1-20-24 Town Hall Adopted MinutesMINUTES
.'� Town Hall Meeting
Saturday, January 20, 2024 - 10:00 AM
Commission Chamber
City Hall, 800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
ATTENDANCE:
Present: Curtis Ford, Mayor
Bruce Bole, Commissioner - Seat 2 (District 1308)
Candace Kelly, Commissioner - Seat 4 (District 1306)
Jessica Ring, Commissioner - Seat 5 (District 1312)
Absent: Michael Waters, Commissioner - Seat 3 (District 1307)
Also Present: William B. Killingsworth, City Manager (CM)
Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager (DCM)
Donna Bartle, City Clerk (CC)
Amanda Askew, Planning & Community Development Dir. (PCDD)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ford called the meeting to order at 10.00 a.m.
1 TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
IA. Comprehensive Plan update
PCDD Amanda Askew reported on Items 1 A and 1 B. She began by letting everyone
know that they are pulling anything to do with lot coverage, impervious surface, or
stormwater requirements out of the proposed update. She explained the recommendation
to get a consultant on board, look at the science, update our stormwater Master Plan, and
then go from there.
PCDD presented the slide show included in the agenda packet.
1B. Chapter 24 (Land Development Regulations) update
PCDD Amanda Askew presented the slide show included in the agenda packet.
IC. Parks Master Plans Update - Survey Results
PCDD Amanda Askew explained the survey, which is included in the agenda packet,
and its purpose.
2 PUBLIC COMMENT - OPEN TOPICS
Town Hall
January 20, 2024
Mayor Ford opened the floor to Public Comments. The following spoke:
Joan Horn spoke to give awareness of the growing devastation that coastal erosion is reeking
on the marsh side of Atlantic Beach. She reported on conversations she had with various elected
officials and staff regarding environmental topics, and noted she has a long history of working
with the City of Atlantic Beach to make positive changes. She urged Atlantic Beach citizens to
sign a petition titled, "Atlantic Beach Call for Intracoastal Waterway Coastline Preservation",
which she provided and is attached hereto and made part of this Official Record as Attachment
A.
The Commission spoke about Ms. Horn's environmental concerns and CM Killingsworth and
PCDD Askew answered questions about environmental -related plans and projects. Mayor Ford
reported that the topic will be discussed during the upcoming Commission Priority Setting
meeting.
Suzanne Barker spoke about the recent decision to eliminate assignments of commissioners as
liaisons to boards and committees and asked that it be reinstated. She expressed concerns about
the City buying the property near Veteran's Park, and provided examples of outstanding projects
that money can be used for.
Commissioner Bole addressed Ms. Barker's comments and advised that the commissioners are
still able to attend and/or watch the meetings. Ms. Barker reiterated her concerns, explaining
the importance of having a commissioner attend the Board/Committee meetings to advise and
build interpersonal relationships.
Commissioner Ring requested having Committee reports annually, bi-annually, or quarterly
from a voting member - such as the Chair.
Commissioner Kelly explained the purpose of the Commission liaisons and would have liked to
have discussed it before eliminating it.
Mayor Ford thanked the Commissioners for their work and reported having spoken to CM
Killingsworth about scheduling committee reports. He also clarified that any commissioner and
any citizen can attend and be heard. Mayor Ford explained that he is open to change and can be
readdressed after this year, if needed. Ms. Barker requested that it be voted on by the
Commission.
Nancy Staats thanked Ms. Horn for her complete presentation. She expressed concerns about
holding off on projects to get more studies and explained her disappointment that the City is not
willing to talk about decreasing the impervious ratio while the additional study is being done.
She urged the Commission to make positive changes in the new update. She expressed concerns
about the City purchasing properties and urged the Commission to be really careful, because
cleaning up environmental problems can be very expensive. She also expressed concerns about
the Commission liaisons being eliminated without having commissioners' input or discussion.
Commissioner Bole addressed Ms. Staats' comments regarding the Dora Drive property and
impervious surface.
Town Hall
January 20, 2024
Sarah Boren, announced that she is the new Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
Chair, invited citizens to contact her with ideas, reported having one vacancy for the District
1312 position, and urged those interested in serving on the ESC to apply. She thanked Ms. Horn
for her argument for the marsh side and invited her to the next ESC meeting. She commended
and thanked ESC staff liaison and PCDD Amanda Askew for her help. She spoke about Arbor
Day events and programs. She expressed concern about the recent elimination of Commission
liaisons, spoke about the benefits of having them, and explained why she believes the process
should be improved and refined.
Mayor Ford congratulated Ms. Boren .for being selected as the new ESC Chair and thanked the
previous chair, Mark Gabrynowicz.
Mayor Ford along with CM Killingsworth and CC Bartle addressed concerns expressed about
the elimination of Commissioner Liaisons.
Gregory Powell spoke about storm water regulations. He made suggestions as detailed in a
spreadsheet (which is attached hereto and made part of this Official Record as Attachment B)
and answered questions from the Commission.
Christine Markee expressed concerns about RV parking on private property.
1D. Code Enforcement
PCDD Amanda presented a slide show (which is attached hereto and made part of this
Official Record as Attachment Q. The Commission and CM provided comments about
Code Enforcement.
Christine Markee expressed opinions regarding code enforcement.
Gregory Powell briefly spoke about code enforcement.
Amy Rose expressed concerns about code enforcement.
Joan Horn expressed opinions about code enforcement.
Mayor Ford provided closing comments.
1-20-24 Attachment C
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:06 PM.
Town Hall
January 20, 2024
Attest:
Donna Bartle, City Clerk
Date Approved: S jy Z il
's Mrd, Mayor
Town Hall
January 20, 2024
To van Nal 1 i/20!tuvi 6Its"- Joa,
1-20-24 Attachment A Nori1
Atlantic Beach Ca[If or Intracoastal Waterway Coastline Preservation
The City of Atlantic Beach, Florida is facing a significant environmental crisis. Major coastal erosion along the Intracoastal
Waterway (ICW) has been largely ignored by local authorities. This issue has resulted in a significant loss of land, with borders
defined only by the trees that stand at the edge of destruction, negatively impacting hundreds of Atlantic Beach homeowners
and thousands of feet of ICW coastline. This loss not only threatens the land and homes of those that live on the ICW, but also
the natural beauty of our city and poses a risk to the diverse ecosystem that thrives here, including native plants and trees,
habitats, wetlands, and marsh systems.
The Comprehensive City Plan currently lacks any goals or measures aimed at protecting, preserving and enhancing these
crucial areas. It's time for this to change. We are calling on the city officials to acknowledge this pressing issue and add a goal
specifically dedicated to preserving our ICW coastline and the trees that stand at the border; and most importantly to take
Immediate Action to protect, preserve and enhance these valuable lands.
According to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (CEI), coastal erosion can lead to loss of property and
infrastructure, negatively impacting local economies. Furthermore, it can cause loss of habitat for fish and wildlife species
which could potentially disrupt biodiversity. Atlantic Beach is suffering from the rapid loss of its ICW coastline, which is home
to many unique species that rely on these habitats for survival - from migratory birds using our trees and marshes as resting
spots during their long journeys, to countless marine life forms thriving in our wetlands.
We cannot stand idle while our beautiful big canopy trees fall into the water and the ICW coastline erodes away due to its
neglect by those who have sworn an oath to protect it. We urge all residents of Atlantic Beach who care about preserving their
city's natural beauty, big canopy trees, land and biodiversity sign this petition! Together we can make sure that future
generations will be able to enjoy what we have today.
We the undersigned owners and residents of Atlantic Beach, Florida hereby offer our support for this initiative.
Residents signing this form must be registered voters of Atlantic Beach, Florida
Printed Name
Signature
Date of Birth
Phone
E -Mail
Street Address
Atlantic
Beach, FL 32233
Date of Birth
Signature
Printed Name
Phone
E -Mail
Street Address
- Atlantic
Beach, FL 32233
Date of Birth
Signature
Printed Name
Phone
E -Mail
Street Address
-Atlantic
Beach, FL 32233
Date of Birth
Signature
Printed Name
Phone
E -Mail
Street Address
- Atlantic
Beach, FL 32233
Attachment B to
1-20-24 Minutes
Issues Related to Chapter 24 Stormwater Regulations
Gregory Powell, PhD, PE
1) Section 24-17 (Page 15) Definition of Impervious Surface
a) First sentence is correct, the rest of the definition needs to be modified to be correct.
b) While it is true that many surfaces made of concrete, asphalt, brick, or plastic are
impervious, the definition of an Impervious surface SHOULD NOT be based solely on the
materials of construction. It should be determined primarily on the infiltration rate.
c) There are many products made from concrete, asphalt, brick, and plastic that may be
partially or effectively PERVIOUIS. Examples include:
i) Permeable Pavers,
ii) Porous Pavers or "Turf blocks",
iii) Permeable Concrete or Asphalt,
iv) Pervious Pavers, and
v) Artificial Turf
d) To exclude these produces based solely on the material of construction is a significant
stormwater management mistake.
e) In Northeast Florida, rainfall events with an intensity of 4.0 inches/hour have a return
period of 100 -years (US Department of Commerce, Weather Bureau, Technical Paper No.
25). Also, most PERVIOUS surfaces in Atlantic Beach have an infiltration rate less than
4.0 inches/hour.
f) Consequently, if test data or a manufacturer's specification for a product made of
concrete, asphalt, brick, or plastic confirms a long-term infiltration rate greater than or
equal to 4.0 inches/hour, it should be classified as PERVIOUS.
g) SUGESTION TO CORRECTING THE DEFINITION OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACE:
i) In the 2 d sentence, insert the work "may" before the word "include".
ii) Insert the following sentence between the 2nd and 3rd sentence. "Construction
products or the surface materials that may be impervious, as discussed above, can be
classified as PERVIOUS, if test results or manufacturer specifications confirm that the
long-term infiltration rate is greater than or equal to 4.0 inches/hour, and the base or
lining is not impervious."
iii) Delete the last sentence. This statement about pools is incorrect (see #3 below).
2) Calculation of a credit for materials with infiltration rates less than 4.0 inches/hour.
a) IMPERVIOUS (%) = [1 -(tested infiltration rate (inches/hour)/4.0 (inches/hour))]*100
b) PERVIOUS (%) =100- IMPERVIOUS (%)
January 20, 2024 Page 1 of 3
Attachment B to
1-20-24 Minutes
3) Classifying all swimming pools as 50% impervious is incorrect.
a) Except for infinity pools, which should be regulated separately as 100% IMPERVIOUS, the
vast majority of standard swimming pools should be classified as 100% PERVIOUS.
b) I have provided City Staff with a spreadsheet, based on the Curve Number method, that
demonstrates this fact. And would be happy to provide it to anyone else that is
interested.
c) The vast majority of pools use a surface skimmer to remove floating debris, and the
skimmer is usually installed 4.5 to 5.5 inches below the top of the copping, which
defines the pool freeboard.
d) If the pool freeboard is 4.3 inches or more, runoff from the pool during the COAB design
storm will be equal to or less than the runoff from a typical PERVIOUS surface in Atlantic
Beach (i.e., the pool will not cause any EXCESS runoff).
e) If for some reason, the pool does not comply with these standard design specifications,
the spreadsheet I provided can be used to easily adjust the pervious/impervious credit
that should be allowed.
4) Section 24-89(c)(9) (Page 74-75) Volume Calculations for Onsite Storage
a) The onsite storage calculation uses a "Modified Rational" method. While this method
can be used to simplify the runoff volume calculation, the runoff coefficient (the C -value)
must be appropriate for the intended purpose. The runoff coefficient used in this
regulation is NOT correct.
b) The coefficients referenced in this regulation for IMPERVIOUS and undeveloped (i.e.,
PERVIOUS) conditions may be appropriate for a runoff rate calculation, depending on
the specified storm intensity, duration, and frequency. However, they are NOT correct
for a volume calculation using the design storm specified in Chapter 24 (i.e., 25 -year, 24-
hour, 9.3 inch event).
c) Using the standard Curve Number method, which is appropriate for calculating the
runoff volumes for the design storm, the runoff coefficient for the volume calculation
should be 0.44, NOT 0.92 as specified in this section of Chapter 24. Again, I have
provided City Staff a spreadsheet showing how this calculation should be done.
d) IN CONCLUSION: The current onsite storage formula is incorrect. It requires the
property owner to install more than twice the onsite storage as is necessary to meet the
stated objective of controlling excess runoff from impervious surfaces. This error can be
corrected simply by specifying that the runoff coefficient to be used in the formula is
0.44.
January 20, 2024 Page 2 of 3
Attachment B to
1-20-24 Minutes
5) Section 24-90(a)(4) and (b) (Pages 76-77) Artificial Turf
a) The fourth location condition, that Artificial Turf is prohibited within the dripline of a
regulated tree, is unjustified. The most obvious, but unstated, justification is that
Artificial Turf is proposed to be regulated as an IMPERVIOUS surface and that an
impervious surface may impact the tree.
b) If this is the justification, then why is this location criteria not applied to sidewalks,
roadways, driveways, and other surfaces that are also impervious? Regulations and
justifications should be consistent.
c) There are hundreds of examples within Atlantic Beach of impervious surfaces within the
dripline of a regulated tree, with no apparent harm to the tree.
d) Again, as with other construction material, Artificial Turf should be regulated
as PERVIOUS, if test data or manufacturer's specifications show the
infiltration rate is 4.0 inches/hour or greater.
6) Professional Engineering Certification
a) As a Professional Engineer I would suggest the following be included in
Chapter 24:
If a Professional Engineer (PE), licensed in the State of Florida, provides the
COAB with a signed and sealed engineering report for an onsite stormwater
management system (including necessary plans, specifications, and
calculations), and certifies that the system meets the objectives and
requirements of Chapter 24, only the City Engineer, or a licensed engineer
under the City Engineer's responsible charge, shall review the plans and
approve/disapprove the permit. Furthermore, If the COAB chooses not to
review the plans within a reasonable time (TBD), the permit should be
automatically approved. However, if the City Engineer requests further
information from the PE, the review clock stops until the PE responds.
b) This request is not intended to preclude a property owner from providing the
COAB with the necessary information for a permit. It is intended to ensure
that the work of a licensed Professional Engineer is reviewed by a similarly
qualified engineer.
January 20, 2024 Page 3 of 3
Attachment C to
1-20-24 Minutes
Code Enforcement
Where do our codes come from?
*The International Property
Maintenance Code (IPMC)
* Florida Building Code (FBC)
* COAB Municipal Ordinances
The main focus of Code
Enforcement is:
To establish minimum requirements to
provide a reasonable level of health &
safety and to protect the general welfare
of the public.
Attachment C to
1-20-24 Minutes
Trash/Debris
•Tall grass (12" +)
•Inoperable
Vehicles
• Household furniture
in the yard
•Trailer/RV Storage
• FBC violations
•Zoning Violations
Attachment C to
1-20-24 Minutes
Code Enforcement Process
Complaint
Request for
Compliance
a
Follow U p
Inspection
Case Initial
Opened Investigation
P,A
Follow Up Request for
Inspection 12 Compliance
Notice of Special
Hearing Magistrate
Attachment C to
1-20-24 Minutes
2023 Statistics
•301
•273