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
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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.
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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
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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
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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