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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-2025 NRB MinutesNATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2025 1. Chair Charles Stadelman called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 11. Pledae of Allegiance was recited by all. Ill. Roll Call Present: Mr. Bruggen Mr. Carrano Ms. Ware Ms. Billman Mr. Krauss Mr. Dovell Mr. Stadelman Also Present: Alix Bernard, Community Development Director Felicia Gordian, Environmental Technician Joseph Perez, AV Technical Assistant Janet Graham, Technical Writer IV. Approval of Minutes A. January 7, 2025 -- Natural Resources Board Meeting Minutes All having indicated they had reviewed the Minutes of January 7, 2025, Mr. Stadelman called for a motion. A motion approving the Minutes of January 7, 2025 as presented was made by Mr. Carrano, seconded by Ms. Ware, and approved unanimously via voice vote. V. Announcements A. Mr. Stadelman announced that as of January 8, 2025 City Council has appointed Mr. Paul Dovell as a regular member of the Natural Resources Board. B. The City of Sebastian staff is looking to pursue a Recreational Trails grant to make upgrades to Garden Club Park. The grant would be used to complete the trail around the park, improve pond management, add new site furnishings, upgrade the parking lot, and continue efforts to update the landscaping on site. The City staff is seeking support from the Natural Resources Board at this time. We have here tonight a letter to the Director NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2025 PAGE 2 of Parks and Recreation Department, Mr. Richard Blankenship, regarding this matter. Mr. Stadelman read the proposed letter aloud (SEE ATTACHED). The proposed grant is in the amount of $360,000.00. He called for input from the board. Ms. Ware stated she thinks it is a great idea, and the Natural Resources Board needs to support it. Mr. Stadelman agreed, and the totality of the Board agreed. Mr. Krauss suggested that there be more women involved, and therefore Mr. Stadelman's title be changed to "Chair." Mr. Stadelman stated he would sign the letter and forward it to the Parks and Recreation Department in support of this project. A motion supporting this project was made by Mr. Carrano, seconded by Mr. Dovell, and passed unanimously. Ms. Billman asked how the board members should contact the appropriate staff members in order to make suggestions for where/how this money will be spent. Ms. Bernard said that right now it is for a grant application that will be submitted. We will have to wait a period of time to see if it actually gets funded. If the project does get funded, it will be a part of a bigger conversation. VI. Aaenda Modifications -- None VII. Public Input Brent Wohlenberg, Sebastian, described the problems with the lagoon. He repeated that it is his opinion that, when the blue crabs are gone, the whole cycle will collapse. He has placed four dozen more of these crabs in the lagoon. He stated that a lot of fishermen are gone, but he still fishes here, and more fishermen will have better fishing during February and March. He advised fisherman to release some speckled trout, if possible. He described the habitat in the lagoon and the life cycles of the blue crabs and other species of fish inhabiting the lagoon. Mr. Stadelman thanked him for his comments. Ray Osborne (Zoom) Sebastian, stated he is very interested in hearing about the Air Potato Roundup. He has invited some people to participate, and he asked where the staging area would be, etc. He also described his study of the air potatoes using Artificial Intelligence. He is also attempting to find out if there are any harvesting uses for the air potatoes. He also held a webinar at the Sebastian Library on floating vegetative islands. He is also studying the retention ponds and found that they are very dead. He added that fountains aerate the water and make it more suitable for biodiversity and bio life. He offered anything he could do in the way of putting on seminars, etc. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2025 PAGE 3 Mr. Krauss appreciated Mr. Osborne's perspective, which is to study different methods for addressing invasive species. Mr. Krauss also asked a goat organization to find out if goats could eat the air potatoes. In many areas, goats are used to eat the other invasive species. The organization which he reached out to did not respond. He will keep trying, and he feels we need to take a look at different methods of looking at the invasive species problem. Mr. Stadelman said that subject will be discussed a little later in this meeting. VIII. Unfinished Business A. The Great Air Potato Round -up -- Saturday, February 8t', 2025 Ms. Gordian reviewed that this event will be held at Stormwater Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 8t'. There will be three shifts, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. shift. Staff is inviting all members of the public to come out and join in the event. She described that prizes will be given out to people who find the largest, smallest, etc. air potatoes. She also noted that the National Invasive Species Awareness Week is from February 24t' to February 28t'. There will be a City Council proclamation regarding the Great Air Potato Roundup and the Invasive Species Awareness Week coming up on Wednesday, February 12"', 2025. She has attached to tonight's agenda flyers and sign-up sheets for this event. Mr. Stadelman stated the address of the park is 297 Englar Drive, Sebastian, FI. Mr. Dovell asked if gloves, etc. will be provided for participants. Ms. Gordian recommended participants bring any protective gear they want. She believes there are going to be some protective items on site such as gloves and other first -aid items available. She also asked that board members wear their NRB polo shirts. Ms. Billman asked what the board members are going to be doing. Ms. Gordian stated it depends on what specific needs will be for that particular session. However, staff will ask that board members are volunteer leads, and you may be asked to guide the other members of the public to where the air potatoes are located, etc. Ms. Gordian reviewed where and how the area will be set up for the counting and weighing, etc. of the air potatoes. It is south of the eastern parking lot for the park. There will be a vehicle on site for transporting the air potatoes. She added that there will be tools available for digging up roots, etc. so that the air potatoes do not come back. Ms. Bernard added that there is a sign-up sheet on the City's website. Ms. Gordian reminded all that there are legal rules when it comes to managing air potatoes, and civilians are not allowed to transport air potatoes for any particular reason. She suggested that if anyone sees anyone attempting to take air potatoes off site, they NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2025 PAGE 4 be notified that they cannot move the air potatoes off site so that they do not become more invasive. Ray Osborne (Zoom), Sebastian, had some questions regarding the air potato event, which were answered by Ms. Gordian. B. Earth Day & Arbor Celebration -- Saturday, April 26"', 2025 Ms. Gordian called everyone's attention to the staff report that is attached to the agenda. Ms. Gordian reviewed where the chalk -art contest will be situated and what the entertainment will be. Sebastian Daily once again agreed to provide the grand prize for the scavenger hunt. The vendor applications have been available since early in January. She announced the food vendors who have already signed up. There are 13 merchandise vendors and 5 nonprofit organizations. She pointed out that more have come in since this list was initially written, and she will tally up the new vendors so that she has that information for the next meeting. She also offered save -the -date flyers in case anyone wanted some. She will email them to anyone who wants some. Ms. Ware stated that the Charter School is going to do the poster contest again. She will be taking care of that. Ray Osborne (Zoom), Sebastian. He is in contact with a person portraying Teddy Roosevelt who might be available to appear at this event. Ms. Gordian said that the budget may not be enough to have him. Ms. Gordian asked Ms. Billman regarding the person who helped with the butterfly exhibit last year, and Ms. Billman said she would check with her. There was discussion regarding board volunteers, setting up the assigned stations for the vendors, etc., getting prizes for the kids, the bumper stickers for the tortoises, and the tattoos. C. Sustainable Sebastian Implementation Plan 2.0. Ms. Gordian said her goal for tonight is for the board to generally go over each main initiative and discuss whether anybody has any major concerns regarding their particular assignments. The initiatives were reviewed, and the champions for those initiatives were discussed. After an extended discussion regarding Goal D of Initiative III, Ms. Ware suggested that the public poll responses be brought to the board for discussion at the January 2026 Natural Resources Board meeting. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 4,2025 PAGE 5 After all the champion assignments were discussed, Ms. Gordian asked if someone would make a motion to approve the assignments of the Sustainable Sebastian Implementation Plan 2.0. A motion to approve the Sustainable Sebastian Implementation Plan 2.0 and the champions who are assigned to it as such was made by Mr. Carrano, seconded by Ms. Ware, and approved unanimously via voice vote. IX New Business -- None X. Items for Next Aaenda and Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2026 A. Great Air Potato Round -up Debrief B. Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration Planning C. Sustainable Sebastian X1. Adiournment There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Carrano, seconded by Mr. Dovell, and approved unanimously via voice vote. A By: 11� Charles Stadelman, Chair i g Date: M&&, 1W k;)