3-26-12 Workshop MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION
HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBER ON MARCH 26, 2012
City Commission Members present:
Mike Borno, Mayor
Maria Mark, Mayor Pro Tem
Mark Beckenbach, Commissioner
Jonathan Daugherty, Commissioner
Carolyn Woods, Commissioner
Staff present:
Jim Hanson, City Manager
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Nancy E. Bailey, Recording Secretary
The meeting, which was held for the purpose of a presentation to the Commission by CPH Engineers
and HHI Design of the final (Draft) Marsh Master Plan, was called to order at 5:05 p.m. by Mayor
Borno.
Public Works Director Rick Carper introduced Ginger Corless of HHI Design and Wade Olszewski
of CPH, consultants working on the Marsh Master Plan. Ms. Corless, Recreational Planner with
CPH and HHI Design gave a slide presentation on the Marsh Master Plan explaining the process to
date which included the meetings and events of stakeholder focus groups, Morning at the March
meeting, and Marsh Fest. She further pointed out the changes to the Preserves Trail, the
improvements to Dutton Island Preserve, Tide Views Preserve and River Branch and explained the
various proposed management activities including habitat and species surveys, and prescribed burn
program.
Ms. Corless answered several questions from the Commission.
Mr. Wade Olszewski explained the CIPs for Dutton Island, Tideviews, and River Branch. He and
Mr. Carper answered questions from the Commission.
Mr. Carper stated after approval by the Commission staff plans to give it to FIND.
Ms. Corless explained the various opportunities for alternative funding through grants, partnerships
with schools and environmental organizations, gift catalogues, and adopt -a -trail program. She
explained the FIND grant application for Phase 1 Design and Permitting. Mr. Carper stated the
intent is to bring this back to the Commission at the next meeting for their approval.
Mr. Carper showed a slide of a sample raised overlook.
Mayor Borno opened the Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors.
Marcia Brown asked whether people could also use canoes where they are referring to kayaks and
are there provisions for areas to be handicap accessible. Mr. Carper stated, yes, you could also use
canoes where they mentioned kayaks and he and Ms. Corless explained the areas that would be
handicap accessible and the various options for the handicapped.
Tom Larson, Jacksonville Beach, stated the proposed habitat and species survey will be very
valuable and gave several suggestions he would like to see added to the overall plan.
Minutes — City Commission Workshop March 26, 2012
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Bonnie Barnes, Ponte Vedra Beach, Executive Director of North Florida Land Trust, expressed
her appreciation to the Commission for all the work and hours they have put into this, as well as
those who have worked on it, stating the Master Plan looks very good and they are really pleased
with where it is going and are excited to see a management plan inside of it.
Karen Kempf, pointed out some omissions she would like to see included. She stated under
Guiding Principles, best environmental practices /green principles was not included in that section
and suggested protection of the coastal environment should be defined. She stated under the
Management Objectives for Dutton Island and Tideviews the plans were from 1997 and 1998 and
she would like to update those sections by adding a bullet as is under River Branch that says restore
and enhance water quality and marine habitat. She expressed her appreciation for the surveys that
were done and the feedback and posting that online so it could be seen and digested. She also stated
she was disappointed to see the zip line still in the plan.
Commissioner Daugherty stated he toured the site with Katherine Ross, the representative of Senator
Bill Nelson's office, and wanted to remind them that they need to present this to her as well after it is
completed.
Mayor Borno thanked everyone for their presentation stating it was a good overview and a nice
critique. He stated he looks forward to seeing movement starting on this.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Borno declared the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
E2z
Nancy E. ailey
Recording Secretary