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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-2018 NRB MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 7, 2018 1. Ms. Mosblech called the Natural Resources Board Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Pledoe of Alleoiance was recited by all. 3. Roll Call Present: Ms. Mosblech Ms. Olson Ms. Glaser Mr. Stadelman Mr. O'Neill Absent: Mr. Gordian -- Excused Mr. Van Hoffman -- Unexcused Also Present: Kimberly Haigler, Environmental Technician Janet Graham, Technical Writer 4. Approval of Minutes -- July 3, 2018 Meeting Minutes A motion to approve the July 3, 2018 Minutes as presented was made by Mr. Stadelman, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and passed unanimously by voice vote. 5. Announcements A. Introduction of new Board Member: Susan Olson Ms. Haigler introduced Ms. Susan Olson to the Board. Ms. Olson is a resident of the area, has done a lot of work in Broward County, and has a lot of experience in working on projects and seeing them through. B. Open Positions on the Natural Resources Board NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 2 MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2018 Ms. Haigler stated there are two alternate positions available. 6. Public Input Jane Schnee, Sebastian. Regarding the proposed landscape ordinance, she stated the bulleted list that was put together by the Board is a great list, but she did not see anything on the list about reducing the amount of grass in residential yards, which is such a problem. Ms. Mosblech stated that the Board intended that subject would be addressed on their list of suggestions in the line "Establishment of a % native vegetation requirement." She stated the Board was of the understanding that if a minimum percent of native vegetation requirement is set, that would preclude the amount of grass that could be included in residential landscapes. 7. New Business -- None 8. Old Business A. Landscaping Ordinance Review i. Bulleted list of Board Member recommendations for the landscaping ordinance included in the agenda packet. Ms. Haigler stated staff has not met with the consultant yet, and if the Board feels that there needs to be additions/comments added to the list, if they would email her she would add those to the list. Ms. Mosblech asked for any comments/additions to the list of recommendations. Mr. O'Neill questioned whether it was established what percent would be non-native plants. Ms. Mosblech thought 50% was suggested. Ms. Olson stated her concern is that Florida Friendly Yards requires 50% to be certified as a Florida Friendly area, and even that percent is hard to achieve because people are used to looking at a yard with mostly grass, thus having that yard be useful for children playing, etc. She has experience in getting properties certified by the Florida Friendly program, and it is an extensive process. Ms. Mosblech stated that she realizes how big a role the County Extension Office will play in educating the public on the subject. Ms. Olson commented that the City needs NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 3 MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2018 to lead by example and assess its own properties and demonstrate what can be done to achieve their goal. Ms. Mosblech suggested that commercial properties might be recommended to have a higher percentage of native plants than residential properties. Ms. Haigler stated the City is changing over to a new landscape management company for all their parks, etc., and the new company is amenable to discussing a more Florida - friendly design. B. Community Oyster Garden i. Project Intern, Zachary Graff, to present brief summary of the educational program being conducted. Zachary Graff stated that since his last appearance before the Board a public education campaign has been instituted. He made a PowerPoint presentation regarding the oyster garden, describing the interactive site tour that was conducted. He also asked for the Board members' help in getting the word out about the oyster garden. Ms. Haigler stated staff has reached out to volunteers from Earth Day and Pelican Island events for helping with data collection, and staff has been contacted by the Environmental Learning Center, and they are interested in doing a data share. She said next Friday is being planned for doing the data collection. ii. Request Board Member assistance in getting the word out, soliciting tours, and recruiting volunteers. Mr. O'Neill volunteered. C. Sustainable Business Initiative i. PowerPoint presentation for Board member discussion. Ms. Mosblech made a PowerPoint presentation in which she described what is happening in other counties locally and in which Sebastian might be able to participate. She emphasized the use of single -use plastics as being a large problem and how their NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 4 MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2018 use is affecting the ecosystem. She described what is necessary to be included on the Surfrider's list of Ocean -Friendly Restaurants. She also mentioned what is necessary to belong to the Litter Quitter Program in Brevard County. She then asked for comments/questions from the Board. Mr. O'Neill is in favor of a single -use plastics ban in Sebastian. Ms. Haigler stated it is becoming more and more popular to ban single -use plastics, and it is inevitable that they will eventually be banned everywhere. Mr. O'Neill mentioned the businesses along Indian River Drive and how much plastic is used by those businesses. Ms. Olson is in total agreement. She mentioned that West Palm Beach has an active program which recognizes businesses that are involved in how they dispose of products/utensils, etc. that they use. Since it is a voluntary program at first, there should be cooperation among the City, the Chamber of Commerce and the businesses, and education should be a big part of that. The businesses should be educated as to where to get items that will take the place of the plastics they now use. She thinks a competition among the businesses would engender participation and cooperation, as they would be recognized in the community as being on board with the program. Mr. O'Neill suggested reaching out to some business owners in order to get their feedback. Ms. Glaser agreed that education is key. She suggested having a flyer printed up listing the vendors who provide the non -plastic items, and another flyer for the employees of those businesses to help them get in the habit of reducing the use of plastics. Ms. Mosblech mentioned that she had spoken to two businesses that now participate in the program and listed the benefits these businesses get from opting into the program. Ms. Haigler said that the businesses that are in the CRA district may qualify for grants to help with the cost of joining the programs. Ms. Mosblech said she was in contact with a member of the Chamber of Commerce who will take the idea to the Board of Directors and will then get back to Ms. Mosblech. Ms. Haigler suggested sending someone as an ambassador to one of the monthly meetings of the Chamber of Commerce to speak on the program. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 5 MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2018 Ms. Olson mentioned the number of events held at Riverview Park and the number of vendors who attend these events and use single -use plastics, and this is an area where the City needs to take the initiative to change that practice. Mr. O'Neill suggested, prior to an event, providing a list of approved products the vendors can use. Ms. Mosblech is in favor of using the events in Riverview Park as an example for businesses to segue into using products other than single -use plastics. Ms. Haigler and Ms. Glaser mentioned events where a water company provided water coolers and/or sold recyclable water bottles so there were no plastic water bottles at the event. Ms. Olson asked if the Litter Quitter is a program that is unique to Brevard County. Ms. Mosblech stated that she was told by Sharon Connelly, who works for Brevard Zoo, that they are intending to go statewide with the program and eventually nationwide. Ms. Haigler stated that Brevard Zoo has several outreach programs that are eco friendly, and Brevard County has a special environmental tax that funds many of their programs. Missy Weiss, Executive Director for SEA a Difference Environmental Services of Indian River County and a resident of Sebastian, read a letter describing her desire to create a Sebastian sustainability task force, setting out how the task force would help the community sustain a more eco-friendly approach to sustainability. She is willing to assist in any way with this project. Mr. O'Neill suggested creating a task force to conduct a workshop so that a definite plan can be submitted to City Council for their review. Ms. Haigler and Ms. Olson both agreed. Ms. Mosblech stated the Litter Quitter program has a packet of information that they offer to businesses, and this Board should try to devise the same sort of thing for Sebastian businesses. Ms. Haigler stated if we can get the packet from Litter Quitter, she will include it in the next meeting agenda. She has already consulted with Planning and Zoning to find out what the guidelines are for signage that could be used in the windows of businesses to promote the program. Mr. O'Neill inquired about glass bottle recycling. Ms. Mosblech said that is a requirement for the Ocean Friendly program, and for the Litter Quitter program she believes it is at the Gold Level. Ms. Olson questioned how broad a program the Board is proposing —whether it is just for the restauranteurs or also for other businesses. Ms. Mosblech emphasized that Sebastian begin with supporting the programs that are already in place and then NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 6 MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2018 expanding as time goes on. Ms. Olson said it will be important to describe to the Chamber of Commerce that the plan is for this program to become city wide, but that it will begin with the CRA. Ms. Haigler stated it is very important that the Board collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce as a starting point. Mr. Stadelman suggested staff or Board members attend a monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfast or luncheon, as there are many business owners who attend those events. A representative of this Board could be scheduled on the agenda to talk about the proposed program. Ms. Mosblech said she would wait until after she receives feedback from the Chamber of Commerce to draw up the Board's outline of the plan. Ms. Haigler volunteered to be the point person to organize the Board members' attendance at a Chamber meeting. 9. Member Matters Ms. Glaser stated there is money -- over $400.00 -- left over from the Earth Day event, and she would like to dedicate funds for installing some native plants in an area around City Hall. Ms. Glaser suggested something such as a native plant demonstration garden. It was the consensus of the Board that a nursery within the City limits be contacted regarding providing those plants. Ms. Haigler will investigate the regulations on how to spend those funds, and she will put this on next month's agenda. Ms. Mosblech brought up the storm water park on Englar Drive. She recalls that several years ago the pumps were operating, but she was told that the pumps were not operating anymore. Ms. Haigler described the history of those pumps, and she verified that the pumps are running. 10. Items for Next Aoenda A. Review of goals of the program and devise a project outline. Ms. Haigler announced that for two weeks during September new carpeting is being installed in City Chambers, so the facility will not be available. Mr. O'Neill asked if the date for the September meeting could be changed so as to keep the momentum for this project moving. Ms. Haigler will look into that. 11. Adjourn NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2018 PAGE 7 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 was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. By: Iv V k P Chair erson�icole Mosblech A Date: 1 I