March 15, 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, March 15, 2023 at 5:30pm.

XXX

Chairwoman Thompson called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. Present were Vice Chairman Myjak, Member Perez, Member Tucker, Member Delgado, Member Flis and Alternate Member Young. Member Yount was absent. Staff present was Principle Planner Eddy Galindo and Recording Secretary Laurie Dargie. 

XXX

Member Perez made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 15, 2023 meeting.  Member Flis seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.

XXX

Petitions & Requests from Public Present

Stan Johnston of 860 Poinsettia Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak in regards to the decrease in frogs, snakes, and species in Titusville and in the Indian River Lagoon.

Mary Sphar of 825 Clifton Cove’s Court Cocoa, Florida came to speak in regards to being at City Council meeting’s last night regarding the wetland policies and City Council is going to work on updating the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Sphar said that TEC needs to request that they be kept in the loop.

Motion to extend Ms. Sphar’s speaking time by three minutes.

XXX

Old Business

Urban Tree Canopy Assessment Recommendations

Chairwoman Thompson said that City Council completely ignored the Titusville Environmental Commission’s recommendations at last night City Council meeting on March 14, 2023. 

Chairwoman Thompson said that City Attorney Broome separated the Urban Tree Canopy Assessment from the TEC’s recommendations and City Council did not vote on TEC’s recommendations. 

Discussion took place amongst the TEC members regarding how they did not feel that City Council gave adequate consideration on each of the six recommendations they made.

Member Delgado said a precedent is being started and could happen again with wetlands and this should be addressed regarding the recommendations being overlooked and separated and not voted on. 

Toni Shifalo of 715 Tropic Street Titusville, Florida came to speak in favor of this item.

Mary Sphar of 825 Clifton’s Cove Court Titusville, Florida came to speak neither for nor against this item.

XXX

Member Young made a motion to recommend that the six recommendations that were previously submitted to City Council at their March 14, 2023 meeting be brought back to them to reevaluate, further discuss, and plan with them on how to proceed forward so that they understand what the Titusville Environmental Commission is asking for and consider and make a motion. Member Flis seconded.

Roll call was as follows:

Member Young                       Yes

Member Flis                            Yes

Member Delgado                    Yes

Member Tucker                       Yes

Vice Chairman Myjak             Yes

Member Perez                         Yes

Chairwoman Thompson          Yes

Motion passed.

XXX

New Business

Presentation by Mr. Stan Johnston 

Mr. Johnston gave his Power presentation. Mr. Johnston’s presentation included slides that showed evidence of a sanitary sewer overflow that occurred in the Baker subdivision area of Titusville. The presentation is available by request in audio, digital or paper form from the City of Titusville staff. 

The Titusville Environmental Commission had discussion regarding the sewage spills that Mr. Johnston spoke about. 

Motion to extend the meeting until 8:00pm

Discussion took place as to whether or not the city reported the sewage spills to the Department of Environmental Protection and what the exact procedures are for reporting a spill.

XXX

Member Flis made a motion requesting city staff to provide the Standard Operating Procedures for sewage spills and a report listing all of the sewage spills in Titusville that were reported to the Department of Environmental Protection this last year.  Member Perez seconded.

Roll call was as follows:

Member Perez                         Yes

Vice Chairman Myjak             Yes

Member Young                       Yes

Member Delgado                    Yes

Member Flis                            Yes

Member Tucker                       Yes

Chairwoman Thompson          Yes

Motion passed.

Forested Wetlands

XXX

Vice Chairman Myjak made a motion to table this item until the April 12, 2023 meeting.  Member Flis seconded.

Roll Call is as follows:

Member Young                       Yes

Member Delgado                    Yes

Member Flis                            Yes

Vice Chairman Myjak             Yes

Member Perez                         Yes

Member Tucker                       Yes

Chairwoman Thompson          Yes

Motion passed.

XXX

Petitions and Requests

Toni Shifalo of 715 Tropic Street Titusville, Florida came to speak about zombie trees.

XXX

Reports

None

XXX

Discussion of Future Agenda Items

1. Wetland changes in Comprehensive Plan and to be kept up to date on all items that staff are working on in between meetings. The updates should be provided in paper copies.
2. Forested Wetlands
3. Decrease in insects and birds at a future meeting

XXX

Adjournment 7:52p.m.