6-28-21 ESC Resolution HandoutWAilAd s ky -2-sy
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMt,NTAI, STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE (ESC)
OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF KEEPING THE
CURRENT ELEVEN (11) MEMBER BOARD SIZE THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF'
E LEVEN (11) MEMBERS IS TO PROVIDE DIVERSE EXPERTISE, FINANCIAL
SAVINGS TO C1TV OF ATLANTIC BEACH, SUBSTANTIAL WORK COMPLETED IN
SUBCOMMITTEES, AND PROVIDE BROAD INPUT FROM CITtZI( NS
WHEREAS, the ESC ,aims and res};ects the original authors of the o-dinani 8_= who spent many hours
debating size and intent of ordinance and expressly requested a 11 person contniittee; and
WHEREAS, there is a strong and proven need for diverse expertise and perspectives for the multitude of
complex issues on which the ESC reviews and advises on a monthly basis. We are advisors on the study,
protection and maintenance of, as well a,s_ the motivating and coordinating body for four major
responsibilities of the City: Maritime Forest, Parks and Open Space, Beautification of Public and Private
Spaces and Environmental Stewardship.
WHEREAS, the current diverse membership expertise includes the following: Landscape Architecture;;
Environmental Law; Resource Economics and Policy; Natural Resources and Conservation; Physics;
Oceanography; Engineering; Marketing and Communications; Culture and .'arts; Anthropology and
Ethnobiology; Grant Writing and Community h Initiatives; Small Business Owner:. Science -Based
Sustainability Metrics; Pollution Studies and Environmental Management; and more; and
WHEREAS, with citizens serving on the ESC who are subject ;natter experts, the City is benefiting from
this' olunteered expertise and engagement conserving financial resources by not hiring consultants; and
WHEREAS, before the pandemic, the ESC never had a quorum issue. A reduction in members to
improve effectiveness would limit ESC's efficacy through a decrease in its depth and breadth of collective
knowledge. Additionally this reduction if based on the few occasions we did not meet quorum
requirements during the pandemic due to health ani safety concerns (members were available online),
seems counterproductive and
WHEREAS, staff assigned to assist the ESC have a set schedule of regular meetings and posting notices
typical of regular citizen -based committees. To the ESC's knowledge, this coordination does not seen; to
pose an undue burden on City staff; and
WHEREAS. 'educing citizen engagement is contrary to good government and detrimental when we need
more and not less engagement to aid in resolving issues associated with complex issues.
N OW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the I-nvironrnental Stewardship Conn ittec of the City of
Atlantic Beach:
SECTION 1 e The ESC strongly opposes the idea of reducing its committee size and would like to remain
the same size of eleven (11) members.
P ASSEL) AND ADOPTED by the ESC, this 91` day of .lune, 2021.