Minutes / Retiring and New CommissionsMINUTES OF THE RETIRING AND NEW COMISSIONS OF ATLANTIC
BEACH, HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 800 SElv1INOLE ROAD,
ATLANTIC BEACH, AT 8:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2005
Present: Mayor John S. Meserve
Mayor Pro Tem Richard M. Beaver
Commissioner Paul B. Parsons
Commissioner Sylvia N. Simmons
Commissioner J. Dezmond Waters III
And: City Manager Jim Hanson
City Clerk Donna L. Bussey
City Attorney Alan C. Jensen
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Meserve at 8:00 p.m. The in_ vocation, given by
Deacon James Stackhouse, was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
1. Approval of the minutes of the Regular Commission meeting of October 24, 2005
Motion• Approve the minutes of the Regular Commission Nleetin~ on October
24, 2005.
Moved by Waters, seconded by Parsons
Votes:
Aye: 5 -Beaver, Parsons, Simmons, Waters, Meserve
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
2. Recognition of Visitors
Mayor Meserve recognized former City of Atlantic Beach Mayors Lyman Fletcher and
Suzanne Shaughnessy, Neptune Beach Vice Mayor Harriet Pruette and Councilor John
Weldon, and the Honorable Judge Hugh A. Carithers, Jr. who was present to administer the
oath of office to the incoming Mayor Don Wolfson. He also welcomed the new City
Commissioners and the new Mayor.
Mayor Meserve discussed the invocations given at the meetings and the various people who
have delivered them and the subjects they have addressed over the years.
3. Comments from Retiring Commissioners and Mayor
Commissioner Beaver stated it had been a pleasure serving the citizens of Atlantic Beach for
the last eight years. He indicated that it was an honor to serve with Mayor Meserve and the
current Commission. Commissioner Beaver thanked his family for all their support.
Commissioner Parsons thanked the citizens of Atlantic Beach and wished the new
Commission good luck with their future endeavors. He thanked Mayor Meserve for his
leadership and thanked his fellow commissioners and City Manager Jim Hanson for all their
work. Commissioner Parsons expressed great gratitude for his wife, Tracie, and all her
sacrifices and guidance.
Commissioner Simmons commended the current Commission for their teamwork over the
past couple years together.
Commissioner Waters thanked Mayor Meserve, Commissioner Beaver and Commissioner
Parsons for their service. He discussed the history of the Commissions of Atlantic Beach
from former Mayor Bill Gulliford onward to the new mayor. He wished the new
commissioners and mayor good luck.
Mayor Meserve issued and read'in its entirety a proclamation commending Players by the Sea
for their 40 years of community service in Atlantic Beach. A copy of this document is
attached and made part of this official record as Attachment A.
Mayor Meserve spoke highly of the Atlantic Beach community, on both sides of Mayport
Road. He commended the citizens who volunteer and serve on the community boards, who
attend the commission meetings, and who communicate with their elected officials. Mayor
Meserve praised the professional staff of the City and specifically thanked City Manager Jirn
Hanson and the department heads he supervises.
Mayor Meserve read a letter he intended to send to the beaches newspapers the following day.
He commended all the candidates in the recent election and also the outgoing Commissioners
Parsons and Beaver for leaving the city better than when they came into office. He welcomed
the new Commissioners, wished them good luck, and congratulated Mayor Don Wolfson on
his victory. Mayor Meserve commented on all the good public projects that are underway in
the City and discussed the challenge of working through the ambiance issues. He offered his
assistance if needed in any way and was thankful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of
Atlantic Beach.
4. Any other business
No other business was brought before the City Commission at this~time.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the Mayor declared the
meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.