Item 1B - 7-20-15 Town Hall MinutesIn attendance:
Atlantic Beach Town Hall Meeting
Monday, July 20, 2015
Jordan Park Community Center
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Mayor Carolyn Woods
Commissioner Mark Beckenbach
Commissioner Jonathan Daugherty
Commissioner Jimmy Hill
Commissioner Maria Mark
Also in attendance:
City Attorney Rich Komando
Approximately 15 Citizens were in attendance.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Woods.
Topics of General Discussion:
AGENDA ITEM #lB
AUGUST 10, 2015
Development ideas for the Mayport Business Corridor ranged from encouraging IT
companies to creating a pier and restaurant on Johnston Island.
Referendum changes for the City Charter were discussed at length.
Pros and cons of having district representatives voted on by only those in their district was
the main topic of discussion.
Pros included more direct representation by those who live in that district, eliminating
voter dilution, and citizens being better able to know their representatives.
Cons included the feeling that low voter turnout would be even lower, that representatives
needed to be familiar with all parts of town, and that they needed to represent the entire
city equally.
Explanation of 3 other major changes:
Requiring a unanimous vote of the Commission before parks could be used for other than
recreational uses.
Lowering the percentage of voter signatures required on a citizen petition, to force a
referendum or change of an ordinance by the Commission, from 25% to 16%.
Setting a regular schedule for automatic Charter reviews.
Atlantic Beach Town Hall Meeting
Monday, July 20,2015
AGENDA ITEM #JB
AUGUST 10, 2015
Page2
General discussion of the possibility of a large Gate Gas Station being built adjacent to the
Saltair subdivision and the negative effects that could result if strict buffer codes were not
enacted and enforced.
Clarification was given about the types and sizes of trees to be planted within the Ocean
Gate development at Atlantic Blvd. and Mayport Rd.
How to reduce crime with community-oriented policing programs and more personal
police presence.
Kudos were given to the Atlantic Beach Citizen Police Academy.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Carolyn Woods
Mayor /Presiding Officer