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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02062006 EB " HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND TREE & LANDSCAPE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE JOINT MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2005 - 6:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Chair Adams called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Lynn Albury Mary Bennett Anne Dann Neil Lagin Therese Miller Matthew Sims David Rodriguez Trish Adams Patricia Beckwith Michael Kidde Mary Ann Krueger James Slattery Charles Cardinale (advisor) Absent: Kristi Yanchis (excused) Staff Present: Melanie Astle, MIS/AV Systems Analyst Donna Cyr, Recording Secretary Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Improve Communication Between Two Committees Ms. Adams welcomed everyone and began by explaining the meeting's purpose was to enhance similar concerns shared by the two committees and not usurp the Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee's efforts. 1 . Tree & Landscape Advisory Committee Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee Joint Meeting February 6, 2006 Page Two Ms. Adams suggested adding Therese Miller to each committee's agenda to report on each other's shared concerns. Ms. Albury said one phone call to Donna could add her discussion of Environmental Committee concerns to the Tree and Landscape Committee agenda. Ms. Dann suggested sharing minutes. Ms. Adams described how input regarding scrub jay habitat could have been shared during the residential landscape revisions. Ms. Adams invited the Tree and Landscape Committee to the next Environmental Committee meeting to hear Beth Powell, Lands Manager for Indian River County speak on the plight of the scrub jay. B. Discuss Possibility of Amending & Updating Existing Homeowner's Letter Ms. Krueger described the need to get information to the public on natural landscaping and the effects of herbicides to the City's environmental habitat. Ms. Beckwith read the Environmental Committee's letter into the record (attached). The Committees discussed making a request to Council for a mailing budget or to put the information on the City's website. Ms. Beckwith suggested putting information on the Sebastian Property Owners' Association website. Side II, Tape I, 7:25 pm Mr. Cardinale pointed out if little is budgeted, vacant lots should receive the letter before existing residences. Ms. Albury pointed out that the Tree and Landscape Committee's letter is better suited for lot owners and both the Environmental Committee letter, and the Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee letter are for existing homeowners. MOTION was made by Ms. Dann and SECONDED by Ms. Beckwith for Council permission for a Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee letter with a list of native plants be sent out to new landowners before they sign contracts [Council decide which city department sends the letter and pays for the letter] and permission to post the Environmental Advisory Committee letter on the city website which passed unanimously on a voice vote of 12-0. Mr. Cardinale suggested including in the letter that community support is needed for Sebastian to regain Tree City status. C. Assist with Commercial Landscaping Ordinance Revisions Ms. Adams reiterated that the Environmental Committee is standing by to assist the Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee. Mr. Kidde added that stricter replacement tree or relocation be included in the revision. Discussion followed on commercial entities having more resources to save trees. 2 ,. Tree & Landscape Advisory Committee Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee Joint Meeting February 6, 2006 Page Three D. Discuss Consolidation of Two Committees Discussion followed that this was suggested by only one member of Council and not supported by either committee. Mr. Slattery stated the position for an environmental specialist has been discussed so many times to oversee the many concerns that the City cannot take care of, that perhaps the two committees should join together to request the position. Ms. Adams suggested reviewing the status of the request and perhaps make the position one of the priorities the Environmental Committee plans to revisit. Ms. Krueger asked if the Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee had an idea of the tree situation in the City. Ms. Albury stated the City does have grant money to purchase more trees. Side I, Tape II, 8:13 p.m. 5. Being no further business, Chairperson Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m. Approved at the 3~ 7- (J(p meeting. W~(t 3 .... l A Welcome Messaqe From Sebastian's Citizen's Environmental Advisorv Committee Sebastian is a wonderful community and we need your help to conserve its unique environment. Sebastian is nestled beside the most ecologically diverse estuary in the nation, the Indian River Lagoon; the first National Wildlife Refuge, Pelican Island; the protected St. Sebastian River; and St. Sebastian State Buffer Preserve. Within the City limits reside state and federally protected species such as the gopher tortoise, Florida scrub-jay, bald eagle, and sand hill crane. We need your help to protect these special resources and to conserve Sebastian's essence. We hope you will consider the following suggestions during and after construction of your new home: 1. Prior to clearing your lot, please check your property for the presence of gopher tortoises and scrub-jays. Information can be found on the internet at www.mvtwc.com or www.fws.qov/verobeach; 2. Consider preserving existing native vegetation on your lot. This could ultimately save money for landscaping; 3. Plants native to Florida are acclimated to growing in our area, thus typically survive better and require less maintenance from the homeowner. A list of native plants can be found www.fnps.orq or your local native plant society office; 4. Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides can be detrimental to our fragile environment and waterways. Proper application, limited use, and environmentally friendly alternatives are ways you can help deter these practices. Remember, follow the label instructions on the container; 5. If you live adjacent to canals, storm water ponds, or natural waterways, leave a natural buffer between around your property. This helps to filter pollution and storm water run-off from your yard while providing habitat for wildlife; and 6. If you have an irrigation system, set the timer to water before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. to ensure maximum water saturation into the soil which will benefit your lawn and plants and reduce water consumption. We are committed to the preservation of our natural resources. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sebastian's Environmental Committee. They meet the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.