Apr 22, 2024 Commission Meeting

RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT.

[00:00:03]

[CALL TO ORDER]

THIS IS EVEN MORE PEOPLE.

WELL DONE. YOU'RE SETTING RECORDS TONIGHT, AND IT CERTAINLY IS A FIRST FOR THIS SEA OF PINK.

SO THANKS FOR COMING WITH YOUR COLORS.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED COMMISSIONER WATERS IS GOING TO LEAD US WITH AN INVOCATION AND A PLEDGE.

DEAR LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY OF LIFE.

YOU'VE GIVEN US THIS TOWN, THIS COUNTRY IN WHICH WE LIVE.

WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO HEAR THE VOICES OF ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENTS EXPRESSING THEIR TOPICS OF CONCERN, AND TO ACT ON THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL.

BUT YOU ARE IN CHARGE.

SO PLEASE OPEN OUR EYES AND EARS AND GUIDE US THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO ALIGN WITH YOUR WILL.

TONIGHT I PRAY FOR THE KILLINGSWORTH FAMILY, DURING THIS TIME OF GRIEF AT THE LOSS OF BILL'S FATHER.

THAT YOU BRING PEACE TO THEM AND TO ALL OF US.

IN YOUR NAME I PRAY. AMEN.

AMEN. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

I HEREBY CALL THIS COMMISSION MEETING DATED APRIL 22ND, 2024 FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH TO ORDER.

LET'S SEE CITY CLERK, CAN YOU DO A ROLL CALL, PLEASE? COMMISSIONER BOLE. PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER KELLY.

PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER RING. PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER WATERS.

PRESENT. MAYOR FORD.

PRESENT. BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE FROM DISTRICT TWO, APRIL KEARNEY, TO OUR MEETING.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, APRIL.

EXCUSE ME.

THE SPEAKERS ARE NOT WORKING OUTSIDE.

SHE'S GOT THAT COVERED.

AND MR. CARNEY, THANK YOU FOR ESCORTING YOUR WIFE HERE TONIGHT.

WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

PARDON? OKAY, SO THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.

[1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

COMMISSIONERS, ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS OR CHANGES? NO. OKAY.

HEARING NONE, THE MINUTES WILL STAND AS SUBMITTED.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE MINUTES FROM APRIL 8TH OF THIS YEAR.

ANY CORRECTIONS OR CHANGES? HEARING NONE, THE MINUTES FOR APRIL 8TH STAND.

NOW WE'LL MOVE STRAIGHT DIRECTLY TO WHAT A LOT OF YOU ARE HERE FOR, COURTESY OF THE FLOOR.

[2. COURTESY OF FLOOR TO VISITORS]

AND PAUL MARTINEZ, I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE.

COME ON UP. PAUL IS PRESIDENT AND CEO, AND MOST OF YOU ARE AWARE WE ENTERED INTO CONTRACT EARLIER THIS YEAR, I GUESS WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, RUNNING OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AND WHATEVER ELSE.

SO I'M GOING TO LET YOU TAKE IT AWAY, PAUL, AND GIVE US AN UPDATE.

SURE. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS.

I LOVE THE PINK SHIRTS.

I REALLY LIKE THAT.

I JUST WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF A HISTORY ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION AND BRING IT DOWN TO THE LOCAL LEVEL HERE.

WE'RE PART OF A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION HEADQUARTERED IN ATLANTA.

WE'RE THE LARGEST CHILD SERVING ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY, BESIDES THE SCHOOLS.

AND IT STARTED WITH THREE WOMEN IN CONNECTICUT THAT DECIDED THAT THERE'S TOO MANY KIDS RUNNING THE STREETS WITHOUT A PLACE TO GO AFTER SCHOOL.

SO FAST FORWARD 60 YEARS AGO, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS WERE STARTED HERE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA.

AND CURRENTLY WE HAVE 56 CLUBS.

WE GO WEST TO ALACHUA COUNTY, SOUTH TO SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, AND NORTH TO NASSAU COUNTY.

WE CURRENTLY ARE THE FASTEST GROWING BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB IN THE COUNTRY, AND IT'S BASED RIGHT HERE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA.

SO AN AVERAGE DAY OF WHAT WE DO AT A BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, THE KIDS COME AFTER SCHOOL.

WE SERVE CHILDREN FROM 6 TO 18 YEARS OLD.

FIRST THING WE DO IS WE HAVE A NATIONAL PROGRAM THAT'S CALLED POWER HOUR.

SO WE HELP THE KIDS WITH THEIR HOMEWORK AND READING AND WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY THAT THEY NEED.

[00:05:05]

WE CAN DO THAT. WE FEED THEM A HOT MEAL EVERY DAY.

AND THEN AFTER THAT, IT'S ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS FROM THE ARTS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS LEADERSHIP SERVICE, SPORTS AND RECREATION, AND CAREER READINESS.

WHEN I SAY CAREER READINESS IF WE'VE DONE OUR JOB RIGHT, BECAUSE WE SERVE KIDS FROM 6 TO 18 YEARS OLD, THOSE THOSE TEENAGERS, WHEN THEY ARE GETTING READY TO GRADUATE, THEY HAVE A PLAN FOR LIFE.

WE'VE EITHER EXPOSE THEM TO THE MILITARY, WHICH IS OUR NUMBER ONE EMPLOYER HERE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA, ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF, OF GREAT PROGRAMS, THE CULINARY PROGRAM AND A PRINT SHOP THAT THEY LEARN SKILLS.

AND LET ME SEE.

WE ALSO HAVE THE, THE TRADES.

WE TEACH THEM VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.

WE BRING THEM TO A DIFFERENT VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.

AND THEN THERE'S COLLEGE. WE GO ON FIELD TRIPS TO FLORIDA STATE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, JU, FAMU, WE TAKE THEM ALL AND THAT ARE IN THAT AGE GROUP TO SHOW THEM THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY HAVE, THEY'RE OUT THERE CURRENTLY HERE WE ARE IN JORDAN PARK AND GAIL BAKER PARK AND OUR CAPACITY IS 80.

WE JUST STARTED ABOUT 5 OR 6 MONTHS AGO.

WE HAVE BETWEEN 40 AND 50 KIDS COMING EVERY DAY, WHICH IS GOOD FOR A STARTUP.

THE WORD IS GETTING OUT.

AND WE'RE JUST HAPPY TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND BE PART OF THE LIFE OF THE KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY.

ANY QUESTIONS? YES.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU, MR. MARTINEZ, FOR COMING AND SHARING.

I DON'T THINK MY MIC WAS ON.

THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU FOR COMING, MR. MARTINEZ, AND SHARING AND FOR ALL THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES FOR OUR COMMUNITY HERE.

DID YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE NOT AT CAPACITY OR YOU ARE AT CAPACITY? WE'RE NOT. WE HAVE ABOUT 40 SLOTS AVAILABLE IN BOTH LOCATIONS.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR THE SUMMER THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY, I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THIS IS AFTER SCHOOL, BUT WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE SUMMER? YEAH. SO MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

YEAH. SO WE HAVE AN EIGHT WEEK SUMMER CAMP.

IT'S JUST A $99 REGISTRATION FEE.

AND AFTER THAT, EVERYTHING IS IS FREE.

EVERYTHING FROM ROBOTICS TO FOOTBALL.

WE HAVE WE ALSO HAVE A CAMP IN HILLIARD THAT WE TAKE ALL OF OUR KIDS TO.

SO THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE A LOT OF THESE KIDS EVER CANOEING OR KAYAKING OR ROASTING A MARSHMALLOW.

SO IT'S PRETTY COOL. THAT'S GREAT.

THANK YOU. I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR YOU.

SO WHEN THEY GRADUATE, THEY'RE 18 YEARS OF AGE AND THEY GRADUATE.

DOES THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB HAVE ANY TYPE OF EVEN JUST A NOMINAL, LIKE A SCHOLARSHIP OR A GRANT TO GOING TO COLLEGE TO HELP THEM OUT OR NOT? YEAH, NOT JUST NOMINAL, A ROBUST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

OUR YOUTH OF THE YEAR, WHICH IS OUR LARGEST I MEAN, OUR BIGGEST AWARD THAT YOU CAN GET IS A CHILD GOING TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

THEY GET THEIR COLLEGE PAID FOR LOCALLY.

AND IN FACT, THIS THIS WEEK COMING UP DOWNTOWN, THE STATE ORGANIZATION IS HAVING THE USE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION.

AND AND SO IT'S PRETTY NEAT TO, TO BE COMPETING AGAINST ALL THE OTHER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS IN THE STATE.

THAT'S AWESOME. YEAH, WE DO ABOUT BETWEEN 300 AND HALF $1 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS RIGHT HERE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA.

YEAH. THAT'S AWESOME.

THANK YOU. JUST ONE QUICK ONE.

YOU KNOW, WE PASSED EARLIER, YOU KNOW, TO SUPPORT THIS YEAR.

WHAT CAN THE CITY DO TO HELP YOU SUCCEED? YOU'RE DOING IT ALREADY.

I MEAN, THERE'S THERE'S SOME VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES HERE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST YOUR TWO PARKS IN ATLANTIC BEACH.

WE'RE ALSO IN MAYPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND WE ALSO HAVE THE CLUB BY FLETCHER HIGH SCHOOL, AND WE HAVE A BOARD, AN AREA BOARD, AN ADVISORY BOARD OF BEACHES ADVISORY BOARD.

SO IF ANYBODY WANTS TO GET SOME INFORMATION ON THAT OR COME AND VOLUNTEER AND SPEAK TO OUR KIDS ABOUT CAREERS OR JUST HELP WITH HOMEWORK OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, OUR TUTORS, ARE YOU. ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

FOR SURE. THANK YOU, MR. MARTINEZ. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

SO THANK YOU FOR THE APPLAUSE.

IT'S IT'S ALL ALWAYS FUN TO APPLAUD, BUT WE DON'T ACTUALLY APPLAUD SPEAKERS IN CHAMBERS.

SO LET ME JUST MOVE TO THE NEXT THING, AND WE'LL GET VERY QUICKLY TO THE OPEN PUBLIC COMMENTS.

BUT THIS IS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH.

AND SO WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH TODAY.

AND I'M NOT GOING TO READ EVERY LINE OF THAT PROCLAMATION.

BUT I AM GOING TO SAY IN AT THE BOTTOM OF IT, IT SAYS IN ATLANTIC BEACH WATER CONSERVATION MONTH IN ATLANTIC BEACH, AND ENCOURAGE EACH CITIZEN AND BUSINESS TO HELP PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCES BY PRACTICING WATER SAVING MEASURES AND BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE NEED TO SAVE WATER.

[00:10:02]

AND SO WE NEED TO SHOW THEM THE WAY.

NOW, I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN AT HOME ANYMORE, BUT MY WIFE MAKES ME TURN OFF THE HOT WATER WHEN I'M GETTING READY TO SHAVE.

SO I CAN ONLY SHAVE WITH A COLD SHAVE NOW BUT WE'RE SAVING WATER, AND SO EACH OF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE CITY AND TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

LET'S TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION.

THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS ACTUALLY WAS NOT ON, BUT IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT.

AND IT WAS INTENDED TO BE ON THIS AGENDA.

IT IS A PROCLAMATION FOR TROOP 37 SCOUT TROOP 37.

SO, PARENTS, IF YOU'RE IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE IN THE SCOUTS, WE HAVE THE TROOP RIGHT HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH.

MISTER GIOVANNUCCI , PLEASE COME ON UP.

SO THIS IS DANIELE GIOVANNUCCI.

HIS SON IS IN TROOP 37.

HE IS NOT THE SCOUT MASTER.

HE IS ON THE BOARD.

BUT HE IS A HE'S ALSO ON OUR ESC COMMITTEE IN ATLANTIC BEACH.

AND SO HE IS AN INVESTED CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH.

I SEE YOU BROUGHT TWO OF YOUR SCOUTS WITH YOU.

DO YOU HAVE SOME COMMENTS? AND THEN I'LL READ THIS PROCLAMATION? YEAH, VERY FEW COMMENTS.

I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND SCOUTING.

IT'S A IT'S A MASSIVE MOVEMENT.

MANY OF US HAVE BEEN SCOUTS.

I KNOW THERE'S A HANDFUL OF FOLKS IN THE AUDIENCE, INCLUDING SOME OF OUR CURRENT SCOUTS AND PARENTS.

SO THANK YOU FOR COMING.

THOUGH I KNOW YOU CAME FOR ANOTHER GOOD CAUSE, WHICH I WHICH WE ALSO APPRECIATE.

AND I THOUGHT INSTEAD OF SAYING ANYTHING WHAT WE TRY TO ACHIEVE IS VERY SIMPLE.

AND I THINK IT'S, IT'S PART OF WHAT WE NEED FOR OUR FUTURE AS A COMMUNITY AND THE KINDS OF CHILDREN WHO BECOME THE CITIZEN LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

SO WE HAVE AN AMAZING BUILDING HERE THAT'S FRANKLY FALLING APART.

BUT I'D LIKE OUR TWO SCOUTS TO TO DO JUST SAY WHAT THE SCOUT LAW IS.

AND THEY'LL SAY IT TO YOU.

CAN YOU PUT IT UP THERE? OKAY. GO AHEAD. A SCOUT IS TRUSTWORTHY, LOYAL, HELPFUL, FRIENDLY, COURTEOUS, KIND, OBEDIENT, CHEERFUL, THRIFTY, GRAVE, CLEAN AND REVERENT.

THANK YOU. THAT'S BASICALLY IT.

THANK YOU BOYS. THANK YOU.

MR. GIOVANNUCCI. CAN I SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK? REAL QUICK. YES. YEAH.

SO I WAS IN SCOUTS, AND MY THREE DAUGHTERS WERE IN GIRL SCOUTS, AND I AM ALL FOR OTHER ROADS TO SUCCESS BESIDES COLLEGE.

OKAY, TRADES AND JUST WORKING HARD, I GET IT.

BUT WHENEVER WE, MY OLDEST DAUGHTER WENT FOR TALK TO HER COUNSELOR IN HIGH SCHOOL, SHE MENTIONED HER SATS, MENTIONED HER GRADES, MENTIONED WHAT SHE DID, AND THAT WAS IT. I SAID, WAIT A MINUTE, SHE'S SHE GOT HER GOLD AWARD.

AND HE GOES, THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU COULD TELL ME, BECAUSE EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYERS LOOK AT THESE KIDS GROWING INTO ADULTS.

THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE. THEY'RE TEAM PLAYERS.

THEY'RE THEY'RE DISCIPLINED.

ALL THAT SCOUTING BOYS AND GIRLS, EMPLOYERS ARE STARVING FOR THAT.

SO KEEP THAT IN MIND AS YOU'RE PAYING THE MONEY TO PUT YOUR KIDS THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, GOING TO COLLEGE.

SO THE GOLD AWARD IS THE GOLD AWARD IS THE GIRL SCOUT VERSION OF EAGLE EAGLE SCOUTS.

YEAH. YEAH, OKAY. AND MY WIFE WORKS FOR A GLOBAL CORPORATION.

REALLY IN A LOT OF COUNTRIES, IF SOMEONE'S GOT AN EAGLE SCOUT ON THEIR RESUME.

ABSOLUTELY. ALMOST AUTOMATIC AND IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING.

I KNOW WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ALMOST EAGLE SCOUTS HERE.

MAYOR REEVES, ARE YOU STILL HERE? YEAH. ANYWAY, THANK YOU.

MAYOR REEVES IS STILL WORKING ON HIS EAGLE.

HE'S STILL WORKING ON IT. YEAH, YEAH.

THANK YOU. SO IF YOU'LL STAY WITH US, I'M GOING TO READ THIS AND THEN PRESENT THIS TO YOU.

BUT WHAT'S INTERESTING TONIGHT IS MOST OF YOU ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE PROTECTION OF WHAT I WOULD CALL AN INSTITUTION.

AND THAT IS ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY.

AND IT'S IT'S A SCHOOL THAT WAS ACTUALLY BUILT BACK IN THE 30S.

SOMEBODY CORRECT ME. WAS THAT 1939? 39. DANIELE, WHEN WAS THAT YOUR SCOUT BUILDING BUILT 1940, 1940, SAME ERA.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER INSTITUTION WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO PAY ATTENTION LEST WE LOSE OUR INSTITUTIONS.

SO I'D LIKE TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, RECOGNIZING THE SCOUT LODGE OF TROOP 37 AS A UNIQUE AND TREASURED PIECE OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS THE SCOUT LODGE OF TROOP 37, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS THE RED HUT, STANDS AS A HERITAGE AND CULTURE LANDMARK WITHIN OUR ATLANTIC BEACH COMMUNITY, REPRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT PART OF FLORIDA'S HISTORY AS ONE OF THE LONGEST STANDING SCOUT STRUCTURES IN THE STATE.

AND WHEREAS FOR GENERATIONS THE SCOUT LODGE HAS BEEN A BEACON OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, INSTILLING VALUES OF TRUSTWORTHINESS, HELPFULNESS, FRIENDLINESS,

[00:15:03]

AND WHEREAS WE RECOGNIZE THE INVALUABLE ROLE OF SCOUTING AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS IN SHAPING THE FUTURE LEADERS AND CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH.

AND WHEREAS IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THE PRESERVATION AND UPKEEP OF THIS CHERISHED BUILDING FOR THE BENEFIT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, CURTIS FORD, MAYOR OF ATLANTIC BEACH, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THAT THE SCOUT LODGE HUT IS OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AS A UNIQUE AND TREASURED PIECE OF OUR CITY'S CULTURE AND HISTORY.

FURTHERMORE, I ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN ME IN PLEDGING ITS SUPPORT TO THE EFFORTS AIMED AT SAFEGUARDING AND MAINTAINING THE SCOUT LODGE, ENSURING ITS CONTINUED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH TO BE AFFIXED THIS 22ND DAY OF APRIL, 2024, AND I WANT TO PRESENT THIS TO YOU, DANIELE, IF YOU'LL COME UP.

AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND. THANK YOU.

AND BOYS. THANK YOU.

YEAH. AND JUST A QUICK NOTE TO YOUR POINT.

WE DO MAKE IT OPEN.

AND IT HAS BEEN OPEN TO GIRL SCOUTS AND BROWNIES AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

SO IF ANYONE NEEDS IT FOR ANY, ANYTHING TO HELP OUR YOUTH, WE'RE WE'RE THERE FOR YOU.

THANKS. THANK YOU.

SO WE WILL MOVE TO THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR AGENDA TONIGHT.

AND BY THE WAY, IF YOU IF YOU CAME IN THE DOOR, YOU SAW SPEAKER CARDS TO THE RIGHT.

IF YOU DID NOT FILL ONE OUT BUT WISH TO SPEAK, I WILL ALLOW YOU TO SPEAK AT THE END.

BUT I WOULD ASK ANYBODY WHO DOES SPEAK.

MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A CARD COMPLETED FOR THE CITY CLERK SO THAT WE KNOW WHO DID SPEAK TONIGHT.

WE'RE THE RULES OF TONIGHT IS WE'RE GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW THREE MINUTES FOR EACH SPEAKER.

WE'LL START WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE APRIL CARNEY.

AND AND SO I'LL LET YOU LEAD IT OFF.

APRIL. SO LIKE ONE OF THE KIDS, I GOT TO TAKE THE MIC ALL THE WAY DOWN. WELL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MAYOR FORD AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF ATLANTIC BEACH FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I MENTIONED CITY COUNCILMAN ROY DIAMOND, WHO CAME TO THE APRIL 8TH MEETING IN MY PLACE SINCE I HAD A FAMILY COMMITMENT.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE SCHOOL BOARD HAD AN ANALYSIS THAT GAINED A LOT OF ATTENTION RECENTLY.

BUT I WANT TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST DRAFT.

THE REPORT THAT WE RECEIVED DURING THAT MARCH 11TH BOARD RETREAT WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS HAD RECEIVED IN JANUARY WHEN WE MET THE FACILITIES TEAM.

THE CLIPS THAT YOU'RE SEEING ON SOCIAL MEDIA FROM THAT MEETING WERE A LOT OF US TRYING TO GRAPPLE WITH THE GRAVITY OF WHAT WAS BEING PRESENTED TO US FOR THE FIRST TIME. THERE WAS NO HUMAN CAPITAL TAKEN INTO THAT PRESENTATION.

IT WAS SIMPLY RAW DATA.

SHOWING FISCAL SENSE.

NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND ALTHOUGH WE DO SHARE A PERCENTAGE OF OUR STATE FUNDING WITH THEM, THE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS OF THE CURRENT MASTER FACILITIES PLAN WERE AN ISSUE WAY BEFORE THAT LEGISLATION WAS PASSED.

FOR ME TO BE COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT, TRANSPARENT WITH ALL OF YOU, THE HALF PENNY SURTAX ESTIMATIONS DID NOT ACCOUNT FOR CONSTRUCTION COSTS, ESCALATION, INFLATION, OR AN INCREASE IN STUDENTS LEAVING THE DISTRICT AFTER COVID.

DCPS HAS LOST 30,000 STUDENTS OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS AND IS CONTINUING TO DO BUSINESS AS USUAL.

THE SUPERINTENDENT, OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AND THE ENTIRE SEVEN MEMBER BOARD REALIZES THAT WE CAN NO LONGER CONTINUE DOWN THIS PATH AND STILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION WITHOUT MAKING SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

THAT BEING SAID, I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOLUTIONS HERE AT THE BEACHES OTHER THAN CLOSING SCHOOLS.

WE AS A FAMILY CHOSE TO LIVE IN NEPTUNE BEACH SO THAT BOTH OF OUR DAUGHTERS COULD ATTEND THEIR TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL.

I UNDERSTAND, AND I SHARE THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES INTACT, AND I TRULY LOOK FORWARD TO US WORKING TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS IN THIS PROCESS.

TO PRESENT TO THE OTHER SIX SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THINKING PROBABLY MAY JUNE.

[00:20:05]

AND ALL ALL BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE ATTENDING THOSE MEETINGS AS THEIR SCHEDULE PERMITS.

I'M ASKING YOU ALL TO PLEASE ATTEND WHICHEVER MEETING WORKS BEST FOR YOUR SCHEDULE, AND TO CONSIDER BECOMING PART OF SEVERAL WORKING GROUPS THAT WILL GIVE MORE SCHOOL SPECIFIC INPUT AS THE PROCESS CONTINUES.

TOMORROW MORNING AT 9 A.M., THE BOARD WILL BE CONVENING TO CHOOSE THE SEMIFINALISTS.

OUT OF THE 20 SUPERINTENDENT APPLICANTS WE RECEIVED, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE SELECT THE RIGHT CANDIDATE TO LEAD US THROUGH THIS POTENTIAL, THE POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE DISTRICT, AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE INTERVIEW PROCESS AND ENGAGING OUR FINALISTS WITH OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN DUVAL COUNTY.

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE PASSION THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS SHOWN FOR ALL OF OUR BEACHES SCHOOLS.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR EMAILS AND CALLS COMING WITH YOUR THOUGHTS, CONCERNS AND WONDERFUL IDEAS.

I'VE REALLY ENJOYED SPEAKING TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO HAS CONTACTED ME, AND I WANT US TO BE IN THIS PROCESS TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.

PLEASE KNOW THAT AS YOUR BOARD MEMBER, I AM YOUR ADVOCATE AND I WILL DO ALL THAT I CAN TO PRESENT OUR COLLECTIVE IDEAS TO THE REST OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.

I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF OUR HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOLS, AND I AM COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU AS THE DISTRICT WORKS THROUGH THE NEXT PHASE OF THE MASTER'S FACILITIES PLAN.

SO IT'S TIME FOR US TO SHINE.

DISTRICT TWO HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST PERFORMING SCHOOLS IN ALL OF DUVAL COUNTY, AND IT'S TIME FOR US TO SHOW EVERYBODY ELSE WHAT WE'RE MADE OF.

AND SO I THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.

AND ANY QUESTIONS I'M HAPPY TO TAKE THEM.

THANK YOU, MISS CARNEY.

WELL, WE WEREN'T GOING TO OPEN THIS UP AS A FORUM.

IT'S CERTAINLY NOT A FORUM FOR FOR CITIZENS.

BUT COMMISSIONERS, I WILL ALLOW.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR APRIL? YEAH, YEAH.

THE ONLY QUESTION I WOULD ASK ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS HERE TODAY DO YOU STILL HAVE A MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SAN PABLO ON THE 30TH? YES. SO THERE WILL BE A SO WE'RE TRYING TO DO RIGHT NOW, JUST IN THE NEAR TERM, WE'RE TRYING TO DO NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIFIC MEETINGS.

I ACTUALLY HAD BEEN INVITED TO VISIT SAN PABLO FOR THE PARENTS.

AND THEN ALL OF THIS CAME CAME CRASHING DOWN.

SO, YES, APRIL 30TH, THERE WILL BE A PARENT NIGHT AT SAN PABLO, AND THEN I WILL ALSO BE ATTENDING THE SEABREEZE ELEMENTARY SAC MEETING.

AND THAT IS MAY 21ST AT 8 A.M..

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

AND YEAH, IF YOU CAN STAY AROUND, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR AT LEAST SOME OF THE THOUGHTS TODAY.

AND SO GO AHEAD AND HAVE A SEAT AND JUST ENJOY THE REST.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

CITY CLERK HOW MANY PEOPLE DO WE HAVE SIGNED IN? NINE. NINE.

GOOD. SO AGAIN THREE MINUTES.

I'M NOT HEAVY ON THE GAVEL, BUT I WILL TAP THE GAVEL AT ABOUT 10S AFTER THREE MINUTES JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, AND I'LL, OR I'LL RAISE MY HAND.

SO LET'S TRY TO STAY WITHIN THE TIME.

BUT WHO IS OUR FIRST SPEAKER? DOUG CONKEY.

GOOD NIGHT TO DO THE WATER CONSERVATION PROCLAMATION.

WOW. I WANT TO THANK YOU, MAYOR AND FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS, FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS WATER CONSERVATION.

IT'S BEEN A QUARTER CENTURY THAT THE STATE'S BEEN DOING THIS, BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING OUR VALUABLE DRINKING WATER, WHICH SITS ABOUT 1000FT BELOW OUR FEET. THE THEME THIS YEAR IS OUTDOOR IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY.

AND AS A TYPICAL FLORIDA HOME IS USING 50% OR MORE OF ITS WATER OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND WE SAW IN THE 80S, WITH THE ADVENT OF THE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, THAT MADE IT EASY TO THROW WATER ON OUR YARDS AND MAKE THEM LOOK VERY NICE, LIKE ALL THE YARDS I SEE COMING INTO ATLANTIC BEACH THAT WE ARE USING AN AWFUL LOT OF WATER, A LOT OF THAT'S POTABLE WATER AND IT'S NOT ALL REUSE WATER.

SO WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR RESOURCES MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY, MAKE SURE THERE'S NO LEAKS, WHICH CAN WASTE AN AWFUL LOT OF WATER.

AND YOU WILL NOTICE THAT ON THE BILL THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY TO YOUR UTILITY, CONSERVATION DOES MATTER.

IT CAN DELAY THOSE EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY NEEDS, AND IT ALSO PROTECTS THE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT ARE BEING IMPACTED FROM INCREASED WITHDRAWALS.

THE DISTRICT IS SPENDING OVER $100 MILLION TO PIPE WATER 17 MILES FROM BLACK CREEK DOWN TO KEYSTONE LAKE, BROOKLYN, WHICH IS A HIGH RECHARGE POINT FOR.

IT'S BASICALLY THE BEST POINT TO FILL UP THE BATHTUB AGAIN, WHICH IS THE AQUIFER, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO US.

AN AQUIFER, I SAY, A BATHTUB THAT COVERS TWO STATES WORTH OF TERRITORY UNDERNEATH US, AND IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE POLITICAL BOUNDARIES.

WE ARE BUSY FUNDING CONSERVATION.

WE HELP FARMERS BE MORE EFFICIENT IN THE APPLICATION OF WATER, AND IN SO DOING, WE ALSO REDUCE THE NUTRIENTS THAT ARE FLOWING INTO THE OUR CRITICAL TRIBUTARIES AND WATERWAYS.

RESIDENTIALLY, THAT LITTLE GRAY BOX A LOT OF US HAVE IN THAT GARAGE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE IT, WHEN TO USE IT, HOW YOU CAN TIME IT, MAKE SURE YOUR WATER SENSORS ARE WORKING, AND MAKE SURE THAT IS OFF.

BECAUSE IF IT'S NOT USED CORRECTLY, OR IF YOU, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MOVE INTO A BRAND NEW HOME, THE BUILDERS HAVE SET IT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS WELL WATERED.

[00:25:06]

REDUCE YOUR TURF, FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING A TERMS THAT YOU'LL SEE QUITE OFTEN FROM UF IFAS.

WE ARE FUNDING 237 PROJECTS TO THE TUNE OF $38 MILLION, WHICH ARE PRODUCING 23.5 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY IN SAVINGS.

AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME, ABOUT TEN YEARS.

ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR PROGRAMS THAT PRODUCE SAVINGS IS THE ARTESIAN WELL PLUGGING PROCESS, WHICH STARTED BACK IN 1983, CONTINUES TODAY, AND SINCE 1983, WE HAVE PLUGGED 3099 ARTESIAN WELLS.

AND FOR THE AUDIENCE, AN ARTESIAN WELL IS PLUGGED INTO THE AQUIFER.

AND BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE, IF IT'S NOT PLUGGED PROPERLY, IT'S JUST GOING TO BE FREE FLOWING WATER.

SO WE ARE LOOKING GOING AFTER THE ABANDONED OR UNUSED WELLS THAT 3099 WELLS SPENDING $9 MILLION TO CAP THEM.

WE ARE SAVING 792.1 MILLION GALLONS A DAY IN SAVINGS.

SO THAT PROGRAM IS VERY SOLID.

IT'S FANTASTIC.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

WATER CONSERVATION IS NOT JUST THE MONTH OF APRIL.

IT'S A 24 OVER SEVEN, 365 EVOLUTION.

AND WE'RE TEACHING A WHOLE NEW GENERATION OF WATER WARRIORS, ALL THESE WONDERFUL KIDS IN SCHOOL WITH EQUALLY PASSIONATE PARENTS.

THAT WATER CONSERVATION IS VERY IMPORTANT.

OBVIOUSLY, SAVING ATLANTIC BEACH WITH A NICE WAVY WATER IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

I HAD TWO PARENTS THAT WERE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, SO I AM VERY ATTUNED WITH MY MY GIRLS ARE GRADUATED, SO GOOD LUCK.

AND YOU RUN A GREAT PROGRAM.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. CONKEY. MAY I GIVE YOU THIS PROCLAMATION? CERTAINLY. SIGNED AND SEALED.

TECHNICAL DESIGNATION.

OKAY. DONNA, OUR NEXT SPEAKER, PENNY RUCKUS.

THEN AFTER PENNY WILL BE MARCUS PICKERING.

HI, MY NAME IS PENNY RAWKUS, BETTER KNOWN AS COACH PENNY AT ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY.

I WANT TO ADDRESS TWO POINTS TODAY.

WHEN WE STARTED THE SCHOOL YEAR, WE ACCEPTED OVER 130 KIDS INTO OUR SCHOOL, 80 OF THOSE WERE KINDERGARTNERS, 36 OF THEM WERE FROM CHARTER SCHOOLS. THOSE 36 CHILDREN, 25 OF THEM, FOR ONE, WERE FROM ONE PARTICULAR CHARTER SCHOOL.

THAT'S NOT TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD.

ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THOSE CHILDREN WERE WELL UNDER GRADE LEVEL, WHICH CAUSED ALL OF OUR TEACHERS TO WORK EXTRA HARD TO BRING THEM UP TO GRADE LEVEL.

TEN OF THOSE CHILDREN NEEDED IEPS OR EDUCATIONAL PLANS.

OUR TEACHERS HAD TO SPEND SIX MONTHS WRITING THOSE EDUCATIONAL PLANS TO GET THOSE KIDS STAFFED.

WE'RE TALKING A YEAR AND A HALF OUT OF THESE CHILDREN'S LIVES THAT JUST WENT UNNOTICED.

OKAY, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

OUR TEACHERS WORK VERY HARD.

GOING FORWARD, MY POINT GOING FORWARD IS THAT WE NEED TO ALL MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD ABOUT THE SUPERINTENDENT COMING IN.

WE NEED SOMEBODY THAT WILL FIGHT WITH US, NOT AGAINST US.

WE NEED SOMEBODY THAT IS WILLING TO LOOK AT DUVAL COUNTY IS VERY SEPARATE SECTIONS.

WHAT WE NEED OUT OF THE EXCUSE ME, WHAT WE NEED OUT AT THE BEACH IS NOT WHAT THEY NEED SOMEWHERE ELSE IN DUVAL COUNTY.

GIVE US THE FREEDOM TO HAVE TO INTRODUCE OTHER CURRICULUMS, PROJECT BASED LEARNING, INQUIRY BASED LEARNING.

IF WE HAVE STANDARDS, WE WILL MEET THEM, BUT ALLOW US THE FREEDOM TO DO DIFFERENT THINGS FOR OUR CHILDREN.

PUT IN A LITTLE WHAT I WANT TO CALL A LITTLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ACE PROGRAM.

IT'S YOUR HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOLS.

KEEP YOUR KIDS HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH INSTEAD OF SHIPPING THEM AN HOUR AWAY TO A MAGNET SCHOOL.

AND NOT THAT THESE MAGNET SCHOOLS AREN'T WONDERFUL BECAUSE THEY ARE.

BUT OUR KIDS CAN LEARN RIGHT HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH.

AND IF YOU GIVE US THE RESOURCES TO DO THAT, WE WILL NOT ONLY BRING KIDS BACK INTO YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT WE WILL MAKE THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM THE GEM. FURTHERMORE, YOU HAVE GOT A TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF HIGHLY EDUCATED EXPERTS SITTING UP IN OFFICES AT THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD SCHOOL BUILDING.

PUT THOSE EXPERTS IN THOSE LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS, THE READING COACHES, THE MATH COACHES, THE SCIENCE COACHES.

NOT FOR AN HOUR, NOT FOR A DAY, FOR A MONTH, FOR TWO MONTHS.

HAVE THEM TEACH THOSE TEACHERS HOW TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO EDUCATE THOSE CHILDREN.

THEY CAN'T DO IT OUT OF A BOOK.

THEY CAN'T SAY, OKAY, WELL, I HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS.

WELL, UNLESS YOU SEE THE PROBLEM, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

[00:30:03]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

MY IT REALLY MAKES ME VERY HAPPY.

THANK YOU AND THANK ALL MY TEACHERS.

THANK YOU, COACH STANLEY.

SO, SO BEING THE MAYOR, I HAVE A LITTLE LATITUDE ON DECORUM.

BUT THANK YOU, COACH PENNY.

YOU WERE FIRST, SO I'M NOT CRITICIZING YOU, BUT IF YOU SPEAK TO THE COMMISSION, YOU'RE SPEAKING TO THE PEOPLE AT THIS DAIS, NOT TO THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE.

SO LET'S LET'S MAINTAIN SOME DECORUM, BECAUSE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, YOUR MAYOR GETS GRADED ON MY ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ORDER.

THAT'S CORRECT. SO, OKAY, NEXT SPEAKER DONNA.

MARCUS PICKERING.

HI. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE MAYOR AND COMMISSION, I WANT TO FIRST THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE RESOLUTION TO KEEP ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND YOU KNOW, BASED ON WHAT I'VE HEARD TONIGHT AND I GUESS THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE SCHOOL BEING CLOSED OR CONSOLIDATED AND, YOU KNOW, IF THIS AT THIS POINT, WE'RE ONLY AT THE FIRST STEP.

BUT I'D STILL LIKE TO IMPLORE THE CITY TO CONTINUE TO EXPLORE LEGAL REMEDIES TO THE SCHOOL CLOSURE, IF IT DOES COME TO THAT POINT, THROUGH THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.

SO IN ANY WAY THE CITY CAN ASSIST THE SCHOOL LEGALLY WITH COUNCIL OR WITH ANY KIND OF SUPPORT, I'D REALLY LIKE TO ASK THE CITY TO DO THAT. AND THEN SECONDLY, LIKE I SAID, IF THE SCHOOL IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR CLOSURE AND MOVEMENT TO SOME OTHER FACILITY, I'D REALLY LIKE TO RAISE A CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

SO IN THE EVENT OF A SCHOOL THREAT OR AN EMERGENCY, CURRENTLY ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY, IS PROTECTED BY ON SITE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH.

I CAN I CAN TELL THEY ARE JUST OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY.

THEY'RE EXTREMELY COMMITTED.

I KNOW THAT THEY'RE TRAINED WELL TACTICALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.

AND THEY'RE JUST THEY'RE THEY'RE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN.

WE HAVE OTHER PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY.

IN THE EVENT THERE IS SOME KIND OF THREAT OR OR SOME KIND OF EMERGENCY AT THE SCHOOL YOU KNOW, OF COURSE, WITH THE POLICE AND FIRE ARE 30 TO 45 SECONDS AWAY.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN AND THE CITY THROUGH THE ADELE GRAGE CENTER TO SAFELY SHELTER THE ENTIRE SCHOOL, FACULTY AND STUDENTS AND AND BE THAT CLOSE TO THE, YOU KNOW, THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF OF KNOWING THEIR FAMILIES ARE THERE TO.

IT JUST IS A CONCERN OF MINE THAT WITHIN NEPTUNE BEACH, I DON'T KNOW OF ANY PLACE WHERE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SHELTER 800 TO 1000 ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN AND THEN, YOU KNOW, MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO THEIR PARENTS.

AND SO IN THE IN THE FUTURE, IF WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT AS A CITY WITH THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD IN RELATION TO THIS ONE SPECIFIC CONCERN, I JUST REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE CHILDREN OF ATLANTIC BEACH ARE OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE.

AND WATER.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE PLUG ON WATER, MR. PICKERING. THE NEXT SPEAKER.

STACY CHRISTMAN.

YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY EMILY PRITCHETT HALL.

AND COULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME AGAIN? CHRISTMAN. CHRISTMAN.

YES. STACY CHRISTMAN.

I'D LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING THANK YOU TO YOU, MISS KEARNEY, FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME HERE TONIGHT.

AS I SAID, MY NAME IS STACY CHRISTMAN, AND I HAVE A DAUGHTER IN THE FIRST GRADE AT ABE AND A DAUGHTER THAT WILL BE STARTING KINDERGARTEN IN 2025.

AS YOU'VE HEARD MANY TIMES, THE SCHOOL IS BELOVED TO OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY.

AND WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY DCPS, I'M HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING CLOSING MULTIPLE A-RATED SCHOOLS IN THE BEACHES AREA.

I WORK IN THE CARDIAC OPERATING ROOM AND OUR BIGGEST FOCUS IS SUCCESSFUL PATIENT OUTCOMES, REGARDLESS OF BUDGET AND RESOURCE CHALLENGES, AND WE CERTAINLY HAVE MANY OF THOSE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

AS I SAT IN THE COMMUNITY MEETING TWO WEEKS AGO, I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THE LACK OF FOCUS ON THE OUTCOMES AND SUCCESS OF THE SCHOOLS.

THE ONLY THING THAT WAS REPORTEDLY MENTIONED WAS THE GOAL FOR THE MOST EFFICIENT AND FINANCIALLY AGGRESSIVE MASTER FACILITIES PLAN.

EFFICIENCY IS IMPORTANT, BUT WHAT ABOUT EFFICACY? WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS PLAN WAS BASED ON RAW DATA.

THE FACT THAT ABE IS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR PERFORMING TRADITIONAL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN DUVAL COUNTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THAT RAW DATA.

[00:35:04]

IT'S A GREAT ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTER LEARNING, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN TO SUCCEED.

ABE HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB OF CREATING THIS ENVIRONMENT, AND IT SHOULD SERVE AS EXAMPLE FOR OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.

MOVING. OUR ONLY SCHOOL ACROSS ATLANTA BOULEVARD PUTS A MAJOR PHYSICAL OBSTACLE BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE SCHOOL.

YOU'RE GOING FROM A SITUATION WHERE A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES CAN WALK, BIKE, OR PERSONALLY DROP OFF THEIR CHILD AT THE FRONT DOOR THROUGH A SITUATION WITH MAJOR TRAFFIC CONCERNS THAT MAY EVEN PREVENT PARENTS FROM BEING ABLE TO DRIVE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS FROM CAR LINES.

ALL OF THIS LEADS TO STRIPPING THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT IS SO IMPORTANT AT THIS SCHOOL.

NOT ONLY WILL THIS CURRENT PROPOSED PLAN BE DEVASTATING TO OUR COMMUNITY, BUT IT COULD VERY WELL PROPAGATE THE PROBLEM OF STUDENTS LEAVING DCPS.

THE POTENTIAL FOR ENROLLMENT TO DECLINE WITH MOVING TO A LARGE K THROUGH EIGHT, AND A SENSE OF DISCONNECT FROM THE PARENTS AND COMMUNITY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

ABE PARTICIPATES IN THE LEADER IN ME PROGRAM, AND THIS MONTH'S THEME IS FIND YOUR VOICE.

IT'S DESCRIBED AS FINDING YOUR STRENGTHS AND USING IT TO INSPIRE OTHERS.

ABBEY IS ONE OF DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS STRENGTHS.

PLEASE USE IT AS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO FIND A SOLUTION, I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE PERFORMANCE AND STRENGTHS OF ALL SCHOOLS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. CRISTMAN. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

THANK YOU, MS. CRISTMAN.

EMILY PRITCHETT HALL, FOLLOWED BY LISA HARRELL.

HI. HI, EVERYBODY.

SORRY TO PUT IT OUT. I'M EMILY HALL.

SORRY, BUT I HAVE TWO KIDS.

I HAVE ONE IN THIRD GRADE THAT'S CURRENTLY AT ABE, AND HE'S IN THE GIFTED PROGRAM, AND I HAVE A SIXTH GRADER WHO GRADUATED LAST YEAR, AND HE HAS AUTISM.

HE HAS BEEN AT ABE SINCE HE WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

HE STARTED IN ABE'S VARYING EXCEPTIONALITIES PRE-K PROGRAM AND WE DID NOT LIVE IN ATLANTIC BEACH AT THE TIME, BUT THE PROGRAM WAS SO WONDERFUL FOR HIM THAT WE DECIDED TO MOVE TO ATLANTIC BEACH JUST BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE IN THAT COMMUNITY AND HAVE HIM AT THAT SCHOOL.

HE CONTINUED ALL OF HIS YEARS THERE, THEY WERE SUPPORTIVE.

THEY TREATED HIM LIKE FAMILY.

HE GREW MORE THAN I COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED, AND I JUST IT MAKES ME SO SAD TO THINK THAT THIS SCHOOL COULD NOT BE HERE ANYMORE.

AND HE LEFT THAT SCHOOL WITH CONFIDENCE, WITH FRIENDS, WITH THE BELIEF THAT HE COULD DO ANYTHING JUST LIKE HIS PEERS.

AND HE IS NOW CURRENTLY AT MAYPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL FLOURISHING AND I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE AT ALL WITHOUT THIS LITTLE PINK SCHOOL WHO GAVE HIM THAT SPECIAL, INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION THAT I DON'T THINK HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET AT A K THROUGH EIGHT.

SO, I'M JUST ASKING FOR A CONSIDERATION TO KEEP THIS SCHOOL OPEN, BECAUSE ABE IS DEFINITELY MY CHOICE FOR MY CHILDREN, AND IT WOULD MAKE ME SO SAD IF THAT CHOICE WAS TAKEN AWAY.

AND I THANK EVERYBODY FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU, MISS CARNEY.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE COMMUNITY AND, I LOVE ATLANTIC BEACH AND OUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS PAUL.

LISA HARRELL, FOLLOWED BY LEAH HANSON.

HI, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR LITTLE SCHOOL.

I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE THIS COMMISSION AND OUR CITIZENS TAKING THE LEAD IN THIS SITUATION FOR OUR SCHOOL, FOR ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY, FOR OUR CHILDREN, OUR NEIGHBORS.

IT'S JUST WONDERFUL.

AND I THINK THAT THIS IS FAR FROM OVER, AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS IN THE PUBLIC EYE BECAUSE THE SCHOOL IS SO VITAL AND IMPORTANT. IT'S THE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THANKS. THANK YOU, MISS HAROLD.

LEAH HANSEN, FOLLOWED BY JAMES CUMMINGS.

[00:40:02]

I'M A RESIDENT OF ATLANTIC BEACH AND I AM ALSO THE MOTHER TO THREE CHILDREN WHO ATTEND ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY.

MY DAUGHTER IS IN THIRD GRADE.

I HAVE A SON IN FIRST GRADE AND I HAVE A SON IN KINDERGARTEN.

AND WELL, WE MOVED TO ATLANTIC BEACH ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO KNOWING WE WERE IN AN A SCHOOL, BUT WE WANTED TO BE CLOSER TO THE BEACHES AND WE HAD A LOT TO CONSIDER.

WE CONSIDERED PONTE VEDRA, WE CONSIDERED JAX BEACH, AND WE LANDED IN ATLANTIC BEACH.

A BIG PORTION OF THAT BEING ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY, OUR LITTLE PINK SCHOOL.

I HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD AS A PARENT TO PRESERVE MY CHILDREN'S CHILDHOOD.

I FEEL LIKE CHILDREN THESE DAYS ARE GROWING UP FASTER AND FASTER.

I'VE WORKED REALLY, REALLY HARD.

I HAD MY KIDS IN A WALDORF PRESCHOOL TO PRESERVE THEIR CHILDHOOD.

I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS.

IF WE MOVE TO A K THROUGH EIGHT, I FEEL LIKE THAT WOULD REALLY IMPACT OUR KIDS SAFETY, NOT JUST THEIR SAFETY.

I NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT THE THINGS THAT MR. PICKERING POINTED OUT, BUT THAT IS HUGE.

AND I THINK OUR CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS THE MOST HIGHEST PRIORITY.

IF OUR CHILDREN MOVE TO A K THROUGH EIGHT SCHOOL, THEY ARE CHALLENGED WITH BIGGER KIDS, BIGGER WORDS SCARIER THINGS.

I HAVE A CHILD WHO SUFFERS WITH ANXIETY.

HE'S ALREADY SEEING THESE ATLANTIC BEACH SIGNS EVERYWHERE AND ASKING ME MOMMY, WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR SCHOOL? SO I AM SHOWING HIM THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SAVE OUR LITTLE PINK SCHOOL.

I KNOW THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO SO, AND ONE THING THAT I'VE HEARD IS, CAN WE MAKE OUR SCHOOL SOME SORT OF HISTORIC STRUCTURE THAT COULD NOT BE TORN DOWN? AND THAT IS A QUESTION PERHAPS FOR YOU GUYS.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING AT SO THAT WE CAN TAKE IT OFF OF EVEN LIKE CONSIDERATION? I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE BUDGET ISSUES.

I RUN A BUSINESS, I HAVE A STUDIO, I HAVE FOUR STUDIOS.

WE HAD TO CLOSE ONE OF THEM AND TRANSITION ANOTHER ONE.

SO I UNDERSTAND BUDGET ISSUES.

BUT WE WENT TO THE STUDIO THAT WAS BRINGING IN THE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WHEN I LOOK AT A SCHOOLS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED TO BE CLOSED, IT REALLY MAKES ME QUESTION, WHAT ARE THE WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT AS A SCHOOL BOARD TO DECIDE THAT WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE THESE EIGHT SCHOOLS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULDN'T LOOK AT THE SCHOOLS WHO HAVE REALLY LOW ATTENDANCE, REALLY LOW GRADES, CLOSE THOSE, GIVE KIDS IN THOSE SCHOOLS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO OUR ACE SCHOOLS AND BE SERVED WITH THE COMMUNITY OF TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE, AND WITH THE FAMILIES WHO ARE CONTRIBUTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR TO FAME FAMILIES FRIENDS OF ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY.

WE ALSO SUPPORT THOSE KIDS AS MY TIME ALMOST UP.

YEAH. OKAY.

THANK YOU. WELL.

WELL DONE. THANK YOU, MISS HANSON.

JAMES CUMMINGS, FOLLOWED BY SARAH BOREN.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JAMES CUMMINGS.

I'M AN ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENT AND ALSO A PARENT OF A KINDERGARTNER HERE AND A FOUR YEAR OLD WHO WILL BE HERE SOON UNDERFUNDING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S TRUE, AS MISS CARNEY SAID, THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT AN OVERNIGHT PROBLEM.

IT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN, BUT.

I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I THINK IT IS.

AN OBJECTIVE TRUTH THAT THE POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN COMING DOWN FROM TALLAHASSEE AND ARE NOW A DUVAL COUNTY AND NOW AN ATLANTIC BEACH PROBLEM.

IT WE ARE ABSOLUTELY IMPACTED BY THE DIVERTING OF PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDS, INCLUDING THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE RAISED FROM THE HALF CENT SALES TAX TO CHARTER SCHOOLS AND VOUCHERS.

I'M NOT ANTI SCHOOL CHOICE, BUT WHEN THE RISE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IS TO THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM, THAT IS A BETRAYAL OF OUR TAXPAYERS.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT IS A BETRAYAL OF OUR CHILDREN.

I. I WILL BET DOLLARS TO DONUTS THAT IF ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY IS CLOSED.

I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF A CHARTER SCHOOL DOES NOT POP UP WHERE THE EXISTING SCHOOL SITE IS.

WATCH. I BELIEVE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

I'M NOT ANTI-CHARTER SCHOOL.

I'M NOT SCHOOL CHOICE.

BUT DON'T TAKE THE MONEY AWAY FROM OUR TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THESE CHILDREN ARE OUR HOPE AND THEY'RE OUR FUTURE.

FINALLY, THE LAST SPEAKER SAID IT MORE ELOQUENTLY THAN I WILL, BUT I JUST WAS GOING TO REPEAT THAT K THROUGH EIGHT CONSOLIDATION AND MOVING EVERYBODY TO A MEGA SCHOOL IN NEPTUNE BEACH, WHERE THEY CAN ALL BE CROWDED IN WITH FIVE YEAR OLDS UP TO 13 YEAR OLD EIGHTH GRADERS.

[00:45:03]

AND THAT SHOULD BE THE ONLY OVERARCHING CONSIDERATION HERE.

WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN? WHAT'S THE BEST LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM? WHAT'S THE SAFEST ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM? IF THAT CONSOLIDATION HAPPENS, NONE OF OUR KIDS WILL BE ABLE TO GET TO SCHOOL BY BIKE, BY SKATEBOARD, BY SCOOTER, ON FOOT, WITH THEIR PARENTS, WITH THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WITH THEIR AUNTS AND UNCLES, WITH THEIR COUSINS, LIKE MY KIDS GO EVERY DAY AND I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYTHING LESS OR ANYTHING MORE AMERICAN THAN THE TRADITION EVERY MORNING OF A BUNCH OF KIDS AND EVERY AFTERNOON BIKING, WALKING SKATING TO SCHOOL TOGETHER AS A FAMILY.

THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SIXTH GRADER IN KINDERGARTEN AND A 13 YEAR OLD EIGHTH GRADER THAT PRACTICALLY IS A YOUNG ADULT AT THIS POINT.

NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN.

PLEASE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN, AND EVERYBODY'S HERE.

THIS IS WONDERFUL. DO NOT GIVE UP THE FIGHT.

WE CAN'T HAVE THE NUMBERS DWINDLE DOWN AS THERE ARE MORE AND MORE OF THESE MEETINGS.

EVERYBODY KEEPS SHOWING UP.

KEEP SPREADING THE WORD AND KEEP COMING OUT.

THANK YOU. THANK THANK YOU, MR. CUMMINGS. SARAH BOREN.

GOOD EVENING. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY CLERK.

PUBLIC, SARAH BOREN, MY ADDRESS IS ON RECORD.

I'M HERE TO WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY EARTH DAY.

FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE CITY.

AND ALSO TO REPORT OUT ON OUR FABULOUS EARTH DAY TREE GIVEAWAY THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

I HOPE MANY IN THE AUDIENCE GOT THEIR FREE TREE.

THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR AND THE COMMISSIONERS WHO CAME OUT TO THE EVENT.

IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED.

I DON'T KNOW HOW ANYBODY FOUND ANY PARKING SPACES.

AND WANT TO THANK PARTICULARLY ABE, NEPTUNE BEACH ELEMENTARY, MAYPORT MIDDLE, AND FLETCHER MIDDLE FOR HELPING GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE EVENT.

AND JUST A COUPLE OF STATISTICS WE PLACED ALMOST.

WELL, WE WILL PLACE IN THE NEXT TWO DAYS, 150 TREES.

BOTH LIVE OAKS AND SOUTHERN RED CEDARS, BOTH MARITIME SPECIES AND NATIVE.

WE HAD 15 VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP, SO WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THREE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SERVE ON THE ESC.

SO THE MOTION IS GROWING OR GROWING AND THE FEEDBACK WAS VERY, VERY POSITIVE.

THEY LOVE TO HAVE TWO CHOICES OF TREES.

AND THEY LOVED THE LARGER SEVEN GALLON SIZE SO THAT WE CAN GET TO MATURE TREES FASTER.

THE SECOND REASON I'M HERE IS TO REALLY GIVE A HUGE SHOUT OUT.

AND THANKS TO THE FAMILIES THAT ARE HONORING HERITAGE TREES TONIGHT, THAT IT'S COMING BEFORE YOU.

IT REALLY IS ALL ABOUT MATURE TREES.

WE ARE LOSING GROUND IN OUR TREE CANOPY.

WE'RE NOT HEMORRHAGING, BUT WE'RE LOSING GROUND.

AND THE TREES WE PLANTED YESTERDAY ARE THE FAMILIES PLANTED YESTERDAY? ARE GOING TO TAKE 60 TO 100 YEARS TO CATCH UP TO THE HERITAGE TREES THAT ARE GOING TO BE HONORED TONIGHT.

AND I DON'T WANT TO STEAL THE MAYOR'S THUNDER, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HAVING FOUR TREES DEDICATED TONIGHT.

ONE IS 184 YEARS OLD, 100 IS ONE IS 250 YEARS OLD, ONE IS 140 AND 152 YEARS OLD.

THOSE ARE PRECIOUS, AS WELL AS OUR ABE'S KIDS AS WELL AS WATER.

BUT A HUGE, HUGE THANK YOU TO THE CAMPBELL FAMILY, THE CUMMINGS FAMILY AND THE HOFFMAN FAMILY.

IT'S JUST REALLY, REALLY VITAL TO MAINTAIN OUR TREE CANOPY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS GORDON.

JANE STEPHENS.

GOOD EVENING. JANE STEVENS, 2243, BEACHCOMBER TRAIL.

18 YEARS AGO, I GOT A TREE FREE FROM THE CITY.

AND THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT'S TOUCHING THE TREE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET.

SO WE HAVE THAT BEAUTIFUL ARCHED CANOPY, WHICH IS REALLY COOL.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO SOME OF YOU MIGHT REMEMBER, I CAME AND COMPLAINED THAT A PIPE HAD BROKEN IN MY FRONT YARD, AND I LOST $1,600 WORTH OF WATER BEFORE THE CITY FIGURED OUT OR BEFORE WE FIGURED IT OUT, AND THE CITY WAS NICE ENOUGH TO REFUND THE SEWAGE, BUT MY BILL WAS STILL LIKE $850 AT THAT TIME. WE THE IDEA WAS THROWN AROUND IN THIS ROOM THAT THERE WAS A WAY TO WARN PEOPLE WHEN THEIR WATER WAS CLICKING OVER SO FAST, BROKEN SPRINKLER HEAD OR WHATEVER, AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANYTHING WAS EVER DONE WITH THAT, BUT IT'S JUST A GOOD TIME TO BRING IT UP AGAIN.

IF IT. I REMEMBER THEM SAYING THAT IT WAS EXPENSIVE TO DO, TO MAKE IT SO THAT WE COULD ALL SEE OUR WATER BILL WHEN IT WAS EXPLODING.

[00:50:03]

THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL.

THANK YOU, MISS STEVENS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MAYOR.

OKAY FOLKS, WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT? YES. PLEASE COME UP AND STATE YOUR NAME, PLEASE.

MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.

MY NAME IS HELPING PULL THIS MIC DOWN.

OH, OH. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK MISS CARNEY FOR COMING TONIGHT.

I STOOD BEFORE YOU A FEW WEEKS AGO AND SHARED MY FEELINGS ABOUT THE SCHOOL, AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT MY OPINION HAS NOT CHANGED. I LOOK AROUND AND ALL I SEE IS PINK.

WE ARE PINK PROUD.

AND WE WILL DO ANYTHING TO NOT LOSE OUR LANDMARK SCHOOL THAT WE LOVE SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MOSES. VERY, VERY WELL DONE.

OTHERS. OKAY.

HEARING NONE, I'LL CLOSE COURTESY OF THE FLOOR, AND WE'LL MOVE TO THE NEXT SEGMENT.

IF I TELL YOU WHAT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECESS FOR? JUST A MINUTE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO STAY, YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY.

BUT WE'LL DO A SHORT RECESS SO THAT YOU CAN LEAVE IF YOU WANT.

AND BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THIS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

CITIZENS REGARDING THE SCHOOL, WE MAY HAVE SOME COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE MEETING.

THAT'S UP TO THE COMMISSIONERS WHETHER THEY HAVE COMMENTS ON THE CLOSING COMMENTS.

WE DON'T.

THIS IS NOT A REGULAR TOWN HALL TYPE MEETING, SO WE DON'T HAVE BACK AND FORTH QUESTION AND ANSWER.

SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT.

AND THANK YOU MISS CARNEY, FOR BEING HERE TO LISTEN.

BUT THERE'LL BE MANY, MANY FORUMS GOING ON IN THE FUTURE.

AND I CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE, AS I'VE HEARD TONIGHT THAT WE STAY VIGILANT AND WE STAY INVOLVED BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ATLANTIC BEACH.

SO WE'LL TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS AND RETURN.

THANKS. YEAH.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR RETURNING.

THIS MEETING IS WILL RETURN TO ORDER, AND WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM THREE.

[3. CITY MANAGER REPORTS]

GOOD EVENING. FIRST UP IS THE 90 DAY CALENDAR, WHICH WILL TAKE US THROUGH TILL JULY.

I'LL HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS IN MAY.

ON MAY 4TH, WE HAVE WELL FEST AT 9:00 AT JOHANSEN PARK.

WILD WONDERS AT 11 A.M.

AT DUTTON ISLAND.

ON MAY 5TH, WE HAVE A SONGWRITERS CONCERT AT 6 P.M.

AT ADELE GRAGE ON MAY 18TH, WILD WONDERS AGAIN AT 11 A.M.

AT DUTTON ISLAND, AND ON MAY 19TH, ACOUSTIC NIGHT AT 6 P.M.

AT BOLE PARK.

WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE OUR APPROVAL OF THE 90 DAY CALENDAR.

I HAVE A QUESTION. YES.

WE'RE HAVING A COMMISSION MEETING ON TUESDAY THE 28TH.

MONDAY'S A HOLIDAY.

I UNDERSTAND, LIKE A WEEK OFF.

I'M WITH DOCTOR WATERS HERE.

SHOULD WE TAKE A POLL AND SEE WHO WON'T BE HERE? TO ME, THAT'S I DON'T KNOW.

THROUGH THE MAGIC OF THE COMMISSION, YOU GET EVERY FIFTH WEEK OFF.

BUT LET'S SEE IF WE CAN HOLD IT TOGETHER.

OKAY. IF WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM, I GUESS WE WON'T HAVE A MEETING.

OKAY. IF THERE ARE NO RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE 90 DAY CALENDAR A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I MOVE. WE APPROVE THE 90 DAY CALENDAR.

SECOND. OKAY.

IN FAVOR? AYE AYE AYE.

WE HAVE A 90 DAY CALENDAR.

THANK YOU. LET'S SEE.

ITEM THREE B NAMING POLICY.

THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. MAYOR.

COMMISSION. SO BEFORE YOU THREE B IS DRAFT NAMING POLICY.

SO THE IDEA THAT WE NEEDED TO RENAME OUR PARK, ASK THE QUESTION, DO WE HAVE ANY POLICIES IN REGARDING TO HOW WE NAME THE PARK AND WHO OR WHAT IS EXCLUDED FROM NAMING THE PARK? AND THE ANSWER WAS NO.

AND I THOUGHT WE SHOULD HAVE A SOMETHING JUST TO ELIMINATE ANY UNDESIRABLE CONSEQUENCES.

SO I THINK WHAT WE'RE ASKING TONIGHT IS SIMPLY THAT YOU LOOK AT IT, IF YOU'VE READ IT AND HAVE SOME GUIDANCE.

FOR STAFF THAT WE WOULD USE.

WHEN WE BRING A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COMMISSION.

THE COMMISSION COULD ALWAYS SEE THAT THERE'S SOME EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCE OUTSIDE OF THE GUIDANCE THAT YOU GIVE STAFF AND VOTE, YOU KNOW, ACCORDINGLY.

YEAH. COMMISSIONERS IS EVERYBODY HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THAT AND I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT.

I'M JUST GLAD THERE'S SO MANY LEVELS BEFORE IT ACTUALLY GOES THROUGH BEING BEING PASSED TO CHANGE OR EITHER A NAME OR RENAME OF IT.

[00:55:07]

YEAH, YEAH. I WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. KILLINGSWORTH. THANK YOU FOR WORKING THAT ON THAT AND PUTTING THAT TOGETHER.

SO WITH REGARDS TO THE CITIZENS REQUEST, BEFORE THAT, WE LOOK AT RENAMING.

WHAT PART? MARVIN'S GARDENS.

MARVIN'S GARDENS. OKAY.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT AT ONCE, ARE YOU GOING TO GO AHEAD AND LET'S GET THIS APPROVED THROUGH RESOLUTION, AND THEN YOU'LL MEET WITH THE CITIZEN AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION CORRECT? OKAY. AND THEN WE'RE CITIZENS, PLURAL.

THERE ARE NEIGHBORS. SURE.

THERE. SURE. OKAY.

THANK YOU. AND IF I MAY, MR. MAYOR, I HAVE TWO OTHER ITEMS THAT AREN'T ON THE AGENDA FOR CITY MANAGER REPORTS.

SO THE FIRST IS NEXT MEETING, YOU'LL SEE A RESOLUTION FROM STAFF FOR DORA STREET.

WE HAVE COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON ON HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD ON THAT PROJECT IN A WAY THAT I BELIEVE PROTECTS THE CITY AND ENSURES THAT WE GET A CLEAN SITE SUITABLE FOR PUTTING OUR RETENTION AND TO HELP OUR STORMWATER ISSUE.

THE THE OTHER THING IS BEACH AVENUE.

SO NOT LAST FRIDAY, BUT THE FRIDAY BEFORE, I ASKED CHRIS LEDOUX, WHO'S THE CITY TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER FOR THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, TO COME WATCH COME WALK BEACH AVENUE WITH ME, AND HE DID THAT.

AND HE'S MADE A RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IS A PRETTY LOW IMPACT RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IS SIMPLY TO PUT ON THE ONE WAY SIGN UNDERNEATH IT, EXCEPT FOR BICYCLES.

THERE'S, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCEDURAL PROCESS TO DO THAT.

TYPICALLY, THE CITY ENGINEER SIGNS A WHAT'S CALLED A REGULATION PAPER.

BUT HE'S NOT TECHNICALLY OUR CITY ENGINEER.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE WOULD GO ABOUT HAVING THAT IN OUR FILE.

YEAH, I'VE GOT A QUESTION, BUT IS IT CORRECT THAT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AT LEAST, BICYCLES ARE THEORETICALLY SUPPOSED TO OBEY EVERY CAR LAW, RIGHT? THAT IS CORRECT. SO YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING HERE.

IF THE CAR LAW SAYS ONE WAY AND WE'RE MAKING AN EXCEPTION, YOU KNOW, I'M I'M JUST SAYING, IS THAT LEGAL IN THAT WE ARE I DON'T THINK WE CAN GO AGAINST THE FLORIDA LAW. I'LL ASK MR. GABRIEL THAT QUESTION.

I'D SAY THERE ARE A GOOD QUESTION.

I'LL HAVE TO CONFIRM THAT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING, THOUGH, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE YOU KNOW, WE'RE PLAYING BY THE RULES.

THERE ARE, SO I'LL LET JASON VERIFY IT.

BUT I BELIEVE THERE ARE STATUTORY PROVISIONS THAT ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE ANALYSIS OF A TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER TO MAKE EXCEPTIONS.

AND ALSO IS THAT BICYCLES AND BICYCLES.

SO PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

RIGHT. THANKS.

I THINK THANKS SO AND..

I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK JUST FOR BY AND I'LL LOOK AT THIS AND CONFIRM IT AND GET YOU A REAL CONCRETE ANSWER.

BUT FOR EXAMPLE BIKES ARE ALLOWED ON SIDEWALKS SO THERE MAY BE PROVISION FOR THAT.

BUT I'LL LET YOU KNOW.

YEAH. BECAUSE I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, IF YOU GO TO POLICE AND START TALKING ABOUT YOU'RE NOT ENFORCING THIS, BUT YOU'RE ENFORCING THAT, THAT'S A YOU KNOW, THAT'S A BAD WAY TO GO.

ONE THING, ALL THOSE MEASURES, I KNOW THAT THE STAFF COMMITTEE IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT'LL BE INTERESTING.

OUR FRIENDS IN OVER IN NEPTUNE BEACH, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE SIGNS OVER THERE ABOUT ELECTRIC BIKES WHERE THEY HAVE TRIED.

WELL, THEY PUT A SPEED LIMIT ON THE SIDE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN THAT OVER THERE.

INTERESTING. BECAUSE I'M THINKING, YOU KNOW, THEY PUT A SPEED LIMIT ON ELECTRIC BIKES.

THEY HAVE BLUE SIGNS.

REALLY. AND IT'S A LOWER SPEED LIMIT THAN THE AUTOMOBILE SPEED LIMIT.

I'LL HAVE TO CHECK. YEAH.

BUT THEY HAVE. YEAH.

IT'S GOOGLE IT.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE SIGNS RIGHT ALONG.

YEAH. YEAH YEAH.

BUT THAT'S A THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM.

AND I KNOW THE STAFF COMMITTEE IS LOOKING AT THAT.

ASSUMING THIS MOVES FORWARD, MR. KILLINGSWORTH COULD YOU ALSO TALK TO WHOEVER'S GOING TO DO THE INSTALLATIONS THAT MAY BE UTILIZING THE WRONG WAY SIGNS ALSO TO PUT EXCEPT BICYCLES, BECAUSE I DON'T WE DON'T HAVE WRONG WAY SIGNS AT EVERY STREET, BUT THOSE ARE THE BIG RED SIGNS THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW. I SEE PEOPLE DRIVE RIGHT PAST THEM, GOING THE WRONG WAY ALL THE TIME, BUT BUT RESIDENTS, WE SHOULD KNOW THAT, SO.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

ANYTHING ELSE? THAT'S ALL, MR. MAYOR. RIGHT. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS, IT'S TIME FOR YOUR REPORTS OR REQUESTS.

[4. REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS FROM CITY COMMISSIONERS]

I'M BACK IN DUCK WATERS ON THIS, MAN.

ANY WAY WE CAN SUPPORT SCOUTS, WE CAN SUPPORT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS, THOSE KIND OF ACTIVITIES.

I'LL TAKE A DIFFERENT CUT THAN DOC WATERS CUT.

I WAS ON THE ADMISSIONS BOARD AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY.

GREAT JOB. ALONG WITH MY OTHER THREE JOBS THERE.

BUT I TELL YOU WHAT.

YOU SAW EAGLE SCOUT GOLD.

YOU SAW SOMEBODY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I'M TELLING YOU, YOU KNOW, I TAKE A I TAKE AN EAGLE SCOUT WITH ANOTHER GUY THAT HAD A40 AND THAT KID WAS OUT DOING PROJECTS FOR HIS COMMUNITY, ETC., ETC..

[01:00:08]

I CAN TELL YOU IT PAYS OFF IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS.

I MEAN, WE WE ACTUALLY GAVE IT POINTS TOWARDS THEIR TOTAL SCORE.

SO I KNOW KIDS HAVE PROBABLY FIGURED THAT OUT BY NOW, BUT THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE.

I WAS PROUD OF MY FRIEND COMMANDER CONKEY ABOUT WATER TONIGHT.

ONE THING I REMEMBERED, AND MAYBE I'LL ASK THE CITY MANAGER.

I KNOW WE DIDN'T QUITE VOTE FOR THE ROAD TO GET TO THE GENERATOR, BUT AS I'M THINKING ABOUT WATER, THERE'S GOOD WATER AND BAD WATER.

AND MY PERSONAL OPINION.

I KNOW THE CITY ENGINEER IN HERE IN PUBLIC WORKS, BUT I THINK IT'S A CONSENSUS AMONG THE STAFF THAT WE NEED THIS GENERATOR ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

I DON'T WANT TO FORGET THAT.

I KNOW THAT WE WERE ON A 3 TO 2, BUT THAT THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE.

STORM WATER.

HURRICANE, ETCETERA.

AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO LET IT OFF THE TABLE UNTIL WE WE THINK WE REALLY DON'T NEED IT.

OKAY. MAY. YES.

GO AHEAD. COMMISSIONER BOLE.

SO, STAFF BOTH TROY AND STEVE AND POTENTIALLY SCOTT AS WELL MET WITH THE RESIDENTS THERE.

THE THE RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO MEET WITH ME LATER THIS WEEK.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'LL BE ANYTHING THAT CAUSES THE DIFFERENCE, BUT THE DISCUSSION IS ONGOING.

YEAH AND BUT I YOU KNOW, I WOULD TAKE THAT.

YES, I UNDERSTAND THE RESIDENTS.

THERE'S 13,549 OTHER PEOPLE THAT THAT MAY AFFECT.

YOU KNOW, AND I THINK WE AS A GOVERNING BODY SHOULD REMEMBER THOSE PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT COME UP TO THE PODIUM, BUT WHEN A HURRICANE COMES, THEY'RE GOING TO WANT THAT GENERATOR.

IT'S MY OPINION.

THAT'S IT. OKAY.

COMMISSIONER KELLY.

I JUST THE PUBLIC RESPONSE TO NOT ONLY TONIGHT AT THE BASEBALL FIELD AND YESTERDAY AT THE FARMERS MARKET IS OVERWHELMING.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST A PROBLEM OF FOR AT LEAST FOR PARKING.

BUT AND I DON'T KNOW WHO CLEANS UP FROM THAT, BUT THEY DESERVE LIKE A, A BIG, A BIG PROMOTION OR SOMETHING.

SO ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL I HAD.

OKAY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER RING.

TOWN HALL WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE OUR COMMUNITY PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND NEIGHBORS ALIKE COME IN SUPPORT FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS.

THIS IS MY FIELD OF EXPERTISE.

IT IS WHAT I WENT TO SCHOOL FOR TO BE A TEACHER.

AND IT'S CERTAINLY TRUE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A TRICKLING, SLOW TRICKLE OUT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING FOR YEARS, YEARS.

SO I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT THIS IS ON EVERYONE'S FOREFRONT NOW, AS IT HAS BEEN FOR MINE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

I WANT TO THANK OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, APRIL CARNEY, FOR COMING AND FOR ADDRESSING THE PUBLIC TODAY.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I ALSO AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

I, AS A CHILD HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH, WAS SENT TO SUMMER CAMP AT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

WHEN IT WAS BACK ON PENMAN, MY MOTHER UTILIZED THAT AS A SINGLE MOM FOR AND YOU KNOW, SUMMER CAMPS ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE.

THEY'VE CERTAINLY INFLATION HAS GONE UP THIS SUMMER ALONE.

SO TO HEAR THAT THERE'S A AN AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR FAMILIES STILL AND THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THAT HERE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU TO KEVIN FOR SPEARHEADING THAT.

AND THEN JOE GERRITY, WHO, YOU KNOW, DEFINITELY TOOK THE LEAD ON A BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, I'M I'M AN ADVOCATE FOR IT.

SO THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER WATERS. I'VE JUST BEEN YOU KNOW, WORRIED ABOUT THIS ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY EVER SINCE THE PROPOSAL.

AND I'VE JUST NEVER SEEN THIS WHOLE TOWN, THE WHOLE ENTIRE TOWN COME TOGETHER LIKE THIS WITH VERY FEW POSITIONS TO IT, AND I JUST.

I KNOW WE ARE DOING THIS, AND I WANT THIS TOWN TO KNOW THAT WE ARE KEEPING THE HAMMER DOWN, THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET THIS HAPPEN.

AND IT'S TURNED FROM SOMETHING REALLY, REALLY EMOTIONAL TO SOMETHING VERY, VERY, VERY STRATEGIC.

AND NOW WE'RE GETTING LEGALLY INVOLVED.

AND WE'RE ALSO THINKING ABOUT OTHER, OTHER OPTIONS IF IT IS GOING TO CLOSE LIKE ANOTHER, LIKE TAKING OVER THE BEACHES AS ONE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF THINGS OUT THERE.

BUT I JUST I JUST REALLY, REALLY AM FEELING STRONG.

WE GOTTA GET THIS THING HANDLED.

NUMBER TWO, WHAT YOU SAID CANDICE, ABOUT, LIKE, I'M DRIVING SOMETIMES I'LL CUT DOWN SEVERAL LAKES WHENEVER THE COMING HOME, HEADING EAST ON PLAZA, AND THERE'S A BUNCH OF CARS AT THE FIVE WAY.

[01:05:01]

AND I DRIVE SLOW. I APPRECIATE THAT, BUT THERE'S SOMETIMES 15 CARS PARKED IN THAT WINDING ROAD.

AND SO, YEAH, THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME ACTION TO ALL THE PARKING PROBLEM IN THERE.

I'M GLAD WE HAVE IT, BUT IT'S GETTING TO BE IT'S GETTING TO BE A BIG DEAL.

AND SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS.

THE STOP COMMITTEE HAS ENOUGH ON THEIR PLATE.

I DON'T THINK THEY WANT TO ADD THIS RIGHT NOW, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO FOLLOW AND ADDRESS.

THANKS. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER I JUST HAVE ONE COMMENT.

I LISTENED TO THE CITIZEN EARLIER, AND SO I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS REQUEST OF OUR CITY MANAGER.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU MIGHT JUST BRING US UP TO DATE.

NOW JACKSONVILLE BEACH OWNS BEACHES ENERGY, AND THEY HAVE IN THEIR WATER PROGRAM.

THEY DO HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE THEY MONITOR EXCESS WATER USAGE.

I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A BUILDING IN JACKSONVILLE BEACH, AND I WAS SO BLESSED THAT SEVERAL TIMES THEY CONTACTED ME IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN, I, I WAS CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER AND TO THE POINT MADE BY THE CITIZEN.

I THINK THAT WAS MISS STEVENS.

BUT IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE CITY WOULD IDENTIFY IN ADVANCE OF USING YOU KNOW, $1,000 WORTH OF WATER, THAT WE HAVE A BREACH. AND SO MY QUESTION TO YOU, MR. KILLINGSWORTH, HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO THAT YET? AND IF NOT, DO YOU KNOW WHAT NEXT STEPS WOULD BE? AND IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS WAY DOWN THE ROAD FINANCIALLY? BECAUSE I'M ASSUMING WE'D HAVE TO CONVERT METERS AND SO ON? SO MY UNDERSTANDING I HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO THIS, BUT I'VE HAD THIS ISSUE BROUGHT TO ME BECAUSE I HAD AN INDIVIDUAL COME AND SAID THEY GOT THIS NOTICE POSTED ON THEIR DOOR THAT THEY WERE CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER AND WHAT WAS IT THAT THEY COULD DO? SO THE ISSUE WAS THAT THEY HAD A TOILET THAT WAS FLOWING IN A POOL HOUSE, DIDN'T KNOW IT, AND THEY WERE CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER.

PUBLIC UTILITIES NOTICE POSTED A NOTICE ON THEIR DOOR THAT THE PROBLEM WAS GOING ON.

THEY DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY FIXED IT, AND THEN THE UTILITY DEPARTMENT KIND OF WAVED THE THE EXCESS FEE BECAUSE THEY FIXED IT PROPERLY.

SO I THINK THE PROGRAM I WILL LOOK INTO THE ACTUAL MECHANICS, BUT I THINK THERE IS A PROGRAM GOING ON IN, IN PLACE BECAUSE I HELPED SOMEBODY THROUGH IT AND THEY ACTUALLY GOT A GOAL, NOT A GOAL, BUT AN ORANGE NOTICE ON THEIR DOOR WHEN THEY EXCEEDED A CERTAIN THRESHOLD.

WELL, CONSIDERING THIS AS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH, IS THAT WHAT WE CALL THIS MISS BOREN? THIS IS A GREAT TOPIC TO PURSUE.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, TO PUNCTUATE THIS, THE TECHNOLOGY IS THERE.

THE QUESTION IS, CAN WE AFFORD IT? WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO CONVERT AND TO IMPLEMENT? BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IN JACKSONVILLE BEACH WAS THAT I THOUGHT I FIXED THE BREACH, BUT I HADN'T FIXED IT.

AND I'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY WITH PLUMBERS AND SO ON.

I THOUGHT I FIXED IT TWO DAYS LATER THEY CONTACTED ME AGAIN AND THEY SAID YOU HADN'T FIXED IT.

IMAGINE IF THEY HAD TAKEN 30 DAYS MORE ON THE NEXT BILL CYCLE TO TELL ME THAT I HADN'T FIXED IT.

SO THAT'S WHERE I'D LOVE TO SEE THIS CITY GET TO.

AND IT WOULD ACCOMPLISH OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS ON ON WATER AS WELL AS DO A GOOD THING FOR CITIZENS.

SO THAT'S MY ASK.

AND THANK YOU.

SLAB LEAKS, MY FAVORITE.

EXACTLY. SLAB LEAKS ARE THE WORST.

OKAY WE ARE NOW TO ITEM SIX, THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[6. CONSENT AGENDA]

THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSIONS OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION ON THESE ITEMS. ITEM SIX A AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,119.90 TO GRUEN MAY, INC.

FOR THE LABOR AND MATERIALS TO INSTALL THE PIPE SYSTEM FROM THE WELL TO THE GROUND STORAGE TANK.

ITEM SIX B, APPROVE THE 911 INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF 911 FUNDS FOR CALL TAKER SALARIES, AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE 911 INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH AND THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE.

WOULD ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS LIKE TO PULL EITHER OF THESE ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? NO. OKAY.

HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

I MOVE, WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WRITTEN.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH I.

I OPPOSED.

THANK YOU FOR THAT APPROVAL.

LET'S SEE. MOVING.

TWO. OH, THIS IS GOOD.

OKAY. ITEM 8A RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-16, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, DESIGNATING A 46 INCH DIAMETER LIVE OAK

[8.A. RESOLUTION NO. 24-16]

[01:10:02]

ONE OF THEM WAS A 32 INCH MAPLE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE MAPLE HAD SOME SEVERE ROT AND FUNGUS ISSUES, AND SO WE COULDN'T RECOMMEND THAT IT BE DESIGNATED A HERITAGE TREE.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE 46 INCH DBH LIVE OAK TREE IN THE REAR YARD WAS AN EXCELLENT CANDIDATE.

AND SO WE MOVED THAT FORWARD AND SC RECOMMENDED ITS NOMINATION.

AND SO THE NOMINATION OF THAT TREE IS BEFORE YOU TODAY.

THERE IS APPROXIMATELY A $200, THEY GET A PLACARD THAT DESIGNATES THE TREE.

AND STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT YOU APPROVE RESOLUTION 2416.

I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. YES.

ABOUT THE OTHER TREE.

THE SICK ONE. YOU HAVE LIKE AN ARBORIST COME OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS? OR DO YOU TO TAKE TO JUST FOLLOW THAT THING AND FOR IT CRUNCHES THE HOUSE NEXT TO IT OR.

NO SO THAT THE ONGOING HEALTH OF THE TREE AND THE TAKING DOWN OF THE TREE, THAT'S THE PROPERTY OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY.

IT'S JUST THAT GIVEN ITS STATE, IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO RECOMMEND IT AS A HERITAGE TREE.

[INAUDIBLE] ONE QUICK QUESTION.

YEP. AND WHAT IF THEY THEY SELL THE HOUSE TRADITIONALLY, YOU KNOW, SO THAT TREE WILL REMAIN IN PERPETUITY AS A HERITAGE TREE.

CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.

OKAY. THANKS. YEAH.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SO DOES THAT MEAN THAT IT'S PROTECTED FROM EVER BEING CUT DOWN? NO. WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT THE MITIGATION, IF YOU WANT TO CUT IT DOWN.

SO IN THESE CASES, THESE ARE ALL DEVELOPED LOTS.

SO IT'S THREE FOR ONE FOR THE MITIGATION, WHICH IS A PRETTY BURDENSOME, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, 50IN OF DIAMETER.

SO THAT'S 150IN OF TREES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO PLANT OR THREE TIMES THE MITIGATION [INAUDIBLE].

AND WHAT'S THE PER INCH COST? DO YOU REMEMBER? I THINK IT'S RIGHT AROUND $155 PER EXPENSIVE.

DO YOU HAVE TO BE AN OWNER OF THE PROPERTY TO APPLY FOR THIS HERITAGE? COULD I SEE A LARGE OAK TREE IN SOMEONE ELSE'S YARD AND SAY, YEAH, YOU CAN IF IT'S ON A RIGHT OF WAY.

SO YOU HAD I DON'T I DON'T KNOW THE PROCESS FOR NOMINATING SOMETHING ON SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROPERTY.

TYPICALLY, YEAH. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR THAT, BUT.

SO IF YOU WANTED TO GO THAT ROUTE, I CAN TALK ABOUT HOW HISTORIC RESOURCES ARE TYPICALLY TREATED, WHICH YOU CAN NOMINATE ON SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROPERTY. OKAY.

I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-16.

WE APPROVE RESOLUTION 2416.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER BOLE AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER WHAT'S YOUR NAME? KELLY. KELLY. THANK YOU.

I ALWAYS DO THAT TO COMMISSIONER KELLY.

SORRY. COMMISSIONER. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH I.

AYE. OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM EIGHT B, RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-17, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, DESIGNATING A 50 INCH DIAMETER LIVE OAK TREE AT 1644

[8.B. RESOLUTION NO. 24-17]

MR. KILLINGSWORTH. THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. MAYOR. AGAIN. THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER NOMINATING THE TREE.

STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED THAT IT BE DESIGNATED A HERITAGE TREE.

ESC HAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT IT BE A HERITAGE TREE.

THIS IS A 50 INCH DIAMETER BREAST HEIGHT LIVE OAK, AND IT'S ESTIMATED TO BE ALMOST 250 YEARS OLD.

STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-17.

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? I MOVE, WE APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-17.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

I WON'T SAY WHICH COMMISSIONER DID WHAT.

THAT DIDN'T WORK LAST TIME.

ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED.

THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

EIGHT C RESOLUTION, NUMBER 24-18, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, DESIGNATING A 35 INCH DIAMETER LIVE OAK TREE AND A 38

[8.C. RESOLUTION NO. 24-18]

BOTH OF THEM ARE LIVE OAKS.

YOU'VE GIVEN THE THE DEED FOR THEM.

I'LL GIVE THE ESTIMATED AGE.

THE 35 INCH TREE IS ESTIMATED TO BE 140 YEARS OLD, AND THE 38 INCH TREE IS ESTIMATED TO BE 152 YEARS OLD.

[01:15:08]

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MAKE A MOTION. WE ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 24, DASH 18.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. AND I JUST WANT TO NOTE I, I'M NOT GOING TO REREAD THE NAMES, BUT I WANT TO THANK MISS BOREN FOR EARLIER READING THE NAMES.

AND WE SHOULD CELEBRATE THE CITIZENS THAT STEP FORWARD AND TO, TO A GREAT DEGREE, ARE SACRIFICING SOME FLEXIBILITY ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PARCELS AND CERTAINLY THE EXPENSE IF THEY CHOOSE TO DEVELOP AND CUT DOWN THAT TREE.

SO WE THANK THOSE CITIZENS AND WE'LL MOVE ON TO.

LET'S SEE. WELL, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.

WE'RE NOW ITEM 11, CITY ATTORNEY.

[11. CITY ATTORNEY/CITY CLERK REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS]

OKAY. CITY CLERK.

I WON'T BE AT THE NEXT MEETING, BUT LADAYIJA WILL.

SO YOU'RE IN GOOD HANDS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. CLOSING COMMENTS.

[12. CLOSING COMMENTS BY CITY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY MANAGER]

OH, THE NAMING POLICY.

I WANT TO THANK BILL FOR STEPPING IN AND TAKING THAT ON.

I LIKE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES.

AND AS WE'RE COMING UP WITH ALMOST HOME, THE SPLASH PAD AND ANYTHING ELSE IN THE FUTURE, WE WON'T HAVE THE SITUATION OF THE LADY JUST LEFT ABOUT MARVIN'S GARDEN.

IT WAS NAMED AFTER HER DOG.

SHE DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE NAMED AFTER HER DOG ANYMORE.

BUT IN ANY CASE, IT'S GREAT TO SEE THAT WE'RE, YOU KNOW, MR. KILLINGSWORTH IS GOING THROUGH OUR OUR POLICIES AND SEE OUR PROCEDURES AND SEEING WHAT WHAT NEEDS TO BE WRITTEN IN.

THE OTHER THING I FORGOT TO MENTION IS I REALLY WANT TO TAKE THE MOMENT WHILE ABE IS FRESH IN EVERYONE'S MIND TO CONSIDER REZONING. AND I DID SPEAK WITH APRIL CARNEY, OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, ABOUT THIS IDEA REZONING ABBY TO INCLUDE ALL OF ATLANTIC BEACH.

I WAS A CHILD WHO GREW UP WEST OF MAYPORT ROAD AND WAS SENT TO NEPTUNE BEACH ELEMENTARY, WHICH I HAVE VERY FOND MEMORIES OF.

WITH PARENT CHOICE, PARENTS WOULD ALWAYS STILL HAVE THE CHOICE TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO NEPTUNE BEACH, OR TO CONTINUE TO SEND THEM TO A CHARTER OR MAGNET PROGRAM OR ANY OTHER SCHOOL. THEY FEEL THEY WOULD FIT THEIR FAMILY BETTER.

BUT IN MY IT IS MY OPINION THAT NO ATLANTIC BEACH CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO SCHOOL CHOICE TO GO TO ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY. I THINK IT SHOULD BE I THINK THAT WRONG SHOULD BE RIGHTED BY THIS COMMISSION.

AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN DO TO INCLUDE ALL ATLANTIC BEACH CHILDREN.

OKAY, THERE YOU HAVE IT, COMMISSIONER WATERS.

I AGREE WITH THAT TOTALLY AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

THANKS. COMMISSIONER KELLY, ARE WE DOING THE PARADE NEXT SUNDAY? YES, YES.

WHAT'S THE PLAN? PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, KEVIN HOGENCAMP, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.

THOSE OF US WHO CAN ARE GOING TO DECORATE THE GOLF CART AROUND 10:30 OR 11.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT TO JAX BEACH BY THE PIER BY NOON.

THOSE OF YOU PARTICIPATING DON'T HAVE TO BE PART OF THAT, BUT PLEASE BE AT THE STAGING AREA BY ABOUT 1:45 SUNDAY.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL THAT CART CARRY? SIX, INCLUDING THE DRIVER.

OKAY. VERY GOOD.

THANKS. FIVE COMMISSIONERS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER. NO THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER BOLE.

YEAH, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

I'VE TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT THE ABE.

ONE THING I THINK THAT I HEAR A LOT OF IS WE TALK ABOUT THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, AND I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, 90% OF THE THE COMMENTS ARE IN QUALITY, BUT YOU KIND OF HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF IN THE SCHOOL BOARD'S POSITION.

I THINK, TO COME OUT, THIS IS A CLASSIC OPERATIONS ANALYSIS PROBLEM, RIGHT? YOU HAVE A FINITE NUMBER OF AMOUNT OF MONEY.

YOU HAVE A YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS, YOU HAVE A ZONE, AND YOU HAVE THAT BOX CALLED QUALITY THAT GOES THEORETICALLY GOES INTO THE EQUATION.

SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT 1.3 BILLION IN THE HOLE.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO AND WE'VE GOT SOME REALLY TALENTED PEOPLE IN ATLANTIC BEACH, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO PRESENT THEM WITH A PLAN THAT CLICKS OFF, YOU KNOW, THE MONEY, THE ZONES, THE STUDENTS, THE QUALITY, THE QUALITY IS PART OF IT, BUT SO IS THE MONEY.

SO IS THE ZONES.

THERE'S SAFETY ISSUES GOING ACROSS THE BRIDGE, ETC., ETC.

THERE'S, YOU KNOW, TAX.

SO YOU HAVE TO APPROACH THE PROBLEM FROM THEIR VIEWPOINT.

[01:20:03]

BUT THAT IS A FACTOR.

BUT WE CAN'T IGNORE THE OTHER FACTORS THAT GO INTO THAT EQUATION.

SO THE THE SMART PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET INVOLVED AND OFFER A PROGRAM THAT, HEY, MAYBE WE CAN SAVE THEM MONEY, IMPROVE THE QUALITY, CHANGE THE ZONES, ETC., ETC. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THE CONSULTANT PLAN WAS LIKE 1.2 MILLION.

THEY PAID THEM. I'M THINKING, WOW, 1.2 MILLION.

WHAT COULD THE SCHOOL, YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOLS OVER HERE DO WITH THAT.

SO I THINK LET'S LOOK AT IT AS AN OA PROBLEM, YOU KNOW, AND AND DO SOME HARD NUMBER CRUNCHING BECAUSE WE CAN ALL FEEL THE WAY WE FEEL.

BUT THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO MATTER.

THAT'S IT. AND I'LL JUST BRING IT HOME AND SAY, WELL, SAID MR. BOLE IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT MAKING THE CHOICE TO SAVE A SCHOOL.

WE'VE GOT TO WIN THE ARGUMENT ON MULTIPLE FRONTS.

BUT I WILL SAY THIS THE CITIZENS AND I WANT THE CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND THEY CLEARLY HAVE THIS COMMISSION AND THIS CITY GOVERNMENT BEHIND THIS, BECAUSE IT'S OUR JOB TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND THE VITALITY OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT SCHOOL IS VERY MUCH PART OF THE VITALITY OF THIS COMMUNITY.

SO WE'LL DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO, AND WE'LL LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED.

SO IF ANYBODY WATCHES THIS ON A REPLAY, LET ME BE CLEAR.

AT LEAST FROM MY CHAIR, I WILL LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED TO TRY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT BY THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH.

BUT IT IS IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.

AND MR. BOLE, YOU YOU HIT IT ON THE HEAD.

I WANT TO FINISH WITH A POSITIVE FOR MANY YEARS, AND I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY YEARS.

MR. HOGENCAMP, YOU KNOW, THE AMOUNT OF YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN HOSTING ACOUSTIC NIGHT AT ADELE GRAGE OR OTHERWISE.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO, IN THE FUTURE, SEE THAT SPREAD AROUND AND TRY TO DO SOME ACOUSTIC NIGHTS ELSEWHERE, ESPECIALLY AS WE ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY ON WEST FIRST STREET. WHAT A GREAT VENUE THERE IN VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK.

BUT BUT THIS IS THIS IS WHAT'S RIGHT IN ATLANTIC BEACH.

THESE AND YOU COULD IF YOU GO TO ACOUSTIC NIGHT, YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY GUITARISTS THAT ARE NOT FROM ATLANTIC BEACH.

AND THEN YOU MIGHT START SAYING, WELL, WHY ARE WE HOSTING PERFORMING ARTISTS THAT AREN'T EVEN FROM ATLANTIC BEACH? THEY'RE COMING HERE TO PERFORM, AND OUR CITIZENS ARE THE BENEFACTORS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.

SO IT IS A IT'S IT'S CERTAINLY A FEEL GOOD, BUT IT'S A RICH CULTURAL THING THAT ATLANTIC BEACH DOES.

AND I'M SO PROUD TO SAY THAT WE LEAD ONCE AGAIN IN THE PERFORMING ARTS, IN THE VISUAL ARTS, THIS COMMUNITY LEADS.

AND SO MY ASK, CITY MANAGER, IS THAT WE GET THIS AT LEAST INTO THE DISCUSSION, THEY WOULD LIKE A COVERED SHELTER IN THE YARD, CALL IT A GAZEBO WITH ELECTRICITY SO THAT WHEN THE RAIN COMES, LIKE IT DID LAST NIGHT.

THEY'RE NOT STANDING OUT THERE WITH ELECTRICAL AMPLIFIERS IN THE RAIN.

BUT IT IS ALWAYS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, AND WE OWE A LOT OF THAT SUCCESS TO JUST A FEW COMMUNITY INDIVIDUALS LIKE STEVE PESCATELLI AS AN EXAMPLE. AND SO I THINK IT'S WORTH PROMOTING.

AND SO LET'S LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION AS WE GO INTO BUDGET SEASON ON THAT.

OKAY. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.