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10/15/2003ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER October 15, 2003 WORK SESSION Present: Rev. Sandra Jamieson Chairperson Clorinda Gilreath Board Member Judy McSwine Board Member Norma R. Carlough Board Member Absent : D. Michael Flanery Board Member Also Present: Al Carrier Asst. Director of Engineering Andy Neff Utility Director John Milligan WPC Superintendent Norma Skinner Staff Assistant II Administration Chairperson Jamieson called to advise the Board she was going to be a few minutes late. Member Gilreath called the Work Session meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. ITEM #1 Review Minutes from September 17, 2003 Because this was a Work Session, the minutes from September 17th will be approved at the next meeting. ITEM #2 Citizens to be Heard None Reports ITEM #3 Commission Liaison Report None ITEM #4 Stevenson’s Creek Liaison Report In response to a question raised by chair, regarding the need for a Stevenson Creek liaison, Mr. Carrier stated that we could have a stormwater liaison to give project updates on Stevenson Creek, Allens Creek and Alligator Creek. Mr. Carrier suggested keeping Elliot Shoberg, Stormwater Project Manager, as the main contact and he can refer to other staff when necessary. The new title for this item will be Public Works Environmental Projects and EAB member, Judy McSwine, will be the liaison. ITEM #5 City Comprehensive Plan Liaison Report Gina Clayton from the Planning Department is the contact person for the City Comprehensive Plan. EAB member Clorinda Gilreath will be the liaison. Chair stated that it is the responsibility of each Board member to look around the community and become aware of things that are impacting our environment and that they feel are detrimental to the value and quality of life we have in the City. Chair asked the members to be proactive. If they come across an issue they feel is important and needs to be brought up at the meeting, to call staff and request the item be added to the agenda. Discussion Items ITEM #6 Water Pollution Control Compliance John Milligan gave a presentation on Water Pollution Control (WPC) Compliance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). He brought the new Board members up to date by going over the background of the DEP permit requirements of June 2000. The City entered a Consent Order Agreement with DEP to be in full compliance by December of 2004. Consent Order penalties were reduced by in-kind projects. The two in-kind projects the City developed were the sewer extension fund for sensitive environmental areas and as a back-up, exotic plant species removal. Copper Compliance has been achieved. Polyphosphate addition reduced the amount of copper coming into the plant by 500 mgs per litter. Improved laboratory procedures also helped achieve copper compliance. The Marshall Street Wastewater Treatment Plant has met the toxicity requirement with 12 consecutive passing tests. The Northeast and East WWTP have passed 9 tests consecutively with 3 tests remaining. The Triholomethanes (THMs) compliance is the final part. The Public Utilities WPC plant is still working on this, testing other technologies to lower the THMs. ITEM #7 Potable and Reclaimed Water Mr. Neff, Public Utilities Director, gave a quick overview of the Public Utilities Department. That department is responsible for the wastewater treatment plant, the reclaimed water system, the water system and the wastewater collection system. The new water treatment plant is currently under construction, almost finished. Mr. Neff will also keep the Board members updated on the progress being made with the reclaimed water system which is used for irrigation. Reclaimed water offsets the use of potable water. Mr. Neff invited the EAB members to tour the wastewater treatment plant. Chair agreed that it would be a good idea, especially for the new members, to go on a field trip and visit the plant. ITEM #8 EAB Policy & Procedures Chair reviewed the EAB policy manual and discussed the Sunshine Law for the benefit of the new members. Chair also mentioned that the Board would hold elections in April and elect a new chairperson. ESTABLISH AGENDA: Revisit Watershed Project Presentation on City Comprehensive Plan ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.