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Home My WebLink AboutEnvironmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) - 08 Jan 2025 - Minutes - PdfEnvironmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) January 8, 2025 MINUTES Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) Meeting Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 6:00 PM City Hall, Commission Chamber 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Present: Sarah Boren, Chair Bruce Andrews Daniele Giovannucci Todd Miner Amy Palmer Heather Markaj Anastasia Houston Also Present: Amanda Askew, Planning & Community Development Dir. (PCDD) 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Approval of Agenda MOTION: To approve the agenda with the addition of "Subcommittee Chairs and Members" under New Business and adding a Recap section to standard agenda template. Motion: Daniele Giovannucci Second: Todd Miner Bruce Andrews For Sarah Boren For Daniele Giovannucci (Moved By) For Todd Miner (Seconded By) For Amy Palmer For Heather Markaj For Anastasia Houston For Motion passed 7 to 0. 3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.) None 4. CHAIR REMARKS  Tree Giveaway Shift signup Page 1 of 7 Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) January 8, 2025  Sign-up sheet for commission meeting attendance: Encouraged members to sign up for shifts for the Tree Giveaway scheduled for January 12, 2025 and 2025 Commission and Town Hall meetings  Former adopt a tree application  City of Jax Resilience Plan sharing for everyone to read  COAB staff not recognized enough: Thanked city staff and committee members for their dedication and efforts.  City hired a new city planner - Kevin Auster  ESC member Self-evaluation survey: Encouraged all members to complete ESC’s end of year self-evaluation survey as it is how continually improve and to accept 2025 calendar invites.  My Sidewalk: Encouraged all members to complete ESC’s end of year self-evaluation survey as it is how continually improve and to accept 2025 calendar invites. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Motion of Proposed ESC content for COAB newsletter through 2/28/25 MOTION: To approve the proposed ESC content for inclusion in the City newsletter through February 28, 2025. Motion: Bruce Andrews Second: Daniele Giovannucci Bruce Andrews (Moved By) For Sarah Boren For Daniele Giovannucci (Seconded By) For Todd Miner For Amy Palmer For Heather Markaj For Anastasia Houston For Motion passed 7 to 0. Content Overview: The proposed content includes announcements for upcoming events such as the Arbor Day Celebration on January 17, 2025, and the ESC Inaugural Awards tentatively scheduled for late February. Additionally, educational resources on tree care and environmental workshops are featured. Distribution Strategy: Discussed the importance of utilizing both the City’s official newsletter and ESC-specific communications to maximize outreach and community engagement. 6. 90 DAY CALENDAR A. Approval of 90-Day Calendar (January - March 2025) Page 2 of 7 Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) January 8, 2025 Discussion: Event Highlights:  January 12: Free Tree Giveaway at Jack Russell Park  January 17: Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Planting at Howell Park  February 6: Speaker Series on Wetland and Marsh Protection Solutions  February 26/27: ESC Inaugural Awards Ceremony  February 28: Community Service Day focusing on Brazilian Pepper Tree invasive removal MOTION: To approve the 90-day calendar outlining ESC activities and events from January through March 2025. Motion: Bruce Andrews Second: Todd Miner Bruce Andrews (Moved By) For Sarah Boren For Daniele Giovannucci For Todd Miner (Seconded By) For Amy Palmer For Heather Markaj For Anastasia Houston For Motion passed 7 to 0. 7. COMMISSION AND/OR STAFF REPORTS A. Tree Giveaway Update Staff Report:  Event Details: The Free Tree Giveaway is scheduled for January 12, 2025, at Jack Russell Park from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Pre-reservation forms have been circulated, and a high level of community interest has been observed.  Logistics: A drive-through system will be implemented to facilitate efficient distribution. Participants are required to be present to collect their reserved trees, with unclaimed trees being distributed after 11:30 AM.  Follow-Up: Recipients are encouraged to send photos of their planted trees along with location details to greenAB@coab.us to assist in tracking and promoting the initiative. B. Arbor Day and Tree Planting at Howell Park Staff Report:  Event Details: The Arbor Day Celebration is planned for January 17, 2025, at Howell Park. Activities will include the planting of native tree species, educational sessions on tree care, and the significance of Arbor Day.  Community Involvement: Local schools and community groups have been invited to participate, aiming to foster environmental awareness and stewardship among residents. Page 3 of 7 Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) January 8, 2025 C. Heritage Tree Applications Discussion:  Applications Received: Two heritage tree designation applications have been submitted for trees located at 1958 and 1964 Brista De Mar Circle.  Evaluation Criteria: The trees have been assessed based on size, species, and historical significance, meeting the requirements for heritage designation. MOTION: To recommend approval of the heritage tree designations for the trees at 1958 and 1964 Brista De Mar Circle to the City Commission. Motion: Anastasia Houston Second: Daniele Giovannucci Bruce Andrews For Sarah Boren For Daniele Giovannucci (Seconded By) For Todd Miner For Amy Palmer For Heather Markaj For Anastasia Houston (Moved By) For Motion passed 7 to 0. D. Lifeguard Station Update  Hoping to get done by May  Total cost of construction $1.2 million E. Safety Action Plan and Vision Zero Task Force  Survey is still out there. Amanda will recirculate F. Ahern Street Project  90% design complete  Using a vault system for stormwater  Consider lighting in the future G. Additional Discussion Items  JEA Tree Cutting – Arborist on staff  Pervious Pavers – 50% permeable if installed correctly  Artificial Turf – if artificial turf not installed to standard, it is considered impervious otherwise 100%; if they have not applied for a permit, city does require  Pools – 50% Page 4 of 7 Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) January 8, 2025  Flood Plain ordinance – Will bring forward in February; dictates base floor elevation; parlays into CRS rating which affects insurance discounts; FEMA 50% rule for homes in flood zones; education for the community helps 8. OLD BUSINESS A. Proposed 2025 Priorities and Events  Discussion: o Strategic Goals: The committee reviewed the proposed priorities for 2025, focusing on enhancing the maritime forest, improving parks and open spaces, beautifying public and private areas, and promoting environmental stewardship. MOTION: To approve the ESC 2025 Priorities with the discussed amendments. Motion: Bruce Andrews Second: Amy Palmer Bruce Andrews (Moved By) For Sarah Boren For Daniele Giovannucci For Todd Miner For Amy Palmer (Seconded By) For Heather Markaj For Anastasia Houston For Motion passed 7 to 0. B. ESC Awards Ceremony MOTION: To change the annual ESC awards ceremony to one of 2 proposed dates at the end of February. Motion: Anastasia Houston Second: Todd Miner Bruce Andrews For Sarah Boren For Daniele Giovannucci For Todd Miner (Seconded By) For Amy Palmer For Heather Markaj For Anastasia Houston (Moved By) For Motion passed 7 to 0. Page 5 of 7 Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) January 8, 2025 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Officer Elections  Chair: Sarah (unanimous)  Vice-Chair: Amy (unanimous)  Secretary: Todd (unanimous) B. Committee Chairs & Members  TSC: Dan. Chair & Bruce, VC (unanimous), Amy, Heather, Anastasia, & Sarah  OSC: Heather, Chair & Anastasia, VC (unanimous), Sarah  SRSC: Sarah, Chair (unanimous) and Todd 10. SIGNIFICANT MATTERS ARISING IN SUBCOMMITTEES A. Outreach Subcommittee  No update B. Tree Subcommittee  Presented a plan to spend $100k out of $200k tree mitigation fund MOTION: To accept the spreadsheet estimates presented by Bruce regarding how ESC could allocate $100,000 of tree funds in 2025, with the updated figure from Heather that the Orchard will cost closer to $15,000. Motion: Amy Palmer Second: Todd Miner Bruce Andrews For Sarah Boren For Daniele Giovannucci For Todd Miner (Seconded By) For Amy Palmer (Moved By) For Heather Markaj For Anastasia Houston For Motion passed 7 to 0. C. Sustainability and Resilience  No Update 11. MEMBERS CLOSING REMARKS Page 6 of 7 Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) January 8, 2025 12. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Attest: Amanda Askew Sarah Boren, ESC Chair Page 7 of 7