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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02072012NRB Agenda�� � A� ',"" 1 H4ME OF PELICAN ISLAND 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 (772)589-5330 Phone (772)589-5570 Fax AGENDA NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012 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: 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 3. ROLL CALL: 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 3, 2012 regular meeting. 5 PUBLIC INPUT: 6. OLD BUSINESS: A. Earth Day — Saturday; April 21, 2012 B. Board Liaison, Ginny Sieferd, will give update on Fertilizer Ordinance 7. NEW BUSINESS: 8. MEMBER MATTERS: 9. STAFF MATTERS: 10. ADJOURNMENT: ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DEC/S/ON 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 CITY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT (407)-589-5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO TH/S MEETING. TWO OR MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE. �a HOME OF PEIICAN ISL4ND NATURALRESOURCES BOARD MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2012 - 6:00 P.M. City Council Chamber, 1225 Main Street, Sebastian Chairperson Graves called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL: Present: Robin Graves - Chair Eric Spokas - Vice Chair Hank Kriss Gilbert Gordian Jr. Ann Lucier Jane Schnee (A) Alan Northcott (A) Excused Absence: Albert Alvarez Lori Bender Staff and Council Present: Councilmember Richard Gillmor; Ginny Sieferd, Board Liaison and Donna Cyr, Recording Secretary 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 6, 2011 Regular meeting MOTION by Mr. Kriss and SECOND by Mr. Gordian to approve the December 6th, 2011 minutes as written with correction to spelling of Alan Northcott's name (not Northcutt), motion carried. 5. PRESENTATIONS: Chairperson Graves introduced Richard Bamlet, Senior Forester, Florida Forest Service. He works in the Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA). Mr. Bamlet gave his presentation (PowerPoint attached). Mr. Bamlet said the goals of the Treasure Coast CISMA are to reduce and control the spread of existing invasive species; prevent the establishment and spread of new invasive species; build working relationships with public and private stakeholders; provide education and information exchange about invasive species; and promote applied research in invasive species management. He listed the top ten invasive species for Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) as the Monkey Apple; Chinese Tallow; Camphor Tree; Glossy Privet; Gold Coast Jasmine; Burma Reed (silk reed); Topical American Water Grass; Lumnitzera, with the Burmese Python and the Nile Monitor to complete the list. He said there were more but these were the top ten. He explained the importance of detecting and removing these species before they take over and destroy native species. People need to be educated. Mr. Bamlet said some of Natural Resources Board Meeting January 3, 2012 Page Two these invasive plants are even sold by retail nurseries in Florida. Ms. Graves mentioned that the jasmine and queen palm are sold all over. Ms. Sieferd said she was asked why we should worry about these plants, isn't a tree still a tree, and Mr. Bamlet said that no not really. He said that the Everglades are a prime example, citing the over run of inelaleuca tree and the Burmese python. The area is completely different from what it used to be because of the invasive species. The South River Water Management District spends millions of dollars to keep these species under control and they are loosing the battle. Ms. Sieferd asked why the State can't do more by not allowing these plants to be sold. Mr. Bamlet said they have stopped some from being sold but it also must come from the local level too. Also, make people aware they shouldn't buy certain plants. A couple of website that can be used to report citing of any of these species is www.floridainvasives.orq or www.EDDMapS.orq. There is also an app for smart phones that is connected with gps. Ms Sieferd asked what happens when someone does identify and reports an invasive species. Mr. Bamlet stated that the area is monitored and they make sure the plants really are invasive species. The next step is determined by if the species is on public or private land. Then the plants can either be removed by the land owner or by the agency. This can be tricky if they are dealing with more than a few trees. It can become very expensive to remove 500 trees. Ms. Schnee asked why the Brazilian pepper tree wasn't on the list and Mr. Bamlet said it was because it was too late to eradicate it from Florida. We still have time to control the population of the ten listed species. Ms. Schnee said people may get the wrong idea about the pepper tree since it isn't on the list. Mr. Bamlet said education is the best way to inform people. Mr. Gordian asked about a permanent way to remove the pepper tree. Mr. Bamlet said to cut the tree down and paint it/treat the outside of the stump with the herbicide Garlon 4 which can be purchased in hardware stores. 6. PUBLIC INPUT: 7. OLD BUSINESS: A. Review of Fertilizer Ordinance #0-11-19. Recommendation to Council. Council Member Richard Gillmor addressed the board letting them know that he requested their input on the fertilizer ordinance. He received the ordinance from the Treasure Coast Local Government which he is a member. Council Member Gillmor and the City Attorney wanted the Natural Resources Board input and recommendations on this ordinance before it went to Council. Most of the area local governments have passed a fertilizer ordinance to protect the I.R. Lagoon. Ms. Graves asked Mr. Gillmor if he would stay to answer questions and he said he wasn't an expert and that maybe questions could be addressed to Mayor Hill who has a degree in this field. Ms. Graves asked if it would be all right to bring questions to Council and Mr. Gillmor said yes. After much discussion from the board members, it was decided that each member would email their concerns and recommendations to Ms. Sieferd and she will get with the City Attorney and see how he wants to proceed. Ms. Sieferd will bring back the City Attorney's review on the Boards recommendations and questions for further discussion before it goes to Council. Natural Resources Board Meeting January 3, 2012 Page Three B. Purchase saplinqs from the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District and plant at assorted Citv parks. The City gave the board $50.00 for tre�s and member Ann Lucier is giving an additional $10.00. Ms. Lucier also volunteered to babysit the seedlings until planting time. The Board decided on purchasing 50 trees (15 Bald Cypress and 35 Red Maple). The extra money will be used to purchase stakes and ties for planting. Ms. Schnee will contact IRSWCD to place the order and Ms. Sieferd will request a check from the City and have it mailed out. Ms. Sieferd will coordinate the pick up of the trees. The planting date will be announced at each of our meetings to promote the event. The board will have a signup sheet at Earth Day to recruit volunteers to help plant the trees and it was decided that the planting will take place on Saturday, May 5th. The parks chosen will be Blossom Park; the Stormwater Park (Englar and George) and Schumann Park (Schumann just east of the R.R. tracks). 8. NEW BUSINESS: No new business. 9. MEMBER MATTERS: Ms. Schnee asked if the vendor flyer promoting Earth Day had gone out yet. Ms. Graves said it had not. Ms. Cyr will update the vendor flyer and application from last year as well as create some samples of slides. for the board to review. Ms. Cyr will email them tomorrow to the board. The approved vendor flyer and application will be forwarded to the members for them to distribute. The approved Earth Day slide will be forwarded to the MIS department for their creative input. The slide will then be posted on the City's website and channel 25. Members will also get copies for distribution to local business and clubs. 10. STAFF MATTERS: No staff matters. 11. Being no further business, Ms. Graves adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Natural Resources Chairperson Signature Date