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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.