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11-08-17 ESC Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE TREE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING NOV. 8, 2017 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Andrews, Vice Chair Sarah Dark ( altemate) Chip Drysdale Alan Ennis Bonnie Hansen Judith Leroux, Chair Dawn Scott, Secretary STAFF: Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager; Derek Reeves, Interim Community Development Director; Brian 1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 5:08p.m. in the Commission Chamber by J. Leroux. K. Hogencamp noted that committee member Myron Blankenbaker was listening into the meeting over the telephone and that L. Chipperfield sent her regrets for being unable to attend. 2. Approval of minutes The Oct. 25 2b. Courtesy of the Floor Dale Wappes of Atlantic Beach said one of the City's biggest environmental challenges is its compromised dune system in the wake of two hunicanes. His particular concem is at 18th Street and the ocean. Although the walkover at 18th Street was constructed over the dunes, it effectively crosses through the dunes because the dunes have grown due to nature running its course. The result is a 6-to 8­ foot ditch that could be problematic during stmm surges. Mr. Wappes showed photographs to the committee to illustrate his concem. Mr. Wappes suggests that the dune and walkover at 18th Street be reconstructed before the next hunicane season, a solution that he says is much more cost-efficient and better for natural resources (including sea turtle hatchlings) and personal property than ignoring the issue. Mr. Wappes noted that while he serves on the City's Parking and Pedestrian Safety Advisory Resource Committee, he was not representing the committee. C. Drysdale noted that the problem explained by Mr. Wappes is the outcome of dunes being restored through renourishment and sand fencing. The dunes have grown while the walkovers have not, he noted. A. Ennis inquired about how D. Wappes' concerns will be addressed. K. Hogencamp said that he will share Mr. Wappes' comments with the relevant staff members and that the committee is welcome to make recommendations on that issue or any other matter. B. Andrews said that a comprehensive review of beach access points may be needed, as the beach at 18th Street isn't the only compromised area of the city. 3. Review of current tree ordinance-D. Reeves Using a PowerPoint presentation (attached), D. Reeves provided the committee with an overview of City Code Chapter 23: Tree and Vegetation Regulations, covering the following areas: Administration; permitting requirements, exemptions, procedures, inspections, appeals and fees; general provisions; mitigation; planting rules; tree lists; tree fund; and violations. D. Reeves also presented an example of a tree pe1mit process, including how tree and vegetation calculations are made. Committee members asked questions throughout and after the presentation, and it discussed opportunities to improve the tree-protection ordinance. For example, a question was raised about whether demolition permits should be subject to tree administration review. D. Reeves also discussed the city's heritage tree protection and historic corridor programs. 4. Tree Subcommittee report-C. Drysdale C. Drysdale noted that D. Reeves' presentation occuned in what would have been a Tree Subcommittee committee. He suggested the subcommittee meet on separate days than ESC meetings. The committee's consensus was that C. Drysdale and other subcommittee members should work with K. Hogencamp in scheduling meetings. 5. Report (#2) on ESC request to staff for new permit application signage and website access to permits per ordinance -K. Hogencamp J. Leroux reported that tree permit applications are now being posted online in accordance with the ordinance creating the Environmental Stewardship Committee. K. Hogencamp reported that the city staff will adhere to the committee's suggestion that signs be posted within three days of applications being submitted. As a result of S. Dark's suggestion at the Nov. 7 subcommittee meeting, the staff intends to give applicants the new "pending pe1mit" signs when the applications are submitted. J. Leroux says the signage will help close the infmmation loop between citizens and city hall regarding tree-removal permit applications. D. Scott showed the committee the latest draft ofthe proposed sign, which she designed with input from the committee and staff. The signs will be reusable; the first two pages of the pe1mit application will be stapled to the signs. K. Hogencamp noted that D. Scott provided an example at the subcommittee meeting of two communities' practice of replacing the "pending pe1mit" sign with an "approved pe1mit" sign that remains erected until the project is completed. A discussion ensued regarding whether carefully selected verbiage on the sign could prevent the need for the sign to be replaced when the permit is issued. A consensus was reached that the subcommittee members (D. Scott and S. Dark) could represent the full -2­ committee in working with the staff on the signs' design and verbiage. 6. Report on 2017 and/or 2018 Tree City USA event planning-K. Hogencamp K. Hogencamp said that in 2016, the City did not meet the requirements to be designated a Tree City USA because it did not have an Arbor Day celebration. The committee agreed that before planning and holding a significant Arbor Day celebration in 2018, committee members will work with K. Hogencamp on a December ceremony celebrating the City's designation of a heritage tree on public property. This event would satisfy the 2017 Tree City USA designation requirements. S. Dark suggested the City creatively use social media to promote the event and tree protection. 7. Review of ESC committee work plan results from priority setting workshop/schedule setting for work list J. Leroux asked ifthere were any questions or comments regarding the 2017-18 work plan. B. Hanson said the work plan helps give her a focus. A discussion ensued. Committee members agreed that as a working committee, subcommittees meetings will be an impmiant part of the committee's processes, say it's unwieldy-if not impossible--to do all of the committee's important work in monthly meetings. The committee unanimously voted to allow committee members may meet in publicly noticed sessions as they desire. After a discussion, J. Leroux asked that the committee approve the proposed work plan-or a version thereof. The discussion transitioned into the issue of moving forward with the committee's work by holding a workshop before the Dec. 13 committee meeting. 8. Discussion/setting of workshop dates for review of tree ordinance J. Leroux suggested that the committee hold a workshop to begin the process of improving the tree­ protection ordinance. She said that D. Reeves' presentation impressed her in that she has a better understanding of the tree-protection ordinance and the staff's successful, ongoing efforts to administer it. She says that the ordinance probably doesn't need as much revision as she anticipated. The committee agreed to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29; the meeting is not to exceed two hours. An extensive discussion ensued about the workshop's agenda and whether a Tree Subcommittee meeting should be held instead. The committee unanimously agreed that the workshop's purpose would be to identify relatively-easy-to-accomplish projects and/or initiatives for the committee to tackle. 9. New business B. Andrews discussed the proposed state legislation abolishing home rule among cities and counties in terms of tree-protection regulations. S. Dark asked about the process of replacing the two Environmental Stewardship Committee vacancies. K. Hogencamp said he has repmied the vacancies to the city clerk and the Board Member Review Committee chairperson. 10. Adjournment. -3­ There being no further business of the Environmental Stewardship Committee, J. Leroux adjoumed the meeting at 8:43 p.m. ATTACHMENT: City of Atlantic Beach Tree Permitting PowerPoint presentation (Minutes respectfitlly submitted by Kevin Hogencamp on 12-4-17) ~.~5~ ~~tt Secretary ATTEST Kevin Hogencarnp Deputy City Manager -4­