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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-02-2019 NRB MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 2, 2019 I. Ms. Mosblech, Chairperson, called the Natural Resources Board to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledae of Alleaiance was recited by all. III. Roll Call Present: Ms. Mosblech Mr. Howland Ms. Ware Mr. O'Neill Ms. Callaghan -- Late Arrival Absent: Mr. Stadelman — Excused Mr. Rosebery — Excused Also Present: Kim Haigler, Environmental Technician Janet Graham, Technical Writer IV. ADoroval of Minutes — May 7, 2019 Meeting Minutes A motion to approve the May 7, 2019 Minutes as presented was made by Mr. O'Neill, seconded by Mr. Howland, and passed unanimously by voice vote. V. Announcements A. Board Member Positions Available Ms. Haigler stated the Board has one regular and one alternate position available. B. SRJWC Science Camp, Oyster Garden Visit on July 121^ Ms. Mosblech stated the Board needs two members to volunteer for the event. Ms. Haigler stated the project usually lasts from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. She will send a map NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 2 MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 2, 2019 to the members who volunteer. Board members Howland, O'Neill, and Ware volunteered. VI. Public Input Jane Schnee, Sebastian, addressed the subject of changing the landscape ordinance to reflect less grass and more native plants being used. She reviewed that several environmental groups had had discussions in this regard, and she was inquiring where this proposal stands. Ms. Haigler stated that last summer the landscape ordinance was reviewed, and suggestions were made on how to implement changes. It will be handled in house, and she understands it will be addressed during the next fiscal year which starts on October 1, 2019. Ms. Schnee also reviewed that several years ago the Natural Resources Board and other environmental groups put together a brochure on invasive plants. That brochure has been very popular. The Natural Resources Board donated $50.00 towards the printing costs of the brochure, and that donation was very much appreciated. She described a book on this subject, written by Marjorie Shropshire, which is very informative. Ms. Shropshire has recently moved to Sebastian and has volunteered to design and write a new brochure pro bono. Ms. Schnee suggested that perhaps the Natural Resources Board would like to also be involved in this new brochure, and perhaps they would like to donate again to the printing of the brochure. Ms. Haigler said, if Ms. Schnee would provide her with Ms. Shropshire's contact information, she would contact Ms. Shropshire and invite her to be a guest speaker at an Natural Resources Board meeting. Ms. Schnee said she would do that. Ms. Mosblech inquired of Ms. Haigler what the Board's budget is at this point. Ms. Haigler said she would check on that. VII New Business A. Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup, Saturday, July 27th. i. Role of NRB. Ms. Mosblech announced that the event will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Main Street boat launch. She asked Ms. Haigler to explain what the Natural Resources NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 3 MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 2, 2019 Board is responsible for and what its role is in the event The Natural Resources group will be cleaning along that whole waterfront area at the Main Street Boal Launch area There will also be some regular partners for this event with boats. The plan is to bring some volunteers by boat out to the spoil islands and along other pieces of shoreline. Buckets will be available as well as cardboard garbage cans. Mr. Howland inquired whether the City's spoil island would be included. Ms. Haigler said staff and volunteers would like the chance to visit those islands and assess them, so that would be a great opportunity. Ms. Callaghan inquired what the volunteers should bring in the way of equipment. Ms. Haigler stated there will be a list provided of what to bring and what not to bring and also what will be provided. She will provide that list to all the Board members. Ms. Haigler also reviewed that at the next City Council meeting on July 101h, Council will make a proclamation declaring the entire week of July 22n° to the 27" as "Coastal Cleanup Week." It is hoped that an NRB Board member will be able to attend the City Council meeting to accept the proclamation. Ms. Mosblech stated she will be able to attend. Solicit Board Member Participation Board members Howland, O'Neill, Ware, Callaghan, and Mosblech indicated they will attend the cleanup. B. NRB Website Update Re -Organization of website Ms. Haigler called everyone's attention to the very last page of the Agenda packet, where the present website homepage is depicted. She stated the website is somewhat out of date, so what is set forth on that page is just a guideline and suggestions for what might be included in the future. There was general discussion regarding this matter and the items to be emphasized, such as Florida -Friendly yards, stormwater, fertilizer, Sustainable Sebastian, minimizing invasive species and listing those species, information for new homeowners, the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), etc. Solicit Board member suggestions NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 4 MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 2, 2019 Ms. Callaghan suggested having a section on the main page for latest news, such as announcing the Earth Day Event, and reviewing what is being done for more sustainability. Mr. O'Neill suggested a calendar such as Month at a Glance, listing related activities for the month with links to the different organizations that are sponsoring the events. Mr. Howland suggested providing sections of the Ordinance that pertain to environmental subjects. Ms. Mosblech suggested in the banner section posting reminders, such as "No Fertilizer from June to October." She also suggested reinforcing the information concerning recycling as well as making sure the website is mobile -device friendly. Ms. Haigler asked for any other suggestions to be emailed to her, and she will work on a new website. VIII. Old Business A. Sustainable Sebastian Litter Quitter Update Ms. Haigler stated they are waiting for a grant. She stated that until those resources are available for the Little Quitter program, the Sebastian Natural Resource Board needs to focus on what can be done without those resources. Bdan O'Neill is the contact for Litter Quitter, and there will be a training event held so that the Sebastian group can begin certifying businesses. Mr. O'Neill is in favor of moving forward with "Sustainable Sebastian" for now under the "Keep America Beautiful" umbrella, and then the Litter Quitter program can be added in the future. Next Steps Ms. Haigler stated that staff suggested establishing a guideline for reducing waste in all businesses, and it could begin at City Hall. Ms. Mosblech suggested doing some research to see what other cities have done and using that information to adopt a plan in Sebastian. She also suggested presenting the NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 2, 2019 Board's planstideas to City Council. Ms. Haigler suggested that be done after the Litter Quitter program and Sustainable Sebastian are established. Ms. Callaghan stated she had read where Orlando is planning to not allow any events on City property to use single -use plastics. She stated that this may be a step for Sebastian to plan for further in the future. Ms. Haigler stated she has gotten prices for a water truck for events in the City, and water trucks are cost prohibitive for Sebastian. General discussion was had regarding providing water at outdoor events. Ms. Callaghan suggested discussing this subject moving forward. Ms. Mosblech would like to present a list of ideas and/or suggestions to City Council. Ms. Callaghan also suggested that bringing awareness to City Council would be a good idea. There was a suggestion by Ms. Mosblech of setting a timeline for banning some of the items. It was the consensus among the Board members that one step at a time is the way to go. Ms. Mosblech suggested the Board members do some research on guidelines that may already be in effect in other communities and forward that information to Ms. Haigler. IX. Member Matters — None X. Items for Next Agenda Ms. Mosblech asked if the subject of the Board getting involved in comprising a new brochure and finding out how much is still in the budget be on the Agenda and asking Ms. Shropshire if she would be a guest speaker. The date for the next meeting was set for Monday, August 61h, with a training meeting that same day prior to the regular meeting. XI Adiournment There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms. Callaghan, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and passed unanimously by voice vote at 6:42 p.m. By:Q -Y 7t1\ /`_ Date: IDI%liil� airpers Nicol Mosblech I jg