August 2008.pdfVOL.4 NO.8AUGUST 2008
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We are all experiencing
the pain and frustration
of ever increasing gas
prices, and it is most
likely not ever going
back to the “good old
days,” whatever they were. Beyond just
paying the price at the pump, it is forcing
us as individuals and as a city to rethink
transportation. Hopefully, we are all aware
of the recent startup of the Beaches
Trolley, which runs regular routes on the
weekends, connecting the three beach
cities. It’s a great way to save gas,
decrease congestion and leave the driving
to someone else. JTA has reported that
ridership has exceeded expectations
significantly. From a city standpoint, we
started initiatives several years ago to
make Atlantic Beach pedestrian and bicycle
friendly through new, wide sidewalks and
safety crosswalks at intersections. We need
to continue that process. As we go forward
in strategic planning, the city will have to
plan for changes as new types of vehicles,
such as mopeds and battery powered
vehicles, begin to share the roadways in
increasing numbers. Could we become a
golf cart friendly community? I don’t know,
but we need to think through the process
and all ideas are welcome.
city of atlantic beach newsletter
NEW IRRIGATION RULES ON THE WAY
The St.Johns River Water Management District is in the process of revising the Landscape Irrigation
Rule.Currently,irrigation is restricted to no more than two days per week,before 10
a.m.or after 4:00 p.m.Residents can pick and choose the two days they prefer to irrigate.
The proposed rule would allow irrigation TWO days per week during the warm months (Daylight
Savings Time),but during the winter (Eastern Standard Time) irrigation would only be allowed ONE
day per week,before 10 a.m.or after 4 p.m.
Watering days would be determined by address. During Daylight Savings Time, even numbered
addresses would water Thursday and Sunday, odd or no addresses would water Wednesday and
Saturday. During the winter, your watering day would be based on the last digit in your address.
The St. Johns River Water Management District is taking comments on the proposed rule.
More information is available on their Web site at www.sjrwmd.com.
Remember to use water wisely!
John Meserve
Mayor
City Code Chapter 16,Solid Waste and
Recycling has been revised to restrict the
setting out of containerized yard waste to
no more than two nights before pickup.
This requirement was added because of the
desire to improve the appearance of City streets.
Sec. 16-3. Garbage and trash containers. (b)
Set out and storage—Garbage containers
shall be set out no earlier than 6 p.m. the day
prior to collection and shall be returned
to the regular place of storage no later than
12 midnight on the day of collection.Yard
waste such as leaves or grass clippings shall
be set out in a yard waste receptacle no
sooner than two days prior to collection.
Bulk (uncontainerized) yard waste such as
tree limbs or palm fronds may be set out
when generated.
YARD WASTE REQUIREMENTS
Pedestrian crosswalks are intended to provide pedestrians with a safe pathway to cross busy
streets.To that end, pedestrians have the right-of-way to cross the roadways, and automobiles
are obligated to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks.
When there is no sidewalk available, pedestrians must sometimes walk in the roadway where
they are competing with automobiles for space.The safest way for pedestrians to walk on a
street or roadway is on the left-hand side of the road where the pedestrians are facing oncoming
traffic.This allows pedestrians to see vehicles and make adjustments as necessary for their
own safety.
Both pedestrians and motorists share the responsibility to keep our community and its citizens
safe and secure.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
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city of atlantic beach newsletter
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.
John Meserve
MAYOR
John Fletcher
COMMISSIONER
Mike Borno
MAYOR PRO TEM
Paul Parsons
COMMISSIONER
Carolyn Woods
COMMISSIONER
Jim Hanson
CITY MANAGER
Alan Jensen
CITY ATTORNEY
Donna L. Bartle
CITY CLERK
CITY OFFICIALS
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www.coab.us •(904) 247-5800
CALENDAR
AUGUST 2008 SEPTEMBER 2008
Aug 11 City Commission Mtg | 6 p.m.
Aug 13 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Aug 14 Pension Board Mtg | 6 p.m.
Aug 19 Community Development Board Mtg |
6 p.m.
Aug 25 City Commission Mtg | 6 p.m.
Aug 27 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee Mtg | 7 p.m.
Aug 27 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Sept 8 City Commission Mtg | 6 p.m.
Sept 9 Code Enforcement Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Sept 10 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Sept 16 Community Development Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
Sept 22 City Commision Mtg | 6 p.m.
Sept 23 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee | 7 p.m.
Sept 24 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENTS
August 2008
Aug 3 Songwriters Concert – Adele Grage |
6-8 p.m.
Aug 9 Movie Night at Donner Park – “CARS” |
7-8 p.m. refreshments (movie at dusk)
Aug 16 Open Mic – Jordan Park | 6-8 p.m.
Aug 17 Acoustic Night – Bull Memorial Park |
6-8 p.m.
Aug 18 Registration opens for Fall Flag Football
– Adele Grage | 8-4:30 p.m.
Aug 21 North Beaches Art Walk – Town Center |
5-9 p.m.
September 2008
Sept 7 Songwriters Concert – Adele Grage |
6-8 p.m.
Sept 12 ABET Opening of “Nunsense” – Adele
Grage Theater | 8 p.m.
Sept 21 Acoustic Night – Bull Memorial Park |
6-8 p.m.
For more information on upcoming events,
call the Recreation and Special Events
Office at 247-5828.
EMPLOYEE OF THE
QUARTER SELECTED
The City of Atlantic Beach has selected Lisa
Showman as Employee of the Quarter for the
Second Quarter of 2008. Lisa is the Administrative
Assistant for the Departments of Public Works
and Public Utilities and has been employed with
the City of Atlantic Beach since September 1998.
Florida law enforcement officers have been
working hard to enforce the Move Over Law
since it became official in 2002.The law requires
drivers to move over one lane whenever an
emergency vehicle on the side of the road has
emergency lights activated.If moving over is not
an option,the drivers must simply slow down
at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
Compliance with Florida’s Move Over Law is
critical for the safety of law enforcement
officers and other emergency personnel working
on highways.A statewide Move Over Law Task
Force was formed to develop strategies to
better educate the public about the law and to
better enforce it.The enforcement wave was a
recommendation of the task force.
During the week long campaign from June 23-
29, law enforcement agencies statewide issued
more than 4,500 citations to Move Over Law
violators and more than 10,000 warnings,
which included Move Over violations and other
offenses. How important is this effort? During
the five-year period of 1996-2000, motorists in
Florida crashed into working law enforcement
vehicles that were stopped or parked along
Florida roadways 1,793 times, resulting in five
deaths and 419 injuries.
Law Enforcement, first responders, and
roadside service personnel remind you to
Move Over. Slow Down. Save Lives.
MOVE OVER FLORIDA ENFORCEMENT WAVE SUCCESSFUL
Nearly 15,000 warnings and citations issued
during the weeklong educational campaign
TREE CANOPY PRESERVATION
Before deciding to remove a mature tree because of concerns about tree health or safety, please
take the opportunity to have the tree examined by a certified arborist.An arborist can provide
recommendations on emergency tree care, pruning, or as a last resort, tree removal.They
can also make recommendations for the best planting options to replace a mature tree that must
be removed. For more information on hiring an arborist, go to www.floridaisa.org
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