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07/17/2013 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER July 17, 2013 Present: R. Peter Stasis Chair D. Michael Flanery Board Member Michael Engelmann Board Member Elizabeth Drayer Board Member Lynn F. Sumerson 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 17, 2013 Member Sumerson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 17, 2013, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 —Citizen To Be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None. 4— Draft Community Garden Ordinance discussion Planning Manager Lauren Matzke said the Community Development Code is silent re Community Gardens and needs to be amended to be consistent with Greenprint. Proposed requirements are as minimal as possible; fencing regulations reflect Code. Environmental Manager Ed Chesney said this first step is designed to allow the process to begin. Planner II Andrew Hayslip reviewed the draft ordinance. Gardens will not be permitted on land zoned Industrial or Open Space/Recreation. Property owners will designate a Community Garden manager to obtain the annual permit and act as the City's point of contact. Each garden will enforce rules and self regulate participation requirements and bed design. He requested feedback re Community Gardens on single family residential properties, if synthetic pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers should be prohibited, and other issues. Discussion ensued with a recommendation that the garden manager be responsible for controlling chemical use; enforcement would be difficult. Concern was expressed that 3-foot setbacks for gardens would have to be mowed. It was recommended that property owners not be required to purchase an insurance rider as the City does not require proof of insurance for other permits such as rental properties. It was felt the proposed $75 annual fee is too expensive. It was suggested that small identification signage be allowed. Environmental Advisory 2013-07-17 1 In response to a recommendation that the City, as envisioned in Greenprint, establish an educational demonstration area where residents can learn community gardening techniques, staff said the City will not fund hands on staff efforts, however the Extension Services in Largo provides gardening information. The City can add a page to its website with gardening information. Mr. Chesney requested members forward additional comments to him. Consensus of the Board was to support adoption of an ordinance permitting Community Gardens as soon as possible. 5—Alligator Lake Bird Colonies Local birth enthusiast Sandy Huff provided a PowerPoint presentation on bird colonies, including rare species, in and around Alligator Lake and the importance of protecting nesting opportunities, resting areas, and shallow water for wading birds. She said additional marsh trees need to be planted during the month of October. She said the area needs to be designated as a Critical Wildlife Area, off limits to humans. She said the area should only be sprayed for weeds from July to September. She suggested another island be created to protect birds and their eggs from predators. She said investment in the bird population would help qualify the area for inclusion on the Florida Birding Trail which attracts large numbers of bird watchers. Discussion ensued regarding economic benefits related to ecotourism. It was noted that bird watching is the fastest growing hobby in the country. It was suggested that staff work with the Audubon Society to accommodate wading birds when designing retention ponds. It was recommended that Ms. Huff identify necessary actions, approach governing bodies for assistance (a majority of areas are outside City limits), and make an abridged presentation to City Council. 6 — Discussion re Greenprint Topics for EAB to advocate Discussion ensued with concern expressed the Greenprint document will flounder without a champion and comments that the EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) should be in the loop early in a project to avoid poorly conceived projects, such as Cleveland Streetscaping, which lacks bicycle lanes. Mr. Chesney said it would be difficult for the EAB to participate in the structured project review process due to submittal and review deadlines. It was requested that staff email members when projects with environmental impacts are scheduled for CDB (Community Development Board) review to provide EAB members an opportunity to comment. It was suggested the EAB advocate Greenprint topics that increase energy efficiency and green space by encouraging the City to exempt projects with energy-saving improvements from building code requirements, to update the Development Code to promote walkable and bikeable neighborhoods that decrease reliance on cars, and to increase green energy purchases. It was suggested the City use cogeneration to burn restaurant grease and methane from wastewater treatment and for the County to capture landfill gas to produce pipeline quality natural gas. To increase green space, it was recommended the City adopt green roofs for public buildings, require more tree planting for new construction and more landscaping, Environmental Advisory 2013-07-17 2 perimeter screening, and canopy trees for parking Tots, and purchase vacant land to expand parks or create pocket parks and issue "garden permits" to beautify them. It was stated the Development Code includes no incentives for energy efficiency. Concern was expressed that current City codes make it difficult for homeowners to install solar hot water heaters on roofs. Support was expressed for encouraging homeowners to install insulation and wrap hot water heaters, and for the City to require energy companies to purchase energy from homeowners at the same rate they charge, to mandate that 10% to 15% of City purchases come from green sources, to develop sustainable transportation, to use vacant land for solar energy production, to educate residents regarding green energy, and to hire a sustainability coordinator to implement Greenprint and organize green conferences highlighting new product availability. It was recommended the board investigate local resources for sustainable materials. 7- Election of Officers Member Engelmann moved to appoint Michael Flanery as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Flanery moved to appoint Lynn Sumerson as Vice - Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 8- Agenda for October 16, 2013 meeting Member Drayer stated she will not seek reappointment. October meeting topics to include discussions re Greenprint advocacy, including transportation sustainability, energy efficiency, and green space. Mr. Chesney reported the Parks & Recreation Department is updating its Master Plan and has requested an EAB member serve on its review committee. Interested members were requested to contact Mr. Chesney. 9 — Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m. nvir Environmental Advisory 2013 -07 -17 nmental Advisory Board 3