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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07072015NRB Minutes2. 3. a 5. .3 an w 5 BASTIAN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 - 6:00 P.M. "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" Chairman Northcott called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL Members Present: Alan Northcott- Chairman Rose Glaser Gil Gordian -Vice Chairman George Millar Bob Progulske Andrea Ring Jim Clifton -Alternate Members Not Present: Jack Lampiasi-Alternate (excused) Also Present: Frank Watanabe, City Engineer Michelle Stromberg, Environmental Technician Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary Eagle Scout Candidate, John Giordano Father of Eagle Scout Candidate, Paul Giordano AGENDA MODIFICATIONS - None APPROVAL OF MINUTES — June 2, 2015 Meeting The June 2, 2015 minutes were accepted as presented. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Oyster Restoration L Permit status of Army Corp of Engineer's and SJRWMD Comments (Letter Attached) The City Engineer said the leading permit should be considered the SJRWMD permit and cited their request to change the product. In response to the Chairman, he reported that he did not reply to the Army Corp of Engineers comments. Natural Resources Board Meeting July 7, 2015 Page Two Chairman Northcott noted with the site they have chosen, there is no evidence of erosion, tidal action, or wave action. He didn't think the agencies were familiar with the site; and if they place bags out then it will be considered an artificial reef that will be hazardous for vessels. He would like to invite the agencies to a site visit. The City Engineer advised the Board that they should respond to the comments called RAls. Chairman Northcott suggested having a board meeting on site with Tamy Dabu and a SJRWMD representative with all the comment letters. The City Engineer pointed out Board Members will not be able to access the lagoon from shore at the site near Capt. Butcher's since the shoreline is private property so their application would have to be revised. The Board could ask Capt. Butchers for permission. Mr. Millar noted on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) letter indicates additional questions should be directed to Jane Chabre. Chairman Northcott agreed that she should also attend the site meeting. Mr. Progulske offered to contact Army Corp of Engineer Project Manager Tamy Dabu, Jane Chabre and Jeff Beal from FWC, and a SJRWMD representative. Chairman Northcott would also like to invite Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve Manager Brian Sharpe. ii. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Comments on Permit (Letter Attached) iii. Mr. Gordian's Supply Purchase from Austin Mao Project Mr. Gordian said he didn't want to buy anything at this point since the materials might change but he would like to coordinate the purchasing with Eagle Scout Candidate John Giordano. Eagle Scout Candidate John Giordano reported that he finished the required paperwork for his project, and it was approved by the Eagle Scout Board. He was standing by to see what materials would be used and when it will happen. John also reported that he held an oyster mat workshop for the Cub Scouts. In response to Paul Giordano, Chairman Northcott said bags are now requested because the Vero Beach Power Squadron has had some of their mats turn over. In response to Paul Giordano, the City Engineer said typical agency review is 30 days. John Giordano said if the materials are changed, he would have to submit the change to the Eagle Scout Board for approval and would like to attend the site meeting. B. Champion Tree Program i. Update on City's Past Tree Program The Environmental Specialist referenced the Champion Tree Program material submitted in the last agenda packet. Natural Resources Board Meeting July 7, 2015 Page Three She stated if the Board wanted to resurrect the program, the guidelines outlined in www.freshfromflorida.com would be used. The Environmental Specialist said prospective trees would be gathered from going door-to-door or from people contacting the website. The City Engineer advised that Board Members go out individually to measure the trees and report their findings back to the Board to comply with the Sunshine Law. Mr. Clifton suggested they put the rules and guidelines on their website and go from there. The City Engineer stated criteria has been established by the City, they should display the list of past champions, what is required and start from there. Mr. Clifton said property owners should be given the option of listing their address. Mr. Clifton offered to draft a website design to advertise and revitalize the program. This will be on the next agenda. C. Earth Dav i."Let's Chalk About It" Contest Winners (Winning Photos) The Board reviewed the photos and Chairman Northcott said Ms. Thomas should definitely come to next year's Earth Day. Ms. Ring noted the photos are also on the County's website. ii.Select 2016 Earth Day Date - April 16 or April 23 The Environmental Specialist still needs to check if the dates are available. iii.Procure DJ for Event Music/Master of Ceremonies Ms. Gordian said he would procure the DJ. Ms. Ring said she would like to see different bands and a professional emcee. Chairman Northcott said board members could share the emcee duties. MOTION by Mr. Clifton and SECOND by Mr. Millar to have the Environmental Specialist book the park and band shell for April 23'" 2016 if it is available passed with a unanimous voice vote. iv. Contact Vendors for 2016 Earth Day (List) Ms. Ring requested the procurement of a professional DJ. Chairman Northcott asked the Environmental Specialist to make sure the PA system would be with the band shell so they might share the emcee duties. Mr. Gordian suggested they share the contacting of vendors. Ms. Glaser offered to take over the vendor list. Mr. Millar suggested sending out a form letter six to seven months prior to the event inviting the vendors to come, have a deadline for a response so an event brochure could be printed to help advertise the vendors and event schedule. He said contacting the vendors should be done by the U.S. Mail Service because e- mails might go to a spam folder. Natural Resources Board Meeting July 7, 2015 Page Four Chairman Northcott said they should plan to review the letter and brochure together as a Board. Ms. Ring offered to design one or two vendor forms for the next meeting. Mr. Millar also suggested having the emcee periodically ask a question to the crowd on hand to win the door prizes instead of drawing tickets. Mr. Gordian said animal exhibits would attract more participation. Ms. Ring said a DJ could interview the vendors throughout the day and their donated prizes could be dispersed at that time. Mr. Millar recapped for the next meeting: the application will be drafted for a September mail out with a possible second mailing in December/January. He asked the fire code be printed on the back of the application for the food vendors. 7. PUBLIC INPUT - None 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Natural Resources Board Specific E -Mail Address Mr. Gordian asked if these would be individual e-mail addresses or a bucket e- mail address. The City Engineer responded because of IT security, it would difficult to have individualized addresses. It would probably be one pull -in, one pull-out. The City Engineer said he would look into it noting it would set costly precedence for other boards. Mr. Clifton said in his municipal experience, board members had to conduct their official correspondence via a town e-mail address; a legal discovery could require their personal e-mails be provided and he would think the City would want an official e-mail address used for business. The City Engineer said there is an associated cost that the City Manager would have to make a decision on it. Mr. Millar said he was concerned that e-mails wouldn't be responded to in a timely manner and if they had to discuss each e-mail together as a board, it would become unfathomable. He suggested one board member be designated as the responder. Ms. Ring suggested an automatic reply go out saying the e- mail was received and would be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Millar said that could make long meetings, the public is invited to come to their meetings as it is. Ms. Ring responded maybe it could only be open for a month for Earth Day. The City Engineer suggested the Board identify a member to monitor incoming E-mails. Mr. Millar said it would be okay for Earth Day but he didn't want citizen concerns to be unaddressed. Ms. Ring said she requested this to correspond with vendors. Chairman Northcott suggested EarthDay(a)citvofsebastian.oro be set up. Mr. Progulske suggested they think about this some more, not everyone can come Tuesday nights and pointed out there isn't a way to contact the Board on the website. Natural Resources Board Meeting July 7, 2015 Page Five The Environmental Specialist offered to look into setting up EarthDavCcbcitvofsebastian.org for the Board. 9. STAFF MATTERS - None 10. MEMBER MATTERS To get the Board more recognized, Mr. Millar suggested the Board walk behind a banner in future 4"' of July and Christmas parades. 11. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA It was the Board's consensus to put participation in the Christmas parade on the next agenda. Ms. Ring said she compiled the vendor list included in the agenda packet and asked if certain vendors participated. In planning for Earth Day 2016, Mr. Gordian noted some vendors have only an e-mail address and some only have a postal address. 12. Being no further business Chairman Northcott adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 7:45 p.m. air n D