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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08042015NRB Minutes01YOF SEBASTIAN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 04, 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" VICE Chairman Gordian called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL Members Present: Rose Glaser Gil Gordian - Vice Chairman George Millar - Chairman Bob Progulske Andrea Ring Jim Clifton -Alternate Jack Lampiasi Members Not Present: Also Present: Frank Watanabe, City Engineer Michelle Stromberg, Environmental Technician 4. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS - None 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — July 07, 2015 Meeting The July 07, 2015 minutes were accepted as presented. 6. NEW CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR NOMINATIONS A. Vice Chair Gordian — open for Chair and Vice chair nominations. Andrea Ring — Asked if George would like to be Chair person. Bob Progulske — "As a member I would second the nominate Mr. Millar as chair and Per Mr. Watanabe we would hold elections for the Vice Chair Per the City Engineer — "If there are no other nominations, then George Millar you are the Chair, by default there are no other nominations, you become Chair, then you can then move up to the Chair seat, then you run the meeting from this point on and then you open it up now for Vice Chair". Chairman Millar— I would like Mr. Gil to remain as Vice Chair, if he wishes to do so, it would be my privilege to serve with him". Gil Gordian - He accepted. Per Chairman Millar — "Is there a second to Gil remains as Vice Chair"? Per Bob Progulske —"Yes, I second Gil". Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 1 UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Oyster Restoration I. Per Bob Progulske — "I think Mr. Watanabe has been actively involved to, I have been out the last ten days with my father who has been ill in Gainesville, and I haven't followed up. In your packet there are some emails, Mr. Watanabe had exchanged with FWC, in the meantime I have also talked to Tami Dabu, who is the Core of Engineer's lead person, since our last meeting, the next day we got word, the City got word they got a $25,000 Grant from Saint Johns River Water Management. A matching Grant". ii. Per the City Engineer — "Yes, the City has another project, we are calling it the, Oyster Restoration Project Phase II, and the reason why I don't put the word mat or bags is because it is still to be determined based on the agencies request. The City did submit an application through Saint Johns for a Cost sharing Grant, the Cost sharing Grant total is about $48,000, of which about $23,980 is from Saint Johns as their Grant money, the City is putting in about $11,000 of our money, plus about $14,000 of in kind, balancing out to about $24,000 each, which equals out to about $48,000 of the total project as a Phase II, Oyster Restoration project ". iii. Per Bob Progulske — "The reason I bring that up, when I talked to Tam!, because obviously I can't speak for the City and I was exploring with her a site visit, and that was almost exactly the same day I found out personally that there was this grant, Tam! said if the City of Sebastian is planning on submitting multiple permits, she like to consolidate those, but let's have a conference call, so we all get on the same page. She probably would not be able to come out for a site visit until late August, that was from the last time I talked with her, I have been out of pocket for the last ten days, I do not know the status of this now, she would just like to talk with the City representatives and at least one board member, at the same time, so we all hear the same thing and at the same time I was also contacted by Mr. Glllmor and if it worked in his schedule he liked to be involved in that conference call, but honestly I haven't gotten all the parties to agree on a time yet". iv. Per the City Engineer — "I contacted Tami Dabu and explained to her the situation, I have worked with her in the past, she understood my situation, she gladly said to move forward, won't close the project out, I contacted Saint Johns, the same thing to, to make sure their permit application is in the open end, that permit, was still pending documentation from the City to do a lower way fee, which we got now from the City Council, they're not going to accept applications because they want all the packages complete. So those are taken care of, in addition to those two agencies, I contacted Jeff Beal from Fish and Wildlife, I had a discussion with him as well as emails. I have an attached email that is in your packets from Jeff Beal. He said if it's a pilot project like you have this Phase I, why don't you try both, he talked about the spat, which we went through all the process and we understand all those issues, his concern is, because there has been issues of matts flipping, issues of problems of the matts being implemented, a lot of other issues, they say the bags have gotten a lot better, a lot easier, a lot more sensible to implement and the success rates of bags are a lot higher, they would recommend using bags because they want this to be a successful project." Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 2 Per Vice Chair Gil Gordian — "Frank, one question, if Bob doesn't react or is held up for time I would like to be able to communicate with Tami Dabu, and maybe we can certainly firm up a date, we need to really move forward with this, and maybe she can come out and do the site visit, on either the one off of Indian River Drive and or the other one, right now we are going to concentrate on this other section to see if that is applicable, I'm sure it is. The other thing, Indian River Lagoon folks, they are willing to come on a specific date, to come over and chit chat with Tami'. vi. Per the City Engineer — "Maybe my suggestion would be when we had this discussion, Alan had a good idea, maybe you guys should have a workshop solely on this item, to talk and air out all the details and components and divvy out components of it. The problem is because you guys can't talk to each other once you guys leave here, I think you need to divvy out components the way other committees do and they take their little pieces and go do what they have to do and come back together as a group and they share their knowledge. I think that's where you guys are missing is that divvying out the work tasks and bringing it all back and seeing where you guys sit". vii. Per Vice Chair Gil Gordian — "Understandably so, but if it's ok with Bob maybe we can get the ball rolling to have Tam! come up and see the site. Indian River Lagoon folks, they sighted it, they knew the area as well, and I think she needs to get a good look at it so we can get a partial approval on her side." viii. Per Chairman Millar — "If we could be associated with the agency phone calls all at the same time, if nothing else to be listening or to raise a question for concern to help get cohesion, like you mentioned before a workshop is great but were also fragmented, that is one of the issues here. We need to try to get some more unity and more on the same page and then if we can do a workshop to actually divvy out the assignments then come back at a meeting like this with the details. I want to see this thing move, I want to see us in the water". ix. Per Bob Progulske — "Mr. Chair, if I could ask a question of the board themselves or Frank, when I discuss with Tam! about her coming out, and I mentioned a workshop, and I said would you be willing to attend a workshop and she said would it be during normal business hours and I said not usually. She indicated it would be easier for her if it were during the day". X. Per the City Engineer — "The agencies won't come out if it's not during the work business day, these people are not easy to get a hold of, I have to make several calls, Jeff Beal I had to call him a dozen times, you just have to keep calling the guy, eventually they respond back and you have to catch him in his office. He is not trying to avoid you he is just out in the lagoon". A. Per the Chairman Millar — "Is there any way we could possibly schedule a meeting, teleconference meeting with them possibly, during the normal work"? xii. Per the City Engineer —"No, because the agencies are busy." Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 3 xiii. Per Chairman Millar — "Is there any way that we can maybe and I don't know and I like to pull the rest of the board, what is your availability during the normal business day during the week" xiv. Per the City Engineer — "It's a workshop, it has to be noticed, it has to be published, it has to be in this room, it has to be tape recorded, then I have to get permission to use people of not my staff, clerks staff, tape recorder staff and make sure the Chambers is open to, because the Chambers Is also reserve for other committee and commissions and Public needs so it all has to be tied into this huge matrix". xv. Per Chairman Millar — "That's why I wanted to have the workshop but I thought I would be kind of good if we could incorporate a phone call or maybe just Bob when we do the workshop could do the phone call prior to adjoin with you". xvi. Per James Clifton — "When I look at these two letters, I see a punch list of things that have to be done, I need to be explained why we need a workshop, we need to go down through this list and decide who is going to accomplish these tasks". xvii. Per the Vice Chair Gordian — "If you look at the list that they suggested, to me it seems like the application is pretty well intact, what their asking for needs more explanation, detail". xviii. Per James Clifton — "Why can't we go through this list and say ok these people are going to accomplish these things, tonight"? xix. Per Chairman Millar — "Please provide a basic and overall project purpose for the project. Basically I think that's been done also". xx. Per the City Engineer — "Just to help you out, I believe this is a generic standard letter they send out". xxi. Per Chairman Millar — "Let me do this, Bob, you have the permits, you have the questions here and your familiar with them, right"? xxii. Per Bob Progulske — "yes, I don't have the capability, last time I talked to Tami, there may be some information and I do have the hard copy of what I submitted in terms of addressing her questions about access, site locations, and addresses". xxiii. Per the City Engineer — "Per the RAI, you take every one of these and you answer everyone. The agency wants a cross section to see if you are coming from the land because some of the area drops. They want to see what the terrain contour is, we all know its shallow and flat, they don't know if,. xxiv. Per Vice Chair Gordian — "It's certainly not a hazard to navigation unless you're really close to shore and ground your kayak into the sand. It's designated that it was x amount of feet, quarter mile of half mile from an actual navigable water way which is the IWC". Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 4 xxv. Per Bob Progulske — "In my response, I said the nearest navigable channel is more than one quarter mile away from the site". xxvi. Per the City Engineer— "I would use this RAI and as a template and respond to each question". xxvii. Per Bob Progulske — "The one thing I need and do not have the mapping capability to do a cross section of the site, where we want to place the bags or matts. Per my conversation with Tami Dabu, she would like to have a conference call with all involved, so we know what is needed for the submittal and are all on the same page. I think her RAI is pretty clear". xxviii. Per Chairman Millar — "I will see what I can do, to get a cross section of the matts or the bags, I'm assuming you need a depth chart". xxix. Per Bob Progulske — "Tami sent to me what Brevard County did to use as an example". Will give to Chairman Millar for reference. Tami said before it's decided if we go to bags or mats to let her know. I will provide again the details of the matt's, how many oyster shell per mat section. Per Tami before submittal, I have everything with the board and clear with what we want to do". xxx. Per Chairman Millar — "My perspective, the mat process is a great process, I've been on the this board for 2 years and it is the same thing over and over, I think we need to go the path of least resistance, if Fish and Wildlife think bags are going to be most productive and easiest to get through, I think it will be the less labor intensive, I think we need to go with the decision with bags xxxi. Per the City Engineer — "I think your request to have a workshop after the 17"' or that day, we will look into those dates and try to get back to you on a workshop date that will fit within what we have on the available times, I think that would be a good idea, the second item regarding trying to get as much information collected by that meeting I think is a good idea. I believe that the window of opportunity for September is gone, you're already in the period and you still have to submit the application likes brand new and then they are going to have to respond back with here is your permit or we need additional information". xxxii. Per Bob Progulske — "Mr. Chair, I have one question about, as an example, I had gone through when I originally developed the package, I went through Mr. Northcot's, August of 2014 email from Tami and went step by step as Mr. Watanabe suggested and number 11 is substrate and approximate water depth, where the project is located, just indulge me why I read a couple of sentences. I said the substrate of both prospective sites is permanently bare sand and mixed aggregate material with minimal organic matter. We have chosen these sites to ensure there are no sea grass beds nearby. Location D has a water depth of 2'-3' at normal low tide, Location E has a water depth of approximately 2'-1/2 feet at normal low tide, my question in somewhat rhetorically with that is — What is the depth of a bag, otherwise will that create an issue, I know they will compress, for argument Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 5 sake if a bag is out of the water at low tide — I don't know the answer if that's an issue"? xxxiii. Per the City Engineer — "Suggest a representative from one of the agencies that are implementing the bags, do a presentation, the material has changed to burlap and gotten bigger. Suggest some direction and help. xxxiv. Per Chairman Millar — "If there is anything that needs to be done, Gill can be a point person to meet with Tami and other representatives down at the lagoon sites. And as a means of communication to keep things in the Sunshine, Bob can put out a basic email what is omitted from the permit issue to all of the members here and that becomes part of the City record". xxxv. Per the City Engineer — "The final permit will have to be approved by this board as a board then I will sign, I am the lead agency and it is required, as a license engineer. The board is part of the City that is why the City is signing off on the application. I think someone should come and discuss what is required for a bag". xxxvi. Per Chairman Millar — "Can we arrange a meeting like that week of the 17"? xxxvii. Per the City Engineer — "I will try to contact one of the regulatory agencies and see if there is a PR person that could present to us, at the workshop meeting or at the next scheduled commission meeting". xxxviii. Per Chairman Millar — Discussion with Board on possible dates and times xxxix. Per the City Engineer— Will try to see what is available based on the 2 dates the board offered for the workshops. Tentative date is the 14th or 17th in the afternoon around 3:00. Try to get a rep to educate on bags. Per the sketch from the board, the City will CAD it up. The Phase 2 of this will be the implementation. If the project is switching to bags The Scout will need to go back if he is changing the work scope to get authorization. A. Per Chairman Millar — Gil can spearhead with the Boy scout and hopefully be a part of the discussion or workshop on the 14th or 17th to get direction and be a part of it. xli. Per Vice Chair Gordian — "Suggested the boy scout continue working on the project and if we go onto second phase we can work on Oyster Mat. xlii. Per Chairman Millar — "It would be nice to get a person from Tami s office on the workshop date. I will try to get the cross section map, Bob please go through the permit, through the City or to the board please send an email and not to violate the Sunshine law of what needs to be done". xliii. Per the City Engineer — "Will set up a mail slot for Andrea Ring in Community Development". AN. Per the City Engineer — "The Phase 2 project is Cost Share and Grant and money is from SJRWMD from State and Federal dollars. Our matching share is coming from Lagoon fund. This Oyster project is to help improve the lagoon whether it bags or matt whatever the agencies would like. Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 6 B. Champion Tree Program Per Chairman Millar— "Update by Jim Clifton" ii. Per Jim Clifton - To include downloadable application for tree measurement, trees can be on Public or Private property, data base of trees giving common names, species names, date, measure, location, that's optional by property owners, tree measurement date, point score and photographs (again optional) any additional features and functions resulting from our following discussion, link to Florida Champion Tree data base, number two is COS and NRB commitment to develop and maintain a Champion Tree web page and data base, draft web page to be approved by NRB at a regular meeting, the City to receive the applications, address to be provided, applications will be processed at NRB regular meeting and assigned to NRB member for measurement. Periodically need to decide number of years the NRB initiate mailing of form letter to property owners to verify health of their trees. This is my discussion and ends of my motion". iii. Per Chairman Millar — "We have a motion on the table is there a second". iv. Per Rose Glaser— "I second, open it up". V. Per Bob Progulske — "Unclear, notice per inventory, should the Champion Tree Program only address native trees"? vi. Per Jim Clifton - "The State of Florida has natural and native trees not anything exotic or invasive, anything naturalized is acceptable. We have a list of types of trees but there are 100 of trees not on there". vii. Per Chairman Millar — "I believe there should be training involved" viii. Per Rose Glaser— "Laser measurement"? ix. Per Jim Clifton - "Develop an SOP and obtain equipment" X. Per the City Engineer — "Old method was the stick, this is a good program and identify persons to obtain measurement and the City will get a couple lasers and for accuracy". xi. Per Chairman Millar — "Nominate person to be in Charge of Championship Tree Program, lead person, will give board direction and point of contact. Lead person won't do all the work the board will contribute as well, Nomination is Jim Clifton by Gil, Mr. Clifton ok with this". xii. Per Jim Clifton - "I" and Rose Glaser — "Second" xiii. Per Chairman Millar —"Vote unanimous" xiv. Per Jim Clifton - "Discussed web page" Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 7 xv. Per the City Engineer — "Contacts per page goes to clerk office, will change Mr. Clifton, main contact person and emails to go to Michelle and monitor emails. Will have the web page tailored to what Mr. Clifton is asking for" C. Earth Dav Per Chairman Millar — "Reserved for Saturday April 23, 2016. We have a contacts vendors list". ii. Per Michelle — The stage and PA is reserved for that day as well. iii. Per Chairman Millar — "Have vendors list from last year". iv. Per Vice Chair Gordian — "Work on flyers for days events, time scheduling, designate people to call or email vendors that did show up, an on my side contact wildlife vendors". Per Chairman Millar — "Yes. Make some point here regarding this event. Anybody like to volunteer as far as being a point contact for Vendors"? A. Per Rose Glaser —"Be happy to". Vii. Per Chairman Millar— "Rose is the point person and Gil to assist". Viii. Per Vice Chair Gordian —"Can divide the list, pass on at a meeting" X. Per the City Engineer — "Rose is now point person she can take the list and if Gil wants to help out they could work together". X. Per Rose Glaser — "I like to shoot out an email blast to all the vendors at one time". A. Per Chairman Millar — "If someone does not have an email provide a different way to respond. At this point do not need 3 people, keep it simple, keep it at 2 people and if need more help I will help out without ever portion need to be"? xii. Per the City Engineer — "There is a list that Gil gave to the Clerk's office, we will get the list, print it out and include it in the next agenda packet and get it to everybody". xiii. Per Chairman Millar — "Once we get list we will divvy it out, Rose is the point person to make sure everything is collected. I don't want 3 or 4 people contacting the same person". xiv. Per Rose Glaser — "Andrea has a form she made up, any discussion on it". xv. Per Andrea Ring —" We need to discuss placement of vendors" xvi. Per Vice Chair Gordian — discussed previous placement of vendors Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 8 xvii. Per Rose Glaser — "Can have the layout plan pre laid out and direction for the vendors". xviii. Per Chairman Millar — "Consider paint marks on trees and map" xix. Per the City Engineer — "Person who signs up early should receive the better spot". xx. Per Chairman Millar— "Consider what the vendor is selling, and first come first serve, utilize the map and have the NRB present to assist. xxi. Per Vice Chair Gordian — "For the Animal vendors discuss prior to make proper placement". xxii. Chairman Millar — "As we get closer to event we can make those assignments and have a workshop prior to. Address fire issue. Right now the focus should be on the vendors, see if we can recruit other people involved in ideas for entertainment. xxiii. Per Vice Chair Gordian — Would like to be the point person for the music. xxiv. Chairman Millar — Agreed xxv. Per Rose Glaser - We need to have discussion on this, NRB was not involved last year on who was coming xxvi. Chairman Millar — Like to have workshop in January or February, strong discussion where we are at, vendors, entertainment, MC definitely different for giveaway's, let's do spur of the moment give away based on questions. The children involvement last year with the vendors was a great idea and to continue, for them to obtain prizes, gives vendors exposure to the parents. xxvii. Per Andrea Ring — Talking to vendors they plan it a year in advance. xxviii. Chairman Millar — Confirmed date of event, set-up by 7:00 a.m., start event at 8:30 a.m. hour and half for set-up extend event to 3:00 p.m. "Need a - Please return this form to NRB by" Well make assignment of places based on need. Like to see City of Sebastian Police Department presentation, black smiting, or any other type of community service, IRC fire engine xxix. Per the City Engineer — "Get ahold of Chief Morris to have them come to the festival. The City will be rolling over remaining budget to 2016 NRB budget" xxx. Per Vice Chair Gordian — Inquired about getting a new banner xxxi. Chairman Millar — Like the NRB to participate in other City festivities, like the Christmas parade and walk with a banner. Asked Andrea to make changes to form. Would like to see brochure this year including all vendors participating and where they are located, with COS logo, NRB noted on it. Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 9 xxxii. Per Rose Glaser— Will create a generic email for the vendors to respond to her xxxiii. Per the City Engineer — "City cannot create personal email addresses'. xxxiv. Chairman Millar — Per the form, Andrea will make the changes on the times, Rose to communicate the email address she is creating and Andrea will put it on the form. xxxv. Per Rose Glaser — Entertain having a home environmental contest 7. PUBLIC INPUT - None 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Board Participation in the Christmas Parade Chairman Millar would like to see the NRB participate. The City Engineer will get the date. Chairman suggested publicizing event. More community presence and better public participation. Banner like heading on website. In Parade have a banner that two people hold walking in parade utilizing the Natural Resource Boards information from website. Jack Lampiasi will be the point person for the banners. Consensus to Add City of Sebastian logo to banner. At least 10-12 3' in width. Chairman Millar would like to see the NRB have more of a presence in the community. Per Jack Lampiasi — Volunteered to handle the banners. City will send City logo to Jack. Per Jim Clifton — Inquired about the NRB to obtain a tent. Per the City Engineer — The city will get the tent 9. STAFF MATTERS - None 10. MEMBER MATTERS Per Jack Lampiasi — spoke on the comments via email of previous Chair Northcott. Per Rose Glaser — would like the NRB to have a more public presence 11. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: 12. Being no further business Chairman Millar adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 8:25 p.m. W Ivor 00 ov�nLl� Natural Resources Board Meeting August 4, 2015 Page 10