HomeMy WebLinkAbout11042014NRB Agenda�IIYOF
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HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958
AGENDA
NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014 - 6:00 P.M.
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN
"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: October 7, 2014 Meeting
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. PUBLIC INPUT
7. PRESENTATIONS
A. Steven L.Morris-Florida Organic Aquaculture— www.flaguacuIture.com
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Set Date for Earth Day 2015 — April 18, 2015
B. Request the City to Erect Tortoise Crossing Signs at Certain Locations
C. Request Re -Adoption of Spoil Island 1
D. Oyster Mat Project Update
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. MEMBER MATTERS
A. Additions to Board Website
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 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.
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SEBAST,
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HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
MINUTES
NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014 — 6:00 P.M.
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL
Chairman Northcott called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Present:
Alan Northcott — Chair
Gil Gordian — Vice Chair
Robin Graves
Ann Lucier
George Millar
James Clifton
Rose Glaser
El
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Absent:
John Brady (excused)
Bob Progulske (excused)
Also Present:
Frank Watanabe P.E., City Engineer
Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 2, 2014 Meeting
Chairman Northcott asked that the word "was" be changed to "used to be" in the first
sentence of the fifth paragraph on page three; and the word "think" be changed to "react"
in the second sentence of the seventh paragraph on page four.
MOTION by Ms. Graves and SECOND by Mr. Millar to approve the September 2, 2014
minutes passed as amended with a unanimous voice vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS — None.
6. PUBLIC INPUT
Jane Schnee, Sebastian, said she owns conservation land on Barber Street where there
has been gopher tortoises killed by vehicular traffic. She displayed a sample sign that
could be erected by the City's sign shop to help residents become familiar with tortoise
habitat.
The City Engineer said as long as the sign meets the standard informational signage per
the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) it could be erected and he cited
the number one cause for the decline of gopher tortoises in urbanized areas is in fact,
cars running over them. He agreed to include the placement of signs on the next
agenda.
Natural Resources Board
October 7, 2014
Page Two
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Oyster Mat Project Update
a. Oyster storage at the City's Public Works Compound
The City Engineer said a site behind the large building at the City's Compound
will have four pallets for them to dry their oyster shells; the location will be open
7:30 M to 3:30 pm; he will meet with the board members to show the location.
Mr. Millar distributed an article from Putnam County Courier Journal citing $4.5M
in funding was given to restore Apalachicola oysters and asked if the Board could
look into obtaining some of the same funding. The City Engineer offered to look
for available funding from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunities.
Mr. Gordian said he has not gathered enough oysters to see how many fill a
bucket; however, the oyster season will pick up soon. Chairman Northcott said
the shell supplier for the Vero Beach Power Squadron is willing to give them a
truckload if someone can bring a truck to the Brevard County location. Mr. Millar
said he has a one ton and quarter ton vehicle that could pick up a load. Mr.
Gordian offered to help unload the shells at the City Compound.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Marc Virgilio — Environmental Specialist, Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves
Field Office, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Mr. Virgilio introduced himself, said he managed parts of the Lagoon from the
Mosquito Lagoon down to Jupiter Inlet, his office works with the adopt -a -spoil
island project, shoreline restoration, plantings on spoil islands and oyster
restoration projects.
With PowerPoint slides, he gave a brief overview of the Board's recent rapid
assessment trip of potential oyster mat placement areas. (see attached)
He said his office hopes to have a map available soon of appropriate zones for
oyster restoration and noted they have a staff member specifically dedicated to
oyster restoration available to help them. He also said the Brevard Zoo is in the
process of establishing a shell stockpile for organizations to use for their projects.
In response to Mr. Clifton, he said his office is starting to map existing clam beds
for future clam restoration projects which are more prevalent towards the
Sebastian Inlet. Mr. Virgilio described the appropriate environment from May to
July for spawning oysters.
Adopt -A -Spoil Island
Mr. Virgilio confirmed the spoil island they adopted was out of the City's limits
and he would assist the Board with re -adopting it if the City is interested. He
noted the spoil islands within the Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge are federally
protected and not available for adoption.
Natural Resources Board
October 7, 2014
Page Three
The City Engineer offered to talk to the City Manager about placing the re -
adoption of their island on the next agenda. He cautioned they should try to
focus their resources within City limits. It was the Board's consensus to place the
re -adoption on the next agenda.
B. Earth Day 2015
Ms. Lucier suggested setting a date for next year so she can start a vendor list.
The City Engineer offered to find out if Riverview Park and the bandstand would
be available April 18 and if not, the next closest Saturday to Earth Day.
Mr. Millar noted for planning purposes, the City will need to obtain larger and
more fire extinguishers for the event. The City Engineer offered to check on the
code requirements.
Ms. Graves said she had just gotten the trash grabbers donated before the City
discontinued the Adopt -A -Spoil Island contract and if the Board will not be adopting an
island by a time certain, she would like the grabbers to be donated to Keep Indian River
Beautiful.
Mr. Gordian said he has been receiving complaints about the swales and displayed a
photo of eastbound Perch Lane on the overhead projector. He pointed out the flooded
lateral swale and asked if the swales should be cleaned to convey the water and salvage
the street asphalt.
The City Engineer said it has been difficult to convey the large amount of water the City
has recently received over such a short period of time and admitted the City has fallen
behind on maintaining some of the main ditches. He gave them a heads up that at the
Council meeting to be held the following night, he planned to ask City Council to hold off
the installation of quarter rounds for one year to catch up on the ditch maintenance and
save the roads from further deterioration and avoid having people drive on the crown of
the road during the heavy rains.
A. Additions to Board Website — None.
10. STAFF MATTERS
A. Procurement Policy
The City Engineer provided a hard copy of a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the
City's procurement policy; he noted they do have an approved budget for the next fiscal
year. (see attached)
11. Being no further business, Chairman Northcott adjourned the Natural Resources Board
meeting at 6:57 p.m.
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Alan Northcott, Chair Date