[6:24] >> I will ask everyone to stand.
[6:26] >> We thank you for this day that you've given us,
[6:29] and we also thank you father for the ability for us to come
[6:33] together in situations like this and be able to deal with issues
[6:38] that are going to affect generations that will come after
[6:43] us.
[6:43] Lord we thank you for our safety special today,
[6:49] it's been a trying day.
[6:51] We ask your watch care -- over our military and even our local
[6:59] people.
[6:59] All of these things we ask in thy name.
[7:03] Amen.
[7:08] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
[7:11] of America.
[7:12] And to the republic for which it stands one nation under God
[7:18] indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
[7:23] >> Thank you.
[7:24] Can we do the roll call please?
[7:30] [calling roll]
[7:37] >> Thank you.
[7:38] And I'm asking for approval of the minutes.
[7:42] Before we do that, I'd like to mention in the May 6th meeting
[7:46] minutes, I'm not listed as present.
[7:50] I came in late that meeting.
[7:53] I'm also not listed as absent so I think we need an update.
[7:56] Can we approve the minutes with changes?
[8:01] So I'll ask a motion to approve the minutes
[8:05] with the change to the number of board members present.
[8:09] >> So moved.
[8:10] >> Second.
[8:13] >> Can you do roll call?
[8:15] >> You can just say all in favor. >>Aye. >> Any abstain?
[8:24] No.
[8:25] And the new member -- new business.
[8:27] Do we have any new business, any member of the public
[8:32] for a new business?
[8:33] We don't have any comments for new business.
[8:37] Okay.
[8:38] Mr. Olsen, do you have a presentation for us today?
[8:42] Okay.
[8:43] Are you ready?
[9:01] >> Okay.
[9:01] Good evening everyone.
[9:02] I appreciate everyone joining the meeting tonight.
[9:06] I know we canceled the last three meetings.
[9:11] It's been four months since we met.
[9:14] We didn't have any action items tonight,
[9:17] items the board needs to make a decision on.
[9:19] But it looks like over the next few months
[9:21] we should have a few items to come before the board.
[9:23] Tonight we didn't have any items requiring a decision which
[9:27] is why I thought we could continue
[9:28] the discussion about the tree planting.
[9:31] We do have monies in the fund so we can try to move forward.
[9:36] That's our agenda tonight is to just discuss the tree planting
[9:40] program and hopefully over the next few months
[9:44] we'll have some items for the tree commission here.
[9:47] Tonight the plan is for just discussion on the tree planting
[9:51] program.
[9:52] In the slide here or in the presentation,
[9:54] it's mostly a list of locations and all
[9:57] have pictures of the locations.
[9:59] First I'd like to mention that this morning we verified
[10:02] the money in the tree fund and it's $18,678 which is the same
[10:07] that it was about a year ago, so over the last year we
[10:11] haven't processed any payments for medication into the tree
[10:14] fund.
[10:15] I suppose all of these property owners
[10:18] have been able to mitigate with the trees on their property.
[10:21] In a way that's a good thing because they pay medication
[10:23] when they can't replant or save trees.
[10:26] We have property -- over the last year.
[10:30] Currently that's $18,000.
[10:32] And then it was a few months ago that I
[10:38] was looking at some properties and I was communicating
[10:42] with a little bit about some of these properties
[10:44] and so we looked at a few of those
[10:47] and over the last week or two, I met with staff
[10:50] at the Capital Projects Department for the county
[10:53] and they're the ones which work on the design
[10:56] and construction of the roadways and other county projects.
[10:59] I met with George Murray because he's
[11:01] very familiar with the island and he's
[11:03] familiar with all the county projects.
[11:05] So I was able to talk with him about some of these county
[11:09] right of ways and properties, potential for tree planting.
[11:14] At this point, this is the list of locations I would suggest --
[11:18] this is an exhaustive -- maybe there's some other ideas
[11:21] and we're open to ideas from the tree commission as well
[11:24] as the public if they can think of --
[11:27] suggestions within the right of ways.
[11:29] But at this point, here's the list.
[11:32] And then I put pictures.
[11:34] I just have pictures in the slideshow here.
[11:37] So there's four, the first one being
[11:40] the new roundabout which is put in at Buckner Trail Parkway.
[11:44] That was a county park project that
[11:46] went through the projects and everything.
[11:48] And George said there should be some open areas on the markets
[11:52] there, which I think -- the new trail that goes through there
[11:57] and some trees were cleared for the construction.
[12:00] That might be an option and then there's also that built ramp --
[12:04] >> That roundabout, when they built that they didn't budget
[12:08] to landscape that or they did but --
[12:11] >> Correct.
[12:12] It wasn't part of the original budget.
[12:15] So Capital Projects said they would possibly
[12:18] work with the contractor on that as a next stop.
[12:22] It's not part of the -- at this point what's out there is
[12:26] what's going to be out there.
[12:27] Sod was put in to cover everything.
[12:30] That's the landscaping that's been
[12:32] approved for the roundabout.
[12:41] >> Potentially.
[12:42] This is a drone shot that was just taken a few weeks ago.
[12:45] The county has been having to hire a company
[12:48] to fly a drone to take pictures of the progress of construction.
[12:51] That's how we have this nice -- on this image,
[12:55] George with capital projects drew on those two red zones.
[12:59] These are areas he was proposing where you could put trees.
[13:04] So up on the top he marked them as 12 foot by 12 foot areas.
[13:09] There's this one pine tree which remains there and then he said
[13:15] -- this is all part of the stormwater drain system.
[13:19] He said directly behind that are these 212 by 12 areas where --
[13:26] and then there's residences.
[13:29] Provide a buffer for those homes.
[13:32] That might be an option and then there's also this red polygon
[13:36] down here and he said it was approximately 2500ft².
[13:39] The new trail should be where this white base is shown.
[13:44] It's kind of on both sides of it.
[13:48] So again, I think that's a good contender.
[13:55] >> We could do something really cute there.
[13:57] >> Yeah.
[13:58] I especially like the idea along the new trail --
[14:02] that's along the parkway.
[14:04] We can go by each one but it's on the list,
[14:07] we have the roundabout and then the boat ramp --
[14:10] which by the way, I'm curious -- it is written like
[14:15] bartle's but I've heard everyone say Bar-tells.
[14:22] That's also what I've heard.
[14:25] If I were to read that I think I would say 'bardles.' that is
[14:33] a county owned property and there's some open areas
[14:36] of the boat ramp.
[14:37] And the southwest corner -- this is close to the Humane Society
[14:44] property and FPU is over there may, airport road --
[14:49] the county owns that corner and there might be some open space.
[14:53] This is a property that Linda had identified in the past,
[14:57] but along the parkway near the Ritz-Carlton there's just
[15:00] an open area of the Amelia Island Parkway,
[15:04] so within the right of way there's an area kind of where
[15:07] the sidewalks --
[15:08] I have a picture of that too.
[15:11] At this point those are the four locations that I have.
[15:14] The county owns this property in red.
[15:17] It is all wooded.
[15:19] This is right near the new roundabout.
[15:22] This is an overview of where the new roundabout is.
[15:24] It's at the head of this parcel.
[15:27] And then again, this is a closer shot and the areas of red
[15:30] is where we're suggesting trees.
[15:33] And for the boat ramp, this is the location of the boat ramp,
[15:36] near the state park.
[15:38] It's north of the old town area if everyone's familiar with
[15:43] Bartles Boat Rm when I was looking at it with George --
[15:48] can you see the cursor moving?
[15:50] There's currently this parking lot area
[15:53] and then we call them like tree islands or parking lot islands.
[15:57] It's just grass currently.
[15:59] That could be a place for trees.
[16:02] There are light poles out there so you need to be cognizant
[16:05] of underground electrical lines as well as this would be a dry,
[16:09] hot area and -- if it's a crew that goes there --
[16:14] they have to go out there pretty regularly for a while.
[16:16] That's one option and -- this area that I'm circling is
[16:20] a stormwater basin but -- so you couldn't put trees
[16:25] in the inside.
[16:25] But along the margins like out here on the fence,
[16:29] we don't see a reason why maybe there couldn't be trees all
[16:32] along there and then they -- shade to the parking areas over
[16:35] here.
[16:36] There might be some good opportunities.
[16:38] I sort of think so.
[16:40] This seems like one of the most open county areas
[16:43] that I could find.
[16:46] I still didn't sit down and take the time
[16:48] to go through all the county properties and everything.
[16:50] This is the list.
[16:52] I'm open to suggestions.
[16:56] >> Section two that's listed as two, can that ever be developed?
[17:01] >> At this point that's that stormwater pond,
[17:04] so unless it were re-engineered somehow -- or redesigned.
[17:08] But I think at this point that will stay as a stormwater --
[17:12] >> If we plant along the road, we could in theory be 50 or 100
[17:17] years from now have a canopy road there.
[17:20] >> Along the drive here?
[17:26] >> I don't think there's any plans to --
[17:28] it would be open on both sides for the trees.
[17:33] There isn't a sidewalk along there
[17:35] but it's still a public park space.
[17:37] People park there and walk their vehicles.
[17:41] That's number two that I had listed and here's number three.
[17:45] This is the one near Airport Road.
[17:47] That come off of Amelia Parkway and near --
[17:51] and so the county owns this parcel and so right towards
[17:55] the end I'll Zoom in.
[17:58] This is I believe a dermatology -- so that's that new project.
[18:04] The county owns this area that's highlighted in red
[18:08] and there is a ditch out here in the roadway.
[18:10] But right up here --
[18:16] >> That's where that great big tree is.
[18:18] >> I think this canopy is one tree.
[18:20] I think when they did the ribbon cutting --
[18:25] it would be nice if there's more shade and more trees.
[18:30] That's option number three.
[18:32] This is number four and this is along the parkway --
[18:36] right at north of where Scott Road --
[18:41] so Scott Road comes out just south of this red parcel.
[18:45] The county owns this red parcel but I was thinking out
[18:48] in the right of way in between the sidewalk and the roadway --
[18:51] this is a designated canopy road.
[18:53] So it can contribute to the canopy along the roadway.
[18:57] The spaces may be a little tight there but the fact that
[19:00] it's a canopy road --
[19:02] I know there are further stretches where there
[19:04] are trees close to the road.
[19:05] So I don't think that would be an issue hopefully.
[19:10] When a speed limit reaches a certain speed their safety
[19:14] standards for having trees a certain distance because someone
[19:17] -- but I think the speeds here and the fact that there are
[19:23] trees come I don't think that should be an issue.
[19:27] I would need to verify that but there
[19:30] are other stretches of the parkway where
[19:32] the trees just two feet off the roadway or something.
[19:36] >> This is the area where those homes --
[19:41] I'm not sure.
[19:43] I'm not sure about that.
[19:47] I think Katie -- our stormwater expert --
[19:53] just to the north of this -- those stormwater project
[19:55] in the past.
[19:58] Does that sound right?
[20:02] I just remember we talked about that in the past.
[20:05] I think that's to the north of this area.
[20:07] Does that sound right?
[20:12] >> If we're talking about the area between the sidewalk
[20:14] and roadway, it's in a roadway so all these would be verified
[20:17] for underground utilities and such.
[20:20] I think they are called as built surveys.
[20:24] You have the marking of maybe -- (inaudible) that's the challenge
[20:35] of planting trees in the right of ways.
[20:38] There's that extra layer of -- of worrying about underground
[20:43] utilities.
[20:44] The internet companies, AT&T -- now has lines all over.
[20:50] Things like that.
[20:51] I think I made a note of that.
[20:54] For all locations we need to consider conflicts
[20:56] with utilities, especially in roadways.
[20:59] We would need to definitely coordinate with other counties
[21:02] to get approval --
[21:05] maintain the county's roads.
[21:08] And then another thing that came up when I was talking about
[21:12] capital projects is there's certain areas where
[21:15] there's maintenance agreements and there's --
[21:18] between Fernandina Beach and the county or FDOT.
[21:23] If there's an existing agreement saying
[21:25] the county agrees to maintain these sidewalks,
[21:27] like these roadways come if we're now going to plant trees,
[21:30] maybe in the way of mowing or something
[21:32] possibly have to be modified.
[21:36] That's another thing of -- a planting trees in the right
[21:41] of way.
[21:41] That's another layer of approval you have to work through.
[21:46] >> I don't think any of those locations are FDOT.
[21:51] >> All of these right of ways --
[21:53] Emilia Parkway is County and the boat ramp is county maintained.
[21:58] That's right.
[21:59] All of these are county roadways.
[22:02] It wouldn't be like FDOT.
[22:07] We'd have to see if there's any of those agreements.
[22:16] >> So when we have an arborist -- again --
[22:18] is there watering available or is that something we need to add
[22:23] up there to confirm how we would get to these water?
[22:28] >> We would need to plan for that for sure.
[22:31] So far with the county's history of having an arborist come
[22:35] an arborist has never run out -- like I believe the city arborist
[22:39] does.
[22:40] We never function like that.
[22:43] And in areas like installing actual irrigation lines,
[22:48] it has to be quite expensive.
[22:50] Maybe the most cost effective idea
[22:53] is to hire a crew out to water.
[22:56] So maybe that would be the best route and then if you planted
[23:01] the right time of year, and if they get water --
[23:05] I don't know how that watering window would be.
[23:07] Three months, six months?
[23:09] 12 months?
[23:11] Yeah.
[23:12] That's part of the equation for sure.
[23:16] So that's something the tree commission can work on,
[23:19] the tree planting program period they're
[23:20] trying to find some locations but I don't
[23:22] think I found all of them.
[23:24] I did meet with -- he's one of the most knowledgeable guys
[23:28] in our building and these are the places he suggested as well
[23:31] as -- maybe some of the places.
[23:36] I guess we can try to narrow down some places
[23:39] and take the budget and then we thought okay,
[23:41] we really wanted to go forward with the boat ramp.
[23:44] How far would that budget get?
[23:46] And I'm not sure --
[23:48] I guess I can help do some of that research.
[23:52] All is well.
[23:58] >> To do that kind of work, does the county require three bids?
[24:01] So if we were to do that, we'd want to come forward to say --
[24:05] >> I was asking myself that.
[24:08] In general, that's the county's process for hiring or.
[24:13] We haven't even discussed that.
[24:17] >> I keep calling you out.
[24:22] >> Usually it's three kids -- do you think it even would be --
[24:25] of the picture of the department?
[24:27] Probably?
[24:28] They would manage the bidding and --
[24:33] >> It doesn't even have to go to -- >> (inaudible)
[24:56] >> If we know what species --
[24:59] I guess without taking your presentation here,
[25:01] but to me what's the role of this commission would be to say
[25:05] we either like this proposal or we don't.
[25:10] I personally don't think we need to keep looking at things.
[25:13] We need to -- if we don't need to keep looking at things then
[25:18] what would be our next steps to help you figure out if we get
[25:23] trees planted?
[25:25] >> I would like to see -- >> (inaudible) >> We are coming up
[25:31] on the time to do it.
[25:34] >> This is an open discussion I think.
[25:36] As a tree commission, this is something
[25:38] we can work on together.
[25:44] >> I really like that trapezoidal section and with
[25:46] the 18000, we could develop a request for a bid and then you
[25:56] go from there and see what we get.
[26:00] Because I don't think with that amount of money we're going
[26:02] to be able to do -- payment if we've got to pay somebody
[26:08] to water them then -- payment you're referring to the one out
[26:12] there now?
[26:14] >> Correct.
[26:16] >> I think the one on Scott Road --å (inaudible)
[26:23] >> I agree.
[26:23] I think that would be the priority for us to.
[26:26] I think a lot of people would benefit from --
[26:30] >> More visibility on it for sure.
[26:33] >> At this point is there consensus that that roundabout
[26:36] would be top priority?
[26:39] >> I like that.
[26:40] If there are utilities there, I think the --
[26:43] would be a good one.
[26:46] Those are two good options.
[26:50] So I'll put stars next to those two.
[26:53] Little roundabout.
[26:55] And then boat ramp.
[26:58] >> Good job identifying those.
[27:04] >>, I would like to add -- the road department might have
[27:07] a continuing contract that could --
[27:09] I don't know about the irrigation.
[27:12] Or maybe parks might have a continuing contract.
[27:15] So that means it's already been through like a huge bid process
[27:19] and we have set prices.
[27:21] And so that contract is already in place.
[27:24] It would just be a work authorization
[27:26] to be able to do the work.
[27:28] >> We already have some -- an existing contract with
[27:32] the landscaping company?
[27:33] Is that what you're saying?
[27:36] >> It might be worth asking to see.
[27:39] Otherwise you have to call three people.
[27:41] It's a longer process.
[27:44] >> Who do I contact about that?
[27:48] >> I talked to -- it'd be nice if it has something --
[27:54] >> And I don't know what is the bid.
[27:58] There might not be a lime line item for landscaping.
[28:02] That could potentially give you the tree
[28:05] and irrigate the trees and the irrigation.
[28:09] >> We will avoid the bidding process.
[28:11] We already have a company we can work with,
[28:15] but we have to get a quote from them.
[28:19] >> No.
[28:19] You already have all of that.
[28:21] Somebody has approved them as a contract vendor
[28:23] is the way I would describe it.
[28:25] So we want to do this project -- can you price it out for us?
[28:31] (inaudible)
[28:35] >> But if the price is right we go forward?
[28:37] >> If it fits in our budget.
[28:39] >> Exactly.
[28:41] Well, I'm glad -- >> Are you thinking species?
[28:45] We want to do seven -- that's the beautiful thing around here.
[28:51] >> I agree.
[28:52] My main thought is it should definitely
[28:53] be one of our native canopy tree species.
[28:56] And the other thing to come up planning out in the roadway --
[29:01] it can be drier and the soils brought in and --
[29:06] does the commission have thoughts about tree species?
[29:09] I see live oak and -- >> I'm happy -- >> (inaudible)
[29:39] >> Can you repeat that?
[29:40] Hold on. >> (inaudible)
[29:51] >> I think they're kind of marginal here.
[29:51] I don't see them thriving generally in North Florida.
[29:54] I've never seen a giant weeping willow in our area.
[29:59] >> (inaudible)
[30:06] >> I think we are right on the edge. >> (inaudible)
[30:22] >> I agree.
[30:22] >> Or even one of those -- >> Live Oaks are probably
[30:26] the number one tree on the island historically.
[30:28] So that's my vote.
[30:32] >> They're slow growers.
[30:34] >> They can live a long time.
[30:43] >> good.
[30:48] >> I've thinking this.
[30:49] We want to put it together for the planting --
[30:52] and then for the watering.
[30:54] You talk about what length of time
[30:56] do we want someone to water it?
[30:57] Do we want to quantify how many gallons per tree?
[31:03] >> How many gallons of water per tree?
[31:05] How many gallons of water per tree do we want to water?
[31:10] >> There are guidelines.
[31:11] For sure we'd want to do that.
[31:15] >> When they hire a crew they have an idea of what they
[31:18] normally do.
[31:24] >> I can only say, everything that I've ever seen from Gage
[31:27] or Liberty all had -- depends on the time of the year and from
[31:31] extension two I've seen this.
[31:33] And you know this I'm sure.
[31:36] I just wanted to see the extension recommends
[31:39] because yes come landscapers and we all have our own opinions.
[31:44] >> I'd like to know what that is.
[31:47] So they do have a watering schedule
[31:49] and it's based on caliber and time of year
[31:52] and there's a schedule based on how many weeks
[31:54] and if you are dry or wet, they've got that.
[31:59] >> There's certain times where we sort of have -- for a while.
[32:04] It hasn't happened much recently.
[32:06] But it can happen.
[32:08] Hopefully in the winter, this winter.
[32:11] We're entering an El Nino period.
[32:14] Like with the Pacific Ocean and tropical region
[32:18] is warmer than average.
[32:20] So when we're in these El Nino conditions,
[32:22] our area tends to have higher than average rainfall
[32:25] so fingers crossed.
[32:27] The next six months to a year -- >> Which would be nice.
[32:32] If we could get something planted this fall.
[32:39] >> This is the prime season here.
[32:40] >> The fall is the number one it recommended time.
[32:50] >> Okay.
[32:50] We should probably try to act now before it's
[32:53] spring and summer of next year.
[32:56] >> Do you want to check and see about a contractor?
[32:58] If you don't have a contractor we
[33:00] can take some action items individually
[33:03] and contact different companies if you
[33:06] wanted us to help with that.
[33:08] It seems like it is a county thing now.
[33:13] >> Financial.
[33:14] >> If we can have somebody provide you a quote,
[33:17] that's one thing.
[33:19] >> Do you know how that process works?
[33:23] >> You just have to find three people --
[33:25] and I know our guidelines have some local preference.
[33:29] We usually go with the lowest bid unless you have reason --
[33:34] you could work with procurement.
[33:37] There's a procurement policy.
[33:41] >> I've never worked with them before.
[33:43] >> If someone has recommendations on who to use --
[33:48] we try to do -- and we have people that would be willing --
[33:54] I know contractors and they're doing like subdivisions --
[33:58] they're not going to bid on -- so you have to be able to get
[34:03] the right person for the right job.
[34:06] >> That's a good point.
[34:09] >> Who or when do we want to define the scope then to be able
[34:14] to find bids to quote?
[34:16] Who's going to say we're going to ask for this many trees?
[34:20] I think we have to find out first
[34:21] is you have somebody who's already contracted
[34:24] because I don't want to go ask for bids before that
[34:26] but you are asking how many trees will you put on there?
[34:30] I think once you know if you've got a bed,
[34:33] then you go to that contractor and tell them what you want
[34:36] to do and -- some budget that you want to give them and ask,
[34:41] maybe you don't do that --
[34:42] I'm telling you how I would do it.
[34:44] I would say this is what I have and you tell me
[34:47] what this should look like.
[34:49] I don't think we're the people to make that decision how
[34:52] many trees go in.
[34:53] I think we can recommend we want Florida natives
[34:56] and we would like some live oaks.
[34:59] But how many trees and spacing them and watering them --
[35:03] that's where I think the person that you hire is supposed
[35:06] to provide that.
[35:07] And we act as guidelines if we agree with them.
[35:12] >> Typically the RFP will outline it for a county unless
[35:14] we have like you were saying, subcontract --
[35:18] then you might have a unit price and say this is our unit price
[35:21] per tree.
[35:22] That's already established.
[35:24] Maybe that could be a way for us to give them a budget then.
[35:31] >> Is that something that extension could help us with
[35:33] with spacing?
[35:35] >> We could do three trees or -- >> (inaudible)
[37:05] [no audio]
[37:29] Maybe if there's some that are very hearty.
[37:31] I would say my personal opinion is near trails and roadways
[37:36] we should also consider just the shade for the trail
[37:41] and also matching the existing canopy
[37:44] and like a large native canopy tree is the oaks and hickories
[37:48] and things like that.
[37:54] >> My only concern with that was just the messiness of them.
[37:56] There's some that >> That just depends -- crabapple.
[38:05] >> No crabapple.
[38:07] >> I've never seen a crabapple in Nassau County.
[38:12] >> You've not lived until you've had somebody throw a crabapple
[38:15] at you.
[38:16] >> I don't know if I've ever experienced that.
[38:19] >> I had two plants a -- somebody planted them right
[38:23] by the Dep's -- they were great for shade but they had
[38:26] crabapples over the deck and if you didn't get them up they
[38:28] rotted and then the bees would get up and then they'd sting
[38:31] the dog and one day I just had --
[38:36] >> A whole chain of events there.
[38:37] >> Yes.
[38:40] >> Okay.
[38:41] Sounds good.
[38:43] I think we can talk more about species and then maybe the size
[38:48] -- the size that we want to plant --
[38:51] that's an important point.
[38:53] I also kind of want to get a clear idea of what's really
[38:56] the area we are working with.
[38:58] He estimated is 2500ft² but is that a flat area or sloped.
[39:04] Maybe you have a better idea of what the space looks like.
[39:07] There's those two squares near that pine tree.
[39:10] Which again would be a good spot because it would help --
[39:14] but I think that might be like a part shade location.
[39:18] So then when you think about part shade combat you have
[39:22] different species -- we have one native mulberry, red mulberry.
[39:28] There's a lot of them in the Fort Clinch State Park
[39:31] and they're pretty nice trees and they're a part shade tree.
[39:34] Honestly if we find those common that'd
[39:36] be the best location for world Red Mulberry and those
[39:38] do get fruits for the birds.
[39:40] Those are cool trees that you don't see planted that often.
[39:44] >> That would be a good spot for it.
[39:46] I'm pretty nerdy.
[39:47] I've studied a lot of our native trees.
[39:49] I like trying to learn our native canopy.
[39:52] I do have thoughts about that.
[39:55] When you're planting in a roadway
[39:56] you have to consider the hardier species I'd say.
[40:01] >> What do you need from us?
[40:05] Do you need us to try to think about species and how many
[40:11] trees and that sort of thing?
[40:12] Is that something you want this commission to do?
[40:17] >> Potentially yes.
[40:18] I like the idea of this being a discussion and a group effort
[40:22] and it's something that tree commission can work on.
[40:26] I hate that it's like a broken record,
[40:28] but I haven't had much time recently during the week
[40:32] to work on this either.
[40:33] So if you all can help work on these things that's helpful.
[40:37] From my note from earlier, it seems the next point is
[40:40] to figure out if we already have a company that we contract with
[40:43] because then maybe we can -- have a group that we want
[40:47] to contract with.
[40:48] Maybe then that's step one.
[40:50] And then at that point, say we do have a company --
[40:54] would we try to formulate an idea at that point?
[40:58] We can do this outside of these tree commission meetings
[41:01] too if we work over the county emails.
[41:04] Which hopefully we'll have access to.
[41:06] We can communicate that way.
[41:07] There's no reason we can't do that.
[41:10] When we meet here once a month -- that can get really drug out.
[41:16] So that might be the next step is -- yes.
[41:21] >> I apologize for interjecting.
[41:23] Just to clarify, because a Florida sunshine law,
[41:29] it's not a reply all situation in terms
[41:32] of coordinating via email.
[41:35] So Adam can send out emails with information
[41:39] and it would be limited to just responding to Adam.
[41:44] I want to clarify that.
[41:46] >> We can work one on one through email.
[41:49] But it shouldn't be reply all to include all commission members.
[41:56] >> (inaudible)
[41:57] >> I appreciate that reminder.
[41:58] We can work one on one through emails or over phone calls.
[42:03] >> What I see is the county uses blind copy for that.
[42:08] That way you can't make a mistake.
[42:10] >> That's what we do because we can send it out to you all
[42:13] but it's each individually and you can't see everyone >> Are we
[42:19] planning to use all 18000?
[42:20] No?
[42:22] >> That's a good question.
[42:24] >> I can't even imagine we need to.
[42:26] It would depend on the sizes.
[42:29] >> And how much cost to water it.
[42:34] >> Do we think that's thousands of dollars?
[42:36] Probably?
[42:37] An entire crew?
[42:39] Has anyone ever contracted for that sort of work?
[42:43] It was not?
[42:49] >> It can be when you start talking about the watering,
[42:52] how many trees -- the size. >> (inaudible) mulch double mulch
[43:01] is an important factor.
[43:06] >> (inaudible)
[43:08] >> If you get a unit price, if that exists,
[43:10] then that will help us set a budget and we can look
[43:16] at the tree availability.
[43:18] >> Would unit price include the water?
[43:21] >> Probably not. >> (inaudible) NASA keeps him in the pot
[43:43] and they move him to the new pot and they grow --
[43:52] (inaudible) which is cheaper.
[43:54] And that can grow better roots and maybe have healthier trees.
[44:02] They will find their ways to grow their roots, healthy roots.
[44:08] It's the most important part.
[44:11] >> I 100% agree.
[44:14] >> 45 gallons?
[44:15] Is that still -- >> You don't even buy that size.
[44:20] You need to -- >> Sometimes they sit in the pot in the root
[44:24] circle in the pots.
[44:25] At that point it's not a healthy root system.
[44:30] >> The good example is the waterfront park.
[44:34] >> The new city park?
[44:36] And the large trees?
[44:39] >> They looked beautiful until --
[44:41] >> I went to the opening ceremony.
[44:43] I don't know if I walked that recently.
[44:46] >> It's beautiful but the amount of water those trees needed
[44:49] to get through this drought was enormous.
[44:52] They didn't get it.
[44:54] Maybe the big trees are more prone to shock
[44:56] when they can look bad and sometimes branches die.
[45:02] >> They had to be.
[45:03] At least -- probably not even container --
[45:08] aren't there magnolias on the parkway at the N --
[45:13] Simmons road, closer to the beach?
[45:15] Those have done excellent and they are small.
[45:19] 45 gallon.
[45:22] >> I don't know the container sizes to visualize personally
[45:26] but I have heard that smaller tends to be better because they
[45:29] are a younger root systems, so they are less likely to circle
[45:33] in the pot.
[45:34] The bigger the tree, the more needy as far
[45:38] as water and potential root issues.
[45:41] And small trees will also be much more --.
[45:50] >> Of course. >> (inaudible)
[46:03] >> Piled up around the tree trunks?
[46:05] I noticed this also.
[46:07] >> My questions or people -- (inaudible)
[46:17] >> I'm familiar with that also.
[46:22] That's true.
[46:23] I see that sometimes as well.
[46:29] >> Where should I report >> It's easy to throw that mulch on.
[46:37] >> They just have their own landscape.
[46:44] (inaudible) we have a very good resource here --
[46:52] they have very good pine straw. (inaudible) they keep
[47:02] the moisture and -- it's the best one we can use
[47:07] and it's cheap.
[47:13] >> I just made a note to.
[47:14] The next step is I will reach out to procurement
[47:16] and ask if we have part of the existing contracts
[47:18] and then I'll set up the follow up email to all of you
[47:22] and that will be the next step.
[47:24] And then at that point we can discuss back and forth
[47:29] how to move forward.
[47:31] Maybe I'll get the plans for this area.
[47:33] We talked about how large the area is and number of species.
[47:38] And that stuff.
[47:39] I think that's my thought at this point.
[47:45] >> (inaudible)
[47:48] >> I'm okay with that also.
[47:49] We need to honor the Florida Sunshine Law.
[47:51] If we can just communicate that way, we can communicate --
[47:55] maybe we can conclude this part of tonight's meeting.
[47:59] If you have more thoughts you can call me back up.
[48:01] We can conclude this part.
[48:04] >> Thank you.
[48:09] >> And we have -- if we move to the next agenda item,
[48:11] general public comment, we have Miss Rebecca Raymond that would
[48:16] like to address.
[48:24] >> Do I need to give my address?
[48:25] I'm Rebecca Raymond, 1703 Highland Dunes
[48:29] Ray, Fernandina Beach.
[48:32] I am here representing Amelia Tree Conservancy
[48:37] and actually just want to update on a couple of things.
[48:42] I was here I guess --
[48:45] I guess it was the last board meeting you had
[48:49] and you were talking about the Heritage Tree program.
[48:52] So I just wondered how that was coming along.
[48:57] And I understand we don't have a county arborist at this point.
[49:05] And how we're going to proceed without.
[49:10] So I guess I have questions of you. >> Thank you.
[49:16] I don't think the board has information on hiring practices.
[49:20] I don't know if there's anyone here that can address that.
[49:26] >> It'd just be a typical -- it's a job posting --
[49:31] an interview process and I'm not sure where they're at in that
[49:35] process, the jobs posted that are --
[49:37] the jobs not been posted yet but --
[49:42] that position falls on the development services department
[49:45] but they are aware of it and working on --
[49:49] it's my understanding.
[49:51] This board wouldn't be involved for my understanding.
[49:56] >> But you would be interested in having an arborist come
[49:59] a right?
[50:01] >> We have a position for a city forester.
[50:03] I'm sorry, County forester.
[50:06] I came from the city so I keep using that word too much.
[50:12] >> It's okay.
[50:14] >> Do you have any updates you want to do on the Heritage Tree
[50:18] program?
[50:19] We had discussion around that.
[50:22] We have not pursued that.
[50:24] We decided to work on a tree planting program.
[50:27] Is that what -- does anybody need to address that?
[50:31] I think we'll move forward on -- >> I can address that.
[50:42] >> Yeah, staff does not have an update about the Heritage Tree
[50:45] program and that system made.
[50:47] Towards that end, part of the reason for that
[50:50] is losing staff recently.
[50:52] Staff is pretty tight in the office and there's also
[50:56] discussions about recently over the last year the county has
[50:59] been looking at tightening the budget and focusing on what
[51:02] staff is working on as well as the potential --
[51:06] the election coming up in November and potentially --
[51:09] on property taxes and we can also be constrained for county
[51:12] budgeting.
[51:13] It's part of the conversation and -- in how staff is working.
[51:18] At this point that hasn't been tabled for a while.
[51:21] It's not been ex indefinitely.
[51:23] But for now we don't have an update.
[51:27] >> We would focus on the tree program,
[51:29] the planting program because we have a budget for that.
[51:31] And that money is earmarked specifically for that program.
[51:36] >> We feel it's something staff can handle and go forward with.
[51:39] So that's the plan.
[51:42] >> Thank you.
[51:44] >> Thank you.
[51:45] Is there anyone else for public comment?
[51:49] Or general?
[51:50] No?
[51:51] We don't have anything?
[51:53] Did any member want to speak to anything?
[51:57] No comment?
[51:58] No?
[51:59] Then we will adjourn at 5:49.
[52:05] Can I ring the gavel?