HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-2020 Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board Meeting MinutesFEAB August 2020
FEAB MEETING MINUTES
August 14, 2020
3:00 p.m.
Fairhope Civic Center Delchamps Room, Fairhope, AL
Member Attendees: Gary Gover, Ben Frater, Mike Shelton, Tony Pritchett, Amy Paulson
City of Fairhope: Kim Burmeister, Planning and Zoning Department; Christina LeJeune,
Planning and Zoning; Jessica Sawyer, Community Development
Honored Guests : Steve McClure, Corey Martin
Minutes taken by: Kim Burmeister
FEAB MINUTES:
January and February 2020 FEAB minutes were approved as written .
DISCUSSION OF ITEMS:
FEAB Membership/ By Laws Resolution:
Gary has been discussing membership by-law revisions with the City Clerk, Lisa Hanks .
Lisa has suggested a definitive number of FEAB members, so Gary is revising to reflect 9
members. This means that at all times the quorum will be set at 5 members in
attendance, regardless of how many are actively on board. Kim confirmed there are
currently 9 members of FEAB, at least two of which are inactive . There is language
added to remove inactive members or members who miss more than three regular
meetings. Members must be residents of Fairhope. The draft resolution for by law
changes is attached (Figure 1 and 2) with the recommended changes in bold. Corey
asked if the FEAB had a environmental lawyer on board. Tony mentioned Ron Allen, past
FEAB member who is not a current member but might be available to offer advice on an
as needed basis for FEAB. Mike made a motion to accept the recommended changes as
a resolution. Tony seconded . Resolution passed.
Resolution#l : FEAB By-Law amendment; passed with no amendments
FEAB August 2020
Draft for ity of Faihope Code of Ordinances
DIVISlON 2. -ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOAR[)ill
•
• Sec. 2-81. -Mission.
• The miss ion of this board shall b to provide polic advice to the mayor and city counci l
regarding environmema/ marrers that on em the City of Fairhope .
(Ord . No . 1435, art . l, 9-13--10)
• Sec . 2-82. -Memb rship .
• {a)
Members will be residents of Fairho~. They wilt be interes ted in the environmenwl issues.
Emp loye s of environmental age ncies or companies having economic interests in environmental
maners will be w I ome to attend board meetings and comment on issues under study.
(b)
T he board will con i t of nine (9) members. Members may be nominated by the mayor, city
co1-1ndl or by oth rm mbe • Members will be appointed by the city council. A member with
unwarranted absen e from three (3) regular meetings shaJJ have resigned their ppointment.
(c)
The city will assign a qualified employee to auend meetings and be responsible for laking meeting
minuces to be distributed ro member · and oth er interested panies an d maintain an up -to -date listi ng of
members and their addres . Other c:ity employees with enviro nmental responsibilities are urged to
attend meetings.
(d)
The board may have sub• ommiuees, whlch will each have its own chairman and appropr iate
obje tiv , u h sub-committees may meet separately as needed, but will report ch ir activities in
r gular monlhl board meetings.
(e)
T h it y council will appoint one (1) councilman to attend board meetings and/or keep infor med of
board a Livilies . AL a minimum, the councilman will meet with the board chainnan ev ry three (3)
month 10 keep appri d of environmental issues under consideration.
(Ord. No. 1435 art. II, 9-13-10)
• Sec. 2-83. -Officers and meetings.
• (a)
The chairman of the board will be selected by majority vote of lhe members attending the first meeting
of the year and may serve as long as the board decides.
(b)
Figure I Fairhope FEAB By-Laws amendment page I
FEAB Au gu st 2020
The cbairm,m wiU organize and pres ide over meet ings and a ppoint members LO spe ial sub-commiuee
a needed to accomp lh,h jssues being add ressed .
(c)
A majority vote of atte nding members will be req uired before an iss ue is brought before the mayor and
city council.
(d)
The monthly m ting will be held at 3:00 p.m. on th e second Friday of each mont h at a location
<let rmined by th hairman. Other special mee ting.s may be calle d as needed.
(Ord . No. 1435 a.rt. lll, 9-13-10; Ord . No. l 1, § 1, 7-13-1 5)
Figure 2 Fairh op e FEA B By-Laws amendmen t page 2
Dyas Triangle Property Resolution:
Amy has drafted a resolution for the Dyas Triangle Park . She went over the resolution
w ith emphasis on the natural resource inventory being the first step. Mike agreed. Ben
reminded everyone that a conservation easemen t is a legally binding document . Amy
referenced other studies available (City of Fairhope Natural Resource Inventory,
2003 2003 Fairhope NR Inventory : Thompson Engineering Fly Creek Watershed Study,
2013 , Watershed Restoration Project,
https://www.fairhopeal.gov/home/showdocument?id=6719 ). The 2003 inventory is not
specific enough to the triangle. The Thompson Engineering study while comprehensive
is not based on scientific assessments . Tony has concerns with "Questions and
Additional Information" page 3 of the resolution draft. Gary referred to thi s page as a
companion piece . Jessica said the questions page will be very helpful to sta ff. Amy
r em i nded everyone these are only put in the resolution as a guidance for que stion s that
might be presented to Council or Staff. Tony suggested these changes to the
"Questions" page :
1. Change title of th is page to "Potential Questions from the Public ".
2. Change bullet number two to read: "Will the easement restrict prope rty rights?"
3. Change bullet number three to read: "Do we need outsiders to consult, manage
or develop the area or can the city handle it?"
4 . Change bullet number four to read : "Can we increase coordination between city
functions?"
Amy made a motion to accept the resolution as amended (accepting Tony 's changes).
See Figures 3, 4 and 5. Tony seconded the motion .
Re solution #2 : Dyas Triangle Park, passed w/amendments
FEAB August 2020
A Gt: T 14 , 2020
Resolution: To bes1 serve the cilizens of airhope and the in1ent of 1he "Parkland" designation for the
109 acres known es the Dyas Triangle the foirnope Environmen1al Ad isor~ Boa.rd recommends 1h
rouowin • four ,aeps be implemented by the Ci1y of Fairhope:
1-Prepan: a Nantrul Re:wurt:e lnvt-ntory ort.he entire sitt:.
To determine d u: bes1 Parklund uses for the property planners must underStan<l \ hich potential
use~ are compatib le with e.-tisting ecolo ... ii.:al fum:tiuns and habi1a1 alues. T11is stud wou .l<l creute a
detailed bascli ll! of existing natural assets m Lhe silt:, indooin • but not I imited Lo fl Creek
, mershed pro1.cc1ion , na tive up land fores1 m:enspace conneeti ity, ruid nini e plane and animal
species hebitat.1 l11e Study should conclude with profossiomi l, ciea1.-.e-based. recommeodal.ions for
res1or01 .ion a nd conservacion, fi Jon •-lt:nn and i a Le rim man.a remea t plan ·upporting the sclec1ed
t!,ndpoinl , and should provide details required to :support an informed se.l ei:lion of compalible
recreation options lhilt enb1mce and ustain lhese function and ,~dlues.
11 is anticipated tlu:i 11his s.tud wo uld osl less than $10,000. IL o ul d prepare planners. for the
developm e nt of a.l1ernati es and site en , ineerin • ll wd I as pro ide site-peci fo; cfotails for the
upcomin • fl Creek W a1<."11ilied Menageinenl Pl.an and I.he Fairhope Ar Communil •-Based
Comprehensive Plan.
2-Prepare llf! Dl!Velr)pmem Altenralives and se le ct a Prefe1red Alu:n,mive.
l n consideration of1h inform01fon a nd recommendations from the . a/lira! Resoura! /m-en/01)'.
rhe C ity .shou ld prepare up Lo three viab le allerna1ivc si re plans consis.1en1 ~ ith the Park.rand
desi. •nat.ion.. 2 Site alterna tives s ho ul d consider a r.}n"e of JJOle□Lial at:1i i1ies find ame nitic
SUf;"'~led lhrough public in olvemmt find slmuld eliminate from furth er vunsidt:ro.licm an.
acti\'ities id entified aS inrnmpetiblt: in lhe Natural RestJ[trc:es /m1emmy or I.hill are detennined to be
cost proh ibi1i e.
Depending on timing, publii; en •agi:mt'fll 5Urroundi.ng these allernati es. ma, be i ncorpornted into
events o S,0Ci11100 wi1h the upcoming omprehen ive Plan · however, public participation for tb.is
projec t cot1ld also proceed as a .sqiarate, compli rrnmt ary pr0<.--es.s" The Cit i;ho uld include nutural
1 Thi, " y cuuld incocpo1a1e infuni tiun and c)lbcrwi..c 1, ·r fro11111,c 'I oo.lbng!LI a.nd Tudia. 100 . A ,ufnbon J,,iernu1im1ul :r
Na1 11m l !leJ.011n.-,; /111-rnlof)•fartltt!. Ci1y ofFuirl,011 , •◄luht:mw . Tlu: 2003 siu,d is hiJilt-1':vd. co11rp.-.:]Lor:s.i\ luuk a1 cbe
1 · ru:ml n.=un:,,; -..i11Lia d ,e Ciry of Faidiupc plano,u • jun~ic1ic:,,, d ~ n.1::umll1l!ltda.1jm1.S fo, de, elupm•nl
eu12ipa1,hifoy ""d ongoii,.!!-t>"'"'I'\ 1ion priuriti How ,cr. 11l~ 2003 Slud:y.t..... .... ,1.01 p.ovid.! ,..,01i191 d.:tai l bulfl 1b D:t-a:.
Tria1>• C for s;tc-~,fi . aonu n e\d use .
2 Tb.:~ p an;o 111ay bu ilJ from o r ineurpOr.ll• Uu: 10 1<1 preliminary ti !ii •n Thollrp,iun Er,gincc:rin!!. 2014, pruj,-ct u1.1.mb.:r 13·
1101-0 1 7.
} Ti, da!i: ol.Jtla! pul.(1,tial rc<:n:-,rl.10n a,ocnil• .• ba,•c ine 1.tikd Uill fo llo-..lUI! ""ll .• .,.tions: pnnuti C Ir.I.i i ~:.-1.,,m ,,1icl1 i01nc ADA -
""",. ·bt.: p a \ ed lr~il Cc,ii. roum fa litii:i. 11t1tun: cOlfcr. alkuig. joe •at.!/,-bilit1g. d imbju • YI II . atdoct)'. non -
rnutorib:d boa1 launch. 1:borct111n/'bola;,ieal gank-, . c1c.
P-• ,
Figure 3 Amended draft resolution for Dyas Triangle Park page I
FEAB August 2020
resource const.-r a tion, public in pUL and os.1 in cons.ideration o rche selected preferred altemati e .
3-Res1<>1'l! the D <{JS Tnangle a11d De ,-elop tlur Dya.1,< Tda11gle uuldt'>or re I-ea1Icm experienC"'-
Dependin • on the selection ofil,e cun ser ai io restoration ecotogical endpoint and/or the selected
n:cre.ition amenities grant monies ma be ava il:ab le to :support the impletn(,'Tl lll llOn orllie final
decis io n (i.e .. fon:sc restoration gron!S and troi l deve lopment grants . 4 The City s h ould retain I~
ongoiny responsibilit for mllflil 0 emenl and upkeep of th site, unless pur1nered. ilh a gril.llt-<•i ing
or oth1:r or ,ani:zation with mdural resoun::es e p.:r1ise relevant 10th.: sda..1:e<l consen Lion
.:ndpoinL
4-Cwmd r co1ise11·ati1Jn I pro1ec11011 aptw1
· the asset i:s restored. de eloped and fum:tionin • as prt:scrib.:d b 1he m1ma •c menl phm, lhe Cit
!>ho uld consider hich options for Ion • term preser,•ation of the an:a .u:-e mos1 appropriate.
The prop.:n hus already been z.o n ed as "Parkland" b I.h e i1y, and whi le 1hi tie ignacion pro '.dei;
1he public .so m..: assuran ·cs 10 the all owable u es. of the pruperc y, zonin. • de igna1ions can be
1:hansed, renderin. • rhe current "Parkland" dt:ii ignation as impermanen L It is o rlh consideri n • a
mor..: p.:nnanent im,trum.:nl 10 presene the ision oullined in the mana •emenl plan, s uch as re i~ed
deed l_a:n •u •e Of' a con:serva1ion easemen I. Deed lan •ua re that describes lb.: purpose of th..:
properry and the long term vision for it oold nm,ain with the deed fo r furure generations a.s long
as 1h.: Cit o\l/tl:s it. antl ou ld provi d :some lch,on l protee1ions that a zoni ng designa1ion ould not.
Deed Ian •ul!c;1e can be altered by a 1.:oun if the o ner can demons1r ate a hards h ip. A cons.er tion
easement pro ides imi l<ir !)T(ltec1ions , but canno t he remo ed. even in 1he case of hardship. It lso
must desi male a third part~ to e n force the tenns of the ec1 .:ment i.n perp ui ry . A tl1ird part i.s
1ypic.ally f! Jan<l tr ust or som e le d of go emmcnt 1hal has the ability to main1ain th proJ)l!rt in t he
de:sirt:d condition. as outlined in the con.sen•ation easemenL
R e i!llrdles ohh final desi •nat io n of the area. the City should keep a qualified third-party
conser ation organimtion involved in ·i t..: de elopmmt and mana remenl to en.sur..: that the be I
a ai l· ble s1.:ience ond 1echnologic.al i:on iderations ar..: implemented.
~ Fuw c..:arnple. commw,ir)' rJnli arc a, :,jbt bl.! 1bruu ~ 1hc fo l!o i11g •c·m:ie,,, nimprolil un•:inizalioo, and e.:xpor.1\10in5..
:i lium.! Fi:sh and \ ildl ifo Fuundati,..,,, , F\ . Abtb>nta 111 f o lucco...:ry 011,11:il N:llUJ:81 RC>(Jun: > un 'I'\ al.ion
c"l'\o ic.: (. R ~ A aba, ote,lt)' ·or11111 is,io11 .. Alabar Oepar1Jucr,L u( Co,..e,natio n and . arural Re suun:d (Cua..ial Ar.:a
Mai g'll1L1:1[J>rugn,1111 ~ a.1ioa1SI Wild lif.: oeOCrJIR)JL, w hcrnt.: np.:,D)'(ur(Jlherpri 'afecorpura1iun • 'a .ii.or,· Part
S,.,..,;c.,, ·-,d cr.11 H isb" )' daur,islr,)li.o,1., I tBA Tn1 LI Soluf '"'• cic.
Figure 4 Amended draft reso lution for Dyas Trian g le Park page 2
FEAB Au gus t 2 02 0
Potentia l Ou , tion from the J>ubli c
• Wh>i now?
Th.: iry i · m vin, forward wi.th Greeno O erlay olanta Park redevelopment. Fairhope Docks,
and other project ' :so i:s prim~ to intc rrat e plaanin • clcmenls i!S u ece· ·, between proje<..1.S . The
i1 has o\ nc:d the prupert for man ears at this point. and th re i~ •enerat consensus across
in1erested :srn.kehol<ler.s that ii' time to take action and move it forv ard..
• Will the c,m.tenu /1011 t!fl.!iemen/ re.unct pnvute prapl!J·t righ1!j,·?
The ii)' can mo\'e fo~ d i1h managin11 and us.in• 1he site Md de lII the conservation
easement decision while it researche present tion options, en •a >es qUI1lifiet.l pro ft: sionals. and
fo:rmLI.UII · u scie n ce-and oommtmity-based decision for long lemt pn:ser 11110n.
• Do we 11 ttd oulside,·s 10 onsull, mun re , o,· d l't!lop tire unVI, or wr Lire Ci~• hand/I! ii?
The Cicy 's capability and capacit to manage Ibis ire ith in -house technit.-a l expertise and labor
will be identified in 1he Nutural R orm:e.t brw1110 ; thus ro les wil l be de termint.-d as additiona l
information is obtained with the In ventory.
• Ca11 we ln rease cvardinutfr>n betwe1!11 Ciryfun J/01u'?
All a~ecls ofl.h e aluation ofpotenl.ial 0ltot?ma1iv 'and c1e ,..,dopme nt of the ite will be
coordinated and communicated bt:1ween Fairhope •ov..-rnin ntit ies, inc ludin• 1h e Ma or's
offic~. Ci1 • Council, and per1i nent sm.ff.
Figure 5 A mended draft resolutio n for Dyas Triangle Park page 3
Fly Creek Watershed Management Plan, update
Amy said the upcoming watershed management plan for Fly Creek will cover the entire
Ea stern Shoreline from Boudreaux's restaurant in Daphne to CR 1 in Fairhope/Point
Clear. She said stakeholde r groups are being formed and any suggestions o n who need s
to be involved, please let her know . She said Kim Burmeister is designated as a contact
for the City of Fairhope. Kim said that Hunter Simmons, City of Fairhope Plann i ng and
Zoning Department Manager, and Richard Johnson , City of Fairhope Public Wo r ks
Di r ector, PE, both need to b e involved . Jessica said it is imperative to get these two
i nvolved since they are both key stakeholders with comprehensive plann i ng and
stormwater planning for t he Fairhope area .
Climate Change
Amy said she , Mike and Anna Miller are working on language for the draft Climate
Change action plan for Fairhope . She is hoping she can have something p r epared
p r esentation -wise for the September meeting.
FEAB August 2020
Living Shorelines
Amy would like the City of Fairhope Planning and Zoning, building department and
Public Works Department to incorporate living shorelines into City planning and
infrastructure maintenance. There are city bulkheads in need of repair (South Beach
Park) that might be a good project area for a living shorelines demonstration project.
CR 1 has several bulkheads being periodically replaced on private property. Amy feels
that residents might consider living shorelines if they knew where to go to obtain
i nformation on them . Amy said some of the setback requirements with local
government are sometimes not conducive to living shoreline projects. Gary mentioned
the Working Waterfront upcoming plan has living shoreline project potential. Jessica
sai d the City has environmentalists working on the plan which is subject to change.
Permeable Parking Proposal for Coastal Community College
Tony mentioned the need for more permeable parking in downtown Fairhope and
mentioned Dean Moscher's recent suggestion of reworking Coastal Community
College's large field as a permeable parking area . Jes sica said Richard Johnson has been
in discussion with staff about this . Corey said since thi s i s a parking concern it is better
addressed with the city Parking Committee than w ith FEAB. Tony said he would follow
up with the Parking Committee.
Other business:
Membership: Gary said some FEAB members may be interested in having future FEAB
meetings on-line or via conference calls because of COVID concerns . Per Li sa Hanks, City
Clerk, the virtual meetings are not fully supported by state law at this time . That is
Gary's understanding.
Wetland Ordinance : Amy is interested in having FEAB review the current City of
Fairhope wetland ordinance but would like Erik Cort i nas, Building Official, to be in
attendance . Erik is the administrator of the wetland ordinance . Kim said the wetland
ordinance regulates from no less than 20' from the wetland delineation line whereas
USACE regulates from the wetland delineation line . Re cent permitted wetland/grady
pond fill activity at CR 13 and Manley has received a lot of attention . FEAB members are
encouraged to begin reading over the ordinance .
https :/ /www.fairhopeal.gov/home/showdocument?id= 142
Meeting adjourned at 4 :00 p .m.
Next m eeting is F rid ay, Se pte mb er 11 th @ 3:00 p .m .: D elchamp s Room
FEAB August 2020
FEAB CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chairman: Gary Gover
Members:
Shawn Graham
Jeanine Normand
Tony Pritchett
Nicole Love
Ben Frater
Mike Shelton
Jim Horner
Amy Paulson
CITY CONTACTS:
govers@bellsouth.net
ShawnDG12@aol.com
drjnormand@aol.com
apritchettassoc@gmail.com
nicolemrobinson@hotmail.com
ben.frater@gmail.com
yaupon3@gmail.com
none
amy.paulson@yahoo.com
(251} 990-8662
(251} 928-5120
(251) 928-2284
(251) 990-5185
(407} 312-1362
(404} 314-8815
(251} 990-2995
(251} 928-9722
Jimmy Conyers, City Council jimmy.conyers@fairhopeal.gov
Kim Burmeister, Planning and Zoning Department kim.burmei ster @fairhop eal.go v
Christina LeJeune, Planning and Zoning Departm ent christina.lejeune @fairhop eal.go v
Jessica Walker, Community Development, Jessica.walker@fairhopeal.go v