1-8-25 ESC Adopted MinutesMINUTES
S'`''''ri, Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
�s
Meeting
1 si
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 6:00 I'M
F� un 9' City Ball, Commission Chamber
800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Present: Bruce Andrews, District 1308 Member
Sarah Boren, District 1306 Member
Daniele Giovannucci, At Large Member
Todd Miner, At Large Member
Amy Palmer,
Heather Markaj,
Anastasia Houston
Absent:
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 M INS.)
None
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
January 8, 2025
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4. CHAIR REMARKS
• Tree Giveaway Shift signup
• 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.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
January 8, 2025
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6. 90 DAY CALENDAR
A. Approval of 90 -Day Calendar (January - March 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,
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
January 8, 2025
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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.
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 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
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
January 8, 2025
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8.
impervious otherwise 100%; if they have not applied for a permit, city does
require
• Pools — 50%
• 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
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 (Seconder! B3)
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
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
January 8, 2025
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9.
Motion passed 7 to 0.
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
None
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
January 8, 2025
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12.
Attest:
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Amanda Askew
4
/�' 6-L�-
Sarah Boren, ESC Chair
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
January 8, 2025
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