February 2007.pdfVOL.3 NO.2FEBRUARY 2007
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As we start the
New Year, we your
City Commission
will be starting a
new schedule of
strategic planning
meetings, information gathering
sessions, public hearings and
workshops.
We do this to identify and keep
focus on the most important
projects for the community. Ten
year-long master plans have been
prepared for our water, sewer/
wastewater and stormwater systems
by engineering consultants and are
updated periodically. Our City staff
have prepared ten-year financial
projections of income and expenses
in our budget for each of our major
funds including water, sewer/
wastewater, sanitation, gas tax,
1/2 cent sales tax, stormwater
and general funds. There is a
documented plan for development
of our IT system, although “long-
term” for computers and software
is in the three to five year range.
Street maintenance is tracked yearly
and scored through a computer
system which is used to determine
which roads to resurface and
other maintenance. There is also
a documented plan for installation
of new sidewalks which uses a
scoring formula to identify needs.
The biggest, longest term or most
difficult items from all of these
city of atlantic beach newsletter
A NEW LEAF
A NEWSLETTER FOR GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING
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The University of Florida and City of
Jacksonville Agriculture Dept. publish
a bi-monthly newsletter with great
information and tips on . . .
• which flowers, bushes or vegetables
to plant and when
• when and how to trim trees and shrubs
• irrigation amounts and methods
• trees of the month
The Agriculture Dept. also has some
interesting classes, some of which are
free! Here is a list of classes in February
and March:
Feb 15 - Good and Bad Guys in the
Landscape.Learn how to use native
plants, and identify and control invasives.
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Highlands Branch
Library, 1826 Dunn Ave.
Feb 23 - Make Your Own Rain Barrel
Workshop.Cost $30. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at
Jacksonville Agriculture Dept., 1010 North
McDuff Ave.
Feb 27 - Starting Your Own Spring
Vegetable Garden.Cost $3. 10 a.m. -
Noon at Jacksonville Agriculture Dept.,
1010 North McDuff Ave.
Mar 10 - Master Gardener Becky Wern
will speak on Butterflies.10 - 11 a.m.
at Tree Hill, 7152 Lone Star Rd.
Mar 13 - Irrigation Workshop.Learn
how to use drip irrigation in your landscape.
Cost $5. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Jacksonville
Agriculture Dept.,1010 N.McDuff Ave.
Mar 27 - Laying Ground for the
Spring Garden.5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at
Mandarin Branch Library, 3330 Kori Rd.
To register for a class or to request a
newsletter subscription, call the Jacksonville
Agriculture Dept. at (904) 387-8850.
Remember - only water two days per
week, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
For more information on water conservation,
check out the St. Johns River Water
Management District’s website at www.sjr-
wmd.com or visit www.floridaswater.org.
Patty Drake,Purchasing Agent for the City of Atlantic Beach,has been named
the City’s Employee of the Year for 2006.Patty joined the City in October 2005
as Utility Billing Specialist and was hired as the City’s Purchasing Agent in
May 2006.She is always ready to take on challenges with initiative and is well
regarded by other employees in every City department for her helpfulness,
problem solving and “cutting through the red tape.”As the Employee of the Year,
she will be honored at a luncheon.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Fire hydrants,they may not be pretty,but they do the job.Bushes,trees,and orna-
mental plants may spruce up that old fire hydrant,but what about accessibility? State and City
regulations require all fire hydrants have a clear space of at least 3-foot maintained around the
circumference of the hydrant.This clear area will enable firefighters unobstructed access and will
make the hydrant immediately discernable upon arrival at the scene.Atlantic Beach City
Code,Chapter 7,Sec 7-35 (a)(1) a.
FIRE HYDRANTS
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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become part of our strategic
planning alongside major upcoming
legislative items.
Strategic planning meetings are
expected to begin some time
this month. Information gathering
sessions, public hearings and
workshops will be scheduled as the
need arises for input into our overall
planning. It is important that every
citizen of Atlantic Beach be aware
of the City’s major projects and stay
involved.
Please keep in mind that our
Commission and all governing
bodies are sworn to uphold the law.
This is not an easy task on many
occasions.
Sincerely,
Mike Borno
Commissioner
“WILD WONDERS” PROGRAM
Over the next few months visit
Dutton Island Preserve and
Tideviews Preserve to learn
about more than 15 different
animals and reptiles through
the “Wild Wonders” program.
Hour-long courses will feature
live animals, dancing, storytelling
and humor while instructors
educate you on animal habitats,
behaviors and eating habits.
These events are free and open
to the public. Please see the
Calendar section for dates
and times.
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www.coab.us •(904) 247-5800
Mar 1 *Last Day of Art Show | 8 a.m.-
Noon,1 - 4 p.m.
Mar 2 Late Night Skate - Oceanside Rotary
Skate Park | 6:30 - 11 p.m.
Mar 3 “Wild Wonders”Program - Dutton
Island Preserve | 11 a.m.- Noon
Mar 4 *Songwriter’s Concert | 6 - 8 p.m.
Mar 8 Board Member Review Committee
Mtg | 5 p.m.
Mar 12 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Mar 13 Code Enforcement Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Mar 14 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Mar 17 “Wild Wonders”Program - Dutton
Island Preserve | 11 a.m.- Noon
Mar 18 *Acoustics Night at Bull Memorial Park
| 4 - 6 p.m.
Mar 20 Community Development Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
Mar 26 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Mar 27 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee Mtg | 7 p.m.
Mar 28 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Mar 31 “Wild Wonders”Program - Dutton
Island Preserve | 11 a.m.– Noon
MARCH 2007
Feb 1 *First Day of Art Show | 8 a.m.-
Noon,1 - 4 p.m.
Feb 2 Late Night Skate - Oceanside Rotary
Skate Park | 6:30 - 11 p.m.
Feb 3 “Wild Wonders”Program - Dutton
Island Preserve | 11 a.m.- Noon
Feb 8 Board Member Review Committee
Mtg | 5 p.m.
Feb 8 District Representation Study
Committee Mtg | 7 - 9 p.m.
Feb 11 *Songwriter’s Concert | 6 - 8 p.m.
Feb 12 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Feb 14 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Feb 17 “Wild Wonders”Program - Tideviews
Preserve | 11 a.m.- Noon
Feb 19 Presidents’Day - City Offices Closed
Feb 19 District Representation Study
Committee Mtg | 7 - 9 p.m.
Feb 20 Community Development Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
Feb 26 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Feb 27 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee Mtg | 7 p.m.
Feb 28 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
FEBRUARY 2007
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
The City of Jacksonville will have a mobile household hazardous waste vehicle at the
Atlantic Beach City Hall parking lot at 800 Seminole Road (next to Russell Park) on
Saturday, March 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Many materials used in the home and gardens are considered hazardous waste and should
NOT be thrown in with regular household trash, but can be brought to this special event
on March 10.These materials can cause serious safety and health problems. Check the list
below for types of products to take to the household hazardous waste collection.
WILL BE ACCEPTED:
Paint,paint thinners
& strippers
Fertilizer
Rechargeable
batteries
Acids
Photographic chemicals
Flares
Antifreeze
Used oil
Pool chemicals
Drain cleaners
Aerosol cans
Varnish/shellac
Pesticides
Car care chemicals
Small propane (lp) tanks
Fire extinguishers
Car batteries
Ammunition
Thermometers
& Thermostats
Lawn & garden chemicals
WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED:
Bio-Hazardous (medical)
waste
Explosives
Tires
Large household appliances
(washers,dryers,stoves,
refrigerators)
Commercial e-waste or
hazardous waste