Exh 3AAGENDA ITEM #3A
NOVEMBER 14, 2005
November 7, 2005
MEMORANllUM
TO: ~ The Honorable Mayor
and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jim Hans
--Cit;ri~f
SUBJECT: Follow-u Report
Environmental Workshops at the Adele Grape Cultural Center; A concern was raised at the
last commission meeting about the lack of publicity about a series of environmental workshops
being held at the Adele Grage Cultural Center. A question was raised about why these were not
included in the City's Tideviews Newsletter. These were privately sponsored workshops done
by the Green Team Project. There was a series of five workshops the last of which were held on
October 24~'. Because these were done by a private group using the facility and not sponsored
by the City, the responsibility for the publication of the events was left with the group putting
them on.
Sexual Predator Law; Suit Filed Against the City of Jacksonville; A lawsuit has recently
been f led against the City of Jacksonville concerning their ordinance restricting residences of
sexual predators. The basis of the suit is that the Jacksonville ordinance does not allow sufficient
areas for sexual predators to live in Jacksonville. Because the Atlantic Beach ordinance is very
similar to the Jacksonville ordinance, any adverse ruling in this case may affect Atlantic Beach.
It is recommended that we monitor the Jacksonville case and report back to the City Commission
if any amendments become necessary. ~ .
Lighting for Five Points Intersection; A question was raised at the last city commission
meeting about the intensity of lighting to be installed at the five points intersection. After having
several engineering models run of the various lighting scenarios, it has been determined that
100-watt lights will adequately light the intersection. The city's contractor will be instructed to
order the 100-watt lights instead of the 175-watt fixtures originally specified. The 100-watt
fixture will have the same "dark sky" feature.
Buckman Property; Several questions have been raised by elected officials in recent weeks
about the Buckman property. The most basic is; what could legally be done with the property
under the current local zoning and s`~te regulations? A following question was if the City,
through use of grant funds, could dredge out some of the waterways leading to the canoe/kayak
launches to improve access. All of these questions were forwarded to the City Attorney and he
has indicated that it will take considerable research and probably outside assistance to come up
with the answers. Assuming it is the City Commission's feeling that the cost for legal services in
connection with this effort would be worth getting the answers, then it would be appropriate for
the Mayor and Commission to instruct the City Attorney to do the research and bring in outside
assistance as necessary.
AGENDA ITEM #3A
NOVEMBER 14, 2005
Payday Loan Ordinance; Mayor Meserve recommended that the City Commission consider
adoption of legislation limiting the interest rates that could be charged by "payday lenders". The
City of Jacksonville is considering similar legislation, which has been delayed for a couple of
months on some procedural issues and pending negotiations with several representatives of the
. lending industry. It is recommended that Atlantic Beach postpone any discussion on the possible
adoption of payday loan legislation until the City of Jacksonville has resolved the issues and
adopted an ordinance which is expected in January. In the meantime, we have a considerable
amount of information on this at City Hall and copies are available if you would like to review it.