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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09022014NRB AgendaMY OF SIEBAST�IAN HOME 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 2, 2014 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: August 5, 2014 Regular Meeting 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS 6. PUBLIC INPUT 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Oyster Mat Project Update 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Non - renewal of 2013 Aquatic Preserves Agreement B. Water Testing Discussion by Board Member Jim Clifton 9. MEMBER MATTERS A. Additions to Board Website 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 FS). 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 INATTENDANCE. MC 5034ksj," HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2014 - 6:00 P.M. MINUTES Chairperson Graves called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL: John Brady Gil Gordian Robin Graves — Chair Ann Lucier Alan Northcott — Vice Chair Bob Progulske James Clifton Rose Harris Absent: George Millar (excused) Also Present: Frank Watanabe, P. E., Community Development Director /City Engineer /Airport Manager Cindy Watson, Environmental Specialist/Airport Administrator Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 1, 2014 Regular Meeting For the record, it was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Northcott be the project manager for the oyster mat project. Mr. Northcott asked that the minutes reflect that at the last meeting he asked when new information and photos would be posted to the website and staff responded within 24 -48 hours. MOTION by Chairperson Graves with a SECOND BY Ms. Lucier to approve the July 1, 2014 minutes as amended. 5. CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR NOMINATIONS o Submit Nominations for Chairmanship Chairperson Graves asked for nominations. Mr. Gordian and Mr. Progulske nominated Mr. Northcott. There were no other nominations. o Submit Nominations for Vice Chairmanship Ms. Lucier nominated Mr. Gordian. There were no other nominations. Natural Resources Board Meeting August 5, 2014 Page Two By unanimous separate voice votes, Mr. Northcott will serve as chair and Mr. Gordian will serve as vice- chair. 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS - None 7. PUBLIC INPUT - None 8. OLD BUSINESS o Oyster Mats Project update Ms. Graves said she contacted the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for information on grants. Mr. Brady spoke to Florida Tech professors; he would be interested in the placing of the mats. He noted high /low tide and water salinity are important to the placement. Mr. Gordian said he would speak to Indian River School District Superintendent, Dr. Adams, to see if the High School Green Club could participate in assembling and storing the mats. Ms. Lucier reported she has volunteer assemblers. Chairman Northcott said he was researching other methods to produce the mats. He was told that bags with coconut fiber are more appropriate for shoreline restoration. He said the process would have to be determined to apply for the grant(s). The Environmental Specialist said they did miss this grant cycle but it is on her calendar for next year. She offered to find out the grant benefactor for the board. Chairman Northcott said the Army Corp of Engineers, DEP, and SJRWMD permits would be needed. He said Grant Shaw from DEP is coming Friday at 10 a.m. to locate possible placement areas. He invited other members to join them. Chairman Northcott also said a pilot project might be approved with 10 or 12 mats to see which location takes. Mr. Progulske offered to contact the Army Corp of Engineer to get the pilot permit. Ms. Harris said her friends made 200 mats a couple of weeks ago at the Vero Power Squadron and she had a drill press to make the shell holes. Chairman Northcott said he calculated 2000 mats would take six seconds a shell to drill during four working weeks. Mr. Clifton said he is standing by to go to work. 9. NEW BUSINESS o Island Cleanup Ms. Graves reported the clean -up was busy, their island did not have too much debris, and she logged in 350 lbs. of trash. Mr. Gordian said he placed the sign on their island. Chairman Northcott reported there is trash in a derelict boat and wooden container on island four. Ms. Harris reported that kayakers gathered that trash and it was carried to shore by Sea Tow. Natural Resources Board Meeting August 5, 2 014 Page Three It was the consensus of the Board to have the next island clean up on October 4 1 The Environmental Specialist said there will be money for the Board in the next fiscal year. 10. MEMBER MATTERS o Additions to Board Website Ms. Graves reported that she understood new information would be posted within 48 hours and Mr. Northcott sent an e-mail that hasn't been posted. Chairman Northcott said that information to be posted should be vetted through the Environmental Specialist and then posted. The Environmental Specialist added that information to be posted should be voted on and agreed to by the Board as a whole at each month's meeting. Ms. Graves said pictures of their previous events haven't been posted. The Environmental Specialist said pictures should be seen and agreed to before posting. A member may not want a particular picture posted. By a unanimous voice vote, the Board agreed to post pictures of their previous events. A consensus was reached to post Chairman Northcott's fertilizer statement previously sent. (See attached) Mr. Northcott requested that the oyster mat presentation be added to their website under videos. Updating the website will be a standing agenda item. 11. STAFF MATTERS o PowerPoint Presentation Updates by Frank Watanabe, Community Development Director /Engineer /Airport Manager Overflow Parking at Riverview Park The City Engineer, using the overhead projector, displayed the conceptual layout of the overflow parking at Riverview Park. He explained commercial parking is short on the riverfront and the developer wants to participate in the "parking in lieu of program," in addition to constructing the spaces. He said that having developers pay into the program allows them to share the parking including the ADA spaces. With regard to the overflow parking location questions, he said, the location is between two buildings and would not be considered part of the park. It would be maintained by the City. Quiet Zone Crossings The City Engineer said, at the request of Council, he had been asked to share the quiet zone information to all of the City's Boards. (See attached PowerPoint). He explained that a quiet zone (which must be initiated by the agency) is when the train operator does not have to toot his horn; has a' /2 mile between the tracks and includes four gates per crossing with an 18 inch high median. In addition a risk factor study had to be completed. He went on to say that because all of the crossings are so close together within the City, if designated, they would all have to be quiet zones. Natural Resources Board Meeting August 5, 2014 Page Four Field Diagnostic Review He said the diagnostic review determined that a second set of tracks would be added to the west side of Barber Street and Schumann Street; and the Main Street crossing would be moved two feet over. The City will have the opportunity to review the conceptual plan and the environmental impact statement. MEMBER MATTERS CONTINUED Stormwater In response to Mr. Gordian, the Environmental Specialist said the Public Works Department maintains the conveyance of stormwater. The City Engineer explained that this year the City has experienced a higher rate of rainfall and there are above average complaints. The rule of thumb for stormwater drainage is 72 hours." If water hasn't moved after that time frame, homeowners should contact Linda Kinchen in the Public Works Department. The City Engineer went on to say, the quarter rounds run into lateral ditches, then the canal system and then into a basin for treatment. The lateral ditches are addressed (cleaned, mowed) once a year by the City but it is a slow process because of staff shortages and the sediments must be hauled away. Ms. Graves said weedwacking seems to be working better than heavy equipment on the lateral ditches in her neighborhood. 12. Being no further business, Ms. Graves adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 7:23 p.m. By: Chairman Alan Northcott Date Report on Initial Oyster Project Survey, Sebastian, Florida Prepared by Alan Northcott August 12, 2014 Background Sebastian City Council has asked the Natural Resources Board to facilitate an oyster restoration project in the area. In turn, the Natural Resources Board has been working with the Florida DEP, utilizing their expertise and assistance to advance the project. Purpose of Survey A survey of Indian River Lagoon was required to help identify viable sites for the oyster restoration project, from which further action can be taken, obtaining permits, etc. Actions Alan Northcott, Rose Harris, and John Brady of the Natural Resources Board went on board the Aquatic Preserve boat with Brian Sharpe and Marc Virgilio of the DEP, leaving from the Sebastian Main Street boat ramp at 10 AM on Friday, August 8, and returning a couple of hours later. The equipment included a Toughbook computer, which used GPS to track the boat's progress against a map of the area. The boat first visited the mouth of the Sebastian River where historic maps show there has been significant oyster activity in the past. The next target was Spoil Island #2, a conservation island, then the boat was directed along the mainland shoreline, and various areas explored. Findings For oysters to grow satisfactorily, the environment needs to provide both a suitable substrate for oyster attachment and suitable water conditions, which includes salinity, water movement, temperature, etc. The pragmatic approach taken was to examine existing growth, and in particular whether young oysters were thriving in each area. Areas where oysters flourish can change over time, therefore the existence of mature oysters is less important than signs of active new growth which would indicate a good chance that the project could enhance production. We started by looking at the north side of the Sebastian River outlet, where the maps indicated there had been a great deal of oyster activity in the past (denoted by A above and on the plan overleaf). The photograph shows Marc Virgilio with some samples which he retrieved for examination. This area appeared viable and relatively accessible through the boat yard to the north. It was noted that there were two small plastic tubes planted in the riverbed, which might have denoted an interest by others in the area, though the purpose was not clear. We then crossed to the south side, where oysters had previously been found spreading out from a point (B on the map). Once again, Marc was able to find evidence of current activity. Returning to the Lagoon, we checked around one of the conservation islands (C). Obviously, conservation islands would be preferable to recreational islands, where the mats could be displaced or disturbed. There was some growth on fallen trees in the water, but generally not oysters. We crossed to the mainland, and began working southwards beside the shoreline, looking for likely places. The docks and jetties provide a stable structure that is generally favorable for oysters. Marc went wading in an area where the shore was covered by grass, but the bed was sandy, and did not give much substrate for the oysters to adhere to. A promising area (D) was identified offshore from the Archie Smith Fish House, a currently derelict property. It appeared there were oysters in the area that would seed growth on oyster mats. 4� Further south, just north of Squid Lips restaurant, there is an old platform jutting over the water (E). This appears to have plenty of potential, particularly as oysters are well represented in the area of the restaurant, including covering old tires which are there as buffers on the posts. The trip had taken a couple of hours, therefore we did not explore south of the boat ramp. It appeared there had been sufficient potential identified to progress the project. Discussion The trip provided a good opportunity to talk further about the elements needed to be successful in our oyster restoration. One point to note is that Brian Sharpe did not think we particularly had to find tidal waters, such as had been previously thought, in order to locate the mats. Others had advised us previously that we needed locations that were underwater part of the day and above the water level the rest of the time. This is not necessary. It was noted that the first location, north of the river, would be underwater all day long, yet oysters were flourishing. Areas A, B, C, and D were thought to be viable, and this could be tested with a pilot program in the fall, if we are able to get the permitting and other work done in time. The area around Squid Lips (E) appears to be so good that testing is probably unnecessary, and a full deployment can be planned for the spring. Despite it being an active area, we should probably not include area A, north of the river. It is not only outside the city boundaries but also in the adjacent County, and there is a strong oyster restoration program there, which may in due course pick it up. Deployment in other areas will depend on negotiations with property owners adjacent to the shore, who may have riparian rights and requirements to transverse the areas selected. Recommendations It appears there are several areas available which have the potential for success. Before deciding on a large project, these could be tested with a pilot program, deploying perhaps 10 mats in an area to check on growth. The two priorities which will impact when the pilot program can proceed include obtaining oyster shells, which need to be stored outside for three months before use; and obtaining the necessary permits from the Army Corp of Engineers and St. John's River Water Management District. Before these can be applied for, we need to have preliminary negotiations with affected landowners to confirm areas that can be used, therefore this is the most urgent current action.