HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-2018 NRB MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN
NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 3, 2018
1. Ms. Mosblech called the Natural Resources Board Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Pledge of Alleqiance was recited by all.
3. Roll Call:
Present:
Ms.
Mosblech
Mr.
Gordian
Mr.
O'Neill
Ms.
Glaser
Mr.
Stadelman
Mr.
Van Hoffman
Also Present:
Kimberly Jones, Environmental Technician
Margarita Hernandez, Parks Administrator
Janet Graham, Technical Writer
4. Aooroval of Minutes: -- February 6, 2018 Meeting Minutes
A motion to approve the February 6, 2018 Minutes as presented was made by Mr.
Stadelman, seconded by Mr. O'Neill and passed unanimously by voice vote, with Mr.
Van Hoffman abstaining.
5. Announcements:
A. Jason Van Hoffman. New Natural Resources Board Member
Ms. Mosblech introduced and welcomed Mr. Van Hoffman to the Board.
B. Open Positions on the Natural Resources Board
Ms. Jones announced there are currently one regular position available as well as two
alternate positions which are currently being advertised on the website.
Natural Resources Board
Meeting Minutes of April 3, 2018
6. Public Input:
Page 2
Jane Schnee, Sebastian, former NRB board member, member of the Audubon Society
and Friends of the San Sebastian River (FSSR), stated that, although the landscape
ordinance was not on the agenda for this meeting, she is going to be out of town when
the next meeting is scheduled and wanted to speak about it now. She is concerned
about the non-native plants and grasses that are being put in with new developments,
both residential and commercial. She described a model ordinance that the Florida
Native Plant Society has proposed. She talked about how having so much grass that
requires weed killers, fertilizers, etc. is damaging the habitat. She mentioned bird
species that are facing extinction due to loss of habitat and the reduction of pollinating
species because of loss of native plants. She passed out to the Board a brochure
listing the plants that are considered invasive by the FLEPPC in the State of Florida.
She mentioned that if the landscape ordinance is going to be revised, consideration
might be given to rain gardens for retaining runoff.
Bob Stephen, 150 Concha Drive, gave three magazines to the Board for their review
and stated they give an example of what a sustained yard looks like. He stated the City
of Miami has changed its landscape ordinance radically, with no pesticides or herbicides
downtown, and is requiring a certain number of trees and more drainage. He pointed
out that the brown tide, which is toxic algae, is coming this way right now. He
mentioned actions his group, Friends of San Sebastian River, is taking to encourage the
public to invest in sustainable landscapes. They are also planning seminars to educate
the public on how to treat their septic systems. He offered their cooperation with the
NRB in their endeavors and stated his group would be attending the Earth Day
celebration with literature. Mr. Stephen and his organization are concerned about the
spraying of glyphosate in City waterways for control of aquatic invasives. Mr. O'Neill
agreed that glyphosate (Roundup) is a serious problem. Ms. Mosblech stated that she
had read where The Moorings have started to put native plants along the waterways.
7. New Business: None.
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A. Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration 2018
Natural Resources Board Page 3
Meeting Minutes of April 3, 2018
Ms. Glaser announced this is the 48th annual Earth Day. The date is April 21, 2018, and
the celebration will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Riverview Park. She stated the
focus for this year is on mobilizing the world to end plastic pollution, eliminate single -use
plastics along with global regulation for the disposal of plastics. A lot of the vendors are
going to be providing information on plastics and doing activities in their booths. She
has, as of today, 50 vendors signed up and will be accepting vendor applications until
the day of the event. The layout for the park is the same as last year. She reviewed the
planning that has taken place. SEE ATTACHED. There was a meeting with the City a
week or so ago, and everything that is needed was reviewed. She voiced the need for
volunteers to man the NRB booth. Ms. Mosblech volunteered. She said volunteers are
still needed to oversee the gopher tortoise tunnel, the pinecone and rock -painting table,
the scavenger hunt, and someone for the raffle booth. Mr. Stadelman suggested
contacting the Rotary Club and some of the high school groups for volunteers. Mr. Van
Hoffman volunteered to oversee the rock painting. Ms. Glaser also showed the poster
that Mr. Van Hoffman has donated to post in various locations advertising the event.
Mr. Stadelman volunteered to oversee the gopher tortoise tunnel. Ms. Mosblech
volunteered to help with the scavenger hunt. Mr. Stadelman inquired if there are any
local breweries invited, and Mr. Gordian said that, since this is a City event, there is no
alcohol permitted. Ms. Glaser stated the email address is nrbearthdavna.omail.com, and
she would like any information on volunteers, etc. to be submitted through that email
address. The Mayor is going to do the opening ceremony at 9:00 a.m. The Board
agreed to have a Gopher Tortoise Proclamation again this year. Ms. Mosblech brought
up the idea of promoting non -plastics such as straws and utensils. Ms. Glaser
suggested having a setup in the NRB booth as an example of what can be used instead
of plastic. She stated she would notify the vendors about this idea. Discussion was had
regarding advertising the event, such as NPR, contacting the advertisers, and the
Calendar of Events website in Vero Beach. Ms. Glaser asked for a motion to provide
funds for the event. Mr. Stadelman made a motion, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, to approve
a budget of $500.00 for the event. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. The
Board thanked Ms. Glaser for her hard work.
B. Role of Natural Resources Board
i. Community Oyster Garden Project at Working Waterfront update.
Ms. Jones reported on the Community Oyster Garden Project. SEE ATTACHED.
Natural Resources Board Page 4
Meeting Minutes of April 3, 2018
ii. Guest Speaker Schedule.
May 1, 2018. Stephanie Fonvielle, Recycling Education and Marketing Coordinator for
the Indian River County Solid Waste Disposal District.
9. Member Matters:
Mr. Stadelman suggested a moment of silence to remember the victims in Parkland,
Florida.
10. Items for Next Aqenda:
A. Native Landscaping Ordinance Discussion
B. Sustainable Business Initiative
Mr. O'Neill stated studies show that Floridians generate two tons of waste per person
annually but only recycle 28%, and that is something the Board should address at next
month's meeting.
11. Adiourn:
There being no further business, Ms. Mosblech adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m.
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