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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-06-2019 NRB MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 6, 2019 I. Ms. Mosblech, Chairperson, called the Natural Resources Board to order at 6:00 p.m. II. Pledge of Allealance was recited by all. III. Roll Call Present: Mr. O'Neill Ms. Ware Mr. Howland Ms. Callaghan Mr. Stadelman Ms. Mosblech Absent• Mr. Rosebery IV. Aooroval of Minutes A motion to approve the July 2, 2019 Minutes as presented was made by Mr. Stadelman, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and passed unanimously by voice vote. V. Announcements A. Board Member Positions Available Ms. Haigler stated the Board has one position available currently. VI. Public Input -- None VII. New Business A. NRB Website Update I. Re-Organlzatlon of website Ms. Haigler reviewed that the Litter Quitter program will be added to the website. A "Sustainable Sebastian" section will also be Initiated. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 2 MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2019 ii. Solicit Board member suggestions Ms. Haigler asked that the Board members send to her any articles/information or website links that they would like to see added to the website. VIII. Old Business A. Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup, Saturday, July 27 ^ I. Recap of event Mr. Stadelman reviewed his experience at the event. He was very surprised at the amount of trash/garbage that was collected. Ms. Haigler inquired if the data cards had been turned in. Mr. O'Neill said he turned them In at the booth at the Chubby Mullet restaurant. Ms. Haigler said she would get the total figures for the Sebastian area. Mr. Stadelman addressed the subject of the trash cans that are present and had some suggestions for this event in the future: • He opined that the trash cans that are available are inadequate for where they are stationed. • The trash cans that are there now are rather inconspicuous. Trash cans with lids would be more efficient. • He questioned what he thought was an old septic system at the Main Street park. Ms. Haigler stated that is a baffle box system. • He suggested updating the signage to remind people about taking their trash with them when they leave. Ms. Haigler said the large signs have room to add something about the "Leave No Trace" program. Ms. Haigler stated there have been studies done which show that the more trash cans that are available, the more trash accumulates. She said a theme of "Pack it in—Pack it our could be a focus for the NRB. Mr. O'Neill also stated that it has been found that beaches with no trash cans are cleaner than those without. He also said he would send Ms. Haigler some photos from the event. Ms. Mosblech staled there was a huge amount of garbage collected from the spoil Islands. She also stated it would be Important to collect data on what kinds of items are being NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 3 MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2019 identified, i.e. Styrofoam Items, plastic straws, etc. Ms. Callaghan suggested putting the results of the data collected on the website. She also suggested putting signage regarding not leaving trash on the spoil Islands at the municipal boat docks. Ms. Haigler said she would research that to see if it is permitted. B. Sustainable Sebastian Litter Quitter training class Ms. Haigler stated there were 10 attendees. She stated she will send out the PowerPoint presentation in PDF form that has the directions for using the Litter Quitter website as well as the training manual. She further stated that this Board needs to have a price comparison of materials to present to City Council. She stated it was also brought out that most of the businesses buy from Sam's, and Sam's does not carry the items that would be needed. ii. Next Steps Ms. Mosblech reviewed the need for a form of some kind that can be available to business owners that will show them what their costs would be in comparison to what they are using presently. She also suggested there could be some signage at the businesses that state the reason for the small Increase in prices. Ms. Haigler stated there will be a meeting with Lisa Frazier, the Community Development Director, to come up with a plan to submit to City Council at their meeting the first week in September. iii. Lagoon -Friendly Lawns Ms. Haigler presented the Board members with a brochure on this subject. She described a group in Vero Beach that are using small signs to put in their landscaped areas that rail attention to it being "Florida Friendly." She would like to promote the ideas in the brochure on the NRB's webslte. Ms. Haigler has some literature regarding sustainability which she will email to the Board members. She stated City Hall should be a beginning point to become a Litter -Quitter business as an example for others. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 4 MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2019 After discussion among the Board members, a motion that the Natural Resources Board of Sebastian support the Keep Indian River Beautiful, Lagoon -Friendly program was made by Mr. Stadelman, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and passed unanimously by voice vote. IX. Member Matters Ms. Mosblech stated she has been in touch with Dr. Richard Baker from the Audubon Society, who had been a speaker at one of the Board's prior meetings. Dr. Baker informed her that his group has established a program called "Trees for Life." This entails a plan to plant 100,000 trees. Volunteers who are willing to take a sapling for free, take it and plant it and care for it will implement the plan. Regarding the greenways In Sebastian, maybe some of these trees could be planted along these greenways. Ms. Callaghan suggested devising a framework that lists goals and what the NRB is attempting to do and present it to City Council. She also described a study that was done in the past entitled, "Sustainability for Small -Town America" She will forward that link to Ms. Haigler for dissemination. Mr. O'Neill is concerned about the use of glyphosate and about the blue-green cyanobacteria that's in the stick marsh right now. Mr. Howland suggested it be put on the record that It is the consensus among the Board members that they support stopping the use of glyphosate. That matter was tabled for now. Ms. Haigler stated the importance of using sites such as "Google Scholar" to ensure the research you are reading is peer reviewed. Mr. Stadelman also suggested a moment of silence for the victims of the two mass shootings (EI Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio). That moment of silence was observed by all. Ms. Haigler announced that next Friday morning, August W, there will be volunteers working attaching mats on the oyster garden dock. She will email the Board members information regarding that event in hopes of getting volunteers. X. Items for Next Aaenda Ms. Mosblech stated there will be continued discussion regarding next steps NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 5 MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2019 Ms. Haigler stated there will be the meeting with Lisa Frazier. The Board will be preparing a document to present to City Council. XI Adiournment There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms. Mosblech, seconded by Ms. Callaghan, and passed unanimously by voice vote.at 6:55 p.m. By: Date: (-�)J i Chaves Studlewtav),si9 hlvn9 jg for coaly, NlCole Mosblech