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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03042008NRB� 3 n rnv� � ������ �� � HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2008 - 6:00 P.M. City Council Chamber, 1225 Main Street, Sebastian Chairperson Koerner called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL: Present: Ginny Koerner - Chairperson Jim Slattery Todd Klitenic Harvey Wheeler Cynthia Shuster Staff & Council Members Present: Vice Mayor Sal Neglia Council Member Eugene Wolff City Attorney Rich Stringer Board Liaison Margie Reynolds Recording Secretary Donna Cyr Unexcused Absence: Kristi Yanchis Lynn Albury Therese Miller APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 5, 2008 On a MOTION by Mr. Wheeler and SECOND by Mr. Klitenic, the February 5, 2008 minutes were approved as written by a unanimous voice vote. 5. ELECT CO-CHAIRPERSON: The nominations for co-chair were — Mr. Slattery nominated Mr. Klitenic; Ms. Koerner nominated Mr. Wheeler; Mr. Klitenic nominated Mr. Wheeler; and Mr. Wheeler nominated himself. Mr. Wheeler was chosen co-chair. 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Wheeler stated that he invited City Attorney Stringer to speak to the Board about Sunshine Law, on having Workshops, Executive Sessions and corresponding through emails. Mr. Stringer explained that this Board is obligated to comply to the Sunshine Law; that workshops were fine as long as they were Noticed, open to the public and minutes were taken. Mr. Stringer explained that only Council can have Executive Sessions and they are even limited to narrow guidelines (labor negotiations and litigation). Mr. Stringer also said that one-way communications with emails are okay. They can be used to inform the group, as long as they remember not to reply to them. Natural Resources Board March 4, 2008 Page Two Mr. Stringer explained that the board was set up to advise the City Council on environmental issues. Mr. Wheeler said that Council Member Simchick eluded to the Board looking into the Steil gas station abandonment and possible contaminates going into the soil. Mr. Wheeler's wife gathered documents on this issue and Mr. Wheeler is reviewing them. When he has finished reviewing them he will update the Board. He would like the Board to also look at wind energy projects and about the City going "Green". Mr. Wheeler thinks these would need workshops also. Chairperson Koerner looked into the recyclable baskets (ones on wheels). Waste Management does not have a program for the elderly but suggested Lowes. For about $80.00 Lowes carries a kit that you can put together to easily transport your recyclables to the curb for pickup. 7. PUBLIC INPUT: No public input. 8. OLD BUSINESS: A. Earth Day (April 19th) — Ms. Schuster has been meeting with Nancy Woods every week. The draft Earth Day program was reviewed. It was stated that on the program it looks like we are just a sponsor. Ms. Schuster will let Ms. Woods know we would like that changed. Ms. Woods would like to also start planning next years Earth Day so we need to come up with a date. The board secretary informed the members that a tentative date of April 18th, 2009 has been set aside. A rental application for the park needs to be completed and approval from Council is required. Ms. Schuster has not seen a lot of interest from local Sebastian businesses to participate in Earth Day. The Board was encouraged to contact local businesses to take part in the event, if not by having a booth then by giving prizes that will be raffled off. The Natural Resources Board will share a booth with Ms. Reynolds who will be demonstrating making Rain Barrels. Mr. Slattery will also bring a"Bat Box" and instructions on how to make them. It was decided to hold off on the children's art contest and include that with Champion Tree Day / Arbor Day in November. Ms. Schuster will ask Ms. Woods to set aside about four booths for City businesses. The stage and bleachers will be taken down to Riverview Park. Mr. Wheeler was asked if he could come up with some kind of display on Clean Water. He will see what his schedule looks like before he commits. Kaylene Wheeler, 1464 Seahouse, mentioned giving a deadline to businesses when asking for contributions. She also mentioned instead of having the art contest that someone could draw a mural on butcher paper and let the kids color or paint it. Natural Resources Board March 4, 2008 Page Three Eugene Wolff, 757 Wimbrow Drive, suggested contacting business here in Sebastian that have affiliates in Vero. The Red Garlic, Ruby Tuesdays, Publix as well as lawn care and doctor's offices were suggested. Publix with the new Greenwise store will be contacted. Sal Neglia, asked how many people were needed to set up tents, and man the booth. Ms. Schuster will contact Ms. Woods and see how this is being coordinated. Mr. Neglia offered his time and services. B. Wild Turkey Mine — Mr. Slattery, attended the County meeting on Thursday, February 7th. Sebastian was well represented. Dr. Sydney Bacchus gave a presentation on the mining and its effect on the environment. IR County's P&Z is having a workshop on March 19th at 1:30pm, Dr. Bacchus will be attending, and everyone should be there. Mr. Wheeler did a plan review of the proposed site. He's not sure if the site plans are conceptual or final. He offered comments on the review. He felt that a workshop was necessary Mr. Klitenic will not be able to attend the P&Z workshop due to he work schedule. He was able to review the Miami/Dade judgment and his opinion is to stop the mining before it destroys our water quality. Chairperson Koerner said she was disturbed that no one at any of the County meeting has brought up the health issues and health risks. We know water contamination happened in Miami / Dade County. She mentioned maybe getting an Environmental Attorney to review all the reports and paperwork. Ms. Schuster said she was going to play devils advocate and said this was becoming all consuming and that a workshop would be viable. But this is a County issue, we can make suggestions as an advisory board to the City of Sebastian. This shouldn't become our main goal. Easy Street pond was mentioned as being polluted. This was originally designed as a storm water pond. Another project the Board could look into are the ponds in the area. Ms. Reynolds, mentioned that we need to focus more on our geological region and our water shed when making our recommendations to Council. Try not to make a lot of references to another region. Our board needs to be un-bias when we make our report. We need to make people aware. Make it an educational opportunity. Our County has pretty strict regulations as are State regulations. Mr. Slattery suggested that there should be well testing on a regulation basis. Eugene Wolff, added for the record that he is opposed to the mine project. The Board needs to have the details in place. When there is talk of specific pollutants make sure statements are accurate. When bringing up objections be specific to this site. Ultimately it is a County decision but Sebastian can make a recommendation. There will be a Natural Resources Board workshop on Thursday, March 27th at 6:OOpm. Natural Resources Board March 4, 2008 Page Four 9. NEW BUSINESS: No new business. 10. MEMBER MATTERS: No member matters. 11. STAFF MATTERS: SJRWMD Stormwater Park off of Englar will be moving the official opening date to October. St. Johns is going through a final punch list. St. Johns is impressed with how the City is taking care of it. The Park is in excellent condition. Reminder that the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival is this weekend, March 8th. Flyers were offered to the Board. There was a tee shirt that was raffled off and Mr. Wolff won the raffle. 12. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m. B ecretary Sign re �� ������ .„ _..,�: »,. �� �� � �- , _ -�-�__. �a---, HOME OF PEtICAN ISLAND 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 (772)589-5330 Phone (772) 589-5570 Fax AGENDA NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 4th, 2008 6:00 P.M. "To improve the quality of life in Sebastian by nurturing the balanced relationship between our citizens and our environment by protecting, preserving and promoting our natural resources" � CALL TO ORDER: � t �i� � �Y�'� 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 3. ROLL CALL: 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 5, 2008 5. ELECT CO-CHAIRPERSON �,C.?i.��� I,� ��%'' �`'�'� � 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 7. PUBLIC INPUT: 8. OLD BUSINESS: A. Earth Day (April 19, 2008) — Cynthia Schuster B. Wiid Turkey Mine 9. NEW BUSINESS: 10. MEMBER MATTERS: 11. STAFF MATTERS: 12. ADJOURNMENT: ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE ON THE ABOVE MATTERS, WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS /S MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. SAID APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE DATE OF ACTION. (286.0105 F. S). IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE C1TY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT (407)-589-5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. TWO OR MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE.