May 2006.pdfVOL.2 NO.5MAY 2006
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We have gathered
together many
times over this
past year, as one
community of
friends and neighbors. Our mission
has been to define a vision of com-
munity character we can enjoy for
years to come. I appreciate the caring
and concerned input of all citizens
during this process. The best deci-
sions are made when diverse voices
are heard. Everyone agrees that
Atlantic Beach is worth talking about!
Finding this shared vision is essential,
as we face unprecedented growth
that makes this a decisive time in our
community’s history. Changes are
occurring and something should be
done. Directing this natural growth is
a responsibility we all share. Few
have written more eloquently about
this responsibility than Thomas
Jefferson. In 1816, this is what he
wrote about community:
“A right to property is founded in
our natural wants, in the means
with which we are endowed to sat-
isfy these wants, and the right to
what we acquire by those means—
without violating the similar rights
of sensible beings.”
What Jefferson meant was that in a
fair and democratic society, it is our
privilege to balance private property
rights with the equally important
rights of our neighbors, and of the
community as a whole. This is the
city of atlantic beach newsletter
CAPACITY OF CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH STORMWATER SYSTEM
AND RELATED STORM WATER REGULATIONS
(continued on back)
There is no excess capacity in the City of
Atlantic Beach storm water system.In recent
years,engineers working for Atlantic Beach
have designed storm water improvements to
prevent street flooding during most major
storms and flooding of homes during a 25-
year storm.This means a rainfall event that
will occur on average once every 25 years.In
Atlantic Beach,that would equal 9.3 inches
of rain over a 24 hour period.It has been
many years since a storm of that magnitude
has been seen here.
The city recently spent over $9,000,000 in
the old Atlantic Beach area making storm
water and other utility improvements.The
final plan for these improvements was iden-
tified only after two previous designs were
rejected by the public because they includ-
ed converting major portions of two parks
into retention ponds, the construction of
large storm water lines and pumping sys-
tems, and the removal of many street-side
trees.Atlantic Beach is basically flat and
getting storm water to move rapidly out of
neighborhoods is difficult.
Every additional square foot of impervious
surface that is added in old Atlantic Beach
will increase the level of flooding. For this
reason the City has a 50% limit on the
amount of impervious surface on any given
lot and requires the on-site retention of
additional storm water runoff resulting
from development. In spite of these
regulations, the total impervious surface
in Atlantic Beach will grow in the future
because most of the present lots have less
than 50% impervious area, and they can
expand under current regulations.The
purpose of the current regulations is to
slow the increase of storm water into the
City’s system and thereby push the need for
additional and more invasive storm water
solutions as far into the future as possible.
Other areas of Atlantic Beach face the
same problems.Some of those experience
considerable flooding during major rainfall
events and will experience house flooding dur-
ing a 25-year storm.Planning is underway for
improvements in those areas.As the lots in
Atlantic Beach are redeveloped with larger
homes,bigger driveways,and other impervi-
ous surfaces,more storm water will be put
into the drainage systems which will cause
future flooding and the need for additional
capital projects to bring that flooding under
control.Just because most of the City drainage
system works now doesn’t mean that we can
be careless in the design of new development.
• A child under 40 pounds or 4 years old,
must ride in a safety seat or carrier
• Bicycle riders/passengers under 16 years
old MUST wear a bicycle helmet
• When riding on the roadway, you must ride
WITH the flow of traffic
• When operating a bicycle,you must keep at
least one hand on the handlebars at ALL TIMES
• A bicycle may not be used to carry more
persons at one time than the number for
which it is designed
• Bicycles in use between sunset and sunrise
must have a white headlight that can be
seen from 500 feet and a rear red reflector
that can be seen from 600 feet
MAY IS BICYCLE SAFETY MONTH!
For details or more information on bicycle safety, please contact Officer Tiffany Layson
at 247-5859 or tlayson@coab.us.
Several bicycle laws governed by Florida State Statute 316.2065 are commonly overlooked,including:
city of atlantic beach newsletter
CALENDAR
Meetings are held in the Commission Chambers unless otherwise indicated.
* These events will be held at Adele Grage Cultural Center,716 Ocean Blvd.
** These events will be held in the North Conference Room at City Hall,800 Seminole Road.
Donald Wolfson
MAYOR
Jamie Fletcher
COMMISSIONER
J. Dezmond Waters, III
MAYOR PRO TEM
Sylvia Simmons
COMMISSIONER
Mike Borno
COMMISSIONER
Jim Hanson
CITY MANAGER
Alan Jensen
CITY ATTORNEY
Donna Bussey
CITY CLERK
CITY OFFICIALS
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central challenge of any local govern-
ment: to protect the rights of the indi-
vidual while representing the needs of
the larger community. Any vision of
community character that will stand
the test of time must find this balance.
Acting together as one community,
we will meet this challenge. Through
listening to each other, we’ll find the
correct balance of character and
rights for the town we all love. We’ll
find common ground.
WATER CONSERVATION GOODIES
The St. Johns River Water
Management District has provided
the City with lots of free materials for
our citizens. These items are available
at the Utility Billing area in City Hall
(800 Seminole Road) and at the Public
Works office (1200 Sandpiper Lane).
Come by any time to pick up these
complimentary goodies that promote
water conservation:
• A beautiful Waterwise Florida
Landscapes book
• Water Conservation Activity Book—
A Tale of Ollie Otter and His Friends
• Rulers
• Refrigerator magnets
• Sticky notes
• Bookmarks
For more information on conserving
water, check out the St. Johns River
Water Management District’s website
at www.sjrwmd.com.
Remember, No Watering Between
10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Only Irrigate 2 Days Per Week!
Jun 3&4 Shakespeare in the Park (Jack Russell
Park) | 7:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Jun 8 Board Member Review Committee
Meeting | 5:00 p.m.
Jun 11 *Songwriter’s Concert| 6:00- 8:00 p.m.
Jun 12 City Commission Meeting| 7:15 p.m.
Jun 14 *Tree Conservation Board Meeting |
7:00 p.m.
Jun 20 Community Development Board
Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
Jun 25 *Acoustics Night at Bull Park|
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Jun 26 City Commission Meeting|7:15 p.m.
Jun 27 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee | 7:00 p.m.
Jun 28 *Tree Conservation Board Meeting |
7:00 p.m.
(continued from front)
www.coab.us • (904) 247-5800
May 1 Neighbor-to-Neighbor Beachside Chat
at Donner Park (2072 George St.)|
7:00- 8:30 p.m.
May 2 Neighbor-to-Neighbor Beachside Chat
at Oceanside Church of Christ (1025
Snug Harbor Ct.)| 7:00- 8:30 p.m.
May 3 Neighbor-to-Neighbor Beachside Chat
at Jordan Park (1671 Francis Ave.)|
7:00- 8:30 p.m.
May 4 *Neighbor-to-Neighbor Beachside
Chat| 7:00- 8:30 p.m.
May 6 *Art in the Park Festival
at Bull Park |10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
May 7 *Songwriter’s Concert| 6:00- 8:00 p.m.
May 8 City Commission Meeting| 7:15 p.m.
May 9 Code Enforcement Board Meeting |
7:00 p.m.
May 10 *Tree Conservation Board Meeting |
7:00 p.m.
May 11 Board Member Review Committee
Meeting | 5:00 p.m.
May 13 Oceanside Rotary Skate Park
Bowl Bash at Russell Park |
Check-in begins at 10:00 a.m.,
Competition begins at Noon.
May 13 Dancin’ in the Streets at Town
Center|11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
May 16 Community Development Board
Meeting | 7:00 p.m.
May 21 *Acoustics Night at Bull Park|
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
May 22 City Commission Meeting|7:15 p.m.
May 23 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee | 7:00 p.m.
May 24 *Tree Conservation Board Meeting |
7:00 p.m.
May 30 *Summer Camp begins
MAY 2006
History teaches that a lack of hurricane
awareness and preparation are common
threads among all major hurricane disasters.
By knowing your vulnerability and what
actions you should take, you can reduce the
effects of a hurricane disaster.
The goal of this Hurricane Preparedness
Website is to inform the public about the hur-
ricane hazards and provide knowledge,which
can be used to take ACTION.This informa-
tion can be used to save lives at work,home,
while on the road,or on the water.
Visit the national Hurricane Center Website for
more information:http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
/HAW2/english/intro.shtml
For local information, go to www.coab.us or
www.coj.net—just use the search functions
and enter “hurricane.”
Hurricane hazards come in many forms:
storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and
flooding.This means it is important for your
family to have a plan that includes all of
these hazards. Look carefully at the safety
actions associated with each type of hurri-
cane hazard and prepare your family disaster
plan accordingly. But remember this is only
a guide.The first and most important thing
anyone should do when facing a hurricane
threat is to use common sense.
You should be able to answer the following
questions before a hurricane threatens:
• What are the Hurricane Hazards?
• What does it mean to you?
• What actions should you take to be
prepared?
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK
This Year Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 21-27, 2006
"Preparation through education is less costly than learning through tragedy."
- MAX MAYFIELD, DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
Jamie Fletcher
City Commissioner
JUNE 2006