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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 02_6/9/2021Agenda Item #2. Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) STAFF MEMO Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) - Jun 09 2021 Staff Contact: Department: Requested and Proposed EAC Projects: a) Creation of an educational article from EAC on Pesticide Usage and the New Pesticide Ordinance provisions for Inclusion on the VOT Website, Social Media, and Other Platforms - Robert Shaw, Vice -Chair, EAC b) Facilitation of Greater Recycling Participation, With Benefits of Doing the Same - Thomas G. Bradford, Chair, EAC c) Trees for Tequesta - Thomas G. Bradford, Chair, EAC This document and any attachments may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by completing our Accessibility Feedback Form, sending an e-mail to the Village Clerk or calling 561-768-0443. 2a Pesticide Info. revised 2 2b Facilitation of Greater Tequesta Recycling Participation 2c Trees for Tequesta Page 7 of 24 Agenda Item #2. The Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regulates the use of pesticides and licenses the pest control industry under Florida's Structural Pest Control Act. While this statute affords the state pre-emption authority on pesticide regulations in Florida, it also dictates municipalities to assist in the enforcement of rules cited in the Structural Pest Control Act. Therefore, Tequesta recently revised the Pesticide Management section within the Village's code of ordinances to be consistent with this Act. Important Information Regarding Pesticide Regulations, Use & Safety CAUTION PRESTICIDE APPLICATION KEEP DOFF CIISi R:-11 PEMOYEKTER. XOURS. - A pesticide is used to prevent, destroy or control insects, fungi, weeds or other plant or animal life. Therefore, insecticides, fungicides and herbicides are all considered pesticides. - For your health and safety and for the protection of our environment, insure that any business and/or their personnel you hire, are properly trained, licensed and/or certified. If you are applying pesticides to your own lawn or landscape, they may only be used in accordance with the registered labels and labeling or as directed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or FDACS. - If you are hiring a business to apply pesticides to your lawn or landscape, they may fall under two different categories; a pest control business or a landscape maintenance business. - If you are hiring a pest control business or a landscape maintenance company, insure that the company is licensed to perform pest control, is properly trained (passed a state exam) with a Certified Operator, and has a vehicle and/or trailer that is permanently marked with the licensee's name. - If you are hiring a landscape maintenance company that does not have a pest control business license nor a Certified Operator, be aware that they are limited as to what scope of service they can provide in terms of pesticide/herbicide application. These landscape maintenance companies cannot make "weed-n-feed" applications or use granular fertilizers with pesticides incorporated within them. However, personnel with these landscape maintenance companies may be able to apply herbicides (weed killer) in a very limited capacity. These personnel must hold a "Limited Certification" issued by the State of Florida to do such application. For your information, Tequesta passed a Resolution in 2020 to eliminate the use of Glyphosate-based herbicides (e.g. Roundup) on all Village public property. Page 8 of 24 Agenda Item #2. To search to check if your current individual pesticide applicator or pest control company is licensed, go to *******aessearch.freshfromflorida.com/ - To search all licensed pest control companies by county and category (search under lawn & ornamental), go to********ceu.freshfromflorida.com/LicenseeReport.aspx - - If you have a complaint involving pesticide application, contact FDACS at (850) 617-7996 or Tecluesta's Code Compliance Dept. at 561-768-0519. - If you would like to learn about health and environmental effects of pesticides, contact FDACS at (850) 617-7917. Finally, consider a landscape without the need for an abundance of pesticides. Over -use or misuse of pesticides can create a sterile landscape and could potentially endanger your health. Yards with native plantings, less lawn and a florida friendly design can improve the health of our local environment and the diversity of our local ecosystem. Page 9 of 24 Agenda Item #2. Memo To: Environmental Advisory Committee Members From: Thomas G. Bradford, Chair, EAC TR cc: NA Date: June 2, 2021 Re: Facilitation of Greater Tequesta Recycling Participation At their meeting on May 13, 2021, the Village Council requested that the EAC come up with public service type messages that can be disseminated across all Village communication platforms, with the goal of increasing Tequesta property owner participation in the current curbside recycling program. In years past, Tequesta had one of the highest per capita rates of recycling in Palm Beach County. I do not know if that has changed or if the Village Council wishes to push high participation rates even further. Village Manager Allen informed me of this the day after the Village Council meeting. I told him the EAC would accept the challenge. After receiving this request, I wrote to the Director of the Palm Beach County SWA Recycling Program and asked if he, or his designee, would come to a meeting of the EAC to present an overview of the SWA recycling program. As of this writing, there has been no response. Tequesta's role in the program is the collection of the recyclables and transporting those collected to the nearest SWA recycling facility. Tequesta contracts with Waste Management to collect and transport all Tequesta recyclables. It is my hope one of the members of the EAC will volunteer to be the point person on this Village Council request on behalf of the EAC. I have added the following links to pertinent websites as sources of information to get the ball rolling. Recycling at home: hllps:Hswa.org/192/Recycling-at-Home Page 10 of 24 Agenda Item #2. Recycling at Work: https://www.swa.org/197/Recycling-at-Work Recycling Bin Forms: https://www.swa.org/196/Recycling-Bin-Forms Presentations: hiips:Hswa.org/422/Presentations USA EPA Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: htips://www.epa.jzov/recycle Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) https://floridadep.gov/waste/waste- reduction/content/recycling Waste Management, Recycling 101: https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-ri hg t/recyclin Village of Tequesta: hitp:Htequesta.org/1236/Recycling P Page 11 of 24 Agenda Item #2. Memo To: Environmental Advisory Committee Members From: Thomas G. Bradford, Chair, EAC cc: NA Date: June 2, 2021 Re: Trees for Tequesta Recently, resident Mark Sapire sent out an email with information on Trees for Houston. I reviewed the website and the associated YouTube video and thought this is exactly what we need in Tequesta. I had been thinking of seeking Tequesta's designation as a Tree City USA, which we once were, but this seems more enticing as it can put trees on the streets instead of a sign saying "Tree City USA." Please go to the attached link to read the page and see the video. https://www.treesforhouston.org/our-mission I believe Tequesta citizens and property owners will embrace a local program here and if so, this may allow us to circumvent Village funding problems and move forward with making Tequesta a fully shaded pedestrian and bicycle friendly locale for all to enjoy while providing a more natural environment that will enhance property values, provide habitat for wildlife, and reduce pollution all the while. The following should be considered: 1) How to make tree planting contributions tax deductible? Options include: o Payments to be made to the Village of Tequesta and placed in a "Tree Planting Fund." Coordination with the Village will be required. or; o Create a 5010 entity for the purpose of the project. However, we should want the Village to own and maintain the trees. Page 12 of 24 Agenda Item #2. 2) A plan for locations where trees should go: o Complete existing, incomplete tree canopies; and o A plan for the location of additional tree streetscapes where not in existence today such as on Old Dixie Hwy. 3) Tree planting standards such as: o Root barrier. Identify locations where required and what the barrier shall be. o Irrigation standards. Some trees, such as the prevalent Live Oak, can be sustained when first planted with scheduled water tanker deliveries and no irrigation thereafter. However, they grow faster and deliver shade sooner with irrigation. o Other standards? 4) Establishing a planned source for the acquisition of new trees to be planted. The Village may require an RFP to secure the trees on a long-term basis. o Costs associated with a live oak could be: i. 30 Gallon live oak delivered - about $300, typically 10+ feet tall. Home Depot sells live oaks under 6 feet in height for less than $40 a piece, with delivery extra. ii. Root Barriers — See link: https:HcentuWootbarrier.com/product/root- barrier-panels/ about $155 to $232 per tree. Also, for a concrete root barrier see this link: iii. Installation: 50% of tree price. Therefore, $150 in this example. iv. Total Live Oak Cost: $6441 5) Major sponsors should likely be willing to make contributions. What do the members of the EAC think of this idea? If you think it has merit, we need to get the support of the Village to move forward. Not all tree locations will require a root barrier. Irrigation is extra and should be provided by the Village or the LRECD using IQ water, say along the edges of Old Dixie Hwy. E Page 13 of 24