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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-2025 NRB MinutesIV. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING APRIL 1, 2025 Vice Chair Thomas Carrano called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. Roll Call Present: Mr. Krauss Mr. Carrano Mr. Stadelman -- Late Arrival Mr. Bruggen -- Late Arrival Also Present: Ms. Thompson Mr. Dovell Ms. Ware -- Zoom Felicia Gordian, Environmental Technician Joseph Perez, AV Technical Assistant Janet Graham, Technical Writer Approval of Minutes A. March 4, 2025 -- Natural Resources Board Meeting Minutes All having indicated they had reviewed the Minutes of March 4, 2025, Mr. Carrano called for a motion. A motion approving the Minutes of March 4, 2025 was made by Mr. Dovell, seconded by Mr. Krauss, approved unanimously via voice vote. V. Announcements -- None VI. Agenda Modifications -- None VII. Public Input Brent Wohlenberg, Fellsmere, FI. He read from a paper that he had concerning Governor DeSantis. He described the condition of the lagoon and how it could be improved. He also described the history of how the lagoon has been treated over the years and the proposals for improving the water in the lagoon, which he is against. VIII. Unfinished Business A. Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration -- Saturday, April 26th, 2025, 10:00 AM to 4 PM. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING APRIL 1, 2025 PAGE 2 Ms. Gordian stated that in the agenda packet this evening there is the staff report, which she reviewed. The packet also has the maps of the Riverview Park complex and the zoomed -in version of the park overview, specifically focusing on the vendor booths and their positions. She reviewed those details. A copy of the flyer is also included in the packet, which shows the tentative framework for the NRB scheduling for that day, and she also reviewed the scavenger hunt, following which there was extended discussion regarding the Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebrations. Ms. Gordian projected that the vendor applications are at capacity, and staff has cut off vendor applications. She reported on the seed packet envelopes that will be used. She has also ordered the seeds, and there will potentially be a seed packet workday and what other preparations might need to be involved in that workday. She is looking at the week prior to Earth Day. Carolyn Baldwin, who is Sherida Billman's friend who helped with the butterflies last year, has agreed to also assist with the displays for this year. At least one Master of Ceremonies will be required on stage at any given time, and at least two board members will be needed at the Natural Resources Booth. She reviewed the traffic flow during the event. She also reported that there have been some additional food trucks that have applied to attend this year. Ms. Gordian asked for input from the board members as to what timeframes they would prefer to attend the event. Mr. Carrano said he will be out of the state that day. Ms. Ware suggested that the poster contest entries be placed next to the NRB table this year She suggested they would get more viewing because they would be next to the NRB table rather than being in with all the other art from the Art Club. Ms. Ware said she will be setting that up during the 7:30-8:00 a.m. timeframe. She added that she can probably spend some time in the afternoon being present at the NRB table. Mr. Stadelman said he will need the flags to mark the individual spaces. He also asked for someone to help him since Mr. Carrano cannot be available, and he will be there for the whole day. Ms. Thompson offered to help. She also suggested setting up the evening before the event. Ms. Gordian said she does not foresee any concerns with setting up the evening before the event. Mr. Krauss said he will be assisting the Master of Ceremonies on the stage, and he asked what time he should choose so that he can assist Mr. Stadelman and still help out at the booth. He offered to be present for a three-hour block. He suggested his block being 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mr. Dovell said he can do the 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. shift, and he might be able to help putting out the flags. Ms. Thompson said she can be there beginning in the morning and staying till around noon, or maybe even after noon. Ms. Ware said she can come over between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. She will come back when the event closes to take down the posters. There was also discussion about recruiting alternate board members. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING APRIL 1, 2025 PAGE 3 Mr. Carrano suggested having copies of the proposed plan for Riverview Park available at one of the tables so that the public can look at it. Ms. Gordian said she will see that that is done. Ms. Gordian said she wants to get the board members' input on the scavenger hunt. She asked if everyone is in agreement regarding the nature of the scavenger hunt and are there any concerns about the form and whether it needs to be changed. She added that, generally, this will be in a smaller format, so it would be about half the size of the sheet. She will have a copy of the answers that the board members can reference. She will make sure that it will be at the NRB booth. Ms. Thompson asked what the prize is. Ms. Gordian said it is River Cruise tickets that are purchased from Captain Hiram's by Sebastian Daily, who has sponsored the scavenger hunt over the past several years and have agreed to do it again. Ms. Ware asked if we are asking the vendors to submit handout prizes. Ms. Gordian said yes, we will have the raffle prizes. This year staff has decided that we are going to limit it to a smaller number of prizes, so we will be giving out approximately two per hour for each hour of the event. Staff is also considering the possibility of requiring the winners to be on site in order to accept the prizes. If the person cannot be there to pick up the prize, we will continue to move on with pulling tickets. Mr. Krauss told a story about gopher tortoises. IX. New Business A. Workday at Garden Club Park -- Saturday, April 5t', 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Carrano stated he assumed this is also open to anyone who wishes to volunteer to assist. Ms. Gordian said that is correct. She stated this is a joint effort, and staff is looking to host this volunteer day among the Natural Resources Board, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and public volunteers. She said the plan is to meet at Garden Club Park at 8:00 a.m., to mulch for however long it takes -- they initially projected it to be 8:00 to 12:00, but it may not take as long, depending on how many people are available to assist. Staff is requesting the Natural Resources Board's members to be present at the park that morning. She asked who is willing to participate. Ms. Thompson said she will be out of town. Mr. Carrano said he will be there. Mr. Krauss cannot be there. Mr. Stadelman said he will schedule himself in, but he has to check his schedule. Ms. Ware said she has a prior commitment. Mr. Bruggen said he will volunteer. Mr. Dovell said he can assist. If anyone has questions in the meantime, please let her know, and she will get you any information that you need. She recommended the tools and clothing that will be beneficial. Ms. Thompson asked what kind of mulch it is. Ms. Gordian said that, as far NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING APRIL 1, 2025 PAGE 4 as she knows, we are getting very basic recycled shredded mulch. She believes that the pathways are going to be millings. Ms. Thompson suggested for future installations considering using arborist chips. She said the bagged mulch is sometimes filled with dyes and chemicals, but the arborist chips are shredded tree limbs, etc., and they actually have to pay to dump their chips. She suggested they would be happy to donate chips if we ever needed them for another project. Those would be free. She added that the planting looks very good. Mr. Carrano asked if the volunteers would need to bring tools or if City employees will be there. Ms. Gordian said she will be onsite as well as her director, Alix Bernard, and Richard Blankenship, the Parks and Recreation Facilities Director, will be there. She added that there may be additional staff on site, and the Parks Department is supposed to be bringing the tools. B. Public Environmental Feedback Poll, Matt Krauss Mr. Krauss discussed his experience with being involved in another community using the feedback poll. It was well liked by the public. He suggested doing a similar poll in Sebastian. He referred to the agenda packet where there is a sheet with some sample questions. He reviewed these questions and called for feedback. There was an extended discussion regarding this item and how it would be implemented in Sebastian. The board members asked several questions and made some suggestions for changing the format somewhat. Mr. Carrano reviewed the procedure for publishing the poll, such as sending the proposed document to the elected officials for their input, and when this Board has the finished product, it can be distributed. Mr. Krauss said he will talk with Ms. Gordian, make some changes, and then at the next meeting he will have refined the form for the board members to look at. Mr. Bruggen said he looked at the form and agreed with the suggestions of the other board members. He agrees that the board members should look at the draft at the next meeting and maybe use it in the fall. X. Items for Next Agenda and Date: Tuesday, May 6t", 2026 A. Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration Debrief 1. Contest Awards Ms. Gordian said that, as of right now, we have the contest awards for the Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration. If the County Natural Resources Dept. is interested, we may host the awards for the chalk -art contest at that time as well. B. Discussion of the poll/survey NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING APRIL 1, 2025 PAGE 5 C. After a question by Mr. Stadelman regarding the Sustainable Sebastian project, Ms. Gordian suggested that item be discussed at the June meeting. D. Mr. Carrano suggested having an accounting of what is left in our budget. Ms. Gordian suggested that, if the Board sees anything that is needed for the upcoming Christmas Parade or any other upcoming events that the NRB is going to participate in, that might also be a good time to project how much money from what is left in the budget that will need to be spent so we don't lose that money. The special events money does not roll over. XI. Adiournment There being no further business, Mr. Carrano called for a motion. A motion for adjournment was made by Mr. Stadelman, seconded by Mr. Dovell, and approved unanimously via voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m. B Date. 'l � O Thomas Carrano, Vice Chair i 3(Ys-�CC 4-:'1P1 k&Vt �on t (!/V Y-,%f—