HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes 2/17/11ST. 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; Jim David seconded. Motion passed.
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 ramp, fishing/crabbing platforms, culverts, pump station, parking
lots and dune crossovers). Jim was not able to construct the Gazebo and trail on the west
side of AlA 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. 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 2 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 become the designee of the Administrator, remove
Bobby Billie (Independent Traditional Seminole Nation) and the former land owner at Blind
Creek since we review a number of different sites and they are not participating. Motion
approved. Jane mentioned that this may be her last meeting.
Adjourned