Loading...
Draft Min 3-22-04~. MINUTES REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 22, 2004 CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD Attendance IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor John Meserve City Manager Jim Hanson Mayor Pro Tem Beaver City Clerk Maureen King Commissioner Paul B. Parsons City Attorney Alan C. Jensen Commissioner Sylvia N. Simmons Commissioner J. Dezmond Waters III Call to Order/Pledge Mayor Meserve called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. The invocation, given by the Mayor, was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Approval of Minutes 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 8, 2004 Motion: Approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 8, 2004, as presented. ~" Moved by Beaver, seconded by Parsons Votes: Aye: 5 -Beaver, Parsons, Simmons, Waters, Meserve ""' Nay: 0 MOTION CARRIED 2. Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors Brad Talley of 14543 Plumosa Drive, Jacksonville, inquired concerning alternate sites for the location of his sculpture. (Mr. Talley won a sculpture competition conducted by the city in 2002, and at that time the Cultural Arts Board chose the corner at the five-way stop next to the fire station as the ~" site for installation of the sculpture). Commissioner Parsons, the city liaison to the City of Atlantic Beach Public Arts Commission, stated that the members were looking into other sites for the sculpture, but no decision had been made. He assured Mr. Talley that he would be included in the discussion of alternative sites. J.P. Marchioli of 414 Sherry Drive commented on the following: (1) His brother and the neighbors, who live on a hilly street in Georgia, purchased March 22, 2004 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 2 speed humps and the city installed them to slow drivers going down the hill, (2) Opposed installation of a roundabout at the five-way stop, (3) Speeders did not slow down for pedestrians coming from Howell Park and crossing Sherry Drive, (4) Purchased a second fire extinguisher and had another recharged at a reasonable rate at a supply store located at Lennox and McDuff in Jacksonville, and (5) Another accident occurred on Sherry Drive involving a resident trying to back out of his driveway and being hit by an ~• oncoming vehicle. Earle Lay of 380 3~`' Street spoke in support of the Police Department and expressed concern for the turnover rate. He felt increased pay provided an incentive for officers to stay and receive the necessary training and experience to become better officers. Alan Potter of 374 Second Street commented on the good quality of paint ~, used to stripe East Coast Drive and the placement of reflectors along the edge of the street. He believed a lesser quality of paint was used to stripe Ocean Boulevard and commented that there were fewer reflectors on Ocean Boulevard between lst and 7th Streets. He requested that the city look into the work performed on Ocean Boulevard. Jacqueline Thomas of 1660 Jordan Street stated that she was speaking for herself and on behalf of the other families who reside on Jordan Street. She said the street was paved in 2003, but the other promised improvements including sidewalks, driveway aprons, and proper drainage still had not been addressed. Ms. Thomas reported that cars were driving around the barricade placed at the end of Jordan Street and into the park. She expressed concern for the safety of the children playing there and requested that something be done to prevent the problem. Ms. Thomas also reported that tree roots were already damaging the foundation of her home, and inquired if there was anything the city could do to help her with this since it was very costly to have trees removed. Mayor Meserve told Ms. Thomas a member of staff would contact her to address her concerns. 3. Unfinished Business from Previous Meeting City Manager's A. City Manager's Follow-up Report Follow-up Report City M anager H anson commented o n e ach i tem o f h is w ritten r eport. A copy of the report is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment A. a~• March 22, 2004 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING PaEe 3 Consent Agenda 4. Consent Agenda A. Acknowledge receipt of Utility Sales Report for February 2004 (City Manager) B. Approve aone-year extension of the contract with Bluewater Environmental of Florida, Inc. at the current prices (Bid No. 0203-11) (City Manager) C. Award contract to Gruhn May, Inc. in the amount of $83,028 for Replacement of Storm Drains on Country Club Lane pursuant to the specifications of Bid No. 0304-08 (City Manager) Motion: Approve Consent Agenda Items A, B and C as presented. Moved by Parsons, seconded by Waters Votes: Aye: 5 -Beaver, Parsons, Simmons, Waters, Meserve Nay: 0 MOTION CARRIED Committee Reports 5. Committee Reports A. Community Development Board Robert Frohwein, Chair of the Community Development Board, reviewed the accomplishments of the Community Development Board since January of 2003. Mr. Frohwein reported that the board had heard twenty-four ~* requests for variances, nine of which were approved, ten denied, and five withdrawn. The board also heard seven requests for use-by-exceptions, all of which were recommended for approval to the City Commission; and two rezoning requests, one of which (Paradise Preserve PUD) was recommended for approval and the other (the Atlantic Beach Yacht Club) was recommended for denial. It was further reported that the board also reviewed the EAR-report and worked with the Commission on revisions to the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Frohwein also commented on the following items he believed the board would be addressing in the future: Maintaining the city's character and uniqueness while allowing for future development and redevelopment, and improvement of blighted areas. Mayor Meserve spoke on the importance of the work of the Community Development Board and thanked the members for their service to the city. s. March 22, 2004 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 4 Commissioner Waters inquired if the Community Development Board '~ planned to address property owners' rights and the problem of large homes being built on small lots, which was destroying the ambience of Old Atlantic Beach. Mr. Frohwein responded that he would like to see this matter addressed and ~,,, the zoning ordinance amended to limit the size of structures that could be built on small lots, but at the same time allowing for reasonable property rights. Resolutions 6. Action on Resolutions: None. Ordinances 7. Action on Ordinances None. Miscellaneous Business 8. Miscellaneous Business Appointment A. Appointment to the Cultural Arts and Recreation Advisory Committee (City Clerk) Mayor Meserve stated that he would like to appoint Linda Ginsberg to the Cultural Arts and Recreation Advisory Committee. Motion: Appoint Linda GinsberE to fill the unexpired term of Rex Sands on the Cultural Arts and Recreation Advisory Committee. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Simmons commented on one applicant's "" proposal to hold at least one event per year focusing on surfing or beach related activities, and suggested this type of program be considered. "" Commissioner Waters felt there should be a balance of art and recreational members serving on the committee and indicated he had asked local artist, Gary Mack, to serve on the committee. Moved by Waters, seconded by Simmons Votes: Aye: 5 -Beaver, Parsons, Simmons, Waters, Meserve Nay: 0 MOTION CARRIED March 22, 2004 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 5 Project Approval for B. Request to approve projects for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 CDBG funds for FY Community Development Block Grant funds and authorize 2004-OS submittal of application to the City of Jacksonville (City Manager) Motion: Approve proiects as recommended for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 ~,,, Community Development Block Grant funds and authorize submittal of application to the City of Jacksonville. (A copy of the memo dated March 10, 2004 from Community Development Director Doerr listing the ~,,,, projects is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment B). City Manager Hanson reported that money had been budgeted to assist with ~,. septic tank conversions and noted that the city's incentive program for hookups would expire in 2005. There was no discussion. Moved by Beaver, seconded by Parsons ~•• Votes: Aye: 5 -Beaver, Parsons, Simmons, Waters, Meserve Nay:. 0 MOTION CARRIED Implementation of C. Consider implementation of certain Town Center Parking ~""" Certain Town Center Committee recommendations (City Manager) Parking Committee Recommendations City Manager Hanson reviewed each item of the staff report. ~.• Motion: Direct staff to coordinate with Neptune Beach staff and approve implementation of the four projects listed in the Community "~' Development Director's memo dated March 12, 2004, and bring back their findings at a future Commission Meeting. (The memo is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment C). Commissioner Waters agreed with the recommendations and inquired concerning two additional parking spaces on Ahern Street. City Manager `~" Hanson indicated that the Public Works Department was working to develop two spaces on the north end of the parking lot. Commissioner Simmons expressed concern that buffers between the Commercial and Residential areas be retained on Beach Avenue and that parking not infringe on private property. Moved by Beaver, seconded by Simmons Votes: «.. Aye: 5 -Beaver, Parsons, Simmons, Waters, Meserve ~• March 22, 2004 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 6 Nay: 0 MOTION CARRIED 9. City Manager City Manager's Report A. City Manager's Report City Manager Hanson commented on the following items: • Reported that formal bids were waived and an emergency purchase order issued to Gruhn May in the amount $14,990.00 for repairs to a collapsed stormwater line located under the street at West 6"' and Orchid Streets. Reports/Requests 10. Reports and/or requests from City Commissioners and City ,~., City Commissioners Attorney City Attorney Commissioner Waters • Inquired if the city had received a response to the letter sent to Don Davis concerning the TRIM bill and new construction and was informed ~. that no response had been received. • Inquired if the MPO was holding any meetings at the beach to discuss long range transportation planning. The Mayor indicated there was no meeting planned for the beach, but that he would be attending the one of the meetings closest to the city. He indicated that the MPO would be *^ coming to the city at a later date. • Urged that someone attend the 48`h annual Florida Shores and Beach ~"' Preservation Conference. • Inquired if the hump in the sidewalk he reported had been repaired. !""' Acting Public Works Director Kaluzniak responded that she would check with staff to see if the work was completed. • Inquired concerning the cause of the watermain break on 6"' Street. Utility Director Kaluzniak stated that a service connection failed at the main, and that the work was under warranty and had been repaired by Petticoat Contracting. Commissioner Parsons • Reported that he would be calling the members of the original Cultural Arts Board regarding their opinion on the proposed relocation of the sculpture to Russell Park, near the Mayor's tree. It was also reported March 22, 2004 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 7 that a photograph of the sculpture rendered in concrete had been received by the Commissioners. ~ Mayor Meserve • Expressed concern regarding funding for future beach renourishment ~ projects in light of proposed federal budget cuts. • Indicated he would be meeting with FDOT officials at the end of the ~, month regarding Mayport Road improvements and the new entrance for the Post Office. He also indicated that he would try to meet with Michael Blaylock of the JTA, since the islands on Mayport Road cannot ~,,, be installed until after the Post Office entrance is changed. Adjournment There being no further discussion, the Mayor declared the meeting ~, adjourned at 8:05 p.m. John Meserve, Mayor/Presiding Officer ATTEST: Maureen King Certified Municipal Clerk