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Home My WebLink About11-06-2018 NRB MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 6, 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. Wolfe Ms. Olson Mr. O'Neill Mr. Stadelman -- Late Arrival Absent: Mr. Gordian -- Excused Mr. Van Hoffman -- Excused Also Present: Kim Haigler, Environmental Technician Janet Graham, Technical Writer 4. Approval of Minutes -- October 2, 2018 Meeting Minutes A motion to approve the October 2, 2018 Minutes as presented was made by Mr. O'Neill, seconded by Ms. Olson, 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. She introduced Mr. Jon Wolfe as a new regular member of the Board. b. Saturday, April 27th has been secured for the NRB Earth Day/Arbor Day 2019 Celebration. 6. Public Input -- None. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 6, 2018 7. New Business PAGE 2 a. City Hall Demonstration Garden will need volunteers for first work day. Ms. Haigler announced that the City was able to partner with the local Master Gardeners extension. There has been a plan developed for all of the beds surrounding City Hall. The project will begin with a demolition day where all the invasives will be removed. The plants that will stay will be removed temporarily and will be reinstalled in a few weeks along with the new plants that will be integrated into the design. November 17'" is the date for the NRB to be represented at the project. Ms. Mosblech and Mr. O'Neill committed to being there. Ms. Haigler explained that this project is a community project, and Sebastian Women's Club, Sebastian Garden Club, and the American Legion have reached out to the City and volunteered their help. 8 Old Business a. Sustainable Business Initiative i. Discussion of Outline for Sustainable Business Initiative Ms. Mosblech stated that two items need to be addressed: (1) any edits to the outline that was sent to all the Board members, and (2) deciding on a name for the program. She suggested the Board review the outline and then address the subject of the name. Ms. Mosblech stated, regarding including outside groups such as the Litter Quitter program, etc., it might be better to table that idea in order to ease into the program slowly and allow businesses and residents time to become familiar with the project. Mr. O'Neill suggested initially making the proposed plan simple, getting people/businesses interested, and then offering different levels/categories of participation for the different kinds of businesses, etc. All members of the Board agreed. Regarding the next item, it was suggested using the wording "Encourage our community to participate in environmentally sustainable programs and adopt practices which conserve natural resources and reduce waste production." All members agreed. Ms. Olson suggested that, if there is going to be an award offered for participation, criteria be established for being eligible for that award. Under the Initiative Tasks section, create a brochure/flyer outlining the program and its NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 3 MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 6, 2018 mission and providing information on existing environmental programs to whom businesses or community members can go for information. The remaining edits were reviewed in depth, and it was generally agreed by the Board that those edits were a good beginning point. Ms. Haigler stated that the ideas that were submitted for a name for the program are listed at the end of the suggested edits, being: • Lagoon Friendly Business • Sustaining Natural Sebastian • Sustainable Sebastian Ms. Mosblech stated she would incorporate the edits made this evening in the outline and send the outline to Ms. Haigler B. Role of Natural Resources Board i. Guest Speaker Schedule: Speakers from the Litter Quitter program and Ocean Friendly will be present at the next meeting. 8. Member Matters Mr. Stadelman brought up the subject of the Sebastian Christmas Parade, which will be held on December 1st this year. He stressed that there be transportation available for the Board members who participated to get back from where the parade ends to where it begins. Ms. Haigler stated she would ensure that there would be someone from the City to provide that transportation. Mr. O'Neill stated he attended the Captain Planet presentation held at the Pareidolia Brewing business. It was very interesting regarding invasive species, phosphorous content in our soils, etc. 9. Items for Next Aoenda a. December 41h: Sustainable Business Initiative Roll -out Plan b. NRB Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration 2019 10. Adiourn NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 6, 2018 1WFACe3�! 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 adjourned at 7:19 p.m. A IJ� By: N Cha rperson Nicole Mosblech A Date: � I Sustainable Sebastian: Encouraeine Laeoon-Friendlv Businesses Citv of Sebastian Natural Resources Board • NRB Mission Statement: To improve the quality of life in Sebastian by nurturing the beneficial relationship between our citizens, our businesses and our environment by protecting, preserving and promoting our natural resources. "Our businesses " added to current mission statement for the NRB — Sec.2-241 Objective: Incentivize City & local businesses to participate in existing sustainable business programs & adopt practices which conserve natural resources & reduce waste production • Remove "City &"as the city has no businesses • "To helo educate the communitv and businesses and to incentivize city & local businesses to participate in existing sustainable business programs & adopt practices which conserve natural resources & reduce waste and oromote aolicies that are economically efficient and that are safe. healthful and rewarding for the environment and for businesses as well as their emolovees the consumers and customers and the oeonle living and working_ and visiting_ in the communitv of Sebastian." • GOAL: inform, educate, mentor, and encourage Sebastian businesses on the benefits ofreducing plastics and non- recyclables, as well as monitoring water use and water retention through appropriate landscaping awhile also providing wild life habitat. • Begin with "Encourage... " Background Information: a. Current consumption relies largely on single -use items, particularly those made of plastic and expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam), which can create large amounts of waste for local landfills, create potential pollution of nearby marine ecosystems, and introduce plastics into the marine food chain b. 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 c. 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 d. 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. CREATE a brochure which outlines the Lagoon Friendly Business Friendly program and its mission. Provides an application providing information on the business wishing to participate. And, includes a list of existing environmental programs on waste& plastic reduction, water use, native landscape and habitat which may include but is not limited to the following: ➢ The Brevard Zoo's Litter Quitter Program ➢ Surf rider Foundation's Ocean Friendly Restaurants ➢ Florida Friendly Yards ➢ Florida wildlife Federation ➢ National Wildlife Federation ➢ Florida's Clean Marina Program ➢ Other suitable non-profit environmental programs Enlist local environmental group: high school, middle school to create a packet of cost comparisons for alternative items. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE APPROVED Lagoon Friendly Business Program will occur during the 1019 Earth Day Event. The first winner will be announced during the 2020 Earth Day Event and will continue annually. COSTS associated with the program will be enhanced and optimized due to the use of existing programs and supplemented with grant funds and alternative funding when possible. 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 • Earth Day is already free to vendors, but restaurants must have special licensing to participate • Seek alternative fundingfor items a. and b. - NRB does not have the budget... • CREATE an awards criteria and program which will recognize ONE business for the highest achievement in meeting the programs mission. ➢ WINNING BUSINESS will be promoted on the city's website and within the city's newsletter. Additionally, the winner will be announced to local news media. It is hoped a plaque or certificate will be presented to the winning business for display in the winning business. • We should have some stickers as well they are cheap and can go on cars or windows or just say decals/stickers. • Develop a recognizable logo for initiative for display at qualifying businesses 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 • Require that all event participants on City Property meet specific plastic and Styrofoam reduction standards • "Free your event from bottled water"- 20pg event guide - see checklistfrom takebackthetap.org on pg. 4 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? • CREATE a working group or taskforce consisting of city staff, a member of the Natural Resource Board and no more than two business representatives as well as interested resident for the purpose of locating and scheduling educational workshops on the Lagoon Friendly Business program and helping with questions or concerns by Sebastian businesses. The working group will consist of no more than seven (7) individuals. • 5. Set up an interactive website to showcase Sustainable Sebastian and programs incentives and survey • Board Members volunteer to champion specific tasks related to roll -out Sebastian's Sustainable Business Initiative Name Ideas Lagoon Friendly business Sustaining Natural Sebastian Sustainable Sebastian