09-1991 Atlantic Beach CourierITY OF
ATLANTIC BEACH COURIER
William I. Gullford, Mayor
,ommissioners: 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
City Of Atlantic Beach'
BOARDS
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
George Bull, Jr. Heywood Dowling, Jr.
Mattie Freeman Herbert Moller
John J. Venn Willie Miley
Edward Martin
(Meets 1st Tuesday every two months)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Johnny D. Bass Kathleen Russell
Ruth Gregg Samuel T. Howie
W. Gregg McCaulie Robert Frohwein
Don Wolfson
(Meets 3rd Tuesday of each month)
PENSION BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joseph Garvin Joan LaVake
Richard E. White Ronald W. Wingate
Alison Brown
PUBLIC NUISANCE CONTROL BOARD
J. C. Green P.J. Wetherhold
HOSPITAL BOARD
Dorothy Kerber, Atlantic Beach Representative
TREE CONSERVATION BOARD
John Weldon, Jr. Dezmond Waters
Carolyn Woods Sandy Sheppard
Jim Pelkey
(Meets 3rd Monday of each month)
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Donald Fagan Henry Batts
Jeff Croom David Turner
Richard Riley
(Meets 2nd Thursday of each month)
NOT EXACTLY THE SOUND OF SILENCE
by Mayor William I. Gulliford
and City Manager Kim D. Leinbach
There it is again,
that deep distant
rumbling indicating • .
the onset of another
thunderstorm.
Recently we have been
dreading this phenomenon
so common to our beautiful
state of Florida. Last year we couldn't buy the rain; this
year we can't afford it.
We thought this would be an appropriate time to address
this most difficult issue of stormwater and its effect upon
our community. Obviously, when one significant rainfall
after the other inundates the land, problems occur. Local
flooding is wide spread and most painfully evidenced by
those who have had stormwater in their residences. It's a
problem that hurts and affects us all. But what is the City
of Atlantic Beach doing about it? Basically we are taking a
two -prong attack. The first is to ensure that all those
drainage control features within our community, i.e. pipes,
intakes, swales, ditches, etc. are operating at their
maximum. This involves sewer jetting pipes, digging out
intakes, and removing debris and other materials that
hamper the effectiveness of drainage systems. Additionally,
some immediate solutions are being worked on in some of
our troubled areas. An engineering firm has been retained
to evaluate and recommend needed improvements.
The ultimate and most effective approach involves the
second plan of attack for drainage problems; the
establishment of a stormwater utility. Beginning in
approximately October of this year, all residents of Atlantic
Beach will be paying three dollars per month to finance
this new utility. More. refined billing data will be analyzed
and will be proposed to the City Commission to bill
properties based on the amount of impervious area
contained thereon. Impervious area refers to those portions
of your property where rainfall runs off instead of soaking
into the ground (e.g. roofs, driveways, sidewalks, etc.). This
should promote the fairest treatment of properties by
charging those with greater impervious areas more for
contributing to the stormwater discharge and conversely
properties with less impervious area will pay a lesser cost.
What will be done with the monies raised by the storm -
water utility fees? The first proposal we will bring to the
City Commission will be an engineering study of our
overall drainage within the City of Atlantic Beach. We feel
this is of paramount importance to provide a master plan
as a prelude towards solving our drainage and runoff
problems. Engineering solutions for stormwater is not an
easy task as it is critical to study the community on a
system -wide basis for failure to do otherwise might result
in simply transferring a water problem from one area of
town to the other. A master drainage plan will also
promote the most efficient use of public funds for the
purposes of resolving drainage problems. Once the master
plan is approved various projects will be proposed and it is
hoped that the stormwater utility funds raised will assist
in financing various projects as discovered by the
stormwater study. This will not be an inexpensive task nor
will it be accomplished in a short period of time but each
journey begins with a first step and this represents a
significant undertaking for our community in the long
term resolution of stormwater drainage issues. As our
utility takes shape, we will provide you with updates as to
our progress. Hopefully in a not so distant future when we
hear those rumblinvs in the horizon, we can all take
comfort and thankfulness in the provision of this great
resource nature has provided to our beautiful community
without the worry.
The city will hold its biennial election on October 1,
with run-off if needed, on October 15, 1991. The
offices open for election are the Mayor and two City
Commissioners.
Polling places are as follows:
03F - Adele Grage Community Center
716 Ocean Boulevard
03G - Community Presbyterian Church
150 Sherry Drive
03H - City Hall
800 Seminole Road
Our candidates will be introducing themselves
throughout the city and we hope our citizens will get
out and vote for the candidate of their choice.
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On April 22, 1991 the Atlantic Beach City Commission
approved ordinances which established a stormwater
management utility (SMU) program for the City. The
billings for this new utility will be included with the
quarterly billings beginning in October.
In the December 1990 issue of the City of Atlantic Beach
Courier (you may call 247-5809 for a copy), we printed an
article regarding the above mentioned program. Since that
article additional questions have been brought to our
attention:
Will Vacant Property Be Billed?
Vacant property in its natural state will not be charged
the stormwater management utility fee. Such properties
are assumed to continue to absorb rainfall and thus not
cause new impacts on stormwater facilities. However, if
the property has been made impervious by grading,
clearing, or compaction, then it will be billed based on the
amount of impervious area created.
Will Tax -Exempt Properties Be Billed?
Yes. Since the fee is a utility charge and not a tax, all
tax -exempt properties are expected to pay the fee
appropriate to their property. This includes churches,
schools, and all government properties.
If you would like additional information or have further
questions about the stormwater management utility
program, please contact City staff by calling 247-5800.
In the last few issues of the Atlantic Beach Courier, we
have kept you up to date on our blood donor program
which was started a little over a year ago. The first year of
this program has been very successful with 54 pints of
blood contributed by City employees to a special City
account. Not only are actual donors able to withdraw from
the account but other City employees and their family
members are able to utilize the account as well.
On August 8th the City of Atlantic Beach and the
Florida -Georgia Blood Alliance showed their appreciation
to those employees who participated in our first year's
donor drives by holding a ceremony in their honor.
Commissioner Robert Cook and Florida Georgia Blood
Alliance representative Ralph Hunter thanked those silent
heroes who are named below: Henry Bartle, Ransome
Beaty, Theresa Braddy, John Campbell, David Catir, Marc
Christensen, James Christman, Tracy Dufek, Richard
Embleton, Robert Jackson, Kim Leinbach, Jasper Lewis,
Carlene Matthews, Harry McNally, Glenn Miller, Kenneth
Rhone, Jared Smith, Diane St, Laurent, David Thompson,
and Nick VanderWal.
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WELCOME TO THE ADELE GRACE COMMUNITY
CENTER at 716 Ocean Blvd. (formerly known as City
Hall). We now have our FIRST-EVER COMMUNITY
CENTER! Adele Grage, for whom the center was named,
served our city for 32 years and was an inspiration to all
who knew her. For further background on Mrs. Grage or
the history of Atlantic Beach please visit the center
between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.
Our plans for the Community Center are beginning to
take shape! Should you have any suggestions or would like
to know what we are planning please contact the Director
of Parks and Recreation, Ms. Rose at 247-5828.
Presently, the Town Center Group is organizing a site to
sell bricks for the Town Center Project, and FRIENDS OF
THE LIBRARY are preparing for a Book Sale in October.
Both of these activities will be located at our Community
Center.
THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS PRIMARILY FOR
THE USE OF THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH
AND THEY WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN
AVAILABILITY OF ROOMS.
In order to maintain the building, fees will be charged
as follows:
- If the building is used after 5:00 P.M. or on weekends,
the charge is $ 25.00 for any period of time up to 3 hours
and $10 per hour thereafter.
- Holidays recognized by the City (those which
employees have off) will be charged at double the above
rate.
- If the building is used during regular working hours
(8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. - Mon. -Fri.) there is no charge.
- No keys will be given out. The City will designate a
person to open and close the building.
Please call the Parks and Recreation Department should
you wish any further information regarding the fees
and/or the scheduling of activities.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS NEXT????
YES, CHRISTMAS IS COMING...
and with our new Community Center
we would like to start a COMMUNITY
project. We will have a Christmas tree
in the Center and we are asking any
CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH,
ONLY, to donate a Christmas tree
ornament with your family name and
year on it (Magic Markers work!) and
each year we will hang it on our tree in the ADELE
GRAGE COMMUNITY CENTER for all to see and enjoy!
We have other plans for Christmas and you will hear
more in the next newsletter, but just to tease.... wouldn't
you like to again SHARE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY,
and perhaps adopt a needy family, or provide a "GIVING
TREE"!
PARK INFORMATION
DONNER PARK will be a new place very soon. We have
installed new playground equipment, volleyball court and
soon hope to have new playing fields for football, soccer,
and baseball.
JORDAN PARK will be sporting new playground
equipment, too, and later this year new restrooms.
RUSSELL PARK will get two more TENNIS COURTS
this year. It will cut out the adult sized softball field but
there is a regulation field in Donner Park, WITH
LIGHTS! Some changes and expansion in Russell Park
will also happen this coming fiscal year!
Just a reminder! The New City Hall is located at 800
Seminole Road next to Jack Russell Park. The Adele
Grage Community Center is for recreation use ONLY!
There is a drop box located in the main entrance of the
New City Hall for making payments after business hours.
The City of Atlantic Beach Police Department
along with the other northeast Florida communities
have joined together to form a seat belt usage task
force. This new enforcement effort is designed to
highlight the lifesaving potential of using safety
belts and child safety seats.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that more
than 20,000 lives have been saved nationwide by
safety belts alone from 1983 through 1989. The
Agency's statistics also revealed that prior to 1983
the National Safety Belt use rate stood at 11%.
Since then the national average has increased to
approximately 50% with some; states achieving rates
as high as 70%.
The Atlantic Beach Police Department also
stresses the importance of using safety belts even in
those cars equipped with an air bag. The
Department indicated that air bags are only
effective in front-end collisions. Safety belts are still
needed to provide adequate protection in rear -end,
side impact or rollover accidents. For the best
possible combination use both safety belts and air
bags.
The new enforcement campaign will be integrated
into the department's existing traffic enforcement
program.
Animal control officer BeeJay Lester would like to
remind Atlantic Beach citizens of the following:
STRAY CATS.
This continues to be a problem. If you feed them, it
becomes your responsibility to make them "legal" with
vaccinations and tags.
ABANDONMENT.
It is against the law to abandon an animal or deprive it
of rpcassary sustenance. An unwanted net should be
taken to the Humane Shelter if the owner is unable to
keep it or adopt it out to a new owner.
ANIMAL BITES.
All dog and cat bites are to be reported to the Police
Department and Animal Control within 24 hours of the
incident. If the animal is a stray or has not had its shots,
the situation becomes more critical. A dog or cat that bites
a person must be confined and observed for 10 days
following the day of the bite. Wild animals that bite people
have to be trapped, killed and tested for rabies.
RABIES.
This viral disease attacks the central nervous system
and is transmitted by a bite from the rabid animal with
the virus found in the saliva of
the infected animal. The mt�jority
of animal rabies are found in -
skunks, raccoons, foxes and bats.
It is not recommended to feed
these species in your backyard as
they become too dependent and can become very
aggressive in their search for food.
ANIMAL TRAPS.
These are available to Atlantic Beach residents to trap
"nuisance wildlife" or feral domestic animals. Call 246-
1648 to be placed on the trap list.
DOGS ON THE BEACH.
Remember to leash your dog, have its tags on your pet
and use a pooper scooper. The ONLY time your dog can be
unleashed on the beach is when YOU AND THE DOG
ARE SWIMMING. This does not mean playing in the
shallow water with the dog owner standing on the sand.
Violation can result in a court citation, so please adhere to
the beach regulations.
COASTAL CONSTRUCTION CONTROL LINE
The Department of Natural Resources has proposed
changes to the Coastal Construction Control Line
throughout the entire beach area. The location of the
proposed line has been moved landward and may affect
development and redevelopment along the oceanfront.
Maps showing the proposed location of the line and
information about how this change may affect you are
available in the lobby of City Hall at 800 Seminole Road.
The DNR will be holding a Public Hearing to hear your
comments, questions and concerns at the Jacksonville
Beach Council Chambers on September 5, 1991 at 7:00
pm. Please review the maps and information at City Hall
and attend the Public Hearing in Jacksonville Beach.
Questions in the meantime may be directed to either the
Building Official or the City Planner at 247-5800.
PROPOSED NEW POSTAL FACILITY
The United States Post Office is in the process of
purchasing a piece of property located at and to the south
of the southeast corner of Mayport Road and Plaza. Their
intention is to build a Post Office there to replace the one
on Royal Palms. This facility will provide service for all of
Atlantic Beach and the areas to the north. Plans and
additional information are available from the City
Planner and the Building Department at City Hall or by
telephone at 247-5800.
REAL ESTATE SIGNS
The City of Atlantic Beach Code of Ordinances regulates
the size, number and location of signs advertising property
for sale, rent or lease. Many home owners offering their
property for sale are in violation of these regulations.
These regulations are designed to ensure fair treatment of
all concerned. Please check with the Building Department
at City Hall for information about such signs before you
install one. Enforcement of these regulations takes up
staff time and can result in hardships for those found in
violation. The Building Department telephone number is
247-5826.
LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
Atlantic Beach is now adopting the last of the Land
Development Regulations which are related to our existing
Zoning Ordinance. These regulations are required by the
adoption of our Comprehensive Plan and will include new
requirements for landscaping of commercial properties,
stormwater runoff, and methods to ensure that the City
does not overextend its utility services. With the adoption
of these regulations Atlantic Beach will be in compliance
with the requirements of the State Department of
Community Affairs, with regards to Comprehensive Plan
legislation.
PERMITS
Before beginning remodeling, additions or new
construction on or around your home please obtain any
necessary permits from the Building Department. If you
or your contractor are uncertain as to the need for a
permit, please contact the Building Department, and we
will gladly provide any information you desire. Starting
work without a permit will result in double the fees and
will delay your project.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
The City of Atlantic Beach is cooperating with and
assisting the newly created DONNER NEIGHBORHOOD
IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION. This organization is
made up of residents and volunteers dedicated to
increasing home ownership, rehabilitation of existing
homes and other neighborhood improvements in the
Donner Subdivision area. The corporation will be working
on both sides of Mayport Road to help those who need
home improvements and loans for housing. The
corporation is actively encouraging membership and
participation by the residents of Atlantic Beach, both in
the target neighborhood and elsewhere in the city. If
you are interested, please contact George Johnson at
241-0256, Shelia Sanford at 249-3180 or George
Worley at 247-5800 (City Hall).
We have been notified that the landfill will not accept
yard debris after January 1, 1992. The city is encouraging
composting where possible but City staff are continuing to
work on other alternatives and further information will be
published in the December newsletter.
Our recycling program is enjoying continued success and
we urge our citizens to keep up the good work. If you know
anyone who is not recycling we hope you will encourage
them to start. Magazines and catalogs are recyclable and
should be placed in the bins. Where one bin may not be
sufficient for a large family, an additional bin may be
obtained by contacting Public Works at 247-5834.
Speed bumps will be placed on Beach Avenue between
18th and 19th Streets, and on the 300 block of Plaza in the
near future. Please be aware of these and adjust your
speed accordingly.
Many thanks for the tremendous response to our recent
survey regarding sanitation service. The Sanitation
Department particularly wants to express their
appreciation for your many complimentary comments
regarding their service. It's nice to know they're
appreciated.
Included in this issue is a simple form
to be used to nominate a potential "Yard
of the Month" award winner. You are
encouraged to use the form. Unless you
take the time to submit a nomination, a
yard worthy of the recognition might be
missed.
Past three monthly winners have been: Mrs. Mary
Spring, 33119th St., Dr. & Mrs. T. J. Toman, 1313 East
Coast Dr., and Mr. & Mrs. D. R. Gerardo, 570 Sailfish Dr.
Have you noticed the recently erected "Welcome To
Atlantic Beach" sign on Mayport Road, just south of the
Fleet Landing entrance. The Committee is responsible for
it and the landscaping that surrounds it. It's an attractive
"Welcome" to those entering our City from Mayport or
from the Naval Station. Additional landscaping
improvements are planned for the three other signs
within our Community.
Other plantings by the Committee have taken place
around the water retention pond just south of City Hall
and the hedge along Plaza bordering Russell Park.
The Committee always welcomes suggestions from our
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Wednesday of each month in the Conference Room at City
Hall. The goal of the Beautification Committee is to get as
many residents as possible involved in enhancing our
environment and quality of life. Please join us!
IMPORTANT
Police & Fire Emergencies ........
911
Police & Fire Non -Emergencies .......
249-5606
City Hall (Information) .............
247-5800
Animal Control ....................
246-1648
Garbage & Trash ..................247-5834
Parks & Recreation Department ......
247-5828
Recycle Hotline ....................
247-5834
Building Department ...............
247-5826
City Clerk ........................
247-5809
City Manager .....................
247-5800
Finance Director ...................
247-5800
Public Works ......................
247-5834
Purchasing .......................
247-5818
Utility Billing .....................
247-5816
J.E.A. (street lights) ................
396-5310
Tax Collectors Office ................
630-2000
Property Appraisers Office...........
630-2025
Newsletter Staff
Maureen King
Dorothy M. Strain
-----------------------------------------------------I-----------------------------------------------------
NOMINATE YOUR IG OR FOR "YARD OF THE MONTH"
Who has the best -looking yard in your neighborhood? The Beautification Committee would like to know so that they can be
considered for recognition for their talents!
If you have a nomination, fill out the information below and mail it to City Hall, 800 Seminole Road to the attention of the
Beautification Coordinator. Or, just drop it by City Hall. If you don't know the name of the resident, just give us the address.
NAME OF NOMINEE: ADDRESS:
YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER: (OPTIONAL)
City of Atlantic Beach Courier
800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
Paid
Jacksonville, FL
Permit No. 1645