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Item 8DAGENDA ITEM # 8D FEBRUARY 9, 2009 STAFF REPORT City of Atlantic Beach Commission Meeting AGENDA ITEM: Mayport Road Update DATE: February 3, 2009 SUBMITTED BY: Dale Hatfield, Community Redevelopment Director David E. Thompson, Asst. City Manager BACKGROUND: The purpose of this staff report is to provide an update to the City Commission relative to the initiatives implemented in the Mayport Road Corridor. Policing Crime Statistics -The city has recorded a reduction in violent crime of 41.38% and a reduction of traffic crashes along the Mayport Corridor of 12.58% over the last year. The crime reductions are an overall team effort of the police department, and can be specifically attributed to work performed by the Community Oriented Policing Strategy (COPS) team and the Crime Suppression Unit (CSU). The installations of the medians are the major factor in the reduction of traffic crashes. COPS Unit -The COPS Unit performs a vital role in the community; they are involved with various community groups, after school programs for children and helping citizens address quality-of--life issues in the community. Over the last few months the unit has also focused on handling prostitution and transient issues along the corridor. They have worked closely with the Sulzbacher Center providing services to homeless persons in the area. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office dedicated two full time COPs officers to work in conjunction with our COPS unit. Crime Suppression Unit -This unit conducts monthly details concerning narcotics, prostitution and underage drinking. They work in collaboration with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Florida Division of Alcohol and Tobacco. Additionally the unit handles all investigations involving firearms. Code Enforcement Atlantic Beach identified 277 violations of the International Property Maintenance Code. A11277 violations were addressed as courtesy notices. 201 violations have come into compliance as of 1/28/2009 Duval County Code Compliance filed 432 violation cases in reference to the Mayport Corridor. 399 cases have come into compliance as of 1/28/2009 The "Mayport overlay" Ordinance was passed in Duval County in late 2008. Citing violations along Mayport Corridor with a stricter standard of review should start within the near future. AGENDA. ITEM # 8D FEBRUARY 9, 2009 Building Department Buildings at 6 sites were demolished under the Building Abatement Program for a total of 30 structures removed. The building department is currently working with owners of two sites to sell or renovate existing structures. Rental inspection program A complaint driven rental inspection program was implemented in December 2008. Training was conducted with city staff concerning the intake and handling of complainants. Training for landlords and tenants regarding the laws and rights of rental property will be provided for citizens starting February 10~', 2009 and will continue at various venues throughout the city. Medians Median /Resurfacing Project on Mayport Road is `essentially complete', the final walkthrough correction check is in progress. The start for the Signalization Upgrade project was January 20~', 2009 and should be completed in late summer 2009. Fairway villas fence Due to scheduling conflicts (with 27 households) a certified letter is being sent to the residents of Fairway Villas that contain the city's desire to paint their portion of the fence that is adjacent to Mayport Rd. A color sample will be included in the letter with a deadline for the residents to respond to the city's offer. Events Numerous events are planned throughout the Mayport Corridor for this year. Below is a partial list: Teen Council Geo-Caching event will be held in March The Mayport Unity Festival will be held in Donner Park on May 9`~, 2009 The west 1S` Street Festival will be held at Veterans Park on June 20`x, 2009 Movies in the park will start this summer Fall Festival will be held in October Organizations Volunteers - A volunteer signup sheet is placed at every event we hold in the corridor for citizens to sign up. Currently we have 15 volunteers. We have used volunteers twice to help elderly residents, who had received violation notices and were unable to correct violations themselves to bring their property up to code. The volunteers will play a lazge part in the upcoming festival's and sports events. Neighborhood Watch - We currently have 5 neighborhood watch programs within the Mayport Corridor (900 Plaza Sea Oats Apartments, Paradise Court, Forsyth Court, 300- AGENDA ITEM # 8D FEBRUARY 9, 2009 600 Block of Main Street and Paradise Preserve). The watch programs meet once a month to discuss issues concerning their neighborhood. COPS unit officers attend these meetings on a regulaz basis to provide support and direction. Mayport Business Association -Businesses along Mayport Road meet once a month to discuss issues relevant to improving the business atmosphere along the Mayport corridor. The Redevelopment Coordinator and the COPS Unit met with the group on a regulaz basis to provide training and assistance as needed. In February we aze bringing in training on small size businesses conducting business with the U.S. Navy. Church Groans -Church groups within the corridor have been contacted to help build a sense of community and pride in the area. We aze working with each church representative so they can build relationships with other groups within the community. Community Leaders - We are currently seeking residents in the Mayport Corridor to fill leadership roles within the community. Qualified individuals will be identified and receive training in leadership and community building. These leaders will take active roles within the community and will be able to empower various groups in the community to address residents concerns over quality of life issues. U. S. Navy Naval Station Mayport has been selected to be home port to a Nucleaz Aircraft Carrier. The carrier is not scheduled to arrive unti12014. The economic impact will be a substantial benefit to the azea from new jobs and infrastructure upgrades to over 6000 new Navy personnel stationed at the base. BUDGET: None specific to this report RECOMMENDATIONS: None ATTACHMENTS: None REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: AGEND EM NUMBER: