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02-25-17 Minutes Community Mtg. Third Street Crossover Minutes v CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH COMMUNITY MEETING THIRD STREET CROSSOVER FEBRUARY 25,2017 at 10:00 AM IN ATTENDANCE: STAFF: Mayor Mitch Reeves Interim City Manager Kevin Hogencamp Commissioner John Stinson Public Works Director,Don Jacobovitz Commissioner Jimmy Hill Recording Secretary,Joanie Bowman CALL TO ORDER Mayor Reeves called the meeting to order at 10:05 am. WELCOME Mayor Reeves explained the purpose of this Community Meeting and thanked staff and the citizens for taking time out of their Saturday to attend the meeting. He also explained the process for public comments and noted that Interim City Manager Kevin Hogencamp would be monitoring the meeting. Mayor Reeves reported that the City is in very good shape financially and is currently looking for a City Manager. He complimented Mr. Hogencamp for his dedication and great care of our citizens. He also reported on upcoming events. Interim City Manager Kevin Hogencamp thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He spoke about the importance of open government where residents' opinions matter. He gave a summary of where the Third Street project stands and the plan to rebuild the crossover as it was previously constructed. He explained that a group of residents expressed that they want an at-grade crossover and another group desires the . crossover to be restored to its previously designed construction. The City received information from coastal engineers that insist on the restoration of an elevated crossover. He explained that the project was put on hold to fully consider the sentiments of all interested citizens along with the information and data that would be presented. The City is contemplating a slight alteration to the walkover to make it easier for people with disabilities.He explained the Corps of Engineers' plan to renourish the dune line in May since construction of the walkover must be completed before renourishment begins. Mr.Hogencamp introduced Public Works Director Don Jacobovitz. He recognized Commissioners Hill and Stinson and thanked them for being in attendance. Mr.Jacobovitz explained the current conditions of the crosswalk after the storm and presented a slide show. He addressed citizen concerns about drug activity,wind erosion,wave activity, and handicap accessibility and explained that construction had been interrupted as a result of these concerns. He also explained the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection(FDEP)guidelines. Mr. Hogencamp invited Ingrid Carlson and Eileen Campbell up to give a presentation. Eileen Campbell introduced herself and Ingrid Carlson. Ingrid Carlson spoke about the importance of the Third Street beach access ramp and presented a slide show representing the before and after effects Hurricane Matthew left behind. She spoke about petitions to 1 change the design which was based on a concern that,since the ramp was built,there were robberies,drug paraphernalia found and vagrants sleeping underneath the ramp. She voiced her concern that changing the design and repair of the structure would present a dune breach. Eileen Campbell spoke about working with Commander Tiffany Layson on the data regarding drug crimes at the beach at Third Street and reported that there were no findings of drug crimes or vagrant activities relating to the crossover. Ms. Carlson explained their own petition and reported they received more than 400 signatures to repair the beach walkover. In closing,Ms. Carlson read an email from an Atlantic Beach resident,Lynn Bailey who was in support of the Third Street Beach access ramp. Mr. Hogencamp explained they would be contemplating the input they receive today and by Friday afternoon would have an update posted on the homepage of the City's website. He reported that, because the contractor is local,construction could begin as early as the week after next. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Mr. Hogencamp opened the floor to public comments. Mike Post, 307 Beach Ave., expressed that the meeting being held today is an example of good government. He stated that he made mention of concerns about the Third Street Walkover to Mayor Reeves and then received immediate attention. Commented that the Commission and Interim City Manager Hogencamp have done a wonderful job. Mr. Post commended Ms. Carlson and Ms. Campbell on their presentation.He explained he came to the meeting for a compromise. He apologized to the eighteen people who signed the petition.He explained his position and that he did not want to restrict access to the disabled. He suggested that the ramp be designed for easier access to all and concedes every point that Ms.Campbell and Ms.Carlson made. Mr. Hogencamp explained that Mr. Post had been fact based and courteous with his comments and his communication with the City. He explained that one of Mr. Post's first concerns he brought to him was how steep the ramp was and how that is not fair to people who use wheelchairs. Mr. Post spoke about crime activity on Third Street. Teresa Flores,233 Belvedere St.,explained that she loves the Third Street access ramp and is in support of modifying the ramp for easier access to wheelchairs. Dennis Godfrey, 190 Seminole Rd., spoke in support of a more(ADA)Americans with Disabilities Act- friendly ramp and for it to be made a bit wider. He thanked Mr.Post for his comments. Jason Engle,512 Vikings Ln.,stated that he is a coastal engineer with fifteen years of experience in doing beach projects in Florida, post hurricane assessments and looking at beach nourishment afterward. He explained that the dune is the protection for our community and every single gap in that dune is a chink in the armor. He stated that to build a lower walkover that prevents the growth of the grasses on top of it makes a very weak point in the dune and that's why the guidelines require the walkover to be high enough for the sunlight to get under it. He further stated the grass is what makes the dune strong during a hurricane. He spoke in support of keeping the design as it is. Richard Reichler,2025 Beach Ave.,spoke in support of rebuilding the Third Street access as it was before. 2 Pam McCrary,226 First St., stated that there should be a way to have FEMA approve it and pay for it. She asked if the walkover could be shortened. Mr. Hogencamp stated that Mr. Jacobovitz would answer their questions later. Mary Ellen Young,384 3"'St.,spoke in favor of the original ramp design for handicap accessibility. She commented on the importance of the dunes and explained that Dora breached the dune lines and significantly damaged property. She spoke about the importance of the dune renourishment project to preserve our beach. Susan Sneed, 261 Beach Ave., spoke about Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) guidelines and the importance of the elevation requirements. She explained the importance of the dunes for privacy and protection. She is an advocate for a legitimate access to the beach and is a proponent of building up the dunes.She spoke about a problem she has with homeless people sleeping under her private walkover. Pam Roman,315 Third St.,expressed that crime does not exist because of a walkover and spoke in support of the walkover. David Bew, 381 Third St., spoke in support of rebuilding the walkover as it was and believes the ramp contributes to building the dunes. Lynn Eilers,369 Third St.,spoke in support of the walkover rebuild and wants to be better informed about things happening in her neighborhood. Chris Jorgensen,92 West 3'St.,spoke about the need to do what is best for the City. Candace Kelly 149 Belvedere St.,spoke in support of the Third Street Walkover. CLOSING STATEMENTS Mayor Reeves thanked the citizens,on behalf of the City, for attending the meeting Mayor Reeves adjourned the meeting at 11:34 a.m. I- Mitchell E. Reeves Mayor/Presiding Officer ATTEST: ate g0041424 Donna L.Bartle, CMC City Clerk 3