10-12-22 ESC Adopted MinutesMINUTES
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
Meeting
Wednesday, October 12, 2022 - 6:00 PM
Commission Chamber
Present: Amy Palmer, At -Large Member, ESC
Mark Gabrynowicz, ESC Chair, District 1307 Member
Romy Vann, At -Large Member, ESC
Barbie Brooksher, District 1312 Member, ESC
Sarah Boren, District 1306 Member, ESC
Bruce Andrews, District 1308 Member, ESC
Anastasia Houston, At -Large Member, ESC
Absent: Linda Chipperfield, At -Large Member, ESC
Christopher McHan, At -Large Member, ESC
Daniele Giovannucci, Vice Chair, At -Large Member, ESC
Patrick Nobles, At -Large Member, ESC
Also Present: Amanda Askew, Planning and Community Development Director (PCDD)
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mark Gabrynowicz called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Anastasia Houston volunteered to
record decisions in Linda Chipperfield's absence.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approve minutes of the September 14, 2022 regular Environmental Stewardship
Committee meeting.
Mark Gabrynowicz had two amendments to the minutes to include revising the vote on
item 6.C. from "5 to 0" to "7 to 0" and remove the words "he was" from Bruce Andrews'
comment under item 6.B.
MOTION: to approve the September 14th meeting minutes as amended
Motion: Bruce Andrews
Second. Anastasia Houston
A vote was not recorded. There was no dissent to approval of minutes.
3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.)
A.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
October 12, 2022
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Kelly Diaz, 130 5th Street, spoke to members about the mitigation that is owed on her
property. She stated she has requested to use king palms as replacement credit which is
not an approved species. She asked for advise on how to get administrative approval to
allow the king palm. She said she has not heard from the administrator about her request.
Ms. Diaz also spoke to the ESC about beautification in city rights-of-way. Discussion
about on -street parking ensued.
Sue Harvey, 386 9th Street, asked the ESC to educate residents about Florida Friendly
landscaping.
4. CHAIR REMARKS
A.
Mark Gabrynowicz stated he gave a presentation to Commission updating on the ESC's
work. He encouraged members to work on their personal goals identified during priority
setting for 2022. He asked members to focus on the SRCAP and encouraged the
committee to make recommendations to Commission supporting the SRCAP.
5. REPORTS
C. Sustainability and Resiliency Subcommittee
Sarah Boren gave the subcommittee report. She said the LEED certification will be
submitted in the next two weeks. She reported that she was able to meet with 4 out of 5
Commissioners to discuss the SRCAP and the plan will be on the October 24th
Commission meeting agenda for final approval. She suggested the ESC establish 2023
priorities before Commission in order to have a plan on how to achieve some goals
specified in the SRCAP.
B. Tree Subcommittee
Bruce Andrews gave the subcommittee report. He stated they have discussed amending
Chapter 23 to better protect trees on properties undergoing construction. Amanda Askew
said she edited the proposed language and will send it to the subcommittee for review.
Brue Andrews also reported they discussed plantings in the right-of-way, approved
species list, and funding for care of private Heritage trees. Commissioner Kelly said the
general opinion of the Commission is they did not want to spend city money on private
property. Discussion about Heritage Trees ensued. Bruce Andrews stated Amanda
Askew has applied for a DEP grant to fund the canopy assessment.
Sarah Boren asked what the options are for Ms. Diaz' complaint. Amanda Askew
reported that the property owner was notified by staff that the king palm was not an
acceptable mitigation species and she may pursue an appeal to the tree subcommittee or
a variance. She stated that staff also denied to property owner's request to designate a
Heritage tree in lieu of planting 5 inches of mitigation. Discussion ensued.
Sarah Boren asked how the landscaping in the rights-of-way was regulated. Amanda
Askew said landscaping is not allowed for sight visibility and safety reasons. Discussion
ensued about on -street parking and landscaping.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
October 12, 2022
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A. Outreach Subcommittee
Barbie Brooksher stated she was in contact with the principal of Atlantic Beach
Elementary School (ABE) and confirmed an Arbor Day celebration on the school
campus. She reported the subcommittee had the idea of creating a lesson plan for teacher
to give the week of arbor day but have not worked out the details. Discussion ensued
about Arbor Day plans. Barbie Brooksher emphasized relating lessons and information
provided to students at ABE back to trees in the city. Bruce Andrews suggested sending
students home with an Adopt -A -Tree application and creating an incentive for classes
like a pizza party. Members supported this idea.
6. MAYOR AND/OR STAFF REPORT
A. Smoking Ordinance
Amanda Askew reported Commission passed the first read of the Ordinance prohibiting
smoking on beaches and parks and the Ordinance will go to second read for adoption on
October 24th. Amy Palmer asked if the beach accesses were included. Amanda Askew
was unsure.
MOTION. to recommend City Commission include the public beach access in the no -smoking
Ordinance
Motion: Bruce Andrews
Second. Amy Palmer
A vote was not recorded. There was no dissent. Motion passed unanimously.
7. OLD BUSINESS
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Extension of Selva Preserve trail through Selva Lakes
Bruce Andrews reported there will be a ribbon cutting for the new trail. He said Romy
Vann and John November have been working with Selva Lakes HOA to allow trail
access on their property starting at Plaza running north to 11 th Street along Sherman
Creek. He stated the HOA has agreed to grant the City an easement which is being
reviewed by the City.
MOTION. to recommend the City enter into an agreement with Selva Lakes HOA to grant
an easement which will extend the Selva Preserve Trail from 11th Street south to Plaza along
Sherman Creek.
Motion: Bruce Andrews
There was not a second to the motion. A vote was not recorded. There was no dissent. Motion
passed unanimously.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
October 12, 2022
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9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Mark Gabrynowicz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:00
p.m.
Attest:
Amanda Askew
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
October 12, 2022
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