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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC 042018 MinutesCITIZENS' BUDGET COMMITTEE Meeting Date April 20, 2018 Conference Room 3 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Kurek Clarence Kearney Gloria Johnson Jerry Buechler Mark Gotz Craig Mundt William Donovan Barry Mucklow Carl Hensley Rubin Johnson MEMBERS ABSENT: John Culverhouse Richard Pancoast Gwen Morris Ed Lounds Jake Sanders OTHERS PRESENT CALL TO ORDER Don West Wayne Teegardin Diana Wesloski Sophia Holt Madeline Yaroma Amy Griffin Stan Payne Ceretha Leon Jennifer Garrity Patrick Dayan Susan Jacob Sheriff Ken Mascara Captain Brian Hester Mr. Kurek called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No member of the public spoke. APPROVAL OF MARCH 16t" MINUTES Mark Satterlee Jeff Bremer Renee Scott Murriah Dekle Gino Butto Leslie Olson George Landry Matthew Beard Michelle Peterson Ed Matthews Mayte Santamaria Major Douglas Hardie After a motion and second, the minutes were unanimously approved. Citizens Budget Committee April 20, 2018 Page 2 Sheriff Mascara started by giving history of the School Resource Officer program. He, Major Douglas Hardie, and Captain Brian Hester answered questions and gave more information. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES/DEPARTMENTS a. Environment b. Community & Economic Development c. Culture & Recreation d. Management Services Ms. Hill began the attached PowerPoint presentation. Directors and representatives from the following departments spoke a few minutes and answered questions about their responsibilities: Amy Griffin — Environmental Resources (ERD) Leslie Olson and Mayte Santamaria — Planning & Development Services Diana Wesloski — Community Services Susan Jacob — Librairies Ed Matthews — Parks & Recreation Jennifer Hill — Office of Management & Budget Geno Butto — Information Technology Ceretha Leon and George Landry — Human Resources Ms. Mott and Ms. Jacob handed out the attached ERD & Librairies information. Ms. Hill reviewed the plan for next month. Copies of the Clerk's office publication Dollars & Sense were distributed. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Kurek made a comment about waterfront property and home rule before he adjourned the meeting at 9:08 a.m. Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Marlin The next CBC meeting will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018, at 7:30 a.m., in Conference Room 3, of the St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DIRECTOR Environmental Resources Department ST. LUCIE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY Our Mission COMMISSIONERS Preserving and protecting natural resources in St. Lucie County through land conservation, habitat restoration, land stewardship, high quality environmental FRANNIE HUTCHINSON education and community outreach, passive recreation, native species protection, CHAIR and land development regulations. DISTRICT 4 Our Structure UNDA BARTZ Twenty (20) employees located at the Administration Complex, Oxbow Eco-Center VICE-CHADISTRICT 13 and Platt's Creek Field Office. Our Divisions CHRIS DZADOVSKY . Environmental Regulations DISTRICT i • Natural Resources/Land Management • Environmental Education & Community Outreach ANTHONYBONNA DISTRICT 2 Major Responsibilities • Reviewing all proposed development to ensure compliance with the SLC Comprehensive CATHY TOWNSEND Plan and Land Development Code, as well as, compatible with the County's long-term vision; DISTRICT 5 • Responsible at a local level for identifying the habitats of critical importance, working with land owners and developers to ensure avoidance and minimization of impacts to these HOWARD N. TIPTON important areas and encourage preservation and appropriate mitigation to compensate for COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR any unavoidable impacts; • Provides support for multi -departmental and multi -agency initiatives with staff expertise DAN MCINTYRE in wetland delineation, gopher tortoise monitoring and management, and habitat COUNTY ATTORNEY conservation planning for threatened or endangered species; • Since citizens approved a $20 million bond referendum in 1994, the County has more than tripled the initial funding through local, state and federal matches and partnerships, to MAILING ADDRESS purchase, enhance and manage over 10,000 acres of preserves. Land is acquired primarily to 2300 VIRGINIA AVENUE FORT PIERCE, FL 34982 preserve native habitat, as well as, create a system of linear corridors for wildlife and greenways, blueways, hiking and paddling trails; PHONE • Provide passive recreational opportunities and are a critical part of SEC's ecotourism; (772) 462-2526 • Land is still actively being acquired land, however, the focus has shifted to the upgrading and "polishing stage" involving branding, marketing and ensuring an enjoyable visitor TDD experience; (772) 462-1428 . The Environmental Education & Community Outreach (EECO) Division, which operates from the Oxbow Eco-Center is charged with providing educational programs and FAX opportunities for community involvement throughout the County. The mission of the EECO (772) 462-1684 is to provide programs that foster an awareness and appreciation of the natural world, an understanding of ecosystems and sustainability, and a sense of stewardship toward Florida E-MAIL and all its inhabitants. ENV] RON MENTALRESOU RCES @STLUCIECO.ORG WEBSITE cT. LUCIE WWW.STLUCIECO.GOV Oxbow Eco-Center's Earth Day Festival April 2f 2 l 0arn pm \ wr V A 'ffl OXBOW ECO-CENTER 5400 NE St James Drive, Port St. Lucie 772-785-5833 www.oxboweco.com v e�•�o� a v o e o 0..O � U o v O � q W � a'o QQ v o ~ a N ctdi O. u P. h a N OD m w 0 M ���yy fj ro u old C £ 3 � G U Y. E ca yp CD W fie% aCi o R. ( u is C C u v W O N .Ur r cC3 � O U m b U »:say e tA.a ;b � FRS O Y sUi ❑ � 0. k v M z R v C V] k � Ao•a V R U R R O C w R 'C R TJ q i� • u o w `�° o w q v O R U 'b CC CC U m C 7 lqt C ANNUAL REPORT-- January— December 2017 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT The Environmental Resources Department is comprised of three divisions: Natural Resources & Land Management, Environmental Regulations, and Education and Community Outreach. The Department's mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance SLC's environmental resources through sustainable land management practices, regulations, public education and outreach. The Natural Resources & Land Management Division oversees the County's 10,000-acre preserve system. Responsibilities include land management, acquisition, stewardship, planning & habitat restoration, resource protection, nature programming, and maintenance of the County's passive recreation opportunities found within in the preserves. The division also facilitates many regional conservation/passive public access programs including the Environmentally Significant Land (ESL) Acquisition Bond program and the County's Greenways and Trails Program. Services include invasive species management, prescribed fire, wildlife management, trail and property maintenance, amenity development and site improvements, as well as providing public safety and educational opportunities within the preserves. The division relies heavily on inter -agency partnerships, grant funding, sharing resources, and volunteer support to achieve the Department's mission. Division 2017 Highlights & Accomplishments: • Received: $1.6 M in Competitive Funding Assistance & Grants Related Projects • Restored: 3,000 Acres of the Preserves with Land Management Services • Managed: 2,000 Acres of the Preserves, the Airport, and the Port for Invasive Exotic Species • Enhanced: 400 Acres of Preserves with Prescribed Fire • Saved: $24,000 with Citizen Engagement Projects (1000 Volunteer Hours x $24/hr.) • Provided: 102 Guided Nature Programs Free to the Public • Engaged: 1,000 + Individuals Through Outreach and Nature Programs • Maintained: 10,000 Acres and more than 42 Miles of Trail(s) Habitat Restoration: The division had yet another record year in project advancement, grant funding, and land management. Since 2015, the County has received over $1.7M in funding assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Uplands Invasive Plant Management Section (FWC IPMS). This funding has resulted in treating over 9,000 acres of the County's Preserve System for invasive exotic species. This funding has also allowed the division to extend resources to the Treasure Coast International Airport and save the County several $100K annually by treating invasive exotic plants within the established conservation easements. Reducing and removing invasive speices not only benefits our natural resources and systems, but also offers return on investment that pays dividends in ecotourism by providing an authentic Florida experience for our visitors and citizens. Indian River Lagoon: The division continues to work with the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) to restore habitat on Wesley's Island in the Port of Ft. Pierce. This past year the County received $15,000 in reimbursement for several completed phases which focused on removing invasive species from the island and replanting the area with native plants. On Wesley's Island alone, the County received assistance from 49 volunteers who donated 294 hours towards planting, site clean-up, and watering new plant introductions. This provided the County with a cost -savings of $7,097.16. Watershed Restoration: The division worked to secure $100,000, from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Subsection (FWC AHRES), to be used towards the design of a large-scale wetland restoration project at Teague Hammock Preserve in western St. Lucie County near C-23/C-24. The project will restore hydrology to the ecosystem, while benefiting the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River Estuaries by holding 300-acres of surface water onsite instead of contributing to large freshwater inputs to the estuaries during rainy season. The division has worked with Legislative Affairs to secure an additional $400,000 from the Florida Legislature to complete the construction of the project in future years. Some initial work has been completed ahead of this project including several invasive species treatments and a 300-acre prescribed fire. With the historical rainfall this year and initial work completed we have seen an abundance of birdlife return to the site including several large groups of roseate spoonbills and other wading species. Greenways & Trails: The division received accolades from the East Coast Greenway Alliance in 2017 for progress made in the County's Greenways & Trails Program. In 2017, the division partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) SUN Trail program to initiate $833,716 in project development and design projects to complete the East Coast Greenway (ECG) in St. Lucie County. Over the next five years, these efforts expect to yield upwards of an additional $6M to $12M in FDOT funding to construct the 12 foot -wide ECG trail from Walton Road to North Hutchinson Island. In total the ECG is a 3,000-mile multiuse trail that connects people to place from Maine to Key West. Public Access & Acquisition: The division worked to open the eastern portion of Citrus Hammock Preserve to the public in 2017. Newly installed amenities include an entrance sign, a % mile nature trail, a kiosk, and a small pervious parking area. Efforts are also underway to upgrade access amenities at St. Lucie Village Heritage Preserve. Improvements include upgraded signage, an improved discgolf course layout, and an improved pervious parking layout. The division worked with Property Acquisitions to purchase/close on the Zorc Property (adjacent to Captain Hammonds Hammock Preserve) and took two Florida Communities Trust (FCT) grant award agreements to the Board for execution, reimbursing the County 50% of the purchase price of both Cypress Creek and Myers - Stickel Preserves. Once finalized the reimbursements to the County for both projects will reach $1.91M. The Environmental Regulations Division is responsible for reviewing all proposed development to ensure compliance with the County's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, as well as, compatible with the County's long-term vision. Regulations staff is responsible at a local level for identifying the habitats of critical importance, working with land owners and developers to ensure avoidance and minimization of impacts to these important areas and encourage preservation and appropriate mitigation to compensate for any unavoidable impacts. Regulations staff also provides support for multi -departmental and multi -agency initiatives with staff expertise in wetland delineation, gopher tortoise monitoring and management, and habitat conservation planning for threatened or endangered species. 2017 Highlights & Accomplishments: • Reviewed and processed 923 vegetation/dune trimming/dock and seawall permits, compared to 733 in 2016. This is a 26% increase in permit activity, which increased our permit revenue by 18%. • Reduced environmental permit review timeframes from an average of 10 business days down to 2 business days. • Reviewed 75 site plan/land use/zoning applications, which is a 12% increase from 2016. • Provided environmental consulting services to the Airport, Engineering, and Administration saving the County an estimated $100,000 in outside consulting fees. Projects include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Environmental Assessment for the MRO Hangar Grant No. 04-01-07168, environmental planning and permitting for the future MRO hanger airport expansion, environmental mitigation planning for the future port expansion and the permitting of the Indrio Savannahs Preserve Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The Environmental Education & Community Outreach Division (EECO) works to educate, engage, and bring the community together in celebration of the County's wealth of natural resources. Operated out of the Oxbow Eco-Center, the mission of the EECO is to cultivate knowledge, nurture a sense of wonder, and inspire stewardship for the natural world. This is accomplished through collaboration and partnerships to provide engaging educational programs for youth and adults, professional and in-depth trainings and certifications, volunteer and citizen science opportunities, and large and small community events. 2017 Highlights & Accomplishments: • Approximately 28,700 people visited the Oxbow Eco-Center. • Together with Natural Resources staff, provided more than 400 educational programs reaching 12,500 adults and youth. • Participated in 18 community events and programs, reaching 24,000 people. • Hosted annual Earth Day Festival with over 80 exhibitors and 4,000 participants. • Hosted solar eclipse programs and a Solar Eclipse Watch Party, reaching 1150 residents. • Received more than 7,000 hours of service to EECO and Natural Resources Division from 277 volunteers, equating to a market value of $169,125 of service. • Collaborated with more than three dozen community partners, including businesses, colleges and public schools, non-profit organizations and intergovernmental agencies. • Launched new Procession of the Species event in coordination with the Tourism Development Council, engaging numerous community partners and hundreds of volunteers. Education & Interpretive Programming: • Approximately 28,700 people visited the Oxbow Eco-Center. • Hosted nearly 300 educational programs at the Oxbow Eco-Center with 5,163 adults and 5,943 youth participants. • Hosted 56 events at the Ecoheritage House at the Richard E. Becker Preserves with a total of 603 participants. • Hosted 102 guided nature hikes and paddling programs on County Preserves, reaching over 1,000 people (960 Adults & 88 Youth). Outreach and Community Events: 0 Participated in more than a dozen community events, reaching approximately 24,000 people. Hosted several large and small events including a Solar Eclipse Watch Party, Mosquito Control Awareness Week tours, 'PSL Rocks' event, and the annual Earth Day Festival. In coordination with the Tourism Development Council, launched a new event -- Procession of the Species — at the Indian River Lagoon Science Festival. Volunteers & Giving Back: • More than 200 volunteers provided 6,362 hours of service to the Oxbow Eco-Center, representing a market value of approximately $153,579. • Volunteers assisted in the Guided Nature Hike & Paddle Program on preserves, providing 410 hours of service, at a market value of $9,897.40. • Volunteers provided 234.50 hours of service to restore Lakela's Mint habitat, with a market value of $5,660.83 of in -kind services. • Partnered with the Indian River Lagoon Aquatics Preserve (IRLAP) program to develop and implement a citizen science program in micro -plastics, engaging citizens in water quality sampling to determine the level of residual plastics in area water bodies. • Young people gained skills and experience through Youth Leadership training and put those skills to the test as summer camp counselors and throughout the year. • Volunteers developed and hosted archery classes at the Oxbow Eco-Center, reaching 105 people including adults, youth and families. • Volunteers developed a new Florida Heritage Trail at the Oxbow Eco-Center. Professional Training and Collaboration: • In partnership with Bok Tower Gardens the Natural Resources Division worked with volunteers to help restore the habitat for the rare and endemic Lakela's Mint (Dicerandra immaculate) species. • Hosted a regional workshop for the Association of Nature Center Administrators, providing workshops to Southeast Florida Nature Centers. • Partnered with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) to offer specialized training for Certified Interpretive Hosts and Trainers. • Partnered with Ocean Research & Conservation Association to bring in-depth watershed training to 29 teachers. • ERD and Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves worked together on 'Leave No Trace' training for eco-tourism professionals, naturalists, and volunteers to integrate this stewardship ethic into their programs. • Provided two in-depth Florida Master Naturalist Programs, graduating 35 residents and professionals along the Treasure Coast with University of Florida certifications. ERD also offer assisted with the FMNP programs • Partnered with the Archery Trade Association and Florida Archery Foundation to bring the Archery Academy to St. Lucie County. This week-long Academy provided high quality training in coaching techniques and youth education, and Level I and II Archery Instructor certifications. • Provided interpretive, customer service, and event training to Mosquito Control District staff, aiding in the potential education of citizens to better understand mosquito control efforts and how citizens can assist in keeping themselves and the community safe from mosquito borne diseases. Amy E. Griffin Director ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT 2300 Virginia Avenue Ph. (772) 462-2531 Ft. Pierce. FL 34982 Cell (772) 579-1172 www.stlucieco.org griffin@stlucieco.org THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM Fiscal Year 2017 Statistical & Financial Summaries Facilities • Five (5) Branches and the Pruitt Campus joint -use Library with IRSC • Square footage of the five (5) Branches: 65,900 • Pruitt Campus Library an additional 25,000 square feet • Lewis Branch Library (opened October 2017: 21,000 square feet ) Total 111,900 square feet Service Hours per Week • Five Branches weekly combined: 226 • Pruitt Campus Library is open 62 X hours per week Total annual hours open to the public: 13,882 (FY16: 11,354) Patron Visits (2 hurricanes affected in -person visits) • In -person: 561,138 (FY16: 585,905) • Virtual visits 370,912 (FY16: 344,972) Total: 932,050 (FY16: 930,877) Registered Borrowers • Total: 178,995 (FY16:177,212) Circulation (2 hurricanes resulted in est. 25,000 drop in print/DVD circ) • Print and DVD: 664,215 (FY16: 692,872) • E-Books and E-Audio: 84,822 (FY16: 82,666) Total:749,037 (FY16:775,538)