February 2008.pdfVOL.4 NO.2FEBRUARY 2008
The City is proud to recognize Dennis Roberts as the Employee of the 4th Quarter. Dennis is a
member of the Information Technology Division,which provides all computer related services for
the City. Employees rely on the IT staff to keep their workstations,laptops,printers,copiers,
cameras and telephones running smoothly. Dennis was recognized for his diligent efforts,relent-
less problem-solving and his friendly demeanor by being named the City’s Employee of the
Quarter.Dennis is an old Montana cowhand who found his way to the Sunshine State some years
ago and has been with the City for four years.
city of atlantic beach newsletter
EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER
THANKS TO THE BEACHES COMMUNITY
Donner Park Recreation Leader Gail Baker wishes to thank the Beaches community for making the
Holiday Gift Tree and Toy Drive for children a tremendous success. Forty children were matched
with "Angels," over a 100 children received bikes and helmets donated by a local church,and 260
children received presents due to the generosity and caring of our Beaches community.Thank you
one and all for giving so many children a bright holiday and new year!
F
R
O
M
T
H
E
M
A
Y
O
R
WINTER WATER SAVINGS
AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Winter Water Savings and Irrigation System Maintenance
Even in Florida, plants and turf go semi-dormant in the winter and need little to no water.
According to a University of Florida study, usually no irrigation is needed during the months
of January/February, and less than half an inch per month during March.You can let your
lawn tell you if it needs water. If grass blades begin to look wilted, water during the morn-
ing or evening hours.
Use this season for inspecting and maintaining your irrigation system. Check for leaks.
Inspect for broken or misdirected heads. Adjust sprinkler heads to cover only the target
area. Clean micro-irrigation filters. Make sure the timers are working properly. And verify
that the rain sensor shut-off switch is doing its job.
Remember, water landscapes only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., no more than
two days per week. For more information on water conservation, check the St.
Johns River Water Management District’s Web site at www.sjrwmd.com.Detailed
information on Florida Landscape is available on the University of Florida Web
site http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Lawns_and_Landscapes.
Your Commission
and staff are
about to embark
on another round
of meetings to
discuss strategic
issues facing our
community. We
continue to
refine a plan that
was formalized several years ago.
It's not glamorous work, but having
plans that project our needs and
direction for 10-15 years, and one
that is hopefully not changed on a
whim of any Commission, will
ensure our future against surprises.
Our goal is to have in place the
knowledge of projected income
streams for our utilities and esti-
mated future needs for both operat-
ing and capital expenses. In gener-
al those go out ten years and are
updated annually. We also look at
such things as sidewalk and road
master planning as well as being
ever mindful of the requirements to
maintain our drainage system
throughout the city. Tax reform has
to be taken into account as the cur-
rent efforts by the State govern-
ment will restrict our ability to meet
the pressures of inflation on annual
budgets. With over half our budget
in "people" costs and their personal
need to at least meet cost of living
increases, we, the Commission, are
all concerned about the State forc-
ing budget cutbacks while continu-
ing to legislate unfunded mandates.
By working closely with our Duval
State representative, we intend to
be part of the process of protecting
Atlantic Beach.
John Meserve
CAB079_FEB_Newsletter_REV.qxp 1/15/08 9:17 AM Page 1
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.
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 Bussey
CITY CLERK
CITY OFFICIALS
C
U
R
R
E
N
T
S
SONGWRITERS’ CONCERT
Adele Grage Theatre
Local singers and songwriters per-
form in a coffee house setting at
the Adele Grage Theatre. Enjoy
music written and performed by
local artists on acoustic guitars.
The concerts will be held February
10, March 9, April 6, May 4, June 8
and July 13 from 6-8 p.m. Seating
is first come-first served for this
free event. Doors open at 5:45
p.m.
2008 LATE NIGHT SKATES
Jack Russell Park
Skate under the lights with music
at the Oceanside Rotary Skate Park.
The dates of the event are February
8 and 22 and March 7 from 6 – 10
p.m. Bring your favorite CD to
skate to! Helmets required. Teens
16 and under must have a consent
waiver on file with the city. Forms
can be picked up at City Hall
between 8 and 5 p.m.
TOUR DE PARKS
Saturday, March 15
9 a.m. – Noon
Take your family on a five-mile
guided, family-friendly bike tour
through the heart of Atlantic Beach
Parks with your friends and neigh-
bors. Ride with tour guides who
leave from Jack Russell Park every
30 minutes. The event is free and
no advance registration is required.
Please remember to wear your hel-
met for safety. Maps will be pro-
vided.
FEBRUARY 2008
Feb 3 *Yoga for Health | 4-5 p.m.
Feb 8 Friday Night Late Skate at Jack Russell
Park | 6-10 p.m.
Feb 10 *Songwriters’ Concert | 6-8 p.m.
Feb 10 *Yoga for Health | 4-5 p.m.
Feb 11 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Feb 13 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Feb 17 *Yoga for Health | 4-5 p.m.
Feb 19 Community Development Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Feb 21 North Beaches Art Walk | 5-9 p.m.
Atlantic and Neptune Beaches
Feb 22 Friday Night Late Skate at Jack Russell
Park | 6-10 p.m.
Feb 25 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Feb 26 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee Mtg | 7 p.m.
Feb 27 Tree Conservation Board Mtg, City
Hall Chambers | 7 p.m.
www.coab.us • (904) 247-5800
Mar 2 *Yoga for Health | 4-5 p.m.
Mar 7 Friday Night Late Skate at Jack Russell
Park | 6-10 p.m.
Mar 8 Wild Wonders at Dutton Island
Preserve | 1 p.m.
Mar 9 *Yoga for Health | 4-5 p.m.
Mar 9 *Songwriters Concert | 6-8 p.m.
Mar 10 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Mar 11 Code Enforcement Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Mar 12 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg 7 p.m.
Mar 15 Tour de Parks at Jack Russell Park
| 9 a.m.-noon
Mar 16 *Yoga for Health | 4-5 p.m.
Mar 18 Community Development Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Mar 20 North Beaches Art Walk | 5-9 p.m.
Atlantic and Neptune Beaches
Mar 22 Easter Egg Hunt at Jordan
Park | 10-12 a.m.
Mar 23 *Yoga for Health | 4-5 p.m.
Mar 24 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Mar 25 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee Mtg | 7 p.m.
Mar 26 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg 7 p.m.
Mar 29 Wild Wonders at Tideviews
Preserve | 1 p.m.
Mar 30 *Yoga for Health | 4-5 p.m.
Mar 30 Acoustic Nights at Bull Memorial
Park | 4-6 p.m.
MARCH 2008
The City of Atlantic Beach is offering a hands-on nature program for the entire family. The
“Warm Fuzzies” program involves 15-16 small animals that range from mammals to reptiles.
Each animal is brought to a park to educate the public about the animal’s habitat, behavior and
eating habits. Dance, storytelling and humor are interwoven into the program. All shows are
one hour.Check the city’s calendar for date and time of events.
Bring the little ones out for a classic Easter Egg Hunt at Jordan
Park Saturday, March 22. The festivities will begin at 10 a.m.
Meet the Easter Bunny, jump in the Bounce House and enjoy
some refreshments. For more information, call (904) 247-4033.
ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT
WILD WONDERS DUTTON ISLAND
AND TIDEVIEWS PRESERVES
CAB079_FEB_Newsletter_REV.qxp 1/15/08 9:17 AM Page 2