Agenda Item 6AAGENDA ITEM # 6A
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
RESOLUTION NO. 12-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA SUPPORTING
CONTINUATION OF THE ST. JOHNS RIVER FERRY
WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Ferry connects historic State Road AIA between the Mayport Village
on the south bank and the Fort George area on the north bank of the St. Johns River and closing the ferry would
result in this important State highway becoming a dead end; and
WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Ferry is an extension of AIA Highway (.9 miles over water) requiring
capital improvements as the rest of State Road AIA; and
WHEREAS, the Cities of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach support Federal, State, local and private
funding to keep the St. Johns River Ferry running and State Road AIA intact; and
WHEREAS, the City of Jacksonville has invested approximately seven million dollars on infrastructure
improvements in Mayport Village to encourage redevelopment which will increase the ad valorem taxes to the
City and the value of those improvements will be greatly diminished if ferry service is discontinued; and
WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Ferry is used throughout the year by the Navy and Coast Guard at
Mayport when they have ships in repair or dry dock at Atlantic Marine to avoid a 26 -mile alternate route to
travel between the two sides of the St. Johns River; and
WHEREAS, the continued operation of the St. Johns River Ferry saves time and energy by reducing by
approximately two thirds the fuel that the passenger vehicles would use if they had to drive the half hour, 26-
mile alternate route, improves traffic safety by reducing travel and saves the cost of road and bridge
maintenance on the alternate routes; and
WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Ferry is a valuable and integral element in our parks systems and
remains an important tourist attraction for approximately one million visitors that annually visit the beaches
communities, and the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Commission of the City of Atlantic
Beach supports continuation of the St. Johns River Ferry.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission, this day of January 2012.
MIKE BORNO
Mayor
Approved as to form and correctness:
ALAN C. JENSEN, ESQUIRE
City Attorney
ATTEST:
DONNA BARTLE, CMC
City Clerk