06/1990 Atlantic Beach CourierVOLUME 1, NO.4
William I. Gulliford, Mayor
mmissioners: Robert B. Cook, Sr., Glenn A. Edwards, Adelaide R. Tucker, John W. Weldon,
Alan C. Jensen, City Attorney, Kim D. Leinbach, City Manager, Maureen King, City Clerk
EDITOR: KAREN S. MOORE
City Of Atlantic Beach
B O A R D S
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
George Bull, Jr. William J. Dorsey
Mary Lyle Perry Heywood Dowling, Jr.
Mattie Freeman Herbert Moller
Edward Martin
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Johnny D. Bass Kathleen Russell
Ruth Gregg Samuel T. Howie
W. Gregg McCaulie Louis MacDonel
Don Wolfson
PENSION BOARD OF TRUSTEES
David Archer Joan LaVake
Richard E. White Ronald W. Wingate
PUBLIC NUISANCE CONTROL BOARD
Willie Miley J. C. Green
HOSPITAL BOARD
Dorothy Kerber, Atlantic Beach Representative
TREE CONSERVATION BOARD
Peggy Cornelius Dezmond Waters
Carolyn Woods Sandy Sheppard
Jim Pelkey
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Donald Fagan, Chairman Henry Batts
Gerard Vermey David Turner
Jeff Croom Richard Riley
Alice Richardson
JUNE 1990
From The Mayor's Desk
tlantic Beach continues to progress in
the areas of solid waste and beautification.
Citywide recycling is almost a year old and has
been highly successful because of the interest and
concern of people like you. We have recently
purchased a chipper to reduce yard trash volume.
We will be establishing a drop-off point for
recyclable and hazardous household items not
picked up at curbside. We will have a place
where our residents can take or dispose of any-
thing not picked up at curbside in the very near
future, this service is very important to protect
our environment, now and in the years to come.
The Beautification Committee wrote a tree or-
dinance, which has been adopted and is respon-
sible for the design and erection of the new
"welcome to" signs in Atlantic Beach. They are
working on numerous future projects including
tree planting and a revised sign ordinance.
Design work has started on bicycle paths. I
would suspect the first one will be built on Semi-
nole Road, followed by other major arteries like
Plaza. We realize the importance of getting this
done.
Hurricane season starts June 1. We will be
attending a countywide emergency planning
meeting on June 2nd in downtown Jacksonville.
We need to be better prepared than we have been
in the past; Hugo taught us this lesson.
I am humbled and excited about the level of
citizen help and involvement on all our Boards
and committees. It makes Atlantic Beach a better
community, now and in the future. If you are
interested in helping on committees I have men-
tioned, contact Georgia Horn at City Hall. We
will take all the help we can get.
Regards,
Bill Gulliford, Mayor
Water Use Restrictions
Mayor Gulliford recently received a letter
from Henry Dean, Executive Director of the
St. Johns River Water Management District,
regarding water use restrictions in our area.
As many of you know, we have been under
water restriction for some time but according
to Mr. Dean a water shortage warning is now
in effect in our area. This warning was de-
clared by the Governing Board of the St.
Johns River Water Management District and
includes a call for voluntary reductions in
water demand. The Board has requested that
water users cease non-essential daytime uses
of water and make other efforts to conserve
water.
The City of Atlantic Beach requests your
assistance in gaining compliance with the
Governing Board's request by:
• Assuring that green areas (lawns, medi-
ans, etc.) within our area of jurisdiction
are irrigated only between the hours of
4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m.
and 9:00 p.m. three days per week, with
properties at even numbered addresses
watering on Tuesday, Thursday, and
Sunday; and properties with odd num-
bered addresses watering on Monday,
Wednesday, and Saturday (no irriga-
tion on Friday);
• Encouraging your neighbors to con-
serve water.
Beach Safety
With Summer upon us, we thought it
would be a good idea to go over some of the
rules regarding beach usage. Below is a list of
do's and don'ts for a safe and enjoyable sum-
mer.
• Surfboards must have a tether not ex-
ceeding eight feet in length securely
fastened to it with the free end securely
bound to either the ankle or wrist of the
surfer.
• Motorized boats or other motorized ap-
paratus must stay 200 feet or more off
the beach.
• Sailboats or catamarans parked on the
beach may not obstruct the view of life-
guards performing their activities, and
should not be parked in the sea oats or
dunes.
• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted
on the beach.
• All dogs must be fastened to a leash
not to exceed twelve feet in length.
Dogs may swim in the ocean un-
leashed with their owners, however,
the dog must be immediately put back
on the leash before returning to the
beach.
• Anyone who takes an animal on the
beach must have an Atlantic Beach tag.
Tags may be purchased at City Hall
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.
to 5:00 P.M.
• For the consideration of others, please
clean up after pets and dispose of trash
properly.
Copies of all ordinances pertaining to the
above are on file in the City Clerks office at
City Hall.
Parks & Recreation
Department
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt was a great
success! The great crew at the Parks & Rec-
reation Department hid over 1,000 eggs, and
they were ALL found by about 185 children.
Hats and bonnets were diverse and all had a
great time. Rose and her crew can't wait
until next years hunt!
YMCA Summer Camp for ages 4-13 be-
gins June 11th and runs in 2 week sessions
until August 17th. Registration forms are
available in the modular office in Jack
Russell Park.
If you show enough interest, we may be
able to provide a Mothers Morning Out, in
the Fall!! BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP!! For
more information on either of these projects,
call Rose at 241-7431.
All of us remember the day we tainers, aluminum and steel cans,
moved into our Atlantic Beach home are all currently being collected on
or apartment. The closets were emp- assigned days based upon your
ty, extra boards were put in the attic neighborhood.
to increase storage space, the cup- So far with your help, we have
boards were bare, and for some of us established one of the most suc-
the garage was waiting to house the cessful recycling programs in the
endless list of things we wanted to State of Florida. We have reduced
keep if we only had a garage. the volume of waste going to the
In no time at all, the closets were landfills about 15%,
full, the cupboards well stocked, and The state mandated goals are a
the garage was posted as a hard hat 30% reduction in the waste stream.
area. It was now time for spring Although we are well on our way
cleaning. With the utmost care we to meeting this goal, there is room
sorted through our prize possessions for improvement.
putting items to keep in one pile and Plans are currently being made to
sneaking sentimental items out of the provide for disposal of motor oil,
discard pile while no one was look- cardboard goods, automobile bat-
ing. The pile of discarded items at the teries, and other hazardous waste
curb grew to mountainous heights materials such as lead based paint,
and our work was done. When we antifreeze, and transmission fluid.
returned home the next day the In spite of the efforts of many of;
mound of garbage was gone. Out of you to participate in the recycling
sight, out of mind... But not really program, there are many residents
You see, our city is currently facing both in single family homes and
a major problem with disposal of our multi family units that are resisting
solid waste, or garbage as it is more recycling efforts. Unfortunately the
often called. Current disposal old cliche of "pay now or pay
methods are equivalent to stockpiling later" does not apply to the gar-
Atlantic Beach,, Florida June, 1990
A publication the Solid Waste Committee our possessions in the garage. Gar- bage situation. We are paying now
bage is picked up, at curbside and and we will pay more later. Recycl-
carried to landfill sites in our ing provides an avenue for us to
neighboring city of Jacksonville. Just hold the line on costs now and
as our garage has a maximum reduce the increases later by reduc-
capacity, landfills too have max- ing the volume of trash that needs
imum capacities. Our landfills are to be disposed of at landfills.
quickly reaching theirs. In the past Coping with this garbage crisis
we have just built new ones much will require some changes in the
like we could build an additional living habits of our,residents. Luckily
storage shed in our yard. However we live in a progressive city where
land is becoming a rare commodity lifestyle is important. To maintain
and to find an appropriate parcel on the quality of life we so cherish, we
which to build our new "garbage must have _enough vision to ad-
garage" has become a monumental dress these issues head on while
task. This problem is not unlike trying there is time to correct the problem
to find available space in your yard and prepare for the future,
to -put a second or third storage shed If you have not received a recycl-
without ruining the garden or ing bin, need yours replaced, or
rerouting the sprinkler system. need an extra one, call 241-0341. If
Thus the need arises to reduce our you have any ideas, suggestions, or
waste stream or the volume of gar- comments regarding this matter
` bage going to the landfills. Several present them to the Solid Waste
alternatives have been considered; Disposal Committee at their
• Bum the garbage in incinerators. meetings the first Wednesday of
• Build new landfills. each month at 7;30 p.m. at City
• Enlarge existing landfills. Hall. If you cannot attend the
• Recycle. meeting contact one of the commit-
- Ignore the problem. tee members, We want your input
• Pay to transport the garbage to in determining the course of action
i other cities (if one can be found), for Atlantic Beach as we embark
Your city, Atlantic Beach, has on our assault of the garbage crisis.
chosen recycling as its first point of
attack on this garbage crisis. _Each Michael Levine
household in the city has been pro- Solid Waste Committee Member
vided with a recycling bin. Ecology and Physics Teacher
n ri Newspapers, plastic and glass con- Terry Parker High School
A Message from your
Mayor
Several years ago we appointed a
solid waste committee to study
collection and disposal of our waste.
That activity lead to the first citywide
recycling program in North Florida. I
believe that was just the beginning,
the first step in responsible action
leading to the significant reduction of
'our waste stream, and the elimina-
tion of hazardous wastes in our
community and its environment. I
would like to briefly share my com-
mitment as Mayor to this effort.
Our next step is two -fold; we need
to find another way to dispose of our
yard trash other than the landfill, and
we need.a site where citizens can
dispose of hazardous materials,
thereby keeping them out of the
ground, and water supply
Mechanized composting may be
the best alternative for getting rid of
vard trash, It.seems to be one of
several options we are investigating.
The economics of it may reel ire ct
Beacheswide effort. We have formed
a committee made up of appointees
from each Beach city to investigate
this and other alternatives. Yard trash
should never have to leave the
Beaches.
All of us have old paint, pesticides,
and other potentially hazardous
materials in our houses and garages,
Where do you get rid of them when
they are no longer needed? Put them
in the garbage? Pour them in the
ground? We need a better alter-
native, and the best seems to be a
C01iCCt'ion :,its, 'v'v'il� is yOli C"--it-Al
I cui�
take environmentally damaging
materials, centrally located and ac-
cessible to the entire community. The
solid waste committee is working on
a site and a layout for such a facility,
and I will continue to push this pro-
ject until it is a reality. That site can
also double as a collection area for
other recyclables like cardboard,
which we don't pickup at the
curbside.
I would like to see us reduce our
waste stream by 50% in the next five
years; I believe it is achievable, Add-
itionally, I want to make sure we
keep the hazardous materials out of
our environment; we owe that to
future generations; to leave our com-
munity in the condition we found it,
or better! That is called progress,
How To Make
A Backyard Compost
By: Alison Johnson
Recycling leaves and grass clip-
pings in a compost pile is one of the
best things you can do for your yard,
shrubs and flowers.
Just about everyone who has ever
built a compost pile has a "best"
way, which tends to complicate
things. The truth is they all work,
To make a SIMPLE compost pile,
work from the bottom up;
(8) 2 inches dirt
(7) dampen with water
(6) sprinkle blood or bone meal
(5) 8 inches leaves or grass
(4) 2 inches dirt
(3) dampen water
(2) sprinkle blood or bone meal
(1) 8 inches leaves, grass etc.
Continue to build 3-5 feet. Tum the
pile every two to three weeks until
you have rich, dark crumbly com-
nnct urifh mncf of fho nrirri-I Lmrrt o
etc, unrecagnizab-le, Work the com-
post into dirt around plants, mix into
planting hole or use as a mulch
around plants. It's an excellent fer-
tilizer, Why not give it a try!
Earth Notes .
Did You Know That...
1, Recycling just one aluminum can
can save enough energy to run
your television set for 3 hours.
2. Recycling a ten foot stack of
newspapers saves one whole tree.
3. Americans go through 2,5 million
plastic bottles every hour, only a
small percentage of which are
now recycled,
4. The energy saved from recycling
one glass bottle will light a
100 -watt bulb for four hours.
5. If we all installed "low flow"
shower heads, we could save
billions of gallons of water every
year, without even noticing.
6. About 70%of the garbage
Americans create is compostable,
including yard waste, food waste,
Urnnri rfrvi nrmAr
"WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T
CHANGE THE WORLD"
"GIVE IT BACK AND HELP
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE"
Conte to the 2nd Annual 4th of July a
"TRASH BASH"To Celebrate Recycling
Hot Dogs; Chips, Cokes, Watermelon,
Games, Suprises and LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
11 a.m. - 2p.ni. RUSSELL PARK
Frisbees to the First 700 PeopleE i T 9 A ° K
Bringing Recyclable Rents!/
Solid Waste Breakdown
(Figures in Pounds)
MONTH GARBAGE TRASH SLUDGE RECYCLING
July 1989
August
September
October
November
December
1,434,380
1,364,520
1,368,820
1,602,760
1,077,550
603,940
390,220
400,000
286,200
275,640
24,300
24,940
January 1990 * 1,368,140 425,340
February *1,193,680 245,900
March 866,420 435,330
April 2,176,360 33&,440
*indicates an adjustment to this figure
466,780
491,620
424,120
875,620
609,780
188,020
1,003,480
620,760
783,660
770,160
37,710
101,920
85,830
98,040
92,140
84,960
88,640
82,200
99,320
106,660
Bill Gulliford Typesetting & printing donated by Financial Printing, Inc. / Recycled paper donated
Mayor by Waste Management
Barking Dogs can really be a nuisance to
residents who are ill, sleeping daytime or who
work at home. Please consider your neighbors
and keep your dogs relatively quiet. A bark
here or there at the postman, meter reader or
sanitation worker is understandable; but
incessant barking at anything in sight be-
comes a nuisance.
Animal Control now has a separate num-
ber and an answering machine for non -emer-
gency animal calls. The number is 246-1648.
For animal bites, vicious animals at large or
emergencies, call A.B.P.D. at 249-5606.
Your cooperation is appreciated by other
animal owners and non -animal owners.
Public
Works
If you have any trash or debris to be
picked up, contact our Public Works Depart-
ment. However, according to Section 16-9 of
the City Code, trash and debris caused from
the operation of lot cleaning or clearing, and
contractors debris caused from building, re-
building or otherwise altering of buildings or
structures shall be removed by the owner or
contractor performing the work. Spent oil or
greases accumulated at garages, filling sta-
tions or similar establishments will not be
removed by the city.
Public Works would like to remind every-
one to set their recycle bin out by the street by
7:00 a.m. on the morning of their pickup. The
truck comes around early and we don't want
them to miss you. If you don't have a bin,
contact the recycling hotline at 241-0341.
Ricky Raccoon says RECYCLE - it's for the
good of the Earth!
If you have any white goods (refrigerators,
stoves, etc.) you would like to have picked up,
call Public Works at 246-2766. Pick up day for
those types of items is Friday only.
Thankstothe
American•: s !
The City employees of the City of Atlan-
tic Beach would like to thank the American
Legion Post 316 of Atlantic Beach for honor-
ing them at their Honors Night Friday,
May 11, 1990. The employees take pride in
their jobs and it is great to see that others ap-
preciate the jobs they do. Thanks again to the
American Legion.
Bloodmobile •
for Visit
A few months ago, City of Atlantic Beach
employees took it upon themselves to join
the Florida -Georgia Blood Alliance. The em-
ployees wanted to make a conscious effort to
help those in need and invite you to do the
same. Florida -Georgia technicians will be at
Jack Russell Park, July 23, 1990 from 1:00
p.m. until 4:00 p.m. to accept blood dona-
tions. If you have questions about donating
blood, please call your physician or the
Florida -Georgia Blood Alliance at 353-8263.
City Clerk
Atlantic Beach is fortunate to have many
excellent volunteers who give freely of their
time to serve on various boards and commit-
tees. The contributions of these people are in-
valuable and help to make the city a better
place for all and we appreciate very much the
work they do.
This month, however, we have had to say
good-bye to some of those volunteers. Jerry
Strayve and Allen Salfer, who have served on
the Code Enforcement Board since its incep-
tion in 1984, have both resigned to have more
time for other interests. Mary Lyle Perry has
accepted an appointment to fill one of the
vacancies on the Code Enforcement Board
and we look forward to a long working rela-
tionship with her.
It is with deep sadness that we say good-
bye to Jack Brooks who recently passed away.
Mr. Brooks was recently appointed to the
Public Nuisance Control Board. We will miss
Jack and extend our sincere condolences to his
family.
We are also losing two of our City Hall
employees. Community Development Direc-
tor, Rene' Angers, who has worked for the
City for seven years, has taken other employ-
ment. Building Clerk, Brenda Dockery, will be
leaving in June to return to her home in Mem-
phis. We will miss Rene' and Brenda but wish
them both well in their future endeavors.
Atlantic Beach Fire Line
by the Atlantic Beach Fire Department
The Atlantic Beach Fire Department is
happy to announce two new firefighters
reported to work last month bringing the
department up to 4 men per 24 hour shift.
This leaves a couple of vacancies in our vol-
unteer program. If you have an interest in
firefighting or Emergency Medical Services,
come and talk to us. If you missed the open
house last month you missed a very impres-
sive show of fire rescue skills and equipment
We were proud to show off the new E -One
pumper and squad. The show included car
crash extraction, elevated victim rescue,
water rescue tools, Trauma One Helicopter
Evac, firefighting and home safety. Look for
another open house in October during Fire
Prevention Week. Your Fire Department
now responds to over 1000 calls a year and
looks forward to serving and protecting our
growing community.
Last issue we reported the Fire Depart-
ment would start flushing, flow testing and
repairing of the city's fire hydrants this past
March. Due to problems with the gauges,
Chief Rew reports the testing will be done
during the months of June and July. Flush-
ing sometimes results in dirt particles in
your water but, according to Chief Rew, this
should only last a short time. Flow testing is
done a couple times a year and is very im-
portant in analyzing the performances of the
hydrants. The city apologizes for any incon-
VE.«E«e [11 -LE «S«lig .L1lay Cause.
Reminder to dog owners:
Please carry your material (pooper scooper)
with which to clean up dog feces any time
you take your dog off your property, espe-
cially on the beach. Failure to do so may re-
sult in a citation.
Feral Cats and Raccoons are numerous
and are reproducing this time of year. They
are hungry and searching for food. It is not
advisable to feed these animals. Best solu-
tion is to trap them. Call for information on
the city traps at 249-5606.
Parents and teachers who bring children
to the park are reminded to watch their chil-
dren carefully. A park is a public place
where access is open to all. Be especially
careful when the children need to use the
restrooms. Go with them. There have not
been any incidents that have initiated these
thoughts, but the Parks Department does not
want to wait for such a traumatic incident to
happen before taking precautions.
The Atlantic Beach Athletic Association
will close out its 1990 season June 9th at Jack
Russell Park. The closing day ceremonies
will include a marathon baseball game,
homerun derby competition and lots of good
food to eat. The Atlantic Beach Athletic
Association invites all Atlantic Beach citizens
to come and make a day of it at the park and
help support the little league. The kids had a
great year under the new lights and are
already looking foward to next season.
The parks look great thanks to the con-
centrated efforts of Darold and Pat. These
two men keep the parks in this city cut,
trimmed, clean, safe and looking great.
Please stop and thank them when you see
them; they work hard to insure your enjoy-
ment in the park during your leisure time.
Earth
The City of Atlantic Beach celebrated
Earth Day, Sunday, April 22,1990. A small
gathering took place at the entrance to Russell
Park on Plaza Road at 2:00 p.m.
Present for the festivities were the Mayor,
Commissioners and some city staff members.
A Dogwood Tree which was given to the
City by Waste Management of Jacksonville
was planted along the right-of-way to com-
memorate Earth Day 1990. They also pre-
sented the City with a plaque for the identi-
fication of the tree and the reason for its
planting. Waste Management of Jacksonville
has pledged to donate an additional tree
for each 300 tons of materials collected
for recycling.
Beautification Committee
Have you noticed the new "Welcome to
Atlantic Beach" signs which have recently
been placed at four strategic locations
within our city? They replace the signs
which were not only very old but in poor
condition. The project was undertaken and
sponsored by our Beautification Committee
who feels that the signs reflect an image of
our first-class community.
Another project of interest to all our citi-
zens is the "Yard of the Month" award. It's
open to all residential property within our
city limits and is intended to recognize any
yard with an outstanding appearance which
exhibits pride, time and energy spent by our
residents. The recognition award is given
monthly. Know of a yard which you feel
qualifies? Please let us know.
The Committee meets the second Wed-
nesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the
City Commission Chambers
at City Hall. Al
citizens are enc
to attend.
Give It Back - Recycle!
• Coming
Commissio
June 11 & 25
July 9 & 23
August 13 & 27
All meetings start promptly at 7:15 p.m.
For up-to-date information about City
events, tune into Continental Cable
Channel 51.
Atlantic Beach Baseball
Teams 1 to State
Teams representing the Atlantic Beach Ath-
letic Association will be traveling to the Babe
Ruth Bambino Major and Minor League State
Tournaments in July. The Minor League Players
(ages 8-10) will leave for Newberry, Florida on
July 5th, and the Major League Players (ages 11-
12) will leave for Taveres, Florida on July 12th. All
expenses for these trips are the responsibility of
the Atlantic Beach Athletic Association, and this
means they will need to tap into the generosity of
the city's citizens. The 18 children on each of these
teams will be out during the month of June
raising funds to help pay for the trips. These
tournaments are a first for the kids here in Atlan-
tic Beach. They are excited about the games, as
well as the fact they will be representing Atlantic
Beach. Please don't let them down ... Help sup-
port them as they attempt to raise the necessary
funds. For contributions or information please
contact Rich Murray at 241-0462, John Seroyer at
247-0677 or Jack Russell Park at 249-2982.
City of Atlantic Beach Courier
716 Ocean Boulevard
P.O. Box 25
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Important Telephone Numbers
Police & Fire Emergencies..........
911
Police & Fire Non -Emergencies..
249-5606
City Hall .........................................
249-2395
Animal Control .............................
246-1648
Garbage & Trash ...........................
246-2766
Parks &Recreation Department..
241-7431
J.E.A. (street lights) .......................
396-5310
Tax Collectors Office ....................
630-2000
Property Appraisers Office .........
630-2025
Recycle Hotline .............................
241-0341
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
Paid
Jacksonville, FL
Permit No. 1645