Item 1A- Draft minutes of the Commision Workshop Meeting May 21, 2018Commission Workshop
May 21, 2018
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MINUTES
Commission Workshop
Monday, May 21, 2018 - 6:00 PM
Commission Chamber
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Glasser called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introductions were made and the format was explained.
ATTENDANCE:
Present:
Mayor Ellen Glasser, Seat 1
Commissioner Candace Kelly, Seat 4
Commissioner Brittany Norris, Seat 5
Absent: Commissioner John Stinson, Seat 2
Commissioner M. Blythe Waters, Mayor Pro Tem, Seat 3
Also Present: City Manager Joe Gerrity
Deputy City Manager Kevin Hogencamp
City Attorney Brenna Durden
City Clerk Donna Bartle
Mayor Glasser spoke about the recent school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas. She acknowledged those
students, teachers, and families who have suffered losses and extended condolences to their community.
Also, Mayor Glasser acknowledged the loss of JSO Officer Lance Whitaker, who served 17 years with
the JSO. Mayor Glasser stated that Officer Whittaker shared a connection with the City of Atlantic
Beach, having started his career with our City, and she extended condolences.
1. TOPICS
A. LEED for Cities – Presentation by Sarah Boren, member of Environmental
Stewardship Committee (ESC)
Sarah Boren, ESC, explained LEED as detailed in the agenda memo and presented a
slide show titled LEED for Cities (which is attached hereto and made part of this
Official Record as Attachment A).
Discussion ensued and Ms. Boren and Community Development Director, Shane
Corbin, answered questions from the Commission about the intent and benefits of
LEED certification, gathering data, performance measurement, certification levels, and
available funding sources.
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B. Backyard Hen Ordinance, set to expire in January 2019 – Brief presentation by
Shane Corbin, Community Development Director (CDD)
Backyard Hen Ordinance Jan. 23 2017
CDD Corbin reviewed Ordinance No. 95-17-113 and gave a status report on the pilot
program which is in place for two years, scheduled for sunset on January 23, 2019. To
date there are seven (7) active permits and the locations are displayed on the map. Mr.
Corbin reported there have not been any Code Enforcement or Animal Control
complaints. His recommendation will be to adopt a permanent ordinance.
CDD Corbin stated reports have shown many communities across the country are
adopting urban agriculture and urban backyard livestock programs. He will research
our neighboring communities and provide data on similar programs/ordinances.
CM Gerrity agreed that the pilot program is working well and suggested bringing back
an ordinance with the same language when it is time to do so.
C. 10th Street Beach Walkover
City Manager (CM) Gerrity explained the history and advantages about the beach
walkovers and explained it is the City’s goal to do one beach walkover, ADA
accessible, per year. This location fits the $70,000 budget allocated and he reviewed
the grant application process, explaining those funds will be available October 1st. The
design is 95% completed and construction will start after turtle season, on or about
November 1st. CM Gerrity distributed copies of the beach walkover design and stated
that Jacksonville Beach has four of this exact design that are in their bid process.
CM Gerrity spoke briefly regarding a complaint filed with the Department of Justice
citing the three beach Cities – Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach -
for not having accessible facilities for people with challenges. CA Durden referred to a
letter that was sent to the City of Jacksonville Beach and reported we have not received
our letter yet.
CM Gerrity reviewed the Work Plan, detailing the Project Description,
Design/Permitting/Construction, and Project Need and Benefit. Of the 15 beach access
locations, 10th Street is the third most frequented with 10-12 parking spaces. This
location is the best for this strong, durable design, which will not interfere with
neighboring site lines.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Glasser explained the process for public comment. City Clerk Bartle called the
speakers as follows:
Heather Sheppard spoke about Item 1B, Backyard Hens, stating she is a permitted chicken
owner in Atlantic Beach and is in favor of keeping the Ordinance. She asked, for future
consideration, to allow the chickens to be contained in the backyard, outside of the coop, so
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they can walk about the whole backyard.
Genora Crain-Orth, River City Chicks, Inc. of Jacksonville, spoke about Item 1B, Backyard
Hens. She stated Neptune Beach passed their Ordinance in July 2017 for a pilot program to
allow 25 permits. Jacksonville initially approved their pilot program for 300 permits and Ms.
Crain-Orth stated they have since removed the limit.
Ron McBride, spoke about Item 1C, 10th Street Beach Walkover, ADA accessibility,
converting regular parking spaces to ADA regulations, ADA beach wheelchairs, and the
walkover design being confusing – a straight ramp is preferred.
Meade Coplan, spoke about Item 1C, 10th Street Beach Walkover, agreed with Mr. McBride’s
comments, suggested considering a less-busy location, spoke about using mats for ADA beach
access and getting input from other beach communities, ADA, and the Corps of Engineers.
Dan Sizemore, spoke about Item 1C, 10th Street Beach Walkover, stating this is already a very
busy location, has concerns for safety.
Jeff Weil, spoke about Item 1C, 10th Street Beach Walkover, existing pedestrian safety and
vehicle traffic issues will be increased with this type of walkover, lack of resident input, and
provided a handout of varying concept plans for consideration for the 10th Street
Improvements.
Paula O'Bannon spoke about Item 1C, 10th Street Beach Walkover, shared the same concerns
stated by the previous speakers, suggested using 1st Street at Ahern Street and the Lifeguard
Station, or use 8th Street (by Adele Grage), and is in favor of the submitted design.
Mayor Glasser allowed discussion and questions from the Commission and citizens at this
time.
Discussion ensued about the Backyard Hen Ordinance and how to go about making changes to
the specifications. Mayor Glasser explained Staff will research our neighboring communities
and their programs/ordinances and use that data for comparison and consideration to make
changes. She encouraged Ms. Sheppard and Ms. Crain-Orth to email the Commission with
their supporting information regarding suggested changes to the Ordinance.
Mayor Glasser extended her appreciation to the Parking and Pedestrian Safety Advisory
Resource Committee (PPSARC) for their efforts and work on the 10th Street Beach Walkover.
Discussion and questions ensued about the 10th Street Beach Walkover as follows:
Jeff Weil inquired if it will be designed before or after the next dune/beach renourishment,
considering the dune height.
Mayor Glasser responded it will be after turtle season, on or about November 1st, so after the
renourishment is completed.
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Laurel Weil questioned if the parking will change the way people drive in and back out of
parking spaces on 10th Street and if the City planned to take residents’ property for this
proposed walkover.
CM Gerrity responded there will be no changes to the way people have been entering and
leaving the parking spaces (since 1975) and confirmed that the City is not taking residents’
property for this project.
Paula O'Bannon asked if street accesses other than 10th Street could be considered.
CM Gerrity stated the engineering is for 10th Street and that has been paid. At this time there is
no contract in place for hiring a contractor to build the walkover. If moved to another location
it would have to be reengineered for that specific street-end. There are plans to provide more
ADA accessible walkovers in the future.
Ron McBride asked if other locations can be presented when the Commission is presented
with the request for consideration to approve a contract to hire a contractor to build the
walkover.
Commissioner Kelly stated the City received a grant for the 10th Street Beach Walkover.
Discussion ensued about the current beach ramps in the City. It was noted by Commissioner
Norris the City’s goal is to provide more ADA accessible walkovers and 10th Street will be on
that list – now or in the future.
Mayor Glasser stated research has been done on the use of mats (Mobi Mats) and they do not
make the ramps ADA compliant, although they do make it easier to roll a wheel chair over.
Also, they are very costly.
Meade Coplan suggested working with Neptune Beach to create an ADA accessable ramp to
the beach at Town Center.
Commissioner Norris spoke about the complaint citing the three beach Cities – Jacksonville
Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach - for not having accessible facilities for people with
challenges. All citizens deserve the right to access all of the beach and the City is trying to
rectify this issue, starting with 10th Street, with the goal to provide more ADA accessible
walkovers. Ms. Norris expressed concern about the discussion suggesting moving this project
to another location and reiterated that all citizens deserve the right to access all of the beach.
Mayor Glasser asked City Attorney (CA) Durden to address what the complaint is citing
regarding the beach access ramps in the City. CA Durden stated her understanding is that the
angle/slope of the ramps creates issues with the wheel chairs/beach chairs. We are aware of the
complaint filed but the City has not received correspondence from the Department of Interior
as yet. CA Durden stated the City is researching if there are other options to retrofit the
existing beach ramps to provide additional access.
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Laurel Weil questioned why this 10th Street project was pushed through without any input
from the community and why there were not other choices.
Mayor Glasser responded the purpose of this workshop is to allow for public input. CM
Gerrity stated Staff chose 10th Street and he chose the design of the walkover.
Ron McBride made a statement about the City’s website, for Ocean Access/Beach Wheel
Chairs, noting he called the phone number listed, spoke to staff who explained the chairs are
delivered to the walkover requested and the code is provided for the padlock – the whole
process was very easy.
Jeff Weil spoke about issues on 10th Street with traffic and pedestrian safety and questioned
why there was not more communication with the 10th Street residents regarding this project.
Paula O'Bannon inquired what the cost is for this project and what the total number of beach
ramps is going forward.
CM Gerrity stated $70,000 has been budgeted, plus a $30,000 grant, making it a total of
$100,000. The cost could vary depending on the slope of the dune and the length of the ramp.
CM Gerrity stated there should be as many dune walkovers as possible, for beach access as
well as for storm hardening and dune protection.
Commissioner Kelly asked Ms. O’Bannon, PPSARC member, what the status was for
pedestrian safety with the Committee.
Ms. O’Bannon stated they have a street list and are in the process of checking lighting, signs,
crosswalks, and sidewalks and making recommendations for upgrades/replacements/repairs.
Commissioner Norris inquired how she could obtain the original 10th Street project
information from Commissioner Stinson. CM Gerrity stated he will request Commissioner
Stinson to provide a written statement.
3. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Glasser adjourned the workshop at 7:55 PM.
ATTEST:
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk Ellen Glasser, Mayor