Minutes 1-21-12 Minutes of the Town Hall Meeting
Jordan Park Community Center
January 21, 2012
Attendance:
Mayor Mike Borno
Mayor Pro Tem Maria Mark
Commissioner Beckenbach
Commissioner Daugherty
Commissioner Woods
City Clerk Donna Bartle
Mayor Borno called the meeting to order at 10:07 am and explained the format of the meeting. Mayor Pro
Tem Mark explained the purpose of the meeting and urged citizens to sign in and give their comments which
will be used at the Strategic Planning sessions.
Leslie Katz - AmeriCorps Vista, reported that over the last 20 years Beaches Habitat has been building
simple, decent affordable homes at the beaches. They are now looking to expand their efforts by launching
the Neighborhood Revitalization initiative and they want to talk to citizens in the community to find out what
else they want and how they can better serve the beaches. She urged citizens to complete the survey.
Mayor Pro Tem Mark announced Councilman Bill Gulliford was in attendance. She also made
announcements about the Dog Park membership, Board/Committee application forms for various boards and
committees available, and the handout listing the department head contact information. She gave an overview
of the various topics that were brought up at the previous meetings.
Joyce Freeman, 334 State Road, questioned how the CDBG funds are allocated, how much we have and
what has been allocated for projects. Mayor Borno explained the process. She asked if it goes to low income
citizens. Commissioner Daugherty explained where previous money was spent.
Ms. Freeman reported drainage problems on Francis Avenue and Jackson Road.
Commissioner Woods stated that someone brought up annexing part of Jacksonville in the Mayport Road
area, so she explained the issue.
Councilman Bill Gulliford, 75 Beach Avenue, stated he was involved in the annexation of Seminole Beach
and explained the various issues with annexation. Mayor Pro Tem Mark and Mr. Gulliford explained the
benefits and discussion ensued. Councilman Gulliford reported that that area will be in his district soon.
Gary Richard Crumley, 2462 Jetty Ct. , program manager of Mayport Waterfront Partnership, stated he
believes the Mayport Village should also be included in an annexation since it is on the east side of the
Intracoastal Waterway and he explained the benefits annexation would have. Mr. Crumley offered to aid in
starting up a grass roots effort and provided his phone number. Commissioner Beckenbach asked if he would
explain the purpose of the Mayport Waterfront Partnership. Mr. Crumley explained, in detail, their efforts to
continue to support the Mayport Village initiative of trying to restore the community and gave an overview of
their plans and progress. He reported the 450 anniversary for Mayport Village is coming up in May and this
would be a terrific time for the City of Atlantic Beach and the other beaches to look into joining in to
celebrate the 450 anniversary of the village which will be around the 10` of May and explained the Mayport
Business Association is working on it. He explained the Mayport Waterfront Partnership's primary effort as a
planning advisory board is to provide guidance and assistance to the City of Atlantic Beach or to the City of
Jacksonville. He expressed hope that once the lawsuit has settled, the City of Atlantic Beach considers
rejoining the Mayport Waterfront Partnership. He spoke about the importance of the Ferry and believes that
more funding could be obtained if people starting looking at creative ways of handling the funding.
Councilman Gulliford reported that a Task Force was created which is headed up by Elaine Brown and urged
Mr. Crumley to contact her. Mr. Crumley explained he has spoken to her. Mayor Borno explained that the
ferry is on the City's radar.
Commissioner Woods made additional comments on annexation and explained that, if the annexation issue
moves forward, there is support in the State Statutes. Discussion on annexation ensued.
Ralph Marcello, President of Beaches Habitat, introduced Kathy Christenson, Education Director; Bill
Gulliford, Vice President; and Joyce Freeman, Director of Family Services. Ms. Christenson explained the
program and the progress. Mr. Marcello explained a proposal that is still in the works and has not been
approved to expand by building on the property across from Jordan Park. He stated it will not cost the City
anything to build it. Mr. Gulliford explained he was one of the initial board members of Habitat and
explained the transformation that Habitat made to this community. He encouraged the Commission to
seriously consider the proposal when it comes to them.
Bishop Percy Golden, 1700 Francis Avenue, explained his vision to put a community center or a resource
center in this area, stating he has had conversations with the City Manager and Bill Gulliford about it. He
further stated he heard that City workers who do not have a GED would be dismissed from their jobs and
asked if that is correct. Mayor Borno explained it has to do with the Wastewater Operators requirements and
believes it affects one employee.
Bishop Golden explained benefits of a senior center and stated he would like to have one in Atlantic Beach.
He stated he would also like a police substation in the community and wants more emphasis put on Jordan
Park for programs. He thanked the Commission for their support of the Gospel in the Park annual event
which is scheduled for April 28, 2012. 9am to 6pm. He also announced the Health and Prayer Walk Day will
be on March 3, 2012, 8:00 am to noon, and the walk will start at 9:00 am. He explained the event and its
funding and requested help from the City to provide entertainment, funding or anything else to help with the
event. Mayor Borno advised him to make his request to the Cultural Arts and Recreation Advisory
Committee through Timmy Johnson.
Bishop Golden expressed concern about the speeding and wants speed humps/bumps to slow down traffic in
this neighborhood especially since there are no sidewalks available for kids to walk on. He indicated he is
very passionate about Habitat and believes they have made a profound difference in the community. He
reported that on March 31, 2012 they will be selling chicken dinners at his church as a fundraiser for Beaches
Habitat.
Mayor Borno explained that those concerns will be brought up at Strategic Planning. Commissioner
Daugherty expressed the importance for the City to show support for Beaches Habitat and would like to see a
City of Atlantic Beach - Habitat work day where the employees would be invited to come out and work
together with Habitat on projects.
Mr. Gulliford explained the Recreation, Community Development, Public Health & Safety Committee, which
he is chairing, has a meeting on Feb. 7, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Council Chamber at City Hall in downtown
Jacksonville. He explained during a segment of the meeting they will deal with the history and past conflicts
of the Interlocal Agreement and invited the Commission and citizens to attend. He also gave an overview of a
Minutes of the Town Hall Meeting on January 21, 2012 Page 2 of 3
meeting that was held at Fletcher High School earlier in the week regarding the St. Johns River Ferry and
reported there is one coming up on Tuesday next week. He explained how he feels about the ferry and why it
should be operated by the State. A lengthy discussion ensued about the ferry.
Rory Gregg, 1399 Main Street, professional kayak and tournament angler, spoke about an idea to have a
fishing tournament at MarshFest and offered to chair the event. He believes in order to attract anglers to
Dutton Island Preserve, the Park should be open earlier and suggested cards be issued for a price to allow
members to access the park when it's not otherwise open. He explained how the Jacksonville area is one of
the best places to fish in the world.
Commissioner Beckenbach asked if Mr. Gregg is willing to have the event outside of MarshFest. Mr. Gregg
stated he is open to that and explained the benefits for having it at the MarshFest event. Discussion ensued
about MarshFest and the idea of a fishing tournament. Mayor Pro Tem Mark explained why she believes the
fishing tournament should have its own separate event and attention. Commissioner Woods suggested having
an educational fishing component at the MarshFest event and a separate event for the fishing tournament but
advertise the fishing tournament to the attendees of MarshFest. Further discussion ensued.
Bishop Golden indicated MarshFest is a great event and he will continue to inspire pastors by giving them
proper information on events in Atlantic Beach so they can spread the word and encourage parishioners to get
involved.
Mayor Borno adjourned the meeting at 12:05 pm.
4/f (1/444tee.
Donna L. Bartle, CMC
City Clerk
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