Exh 4DAGENDA ITEM #4D
AUGUST 12.2Q02
_: STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic $each
~^ Commission Meeting.
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AGENDA ITEM: .City Manager Reports
DATE.: _ July 26, 2002
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r""" SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thomp n, Chief of Police
.BACKGROUND:
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• _ A number of people in the Donner Community, specifically on the East side of Mayport
..Road, have formed a neighborhood committee to address community needs. Rev. Mizer,
"'"' of the Roberts Mt. Pisgah Church, has assisted as a facilitator for the group.
The group met on July 10, 2002, and a list of suggestions and problems were discussed
,'~"" by the members. They. extended an invitation to city officials to attend afollow-up
` meeting on July 24, 2002. Public Works Director Bob Kosoy, Parks and Recreation
Director Timmy Johnson, and Police Chief David Thompson attended that meeting on
....:behalf of the. City.
After introductions were completed, the participants went down the list of concerns and
'~ addressed the ideas, problems, and solutions for each one.
"'~" Chief Thompson Addressed:
1. Speed Bumps: It would be preferable for the Police Department to increase.
traffic enforcement on the roadway instead of adding speed bumps. Speed
bumps create a number of problems, and the police. department will be
implementing more traffic enforcement over the next few months to reduce
speeding.
2. Street Lights: The Police Department will review the problem areas,. and JEA
~ wily be contacted to add appropriate street lights as needed.
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3. The Police Department is planning to provide some dedicated patrols in the
neighborhood, and the oflacers will be increasing enforcement of curfews,
~` ° truancy, traffic, and other laws throughout the area. There will be Zero
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~,,, Tolerance for drug offenses. Chief Thompson emphasized that the laws will -
be applied to everyone equally.
,~,, 4. There was discussion about the police implementing a program similar to the
CAPE program in Jacksonville Beach. Chief Thompson said that he believed
that the recreational activities should be handled by professional recreation
~.., staff, and the police officers should focus on policing roles. The Jordan Park
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~GENDAITE~~T#4D
a.., AUGUST 12, 2002
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and Donner Park programs are intended to provide recreational activities- for
community. -
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5. Neighborhood Watch was strongly encouraged. However, it was pointed out
the Neighborhood Watch is dependent on leaders in the community to assist in
;~- organizing and making it work. Anyone interested in assisting in a leadership
role was encouraged to contact Chief Thompson.
~"" 6. Sex offenders were discussed, and it was pointed out that Sexual Predators are
listed on the Internet. Chief Thompson had conducted a search this week, and
there was only one identified in the Donner area. It was also pointed out that
""' any time a sexual predator moves into a neighborhood, the Police Department
.' notifies the people living in that area, including all schools, day care facilities,
etc.
-Bob Kosoy addressed the street paving, street lights, sidewalks, tree trimming, mosquito
control, drainage, the barrier between the wastewater treatment plant and Jordan Street,
""" and recycling...,
1. Mr. Kosoy advised that the north and"south portions of Jordan Street,
both dirt roads, were not on this year's list from the Pavement
Management System, but it is hoped these will be done with the-other
dirt roads as funds become'avalable next year.
`~ , - 2. Sidewalks will be constructed with future CDBG funding.
~ 3. JEA should be called for additional street lights, and the police
.department will have recommendations for their location. JEA also
wily trim trees off power lines.......
` 4. Bob urged the residents to call the county Mosquito Control Division,.
which several have already, since they have a log of all the calls and
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` emphasize areas where they receive the most complaints. Aiso, we are
doing additional larvaciding in ditches to keep the mosquito population
down.
5. The poor drainage is part of the major project to be on the new
Stormwater Master Plan as part of the Hopkins Creek work. Residents
were urged to attend the Commission Meetings to keep updated on the
progress.
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6. There is still a tree bamer between the wastewater treatment plant ~ and
the homes on Jordan Street,. even though the barrier was reduced by
Habitat's construction.
1GE\D:~ ITEJ1 #4D
~., ~ti GUST 12, 2002
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F 7. Residents were urged to call Public Works regarding missed recycling
and were pleased to know that we can fine the contractor for missed
pickups. Residents agreed that BFI is an improvement over Waste
€ ~ Management.
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Timmy Johnson addressed the Community Center, the Beautification Program, the Youth
Advisory Committee, and the property to establish a community garden.
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1. Mr. Johnson discussed the Community Center at 1751 Francis located
next to the park, and he addressed other recreational programs
~'" throughout the city.. It was agreed that people are not supposed to be in
the park after dark, and this was not a frequent problem.
f"" ~ 2. He also requested volunteers to assist the Community Center and to
participate on City advisory boards which deal with recreation issues.
'~" 3. Regarding the Beautification Program, he outlined that the City
matches funds for projects that are approved. He talked about some
locations for community gardens, and how funds could be obtained.
4. It was also agreed that the police are better utilized doing police
functions, and Parks and Recreation should run the programs for the
kids..
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Deacon James Stackhouse, with Helping Hands Ministries,. discussed the Meals on
Wheels program, which`is already serving people in the area. He explained how it works,
~,,, and he also asked for volunteers to assist with the delivery of meals to those who need the
services.
~,,,,, Overall, it was a very pleasant, congenial meeting to seek ways to enhance the quality of
life in the Donner Community.
BUDGET: None
RECOMMENDATIONS: None