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04-20-17 Agenda Packet- BNRPAC                            Beautification and Natural Resource Preservation Advisory Committee 6:30 p.m. April 20, 2017 Agenda 1. Welcome/call to order 2. Courtesy of floor to visitors 3. Approval of minutes a. Dec. 19, 2016 (K. Hogencamp) b. March 16, 2017 (K. Hogencamp) c. March 29, 2017 subcommittee (K. Hogencamp) d. March 30, 2017 (J. Stinson) e. April 13, 2017 (K. Hogencamp) 4. Report from city attorney on standing committee creation mechanism (by resolution or ordinance) 5. Consideration of creating a tree-protection subcommittee and determination of whether its proposed formation would be via the BNRPAC’s final report and/or the proposed resolution or ordinance 6. Discussion and possible approval of the Advisory Committee’s final report 7. Other business 8. Adjournment RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE BEAUTIFICATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Planning Committee recommends a total of nine members for the Beautification and Natural Resource Preservation Advisory Committee (BNRPAC) who represent the entire geographic area of the City of Atlantic Beach. Recommendations for the appointment of the inaugural board: The Mayor will appoint 1 At Large committee member and each Council Member will appoint 2 members from their respective districts. The members of the inaugural committee will serve staggered terms of 2 or 4 years, and over time, members who are replaced or reappointed will serve 4 year terms. Members will serve no more than 8 consecutive years on the committee. Future members will be selected by the Board Member Review Committee and confirmed by the Commission. MEMBER INITIAL TERM OF OFFICE APPOINTED BY At Large 4 years Mayor District 1308 --A 2 years Seat 2 Council Member District 1308 --B 4 years Seat 2 Council Member District 1307 --A 2 years Seat 3 Council Member District 1307 --B 4 years Seat 3 Council Member District 1306 --A 2 years Seat 4 Council Member District 1306 --B 4 years Seat 4 Council Member District 1312 --A 2 years Seat 5 Council Member District 1312 --B 4 years Seat 5 Council Member BNRPAC members shall reside in, own property in or own a business that operates within the city limits of Atlantic Beach. To the extent possible, BNRPAC members will demonstrate at least one of the following skills, experience, expertise, educational background or interests. Knowledge of best practices in environmental management and sustainability Building/urban design Property development Arborist/landscape architecture Environmental policy Environmental and constitutional law Urban planning Community engagement Education MARITIME FOREST The maritime forest in Atlantic Beach is core to our identity as a small coastal village. Our tree canopy creates beauty, provides a home to birds and wildlife, functions as an element of our water management system and enhances our property values. It is in our best interest to be the curators of our tree canopy through advocacy, assessment, maintenance and preservation of this natural resource. The Beautification and Natural Resources Committee will work to ensure that our city government: - Strengthens and clarifies the process and language in all tree and landscape related city codes and ordinances, ensuring appropriate advocacy, transparency through online access to codes, administration and enforcement. - Provides environmentally sensitive education and outreach about relevant codes and the selection and appropriate care of trees to private property owners, developers and builders, and tree and landscape service owners. This education can take the form of website information, training for businesses, new homeowner information and public events such as Arbor Day celebrations. - Develops a long-term tree plan that includes a current canopy assessment on public property, projected future needs and a calendar and budget for tree planting in parks, public spaces and along streets and right of ways. - Restores our city’s status as a bona fide “Tree City US!.” -Develops a process for systematic, audit/review of the city’s enforcement of the existing tree codes, including the possible establishment of a “tree hotline.” PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Our parks provide open spaces for recreation, exercise, wildlife habitat, relaxation and encounters with the natural world. As a thriving, inclusive community, we strive to provide a variety of park spaces that are well maintained, accessible and secure. The Beautification and Natural Resources Committee will work to ensure that our city government: - Has a mandate and a long-range plan to protect, improve and beautify our park spaces. (Example: enhance Howell Park to make it an indigenous botanical park) - Improves access and amenities in parks including disability accommodations, bike paths, parking, signage and other user friendly features. - Expands the city’s inventory of parks and conservation land through acquisition or other means. (Example: sites west of Mayport Road) - Maintains a web-based, publicly accessible inventory of parks including their history, archeological value, rules of use and easements. BEAUTIFICATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES Public spaces in Atlantic Beach include public rights of way, roadsides, city buildings and other publicly held properties. As such, the city has an opportunity to take the lead and set high community standards in the beautification and excellent maintenance of public spaces. The Beautification and Natural Resources Committee will work to ensure that our city government: - Enhances our public spaces with art, carefully maintained landscape design and plantings. - Advocates and provides incentives for beautification of private and commercial spaces. (EX: Bring back the Yard of the Month awards) - Reduces the number and appearances of degraded property and eyesores. - Develops a design theme/community branding for signage, bus shelters, lighting and other elements of the built environment. great deal of influence on our micro climate, drainage issues and the variety of vegetation and wildlife that thrive here. The care and health of our coast and marsh must be paramount in every decision about the use of our land, water system and canopy. The Beautification and Natural Resources Committee will work to ensure that our city government: - Utilizes best practices and a science based approach when making any decision about development and its impact on our environment. - Ensures the protection of our beach and dunes as critical defenses in hurricane, erosion and flooding conditions. - Understands and communicates the dynamics of our tidal drainage and flood plain with the goal of preserving our flood management system. - Reviews our city’s environmental codes and works to ensure enforcement with rules including, but not limited to dumping, septic tanks, commercial pollution, etc. - Reviews, updates and maintains the Marsh Master Plan for adherence to current research about sea level change and wetlands preservation. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Atlantic Beach is located at the northern end of a 37 mile long barrier island that stretches from Mayport Village in the north to Vilano Beach in the south. As such, the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Johns River and the Intracoastal Waterway have a