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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06072005 EB ~ HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND TEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2005 - 6:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Trish Adams Patricia Beckwith AI Davis Michael Kidde Mary Ann Krueger Therese Miller Absent: Michael Mugas (excused) Also Present: City of Sebastian Tree and Landscape Advisory Board Members: Marsha Fusco, Anne Dann, Neil Lagin, Charles Cardinale-Advisor Sal Neglia, Council Member AI Minner, City Manager Terry Hill, Public Works Director Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - 5/20/05 Meeting n a motion by Mr. Davis and a second by Mr. Kidde, the minutes were pproved by a voice vote. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Storm drain markers The Public Works Director explained that the County is required to mark their drains and the City could team up with the County and the City of Vero Beach to Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee June 7, 2005 Page Two buy a bulk order of markers at a lower price, He gave the committee a marker to examine. The Committee agreed to recommend to City Council that the City of Sebastian should team up with the County and the City of Vero Beach to purchase a bulk order and pursue grant monies from the Indian River Lagoon Snook Tag Program. The City Manager introduced himself and invited the members to come to him with procedural questions and concerns; but go to Council for policy changes. He pointed out that he would share all of their procedural questions and concerns with Council. 6. MEMBER MATTERS A. Landscaoe Committee Coordination (Krueaer & Davis) Ms. Krueger requested the City adopt the County's newly revised Tree and Landscape Ordinance. She invited Ms. Billy Wagner who helped with the drafting of the County ordinance to speak to the committee. Mr. Cardinale and Ms. Dann stated their Board has made some changes and they are waiting for Council to invite them to a meeting to request the changes. Ms. Wagner went over some of the changes made to the County's ordinance. She stressed enforcement of required trees is the biggest obstacle facing volunteer groups who re-write the ordinances. Side II, Tape I, 6:47 pm Mr. Lagin stated that the coordination or formation of a subcommittee would be okay as long as both City boards were represented and allowed input into the revision process. Ms. Fusco stated the code is not currently enforced in Sebastian. Ms. Krueger suggested hiring an environmental planner to help the process. Ms. Adams suggested the formation of a neighborhood watch network. Ms. Krueger then requested support for a gopher tortoise petition to establish turtle impact fee with proceeds to be used to buy a preserve to relocate the turtles. B. Pelican Brief Article (Adams) Ms. Adams passed out her draft article for the Pelican Brief. All members supported the article, which will appear in the fall edition. 2 Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee June 7, 2005 Page Three C. Public Education (Krueaer) Ms. Krueger requested that Public Service Announcements be placed in the local newspapers such as "Did you know. . . environmental fact, Did you know. . . another fact." It was suggested that she contact the Press Journal and Hometown News to see if the Committee could have free space, perhaps an editorial column. Ms. Beckwith Ms. Beckwith requested support for the hiring of a County Extension Service Horticulturist Agent who might review such articles to prevent bad advice. Council Member Neglia invited the Committee to bring these concerns to Council. Ms. Beckwith explained the County's budget is currently being formed. The Committee unanimously agreed to support the hiring of a horticulturist agent. Ms. Krueger said Dan Culbert has always been helpful to her on environmental matters. The Public Works Director agreed to Mr. Culbert's continual willingness to help. Side I, Tape /I, 7:34 pm Ms. Beckwith then asked if the herbicides and pesticides could be controlled on the east side of US 1 because they flow directly into the river. The Public Works Director stated the herbicides could be controlled by ordinance. Mr. Kidde Mr. Kidde requested stronger tree and landscape ordinances. D. Sidewalk Extensions (Miller) Ms. Miller would really like to see continual bike paths throughout the City. Ms. Krueger would like the City to purchase riverfront land on the east side of U.S. 1 for preservation. Discussion followed on property rights. Ms. Adams suggested stricter limits on riverfront development. E. Excused Absence for Mike Muaas Ms. Adams explained that Mr. Mugas will miss this and the next two meetings because of his New York business and requested excused absences for him. On a motion by Ms. Beckwith and a second by Mr. Kidde the Committee agreed to excuse Mr. Mugas for this and the future two meetings. Ms. Fusco asked why the environmental committee wanted to change the tree and landscape ordinances. Ms. Adams explained that they are of concern to quite a few of their members and there might be strength in numbers. 3 Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee June 7, 2005 Page Four F. Chairman to set aoenda or set aoenda at precedinq meetinq Ms. Adams would like the Committee to continue focusing on one item of concern at a time and asked that each member bring their item to the next meeting. 7. CHAIRMAN'S MATTERS A. Report to Council June 22nd Meeting i. Report on Member's Concerns ii. Request to form Subcommittees iii. Request Overviews of City Master Stormwater Plan & CLUP by City Department Heads iv. Seek Council Assignment Discussion followed on making reports to Council. It was the consensus of the committee to report to Council in about six months after the Committee's priorities are set. Ms. Adams asked if department heads could make presentations to the committee and the Public Works Director stated the request should be made to the City Manager. Side II, Tape II, 8:21 pm Ms. Adams stated she would attend the City Council meeting scheduled for the following night to request the formation of a Landscape subcommittee, support for the horticulturist position and the storm markers. 8. PUBLIC COMMENT none. Because the next meeting falls the day after the Fourth of July, the next meeting was scheduled for July 19th at 6:00 p.m. 9. Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Approved at the 7/19/05 meeting. <1-~ Trish Ad~~ Chair l ) UL1n(l; anette Williams, Recording Secretary 4 Z ~ ~g~~ a'oa 0 ~gg:~ Qlge;i _~a~ ~~]q' ~ ill ~ gr'l ~ :l; ..,..- -. ~ trl ~."l ~ i ~, s.g" ::I:'>-15"' !i.... -'!\l _.'!:l.~~ g,g,fjo 5 ~. III ~.. ~ ~ ~ II ~ ~ ~ o 0' ::l. l!! Ii' fii. i i p,o ., ~ g' I :b l t 1jl ~. ~. g. ~ g' 8 l:iO ~ ~ .., s, ,,-. 0 g, 0 g ~ il 1>' ::-:' 1l trl '< ~ 8- ~ '" ~. t l ~ !-l ~l:' ~.. (JQ a o' , ::s 'J!. (") <t' 0: '" >::0 ~J& ::s -. ~o ::s e.. (') <to '" '" ~:: o l!l a 5' o '" o ~. o o .... :i:: ~ a "'''rl S.!!! o Cl ::s -, 0'<' o p,o >(') (JQ 0 g ::s ~ '" '" 8 ~ .... , ::c > (JQ o ::s ~ '" "rl ii's ::s -. 0'<' 1.& p,o >(') (JQ 0 o ill a", 8 ~ =<":l= 000 ::l a a -. a .. :l .. 51 -.... "'nl:l = ...atD ~ l!... ~ =: '<l C>o l:I ... Z"'''rl '" e.S S, g -, t:t. ()-< g~p,o >"'(') ~ E1.g :a~UJ '" 8 ~ ~ t"" :;;. o '" ~ o o "" ~ o a 'o:l >< Z >- .. :. .. ... =: ... , = o a n l!. ... " iI >- ".i l:I ... (') f '" > (JQ o a ~::e o !!1. a~ 10 ., e.. ~ .... . ::I: > (JQ o ::s ~ "'''<:I ii's ::s -. 0- 0'" ~g, 0(') ao ::s '" ., 8 ~ >(') (JQ trl "'." l ~ 8; ~~..,,!!! nO....... -= a ., ;:S., <":l - w-o e a., <Z C ::s t=!4 = o ::l ;- e. ... ., iI >- i ... .... , ::c r '" 0' ::s ~ .. a .... , ::c >' (JQ .. a '" "<:I.... :: (') g.s :i:: 0 trl ~~--Sl!2 .. p,o 15 ~ ?(') e:> ~ 0 = (JQ ...='~ as! c: -.- 8 g c:!: ~ <=(') d8co !l a.. ! .. n .. 0'.... --.. o ... n fA -= _. >"l!. (JQlt .. ::s ... >t'(')=::: fe,::I: g fll "''''..... Lr ..... C>o ... = 0 ...... _OQ 1:1 ,.. ... . WJ .. .... 80.. .., a.. g :;g C>o.. .. l'!l = >- ".i a ~ z >- ".i l:I ... ';J = ~ < (') .. trl 00 ai = > ".i co ... (') trl "'=::: !2 8= >.... .,,; ..g ;=.Oii .. '" "CI ::to QO -= ('"'} 0\0-= aa > --D ~ ;~ I:: .. ~ ... (') trl "'= o '8- -- IIQ t"" !!: :~rQO~. 1.&';->0:' _ w'=. o ~.. oO\-n "" a 0 > ;... (JQ l:I l:I (b .. ~ a ~;' .... C>o J-Io 10;1..... ",0. ~ "CI I:: ~l!.:zl .... a::r -... o .. !'! (') trl o ~ > (JQ a '" g", J-Io ~= ....0... ;-I"C:S ., ......:zl ....-0 wa. S" · !'! '" g ....= ....,,=::: ~O. ~ "CI ::l c;J II -. """,i'= ... - o !'! ~ ~ - fD = rI> .... c:> = 7Ji - I>> a = I>> ::!. rI> c:> = rI> In addition, the Environmental Horticulture agent could provide valuable expertise and assistance to the many property management and condominium organizations as well as to the homeowner associations in the county. At the present time, routine requests fur services from professional horticulture clientele are limited to pesticide training. Other time consuming activities, such as site visits and educational outreach has been kept to a minimum based upon the fact that there is no agent available to do this type of . programming. Impacts on Individual Residents Gardening is America's most popular pastime. Even residents who don't want to do it themselves appreciated the beauty and sense of peace and contentment a well maintained lAM""<.tpe can produce. Thousands choose to move to Indian River County each year attracted by the beauty and quality of life, .Most are nnfAmiliar with subtropical gardening or with the mAnAgement practices needed to create an aesthetically pleasing yet environmentally friendly landscape, which protects the valuable and often unique natural resources of the county. Creation of an Environmental Horticulture Agent position would enable the UF Indian River County Extension Service to, once again, provide unbiased, research based progt"'mming and expertise on best management practices fur Florida yards to homeowners and professionals alike. Conclusion Due to the changing urban-rural interfuce, a strong Environmental Horticulture program is essential to the quality of life currently enjoyed in Indian River County. It is in the county's best enVironmental and economic interests to support this type of extension programming due to the many factors involved with increasing population and its changing dynamics. The current staffing and technical makeup of the UF IndiAn River County Extension Service is limited in how they can address these factors and how they .can assist in the area of environmental horticulture. It is hoped that with the statements and data that we have provided in this white paper, the county will be able to address this situation and help us find a solution to this challenge. Resources What is Environmental Horticuhure ht\P://hort. ifAll. utledulaboutuslwhatis.htm Indian River Planning Department Indian River Chamber of Commerce NonAwicuhural Demand Causes AllIicuhural LAM Values to Increase. EDIS document FES45, Published Apri12005, Dept. Of Food and Resource Economics. Author: John E. Reynolds. http://edis.irnll.utledulEE545 . Commodity Outlook 2003: U.S. and Florida Plant Markets, EDIS document FE374,Published February 2003, Department of Food and Agricuhural Resources Economics. Authors: Alan W. Hodges and John J Haydu. ht\P:/ledis.ifas.ufl.eduipdffilesIFElFE37400.ndf Economic Impacts of the Florida Environmental Horticuhure Industry, 2000 Economic Information Report EI 02-3. Alan W. Hodges and John J. Haydu. ht\P://hortbusiness.ifas. ufl.edulEIR02-3 .pdf The 2002 Census of AlUiculture showed 36 nurseries and greenhouses in the county. In November ' 2004, there were 60 registered nurseries and 94 stock dealers in the county. This shows a significant increase in just 2 years and it is projected to continue to grow based upon the filet that a higher prop-t margin can be gained with ornamental crops on less land than with traditional agriculture. As land becomes a limiting factor throughout the county, based upon decreased availability and increased cost, more and more producers will turn to ornamental nurseries as a means to make a Jiving. The 2004 Florida Vmd Value Survev (see EOIS document FE545) defines transition land as "agricultural land that is being converted or likely to be converted to nonagricultural USes as sites for homes, subdivisions, and commercial uses", In 2004, Indian River County was designated the Vero Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area and Indian River County is included in the South region'which includes the following counties: Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, Glades, Manatee, Sarasota, De Soto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, Martin and St. Lucie. The strongest gains in land value in the State were for transition lands in the South region. For lands within 5 miles of a major town, one year increases were 52% and for land more than 5 miles to a major town increases were 72%. ' Within the South region, the largest increases were in the Indian River area, Okeechobee County, and the Gulf Coast counties. ' In comparing the ornamental plant industry to other segments of Florida agriculture, EOIS document FE 374 covering the period 1997 -2001 states, the "ornamental plant industry has continued to grow in spite of the many pressures ofurhan expansion, land conversion, and environmenta1 issues that have adversely impacted other. segments of Florida agricuhure that require a large land area. Because the value per acre of nursery crops is typically many times higher than any other kind of agricultural crop, these crops are able to compete for scarce land resources with other land uses". Ornamentals All Farm Products Citrus Vegetables & Melons Field Crops Sugar Cane Livestock Products + 4.1 % - 0.8% - 7.1 % - 0.8% - 0.5 % + 2.9% + 1.3% Impacts on Professional Client Groups Since the departure of the Environmental Horticuhure agent, there has been limited professional expertise available to assist and inform the businesses engaged in Environmental Horticulture. Based on data from unincorporated Indian River County, Sebastian, and the City ofVero Beach, county businesses that would benefit from the services of an Environmental Horticulture agent include: Irrigation and sprinkler contractors Golf courses Landscape and lawn maintenance companies Wholesale and retail plant nurseries Sod installers Tree services Total 57 9 609 118 5 67 865 - ,~ ee Ckw,tt, White Paper Introduction In February of2003,the Indian River County Extension CED!Environmental Horticulture Agc;m resigned. When the vacancy was advertised, it was as a CED/Agriculture Agent ratha than a CEDlEnvironmental Horticulture Agent as it bad been for the past 9 years. Consequently, the Extension service bas not bad an agent to assist the county's nursery and landscape professionals. We believe there is a strong need for an Environmental Horticulture Agent in this county and, baving reviewed current Extension staffing and programs, do not feel this need can be met with existing staff. We feel that the creation ofa new position is necessary and in the county's best interest both economically and environmentally. Ideally, the new position would be a tenured staff position partially funded by the University of Florida. The current county extension director, Christine Kelly- Begazo, bas bad conversations with UF /IF AS extension athninistration and ahhough they cannot promise that they would have their share of funding such a position, it does look favorable given the current IF AS budget. In the following pages, you will find docmnentation, which will support the need for an Environmental Horticulture agent for Indian River County. State and Regional Agrieultural Economies Environmental Horticuhure is the art and science of "breeding, prop"gRting, installing and maintaining plants that are used to enhance and improve the human quality of life" and is significant factor in the economic and ecological well being oflndian River County. These impacts are going to become more important as the county grows toward a more urban population as opposed to a more rural one. Plants are a significant factor in amenity-based development and studies suggest a well- landscaped property gains a seven- percent premium. From 2000 to 2010, county population is projected to grow about 23% to 139,100. Increases anticipated for the municipalities are: Unincorporated County Fellsmere Indian River Shores Orchid Sebastian Vero Beach +15% +45% +33% +216% +35% + 2% The combined impacts of increased population and the increases in agricuhure land values will likely resuh in a decrease in large-scale, traditional agrjcuhure and an increase in environmental horticulture as economic drivers in the county. The U.S. Department of Agriculture 2002 Census of Alzriculture reports that Indian River County had 480 filrms and sold products with a market value ofSI16,913,000. Fruits, Nuts, Berries (mostly citrus and grapefruit) All Livestock and Poultry All Other Crops (includes vegetables, melons, potatoes, nursery and green house crops) Market value of Products Sold . $ 87,821,000 6;688,000 22.404.000 $116,913,000 K v ()~er PETITION TO THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERV A TJON COMMISSION TO STOP USING URTD TESTING ON GOPHER TOROISES This petit!<>n is being presented to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with Ihe intent of stopping the current policies of using ELISA lests for /I~ycoplasma agasS!.';; for the purpose of determining whether or nol individuals or local populations of gopher tortoises are to be deslroyed under a TAKE pennit or treated in a fashion different than those that are not tested under any regulations. rules. guidelines Of pennits of this regulatory agency. The supporting reasons for action include: The test is not designed for this purpose and was inlended for clinical use in evaluating an individual tOltoise's health status. The test is designed to determine exposure of a-tortoise to },;~ycoplasmlJ agas.'fi=ii or other species of Mycoplasma thai may cross-react with the test It cannot distinguish between pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of this .mcrobe. It is best used in conjunction with a thorough physical examination and other tests tn determine the health of a tortoise. It should nevor be used as the sole means for evalualing the health status of an individual tortoise. It is nol clear how effeclive the test results are on what appears to be severallaxa of the Mycoplasma thai lOfect gopher tortoises. It is alsn nol known which oflhese cause death in numbers detrimental to the existenceofiocat populations or under what environmental conditions this may occur. One test simply is a snapshot of the status ofa tortoise and the anlibody levels at lhe momenl of testing. It does not indicate future results or the health status oftorloises in the wild. There are many diseases and parasites found in gopher tortoises, many may have the ability to cause death in individuals and in local populations. However. wild populations for the most pari. especially in good habital with proper forage, appear to be healthy throughout the state despite possible exposure to mycoplasma. The range of pathogens affecting ",ild populations of gopher tortoises needs to be established. No training on how to take and handle lesling malerials is required by FWC Ihus clearly opening the way for lesting error through mistakes and mishandling. Indications are clear that to tortoises move long distances on their own and through assistance by well meaning people are moved frequently and in many natural and protected areas throughout the state. These movements naturally will move pathogens throughout populations. There are no ~BR13 thnt '''ill eff'sth',ly .lj....;...."2t'f" ~-'J."Qpl12~......a treatments tnat wl!1 effectively eliminate 'Vlycoplasma from the nasal cavity of 10rloises. Once Ihe nasal cavity is colonized, it may be colonized for life. However, nonpathogenic strains may prevent pathogenic strains from becoming established on the nasal mucosa. Likewise. no effective treatment is known for iridoviru:s a recentl" recognized viral pathogen of gopher lortois"",, box IUrlles, and other chelonians. . , We(1) recommend that FWC establish a policy that requires a relatively simple heath assessment be made on any tortoises being moved from a donor site and that no sick or dying IOriO is: be moved from that site mto another tortoise populalion. Guidelmes for health assessment need to be established and utilized in evaluating gopher tonoises to be moved. We (I) recommend that relocations off and on site are done in a fashion thaI wil! heip 10 1O,0re Ihat Ihe 'asl majority of tortoises will remain on the site whether these relocations are for conserv~nion. education. or humanitarian reasons. Naln;;--------~_.-- --.--Oat;-..--..------ Orgal1lzalwn t\ddress- - Zip K y ueg~Y Motion: Whereas: The city of sebastian is an environmentally sensitive ccmnunity due to the proximity to the Indian River Lagoon and the St. sebastian River Whereas: There is now no professionally trained environmental oversight person to insure all Federal, State and local laws regarding the envirornnent are followed We, therefore do hereby request the City of sebastian =eate the position of Environmental Planner attached to the Building Department and funded through the Building Department. Duties to include: Oversight of all clearing ,migratory bird nesting ,gopher tortoises,wetlands protection. Double checking private environmental consultants surveys and water testing surface waters, And grant research.public outreach.