02/20/2008
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARDMEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 20th, 2008
Present:
D. Michael Flanery
Richard Packman
Joseph A. Calio
Ron Gregory
Anna Fusari
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Ed Chesney
Leslie Dougall Sides
Veronica Josef
Environmental Manager
Asst. City Attorney
Senior Staff Assistant
APPROVED
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Conference Room 221 of the MSB Building.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
Unless otherwise noted, no action was taken regarding items.
Administration
1. Approval Of Minutes - December 19th, 2007
Member Joe Calio moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 19th,
2007, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded by Member Richard Packman and carried unanimously.
2. Citizens To Be Heard
Liz Drayer of the Clearwater Audubon Society gave the board brochures on "Greening
Clearwater" which Clearwater could easily adopt. Concern was expressed to:
(a) Reduce fertilizers into the bay and other waterways through a combination of
regulations and education.
Sarasota County recently enacted their fertilizer ordinance
Goal was to protect the health of humans, wildlife and bodies of water
(b) Encourage use of native plants as proposed to turf grass
Use native plants when people replace their lawns, which would save
water and reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
Hernando County just passed this ordinance
Ed Chesney stated that Tampa Bay Estuary is preparing a " Regional Fertilizer Ordinance".
Pinellas County is also working on an ordinance making an effort to reach out to other
municipalities to sign on to. Ed Chesney suggested that the City of Clearwater should piggy
back on the County's ordinances or regional ordinances rather than to develop one specifically
for the City of Clearwater.
Environmental Advisory 2008-02-20
Chair Mike Flanery also suggested the following:
The City of Clearwater support Pinellas County and Tampa Bay Estuary Program's
initiatives to reduce the use of fertilizers to protect our waterways.
Need to identify nitrogen discharges city wide as nitrates are harmful and need to be
reduced to improve our water quality.
Bring to the City's attention the issue of pet waste, being a major contamination to
the Bay and request the City to consider an ordinance on "Poopers Scoopers".
From an environmental stand point, would like to encourage xeriscape on to conserve
and recommend use of native plants.
Action Item
3. Welcome new Board Member - Anna Fusari
Chair Mike Flanery welcomed Anna Fusari as the new EAB Board Member.
Reports
4. USF Proiect Evaluation & Council Presentation
Ed Chesney stated that Sandra Kling from USF, was working on the Greenhouse Gas
Inventory that is directly related to the US Mayors Conference initiatives. An action plan will be
written based on the Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
Discussion Items
5. EAB board members discussed on how the Environmental Advisory Board can help to
expedite a Plan for the City based on the following USF Projects:
a. Florida Green City Certification (Job in progress by Sara Josuns, Environmental Specialist)
b. Green House Gas Survey GHG (In Progress by USF Intern)
c. Community Gardens
There is an interest in the community garden concept based on the success of
the Farmers Market
Inventory of available parcels that can be used for the community gardens
Ask for feasibility analysis
d. Green Building Code Changes
Cooperation with County initiatives and include City code changes
Identify "LEED" practices in the City
(LEEDS to indicate incentives by the City to "head on line")
e. Review City Codes (Building Code) of areas to be modified
f. Solar Park
Moccasin Lake Park, already has small scale solar capabilities
h. Encourage Staff Training in Green practices
Environmental Advisory 2008-02-20
2
6. Establish Aqenda
Finalize outline for USF projects
7. Date of next meetinq
The EAB will meet on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm.
8. Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Attest:
VWorU'LJ. J: ~
Senior Staff Assistant
3\I9'l~~
Environmental Advisory 2008.02.20
...-"
c
C
Environmental Advisory Board
3
~lI9!L)~