Beach and Coastal Resources Advisory Committee

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, March 20, 2019 9:00 AM Community Room Beach and Coastal Resources Advisory Committee Chair: Maria Lamb Vice-Chair: Robert Eastman Members: Donald Bonica, Ruth McCann, Ray McChesney, Judy Novak, Nathaniel O'Donnell City Staff: Daniel Smith, Tonia Selmeski, and Patty Mastronardi Beach and Coastal Resources Meeting Minutes - Final March 20, 2019 Advisory Committee (1) CALL TO ORDER Chair Lamb called meeting to ordert 9:00 a.m. (2) ROLL CALL Present: 7- Member McCann, Chair Lamb, Member Novak, Member ODonnell, Vice-Chair Eastman, Member McChesney and Member Bonica (3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Chair Lamb. (4) APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION by Member McChesney, seconded by Vice-Chair Eastman, that this MOTION be approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 7- Member McCann, Chair Lamb, Member Novak, Member ODonnell, Vice-Chair Eastman, Member McChesney and Member Bonica (5) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES ID 19-148 Draft BchCRAC Minutes for February 20, 2019 Attachments: Draft BchCRAC Minutes 20-FEB-2019.pdf MOTION by Member McCann, seconded by Member McChesney, that this MOTION be approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 7- Member McCann, Chair Lamb, Member Novak, Member ODonnell, Vice-Chair Eastman, Member McChesney and Member Bonica (6) STAFF COMMUNICATIONS a. 2019 February MIPD Beach Report - Lt. Clayton Smith ID 19-149 Feb. 2019 MIPD Beach Patrol Report Attachments: February 2019 BEACH PATROL REPORT.docx Member McChesney stated he will be leaving at 9:45 a.m. Lt. Smith was not present. b. Endangered Species Update Ms. Selmeski stated City Attorney is reviewing language of ordinance to move forward. An informational email will be sent to contractors regarding accessing vacant lots for safety of endangered species. c. Iguana Trapper Update Ms. Selmeski stated City allocated additional $15,000 for iguana trapping services, funding until City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 Beach and Coastal Resources Meeting Minutes - Final March 20, 2019 Advisory Committee September 2019. City documenting spreadsheets, tracking activity reports, requesting photos of every removal, and bringing FWC back for additional education with option for another workshop. Member Bonica stated iguanas can carry salmonella, can hit with one blow, should not hit twice due to animal cruetly laws. Ms. Selmeski stated trapper mentioned iguanas trapped were females with many eggs. Iguanas are invasive species, will not irradicate them. If any ideas or suggestions, we can discuss internally. Chair Lamb stated need to educate residents with mailings or workshops (in season). d. Red Tide Update Collier County did not updated website for test samples yesterday. Last week, March 13, 2019, no red tide in Collier County. e. Beach Signage Update Ms. Selmeski stated "No Plastic Straws" sign completed and ready to pick up end of week. Chair Lamb stated Parks & Recreation Department working on partnership with Collier County to add "Tobacco Free" signs on Marco Island's walkways. Ms. Selmeski will coordinate with Ms. Malloy, Parks & Recreation Department. f. Fertilizer Ordinance Update Ms. Selmeski stated Police Department shared information with public for additional enforcement of Fertilizer Ordinance for posting with businesses (posted at Ace Hardware) and social media. She updated City website, permit application linked, did not receive contractor applications, need more communication. g. Collier County Re-grade Project Update Ms. Selmeski attended weekly meetings with Collier County to discuss project status or issues. April 15, 2019 is completion date. h. Water Quality Workshop Update Great workshop provided by Tim Hall, hired and contracted test analysis on Marco Island historical data, and recommendations were to decrease chemicals. Waiting for quote from Collier County for water quality testing monthly and quarterly. Member McCann reported City of Naples reinstated ban on applying fertilizer in rainy season. There were differences in water quality testing, noticed levels of nitrogen were down, not sure why not being enforced. Chair Lamb stated need line item on FY20 Budget for water quality testing. (7) PUBLIC COMMENT (TIME CERTAIN 9:30 A.M.) None. (8) PRESENTATIONS City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 Beach and Coastal Resources Meeting Minutes - Final March 20, 2019 Advisory Committee a. Black Skimmer Summer Banding - Adam Dinuovo - Audubon of the Western Everglades ID 19-152 Black Skimmer Presentation Attachments: Skimmer Update.pptx Mr. DiNuovo thanked BAC for supporting project from 2017. He presented bird banding, longevity of birds, migrating locations and survival of chicks. Map showed locations of St. Petersburg, birds in Sarasota in fall, not many birds in middle of winter compared 2017 to 2018. Some birds did not survive from parasite infection. Bacteria will be better explained in next publication, common stressor possibly red tide, other bacteria, and possibly starvation. Member Bonica inquired about releasing birds when sick. Mr. DiNuovo reported 24 banded birds this year, growths were stunted. Catching birds, adding metal bands, re-measuring, best ways to survive, keep with adults or could not survive due to nature. Mr. DiNuovo stated some birds can shade off parasite, do not take in for rehab, it's part of process, not banding adults. If adult birds get sick, will take some birds to rehab, not sure of survival, adults are breeders. No impact on bird colony on Sand Dollar Island, it would be detriment. (9) OLD BUSINESS a. Finalize 2019 BchCRAC Goals ID 19-150 2019 BchCRAC Goals Attachments: BEACH GOALS 2019.docx Chair Lamb reviewed 2019 goals with committee, and after revisions finalized. Chair Lamb stated to work with businesses. Come up with environmental award. Committee volunteered as liaison for following organizations: Member Bonica - FWC Member McCann - Audubon, Western Everglades Member O'Donnell - next year Leadership Marco Committee further discussed 2019 final goals. MOTION by Member McCann, to finalize 2019 BchCRAC Goals, seconded by Vice-Chair Eastman, that this MOTION be approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 7- Member McCann, Chair Lamb, Member Novak, Member ODonnell, Vice-Chair Eastman, Member McChesney and Member Bonica b. Donald Bonica - Update on Wildlife Liability See 8.a. and 9.d. from Member Bonica. c. Gopher Tortoise Survey ID 19-151 Gopher Tortoise Survey City of Marco Island Florida Page 3 Beach and Coastal Resources Meeting Minutes - Final March 20, 2019 Advisory Committee Attachments: 2019 GopherTortoiseSurvey.pdf Chair Lamb stated old survey approved to move forward with funds to revise new survey. Cost is $2,500. MOTION by Chair Lamb, to revise old Gopher Tortoise Survey, seconded by Vice-Chair Eastman, that this MOTION be approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yes: 7- Member McCann, Chair Lamb, Member Novak, Member ODonnell, Vice-Chair Eastman, Member McChesney and Member Bonica d. Penalties & Fines for Listed Species Member McChesney left at 9:45 a.m. Ms.Selmeski sited burrowing owl berm. She recommended homeowner, builder and FWC apply for FWC permit to remove burrow from single family home with proper procedures. Contractor moved forward, requirements were followed, covered inactive burrow, construction began, gave to Code Enforcement and sent information to FWC, now between contractor and property owner. Member Bonica stated there are strong federal/state regulation levels. Guidelines are: some penalties are fines/imprisonment, nests should never be moved if birds are young, will never come back to breed. Vice Chair Eastman stated birds stay here, Audubon is successful finding other locations if burrows are destroyed. Contractors need education on laws. Member McCann stated species ordinance was approved with revisions, City Council did not support penalties, can review again with examples making a difference to City Council. Ms. Selmeski stated, there are hurdles with ordinance, if opportunity to change again, does not know how successful it is, in 6 months to a year. If support is there to make changes in language, how enforceable will it be? Possible opportunity to improve in future with more penalties. Island builds out open space on island, preserving some space or learn to come up with idea. Need enforcement and penalties, education and outreach. Island is built out and all properties are used, help species live in back yard. e. Lightning Guard over South Beach Chair Lamb stated Tigertail Beach (belongs to Collier County) was not included in proposal. Tigertail Beach does not have Thor Guard Lightning system possibly due to summer nesting birds on Sand Dollar Island. Topic of banning cigarettes on beach discussed by committee: . Naples supported SB 218, a ban on smoking on Florida's beaches. Councilor Rios presented a symbolic resolution to City Council but did not get support. Five (5) City Council members disagreed butts were litter, and two agreed butts were litter. . In future, still collect butts, people and opinions can change, continue counting and documenting. City of Marco Island Florida Page 4 Beach and Coastal Resources Meeting Minutes - Final March 20, 2019 Advisory Committee (10) NEW BUSINESS a. Unmanned Drones Over Critical Wildlife Areas Chair Lamb received many calls on drones flying over osprey nests and disturbance and harrassment of burrowing owl nests. Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and Golden Eagle Act protects Ospreys and Eagles against disturbance. Ms. Selmeski will return with regulations for allowed distance to fly near nests. Newly adopted Species Act states 500' away. Need discussion with Police Department on law requirements. Members discussed bans on drones: . If bird nesting is disturbed, chicks can jump out and fall to death. . 3 drone operators on South Beach, do not see any limitations on Marco Island, no drone ban, need to inform public, ordinance on line. . Police stated unable to ban, governed by FAA. Not sure if bans in other areas. . Suggest drone ban. . Other ways to ban: Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), or Golden Eagle Act, or Airborne Hunting Act. Brad Cornell, Audubon reported Captain Baer stated Marco Island not able to enforce restrictions, can only enforce where drones land in critical wildlife area. Aerial Hunting Act can be enforced for flying over wildlife. He will bring more Information at next BchCRAC meeting on ordinance related issues and enforcement. b. Preparation for Sea Turtle Season Ms. Selmeski stated Collier County sending packets to waterfront condominiums for May 1, 2019 season. April 10, 2019, Gopher Tortoise Day (from Rick Scott). Member Bonica will represent committee as liaison with FWC. Ms. Selmeski will give contact information. FWC coming to Farmers Market, bringing information to educate residents on Gopher Tortoises. Open spot, can add additional information on that day. City of Marco Island issuing Proclamation on April 1, 2019. (11) COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS a. Beach Clean-Up Next clean up is April 13, 2019 at Tigertail Beach at 8:00 a.m. Committee clean up date is May 4th at South Beach at 8:00 a.m. M.I.C.A. - participating with Chamber of Commerce on Community Expo on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. Bringing 2019 Beach Clean Up Schedule to recruit more volunteers and advise public of committee's involvement. b. Volunteer Beach Stewardship Program City of Marco Island Florida Page 5 Beach and Coastal Resources Meeting Minutes - Final March 20, 2019 Advisory Committee Member Novak continues recruiting volunteers with another training, not good time now, people leaving, wait until October to try again with more advertising. Presently, 5-6 people volunteered to use own time schedule. Chair Lamb concurred to reboot program later part of October 2019. " Ask Me About The Beach" sign will draw interest for new name "Beach Stewardship Program Rebooted". Chair Lamb read Legislative update (Senator Hutson, sponsor of SB 588 Ban on the Ban on Plastic Straws and Single Use Plastic Bags) - bill added need for FEDP study and need to wait five years. (12) ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m. 4 people in audience. NOTE: TWO OR MORE CITY COUNCILORS OR OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS MAY BE PRESENT City of Marco Island Florida Page 6