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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-03-2018 NRB MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 3, 2018 1. Ms. Mosblech called the Natural Resources Board Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. 3. Roll Call Present: Ms. Mosblech Ms. Glaser Mr. Stadelman Mr. O'Neill Absent: Mr. Gordian -- Excused Mr. Van Hoffman -- Unexcused Also Present: Lisa Frazier, Community Development Director Kimberly Haigler, Environmental Technician Janet Graham, Technical Writer 4. Approval of Minutes -- May 1, 2018 Meeting Minutes A motion to approve the May 1, 2018 Minutes as presented was made by Mr. Stadelman, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and passed unanimously by voice vote. 5. Announcements A. Open Positions on the Natural Resources Board Ms. Haigler stated there are two alternate positions open. 6. Public Inout -- None 7. New Business NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD Meeting Minutes of July 3, 2018 A. Wildlife Crossings Signs IJ_TH4Pa Ms. Haigler stated there have been several requests from citizens concerning wildlife endangerment at busy streets and roads. She presented a sample of the sign that has been created showing silhouettes of three species of wildlife. These signs will be posted around the area, including the conservation areas. 8. Old Business A. Community Oyster Garden i. Kimberly Haigler presents project update and introduction of new project intern, Zachary Graff. Ms. Haigler announced that an intern has been hired regarding the oyster garden. His name is Zachary Graff, and he comes from FAU. He is a biology major with experience in aquaculture and has a vast knowledge of the Indian River Lagoon. She also announced that the first tour is scheduled for July 13`h. ii. Request for Board Member to act as Volunteer Coordinator Ms. Mosblech asked if staff wanted to go ahead with asking for a Board member to act as a Volunteer Coordinator. Ms. Haigler requested that the Board wait until there are more Board members present. B. Eagle Scout Oyster Bag Project i. Mr. Graff presented a site analysis of the Eagle Scout Oyster Bag project that was installed at the Riverview Park canoe launch in 2016. Mr. O'Neill asked if there are plans to continue this project or launch a new project. Ms. Mosblech stated this project was complete, and the new project is at the working waterfront. Mr. Graff stated he is involved in the new one. Ms. Mosblech asked if it would be expected that other species of sea grass would come into that area. Mr. Graff stated that following a natural or manmade disaster, the shoal grass is the first to come in as the water quality improves followed by manatee grass and turtle grass. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 3 Meeting Minutes of July 3, 2018 C. Landscaping Ordinance Review Ms. Frazier reviewed that at the last meeting the Board was given copies of the City's existing landscape ordinance along with examples from other municipalities. She stated that staff is hoping to receive from the Board a bulleted list of items outlining what issues the Board feels need to be addressed and what items should be strengthened. Ms. Frazier stated that going forward, if the Board feels they want to strongly recommend an initiative, or for the staff to review something that is in place already such as the landscape ordinance, they should draft a letter stating what the Board would like, and that letter can be presented to City Council on the Board's behalf Guest Speaker -- Richard Baker, Pelican Island Audubon Society. Mr. Baker is President of the Pelican Island Audubon Society and was Director of the Florida Entomology Lab. He made a Power Point presentation setting forth statistics and studies regarding landscaping. He then presented the Board with copies of the present Sebastian Landscape Ordinance along with the Model Native Plant Landscape Ordinance from the Florida Native Plant Society. ii. Guest Speaker -- Nickie Monroe, IRC Environmental Horticulture Agent Ms. Monroe presented a Power Point presentation describing "Florida -Friendly Landscaping." Mr. Stadelman asked, if Ms. Monroe could make one recommendation regarding the things that she has discussed, what that would be. Her answer was to identify your grass and mow it to its specific best height. She would like to see a grass height recommendation included in the proposed ordinance. iii. Kimberly Haigler facilitates a board discussion. Ms. Haigler indicated staff would like to have a bulleted list of suggestions that are felt to be the highest priority. Ms. Mosblech: NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD Meeting Minutes of July 3, 2018 PAGE 4 • Would like to see something inserted under Section 54-3-14.8, which is a paragraph on residential landscaping requirements, that one of the Board's goals is to try and protect and restore the native vegetation that exists before the land is cleared for development.. • Suggested that when native trees are planted in new construction sites, a way could be devised to check six months or a year later to make sure that those native trees are still in place. • Suggested that within the residential landscaping requirements might be a place to put in a percentage as to how much of the lawn can be grass as opposed to being landscaped with native vegetation, and she suggested 50%. Mr. O'Neill inquired whether this is to apply only to new construction. Mr. Stadelman thought it applies to renovations up to 50% of the total land area, so it might apply if a new driveway is put in or a larger addition. Ms. Frazier stated it would only be triggered by a site plan permit, but she is in favor of educating the public about the changes to the ordinance. • Called on Dr. Baker to speak. He addressed the fact that many of the homeowners in Collier Creek have taken out the oak trees that were planted. Ms. Haigler said that when a tree -removal permit is applied for, she goes to the site and inspects to see that the tree code is being met and that all the City's recommended trees are native hardwoods. • Stated there are two items in the Indian River Code that she favors including: 1. There is an Appendix A which lists different native species that are recommended for different habitats. 2. Regarding exotic invasives, she stated that in Sebastian's code it lists the five different species that are never permitted, and the State of Florida has their noxious weed and invasive plant list which they update. She recommends implementing this type of information. She questioned if there is any way to communicate with nurseries and landscaping companies regarding this list. Ms. Haigler stated she has approached the nurseries in Sebastian regarding the trees that are needed • Saw in the Indian River County Ordinance, Section 926.07 has a point system where points are given for having less invasive plants and less grass, and she thought that was a good approach. Mr. Stadelman suggested that it would give incentives to try to reach the goal of more native species and less grass. Mr. O'Neill thinks it is a positive step in giving homeowners more flexibility. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 5 Meeting Minutes of July 3, 2018 Mr. O'Neill: • Would like to see something regarding the waterfront areas having a 10- to 15- foot buffer zone containing native plants rather than having grass growing right up to the water. Ms. Mosblech suggested that might be set at a certain percentage. • Asked about the interaction between the landscaping companies and the developers and what the Board is trying to accomplish. He questioned if the information is being supplied to the developers. Ms. Haigler stated there is a homeowner's packet included with the application for tree removal with every new construction. Mr. O'Neill suggested a public relations promotion to the developers, landscapers, etc. when the new ordinance is enacted. Ms. Frazier is in favor of providing more information in the packets and also using the website to enlighten and encourage the public. Mr. Stadelman: • Suggested including in the proposal having the height of the grass mowed to 3-5 inches. • Asked if there is some way that the Community Redevelopment Act (CRA) could be opened for a homeowner to apply for a grant for a preexisting lawn invasive - species problem when those homeowners do not have the funds to redevelop that property, or an incentive through some ad valorem line item in the property taxes. Ms. Frazier, a CRA Director, pointed out that the CRA is just the riverfront and the triangle, and it does not include a lot of single-family homes. However, the CRA does offer a fagade, landscape and signage grant to those within the CRA if they want to upgrade any of those things on their property. Ms. Mosblech then asked for input from the public. • Judy Orcutt stated that Florida -friendly landscaping has to be allowed by state law, so that should be included in the ordinance, and the state laws override homeowners associations' rules. She thinks the City should set the model for native landscaping on its own lands. • Juanita Baker, Sebastian Springs. She suggested having islands in some of the ponds which would encourage birds to come and nest. Ms. Frazier stated that the developers have to adhere to the St. John's River regulations regarding water retention, and that would be under a different code. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 6 Meeting Minutes of July 3, 2018 Ms. Frazier stated the City is about to embark on a coastal resiliency plan which will be addressing sea -level rise in Sebastian, and staff is waiting for the grant, which has been approved. She also recommended requiring littoral zones along the storm water ponds as part of the regulations. D. Role of Natural Resources Board i. Guest Speaker Schedule Ms. Mosblech stated the design of the Sustainable Business Initiative is planned for the August meeting, and she has reached out to Sharon Connelly, who works with the Brevard Zoo and the Litter Quitter program in Brevard, to see what their successes and challenges have been. Ms. Mosblech will meet with Ms. Connelly to get Ms. Connelly's ideas and will convey them to the Board in August. Ms. Haigler stated Ms. Connelly can also submit material for the agenda packet. 8. Member Matters Mr. Stadelman stated he had inquired at the last meeting about ADA facilities at Riverview Park and was wondering if anything has been accomplished in that regard. He would like to see it made easier for people with disabilities, etc. to get around the park. Ms. Frazier stated at present, plans are to widen the sidewalk. 9. Items for Next Aaenda A. Sustainable Business Initiative Ms. Mosblech stated in the agenda packets is material to be used for discussing the Sustainable Business Initiative and asked if it would be possible for Ms. Haigler to send out copies of the document to interested parties. Ms. Haigler stated the Board needs to develop a goal statement for City Council at the next meeting. Mr. O'Neill stated that eventually he would like to see a single -use plastic ban. 10. Adiourn There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Stadelman, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and passed unanimously by voice vote. Meeting NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD Meeting Minutes of July 3, 2018 was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. By: Chairperso Nicole Mosblech jg Date: PAGE 7