Item 1B Minutes Town Hall Meeting 1-9-16CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
PUBLIC TOWN HALL MEETING
JANUARY 9, 2016
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mayor Mitch Reeves
Commissioner John Stinson
Residents in Attendance Per Sign-In SHEET:
Mr. H.G. Taskett
Ms. Sally Clemens
Ms. Susanne Barker
Commissioner Mitch Harding
Mr. Chris Jorgensen
Ms. Susan Perry
Ms. Lorraine Smith
AGENDA ITEM #lB
JANUARY 25, 2016
Mayor Reeves called the meeting to order at 10:00 am on the January 9, 2016
welcoming those in attendance. Mayor Reeves made the following opening
statements: minutes of the Town Hall meeting on January 9, 2016 will be emailed to
all who attend and provide email addresses on the sign-in sheet; notified attendants
that an office at City Hall is being made available to the Mayor and Commissioners
that will allow citizens to be able to meet with their elected officials; the City has the
capability to monitor COAB website traffic and is using this tool to evaluate the
effectiveness of communications to citizens, ensuring citizens are aware of meetings
and utilizing streamed Commission meetings, etc.; and, inquired as to suggestions
from the citizens how to improve communications to citizens about events,
meetings and other matters of interest.
1) Opening of the Floor to Attendees
Mr. Glenn Shuck (did not sign the sign-in sheet therefore not listed above) spoke in
appreciation of the Town Hall meetings allowing citizens the opportunity to talk to
multiple members of the City Commission at one time and the ability to receive
feedback from the Commission.
Mr. Chris Jorgensen recommended the City consider hosting a Town Hall meeting at
either Dutton Island or Tideview whereby the City or residents include a cookout or
potluck lunch to increase attendance and to highlight those City parks.
Mr. Glenn Shuck spoke about the Gate Petroleum (/Beach Diner) proposal. Mr.
Shuck believes the threatened lawsuit by Gate Petroleum is not neighborly and
perhaps City officials may be focused on mitigating the risk of a lawsuit involving
the City of Atlantic Beach and approaching the matter more like a business decision
instead of ensuring Code compliance.
Town Hall Meeting 1 January 9, 2016
AGENDA ITEM #IB
JANUARY 25, 2016
Mayor Reeves responded to Mr. Shuck and informed the residents in attendance
that he had directed the City Manager to contract a resident of Atlantic Beach who
had over thirty-five years experience in Code compliance related to business
development to ensure that the "City has to get this right" (M. Reeves).
Mr. Shuck inquired if there was a method that would allow residents to have input
into the Gate Petroleum proposal prior to issuance of a permit, including sending
the final proposal to the Community Development Board for additional review.
Ms. Susan Barker inquired about a public meeting for citizens regarding the Gate
Petroleum (/ Beach Diner) matter.
Discussion ensued about the Gate Petroleum(/ Beach Diner) matter. Concerns
expressed were: truck traffic and safety on residential streets surrounding the
proposed area; lighting of the facility and light pollution experienced by nearby
homes and homeowners; perceived increase in crime due to the proposed business;
gasoline fumes from any spills and from storage affecting the nearby neighbors; and,
the adjacent neighbors' fears of any detrimental impact from the facility to real
estate values of nearby homes.
Mayor Reeves suggested a forum for the citizens of Atlantic Beach that would allow
all parties to express concerns and offer ideas and solutions. Mayor Reeves briefly
mentioned the forum held at Adele Grage Community Center and inquired if
Commissioner Stinson would agree to facilitate such an event for citizens.
Commissioner Stinson agreed to do so. Commissioner Stinson explained he would
bring the matter up to the Commission on the 11th of January 2 016, which would
also allow Commissioner Hill to speak to the matter, since the development was
located within his precinct.
Discussion continued and the following comments and requests were made: a
request to review Section 24-2 of the City Code to determine the applicability to the
proposal; request for City officials and the City Commission to be more proactive in
addressing the proposal; for the City (Public Safety) to authorize and complete a
traffic study of the area and the impact of any increase in traffic on local traffic
patterns; and to eliminate the curb cuts on Sturdivant and restrict truck traffic and
deliveries using residential streets.
Ms. Sally Clemens wondered how the sale of the property happened without the City
and residents being aware of the possible sale of the property. Ms. Clemens also
made the following suggestions for the City Commission:
1) For all members of the Commission to "do their homework" (S. Clemens)
prior to Commission meetings and be prepared to address issues presented
to the Commission;
Town Hall Meeting 2 January 9, 2016
AGENDA ITEM #lB
JANUARY 25, 2016
2) Requested City Commissioners schedule time to talk to City staff prior to
Commission meetings for answers to questions and concerns the
Commissioners may have;
3) Requested that the City consider improving visibility for attendees to City
Cqmmission meetings. Ms. Clemens stated that the placement of the
overhead projection screen makes following any visually presented materials
difficult while listening to speakers;
4) Suggested that Commission meetings might be more effective and efficient if
Commissioners observed protocol and decorum, honoring time limits
allowed, with regards to speaking.
Mr. H. G. Taskett inquired if Parkside Drive would be an appropriate street to install
speed humps, much like those used on Plaza, about halfway down to the middle of
the street, controlling traffic avoiding the five~ way intersection at Plaza and
Seminole, all while traversing the area at high rates of speed.
2) Closing Comments
Mayor Reeves briefed attendees about projects pending within the City. Projects
included: the Seminole Road drainage project; the paving of Seminole Road from the
five-way intersection to the Hanna Park fence; that perhaps there would be a public
meeting on both Seminole Road projects; the sidewalk improvement for Sherry
Road, from Atlantic Boulevard to Seminole Road; and, his hope to host a public
meeting on the Saltair Drainage project so residents could voice their concerns and
comments since the project was halted at the request of residents in the
neighborhood.
Final comments from citizens included: attendees requested City staff inquire from
Gate Petroleum how many vehicles per day the Company expected would frequent
the site; attendees again requested that the Community Development Board be
charged with reviewing the final proposal prior to issuance of a permit for
construction and would any Commissioner commit to presenting this request to the
City Commission.
Commissioner Stinson stated he would have no issue including the request on a
Commission agenda for the Commission to discuss.
Mayor Reeves adjourned the meeting at 12:29 pm.
Town Hall Meeting 3
Mitchell E. Reeves
Mayor /Presiding Officer
January 9, 2016