- Titusville Environmental Commission
- Titusville Environmental Commission 10/13/21
Titusville Environmental Commission 10/13/21
CITY OF TITUSVILLE
TITUSVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING
October 13, 2021
City Hall in Council Chamber
555 S. Washington Avenue Titusville, Florida 32796
5:30 PM
Notice
All persons who anticipate speaking on any Public Hearing item must fill out an Oath Card to be heard on that agenda item and sign the oath contained thereon. These cards are located on the table near the entrance to the Council Chamber or may be obtained from the Recording Secretary. This meeting will be conducted in accordance to the procedures adopted in Resolution #24-1997
Those speaking in favor of a request will be heard first, those opposed will be heard second, and those who wish to make a public comment on the item will speak third. The applicant may make a brief rebuttal if necessary. A representative from either side, for or against, may cross-examine a witness.
Anyone who speaks is considered a witness. If you have photographs, sketches, or documents that you desire for the Commission to consider, they must be submitted into evidence and will be retained by the City. Please submit such exhibits to the Recording Secretary.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. August 11, 2021 Minutes
Approve
6. OLD BUSINESS
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. TEC Bylaw Amendment
Review the proposed bylaw amendment and recommend that the item be added to the October TEC meeting for adoption consistent with the process outlined in Article XV. Amendment of the TEC Bylaws.
B. GatorByte Presentation
Receive the presentation.
C. Titusville Landscape Gateway and Signage Concept Plan
Review the gateway landscaping concept plan and provide recommendations, if necessary, per City Council's request.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
9. REPORTS
10. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
11. ADJOURNMENT
Any person who decides to appeal any decision of the Titusville Environmental Commission with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
The City desires to accommodate persons with disabilities. Accordingly, any physically handicapped person, pursuant to Chapter 286.26 Florida Statutes, should at least 48 hours prior to the meeting, submit a written request to the chairperson of the meeting that the physically handicapped person desires to attend.
The Titusville Environmental Commission (TEC) of the City of Titusville, Florida met in regular session in the Council Chamber at City Hall, located at 555 South Washington Avenue on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 5:30pm.
XXX
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. Present were Member Perez, Member Tucker and Member Yount. Member Rice, Member Le, and Member Myjak were absent. Staff present was Senior Planner Eddy Galindo, Sustainability Planner Rachel Muller, Assistant City Attorney Chelsea Farrell, and Recording Secretary Laurie Dargie.
XXX
Member Perez made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 11, 2021 meeting. Member Tucker seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.
XXX
Old Business
None
XXX
New Business
TEC By-law Amendment
Mr. Galindo informed the Titusville Environmental Commission that when the By-laws are amended the item has to come before the Commission two times, one time for review and the next for adoption. Mr. Galindo said at tonight’s meeting the Commission needs to review the By-law changes and can vote on it at the next meeting.
Chairman Thompson said that at the August 11, 2021 meeting there was discussion as to changing the layout of the agenda regarding public comment and this is why it is being brought up for review.
The Titusville Environmental Commission members did not have any additional changes to the By-laws and were in support of the changes. This item will be back on the November 10, 2021 agenda for a vote.
XXX
GatorByte Presentation by Dr. Bean
Eban Z. Bean PhD, PE gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding low cost water resource monitoring: Gatorbyte.
The Titusville Environmental Commission asked questions of Dr. Bean after his presentation.
The Titusville Environmental Commission thanked Dr. Bean for coming and presenting to the Commission.
XXX
Titusville Landscape Gateway and Signage Concept Plan
Ms. Muller gave an overview of this item.
Kay St. Onge of 2360 Maryland Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak neither for nor against this item. Ms. St. Onge gave a handout to the Titusville Environmental Commission and to staff.
William Klein of 3 Indian River Avenue #906 Titusville, Florida came to speak against this item.
Member Perez said he feels that the City is misusing the Landscape Trust Funds that should be used to mitigate trees.
Discussion took place amongst the Titusville Environmental Commission regarding the use of funds in the Landscape Trust Fund.
XXX
Member Perez made a motion to recommend that 50% of the Public Landscape Trust Funds be used to purchase only trees to mitigate for tree loss. Member Tucker seconded.
Discussion took place amongst the Commission members regarding the motion.
Member Yount asked for an amendment to use the words “at least” to allow for more than 50% of the funds to be used but no less than 50% of the funds be used for trees only.
XXX
Member Perez made a motion to recommend making a language change to Section 2 of Resolution #30-2001; the Commission asks Staff to generate the exact language change but the Commission’s intent for the language change is as follows: at least 50% of the Public Landscape Trust Funds be used to mitigate for trees and the trees purchased be of the highest quality canopy trees determined for the area of planting. Member Tucker seconded.
Roll call was as follows:
Member Perez Yes
Member Yount Yes
Member Tucker Yes
Chairwoman Thompson Yes
Motion passed.
XXX
Member Perez made a motion to recommend that no money from the Public Landscape Trust Fund be used to pay for the Titusville Landscape Gateway & Signage Concept Plan project that is being designed. Motion fails due to lack of a second.
XXX
Member Yount made a motion to extend the meeting for an additional 15 minutes. Member Tucker seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.
XXX
Discussion took place amongst the Titusville Environmental Commission members regarding the percentages and use of the existing funds in the Public Landscape Trust Funds.
XXX
Member Perez made a motion to extend the meeting for an additional 30 minutes. Member Tucker seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.
XXX
Member Yount made a motion to recommend approval of the Titusville Landscape Gateway & Signage Concept plan, with the exception that any date palms be replaced with native palms. Member Tucker seconded.
Roll call was as follows:
Member Perez Yes
Member Yount Yes
Member Tucker Yes
Chairwoman Thompson Yes
Motion passed.
XXX
Member Perez made a motion to recommend that no money from the Public Landscape Trust Fund be used to pay for the Titusville Landscape Gateway & Signage Concept Plan project that is being designed. Motion fails due to lack of a second.
XXX
Member Perez made a motion to recommend that no more than 50% of the current existing Public Landscape Trust Funds be used for the Titusville Landscape Gateway & Signage Concept Plan. Member Tucker seconded.
Roll call was as follows:
Member Yount No
Member Tucker Yes
Member Perez Yes
Chairwoman Thompson Yes
Motion passed with a 3 yes, 1 no vote.
XXX
Public Comment
Kay St. Onge of 2360 Maryland Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak. Ms. St. Onge suggested that the Titusville Environmental Commission come up with a Community Forestry Committee and also come up with projects to work on.
XXX
Member Perez made a motion to extend the meeting for an additional 15 minutes. Member Tucker seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.
XXX
Chairwoman Thompson said the Titusville Environmental Commission would not appoint anyone to be on committees or create any committees, however if anyone in the public volunteered themselves to be on committees, they could come and give presentations to the Titusville Environmental Commission.
XXX
Reports
Ms. Muller said that two applications have been received for the school grant program. Ms. Muller said the applications will be brought to the November 10, 2021 Titusville Environmental Commission meeting for review by the Commission.
Ms. Muller said that the city has hired S&ME Consultant to move forward with working on the Sustainability Plan.
Mr. Galindo informed the Titusville Environmental Commission that this was his last meeting as the liaison to the Commission as Ms. Muller will be taking over completely in November. Mr. Galindo said it was a pleasure working with the Commission.
XXX
Discussion of future agenda items
William Klein of 3 Indian River Avenue Unit #906 Titusville, Florida came to speak in regards to this item. Mr. Klein suggested starting an Urban Tree Canopy Program to determine where tree plantings should take place.
Ms. Muller said that the City’s Public Works Department was prepared to give a presentation at the September 2021 TEC meeting that was cancelled and they are prepared to come to the November 10, 2021 meeting. Ms. Muller also said that she will be presenting the annual TEC report for review and bringing up the priorities list that was worked on earlier in the year.
Chairwoman Thompson said that the agenda sounds like it will be full with the School Grant Program applications for review, the Stormwater Emergency Preparedness Response presentation from the City’s Public Works Department, and review of the City’s annual report and reprioritizing topics for the coming year.
XXX
Adjournment 8:30pm