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Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) - 13 Nov 2024 - Minutes - Pdf MINUTES Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) Meeting Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 6:00 PM City Hall, Commission Chamber 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Present:Bruce Andrews Daniele Giovannucci Anastasia Houston Todd Miner Amy Palmer Absent:Sarah Boren, Chair Patrick Nobles Heather Markaj Also Present:Amanda Askew, Planning & Community Development Dir. (PCDD) 1.CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. and roll call was taken. A.Volunteer for Secretary 2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3.COURTESY OF THE FLOOR A.Community Development Board (CDB) presentation Kirk Hansen, Chair of the Community Development Board, was asked to reschedule his talk so he could talk to the full group. Mr. Andrews asked about the tree variances that come before the Community Development Board. He asked what the ESC could provide the CDB with to help them when making these decisions. Chair Hansen said he had a meeting with Ms. Boren several months ago that was very productive. He recommended that members of the ESC get together with the CDB in the same way. Mr. Andrews asked that when it comes down to a specific variance request is it best for the ESC to call the members, email the members or provide a presentation? Chair Hansen said all would be effective. B.City of Atlantic Beach - Public Utilities - Water Quality Report Danny Pittman, Plants Manager for the City of Atlantic Beach introduced himself. He provided a PowerPoint Presentation for the committee. Mr. Andrews asked if the City was able to share water with Neptune Beach. Mr. Pittman said it would have to be an emergency situation. He answered several questions and provided a lot of detailed information. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) November 13, 2024 Page 1 of 6 C.St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) Doug Conkey, Intergovernmental Coordinator for the Saint Johns River Water Management District introduced himself. He provided a PowerPoint Presentation for the committee. 4.CHAIR REMARKS 1. Mr. Giovannucci explained that there were 2 amendments that were included into the City Charter. One was about environmental stewardship and extra protection for parks. 2. Talked about the Master Arborist that the ESC had as a speaker and said his slides are available. 3. He formally congratulated Abrielle Genest for her promotion to Principal Planner. 4. ESC awards have been moved to the 29th of January. 5. There is an ESC Member Priority Survey that needs to be completed by this Friday the 15th. 6. Mr. Giovannucci asked if the committee would like to have a potluck dinner for their December meeting and the decision was unanimous. Mr. Miner volunteered to help Ms. Boren with this event. 5.CONSENT AGENDA A.Approve minutes of the August 14, 2024 ESC Regular Meeting, September 11, 2024 ESC Regular Meeting, and October 9, 2024 ESC Tree Subcommittee Meeting, October 16, 2024 ESC Outreach Subcommittee Meeting, October 17, 2024 S&R Subcommittee Meeting, October 24, 2024 S&R Subcommittee Meeting and November 7, 2024 How Series. MOTION: To APPROVE all the listed minutes. Motion: Todd Miner Second: Bruce Andrews Bruce Andrews (Seconded By)For Daniele GiovannucciFor Anastasia HoustonFor Todd Miner (Moved By)For Amy PalmerFor Motion passed 5 to 0. B.Tree Subcommittee Mr. Andrews said their meeting will be on November 20th after Outreach. The committee decided to have the December meeting on the 18th after Outreach. Mr. Andrews had concerns about an upcoming variance request regarding tree removal. This was discussed in great detail and the committee decided to draft a motion and have a committee member go to the CDB meeting and represent the ESC. Director Askew recommended they draft the motion based on the criteria in the code. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) November 13, 2024 Page 2 of 6 MOTION: (THIS MOTION WAS MADE AT THE END OF THE MEETING) To make a recommendation to the Community Development Board and have representation at the meeting to back up the reasoning for making the recommendation. The recommendation reads as follows: Chapter 23 requires that at least 25% of trees required as mitigation for the removal of maritime species trees (in this case like oaks) be planted on the lot from which the trees were removed. In this instance 3 large oaks are being removed totaling 66 inches of dbh with required mitigation of 174 inches dbh. The applicant is proposing to plant 20 inches dbh on site which represents only 11.5% of the total mitigation required. They are also asking for a variance to plant a portion of the required palm tree mitigation on the adjacent lot instead on on-site. The ESC passed a motion unanimously to recommend denial of this variance since it does not meet any criteria of Section 23:25(b)(3). Motion: Bruce Andrews Second: Todd Miner Bruce Andrews (Moved By)For Daniele GiovannucciFor Anastasia HoustonFor Todd Miner (Seconded By)For Amy PalmerFor Motion passed 5 to 0. C.Outreach Subcommittee There was no report. D.Sustainability and Resilience Subcommittee There was no report. E.Approve the minutes of the November 7, 2024 Hands On Workshop F.Edits to End of Year ESC member survey 6.90 DAY CALENDAR A.Mr. Giovannucci reviewed the main items on the 90 day calendar. 1. Complete the survey 2. Potluck in December 3. Tree Giveaway re-scheduled from January 19 to January 12 MOTION: To move the Tree Giveaway from January 19 to January 12. Motion: Todd Miner Second: Bruce Andrews Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) November 13, 2024 Page 3 of 6 Bruce Andrews (Seconded By)For Daniele GiovannucciFor Anastasia HoustonFor Todd Miner (Moved By)For Amy PalmerFor Motion passed 5 to 0. 7.COMMISSION AND/OR STAFF REPORTS A.Marsh and Wetland education and policies Director Askew spoke about additional language added to the Comp Plan to strengthen Marshland protection. She said a couple letters were sent to the residents on the Marsh side about protecting the wetland. Director Askew said Staff created a brochure that is in the lobby and was mailed out to get the word out. She said they would like to touch on this at Earth Day also. B.Chapter 24 Director Askew said Chapter 24 was approved on October 14, 2024. She said one of the biggest changes is that you can no longer be grandfathered in if you lot is over 45% if you do a major remodel or addition. Director Askew said the tab lock pavers and open grid paver systems are given a 50% credit and a handout is available in the lobby that described how to install them properly. She asked the committee to start taking a look at the Parks Master Plan for discussion in January or February. C.Chapter 23 Director Askew said the Chapter 23 update is on hold. D.Commission Report Director Askew said the Commission is having an orientation on December 5th. She said that ESC recommendations for the awards ceremony will be given at the November 25th meeting. Director Askew said they will also discuss an upcoming floodplain ordinance as well. 8.OLD BUSINESS 1. Mr. Giovannucci gave some of the highlights of the October Commission meeting. 2. Mr. Miner said gave an update to the Priorities and Goals. 3. Mr. Giovannucci said there is an end of the year evaluation coming up. 9.NEW BUSINESS A.Water consumption 15% reduction -North Fl Water Supply Plan B.2025 ESC Meeting Dates, Times and Locations Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) November 13, 2024 Page 4 of 6 10.SIGNIFICANT MATTERS ARISING IN SUBCOMMITTEES A.Outreach o Update on initiatives, events, and education and outreach efforts o Current top three priorities subcommittee is thinking about for 2025 MOTION: To Approve Outreach and Tree subcommittee meetings be on the same Wednesday (the 3rd Wednesday of the month) in 2025. Outreach would meet at 4:45 p.m. and Tree would meet at 6:00 p.m. The ESC main meeting would be on the 2nd Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. S&R would meet on the 4th Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Motion: Daniele Giovannucci Second: Bruce Andrews Bruce Andrews (Seconded By)For Daniele Giovannucci (Moved By)For Anastasia HoustonFor Todd MinerFor Amy PalmerFor Motion passed 5 to 0. B.Tree o Update on tree permits, Chapter 23, January Tree Giveaway o Current top three priorities subcommittee is thinking about for 2025 C.S&R o Update on 11/18/24 ESC Community Meeting on 2025 Priorities & CAP Feedback, fleet assessment and S&RCAP o Current top three priorities subcommittee is thinking about for 2025 11.MEMBERS CLOSING REMARKS Mr. Giovannucci asked all subcommittees chairs to find out what the top 3 priorities are for their subcommittee in 2025. He said there will be a discussion about priorities and to what extent they might want to focus their priorities down to have the most impact. Director Askew spoke about a possible grant for a Safety Action Plan to address intersections, sidewalks, crosswalks, etc. and how to make them safer for vehicles and pedestrians. She asked the committee to come to the upcoming meeting. Director Askew said there is a link to a survey and asked the committee to complete the survey. Ms. Palmer said she is excited to help Bruce with the upcoming variance request spoke of earlier. Mr. Miner had no comments. Ms. Houston had no comments. Mr. Giovannucci said he has taken pictures of houses that have worked around saving trees. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) November 13, 2024 Page 5 of 6 12.ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned. Attest: Amanda AskewSarah Boren, ESC Chair Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) November 13, 2024 Page 6 of 6