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04/17/2019 Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 17, 2019 City of Clearwater Main Library - Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 17, 2019 4:00 PM Council Chambers - Main Library Environmental Advisory Board Page 1 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 17, 2019 Roll Call Present 4 - Chair Jared Leone, Board Member Ashley Wilson Pimley, Vice Chair John Thomas, and Board Member Candace Gardner Absent 1 - Board Member Mark Wright Also Present - Sarah Kessler – Environmental Specialist III, Patricia O. Sullivan – Board Reporter 1. Call To Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Main Library. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve the January 16, 2019 Environmental Advisory Board meeting minutes Re Members to be Heard, it was requested the minutes indicate the new bicycle trail was on Druid Road. Member Gardner moved to approve minutes of the January 16, 2019 Environmental Advisory Board meeting as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda Norm Lupo wished more residents cared about the environment and the elimination of cigarette butts on the beach. He had requested County Commission support of Senate Bill 218, prohibiting tobacco smoking on public beaches; the bill was in committee. It was stated the Board would follow legislation re cigarettes on the beach. Kathleen Beckman said many Clearwater residents were concerned a large amphitheater in Coachman Park would negatively impact the environment. She said Imagine Clearwater projects would last for generations and recommended slowing down plans until studies were completed on impacts to residents’ quality of life, the environment, noise, traffic, parking, and unintended consequences. She expressed concern the Council had disregarded the $100,000 plus ULI (Urban Land Institute) study’s recommendations to work with stakeholders, hire a project manager to oversee impacts, and not rush to issue RFPs (Requests for Proposals). She said it was important that Imagine Clearwater enhances the environment, not harm it. She requested the EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) to advocate for the ULI study and an environmental impact study. Page 2 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 17, 2019 Glenna Wentworth said the Suncoast Sierra Club supported renewable energies at the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Center but was alarmed that costs in the submitted proposal for solar installation and monitoring were grossly inflated. She recommended the City seek additional proposals, expressing concern that renewable energy upgrades not be rejected due to exaggerated costs. She recommended the Board encourage the City to adopt the UN accounting method which considered economic, societal, and environmental impacts for all projects. Discussion ensued re appropriate time for an environmental study. It was recommended the City move forward immediately with studies of Imagine Clearwater’s impact on traffic, parking, noise and the environment. Lisa Lanza expressed concern many residents were blindsided by Council’s approval of a large amphitheater in Coachman Park. She said the City had spent more than $400,000 on studies and the market study concluded a smaller amphitheater may make money. She said the City had not provided an Imagine Clearwater presentation to the EAB, an environmental study had not been done, and project effects on birds had not been considered. She liked the view of the harbor after the Harborview Center was razed. 4. New Business Items 4.1 Wetland Mitigation in a Neighborhood Park Presentation - Catherine Corcoran Project Manager Catherine Corcoran provided a PowerPoint presentation on wetland mitigation at Coachman Ridge Park. FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) required the City to construct 2 stormwater retention ponds there to collect runoff from the nearby Solid Waste Transfer Station replacement located in the same watershed. The park’s playground and limited trail system were relocated. After review by 5 arborists, the City saved 200 trees, removed 300, and was replanting a variety of 1,465 trees and additional shrubbery in the park. A boardwalk and enhanced nature trail were under construction with completion anticipated this fall. Basketball, tennis, and handball courts would be replaced. In response to questions, Ms. Corcoran said the City’s contract required its maintenance company to head off invasive species. Trails remained open to bicycles and connected with the Ream Wilson Trail. Much wildlife had returned. The slope around the ponds was designed to be walkable and easily mowed. Environmental Specialist Sarah Kessler said the City contracted with trained certified herbicide applicators. An individual stated the EAB should have had input during the project’s planning stages and nearby residents should have been informed before the project began. Page 3 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 17, 2019 4.2 Discuss Red Tide Forum It was reported the standing room only Red Tide Forum featured many experts; a larger venue was recommended in the future. It was noted research was ongoing on the cause of Red Tide; blooms started in nutrient deficient waters deeper in the gulf. It was stated one hypothesis suggested iron rich dust from the Sahara Desert might trigger blooms. It was indicated much discussion considered that nutrients from land might exacerbate coastal conditions, including Florida’s East Coast. It was reported Red Tide impacted the beach community with health concerns and reduced hotel bookings. Pinellas County and local communities were complimented for keeping beaches clean by removing huge volumes of dead sea life during the recent Red Tide outbreak. It was stated the forum was a good way to inform the community. An individual expressed concern Roundup was overused and septic tanks and herbicide use in Lake Okeechobee caused Red Tide. 4.3 Update on Sustainability Coordinator position - Sarah Kessler, Environmental Specialist Ms. Kessler reported the City had scheduled interviews for a Sustainability Coordinator position; position duties were not known. She anticipated the position will review GreenPrint and collaborate with nearby municipalities on local initiatives. 4.4 Discuss possible dates for Cooper’s Point visit The April 2, 2019 visit to Cooper’s Point was canceled. Consensus was to reschedule on May 2, 2019 with pickup at Cooper’s Bayou Park at 3:30 p.m. Ms. Kessler recommended the board review the Cooper’s Point master plan; maps included park elements and water quality efforts. The Parks & Recreation Department was considering a bridge from Cooper’s Bayou Park. The cost benefit ratio might be reasonable if new developments on the bay fund project mitigation efforts. Dredging might create sea grass beds. Directional drilling under Courtney Campbell Causeway was being considered. Area outfall drained into Cooper’s Bayou. An individual requested information on the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce welcome center’s landscaping and bathroom count. It was stated the welcome center also will provide an environmental educational facility. 5. Old Business Item Information was requested re proposed solar uses in Clearwater, including parking lot canopies and city building roofs, electric vehicles on the beach, ocean friendly special events, septic system inspections, and upgraded Page 4 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 17, 2019 beach trash cans. Ms. Kessler said she would request the Sustainability Coordinator to report on those issues and renewable energy plans for the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Center during the presentation. 6. Director's Report The Board’s July 17, 2019 agenda will include: Presentation by City’s Sustainability Coordinator. It was requested the Sustainability Coordinator also outline the position’s focus for the remainder of the year and report on the planned approach to GreenPrint. It was requested City staff report on Imagine Clearwater: 1) project’s environmental impact; 2) location of stage and orientation; 3) fencing concert area; 4) plans for an environmental impact study that explores alternatives, and considers sound projection, mitigation plans, traffic, parking, including parking convenient for families to enjoy the park, security, safety, stormwater, flooding protections, conflicts with ferry operation, vendors and food services, restricting and managing plastic, and best way to manage resources; 5) plastic removal from Intracoastal following events; 6) pedestrian and cycling paths; 7) EAB input to process and public involvement re changes; and 8) impacts of design feature changes. Discussion of EAB letter to Council re Imagine Clearwater. Options to clean bird droppings from floating docks in environmentally responsible way without contaminating waterways via pressure washing. Ongoing decline of sea grass beds near downtown marina and if nearby mooring should be prohibited as destruction was ongoing. Access to public process and reports re large City projects on the Internet. Ms. Kessler requested members contact her for additional information or with agenda topic recommendations. 7. Board Members to be Heard Member Pimley suggested the City invite Duke Energy to collaborate on solar power installations with the City to help Clearwater lower its energy costs while Duke Energy increased its energy production. Chair Leone reviewed upcoming events. Page 5 City of Clearwater Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes 8. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. April 17, 2019 Page 6 City of Clearwater ntal Advisory Board