07-13-22 ESC Adopted MinutesMINUTES
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
Meeting,..
Wednesday, July 13, 2022 - 6:00 PM
Commission Chamber
Present: Amy Palmer, At -Large Member, ESC
Linda Chipperfield, At -Large Member, ESC
Mark Gabrynowicz, ESC Chair, District 1307 Member
Daniele Giovannucci, Vice Chair, At -Large Member, ESC
Romy Vann, At -Large Member, ESC
Barbie Brooksher, District 1312 Member, ESC
Bruce Andrews, District 1308 Member, ESC
Anastasia Houston, At -Large Member, ESC
Absent: Christopher McHan, At -Large Member, ESC
Sarah Boren, District 1306 Member, ESC
Patrick Nobles, At -Large Member, ESC
Also Present: Amanda Askew, Director of Planning and Community Development
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mark Gabrynowicz called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Linda Chipperfield called the roll.
Linda Chipperfield attended via Zoom.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approve minutes of the June 8th regular Environmental Stewardship Committee
meeting.
MOTION: to approve of the June 8, 2022 meeting minutes.
Motion: Daniele Giovannucci
Second: Barbie Brooksher
Amy Palmer
For
Mark Gabrynowicz
For
Daniele Giovannucci (Moved By)
For
Romy Vann
For
Barbie Brooksher (Seconded By)
For
Bruce Andrews
For
Anastasia Houston
For
Motion passed 7 to 0.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
July 13, 2022
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3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.)
A. Troy Stephens, Director of Public Utilities
Troy Stephens spoke about citizen concerns regarding the smell of city water and the
recently published water quality report. Committee members asked questions and
discussion ensued.
4. CHAIR REPORTS
A. EPA
Mark Gabrynowicz gave an overview of the Supreme Court decision in West Virginia
v. EPA.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Plan -it Geo
Amanda Askew said that finance is writing and RFP for the tree canopy
assessment which will be competed before the end of the budget year.
Romy Vann reviewed the information provided by the City of Jacksonville
regarding Plan -it Geo.
Members discussed creating a work group to review the information generated
from the canopy analysis. Mark Gabrynowicz suggested giving this to the Tree
Subcommittee. Amanda Askew proposed working with Romy Vann on any
projects that are generated. Romy Vann agreed and said it could first go to the
Tree Subcommittee for ideas then be handed over to her and Amanda Askew to
work on. Members were in support.
B. AB Chemical Management Plan
Mark Gabrynowicz said he was overwhelmed by comments from committee
members. He said is is going to continue drafting the plan and encouraged
members to submit their comments to Amanda Askew.
C. AB Verified Tree Service Provider
• Amanda Askew reported that the online portion is live. Linda Chipperfield said
she has sent minor edits to Kevin Hogancamp and the next step will be the
outreach subcommittee reaching out to tree service companies to take the test.
6. REPORTS
A. LEED subcommittee
• Barbie Brooksher addressed the PowerPoint created by the ESC's intern about
the Community Action Plan and said the purpose of the PowerPoint was to get
the community involved.
• Mark Gabrynowicz said he volunteered to work on a document connecting the
Comprehensive Plan and Community Action Plan. He encouraged committee
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
July 13, 2022
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members to read the Comprehensive Plan. He stated the goal is to get the plan to
Commission in October.
B. Outreach subcommittee
• Barbie Brooksher spoke about purchasing "ESC" branded tents and chair to have
at events. She said they would have to decide where these will be stored and a
budget of $2,000.00 would cover all the items.
MOTION: to spend money to purchase "ESC" branded outdoor venue
Motion: Mark Gabrynowicz
Second. Anastasia Houston
• Anastasia Houston emphasized that ESC needs a brand that encompasses all of the
groups work. She reiterated Chris McHann's point of having a brand or logo that
incorporates the "AB Loves Trees" logo and the other areas of work.
• Amy Palmer stated there are funds that the committee has not spent for the current budget
year. Amanda Askew confirmed there is money in the current budget year that must be
spent by September. She said she has already submitted the budget for 2022-2023 but it
has not been reviewed by commission.
• Bruce Andrews suggested using the ESC Banner rather than paying for a branded tent.
Daniele Giovannucci supported this idea.
Amy Palmer
For
Mark Gabrynowicz (Moved By)
For
Daniele Giovannucci
For
Romy Vann
For
Barbie Brooksher
For
Bruce Andrews
For
Anastasia Houston (Seconded By)
For
Motion passed 7 to 0.
• Barbie Brooksher reviewed the content calendar. She asked for feedback. Mark
Gabrynowicz asked members to send comments to Amanda Askew.
• Mark Gabrynowicz reviewed the progress of the monarch butterfly pledge and the work
the subcommittee has done with Candace Barone who said the other beach cities have
not taken the Monarch Pledge.
MOTION: to recommend the Mayor encourage Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach to
take the Monarch Pledge.
Motion: Daniele Giovannucci
Second. Bruce Andrews
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July 13, 2022
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7.
Amy Palmer
For
Mark Gabrynowicz
For
Daniele Giovannucci (Moved By)
For
Romy Vann
For
Barbie Brooksher
For
Bruce Andrews (Seconded By)
For
Anastasia Houston
For
Motion passed 7 to 0.
• Romy Vann recommended making a social media post to inform people on the negative
environmental impacts of fireworks. Members were in support of a post.
C. Tree subcommittee
• Bruce Andrews gave the Tree Subcommittee report. He spoke about the special
magistrate case for tree removal at 342 19th Street and the shade meeting held
by City Commission. He reported that the subcommittee discussed taking a
position against entering a settlement.
MOTION. to recommend to the City Commission to not approve settlement negotiation with
342 19th Street that allows a reduction in required mitigation for unapproved tree removal, to
uphold the Special Magistrate's ruling, and to pursue litigation. Any settlement would set a bad
president relative to the future use of arborist and landscape architect letters to bypass City
Ordnance.
Motion: Bruce Andrews
Second. Daniele Giovannucci
Amy Palmer
For
Mark Gabrynowicz
For
Daniele Giovannucci (Seconded By)
For
Romy Vann
For
Barbie Brooksher
For
Bruce Andrews (Moved By)
For
Anastasia Houston
For
Motion passed 7 to 0.
• Bruce Andrews said the appeal from 2431 Fiddlers Lane is still ongoing. He also reported
that the Selva Preserve walking path is complete.
MAYOR AND OR STAFF REPORTS
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
July 13, 2022
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A. Smoking ban in parks/beaches
• Amanda Askew reviewed the bill passed allowing municipalities to ban smoking
in parks and on beaches. She stated the Mayor is asking ECS to make a
recommendation on a potential ban on smoking in outdoor public places.
• Mark Gabrynowicz expressed he would recommend banning smoking in all
public places. Anastasia Houston expressed her concerns about enforcing, but
said she is in support of the proposed recommendation as it states the City is
opposed to smoking.
• Barbie Brooksher asked where people would be allowed to smoke. Amanda
clarified that the bill only pertains to public beaches and public parks and people
could still smoke on city right-of-way. Discussion ensued.
• Bruce Andrews and Barbie Brooksher were not in support of the proposed
recommendation. Bruce Andrews suggested members take time to think about
the subject before voting.
B. Heritage tree nomination at Bull Park
• Bruce Andrews reported Mayor Glasser nominated a tree in Bull Park as a
heritage trees and name it the "Merry Tree" as a nod to Carson Merry -Baillie who
founded the Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater. Mark Gabrynowicz said the
tree will be designated closer to arbor day.
C. Principal Planner and Environmental Coordinator
Promotion for Brian Broedell
• Amanda Askew reported that Brian Broedell's was promoted to Principal Planner
and Environmental Coordinator and his new responsibilities include looking at
sustainability and resiliency.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Bruce Andrews- Atlantic Boulevard Beautifiaction
Bruce Andrews encouraged members to look at the median maintenance along Atlantic
Boulevard and provide feedback to the city.
B. Amy Palmer- Palm Relocation and On-site Water Retention
• Amy Palmer spoke about the research she had done regarding palm relocation.
Mark Gabrynowicz suggested taking the topic to the tree subcommittee meeting.
• Amy Palmer also spoke about how on-site water retention limits new tree
planting for properties with new construction. Daniele Giovannucci asked that
this topic be added to the agenda for discussion. Bruce Andrews suggested
inviting staff to the discussion.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Mark Gabrynowicz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:07
p.m.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
.lull 13,2022
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Attest:
Amanda Askew
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
July 13, 2022
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