02-02-18 ESC Tree Subcommittee MinutesMINUTES OF
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE:
TREE CODE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
Feb 2, 2018
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE: TREE CODE SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Judith Leroux, Chair
Bonnie Hansen
STAFF:
Shane Corbin, Director of Planning and Community Development
Derek Reeves, Planner
Brian Broedell, Planner
1. Call to order.
The meeting was called to order at 12:57 p.m. in the South Conference room by J. Leroux
2. Approval of minutes.
There were no minutes to approve.
3. Courtesy of the floor.
No one addressed the committee.
4. New Business.
J. Leroux began discussing the need for staff to research other communities to provide an idea about
where Atlantic Beach's tree ordinance compares to others. She also asked about making fines
calculations based on the value of property or the value of a construction project.
B. Hansen asked if all the fines generated could be used for only plantings.
J. Leroux said that Commissioner Stinson wanted all expenditures from the Tree Mitigation Fund to first
have a recommendation by the Environmental Stewardship Committee. She asked if section 23-14 (e)
of the Tree Ordinance could be amended to include language making that requirement.
At 1:45 p.m. former mayor, Mitch Reeves, entered the room.
B. Hansen said that she did not think the City could stop tree cutting on the weekends since many people
only do their yard work on weekends.
M. Reeves said that big trees are being cut down on weekends . Higher fines need to be placed on the
tree cutting services performing the work. Contractors think it is too difficult to complete the Tree
Petmit application .
S. Corbin said staff was working on a revised application to simplify the application process.
J. Leroux suggested that tree services performing work within City limits post a bond of between 500
1500 dollars prior to perfmming any work.
M. Reeves said the City should have a "walk through Wednesday" for contractors to have their petmits
processed.
At 2:12p.m. resident, Carolyn Ettlinger, entered the room.
M. Reeves suggested the City should use a mystery shopper to fmd out how long it takes to complete a
tree petmit.
C. Ettlinger suggested more protection, outreach, and education regarding Palm Trees.
S. Corbin reviewed the following summary of action items for staff:
• Draft language amending the Tree Ordinance that would require the Environmental
Stewardship Committee to make recommendations for all Tree Mitigation Fund
expenditures;
• Higher fines for individuals that knowingly violate the ordinance;
• Research other communities to compare ordinances;
• Make revisions to the Tree Permit application; and
• Consider a process to preapprove tree cutting vendors.
5. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p .m.
~ Dawn Scott
Secretary
•
Director
Planning and Community Development
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