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04/17/2013 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER April 17, 2013 Present: R. Peter Stasis Chair D. Michael Flanery Board Member Elizabeth Drayer Board Member Lynn F. Sumerson Board Member Absent: Michael Engelmann 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. 1 -Approval of Minutes — January 16, 2013 Member Flanery moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 16, 2013, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 2 —Citizen Comments: None. 3 - Moccasin Lake Park Master Plan Update Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard introduced MLNP (Moccasin Lake Nature Park) Stakeholder Advisory Committee members who have completed a draft Master Plan. Members presented information on the 51-acre park's ecosystems, the committee's mission, vision, goals, objectives, final recommendations, and the 10-year implementation schedule. Comments at a recent community workshop indicated strong support for the plan. Ms. Leonard said the plan is posted on the City's website. Some recommendations will require funding; the City Council approves CIPs (Capital Improvement Projects) annually. In response to questions, Ms. Leonard said grant funds are not available at this time to control invasive species; the Parks & Recreation Department has budgeted $25,000 this year for that purpose. Most MLNP volunteer hours are spent caring for animals and removing air potato and Caesar weed. Ms Leonard thanked the dedicated volunteers for investing significant time developing the Master Plan. Member Drayer moved to recommend that the City Council direct staff to acquire the 5- acre parcel north of the park which is for sale at a reasonable price. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4 - Greenprint Discussion Environmental Advisory 2013-04-17 1 The Chair reviewed his discussion with the City Manager re EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) focus on the Greenprint document. He recommended the board review the document; the board then will report to the City Manager on their preferred areas of focus. Discussion ensued re Greenprint item, community gardens. Information distributed from other programs includes a community garden definition. It was noted that all major cities have community gardens owned by the city. Concerns were expressed that the City had not supported community gardens in the past. It was stated that community gardens should not require agricultural zoning and the Code should be amended to allow community gardens on land zoned for Parks & Recreation uses as tending a garden provides recreational benefits. It was noted a garden's bounty would not be sold. Frustration was expressed that many locations could be used rather than left dormant while awaiting future uses. Member Flanery moved to recommend that community gardens, identified in Greenprint, be recognized by the City as a permitted use under recreational zoning. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Discussion ensued re Greenprint item encouraging solar energy use in the City; related costs have been reduced. Recommendations were made for the City to encourage solar power installation through tax incentives or an energy financing program and for the City to capitalize on its significant sunshine by promoting to industry and businesses the energy savings possible through solar power. It was suggested that the Chambers of Commerce be encouraged to support Greenprint and solar energy. It was stated that the City needs a leader to encourage adoption of Greenprint items and to promote solar energy use throughout the City. Discussion ensued regarding the need for power companies to accept power generated by customers at the same rate it charges to provide it. Recommendations were made for the City to encourage Xeriscaping and water wise landscaping in place of grass lawns and to adopt low impact development (LID) techniques that allow stormwater, which carries grease and oil, to be absorbed rather than flowing directly into City waterways. Environmental Manager Ed Chesney said it is less expensive to stop pollutants from reaching waterways than it is to remove pollutants from waterways. The City would receive credit for meeting mandated nutrient reductions at no cost through LID techniques. Member Drayer moved to recommend that City staff write changes to the Development Code that permit low impact development (LID) techniques. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Flanery moved to request that the City go on record in support of zero net metering for residential and commercial solar power generation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5 - City's Green Website make over Mr. Chesney suggested ways to rebrand the City's green website as Greenprint to encourage increased traffic. He recommended adding a section that focuses on EAB efforts. Environmental Advisory 2013-04-17 2 Concern was expressed that the City seems reluctant to adopt EAB recommendations. It was requested that the City Council indicate which recommendations they support. Items Not on the Agenda Mr. Chesney said the City does not pursue property sales listings on Stevenson Creek as there is little value in purchasing postage size lots on the creek without an assemblage plan; lot maintenance is expensive. Townhomes constructed on Lakeview, backing up to Stevenson Creek, meet all setback requirements. Discussion ensued regarding the intended purpose of the stormwater fund. Mr. Chesney will forward the ordinance establishing the fee to the board. Discussion ensued regarding the need for the City to consider rising sea levels. It was recommended that beach construction be limited and the design of future infrastructure for roads, drainage and utilities consider projected sea levels 100 years hence. Mr. Chesney reported the Solid Waste Department plans to pickup glass in the future as part of its recycling efforts even though there is no market for glass. EAB Rules and Regulations Member Flanery moved to adopt the EAB Rules and Regulations, as presented. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 6 - Agenda for July 17, 2013 meeting Members to recommend Greenprint items for discussion. Election of new chair. 7 — Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Attest: /7://(-) Board Reporter Chair Environmental Advisory Board Environmental Advisory 2013 -04 -17 3