, where's the relocation at? Where are they putting them?

Mayor, usually it would be sites towards Central and Northern Florida. From my experience, these are large areas and they're called recipient sites. Definitely out of city limits and out of county limits.

Okay, why wouldn't they just relocate to let's say the Carleton Preserve or the Myakka Forest?

It's a great That would require for the owner of this site to apply with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for a recipient site status of this area. In order for a site to qualify, they need to provide certain type of habitat. There needs to be certain size of area, so there's minimum requirements. Those sites mentioned would certainly qualify. They need to also conduct a full survey of that site to know exactly how many gopher tortoises are currently living there and if then the Conservation Commission approves that, in theory, this can happen. There needs to be the will of the owner, and then the site needs to meet the criteria. And if I may just add to your question, we have been in process of getting in touch with the state and to develop to inquire whether there may be any parcels within city limits that could qualify. It has been more than challenging to get in touch with them and have a meeting with them.

With that said, because that's where I was going on this, what is the minimum size? Do you know off the top of your head?

68, I believe.

Okay.

And there's a minimal requirement of four golfer courses per day.

because the way that I'm looking at it, we could relocate them within our own home boundaries if we had the criteria for that and we have the funds available throughout you know, the tree fund or whatever we changed it to, to possibly purchase these lands to set aside an area just for that, for our own environmental protection of the gopher tortoises within our own city, which is just something to look into. I know it's not going to happen overnight, but it's just an idea on something that is possible.

We have been having the same thoughts and the first step would be to have a productive meeting with the state and Surprisingly, that has been the most challenging part right now.

And my other question was in the tree giveaway. Oh, did you want to add something? I'm sorry. I didn't even see you sneak up there, Laurie.

I'm sorry. Yes, Mr. Mayor. I recently revisited the gopher tortoise requirements. The minimum size is 40 acres, and the maximum gopher tortoises per acre is two to four. So a 40 acre site would only support 160 gopher tortoises. And that's if we could locate a 40 acre contiguous site in the city of Northport that was upland and had the right habitat. So that in itself is very challenging for a city initiative for us to find those properties. But as Stefan mentioned, possibly the Carlton Reserve or the forest, if those property owners would be willing to engage in that process.

Sure. Yeah, I know it would be on them. That's why I was trying to focus on what we could do for us and our community. So no, I appreciate that. Thank you. My other question was on the tree giveaway. And I know you've done two so far this year, is that correct? And I know the first one, did you give away like 100 trees? Is that what it was? And they were gone fairly quick. And what I've seen was a lot of people were disappointed. It was like an hour later, they said they got there and the trees were all gone. We may want to look at upping the amount of trees that we give away or possibly looking at different times that we give them away. A Friday afternoon may not be very good for a lot of people out there, you know, families that are working and stuff. And, you know, Saturday, Sunday special events or something like that, that we have it going on. Do some more tree giveaways to where it is more available for people and it's more timely for them to get there because, you know. That's what the money's sitting there for. If if we give away 1000 trees, we've.

gave away a thousand trees you know the builders are paying for it so might as well reintroduce the trees into our community that's all i'm looking at thank you for bringing this up mr mayor and i wanted to add that one of the biggest expenses associated with planting a tree comes with the irrigation and what we donate COST COMPARED TO IF WE ARE TO INSTALL IRRIGATION AND PLANT THOSE TREES ON CITY OWN PROPERTY SO AS YOU MENTIONED IT'S ANOTHER AVENUE THAT WE WE WANTED TO EXPLORE AND TO YOUR TO YOUR POINTS FOR OUR SECOND GIVEAWAY WE WRAPPED UP THE QUANTITY OF TREES DONATED QUITE A BIT SO WE GAVE AWAY WE ACQUIRED 250 and giveaway we had some trees left so this time all residents who came to get a tree they made that one for free so that's something that we're trying to find the sweet spot and we're trying to find the best time but as mentioned earlier collaborating with our partners throughout the community may be another great way to amplify this effort

Yeah, because, I mean, if you amped it up to 250 and you had leftovers, that might be your sweet spot right now for the people that are participating and wanting them. When you start to run out again quickly is when you amp it up again. So, yeah, it's a work in progress. So, no, I appreciate the efforts. That was just a few things on my mind that y'all could help with, and I just thought it was great for the community.

And if I may, we also have been observing and keeping track of the species of trees that are in highest demand. These are native species, but we are noticing which specific types of trees our community is most interested in. So we are going to adjust those quantities.

awesome you learn as you go so I just have a follow-up on what Stefan had said as far as working with other outside organizations nonprofits and so forth to incorporate it because it's not just about the trees it's also taking in your native plant materials and your pollinator gardens so we're going to be working with other organizations as a board and as me personally TO TRY AND BRING THAT MAYBE INTO A TREE GIVE-AWAY AND MAKE IT A LARGER EVENT IF WE COULD DO THAT AND NATURAL RESOURCES CAN SUPPORT THAT. ADDITIONALLY, AS FAR AS USING FOR THE TREES AND THE MAINTENANCE THAT IT TAKES TO CARE FOR THE TREE PROPERLY, Educating them with drip technology, more solar drip technologies can be implemented. So maybe we can give out some information to them when they get a tree. You know, incorporate some material, educational material, so they don't just water it with a hose and waste all the water. To follow up on what Laurie had said about the gopher tortoises, there are studies that are being done currently within different municipalities that are studying suburban environments and the number of gopher tortoises that can actually be relocated within a suburban environment on one parcel, two parcels. Because if we look within our suburban environment, you can have three gopher tortoises on one parcel. Because again, because of the defragmentation. So there are studies that are being done to see if more gopher tortoises can be located on lesser acreage. So once we have the findings of that, we can report back to you later. And then, of course, with natural resources as well.

Thank you.

Commissioner Petro.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Califf, for our tree giveaway program. It's really effective. I hear a lot of feedback from the community that it's really effective. excites them and they're really benefited from that and I concur with the vice mayor and metrics and maybe we can have metrics of tree planting because it's not too hard to do. Is there any possible way to involve the community in identifying locations of potential locations or potential places where the city can replant trees in our community. Maybe engage the community where they would tell you, hey, this is the place that has no trees. City owned properties is where Mineral Springs and, you know, in front of it is grassland. It's like a prayer, not a single tree. So. It would be so nice if we have that crown and plant trees. I know some of it is used for parking and people park on on the grass. But maybe you can look into that. because it would greatly benefit the visitors. Put some benches and people can relax. Also, I want to mention and concur with Commissioner Stokes on environmentally sensitive land. Is there any way maybe you can, as a board, look into some type of community engagement? There are some people that have wetlands parcels, the parcels that are wetland, Wetlands, and they can't do anything with those parcels. They will gladly sell, but they don't even have a clue that they can be. You know, sold to the city and we, if we allocate some funds, which we did last year. identify those people, identify those parcels. I've talked to one owner. He had no idea that he got stuck. He was going to build on it, found out that it's a wetland. There's no way to build on it. It was more of a quarter of an acre. He ended up selling to somebody much cheaper and was not who knows what that plant is going to be used for. But a couple of things about the community engagement, if we can do that, just think of how it doesn't have to be extravagant advertisement, maybe. I don't know some posting on Facebook groups that you know we buy land sensitive land. Same with the where we can plant. or replant trees, and this is what I heard from our, I believe, building department representatives, that they said, we're running out of space where to plant the trees, or some sort of comment was made in that regard. But if we get the community engaged, they're gonna tell you where to plant, even on city-owned property. And there are some volunteers who are willing to water them. because they care that much about the environment. So just a thought. Thank you for what you do and for your involvement because it does take your time. We appreciate, I appreciate your work. Thank you.

Commissioner Duvall.

Thank you, Mayor. I want to touch on, How important you all are. I know a little bit about gopher tortoises. And I know a little bit about, very little about trees. But I've had experience since I've lived here in Northport with both gopher tortoises and trees. And that experience came from working with non-profits. We recently gave Alice White the key to the city for the work that she's done for the city. But Alice White, like every one of us, ages every day, and she cannot do all the things that she has done. There's no more tree fair. There's no more food in our port. And that's board and your association with our environmental division is. As far as gopher tortoises, there was a lady who used to live here named Edie Dreist. I'm sure some of you know her very well. Her nonprofit was called North Port Friends of Wildlife. And she's the one that got me interested somehow or other in gopher tortoises. And when anybody called her about a gopher tortoise, she called me and said, hey, go find it. Go check it out. Edie moved away from North Port. So those nonprofits, for all the great work they do, they don't always continue. That's why you're bored. You all have a passion for this. That's why you're doing this. One by one, you're all going to be leaving too. But it's important for you while you're on this board to keep your board active, to recruit members, and to work. I just want to emphasize how important it is. Now, as far as relocation of gopher tortoises, I personally do have three or possibly more gopher tortoises on my property. What I was taught, one time I went down to Port Charlotte to an environmentalist home and I picked up 13 gopher tortoises and I drove them to Orlando. From Orlando, Robin, you may know Carissa Kent. Carissa Kent was taking them. They were going to a recipient site, I think it was in Georgia. The reason for that is that you can't take a gopher tortoise. I could take a gopher tortoise from the front of my yard and put them in the back of my yard and probably be okay. But if you take a gopher tortoise from Toledo Blade in Northport and you move them over to Chamberlain, he's going to try and go home and he may get run over on his way. That's just what they say. That's why the recipient sites, when they do move them, they're taken so far away. YOU KNOW, SO THAT THEY CAN'T TRAVEL. BUT I DO JUST WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, STRESS TO YOU PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, HOW IMPORTANT WHAT YOU DO IS. AND I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AS A FOLLOW-UP TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID, AS FAR AS THE BOARD, IT'S FOR OUR FUTURE, OUR CHILDREN, OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN. I personally am reaching out to the high school. We have Megan who sits on our board here, who is a student from the high school and she's great. And she's making a move to also reach out to some of the high school students. I've been in contact with the science teacher over there, who I think she's putting in an application for the environmental advisory board. So we're trying to get more young people involved with the city. because they are our future. We need to have the education suitable enough so that they understand what the impacts are of the building and how we can balance that within our municipality. So that's being done. That's it. Oh, no, one more thing. Edie, I still work with Edie. She's still actively involved. Although the North Port Friends of Wildlife kind of was turned over to the high school for them to handle now. But we still, on a non-profit basis, work with her.

All right. City Clerk, do we have some public comment?

Hi, everyone. Elaine Allen Emrich. This is one of those examples of where the nonprofits could work with your board. It's very rare that the city participates in, like, expos that are done by outside groups, but I can give you an example. Kiwanis is doing an e-bike safety event on September 12th. I would love to see like a tree giveaway mixed with e-bike safety because then you have young people and older people like kind of gelling together. Also like Kiwanis has an upcoming fishing tournament. We are always looking for good information for the swag bags. We work with Fish Florida, so they're already getting information about some conservation on the water. giving them information on trees and even an upcoming giveaway is another great way for you to promote what you're doing in our swag bags or having a table there aside from just Newcomer Day. Also, I don't know, but do you guys have a member of the Northport Conservancy, their board on your board? These guys have a... tortoise burrow cameras, and it's online. It would be neat for them to give you guys a presentation one day. Barbara Lockhart is on it, on point. I read the Myakka State Forest Management Conservation Plan. It's a 10-year plan. It's filled with the environment and gopher tortoises. So maybe that would be a relocation. The representative for Northport is a Sarasota County Commissioner who represents Englewood and Northport. So speaking to him about that plan and maybe getting relocation or the application or just a move on into that may be great. And then lastly, on March 19th and 20th, 2011, People for Trees spearheaded Eco Fest at War Mineral Springs. There was 150 eco-friendly vendors. It was huge. I mean, the conquistadors showed up, but, you know, you could do a massive tree giveaway. You could do eco-friendly things for children. People at Northport who never go to Warm Mineral Springs could maybe go that day And the nonprofits, we could all work together to put it on. So it wouldn't be a burden on the taxpayers, but this could be built in. And then if you were having one or two other giveaways, you could put that in the slide bank.

Thank you. I'm not losing this opportunity to quiet you. I'm sorry. Once in a lifetime experience.

Can I respond? Absolutely. Go ahead. Thank you, Elaine. Regarding the Northport Land Conservancy, or the Neighborhood Land Conservancy, now that they're renamed, I work with Barbara on a, not with the board, but as an individual basis, we spoke about everything that you had said, and that's great. Regarding the EcoFest, I actually started that, and as you know, because you were there when I was there, And we had over 1,000 people show up. It didn't cost me one cent to run that event. And that's just through partnering with neighborhood businesses. Your hand wash is mine. We all wash hands together. It didn't cost us a cent to do that. And I understand we might not have the capabilities bathroom-wise and all this otherwise to do something like that. But like you had mentioned for the tree fair, and I mentioned that to Stefan, somehow working with Alice, making that a bigger event to do it in the parking lot, we could do that now and incorporate other activities that are fun for families through education materials. So that's one of the things we discussed as a board that we want to see actually worked on and how we can bring that to fruition. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANY TYPE OF MOTION IS THERE ANY TYPE OF MOTION IS THERE ANY TYPE OF MOTION THAT YOU REALLY NEED? THAT YOU REALLY NEED? THAT YOU REALLY NEED? BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE DOING, BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE DOING, BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE DOING, I THINK YOU ALL ARE DOING I THINK YOU ALL ARE DOING I THINK YOU ALL ARE DOING VERY WELL IN MOVING FORWARD. That's after we're done, Chuck. You're up next, sir, after we have a little discussion.

Thank you very much.

Okay. I won't forget you.

I know you will.

But, you know, with everything that you've got going on and what you have accomplished and with all the training and everything and what you're doing going forward... you really don't need any direction from us. I think you've got a great plan going forward, unless there's something that you really think you need moving forward as a motion from the commission.

We could accept the plan.

I think we did.

You don't have to accept the plan because it's just the same as if any other board provided you their annual report and amendment.

Right. That's what I was getting at. So I think you're doing great and you're making great strides and all the information that you gave us was fabulous. So I thank you very much. Okay. Do we have any general public comment?

Is Chuck English still here?

I think he left. Start his clock.

How are you all doing today?

Stay blessed. You guys, as a former chairman of this committee, they're outstanding. And I respect every one of them for stepping forward to serve our community. Now, I'm primary here to plant a seed. The majority of you were at the dedication and memorial service of the Circle of Honor. I'm sure that you enjoyed that breeze coming across that wetland that made the flags wave, and also the view, how it's framed by the wetland and the trees across from it. The seat is this. In the very, very infant stages of that planning, that was considered. It was too big a bite of the apple to put it in the project. I'm proposing to bring it forth in order to conserve, preserve, and maintain that view. The other aspect of it is that It is the last vestiges of any type of natural resources or habitat within City Green. It is a unique and diversified ecosystem in itself. You've also mentioned wetlands and how you wish to preserve. We haven't really determined if it's totally manmade, but as again, It's something I'd sincerely like you to consider. I will continue to propose it, draft specific recommendations for it, and emphasize the fact that it's the perfect place to establish contemplation and meditation as it relates to the memory of those that have honored our service and our community. And gentlemen, I'm on it. Please consider it. I chatted with some of you, just wanted to bring it to the attention of staff, the city manager, and anybody else that understands the significance. Again, it's the last vestiges of any natural resource or habitat. left on city green. Thank you very much. Y'all stay blessed. Are you sure? Okay.

Can I comment on that? Please? Absolutely. Or ask a question. Are you going to be presenting a presentation to any advisory boards?

I fully intend to once the logistics are put together. But y'all know. There's no way y'all know. and each one of you individually to understand fully the concept and the reasoning, but you understand.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Nothing else. It's 3.59 and I adjourn this meeting.