HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-08-2023 Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
THE CITY OF FAIRHOPE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MONTHLY MEETING
DECEMBER 8, 2023 / 9:30 - 10:30 AM, LIBRARY
Member Attendees: Gary Gover, Jim Horner, Ben Frater, Carole Tebay, Amy Paulson, Steven Scyphers,
Jennifer Foutch, Nigel Temple
Members not in attendance: none
City of Fairhope: Kim Burmeister, Christina LeJeune -Planning and Zoning Department
City Council: None
Honored Guests: Sandy Horner, Sarah Chandler, Cynthia Rush, Carl Couret
Minutes taken by: Kim Burmeister
Amy called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
FEAB Minutes:
November minutes were approved with no changes. Jim (first); Gary (2nd) Unanimous approval.
Summary of meeting:
1. Recognition: FEAB recognizes and celebrates the lifetime contribution that Kim Burmeister has
made to environmental management, protection, and outreach in the City of Fairhope. She has
been an incredible partner to FEAB and we are grateful for her energy and efforts over these
many years.
2. Strategy: FEAB is compiling a list of achievements for 2023.
3. Strategy: FEAB is developing priority focus projects for 2024. Will be focus of Jan/Feb FEAB
meeting and will include coordination with Council/Mayor/Departments. Please notify FEAB
(Amy Paulson or Christina LeJeune) if there are specific items you would like us to consider as
our focus for 2024. Additionally, in 2024:
a. FEAB is available to offer grant project language review and support letters prior to
submittal (e.g., GOMESA grants).
b. FEAB may deploy USA student internships for specific projects, especially as related to
Watershed Management Plan or City-designated priorities.
c. FEAB is working in partnership with the City to improve environmental outreach via City
Sketches newsletter, Facebook, and City website.
4. Watershed Management:
a. City should reference Watershed Management Plan for guidance on recommended
priority projects.
b. Clean Marina designation not complete yet for Fairhope Docks.
FEAB Minute Taking:
Kim is retiring from the City of Fairhope December 29th. Christina will be taking the minutes starting in
January unless told otherwise. Amy reminded FEAB members of importance to review minutes drafts.
FEAB Priorities for 2024:
Amy asked FEAB members to brainstorm and provide list for priority projects for 2024.
● Gary – use of native plants in Fairhope landscapes (and tree ordinance) should be a priority for
2024. Carol will connect with Jamie Rollins, Horticulturists. He does the ordering of plants for
Fairhope. She said Tree Committee does not list tree ordinance revisions (removal of non-native
tree species from list) as a priority item at this time.
● Steven – suggested a conversation with Nicole to offer review of grant opportunities before
submittal, especially GOMESA grants.
● Steven – shoreline inventory for Fairhope should be one priority item for Fairhope. It is also
listed in the ES WMP as an action item.
● Amy – ES WMP is a good resource for determining priority items and City projects for 2024.
Student Internships
Steven – USA has student internships available every year. Students choose the project. Now is a good
time to be offering ideas for projects. Projects / internships are awarded in the Spring. USA pays any
associated salaries for the interns. Student internships would be a win – win for Fairhope, free labor.
● Amy – asked Kim to check with Nicole and Mayor on recommended projects for student interns.
● Kim – plastic bag reduction program is one idea. Jim agrees, would like to see plastic bag
reduction program for Fairhope implemented, with student interns if needed.
● Kim – also, in the past, monitoring or measuring gully erosion was a wish list item.
FEAB 2023 Accomplishments (program lead, participation, active support, or influence)
1. Butterfly Garden & Grant
2. Comprehensive Land Use Plan – review letter
3. Increased awareness of invasive/nonnative plants in City (Carole)
4. Eagle Reefs (installed last week @ 12 locations in Fairhope)
5. GOMESA Litter Trap Grant
6. Updated COF Parks Brochure
7. Watershed sign placement recommendations
8. COF Urban Forester/Park Ranger – job description
9. Stormwater Inventory (still pending, but already awarded)
10. Water Conservation Memo (Anna) / Reclaimed Water Options for Councilman Martin
11. County MURF representative (Jennifer)
12. Letters of support for grants (LWCF – Ben)
13. 100% attendance at City Council meetings
14. Park Management Plans – improved communication/understanding of need for Plans; Triangle
will have an approved Management Plan (Knoll Park was first).
15. Support for other COF Boards – assist Harbor Board with Clean Marina Designation, assist COF
with Community Resiliency Index scoring /planning.
Watershed Management Plans:
Amy – now that ESWMP is complete, FEAB needs to make sure it stays relevant in Fairhope. FEAB needs
to review Implementation plans for both Watershed Management Plans, ESWMP and Weeks Bay.
Gary – Weeks Bay Watershed Management Plan – not one of the implementation plans have been
completed as of yet.
Outreach:
Sarah would like to see FEAB offer outreach to the community, via Facebook or City website. Also, the
city newsletter is a good resource for getting information out.
Clean Marina:
Gary said Nicole is spearheading this with the Harbor Board, but the designation has not yet been
achieved. Harbor Board is currently stalled on this item.
The meeting was adjourned at 4 p.m.
Next meeting: Friday, January 12th @ 3 p.m. @ Fairhope Public Library
FEAB CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chairperson:
Amy Paulson amy.paulson@yahoo.com (251) 654-7401
Official Members:
Ben Frater ben.frater@gmail.com (404) 314-8815
Jennifer Foutch Foutch.jennifer@gmail.com (618) 318-0354
Gary Gover govers@bellsouth.net (251) 990-8662
Jim Horner none (251) 928-9722
Anna Keene Miller anna@keenliving.pro (251) 279-0395
Steven Scyphers sscyphers@southalabama.edu (334) 701-8864
Carole Tebay cftebay@gmail.com TBD
Nigel Temple 757nigel@gmail.com (757) 803-3589
Active Participants
Carl Couret ccouretjr@yahoo.com TBD
Sarah Chandler sarahchandler504@gmail.com (504) 239-6651
Cynthia Rush crush300@gmail.com (251) 223-3880
Sarah Bogdanovich smbogdanovich@gmail.com (727) 421-7321
Monica Nargassans monica.nargassans@gmail.com (251) 327-5889
CITY CONTACTS:
Corey Martin, City Council corey.martin@fairhopeal.gov
Nicole Love, COF Grants Coordinator nicole.love@fairhopeal.gov
Christina LeJeune, Planning and Zoning Department christina.lejeune@fairhopeal.gov