3-2-26 Commission & ESC Joint WorkshopATTENDANCE:
MINUTES
Joint Workshop of the City Commission and
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
Monday, March 2, 2026 - 6:00 PM
City Hall, Commission Chamber
800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Present: Curtis Ford, Mayor - Seat 1 (At Large)
Bruce Bole, Commissioner - Mayor Pro Tem Seat 2 (District 1308)
Thomas Grant, Commissioner - Seat 3 (District 1307)
Candace Kelly, Commissioner - Seat 4 (District 1306)
Jessica Ring, Commissioner - Seat 5 (District 1312)
Amy Palmer, ESC Chair
Amy Franqui, ESC Member
Todd Miner, ESC Member
Christina Kelcourse, ESC Member
Bruce Andrews, ESC Member
Sarah Boren, ESC Member
Absent: Daniele Giovannucci, ESC Vice Chair
Anastasia Houston, ESC Member
Also Present: Kevin Hogencamp, Interim City Manager (CM)
Donna Bartle, City Clerk (CC)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ford Curtis called the joint workshop to order at 6:00 PM.
1. TOPIC: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE (ESC) PRIORITIES
A. Overview of Workshop Purpose - Mayor Ford
Mayor Ford explained the format, noting that this meeting would focus on ESC priorities
for fiscal year 2027, followed by a separate one-hour meeting on Chapter 23.
B. Environmental Stewardship Committee Priorities Presentation
ESC Chair Amy Palmer gave a presentation as outlined in the PowerPoint (which is
attached hereto and made part of the official record as Attachment A).
3-2-26 Attachment A
Joint Workshop
March 2, 2026
C. City Commission and Environmental Stewardship Committee Discussion
During the discussion, Commissioners asked questions and ESC members provided
answers to clarify priorities, data tracking, and the scope of ESC initiatives and projects.
Discussion Highlights:
• ESC Priorities: It was clarified that there are five main priorities with supporting
activities, and all are considered achievable.
• Marsh Restoration Pilot: ESC will help guide recommendations on location,
approach, and budget, with minimal budget impact.
• Tree Data Tracking: The city tracks permitted removals, violations, mitigation,
and giveaway programs, but not natural tree falls. Arborist letters address tree
health concerns.
• Tree Protection: There is no plan to prioritize only certain species; ESC values
all protected trees, though interest in preserving large generational oaks was
noted.
• Tree Reporting Improvements: ESC is working towards a comprehensive
biennial tree report to establish better baseline data.
• Public Awareness: Emphasis was placed on promoting Atlantic Beach as a Tree
City and educating residents on proper procedures for tree removal.
• Mitigation Policy: No mitigation is required when diseased trees are removed
with certified arborist approval.
• Stormwater Management: A question was raised about whether it should be an
ESC or Commission priority due to technical complexity.
• Additional Initiatives: Interest was expressed in mangrove projects, Florida -
friendly Landscaping, environmental awards, and Bee City USA designation for
protecting pollinators.
• Follow-up: Mayor Ford requested a follow-up discussion at the next regular
meeting, additional information on the stormwater management priority rationale
and Florida -Friendly Landscaping, and acceleration of the Marsh Restoration
Pilot.
2. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Attest:
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Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Date Approved: '/27/?�24
C is ord, Mayor
Joint Workshop
March 2, 2026
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
COMMITTEE (ESC)
PRIORITIES FY2027
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Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
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CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
COMMITTEE (ESC)
PRIORITIES FY2027
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Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
PRIORITY ONE:
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To study and make recommendations to and respond to requests
from city commission and city staff with respect to the city's44'
MARITIME FOREST
PARKS & OPEN SPACES _ _
BEAUTIFICATION OF PUBLIC & PRIVATE SPACES
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP '"�••+s.,
Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
MARITIME FOREST
Support passage and implementation of submitted and
ongoing revisions to Chapter 23 and other tree -related
recommendations — especially those focused on
preservation of largest trees
-� Trees, Heritage Tree Grant Program;
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Public Works, Planning & City Arborist time
Cost bavii ig`-- Preservation of community's character and
community benefits of maritime forest canopy
PROBLEM: Atlantic Beach is in a crisis moment:
Centuries old, irreplaceable live oaks are being lost.
Our maritime forest canopy is disappearing as more trees
are being destroyed than are being planted.
Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
BENEFITS OF TREES:
Shade It's 10-20 degrees cooler in the shade.
Improved air quality
Cool urban heat islands
Foundation of green infrastructure
Increased property values
Energy savings
Stormwater absorption
Carbon storage
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Protection from storms "Trees are the most important part
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Wildlife habitat
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Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
SOLUTIONS
• Comprehensive slate of recommended
improvements to Chapter 23
• Additional resolutions passed to support
prioritizing preservation of largest trees and
prevent clearcutting
• Research model ordinances and development
incentives
• Seek out subject matter experts
Despite all of the community benefits,
Atlantic Beach is losing trees at an
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Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
OTHER TREE RELATED
INITIATIVES
Annual Tree Fund Budget
Heritage Tree Maintenance Grant
Program
Mapping of "Elder Trees"
Historic Tree Corridor Designations
Developer Roundtable
Arborist for a Day
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Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
PARKS & OPEN SPACES
St d ide im lementation of nature -based
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solutions for marsh restoration pilot program to combat
marsh erosion
Budget/Staff Cost : Hiring graduate students to monitor
Cost Swings: Cost-sharing with project partners, With proof
of concept, large grants are available
PROBLEM: Salt Marsh is disappearing. Residents on the
marsh -side are alarmed by rate of erosion and ask for action.
SOLUTION: Pilot project to test nature -based solutions for
marsh restoration.
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Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
PARKS & OPEN SPACES
St d ide im lementation of nature -based
uppor an gu p
solutions for marsh restoration pilot program to combat
marsh erosion
Budget/Staff Cost : Hiring graduate students to monitor
Cost Swings: Cost-sharing with project partners, With proof
of concept, large grants are available
PROBLEM: Salt Marsh is disappearing. Residents on the
marsh -side are alarmed by rate of erosion and ask for action.
SOLUTION: Pilot project to test nature -based solutions for
marsh restoration.
Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
PARKS &OPEN SPACES
Support renewal of Parks Master Plan
: Staff time for public charettes
Prepares city to take advantage of grant
opportunities
Problem- Parks Master Plan needs to be updated to reflect
evolving needs of community
Possible Solutions:
• Invest in Pocket Parks to preserve green space and
irreplaceable trees
• Continue to focus on connectivity of parks
• Create Friends of the Park chapters
Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
BEAUTIFICATION OF PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE SPACES
Improve public spaces through "Florida -friendly" landscape
design principles, which will conserve water and reduce use of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Initial outlay for plants- Bee City USA
Application/Annual Fee - $200; Staff cost of doing things
differently
Cost Savings: Reduction in mowing, chemical fertilizers and
pesticides; replacing plants
PROBLEM
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Traditional lawns and tropical landscaping lead to
• Increased water use that exacerbates
drought
• Chernical fertilizer run-off that hurts
waterways
• Spread of invasive species
• Decrease in biodiversity
• Pesticide use that creates loss of pollinators
and birds; harmful to health of humans and
pets
• Expensive replacement of plants lost to cold
freeze
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SOLUTION
CoAB can lead by example by:
• Planting native and Florida Friendly flowers,
shrubs, and trees
• Developing an integrated pest management
system
• Using natural fertilizers and mulch
• Homeowners can be encouraged, educated,
and incentivized to appreciate a different
standard of "beauty" that reflects our native
maritime habitat.
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Not only trees are being lost-
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In the vein of Tree City USA and Mayor's Monarch Pledge,
Bee City USA supports communities to work together to
conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of
k native plants and reducing the use of pesticides.
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AN INITIATIVE OF THE
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Attachment A
�+ 3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
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4 ENVIRONMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP
Provide input for Master Stormwater Management Plan and
related water conservation campaign
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Storm drain covers need replacement
Compliance with state regulations
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Problem: New state regulations will increase CoAB's
accountability. Water has to go somewhere. How to achieve
more permeability? How to protect water quality? How to
conserve water?
Solutions:
Research model ordinances and development incentives
Seek out subject matter experts
Make data -driven recommendations
Align ESC's focus on trees and Florida Friendly landscapes
and design principles as solutions for absorbing stormwater
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Attachment A
�+ 3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
r.
4 ENVIRONMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP
Provide input for Master Stormwater Management Plan and
related water conservation campaign
r
Storm drain covers need replacement
Compliance with state regulations
• eip
Problem: New state regulations will increase CoAB's
accountability. Water has to go somewhere. How to achieve
more permeability? How to protect water quality? How to
conserve water?
Solutions:
Research model ordinances and development incentives
Seek out subject matter experts
Make data -driven recommendations
Align ESC's focus on trees and Florida Friendly landscapes
and design principles as solutions for absorbing stormwater
Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
PRIORITY TWO:
Act as a motivating and coordinating body to encourage joint public and
private participation in promoting these purposes through a data -driven,
integrated communications, education and outreach plan aligned to the
above priorities, which includes:
• Reports
• Events
• Educational/Outreach Communications & Materials
• Partnerships & Volunteers
ESC request - $2500 (currently some out of pocket
for ESC members); $7500 canopy report (tree fund); Welcome Kit; staff
support/time for events
Greater resident awareness of and engagement in city's
environmental priorities and focus areas
UPCOMING EXAMPLES:
• Biennial comprehensive "State of the Canopy" report
• Welcome kit
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Attachment A Nf &WIL AV
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
I
E ENT ACHIEVEMENTS:
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• Minecraft sponsorship for COJ Challenge,'
• Centennial Tree Challenge -100 Trees for 100 Years (free front yard e
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tree sign-ups)
• Arbor Day/Tree City USA = r
• Quarter) hands-on environmental speakers/workshops
(April 2, 2026 - "Lights Out" with Jacksonville Audubon Society Chapter r'�, --• . , �:M. ',,�,
& Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol)
•
Community Service Days
(Weed Wrangle & Native Plantings with Friends of Howell Park)r,
• Biannual environmental film screenings with ARC
• Earth Day/Mayor's Monarch Pledge
• Trick or Trees Give-away
• ESC Environmental Awards ..�,`
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Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
THANK YOU
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Attachment A
3-2-26 Joint Workshop Minutes
THANK YOU
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