10-11-23 ESC Adopted MinutesMINUTES
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
Meeting
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 - 6:00 PM
Commission Chamber
Present: Anastasia Houston, At Large Member
Amy Palmer, AtLarge Member
Mark Gabrynowicz, Chair
Heather Markaj, At Large Member
Daniele Giovannucci, Vice Chair
Romy Vann, At Large Member
Barbie Brooksher, District 1312 Member
Sarah Boren, District 1306 Member
Bruce Andrews, District 1308 Member
Absent:
Linda Chipperfield, At Large Member
Patrick Nobles, At Large Member
Also Present: Amanda Askew, Director of Planning and Community Development
Candace Kelly, City Commissioner, Seat 4
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mark Gabrynowicz called the meeting to order. Anastasia Houston called the roll.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Sarah Boren asked to move item 11 D after item 6 and to move item 7 after item 11. There was
no dissent to the change.
3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.)
There were no speakers.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of the September 14th minutes
B. Outreach Subcommittee Minutes
C. Tree Subcommittee Minutes
D. Sustainability and Resiliency Subcommittee
Mark Gabrynowicz asked if there was any discussion about the consent agenda. He
stated that since there was no discussion the consent agenda was approved. A motion
and vote was not recorded.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
October 11, 2023
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5. 90 DAY CALENDAR
A. Review of 90 Calendar
Sarah Boren reviewed Amy Palmer's suggestion of having one event a quarter. She said
the committee should start planning for 2024. Discussion about events ensued. Sarah
Boren asked if members would like to do an "ESC Meet and Greet" in December.
Members were in support of the event but did not want to push for it to happen in 2023.
6. CHAIR REMARKS
A. Public Works, Public Utilities Capital Improvement Plan
Mark Gabrynowicz said he included the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for committee
members to review.
B. Parks Master Plan
http://www.coab.us/854/Parks-Master-Plan-Project-Page'
Mark Gabrynowicz announced there is an upcoming Town Hall meeting for the public
to provide input on the Parks Master Plan. Discussion about parks and the Dora Street
property ensued.
C. Member recruitment
Mark Gabrynowicz stated there are Board Member Review Committee meetings coming
up where upcoming vacancies may be filled. He said there are no candidates at this time.
11. NEW BUSINESS
D. Recap from special ESC regarding Charter Review
Sarah Boren reviewed the special called meeting do discus a motion about adding
language to the Charter about environmental stewardship. She said members decided the
most logical place for the statement is under Article 1 and in a new Section 5 called
"Environmental Leadership" and should state:
"In order to ensure the health and safety of its citizens, and enhance property values,
high quality of life, and healthy environment, the City of Atlantic Beach shall continually
improve its leadership and preparation for sustainability, resilience, environmental
stewardship, and protection of tree canopy".
MOTION: to recommend to the Charter Review Committee to add Article 1 Section 5,
"Environmental Leadership", which states:
"To ensure the health and safety of its citizens, and enhance property values, high quality of life,
and healthy environment, the City of Atlantic Beach shall continually improve its leadership and
preparation for sustainability, resilience, environmental stewardship, and protection of tree
canopy".
Motion: Sarah Boren
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
October 11, 2023
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Second. Anastasia Houston
Anastasia Houston (Seconded By)
For
Amy Palmer
For
Mark Gabrynowicz
For
Heather Markaj
For
Daniele Giovannucci
For
Romy Vann
For
Barbie Brooksher
For
Sarah Boren (Moved By)
For
Bruce Andrews
For
Motion passed 9 to 0.
8. MAYOR AND/OR STAFF REPORT
A. Request environmental recommendation regarding fires on the beach
Amanda Askew reviewed permitting for fires on the beach and the problems the city has
with the debris and cleanup. She asked for a recommendation from ESC on how to make
the regulations more enforceable and environmentally friendly. Discussion about
enforcement and environmental impacts ensued.
MOTION: Recognizing the social benefits of allowing seasonal beach bonfires, we also note that there are
negative environmental consequences primarily due to the detritus left behind from bonfires eg. cinders,
inappropriate and dangerous items that have been burned, screws, nails, trash, and particulate matter and thus if the
city continues to allow beach bonfires that this aspect should be addressed in order to protect this special privilege.
Motion: Daniele Giovannucci
Second. Romy Vann
Anastasia Houston
For
Amy Palmer
For
Mark Gabrynowicz
For
Heather Markaj
For
Daniele Giovannucci (Moved By)
For
Romy Vann (Seconded By)
For
Barbie Brooksher
For
Sarah Boren
For
Bruce Andrews
For
Motion passed 9 to 0.
B. ESC budget
Amanda Askew reviewed the ESC budget.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
October 11, 2023
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9.
10.
C. P1anIt Geo
https://cem.pg-cloud.com/atlanticbeachfl/#canopy-map=12/30.35208/-81.44424
Amanda Askew showed members the Tree Canopy Assessment database. Members
discussed the P1anIt Geo database and partnering with the local municipalities to access
the database.
REPORTS
OLD BUSINESS
A. Chemical Management Plan (CMP)
Mark Gabrynowicz deferred the item to the Sustainability and Resiliency Subcommittee
for further action.
B. Proposed Chapter 23 changes
Mark Gabrynowicz went through his draft of proposed changes to Chapter 23. Members
discussed the change to section 23-14 to allow city funded trees to be planted in rear
yards, Section 23-24 to increase the required tree protection zone, and Section 23-52 to
remove language about the inaugural committee terms and revising the geographical
requirement. Discussion about changes and enforceability ensued.
Bruce Andrews stated he wants to also add the change requiring trees planted as
mitigation to be protected no matter the caliper size.
Sarah Boren expressed she is not in support of revising the geographical requirement.
She said this is a large committee and there should be at least one person from each
district. Discussion about having a seat for each district ensued.
Mark Gabrynowicz stated he would like to add an annual review of Chapter 23 to the 90
day calendar.
MOTION: to approve the changes to Section 23-14 and Section 23-24 as written, to approve
the changes to Section 23-52 regarding inaugural committee terms, and add language "any tree
planted as mitigation
under section 23-33 shall be considered a regulated tree under Section 23-8 and not be
subject to minimum caliper size of 8 inches".
Motion: Bruce Andrews
Second: Amy Palmer
Anastasia Houston
For
Amy Palmer (Seconded By)
For
Mark Gabrynowicz
For
Heather Markaj
For
Daniele Giovannucci
For
Romy Vann
For
Barbie Brooksher
For
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
October 11, 2023
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Sarah Boren For
Bruce Andrews (Moved By) For
Motion passed 9 to 0.
11. NEW BUSINESS
A. Florida Communities Trust Parks and Open Space Grant
https://floridadep.gov/parks/ogt/content/grants
B. Review of ESC member 2024 priorities survey
Mark Gabrynowicz asked members to think about the priorities.
C.
7. SIGNIFICANT MATTERS ARISING IN SUBCOMMITTEES
A. Sustainability and Resiliency
B. Outreach
C. Tree
D. Charter Review
This item was not discussed.
12. MEMBERS' CLOSING REMARKS
A. Amy Palmer Remarks
Amy Palmer brought up the idea of regulating tree removal to business hours. Amanda
Askew said this would be enforceable but may infringe on homeowners who want to do
the work themselves. Amy Palmer proposed only regulating tree companies. Discussion
ensued.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Mark Gabrynowicz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10
p.m.
Attest:
An Askew
Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
October 11, 2023
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