1. CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTIONS, REVIEW OF AGENDA
The meeting of the Lee County Smart Growth Advisory Committee was opened by Chairman Bill Hammond at 6:09 p.m. in the First Floor Meeting Room of the Lee County Administration Building. The following Committee Members were in attendance:
Mr. Jack Eikenberg
Mr. Dennis Gilkey
Mr. Bill Hammond
Ms. Carol Hudler
Mr. Tim Kenny
Mr. Arnold Rosenthal
The following Committee members were excused absent:
Mr. Don Eslick
Mr. Lee Ford
Mr. Rob Fowler
Mr. Bob Janes
Mr. Rudy Marion
Mr. Steve Maxwell (represented by Ms. Kathy Malone)
Mr. Steve Smith
Mr. Don Stilwell
The following Committee members were absent:
Ms. Jeannie Dozier
Ms. Kate English
Since the committee was one person short of a quorum, it was agreed to first discuss the non-action items.
Mr. Wayne Daltry, Smart Growth Director, referred to the last meeting wherein the Committee suggested going to the Board of County Commissioners and requesting an update of the DRGR (Density Reduction Groundwater Resource areas). Mr. Daltry referred to the volumes of material and maps he has researched. He advised that the preliminary effort is to do more analysis into the groundwater resource areas and let that determine where the groundwater resource area should be. After working with staff, Mr. Daltry opined that he would be bringing this before the Board in August.
Brownfields – a preliminary recommendation of this committee is going before the Board on June 24th to be approved. Success will depend on having enough staff. Mr. Daltry noted that there are a couple Grants for which the County can make application. A discussion on the brownfields issue ensued. AT THIS TIME MS. HUDLER ARRIVED, GIVING THE COMMITTEE A QUORUM. Discussion continued with Greyfields, which are commercial areas that should be reused.
2. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Accept and approve the Minutes as amended by discussion of the members.
Mr. Brian Griffin moved to approve the Minutes of the May 21st meeting, seconded by Mr. Jack Eikenberg. Ms. Ellen Linblad requested that on page 2, she be referred to as “Ms. Linblad” rather than “Mr. Linblad”. It was agreed that on Item 3 C 6 on page 2, the word “by” in the second sentence should be changed to “be”. The motion was called and carried.
3. ACTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS SECTIONS
A. WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ISSUES TO RECOMMENDATIONS (distributed)
Review and amend preliminary recommendations for action. The Committee reviewed the first two sections, and the amendments have been made. The latter two sections are for review, refinement and acceptance.
Mr. Wayne Daltry opened discussion on this item, noting that the review starts on page 3 of 7 and continues through 7 of 7. Topics discussed included:
The effects of mining operations
The storing of water at mining operations
The lack of air quality standards
III ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
The following suggestions were agreed upon.
1. A. (“Ci”) Conduct an analysis of enforcement and compliance needs, and establish a priority list for implementation and fund to appropriate staff level. (“P”).
B. (“A”) Set creiteria for programmatic monitoring and enforcement specific to SWFla. (“I”)
C. (“A”) Pursue a common set of local permitting criteria, incentives, and regulatory measures specifically for SWFla conditions that would rehydrate the region, and meet minimum flows and levels. (“I”)
2. A. (“Ci”) Define Carrying Capacity and the constraints to continual development as a quality of life characteristic. (“P”)
C. Set science based goals to assess what is necessary to maintain desired environmental factors, such as panthers extant, Estero Bay health, and so forth. (“P”, “I”)
D. (“R”) Prepare a general assessment (barometer of variables) that links the goal of (and) capacity of development (built environment) to environment (natural or green space).
3. B. (“Ci”) Prepare an exotic eradication plan/management plan including an assessment of compliance with current regs/compliance plan using incentives for owners to remove exotics on private lands. (“P” and (“E”)
C. The committee agreed to remove this item.
4. B. (“Ci”) Regain waterfront access for public availability. (“P”)
5. A. Mr. Dennis Gilkey moved to delete Item A, seconded by Mr. Jack Eikenberg. Following an indepth discussion on the emission from heavy trucks, Mr. Daltry summarized, “consider a county based vehicle emission standards with particular focus on heavy trucks”. The committee agreed. Mr. Gilkey withdrew his motion.
C. (“Ci”) Use bio diesel or other clean fuels in public vehicles. (“B”)
6. C. (“Cci”) Encourage chip and ship instead of stack and burn land clearing. (“P”)
D. The committee agreed to remove this item.
7. Approved as written
8. Brownfields/Infill – Approved as written
9. A. Some committee members questioned that this item was deleted at a prior meeting.
10. C. (“Ci”) Undertake a science based examination of the cumulative impacts of the “rock belt” and its impact area. (“P”)
E. Create a master plan with the stake holders, including the mining industry, to provide for the eventual environmental connection and public use of the lakes produced in the mining process. (“P”)
F. (“Ci” and “A”) Examine water storage/water quality potential for existing and future lands in conditional buffered lands. An incentive fee should be provided to encourage increased existing water storage. (“P”, “E” and “I”)
Public comment was received during the discussions from the following persons:
Mr. Dan Moser, spoke to air quality issues, especially automotive
Ms. Peggy Apger, spoke on the mining issue and the DRGR
At this time Chairman Hammond called for a short break. When called back to order, discussion continued.
IV RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND FUNDING
1. C. The committee agreed to delete this item.
2. The committee agreed to delete this item as there were no recommendations. As a result of discussion on Item 3, it was agreed to add:
A. FGCU take the lead in creating and implementing a multi-partner three tier curriculum for environmental education. (“I”)
B. FGCU/Lee County School System to provide more funding specifically for environmental education.
5. This item was approved as submitted.
6. D. (“R”, “A”) Develop a Water Budget that adequately describes how we are using water today and promotes a Water Budget that achieves our goals. (“P”, “E”, “I”)
Review and amend preliminary recommendations for action. The preliminary recommendations were distributed.
Mr. Brian Griffin moved Community Character to the August 20th meeting, seconded by Mr. Tim Kenney, called and carried.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
A. PRELIMINARY OUTREACH STRATEGY:
1. Develop a Speaking Engagement List
2. Review Recommendations with each Community Planning Organization. (A staff report will need to be developed for each community, describing potential impact of recommendations.)
3. Meet with each appropriate County advisory body and staff. (A Committee Chairman will be needed for these; staff will work with the appropriate committee staffer on meeting dates and agenda. The primary purpose will be to discuss potential impact of recommendations with each committee.)
4. Meet with appropriate non-county public agency. (A Committee Chairman or a County Policy Board member – or both – will be needed for these.)
Mr. Daltry advised that he will continue to set up meetings with other County committees. He speaks to groups once or twice a week.
B. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT – EPA’S 100 POLICIES FOR SMART GROWTH. (Reduced to 84)
C. OTHER BUSINESS AND NOTICES
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
The Chairman called for public input and the following citizen came forward:
Ms. Susan Brookman, advised that last summer a permitting coordination symposium was convened; she offered to submit a white paper on the outcome and recommendations
7. SET NEXT MEETING DATE AND ADJOURN
The next meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2003, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Lee County Administration Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley E. Rost