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01-03-89 v City of Atlantic Beach Workshop Meeting January 3, 1989 AGENDA 1. Discussion of preliminary Engineer's report on drainage canal improvements for the City of Atlantic Beach. 2. Discussion re: Dune overwalks and suggestions for change or modification. 3. Discussion regarding feasibility study on consolidation of City and Buccaneer water and sewer districts. 4. Discussion regarding the development of a new zoning classification to be called Contract Quality Development (CQD) . 5. Discussion regarding status of appointments to the Hospital Board representing the City of Atlantic Beach. 6. Discussion regarding the duties of the Community Development Board in submitting an annual list of recommended capital improvements. 7. Discussion of major improvements to be undertaken in Section H and effect expenditures for these improvements may have on other city projects. 8. Committee Activity and Purposes a) Solid Waste b) Beautification c) Safe Neighborhood d) Others 9. Future areas of opportunity a) Density b) Revenue Sources c) Parking d) Recreation e) Sidewalks and/or bike paths 10. Any other business. Adjournment MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MING OF THE MANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL ON JANUARY 3, 1989, AT 7:00 PM. Mayor Gulliford called the meeting to order and announced the purpose of the meeting was to informally discuss subjects which would have both short and long range impact on the City, and make recommendations for items to be addressed at future Commission meetings. He invited comments and input from the audience. Present were Mayor Gulliford, Commissioners Cook, Edwards, Jensen and Tucker. Also present were City Manager Fellows, City Attorney Mullis, and City Clerk King. 1. Discussion of preliminary engineer's report on drainage canal improvements for the City of Atlantic Beach. The City Manager presented a re-cap of construction projects pending and under way, and addressed specifically the drainage canal improvements and reported he had met with representatives of the City of Jacksonville in regards to working out an arrangement whereby Jacksonville would assist with the closing in of the Seminole Road drainage canal from 16th to 18th Street at an estimated cost of $237,000. in return for which Hanna Park campground would hook to the City sewer system. The amount of the Hanna Park impact fees would be similar to the cost to close in the drainage canal. Discussion ensued relative to the pros and cons of culverts as opposed to drainage ditches and the consensus was the City needs to pursue a comprehensive drainage plan. The City Manager reminded the Commission authority had already been given to advertise under the Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act for engineering services relative to establishing a storm water utility. Mayor Gulliford reported in his meeting with homeowners in the Selva Tierra area it was suggested the homeowners share in the cost of closing in that ditch in a ratio of 60% for the homeowners' share and 40% to be financed by the City. In the meantime it is hoped better maintenance of the ditches will alleviate some of the problems. After further discussion it was generally felt the City Manager should continue his negotiations with the City of Jacksonville relative to closing in the Seminole Road ditch and hooking the Hanna Park campground to the City utility system, and consider installing sidewalks/bike paths in that area. The subject of the French drains on the beach was also discussed and the City Manager reported a proposal had been received from Gee and Jenson, who indicated this would be a massive project and that grant funds would not be available until 1990 when the City of Jacksonville enters into a new contract with the Corps of Engineers for beach renourishment. 2. Discussion re: Dune overwalks and suggestions for change or mod- ification. The City Manager presented the Commission with minutes of a meeting he and Don Ford, and Buck Snellings of Connelly and Wicker Engineers, had had in City Hall with residents living adjacent to the overwalks in dispute. Mr. Newman, of Newman Construction Company, whose company is doing the construction, was in the audience and presented each Commissioner with a number of change orders and the related costs and the options available. Lengthy discussion followed with Commissioners Edwards and Tucker expressing support for the overwalks as constructed, particularly the sturdiness of the structures. Both Commissioners said they had received positive comments from the public on both the sturdy construction and appearance. It was suggested that since the overwalks at Dewees and Eighteenth were almost complete, they should be left as is, but since there are additional overwalks planned, the Commission might consider a different design for 20th Street. Public Services Director Ford who was in the audience, said he had spoken with a DNR representative who had indicated the overwalks must be a minimum of twelve inches above the high point of the dunes, and from this perspective, he did not see where any adjustment could be made as far as height is concerned. Mr. Bill Greenwood of Garden Lane, who was in the audience, spoke strongly in favor of the present construction of the overwalks. He stated he studied engineering at Northwest University, graduated from Southern Tech with a degree in Civil Technology and Public Management from the University of Georgia. He complimented the City Commission on the construction of the overwalks and asked that they not procrastinate further with the construction of the 20th Street overwalk. Mayor Gulliford asked the Commission to give some serious thought to 16th Street overwalk. 3. Discussion regarding the feasibility study on consolidation of City and Buccaneer Water and Sewer Districts. The City Manager reported Smith and Gillespie Engineers estimate $7 million to consolidate the two systems. The City has just spent in the neighborhood of $4 million on the present facilities which were now approaching capacity and a decision must be made soon as to what direction the Commission wishes to take. Mayor Gulliford expressed grave concerns as to problems which could arise ten to fifteen years in the future when no land is available for growth. After further discussion it was the general consensus of the Commission that it would be prudent to keep the two systems separate and proceed with the plans to construct the fourth tank in the Buccaneer District. 4. Discussion regarding the development of a new zoning classification to be called Contract Qiality Development ((QD) City Attorney Mullis reported in light of the recent re-subdividing areas, he had drawn up a rough draft of a proposed Ordinance establishing a new zoning classification which would be similar to the Planned Unit Development classification and would reduce density and present less of a burden on the infrastructure provided by the City. The Commission would establish standards for this new classification. Commissioner Jensen asked whether the PUD classification could not be amended to incorporate the changes suggested for the new zoning classification. Further -2- discussion ensued following which it was suggested Mr. Mullis make copies of the proposed Ordinance available to the Commissioners for further study. 5. Discussion regarding status of appointments to the Hospital Board representing the City of Atlantic Beach. At the Mayor's request, this item was deferred to a future meeting. 6. Discussion regarding the duties of the Community Development Board in submitting an annual list of recommended capital improvements. The City Manager pointed out when the Planning and Zoning Board and the Board of Adjustment were merged to form the Community Development Board, the Commission gave them authority to make recommendations relative to capital improvements. Following brief discussion, the City Manager was asked to instruct the Community Development Board to follow through on this. 7. Discussion of major improvements to be undertaken in Section H and affect the expenditure for these improvements may have on other City projects. The City Manager reported the City has pledged all of the gasoline tax and utility tax revenues to pay for the improvements in Section H. The first interest payment would probably be due in June. This payment of approximately $150,000 would be paid out of money which is budgeted for general fund capital improvements. In December 1989 the City would start making annual payments of $335,000, and property owners have eighteen years to pay assessments. The City Manager said he wished to make the Commission aware at this time of the affect this could have on the City's ability to fund other capital improvements such as street repaving, sidewalks, etc. Bessent, Hammack and Ruckman is preparing a breakdown of the engineering fees and the City Attorney reported he is working with the Property Appraiser to have the assessments handled through his office in an effort to make collection of the assessments easier. 8. Committee Activity and Purposes a. Solid Waste Mayor Gulliford reported on the activities of the Solid Waste Committee and specifically mentioned the success of the recycling trailer at Russell Park. However, he said he felt the disposal of solid waste is going to be a continuing problem and he hoped in six months or so the Solid Waste Committee would have some alternatives to bring before the Commission. b. Beautification Mayor Gulliford reported he wants to establish a beautification committee to address such subjects as litter, the City's Sign Ordinance and other beautification projects which would enhance the general appearance of the City. He said he already has some people in mind for this committee and would continue to work on this. -3- c. Safe Neighborhoods A map dividing the City into eleven zones was on display and the Mayor recommended at least one person from each zone be solicited to serve on a Safe Neighborhood Committee. The list of names will be circulated to the Commissioners, who have been asked to offer suggestions and assistance to the committee members. The Mayor urged the City to move ahead on this as quickly as possible. d. Other Committees No suggestions were made. 9. Future areas of opportunity a. Density The City Manager reported the Comprehensive Plan, which addresses this subject, must be completed by 1990. Commissioner Cook inquired into the possibility of re-platting and requiring 75-foot front footage lots. The City Attorney reported, however, that it is illegal to deprive property- owners of the use of their land but that regulations can be established covering the use of 50-foot lots. The Mayor requested the City Manager to see if the City planners are working on this, or if there is any vehicle through which this can be accomplished. b. Revenue Sources The City Manager reminded the Commission approval had already been given to advertise for engineering services for a storm water utility. The Professional Services Committee is one member short and the City Manager asked if a third member could be appointed to replace Peter Johnson. Gregg McCaulie would continue serving on this committee in a temporary capacity until a permanent replacement can be found. Brief discussion ensued relative to merging water and sewer funds or raising water rates with a base rate and a volume charge as is currently the procedure for billing sewer. The Mayor recommended the Finance Director look at the rate structure and present recommendations. Other ideas presented included colored bags for garbage collection which could only be purchased at City Hall, and charging for the use of city parks. c. Parking Lengthy discussion took place relative to the parking problem with few solutions forthcoming. A suggestion was made that the subject of parking needs to be addressed by the three beach cities since the problem is community-wide. Other suggestions included parking meters and negotiations with the Sea Turtle relative to utilizing their second parking lot. Parking decals could be issued to Atlantic Beach residents allowing them to park free, while visitors would pay meter charges. It was suggested that if the drainage ditch on Seminole Road is eventually -4- closed in, the newly created paved area could be used for parking. d. Recreation e. Sidewalks and/or bike paths Mayor Gulliford encouraged the City to continue looking for additional land for recreational purposes. Parks and Recreation Director Blanchard indicated she had received many letters requesting sidewalks and bike paths. The Mayor requested a map be prepared showing the location of all existing sidewalks which could be used as a tool for planning future sidewalks and bike paths. 10. Other business The Mayor reminded the Commission the recently approved Consent Agenda would be in effect for the next Commission meeting. It was emphasized that any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of a Commissioner and be acted upon separately. Mayor Gulliford asked that the proposed new City Hall be an agenda item at the next Commission meeting. There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM. William I. Gulliford, Jr. Mayor - Presiding Officer ATTEST: Maureen King, City Clerk