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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06022015NRB MinutesMcf SE�T�N HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 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 Members Present: Staff Present: Alan Northcott — Chairman Frank Watanabe, City Engineer Rose Glaser Michelle Stromberg, Environmental Specialist Bob Progulske Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary Andrea Ring James Clifton —Alternate Jack Lampiasi — Alternate Members Not Present: Gil Gordian —Vice Chairman (excused) George Millar (excused) 4. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS - None 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —May 5, 2015 Meeting The May 5, 2015 minutes were accepted as presented. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Oyster Mat Project Update i. Permits Submitted to Army Corp & SJRWMD (Permits) The Environmental Specialist reported that SJRWMD has received their permit but not reviewed it. The Army Corp of Engineers permit has also been submitted. Chairman Northcott noted at the last meeting they were advised to review the permits together as a Board before submittal and asked why they were sent off. The City Engineer responded that he submitted the permits on-line to expedite the process. Mr. Progulske added that locations D and E were included in the permits so they have some flexibility with placement. The Environmental Specialist distributed a placement drawing requested by the SJRWMD. (see attached) The City Engineer explained it depicted the layout of 250 - 16" by 16" mats. He also said SJRWMD will do a field review with the Specialist. Natural Resources Board Meeting June 2, 2015 Page Two Chairman Northcott cited the notation on the layout, "wire mesh panels 2'x 4' with concrete rubble to be placed on top of base," noting that is not a 16" by 16" mat using cement donuts as anchors. The City Engineer said the layout was rushed and the Specialist was trying to show the square footage of the rectangular area using only four donuts total. Board members pointed out that each mat uses four donuts. The City Engineer agreed stating more donuts would be needed and that more were not included in the initial funding that Council approved. He added that at this point the permits are going to be concerned with how they would be bringing the mats out to the water and the impact to the shoreline and water quality. Chairman Northcott cited the Army Corp's permit on page nine that the donuts would be placed at the intersections. Mr. Progulske said that he did copy the Power Squadron's permit explanation and they would probably have flexibility when SJRWMD does the site visit with the Specialist. The City Engineer apologized for not catching the amount of donuts to be used and noted for the record, the submitted permits will need to be modified at this point. Mr. Progulske said he appreciated the Specialist's drawing to give SJRWMD an idea of the layout noting SJRWMD is very supportive of the project. Chairman Northcott also noted the layout shows 750 ft.Z of coverage which did not match the proposed 250 16" x 16" mats. The City Engineer said he would revise the layout noting he was trying to expedite the permits. ii. Can the Board Spend Remainder of $2.500 Budget Allocation for Supplies The City Engineer noted some of the money was disbursed for the Earth Day event and he thought the City Manager would support the purchase of supplies as long as the Board members agreed together on the disbursements. iii. Status of Proposed Eagle Scout Proiect The City Engineer said he had sent an e-mail to the Eagle Scout Candidate's father to have them come to the meeting but he did not hear from them. At this point, there was no determination as to whether the Eagle Scout Board has approved the Candidate's project. The City Engineer confirmed that the Eagle Scout allocation would cover one phase and the Board's $2,500 would cover more mats or to go forward without the Candidate. Ms. Ring asked if the Board had any other needs for their $2,500 allocation. Chairman Northcott advised he would not like to spend the allocation at this point and noted they do have some time for the permits to get approved. Mr. Progulske thanked the City Engineer and Environmental Specialist for their help With the permits. Chairman Northcott thanked Mr. Progulske for spearheading the permit applications. Natural Resources Board Meeting June 2, 2015 Page Three The City Engineer conveyed a message from Mr. Gordian that the spat traps have proved to be successful. 7. PUBLIC INPUT -None. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Champion Tree Program (Resolution. List of Champions. Copy of Proclamation) Mr. Clifton noted the program is listed on their website. He said on the state's website trees are listed with locations (if they are not on private property) along with some photographs; there are six champion trees in McKee Botanical Gardens and if the Board wanted to be responsible for the program, some of the trees should be re- measured or determined if they still exist or at the very least take the program off their website. Discussion followed on the complexity of measuring a tree. Ms. Ring said that she thought there was a City employee that measures trees. The City Engineer confirmed the City does conduct tree inspections as required by Code and if the Board wanted to restart the program he would look into training for the Board members. Mr. Progulske suggested the Board determine what standards they want to use to declare a champion tree, should they separate species, and if they should include non-native trees. The City Engineer offered to provide a summary of the program's history and see if the Board wants to continue at the next meeting. B. Upcoming Local Events (Registration Form. Liability Release) Ms. Glaser said she would participate as an individual. ii. Keep Indian River Beautiful Events (Information) It was determined the Board did not have any materials to display at a table at the Indian River Mall. The Board agreed to watch for events they might want to participate in. C. Earth Day 2016 i. Reserve Riverview Park and Bandshell for April 16 or April 23 The Environmental Specialist offered to see if the Park was available for those two dates and report back to the Board. Natural Resources Board Meeting June 2, 2015 Page Four 9. STAFF MATTERS The City Engineer said in his e-mail from Gil Gordian that he would be absent, he believes there was a request to purchase supplies from the Autumn Plant. (Editor's Note: Mr. Gordian's e-mail references Austin Map Project.) The City Engineer said this should be placed on the next agenda to give Mr. Gordian a chance to explain his request and have the Board vote as a whole on the request. In response to Mr. Lampiasi, the City Engineer confirmed Board members could send one-way e-mails to each other and have an open dialog with staff if needed. 10. MEMBER MATTERS Ms. Glaser asked if thank you letters were sent out to Earth Day vendors and prize donors. It was determined that Mr. Gordian still had the vendor list. Ms. Ring volunteered to compile a vendor list. The City Engineer offered to obtain the list from Mr. Gordian, duplicate it and provide the list to all Board members. Mr. Lampiasi noted his term will expire on his birthday and asked what the reappointment process would be. The Recording Secretary explained the process. Mr. Progulske announced there will be a town hall meeting on June 16 at 6 pm at the Vero Beach Humane Society's office to discuss Target Zero's Plan to have zero euthanasia of all shelter animals by year 2025. He explained Palm Beach County has entered into an agreement with Target Zero who is receiving $50 for each cat and $100 for each dog to cover neuter/spay procedures, micro -chipping and rabies vaccinations for trapped animals that are then released--Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR). Mr. Progulske said if Indian River County enters into an agreement, his concern is the cats that would be released and the City of Sebastian is a bird sanctuary, also the County has scrub jay habitat conservation plans whereby TNR would be unacceptable and the trapped cats should be euthanized. Chairman Northcott differed in that cats should be neutered to prevent litters and over the long term, the population will decrease. Mr. Progulske said the free -reigning cats kill over one billion birds a year in addition to other wildlife. Ms. Ring asked if the Board could have a veterinarian or someone talk to them because she understood there will always be feral cats. Mr. Progulske said re-releasing cats is antithetical to what the City is trying to do. Chairman Northcott thanked him for bringing the planned meeting to their attention. Chairman Northcott reported the Board has been invited to participate in the March 6, 2016 EcoFest. We will be featuring our oyster mats, and the Brevard Zoo, which had shown oyster mats this year, will instead be showing "oyster gardens". He also reported that the City's Parks and Recreation Committee is considering disc golf course at the Stormwater Park which might involve land clearing which concerns him. The City Engineer has stated it should not be placed on the agenda for discussion until it had finished being considered by the Parks and Recreation Committee. He explained the golf course was proposed for the Stormwater Park but SJRWMD opposed the activity at the passive park. Natural Resources Board Meeting June 2, 2015 Page Five The City's Parks and Recreation Committee then chose to recommend Schumann Island but at a recent City Council meeting there was considerable citizen opposition so City Council asked the Parks Committee to approach SJRWMD again. The last information he was aware of was that SJRWMD is requesting the City to change their park use agreement for the Stormwater Park if the course is placed there. Mr. Progulske also expressed land clearing concerns. 11. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA Chairman Northcott said he would like to do more educational activities. He asked the Board to consider other ways they might educate the public before the next meeting. Mr. Progulske said he would like to have someone from the Florida Forestry Service speak to them about the prescribed burning of scrub lands. The City Engineer cautioned the Board that City Council would not support a prescribed bum and they might not want to pursue such a recommendation in the City. Mr. Progulske said it would be an attempt to educate everyone on the importance and benefit of a prescribed fire to the scrub ecosystems. 12. Being no further business, Chairman Northcott adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 7:08 p.m. By.: 1 IS Chairman Alan Northcott Date WIRE BASE - WIRE MESH PANELS 2'X 4' GA. CONCRETE RUBBLE TO BE PLACED ON TOP OF WIRE BASE RIVER BOTTOM - OYSTER MAT (20'X 37.50') SHORELINE .MINED OYSTER MAT PROJECT SE�'l I I NA THOE CITYOOF SECBAAST ANRD