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04-20-20 Commission Workshop Adopted minutesATTENDANCE: Present: Also Present: MINUTES Commission Workshop Meeting Monday, April 20, 2020 - 6:00 PM via Videoconference Ellen Glasser, Mayor - Seat 1 Cindy Anderson, Commissioner - Seat 2 (District 1308) Blythe Waters, Commissioner - Seat 3 (District 1307) Candace Kelly, Commissioner - Seat 4 (District 1306) Brittany Norris, Mayor Pro Tem / Commissioner - Seat 5 (District 1312) Shane Corbin, City Manager (CM) Brenna Durden, City Attorney (CA) Donna Bartle, City Clerk (CC) Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager (DCM) Lori Diaz, Deputy City Clerk CALL TO ORDER Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Glasser called the meeting to order at 6:14 PM. technology issues). Due to extraordinary circumstances, the meeting will be held via videoconference, pursuant to Governor DeSantis' Executive Order Number 20-69 and COAB Emergency Order. Mayor Glasser requested to place Courtesy of the Floor at the beginning of the meeting. There were no objections from the Commission. Mayor Glasser opened Courtesy of the Floor. Mayor Glasser requested Bob Cimon, IT Senior Systems Engineer, to confirm speakers on the platform who wish to speak. Mr. Cimon reported one speaker, Michael Tari. Mayor Glasser briefly explained the process for public comments. Michael Tari spoke about improving 18th Street - parking, public safety, beach access, preserving beach renourishment and funding for same. He spoke about the former Parking Committee and their proposed parking plan. Mr. Tari compared it to this current proposed plan and encouraged the Commission to revisit the former proposal. Mayor Glasser requested DCM Hogencamp to read the written/emailed correspondence. DCM Hogencamp reported fifteen comments submitted via email (which are attached hereto Commission Workshop April 20, 2020 and made part of this Official Record as ATTACHMENT A). DCM Hogencamp read comments of the following into the record. Susanne Barker David Bennett Peter Caldwell Seth Dalton Barbara T. Hall Allyssa Paetau and Michael Mohseni Marcus Pickering Terri Lynn Ray Carole Schwartz Kathryn Steelman Mark Stuart Edward Tormollen Dale Wappes Nancy Whittington DCM Hogencamp read the names from citizens who did not wish to have comments read. John and Kim Reich ATTACHMENT A - Written Comments, Commission Workshop, April, 20,2020 1. TOPIC - 18TH STREET BEACH ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS 1.A. Presentation by Staff and Consultant CM Corbin reported on the budget and provided context. He stated that this project has been approved in the current budget for $125,000.00 and is in the planning stage. COAB has contracted with Joe Loretta for the planning segment of the project. This is the first workshop for this project, previously scheduled workshop was cancelled due to COVID- 19. Public input is welcome as it will influence the final outcome of the project. CM Corbin stated panelists as: Amanda Askew, Planning and Community Development Director (PCDD) Kevin Bodge, Olsen Associates Joe Loretta, Consultant Vic Gualillo, Interim Chief of Police PCDD Askew stated she appreciated the public comments/input. She spoke about landscaping, public safety, creating and enhancing the beach access environment. She stated that tonight's presentation can be found on the COAB website under Planning/Community Development - City Projects. She stated there are currently 54 1/4 spaces and the City is not in favor of reducing parking or adding parking. Joseph Loretta, Consultant/Project Manager, spoke about the goal and scope of the project. He explained that the goal is to improve the appearance of the area with new/additional landscaping or hardscaping as appropriate. The scope of this project includes base preparation, community meetings to introduce the proposed project, Commission Workshop April 20, 2020 additional community meeting to review conceptual design, conceptual development with follow-up comments, and final plan refinement for presentation to the Commission. Mr. Loretta provided an overview of the presentation included in the agenda packet- 18th Street Beach Access Beautification Project and spoke regarding the following: 54.25 parking spaces 50 spaces required to meet beach re -nourishment requirements one space can be transitioned to five bicycle parking spaces two parking spaces can be transitioned to ten bicycle parking spaces Project constraints include: 18th Street is a 60 ft. wide right-of-way southern side of road is not fully centered within the right-of-way discussion with community - desire for no parking to trickle west along Seminole Road within the 60 ft. wide right-of-way the parking spaces are approximately 14 ft. deep, Code typically requires 18 ft. deep the two-way road ranges from 18 to possibly 20 ft. wide in certain areas, typically ranges from 24 ft. wide especially when adjacent to 90 degree parking overhead power along northern edge various obstructions Mr. Loretta stated his goal is to take comments, questions, and thoughts from citizens regarding design ideas. Vic Gualillo, Interim Police Chief, spoke about calls for service at 18th Street over the last 3 years. He reported the following: 194 illegally parked vehicles 53 suspicious vehicles and/or persons complaints 11 animal control calls 6 noise complaints in the last 3 years 2 drug arrests while investigating another 7 traffic crashes related to parking Discussion and questions ensued about the service calls, safety issues, number of vehicles, and surveillance cameras to monitor. Chief Gualillo agrees there is a lot of volume at 18th Street, data does not support a public safety traffic issue based on number of cars versus number of traffic incidents. He responded to all questions. Dr. Kevin Bodge, President of Olsen Associates, the Coastal Engineering consultants to the City of Jacksonville for the beach renourishment project explained how beach renourishment is funded. He spoke about how parking interacts with cost sharing for the beach renourishment project and gave a brief overview regarding the following: the beaches cities, including Atlantic Beach do not contribute any funds to the beach renourishment project beach renourishment is funded by City of Jacksonville, Duval County, the State Commission Workshop April 20, 2020 of Florida, and the Federal Government. rules for establishing the eligibility for state cost share are clearly stated in Florida Administrative Code 62B 36.007. He reviewed how parking spaces are counted, the eligibility by number of parking spaces, limitation rules, and mapping of the spaces. The last mapping exercise was done in 2014. 1.B. Input from and Q & A with Commissioners A lengthy discussion and question session ensued about the differences in the complaint data as compared to what our citizens are reporting, frequency of the mapping exercise by Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), no public access parking in majority of Ponte Vedra beaches, additional parking spaces offset if found within a quarter of a mile of 18th Street, low lighting, location of sidewalks, costs for redoing the right-of-way, doing away with parallel parking, expenditures for beach renourishment, pros and cons of adding a public restroom, and loading zones. Dr. Bodge and Mr. Loretta responded to all questions. 1.C. Community Input and Q & A with Public and Commissioners CM Corbin and Mr. Loretta confirmed they will review the scope of the project, develop options to maintain the parking, and then refine for the best proposed use to do it best within the budget. Commissioner Kelly likes the idea of doing it right, within this year's budget and do more next year, if required. Commissioner Norris spoke about proximity to the beach noting not all AB residents reside along the beach/ocean, beach renourishment funding, and mitigating unwanted behaviors and incidents. Commissioner Waters spoke about this parking area and how long it has been in existence, requirement for public parking, nuisances and public safety issues, enforcement and public works, improving landscaping, adding trash bins, number of spaces in relation to the demand, metered parking consideration, limiting hours to park, and widening the walkover. Commissioner Anderson agrees that not all AB citizens live next to the ocean, spoke about traffic getting worse - more people more cars, utilizing enforcement, imposing a time limit before considering paid parking, concerns with the budget, and strongly urged not moving forward until the Coronavirus is post budget. Mayor Glasser stated that adding parking has not been suggested, expressed her concerns regarding the budget, spoke about middle tier and gold standard options, spoke about enforcement, looking at areas that are a quarter mile of 18th, would like to see 50 instead of 54 spaces, stated there is a volume issue everywhere and not an easy solution, likes the walkover idea. Commission Workshop April 20, 2020 ADJOURNMENT There was no further discussion. Mayor Glasser adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM. Attest: 0101€1,4i/ lw/ Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk EffenGlasser, Mayor Date Approved Commission Workshop April 20, 2020 ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Susanne Barker <susannefbar{er@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 12:16 PM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: Fwd: Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop Donna...I forgot to add that 1 'd like my comments read;) Thanks! Susanne Forwarded message From: Susanne Barker <susannefbarkerc gmaiLcom> Date: Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 12:05 PM Subject: Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop To: Bartle. Donna <dbartle@coab.us> It would have been helpful to have seen a written proposal from HALFF. The provided pictures don't give the public a lot of information on specifics and timeline. I assume that will be available at the workshop. Hopefully that will he available to everyone before the next public meeting, I like the landscape buffer plan and the landscape islands, The sidewalk is a great addition and will provide safety for our beach goers. I agree that the access ramp does need improvement. I guess without the fencing the path will be wider? Not by much but anything would be helpful. One thing that isn't addressed is the narrow road and the difficulty of cars to turnaround after they discover there 's no parking. Can 18th street have some sort of tum around area? Otherwise, should 18th Street be one way to prevent folks turning and endangering people? Maybe forgo the sidewalk and simply widen the road to enable a turn around. Since we are saving money because we don't have to renourish our beaches, maybe the city can develop a plan that allows the street to be monitored during the busiest times. Having a police officer there worked I We need to reinstate that! Thank You! Susanne Barker 1938 Beachside Ct susannefbarkercgmail.com 94 4663.2067 ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: David Bennett <chemist681 @msn.com> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 9:52 AM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop -To be read aloud Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Committee members and council I am all for beautification of the 18th street parking area. If that is the sole purpose of these meetings. I am totally opposed to increased parking at the current location or across Seminole. If someone wants to increase access to more than we already must cope, suggest Hannah Park becomes free admission or provide trolley drop off and pick up beach accesses along the length of beach cities. It is my hopes that this is not some slight of hand move to once again try to increase number of parking spaces. In fact, the 18th street problem was aggravated by former city workers arbitrarily increasing the number of parking places without public comment during a previous improvement of the location. Without public comment, the city just added a large number of spaces. The present or reduced parking should be metered as is being done in the town center. This would be used to defray costs to our city and the citizens that pay for our city. The city workers, council, and committee members are residents of Atlantic Beach and should be representing our interests. Duval County has a council to represent all of Duval County. Bamboo should not be used unless it is a non evasive type. If there is one such type. This non native species and can be very problematic to neighboring properties. I would like to request a copy of the Corps of Engineers agreement for beach sand replenishment or other agreements that specify the number of parking spaces our city ACTUALLY is required to maintain for parking. Please contact me and tell how to go ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes about getting copies of such agreements. "These agreements should be available for viewing at the town hall. Respectfully David Bennett President Marine Chemist Company of North Florida Inc. 904-314-5484 www.marinechemistco.com Brent Campbell Vice President 904-654-5153 mchemist724@gmail.com Melissa Scheeser Administration and Billing 904-868-4496 mscheeserAa.marinechemistco.corn 2 ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Peter Caldwell <peter.realtoradvocate@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 8:56 AM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop Attachments: Written Comments onl8th street for COAB work shop.docx Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Hey Donna. Here are my comments to be read and put in record for this evenings workshop. I also have a attached as MS Word version (299 words). Thank you for doing this virtually: I really appreciate the cautious, measured steps the City has taken in reopening our beach under the current quarantine. Not only did it address the folks of Duval County, it also made sure residents of AB were taken into account. This is how I would like the City Council to approach our issues on 18th street. I live in The Beachside Community going on four years now. I couldn't help but notice, that parking was closed on 18th when you reopened the beach. I'm assuming, the reasons you came to this conclusion is with your understanding of its history. You know what happens in this particular lot under normal circumstances. Until recently, I walked on 18th street regularly. I have seen diapers, condoms, drug paraphernalia, empty beer cans/liquor bottles. I love AB, especially my neighborhood. I have had countless discussions with those that border 18th and feel fortunate; that I do not. I have also spent a lot of time recently reading transcripts, watching videos of your meetings and reviewing background material. As city council, I don't understand why you haven't favored/enacted a solution that benefits all of AB first and foremost. I am hopeful that might change. To that end I would like noted there are real problems and solutions: Issues: This parking is used by many outside of AB and have no respect for its residents. Evidence of its abuse is both material (as mentioned) and by your Police Captain(s). It is unsafe. Solutions: Reduce the amount of parking spots. Permit Parking for COAB residents (free), charge a minimal fee for all others. Identify who uses the lot/charge just two dollars, most of your issues go away. If not, you have better grasp of who everyone is and can be addressed. Increase police presence at dark. Thank You Peter Caldwell 1930 Beachside Court, AB peter. realtoradvocate(a,gmail .com ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes I really appreciate the cautious, measured steps the City has taken in reopening our beach under the current quarantine. Not only did it address the folks of Duval County, it also made sure residents of AB were taken into account. This is how I would like the City Council to approach our issues on 18`h street. I live in The Beachside Community going on four years now. I couldn't help but notice, that parking was closed on 18th when you reopened the beach. I'm assuming, the reasons you came to this conclusion is with your understanding of its history. You know what happens in this particular lot under normal circumstances. Until recently, I walked on 18`h street regularly. I have seen diapers, condoms, drug paraphernalia, empty beer cans/liquor bottles. I love AB, especially my neighborhood. I have had countless discussions with those that border 18th and feel fortunate; that I do not. I have also spent a lot of time recently reading transcripts, watching videos of your meetings and reviewing background material. As city council, I don't understand why you haven't favored/enacted a solution that benefits all of AB first and foremost. I am hopeful that might change. To that end I would like noted there are real problems and solutions: Issues: This parking is used by many outside of AB and have no respect for its residents. Evidence of its abuse is both material (as mentioned) and by your Police Captain(s). It is unsafe. Solutions: Reduce the amount of parking spots. Permit Parking for COAB residents (free), charge a minimal fee for all others. Identify who uses the lot/charge just two dollars, most of your issues go away. If not, you have better grasp of who everyone is and can be addressed. Increase police presence at dark. Thank You ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: Seth Dalton <daltonmccloud@gmail.com> Monday, April 20, 2020 10:13 AM Bartle, Donna Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop COAB Comments Letter Beach Parking 18th St.pdf Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Donna, I'd like my comments to read at the meeting as well as added to the written record. Best, Seth Dalton 1864 Beachside CT Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop (Please read at meeting) Seth Dalton 1864 Beachside Ct Atlantic Beach FL 32233 I respectfully want to share my concerns regarding the 18th Street Beach parking situation. I am troubled by the large increase in traffic and noise in the neighborhood, trash strewn all over the area, and most alarmingly the common occurrence of public urination. Just last month this parking lot saw volume like I've never seen in the 10 years my wife and I have enjoyed Atlantic Beach. Why has the lot been expanded so greatly in such a quiet residential area? It's become a nuisance, a safety concern and simply unpleasant when visitors treat our neighborhood with such disrespect and rudeness. Three neighbors in our HOA are directly on the northern fence to the lot. I have concerns that they experience these unpleasant elements much more than the rest of us. What was the process used to expand the lot adding all the new parking spots? I'd like to be directed to the public record of these meetings to better understand how COAB decided to expand the lot considering the surrounding neighborhoods are so vehemently opposed to it. I find it odd that the largest beach parking lot in AB accounts for 40% of the towns beach parking. That places a wildly disproportionate burden on our neighborhood. I would hope our leaders would take to heart these concerns and roll back the expansion and identify alternative, smaller expansions for parking in other locations. It is distressing to access the beach while having to wade through a lot crowded with drunken revelers that litter and relieve themselves without regard for those of us that call AB home. Please do the right thing and correct this problem before our lovely beach community is further tarnished. ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bank, Donna Prom: Barbara Hall <barbhalscrna@corncast,iet> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 3 57 PM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: Written Comments April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Please read my comments into the record during the meeting. Dear Mayor and Commissioners, Before considering beautification of 18th Street, please consider safety issues. There have been numerous incidents and near misses, such as small children walking behind cars that are backing out. Although drinking is not permitted on the beach, it is happening as evidenced by the garbage left in the area and the driving behavior of some motorist. It is not a matter of if, but when someone is seriously injured due to the crowding is such a compact space. As many neighbors have pointed out these hazards repeatedly, it would become a liability issue for the city of Atlantic Beach if these concerns are not addressed and remedied. Additionally there are health issues as there are no public bathrooms and people are urinating in the parking areas. As a resident of Ocean Grove Dr, it becomes unsafe for children on our street as cars are going 50 mph and circling repeatedly to look for parking. Could you please consider closing Ocean Grove Dr to the 18th street parking area to eliminate this danger. I don't want to think that a child on our one block street gets hit by a speeding car. Paid parking at Town Center has pushed beach goers into areas that are not permitted and people are parking an the pavement, in front of fire hydrants and on our lawns I have lived on Ocean Grove for 16 years and have paid enough property to tax to fund your entire beautification project and then some. The last Saturday that the beaches were open was a nightmare that I could never have imagined and I don't want to endure again. Thank you for your service to our community and canside.ration of my concerns. Barbara T. Hail 1759 Ocean Grove Dr. Atlantic Beacii ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Alyssa Paetau <paetau@hotmail.com> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 1:10 PM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged From: Alyssa Paetau and Michael Mohseni 1849 Ocean Grove Drive Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 paetau@hotmail.com Please read comments at the meeting: Traffic at the 18th street beach parking has steadily increased over the 4 years we have lived in our home. We now have a young daughter and it causes us to have serious safety concerns when she is in the front yard/ driveway playing as drivers are frequently speeding and paying little attention to pedestrians as they circle looking for a parking spot. I also have to inspect our backyard frequently, as beachgoers throw trash including half eaten food to our dog, empty alcohol bottles, fireworks and even drug paraphernalia over our fence. We have had to call the police department on multiple occasions because of loud after hours parties in the parking lot and when a group of teenage boys was urinating through our fence. We have had install motion activated lights and cameras to help combat these issues on our own. In the summer our peaceful family friendly beach neighborhood is anything but. We ask that you consider decreasing the number of parking spaces and making them pay spaces to help offset the cost of maintenance and increased police patrols. Thank you. ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Pickering, Marcus J. <pickeringm@duvalschools.org> Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2020 9:17 PM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: Written Comments for April 20 Comission Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged I would like my comments read aloud, Thank you. How would each of the individual commissioners and the Mayor address my concerns that this proposed beautification" is nothing more than an attempt at gentrification of our public space? How are we convinced that this isn't only removing parking just to appease the neighbors who publicly complain about those who cannot walk to the beach crowding "their space?" Has there been a single pedestrian accident with serious injury, or enough by FL state standards to warrant removal of parking in place of sidewalk? Wouldn't the proposal remove a number of parking spaces from public access and, to what benefits? Thank you commissioners and Mayor. I will respect whatever the city decides is best. Sent from my iPhone This communication may contain privileged and confidential information intended only for the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Florida has broad public records laws and virtually all written communications are public records unless specifically deemed confidential pursuant to state or federal law. ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna Subject: RE: Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop From: Terri Ray [mailto:terrilray@icloud.comj Sent: Friday, Apr'I 17, 2020 2:54 PM To: Bartle, Donna <dbartle@coab.us> Subject: Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop Comments To Be Read During Meeting> This is the 3rd year we have been writing our elected officials to inform them of the MAJOR Safety Concerns of 18'' Street Parking Block during peak beach visitation citing specific incidents each time. The root cause of burdening 25% of city parking at 18`11 Street is the traffic volume exceeds the safe capacity of our narrow neighborhood streets. Beginning in 2018 when fax Beach implemented Paid Parking traffic volume increased and incidents became more frequent. With 2019 TC paid Parking, the problem worsened. We have pulled children away from backing cars, watched a leashed dog get hit/killed, had more than 3 neighbors hit by backing vehicles while witnessing many near -miss collisions to pedestrian, bicyclists or pets. We truly are worried for the safety of our neighbors, their children or their pets, I am hearing/seeing 16th Street parking block has a similar trend of incident risk. I am keenly aware the city needs to maintain a number of parking spots, but that should not prevent the pursuance of a solution that will achieve quiet enjoyment for ALL city residents yet protect the safety of residents and visitors alike, especially this one with high, documented risk. This can be done simply by reducing the number of parking spots at 18`1' Street to one -row, parallel parking (similar to 19th Street) and then implement either the Parking Committee proposal before it was disbanded or utilizing nearby parks or other access parking opportunities. Therefore; I cannot support the "18th Street Beautification" project because it fails to remedy the volume/capacity problem that creates very serious risks to those biking;/wallcinggrdriving in this area. Beautification will be nice if/when problem is resolved but for now, we ask for a Solution that equally weighs the protection and needs of al. We are all in this together. Terri Lynn Ray 1748 Ocean Grove Drive, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Email : TerriLRay(d)Icloud,com ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Carole Schwartz <dorieblu@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2020 4:15 PM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: Written Comments for the Ap' 20, 2020 Commission Workshop Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Regarding the proposed changes for 18th St parking area: Please include my remarks in the written record. 1. I agree with building the sidewalk along the south side of 18th St. This will address the great concern from the Police Dept that people parking on 18th did not have a safe place to walk to their car, 2. I approve cars parking along the north side of 18th St and the landscaping that would enhance its appearance. 3. I agree there should be no parking along Saturiba. Before the beaches closed, consider the cars parked along the south side of Saturiba with most of the car extended into the roadway in the first block and the cars that parked on the grass easement with perhaps 1/2 to 1/3 of the vehicle extended into the roadway along Saturiba in the second and third blocks. This is unacceptable in a neighborhood. Ask the homeowners whose properly adjoins Saturiba. Just because this occurred daily when so much of the City was closed to commerce, etc, it is not unusual for us to see this every weekend. Jacksonville's exponential growth in the east side of the City brings thousands to the beaches. I point out the condo/apartments complex newly begun along Atlantic Blvd just over the Intracoastal Waterway. These residents, too, will want to come to Atlantic Beach. The point is there is no end to the growth here and because of this we can never possibly provide space for all the people who want to visit, Carole Schwartz 1857 Tierra Verde Dr dorieblu(d.gmai1.com ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Kathryn Steelman <hksteel@triad.rr.com> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 3:56 PM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: RE: Atlantic Beach Resident Comments for April 20th Workshop --- Resolution for Safety at 18th Street Parking! Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Donna - someone mentioned that in order for it to be entered and read at the workshop must be 300 words or less so sending again and think below the 300 requirement! Below suggestions: 1. Suggest 18th Street be parallel parking ONLY with a sidewalk (like on 19th Street) so residents/beach visitors do not have to walk in the street! This would be a low cost solution that could be done NOW with immediate/positive results. 2. Suggest making public parking spaces (could be paid parking) around Johansen Park, 1300 Seminole Road. This is a 12 acre public park blocks from the beach/ocean and has a large grassy area already designated for picnicking (as stated on the Atlantic Beach parks web site). In that "ideal" location could be a lot of parking around the park, could put in picnic tables for the beach goers to use (which could keep trash off the beach), could put in public restrooms (with beach goers staying all day at the beach would give them restrooms) and would not be any farther walking to the beach than neighbors coming from Selva/Ocean Walk/or part of Town Center, etc.! This would be a very good use of the seldom used" beautiful and spacious park and very positive use of money allocation for all residents! Would not cost much to put in parking spaces (maybe graveled to start with), a few picnic tables (could be donated by local businesses with plaque for advertisement) and "temporary" restrooms to see if being used before more permanent installations! Could even have food trucks set up during busy summer months. All this would not be expensive but would require water/electrical in the park --- would be good regardless! 3. Implement PAID PARKING on 18th Street since working at Town Center! 4. If above not approved request that Ocean Grove Drive be closed at 18th Street to protect our children living on our street! The Steelmans 1844 Ocean Grove Drive Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Donna, THANKS again and have a beautiful and healthy weekend! From: Kathryn Steelman <hksteel@triad.rr.com> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 9:17 AM To: Glasser, Ellen; 'Ray for Atlantic Beach Mayor'; 'Barbara Hall' ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Mark Stuart <mhs92109@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 11:16 AM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: 18th Street Beach Access Comments Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Hello Ms, Bartle, Thank you for coordinating public comments for the upcoming commission meeting, which will include a discussion about the 18th Street beach parking and access. Obviously things are not exactly normal right now, and I appreciate your extra efforts organizing public comments. Statement below: I am a resident of the Beachside HOA and therefore have been following along for quite some time as the commission attempts to come to some sort of solution to the traffic, trash, and myriad of other safety and health issues. I am only one resident with one vote and one opinion, but I'm hoping our location of residence does garner the attention of the commission. What is obvious is the fact that 18th Street was never designed for the current configuration with so many parking spaces. How to gently move forward with a comprehensive plan to mitigate the well documented unsavory behavior there is certainly up for debate, however one part of the solution must be a reduction of available parking. We know due to exhaustive studies those spaces can in fact be made up in other areas of the community. With all of the online reviews and advertising on Google and other review sites about the "Secret Beach" located at 18th Street, the problem continues to worsen. Please consider installing paid parking as well as the required reduction of spaces. Let's respect our quaint neighborhoods, and have users pay for the services required for area maintenance. The current solution of police roadblocks and digital signage is costly and inefficient. Finally, please consult personally with the neighbors that directly touch the area intended for beautification. It is their yards, homes, and property values that are negatively impacted by the unfortunate situation that now exists. Best Wishes, Mark Stuart ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Bartle, Donna Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 11:16 AM To: Elected Officials; Hogencamp,Kevin; Corbin, Shane; Askew, Amanda Cc: jloretta@Halff.com' Subject: FW: 18th street access Below are comments from Mr. Tormollen. Thank you, Donna Original Message From: Ed Tormollen [mailto:edsalx@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2020 10:12 AM To: Bartle, Donna <dbartle@coab.us> Subject: 18th street access Dear Mayor and Commissioners All the inferences in beautifying the 18th street beach access are going to cause more safety issues for the residents of Ocean Grove Drive and Beach Ave. Every weekend during peak season even now speeding autos and electric cars constantly wreak havoc with violations of speed limits and one way streets. Remember the residents of AB have every right to limit the number of townies to maintain our style of beach living . Look at PV and how they maintain a semblance of authority over their beach. My wife and I have been living in Ocean Grove Drive since 1986 and current weekend traffic is going to foster incidents that will be exasperated by beautification. Sincerely Edward Tormollen 1745 ocean grove drive Atlantic Beach Sent from my iPhone 1 ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Dale <bramdasu@aol,com> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 8:35 AM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: Comments for the 18th street workshop Attachments: Madam Mayor.docx Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Donna, Hope all is well with you and yours....... Attached are some comments I would appreciate being read into the minutes at the upcoming workshop. Thank you for all you do for our city. Dale Sent from Mail for Windows 10 ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Written Comments for April 20, 2020 Commission Workshop" Dale Wappes, Atlantic Beach, FL bramdasu@aol.com Please have this communication read into the official record at the workshop, Mayor Glasser, Commissioners and City Staff, Thank you all for your efforts to keep us informed/safe these past weeks. Initial work by staff appears to address long standing safety issues AND the eyesore that is 18th Street. The proposed redesign reflects a sidewalk along the entire south side of the street and landscaping primarily along the north side). This redesign includes removal of parallel parking on the south side of the street and reconfiguration of several spaces on the north. From staffs comments, apparently these changes can be incorporated without affecting "beach renourishmnent" calculations. I commend staff on their efforts but am concerned the street width gained replacing 10' wide parking with 4-5' sidewalks will be lost if landscaping extends to the edge of the current paved area. In extending the landscaping to the street edge, vehicles parking "nose in" in the spaces may not be able to utilize what is currently a buffer to keep out of traffic lanes. The south side pathway may keep pedestrian traffic off the street however, beachgoers parking on the north side will still be unloading their vehicles into the middle of the street and crossing two lanes of traffic to get to it. A safer solution may be to have parking and sidewalk on the same side of the street. Incorporating diagonal parking along the sidewalk on the south side would direct pedestrian movement out of the middle of the street onto the sidewalk while providing a "clean pallet" for landscaping on the north. Alternatively, a sidewalk could be constructed on the north however, parking would remain "nose -in" with all the attendant issues of off-loading from vehicle trunks into a two-way street). Regardless of whether the sidewalk is on the north or south side, area crosswalks as well as the beach access stairs will have to be re -configured directing pedestrian flow to/from the sidewalk. Thank you. Dale Wappes ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: Nancy Whittington <nvn202@juno.com> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 10:56 AM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: Written comments to be read tonight Attachments: AB Apr20 comments virtual parking meeting.pdf Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Donna, thank you for reading these attached comments for me tonight. Hope all is going well for you and that all in your family are safe. Let me know if you have any questions. Nancy Whittington 1861 Beachside ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Honorable Mayor, Commissioners, Please help us understand how this behavioral chaos on 18th street reached this level of anarchy on a residential street? How did a substandard two-way street reach such aggravated congestion? It is NOT seasonal, but happens every beautiful day all year long. Beyond the volume on 18th, it is the nature of the crowd that causes residents the most concern. The crowd coming off the beach drunk and disorderly coupled with the impaired driving, as they weave down Seminole concerns us the most. The disturbance may be on 18th but the impaired driving continuing down a narrow 2 -lane road imperils many. Focused enforcement of the beach drinking ordinances and enhanced DUI patrols during the sunset hours could correct the behavior quickly. The word will get out that AB seriously enforces ordinances. This situation at 18th has happened gradually so not everyone sees the current situation up close like those of us who live nearby. Can we trade asphalt for bike racks? Why this is not a discussable? The Shore Protection contract clearly states that no beach access can be granted credit for greater than 25 slots per zone. No doubling up is specifically authorized. 18/19th covers for 61% of the AB beach parking. Does this make sense? Why not take us back to when there were less than 40 spots on 18th before Rick Carper, as head of DPW, painted a 29% increase in parking spots after a repaving job. I do not recall any Commission involvement in this expansion decision because the City still got beach sand at the previous allocation of a lesser number on 18th. Even the Olsen Engineer told the City parking committee on 10-17-2017 that the sand grant parking table was wrong. Help make this more reasonable, equitably. Nancy Whittington 1861 Beachside ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Bartle, Donna From: john Reich <johnmreich@yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 12:12 PM To: Bartle, Donna Subject: 18th Street Beach Access Project Inpu Attachments: Reich 18th St missive.docx Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Donna, Attached is a letter pertinent for the meeting on 18th Street Beach Access. thanks, John John M. Reich, 678) 877-9942 ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Subject: 18th Street Parking east of Seminole Rd. 17 April 2020 Citizens of Atlantic Beach: John and Kim Reich here, we live at 1852 Beachside Ct. AB. We have lived here since 2008 and absolutely love living where we are and the city of AB. One of the awesome reasons we love where we live is because of its proximity to the 18th St beach entrance. Another thing we love about living here is that during the summer we get to enjoy the beach with so many neighbors who park in the 18th St parking spaces just outside of our south facing fence. The parking spaces directly south of our fence number 15 of the total available parking spaces in the parking area. During the summer months the vast majority of people who park in the 18th St parking quietly and wholesomely park and go to the beach, return to their cars a few hours later with nothing more than the sound of laughter and a few crying babies. I am certain the majority of these beach goers do not litter the residential area that happens to have a very large parking lot next to the beach. I also know that the majority of these people refrain from fighting loudly, cursing loudly, and playing extremely loud music. Most beach goers also refrain from tossing trash, empty bottles, used condoms, soiled diapers and urinating in public against our fence. However, there is a minority of people who park in the 18th St. parking who have no regard that they are parking in a residential area. This minority of beach goers do fight loudly, litter, play music loudly, urinate in public and generally act as if this residential area is the parking area of an unregulated bar. This minority of beach goers are an ongoing and constant presence during warm weather months, April -October. ATTACHMENT A April 20, 2020 Minutes Over the last couple of years police presence at the parking area has helped greatly. When an officer is present loud music, litter, fighting, and urinating in public against my fence does not happen. However, when there is no police presence some beach goers will again display conduct that is offensive for a residential area. It is a fact that there is no other residential area in AB that has to deal with as much free beach parking with no controls. In the city center area there is paid parking and a constant police presence. There is also access to restrooms that are not available on 18th St. At Hanna Park there is controlled access with payment, police and park ranger presence and restrooms. Importantly, the 18th St. parking is nestled in a residential area, the parking is free, there are no controls, and there are no restrooms. There are many ways to address the concerns expressed above; landscaping, paid parking, police presence, etc. I urge our leaders to keep in mind that the prescription for the fix will affect the people who live next to the parking area most directly. Our voice should be the ones that ring the loudest in the commission room. While I appreciate that people who might live on Sea Oats Drive or Live Oak Lane have opinions on possible solutions, their vote on the matter should weigh little. We the citizens, the residential citizens, who border the 18th St parking should have the primary vote on solutions. We are the ones who are living with the current situation and we are the ones who will live with the solution.