BCCA-24-0108

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TranscriptWhat was said at each appearance is below it. Machine transcription, with speaker names inferred from voice matching. 84% of 67 lines carry a name. It shows what was said, not what was decided, and both the words and the names can be wrong.

1. 1Apr 10, 2024
   Board of County CommissionersR36Regular businessNo disposition in the minutes

   Open this item →▶ Play from 1:18:36
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   Ron OakleyChair

   1:18:36Go to the regular agenda. And it's R thirty six, I believe. Yes. Okay.

   Tyler Matthews

   1:18:48Good morning. My name is Tyler Matthews. I'm here to represent uh the Florida Department of Transportation. I'm the Brooksville Operations Engineer that maintains and uh does roadway construction on state roadways for Pasco, Orlando, and Citrus Counties. Uh on a on a quick personal note, uh, it was really great to see Sister Roberta up here. I went to the Holy Name Academy in San Antonio, St. Leo. Uh so that was really cool. Um and then also um Deputy Chief um Sean Whited, I was part of his Firefighter

   1:19:18Explorers program. So uh I want to let you guys all know that that uh Pasco County and and how it looks and how we operate is important to me. Um and so also a uh public servant with F DOT. Uh so real brief um history on why I'm up here talking about invasive species. I did not uh you know this is not a passion project for me. So on March 19th I joined Commissioner Starkey on a ride-along along State Road 52. We noted areas of invasive

   1:19:48coding grass on private property and within the state of uh Florida right-of-way. Some of these areas were also identified in active construction projects. So during this ride-along, I was invited to discuss how the Department of Transportation handles invasive species in state right-of-way. FDOT recognized a list of top invasive plant species on our website and in our standard specification handbook. The top two of these species being Coke and grass and tropical soda apple, which we

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:20:20Nasty point.

   Tyler Matthews

   1:20:21Um so to protect the right of way of these invasive species, we require our construction and maintenance contracts to follow specifications for identifying and removing such plants. Since our right along the area is

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:20:33Can you can you repeat that sentence again?

   Tyler Matthews

   1:20:35Sure. To protect the right away of these invasive species we require construction and maintenance contracts to follow specifications for identifying and removing such plants.

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:20:45Yeah.

   Tyler Matthews

   1:20:46So since our right-along those areas that we've noted are being handled as part of the program, so those that were in the construction projects were sent to the contractors to eradicate that code grass. And then areas without outside of construction projects, our maintenance folks have uh begun to address that. For construction, we use our standard specifications handbook while holding contractors responsible for providing the best product as possible. With respect to vegetation, we reference section 570

   1:21:16of performance curve. This is just a chapter in our specifications that outline placing SOD in the right-way and what our expectations is for that SOD. Uh contractors require to monitor it for exotic and invasive pest plants. If a invasive or exotic pest plant is found within 30 to 60 days, contractor is required to eradicate it at no expense to the department. If it's after the 60 days, we still tell them to eradicate it,

   1:21:46but the department may compensate them for that. So either way, it is our plan to eradicate it and not let it live. Uh if um so part of uh part of that section 570 is turf establishment. So we expect um when you throw a square sod out it's not gonna grow quickly, so it does have some time to establish. If there's any kind of latent seeds or anything that could grow, they're also expected to monitor that. Um

   1:22:18Um if during an establishment there is no we make sure there's no competing vegetation, exotic or invasive plants, you must monitor the turf areas and remove all competing vegetation.

   1:22:32Remove such vegetation regularly by acceptable means. Um and then follow up further on in section five seventy, we talk about the responsible party uh being the contractor. Once the construction project is over, all maintenance is handed over back to uh the Department of Transportation or the maintaining agency, if it is on a county road or a city road. Um but the it's turf establishment remains. So if They laid SOD uh two days away

   1:23:03from final acceptance, that sixty days still remains. So they must monitor it and then eradicate anything that's invasive after that.

   1:23:12For our maintenance division, we're held to a standard of the maintenance rating program, which we call MRP. That is three periodic inspections per year of all of our state roadways, and it's random. We pick about 35 points within each of our areas in District 7. These inspections evaluate all aspects of the roadway and include vegetation elements, landscaping, mowing, and turf conditions. Turf in the mowing area is required to be 75% free of undesirable

   1:23:43vegetation alone or in combination. Cogan grass and tropical soda apple are included in the undesirable vegetation list in the MRP handbook. If it's greater than twenty-five percent consumed with these invasive species, it fails that point and it uh affects our MRP score. For areas of invasive vegetation that are found within the right-of-way, FDOT has an inventory of these locations. It's a spreadsheet that stays on my computer, which is fun to peruse occasionally. On this inventory we

   1:24:13track the area if it's isolated and also if it's encroaching encroaching off from public or private property, which we witnessed plenty of that. We track the square footage, previous treatment dates, and we also document the type of herbicide we used. And we've uh we discussed it on our ride-through we use the glyphosate herbicide for our treatment. FDOT uses a combination of contracted support and in-herp uh in-house herbicide applicators uh that are certified

   1:24:43through the Department of Agriculture and require continuing education hours. Uh we recommend you know poor application can hurt the applicator and the environment, so it's important that you get certified applicators. Uh that's all that I've got. Uh that concludes what I've discussed. If you've got any questions.

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:25:00Um so we have well well I'm very glad that you're here and I see my administrators making lots of notes. We have some staff that's gonna talk about what we're doing and then I think we could take questions. Does that work, Black? Does that w 'cause I have some questions in coming.

   Mike Carballa

   1:25:14That sounds good. I'll have our public works team come up first and then uh development services.

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:25:20But I'm very encouraged from what I hear is their I probably if I was really on the ball I would have had Swift Mud here as well. Because they are very on top of their coke and grass.

   1:25:34Well I'm gonna ask him for money. I'm glad he's here

   Unidentified speakerVoice A

   1:25:43Good morning, Mr. Chair. Good morning to the board and staff. Good to see you all again. My name is Barrett Doe, and I serve as the Assistant Director for the Public Works Department over operations and technical services. So we had a great meeting with Commissioner Starkey on the 28th of March to discuss a landscaping project, and Cogan Grass came up, so very uh excited for the opportunity to share what we're doing internally. At the staff level here. So, as you all know, um, cognras came into the US in the early 1900s

   1:26:13and has been named one of the uh worst weeds in the world. It's invasive, it spreads easily, it outcompetes other species for resources, which is key. And nothing eats it. So it's definitely a problem. While there's no single one treatment that can effectively eliminate the grass, we feel that with unified effort we can at least mitigate the spread of the species. So last summer, what we did is Public Works created a Kogan

   1:26:44grass or invasive species standard operating procedure. uh which trains staff how to identify code and grass, what to do when it's encountered. And how to make sure that it does not spread once it's encountered, because that is a big deal. Once you encounter it, what do you do to make sure it doesn't spread? Herbicide and soil removal, removed to the county landfill, have been our practice once encountered, and we are still monitoring and tracking. We have a database indicating the areas where

   1:27:14we found and treated Cogan grass within. the county right of way. So we are making sure it doesn't come back once removed. Well you've only treated a few spots. A few spots, correct. Starkey Party. That's correct. Yep. In addition to uh what Public Works has done with a standing operating procedure, we have added language that applies to all applicable contractors during the solicitation process, kind of echoing what uh FDOT is doing. So once we are going out to bid for a new mowing contract

   1:27:44or landscaping contractors, we have now added language saying that you must provide us with an invasive species. action plan which is an umbrella that covers Cocongrass. Um the same thing can be said um Uh as well as our uh same thing can apply to our capital improvement projects. For example, a a landscaping medium project. When those contractors come on board, we need to make sure that that they address invasive species. So we've added that to the solicitation, to the bid process. Also,

   1:28:16I'm happy to report on February 9th, a Cogan Grass Action Plan meeting was held with the Department of Public Works, Planning and Economic Growth, Parks, Rec, Natural Resources, and the Development Review Department. The purpose was to collaborate what the county can do as a whole to tackle this because it involves it's going to take a multi-pronged effort to tackle this. And I'll let the team, the departments speak, but in in in summary, the zoning

   1:28:46administrator from PEG is working on facilitating a change a change to the land development code. Which addresses the handling of invasive species, including cognass. Natural resources has also added a condition of approval to zoning approvals that can be conditioned during reviews and site plan approvals processed by the DR DRD team. So this this effort will be huge in the mitigation of the of the spread.

   1:29:13Once that has been completed, uh Public Works is going to take a lead on including other departments like the trap traffic operations, uh, traffic engineering department as well as utilities because they're out and about a lot too. Um they they can come across this stuff at any time of the day or night, and so we're gonna include all applicable departments. We feel like that's gonna be key to mitigating the spread. And lastly, uh What will also be key and and the most important is a public-private partnership. Um during the D

   1:29:44F DOT presentation, uh private property was brought up several times. So we will need the public's buy-in to help the county mitigate the spread. And we've already had talks of developing some sort of an incentive program. Um there there's gonna be uh cot and grass uh awareness, brochures, um, things like that going out. So We are currently exploring those options and we will reach out to all municipalities as well as we share borders with them to see

   1:30:14what Cogan Grass action plans they they have, what they're doing, so we can all get on the same page. We'll be in communication with F DOT throughout the process, making sure we have a unified effort on all fronts. And public works will share the

   1:30:33Once it's completed. And um Just want to thank Planning and Economic Growth, Parks and Rec, Natural Resources, Development Review Department, County Attorney have been involved, of course our team at Public Works, Mr. Dumois for his guidance, and Mr. Karbala for his support and uh happy to answer any questions.

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:30:52Thank you. And if we could get our F dot gentleman back up. Um thank you. I st go ahead and stay up there. I'm I'm glad we're addressing this, you know. Commissioner Mariano has heard me talking about this since since I got elected. And now we've got a huge problem. One you know, ten years ago we had a little problem. Um just driving here today, I think Maratha is full of it in their entrance feature. Uh so um I'm really encouraged

   1:31:22to hear what F Dot does. Um and I know that Swift MUD does Not you know, as soon as they find it on their property, they they take care of it as well. Um, the thoughts that we had. uh was You know, it it's gonna be tough to how do we deal with the private landowner and the public right away when they butt together. Um, one of our thoughts was maybe doing a f like you know how Sweat Bud does fire breaks? Um that maybe there needs

   1:31:53to be a clear zone between the private landowner's land, if it has an invasive grass, and the public right-of-way, because if it's not, then the the rhizomes go underground and they just every time you mow it it spreads and makes it thicker. Um it it blocks out every other plant, correct? I mean that's kind of what you were saying. Um And I wondered, you know, with the Commissioner Oakley's uh staff staff were here, I'd love to see if there

   1:32:23would could be some state funding and our lobbyist is over here. uh for some kind of program like this because unless the state helps We're not gonna get rid of it. It's it's it's a big big lift. And If we don't get it under control, it's just gonna cost us more and more and more. Um do you have some thoughts?

   Mike Carballa

   1:32:43No, I wanted uh I wanted Roy to come up real quick and talk about some of the things 'cause I think the private side that you mentioned too and and land development, some of the stuff that they're working on. It just contributes to this discussion. That's why. Okay. Roy.

   Roy Major

   1:32:58Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Commissioner Oakley Roy, Major Development Services. So um thank you.

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:33:05Oh.

   Roy Major

   1:33:06So we just have a one just a one pager here and just a detail what what we're going for. Um and that's based on land development code amendment that we have we have underway.

   1:33:20Our land development code amendments is based on on research provided by IFIS and also the Florida Invasive Species Council, the FISC guidelines.

   1:33:32My group also did research on what's going on in the state of Alabama. They have a pretty aggressive invasive control program. You know, also the state of Georgia. We're approaching this again through the through the land development code procedures. We have land development code that's gone through the the ODC, ODT process where we're changing the code in 24 different places every Anything from preliminary plant submittals to community gardens to many different

   1:34:03places in the code, 24 in total. We're targeting the Planning Commission on May 16th for this amendment. The BOCC first reading is targeted June 4th. And what you see on this on the screen right here is just an example of how we're changing the code. And I would point toward we're asking for BMP guidelines, types of treatment, providing for the appropriate method of disposal to prevent propagation. investigation, ongoing maintenance and monitoring

   1:34:33controls of invasive plant species. So we're not only asking for a for a identification of these species on your property. But we are asking for how you're going to collect it and dispose of it. That's the key. How are you going to dispose of it? Uh I would also add that we are referencing the FISC guidelines, and that's not only for Cogan grass, that's gonna be Ligodium, soda apple, air potato. Yeah, that's soap, you know, you know, uh Brazilian

   1:35:04pepper, you know, all the all the big invasives. I think it's important that we reference this group's guidelines. They this is the see the central authority in the state of Florida for in species for for invasive control. As they update their list, then then the people who would be doing land development will have to know what that list is and respond to that list rather than us calling them out one by one and having to revise our code. We're just referencing this list. As it gets updated, the land development community will have to have to respond to

   1:35:34that updated list.

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:35:36You know, something that comes to my mind as I'm driving here I know there's a whole pasture of Cogan grass on the right hand side. And I can tell ya that that's not ag. There is no agriculture benefit to have a pasture of cocon grass. So they could vary easily lose their ag exemption because cows don't eat it. Nothing eats it. It no trees can grow in it. Yeah. People could be in could be losing their ag exemption

   1:36:06if they have a field of colour.

   1:36:15Yeah.

   Ron OakleyChair

   1:36:16Yeah. Yeah.

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:36:17Um but I think this is this is really good and um And I wish we had done it a while ago but better late than never. Well I

   Ron OakleyChair

   1:36:27think the most came about. When you brought it up about over Overpass Road after we developed Overpass Road, you spotted it there right close to the park. So that's where it was first noticed here. I've seen it along fifty times. I'm sure it's other places, but

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:36:43yeah. Driving over here is what really gets my lead boiling.

   1:36:51I had a c I had a question for the D O T uh gentleman. N this is not to Cogan grasp, but this is on your swales Um, when they grow up and and they get really thick, do you ever mow them or is I have some businesses on fifty four that you know, have

   Tyler Matthews

   1:37:09some issues with I've spoken to a couple of those businesses, though. Um it it depends if it's a swale or if it's a pond. So some of those areas are l linear ponds, so they do hold water Like most of the time of the year. Um we don't typically trim those down or manicure them unless it's a permit violation with Swift MUD or there's a safety concern. Um but we have been speaking with some of the business owners that have asked If they want to come out into the right of way, we usually send them an email and says if you're comfortable

   1:37:39with that or if we allow that so that they can they can address it to their liking.

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:37:42Okay, they can at least trim it so that it's not a wall in front of their business. Yeah. Um well Do you guys have any thoughts? I mean I think this is great that um

   1:37:56What the state does and then what we're planning on doing. So

   Ron OakleyChair

   1:37:59Okay.

   Seth Weightman

   1:38:03Barrett, maybe I'll be happy, but Mosquita Control's always running around spraying and treating things. Maybe we could reach out to them, partner with them. Oh good. Get them certified and have them chemical on their trucks and they see it and document it and and spray it. They might be a a nice partner to have

   Ron OakleyChair

   1:38:22spot

   Seth Weightman

   1:38:23treatment.

   Ron OakleyChair

   1:38:25Okay. It'd be good to l reach out to them and find out if they can be a partner on that.

   Kathryn Starkey

   1:38:29And I just want to make sure you all share information there because there was a lot of good data with the at uh.

   Jack Mariano

   1:38:34Mr. Chairman Mariano I just wanna say um you know Mr. Carbello when you came on As administrator, one of the key things is you getting the right people in the right position. Uh bringing Roy and and Jason in were like huge. Uh to spot talent like Barrett Doe, who was doing a phenomenal job. Um, you know, thank you for what you're doing and Barrett, keep up the great work. Thank you.