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01-11-20 Town Hall Meeting Adopted Minutes1 Jvj ATTENDANCE: MINUTES Town Hall Meeting Saturday, January 11, 2020 - 10:00 AM Gail Baker Community Center Present: Ellen Glasser, Mayor - Seat 1 Cindy Anderson, Commissioner - Seat 2 (District 1308) — arrived at 10:17 AM Blythe Waters, Mayor Pro Tem / Commissioner - Seat 3 (District 1307) - arrived at 10:05 AM Candace Kelly, Commissioner - Seat 4 (District 1306) Brittany Norris, Commissioner - Seat 5 (District 1312) Also Present: Shane Corbin, City Manager (CM) Lori Diaz, Deputy City Clerk Kimberly Flower, Records Clerk Brian Broedell, Principal Planner CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Glasser called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. Commissioner Waters arrived at 10:05 AM. Mayor Glasser explained the informal format of a Town Hall Meeting and introduced staff. 1 TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT A. Main Street Mayor Glasser stated the topics on the agenda and asked CM Corbin to explain the City maps displayed. CM Corbin spoke about concerns regarding Main Street including speeding traffic and unsafe conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists. He proposed ideas to increase safety for citizens: Bike lanes on both sides of Main Street. A one -lane bike lane that would loop through Main Street and connect the marsh to beach neighborhoods. Commissioner Anderson arrived at 10:17 AM. CM Corbin stated these proposals would narrow and constrict the drive lanes, naturally reducing the speed of cars as evidenced by recent studies. Town Hall January 11, 2020 Michael Hoffmann expressed concern regarding the safety of a lane only on one side of the road and questioned if bikers would be traveling in both directions on the one lane. CM Corbin responded that the bike loop and bike lanes on either side of Main Street address the concern for the two way bike traffic. Megan Nottingham spoke about the safety of residents, including children between West 14th and West 9th Streets. Increased speed in the neighborhood is due to large commercial vehicles, cars and school buses. In an attempt to slow drivers, Mrs. Nottingham has erected signs for drivers to slow down while children are at play. Commissioner Norris voiced concerns for safety regarding speed and increased number of vehicles. She proposed physical barriers and street parking as a way to naturally narrow the road and reduce speed. This procedure has been implemented successfully in Riverside on Park Street. Commissioner Kelly recalled a previous discussion regarding erecting a tree/shrub in the four-way stop to slow traffic. Jeff Haynie thanked the Commission for giving the citizens Saturday time and asked if speed humps were feasible? Mayor Glasser replied that due to COAB Code, traffic devices must be addressed by the Head of Public Safety. CM Corbin stated that the Police Chief would have to approve speed humps. He stated that the Police Chief has had successful use with speed tables. The City is open to looking into more physical barriers (not just bike lanes) and is willing to come back at another time to discuss where these interventions would best benefit the community. Mayor Glasser addressed the concern for emergency vehicle access on Main Street and that it may be that each street access/parking would have to be addressed according to its own needs; not a one -size- fits -all for each street. Herb Taskett questioned if it would be cost effective to build the bike lane North of Levy Road due to the ditches on either side of the road. CM Corbin stated that proposals were based on utilizing existing pavement. Patti Nottingham has monitored the problem for three years and can attest that neighbors are in favor of speed tables. Mrs. Nottingham is willing to circulate a petition if necessary. She has requested additional police presence as excessive speeds have been recorded and RING video footage has been sent to the Police Department. Town Hall January 11,2020 Commissioner Waters spoke about street parking. CM Corbin stated that the previous sidewalk proposal encroached on the right of way and the resident's driveways resulting in cars parking on the sidewalks. It was suggested to find a solution by using the current roadway. Michael Hoffmann proposed a dawn to dusk bike lane. He asked why Camellia Street had a speed limit of 25 mph. He proposed a study to monitor the implementation of 20 mph using technology/cameras to monitor traffic. There was a brief discussion about monitoring the success of temporary solutions before making anything permanent. Mayor Glasser stated that citizens are updated with information when changes occur. She would gather data to address how the speed limits are assigned in the city. Discussion continued suggesting that monitoring/enforcement of all speed limits are important. CM Corbin stated that Main Street is not per ordinance a "No Parking" street and those signs could be removed if the decision was made to implement on -street parking. Jon Nottingham questioned how the bike lane would be divided from the road, spoke about speeding traffic, and suggested a buffer zone to protect bike riders from swerving cars. Mayor Glasser stated that they are still gathering citizen input and at this point the proposal included a painted bike lane. Other options can also be considered and she encouraged citizens to investigate how the road diet was implemented in Riverside. CM Corbin stated that the city is still in the conceptual phase. He agreed that ideally the best option was a physical barrier and another option was to paint and construct a bike lane. The option of the bike loop will address both on -street parking and bike traffic. Michael Hoffmann suggested painting of the bike lane and the use of reflective pavement markers as a barrier. He is opposed to having a one -lane bike path. He questioned the width of the road at the South end of Main Street for a path in either direction. CM Corbin asked citizens if they were in favor of removing the "No Parking" signs and allowing parking on the street. Commissioner Anderson asked if on -street parking was allowed, would the citizens still be opposed to a,sidewalk. Discussion ensued. Megan Nottingham stated that she was in favor of releasing part of her yard for a sidewalk if street parking were allowed. Jeff Haynie believes a speed table would do more to slow traffic than a bike lane. Town Hall January 11,2020 Jon Nottingham stated that a sidewalk would not be a benefit for him. He is in favor of speed tables as a way to slow traffic. Rick Carper, former Public Work's Director, recalled that when the sidewalk proposal was initially addressed, the greatest amount of complaints stemmed from residents who had fences and would lose the ability to park outside of their fence. Mayor Glasser stated she was extremely pleased at the turn out of citizen at this Town Hall Meeting and encouraged continued conversation on this important issue. In response to some discussion on Facebook the Commission chooses to address this topic at this Town Hall Meeting. We are all concerned with the safety of our citizens and welcome and encourage creative solutions as evidenced by this discussion. Mayor Glasser has reached out and invited people with concerns to be part of the discussion as well as part of the solution. She thanked CM Corbin and Principal Planner Brian Broedell for their proposals. Kira Mauro expressed concern about the crosswalk at East Coast Drive and Third Street for people not stopping for school children. She proposed traffic calming devices to slow drivers. Commissioner Norris favored narrowing the road, a speed table or a barrier in the road to slow traffic. She encouraged citizens to gather support from neighbors and continue to voice concerns. B. Mayport Road Mayor Glasser requested CM Corbin to explain the development plans for Mayport Road. CM Corbin stated that approximately two years ago, the City developed a Vision Implementation Plan for the future of Mayport Road including: The creation of the East Coast Greenway (ECG); a Federal protected project with connected series of safe facilities for a continuous non -motorized route from Maine to Florida. The ECG is an 8 to 10 foot mixed use separated path that will go down the east side of Mayport Road. The project will replace some existing features of Mayport Road including old sidewalks and signs with new landscaping. Planner Broedell identified the proposed path of the ECG on the map. A proposed bike lane will be constructed on the west side of Mayport Road resulting in the narrowing of the roadway to decrease speed. The Commission has designated $200,000 to go toward the engineering of the project. The ECG project should gain approval from the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) in the next few months. Once approved by the TPO as a high priority project, engineering will take place and construction would be slated for three to five years. This exciting project will completely transform Mayport Road. Public Art Program implementation. Facade Program granting financial incentives for beautification. Town Hall January 11,2020 Barbie Brooksher, a realtor, was excited to inform her clients of all the great things that have been happening in Atlantic Beach. Herb Taskett inquired about the route of the ECG. Discussion ensued and Mayor Glasser defined the area in Atlantic Beach from the Flyover to Dutton Island Road on Mayport Road. She explained that it is the responsibility of each city to maintain their part of the ECG. Michael Hoffman stated that no one would use the West bound bike lane if a barrier was not erected to separate the lane from the traffic. He suggested a road diet as part of the plan to control speed. What protection do I have when using this lane? CM Corbin stated that one lane of Mayport Road (west side) would be eliminated for the creation of the west bound bike lane. It would be possible to travel in both directions on the ECG. As a cyclist you have a choice to use the sidewalk or the ECG if uncomfortable about using the west bound bike lane due to the absence of a physical barrier. Mayor Glasser noted that as the project enters into the engineering phase, more questions will be answered. The narrowing of the roadway (from 6 to 4 lanes) and the resulting reduction in speed, signals the driver that they are entering the town of Atlantic Beach. Michael Hoffman stated his concern regarding the driveway cuts on Atlantic Blvd. He asked why the driveway slope was started in the middle of the sidewalk. Commissioner Waters concurred and stated it was also a concern for young children. Mayor Glasser stated she was optimistic that the City would be on the list of priority projects. If anyone would like to send emails to our City Council members from Jacksonville who are on the TPO Board, they include: Randy White Sam Newby Also, Rory Diamond is not on the TPO Board but emails to him are suggested. Jon Nottingham Is there any data supporting the reduction in speed limit on Mayport Road? Mayor Glasser stated that we could request data. Herb Taskett stated that the reduction in the speed limit has helped in controlling the speed of traffic from his perspective. Town Hall January 11,2020 Michael Hoffman questioned the light timing by the Fly -over at the intersection of Mayport road and Atlantic roads. He stated when making a left turn onto Atlantic that only six cars get through the intersection. CM Corbin replied that he sent an email yesterday to the traffic engineers at the City of Jacksonville to address the issue. The light at Plaza Drive and Mayport Road has also been addressed. Mayor Glasser stated that she too has concerns regarding how dangerous it is to cross the street at the Plaza and Mayport intersection. Signals at the intersection have been addressed. A two million dollar traffic study focusing on the safety and signalization for the entire stretch of Mayport Road will begin in the next two years. We are optimistic that this will increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Commissioner Waters spoke about long term changes, structural solutions that are permanent, and the future benefit to the community. Commissioner Norris stated that the scope of work requires the involvement of many different parties including Federal, State and Local government agencies. Michael Hoffman informed the Commission that the sidewalk concrete was broken and narrow near Atlantic Blvd and Mayport Roads. This sidewalk links and provides access to the bike lane in Neptune beach. Mayor Glasser responded the widening of the sidewalk on East Coast Drive was funded by the Safe Roads to School Grant but unfortunately the grant is not available where there is an existing sidewalk. Mayor Glasser requested assistance from CM Corbin. Commissioner Kelly discussed the long term improvements to the foundation and infrastructure of Mayport Road, encouraging organic changes from the merchants. She stated she is optimistic and expects to see positive changes going forward. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - OPEN TOPICS Herb Taskett requested that speed humps (not bumps) be installed at Selva Lakes through Parkside in an attempt to dissuade use from vehicle traffic avoiding the 5 -way intersection. Commissioner Waters responded and discussion ensued. CM Corbin stated that the City has temporary speed bumps on order so when requests are made they can be utilized. Commissioner Waters thanked Public Works and CM Corbin for using temporary solutions and gathering citizen input before making permanent changes. Mayor Glasser stated that Public Works would need to be involved and there would be criteria for requests. Rick Carper inquired if there has there been a noticeable change at the 5 -way intersection now that the Atlantic Beach County Club gate has been repaired. Mayor Glasser stated that there have been no complaints received. On the agenda for the Monday, January 13, 2020 Commission meeting there will be discussion about the empty lot on the corner of Seminole Road and Plaza Drive as it relates to traffic at the intersection. Town Hall January 11, 2020 Jeff Haynie inquired about the development of a secondary Town Center at Plaza Drive and Mayport Road. CM Corbin stated development ties into the City's Comprehensive Plan. The City created a new land use category including new zoning changes which allows for increased density, reduced setbacks and reduced parking ratios. The goal would be to create incentives for business redevelopment. Mayor Glasser stated that conversations have centered around the area of Plaza and Mayport Road and Dutton Island and Mayport Road as hubs; however, this movement is organic (slow moving and grassroots movement) and is pushing forward. Jon Nottingham inquired if the walking path from Tide View to Dutton Island is still under proposal. Commissioner Norris stated that due to the sensitive nature of the various ecosystems, a new proposal would have to be investigated. Sally Clemens invited citizens to join the volunteer Police Department. Classes begin in March and are every Thursday for 9 weeks. Ms. Clemens inquired about financial disclosure requirements and questioned why it was public record. Mayor Glasser responded and discussion ensued stating that annual disclosure of assets is a state law and the City Attorney would know if the information could be sealed. Commissioner Kelly stated that the affidavit requests disclosure of sources of income in order to determine if people have a vote on a committee, or if they have a vested interest in the Duval County Election Office. It is a requirement of the state. Commissioner Kelly stated there is an opening on the Environmental Stewardship Committee ESC). City Web page lists the requirements and meeting schedule. There was a discussion about Cultural Arts and Recreation Committee (CARAC), the Board Member Review Committee (BMRC), and Marsh Fest. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Glasser adjourned the meeting at 11:35 AM. Attest: C6••••70" --),„/— Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk Ellen Glasser, Mayor Date Approved 5// I /zo zc Town Hall January 11, 2020