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05-4-17 Minutes for BNRPAC Beautification and Natural Resource Preservation Advisory Committee Meeting of Thursday, May 4, 2017 Minutes Members Present: Tim Anderson Bruce Andrews Sarah Andrews Dark Linda Lanier Judith Leroux John November Dawn Scott Members Absent: Chip Drysdale Don Ford Suzanne Shaughnessy (resigned) Staff: Kevin Hogencamp, interim city manager Visitors: Steve Fouraker Mary Emerson-Smith 1. Call to order. Chair J. Leroux called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. 2. Courtesy of floor to visitors. M. Smith introduced herself as a former Tree Board member. At B. Andrews' request, M. Smith provided historical information about the Tree Board's activities and dissolution. 3. Approval of minutes. No minutes were submitted. 4. Report on subcommittee meeting. a. J. November reported on his May 3 meeting with D. Ford and presented three documents: A proposed resolution establishing the Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC), a proposed ordinance establishing the ESC, and a proposed ordinance establishing a tree subcommittee. A discussion ensued on the viability of the ESC being established by resolution or ordinance, and whether both a resolution and ordinance should be presented to the City Commission for consideration. 5. Discussion and possible approval of the Advisory Committee's final report. a. The possibility of the City Commission establishing the ESC, but not a tree subcommittee, was discussed. b. B. Andrews made a motion, seconded by L. Lanier seconded, that a resolution establishing the ESC be presented to the City Commission. S. Dark and others lamented that critical language in the proposed resolution —the product of the BNRPAC's hard work-- could be lost if an ordinance is enacted while a resolution is not adopted. T. Anderson said he preferred an ordinance, as it would have more staying power. D. Scott suggested marrying the proposed resolution and ordinance into one document; L. Lanier further pushed for such a compromise. B. Andrews withdrew his motion. c. A consensus was reached to move forward with fine-tuning an ESC ordinance and tree subcommittee ordinance, but not a resolution. L. Lanier made working changes to the ESC ordinance as the discussion continued. d. Length of committee terms. A motion was made by B. Andrews, seconded by D. Scott, for ESC members to serve four-year terms and that the committee members initially serve three- and four-year terms, so that they are staggered. K. Hogencamp advised that, to be consistent with other boards, terms should begin on Jan. 1. Vote: Aye 7, Nay 0. 6. Consideration of future meeting dates. A consensus was reached to meet next on May 11, 2017, pending the availability of the commission chamber. 7. Other business. None. 8. Adjournment. Chair J. Leroux adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Minutes submitted by Kevin Hogencamp/transmitted to committee members on May 17, 2017. 1 Judith Leroux, C ai (0124 Attest RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE The Planning Committee recommends a total of eleven members for the Environmental Stewardship Committee who represent the entire geographic area of the City of Atlantic Beach. Members of the inaugural committee will be appointed for a two year term as follows: MEMBER REPRESENTATION APPOINTED BY At Large Mayor At Large Mayor At Large Mayor District 1308 Seat 2 Commissioner At Large Seat 2 Commissioner District 1307 Seat 3 Commissioner At Large Seat 3 Commissioner District 1306 Seat 4 Commissioner At Large Seat 4 Commissioner District 1312 Seat 5 Commissioner At Large Seat 5 Commissioner Thereafter, all members who are appointed or reappointed will serve four year terms. Members will serve no more than eight consecutive years on the committee. Future members will be selected by the Board Member Review Committee and confirmed by the Commission. At any time there will be at least one member representing each district on the committee. Committee members shall reside in, own property in or own a business that operates within the city limits of Atlantic Beach. The committee will meet at least monthly and will follow Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised. To the extent possible, committee 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 Developer/building professional Property development/urban planning and design Arborist/landscape architecture Environmental policy Environmental and constitutional law Community engagement Education ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE GOALS 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 USA." - 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." 1 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. 2 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. 3 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 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. 4