04-19-90 v r ;
MINUTES OF THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 19, 1990 - 7:30 pm
This meeting was called in order that this Board would meet with the City Commission
of Atlantic Beach. At this time, 3 members of the Dept. of Natural Resources were
also able to meet with us.
Present: Advisory Board Members, Donald Fagan, chairman, Jeff Croom, Gerard Vermey, David
Turner, Henry Batts, Alice Richardson, Rose Blanchard. Richard Riley was excused.
City Commission: Mayor W.I.Gulliford, Commissioner Tucker, Commissioner Cook,
Commissioner Weldon, City Manager, Kim Leinbach, City Clerk, Maureen King. Commissioner
Edwards was excused.
Dept. of Natural Resources: Bill Bibby, Mike Renard and Rick Halvorsen
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm by Chairman, Donald Fagan who thanked all
for being present.
Mr. Fagan stated that the purpose of this meeting was to find out the scope and how
far this Board can go to implement structual additions, planning. The Board has
divided the parks and finally decided that Donner Park was a priority among them
for recreational needs. We did an assessment and talked to the people, the ministers
and all we could find. Donald and Richard rode with the Police in the worst areas
and got the Police review of the area and its main problems. We could put up a very
beautiful Park and fill it with all kinds of wonderful equipment, but until we clean
up the area and rid it of it's blight, we will not accomplish a "regional" Park
atmosphere. After we look at Donner Park and finish it, we will then be able to go
forward with plans for other parks.
Mayor Gulliford requested a few minutes to clarify what the plans are for the Donner
Park region, so that the Board would be informed, once and for all. The property
fronting Church Road is now the property of the City of Atlantic Beach, to George
Street. Coming south on George St. , Lots # 13-16. Lot #16, does not belong to Thelma
Griffin who owns Lots 13-15. Now we have to contact the owner of Lot #16 and are
awaiting the results before we commit to buying 13-16. Lot #14 has a small house
on it that will go with the property. We received $125,000 and have spent about $90,000
of the monies we received from Jimmie Jarboe for recreational use and have about $100,000
left to spend, as necessary. We will acquire the necessary property first, then we
can clean up and rehabilitate the area and ultimately, design a class Park, with the
help of the DNR services available. With the growth of Section "H" a regional Park
in the area of Donner Park has a great potential for use. Church Road could be up-
graded, through the services of City of Jacksonville, which would help in the long
range plan. The Jordan Park project, which received funding via a Community Development
Block Grant, would eventually be a "passive" Park with some horseshoe playing, Basketball
and picnicing. A Community Center is a MUST either in Jordan or Donner, and the preferenc
would be Donner, due to the fact that it would serve more citizens than Jordan.
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REC. ADV. BRD. MTG.
APRIL 19, 1990
page 2
In reference to the rehabilitation of homes in the Donner Park area, we would consider
the 501-C plan to finance this project. After these considerations have been taken
care of then the Recreational needs can and will be met. The Mayor suggested that
the Board look at the 4 acres in Section "H" off Atlantic Blvd. for development as
a Recreational site. It sits on Begonia, bordering on Atlantic Blvd. Russell Park
is obviously land locked and the Mayor stated that he would like to see it stay the
way it is, except that we may be able to extend the Tennis Courts, (although we could
put Tennis Courts in other Parks also) , multi-purpose fields for Soccer and Football,
(maybe one on the 4 acre site in Sec. H. or within the Donner area) , we do not plan
to infringe on the present park area with other buldings, we need additional Parking
areas, move the trailer to Sec. H or Donner area. Parking facilities would have to
be constructed so as not to infringe on the present recreational areas.
The meeting was at this time, turned over to the representatives of DNR to inform
all of the services available to us, through their offices.
Mike Renard: shared a copy of the plans they just drew up for the City of Arcardia.
The map showed what was there and what they wanted to add. You show them what they
want and Mike and his crew put it together. They design what they think is the best
use of the area to meet the needs of the City. They do NOT originate Design! They
follow the suggested needs of the City. Basically they can give you cost estimates
of the project and provided Engineering Services, free of charge. They would appreciate
an aerial map of the site before they begin. This helps them plan more effectively.
Because small municipalities have no engineering Dept. , Architects, etc. DNR provide
these services for smaller communities, primarily.
Bill Bibby: Advisory Services section. Consultant type. Meet with local officials
to get advise and direction to begin a program. Work with the professionals in
educational information and workshops. Training of workers withing the Parks &
Recreational Services, including pay study with Cheryl Beeler at UNF, also the
needs assessment forms sent to Rec. Depts. (including us) to help with the deficiencies
existing to see how they can incorporate into the Grant Programs. The infrstructure
assessments will come out in May. Primarily, this Dept. Focuses on Local Government.
Rick Halvorsen: Grant Specialist. The Landing in Jax. was a project funded by the
Land and Water Conservation Fund (Grant) . You cannot use Grant monies for private
ventures. The Design section defined what could and could not be done. Likewise,
the Riverwalk project. Rick handed out the brochures on the 3 available grants.
Land and Water Conservation, Fishing Reefs, Save out Coast for coastal property
and beach accesses. FRDAP- Florida Recreation Development Program. , Youth Conservation
Corp, etc.
REC. ADV. BRD. MTG.
APRIL 19, 1990
Page 3
Rails & Trails, which join 2 or 3 Parks- could be biking or walking, etc.
Land & Water Conservation Fund Program is Federal Money that is chaneled through the
State to the Locals. The State of Fla. chooses not to put money toward State Parks
anymore. They fund about 4-5 projects state wide now due to the funding cut from 11
million dollars a year to the present $600,000 a year now for the whole state of Fla.
This makes the competition real stiff. If you find a seller who- will donate half the
land value the donation and the sale cannot occur until the Grant is approved unless
we go to the waiver or retroactivity process. Further instructions on how to apply
are on Tape #1 of 2, Side 2. Revisions are being undertaken at this time and perhaps
some of these rules will be changed. We will forward new regulations when we have
completed the revisions. A total of 44 points are necessary for Land & Water
Conservation Grant and 30 points for FRDAP. He advised that the Board could "practice"
trying to accumulate points before submission to see how close we come to being considere<
for the grant we want. The Rules Revision Committee has as it's goal, a simpler method
for application. The criterial will also change. All of this should make it easier for
the local, small communities to get a grant. The submission period will probably change
also. The revisions will come to the Depts. and input sought. Updates will be mailed
out with applications packets to those who would plan to apply. State level approvals
may come in June, so if you think you want to apply, do so as soon as possible.Full
details are included in Tape #1 of 2, Side 2 for future reference.
The Florida Boating & Improvement Program comes from Boat Tag monies collected, within
the County, for the County. It is held by the County Commission. You put together a
project and go to them (City Council Jax.) and request use of Boat tag monies collected
in Atlantic Beach, for Atlantic Beach. A fishing pier would even suffice, but it MUST
BE BOATING RELATED! ! Includes Chanel Markers, ramp, restroom at ramps, etc.
NO ENCLOSED AREAS, (such as a REC. CENTER) must be pre-approved and RECREATION RELATED!
First, identify the site, next what's going on the site, cost, then request help from
the above mentioned service groups and proceed.
Commissioner Cook calculated that if we acquire all of the proposed property in Donner
Park, it would measure 5 acres.
There was a good bit of discussion with everyone participating and input from the
DNR Group was excellent. The above referenced tape contains all pertinent information
anyone may need in the future. The Commission, and the Board expressed their thanks
for the members of the DNR Group and their valuable information, and assured them that
they would be hearing from us.
An interesting observation: If you have facilities that are really run down e.g.
an old backstop and a diamond kids are using, if you saw that backstop as a hazard,
you could pull it out before pre-awards which would make it a "no formal facility"
and could be considered "un developed".
REC. ADV. BRD. MTG.
APRIL 19, 1990
PAGE 4
Arrangements were made to tour Donner Park, Russell Park, Jordan Park, Preben
Johansen Park and Howell Park, the next day with Rose Blanchard and each of the
three DNR representatives the next day.
Thanks to Don Geritisen for putting us in touch with all of you, and everyone again
would like to express our appreciation to the Commission, DNR and our super Board.
The Mayor addressed the Board, after the departure of the DNR representatives,
regarding Mr. Fagan's earlier questions regarding the view of each of the Parks.
The Mayor addressed his "hang up" to see a Gazebo or performing stage area in
Russell Park as a result of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Christmas of 1989.
An area such as this would be available all year for so very many opportunities
to share some of the local talent, shows for the children, a performance by the
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, etc. . . He asked that the Board consider such an
addition. Further, he addressed the need for future of recreation as it relates
to Senior Citizens. Perhaps we can utilize the old City Hall as a Senior Citizen
or general citizen gathering place, providing fun things to do in the line of recreation
for citizens who have quit playing tennis, baseball, etc. The Mayor next addressed
the fact that this Board would be coming before this Commission for funds to facilitate
the "needs" we feel are to be addressed. You can use Capital Improvements and/or
Operating Expenses as budgeted items for improvements. As a tax payer, not your
Mayor, may I submit to you that you will have to start considering "user fees".
Practically speaking, as a tax payer, do you not resent the fact that in using my
tax dollars for recreation in my City, you also make available to persons, OUTSIDE
the city limits, the same facilities that we pay for with our taxes. You as a Board
then come to the Commission and ask for Capital Improvements and Operating Funds to
continue your recreational needs, but not make provisions for "user fees" for those
who do not contribute to this City's funds. Understanding and appreciating all our
neighbors, we cannot afford to fund all our neighbors. For instance we serve the
following in Little League. Out of 372 children, 119 are within the City Limits of
Atlantic Beach and 181 from Jacksonville. This only fortifies our need to charge
for the use of our facilities that we maintain, enlarge etc.
Chairman Fagan agreed that a performing stage would be a great idea particularly
since the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will, no doubt, increase in size and
popularity.
Rose Blanchard went on record requesting that if the old City Hall were to be used
for a Senior Center, it should appropriately dedicated to MRS. ADELE GRAGE for all
the years she dedicated to this City and the time she spent in and out of that building.
There being no further discussions and/or business the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm