September 2003.pdfcity of atlantic beach newsletter
VOL.2 NO.9SEPTEMBER 2003
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www.ci.atlantic-beach.fl.us
CORE CITY
The water lines are being
completed on Ahern and
Second Streets. Recently,
East Coast Drive was
paved from Third
Street to Ahern
Street, storm
drainage was
started and a
water line was
completed on Fourth
Street. After paving on
Ahern, Second and Fourth
Streets and the first block of
East Coast Drive is com-
plete, Sherry Drive will
receive its final overlay and
permanent striping. We are
hoping the project will be
complete by early fall.
FIRES ON THE BEACH
For the next several
months, the City of
Atlantic Beach is not
going to issue permits
for open fires on the
beach. This is the sea
turtle nesting season,
and fires may create
problems for the hatchlings
trying to find their way to the
ocean.
At the present time,
the only fires that
are allowed on the beach are
“self contained, commercially
available heating devices
fueled by gas. Heating
devices fueled by wood,
charcoal, or similar materials
shall be prohibited.”
September is typically the rainy season in
our area. A hearty rain can eliminate the
need for lawn irrigation for as long as two
weeks! During periods of daily afternoon
showers or after heavy rainfalls, save
water and money by turning the irrigation
system off completely until dryer
weather conditions arrive. Irrigating
during the rainy season only encourages
weeds, fungus, lawn disease, and high
water bills.
Remember the “No Watering from 10 to
4” rule for water conservation.
Outdoor irrigation is allowed before 10:00
a.m. and after 4:00 p.m., per the St.
Johns River Water Management District.
The rule applies to all irrigation, whether
from a private well, public water supply,
or surface water. This conserves water
by avoiding irrigation during the hottest
part of the day when evaporation is
greatest. Exceptions to the rule include a
30-day period to water-in new landscaping,
and watering-in fertilizers or pesticides
24 hours after application. If you have
questions, contact Public Utilities at
247-5834, or check out the St. Johns
River Water Management District’s
websites: www.sjrwmd.com and
www.floridaswater.com. The United
States Geological Survey (USGS) also
has some interesting information on
water conditions in Florida on their
website: http://fl.water.usgs.gov.
OCTOBER 7, 2003 • OCTOBER 21, 2003 Run-off if required
VOTER REGISTRATION
Are you registered to vote? If not, do it
now. If you are not registered to vote by
5:00 p.m. on September 8, you will not be
able to vote in our city election. Registration
forms can be picked up at City Hall,
driver’s license offices, public libraries,
and many state agencies.
OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION
Seat 1 - Mayor
Seat 2 – City Commissioner
Seat 3 – City Commissioner
QUALIFYING DATES
Qualification of candidates will begin at
noon September 9 and end at noon
September 16, 2003. However, candidates
may open a bank account and begin
campaigning earlier if they wish.
For more information, contact the City Clerk
by phone at 247-5809 or by e-mail at
mking@ci.atlantic-beach.fl.us.
Rainy Days and Mondays —
Save Water During the Rainy Season
CITY ELECTIONS
LAUGHTER CLUB
Atlantic Beach Cultural
Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee announces
the first meeting of the
ATLANTIC BEACH
LAUGHTER CLUB.
Mark your calendars for
Thursday, September 11,
at 7:00 p.m., to join the fun
at Adele Grage Cultural
Center. Under the direction
of Kathleen Smith
Beaudreau, Atlantic Beach
citizens will laugh like
never before. Kathleen
traveled to India last fall to
work with Dr. Maden
Kataria to learn about the
healing power of laughter
and how the immune
system is stimulated
through a series of breath-
ing exercises and “finding
the laughter within.” This
one-hour program is
“family friendly,” highly
interactive and the worst
thing that will happen is
that you will laugh! Due to
limited parking, we encour-
age you to ride bikes or
walk to the event.
Please direct your
questions to 210-5436.
FLAG FOOTBALL
Registration at Adele Grage
Cultural Center 8:00 a.m. -
4:00 p.m. Monday through
Friday, September 1 - 10.
$10.00 per child. Call 247-
5828 for information.
SONGWRITERS
WORKSHOP
Adele Grage Cultural Center
Tuesday, September 23,
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Call Steve
Piscitelli at 247-9139 for
information.
I have been receiving complaints about, and have
personally noticed, the increase in graffiti in Atlantic
Beach, much of it near beach accesses. There
probably isn't any easy answer to the problem, but
we encourage parents to instill a sense of commu-
nity pride in their children. Also disturbing is the
"anti-townie" theme of some of the messages. The
ocean and beaches are not "ours" alone. We maintain ocean
accesses so that everyone can enjoy the beach. Recently we have
had discussions in the Commission about our beautification
program, where we encourage citizens to make those access
walkways more attractive. The program has worked well at many
of the street ends, but some concern has been expressed that the
program might result in less access. The Commission is dedicated
to preserving all beach accesses so that we all (including those from
across the "ditch") can enjoy our greatest natural resource. Finally, I
would like to personally thank Sandy Forsyth and Aqua East Surf
Shop for their $5,000 donation towards our
skatepark, that is now designed. I believe it will
be a very positive addition to our parks system,
providing another healthy outlet for our children.
Presort Standard
US Postage Paid
Jacksonville FL
Permit No. 1645
City of Atlantic Beach
800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
September Calendar
SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
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7
6
89 1110
13
12
14
13
16 1817
21
20
22 23 2524
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26
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Police Explorers
7:00 p.m.
Code Enforcement
Board Meeting
7:30 p.m.
Yoga Class
4:00 p.m.
Adele Grage Center
Yoga Class
4:00 p.m.
Adele Grage Center
Yoga Class
Noon
Adele Grage Center
Yoga Class
Noon
Adele Grage Center
Teen Council
7:00 p.m.
Police Explorers
7:00 p.m.
Community Dev.
Board Meeting
Teen Council
7:00 p.m.
Police Explorers
7:00 p.m.
City Commission
Meeting 7:15 p.m.
Tree Board Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Adele Grage Center
LABOR DAY
City offices closed
15
City Commission
Meeting 7:15 p.m.
Police Explorers
7:00 p.m.
Cultural Arts &
Recreaton Committee
7:00 p.m.
Adele Grage Center
Tree Board Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Adele Grage Center
Yoga Class
Noon
Adele Grage Center
Yoga Class
4:00 p.m.
Adele Grage Center
Police Explorers
7:00 p.m.
29
Yoga Class
Noon
Adele Grage Center
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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
2
Meetings are held in the Commission Chambers
unless otherwise indicated
For additional events and activities, please visit
our web site at www.ci.atlantic-beach,fl.us
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Q. HOW MANY SIGNS MAY I HAVE?
A.City Code Chapter 17, Section 17-1.1 does not limit
the number of election signs that may be placed on
private property to announce or advertise a candidate.
Q. ARE THERE ANY SIZE LIMITATIONS?
A.Your election sign can be no larger then four
square feet in size.
Q. WHERE MAY SIGNS BE POSTED?
A.Signs must be placed wholly on private property.
Signs may not be posted on city rights-of-way,
medians, or utility poles.
Q. HOW LONG CAN ELECTION SIGNS BE
POSTED?
A.Election signs are permitted once a candidate is
qualified to run for election, and must be removed
72 hours after the election.
Q. WHAT ABOUT POLLING PLACES?
A.Florida Statute 102.031 specifies that no signs or
solicitors are permitted within fifty (50) feet of the
entrance to a polling place on the day of election,
unless solicitation is conducted in a separate
marked area so as not to disturb, impede, obstruct,
or interfere with voter access.
ELECTION SIGNS
Yoga Class
4:00 p.m.
Acoustic Night
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Adele Grage Center