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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05012007 EBcm ~~ HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND TEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2007 - 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Trish Adams Kristi Yanchis Jim Slattery Ginny Koerner Todd Klitenic ALSO PRESENT: Vice Mayor Sal Neglia Environmental Planner Margie Reynolds Recording Secretary Jeanette Williams 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES i. April 3, 2007 ii. April 17, 2007 On a MOTION by Ms. Koerner with a SECOND by Ms. Yanchis, both sets of minutes were approved with a voice vote of 5-0. 5. PRESENTATION BY SHARON TYSON - FDEP Central Florida Aquatic Preserves Ms. Tyson introduced herself, cited Florida Administrative Code authorizing aquatic preserves and gave a brief presentation. She said Sebastian has many unique resources and their office is a `commenting agency'. Ms. Tyson said multiple privately owned docks are generally bad for sea grass growth. She displayed an aerial showing sparse sea grasses around the docks in Sebastian which may be impacted by future hurricanes. She then displayed an aerial showing light penetrating material to build docks. Ms. Adams pointed out the sea grass is the nursery grounds for fish, algae and shellfish that residents enjoy. Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee May 1, 2007 Page Two Ms. Tyson added that sea grasses also hold the sediments in place and high-rises block the sunlight from the grasses. She urged members to educate city leaders, communicate what legislation will do, network and learn more about the natural resources. Ms. Yanchis asked if the light penetrating material is mandatory at this point and Ms. Tyson said it is not. Mr. Klitenik asked why can't the dock material be mandatory and Ms. Tyson said is cost prohibitive and cautioned the public to use licensed dock builders. She also mentioned that Brevard County will not investigate an unlicensed builder unless a complaint is filed and urged the Committee to not allow this practice in Sebastian. The Planner suggested Ms. Tyson return with her presentation to a Council meeting to increase public awareness. ~:oo pm 6. EARTH DAY 2007 DEBRIEFING The Chair thanked everyone who braved the rain and asked for a volunteer to write some thank you letters. Ms. Yanchis and Ms. Koerner volunteered. Ms. Adams suggested an a-card or My Space posting for Hair Peace and Earth Action Foundation. Mr. Klitenik suggested setting a rain date for the next event. Ms. Adams explained that the Committee did not want to tie up the park, tax city resources, request speakers/exhibitors for two days and perhaps it could be considered next year. Side ll, Tape 1, 7:06 pm Mr. Slattery asked about setting the date next year and Ms. Adams suggested waiting until Council decides the viability of the Committee. Mr. Slattery asked if anyone needed a bat house and Ms. Adams suggested the tennis court or to Google batconservation.org. The Planner mentioned most of the donated supplies went to the Arbor Day event, the Boys & Girls Club and then the Reuse/Recycle Center. Ms. Adams suggested including that in the thank you notes. The Chair introduced Todd Klitenic whose position was added at the request of Council Member Simchick. The Vice-Mayor excuses himself at this time. (7:12 pm) 7. MERGER OF COMMITEES: Environmental Advisory and Tree/Landscape The Chair mentioned the City Attorney's transmittal on the merger and how it was an excellent opportunity to clearly define the Committee's directives and Council's expectations. Ms. Koerner said there were only three Tree Board members left. 2 Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee May 1, 2007 Page Three Ms. Yanchis commented that she heard the Humane Society is filing a notice of intent to sue the Fish and Wildlife Commission for inhumane treatment of the gopher tortoises. Ms. Adams suggested having Ms. Daniels return for a talk. Ms. Adams asked if the Planner would like to give a report on Commission's draft gopher tortoise plan. She said she would be happy to. POSSIBLE CODE REVISION REQUESTED BY PLANNER Side 1, Tape ll, 7:52 pm Ms. Adams asked for instructions again for everyone's benefit. The Planner asked everyone to read the distributed code section and make points/recommendations, keeping in mind it will be timely process so the quicker it is done, the quicker it will be implemented. Ms. Adams read the paragraph and said it fits in fine with larger developments and since there is little annexation that will happen she suggested concentrating on residential development. Sec. 54-3-11.5 (b) Criteria for reviewing critical habitat plan. Development activities that have an adverse effect upon a designated species shall require mitigation acceptable to the city or shall not be permitted. Viable (i.e., capable of living) habitat for endangered or threatened species or species of special concern occurring on a site shall be identified on the management plans as preservation areas. All development activities shall be prohibited within these preservation areas with the exception of recreational and educational uses where such uses shall not adversely affect such species. The Planner said the verbiage can be structured to make stronger regulations apply. Ms. Adams asked where the preservation areas are. The Planner said open space requirement/percentage could be associated with larger developments. The Planner asked for concerns of the verbiage to recommend changes to the code. Discussion followed on what could be annexed. Ms. Adams said Fellsmere will annex 20,000 acres that will encompass the City and use our roads, boat ramps etc. and perhaps the City may want to annex before Fellsmere does. Ms. Yanchis said tortoises could be relocated but couldn't be saved because the houses are going in too high. The Planner gave as an example a builder with a tortoise on his project which the property owner did not want so they filed for a relocation permit, in the meanwhile the neighbor snuck over and dug out the tortoise, put the tortoise on their property, the planner inspected the site and found the tortoise came back under the sod. Ms. Adams said other wildlife should be included and make the code habitat based, because fortunately Sebastian has a lot of umbrella species protecting other species. For the next meeting it was discussed that the gopher tortoise plan will be presented by the Planner; homework assignment will be discussed; and a debriefing of the workshop will take place. 4 Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee May 1, 2007 Page Four 10. ` Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. he June 5`h meeting. C 'h.v ams, ecording Secretary 5