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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2020 IPM Minutes CITY OF SEBASTIAN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING UPSTAIRS CONFERENCE ROOM 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL FEBRUARY 26, 2020 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mr. Benton at 3:00 p.m. II. Roll call Present: Ms. Haigler Dr. Cox Mr. O'Neill Mr. Benton Not Present Ms. Brothers -- Excused Mr. Carrano -- Excused Ms. Kelly-Pegazo -- Excused Also Present: Janet Graham, Technical Writer III. Approval of Minutes -- February 12, 2020 Mr. Benton asked if everyone had seen the Minutes from February 12, 2020. All stated they had. Mr. Benton called for a motion. A motion approving the Minutes as presented was made by Ms. Haigler, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and approved unanimously via voice vote. IV. Announcements Mr. Benton stated that he and Ms. Haigler are going to give a short update at this evening's City Council meeting. He reviewed that there may be some questions coming from Council regarding fire ants in the playgrounds and how we plan to move forward with that. So there needs to be some discussion regarding fire ants during this meeting. IV. Public Input INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 26, 2020 Mr. Benton called on anyone from the public who would like to speak. Patrick Powers, Sebastian. He gave some of his background. He is now a golf course superintendent with the PGA. He voiced his main concern is what is the goal of this IPM plan. He attended the last City Council meeting and saw the presentation made by Mr. Benton and Ms. Haigler. He questions how the present situation all came about. Mr. Benton replied that in November, City Council directed City staff to adhere to a 120-day moratorium on the application of pesticides and herbicides within the City parks. He reviewed that there were a couple IPM workshops that invited public input at those workshops on how to move forward with this process. The moratorium prevented the application of all pesticides and/or herbicides. To address Mr. Powers' other concerns, Mr. Benton reviewed the City's past practices regarding pesticides. When glyphosate became such an issue, City staff were directed by City Council to look into alternatives to glyphosate. Staff investigated and tested products. They found a product that they thought would work for the City, but the decision was made by Council in November to place a moratorium on all pesticides in City Parks. Mary Ann Krueger, Sebastian. She gave her history of many years working on environmental issues. She described how many wild birds were present in her neighborhood in the past and how their numbers have dwindled since the spraying of chemicals began. She has witnessed spraying being done where children are playing. She is very much against spraying of pesticides or anything that is harmful to the immune system. Andrea Ring, Sebastian. She is appreciative that City Council has finally addressed this problem. VI. New Business A. Chemical Information Spreadsheet i. Information for suggested alternative chemicals and current chemicals included Ms. Haigler stated it is impossible to put all the pertinent information on one spreadsheet. She displayed the form that she has created (SEE ATTACHED). She explained how to do the research and displayed an example. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 26, 2020 Dr. Cox asked if these sheets will be done for just the products that the City staff have listed as being used in the past by the City, or will they be done for a wider range of pesticides. Mr. Benton said they are only being done for those products that have been used in the past by the City or are currently being used. What the sub-committee members are being asked to do is, once someone finds a new product that might be used, they then fill out the form for that product. He also stated that City staff can also fill out the forms if they get the product information from the committee member. ii. Discussion of possible classification method Mr. Benton stated, once all the sheets are in on the products and what pests they are successful in treating, then the classifications will be assigned. Mr. Benton called for public input. Mary Ann Krueger, Sebastian. She questioned whether any product is effective for an extended length of time because the sandy soil is so conducive to leaching. Patrick Powers, Sebastian. He questioned the licensing of the City's applicators. Mr. Benton described that within the Parks Department there are two certified applicators. Each of those employees has his own applicator license. The State of Florida has its certified applicator's license that has to be renewed, etc. He emphasized that this is only for the parks system, not canals, etc. Mr. Powers said he himself has sprayed thousands of gallons of Roundup. It is still questionable whether glyphosate is or is not a carcinogen. He reiterated that, while the City is spraying its parks, residential homeowners are buying and using gallons and gallons of Roundup to treat their yards. So his question is, what is the City trying to accomplish, and he questions why the moratorium on all products because of one specific product. Mr. Benton stated that City staff can only control the City's properties, and this committee was formed to come up with an IPM. He recommended that the public who are here at this meeting attend the City Council meeting this evening and present their input during the Public Input section of the agenda. B. Committee Member discussion of IPM for assigned species. i. Life history traits of each INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 26, 2020 ii. Biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical controlled recommendations iii. Best methods for use on Bermuda turf grass and general park areas iv. Discussion of each method's costs, benefits and concerns Mr. Benton called on Mr. O'Neill to update his research on fire ants. Mr. O'Neill stated he and Ms. Haigler and Mr. Benton had a conference call with Dr. Joshua King who is an associate professor at the Biology Department of the University of Central Florida. Dr. King is in the process of developing a system/device for maintenance of fire ants using very hot water. It is very effective, as it kills the queens. Plans will be made to have him come with his machine and give a demonstration of how it works. Mr. Benton explained that this system is something to consider for use in the future. Mr. Benton said he asked Dr. King what he recommended for treating fire ants. His recommendation was to use a broadcast product two to three times a year and use this machine as a control method. When Mr. Benton asked about the effect of this system on Bermuda turf grass, Dr. King stated that in all likelihood this system will kill the turf grass in the immediate area of the mound. Mr. O'Neill will have further updatesat next week's meeting. Dr. Cox was absent from last week's meeting. Mr. Benton had read most of Dr. Cox's information at that meeting in Dr. Cox's absence. General discussion was had in order to further delineate exactly how to present the research from the committee members and to look at both short- and long-term solutions. Regarding his research on broad-leaf weeds, Dr. Cox found that maintaining a healthy turf cover is very important in keeping the broad-leaf weeds under control. Also on his list of pests to address is tropical signal grass. Maintaining good turf cover will also help to control this weed. Mr. Benton stated what has been used for broad-leaf weeds is SpeedZone. For signal grass weeds and torpedo grass, Q4 has been used. Dr. Cox's last assignment was how to deal with mice. With the problem around restaurants and concession areas, the solution is probably going to be baiting and/or traps. Ms. Haigler also suggested owl boxes. Mr. Benton opened the meeting for public input regarding the assigned species. Patrick Powers, Sebastian, mentioned what he called the "Kudzu" warning. He stated when new products and/or methods are brought in, thinking that they will INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE PAGE 5 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 26, 2020 suppress one problem, another problem may be created. Mary Ann Krueger, Sebastian, expressed that it must be kept in mind that everything that is used is going to leach into the lagoon, lakes, and streams. She is also advocating having an environmental specialist attached to the Building Department. Ms. Haigler explained her duties in regard to land clearing of residential lots in the City. Andrea Ring, Sebastian. She stated that educating the public is important and suggested using the Natural Resources Board in that regard. C. Past and Current Condition of Athletic Fields i. Proactive cultural and mechanical pest control methods ii. Primary pest concerns and immediate needs to maintain playability Mr. Benton stated he will show some pictures that he has taken of the turf fields at next week's meeting. The important thing presently is that the growing season is beginning, and right now the pests are beginning to take over the fields once again. He suggested testing some of the products on Friendship Park that have been tested by others and have been successful. If any of those prove to be successful, then they may be able to be used at Barber Street. It was also discussed that signs could be posted letting the public know that pesticides are being used in those areas. Ms. Haigler emphasized that, just because someone sees spraying being done, that doesn't necessarily mean that it is a pesticide being sprayed; it may be micronutrients to enhance root health. Mr. Benton then called for public input on the above item. Mary Ann Krueger, Sebastian, asked whether the Bermuda grass is a good choice as the temperature goes up. Mr. Benton stated Bermuda grass is the premier athletic turf that isfound all across the state of Florida. Patrick Powers, Sebastian, stated that Bermuda grass is a lot more pest resistant. As was previously pointed out, keeping the Bermuda grass healthy is very important. He also suggested over seeding with different types of grasses. VII. Old Business A. IPM Program Introduction and Implementation Plan