Draft Comm Workshop Min 6-12-07MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION
HELD IN ATLANTIC BEACH COMMISSION CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2007.
City Commission Members present:
Donald M. Wolfson, Mayor
J. Dezmond Waters, III, Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Borno, Commissioner
Sylvia N. Simmons, Commissioner (arrived at 6:12 p.m.)
Staff present:
Jim Hanson, City Manager
Rick Carper, Public Works Director
Sonya Doerr, Community Development Director
Erica Hall, Planner
Dave Hufstetler, Building Official
Alan Jensen, City Attorney
David Thompson, Director Public Safety
Nancy Bailey, Administrative Assistant to the City Clerk
Guests present:
Keith Reeves, Architects Design Group
Sergio Baca, Architects Design Group
Absent:
Jamie Fletcher, Commissioner
The meeting, which was held for the purpose of discussing the following items, was called to
order at 6:03 p.m. by Mayor Wolfson. Mayor Wolfson explained to the citizens present that the
purpose of the workshops is to give an opportunity for the Commission and staff to exchange
issues and ideas in the Sunshine in order to expedite the regularly held Commission meetings
more efficiently and to elaborate on some issues that will be brought back to the Commission in
a formal session. He stated this format is not for public comment.
1. Moody Development
Mayor Wolfson stated the DCA formally does not accept the position of the developer or the
position of the City of Jacksonville that this is totally outside of the coastal high hazard area.
Their position is that the entire site comes within the coastal high hazard area. He stated the
City's position is that we are seeking relief for ingress and egress to Atlantic Blvd and expressed
concerns for evacuation of our community.
Commissioner Borno stated we aren't against development, just the traffic and safety issues.
Commissioner Waters said his issue is the height. Mayor Wolfson was disappointed that
although we expressed our concerns to Jacksonville, they fell on deaf ears.
Minutes -City Commission Workshop
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June 12, 2007
Ms. Doerr stated the comments from DCA will be back the third week in July. City Attorney
Alan Jensen discussed the options the City of Atlantic Beach could take depending on action
taken by DCA.
Mr. Jensen stated our future efforts should be directed toward getting the City of Jacksonville's
codes changed as far as height requirements, rather than trying to stop individual projects from
building too high.
2. Police Building Alternatives
Chief Thompson introduced Keith Reeves of Architects Design Group (ADG) who gave a
presentation of the various alternatives of the Jordan Park and City Hall site options for the
proposed new Police Building, pointing out the pros and cons of each site. Based upon the
information developed to date, Mr. Reeves stated it was the conclusion of ADG that the City
Hall site would be the most appropriate choice. He stated the development of the site, to include
a new Police Department Facility, would continue the premise of co-sitting critical community
oriented facilities at a singular location. Following the presentation, the Commission was
divided on which location, if either, was the better option.
Discussion ensued regarding the uncertainty of what will happen with the City's budget in the
near future due to the tax reform. It was suggested by City Manager Jim Hanson to shelve this
issue until they have a better understanding of the budget effects from the tax relief proposed by
the State.
The Commission also discussed the possibility of selling bonds to help pay for the building.
The Site Selection Matrix will be discussed at the July workshop.
Mayor Wolfson adjourned the workshop at 8:18 p.m. and the workshop reconvened at 8:25 p.m.
3. Off Street Parking Provisions
Sonya Doerr explained the proposed changes to the off street parking regulations under Sec. 24-
161 and answered questions from the Commission. Ms. Doerr was asked to change some of the
verbiage for clarification.
Mayor Wolfson stated there are some enforcement issues that need to be changed such as the
current practice of not ticketing cars that have just one tire off the pavement.
Ms. Doerr stated she would bring these revisions to the next Commission meeting for the first
reading.
Minutes -City Commission Workshop June 12, 2007
Page 3
4. Design Guidelines Booklet
Due to time restraints, this item was not discussed and will be brought up at the next workshop.
Adiournment
There being no further discussion by the City Commission, the Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
Donna Bussey
City Clerk