Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) - 19 Apr 2023 - Minutes - Pdf
MINUTES
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
Meeting
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - 6:00 PM
Commission Chamber
Present:
Anastasia Houston, At-Large Member, ESC
Amy Palmer, 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
Sarah Boren, District 1306 Member, ESC
Bruce Andrews, District 1308 Member, ESC
Absent:
Linda Chipperfield, At-Large Member, ESC
Patrick Nobles, At-Large Member, ESC
Also Present:
Amanda Askew, Planning and Community Development Director
1.CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mark Gabrynowicz called the meeting to order. He asked if there were any changes to the
agenda. Sarah Boren and Amy Palmer had topics to add to the agenda. Mark Gabrynowicz said
these would be discussed under new business.
2.COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.)
3.CONSENT AGENDA
Approve minutes of the March 8th regular Environmental Stewardship Committee
A.
meeting.
B.Subcommittee Reports
C.90-Day Calendar
MOTION:
to approve the consent agenda
Motion:Sarah Boren
Second:Romy Vann
A vote was not recorded. There was not dissent to the motion.
Motion passed unanimously 5 to 0.
4.CHAIR REMARKS
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April 19, 2023
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Mark Gabrynowicz reported on a meeting he had with City Manager Gerrity. He said
Commission will be voting on the budget soon so members must come up with proposed budget
items. Amanda Askew said this will need to be voted on at the May 10th ESC meeting. Mark
Gabrynowicz said he is regularly meeting with ARC and CDB chairs. He reported that there is
still a vacant seat on ESC. Discussion about the open position ensued.
5.SIGNIFICANT MATTERS ARISING IN SUBCOMMITTEE
Sarah Boren spoke about the Sustainability and Resiliency Subcommittee meeting. She said they
are working on revising their priorities. Discussion about the newsletter ensued.
Bruce Andrews spoke about the Tree Subcommittee meeting. Bruce Andrews began a
discussion about tree mitigation and members discussed revising Chapter 23 to require
permission to take a tree down. Discussion ensued.
Anastasia Houston talked about the Outreach Subcommittee meeting. She reported on the
demonstration garden and said she is meeting with contractors and Public Works to work
through the details. She stated the proposed location is at Bull Park along East Coast Drive and
7th Street. Discussion about the demonstration garden ensued. Anastasia Houston reported that
she will need at least 4 ESC members at the Earth Day event at any given time.
Sarah Boren stated that the Annual Awards event will be held December 9th.
6.MAYOR AND/OR STAFF REPORT
Mark Gabrynowicz asked for an update on 0 Lily Street. Amanda Askew reported the city is in
discussion with the attorney for the property.
7.OLD BUSINESS
A.Priorities Progress
This item was not discussed.
B.ESC Meeting Rules
This item was not discussed.
8.NEW BUSINESS
A.Use of tree mitigation funds
Mark Gabrynowicz proposed amending Chapter 23 to allow "adopt-a-tree" plantings to
occur in the backyard. Sarah Boren asked for staff's opinion. Amanda Askew said the
ultimate goal is to increase the tree canopy, however, planting in the backyard does not
allow the city to see if proper care is taking place. She said she does not have any issue
with this change. Discussion about the adopt a tree planting locations ensued.
Mark Gabrynowicz proposed removing the last sentence of Section 23-14(a). Bruce
Andrews did not support removing this language because it keeps the city from using the
funds for landscaping. He said City of Jacksonville has similar language in their code.
Discussion about the use of tree fund monies ensued. Amy Palmer expressed her
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
April 19, 2023
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concerns that making the change to Section 23-14(a) and the adopt-a-tree planting
location change will be opening up Chapter 23 to more changes. Members agreed.
MOTION:
to amend Section 23-14(e)(2) as shown on page 25 of the April 19, 2023 ESC
agenda packet.
Motion:Sarah Boren
Second:Bruce Andrews
A vote was not recorded. There was no dissent.
Motion passed unanimously 5 to 0.
B.Voluntary energy and water benchmarking
Sarah Boren expressed that this task will need more work than posting on social media.
She said it will require more hand holding of homeowners. Discussion about water usage
and utility billing ensued.
MOTION:
to approve the proposal shown on pages 27-28 of the March 19, 2023 ESC agenda
packet as a way to notify Commission on how ESC will support and implement their priority to
reduce residential water consumption by 15%
Motion:Sarah Boren
Second:Daniele Giovannucci
A vote was not recorded. There was no dissent.
Motion passed unanimously 5 to 0.
C.Budget
This item was not discussed.
D.City Manager's Description (added by Sarah Boren)
Sarah Boren said that the City Manager job description does not emphasize experience
or knowledge in environmental stewardship, resiliency, or sustainability. She said she
spoke during public comment encourage adding this to the job description.
MOTION:
to recommend the City Manager job description is amended to say experience in
environmental stewardship, resiliency, and sustainability is preferred.
Motion:Sarah Boren
Second:Daniele Giovannucci
Amanda Askew said the application period ends at the end of the week. Sarah Boren emphasized
that it is still important to make this recommendation. Members agreed.
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AMENDED MOTION:
to recommend the City Manager job description is amended to say
experience in environmental stewardship, resiliency, and sustainability is preferred, this
experiences is considered in the scoring of candidates, time is given to candidates to provide
supplemental information about environmental experience, and this subject is part of the
interview process.
Motion:Sarah Boren
Second:Daniele Giovannucci
A vote was not recorded. There was no dissent.
Motion passed unanimously 5 to 0.
E.Beaches Home Tour (added by Amy Palmer)
Amy Palmer reported that the Beaches Home Tour is actively looking for properties to
be included in this year's home tour. She said she is on the committee to help encourage
selecting eco-friendly and historic homes. She asked members to provide
recommendations.
9.MEMBERS CLOSING REMARKS
10.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Mark Gabrynowicz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:06
p.m.
Attest:
Amanda Askew Mark Gabrynowicz, Chair
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
April 19, 2023
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