06-29-94 v MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION
HELD IN CITY HALL AT 7:15 PM ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 29, 1994
Present: Lyman T. Fletcher, Mayor
Suzanne Shaughnessy, Commissioner
J. Dezmond Waters, III, Commissioner
Robert G. Weiss, Commissioner
Also: Kim D. Leinbach, City Manager
David Thompson, Police Chief
Maureen King, City Clerk
Absent: Steven M. Rosenbloom, Commissioner (Excused)
Mayor Fletcher opened the meeting and reported that a traffic study
committee had been appointed in response to complaints which had
been received regarding speeding in the city. The Mayor indicated
the committee had met and he asked Chief Thompson to report on
behalf of the committee.
Chief Thompson reported the committee had concentrated on three
general concepts, namely, traffic calming, public awareness, and
increased enforcement.
John Barnard of Albert Halff & Associates, explained that the
objective of "traffic calming" was to create an environment in
which a driver would want to slow down. Suggestions to accomplish
this effect included creating the perception of narrower streets by
placing planters or such structures which protruded into the
street. Committee member Kevin Bodge indicated the 300 block of
Tenth Street between Seminole Road and East Coast Drive was being
considered as a test location for the traffic calming concept and
the committee had surveyed the citizens of that area regarding the
planters and most citizens responding supported the proposal. He
explained the planters would be constructed so that they could be
removed if the concept did not prove successful.
Discussion ensued relative to public awareness and it was explained
committee members had checked a radar gun out of the Police
Department and had monitored traffic speeds. Chief Thompson
indicated the average speed on Sherry Drive was 27 MPH for the
period surveyed. Other suggestions included hiring a motorcycle
officer to do only traffic duty and installing a device that would
display to motorists their rate of speed. Some citizens felt a
traffic officer was a luxury the city may not be able to afford.
It was felt the city newsletter could also be used to inform the
citizens of the traffic policy and request their cooperation.
Former Commissioner Bob Cook suggested that the speed limits should
be reasonable and then enforced. Former Mayor Bob Persons agreed
and indicated he felt 25 MPH on some thoroughfares was too slow.
tot Mr. Cook suggested surveying the traffic over a period of time and
then setting the speed limit at the average speed indicated. He
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410P4 Workshop Meeting Minutes
June 29, 1994
felt the speed limit should then be enforced with no exceptions
being made.
The Committee also suggested the installation of bike racks at the
beach accesses. They felt if there were bike racks some of the
citizens within a few blocks of the beach may be encouraged to ride
their bikes to the beach, thus eliminating some of the vehicular
traffic.
Discussion ensued relative to changing the traffic pattern on East
Coast Drive and Ocean Boulevard to allow only one-way traffic. It
was agreed this change would be very expensive to implement and was
not being pursued further at this time.
Discussion ensued regarding Mayport Road, particularly the
difficulty pedestrians had in crossing the road. Suggestions for
addressing this problem including the construction of a pedestrian
overpass or underpass; however, the Mayor felt there was little the
city could do since Mayport Road was a state highway. He indicated
he would continue to push for the construction of Wonderwood Road,
which he felt, would have a very positive effect on the traffic on
Mayport Road.
ullowing further discussion, the traffic committee was instructed
to continue working to develop a citywide plan and bring it before
the City Commission for approval after the budget workshops had
been completed.
There being no further discussion, the Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned at 9:40 PM.
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Maureen King
City Clerk