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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-8-26 ESC Adopted MinutesJ/ 0 ;;.. MINUTES Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) Meeting Wednesday, July 8, 2026 - 6:00 PM City Hall, Commission Chamber 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Present: Amy Palmer, ESC Member 2 Sarah Boren, ESC Member 4 Matthew Mattila, ESC Member 5 Bruce Andrews, ESC Member 6 Christina Kelcourse, ESC Member 8 Amy Franqui, ESC Member 9 Absent: Anastasia Houston, ESC Member 1 Todd Miner, ESC Member 3 Daniele Giovannucci, ESC Member 7 Also Present: Amanda Askew, Neighborhoods Department Director (NDD) 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Agenda Chair Amy Palmer asked whether any changes were needed to the agenda. A brief procedural discussion followed regarding whether items could be added to a noticed agenda. Amanda Askew, Director of Neighborhoods, stated that items can sometimes be addressed under new or old business, though the Clerk's Office prefers publication in advance. B. Approve minutes from the May 27, June 10 and June 24 ESC meetings MOTION: To APPROVE all meeting minutes. Motion: Sarah Boren Second: An�p Franqui Motion passed 6 to 0. 3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.) A resident, Jody, introduced herself as a real estate broker who had recently moved to the area and said she regularly attends environmental meetings where she lives. She stated that she studied environmental science and wanted to learn what was happening in the City and how she might become involved. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) July S, 2026 Page 1 of 7 Chair Palmer welcomed her, explained the meeting schedule for the Environmental Stewardship Committee and Tree Subcommittee, and noted that openings periodically arise on City committees. Sarah Boren stated that she was taking the lead on outreach to realtors regarding challenges and opportunities related to the tree canopy and asked to obtain Jody's contact information after the meeting. A second speaker, Nancy Staats, asked for clarification regarding the City's current tree protections and the pending ordinance scheduled for Commission consideration on July 13. Amanda Askew, Director of Neighborhoods, responded that under current code, trees 8 inches or greater in diameter at breast height are protected and require a permit for removal unless invasive. She explained that the ordinance passed on first reading would return for second reading on July 13 and had been amended to include maritime species 20 inches or greater in diameter at breast height. Under the proposed ordinance, removal of such trees would require a recommendation from the Community Development Board and approval by the City Commission. Bruce Andrews added that the Committee should be careful and consistent in how it uses the term "tree protection," noting that the City already regulates removal and requires mitigation for protected trees, even if that protection is not absolute. Discussion followed regarding the distinction between mitigation requirements and the authority to deny removal altogether. 4. CHAIR REMARKS A. ESC Chair's Informational Report 07.08.2026 Chair Palmer relayed guidance from the City Clerk regarding minutes. She stated that draft minutes should generally be approved when presented and that scrivener's errors can be corrected after approval. She encouraged members to review draft minutes in advance and submit substantive corrections early when possible. Chair Palmer reported that she had invited the other candidates running for Commissioner Kelly's seat to attend ESC meetings. She stated that Jennifer Lagner had accepted an invitation to attend the August 12 meeting and Lisa Herrold had accepted an invitation for the October meeting and also expected to attend the July tree subcommittee meeting. Chair Palmer provided an update on the marsh pilot project. She reported that the City Engineer had not yet received word on the grant proposal submitted for the project, but that $25,000 had been included in the proposed FY27 budget for pilot projects related to the marsh. She stated that the City Engineer expected to provide an update by the September meeting. She also reported that the City Engineer supported pursuing volunteer outreach this winter for construction of marsh modules intended to attract oysters. Chair Palmer stated that there was still no date for the next Board Member Review Committee meeting but emphasized the continuing need to recruit new ESC members. She encouraged current members, particularly those rotating off in December, to think in terms of helping identify their replacements and potentially mentoring them once off the Committee. Discussion followed regarding district representation and the desirability Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) July 8, 2026 Page 2 of 7 of recruiting members from underrepresented districts, especially District 1312 and additional geographic areas of the City. Chair Palmer also reminded members about lead summaries previously approved for submission under organizational excellence and stated that additional summaries would be due before the next meeting. Bruce Andrews asked for a reminder regarding his assigned item, and Chair Palmer stated she would send the necessary form and follow- up information. 5. COMMISSION AND/OR STAFF REPORTS A. Staff Report Chair Palmer and Director Askew, reviewed upcoming Commission -related items, particularly the July 13 second reading and public hearing on the tree ordinance. Chair Palmer reminded members that the Commission meeting would include both general public comment and item -specific public comment on the ordinance. Director Askew, reported that the semiannual tree permit process and tree removal report discussed by the Tree Subcommittee had been sent to staff for review, but that City Manager Kevin Hogencamp wished to delay presentation to the Commission until staff and ESC representatives could review several items for alignment and clarity. Committee members discussed the process for revising that report and agreed that it should return to the full ESC rather than proceed to the Commission solely through the Tree Subcommittee. Director Askew, reported that the City Manager would ask the Commission on July 13 whether to cancel the July 27 Commission meeting due to summer travel schedules. If the meeting were canceled, the next opportunities for ESC presentations would be August 10 or August 24. The Committee expressed consensus to keep the ESC accomplishments report and the tree permit report as separate presentations rather than combine them into one evening, citing concern that a combined presentation would reduce available time for each topic. The Committee tentatively agreed that, if necessary, the accomplishments presentation could go on August 10 and the tree permit report on August 24. Bruce Andrews and Sarah Boren discussed who should meet with staff regarding revisions to the tree permit report. Because Bruce Andrews expected to be absent from the next Tree Subcommittee meeting, Sarah Boren agreed to coordinate with him and staff so that a revised version could be brought back for ESC approval. Director Askew, also shared information about the City's 250th celebration scheduled for Saturday at Beaches Veterans Memorial Park, noting that the Marsh Oaks Community Center would not yet be open, requiring revision to the planned Minecraft- related programming. She encouraged attendance and stated that cooling tents would be provided. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) July S, 2026 Page 3 of 7 The Committee discussed the July 18 Town Hall, which Director Askew, said would include discussion of potential programming and uses for the Marsh Oaks Community Center while still allowing general public comment. She reported that the facility remained on track for an October opening, although construction had recently encountered another water line. A brief side discussion also occurred regarding an abandoned gas line found during Ahern Avenue work. Later in the staff report, Director Askew, and Chair Palmer discussed recent state budget outcomes referenced in the Beach Gazette. Amanda Askew explained that funding for the Sailfish Drive multiuse path had been vetoed, though the City retained design funding and intended to make the project shelf -ready for future grant funding or budget inclusion. She stated that the project would be coordinated with an upcoming sewer line replacement and that staff intended to work around successful tree plantings in the corridor whenever possible. Chair Palmer highlighted several items that did receive state support, including funding related to Sherman Creek dredging and bank stabilization, the Dutton/Donner stormwater mitigation pond, septic tank elimination in Marsh Oaks, and resilient lift station improvements. Director Askew, stated that staff hoped to design the stormwater pond as a more park -like, semi -passive public space and noted that the City's resilience grant application had ranked very highly statewide. A substantial discussion then followed concerning the draft tree ordinance language scheduled for second reading on July 13, specifically the mitigation table. Director Askew, explained that the Commission would need to decide the appropriate mitigation rates if landmark tree removals were ultimately authorized. Members discussed whether the existing mitigation levels were sufficient deterrents and whether rates should be adjusted to avoid making it cheaper to pay into the fund than to plant replacement trees. ESC added the discussion of the proposed Landmark Tree Code update to the agenda since it will go before Commission on July 13th prior to their next ESC meeting. Bruce Andrews stated that most of the Committee's prior focus had been on creating a process that would preserve large trees whenever feasible, but he agreed that mitigation should also be calibrated so that removal of large trees was not underpriced. After discussion, the Committee settled on a recommendation to revise the mitigation table by lowering the threshold in the second and third size columns from 30 inches to 20 inches and by increasing mitigation ratios for vacant lots in the larger -tree categories to mirror the new construction row for those columns. MOTION: To RECOMMEND changes to the mitigation table in the pending tree ordinance as follows: revise the second column to apply to trees equal to or greater than 14 inches and less than 20 inches in diameter at breast height; revise the third column to apply to trees 20 inches or greater in diameter at breast height; and, on the vacant lot row, change the mitigation ratios in the third and fourth columns from 1:1 to 1:3 and the fourth column from 1:25 to 1:4, respectively. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) July 8, 2026 Page 4 of 7 Motion: Bruce Andrews Second: Sarah Boren Motion passed 6 to 0. Director Askew, then addressed the tree fund. She stated that the current code requires Commission approval of tree fund expenditures, though the Commission has previously granted broad approval for certain right-of-way and park tree planting uses. She suggested that the most effective way to move the ESC spending plan forward would be for staff to bring a resolution to the Commission adopting the plan. Members discussed concern that the growing balance in the tree fund could invite scrutiny if left unused too long and agreed that the matter should remain a priority. B. Commission Calendar - Additional Sign-ups Needed Chair Palmer circulated the remaining Commission meeting, budget workshop, and town hall sign-up schedule and noted that several dates still lacked ESC coverage. She encouraged members to sign up where available and discussed upcoming gaps, including budget workshops and a town hall. Bruce Andrews advised that he would be out of town for several of the listed dates. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS This item was not discussed. 7. OLD BUSINESS/ONGOING A. Environmental Awards This item was not discussed. B. Minecraft Extension Activities This item was not discussed. C. ESC Reports to Commission Chair Palmer presented the draft ESC accomplishments report to the Commission and explained that the report had been revised to include a specific "request of Commission" section after feedback that the Commission wanted direct requests and associated costs where possible. Members discussed whether the request slide should appear earlier in the presentation and whether some background slides should be shortened or moved later in case presentation time was limited. Discussion centered on highlighting approval of the ESC tree fund budget as the key request, because many ESC priorities—including incentives, planting programs, and canopy -related projects—depended on timely approval of that spending plan. Sarah Boren suggested organizing the requested items into clearer categories such as incentives and planting/canopy work. Members also discussed whether to mention the current approximate tree fund balance and how to frame the urgency of pending projects. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) July 8, 2026 Page 5 of 7 8. 9. Chair Palmer also proposed that the Tree Subcommittee take one more look at the tree fund budget at its next meeting to consider adding professional watering of trees and to revisit whether a private tree inventory should be included. Director Askew, stated that watering remained a concern because staff capacity was limited and contracted watering had previously proven expensive, though tree survival remained critical. After discussion, the Committee approved the PowerPoint for presentation to the Commission, with Chair Palmer retaining discretion to make presentational edits consistent with the discussion. MOTION: To APPROVE the ESC accomplishments PowerPoint for presentation to the City Commission. Motion: Bruce.9ndrews Second: Anti, Franqui Amy Palmer Sarah Boren Matthew Mattila Bruce Andrews (Moved By) Christina Kelcourse Amy Franqui (Seconded By) Motion passed S to 1. NEW BUSINESS A. Beach Gazette/Beach Buzz For Against For For For For Discussion of Beach Gazette items occurred during the staff report, when Chair Palmer reviewed recent state budget outcomes affecting City environmental, stormwater, transportation, and resilience projects. 90 DAY CALENDAR A. Speaker Series - July 9, 2026 Amy Franqui provided an update on the July 9 speaker series event, "The Nature of Oaks." She reported that 46 people had RSVP'd, that Jody Willis would assist with the question -and -answer portion, and that books and educational materials would be available, including raffle items. She stated that the presentation would run approximately 50 minutes followed by 15 to 20 minutes of questions. She also noted that she would announce the July 13 Commission meeting and the upcoming August film series. B. Motion Tracker and Life Cycle of a Motion This item was not discussed. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) July 8, 2026 Page 6 of 7 10. ESC MEMBER REPORTS, REQUESTS AND/OR CLOSING REMARKS A. LEADs - Updates, Questions and Next Steps This discussion occurred earlier in the meeting during Chair Palmer's remarks. Chair Palmer reported receipt of several lead summaries, reminded members of the upcoming deadline, and offered assistance to anyone needing clarification on what to submit. B. Member Closing Remarks In closing remarks, Sarah Boren urged as many ESC members as possible to attend the July 13 Commission meeting and provide public comment on the tree ordinance, noting that the second reading could still result in substantial amendment, continuation, failure, or a return to first reading if changes were significant. Additional closing discussion addressed the City budget outlook and the possibility of upcoming reductions in anticipation of the November referendum. Members noted that while the tree fund is currently restricted to tree -related uses unless the ordinance is amended, the growing size of the fund made timely action advisable. 11. RECAP OF DECISIONS, ACTION ITEMS AND NEXT STEPS The Committee approved the agenda and minutes from May 27, June 10, and June 24, 2026. The Committee recommended revisions to the mitigation table in the pending tree ordinance for presentation at the July 13 City Commission meeting. The Committee agreed to continue separating the ESC accomplishments presentation from the tree permit report presentation if the Commission calendar required rescheduling. Sarah Boren agreed to coordinate with Bruce Andrews and staff on revisions to the tree permit report. Chair Palmer was authorized to proceed with the ESC accomplishments presentation to the Commission, incorporating the discussion regarding the request of Commission and tree fund priorities. The Tree Subcommittee was expected to revisit the tree fund budget, including possible additions related to watering and tree inventory. Members were encouraged to attend the July 13 Commission meeting and to fill open Commission and town hall observation assignments. 12. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:08 p.m. Attest: Amanda Askew, Neighbor oods Director Amy Palmer, ESC Chair Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) July 8, 2026 Page 7 of 7