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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08062001 TREE ~ CHAi :'2 [vlAN . CITY OF SEBASTIAN '"' ' ........... TREE AND LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 6, 2001 Chairman Cardinale called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Beverly T-Bell(a) VC Cathy Fulton Ruth Davies Anne Dann Chmn. Cardinale Larry Birchmeyer(a) EXCUSED ABSENCE: Lynn Albury ~ ALSO PRESENT: Chris McCarthy, Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Dept. Ann Brack, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (7/9/01) MOTION by VC FultonlChmn. Cardinale I move that we accept them as presented, the minutes of July 9th, 2001, A voice vote was taken, 5 - 0, motion carried, ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Secretary noted that Beverly T-Bell(a) will be voting in place of Lynn Albury. There was consensus from the Board members to change item 7.D. to item 7.A. OLD BUSINESS: A, EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT - OUTLINE ISSUES OF LANDSCAPE CODE After some discussion, it was determined to set a special meeting time to discuss the Landscape Code. Larry Birchmeyer spoke on the issue of newly planted trees on new residential construction not meeting the size requirement as written in the code. He suggested that these trees are being measured at a height of 18" (18inches) instead of DBH, and he stated that he acquired a list of recent Certificate of Occupancies and drove by each address for a visual inspection. He also suggested that Board members volunteer to TREE AND LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 6, 2001 check pr°perties where clearing or grubbing will take place to note the appearance "before and after". Someone mentioned the phrase "tree police", Some issues to be taken before the City Council and City Manager are as follows: 1. Clearing & Grubbing 2, Enforcement 3. Tree measurement 4. Removal of exotic/prohibited trees; add carrotwood tree to the list There was discussion on how to divide the Landscape Code into sections for examination and discussion. There was also a suggestion to set up a special meeting to discuss only this Code. It was determined to try to have it on August 13th or 27t~. MOTION by DannlDavles I move that we have an extra meeting on the first available date - Mondays - in the coming month of August, for instance, this Monday. A voice vote was taken. 5 - 0, motion carried. Chmn. Cardinale reminded all. members to read the code and be prepared for this special workshop meeting. (It was later determined to have the meeting on August 13~h at 5:30 pm. All members were notified.) Copies of the latest Tree and Landscape Code will be made available in the Building Dept. for any members who do not have one. B. SHADE HOUSE OPERATIONS John Almada will pass the key to Larry Birchmeyer for August, NEW BUSINESS: A. ROSELAND PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOC. - JACKIE JAMES Jackie James, a County resident from Roseland Road, was present to ask for assistance and support from this Board to save the tree buffer along the side of Sebastian Airport abutting Roseland Road on City owned property. She listed many other clubs and organizations and included private citizens, who have committed to support this move. The purpose of this buffer is to screen the industrial uses that are planned at this location, as well as preserving the aesthetic appearance. She requested a letter of support from this Board directed to Jason Milewski, Airport Director. Ann Dann noted that at a recent City Council meeting, it was agreed to keep a 36 f. buffer in this same area. She also suggested requesting a buffer of at least 100 ft. TREE AND LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 6, 2001 Ms. James noted that the present uses in this area are residences and conservation. There was much discussion on this issue. It was determined that a letter requesting a 100 f. buffer would be sent to the Airport Manager, with copies going to the City Manager, City Council, and planning and Zoning (Growth Management). It was also determined that the purpose of an increase in the density of the buffer is to protect the wildlife in the area, preserve the aesthetic value, and screen the industrial uses planned for the area. The Chairman will write the letter. MOTION byCardinalelDann I would like to make a motion to recommend to Council that a buffer zone of 100 ft. be maintained to preserve the beauty and wildlife along Roseland Road, and the overall aesthetic value. A voice vote was taken. 5 - 0, motion carried. B. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - SYLVIA FRIEDEL Chmn. Cardinale requested that this item be next on the agenda as Ray Gerace (Boy Scouts) was present to speak on this issue in place of Sylvia Fdedel. VC Cathy Fulton noted that the Chamber contacted her about this landscape project and informed the Chairman and Mr. Gerace that labor is not needed until September, and a date has not yet been set. Ray Gerace, 458 Georgia Boulevard, Sebastian, was present to discuss providing some assistance from his Boy Scout group with the landscaping project at the Chamber of Commerce, for Community Service. VC Fulton suggested that he contact Beth Mitchell at the Chamber to make further arrangements. C. CREATION OF COUNTY TREE COMMISSION LETTER - Minutes from Vero Tree Board The Chairman's draft letter to City Council was reviewed. D. ENVIROTHON PROJECT There was discussion about the balance of the funds from this project, and Chris McCarthy volunteered to contact George Anderson at the High School to inquire about what other materials should be ordered with the remaining funds. E. ACREAGE BEHIND CITY HALL - LETTER TO MR, MOORE The Chairman referred to a notice in the newspaper that Sebastian may buy ten acres of wooded land behind City Hall. He suggested sending a letter to the City Manager in support of this issue. The issue was discussed and it was determined to edit the draft letter submitted by the Chairman and forward it to the City Manager. TREE.AND LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 6, 2001 MEMBERS MATTERS:.' Anne Dann read from a letter she received from Dan Culbert about grant money available through the 2001 Urban and Community Forestry matching grant program, Ruth Davies noted that Ruth Stanbridge, County Commissioner is planning to write a grant for trees for the County, and include a tree planting project for the City of Fellsmere and possibly for Pelican Island Elementary School. She suggested that if this Board has a project in mind, we might join her efforts under the County 'umbrella". Chris McCarthy suggested that this might be a method to obtain money for trees for Arbor Day. There was also discussion on the possibility of using this grant for providing items for the Filbert Street Park, Chris volunteered to see Mr. Moore about this issue. There was more discussion, MOTION by DannlDavles I move that we make an effort to become part of Ruth Stanbridge's petition for grant money as Sebastian City. A voice vote was taken. 5 - 0, motion carried, Ruth Davies agreed to contact Ruth Stanbridge for further information. There was further discussion about including Sebastian's Main Street Beautification program along with Filbert Street Park and trees for Arbor Day. VC Cathy Fulton noted the death of Carl Behr, a past Chairman of the Tree Advisory Board. There was a suggestion that a tree might be buried in his name at some future date. CHA!.RMAN MATTERS: Chmn. Cardinale thanked Ray Gerace and his Scout troop for the work they have done in weeding and mulching the Envirothon Landscaped area. There was discussion about mulch that is needed, and Chris will check on this. Ray Gerace volunteered his Scouts to provide more hours in both the Envirothon area and the Model Planting outside Council Chambers, after September. The Chairman called attention to the stepping stones that appeared at the Model Planting site. Chmn. Cardinale adjourned the meeting at 7:24 pm,