Minutes - 02-28-02MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION HELD IN CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD AT
7:15 P.M. ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2002
PRESENT: John Meserve, Mayor
Richard Beaver, Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Borno
Paul Parsons
Dezmond Waters, Commissioners
AND: James Hanson; City Manager
Alan C. Jensen, City Attorney
Maureen King, City Clerk.
Mayor Meserve called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. The Invocation,
given by Commissioner Beaver, was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag.
1. Approval of the minutes of the Regular Commission meeting of
February 11, 2002
Motion: Approve the minutes of the Regular Commission
Meeting of February 11, 2002 as presented.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors:
J.P. Marchioli of 414 Sherry Drive commented on the progress of the
Sherry Drive reconstruction project and,. as a reminder, read the Oath of
Office taken by the Commissioners.
Bob Totter of 275 11`h Street spoke on the following: (1) Recounted his
experience with a dog running loose in the vicinity of Beach Avenue and
20`x' Street, and expressed concern regarding the city's animal control
service, (2) suggested that the telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of
the Commissioners be included in the Tideviews newsletter, (3) felt the
taxpayers should not subsidize the city's new health insurance premiums
(Item 8B), and (4) pointed out that boats were being illegally parked on
Beach Avenue.
Sally Clemens of 1638 Park Terrace West commented that she had
spoken with Utility Director Kaluzniak concerning the credentials of
Howie Green, the city's water tank inspector, and she was happy that the
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February 25, 2002
city chose awell-qualified inspector. She also noted that the new contract
for j anitorial services (Item 4B) was 17% higher than the previous
contract, and hoped the city would receive better service for the increased
cost.
Domenick Bottini of 2130 Mayport Road spoke concerning two
pedestrian related accidents on Mayport Road and requested Commission
support for a traffic light at the northern boundary of Mayport Trace
Apartments. Mr. Bottini indicated he was pleased with the increased
police presence in the area and stated that he would like the area north of
the city annexed into Atlantic Beach. He also stated that he was
encouraging residents of that area to register to vote.
3. Unfinished Business From the Previous Meeting
A. City Manager's Follow Up Report on Issues from Previous
Meetings
City Manager Hanson reviewed each item in the written report; which is
attached and made part of this official record as Attachment A.
In addition to his written report, .City Manager Hanson provided the
following information:
Selva Marina Streets
The City Manager reported the city would issue a check to the City of
Jacksonville in the amount of $7,917.11 to redeem tax certificates sold on
private streets in the Selva Marina project area. The City of Jacksonville
would then consider forgiving taxes due on other private streets in Selva
Manna.
Water and Sewer Rates
City Manager Hanson reported that the St. Johns River Water
Management District (SJRWMD) had commented that the city's water
rates did not encourage conservation. He recapped the rate structure and
indicated that the installation and use of irrigation meters did not promote
water conservation. He suggested hiring a rate consultant to study the
options for restructuring the city's water and sewer rates
B. Appointments to the Tree Conservation Board (2) (Mayor)
C. Discussion and Related Action in Connection with Twice
Weekly Trash Collection (Commissioner Parsons)
Action on Items B and C was deferred to the next meeting.
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February 25, 2002
Commissioner Waters inquired concerning the report on fire hydrant
testing and asked when the last test was performed. Chief Thompson.
responded that he had requested additional information and indicated that
the report included in the agenda packet listed only the latest inspection on
one specific hydrant.
Discussion ensued and City Manager Hanson reported that all of the fire
hydrants worked, but some had lower pressure than they should. He
indicated that the low water pressure would be resolved with completion
of the Core. City Project and Beach Avenue water main replacement
project.
4. Consent Agenda:
A. Acknowledge receipt of monthly reports from Public
Works/Utilities, Public Safety/Code Enforcement, and
Utility Sales Departments (City Manager)
B. Award aone-year contract to Coverall Cleaning Concepts
in the amount of $42,036.00 for janitorial service for city
facilities
Motion: Approve Consent Agenda Items A and B as
presented.
There was no further discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Committee Reports:
There were no committee reports.
6. Action on Resolutions:
A. Resolution No. 02-03
A RESOLUTION OF ASSISTANCE UNDER THE
FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT
WATERWAYS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Motion: Approve Resolution No. 02-03.
City Manager Hanson explained that this was a matching grant with
the city's shaze being $60,000. It was explained that the grant would
allow for construction of the boardwalks, trails and pavilions which
were deleted from the initial project in order to keep it within budget.
The motion carried unanimously.
7. Action on Ordinances:
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There was no action on ordinances.
8. Miscellaneous Business:
A. .Beaches Habitat requesting forgiveness of a lien on
property located at 56 Lewis Street, also described as N'/~
of Lot 11, Block 3, Dormers Replat, RE#172226-0000
Motion: Forgive. lien on property located at 56 Lewis Street as
requested.
City Manager Hanson explained that the request was being made to
forgive a demolition lien from 1996.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
B. Approve changing health insurance coverage from AHL to
Blue CrossBlue Shield effective Apri11, 2002 and retain the
current employee dollar contribution. amounts
Motion: Approve changing health insurance coverage from
AHL to Blue Cross/Blue Shield effective April 1, 2002 and
retain the current employee dollar contribution amount.
City Manager Hanson explained that the city's current provider, American
Heritage Life, would no longer provide health insurance after September
30, 2002. He indicated that the city had experienced a high rate of claims
for the past year, and only one insurance company, Blue/Cross and
Blue/Shield submitted a proposal to the city.
City Manager Hanson briefly explained other options, which might be
considered in the future, but due to time constraints, he felt this was the
only reasonable option.
Discussion of costs ensued and by consensus the Commission indicated
that they wished to explore going with the City of Jacksonville for
insurance coverage.
There was no further discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
C. Authorize staff to finalize a contract with FDEP for a Section
319 Grant for a portion of the Core City Improvements Project
Motion: Authorize staff to finalize a contract with FDEP
for a Section 319 Grant for a portion of the Core City
Improvements Project.
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City Manager Hanson explained that the grant would provide
$428,450 toward the project. It waspointed out that the city must
implement a Public Education Program and Water Quality
Monitoring and Analysis Program to demonstrate the effectiveness of
its best management practices (BMP's), at an estimated cost of
$100,000. The Staff Report explaining the grant is attached and made
part of this official record as Attachment B.
Public Works Director Kosoy explained that the city would perform
many of its own analyses but would need assistance with Task 2, the
Public Education Program and Task 4, Post-Construction Activities,
as listed on Page 9 of the Scope of Services. He indicated that the
U. S. Department of Environmental Protection through the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection wanted educational
programs implemented as part of the grant. Public Works Director
Kosoy indicated that most of the $100,000 would be spent on
additional monitoring.
City Manager Hanson pointed out that the biggest single source of
pollution was Stormwater runoff from streets and yards and public
education programs were needed to offset the problem.
There was no fiirther discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
D. Authorize staff to begin negotiations with the top-ranked
firm, Camp, Dresser and McKee, for preparation of the
Stormwater Master Plan (City Manager)
Motion: Authorize staff to begin negotiations with the top-
ranked firm, Camp, Dresser and McKee, for preparation
of the Stormwater Master Plan.
Commissioner Waters inquired why the City Commission did not
select the firm to prepaze the Stormwater Master Plan. The City
Manager staff ranked and evaluated the firms for smaller prof ects and
the Commission made the decision for larger projects.
Discussion of the selection process ensued. City Attorney Jensen
provided background information on eazlier selection processes and
advised that State Statute provided that Commission can direct staff
to evaluate and negotiate smaller projects. He indicated that this was
more efficient for staff to make technical decisions on the smaller
projects.
Mayor Meserve suggested that pazameters be set for this type of
evaluation and negotiation during strategic planning. He felt the
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Commission should base their decision on staff recommendations
since they have the collective expertise to evaluate the background of
the firm.
Commissioner Borno inquired of Don Maurer, representing Camp,
Dresser and McKee, if his firm would use an eazlier study prepared
by CH2M Hill for prepazation of the Stormwater Master Plan. Mr.
Maurer indicated that it was their intention to build upon the work
performed by CH2M Hill. He further indicated that the emphasis of
the study would be placed on the Hopkins Creek drainage basin.
City Manager Hanson indicated that all problem drainage areas.
outside of the core city area would be prioritized and addressed.
There was no further discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
E. Authorize staff to enter into a contract with Artlife
Productions. in the amount of $17,000 for citywide special
events (City Manager)
Motion: Authorize staff to enter into a contract with
Artlife Productions in the amount of $17,000 for citywide
special events.
City Manager Hanson explained that this was a budgeted item and
Artlife was in chazge of last year's successful summer programs. He
also reported that Artlife was the only company to submit a proposal.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
9. City Manager Reports:
City Manager Hanson reported on the following items:
Reported that a first meeting of the "stakeholders" of the three
beaches cities in the bike/pedestrian path project would be
held on Thursday, March 14, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sea
Turtle Inn. Elected officials and representatives of the media
were invited to attend.
• Briefly commented on the recentlyYevised Employee Code of
Ethics distributed to the Commissioners.
A. Police/Code Enforcement Annual Reports
Chief Thompson made a Powerpoint presentation of the Police
Department's Annual Report. Charts indicating crime statistics were
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February 25, 2002
displayed and each category discussed. It was reported that overall
crime for 2001 decreased 7.7%.
A question and answer session followed the report. Commissioner
Waters inquired as to the unsafe stretches of Mayport Road alluded to
by Mr. Bottini, and a discussion of the environmental influences on
crime ensued.
Mayor Meserve reported that he had been approached by Mayor Dick
Brown of the City of Neptune Beach concerning the possible joint
purchase of a $15,000 speed indicator cart. Mayor Meserve asked the
Commissioners and staff to think about this request to deterrnine if
Atlantic Beach should participate in thispurchase as a joint venture
with Neptune Beach.
Mayor Meserve indicated that the Mayport Waterfront Partnership
was pursuing the District 2 $2M grant for installation of medians and
better lighting on Mayport Road. He indicated that Greenscape may
landscape the medians. Mayor Meserve believed the improvements
would create opportunities for positive development in the area.
Discussion of the proposed improvements ensued. Commissioner
Borno suggested requesting a reduced speed limit of 35 mph coming
off the Intracoastal Waterway bridge and onto the flyover. Mayor
Meserve requested that Chief Thompson work with his own traffic
safety officers and Tim Scott of the Florida Department of
Transportation concerning a reduced speed limit and signalization on
Mayport Road and report his findings for consideration at the next
Commission meeting.
B. Report on Sidewalks and Streets
Public Works Director Kosoy reported on the conditions of the
sidewalks within the city limits of Atlantic Beach. He indicated that
the sidewalks had been graded into good, fair and poor condition and
placed into the city's Sidewalk Management Program. Mr. Kosoy
indicated that 86.7% of the sidewalks were in good condition, 11 % in
fair condition and 2.3% in poor condition. It was reported that 1,689
linear feet of poor sidewalk would be replaced,
The Sidewalk Inventory Report is attached and made part of this
official record as Attachment C.
10. Reports and/or requests from City Commissioners and
City Attorney
Commissioner Borno
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• Inquired if the rate restructuring was precipitated by the Reuse
Permit renewal. City Manager Hanson responded in the
affirmative.
• Indicated that he would try to attend a St. Johns River Water
Management District (SJRWMD) meeting in Jacksonville the
following week concerning water use in the St. Johns River
basin.
Commissioner Waters
• Requested that his home telephone number be included in the
next edition of the Tideviews newsletter so citizens could
contact him at home.
• Indicated that Dancing in the Street would be held the third
week of May and volunteers were needed for the event.
There being no further discussion or business to come before the City
Commission, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Attest:
Maureen King
Certified Municipal Clerk
John Meserve
Mayor/Presiding Officer
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