January Chapter Meeting

6:45 pm Meeting came to order.  22 attendees

Recap of past events:

Ocean Reef Beach Festival (Dec. 7^th, 2019)  Feedback

–Needs more info about reefs

–Parking issues/complaints

–Bike parking was not available and had been in years past

–Clubhouse was under utilized

–Bathrooms closed early before the event was over

–2020 Event date Dec. 5, 2020

–First ORB planning April 6^th.  Planners welcome

Program/Campaign Updates:

Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) – Bill DeLuccia

Update on recent OFG garden planting at Unitarian Church in W. Melbourne.  Bill met w/ James Kilby.  Also Coastal Community School project for planning a kid’s planting.

– February 8  9am -1 pm Ocean Friendly Gardens Seminar Eau Gallie HS Free Florida Landscaping Seminar

– Want to focus working with other organizations this year

-We have 2 signs for OFG remaining.

Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) —Shannon Shneyder

-Restaurants can join online

Doubles joined and has plastic straws and paper plates

-4^th Street Filling station is following all criteria in Cocoa Beach

–Masa & Charlie and Jake’s were proposed to approached. Shannon is planning a meeting with the 7 current OFR’s to share cost savings strategies.

Blue Water Task Force Water Testing Program – Ryan Dadds

–Water samples were relatively clean the past 2 weeks

— Watson Ave. testing site stopped due to continual good results.  New test site – Ponce De Leon park

–Joyce from Cocoa Beach will start testing 1-2 sites in Cocoa Beach in the next month; 1 on the beach and 1 on the river

–There will be a 2019 Clean Water Report will be prepared displaying national BWTF results

–Want to have a fundraiser to raise money for supplies

School Programs—Indialantic Elementary–New parent liason (Rich) to take over the program.  Invited to volunteer party.

Upcoming Events

Member Appreciation Party on January 25, 2020 7- until.  Whiskey Beach Pub.  Light apps and drink tickets to be provided.  Band named Spanks to play starting at 9pm.

Sea Oat Planting—Jason Hyder

February 1^st Melbourne Beach. Exact planting location(s) TBD

2^nd location: In conjunction with the City of Cocoa Beach 8:30 Saturday morning at Coconuts at 1^st St. South Beach access

Villon Contest Pelican Beach   February 1^st (Climbing comp) – 7^th (Skateboard Comp) 8-9 (Surf comp).  We will set up our tent.  Jay Whelan to lead.

Ocean Treasures Festival  Saturday, February 15 10 am – 4pm.  Barrier Island Center.  Volunteer opportunities/sign up sheets

New Business

Indian River Lagoon new bill addresses all of FL water concerns.  Sen. Debbie Mayfield leading the way for the bill concerning issue of  biosolids (human waste dumped on agriculture lands) ends up in waterways–outlawed in S FL.  Possible program to convert to energy.

Turtle Conservation Efforts need donations- Bo to invite them to Feb. meeting.

Straight Talk Indian River Lagoon Coalition Wednesday January 22,  6:30 pm – 9:30pm at Satellite Beach HS talk about the latest of the health of the lagoon

Storage unit cleanup–Will be consolidating CB and SI chapter’s storage units– Will need to clean in the next month to prepare

Local Beer, Boards, & Bands Festival–Need April Venue

Possibly FL Surf Museum, Coconuts, Hell n Blazes, Mambos

New chapter meeting venue was considered.  Unanimous vote to remain at the Standard Collective Studio for 2020.

Need website over-hauled.  Shannon working with friend on proposal.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.