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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-2025 NRB MinutesNATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2025 I. Chairperson Stadelman called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. Pledqe of Allegiance was recited by all. Mr. Stadelman called for a moment of silence for Sergeant Terri Jean Sweeting-Mashkow and locksmith David Long, who passed away in the line of duty. III. Roll Call Present: Mr. Bruggen Mr. Carrano Ms. Ware Mr. Trinkle Mr. Krauss Ms. Shellenberger (a) Mr. Stadelman Not Present: Ms. Thompson -- Excused 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. November 4th, 2025, Natural Resources Board Meeting Minutes All having indicated they had reviewed the Minutes of November 4, 2025, Mr. Stadelman called for a motion. A motion approving the Minutes of November 4, 2025 as presented was made by Mr. Carrano, seconded by Mr. Trinkle, and approved unanimously via voice vote. V. Announcements Ms. Gordian announced that Ms. Thompson could not be here tonight, but Ms. Shellenberger is present and will be voting in her place. VI. Agenda Modifications -- None NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2025 VII. Public Input Mr. Stadelman called for public input. Mr. Ray Osborne, Sebastian, Florida (via Zoom.) He stated that he saw that Vero Beach has a memorial tree program where a tree in memory of someone could be planted on public lands. He was wondering if there is such a program here in Sebastian. He thinks that, by planting a tree, it would be a great way to honor a person. Ms. Gordian said there is not presently a memorial tree program, but the City does have some other memorial programs such as a memorial brick program, a memorial bench program, and there may be some other memorial programs. She said that, if that is something that the Board is interested in pursuing, it could be considered for future planning. She added that this Board would have to work hand -in -hand with the Parks and Recreation Facilities Department because those trees, once they are planted on public property, would be under the purview of that department. Ms. Bernard added that there are other programs that Ms. Gordian made reference to which are on the City's website, and there are links there to those memorial programs that are already established. VIII. Unfinished Business A. Sustainable Sebastian 1. Goal 6 -- Tree City USA Updates Ms. Gordian stated that the Tree City USA application was accepted this year. She is still planning to apply for the Growth Award program. Unfortunately, the Tree City USA website can be difficult to access, as at times there is too much traffic on the website. She will check it periodically to see if she has access to it. However, there is still time before the official deadline for the Growth Award. 2. Goal 7 -- Invasive Species Removal Update a. Filbert Street Park Invasive Species Removal -- an Urban Forestry Grant Project Mr. Stadelman spoke regarding invasive species. He stated that when the last lagoon cleanup was held, he noted that there are a lot of pepper trees along the shoreline at the Main Street boat ramp. They are in the mangroves, and he asked if those pepper trees could be cleared out, as they are quite overgrown. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2025 PAGE 3 Ms. Gordian stated that the Brazilian pepper trees are truly a problem. She stated that staff will talk to the Parks and Recreation Facilities Department about this problem to see if there is any way that they can be trimmed back. Of course, they would have to be cautious around any mangroves that may be in that area, and they may need to get assistance from another party to take care of anything that may be infringing on the mangroves. Regarding Filbert Street Park, she stated that recently the grant project has been mostly completed. The Parks and Recreation Facilities Department worked with a group called "Integrity Tree," and they did the invasive species removal work. That was largely Brazilian pepper with a handful of air potato plants and other plants which were included in the removal. Following that, Native Butterfly Flowers, LLC installed the new trees for the grant program. Some of them are planted in the areas where the Brazilian peppers were removed, and some of them were actually planted around the playground to pro- vide a little more shade when they reach maturity. She asked Mr. Trinkle to speak on this activity since he lives nearby. Mr. Trinkle stated he went over and looked at the work that was done. He stated that they did an awesome job. They cut way back, and he understands that they are not yet completely finished. What they did really opened that space up, and it looked really good. Ms. Gordian added that there were over 28 different individual new trees that were planted, ranging from poplar ash to holly trees. She will check that list to see what ex- actly was planted. B. Event Debrief 1. Christmas Parade -- Saturday, December 6t', 2025 at 6:30 PM a. Board Member Parade Attendance Mr. Stadelman said he would like to see as many Board members as possible in attendance. Ms. Gordian said all who are attending need to be here at 3:00 p.m. to set up the float. She added that our group needs to be in line for the parade around 5:00 or 5:30 or so. They are expecting kickoff to be anywhere between 6:00 and 6:30, so we have to be in line and prepared before that. Will Franklin from the Stormwater Division is going to be working with us as our driver. She will make sure everyone has contact information for him. The walkers will also be able to be in constant contact with him so that they will be able to make it back to City Hall safely after the parade. b. Final Preparations NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2025 PAGE 4 Mr. Trinkle will pick up the plants at "A Tree 4 Me" around 3:00 p.m. Ms. Ware said everything has been selected and will be ready to be loaded at that time. Mr. Trinkle said that he has some professional PA gear that is battery powered and Bluetooth to provide the Jimmy Buffett -type music for our float. Ms. Gordian said that she has compiled a playlist of multiple Jimmy Buffett albums as well as some other tropical-themed Christmas albums that can be used via Spotify. Everyone on the Board will be present for the parade except Ms. Shellenberger who will be out of town, and Mr. Bruggen, whose daughter is getting married that day. Ms. Ware said she will bring folding chairs for those people who will be on the float. Ms. Gordian said she has ordered the candy. It is a mixture of Junior Mints, Nerds, and Dots, and they all come in little paper boxes, as requested. Ms. Ware said she asked Ms. Gordian to send out an email asking if anyone has any plastic or blowup birds such as flamingos, etc. that we could add to the float. Ms. Gordian added that she does have the Christmas lights from last year, and MIS has offered to loan us their batteries that will be more than enough to power the lights. Mr. Bruggen said he has a metal peacock and a metal stork that he will bring over tomorrow. Ms. Ware showed some signs that she has made and described some of the writing that will be on the signs, which was agreed on by all. She has some other items that she will bring that fit into the tropical theme. IX. New Business Mr. Trinkle stated that he had a meeting with City staff, and BMPs and credits were discussed. He understood that the City does not feel that they can do that right now. So it does not look like there will be any credit for doing various things on citizens' properties. Also discussed was regarding the City making a decision before long on new vehicles for the City -- whether they be gas powered, electrical, or hybrid vehicles. He described what was discussed, and he stated that he gave Ms. Gordian a packet of the items that should be evaluated among the three models of vehicles. Ms. Gordian suggested that those purchases that would be occurring for any hybrid vehicles that may be under consideration at some point in the future, and staff is thinking mostly passenger vehicles, as some of the larger utility vehicles may not have hybrid options that are within the budget that the City has, or that they do not make hybrid vehicles for some of the larger utility vehicles. She stated that staff will begin to do the cost/benefit analyses for the passenger vehicles when those programs begin to be rolled out, pending additional input from the relevant Department Heads. There was discussion among staff and various board members regarding funding the programs and other considerations in the future. Ms. Gordian further explained how the present stormwater fee credit works and how it may be implemented in the future for residential properties. Mr. Bruggen stated that he attended a meeting regarding the Treasure Coast Food Bank. NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2025 PAGE 5 He suggested that there will be activity beginning on the City's food distribution program that has yet to be confirmed for December 19th 2025. Otherwise, he had proposed host- ing such a program in possibly February or March of 2026. X. Items for Next Agenda and Date: Tuesday, January 6t', 2026 A. Sustainable Sebastian B. Christmas Parade Debrief XI. Adiournment There being no further business, Mr. Stadelman called for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Carrano, seconded by Mr. Trinkle, and approved unanimously via voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m. By: 7 Date: C airperson Stadelman / jg