Environmental Advisory Board - Regular Meeting

Ready. Call to work. This is the city of Northport, environmental advisory board, Monday, 04/06/2026, 05:30. We need to do the roll call. Start with you.

Just say here.

Your name, yeah.

Megan Taylor here.

Tim Drum.

Casey McGowan.

Robin Sandicente. Jessica Ike.

Stefan Kalis. Stephanie

All right. Are there any public comments?

There are no public comments.

Thank you. All right. On to agenda item 20 six-five zero three, approve the 03/02/2026 board meetings minutes. Move to approve.

Yes, ma'am. I should raise it a little higher. It's a question clarification on the motion that was made regarding to include the measurement of Natural Resources Division economic impact in the 2025 Environmental Advisory Board's annual report. I thought it was a report specifying the impact on protected species, which is what we were discussing. I'm looking at Where are you?

What item? This is item b. Okay. Six b on the on the meeting minutes. And the motion.

I also have it pulled up on the screen.

Right. Okay. So our discussion, as I remember it, was really regarding the impact to protected species, due to the development that's taking place within the city. I don't know.

I did ask for the economic impact.

You did? All right. Because I thought we also did a motion on the protected species.

Yeah, that bit. Right. I'm just verifying just that part of it.

Because I don't see that in here at all in the minutes. The is

And

of doing we're changes or to not approve it at all. And then the I next meeting, thing you'll be represented with either the changes or no changes.

Yeah. Don't want to take up the board's time now. Yeah.

All right.

Okay.

You'll just have

to make a motion for either not approving them or to approve them with the changes of, like, motion you're trying to clarify.

Okay.

Can we approve them with the clarification or verification? Yes. Okay. Then I'll make that motion on item 6b, for the clarification of the protected species impact report to be incorporated in the annual 2025 report.

Okay. Need a second?

Seconded. All in favor? Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Okay. All right. Six unfinished business. 26Dash0576. Discussion of possible actions regarding the draft of the 2025 annual report to the city commission. And then the attachment is up there.

Thank you, chair. Perhaps I can say a few words. Yes, sir. So there were a few additional goals that the fourth wanted to add. For the goals for 2026, I have added the goals.

And to me, everything that has been previously discussed from what I was able to collect through the recordings is on the goal list. And if the Board has anything else that you would like to add or perhaps vote to approve, and we can move forward with scheduling the joint meeting.

Has everybody had a chance to review the 2026 goals?

I'm done. Okay.

I'm good with it.

No discussion. Can we get a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

I'll second.

All in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Alright. Moving on. Item B26-five 78. Discussion of possible action regarding an update from Parks and Recreational Advisory Board liaison.

Unfortunately, Andrew Giacoming is nodding So after that. Today.

So So I guess that will get postponed to next month's meeting.

That's right.

Moving on. Item c 26 dash zero five eight five, discussion and and possible actions regarding future utilization of the environmental protection fund. There was the the attachment. So I'd to open it up for discussion at this moment at this time. I have it printed off. Jessica, if you'd like a bigger copy than your phone.

I have a copy in

my phone. Very good. Ma'am.

Okay. Stefan, you were to supply us with a revenue versus expenditure for the Natural Resources division? Is that forthcoming?

So there will be a discussion regarding the Environmental Protection Fund, which also includes budget details. And for this item so this would be the next item on the agenda. And for this item, the Board needs to approve via majority that I need to start I the Board needs to request for me to start obtaining this information. And in order for me to do it, because it's a budget related topic, I need to get a charter officer approval, which ultimately means city manager approval.

Okay. Even though that those budget items are public information in the budget?

We can pull those up.

And the Board members

can discuss them.

I don't I just feel that we cannot look at this and make any kind of a vote on it until we fully understand expenditures versus revenue, what those streams are, then look at this to see if this fits in. Does it need to be adjusted? Are the things to be added to this until we fully understand what the revenue streams and the expenditures are? I have

a question for you. Do you want just round ballpark in and out one line numbers?

Or do you want the nitty gritty? It's broken down when they're doing the budget.

So is it within our purview to do a line to line veto or recommendation or whatever you want to call it, not a veto. Well, it's public

information when you look at the budget proposal, what the projections are, what the capital improvements are. There's a whole bunch of items that go into the budget for the Natural Resources Division. So until we can fully understand and actually look at that, how can we allocate percentages? Do you know what I mean? Without the full understanding.

Well, I don't think what I think it would take a year to have a full understanding of the budget. Because what do we know about treatment removal, memory removal, comparative costs? Are these things put out to bid, blah, blah, blah, all that stuff, which I believe is under this curvy of the city commissioner. Not if you're

looking at this as a proposal.

No, not as a proposal, but I'm I agree in theory, but I don't wanna go line by line. I want I wanna I don't wanna say we paid, you know, $5 for this bolt. That's not

what I'm saying. And that's not how it's broken down. It's put into categories.

That's what I'm asking.

Yeah. It's categorically defined expenditures for this particular category might go into, let's say, educational programs or tree plantings. So they're definitely categorized. Or the conservation officers' money is going allocated to their capital improvement projects. We've got 200,000 for tree planting in this particular area. So it is categorized. It's not So who's in charge of it now? City manager? Yeah. The city manager, the natural resources, each department has an input and presents it to them and says, this is what we need.

This is what we're looking at. And then the city manager and his staff get together and come up with a proposed budget. Then it's brought forth before the commission. Right.

And then it has to be approved by the

senior manager. Correct. And the commission. So I just feel that instead of trying to rush through this, this is a great starting point. I feel that we just need to have some kind of an idea of what those expenditures versus revenues are so we can make a better recommendation, a better decision.

Okay. My point, I'm glad we're having this discussion. Because I was wondering what percentages or how it's decided, what goes to protection of the wildlife? In specific, we know that we'd pay to remove the gopher tortoises, but also American alligator and the why did write it down? Did I bring it with me? I sent

you to Scrub J.

Right.

And

I want to see to me, cost is a flexible thing. It's going to depend on the economy. A broader issue is going to depend on economy, prices rise, fall. And you're just talking about we would vote a percentage of the budget, not a number per se. Exactly.

Okay. Yeah, exactly. We're not mathematicians. So that's something that's But

how would we be able, in our inexperience, to judge?

JEANNE Because we have this, and this was presented to the Board to look at, and to then begin to say and recommend to the Commission, this is what we would like this percentage allocated here. I don't know if we can do that. Or as a starting point, because Tim had presented this to the Board, we need to consider it. But in order to consider it, I feel that we need to have an understanding so we can look at this with the understanding and the education we need to make a decision based on your recommendation.

And I read it and I had several questions at home that I was thinking as I was reading it. And it really has insistence on 100% of the funding going to buying trees and distributing them to, Northport citizens. And, my question with that is what's gonna happen to everything else that's covered in North Natural Resources. That's, I think, we're on the same

page Exactly. Yes.

Right? And I don't think that it's think it's ideal to stick, okay, to provide all of it to everybody. Somebody is going to be left out. Somebody is going to be unhappy.

Excuse me.

Somebody is going to be unhappy when that trip. And the other thing I wonder about is, what happened? I mean, this is a a what if situation, but let's pretend that there is a, you know, a ballot put on our election that says we don't wanna pay property taxes anymore. And it passes by 60%. It's adopted into the Florida constitution.

And I know it'll be a rollout. I know it's not anything that's gonna happen right away. But, one of the effects of such a thing would be, lack. We would lose our, what we call, home rule or our authority over our own things. And so to say that that the rest of these things will come out of general funding, I question that.

So my proposal right now is to not make I mean, we're we're already in April and then May, June, July, and May. My proposal is whatever we decide, we, don't make a decision this year. We kick it over to the following year because we don't know what's gonna happen during the election. Okay? And these, we could have things taken away from us.

And if they decide to, you know, to get rid of property taxes and find that thing somewhere else, well, all those decisions that the city makes and we make are going to go away. They're gonna be be made made in Tallahassee. You know? This is the problem.

Okay. But a lot of Okay. But I just think

that, you know, I would like to see the election pass and see what happens, then make our final recommendations either in December or in January. And that I am looking ahead quite a bit there. But, I think it's just pragmatic. You know, we don't know what's gonna happen.

Right. But just so you're aware, a lot of the revenue streams, the majority of the revenue streams Yeah. Come from development.

I

know. Certain percentages are allocated by this development, this particular type I

of

know.

But if yeah. But those revenue streams are gonna be diverted, part of them, to other things that will need funding. And I'm not saying it's a bad idea or a good idea. I'm just trying to form my way through it. I just want to see what happens.

I think Robin's initial point was just we just need more understanding to be able to get a recommendation. And I think, Stefan, you said that some of the next agenda items will come give us more information.

The next item will give you some information, but it's still going to be fairly broad because in order for me to do a presentation on the budget and the environmental protection funds, I will need for the board to approve that as a majority, and then I will write a request to the city manager for his approval because we do have under section 4.6 in very Directors. Of Directors. Strong we we can approve by a majority vote this request. And then upon approval, the staff liaison will communicate the request to the city manager. And then once the city manager reviews, once a decision is made, then I can proceed with the request.

If by any chance the charter officer who's also the city manager refuses the request, that's the decision that will be up to him. The charter officer must notify the city commission. So I can pull up that rule as well, but that's something that I I can discuss in more details. There's just a few more procedural steps that need to occur. Understood.

With the funding for the special person that has to who did you say? You need a chartered accountant or something?

Yes. So it would be the charter officer that's

No. I mean, who does the actual breakdown for it. Is that oh, the chartered officer is the city man. He's the city manager. How much is this going to cost to get this? I mean It would be Do you have to hire a It should be

done No.

I need to estimate the staff time that it will take. Oh, then the city manager will make the decision based on that whether he will find the request being acceptable or not. And like I said, by this rule, if the charter officer refuses the request, which is his right based on the facts that he's given about the request. He must notify the city commission.

So but we'll be taking money out of the tree fund to do this. Right? No. First half.

No. No, ma'am. It would be just It would just be

a student.

The staffing time that will take me or one of my team members to put together a nice presentation Okay. So go over the Okay. Budget and the environmental

I was worried that we're

It's something that I cannot do

We can't touch to the

other request. Yeah.

That's right.

Can I make another suggestion?

Yes, ma'am.

Since they are currently in the budget holding the workshops and so forth, why don't we table this in the meantime? Since it's public information anyway, I can pull it up and I can get the budget for the natural resources division. They'll give you some kind of an idea where the revenue streams are and what the expenditures are for what they're looking at this year. Instead of taking staff's time to put together a whole presentation and do all that, I can gather that information. I mean, I've gathered the information from last year If anybody wants to look at it, it's available on the city's website.

So I do have that breakdown. I think that would save us time as a board

It to do it that would be efficient and take a burden

away. Do we want to make a motion for that?

I'll make a motion. Okay. Let you do it.

I can gather then the motion would be for me to gather the information that is available for this current workshop for the budgets.

I make a motion for Robin to do that.

Perhaps that would be more appropriate under the next item?

Yes. To.

Question for you, Stefan. I think you answered it a couple of meetings ago. I had asked at that time. And this kind of relates to the second point of this proposal about having the natural resources group as part of the general budget for more stability. I thought I asked a couple of meetings ago, and I thought I heard you say right, because I was concerned about, well, that's all development fees. It's a finite amount of number. I thought I heard you say you guys were should be good for decades. So Right? That's I thought I heard you say like fifty years or something like that. So I just

think

question. That's

a Protection Funds and it really is a matter of how things will unfold. Perhaps are there going to be some legislative changes or there are so many decisions that should be made at commission level. So there's a lot that we don't know. But most forecasts of how this city will change over time, same with Southwest Florida, same with Florida in general, predict more people moving in and predict growth and development. And if this growth and development persists, yes, there are some estimates that there will be plenty of funding for the foreseeable future.

And as we have more commercial development and more tax revenue generating businesses present here in Northport as the city develops, the whole structure structure of what's going to be coming in and what will be spent will likely be quite different than what it is right now.

100%. I just wanted to make sure that everybody understood we weren't in any kind of a crisis situation in terms of funding the NRD. Thank you.

No, sir. And you're welcome. And I also wanted to mention that, yes, normally the budget for these divisions is made by the department's director. And that's based on extensive research. And then ultimately, the proposal is approved by the city manager. 100%.

It's best effort. Nobody's got to cross the ball Thank like you you. I appreciate that.

Am I understanding that objection that would approve abolishing property taxes would not affect our department? So I mean, I want to make a motion to put it off until after that election. That's all.

Just to answer your question, ma'am, we don't know a lot about how things will unfold. However, one thing is a fact right now, and that is that the general funds generally is under some larger constraints. As of right now, like I said earlier, the city, the way that, you know Yeah. The way that our city is platted is mainly single family residential. We need more commercial properties for tax generate more, you know, tax generating businesses to to be in our city.

So right now, the it seems that the biggest challenge comes with the general fund. I also

wanted

to point out that the natural resources, the way that it's funded, that's not unprecedented. For example, the building department is funded by the building funds. We have rolled in drainage funds. So there's different pools that serve different divisions' needs. But right now, the general funds, because we as a city are not allowed to borrow, that's experiencing some pressure.

Thank you. So can I make a motion to ask that we discuss this, my question as an agenda item on the next meeting?

We can definitely table this to further meetings. It happens as an ongoing topic until we're ready to vote, I believe.

You want to make that motion?

I can.

I'll make that motion form. I'll make the motion that we table the City of Northport Environmental Advisory Board budget proposal as an ongoing agenda item for continued discussion.

I second.

All in favor?

Aye. Okay.

Moving on. So that was item d, correct? Or was that c?

Yes, sir. Okay.

So No, that was c, I thought. It

like c and d are

pretty much

Kind of the same thing. What was the difference between C and D?

So the C is basically an ongoing item, and I was not planning to touch that item. So the intent is for this item to be on the agenda as there will additional ideas and discussions until the board decides to do so. And then d would be a d came at the request of member Sandy Sintik who wanted to find out more about the the budget as an overall and how the environmental protection funds are used.

Which I think we just covered.

Yep. Which in a way we just covered and but I wanted to make sure that it's provides that additional time for the board to discuss.

Do we have any discussion on this then, Mr. D? Or we can just bypass it if we just discuss it? Yeah. Right?

If I may, perhaps, this would be a good time for the board to request additional information or if any of the members would like to do the research on their own and educate

board? I would suggest that I do the research for the board for the budget items, the revenue streams versus the expenditures for the Natural Resource Division.

I thought you guys already did that.

Yeah, that's We did that.

Should be on. We should be good to go.

I don't think it needs to be a formal motion. No. I'm just gonna gather the information and Yeah.

Yeah. Okay.

I mean, the only thing as an as an ongoing agenda item

Yeah. I would do that too because there's gonna be a lot there.

Yeah.

So, like well, maybe not. I don't know. I don't know till I see it. But yeah.

Come under the heading if that's an ongoing agenda item. Right? Anybody can bring whatever they want to the board as part of the discussion. Research would be part of that, I would think. I can't imagine that needs a motion.

That item can be proposed under future agenda item. And I will have it on the agenda, and it can be, reoccurred. K.

Is there

Does that

need to be in a motion, or we can just

No, ma'am. Okay. The only reason for a special motion is if you would like for me to start the process of gathering permission from the charter officer and doing some of the research work and presenting to the environmental advisory board.

Gotcha. All right.

So I think that's been discussed. So we're good. All right. Item number seven, new Business26Dash0582. Discussion and possible action regarding strengthening the environmental advisory board's recommendations and how to make these more effective.

Yeah. So I think this is the timing one that we've talked about on a number of occasions, right?

Yes. This is regarding the development review committee. So I looked at and I'm sorry that miss Barnes isn't with us tonight.

If I may, ma'am, the development review committee item is the next This one actually was one of the future agenda No.

Just on date. Oh, wait. I'm sorry.

Your own business a. Oh, never mind. If I may, chair, just for a for a second. So the boards, there there were were many ideas for future agenda items, and I keep writing them down. So at this point, I have a list of few more that I was not able to put on on today's agenda. But this one, I believe, came up two meetings ago. And I can't recall the member, but the discussion was brought up that the board wants to find ways on how to strengthen Yeah. Proposed recommendations and help make them more effective.

That was me.

Yep. I believe so was me. Yep.

Okay. Really, this is what I said at the at the last couple of meetings for everyone to do their own due diligence as far as understanding the ULDC, the code of the city. The specific chapter I'm mentioning is the natural resources chapter six of the ULDC. That will explain the different areas within the city, what the zoning is, what the restrictions are and everything. I think until we have a full understanding of that, we can't really make educated recommendations on a specific project matter that comes before the Board of Environmental Concern until we fully understand what this particular area within the city means.

What is the Scrub J Zone? What are the criteria? What are the restrictions? What are the ordinances within the Scrub J zone? What, you know, what is the conservation overlay district?

Think that's a federal thing. And We have our

own ordinances. No. This is different. So what I'm stating is within our ULDC chapter six, you have certain criterias in certain areas within the city that are environmentally sensitive in nature. These scrub J zones. You have certain planting restrictions, guidelines, permitting procedures. So everything is broken down.

Do they are they I have

had all the screens

as well. Good.

Okay. Just because I haven't been in there to look, did you see any recommendations for controlled burns to make scrub land for the the scrub jays because they need that. There's a lot of pine trees and all that stuff, the raptors get them, you know, because they're so meek and Correct.

So that is the that is what the habitat warrants. Right. Are we doing that

or no? We don't know?

The areas where the scrub j zones are, and this is why I say we need to familiarize ourselves with the ULDC. So most of the zones where the scrub j is residential, wherein you cannot do a burn, so to speak, because my house is here and your house is there and here's the parcel, right? So you couldn't so you're then maybe allocated to doing a mechanical some kind of a mechanical clearing.

Well, mostly it's the tall pines that Well,

you can't just go and chop a tree down. Right? Well, I think you can't.

The city arborist could to protect the environment for the scrub jay. So I would like to see a discussion about that. Would they do that?

So if I may, perhaps we can just go one member at a time, just to make sure that member Sami sent this finished with

Thank you. Just really wanted to reiterate.

Thank you.

And and I don't want anybody to take this personal because it's a big city and there's a lot of codes and there's a lot of ordinances. But we need to familiarize ourself as a board. So when something is brought forth before us in a specific area, we can say and we can refer to, oh, well, by the way, this particular ordinance of this particular criteria is not allowed in this area. You have certain guidelines. You have certain activity centers.

This this the city has broken down into so many parts. But the most important part for us is the natural resources chapter six. So even if you all were just to read that chapter, so we know what we're talking about when we are trying to make a recommendation or a decision or a motion, it's based upon what is in the code. What can be done? What cannot be done? Is it even worth a discussion because this is the way it is?

Well, it's always worthy of discussion, I think. There are waves around things. And

if I may add, Chair, the easiest way to locate the Unified Land Development Code is if you go on Google and you type in Northport, either ULDC or Unified Land Development Code. And as member of San Vicente mentioned, the majority of the rules that pertain to natural resources are under Chapter six of the ULDC. There's also some guidelines within the comprehensive plan of the city. Now that's much lengthier than the unified land development code, but if it makes you feel better, the new ULDC is much more easy to interpret, understand, and is not as lengthy as the previous version.

Oh, okay.

And if you also have any questions about any part of it, you can always reach out to me.

K.

So then I guess for this item, it's just more of a on the board members to do your research, try to study up on this chapter.

And maybe bring forth any questions, as Mr. Caleb had said, and discuss it as a board. If you don't have a full understanding of a specific article within that chapter, then we can discuss it. Just so everybody is fully understanding what is involved and what guidelines are in place.

So would we like to maybe make this as an ongoing agenda item? If there's any questions that can be brought up in the that item, would that be an acceptable thing? Motion?

They'll be the will of the board. In my opinion, that that is not necessary because you can simply send me a quick email, and I can I can distribute the the answer to all members?

Okay.

If but if you would like, that would be your decision. And, also, just overall, I I believe the main idea where this item came about was why we are we are why we as a board are are sending all these a company. Question. Recommendations, the better the odds of commission taking them into consideration and directing them towards approval.

Okay. Okay. Exactly. Yeah. Alright.

So I don't believe there is something to vote on for this item.

Not really. No. Well, perhaps the only thing if you would like me to, bring it up at the next at the next meeting for further discussion or it's something that we can close for right now?

I'd like to see it closed. The information is readily available. Right. Yeah. Yeah.

Now the time for me to make a suggestion for future agenda.

That's the only We'll

at the end of the meeting now.

Item number nine? Yeah. Yeah. I'll have that all. All right. So Casey made a motion to end this agenda item. I

would say there's no need even

Yeah. Okay.

A motion. As long as that's

All right.

Agreed agreed. Generally.

All right. Moving on. Number B26Dash0580, reoccurring agenda item for discussion on possible action regarding the DRC projects of environmental concern. Believe Okay. Robin?

There were two things on the April 8 That was the wrong item. Upcoming agenda item for the development review committee. One of the agenda items is the Ukrainian Baptist Church asking for a gathering hall addition. Well, that's that's why I wish miss Barnes was here. But maybe, Stephane, you can answer this because it pertains to the gopher tortoise relocations that were done on that property prior to earthmoving activities.

I believe there were 12 gopher tortoise burrows that were that were gopher tortoise that were relocated to the far end of the property. And every time I drive by that 10 acre parcel and I see all the activity that's going on there and the berms that are all, you know, surrounding now, I always think of those 12 gopher tortoises. And has anybody checked on the

burrows You're so good.

Since all this earthmoving activity has been done in the last month, month and a half, actually.

If I may provide an update to you, maybe maybe by the end of this week, can send an email with an update. Okay. We I would like to double check if a staff member went there.

Yeah.

I'm not 100%.

Yeah. And that was my concern. Like, who checks? This particular project because of the 12 gopher tortoises that were relocated to the far end is is a major concern for me. So, like so, yeah, update would be great.

Absolutely. And before normally, before any action takes place pertaining to earthmoving, we go on-site. We especially if there's an on-site relocation, we verify the condition of the of the silt barrier, and we double check to make sure there's no

Oh, that's all fenced in. So they they fenced the whole project in.

Yeah. But as far as the condition of Yeah. Those burrows, we can we can take another we can take a quick look.

But we

keep an eye. Let's just put it this way. In addition, this is a state permitting process with Florida Fish and Wildlife approving the relocation area. So they also have staff members who can go at any site at any time and take a look.

Do you get a report from them if Fish and Wildlife goes out and they say, we just checked on this particular project for the on-site relocations and everything is fine and dandy with these boroughs.

Obviously, not really. No. They don't report to us, but they update they update their online system and we have access to it.

Right.

So we can see if there's any changes.

You can see if there's how many visits were made to this particular site or or not?

We can see if any notes were made for each site and for each permit. And if there's a concern so if they go there and there's no issue, they there probably will not be any notes. But but if there's a concern, that's gonna be marked on there.

Yeah. I would feel better if the city actually goes out there and says, oh, okay. For for

for projects, we usually do. Yeah. I just need to check where exactly this one is with the development review process.

Okay. That would be great.

Do that ourselves as well.

That would be great. Thank you. I

have another item. The other item on that particular okay, this particular project is asking for a special exception from light industrial to industrial. This particular parcel is located in the conservation overlay zone, is this particular parcel is you know where Willow Creek is? Does everybody know where Willow It's Creek off of Pan Am. Okay. The Myakahatchee Creek is right there. This particular I'm parcel at it.

It then said, street where the hotel has one.

And we can pull it up right now.

Yeah. Pull pull up that parcel. I've got the ID if you need it.

Think I know where it is.

Oh, you do? Okay.

Yeah. It should be this far right here. Correct me?

Correct. Yeah. Yep. That is within the conservation overlay zone. It has certain restrictions because of the sensitivity of that particular parcel due to the Myakahatchee Creek.

This is going back now to 2025 where they first wanted to put up a warehouse on light industrial. So this has been an ongoing project. Recently, it's now on the agenda on the 03/18/2026 agenda asking for the special exception from light industrial to industrial. Now, when you go from light industrial to industrial, industrial can include just about anything. Okay?

So given the location of the property and the special exception request to go into industrial, I have major concerns. And I have not been able to get an answer as to why the special exception is being requested. What is he going to do on that parcel? Prior, he wanted to do warehousing, three warehouses he wanted to put up there. I don't know if that's still what he wants to do.

And even if he does wanna put up warehousing, what's he gonna warehouse? Why the why is the special exception being requested? This is, again, the importance of this development review committee keeping up to date on this, how things just slide right by. So I was hoping to ask Ms. Barnes if she had any information on why this would even come before the Development Review Committee given the location.

And if they don't even know what is going to be done there, why and how could you issue a special exception? So since Ms. Barnes isn't here, Mr. Kayo, I will present that to you if you have any information that you can give us.

I have some. And for this project, I can follow-up with what was proposed for this project via follow-up email to to the members. There are certain so as far as what exactly is proposed, we have some information. And personally, I'm not aware exactly of the details, but what we look at are the impacts. We look at the footprint, you know, of what they are they would like to see at their property.

And then as part of the development review committee, they receive comments. Each division and each department may have their comments. They may have their recommendations or reasons why what they're proposing is not allowed. Now for the special exception process, there's we're going by the unified land development code. And if what they are proposing meets the criteria, there's, you know, the certain parties will make the decision whether that's going to be allowed. And

Correct.

It goes beyond the natural resources scheme. But if it doesn't, they will be told why they're not meeting the criteria of the executive.

Okay. And again, I researched this going way back to June 2025. And everything was light industrial at that particular time is what he wanted to do. Light industrial fits right in with that activity center, and it was warehouses. Now, it still looks like it's going to be three warehouses, I think 8,200 square foot each.

But why asking a special exception from light industrial to industrial? What are you going to be doing in those warehouses that needs a special exception? What exactly are you doing? What are you housing there? Are you going to be any doing any manufacturing or is it strictly just warehousing and that's it?

We don't know. Yes, they can fit in with the criteria under, what is it, article three in chapter six, which spells out the uses allowed under light industrial versus industrial. But again, given the location of this particular parcel, it's a major concern. What are they doing that requires a special exception to industrial, which then opens the door for just about anything to go in there? That's a major concern that I think we as a board should be concerned about.

Because if there's runoff, like, if there's some, you know, manufacturing, there's gonna be chemicals, metals.

Could be Anything.

It could be anything. And it's right on top of the creek. Yeah. Yeah. And that's our drinking water. So let's hope that

And by the way, that particular creek is a tidal pool as well. And we've even seen it run we've even seen it run backwards. Backwards. Over the years. I mean, it's oh, and it's in a flood plain. It's the one hundred year flood plain. That is, again, the conservation overlay district descriptions, basically.

Well, usually gets the the zoning board gets that

But if zoning says, yeah, you meet the criteria, your building is this and it's that, But why the special exception to industrial from light industrial on this particular location? Well What are you doing?

I think that comes up during I've gone to some planning and zoning meetings. And they get pretty thorough, the lawyers.

It's in none of the documentation.

But they

have And we did a public records request on this particular item and got all the documentation that was discussed at this particular meeting.

They zoned it for it yet?

Nothing's been done because there's been certain things that the specific departments have come back with their recommendations. Natural Resources has made several recommendations on this particular proposed development, special exception, buffers, a whole bunch of criteria. So they would have to then represent it based upon what the recommendations were from these different departments utilities, natural resources, rodent drainage, a whole bunch of Yeah, everything. So that's where it stands now, correct?

So that's correct. Think, ma'am. There are multiple divisions and departments that have disapproved the review as of right now as it does not meet their criteria. Natural resources, we have some comments. Ultimately, they have the burden of of proof to show under which conservation layers the footprint of what they're proposing lies under.

And the way that these layers are projected is based on a wetland delineation and based on the location of the Mahapahatchee Creek. So from what was initially shown to us, they were not meeting those criteria. And if they show us an actual delineation with proper boundaries, Technically, they might be meeting some of our requirements that are stated within the Unified Land Development Goal.

But how can okay. I get that they can meet certain criteria.

We we are not allowed to disapprove an application if it meets all the requirements.

Without knowing why they're asking for industrial, that opens a whole door of multiuses, I mean, under industrial versus light

there industrial. Description under industrial?

Yeah. If you look at Article III and Chapter six, it will delineate. Industrial supports all types of industries and uses, like heavy industrial, commercial uses, distributions. I mean, I can go on and on what industrial is. But in that particular area, why?

How could you approve a project without really knowing what is gonna be housed in that warehouse in this particular location? How do you special exception it? Just because it meets building standards and setbacks and all this other crap, how can you just approve it without really knowing what's going to be inside that warehouse?

So just look at this as the first step of a fairly

I'm looking at it, but I'm trying to get ahead of the game and not be surprised again.

I completely

understand. Many more questions usually come in the development review committee state, and this is when the exact use of the property comes in. You know, right now, we are we're given some overview of what is to come and what's requested. And this is just for the exception whether this will be allowable, and that's if the planning and zoning board approves approves that. But in the future, they go through the actual development process for the again, as part of this development review committee, and that's that's when things are looked wide in-depth as well.

Aspects such as stormwater runoff, any other runoff, any other pollution concerns, heritage trees, listed species, wetlands, buffers to the canal or to the creek, that's when all these questions come up. Do they have to enhance the buffers? Should Brazilian pepper trees be removed? So all these things come at a later state of the development

And and I'm bringing it forth

Yeah. Yeah.

For the board to be aware and then to also be in the process. If it's going before the P and Z, why can't the EAB have some input? Like, once the P and Z makes a decision or whatever or looks at it, can the EAB then look at it because then we'll know a little bit more of what they wanna do there? I'm sure they have to disclose that to P and Z. You can't just do a special exception on building criteria and not know what's going inside the building.

Well, no. Because they'll approve offices and they won't know if it's I mean, sometimes the person will say, well, we're building medical offices, which

But we don't know what's going on there.

No. What I'm saying is that you don't know what's in the medical office. You don't know what's going to actually be there.

Yeah, you do.

No. I mean, you don't know what kind of medicine is going to be there.

You do. Depending upon the business. Whether it's a lab, whether it's a certain type of medical office, you will then know what supplies are needed in order to support that particular business. So you do have an understanding of what's gonna be going in there.

Right. You have an understanding. But suppose it's just offices, you know, I wonder why the building's going on when we, you know

Then it would list

It's it as a mile away from my a huge Benderson Building that's been sitting vacant since we moved here ten years ago, twelve years ago. I would love to know what's happening with that.

It would be listed as administrative offices then. There has to be a category assigned. Is it administrative? Is it processing? Is it manufacturing? Is it distribution? What is it that is asking for a special exception from light industrial to industrial in this specific location. If it was anywhere else, I wouldn't have this concern. But we already got one parcel that slipped by us right next to that adjacent. Yeah. Okay. And now we have this parcel. He's coming back a year later asking for a special exception. So I would just love

I suppose he's keep our eyes gonna have a plastics factory. You know? And it I mean, they have them in little towns, you know?

You're not doing it by the Myakahatchee Creek. Right. That's gonna be denied.

Right. But I mean, at some point, that would be revealed. Right, Stefan?

There are many review steps. Again, you will be this will go beyond us. We, for example, with the natural resources team, future. The And a of

about

we

development. But there are many levels of permitting that need to be obtained for whatever gets proposed there. And as much as as we can get passionate about this topic, we are not the ones to tell them whether they can do it or not. We as low if they need if they need the criteria.

And If you give them a special exception.

They would have to take the requirements.

Yeah. But there's still requirements Exactly. That they

But

zoning use.

Again, I'm trying to get ahead of the game because this is what happens all the time that we get surprised by how did what the heck is that doing right there? Are you kidding me? How did that get proved? We have environmental issues here. And that is why I wanted this as a recurring agenda item.

So we can look at what's coming forth before the development review committee, get an advanced notification as it goes through the process. But understanding this particular request for a special exception in its given location from light industrial to industrial, I wanna just keep our eyes on it. And and also, is there a way that when it comes before the P and Z, I guess what, we have to listen then to the P and Z Board's

They're just like the city and that if they follow the rules, they get approved.

But the special exception has to come out. They have to know what they're approving. Exactly.

Their agenda gets posted a week before the So you don't need to listen to the whole meeting. But if you open the agenda, you will see that's an item.

I'll see the same attachments that are in here, which it doesn't tell me what they're doing.

It should be up to the city to do their job to make sure they know what they're doing and approving or not approving it. I don't think us as the Board can tell the city how Well, to do their

I beg to differ because I can go right back and I can go years back to the Heron Creek Conservation Plan that got away for twenty some odd years. And we finally got our eyes on it and we did something. So there are things that the EAP can do, that the citizens can do. Purpose of this board is citizen oversight. We can raise awareness. We can come before the commission with a memo and say this came before us. These are our concerns. Can you make any additional adjustments, maybe to buffers, to this, that, the other thing? We can do that. They they could listen to us, or they don't have to listen to us.

But at least there are eyeballs on it that we have knowledge of what's going on and we're not just constantly surprised with how'd that get there? How'd that get approved? Why why is that parcel not in conservation? Oh, because it has commercial value. Seriously?

So I guess one of

the reasons you brought this topic up

was Exactly.

Wanting to know about environmental sensitive new development. Because we had taken off the agenda in the past because he was they were bringing up, you know, new projects, which really was just here's what's going on.

And I think it was taking up too much of the board's time for Stephane to present a half an hour of all the projects, which is Yeah. Why I'm So I can keep my eye on it and bring it forth if there's any project that I feel warrants us to have an eyeball on it, which is what I've done and I found two.

So our output is a recommendation.

I think we can't have a recommendation until we know what they're going to do. Why the special exception from light industrial to industrial on this particular project? And they won't, according to the

procedures I've read all this stuff.

Yeah. According to the procedures, we have to wait. And it hopefully, it's brought up to when the PNC looks at it.

And if if I may, sometimes they don't know because their intent is to develop it, change the change the zoning, develop it, and and sell it to an industrial business. They may have

some details. Sometimes

they may not.

As a board, then we can make a recommendation like you had started that we would like to have a little bit more information and maybe they would require additional information when you're asking for a specific type of exception in a sensitive zone.

I have a pertinent question.

We can't change that. We can't ask to have it We can make the right recommend. Yeah.

We can recommend anything like we want as long as it's in the charter. I

have a pertinent question, I hope. Just because I don't know. But in the ULDC, are our waterways, our drinking waterways protected with bigger buffers? Or it makes me think that our waterways aren't protected at all from building. And I remember that being addressed when we went over the ULDC last year.

So there's an entire different aspect that pertain to stormwater management because usually that's the impact from a site to the adjacent waterways. So there's a state level permitting, federal level permitting. There's a variety of rules that need to be met by the applicant for any project.

Okay. Well, that's storm water that takes things into the river and carry them away. But the Mayaka is something we get our drinking water from. So I would like to know I mean, cities have reservoirs and stuff like that. We don't have anything like that. We are totally dependent on natural occurring river. And I would my dream is to say, the whole thing's protected. You know, you can't have any kind of runoff into it. Well, that ain't gonna happen. Know?

Well,

know what I'm talking about. You

can't I

wouldn't Let's

get back to the topic of this one at least So we can keep this as an ongoing agenda item Yes. For environmental concerns. So I think that's and then anything in the new agendas, we'll talk about that. Alright. So we're good on twenty six dash zero five a p. Make this a recurring item.

Yep.

Alright. Good. Alright. Moving on updates. 260577, new environmental board member introduction. I doubt there's nothing new, so we'll go on move on to the next one. 260579, update from Natural Resource Division. Stefan, you got anything for us?

Yeah. A couple of things. Thank you, chair. So the city natural resource is being we've recently submitted the Tree City USA and Tree City Growth Awards. And we we got we got just recently awarded.

So for twenty sixth year as a three city USA city and sixth year as a growth award. It's something that's just prestigious, makes us look good, and it shows that there's commitment compared to many other places that do not have that. So good news there. We have a free giveaway event scheduled for the twenty fourth that falls on National Arbor Day. This time, we have purchased 250 trees instead of 100, and the event is starting at 4PM until 6PM to accommodate working class residents and other citizens who are not able to be here in the morning.

So a residency is required. There will be five different species of native trees available, resident. Also, recently, we launched our landscape compliance program, and I'm excited to say that we've already trees approached a couple of businesses whose landscaping was deficient. And we were impressed how proactive and quick they are in trying to come up with a plan to correct their deficiencies. So one side alone needs a bank, local bank.

They have quite, I think, 20 trees that they're missing around their around their property. So that's just an example of how we are trying to make the city better. It's something that these businesses promised to do to maintain their landscape, but over the past, simply, was no any program to over or oversight. So, eventually, they just stopped doing. So and now they have to, which hopefully will set a good example for others, and we are tracking things internally to make sure that we get things where they need to be.

Another one, just a heads up, we have the Great American Cleanup that's coming up on April 18, and there will be a group of volunteers and employees cleaning couple of areas around Northport. So if you're interested, that's going to be a great opportunity to get outside and to put the bring plenty of water you need it. It's pretty hot.

Can I ask questions? Or do I wait till you're all finished with your

Either way. Okay.

On the Great American Cleanup, have noticed the Warm Mineral Springs Creek is clogged. You know how you're going right off that little bridge if you're if you're going on Triompho?

Okay. Okay.

Towards the Springs, the little creek that you go over, both sides are completely blocked and stagnant.

Is that within city jurisdiction?

I that's it's interesting because the cutoff outside. That's what I'm trying to say. But I remember years ago, we did clean up that creek and pulled all sorts of household items out of that creek, refrigerators, ovens. Mean, but it's it's totally stagnant. Can you look into that Yeah. To see if that's because is this cleanup county or city? Or

So I believe it's a

I thought it was a joint.

It's a joint effort for sure. And there are a few other areas around the county, but I am not sure exactly where those are gonna be. But this one, I believe, will be along Sumter Sumter Boulevard, but I can I can find out?

So each year they target specific locations within So an

Do we get tools? How do

we get the Warm Mineral Springs Creek looked into? Can you at least check into that and see as far as jurisdiction goes? Is that city, county? What is it? Because it's horrible. I mean, it's, you know, a concern.

What you can always do, we have a what's called the North Port Report app. You have a concern like this, you can take a picture and send it through the app. That's that's how normally that would go, but I can definitely look into this a bit further and see what I can find. But, normally, public works and parks and recreation staff, they they ensure that the stream runs properly or the warm mineral springs flows flows out properly. It can take a look.

Okay. And the other thing is where do you where does the city purchase their trees from?

It's a I can check with

Is it a nursery? Is it a public nursery? Is it

It's a nursery.

Oh, it is?

Yes. Yes, ma'am. Okay.

We have some vision to potentially have our own our own city nursery. I think that over over time, that might save us some money.

Yeah.

But right now, yes. And we there's quite a deficiency of many species right now. Right. So Ryan, who's the urban forester, he's, at times, scrambling to try to find the desired amount of trees. But it's a Sarasota County based nursery.

Okay.

We always try to find something in Northport. And if not, then we go out Sarasota County.

Okay. And one more question on the landscape compliance program. Is that strictly commercial properties? Or does that go into residential areas like the scrub J zones?

Right now, the program is limited for commercial and HOA.

Okay.

If you have stand alone single family residential parcel of concern, you can always reach out to us.

Well, I'm just looking at the criteria for the Scrub J zones in the ULDC Yes. As we spoke about in years and years and years to have certain trees planted with new home building. Yeah. And And it's not being followed.

They do have they need to obtain their U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services approval. And in many cases, they just recommend

But this is in the city's criteria. It's in the ULDC. These trees are to be planted. New buildings, new residential homes are to have these required trees planted.

Correct.

It's not being followed is what I'm saying. I drive around my air and I say, where's the scrub bugs? I got frigging palm trees. You know? So the criteria is not being followed.

We are trying to

I'm bringing it to your attention because I wanted to ask specifically about the landscape compliance program. So if it's not being followed, I don't want to go to the North Port report because this is an EAB concern. It's a protected zone.

It really depends when was the permit approved. So we may be under the older Unified Land Development. But if if that's

the current

one, can look into it, definitely. And if you're

not I'm not gonna report it because then my name

Yeah. Yeah.

And then I get harassed by the person who I just reported, like like what happened to me before when I reported his trees being cut. And now I was a victim of harassment and threats. So because of that law that they made that now everything is public record, and here's my name, Robin, reported me. It's a developer situation. It's not the homeowner. It's the developer who then or the builder, right, builds that home and you're required in the scrub day zone to plant a certain amount of scrub oaks.

You're making a good point because that's the best time to plant it. One seed.

Well, that's what's supposed to be done. So if it's not being done, this is then for the landscape compliance program. When it expands, can it be expanded to certain locations like the Scrub J zone where we have certain criteria?

It's all about staff time and it's something that we I I am personally going to have a conversation with my staff just to make sure that for future projects that occurs. So I think that's a good starting point because that doesn't require any additional additional staff time. As far as existing properties

Oh, I'm not Yeah. Dealing with yeah.

We can maybe we'll get there one day. But right now, we feel that commercial and HOA, we can get a great impact for not that much extra time.

Yeah. And also, you've got the nonprofit organizations who are willing to help you to go out there. You know, when we know that you're limited with staff and you can't do all the things that we'd like to see the department do. So we do have nonprofits that are waiting to help that you can utilize if need be to help oversee, hey, such and such not being done. Go check out address so and so. But keep my name off the record.

Okay.

One just quick question or comment on the tree thing, which I love. I think that's a great program. Might be worth considering in the communication first two fifty or something like that. So the expectations are a little better. Because, right, I mean, you guys hand down 100 trees, and all you did was catch hell for it because, right, people showed up afterwards. That might be worth considering.

We try to be crystal clear that there's limited number of trees. And we shorten the window.

Yeah. I mean, I'm just I'd consider that. Good amount

of feedback. So we try to Yes.

Thank you.

Thank Very good. That's all I can.

Very good. Alright. Moving on. Future agenda items we'd like to propose to discuss. Yes, sir.

If I may, chair, just want to remind the board that we currently have three items that were brought up under the future agenda item discussion in previous meetings. So expect those coming on the agenda either for next meeting or the meeting after. First one is discussion and possible action regarding ideas to enhance the city's natural resources and improve Northport's attractiveness to residents and visitors. That was proposed by member Ike on February 2. Next item, discussion and possible action regarding the review of the environmental advisory board's powers and duties according to the city code brought up by member Sam Vicente, February 2.

And then presentation regarding the unified land development code that was brought up by member Drum and member Sami Cente. Sorry. Chair Drum. Member Sami Cente, March 2. So it's something that I will be bringing up soon as well. Just wanted to let you know so you'll discuss or propose those.

Okay. Additional items to discuss? Well,

I would like to see more discussion every meeting about wild because I feel they're really being, sort of pushed to Sutton. Well, we have a lot on our table. But we've been talking about wildlife corridors, and we've been talking about what do we have in terms of wildlife. We have an idea, a general idea, and I realize it's impossible to do a count. But, I suggest that maybe we could hire a drone and give us a, you know, when they extrapolate data from so much.

And I really want to keep wildlife, not just trees, not just development. And I wanna keep that central to our meeting that we at least have it as an ongoing item that we can discuss it.

I think I brought something like that up when I asked you for the, I think you're gonna incorporate it into the scorecard for the protected species,

right? Yep. And there were some suggestions about improving the wildlife parameter in the scorecard. So those will be incorporated.

So that would be in an annual report? Yes. Okay. And what you're saying is as a continuing agenda item

Yeah, to I discuss do. Because, you know, you've been great discussing individual projects and things like that. But there's a lot left out, Okay? And, you know, we also have invasive species, much as I think they're cute, but our little wild boar thing out in Myakka. And, I just wanna know what's going on and without having to tramp over a 104 square miles. You know, what do we have? I know our lake did have an otter and a mink, and I saw a otter dead on the roadside. So, you know, I wanna know

what's going on. Are you looking to know, like, what do we have within

I the wanna what we have,

not just to protect this

species, But I think that the more variety we have, it protects the protected species. It keeps the nature the balance of nature. What I just wanted to have it on at the board for whatever concerns we have, whatever wish, hopes, and dreams we have. And I really would like to see some kind of population

thrown out there. What do we have?

And I'd another former member was very adamant about having what do we have, what do we know. And it's I don't think it's, I don't think it's unreasonable to try to either get a drone or get somebody that has a drone and do an annual you have a walkout.

I guess so.

So maybe it's an agenda

item that says Well, that's what I'm saying.

Discussion and possible action regarding a wildlife survey in Northport.

Or anything. Anything about wildlife.

That's wildlife. Well, yeah, you need a survey in order to see what we got. But that's that's a huge

on the agenda. And if it's going to be a recurring agenda, that will be up to the board to decide.

Right now,

it's a include something on there.

So that's my request. We just keep it.

Thank you, man.

All right. So she made a motion to

make it There's no need.

Okay. You got it.

It relates to the duties of the board.

I would like to see a future agenda item for the wildflower projects within the city to plant areas. I'd like see a project formulated where we actually have that. Where can we incorporate wildflower habitats?

When they don't cut

the pollinators, they come up. That's probably other I think we incorporated no mo zones in a lot of the retention ponds, except the ones by the high school, where they're all browned out over They the mowed by

ours. Maybe

They're browned out with

board. So

Yeah. That's the problem. They are. You know?

Yeah.

Yeah. And

they do their own thing.

Yeah. Sort of like a north

I can can add it on my list for future agenda items.

Okay.

Thank you.

Any other items?

One thing I wanted to ask is do we as a board have any influence over recycling in our community?

Over what? Recycling? Yeah, absolutely. Because one

of my concerns was Northport High School's lack of recycling. I know that that's been an issue since I'm sure since before I arrived, but since I arrived freshman year, I was a bit appalled by finding out that they don't have recycling at the school.

That's crazy.

I did

hear all that. I'm surprised to hear that too.

Yeah, really. So normally, schools, again, they would be under the school board. So they have their own governing system. But it's something that We

can certainly

make a recommendation.

I was just gonna say.

Right? Yeah. It's it's absolutely within the purview of the board, so I can include an item. Would you like it to be specific towards school or perhaps citywide? Or

I think that's something I'd have to look more into because all I'm aware of is Northport High School right now. I'm not sure about any of the middle schools in our city or elementary schools, but that's something I would be willing to look more into.

Yeah. Know in Port Charlotte, used have a program that you brought in your bottle caps, plastic bottle caps, and donated them. And the school did something with them, made them in the benches or something. Right? They don't do that anymore, do they?

I

don't think so, but I think it's a great idea.

Can I ask you a question, Megan? Are you on the high school's environmental

I was previously. My freshman year, I was involved in it. Unfortunately, I'm not right now. But I would be willing to get back into it and discuss things with

the club. That would help us out to learn more what they're doing. Maybe we can coordinate their concerns with ours and make joint recommendations and so forth.

That was something we've been discussing for a while and we did just get a new principal. I think like a lot of changes are happening to Northport High School so they may be more open to allowing different things.

Okay. Cool. So at each meeting, you have an opportunity to bring additional items for future discussions. That's why we're so happy to have a student

Yeah, really. Representation.

Great. Really makes a difference.

All right. I think that wraps that up. Any public comments?

No public comments.

All right. With that, adjourn the meeting. Thank you all.

Thank you.

Great meeting.