Minutes
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION HELD IN CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD AT 7:15
P.M. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2002
PRESENT: John Meserve, Mayor
Richard Beaver, Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Borno
Paul Parsons
Dezmond Waters, Commissioners
AND: James Hanson, City Manager
Maureen King, City Clerk
Alan C. Jensen, City Attorney
1 Mayor Meserve called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. The Invocation given
by the Mayor, was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
1. Approval of the minutes of the Regular Commission meeting of
November 25, 2002
Motion: Approve the minutes of the Regular Commission Meeting
of November 25, 2002 as presented.
' 2. Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors
A. Nancy Kilgo, Jacksonville Electric Authority
Nancy Kilgo, Director of Local Legislative Affairs and Economic
Development for the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA), stated they had
planned to close and consolidate several smaller offices into a larger full-
service facility, with extended hours, to be located on Beach Boulevard near
1 St. Johns Bluff. She indicated that since the announcement of their plans was.
made, they have received numerous expressions of concern regarding the
closing of the Sailfish Drive office and were re-evaluating their options.
Mayor Meserve stated that he had written a letter to the JEA and expressed
concern that beach residents would have to drive twelve miles to the new
' office. It was pointed out that the Sailfish Drive office handled approximately
7,500 transactions per month. A brief discussion of the options ensued.
Ms. Kilgo apologized for the lack of prior notification concerning the closing
of the office and assured the Commissioners that the JEA would keep the lines
of communication open as the various options were evaluated.
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December 9, 2002
Stephen Kuti of 1132 Linkside Drive stated that he was not opposed to
skateboard parks, but was concerned about potential lawsuits. He urged the
Commissioners to carefully consider the liability issue when making their
decision.
Mr. Kuti was opposed to the city taking over water and sewer services for
Mayport Naval Station (Item 8B) due to the potential for having to handle and
dispose of hazardous materials, which is very costly.
Carson Merry Baillie of 1923 Beach Avenue complimented the City
Commission on Bull Park playground area and the Adele Gr_age Cultural
Center renovations.
George Maida of 884 East Coast Drive felt it would be more convenient for
both parties to have a longer contract and requested consideration for an
extension of the Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater (ABET) contract from
one year to ten years (Item 8C).
3. Unfinished Business from Previous Meetings
A.. City Manager's Follow Up Report on Issues from Previous
Meetings
City Manager Hanson commented on each item of his written report, which is
attached and made part of this official record as Attachment A.
Trim All Contract
' Reported that the City of Neptune Beach agreed with the proposed extension
of the contract and would reimburse the city for their portion of the Mayport
Road flyover landscaping maintenance (Item 4B).
' Maintenance of the New Mayport Road Retention Pond
Discussion of maintenance of the new Mayport Road retention pond ensued. It
.was the consensus of the Commission to negotiate with the FDOT to include
the retention pond in the city's maintenance agreement. It was felt this would
be the only way to keep the pond up to city standards.
4. Consent Agenda:
A. Acknowledge receipt of monthly reports from Building,
Occupational Licenses, Public Safety and Public Works
Departments
B. Approve extension of Trim all contract for landscape
maintenance of Atlantic Boulevard medians, Town Center and
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December 9, 2002
1Vlayport Road flyover landscaped areas at an annual cost of
$35,760 (Bid No. 0001-5) (City Manager)
Motion: Approve Consent Agenda Items A & B as
presented.
Commissioner Waters felt the palms in the Atlantic Boulevard medians
had been trimmed too severely and asked Commissioner Beaver for~his
opinion. Commissioner Beaver agreed and stated that it would be better
to use a 9-3 cut when trimming the trees.
The motion carried unanimously.
5. Committee Reports:
A. Report from Tree Conservation Board -Barbara Mears
Barbara Mears, spokesperson for the Tree Conservation Board, briefly
outlined the duties of the Board and indicated that the Board reviewed
ninety-seven applications during the past year.
Ms. Mears reported that there was $38,000 in the tree fund, and the Board
was searching for a landscape architect to advise them concerning
appropriate species for planting in various areas of the city.
She further indicated that the Board was pleased that a historical tree
ordinance had been established and stated that the Board was working to
create a new application form and to identify "specimen" trees in the city.
Ms. Mears reported that Crepe Myrtles were no longer being accepted for
mitigation.
The Mayor and Commissioners thanked the Board Members for their
service and suggested they look into some way to prevent clear cutting of
lots or removal of large trees, like those recently removed from
McDonalds. Commissioner Borno felt a construction permit should not
be issued until the tree permit was obtained and suggested levying fines of
$50,000 if trees are removed without a permit. Commissioner Waters
suggested the board consider fines and banning developers from doing
future development in the city if they violate the tree ordinance.
6. Action on Resolutions:
There was no action on Resolutions.
7. Action on Ordinances:.
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December 9, 2002
A. Ordinance No. 5-02-40 Public Hearing and Final Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH,
FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE VI,
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, DIVISION 1, GENERALLY,
SECTION 2-226, HOLIDAY SCHEDULE, TO ADD
CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER, 24TE;, AS A HOLIDAY
(City Commission)
Motion: Approve Ordinance No. 5-02-40 on final reading.
Mayor Meserve opened the floor for a public hearing. No one wished to
speak and the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Waters commented that. granting Christmas Eve gave
employees two weeks of paid holidays, which he felt was very generous.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously
8. Miscellaneous Business:
A. Board/Committee Appointments
Cultural Arts Si Recreation Committee (1)
Community Development Board (1)
Mayor Meserve nominated Steve Piscitelli for appointment to the Cultural Arts
and Recreation Committee and nominated Bob Frohwein for reappoint to a
further four-year term on the Community Development Board.
Motion: Appoint Steve Piscitelli to the Cultural Arts and
Recreation Committee and reappoint Bob Frohwein to a four-year
term on the Community Development Board.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
B. Award contract to Gannett Fleming in the amount of $124,365 for
technical proposal and price proposal preparation for privatization
of water and server for Mayport Naval Station and authorize the
City Manager to sign the contract documents (City Manager)
Motion: Award contract to Gannett Fleming in the amount of
$124,365 for technical proposal and price proposal preparation for
privatization of water and server for Mayport Naval Station and
authorize the City Manager to sign the contract documents.
1 Mayor Meserve felt that due to its location, the City of Atlantic Beach was the
natural entity to provide the water and sewer service to the Navy base.
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December 9, 2002
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
C. Approve contracts with Atlantic Beach Athletic Association,
Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater (ABET) and Tennis
Instructor Sandra Phillips for use of city facilities and
authorize the City Manager to sign the contract documents
(City Manager)
Motion: Approve contracts with Atlantic Beach Athletic
Association, Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater (ABET) and
Tennis Instructor Sandra Phillips for use of city facilities and
authorize the City Manager to sign the contract documents.
Discussion ensued concerning a longer contract for ABET and Mayor
Meserve suggested a three year contract.
Amendment to the motion: Approve a three year contract for
ABET.
Discussion ensued concerning revisions to the contract during the three-
yearperiod. City Manager Hanson suggested including a clause in the
contract to allow an annual review and revisions, if needed.
There was no further discussion and the amendment to the motion and
main motion carried unanimously.
D. Waive the City Code and approve the donation of eligible
bicycles from the Police Department to charitable
organizations for distribution to needy children (City
Manager)
Motion: Waive the City Code and approve the donation of
eligible bicycles from the Police Department to charitable
organizations for distribution to needy children.
Chief Thompson reported that between fifty and seventy bicycles would
be donated to charitable organizations.
' There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
E. Discussion and related action regarding proposed ordinance to
amend utility service charges (City Manager)
City Manager Hanson explained that the utility service charges had not
been increased since 1992 and referenced a Staff Report prepared by
Finance Director VanLiere indicating the new charges, which will allow
the city to break even on the services provided. The staff report dated
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December 9, 2002
November 27, 2002 is attached and made part of this official record as
Attachment B.
Commissioner Beaver felt the proposed charge of X20.00 for customer
requested re-reads was too. high. City Manager Hanson explained that if
the city was found in error, there would be no charge.
1 Motion: Place Ordinance No. 80-02-66 on the agenda of the
January 13, 2003 Commission Meeting for first reading.
There was no further discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
9. City Manager
II
City Manager's Report
City Manager Hanson briefly reviewed the following items of his written
report:
Christmas Lights
Explained that no lights were installed on Atlantic Boulevard between
Seminole Road and Town Center because the poles were too close to the
road and installation of the decorations could have caused a traffic hazard.
Consideration will be given next year to installing the decorations on the
opposite side of the pole.
Polymer for Wastewater Treatment
City Manager Hanson explained the problems and increased costs
associated with using the polymer supplied by the' low bidder, Ondeo
Nalco. He further explained that the city had worked with the company,
but the continued use of the product caused upsets of the biological
treatment process. City Manager Hanson suggested that the city consider
the polymer provided by I:eachem, Inc. to be a sole source product
exempt from the bid process so the city could go back to using their
product, since Leachem's polymer had been used for a number of years
with no adverse effects.
There were no objections to the suggestion.
Recreation Fee Schedule
The City Manager referenced a schedule of recreation fees and suggested
that an ordinance be drafted to incorporate the charges into the city code.
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December 9, 2002
In addition to the written report, City Manager Hanson commented on the
following items:
Joint Beach Utility Study
The City Manager reported that the other beach cities had approved the
study and each city would pay one-third of the costs. Joint utility billing
and meter reading will be studied.
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Welcome Sign
City Manager Hanson stated that to resolve the problem of placement of
the sign, it had been suggested that a joint "Welcome" sign be.placed in
the triangle on the Neptune Beach side of the flyover. He indicated that
Tat Chan was working on a design of the sign and it would be presented at
a future Commission Meeting.
Rental Fee for Use of City Orvned Property as a Parking Lot
City Manager Hanson suggested charging $500.00 per month rental fee, to
be split between two businesses located on West ls` Street, that are using
city property for parking. City Manager Hanson indicated that he would
negotiate a rental fee agreement with the businesses and bring it back at a
future meeting for Commission consideration. There were no objections.
Workshop Meeting
City Manager Hanson stated that he would like to schedule a workshop
meeting for 5:00 p.m. on January 13, 2003 to discuss CDM's Stormwater
Report concerning Aquatic Drive drainage area and the completed
Water/Sewer Rate Study. There were no objections to holding the
workshop prior to the next regular meeting.
10. Reports and/or requests from City Commissioners and City
Attorney
1 Commissioner Waters
• Inquired if the city had tried to make the less expensive polymer
work. Utility Director Kaluzniak indicated that the city had tried
various things to make it work, but it continued to upset the
biological treatment process of the plant and caused additional
operating costs.
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December 9, 2002
Commissioner Beaver
• Suggested that the city amend its palm tree trimming specifications
to a 9-3 cut and to remove the seed pods.
•:• Commended the Core City Project contractor and his employees
for the courteous and professional manner in which they are
conducting the project.
• Reminded everyone of the opening of the Adele Grage Cultural
Center on Thursday, December 12`h at 6:00 p.m. and commended
the architect and contractor for their work on the project.
Commissioner Borno
• Inquired if the Historic Home Survey had been completed in
• Inquired if someone had responded to Mr. Storn's letter regarding
a construction project near his home. City Manager Hanson
indicated that Building Official Ford had responded to Mr. Storn.
• Volunteered to work with the City of Jacksonville on the
upcoming beach renourishment project.
' •'• Reported he would miss, the-next Commission Meeting as he will
be in Japan.
Commissioner Waters
Atlantic Beach and was advised it had not been completed.
' • Reported that two streetlights were out on Seminole Road and
inquired concerning the procedure to report them. Chief
Thompson stated that Police Department does monthly surveys of
the lights and reports its findings to the JEA.
• Inquired concerning the rights-of--way measurements for the
' drainage ditches in Aquatic Gardens subdivision.
• Requested a map of the Aquatic Gardens area drainage basin, and
stated that he needed the map to better understand how the system
works.
•'• Inquired if trimming the palm trees could be timed to leave the
fruit on the trees a little longer than in the past. Commissioner
Beaver stated that it was possible to do so.
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December 9, 2002
Mayor Meserve
• Reported the final meeting on the Kennedy overhaul would be
held on Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the Commission
Chambers.
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He stated that the stacking lane for Gate 5 to the base was
completed, and traffic problem caused by the traffic light
sequencing on Mayport Road was being addressed, but remained a
problem. Mayor Meserve further reported that when the overhaul
project begins, 2,000-2,500 extra vehicles would be using Mayport
Road, and all options to handle the increased traffic are being
considered.
Commissioner Parsons
• Provided information concerning proposed new bus routes, which
might help alleviate some of the traffic problems. He further
stated that Gate 7 would be opened and additional parking spaces
were being sought from the City of Atlantic Beach.
Commissioner Waters
• Felt an ordinance should be drafted requiring that property be
replatted before allowing it to be split up.
• Felt the State Legislature should do more to protect municipalities
relative to skateboard park liability.
There being no further discussion or business to come before the City
Commission, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Discussion of the potential traffic problems ensued. City Manager
Hanson indicated that he had offered the use of the Wastewater
Treatment Plant #4 parking lot.
Attest:
John Meserve
Mayor/Presiding Officer
Maureen King
Certified Municipal Clerk
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