Highland Beach advisory board discusses dune-restoration outreach, trash cans and contractor practices

The Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board met in a special session Jan. 29 to review a November presentation on dune restoration, recap the board’s Dec. 5 outreach at the Mingle Jingle event, and discuss resident complaints about limited trash cans and beach-raking contractor practices along Highland Beach.

Board members and residents focused on two immediate community concerns: increasing outreach to beachfront property owners about dune restoration and vegetation, and addressing complaints that mechanical beach-raking has been burying trash and leaving deep tractor ruts.

The board’s discussion opened with a summary of the Nov. 12 presentation to beachfront property owners by APTIM Environmental and Infrastructure LLC. Chairperson Nessel said the presentation was intended to educate property owners about dune vegetation and management. Town staff confirmed a consultant fee of "$1,695, not $1,200," for the workshop and said the APTIM report and the presentation recording are posted on the board’s web page.

Resident David Newman, who identified himself as a volunteer beach cleaner, urged the board to press for more trash receptacles and “bucket trees” in the north beach area, saying, “there are very few garbage cans along the beach.” Newman told the board he often carries large bags of collected trash back to his property because there is no public receptacle nearby.

Newman and several board members also raised concerns about mechanical beach-raking. Multiple participants reported that contractors’ tractor tracks sometimes bury debris in the dunes or create deep ruts that hinder sand transport and dune formation. Town staff advised residents to document potential permit noncompliance and to report concerns to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, saying, “let them know that if you feel that they're not in compliance with the permit, you have to let FDEP know because they're the ones that issue the permit.”

Contractor names were discussed by residents during the meeting; Universal Beach Services was identified by name and another contractor was spoken of as "Dreyker" (spelling not consistent in the transcript). Town staff noted beach-rake operations and contracts are private agreements between property owners and the companies, and the town historically has not issued operating directions for privately contracted rakers. Staff suggested residents first contact the contractor directly and, if unresolved, file complaints with FDEP.

Board members reviewed outreach outcomes from Dec. 5’s Mingle Jingle event and from the Nov. 12 APTIM workshop. Members said the presentation was informative but turnout was small: a board member estimated about five or six beachfront property owners attended the APTIM session, while Mingle Jingle allowed the board to interact with roughly 20 residents. Town staff said the Nov. 12 workshop was publicized via an email blast, the town website and the town newsletter.

Participants recommended several near-term follow-ups: add a standing agenda item for trash cans and bucket-tree outreach; prepare a short tri-fold brochure listing key dune-restoration links (with QR codes) and keep printed folders at the building department counter; and try to schedule another spring presentation by the APTIM presenter if funding allows. Town staff said they would discuss the possibility and cost with the town manager.

The board assigned homework to members: review the natural-resources web page and bring three recommended links for a brochure to the Feb. 5 regular meeting; compile a short list of large condominium properties that could host outreach events; and, where possible, invite three residents each to the next event to increase turnout.

No formal votes were taken during the special meeting. Instead, members agreed to the outreach and staff follow-ups described above. Town staff reiterated the permit-enforcement pathway for complaints about beach-raking: contact the contractor, document incidents (photos/videos), and report potential violations to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The meeting closed with the board setting the next regular meeting for Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. and the chair noting the group’s homework and outreach assignments.