Minutes - 08-27-01MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION HELD IN CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD AT
7:15 P.M. ON MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2001
PRESENT: John Meserve, Mayor
Richard Beaver, Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Borno
Theo Mitchelson
Dezmond Waters, Commissioners
AND: James Hanson, City Manager
Alan C. Jensen, City Attorney
Maureen King, City Clerk
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m by Mayor Meserve. The
Invocation, given by Commissioner Waters, was followed by the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag.
1. Approval of the minutes of the regular Commission meeting of
August 13, 2001
Motion: Approve the minutes of the August 13, 2001
Commission Meeting as presented.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. Courtesy of Floor to Visitors:
A. Senator King and Representative Don Davis with a
presentation of a reimbursement grant check for the Rose
Park Addition
Mayor Meserve introduced Senator Jim King and Representative Don
Davis and welcomed them to the meeting.
Each legislator provided a brief summazy of their efforts to obtain the
funding through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program,
and presented the city a check in the amount of $56,250 for the Rose
Pazk addition.
Mayor Meserve accepted the check on behalf of the city, and thanked
Senator King, Representative. Davis, and the Duval County delegation
for their support.
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August 27, 2001
J.P Marchioli of 414 Sherry Drive felt a skateboard park should be a
high priority and suggested that it could be frozen and used as an ice
skating rink in the winter, expressed disappointment that the ordinance
concerning voting districts was not adopted, and disagreed with the
Aikenhead and Odom recommendations for alterations to the weir at Fleet
Landing.
Alan Potter of 374 Second Street referenced the Aikenhead and Odom
report of August 13, 2001 and stated that the engineering firm had been
hired to design a system which would stop flooding. in the core city area,
and if they could not accomplish what they were hired to do, it should be
considered a breach of contract. He felt the firm should resign and refund
the city $900,000.
B. Report on Water Master Plan
Don Maurer of the firm of Camp, Dresser and McKee, lead engineer for
the project, distributed a final report on the Water Master Plan to the
Commissioners. The report is attached and made part of this official
record as Attachment A.
Mr. Maurer provided an overview of the city's water system capacity to
serve the present and future needs of the residents. He recommended that
the Atlantic Beach and Buccaneer water systems be interconnected into
one major system, which would resolve most water pressure problems. He
also recommended that old undersized waterlines on Beach Avenue,
Ocean Boulevazd, Sherry Drive and East Coast Drive be replaced to
provide better fire protection, as well as several lines on the north side of
the service area.
Mr. Maurer indicated that the system analysis revealed that the city's
supply, treatment and storage were adequate and an interconnected system
would provide an adequate level of service to 2025. He said the city's
water system was well operated and maintained system and recommended
short and mid term improvements, including and water well rehabilitation.
Mr. Maurer indicated that the Water Master Plan report would be finalized
after taking into account any comments made during the meeting. He
indicated that long term system improvements would be made and
associated costs provided in the report.
Following his presentation, Mr. Maurer, responded to commissioners'
questions.
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August 27, 2001.
C. Palmer and Cay Report on Pay Plan
Kazen Collins of Palmer and Cay distributed copies of the Classification
and Pay Study for city employees. Ms. Collins gave an overview of the
process used by the company to determine the fourteen pay grades and
rates of pay defined in the study. Benefits were reviewed and
recommendations were made for the city to adopt a compensation and
benefits strategy. The cost to implement the plan was reported to be
$268,000. A synopsis of the presentation is attached and made part of
this official record as Attachment B. (The Pay Rate and Classification
Plan 2001 is on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Barry Miles of Palmer and Cay reported regarding the City's benefit
package, which he felt was. slightly above mazket. A brief discussion
ensued and concern was expressed that the city's current health insurance
carrier was discontinuing their health insurance business at the end of the
year and no other carrier had yet agreed to take on the city's coverage due
to several large claims.
Mayor Meserve indicated that the city wished to pay its employees a fair
wage, but the health insurance issue was of great concern and would have
to be considered as part of the plan implementation. Mayor Meserve
indicated that he had contacted the City of Jacksonville regarding
participating in their health insurance plan, but had not yet received a
response. He felt the city could not implement the pay plan before the
health insurance issue was resolved.
3. Unfinished Business from Previous Meeting
A. Follow-up Report from the meeting of August 13, 2001
City Manager Hanson briefly reviewed each item of his written report, a
copy of which is attached and made part of this official record as
Attachment C.
In addition to the written report, City Manager Hanson reported on
the following:
Twice a Week Yard Trash Collection
City Manager Hanson reported that increasing yard trash collection to
twice a week would increase the monthly rate by $1.86 per customer.
Public Works Director Kosoy indicated that he had contacted BFI
concerning the additional pick up, but BFI had not confirmed if they
would honor their bid price for the service.
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August 27, 2001
National Lifeguard Competition
Chief Campbell reported that eight members of the Lifeguard Corps
participated in the competition and of the 1,400 lifeguards competing,
Ty Miller received a gold medal for rescue paddle and Jeff Hill
placed 5`h in the two-mile run.
Chief Campbell indicated that the competition would be held in
Daytona Beach next yeaz and the lifeguards were already in training
for that event.
4. Consent Agenda:
A. Acknowledge receipt of monthly reports from Building
Public Safety and Utility Sales Departments (City
Manager)
Motion: Approve Consent Agenda Items A as
presented.
There was no discussion and the motion carved unanimously.
5. Committee Reports:
There were no Committee Reports.
6. Action on Resolutions:
There was no action on Resolutions.
Action on Ordinances:
A. Ordinance No. 65-01-29: Introduction and First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC
BEACH, FLORIDA, CLOSING, VACATING AND
ABANDONING A PORTION OF ORCHID STREET,
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Motion: Adopt Ordinance No. 65-01-29 on final reading.
Mayor Meserve read the ordinance by title only and opened the floor
for a public hearing. No one spoke in favor of or against the
ordinance and the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.
Commissioner Mitchelson inquired if the city could sell this piece of
property instead of just abandoning it. City Attorney Jensen
responded that the law did not specifically say the city could not sell
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August 27, 2001
street rights-of--way, but the law indicated that street rights-of--way
could not be used for any other purpose.
Following brief discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
8. Miscellaneous Business:
A. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with
Northeast Florida Community Action Agency for the use
of office space at Donner Community Center
Motion: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a
contract with Northeast Florida Community Action
Agency for the use of office space at Donner Community
Center.
Commissioner Mitchelson requested that the Northeast Florida
Community Action Agency provide an accounting of their services
when the contract comes up for renewal.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
B. Award contract to Camp, Dresser and McKee in the
amount of $39,597 for assessment of the Buccaneer water
wells and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract;
Authorize staff to proceed with necessary repairs, with-a
follow-up report on the activities and costs as soon as they
are available.
Motion: Award contract to Camp, Dresser and McKee in
the amount of $39,597 for assessment of the Buccaneer
water wells and authorize the City Manager to sign the
contract; Authorize staff to proceed with necessary
repairs, with afollow-up report on the activities and costs
as soon as they are available.
Mayor Meserve felt that a cap should be placed on the cost for
repairs and inquired if an estimated cost for the repairs was known at
this time.
Discussion ensued and Utility Director Kaluzniak explained the
needed repairs and estimated the cost to be $15,000. Utility Director
Kaluzniak's Staff Report is attached and made part of this official
record as Attachment D.
Amendment to the motion: The cost for repairs not to
exceed $20,000.
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August 27, 2001
There being no further discussion, the amendment to the motion and
the main motion carried unanimously.
C. Award continuing engineering contracts to Aikenhead and
Odom, Edwards Engineering and Waitz and Moye and
authorize the City Manager to sign the contracts
Motion: Odom, Edwards Engineering and Waitz and
Moye and authorize the City Manager to sign the
contracts.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously
9. City Manager Reports:
City Manager Hanson
Rose Park Fence
City Manager Hanson reported that he had met with the residents of
the Rose Park area and many of their concerns had been resolved,
however, they were requesting that the proposed wood fence height
along the back property line be increased to 8 feet to provide added
privacy and to act as a buffer from the noise, light, etc. He indicated
that the taller fence would cost an additional $2,200, but exceeded the
city's height limitations for fences and would required a variance.
City Manager Hanson requested Commission direction concerning
obtaining the variance.
Discussion ensued and Commissioner Mitchelson inquired if future
repairs to the wood fence would damage the buffer to be planted
along the fence. Commissioner Beaver stated that a 12-15" buffer
between the fence and plant material would be needed.
The Commissioners felt that the taller fence was needed to ensure
privacy and agreed that City Manager Hanson should work with staff
to submit the required variance request to the Community
Development Boazd.
Lawn Service
City Manager Hanson reported that Golden Rule had given up its
contract with the city for lawn service and C and S Lawn Service had
picked up the contract on an emergency basis and would be providing
lawn care until the a new contract is put out for bids and awarded.
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August 27, 2001
He indicated that the costs would be over $10,000 until the new
contract was awarded.
Commissioner Beaver indicated that some dead palm trees at the
Adele Grage Cultural Center should still be under warranty and
should be replaced by Golden Rule. City Manager Hanson stated that
he would meet with Parks and Recreation Director Johnson regarding
this matter:
Community Center Feasibility Study
City Manager Hanson reported that the feasibility study had begun
and the firm carrying out the study would conduct 400 telephone
surveys in Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach and would use the.
Teen Council as a focus group. City Manager Hanson hoped the
news media would write an article on the survey so residents would
realize it was a legitimate survey, not another just another
telemazketer calling.
Tree Board Appointments
City Manager Hanson reported that the terms of Mae Jones and
Camille Hunter had expired and Mrs. Jones was not eligible for
reappointment. It was pointed out that two of the three members
whose terms expire in January 2002 were also ineligible for
reappointment. City Manager Hanson requested that the
Commissioners fmd replacements to fill the vacancies..
10. Reports and/or requests from City Commissioners and
City Attorney
Commissioner Waters
• Referenced a letter received from Patricia Goelz concerning
maintenance of sidewalks, and requested that the city adopt
some type of program to keep shrubbery trimmed away from
sidewalks if homeowners do not maintain their property.
Reported on his attendance at the 75`" Annual Florida League
of Cities Conference. Commissioner Waters report is
attached and made part of this official record as Attachment
E.
Commissioner Mitchelson
• Reported that he would be attending the annual Florida Beach
and Shore Preservation Conference in September and noted
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August 27, 2001
that information received from the Army Corp of Engineers
concerning scheduling of the local beach renourishment
project conflicted with scheduling information received
earlier.
Commissioner Borno
Reported that he had noticed an increase in speeding on
Seminole Road which he believed to be related to the Sherry
Drive reconstruction project funneling more traffic onto
Seminole Road.
Commissioner Beaver
• Reported that the city had received another check for $5,000
for the Adele Grage Cultural Center renovations.
• Requested that a resolution be drafted honoring Mae Jones for
her years of service on the Tree Board
• Noted that yard trash, garbage and recycling collections all
occurred on Mondays and an excessive amount of yard trash
was being dropped in the streets. He felt that the collection
schedule may have to be changed and the contractor needed to
be reminded to pick up the debris from the streets.
Provided information regarding the staff leasing company
used by his company that provides a payroll service and health
insurance for his employees. He suggested this company
might be able to provide health insurance to the city.
Mayor Meserve
• Reported that the reception held to recognize city volunteers
was very successful and he hoped it would be held annually.
There being no further discussion or business to come before the
Commission, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Attest:
John Meserve
Mayor/Presiding Officer
Maureen King
Certified Municipal Clerk
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