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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. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 2 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. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 4 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 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SUB -COMMITTEE PAGE 5 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 Bg�y l -y: lk� Date: