12-13-23 ESC Adopted MinutesrS/r� MINUTES
;= Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
1 Meeting
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 - 6:00 PM
Commission Chamber
Present: Amy Palmer, At Large Member
Linda Chipperfield,
Patrick Nobles, At Large Member
Mark Gabrynowicz, District 1307 Member
Heather Markaj, At Large Member
Daniele Giovannucci, At Large Member
Romy Vann, At Large Member
Barbie Brooksher,
Sarah Boren, District 1306 Member
Bruce Andrews, District 1308 Member
Absent:
Anastasia Houston, At Large Member
Also Present: Amanda Askew, Planning & Community Development Dir. (PCDD)
Candace Kelly, City Commissioner, Seat 4
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mark Gabrynowicz called the meeting to order. Linda Chipperfield called the roll.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Sarah Boren requested to move item 9.13. before item 4. There was no dissent.
3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.)
A. Arborist Letter report
Isabella Markaj gave a review of arborist letters submitted to the city. Discussion about
the data ensued. Sarah Boren asked if staff can provide a quarterly report of arborist letter
data. Amanda Askew said it was too time consuming for staff to take on. Romy Vann
volunteered to do a quarterly report of arborist letters. Sarah Boren volunteered to create
a supplemental form for arborist to complete that will provide data. She said she will
work with the Tree Subcommittee to create the form.
9. OLD BUSINESS
B. ESC recommended priories for Commission
MOTION. to recommend the following recommendations to Commission:
NEW PRIORITIES FOR COMMISSION TO CONSIDER FOR 2024
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
December 13, 2023
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1. Create a position or designate an employee to be a dedicated Chief Sustainability & Resilience Officer
for the City
2. Review and address issues associated with stormwater management, impervious codes, and
redevelopment/overbuilding including unintended consequences
3. Add/include environmental stewardship, sustainability, and resilience to all city employee job
descriptions, responsibilities and/or annual performance reviews.
4. Dedicate more resources (e.g., make priority for staff focus and time, financial support for effective
campaigns, etc.) to community education about social, environmental, and economic consequences of
community choices
5. Continue to make LEED and resilience a major focus across the City (all departments and community as
a whole) and blend/combine COAB Resilience Plan with the COAB Sustainability & Resilience Community
Action Plan.
PRIORITIES TO KEEP FROM 2023
• Utilize tree canopy assessment and data to create actions to further protect and enhance the canopy
(ESC has a plan)
• Design and upgrade Seminole Entrance (ESC has a plan)
• Continue to administer the Mayport Road Vision Implementation Plan, Connectivity Plan and Parks
Master Plan. (ESC has ideas!)
Motion: Sarah Boren
Second. Daniele Giovannucci
Motion passed 10 to 0.
Meeting adjourned for 10 minutes.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of the November 8th meeting
B. Approval of the November 15 Special Meeting
Sarah Boren has the following revisions to replace the bullet points under item 5B:
NEW PRIORITIES FOR COMMISSION TO CONSIDER FOR 2024
1. Create a position or designate an employee to be a dedicated Chief Sustainability &
Resilience Officer for the City
2. Review and address issues associated with stormwater management, impervious
codes, and redevelopment/overbuilding including unintended consequences
3. Add/include environmental stewardship, sustainability, and resilience to all city
employee job descriptions, responsibilities and/or annual performance reviews.
4. Dedicate more resources (e.g., make priority for staff focus and time, financial
support for effective campaigns, etc.) to community education about social,
environmental, and economic consequences of community choices
5. Continue to make LEED and resilience a major focus across the City (all departments
and community as a whole) and blend/combine COAB Resilience Plan with the COAB
Sustainability & Resilience Community Action Plan.
PRIORITIES TO KEEP FROM 2023
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
December 13, 2023
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• Utilize tree canopy assessment and data to create actions to further protect and
enhance the canopy (ESC has a plan)
• Design and upgrade Seminole Entrance (ESC has a plan)
• Continue to administer the Mayport Road Vision Implementation Plan, Connectivity
Plan and Parks Master Plan. (ESC has ideas!)
C. Outreach Subcommittee
Sarah Boren suggested adding text about cautioning personal advocacy under item 5B
D. Tree Subcommittee
E. Sustainability and Resiliency Subcommittee
F. Public Input on what ESC priorities should focus on for 2024
MOTION: to approve the consent agenda with amendments to item 5B for the November
15th meeting and to item 5B for the outreach subcommittee minutes
Motion: Sarah Boren
Second. Bruce Andrews
Motion passed 10 to 0.
5. 90 DAY CALENDAR
A. Approval of 90 Calendar
MOTION: to approve the 90 calendar
Motion: Sarah Boren
Second. Linda Chipperfield
Motion passed 10 to 0.
6. CHAIR REMARKS
A. Board Member Review Committee report
Mark Gabrynowicz reported all members were reappointed and a new member will join
the Committee in the new year. Sarah Boren reported there is one open seat.
B. January ESC meeting
Mark Gabrynowicz encouraged members to think about upcoming elections. Sarah
Boren reminded members to provide descriptions for their position (Chair, Vice Chair,
etc.). Amy Palmer suggested adding a position to track the Committee's budget. Linda
Chipperfield said this was something that the secretary could take on. There was no
dissent to the idea.
7. SIGNIFICANT MATTERS ARISING IN SUBCOMMITTEES
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
December 13, 2023
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A. Outreach Subcommittee
Linda Chipperfield asked for input on the name for the "Block Captain"/"Neighborhood
Ambassador" role. Romy Vann discussed including a "AB Verified Tree Providers" flyer
in the closing documents for new purchases in the city. Patrick Nobles reported the Arbor
Day events will begin at 9 am January 19th at the flagpole outside of the police
department for a flag raising. He said the ABE students in the Beaches Go Green club
will attend. He reported that there will be a tree giveaway at the Farmers Market that
weekend. Amanda Askew stated staff has considered spending about $2,000 from the
tree fund which totals approximately 130 trees. Patrick Nobles said the ESC will need to
approve the expense from the tree fund.
MOTION. to use $2,000 from the tree fund to purchase trees for a tree giveaway
Motion: Sarah Boren
Second. Romy Vann
Romy Vann suggested having a planting plan in place in case there is an excess of trees after the
event. Daniele Giovannucci stated he does not think the city will be able to giveaway 100 trees
because they will not be able to advertise enough. He suggested purchasing a few dozen larger
trees and spending more money on advertising. Discussion ensued.
Motion was amended
MOTION. to spend up to $2,000.00 to purchase trees for the free tree giveaway and for
promotion. Also, Sarah Boren is to work on a flyer promoting the free tree give away to provide
to students at surrounding school and work on having the digital sign placed to advertise for the
event
Motion: Sarah Boren
Second. Rome Vann
Motion passed 10 to 0.
C. Tree Subcommittee
This item was not discussed.
D. Sustainability and Resilience subcommittee
This item was not discussed.
E. Charter Review
This item was not discussed.
8. MAYOR AND/OR STAFF REPORTS
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
December 13, 2023
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A. Status update on the Parks Master Plan update
Amanda Askew reported there have been 474 respondents to the Parks Master Plan
survey. She reported the findings will be reported at the town hall meeting for public
input at the January Town Hall meeting.
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. ESC priorities
Mark Gabrynowicz took time to thank Linda Chipperfield and Barbie Brooksher for their
time on the ESC. ESC Priorities were not discussed.
10. NEW BUSINESS
A. Research for Chapter 23 update
Romy Vann spoke about her research into other tree protections and provided an example
about defining sensitive areas with stricter regulations. She encouraged members review
her report.
11. MEMBERS CLOSING REMARKS
Sarah Boren discussed the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program and discussion between
members ensued.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Mark Gabrynowicz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10
p.m.
Attest:
Amanda Askew
En- iron mental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
December 13, 2023
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