10-25-17 ESC Tree Subcommittee MinutesMINUTES OF
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
TREE SUBCOMMITTEE
MEETING
OCT. 25,2017
TREE SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Myron Blankenbaker
Linda Chipperfield
Chip Drysdale
Sarah Dark (alternate)
OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bruce Andrews, Vice Chair
Bonnie Hansen
Judith Leroux, Chair
Dawn Scott, Secretary
STAFF:
Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager; Derek Reeves, Interim Community Development Director
1. Call to order.
The meeting was called to order at 5:49 p.m. in the Commission Chamber by C. Drysdale.
2. Discussion about tree removal permit application reviews
K. Hogencamp announced that tree-removal permit applications are now posted on the City website and
are accessible via a link on the home page. This action was taken as a result of the Environmental
Stewardship Committee's recommendation, which was approved at its Oct. 25, 2017 meeting.
C. Drysdale said the review process has been cumbersome, an issue that should be resolved with the
applications being posted online.
D. Reeves explained some aspects of the tree-removal permit application process and said he would like
to explain the tree-protection ordinance in detail and discuss the review process with the Environmental
Stewardship Committee.
A discussion ensued about the Environmental Stewardship Committee's recommendation that the City
post tree-removal application notice signage on city right-of-way adjacent to tree-removal work sites
within three days of the applications being submitted. That recommendation was formalized on Oct. 25,
2017. D. Reeves and K. Hogencamp said they felt it would be most efficient and logical to post the
signage during the initial inspection after the permit applications were deemed "substantially" complete.
The Environmental Stewardship Committee members generally disagreed, saying that it is important
that the community is informed as quickly as a possible when an application is submitted. In particular,
committee members generally agreed with M. Blankenbaker's assessment that timely posting is needed
to raise awareness and create conversation in neighborhoods "before the chainsaws come out."
K. Hogencamp said that he would discuss the matter fmiher on the staff level and repmi back to
committee members.
3. Other business.
No other business was discussed.
4. Adjournment.
There being no fmiher business of the Tree Subcommittee, C. Drysdale adjomned the meeting at 6:19
p.m.
(Minutes respectfully submitted by Kevin Hogencamp on 11-4-1 7)
Secretary
ATTEST
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