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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/25/2002CI'IY Of 1225 Main Street [] Sebastian, Florida 32958 Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570 City Council Information Letter October 25, 2002 Initiation of K-9 Program Both Chief Davis and I are pleased to report that arrangements were made earlier this week to formally initiate our community's inaugural K-9 police unit. As previously reported, numerous private donations totaling $11,590 were offered to and accepted by the City of Sebastian to help fund this program, including costs associated with training and necessary equipment. The City's first police dog, a 22-month old, male, black, partially trained imported German Shepherd was delivered to the Sebastian Police Station late Wednesday evening. A purchase requisition totaling $4,200 was authorized last week for delivery to Mid-Florida Working Dogs of Cocoa, Florida, the same vendor commissioned by other area law enforcement agencies to provide police canines, including both the Vero Beach Police Department and the Indian River County Sheriffs Office. Appropriately, the Sebastian Police Department has designated Special Operations Officer Ritchie Revis as the agency's official designed K-9 handler. In this capacity, Officer Revis will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the program, as well as participation in various promotional activities, including a presentation/showing during your next regular meeting Wednesday November 13th. Veteran's Memorial Unveiling and Dedication Ceremonies Early this week, both myself and staff from the Department of Public Works met with representatives from the Sebastian chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion to discuss various ideas and suggestions relative to the formal unveiling and dedication of the Sebastian Veteran's Memorial currently under construction on Indian River Drive. As the structure is anticipated to be fully installed by Veteran's Day, a brief unveiling ceremony will take place at the site on Monday November 11th City Council Information Letter October 25, 2002 Page 2 beginning at 9:30 a.m. This session will be brief (approximately 20 minutes or so), so as to accommodate plans for participation in the annual Veteran's Day Ceremony as hosted by both organizations at their headquarters located adjacent to the public works compound and city garage. A more full fledged dedication ceremony will be hosted at the veteran's memorial site on Saturday December 7th beginning at noon, in observance of the 61st anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack that launched America's participation in World War II. Arrangements will be made to publicize both events, commemorating the successful completion of yet another special community project in the City of Sebastian. Temporary Closure of Runway 4-27 Please find the attached memorandum as compiled and delivered by Jason Milewski relative to the necessity of temporarily closing Runway 4-22 to accommodate a respective lighting installation program currently underway. As a result of this arrangement, Runway 13-31 is the only active airstrip at Sebastian Municipal Airport (SMA) at this time. As a result, a significant increase in flight operations over residential areas will ensue during the next 45 days or so. This is not the result of additional aircraft presence, but essentially the fact that all planes presently utilizing SMA are confined to the one runway that just happens to position air traffic over residential neighborhoods in both Sebastian and Roseland. It therefore becomes imperative to remind concerned residents that this situation represents a temporary inconvenience as a result of the aforementioned infrastructure improvements currently being implemented. After project completion, Runway 4-22 will once again be redesigned as the preferred primary runway, representing a substantive effort to divert numerous aircraft from flying over residential properties in both communities. Press Release- Pelican Island Centennial Celebration As the Sebastian City Council recently authorized a cooperative grant agreement with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to help finance expenses associated with hosting the Pelican Island Centennial Celebration during the extended weekend beginning March 13, 2003, please be advised that the attached additional press releases and public notices were published in an effort to advertise both the Celebration of a Century of Conservation and the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival. Both events are slated to be held at Riverview Park and the Pelican Island National Wildlife City Council Information Letter October 25, 2002 Page 3 Refuse. Interestingly, other initiatives are being sponsored at the federal level to further honor this occasion. A notable example in this regard includes a commemorative first class stamp to be issued by the United States Postal Service beginning in 2003. An attached depiction taken from USFWS national web site is also included with this report. Enclosure(s): Memorandum from Chief Davis - K-9 Handler Assignment Memorandum from Jason Milewski - Runway 4-22 Temporary Closure News Release and Public Notices from USFWS - Pelican Island Centennial Celebration My Documents/InfoLetter153 Sebastian Police Department 1201 Main Street Sebastian, Florida, 32958 772-589-5233 Fax 772-3881872 e-mail sp d@cityofsebast ian.o r g James Davis, Cltio/of Police Date : To : From : Ref : October 22, 2002 Ritchie Revis, Officer James A. Davis, Chief of Police K-9 Handler Assignment Congratulations, you have been selected to be the K-9 Handler. Your assignment as such will begin November 4, 2002. Captain Puscher and Sergeant Witt will coordinate your transfer from Road Patrol to Special Operations. This will include picking up the K-9, setting up the kennel, changing vehicles and ordering equipment necessary for the assignment. As a K-9 Handler, you will be required to participate in many promotional activities. I know you will represent the Department in a manner that will make us all proud of you. Keep up the good work and good luck with your new assignment. MUNICIPAL AIRPORT TO: Cc: FROM: DATE: RE: Memorandum Terrence Moore, City Manager ~ Jason Milewski, Airport Manager 10/22/02 Runway 4-22 Closure As you are aware, Runway 4-22 is closed for the installation of new runway lighting. It will remain as such for approximately 45 days. Due to this closure, Runway I3-31 is the only active runway during this time. Unfortunately, this situation may result in a significant increase of flight operations directly over residential areas as aircraft are now confined to operate only on Runway 13-31. As mentioned above, this situation will remain throughout the course of this construction project. I have already received calls from concerned residents over this perceived increase in flight activity. It is important to remind any concerned residents that this situation is temporary, as aircraft currently cannot follow our established voluntary noise abatement guidelines (Use of Runway 4-22 as a primary runway, etc). I'll keep you informed of the progress of this project and I will do everything within my power to minimize the impact of this on our residents and the surrounding communities. Please forward this information on to whomever you feel appropriate. /jm E:\Coorespondenee\Cay Manager\MEMO Runway 4-22 Closure.doc On March 14, 2003, Americans will celebrate a century of wildlife conservation that began when President Theodore Roosevelt declared that tiny Pelican Island in Florida's Indian River be protected forever as a safe haven for pelicans and other species of birds. This was the birth of America's best kept secret.., our National Wildlife Refuges. This network of vitally important lands specifically set aside for wildlife now includes 540 refuges encompassing nearly 95 million acres. Over the past century, these lands have played a quiet but critical role in the protection of our nation's wildlife and wild places. The Centennial Celebration March 13 and 14, 2003 Riverview Park and Pelican Island NWR* Sebastiav Florida Join us for a grand celebratory event including: Presidential proclamation for the Year of the National Wildlife Refuge Grand Opening of the Pelican Island Centennial Trail and Observation Tower Refuge System Time Capsule Exhibit Dedication Rededication of Pelican Island Refuge System Flag Ceremony Historical re-enactment of Pelican Island's history First Day of Issue, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Postage Stamp U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service exhibits, featuring National Wildlife Refuges as a National Historic Landmark · Military band March 15 and 16, 2003 Riverview Park. Sebastian Live wildlife presentations featuring Jack Hanna and Jim Fowler Boat and Kayak Tours Arts and Crafts Exhibits Live Music Environmental exhibits including touch tanks and live birds of prey Historical re-enactment featuring a President Theodore Roosevelt presentation PRESERVATION SOCIETY Photography contest Kid's activities Wildlife seminars Book signings For more information or to volunteer; contact Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge at 772/562 3909, ext. 258 or visit *Rain location: Sebastian River High School National Wildlife Refuge System - Pelican Stamp Page 1 of 2 A~erica's mational Wildlife Refuge SYStem National Wildlife Refuge System Commemorative First Class Stamp United States Postal Service News Release Click here for a zipped version of a 300 dpi JPEG. ~[ U (..A N t[t~NP NATIONAL WIlDliFE - Back- http ://refuges. fws. gov/cent ennial/pelicanStamp.html 10/23/02 /55' EN I UR' Pelican Islm~d Natiot 'ml Wildlife Refuge 1339 20ih Streel Veto Beach. Florida 32960 Event Listings For Immediate Release Contact: Joanna Taylor; 772/562-3909 ext 258; joanna_taylor@fws.gov Celebration of a Century of Conservation March 13-16, 2003 Sebastian, Florida The Centennial Celebration of Pelican Island and the National Wildlife Refuge System. Events include a refuge system time capsule dedication; the grand opening of Pelican Island's Centennial Trail and observation tower; a public ceremony including the first day of issue of a Pelican Island Centennial postage stamp, flag procession with military band, and historical re-enactments featuring a President Theodore Roosevelt impersonator performance; and a two-day Pelican Island Wildlife Festival featuring live wildlife presentations by TV personalities Jack Hanna and Jim Fowler and much more! Event Information: 772/562-3909, ext 258;mailto:pelicanisland@2~vs. gov; or visit our website at http://www.fws, gov/ pelicanisland.fws, gov The Centennial Pelican Island Wildlife Festival March 15-16, 2003 Riverview Park, Sebastian, Florida The Centennial Celebration of America's First National Wildlife Refuge. The two-day Wildlife Festival features live wildlife presentations by TV personalities Jack Hanna and Jim Fowler, wildlife seminars, environmental exhibits including touch tanks and live birds of prey, boat and kayak tours, kid's activities, arts and crafts exhibits, photography contest display, live music, food, historical re-enactments featuring a President Theodore Roosevelt impersonator performance and more! Event Information: 772/562-3909, ext 258; mailto:pelicanisland~fws.gov;or visit our website at http://www.fws.gov/pelicanislandfwsgov X X X NEWS RELEASE U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: October 22, 2002 CONTACT: JOANNA TAYLOR PHONE: (772) 562-3909 ext. 258; cell (772) 216-6509 Pelican Island Gets Ready to Celebrate 100 Years of Conservation Success Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge officials expect thousands of visitors to converge on Sebastian, Florida and the area around Pelican Island on March 14, 2003 to celebrate the Centennial of the National Wildlife Refuge System and this nation's first National Wildlife Refuge "Pelican Island is not only our first National Wildlife Refuge, it is also a National Historic Landmark, a National Wilderness Area and a Wetland of International Importance", says Paul Tritaik, refuge manager. "In fact the City of Sebastian proudly proclaims itself to be 'Home of Pelican Island. '" Tritaik knows Pelican Island. He has been the refuge manager for 10 years and has worked with the local community on a one to one basis for all those years. "This community and in fact all of central Florida is ready for the celebration," said Tritaik. "We are inviting everyone to not only have an opportunity to salute our oldest refuge but to learn more about the entire refuge system." The story of Pelican Island, and the refuge system that followed, is the sto~y of the success of conservation. It all began with a Sebastian resident, his boat and gun and a small island in Florida's Indian River Lagoon. In 1858, witnesses first documented the impact that feather hunters were having on egrets, herons and other wading birds at Pelican Island. As many as 60 roseate spoonbills were gunned down per day, a bird not commonly found in those numbers even today. The feather trade led to the decimation of almost all of the colonies of wading throughout Florida. The feathers were sold to the fashion industry, at twice the price per weight of gold, and used to decorate women's hats. By the end of the 19th century, Florida was one of the primary hunting grounds for feathers. Pelican Island, long known to ornithologists and bird watchers, became a favorite spot for plume hunters and egg collectors as well. As a result, Pelican Island became the last pelican rookery on Florida's east coast. A German immigrant named Paul Kroegel, who lived on the Indian River Lagoon overlooking Pelican Island, took a special interest in trying to protect the last remaining pelicans and unwittingly became involved in the "feather wars"; the face-off between plume hunters and conservationists. Kroegel rallied influential naturalists who visited Pelican Island to crusade for its protection with the American Ornithologist's Union and the Florida Audubon Society to enact laws to protect these nongame birds. In 1900, the first federal law, the Lacey Act, was passed to protect birds and other wildlife from illegal interstate commerce. The next year, the Florida Audubon Society helped pass Florida's first nongame bird law. Kroegel was subsequently commissioned as one of the first Audubon wardens and preceded to protect the birds on Pelican Island with legal authority and a 10-gauge shotgun. By 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt needed little convincing that Pelican Island should be reserved and set apart as a preserve and breeding ground for native 2 birds. Hence, on March 14, 1903, President Roosevelt signed an Executive Order creating Pelican Island as the country's first national wildlife refuge, and by doing so, established what is known today as the National Wildlife Refuge System. Roosevelt went on to establish an additional 54 national wildlife refuges during his two terms and set historic conservation values for America. These values have grown into a system, which today, consists of 540 refuges on more than 95 million acres of American's most important wildlife habitat. "The Centennial year is a great oppommity to get outside and enjoy outdoor recreation on one of our national wildlife refuges," said Steve Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees the National Wildlife Refuge System. "If you're not familiar with the refuge system, we hope you'll take this opportunity to explore these wonderful places." "We can't put out an individual invitation to everyone," said Tritaik, "but everyone is invited to join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the local community in Sebastian and Indian River County, Florida for the national Centennial Celebration at Pelican Island. We will honor the determination and leadership of early conservationists and celebrate our nation's greatest system of lands for wildlife, the National Wildlife Refuge System. Along the way I think we'll have some fun. The local community is putting a lot of effort into this plan and I think the visitors will be impressed." For further information, visit Pelican Island web site at http://pelicanisland, fws.gov; write Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, 1339 20th Street, Veto Beach, FL 32960, or call 772/562-3909, ext 258. X X X 3