Minutes - 04-09-01MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC
BEACH CITY COMMISSION HELD IN CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE
ROAD AT 7:15 P.M. ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2001-
PRESENT: John Meserve, Mayor
Richard Beaver, Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Borno
Theo Mitchelson
Dezmond Waters, Commissioners
AND: James Hanson, City Manager
Alan C. Jensen, City Attorney
Maureen King, City Clerk
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Meserve at 7:15 p.m. The
Invocation gzven by Mayor Meserve was followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
Approval of the minutes of the Regular Commission Meeting
of March 26, 2001.
Commissioner Mitchelson stated that his intent was for the city to be able
to revoke the occupational. license of a business selling alcoholic
beverages to minors, not to revoke the state alcoholic beverage license:
He requested that the words "state alcoholic beverage" be stricken from
page six, the third paragraph from the bottom, and replaced with "city
occupational."
Motion: Approve the minutes of the March 26, 2001
Commission Meeting as amended.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. Courtesy of Floor to Visitors:
A. Reynolds, Smith & Hills with report regarding revitalization
of Mayport Road corridor
Mayor Meserve indicated representatives from Reynolds, Smith and
Hills were meeting with the Jacksonville Electric Authority to resolve
some last minute problems concerning the proposed lighting for Mayport
Road and the report would be presented at the next meeting.
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Apri19,200L
J.P. Marchioli of 414 Sherry Drive reported that the Publix Shopping.
Center had added two handicapped parking spaces to resolve the problem
reported at the previous meeting. Mr. Marchioli supported the proposed.
pay increase for the lifeguards and the establishment of electoral districts.
Alan Potter of 374. Second Street stated that April 10, 2001 would mark
the fifth year since the bond issue for the still uncompleted core city
project. He suggested that the city change its policy to receive citizen
input on such matters.
Bob Totter of 275 11th Street reiterated his position favoring the
establishment of voting districts and hoped the Commissioners would
vote in favor of the request.
Sally Clemens of 1638 Park Terrace West also favored voting districts
and hoped it would be included on the October ballot.
Pat Pillmore of 995 Camelia Street commented on or made requests
concerning the following items: (1) Requested assurance that a bicycle
path would be constructed on the west side of Mayport Road; (2)
requested assurance that the Plaza Road intersection would be repaired
prior to construction on Mayport Road to allow access to Marsh Oaks,
(3) suggested that. a traffic light be installed at the end of the flyover,
(4) suggested the city consider constructing a parking garage on the old.
Pic `N Save site to alleviate present and future parking problems, (5)
expressed concern regarding the column for the flyover which has been
constructed on top of the old overpass, and (6) favored voting. districts,
but felt the representative should not be required to live in that district.
Stephen Kuti of 1132 Linkside Drive supported voting districts.
3. Unfiniished Business from Previous Meeting
A. Follow-up report from the regular meeting of March 26,
2001 (City Manager)
City Manager Hanson summarized his written report and stated that the
report on the alcoholic beverage violations would be presented at the.
next meeting. His report is attached and made part of this official record
as Attachment A.
4. Consent Agenda:
A. Acknowledge receipt of monthly reports from Occupational
License, Public Works and Recreation Departments (City
Manager)
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Apri19, 2001
B. Award annual contract for Electrical Motor and Pump
Repairs to Industrial Equipment Services pursuant to the
rates submitted in Bid No. 0001-10 (City Manager)
C. Award contract in the amount of $6,693.00 to American
Landcare for palm tree trimming pursuant to the
specifications of Bid No. 0001-14 (City Manager)
D. Award contract for cleaning and televising sewer lines to
Metro Rooter at the rates submitted in Bid Nos. 0001-13
and [1001-15; reject all bids received for emergency
sewer pumping and jetting as submitted for Bid
No. 0001-15 (City Manager).
Motion: Approve Consent Agenda Items A-D as
presented.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Committee Reports:
There were no Committee reports.
6. Action on Resolutions:
There was no action on Resolutions.
Action on Ordinances:
There was no action on Ordinances.
8. Miscellaneous Business:
A. Action on an application for a Use by Exception filed by
Atilli~o and Cathy Cerqueira to operate. a business for the
storage of boats and recreational vehicles on property
located at the corner of Mayport Road and West Fifth
Street, also described as Lots i-7, Block 32, Section H,
zoned Commercial General (CG) (City Manager)
Motion: Accept recommendation of the Community
Development Board and approve the use-by-exception
filed by Atillio and Cathy Cerqueira to operate a business.
for th.e storage of boats and recreational vehicles on
property located at the corner of Mayport Road and
West fifth Street, also described as Lots 1-7, Block 32,
Section H, zoned Commercial General (CG). (Subject to
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April 9,.2001
the conditions that (1) The site must meet or exceed all
landscape code requirements; especially the buffer
requirements between uncomplimentary uses, (2) parking
spaces for customers' vehicles and. vehicle storage must be
clearly marked on the site, (3) an additional landscaped
buffer, equivalent to that required for uncomplimentary uses,
should be placed along the Mayport Road frontage of the
property, (4) the use be granted to the applicant only and for
this site only, (5) the west side lighting must not directly
light the residential property to the west, (6) the Exception
must be implemented within nine months of approval or it
will lapse, and (7) any chainlirik type fencing will be of the
coated type.
Commissioner Waters stated that he would like to ensure that a
proper landscaping buffer would be provided along Mayport Road
to block the view of the storage area. He stated that before voting on
the request, he would like to see a landscape plan which included
some large trees.
Commissioner Mitchelson felt the shredded shingles proposed for
the parking area became impervious with wear and inquired if any
on-site water retention was required. It was reported that shredded
shingles were considered pervious and no on-site water retention
was required.
Discussion ensued concerning the landscaping of this site and its
"impact on the proposed revitalization of the Mayport Road corridor.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the site should be
buffered from view from traffic on Mayport Road.
Motion: Defer action on the request to the next meeting
or whenever the applicant submits an exact landscape
plan lfor Commission review.
There was no more discussion and the motion to defer carried
unanimously.
B. Authorize PBS&J to prepare and submit a grant
application on behalf of the City under the Flood
Mifigafion Assistance Program, with related fees not to
exceed $10,620.00 (City Manager)
Motion: Authorize PBS&J to prepare and submit a
grant application on behalf of the City. under the Flood
Mitigation Assistance Program, with related fees not to
exceed $10,620.00.
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Apri19, 2001
There was no discussion and the motion tamed unanimously.
C. Approve new pay scale for lifeguards and authorize
incorporating lifeguards into the new City pay plan when
it is completed (City Manager) "
Motion: Approve new pay scale for lifeguards and
authorize incorporating lifeguards into the new City pay
plan when it is completed.
City Manager Hanson explained that in previous years the lifeguards
were not included with the other employees for cost-of-living
adjustments and the current pay scale was making it difficult to hire
and keep good lifeguards. He indicated that the lifeguards would be
included in the new pay plan with the other employees. The
recommended pay scale is attached and made part of this official
record as Attachment B.
Commissioner Waters inquired how the hourly rates for the pay scale
were determined. Chief Thompson explained that the figures were
based on three 3% per year increases for lifeguards and two 3% per
year increases for senior lifeguards.
Discussion ensued and Commissioner Waters felt the proposed pay
scale might still be too low. Commissioner Bomo agreed and
suggested a starting rate of $9.00 for a trained lifeguard. Additional
information was requested and Chief Thompson indicated he would
provide wage comparisons with Ponte Vedra and Hanna Park for the
Commissioners.. However, to expedite matters, so the lifeguazd
positions could be advertised, it was the consensusof the Commission
to approve the pay scale as presented. The Commissioners agreed to
revisit the request at the next meeting to determine if a higher pay
scale was needed.
There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
D. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contract with
M.J. Altman Companies, Inc. to provide collection
services for the City (City Manager)
Motion: Authorize the City Manager. to negotiate a
contract with M. J. Altman Companies, Inc. to provide-
collection services for the City.
Commissioner Waters inquired if the company's references were
checked and the methods used to collected bad debt.
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Finance Director VanLiere indicated that references had been checked,
and the cities using M.J. Altman were very satisfied. He briefly
explained how their services would be used by the city. It was reported
that the collection fees would be deducted from the payments and the
city would receive 65% of the amount collected.
Commissioner Waters requested an annual report of the money collected.
There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
9. City Manager Reports:
In addition to his written report, City Manager Hanson cornmented on the
following items:
A. Repast regarding landscape code issues
City Manager Hanson explained the current "trigger" for the landscape
code requirements was.50% of the value of the current .improvements on
the site and the land value was not included in the determination. It was
suggested that the "trigger" level be lowered and it was pointed out that
there were no statutory limitations controlling the regulation.
Commissioner Beaver requested that the matterbe referred to the
Community :Development Boazd for a recommendation. No one objected
to the request.
B. Customer Service Answering Machine
City Manager Hanson reported that a new telephone system had been
installed in City Hall and the answering machine in Customer Service
had been removed and customers now spoke directly to a service
representative.
10. Reports and/or requests from City Commissioners and City
Attorney
A. City .Attorney to report relative to procedure to establish.
electoral districts
City Attorney Jensen stated that the procedure to establish electoral
districts was set forth in the Florida Statutes and must be accomplished
by referendum. He indicated that the matter could be placed on the
ballot by ordinance or a petition signed by 10% of the registered
electorate ofthe city. City Attomey Jensen further indicated that
according to recent Attomey General Opinion, the electoral districts
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would be established according to current precinct lines. The
Jacksonville City Council would have to approve any change in district
lines, if the city chose not to follow the current precinct lines.
A brief discussion ensued and Mayor Meserve expressed concern that
electoral districts might prevent some good people from running for
office. Commissioner Borno pointed out that the Commissioners set
policy for the entire city; not a district.
Commissioner Waters
• Referenced a letter the Commissioners received from a resident
on Francis Street concerning drug problems in the area and
requested that the city work with the residents to keep drugs out
of the. area.
• Inquired if the hump in the pavement on Plaza would be removed.
Mayor Meserve indicated it would be removed but a definite date
had not been set.
• Felt the Commission should work toward providing restrooms for
residents using Bull Park.
• Felt someone from the city should'speak with representatives
from the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) about installation
of underground wiring iri the city.
Mayor Meserve suggested that JEA representatives come to a
future meeting to discuss this matter, however, it was pointed ouY
that Southern Bell would not pay for underground telephone
lines.
Commissionier Mitchelson
• Reported that the Teen Council had chosen a winner of its $1,000
scholarship from the seventeen applications received by the
deadline. The winner will be announced on April 17th.
Commissioner Borno
• Reported that the First Church of Christ "Jesus at the Beach"
event would be held on May 6th from noon to 6:00 p.m.
Commissioner Beaver
• Complimented the city on the upkeep of the Atlantic Boulevard
medians.
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Mayor Meserve
• Asked the Commissioners' thoughts on proclaiming Apri123 -
29, 2001 National "Turn Off TV Week".
• Indicated that he had received input from the Northeast Florida
Board of Realtors concerning the proposed changes to the zoning
ordinance which he would give to the City Manager. Mayor
Meserve reminded those present that a public hearing on the
proposed zoning ordinance would be held in Atlantic Beach
Elementary School on Monday, April 16; 2001.
City Clerk King stated that an overview of the proposed changes
would be published in the Beaches Leader on Wednesday, April
11, 2001.
There. being :no further discussion or business to come before the
Commission, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
John Meserve
MayorlPresiding Officer
Attest:
Maureen King
" Certified Municipal Clerk
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