HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-2020 IPM Minutes
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
SUB-COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
UPSTAIRS CONFERENCE ROOM
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL
MARCH 4, 2020
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Benton at 3:00 p.m.
II. Roll call
Present:
Kim Haigler
Kathy Brothers
Dr. Graham Cox, Advisor
Thomas Carrano
Brian O'Neill
Brian Benton
Ms. Christine Kelly-Begazo -- Late Arrival
Also Present:
Janet Graham, Technical Writer
III. Announcements
Mr. Benton announced that early voting will be going on at City Hall during the March 11
meeting time; however, it is still planned to proceed with this meeting as scheduled.
IV. Public Input
Dr. Cox reported that he had contacted Patrick Powers and invited him to the meeting.
Mr. O'Neill reported that Arnold Diehl is an organic farmer in Fellsmere and is interested
in giving this committee feedback.
Mr. Benton stated anyone who can give additional input is encouraged to attend any of
these meetings.
Dr. Cox reported that he has been conducting email correspondence with Michael
Briansky, the CEO of the company that makes W.O.W. He has offered to come and talk
about both the product and the thinking that there is in the non-toxic chemical world
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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 4, 2020
concerning what products are available. Mr. Benton stated he has spoken to this
gentleman specifically about W.O.W. He is a great resource to be utilized at some point
going forward.
V. New Business
A. IPM Treatment Data Sheets
i. Discussion of pest management activities currently occurring at City
parks
Mr. Benton stated he does not have a hard copy of the signs that are being used, but he
passed his phone around which had a photo of the signs. He stated he will have a copy
to put in the formal Minutes when they are ready. The sign states that the park
occasionally receives a pesticide application.
He thanked everyone who attended the City Council meeting last week and gave input
for the IPM plan. City Council has given permission for staff to treat the playgrounds and
to treat the Barber Street complex. Council gave staff permission to review what they are
doing and to move forward with what they felt was necessary. No further steps have been
taken other than treating for fire ants in the playgrounds as of this date. The applicators
have been starting at 6:00 a.m. to avoid applying the product once the wind picks up.
ii. Review of reporting spreadsheet method as a standard for IPM Plan
He introduced the data sheet which is the chemical control log (SEE ATTACHED). Mr.
Benton described and explained each section, and discussion was had regarding the
form. He asked for input on what changes should be made or what else should be
included on this form.
Ms. Brothers inquired if this information will be posted online. Mr. Benton stated he will
keep track of the logs, and his applicators will keep track of them. Those logs will be
available to anyone who wants that information, such as on the website, if that is what the
committee desires. He will also have the documents with him at the City Council meetings
so he can present the information if it is requested.
Ms. Brothers suggested having a link on the website. Mr. Benton will look into that.
Mr. Benton asked for any comments from the public.
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Mr. Patrick Powers, Sebastian, suggested, instead of revealing the applicator's name, it
could just list his/her license number. He also suggested wind speeds should be
considered when applying the products.
Mr. Benton stated that CrossCheck is the product that he and his staff would prefer to use
at this time. Advion can also be used as a bait. Mr. Carrano stated that in his research
of CrossCheck he found that this product binds to the soil. Therefore, it is not going to
leach through and get into ground water. It is also much less toxic.
Ms. Kelly-Begazo stated that because the soil in Florida has low organic matter, the
binding is not going to happen as much as it would in other soils. She further explained
the chemical action of the product.
Extended discussion was held among committee members discussing the science of soil
and grasses in Florida.
Mr. O'Neill will contact Dr. Joshua King, University of Florida, about bringing his machine
to Sebastian to conduct a demonstration.
Mr. Benton asked if any Committee members had issues with staff using CrossCheck
currently for the playgrounds, specifically using it for fire ants. No one indicated he/she
had any issues with it.
Regarding the most pressing needs presently, Mr. Benton stated fertilizing will be done
soon. CrossCheck will be used at Barber Street, and broad-leaf weeds need to be
addressed. Mansion has been recommended to be used for broad-leaf weeds. It is to
be applied as needed, but no more often than every four to six weeks.
B. Committee member discussion of IPM for assigned species
i. Life history traits of each
ii. Biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical control
recommendations
iii. Best methods for use on Bermuda turf grass and general park areas
iv. Discussion of each method's costs, benefits, and concerns
Dr. Cox was to research broad-leaf weeds and what products could be applied to them.
He stated he is somewhat overwhelmed by the information that is available. Mr. Benton
stated that what staff is basing their decisions on is either using products they have used
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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 4, 2020
in the past or the information they are receiving from what are considered professionals
in the field. Mr. Powers reviewed what his experience has been on the golf courses he
was associated with.
Ms. Brothers was given dollar weed to research. She is confused as to what
product/chemical should be recommended from all those listed to treat this pest. General
discussion was had regarding this pest.
Mr. O'Brien stated it is somewhat discouraging that this committee is on such a tight
timeframe to come up with a program.
(AT THIS POINT, MR. BENTON LEFT THE MEETING, AND MS. HAIGLER LED THE
DISCUSSION.)
Extended discussion was held regarding various pests and their treatments, which
products are labeled "organic" and the fact that a product is labeled as "all natural" doesn't
mean that it is not harmful to grass.
Ms. Haigler stated that fornext week's meeting she is asking members to research for
recommendations as to what cultural and mechanical control methods may be applicable
to the three park categories.
At the end of the discussion, it was explained by Ms. Kelly-Begazo that one single product
is not going to be successful on all pests. She also stated it is not possible to address
the pest problem without using at least some hard chemistry. She complimented this
committee and its hard work so far.
It was also discussed that the frequency of applying organic products versus applying
toxic chemicals needs to be considered, as well as the cost of the chemical itself.
VI. Old Business
A. IPM Program Introduction and Implementation Plan
i. Review and discuss the draft first section of the final report
Ms. Haigler stated Ruth Callaghan, who is also a member of the Natural Resources Board
and is an environmental chemist, will be available soon to attend these meetings. She
will have useful input regarding what goes into the first section of the final report.