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03-13-19 ESC MinutesMINUTES OF CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 13, 2019 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Andrews, Chair Sarah Boren, Secretary Linda Chipperfield Steve Kallao Judith Leroux Amy Palmer Tony Pooley Dawn Scott STAFF: Shane Corbin, Director of Planning and Community Development Jennifer Johnston, Building Department 1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Commission Chambers by B. Andrews. 2. Approval of the minutes. The minutes from the previous meeting on February 13, 2019 were not available for approval at this meeting. 3. Courtesy of the floor. No visitors were present for courtesy of the floor. 4. Tree ordinance update. S. Corbin said the changes to the ordinance will be sent to Commission, but the ESC could still make changes. Staff drafted changes to present to the Commission and will email them to the ESC. S. Boren asked about the deadline to suggest changes, and S. Corbin said there will be two readings to Commission. B. Andrews discussed tree removal without permits at Howell Park, and discussed how to regulate tree removal companies. S. Corbin said that the fines will be significant, close to $15,000, for unpermitted tree removal. He said the property owner could ask for a waiver but he didn't think that would be approved. B. Andrews asked if the trees had been on the owner's property, would a permit be required, and S. Corbin said no. S. Corbin said the mitigation would be doubled. S. Boren asked if Lucas Tree Service had been notified, he said no. The Committee discussed the tree removal situation in Howell Park. S. Corbin said that there is no mechanism to assess fees to anyone March 13, 2019 Environmental Stewardship Committee Meeting Minutes Pagel of 3 other than property owners. A. Powell said that education is needed. S. Boren said she noted 4 items: ignorance of the ordinance, ignorance of the property line, insurance, and educating new property owners. J. Leroux said she didn't think insurance companies could compel owners to trim or remove trees, and communication is needed. B. Andrews said that the infographic that L. Chipperfield created should be included in a mailer along with a letter from the City to tree removal companies. S. Corbin said that post cards could be send to all City residents with tree permit information. L. Chipperfield said that a public meeting or forum is needed. The Committee discussed options to inform the public and tree companies regarding the ordinance. S. Boren motioned to send postcards to residents, and T. Pooler seconded the motion. S. Boren said that the postcard should include the tree removal infographic, "AB loves trees", and information prompting residents to call the City regarding tree issues. B. Andrews asked to amend motion to also send a letter to tree companies. L. Chipperfield said it should be put on the City's website, in the utility bill mailer, available as handouts at City Hall, and should include that the City is a Tree City USA. The Committee discussed emailing citizens. The motion passed with no opposition. 5. Tree plantings. B. Andrews said the trees for the planting had been ordered. S. Boren asked for before and after photos. B. Andrews said the planting will take place in 2-3 weeks. B. Andrews stated that Public Works is not happy with the maintenance plan, and Public Works will need to request the money in their budget to water trees, or find the means in their budget. S. Corbin said the Community Development Department does not have a truck for watering, and it has been difficult to find a department to water trees. 6. LEED for Cities update. S. Boren said the LEED for Cities application had been submitted, and should have certification in 40 business days. S. Boren said the remaining time will be spent determining how to announce the certification. L. Chipperfield discussed the press release drafted for the announcement, and how it should be distributed. Currently, 89 cities and communities around the world are LEED for Cities certified. The Committee discussed noticing the meetings and forming a formal Subcommittee. 7. 2019 ESC workplan. S. Boren discussed the ESC workplan spreadsheet. B. Andrews said he didn't want the Committee's work to be slowed down while finalizing the work plan. The Committee discussed priorities and assigning duties to members. The Committee discussed creating Subcommittees to accomplish the workplan. J. Leroux said the ESC should not prioritize the Commission's priorities since Commissions may come and go, but the Commission's priorities should be included as an appendix. D. Scott asked if the workplan could be condensed. S. Boren said the Commission's priorities should be removed from the ESC's workplan, but noted that the current Commission's priorities touch on the ESC's duties. S. Boren said she would take the workplan and transfer it to a Word document and incorporate everyone's suggestions and action items. The Committee discussed holding a workshop to finalize the workplan and what system to use to prioritize items. The Committee also voted to remove the Howell Park botanical garden idea from the plan. S. Kallao said that some items are March 13, 2019 Environmental Stewardship Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 listed twice and outside the realm of the Committee. The Committee decided to use the dot - prioritizing method, and decided to individually visit City Hall to complete the project. 8. New business. J. Leroux said that she found out that the City still sends out paper utility bills after requesting an electronic utility bill. She also discussed communication in general, using the website, emails, etc., and how to use them for the ESC. S. Corbin said the ESC had been given permission to create a Facebook page, but that Kevin Hogencamp would also have to be an administrator. B. Andrews said that the ESC should use the City's Facebook page before creating a separate page. J. Leroux said that before the ESC creates communication content, they need to understand the vehicles the City uses for communication. 9. Adjournment. The motion to adjourn was brought by J. Leroux, and passed with no opposition. The meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm. (Minutes respectfully submitted by Jennifer Johnston on April 8, 2019.) Sarah Boren, Secretary ATTEST: pouswnw -1,1"'I MIIIW.�,A "MdrWm, Shane Corbin, Director of Planning and Community Development March 13, 2019 Environmental Stewardship Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3