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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes 2-17-11 ST. LUCIE COUNTY BLUEWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Environmental Resources Conference Room 2300 Virginia Ave., Ft. Pierce 10:00 A.M. Monday February 17, 2011 MINUTES Members in attendance: Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, Jane Brooks, Camille Yates,Jim David, Guy Medor, Pat Pacitti, Ed Page. Members not in attendance : Bobbie Billie. Staff in attendance : Steve Fousek, Karen Smith, Amy Griffin Guests in attendance: None Item 1: Approved February 17, 2011 Agenda Item 2: Approved July 26, 2010 Minutes Item 3:Public Comments – none Item 4: Schedule Public Hearing ? Steve stated that we need to schedule the approved management plans. Several of the plans are not required to go to public hearings due to their small size. Surfside Park, South Ocean Beach Boardwalk and Pepper Park. John Brooks Park and Harbor Branch Preserve are required. Steve wanted to know if the Committee wanted to hold public hearings for the sites that are not required. The Committee recommended that we hold public hearings for each of the sites. Camille recommended the motion, seconded by Ed. Motion approved. Tentative hearings to be held on March 25, 2011 at 12 noon in Conference room 3. Guy stated that the playground at Pepper Park will probably not be replaced next year. The Committee agreed. Steve will reflect it in the management plan. Item 5: Management Plan (Updates) ? Coon Island – Steve stated that staff will be recommending that the County opt out of the State Lease. Camille mentioned that the Committee had previously stated that they did not want to continue with the lease. Steve had contacted the County Attorney’s office, and they had stated that the Committee could not make that recommendation, but comment on the planned uses in the Management Plan. Commissioner Dzadovsky described his past conversations with the businesses that benefit from use of the island, and possible donations of funds. He discussed the possible volunteers with the Surfrider Foundation, and among the boating community. City mitigation for the city marina was also discussed. Karen and Jim discussed the difficulty in managing the site, the costs associated with exotic removal and recurring maintenance costs, monitoring, and reporting. Discussed the possibility of providing no infrastructure, liability and safety concerns. Discussed a possible state/county partnership. No action was taken. Discussion for informational purposes only. Item 6: Management Plan Changes ? Queen’s Island Jim is applying for a grant to provide funding for trails and boardwalks. Steve showed the previous plan for the site that the Committee approved about 8 years ago. (Fishing pier/crabbing dock, fencing, parking lot, bridge to the island and canoe launch) Jim described the need for the trails and boardwalks to access the site to treat the exotics. Jim and Commissioner Dzadovsky described the value of the trails for eco-tourism. Jane questioned the need for a picnic table, and that it would attract different users to the site. Steve mentioned that Bobby Billie did not want to see the site overused due to the loss of habitat for the animals, and the existence of archaeological resources. Steve asked about the possible inclusion of the pedestrian bridge over to the main island. Camille stated that there were not enough funds in the grant to pay for it. Steve stated that the Ten year update will be coming back to the Committee in a couple of years to review the overall site. Commissioner Dzadovsky motioned approval of the trail system. Item 7: Management Plan (New Updates) ? Blind Creek The Committee reviewed the improvements that have been completed at the site. (Fishing pier, bird watch tower, boat launch, fishing/crabbing platforms, parking lots and dune crossovers) Jim was not able to construct the Gazebo and trail on the west side of A1A due to the amount of wetlands. He also questioned the safety of crossing the street from the sidewalk or existing parking lot to the planned Gazebo. The three (3) restrooms were also not constructed due to budgetary constraints. Steve stated that Jim did a good job in removing the exotics from the site. Few Australian Pines and Hawaiian Scaveola were present. The Committee recommended that the Gazebo be eliminated from the plan, and that 2 restrooms be included rather than the three (3). Motion passed. ? Stan Blum The Committee reviewed the improvements that have been completed at the site. (Boat ramps, parking lot, fish cleaning station, kiosk, boat wash area and soon to be completed restroom). During a site inspection, Steve mentioned that it appears that vehicles were crossing the swale leading to the stormwater pond, causing drainage problems. He suggested that the stormwater drainage issue be repaired by re-establishing the swale leading to the stormwater pond. The Committee suggested placing bollards around the parking lot to maintain the integrity of the swales. Discussed overflow parking and the need for pavilions at the site. Motion passed. Other Business Membership Update - Steve suggested revising the list of representatives of the Committee to minimize the possibility of not having a quorum. The Committee suggested that Environmental Resources Department replace the Administrator, remove Bobby Billie (Independent Traditional Seminole Nation) and the former land owner since we review a number of different sites. Motion approved. Jane mentioned that this may be her last meeting. Adjourned