3-13-24 ESC Adopted MinutesMINUTES
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) Meeting
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 - 6:00 PM
City Hall, Commission Chamber
800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Present: Bruce Andrews, District 1308 Member
Sarah Boren, District 1306 Member
Mark Gabrynowicz, District 1307 Member
Amy Palmer, At Large Member
Patrick Nobles, At Large Member
Romy Vann, At Large Member
Brian Broedell, Principal Planner & Environmental Coordinator
Absent: Daniele Giovannucci, At Large Member
Anastasia Houston, At Large Member
Todd Miner, At Large Member
Heather Markaj, At Large Member
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES
A. Approve minutes of the January 10 2024, regular Environmental Stewardship
Committee meeting
MOTION. To approve.
Motion: Amy Palmer
Second. Romy Vann
Motion passed 6 to 0.
B. Approve of the February 14, Tree Subcommittee minutes
C. Approve minutes of the February 21, Outreach Subcommittee
D. Note: Sustainability and Resiliency Subcommittee did not have a quorum
therefore, no meeting was held
3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.)
There were no speakers.
4. CHAIR REMARKS
A. ESC Report to Commission April 8th, July 8th, October 14"'
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
March 13, 2024
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B. Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
The City has continued with the application process for 2 applications for the grant. One
regarding energy efficient and resilient buildings and the second focused on electric
vehicle (EV) transportation.
C. 18th Street tree -cutting update
Cutting was done to clear the view for the police cameras which were turning off when
the trees moved in front of them. Discussion of the erosion of the dune that supports the
trees. Staff was asked about native plantings that would help.
D. US DOT- JTA/Groundwork Jax received dollars for reconstructing the Emerald
Trail
E. Revised ESC budget deadline
Need to get a revised ESC budget to Staff by April 2024. Due before next agenda
deadline -2 weeks.
5. 90 DAY CALENDAR
A. ESC Planner/Calendar/Metrics
Chair Boren asked the Committee to look over the planner/calendar/metrics and provide
input.
6. COMMISSION AND/OR STAFF REPORTS
A. Chapter 23
Planner Broedell said that Chapter 23 was being reviewed by the City Attorney.
B. Parks Master Plan update
Planner Broedell said that Staff has put this on hold due to work load and will work on
when Staff time becomes available. Chair Boren asked what the next steps would be.
Planner Broedell said they need to proposed updated recommendations and take them
before Commission. Chair Boren asked if that would come before the Committee first.
Planner Broedell said he wasn't sure.
C. Commission 2024 Priorities
Commission voted on these on Monday. Chair Boren said she asked Director Askew
where the Committee might be asked to assist with this. Brian Broedell said that he
thought the Committee would be involved with the sustainability goals, preserving of
the marsh and the parks master plan. There was further discussion regarding the
Commission's priorities and the parks master plan.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
March 13, 2024
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D. Comp plan update and Chapter 24 update
Planner Broedell said that Staff is planning to take these before the Community
Development Board in April and the City Commission in May. Chair Boren asked if
there was a Staff recommendation for the marsh. Planner Broedell said they are planning
on adding a few objectives and policies regarding the protection and preservation of the
marsh and wetlands. He said he can email them out to the Committee.
7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Charter Review Committee
• Verbiage proposed for charter to have "environmental stewardship" in City
charter. The amended motion passed — unanimously.
• ESC to watch meetings to ensure environmental language makes it to ballot
through CRC and Commission meetings.
B. Marsh Priority
Discussion of Joan Horn's policy proposals.
• Decision - ESC to ask Staff for input on comp plan and responses on citizens
policy proposals
Tree cutting on the weekends
• Decision - ESC Outreach to review options and come up with a course of action
C. ESC Self Evaluation
Bruce proposed Atlantic Boulevard and Seminole Road beautification projects. There
was lengthy discussion regarding recruiting members and entrance beautification.
• Decision - Committee members to try and recruit new members and volunteers
• Decision - Each Committee member to take Atlantic Beach entrances and think
about beautification
Atlantic Boulevard and Seminole Road - BRUCE & ROMY
Mayport Road and Atlantic (Pawn Shop) - AMY & PATRICK
Mayport Road near Arby's - SARAH
Review the contract for Brightview- MARK
D. Draft ESC volunteer opportunities and recruitment
Chair Boren explained the share file she developed that lists different volunteer
opportunities. The Board discussed how to make it work. Chair Boren said she had a
discussion with Fletcher High School and how they could volunteer. The Board
discussed having a volunteer coordinator within the Committee.
• Event opportunities (Earth Day, Weed Wrangle)
• Promotion and data collection
• Leadership roles
• Working Groups
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March 13, 2024
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1.1
9.
E. Chemical Management Plan
• Mark provided an update. He said he was going to try to develop the process
with Director Askew and other Staff members. Mark said he wanted to have
Town Hall meetings, develop a brochure explaining what the Chemical
Management Plan is, why it is needed, what the benefits are and what people can
do to better manage their chemicals.
Decision - ESC members to send any suggestions and edits to Mark
SIGNIFICANT MATTERS ARISING IN SUBCOMMITTEES
A. Tree Subcommittee
The Committee wanted to know why homeowners are allowed to remove trees in the
right-of-way. Director Broedell explained that trees were only removed if they were
dead or diseased. He said they try to be reasonable if a driveway is being put in or
something similar.
MOTION: To develop language to modify the tree ordinance to include language that allows
relocated trees to suffice as 1:1 mitigation for itself. Survival requirements to be consistent with
existing standards.
Motion: Bruce Andrews
Second. Mark Gabrynowicz
Motion passed 6 to 0.
B. Outreach Subcommittee
Patrick discussed that Earth Day is approaching. He said the Committee has 11 vendors
and they are working with Staff to figure out the space and location for the event.
Director Broedell said the City was buying 200 trees in 2 different types. The Committee
discussed providing information for proper planting with each tree. They decided to
reach out to people who had previously planted trees to get pictures. The Committee
asked Planner Broedell to see if they could get 7 gallon trees this time.
Amy said she met with Deputy City Manager Hogencamp regarding the Welcome Kit
and it is back in action. She said there is a way to use the funds that are in the budget.
Amy said she will email the Committee.
C. Sustainability and Resilience Subcommittee
Chair Boren said attendance for these meetings was down and she wasn't sure if it was
timing or what.
MEMBERS CLOSING REMARKS
A. Earth Day update, tree planting (Patrick)
See above.
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March 13, 2024
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B. Marvin Garden's Stewards (Romy)
Chair Boren asked if the Committee wanted to limit the number of Stewards for Marvin's
Garden. The Committee did not want a limit.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion the meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
Attest:
manda Askew
'4:5�0000'
Sarah Boren, ESC Chair
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
March 13, 2024
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