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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-2020 IPM AgendaQiY OF SEBAST, HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11TH, 2020 — 3:00 P.M. UPSTAIRS CONFERENCE ROOM 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —ACTION ITEM February 19th, 2020 Meeting Minutes IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS Item A. Only one more meeting after this V. PUBLIC INPUT V1. NEW BUSINESS Item A. Committee Member discussion of cultural and mechanical control IPM methods i. Which are most applicable for active, passive, and athletic properties? ii. Target pests of each method iii. Estimated cost for each method VII. OLD BUSINESS Item A. IPM Plan i. Review and discuss new changes to the draft first section of the final report VIII. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA IX. ADJOURNMENT ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE ON THE ABOVE MATTERS, WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. SAID APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE DATE OF ACTION. (286.0105 F. S). IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CITY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT (407)-589-5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING.TWO OR MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE. 0 r 4'( IPM SUB -COMMITTEE - - _- AGENDA TRANSMITTAL FORM HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND Board Meetinq Date: March 11th, 2020 Aqenda Item Title: III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- ACTION ITEM Recommendation: Submitted for Committee Member approval Backqround: If Aqenda Item Requires Expenditure of Funds: Total Cost: n/a Attachments: Minutes from regular sub -committee meeting held on February 19th, 2020 CITY OF SEBASTIAN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING UPSTAIRS CONFERENCE ROOM 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL FEBRUARY 19, 2020 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mr. Benton at 3:10 p.m. II. Roll call Present: Mr. Carrano Ms. Brothers Mr. O'Neill Ms. Haigler Mr. Benton Not Present Dr. Cox -- Excused Also Present: Janet Graham, Technical Writer III. Announcements: None IV. Public Input Mr. Benton called on anyone from the public who would like to speak. • Robert Bedea, Sebastian. His main concern is the presentation that was put forth at the last Council meeting. There was a PowerPoint presentation made without any time in a scientific fashion to make such claims. He also stated he is dismayed because the moratorium was lifted soon after it was put in place, all because of fire ants. He suggested that the best remedy for fire ant bites is coconut oil and baking soda mixed together. It takes the immediate sting away, and there is no residual sting or itch whatsoever. He suggested keeping some of that solution near the parks as a first-aid remedy that would be a better alternative than broadcasting poison. He also states that the community residents in general play a large part in this situation. The citizens must be educated as well, but he feels the City has to lead by example. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 19, 2020 MEETING Mr. Benton stated using Orange Guard was suggested by a resident at one of the meetings. His staff purchased the product. He mentioned the results of that test at the City Council presentation. The product was applied to two different fire ant hills. He is not stating that it works or doesn't work. He is only reporting on the facts his staff found. He emphasized that the City and staff are not a testing agency. There is the University of Florida, IFAS, who can do the testing. Other places have done testing similar to this along with other products such as rice. The University of Florida, IFAS, has already given the testing results from those products, that they did not work. However, Sebastian still did tests of it because it was a member of the community's suggestion. Referring back to the Orange Guard product, it was applied. He returned two days later, and there was already an ant hill right beside where it had been applied where the ants had just moved over, in his opinion. He did not return to investigate either hill, but he went back before City Council's meeting of February 12 and tested both of the previous mounds. Both of them were drenched. One of them was active still, one was inactive. However, both of them had new ant hills that connected to them. So that was his report on that product at the City Council meeting. • Andrea Ring. She addressed the fire ant situation. She would prefer to control the ants with natural remedies rather than chemicals. She mentioned hot water. Ms. Haigler stated this committee will be discussing that at today's meeting. Ms. Ring stated that Indian River County says they use the vinegar and water on the big areas and asked if Sebastian has tried that. Mr. Benton stated his understanding is that they used the vinegar, soap and water against weeds. The parks director did state they use Top Choice for their fire ants in Indian River County. Mr. O'Neill stated there is someone at UCF who has a boiling water applicator that he has come up with that is like a steam machine. Mr. O'Neill has a call in to this gentleman to find out if it is commercially available or if he has the plans that he would make available to this committee. Mr. Benton stated he has information from some places where this machine has been tested for weeds. Ms. Ring inquired whether hot water would kill the mole crickets. Mr. Carrano said he did not find anything that has been tested like that. If really hot water is sprayed, that will also take out the grass. Beneficial insects--earthworms--will also be affected. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 19, 2020 MEETING Seeing no one else from the public who would like to speak, Mr. Benton closed the public input session for now. V. New Business A. Review of GI BMP Manual Ms. Haigler stated she requested to have the manual here today, but her contact person did not reply. She stated that this manual, Green Industries Best Management Practices, is the manual that City staff were trained on. She stated it has great detail on cultural and physical controls. She reiterated that IFAS is the research institution for this; the City of Sebastian is not. They do statistically significant testing of things in different environments and different climates. They get research dollars to do this research to compile this information. It has been tested, retested, and proven time and again before it is published. Mr. Benton stated that a copy of this manual will be provided to all sub- committee members as soon as it is available. B. Committee member discussion of IPM for assigned species i. Description of the life history of each ii. Biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical control recommendations iii_ Consider methods for use on Bermuda turf grass and general park areas iv. Discussion of each method's costs, benefits and concerns FIRE ANTS -- Mr. O'Neill inquired regarding the Advion product. Ms. Haigler stated it has been approved by the State of Florida for spot treatment and broadcast. Mr. Benton stated Indoxacarb is the product that is in Advion_ Mr. O'Neill also inquired if Spinosad is a more natural solution. Ms. Haigler stated the way to know is to find out how it works. Natural products attack the ants' reproductive systems or their maturity rate. Mr. O'Neill stated that Entrust is the product with the Spinosad, and he inquired of Mr_ Benton whether Entrust had been used by the City. Mr_ Benton said he had not used it, but he would look into that product. Mr. O'Neill stated this is the one product that he found that was touted to be the least harmful. He stated he had investigated some other ones, and he had sent the information on those to Ms. Haigler_ INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 19, 2020 MEETING Mr. O'Neill stated that Borax was another product that was mentioned several times in his research. Mr. Benton stated staff has not tested Borax, but it is something that can definitely be looked into. Mr. Benton emphasized that this committee is what is driving this project. He and Ms. Haigler want all the input that is possible but emphasized that the magnitude of the area that has to be maintained must be considered. Ms. Haigler stated that the City Manager pointed out there may be unintended consequences of testing some of these methods. Mr. O'Neill stated he got an email from Dr. Josh King at the Biology Department of UCF_ He would like to have a conversation with Mr. O'Neill regarding fire ants. Mole Crickets -- Mr. Carrano stated the committee had seen examples of mole crickets when they visited two of the athletic fields. From what he has read, mole crickets are easy to kill with insecticides. Biological control is a bit more "iffy." There is a nematode and there is a Larra bicolor wasp which also targets only mole crickets. Indian River County was one of the counties where the wasps/flies were used. It is believed that these wasps/flies are present, but what is needed is to attract them. They are nectar eaters, so something like a butterfly garden should attract them. Their life cycle ends in the mole cricket. The female injects the eggs into the mole cricket, and that's how the mole crickets die. He stated there is a product called NEMATECH S which can be spread in different areas, and it only attacks mole crickets. Mr. Benton stated he had done some research on that product, and it was his understanding that it was not as successful as they thought it was_ The manufacturer of the product no longer offers it. Mr. Benton made the suggestion to build a type of garden to attract the wasps/flies. He queried whether this is something that will work now or is it something that could be put in now in order to manage the mole crickets in the future in a proactive manner. Mr. Carrano stated that by the time everything was put in place, it may be too late to be effective this year. Dr. Cox -- Sod webworms. As Dr. Cox was excused from this meeting, Mr. Benton reviewed the information Dr. Cox had sent in. Basically, several species of sod webworm commonly infest home lawns. The most severe damage usually occurs in July and August. They are larvae of lawn moths. Mr_ Benton described that staff identifies them with a soap mixture that is applied, and the sod webworms will come right to the top of the ground. Male crickets will do the same thing. Healthy turf grass, proper fertilization, and irrigation can decrease the susceptibility of turf grass against the webworm_ However, excessive fertilization is a leading cause of caterpillar outbreaks in lawns. For INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 5 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 19, 2020 MEETING biological control, there is a nematode that has been successfully tested against sod webworms in Florida. Mr. Benton will have Dr. Cox look into that and see if it's available to purchase. There is also a bacterial -based insecticide. Spinosad may help control without impacting beneficial species. Mr. Benton read from Dr. Cox's notes. The important question is whether integrated pest management works on this pest. Despite the economic importance of the sod webworms, there has been little information on integrated pest management programs for this pest. Several insecticides may be used to control this pest, but appropriate timing, risk of resistance, and non -target aspects need to be considered. Finding larvae with soap flushes, especially if moths were previously seen, and spot treatment of infested areas are recommended. Current control recommendations are mainly application of above- ground chemical insecticides against larval stages. Control should be aimed at damaging larvae, not the flying moths. At least 10 chemical compounds are currently registered for control of lawn caterpillars, including sod webworms, in North America. Directions for applying these products comes from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln Institute of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Department of Entomology. Crabgrass -- Ms. Brothers stated that crabgrass is an issue in the ball fields, not so much an issue in the non -athletic parks. The main cultural practice is already in place, which is to keep it mowed at whatever height is needed for the Bermuda grass, removing the clippings when the seed heads are present, and making sure the Bermuda grass is thriving, so the crabgrass doesn't take over. She said there is a long list of chemicals listed on the IFAS site that she still needs to research further_ She inquired if there is a website where the costs of different products can be compared. Mr. Benton stated anything that any member finds that they want costs for, send it to staff, and he can get a cost estimate from the company that the City uses. Ms. Haigler stated she could set up a spreadsheet template to help list the products, what chemicals are used, how they work, cost, etc. Mr. Carrano mentioned that Florida has a very high ground water table in most areas, and so most things put into the ground leaches into the water. Mr. Benton asked whether anyone looked into the products the City uses currently to form an opinion as to whether we should absolutely not use those products. No one has done that yet. Mr. Benton asked that the members look at all the MSDS sheets that he sent out and provide input on those. Hearing no further questions or comments from the committee, Mr. Benton opened the meeting up for public input regarding the four pests that have been discussed. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 6 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 19, 2020 MEETING Andrea Ring inquired about the fire ant situation at Friendship Park. Mr. Benton stated there is still a problem. It is not at the magnitude that it was previously. At this point some spot treatment can be done on the hills. He still wants to give it a little more time for what was applied the first time to allow it to run its course. He estimates that since the treatment was done the ant hills have been reduced by about 80 per cent. That was using Advion. Ms. Ring asked if the hot water could be used, because it does work. If it is necessary to buy a machine to produce the hot water and spray it properly, she thinks that would be the way to go_ But it is necessary to know if it's going to work. Mr. Benton stated there are some issues with that. How do we get the water hot and keep it hot and get it out there? Mr. Benton stated the machine costs money. Staff can wait for some feedback and see what kind of results those people are getting. Let them do the testing. They have the funds. If Sebastian gets positive results from that, then City staff will make an effort to do the same tests, or something similar. He reminded everyone that with the number of parks in the City, it would involve a lot of time. Ms. Haigler stated the large park areas are 280 acres, the sports complex alone is 22 acres. The City grounds are 8 acres, and the medians and walkways are 5 miles. Mr. Benton stated that everywhere across the City there are ants, and there is not one employee designated to strictly treat the ant problem. He further asked, if the hot water machine works, how will the City be able to use that method and use it efficiently. Dedicating one employee to go around and treat ants is going to be labor intensive as well as costly, where there might be another method that does something different with less manpower and time involved_ Ms. Haigler stated that there are costs involved with whatever method is chosen, and the funds to do it have a limit. Going forward there is also going to be a project to treat the waterways, and that is going to be very expensive. So there needs to be a balance. Mr. O'Neill inquired about the budget. Mr. Benton stated that roughly what is budgeted for all the services which maintain the parks, city grounds, etc. to cover pests, fertilization, and chemicals, including the splashpad, totals approximately $13,000.00. VI. Old Business -- None VII. Items for Next Aaenda A. Each sub -committee member presents IPM research on assigned pests for discussion and adoption into IPM Plan INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 7 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 19, 2020 MEETING The following were assigned for research to present at the next meeting of the sub- committee: Mr. O'Neill -- grubs Mr. Carrano --moles Ms. Brothers -- dollar weed Dr. Cox -- broad leaf weeds The following were assigned to research the balance of the items to present the research at meetings going forward: Mr. O'Neill -- goose grass torpedo grass Mr. Carrano -- sedge grass pennywort Ms. Brothers -- Japanese beetles brown patch fungus Dr. Cox -- signal grass mice Mr_ Benton stated at the next meeting the projector will be set up_ He and the members of the committee thanked Ms. Haigler for all her hard work on this project. Mr. Benton further stated that the information that is gathered at these meetings will be put into a written plan, and he wants 100 percent agreement on what is presented to City Council. VIII. Adiournment There being no further business, Mr. Benton adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m. By: a Date: On 4T SEBAS-T!AN _- HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND Board Meetinq Date Aqenda Item Title Recommendation IPM SUB -COMMITTEE AGENDA TRANSMITTAL FORM March 11 th, 2020 VII. OLD BUSINESS Item A. IPM Program Introduction and Implementation Plan Submitted for Committee Member discussion Backqround: This is the first section of the final report that will be presented to City Council. It will be reviewed and revised, as agreed on by the Committee. Staff will edit draft and present for final committee approval at the March 4t" meeting. If Aqenda Item Requires Expenditure of Funds: Total Cost: n/a Attachments: Introduction and Implementation of the City's IPM Plan- DRAFT '�1 Integrated Pest Management Plan For City Parks and Properties April 2020 �m �7 S B,A5Taw ML 1, HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND Integrated Pest Management Plan Assets The City of Sebastian's Leisure Services Department is the steward of over 300 acres of land at more than 15 locations including community parks, city grounds, street medians, pathways, and sports facilities. Large park areas comprise 280 acres. The sports complexes, comprise 22 acres of the park lands and contain #tennis courts, #pickleball courts, #basketbal courts, #football fields, #softball fields, and #baseball fields. The park lands offer a large array of recreation and enrichment opportunities for people of all ages. The Leisure Services Department is charged with maintaining these diverse park landscapes in a safe, attractive, healthy, and useful condition. These properties represent a major component of the City's capital assets and Leisure Services recognizes its responsibilities to its employees, park users, and the general public, and seeks to employ the highest professional standards in the performance of its duties. To best manage pests on park lands, Leisure Services will continue utilizing the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through the implementation of an IPM Plan. IPM Plan In February of 2020, the IPM Sub -Committee was formed to assist City staff in the development of an Integrated Pest Management Plan for the City of Sebastian's parks and properties. The sub -committee consists of City Staff, Natural Resource Board Members, and local scientific consultants. For the purposes of this plan, the City adopts the following IPM definition as established by the City's IPM Sub -Committee: "To promote nature -based pest management methods, based on planning and prevention, which minimize risks to human and environmental health through the limited use of chemicals, while also remaining economically sustainable." Goals ■ Protect environmental quality by preventing pollutants from entering surface and ground water ■ Ensure effective, economic pest management on City property, while minimizing health risks to the public, City staff, and the environment • Promote the transparency of the City's pest management activities Increase public awareness of IPM methods and benefits City of Sebastian Page 1 Integrated Pest Management Plan Implementation The IPM sub -committee, Leisure Services, and environmental staff will develop and periodically review the IPM Plan, which will apply to the City's pest management activities on all of its parks and properties. The plan will include the following: ■ Adherence to IPM decision-making steps, for managing pests, as outlined in the "Community IPM Cycle" (see on next page) ■ Maintenance of accurate records on IPM implementation and use ■ Ongoing and periodic staff training in Green Business Best Management Practices • Development of standard IPM Operating Procedures for key pests across turf grass and general park areas ■ Inclusion of City IPM policies and practices in any third party contracts or purchase orders for pest management The IPM Plan will be reviewed annually, each March, by the IPM Sub -Committee and City staff in an effort to assess the effectiveness of pest control methods, feasibility of new methods and technologies, and discuss whether revision is needed. Community IPM Cycle This established cycle will serve as the guideline for IPM Plan development and is based on planning and prevention, with the use of chemicals as the last resort for pest control. 1 INSPECTION & MONITORING 10 M City of Sebastian Page 2 Integrated Pest Management Plan IPM Process 1 . Inspection and Monitoring: Staff routinely scouts the landscapes and buildings to locate pests. Pest populations are monitored by visual checks and traps. 2. Identification: Pests must be identified to the exact species. Life history attributes are to be known for each species. This step is key to effective treatment. 3. Planning: The focus is on prevention- what it takes to keep pests out. Determine what action is needed and whether a threshold has been crossed. Proper techniques and timing are for required management. 4. Implement Strategy: All pest management strategies are classified as biological, cultural, mechanical, or chemical. Chemical control is the last tool in the IPM toolbox. All methods are combined to maintain pests at acceptable thresholds. 5. Record Keeping: Accurate record keeping is essential to a successful IPM program. Data must be kept on control methods implemented, chemical usage by staff, and purchase orders. Determine if control methods were effective by knowing what has changed through trap counts and observation. 6. Evaluate Effectiveness: Document if the treatments met expectations. Assess what was learned and determine whether the plan needs revised. IPM Method Choice Criteria When choosing a pest management method or pesticide from the approved list (Appendix X), the following will be considered: Site Factors. Use and function of the landscape. • Considering the use and function of the landscape, parks are divided into three functional categories in which the action threshold and methods are decided: Passive: neighborhood parks which can more likely be maintained with a natural approach. Some of these parks have playgrounds, which will need to be assessed frequently. Active: do not contain Bermuda turf, and receive the most activity on a daily basis. They need to be treated proactively, due to the number of park patrons on a daily basis and the nature of the activities that take place. v Athletic: turf grass must be maintained to a higher standard to ensure the playability and safety of the participants. Proactive treatments are necessary in order to provide the standard of care that is required. • Erosion and runoff potential of site • Presence of surface water City of Sebastian Page 3 Integrated Pest Management Plan Health and Safety Concerns. Potential effects on City staff and park visitors. • Toxicological properties and potential health effects of materials or methods • Equipment operation safety issues • Staff safety and injury concerns Environmental Considerations. Protection of native plants, animals and pollinators. • Consider toxicity or potential harm caused by the method to non -target organisms and habitat. • Potential for bioaccumulafion of materials within soils and groundwater • Know if there is potential for effects on any federally or state protected species that may be in the area • Be aware of any nesting birds in the area and potential affects the method may cause • Understand the effects the method may have on pollinators Costs. Both short and long term costs, as they relate to: • Costs of the material or method • Application and Labor Costs • Effectiveness and duration of effects • Overall feasibility Product Characteristics. Specific product features • Possible residual effect and decomposition products • Volatility and flammability • Product formulation, recommended dilution and package size • Leachability and solubility • Equipment cleaning consideration before and after use • Potential synergistic effects of pesticide combinations Other Factors. Additional factors relevant to the selection • Special equipment required for method • Method of delivery • How all criteria may be affected by weather conditions • Previous pesticide applications on site and interval between treatments • Possibility of pest resistance IPM Program IPM Policy. The IPM plan, as well as future modifications or amendments will be presented to City Council for final approval. The plan will then be incorporated as City policy through the adoption of a Resolution by City Council. IPM Coordinator. The IPM Coordinator is responsible for coordinating, tracking, and reporting implementation of the City's IPM Program City of Sebastian Page 4 Integrated Pest Management Plan Tracking Pesticide Use. The IPM Coordinator is responsible for maintaining accurate records of pesticide use that are accessible for reference. Staff Training. All City employees who, within the scope of their duties, apply or use pesticides will be trained on the City's IPM Policies. An annual certification course on Green Business Best Management Practices will be provided through partnership with the University of Florida Indian River County Extension Office. The IPM Coordinator will track employees' attendance at training sessions. Standard IPM Operating Procedures. The City will follow Standard Operating Procedures below: 1. Use cultural practices and prevention measures to minimize the occurrence of pest problems. 2. Set a threshold of tolerance for pests. 3. Use biological and physical controls that are environmentally appropriate and economically feasible to control pests 4. Use pesticides to prevent or manage damaging pests only when necessary, and select and apply them in a manner to minimize risks to humans, non -target organisms, and water sources, including stormwater. Where feasible for structural pest management, insecticides will be applied as containerized baits. 5. Avoid the use of pesticides that threaten water quality especially in formulations and situations that pose a risk of contaminating stormwater runoff. Information Resources for Staff. The IPM coordinator will act as a resource to City staff to help identify when Standard Operating Procedures are not applicable or sufficient to solve a pest problem, to determine the best course of action consistent with IPM Principles, and to access expert resources when needed. Public Outreach. Public outreach efforts will include distribution of information, either created internally, or obtained through partnership with local and state government agencies. The IPM Coordinator will coordinate and keep records of the following: 1. A City webpage where the public may obtain information on IPM techniques as well as view the City's IPM Plan. 2. The City's efforts to promote the reduction of urban pesticide use through print and television media. 3. The City's outreach to pest control operators (PCO's) and landscapers. 4. Distribution of IPM information and resources at public outreach and community events. 5. IPM information distributed to residents through the "New Homeowner Folders" during the final planning and zoning inspection. 6. Updates and status reports to City officials. City of Sebastian Page 5 Integrated Pest Management Plan Contract Provisions. The IPM coordinator will review contract provisions or addenda to the purchase orders issued by all City departments that contract for pest management services and monitor contract work to ensure that City IPM policies and practices are adhered to by all contractors performing pest management work on city maintained parks, properties and facilities. Regulatory Reporting. The IPM Coordinator will handle reporting to regulatory agencies, which credit the adoption of an IPM Plan as a BMP. 1. Incorporate the IPM Plan into the NPDES MS4 NOI for Cycle 5, Year 1, as a new BMP for Element 6: Pollution Prevention/ Good Housekeeping. 2. Add as new project and update through the statewide Basin Management Action Plan (EMAP) annual report on water quality projects 3. Add as new activity and provide update to the Indian River Lagoon Council for the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) annual report on lagoon -related accomplishments City of Sebastian Page 6