9-20-11 public mtg MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF CURRENT ATLANTIC BEACH CITY
COMMISSION AND NEWLY ELECTED COMMISSION MEMBERS
HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBER ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 AT 8:00 AM
City Commission Members present:
None
Newly Elected Commission Members present:
Mark Beckenbach
Maria Mark
Staff present:
Nancy Bailey, Recording Secretary
The meeting, which was held for the purpose of discussing City business and expressing ideas,
was called to order at 8:02 a.m.
Mr. Beckenbach asked Ms. Mark how her orientation was going. She stated it is going good.
She stated she is going back to take a tour of the water plant and also has a meeting with David
Thompson and Jim Hanson on the MOU that was approved to see what role the City will play.
She discussed the grant and the MOU. Mr. Beckenbach and Ms. Mark both stated that they have
not met with the City Clerk yet and Mr. Beckenbach stated he also still needs to meet with Mr.
Thompson.
Mr. Beckenbach expressed interest in the Marsh Master Plan. Ms. Mark explained her previous
roles with the marsh, stating the Marsh Master Plan will use the JEA easement to put a
pedestrian walkway connecting Tideviews to Dutton Island. She stated the first hearing for
public input on the Master Plan is this Saturday, which she will attend.
Discussion about citizens opting in to receive various City emails regarding activities ensued.
Mr. Beckenbach and Ms. Mark discussed how this might be accomplished so the City can get
more citizen input and involvement.
Mr. Beckenbach suggested putting a building staffed with a police officer at Tideviews for safety
reasons. Ms. Mark pointed out they already have surveillance at Tideviews.
Ms. Mark stated she will ask Mr. Randich to scan the Marsh Master Plan and put it on the city's
website, if it has not been already.
Ms. Mark stated the more paths and amenities they can put in Tideviews the more it will be used.
Mr. Beckenbach suggested ideas to get more citizens involvement, including talking to the
pastors. Ms. Mark stated she could also speak with Ms. Gail at the Donner Center and Dee at
Jordan Park regarding scheduling their first Town Hall meeting around the beginning of October.
At Mr. Beckenbach's request, Ms. Mark explained the process involved in developing a master
plan as it relates to citizen involvement. They also discussed staff involvement. Mr.
Beckenbach stated he would like to speak with Erika Hall about her involvement.
Minutes September 20, 2011
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They discussed a master plan for all of the parks, both passive and active. Ms. Mark stated the
designation depends on how they have been deeded and there was discussion about what is
necessary to change the designation from passive to active.
Ms. Mark discussed her ideas to meet the community needs, through business development,
looking at the City as a whole, and getting citizen input. She stated she will discuss with staff
what has already been done and go from there.
Mr. Beckenbach discussed the pension plan, stating he has been reviewing the consultant's
report and speaking with financial advisors to get a better understanding. He also discussed the
half cent sales tax stating there are other things it can be used for other than the new police
station, stating this did not come up at the budget workshops. He discussed the general fund's
excess over the 25% reserve and the tax increase.
Mr. Beckenbach addressed the bonus item coming back up at the next meeting. Mr. Beckenbach
stated he has received comments from about ten citizens stating they were not supporting the
increase for the insurance or the bonus for the employees. Discussion ensued regarding the
procedures for readdressing items at Commission meetings.
Mr. Beckenbach and Ms. Mark discussed the timing for budget workshops and union
negotiations.
Mr. Beckenbach expressed his disappointment that Commissioners Daugherty and Woods did
not attend this meeting to be able to answer their questions.
Mr. Beckenbach stated Mr. Hanson was willing to address the agenda in public. He stated he
will meet with Mayor Pruette on their procedures.
Mr. Beckenbach stated he will do more research on the budget, pension, and agenda meetings
before the next public forum. Discussion ensued regarding changing the format for the
Commission meetings.
Sally Clemens commented on Mr. Beckenbach's statement about putting a police officer at
Tideviews stating that did not go over in the past. She stated she agreed they could put a police
car over there to show police presence.
The next meeting was scheduled for October 4, at 8:30 a.m. in the Chamber.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 a.m.
Nancy E. Ba ey
Recording Secretary