HomeMy WebLinkAbout09062011NRB AgendaHOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958
(772) 589-5330 Phone (772) 589-5570 Fax
AGENDA
NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th, 2011
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"
1. CALL TO ORDER:
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
3. ROLL CALL:
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 2, 2011 regular meeting
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
6 PUBLIC INPUT:
7. OLD BUSINESS:
A. International Coastal Cleanup (hosted by KIRB) on Saturday, Sept.l7th, 2011
B. Friends of St. Sebastian River "Family Fun Under the Sun" event on October
22nd at Friendship Park.
C. Speakers for meetings — suggestions / schedules
D. Champion Tree resolution — change verbiage to issue proclamation only by
Council — resolution change at Sept. 14th meeting — issue proclamations at Sept.
28th meeting.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Earth Day 2012 — Vacation to The Great Smoky Mountains / Door Prize
9. MEMBER MATTERS:
10. STAFF MATTERS:
11. 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 IS 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 CITY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT (407)- 589 -5330 AT
LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. TWO OR MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAYBE IN ATTENDANCE.
UTVI
HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD
MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2011 - 6:00 P.M.
City Council Chamber, 1225 Main Street, Sebastian
1. Chairperson Graves called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. ROLL CALL:
Present:
Robin Graves - Chair
Albert Alvarez
Jane Schnee
Eric Spokas — Vice Chair
Ann Lucier
Hank Kriss
Lori Bender
Gilbert Gordian Jr.
Un- Excused Absence:
Tara Howe
Staff Present: Ginny Sieferd, Board Liaison and Donna Cyr, Recording Secretary
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 7, 2011 regular meeting, June 23, 2011 field trip and
July 23, 2011 field trip
MOTION by Mr. Spokas and SECOND by Mr. Alvarez to approve the June 7th, 2011
minutes as written, motion carried.
MOTION by Ms. Graves and SECOND by Mr. Alvarez to approve the June 23rd, 2011
minutes as written, motion carried.
MOTION by Mr. Kriss and SECOND by Ms. Graves to approve the July 23rd, 2011
minutes as written, motion carried.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chairperson Graves welcomed each of the new board members. They all gave a
brief description of their background.
6. PUBLIC INPUT:
No public input.
7. OLD BUSINESS:
Recap of Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup, July 23rd, 2011: Everyone felt the event
was a big success. Ms. Graves said from the three islands that she worked on they
picked up at lease 250 pound of trash. Mr. Gordian was the boat captain taking people
Natural Resources Board Meeting
August 2, 2011
Page Two
to spoil island IR1 and he said that they had well over 200 pounds of garbage. Ms.
Lucier confirmed that on IR1 they removed a leather office chair, pallets, and beach
chairs, beer bottles, etc. It was noted that someone had been living on the island
because of the tent and supplies. Ms. Sieferd said she found a lot of fireworks caps
confirming it is a great time to cleanup right after the 4th of July. Ms. Graves thanked
the City for the use of their boat as well as Mr. Gordian for the use of his boat. In
response to Mr. Spokas' question, no one noticed an excessive amount of plastic
grocery bags. Ms. Graves mentioned that people use the fire pits as garbage dumps
and think that burning the trash helps. She said it doesn't and Mr. Gordian said he goes
to the different islands to cleanup and mentioned that she was correct and that was why
they were trying to reduce the number of fire pits. Ms. Bender asked if putting recycle
bins on the islands was a good idea. It was explained that there wasn't anyone to go
back out on a regular basis to remove the bins. Mr. Gordian did note that it looked like
people were good about not disturbing the vegetation on the islands. Visitors weren't
cutting down branches or trees to make fires.
Ideas for new board activities:
Mr. Spokas suggested sponsoring seminars every couple of months at the North
County Library to cover special interests of the board and the community. Topics such
as Stormwater runoff, evasive wildlife & plants, barrier island preservation were
suggested. Ms. Graves and Ms. Sieferd suggested having the speakers as part of the
regular Natural Resources Board meeting because meetings were now being televised.
The Council Chambers can accommodate all the media and technical requirements of
the speaker. Ms. Sieferd said she is on the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System) board for the City and having speakers televised will fill some of the
required meetings that she needs to have. She could recruit speakers also. Suggested
groups are the Agricultural Extension Office, the Audubon Society, Indian River State
College, the State's Clean Marinas.
Ms. Graves suggested that the new members check out the Letterboxing program that
the board has at the Stormwater Park. Ms. Graves asked the board secretary to get the
new members the information /clues on this. Ms. Graves said she would be going to the
Stormwater Park to check on the boxes and make sure they were in order. If everyone
liked the program, the board could think about putting more boxes at the Park or try an
additional park location.
Ms. Schnee requested that the board review the landscaping requirements in the Land
Development Code. She would like to see the code changed to offer more natural ways
to fertilize and to ban the use of phosphates is fertilizers. After some discussion
regarding products containing phosphates, it was suggested that this would be a good
topic for a speaker to discuss. It was brought up that the best way to get people to stop
using harmful products was to educate them.
Mr. Gordian asked about the cement structure in front of Squid Lips. Ms. Sieferd
explained that she was pretty sure it was private property so the City can't take it down.
Ms. Sieferd will double check and report back to the board.
Ms. Schnee asked about the status of the Champion Tree measuring. The board
secretary updated the board that the letters for non - champion trees went out and that
there were only two champions designated. The Red Maple and the Pigeon Plum will be
Champions and Ms. Cyr will get the information together to be presented before Council
for the proclamations.
Natural Resources Board Meeting
August 2, 2011
Page Three
8. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Florida Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 17th, 2011: After some
discussion it was decided that the board would participate in this annual event.
Everyone will meet at Main Street boat ramp at 8:00 am. Ms. Sieferd will see if we can
borrow the City's boat for trash removal. This will be the third island cleanup for the
year.
B. Friends of St. Sebastian River "Family Fun Under the Sun" event on October
22nd at Friendship Park: Ms. Schnee filled in the board on her conversation with
Tim Glover regarding the event. Mr. Spokas made a motion to participate in the event.
The board will have a table with environmental & educational literature to pass out. It's
an all day event. Ms. Schnee is leading a bird walk in the park area. Once the City
approves the event, Chris McCarthy, Parks Superintendent will get the board secretary
information. Ms. Graves suggested setting up a small letterbox hunt in the park, having
literature on fertilizer issue, and promote natural Florida yards. The board voted
unanimously to participate in the event.
9. MEMBER MATTERS:
No member matters.
10. STAFF MATTERS:
No staff matters.
11. Being no further business, Ms. Graves adjourned the meeting at 6:42 p.m.
Natural Resources Chairperson Signature Date
Donna Cyr
k s p s
From: Eric Spokas [espokas @irsc.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 6:01 PM
To: armstrd @doacs.state.fl. us
Cc: Donna Cyr; Sherry Bowen
Subject: Natural Resources Board City of Sebastian
Dale Armstrong
Senior Forester
Indian River County
Dear Dale Armstrong:
Your name was given to me by Sherry Bowen, IRSC Biology department Chair, when I mentioned
to Sherry that I was looking for a local expert who could speak about invasive plant
species. As a member of the Natural Resources Board (NRB), City of Sebastian, I'm trying
to set up a series of educational talks (35 - 45 min Powerpoint presentations), to
increase community awareness on topics of ecological importance. One subject I think
would be of special interest to our community is the control of invasive vegetation in
Indian River County. Would you be interested in giving a pro bono educational talk on
invasive vegetation? Please note that the planning of this speaker series is at a very
early stage. We are just looking for volunteer speakers now. As regards scheduling, the
Natural Resources Board meets once a month here in Sebastian (Main street), on the first
Tuesday of each month at 6PM. If we get the go -ahead to organize these talks, the
speakers would probably start their presentations at 6:15 P or so. Would you be
interested in giving a talk sometime before the end of this year?
Sincerely,
Eric Spokas,Ph.D.
Adjunct faculty IRSC and
Member, Natural Resources Board of
the City of Sebastian
1
k7C oSiUe s •erQ. Ers
Donna Cyr
From: Susan Gordian [chooboo1727 @att.net]
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 6:21 PM
To: Donna Cyr
Subject: Re:guest lecture for NRB
Hi Donna,
Page 1 of 3
Nice to have met you on Tuesdays meeting.
As mentioned in the meet,' have a possible guest speaker for us on the subject of our
water quality in the Sebastian,area of the Indian River.
I have made a brief contact with the secretary @ M R C and
she will refer me to a volunteer water tester that may be available to present a power
point talk and a short synopsis
of the work being done by M R C. (Marine Resourse Council)
Please let me know your thoughts on this and from whom ever you relay this to.
Regards,
Gil Gordian.Jr.
see below
Marine Resaurces Counci
Programs > Indian River Lagoonwatch
8/5/2011
Indian River Lagoonwatch
The lagoonwatch program is partially supported by the Indian River Lagoon Program of St. John's River Water
Management District and US EPA.
500,000 W ater Quality data and 115 Water Quality Maps
Volunteer as a Water Quality Monitor
Eighty citizen volunteers, trained and equipped by the
MRC, test water quality parameters as indicators of the
health of the Indian River Lagoon. Every week salinity,
dissolved oxygen, pH, and water clarity are tested at
approximately 80 sites. Fecal coliform and nutrients are
also tested at selected sites.
the MRC
Page 2 of 3
Our staff then processes the data into a color coded map
for each of the key water quality parameters. The
collection of data reflects the history of the Indian River
Lagoon water quality progress or degradation.
On -Line Data Entry - Members -Only Restricted Access
On -Line Data Entry - Loxahatchee River _Monitors Only
On-Line Data Entry - Adopt -a -Drain Monitors Only
Access Water Quality Maps and Data Online
Water Quality Testing Fact Sheet - What We Test and
Why
List of Water Quality Monitoring Sites with GPS
Coordinates.
Lagoonwatch Water Testing Instruction Manual
Quality Assurance Blind Sample Schedule and
Instructions
Downloadable Data Form
I
LciI
Supporters like you are essential to our many successful activities.
Please consider contributing your time or tax deductible donations to the our efforts to improve the Indian
River Lagoon. Remember to visit our "Second Wind" thrift shop at the north side of Shopper's World, 820
Pinetree Drive in Indian Harbor Beach, FL 32937. For pick up of donations, please call Second Wind at
(321) 779 -0590.
To Help the MRC as a volunteer, please complete the following form, and click on the submit button.
You can also print a Volunteer Registration Form, and mail it to us. The mailing address is 3275 Dixie HWY,
NE, Palm Bay, Florida 32905. For more information, please call us at 321 - 725 -7775.
If you would like to make a donation, and become a member of MRC, or if you want to renew your
membership, please fill out a Membership Registration Form, and mail it to us.
FOR A WATER QUALITY TESTING APPLICATION
- -- On Thu, 8/4/11, Donna Cyr <dcyr @CityofSebastian.org> wrote:
From: Donna Cyr <dcyr @CityofSebastian.org>
Subject: Letterboxing Information
8/5/2011
Page 3 of 3
To: "Ginny Sieferd" <gsieferd @cityofsebastian.org >, "Albert Alvarez" <alalvarez @aol.com >, "Ann Lucier"
<customveils @comcast.net >, "Eric Spokas" <espokas @irsc.edu >, "Gilbert Gordian Jr." <chooboo1727 @att.net >, "Hank
Kriss" <hanknfl @gmail.com >, "Jane Schnee" <sunwrent @aol.com >, "Lori Terry- Bender" <loriterrybender @gmail.com >,
"Robin Graves" <mugwort2u @yahoo.com >, "Tara Howe" <Howecreative @att.net>
Date: Thursday, August 4, 2011, 11:30 AM
All,
The attached is an article regarding our Letterbox at the Stormwater Park and information explains letterboxing.
Donna
8/5/2011
�7J C
kiPAk--0-4)-/v. KILL
RESOLUTION NO. R -11 -16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, CREATING A CHAMPION TREE AWARD PROGRAM; PROVIDING
FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, trees are an important part of our community as evidenced by our local policies and
comprehensive plan
WHEREAS, to the end, the City Council created a Natural Resources Board to protect and
promote the City of Sebastian's horticultural values; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, based on the recommendation of the Natural Resources Board,
wishes to promote preservation and recognition of Sebastian's outstanding trees by awarding a citywide
Champion Tree designation.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, as follows:
Section 1. The City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager and the Natural Resources
Board to create a City of Sebastian Champion Tree Program, whereby owners of specific qualifying trees
shall be recognized by a Proclamation of the Mayor.
Section 2. GUIDELINES. The Natural Resources Board and City Manager shall adopt the
guidelines of the state Champion Tree program to guide the Board in the nomination of Champion Trees.
Section 3. AWARD. The Mayor will present a Proclamation to any qualified winner for each
species of tree.
Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Council Member
The motion was seconded by Council member and, upon being put into a vote, the vote
was as follows:
Mayor
Vice Mayor
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
The Mayor thereupon declared this Resolution duly passed and adopted this 241H day of August, 2011.
CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
By:
ATTEST:
Sally A. Maio, MMC
City Clerk
Mayor
Approved as to form and legality for
reliance by the City of Sebastian only:
Robert A. Ginsburg, Interim City Attorney
Donna Cyr
From: Earth Day Journal [earthdayjournal @gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 5:50 PM
To: Donna Cyr
Cc: Ginny Sieferd
Subject: Re: FW: Vacation to Smokies /Door Prize /Earth Day
Dear Donna,
Thank you for the quick reply and information. Please note that April Price, April Price and Associates, has
been copied, as we have discussed some eco- tourism projects. We have also discussed the Manatee Center in Ft.
Pierce accepting the door prize /raffle. The Great Smoky Mountains Watershed Initiative (GSMWI) is confident
about assembling two separate packages.
I coordinated Earth Day Under the Oaks in Vero Beach from 1998 -2005. I had started working on Earth Day
2006 but halted when Nancy Wood reserved the park for the previous day and started coordinating Earth Day.
Two of those years, 2001- 2002, I coordinated Earth Day in Gatlinburg and Vero concurrently with each event
having a door prize /raffle for a vacation getaway to Smokies /TreasureCoast.
My efforts also include founding the underwater clean up of Sebastian Inlet in 2003 and have worked behind the
scenes up until this year. We also launced a cleanup of the Halsey ship wreck. Halsey report.
We are re- initiating the eco- tourism program going into 2012 and will introduce it at WETFEST in
Sevierville. (flier)
My understanding is that Earth Day Sebastian does not raise monies and is funded through the City of
Sebastian. Are we correct in our understandin th t r u can not accept financial contributions?
A rain barrel workshop could be something that would work at the beginning of your 2012 event. We are having
a workshop at WETFEST then at least one workshop per quarter in East Tennessee. The Coca -Cola Company
has contributed 50 food grade 55 gallon barrels per quarter and we have discussions with other corporations for
the hard ware. GSMWI could look into a drop shipment in Fl if this interest you. I volunteer to lead the
worksho .
More info is at http: / /www.earthdayjournal.com /index.php?
option= content& task = view &id= 113& Itemid= 41& PHPSESSID= 408e241d02c27bbed9ac94b370638b73
Just so the Natural Resources Board is aware, we will be operationg in Florida registered as GSMWI with a
DBA, Operation: Blue Streak and a DBA, Watershed Initiative, Inc. Our board has already agreed to earmark a
percentage of funds raised to support Operation: Blue Streak. We are projecting a few thousand dollars to be
available for fuel cost when Operation: Blue Streak officially re- launches next year.
We are also taking a look at coordinating a WETFEST somewhere on the Treasure Coast in November 2012.
Riverview Park has been mentioned in conversations but will not be decided until I am there in January.
At any rate, this gives you a synopsis of our planning.
We look forward to hearing back from you and wish to give our full support to Earth Day Sebastian.
8/9/2011
Page 2 of 4
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Hughes
Managing Director
Great Smoky Mountains Watershed Initiative
865 - 250 -4308
On Mon, Aug 8, 2011 at 2:28 PM, Donna Cyr <dcyr @cityofsebastian.org> wrote:
Mr. Hughes,
I am the recording secretary for the Natural Resources Board for the City of Sebastian. The board's next meeting is September
6th and I will pass along your information regarding the door prize for our annual Earth Day celebration.
Just a little information for you on our Earth Day event. This will be our fifth annual event (in April 2012) and we usually get
around 300 — 500 attendees. We are trying to get more informational vendors that can educate our citizens on environmental
issues. We also try to tie in with our annual Easter Egg hunt in the park next door to have a more family atmosphere and built
in crowd. We have music, vendors, food, and the usual booths.
I will get back with you after our meeting to let you know what the outcome is.
Thank you,
Donna Cyr
Records Program Manager
City of Sebastian
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, FL 32958
772 - 388 -8209
8/9/2011
Page 3 of 4
PLEASE NOTE: Florida has a very broad public records law. Any written communication to or from City officials regarding City
business is a public record available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may be subject to public
disclosures.
From: Joseph Griffin
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 2:02 PM
To: Donna Cyr; Ginny Sieferd
Cc: 'earthdayjournal @gmail.com'
Subject: FW: Vacation to Smokies /Door Prize /Earth Day
Donna, Ginny: Please fwd this to our Nat. Resource Board Chair - - -I would like to meet her /him soon. Thank you, Joe G.
Joe Griffin
Community Development Director
City of Sebastian
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, FL 32958
772 - 388 -8228 office
772 - 388 -8248 fax
772 - 633 -0151 cell
www.cityofsebastian.orq
From: Earth Day Journal [ mailto :earthdayjournal@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 12:22 PM
To: Joseph Griffin
Subject: Vacation to Smokies /Door Prize /Earth Day
Dear Joe,
As per our conversation, 1 am writing to see if the Sebastian Earth Day Committee would like a vacation Getaway to
the Smokies as a door prize or raffle for the 2012 Earth Day Celebration.
I am in the Smoky Mountain Region developing the Great Smoky Mountains Watershed Initiative which includes an
Eco- Tourism component. My plans include being in Florida for most of next winter and will construct a door prize of
a vacation getaway to the Treasure Coast to have at the 2012 WETFEST
The 2011 section on the EDJ site has been republished FYI until I can solve the internal link issue.
8/9/2011
Page 4 of 4
http:// www .earthdayjournal.com/index.php ?option= content &task view &id = 118 &Itemid =41
I look forward to hearing back from you. My mobile # is 865- 250 -4308.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Michael
Michael R. Hughes
http://earthdayjournal.com
Michael R. Hughes
http://earthdayjournal.com
8/9/2011