8-14-24 ESC Adopted MinutesMINUTES
s
'''r% Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
' Meeting
� Wednesday, August 14, 2024 -12:00 AM
City Hall, Commission Chamber
800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Present: Sarah Boren, District 1306 Member
Mark Gabrynowicz, District 1307 Member
Daniele Giovannucci, At Large Member
Anastasia Houston, At Large Member
Amy Palmer, At Large Member
Patrick Nobles, At Large Member
Heather Markaj, At Large Member
Absent: Bruce Andrews, District 1308 Member
Todd Miner, At Large Member
Also Present: Amanda Askew, Director of Planning and Community Development
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
A. Vote for new Secretary
Sarah Boren asked for volunteer for the Secretary position. There were no volunteers.
Sarah Boren proposed rotating each meeting. Discussion ensued. Heather Markaj
volunteered for the month.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.)
There were no speakers.
4. CHAIR REMARKS
Sarah Boren gave an update that the city did not receive money from the EPA Climate
Pollution Reduction grant. She encourage members to attend the NE FL Comprehensive
Climate Action Plan Kickoff.
Sarah Boren reminded members to complete their Sunshine Training.
Sarah Boren reported Bruce Andrews will be presenting to the Community Development
Board about the ESC on August 21 st.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
August 14, 2024
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A. Approve minutes of the June 12th regular Environmental Stewardship
Committee meeting.
B. Approve minutes of the July 10th regular Environmental Stewardship Committee
meeting.
C. Approve minutes of the July 25th S&R Subcommittee meeting.
MOTION. to approve the June 12th and July 10th ESC minutes.
Motion: Amy Palmer
Second: Daniele Giovannucci
Motion passed unanimously S to 0.
There was no dissent. A vote was not recorded.
6. 90 DAY CALENDAR
A. 90 Day Calendar
Sarah Boren reported there will be an ESC community meeting on October 12th
directly following the Town Hall Meeting.
7. COMMISSION AND/OR STAFF REPORTS
A. Chapter 23 and 24 updates
Amanda Askew stated the next Tree Subcommittee meeting with be August 28th after
the Outreach meeting. She reported Chapter 24 will be brought to Commission for first
read on September 23rd.
B. Funding for ESC Priorities and COAB Budget Update
Amanda Askew gave an update on the 2024-2025 budget.
C. Current budget update
Sarah Boren said she is working on getting funds from from 2023-2024 encumbered.
D. Town Hall & Commission meetings update
Amanda Askew gave an update on Commission's discussion about stormwater.
Discussion ensued.
8. OLD BUSINESS
A. Artificial Turf
Sarah Boren reviewed past discussions on artificial turf. She reported the CDB has
recommended to consider artificial turf 100% pervious but left the environmental
assessment to the ESC. She asked the ESC to make a motion to address the
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
August 14, 2024
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environmental concerns about artificial turf. Discussion ensued.
MOTION. There are serious concerns with artificial turf and there is a body of scientific
evidence that strongly suggests the health of our communities, the carcinogens, the
contamination of our water, the permanent plastics, heat island effect, and the impact on
wildlife and biodiversity are significant. Legal actions have supported its ban in some areas.
We therefore strongly recommend for the health of our community that artificial turf not be
permitted in COAB in alignment with other jurisdictions that have also banned its use. Further,
as its lifespan progresses, artificial turf when not ideally installed and/or maintained becomes
progressively impervious.
Motion: Daniele Giovannucci
Second. Mark Gabrynowicz
Sarah Boren
For
Mark Gabrynowicz (Seconded By)
For
Daniele Giovannucci (Moved By)
For
Anastasia Houston
For
Amy Palmer
For
Patrick Nobles
For
Heather Markaj
For
Motion passed 7 to 0.
B. Stormwater Management
COAB Stormwater master plan:
https://coab.us/DocumentCenterNiew/17103/2018-Stormwater-Master-Plan-
update?bidld=
Sarah Boren reviewed the CDB's suggested revisions to the stormwater section of
Chapter 24 and asked for input. Amanda Askew reported there is money in the budget
to update the Stormwater Master Plan. Sarah Boren asked if anyone wanted to make a
motion that addresses any areas of concern regarding impervious and stormwater.
Discussion ensued.
MOTION: The ESC recommends that since pavers have to be properly installed with an 18
-24 inch base whos depth may mean the cutting or removal of tree roots and since most tree
feeder roots are found at 6 -18 inch depth the use of pavers too close to trees can seriously
weaken, damage, or event kill them. Therefore to avoid a potential danger the minimum
distance of installed pavers from tree trunks must be established and properly considered in
permitting.
Motion: Daniele Giovannucci
Second. Mark Gabrynowicz
Sarah Boren For
I -:n, ironmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
August 14, 2024
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9.
Mark Gabrynowicz (Seconded By)
For
Daniele Giovannucci (Moved By)
For
Anastasia Houston
For
Amy Palmer
For
Patrick Nobles
For
Heather Markaj
For
Motion passed 7 to 0.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Resilient & Green Building Ordinance Discussion
Sarah Boren asked for an agreement to move forward with a Green Building
Ordinance. She reviewed example ordinances. Discussion ensued. Members agreed to
have Sarah Boren work with city staff and look into options for a Green Building
Ordinance.
10. SIGNIFICANT MATTERS ARISING IN SUBCOMMITTEES
A. Outreach Subcommittee
• HOW series
• Awards
Patrick Nobles reported the Outreach subcommittee did not meet in July.
Sarah Boren gave an update on presenters for the How to Speaker Series. She asked for
members to review the call for ESC award nominations.
B. Tree Subcommittee
• Chapter 23 Edits/Update
• Forrestal & Saratoga Tree Planting
There was not a Tree subcommittee report.
C. SRSC
• Fleet Assessment
• LEED for Cities recertification early to align with COJ
Sarah Boren reported Todd Miner is working on the fleet assessment. She expressed
the idea of recertifying for LEED next year to align with COJ. She asked members to
think about the recertification.
11. MEMBERS CLOSING REMARKS
Members gave their closing remarks.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Sarah Boren declared the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
August 14, 2024
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Attest:
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Sarah Boren, ESC Chair
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
August 14, 2024
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