HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes October 23, 2012 Extension AdvisorySt. Lucie County Extension Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting
October 23, 2oi2
Extension Classroom
Members in Attendance: Pat Alley; Gracie Bryant; Pat Gostel; Debbie Hawley; Louis Forget,
Jr.; Pat Dunn; Milce Adams; Linda Minton; Ed Lounds; Bob
Bangert; Roland Yee; Donna Rhoden; Pat Gostel; Doug Heighton;
and Parker Platts
Members Excused: Calvin Arnold; Gary Roberts; Conrad Hardie; Ann McMullian;
Peter McClure; and Kathryn Hensley
Staff/Guests in Attendance: Anita Neal; Ken Gioeli; nm Gaver; Sue Munyan; Karla Lenfesty;
Karen Murphy; Don West; and Bobby Hopluns
Vice-Chairman Pat Alley was conducting the meeting in Chairman Hensle}~s absence and called
the meeting to order at g a.m. The meeting began with introductions of everyone in attendance.
Old Business
L Approval ofJulu 2¢th, Meeting Minutes
Vice-Chairman Alley asked if anyone had comments on the minutes of the previous meeting.
There being none she asked for a motion to approve. Bob Bangert made a motion for approval;
Ed Lounds seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.
IL Recan of the 1.SOt~~ Anniuersar~of the Land Grant (Morrill) Act Event and
Resolutions.
Anita Neal reported that the Morrill Act event was a success and that it attracted people that had
never been to an Extension event before. She added that the event also brought attention to the
fact that undergraduate and graduate courses are available at the Indian River Research and
Education Center (IRREC). Extension was grateful to receive the banners at no cost from the
University of Florida (UF), and the poles as a donation from St. Lucie County.
The celebration included resolutions read at both the City of Fort Pierce and the City of Port St.
Lucie City Council meetings as well as the St. Lucie School Board meeting and St. Lucie Board of
County Commissioners meeting.
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New Business
III. IFAS Relationship to the Health of the Indian River Laaoon
Vice-chairman Alley moved discussion of the Indian River Lagoon to the beginning of the
agenda.
Don West, Director of the County's Engineering Department began by distributing a copy of the
Master Plan, which is a compilation of policies and general broad goals. He said that when the
first study was completed in 2002 the port was going to focus on accommodating mega-yachts
and working with the existing Indian River terminal for its cargo component.
It is required that port master plans are updated every ten years. The cost to revisit the plan will
be $r5o,oo0, and will be funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). FDOT
has offered to pay so St. Lucie County and other counties can meet the state law. He indicated
that this is one of the unfunded mandates that counties now needs to address. He also noted
that all of the port documents are on the St. Lucie County web site.
He said that the infrastructure at the port was in need of repair; the bulkheads and sea walls
were in bad shape. Other improvements discussed were to improve the Indian River terminal
and enhancing the rail connection. Another suggestion was to offer maritime port operator
training, something rarely offered south of Charleston.
Ed Lounds asked if it was going to be possible to develop Harbor Pointe boat ramp. Don said
that it may be part of the master plan if people want it; however it is not currently scheduled for
development.
Ed indicated that the Advisory Council would be willing to take an active role in trying to find
solutions for the lagoon, and stressed that agriculture is not the sole creator of problems.
Sources of pollution for the lagoon are often introduced by homeowners, septic, road runoff; and
it is not always Lake Okeechobee.
Don West will provide Anita with the meeting dates of the Harbor Advisory Committee. He
indicated that he attends the Florida Ports Council meetings and that there are grants available
yearly for Florida seaports. The amounts of the grants were recently doubled, now up to $25 to
$5o million a year. He explained that the State is funding the majority of the Taylor Creels
dredging and paying for a portion of the work being done on 2nd Street.
He continued to say that the Army Corps of Engineers has dredged the inlet turning base in the
past. Sue Munyan asked if St. Lucie County can apply for federal programs. Don said it was
possible, and that the federal government has been a good partner to St. Lucie County.
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L Membership Renerwal for Current Members
Gracie Bryant gave the member report: Members Conrad Hardie (Business), Doug Heighton,
Treasurer, Linda Minton (Local Government) have all agreed to another 3 years of membership.
77. RenlacementMemberNominations
Vice-chairman Alley asked if there were any member suggestions for Amber Murphy (under the
category of Agriculture) who would be rotating off the Council. She asked everyone to email any
suggestions to Karen Murphy.
IV. A, ffirmatiue Action Reminder
Anita explained that the University requires staff to mention at the meeting at least once a year
that all IFAS and University of Florida programs are open to all persons without discrimination
with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status,
national origin, political opinions, or affiliations.
Discussion continued on the Indian River Lagoon. It was noted that IGlroys to determine the
health of the lagoon are expensive. It would be very helpful to create awareness and provide
education. Anita noted that IFAS can assist with ideas.
It was mentioned that by 2oi41awn services will be required to become certified for pesticide
use. Extension can provide this programming to assist business owners in becoming certified.
Homeowners, mainly gated communities and the lawn services that maintain them are
sometimes the biggest polluters due to pesticide and fertilizer runoff.
Tim Gaver gave an update on the citrus industry saying that greening is still the biggest
challenge for citrus trees, both residential and commercial. He noted that a micronutrient plan
is often given to homeowners to assist in keeping their trees healthy.
Ken Gioeli mentioned that the Master Naturalist program has about 35 new members and
they're assisting with programs like "Lagoon Babies" in which they educate children about baby
fish in the lagoon.
Anita mentioned that Extension will be assisting with the USDA Horticultural Lab's annual
Open House on Apri13'a• She said the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" program and
tasting was a success last year and would be repeated. Several area growers participated and
found it to be rewarding.
Roland Yee said it would help local growers if area schools could purchase produce grown
locally, however sometimes the schools require the food to be processed before they can use it,
which would be another step after it leaves the grower.
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Donna Rhoden mentioned (with regard to the lagoon topic) that gated communities are often
"over-irrigators," and sometimes water during the rainy season. She noted that this information
is provided in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) information.
The members took a vote to renew memberships. Donna Rhoden motioned for approval, Panzer
Platts seconded the motion, and since there was no longer a quorum votes would be taken
electronically.
There being no further discussion, Vice-chairman Alley adjourned the meeting at io:oo
Pat Dunn, Secretary
Cc: Dr. Joe Schaefer, DED