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Item 8AAGENDA ITEM # 8A MARCH 23, 2009 Joint Workshop Atlantic Beach City Commission and Neptune Beach City Council February 24, 2009 6:00 pm Adele Grage Cultural Center 716 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL Attendance: City of Atlantic Beach: John Meserve, Mayor Mike Borno, Mayor Pro Tem Paul Parsons, Commissioner Cazolyn Woods, Commissioner John Fletcher, Commissioner Jim Hanson, City Manager Donna Bartle, City Clerk Rick Carper, Public Works Director City of Neptune Beach: Hazriet Pruette, Mayor John Weldon, Vice Mayor Fred Lee, Councilor Eric Pardee, Councilor Kara Tucker, Councilor James Jazboe, City Manager Lisa Volpe, City Clerk Mayor Pruette called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and welcomed everyone. She explained the purpose of the meeting was to iron out concerns and issues with the art structure, Pathfinder. Mayor Meserve welcomed everyone and asked the audience to introduce themselves. He stated the meeting was a workshop and there would be no public input and no final decisions voted on. He cautioned the body not to speak of artistic merit since they were not qualified to do so. Mayor Meserve stated the main discussion topics would be maintenance, safety, view and life cycle cost. Michael Dunlap, architect, gave a presentation. He discussed the history of Town Center. The roundabout was supposed to have art from the original concept. The art competition began last May. It was a juried competition with seventeen entries, three finalists and the winner was Jay Shoots and Robert Nolte. The structure is made of concrete, 316 high grade, stainless steel and glass and is 26 feet high. It will be coated with a Tnemec Epoxy Coating made to last ten to fifteen years. Martin Vandergosh, Atlantic Beach resident, juror, spoke on the importance of public art. The piece was picked as a focal point for the area and it is a nautical theme, looking towards the future. Rick Carper, Atlantic Beach Public Works Director, gave a presentation that outlined maintenance, safety, and additional work issues. AGENDA ITEM # 8A MARCH 23, 2009 Commissioner Borno commented it would be too much maintenance for stainless steel and although a coating will deter damage, it will not stop sand and salt erosion. Mayor Meserve asked what would happen to the parts that rotate in sustained humcane winds. Mr. Dunlap stated it would have to meet the Florida Building Code. He would not have some answers until after the construction plans were completed. He stated the fundraising would include one recoat of the epoxy coating. Mayor Pruette listed the following as her concerns; reflective parts, maintenance, and liability insurance. Her biggest concern was the visibility of pedestrians behind the three foot high base. A child could be hurt. Mr. Dunlap answered that traffic would be moving slowly. Commissioner Borno asked how it would be put together. Mr. Dunlap and the artist stated it was a pin setting with bearings on both sides. Commissioner Fletcher stated if the municipalities own the art work they would have to carry the insurance. Town Center would not be able to. Mayor Meserve agreed with Mayor Pruette's visibility concern and felt bollazds should be around it. Mr. Dunlap was not in favor of bollards. Commissioner Woods corrected that there were already three in the plans. Mayor Meserve pointed out that the area already had some accidents. Councilor Lee asked if other municipalities had been contacted and if there was liability for people climbing it. The artists stated it was designed so no one could climb it. Councilor Pazdee wanted more details before approving and disliked the idea of people walking into traffic to admire the art. Commissioner Parsons believed, as someone responsible for tax dollars, the questions of sand damage and climbers would have to be answered before a decision could be made. Mayor Meserve understood more engineering could not be paid for without approval. Councilor Weldon reviewed the issues already brought up; the cities' maintenance and liability, longevity of the glass piece and the surrounding bullet proof glass; lowering of the base; using bollazds; and exact costs. City Manager Hanson stated a recent legal opinion indicated that the cities would have to own and maintain the sculpture from day one because it will be placed on public property. The cities would be responsible for any liability as soon as work began. Mayor Meserve asked if the art object could be fixed without taking it down. The artist said yes. Councilor Pardee questioned the value of the view of the ocean. Councilor Lee stated the cities should find out if citizens want this. Councilor Weldon commented he had received negative feedback but would still support it. Commissioner Parsons believed the Town Center had done a good job except for a few minor details. AGENDA ITEM # 8A MARCH 23, 2009 Mayor Meserve wanted the cities to go back and make a decision. Councilor Lee wanted a timeframe. Commissioner Fletcher asked for any questions the cities could give now. Commissioner Wood asked how the pedestrian issues would be handled. Councilor Tucker asked about safety; liability; negative feedback from citizens; and funding during economic down time. Mr. Dunlap said it would take 12 to 18 months to collect the money. City Manager Hanson said the property insurance would be $1400 per yeaz. Mayor Meserve believed the cities should go back and make a list of issues raised within 30 days to give to Town Center. City Manager Jarboe said more cost figures should be provided. Mr. Dunlap answered that Town Center would be funding the first 20 years of maintenance. Mayor Pruette said she had received a lot of feedback to leave the ocean view as is. She wondered why the figure had to be 26 feet high. The artist stated the base could be cut out to shorten it. He stated it was not there until after the Town Center suggested it for safety purposes. Commissioner Parsons believed the base was a good safety feature. Mayor Meserve stated the art should be placed on the agenda for consideration and an answer provided tv the Town Center Agency within a month. Mayor Pruette said she would look at the schedule. A review of the issues were listed: - height of base - bollazds - maintenance - rotation speed - view of ocean - willing to accept liability and maintenance - reflective qualities of the glass - noise/whistling of sculpture - yellowing of Lexan used in center of sculpture Councilor Tucker asked if there would be any other art or if this art could be moved to another location in Town Center. Mr. Dunlap said maybe to more art but no to moving this art piece. Mayor Pruette believed the cost was the most important issue. City Manager Jazboe said the city clerks should pass on their notes to the city managers so they can make an executive report and give it to the cities. Councilor Weldon thanked everyone. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm.