Exh 3AAGENDA ITEM #3A
AUGUST 25, 2003
August 18, 2003
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable Mayor
and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jim Han
ity r
Late Utility Payments; The possibility of amending the City's utility policies to give customers
with good payment histories some additional leniency for late payments was discussed with the
City Commission at the last regular meeting. After review of the language presently in the Code,
it is recommended that the Code be amended to specifically allow staffto waive the late charge
one time at the customer's request if they have a good payment history. Tbis policy would allow
for the City to take offthe late fee from customers who were out of town for extended periods or
for other similar reasons. This change would not affect the cut off deadline of 30 days after the
bills are sent out. If this proposed changed is acceptable to the City Commission, the easiest way
to accomplish it would be to incorporate it in the rate ordinances that will be considered in
coimection with the FY-03/04 budget approval. These will be on the agenda for the City
Commission's approval at a first reading at the next regular meeting on September 8, 2003.
,.
7"' Street Beach Access; It was requested at the last meeting that the staff look into the
possibility of removing one row of junipers from the new landscape additions on the north side
of the 7a' Street beach access to allow the public to walk along the top of the retaining wall as
they had in the past. After looking over the landscaping, it does not appear that the removal of
just one row of junipers would be sufficient to allow the public an adequate walking path along
the top of the retaining wall. Staff is also concerned about the safety of the public walking along
the top of a retaining wall. Therefore, it is recommended that the landscaping remain as it is.
Pedestrian Crosswalks; A suggestion was made at the last commission meeting that an article
should be included in the Tide views newsletter advising residents of Florida Law requiring
motorists to yield for pedestrians in marked crosswalks. An article on this subject was included
in the May 2003 edition of the newsletter, and a copy is attached. Additional articles will be
included in future newsletters at regular intervals.
prooiems r i!n miarcn z4, zuus me
City Commission passed an ordinance
requiring all now commercial. and
residential construction to provide for
any necessary onsite storage of
stormwater. These requirements will
make sure that contractors do not shift
drainage problems onto adjoining
property or public streets.
Also, beginning. May 1, 2003, all con-
tractors disturbing mare than one acre
will be required by the Environmental
Protection Agency to obtain a permit
from the Florida Department of
By proper gradin AGENDA ITEM #3A
swales or, in the AUGUST 25, 2003
developments, detennon ponas, yuu
can do your part. However, mainte-
nance of the improvements is equally
important. The maintenance is similar
to mowing your grass as required.
With your assistance, we can reduce
or eliminate future projects and main-
tain the beauty of our community. If
you need assistance or further details
about the new ordinance please call
our Department of Public Works at
247-5834,
:w homes are built; contractors set
daily so new fawns and pfanfs;cari`
he,
10
FOR SALE, RENTAL,
OR OPEN HOUSE
Real estate signs are regulated
by City code.
• You are limited to one real
estate sign.
Real estate signs may be
placed only on private property
No off site advertising is
permitted. Real estate signs
are not permittedon City
rights-of-way, medians, trees
or utility poles.
Real estate signs cannot
exceed six square feet in
size or five feet in height.
City Code, Chapter 17
Sec. 17-26 (b) (1)
For additional information
regarding real estate signs
or t6 report a violation of City
Code, contact our City Code
Enforcement Officer at
(904)247-5855.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Florida has the highest rate
of pedestrian fatalities. in the
United States. Each year 500
pedestrians are killed and
almost 8000 are injured in the
state of Florida. Atlantic Beach
has an average of eight
pedestrians killed or
injuretl by automobiles
each year.
Please do your paR to
keep Atlantic Beach
pedestrians safe.
Drivers must yield to
pedestrians in crosswalks
regardless of whether the
crosswalk is marked.
Drivers may not pass
other vehicles stopped for
pedestrians in a crosswalk.
Turning vehicles must yield
to pedestrians crossing
during the walk signal.