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02-13-18 ESC Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING FEB. 13, 2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Judith Leroux, Chair Bruce Andrews, Vice Chair Dawn Scott, Secretary Linda Chipperfield Sarah Dark Allan Ennis STAFF: Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager Scott Williams, Director of Public Works Shane Corbin, Director of Planning and Community Development Derek Reeves, Planner Brian Broedell, Planner OTHERS: John November, Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute of Florida Ellen Glasser, Mayor 1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chamber by J. Leroux. 2. Approval of minutes. The Jan. 10 ESC meeting minutes were unanimously approved with three changes. The changes included the attendees of the last meeting, the addition of information regarding the discussion of ESC website content, and a correction on the total number of parks to 15. The corrected minutes are attached. 3. Courtesy of the floor. No one addressed the committee. 4. Tree Subcommittee report Chip Drysdale was not in attendance to give a Tree Subcommittee report. B. Andrews inquired about the Tree Subcommittee's role in the tree removal permit process and if they had been in contact with staff. D. Reeves stated that no committee member has been in contact with staff recently. B. Andrews requested a report from the Tree Subcommittee. He also discussed the tree removal at 151 Seminole Road, where a tree was removed without a permit and an affidavit was signed assuring the City that trees would not be removed. S. Corbin explained the enforcement and that additional mitigation would be required of the property owner. He also discussed potential changes to the staffs interaction with the applicants to improve the permitting process. B. Andrews asked what staff would do if the owner claimed the trees were diseased after cutting them down. D. Reeves explained that an owner would have to have verifiable evidence such as photographs or written documentation from a certified arborist to get relief from the standards for the disease provision. B. Andrews asked if the owner at 151 Seminole Road would get relief for removing diseased trees. B. Broedell explained that double mitigation would be required since there was no proof the trees were diseased. S. Dark stated this is a perfect example of how there was no way to know the tree was coming down because the owner signed an affidavit and the tree was in the backyard. A. Ennis read a portion of the ordinance regarding the Tree Subcommittee's role in permit review and how the subcommittee is supposed to meet once every month. J. Leroux talked about limiting tree companies from doing work within the municipal boundaries unless they have participated in an education and certification process. She said the City's limitations on commercial waste haulers serves as an example. J. Leroux also mentioned potential tweaks to the tree protection ordinance. 5. Tideviews Presentation — John November, Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute of Florida. J. November explained the two-part project involving tree plantings and a pergola and said the plans are not set in stone. The ideal time for planting and installation is March 17 or April 14. Tideviews was chosen for this project because it is traditionally underserved. The planting plan includes 40 15 -gallon native trees. All plantings will be installed by volunteers and supervised by an urban forester. J. November explained that a pergola is being proposed as part of the project. The pergola was designed by a local artist, is being donated, and is a tribute to the former property owner. The pergola's proposed location was chosen to maximize marsh views while minimizing visual impact to neighboring property owners. -2- S. Williams expressed concern about the City's maintenance responsibility for 40 trees in regards to watering and mowing; however, he said he would commit to maintaining the trees if the committee approves the project. The committee debated the pros and cons of moving forward with the planting. B. Andrews expressed frustration with over -engineering the planting project. He said trees in parks should not require maintenance. Some trees will not survive, but many will. B. Andrews motioned to approve the tree -planting proposal subject to final approval of locations by Public Works. A. Ennis seconded the motion, which as unanimously approved. J. Leroux said community concerns were expressed in a town hall meeting. She requested additional information regarding the donating entity (Public Trust for Environmental Legal Institute), the specific source of the funding, and if any construction estimates had been submitted. J. November said that construction estimates had not been submitted but the cost of construction for the wood structure would be approximately $3,500.00 which was a portion of the real estate agent's commission who represented Mr. Bennett. The funds are being held by The Public Trust for Environmental Institute and can only be used for the pergola. S. Williams stated that he did not have the concrete foundation for the pergola in his current budget. The Committee discussed the pros and cons of moving forward in addition to public concern with the pergola installation. D. Scott recommended that a rendering be made available for the public so they can see exactly what the pergola will look like. J. November agreed that a rendering would be beneficial. S. Dark offered to assist with the rendering. B. Andrews made a motion to request that City staff to get public input to the pergola and to bring it back at the next ESC meeting. S. Dark seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. 6. Dutton Island Fishing Pier Conversation J. Leroux asked Mayor Glasser for clarification. E. Glasser said the project was sent to ESC for review. B. Andrews asked what criteria ESC should use for evaluation. Mayor Glasser said the City needs to decide if the project is wanted or not. No official action was taken. -3- 7. Tree Ordinance J. Leroux proposed the tree protection ordinance be amended to require that expenditures from the tree mitigation fund be approved by the ESC. A. Ennis makes a motion to approve. D. Scott seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m. (Minutes respectfully submitted by Shane Corbin on 3-8-18) &r.e., Shane Corbin Director of Planning and Community Development -4- Dawn Scott Secretary