HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-13 Health & Public SafetyHEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY
4:31 P.M.
JULY 8, 2013
Committee Members Present: Karen White, Dr. David Varner, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Tim Scott
Other Council Present: Henry Davis, Jr., Oliver J. Davis, Gavin Ferlic, Derek Dieter
Others Present: Vince Barletto, Tim Ives, Steve Lesniak, Cindy Kimbry, Sue Kessum, Sara
Stewart, Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand, Erin Blasko, Kathryn Roos
Agenda: Bill NO. 22 -13 — Honey Bees
With all members of the Health and Public Safety present, Karen White opened the hearing at
4:31 p.m.
On the agenda was one item, albeit a potentially controversial one, a bill to allow the raising of
honey bees within the City represented in Bill No. 22 -13.
Co- presenters were Councilmember Tim Scott who took the lead on the "bee" proposal, and Sara
Stewart, Executive Director, of United Gardens. Tim led off speaking to the long collaborative
effort behind the bill involving public and private groups. He went on to indicate similar successful
efforts to allow bee hives in other cities. Sara Stewart then spoke to the phenomenon known as
"colony collapse" all too familiar across the country in recent years. That this is significant is an
understatement in light of the necessary pollination of all flowing plants done by bees. In other
words, regardless of the reason for their decline, environmental, climatic, or otherwise, the bottom
live is "no bees — no food." To avoid disaster efforts to encourage honey bee colony formation
need to be pushed. In LaSalle Park for example Unity Garden efforts have quadrupled bee
population.
Vince Barletto was the first to speak in support of bee keeping. He said bees pollinate $15 billion
every year in foodstuffs. He spoke of the realistic safeguards in the bill maintaining the non -
aggressive nature of honey -bees.
Tim Scott added that dozens of cities around the country encourage bee colonies.
Oliver Davis asked if homeowners raising bees would be required to buy any insurance riders.
The answer, was no.
Derek Dieter asked how many new beekeepers were anticipat4ed. Tim Ives said there are about
150 numbers the beekeepers societies in St. Joe Co. Nationally, statistics show about one
keeper per 8000 population. St. Joe County has just over 250,000 people with just over 100,000
in the City.
Tim Scott added that he foresees hives in United Gardens everywhere helping to eliminate food
deserts.
Speaking in support of the bee keeping were both Steve Lesniak who emphasized the passive
nature of honey bees, and Sue Kessum who said "killer bees' could not survive a winter climate.
After more support was expressed Tim Scott moved to accept the substitute version of Bill NO.
22 -13. Dr. David Varner seconded and the substitute version was accepted by all.
Tim Scott then moved for favorable recommendation to full Council. Dr. Fred Ferlic seconded
and all but Dr. David Varner affirmed.
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Chairperson White
adjourned the meeting at 4:54 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen L. White, Chairperson
Health & Public Safety Committee