February 2009.pdff
e
b
r
u
a
r
y
,
2
0
0
9
V
o
l
.
5
N
o
.
2
C
i
t
y
o
f
a
t
l
a
N
t
i
C
b
e
a
C
h
N
e
w
s
l
e
t
t
e
r
february 2009
Feb 9 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Feb 10 Presentation – Florida’s Landlord/Tenant Law
Donner Park / 6 pm
Feb 11 *Tree Conservation Board / 7 pm
Feb 16 PRESIDENT’S DAY – CITY OFFICES CLOSED
Feb 17 Community Development Board / 6 pm
Feb 23 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Feb 24 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee / 7 pm
Feb 25 *Tree Conservation Board / 7pm
marCh 2009
Mar 9 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Mar 11 *Tree Conservation Board / 7 pm
Mar 17 Community Development Board / 6 pm
Mar 23 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Mar 24 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee / 7 pm
Mar 25 *Tree Conservation Board / 7 pm
City offiCials
John Meserve, Mayor Carolyn Woods, Commissioner
Mike Borno, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hanson, City Manager
Paul Parsons, Commissioner Alan Jensen, City Attorney
John Fletcher, Commissioner Donna Bartle, City Clerk
www.coab.us • (904) 247-5800
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 Rd.
february 2009
Feb 8 Songwriters Concert / Adele Grage / 6-8 pm
Feb 6 & 7 Late Night Skate / 6-10 pm
Feb 19 Art Walk / Adele Grage / 6-8 pm
Feb 20 & 21 Late Night Skate / 5-9 pm
marCh 2009
Mar 6 & 7 Late Night Skate / 6-10 pm
Mar 8 Songwriters Concert / Adele Grage / 6-8 pm
Mar 14 Wild Wonders / Dutton Island Preserve / 1 pm
Mar 22 Acoustic Nights / Bull Park / 6-8 pm
Mar 28 Wild Wonders / Tideviews Preserve / 1 pm
Presents…
FORREST
by tom hickman / Courtroom-Drama
february 27 – march 14
In this original script, Jacksonville playwright Tom Hickman gives
Nathan Bedford Forrest the war crimes trial he never received
in reality. He gets his day in court, withstands withering cross-
examination and must abide by the verdict that you, the audience
choose to give him.
Wild Wonders
Dutton island Preserve / march 14 / 1 pm
tideviews Preserve / march 28 / 1 pm
A hands-on nature program for the entire family held at Dutton
Island & Tideviews Preserves in Atlantic Beach. An experienced local
educator (Mike Rossi) brings out turtles, snakes, small mammals
and reptiles for one-on-one encounters. Dance, storytelling and
humor are interwoven into the presentations.
for more information on upcoming events, call the recreation
and special events office at 247-5828.
New Irrigation Rule
Will Save Water — and Dollars!
march 8, 2009 marks the start of a new irrigation rule.
The rule was passed by the St. Johns River Water Management District in December and Atlantic Beach’s
City Code follows in step with that rule. Here’s a summary:
• Never irrigate between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Irrigation is limited to no more than 3/4” per zone per irrigation day.
• Irrigation is limited to no more than one hour per zone per irrigation day.
• During eastern standard time (fall and winter), irrigation is limited to one Day per week.
Irrigation days are specified:
Saturday – Residential at odd numbered addresses or no address
Sunday – Residential at even numbered addresses
Tuesday – Non-residential
• During Daylight saving time (spring and summer), irrigation is limited to two Days per week.
Wednesday and Saturday – Residential at odd numbered addresses or no address
Thursday and Sunday – Residential at even numbered addresses
Tuesday and Friday – Non-residential
As always, there are some exceptions:
• Irrigation using micro-spray, micro-jet or drip irrigation is allowed any time, any day.
• Irrigation systems may be operated for repair or maintenance at any time,
but no longer than 20 minutes per hour per zone.
• Watering in of chemicals is allowed at any time within 24 hours of application.
Watering is not allowed to exceed 1/4” of water per application unless otherwise required by law,
the chemical manufacturer or best management practices.
• A Standard General Permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District is required to
irrigate in a manner different than authorized by the rule.
Put a reminder on your calendar to modify your irrigation timers to meet the new rule by march 8.
for more information on the rule, go to www.sjrwmd.com.
As we head into 2009,
I wish every employee,
Commissioner and citizen of
Atlantic Beach the very best.
This year will bring many challenges and opportunities. We
will need to address the lowered expectation of revenues
from property taxes as new laws and reduced property values
take effect. I am convinced, however that we can manage our
budget so there is no reduction in City service levels. Recent
projections reduce sales tax, gas tax and interest revenues by
about $400,000 but, again, we will maintain essential services
in public safety and utilities. We will revisit our strategic goals for
Atlantic Beach which include continuing to improve the Mayport
Road area, purchase of the Buckman Trust property, continuing
with planning for mandated water quality improvements at
our wastewater treatment plants and coping with those issues
facing every community as a result of the financial situation. We
need to look at multi-year planning to ensure we have options
going into the future. Pension funds must be adequately funded
and we need to maintain our infrastructure so as to pass along
an improved city to those coming behind us. Opportunities
include ensuring a smooth transition to district representation
by future Commissions. This coming October will see the first
two Commission seats up for election which require residency in
specific City districts. Hopefully, we will get good candidates to
carry on the important business of maintaining Atlantic Beach as
a wonderful community.
—Mayor Meserve
The City Has Updated Its
Website…Check it out
A new version of the City of Atlantic Beach website is
posted on line at www.coab.us. A team of City staff
members reviewed and evaluated suggestions and ideas
from citizens and other users and coordinated with the
City’s website host to update the website design.
Some of the enhanced features you will find on the
website include:
• Appearance to make it “uniquely” Atlantic Beach
• Navigation to make it easier to use
• Improved the organization of information to make
it easier to search/find
• Greater ability to update and post photographs,
including posting photographs submitted by
the public
The City is interested in providing the most helpful
information to our citizens and visitors to the
community and would like to hear your thoughts.
Citizens should also visit the site and complete the
Parks and Recreation Survey online. The City is seeking
input as to the long-term plans for the various parks in
Atlantic Beach and input from citizens will be a key
component in future park development.
Air Potato Roundup – Volunteers Needed
Do You Know Your Rights
under Florida’s Landlord/Tenant Law?
Do you know your rights if you pay rent or rent property to others?
Have you ever wondered if your landlord or tenant was doing the
right thing? Do you know how the law protects you? An informative
presentation will be provided at the Donner Park Community Center
on Tuesday, February 10th at 6:00 pm. Everyone is invited to
come and learn what rights they have as tenants or landlords under
Florida law. There is no cost to the public and refreshments and
snacks will be provided for all attendees. For further information
contact Dale Hatfield, Community Redevelopment Coordinator at
(904) 270-2591 or dhatfield@coab.us.
The City of Atlantic Beach is requesting volunteers
for the 3rd Annual First Coast Great Air Potato
Roundup to take place on February 28th from
9 am-12 pm in Howell Park. The event is being
organized by The Nature Conservancy as part
of the 10th Annual National Invasive Weed
Awareness Week. The purpose of the event is to
collect as many Air Potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)
tubers as possible to prevent new vines from
establishing and to increase the awareness of the
threat invasive species pose to natural areas and
biodiversity. The volunteer who collects the largest
tuber (of the Roundup sites throughout NE Florida)
will win a grand prize. All ages welcome. The City
will supply water and garbage bags, but requests
volunteers bring their own gloves. Instructions
and information will be provided at the event.
The easiest way to minimize the threat of invasive
species is to prevent them. For more information
call the Public Works Department at 247-5834.
Looking for
Something Fun to Do?
JoiN the atlaNtiC beaCh teeN CouNCil
Be part of a group of kids that helps plan teen activities
for Atlantic Beach. Have fun and earn community service
hours! The Teen Council has sponsored several fun events
like sandcastle contests, surf contests and movie nights.
The Teen Council works with the City of Atlantic Beach
Cultural Arts and Recreation Advisory Committee. Contact
Dawson Pickett at 246-7086 for more information about
monthly meetings and upcoming programs.