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Home My WebLink About11-10-2022 Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board Meeting MinutesFEAB November 10 , 2022 Minutes FEAB MEETING MINUTES Thursday, November 10, 2022 3:00 p.m. in the Public Utilities Conference Room, 555 South Section Street Member Attendees: Gary Gover, Jim Horner, Ben Frater, Amy Paulson , Nigel Temp le , Rick Speight, Darrel Williams Members not in attendance : Jennife r Foutch , Nicole Love City of Fairhope : Kim Burmeister -Planning and Zoning Department City Council : None Honored Guests : Anna Keene Miller, Keen Living; Dr . Steven Scyphers , University of South Alabama ; Carole Tebay, resident of Fairhope Minutes taken by : Kim Burmeister Amy called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m . Summary of meeting : 1 . Dr. Steven Scyphers is a resident of Fairhope, and is a ecology professor at South Alabama. He is intereste d in partnerships between Fairhope and the University of South Alabama . Internships may be available. 2. Carole Tebay is concerned about a new aggressive aquatic invasive species, floating fern, Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) 3 . Darrel is resigning from FEAB and from SALT; he has accepted a new position in Colorado, moving in December 4 . Amy created a draft schedule for FEAB representation at upcoming Council Meetings. Non -members may also be included. 5 . Council representation for FEAB meetings is a continued concern 6. Darrel encourages promotion of the Native Habitat program (SALT initiative) and the upcoming Zoom sessions from Dr. Tallamy . These sessions are free of charge. Next one is on November 14th . Citizens, city staff and elected officials are encouraged to register: Bringing Nature Home -Zoom Session -Signup Sheet I Sign Up.com 7. City of Fairhope Planning and Zoning Department is researching gully protection standards, including vegetative buffers and appropriate native plantings. 8 . Amy and Gary have been working with the Baldwin County Joint Environmental Comm ittee (Baldwin County, Daphne, and Spanish Fort) to create a standardized wetland ordinance template . Goal is also to have standardized buffers across jurisdictional lines . Page 1 FEAB November 10, 2022, Minutes 9. Darrel and Katie (Bike & Ped Committee) assessed airport property for potential future bike trails and did not feel it was a perfect fit. 10 . Jim is in contact with Babcock Ran ch, FL staff rega rding resi lient building codes. 11. Jes sica Walker with the City ha s resigned and will be greatly missed. FEAB Minutes: October minutes were approved as written. Amy ist: Nigel 2nd . Agenda provide by Amy: Page 12 k\GENDA THE CITY OF FAIRHOPE E n.1RO1""'AlENTAL ADVISORY BoARD MO THL Y MEETING N O\TIIBER 11 , 2012 13-4 PM, PIJBUC \'\-'ORKS CO:ITIRINCE Roou 1. Housekeeping (-5 min) a. Last month notes -Kim b . Guest Introductions i. Dr. Steven ~ ii . Ran Nisbett 2 . D iscussion Items (-30) a. B iweekly attendance at Council Meetings and talking points document -Amy b . SALT Native Habitat program -update and specifically pertaining to citizen engagement for protecting and enhancing priYate property to protect Fairhope's gullies -Darrel c . Baldwin County wetlands protection standardization initiativ e -Amy d . Priority Setting and Engagement, 202 3 : new ideas for list? - Am y 3 . POC Status Reports on FEAB 2022 Priority Focus Issues and Old Action Items (-10 min) LlMITED DISCUSSION -PASS IF ro NEWS TO SHARE a. City Liaisons 1. City Council -Corey, Jennifer 11 . May or -Amy, Nicole 111. City Departments -Kim, Christina, Jessica 1". Baldwin County Env Advisory Committees -Amy , Kim 1. Wetlands (red clay, LID, etc.) \'. Fairhope Committees' Joint Projects 1. Bike and P ed, Harbor Board, Recreation Board, Recycling Committee, Historic Preservation b . Greenspace (Comprehensive LUP and COF Boards Joint Subcommittee for Greenspace) -Ben, Darrel c . Eastern Shore Watershed Management Plan -icole d . Recycling and Trash -Jennifer 4 . ew Business / Other Interests ( < 5 min) L1MITED DISCUSSIO~ -PASS IF NO NEWS T O SHARE a. Stormwater -Jim / ~igel 5. Invoh-ement Opportunities (< 5 min) 6 . Wrap up (< 5 min) a. New action items -review/list b . ext Month 's meeting topics ·? c . Adjourn FEAB November 10, 2022, Minutes 2022 Successes (CLOSED-ISH PRIORITIES) 1. Clean Marina Project-icole, Rick, Jim, Gary 2. Community Resiliency Index-Nicole (January) 3. Grnenspace : Triangle Property-Ben 4. Engagement / Introduction to Fairhope Committees Tabled Until Further otice: L Ben to arrange onsite fiel d trip with FEAB, May or, City Council other committees, and Auburn Uni,· Extension at Dyas to discuss use of property -to occur in October. 2. Organize special discussion with Eric Cortinas re : wetland charette details and planning (To occur after products are aYailable from special wetlands collaboration proj ect from Baldwin County Coalition ofEABs. Note that LID, Red Clay will fo lfow as priorities after w etlands and streams .) 3. City Website: re,-iew for adequacy/update for wetlands and other outreach materials -Nicole and Darrel 4. Future Topics / Sustainable Community Initiativ es a Microplastic s -Kim b. ativ e P lanting -D arrel c . School Buses : S500 million in Federal funding to replace diesel school buses ,v ith electric and low-emission. Recommended to Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent and our district member of the School Board. -Gary d. Energy Conservation Initiativ es (climate change action)-Anna, Gary i. Green building codes, incenti\·es , and stretch goals ii . Solar panel roadblocks iii. Fairhope Green eighborhood designation -stretch goals incentiv e ? e. AlternatiYe pavements (streets, sidewalks, bike paths) f. LiYing Shorelines -Gary, igel g . Engage partnerships -Gary i . ~faster Gardeners ii . ACF Green Coast Counc.il iii . Fairhope Public Utilities h. Habitat enhancements for Winn Dixie pond (Nigel) FEAB Vis wn: to serve as a trusted, scientific resource providing a local environmental perspective to policy decisions to ensure environmental matters are given fall consideration in the City 's decision- making processes. We strive to positively affect the quality of life for all residents, their connection to our local ecosystems, and the resilience and sustainment of Fairhope as a small, yet world-class, city. Page 13 FEAB RDl,e.: the FEAB is dedicated to increasing awGJ'eness of environmental issues , offering recommendations to City administrators, and providing state-of the-science consultation in the implementation of sustainable solutions. FEAB November 10, 2022, Minutes Guest Introductions: Dr. Steven B. Scyphers is an Associate Professor i n the School of Marine & Environmental Sciences and Director of the Center for Socio -Environmental Resiliency at the University of South Alabama, and he is a Senior Marine Scientist II at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Steven's research integrates ecology and sociology to understand and overcome major challenges facing coastal communities . His work focuses on sustainable coastal fisheries, shoreline development, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation . He lives in Fairhope with his wife Mallory and daughters Hadley and Maren. Dr. Steven Scyphers has recently moved to Fairhope . He is interested in partnership opportunities between the City of Fairhope and USA , including internships (paid or unpaid). He has students seeking internships and projects. Amy said FEAB could utilize his expertise and may include him on the Council session attendance roster in the future, if he is interested in doing that. She encouraged him to attend FEAB meetings . Carole Tebay is a Fairhope resident who would like to raise awaress regarding a new invasive aquatic species fern , Silvinia molesta . She advised that this plant should be removed immediately to prevent smothering out other aquatic plants and causing o xygen depletion. Kim will share with Fairhope 's Landscaping and Quail Creek Golf Course staff, so they will recognize it as a potential threat if seen in the bay, ponds and streams . I Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants I University of Florida, IFAS (ufl.edu) Council/ Planning Commission Attendance: Amy presented a draft schedule, with talking points, for FEAB representation at Council Meetings. She also has Anna Miller, an attending non-member, on the roster . Amy suggested that non-members, such as Anna, might be used for tasks such as this, depending on the area of authority . Non-members, as well as anyone (public) is invited and encouraged to attend FEAB meetings . However, non-members attendance does not count towards FEAB meeting quorum per Kim . Ben is in favor of utilizing non-members with specific areas of expertise . Amy encouraged anyone who is interested in participating with FEAB as an active non-member, please submit bio to her. Page 14 FEAB November 10, 2022 , Minutes SCHEDULE AND T AI.J(Th"G POI1'1 S THE CITY OF F AIRHOP E E NVIRO iENTAL AD VIS ORY BOARD A TTENDANCE AT BI-MONT HLY CITY CO~CIL MEETINGS: 202 2-2023 Attendance Schedule Date -Second and Fourth Monday of Every Month FEAB Assigned Representative Seco nd Decem ber Je nnifer Fo utch Fo rth December Gary Gov er Seco nd Jan uary J1m Horner Fot1rth Janua ry A y Pa ulso n Seco nd Feb ua rv N·co1e Lov e Fourth Feb ua rv Darrell W 1lhams Seco nd M arc Nige l Temple Fourth Marc Be n Frater Seco nd A p ril Rick Spe 1g Fo rth April Anna M Ii ie r • Seco nd May Je nnifer Fo utch Fourth M ay Gary Gover Sec ond J e J1m Horner Fot1 rth Ju e A y Pa u lso n Seco nd Ju ly Nicole Lov e Fo rth Ju ly Darrell Will•a ms Seco nd Au gu st N ge l Temp e Fo rth A gust Be n Frater Seco nd September Ric k Spe1g Fot1 rth September Anna M ille r • Seco nd Octo ber Jennifer Fo utch Fo rth Octo ber Gary Gover Se co nd Nov embe r J1m Horner Fo rth Nov embe r Be n Frater Seco nd December N cole Lov e Foorth Decembe r Darrell WIi i ams • Anna 1s not an offia al v oting m ember of FEA B and th erefo re cannot spe ak di rectly f or the Board. How ever, sh e i s a su bj ect matter eKp ert for green b uil ding and sh ould be engaged as rel ev ant. Page 15 FEAB November 10, 2022 , Minutes Procedure / Puw.ose: • Before Council meeting: o PREPARE • Get on City email list to receive agenda before meeting (contact. the City Clerk 's office at 251-92 8-2136 or lisa..hanks(@Jajrhopeal.gov). Otherwise, check agenda at COF website as soon as it is anilable: https J/www.fairhopeaLgov/govemment/agendas-minutes/city-council-4032 • If agenda includes any discussion on FEAB 2022 priority focal issues , contact FEAB issue POC to assess rele,·ance of S\Vapp ing attendance (see talking points below) • Assigned FEAB representative attends on their day OR swaps with another in advance. It is assigned representative 's resp onsibility to find a replacement. • Bring most recent vers ion of messaging sheet / talking points to meeting. • At Council meeting: Page\ 6 o OBSERVE discussion. including: • Any topics identified as 2022 FEAB Priority Focal issues • ew environmental issues faced by City • Any other issues that may have induect impacts on the environment but were not identified as such or otherwise highlighted during Council discussion. o PARTICIPATE. The purposes ofFEAB regular attendance are : • to support Councilman Martin with environmental expertise • to speak on 2 022 FEAB priority issues as needed (see talking points below) • to alert Council and City where environmental issues may be relevant and FEAB couldfurther assist • to thank I acknowledge I support Councilmembers when appropriate environmental action is taken or decision is made • to inform FEAB of relevant meeting details o REPORT. Communicate back to IBAB : • Be prepared to present short discussion of relevant items at next FEAB monthly meting. • If immediate response was requested on a given issue, email group directly or contact Amy to help identify POC and communicate issue / next steps. FEAB November 10, 2022 , Minutes Greenspace Establishment and Management • POC: Ben Frater • INTENT: City of Fairhope establishes a netw ork of protected greenspace by 1) selecting natural areas to maintain. restore, or enhance AND 2) planning and maintaining areas for compatible designated natural outcomes and recreational uses. o Many natural area goals are compatible with multi-use recreation goals IF the area is well p lanned and appropriately maintained . o Mixed use is i ll1nerable to failure wi thout proper planning -resource will degrade, upkeep will be costly or ineffective (i .e., erosion. w eeds, growth inhibition). o FEAB has a joint subcommittee with the bike and ped board to help identify new parcels to recommend. o There are a variety of means to acquire, control , or otherwise use private property for public use (i .e .• purch ase and City-maintenance is not alway s required). FEAB can provide further detail as needed. o World-class cities all ha,·e intentionally interconnected green spaces -increases quality of life and property values . • PRIORFEABINVOLVL\>IENT: a Dyas Triangle -we assisted the Council and May or by providing deed research, recommended deed restrictions , and provided se,·eral Resolutions regarding poss ible way s for ward for planning and design. a Colo ny Park -we have pro,·ided Council and :\fayor w ith previous ~lanagement Plan (Single Tax 20 10) and Res olutions regarding recommended way s forward for planning and des ign . a Land Lse P lan -we provided an extensive , detailed recommendation letter to the City and the LUP con sultant planning team. We have several members serv e on the LUP Steering Committee, and most of the FEAB attended at least one planning workshop, charette , or presentation Fairhope Wet lands Protection • POC: Amy Pauls on • INTENT: City of Fairhope is empowered and equipped to protect local ·watershed resources . o FEAB is working with Daphne and the County to standardize minimwn wetlands protection and best management practice language across the County ( draft language expected by the end-2022). o FEAB is a,-ailable to assist the re, iew and adoption of revis ed COF wetlands ordinance and subdivis ion ordinance. Community Res iliency Index • POC: Nicole Love • INTENT: The City ofFairhope rescores the 201 7 Community Resilience Index (CR!) in light of 2020 hurricane season and other upgrades and improv ements . o The CRI is a tool to showcase improvements made and identify remaining challenges that could be corrected in adYance of the next major storm. o The CRI is a Mississippi Sea Grant-facilitated ev ent where City employ ees and other knowledgeable officials evaluate XXXX. Action plan: Amy asked everyone to read through the schedule and talking points. Offer comments and suggests directly to Amy within 10 days . Page 17 FEAB November 10, 2022, Minutes Comprehensive Land Use Plan: Ben is on the Steering Committee for the comp plan as the FEAB representat ive . He said there has been no update or information to share . SALT Native Habitat Program Darrel discussed the Native Habitat program and is encouraging everyone to promote this . He also mentioned Dr. Tallam y's Zoom session on this subject, with another Zoom session coming up November 14th . Reg ist ration is free . Amy said the use of native vegetation and having a list of recommended plantings would be an important part of gully protection . Kim confirmed that the City of Fairhope is researc hing gul ly protection sta ndard s and this program will greatly benefit that ini tiative . Page \ 8 FEAB November 10, 2022 , Minutes SALT Native Habitat Certification CheckUst Trans f orm y our yard. patio or balcony into a habitat t o encourage b1odiver s1ty in our neighborhood landscapes. Rece ive your Native Habitat Certification from the South Alabama Land Trust. Score your landscape using the ch art below. If your space meet s the m immum requ ired sust ainable habitat practice s in eve ry catego ry, send your results t o :wlt@southa !abamalandtrust org o r mail your ch ecklist to 11401 US HWY 98. Fair hope. AL 36532 to receive your cert ifica t ion . Name _____________ _ Address ____________ _ Phon e _____________ _ Ci ty Email State ____ Zip _______ _ Wh at 1s th e size of your yard /pat10 /balcony7 0 :5 v .. acre O ¼ -1 acres O ?: 1 acre Page \ 9 FEAB November 10, 2022, Minutes SALT Native Hab tat Program Guidelines and Resources Step 1: Assess your yard Sc;or your tandscap using th ch«klist. Start by odenllly1ng the n.it1v a ts lhat ,ne currently 1n your yaJd Do they provide Food. Cover. or Breeding Plac~' Of\ly Natlv Plants can contribute lo the checklist. Do you have a source of Wate< 1n your landsc > Are you c renlly using any Susta1 b~ Practices on the check 1st> One you hav compl tcd the> c:hcckUst for your yard or landscape. make a Ust of what checks illr m 1ss1ng . T his w11 t I you how to begin trarnform,ng your ydrd ,nto a b tat For help dcnbfy,ng plants. you can uSf! dpps 1ke P1ctyreTh1s or INa1yraLst call your local Masts;r Gardcm;r or contact SALT at 251 990 5004 Step 2: Add native plants °"' that you know a ullk bit more about what 1s 1n your yard. you mdy have nobc:ed that many common l andscape pla ts are not natNe to our a e-a , or worse-. 1nvas1ve Work towards a goal of at I ast 70% native plants n your habitat nd th llm,natlon of Invasive spec s that displace native plants and provKI no bcn lit to wlldllf . For most people, that will be a bag tra s lion. but most important thing s to ge-t st rted As you add native pl nts. the birds butterllles. and other Ide that w1 1 be drdwn to your yard w1 I provide plenty of encouragement to keep going The toUow ng native p a ls are avd table dt local n rse<H!!s Scan th OR code or v s lo website for a more extem,vc st Examples of native plants Blue eyed Grass evergreen pcrenn l w1 dlla.Ner w• Muhly Grass grdss A • Raver O;its gr;iss A• NalM! M1 kweed hf!rbaceou'> perennial "'• Narrow lea.I Sunflow r f>"<Cnn1al wildflower • Sweet G0<denroo Scar cl Rose Ma low Purple Concllow r St00<e-s A!.lcr CllmbngAsl r Coral Hone~uckle Maypop/PaS!,1onl lower Ame11can Wtste11d SdwPalmello Amencan Bea ty Berry evt?rgrcen perenn l w1 dt a.Her w • baceous pc!r n1al • bacou'> ~nnaal • bacou'> l)f!fennial w • perennial wildflower • evergreen vine • h baceou'> Ila.Her ng vane II • deciduous vme • shrub suted p;ilm ft l ,ng shrub ft • Wax Myrtle evcrgr shrub • W nterberry dec:1duous shrub ft • florada An sc fragr l evergreen shrub w ft Sweet Pepperbush narrow. deciduous shrub w • Scrv1ccberry large-shrub, small tree ,. ft • American Sna.Nbell dec1d ous shru . small tr= w ft • W1tc Ha.tel large-dec1d ous Shrub ,1 • Paw Paw s,mall lru1t tree-• Native Persimmon low. shrubby lr t trf! v • Pecan large d cad o s tree • lrve O-Ok large-, keystone '>Pf!C>es ft • £astern Red Ced.ir evcrgreen con fc,ous tree ft • Swamp Cht!stnul O-Ok knge-df!c1du0t1:s tree .,; ft • Spr cc Pine large 111?rgr n tr w ft • [!)~(!] ".S-~ for a mote extensive 11st ol native p ts. and "' rood ~o~ links lo resources. scan the OR code. or v s t. [!j ~ southatapama!Qndtryst ocatoows: bibi\i11 program/ Step 3: Maintain your habitat alive Plants a e adapted to our c mate and can Uu'YC w1lho t add llonal 1111gal1on or te<b ers once th y ;i e csl;iblJshed W le lower maintenance than a trad1t1ona yard you, h.i ital w,U need some ma1nt nee to look its best Adopting sustalnabl l.andsc.ip m.itnt nanc practic s can si gn ticantly red c: ma1nt nanoc, costs. conS4lnt resourceos, nd protect our wa.terw ys from pollut dNnort. Page 110 learn more about s sta, b e p,act1ces lo he p yo.Jr h;ib1tal thrrve-with lhf!sc resources Alabama Smart Var¢; FEAB November 10, 2022, Minutes Wetland Ordinance/ Subdivision Regulation updates: Amy and Gary are working with the Baldwin County Joint EAC on drafting language for standa rd wetland regulations across jurisdictional lines . This will hopefully include standa rd buffer languages. Proposals so far (drafted by Ashely Campbell) include buffers set at 50' for stream, 30' for jurisdictional wetlands and 5' for other stormwater conveyance areas including non-jurisdictional wetland s. Fairhope's current buffers listed in the Subdivision Regulation s are listed as 30' for wetlands (jurisdictional and non- jurisdictional) and 50' for stream buffers . Non-subdivision properties in Fairhope must abide by a 20' wetland buffer, according to the current Fairhope wetland ordinance . This also covers jurisdictional as well as non-jurisdictional wetlands. FEAB subcommittee on greenspace: Darrel and Katie (Bike Ped Committee) walked an undeveloped parcel owned by the airport authority . He did not feel it was suitable for a bike path unless it was heavily restored. Currently the property is covered in inva sive privet. Council Representation Jim is concerned about the lack of council representation with FEAB . He is wondering if Council in general is aware of FEABs agenda items and concerns . Ben stated FEAB should move forward as best as we can with agenda items. Kim sends Mayor and Councilman Corey the meeting "summary", usually on the Monday after FEAB meetings , so that if there is a council meetin g, Mayor and Corey will be aware of discussion items . Resiliency Jim is in contact with staff at Babcock Ranch , which is a very large home development NE of Ft. Myers, FL . It was barely damaged by Hurricane Ian. He is working to obtain building codes from them. Amy asked Jim to share any information with Anna Keen Miller. FEAB Upcoming Vacancy Darrel is resigning from FEAB. He has taken another position and will be moving to Colorado in December. This will likely be his last FEAB meeting. This will open a vacancy for FEAB. Jessica Walker, Special Projects Manager Jim announced Jessica 's resignation from the City of Fairhope, effective November 30t h, 2022. She has been an excellent resource for FEAB . Page 111 . ' . FEA B Nove mb er 10, 2022 , Minutes Meeting adjourned at 4 p .m. Next meeting is Friday, December 9 th @ 3 p.m . @ Public Uti l ities Conference room . FE AB CONTACT INFORMATION : Chairman : Gary Gover Co-Chair : Amy Paulson Members: Ben Fra t e r Ji m Horner Nigel Temple Jennifer Foutch Rick Speight Darrel Williams Nicole Love CI TY CONTACTS : govers@be l lsouth.net amy .paul son@yahoo .com ben .frater@gmail .com none 757nigel@gmail.com Foutch . jen n ifer@gma i I .com rspeight@game7publishing .com darrel@southala bama la ndtrust.org nlove@thompsoneng i neering .com (251} 990-8662 (251) 654 -7401 (404) 314-8815 (251) 928 -9722 (757) 803-3589 (618) 318-0354 (828) 551-3966 Corey Mart in, City Council corey .martin@fairhopeal.gov Kim Burmeister, Planning and Zoning Department kim .burmeister@fairhopeal.gov Christina LeJeune , Plann ing and Zoning Department christina .lejeune@fairhopeal.gov Page 112