5-8-24 ESC Adopted MinutesMINUTES
JS,` Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
Meeting
Wednesday, May 8, 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
Daniele Giovannucci, At Large Member
Anastasia Houston, At Large Member
Todd Miner, At Large Member
Amy Palmer, At Large Member
Patrick Nobles, At Large Member
Heather Markaj, At Large Member
Romy Vann, At Large Member
Absent:
Also Present: Amanda Askew, Director of Planning and Community Development and
Building
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Sarah Boren called the meeting to order. Romy Vann called the roll.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION. to approve the agenda
Motion: Daniele Giovannucci
Second: Patrick Nobles
A vote was not recorded. There was no dissent.
3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.)
There were no speakers.
4. CHAIR REMARKS
Sarah Boren reported that the Heritage Trees were approved by City Commission. She invited
members to attend a commercial compost tour. She stated that there is an applicant for the open
seat. Sarah Boren passed around a sheet for members to sign up to attend Commission meetings.
She proposed ESC should have a booth at more community events.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
May 8, 2024
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5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve minutes of the April 10 2024 Tree Subcommittee meeting
B. Approve minutes of the April 17 2024, Outreach Subcommittee meeting
C. Approve minutes of the May 2 2024, Sustainability and Resilience Subcommittee
meeting
MOTION: to approve the consent agenda
Motion: Todd Miner
Second. Bruce Andrews
A vote was not recorded. There was no dissent.
6. 90 DAY CALENDAR
A.
Sarah Boren reported she created an action tracker. She asked for members to look and
see if there were any mistakes.
7. COMMISSION AND/OR STAFF REPORTS
A. T -Mobile Home Town Grant
Amanda Askew said staff is looking at pursuing a grant to install a rain garden in Jack
Russel Park, however the plans will need to be completed by a landscape architect before
submitting for the grant. Discussion ensued.
B. Chapter 23 update
Amanda Askew reported she had a meeting with the City Manager who said staff will
move forward on the Comprehensive Plan and Chapter 24 updates then Chapter 23 will
move forward.
Sarah Boren suggested un -striking the first sentence in Section 23-52(c)(4).
MOTION. to recommend that the modification to Chapter 23 as presented in the
agenda package ( Chapter 23-52 Environmental Stewardship Committee - section (4)
"geographical requirements) Unstrike the first sentence so that the statement says "there shall
be at least one (1) member representing each city district on the committee" and remove the
underscored additional changed language. Revert back to original version.
Motion: Bruce Andrews
Second. Todd Miner
Bruce Andrews (Moved By) For
Sarah Boren For
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
May 8, 2024
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8.
Mark Gabrynowicz
For
Daniele Giovannucci
For
Anastasia Houston
For
Todd Miner (Seconded By)
For
Amy Palmer
For
Patrick Nobles
For
Heather Markaj
For
Romy Vann
For
Motion passed 10 to 0.
Bruce Andrews suggested the Tree Subcommittee meet to review changes to Chapter 23.
Members agreed.
C. Chapter 24 update
https:Hcoab.us/DocumentCenterNiew/16703/Redline-Chapter-24--32924?bidId=
Amanda Askew reported Comprehensive Plan will be brought to the Community
Development Board May 21st then brought to City Commission June 28th. She said
Chapter 24 will move forward shortly after.
OLD BUSINESS
A. ESC budget update FY '23-'24
Sarah Boren gave an update on the budget.
B. ESC budget update FY '24-'25
Sarah Boren reviewed the proposed budget. Bruce Andrews stated he thinks majority of
the budget for demonstration gardens should come from the ESC budget and a portion
from the tree fund. Discussion ensued.
Members discussed trees along the 18th Street beach parking.
MOTION: to recommend Public Works adds 18th Street enhancements and beautification to
the CIP
Motion: Daniele Giovannucci
Second. Mark Gabrynowicz
A vote was not recorded. There was no dissent.
C. Tree mitigation fund proposed budget FY'24-'25
Sarah Boren gave an overview of the proposed tree fund budget. Discussion ensued.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
May 8, 2024
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Sarah Boren proposed creating a grant program for Heritage Tree maintenance.
Discussion ensued.
Bruce Andrews proposed revising the proposed budget to Tree Plantings - 25%, Adopt
a Tree - 15%, Tree Give Away -10%, remove ROW Beautification, Demonstration
Gardens - 10%, Heritage Tree Maintenance - 10%, Canopy Data Tools - 5%, Education
& Outreach - 5%. Discussion about the tree fund ensued. Sarah Boren suggested taking
time to review the proposed tree fund budget then come back to discuss. Members
agreed.
D. Comprehensive Plan Update and Marsh Policies
https://coab.us/DocumentCenterNiew/16705/Comp-Plan-Redline-32024
Amanda Askew reported that staff added additional language to the Comprehensive Plan
about marsh lands. Sarah Boren said she thinks ESC should make a formal motion to
support the proposed language.
MOTION. to support staff s recommended changes to marsh policies
Motion: Mark Gabrynowicz
Second. Patrick Nobles
Bruce Andrews
For
Sarah Boren
For
Mark Gabrynowicz (Moved By)
For
Daniele Giovannucci
For
Anastasia Houston
For
Todd Miner
For
Amy Palmer
For
Patrick Nobles (Seconded By)
For
Heather Markaj
For
Romy Vann
For
Motion passed 10 to 0.
E. Charter Review Committee update and next steps
Bruce Andrews reported the Charter Review Committee's ranking of the ESC
recommendation was low on the list. He encouraged members to speak to
Commissioners about the recommendation. Discussion about the Charter Review
ensued.
F. ESC 2024 Self Evaluation: Beautification of AB entrances
o Atlantic and Seminole entrance (Bruce, Romy)
o Mayport and Atlantic Pawn Shop entrance (Amy, Patrick)
o Mayport Rd near Arby's entrance (Sarah, Todd)
o Brightview contract (Mark)
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
May 8, 2024
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Members gave their updates about existing conditions near AB entrances.
G. ESC Volunteer update
o Beaches Habitat for Humanity position description
o AB Green Corps
o AB Stewards of the Park
This item was not discussed.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Beach renourishment
Jacksonville District > Missions > Civil Works > Shore Protection > Duval County
(army.mil)
Todd Miner expressed his concerns about the potential environmental impacts of the
ongoing beach renourishment. Sarah Boren reported there is a plan to protect and
relocate sea turtle nests during the project.
B. FL Friendly Landscape Ord.
This item was not discussed.
10. SIGNIFICANT MATTERS ARISING IN SUBCOMMITTEES
A. Tree Subcommittee
Bruce Andrews reported the Tree subcommittee did not meet.
B. Outreach Subcommittee
Patrick Nobles gave the Outreach subcommittee report.
C. Sustainability and Resilience
Sarah Boren gave the Sustainability and Resilience subcommittee report. Heather
Markaj reported she is meeting with a group interested in creating an edible garden
within the city.
11. MEMBERS CLOSING REMARKS
Anastasia Houston asked for an update on the code case regarding the tree cut in the ROW on
Stocks Street and trees removed on Plaza. Amanda Askew gave an update on the Special
Magistrate hearing.
Amy Palmer expressed her support for the proposed Florida Friendly Landscaping Ordinance.
Sarah Boren proposed creating a noticed "work hours" meeting to discuss the ESC workplan.
She said she would work on scheduling the meeting.
12. ADJOURNMENT
A. Secretary recap of meeting decisions and ESC action items due before next meeting
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
May 8, 2024
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Attest:
Meeting adjourned at 8:21 pm.
Amanda Askew
Sarah Boren, ESC Chair
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
May 8, 2024
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