Minutes - 01-08-01MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC
BEACH CITY COMMISSION HELD IN CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE
ROAD AT 5:00 P.M. ON MONDAY, JANUARY 08, 2001
PRESENT: John Meserve, Mayor
Richard Beaver, Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Bomo
Theo Mitchelson
Dezmond Waters, Commissioners
AND: James Hanson, City Manager
Alan C. Jensen, City Attorney
Maureen King, City Clerk
Invocation was given by Commissioner Mitchelson followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
1. Approval of the minutes of the Regular Meeting held
December 11, 2000 and the Special Called Meeting held
December 18, 2000
Commissioner Borno requested that a scrivener's correction be made to
the December 11, 2000 Commission Meeting minutes on page four, and
Commissioner Mitchelson requested that on page three, paragraph four
from the bottom of the page, that "Tuesday" be changed to "Monday".
Motion: Approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held
December 11, 2000 as amended and the Special Called
Meeting held December 18, 2000 as presented.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Courtesy of the floor to visitors:
J.P. Marchioli of 414 Sherry Drive reported on his recent trip to San
Francisco. He also requested consideration be given to limiting the
number of pets per household and suggested that sidewalks be installed
on both sides of Sherry Drive during the reconstruction.,
The following boat owners spoke in opposition to recent enforcement of
the city's parking regulations relative to parking of boats in front yazds.
They felt it was unfair since many would be forced to move their boats to
expensive storage areas where they would be open to vandalism. Mike
Patterson of 887 Stock Street, David Billingsley, Alan Hutchinson of
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January 8, 2001
1324 Begonia Street, Ray Hinson. of 258 Camelia Street, and Jamie
Ramirez of 1464 Jasmine Street.
Mayor Meserve suggested that the boat owners submit their concerns in
writing to the Commission since no action could be taken at this time.
Commissioner Beaver felt it would be best if they met with the City
Manager to discuss their concerns. Commissioner Mitchelson suggested
the boat owners familiarize themselves with the current laws to
understand which size of boat was allowed to be pazked in the front yazd.
Tim Townsend of 428 Hopkins Street, Neptune Beach, the General
Employees representative on the Pension Board, urged the Commission
to approve the recommended 5% COLA raise for retirees (Item 8A).
Pat Pillmore of 995 Camelia Street felt the boat parking regulations
were not enforced consistently and referred to it as "spot code
enforcement". Ms. Pillmore .felt a recent drawing of the Mayport Road
flyover was different than an eazlier version published in the newspaper
and questioned the change. She also expressed concern that the design
for the new bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway was unsafe.
Brent Rogers of 1798 Selva Marina Drive expressed concern that
diverting stormwater from Sherry Drive into the lagoon for temporary
storage would cause flooding in his neighborhood.
Mayor Meserve assured Mr. Rogers that this would not happen.
Evan Ogin of 528 Royal Palms Drive requested stronger code
enforcement in Royal Palms, and requested that the Code Enforcement
Officer investigate the dumping of appliances at the corner of Sailfish
Drive and Seaspray.
Alan Potter of 374 Second Street defined "citizenship" and offered
several reasons why he was an example of a good, participating citizen
of Atlantic Beach.
3. Unfinished Business from Previous Meeting
A. Follow-up report from the meeting of December 11, 2000
(City Manager)
City Manager Hanson briefly commented on the information provided in
his follow-up report. In addition to the written report, he also reported
on the following:
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January 8, 2001
Incinerator Site Update
City Manager Hanson reported that the Health Department's surface soil
sampling found no lead at the site, and that it posed no threat to children
or families. He indicated that the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) has also requested that soil borings to a depth of four
feet, be conducted on the site. He indicated that this test and analyses
would cost of approximately $10,000.
A brief discussion ensued and City Manager Hanson indicated that he
would send another letter to the residents informing them of the soil
borings.
Response to a Letter to the Editor Referencing Employee
Disciplinary Action by Mayor
City Manager Hanson explained the Employee Grievance Procedure and
stated that he had the final say in personnel matters. He further stated
that at no time did an elected official have input into personnel matters.
B.' Action on Stop. Sign Report
No action was taken on this matter.
4. Consent Agenda:
Commissioner Bomo requested that the Public Works Department
monthly report be removed rom the Consent Agenda for further
discussion.
A. Acknowledge receipt of monthly reports from Occupational
License, Public Safety, and Public Works Departments for
December 2000, and Utility Sales report for November 2000
(City Manager)
B. Award annual contract to Trim-All Lawn Service in the
amount of $34,572.00 for Atlantic Boulevard and Town
Center Landscape Maintenance pursuant to the specifications
of Bid No. 0001-5 (City Manager)
Motion: Approve Consent Agenda Item B as recommended.
Commissioner Borno inquired concerning Item #I 1 of the report and
confirmed a date of 1(22(01 for the presentation to the Commission.
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January 8, 2001
5. Committee Reports:
There were no Committee Reports.
6. Action on Resolutions:
A. Resolution No. Ol-Ol
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH,
FLORIDA, RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF PAT
PILLMORE ON THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BOARD
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. 01-01.
Mayor Meserve read the resolution in its entirety and thanked Ms.
Pillmore for her eight years of service on the Community Development
Boazd.
The motion carried unanimously.
7. Action on Ordinances:
A. Ordinance No. 20-00-50 -Public Hearing and Final Reading
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH,
FLORIDA, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000!2001 BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2000 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2001.
Mayor Meserve read the ordinance by title only.
Motion: Adopt Ordinance No. 20-00-50 on final reading.
Mayor Meserve opened the floor for a public hearing and invited
comments from the audience.
Alan Potter of 374 Second Street spoke in opposition to Ordinance No.
20-00-50, which reflected budget modifications for projects
recommended in the Sewer Master Plan. Mr. Potter provided
information on the problems experienced by city's sewer system and
disagreed with the Sewer Master Plan Capital Improvement
recommendations. He felt the construction of the master lift station at
the Atlantic Beach wastewater treatment plant was unnecessary and
recommended construction of a 12 inch force main parallel to the 10 inch
main as a remedy to the existing problems.
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January 8, 2001
No one else wished to speak and the Mayor closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Mitchelson commented that after the December 18`~
Special Called Meeting, he felt the city was taking the right approach to
the problem.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
B. Ordinance No. 95-Oi-77 -Introduction and First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH,
FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 4, ANIMALS,
ARTICLE II, DOGS AND CATS, SEC. 4-30, CITATIONS
AUTHORIZED; PENALTIES PROVIDED, TO
ELIMINATE CODE ENFORCEMENT HEARINGS AND
REQUIRE COURT APPEARANCE IF FINES ARE NOT
PAID, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Motion: Approve Ordinance No. 95-01-77 on first reading.
Mayor Meserve explained that the final reading and publiq hearing for the
ordinance would take place on January 22, 2001.
As a point of clarification, City Attorney Jensen advised that the sentence
under Item 3 on page one of the ordinance beginning with "two hundred
..." should be underlined, indicating new language in the ordinance.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
8. Miscellaneous Business:
A. Action on the recommendation of the General Employees'
and Police Employees' Pension Boards to grant a 5% cost of
living adjustment to retirees (City Manager)
Motion: Approve a 5% cost of living adjustment to retirees as
recommended by the General Employees and Police
Employees' Pension Boards.
City Manager Hanson explained that the recommendation was being
made by both Pension Boazds. A history of previous cost-of- living
adjustments, funding ratio, a pension comparison with other cities and
contribution rates were provided to the Commission. These documents
aze attached and made part of this official record as Attachment A.
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January 8, 2001
Mayor Meserve felt this item should be a budgeted item, and handled
through the budget process. He indicated that he had questions both pro
and con which needed to be answered.
Commissioner Borno stated that he had been informed that the funds for
the increase would come from the Pension Fund with a commitment of
the funds for a thirty year period.
Commissioner Mitchelson concurred with Mayor Meserve but felt the
city should adopt some type of a procedure to provide regulaz cost-of-
living increases to retirees, if the Commission decides. to do so.
Cindy Anderson, Chair of the Police and Fire Pension Boards, explained
the Boards' positions and stated they did not recommend a permanent
COLA adjustment because of the uncertainties of inflation rates. She
indicated that the 5% increase was being recommended based on the past
three years' rates of inflation.
Commissioner Borno confirmed that the funds would come from the
Pension Fund. Human Resource Director Foster explained that it was
true for the current yeaz, but on an annual basis, the actuazies would
recalculate the funds needed to fund the pension plan. He indicated that
city's contribution rate could go up or down depending on the variables -
the number of participants, investment performance and the approval of
the additional cost of living adjustment. Human Resource Director
Foster indicated that; if approved, the eazliest impact would occur
October 1, 2001.
Commissioner Borno expressed concern for delaying the request too long
before the actuazial study was completed since this information might
not be included in the current study. Human Resource Director Foster
indicated that the study would be completed within ninety days.
Commissioner Waters favored immediate approval of the 5% COLA,
and felt that a 5% increase over five yeazs was not too much.
A brief discussion ensued, and motion and second were withdrawn.
Motion: Follow Resolution 81-11 and refer this matter back to
the City Manager for his recommendation.
Mayor Meserve reiterated his need to know the long term effects of the
proposed increase on the budget. Discussion ensued concerning the
correct procedure to follow, and Human Resource Director Foster read
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Resolution 81-11 explaining the City Manager's role in the procedure.
There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
B. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with
Habitat for Humanity of the Jacksonville Beaches, Inc. for the
construction of the Jordan park Community Center (City
Manager)
Motion: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract
with Habitat for Humanity of the Jacksonville Beaches, Inc.
for the construction of the Jordan park Community Center.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
C. Approve committing the City of Atlantic Beach to the Dutton
Island Waterway Park. Expansion Management Plan (City
Manager)
Motion: Approve committing the City of Atlantic Beach to
the Dutton Island Waterway Park Expansion Management
Plan as indicated in the management plan. (The management
plan is attached and made part of this official record as
Attachment B).
Commissioner Mitchelson inquired regarding an emergency phone for
the park.
Chief of Police Thompson, who acted as the Interim City Manager during
the initial time of commitment, explained that "call box" type phones
were being considered for the pazk.
Commissioner Waters expressed concern for vandalism at the park and
inquired concerning a police officer or pazk ranger having a residence on
the island.
Chief Thompson indicated that such a residence may be needed in the
long term, but it was not being considered at this time.
City Manager Hanson indicated that pazKmaintenance would cost
approximately $7,000 per yeaz and would be conducted by existing staff .
There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
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January 8, 2001
D. Authorize expenditure of recycling grant funds for the
purchase of 577 recycling bins at $5.25 each (City Manager)
Motion: Authorize expenditure of recycling grant funds for
the purchase of 577 recycling bins at $5.25 each (Alternative
A).
Following a brief discussion of the reduction in grant funding the motion
carried unanimously.
E. Report relative to design status of Sherry Drive
reconstruction .project (City Manager)
Public Works Director explained the 75% design plans in detail and
answered questions regarding the project. He stated that the report was
for informational purposes and the final plans were scheduled to be
completed by February 22, 2001.
9. City Manager Reports:
A. Report dated January 2, 2001
There were no additions to City Manager Hanson's report.
B. Quarterly Strategic Action Plan Report
City Manager Hanson briefly updated the Commissioners on the progress
outlined in the third quarter Strategic Action Plan Report. He indicated
that most items should be completed within 90 days and the strategic
planning process would start over again in Mazch.
C. Pay Study/Classification Plan
City Manager Hanson stated that $8,000 was budgeted for the Pay Study
and eight proposals had been received ranging in cost from $14,500 to
$43,600. He felt the pay plan was very important since there was no
cap on salazies and everyone had received the same percentage increases
for a number of yeazs.
City Manager Hanson requested Commission input and/or comments on
this matter and stated that he would conduct telephone interviews with
the companies, beginning with the lowest quote, and would bring back
his findings to the next meeting.
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January 8, 2001
Commissioner Waters provided. background information concerning the
elimination of the city's previous pay classification plan and expressed
concerns for implementation of a new plan.
D. Rose Park
City Manager Hanson reported that the Pazks and Recreation Advisory
Boazd had recommended installation of playground equipment in Rose
Pazk. He distributed a plan and proposed budget for the project with
prices from state contract, to the Commissioners, and indicated that this
matter would be brought back at a future meeting.
10. Reports and/or requests from City Commissioners and City
Attorney
Commissioner Borno
Reported that Selva Marina Streets Committee had met twice and
he was happy with the progress being made.
Thanked the City Manager for the framed pomait of the
Commissioners.
Commissioner Mitchelson
• Requested that the local newspapers publish an article about the
historic tree survey taking place. The historic trees aze being
marked with orange tape.
Commissioner Waters
Inquired concerning a letter sent to residents whose property abuts
the Selva Mazina Lagoon. Public Works Director Kosoy stated
the letter informed them of the survey work being performed in
the azea.
Mayor Meserve
Reported that the annexation request had been withdrawn and
Fleet Landing would enter into an agreement with the City of
Jacksonville regarding this property.
Reported that Roberts Rules of Order had been previously
adopted as the book of reference for matters involving points of
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parliamentary law.
Expressed concern regazding vandalism occurring in the city
parks and in the Selva Marina area. Chief Thompson reported
that ball bats had recently been used on mailboxes in the Selva
azea. He indicated that vandalism was an on-going problem, but
there had not been any significant increase.
Discussion ensued regarding. skateboarders using the benches and
memorial in Bull Pazk. City Manager Hanson indicated that the
benches would be permanently affixed to the ground.
Commissioner Mitchelson felt the city should consider
developing a dedicated skateboarding azea. The Police
Department will continue to monitor activity in the pazk.
Reported that Sally Clemons had suggested a public meeting be
conducted on how government works.
There being no further discussion or business to come before the
Commission, the Mayor declazed the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
John Meserve
Mayor /Presiding Officer
ATTEST:
Maureen King
Certified Municipal Clerk
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