Joint Water and Climate Policy Board appoints municipal and citizen members, names youth representative

The Joint Water and Climate Policy Board for Alachua County met Oct. 6 and approved nominations to fill municipal and Citizen Climate Advisory Committee (CCAC) seats. Chair (speaker S1) opened the item by noting four municipal nominees and asking any present to speak. "We get to approve our new municipal member," the chair said.

After brief remarks from applicants and a roll-call, the board selected Catherine White (city of High Springs) for the municipal member seat; the chair announced, "we have 4 votes for Katherine." The meeting record shows the municipal-seat vote concluded in favor of White and she was invited to participate in the remainder of the meeting.

Several CCAC seats were also filled. Applicants presented brief remarks: David Massey (from Micanopy) said simply, "It's water. That's a critical issue in Micanopy," while Oliver Flanagan, the youth candidate, said he "really care[s] about the environment" and wants to "communicate with other youth" on local decision-making. Richard Devereaux described his work on food-waste collection and composting and said, "If I could wave a magic wand and make food waste collection universal in Alachua County... I certainly would." Sandy Vardaman described 19 years of experience in Alachua County's land-conservation work.

The board took nominations and approved three citizens at large — identified in the meeting as Monroe, Quinlan and Vardaman — and appointed Richard Devereaux as the CCAC alternate for a one-year term. The board then unanimously appointed Oliver Flanagan as the CCAC youth member.

Motions to approve the agenda and minutes were taken at the start of the meeting and were carried unanimously before appointments were considered. The meeting adjourned after a brief public-comment period and scheduling items were discussed.

The board did not take other formal policy votes at this meeting. Next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6.