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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-02-2018 NRB MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 2, 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 Ms. Olson Mr. Stadelman Mr. O'Neill Mr. Van Hoffman Absent: Mr. Gordian -- Excused Also Present: Lisa Frazier, Community Development Director/CRA Manager Janet Graham, Technical Writer 4. Aooroval of Minutes -- August 7, 2018 Meeting Minutes A motion to approve the August 7, 2018 Minutes as presented was made by Mr. Stadelman, seconded by Ms. Olson, and passed unanimously by voice vote. 5 Announcements A. Open Positions on the Natural Resources Board Ms. Frazier stated there are three open positions: one full-time position and two alternate positions. Ms. Mosblech stated that Ms. Glaser's term has expired and thanked her for all her hard work while serving on the Board. Ms. Frazier stated Ms. Glaser has submitted her resignation letter but has offered to help with the Earth Day events in a limited capacity. 6. Public Input: -- None NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 2 MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2, 2018 7. New Business -- None. 8. Old Business A. Community Oyster Garden New Oyster Garden Intern: Savannah Summers, a recent FIT Marine Biology Graduate. Ms. Frazier stated Ms. Summers is very qualified and will be working with the Sebastian Community Oyster Garden until the end of December 2018, which is the end of the grant period. ii. The Board has already begun booking for the school year and has had a couple of successful homeschool site visits. iii. Ms. Mosblech described the event to be held on October 4, 2018, which is titled "A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon." This event will be held at the oyster garden from 8:30 a.m. till noon. B. Sustainable Business Initiative Discussion of Outline for Sustainable Business Initiative Ms. Mosblech reviewed the outline for the Sustainable Business Initiative which she had created after the last meeting. Mr. Stadelman reviewed a survey which he had distributed to some of the businesses along the River and some of the general public as well in Riverview Park regarding the Sustainable Business Initiative. Questions 10-13 were more in depth regarding the costs of a sustainable business, and it was the consensus of the businesses that, if they could pass on the cost of implementing a sustainable business program in order to help protect the environment, they would be amenable to that. He further stated that when asking the general public if they were familiar with the term "sustainable business" as it relates to the environment, the vast majority answered no. When he asked them if they would patronize a business that had an environmental policy over another business, again the clear majority said no. When he asked them if they would be willing to pay more to patronize a business that had a sustainable business practice, the reply was a resounding no. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 3 MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2, 2018 Mr. O'Neill stated that the American Restaurant Association disagrees with this in regard to people frequenting restaurants that are green. Ms. Olson suggested that the Board needs to look at a different name for the program which is more recognizable to the public and the business community. Mr. Stadelman agreed —that education is the most important goal. Ms. Olson reviewed that there are some other communities in the surrounding areas that have made the program voluntary. Mr. O'Neill brought up the enforceability issue, and there are some limitations in that regard. Mr. Stadelman said that he has been having difficulty communicating with the other members of this Board because of the Sunshine Law. Ms. Frazier reviewed the Sunshine Law as it applies to this Board. Ms. Frazier also suggested that the first step for the Board is to come up with an educational program to encourage participation and not force participation, and whatever the Board recommends will need to be brought to City Council for their approval. Ms. Mosblech directed the Board's attention to the proposed Business Initiative which she authored, and that the language contained therein addresses the definition of a sustainable business program, education of the businesses and public, etc. In-depth discussion was had by the Board, and it was the consensus that the outline as written is a positive start. Ms. Olson inquired as to what the next step would be for the Board. Ms. Frazier stated that she would recommend that the Board present to City Council the outline and the plan for moving forward, keeping in mind that the enforcement potential of the program is limited, and softening some of the wording in the outline. She also reminded the Board that for the remainder of the year there is very limited opportunity for meetings due to the unavailability of Council Chambers due to early voting, then the Christmas Holidays, etc. She also reminded the Board that the Indian River Lagoon Council announces their annual grants in approximately February, and that might be a potential opportunity for funding for some of these incentive programs. Mr. O'Neill brought up the subject of the recyclable enclosures in the CRA district. Ms. Frazier stated there are funds in place with the CRA to help the businesses who would like to enclose their recycle bins. Ms. Mosblech stated she had drafted an on-line survey and sent it to the Chamber of NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 4 MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2, 2018 Commerce and asked if they would disseminate it to their members in order to get an idea of their reaction to the program. Ms. Frazier recommended that this survey not be sent to the Chamber until after the proposal has been sanctioned by City Council. Mr. Stadelman asked if there could be another Board meeting before November 28th to work on drafting an outline for presentation to Council. Ms. Frazier stated she would investigate alternative dates for a potential meeting and inform the Board. Ms. Mosblech stated she would like to attempt to have something to send to City Council for the Council's November 28'h meeting. Ms. Frazier mentioned that the Indian River Lagoon Council does offer environmental education funding. Mr. O'Neill volunteered to look into alternative funding. Mr. O'Neill suggested each member of the Board send to the staff two suggestions for names for the program and then vote on a name at the next meeting. Members of the Board agreed. Discussion was had among the Board as to edits for the draft Initiative. • Mr. O'Neill suggested in No. 3, instead of "policies" substitute "suggestions" or "guidelines." • Ms. Mosblech suggested potentially tying No. 3 in with No. 1: "Create an information packet for vendors participating in City events to encourage the use of biodegradable products as opposed to plastics." • Ms. Olson is not in favor of asking the CRA for funds for this program. Ms. Frazier suggested instead of listing CRA for possible funding, use language such as "seeking alternative funding" for the initiative. Ms. Frazier stated that there are other organizations who should be looked into who might provide support other than financial. Ms. Olson suggested that wording be added informing businesses they may get more information from other programs such as Litter Quitters or S. E. A. Difference. General discussion was had among the Board about other communities and their plans for solar energy, landscaping with native species, etc. 9. Items for Next Agenda a. November 6'h: Sustainable Business Initiative Roll -Out Plan Ms. Mosblech stated the Board will fine tune the proposal, make it less specific for presentation to City Council, and vote on it at the next meeting. She also stated a NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2, 2018 PAGE 5 representative from Littler Quitters or the Keep Brevard Beautiful group will try to be at the next meeting. She asked if a member of the Board would reach out to Surfriders and Ocean -Friendly Restaurants. Mr. O'Neill volunteered. Mr. Stadelman will reach out to Indian River Lagoon Council. 10. Adjournment There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Stadelman, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and passed unanimously be voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m. By: klS\ Date: IIto ZDI? Chairpen Ni ,ole Mosblech A