HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-2020 IPM MinutesINTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE
SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL
JULY 7, 2020
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Benton at 3:00 p.m.
II. Roll call
Present:
Dr. Graham Cox (Zoom)
Ruth Callaghan (Zoom)
Thomas Carrano
Also Present:
Brian Benton, Leisure Services Director
Kim Haigler, Environmental Technician
Ken Griffin, Engineering Director of Sebastian Public Works and Stormwater
Janet Graham, Technical Writer (Zoom)
Absent:
Kathy Brothers — Excused
Christine Kelly-Begazo — Excused
III. Announcements:
A. Date for Final Approval of IPM Plan by Sub -Committee and
Presentation Schedule
Mr. Benton reviewed the schedule which was in the agenda packets. The next meeting
will be Tuesday, July 14 at 3:00 p.m. Monday, July 20 at 3:00 p.m. will be the final meeting
to approve the Plan. Once it is finalized by the IPM Sub -Committee, it will go to the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Committee on July 27, the Natural Resources Board on August
4, and the final Plan and Resolution will go to City Council for their discussion and
approval on August 26 at 6:00 p.m.
IV. Public Input — None
V. New Business
A. Section VI: Pesticide Use Methodology
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Discussion of new elements
Ms. Haigler reviewed the items that were added after discussion at the last meeting,
including the environmental impact portion as well as the field use EIQ. Also added was
the Approved Pesticide List. Under that heading is a one -paragraph section on how the
approved chemicals were chosen. This section includes the Chemical Control Log as an
appendix, and the Pesticide Exemption form as an appendix. Ms. Haigler then asked for
comments from the Sub -Committee members.
Ms. Callaghan suggested at the last meeting that the Sub -Committee talk about, relative
for the field use EIQ, that the EIQ rating was based on an application rate that had been
used for chemicals that the City had used in the past. She was thinking that that
information be inserted either in text or to the table to footnote it. She did not see a
footnote to that table and was wondering if she missed it. Ms. Haigler said she decided
to put the table in the first paragraph under Approved Pesticide List to explain how the
concentrations that the City uses were arrived at. She said she is going to add a few lines
there to explain it. Ms. Callaghan stated that she would like that verbiage to be added to
clarify how the Sub -Committee came up with the numbers that are presented on that
table.
Ms. Callaghan thinks the end goal is that we have a list that the City can use to explain
that all these factors were discussed at length. It is known what the field EIQ is. The
efficacy is as reported by staff. The relative cost is known, or what it takes to apply the
pesticide. It is a combination of those factors that should be used. She would like to
suggest that a sentence be added stating that the selection of the approved pesticide for
use should be based upon a combination of the lowest field EIQ, the greatest efficacy,
and the least expensive combination. That is how to use that table for the intended
location and use that is prescribed, that those are the factors to be considered, just
clarifying the use of that table.
Ms. Callaghan has two comments about the Chemical Control Log. Somewhere she
would really like to talk about tolerance and population thresholds. She wishes there
were a table that gives guidance for what is acceptable or how to generally quantitate
each of the pests that are being looked at. Mr. Benton said that Ms. Haigler and he had
had this discussion. He reviewed that the staff is out there on a daily basis, so they see
the pests. This is for the Sports Complex, which is going to receive the most amount of
IPM input regarding the athletic fields. At the Sports Complex, the applicators are out
there daily, and so it is going to be easy for them to see where application is needed. He
stated it will come down to judgment on the staff's part. Ms. Haigler added that staff did
determine that the tolerance threshold before action is taken is high in passive parks, low
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in athletic parks, and moderate in active parks. Mr. Benton said it is going to be difficult
to determine a number for every pest.
Ms. Callaghan stated it might be worth just including where pesticides are applied, and
not something to control weeds, and you are in an area that is considered on the high
side. Perhaps there might be some guiding statements included inserted in there so as
to not be so prescriptive for every single pest in the general term for every location. Mr.
Benton said he and Ms. Haigler will revisit this to see if they can come up with something
to that effect.
Dr. Cox suggested that, instead of how many ants, how much square footage is affected
by that pest. Ms. Haigler stated that is already on the form.
Ms. Callaghan's other comment for the Control Log is how the wind speed is detected.
Mr. Benton stated the staff has an anemometer that they have on site when they are
doing the applications, so they get an accurate reading.
Ms. Callaghan inquired if there needed to be language added somewhere as to what the
requirement is for Florida pest application signage to be used every time a given location
is treated. Mr. Benton stated currently the City has signs at all of its parks that inform
people that pesticides may be applied at certain times. At the end of this process, there
will be signs that will have the information on them, and it will be documented at the
entrances to the parks or wherever staff feels the signs will have the most impact on
people. The plan is to put the signs out two days in advance of applications. Ms. Haigler
suggested that in the Pesticide Use Methodology there be added a subsection entitled
"Notification" where that process is explained. Ms. Callaghan suggested adding a
sentence in that section to the effect that, after all the data is recorded, make sure that
signage is placed stating where the pesticide is going to be applied. Mr. Benton stated
staff will look at adding that. Mr. Benton stated Department Director approval and IPM
Coordinator approval must be gotten before it goes to the City Manager. He referred to
the second sentence where it says, "The form shall be submitted to the Department
Director for approval," IPM Coordinator and City Manager should be added to that
sentence "before product is purchased."
Dr. Cox asked who all is involved in the purchasing of products. Mr. Benton stated that
the Department Director, the IPM Coordinator, and the City Manager have to sign off on
any product purchases.
Mr. Benton asked that in the fourth sentence that starts with, "Before use," that it say,
"before purchase of a restricted chemical."
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July 7
B. Section VII, Data Management
i. Data Recording
it. Data Reporting
Ms. Haigler stated this section is mostly new. The Data Recording section includes the
Field Data, the Purchase Orders, the Third -Party Contractors, IPM Program
Transparency where the information and records will be posted, and the Elements of the
Final Report.
Mr. Carrano asked if the efficacy of the product will be included in the report. Mr. Benton
suggested inserting that in a separate paragraph between Field Data and Purchase
Orders.
VI. Old Business
A. Revised Approved Pesticide List
Discussion of new elements
Mr. Benton reviewed that at the last meeting Ms. Callaghan requested that it be noted
that the cost rating only includes the cost of the product. It does not include staff,
equipment, etc. Also, Ms. Haigler made sure that the application rate "pounds per acre,"
on all products are accurately shown as pounds per acre. Those are the changes that
were made. Staff also made sure that the cost per 1,000 square foot rating chart was
included on the front page. There being no further discussion, Mr. Benton called for a
motion and a second. A motion approving the Revised Pesticide List was made by Mr.
Canano, seconded by Ms. Callaghan, and approved unanimously via voice vote.
B. Revised Table of Non -Chemical Controls
Final approval for IPM Plan
Mr. Benton reviewed that there was discussion at the last meeting regarding keeping
page 18 because it was important with the description of these items and then adding
following that page the chart that was developed by staff. Ms. Haigler did separate the
different control items among biological, cultural, and mechanical. Ms. Callaghan had a
recommendation to implement cleaning food areas after events. There being no further
discussion, Mr. Benton called for a motion and a second. A motion approving the Monthly
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July 7
IPM Log was made by Mr. Carrano, seconded by Ms. Callaghan, and approved
unanimously via voice vote.
VII. Sub -Committee Member Matters
Ms. Callahan asked if there is a control for "versions" of City forms. Mr. Benton stated
the forms can be tracked by their versions. He discussed the different ways that could
be done.
Vill. Staff Matters
Ms. Haigler reviewed the information sent to her by Dr. Cox. He wants to show that this
Sub -Committee recognizes the role of natural chemicals. Dr. Cox stated that there are a
lot of biochemicals on the market, and he wanted to be sure that members of the public
know that this group has done research on them. Mr. Benton stated this subject goes to
how the Sub -Committee can help the residents of the City. He also stated that
approximately one-third of the products that are listed are natural products. He plans to
include all of this documentation on the IPM website, so that residents and anyone can
use it. There will be links on the website that will take one to websites that are very helpful
in guiding the public to what products to use for their lawns and gardens. Ms. Haigler
suggested that under the Pesticide Methodology a sub -title for biopesticides be added so
that people know that the Sub -Committee considered them, and then educate people as
well as listing some pros and cons on why they were not the only products that were
chosen. She suggested that the education part of this program be presented to the
Natural Resources Board so that it can be looked at and updated more than once a year,
since they meet more than once a year. Mr. Benton stated there can be slides and other
information posted on the public tv channel.
IX. Items for Next Acenda
Ms. Haigler stated at the next meeting the two items that were discussed today will be
listed on the agenda as Old Business as action items. Under New Business there will be
the glossary review and possibly the appendices.
X. Adjournment
There
being no further business, Mr. Benton adjourned the meeting at 3:52 p.m.
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