Exh 2AAGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Request from the Beautification Committee to dissolve the Committee.
SUBMITTED BY: Timmy Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: October 15, 2001
BACKGROUND: The first Atlantic Beach Beautification Committee meeting was held on
February 22, 1989. Minutes from this meeting indicate that the main areas to be taken under
consideration were litter, signs and landscape control
On Mazch 22, 1999, the City Commission prepazed Resolution No. 99-8 to ratify the Beautification
Committee, which Resolution states:
The Beautification Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Commission, and shall make
recommendations to said Commission on the following subject aeeas:
(a) Beautification and landscaping of publicly owned lands in the city.
(b) Design and uniformity throughout the city of such visual items as signage, public benches, trash
receptacles, etc.
(c) Development of a five-year plan for beautification improvements.
(d) Prioritization of tree planting areas of the city.
(e) Public awazeness education, seminars and events, such as the Arbor Day Celebration and Tree
Sale.
(f) Any other areas as prescribed by the City Commission.
The Beautification Committee requests to dissolve the Committee for the following reasons
1. When the Committee was originally started, the Committee members performed the gardening. The
City has hired personnel to perform the work, in essence making the Committee superfluous;
2. The City does not ask the Committee for input on all landscaping matters; and
3. There is a lack of community interest and involvement; the Committee is unable to recruit members
with expertise in landscaping and/or gardening.
RECOMMENDATION: To dissolve the Beautification Committee.
ATTACHMENTS: Beautification Committee Meeting Minutes of February. 22; 1989; Resolution No.
99-8 ratifying the. Beautification Committee; Beautification Committee Meeting Minutes of October 1Q
2001.
REVIEWED BY C MANAGER:
AGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
COMMLTTEE MEETING
MINUTES
The organizational meeting of the Atlantic Beach Beautification Committee
meet on Wednesday, February'22, 1989 at 7:30 P.M. in the City Commission
.Meeting Room City Hall Atlantic Beach, Florida.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor William Gulliford who welcomed
members of the committee attending who were Jody Ford, Betty Eilers, Phil
Corp, Gwen Mathews, Dezmond Waters, Gary Wetherhold, Joanna Fletcher,
Bob Wilkins, Chris Blanchard, Barbara Bonner, .Betty Carey, Cass McKenna,
Susan Grube, LuAnn Wilson, Carolyn Woods and Jeffrey Hite. Residents who
had expressed an interest in being on the committee but who could not.
attend were Rose McCall, Karen Wolfson, Julia Hite, Nick Nicoll, Jr. and
Gene Nordan. .Also present was City Manager Richard Fellows.
Mayor Gulliford opened the meeting and discussed at some depth his hopes
for what the committee might be able to accomplish in the way of
attacking the problems of litter, signs, electric utilities and
landscaping. He pointed out it was easy to adopt ordinances and just
make everything against the law but that the main thrust of the committee
should be to find ways in which friendly persuasion might be utilized to
accomplish more in fulfillment of the committee's goals.
After the Mayor's discussion each of the members of the committee
introduced themselves and gave a brief background sketch of their
personal and professional endeavors. The Mayor then turned the meeting
over to the committee with a suggestion that a temporary chairman be
appointed until the group got to know each other and could move for the
appointment of a permanent chairman. The Mayor suggested Jody Ford act
as temporary chairman and this was agreed to.
With a lot of enthusiasm,' the members of the committee then began
discussing the main topics which had been suggested by Mayor Gulliford
i.e. litter, underground electric, signs and landscaping generally. City
Manager Fellows pointed out several areas the committee would want to;be
thinking about and these included the development of Section H, the
possible sale of the Bennett's Beach Motel and the plans of the DOT to
improve (?) Atlantic Boulevard between Mayport Road and 3rd Street and
Atlantic Beach by the elimination of the planted medians in favor of a
paved turn lane. There seemed to be general consensus the committee
should get to work right away with the DOT officials in regard to the
Atlantic Boulevard work and see if some influence could be exerted on
these improvements to improve the aesthetic values of the community.
Further discussion ensued covering the Mayport Road interchange, bike
lanes and beach accesses. Also discussed the need for creation of
subcommittees and finalization of the main areas of concern. After
considerable discussion it was the unanimous consensus of the committee
the three main areas to be taken under consideration were litter, signs
and landscape control which would also include transportation relative to
Atlantic Boulevard improvements etc.
AGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
BEAUTIFICATION MINUTES...page 2
The City Manager indicated he would prepare some rough minutes of this
first initial meeting and include a copy of a list of committee members.
with addresses and phone numbers for each member along with copies of the
sign ordinance, the letter recently sent to the City regarding bike lanes
and all of the information that could be obtained relative to the
Atlantic Boulevard improvements and Mayport Road intersection
improvements.
Before closing each member of the committee was queried as to their
specific area of interest under the three main topics to be evaluated.
These areas of interest. are to be included on the roster for mailing to
each member of the committee.
In closing, Gwen Mathews suggested that it would be very important for
the committee to make contact as soon as possible with all of the
available garden clubs in the area. This was accepted by the committee
as a good idea.
The Chairman then discussed with the committee their wishes in regards to
the next meeting and their consensus seemed to be that a meeting within
two weeks would be most desirable and therefore the next meeting was set
for March 8, 1989 at 7:30 P.M. in the City Commission Meeting Room
Atlantic Beach.
There being no further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
Sponsor. ;Alavor Shaughnessy
RESOLUTION NO. 99-S
.4 Resolution of the Ciry of Atlantic Beach ratifying the
BEAUTIFIC.-;T[ON COMMITTEE, whose members shall
serve without compensation; providing terms of members;
providing fur the duties of said Committee; providim~ for the
disposition of Funds received; providing for the structure of
the Committee; and providing an effective date.
WHEREAS, it is recognized by the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Bench,
Florida that the citizens of this municipality need and desire beautification of their city,
and
WHEREAS, a Beautification Committee appointed in 19St) by Mayor R'illiam I.
Gulliford, Jr. has been assisting the City Commission with recommendations for the past
ten years, and
WHEREAS, said City Commission considers such need to ~~:'arrant the ratification
of the Beautification Committee for the purpose of advising and assisting foe City
Commission in these matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT P.ESOLVED BY THE CITY COivtMISSION OP THE
CITY OF ATLANTIC PE:~CFT, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Ratification Comnnsition. Term. Qualifications.
There is hereby ratified a Beautification Committee composed of members of the
community who have an interest and are willing to serve. Membership shall be open to an}'
resident of [he City, and shalt serve Fvithout compensation. Officers of the Committee shall
agree to serve none-year term.
SECTION 2. Duties.
The Beautification Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Commission,
and shall make recomrendations to said Commission on the following subject areas:
(a) Beautification and landscaping of publicl;~ o»'ned lands in the city.
(b) pesign and uniformit~~ throughout the city of such visual items as si~,nage,
public benches, trash receptacles, etc.
(c) Development of a fl~~r-~~car lilan fur bcaatiticatiu^ improvements.
AGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
Resolution No. 99-3, Pace Z of 3
(d) Prioririznrion of tree planting are:u of the city.
(e) Public :nvareness education, seminars and events, such as the Arbor Dar'
Celebration and Tree Sale.
(f) Any other areas as prescribed by the City Commission.
Section 3. Authority to Receive Funds.
"Che Beautification Committee shall have the authority to receive and accept gifts and
donations for aid in the development and improvement of the Ciry's publicly owned lands,
and shall further accept funds for the maintenance of these lands, including funds for the
sponsorship of abeautification-related event, provided, however, that any such gift or
donation shall be made in the name of the Ciri' of Atlantic Beach and not otherwise. Said
funds shall be administered by the Cih~ i4lanagerjust a5a11 other City Funds.
Section 4. Liability of the City.
Nothing in this Resolution or otherwise shall be construed as authorizing and empowering
the Beautification Committee to impose any liability of any nature, Financial or otherwise,
upon the City and that the powers of said Committee are advisory only.
Section a Organization: Officers.
The Beautification Committee shall have the authority' to organize themselves and appoint
a chairman, vice-chairman and any such officers as they deem advisable. Furthermore,
said Committee shall adopt by-laws to govern the conduct of their business. The
Committee shall conduct their business in compliance with all state and local laws'.
Section 6. Effective Date.
This Resolution shall take effect irnmediately upon its adoption.
DONE AND RESOLVED BY THE CITY COiVIN1TSSION OF ATLANTIC BEACH,
FLORIDA, THIS 22nd llAY OF iVlarch, 1999.
Ciryof.atlantic Beach, Florida
n
~LCZCLu-~ ~~CU~
Suzanne Shaughnessy avor~
AGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
_lppro~ed as to farm and correctness:
Jense~~.City Attorneq
ATTEST:
Mau een Fang, City C rl~
Resolution No.99-4. Page 3 of 3
AGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
DRAFT
MINUTES OF
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING
October 10, 2001
A regular meeting of the Beautification Committee was held Wednesday, October 10, 2001, in
the City Hall Conference Room. Present were Chairperson Jody Richards, Mimi Ames, Gloria
Vaughn, Jane Vincent, Pazks and Recreation Duector Timmy Johnson and Susan Dunham.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 8:17 p.m.
Chairperson Richards stated that she received a fax today from Ms. Dunham stating that
Mr. Johnson requested that items S.B. Committee Membership and S.C. Beautification
Committee Guidelines be removed from the Agenda. She stated that she called Ms. Dunham this
afternoon stating that she was not in agreement with removing these items from the Agenda.
Ms. Dunham advised that she had sent this fax to Chairperson Richards last week.
2. Recognition of Visitors
None.
3. Approval of Minutes of September 12.2001
A motion was made by Committee Member Vincent, seconded by Committee Member
Vaughn and unanimously carried to approve the Minutes of September 12, 2001.
Chairperson
to the last item of business.
Chairperson Richards stated that it appears that the present members are the core group that
attend each meeting. She said that the question arises as to whether or not this Committee
functions for any reason. She further stated that the City functions very well without the
Committee and they do not consult theBeautifica5on Committee. Chairperson Richazds said that
if the Beautification Committee is hereto make the City Commission look good, she could care
less. [Chairperson Richards specifically asked that this last statement be included in the Minutes
of the meeting.]
Chairperson Richards stated that in most committees if a person misses three meetings, it is
assumed that this person does not want to participate. She advised that the Committee is missing
Dee Carter and Ann Bechtel. She further advised that the Beautification Committee does not
have a set number of members so it is difficult to establish a quorum Chairperson Richards
stated that four members are present and this group needs to consider if this Committee needs to
exist; if not, then the goup needs to present this to the City Commission and that they need to
have the final word of the Committee's outcome.
5. Old Business
A. Update on Landscaped Areas: Mr. Johnson advised that they aze in the process of hiring
another gardener to assist the current. gardener. He updated the Committee as follows: work has
been accomplished on Sailfish Drive but it is not completed; and they are prepazing all the beds
for fall planting.
AGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
Minutes of Beautification Committee
October 10, 2001
Page 2
DRAFT
Chairperson Richards asked Mr. Johnson how they were preparing the beds. Mr. Johnson
responded that they are removing the flowers and preparing the soil. Chairperson Richazds asked
Mr. Johnson for detailed information on the process used to prepaze the beds. Mr. Johnson
responded that it is the gardener's responsibility to prepare the gardens and he does not know the
particular details.
Discussion was held with regard to the poor quality of the snapdragons at Sailfish Drive.
Mr. Johnson responded that they paid only 25 percent of the cost for those flowers due to the poor
quality.
Chairperson Richards asked Mr. Johnson if the soil in the beds had been tested. Mr. Johnson
responded that the soil had been tested, and Chavperson Richards stated she would call Mr.
Johnson for the results.
Chairperson Richards asked Mr. Johnson what the gardener's qualifications were for the job and
Mr. Johnson responded that she has a gardening background and that she met the qualifications
for the position. Chairperson Richards asked Mr. Johnson what his background was and Mr.
Johnson responded that his background was in Parks and Recreation.
Mr. Johnson advised that Mr. Vedro of the Eighth Street beach access has turned in the requested
information to present to the C ity Commission Mr. Johnson further advised that Public Works
has some work to accomplish in this azea and Mr. Vedro has decided to hold off on their project
until this work has been completed. Chairperson Richards stated that Mr. Vedro was supposed to
report to the Beautification Committee with regard to the irrigation system and wanted to know if
the report was going to be submitted to the Committee for review. Mr. Johnson responded that
this information would come to the Committee prior to being sent to the City Commission. He
further stated that if the Committee were dissolved, he would recommend to the City Commission
that a drip irrigation system be installed at this location.
B. New Areas to Beautify:
(1) Selva Marina Drive Medians: Discussion was held with regard to determining who
brought forward this request. Chairperson Richazds stated that if there was no group that was
interested in improving this azea, then this was an item for a wish list for the Beautification
Committee.
(2) Seminole Road in front of Townhomes at Atlantic Boulevard: This item was
addressed later in the meeting.
C. Public Information Seminars: Chairperson Richards stated that the public information
seminars would be under the auspices of the City to present seminars relating to beautification.
She further stated that she knew of six people who were interested in speaking at seminars.
Board Member Vaughn stated that the Florida Yards and Neighbors group wouldbe available for
a seminar.
B. New Areas to Beautify:
(2) Seminole Road in front of Towuhomes at Atlantic Boulevard: Board Member Vincent
asked if the developer had approached the City with regard to beautification of this area. She also
stated that she spoke with someone involved in this project and he stated that they are going to
beautify this azea. Ms. Dunham advised that approximately one year ago someone approached
her who asked if the City would be willing to share in a project to beautify the. right-of--way in
AGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
Minutes of Beautification Committee
October 1Q 2001
Page 3
DRAFT
front of the townhomes. She stated that she advised this person at that time that when he was
ready to proceed, he would need to present his proposal to the Beautification Committee. Board
Member Vincent stated that this area was an eyesore to the entrance into Atlantic Beach.
Chairperson Richazds advised Board Member Vincent that if she has an issue with this azea, it is
within her rights as a citizen to address the City Commission as to her concerns.
Chairperson Richards advised the Committee that after tonight, she would no longer be a member
of the Beautification Committee.
Chairperson Richards advised that at the last meeting the Committee had discussed forming a
gazden club. She further advised that last evening, she met with the Garden Club of Jacksonville.
She stated that they were very interested in accepting another garden club into their group.
Chairperson Richards said that the garden club could hold all kinds of seminars and, hopefully,
the Commission would accept the club. Discussion was held with regard to starting a garden club
and members discussed the lack of time to initiate the effort. Chairperson Richards stated that
there are a lot of people who do not want to be involved in the City buY who may be interested in
a garden club. She suggested placing an article in the Tide Views newsletter to determine the
interest level. She said that if the interest exists in Atlantic Beach, the Garden Club of
Jacksonville is more than willing tore-form the Atlantic Beach circle. Chairperson Richards
stated that she would draft an article to give to the City Clerk to place in Tide Views.
6. New Business
A.Tree Giveaway: Chairperson Richards asked if this event was successful last year. She stated
that many of the trees were not picked up so they were planted on Francis Street, Jack Russell
Park and Rose Park. Ms. Dunham advised that most of the trees were picked up by the
homeowners; she thought she remembered approximately 16 trees were left; Mr. Johnson thought
less than that.
Board Member Vaughn stated that she thinks the tree giveaway is a good idea but that the trees
were too big for some people to pick up. She suggested buying more trees in a smallei size. A
suggestion was made to incorporate this project with the public information seminazs.
Chairperson Richards stated that since the Beautification Committee does not want to take action
on this matter, the Committee could defer to the City Commission to take action. A motion was
made by Board Member Vaughn, seconded by Board Member Vincent and unanimousty
carried that the tree giveaway project be deferred for action to the next City Commission
meefing.
4. Vote on Continuing or Dissolvine Beautifcation Committee
Board Member Vaughn stated that in view of the fact that the Beautification Committee cannot
increase membership and the Committee is unable to make a quorum, she recommended that the
Committee be dissolved. She further stated that the Committee is frequently bypassed on matters
that they consider to be important to their function but are overlooked in favor of the City
Commission. In addition, she stated that the City Commission does not take their viewpoint
seriously.
AGENDA ITEM #2A
OCTOBER 22, 2001
Minutes of Beautification Committee
October 10, 2001
Page 4
DRAFT
Board Member Vincent stated that the Beautification Committee is not needed as it was at one
time. She further stated that is obvious that the Committee is redundant, they are bypassed on
beautification decisions and it does not appear that the Committee is needed.
Board Member Vaughn advised that the City Commission has expressed that the Committee does
not have the expertise to make decisions for the beautification of this city and cannot entice those
who have the expertise to join the Committee.
Chairperson Richards called the vote to dissolve the Committee and it was approved with Board
Member Vincent, Board. Member Ames, Board MembeY Vaughn and Chairperson Richards
voting in favor.
Board Member Richards stated she would advise the City to disband this Committee for lack of
interest and lack of involvement. She further stated that she would write a letter tomorrow to the
Commission with the discussion and recommendation. of this group. Chairperson Richards
further advised that the decision was unanimous among the four Beautification Committee
members present and it is their wish to dissolve the Committee.
A motion was made by Board Member Vaughn, seconded by Board Member Vincent and
°unanimously carried that the Beautification Committee be dissolved.
Boazd Member Vincent stated that there is only one member missing, Dee Carter, and she would
like the record to reflect that this is a quorum.
Mr. Johnson requested that Ms. Dunham advise the Beautification Committee members when the
City Commission makes a decision. Chairperson Richards asked to be advised of the pertinent
City Commission meeting so that she could attend.
7. Announcements/Reaorts
None.
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 920 p.m.
Jody Richards, Chairperson