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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-2018 NRB Agenda NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD AGENDA REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH, 2018 - 6:00 P.M. 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL “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” 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – ACTION ITEM October 2nd, 2018 Meeting Minutes 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS a. Open Positions on the NRB b. Saturday, April 27th has been secured for the NRB Earth Day/ Arbor Day 2019 Celebration 6. PUBLIC INPUT 7. NEW BUSINESS a. City Hall Demonstration Garden will need volunteers for first work day - ACTION ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS Item A. Sustainable Business Initiative i. Discussion of Outline for Sustainable Business Initiative ii. Decide on name for initiative. - ACTION ITEM Item B. Role of Natural Resources Board i. Guest Speaker Schedule: Speakers needed that provide current information, which can assist with the design and roll-out of the Sustainable Business Initiative. 8. MEMBER MATTERS 9. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: a. December 4th: Sustainable Business Initiative Roll-Out Plan b. NRB Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration 2019 10. ADJOURNMENT ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE ON THE ABOVE MATTERS, WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. SAID APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE WITHIN TEN DAY S OF THE DATE OF ACTION. (286.0105 F.S). IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CITY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT (407)-589-5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. TWO OR MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD AGENDA TRANSMITTAL FORM Council Meeting Date: November 6, 2018 Agenda Item Title: 4. October 2, 2018 Meeting Minutes Recommendation: Submitted for Board Member Approval Background: If Agenda Item Requires Expenditure of Funds: Total Cost: n/a Attachments: 1. Natural Resource Board, Minutes of Regular Meeting, October 2, 2018 City Manager Authorization: ________________________________ Date: _________________ NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD AGENDA TRANSMITTAL FORM Council Meeting Date: November 6, 2018 Agenda Item Title: 8. Item A. i. Discussion of Outline for Sustainable Business Initiative Recommendation: Submitted by Board Chair, Nicole Mosblech for Board Member Review Background: Compilation of suggestions made by Board Members during October 2nd Meeting If Agenda Item Requires Expenditure of Funds: Total Cost: n/a Attachments: 8. Item A. i. Outline for Sustainable Business Initiative City Manager Authorization: ________________________________ Date: _________________ Sustainable Sebastian: Encouraging Lagoon-Friendly Businesses City of Sebastian Natural Resources Board Objective: Incentivize city & local businesses to participate in existing sustainable business programs & adopt practices which conserve natural resources & reduce waste production Background Information:  Current consumption relies largely on single-use items, particularly those made of plastic and expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam), which can create large amounts of waste f or local landfills, create potential pollution of nearby marine ecosystems, and introduce plastics into the marine food chain  Impacts of current plastic usage are wide-ranging, but can significantly impact local economics from the necessary cleanup efforts, loss of fisheries, and potential health care costs  The city of Sebastian and surrounding regions represent the ‘front line’ of marine plastic pollution as many local businesses are located right along the Indian River Lagoon estuary  Programs encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices already exist (Litter Quitter & Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants), though obstacles still exist to their adoption, including lack of information regarding cost comparisons, lack of access to alternative options for single-use plastics, or lack of awareness that such programs exist Initiative Tasks: 1. Create information packet for business owners, which includes: a. Details on existing sustainable business programs (Litter Quitter; Ocean Friendly Restaurants) & details of their existing benefits b. Cost comparisons for alternative items (biodegradable utensils, paper straws, paperboard to-go containers, etc.) c. Recycling service options & cost comparisons d. Possibly providing funds (obtained from potential community grants) for program registration fees, initial costs for switching to sustainable options, installing recycling dumpsters, etc. 2. Highlight participating businesses with: a. Providing banners to advertise a business’s initial adoption of program b. Providing “Sustainable Sebastian” signage unique to City of Sebastian as window decals for front doors/windows and table signs describing program information & benefits c. Invite business owners to City Council meeting to recognize a ‘Sustainable Sebastian’ business of the month d. Providing advertisement through City of Sebastian newsletters e. Discounts on participation in annual Holiday Light-up Night and Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration 3. Create vendor information packet for City-sponsored events to reduce use of single-use plastics & encourage biodegradable or reusable items a. Encourage switching away from single-use plastics (straws, bags, cups, bottles) at city-sponsored events at Riverview Park 4. Create community ‘task force’ involving city employees, NRB members, local organizations and participating business owners for the purposes of: a. Training individuals in the goals and practices of the city initiative b. Raising awareness within the community as task force members introduce Sustainable Sebastian initiative & related informational packets/advertisement opportunities to business owners c. Aiding business owners with compliance verification with existing programs d. Educate business owners of City requirements to remain participant as ‘Sustainable Sebastian’ business, including requirement of maintaining existing sustainable business practices for minimum of 3 years, requirement of adding at least one additional sustainable business practice after 3 years, and additional requirements?