HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-2023 NRB MinutesNATURAL RESOURCES BOARD
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 1, 2023
1. Chairman Stadelman called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00
p.m.
II. Pledqe of Alleqiance was recited by all.
III. Roll Call
Present:
Ms. Callaghan (Zoom)
Ms. Ware
Mr. Stadelman
Mr. Carrano (Zoom)
Not Present
Ms. Haggerty (alternate)
Dr. Mosblech
Ms. Billman
Dr. Carrier (Zoom)
Also Present:
Ms. Michelle Faulkner, CFM -- Planner
Ms. Felicia Gordian -- Environmental Technician
Mr. Nicholas Ladyman -- Help Desk Technician
Ms. Janet Graham -- Technical Writer
IV. Approval of Minutes -- July 18, 2023
All Board members having had a chance to review the Minutes, Mr. Stadelman called for
a Motion. A motion to approve the Minutes of July 18, 2023 as presented was made by
Ms. Ware, seconded by Mr. Stadelman, and approved unanimously via voice vote.
V. Announcements
Ms. Ware announced that the Art Club has been invited to be at the Vero Beach Museum
of Art from August 2nd until September 10th. There are 48 paintings in the Patterson
Gallery. There is free admission to see that. It's pretty awesome. Mr. Stadelman said
the Museum of Art is near the Riverside Theater on the south side of the Old Merrill P.
Barber Bridge.
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Ms. Gordian congratulated the Board members who were reappointed this term: Mr.
Stadelman, Dr. Mosblech, and Mr. Carrano.
Ms. Gordian gave a reminder about the International Coastal Cleanup that is coming up
on September 16"'. She will update the Board members on the details coming up
regarding that.
Ms. Gordian stated that recently a young man from she believes is from one of our local
high schools reaching out to us about his Eagle Scout project. He would like to do a
native planting project around the pergola in Garden Club Park, and he will contact the
Garden Club regarding that idea.
VI. Agenda Modifications
Ms. Gordian said she would like to address the alternative dates for the September
meeting under the New Business item for tonight's meeting. Mr. Stadelman stated that
would be all right, and he called for a motion on this item. A motion moving the September
meeting will be addressed under New Business on tonight's agenda.
VII. Public Input -- None
Vill. Unfinished business
A. Sustainable Sebastian
i. Goal Summary Presentation
Ms. Gordian said she would review what was discussed at the last meeting. This is
something that will be brought to Council for their consideration to show them what we
are moving towards for the Sustainable Sebastian projects. She reviewed the six
initiatives and what tasks have been completed.
Initiative I -- completed Tasks 2D, 3A, and 3B
Initiative II — completed Tasks 5A, 5D, and 5C
Initiative III -- completed Tasks 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A and 8B
Initiative IV — completed Tasks 10A, 11A, 12A, 12B, 13A and 13B
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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 1, 2023
Initiative V -- completed Tasks 14A, 14131 15A, 16A, 17A and 17B
Initiative VI — completed Task 20A
Ms. Gordian then summarized what has been accomplished (SEE ATTACHED).
She then discussed the 5-year implementation plan
Initiative I, Goal 1 —Tasks remaining 1 A, 1 B, and 1 F
Goal 2 — Tasks 2A, 213, and 2C
Initiative II, Goal 6 — Tasks 513, 5C, and 5E
Goal 6 — Task 613
Initiative III, Goal 9 — Tasks 9A, 913, and 9C
Initiative IV, Goal 13 — Tasks 13B, 13C, and 13D
Initiative V, Goal 16 -- Tasks 16B and 16C
Initiative VI, Goal 18 — Tasks 18A, and 18B
She summarized those items (SEE ATTACHED).
II. Champion Assignments
Mr. Stadelman thanked Ms. Gordian and Ms. Faulkner for their work on this presentation.
He then called for questions/comments from the Board members.
Ms. Billman — She stated that she has preferences as to what she feels passionate about.
That would have to do primarily with the landscaping and the livability of the connecting
trails etc. Her primary focus would be on the tree ordinances and native landscaping.
She volunteered to do some native plantings on the courtyard area outside City Hall. If
no one has spoken up for these, she would like to champion Goal 18A, and B would also
be one she could be considered for as well. So she would be willing to champion Goals
5, 61 9 and 18.
Ms. Ware — She stated she is all about community education and getting the word out to
the schools as well as different homeowners associations, etc. She opined that that would
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AUGUST 1, 2023
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be the best way for her to assist in creating signage, etc. She had questions about the
walk audit.
Dr. Mosblech — She stated that she had sent her preferences to Ms. Gordian earlier
today. She recalls that she had put down Goals 13, 15, and 18.
Mr. Stadelman asked Ms. Gordian if there is anything she would see as a major
impediment to achieving any of these goals that the Board could address for her. She
stated the biggest hurdle that she sees is time and energy needed to work towards these
goals and tasks. She stated that she and Ms. Frazier discussed getting with each
champion and discussing how we want to move forward with each project. Then we can
bring reports to each meeting so that the rest of the Board can see how that project is
moving forward and if we need to include some of the other Board members.
Mr. Carrano asked if the plan is for Ms. Gordian to meet with the Board members routinely
so that they are not just addressing this program once a month. Ms. Gordian stated the
plan is to meet with each Board member champion outside of the normal meetings to help
move the projects forward. So, it won't be the case that the only interaction is once a
month. There will be more frequent communications. Then she will communicate with
the whole Board at the regular meetings.
Ms. Gordian asked for the members on Zoom to state their most sought-after goals.
Mr. Carrano -- said he would be interested in Goals 5, 6, and 9.
Dr. Carrier -- said he would be interested in Goals 13 and 2 and also Goal 18.
Ms. Callaghan -- stated she would be interested in the combined Goals 1 and 2.
Ms. Ware -- stated she would be interested in Goals 1 and 2 or 5 and 6. Those are the
goals that she would be interested in. There are also other pieces of goals that she would
be happy to assist with. She would also be interested in Goal 13.
Mr. Carrano described that some of these goals are very large, and a couple of people
working on them would be a good idea. He suggested you might want to have multiple
people working on goals at the same time.
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AUGUST 1, 2023
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Dr. Mosblech brought up the subject of the Sunshine Laws. There was discussion
regarding the Sunshine Laws and how they apply, and Ms. Gordian stated that may be
an issue. She will talk to the City Attorney regarding this matter.
Ms. Billman asked, if we do have sub -committees, would the meeting be held with Ms.
Gordian or Ms. Frazier. Ms. Gordian did not have an answer, but she would attempt to
find out.
Mr. Carrano said that when the IPM plans were being worked on, there were meetings at
City Hall, and it worked out quite well. Ms. Gordian asked if they were special meetings.
Mr. Carrano said they were not special meetings. They were group meetings at City Hall.
Minutes were taken, and we had a group of people meeting and discussing how they
were going to proceed.
Mr. Stadelman -- offered that, if there are any goals that have not been assumed by
Board members, he will be happy to work on them.
Ms. Gordian stated that, based on what was discussed this evening and just focusing on
everyone who is here tonight, she has a tentative list, and if needed she can come up
with sub -champions. She then went through the list of Board members and the goals that
they would handle.
Dr. Mosblech asked Ms. Gordian if she would be reaching out to the Board members and
reviewing their assignments. Ms. Gordian said she would like to meet with each Board
member and discuss how we are going to move forward.
IX. New Business
Mr. Stadelman said it was decided to discuss changing the meeting date in September
because of the Labor Day holiday. He made a motion to change the meeting date, and
after discussion, he withdrew his motion. There was discussion, and it was decided to
keep the meeting date September 5t'.
Dr. Mosblech asked if there was any data available on the clean-up that was done on the
22"d. Ms. Gordian said that she has not received any data yet. Mr. Stadelman thanked
everyone who came out and helped with the Treasure Coast cleanup.
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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 1, 2023
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Ms. Billman asked who is in charge of placing recycling containers at the boat ramp and
other public places along the waterfront. Ms. Ware agreed that it is very hard to find a
recycle bin anymore.
X. Adiournment
There being no further business, Mr. Stadelman called for a motion to adjourn. A motion
to adjourn was made by Ms. Ware, seconded by Mr. Stadelman, and approved
unanimously via voice vote.
By: Date:
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