Highland Beach advisory board plans October and December outreach, schedules November dune restoration briefing

The Natural Resource Preservation Advisory Board of the Town of Highland Beach agreed on plans for two community outreach appearances — a smaller event on Oct. 23 and the larger annual “Mingle Jingle” on Dec. 4 — and discussed supporting materials, a short dune-education quiz and a raffle to attract attendance.

At the start of the presentation, Ingrid Allen, town planner, said, "For the record, Ingrid Allen town planner," and reviewed follow-up items from the board's May 7 meeting, including event invitations and contact coordination with the town manager's office. Allen told the board she had asked the manager's office to reserve a table for the board at both Oct. 23 and Dec. 4 events and that Madison Noonan, assistant to the town manager, is managing event logistics.

Why it matters: board members said direct public engagement is the primary avenue to teach residents about dune-friendly planting, to correct misperceptions about costs, and to recruit volunteer support for restoration work.

Board members agreed to test a short, multiple-choice quiz (3–5 questions) at the table to educate passersby about which plants are appropriate for dunes and to include one question on the board’s responsibilities. Those who answer all questions correctly would be entered in a raffle for a small prize; board members discussed seeking a local restaurant to sponsor a dinner-for-two or a $50 voucher rather than municipal purchases. The group decided quiz sheets should be printed (an early estimate: 30–40 copies) and distributed at the events; the town planner said the town could likely print that number once the board finalized the draft.

The board confirmed consultant Dan Belante will present at a separate, larger dune-restoration briefing at the Delray Sands Hotel on Nov. 12. Allen said the town has approved $1,200 toward the Nov. 12 event and that the hotel will serve a continental breakfast (Allen described the per-person catering estimate as roughly $30–$40). Allen said attendees would pay a $10 valet-parking fee at the hotel; she also said a contract for the hotel event has been processed through the town manager's office.

Logistics and roles: new board member Kiki Baxter agreed to serve as the event RSVP coordinator for the Delray Sands briefing; Allen will send Baxter the editable invitation Word file and the manager/venue contact information. The board discussed asking RSVPs by Oct. 31 for the Nov. 12 briefing (to fit a room cap of about 30 people) and possibly allowing a small oversubscribe (35–38) to allow for no-shows. Allen said she will check and report back to the board on the room reservation window and whether the start time should be 9:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.; the board left the tentative start time at 9:30 a.m.

Materials and outreach: board members volunteered to bring laminated plant photos, a poster easel and small decorations for the October and December tables. The board asked Allen to confirm whether a resident volunteer (former member Chris Villegas) may staff a table and whether town procurement rules or the town manager would object to donated gift prizes or a restaurant-sponsored prize.

Next steps: Allen will circulate the invitation Word file to Baxter and to the board for edits within 48 hours; Baxter will handle RSVPs for the Nov. 12 briefing. The board will finalize quiz questions by email and coordinate printing. The board also asked Allen to confirm whether the town will provide recycling containers at the events and to report back.

Ending: The board framed the Oct. 23 and Dec. 4 outreach slots as opportunities to teach residents (including condominium managers) about cost-effective dune restoration and volunteer opportunities, and to drive attendance to the Nov. 12 expert briefing at the Delray Sands.