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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04072015NRB AgendaQ1Y c7F HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD AGENDA REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015 - 6:00 P.M. 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL "To improve the quality of life in Sebastian by nurturing the balanced relationship between our citizens and our environment by protecting, preserving and promoting our natural resources" 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 3, 2015 Regular Meeting 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS 6. PUBLIC INPUT 7. OLD BUSINESS A. Oyster Bed Restoration Project Update i. Report from Proposed Eagle Scout Candidate John Giordano ii. Commander Walter Seppala, Sebastian Inlet Power Squadron B. Earth Day Planning — April 18, 2015 i. Vendor Coordination C. Discussion of North County Sewer Installation 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Participation in KIRB Community Projects: Great American Cleanup - TBA Recycle Regatta - TBA International Coastal Cleanup - Sept. 19 B. Earmark Funds in Board's Special Event Budget $2,500 9. MEMBER MATTERS 10. STAFF MATTERS 11. ADJOURNMENT ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE ON THE ABOVE MATTERS, WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. SAID APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE DATE OF ACTION. (286.0905 F. S). IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CITY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT (407)-589-5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. TWO OR MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAYBE IN ATTENDANCE. CR OF ',0AS1 IN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015 - 6:00 P.M. 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL "To Improve the quality of life in Sebastian by nurturing the balanced relationship between our citizens and our environment by protecting, preserving and promoting our natural resources" 1. Chairman Northcott called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Alan Northcott — Chairman Gil Gordian — Vice Chairman Rose Glaser Bob Progulske Andrea Ring James Clifton - Alternate Jack Lampiasi — Alternate Absent: George Millar Also Present: Frank Watanabe, P.E., City Engineer Michelle Stromberg, Environmental Specialist Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 3, 2015 Regular Meeting The minutes were accepted with the following amendments: Page 1, under page also present, it was requested to add the word "Prospective" to John Giordano, Eagle Scout Candidate Page 1, change the word "appoved" to "approved" 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairman Northcott announced former City Attorney Rich Stringer passed away last night. He also thanked the Board members that staffed their table at the EcoFest. 6. PUBLIC INPUT - None 7. OLD BUSINESS A. Indian River County Day of Service — April 25, 2015 i. Use of City Boat The City Engineer said due to insufficient staff, the boat cannot be used for island clean-ups. Discussion followed on cleaning the shoreline, marking gopher tortoises, or identifying champion trees. There was no interest in participating with the Day of Service. B. Oyster Bed Restoration Project Update i. Spat Viability Report from Matthew Anderson, Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve Office Mr. Anderson introduced himself; said he was the oyster reef coordinator for the aquatic preserve office; described the 2-3 year life span of oysters noting limiting factors are Natural Resources Board Meeting March 3, 2015 Page Two salinity, temperature, boat wave activity, and predators. On the overhead projector, he displayed photos of a shoreline under restoration, oyster mats that flipped over due to wave energy with algal growth. Mr. Anderson displayed an oyster T that can be placed in a potential mat area to check spat viability. On the overhead, he displayed pictures of oyster shells with a slipper snail, barnacle and dead oysters so the Board would be able to identify living spat/oysters. He said the preserve office is discovering the same number of live and dead oysters over many months on natural reefs in the Indian River Lagoon. The major causes of death are timing, pathogens (due to water quality), and predation. He said the permit will dictate that oyster bags should be placed 10 feet from the mean high water level and subtidal or intertidal oysters could germinate. The intertidal oyster will adjust to different water periods but survival would be better with more water. Chairman Northcott noted the areas they identified will be under water. Mr. Anderson said they would probably get biovalve tunicate oysters; he cautioned that getting the oysters to the adult stage with cementation and bridging will be a challenge in this part of the Indian River Lagoon. Mr. Anderson said they could test the water quality but what comes with the water is harmful to the oysters such as algal blooms. He said the mats will cover quickly with algae. His office will be switching from a coconut fiber bag to an aqua culture grade plastic bag for their restoration. He advised they won't find oysters in high salinity and temperature areas so they should place their T's where there were oysters as soon as possible. He also advised that if their mats are not successful, they will have at least created habitats for other organisms. The City Engineer stated their shells have been in the sun for a couple of months now and asked if they needed to bleached. Mr. Anderson said a three month quarantine is needed and the shells are almost there. ii. Status of Army Corp of Engineers Permit 6.45 pm Mr. Progulske said he met with City Engineer; the Environmental Technician will help prepare the site maps; and he left messages with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and St Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) to see if they required concurrent permitting. Mr. Anderson said the Army Corp of Engineers requires a permit because of the navigable waterway; the state agencies are concerned with existing sea grass or oyster reefs. He also reported the Army Corp permit has not been submitted at this point; even though the mats might be placed in the shoreline, the regional Army Corp permit will still be required. Mr. Gordian suggested they do the pilot testing with the T's and have the kids construct and store the mats. The Prospective Eagle Scout Candidate will make the first round of material purchasing with oversight by the Board members. Natural Resources Board Meeting March 3, 2015 Page Three C. Earth Day Planning — April 18, 2015 L Is the Board allowed to seek door prizes on letterhead Mr. Gordian said he submitted a draft donation letter and asked if they could seek donations. (see attached) The Environmental Technician advised them to draft a letter and submit it for approval to the City Manager and City Clerk. Mr. Gordian asked if they could use the letter he already submitted. The City Engineer said he did not read the submitted letter but did not see a problem with producing approved letters. MOTION by Mr. Progulske with a SECOND by Ms. Glaser to have Chairman Northcott draft and sign a letter passed with a voice vote of 6-0. ii. Assign members to write door prize letters Chairman Northcott will draft the letter. iii. Assign members to do follow up vendor phone calls Mr. Gordian reported that to date, they have about 18-20 vendors signed up for Earth Day with 6-8 food vendors; he suggested having Members follow up with the vendors before the next meeting; and he has recruited three performers. The City Engineer let them know they might see construction by the Splash Pad and overflow parking during their event. MOTION by Mr. Lampiasi and SECOND by Mr. Progulske to have Mr. Gordian provide a list of vendors to each member (one-way communication) for them to follow up with before the next Board meeting passed with a voice vote of 6-0. The City Engineer said there are two Tupperware boxes of Board supplies they are welcome to use for the event and he will have the PW Department hang their road banner. 8. NEW BUSINESS 7.10 pm A. Review of Board mission statement and support by City staff The City Engineer gave a brief Board history and said the mission statement is meant to encourage and support environmental issues. He said the Environmental Technician will be the Board's liaison, he will help with higher issues/City resources, and the Recording Secretary will provide the minutes and agenda. He explained the Technician will support the Board as a whole, not individual members, and needs to report/receive authorization from him. Chairman Northcott said the Board should be involved in other ways beyond the planning of Earth Day and cleaning spoil islands. He asked the Board what they thought when they would be doing when they joined the Board. Ms. Ring noted the North County Sewer Project will only benefit Roseland and a small portion of businesses; she would like to give residents an incentive to hook-up to sewer. The City Engineer suggested the Board re-agendize the project to come up with recommendations for Council. Ms. Ring said incentive might be found in Code Section 102- 33 that improved property must be hooked up to the system within 30 days of installation of meters. Natural Resources Board Meeting March 3, 2015 Page Four Mr. Progulske said he thought the Board would put on Earth Day and use their collective expertise to advise Council on issues such as sewer, landscaping codes. The City Engineer agreed some of the codes will be reviewed in the next few months and the Board will look at some of the issues that will also go to the Planning and Zoning Commission. In regard to their $2,500 allotment in the City FY15 budget, the City Engineer advised them that they could use it educate the public with brochures, banners, name plates and marketing tools. He advised that gas reimbursement would be a grey area and they should steer towards promotional items such as a portable booth for festivals, posters, kid trinkets, etc. Mr. Progulske asked if it would have been appropriate to ask Council to reconsider Jane Schnee's request to environmentally burn her property. The City Engineer said if the Board thought as a whole, they could give some guidance but ultimately Council would make the call. The City Engineer said Council is watching the meetings, reading the minutes and if the Board would like to agendize a recommendation it could be done and then taken to a City Council meeting. Mr. Clifton said the Board should be the clearing house for environmental natural resources type of questions and based on the Board's resolution then they should go forward to Council. Chairman Northcott said the Board could set general guidelines and negotiate with the Planning and Zoning Commission. The City Engineer said the Board could make recommendations but would not have authority over Planning and Zoning's actions. Mr. Gordian asked how they could limit Brazilian peppers on City property. The City Engineer explained there is insufficient staff, it would require permitting/licensed herbicide sprayers, desired plants could be removed by accident; he said the City does not have the resources at this time to remove Brazilian peppers unless City Council would like to provide revenue. Mr. Progulske suggested an alternative might be to educate and encourage citizens to remove the peppers. Chairman Northcott asked the Board to continue their discussion on education to the next meeting. Mr. Progulske said there are many resources to help educate what is native and non-native vegetation. 9. MEMBER MATTERS Chairman Northcott noted the Environmental Learning Center was charged for use of the City's bandshell at the Ecofest and asked if non-profit entities were in fact charged for use of the City's bandshell. The City Engineer said he thought it was loaned to other agencies and would check on it. The City Engineer said he would see if the Board could use the P.A. system for Earth Day. 10. STAFF MATTERS — None 11. Being no further business, Chairman Northcott adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 7: 51 p.m. By: Chairman Alan Northcott Date