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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.