Gager outlined the serious implications of artificial lighting on sea turtles, including disorientations of adults and hatchlings, and provided background on the successes of lighting retrofit projects. The Conservancy’s involvement and willingness to assist in the education of the community and the committee were pivotal in the decision-making process. The committee recognized the need for updating the ordinance, with the 1993 model deemed outdated compared to the more effective 2020 State model.

The committee delved into discussions about various factors affecting sea turtle nesting, including the role of barricades, the impact of interior lighting, and the use of curtains or turtle glass in buildings. There was acknowledgment of the lengthy compliance timeline due to the custom-made nature of retrofitting lights. The Sea Turtle Conservancy’s offer to provide examples of beach furniture ordinances and business impact statements was discussed, with the city attorney inquiring about the business impact statement for the ordinance.

Public comments contributed to the urgency of the matter, with concerns raised about the enforcement of existing no fireworks policies and the disruption they cause to nesting shorebirds. This led to the confirmation of the city’s no fireworks policy and the hiring of extra officers to ensure its enforcement during events.

The broader implications of lighting on wildlife and the environment were highlighted by public comment from Lesle Price, which included the effects on nocturnal animals and migrating birds. The committee pondered over the need to analyze the 2020 model ordinance and coordinate with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to enhance the city codes. The language of the motion was debated, with the committee ultimately deciding to instruct the staff and city attorney to work on an amendment that would discourage attracting sharks to swimming areas and prevent commercial shark fishing on the beaches.

Additionally, the committee tackled the issue of dune preservation, emphasizing the importance of keeping people off the dunes, planting appropriate vegetation, and avoiding invasive plants. The debate on the efficacy of rope and post fences versus elevated walkways for dune preservation revealed differing preferences, with some members favoring natural dunes and sand trails over boardwalks. The need for education on dune preservation and the enforcement of rules to prevent unauthorized access were also discussed.

The meeting addressed the removal of invasive plants, such as the Australian Pines, and considered budgeting for this issue. A suggestion was made to draft a one-pager of instructions for long-term dune preservation, which received support from the committee. The public input included concerns about invasive plants and the need for explicit language in the ordinance to prohibit their planting.

Lastly, the committee planned to revisit the PowerPoint presentation to highlight the changes in the ordinance. The proposed changes in the ordinance were scrutinized for language and formatting, with the goal of ensuring the codes are clear and easily understandable.