September 15, 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 Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 5:30pm.

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Vice Chairman Rice called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. Present were Member Perez, Member Tucker, Alternate Member Young and Alternate Member Flis. Chairwoman Thompson, Member Yount, and Member Myjak, 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 August 10, 2022 meeting with a correction. Member Tucker 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 about PFAS recommendation that TEC made and how it was not presented to City Council.

Toni Shifalo of 715 Tropic Street Titusville, Florida came to speak about the need for Commission members to attend City Council meetings to voice their intent of motions, to hear what is being discussed, and be there to voice their concerns regarding items that are brought up. 

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Old Business

Stormwater Metrics

Ms. Muller gave an overview of this item.

Kay St. Onge of 2360 Maryland Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak in favor of this item.

Stan Johnston of 860 Poinsettia Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak neither for nor against this item.

Discussion amongst the Titusville Environmental Commission members took place.

Vice Chairman Rice passed the gavel to Member Perez.

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Vice Chairman Rice made a motion recommending to City Council that they go out for an RFP to establish a stormwater monitoring program either by a paid consultant or a graduate student study. The request is to have this funded with $50,000.00. The following are the Findings of Facts for this motion:

1. The Indian River Lagoon needs to be restored
2. The City of Titusville has 18 outfalls that discharge straight to the Indian River Lagoon 
3. It is important to the health and welfare of our city and our citizens to know and understand how outfalls effect the Indian River Lagoon so we can take necessary corrective actions

Member Flis requested an amendment to include the references from the Blue Green Algae Task Force that Kay St. Onge read from: The task force recommends the development and implementation of a stormwater system inspection and monitoring program with the goal of identifying improperly functioning and/or failing systems so that corrective action can be taken to reduce nutrient pollution and other negative environmental impacts. Ms. St. Onge provided the handout she read from to staff. 

Vice Chairman Rice accepted the amendment as Findings of Fact #4.

Member Young seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.

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Tree List in Technical Manual

Ms. Muller gave an overview of this item.

Kay St. Onge of 2360 Maryland Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak in favor of this item.

Toni Shifalo of 715 Tropic Street Titusville, Florida came to speak neither for nor against this item.

Discussion took place amongst the Titusville Environmental Commission members.

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Member Tucker made a motion to add the Sabal Palmetto to their previous motion to replace the tree list in the technical manual with the Native Keystone Species to grow in Brevard County list that was provided in the 8.10.22 agenda on pages 80-109. The recommendation is also to replace the word “nuisance” with the word “prohibited” accept adding sabal palmetto to the tree list in the Technical Manual.  Member Flis 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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Reports

Ms. Muller reviewed the information provided in the agenda packet with the Titusville Environmental Commission regarding City Council’s actions on PFAS from their July 26, 2022 meeting.

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Member Perez made a motion requesting that staff bring information regarding PFAS back to the Titusville Environmental Commission once the EAP provides a report to the City of Titusville. The future date of the meeting will be determined after staff receives this information. Member Flis seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.

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Future Agenda items

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Adjournment 6:52 p.m.