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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-2022 Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board Meeting MinutesFEAB MEETING MINUTES April 08, 2022 3 p.m. @ Library Board Room Member Attendees: Gary Gover, Jim Horner, Amy Paulson, Ben Frater, Rick Speight, Jennifer Foutch Members not in attendance: Nigel Temple, Michelle Melton, (excused absences unless Gary says otherwise) Mike Shelton (has officially resigned). City of Fairhope: Christina LeJeune -Planning and Zoning Department City Council: None Honored Guests: Nicole Love, and Connie Whitaker, SALT Minutes taken by Christina LeJeune Amy called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. Summary of meeting: 1. Amy to draft rotation for FEAB members to attend monthly Planning Commission meeting. 2. FEAB is assisting Mayor with protocol for inventory of Dyas Triangle. Specifications will likely include wildlife, plants, soil type, slopes/topography and other basic biological information. 3. Gary shared information from a tree expert advising against controlled burns on the Dyas Triangle property. 4. FEAB to contact Erik Cortinas for more information on planning the wetland charette 5. Corey and Nicole suggested FEAB and City Council (with Bike Ped Committee) have a field trip on site of the Dyas property to discuss development. 6. Amy discussed joint environmental advisory committee meetings (County, Daphne, Fairhope) 7. Gary suggested extending FEAB meetings to 1.5 hours to allow time for meetings with other staff. This could also be an informal work session. 8. FEAB to assist Mayor with update to Sea Grant and will try to establish school contacts. FEAB Minutes/Updates to Board: 1. Amy made a motion to approve FEAB March minutes, approved unanimously. Agenda: Amy presented an agenda for today’s meeting: Agenda Pg. 1 Agenda Pg. 2 Amy suggested having an application form for future FEAB membership. She would like to inquire on the applicant applying to the City Clerk Lisa Hanks. Amy would like to maintain and assign the notes from last month’s action items and move forward. Amy said during FEAB City of Fairhope annual meeting that Hunter Simmons suggested having a FEAB member attend the monthly City planning commission meeting. Amy offered to put together a schedule for rotation. Rick offered to go to the next upcoming meeting. Ben stated it would be a great opportunity for a FEAB member to mention any issues of concern. Gary brought up having a public hearing giving you the opportunity to speak. He also stated FEAB could send out a press packet to news media that would include all background material to be presented on. Jim has concerns of unchecked growth and storm water issues. Amy reminded FEAB that Erik Cortinas would like the board to set up the charette for wetland ordinance/enforcement and propose date and time. Jim suggested putting charette lower on FEABS action list. Amy said they would like to be able to incorporate any amendments into the subdivision regulations. Nicole thinks it’s a great idea to get done why there is a moratorium in place. Ben suggested FEAB hold a meeting with just Erik Cortinas to discuss charette details. Ben is undecided on specific topics to approach Pat White with on park planning concerning the Colony and Dyas property. Gary would like to meet with other committees and share FEAB’s priorities to see if they would like to partner up. Amy will call and set up with Nicole’s help and Gary’s assistance. Amy said Mayor Sullivan asked FEAB to assist with tree inventory on the Dyas triangle property. Jim said a natural resource inventory already exists done by Gena Todia in the past. Ben said they need clarification on what all falls within the inventory. He also suggested to include wildlife, plants, soil type, slopes, and all basic biological inventory. Jim mentioned having a topographical map of the conservation triangle property. Jim suggested FEAB discuss not needing a new tree inventory with Mayor Sullivan and Corey Martin. Gary shared information from a tree guy that preforms controlled burns and he stated that he would never burn Dyas Triangle property. It’s not practical to have a fire adaptive forest. Nicole said Mayor Sullivan requested FEAB help with management plan for Dyas Triangle for whatever gets developed on the property. Ben said that Corey suggested an onsite field trip with FEAB and City Council to come to an agreement on what could go on property. Amy will follow up on field trip outing and gather additional input. Nicole suggested a public notice and to include the bike ped with the assistance of Corey. Gary would like to see environmental aspect first and then recreation to follow. Amy said Kim will work on gathering info from AL-DOT. Jim would like FEAB to highlight Fly Creek, bridge, and trails. Amy suggested adding these sites to visit on fieldtrip. Nicole questioned if agriculture fields are contributing to void of water. Jim said FEAB needs a good contact person with Auburn Extension. Connie will follow up with her Auburn contacts. Nicole needs info for steering committee. Gary inquired about FEAB sending a letter to Baldwin County and asking if they had any specific issues or concerns. Ben asked if FEAB would be able to advise County on issues. Jim added FEAB could mention the City’s land use plan and what may be missing or never mentioned. Jim said traffic is not a big enough issue for deciding on a land use plan. Gary would like FEAB to gather input and put together something for the land use plan. What is the next phase and what will FEAB do with it? Amy to advise collaboration between Baldwin County and FEAB. Gary said while attending meeting at Satellite courthouse with County he gave them a consultation package. Gary suggested to Amy that FEAB change monthly meetings to 1 ½ hrs. (2:30-4:00pm) if nothing else the time could be used for a work session. Ben mentioned using the extra time to alternate meeting with different City staff. Gary said FEAB needs clarification about a work session. Amy said FEAB needs more meetings with City department heads. Jim shared that the inventory on storm water action plan is still active and not dead yet. Amy said FEAB needs to facilitate with Mayor Sullivan on sea grant and identify on how to update it. Amy will put together agenda and reach out to schools on a representative to come. Meeting adjourned at 4 p.m. Next meeting is Friday, May 13th, 2022 @ 3 p.m. @ Library Board Room FEAB CONTACT INFORMATION: Chairman: Gary Gover govers@bellsouth.net (251) 990-8662 Members: Ben Frater ben.frater@gmail.com (404) 314-8815 Jim Horner none (251) 928-9722 Amy Paulson amy.paulson@yahoo.com (251) 654-7401 Nigel Temple 757nigel@gmail.com (757) 803-3589 Michelle Melton michelleleemeltonlee@gmail.com (423) 504-8253 Jennifer Foutch Foutch.jennifer@gmail.com (618) 318-0354 Rick Speight rsp8@utaustin85.com (828) 551-3966 CITY CONTACTS: Corey Martin, City Council corey.martin@fairhopeal.gov Kim Burmeister, Planning and Zoning Department kim.burmeister@fairhopeal.gov Christina LeJeune, Planning and Zoning Department christina.lejeune@fairhopeal.gov FEAB April 08, 2022, Minutes Page | 2 FEAB April 08, 2022, Minutes Page 1