[00:00:04]
>> [OVERLAPPING] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
>> BEFORE WE START THIS MEETING, COMMISSIONER BOLE WILL LEAD US IN AN INVOCATION AND PLEDGE.
>> GOD BLESS THIS SPECIAL PLACE CALLED ATLANTIC BEACH, BE IT WET OR DRY.
BLESS OUR CITIZENS AND VISITORS AND HELP US TO HEAR EVERY VOICE TONIGHT. AMEN.
>> THANK YOU, MR. BOLE, AND BEFORE I GAMBLE THIS MEETING TO ORDER, IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY COMMISSIONER BOLE, IS IT TODAY?
SO WE'LL BE AT YOUR HOUSE AT MIDNIGHT. C OVER, MAYOR.
ALL RIGHT. THIS CITY COMMISSION MEETING DATED SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2024? WELL NOW COME TO ORDER.
CITY CLERK? COULD WE HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE?
>> WE'LL OPEN THIS MEETING WITH ITEM 1,
[1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.WE HAVE MINUTES FROM THE BUDGET WORKSHOP HELD ON AUGUST 12TH, 2024.
ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS OR CHANGES TO THE MINUTES? HEARING NONE, THE MINUTES STAND IS PRESENTED, AND WE'LL MOVE DIRECTLY TO COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS.
[2. COURTESY OF FLOOR TO VISITORS]
DONNA, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED IN?>> TO THE AUDIENCE, I STARTED DISCUSSING THIS TWO MEETINGS AGO, BUT IN THE PAST, I'VE BEEN PRETTY LENIENT ABOUT ADDING PEOPLE EVEN AFTER THE FACT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO TIGHTEN THAT UP.
IF YOU REALLY DO WANT TO SPEAK TONIGHT, RAISE YOUR HAND AND WE'LL GET YOU A FORM TO FILL OUT SO WE CAN GET IT IN. YOU HAVE EVERYBODY.
HEARING ONLY NINE PEOPLE SPEAKING, WE'LL ALLOW FIVE MINUTES PER PERSON.
I HOPE THAT DOESN'T MESS YOU UP ON YOUR TIMING, BUT FIVE MINUTES SHOULD GIVE YOU AMPLE TIME.
ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU WATCH THE CLOCK.
I TEND TO BE EASY ON THE GAVEL, BUT AT ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND FIVE OR TEN SECONDS, I'LL PROBABLY TAP THE GAVEL TO LET YOU KNOW IF YOU'VE GONE OVER.
>> HI EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK FOR A CITIZEN OF MYSELF IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ATLANTIC BEACH FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
I LIVE ON EIGHTH STREET RIGHT TOWARDS THE OCEAN, AND MY PROPERTY IS FLOODING VERY HEAVILY RIGHT NOW.
TINA, LET ME SPEAK FIRST BECAUSE I HAVE TO KEEP GOING AND I'M SANDBAGGING CURRENTLY, BUT THE CITY DID NOT RELEASE THE SANDBAGS UNTIL THREE HOURS AFTER I CALLED.
BUT THAT'S NEITHER HERE NOR THERE.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN REGARDS TO THE TENNIS SITUATION AT RUSSELL PARK.
I GUESS THEY'VE GOT SOME TEAMS COMING OUT WHERE THEY'VE PRESENTED THESE DATES AND IT PASSED WITHOUT ANYONE KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
THEY BOOKED ALL THESE DATES FOR BASICALLY A TEAM THAT'S ACTUALLY ATLANTIC BEACH COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERS.
I HAVE THE ROSTER HERE, IF ANYONE NEEDS TO SEE IT, BUT 18 OF THE 20 PEOPLE THAT I'VE SEEN ON THE ROSTER ARE ATLANTIC BEACH COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERS, AND THEY HAVE BOOKED ALL THESE DATES IN PRIME TIME TENNIS, WHICH I BELIEVE IS 8:30-12:30 ON EVERY THURSDAY HERE OUT.
I'VE PLAYED ON ATLANTIC BEACH RUSSELL PARK WORKING WOMEN'S FOR CLOSE TO 25,30 YEARS, AND I'VE NEVER KICKED ANYONE OFF OF A COURT THAT WAS A CITY TAXPAYER, BECAUSE WE PLAY THAT PARTICULAR LEAGUE AT ONE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON.
[00:05:04]
THIS LEAGUE THAT IS IN QUESTION IS FROM 8:30-1:00 TONE ON A THURSDAY.ALL OF MY OLD TIME FRIENDS THAT WORKED ALL THEIR LIVES TO PLAY ON A CITY COURT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE KICKED OFF BY A BUNCH OF COUNTRY CLUB LADIES.
THEN THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE COUNTRY CLUB LADIES THAT THAT'S NOT TRUE, BUT I HAVE A COPY OF THE ROSTER OF ALL THOSE WOMEN.
EIGHTEEN OUT OF 20 OF THE PEOPLE ON THE ROSTER ARE ATLANTIC BEACH COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERS.
I FEEL THAT THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS AN ATLANTIC BEACH COUNTRY CLUB SITUATION, CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT INFLUENCE A TAXPAYING CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH, AND I'VE NEVER DONE THAT.
WHEN I PLAYED FOR ATLANTIC FOR RUSSELL PARK IN WORKING WOMEN'S, I'VE ACTUALLY PAID FOR MY OPPONENTS AND MY PARTNER TO GO UP TO ABCC AND PLAY ON THEIR COURT RATHER THAN KICK OFF A CITIZEN FROM ATLANTIC BEACH.
I ALSO LIVE ON A STREET WHERE I KNEW JACK RUSSELL'S SON, THE GENTLEMAN THAT DONATED THIS PROPERTY HERE, AND I SAT WITH HIM ON HIS PORCH FOR 20 YEARS IN THE TWILIGHT OF HIS LIFE, AND THIS IS NOT WHAT MR. RUSSELL HAD IN MIND WHEN HE DONATED THIS PROPERTY.
IT WAS NOT TO ALLOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIPS, BUT WE'RE NOT GETTING THE COURT TIMES THAT THEY PREFERRED, TO COME INTO OUR CITY AND TAKE ALL OF THESE DATES.
THERE'S 18 OF THE [BACKGROUND]
>> MS. CASTELLO, JUST SO YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ONLY PRESENT TO THE DIAS, NOT TO THE CITIZENS. THANK YOU.
>> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. BUT ALSO SOME FALSE PARALLELS WERE MADE BY THE WOMEN THAT PUSHED THIS TO YOU GUYS, WHICH I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW IT GOT IN FRONT OF YOU, WHICH THAT REALLY, REALLY HURTS ME, BECAUSE I WORKED ALL MY LIFE, AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT POLITICS COULD BE WHERE YOU PUSH YOUR OWN PERSONAL AGENDA, AND THAT'S WHERE I THINK THIS IS THE MOST PROBLEMATIC FOR ME.
I'VE SAVED THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AND WORKED ALL OF MY LIFE.
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THIS SORT OF THING HAPPENED.
BUT ANYWAY, THEY MADE FALSE PARALLELS SAYING THAT THIS LONG EXISTING WORKING WOMEN'S TEAM WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY HAVE REQUESTED, AND IT IS NOT.
THESE ARE PEAK EXERCISE TIMES FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED ALL THEIR LIVES AND JUST ENJOY THE MORNING TO GET THEIR EXERCISE.
WHEN WE PLAY WORK IN WOMEN'S, WE DO IT AT 1:00 PM IN THE AFTERNOON, AND AGAIN, IN 25, 30 YEARS, I HAVE NEVER KICKED OFF A CITIZEN.
BUT ALL OF THESE DATES ARE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO KICK OFF LOCAL CITIZENS AND TELL THEM THEY CAN'T PLAY TENNIS.
>> I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ABUSE OF POWER.
WHOEVER DID THIS, AND I WOULD LIKE YOU GUYS TO PLEASE LOOK INTO IT.
WHOEVER PUSHED THIS BOARD SO RAPIDLY UNDER THE GUISE THAT IT'S BENEFICIAL FOR THE COMMUNITY, I WOULD PREFER THAT PERSON LOSE THEIR POSITION.
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE DON'T APPLAUD OR BOO IN THIS CHAMBER.
>> CASTELLO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER. TINA MCGOUGH.
>> PRONOUNCE THAT AGAIN, THE LAST NAME.
>> I BELIEVE IT'S MCGOUGH, M-C-G-O-U-G-H.
>> CLOSE ENOUGH. I'VE HEARD MANY THINGS.
>> I GUESS I'M THINKING OF DOUGHNUTS, LIKE DOUGH.
>> O-U-G-H IS TOTALLY BIZARRE. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, IT'S MY HUSBAND'S NAME, SO WE'LL BLAME HIM.
I DO APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU.
I TOO AM HERE ABOUT THE TENNIS LEAGUE SITUATION.
I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT I OBJECT HOW THIS POLICY HAS BEEN PUT FORTH.
IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAS MISSED THE SCRUTINY OF THE PUBLIC AND THE COMMISSION.
THE LEAGUE RESERVATION IS A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE FROM CURRENT USE.
[00:10:03]
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.IN FACT, WHEN I WAS ON A UTR LEAGUE, WE USUALLY PLAY FOUR O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON, BUT, MY FRIENDS THAT LIVE IN ATLANTIC BEACH SAY, "NO, THE COURTS WILL BE BUSY UNTIL 5:00.
WHY DON'T WE GET THERE AT 5:00, BECAUSE THEY'RE FIRST COME FIRST SERVED?" IN FACT, THEY'RE RIGHT.
IT'S NOT QUITE AS BUSY AS 5:00.
WE CAN COME AND PLAY AND BY SEVEN O'CLOCK, WE'RE GONE AND THE FAMILIES CAN COME.
THE COURTS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY BUSY ALMOST ALL THE TIME.
THERE ARE PLAYERS THERE, THE TWO CLINICS, THE TWO LESSONS THAT JUST PLAYED FOR FUN.
THERE'S FAMILIES HAVE COME, THERE ARE MANY, MANY CITIZENS THAT COME AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE COURTS.
I THINK THEY REALLY ARE APPRECIATED, JUST AS THEY ARE.
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANY ISSUES WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO HAVE A COURT THAT SOMEONE ELSE IS ALREADY PLAYING ON.
"WELL, HOW LONG DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE?" "THIS COURT WILL BE DONE SOON, WE'LL WAIT FOR THEM." "THANKS." IT'S NOT A PROBLEM.
I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHY THIS POLICY HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
IF YOU LOOK ON THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH WEBSITE, AND YOU LOOK UNDER JACK RUSSELL PARK, AND YOU LOOK AT THE TENNIS COURTS AND YOU ASK TO RESERVE A COURT, THE WEBSITE SAYS AND I QUOTE YOU, "TENNIS COURTS ARE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS." THERE'S NO WAY TO RESERVE A COURT.
THAT'S HOW IT'S ALWAYS BEEN AS LONG AS I'VE PLAYED, AND THAT'S HOW IT IS NOW, ACCORDING TO YOUR WEBSITE.
THIS WEBSITE WAS UPDATED IN 2023, I BELIEVE SEPTEMBER, ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
I BELIEVE THAT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO A POLICY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITH PROPERLY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC INPUT.
BECAUSE IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE, I THINK THAT IF IT IS PURSUED AS A POLICY, THAT IT SHOULD COME TO THIS COMMISSION FOR OVERSIGHT, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S FAIR.
I ASKED HOW ARE THE TWO TEAMS THAT WERE GIVEN RESERVATIONS SELECTED, AND I WAS TOLD THEY FILLED OUT AN APPLICATION.
WHAT I'M REALLY ASKING IS, HOW DO YOU GET AN APPLICATION? I DON'T KNOW.
IT WAS A CLOSED PROCESS, AS FAR AS I KNOW, NOBODY I KNOW WAS EVER ASKED.
HOW IS THAT FAIR? THAT REALLY ISN'T.
THERE ARE LEAGUES THAT PLAY IN THE MORNINGS, LEAGUES THAT PLAY IN THE AFTERNOONS, LEAGUES TO PLAY IN THE EVENINGS.
IF YOU ALLOW THESE PUBLIC COURTS THAT ARE RESERVED FOR PUBLIC PLAY TO BE RESERVED, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'D EVER MEET THE DEMAND FAIRLY.
YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE TOO MANY COURTS, "IF ANY RESERVED," BUT IF YOU WERE TO RESERVE THEM, HOW COULD YOU EVER BE FAIR? THERE'S UNSTATIABLE DEMAND.
I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU AS A COMMISSION TO RECONSIDER THIS POLICY.
I THINK IT WAS PUT FORTH IN THE SHADOWS, I THINK IT WAS PUT FORTH QUICKLY WITHOUT TOO MUCH THOUGHT, AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET A LOT OF PUSH-BACK, AND PEOPLE JUST WANT TO PROTECT THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE IN A PLACE WHERE THE CURRENT POLICY IS WORKING JUST FINE.
I HAVE A PETITION HERE THAT I WILL TURN INTO YOU.
I HAVE A COPY AND ALSO THE ORIGINAL.
I'LL GIVE YOU THE COPY IF YOU DON'T MIND.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF RAIN AND IN LESS THAN A WEEK, WE GOT 57 PEOPLE THAT SIGNED THIS.
WE CAN GET MORE IF YOU NEED IT, AND WE WILL.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?
>> MS. MCGOUGH, WE DON'T INTERACT BACK AND FORTH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, AND IF YOU'LL HAND THAT PETITION TO THE CITY CLERK, DONNA BARTLE, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT.
>> THANKS AGAIN FOR HAVING THOSE TENNIS PLAYERS THAT ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
AS YOU CAN TELL, I AM TALKING ABOUT TENNIS.
I WAS FIRST MADE AWARE OF THIS, I GUESS IT WAS A-WEEK-AND-A-HALF AGO.
I'VE BEEN PLAYING AT TENNIS AT THE BEACHES SINCE 1988, WHICH IS SO SAD.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I HEARD, BECAUSE AS LONG AS I'VE PLAYED HERE, WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY WAY TO RESERVE THE COURTS.
IN FACT, I HAVE PLAYED ON THE WORKING WOMEN'S TEAM AS [INAUDIBLE] GRACE, AND WHAT THEY'VE ASKED US TO DO IS GET THERE EARLY SO WE CAN SO-CALLED HOLD THE COURTS.
AGAIN, THAT'S DURING NON-PEAK HOURS, 1:00-4:00.
[00:15:02]
THIS IS THURSDAY DURING PEAK HOURS WHEN THERE'S A LOT OF RETIRED FOLKS THAT COME OUT AND PLAY.AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR COURTS ARE USED FREQUENTLY BY RETIRED FOLKS THAT I KNOW.
MY CONCERN HERE IS, HOW THE TWO TEAMS WERE PICKED.
ALSO, YOU'RE OPENING UP SUCH A HUGE CAN OF WORMS HERE.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO TEAMS SELECTED, WHICH NO ONE KNOWS HOW THEY WERE SELECTED, NO ONE KNOWS WHEN IT HAPPENED, ALL OF THIS WAS DONE, YOU KNOW, BEHIND THE SCENES.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A BARRAGE OF FOLKS.
THIS IS JUST THE WOMEN'S LEAGUES.
I DON'T EVEN WANT TO GET INTO THE MEN'S LEAGUES.
THERE'S PROBABLY 24 LEAGUES IN THE CITY, JUST AT THE BEACHES OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PLAY.
YOU'RE OPENING SUCH A CAN OF WORMS. ALSO, THERE'S NEVER ANYBODY AT THE COURTS.
WHO'S GOING TO ENFORCE THIS RESERVATION? WHAT IF SOMEBODY COMES THERE, A TAXPAYING CITIZEN AND SAYS, "WE DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESERVE THE COURTS.
WE'RE TAKING THESE COURTS," OR "WE'RE NOT GETTING OFF THE COURTS." WHO'S GOING TO ENFORCE THAT? ARE YOU GOING TO CALL THE POLICE AND HAVE THEM KICKED OFF THE COURT? IS IT REALLY SOMETHING THAT THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH WANTS TO HAVE? IT'S NOT GOOD OPTICS.
AGAIN, I REALLY URGE THE COMMISSION TO REVIEW THIS POLICY AND RETHINK IT.
MY FRIEND ANNA IS GOING TO COME OUT, AND SHE'S GOING TO ASK YOU FOR SOME THINGS AS WELL.
I'M GOING TO END MY PRESENTATION NOW, AND AGAIN, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO TALK WITH YOU.
>> MR. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I AND MY NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN BEFORE YOU A NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE PAST, AND MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS ARE HERE TONIGHT TO ASK YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING OUR CHRONIC FLOODING THAT HAS PLAGUED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THAT'S OAK CIRCLE HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THE RECENT RAINS HAVE PUT OUR STREET CONTINUOUSLY UNDERWATER FOR WELL OVER A WEEK, AND THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT.
WE ARE ENCOURAGED, HOWEVER, TO LEARN THAT THE CITY FINALLY INTENDS TO TAKE ACTION TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM.
PUBLIC WORKS INFORMED US AFTER WE SUBMITTED A REPORT.
THEY INFORMED US ON AUGUST 26 THAT I NOW WILL QUOTE, "THERE WILL BE OUT TO REMOVE AND CLEAN UP AS MUCH SEDIMENT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM THE BRISTOL DEMAR DITCHES, AS SOON AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN." NOW THAT WAS TWO WEEKS AGO.
COMING UP BEFORE YOU ALSO SOON IS A BUDGET PROJECT TO PROPERLY RESURFACE OR REGRADE A PORTION OF THE OAK CIRCLE ROADWAY, WHICH ALLOW THEN WATER TO FLOW UNIMPEDED INTO THESE DITCHES OR SWALES.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS IN INITIATING THESE ACTIONS, AND WE ASK YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN APPROVING THEM AND GETTING THEM ACCOMPLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS ELLEN GLASER, AND MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO BE QUICK IN COVERING SOME ITEMS, BUT FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF FOR ALL ITS HARD WORK.
WHEN IT'S FLOODING, YOU CAN'T BE EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE.
THANK OUR MEN ALL HERE TONIGHT IN UNIFORM FOR ALL THAT THEY DO AND BILL FOR BEING AN EXCELLENT CITY MANAGER.
FIRST OF ALL, I GOT CONTACTED BY DR. DAVID PATRICK, WHO IS RELATED TO MARSHALL PAUL PATRICK.
HE IS A SERVICE MARTYR FOR ATLANTIC BEACH, AND THERE'S A CEREMONY TOMORROW AT 10:00 AM TO COMMEMORATE THE HISTORIC MARKER THAT'S OUTSIDE OF ONE OCEAN, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I THINK THAT WAS A WONDERFUL GESTURE THAT WAS MADE BY THE CITY TO DO THAT.
I WANT TO THANK LAUREN REALON IN PARTICULAR.
I'M GLAD THAT I GOT AN INVITATION TO GO SINCE I HAD A LITTLE BIT TO DO WITH THIS, BUT IT'S NO SMALL THING.
HISTORICALLY, HE'S OUR ONLY OFFICER TO DIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY FROM PERISHING IN A TOWN FIRE OF THE OLD TOWN HALL IN 1932.
[00:20:01]
THE SECOND THING I WANTED TO SAY IS THAT AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, LAST WEEK, ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP MEETING WAS HELD BY THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOLS TO TALK ABOUT POTENTIAL CLOSURES AND THE CLOSURE LIST.AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW, IN THE SECOND ITERATION OF THE DRAFT, ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY IS NOT ON THE CLOSURE LIST.
IT AFFECTS SO MANY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
BUT I PERSONALLY, I'VE BEEN TALKING TO MANY OF THE PARENTS, MOSTLY MAMA BEARS, PROTECTING THEIR KIDS ABOUT WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING TO ENGAGE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS WHAT HAS REALLY CARRIED THE DAY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M JUST SO PROUD OF ATLANTIC BEACH AND THESE PARENTS THAT HAVE GOTTEN THE SHIRTS AND THE SIGNS AND HAVE ATTENDED THESE FOCUS GROUPS TO AT LEAST GET TO THIS POINT THAT WE ARE NOW, AND I WOULD SINGLE SOME OF THEM OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE REALLY HEROES, BUT I WOULD LEAVE SOME OTHERS OUT, SO I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
BUT I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO THEM BECAUSE I THINK THEY ARE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR WHERE WE ARE NOW.
THE THIRD THING IS OBVIOUSLY, PASSING THE BUDGET ON FIRST READING TONIGHT IS A VERY BIG DEAL.
I THINK YOU ALL DID A GOOD JOB WITH THE BUDGET.
I THINK THERE ARE SOME CHALLENGES WITH THE MILEAGE RATE THAT HAS BEEN SET.
I LOOKED AT THE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE WORKSHOPS, BUT I DIDN'T SEE IN THE FINAL BUDGETS HOW SOME OF THESE THINGS SHOOK OUT.
THE POLICE ARE HERE TONIGHT EITHER BECAUSE THEY'RE HAPPY OR THEY'RE NOT HAPPY.
I'M HOPING THAT THEY'RE HAPPY BECAUSE THEY NEED TO HAVE COMPETITIVE SALARIES.
MAYBE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THAT AS PART OF THE BUDGET PRESENTATION TONIGHT, BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH PLACES LIKE JACKS BEACH AND JSO.
I'M ALSO WONDERING WHERE SOME OF THE PROJECTS, I THINK SHOULD BE, AND MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE THE BUDGET IS SO LEAN, AND THAT INCLUDES THE THE LIFE GUARD STATION RENOVATION, THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR STREET BY STREET REBUILDS IN OLD ATLANTIC BEACH.
REALLY, SINCE THE RESERVE SURPLUS GOT SPENT UP LAST YEAR TO BUY THAT MARSH OAK CENTER, WHAT'S ANTICIPATED IN TERMS OF A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR THIS YEAR, IF ANY, OR DID THEY HAVE TO GET CUT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT? I UNDERSTAND HOW THAT WORKS.
MAYBE SOME OF THAT CAN BE ANSWERED TONIGHT.
AND THEN FINALLY, EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT THE FLOODING AND HOW HIGH THE WATER IS.
I READ THE BEACHES READER LAST WEEK, AND THERE WAS A REFERENCE TO AN UPCOMING ORDINANCE TO BE REVIEWED IN SEPTEMBER TO DO SOME WHAT THE MAYOR CALLED LIGHT DUTY TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU'RE BUILDING ON YOUR LOT.
I THINK NATURE'S GIVEN US A SIGNAL THAT WE REALLY SHOULD WAIT UNTIL THE STORM WATER MASTER PLAN IS DONE AND MAKE SURE THAT THESE ISSUES ARE AIRED WIDELY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE UPSET ABOUT THE FLOODING RIGHT NOW, SO TO DO ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO NOT DO THEIR ON SITE STORAGE OR PERVIOUS VERSUS IMPERVIOUS FOR POOLS AND PAVERS.
I THINK IT'S THE WRONG TIME TO DO THAT.
ANYWAY, I JUST WANT AGAIN, SAY, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE THAT UP WHEN THE EXPERTS HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, MARK MARK RABINOWITZ, NORSE SHERRY DRIVE.
I'M TALKING ABOUT AGENDA ITEM 9C, AND THAT'S THE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE RELATED TO CHANGING THE CHARGES FOR THE STORMWATER UTILITY FEE THAT WE PAY.
CONGRATULATIONS ON TRYING TO FIX THIS.
ALSO, CONGRATULATIONS ON TYING IT TO INDEXING OF INFLATION.
IT'LL KEEP ROLLING INTO THE FUTURE.
BUT MAYBE WE CAN USE SOMETHING ELSE WHEN WE CHARGE STORM WATER FEES, AND THAT'S MAYBE INCENTIVIZING THOSE THAT MAYBE DON'T NEED TO HAVE STORM WATER.
FOR EXAMPLE, MY HOUSE, I'M NOT SAYING I DON'T HAVE NO PROBLEM PAYING ANY OF THE FEES THAT THE CITY LEVIES, BUT MY HOUSE IS AT THE END OF THE CUL DE SAC AND ALL THE HOMES ON THE CUL DE SAC DRAIN INTO MY YARD.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT BECAUSE THREE DAYS LATER, IT ALL GOES AWAY.
I COLLECT A LOT OF STORMWATER.
I LIKE IT BECAUSE THE FROG SING IN THE PONDS IN MY BACKYARD IN MY FRONT YARD.
I CONTRIBUTE ZERO STORMWATER TO THE STORMWATER PROBLEM.
THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE ME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
[00:25:03]
THAT THEY CONTRIBUTED TO MY STORM WATER PROBLEM, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ONE.IF WE WERE TO INCENTIVIZE SOMEHOW AND I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING LATE THIS THE FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH WOULD CHANGE THE FEEL, I SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN UP EARLIER.
MISSED SLEEPING WHEN WATCHING SOMETHING.
BUT IF YOU WERE TO INCENTIVIZE THOSE AND THERE'S A MINIMUM THRESHOLD AND I'LL GLADLY PAY THAT.
BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE REQUIREMENT REQUIRED PERVIOUS IMPERVIOUS RATIO, OR YOU ARE JUST AT THE LIMIT, MAYBE YOU SHOULD PAY MORE FOR THE STORMWATER FEE.
THOSE THAT MAYBE LIKE ME THAT DON'T HAVE ANY STORMWATER RUNOFF, OR THOSE THAT HAVE SOME STORMWATER RUNOFF, MAYBE PAY LESS OF THAT FEE.
THIS WOULD INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO LOOK TWICE AT HOW THEY ARE JUDGING THEIR PERVIOUS IMPERVIOUS PAVERS, IMPERVIOUS PAVERS AND THEIR FAKE GRASS THAT THEY PUT IN YOUR YARD, HOW THAT AFFECTS THEIR RATES.
IT'S NOT MUCH. IT'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY, BUT JUST EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL HELP.
I URGE YOU, AND AGAIN, APOLOGIZE FOR COMING LATE TO ADDRESS THIS.
I LIKE IT BECAUSE ALL THE NEIGHBORS STUFF COMES TO MY YARD AND I GET FREE FREE MULCH. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. FOR THE RECORD.
AGAIN, MY NAME IS GREG POWELL.
I'D LIKE TO START BY THANKING THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO DATE AT ADDRESSING THE STORM WATER ISSUES IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
I FEEL LIKE WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE ISSUES, BUT WE'RE NOT TO THE FINISH LINE YET.
I FEEL THERE'S A CONCERTED EFFORT IN THE COMMUNITY TO DELAY MAKING ANY IMPROVEMENTS IN CHAPTER 24, EVEN THE MOST OBVIOUS AND JUSTIFIABLE IMPROVEMENTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, PERMEABLE IMPERVIOUS PAVERS AND ARTIFICIAL TURF ARE NOT IMPERMEABLE.
POOLS WITH A FREE BOARD OF 4.3 INCHES PRODUCE NO MORE EXCESS RUNOFF THAN A GRASS FIELD BEHIND THE CITY HALL.
THEY SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS PERVIOUS.
ON SITE STORAGE SHOULD NOT BE ELIMINATED, BUT NEITHER SHOULD IT BE TWICE AS MUCH AS WHAT IS REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE.
GRANDFATHERING IN PERPETUITY IS A BAD IDEA, AND IT SHOULD BE ELIMINATED.
BUT THE ONSITE STORAGE TRIGGER OF 50% BASED ON HOME IMPROVEMENT VALUE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH STORM WATER MANAGEMENT, AND THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO ADDRESS STORMWATER AND GRANDFATHERING CONCERNS.
THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH HAS COMMISSIONED SEVERAL STORMWATER MASTER PLANS GOING BACK MANY YEARS, AND THESE PLANS HAVE IDENTIFIED THE SAME PROBLEM AREAS IN THE CITY.
SAME PROBLEM HERE. BUT THE PROGRESS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS HAS BEEN SLOW TOO SLOW, AND THE RESIDENTS OF THESE AREAS ARE AGAIN PAYING THE PRICE FOR THE SLOW PROGRESS.
FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO CONCLUDE BY SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE STORMWATER UTILITY FEE.
WE NEED TO STOP STUDYING THE PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND START DOING SOMETHING.
THIS IS A SMALL BUT NECESSARY STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND EVERYONE ELSE.
I'M BRINKLEY HAROLD 266 STREET.
I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT PICKLE BALL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT TENNIS.
BUT I'M GLAD THAT TENNIS IS GETTING SOME VISIBILITY HERE, AND WELL, I THINK THE MAYOR HAS A LITTLE BIT OF KNOWLEDGE ON THINGS TENNIS RELATED, SO WE'LL LET IT GO AT THAT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW CLOSELY Y'ALL HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, BUT IF YOU MAY RECALL WHEN ALL HAD THE JOINT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD COMMISSION MEETING, I STOOD RIGHT OVER HERE AND SPOKE TO ALL OF Y'ALL ABOUT A NUMBER OF THESE ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED IN CHAPTER 24-68, A COUPLE OF TRIGGERS, A GRANDFATHERING THING OF A ONE TIME EXEMPTION, AND THE AMOUNT OF FREE BOARD ON POOLS AND THE PERCENTAGES ON THAT.
[00:30:05]
I SUBSEQUENTLY CAME TO A FOLLOW ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING WHERE THEY HAD VOTED TO REMOVE THE TWO DIFFERENT TRIGGERS.I THINK THEY CALLED IT 4A AND 4B.
THEY VOTED TO REMOVE THE ONE TIME EXEMPTION, WHICH I THINK AMANDA ASKEW HAD EVEN SAID WAS KIND OF A DIFFICULT ONE FOR HER DEPARTMENT TO DEAL WITH ON GRANDFATHERING IN A PROPERTY THAT WAS AT 80 AND 90% OF LOT COVERAGE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S A TEAR DOWN, AND THEN WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO? THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD VOTED TO REMOVE ALL THREE OF THOSE AND SEND A RECOMMENDATION TO Y'ALL.
THEY TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT POOLS, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY AT 50%, BUT THEY DID AS I RECALL, THEY DID NOT MAKE A VOTE OR TAKE ANY ACTION ABOUT POOLS.
WELL, THEN THE SUBSEQUENT OR THE MOST RECENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING, STAFF BROUGHT TO THEM A PROPOSAL FOR THEM TO VOTE ON, AND THE PROPOSAL WAS CONTRARY TO WHAT THEIR PREVIOUS VOTE HAD BEEN.
THAT'S GONE BACK TO STAFF AGAIN FOR STAFF TO CORRECT, SO THEREFORE, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAS BEEN DELAYED IN GETTING THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOU.
I FULLY SUPPORT WHAT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD IS DOING.
BOTH OF THOSE TRIGGERS NEED TO BE REMOVED WHEN A PROPERTY IS AT OR UNDER THE 45% LOT COVERAGE.
IF YOU DON'T REMOVE THEM, IT'S A CAPRICIOUS THING ON THAT PARTICULAR PROPERTY OWNER, AND IT'S JUST AN ONEROUS REGULATION THAT TAKES AWAY PROPERTY RIGHTS.
THERE'S SOME BROKEN LOGIC AS SOMEONE HAS COINED THE TERM.
ACTUALLY, IT WAS RICHARD ARTHUR SORRY, I JUST REMEMBERED ABOUT HOW THE ONSITE WATER RETENTION FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY COMES ABOUT WHEN THEY'RE STILL UNDER THE 45%.
IT DIRECTLY AFFECTS ME BECAUSE I'M IN A 52-YEAR-OLD HOUSE THAT MY FOLKS BUILT IN 1972.
I'M HAVING TO GET A NEW SURVEY, SO I DON'T REALLY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MY CURRENT LOT COVERAGE IS, BUT THERE WAS NO LOT COVERAGE REQUIREMENT IN 1972.
I THINK AMANDA'S RECORDS ONLY GO BACK TO 1980 OR 1982, FROM A REALLY GOOD PRESENTATION, SHE GAVE A COUPLE MEETINGS BACK.
I WANT TO PUT IT IN A POOL. I CAN AFFORD IT NOW. I'M RETIRED.
I WANT TO REDO MY DRIVEWAY AND GET RID OF THE CONCRETE AND DO SOMETHING BETTER, BUT THE PERMEABLE OR PERVIOUS STONES, BLOCKS, AND WHATNOT, AREN'T IN THE REGULATIONS ANYWHERE, ONLY TURF BLOCKS BY NAME ARE IN THE CHAPTER 24.
BY ALL MEANS, DON'T JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.
GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE VIDEOS OF THE LAST COUPLE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS.
I WISH I COULD GIVE YOU THE DATES.
WAIT A MINUTE. ONE OF THEM WAS ON AUGUST 21ST.
THAT WAS THE MOST RECENT ONE, AND IT'LL BE, I HATE TO SAY ENTERTAINING, BUT IT WILL CERTAINLY BE ENLIGHTENING FOR YOU IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN FOLLOWING IT CLOSE ENOUGH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I FULLY WANT YOU TO SUPPORT THOSE CHANGES TO CHAPTER 24-68.
I KNOW IT'S NOT COMING UP TONIGHT, BUT I DID WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT IT AND WHAT BETTER TIME WHEN THE CREEK RIGHT HERE IS WAY OVER ITS BANKS, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S NOT FLOWING THAT WAY LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> HI, GOOD EVENING. I HAVE TO LOWER THIS.
HI. I'M ANNA TORI, AND AS YOU KNOW, ALL COURTS HERE IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA BEACH ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVED, TENNIS COURTS, BASKETBALL COURTS, PICKLEBALL COURTS.
THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY AND THE SYSTEM WORKS.
THE CITY OF ATLANTA BEACH WEBSITE SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT ALL COURTS ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVED AND SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT THERE ARE NO RESERVATIONS TAKEN FOR ANY COURTS.
FURTHERMORE, THERE'S NO RESERVATION PORTAL AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CITY OF ATLANTA BEACH FOR RESERVING ANY COURTS.
HOWEVER, ON A PHONE CALL WITH THE CITY DEPUTY MANAGER, KEVIN HOGENCAMP.
ON AUGUST 26TH, MR. HOGENCAMP CONFIRMED THAT HE HAD GRANTED PERMITS TO TWO TEAMS TO RESERVE FOUR OUT OF THE SIX TENNIS COURTS EVERY THURSDAY MORNING AT JACK RUSSELL FROM 9:00 AM TILL ABOUT 12:00 NOON.
THESE TEAMS WILL BE PLAYING THEIR LEAGUE MATCHES STARTING THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH THROUGH THE END OF MAY.
THEY PLAY IN THE FIRST COAST TENNIS ASSOCIATION LEAGUE.
NOW, MR. HOGENCAMP HAS TOLD ME AND OTHERS THAT THE CITY IS ALLOWING THESE LEAGUES TO RESERVE COURTS IN THE CITY'S EFFORT TO MANAGE RISK.
[00:35:01]
BUT I DON'T REALLY SEE ANY RISKS THAT WILL BE MANAGED BY ALLOWING TWO TEAMS TO RESERVE COURTS.MAYBE MR. HOGENCAMP CAN LET US KNOW WHAT RISKS HE'S TALKING ABOUT AND HOW RESERVING COURTS WILL MANAGE THAT RISK.
MAYBE MR. HOGENCAMP IS TRYING TO CONFUSE PEOPLE BY CONFLATING THE ISSUE I'M SPEAKING ABOUT WITH THE NEW RULES THAT WERE PASSED FOR TENNIS INSTRUCTORS, WHICH I THINK MANY PEOPLE AGREE WITH.
IN THE PAST, TENNIS TEAMS HAVE PLAYED THEIR LEAGUE MATCHES OUT OF JACK RUSSELL, BUT THE CITY AT ATLANTIC BEACH HAS NEVER GRANTED TEAMS COURT RESERVATIONS.
THE TEAMS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUBJECT TO COURT AVAILABILITY, AND AGAIN, THIS HAS WORKED OUT.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT THE CITY HAS GRANTED RESERVATIONS FOR ANY THOUGHTS.
FURTHERMORE, GRANTING TWO TEAMS EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE MAJORITY OF THE COURTS AT PEAK HOURS FOR NINE MONTHS IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC, IT RESTRICTS COURT AVAILABILITY TO THE MAJORITY OF THE CITIZENS.
THE CITY GAVE NO NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING LEAGUE PLAY AND COURT RESERVATIONS AHEAD OF MR. HOGENCAMP GRANTING THESE PERMITS.
THERE WAS NO CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS WITH APPLICATIONS, GUIDELINES, OR DEADLINES.
I'M CERTAIN THAT IF THE CITY HAD NOTIFIED CITIZENS, THEY WOULD HAVE HAD AN OUTPOURING OF FEEDBACK AND INTEREST FROM OTHER TEAMS. THE NOTICE THAT JACK RUSSELL DIDN'T EVEN SHOW UP UNTIL I CALLED MR. HOGENCAMP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RUMOR CIRCULATING.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FROM MR. HOGENCAMP, HOW THESE TWO TEAMS CAME ABOUT.
WHERE'S THE APPLICATION THEY FILLED OUT? WHAT WERE HIS GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTING THESE TWO TEAMS? I ASSUME THAT THE TEAMS CAME TO HIM AS I DOUBT THAT MR. HOGENCAMP IS OUT THERE SCOUTING TENNIS TEAMS. I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW IF MR. HOGENCAMP HAS A CLEAR POLICY FOR THIS THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE OR IF HE WAS SIMPLY REACTING TO THE REQUEST OF CERTAIN CITIZENS.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF THE CITY ATTORNEY WAS CONSULTED BEFORE THESE RESERVATION AND POLICIES WERE GRANTED.
NOW, AMONG THE TENNIS COMMUNITY, THERE'S A LOT OF SPECULATION ABOUT THESE TWO TEAMS. WHAT I HAVE HEARD OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS THAT THESE TWO TEAMS USED TO PLAY OUT OF ABCC, BUT THE CLUB IS NO LONGER WILLING TO ACCOMMODATE THEM ON THURSDAY MORNING.
IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN IT STANDS TO BE SAID THAT IT IS GROSSLY ENTITLED FOR ABCC MEMBERS TO HELP THEMSELVES TO PUBLIC COURTS ON SUCH A BACKDOOR AND SNEAKY WAY.
WE WELCOME ANY AND ALL ABCC MEMBERS TO PLAY OUT OF ANY PUBLIC COURT.
HOWEVER, THEY SHOULD NOT GET PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE RULES THAT APPLY TO EVERYONE ELSE.
IF YOUR CLUB IS UNWILLING TO ACCOMMODATE YOU, THEN THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR YOU AND YOUR CLUB.
IT'S NOT THE BURDEN OF THE CITY TO FIX IT FOR YOU, AND IT IS CERTAINLY NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC TO LET YOU MONOPOLIZE THE COURTS, LIKE YOU PLAN ON DOING UNDER THIS PERMIT THAT MR. HOGENCAMP HAS GIVEN YOU.
THE FACT THAT THESE PERMITS WERE GRANTED UNILATERALLY BY MR. HOGENCAMP WITHOUT PUBLIC NOTICE, PUBLIC INPUT, NOTICE TO THIS COMMISSION OR ANY OFFICIAL ANALYSIS ON HOW RESERVED COURTS WILL AFFECT THE AVAILABILITY OF COURTS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ALL POINT TO AN ABUSE OF POWER.
THE PROCESS FOR GRANTING THESE PERMITS TO THESE TWO TEAMS WAS NOT TRANSPARENT AT ALL, SO I RESPECTFULLY ASK THIS COMMISSION TO ACT ON THIS TONIGHT AND PASS A MOTION TO IMMEDIATELY PUT A MORATORIUM ON RESERVING COURTS AND TO REVOKE ANY PERMITS OR PROMISES THAT HAVE BEEN GRANTED OR GIVEN THAT WOULD ALLOW COURT RESERVATIONS UNTIL PROPER PUBLIC INPUT HAS BEEN TAKEN AND A CLEAR TRANSPARENT AND EQUITABLE PROCESS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. THANK YOU.
PLEASE. WE DON'T APPLAUD AND WE DON'T MOVE IN THIS CHAMBER.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE SLIPS.
>> I WILL CLOSE COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO OUR VISITORS.
WE'LL MOVE DIRECTLY TO THE CITY MANAGER REPORTS.
>> MAYOR I HAD ONE STAND UP. IS IT TOO LATE?
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. GOOD EVENING, COMMISSION?
[3. CITY MANAGER REPORTS]
THE FIRST ITEM BEFORE YOU FROM CITY MANAGER REPORTS IS THE 90 DAY CALENDAR.WHAT I WILL SAY IS ON SEPTEMBER 19TH, WE HAVE OUR ARTISTS RECEPTION 5:00-8:00 AT ADELE.
ON THE 28TH, THE FALL FESTIVAL AT 10:00 AM.
ON GAIL BAKER, AND WE ARE QUITE BUSY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, BY THE WAY.
SEPTEMBER 28TH, ALSO, WE HAVE A BEACH CLEANUP AT 10:00 AM.
THEY WILL MEET AT THE ATLANTIC BOULEVARD ACCESS POINT.
OCTOBER 6TH, SONGWRITERS CONCERT, 6:00 PM AT BALL PARK, OCTOBER 17TH, THE ARTIST RECEPTION 5:00-8:00 AT ADELE.
OCTOBER 19TH, TOWN HALL, 10:00 AM AT ADELE.
OCTOBER 19TH, FAMILY FUN DAY, 4:00-8:00 AT RUSSELL PARK.
OCTOBER 20TH IS ACOUSTIC NIGHT AT 6:00 PM AT BALL PARK.
NOVEMBER 11TH IS VETERANS DAY.
NOVEMBER 16TH IS JAZZ FESTIVAL, 3:00-9:00 AT [INAUDIBLE].
NOVEMBER 21 IS ARTIST RECEPTION 5:00-8:00 AT ADELE.
AND ON THE CALENDAR IS NOVEMBER 28TH FOR A BUDGET WORKSHOP.
[00:40:04]
I WILL NOT BE THERE IF THE COMMISSION STRONGLY LIKE A BUDGET WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 28.WE COULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY.
THAT'S AN ERROR, SO WE WILL STRIKE BACK. THANK YOU.
>> WITH THAT, I WOULD RECOMMEND ACCEPTANCE WITH THE AMENDMENT OF REMOVING THE NOVEMBER 28TH BUDGET WORKSHOP, I MOVE THAT YOU ACCEPT THE 98 PASS THAT YOU ACCEPT THE 90 DAY CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER THROUGH NOVEMBER.
>> COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE ANY CORRECTIONS, CHANGES, HEARING.? [OVERLAPPING].
THEY PUT THAT RIGHT ON TOP OF THANKSGIVING [LAUGHTER].
>> I'M SURPRISED YOU MISSED THAT.
[LAUGHTER] DO WE HAVE CONSENSUS TO ACCEPT THE 90 DAY CALENDAR SUBMITTED?
>> CITY MANAGER, AND NOW MOVING [OVERLAPPING].
>> I DON'T HAVE THE CALENDAR, BUT THEY COME UP.
[Additional Item]
I'VE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN BRYAN BINDER, I'VE SIGNED IT.IT'S BASICALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WE HAVE AN ONGOING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NAVAL STATION MAYPORT AND THAT THEY ALLOW OUR RESIDENTS TO USE THEIR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
UNDER THEIR PROGRAM, WE'D HAVE TO PERIODICALLY SAY, YES, WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE.
I'M ASSUMING THAT THAT'S A YES.
IT'S PART OF THEIR OUTREACH BUT THEY ALLOW RESIDENTS TO USE RECREATION FACILITIES AT THE NAVAL BASE.
UNLESS I HEAR AN OBJECTION, I WILL SEND THAT LETTER OFF TO THE CAPTAIN.
>> HEARING NO OBJECTION. PLEASE PROCEED.
>> THEN THE LAST THING, I THINK, I'LL LET KEVIN COME UP AND TALK ABOUT THE TENNIS LEAGUE GIVEN THAT IT WAS A TOPIC OF TONIGHT.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M KEVIN HOGENCAMP, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
MAYOR AND COMMISSION, AS YOU WELL KNOW, FROM RISK TO OUR CITIZENS AND PARKS TO PARK NAMING TO REGULATING BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN PARKS.
WE'RE GETTING IMPORTANT, LONG OVERDUE WORK DONE UNDER THE CITY MANAGER'S LEADERSHIP AND WITH YOUR STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT.
ALONG THAT LINE, AND AS IS OFTEN THE CASE WITH MATTERS AT CITY HALL, THE DECISION TO ESTABLISH THE PARAMETERS FOR PERMITTING LEAK PLAY AT RUSSELL PARK WAS MADE AT THE STAFF LEVEL WITH REQUESTS BEING MADE FOR US AND AS A RESULT OF REQUESTS FOR LEAGUE PLAY BEING MADE TO US.
REALIZING THAT LEAGUE PLAY ALREADY OCCURS AT THE PARK, RISK MANAGEMENT WAS A PRIMARY CONSIDERATION.
THAT IS, IF LEAGUE PLAY OCCURS AT THE CITY COURTS, THE CITY MUST BE PROTECTED FROM AN INSURANCE STANDPOINT.
THAT IS VERY CLEARLY STAFF'S MARCHING ORDERS FROM THIS BODY.
UNDER THE PROTOCOLS WE'VE ESTABLISHED AND THAT ARE, OF COURSE, UNDER REVIEW, LEAGUE PLAY IS PERMITTED ONE DAY A WEEK ON FOUR COURTS FOR UP TO THREE HOURS THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE YEAR.
UNDER THESE PROTOCOLS, PERMITTED LEAGUE PLAY IS LIMITED TO ABOUT 2% OF TOTAL COURT TIME AT RUSSELL PARK.
ALL LEAGUE PLAYERS MUST SIGN WAIVERS HOLDING THE CITY HARMLESS OF LIABILITY.
WITH THE RISK MANAGEMENT ISSUE RESOLVED, THE CITY IS REVIEWING WHETHER LEAGUE PLAY SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE PERMITTED, AND IF SO, HOW MUCH COURT TIME SHOULD THE CITY PERMIT FOR LEAGUE PLAY? THE PUBLIC'S INPUT, OF COURSE, WILL HELP US GET TO THAT SWEET SPOT OF WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
AMONG THE PROTOCOLS, DO FURTHER CONSIDERATION IS DETERMINE WHAT TO DO, AND MORE THAN TWO TEAMS APPLY FOR A LEAGUE PERMIT IN THE SAME SEASON.
WHILE THAT SCENARIO HASN'T OCCURRED YET, PERHAPS FOR EQUITY SAKE, WE SHOULD SAY NEXT TEAM UP RATHER THAN PERMITTING ONE OF THE TEAMS THAT JUST PLAYED THE PREVIOUS SEASON.
TENTATIVELY, THE ARTS RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE IS SCHEDULED TO ADDRESS THIS TOPIC AT ITS MEETING AT 6:00 PM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH, IN THIS ROOM.
AS YOU KNOW, THAT COMMITTEE IS A COMMISSION APPOINTED COMMITTEE THAT MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS ON ITS OWN AND UPON REQUESTS, AS WOULD BE THE CASE HERE TO CITY STAFF AND/OR TO THE CITY COMMISSION.
WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THIS INPUT FROM THE RESIDENTS WE'VE HEARD FROM AND THAT NOT JUST TONIGHT, BUT OTHERWISE, WE'RE LISTENING AND EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO FIND THE SWEET SPOT ON WHERE THESE PROTOCOLS SHOULD END UP BEING.
THANK YOU. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MR. KILLINGSWORTH.
>> I UNDERSTAND WHERE TENNIS PLAYERS ARE COMING FROM AND ALL THEIR COMMENTS.
[00:45:02]
WE WORKED A LITTLE BIT ON GETTING ALL THE REGULATIONS AND PROTOCOLS AND RULES FOR TENNIS INSTRUCTION THERE, AND THERE HAVE NEVER BEEN RESERVATIONS THERE.NEVER BEEN RESERVATIONS THERE OR ANY PART.
I GUESS WHAT BOTHERS ME IS, THIS WAS DECIDED WITH THE DAY AND THE HOURS IT WAS GOING TO BE DONE.
I THINK I UNDERSTAND GETTING THINGS DONE QUICK, BUT ALSO THERE'S TRANSPARENCY.
WE DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS.
I KNOW TENNIS ISSUES THEY'RE HAVING OVER THERE.
I JUST CAN'T HELP IT FEEL WELL, LET'S JUST PUT IT ON THIS LOCAL ATLANTIC BEACH PUBLIC COURT.
KEVIN, DID YOU COME UP WITH THIS ALL BY YOURSELF? WAS THERE SOMEONE AT ABCC THAT WANTED THIS DONE? I HEAR THINGS. I'M LETTING YOU TAKE THE FLOOR.
LIKE I SAID, I'M NOT EVEN A TENNIS PLAYER, BUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS VERY UPSETTING.
THEY'RE OUT THERE PLAYING TENNIS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WHOLE PROCESS, WHICH IS WHY WE GOT THE TENNIS INSTRUCTORS AND WORKED OUT AND ALL THAT.
BUT THIS CONVERSATION IS DIFFERENT THAN RISK.
THIS IS LIKE PROTOCOL PROCESS AND HOW WE DO THINGS HERE.
I THINK IT'S BEEN VIOLATED. HOW DO YOU FEEL?
>> IF I MAY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION YOU POSED THROUGH THE MAYOR AND WITH MR. COHEN'S WORTH BLESSING, I GOT FEEDBACK FROM OUR STAFF.
THE REQUEST STARTED COMING IN LATE SPRING, EARLY SUMMER.
ACTUALLY, THE FIRST PERMIT WE ISSUED WAS A SUMMER LEAGUE.
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND AND THIRD PERMITS.
YES, AS WE KICKED THE PROTOCOLS OFF, WE OPERATED UNDER THE PRINCIPAL PROTOCOL THAT IF YOU'RE PLAYING IN A LEAGUE AT RUSSELL PARK, YOU HAD TO SIGN A HOLD HARMLESS WAIVER.
WE PUT THAT IN PLACE AND FROM THERE BY EARLY AUGUST, HAD THE BEGINNING OF WHAT IS NOW THE PROTOCOLS THAT ARE POSTED AT THE COURTS, AND WE GOT THERE WITH MR. KILLINGSWORTH OVERSIGHT.
THIS IS NOW IN MY OPINION A SLIPPERY SLOPE.
PEOPLE SHOW UP. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A RESERVATION SO I'D LIKE TO MAKE A RESERVATION.
I'D LIKE TO NOT HAVE SPEED LUCKILY, THEY'RE ALL WANT TO SHOW UP, SO I'M AFRAID THIS RESERVATION POLICY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GRANTED IS GOING TO AFFECT EVERYBODY THAT WANTS TO PLAY TENNIS OUT THERE.
THEY'RE ALL GOING TO WANT RESERVATIONS FOR IT AND DEMAND RESERVATIONS BECAUSE THEIR TIME IS WORSE ON TOO.
THIS THURSDAY, THEY'RE STARTING THEIR FIRST COAST TENNIS LEAGUE.
THERE'S TWO TEAMS AND THEY'RE GOING TO COMPETE.
HAVE THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A WHILE?
>> AS YOU HEARD EVEN FROM A COUPLE OF ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENTS WHO ADDRESS YOU, THERE'S BEEN LEAGUE PLAY OCCURRING.
HISTORICALLY, AND STAFF, FRANKLY, LOOKED THE OTHER WAY AND DID NOT REQUIRE ANYTHING OF THE LEAGUES.
INDEED, WE MAY END UP THERE AGAIN, AND PERHAPS IT'LL GET TO THIS LEVEL.
LEAGUE PLAY HAS OCCURRED FOR INDEFINITELY.
ONCE UPON A TIME, I WAS PLAYING WHEN A LEAGUE CAME AND LEFT THE COURTS YEARS AND YEARS AGO.
THAT HAS BEEN ACCURATELY ESTABLISHED THAT HAPPENS AT RUSSELL PARK, LEAGUE PLAY HAPPENS.
>> IT WAS HAPPENING IN SPITE OF STAFF AND IN SPITE OF ANYTHING GOING ON AT CITY HALL.
FOR US TO ALLOW, TO PERMIT LEAGUE PLAY, WE HAD TO HAVE SOMETHING TO POINT TO IN TERMS OF PROTOCOLS, WHICH, INDEED, AS YOU KNOW, ARE CONTINUING TO BE TWEAKED AS WE SPEAK WITH YOU AND THE PUBLIC'S HELP.
>> THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS, MS. CASTELLO TALKED ABOUT 18 OF 22 OF THESE FOLKS WERE ABCC PLAYERS WHO PAY DUES THERE AND THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, I DON'T LIKE IT. THAT'S MY THOUGHTS.
[00:50:01]
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER.
>> KEVIN, I APOLOGIZE FOR SOME OF THE ACCUSATIONS.
>> THAT WERE LEVELED AT YOU BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, YOU WERE THE LEAST POWER-HUNGRY PERSON I'VE EVER MET.
I'M NOT SURE AS A COMMISSION, WE NEED TO GET INVOLVED IN THE WEEDS, LITERALLY, IN THIS CASE.
WE SET THE RISK POLICY, AND YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE IT.
MAYBE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE MORE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT WHY THEY'VE GOTTEN THIS BLOCK OF TIME.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I THINK YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING POLICY AND ACTING WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE STAFF.
>> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. MS. CASTELLO, I THINK, SHE QUOTED 24 LEAGUES PLAY ON THE TENNIS.
I PLAYED AND I'M NOT IN A LEAGUE, BUT JUST FOR FUN.
I KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE LEAGUES, BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER CITIZENS WHO JUST GO OUT THERE AND WANT TO PLAY? I'M JUST CONCERNED ABOUT THAT, AND I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE CAME TO YOU AND GOT THE PERMIT.
DID THE DOOR JUST OPEN FOR THE ONE LEAGUE, AND THAT'S REALLY NOT FAIR IF THAT'S THE CASE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO GO DOWN THE PATH OF RESERVING COURTS.
AS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THIS, I GET WHAT COMMISSIONER KELLY IS SAYING ABOUT GETTING INTO THE WEEDS, BUT I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD GET INTO THE WEEDS ABOUT BECAUSE IT'S PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYERS.
THEY'RE EVERYONE'S COURTS. JUST THAT I'M JUST ONE OF FIVE, THOUGH.
>> INDEED, EVERYONE IN THE ROOM HAS AN APPRECIATION FOR THE BALANCE.
THESE ARE THE PUBLIC'S COURTS, AND WITH A GREAT DEAL OF THOUGHT THAT WE PUT A LIMIT OF NO MORE THAN TWO LEAGUE TEAMS PLAYING AT ONCE.
HOWEVER, IF WE DO GET A THIRD REQUEST NOW, OF COURSE, IT WOULD BE FOR A SEASON THAT STARTS IN JANUARY, OR MAY, OR AUGUST.
WE'D BE PUT IN A POSITION OF REVISITING THE PROTOCOLS BY THE TIME THAT, IN ADVANCE OF THAT NEXT LEAGUE, RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE TWO REQUESTS FOR A SINGLE SEASON.
THE THIRD REQUEST [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE OTHERS DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.
IF NOT EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT THE LEAGUES, I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR, THAT IF ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE LEAGUES, IT SHOULD BE OPEN TO EVERYONE WE'RE ABOUT TO START THEIR RESERVATIONS POLICY AND WE'RE MAKING THESE POLICIES, THAT SHOULD BE PUBLICLY NOTED.
>> AT THIS POINT, I THINK WE NEED TO START ALL OVER. GO BACK.
I DON'T THINK THAT GENIE IS OUT OF THE BOTTLE COMPLETELY YET, BUT I THINK WHEN YOU LET THEM PLAY STARTING THURSDAY, IS THERE A CONTRACT THEY SIGN?
>> THERE'S A PERMIT THEY PAY FOR AND RECEIVE, AND INDEED, WE POST IT AT THE COURTS, THE PROTOCOLS, AND THE SCHEDULE.
I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
OF COURSE, THE LEAGUE PLAYERS, THE PERMITS TO BE EFFECTIVE, EVERY PLAYER PARTICIPATES IN LEAGUE PLAY HAS TO SIGN A HOLD HARMLESS.
>> DID YOU SAY THAT IT WAS 2% OF THE TIME? WERE YOU USING 24 HOURS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK?
>> I WAS. NO, I WAS USING, I'M SORRY, 14 HOURS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
>> OKAY. YEAH, I DON'T THINK THIS IS FAIR.
I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR FOR THE RESIDENTS WHO DON'T PLAY IN LEAGUE AND THE OTHER WHO DO HAVE LEAGUES, ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S 24.
>> INDEED, WE, TOGETHER, ARE GOING TO FIND THAT SWEET SPOT, WITH NO DOUBT.
>> ARE THEY PLAYING WATER TENNIS?
>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY PLAY TOMORROW.
>> KEVIN, I THINK THE LESSON LEARNED, AS I HEARD, IF OUR WEBSITE IS NOT CORRECT, THAT'S TRANSPARENT.
WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF PLACES ON THE WEBSITE INFORMATION.
YES, THAT'S GOING TO BE CORRECTED RIGHT AWAY. THANK YOU.
>> THE OTHER THING, I THINK YOU HEARD IT, SO I WILL REPEAT IT, BUT IF IN FACT THAT WAS THE POLICY, MAN, WE'VE GOT TO PUT IT OUT THERE.
>> WE DID, AND INDEED WE'VE BEEN HEARING FROM FOLKS.
>> NO, IT'S POSTED AT THE COURT, SO DIRECT MARKETING.
>> I THINK WE'D REACH MORE PEOPLE THROUGH A NEWSLETTER OR A WEBSITE.
>> I THINK IT'S A LESSONS LEARNED HERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DISRUPTION WOULD BE TO THE LEAGUES THAT ARE STARTING THURSDAY, BUT I'M SURE YOU AND MR. KELLY CAN FIGURE THAT OUT.
[00:55:01]
>> I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR SURE.
I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING THE CONNECTION WITH RISK MANAGEMENT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE THEM SIGN A WAIVER, BUT THAT MAKES SENSE, BUT ALLOWING RESERVATIONS WITH THE COURTS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RISK MANAGEMENT, SO HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M MISSING.
>> YES. THE PERMITTING PROTOCOL HAS EVERYTHING; RISK MANAGEMENT IS DIRECTLY TIED TO THE PERMIT.
>> IF IN FACT, WE ALLOWED PERMITTING, WHICH NOBODY KNEW WE WOULD DO.
I GET YOU THAT ONCE YOU START PERMITTING, YOU WANT TO DO RISK MANAGEMENT, BUT THE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT RISK MANAGEMENT.
IT'S ABOUT NOBODY KNEW THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A PERMITTING FOR LEAGUE PLAY, AND I LEARNED TO PLAY TENNIS ON THOSE COURTS IN 1969.
I'M NOT OLD, BUT THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.
I CAN'T REMEMBER EVER HAVING RESERVATIONS ON THOSE COURTS, SO I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE, NOT UNLIKE COMMISSIONER WATERS.
IT IS CONCERNING THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR PLAYERS, AND I KNOW THAT MANY WILL BE WATCHING THIS, I LOVE ALL OF OUR ATLANTIC BEACH COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERS, AND YOU'RE ONE OF THEM, COMMISSIONER, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL CITIZENS, ONE TO OPINE, BUT NUMBER 2 IS TO ALSO RAISE THEIR HAND IF THEY WANT TO RESERVE.
I DO WANT TO SAY THIS FOR THE REST OF MY COMMISSIONERS.
THIS IS MY POSITION ON THIS, BUT THE CITY STAFF DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE POLICY.
IF EVERYBODY HERE AND THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING DON'T REALIZE THIS, WE DON'T PASS LAWS OR ORDINANCES FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S DONE IN THE CITY.
WHAT WE DO, BUT YOU AND THE CITY MANAGER HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT, I THINK THIS ONE'S ILL-CONCEIVED.
I'M JUST GOING TO GO ON RECORD.
I THINK WE MIGHT WANT TO RELOOK OR SEE IF THERE'S ANY COMPROMISE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO THIS AT THE LATE DATE, AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE PROBLEMATIC.
IF THE CITIZENS WHO SPOKE TONIGHT DO NOT GET REDRESS ON THIS, THEN THEY'RE GOING TO FEEL VERY UPSET ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT AND WHAT WE'RE DOING.
IS THERE ANY COMPROMISE HERE? BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD WAS FIRST OF ALL, IN ALL CASES IN THE PAST, THE EVENTS, THE PLAY, AND SO ON, WERE DONE AT LATER HOURS, NOT THE CORE PREMIUM HOURS, AT LEAST MOSTLY, I THINK THAT WAS THE CASE.
I DON'T KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS HERE.
ALL I KNOW IS THAT IT'S ABOUT WHAT HOURS ARE SELECTED.
WE HAVE SIX COURTS, SO IT'S FOUR OUT OF SIX COURTS, SO IS THERE A WAY TO THREAD THIS NEEDLE AND GET TO THE OTHER SIDE TO WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY HAVE THE CONVERSATION FOR FUTURE POLICY THAT MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN CURRENT POLICY?
>> WE CAN LOOK AT THAT. I THINK THE ATTEMPT BY KEVIN IN SETTING SPECIFIC HOURS.
I DON'T THINK THE IDEA, AND EVEN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WAS TO HAVE A RESERVATION, BUT BY SETTING ASIDE AND DESIGNATING TIME, YOU CONTROL THE QUANTITY.
THERE'S A DESIRE, AT LEAST BY STAFF, TO CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT LEAGUE PLAYED CAN TAKE PLACE ON THE PUBLIC COURTS.
IF IT'S A DISCUSSION OF WHEN THAT IS, I THINK THERE WAS CERTAINLY ROOM FOR THAT.
IT WAS HOPED THAT WHEN IT GOT TO ARC THAT WOULD BE PART OF THIS NOTION HAPPENING THERE.
>> I HEAR YOU, THE CHALLENGES THAT'S AFTER THE LEAGUE BEGINS, AND I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR TO ALL OF US ONCE THE LEAGUE BEGINS THIS WEEK, IS IT THIS THURSDAY? ONCE IT BEGINS, THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.
IT MIGHT BE CITY ATTORNEY, CAN YOU OPINE ON THIS? WHAT ARE OUR LEGAL RISKS ON THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE IN FACT ISSUED A PERMIT.
>> I'D LIKE TO REVIEW WHAT HAS BEEN ISSUED TO DATE.
YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THE RULES PROSPECTIVELY, I WOULD WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE COMMITTED TO AS OF A DATE CERTAIN.
THIS COMMISSION, OBVIOUSLY, LIKE YOU SAID, CERTAINLY THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE RELEGATED TO STAFF TO COME UP WITH POLICIES ON, BUT CERTAINLY, IF IT'S IMPORTANT, WHICH IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS, THE COMMISSION COULD TAKE UP A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT YOUR OWN POLICY AND THEN CURTAIL OR OTHERWISE, WHAT'S BEEN ADOPTED BY STAFF.
YOU DO HAVE THAT OPTION, TOO, BUT WE WANT TO LOOK AT THIS PROSPECTIVELY.
>> COMMISSIONER, ANY FURTHER COMMENTS?
[01:00:01]
>> I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANY MORE COMMENTS, KEVIN. THAT'S IT.
>> COULD WE GET CONSENSUS TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO REVIEW THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, TO REPORT BACK AND, OF COURSE, WE WON'T HAVE ANOTHER MEETING, SO HE WILL HAVE TO ENGAGE, HOW CAN WE ENGAGE ON THIS TO HAVE FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT MIGHT BE OTHER THAN WHAT CURRENTLY IS?
>> THE CITY ATTORNEY AND I CAN GET TOGETHER AND WE CAN FIND OUT WHAT THE PERMITS ISSUES, WHAT THE LANGUAGE ACTUALLY IS ON THE PERMITS AND ONCE WE KNOW THAT, WE CAN MAKE A DECISION AS TO HOW MUCH WE'RE BUYING AND THEN HOW MUCH WE HAVE TO MAKE OTHER DECISIONS.
I'LL JUST REPORT BACK VIA BLIND COPY EMAIL TO ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU.
>> WE'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT, AND I'M SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE HERE, WE'RE NOT RESPONDING TO YOU TONIGHT, BUT YOU'LL HEAR MORE FROM THE CITY AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
THANK YOU ALL FOR PASSIONATELY BRINGING YOUR CASE AND WE'LL DO IT.
>> OKAY. I GUESS WHERE WERE WE? [LAUGHTER] YOUR HONOR.
>> I'M DONE, MR. MAYOR. GOOD DAY.
>> WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 4 ON THE AGENDA.
[4. REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS FROM CITY COMMISSIONERS]
COMMISSIONER REPORTS, WE'LL START WITH COMMISSIONER BULL.>> I'M GOING TO YIELD MOST OF MY TIME TO 9AS, GO TO THE BUDGET, BUT I DO THINK THIS EXAMPLE OF THE STARTER MASTER PLAN, WE THROW THAT AROUND, BUT THAT'S ACTUALLY, THE FOOTPRINT OF HOW WE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY.
HAS MADE IT THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOUR YEARS AT LEAST SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
>> IT'S BEEN PRETTY OBVIOUS THE IMPACT OF ALL THE RAINS WE'VE BEEN HAVING.
WE NOT ONLY BUILT THE ARC, BUT WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, AND WE'VE DEVELOPED A PASSENGER LIST.
WHEN THE FLOODWATERS ARE THREATENING YOUR HOME, IT MAY SEEM AS IF THE CITY HAD NOT ACTED TO MANAGE THE STORMWATER, BUT WE ARE HAMPERED BY FLAT TERRAIN, HIGH TIDES IN A REALLY LONG RUN OUT TO MAYPORT TO OUTLET THE WATER.
WE HAVE THOSE PROBLEMS BUILT INTO TO OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT WE HAVE STARTED AS EARLY AS 2019 UNDER MAYOR GLASER TO WRITE TO COMMISSION OUR FIRST STORMWATER SURVEY.
FROM THAT, WE DEVELOPED THE CURRENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
THE PRICE OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE ASTRONOMICAL.
THE POST-COVID, THE PRICE OF CONCRETE WITH DOUBLES.
CONTRACTORS HAVE BEEN BIDDING ON LARGER PROJECTS.
WE HAD TO ACTUALLY BREAK THIS PROJECT INTO TWO PARTS TO GET ANYONE TO BID ON IT.
IT'S NOT JUST US, IT'S THE WORLD THAT WE'RE OPERATING ON.
IN SOME PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT, REQUIRE WE COOPERATE WITH BOTH NEPTUNE BEACH AND WITH COJ, AND THE SHOPPING CENTER.
ALL OF THOSE TAKE TIME TO WORK OUT AND GET ALL THE LEGAL WORK DONE.
TO FIND THE FUNDS THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS.
WE HIRED A STATE LOBBYIST, AND WE HAVE AN IN HOUSE GRANT ADMINISTRATOR TO SEEK OUT THE DOLLARS THAT WE NEED, AND THEY HAVE EARNED US OVER $2 MILLION.
WE'RE SITTING DUCKS AS FAR MUCH AS THIS COST, BUT WE REALLY ARE TRYING.
WE PURCHASED A NIFTY VACUUM TRUCK TO CLEAN OUT THE DRAINS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW OFTEN DOES THAT GO OUT, SCOTT. EVERY DAY?
>> EVERY DAY. WE PURCHASED DORA DRIVE AS A RETENTION POD PROJECT.
>> WE REDUCED LOT COVERAGE TO 45% AND IMPLEMENTED REGULATING SELF RETENTION FOR THE RUNOFF.
WE PROTECT THE TREES THAT HELP RETAIN WATER.
TREES RETAIN, I WANT TO SAY THEY ARE 20% OR 30% OF RAINWATER, THE TREES RETAIN.
>> YEAH. WE'RE TRYING TO PROTECT OUR TREES AND WE'VE HIRED A CONTRACTOR TO CLEAN OUT SOME OF THE SWALES AS OAK CIRCLE HAS NOTICED.
[01:05:02]
IT'S JUST THAT THE GEARS OF GOVERNMENT RUN SLOWLY, AND WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR IT.SECONDLY, I'VE HEARD SOME COMPLAINTS REGARDING THAT COMMERCIAL BUILDING ON THE CORNER OF 800 EAST COAST DRIVE, AND THE MAYORS, NO MAYORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROVING THAT, I'VE HEARD THAT ACCUSED AND THE FACT IS THAT COAB HAS SPECIAL ZONING DISTRICT IN TOWN CENTER AND THAT COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN THAT AREA IS TOTALLY LEGAL.
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THEY HOLD THE LINE UNLOCKED COVERAGE.
IF 45% IS NOT ENOUGH FOR US, LET'S ROLL IT BACK TO 40%.
WORKS FOR ME. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER GREEN.
>> LAST TUESDAY NIGHT, I ATTENDED THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AND SPOKE ON BEHALF OF A MOTHER OF A CHILD AT ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY, BUT ALSO AS A FORMER CHILD WEST OF MAYPORT ROAD.
WHAT I ASKED THE SCHOOL BOARD TO DO IS AS THEY'RE LOOKING AT FEEDER PATTERNS, AND NOW THAT WE'VE SEEN THE IDEA, AND IT'S STILL AN IDEA UNTIL THEY VOTE ON IT THAT ATLANTIC BEACH WOULD STAY OPEN.
I'VE ASKED THEM TO REVISIT THE SCHOOL ZONING THAT INCLUDES ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY CHILDREN WEST OF MAYPORT ROAD.
IN 1981, NEPTUNE BEACH ELEMENTARY WAS BUILT, AND THE CHILDREN WEST OF MAYPORT WERE SENT EITHER TO MAYPORT ELEMENTARY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE SCHOOLS I ATTENDED, AND THE REST WERE SENT TO NEPTUNE BEACH ELEMENTARY, WHERE I SPENT SECOND THROUGH FIFTH GRADE.
ANYWAY, I HAD ASKED THE SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSIDER AS THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE FEEDER PATTERNS, AND AS ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY DOES HAVE A SLIGHT ENROLLMENT PROBLEM.
I DID RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM THE PRINCIPAL TODAY AS A PARENT, WE ALL DID, THAT THEY ARE LOSING TWO POSITIONS BECAUSE OF LOW ENROLLMENT.
IN ANY CASE, I WENT BEFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD AS A CITIZEN, BUT I WANTED TO PRESENT TO YOU AND HOPED THAT PERHAPS MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR WOULD GET A CONSENSUS TO WRITE A RESOLUTION, IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER INCLUDING ALL CHILDREN WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ATLANTIC BEACH TO BE INCLUDED IN ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY, INSTEAD OF CUTTING THAT LINE AT WEST OF MAYPORT ROAD.
I DO WANT TO SAY A CAVEAT THAT THE CHILDREN WHO ARE WEST OF MAYPORT ROAD, WHO ARE ATTENDING NEPTUNE AND ARE STILL IN NEPTUNE OR MAYBE MAYPORT, AND ARE STILL IN MAYPORT, AND HAPPY WITH THEIR SCHOOL ROUGH SCHOOL CHOICE, THEY WOULD STILL BE ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
BUT I FEEL THAT MY VOICE LAST TUESDAY NIGHT WAS JUST ONE.
OUR VOICE WOULD BE A STRONGER ONE.
SINCE CURRENTLY, THAT'S YOUR REQUEST, FIRST OF ALL, DO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON THERE? SO I WOULD CERTAINLY SUPPORT THAT IF WE WANT TO GIVE DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION FOR A VOTE AT THE NEXT MEETING, OUR ISSUE IS WE ARE ALREADY WELL BELOW THE 700 STUDENT BODY THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD THINKS IS THE MOST EFFICIENT MODEL.
WE STARTED THIS SCHOOL YEAR AT OVER 500 STUDENTS AT ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY, AND THROUGH ATTRITION IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS, I THINK WE'RE DOWN UNDER 480.
>> YES. THEY'VE LOST TWO, A FOURTH GRADE TEACHER AND A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER.
>> RIGHT, AND ONE OF OUR CONCERNS AS TO HOW THAT MIGHT LITERALLY HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT WE'RE IN PLAY FOR POSSIBLE CLOSURE.
IF YOU'RE A PARENT PUTTING YOUR CHILD IN KINDERGARTEN OR FIRST GRADE AND WONDERING, IS THIS GOING TO BE THE SCHOOL FOR MY CHILD FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS OR SIX YEARS, YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT OTHERWISE.
I CERTAINLY WOULD SUPPORT THAT IF WE HAVE CONSENSUS.
DO YOU KNOW THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AT NEPTUNE BEACH?
>> I WANT TO SAY IT'S OVER 700.
>> NO, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT BELONG TO ATLANTIC BEACH?
>> FROM OR THAT ARE GOING TO ATLANTIC BEACH? I DON'T KNOW THAT.
>> I BELIEVE THAT NUMBER IS 50-60, SO IT'S STILL NOT A CLOSE.
IT'S NOT GOING TO CLOSE THE DELTA ALL THE WAY TO 700, BUT WE DON'T HAVE A FACILITY BIG ENOUGH TO SET 700 ANYWAYS.
BUT THIS RESOLUTION, I WOULD ASK THAT IF WE DO AGREE AND HAVE CONSENSUS TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER, THAT IT ALSO BE DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY TO OUR SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE AS WELL,
[01:10:06]
BUT DO WE HAVE THAT CONSENSUS?>> OKAY. IF YOU BRING THAT FOR THE NEXT MEETING, WE APPRECIATE THAT.
>> WE NEED IT BEFORE THEN. WHEN'S THE VOTE?
>> WELL, THE VOTE, I ACTUALLY DID GET A REPLY FOLLOWED UP WITH AN EMAIL, AND I GOT A REPLY FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT THAT THE VOTE THAT'S COMING UP HAS TO DO WITH THE CLOSING OR KEEPING OF ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY AND OTHER SCHOOLS OPEN.
IT DOESN'T REALLY DIVE INTO THE FEEDER PATTERNS.
BUT WHAT I CAN DO IS I CAN SEND THE EMAIL TO THE CITY CLERK.
CAN I DO THAT, JASON? SEND THE REPLY FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ME AND HE GAVE SOME SPECIFICS OF HOW IT COULD GO ABOUT AS FAR AS THE FEEDER PATTERN.
THE SCHOOL ZONE ITSELF IS NOT BEING VOTED ON.
WHAT'S BEING VOTED ON IS THE MASTER FACILITY PLAN, WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE NUANCES AND THE DETAILS OF THE FEEDER PROGRAM.
THAT'S NOT OR THE FEEDER PATTERNS.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE VOTED ON AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
IF THAT MAKES SENSE. COULD I PASS ALONG THAT EMAIL? HOW DO I DO THAT?
>> THE QUESTION [OVERLAPPING] I'M SORRY, GO AHEAD. PLEASE.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, YES, YOU CAN.
YOU CAN BOARD IT TO THE CLERK AND YOU CAN MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS.
NO RESPONSE FROM THE COMMISSIONERS ON THAT ITEM.
>> YEAH. COMMISSIONER HALEY WAS ASKING, DO WE HAVE TIME? THE VOTE ON THE FINAL DECISION ON CLOSURE OR NON CLOSURE, AND SO ON.
THAT'S NOT FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
THAT'S NOT IMMINENT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT THEY'RE ADOPTING SOMETHING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AT THE LEAST.
>> OKAY. IF WE BRING THIS TO THE NEXT MEETING, WE CAN.
>> I BELIEVE THAT DR. BERNIERS RESPONSE TO ME WAS THAT THE FEEDER PATTERN WOULD BE DISCUSSED LATER ON.
BUT OUR MESSAGE IS, IS LIKE ALL OF OUR CITIZENS TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN THAT FEEDER PATTERN TO THIS SCHOOL, NOT ANOTHER SCHOOL IN ANOTHER.
>> THEIR CITY SCHOOL. OKAY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
GOOD ENOUGH. COMMISSIONER WATERS.
>> SCOTT, I'M SORRY. CAN I ASK YOU TO COME UP FOR A SECOND? I'LL JUST HAVE AN UPDATE. I'M ASKING YOU.
ABOUT OVAL ROAD AND ABOUT AQUATIC GARDENS, HOW HAS THIS WEEK BEEN FOR THEM? ARE THESE HOUSES FLOODING OR HAVING TO PUMP? WHAT ARE WE DOING THERE? YOU OKAY?
>> THIS WASN'T A PLAN, BUT I FIGURED THAT SOMEBODY WOULD ASK ME THE QUESTION.
[LAUGHTER] THAT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER?
>> NO. OUT OF AQUATIC POND THIS WEEK AFTER HAVING FOLLOWED THE WEATHER LAST WEEK, I KNEW THAT WE ACTUALLY WROTE THE CITY MANAGER AND KEVIN HOGAN CAMP EMAIL LAST WEEK AND SAID, WE STARTED PUMPING THE POND.
THE WEATHER PREDICTED ACCUMULATED RAIN OF UP TO 10".
RIGHT NOW, WE'VE HAD ABOUT 7.5 ".
WE'VE PUMPED 3.487 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER OUT OF THE POND AND INTO THE CREEK.
FOR EVERY 3" OF RAIN THAT WE GET, IT RAISES THAT POND 3.5 FEET.
WE HAVE CONTINUED TO PUMP AND PUMP AND PUMP.
THE PUMP IS RUNNING RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK, AND MY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO LEAVE THAT PUMP ON ALL NIGHT TONIGHT.
>> I MISSED THAT. FOR EVERY SO MANY INCHES [OVERLAPPING]
>> FOR EVERY 3" OF RAIN WE GET, IT RAISES THAT POND UP ABOUT 3.5 FEET.
I JUST HAPPENED TO BE LOOKING AT THAT EARLIER BECAUSE THAT WAS A GRAPH THAT STEVE SWAN MADE ME PROBABLY TWO YEARS AGO, AND I WAS LOOKING AT THAT BECAUSE THAT'S PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL.
WE PUMPED THE THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH THAT WAS THROUGH FRIDAY.
WE DID NOT PUMP SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.
WE STARTED PUMPING TODAY AT 9:00, AND AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE'RE JUST ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY FROM PUMPING 1.02 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER TODAY.
>> SO THE PUMPS THAT WE HAVE, IS IT KEEPING WATER OUT OF THEIR HOUSES?
>> LONG AQUATIC POND? YES. AND A LONG AVAL, I THINK THEY'VE BEEN A BIG HELP TO THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GETTING ALL THAT WATER FROM AQUATIC.
I DON'T REMEMBER THE LAST NAME, BUT HIS NAME IS JOHN.
TALKED TO HIM PROBABLY FOR 10 OR 15 MINUTES THIS EVENING AND HE JUST WANTED TO KNOW,
[01:15:02]
CAN YOU PLEASE KEEP THAT PUMP RUNNING? IT SURPRISED ME THAT A AVALA RESIDENT WOULD ASK THAT, BUT I GET IT AND I TOLD HIM WE WOULD RUN THAT PUMP ALL NIGHT TONIGHT.>> IT'S JUST ONE PUMP YOU HAVE OUT THERE.
>> ONE PUMP. IT'S A SIX INCH PUMP.
IT PUMPS 15,000 GALLONS OF WATER A MINUTE.
>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR DILIGENCE.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY, SO I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS.
I MAY HAVE BEEN THE COMMISSION BEFORE YOU ASKED US TO LEAVE THE PUMP OUT THERE.
I MADE THE DECISION NOT TO DO THAT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.
BUT WHAT I DID DIRECT STAFF TO DO IS TO TREAT EVERY RAIN EVENT THAT IS FORECASTED IN KING TIDE, TREATED IN THE SAME PROTOCOLS THAT WE TREAT A TROPICAL STORM OR A HURRICANE, WHICH MEANS HE GETS OUT THERE THE DAY BEFORE AND STARTS PUMPING AND THAT'S WHAT HE'S BEEN DOING SINCE THAT COMMISSION MEETING.
>> SINCE YOU'RE HERE, I CAN ASK ONE OR TWO QUESTIONS IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU, JOHN? RIGHT NOW, WE CAN REASONABLY UTILIZE THESE TOOLS AND PROCESSES AND SO ON BECAUSE WE'RE NOT DEALING WITH A KING TIDE.
>> RIGHT NOW, WE AREN'T. NEXT WEEK, WE WILL BE.
>> OKAY. AND TONIGHT, AS OF 7:15, WE'RE ACTUALLY AT LOW TIDE.
SO THAT WATER'S FLOWING OUT HOPKINS CREEK.
>> IF WE HAD ACTUALLY BEEN LIKE RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE I SAW THE CREEK BEHIND KAVALA A LITTLE WHILE AGO, IF WE WERE DEALING WITH HIGH TIDE AT 7:15, I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE HAD WATER BACK IN THE BUILDINGS.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE STAND AT THIS MOMENT. DO YOU KNOW?
>> THE LAST WORD I HEARD, WHICH WAS ABOUT 4:00, IS THAT THE WATER WAS RIGHT AT THE TOP LEVEL OF THE CONCRETE RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THE PUMP HOUSE IN FRONT OF THE LIFT STATION.
THAT'S STILL A PRETTY GOOD WAYS FROM THEIR DOOR, BUT ONCE IT GETS TO THAT POINT, IT COMES AROUND THE SURCLE AND IT'S IN THAT ASPHALT SECTION BEHIND THEIR HOUSE.
>> AND I ACTUALLY WAS THERE AND I WANT TO SAY IT WAS 4:30 AND THERE WAS AT LEAST 4-5 OR SIX INCHES OF WATER ON TOP OF THE CONCRETE IN FRONT OF THE LIFT STATION.
SO THE WATER WAS RACING ACROSS THE TOP.
IT WAS LONG SINCE FINISHED WITH THE CULVERT.
>> YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WAS MADE TO WORK THAT WAY.
IF THE WATER GOT TOO HIGH AND IT WAS TOO MUCH WATER AT ONE TIME, IT WAS MADE TO GO ON TOP OF THE PIPE BUT JUST ON NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES, IT WOULD GO THROUGH THE PIPE.
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO YOUR MEN AND WOMEN OF YOUR DEPARTMENT.
I SAW ONE OF YOUR GUYS IN HIS TRUCK OUT THERE MANAGING THE PUMP TODAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAINSTORM.
I COULDN'T EVEN ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN TO TALK TO HIM. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
JOB WELL DONE. I DO HAVE ONE REQUEST SINCE YOU'RE HERE, IS THERE IS A SMALL DITCH THAT IS CUT FROM THE END OF AVALA WHERE THE THREE RED SIGNS ARE.
>> YOU'VE ALREADY GONE OUT THERE AND DONE IT? THANK YOU.
>> PROBABLY JUST AFTER YOU LEFT BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT THAT.
ME AND MY STORMWATER SUPERVISOR WAS RIDE IN THAT AREA I THINK THURSDAY AND WE SAW THAT IT WAS GROWN UP, AND I TOLD HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO GET TO THAT.
UNFORTUNATELY, DIDN'T GET TO IT THURSDAY OR FRIDAY, BUT HE DID DO IT TODAY.
>> I HAVE YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE THE MAN OF THE HOUR. [OVERLAPPING].
>> I GOT A TARGET ON MY BACK I FEEL LIKE.
>> TWO WEEKS AGO, WE DID APPROVE FOR ROCKAWAY TO COME IN AND DO DITCH CLEANING.
I KNOW ONE OF THOSE STREETS WERE 9TH STREET.
IS THAT HAPPENING NOW? WITH ALL THE RAIN, IS THAT GOING TO HELP THAT BECAUSE 9TH STREET?
>> IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE RAIN GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING. THE DITCHES ARE FULL.
THE CONTRACTOR WAS DELAYED A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE HAD TO GET IT ALL CHECKED OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS RIGHT WITH HER BEING AN ATTORNEY, SHE WAS GOING TO CHECK THROUGH EVERYTHING AND MAKE SURE THE CONTRACT WAS WRITTEN RIGHT.
I THINK CHRIS MANAGER. THERE YOU GO.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO THINK OF. SHE WAS DOING THAT.
SHE'S HAD THAT DONE, I THINK, THURSDAY, AND SO WE'RE GETTING A CONTRACT.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF WE GOT THE CONTRACT TODAY OR NOT, BUT ONCE WE GET THE CONTRACT, WE'LL AWARD IT.
WE'LL SEND OUT A LETTER TO THE CONTRACTOR, TELL THEM THAT THEY'VE BEEN AWARDED THIS CONTRACT, AND THEN WE'LL SET UP A PREWORK MEETING TO DISCUSS HOW WE WANT THE OPERATION TO GO, AND THEN WE'LL GIVE THEM A NOTICE TO PROCEED.
USUALLY, THEY HAVE AT THAT POINT 30 DAYS.
[01:20:03]
SOMETIMES A CONTRACTOR SUCH AS THE PAVING CONTRACTOR TAKES A LITTLE BIT LONGER THAN THAT, BUT WE'LL GIVE THEM 30 DAYS AND LET THEM AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN START WITHIN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME.BUT WE CERTAINLY WOULDN'T GIVE THEM A 30 DAY NOTICE RIGHT NOW KNOWING THAT IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO RAIN EVERY DAY FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
>> OKAY. I'M GOING TO TRY TO BE QUICK ON MY PORTION, BUT WE DID NOT HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA, SO I'M USING MY TIME TO READ A VERY SHORT PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
TOMORROW, I WILL REPRESENT THE CITY WITH THE OTHER TWO BEACH MAYORS AT A MEETING AT NEPTUNE BEACH CITY HALL IN SUPPORT OF SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.
IF YOU'RE NOT AWARE, WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE COMPANY STARTED IN NEPTUNE BEACH, AND THE NAME OF THE COMPANY IS HERE TOMORROW.
IT'S ALL ABOUT KEEPING PEOPLE HERE TOMORROW AND AVOIDING SUICIDE.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE BEACHES.
WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEM.
IN FACT, MR. KILLINGSWORTH, ARE THEY ENGAGED WITH OUR POLICE OFFICERS?
>> OKAY, SO YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
BUT VERY QUICKLY, WHEREAS SUICIDE IS THE MOST PREVENTABLE CAUSE OF DEATH AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH DESIRES TO FOSTER OPEN AND HONEST DISCUSSION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE SO THAT WE CAN HELP CREATE A MORE SUPPORTABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE.
WHEREAS DUVAL COUNTY SUFFERED 179 SUICIDE DEATHS, 464 CELL FARM INJURIES, AND 739 CELL FARM EMERGENCY ROOM DEATHS IN 2022 ALONG AND WHEREAS 26% OF DUVAL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CONSIDER SUICIDE, 21% MADE A SUICIDE PLAN AND 17% ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN 2021 ALONE.
WHEREAS THE BEACHES IS HOME TO HERE TOMORROW, A ONE OF A KIND ORGANIZATION THAT IS TRANSFORMING LIVES BY BUILDING A COMMUNITY WHERE SUICIDE PREVENTION IS ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT BARRIERS, AND WHEREAS HERE TOMORROW HAS SUPPORTED MORE THAN 2000 INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS AT NO COST AND WITH NO WEIGHT.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I THAT I CURTIS FORD, MAYOR OF ATLANTIC BEACH, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2024 AS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I ACCEPT MY HAND AND CAUSE THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH TO FIX THIS NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024.
I THINK THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, AND I'LL REPORT BACK ON THAT EVENT TOMORROW.
[8.A. RESOLUTION NO. 24-47]
WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 8A, RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-47.A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION OF DEVELOPMENT IN ANASTASIA STATE PARK AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MR. KILLINGSWORTH.
>> I'M GOING TO ASK MR. HARKIN TO COME UP AND DO THE TWO RESOLUTION.
>> GOOD EVENING, KEVIN HOGAN CAMP, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
WITHOUT READING THE RESOLUTION, WE DRAFTED THIS AT THE MAYOR'S REQUEST BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE GOING ON STATE WIDE.
AT ANASTASIA, A LODGE WAS PROPOSED, NOT A GOLF CART COURSE THERE, BUT A LODGE, ALONG WITH PICKLEBALL COURTS, OF COURSE, AND OTHER FACILITIES.
WE'RE PRESENTING THIS RESOLUTION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR ADOPTION AND STAFF SUPPORTS THE RESOLUTION.
>> OKAY. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION?
>> I VOTE THAT WE APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-47.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION IN SECOND.
WHY ARE WE KICKING A DEAD HORSE?
>> OH, NO, I DON'T THINK IT'S A DEAD DEAL.
THANK YOU FOR ASKING THE QUESTION.
I BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DECIDED THIS WAS NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO FIGHT FOR THAT PLAN.
FOR NOW, THAT PLAN IS NOT MOVING FORWARD, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY STILL IMPORTANT FOR US TO STATE WHERE WE STAND SO THAT IT DOESN'T RESURRECT ITSELF IN THE ENSUING MONTHS.
>> OKAY. NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
THE MOTION CARRIES ITEM 8B, RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-48,
[8.B. RESOLUTION NO. 24-48]
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXPANSION OF FIELD C AND THE ADDITION OF A BATTING CAGE BEHIND FIELD B IN JACK RUSSELL PARK AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. KILLINGSWORTH.>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THE CITY WORKED WITH THE ATLANTIC BEACH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION TO LOOK AT THE T-BALL FIELD, IN PARTICULAR, REQUEST TO ROOT THE FENCE 2025 FEET PACK.
[01:25:08]
IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE FIELD, THE FENCE IT'S LITERALLY WITHIN SECOND BASE.THERE IS NO OUTFIELD, YOU GOT THE BASES, AND IT'S NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE STANDARD.
BECAUSE THIS IS A MODIFICATION TO THE PART, WE'RE BRINGING THIS TO THE COMMISSION, THERE'S ALSO A REQUEST TO CHANGE, I THINK IT'S THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FIELD BEHIND IT.
THERE'S A PITCHES PRACTICE PITCHERS MATH.
EVEN SO THERE'S A DESIRE TO CONVERT THAT TO A BATTING CAGE BECAUSE THEY NOW USE MOBILE PITCHING STATIONS TO DO THAT.
WE REACHED OUT TO OUR SOCCER GROUP THAT ALSO USES THAT FLEX FIELD OUT THERE BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO IMPACT THEIR ABILITY TO USE THE FLEX FIELD BECAUSE THEY'VE ACTUALLY BEEN PRETTY GOOD STEWARDS.
BUT WHEN IT'S NOT DOING WHAT IT'S DOING RIGHT NOW, MY DOG AND I NORMALLY WALK THE PARK EVERY DAY.
I GOT TEASED BY USING THE WORD.
BUT I OBSERVED THAT THE SOCCER CLUB BASICALLY USES THAT FLEX FIELD AS A PADDOX.
FOR A WEEK OR TWO, THEY'LL BE ON ONE END OF THE FIELD, AND THEN THEY MOVE TO THE OTHER END OF THE FIELD.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW PEOPLE WHO OWN HORSES DO THAT ON THEIR FIELD SO THAT THE FIELD ISN'T RUN DOWN.
IF YOU JUST LEAVE THE HORSE IN ONE FIELD, THEY'LL TEAR IT UP UNTIL IT'S JUST HEARD.
WE DID GET AN EMAIL FROM THE SOCCER ASSOCIATION AND THEY'RE FINE WITH THE EXPANSION.
HOPEFULLY, WE'VE ALSO CONNECTED THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO WORK COOPERATIVELY GOING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.
WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, THE STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION 24-48.
>> RECOMMEND WE APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-48.
>> WE HAVE THE MOTION A SECOND DISCUSSION. YES.
I THINK THE LITTLE LEAGUE PROGRAM HERE THAT WE HAVE LOCALLY IS FANTASTIC.
I'M SURE ALMOST EVERYBODY'S BEEN OUT THERE, BUT I THINK IT'S REGIONALLY WELL KNOWN THAT THIS IS A QUALITY PROGRAM.
THE ONLY THING THAT I THINK THEY'RE BASING, I TALKED TO THEIR CHAIRMAN WAS, IT'S ALMOST TOO POPULAR.
THEY MAY GET TO A PLACE WHERE IF YOU GO DOWN HERE, TRAFFIC WISE, WE MAY HAVE A TRAFFIC PROBLEM.
SHOULD WE HAVE TWO MORE TEAMS?
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY, AND MR. KILLINGSWORTH, CORRECT ME, ALL OF THIS IS BEING FUNDED BY FUNDS FROM THE ASSOCIATION?
>> WHICH IS EXTRAORDINARY FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT THIS GROUP OF LEADERS AND PARENTS AND ADVOCATES TAKE IT ON THEMSELVES TO FUND RAISE.
THERE'S RISK THAT WE OVERLOAD THE PARK.
I GET THAT, BUT I AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WANT TO SUPPORT THIS GROUP THE BEST WE CAN, AND I'M JUST DELIGHTED THAT THEY WOULD BRING THIS FORWARD.
IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, YOU WOULD SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> OKAY, SO WE HAVE ONE ABSTAINING AND WE HAVE FOUR AYES.
>> FAIR ENOUGH. OKAY. THANK YOU. IS THAT OKAY?
>> YEAH. THAT'S FINE. THERE'S A FORM A-B THAT YOU'LL FILL OUT. WE'LL PUT IT ON THE RECORD.
[9.A. Public Hearings and First Reading on adoption of a Tentative Millage Rate and Ordinance No. 20-24-175 establishing the Operating Budget for fiscal year 2024/2025.]
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING ON ADOPTION OF A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE IN ORDINANCE NUMBER 20-24-175 ESTABLISHING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/25.FIRST ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED IS ADOPTION OF A TENTATIVE MILAGE RATE.
THE MILLAGE RATE CURRENTLY IS 2.8410.
THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE IS 3.1035.
IF WE ADOPT THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE OF IT IS 18.81% MORE THAN THE ROLLBACK RATE.
THE PURPOSE FOR ADOPTING THE MILAGE RATE OF 2.8410, WHICH IS THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE IS TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL OF ADVALORM TAX REVENUE SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE EXISTING LEVEL OF SERVICES AT ANTICIPATED AND PROPOSED COST AND TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR OPERATING PURPOSES OF 2.8410.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE WITH THE MILLAGE RATE OF 2.8410.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, AND AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS IN THE PUBLIC HEARING?
[01:30:02]
>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, STAFF.
ON THE CURRENT BUDGET, THIS IS THE THIRD BUDGET CYCLE THAT I HAVE BEEN BEFORE YOU TO DISCUSS SOMETHING THAT'S OBVIOUSLY NEAR AND DEAR TO EVERYONE THAT PREFERS LOWER TAXES, LOWER FEES, AND SO FORTH.
INTERESTINGLY, ABOUT THREE BUDGET CYCLES AGO, THEY MAY REMEMBER THIS PIECE OF PAPER AND MY COMMENTS ABOUT A SLIGHT REDUCTION BY AN EIGHTH OF A PERCENT THREE BUDGET CYCLES AGO, 2022.
SHOULD HAVE REDUCED THE BUDGET BY $300,000.
IT ONLY REDUCED IT BY $49,000.
RHETORICAL QUESTION THAT I ASKED THAT COMMISSIONER WATERS ACTUALLY ASKED THE PREVIOUS MAYOR AND PREVIOUS CITY MANAGER AND THE FINANCE DIRECTOR WAS, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE $250,000? HE WAS COMPLETELY DISMISSED.
IT WAS LEFT LINGERING, AND THINGS JUST WENT ON, LIKE NORMAL WITHOUT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION A VALID QUESTION FROM ONE OF YOU GUYS.
TWO BUDGET CYCLES AGO, LAST YEAR, AFTER I PRESENTED AND HIGHLIGHTED THAT THERE WAS A 2-$3,000,000 INCREASE IN OTHER TAX REVENUES, COMMISSIONER BOLL MADE THE MOTION TO UTILIZE THE ROLLBACK RATE, WHICH REDUCED PROPERTY TAXES ACROSS THE BOARD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ABOUT $750,000, I THINK.
BUT THERE WAS THERE WAS 2-$3,000,000 OF OTHER ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUES, THAT BUDGET CYCLE.
WHAT I'LL SAY IS THROUGH ALL OF THE DILIGENCE THAT YOU GUYS PUT INTO IT, EVERY MEETING WHERE THERE'S SOME OTHER KIND OF SPENDING VOTE OR SOMETHING, Y'ALL PROVE THAT UTILIZING THAT ROLLBACK RATE LAST YEAR WORKED.
WE DID NOT HAVE ANY KIND OF DECREASE IN CITY SERVICES.
IN FACT, MANY PEOPLE WOULD CONTEND WE'VE GOT BETTER CITY SERVICES OVER THE PAST YEAR.
I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO ADJUST THE MILLAGE RATE TONIGHT.
BUT WHAT'S GOING ON NOW IS THE BUDGET BEFORE YOU AT 60 MILLION AND SOME CHANGE, 60,168,000 IS $2,000,000 MORE THAN THE PROPOSED BUDGET FROM JUST THE LAST BUDGET MEETING ON THURSDAY WEEK BEFORE LAST.
THERE'S ANOTHER $2,000,000 MORE IN FUNDING OR OTHER TAX REVENUES THAT CAN ABSORB, ONCE AGAIN, A ROLLBACK RATE.
NOW, THE ROLLBACK RATE NOW ONLY COST 644,000.
BUT WE'VE ALREADY GOT AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE DOCUMENTATION IN THE PREVIOUS BUDGET WORKSHOP, $2,000,000 AND OTHER ADDITIONAL FUNDING, AND THE CITY CAN PROBABLY ONCE AGAIN, ABSORB THAT AND GIVE ALL THE PROPERTY OWNERS, ALL THE RESIDENTS OF ATLANTIC BEACH A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF, AND SEND A MESSAGE OUT THERE THAT WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MONEY, BUT WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MONEY SMARTLY.
OBVIOUSLY, I'M A PROPONENT OF LOWER TAXES RATHER THAN HIGHER TAXES.
BUT LIKE I SAY, YOU'VE PROVED THAT IT CAN BE DONE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR THE LAST YEAR, AND THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PAID FOR THAT WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR AGAIN.
SPLASH PAD, AT 700, $750,000 ALREADY PAID FOR OUT OF THE BUDGET, FREES UP THAT MONEY.
A LOT OF THAT OR MOST OF THAT CAME FROM COJ.
NOW, THAT'S BEING PAID FOR IN THE CURRENT BUDGET, NOT THE FUTURE BUDGET, PAID FOR, FREEING UP MORE MONEY.
I HOPE THAT YOU'LL CONTINUE TO BE EXTREMELY DILIGENT.
LOOK INTO ALL THIS OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, AND IN TWO WEEKS FOR THE SECOND OR FINAL READING OF THE BUDGET, REALLY LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL FOR UTILIZING A ROLLBACK RATE ONCE AGAIN.
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH HAS THE HIGHEST TAX ASSESSED VALUE IN ALL OF DUVAL COUNTY.
EVEN WHEN WE HAVE THE LOWEST MILLAGE RATE, WE STILL PAY MORE PER PROPERTY IN TAXES, SO YOU CAN'T JUST COMPARE THE FACT THAT WE'VE GOT THE LOWEST MILLAGE RATE AGAINST JACKS BEACH OR COJ OR ELSEWHERE, BECAUSE IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE MEDIAN TAX ASSESSED VALUE OF OUR HOMES, WHICH IS NOW 482,000,
[01:35:01]
COMPARED TO JACKSONVILLE BEACH.I CAN'T BIND MY DOG ON PAPER ON THAT.
COMPARED TO JACKSVILLE BEACH, WHICH I THINK IS AT 280,000 AS THEIR MEDIAN TAX ASSESSED VALUE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR SPEAKER CARDS, MAYOR.
>> WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP [INAUDIBLE].
>> HEARING THERE ARE NO MORE SPEAKERS, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO DISCUSSION SO STARTING WITH MR. BOLT.
>> I'D LIKE TO FILL UP WITH DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD EARLIER ABOUT MR. CARLS $2 BILLION WHERE THAT ACTUALLY IS.
>> YEAH. THERE'S NOT AN EXTRA $2,000,000 IN REVENUE.
WHAT WE DID WAS THERE WAS MONEY IN OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND THAT WAS IN RESERVES.
THAT MONEY WAS SET ASIDE FOR TRANSPORTATION ONLY PROJECT.
ONCE WE IDENTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A RESTRICTION ON THE FUNDS, I IDENTIFIED PROJECTS THAT COULD BE UTILIZED.
BUT THAT INCLUDED THE OAK DRAINAGE PROJECT, WHICH IS NEW AND PAVING THE ROAD, AHERN STREET DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT.
>> WHAT THAT IS IS AN UNDER DRAIN FOR AHERN STREET.
WE'RE DOING IT AS PART OF THIS SAME FUNDING, WE'RE DOING A AHERN STREET FROM OCEAN TO EAST COAST.
IF WE'RE TEARING UP THE ROAD, THAT'S THE BEST TIME TO LOOK AT DOING THE UNDER DRAIN THERE.
WE'RE ALSO FUNDING A MULTI-USE PATH FROM EAST COAST TO SHERRY, AND IT'S THE SAME THING.
IF WE'RE LOOKING AT TEARING UP THE ROAD THERE, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE OPPORTUNE TIME TO DO DRAINAGE.
THOSE PROJECTS, AND WE ADDED $334,000 TO MILLING AND PAVING BECAUSE IN THE BUDGET AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY PRESENTED TO YOU IS ONLY ABOUT $216,000.
ALL OF THAT IS TRANSPORTATION RELATED AND FUNDED.
THAT BASIC QUICKLY MAKES UP IDENTICALLY THE MONEY THAT MR. HAROLD IS REFERRING TO.
NOW, THE CHALLENGE IS, WHEN YOU TAKE MONEY OUT OF RESERVES IN TERMS OF HOW FUND ACCOUNTING WORKS, IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN TAKING MONEY OUT OF A TRADITION IRA.
WHEN YOU TAKE THAT MONEY OUT OF AN IRA, YOU HAVE TO COUNT IT AS INCOME.
THAT MONEY GETS COUNTED AS RESERVES BECAUSE IT RIGHT NOW HAS AN EXPENDITURE TO IT.
BUT THERE'S NO NEW MONEY THERE.
THERE'S MONEY THAT WAS IN OUR RESERVES THAT WE PULLED OUT FOR RESTRICTED PROJECTS THAT WERE APPROPRIATE, AND AS A RESULT, IT CAN RAISE OUR TOTAL BUDGET.
>> JUST ONE OTHER THING. LOOKING BACK THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE HAD A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY, THAT'S TWO YEARS AGO TO GO AHEAD AND DO ROLLBACK RATE, AND I DIDN'T THINK IT REALLY AFFECTED CITY SERVICES OR AT LEAST FROM FROM WHERE I WAS SITTING AND WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT WHAT IT ACTUALLY DID.
I LOOKED AND I THINK THROUGH THE FULL WORKSHOPS WE HAD, THAT MY THINKING WAS THAT THE CURRENT MILITARY COVERS.
THAT, I DON'T THINK WE'RE EXCESSIVE.
IF YOU LOOKED AT THE OPTIONAL THINGS, I REALLY WANT THAT 16TH STREET WALK OVER.
THERE'S FOUR OTHER THINGS THAT I WOULD STILL LOVE TO HAVE.
BUT THE CURRENT MILITARY, I THINK IF WE ASK OUR CITY MANAGER, HE WOULD SAY, I THINK WE'D BE HURTING AT THE ROLLBACK RATE, AND I THINK WE ALL BE VERY UNHAPPY WITH WHAT WE'VE DONE [INAUDIBLE].
>> WAS THIS PART OF THE DISCUSSION WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT EITHER GETTING RID OF THE WALK OVER WHERE THE LIFEGUARD STATION WAS AND THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE TWO COLA RAISES?
>> THIS ACTUALLY PRECEDED THAT DISCUSSION.
WHAT MR. HAROLD IS REFERRING TO IS THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHANGE BETWEEN THE FOURTH WORKSHOP AND I THINK THE THIRD WORKSHOP, THE EXPENDITURE AND THE REVENUE AMOUNT INCREASED.
THE REASON IT INCREASED WAS THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FUND THESE PROJECTS WITH RESTRICTED FUNDS THAT WERE SITTING IN THE CAPITAL RESERVES.
THOSE CAPITAL RESERVES ARE FUNDS THAT ARE LEFTOVER FROM OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS OR CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT DIDN'T GET IMPLEMENTED FOR WHATEVER REASON THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROPRIATED AND MOVED INTO THE CAPITAL FUND ACCOUNT.
THESE I HAD PUT IN BECAUSE THERE WAS A FUNDING SOURCE, THERE ARE PROJECTS THAT HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED ACTUALLY FOR SOME TIME, AND THE FUNDING SOURCE WAS RESTRICTED TO ROAD PROJECTS, AND THEY WERE ALL ROAD PROJECTS.
SO THEY SHOWED UP IN THE PRESENTATION ON THE FOURTH WORKSHOP.
THEY WERE ON ONE OF THE SLIDES.
[01:40:03]
AND THEN WHAT WE DID ON THE FOURTH WORKSHOP WAS ADD.WE ENDED UP WITH $714,000 ABOVE AND BEYOND THE 50% RESERVES.
THE CITY HAS A POLICY THAT WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 25% RESERVES.
IF YOU LOOK IN THE BUDGET, YOU'LL SEE A LINE ITEM THAT SAYS RESTRICTED RESERVES. THAT'S THE 25%.
THE POLICY ALSO STATES THAT WE CAN HOLD UP TO 50% RESERVES.
THEN ANYTHING ABOVE 50%, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SPEND, ESSENTIALLY.
WE HAD $714,000 ABOVE THE 50%.
YOU CHOSE TO ALLOCATE THAT TOWARDS THE STORMWATER MASTER PLAN, THE PAY RAISE FOR THE POLICE, THE TURTLE CRAWL, AND THE AHERN STREET CROSSOVER.
THE TWO COLA RAISES, THOSE WILL ACTUALLY IMPACT FISCAL YEAR '26.
THEY WON'T IMPACT FISCAL YEAR 25.
THE UNFUNDED LIABILITY, THE NEXT DAY, I TALKED WITH THE ACTUARY.
BRITTANY TALKED WITH THE ACTUARY AND OUR PENSION ATTORNEY, AND THE UNFUNDED COST, WHICH IS THE COST THAT I GAVE YOU THAT 130 BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM, THAT'S ACTUALLY A YEAR IN ARREARS, SO IT WILL SHOW UP IN FISCAL YEAR '26.
THERE WASN'T A NEED TO TRADE OFF.
ONE DIDN'T GO. BUT THE PAYOUT? WELL, THAT'S PART OF THE PRESENTATION FOR THE ACTUAL BUDGET, BUT I CAN SAY THE PAYOUT WILL START AS SOON AS THE ORDINANCE FOR THE COLA IS OUT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> OPPOSED? THAT'S UNANIMOUS. THANK YOU.
NUMBER 9A, SECOND ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED, ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE BUDGET, ORDINANCE NUMBER 20-24-175, ESTABLISHING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 OF $60,168,632.
THIS IS AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, FOR THE FULL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. MR. KILLINGSWORTH.
>> THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. MAYER AND COMMISSION.
IF WE LOOK AT THE SLIDES, READY.
I'M GOING TO RUN THROUGH THIS.
THIS IS LARGELY THE SAME PRESENTATION THAT YOU SAW AT THE FIRST FIRST WORKSHOP, AND I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO RUN THROUGH THE FIRST COUPLE OF SLIDES.
THE MILLAGE COMPARISON YOU'VE SEEN THAT THE MILLAGE RATE IS THE LOWEST OF ALL THE COMMUNITIES.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE VERACITY OF WHETHER WE PAY MORE, BUT I KNOW FOR THE FACT THAT WE PAY MORE THAN THE AVERAGE RESIDENT FROM THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE.
WHETHER WE PAY MORE THAN EVERYBODY, I CAN'T SAY.
IF WE GO ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, YOU'LL LOOK AT THE SOURCES OF OUR FUNDS AND WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO SPEND THEM ON.
YOU'LL SEE THAT THE GENERAL FUND IS UP A LITTLE BIT.
THAT'S ACTION OF THE INCREASED VALUE OF REVENUES.
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS ARE BASICALLY DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
THAT'S CAPITAL PROGRAMS. THEY'RE DOWN A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE'RE QUITE HONESTLY JUST NOT FUNDING AS MUCH AS WE DID LAST TIME.
YOU'LL SEE THAT BOTH [INAUDIBLE] TOOK MONEY FROM THE RESERVES AND WE'RE IMPLEMENTING DEFERRED MAINTENANCE PROJECTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.
THOSE RESERVES ARE QUITE HEALTHY AND WE CAN EXPEND THE FUNDS TO DO THESE NECESSARY PROJECTS.
SANITATION FUND IS BASICALLY UNCHANGED.
THE BUILDING CODE FUND LARGELY UNCHANGED.
THE REASON IT'S DOWN IS THERE ARE NO CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE STORMWATER FUND RIGHT NOW UNLESS IT'S ASSOCIATED WITH A ROAD PROJECT.
THE REASON IS BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, WE JUST FELT OUT OF FUNDS.
WE HAVE BEEN FUNDING STORMWATER FOR SOME TIME, THE OPERATING COSTS OUT OF ONE TIME FUNDS INSTEAD OF ONGOING FUNDS, AND THIS BUDGET IS MAKING SOME EFFORTS TO TRY TO CORRECT THAT.
THE PENSION FUND IS, THAT LOOKING LIKE IT'S DOWN 12% IS AN ACCOUNTING ANOMALY IN WHICH IT'S JUST A FUNCTION OF THE WAY THE FUNDS ARE REALIZED, BUT THERE IS NO ACTUAL CHANGE IN MONEY.
WHAT YOU'LL SEE ON THIS IS LAST YEAR'S ORIGINAL BUDGET FOR 24 WAS 59,146,295.
AS WE COME INTO THIS MEETING, THIS NUMBER IS THE NUMBER THAT INCLUDES YOUR ENHANCEMENTS, IS 60,882,384.
[01:45:04]
IT'S A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 3.5%.IF WE GO THROUGH THE DEPARTMENTS, THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND, I'M JUST GOING TO HIT.
>> I APOLOGIZE, YOU JUST READ [INAUDIBLE].
>> I DID. I'LL EXPLAIN THAT WHEN I GET TO IT.
I'M ONLY REALLY GOING TO TALK ABOUT TWO HERE, THE REST OF THEM ARE PLUS OR MINUS A COUPLE PERCENT.
BUT THE TWO THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF, AND I TOLD YOU BEFORE, ON HUMAN RESOURCES, IT'S A 45% INCREASE.
THERE'S ONLY TWO PEOPLE IN THE IN THAT DEPARTMENT.
I'VE ADDED A POSITION THAT WOULD BE A DUAL ROLE.
IT WOULD BE A DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SO IT WOULD BE A BACKUP TO THE DIRECTOR AND IT WOULD ALSO BE A PENSION FUND ADMINISTRATOR.
THE IDEA IS IT WOULD HELP US IMPROVE THE WAY WE'RE ADMINISTERING OUR PENSION FUNDS, GIVE US SOME EXTRA CAPACITY THERE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, BUILDING INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN THE HR DEPARTMENT AND THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CITY.
AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, SHOULD OUR DIRECTOR RETIRE, THAT WE HAVE A SUCCESSION PLAN THERE.
THE NEXT ONE IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, WHICH IS UP 9.37%.
THAT'S A FUNCTION OF THERE WAS A POSITION THAT WAS JOINT FUNDED BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND IT, AND THAT POSITION IS NOW BEING FUNDED WHOLLY OUT OF IT.
IT'S FUNDED OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND EITHER WAY, IT'S JUST NOW IT'S ACCOUNTED FOR IN IT. WE CAN GO ON.
I'M NOT GOING TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE PIE CHARTS.
WE'VE SEEN THEM, AND YOU'VE JUST SEEN THE TABLES.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW IS A TIDE VIEW PRESERVE WALKOVER RESTORATION FOR $10,000.
THE BEACHES VETERANS MEMORIAL PARKS PROJECT, WHICH IS $25,000, WHICH TO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY HAVE THE $25,000 RANGE.
OAK CIRCLE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT MILLING AND PAVING, THAT'S A $60,000 PROJECT.
SIDEWALKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, 125,000.
DUNE WALKOVER MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, WHICH IS 222,000.
AHERN STREET DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT, 250.
THAT'S LARGELY A CARRY-OVER, WE'VE ENCUMBERED IT IN A CONTRACT.
WE EXPECT TO IMPLEMENT TOWARDS THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
THE AHERN DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, AHERN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, AND THEN MILLING AND PAVING TAKING THAT UP TO $550,000, WHICH MATCHES THE CURRENT YEAR.
YOU'LL SEE THE PURCHASE OF DORA DRIVE.
THAT WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE BUDGET.
WE CLOSED ON DORA DRIVE THIS AFTERNOON.
>> THANK YOU. THE ENHANCEMENTS THAT YOU ADDED, WHICH WERE FROM THE $714,000 THAT WAS ABOVE THE 50% IS THE STORMWATER MASTER PLAN FOR 200,000, THE PUBLIC SAFETY SALARY INCREASE AT 362,000, THE NEW DUNE WALKOVER ON AHERN STREET, WHICH IS 130,000 TOP FOR 25,000.
THEN AS PART OF THAT, TENTATIVELY BY CONSENSUS ACCRUED TO TWO COLA, YOU WILL SEE AN ORDINANCE FOR THAT.
THE ORDINANCE AS YOU'LL SEE TONIGHT, IS ORDINANCE TO ADJUST THE STORMWATER FEE, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN ADOPTED SINCE, WHETHER IT HAD BEEN CHANGED SINCE 2012 TO ADJUST THAT BASED OFF THE CIP SINCE THAT TIME, AN ORDINANCE TO ADJUST THE SANITATION JUST BY THE CIP TO 3.7%.
YOU WILL NOT SEE TONIGHT OR BEFORE THE BUDGET AN ORDINANCE.
I'VE MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE THAT THERE WAS A MULTIPLIER THAT THE COMMISSION HAD APPROVED BY RESOLUTION THAT NEEDED TO BE APPROVED BY ORDINANCE AND HAD TO HAVE A ACTUARIAL PLAN TO GO WITH IT.
WHEN WE HAVE THAT ACTUARIAL PLAN, WE'LL BRING THAT TO YOU AND THE MULTIPLIER WILL BE AT THAT POINT CODIFIED.
THEN THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES, IT'S THE SAME THING.
WE NEED TO ADOPT THOSE BY SEPARATE ORDINANCE, AND WE NEED AN ACTUARY STATEMENT TO GO WITH IT.
SO AS SOON AS WE HAVE THOSE, I'LL BRING THOSE TO YOU.
AS SOON AS THOSE ARE ADOPTED, THE PAYOUTS WILL START.
OUR UNFUNDED LIABILITY WILL BE REALIZED THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
WITH THAT, MR. MURRAY, I'LL STAND BY FOR QUESTIONS.
[01:50:02]
>> WHAT WAS THE COST OF THE OAK CIRCLE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, MILLING AND PAVING?
>> YES. ONE THING I LEARNED. I'LL MAKE IT QUICK.
I KNOW BILL WILL SIT NEXT TO ME WHEN I TALK [INAUDIBLE] CITY COUNCIL AND AT LARGE AT THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, AND WE JUST DON'T GET OUR MONEY.
MONEY'S GOING TO THE CITY OF COUNTY DUVAL AND YOU ONLY GET $0.13 BACK.
WHEN THEY TOLD US THAT WE WERE A DONOR COMMUNITY, EVERY TIME I TELL THAT TO SOMEBODY, THEY FLINCHED.
WHAT I LEARNED OUT OF THIS CYCLE IS THAT WE NEED TO START NOW LOBBYING OUR PEOPLE DOWN AT THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE.
I KNOW BILL KNOWS MORE ABOUT THIS THAN I EVER WILL, IN MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD ABOUT SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT DUVAL COUNTY USES FOR EXPENSE.
THAT'S WHAT WHEN I LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE ENHANCEMENTS, SOME OF THOSE SOUND TO ME LIKE THE DOLLARS THAT I PAID DUVAL COUNTY.
THIS IS A POLITICAL [INAUDIBLE].
>> I THINK THERE'S NO MORE QUESTIONS OF CITY MANAGER.
BUT I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> I'M NOT SURE BRINKLEY HAROLD MEANT TO SPEAK AGAIN. BRINKLEY.
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS ON [INAUDIBLE].
THEY'RE COMBINED. NO, I DON'T.
>> THEN WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WE'LL OPEN UP DISCUSSION.
I HAD THE QUESTION EARLIER, AND I APOLOGIZE.
YOU STATED THE NUMBER THAT WASN'T A MATCH TO THE ACTUAL BUDGET. EXPLAIN THAT.
>> THAT NUMBER INCLUDED THE ENHANCEMENT.
WHAT YOU SEE IN THE ORDINANCE IS THE NUMBER THAT EXISTED PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP.
THIS BUDGET HEARING IN THE NEWSPAPER WITH THE BUDGET AMOUNT, THAT THIRD REQUIREMENT.
BUT THAT NUMBER IS THE NUMBER THAT EXISTED AT THAT TIME BEFORE THE FOURTH WORKSHOP.
AT THE FOURTH WORKSHOP, THE COMMISSION BY CONSENSUS ADDED THE $714,000 IN ADDITIONAL PROJECTS.
>> THAT WAS NUMBER THAT I SHOWED ON THE SLIDE.
HOWEVER, WHAT I WOULD ASK BECAUSE WE CLOSED ON DORA, SO WE NEED THE COST TO DORA WAS $1,080,242.72.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN THE 1.1 MILLION.
BUT IN THE END, WE CLOSED ON THAT.
THAT'S THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, SO WE DON'T NEED IT IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
IF WE COULD, MR. MAYER, SOMEBODY COULD MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 24-175 TO CHANGE THE OPERATING BUDGET FROM 60,168,632-59,802,140.
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE BUDGET WITH THE AMENDMENT OF 60,882,384.
I DIDN'T GET, ARE THERE ANY CENTS.
>> WE WANT TO CHANGE IT TO $259,802,141.
>> WE TOOK OUT THE MILLION. I REMEMBER.
>> WHAT'S IN THE ORDINANCE RIGHT NOW IS THE 60,168,632.
>> WE'RE TAKING OUT DORA STREET BECAUSE WE CLOSED ON THAT.
SO THE NEW NUMBER IS NOW $59, 802,141.
>> DO YOU WANT HER TO JUST STATE THE AMENDED AMOUNT OR STATE THE DEALT UP?
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE BUDGET WITH THE NEW BUDGET NUMBER OF $59,802,141. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CAN I GET A SECOND ON THAT?
>> I THINK WE'LL LEAVE THE VOTE ON THAT.
>> WELL, YOU CAN VOTE ON BOTH AS AMENDED MOTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY FURTHER? YES.
>> BUT THERE WASN'T A VOTE ON THAT.
>> LET'S BACK OVER THEN. LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT, AND THEN WE'LL VOTE ON THE WHOLE THING AS AMENDED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT? NO DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> OPPOSED? THAT MOTION CARRIES.
[01:55:02]
NOW WE'LL VOTE ON THE ACTUAL MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET.>> AS AMENDED. THANK YOU. WE ALREADY HAVE IT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> OPPOSED? THAT MOTION CARRIES TOO. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MOVING ALONG, WE'LL MOVE TO 9B,
[9.B. ORDINANCE NO. 55-24-39, Introduction and First Reading]
ORDINANCE NUMBER 55-24-39 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, INCREASING MONTHLY SANITATION RATES BY 3.7% AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, THE CPI, COLLECTION ADJUSTMENT BY AMENDING CHAPTER 16 SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING, ARTICLE 1, SOLID WASTE DEFINITIONS AND PROCEDURES, SECTION 16-10, FEES FOR COLLECTION, PROVIDING FOR INTENT, PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF THE NEW RATES, PROVIDING FOR SEPARABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. FILLY.>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THIS IS THE FIRST OF THE ORDINANCES THAT I TALKED ABOUT AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.
OUR GFL CONTRACT, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, WHICH THEY EXERCISE TO ASK US TO INCREASE WHAT WE PAY THEM BY THE CPI.
IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE THEN PASS THAT CHARGE ALONG TO THE CONSUMERS OF THAT SERVICE BY THAT SAME CPI, WHICH IS A 3.7%.
WHAT WE'RE ASKING ALSO, THOUGH, IS THAT THIS BE PERSPECTIVE.
WHATEVER THE CPI IS IN THE FUTURE YEARS THAT IT CAN JUST AUTOMATICALLY BE UPDATED FOR THAT.
WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR WITH THE RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 55-24-39.
>> I RECOMMEND THAT WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 55-24-39.
>> COMMISSIONER OF WATERS SET A SECOND ON THAT.
WOULD THAT OPEN UP DISCUSSION?
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY, I THINK WE'VE GOT THE BEST TRASH AND DISPOSAL PEOPLE AROUND, AND I WANT TO KEEP THEM.
IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTIES, THE PROBLEMS THEY'RE HAVING IN THE CITIES.
>> I THINK IT WAS LAST YEAR, IF I DO RECALL, THAT THEY WERE GIVING OVERTIME TO FIREFIGHTERS TO WORK THE TRASH TRUCKS IN CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, BECAUSE THEY WERE ON STRIKE. BUT IT WASN'T US.
>> THANK YOU. IF I MAY HAVE A QUESTION.
I'VE ACTUALLY SPOKEN TO YOU ALREADY ABOUT THIS, MR. KILLINGSWORTH, BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH THE PUBLIC THROUGH, WE'RE ASKING FOR APPROVAL OF A 3.7% INCREASE, WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH THAT IS THE CPIU AS AT THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER.
BUT THE INCREASE SHOULD ONLY BE ON THE COLLECTION PORTION OF THAT CONTRACT.
BUT AS YOU INDICATED TO ME, WE DID NOT COLLECT AN INCREASE LAST YEAR, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> WELL, THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IS LAST YEAR, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A FAULT OF STAFF, APPARENTLY, THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE INCREASE, BUT IT WASN'T COLLECTED.
IT WAS NEVER IMPLEMENTED, I THINK IT'S A FAIR STATE, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> WE'LL GET OURSELVES RIGHT SIZED HERE, AND THEN ON A GO FORWARD, WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THE CPIU ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, APPLIED ONLY TO THE COLLECTION PORTION OF THE CONTRACT.
>> THEN THE OTHER PART IS WE HAVE TWO TIMES AND FORGIVE ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT WE HAVE, I BELIEVE MAY AND NOVEMBER OF EACH YEAR FOR EITHER US OR THE OTHER PARTY TO RECALCULATE THE FUEL SURCHARGE.
>> THE WAY I READ THE CONTRACT, THAT'S NOT COMPLETELY CORRECT.
THE CONTRACT GIVES THE THE GARBAGE HAULER, THE OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST A CHANGE IN FEES DUE TO FUEL.
>> BUT THE CONTRACT DOES NOT GIVE THE CITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK I UNDERSTOOD THAT.
I WANT THE CITY ATTORNEY INVOLVED IN THIS BECAUSE HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE RE-DISCUSSION TO TRY TO CLEAN THAT UP LAST YEAR.
THAT'S REALLY CONCERNING BECAUSE WE HAD VERY HIGH FUEL COSTS THAT ARE NOW COMING DOWN.
IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT, THEN WE'RE BEING ABUSED.
I THINK HAVING SAT IN ON THOSE DISCUSSIONS, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS COMPANY.
I THINK WE JUST NEED TO ASK THEM FOR THOSE ADJUSTMENTS. HAVE WE DONE THAT?
>> I'LL SOUGHT THE ANSWER TO THAT.
>> CAN WE DO THAT AND THEN BRING THAT BACK TO THIS COMMISSION SO THAT IF THAT ISN'T THE RIGHT ANSWER FROM THEM, WE CAN ENGAGE OUR CITY ATTORNEY AS TO POSSIBLE DISCUSSION, PLEASE?
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. I THOUGHT THIS WAS BASED ON FUEL AND COLLECTION,
[02:00:04]
BUT NOT ON THE DISPOSAL OF PART.>> THAT IS CORRECT. NO. WELL, THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, WE'RE DOING A 3.7 ON THE TOTAL FEE BECAUSE WE DID NOT DO ANY INCREASE IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
>> BUT WE'RE DOING FUEL AND COLLECTION THIS YEAR.
>> WELL, I THINK THE 3.7 IS ON IT.
>> JUST ON COLLECTION IN THERE.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> OPPOSED? UNANIMOUS. THANK YOU.
I THINK THAT CONCLUDES THE MAJORITY.
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 11, CITY ATTORNEY, YOUR COMMENTS.
>> I SKIPPED RIGHT OVER 9C. I WAS IN A HURRY.
SORRY. ORDINANCE NUMBER 80-24-89,
[9.C. ORDINANCE NO. 80-24-89, Introduction and First Reading]
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, INCREASING THE MONTHLY STORMWATER UTILITY FEE BY AMENDING CHAPTER 22 UTILITIES, ARTICLE 4, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION TO RATES AND CHARGES, SECTION 22-335 ES, PROVIDING FOR INTENT, PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF A NEW RATE, PROVIDING FOR SEPARABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. KILLINGSWORTH.>> THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. MAYOR COMMISSION.
WHAT THIS ORDINANCE WOULD DO IS CHANGE OUR STORMWATER FEE FROM $8.39 A MONTH TO $10.81.
THE FEE HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED SINCE 2012.
WHAT WE'RE REQUESTING IS TO CHANGE THE FEE BASICALLY APPLY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR EACH OF THE YEARS UP UNTIL NOW TO CATCH UP SO THAT WE'RE CAUGHT UP WITH THE INFLATION AND THEN ALLOW THE CITY TO COLLECT, INCREASE THAT FEE AUTOMATICALLY BASED ON WHATEVER THE CPI IS GOING FORWARD.
>> A QUESTION. THAT WOULD MEAN WE'D HAVE A CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND I GUESS THE WAY YOU EXPLAINED THE FEE BEFORE IT WAS JUST A OPERATING EXPENSE?
>> NO. WHEN WE GET THE FUND BALANCED AT THIS POINT, WE'RE ONLY LOOKING AT BALANCING THE OPERATING COSTS.
WHAT THIS FUND IS BASICALLY FUNDING IS THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR STORMWATER I GUESS THAT'S WHAT.
BUT IT DOESN'T PROVIDE US NEW ADDITIONAL STORMWATER.
I WILL SAY THAT THE CHANGE ADDS $267,600 TO THE STORMWATER REVENUE.
WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, I WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 80-24-89.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 80-24-89.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER REIGN AND THE SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BOOL.
>> I LOOKED INTO ST. AUGUSTINE.
ST. AUGUSTINE DID AND MARK BONS SAW IT, AND I PROBABLY JUST GO HIS LAST NAME.
>> I CAN NEVER SAY ANY BUT I GOT USED TO.
HE BROUGHT THE IMPERVIOUS RATIO UP AND ACTUALLY, ST. AUGUSTINE DOESN'T DO A FLAT RATE.
WHAT THEY DO IS THEY LOOK AT RESIDENTS IN THEIR BUILDING AND HOW MUCH IMPERVIOUS RATIO THEY HAVE ACCORDING TO THEIR LOT.
THAT WAY, NOT EVERYONE IS UTILIZING UP INTO THE 45.
IT DOES INCENTIVIZE NOT GOING UP TO 45 OR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN GRANDFATHERED IN THROUGH THAT CLAUSE AND ARE OVER THAT 45%.
I DID MENTION THIS TO THE CITY MANAGER WHO BROUGHT UP THAT ACTUALLY CITY OF JACKSONVILLE DOES THE SAME RATIO.
I KNOW RIGHT NOW THIS IS PLAYING CATCH UP, BUT AS I JUST HEARD CITY MANAGER JUST MENTIONED, AGAIN, THIS IS ONLY GOING TO BRING US UP TO, ZEROING OUT.
I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT FUND GROW, AND I KNOW TODAY, MAYBE NOW IS NOT THE TIME, BUT FOR THE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER MATCHING IT WITH THE RATIO OF WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING UTILIZING THAT IMPERVIOUS RATIO CALCULATION, INSTEAD OF THE FLAT RATE.
>> I'M SURE WE CAN INCORPORATE THAT. WE CAN'T DO IT THIS YEAR.
BUT WHEN WE GET STORMWATER MASTER PLAN, I'M SURE, I WOULD THINK WE WOULD WANT TO INCORPORATE THAT AND SAY, WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS, THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ACROSS THE BOARD TO START THAT PROGRAM, THERE'LL BE A START-UP COST.
[02:05:01]
WE'LL HAVE TO GO PERSONAL PART, ETC.>> I THINK THE IDEA WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD LOOK AT THIS AS WE GO FORWARD AS A PART OF EITHER A RATE STUDY FOR THE STORMWATER FUND OR PART OF THE STORMWATER MASTER PLAN AND GO TOWARDS IF THE COMMISSION DESIRES TO GO TOWARDS A FEE THAT IS MORE DIRECTLY TIED TO THE IMPACT, THEN THAT MIGHT GET YOU SOME OF THE INCENTIVATION THAT WAS BEING TALKED ABOUT.
I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THOUGH THAT THIS CATCH UP ON THE CIP, IT CATCHES US UP ON THE CIP.
IT DOESN'T CATCH US UP ON THE STORMWATER FUND.
WE'RE STILL TRANSFERRING ABOUT $570,000 OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND INTO THE STORMWATER FUND JUST TO BALANCE.
BUT THIS FEE, WE LOOKED AT HOW WE ARE ASSIGNING OUR INTERNAL COST AND LOWERED SOME OF THOSE, AND WE LOOKED AT THIS FEE.
BOTH OF THOSE HELP, BUT IT HASN'T CURED THE PROBLEM.
THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WILL TAKE AT LEAST ONE MORE ITERATION.
>> WHAT IS BLEEDING OUT OF THAT ACCOUNT? IF WE DON'T HAVE CAPITAL PROJECTS COMING OUT OF THE STORMWATER, THEN WHAT'S TAKING ALL THE MONEY OUT OF IT?
>> IT'S NOT THAT THERE'S MONEY BEING TAKEN OUT OF IT.
WHAT THE CITY HAS BEEN DOING IS THEY'VE BEEN USING ONE TIME FUNDS TO FUND OPERATING COSTS.
RATHER THAN USING ONE TIME FUNDS TO FUND A PROJECT, WE SUBSIDIZED OUR OPERATING COSTS FOR THOSE ONE TIME FUNDS.
>> CAN THIS BE PULLED OUT OF ANOTHER ENTERPRISE FUND.
>> CORRECT. SO WE TRANSFERRED MONEY FROM ARPA THERE THAT WE USED.
WE TRANSFERRED MONEY FROM BETTER JACKS THERE.
ALL OF THOSE FUNDS, THEY'RE ONE-TIME FUNDS.
IT'S NOT ONGOING REVENUE GENERATED THROUGH TAXES.
>> REALLY, IT'S THE COMMISSION IN 2013/14/15/16 SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS.
WE LOOKED TO 2019 AS FAR BACK AS WE WENT.
>> 2012 WAS THE LAST TIME. [OVERLAPPING]
>> OUR POINT IS OTHER COMMISSIONS HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS AND AUTO THIS BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT.
>> THE RATE STUDY WE DID IN 2019, WAS THAT JUST FOR WATER?
>> I GUESS I'LL HAVE THE LAST QUESTIONS ON IT.
I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED, ONLY FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT WE'VE GONE YEARS WITHOUT AN INCREASE, THIS IS 28.8 OR 28.9% INCREASE IN ONE YEAR.
I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE WHAT I DON'T KNOW, AND I SHOULD APOLOGIZE THAT I DON'T KNOW THIS IS WHAT ARE OTHER CITIES CHARGING AND HOW DO THEY GET IT DONE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT NEPTUNE AND JACKS BEACH, AND I HEAR IT ALL THE TIME.
WE DON'T CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING.
WE'RE ATLANTIC BEACH. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. BUT I DO CARE.
I CARE THAT ANY CITIZEN, ESPECIALLY SOMEBODY ON FIXED INCOME, SUDDENLY HAS A 28.8% INCREASE IN ONE YEAR THROUGH OUR LACK OF DILIGENCE YEAR OVER YEAR, IF, IN FACT, WE NEEDED TO BE AT THIS NUMBER.
I'M GOING TO APPROVE THIS TODAY, BUT WE STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION NEXT TIME.
ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS, AND BY THE WAY, I HAVE TO SAY THIS, FOR THE FUTURE, WE DO NEED TO FIGURE OUT OUR FUNDING FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT MORE THAN THIS LITTLE BIT OF MONEY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.
BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT WE GET THIS RIGHT AND THAT WE NOT OVERTAX OUR CITIZENS, BUT THAT WE PROPERLY COMPARE TO OTHER CITIES.
THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE I WAS GOING TO MENTION, BUT I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I WAS LEADING UP TO.
>> WELL, I WILL SAY AMANDA JUST TEXTED ME AND SAYS SHE LIVES IN NEPTUNE BEACH.
SHE PAYS $20 A MONTH FOR STORMWATER.
>> WELL, AND I NEEDED TO KNOW THAT. THANK YOU.
>> WHY DO YOU LIVE IN NEPTUNE BEACH? THAT'S WHAT I'M THINKING.
>> BUT MY OTHER QUESTION TO GET IT RIGHT IS, I'M STILL NOT CLEAR THAT WE'RE ALLOCATING THE RIGHT LEVEL OF SALARIES TO THIS FUND.
I KNOW YOU'VE WORKED THAT DOWN AND TRIED TO RIGHT-SIZE THAT.
ARE YOU ABLE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THOSE ARE NOW FOR THIS FUND, OR DO WE NEED TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT MEETING?
>> UNLESS BRITTANY HAS IT, SO WE NEED TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> COMMISSIONERS, WHAT I WANT TO UNDERSTAND IS EACH OF THE CATEGORIES, WHETHER IT'S THE ACTUAL EMPLOYEES OR STAFF WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT OR SUPPORT FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS IF WE'RE PROPERLY ALLOCATING THE FUNDS,
[02:10:01]
BECAUSE IF WE'RE NOT, THEN WE SHOULD RE-ADJUST THOSE NUMBERS AND THEN THEREFORE, WE LOOK AT THE 28.8% INCREASE THAT WE NOW ADVISE THAT WE NEED.BUT THAT WOULD ONLY ADDRESS THIS FOR THIS YEAR BECAUSE I THINK IT'S CLEAR THAT FOR SUBSEQUENT YEARS, WE REALLY NEED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDING.
THANK YOU. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
NOW, I'LL MOVE ON TO CITY ATTORNEY,
[11. CITY ATTORNEY/CITY CLERK REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS]
AND YOU BETTER HAVE SOME COMMENTS.>> SURE. WHY NOT? BUT BILL ALREADY TOOK MY THUNDER AND THE BUDGET DISCUSSION, BUT I WAS GOING TO ANNOUNCE THAT.
CONGRATULATIONS, WE'VE NOW CLOSED ON DORA DRIVE.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, SIR, THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, DONNA. MOVING TO CLOSING COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS.
[12. CLOSING COMMENTS BY CITY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY MANAGER]
WE'LL START AT THE OTHER END, COMMISSIONER WATERS.>> I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY.
I'VE SAID ENOUGH TONIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER, REIGN.
>> I'M FINE. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY.
>> I THINK THE FOR BUDGET WORKSHOPS THAT BILL RAN AND LAID OUT REALLY HELPED ME GO THROUGH THE BUDGET.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST THOROUGH BUDGET REVIEWS THAT I'VE SEEN.
I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF, AND I WANT TO THANK BILL BECAUSE THEY HAD AN ANSWER TO EVERY QUESTION I HAD IN THE BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> I'VE SAID ENOUGH. THANK YOU.
>> JUST KEEP PAYING THE SEWER GUY.
>> THIS HAS BEEN AN INFORMATIVE MEETING TONIGHT.
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.