HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-2021 Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board Meeting MinutesFEAB MEETING MINUTES
March 12th, 2021
3 :00 p.m .
Fairhope Civic Center Delchamps Room, Fairhope, AL
M ember Attendees : Gary Gover, Jim Horner, M ik e Sh e lton , Nigel Temple, M i chel le
Me lton , Jenn ifer Fou t ch , Be n Frater, Amy Paul son
M embers not in attenda nce : Jeanine Normand (wa r ranted absence)
City of Fairhope: Kim Burme iste r , Christina LeJeune -P l anning and Zoning Department ;
City Council : None
Honored Guests : None
M inutes taken by Kim Bu r meister
Gary called the meeting to orde r at 3 :0 0 p .m .
FEAB MEMBERS :
Gary has received a handfu l of ne w applicat i ons for membership from the City Cl er k. To
accept new members FEAB woul d need to mod ifica ti on by-l aws . Current by -laws onl y
a ll ow for nine members. Cur r en tl y there are no member availabil it i es . T he app li cat i ons
r ece ived were for non -spe ci fic b o ard or comm ittee appointments . The response on
memberships is d ue to advertisement from City Cl e rk r egarding City boards and
committees . Gary suggested future considera t ion o f FEA B membership to be set at 1 2
members . Amy rec o mmends FE AB meet i ng a n d vetting any p otent i al m embers. An y o n e
i ntereste d i n b ec omi ng a FEA B me m b e r is e nco uraged to atte nd the m eetings even if
t here is n o curren t opening.
FEAB March 2021
2021 FEAB Priorities and Membership Bios:
Am y gave a r evi ew of her d r aft, below .
., AIR.HO PE L1'"'1·1RO!l'llL1~TAL AD\"150ll\' BOAltD
POC AM\· PAULSO~
Fl:BllUAlt\' 7 , 2021
DRAFT-WO RK!l'\G COP\'
IDIORANDUM
FRO M nn: CITY OF FAIRHOPE E NVIRO.'.'iME ITAL AD \1SORV BOARD
2021 ORGANIZATIO N A1'1> PRIORITIES
An organization's mi ion describe the overall putp05e of the organization. Com ely, the ,is100
statement pertains to where the company or orgaruzatioo hopes they will be going in the future if they can
fulfill their IJUSSIOn
• :\1iss1on tatcmcnts define the orgaruzation's purpose and primary obJoctlves . These statements
are t m the present tense , and they cxplam wh you CJUSt as a busm , both to members of the
organization and to people outside it. . tis ion statement tend to be sh clear and powerful.
• \' ision tatcmen also define your orgaruzation' purpose, but they focus on rts goals and
asp1.rat10 ~e temen are designed to be uplifung and inspiring. They're also timcle s:
even if the orgaruzatton change rts strategy , the vision \\11l often sta the
Missio n : (CURRENT) to pro,-ide policy ad,-ice to the City Council, May or, and City departments
regarding cnviro.omental matters that c ncern th City ofFairhope.
ision : to serve as a trusted, scientific resource pro,·idmg a local environmental perspective to policy
dec isions to ensure ennronmental matters are gi ven full consideration in the City 's decis ion making
processes . e strive to positive ly affect the quality of life fo r all residents , their connection to our local
ecosystems, and the resilience and sustainment of Fairhope as a small to.vn, but world-class. city.
Ro le: the FEAB is dedicated to increasing awaren of environmental issues , offering recommendations
to City admirustrators. and pro,-iding state-of-the science consultation in the implementation of
sustainable solutions .
The Em-ironmental Ad\· ocy Board may review and make recommcndauoos to the City Council and
~yor on ennronmental policy issues as follows :
( l) Proposed ordinances and codes of an environmental nature.
(2) Proposed changes to existing eml!oomcntal ordinances and codes.
(3) Other environmental matters affecting the City as referred to the Board by the City Council,
Mayor , or City Office (and residents?).
( 4) Other enYironmental matters affecting the City that are initiated by the Board.
Regular :'\leeting Tim.in g/Loc.ation : 3-4pm on the second Friday of each month / .i.a.J~l.lWl~Room,
City Building , Section tree!
City Liaisons : City ofFairbope, Councilmembcr, Corey Manin
City ofFairhope, Community DC\·clopment, Je sica Walker
Ci ty ofFairhope, Plaonmg and Zoning Department , Kim Bllmleister
City ofFairhope, Planning and Zoning Department , Christina LeJeune
FEA!! ~ 2021
DJUFT. 111}]0]]
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FEAB March 2021
Member Information (FE..\.B ~Iembcr bios requested):
• Gary Gonr, Board President, MS Businass Admintstrarlon, .A,/S Pub lic Administration, BS
Biological Science.
Electronics techni cian instructor and supen'lSOry computer systems analyst . Leads Mobile Ba Earth
Day and parti cipates in the City Bike and Pedestr ian Comm.attce, [and oth . ]. Lived in Fairhope 24
years and FEAB since 2006.
• Ben F rater, MS, Fish and Wildlife Biology
He moved here from Panama City, Florida 10 years ago to raise a famil y and work on Deepwater
Horizon re lated restoration projects through the · and Wildlife Sm-ice's Gulf Restoration
Office . He currently sen·es as the Chief of Planning and Comp liance for the Department of the
Interior on acti,-ities throughou t the Gu lfrelated to the RESTO RE Act, NRDA, and Gulf
Em·ironmental Benefit Fund . Earlier in his Fish and Wildlife Service career, Ben worked with cjty
and county planners to pennit mitigation banks and habitat consen·ation preserves for endangered
species in California and Florida. Ben has also worked many years in fisheries management and as a
Forest Planner for the .S Forest Sen·ice . Hi s love for his community and interest in outdoor
recreation, compromise, urban consen·ation, and green space drew him to rnluntecr for FEAB . He
Jiyes \\~th his wife and three daughters \\~thin ,valking distance to many gullies and th e Fl y
CreelctDyas property, and is eager to see them properly celebrated as a lure to citizens and ,-isitors to
Fairhope . FEAB since O 17
• i\like Shelton, }.JS Biolo gy I BS Biolo gy
is the Training ,-atershed Program Coordinator at Weeks Bay Resen·e in Lands Division of the
Alabama Department of Consen·ation and atural Resources and a component of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administratio n Estuarine Research Reserve System . He has worked in
enYiro nm ental science, research, and compliance for over 30 years . Since coming in Weeks Ba
Resen·e in 200 1, Mike has collaborated with agencies , decision-makers , and area residents to
achie,·e better use of the natural resources of co astal Alabama. Duties include professional training,
water quality monitoring and research, and assisting watershed stakeholders with on-the-ground
pollution prevention and restoration projects .
L\1i.ke has been a resident of Fairhope for over 26 years and has served the City as a member and
chairman of the Em·ironmental Ad\-isory Board . Wend y, spouse , and fike raised their two sons ,
James and Charles , in Fairhope. Mike earned a master 's degree in Biology at Emory Uni\·ersity and
undergraduate degree at Hampden-Sydney College in irginia. Prior to Weeks Bay Resen·e, 11i.ke
managed the app lications and en\-ironmental testing laboratory for an engineering firm in Charlotte ,
orth Caro lina. He worked ";th both the regulators and the regulated communities on stormwater,
drinking ,vater, and wastewater treatment issues .
• Amy Paulson, MS Conservation and Sustainable Development I BS Ecology
25+ ears in en,·ironmental planning, including project anal is under th ational Em-ironmental
Policy Act; sustainability, resiliency, and watershed plans ; pollution pre,·enti on and em-ironmental
compliance ; military installation master planning ; renewable energy systems; and conflict
negotiation and facilitation. 'v orked special environmental projec for EPA; the Mayor ofDem·er,
CO; and , -arious federal, state , local, and mtemational agencies . FEAB since 2019.
• :\Iichelle IeJ ton
FEAB Orpn=.ooa.. 2021
DR.,ffT ;: 1 (1 ]OJ J
Page l 3
FEAB March 2021
• 1'i1el Temple
• Jim Horner
• Jeanine N orm an
2021 P riorities:
The FEAB will focus on a handful of priorities in 2021 , organizwg our energy (monthl y agenda, action
items, indi,idual labor, Board discussions, and go,·emment interactions) around making real progress on
these select initiatives. Additional priorities may be added to this list as th ey arise in 202 1. Note that
POCs arc designated to lead an effort but may be assisted by oth er FEAB members or assemble a
community subcommittee as desired.
PRIORITY
ISSUE
DyuTn:mgle
D ESIRE.D O UTCOMES
(I) Cey ofFairbope mates defim11,-e
decuion and irutiates action oo D\,-u
T1U1111le restoration and public u~.
(2) Dru T nangle is r"5tored to
appropriate ecological mdpomt and
develo~ as greenspace for the CltV
ofFauhope.
FaubopeWetlands (l )C ofFllllbopeisemj)O\\"Uedand
Prorecnon equipped to protect local wetl&nd
re somce.s
Community
Resiliency Index
Meanmgful
Partmpanon m Ci
Planrung Efforts
(1) FlyCmk
Watenhed
.\/anaxVIWU
P Ian (fr.ID')
PEAD Orpw:abon. .2021
DIUFT. l J0,'2011
Page 14
(I ) The City offaubope rescores the
201 Community R.esilimce lndu
(CRI) m h~t of2020 hurricane
season.
(2) The Cny sets triggen (e.g., Cat 2
hwncane maim landfall wrtbm 50
nules) or schedule for next update.
(I) The FEAB pron :\1eamngful
partlClp on m oogomg City
pll.lllllllJ efforts, mcl~
designanng FE.AB liaison to
paniopate m'repon on the follcm1ng
Pl.ans .
(2) The FEAB pro\1d"5 objectit mput
to Ct ' governmg member, on these
llllllallt·es .
(!) FEA.B LS champion o and acll\-e
pamopant m, development and
O}IGOI!-1O imp ementmon of Flv
Creelc \\ • IP.
) Fly Creek \\'MP unplementmon
recommendauons are conl!Duously
P,pl
A CTIO N ITLMS
L Assist Enk Cornnas, C , off airhope
Buildmg Official, in pl.anmng charreae
for Citv of Fairhope Wetlands Ord.mance
re\1tew.
L Designate Cey liaison for effon
b. Re,;ew prepare materials
c. Schedule re,iew
d. Perform retiew
e. Document and communicate findmgs
a. Anew! all sukebolder group meetmy
b. Re, iew and prot ,de comments on all
draft documents (solicit cbscussion and
recommendatioru from FE.AB and
comp" e for \\. fi' Study Team).
FEAB
LEAD
. lichelle
Melton;
Tony
Pritchett
TBD
like
Sheltoo
Kim
Bunnel.Ster
FEAB March 2021
P age J 5
PRIORITY
ISSUE
()) Land L~e Plan
(WP)
(J) Sta1e
Compr,/urnstve
Outdoor
Recreation
Plan (SCO RP)
(4) Climate Action
P/an (CA.P)
(j) ,4/ahama
Community of
lxullvr:e
(COE)
tks ig,1ation
famt.un
connecnon to
r t1onslup wrth
F 8l!bope governmg
bodies
(J) Mayor 's Off,c•
~ City Co1111t:II
(J) Sµcl/fc
D,pan,,,ems ?
PEAB Ori-. 2021
DR.4ET.: J0,':011
D ESIRED O UTCOMES
pumi&i and implemented 6>' LUY of
F8l!bope.
(!) FE.AB u champion of, andacuve
participant m, development and
0. ·oo!NG implememanon of Cuv
ofFairbope LUP.
(2) Ci · ofFairhope pohcy, mmng. and
permnnng decisions are contmuously
informed br LUP .
(!) Ci ofFaiihope protects and
de,·elops adequate ,-anety and
vo lume of izreerupace and recreation
options that sm·e all residents,
protect ecosystem funcnons , and
mvest m natural capital u
commensurate ,nth growth
projecnons.
(!) Cny of Fairhope prepares,
imp ements, and promotes a CAP,
includm~ our mies FROM and our
ibunon TO climate clwige
(!) Ci off airtiope u de11gmted u a
COE
City offairtiope takes ad\-antage of
the technic&l and granting usimoce
a,-at!able tbrouRh this program
(!) FEAB offers relennt, dependable.
and consistent support to City
~-erJllllg bodies .
(2) Ci · governing bodies aoc ess FE.AB
for support, perspec11,·u , or
recommendations.
ACTIO N I TEMS FEAB
LEAD
a. Attend all sulceholder group meeungs . TBD b Rc,iewandprO\ "de comm on all
draft documents (solicit discussion and
recommendations from FE.AB and
compile for LUP Study Team).
a. Partner \\itb other Fairhope adviso · TBD boards, commrttees, and departtnenu,
mcludlll!! bike and pedestnan comnuttee ,
transpo1Wion board, and recreation
departtnent
b. Idcnllfy local SCORP participants and
encourage them 10 tau SC0RP
enpJ;ement seriously, includinJI,
response 10 survey~ and req uests for
grant fundmg .
a. lmegrate CRI TBD b. Fmd limdmg / hlrc consultant (?)
a. Obtain City of Fairhope permission to Gary purs ue COE
b.Perform auessment and de,'elop "report Go,-er
card"
c. Develop Strategic Plan and Leadership
De,·elopment Plan
d. De ·elop Comprehens ive Plan
e. Implement plans and promote benefits of
accredit anon.
a. . ttend appropnate meetings TBD b. Rrport rela-ant items to FEAB for
c011S1derarion and Resolution
c. CommUlllcate FEAB recommendations
and imriati,·es
TBD
TBD
TBD
FEAB March 2021
Amy : FEAB needs to narrow down who we are and what we do . Ji m, Michelle and Nigel
still need to submit bias .
Jim: This document needs to encourage staff (management level) attendance by the City .
Gary : FEAB discussions overlap with other committees (Recycling Committee, Harbor
Board, Bike Ped Comm ittee, and Planning Commission). This needs to be addressed in
the draft. FEAB can review other committee minutes on city website. There is a change in
roles at the City of Fairhope; Paige Crawford may be a new liaison for FEAB (formerly
Jessica Walker was the contact for public relation issues). Paige's new title is: Director of
Community Affairs; Jessica Walker's new title is : Special Projects and Grants Manager.
Jennifer: We should improve communications between committees
Michelle : Memo format suggestion: To : Mayor/ Council From: FEAB
Triangle Property
ACTION ITEM FROM FEBRUARY MEETING: Michelle to draft language for motion: Council
to consider designating triangle property as a park.
STATUS: Michelle is still working on this. She needs to get with Corey Martin before
finalizing.
Jim: City has applied for SS0K in grant money for the Triangle Property and it appears
there will be an 8' perimeter biking trail developed as part of the property development/
use. Park designation is a priority for this property.
Gary: There appears to be a need for more project management as it does not appear
the public or FEAB are being kept up to date with project development.
Michelle: There is a lot going on with project management with this project and it
appears there will be multiple uses for this property. The trail is just one use that has
been decided on. She would like to see the project concept plan .
Jennifer : Council is on board with park designation ; she suggested FEAB offer i nput on
this. She said the triangle plan was discussed at last Council Work Session . Minutes can
be viewed on line : City Council I City of Fairhope, AL
ACTION ITEM: Gary asked Kim to look up and provide legal description for the triangle
property or properties (for April meeting).
ACTION ITEM: Jennifer said thinks she can provide project concept plan at next meeting.
Wetlands:
Amy mentioned the upcoming Wetland Ordinance charette mentioned by Er i k Cortinas,
she hopes this is still on the agenda . Date has not been decided upon. Kim said Erik is
preferring to have the charette in person and not in a virtual meeting .
Kim : Grady ponds appear to be the biggest challenge as some have recently been filled
and may be considered as non-critical area if isolated . Recent subdivisions (Fox Hollow
Phase 2) have used Grady ponds as detention areas. She suggests FEAB draft information
on the importance of Grady ponds. She also mentioned the reference to "ponds" and
"wetlands" in the subdivision regulations . City and FEAB should work towards making
sure the wetland ordinance and the sub regs match. If in question , then the more
stringent ord i nance or regulation appl ies.
Page 16
FEAB March 2021
ACTION ITEM: Ben agreed to put together information on the importance of Grady
ponds. He will reference language used in Fairhope's Natural Resource Inventory (2003)
as well.
Microsoft Word -Fairhope Nat Res Inv -final.doc (fairhopeal.gov)
Eastern Shore Watershed Management Plan (ESWMP)
Amy is a hired consultant for this project. She said the plan is underway and a steering
committee has been developed. Kim is the desig nated city of Fairhope lia ison on the
committee .
Jim: Managers and directors (particularly Public Works and Planning Directo r ) need to be
invol ved as well .
Amy : Directors and managers wil l have a significant role and will be encouraged to
participate i n the watershed study as we l l.
Kim: FEAB should provide known hot spots . She is compiling a list for the ESWMP . Thi s
inclu des areas of known erosion, sedimentation and any ongo i ng environmenta l
problematic areas with i n the Fairhope ESWMP area (for the most part : wes t of Hwy. 98
from Gabel Street to County Rd . 1). She encouraged FEAB to email her the hot spot areas
if they would li ke them i ncluded on her list.
Litter Program:
Gary asked Kim about the City's litter program and reference d the Rivers Alliance. Kim
sa id that the current litter program and our efforts are listed on the most recent
Stormwater Management Program Plan . showpublisheddocument (fairhopeal.gov)
Efforts include :
1. Wee kly pick up of right of way s by City of Fairhope Publ ic Works
2. Hosting of Coasta l Clean Up annually and providing garbage truck
3. Coordination w ith FHS Marine Life Club on other litter pick -ups (monthly)
4 . Adoption of the Create a Clean Water Future program as a resource for videos
and guidelines which are shared with the community and internally
(www.clea nwa terfuture .com).
She encouraged ideas for improvement.
showpublisheddocument (fairhopeal. gov)
Meeting adjourned at 4 :00 p .m.
Next meeti ng is Friday, Apri l 9th @ 3 p .m . Fairhope Delchamps Room (*subj ect to
change*)
FEAB CONTACT INFORMATION:
Cha i rman :
Gary Gover govers@bellsouth .net (251) 990-8662
Members :
Jeanine Normand drjnormand@aol.com (251) 928-2284
Page 17
FEAB March 2021
Ben Frater
Mike Shelton
Jim Horner
Amy Paulson
Nigel Temple
Michel le Melton
Jennifer Foutch
CITY CONTACTS:
ben .frater@gmai I .com
yaupon3@gmail .com
none
amy .paulson@yahoo .com
757nigel@gmail .com
michelleleemeltonlee@gmail .com
Foutch .jennifer@gma il.com
(404) 314-8815
(251) 270 -9042
(251) 928-9722
(251) 654-7401
(757) 803-3589
(423) 504-8253
(618) 318-0354
Corey Martin, City Council corey.martin@fairhopea l.gov
Kim Burmeister, Plann ing and Zon ing Department kim .burme ister@fairhopeal.gov
Christina LeJeune , Pla nning and Zoning Departme nt ch ristina .lejeune@fairhopeal.gov
Page 18