HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-2020 IPM MinutesINTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
SUB -COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL
JUNE 16. 2020
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Benton at 3:00 p.m.
II. Roll call
Present:
Mr. O'Neill
Mr. Carrano
Present via Zoom Technoloak
Dr. Graham Cox
Ms. Kathy Brothers
Ms. Christine Kelly-Begazo, Advisor — Late Arrival
Not Present
Ms. Ruth Callaghan — Excused
Also Present:
Brian Benton, Leisure Services Director
Kim Haigler, Environmental Technician
Janet Graham, Technical Writer (via Zoom Technology)
111. Announcements
A. Schedule Conflict for the June 23rd Meeting
Mr. Benton stated there is a Magistrate's meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Council
Chambers on that date, which will conflict with the IPM schedule. Thus, with the
consensus of the sub -committee, next Tuesday's meeting will be canceled. The next
meeting will be June 30th at 3:00 p.m. All members of the sub -committee approved. Mr.
Benton stated that will give staff a chance to work on the additional charts that were
recommended at the last meeting and whatever comes up from today's meeting as well.
IV. Public Input
Seeing no one in Council Chambers and hearing from no one on Zoom, Public Input was
closed.
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MINUTES OF JUNE 16, 2020
V. New Business
A. Review of the Third IPM Plan Draft
Ms. Haigler reviewed that the draft plan was sent out with the agenda for this meeting to
all members of the sub -committee. She stated that there have been no new changes to
the first five sections. She asked for discussion on those items from sub -committee
members. She called attention to page 5, which describes the role of the IPM Sub -
Committee. It defines how the group was formed, how it should be formed in the future,
if necessary. It explains how often the sub -committee should meet and how the meetings
will be held in compliance with Florida Sunshine Laws. There were no questions from the
sub -committee members. Ms. Haigler said if any of the members finds they have a
question or comment on this draft, they can always bring those items up at a future
meeting before the final draft. Ms. Brothers made a motion to approve those five pages,
Mr. O'Neill seconded the motion.
Roll Call:
Mr. Carrano — Yes Dr. Cox — Yes
Mr. O'Neill — Yes Ms. Brothers — Yes
Vote 4-0 in favor. Motion carries
Mr. Benton commented that at the last meeting it was requested that charts be made for
the biological, chemical, and mechanical methods as well. He stated that he plans to go
into the identified non -chemical methods for each one of the City's park types and create
a chart similar to what has been done for the chemical methods. He will then provide that
information in the chart format based on those that are already identified in this plan. He
asked that, if anyone has recommendations on chemical, biological, or mechanical
methods that are not already included in the plan, to please get them to Ms. Haigler or
Mr. Benton within the next week so staff can add those to the charts that will be presented
at the June 30th meeting.
He also commented that he has received an email from Dr. Cox stating that, instead of
discussing his changes in the plan, he is going to do it electronically back to staff, and
staff will share those with all the sub -committee members, and they will be shown in the
next draft plan.
B. Chemical Control Methodology Discussion
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 3
MINUTES OF JUNE 10, 2020
Extended discussion was had regarding this subject. Ms. Haigler explained how the
methodology is used as the last IPM tool and how briefly it would be used. She recapped
the discussion from last week's meeting. Regarding the restricted chemicals, Ms. Kelly-
Begazo recommended that no tool be eliminated from the tool box, as there could always
be a pest that is present at such a high population that that tool might be the only one that
could get that pest under control at that moment to where it could be handled by other
chemicals. So, to follow that recommendation, she read the terminology that was agreed
upon regarding this subject as follows: "A list of restricted chemicals has been
developed based on the percent active ingredient, labeled hazard level, and
environmental and/or human health concerns. Methods on this list are to be
avoided at all costs. These are only to be utilized to restore pest populations to a
tolerance threshold to a level at which it can be managed by preferred methods
before use of restricted chemical. Completion of a restricted chemical waiver form
must be completed by staff and submitted to the IPM coordinator and City Manager
for signed approval." The sub -committee's consensus was that this language was
appropriate. Mr. Benton elaborated on how this process would be done. He will create
the waiver form and will present it at the next meeting for the sub -committee's review.
Dr. Cox stated that he is somewhat confused as to who is the IPM Coordinator. Some of
the documents list it as Ms. Haigler, and Mr. Benton was listed as the Director of Leisure
Services on other documents. He asked if Mr. Benton will be the IPM Coordinator. Mr.
Benton stated he feels it may be a conflict since he is the one who oversees the parks,
so he will not be the IPM Coordinator.
Mr. Benton stated the restricted chemicals will continue to be listed in the chemical
product chart that was presented at the last meeting. A secondary list will also be added
that will be specifically referenced as an appendix under the restricted chemicals that will
only include the restricted chemicals. Thus, there will be a direct appendix that is
referenced under the restricted chemicals. Mr. Benton then called for questions or
comments from the sub -committee members.
Ms. Brothers stated she understood that the list of chemicals that has been classified as
not allowed will be revised. Mr. Benton stated that was correct.
Ms. Haigler suggested that the methodology used in choosing the chemicals be set forth
as a flow chart that would begin with type of parkluse of land. Mr. Benton stated some of
the questions Dr. Cox had presented could be incorporated in the methodology that
shows the process that will be used to identify chemical usage.
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MINUTES OF JUNE 10, 2020
Dr. Cox volunteered to author a statement that would "immunize" the sub -committee from
the sort of comment and criticism by some of the public as to the use of any chemicals at
all. Mr. Benton asked Dr. Cox to send his statement to Ms. Haigler or to Mr. Benton, and
they will disseminate it to the other sub -committee members for their review.
Mr. Carrano inquired, since this is going to be a living document that will be used in the
future, will there be a procedure for the public to submit either methods or natural
materials that work as herbicides or pesticides to the sub -committee for review. Ms.
Haigler suggested thatwhen the sub -committee meets annually and reviews the plan and
then presents it to City Council, that would be the time for public comment. Mr. Carrano
suggested there be a form as an appendix for the general public to fill out and make a
request to the sub -committee. Mr. Benton stated staff would look into that.
Mr. Benton stated that, if it is felt necessary to have a meeting before the annual
scheduled meeting due to new products coming on the market, etc., a meeting could be
had with the sub -committee.
Mr. Benton stated on the chemical chart that was presented at the last meeting, it was
requested that he display dollar signs that show the cost per thousand square feet. He
did not have it done in time to go on this agenda. Basically what he did was, if the product
was less than $2 per thousand square feet, it was given one $. Two $$ was around the
$243 mark. Three $$$ will be $344. Over $4 was given $$$$. That may need to be
adjusted somewhat. So far, the most expensive products on the list are TopChoice, which
came out to be around $5.56 per thousand square feet at the application rate listed on
the label. Orange Guard was given $$$$ as well. He cannot judge it on 1,000 square
feet, because the directions on the label give directions per ant hill. So per the label, eight
fire ant hills per gallon can be treated. That would round out to around $30 per gallon to
only treat eight fire ant hills. A couple of the cheapest options included $ for LESCO
Crosscheck Plus, Mansion, Dimension, and Advion. Advion and Crosscheck are two
products that are used by the City for fire ants. Advion works for fire ants. Crosscheck
works for fire ants, fleas, ticks, mole crickets, and other pests. Those were both about 47
cents per thousand square feet. That information will be included in the next agenda
packet. He also did an effectiveness rating, which will also be included. WOW is $$$,
which came out to $3.69 per thousand square feet.
VI. Old Business — None
VII. Sub -Committee Member Matters
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MINUTES OF JUNE 10, 2020
Dr. Cox stated he has been reviewing the documents and circling the words he thinks
should go in a glossary, and he will continue doing that.
Vill. Staff Matters
Ms. Haigler stated the chemical section of the draft should be put together pretty well by
the next meeting. She asked the sub -committee members, if they have something they
would like to see added to the appendix, to send that information to her.
Mr. Benton recognized Ms. Haigler for all of her hard work so far on this project. She is
the one who has been doing the "heavy lifting" on this project. He thanked her for her
hard work.
He also reviewed that discussion was held on the machinery that the City has been using
for its applications. At that time, there was consensus that what was being used was not
sufficient based on the process of having to calibrate multiple times during the
applications. The City applicators ran into some issues about a month ago where the
machinery was failing, and they were having a really hard time calibrating and getting the
application rates correct. There had been budgeted in this year's budget before the
moratorium to purchase a ZMAX machine, which is much more efficient. He inquired if
there is a consensus among the sub -committee to support that. Mr. O'Neill made a
motion to support the purchase of the more efficient distribution system, seconded by Mr.
Carrano. Motion carried unanimously via voice vote.
IX. Items for Next Acenda — Next meeting will be on June 30, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Mr. Benton stated there will be charts for mechanical, biological, and cultural chemical
methodology for the plan. The chemical chart will be updated as well as the restricted
chemical chart as well. The chemical waiver form will also be available for review at the
next meeting. Dr. Cox will have a few items for review as well. Mr. Benton will also work
on a form for the public to submit products to the sub -committee in the future as well.
X. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mr. Benton adjourned the meeting at 3:58 p.m
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