January 2008.pdfVOL.4 NO.1JANUARY 2008
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The Commission and staff of
Atlantic Beach wishes
everyone the very best in
2008. As we go forward in
the new year we have many
challenges ranging from tax
reform, Mayport Road
construction, and most
recently the issue of Central Florida requesting
that they be allowed to withdraw significant
water from the St. Johns River to supplement a
dwindling supply and a growing need for fresh
water. Your Atlantic Beach Commission did not
immediately jump on the bandwagon with a cry
to stop that effort, rather decided to have a
workshop to get more information so we can
intelligently address concerns. While at this
writing (early December) no decision about a
resolution, pro or con, has been drafted, I can
assure you we will be vigilant. In late November,
I did address the Duval Delegation with some
questions I wanted addressed by them to the
Water Management District. In the end, "water
wars" will pit county against county and it will
take facts and lobbying to win the day. We have
an excellent rapport with the senators and
representatives from Northeast Florida, and will
work hard to see that our quality of life is not
jeopardized. We can all take a lesson from this:
that while every community in Florida is required
to have a "Comprehensive Land Plan," I don't
believe anyone really has figured out what
constitutes a "forever sustainable" community.
We seem to make every plot of land available for
construction with the exception of public parks,
green space and retention ponds for mitigation.
While Florida growth has slowed down, it has
certainly not stopped, with Central and South
Florida growing at high rates. Water, sewage
disposal and land fill capacity better start to be a
more significant part of growth management.
John Meserve
city of atlantic beach newsletter
MAP INFORMATION SERVICE
Notice To:Lending Institutions and Real Estate and Insurance Agents.
Subject:Flood Insurance Rate Map & Zone Information
As a public service the City of Atlantic Beach is able to provide,upon
request,the following information free of charge:
• Identification of properties that may be in or out of the Special Flood Hazard Area
(SFHA) as indicated on the City’s current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
• Additional flood insurance data for a site,such as the FIRM zone and the base
flood elevation or depth,if shown on the FIRM.
• A flood insurance purchase requirement handout that can help people who need
to obtain a mortgage or loan for property within a SFHA area.
If you would like additional information,please contact us at 247-5826 or stop by the
Building and Zoning Department in City Hall.You will need to provide us the street address
and,if available,the subdivision,lot and block number.City Hall is open Monday through
Friday from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m.We look forward to serving you.
FACTS ABOUT THE FLORIDAN AQUIFER
ATLANTIC BEACH’S DRINKING WATER SOURCE
• The Floridan Aquifer is the largest aquifer in the southeastern United
States and one of the most productive aquifers in the world.
• It is found beneath all of Florida and parts of Alabama, Georgia
and South Carolina, and extends into the Gulf of Mexico and the
Atlantic Ocean.
• It averages 1,000 feet thick, and fresh water can extend to a depth of
2,000 feet below land surface.
• Floridians use about 2.5 billion gallons of water from the Floridan
each day.
Atlantic Beach drinking water comes from wells drilled into the Floridan
Aquifer at a depth of 700 to 1,000 feet.We’re fortunate to have this pure and
plentiful water source.
Remember – irrigate no more than two days per week, before 10
a.m. or after 4 p.m. For more information on the Floridan Aquifer
or water conservation, go to www.sjrwmd.com.
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city of atlantic beach newsletter
OUTDOOR FIRE SAFETY
With cooler weather upon us, the thought of building a fire outdoors
appears to be a harmless form of recreation. Graham crackers,
marshmallows and chocolate bars often add to the enjoyment of the
occasion. Fires can be lawfully built in containers intended for such use
(i.e. covered outdoor fire places, grills for cooking, commercially
available fire pits).
Fires should not be built for the purpose of burning trash, rubbish,
garbage, or tires. Outdoor fires of any sort should never be left
unattended, as fire can be very unpredictable and uncontrollable when
not under close supervision. Please remember that in the City of
Atlantic Beach,“open burning” is prohibited without first obtaining a
permit from the fire official and paying the permit fee (city code sec. 7-
36). Written permission must be obtained by the City Manager to have
an open fire (bon fire) on the beach (Atlantic Beach city code Sec. 5-3)
If you would like additional information pertaining to this,
please contact Detective Tiffany Layson at 247-5859 or by
e-mail at tlayson@coab.us.
Mark your calendars! The City of
Atlantic Beach has scheduled five late
night skates for 2008. The event will
take place Friday evenings from 6-10
p.m. The scheduled dates are January
11 and 25, February 8 and 22 and
March 7 (weather permitting). For
more information call the Parks and
Recreation Department at 247-5828.
2008 LATE NIGHT SKATES
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.
Feb 8 Friday Night Bowl Skate at Jack Russell Park | 6-10 p.m.
Feb 11 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Feb 13 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Feb 19 Community Development Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Feb 22 Friday Night Bowl 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
| 7 p.m.
Feb 27 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Jan 8 Code Enforcement Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Jan 9 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Jan 11 Friday Night Bowl Skate at Jack Russell Park | 6-10 p.m.
Jan 13 *Songwriters Night Concert | 6-8 p.m.
Jan 14 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Jan 15 Community Development Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Jan 22 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee
| 7 p.m.
Jan 23 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Jan 25 Friday Night Bowl Skate at Jack Russell Park | 6-10 p.m.
Jan 28 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
JANUARY 2008
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
www.coab.us •(904) 247-5800
CITY OFFICIALS
CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 2008
CURRENTS
Songwriters Concert
January 13,2008 6-8 p.m.
Local singers and songwriters perform in a coffee house setting at the
Adele Grage Theatre. Enjoy music written and performed by local artists
on acoustic guitars. Free admission.
Yoga Classes
Join this one hour class for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. All levels
are welcome.Classes will be held at the Adele Grage Cultural Center,716
Ocean Blvd on Jan 6,13,20 and 27 beginning at 4 p.m. The cost of each
class is $10.00 and participants are asked to bring their own mat.
ABET Presents “The Ride Down Mount Morgan”
Many profound and humorous insights as to why relationships are essential,
yet difficult to maintain,by one of America’s premiere playwrights,Arthur
Miller. The opening performance is January 18 with following
performances on January 19 - 20,24 - 27,31 and February 1 - 2.
ABET Drama Workshop for Children
Workshop starts on January 12 and runs through February 16 from 10
a.m.-12 p.m.on Saturday mornings. For more information,
call (904) 249-7177.
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