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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 04 23 Approval of April 11, 2007 Workshop Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP APRIL 11, 2007 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Wednesday, April 11, 2007 of the City Commission was called to Order by Mayor John F. Bush at 5:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Mayor John F. Bush, present Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis, present Commissioner Robert S. Miller, present Commissioner Rick Brown, present Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore, present Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs, present City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, present A moment of silence preceded the Pledge of Allegiance. INFORMATIONAL AGENDA INFORMATIONAL 100. Public Works Department Providing Information To The City Commission Regarding Stormwater Management Activities Currently Being Performed By Staff. Mr. Brian Fields, P.E., introduced this Agenda Item and the guests for tonight's Workshop. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 300. Public Works Department Requests That The City Commission Listen To A Presentation From Mr. Robert King, Chairman Of The Friends Of Lake Jesup. Mr. Robert King, 2211 Black Hammock, Oviedo, Florida: representing the Friends of Lake Jesup, Mr. King spoke about Lake Jesup. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - APRIL I I, 2007 PAGE20F5 With discussion, Commissioner Robert S. Miller stated, "Saving Lake Jesup then is really controlling what is flowing into the lake from the surrounding area and not what is already in the lake." Mr. King remarked, "That is a beginning." Dr. Sherry Brandt-Williams, Environmental Scientist IV, Department of Water Resources, Sf. John's River Water Management District, 4049 Reid Street, Post Office Box 1429, Palatka, Florida: addressed the City Commission on contaminants affecting Lake Jesup. With discussion, Dr. Brandt-Williams explained that "Phosphorus is going to be our primary focus, because we think that if we can focus on one (1) constituent, one (1) pollutant and reduce it, that will take care of all the other problems in the lake." Furthermore, Dr. Brandt-Williams noted, "We think the right order to do that is to clean up what is coming in first, what's coming in from the tributaries because the load is significant. And then once that's done, you have - just a normal load coming in from the watershed that you clean up what's still left behind that hasn't been taken care of through that process." Discussion ensued on phosphorus to which Dr. Brandt-Williams spoke of outreach programs "To help people understand why they need to not use their old fertilizer and why they need to buy new ones is an absolutely - a cost-effective way of reducing phosphorus." Commissioner Miller commented that "We could reduce the total impact on Lake Jesup by almost twenty-five percent (25%) just by notifying everybody in the City not to use this, but to use that instead." Discussion ensued on the use of nitrogen to turn a lawn green and Dr. Brandt-Williams noted, "If you have agriculture in your area, they're still going to be using fertilizer with phosphates in it, because they need that. All new growth needs phosphates. It's just established lawns require only nitrogen, so new developments are still going to be asking for forms of phosphate. You just have to be very careful how you apply it. And that's the other part of that outreach, is telling them to make sure they don't overuse it - that they really use the right amount so there is no run-off. It's taken all up by the plants that they're actually growing. So, that's part of an educational program that you would put in,to place." Further discussion. Commissioner Miller asked if they could have a copy of this presentation. Dr. Brandt- Williams responded by saying, "You can have copies of this whole presentation if you want. " :;;~:5~::::: ~~ CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - APRIL I I, 2007 PAGE30F5 Discussion followed on phosphorus related problems with Lake Jesup. With further discussion, Dr. Brandt-Williams remarked, "It will be the responsibility of the municipalities and the counties to try to seek funding to meet their allocations, to meet their load reductions goals. The District is more than willing I am sure, to help with wherever they can." Discussion followed on septic tank issues to which Dr. Brandt-Williams stated, "Another great local Ordinance opportunity." Dr. Brandt-Williams then explained, "Most of the newer septic tank systems that have been permitted by the Department of Health and the different counties are fine, because they were very careful about what soil they let them put it on; how much soil has to go." Dr. Brandt-Williams continued, "It's mostly the older ones that - were put in before anyone really understood how it was going to affect groundwater. Some of that is a groundwater effect and some of it is direct drainage into - tributaries, the smaller little creeks, and canals, and little finger let waterways." With discussion on fertilizer problems, Dr. Brandt-Williams remarked, "Every individual resident has to take responsible for the fertilizer that they're using." Discussion followed on new kinds of fertilizer and enforcement issues. Dr. Brandt-Williams added, "We believe that an education or an outreach program or an Ordinance would be very effective in making sure that they're not using that." Mayor Bush then asked, "What good would an Ordinance do if we can't enforce it?" Dr. Brandt-Williams agreed and said, "How do you enforce it? That's the problem." Discussion. Tape I/Side B Much discussion followed on dredging, advanced methods, and golf courses. Mr. King spoke further on Lake Jesup. Further discussion. Mayor Bush asked Mr. King, "So, what should the Winter Springs Commission do?" Mr. King responded, "This discussion about these regional stormwater parks at the end of the tributaries, you all have one. It's in your City - the Minter property is in Winter Springs. " CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - APRIL 11,2007 PAGE 4 OF 5 Discussion. Tape 2/Side A Further discussion. Ms. Christianne Ferraro, P.E., Program Administrator, Water Resource Management, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Central District, 3319 Maguire Boulevard, Suite 232, Orlando, Florida: addressed the City Commission. Discussion ensued on retentions ponds. Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs asked, "Couldn't we plant some of those plants in some of the retention ponds that we have now?" Mr. Fields stated, "We do." Mr. Fields added, "We could and we intend to do that at other locations." With comments on recent improvements to Oak Forest Lake, Mr. Kip Lockcuff, P.E., Director, Public WorkslUtility Department noted, "We have got to do a better job of educating or changing species or whatever - everyone likes that sterile look. It is probably the least effective." Discussion. Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis suggested that "It seems that a really important component here, a piece of the puzzle is community education and how do you make this interesting to catch people." Deputy Mayor McGinnis added, "I think it should have a high priority" and suggested that Mr. King do some outreach in the schools. Discussion ensued on current programs and efforts going on in the area. Commissioner Krebs suggested that "One of the things 1 think would be really, really helpful and 1 don't know if you have any money for outreach or anything like that, but we have community events, we have it at the Town Center, we have it over here - just if there was some type of tent with information - it is amazing the impact that can have." Ms. Ferraro suggested that some areas have Earth Day events (in April) and recommended "Having - some future Earth Day event - Central Winds Park - 1 think is right on the lake (Jesup), isn't it or very close? So, that might help raise awareness about Lake Jesup and this whole thing with the fertilizer - trying to get the word out to people. " Further discussion. ADJOURNMENT CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - APRIL I I, 2007 PAGE 5 OF 5 Mayor Bush adjourned the Workshop at 7:21 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ANDREA LORENZO-LUACES, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: JOHN F. BUSH MAYOR NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the , 2007 Regular City Commission Meeting. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP APRIL 11, 2007 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Wednesday, April 11, 2007 of the City Commission was called to Order by Mayor John F. Bush at 5:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Mayor John F. Bush, present Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis, present Commissioner Robert S. Miller, present Commissioner Rick Brown, present Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore, present Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs, present City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, present A moment of silence preceded the Pledge of Allegiance. INFORMATIONAL AGENDA INFORMATIONAL 100. Public Works Department Providing Information To The City Commission Regarding Stormwater Management Activities Currently Being Performed By Staff. Mr. Brian Fields, P.E., introduced this Agenda Item and the guests for tonight's Workshop. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 300. Public Works Department Requests That The City Commission Listen To A Presentation From Mr. Robert King, Chairman Of The Friends Of Lake Jesup. Mr. Robert King, 2211 Black Hammock, Oviedo, Florida: representing the Friends of Lake Jesup, Mr. King spoke about Lake Jesup. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - APRIL 11,2007 PAGE20F5 With discussion, Commissioner Robert S. Miller stated, "Saving Lake Jesup then is really controlling what is flowing into the lake from the surrounding area and not what is already in the lake." Mr. King remarked, "That is a beginning." Dr. Sherry Brandt-Williams, Environmental Scientist IV, Department of Water Resources, St. John's River Water Management District, 4049 Reid Street, Post Office Box 1429, Palatka, Florida: addressed the City Commission on contaminants affecting Lake Jesup. With discussion, Dr. Brandt-Williams explained that "Phosphorus is going to be our primary focus, because we think that if we can focus on one (1) constituent, one (1) pollutant and reduce it, that will take care of all the other problems in the lake." Furthermore, Dr. Brandt-Williams noted, "We think the right order to do that is to clean up what is coming in first, what's coming in from the tributaries because the load is significant. And then once that's done, you have - just a normal load coming in from the watershed that you clean up what's still left behind that hasn't been taken care of through that process." Discussion ensued on phosphorus to which Dr. Brandt-Williams spoke of outreach programs "To help people understand why they need to not use their old fertilizer and why they need to buy new ones is an absolutely - a cost-effective way of reducing phosphorus. " Commissioner Miller commented that "We could reduce the total impact on Lake Jesup by almost twenty-five percent (25%) just by notifying everybody in the City not to use this, but to use that instead." Discussion ensued on the use of nitrogen to turn a lawn green and Dr. Brandt-Williams noted, "If you have agriculture in your area, they're still going to be using fertilizer with phosphates in it, because they need that. All new growth needs phosphates. It's just established lawns require only nitrogen, so new developments are still going to be asking for forms of phosphate. You just have to be very careful how you apply it. And that's the other part of that outreach, is telling them to make sure they don't overuse it - that they really use the right amount so there is no run-off. It's taken all up by the plants that they're actually growing. So, that's part of an educational program that you would put into place." Further discussion. Commissioner Miller asked if they could have a copy of this presentation. Dr. Brandt- Williams responded by saying, "You can have copies of this whole presentation if you want. " CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - APRIL I I, 2007 PAGE30F5 Discussion followed on phosphorus related problems with Lake Jesup. With further discussion, Dr. Brandt-Williams remarked, "It will be the responsibility of the municipalities and the counties to try to seek funding to meet their allocations, to meet their load reductions goals. The District is more than willing I am sure, to help with wherever they can." Discussion followed on septic tank issues to which Dr. Brandt-Williams stated, "Another great local Ordinance opportunity." Dr. Brandt-Williams then explained, "Most of the newer septic tank systems that have been permitted by the Department of Health and the different counties are fine, because they were very careful about what soil they let them put it on; how much soil has to go." Dr. Brandt-Williams continued, "It's mostly the older ones that - were put in before anyone really understood how it was going to affect groundwater. Some of that is a groundwater effect and some of it is direct drainage into - tributaries, the smaller little creeks, and canals, and little finger let waterways." With discussion on fertilizer problems, Dr. Brandt-Williams remarked, "Every individual resident has to take responsible for the fertilizer that they're using." Discussion followed on new kinds of fertilizer and enforcement issues. Dr. Brandt-Williams added, "We believe that an education or an outreach program or an Ordinance would be very effective in making sure that they're not using that." Mayor Bush then asked, "What good would an Ordinance do if we can't enforce it?" Dr. Brandt-Williams agreed and said, "How do you enforce it? That's the problem." Discussion. Tape I/Side B Much discussion followed on dredging, advanced methods, and golf courses. Mr. King spoke further on Lake Jesup. Further discussion. Mayor Bush asked Mr. King, "So, what should the Winter Springs Commission do?" Mr. King responded, "This discussion about these regional storm water parks at the end of the tributaries, you all have one. It's in your City - the Minter property is in Winter Springs. " CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - APRIL I 1,2007 PAGE40F5 Discussion. Tape 2/Side A Further discussion. Ms. Christianne Ferraro, P.E., Program Administrator, Water Resource Management, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Central District, 3319 Maguire Boulevard, Suite 232, Orlando, Florida: addressed the City Commission. Discussion ensued on retentions ponds. Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs asked, "Couldn't we plant some of those plants in some of the retention ponds that we have now?" Mr. Fields stated, "We do." Mr. Fields added, "We could and we intend to do that at other locations." With comments on recent improvements to Oak Forest Lake, Mr. Kip Lockcuff, P.E., Director, Public WorkslUtility Department noted, "We have got to do a better job of educating or changing species or whatever - everyone likes that sterile look. It is probably the least effective." Discussion. Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis suggested that "It seems that a really important component here, a piece of the puzzle is community education and how do you make this interesting to catch people." Deputy Mayor McGinnis added, "I think it should have a high priority" and suggested that Mr. King do some outreach in the schools. Discussion ensued on current programs and efforts going on in the area. Commissioner Krebs suggested that "One of the things I think would be really, really helpful and I don't know if you have any money for outreach or anything like that, but we have community events, we have it at the Town Center, we have it over here - just if there was some type of tent with information - it is amazing the impact that can have." Ms. Ferraro suggested that some areas have Earth Day events (in April) and recommended "Having - some future Earth Day event - Central Winds Park - I think is right on the lake (Jesup), isn't it or very close? So, that might help raise awareness about Lake Jesup and this whole thing with the fertilizer - trying to get the word out to people. " Further discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - APRIL 11,2007 PAGE 5 OF 5 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjourned the Workshop at 7:21 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: A LORENZO-LUACES, CMC CLERK APPROVED: ~hlJ<<~ ~ BUSH MAYOR NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the April 23, 2007 Regular City Commission Meeting.