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10/20/2010 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER October 20, 2010 Present: R. Peter Stasis Chair Mary Morrow Board Member Michael Engelmann Board Member Patricia Power Board Member Absent: D. Michael Flanery Board Member Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Ed Chesney Environmental Manager Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 - Approval of Minutes – April 21, 2010 Member Engelmann moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 21, 2010, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded. Members Morrow, Engelmann, and Chair Stasis voted “Aye”; Member Power abstained. Motion carried. It was stated that the letter referenced in the minutes to the City Manager and Council regarding Code Enforcement efforts on the beach was not sent. Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides said the Chair could delegate responsibility for writing such a letter to the board’s staff liaison. 3 – Citizen Comments Lisa Lanza expressed concern that EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) members do not visit sites and the City Council does not support EAB efforts. She recommended that the board look for environmentally important sites. 4 – Action Items 4.1. Integrated Water Management Presentation – Tracy Mercer, Public Utilities Director Public Utilities Director Tracy Mercer provided a PowerPoint presentation on Water Management in Clearwater. She reviewed City water projects, strategies, goals, and objectives, and City plans to conserve, preserve, produce, protect, and manage its water resources. Staff is trying to improve communication with residents regarding water. Environmental Advisory 2010-10-20 1 Neighborhood concerns about possible sinkholes were detailed regarding properties with wells near new City wells. In response to a suggestion that staff speak to homeowner associations, it was stated only a small percentage of residents attend meetings. In response to questions, Ms. Mercer said the City does not encourage residents to dig wells. She recommended flushing low-flow toilets as needed. Educational materials on water are presented to fifth graders, with some principles reiterated in middle and high school. It was stated children often lead parents to recycle and conserve. Ms. Mercer said the City will consider projects to extend reclaimed water with the support of 50% of neighborhood residents. SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District) regulations are changing. Residential wells will be phased out. Groundwater replenishment would require dechlorinating the discharge. People are not keen on drinking wastewater. Water will be discharged into a lower zone where dissolved solids and brackish water are located. The City will make a decision regarding fluoridated water. Concern was expressed that reclaimed water leaves residue on cars and requires homeowners to change out sprinkler heads annually. In response to questions, Ms. Mercer said almost 80% of the beach uses reclaimed water; mainland use is lower. Currently, the City treats brine at AWTFs (Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facilities) but will construct an injection well at the new reverse osmosis plant. The City also is working to eliminate septic tanks and has grant money available. However, the City often cannot respond quickly enough when septic tanks fail and residents replace them. Suggestions were made for the City to encourage the use of rain barrels and Xeriscaping with native plants to reduce or eliminate the need to irrigate landscapes and gardens. Concerns were expressed that food crops require potable water. 5 – Discussion Items 5.1. Clearwater Christian College Wetland Impacts & Mitigation Plan – Update Environmental Manager Ed Chesney reported the PPC (Pinellas Planning Council) had nearly halved the amount of wetlands that could be impacted by the Clearwater Christian College’s project. The mitigation plan has not changed. The project is moving through the permitting process and needs to design flushing processes. Mr. Chesney will provide a copy of the ranking of wetland areas. The parcel has an odd shape due to proposed expansion into poor quality wetlands. He said this project will help the City meet federal requirements for nutrient discharge and improve Old Tampa Bay’s poor water quality. The City did not approve any wetland impacts. Federal and State permits are required before City permits can be issued. It was requested that staff provide the board with background information prior to meetings. 6 – Staff Reports 6.1. Stevenson Creek Dredge Project - Update Environmental Advisory 2010-10-20 2 Mr. Chesney said the project’s contractor is having difficulty performing. The City had concerns when the low bid contractor was chosen as the contractor does not own equipment and has no experience doing a similar project. The project has nearly halted. 6.2. Environmental Advisory Board Schedule for 2011 Meetings in 2011 are scheduled on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building in Room 221. January 19 April 20 July 20 October 19 Items not on the Agenda It was stated that the EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) cannot be effective if it only meets quarterly and the board should not be subject to State Sunshine Laws. Ms. Dougall- Sides said it is the opinion of the City Attorney that City advisory boards are subject to the Sunshine Law. Ms. Power requested a copy of the board’s mission statement. Ms. Dougall-Sides said the EAB does not review projects for approval. She suggested the Chair could work with Mr. Chesney developing the agenda. It was suggested that the EAB reintroduce planting sea oats on south beach as a money saving proposal. It was felt the Parks & Recreation Department’s presentation on sand management lacked logic and did not address the environment or storm surge protection. Concern was expressed that the City Council had been swayed by a few beach business owners and did not consider consequences of a large storm. Discussion ensued with comments that north beach residents advocated planting additional sea oats, the Council may be more accommodating to a plan that helps cut the budget, and concerns about mountain sized sand dunes were unfounded as a dune’s footprint can be controlled. It was felt that sea oats would make the beach look more attractive. Consensus was to place this item on the next meeting’s agenda. In response to a concern that Clearwater had not defined its environmental vision, discussion ensued regarding Greenprint Committee efforts. Concern was expressed that recent boat race activities created pollution, disturbed the marine environment, and made intolerable noise. It was stated that tourism activities need to be supported. It was suggested the City could set the tone for tourists by prohibiting the use of plastic bags. It was felt that type of law needs to be considered by the State. It was suggested that best practices and sustainability efforts adopted elsewhere be reviewed. Environmental Advisory 2010-10-20 3 Information was requested regarding the legality of planting trees seaward of the CCCL (Coastal Construction Control Line). Discussion ensued regarding the lack of government monitoring that made destruction of north beach sand dunes possible. It was requested that Code Enforcement be invited to the next EAB meeting to describe their duties and efforts on the beach and Parks & Recreation be invited to review its sand management proposal and report on the amount of money that could be saved maintaining Beach Walk if sand removal needs are reduced. A resident discussed a series of concerns and recommendations. 7 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. The next EAB meeting is on January 19, 2011. Chair Environmental Advisory Board Environmental Advisory 2010-10-20 4