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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-2019 NRB MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 1, 2019 I. Mr. Stadelman, Acting Chairman, called the Natural Resources Board to order at 6:00 p.m. It. Pledoe of Alleoiance was recited by all. Ill. Roll Call Present: Ms. Brothers Ms. Ware Mr. Stadelman Mr. O'Neill Ms. Callaghan Absent: Mr. Howland — Absent Ms. Mosblech — Excused Also Present: Lisa Frazier, Community Development Director Kim Haigler, Environmental Technician Janet Graham, Technical Writer IV. ADDroval of Minutes A motion to approve the August 6, 2019 Minutes as presented was made by Ms. Callaghan, seconded by Ms. Ware, and passed unanimously via voice vote. V. Announcements A. Introduction of New Board Member Mr. Stadelman asked the new member, Ms. Brothers, to introduce herself and give the Board a little background on herself. Ms. Brothers identified that her background is as an attorney. She has lived in Sebastian for more than two years. B. Board Member Positions Available NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2019 MEETING Ms. Haigler staled the Board has one alternate position and one regular position available currently. VI. Public Input — None VIL New Business A. A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon on October 10th at 9 a.m. Solicit for Board Member Volunteers Ms. Haigler described the event, which was held last year at the oyster garden as well. It is a collaboration with local organizations called "SEA a Difference." She described it as being held at different locations in Brevard, Indian River and Martin Counties where there are water quality samples collected, all at the same time, of the Indian River Lagoon. These samples and studies show the overall health of the Lagoon. She stated it was very successful last year and described the groups who would participate such as school students and volunteers from the community. She estimates it will only take a couple hours. Ms. Callaghan slated she would be available for the first hour. Ms. Ware also volunteered. Ms. Haigler stated the meeting place will be at the oyster garden. Staff will be there at 9:00 a.m. to set up. Vlll. Old Business A. Sustainable Sebastian Litter Quitter Update Mr. O'Neill stated that unfortunately there is no update, as the scheduled meeting was canceled. Mr. O'Neill stated he feels Litter Quitter is a good program, but he is concerned about the lack of follow-through from "Keep Brevard Beautiful; under which Litter Quitter is established. He proposes to continue to attempt to get the program going in Sebastian. Ms. Haigler stated that at this point staff has trained the volunteers. What is needed from the Brevard Littler Quitters are the marketing materials and access to their online program, as the whole certification procedure is an online system. That is the main thing she is meeting with Brevard Litter Quitters to establish. She hopes to be able to reschedule the meeting In the near future. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2019 MEETING Mr. O'Neil reviewed that when this project was initially discussed, it was the goal to associate the Sebastian group with another group that was already established. Along with Litter Quitters, Surfriders is another program that was discussed. However, Surfriders has a fee associated with becoming a member, and it was thought that a program without a fee would be better received in Sebastian. Ms. Frazier asked for a description of how the Litter Quitter program works. Mr. O'Neill stated the program is geared mostly to restaurants. The program is designed to reduce single -use plastics. It is a voluntary program, and all that is necessary to participate is for the businesses to stop using plastic straws in order to qualify. The businesses will then get a sticker for their door that says they are a member of Litter Quitters, from which they get some promotional value from the Litter Quitter website. Ms. Brothers requested a copy of the PowerPoint presentation that was discussed last month, and Ms. Haigler said she would see that everyone gets a copy of that. Board Member Review of Proposed Resoluton for City Council Mr. Stadelman asked if the Board members had had a chance to look over the proposed Resolution. All the members answered yes. Mr. Stadelman then read the entire proposed Resolution (SEE ATTACHED) aloud and asked if anyone had questions or comments. Mr. Sladelman reviewed the purpose of this Board. He read from the City Code the section that pertains to the Natural Resources Board, which describes its mission statement and policies and procedures pertaining to it. He asked If a copy of this evening's proposed Resolution as well as the Article of the City Code that he just read could be sent to the City Manager. He feels that the Natural Resources Board has been somewhat ignored and is not always included in a lot of the plans for the City, and he wants to make sure that all pertinent City departments and boards are on the same page. He questioned some of the recent projects that have been proposed for the City and the fact that this Board was not asked for input on those projects. He feels there is a lot of brain power on this Board that would be beneficial if included when planning of these projects is conducted. He stressed that this Board is here to help in any way they can. Ms. Frazier emphasized that, if anyone on this Board has suggestions about items that should be included in the proposed Resolution, please address them. She also suggested, if the Board wants to include the proposed Resolution as well as the Article of the City Code that pertains to the Natural Resources Board, staff can put it together as a packet to present to the City Manager as well as City Council. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2019 MEETING Mr. Stadelman asked for consensus from the Board members on the items that are included in the proposed Resolution. Ms. Callaghan suggested that more detail be included in the proposed Resolution in addition to what has been presented this evening. She also suggested more emphasis be put on resource conservation/preservation such as LED lighting, solar energy, hybrid vehicles when City vehicles need replacement. Another item she suggested is retrofitting the public water fountains at various park locations so that when there are events at the park(s) attendees can refill their containers instead of using single -use plastic bottles for their water. Ms. Ware addressed the subject of landscaping practices. She notices that almost every lot that is being developed is also being totally cleared of trees. She would like to see that addressed. Ms. Haigler explained that there is a residential tree ordinance in Sebastian. She does a land -clearing inspection before construction is begun and another Inspection before a certificate of occupancy is issued. Ms. Frazier also identified a website which contains the whole Sebastian Development Code which has a section about trees for anyone wishing to look it up. A lengthy discussion was had by all Board members and staff regarding wording that could be added to the proposed Resolution before it is voted on. Ms. Frazier suggested that an additional bullet be inserted into the proposed Resolution which addresses reducing the City's operational carbon footprint through promoting renewable, sustainable technologies and energy sources where practical. Ms. Frazier also described that a new Comprehensive Plan is being embarked upon for the City, and this Board will be involved. She also pointed out that, according to growth management law and planning law, a natural resource board is not mentioned as being part of a review of site plans, annexations, and long-range plans. If this is something that the Board wants the City to consider, then bring it to City Council, and they will be the ones who decide on that question. Mr. Stadelman asked if there was any further input on the Resolution. Hearing none, he called for a motion. Motion to move forward with the proposed Resolution with the additional bullet point which stales that promoting renewable, sustainable technologies and energy sources where practical be added was made by Ms. Brothers, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and passed unanimously via voice vote. Next Steps NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGES MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2019 MEETING Ms. Haigler stated the revised proposed Resolution will be prepared and included in the packet for the City Council meeting on October 9th. She encouraged as many Board members to attend that meeting as are able. Ms. Haigler mentioned that the City ordinances are due for review, and some of the wording that is presently in the ordinances may not address everything that needs to be addressed at this point, and those will be looked at. Ms. Callaghan asked that discussion of specifics of the proposed Resolution be held at the next NRB meeting. B. Community Oyster Garden Grant Project Final Grant Report Submission Ms. Haigler is now preparing the report on this project. She thanked the Board members for all their hours of volunteer work on this project. She described that the project started out with four baskets weighing approximately 10 pounds each; they now weigh over 200 pounds. Nearly 300 residents have participated in the oyster garden's environmental programming over the past year. Future of Project The Environmental Learning Center has been working on getting approved for an oyster garden, and when they get approved Ms. Haigler said some of our oysters will be given to the Environmental Learning Center to help them get started. She stated that the education program going forward will be a little different, but they will still use the area out at Fisherman's Landing, as it is a great space for addressing water quality issues, etc. IX. Member Matters Mr. Stadelman suggested doing a float this year for the Christmas parade. Discussion was had among the members and staff. He volunteered to build the goat. He estimates he would need roughly $100.00 for items he will need. A motion to designate $100.00 for costs of building the float for the Christmas parade was made by Mr. O'Neill, seconded by Ms. Ware, and passed unanimously via voice vote. Ms. Frazier announced that Sebastian was funded a $100,000.00 grant from the Indian River Lagoon NEP to match the existing $100,000.00 in order to assist those transferring from septic to sewer along the riverfront. She didn't have a definite number for what this NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2019 MEETING will cost each property owner. Mr. O'Neill stated that needs to be advertised. Ms. Frazier stated postcards will be sent to the property owners involved advising them of this. X. Items for Next Agenda A. Begin Earth Day Celebration Planning B. Where We Are and What's Next for the Proposed Resolution C. Date for the Earth Day Celebration XI. Adjournment There being no further business, a motion to adjoum the meeting was made by Mr. O'Neill, seconded by Ms. Callaghan, and passed unanimously via voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m. q By: �•� Date: 20(1 Chairp rson Nicole Mosblech