Item 1A- Draft Minutes of Workshop on Sept. 26, 2016IN ATTENDANCE:
MINUTES
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP
September 26,2016
CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD
City Attorney Brenna Durden
AGENDA ITEM 1A
OCTOBER 10, 2016
Mayor Mitchell E. Reeves
Mayor Pro Tern J:irirrny Hill
Commissioner Harding
Commissioner John Stinson
Commissioner M. Blythe Waters
City Manager Nelson VanLiere
City Clerk Donna L. Bartle
Recording Secretary Della Giovanni
Mayor Reeves called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Planner Derek Reeves presented the Mayport Road Redevelopment Plan (which is
attached and made part of this Official Record as Attachment A). He explained the
agenda, discussed reviews of the past improvement efforts, the depth of the plan, how it
was created, the input for the plan, a schedule of implementation, CRS community basics
and funding comparisons in order to implement going forward.
Planner Derek Reeves explained that he is now taking the lead on this project, following
the departure of Jeremy Hubsch. Curt Ostrodka & Katie Shannon were present, in
addition to Steve Lindorff(aresident), Margo Moehring, from the Northeast Council, and
Sheron Forde along with some members of the Technical Advisory Committee, who
were appointed at the end of last year, Brian Christensen, Dara Gourley, Donna Rex, and
Mike Whalen.
Planner Derek Reeves explained that the past efforts of a CRA plan were conducted in
2002-2003 jointly with the City of Jacksonville. In 2001, the Mayport Road corridor
study was completed and funded by the original Transportation Council. Due to
Jacksonville jurisdictions and a multitude of issues, the study was never implemented.
What was presented at this meeting was to only focus on the City of Atlantic Beach
boundaries without joint relationship with Jacksonville. Results that came of the Mayport
Road study are: Updates of a Comprehensive Plan, adoption of the Commercial
Corridor, Development of Standards, Sign Code revision and the Mayport Road Median
project.
Community Redevelopment Coordinator from 2008-2011, Retired Lieutenant Dale
Hatfield spoke:
• During this time frame with the plan, there was a reduction in prostitution
and homeless people in the discussed corridor area by reaching out to the
local businesses and associations in the community.
• Received assistance from businesses and Faith-based organizations to
create social programs for the community, which changed the quality of
life in the Corridor, and helped cut down on crime.
• CRA would help in the next step moving forward.
AGENDA ITEM 1A
OCTOBER 10, 2016
Mayor Reeves asked Mr. Ostrodka for clarification and confirmation that the support of
CRA provides funding. Mr. Ostrodka confirmed.
Commissioner Stinson requested an elaboration on how the interviews and surveys were
conducted.
Committee Member Margo Moring explained how the studies were performed and that
extensive state interviews were done with eleven members from the community, who
were selected from a list that was provided by the Planning Department.
Commissioner Stinson requested copies of those results and asked for an explanation of
road blocks since the discussed area has been ignored for 30 years.
Commissioner Hill explained that it has not been abandoned, but that the corridor change
restructured business wise and residents benefitted at the time. He stated concern for
small businesses with the CRA allowance.
Commissioner Stinson thanked the committee who worked on the plan.
Commissioner Waters discussed development issues and how the report touches on
residential and business boundaries. She warned to be careful with creating barriers
concerning the City of Jacksonville not negotiating, since it may involve getting
Jacksonville tax dollars. We need Jacksonville committed to the project instead of
delving into City of Atlantic Beach dollars. Over the past 30 years, she explained that the
city has not committed to making the Corridor better and feels that the CRA will open an
establishment for redevelopment of the plan.
Commissioner Harding reported he has spoke with residents on the west side of Atlantic
Beach. The concern from residents is that the current plan is not business friendly. He
believes that utilizing city funds are admirable; however, if the city can take advantage of
dedicated funding through CRA resources to benefit the residences and businesses,
without "tying our hands", and correct 30 years of being left out, he does not see any
reason why the Commission would not move forward with the offered plan.
Mayor Reeves stated that the previous Commission did the right thing by moving
forward and that this study gives great ideas no matter what is decided. In his opinion,
the proposed plan has more cons than pros. He explained that Steve Lindorff is a good
resource since he has gone through the process with Jacksonville Beach.
Mayor Reeves questioned how it will be funded? His quick answer was that Jacksonville
Beach did not have a partner and that Atlantic Beach has an opportunity to have
Jacksonville as a partner. If Atlantic Beach does not include them to help with the
funding, it will slow the process of a redevelopment plan. He went on to say that if the
city partnered with Jacksonville, the area that has suffered from neglect would be cleaned
up. He did not want to make a commitment before the vote.
Commissioner Hill emphasized that it will be important to figure out what to do with the
area. He agreed that the city needs a solution and that the CRA is an excellent resolution.
However, he does not want to spend more money on studies for the plan, instead to use
the funding towards the project of the corridor.
AGENDA ITEM 1A
OCTOBER 10, 2016
Commissioner Stinson said that revenue projections presented were only of current times
and that it does not give consideration for future projection.
Mr. Ostrodka clarified that at year 5, the city may want to consider a revenue bond by
showing a steady revenue source for the future funding.
Commissioner Harding thanked the advisory committee and addressed areas needing
attention. He stated that it is unanimous by the commission that there is a need to make
the Mayport Corridor west side more vibrant with city funds, grants, and CRA if it goes
through. It will give the residents of the west side ease that the Commission hears and
cares about the area and will see that it will be taken care of.
Commissioner Waters thanked the citizens who participated. In her opinion, the Plan
lays out a way and presents the Mayport Corridor as the main entrance to the City of
Atlantic Beach. A commitment from the city to develop the Corridor is needed and
agreed that the Commission needs to create a plan out of the budget to make things
happen seriously by going forward with the development if the CRA does not go through.
Mayor Reeves indicated that the Commission needs to keep the conversation going, for
the growth of our whole city. He would like to see businesses address issues to move
forward either way.
Further discussion would be continued at the Commission Meeting with number 8A on
the agenda.
Mayor Reeves adjourned the workshop at 6:18pm.
Attest:
Donna L. Bartle, CMC
City Clerk
Mitchell E. Reeves
Mayor
•
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13. UPDATE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
GOALS 3.C. -3.0. -4 ._A . -s ~B . . -.•. ..
11 Prov i de more flexib le zoning options and permitted uses
a Increase buffers between commercial or industrial uses and residentia l
c Increase opportunities for new businesses in the study area
Draft complete street policies for neighborhood roads
• Potential to decrease parking requirements with mixed -u se
developments
Estimated cost: $100,000
Summary of
Estimated Costs
Project or Program Probable Costs *
1 Transform Mayport Road into a Complete Street*
2 Improvements to Neighborhood Roads
3 Improvements to Parks and Open Space*
4 Gateway Signage and Mural Program*
5 Sewer and Septic Infrastructure Improvements
6 Commercial Node Along Mayport Road
7 Marketing, Events & Programming Coordinator
8 Revitalize the Industrial District
9 Homeowner and Business Improvement Grants
10 Master Stormwater Study*
1 1 Community Code Enforcement and Policing Officer
1 2 Property Acquisition
13 Update Comp r ehensive Plan an d Land Development
Code
$250,000 for initial
Corridor Study
$2.9M-$11.3M
$50,000/year
$50,000 for Design, up to
$500,000 for construction
$2.35M±
$12,000-60,000/year
$40,000-50,000/year
tbd
$50,000/year
$50,000
$50,000/year
tbd
$100,000
*Planning level capital costs, where shown, are for illustrative purposes only. Actual costs will be
based on the best fee proposal or bid price for each element of the Capital Improvement Program
at the time the project is implemented.