Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01-2022 NRB MinutesNATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 1, 2022 Chairman Stadelman called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. Pledae of Allegiance was recited by all. III. Roll Call Present: Mr. Stadelman Dr. Carrier — Zoom Ms. Callaghan — Zoom Ms. Lovell — Zoom Dr. Mosblech — Zoom (late arrival) Ms. Valenzuela — Zoom Mr. Bradley — Zoom Ms. Ware Mr. Carrano Also Present: Ms. Kim Haigler, Environmental Planner Mr. Gary Vicars, MIS Technical Analyst Ms. Janet Graham, Technical Writer IV. ADDroval of Minutes — January 4, 2022 and February 1, 2022 Minutes Mr. Stadelman asked all Board members if they had had a chance to review the Minutes of January 4, 2022. All indicated they had. Mr. Stadelman called for a motion. A motion approving the Minutes of January 4, 2022 as presented was made by Mr. Carrano, seconded by Ms. Ware, and the Minutes of January 4, 2022 were approved unanimously via voice vote. Mr. Stadelman asked all Board members If they had had a chance to review the Minutes of February 1, 2022. All indicated they had. Mr. Stadelman called for a motion. A motion approving the Minutes of February 1, 2022 as presented was made by Mr. Carrano, seconded by Ms. Ware, and the Minutes of February 1, 2022 were approved unanimously via voice vote. Announcements A. Tree City USA Designation NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 2 MINUTES OF MARCH 1.2022 Ms. Halgler announced that this is the 30' consecutive year that Sebastian has been recognized as a Tree City USA participant. Mr. Stadelman stated that free trees are available from the Pelican Island Audubon Society. VI. Public Input — None VII. New Business A. Guest Speaker, Keema Lenderman, Pelican Island Elementary Green Team Ms. Lenderman introduced herself and gave some background, Including being crowned as Ms. Elite Florida and also Miss Sebastian. She was invited to the meeting by Ms. Callaghan, who wanted Ms. Lenderman to talk to the Board about a program that is being run at Pelican Island Elementary School. She has an after -school group called ECO Troop. It is an empowerment group for girls focused on the environment. She described a local program that repurposes the plastic shopping bags from Walmart, Publlx, etc. These are the bags that cannot be recycled. They are being turned Into sleeping mats for the homeless. She called on Monica Bradley to speak on this program and display an example of the mats. Ms. Bradley displayed a sample of the mats, and she de- scribed the process that is used in making these mats. Ms. Haigler asked if volunteers are welcome, and Ms. Lenderman said that would be great if more volunteers would participate. There was discussion among the Board members and Ms. Lenderman and Ms. Bradley about the program. Ms. Lenderman said it takes at least 700 bags to make a mat, more depending on the size of the mat. Ms. Bradley said anyone can contact her regarding the program and volunteering. Ms. Haigler stated she would share Ms. Bradley's Information on the Board's Facebook page. Ms. Callaghan was instrumental in having this item on the agenda for tonight, and she thanked Ms. Lenderman and Ms. Bradley for attending and describing this project. Dr. Carrier suggested that, with Earth Day coming up which focuses on Sustainable Sebastian, it would be great if there could be a display there to show what can be done with these bags, and perhaps this demonstration would inspire others to think of creative uses for these bags which usually wind up in landfills. Ms. Haigler said she would give Ms. Bradley her card, and she knows that UP participates in Earth Day, and maybe we could combine this with their group or make it an activity. She said staff would discuss what can be done, and maybe a table could be set up to make this a children's activity to make the "PLARN " She thinks it Is a great use for plastic bags. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 3 MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 2022 Ms. Lenderman described what her ECO Troop does and gave a history of the troop. The group meets one day a week for one hour after school. They also do some art projects using recycled items. Regarding the Elite Ms. Sebastian and Florida, she described the program. Ms. Ware asked Ms. Lenderman if her group would be interested in participating in Earth Day by participating in the poster contest. Ms. Lenderman said her girls are always interested in doing posters, and they will plan on attending the Earth Day celebration. Ms. Haigler said she would coordinate the contact Information. Ms. Haigler added how Important the ECO Troop is. When they first were founded, they actually raised the funds to purchase the property behind Pelican Elementary School in order to conserve that land for the protection of scrub jays. B. Pelican Island, NWR Anniversary Celebration I. Being held at the Refuge on Saturday, March 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ii. NRB Participation at event Ms. Haigler said every year it is an option for the NRB to participate. They have saved a spot for the NRB because the NRB is always a part of their event. It Is not going to be vendor oriented this year as it has been in the past. She described what would be involved for Board members who volunteer. Mr. Stadelman stated he would be available. Ms. Valenzuela also said she might be available. Ms. Haigler will also participate. Ms. Ware volunteered. A motion approving NRB participation in the NWR Anniversary Celebration on March 12 at the Refuge was made by Mr. Carano, seconded by Mr. Stadelman, and approved unanimously via voice vote. Vill. Old Business A. IRL Aquatic Preserves' Leave No Trace Program Support 1. Spoil Island Adoption ii. Outreach Materials Distribution Ms. Haigler reviewed that there was an island available that this Board was interested in adopting. She has learned that another group has adopted that island. She did send an email asking if that was something the NRB could partner with the organization on. She hopes she will hear back on that. Ms. Haigler stated she also had received some NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 4 MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 2022 materials from the IRL Aquatic Preserves group last week. She displayed the bags that trash can be put In. She has a case of these. If anyone Is Interested, she stated they are welcome to have a few. She will keep some on hand for clean-ups, but she would like to get them to people who will use them. They also left her a bag of materials such as brochures, etc. There are also plastic cards with the "Leave No Trace" ethics on them that are waterproof. She suggested they could be distributed to boat rental and kayak rental businesses in Sebastian. She asked that anyone who is Interested to contact her. She will include it in an email this week. Ms. Ware volunteered to provide these to the power boat group who gives boating classes. Dr. Mosblech said she has clean-ups on a regular basis with some of her green team from the high school. She would like to have some bags if they are available. Ms. Halgler said yes, whatever she needs. B. Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration Planning Item -by -item discussion Board Member Updates and Event Day Assignments Ms. Haigler reviewed the list of the different tasks that are Involved in the Earth Day Celebration (SEE ATTACHED). She stated that there are already 33 vendors and organizations signed up. She expects more. The list of vendors is already organized by Ron Paul of the Leisure Services Department, and he has done a great)ob. Confirmation smalls have been sent to all the applicants. She has emalled the environmental organizations. Waste Management is going to be providing the shredding and electronic disposal at Barber Street. Ms. Ware said she is already signing up the artists who will be participating in the art show. She will reach out this week to the Sebastian Charter School. The girls again have agreed to do the face painting. Ms. Ware is working on getting the poster contest ready. Ms. Haigler stated that K.I.R.B.'s contact is Michael Ansley, and she is going to invite him to a Board meeting so he can introduce himself. The fire rescue permit is done. The food vendor permit will be done when all of the food vendors are signed up. Brian O'Neil is organizing the entertainment again this year. The entertainment schedule is on the last page of the agenda (SEE ATTACHED). Ms.Haigler needs volunteers to organize the raffle. Ms. Callaghan stated that she did ask the Boys and Girls Club if they could help with that activity. Ms. Haigler said that would be great. Ms. Lovell and Dr. Mosblech also volunteered to help with the event. Ms. Haigler said volunteers would be used for manning the Gopher Tortoise burrow. She needs someone to pick up the burrow and bring it to the park and then pick it up and return it to the City. Dr. Carrier volunteered for that. Ms. Callaghan said she has created a list of what volunteers could help out with the different activities. Ms. Haigler said the traditional scavenger hunt will be done this year and described how that will be carried out. She said she has lots of supplies that she can furnish to the various groups. She has not NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 2022 PAGE 5 heard from Mash Monkeys regarding serving beer. Mr. Stadelman said he would contact Mash Monkeys. Ms. Halgler said Dr. Carrier will assess the oyster wraps. She added that she will scheduling volunteer events to make seed packets and fold brochures. Ms. Ware offered to hand out flyers at the two art shows that will take place before the Earth Day event. Ms. Haigler said she would make more flyers and get them to Ms. Ware. IX. Member Matters Mr. Stadelman provided an update on the current manatee unusual mortality event and local outbreak of avian flu endangering our wild birds. X. Staff Matters — None XI. Items for Next Aaenda A. Earth Day Event Planning Wrap -Up XII. Adiournment There being no further business, Mr. Stadelman called for a motion to adjourn. A motion adjourning the meeting at 7:00 p.m. was made by Ms. Ware, seconded by Mr. Carrano, and approved a ' ous via voice vote. By: 1 Date: ,� jg