- Titusville Environmental Commission
- April 13, 2022
April 13, 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, April 13, 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 Tucker, Member Yount, Member Myjak, and Alternate Member Young were present. Alternate Member Flis was absent. Staff present was Sustainability Planner Rachel Muller and Recording Secretary Laurie Dargie.
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Member Myjak brought up that his intent last meeting was to table the discussion on the 2013 Urban Forestry Plan as its own topic of discussion on tonight’s agenda. Ms. Muller said that the discussion regarding the 2013 Urban Forestry Plan took place under the agenda item Functions of the Titusville Tree Board, therefore it was tabled for discussion under the same item as the March 9, 2022 meeting. Ms. Muller advised that the item can be discussed during tonight’s meeting as it was tabled for discussion under that same agenda item. Member Myjak said that the request to table the item was to allow Member Rice time to review the plan. Member Myjak said he would like it discussed as its own item and voted upon separately.
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Member Myjak made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 9, 2022 meeting. Member Perez seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.
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Petitions & Requests from Public Present
Toni Shifalo of 715 Tropic Street Titusville, Florida came to speak. Ms. Shifalo strongly encouraged all board and commission members to be present at all City Council meetings where items that came before their boards were discussed. Ms. Shifalo said that the members would then have opportunity to stand up and speak to City Council and convey the intent that was discussed rather than relying on city staff who misdirects the information to City Council.
Discussion took place by the Titusville Environmental Commission members regarding members of boards and commissions attending City Council meetings and how city staff misrepresents what the the Commission’s intended motions are to City Council.
Member Tucker asked about an appeals process.
Stan Johnston of 860 Poinsettia Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak. Mr. Johnston informed Member Tucker that there is Rule #13 that can be used as an appeals process. Vice Chairman Rice explained Rule #13.
Alternate Member Young arrived to the meeting at 6:00pm.
Bill Klein of 3 Indian River Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak. Mr. Klein brought up the email he sent regarding how the Titusville Environmental Commission needs to be involved in the review of all projects that impact the environment.
Stan Johnston of 860 Poinsettia Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak. Mr. Johnston spoke about the need to report the City of Titusville, for ignoring problems, to the newspaper and media outlets. Mr. Johnston spoke about the city’s coverups.
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Old Business
Functions of the Titusville Tree Board
Member Myjak said he would like to recommend that the Titusville Environmental Commission request that City Council accept the 2013 Urban Forestry Plan as a baseline framework, so that the Titusville Environmental Commission can review it thoroughly and make changes to improve the plan.
Discussion took place regarding how the 2013 Urban Forestry Plan does not seem complete. Ms. Muller said that she provided all of the information regarding the plan and this is all that could be found. Vice Chairman Rice asked if the city still has the software that was used to obtain the data for the plan. Ms. Muller said she will have to find out if the city still has the software and if it can be used. Ms. Muller said that this plan was paid for by a grant. Vice Chairman Rice said he would like to get the information that is brought up on page 17 of 162 of the agenda packet.
Ms. Muller said the department is potentially receiving grant funding to conduct a tree canopy assessment..
Vice Chairman Rice suggested Ms. Muller reach out to the firm that did the 2013 Urban Forestry Plan and ask for all the data that was done at that time.
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Member Myjak made a motion to recommend to City Council that they accept the 2013 Urban Forestry Plan as a baseline framework and allow for the Titusville Environmental Commission to review it and make changes to the plan to improve it moving forward. Vice Chairman Rice seconded.
Roll call was as follows:
Member Young Yes
Member Yount Yes
Member Tucker Yes
Vice Chairman Rice Yes
Member Myjak Yes
Member Perez Yes
Chairwoman Thompson Yes
Motion passed.
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Chairwoman Thompson asked what the Titusville Environment Commission members would like to review regarding their functions as the Tree Board.
Discussion took place regarding the desire of the Titusville Environmental Commission to know what all the requirements of the Tree Board are from the City of Titusville and the Tree City USA requirements. The website for the Tree City USA was brought up and the website listed the requirements and characteristics of the Tree Board.
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Member Myjak made a motion to table this item in order for staff to provide all of the requirements from the City of Titusville and the Tree City USA for the Tree Board. Vice Chairman Rice seconded.
Roll call was as follows:
Member Perez Yes
Vice Chairman Rice Yes
Member Young Yes
Member Myjak Yes
Member Yount Yes
Member Tucker Yes
Chairwoman Thompson Yes
Motion passed.
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New Business
Tree list in Landscape Technical Manual
Discussion took place regarding creating a list of only Florida native trees.
The Titusville Environmental Commission discussed using the Florida Native Plant Society tree list after entering the city’s zip codes.
Katie Grablow of 3707 S. Ridge Circle Titusville, Florida came to speak. Ms. Grablow suggested that the Titusville Environmental Commission look at the Florida Invasive Species Council’s website and the Florida Native Plant Society lists.
Vice Chairman Rice made a motion to extend the meeting for fifteen (15) minutes. Member Myjak seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
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Member Myjak made a motion to compile a list from the Florida Native Plant Society’s list using the city’s zip codes and compare it to the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s list to ensure that there are no invasive species in the Florida Native Plant Society list and then use this list as the recommended list from the Titusville Environmental Commission as the acceptable list in the
city’s technical manual. This list is to be reviewed semi-annually to keep it up to date. Member Young seconded.
Roll call was as follows:
Member Yount Yes
Member Young Yes
Member Myjak Yes
Vice Chairman Rice Yes
Member Perez Yes
Member Tucker Yes
Chairwoman Thompson Yes
Motion passed.
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Petition & Requests
None
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Reports
Member Myjak spoke about the concerns of silica pollution. Member Myjak said that if the guidelines from BMAP is used it would help in controlling or stopping additional pollution to the environment.
Member Perez spoke about the upcoming tree giveaway program of Seagrape trees and Silver Buttonwood trees.
Member Perez spoke about getting accountability from the city.
Vice Chairman Rice said he truly believes that city staff is hard working and they are not dishonest. He said he believes they do the best they can with the tools they have. He does not believe they are trying to misrepresent information from one meeting to the next.
Member Young made a motion to extend the meeting for five (5) minutes. Member Myjak seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Katie Grablow of 3707 S. Ridge Circle Titusville, Florida came to speak. Ms. Grablow spoke about potential pollutants in the ground water, air, and noise pollution.
Member Rice made a motion to extend the meeting by five (5) minutes. Member Myjak seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion took place regarding the concrete crushing business that is coming before the Titusville Environmental Commission at the next meeting.
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Future Agenda items
- Functions of the Tree Board
- Urban Forestry Plan
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Adjournment 7:54 p.m.