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07/11/2012 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER July 11, 2012 Present: R. Peter Stasis Chair D. Michael Flanery Board Member Michael Engelmann Board Member Patricia Power Board Member Elizabeth Drayer 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 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 - Approval of Minutes - April 18, 2012 It was recommended that the last line of Item 7 read “Concerns were expressed regarding the use of recycled waste water for potable uses and the need to maintain water flow rates in underground pipes.” Member Engelmann moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 18, 2012, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 – Citizen Comments : None. 4 – Urban Forests Regarding the Greenprint document’s reference to carbon dioxide, it was recommended that a public/private partnership plant trees in Clearwater on public lands to promote carbon dioxide absorption. Concerns were expressed that more trees seem to be removed than planted. An offer was made to seek sponsors and research types of trees that should be planted. It was suggested the City would need to track donated trees, install, and maintain them. Environmental Manager Ed Chesney suggested that trees planted in gabions would stabilize the banks and provide a tree canopy that would control problematic plant growth. He will provide board members with an inventory of appropriate City public lands. He suggested the Parks & Recreation Department also could be a partner as some parks could benefit from tree plantings. Support was expressed for the project as planting trees is beneficial and will make the City cooler and parks accessible in summer. It was stated that an urban forest is pleasant and good for citizens’ psyche, and the project would forward movement on the Greenprint plan. Discussion ensued with suggestions that future retention ponds should be surrounded by trees Environmental Advisory 2012-07-11 1 and plausible sites include Crest Lake Park, McKay Park, and Chautauqua Park, which is unattractive and overgrown with scrub. It was felt the project would have low costs and high returns. It was suggested that college student volunteers could plant the trees and nearby groups could adopt a forest. It was recommended that the board determine if the idea is feasible, approach businesses and request sponsorships of approximately $500, contact nearby neighborhood associations for money and labor, and then approach the City Council regarding access to public lands. Member Flanery moved that based on the Greenprint document, the Environmental Advisory Board encourages tree plantings for a variety of reasons and requests staff to provide a list of appropriate public properties where a private/public partnership could plant trees. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5 – Adding Fluoride to Potable Water It was reported that local dentists are upset that the County stopped adding fluoride to its potable water as it harms low and middle income people without dental insurance. Discussion ensued with comments that all water has levels of fluoride, which is a natural element. It was stated that increasing fluoride levels to an ideal level makes water the way it ought to be. Concern was expressed regarding the social cost to children with bad teeth and the resulting infections that make them ill. It was stated a lack of fluoride will disadvantage the lower and some middle class children as people with missing teeth have the hardest time finding employment. Consensus was that adding fluoride to potable water is acceptable and part of the government’s responsibility to provide it to lower income people. It was felt the health of the population is as great an issue as sunlight and fresh air and costs are irrelevant as adding fluoride to potable water is beneficial to all citizens. Member Power moved that the Environmental Advisory Board recommends that the City take all measures necessary to provide citizens with a controlled level of fluoride in City drinking water. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. It was reported that the City of Pinellas Park has demanded that the County return fluoride to its potable water and that the cities of Belleair, St. Petersburg, and Dunedin already have added fluoride to their potable water. 6 – Sand Dune Update – Tropical Storm Debby It was stated that the high water mark had moved after Tropical Storm Debby and the beach lost a significant amount of sand, with water nearly reaching homes that lack dune protection. Concern was expressed that the City’s practice of bulldozing dunes at street access points caused those entrances to become rivers that flooded Eldorado during the storm. It was recommended that the City follow the example of other beachfront communities and construct dune walkovers at street access points. Environmental Advisory 2012-07-11 2 Discussion ensued regarding sand dunes and the importance of sea oats to stabilize them. Concern was expressed that a beachfront homeowner was seen recently removing sea oats to make a path through the dunes to the beach. In response to a request, Mr. Chesney will provide information to board members regarding the County survey of storm damage. He said the City fared well during the storm and reviewed effects of the storm, noting overflows at Lake Belleview and along Alligator Creek. The beach was hardest hit. 7 – Committee’s Role & Responsibilities in Project Environmental Reviews Concern was expressed that the Environmental Advisory Board is not part of the approval process for all environmental projects. It was noted the Greenprint document had identified the need for one person to be in charge and let all know how the process is progressing. It was stated that the Mayor had indicated at a citizens’ association meeting that he did not know if City residents support a strong environmental policy. Concern was expressed that the City is focused on jobs and transportation, not the environment. It was felt the board should be involved with all City decisions that affect the environment, air and water quality, overdevelopment and encourage sustainable buildings and community and Code rewrites to address bicycle trails, tree requirements, Greenprint, etc. It was felt the City should be a place to live, not a place where people make money off residents. Opposition was expressed to projects that infringe on the sunshine of abutting properties. Board members offered to do what they could to help the City and it was recommended that the board be added to the Planning Department’s list of necessary authorizations for projects that require special approvals. Mr. Chesney said his input is only requested regarding wetland impacts; redevelopment typically does not have those types of impacts. It was noted the Environmental Advisory Board bylaws lists 30 environmental concerns of the board and concern was expressed that the board is not “in the loop.” Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides suggested the board request the City Manager’s Office to create a process to bring more projects to the Environmental Advisory Board for input and request the City Council to make it happen. It was agreed it did not make sense for the board to sit back and should ask to be included. It was noted that the City Council had accepted the mission of the board. It was stated that residents want a green city with trees and community gardens. Consensus was for the Chair to contact the City Manager to discuss the board’s role as many projects have been approved that first could have been reviewed by the board. 8 – Agenda for October 17, 2012 1) Staff presentation to discuss planting trees on City land. Items not on the Agenda Stevenson Creek Environmental Advisory 2012-07-11 3 In response to a question, Mr. Chesney provided updates on the Army Corps of Engineers' project to dredge Stevenson Creek. Approximately 10% of the project is complete. The project was shut down until dewatering is reconfigured; the containment area is believed to be leaking and salt water impacts are affecting upland areas and groundwater. Increasing Sea Level Effects on Sustainability and Survivability. It was recommended that the City evaluate and adopt a projection of rising sea levels so that the City does not invest in structures that will be underwater during their useful lifetime. It was noted at high tide water now laps the new SandPearl docks. Concern was expressed that the Stevenson Creek dredging project, which is based on current sea levels, may not flow correctly when sea levels rise. It was noted that sea level rise will impact City drainage, transportation, etc. and that BFE (Base Flood Elevation) levels may need to be reconfigured. Member Flanery moved that the Environmental Advisory Board recommends that City planners evaluate, determine, and consider the anticipated rate of sea level rise in Clearwater, plan for the long-term consequential effects on construction, make appropriate changes to the comprehensive plan, and protect City investment by not building anything that will wash away during its useful lifetime. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Power Member Power said her term was expiring and she would not request reappointment as she felt she could be more effective as a private citizen than as a board member. 9—Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. r, ^ Chair Environmental Advisory Board Attest: oard Repo r( r Environmental Advisory 2012-07-11 4