Loading...
07/15/2015ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER July 15, 2015 Present: Chair Linda S. Varonich, Vice Chair Lynn F. Sumerson, Board Member Michael Engelmann, Board Member Lindsay Collins, Board Member Leann J. DuPont Also Present: Laura Mahony — 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 2.1. Approve minutes of the April 15, 2015 Environmental Advisory Board meeting as submitted in written summation. A scrivener's error was noted. Member DuPont moved to approve minutes of the April 15, 2015 Environmental Advisory Board meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 — Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda Resident Jasmina Forcan expressed concern that most old growth trees in Clearwater had been cut down. She said cities such as Safety Harbor and Tampa work around large trees rather than bulldozing them. She said as a Tree City, Clearwater should encourage landowners to plant trees that will mature to be large rather than palms and ornamentals, which do not provide refuge for birds and wildlife. She said the Bay Care development replaced 26 large trees with palms and ornamentals. She said it was important for Clearwater to protect its remaining old growth trees. It was recommended that responsibility for the tree fund should be transferred from Engineering to the Parks & Recreation Department. Environmental Manager Ed Chesney reviewed the Code re tree replacement. He agreed that trees were lost to development but the City must abide by residents' property rights. 4 — Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center Update Administrative Support Manager Felicia Donnelly reviewed the history of the Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, its qualities, and the process to develop the park's Master Plan. The park's goals were preservation and education; the diverse park programming was listed in MyClearwater Magazine. Most park visitors were associated with local environmental organizations that met in the park's classroom. She discussed preliminary plans to hire a design firm to inspect the park's structures and develop a comprehensive plan to upgrade the park with the $400,000 grant plus $200,000 City match that will become available on October 1, 2015. Plans included upgrading /removing structures, landscaping and parking improvements, wetland restoration, trail alignments, invasive species removal, self guided educational trail walks, Environmental Advisory 2015 -07 -15 1 unstructured play areas, and perhaps a canopy walk. Clearwater was not gaining children but anticipated an increase in its elderly population. Discussion ensued with comments that most people were unfamiliar with Moccasin Lake Park and the City should market the park to City residents and as a destination for tourists and their children. Ms. Donnelly said promotion of City parks was ongoing. All literature and marketing materials were being updated to reflect the park's new name, "Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center." The volunteer group, Friends of Moccasin Lake Park, was active. The City's Code was amended to permit passive recreation on land zoned Preservation; the City Charter will be updated to reflect this change. In response to questions, Ms. Donnelly said the City would welcome a teacher from Pinellas County Schools returning to the park's classroom to provide environmental education. Amendment One money could not be used for water or conservation. The Parks & Recreation Department contracted as many services as possible. The City did not compete with privately run camp programs in Clearwater; nearby camps offered an environmental component. With the school system now providing summer school instruction, the number of campers in City programs had decreased. An individual said her daughter attended camp at Moccasin Lake Park and the park began to decline when the City laid off a staff member. Ms. Donnelly said Cliff Norris' responsibilities were increased to establish management plans for 750 acres of open space in Clearwater's passive environmental parks. In response to a question from an individual, Ms. Donnelly said the City wanted to continue the park's bird of prey program; enclosures needed updating. In response to a question from an individual, Ms. Donnelly said the City could not obtain an easement to cross the railroad tracks and connect the park with the East -West Trail. 5 — Round Table Discussion for Future Focus Member Sumerson said in summer 2013, Moccasin Lake Park had 10 camp sessions with 15 — 18 campers /week and rates ranging from $75 to $125 /week. He said in summer 2014, the City ran 3 camp sessions with 15 — 18 campers /week. He said the City contracted out the final 7 camp sessions to a private firm that increased rates to $150 to $200 /week; no campers participated. He said summer camp in Clearwater once provided residents affordable child care but mismanagement of Moccasin Lake Park broke the City's successful camp system. He said park staff was reduced from 3 full -time workers to 2, who were only onsite part-time. He said when staff was on vacation or out sick, coverage of the park was dependent on volunteers. He said the park was being killed by minor cuts; he spoke with a Councilmember re increasing funding so the park would be run properly. He said park staff could not even cut saplings anymore but instead had to submit a request for Forestry to do it. Member Sumerson said the two staff members at Moccasin Lake Park previously made promotional flyers and sent press releases that were published in the newspaper re park programs. He said park staff no longer was permitted to promote park events; Public Communications was tasked with marketing programming. He said programs now were only listed in the City's magazine, which nobody read. He said participation in programs hosted by Environmental Advisory 2015 -07 -15 2 park volunteers had plummeted; often with no attendees. He said programs needed to be publicized and that was not happening. Mr. Chesney said he wished Member Sumerson had brought up these issues while Ms. Donnelly was present. Member Sumerson said he had reported these issues to Ms. Donnelly at numerous user group meetings over the past years. He said user groups were blindsided by reductions to staffing levels and hours of operation. He said user groups had to fight to have the birds of prey exhibit installed in the park because staff wanted Moccasin Lake Park to be a passive park. He said the City and Parks & Recreation Department had failed the park. In response to a question, Member Sumerson said the City required user groups to provide programs to the community but did not publicize them; nobody showed up for his programs. He said residents who lived next door to the park had no information re park programming. He said he sent a letter to the Mayor and City Council re problems attracting participants due to the lack of publicity. Discussion ensued with comments that newspapers listed local events at no cost, that few people read newspapers anymore, and that Bay News 9 had many viewers and reported on local events. Member Sumerson moved to recommend to City Council that the marketing, publicity and promotion of Moccasin Lake Park programming be expanded to include print and digital media, Bay News 9, and C-view. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Discussion ensued regarding fracking with a recommendation for a statewide ban. Concern was expressed that it was irresponsible that fracking operators were not required to disclose the chemical makeup of fluids they injected into the earth. It was stated that more expensive hydraulic fluids still damaged the earth. Member Sumerson moved that the Environmental Advisory Board supports the anti fracking ordinance." The motion was duly seconded. Support was expressed for banning irresponsible fracking and for the reduction in gasoline prices that resulted from fracking. Upon the vote being taken, Members Sumerson and Collins, and Chair Varonich voted "Aye"; Members Engelmann and DuPont voted "Nay." Motion carried. Two individuals supported the motion. Concern was expressed that the Florida League of Cities voted to oppose the solar initiative amendment. Discussion ensued. It was recommended the Board urge the City Council to support inclusion of the solar initiative amendment on the 2016 ballot. In response to a question, Chair Varonich said the City Council did not take a stand re solar power following her presentation to Council. It was noted some municipalities opposed the amendment due to the resulting loss of utility revenue. It was felt the board had insufficient information to make a recommendation. It was recommended that Susan Glickman be invited to the next board meeting to explain the initiative. An individual supported inviting Susan Glickman to address the board. Environmental Advisory 2015-07-15 3 Member Engelmann moved to recommend the City take a stand in support of the solar initiative amendment. The motion was duly seconded. Members Engelmannn, Sumerson and Collins, and Chair Varonich voted "Aye "; Member DuPont voted "Nay." Motion carried. Discussion ensued re Clearwater Christian College property. it was recommended that the City collaborate with a local college to establish a marine program on the property. Mr. Chesney did not have information on the status of the college's application for a Mitigation Bank. An individual questioned if any progress had occurred regarding the board's recommendation for the City to adopt the Dark Skies initiative. An individual said children in Clearwater could not see the stars. Mr. Chesney said Planning & Development staff had to prioritize its workload. Adopting the Dark Skies initiative would require ordinance changes. The City Council provided no feedback re the Chair's presentation on behalf of the board. It was agreed the City was too brightly lit at night. An individual requested a ULI (Urban Land Institute) update. 6 — Agenda topics for October 21, 2015 meeting Mr. Chesney will contact Susan Glickman to address the board. It was recommended the board obtain City Council direction for future discussions. 7 — Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Attest: /7 4� Board Reporter it Enviro- mental Advisory Board Environmental Advisory 2015 -07 -15 4