- Titusville Environmental Commission
- July 12, 2023
July 12, 2023
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 Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 5:30pm.
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Chairwoman Thompson called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. Present were, Member Perez, Member Tucker, Member Delgado and Member Young. Vice Chairman Myjak, Member Yount and Member Flis were absent. Staff present was Community Development Director Brad Parrish, and Recording Secretary Laurie Dargie.
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Chairwoman Thompson addressed the Titusville Environmental Commission members regarding conduct, minutes, metrics, and her desire to run more efficient and productive meetings.
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Member Perez made a motion to approve the May 10, 2023 meeting minutes. Member Young seconded.
Member Perez said that no changes were made.
Roll call was as follows:
Member Perez No
Member Delgado Yes
Member Young Yes
Member Tucker Yes
Chairwoman Thompson Yes
Motion passed with a 4 yes, 1 no vote.
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Member Young made a motion to approve the first set of minutes for the June 14, 2023 meeting that were included in the agenda packet. Member Tucker seconded.
Roll call was as follows:
Member Young Yes
Member Delgado Yes
Member Tucker Yes
Member Perez Yes
Chairwoman Thompson Yes
Motion passed.
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Petitions & Requests from Public Present
Stan Johnston of Titusville provided comment relating to the sewage spill in December 2020 - April 2021.
Bill Klein of Titusville provided comment relating to the Titusville Environmental Commission continuing to work towards testing of the Indian River Lagoon.
Member Young asked if all public meetings, including the Titusville Environmental Commission meeting be advertised the day before and the day of on the City’s new digital reader sign in front of City Hall.
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Old Business
None
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New Business
Hurricane Ian/Baker Subdivision Sewer Spill
Chairwoman Thompson provided some background information relating to the sewage spill during hurricane Ian. Chairwoman Thompson said she would like for the incident that occurred, although already resolved, be reported to the Department of Environmental Protection (D.E.P.) so that they have record of the sewage spill.
Discussion took place amongst the Titusville Environmental Commission regarding the city’s standard operating procedures and their desire to have the incident reported to the Department of Environmental Protection (D.E.P.)
Mr. Parrish informed the Titusville Environmental Commission members that he has forwarded them an email in March 2023 and May 2023 which addresses the findings from the City of Titusville’s Public Work’s Department relating to this concern. Mr. Parrish read from the email.
The Titusville Environmental Commission members feel that there was a lack of protocol and that the area of concern should have been checked more than once for sewage as multiple citizens had witnessed the incident.
Stan Johnston of Titusville said that he has already provided City Council and TEC with the video and photos proving that the sewage spill occurred. Mr. Johnston stated he would like for the TEC to recommend that City Council recognize that the sewage spill happened.
Mr. Parrish asked for clarification as to what exactly the Titusville Environmental Commission would like to have recommended to City Council.
The Titusville Environmental Commission said that they would like for City Council to recognize that there was a sewage spill and that the incident be reported to the D.E.P.
Toni Shifalo of Titusville spoke in favor of this item. Ms. Shifalo made comment relating to having an amended report be provided to the D.E.P.
Stan Johnston of Titusville spoke in favor of this item. Mr. Johnston spoke about the email he sent to the Titusville Environmental Commission which provided exactly what they needed to have recommended to City Council, which was to acknowledge that the sewage spill happened and that it was unnecessary for any report to be made to the D.E.P. now.
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Member Delgado made a motion recommending to City Council that they acknowledge the sewage spill that occurred during the September & October 2022 hurricane Ian in the Baker Subdivision and that the incident be reported to the Department of Environmental Protection as given and provided by citizens. The photos provided by Chairwoman Thompson to Mr. Parrish will be provided as evidence to be include in the City Council agenda packet when this item is presented to City Council. Member Perez seconded.
Roll call was as follows:
Member Perez Yes
Member Young Yes
Member Delgado Yes
Member Tucker Yes
Chairwoman Thompson Yes
Motion passed.
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Titusville Environmental Commission By-Laws
Chairwoman Thompson asked for Member Perez to explain why he wanted the TEC by-laws to be discussed. Member Perez said the by-laws should be reviewed to see what if anything should be changed, such as adding metrics.
Chairwoman Thompson said that she feels that the TEC by-laws should not be changed, but believes Member Perez might be more interested in looking into the powers and duties of the TEC. Chairwoman Thompson provided a handout of Section 31-121 which are the powers and duties, to the TEC members.
Chairwoman Thompson stated that she does not believe that the Titusville Environmental Commission should be involved with performance metrics. Chairwoman Thompson said that if the TEC wants to create metrics or rather goals of their own and work towards them that she would support that.
Member Tucker agreed with Chairwoman Thompson.
Member Delgado said he does feel that TEC should be involved in performance metrics, especially the metrics relating to the environment.
Member Perez agreed with Member Delgado.
Chairwoman Thompson stated that TEC should only be involving themselves with environmental metrics and only so far as to be receiving the reports from city staff and not from public citizens. Chairwoman Thompson said that public input and comment is always welcome.
Mr. Parrish informed the TEC that the City Manager will not be providing any reports as they relate to the internal performance metrics of the city.
Chairwoman Thompson said again, that she does not believe that TEC should be involved in metrics and should rather focus on the many items listed in the powers and duties of the TEC and to work towards achieving those goals.
Bill Klein of Titusville spoke in favor of this item. Mr. Klein made comments relating to environmental metrics.
Member Delgado made a motion to extend the meeting for ten minutes. Member Perez seconded. Motion passed with a unanimous voice vote.
Chairwoman Thompson spoke about cost share projects and her desire for the TEC to be proactive and pursue projects that they can find funding resources that will help the environmental issues that need to be resolved.
Member Delgado said that the project that was just presented to City Council was dismissed. Chairwoman Thompson said the TEC needs to move forward with pursuing other environmental projects.
Mr. Parrish asked for clarification as to metrics, TEC by-laws, and powers & duties. Chairwoman Thompson confirmed with the Commission members that they will not be discussing metrics or the TEC by-laws at the next TEC meeting. The TEC members confirmed.
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Petitions and Requests
None
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Reports
Mr. Parrish went over an email regarding the City of Titusville using the consultant Geo-Syntec to develop a stormwater master plan to help identify BMAP projects so that the City of Titusville can earn more credits.
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Discussion of Future Agenda Items
- Urban Forestry Concept Plan / Plan-It Geo Assessment report
- Projects that TEC can pursue
Reports
Mr. Parrish gave a brief overview of the Chapter 2023-169 Comp Plan Revisions HB 1379.
Chairwoman Thompson said that the Lagoon Watermen’s Alliance will be having a fishing guides meeting regarding the Indian River Lagoon at Hells Bay Boatworks at 1520 Chaffee Drive on July 22, 2023 from 4:00-6:00pm. Chairwoman Thompson asked if this could be advertised on City Hall’s digital sign.
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Adjournment 7:55p.m.