August 2013.pdfAugust 2013
Aug 1 Budget Workshop 5 pm
Aug 6 Budget Workshop 5 pm
Aug 12 City Commission Meeting 6:30 pm
Aug 13 Budget Workshop 5 pm
Aug 20 Community Development Board 6 pm
Aug 22 Budget Workshop 5 pm
Aug 26 City Commission Workshop 6:30 pm
Aug 27 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee 6 pm
September 2013
Sept 9 City Commission Meeting 6:30 pm
Sept 10 Code Enforcement Board Meeting 6 pm
Sept 17 Community Development Board 6 pm
Sept 23 City Commission Workshop 6: 30 pm
Sept 24 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee 6 pm
Meetings are held in the Commission Chamber unless otherwise indicated.
* These events will be held at Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd.
www.coab.us • (904) 247-5800
CITY OFFICIALS
Mike Borno, Mayor
Maria Mark, Mayor Pro-Tem
Carolyn Woods, Commissioner
Mark Beckenbach, Commissioner
Jonathan Daugherty, Commissioner
Jim Hanson, City Manager
Alan Jensen, City Attorney
Donna Bartle, City Clerk
August 2013
Aug 4 Yoga - Adele Grage 4-5 pm
Aug 4 Songwriters’ Concert – Adele Grage 6-8 pm
Aug 7 Wednesday Market – Bull Park 4-7 pm
Aug 11 Yoga – Adele Grage 4-5 pm
Aug 14 Wednesday Market – Bull Park 4-7 pm
Aug 15 North Beaches Art Walk – Town Center & Adele Grage 5-9 pm
Reception for the Artist – Adele Grage 5-9 pm
Aug 16 Twilight Movie in the Park “Rise of the Guardians”
– Russell Park 8:30 pm
Aug 18 Yoga – Adele Grage 4-5 pm
Aug 21 Wednesday Market – Bull Park 4-7 pm
Aug 25 Yoga – Adele Grage 4-5 pm
Aug 28 Wednesday Market – Bull Park 4-7 pm
Aug 28 Acoustic Nights – Bull Park 6-8 pm
September 2013
Sept 1 Yoga – Adele Grage 4-5 pm
Sept 4 Wednesday Market – Bull Park 4-7 pm
Sept 8 Yoga – Adele Grage 4-5 pm
Sept 8 Songwriters’ Concert – Adele Grage 6-8 pm
Sept 11 Wednesday Market – Bull Park 4-7 pm
Sept 15 Yoga – Adele Grage 4-5 pm
Sept 18 Wednesday Market – Bull Park 4-7 pm
Sept 19 North Beaches Art Walk – Town Center & Adele Grage 5-9 pm
Reception for the Artist – Adele Grage 5-9 pm
Sept 20 Twilight Movie in the Park “The Amazing Spiderman”
– Donner Park 8:30 pm
Sept 22 Yoga – Adele Grage 4-5 pm
Sept 25 Wednesday Market – Bull Park 4-7 pm
Sept 29 Yoga – Adele Grage 4-5 pm
Sept 29 Acoustic Nights – Bull Park 6-8 pm
For the latest information, visit www.coab.us/recreation
Visit us on facebook! www.coab.us/facebook
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BACK TO SCHOOL TWILIGHT MOVIE!
Join us at Russell Park on Friday, August 16th at 8 pm for free popcorn
and an outdoor movie. Bring your chairs, blankets, drinks and picnic
baskets and enjoy the last weekend before school starts. The feature film
will be “Rise of the Guardians” which
tells the story of a group of immortal
heroes with extraordinary abilities
who join forces to protect the hopes,
beliefs and imagination of children
all over the world.
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BUDGET PROCESS
In August each year, the City Commission reviews and amends the
proposed budget for the next fiscal year beginning October 1st. Many
people just want to know that their garbage will be picked up on
time, that the Police and Fire will be there when they need them
and that their taxes are not going up. I anticipate that the answers
will be yes, yes, and no increase, respectively. For those who want
to know a bit more, read on.
The budget process starts early in the spring of each year with
strategic planning. This is when the Commissioners prioritize
long term visions and opportunities for the City and set goals and
objectives to get them done. This strategic plan then becomes a guide
for the staff about which projects to include in the budget and which
to leave out. Staff then prepares cost projections, estimates revenues
and produces a draft budget for the Commission by mid-July.
Having a long term financial plan has contributed to keeping the City
in good shape. This means planning for each of the major operating
funds for the next ten years. These are particularly important for
storm water, water and sewer systems to ensure that the money is
available for the big projects when needed.
Pension and benefit reform has been accomplished after more than
17 months of negotiations with unions, and the State mandated
impasse procedure. These reforms have already resulted in
significant savings which will grow in the future.
Atlantic Beach continues to face significant budget challenges just
like every other City in the country, but we will get through them
again next year just as we have in the past with a conservative,
long term outlook.
Public input is always welcome through the budget process. The
City’s draft budget is available online at the City’s website; www.
coab.us. The Commission’s workshops are open to the public and will
be held on August 1st, 6th, 13th and (tentatively) the 22nd. Budget
(continued on next panel)
LOST PETS
Sadly, only 22% of the dogs and cats picked up by the Atlantic Beach
Animal Control Division are returned to their homes. Too many animals
are transferred to Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services (JACPS)
simply because an owner can’t be found. Here are a few things you can do
to prevent your pet from becoming a statistic:
• Keep collars and ID tags on your dogs and cats at all times.
Overwhelmingly, people tell us that their pet wasn’t wearing a collar because
it “just had a bath”. If your pet is dry enough to go outside, it’s dry enough
to wear a collar.
• Don’t allow cats outside unsupervised. Not only is it unsafe, it’s against
the City’s leash law. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that your cat doesn’t
wander. Animal Control traps cats “that never leave the yard” regularly.
The truth is: cats don’t care about property lines.
• Microchip your pet. This is a good backup should the collar come off.
Animal Control Officers have microchip scanners and are able to trace chips
back to registered owners. Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services
will microchip your pet for $10. Call (904) 630-2489 for more information.
Please note: microchips are an implanted form of ID, not GPS. An animal’s
location cannot be tracked through their microchips.
• Keep your contact information current. Is the tag on your pet readable?
Are the phone numbers correct? Has your contact information changed since
your pet was microchipped? If so, the best time to replace tags and update
microchips is now, before an emergency.
• Contact Animal Control at (904) 247-5866 as soon as you notice that
your pet is missing. Animals are only held for a few days at the City facility.
Don’t wait a week “hoping he’ll come home on his own” otherwise when you
call, it may be too late. Animal Control posts photos of found animals on
the City website at www.coab.us. Please contact the Animal Control Division
right away if you recognize one of the animals on the lost and found page.
• There are nongovernmental websites where you can check for your
missing pet. If you don’t see your pet, post a lost pet ad under the lost and
found section.
• Ensure you have recent pictures of your pet. If you take out a lost pet
ad, puppy pictures of your 10-year old dog aren’t very helpful, especially
when dealing with mixed breeds. If you have a recent photo, please bring
one to the Animal Control Division located in the Public Safety Building at
850 Seminole Road.
A little preparation now can save a lot of heartache later. Hopefully your
pet will never get out. Should it happen, however, Atlantic Beach Animal
Control would like to return your pet to you.
PREPARE FOR STORMS WITH THE ST. JOHNS RIVER
WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
With Hurricane Season underway, you may want to check out the St. Johns
River Water Management District’s new Storm web page.
In addition to local, state and federal contact lists for flooding issues, the
website describes the roles of the District, local government and homeowners
to protect against flooding. The site also has links to the National Weather
Service, National Hurricane Center, Division of Emergency Management,
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and more.
Go to www.FloridasWater.com/storm and browse around. You’ll find
information to help you prepare for storm events.
KNOW YOUR DAYS:
Irrigate only before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. and only on your days.
Odd Addresses – Wednesday and Saturday
Even Addresses – Thursday and Sunday
Non-Residential – Tuesday and Friday
PRIMARY ELECTION
– August 27, 2013
Polls are open from 7:00 am
to 7:00 pm
QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO APPEAR ON BALLOT:
Mayor/Commissioner- Seat 1: At Large
- Mitchell E. “Mitch” Reeves, Jr. and Carolyn Woods
Commissioner- Seat 4: District 1306
- Tim J. Anderson and Jimmy Hill
Commissioner- Seat 5: District 1312
- Jonathan Daugherty and Mitch Harding
Visit the City’s website at www.coab.us/elections for more information
and links to the detailed election calendar, district map and Duval County
precinct finder page.
hearings for the adoption process are tentatively scheduled for September
9th and 23rd. Your letters, e-mails and calls are always welcome.
–Mike Borno