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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04022013NRB AgendaREVISED AGENDA NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD REGULAR MEETING SEBASTIAN CITY HALL 1225 MAIN STREET SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 - 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 A. Meeting of March 5, 2013 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS 6. PUBLIC INPUT 7. OLD BUSINESS A. Earth Day Preparations 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Indian River Lagoon Coalition — Recommendation on City Participation to City Council 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 CLERKS OFFICE WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE DATE OFACTION. (286.0105 FS). IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CITYS ADA COORDINATOR AT (407)- 589 -5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. TWO OR MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAYBE IN ATTENDANCE. 2 3 5 7 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, March 5, 2013 - 6:00 P.M. MINUTES "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" Chairperson Graves called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL Present: Robin Graves — Chair Eric Spokas — Vice Chair Al Alvarez Gerald Deredita (A) Not Present: Gilbert Gordian, Jr. Staff Present: Ginny Sieferd, Board Liaison Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary Hank Kriss Alan Northcott Ann Lucier Chairperson Graves announced the resignation of Pat Casselberry. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 5, 2013 regular meeting MOTION by Chairperson Graves and SECOND by Ms. Lucier to approve the February 5, 2013 minutes. ANNOUNCEMENTS — None. PUBLIC INPUT — None. OLD BUSINESS A. Earth Day, April 20, 2013 Bird Houses Ms. Lucier reported her husband is getting lumber from Home Depot to assemble about eight to ten bird houses. Chairperson suggested giving away three of the houses for door prizes and start gathering ancillary paint and decorations for the houses. She said she would contact Mr. Gordian to see if the Girl Scouts were coming to help. Natural Resources Board March 4, 2013 Page Two Ms. Sieferd reported that she had left over art supplies from last year. Ms. Lucier said she would report back on how many bird houses there will be and what art supplies are needed. Vendors Chairperson Graves said there are about 35 vendors, she prepared an application for the Fire Marshall permit, and she would need to know how many tables and chairs will be needed. Ms. Sieferd suggested only supplying the Board members with tables. Mr. Spokas reported that KIRB did request a table and chairs and he has a breakfast vendor. In response to Mr. Spokas, Chairperson Graves said the Kroegel fruit stand is the only organic produce in town. Ms. Lucier said she did ask five or six of the Vero Beach Farmer's Market vendors to participate but Earth Day is the same time they must be in Vero Beach. She offered to ask a bee keeper to come to sell honey. Contests Ms. Sieferd offered to check on the supply of door prize tickets. Chairperson Graves confirmed they would do a recycled art contest, wildlife photography contest and best homemade bird house contest. After discussion, the Board decided to split the contests into age groups —less than 12 years old and adult groups. Mr. Spokas offered to bring a cork board to post the photographs as sort of an attraction by itself. Chairperson Graves offered to make a gratitude board for the sponsors and asked Ms. Sieferd if the sponsors could be listed on the website. Ms. Sieferd said she would ask MIS Systems Analyst Barbara Brooke if that is possible and reported the owner of Shady Groves Nursery will give them certificates to redeem for trees at the nursery. Mr. Kriss reported that Emerald Carpet Cleaning is planning to set up a booth to show how you can clean without a lot of pollutants. In response to Chairperson Graves, Ms. Lucier offered to contact additional vendors. Ms. Sieferd reported H.A.L.O. is planning to come. Chairperson Graves said vendor booths could be added up to the event and she would love to have some mascots like Crime Dog McDuff or Smokey the Bear. She also asked the Board to think about what they want to hand out on their table noting brochures always get thrown out. Ms. Sieferd said Kids Hooked on Fishing will be there with fishing gear. Mr. Spokas noted they could hand out brochures on the fertilizer ordinance, rain barrels, and the Board itself. Chairperson Graves said their scrap book could be displayed on the table along with a volunteer sign up sheet to participate in their events. Mr. Deredita reported he was trying to get sponsorship funding for advertising. Chairperson Graves said she would work up a press release with the established vendors and contests and asked the Board to continue gathering vendors. Chairperson Graves polled the Board members on which certificate they liked best to give the contest winners. (see attached) Three members liked the palm tree scene and three liked the mother earth scene. A coin was tossed and the mother earth scene was chosen for the winning certificates that will be signed by the Mayor. Natural Resources Board March 4, 2013 Page Three Chairperson asked if the Mayor was aware that he kicked off the ceremony by reading the proclamation. Ms. Sieferd offered to contact the Mayor. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Discuss Request to Citv Council for Turn Off Your Lights for Earth Hour Chairperson Graves said they have been asked by City Council for their thoughts on the Turn Off Your Lights for Earth Hour. She said she keeps unused lights off everyday so they should support this event. It was the consensus of the Board to support the event. Mr. Spokas offered to work up a formal sponsorship from the Board by Friday. Request from Council Member Coy to consider the Indian River Lagoon Coalition Chairperson Graves said she did not have a chance to review the information yet and it was the consensus of the Board to consider it on the next agenda. 9. MEMBER MATTERS Mr. Alvarez said his request to include the Earth Day event in the AAA Auto Club magazine did not make the advertising deadline. Ms. Lucier confirmed the City will run an advertisement to fill Ms. Casselberry's position. 10. STAFF MATTERS — None. 11. Being no further business, Chairperson Graves adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 6:51 p.m. Indian River Laaoon Coalition "'A Cali to Action" Our Indian River Lagoon is on life support, dying before our eyes. This is a call to develop a unified plan to work together to restore the Lagoon before it's too late. The Indian River Lagoon's seagrass beds are the biological foundation of the 156 mile long estuarine ecosystem which supports the coastal economy of 5 counties. This ecosystem is in dire need of our directed, concerted assistance. We recognize and commend significant efforts by government, individuals and organizations that have contributed to the knowledge of the lagoon and its varied habitats, increased awareness and worked to correct some of the problems. Unfortunately, continued degradation of the Lagoon indicates that those efforts have been insufficient. Success in turning this trend will require the leadership and financial support of federal, state, county and city governments in cooperation with non - profit organizations, corporations, small businesses and individuals. Government leadership is essential to solve this problem because it has the power to construct improvements, regulate, fund, enforce, acquire land, mitigate and provide services. Research and monitoring of the Lagoon provide data that demonstrate the gravity of the problem, but simultaneously can guide us towards future solutions necessary to revive the Lagoon. 1. Seagrass coverage is the prime indicator of the health of the Lagoon (1). During a two year period (2009 -11) there has been an estimated 43% loss in area covered by seagrass which is equivalent to approximately 53 square miles (z). 2. The Lagoon contributes $3.7 billion to the coastal economy annually (3). Seagrass productivity contributes between $10- 20,000 annually per acre per year in economic benefit (4). Based on seagrass losses over the last two years the economic loss is approximately $340 million annually (s). 3. Pollutants are degrading the Lagoon. Lesions on fishes and sea turtles, flesh- eating fungus on dolphins and fish kills are increasingly common, demonstrating declining habitat quality (6). 4. Habitat loss of seagrass beds, mangroves, oyster reefs and wetlands is affecting the viability of lagoon and ocean fisheries, as well as bird and manatee health and will continue to decline unless action is taken! 5. High nutrient inputs to Lagoon waters result from storm water releases, runoff, seeping septic systems and overflow events at sewage treatment plants. The cumulative results of those events reduce water quality creating a chain of negative impacts on the Lagoon, including recent algae superblooms. The health of the Indian River Lagoon is a foundation of economic viability and social wealth for the Treasure and Space Coasts. An overall vision and viable plan to restore the Lagoon back to health is the top priority. We the undersigned believe a successful Lagoon remediation will require government leadership and community commitment by all. We cannot delay - the future of the Lagoon is in our hands and must be addressed on our watch. This document is a "Call to Action" for our governments to accept this leadership role. Individual: Organization: Contact Person: Address: Telephone: Signature Return to one of the following: E -Mail: John Orcutt Doug Graybill 4665 Pebble Bay South 500 Palm Island Lane Vero Beach, FL 32963 Vero Beach, FL 32963 pulex(aPbellsouth.net DougCa)GraybillGroup.com Date References: 1. IRL NEP, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Plan. 2008. Indian River Lagoon assessment and analysis update, final report, contract no. 24706. Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, Palm Bay, Fl. Steward, J.S., R. Brockmeyer, R. Virnstein, P. Gostel, P. Sime, and J. VanArman. 2003. Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan, 2002 Update. St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, Florida and South Florida Water Mangement District, West Palm Beach, Florida 2. St John's Water Management District; preliminary data 3. Environmental Protection Agency, National Estuary Program, 2007 4. Dennis Hanisak, PhD, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, personal communication 5. 33,920 acres of seagrass loss in the IRL from 2009 -2011 x $10,000 /acre /year 6. Edith Widder, PhD, Ocean Research and Conservation Association, personal communication Coalition Document Signers 1. American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2. Anglers for Conservation 3. Aquatic Research and Communication 4. Audubon Florida 5. Christ By the Sea United Methodist Church 6. City of Fellsmere 7. Environmental Learning Center 8. Eugenia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society 9. Florida Oceanographic Society 10. Friends of the St. Sebastian River 11. Indian River Land Trust 12. Indian River Ministerial Association 13. Indian River Neighborhood Association 14. J & G Organics 15. Keep Indian River Beautiful 16. Marine Resources Council 17. Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Inc. 18. Pebble Bay Homeowners Association 19. Pelican Island Audubon Society 20. River Keeper 21. Rotary Club of Vero Beach Sunrise 22. Sierra Club - Turtle Coast Group 23. Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of VB 24. Sustainable Indian River, Inc. 25. Town of Orchid 26. Treasure Coast Progressive Alliance 27. Yale Club of the Treasure Coast