Loading...
11/19/2008 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER November 19th, 2008 Present: Anna Fusari Chair Joseph Calio Board Member Richard Packman Board Member Absent: Ron Gregory Vice-Chair Michael Flannery Board Member Also Present: Ed Chesney Environmental Manager Geraldine Campos Lopez Director Economic Devp. & Housing Veronica Josef Senior Staff Assistant 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 October 15th, 2008 & Special Meeting Minutes of October 29th, 2008 Member Richard Packman moved to approve the minutes of the regular Environmental th Advisory Board meetings of October 15, 2008 and Special EAB Meeting of October 29th, 2008 as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded by Member Joseph Calio and carried unanimously. 2. Citizens’ Comments 2.1 Geraldine Campos Lopez, Director of Economic Development & Housing, gave an overview of some of the big projects Economic Development & Housing have been working on. It was remarked that the Economic Development & Housing also administers all of the finance related projects to economic development and now working on a work program. 2.2 Greens Movement Member Joseph Calio inquired if Economic Development was working with permitting and planning in terms of new constructions being green. In response to Member Calio’s inquiry, Ms. Campos Lopez remarked low income houses are strongly encouraged to be green and the City does have incentives related to green development. In terms of Green Job, the goal was to link residents and local businesses to one general area. Make unproductive properties to productive properties. Obtain funds from the Environmental Protection Act, (EPA) for assessment of the unutilized sites and clean up. Brownfield property is underutilized. 2.3 Sustainability Coordinator Mr. Ed Chesney, Environmental Manager stated that Planning have a committee called the BPRC Building Plan Review Committee Meeting when a project comes fresh. Departments like Traffic, Fire, Planning, Engineering. Stormwater offer suggestions to the concept plan and there was never a sustainability green person at the BPRC Meetings. Mr. Chesney remarked that every department should have a sustainability green person that represents Planning at the BPRC Meetings. Environmental Advisory 2008/11/19 1 3. ACTION ITEMS 3.1 Continue Council’s request for recommendation on Protection of Nesting Shorebirds Mr. Jerry Murphy, President of the Clearwater Beach Civic Association discussed on the protection of nesting shorebirds and the impact that dogs have on them. Mr. Murphy also remarked that the Clearwater Beach Civic Association would like to have a meeting set up with the Regional Biologist, Ms. Nancy Douglass to have further discussions on nesting shorebirds and will forward recommendations along with the synopsis of the board’s consensus regarding shore bird protection and dogs on the beach to the City Council to ensure protection plans are in place prior to the upcoming nesting season. Member Calio remarked that 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 and Ms. Douglass will 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. The EAB board discussed that the following recommendations to be made to the City Council : i) A shorebird protection area be established and advertised on the City’s environmental web page and on C-View TV as a highlight or focus of the City; ii) Permanent informational signs be posted from February through August in designated areas, as identified by Ms. Douglass, that are large enough to include an explanation regarding why dogs and other feral animals should not be on the beach. The signs should also highlight the rarity of the birds, and the number of colonies that exist; iii) Solar powered web cams hosted by beachfront property owners if possible be placed in designated areas of the beach to enhance public education of shore nesting birds; iv) The City partner with the State, County, or other entities regarding a feral animal removal program; v) Beach raking and motorized vehicles be prohibited in designated areas; vi) Professional wildlife biologists working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be asked to delineate and mark the shore bird nesting protection zone with the cooperation of private property owners. 4. Community Garden Mr. Chesney remarked that at the Strategy Meeting on October 14, 2008, Mr. Kevin Dunbar Director of Parks & Recreation indicated he was not against the community gardens, however he does not have the staff to oversee a community garden operation. Mr. Chesney remarked that Crest Lake Park was not a good location as there were too many trees and impact to the trees and no proper sunlight. Community gardens are best served on vacant lot. Mr. Chesney said Brownfields funds were used to clean up the area surrounding the Town Lake and plans are to redevelop that area. Not all Brownfields parcels were polluted to the extent that they could not be considered for a community garden. Ed Chesney further remarked that the Mediterranean Village site for the Community Garden was also not a preferred site because of the development that ties to it and is still under active monitoring and there are several wells up there and the lot needs fertilizing. The Town Prospect Environmental Advisory 2008/11/19 2 Lake site which would be a good site but would be temporary. Mr. Chesney said that right across the Cleveland Street and Park Street there is a parcel which is less than half an acre would be an ideal location to get started and would be easily available for our community garden with good parking area and fenced in already. This is owned by Stormwater. Member Richard Packman stated that Natures Food Patch would prefer parcels available for a community garden should be on a long term lease. At least 10 years. The EAB board would like to present the following items to the City Council on Thursday, February 5, 2009: Location Long term (at least 10 years) Parcel Size - one-acre Plot Sizes - 20' x 20' Mail box to be created on the Environmental website for community gardens Water Fencing Sponsorship Commitment Member Mr. Calio remarked that an average fee would be $35.00 per member per year!per season. Members would have to pay for water. Ed Chesney said that he forward information on the following to the EAB members: Time limit for EAB presentation on February 5th, 2009 Work Shop. Executive Golf Course and Airpark site if there are any unutilized land. Nursery Site on Keene. Mailbox on the Environmental website Chair Anna Fusari will be drafting an information sheet that specifies more on the sustainability coordinator for Ms. Gerry Campos Lopez. Will contact Ms. Nancy Douglass to have a discussion! presentation on January 6th, 2009 on shorebird nesting. 5. Establish Agenda The agenda for the next meeting will include discussion regarding Sustainability management Protection of Shorebirds Community Gardens 6. Date of Next Meetina The EAB board decided that there will be no meeting in December and the next EAB meeting is scheduled for January 21 st, 2009 @ 4:00 p.m. 7. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Environmental Advisory 2008/11/19 3