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10/15/2008 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER October 15, 2008 Present: Anna Fusari Chair Ron Gregory Vice-Chair Joseph Calio Board Member Michael Flanery Board Member Richard Packman Board Member Also Present: Ed Chesney Environmental Manager Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Minutes of September 17, 2008 Member Gregory moved to approve the minutes of the regular Environmental Advisory Board meeting of September 17, 2008 as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 2. Citizens’ Comments – None. 3. Action Items: 3.1 Continue Council’s Request for Recommendation on Protection of Nesting Shorebirds Discussion ensued regarding a sixth interim quarterly progress and inventory report done by Beth Forys and Alison Ormsby of Eckerd College and Monique Borboen-Abrams of the St. Petersburg Audubon Society regarding shore nesting birds. The report dated September 15, 2008 was performed at five study sites (Ft. De Soto, Treasure Island, Indian Shores, Belleair Beach, and Clearwater Beach) from May 1, 2008 to August 31, 2008. It was felt that clarification is needed regarding the number of people reported in 2007 to 2008 for Clearwater Beach versus the number of dogs reported in the same timeframe. It was noted the seventh interim study is underway and will be completed by December 31, 2008. One member said annually, door hangars are placed on all apartment doors on Sand Key, shorebird nesting areas are defined with yellow tape, and signs are posted in areas on the beach at Sand Key during July 4th holiday festivities, however volunteers must police the beach to protect the shore nesting birds. It was remarked that unfortunately, fireworks frighten the birds causing them to leave their nests. For the benefit of a board member who was absent at the last meeting, it was remarked that at the September meeting, Regional Biologist Nancy Douglass for the Southwest Region of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission had agreed to give a presentation regarding shorebird protection at a collective meeting of homeowners, civic association members, and any other organizations the board feels appropriate in order to encourage the public to become more involved in shorebird protection efforts. Ms. Douglass also indicated that she would assist the City by identifying shorebird nesting habitat on an annual basis in advance of their nesting seasons. It was felt it is important that the State and the City work together to enhance shorebird nesting protection efforts. Environmental Advisory 2008-10-15 1 It was remarked that Ms. Douglass has indicated that State and Federal protection is not working as needed, and that private homeowners’ help, City ordinances, and community efforts are desperately needed. She also has indicated that dogs continue to be a major problem for all shore nesting birds, as they are more sensitive to dogs than to other intrusions. A suggestion was made to invite the President of the Clearwater Beach Civic Association to the EAB’s next meeting to discuss shorebird nesting protection issues and request that he share the information with the members of the association. It was suggested the September 17, 2008 EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) meeting minutes be provided to the President of the Clearwater Beach Civic Association, as they contain additional information regarding Ms. Douglass’ presentation and shorebird nesting protection discussion by the board. Consensus was that Member Calio will invite the President of the Clearwater Beach Civic Association to the next meeting, and if possible that a collective meeting with the board, Ms. Douglass, and the Clearwater Beach Civic Association members be scheduled for December. It was felt that as the holidays are approaching, the board’s efforts regarding shorebird nesting protection need to be fast tracked so that recommendations can be forwarded to Council to ensure protection plans are in place prior to the upcoming nesting season. Environmental Manager Ed Chesney said he already has placed information regarding the shorebird nesting season, protection, etc. on the City’s environmental web page. He also asked Ms. Douglass to assist the City with development of a shorebird campaign profile. 4. Discussion Items 4.1 Summary of Work Session – 10/13/08 In response to a question, Mr. Chesney said at the October 13, 2008 Council Work Session, Council did not discuss protection of nesting shorebirds or have the opportunity to review the minutes of the September EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) meeting prior to the Work Session. They did discuss having a sustainability coordinator in-house using existing staff, if a consultant should help the City initiate a sustainability program, how successful sustainability coordinators are in other cities, and how the City would benefit by having a sustainability coordinator. Mr. Chesney said the City currently has a hiring freeze in place. He felt that it would be difficult for one staff person to initiate and implement a sustainability program and effectively perform their normal job functions. He felt that coordinators in more than one department reporting to a designated contact person would be a better alternative. He said the Economic Development and Housing Department is working on a green collar jobs initiative. It was suggested that the sustainability coordinator position may be a good fit for that department. It was remarked that grant funds are expected for new types of alternative energy, and hopefully opportunities to obtain funds for a sustainability coordinator, and with the new political climate, Clearwater needs to be on the forefront in the process of obtaining as many grants as possible. It was felt that a City sustainability coordinator position would more than pay for itself. It was remarked that the City made a commitment to attain the Council of Mayor’s protocols. A sustainability coordinator would help them achieve that commitment. Concern was expressed that when gas prices began to rise and the stock market dropped, “going green” was replaced with “drill baby drill.” Environmental Advisory 2008-10-15 2 It was suggested the board write a letter to Council regarding the possibility of hiring a grants procurer to ensure the City’s success in obtaining new types of alternative energy grants anticipated becoming available from the State and Federal government. It was felt that the Economic Development Director may be helpful regarding the sustainability position. It was suggested that the topic of a City sustainability coordinator continue to be revisited at future meetings. Member Flanery moved to direct Mr. Chesney to invite the City’s Director of Economic Development and Housing and the Community Development Coordinator to the next EAB meeting to discuss economic development opportunities associated with sustainability issues. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Community Garden Mr. Chesney said at the Senior Strategy meeting on October 14, 2008, the Parks & Recreation Director indicated he is not against community gardens, however he does not have the staff to oversee a community garden operation. Mr. Chesney distributed copies of sample membership rental agreements, start up guides, etc. regarding community gardens for the board’s review. It was remarked that fencing would be required if the community garden is located in a City park. It was felt that a minimum of one acre is needed. The ground would require tilling, a water source and irrigation system would be needed, suppliers would be needed for seeds, plants, etc., and sponsors would be needed for donations of hand tools, a storage shed, and other materials. It was remarked that the City’s contacts with nurserymen could provide helpful information to contain costs for materials. It was suggested that students from high schools with Bright Futures programs and volunteers could assist in the initial set up of the community garden. It was remarked that the Pinellas County Extension Service could perform soil testing. It was remarked that reclaimed water cannot be used for organic farming. Rain barrels would not work in a community garden that only has a shed as its main structure, as the collection of rainwater from the roof of a shed would be insufficient for the entire garden and during the dry season. It was remarked that Nature’s Food Patch has indicated it is willing to be a sponsor of the garden. It was remarked that the board is proposing a community garden that would allow participants/members to plant the seeds and plants and grow and pick their own produce, not a community supported farm where members pay another entity/person to grow produce for them. Discussion ensued regarding the best location for a community garden including the Town Lake area, Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Crest Lake Park, and some Brownfields areas. Mr. Chesney said Brownfields funds were used to clean up the area surrounding the Town Lake and plans are to redevelopment that area. He said there is a parcel near the Town Lake that is vacant, however it is less than an acre. It was remarked that not all Brownfields parcels were polluted to the extent that they could not be considered for a community garden. Environmental Advisory 2008-10-15 3 Consensus was for Member Flanery to contact the Sierra Club, Pine lias Living Green, and the Clearwater Garden Club to determine their interest in assisting the board with writing a plan for implementation of a community garden. It was requested that Mr. Chesney generate a list of City-owned parcels for review by Member Packman. The board will discuss a short list of potential community garden sites at the next meeting. It was suggested the board's proposal regarding the community garden be referred to as the Clearwater Community Gardens Implementation Plan and Agreements. 5. Information Items 5.1 Establish Agenda The agenda for the next meeting may include but not be limited to: 1) List of parcels for a community garden; 2) Sustainability related issues including sustainability coordinator position; and 3) Shorebird protection. 6. Date of Next Meetinq Consensus was to schedule a special meeting at 4:00 p.m. on October 29,2008. 7. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m. Attest: zk # Vt1r.o",' CJ2. . O~t--' C 1;/ ~nv;"{~a ;ViSO~ Board Senior Staff Assistant i II ) 1 / oj? Environmental Advisory 2008-10-15 4