Item 6AAGENDA ITEM # 6A
MARCH 8, 2010
RESOLUTION NO. 10-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA ADOPTING
THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH STRATEGIC PLAN DATED FEBRUARY 2010
WHEREAS, solving some of the largest problems or realizing some of the greatest opportunities
for a community often takes a considerable amount of time and commitment of community resources over
many months and sometimes years, and
WHEREAS, a city government only has a limited amount of time, money and resources to solve
problems or realize opportunities, so a process is needed to determine which goals are the most important,
and
WHEREAS, the City of Atlantic Beach has used a strategic planning process to determine which
goals should receive scarce time and resources and that practice over many years has led to many major
improvements in the community, and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Commission has again conducted a strategic planning process in
February 2010 resulting in the most recent yearly Strategic Plan entitled "City of Atlantic Beach Strategic
Plan February 2010", and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the Mayor and Commission to formally adopt this Strategic Plan
for the upcoming year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH THAT;
1. The City of Atlantic Beach Strategic Plan February 2010 is hereby adopted, and
2. City staff is directed to focus their best efforts toward the accomplishment of the goals and
objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan, and
3. The Mayor and Commission of Atlantic Beach support to the extent possible the legislative
and budgetary steps needed for the accomplishment of the goals contained in the Strategic
Plan.
ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach this _ day of , 2010.
MIKE BORNO
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ALAN C. JENSEN, ESQUIRE
City Attorney
ATTEST:
DONNA L. BARTLE, CMC
City Clerk
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MARCH 8, 2010
City of Atlantic Beach Strategic Plan
February 2010
The Atlantic Beach Commission has utilized a strategic planning process for over ten years to identify
strategic goals for the community anal to focus efforts and resources to achieve them. Dramatic
improvements in the quality of life for Atlantic Beach citizens have resulted. While the strategic plan is
reviewed and amended each year, there are usually several goals that are carried over. This report
describes the results of workshops held in February of 2010 to review and revise the strategic plan for
Atlantic Beach.
Strategic goals of the City almost always require a considerable investment of time by the city's top staff.
In many cases, they also require legislative time to adopt or amend ordinances, approve budgets and take
other actions. Many of the strategic goals require major budget funding to accomplish. Almost all of the
goals take several years to achieve. The business of running a local government is often consumed with a
long list of administrative details, minor policy issues, citizen requests and other items that all take their
proper time to consider and resolve. The tasks involved in achieving the Commission's strategic goals
however are always on the "to do" list that we keep returning to after the other items are properly dealt
with.
The steps to achieve the strategic goals are often discussed by the Commission throughout the year.
Many of these require legislative action and they are often agenda items on regular commission meeting
nights. In that way, the City Commission and the public remain aware of the current status. For the other
items that are not on the regular agenda, a quarterly report on the steps to achieve all of the strategic goals
is published.
The strategic planning process changes from year to year and the 20l 0 meetings included the creation of a
list of Consensus Issues in addition to the strategic goals themselves. Those issues are listed as follows:
Consensus Issues
- Prudent Financial Plannine. The nationwide recession has affected virtually every city and county
in the country causing most to reduce services and/or increase rates. While Atlantic Beach has
fared very well economically because of conservative past practices, it will be critical through the
rest of this recession to focus on long term financial stability.
- Maintenance of Infrastructure. While major improvements have been made to the City's water,
sewer and storm water infrastructure through long term and careful strategic planning for the last
ten years, it will. be important to ensure during this economic crisis that the level of maintenance is
not allowed to slip and create a major liability for the community in the future.
- Retain Quali . Staff. During the strategic planning workshops, the Commissioners expressed an
appreciation for the quality of the top staff members and a desire that the caliber of professionals
serving the City remain high for years to come.
- Protect and Improve Neighborhoods. It was noted that both the physical quality of the City's
neighborhoods and a strong sense of neighborhood involvement and belonging by its residents, are
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essential ingedients for any successful community. Progams to protect and enhance
neighborhoods will provide long term benefit to the quality of life in the community.
- Vibrant Business Corridors. Trying to improve the appearance as well as business environment in
the commercial corridor along Mayport Road has been a top city priority for the last two years.
While the commercial environment along Atlantic Boulevard is much better, concerns have been
expressed about the loss of some major stores.
- Parks and Recreation Facility Expansion. Atlantic Beach has many fine parks and facilities have
been added and expanded in several locations over the last ten years. The Commission expressed a
desire to further enhance the recreational opportunities available. This includes public art and all of
its various forms.
- Parking Issues. A concern was raised by the Commission that parking in the right-of--way of city
streets, and particularly the through streets, has caused for a poor appearance, particularly in those
streets that are considered to be major entries into the City.
- Citizen Involvement. While citizen involvement in many of the City's neighborhoods has been
high for years, some of the neighborhoods have been characterized by a more transient population,
less involvement in community affairs and often higher crime rates. A key component in the
quality of life in various neighborhoods is a strong level of citizen involvement and responsibility
for solving their own problems.
Strategic Goals. The Strategic goals set by the City Commission this year have been prioritized into two
levels and put into numeric order. The highest priorities are those that are on a "to do" list with
considerable work to be done toward their accomplishment in the next year. Those goals on the High
Priority list are those for which plans are made to work on them in the future but may not be a top priority
for this year. They may move up to the "Highest Priority" list in the coming year as time and resources
become available.
Hi!?hest Priorities
1. Police Buildin:t
Goal: This goal is to design and construct an affordable new police building that meets the
present and future needs of the City and the Police Department
The current police building has space, design and survivability problems. In many ways, it is
inadequate for the city's officers to do their job as well as they should. It is far too small to
provide the room to perform essential police functions. In the case of a major storm, the City's
most critical emergency facility would not be usable for months or even years. Funding to
remodel and expand the police building was first included in the city's 2005-06 budget, but after
closer inspection by architects, a recommendation was approved to construct a new building
instead of remodeling the old one. Several city owned. parcels of land were considered as
possible locations. The Commission made a decision to build the new facility in close proximity
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to the old building although the exact spot has not yet been determined. Architects have been
hired to prepare the plans which should be completed and construction started during calendar
year 2010.
2. Mayport Road Corridor
Goal; This goal is to build, encourage and support a vibrant commercial corridor and
strong residential neighborhoods along Mayport Road and adjoining neighborhoods.
Concerns over crime, traffic, pedestrian safety, blighted appearance and other problems have
caused the City Commission to focus strategic attention on the Mayport Corridor and the adjoining
neighborhoods for many years. In the City's 2008-09 strategic plan, a comprehensive approach to
improving the corridor was implemented. It has been the most complex strategic goal that the City
has ever embarked upon involving numerous departments and a variety of legislative initiatives.
Three full-time positions were added for this project including two Community Oriented Police
Officers (COPS) and a Community Redevelopment Coordinator. Additional staff support from Code
Enforcement, Recreation and other Police Divisions have also been utilized extensively.
Approximately half of the commercial and residential neighborhoods in the Mayport Corridor are in
the City of Jacksonville, so a strong working relationship between the Police and Code Enforcement
Departments in each City has been established and maintained. While Atlantic Beach has been able
to devote considerably more resources to this project than Jacksonville, several dramatic
improvements have been seen in both cities. Probably the most visible of these is the completion of
the landscaped medians which not only improved traffic safety but has made the corridor look much
better and provided a visible symbol of the city's commitment to invest time and money in the area.
The results of the past two years efforts have been many. Major crimes have decreased by
about 25%. Through aggressive code enforcement, numerous buildings and lots have been cleaned
up. Recreational facilities in parks have been rehabilitated and expanded and several community
events have been started to provide opportunities for the residents to become involved.
Emphasis in the next year will include a continuation of the police, code enforcement and
recreation efforts to build a stronger community. Limiting approvals for new auto related businesses
along Mayport Rd. has been identified as another important step in improving the corridor. This
project must also be integrated into planning for the impacts expected over the next several years
resulting from a new nuclear carrier being moved to Naval Station Mayport along with several
thousand new employees.
3. Naw Base PlanninE.
Goal: This goal is to work with the Navy, other governmental officials and private groups to
anticipate the opportunities related to the addition of a new carrier and other assets to Naval
Station Mayport and work together to realize their full potentiab
Naval Station Mayport has had various levels of Navy and civilian personnel. working at the base
for many years. These have almost always included personnel assigned to an aircraft carrier.
However, when the carrier John F. Kennedy was decommissioned a couple of years ago, a number of
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personnel operating out of NS Mayport decreased by several thousand. The Navy has recently
announced that NS Mayport will be upgraded to handle a new nuclear powered carrier and that one
will be stationed at the base within the next five to ten years. Other naval assets may be moved to NS
Mayport also. The result will be an expected increase of 3,000 to 5,000 personnel working at the
base. Substantial impacts on traffic patterns, housing needs, commercial development and in other
areas are expected. Major construction projects both on and off the base will be some of first visible
impacts in the area.
This major investment in facilities, equipment and personnel by the Navy will have a tremendous
economic impact on the Mayport Road Corridor and in Atlantic Beach. These will include traffic
patterns and substantial private investment in residential, commercial and industrial buildings within
easy driving distance to the base. It will be important to Atlantic Beach to work with the Navy,
Jacksonville officials, other state and federal agencies and various private groups such as the
Chamber of Commerce and business associations to maximize the benefits that the Navy investments
will bring to the community.
4. Ronal Palms
Goal; This goal is to continue the revitalization of the Royal Palms neighborhood by
completing the storm water reconstruction and continuing to improve the rundown appearance
of the neighborhood
The Royal Palms neighborhood in Atlantic Beach was built in the 1960's and is one of the city's
largest neighborhoods. The infrastructure and the appearance of the neighborhood have been
showing signs of age and deterioration. Galvanized storm water lines have rusted severely and
caused several cave-ins. Recognizing the growing problem, Atlantic Beach put away funds for the
storm water reconstruction project over several years and, with low construction prices available due
to the economic downturn, work has started to get the job completed earlier than was originally
thought possible. Construction will. be completed during 2010.
A second problem has been the appearance. Many of the houses have been well maintained, but
many more were not. Accumulations of junk, lack of adequate parking, lack of landscaping or trees,
rusted chain link fences and poorly maintained houses have all contributed to the problem. After an
initial survey of residents indicated strong support for cleaning up the neighborhood, the City has
dedicated a considerable amount of code enforcement effort resulting in dramatic and visible
improvements.
The plan for this second year of the Royal Palms goal is to complete the storm water
reconstruction project and continue to upgrade the appearance of the neighborhood through code
enforcement efforts.
5. Waste Water Treatment Proiect
Goal; The goal is to meet new regulations limiting the amount of nitrogen that can be
discharged into the St. Johns River from the wastewater plants and stormwater systems in the
most cost effective and beneficial manner.
Excessive amounts of nitrogen discharged into the St. Johns River has caused for algae blooms in
the summer which is both unsightly and toxic. State regulators have recently set a Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) for the amount of nitrogen that can. be safely discharged into the River. After
considerable study of the available options, a determination has been made that the most cost
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effective solution in Atlantic Beach is to eliminate the Buccaneer Waste Water Treatment Plant and
pipe the waste water to the main plant which will be upgraded to meet the new standards. Design
work is presently underway both for the pipeline and the plant improvements. Construction is
expected to begin for both projects by the end of this year. The deadline for meeting the new nitrogen
standard in Atlantic Beach is October 1, 2013.
High Priorities
1. Park and Recreational Facility Expansion.
Goal; This goal is to plan for the expansion and enhancement of the Ciry park system with
specific focus on the possible expansion of Rose Park, extension of the Ciry's Pedpath system
and opening up the newly acquired River Branch Preserve to public access.
Included in the list of consensus issues was the expansion of parks and recreational facilities to
serve Atlantic Beach citizens. Specific discussion during the strategic planning sessions revolved
around the possible expansion of Rose Park, the continuation of the City's Pedpath system and
opening up the River Branch Preserve to public access. The reason that this goal is not included
in the highest priority list is an anticipation of very limited funds being available for new capital
projects.
2. Seminole Road Improvements
Goal: This goal is to develop and implement a phased, fiscally supportable project that will
improve the safety, drainage and looks of the right-of-way of Seminole Rd from Atlantic
Boulevard to the Five Points Intersection.
Seminole Road. is a major entry to Atlantic Beach but has had a deteriorated appearance largely
resulting from cars parking in the right-of--way. This has caused for a cluttered appearance and a
lack of grass or other landscaping. This project was on the lowest list of strategic goals last year
because of fiscal constraints. Only the resurfacing of this portion of Seminole Road has been
completed.
3. Pension Plan
Goal: This goal is to continue to review pension plan options to offer plans that are both
affordable and provide for recruitment and retention of high quality employees.
Changes have been made to the City's pension plans in recent years to provide competitive
benefits to employees that are affordable to the City. With the continuing increase to the City's
contribution rate and deterioration in financial indicators, the City Commission has asked to be
periodically briefed on the status of the City's pension plans to determine if there are any changes
that may be needed.