Okay. Thank you everyone for coming. Uh we are thrilled to have you all here to our um environmental commission meeting. >> I'd like to call this order this meeting to order. Um this is a meeting of the environmental
commission of the federal fair. In accordance with the provisions of the open public meetings act, public meetings may be held in person or by means of communication equipment to include streaming services and other online meeting platforms. This meeting is being held in person and through the
Zoom meeting platform being broadcast from Burough Hall, 748 River Road, Fair, New Jersey. Public participation for this meeting on April 15, 2026 is available by calling phone number or through Zoom. Members of the public will be on mute until it's time for questions
comments which will be announced. At that time the public has the opportunity to question comment by phone or through Zoom by the raise hand button and will be called on at the appropriate time. Notice of this meeting was sent to the Asbury Park Press, Two River Times, and the Star Ledger on January 30th, 2026,
posted on the burough website, the bulletin board in the municipal building, and has remained continuously posted as required under the statute. With adequate notice having been given, the environmental commission secretary is directed to include a statement in the minutes of the media. Please stand
for the flag of the United States of America for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Great. Please begin with the roll call. Anna
Anthony here. William >> present. Eve jessi longer. Uh, Susan Glovis, Preston. Jesse Murray >> here. >> John Palinetti >> present. >> Gary Patterson
is absent. John Peters is absent. Also present. Council women Delli and Mali and Bur Secretary Larson, you have a great thank you. Um, can I get a motion to approve the March 11th, 2020 meeting minutes? Still move.
>> Thank you. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Great. Um, any not in favor? Thank you. Motion passed. Um all right. So we are here um and we are so delighted to have you all in attendance with us. We'll get moving to this part
of our agenda. Um where we're the fair environmental efforts discussion. I like that. >> Yes. Yeah. Environmental efforts. Um so I'm going to move it on to Anna Genton uh who's going to be this was one of our brainchilds. So, it's a great idea and
she's gonna begin from here. >> So, it's more of a um we've all been working on a strategic initiative for the environment commission for the past few years trying to figure out our role um what how we can help move things forward in Fair Haven. And one of the
things that we landed on after a few um meetings that we had was acting as um a bit of a conduit between the various committees that have been created in town and um our public works group here
as well. So Nick Fortuni is up here at the front. Um you'll hear from him in a second. Um and we've been working on what that looks like. So um right now there are various requests from the groups that come in to DPW um from
different sources. We have residents that have come to the environmental commission meetings and spoken on some spoken about things that they've seen going on in town. Um yourselves all of you who are here as well. Um and then us as a group we have different initiatives
that we have been working on as well. So we're looking to keep that into track that in one place and we feel that the environmental commission is the best suited option for that because we work on those issues already. Um we have a group of people here who some of this
stuff falls under their day jobs. So they are experts in their fields which is a wonderful thing to have in a community. Um this group provides continuity beyond election cycles. Um, every two years we get a new group of elected officials and we are usually
here for How long have you been here, Kelly? >> Seven years, >> I think. Yeah, maybe. >> Yeah. So, we're we're unique John Peter. >> Don Peters has his tenure, but we can look at these long-term or Jesse
>> goals, right? Jesse >> Jesse's been here for a while and she is also a marine biologist. So, we have some really stellar people up here. So, we're, you know, we can take these long-term big picture views while also helping out from a day-to-day um
perspective. So, that's really why we brought everyone here, your all from the various committees that represent the environment in Fair Haven. So, we wanted to hear from you about um some ways that we could work together and and know that this group meets monthly, then you can
use us as um a facilitator to help those things move forward. So, Nick is here. We met in December with Kelly, myself, Nick, Chris York, and Mayor Halburn to go over this as a plan. Um, we've been
kind of kicking the wheels on it for a few months now and we finally got everybody in the same room to start the process off. So, I'll let Nick take it um from a TPW perspective and let us know what his findings are from that.
>> Sure. Uh, good evening everybody. Those who don't know me, I'm Nick Perchensky. Um, I've been at Infair Haven for the last 13 plus years. Uh prior to that I was in the uh you know the consulting world as a professional engineer and a professional planner. Um, I saw the
agenda this morning and I had to laugh because the first thing I saw it says quick round table >> and and I thought to myself, uhoh. Um, I need to really take a look at this and kind of structure an outline and agenda or or narrative here to kind of help
facilitate and highlight what DPW does and communicate that to the residents, to the groups, to the council members and and what have you. Um, so I put together some notes and I'm kind of going to go through it. It kind of highlights um the meeting and the comments that we had back in December
and various other input that had that I've gotten and feedback I've gotten along the way and just from my personal experiences and observations and things like that. And um so again the the point of this meeting was uh was was to align
DPW operations and take a look at environmental commission and the various different uh community volunteers. Um you know obviously we want to strengthen our coordination u between these groups and improve the communication and the efficiency. You
know those are you know the real purpose of this meeting. Um and one of the things we were discussing was having the EC as a kind of a central coordinating you know circuit you know having them you know pivotal to the to the
communication aspect of things. Um you know some of the objectives that the EC put out was you know supporting the burough's environmental goals while also you know maintaining DPW's you know core mission. Um and that support to DPW, you
know, starts with uh better communication and coordination and making sure that we're not really duplicating our efforts um and that the projects are aligned and we have a you know a shared system on goals and all within the the the operation and the
DPW's capacity of of accomplishing these goals. Um how do we do that? It's basically improving our planning and our execution, you know, and that's why we're here today is to kind of, you know, focus in on those types of things. And also just making sure that we establish, you know, you know, clear and
realistic goals, you know, be it, you know, one year, three years, five year goals so that, you know, it's doable. It's not overwhelming to anybody. And obviously everybody here we have the we have the Shade Tree Commission. We have the Fair Haven Natural Advisory Committee, the Green Team, Third Street
Recreation Committee, the Garden Club, Harding Bird Sanctuary, the Friends of the McCarter Pond, the Navis River Municipalities, you know, DPW and and Burough Administration. So there's there's a lot of lot of stakeholders and shareholders that we're we're constantly trying to make sure that we're
addressing everybody's priorities, concerns, and wishes. Um, and again, what's the DPW's mission? You know, our primary focus for the bureau is operations and maintenance, and it's the public safety, the infrastructure system, the roads, the
parks, the storm water system, uh, making sure that we uh meet and satisfy any type of regular regulatory compliance and also an emergency response. You know, those are the things that our our mission statement for DPW has to deal with. And again, we have
fixed resources. you know, we have we have nine staff. We have one and a half mechanics. We have three and a half streets laborers, three and a half parks guys, um, and then half a building, you know, maintenance guy. So, when you when you add up all the things that we need
to do, you know, that's that's our staff. And, you know, we're we don't have a an administrative assistant or help or whatever. It's it's basically all of us. We're crossrained. we kind of help each other out and we work together as best we can and we're flexible so we're able to pivot and adjust things
but it's not always sustainable to operate in this uh uh you know a fire type of response to to every day. Um and and we're willing to you know discuss this plan this and uh and take a look at you know what what needs to be
authorized where the funding is and and how to make it productive and and safe for everybody. And again, the EC's mission is obviously to facilitate and coordinate open space management. You know, we're taking a look at the burough facilities, our our riverfront, our
parks, our all all of our open spaces, and take a look at uh long-term planning for those things. Um and you know DC's mission is also to help you know lead public engagement and and kind of coordinate uh input they get from the residents from the mayor and council and kind of
work through those those things as well as organizing the volunteer coordination and assisting with uh you know grant research and and project tracking. um you know in in my mind I kind of wrote down you know three or four things that are areas of DPW support how DPW
can support the EC and the first thing that I see as DPW um perspective is is and it's not just DPW it's also engineering and DPW we work we work closely with the engineering department I myself you know we're it's not synonymous but we're
we're basically you know handinhand um with the engineering department it's a planning and and coordination more of like an advisory role. You know, we're looking DPW can help provide operational input during uh you know, project development, looking at the planning and
review phases of uh of those types of initiatives and uh we can review the EC proposals when it comes to safety impacts uh how it how it affects drainage and access concerns. But then also, you know, what equipment and maintenance we have or maintenance
feasibility, you know, how what's the long-term, you know, maintenance of these types of projects and things like that. Um, we can help with the EC integrate the environmental sound practices when and where feasible as well as, you know, share institutional
knowledge and and maintenance considerations because obviously we're we don't want this just to, you know, be a one shot. We want this to be a continuing you know positive experience for all the groups and all the residents. You know the second part of how DPW can support is through uh you
know maintenance integration where feasible. We talked about various different initiatives and stuff that DPW can support like reduced mowing or altered maintenance considerations or schedules but again these things would have to be kind of preapproved clearly marked out. Um, and then making sure
that some of these integrations or maintenance ideas wouldn't require, you know, additional staffing or would additional equipment or or or something to that effect. And obviously the support of native plantings, you know, and and and kind of looking at things
that are are are don't need any kind of specialized maintenance, but you know, still meet our know drainage need, don't obstruct sight lines and and our safety considerations that can be kind of gone through all the different shareholders and all the different groups and different project types.
And then I guess the third big part of DPW support to the EC is the storm water infrastructure alignment. you know, making sure our institutional knowledge and and and drainage system is is is understood and how it impacts. I know there's there's talk about the water story and, you know, I'd be happy to
share with you what we've been doing with Violytics and mapping all the interconnections, all the outfalls, all the all the um all the storm water inlets. Um, and we're working right now with Ruters and uh, and part of our MS4 permitting um, is kind of putting
together those those infrastructure mapping and the wershed mapping that's required by the by the permit, but it's also going to be available to the different users and shareholders. And uh you know that's something that when Chris came on um the
administrator York came on we we kind of move forward with with uh upgrading our file management data systems and it's been a little learning curve. We uh you know Jill and Shade Tree Commission had done the same thing with Arborro kind of inventorying our
shade tree shade tree um in within the rightway within the parks and things like that. And we're doing the same thing using another tool called biolytics. And we're we're it was initially it's an AI based software that was initially set up for pavement
management and um you know DPW myself and other DPW street sweeper we use the camera to kind of go around and identify u the road network but we've also kind of had uh other benefits of the the mapping tools associated with the
program where we've been uh you know identifying street signs uh all the other drainage infrastructures and and using it as as a work order system. So, there's there's benefits there, but again, it's we just got it in in, you know, less than a year ago. Um, I you
know, my my kids have different video games and stuff like that. And basically, it's it's recreating a digital map of the community. So it's like roadblocks, you know, we're creating a whole another community that's digital and we're utilizing that
to kind of help us with planning strategically and and through uh you know you know whatever needs from the state regulatory commission and whatever needs we might need internally here to the bureau. Um a and again we've worked through some of the initiatives that
when Sean Bailey was here as part of the EC working with the Marta Pond stuff to work on some environmental and storm water stuff there with regard to the trash racks and sediment filters and we're kind of monitoring that and looking forward to to those types of projects and and again the EC could definitely help with you know educating
residents and and helping with that overall awareness and um you know that's that's how you know we could all work together to kind of discuss um compliance issues, you know, training, awareness, and and and overall
uh environmental stewardship. Um you know, some of the other roles that I see that the EC can help with is through through the volunteer management, uh through community outreach and initiatives, um the environmental monitoring and reporting, uh long-term
stewardship planning, as well as, you know, grant and partnership development. Um obviously um I I started talking about some of the current project and priorities. I talked about the storm water management stuff that we're doing with Ruters. You know the parks you know are we're responsible for the parks
fields and natural area maintenance the pond management at Marter and Schwanker's pond at Derry's pond obviously you know tree maintenance planting and hazard mitigation as well as our seasonal operations of leaf collection snow cleanups building maintenance and fleet management. But
again, it's a it's a shared focus on on environmental improvements that that we want to do >> through the EC, DPW, and the different shareholders that are stakeholders that are here. And obviously some of the current project that the committees and community groups that you know you guys
are a part of is you know the habitat restoration, the trail development, any of the tree advocacy advocacy and planting plans, the forestry plans um not just for um the entire burrow but also the natural area which we're pursuing and these are all common goals
and the shared focus with regard to the environmental improvements for the burrow. Now obviously you know when it comes down to those are some of the mission statement but how are we going to make this happen it's it's through some collaboration and framework structured framework that needs to kind
of be established and obviously you know some early conversations with some of the EC members um you know I think we need to you know clearly define maintenance responsibilities kind of take a look at um you know DPW's
capacity making you know making sure that we don't make certain assumptions and then uh in regular communication and feedback and uh you know obviously there's there's overlaps with the different groups uh that was one of the the points of the agenda is kind of
identifying some of the overlaps obviously you know right now tree planting and maintenance we got DPW shade tree EC kind of working in in in in various different circles with some overlap natural air and trail work we got DPW the natural air
committee then like the third street trail groups are another three kind of overlapping you know pond management we got DPW we got friends of the Marter Pond as well as EC there's overlap there and then we have landscaping like beautifification we got DPW we got the garden club and then recreation
department so there's there's a bunch of you know overlaps there um and there's there's definitely gaps you know you know gaps in communication and tracking project you know prioritizing across the committees you know define ownership of this crossf functional initiatives how,
you know, who's responsible, who's ultimately, you know, kind of tracking and then, you know, obviously the followup and and status reporting on on these types of things. But again, there's with all those gaps and stuff, there's plenty of opportunities. Um, you know, there's there's a a huge
coordinated volunteer group in Fair Haven, which is is uh exciting, and over my tenure, it's kind of, you know, fluctuated up and down. Um, and you know, that's it's it's important to to kind of harness some of that that power that that the residents have here, which
is is impressive. Um, and and you know, as opportunity to to continue the environmental stewardship and just, you know, continue protection, public safety of the infra infrastructure and the reliability. We don't want, you know, there to be issues
during, you know, snowstorms or, you know, hurricanes or, you know, you know, summer downpours. We don't want that flooding. We don't want those those those hazardous trees to come down or, you know, if there's different recreation programs or what have you. We want our our our student athletes or
athletes to be safe and things like that. So, we're, you know, we want to take these things and uh and move forward with it, not just sit on it. And we want to avoid situations where where there's well-intentioned projects that unintentionally kind of create long-term
maintenance obligations that exceed DPW's operation capacity as well. Um, you know, currently the DPW interface is is with the individual committee committees.
um you know some of it is work order driven and others is kind of um you know not but uh we're looking to kind of maybe change that and have a centralized tracking system with regard to you know the work orders either
through uh through biolytics or some other you know function or software that can help us all you know track these things. Um, you know, Arbor Pro has a has a system where you can kind of track uh, you know, tree work or quotes and
things like that. Um, you know, we're kind of still muddling through some of this. It's it's some of it's cumbersome. We don't do it every day. So, it it takes some time and, you know, it's myself and also trying to train some of the other staff members to be proficient in it. But, again, we also have our our
normal priorities and responsibilities. So, we don't always have the time to kind of, you know, catch up on on some of the administrative stuff that's that's hard. Um, so I guess that's my timer. So, I got like got two minutes
left. >> Um, but yeah, but basically wrapping up, um, you know, how do I see the proposed role of EC? uh you know there there's still a leg legislative kind of branch of with the mayor and and the council member uh initiatives kind of uh you
know acting as a legis legislative and policy branch of of of Fair Haven you know kind of coordinating um you know the overall 10,000 elevation view of of things that are happening and helping to prioritize and align projects and uh maintain a shared project
overview so that nobody's going too far off in one direction with regard to or overall uh you know policy for for the EC and you know some of this stuff can be simple as a standard you know project intake form um additional EC and DPW
coordination meetings you know right now we meet with the DPW engineering committee we meet with them on a on a on a pretty normal schedule uh we can also include maybe EC in some of those uh you know
coordination meetings Um, and then it's also important to have like a a project post project followup and making sure that, you know, we can debrief and understand any type of uh potential issues or or potential hiccups
or or or tripping hazards that might have come up as part of the as part of the process. Um, you know, and and you know, some of the things I was thinking about too is future projects. You know, some case studies or how do we try this out? You know, we have, you know, we have Shanker's Pond that's kind of been
lingering in the in in the background. We have some, we just got authorized to do some some treatment there that was similar to Mart to Marter Pond. And then the other big project that might be a good trial process is the cherry trees. You know, obviously the cherry trees is uh they're they're in bloom. Everything
basically exploded the last two days. Um and uh you that might be a a good project to kind of start this process on and and kind of take a look at the EC the natural area, the shade tree commission and and various other user
user groups and and kind of you know using that as a uh as as a test case to kind of go through this process and see how we can you know align all the groups and and kind of work together. Um, look, the DPW guys, myself, we're
all we're all committed. We're civil servants. We're here to to work with the residents and with the community groups. Uh, I myself, you know, my my kids went through the master gardener program, you know, junior gardener programs at at Freehold. Um, you know, I I I take a
look at, you know, various different um, you know, things from my childhood, you know, growing up. You know, my grandfather um he was a gardener. He was a you know, it's a funny story. He they lived in the Bronx and he lived next to the or close
to the Pel Bay Police Station and he used to go to the the Pel Bay Police Station where they house the horses and uh he used to pick up the manure from the horses and bring it to to the house not for just for his garden but then he would it was funny or it was a joke that
he would he would put it in the in the in the trunk of his Buick and cross the GW to bring them to New Jersey so that my dad and us would in our garden would have the right manure to grow Jersey tomatoes. So, um you know, we're all invested here. I think we can work
together and make this uh you know, productive uh you know, process moving forward. So, that's all I got. >> Thanks. >> Great. Thank you. >> Yeah, that was awesome for that. Um, and I appreciate the more indepth look at
all the facets of GW and how there's so much potential for collaboration um, and more effective working together um, communication, execution amongst all of us because I think we're all here for the same reason, right? and we all have the same
values and um priorities just to maintain and improve and um keep Fair Haven in its natural areas um what we're used to, what we want um and why we all
enjoy them and and how we can, you know, help educate people about how to do that as well, too. And I think um we're all like as you mentioned shareholders, stakeholders, and on the same team overall. Um Anna, do you want to begin
this little brainstorming kind of >> um Sure. So did everybody grab the sheet? >> Yes. Uh I think we should use some false dot just quick to say yeah that's a great
with their name and what group they represent. Yeah. And then I think we should kind of all collaborate on this. It's not groups. It's not similar even though there's a lot of intersection on a bunch of group stuff, but um okay, let's start. Rachel,
>> I'm Rachel Burton. I'm a member of the parks and recreation committee. Great. Do I say a few things of this or that's it? Well, wait. Uh Robin O'Neal. I am um a lot of uh
Fair Haven Natural Area, the Garden Club of Fair Haven, the uh Nav Stink River Municipalities Committee, >> Green Team, >> the Green Team, um >> Clean Ocean Action, >> the Clean Ocean Action.
>> Clean Ocean Action. I do the water monitoring every um Wednesday morning for Clean Ocean Action. >> That's all. >> And you bring out Florida and I did a little bit of
street bloom and I do the girl scout um I you know plan for the girl scouts I'm trying to uh plant that bills down uh river road >> mar the first street trail and the mash >> well
they're separate Stanford Arson, chair of the National Committee. >> A borderline, vice chair committee. >> Jill Salen, chair person of the Shakes Commission.
Jenny Poster team, I'm on the Shere Commission, but I'm here for the third street trail >> in Garden. Okay. Yes. Stephanie Adams green
public >> public too. >> Oh, Michael. Michael deelling council. Uh Christina Macki, council, >> Bill Gunner, environmental, >> Kelly Flanigan, welcome. Susan Lopez,
>> John, >> Anna Antonin, and then we've got >> Jesse Murray. >> Great. That about rounds it out. So, I think what we should do is get into different groups and we can kind of go through some of these
quick roundts, right, Nick? Quick. We'll make them short so we don't spend a lot of time and then we'll we'll regroup and just go over some of the things that I think it'll be important for all of us to hear what each other are working on and um go through let's go part one
through four in groups and then we can come back together and talk through. >> Let's do you want to keep to the minutes like 10 minutes >> and then we can have Christie if Chris keeps us to the 10 minutes give us like a two-minute warning. >> Yes. How are we breaking into groups where we want to go? >> Um
who you want to be. Uh, one >> How about people you haven't met or like really don't know? >> What is it? >> I was thinking like people don't really know. >> How about um four groups? Five. >> Yeah. Great. Let's stand up. We'll stretch it out. >> We'll kind of move around.
>> Chairs. >> Yeah, you guys. >> Let's send over here. Bonnie. >> Okay. Never met. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. All right. >> I'm good.
>> Thank you. >> I'm good. Okay. >> I like to run and run deep. No, I'm good. >> You're embarrassing me. You know, I got to tell Charlie Shirley what a great job.
>> All right. >> Number one, >> right? >> Where do we streamline the Are we sticking with the same group for each? >> We know. >> Okay. So, I will hear from you guys because I'm kind of
Yeah. So with the um we just worked on a big project. We did a whole bunch of trees. It was coordinated. One person was send all these um emails.
much better. anything goes to her and she >> it's a chain of command basically >> and she really wants to be >> perfect you know goes back to her and she goes back to us before he was getting the best >> I mean It's just out there.
>> We're just out there with the Boy Scouts. The uh >> So, they marked off the locations and they met with the the students and he's going to hopefully do that this weekend as well. He's working through creating the bat structures and posts and stuff.
>> We're teaching him to make sure he's got to call one call, go through the process. It's got it's part of the scouting that you need to organize the project and, you know, execute it. So he's working all different steps and things like that. So >> so that's be happening at >> um this weekend
>> while he's doing the the actual work is done by the scouts. It's not done by any federal houses. >> Yeah. So like when we go around see the trees down there too, right?
>> Yeah. There was a lot of work that was done on bird. There was a lot of neglect there after hurricane Sandler and stuff. We had to get a lot of down pull out and we'll work with code enforcement with the with the deer issue the people feeding deer back there things like that. >> So yeah that that was one it was some
encroachments into the property took care of that as well. >> Yeah. How I mean you're seeing that Nancy will email but how are you identifying like tree is down or like where we like how are you getting that
specific information to >> you a lot of the stuff is on our radar. Yeah, >> they kind of reaffirmed that they want to take care of it. We need to take care of it and kind of figure out priority wise and how they can deal with it and things like that. We need to get
>> now we was in a wetlands area. We don't have staff that has the license type of stuff. We had to get weeds to come in and spray it. So they sprayed it fence.
Yeah, it looked like it was successful, but we might come out on top. We just got to get to the area. So, again, there's a lot of things that we can do in the house, but there's some stuff that we have to get.
>> Yeah, we don't have prioritizing when they send >> Are you guys prioritizing? They're they're helping identify um identify things that need to get done and then basically it's it's my job our
job to kind of prioritize time wise with the board when things funding wise how it can get done when it can get done and how if it can't get done you know we also have to communicate that and look it can't get done you know whatever else might be
>> like when we first project you know we're here you know the timeline and all this done. So no it works. It was a wonderful collaboration and >> I was going to say what was the tree removal. How does that
>> was DW but we had um some of our members here today storm damage that um >> that were invasive trees. Yeah, there's a combination of obviously um some of the community members are are constantly walking like
whatever. They would say, "Hey, look, we just saw a new tree on the trail. We go obviously we don't walk every single trail all the time. We try to concentrate like before the weekend before the high traffic volume, the holidays, we'll kind of do a quick walk through, make sure it looks safe. But,
you know, this happened overnight >> at the bird sanctuary. We took a lot of file. We had gotten a pull from Frontier to come and do all that clearing. >> No, no, it was too expensive. So, we ended up, you know, using inhouse people and and we spent, you know, hours in
there grabbing a lot of stuff. >> Did you have to work? >> No, it was all part of you know, >> we did it in the summer time when the grass is not growing. We have time. The same thing with some of the other
issues. There's certain times of the year where we can't get the things. Like right now, baseball, athletics, that's the high priority, making sure that the athletic fields. Some of the other stuff has to wait. This winter, we didn't get to do a lot of stuff that we wanted to do because >> it was a snow, it was really cold. So
things things got to get, you know, juggled at a time. But weather's dynamic, resources are dynamic, people are >> you saying was like timing. So the summer is good. So maybe if like that's to 13
then that's the best timing to take care of that sort of stuff that can be helpful too like we would not the project >> I had volunteers or was it all >> no no we had like we're going to have
mul I mean we're going to spread the mulch you We talked to um EJ what we're going to do. So it's a collaboration. >> No before that they're volunteering here.
>> Most of the most of the planting that was done there and the removal was done by obviously Ridge Road for the bird sanctuary. I guess we're talking about a lot today, but the the parting road there we do all the trimming mowing there
mowing there. Obviously trail maintenance there is not it's a trail most trails are just passing. So I know that third street trail was kind of gone and was there for a while.
No one was really covered. Volunteers definitely took it back. Has third street trail kind of been back added back onto what's happening? >> Yeah, obviously uh there was volunteer days that were set up. We met out there
kind of looked at certain >> I was just gonna say do you have any ask >> unfortunately we don't have like that stapulization we don't we're not set up like where we have guys time since I spent two hours here it's it's
kind of organic we're just getting work done we kind of juggle make it happen so it's really hard the industry sat there for so many years. How did it all come about? >> And there's very little no
how did the solution come? >> Did the mayor kind of something happened and they kind of said please take back their sanctuary. the town. >> There was always stuff, but there was an initiative to kind of deal deal with that downfall that was neglected for a
while. >> And there's there's I guess there was uh there was some grant money that the that the garden club was going towards for the planting. They were doing they were talking about rededication um in the upcoming year. This year they wanted to do that. So it is a you know a two-year
program or step to get it out there. >> So the pay the trees for money but also fun and then so budget was that paid for by you guys through the grounds. >> So that fell
>> the only thing that the garden club was the plants. That was the grand I don't know >> two grand. >> Yeah. whatever it was. But that the planting is the actual plant, but the labor and the work and all >> the garlic like that only comes from
like >> where do you think really quick reflect on your experience um the process and I think hearing what they're doing is probably helpful for you. No, but you don't.
>> Yeah, there's Facebook. >> You have different spent years requesting up your time and they can't get it. So we're just >> It's not your money. It's his time. >> I don't think that's fair.
>> My view is my view is that we requested his time. He didn't have he doesn't have time. But I don't think he's impressed every time. >> It was a big push. >> And I will say for natural area this
year, they've been very you guys have been very clear about what projects we want to prioritize. I think staff might be a part of it too. the natural area really figure out what the project priority is all
I mean 15 volunt this weekend at the national >> and what Nick said in his intro like everybody's competing I know I'm saying >> I think there was a political
>> though I would I would pull back is that >> the bird sanctuary it was a safety consideration you know after years of neglect but it needs it was it was focused on it was a decision either you got to be careful of
you know droughts and fire and residential neighborhoods and all those things and it was a different decision was made to kind of focus to get that set of work efforts done >> it wasn't necessarily
there's probably no spend more time >> a quick question couple years ago I did a tour of the third street trail with uh with with Florida and the area backing up to the genre is loaded with everything. Is there anything
possibility that can be cleaned out and cleared open? So >> just recently we identified two groups of trees that were getting force we got the tree >> and then we're going to kind of continue
moving in there cleaning out that area behind the gentry house. >> Right. Right. Right. Like all overgrown and I was there three years ago and I just imagine it's limited resources. There's a lot of there's a lot of blind spots or dead
spots that need to get really >> the resources >> the overall resources I mean it's a it's >> well fair is 10% open space. >> So just think about your crew has to do
10% of the community. I give you guys all the >> credit. Try to do the best we can. It's not >> it's all you can do with limited resources. >> So, okay, we're talking about how trail needs get
what kind of requests go to you. >> Okay, let's start at the beginning. So, one of the things that this all and one of the discussion points I made was that not fair. You know, we can't just go do things. There has to be a policy. It has to fall under some environmental
masterpiece. There'll been a lot of discussion, initiative. Let's let's do this. Let's do that. But is that really what the mission is for the girl and those requests come to to me or to us >> and where am I to say, "Yeah, let's go to the trail here. Oh, let's go build a
dock here. Let's go do this." if it's not like you know discussed from the the mayor and council at the ENC from a policy standpoint doing those oh let's go put a dog park let's go let's go put in the state like I can't make those decisions oh yeah I'll send the guys we'll do that tomorrow
>> I think number one there's issue number two issue number two is >> well they're good this one of the policies that were made
dishes coming from the >> but we have an egregious example >> where we went to the bird sanctuary and I don't know that went to the council >> like I don't know that >> I don't
you should have sit you're saying how prioritizing and how much That's what I know about if I have to get said look we can allocate 10 hours a
year to train we can allocate to national to kind of like track it >> I No, you end up in a bad
making sure that whatever missions are into, you know, whatever the overall master plan is make sense. I agree with you, but there you feel like
to get our correct Right. >> If things need to be taken care of, I want >> No, you can't. >> No. as an engineer as an engineer whatever you always find a problem it's
always a solution it's just a function of what variable we have all of them and how we can adjusting variables to come out with the solution that we have so right now we have we have facility facing facility
Yeah. So he promised finding people that a want to work for you know municipality at a certain you know salary cost of living in New Jersey and the capital is also because it relates to taxes.
which do you want to raise your tax of having a green acres tax or whatever it is the referendum open space >> I wish that they would do it I love the resist is this recording
>> it is What I'm trying to say is he's not dangerous to priorities from administrative side to the labor
side all the And that's where >> it opens face here. I've tried equally differently throughout the year, you know, that that like the natural area throughout the year or it's big
recreation that have more of a focus, you know, time frame certain time frame that needs to be done. you know, I try to say resources to accommodate and and address the the widest
population that's just what they need. >> I'll tell you my opinion, you're being abused behind your back. Now, you may say, "Yes, yes, yes, yes." The truth is
somebody has to stay on then you can get so you just said about you guys why >> because that's insane. Yes. The environment commission the shade
tree the natural to the development govern body goes to say yes or no and there's >> the governing body. >> And I was brought up a couple years ago. >> Yeah. It's a different >> I know
>> every year >> and I don't think they know and everybody's giving up something if there emergency we have you know people are sick or you're scrambling. We're scrambling to get push the right, you know, right
people right places. We don't have plan B, right? There's a snowstorm and we can have double shifts. >> Because we don't hear, you know, the current number of people that have 24-hour shift,
>> it's the funding. their funding's not there for them with you guys and they can get funding through their fundraisers. So many but as the government if we're saying these are our priorities but we're not able to pay for them because we don't
have the staff we don't have the funding then how are we getting that fun sanctuary got together with a garden does something in all these other >> how the hell does that
that needs to be known. I know it's uncomfortable. I know it's uncomfortable, but it's being said, how did that happen? It was a political >> Let's go for an open stage. Move on. Let's so I think what it comes down to
though is we need to get them to be a priority to vote and our mask the second time that our president. So this is a really passive
that we would like to get you have to get on the agenda. I think most people don't know pay more tax. They don't understand. >> But I think if you look at the residential values, the assets in this
community, people can afford $100 a year tax. They can afford $200 a year. Well, then that's where we need >> the money for the absolutely
the government. It's not even getting to these different on the agenda, >> right? >> I want to say something that He has to complain to his bosses.
>> He needs help. >> You got to go figure it out. Then he's got to go to the con saying is he going to complain to the council? RDPW is too small for this. How do you compromise?
So I think I want to make sure that we're being so I hear what you're saying. I want to make sure that all of our feelings as much as possible. But that doesn't mean I want to take
anything. We met you out there. We went over the trails. We got to try and request as best we can. Stop. I think what his point is though that like you're stress
above and beyond. >> Will the county assist in any way the county parks department or anything like that with trails or maintenance? >> Service, you know, estimates for quotes and things like that. >> Well, they want quotes. They just won't say we'll give you a proof for a couple
of days. >> There's a there's cost to >> Oh, really? Yeah, >> I didn't know that. >> We got across to the county shoot to come in uh you know cherry trees cherry shoes, >> right?
>> And we ended up the contractor from the gold company started doing the work. We had to stop them and now we're looking at someone else you know up to this next bloom as part section. So >> So the county just maintained the county
road. I'd love to see more funding, you know, >> and I'm sure a lot of people in Fair Haven would go for an open space. Let's make sure you know where the process that
I mean no because I was asking too about the >> right makes sense. access to the pond. >> I have a question. Maybe
they get compensated for that. In other words, if they were going to take it to Mes, they got to pay a certain amount. They're dropping it off money for that. I was basically
paying now. I feel like a goodunication. >> I know. So it sounds like you guys are kind of um never heard that they
direct. I just think that we have just a ways. >> Yes, >> I'm not saying we owe I'm sure. Yes. But I think Yeah.
because I would love to know like I think that we should have what level of visibility would >> all talking about kind of like
you I just like because that's way back. >> I understand that makes you go and You said that very like that one All
right. I think we should come back. >> Yeah. Now this year, how many times Not the window. That was great. That was perfect. Thank you guys. That was really awesome to hear. Our group
was we had a really nice conversation. Um, so The takeaway from our group and anybody that was in it feel free to interject was like we kind of said there's a lack of tracking and prioritization. So, one
thing that this group up here can help to do is keep track of the requests that come in. The point really for any of the I I say subcommittees, but that's just kind of this is the the committee, the
subcommittees that build into the environmental ecosystem um figure out when priorities happen. An example we were talking about was a full calendar year of when the third street or the nature
area needs x y and z done so that everybody has an idea of when the time it's going to be post winter when the trees have fallen because they've been heavy with snow. That will happen every winter. That is just the way it's going to be. So to have that spelled out on a
calendar would be helpful, you know, to relay that information to EPW. They would have access to it. We can start to then cross reference if that request has come in from another group. We can say this is happening all around the same time. We can build data around that and say this month maybe we can prioritize clearing out the the trees that have
fallen after the snowstorms. That's just one example. I think what we need to work on is building that framework so that every group can submit to that. this group can then um look into it and prioritize it and then relay that information to DPW, put in formal
requests. We can handle grants as necessary to see what the sticking points are for everyone. Um but there needs to be more data and more structure around these because nobody's just kind of flying around and putting requests in and that's that's duplicative. That's not going to that's not going to get
anything done. So, um, my group, my key takeaway from that was, um, we have a lot of events that happen in town. Rachel is in charge of them. Um, >> and that's something I would love to talk further about as well. But, um, from for the most part, it's there's a
lack of transparency that we can help solve for. So, um, it was really helpful and we'll come back, Susan, and we'll get with the broader group and come back and figure out a way that to make that work for everyone here. I don't think that the answer is going to be um buying
a license to something else. This can live in Google. We could make Google forms and Google Sheets where we can track these this simply and effectively and it can be something that um is you know democratized like anybody can have access to it. So >> um Christie do you want to weigh in on
that? >> Uh you can't have shared documents among all commissions because it constitutes forum >> because it constitute forum. Could you do though like >> so EC and STC but others can >> because everything in the government can
be opened and can is public record and so if it's on Google it's not public from DC that's having the public >> if it's a form submission >> form submission Google request DPW >> yeah and when we could get really
specific about the content on that form so then it comes to us that we could update a document does that make sense >> are you updating a Google a Google request formula like how are this is the thing I want to figure out though like are you keeping a Google
like a spreadsheet after >> the Google form is due to go into a spreadsheet like a response >> yeah and then that would but it's whoever's touching that spreadsheet I think might be the issue right >> can I say >> yeah so I think we >> just had this
>> in a modern world there is a need to be able to share documents >> totally >> so we have to solve that problem. >> That's what I'm trying to do. But I want to make sure we're doing it in a way that is legal. >> Well, I I don't think we should be talking through these details here. I think it's more theoretical.
But I think that that's something to take back now to the administration and say what are some things we can do like what are what is that format that we can use >> and those forms also are eyed on by DBW and right and then they can make it like this is too out of reach or we don't
have the equipment for this or we don't have the labor you know and they can kind of also add into that and then we can come back and see okay prioritize or what but I think that there needs to be that interface >> hun I want to make sure you're doing all of this. I want to find out what that plat what the legality of the platform
is that we can make that happen and you got everyone can see as much as like whoever needs to see it is doing it. But >> so about was it being a public submission and then that would kill the quorum right if it's public if it's a public dashboard and submissions are
available to the public from each and every commission and every committee. This is where I'm probably like not my >> That's what we do at the beginning. Everything's public so that it can never >> agree. We don't need to talk. I think that we should say this is what everyone wants. >> Yeah.
>> And we need to figure out the >> um what we need to solve for is a breakdown in communication. So what that looks like it will go back we'll talk to the governing body and see and then it would be in
>> in in front of this group specifically to maintain that >> perhaps scheduling time to have access to that arbor software where like maybe you' set a time where we can people can meet and have access
to add information there >> directly >> directly >> I I all those things Right. >> We could probably do that via API as well. >> I mean, we don't need to. >> No, we just know we want this to we want this to happen. And let's >> Yeah, let's make it happen.
>> Let's go back a step and ask if every representative here is comfortable submitting a calendar. Is that the way you operate? Is that a big ask or is that something you could readily do? >> I I just have a question in terms of like this is what I was saying to to our
group. I don't understand and this is me um that like I I I guess I I I'm unclear on how like the shape commission is a commission as well and as an environmental commission I understand
like we live by certain rules that perhaps that are different than um like the green team as an example. So I I think for myself and maybe for others it would be useful to kind of understand like where like you know
we're living over here we don't have any subcommittees where I feel like environmental commission on learning now has like committees that kind of work >> towards like the environmental commission's mission the green team >> international or whatever that may be um
so I don't know how the shape tree like necessarily fits into like this planning calendar situation here with the rules that we live by as well. And maybe this is something that we could take offline and even explain it.
>> But I think these are the things that we that need to technical things that we'll figure out. I think I'm just from what I'm hearing though is like there's a you're I think shade tree is a little bit separate but it all falls under trees though and the planting. So if there are, you know, natural area wants
to plant tons of trees. Third tree trail might want to plant trees. So then that falls under you. So that I think is where you're trying to figure out. >> Okay. >> How that works. But I don't think it's a clearcut, you know, but I think >> but all this should go to the >> I mean I'm not I'm not looking to take
ownership of anything. I'm just a >> No. No. Why not? >> After my conversation with Jill felt like the shade tree commission needs help, >> right? >> I really do. And I didn't realize that. >> And I'm wondering if another way of saying what Jill's request is is we have
an orchart. >> Yeah. >> Of like who connects to who reports to >> what are the lines of communication. >> We are working on redoing our website. So maybe something on that could be that's that could be an easy
>> well also you know something that came up in our in our discussion was the um how how are these shared priorities and and and tasks and things um communicated right we we lost
a little bit of that outlet when we don't have liaison reporting out at the at the meetings um we did have a something like this prior didn't fall, you know, carry through. But like where are the times where we're all working in
our separate holes? Like when can we all come together to understand what requests you're bringing >> and what requests we're bringing? Are they shared? Can we modify because you know should shade tree weigh in on the types of trees that are planted you know than at the natural area or this or
maybe you guys have community appeal money and funding and then these people don't and but if there's some kind that we all >> come together these larger projects so it makes sense. Another thing we talked about and and guys from my group please
feel free to chime in was some kind of higher level vision or sustainability principles >> that we all >> can maybe we all agree on. Maybe there's a couple different tenants where um that
>> so we're all kind of in the same direction, right? um and maybe find all the healthier sustainable alter alternatives where when possible, right? Or we want to increase the health of our community and our landscape, you know, and by what we choose to put in and
here. And so maybe some kind of broader vision that we can all work under that if we agree on. Well, so that kind of is where ours veered like off to because one it came down to like the master plan and also the next step is that your
recommendations make it to the governing body because ultimately it has to come from the top. So that was where I think that our discussion went a little bit different and making it that things are uneven like the DPW is giving more time to certain areas and other areas and how
do we make sure that everyone's being taken care of that some of this is efficiencies and overlapping but it is prioritizing honestly from the top down what >> so how do these >> you guys make recommendations >> right
>> to and then the governing body Where do those recommendations right we never hear are they follow through or are they not until right where do they go and what guides them >> well I think that part >> they go to an abyss >> well and I think that's and that's I think where some of the frustration was coming from in our talk at least and I
think part of that is probably making sure like the I mean I think this is a broader conversation but this is probably the bigger thing and yes I don't I mean honestly as council people to be honest we there's a lot of things that I learned today from Stephanie that I feel like I should have
known being the liazison to the environmental commission the shi commission in natural area. So I think that that's a big piece too is the communication with and I don't know if I'm speaking out of turn but within the council and the governing body and the administration. So once you make a
recommendation, I personally feel that it would be good for the council or everyone to know what is coming out of all the committees and commissions that are being recommended like it should just fall at war. So, >> or to be like, "Thank you for your recommendation, but we'd put up, you know, or this way because >> but also it'd be good for council people
to know that that's what the broad group is wanting because then I don't even how would you like if I wasn't here today, I pro I might not know any of this, >> right? >> So, and the leazison reports is definitely something. One big piece of this that came up is even if we give
those priorities, even if those are we have to determine that those are priorities and that the bureau is committed to those, do they have time for it for all those priorities, right? And if they don't have time, do they need another staff? And how do we get another staff? How do we pay for that? Where's the funding coming from? So another piece of that is how are we
funding? Is this through grants? But we can't rely on grants. As much as I'm a big proponent of going after grants and I think we've done a lot better recently, open space tax. I mean, I'll be the one to say it. It came up in our talk. How are we paying for it? Everyone, not everyone, but it was broadly agreed open
space tax. >> And I think that's something that needs to be planned for so that when it is >> brought to Yes. that there's >> how it's Yeah. But that was But it comes down to money. That was a big bottom line.
>> Bottom line is money. >> Yeah. I mean, bottom line is absolutely money. And it's important that we make that we have the plan before we bring that to you know even an agenda item. >> But Steph >> but one of the things that struck me had never thought about it we talked about
it Nick that you mentioned that DBW does not have an admin. >> Yeah. >> You guys are you guys are having to handle that piece as well which seems ownorous and I I I don't know why I never thought about it before. Um I I
doubt that there's the money or an admin for DPW at this point, but maybe that's something that could if conversations for open space tax move forward. You want to start planning, you know, we talked about a portal, we talked about, you know, whatever can work within the
governing body for folks, maybe the chairs of the different committees and commissions to be able to track and see who's doing what. But I really I feel like that person that's facing the residents and the committees and then is working on behalf of DPW that that
should be factored into maybe into the funding from the open space tax because I think that's a really it never occurred to me that you guys on top of everything else that you're doing >> that I imagine I was surprised. I mean I knew it but then until he said it >> we just you don't Yeah. just just as
simple as now if the burrow wants to take down a tree, we need to fill out our tree approval permit. I got to submit it to Christy and it has to get reviewed by the arborist and has to come back and there's all those additional layers that have been added to us that you know which is fine. It's just part of the process now
>> in a way to be efficient. We're being it's adding more work. But >> yeah. >> Yeah. >> If I could dubtail on what you were saying, Michael, from our little thing there, >> I'm convinced that the DPW
is woefully understaffed. And so it puts whoever's the head of the DPW in a really odd position because they have to go to their boss, whoever their boss or Chris household and has to say
we're stretched too thin. You know, we can't handle it. So nobody's really going to say that to their boss. So they're saying, "Yeah, I got." And then everybody is competing for DPW time and then god forbid it's in August, July or August when a bunch of their guys are
off. Like it's it's so stretched. It's stretched way too thin. And I speak from the thirst free trail, but I also speak strongly from the natural area >> that we need so much more help. You know, thank God for the volunteers in
the natural area and the thirsty trail. it would none of this stuff would have gotten done if we relied on the DPW. We can't and it's not the DPW's fault. There's And then all of a sudden the DPW the police station gets built. Now they got to maintain that. Then 21 Fair Haven Road comes in. Now they're going to
maintain that. And we left the bird sanctuary said and do nothing. Now they got to maintain some of that like stretch. Now they now they got to remove trees in the bird sanctuary. The cost they go and get Frontier cost
is 12 or 125. Well, town can't afford 125. >> Yeah. >> So then we got to throw DPW time. So now DPW is in cutting up threes and the frustrated volunteers on the thirst trail are like, "Where the hell's
our time?" >> Yeah. >> Oh, the DPW is over on in the bird sanctuary. Well, what are they? They're cutting down They don't cut down trees for us. Oh, they're cutting down trees now. They're planting. How did that happen? That's little government. Somebody politically
something happened in government that drove that right. Did did Josh talk to Betsy? Is that how that all and then all of a sudden there was a blessing on the and there since the natural area which has been around a a beautiful committee, a fantastic chairman who's been added
for 10 plus years, super organized, super dedicated. No, no, no, no. We don't have time for you. even though you get your own volunteers that throw all sorts of No, no, we don't have time for you because the DPW doesn't have any time. That is so dysfunctional. So, we
can sit here and talk about how we're going to do all these organizational things. The number one problem is your DPW isn't big enough so you can permanently raise staff or you can come up with some money so they can outsource to certain vendors like Frontier to
resolve some of these problems. Man, I just But the fact that 10% of Fair Haven is natural areas and parks and I mean it's such a huge piece of this town makes it so wonderful. We're so lucky. But as poor DP
trying to, you know, um take care of all this and >> and then they do all the paperwork and then >> I know we all agree. >> Yeah. >> And then we underpay their guys so then their guys can't live in fair. They've got to commute in. It's like so much stress on the DPW.
So that's a long winners way of saying it sure will be great if the council would introduce the open space tax so that we could get that somehow done by the end of May so we can get on the ballot. I think Mammoth County says got
to be on in June so we can get in the November ballot because the and and Nick's got to sit there and say, "No, no, I got He can't say complain that he's under staff. That doesn't work. He's in a terrible position." >> Can I add just something? I You are I
think this was a really wonderful idea. I think it was great that you brought everyone together and you're stronger as a group and again most of you are referral groups to the bureau to the governing body. So again, come up with strong recommendations and they have to I mean at some point has to be listened
to. If three of the main um committees are recommending the same things, then >> get on one email. >> Yeah. >> Well, it' be nice if the EC would take a vote in support of the open space tax and then go like
we did last year. We already did vote in support. >> Be nice if you did it again. last year. >> Do you know that never came? Just for the record, never came to the council. I never knew you supported. >> We have council. >> Yeah. >> As a reminder, Bill, we have different
council every year. >> Shouldn't the HBC why can't the HBC send a letter to the council saying we fundamentally that is fall again? So how do we get notifications
but the residents in the national area right we >> both >> we asked our liaison to raise it but I did say guide me John >> yeah we had this conversation yeah
>> we everyone who wants the open space tax I think >> instead of each of us kind of going with halfbaked arguments I think if we worked together yes >> and made a really good story with a really good infographic that we can put on social media and help educate the
residents so that they understand like I think we should one well done effort >> what are we not taking care of prioritize the things what are we not taking care of what expenses do we need that we're not paying for that we can
try to get grants for but going after grant I mean it's not the most efficient use of time I mean get all of that down >> that good grants >> yes Remember if you had open space tax that open space tax could be on the 50/50 matching. >> Now you don't have to go to the council for the money. You have
>> I know. So that is the other piece like we could use that for matching for grants. So >> there are so to your point >> figure out what are the priorities what we're not paying for what we could use that money for and how much >> because there is a certain dollar amount >> I think right what people will pay and
what they'll get. >> Yes. Exactly. I think I think that yeah, we could definitely table that and all work together and and do that. Well, you know, well done. And examples of other towns that are doing it. What else? You know, I think that's >> there's a whole breakdown of what people >> I think that' be a really good um
>> if you did the stat there's 23 towns in Mammoth County. If you went and did the lowest, which is 025 cents per $100. If the average home in Fair Haven is worth a million one, that
would cost each homeowner it's $55 >> a year, >> which is $17,000 a year. >> What's that? >> Roughly 107,000 a year. >> Yeah. And that would be if we matched the lowest of the 23 towns who have an
open space, >> that would be 02. The most important thing is when we say $51 a household times 2100 equals 107 and change. How are we the stewards of that money and what is the plan that is implement
first >> and as a homeowner I think everyone would would would vote for that tax. >> But your one struggle is the DPW which is the crux of a lot of this problem. They can't explain to the governing body that >> you need to tie it back to how it
impacts the homeowner. What is DPW spending its time doing that takes it away from the from the things that impact homes? >> It's because we're revitalizing a bird sanctuary, but we're not able to do X, Y, and Z. So, how does directly what
does the interface with everyday people that live in Fair Haven? Because a lot of people don't see the world like this group in here. They see it by they walk out their front door and they're stuck on the street. >> But I don't think you have to solve it. You're just trying to get it on the ballot. >> Well, that's right. But you want to solve it so that they can make the connection. We need to go get it. We
need to have them vote for it. >> It passes everywhere. >> It passes everywhere. >> Don't say you just want to get on the ball. >> True. And in all like political spectrum, no one's not passed it. And most towns have actually
year after year actually upped it. So they passed it once and then they passed. >> It sounds like the difficulty is going to be getting all council to agreeing that's >> that's who's holding it up and and in fair like I support it so I'm just not
>> as do I start though is just educating the public about it because you know again they do hear the word tax and that is just a negative connotation from people. >> But are we educating the public so that then they show their support to the governing body? Yeah, >> I think I think it was one I think it
goes together. I think by us, we've already voted. We voted and that was given last year and nothing happened on the agenda >> discussion. It did. there was a discussion that that oh yeah one time it was a discussion and people weren't ready for it uh and it was there was a
discussion for it and um I do think that but the more general public and people are talking about it that builds momentum that builds pressure on governing body council members >> and that's why socializing a plan >> to the general public prior to bringing that
>> you don't have time you got to get on to get on the ballot in November >> I don't want to get on a ballot why >> November is not the right time to do Because we won't get it on the ballot in November. >> Sure. >> Why not? >> Because we weren't able to do it last year when you just need four votes. You got two of
the votes that are in this room. >> Unless we get on the agenda. You find a way to get it on the agenda. >> Oh, I mean again I'm fighting on the agenda. So I agenda. We could we could work on this after I think. >> We could we could talk. I mean anyone else want to share? We want to do you have we could I totally agree. I totally
agree and I wanted the open space tax but I do think that like maybe the next step is creating some kind of visual pitch everybody gets together and we're going to decide
>> a subcommittee of like an open space kind of just to get a plan you Go for it. >> Yeah, we can have parameters, right? >> Yes. And we have that assistant. >> You don't need the entire council to understand it. You have two members of the council
>> that are going to vote yay for if that gets out of whatever what's it called? Work >> workshop. >> Workshop. And they take a and it becomes a ordinance and they vote on. You got two right now. You just need two more. You have to lay out a huge. >> It will be it will be an uphill battle
to convince >> who just hold on. We're going to we're going to move on. >> Okay. I think >> we're going to move on. Just one one more thing, Mark. When is that date? We need to have it. Um >> June 5th. >> June 5th. What? But to get it on the November ballot. >> I don't >> I think it is June 5th.
>> It's in June. >> It's the ballot. >> It's in June for Mammoth County. I can find out and get it to you. >> Okay. Thank you. That will motivate >> that's when you go. It's June 2nd. >> By 4 p.m. by 4 p.m. June 2nd. Okay. That >> I just want to help out with that. Please send
an email to me and we will get on that. June, we can organize that. Send an email to Christie. >> Is that okay, Christie? >> Are you going to take a vote? >> No, we're not going to take a vote yet. But what if you were to take a vote? Would you specify the amount? Would you
say we would like to start at the lowest level? No, >> I think you should have a game plan first. >> Yeah, I think we're not going to take a vote right now. >> I think that is part of the plan. Yeah. >> How much rate? >> And like we know somebody we have a guy
who volunteers in natural lives in Little So he's like we have the open space tax but he feels like it was used to make parking lots in their town. >> Yeah. >> So when you plan it >> part of what you specified is what it exactly what it can and cannot be used for.
So, >> but I also will I'd like the EC to ask all the attending groups to submit an annual calendar. I would like to the EC to ask the attending groups to um how internally
they can structure their communication so they have a point person as a communication person. And um Kelly, I'm going to need your help here. You were talking about shared sustainable values. Is that an an independent group action
that we're asking of them? Um and feel free, you know, Steve, this was your, you know, you were bring we were discussing this and and Susan and and Steph. I think it almost have another one of these, which we want to have another one. We want this to be
regularly quarterly, right? I think it could be one of our goals to create that for the master plan. >> So I don't know what I know what the mission statement is of the of the commission. Um but if all these groups
are going to have some influence on council, it seems that you should have some very few primary principles related to sustainability and the environment and council agrees with them. I mean there's some members that you really need to put under pressure
say this is why we're here as part of this project that you're doing right now. This this shouldn't be a ma massive part but it will create disagreement the way you were. It's the principles by which you all the reason that you're all
here and that's the reason that you're asking for this tax. >> Yeah. >> Because the work's not getting done to fulfill at least some optimal some optimal interventions that you planned that that's that's all
>> also to finish to finish the motion um that the third part of it is that the EC would write a um draft shared sustainable values and then a follow-up meeting with the groups to see if it's
acceptable. So just to recap, the EC would like to ask um the attending groups to submit an annual calendar with prioritized actions. Um the EC would like to the attending groups to
identify a communications point person for this effort. and um we members will write a shared sustainable values and use it to see if we can reach agreement
for the next um gathering. >> Can I ask a technical question after? >> Sure. >> Um wouldn't each group have to vote on that those values though? Right. So just if that is a thing they have to vote all start it and then everyone can weigh
in and edit and modify it can all right. So I'm just trying to go to action items as a result of the conversation. >> When you say calendar, >> wait, can you just we have it and then we'll have a discussion. >> Yes.
>> And a second discussion. >> Yes. >> So calendar does that does that include your DPW >> like like for us we have volunteer weekends twice a year. We plan things We
do want to know we go to the Liberty Live Day. Do you want to know about any events? >> Yeah. >> But I think also to why we're here, what our DPW projects are. >> Yeah. And if you can prioritize like we do this every year, you know, we do
this, this is really important, that kind of thing. And then we can we can address the legal questions of how do we communicate through what platform afterwards? That's an offline conversation, but if we can just get
that happen tonight. >> Yeah. So, >> yes. Can I be confident that when you attempt to to create this mission of sustainability that is going to result in the the exposure of a circle economy
that you are going to make it really evident to the governing body. There is there are so many ways to save taxes. >> Yes, >> with this came up in our in our conversation too. Thank us. We will totally
>> The driving principle of this was to figure out ways to save time and money that maybe our public's work team is spending time on things that they don't need to because our vision, our shared vision is less work to places like
Marter Park, more focus on things, less focus in in Fairington Fields on mowing. Those that's where we that's what we are trying to cultivate. And I I'm convinced that if we do this correctly, it will save time and money for this group, but I don't think we've ever thought about
it. >> I I mean, I don't think they have the bandwidth to think about it. They don't have any anybody to help them think about it. So, I we wanted to take that piece from the group, from DPW, and say, "We will be the ones that work this out so that we're you're not doing things that you don't need to do. Nobody wants
that. Don't do it. You're good. Walk away. Here's your services elsewhere." How does that work though? Because it's still ultimately the administration who's going to tell them what to do. >> Well, that's that is that disconnect, right? And I think that that's where the communication. So, how do our
recommendations get to policy? Whatever that top down policy is because we've given recommendations >> and then we don't hear. Well, I think it has to be in the master plan and then ultimately and I know we agree on this like we need to make the prior the council needs to make it priorities and
not take away because a lot of times I've obviously been pushing environmental stuff and a lot of times they say like well there's no money and there's no resources so where are you going to take it from but I don't want to take it from baseball I don't want to take it from anywhere so that's I think what our point is is that we don't want to take it from anywhere because you're
trying to save time and efficiency but we also there is no like we need to also back it with money though we have to but we need to prioritize it you need to give it to the governing body and ultimately the governing body has to put as a priority I mean that's what it comes down to it has to be a priority of
>> I think we can contribute to that prioritize list and also identify resources which are not just money but it's people and it's paid staff it's volunteers it's whatever but if we have a better understanding of what each group needs then we can coordinate
>> absolutely So, >> it's a starting point. >> That's that's what this motion is about. >> I think it's great. >> Yeah, it's a starting point. Figure out where there's the overlap, where there are places that we can move a few things around and and that that need we need to start now on it.
>> So, if you guys are open to doing that, well, we have to vote that we're going to request and it was seconded. voted. >> So, can I call for a vote um >> to for this motion to support this motion? Christie,
>> no. >> Roll call vote. Annie Anen, >> yes. >> William Dorner, >> yes. >> Kelly Flanigan, >> yes. >> Susan Gloves, >> yes. >> Jessie Murray, >> yes. >> Don Kelanetti, >> yes.
>> Passes. Okay, thank you. Good job. Thank you. Um, go ahead. Go ahead. I was just there any other uh comments or or things other people want to share that maybe
aim to calendar that's going to take you back. >> Oh yes. So um what's reasonable? >> What is a reasonable calendar by time to get it back? um end of June like a two months in two months or
>> two weeks possible calendar before June so we have ammunition for the B for the open space tax >> other words for our next meeting we have a list of so and so >> oh right and then all the requests >> all the requests because otherwise you're going to miss the car so you want it to be like
>> or may need procedurally if you're really thinking about open safe stacks it has to be workshopped and it has to be introduced And it has to be it. I don't know honest. I mean, as much as I support it would have to be like today. >> Yeah.
>> Can you do it today? >> I could always just >> end of week. >> I mean, all this stuff would have to go before our own commissioners have. We're not meeting until May. >> So, there's no way that you're getting
this from us before mid June. >> Yeah. 2027. >> Yeah. >> So for them to give us the calendar, what's the reasonable mid June for everyone or by end of June? >> Okay. So that we can discuss it in our
July. >> Yeah. Do we have July or we have August? >> We have July. We're off. >> So if we can plan to kind of come back in July if everybody's open to that. If you get it to us sooner, better. If not, we can just set the date for it. >> Yeah. That's three months. Thank you.
>> Yeah, >> just temperature taking. Nick, does this sound like a path that makes sense to you? Yeah, you know, I as I discussed early on in my discussion here, I think there's a lot of good ideas and there's a lot of things that
are out there and establishing that overall environmental policy to help guide all the groups I think is important and once those policy and values or mission statement and you know teners kind of are established um I think that will help you know all the
groups and help us kind of you know take a look at things and again we're operation and maintenance. We're not necessarily a planning >> we're on the execution side of things. So when people come to us and ask us to do things we kind of have to well we have to wait for direction from above to to make that happen.
>> Yeah. >> So that's that's kind of >> that answers your question. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> Okay. Anything else anyone want to share? Did you um take any action on that proposal suggestion for a vote on
the tax? Is that >> do you do we want to vote on the last regist or does it does it >> or to do the work for for people to do so? >> But but then they said so Michael was
saying it's very unlikely because it has to be workshopped. You'd have to get it on the So we have one, two, one, two, three, >> three meetings before. So it would have to get on the next agenda >> unless you want to is there a way
>> but then you speaking on behalf of your commissions. Yeah. And committees here. >> I mean you guys on your own here today could do it. Mhm. >> You won't need them. But that's your >> I mean let's you want to do a motion to vote on the sex. >> Okay.
>> In the author's chance that they agreed with it. Sure. Let's >> Okay. >> Yeah. Just weigh in. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Ask for a motion. I'd like to make a motion that the EC request open space tax for the borrow period at an amount of the lowest in the
county. >> I don't even think you should do that. Just just say let them >> I think they'll do it. >> When's the council meeting? >> Great. We're going to motion to a vote. Roll call, please.
>> Anna Anthony, >> yes. >> William Dorner, >> yes. Kelly Flanigan, >> yes. >> Susan Globus, >> yes. >> Jesse Murray, >> yes. >> Helenetti, >> yes. >> Passes. Okay, great. >> There we go. >> All right, I'll do everything I can. >> Me, too.
>> Okay. So, at least that could and that will be passed up to to see if we can get on the >> Okay. >> In the meantime, I still think the info >> uh is important >> info information like the graphic info is still important. privacy
>> out to the community. >> What? >> Out to residents. >> Exactly. Right. To put it out and and say why, you know, >> and keep keep an eye if it does get on the agenda, show up and let your voice be heard. >> Yeah. Good point. >> Great.
>> Um Okay. So, if there's nothing um else from the group, we thank you all so much for coming here. Good job, guys. That's one thing. >> The really fun one thing we haven't talked about and this is just something to think about is we don't really have a department of parks and open spaces and
I don't know if that's necessary um but sometimes it feels like there's no central place where somebody is planning like >> um >> so anyway I'm just suggesting that we give that some thought.
>> Yeah. Thank you for having me. >> Thanks for having me. >> Thank you. I wonder if that department >> can still be in. Okay. I know
people long night >> 68 and 12 and 12 and 12 weeks I've been four, three, and five months old. So you >> say juggling logistics is crazy more
more and more difficult. >> Yeah. Not just one each plays like three sports. >> I'm like so balance level. I like I don't know. >> It's insane. >> It keeps them busy. But we try to
structure you know, sports, music, you know, listen to everything keep >> him off and maybe we can get like John >> My daughter fights American. >> What are your concerns?
>> I don't know if I have any concern. Do I get a motion? Second. All right. All in favor of adjourning. >> I Anyone opposed? >> All right, you can go.
Thanks so much for coming. >> Yeah, no worries. Thank you for that. >> It was um really nice and light in there. that in