May 2003.pdfcity of atlantic beach newsletter
VOL.2 NO.5MAY 2003
C
C
U
U
R
R
R
R
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S
Summer Camp
Registration for summer
camp begins May 1 at
Adele Grage Cultural
Center, 716 Ocean
Boulevard. For information
about summer camp pro-
grams, call our Recreation
Department at 247-5828.
Spring Cleaning
Many residents and
landscapers have been
blowing leaves, grass clip-
pings, yard waste and other
debris into the street, catch
basins, ditches or empty
lots. These materials clog
the drainage system. Also,
illegal dumping threatens
plant and fish life and is a
code violation. Everyone
should make the effort to
mulch grass clippings and
bag yard waste for Monday
pick-up. Please call Public
Works at 247-5834 if you
need further information
on proper disposal of land-
scape materials.
Hurricane Re-entry
Passes
In 2002, hurricane re-entry
passes were mailed to all
Atlantic Beach residents.
Those re-entry passes
continue to be valid in the
event of a hurricane evac-
uation, and they do not
need to be replaced. The
passes dated “02” will be
accepted by the police to
allow residents to re-enter
the beaches after an
evacuation.
New passes have been
printed by the Division of
Emergency Preparedness.
The “new and improved”
passes are constructed of
orange plastic, and they
may be obtained at the
Atlantic Beach Police
Department. Any Atlantic
Beach resident who needs
a new re-entry pass, may
obtain a new pass at
the Police Department
Records Division, Monday-
Friday, from 8:00 AM to
5:00 PM.
www.ci.atlantic-beach.fl.us
FOR SALE, RENTAL,
OR OPEN HOUSE
Real estate signs are regulated
by City code.
· You are limited to one real
estate sign.
· Real estate signs may be
placed only on private property
· No off site advertising is
permitted. Real estate signs
are not permitted on City
rights-of-way, medians, trees
or utility poles.
· Real estate signs cannot
exceed six square feet in
size or five feet in height.
City Code, Chapter 17,
Sec. 17-26 (b) (1)
For additional information
regarding real estate signs
or to report a violation of City
Code, contact our City Code
Enforcement Officer at
(904) 247-5855.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Florida has the highest rate
of pedestrian fatalities in the
United States. Each year 500
pedestrians are killed and
almost 8000 are injured in the
state of Florida. Atlantic Beach
has an average of eight
pedestrians killed or
injured by automobiles
each year.
Please do your part to
keep Atlantic Beach
pedestrians safe.
· Drivers must yield to pedes-
trians in crosswalks regard-
less of whether the cross-
walk is marked.
· Drivers may not pass other
vehicles stopped for pedes-
trians in a crosswalk.
·Turning vehicles must yield
to pedestrians crossing dur-
ing the walk signal.
When new homes are built, contractors set the automatic irrigation systems to water land-
scaping daily so new lawns and plants can establish roots. After 30 days, lawns will be
healthier if they are watered only twice per week during the growing season and once every
10 to 14 days in the winter.
Many people are under the impression that they must water the lawn daily, or do not want to
change the settings on irrigation systems that came with their new home. Overwatering can
increase growth of dollar weed and other weeds, fungus, pests and excess thatch.
Don't kill your lawn with kindness. Irrigate wisely, and save our valuable resource while
lowering your water bill.
For more information on irrigation and waterwise landscaping, check out the St. Johns River
Water Management District's websites: www.sjrwmd.com and www.floridaswater.com.
NEW STORMWATER REQUIREMENTS
Taxpayers have paid for a lot of
stormwater work recently. How can we
reduce or eliminate future drainage
problems? On March 24, 2003 the City
Commission passed an ordinance
requiring all new commercial and resi-
dential construction to provide for any
necessary onsite storage of stormwa-
ter. These requirements will make sure
that contractors do not shift drainage
problems onto adjoining property or
public streets.
Also, beginning May 1, 2003, all con-
tractors disturbing more than one acre
will be required by the Environmental
Protection Agency to obtain a permit
from the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection for erosion
and sediment control. See the FDEP
website at www.dep.state.fl.us.
By proper grading, installation of
swales or, in the case of commercial
developments, detention ponds, you
can do your part. However, mainte-
nance of the improvements is equally
important. The maintenance is similar
to mowing your grass as required. With
your assistance, we can reduce or
eliminate future projects and maintain
the beauty of our community. If you
need assistance or further details
about the new ordinance please call
our Department of Public Works at
247-5834.
Killing Your Lawn With Kindness
As an elected official I get my share of com-
plaints from concerned citizens. It's part of the
job, and we take such problems seriously. In
each case I discuss the situation with the City
Manager who looks into the problem with the
appropriate staff. In most cases there is a
resolution within a matter of days, if not hours.
Over the years my experience has been that the vast majority
of problems are resolved to everyone's satisfaction. It's nice to
be part of a small community that can react so rapidly. On the
other hand, I also receive even more letters, e-mails, and phone
messages praising some act by city employees or our contrac-
tors. We are a "service industry" and our employees are expect-
ed to treat our citizens as valued customers. From the utility bill
collectors to the police dispatchers, I hear few complaints, and
for that we can all be thankful. I take this opportunity to thank
every one of our employees who serve us all so well. We have
over 100 employees, including Police and Fire,
Administration, Lifeguards, Public Works, Parks
and Recreation, Animal Control, and Utilities.
They serve us well—thanks.
Presort Standard
US Postage Paid
Jacksonville FL
Permit No. 1645
City of Atlantic Beach
800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
May Calendar
SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
12
4
3
56 879
11
10
131514
18
17
1920 2221
16
23 24
27 28 31
Code Enforcement
Meeting 7:00 p.m.
City Chambers
Teen Council 7:00 p.m.
Tree Conservation
Board 7:00 p.m.
Adele Grage
Summer Camp
registration begins
Dancin' in the
Streets Festival
Armed Forces Day
12
Teen Council
7:00 p.m.
Community
Development Board
7:00 p.m.
City Chambers
Cultural Arts &
Recreation Advisory
Committee 7:00 p.m.
City CommissionMeeting 7:15 p.m.City Chambers
Tree Conservation
Board 7:00 p.m.
Adele Grage
26 2925
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
John S. Meserve
MAYOR
Richard M. Beaver
MAYOR PRO TEM
J. Dezmond
Waters, III
COMMISSIONER
Louis M. (Mike)
Borno
COMMISSIONER
Paul B. Parsons
COMMISSIONER
James Hanson
CITY MANAGER
Alan Jensen
CITY ATTORNEY
Maureen King
CITY CLERK
John S. Meserve
Mayor
LETTER
FROM THE MAYOR
City Commission
Meeting 7:15 p.m.
City Chambers
30
*Meetings are held in the Commission Chambers
*Tree Conservation Board and Pension Board
meet in the Conference Room
Memorial Day
City offices closed
For more than 200 hundred years our military, fire-
fighters, police and other service personnel have
treated our flag with great care and with the highest
esteem. Today, our military personnel are deployed in
many parts of the world and Americans are displaying
our flag on their homes to show their patriotism and
their support for our troops.
The following are some basic rules for displaying
the American Flag:
· When the flag hangs from an angled staff, the union
(the blue field with the stars) should be at the peak.
· It is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset
but if the flag is flown at night, it should be illuminated.
· Fasten the flag securely to the flagstaff so it won't
become damaged. Do not allow the flag to touch
the ground or anything underneath it.
· When the flag is displayed either horizontally or
vertically against a wall, the union should be at the
top left-hand corner when viewed from the street.
· Do not fly a worn or faded flag. Organizations such
as the Fleet Reserve or American Legion will be
happy to destroy old flags for you.
Fly your American Flag proudly from Flag Day,
June 14, through Independence Day, July 4.
F LY THE F LAG P ROUDLY
Display it Correctly - Treat it with Respect and Care
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden,
meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty
- President John F. Kennedy, Inaugural address January 20, 1961