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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-2020 NRB MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2020 Chairman Stadelman called the Natural Resources Board to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledae of Alleaiance was recited by all. III. Roll Call Present: Mr. Carrano (a) Mr. O'Neill Ms. Mosblech Mr. Stadelman Ms. Brothers Ms. Ware Ms. Callaghan Absent: Ms. Lovell -- Excused Also Present: Kim Haigler, Environmental Technician Robert Loring, Senior Planner Janet Graham, Technical Writer IV. ADDroval of Minutes Mr. Stadelman asked if there were any corrections/changes to the Minutes of the January 7, 2020 meeting as presented. Hearing none, Mr. Stadelman called for a motion. A motion to approve the January 7, 2020 Minutes as presented was made by Ms. Callaghan, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and passed unanimously via voice vote. V. Announcements A. Board Member Positions Available Ms. Haigler stated there is one board member alternate position available. Interested parties may contact the City Clerk for application information. Ms. Haigler also introduced Robert Loring, who is the City's new Senior Planner. Mr. Loring has vast experience as a planner. He also holds degrees in architecture and NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 2 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2020 MEETING historic preservation. He has also been involved in rewriting tree ordinances. She stated he will be a great asset to implementing the Sustainable Sebastian initiative. VI. Public Input Graham Cox, Sebastian reviewed that sometime ago the Pelican Island Audubon Society worked on a document containing the City's landscape ordinance that is presently in effect and the model ordinance done by the Native Plants Society and put them both in one document side -by -side so that they can be compared. Ms. Haigler stated she distributed copies of that document to all the Board members last summer. She stated this document was a big help. She will also distribute it to anyone on the Board who was not a member last summer. VII. New Business A. Nomination of Integrated Pest Management Sub -Committee Mr. Stadelman stated that the Natural Resources Board (NRB) has been asked to participate in the Integrated Pest Management Sub -Committee activities for their input. Ms. Haigler described that the NRB is being asked to provide three members of the NRB to be part of a committee that is going to meet every Wednesday beginning February 12. An integrated pest management plan is going to be developed for Sebastian's parks and other City properties. Ms. Brothers inquired as to who else will be part of the Committee. Ms. Haigler stated she will be part and Brian Benton, Director of Leisure Services. Other community members will also be asked to participate. The meetings will be 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. This plan needs to be implemented quickly, as there has been a moratorium on the parks, and the parks have been seriously invaded by pests. This plan needs to be organized and finalized so that it can be presented to City Council on April 8th. Ms. Brothers volunteered to participate as well as Mr. Carrano and Mr. O'Neill. Ms. Callaghan stated that this is her area of expertise. However, she will be out of the country during most of March, but she will have access to email and, if her input is desired, she would like to participate that way. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 3 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2020 MEETING Ms. Ware inquired if other Board members may attend these meetings even if they are not part of the Sub -Committee. Ms. Haigler stated the meetings are open to the public, so anyone may attend. Vill. Old Business A. Sustainable Sebastian, Discussion of Goals and Tasks for: Initiative 1: Support overall reduction in the use of single -use plastics by the City of Sebastian and its business community by assisting and promoting Keep Indian River Beautiful/Keep Brevard Beautiful's Littler Quitter and Surfriders' Ocean Friendly Restaurants programs, and through the identification of alternative products. Initiative 2: Support Landscaping practices that promote a healthy, native ecosystem by assisting and promoting Keep Indian River Beautiful's Lagoon -Friendly Lawns and University of Florida WAS Florida -Friendly Landscape programs. Mr. Stadelman reviewed that at the last meeting Board members were tasked with coming up with two objectives and how those objectives can be attained. He called on Board members to make their comments and suggestions. Ms. Haigler explained that these initiatives are open for discussion. The language set forth in this agenda item is taken directly from the Resolution, but these initiatives are open for discussion and not limited to what is in the Initiatives language. Mr. Stadelman described the initiatives listed in the Sustainable Sebastian Resolution. Ms. Callaghan has three goals, the first of which is getting 50 percent of the restaurants licensed in Sebastian to agree to achieve the bronze level as defined in the Litter Quitter program. The tasks associated with that goal would be to create literature such as brochures, etc. Next would be to disseminate that literature, not only to the businesses, but to the school systems and other groups such as the Elks and others in an attempt to educate as many as possible about this project. She also suggested running an article in the newspaper as another way to reach the public. All of the licensed food establishments in Sebastian would also need to be visited. Information should also be posted on the NRB website. Mr. O'Neill stated that the bronze level is very easy to achieve. Eliminating plastic straws will get the participants to the bronze level. Eliminating plastic bags will get the NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 4 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2020 MEETING participants to the silver level. Using biodegradable cups will get participants to the gold level. Ms. Callaghan stated it is important to attach a timetable to these goals. Ms. Haigler suggested a goal of getting 50 percent of the restaurants to attain the bronze level in the next year. It was the consensus of the Board that that is an achievable goal. There was extended discussion among the Board members regarding how to proceed with attaining the goals as outlined in the initiatives. One suggestion was made by Mr. O'Neill to emphasize the Litter Quitter program by promoting the phrase, SBC, S—straws, B—bags, C--cups as an easy way for people to remember what the initiative is about. It was the consensus by Board members and staff that this is an excellent suggestion. It was decided that the goal would be 50 percent signup of the businesses in the CRA in the program during the first year. The task would be for volunteers to individually contact the businesses with a folder containing information relative to achieving the different levels of the Litter Quitter program. Regarding the Surfrider program, Ms. Haigler stated their information will be included in the packets that are given out. Mr. Loring also suggested contacting the Chamber of Commerce as the first business to approach, as they have a lot of resources to help in reaching out to businesses. Ms. Brothers volunteered to contact the Chamber. Mr. O'Neill mentioned a gentleman who handles the Litter Quitter account for Edward Donn & Company as a person who would be a valuable resource for City Hall to become more sustainable. Ms. Haigler suggested having him come to a meeting. Mr. O'Neill will reach out to this gentleman in this regard. Ms. Haigler described the process that is needed to change over to sustainable products at City Hall, who should set the example. Ms. Callaghan went on to describe her second goal, that being banning the use of single - use plastics during City events on City property. Mr. Loring stated in the short tens that could be done as a policy, and then sometime in the future make it a City Council actionable item. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 5 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2020 MEETING Ms. Haigler also announced that it is a goal of the City to have a bottle -refill station in Riverview Park before Earth Day and with the ultimate goal of having those stations at all City parks. Extensive discussion commenced among the Board and staff regarding the policy of banning single -use plastics at City events and City -sponsored events and how the policy will be implemented. Ms. Mosblech suggested establishing a task for setting the use of a certain percentage of single -use plastics to be replaced by sustainable items in City Hall. She also suggested updating the contracts of vendors attending events in the City. Ms. Callaghan suggested addressing the problem of plastics and trash on the barrier islands through the "No Trace Left Behind" program. Ms. Haigler stated she would list that as Goal #3 and would contact Emily Dark, who is involved with the Leave No Trace program. Regarding Initiative 2, Ms. Ware suggested the NRB reach out to other local groups in the area who are pushing different programs. She gave an example of the Native Plant Society and the various brochures they have for distribution. Ms. Haigler stated she was in contact with the I FAS extension office. They have a folder with lots of literature with information regarding lawn care, etc. They also have a schedule of their workshops. She obtained 100 of these folders and added the information from them to the information she already has regarding this project. She made it into a "new homeowner packet" that she distributes when she makes the final inspection on a new home. She will contact the Master Gardeners and the Extension Office to request the folders and the literature that goes into them. She will ask for volunteers to stuff the folders so that they can be handed out on Earth Day. Mr. O'Neill inquired whether there are links on the NRB's website to these various other groups that have been discussed. Ms. Haigler stated that currently there are links to KIRB for the lagoon -friendly lawns and for the IFAS websites. She asked for input on links to other groups that can be included on the website. Ms. Haigler asked Mr. Loring to explain a little bit about Task C under Goal #3 of the Implementation Plan. He stated that a program that he was involved with in the past in Palm Bay was recognizing someone who had a prize lawn. A door hanger was placed which said, "We Noticed." This was a way to tell people that the City recognized their efforts. In furtherance of that program, a plaque was given, and the individual got to shake NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 6 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2020 MEETING the mayor's hand. Ms. Haigler suggested when the "We Noticed" sign is placed information could be listed on the back as to the different steps necessary to becoming a Florida -Friendly Lawn. Mr. O'Neill brought up the Surfriders Ocean -Friendly program and the vast information they can provide. Ms. Haigler said that could be added to the links on the website. Mr. Carrano inquired whether there is a list of grants that are available. Ms. Haigler stated she has a whole spreadsheet identifying the grants and the attendant information relative to applying for them. She will consult with City staff and see where City Council is on the subject of grants. B. Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 25th at 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Discuss event planning progress by department Ms. Haigler stated she has a flyer completed except for entertainment. Mr. O'Neill stated he has oral commitments from the musicians, but he has not gotten any contracts back yet. He will get with the relevant parties and notify them that, if they want to be included in the flyers, there is a deadline to be met. Ms. Haigler said the applications have been posted online. There will also be applications available in her office. Ms. Mosblech said she will be sending out the retail vendor sheets and the food vendor sheets along with the fire permits. Ms. Haigler explained how this is handled through a Google Drive account. Ms. Ware suggested preparing an informational flyer describing a poster contest so that it could be presented to the schools after this Earth Day Celebration but before the end of this school year. The contest would run during the next school year and winners would be decided on Earth Day 2021. Determine Sustainable Sebastian promotional products for Celebration After discussion among staff and Board members, it was determined that the following will be ordered: NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 7 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2020 MEETING a. Rectangle 4" x 2" white vinyl stickers — $282.00 for 1000 b. Organic cotton 13" x 15" totes—$448.00 to $672.00 for 200/300 c. Tee Shirts Mens/Womens, color front — $80.00 for 10 (may need more) d. Seed packets (envelopes, seeds, labels) e. Metal tumblers Ms. Haigler stated she will prepare a one -page flyer describing what Sustainable Sebastian is to be handed out at different events. Mr. Stadelman suggested coming up with a basic definition of Sustainable Sebastian or "catch phrase" to get the word out. Mr. O'Neill had suggested SBC, S—straws, B—bags, C—cups, or "Sebastian Business Cares." IX. Member Matters Mr. O'Neill pointed out that getting two-thirds of the goals this year would be straws and bags, which are very detrimental to the turtles. Mr. Stadelman thanked everyone for their hard work on this project and reminded everyone that this Board has been invited to be involved in the Integrated Pest Management Sub -Committee as well as devising the new Comprehensive Plan. These things will impact this community for many years to come. Ms. Haigler announced that Patrick Morgan from the Sebastian Area Historical Society has a great deal of information. Also, on Wednesday, February 191h, they will be presenting a history of mosquito control at the North County Library, which is very interesting. X. Items for Next Acenda XI. Joumment There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms. Brothers, seconded by Ms. Ware, and approved unanimously via voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. By: e" JS a9aJ L Date: rkpc`1v3,o� > Chairman Charles Stadelman 19