February 9, 2022

The Titusville Environmental Commission (TEC) of the City of Titusville, Florida met in regular session at City Hall in the Council Chamber located at 555 South Washington Avenue on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 5:30pm.

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Chairwoman Thompson called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. Present were Vice Chairman Rice, Member Perez, Member Yount, and Member Myjak. Member Tucker, Alternate Member Flis, and Alternate Member Young, and Member Le were absent. Staff present was Sustainability Planner Rachel Muller and Recording Secretary Laurie Dargie.

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Member Perez made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 12, 2022 meeting with a correction.  Vice Chairman Rice seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor. 

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Petitions & Requests from Public Present

Stan Johnston of 860 Poinsettia Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak regarding an e-mail that he sent to the Titusville Environmental Commission.

Discussion took place amongst the Titusville Environmental Commission regarding Mr. Johnston’s email and his concerns. Ms. Muller said she will relay Mr. Johnston’s concerns to the city’s arborist. Chairwoman Thompson said she would like to get an update from Ms. Muller at the next Titusville Environmental Commission meeting. 

Member Myjak said he would like for the Titusville Environmental Commission to have the authority to approve or deny removal of all significant trees of 14 inches and greater. Member Myjak said he also feels that an ISA certified arborist should be onsite during all tree trimming, pruning and tree removals. 

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Member Myjak made a motion that all significant trees of 14 inch and greater come before the Titusville Environmental Commission to be reviewed before removal. Also, an ISA certified arborist be onsite during all tree trimming, pruning, and removal of trees. Member Perez seconded.

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Discussion took place.

Bill Klein of 3 Indian River Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak. Mr. Klein agrees that the Titusville Environmental Commission should be involved in the review of any tree removal requests and development that requires taking trees out. Mr. Klein believes the arborist that took the trees down at Winn Dixie was wrong and this should be reported.

Kay St. Onge of 2360 Maryland Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak. Ms. St. Onge spoke about the tree removal that took place at the Winn Dixie shopping plaza. 

Toni Shifalo of 715 Tropic Street Titusville, Florida came to speak. Ms. Shifalo spoke about the need for educating city staff on sustainability. 

Discussion took place amongst the Titusville Environmental Commission.

Member Myjak and Member Perez withdrew their motion.

Kristin Lortie of 5524 Brilliance Circle of Cocoa, Florida came to speak about her concerns over all the trees that have been massacred in the City of Titusville. 

Jeff Greenberg environmental scientist came to speak about the environment that we have in Florida. Mr. Greenberg spoke about approaching government and being involved as professionals and to hold our local governments accountable. 

Nayra Atiya made a comment.

Member Myjak made a motion to add functions of the Titusville Tree Board to their next agenda for discussion. Member Perez seconded. 

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Discussion took place amongst the Titusville Environmental Commission members regarding the need for immediate action to prohibit Sylvester palms as an allowed substitute for tree canopy replacement. 

Stan Johnston of 860 Poinsettia Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak about this item. Mr. Johnston said he agrees to prohibit Sylvester palms being a substitute for tree canopy. 

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Member Perez made a motion to recommend to City Council that the Land Use Regulations be changed to prohibit Sylvester palms as an allowable substitute for tree canopy that has been removed. Member Myjak seconded.

Roll call was as follows:

Member Yount                       Yes

Member Myjak                       Yes

Vice Chairman Rice                Yes

Member Perez                         Yes

Chairwoman Thompson          Yes

Motion passed.

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Old Business

Urban Forestry and Tree City USA Growth Award

Ms. Muller gave an overview of this item. Ms. Muller provided a handout which has a narrowed list of Tree City USA growth award activities for the Titusville Environmental Commission to review and discuss to come to an agreement on which Tree City USA growth award activities to pursue.

Chairwoman Thompson requested a ten minute recess.

Member Myjak made a motion to extend the meeting for 15 minutes. Member Perez seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote.

Discussion took place regarding the Tree City USA growth award activities that TEC would like to pursue.

Member Myjak made a motion to extend the meeting for 15 minutes. Member Yount seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote.

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Kay St. Onge of 2360 Maryland Avenue Titusville Florida came to speak. MS. St. Onge spoke about getting involved in a street tree giveaway and pursing Tree City USA growth award activities C8. and D1.

Kristin Lortie of 5524 Brilliance Circle of Cocoa, Florida came to speak regarding the Tree City USA growth award activities and encouraged the TEC to also pursue long-term growth award activities.  

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Vice Chairman Rice made a motion to pursue the following Tree City USA growth award activities. 

A3. Grant Applications (3 points)

C8. Single-Issue Plans (5 points)

D1. Tree Planting Program (8 points)

D6. Planting-to-Removals Ratio (3 points)

E2. Departmental Communication (3 points)

E6. New Tree Board Member (2 points)

E7. Service Organizations (2 points)

Member Perez seconded. 

Roll call was as follows:

Member Perez                         Yes

Vice Chairman Rice                Yes

Member Yount                       Yes

Member Myjak                       Yes

Chairwoman Thompson          Yes

Motion passed.

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Member Perez made a motion to extend the meeting five more minutes. Member Myjak seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.

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New Business

None

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Petition & Requests

None

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Sustainability Metrics

This item was tabled to a future meeting.

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Reports

Chairwoman Thompson provided a handout to the Titusville Environmental Commission and to staff regarding the Titusville Environmental Commission’s Plan of Action  from February 12, 1997 to May 13, 1999 . Chairwoman Thompson spoke about the handout. 

Member Myjak gave an update regarding a meeting he had regarding stormwater metrics and monitoring systems.

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Adjournment 8:06pm