Meeting No. 2005-01
Time: 4:00 p.m.
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City of Coconut Creek Environmental Advisory Board Minutes Meeting No. 2005-01 |
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Date: April 19 , 2005 Time: 4:00 p.m. |
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| 4800 West Copans Road, Coconut Creek, Florida, 33063 |
1. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Herb Lund at 4:06 p.m.
2. Present on roll call:
Chairman Herb Lund
Vice Chair Morris Chase
Mikkie Belvedere
Walter Johnston
Alternate Walter Uhlig
Also present were Director of Development Services Sheila Rose, Assistant City Attorney Nancy Cousins, Planning Coordinator Todd DeJesus, and Landscape Specialist Sharon Vollmer.
3. Approval of Minutes: Meeting No. 2004-04 – November 14, 2004
MOTION: Johnston/Uhlig – To approve the Minutes of Meeting No. 2004-05.
Upon roll call, the Minutes were approved on a 5-0 vote.
4. Preparation for Arbor Day Tree Give-Away and Manning of Wildlife Habitat Booth on April 30th.
Ms. Rose noted that frustration had been expressed regarding the lack of direction for the Board, which she attributed to a lack of mission for the Board. She felt that there was a real benefit to the Board, particularly with the City’s role as a leader in environmental stewardship in the County. She noted that recently the only topic/mission was pursuing the National Wildlife Certification for the Community Wildlife Habitat, and she suggested that the Board might consider becoming more project oriented or project specific, since there was little policy making that would involve this Board. Relating to the City’s Wildlife certification, she hoped the Board would spearhead that campaign for community involvement beginning with participation at the annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway scheduled for Saturday, April 30th. She also hoped the Board meetings would become more Board driven, rather than staff driven as the need for projects arise in the community.
Mr. Chase expressed some disappointment that the Board had not been more involved in the MainStreet project, which he had anticipated. Ms. Rose responded that the MainStreet project was considered to be in the conceptual planning stage, and this was spearheaded by the City Commission. She noted, however, that environmental issues, such as green building principals would be part of the project and of interest to the Board. Chairman Lund questioned why there was not more publicity regarding the Environmental Board in the City’s newsletter. He also brought up the issue of under-built schools, recently highlighted in a newspaper article on Monarch High School, and questioned if that topic would be a topic for the Board’s attention. Ms. Cousins and Ms. Rose responded that the City had no jurisdiction relating to the development and construction of the schools and acknowledged staff’s frustration over the years in that regard. Mr. Johnston spoke regarding unsafe conditions for children walking to liberty Elementary, which he indicated were a result of poor planning by the School Board. Ms. Rose reiterated her suggestion that the Board might consider selecting an appropriate environmental issue or project on which to focus, and she reiterated that the Community Wildlife project should become more community drive to become optimally successful. Chairman Lund recalled that the Board had been provided information regarding the South Creek canal projects and felt that there had been no follow-up information on that project. Discussion ensued.
Ms. Belvedere asked if there was a problem in the City with stormwater runoff. Ms. Cousins provided a brief explanation of the stormwater program that began on October 1st. Ms. Belvedere related a recent trip to Australia and the successful community education program to promote awareness of environmental issues relating to storm water runoff that she had observed, and she questioned if this could be a program for the Board. Mr. Johnston noted that part of that issue was enforcement of state and federal regulations relating to chemicals in use during yard maintenance. Upon further questions relating to the City’s stormwater program, it was suggested that the City Engineer be asked to provide an update at the next meeting.
Ms. Belvedere suggested that regular meetings be established. Following discussion, there was agreement to meeting on the fourth Tuesday every other month from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Ms. Rose introduced Planning Projects Coordinator Todd DeJesus to provide an update on the National Wildlife program relating to certification. Mr. DeJesus related that the City was working toward becoming the first city in Florida to be certified as a Certified Backyard Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, and he noted that two Environmental Board members’ yards had been certified. He provided information as to the requirements for certification, noting that even an open balcony could become certified. Mr. DeJesus advised that most of the three, five, and seven-year goals set earlier by the Board had been met. Displaying photos, he noted that a lecture by Broward County naturalist Gil MacAdam, which was the first in a series of wildlife garden sessions to help educate our residents, had been held in the City Commission Chambers, including an extensive display of plantings to promote this effort. A second lecture will be held on Thursday evening of this week at Fern Forest Park, and he provided flyers for the Board members to distribute. It was noted that several schools within the City had achieved certification as a Backyard Habitats or were working toward certification. Ms. Rose recalled that the Board had drafted the goals that were submitted to the National Wildlife Certification and advised that Mr. DeJesus was working to implement those goals. She felt the Board members’ participation in the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway would further those efforts. Mr. Johnston shared that the goals submitted to the National Wildlife Federation by the City had, in fact, been adopted by the Federation, whose program had been lacking. In closing, Mr. DeJesus stated that at least 100 more homes were needed for certification. Ms. Rose commented that there was rivalry between Coconut Creek and other cities, particularly Wilton Manors, and the City was eager to be the first city certified within the state.
The Chairman invited Robert Perkis, who was seated in the audience, to speak. Mr. Perkis, 4701 Lyons Road, #61, which is the location of the Coral Lake Mobile Home Park, addressed the Board and read a statement describing wildlife in existence at Coral Lake, and he advised that his backyard was a Certified Wildlife Habitat. He spoke to the proposed rezoning of Coral Lake and asked the Board’s assistance in saving the lake and wildlife that would be destroyed with redevelopment. Ms. Rose provided information relating to the proposed rezoning and redevelopment of Coral Lake to a townhouse community. She noted that the Planning and Zoning Board had tabled the rezoning pending the receipt of additional information. As of this date, another hearing had not been set, but public notice would be provided. She also advised that this was the first she had heard of an environmental issue on the property. In response to Mr. Johnston’s comment pertaining to “drawing a line in the sand” relating to development, Ms. Rose noted that the property owner had certain development rights provided under the zoning code. Mr. Johnston questioned if the City should look into the position of purchasing the land and then offering it for purchase to the park residents, as he felt that the Environmental Board should be consulted regarding saving as much as of the wildlife as possible. Ms. Rose cautioned regarding the Environmental Board’s involvement because the rezoning hearing was a quasi-judicial hearing, which would be governed by stringent regulations.
Landscape Coordinator Sharon Vollmer described the process that would take place at this year’s Tree Giveaway on April 30th, which would be patterned after
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
Barbara S. Price, CMC
City Clerk