01-12-18 Comm Priority Goal SettingMINUTES
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
COMMISSION PRIORITY GOAL SETTING MEETING
JANUARY 12, 2018 — 9:00 A.M.
ADELE GRAGE CULTURAL CENTER
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mayor Ellen Glasser
Commissioner Candace Kelly
Commissioner Brittany Norris
Commissioner John Stinson
Commissioner M. Blythe Waters (arrived 9:05 A.M.)
Call to Order
City Attorney Brenna Durden
City Manager Joe Gerrity
City Clerk Donna Bartle
Deputy City Manager Kevin Hogencamp
Facilitator Linda Lanier
Mayor Glasser called the meeting to order at 9:03 A.M. Introductions were made by everyone
around the table.
Welcome and overview
City Manager (CM) Joe Gerrity welcomed everyone and stated this meeting is being broadcast
on Facebook Live.
Commissioner Waters arrived at 9:05 A.M.
CM Gerrity reported his observations of the City's assets and stated his goals, as follows:
Assets
• Beautiful park system
• Beautiful beaches
• Involved citizen group
• Outstanding General Fund Reserves
Goals
• Work on tying parks together
• Make the City of Atlantic Beach a place where people want to work, have a career
• Recognize our great employee workforce
• Improve/increase employee retention, be competitive with private sector
• Complete a salary survey
• Improve customer service training
CM Gerrity turned the meeting over to Facilitator Linda Lanier. Ms. Lanier welcomed everyone
and thanked the Commission for completing and submitting their goal setting assignments ahead
of time.
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January 12, 2018 Priority Goal Setting Meeting
Ms. Lanier explained the format for this exercise will be clarifying what the goals are and then
establishing a priority for the order to achieve them. The materials submitted will be reviewed
and then there will be a voting process.
Ms. Lanier spoke briefly about the article `Strategic Leadership and Decision Malting for Elected
Local Officials' (copy attached to agenda) wherein it states `Citizens take service excellence for
granted...' and Ms. Lanier noted this is the minimum level that is expected of local governments
by citizens.
The time the Commission actually spends working together on City issues is limited to public
meetings and/or workshops — approximately 20 hours monthly. Ms. Lanier stated this time needs
to be spent focusing on what is important, which is goal setting.
SMART Framework for goal setting
• Specific
• Measureable
• Achievable/actionable
• Results focused
• Time based
Next discussed were examples of and how to determine what is Urgent and/or Important.
Ms. Lanier defined Priority as a topic that will receive particular, unusual and significant
attention. For this exercise this will be for the time during 2018 and 2019.
Infrastructure
The Group discussed and provided details about the following subjects, staff answered questions,
and then the Commission voted.
• Re-evaluate 5 -way stop and traffic, installing roundabouts
• Stormwater Master Plan, hiring a lobbyist for legislative action
• Septic tank conversions
• Public Utilities (water/sewer), initiate rate study, infrastructure and equipment upgrades
• Master Plan for sidewalks, beach access
• Infrastructure
• Maintain conservation easement at Tideviews
• Public Parking, parking garage partnership with One Ocean
Following discussion the participants voted by using two green dots to designate their choices for
priority on the above topics.
City Services and Operations
Ms. Lanier explained this discussion will start with City Services, beginning with Public Safety.
The Group discussed and provided details about the following subjects, staff answered questions,
and then the Commission voted.
Public Safety/Police Department — set goals, improve recruiting and retention stats,
achieve accreditation, community policing, provide resources and funding for training
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January 12, 2018 Priority Goal Setting Meeting
staff and volunteers, utilize NIMS (National Incident Management System) for
emergency training
• Infrastructure/fiscal resources supporting severe weather events, grow and maintain
General Fund Reserves for emergency use, emergency management exercises for
hurricane preparedness, terrorism and/or hazmat threat preparedness (NIMS)
• Updated website ready March 2018, user-friendly, ADA accessible, mobile app, utilize
experienced citizens/volunteers
• Human Resources (HR) Ethics/EEO training for Commissioners, Boards, Committees
and Employees, benefits/compensation/pension
• Legal Counsel/fees, necessary expense to keep City out of court, provide monthly status
reports
• City-wide survey of citizens
• Grant opportunities, working with Langton & Associates, provide monthly/quarterly
status report
• Commission Chamber — needs technology update
Following discussion, the participants voted by using three green dots to designate their choices
for priority on the above topics.
Codes, Land Use and Permitting
Ms. Lanier explained this discussion will start with the building permit process. The Group
discussed and provided details about the following subjects, staff answered questions, and then
the Commission voted.
• Overhaul building permit process, improve department organization, shorten wait time,
utilize tracking software
• Continue implementing Tree Code
• Update Land Use Codes, define pervious and impervious ratio
• Balance redevelopment and quality of life, neighborhood approach, property values
• Code enforcement action for builders/developers in violation, publish violations/fines
• Designation of Historic District and/or locations
• Agenda management software
• Town Center overlay district
Following discussion the participants voted by using one green dot to designate their choices for
priority on the above topics.
Marsh/Mayport Road
The Group discussed and provided details about the following subjects, staff answered questions,
and then the Commission voted.
• Create plan for road diet to reduce speed limit
• Create a `Main Street USA' feel
• Establish a committee/task force to research ways to improve appearance, signage,
landscaping, storage
• Improve accessibility of road design for pedestrian crossing, wayfinding
• Speed bumps on Main St. to slow cut -through traffic from Mayport Rd.
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January 12, 2018 Priority Goal Setting Meeting
• Bicycle route/bike-ability, create East Coast Greenway node, create Sunrise -Sunset Trail
(East-West) connector, continue existing Plaza Rd. bike path to the Marsh, research
grants/outside funding/support opportunities
• Attract neighborhood grocery store
• Study Mayport Rd. for road noise and pollution near the Mayport Flyover
• Pros/cons of a Community Redevelopment Agency, research alternate programs to
achieve similar benefits
Following discussion the participants voted by using two green dots to designate their choices for
priority on the above topics.
Quality of Life
The group discussed and provided details about the following subjects, staff answered questions,
and then the Commission voted.
Teen Council
Has been unfunded, inactive
Part of Cultural Arts and Recreation Advisory Committee (CARAC) mission to have a
Teen Council
• Ask the kids what they need
Citizens
• Ask/survey citizens how they define quality of life
Parks
• Bike park, Splash park, Boardwalk
• Parks Master Plan, review land use, prioritize acquisitions
• Maintenance and standards
Culture and Identity
• Atlantic Theatre
• Turtle Drop/Ball Drop for New Years Eve celebration
Following discussion the participants voted by using two green dots to designate their choices for
priority on the above topics.
Lunch Break 11:30 a.m.; reconvened at 11:50 a.m.
Environment
The Group discussed and provided details about the following subjects, staff answered questions,
and then the Commission voted.
Evaluate dune restoration practices
• State/Federal programs
• Emergency restoration sand fences
• Turtle nesting issues
• Walkovers
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January 12, 2018 Priority Goal Setting Meeting
Preservation Properties/passive parks
• Selva Preserve
• Johnston Island
• Beach — dunes, trash clean-up
• Wetlands, marshes
Trees
• Budget line item for tree planting
• Right-of-way planting
• Maintenance
• Acquire mitigation property
Environmental Regulations
• No plastic bags, food containers
• Recycling education
• Enforcement
• Tour recycling facility
• Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration
Following discussion the participants voted by using two green dots to designate their choices for
priority on the above topics.
Brandin
The Group discussed and provided details about the following subjects, staff answered questions,
and then the Commission voted.
• Beautification
• Signage - use state park format
• Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
• Cultural Arts and Recreation Advisory Committee (CARAC)
• Military community
• Neighborhood branding
• Preservation efforts — historic district, environmental assets, architectural, neighborhood
• Arts, recreations, parks
Following discussion the participants voted by using one green dot to designate their choices for
priority on the above topics.
Commission Effectiveness
The Facilitator, Linda Lanier, explained the importance of self evaluation and how it can help to
be more effective. The following items were presented for discussion.
• Video all public meetings — technology available only in Commission Chamber, costs
involved per broadcast and/or live streaming, research how to provide for all meetings
and locations
• Legislative Agenda — Commission, City Attorney, City Manager and Staff monitor, also
need to monitor City of Jacksonville/Duval County budget process and how it effects
Atlantic Beach
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January 12, 2018 Priority Goal Setting Meeting
• Changing Mayor term referendum and addition of at -large representation
• Focus on consensus building and common ground, improve effectiveness, leadership as a
singular governing body
• Monthly budget detail variance reporting — when approving expenditures provide fund
source and balance
• Budget model providing for `what if scenario evaluations, budget line item prioritizing
• Fiscal resources for sustainability of City services and quality of life, review and maintain
City's Reserve Fund, allocating use of excess Reserves, consider long-term borrowing
options
Following discussion, the participants voted by using two green dots to designate their choices
for priority on the above topics.
Final
Ms. Lanier reviewed there are approximately 70 different elements to choose from to determine
the final priority vote. The first part of the final task will be for each Commissioner to vote for
five (5) items from the total list to determine their final choices for priority goals. Each will
receive 5 pink dots for 5 votes.
Discussion ensued and then a second round of voting took place, generating a collective, agreed
upon priority goals for 2018 — 2019 as follows:
• Update Codes
• Parks Master Plan, including Preservation and Sunrise -Sunset Trail
• Stormwater Master Plan
• Mayport Road
• Pursue USGBC Community LEEDS
• Review Reserve Fund
• Branding
• Evaluate dune restoration
• Video all public meetings
Mayor Glasser thanked Ms. Lanier and everyone in the audience. She acknowledged Fortner
Mayor Suzanne Shaughnessy in the audience.
The floor was opened for Public Comment:
Suzanne Shaughnessy spoke about roundabouts and roadway designs, and roundabouts not
exceeding more than four entrances for effectiveness.
Mark Tomaski spoke in support of having workshops, open government, and videotaping all
meetings for public viewing on the website.
Debra Tomaski spoke about open government, and videotaping all meetings for public viewing
on the website.
There were no other speakers and Public Comment was closed.
Closing comments from the Commission:
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January 12, 2018 Priority Goal Setting Meeting
Commission Kelly
• Spoke about the Commission championing these issues.
Commissioner Norris
• Thanked Ms. Lanier for facilitating this meeting.
Commissioner Waters
• Spoke about displaying the priority list for public view.
Commissioner Stinson
• Thanked Ms. Lanier for facilitating and thanked everyone for attending.
City Manager Gerrity
• Thanked everyone for attending and making this a productive and realistic meeting.
Facilitator Lanier
Thanked the Commission for their participation and appreciated how well everyone
worked together.
Adjournment
There being no further discussion, Mayor Glasser declared t meeting adjourned at 1:36 PM.
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ATTEST: Ellen Glasser
Mayor/Presiding Officer
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Donna L. Bartle, CMC
City Clerk
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