2025-05-14 SRC MinutesSUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY COMMITTEE
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Council Chambers
10050 NE 2nd Avenue
6:30pm
Minutes
1. CALL TO ORDER – By Chair Ms. Meyer at 6:39pm
2. ROLL CALL:
Present:
Chair Ms. Nicola Meyer
Ms. Lauren Rangel
Ms. Patricia Casey
Ms. Silvia Kang
Mr. Richard Pluhar
Ms. Carol Eannace Respondek
Absent:
None (1 member short of full Committee)
Also present:
Mr. Delroy Peters, Public Works Director & Staff Liaison
3. MINUTES: Minutes approved from Meeting of 2-12-25
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
5. DISCUSSION and POSSIBLE ACTION:
5a. Debriefing of Stormwater workshop. New ideas for future workshops?
Ms. Respondek reviewed the past two workshops – Reducing Stormwater Runoff and Florida
Friendly Landscape. The Stormwater workshop was attended by about 15 people and the
Landscape Workshop was better attended, about 45 people, possibly due to longer and better
promotion. Ms. Casey and Ms. Meyer, who each attended one of the workshops stated that the
workshop, although very interesting, assumed too much knowledge that most homeowner’s
don’t have.
Upcoming workshops – Mr. Peters stated that we may not be ready to have a “living seawall”
workshop in June with Kind Designs, as preliminarily planned. It was suggested that this
workshop be put off until later in the year. The Committee agreed that it would be better to
work toward a September workshop now when more residents can attend (whatever the topic).
Ideas for other workshops –
Composting – Renuable could do this again.
Permeable Driveways – There was a lengthy discussion about this topic suggested by
Mr. Peters. Since MS does not as yet permit permeable driveways and is working on its
Residential Zoning Code, it may be an advantageous time to invite experts to the next
Committee meeting to discuss permeable pavers. It was decided that each Committee
member would research and reach out to experts in the field in the hopes that we can
ask a few experts to join us next month. The preference of the Committee is for
University professors in related fields and landscape architects. Vendors of permeable
pavers are okay, but not preferred. If this next meeting with these experts works out
well, the Committee may want to offer a similar workshop. Included in this topic as well
would be permeable pavers for walkways, pool decks and patios.
Mr. Peters stated that MS is considering permeable pavers for the Flagler Trail project.
Swales – Mr. Peters stated that MS may be offering to revamp swales for residents,
digging them a bit deeper to form a slight depression and covering them with grass.
Parking will not be permitted on the new swales. Committee members had a lively
discussion about this, especially since the new driveway ordinance allows for only 20%
of the property width to be used as a driveway. It was discussed that perhaps this
could/should be raised to 30% if permeable pavers were used in the driveway
(suggested by Ms. Meyer). Ms. Respondek asked about the possibility of using other
plants for the swale rather than grass like cheesy toes or fog fruit – something that
would be more environmentally valuable.
Committee members would like to read the County Impervious Surfaces Ordinance. Mr.
Peters will inquire as to sending the current “red line” version of the Ordinance that MS
is working on to members. The MS Impervious Surfaces Ordinance will be more
stringent than the County.
5b. Bayfront Park Seawall – Living Seawall update
Mr. Peters stated that DERM has approved the Seawall plans. The Kind Designs seawalls will be
offered as a changed order once the NTP has been given, which is expected June/July. The
change order will go to the Council for approval. Mr. Peters stated that MS is committed to
using Kind Designs for the living seawalls.
5c. Changes to Ordinance ARTICLE XI – SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY COMMITTEE to present
to Council
The Committee appreciated and accepted the version created by Ms. Casey.
5d. Neighborhood Cleanups Updates
Sept 20 – Planned for NE 107th Street, South side from Biscayne Blvd. west to the Golf Course.
Ms. Meyer will lead this effort, but cannot supply 5 gallon buckets or gloves, so it is hoped that
Committee members can bring them and trash bags, as well as asking participants to bring their
own supplies. Ms. Rangel’s husband will create a flyer.
Sun., Nov. 2 (after Halloween) possibly in Central Shores.
Ms. Casey suggested that during the Oct walk/bike to school day, may be a good time to
advertise the Nov. cleanup.
The Committee asked Mr. Peters to inquire about the need to provide insurance for cleanups?
6. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Ms. Rangel, Ms. Kang, Ms. Casey and Ms. Meyer would like to see improved information
available on the MS website concerning all kinds of sustainable practices (Recycling, stormwater,
Native or FL Friendly landscape selection, etc). Ms. Meyer will re-send her email request from
last year asking for additional space on the website for SRC. Ms. Rangel offered to coordinate
this effort.
7. NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING – Wednesday, 11 June, 2025 at 6:30pm.
8. ADJOURMENT