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Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) - 14 Oct 2020 - Minutes - Pdf MINUTES Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) Meeting Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - 6:30 PM Via Video Conference Present: Bruce Andrews, At-Large Member, ESC Amy Palmer, At-Large Member, ESC Linda Chipperfield, At-Large Member, ESC Sarah Andrews Dark, At-Large Member, ESC Tony Pooley, Chair, At-Large Member, ESC Mark Gabrynowicz, District 1307 Member, ESC Daniele Giovannucci, Vice Chair, At-Large Member, ESC Sarah Boren, District 1306 Member, ESC Romy Vann, At-Large Member, ESC Deborah Andrews, District 1308 Member, ESC Barbie Brooksher, District 1312 Member, ESC Also Present: Amanda Askew, Planning and Community Development Director (PCDD) Brian Broedell, Principal Planner Candace Kelly, Commissioner - Seat 4 (District 1306) 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (5 MINS.) 3. REPORTS A. LEED Subcommittee Report - will report under Agenda Item 5A. B. Outreach Subcommittee Amy Palmer said the Committee is in need of more members and help with social media. Sarah Boren suggested they establish a working group task force for social media. Daniel Giovannucci asked Amy Palmer to put together a bullet list of needs and he would help find a person or group to meet this need. Barbie Brooksher asked what Amy Palmer was looking for. Amy said they need help promoting activities and events, getting people interested in the goals of the committee, building the AB loves trees culture and other miscellaneous tasks. Barbie Brooksher offered help with video production. Bruce Andrews recommended that each ESC member be on a Sub-committee. Amy Palmer spoke about different ways of promoting tree plantings. She said she wasn't sure what Arbor Day would look like this year due to Covid. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) October 14, 2020 Page 1 of 7 Amy Palmer asked when Commissioners were seated. Commissioner Anderson responded that they are seated in November. Mark Gabrynowicz asked if they had been granted their requested budget. Amanda Askew said she would let them know the exact amount at the next meeting. Amy Palmer said that Linda Chipperfield was working on the tree trimmer training. She said that Mark Gabrynowicz was working with Public Works to have an environmental exhibit at Arts in the Park. Amy Palmer is also wanting to add tree plantings to special events similar to the recent tree planting for graduates. She asked Sarah Dark to update them on the joint meeting they had. Sarah Dark gave an update on the Tree Sub-Committee adding that they weren't able to do the joint meeting. She said that they had gone out to identify public places to plant some of the COJ trees. Sarah Dark said they would like to start a database for this. There was discussion about the hindrances of planting in some areas. Sarah Dark responded to Tony Pooley's question on where they were at with the list of criteria for prioritizing where to plant trees. She listed some examples of what will be on the list. Bruce Andrews asked what the status was on grouping requests so that COJ will be more likely to plant trees in bulk. Linda Chipperfield responded and said they put some text and images together and gave to Kevin Hogencamp. She that COJ wanted them to identify small communities and HOA's so that they could plant the tree's all at one time. Bruce Andrews said they tried something similar a few years. He thinks that they are going to have to take this task on themselves. Linda Chipperfield said that information would be going out in the bill stuffers, in the welcome kit and on social media. Sarah Dark suggested that Dan Gabrynowicz approach the editor of Atlantic Beach Living. She said she would like to schedule a joint meeting for the Outreach and Tree Committees. Amy Palmer suggested the Tree Sub- Committee attend the upcoming Outreach Committee meeting. Romy Vann suggested they incorporate AB Elementary and send something home with the kids. Mark Gabrynowicz reminded the committee of their 5 year plan. Sarah Dark agreed that the plan was to have places lined up for when funding became available. Romy Vann said she would like to attend that meeting and introduce a stormwater tree tool that she has discovered. C. Workplan Update Mark Gabrynowicz said he received the City's standard contract bid and standard terms and conditions from Public Works. He said the committee can look at his comments on the Workplan spreadsheet. Mark Gabrynowicz went over some of the inconsistencies and concerns. He recommended the City have a more specific and clear set of conditions for the different types of work that gets bid on. Tony Pooley said that Dan and Romy were assisting him with the Tree Canopy Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) October 14, 2020 Page 2 of 7 project. He said they are updating the tree canopy data so they can track when tree's are removed and determine where tree's need to be replaced. Daniele Giovannucci said he thinks the Committee will be impressed with the potential these tools that Romy found will have to on planning, policy and education. 4. OLD BUSINESS At the end of the meeting there was discussion about Ramstar. The Committee wanted to know if it would be brought up again. Amanda Askew said they have reached out to Gary Moore and they are planning on get the information from Gary Moore and then Staff would look it over. She will let the Committee know when they have more info. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Sustainability / GreenWorks Plan - DRAFT Sarah Boren gave the Green Works Community Action Plan presentation as seen in the agenda. She went over the goals, background, task force, focus areas and public outreach plan. Barbie Brooksher said she is optimistic about getting feedback from the community. Dave Lambert, a citizen advisor, said he is excited to see Atlantic Beach taking this on. Romy Vann felt like it was going to be a lot of information for people to take in at first and explained that a lot of energy went into simplifying everything as much as possible. Tony Pooley said that in simple terms, this is all about thoughtful planning and decision making, measuring it and managing it. He said it is about helping the City be proactive about things that we might face in the future around climate change. Bruce Andrews complimented the task force for the amazing work they had done. He said that after reviewing the matrix he thinks that when going it out to the public it may need to have a little less detail. Bruce Andrews gave other suggestions on how to present it to the public. He added that there needs to be an attempt to add costs and benefits to some of the items. This was discussed further. Sarah Boren said the cost and benefits idea was great. She talked about some ideas that they already have when presenting this to the public. Sarah Boren agreed that it won't be successful without community buy in. She said she has already received some great feedback from the community. Barbie Brooksher talked about the survey and said it will be simplified for the community. Daniele Giovannucci acknowledged the task force for the impressive work they have done. Romy Vann said she thought it was good to go for some big ideas and see what gets dwindled down. Commissioner Kelly thanked the task force for their great work. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) October 14, 2020 Page 3 of 7 Sarah Dark said she was impressed with this document. She agreed with the concern that it might be a lot to take in for citizens. Sarah Dark liked the idea that Bruce Andrews had in bringing people into the process and addressing the cost and benefits. Romy Vann thought it might be helpful to have a section in the survey with questions and answers. Mark Gabrynowicz agreed to have all 3 recommendations go to Commission. He asked if the first recommendation regarding LEED recertification would dove-tail with going to the next level of their LEED certification. Mark Gabynowicz understood the concerns previously mentioned and said those can be addressed as they come up. Sarah Boren responded to the question saying that the current LEED certification was under the pilot program and this one would be much more robust. She said it would be beneficial in applying for grants. Bruce Andrews said he couldn't support the matrix as presented. He gave an example of how to approach the community and guide them with questions, suggestions and education. Bruce Andrews said there were certain items that he did not feel should be part of the ESC (i.e. reducing diabetes by 95%...). Deborah Andrews agreed with Bruce Andrews's assessment. She suggested an executive summary with easily digestible information. Deborah Andrews said the table was hard to read. She supports moving on with the process. Linda Chipperfield said that in creating the survey it would be good to communicate the benefits to the community and she would like to help with this process. Sarah Boren said there is a section that will highlight achievements. Romy Vann said the task force looked at other cities similar to Atlantic Beach that have already had success. ACTION: To APPROVE all goals as written: Motion: Mark Gabrynowicz Second: Sarah Boren Bruce Andrews wanted to know if any of his suggestions were going to be considered. Deborah Andrews explained that she understood that since the document was living there can still be changes. Sarah Dark suggested it be broken down into 3 different motions. Bruce Andrews said he would vote yes on one but not the others. Danielle Giovannucci asked if some of the previous suggestions will be address. Sarah Boren said absolutely. She said they want to educate, hear, listen, recalibrate and get to where the community is and wants to go, or it won't work. Sarah Boren said the goal it to get the City to be resilient, healthy and sustainable. Barbie Brooksher agreed and said the task force had worked really hard to get to this point and will work just as hard to get to a point where everything can be digested. Bruce Andrews expressed his support but he would like to see the changes made and a revised presentation before voting yes. Sarah Boren felt that if it was passed with the current Commission it would have more Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) October 14, 2020 Page 4 of 7 credibility and longevity. Bruce Andrews said it could become a political issue. Romy Vann asked for clarification on whether this was going to Commission as a draft and then getting public feedback which would be added to the draft. Sarah Boren said that was correct. The vote continued after being seconded. Mark Gabrynowicz (Moved By) For Bruce Andrews Against Amy Palmer For Linda Chipperfield For Sarah Andrews Dark Against Tony Pooley For Daniele Giovannucci For Sarah Boren (Seconded By) For Romy Vann For Deborah Andrews Against Barbie Brooksher For Motion passed 8 to 3. Sarah Boren said that she took notes and will take the concerns that were raised back to the task force. She asked the Committee to help establish processes for current and future outreach to the community. Barbie Brooksher added that she will be a part of the Outreach Sub-Committee. There was further discussion on what was voted on confirming that the current draft will go to Commission as is. Amanda Askew told the Committee that they should present the current draft and then tell the Commission why they didn't have a unanimous vote. Then the Committee can present the editorial changes based on the suggestions discussed at this meeting. Bruce Andrews said that the changes cannot be presented as being approved by the ESC. Daniele Giovannucci said he was of the understanding that changes could be presented. Bruce Andrews agreed with Amanda Askew's suggestion of how to present this to the Commission. Daniele Giovannucci asked Commissioner Kelly to weigh in. Amanda Askew explained the way the Committee was going to present this to the Commission. Commissioner Kelly said that they could present both versions. She said that the City has applied for a sustainability grant. Commissioner Kelly agreed the the cost will probably be questioned. Sarah Boren said she understood that the Committee doesn't have a problem with the concept but they have issues with some of the goals and the need to simplify the language. Sarah Dark agreed and also wanted more information on certain items (i.e. reducing diabetes by a certain percentage). Where did that figure come from, how does that get done, what is it going to cost, etc.? She asked if that should even be included. Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) October 14, 2020 Page 5 of 7 Sarah Boren said these were ideas that can be reworked. Commissioner Kelly said they have had professional scientists make the matrix. Now the Committee needs professional educators and communicators to make it presentable and palatable to the general population. Daniele Giovannucci agreed that it would be good to remove the things that might bog down the process or become political. Bruce Andrews told the Committee to let him know if they needed his help. He suggested removing some of the items from the matrix. Sarah Boren explained all the data was taken from many sources and she believes it needs to have clearer definition and made more easily digestible. Bruce Andrews said he just didn't want certain items to become barriers to the ultimate objective. Romy Vann and several Committee members explained that good health would be a co-benefit of more fresh food, community gardens, etc. Bruce Andrews told the Committee that Commissioner Kelly just posted the sustainability information on social media and there should be a variety of feedback coming from that. Daniel Giovannucci left the meeting. B. Lilly Street - property update Amanda Askew explained the Lily Street Park Concept and gave a presentation. She said the appraisal was done by the request of the Commission. Bruce Andrews was of the understanding the River Branch Preserve wouldn't allow a dock. He felt like the money could be put toward improvements to Tideviews. Commissioner Kelly said the Commission voted to buy it due to resiliency. She said that stretch of marsh will protect the homes behind it. Commissioner Kelly said the park and dock were secondary to protecting that area from rising waters and storm surge. The Committee asked why this was before them. Amanda Askew said it was due to the prospect of a park. Deborah Andrews spoke in favor of it. Sarah Boren agreed that the cost of not doing this would be greater than the purchase. She commended the Commission for taking this step. MOTION: To support the City's purchase of this property for all of the environmental reasons that have been discussed: Motion: Deborah Andrews Second: Sarah Boren Bruce Andrews said the amount was too high. Tony Pooley said it hasn't sold because there isn't enough developable uplands and it's too much to mitigate for. Sarah Dark asked what the Commission had approved. Amanda Askew said a purchase agreement would have to go back through Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) October 14, 2020 Page 6 of 7 Commission. Staff was asked to negotiate terms for the purchase and sale. She said it would then go back to the Commission for approval. Sarah Dark would like more information before voting. Bruce Andrew asked if a dock could be put in. Commissioner Kelly said a dock cannot be put in. Bruce Andrews said he would need more information. Bruce Andrews Against Amy Palmer For Linda Chipperfield For Sarah Andrews Dark Against Tony Pooley For Mark Gabrynowicz For Sarah Boren (Seconded By) For Romy Vann For Deborah Andrews (Moved By) For Barbie Brooksher For Motion passed 8 to 2. 6. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Tony Pooley declared the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Attest: Tony Pooley Amanda Askew Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) October 14, 2020 Page 7 of 7