[00:00:02]
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF I CAN HAVE YOUR ATTENTION.
FIRST OF ALL, IT'S SUCH A LIGHT AGENDA.
I'M NOT SURE WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE.
BUT THIS WILL GO DOWN IN THE RECORD BOOKS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND TWO MONTHS OF MY MAYORSHIP, THIS WILL BE THE LARGEST CROWD IN THIS CHAMBER.
I'M GOING TO ASK FOR SOME ASSISTANCE HERE SO WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS.
THERE'S ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS, SHE'S GOT AN OPINION.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS EVERYBODY SILENCE YOUR PHONE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE INTERRUPTIONS, BUT ALSO THE PEOPLE AT THE DOORS AND I DO APOLOGIZE THAT WE DON'T HAVE MORE SEATING AND WE'RE AT CAPACITY.
BUT IF WE COULD MAKE SURE WE KEEP THE DOORWAYS OPEN, IF ANYBODY NEEDS TO GET OUT OF HERE, I DON'T WANT YOU TO FEEL STUCK IN THIS ROOM THAT'S A LITTLE BIT CROWDED.
WHERE'S POLICE CHIEF, DO NOT CALL THE FIRE MARSHAL, PLEASE.
BEFORE WE OPEN THE MEETING, WE ALWAYS START WITH AN INVOCATION AND A PLEDGE, IF YOU'LL JOIN US, PLEASE.
>> PRAYER TO GOD. BE WITH THIS COMMITTEE TONIGHT AND THIS COMMUNITY AS WE USE OUR WISDOM, OUR STRENGTH, AND OUR COURAGE TO MAKE DECISIONS AS BEST FOR ALL CONCERNED.
>> MY FLAG AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER KELLY.
THIS CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH DATED FEBRUARY 24TH,
[CALL TO ORDER]
2025, WILL NOW COME TO ORDER.DONNA, CAN YOU DO A ROLL CALL, PLEASE?
WE'LL OPEN THE MEETING WITH APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
[1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ]
ITEM 1A, APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETINGS HELD ON JANUARY 27TH AND FEBRUARY 10TH, 2025.ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS OR CHANGES TO THE MINUTES? HEARING NONE, THE MINUTES STAND AS SUBMITTED.
BEFORE WE GO TO COURTESY OF THE FLOOR,
[Additional Item]
I ASK INDULGENCE FROM THE COMMISSION.I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION OF CHANGING THE AGENDA THIS EVENING.
I WANT TO START BY SAYING, I THANK ALL OF THE CITIZENS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO OR COMMUNICATED VIA EMAIL TEXT OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS.
WE HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT ARE VERY GREAT CONCERN BY THE CITIZENS.
BUT IN PARTICULAR, I HAD A FACE TO FACE MEETING WITH SOME OF MY CONSTITUENTS TODAY ON THE ISSUE OF OUR CHANGES FOR ONE OF OUR ORDINANCES ORDINANCE NUMBER 95-25-124 REGARDING THE ESC, THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE.
THEY MADE A VERY COMPELLING ARGUMENT AND COMPELLING REASONS FOR WHY WE SHOULD CONSIDER POSTPONING ACTION ON THAT ORDINANCE THIS EVENING.
THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND READING.
IT'S NOT NORMAL THAT I WOULD JUST SIMPLY MOVE SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HAD QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION ON, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND AND I RESPECT CITIZENS THAT FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO ENGAGE WITH SUFFICIENT TIME WITH SUFFICIENT TRANSPARENCY AND SO ON.
MY ASK OF THE COMMISSION IS THAT WE CONSIDER AMENDING OUR AGENDA THIS EVENING TO ELIMINATE 9A, AND I BELIEVE IT'S NINE WELL, ACTUALLY, 9B.SO 9A FIRST OF ALL, BUT WHAT WE WOULD DO AND MY ASK IS, IF WE MOVE ON THIS IS THAT WE MOVE IT OUT THREE MEETINGS FROM NOW WHICH IS 45 DAYS.
SOMEBODY CAN LOOK UP THE DATE ON THAT AND THAT WE PLAN A JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE ESC SOMEWHERE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, PROBABLY ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THAT MEETING, SO THAT WE'RE BACK TO READING ON THE SECOND READING OF THAT ORDINANCE,
[00:05:02]
THREE MEETINGS FROM NOW.THAT READING BEING THE FINAL READING, STILL IS UP FOR DEBATE SO IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE WOULD PASS THE ORDINANCE AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS, BUT WE WOULD HAVE MORE INPUT FROM CITIZENS BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.
CITY ATTORNEY, ANY COMMENTS ON THAT?
>> NO. JUST TO CLARIFY, IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOMEONE TO MOVE A DEFERRAL OF THE READING AND THE HEARING ON BOTH 9A AND 9B TO THREE MEETINGS FROM NOW.
>> THAT'S RIGHT AND THANK YOU. WHICH ONE IS 9A?
BECAUSE THERE'S A DESIRE, AT LEAST A PERCEIVED DESIRE AND IT IS MY DESIRE AS WELL TO GAIN CONSISTENCY AS WE MAKE THESE CHANGES, I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DO THE SECOND AND FINAL READING ON AC TONIGHT WHICH WOULD SET THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THAT COMMITTEE UNTIL WE'RE READY TO DISCUSS THE FINAL WRITING OF THE ORDINANCE ON ESC.
IF THERE'S AN INTEREST IN DOING THIS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
THERE'S TWO RESOLUTIONS, 124, 125 TO DATE CERTAIN IN 45 DAYS OR THREE MEETINGS FROM NOW.
>> IT'S NOT 125 THOUGH, 125 IS PARKS AND REC JUST TO CLARIFY.
WE'RE GOING TO DO BOTH AND NOT RC.
>> IF WE WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE, IS ON THE AGENDA?
>> 9C IS THE ONE THAT COMMISSIONER KELLY JUST READ OUT LOUD.
>> LET'S GET A REVISION ON THAT.
>> I MEAN, IF WE TABLE 9A AND 9B.
>> BEFORE WE MOVE THAT TO A VOTE, CAN WE GET CLARIFICATION THAT WE ARE MOVING THAT TO THE MEETING, DO WE HAVE THE DATE OF THE THREE MEETINGS FROM NOW? WHAT IS THAT DATE?
>> THAT WOULD BE APRIL APRIL 14.
THERE'S BEEN A MOTION IN A SECOND TO DEFER BOTH 9A AND 9B, WHICH IS THE RC AND THE ESC ORDINANCES, BOTH THE SECOND READ AND THE HEARING TO THE DATE CERTAIN OF APRIL 14TH.
>> THE MOTION HAS BEEN AMENDED.
WE HAVE A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
I DON'T WANT TO DISMISS ALL OF THE CITIZENS THAT ARE HERE.
I WANT TO HEAR FROM ANYBODY THAT WISHES TO SPEAK ON EITHER OF THOSE ORDINANCES TONIGHT OR ANY OTHER ITEMS. BUT YOU WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL TIME.
WE WILL BACK INTO THE DATE FOR THE JOINT MEETING WITH THE ESC AND THAT DATE WILL BE POSTED SOMETIME IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO A WEEK AS SOON AS WE GET CONSENSUS WITH ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT MEETING.
BUT THAT MEETING WILL OCCUR PRIOR TO THE SECOND READING OF THOSE TWO ORDINANCES.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. MOVING TO COURTESY OF THE FLOOR.
[2. COURTESY OF FLOOR TO VISITORS]
NOW, HERE'S THE RULES. I DON'T USUALLY GO OVER THE RULES, BUT THERE'S SO MANY OF US.>> WE HAVE LIGHTS, WE HAVE A CLOCK, WE HAVE A BUZZER.
IN THE BUZZER SOUNDS, YOU'RE OVER ON YOUR TIME, AND THAT TIME IS THREE MINUTES.
HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IN THREE MINUTES.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TO ONE OF OUR MEETINGS, WE DON'T COMMENT USUALLY ON THINGS BACK AND FORTH IN THE COMMISSION.
IF YOU ASK US SOMETHING AND EXPECT AN ANSWER TONIGHT, YOU MIGHT GET IT IN COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS WHEN THEY'RE SPEAKING, BUT YOU MIGHT NOT.
IT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT'S A FOLLOW UP, BUT CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE.
EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE PROBABLY PARTICULAR REASONS WHY WE CAME HERE TONIGHT, YOU CAN SPEAK ON ANYTHING AND I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT TO ANYTHING PERTAINING TO THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, BUT TECHNICALLY, YOU CAN SPEAK ON ANYTHING NOT TO EXCEED THREE MINUTES, AND I'LL TRY TO BE NICE ON THE GAVEL.
I WON'T TAP THE GAVEL UNTIL YOU'RE ABOUT THREE OR FOUR SECONDS OVER.
BUT ANYWAYS, LAST THING IS PROTOCOL.
IF YOU'RE HAPPY, YOU CAN SHOW YOU'RE HAPPY.
IF YOU'RE NOT HAPPY WITH THINGS IN THE CITY, YOU CAN SHOW THAT YOU'RE NOT HAPPY.
WHAT WE DON'T ALLOW IS GETTING PERSONAL.
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMMISSION, SPEAK ABOUT THE COMMISSION.
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CITY HALL, YOU CAN SAY THAT.
BUT GIVING NAMES IS NOT SOMETHING WE DO HERE AT THIS COMMISSION.
ANYWAYS, WITH THAT, ARE YOU READY?
[00:10:08]
>> I LIKE KELLY TOO, BUT WE DON'T DO ANY APPLAUSE IN COMMISSION, NOR DO WE BOO ANYONE. LET'S JUST LISTEN.
ONE LAST THING SO THAT WE'VE GOT THE PROTOCOL JUST RIGHT, EACH OF YOU WHEN YOU SPEAK, YOU ARE SPEAKING TO THIS DIAS, YOU ARE NOT TURNING AROUND AND SPEAKING TO THE AUDIENCE.
THIS IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO GEN THINGS UP.
COMMUNICATE YOUR BELIEFS TO THE COMMISSION, PLEASE. KELLY.
>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, MY NAME IS KELLY HAMPTON, AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
AS YOU CAN SEE, A LOT OF US ARE HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE BASEBALL IN HIS COMMUNITY IS VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE SUPPORTERS OUT THERE.
I HAVE TO BE QUICK WITH MY COMMENTS.
I ONLY HAVE THREE MINUTES, BUT WE'RE MOSTLY HERE.
THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE ATLANTA BEACH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION WHERE WE PLAY ALL STAR GAMES ON SUNDAYS AND HAVE ALL STAR PRACTICES ON SUNDAYS.
RECENTLY, WE WERE TOLD WE CAN'T DO THAT UNTIL AT LEAST 2:30, AND IT WAS PUT TO US AT ABSOLUTELY NO BASEBALL ACTIVITIES UNTIL AFTER 2:30.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE OBVIOUSLY UPSET.
WE HAVE EIGHT ALL STAR TEAMS WHO ARE TRYING TO GET PRACTICES IN AND GAMES IN ON SUNDAYS.
SUNDAY IS REALLY THE ONLY DAY THAT WE CAN DO THAT.
JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY HERE.
IT'S 456 KIDS WHO ARE PLAYING ON VARIOUS TEAMS, AND AN EXTRA ACHIEVEMENT FOR THEM IS THAT THEY EARN A SPOT ON TO THE ALL STAR TEAM.
THE ALL STAR TEAMS WILL GO AROUND AND WILL PLAY AGAINST OTHER LEAGUES IN THE CITY.
THEY WEAR THE ATLANTIC BEACH LOGO ON THERE, RATHER THAN BEING THE BRAVES OR ANYTHING, THEY ARE OUR TEAMS. IT'S A POINT OF PRIDE, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY UPSETTING WHEN THEY WERE RESTRICTED FROM PLAY.
I HAVE OVER THE PAST WEEK, OBVIOUSLY, I SPOKEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.
TODAY, I JOINED A MEETING WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND THE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AND A COUPLE OF OTHER PEOPLE.
UNDERSTANDING THAT CITY HAS AN INTEREST IN TRYING TO PARE DOWN THE ARTS MARKET, WHICH WAS PART OF THE REASON WHY WE CANNOT PLAY ON SUNDAYS.
THEY'VE REQUESTED THAT WE GIVE THEM THAT WE NOT PLAY GAMES UNTIL 2:30 ON SUNDAY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS, BUT WE CAN PRACTICE PRIOR TO 2:30.
AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME LOGISTICS DONE THERE BY THE CITY, WE'VE COME TO AN AGREEMENT THAT WE WILL DO THAT TEMPORARILY, THAT WE WILL MOVE ANY GAMES ON SUNDAY TO 2:30 FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS.
THEN HOPEFULLY WE CAN NEGOTIATE AND COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION FROM THERE.
THAT'S NOT QUITE THE END OF OUR ISSUE, THOUGH.
THERE ARE A FEW OTHER THINGS AND WE'VE RECENTLY BUILT A BATTING CAGE AND EXPANDED THE FIELD C DUE TO THE RESOLUTION WHICH WAS PASSED BY THIS COUNCIL.
BEFORE WE BUILT IT, I WENT TO THE PEOPLE WHO I THOUGHT THAT I NEEDED TO ASK THE QUESTIONS AND THEN ASKED, WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO? WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A RESOLUTION TO GO AND BUILD IT.
WELL, NOW AFTER THE FACT, I'M BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO GET PERMITTED, I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THESE THINGS, AND THAT'S FINE IF I KNEW IT UP FRONT.
BUT WE'RE NOW BEING TOLD OUR RESERVATIONS FOR DONNER PARK HAVE BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE PERMITS YET.
THERE'S STILL ISSUES TO BE WORKED OUT.
I DO BELIEVE THAT WE'LL WORK THESE OUT WITH THE CITY THOUGH.
WE'VE HAD A GOOD LONGSTANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY AND I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT WAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I THOUGHT I WAS ONLY GOING TO HAVE ONE MINUTE.
HELLO, MAYOR, COMMISSION STAFF.
I'M ELLEN GLASSER. MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE.
I AM HERE TONIGHT IN SUPPORT OF SCOTT WILLIAMS. MANY WERE STUNNED THAT THIS WELL LIKED HARDWORKING PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND HIS ASSISTANT WERE ABRUPTLY DISMISSED ON FEBRUARY.
I WANT TO THANK THE CITY MANAGER FOR MEETING WITH ME AND I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS WHO RESPONDED TO MY EMAIL EXPRESSING MY CONCERN.
FROM WHAT I KNOW ABOUT WHAT UNFOLDED REAL TIME THAT DAY WITH REAL TIME NOTIFICATION TO THE COMMISSION NOT IN ADVANCE, I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT THE DECISION WAS PROPERLY MEASURED.
[00:15:02]
THERE WAS DISAGREEMENT, BUT I AM UNAWARE OF ANY OFFENSE THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED IMMEDIATE TERMINATION.I BELIEVE BETTER COMMUNICATION OF THE CITY'S REORGANIZATIONAL PLANS AND A CHANCE FOR HIM TO REMEDIATE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE PROPER AND BETTER MANAGEMENT PROGRESSION.
HUMILIATING TWO LONG TERM EMPLOYEES IN THIS WAY IS CRUEL AND IT'S CHILLING TO OTHER EMPLOYEES.
YOU DECIDED TO ALLOW THE ASSISTANT TO RETIRE AS PLANNED.
SHE'D ALREADY PUT IN HER NOTICE.
I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER RESCINDING SCOTT'S DISMISSAL AND WORK WITH HIM TOWARD HIS RETIREMENT.
AS YOU MR. KILLINGSWORTH, TOLD ME YOU HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED.
OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS NOT BROKEN AND SCOTT HAS ALWAYS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND BECAUSE HE LOVES HIS JOB, THE PEOPLE THAT WORK WITH HIM, AND THE PEOPLE OF OUR CITY.
I'VE PASSED OUT A LIST OF JUST A FEW THINGS THAT CAME TO MY MIND IN THE OVER EIGHT YEARS THAT I HAVE KNOWN HIM.
I WOULD ASK THAT YOU THE COMMISSION ENCOURAGE THE CITY MANAGER TO BRING BACK SCOTT AND TO PRESERVE THE PROCESS OF KEEPING ATLANTIC BEACH LIFE.
SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF HOW SCOTT'S GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND ARE WITH REATH ACROSS AMERICA, COUNTLESS VETERANS PARK EVENTS, THE LEROY EVERETT MEMORIAL PARKWAY, THE LIMAN FLETCHER SIGNAGE AT DUTTON ISLAND, FLAGS AT THE FIVE WAY STOP IN CITY HALL, EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT, CITYWIDE BEAUTIFICATION, BASEBALL FIELD ENHANCEMENTS, WEED WRANGLES AT HOWELL PARK, A BEACHES HABITAT PUBLIC WORKS BUILD, THE MARSHAL PAUL PATRICK MEMORIAL, OVERSIGHT OF A BRAND NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, THE DUTTON ISLAND FIVE EVENT, BEAUTIFICATION AT THE DUTTON ISLAND PRESERVE, HANDICAPPED ENHANCEMENTS IN OUR PARKS, A MUSIC GARDEN AT JORDAN PARK, VARIOUS CITY CLEANUPS, THE GALIFORD HALL CELEBRATION, THE SAFE ROUTS TO SCHOOL SIDEWALK PROJECT, THE SPLASH PAD, SILVER PRESERVE AS A NEW PARK, MANY TREE PLANTING EVENTS, THE 20 FOR 20 EVENT DURING COVID AT TIDEWS, THE PERGLA THERE, AND LED LIGHTS AT CITY HALL.
NONE OF THESE ARE PART OF HIS JOB DESCRIPTION AND HE WAS PRESENT AND WORKED ON ALL OF THEM.
>> LADIES LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M GOING TO CALL YOU ON THIS.
THAT'S NOT THE DECORUM IN THIS CHAMBER. I'M SORRY.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, CITY COMMISSION MEMBERS, CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH, AND CITY STAFF.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY'S YOUNG ATHLETES AND THE LONGSTANDING TRADITION OF BASEBALL IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
I COME BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING TO ADDRESS THE RECENT AND SUDDEN RESTRICTION PLACED ON ATLANTIC BEACH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, PREVENTING BASEBALL ACTIVITY FROM TAKING PLACE BEFORE 2:30 PM ON SUNDAYS.
THIS DECISION IS BOTH PERPLEXING, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPARED TO THE CONTINUED UNRESTRICTED OPERATION OF THE LOCAL FARMERS MARKET.
WE ARE TOLD THAT BASEBALL, ALONG WITH THE FARMERS MARKET, ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST USERS OF THE CITY'S RESOURCES AT JACK RUSSELL PARK ON SUNDAYS, YET THERE'S A GLARING INEQUITY IN HOW EACH IS TREATED.
THE FARMERS MARKET IS A FOR-PROFIT ENTITY THAT RENTS A PAVILION FOR LESS THAN $50 A SUNDAY, YET IS GIVEN FULL USE OF THE PARKING LOT WITHOUT A FORMAL AGREEMENT OR AN ESTABLISHED PARKING PLAN AS REQUIRED BY A PERMIT FOR THE PAVILION.
MEANWHILE, OUR BASEBALL PROGRAM, A NON-PROFIT THAT HAS SERVED GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THIS CITY, HAS SPENT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS RENOVATING, MAINTAINING, AND BEAUTIFYING THE JACK RUSSELL PARK FIELD, IS TOLD TO STAND DOWN SUDDENLY.
ITS ACCESS CUT WITHOUT PRIOR DISCUSSION, WITHOUT TRANSPARENCY, AND WITHOUT WHAT WE BELIEVE A REASONABLE EXPLANATION.
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT FIELD TIME.
THIS IS ABOUT THE VALUES THAT WE AS A CITY CHOOSE TO UPHOLD.
ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL IS MORE THAN JUST A RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY.
IT'S A LEGACY. JACK RUSSELL PARK WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1961, AND FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, THE BASEBALL DIAMOND WAS THE ONLY THING IN THAT PARK.
[00:20:02]
THIS FIELD HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF OUR COMMUNITY, SHAPING YOUNG ATHLETES, INSTILLING DISCIPLINE, AND FOSTERING CAMARADERIE.FOR YEARS, OUR ATLANTIC BEACH ALL-STAR TEAMS HAVE PRACTICE ON SUNDAYS, PREPARING TO REPRESENT OUR CITY WITH PRIDE, AND THESE YOUNG ATHLETES SERVE AS OUR AMBASSADORS COMPETING LOCALLY, REGIONALLY, AND NATIONALLY, CARRYING THE NAME OF ATLANTIC BEACH WHEREVER THEY GO.
THEY LEARN TEAMWORK, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND RESILIENCE, LESSONS THAT EXTEND FAR BEYOND THE GAME.
WHY SHOULD WE DISRUPT THIS TRADITION WITHOUT SOUND REASONING? IF THE CITY CLAIMS THAT CHANGES MUST BE MADE, THEN THAT IS OKAY, BUT LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION.
THE FARMERS MARKET GETS TO SLOWLY BE ROLLED DOWN, YET BASEBALL IS SUDDENLY CUT OFF.
WE ARE NOT HERE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE FARMERS MARKET.
WE SIMPLY ASK FOR TRANSPARENCY AND PARTNERSHIP AND CONSISTENCY.
MOST OF ALL, WE ASK FOR OUR YOUNG ATHLETES NOT TO BE UNFAIRLY PENALIZED FOR WANTING TO ENGAGE IN A SPORT THAT HAS BEEN A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THE CITY FOR YEARS.
IF I MAY, MOST OF THESE KIDS AREN'T GOING TO GET A CHANCE TO TALK TONIGHT.
CAN THEY GET A CHANCE TO TELL YOU WHO THEY ARE REAL QUICK? IT'LL TAKE THREE SECONDS. WILL YOU ALLOW?
>> YOU'LL HEAR THEM IN ONE LOUD SETTLEMENT.
>> BREAKERS ON ME. BREAKERS ON THREE.
THAT'S THE ENTERTAINMENT PORTION.
>> MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND FRIENDS, MY NAME IS ELLIS LOEWEN.
I LOVE BASEBALL. BASEBALL IS MORE THAN JUST A GAME.
IT TEACHES TEAMWORK, HARD WORK, AND HOW TO NEVER GIVE UP.
EVERY SUNDAY, KIDS LIKE ME COME TO JACK RUSSELL PARK TO PRACTICE AND PLAY.
WE GET BETTER AND WE MAKE FRIENDS AND WE REPRESENT ATLANTIC BEACH IN OUR TOURNAMENTS ALL OVER FLORIDA, BUT NOW WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY BEFORE 2:30 PM.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE CITY WOULD STOP KIDS FROM DOING SOMETHING SO GOOD.
BASEBALL HAS BEEN AT THIS PARK FOR OVER 60 YEARS.
IT WAS THE VERY FIRST THING HERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FARMERS MARKET, WHICH MAKES MONEY, STILL GETS TO USE THE WHOLE PARK AND PARKING LOT WITHOUT A PLAN IN PLACE.
WHY IS A BUSINESS ALLOWED TO TAKE UP THE SPACE, BUT KIDS PLAYING BASEBALL ARE TOLD TO WAIT? SHOULDN'T THE CITY ENCOURAGE ITS YOUNG CITIZENS TO BE ACTIVE AND DO SOMETHING POSITIVE? I LOVE MY CITY AND I LOVE BASEBALL.
PLEASE DON'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US. THANK YOU.
I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO CLAP ON THAT ONE.
THAT TRULY IS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.
I APPLAUD YOU, MR. LOEWEN, FOR STEPPING UP TO THE MICROPHONE. THAT'S HARD TO DO.
HOW OLD ARE YOU? YOU'RE NINE. KEEP AT IT.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT MAYORSHIP IN ABOUT 20 YEARS. NEXT.
>> GOOD EVENING, AB MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CITY STAFF, AND CITIZENS.
MY NAME IS JACK MCCARTHY, A CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
THIS IS THE 2040 COMMUNITY VISION ADAPTED BY OUR CITY COMMISSION, DECEMBER 13TH, 2021.
IN ATLANTIC BEACH, WE HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING AND SAFETY.
OUR CITIZENS AND GOVERNMENT CARE DEEPLY ABOUT COMMUNITY CHARACTER, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT UNIFIED SUPPORT IS REQUIRED TO PRESERVE IT.
WE ARE GRACED WITH THE FUNCTIONAL BEAUTY OF OUR BEACH, OUR MARSH, AND OUR TREE CANOPY.
OUR SHADY STREETS AND MULTI-USE PATHS CONNECT OUR WELCOMING NEIGHBORHOODS AND VIBRANT LOCAL BUSINESSES.
OUR CITY SUPPORTS OUR DIVERSE, MULTI-GENERATIONAL, SOCIALLY LINKED COMMUNITY WITH GREEN SPACES, ACTIVE LIFESTYLES, PARKS, AND PROGRAMMING.
PAUSE THE PROCESS, PRESERVE AB LIFE. THANK YOU.
[00:25:12]
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CITY STAFF.
MY NAME IS EMILY MCCARTHY, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE A TRIP DOWN THE NOT SO DISTANT MEMORY LANE TO REMIND OUR CITY REPRESENTATIVES AND EMPLOYEES AND CITIZENS OF THE OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ATLANTIC BEACH SHOWED TO PRESERVE OUR ONLY PUBLIC SCHOOL.
OUR COMMUNITY AND CITY HAVE BENEFITED FROM THAT VICTORY.
THAT WAS AN EXTERNAL ATTACK ON WHAT WE HOLD DEAR AT ATLANTIC BEACH.
THAT ATTACK WAS CHARACTERIZED AS RUSHED, LACKING COMMUNITY INPUT, AND RIDDLED WITH GROSS INACCURACIES.
TONIGHT, WE APPRECIATE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS AND CITY MANAGERS AND STAFF ARE TAKING NOTICE OF OUR REQUEST TO AVOID A SIMILAR SITUATION WITH ORDINANCE 9525-125.
WE ARE ATLANTIC BEACH, AND WE EXPECT BETTER.
PAUSE THE PROCESS, PRESERVE ATLANTIC BEACH LIFE.
I'M A CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
THANK YOU, MAYOR FORD AND COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF FOR THE WAY YOU BEGAN THIS MEETING TODAY.
OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS, WE CAME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND OVER 200 PLUS CITIZENS SIGNED A LETTER ASKING THE COMMISSION TO PLEASE VOTE TO DELAY THE APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 9525-124, AGENDA ITEM 9B, AND YOU HEARD OUR VOICES.
THANK YOU. PLEASE PLACE THIS LETTER OF THE OVER 200 PLUS CITIZENS ON THE OFFICIAL MINUTES.
NOT QUITE SURE HOW THAT WORKS.
HOPEFULLY, THAT'S ENOUGH. LET US KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO DO.
>> THE PROPOSED CHANGES WERE A STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION FOR OUR CITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.
WE NEED MORE, NOT LESS, ENGAGEMENT FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
THANK YOU. I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THE ADDITIONAL TIME TO SPEAK ON ORDINANCE 9525-125, AGENDA ITEM 9C, THE PARKS USAGE CHANGES.
I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT IT'S JUST CAUSING TOO MUCH CONFUSION.
THE PTO OF ABE, IT DOESN'T KNOW IF IT'S ALLOWED TO USE THE PARKS, NOW THAT IT'S A PTO, NOT A PTA.
THE CHILDREN ARE CONFUSED AS TO WHY THE TIRE SWING IN ASHBY PARK WAS CUT DOWN IN FRONT OF THEM.
OUR PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE CONFUSED BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SURE IF THEY'RE ALLOWED TO USE THE PARKS FOR FIELD TRIPS NOW.
MORE DIALOGUE AND MORE TRANSPARENCY IS JUST NEEDED.
HOW ARE MORE KIDS IN OUR PARKS A BAD THING? I REALLY WOULD LIKE YOU TO ALSO THINK ABOUT DELAYING AND PAUSING THE PROCESS ON ORDINANCE NUMBER 9525-125.
PAUSE THIS PROCESS, PRESERVE ATLANTIC BEACH LIFE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SARAH BOREN.
AS THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE, I WANT TO SHARE FOUR THINGS.
FIRST, ESC HOPES YOU PASS RESOLUTION 2517 TONIGHT.
WE WANT TO FORMALLY AND PUBLICLY GIVE A ROBUST THANKS TO SARAH DARK FOR DESIGNING AND CHOOSING PLANTS FOR THE SEMINOLE IN ATLANTIC BOULEVARD ENTRANCE, SHE DID THIS OF HER OWN, DONATING HER TIME AND TALENT, AND TO BRUCE ANDREWS AND AMANDA ASKEW FOR SHEPHERDING THE PROJECT.
IT'S TAKEN A LONG TIME FOR US TO GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, AND A CITIZEN STEPPED UP AND DONATED THEIR TIME.
WE'RE EXCITED TO MAKE THAT BEAUTIFUL.
SECOND, ESC LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING COMMISSIONERS AND THE COMMUNITY THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, FROM 9:00-12:00, AT TIDE VIEWS PARK TO HELP REMOVE THE MANY INVASIVE BRAZILIAN PEPPER TREES.
THIRD, REGARDING ORDINANCE 9525-124, ESC LOOKS FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH THE COMMISSION TO REMAIN EFFECTIVE AND RETAIN THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE THOUGHTFUL, INFORMED RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMISSION AND STAFF, AS WELL AS ALIGN AND MAKE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF ANNUAL PRIORITIES.
WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE MORE DIALOGUE.
[00:30:01]
WE APPRECIATE THE MOVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING.THERE ARE PARTS THAT WE REALLY LIKE, AS FAR AS SEEING MORE DISTRICT REPRESENTATION ACROSS ALL THE COMMITTEES.
WE JUST WANT TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING AS FAR AS MISCOMMUNICATION AND HOW WE CAN FIND THE BEST SOLUTION MOVING FORWARD.
FINALLY, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEP GRATITUDE FOR LIVING IN SUCH A CARING COMMUNITY WITH A GOVERNMENT THAT VALUES DIVERSE VOICES.
I AM HONORED TO WORK WITH DEDICATED ESC MEMBERS WHO WORK EXTREMELY HARD GIVING 5-20 HOURS A WEEK TO KEEP AB A SUSTAINABLE AND HEALTHY PLACE TO LIVE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS, MR. MAYOR.
MY NAME IS JOSEPH SALCEDO, RESIDENT ATLANTIC BEACH.
WHAT I WAS GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT, YOU ACTUALLY ALREADY PUSHED THE MEETING. THANK YOU.
I FEEL VERY BLESSED TO BE ON THE ROLL CALL OF CONCERNED PARENTS AND AWARE PARENTS OF THE CITY, ESPECIALLY SINCE ABE.
MY KIDS ARE THREE AND EIGHT MONTHS, AND SO SEEING, ESPECIALLY ALL THE ATHLETES, AND THEY'LL DEFINITELY BE PARTAKING, IT'S AWESOME TO SEE.
IT DOES SEEM LIKE DECISIONS ARE TRYING TO BE MADE WITHOUT THE PROPER CARE OR TRANSPARENCY IN COMMUNICATION.
SEEING ALL THE CITIZENS OUT HERE TO COMMUNICATE THAT, IT'S AWESOME.
PAUSE THIS PROCESS, PRESERVE ATLANTIC BEACH LIFE.
>> JACKREL, I BELIEVE. JACKREL.
>> FIRST OFF, SORRY, MY VOICE IS A LITTLE BIT HOARSE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR SERVING THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
I KNOW, LIKE I SAID IN MY EMAIL TO ALL YOU GUYS, IT'S NOT EASY ALL THE TIME TO BE UP THERE AND LISTENING TO EVERYONE'S PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS, BUT WITH GOOD GOVERNORSHIP AND MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION, IT CAN BE VERY REWARDING.
AS YOU GUYS SEE TODAY, YOU GOT TREMENDOUS SUPPORT, NOT ONLY FROM PARENTS, COACHES, BUT YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF KIDS HERE.
BUT I THINK WHEN YOU GUYS ARE DEALING WITH DECISION MAKING AND MAKING QUICK DECISIONS, I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS, WE GOT TO PUT THEM AT THE TOP.
SOME MIGHT JUST THINK THAT THIS IS JUST BASEBALL.
THIS IS AN OUTLET FOR A LOT OF THESE KIDS TO ESCAPE CONSTANT SCHOOLWORK, CONSTANT PRESSURE AT HOME.
IT'S ANOTHER PLAYGROUND FOR THESE KIDS.
THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN WHEN MY KID SAYS HE JUST WANTS TO GO TO THE BASEBALL FIELD TO BE WITH HIS FRIENDS AND SEE COACHES THAT HE ENJOYS.
JUST GETTING RIGHT DOWN TO THE ISSUES.
I'M THE YOUNGEST OR NEWEST BREAKERS COACH.
WE ARE PROBABLY MOSTLY AFFECTED BY THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE KIDS THAT HAVE BEDTIMES.
I DEAL WITH FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX-YEAR-OLDS.
THIS IS AN OUTLET AND SOMETHING THAT THE PARENTS AND THE COACHES CAN TEACH THESE KIDS ABOUT LEADERSHIP.
WE'VE MADE SEVERAL INVESTMENTS, LIKE NATHAN WENT OVER AND KELLY WENT OVER.
WE'VE JUST DUMP $15,000 INTO FIELD B, WITH NOT A DIME, I BELIEVE, FROM THE CITY.
BATTING CAGES HAVE GONE UP IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE KIDS.
THIS LEAGUE WHEN I STARTED WAS IN THE LOW 300, AND NOW THEY'RE AT 450 AND GROWING.
THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS COMING FROM JACKS BEACH.
THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS COMING FROM PONTE VEDRA.
YES, THE FARMERS MARKET IS IMPORTANT, BUT WHEN COACHES LIKE MYSELF HAVE ALREADY MADE SCHEDULES, NOW I'M HEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE AGREED TO FOUR WEEKS, WE'VE HAD ADJUST SCHEDULES.
WE'RE PLAYING SOMETIMES 10-15 GAMES.
IT'S NOT EASY TO PUT A SCHEDULE TOGETHER FOR FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX-YEAR-OLDS.
A LOT OF THESE GUYS BACK HERE DONATE THEIR TIME.
THEY MIGHT THINK I'M CRAZY, BUT I'VE BEEN AT THE FIELDS AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING, PREPPING FIELDS, AND THAT'S FREE LABOR TO THE CITY.
ALL THESE GUYS HERE HAVE REALLY MADE A GREAT COMMUNITY.
I DON'T WANT TO KICK A DEAD HORSE, BUT I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BASEBALL KIDS ARE BEING SINGLED OUT.
WHY HASN'T TENNIS BEEN SHUT DOWN? HOW ABOUT THE GUYS THAT BRING THEIR DOGS TO THE PARK AND WALK? WHY CAN'T THEY NOT PARK? I DON'T WANT TO BE NEGATIVE ON THE FARMERS MARKET,
[00:35:03]
BUT THESE KIDS HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS.THEN ON A SUNDAY, I FINISH AN ALL-STAR GAME AND I GET A TEXT SAYING WE CAN'T PLAY UNTIL 2:30.
IT'S JUST NOT FAIR AND IT'S NOT RIGHT.
I HOPE YOU GUYS LOOK AT THESE KIDS IN THE FACE AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. THANK YOU, GUYS.
MR. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, FIRST OFF, I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN HERE.
I'VE BEEN LIVING IN ATLANTIC BEACH, COMING UP ON ABOUT 10 YEARS.
HOPEFULLY, THE LAST TIME, I'LL EVER BE HERE, BUT I'LL SAY THIS.
I THINK THAT'S PARTLY A TESTAMENT TO THE STEWARDSHIP THAT YOU WILL HAVE UPHELD INTO THIS CITY A COUPLE OF ADMINISTRATIONS NOW, SEVERAL CYCLES IN THE COUNCIL, WHATEVER.
WAYNE, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
I'M ALSO HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE BASEBALL.
I DON'T WANT TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE, BUT I TRULY MEAN THIS WHEN I SAY THIS THAT I BELIEVE WE ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN THE BEST CITY IN THIS COUNTRY.
I THINK THIS SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT IS HERE IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER PLACE I'VE LIVED, AND I'VE LIVED ON BOTH COASTS AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS COUNTRY AND DIFFERENT SPOTS AROUND THE WORLD, AND IT REALLY IS SOMETHING PHENOMENAL.
BASEBALL IN OF ITSELF IS A GREAT METAPHOR FOR LIFE.
IT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR TEACHING THESE KIDS ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH ADVERSITY, ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH FAILURE.
BOTH YOUNG MEN AND SOME YOUNG WOMEN OUT THERE POURING IN THEIR TIME, AND ESPECIALLY WITH THESE GUYS IN THE BACK WHO POURED IN COUNTLESS AND COUNTLESS AND COUNTLESS HOURS TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE KIDS NOT ONLY LEARN THE GAME BUT LEARN THE LIFE LESSONS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT.
OBVIOUSLY, I DON'T THINK BASEBALL IS GOING TO DISAPPEAR ENTIRELY FROM ATLANTIC BEACH, BUT IN ANY FORM ON ANY DAY, WHEN THE CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS IN THIS COMMUNITY ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT'S MAKING A POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY AROUND THEM.
I DON'T THINK THAT SHOULD BE OVERLOOKED.
I DON'T WANT TO USE ALL MY TIME.
THAT'S IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. APPRECIATE IT.
>> IT GETS MISPRONOUNCED A LOT.
WASN'T REAL SURE WHAT I WANTED TO SAY, SO IT WAS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE REAL FRIENDLY.
I MIGHT STAY THERE WITH THE UNFRIENDLY.
WE EXPECT BETTER OF YOU GUYS THAN THIS.
TO CREATE A CRISIS WHERE THIS GROUP HAS TO SHOW UP LIKE THIS, BRINGING THE KIDS OUT ON A SCHOOL NIGHT.
THAT'S YOU GUYS NOT DOING YOUR JOBS.
THAT'S TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN THAT REALLY, I'D SAY, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? THIS ISN'T THE DEAL.
WE'VE GOT A GREAT COMMUNITY. YOU GUYS KNOW THAT.
YOU SERVE US WELL, BUT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT JUST FEELS LIKE THE SCHOOL BOARD TRYING TO GET RID OF ABE AGAIN.
>> GOOD EVENING, THE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, STAFF.
MY NAME IS LENNY JEVICK, 239 SEMINOLE ROAD.
I'M ALSO THE BEACHES VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK HISTORIAN.
MY CONFIDENCE IN THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP TOOK A SIGNIFICANT HIT WHEN I HEARD THE SHOCKING NEWS THE DETERMINATION OF SCOTT WILLIAMS. AS A RESIDENT OF ATLANTIC BEACH FOR OVER 30 YEARS, SCOTT WILLIAMS HAS BEEN BY FAR THE BEST PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE ANY OTHER.
HIS COMPASSION, DEDICATION, AND LOYALTY TO OUR CITY AND CITIZENS HAS BEEN BEYOND REPROACH.
HE HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE IMPROVEMENTS AT OUR BEACHES VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, ALWAYS GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
ENSURING THE BEACHES VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK IS METICULOUSLY KEPT AND ENSURING THE SET OUT FOR OUR MEMORIAL DAY AND VETERANS DAY CEREMONIES WERE FLAWLESS, CEREMONIES WHICH HE REGULARLY ATTENDED.
HE WAS EXCITED ABOUT HELPING US WITH THE PLANNING OF THE BEACHES FALL AND WARTIME HEROES MONUMENT, WHICH WILL HONOR THE 60 FALL AND BEACHES RESIDENTS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, THE 60 THAT GAVE US THE FREEDOM TO COME TOGETHER TONIGHT.
HE PERSONALLY DONATED TO THE BEACHES FALL AND WARTIME HEROES WANTING TO MAKE THIS A REALITY.
HE CAME TO ME PERSONALLY AND SAID, LENNY, IF YOU COME UP SHORT, PLEASE COME TO ME, AND I'LL DONATE MORE.
LAST WEEK, ON PRESIDENTS DAY, I DROVE THROUGH THE FIVE WAYS INTERSECTION.
I SADLY MISS SEEING THE NUMEROUS AMERICAN FLAGS WAVING IN THE WIND.
SCOTT ALWAYS ENSURED THEY WERE FLYING ON SPECIAL HOLIDAYS.
[00:40:03]
HOW IRONIC THAT SCOTT WAS FIRED A FEW DAYS EARLIER, AND THEN NO FLAGS.I QUIETLY HOPE THIS WAS NOT THE NEW VISION SOME HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR OUR CITY, FOR IT WAS SCOTT WILLIAMS WHO THOUGHT OF AND MADE THIS PATRIOTIC GESTURE A REALITY.
WHEN SEVERAL CITY EMPLOYEES WERE STRICKEN AND FIGHTING BREAST CANCER, IT WAS SCOTT WILLIAMS AND TWO DEDICATED EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING JENNIFER, WHO CREATED A BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DISPLAY IN AND AROUND CITY HALL, BRINGING MUCH-NEEDED SMILES TO THEM FOR SO MANY.
THIS IS THE KIND OF PERSON SCOTT IS, A PERSON WHO CARES SO MUCH FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH AND ITS CITIZENS.
HE'S AN AMAZING PERSON WHO MADE THINGS BETTER FOR SO MANY.
HE'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP OUR CITY NEEDS.
THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH HAVE NOT ONLY LOST A WONDERFUL PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BUT ALSO AN INCREDIBLE PERSON.
SHAME ON THE LEADERSHIP FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS, CITY MANAGER, AND CITY ATTORNEY.
I'M A LONG-TERM RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, AND I'M ALSO A LONG-TERM ATTORNEY.
THANK YOU VERY FOR ANNOUNCING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING TODAY THAT 9B ON THE AGENDA 95-2524 WAS BEING PAUSED AND TABLED.
WHAT I HAVE TO SAY IS GOING TO BE DIRECTED TO WHY IT NEEDED TO BE PAUSED AND HOW WE CAN BEST USE THE NEXT 45 DAYS.
THERE HAS BEEN AN INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE WAY I'LL CALL IT 124 AND SHORT WAS HANDLED COMPARED TO 125.
THERE WAS A DRAFT ORDINANCE FOR 95,10, 125 THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE FOR 124.
HOW TO BEST USE THE NEXT 45 DAYS UNTIL 95, 24, 124 IS REVIEWED BY THIS COMMISSION.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT FOUR VERY KEY DATES THAT HAVE HAPPENED.
NOVEMBER 25 OF 2024, THIS COMMISSION AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO LOOK AT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES FOR RECOMMENDED CHANGES, INCLUDING RC AND ESC.
COMMISSIONER KELLY, AND I'VE BEEN REVIEWING THE MINUTES.
COMMISSIONER KELLY CAN BE CREDITED FOR HAVING SAID AT THAT MEETING THAT BEFORE ANY CHANGES, FURTHER CHANGES WOULD TO BE MADE TO ESC, THAT THERE BE A OPEN HEARING BETWEEN ESC AND THE COMMISSION.
THEN JANUARY 13TH, COMMISSIONER KELLY AGAIN, SAID THE ESC SHOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED UNTIL THE SCOPE OF THE DUTIES ARE DEFINED.
THEN JANUARY 25, THERE WAS A TOWN HALL.
WHY DIDN'T THIS ISSUE OF ESC AND PROPOSED 124 BE ON THE AGENDA AT THE TOWN HALL? I WAS AT THE TOWN HALL.
IT WENT VERY LONG WITH TWO AGENDA ITEMS, AND I SAW MEMBERS OF THE ESC WANTING TO GET UP AND TALK.
THEN ON JANUARY 27, THERE WAS THE DRAFT ORDINANCE OF 125, WHICH IS ALSO ON THE AGENDA.
AGAIN, COMMISSIONER KELLY, POINTED OUT, THANK YOU.
STATED THAT A WORKSHOP WAS NEEDED WITH ESC.
LET ME JUST WRAP UP. SO WHY 124 DID NOT RECEIVE THE SAME NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY THAT 125 HAD IS A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.
>> I'LL JUST FINISH ONE SENTENCE.
THE PAUSE SHOULD INCLUDE PUBLICIZING A DRAFT OF 124.
AT LEAST BEFORE THERE'S A HEARING. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I AM THE MOTHER OF A VERY GIFTED AND TALENTED YOUNG ATHLETE AND WIFE TO A DEDICATED COACH.
[00:45:01]
I AM HERE TODAY REPRESENTING THE ATLANTIC BEACH SIX BREAKERS ALL-STAR TEAM AND ALL THE WONDERFUL COACHES, VOLUNTEERS, AMAZING YOUNG ATHLETES, AND DEDICATED PARENTS THAT MAKE UP THE ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION.BREAKERS ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST OUT OF ALL THE TEAMS THAT MAKE UP THE ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL.
THEY TRAVEL AROUND JACKSONVILLE AND SURROUNDING AREAS, REPRESENTING ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL.
I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS REGARDING THE FARMERS MARKET AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION AND THE YOUNG ATHLETES THAT REPRESENT ATLANTIC BEACH.
WITH RECK BALL IN FULL SWING, WE ONLY HAVE THREE FIELDS FOR ALL OF THESE KIDS TO PRACTICE ON.
WE DO OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE EACH TEAM GETS AT LEAST AN HOUR OF PRACTICE DURING THE WEEK.
HOWEVER, WITH THE NUMBER OF TEAMS AND LIMITED FIELDS, IT LEAVES VERY LITTLE OPTIONS FOR OUR ALL STAR TEAMS TO HAVE ANY PRACTICES OR GAMES DURING THE REGULAR SEASON.
SUNDAY IS THE DAY THAT WE TRY TO SCHEDULE GAMES AND PRACTICES FOR THE ALL-STAR TEAMS. WITHOUT ADEQUATE PRACTICE TIME, THE BREAKERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPRESENT ATLANTIC BEACH TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
THESE KIDS LOVE GOING TO THE FIELDS, PRACTICING, PLAYING BALL GAMES, AND SPENDING TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
THEY ARE INVOLVED IN A POSITIVE PROGRAM THAT TEACHES THEM DISCIPLINE, FOCUS, AND ATTENTION, TEAMWORK AND LEADERSHIP.
WE ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY, AND I DON'T FEEL THAT RESTRICTING THESE CHILDREN FROM SOMETHING SO POSITIVE IS THE CORRECT DECISION.
WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE MARKET IS IMPORTANT TO THE RESIDENTS OF ATLANTIC BEACH, I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE PARKING ISSUES ARE A LARGE CONCERN.
I FEEL THAT THE MARKET IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PARKING ISSUES AT JACK RUSSELL.
THE FOOD TRUCKS TAKE UP HALF OF THE PARKING LOT, LEAVING VERY LITTLE ACCESS FOR ANYONE ELSE TRYING TO ENJOY THE PARK.
MAYBE THIS PARK IS NOT THE BEST OPTION FOR THE MARKETS LOCATION.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE OTHER LOCATIONS THAT COULD POSSIBLY HOST THE MULTIPLE VENDORS AS WELL.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEPTUNE BEACH MARKET ALSO USES GARBO PARK ON SATURDAYS.
WHY NOT LET ATLANTIC BEACH DO THE SAME ON SUNDAY? THERE IS MORE SPACE AND PARKING FOR CUSTOMERS THERE THAN AT JACK RUSSELL.
MAYBE FINDING A BETTER LOCATION FOR THE MARKET IS WHAT SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON INSTEAD OF LOCKING CHILDREN OUT OF BASEBALL FIELDS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT AGAINST THE MARKET.
WE DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT THE VENDORS ON SUNDAYS DURING PRACTICES AND GAMES AS WELL.
WE PREFER THAT WE COULD PLAY BASEBALL WHILE THE MARKET IS OPERATING AND CO EXIST.
MAYBE LIMITING THE NUMBER OF VENDORS IS ALSO A SOLUTION.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS A BASEBALL FIELD, SOCCER FIELD, PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN, SKATE PARK, AND TENNIS COURTS THAT PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY ON THE WEEKENDS AS WELL.
BASEBALL MEANS THE WORLD OF THESE KIDS, AND WE HOPE THAT YOU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, SINCERELY AMERICA'S GREATEST PASTIME.
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK EACH OF THE COMMISSION MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR FOR VOTING TO TABLE 9A AND 9B.
I THINK THE OUTPOURING OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT TONIGHT REALLY REQUIRED THAT, BUT IT SHOWS YOUR EARNEST EFFORTS TO TRY AND HEAR US AS CITIZENS.
THE BASEBALL ISSUE OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN SPOKEN ABOUT EXTENSIVELY, BUT IT'S UNFORTUNATELY NOT THE ONLY ISSUE.
WE ALSO HEARD ABOUT THE TERMINATION OF A STELLAR 30-YEAR EMPLOYEE SEVEN MONTHS BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT, AND WE'VE ALSO HEARD ABOUT THE ATTEMPTS TO LIMIT THE ESC, AND IF IN CASE ANYONE IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE, THEY DO A HUGE AMOUNT OF WORK.
THIS IS AN ALL-VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE THAT COSTS US NOTHING.
THERE IS A SUBCOMMITTEE CALLED THE TREE COMMITTEE THAT WAS FORMED IN 2017 AFTER THE CITY WAS NOT ENFORCING OUR CODE.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO MAY SAY, WELL, THIS IS REDUNDANT, WE DON'T NEED THIS.
BUT IN FACT, WE HAD THE SAME LAWS ON THE BOOK IN 2017.
BUT UNTIL WE ESTABLISH THE TREE BOARD, IT WAS NOT BEING ENFORCED.
THEREFORE, I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER KEEPING THE TREE BOARD.
WE HEARD A NICE READING OF OUR CITY'S MISSION BY, I THINK IT WAS JACK MCCARTHY, AND IT DISCUSSES ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND IT DISCUSSES OUR MARSH, OUR BEACH, OUR TREE CANOPY.
IN ADDITION, IN AROUND 70% OF OUR CITIZENS HAVE VOTED NOT ONLY TO KEEP ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP LANGUAGE, BUT TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF PARKS WITHOUT CITIZEN APPROVAL.
THAT WAS JUST VOTED ON IN NOVEMBER.
STRIVE TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATIONS BECAUSE I THINK 90% OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF WE COMMUNICATED WHAT THE ISSUES WERE TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE RIGHT TIME BEFORE CAUSING SO MUCH CONSTERNATION AND CONFUSION.
SECONDLY, LET'S STRIVE TO ENCOURAGE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.
[00:50:04]
WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT COMMUNITY, AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WILLING TO GIVE UP THEIR TIME AS VOLUNTEER COACHES.LET'S NOT DISCOURAGE THAT BY CUTTING THESE COMMITTEES.
AND FINALLY, WE'VE HEARD THAT MANY OF THESE DECISIONS WERE MADE BECAUSE OF A VISION OF OUR CITY THAT I HAVE YET TO SEE IN WRITING.
I WOULD LIKE THAT PRODUCED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
SO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE VISION WE ARE STRIVING FOR IN DOING ALL THESE THINGS.
PLEASE PAUSE THE PROCESS, PRESERVE AB, AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR TIME AND EFFORT.
I KNOW EACH OF YOU IS DOING WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS KIMBERLY WOLFSON, A CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
CITY STAFF, COMMISSIONERS, MAYOR FORD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I ASK THAT YOU MOTION TO DELAY VOTE ON ORDINANCE 95-25-125 FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS.
MANY QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN ABOUT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES REGARDING PARKS AGE IF THIS PASSES.
THE PREMISE AND FACTS SHED TO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE WERE MISLEADING AND NEED TO BE CORRECTED ON THE RECORD.
CLARITY IS NEEDED REGARDING THE GUIDELINES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
IT'S WRITTEN SUCH THAT ENFORCEMENT COULD BE SUBJECTIVE WITH ZERO OVERSIGHT FROM THE COMMISSION.
WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF STRIPPING ASHBY PARK OF ITS SAFE PLAY ITEMS. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE NO LONGER COMING TO PLAY IN THE PARK, AND DISCARDED ITEMS SUCH AS AN OLD SINK, AND OLD CHAIR HAVE BEEN DUMPED THERE INSTEAD.
COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE CONSIDER ALLOWING US TO BRING BACK THESE COMMON-SENSE SAFE PLAY ITEMS, SUCH AS; MUD KITCHEN, DUMP TRUCKS, STUMPS, AND STEPPING STONES.
ACCORDING TO MY SON, THE STUMPS AND STEPPING STONES ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR HUNTING FOR BUGS.
PAUSE THE PROCESS, PRESERVE AB LIFE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ERIN WILSON, ALSO A CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH, MAYOR FORD, CITY COMMISSION, CITY MANAGEMENT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE, AND, OF COURSE, FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT AS YOU ALWAYS ARE.
I'D LIKE TO SUBMIT FOR THE RECORD THE FOLLOWING LETTER WHICH I'VE HANDED OUT A COPY OF, AND I WOULD ASK THAT THE LETTER BE INCLUDED AS A PART OF THE RECORD IN THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING.
BUT ESSENTIALLY, THE LETTER THERE IS A LOT ABOUT WHAT MY SISTER, KIMBERLY JUST SAID, THAT THE PROCESS 95-25-125 WAS RUSHED, LACKS TRANSPARENCY, THAT THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS STILL THAT CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY HAVE ABOUT THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES REGARDING THESE PARKS.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS. WHAT IS THE RUSH? THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE AND TAKING A BIT MORE TIME, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT OUR INCREDIBLE ISLAND CITY DESERVES.
WE THE CITIZENS IMPLORE YOU TO NOT LET STANDARDIZATION GET IN THE WAY OF EFFECTIVENESS AND QUALITY.
PLEASE DELAY THE APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 95-25-125.
WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE COMMISSION TO PAUSE THE PROCESS, PRESERVE AB LIFE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS KATIE MONTALTO, AND I'M A PARTNERSHIP MEMBER WITH TOBACCO FREE JACKSONVILLE.
OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE BUT CRITICAL TO CREATE A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY BY REDUCING TOBACCO USE AND EXPOSURE TO SECOND-HAND SMOKE.
WE DO THIS THROUGH EDUCATION, PREVENTION EFFORTS, AND POLICY ADVOCACY, AND BY UTILIZING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT PROVIDE DUVAL COUNTY RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE FREE FROM THE HARMS OF TOBACCO AND NICOTINE ADDICTION.
FIRST, WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH FOR BEING THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY AND THE COUNTY TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE FOR TOBACCO-FREE PARKS AND BEACHES.
TOBACCO REMAINS THE LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES, CONTRIBUTING TO NEARLY HALF A MILLION DEATHS EACH YEAR.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO TARGET OUR YOUTH, KNOWING THAT 90% OF TOBACCO USERS START BEFORE THE AGE OF 18.
HERE IN DUVAL COUNTY, ONE IN EIGHT YOUTH REPORTS USING VAPING OR OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND OVER HALF HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO SECOND-HAND SMOKE OR VAPOR.
[00:55:02]
AMONG ADULTS, ONE IN SIX SMOKE AND NEARLY HALF HAVE TRIED TO QUIT IN THE PAST YEAR.THESE NUMBERS ARE CONCERNING, BUT THEY ALSO HIGHLIGHT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE.
TOBACCO FREE JACKSONVILLE HAS BEEN LEADING THE CHARGE SINCE 1986 BRINGING TOGETHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SCHOOLS, HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS, AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST TOBACCO'S IMPACT.
OUR EFFORTS HAVE SUPPORTED RAISING THE TOBACCO SALES AGE TO 21, STRENGTHENING CLEAN AIR LAWS, AND ADVOCATING FOR POLICIES THAT PROTECT PUBLIC SPACES LIKE PARKS, BEACHES, AND MULTI-UNIT HOUSING.
WE HAVE HELPED TO ADVANCE TOBACCO-FREE PARKS IN DUVAL COUNTY AND BEACH POLICIES IN ATLANTIC BEACH AND NEPTUNE BEACH, CREATING HEALTHIER SPACES FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE.
HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE, PARTICULARLY IN ADDRESSING ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO TACKLING THIS ISSUE BY PREVENTING YOUTH INITIATION OF TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS, EXPANDING ACCESS TO CESSATION SERVICES FOR THOSE READY TO QUIT, REDUCING SECOND-HAND SMOKE AND VAPING EXPOSURE, ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES RELATED TO TOBACCO USE, AND ADVOCATING FOR STRONGER LOCAL POLICIES TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.
TODAY, I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
WE NEED CHAMPIONS AT EVERY LEVEL, POLICYMAKERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS TO HELP DRIVE MEANINGFUL CHANGE.
BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN PREVENT ADDICTION, PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, AND CREATE A FUTURE WHERE EVERY DUVAL COUNTY RESIDENT CAN BREATHE CLEAN, SMOKE-FREE AIR.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO MAKE JACKSONVILLE A HEALTHIER TOBACCO-FREE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
>> WELL, I MUST TELL YOU, HAVING SAT UP THERE BEFORE, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH.
I PERSONALLY APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR OPENNESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE.
FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS DON WOLFSON.
I'VE LIVED IN ATLANTIC BEACH FOR 44 YEARS.
I'M A FORMER MAYOR AND VERY ACTIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS FOR TABLEING ANY ACTION REGARDING PROPOSED ORDINANCE 95-25-124 AND 52571.
I AM CONCERNED. I'M ALSO DISAPPOINTED ABOUT RECENT EVENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT UNDERCUT THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR WONDERFUL CITY.
A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND A LACK OF COMMUNICATION, WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
UNDER THE GUISE OF SUBSTANDARDIZING OUR CITY'S STANDING CITIZEN COMMITTEES PROPOSED ORDINANCE 124 ABOLISHES ALL SUBCOMMITTEES.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE IS ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY THIS ORDINANCE AS WRITTEN, AND THE MEMBERS ARE DEMORALIZED IN THEIR OWN WORDS BY PAUSING THE ACTION TONIGHT OF THIS ORDINANCE AND COMMITTING TO A WORKSHOP BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE ESC AS PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER KELLY, WILL GO A LONG WAY FOR BETTER TRANSPARENCY AND TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION FOR THIS, THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH ARE APPRECIATIVE.
THE CITY MANAGER HAS EXPRESSED TO CONCERNED CITIZENS THAT HE HAS A VISION.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE VISION IS, BUT I DO KNOW HEARING FROM OTHER CITIZENS TONIGHT, THEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, THIS VISION IS IN HIS OWN WORDS, FOR OUR QUIRKY CITY, AS HE CALLS IT.
UNDER PROPOSED ORDINANCE NUMBER 125, DOES THIS VISION INCLUDE THE STRIPPING AWAY IN ASHBY PARK OF ANY SEMBLANCE OF A CHILDREN'S USER-FRIENDLY POCKET PART WITH THE REMOVAL OF ITEMS, THE PRESCHOOLERS HAVE COME TO LOVE? ITEMS THAT WERE PLACED THERE BY MANY CARING NEIGHBORS.
THIS INSENSITIVE MEASURE OF REMOVING THESE ITEMS TOOK PLACE IN FRONT OF THREE-YEAR-OLD, FOUR-YEAR-OLD, FIVE-YEAR-OLD, AND SIX-YEAR-OLD PRESCHOOLERS WHO WITNESSED THE REMOVAL OF THESE BELOVED ITEMS. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THIS HEAVY-HANDED ACTION HAS IMPRINTED THEIR MEMORIES FOREVER.
I'VE HEARD IT BE SAID FROM A PARTICULAR CHILD, HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS? CONFUSED AND SAD? THIS GHOST PARK NOW SITS IDOL OF SINGING, LAUGHING, AND PLAYING CHILDREN DURING THEIR FIELD TRIPS.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO WHAT HAS COME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT TO THE WRITTEN THREAT BY THE CITY MANAGER TO PADLOCK THE BASEBALL FIELDS WITH NON-PRACTICE USED BY ATLANTIC BEACH CITIZENS AND THEIR CHILDREN AT RUSSELL PARK.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE RESOLVED, AND I HOPE IT IS.
THESE DRACONIAN MEASURES, TEAR THE VERY HEART AND SOUL OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR CHILDREN.
[01:00:04]
>> MR. WOLFSON, I'M SORRY YOUR TIME IS UP.
EVOLVING AND CRAFTED OVER DECADES BY GENERATIONS.
I THANK ALL OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE ACTING UPON AND FOR UNDERSTANDING THE SENSITIVITY OF THESE ISSUES AND FOR LISTENING TO OUR CITIZENS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS SHAWNA ROER. I'M A LOCAL RESIDENT, CHILD THERAPIST, AND EDUCATOR.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT ASHBY PARK AND ORDINANCE 95-25-125.
I'D LIKE TO START BY REFERENCING THE PARKS 2025 MASTER PLAN SPECIFICALLY, THE FIRST RESOLUTION.
THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH VALUES PARKS AS CONSERVATION AREAS, AS THEY ARE IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ASSETS THAT IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH, CREATE SAFE PLACES TO RECREATE AND PROVIDE SPACES FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO ENJOY THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
IF YOU WEREN'T AWARE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAVE BEEN THE WORST IN RECORDED HISTORY FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR THIS, OF COURSE, BUT PRIMARY AMONG THEM IS A DECREASED SENSE OF COMMUNITY, LESS TIME SPENT OUTDOORS IN FAVOR OF SCREEN TIME INDOORS, LONGER SCHOOL DAYS, AND REDUCED UNSTRUCTURED PLAY TIME, WHICH WE KNOW IS CRITICAL FOR DEVELOPING SOCIAL SKILLS, CONFIDENCE, AND INDEPENDENCE.
I'M HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR BUSINESSES LIKE OUTSIDE KIDS PRESCHOOL.
TO USE THE PARK WHEN IT ALIGNS WITH THE MISSION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
THAT IS TO BE A COMMUNITY ASSET, TO ENRICH PUBLIC HEALTH, AND TO FOSTER AN APPRECIATION FOR THE NATURAL WORLD, ALL OF WHICH I'VE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND BE INSTILLED IN EACH AND EVERY OUTSIDE KID.
AS AN EDUCATOR AND A CHILD THERAPIST, I CAN SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THIS PARK, WITH ITS TIRE SWING AND CLIMBING TREES, WHICH, BY THE WAY, WERE LISTED ON THE MASTER PLAN AS AMENITIES.
IS A UNIQUE AND NATURE-BASED REFUGE FOR MANY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FROM THE PLASTIC AND MULCH-COVERED PARKS THAT DOMINATE THE COMMUNITY LANDSCAPE.
PLEASE ALLOW IT TO MAINTAIN THAT CHARM AND ALLOW ITS CONTINUED USE BY BUSINESS OWNERS WHO EMBODY THE VALUES OF YOUR PARKS DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH. THANK YOU.
I'M A RESIDENT OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
I AM ALSO A PROUD BASEBALL MOM.
MY SON WAS ONE OF THE ONES WHO WAS JUST IN HERE AND THEN WENT BACK TO PRACTICE.
I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU ON TWO THINGS.
I'M ALSO MARRIED TO JOEL HARRIS, WHO'S ALREADY SPOKEN WITH YOU, SO I DON'T WANT TO REPEAT THE THINGS THAT HE SAID.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE COMMUNITY OF THE BASEBALL LIFE AND FAMILY HERE.
PRIOR TO OUR SON PLAYING HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH, HE PLAYED AT A DIFFERENT FIELD IN ANOTHER BEACH TOWN.
THE FAMILY THAT WE HAVE HERE, THE COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE HERE, AND THE LOVE, NOT JUST FOR BASEBALL, BUT FOR THEIR TEAMMATES, AND THE PLAYERS ON THE OTHER TEAMS IS INCREDIBLE.
I'VE NEVER LIVED SOMEWHERE WHERE TEAM MEMBERS COME AND WATCH THE TEAM THAT THEY JUST LOST TO IN A TOURNAMENT GAME AND CHEER THEM ON.
I'VE NEVER LIVED IN A COMMUNITY WHERE KIDS RIDE THEIR BIKES AND GET FOOD FROM THE CONCESSION STAND TO WATCH THE OTHER BASEBALL GAMES WHEN THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A GAME THAT DAY, IT'S ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.
THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS TELL MY NINE-YEAR-OLD, YOU DON'T GET TO GO TODAY.
YOU CAN GO SPEND MONEY, BUT YOU CAN'T GO PLAY BASEBALL.
BUT I THINK THAT THE BEST THING COMES FROM MY SON'S MOUTH.
AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN HERE TONIGHT, AND I EXPLAINED TO HIM, YOU'RE GOING TO GO ONE WAY TO PRACTICE, AND YOUR DAD AND I ARE GOING TO GO THE OTHER WAY TO THE MEETING HE SAID TWO THINGS TO ME THAT REALLY RESONATED.
THE FIRST THING WAS, WE LIKE THE ARTS MARKET.
MOMMY, REMEMBER WHEN WE HAVE DOUBLE HEADERS, AND IT GETS REALLY HOT IN BETWEEN GAMES, WE CAN GO GET THOSE SMOOTHIES THAT WE LIKE.
THE KIDS ALREADY FOUND A SOLUTION.
THEY DON'T NEED US. THEY KNOW THE SOLUTION.
BUT THE THING THAT REALLY TORE MY HEART APART WAS WHEN WE PULLED IN AND HE'S PUTTING HIS CLEATS ON AND HE LOOKS AT ME AND HE SAYS, MOMMY, DO THE POLICE HATE BASEBALL OR JUST THE CITY? I LOOKED AT HIM AND I SAID, NOBODY HATES BASEBALL.
YOU GO HAVE A GOOD TIME AT PRACTICE, AND HOPEFULLY, WE HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU SOON. THANK YOU ALL.
[01:05:03]
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS AMBER MANSI.
I'M A LONG-TIME NATIVE OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
I AM PROBABLY ONE OF YOUR FEW RESIDENTS THAT SAY THEY WERE ACTUALLY BORN IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
AND OTHER THAN COLLEGE IN LAW SCHOOL, I HAVE LIVED HERE.
YOU CAN SAY THAT TOO, YOU WERE BORN THERE? MY PARENTS STILL LIVE 15TH OF OCEAN BOULEVARD.
BUT I'M HERE AS A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER TO THE ATLANTIC BEACH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, A PARENT OF THREE YOUNG BASEBALL PLAYERS, AND SOMEONE WHO GREW UP PLAYING AT JACK RUSSELL PARK.
I GREW UP PLAYING AT THAT PARK, IT TAUGHT ME DISCIPLINE, IT TAUGHT ME TEAMWORK.
IT TAUGHT ME A LOVE OF THE GAME THAT I NOW GET TO PASS TO MY CHILDREN, AND WE ARE A 100% VOLUNTEER LEAGUE.
I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY AND OUR COMMISSION TO KNOW.
WE'RE ALL VOLUNTEERS, NO PAID POSITIONS.
THAT MEANS WE SPENT HUNDREDS OF HOURS CLEANING THE FIELDS.
WE SPENT HUNDREDS OF HOURS ON THE COMPUTERS, DOING THE REGISTRATIONS, GIVING SCHOLARSHIPS TO KIDS IN ATLANTIC BEACH THAT CAN'T AFFORD IT.
WE HAD TO SHUT DOWN REGISTRATIONS THIS YEAR BECAUSE OUR PARK IS SO WANTED BY THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAD TO PHYSICALLY SHUT IT DOWN.
THAT'S WHY I GIVE THEM MY TIME BECAUSE I KNOW PERSONALLY WHAT IT MEANS TO GROW UP AT THIS PARK, TO PLAY BALL, AND TO HAVE A COMMUNITY.
WE BOUGHT A HOUSE ON THE PARK.
WE HAVE A GATE THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE PARK, AND I HAVE OUTGROWN THAT HOUSE FOUR TIMES NOW AS YOU GUYS SAW UP HERE, BUT WE WON'T MOVE BECAUSE WE WANT THE PARK, WE WANT THE BASEBALL COMMUNITY.
SUNDAY RESTRICTION IS SEVERELY HURTING OUR ALL-STAR TEAMS. MY OLDEST SON WHO WAS SITTING HERE THAT JUST WENT TO PRACTICE, THEY'RE GOING TO COOPERSTOWN THIS SUMMER, AND THEY'RE GOING TO WEAR ATLANTIC BEACH ON A NATIONAL STAGE.
LAST WEEK, I HAD TO SHOW UP ALL MY WHOLE FAMILY AN HOUR AWAY TO GO PLAY AT ANOTHER FIELD.
WHEREAS IF THEY WERE HERE, EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT WAS BACK HERE WOULD BE RIDING THEIR BIKES UP OR WATCHING THEM PLAY AT THE FIELD.
BUT INSTEAD, I STILL WOKE UP AT SEVEN O'CLOCK.
I WENT OUT, I RAKED THE FIELD, I CLEANED ALL THE LEAVES UP.
MY HUSBAND DRAGGED THE FIELD, AND THEN WE DROVE AN HOUR AWAY.
THIS MANDATE IS CAUSING THE CITY TO HAVE TO CHOOSE AND MAKING US BE PITTED AGAINST THE MARKET.
THAT'S NOT FAIR. THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
IT SHOULD NOT BE US VERSUS THEM.
WE CAN FIND A WAY TO CO-EXIST, AND I ASK THAT YOU DO THAT.
I'M ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SEVERAL OF THE AUDIENCES, AND SO I THANK YOU FOR PAUSING THAT AND I ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PRESERVE ATLANTIC BEACH. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MAYOR, COUNCIL, PEOPLE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
I'M AN ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENT, AND I'M ALSO THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BEACHES GO GREEN, UP UNTIL RECENTLY IN ALL VOLUNTEER ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ORGANIZATION.
>> I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE, BUT ALSO COMPEL YOU ON A COUPLE OF OTHER ITEMS. NOT ONLY WOULD I LIKE TO SEE THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE GO ON AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROSPER IN EVERYTHING THAT IT DOES, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT EXPAND BEYOND ITS CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES, WHICH INCLUDE THE MARITIME FOREST, THE PARKS, AND OPEN SPACE, BEAUTIFICATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.
I WOULD ADD EDUCATION ON PLASTIC POLLUTION, SEA LEVEL RISE, CLIMATE CHANGE, EDUCATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS LIKE FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES.
SARAH BORN AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN MAKING OUR COMMUNITY MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY A VOLUNTEER'S IMPACT.
BELIEVE ME, WE KNOW IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DO, BUT VOLUNTEERS MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND AND CONCERNED CITIZENS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
AS A CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH, I BELIEVE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH IS MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US STEP THAT UP.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH STEP UP THEIR DEDICATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH BEACHES GO GREEN AND OTHER LIKE-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS SO THAT WE CAN EDUCATE OUR CITIZENS, NOT JUST MOVING FORWARD WITH ORDINANCES AND MEETINGS, BUT TOUCH THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE BETTER LIVES, SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE MORE EDUCATED LIVES TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR PROPERTIES, AND GENERATIONS TO COME.
[01:10:02]
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT SCOTT WILLIAMS. I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE SITUATION WITH HIM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT ANYTIME I'VE EVER CALLED ON HIS HELP PERSONALLY OR FROM BEACHES GO GREEN, HE'S ALWAYS BEEN A PERSON TO STEP UP AND GO ABOVE AND BEYOND.I DID WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO SCOTT FOR THAT.
THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I COMPEL YOU ALL, I INVITE YOU ALL TO JOIN US AT AN EARTH DAY CLEANUP WE'RE DOING HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
CLEANUPS ARE JUST ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BEACHES GO GREEN DOES, BUT WE'RE DOING ONE AT THE ATLANTIC BOULEVARD BEACH ACCESS ON APRIL 19TH, IT'S THE SATURDAY BEFORE EASTER 9:30 TO 11:30.
I WOULD LOVE TO RALLY OUR COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST SEE CITIZENS AND STUDENTS LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR, WE HAD OVER 300 CITIZENS AND STUDENTS COME OUT, BUT WE'D LIKE TO SEE THE LEADERSHIP OF ATLANTIC BEACH COME OUT, TOO, AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MINGLE.
I KNOW MS. MAYOR FORD HAS BEEN THERE, AND HE SUPPORTS OUR EVENTS OFTEN.
I INVITE YOU ALL TO ATTEND, AND THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.
>> YOUR HONOR. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, AND STAFF.
HELLO, MY NAME IS JEFF SELHURST.
I'VE BEEN A CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH ONLY FOR THE LAST 27 YEARS.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ORDINANCE 95, 25, 124, WHICH WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS FOR POSTPONING THAT VOTE.
SPECIFIC PROOF FOR THE NEED FOR THIS ORDINANCE HAS NOT BEEN PRESENTED.
NO METRICS OF STAFF TIME HAVE BEEN PRESENTED.
THIS ORDINANCE IS BASED ON INCORRECT ASSUMPTIONS THAT WILL HARM OUR CITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHY HAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE HAD CANDIDATES FOR VACANT SEATS WAITING FOR CONSIDERATION FOR MORE THAN A YEAR? IF EFFECTIVENESS OF A BODY IS TO BE JUDGED, SHOULDN'T THAT JUDGMENT BE MADE WHEN ALL THE SEATS ON THE COMMITTEE ARE FILLED? PLEASE LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS' CALL FOR MORE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.
PLEASE VOTE AGAINST 95, 25, 124, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE AT A WORKSHOP.
>> MAYOR COMMISSIONER AND COMMISSIONERS, I'M MARK BRINEWITZ, AND I'M BEFORE YOU TO ADDRESS AGENDA ITEM 9B.
THE 12 FEBRUARY 24 STAFF REPORT REGARDING CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE 95-205-124 ASKED YOU TO CONSIDER SEVEN DIFFERENT POINTS REGARDING STANDARDIZATION.
THREE OF THOSE SEVEN POINTS FOR ILLUSTRATION ARE IMPROVED DECISION-MAKING, FOSTERING EQUITY, ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY.
INCLUDED WITH THESE SEVEN POINTS WERE REFERENCES TO REPORTS AUTHORED BY EXPERTS IN FIELDS SUCH AS OPERATIONS ANALYSIS, ORGANIZATIONAL BEST PRACTICES, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, GOAL SETTING, AND SO ON.
WE'VE HEARD SOME PROBLEMS COME UP TONIGHT RELATED TO THOSE SEVEN POINTS THAT WERE IN THAT LETTER FROM THE STAFF.
IF I STARTED READING THAT, AND IT WAS REALLY HARD TO UNPACK ALL OF THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF STUFF.
THERE ARE A LOT OF EXPERTS WHO MADE SIGNIFICANT POINTS.
NOW, THERE'S A LOT OF WORK FOR YOU TO DO TO UNPACK THESE, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU TRY TO UNDERSTAND THESE POINTS.
AT SOME POINT, WHEN I WAS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND ALL OF THESE POINTS, I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE 35,000-FOOT LEVEL TO GAIN A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE IT GOT LOST.
I REALIZED THAT ALL DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE EVERY DAY, THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE MORE CRITICAL THAN OTHERS.
WHILE MOST OF US ARE GOOD AT TRIAGING THE CRITICAL AND NONCRITICAL, WHEN FACED WITH A CRITICAL DECISION, WE ROUTINELY SEEK ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT.
THIS IS WHAT THE CITY MANAGER WAS ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER.
THOSE SEVEN ITEMS WERE ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER HOW TO DO YOUR JOB BEST, BUT YOUR DECISIONS ARE CRITICAL.
EVERY ONE OF THEM IS CRITICAL AS THEY AFFECT ALL CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
YOU'VE HEARD SOME OF THOSE CRITICAL DECISIONS BEING DISCUSSED TODAY.
AT THE 35,000-FOOT LEVEL, I OBSERVED THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT PROPOSED CHANGES TO 23 INVOLVE CRITICAL DECISIONS ON YOUR PART, ADVICE OF EXPERTS WAS NOT SOUGHT, AND A LOT OF THESE EXPERTS ARE RESIDENT VOLUNTEERS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
[01:15:02]
WE NEED TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE ESC, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANT AND MEASURABLE INTEREST OUR COMMUNITY HAS IN RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY.I CONCLUDED THAT MAYBE THEY WEREN'T INCLUDED IN YOUR DELIBERATIONS WAS AN OVERSIGHT.
MY CONCLUSION WAS TO ASK YOU TO TABLE 9B FOR CONSIDERATION.
BUT I ALSO ADDED AN ADDITIONAL STATEMENT TO SAY, I WANT THE COMMISSION TO ASK THE STAFF TO CONSIDER NOT A PIECEMEAL, BUT A COMPLETE REVISION TO CHAPTER 23.
WE OPENED IT UP, THE ESC HAS BEEN TALKING A LOT OF TIMES. THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS EMILY MINOR, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ATLANTIC BEACH SINCE I WAS THREE MONTHS OLD, EXCEPT FOR ABOUT A DECADE IN MY 20S.
BUT WHEN I DECIDED TO START A FAMILY, I MADE THE DECISION TO MOVE BACK HERE AND BOUGHT A HOUSE, JUST SIX HOUSES DOWN FROM WHERE MY DAD LIVES.
THE REASON WHY I CHOSE TO COME BACK HERE TO BEGIN MY FAMILY RELATES TO THE TWO MAIN ISSUES THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING TODAY, OUR BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, OUR PARKS, OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR ALREADY AGREEING TO DELAY THE HEARING AND VOTE ON ORDINANCE 95-25-124.
I REMIND YOU THAT IN NOVEMBER, THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY UNIFIED OUR VOICES TO PUT ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN THE CITY CHARTER.
OVER 70% OF US ACROSS ALL FOUR PRECINCTS VOTED YES, REPRESENTING A SUPERMAJORITY.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE ORDINANCE ARE CONTRARY TO THE EXPECTATION OF OUR VOTE.
THIS IS A STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION FOR OUR CITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.
WE NEED MORE, NOT LESS ENGAGEMENT FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
I THANK YOU FOR EXTENDING THE HEARING AND LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER DIALOGUE ON THIS TOPIC.
IN ADDITION TO STEWARDSHIP OF OUR ENVIRONMENT IS SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT IN USING OUR PARKS, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BENEFIT AND ENGAGEMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THE FARMERS MARKET, YOUTH BASEBALL, SCHOOL TRIPS, AND PROGRAMS, THESE ARE THE VERY DEFINITIONS OF COMMUNITY.
I APPRECIATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONCERNS AROUND PARKING AND TRAFFIC, BUT BELIEVE THAT SOLUTIONS CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH MORE DIALOGUE, AND THAT IS WHAT HAS BEEN LACKING.
I ASK YOU TO LISTEN TO AND BE RESPONSIVE TO THE CONCERNS YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE ARTICULATING HERE TODAY, AND PLEASE MOTION VOTE TO DELAY APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 95-25-125 UNTIL MORE COMMUNITY INPUT IS PROVIDED.
PLEASE PAUSE THIS PROCESS AND PRESERVE ATLANTIC BEACH LIFE.
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS, MAYOR, CITY STAFF.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE THIS EVENING, AND ALSO THANK YOU ALL FOR VOTING TO PAUSE THE PROCESS AND PRESERVE ATLANTIC BEACH LIFE.
I THINK THAT IN THE ALMOST 40 YEARS THAT I'VE LIVED HERE, THE ONLY TIME THE CHAMBERS ARE FULL LIKE THIS IS WHEN THINGS ARE NOT THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE AS MUCH PARTICIPATION, BUT I FEEL LIKE THE FACT THAT PEOPLE SHOW UP AND ARE CONCERNED IS A LOT OF WHAT MAKES THIS COMMUNITY AS FABULOUS AS IT IS, THAT PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED, THEY WANT THINGS TO BE GOOD, THEY WANT THINGS TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
CLEARLY, YOU ALL ARE IN A POSITION TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
I KNOW THAT AFTER TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION, THERE WILL BE MORE DISCUSSION BY ALL OF YOU, A RELOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED, WHAT'S BEEN PUSHED FORWARD, AND MAYBE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AND SEE WHERE IT IS THAT WE NEED TO GO.
I APPRECIATED YOUR TAKING TIME TO MEET WITH US TODAY, MAYOR FORD, AND TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAD TO SAY AND TO SHARE SOME OF YOUR INSIGHTS, WHICH WERE VERY HELPFUL.
I THINK A LOT OF TIMES THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY IS WHAT DRIVES PEOPLE GETTING UPSET IS WHEN IN ABSENCE OF KNOWLEDGE AND KNOWING WHAT'S GOING ON.
[01:20:02]
YOU GET A LOT OF SPECULATION AND PEOPLE MAY BE OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT THINGS THAT DON'T NEED THAT KIND OF ATTENTION.BUT IT APPRECIATED YOU TAKING THE TIME TO TALK WITH US.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW SIGNS THAT THE ENTRY GOING IN THAT ARE GOING TO IDENTIFY THE FACT THAT WE ARE A TREE CITY.
I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT BEFORE, AND THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN RAISE THE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TREE CANOPY.
THE ESC, I THINK, IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN.
IT'S INTERESTING TO ME THAT WE WOULD DISCOURAGE VOLUNTEERS.
I PERSONALLY LOOK FOR ALL THE HELP I CAN GET WHEN I CAN GET IT, AND I WOULD THINK THAT THE CITY WOULD DO THE SAME.
THERE'S SO MANY INCREDIBLY TALENTED PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.
TO HAVE THAT BRAIN POWER AND MANPOWER AND WOMAN POWER TO BE WILLING TO SUPPORT KEEPING THE CITY IN A GREAT PLACE, I THINK THAT WE WOULD BE REMISS IN NOT WANTING TO EMBRACE THAT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO.
I KNOW IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB TO LISTEN TO ALL OF US AND READ ALL THE EMAILS, BUT GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A POSITIVE OUTCOME.
>> THANK YOU, MS. BECKENBA, AND KUDOS FOR FINISHING EXACTLY ON THE BUZZER.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR FORD AND CITY COMMISSION MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MALIKA UNDERWOOD, AND I AM A RESIDENT OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
I'M HERE TODAY TO REQUEST THREE THINGS.
FIRST, THAT THE COMMISSION CORRECT THE RECORD FROM FEBRUARY 10 REGARDING LYNN COLSON AND OUTSIDE KIDS.
SHE AND THEY DESERVE BETTER, PERIOD.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT COMMISSIONER BOLL WILL ADDRESS THIS LEADER IN THE AGENDA.
I HAVE PROVIDED COPIES, AND I'M SUBMITTING FOR THE RECORD THE CITIZEN LETTER WE SENT MAKING THIS REQUEST.
SECOND, I AM HERE TO REQUEST THAT THE COMMISSION ASSURE US YOU WILL NOT REMOVE OR DIRECT ANYONE TO REMOVE ITEMS THAT OUR COMMUNITY DONATES TO ASHBY PARK.
YOUR INITIAL ACTIONS TO DO SO WERE IN OVERREACH, AND IT STRIPPED OUR BELOVED PARK OF THE UNIQUE CHARACTER IT HAS HAD FOR DECADES.
MY KIDS WERE DEVASTATED BY THE CHANGES.
THEY STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN TO THEIR FAVORITE PARK.
ASHBY PARK EMBODIES WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
MY THIRD REQUEST IS THAT YOU DELAY THE VOTE ON ORDINANCE 95-25-125.
UNTIL APPROPRIATE TIME, CONSIDERATION AND COMMUNITY INPUT IS GIVEN TO CREATING SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
AS WRITTEN, IT LACKS CLARITY AND TRANSPARENCY.
PAUSE THE PROCESS, PRESERVE AB LIFE.
>> I'M GOING TO A DROP OF HUNGER.
>> JIM WHEATLEY, MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE.
INITIALLY, IS JUST GOING TO ADDRESS THE DONNA RUN.
I WANTED TO PUBLICLY THANK CHIEF VICK AND TIFFANY LARSON.
IN YEARS PAST, WE HAVE BEEN IN A POLICE STATE.
WE HAD JSO COPS JUST BEING JERKS.
IT WAS JUST IT WAS A CRAP SHOW.
THIS YEAR, HOW PLEASANT? IT WAS JUST BEAUTIFULLY RAN.
I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS.
OF NOTE IS MY FAVORITE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER IS KEVIN HOGANCAMP.
I KNOW KEVIN WAS VERY VERY INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS AND I SINCERELY THINK THE CITY WOULD SHUT DOWN IF KEVIN HAD HAD A SICK DAY.
A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS WERE PROBABLY NOT AS POPULAR.
SCOTT WILLIAMS. I NEVER WAS IMPRESSED BY THE GUY.
I'VE BEEN DEALING ON AND OFF WITH CITY ISSUES,
[01:25:01]
ESPECIALLY ROADS FOR AT LEAST EIGHT, 10 YEARS NOW.NORTHERN SEMINOLE IS A THREE MILE SPEED BUMP.
I NEVER HAD BEEN RESOLVED, AND I HAD MEETINGS WITH HIM ABOUT IT, AND IT WAS ONE OF $2 MILLION.
WE'RE WILLING TO HAVE TAXPAYERS SPEND $12- $14,000,000 ON A 2.5 MILE BICYCLE PATH, BUT YET A MAJOR ARTERY WAS ADDRESSED.
I ALSO LOOKED AT THE ACQUISITIONS OF THE CITY UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP.
HE ENDED UP BUYING A VATCAN. IT'S A SEWER SUCKER.
IT'S A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT I ACTUALLY KNOW PRETTY WELL.
THE PEOPLE HERE DID NOT HOW TO USE IT, THEY BROKE IT.
I KNOW THE DEFENSIVE PART WAS INVOLVED IN TRYING TO FIX IT, ABOUT $300,000.
HE JUST WAS NOT THE GUY FOR THE JOB.
THE ERC. THE STATE HAS THE ERC COMMITTEE HAS FIVE MEMBERS.
I FIGURE THE STATE CAN MAKE DO WITH FIVE MEMBERS.
MAYBE THE THING PIECE CAN DO WITH FIVE FOR SEVEN MEMBERS. JUST A THOUGHT.
OTHER JUST MISCELLANEOUS THINGS? LET THE KIDS PLAY BALL.
I MEAN, HAVING THE FARMERS MARKETS FINE, BUT I MEAN, WE DON'T WE NEED THE KIDS PLAYING BALL.
SHOVE EVERYTHING INSIDE, LET THEM PLAY BALL.
ONE MORE THING ABOUT THE COMMITTEE.
I LOOKED AT THE TREE COMMITTEE A WHILE BACK.
THE MEMBERS WERE MAINLY PEOPLE WHO HAD ONE OR TWO PALM TREES IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE. THAT WAS IT.
THE GENTLEMAN HERE, MARK, IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS TREES COMMITS I HAVE OVER MY HOUSE.
OUR HOUSE WAS BUILT NEAR 40 YEARS AGO.
WE HAVE TREES THAT ARE GOING TO COME DOWN THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
WE'RE LIVING WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE HUGE TREES SURROUNDING OUR HOUSE THAT CAN BE KNOCKED DOWN.
YET HERE WE HAVE A BUNCH OF TREE PROBABLY YAHOOS THAT WANT TO TELL ME HOW TO DEAL WITH MY TREES.
WE DON'T NEED MORE PEOPLE. THANK YOU.
>> I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE AN HOUR JUST TO GET TO A DIFFERENT PARK EVERY DAY.
>> THANK YOU, MR. ROMANCX FOR YOUR BREVITY, REFRESHING AT THIS LATE HOUR, BUT THANK YOU.
>> FIRST OF ALL, AS A FORMER MAYOR AND ELECTED OFFICIAL OF THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR LISTENING TO THESE CITIZENS AND HAVE THIS.
THANK GOODNESS, YOU DID CHANGE THE TIME TO SIX O'CLOCK BECAUSE YOU'D BE HERE TILL ABOUT TWO THIS MORNING.
YOU MUST HAVE BEEN THINKING SOMETHING I HEARED.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR THE CITY.
IT'S NOT EASY, AND I DO THANK YOU.
EACH OF YOU KNOW ME, I MOSTLY TALK FROM THE HEART WHEN I SPEAK, BUT TONIGHT TO TRY TO STAY WITHIN THE THREE MINUTES.
I HAD SOME POINTS I WANT TO DO.
I'M GOING TO READ SOME POINTS TO MAKE SURE I TRY TO GET A LITTLE BIT ACROSS THAT I FEEL THAT IS IMPORTANT.
BY THE WAY, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS I'VE SEEN THIS ROOM THIS FULL.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECENT FIRING OF THE CITY EMPLOYEE, I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE DISAPPOINTMENT MANY RESIDENTS FEEL.
WHILE THE CITY MANAGER HAS EVERY RIGHT TO FIRE ANY EMPLOYEE, JUST AS YOU AS THE COMMISSION, HAVE THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE ANY CHARTER EMPLOYEE, CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, OR CITY CLERK.
WHAT I HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S THE WAY THIS WAS HANDLED HAS LEFT MANY UNSURE WHAT'S HAPPENING.
THE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN WELL, THE EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN WELL THOUGHT OF WITH HIGH PRAISE THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND WAS WELL RESPECTED EMPLOYEE UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION UNDER MAYOR GLASSER'S ADMINISTRATION.
I CAN ONLY ASSUME UNDER MAYOR FORD'S ADMINISTRATION.
I TRUST THAT THE HOUSE WAS IN ORDER BEFORE THE FIRING HAPPENED TO PREVENT ANY LAWSUITS AND CLEAR UP ANY ISSUES WITH THE CITY MANAGER, GETTING SUPPORT AND DATA AND RESPECT AND FEEDBACK FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY AND MOST OF ALL, DIRECTOR OF HR.
THE PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
[01:30:01]
MANY OF YOU CAMPAIGNED ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.I SENT AN INDIVIDUAL EMAIL TO EACH OF YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE COMMISSIONERS THAT DID ACKNOWLEDGE MY EMAIL.
MY EMAIL SUGGESTS THAT IT IS TIME FOR ATLANTIC BEACH TO INVEST AND HIRE FUND, MOVE MONEY, OVER AND FUND A DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
NO. I'M SORRY, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATION.
I DO HAVE A QUESTION ON TWO THINGS.
TWO STAFF MEMBERS WORK AT THE RECREATIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS DEPARTMENT AND HAVE OFFICES IN DELRAY.
WHO DID THESE EMPLOYEES REPORT TO? THE CITY CREATED A NEW POSITION EVENTS COORDINATOR, WHICH, BY THE WAY, I SUPPORT.
BUT WHY DOES THAT POSITION REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
LAST QUESTION, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING ALL THESE ISSUES BEFORE THESE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE? THAT'S WHAT I WOULD BE LOOKING INTO AS ELECTED OFFICIAL. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU, HONORABLE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS AND CITY EMPLOYEES.
MY NAME IS LYNN DRYSDALE, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
I SENT AN EMAIL MESSAGE TO EACH OF YOU YESTERDAY AND WOULD LIKE TO PUBLISH THAT ON THE RECORD WITHOUT READING IT, IF THAT WOULD SAVE SOME TIME.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE JUST A COUPLE OF MORE VERY BRIEF POINTS.
THE REASON WHY I THINK THE PROCESS IS SO FLAWED AND WHY I ALSO THINK THAT YOU SHOULD PAUSE IT, IS THAT PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC PARKS, RISK MANAGEMENT.
THESE ARE NOT CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS.
THESE ARE TOPICS THAT THE CITY CAN PROBABLY AND THE RESIDENTS GET BEHIND.
WHAT WAS VERY DISTURBING WAS THIS CONCEPT WAS INTRODUCED TO THE CITIZENS AND THE COMMISSION ON THE 10TH IN A VIDEO THAT WAS VERY FLAWED.
IT HAD SUBSTANTIAL FALSEHOODS ABOUT A PARK.
[NOISE] A NEIGHBORHOOD, A COMMUNITY, AND A SCHOOL WITH APPARENT COMPLETE RECKLESS DISREGARD OF THE TRUTH OF THOSE ITEMS. THE PEOPLE I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH ARE FINDING THAT NO EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH.
THE SECOND REASON IS THE THINGS THAT WERE SHOWN ON THE VIDEO WERE THINGS THAT WERE COMPLETELY LEGAL AT THE TIME, AND PEOPLE WERE BEING OSTRACIZED FOR DOING THINGS THAT WERE COMPLETELY LEGAL.
I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ME.
THE THIRD THING THAT I THINK IS WRONG WITH THE PROCESS IS THAT THE ORDINANCE ITSELF THAT CREATED ALL OF THIS DRAMA HAS A DEFINITIONAL SECTION THAT DOES NOTHING TO TO DELINEATE BETWEEN PROFITS, NON-PROFITS, BUSINESSES.
THAT WAS A PROBLEM THAT WAS STATED BEFORE.
YOU CAN'T HAVE IF YOU ADDRESS ONE TOPIC IN AN ORDINANCE, YOU CAN'T ASSUME THAT IT COVERS OTHERS.
WELL, YOU'VE DONE THAT IN YOUR DEFINITIONAL SECTION.
THE PROBLEM IS THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES ABSOLUTELY ZERO STANDARDS, RULES, OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THE CITY MANAGER, AN UNELECTED OFFICIAL, CAN MAKE UP THE RULES AND CAN DECIDE WHO WANTS TO WHO CAN USE THE PARK, WHEN THEY CAN USE THE PARK, AND FOR HOW LONG.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S BEEN A FAIR PROCESS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MISS LYNN DRYSDALE.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M JULIE OLSSON, AND I AM ATLANTIC BEACH FARMERS MARKET MANAGER.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY AFTER MEETING ON FEBRUARY 11TH WITH PARKING ISSUES.
I'VE COMPLIED WITH THE CITY IN REGARDS TO THE USE OF THE PARKING LOT AND SHRINKING THE MARKET.
I'M ACTIVELY SEEKING A SOLUTION MOVING VENDOR CARS IN A SHUTTLE.
BASEBALL HAD GAMES ON BOTH FIELDS FEBRUARY 9TH AND ARRIVING AROUND AROUND 8TH TO 15TH.
THEY HOSTED PRACTICE ON BOTH FIELDS, FEBRUARY 16TH DURING THE MARKET.
IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAD THE FIELD AT 1:30.
I ALSO UNDERSTOOD IT WAS BEING MOVED TO 2:30 SINCE THEY COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH THE COMPLIANCE.
I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THE NUMBER OF TEAMS EXCEEDS THE ALLOTTED AMOUNT OF BECAUSE THEY HAD 40.
I BELIEVE THERE ARE ISSUES AND IN RESOLVING THOSE.
I DON'T BELIEVE IN STIRRING THE POT, REACHING OUT TO MEDIA, ETC.
ONE SATURDAY MARKET SEVERAL YEARS AGO HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR BASEBALL.
[01:35:03]
I FEEL THE COMMUNITY IS ENTITLED TO A TRUE FARMERS MARKET THAT PARK SPACES SHOULD BE SHARED AND EVERYONE WANTS TO PLAY.THIS MARKET HELPS SUPPORT 70 NOW 60 SMALL BUSINESSES.
THEY PAY THEIR MORTGAGE, THEIR ELECTRIC, ETC.
SHRINKING THE MARKET FURTHER WILL HURT, PEOPLE WANT SELECTION, CHOICES, AND CONSISTENCY.
MANY PEOPLE ASK THIS WEEK, WHERE IS EVERYONE? THIS MARKET WORKS AS A COMMUNITY AS WELL AS WE HOST BOY SCOUTS, GIRL SCOUTS, PET ADOPTION, ATLANTIC BEACH FOR SURVEYS, AND SAVING ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY, WHICH I HAVE AN EMAIL SAYING HOW INSTRUMENTAL THE MARKET WAS IN DOING SO.
THIS SUMMER WILL BE OUR FOURTH YEAR.
I'M VERY PROUD OF THE MARKET AND ALL THE HARDWORKING VENDOR FAMILIES.
BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY COMMUNITY EVENT.
WE'RE A YEAR ROUND HERE FOR ATLANTIC BEACH.
NOBODY WANTS TO ELIMINATE BASEBALL.
I BELIEVE WE CAN MAKE A WIN WIN SOMEHOW. THANK YOU.
>> NO. I'M SORRY. WE'VE CLOSED.
[LAUGHTER] CITIZEN OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR FORD, COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF.
I'M REQUESTING A PAUSE VOTING ON ORDINANCE 9525125.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY TO DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR OUR PARKS.
WE'VE BEEN BLINDSIDED BY RECENT ACTIONS, AND IT'S CREATED UNNECESSARY TURMOIL IN OUR TYPICALLY DELIGHTFUL COMMUNITY.
OUR PARKS BRING TOGETHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS YOUNG AND OLD, AND THE CHILDREN, COACHES, TEACHERS, AND NEIGHBORS WHO USE THEM IS WHAT MAKES ATLANTIC BEACH SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE TO LIVE, LEARN AND PLAY.
OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS CLEAR, TRANSPARENT AND COMMON SENSE GUIDELINES FOR APPROVING OR DENYING USE OF THE PARKS THAT THE CITY MANAGER MUST FOLLOW.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, GUIDELINES THAT PRESERVE THE SPIRIT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
TAKING AWAY SAFE PLAY ITEMS FROM ASHBY PARK WITHOUT REASONABLE EXPLANATION, LOCKING THE JACK RUSSELL BASEBALL FIELDS AND PROHIBITING CHILDREN FROM PLAYING AND LEARNING IN OUR PARKS IS NOT THE SPIRIT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS A SEVERE OVERREACH BY OUR CITY OFFICIALS.
BRING BACK THE PLAY ITEMS TO ASHBY PARK, UNLOCK THE BASEBALL FIELDS, LET OUR KIDS PLAY.
PAUSE THE PROCESS, PRESERVE AB LIFE. THANKS.
[BACKGROUND] HAVE A GOOD DAY [INAUDIBLE]. [LAUGHTER]
>> EVERYONE. MY NAME IS DOUG AND MY WIFE, MADDIE AND I RUN BEACH BLOOMS AT THE FARMERS MARKET.
WE'RE RESIDENTS OF ATLANTIC BEACH, AND I'M AN ACTIVE TENNIS COACH AND DO WEAR MANY OTHER HATS.
EVERY SUNDAY, WE LOAD OUR FLOWER CAR AND WALK IT DOWN IN THE MARKET.
WE SEE SO MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY DOING THE SAME EXACT THING, WALKING, BIKING, SHOWING UP NOT JUST TO SHOP, BUT TO CONNECT.
THIS MARKET ISN'T ABOUT FRESH PRODUCE OR SMALL BUSINESS.
IT'S ABOUT SOMETHING DEEPER. IT'S ABOUT COMMUNITY. IT'S ABOUT LONGEVITY.
IT'S ABOUT CREATING A SPACE WHERE WE SLOW DOWN AND INVEST IN SOMETHING BIGGER THAN OURSELVES.
BUT WE KNOW THE SPACE IS LIMITED, AND WE KNOW WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO LOVE THIS PARK.
WE HEAR THE CONCERNS FROM OUR BASEBALL FAMILIES.
JUST LIKE WE'VE SEEN THE CHALLENGES FOR TENNIS PLAYERS WHEN THE LEAGUES ARE RENTED OUT, THE COURTS.
THE TRUTH IS, ANYTIME YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY FULL OF PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO GATHER, PLAY AND GROW, THERE'S GOING TO BE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE TO NAVIGATE THINGS TOGETHER.
HERE'S WHAT WE'RE SAYING. WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER.
[01:40:03]
WE'RE NOT HERE TO TAKE AWAY FROM BASEBALL.WE KNOW THE VALUE OF SPORTS, OF KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE, OF FAMILIES COMING TOGETHER FOR A GAME.
IN FACT, WE BELIEVE IN THE SAME THING, MOVING WITH YOGA IN THE PARK, CONNECTION WITH BEACH BLOOMS AND ALL THE OTHERS, WE FOCUS ON WELL BEING.
THAT'S WHAT THE MARKET'S ALL ABOUT TO.
INSTEAD OF COMPETING FOR SPACE, LET'S GET CREATIVE WITH SOLUTIONS.
WHAT IF WE SHIFT THE MARKET FROM 9:00 AM-1:00 PM.
TO FREE UP PARKING FOR EARLIER BASEBALL GAMES? WHAT IF WE WORK WITH THE CITY TO DESIGNATE ALTERNATIVE VENDOR PARKING SO THAT FAMILIES COMING IN FOR GAMES HAVE MORE AVAILABLE SPOTS, AND SO DO FAMILIES THAT COME IN FOR THE MARKET.
WHAT IF INSTEAD OF US VERSUS THEM MENTALITY, WE START ASKING, HOW DO WE MAKE THIS WORK FOR EVERYONE? THE TRUTH IS, THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT PARKING SPOTS.
IT'S ABOUT HOW WE WANT TO SHOW UP AS A COMMUNITY.
TENNIS PLAYERS ADJUSTMENT LEAGUES COME IN.
MARKET VENDORS ARRIVE EARLY TO SET UP THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY FRESH FOOD AND LOCAL GOODS.
BASEBALL FAMILIES, MAYBE WE CAN MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS TOO, BECAUSE IN THE END, WE'RE ALL HERE FOR THE SAME REASON TO BUILD SOMETHING THAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY THRIVE.
WE'RE HERE TO START A CONVERSATION TO WORK WITH THE CITY, WITH BASEBALL FAMILIES, WITH VENDORS, WITH ALL OF YOU TO MAKE SURE THE MARKET CONTINUES TO THRIVE WITHOUT TAKING AWAY FROM ANYONE ELSE.
WE'RE ASKING FOR FOUR HOURS A WEEK. THAT'S IT.
IN A CITY THAT BELONGS TO ALL OF US, LET'S FIND A WAY TO SHARE, SO THAT WHETHER YOU'RE HERE FOR THE MARKET, THE GAME, OR A MATCH, YOU FEEL LIKE THERE'S A SPACE FOR YOU TO.
LET'S MAKE THIS WORK TOGETHER.
>> I HAVE NO MORE SPEAKER FORMS FOR THOSE THAT WISH TO SPEAK, BUT I HAVE FIVE TO GO ON THE RECORD.
>> DAN G. BONUCCI, HE IS OPPOSED TO ESC.
>> HERIN DIMISH IS OPPOSED TO ESC AND PARKS ORDINANCES.
RUTH BOWMAN IS OPPOSED TO ITEM 9B.
LAURA CRUZ IS OPPOSED TO ORDINANCES 9525-124 AND 9525-125.
IT'S A RESIDENT AND PROPERTY OWNER ON EIGHTH STREET, OPPOSED TO ORDINANCE 9525-1205.
>> THANK YOU, DONNA. IN JUST A MOMENT, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A RECESS BECAUSE SOME OF YOU MAY NEED TO GET BACK TO FAMILY LIFE.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE, AND I'M SORRY, I COULDN'T SPEAK TO EVERYONE.
THIS IS NOT A NORMAL RESPONSE TIME FROM THE MAYOR OR THE COMMISSIONERS, BUT SINCE SOME OF YOU MAY NOT RETURN, I WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
I HEAR A COMMON THREAD TONIGHT.
LET ME USE SOMETHING WE ALL CAN RELATE TO.
REMEMBER THE MOVIE, A FEW GOOD MEN, WHEN JACK NICHOLSON SAID, GENTLEMEN, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE ILLS OF WHAT I HEARD TONIGHT ARE TO THE DEGREE THAT I HEARD, BUT I SURE DO BELIEVE WE'VE FAILED TO COMMUNICATE.
WE WILL RECTIFY THAT AND AS YOUR MAYOR, I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
WE WILL GO ON IN THIS MEETING, AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT ORDINANCE NUMBER 9525-125 THAT WE DID NOT REMOVE, AND WE'LL DECIDE WHAT TO DO ON THAT.
I HEARD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE MENTION THAT.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, BEFORE YOU LEAVE, AND I CAN'T HIT EVERY ONE OF THE ISSUES, BUT I JUST HAVE TO SAY, AND I BELIEVE THIS COMMISSION IS SO PROUD OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION.
I AM PROUD OF THE PARENTS, THE COACHES, THE VOLUNTEERS, AND ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN.
OVER 400 CHILDREN ARE PARTICIPATING IN A PROGRAM THAT NOT TOO LONG AGO, WAS ALL BUT DEAD.
OF THOSE 460-ISH CHILDREN, I BELIEVE 70% OF THEM ARE IN ZIP CODE 32233, AND I WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT BECAUSE I HEARD EARLIER ABOUT PANAVIDRA AND JACKS BEACH, AND WE DO NEED TO TAKE KIDS FROM OTHER AREAS.
BUT BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF CHILDREN IN OUR ZIP CODE PARTICIPATING.
THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT TO THIS MAYOR THAN USING OUR PARKS TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN, INCLUDING ASHBY PARK IN THE EDUCATION SIDE.
YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION AND YOU HAVE
[01:45:02]
MY COMMITMENT THAT WE WILL DO A BETTER JOB ON COMMUNICATING.WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO CALL A RECESS FOR 10 MINUTES, AND THOSE OF YOU WHO WISH TO COME BACK AND SEE THE REST OF THE STORY, PLEASE FEEL FREE.
>> THIS MEETING OF CITY COMMISSION, FEBRUARY 24, 2025, WILL RECONVENE AT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING FOR A BRIEF PAUSE.
WE'LL MOVE ALONG ON THE AGENDA, GOING TO ITEM 3,
[3. CITY MANAGER REPORTS]
CITY MANAGER REPORTS, 3A, MR. KILLINGSWORTH.>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. RUNNING A LITTLE BIT BEHIND, 90-DAY CALENDAR.
THE 90-DAY CALENDAR IS BASICALLY THE SAME 90-DAY CALENDAR THAT WE PRESENTED THROUGH APRIL LAST TIME.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS AND HOPEFULLY YOU ALL NOTICED IS I BELIEVE SOMETIME IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, YOU SHOULD HAVE ALL GOTTEN, ON YOUR CALENDARS, EVERYTHING THAT'S ON THE [LAUGHTER] 90-DAY CALENDAR, WHICH WAS A REQUEST.
>> I DON'T THINK WE MET ALL AT ONCE.
>> HOPEFULLY, TO BE INCREMENTAL AS IT COMES FORWARD.
[LAUGHTER] WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, I'D RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE 90-DAY CALENDAR.
>> I MOVE RE-APPROVE THE 90-DAY CALENDAR.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? NINETY DAY CALENDAR IS APPROVED.
>> MR. MAYOR, AND COMMISSION, WITH YOUR INDULGENCE, I'D LIKE TO DEFER THE DISCUSSION ON THE SPEED CAMERAS.
WE HAVE PLACED THE DETECTION DEVICES AT THE APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS, AND WE'D LIKE TO COLLECT SEVEN DAYS WORTH OF DATA THAT WAY RATHER THAN HAVING A DISCUSSION ON THE PROS AND CONS OF SPEED CAMERAS, AND THEN COMING BACK AND PRESENTING THE DATA, WE CAN JUST DO IT ALL AT ONE TIME.
>> THEN 3C IS A PROPOSED CAMPING LEGISLATION.
IF WE CAN HAVE CHIEF FICK COME UP AND HE'LL WALK US THROUGH THAT.
WHAT I WILL SAY ON THIS AND THE DANGEROUS DOG, BOTH DRAFT PIECES OF LEGISLATION BASICALLY JUST BRING US UP TO THE CURRENT STATUTES AND MAKE US CONSISTENT WITH THAT. CHIEF.
>> MR. MAYOR, WE'D LIKE TO START [INAUDIBLE]?
>> [INAUDIBLE] WE AMENDED OUR PREVIOUS ORDINANCE [INAUDIBLE] BEFORE YOU NOW IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH WHAT USC REQUIRED AND ALLOWED [INAUDIBLE].
>> OKAY. COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF?
>> I DO. THE DUTTON ISLAND PRESERVE CLEANUP, AND I KNOW THAT WAS ON THE COJ SIDE.
I HAD SEEN POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THE PLAY BY PLAY OF THE SHERIFF JACKSONVILLE OFFICE OUT THERE, AS WELL AS A CLEANUP, AND THEY DID UNDERBRUSH CLEANING ON TOP OF THAT.
WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR ORDINANCES AND THAT THING HAPPENS ON OUR SIDE OF DUTTON ISLAND PRESERVE, WOULD WE BE DOING THE SAME FOLLOWING THE SAME PROTOCOL AS A COJ DID, WHERE OUR ABPD POLICE WOULD BE OUT THERE, OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
I THINK OUR PUBLIC WORKS WAS OUT THERE HELPING, ASSISTING THE COJ SIDE.
I'M NOT SURE IF ABPD WAS OUT THERE AS WELL.
BUT IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN ON OUR SIDE, WOULD WE HAVE THE SAME PROTOCOL AND THE SAME PROCEDURES THAT CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TOOK.
>> WE DON'T HAVE [INAUDIBLE] LIKE THAT.
[01:50:16]
[INAUDIBLE]>> [INAUDIBLE] THAT WE WERE OUT THERE AND COMMUNICATING THEM.
THEY HAD OPTIONS FOR HOUSING AND ASSISTANCE IN COUNSELING.
ON THE DAY THE CLEANUP OCCURRED, THERE WERE NO PERSONAL PROPERTY ITEMS THAT WERE REMOVED BECAUSE THERE WAS NOBODY THERE BECAUSE THEY KNEW THAT WE WERE COMING THERE.
PARDON ME. COJ WAS COMING TO CLEAN UP THE AREA.
THE ANSWER IS YES, PART OF THE UNDERBRUSHING THAT WAS DONE AFTER THAT IS PART OF WHAT THE BLIGHT TEAM'S PROTOCOL IS TO CLEAN UP THE AREA ONCE THEY GO AND REMOVE TRASH OUT OF A SITUATION LIKE THAT.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT COMPONENT IS ADDRESSED IN THIS ORDINANCE OR NOT.
>> IT IS NOT. WOULD THAT BE SOMETHING IN OUR PUBLIC WORKS THAT WE WOULD ADDRESS? I'M JUST THINKING, DUTTON ISLAND, I UNDERSTAND THAT PART OF IT IS COJ, PART OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
BUT TO ME, IT'S REALLY ALL ATLANTIC BEACH.
IT'S NOT LIKE, WELL, THAT BUSH OVER THERE IS THE COJ SIDE, SO WE'RE NOT TOUCHING IT.
I HATED THAT. HONESTLY, I HATED THAT THAT WAS OUR RESPONSE TO IT.
HE SAID MONTHS. MONTHS PEOPLE HAD COMPLAINED IN PARTICULAR WEST OF MAYPORT, AND EVERYONE WHO LIVED IN THOSE NEARBY AREAS AND WALKED TO OUR PRESERVE.
IF WE HAVE AN ORDINANCE, WE HAVE TO ENFORCE IT.
>> GREAT. WE AGREE. THAT'S WHY WE'VE WRITTEN THE ORDINANCE THE WAY WE DID.
IT GIVES US A LATITUDE, OBVIOUSLY TO FIRST TRY AND USE SOME COUNTERMEASURES TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO ANYBODY WHO'S IN THAT SITUATION.
WE'RE GOING TO COMMUNICATE THEM VERY CLEARLY THAT WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU.
IF YOU WANT A RIDE TO THE SHELTER, WE'LL GLADLY DO THAT.
WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH SOULS BACKER.
WE'LL PUT THEM IN TOUCH WITH THAT OUTREACH TEAM THAT HELPS THEM FIND LONG TERM HOUSING.
WE'RE GOING TO HELP THESE FOLKS TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION BEFORE WE ACTUALLY COME DOWN TO THE POINT OF HAVING THEM LOOK, YOU'VE GOT TO LEAVE PUBLIC PROPERTY.
THIS ORDINANCE CONTROLS PUBLIC PROPERTY, NOT PRIVATE PROPERTY.
>> IF WE CAN STAY ON THIS TOPIC.
>> I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS ON THIS TOPIC.
BUT JFRD DOES PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR THE CAMP, SOME OF THE HOMELESSNESS OR THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS TO THOSE AREAS, I HAVE SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THEN THE NEWS THAT THAT MAY NOT BE PROVIDED IN ATLANTIC BEACH, WHETHER THAT'S HEARSAY OR NOT.
COULD YOU JUST ADDRESS THAT NOW?
>> WE ARE IN DIALOGUE CURRENTLY WITH THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO HOPEFULLY FIND A WAY WE CAN ACCESS THOSE SAME SERVICES HERE AT THE BEACH.
>> AT THIS POINT, THERE IS NO AGREEMENT TO HAVE JFRD COME AND ASSIST US WITH RELOCATING, HELPING THOSE FOLKS RELOCATE OR HELPING ON SOME OF THE CLEANUP.
>> BECAUSE WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH JFRD.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, DO WE HAVE CONSENSUS TO MOVE THIS TO A FORMAL ORDINANCE? YOU HAVE CONSENSUS ON THAT?
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR AND CHIEF, IF YOU CAN GO OVER THE DANGEROUS DOG.
>> CERTAINLY, WE HAVE SOME AMENDMENTS TO OUR ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE.
THE MOST POIGNANT ONE IS THE FIRST ONE.
SORRY. THAT CORRECT SOME OF OUR LANGUAGE, SO WE MATCH WHAT'S IN FLORIDA STATE STATUTE.
IT JUST EXPLAINS THAT IN ORDER FOR A DOG TO BE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS, THERE HAS TO BE MORE THAN ONE INSTANCE OF AN INJURY OR ATTACK ON A DOMESTIC ANIMAL WHILE OFF THE PROPERTY.
THAT LANGUAGE WASN'T PREVIOUSLY IN THE CORRECT FORM.
ALSO, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER SECTIONS TO THE ORDINANCE, NOT ON A DANGEROUS DOG THAT WE WANTED TO CLEAN UP, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON DANGEROUS DOG, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.
>> I WAS HAPPY TO SAY YOU DIDN'T INCLUDE PARENTS.
>> WELL, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NOISE PART.
>> THE OTHER SECTION WE HAD RUNNING AT LARGE, WE STRUCK SOME OLD LANGUAGE OUT OF RUNNING AT LARGE BECAUSE THAT SECTION TRIED TO ENCOMPASS A COUPLE OF THINGS, WHICH WAS THE ANIMAL BEING AT LARGE AND IMPOUNDING FEES.
WE JUST CHANGED SOME OF THAT, SO WE MADE SURE THAT IT WAS EASIER FOR OUR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS TO WORK WITH.
WE'RE ALSO MOVING TO BRING INTO LINE DISTURBING THE PIECE, THAT'S 4-27.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT EITHER ONE OF THOSE 424, 427?
>> DOES THIS INCLUDE ANYTHING AT THE BEACHES OR?
[01:55:02]
>> RUNNING AT LARGE WOULD JUST BE ANY PLACE. IT WOULD BE OFF LEASH.
IT COULD BE AT THE BEACH, IT COULD BE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> THAT YOUR DISCUSSION OF RUNNING AT LARGE IS NOT ON THE LEASH?
>> CORRECT. OUT OF YOUR PROPERTY, ESCAPES FROM THE YARD, ALL THOSE THINGS.
>> DO WE HAVE CONSENSUS TO SEND THIS TO CITY MANAGER FOR A FORMAL ORDINANCE? DO YOU HAVE YOUR CONSENSUS? THANK YOU.
>> I BELIEVE MR. MAYOR, THAT IS IT FOR THE CITY MANAGER REPORTS.
>> COULD I IMPOSE UPON YOU TO GIVE US A SHORT SYNOPSIS OF THE RESOLUTION TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THE FARMERS MARKET?
>> SURE, SO THERE'S TWO THINGS GOING ON.
THEY, WE'RE NOT JUST PICKING ON THE BASEBALL TEAM.
WHAT'S HAPPENED WAS WE PAID ATTENTION TO PARTICULARLY THE LAST SIX WEEKS RATHER.
WE HAD CARS PARKED ALL THE WAY DOWN PARKSIDE TO 11TH STREET, ALL THE WAY PAST JUST LOST THE NAME OF THE STREET, SHELLFISH, DOWN PLAZA, GOING DOWN, SHERRY, GOING DOWN, SEMINOLE.
THERE WAS A DISCUSSION HERE ABOUT THAT AND THAT IMPACT.
THE TRAFFIC IS LARGELY GENERATED BY TWO GOOD PROBLEMS TO HAVE.
WE HAVE A FARMERS MARKET THAT IS BEING VERY SUCCESSFUL AND WE HAVE A BASEBALL CLUB THAT'S BEING VERY SUCCESSFUL, AND THEY HAVE AN OVERLAP.
WE TALKED WITH THE FARMERS MARKET AND MY RECOLLECTION WAS AT THE PEAK, THERE WAS ROUGHLY 75 VENDORS.
ALSO FOOD TRUCKS FROM PLAZA ALL THE WAY TO WHERE THE TENNIS COURTS ARE AT.
WE HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE FARMERS MARKET ABOUT STARTING TO SCALE BACK.
AT THE TIME WE HAD THE DISCUSSION, IT WAS SIX WEEKS.
AT THIS POINT, IT'S FOUR WEEKS.
THE SCALE BACK FROM BASICALLY 75 VENDORS DOWN TO SOMEWHERE 50-55 VENDORS.
THAT REPRESENTS ABOUT A 30% REDUCTION IN THE FARMERS MARKET.
AT THE SAME TIME, I HAD ASKED THAT FROM 1:30-2:30 IF WE COULD REFRAIN FROM PLAYING GAMES THERE JUST TEMPORARILY WHILE WE SCALED BACK THE FARMERS MARKET SO THAT WE COULD SEE HOW THAT IMPACTED TRAFFIC.
>> OBVIOUSLY, THE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT WE WERE DOING TO THE FARMERS MARKET WHO COOPERATED BEAUTIFULLY, DIDN'T GET CONVEYED TO THE BASEBALL PEOPLE.
THE BASEBALL PEOPLE HEARD WE'RE LOCKING THE GATES AND WE'RE SHUTTING EVERYTHING DOWN, WHICH WASN'T THE CASE.
I MET WITH KELLY TODAY AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT.
WE STILL HAVE SOME ISSUES AND DIFFERENCES BUT NOT ABOUT PLAY PER SE.
ONE OF THEM IS WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE BASEBALL CLUB.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S THE BASEBALL CLUB'S ISSUE.
IT'S AN ISSUE, BUT IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT.
I COMMITTED TO KELLY THAT WE WOULD WORK THAT OUT.
BUT ONCE I EXPLAINED TO KELLY AT LEAST MY INTENT, I DO UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT WAS COMMUNICATED TO HIM MAY NOT HAVE CONVEYED FULLY THAT INTENT, BUT WHAT MY INTENT WAS TO GIVE US ONE HOUR OF ADDITIONAL SOFTNESS IN THE TRAFFIC WHILE WE SPARED BACK THE FARMERS MARKET TO SEE HOW THAT IMPACTED THINGS.
KELLY AND I HAD A VERBAL AGREEMENT AND THEN I SENT HIM AN EMAIL BASED OFF WHAT I THOUGHT WE SAID ON THAT VERBAL AGREEMENT, AND I BELIEVE BASED ON HIM COMING UP HERE AND SAYING THAT WE DID COME TO AN AGREEMENT THAT THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT.
>> IS IT POSSIBLE TO ACCELERATE THAT? RIGHT NOW, I THINK DID YOU INDICATE THAT WE'VE GOT FOUR WEEKS THAT WE THINK IT'LL TAKE TO WIND DOWN TO 50 VENDORS FOR THE FARMERS MARKET?
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
>> OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE FACT THAT THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND A BIG ISSUE, CAN WE TRY TO ACCELERATE THAT? THEN FINALLY, I HEARD FROM CITIZENS, BUT I ALSO KNOW WHY YOU MADE THE DECISION YOU DID.
IT'S NOT FAIR THAT THE TENNIS PEOPLE AREN'T IMPACTED AND THE SKATEBOARD PARK IS NOT IMPACTED, BUT THE FARMERS MARKET IS IMPACTED BUT REALLY NOT BECAUSE THE FARMER'S MARKET NOT TOO LONG AGO WAS 50 VENDORS.
IT JUST RAPIDLY GREW, AND PLUS THE FOOD TRUCKS.
WHY IS IT ALL ON THE BASEBALL?
[02:00:03]
I KNOW YOU HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH KELLY, BUT CAN WE WORK ON TRYING TO ACCELERATE THAT?>> WELL, I CAN TALK WITH JULIE, BUT WE TALKED WITH JULIE.
PART OF THE ISSUE IS SHE MAY HAVE PRIOR COMMITMENTS TO VENDORS.
THERE'S JUST A NEED TO ALLOW HER TO WORK THAT DOWN IN AN ORDERLY FASHION.
I I HEARD THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE TENNIS AND THE SKATEBOARDS.
BUT IN MY OPINION ANYWAYS, THE GENERATION OF TRAFFIC ISN'T COMING FROM THEM ON SUNDAY MORNINGS.
THE GENERATION FROM TRAFFIC IS COMING FROM FARMERS MARKET, AND THEN LATER ON IN THE MORNING FROM BASEBALL.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT KELLY SAID IS WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO, AND WHICH I KNOW I AGREED TO, IS TO BE ABLE TO DROP OFF THE KIDS FOR PRACTICE BUT NOT HAVE PARKING UNTIL THE GAME TIME, WHICH IS WHEN FLAT FOR ALL STARS IS PRINCIPALLY FROM PEOPLE COMING HERE AND THE TEAMS COMING HERE AND THEIR PARENTS COMING TO TAKE UP THOSE PARKING SPACES.
THE GIST IS MANAGING THE PARKING SPACES.
QUITE FRANKLY, IF WE CAN MOVE MOST OF THE FOOD TRUCKS, NOT HAVE THE FARMERS MARKET A FOOD TRUCK MARKET.
EACH ONE OF THOSE FOOD TRUCKS ASIDE FROM GENERATING TRAFFIC, TAKES UP SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 4-6 PARKING SPACES.
IT'S A DOUBLE WHAMMY WITH THE FOOD TRUCKS.
>> I DON'T WANT TO PILE ON ON THIS, BUT I'M GOING TO DO IT.
CHIEF VIG, FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS, COULD I HAVE ALL POLICE VEHICLES REMOVED FROM THIS PARKING FOR THAT PERIOD? WE CAN PARK THE CITY YARD OR SOMEWHERE, AND LET'S OPEN UP SOME PARKING SPACES.
THAT'D BE GREAT. COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS.
>> WELL, I DID HEAR SOMETHING TONIGHT THAT WAS CONCERNING.
THAT IS THAT THE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM JACKS BEACH AND PONTE VEDRA TO PLAY HERE.
AS A COMMISSION, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BASEBALL'S GOAL OF BEING A PREMIER DESTINATION DOES NOT FIT WITH OUR VISION OF BEING A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
THE KIDS WHO ARE DRIVING HERE ON THEIR BICYCLES OR SKATING HERE AREN'T TAKING UP PARKING SPOTS.
IT'S THE KIDS COMING FROM JACKS BEACH AND PONTE VEDRA
>> WELL, KEEP IN MIND IF YOU DON'T MIND MAYOR THAT 77% OF THE KIDS ARE COMING FROM OUR ZIP CODE.
>> IF THAT'S TRUE, I LIKE THAT.
>> THAT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND.
>> [INAUDIBLE] DID YOU KNOW THAT?
>> YEAH. I SAW IT SOMEWHERE, AND THAT'S GOOD INFORMATION HERE. COMMISSIONER REN.
>> IT'S SEASONAL IS WHAT I UNDERSTAND, AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THAT WAS EVEN A DIRECTIVE THAT WAS GIVEN BY STAFF TO AB BASEBALL LEAGUE UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY CITIZENS, BY FRIENDS WHOSE CHILDREN PLAY THERE.
WHEN I THINK ABOUT THAT, STAFF AND ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE ALL OF OUR BOSSES ARE THE 13,000 RESIDENTS THAT ARE HERE.
FROM ELECTED OFFICIAL TO A STAFF, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS.
IF IT MEANS THE BASEBALL LEAGUE IS LEFT ALONE, WHICH IS THE REASON WHY WE HAVE JACK RUSSELL IN THE FIRST PLACE.
EVERYTHING WAS BUILT AROUND JACK RUSSELL.
I JUST HAD A GIRL SCOUT TABLE OVER THERE. I APPRECIATE IT.
BUT I HEARD, I THINK IT WAS A GENTLEMAN OVER HERE WHO IS ONE OF THE VENDORS AND HE SAID, CREATIVE SOLUTIONS.
FOR ONE, WE DO HAVE ONE OTHER BASEBALL DIAMOND, AND THAT IS LOCATED IN DONNER PARK.
IT NEEDS MORE RENOVATION, MORE MONEY POURED INTO IT.
AS I SPOKE TO ONE OF THE COACHES, I BELIEVE IT WAS NATHAN LOEWEN, WHO SHARED WITH ME THAT IT NEEDS ABOUT $30,000 IN RENOVATIONS.
I KNOW THAT ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL LEAGUE HAS ALSO POURED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE THREE DIAMONDS THAT ARE HERE.
WE CANNOT PICK DIAMONDS UP AND MOVE THEM TO A DEL.
WE CANNOT PICK A DIAMOND UP AND MOVE IT TO JORDAN OR TO MARSH OAKS.
BUT WE CAN ASK THAT THE VENDOR TO OUR MOBILE ALREADY BE MOVED TO ONE OF THE OTHER ONES AT LEAST DURING THE SEASON THAT BASEBALL HAS HELD.
WE GAVE THE TENNIS PLAYERS THAT COURTESY.
WHEN ALL OF THAT WENT DOWN SIX MONTHS AGO AND THEY WERE ALL PACKING THIS HOUSE,
[02:05:02]
WE ALLOWED THEM TO CONTINUE PLAYING FOR THE SEASON.I CANNOT IMAGINE MOVING 40 DIFFERENT TEAMS AROUND.
FOR A LIVING, I'M A SCHEDULER, SO I COORDINATE FOR A LIVING AND THAT SOUNDS LIKE A NIGHTMARE.
TO DO THAT TO THEM SUCH SHORT NOTICE WITHOUT ANY HEADS UP AND TO ALSO DO THAT FOR STAFF, TO DO THAT WITHOUT REALLY HAVING THE CONVERSATION WITH THE COMMISSION, I DON'T THINK THAT WAS RIGHT.
>> WE ALREADY MOVED THE FARMER'S MARKET TO SUNDAYS TO ACCOMMODATE BASEBALL.
I DON'T REMEMBER HOW LONG AGO IT WAS NOW, BUT BECAUSE SATURDAYS WERE SO FULL OF BASEBALL, WE MOVED THE FARMER'S MARKET.
>> I'M SUGGESTING MOVING THE FARMER'S MARKET TO ANOTHER PARK.
MARSH OAKS COMMUNITY CENTER IS OPENING SOON, AND THAT'S A RENOVATION.
THERE'S PLENTY OF SPACE OVER THERE.
DO YOU HAVE SOME PARKING OVER THERE?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THAT COMMISSIONER, AND I THINK THAT IS A POSSIBILITY.
HOWEVER, I THINK IF I'M GOING BACK TO PAYING ATTENTION AND LISTENING TO THE CITIZENS, I HEARD TONIGHT THAT WE LIKE COEXISTING.
WE LIKE HAVING THE FARMER'S MARKET AT THE SAME PART BECAUSE WE UTILIZE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME, AND WE THINK THERE HAS TO BE SOLUTIONS.
RATHER THAN MOVE TO THAT AS A SOLUTION, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A FURTHER ROBUST DIALOGUE WITH THE LADY THAT SPOKE WHO'S ACTUALLY IN CHARGE OF THE FARMER'S MARKET BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW, AND YOU WOULD HAVE THE DATE ON IT.
WE DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM LAST YEAR BECAUSE THE FARMERS MARKET WAS NOT AS SUCCESSFUL.
WHAT DID IT GROW FROM AND TO BEFORE WE MOVED THE FARMERS MARKET TO ANOTHER LOCATION LIKE VETERANS MEMORIAL.
>> SEASONALLY, AND KEEPING THAT IN MIND.
>> NO, I UNDERSTAND. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.
BUT I'VE SPOKEN TO SO MANY PEOPLE THIS WEEK.
MANY OF YOU, I'VE SPOKEN TO SO MANY PEOPLE THAT SAY, THIS IS NOT THEM OR US.
WE WANT TO COEXIST, FIGURE IT OUT.
THAT'S THE FIRST STEP IS TO FIGURE IT OUT IN JACK RUSSELL PARK AND IF WE CAN'T, THEN YOU WOULD BE RIGHT.
>> YOU'VE BEEN STILL OPENING OF THE DIAMOND AT DONNER PARK AND PUTTING IN RENOVATION, POURING MORE MONEY OVER THERE.
MAYBE THAT WOULD LESSEN SOME OF THE PLAY THAT'S HAPPENING OVER HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT.
CITY MANAGER, I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A HOLD ON OPENING UP OR CONTINUING POTENTIAL USE AT DONNER PARK, PENDING RESOLUTION OF THE PERMIT FOR THE FENCE HERE AND SO ON.
CAN WE SET THE PERMIT ISSUE ASIDE AND MOVE TO GIVE THEM ANY RELIEF AT DONNER PARK?
>> I THINK THE PRINCIPAL ISSUE WASN'T THE PERMIT.
IT WAS THE FACT THAT AT THE TIME IN WHICH THE PERMIT WAS REQUESTED, THE INSURANCE WAS OUT OF DATE AND WE REQUESTED A MODIFIED INSURANCE.
>> CITY MANAGER BILL, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS, BUT THE UPDATED INSURANCE CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN IN OUR POSSESSION FOR SOME FEW DAYS NOW.
ALL THEY HAD TO DO IS PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL KEVIN.
HE COULD HAVE SENT IT OVER AND SAID, WE RIFLE OUT THESE EMAILS.
IT'S LIKE WE'RE HOLDING ACCESS TO DONNER'S RANSOM.
IT CAME ACROSS SO POORLY AND REFLECTED POORLY ON THIS CITY.
I'M TELLING YOU. I'VE SEEN IT, AND I DON'T APPRECIATE IT.
AS SOON AS WE GOT THE UPDATED INSURANCE CARD, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RIFLING OFF AN EMAIL SAYING YOUR PRIVILEGE ARE RESTORED.
THEY HAD RESERVATIONS IN THE SYSTEM AND THEN WE SAID, SORRY, WE'VE CANCELED ALL THOSE. FIGURE IT OUT.
AWFUL. I'LL COMMENT FURTHER IN MY REPORT, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WAS SO CLASSLESS, I THOUGHT.
>> I THINK THIS IS A PRETTY BIG ISSUE, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO MR. KILLINGSWORTH IF WE ACTUALLY GIVE HIM OUR DIRECTION ON THIS. YES, COMMISSIONER.
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T HAVE AN AGREEMENT.
I DON'T WANT TO SIT HERE AND DICTATE THINGS UNTIL WE'VE WORKED OUT AN AGREEMENT.
MAYBE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO SAY, HERE'S WHAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO US TO BE IN THAT AGREEMENT.
>> IT MAY TAKE US A MONTH OR TWO TO GET AN AGREEMENT.
I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IT ON THE RECORD.
I WANT MY CITIZENS TO KNOW, I WANT RELIEF FOR THIS VALUABLE ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY NOW.
WE DO NOT NEED AN AGREEMENT TO AT LEAST AGREE THAT WE HAVE NOT COMMUNICATED WELL ON THIS ISSUE.
LET'S GET THEM RELIEF AT DONNER WHILE WE WORK THROUGH AN AGREEMENT BECAUSE WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO GET AN AGREEMENT. THANK YOU. YOU'RE RIGHT.
WE NEED AN AGREEMENT, BUT THAT SHOULD NOT BE YET ANOTHER SHACKLE ON GIVING THEM RELIEF.
[02:10:05]
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT RELIEF THEY GET FROM DONNER. THAT'S MY POINT.>> I BELIEVE, AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO ASK KELLY.
I THINK WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT DONNER IS RELIEF FOR THE ALL STARS TEAM PRACTICE.
BUT KELLY MAY BE BECAUSE OPERATIONALLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE SCOREBOARD DOESN'T WORK.
HONESTLY, I WONDER IF THE SAME THINGS WOULD HAPPEN HERE IF IT WEREN'T FOR ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL LEAGUE POURING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO IT.
>> KELLY, CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AGAIN, PLEASE?
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF ABA ATLANTA BEACH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
THE DONNER PARK ISSUE IS, RIGHT NOW, IT'S A TERRIBLE LOOKING FIELD.
WE'VE TRIED TO DO WHAT WE CAN.
THERE WAS A PILE OF CLAY OUT THERE.
WE RENTED A BOBCAT, WENT OUT AND PUT IT OUT.
IT'S A GOAT TRACK. THAT'S ALL YOU CAN SAY ABOUT IT.
THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN OUT FOR OVER TWO YEARS.
>> MAY I ASK A QUESTION AS YOU GO.
>> THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING WITH IT. IT CAN BE USED FOR PRACTICE.
NO WAY CAN WE PLAY A GAME OUT THERE.
>> BUT IT CAN BE USED FOR PRACTICE.
WE'VE OFFERED THAT THAT IF WE COULD GET SOME PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND FIXING THAT UP, THEN THAT COULD BE AN ALTERNATIVE, ESPECIALLY ON A SUNDAY FOR TEAMS TO BE PRACTICING OUT THERE AND HELP US OUT WITH THE CONGESTION HERE.
BUT AS IT IS, YOU CAN'T PLAY A GAME OUT THERE. THAT'S FOR SURE.
LITERALLY, IT'S BEEN NEGLECTED FOR YEARS AND WE'VE SPENT PROBABLY $150,000 ON THESE THREE FIELDS OUT HERE OVER MY TENURE WHEN I BECAME PRESIDENT IN 2022 AND WE CONTINUE.
EVERY YEAR, WE SPENT THOUSANDS OF THOUSANDS.
>> I SPENT 18,000 REDOING FIELD BEAT.
>> I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REDO DONNER TOO, AT THIS POINT.
>> WELL, WE'RE HAPPY TO DO IT WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO RAISE THE FUNDS.
>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, KELLY.
YOU'VE BEEN WORKING WITH PUBLIC WORKS FOR TWO YEARS TO TRY TO GET THE CORRECTIONS MADE OUT THERE.
>> YES, ESPECIALLY THE LIGHTS.
IT'S SOMETHING I BROUGHT IT PROBABLY TWICE THREE TIMES A YEAR.
BECAUSE WHEN I ASKED FOR SOMETHING, I DON'T EXPECT THEM TO BE THERE THE NEXT DAY OR ANYTHING.
I UNDERSTAND. IT MAY TAKE A FEW WEEKS.
>> BUT TODAY WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION.
>> EXACTLY. BECAUSE TYPICALLY, I GO TO PUBLIC WORKS.
>> I ASKED STAFF TO FIX IT WHILE YOU WERE IN THE FIELD.
>> WE'VE GOT YOU UP HERE, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WAS NOT STATED TODAY, ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD ASK THIS COMMISSION TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND OUR NEXT MEETING?
>> WELL, I THINK AS LONG AS WE CAN HAVE OUR PRACTICES PRIOR TO THE 2:30, WE CAN ADJUST A LITTLE BIT. WE CAN GET THAT DONE.
I WOULD ASK THEM TO HELP OUT WITH FIXING DONNER PARK ESPECIALLY THOSE LIGHTS.
IT'S THE TWO BEHIND THE PLATE THAT ARE OUT SO RIGHT AWAY, YOUR INFIELDS DARK.
ALSO, WE NEED TO HAVE OUR RESERVATIONS REINSTATED SO THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO GO OUT THERE AND NOT GET KICKED OFF THE FIELD.
>> CAN WE DO THAT PENDING ALL OF THIS OTHER STUFF?
>> WELL, I'LL VERIFY THAT THE INSURANCE OF THE LAST I WAS TOLD IS WE DIDN'T HAVE THE INSURANCE CARD.
IF WE HAVE IT, THEN I'LL REINSTATED.
>> IT'S THERE. LIKE I SAID, AS SOON AS I GOT AN EMAIL SAYING IT WAS OUTDATED, I KNEW I ALREADY GOT IN JANUARY, SO I SENT IT RIGHT OVER.
>> WELL, WHO SENT YOU THAT EMAIL?
>> VERONICA. I DON'T KNOW HER TITLE.
>> IF RIGHT NOW, THE AGREEMENT THAT YOU TWO MADE TODAY WAS THAT FOR THE NEXT ALMOST 30 DAYS, IT'S 2:30 NOT 1:30.
>> EXACTLY. I HEARD THE SOLUTION THERE. WE'LL TRY THAT.
PLEASE, LET ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS KNOW IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.
THIS IS IMPORTANT. WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO HELP.
>> THAT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU, BILL.
LET'S MOVE TO COMMISSIONER REPORTS THAT
[4. REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS FROM CITY COMMISSIONERS]
WE'VE ALREADY USED UP A LOT OF COMMISSIONER TIME, BUT FEEL FREE.IF YOU HAVE A REPORT, TRY TO KEEP IT BRIEF BUT LET'S START WITH COMMISSIONER BOREN.
THIS IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T HEAR VERY OFTEN.
YOU MAY WANT TO GET YOUR PIN OUT FOR THIS ONE.
A POLITICIAN THAT IS ADMITTING HE WAS WRONG.
I WAS WRONG ABOUT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE OUTDOOR KIDS SCHOOL.
I HAD BAD INFORMATION, AND I OWN THAT.
[02:15:02]
NUMBER 2, I DID NOT MEAN TO INFER OUTDOOR KIDS WAS UNLICENSED.IT IS LICENSED AT THE ADDRESS PROVIDED.
I WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN THE DISCUSSION OF 95-25-125. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER GRANT.
>> ONE THING OF NOTE, I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE AWARE OF THE EPSON TOUR THAT'S COMING TO THE COUNTRY CLUB, NOT THIS WEEK, BUT NEXT.
THIS IS THE MINOR LEAGUE FOR WOMEN'S GOLF.
A LOT OF YOUNG LADIES OUT THERE TRYING TO EARN THEIR CARD TO GET TO THE MAIN TOUR.
THESE LADIES ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE SUPPORT THEY GET, AND THEY'RE JUST A LOT OF FUN TO BE AROUND.
I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET OUT THERE.
I THINK TICKETS ARE LIKE $5-$10, IT'S NOT MUCH.
ENCOURAGE YOU TO RIDE YOUR BIKE, WALK UP.
THERE'LL BE ROOM AND ACCOMMODATIONS TO SECURE YOUR BIKE OR GOLF CART OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.
THE COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SOME OF THE COMMENTS WE JUST HAD ABOUT THE NUMBER OF CARS PARKING ON SUNDAY HAVE STOLE SOME OF MY THUNDER IN MY REPORT, BUT I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF AND GOING OVER, BUT I LIKE THE FARMERS MARKET, TOO.
BUT I DO AGREE WITH THE MAYOR THAT WE NEED TO FIND AND EXPEDITE A SOLUTION SO THAT THINGS GO BACK TO NORMAL FOR THE LITTLE LEAGUE FOLKS.
I THINK YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO GO TO 50 OVER FOUR MONTHS.
OR IF YOU CAN'T DO THAT, I HEARD YOU SAY IN YOUR COMMUNITY COMMENTS SOMETHING ABOUT SHOVELING VENDORS BACK AND FORTH, BECAUSE I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA.
BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP YOUR BEST PARKING FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS, AND THAT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW WITH YOUR FOOD TRUCKS.
YOU GOT THEM TAKING UP THAT WHOLE FRONT LINE.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WE DO FOR THE FARMERS MARKET.
DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT WE'RE SUPPLYING ELECTRICITY, WE'RE DOING A SETUP AND A TEAR DOWN OF SOMETHING, I'M NOT SURE WHAT.
WE GOT MANPOWER, AND WE'RE ONLY GENERATING ABOUT $44 PER DAY FROM THE FARMERS MARKET WHILE THEY'RE CHARGING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS TO THE VENDORS AND GENERATING A LOT OF CASH, I WOULD IMAGINE, WHICH IS A GOOD BUSINESS FOR YOU.
BUT I WANT US TO BE KEPT WHOLE SOMEHOW.
I THINK WE NEED A CONTRACT RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS I CAN TELL.
WE'RE OPERATING UNDER A SPECIAL EVENTS PERMIT, AND SOMEONE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME.
THE REPORT THAT YOU SENT ME, BILL, ON WEDNESDAY SHOWS THE RECEIPT OF THOSE CHARGES, AND IT SHOWS ALL OF 24 WERE UNPAID.
I GOT TO BELIEVE THAT'S WRONG, [LAUGHTER] BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU SENT ME.
IT SHOWED A BALANCE DUE OF $2,400.
WE MIGHT WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S CORRECTED IN THE CITY'S ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.
AGAIN, WITH REGARD TO ABAA, WE'VE ALL TALKED A LOT ABOUT IT, I'LL JUST ADD A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE.
I THINK ATLANTIC BEACH ELEMENTARY IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF THIS COMMUNITY.
I THINK THIS LITTLE LEAGUE IS A CLOSE SECOND.
IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR 36 YEARS.
IF THERE WERE MEDALS TO GIVE OUT, I'D GIVE ONE OUT TO KELLY AND HIS CREW.
LIKE HE SAID 2-3 YEARS AGO, IT WAS DOWN TO TWO OR THREE TEAMS, AND HE'S BUILT IT BACK UP.
I WANT THAT TO BE EMPHASIZED BECAUSE I WANT STAFF TO HOLD HIS HAND, IF NECESSARY, WITH THIS PERMITTING PROCESS ON THE FENCE, WHICH TO ME LOOKS JUST FINE.
IT MAYBE A COUPLE OF FEET BEYOND WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY AGREED TO, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD AGREE TO WHERE IT IS NOW.
I'VE COACHED ON THAT FIELD 15 YEARS AGO, AND I REMEMBER COUNTLESS TIMES BASEBALLS GOING PAST THAT MARK WHERE THE FENCE IS AND SOCCER BALLS COMING INTO PLAY, AND NOW THE FENCE IS DRAWN, IT'S THERE, AND I SAW THE SOCCER FIELD CHALK LINE SEEMS LIKE AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF FEET AWAY FROM THAT FIELD, AND THEY STILL HAVE A FULL FIELD.
I WANT US TO WORK WITH KELLY AND HIS CREW TO HELP WITH THE PERMITTING PROCESS.
TREAT THEM A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN WE WOULD SOMEONE
[02:20:02]
TRYING TO BUILD A BAR OR A COMMERCIAL BUILDING.THESE ARE, TO ME, SACRED COW, THE LITTLE LEAGUERS.
I JUST WANT US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THAT.
I WAS OUT HERE, AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, THIS PAST SUNDAY.
I KNOW WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH REDUCED PARKING, BUT THERE WAS TONS OF CARS EVERYWHERE UP AND DOWN PLAZA, SEMINOLE.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT GOT TO SHERRY.
BUT I ENDED UP PARKING OVER THERE BY SELVA LAKES.
IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS A TON OF CARS NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO.
>> YOU WERE PARKING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> I WAS. I USED TO LIVE THERE, TOO, SO I'M AWARE OF IT.
I THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU REMOVE THE LITTLE LEAGUERS, THAT JUST MAKES MORE ROOM FOR MORE PEOPLE TO SHOP AT THE FARMERS MARKET.
I THINK WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO JUST COEXIST, AND I WANT ABAA TO HAVE WHAT THEY NEED AT DONNER.
I'M STILL BAFFLED BY THE WAY WE ADDRESS THAT SITUATION.
I'D LIKE THEIR FENCE APPROVED AS IS AND HELP THEM WITH THE PERMITTING, SAME WITH THE BATTING CAGE.
WITH REGARD TO THE CONTRACT, I KEEP HEARING, WELL, WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT.
WELL, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, KELLY HAS SAT DOWN WITH STAFF TO KNOCK OUT LANGUAGE AND NEVER GOT A COPY TO SIGN, AND THAT'S WHY WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT.
THE LAST SIGNED CONTRACT WAS 2021, THAT'S WHY. WE OWN THAT.
INSTEAD OF TAKING IT OUT ON THEM, WE NEED TO FIX THIS AND FAST AND TREAT THESE FOLKS JUST A LITTLE.
IF WE TREAT THEM THE WAY WE'RE TREATING THE FARMERS MARKET, TAKING A HIT FINANCIALLY, I WOULD IMAGINE, ON SUNDAYS.
BY THE WAY, WE'RE NOT TICKETING ANYBODY.
I SAW A CAR GIVING TICKETS WHEN I FIRST GOT THERE AND IT WAS GONE.
I CAME TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE'VE BEEN INSTRUCTED NOT TO GIVE TICKETS ON SUNDAY.
WE GOT PLENTY OF PARKING THEN.
IN ANY CASE, I THINK WE DID SOME KNEE JERK THINGS HERE, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE IT FIXED, AND WE'RE SMART ENOUGH TO DO THIS, GET IT FIXED AND COEXIST AND KEEP EVERYBODY HAPPY. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> THROUGH THE MAYOR TO COMMISSIONER GRANT.
WHEN MEETING WITH KELLY TODAY, TWO THINGS, THE FACT THAT WE HADN'T HAD A CONTRACT.
AS MATTER OF FACT, I TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO RESOLVE AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
WE'VE AGREED TO GO THROUGH AND WORK THAT OUT.
ALSO, WHEN I WAS HEARING ABOUT HIS PERMIT PROBLEMS, I TASKED STAFF WITH HOLDING HIS HAND AND WALKING WITH HIM THOUGH THE PROCESS.
>> THERE IS SOME COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS, AND I WILL TAKE CARE OF THOSE.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THE REASON I MENTIONED THE CONTRACT THING, I THINK SOME OF THE COMMISSIONERS MAY HAVE BEEN PUZZLED AS TO, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THEM.
THERE'S SOME GOOD REASONS WHY.
WE DO HAVE SOME LANGUAGE AND I'M SURE IT ALLOWS.
I DIDN'T READ THE 21 CONTRACT, BUT I'M SURE IT HAS COME AGREE TO EXTEND, ETC.
>> IF I MAY, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I'M ASSUMING THAT YOU DON'T NEED TO BRING THE CONTRACT BACK TO COMMISSION.
>> YEAH, SO THAT DEPENDS ON WHERE WE END UP ON THE OTHER BILL, I THINK.
>> THE IDEA WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD BRING IT BACK THROUGH A RESOLUTION.
IS IT REASONABLE THAT YOU AND KELLY COULD KNOCK THAT OUT IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS TO ENSURE THAT IT'S ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING?
>> THAT WOULD BE AGGRESSIVE, BUT MAYBE.
IT DEPENDS ON WHERE WE END UP OR WHETHER OR NOT [OVERLAPPING]
>> DO WE REALLY NEED A RESOLUTION FOR BILL TO EXECUTE THAT CONTRACT?
>> I SURE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT AT THE NEXT [OVERLAPPING].
>> I AGREE WE SHOULD ALL LOOK AT IT, BUT LET'S LET BILL.
>> I DON'T THINK HE WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS.
WE WOULD JUST BRING IT FORWARD TO YOU GUYS.
>> THAT WOULD BE THE FORMAL WAY OF DOING IT.
>> IT WOULD. BUT IF YOU WOULD PLEASE GO BACK AND LOOK HOW WE DID IT BEFORE.
IF THE CITY MANAGER BEFORE YOU EXECUTED THAT WITHOUT A RESOLUTION, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER KELLY,
[02:25:01]
LET'S GET IT TO US.WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE MEETING.
AS SOON AS YOU GOT IT, YOU COULD SEND IT TO US.
BUT WE DON'T NEED TO WEIGH IN.
WE JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
IF ANY ONE OF US HAD A PROBLEM AFTER WE LOOK AT IT, WE CAN CALL YOU DIRECTLY, NOT VIOLATE SUNSHINE LAW.
BUT WHAT I'M REALLY SAYING IS, THIS IS WHY WE HIRED YOU.
WE WANT YOU IN POWER TO TAKE CARE OF CITY BUSINESS IN FAVOR OF THE CITIZENS.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ECHO, AND IT'S NOT MY TURN, SORRY.
BUT I'M GOING TO ECHO WHAT I JUST HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER GRANT IS, WE NEED TO BREAK OUT ALL THE NORMAL RULES.
WE OWN THIS. WE HAVE NOT COMMUNICATED WELL.
GOD KNOWS, THREE YEARS WITHOUT A CONTRACT.
I AM ASKING YOU RIGHT NOW TO COMMIT TO HAVING THIS DONE SHORT OF IF KELLY CAN'T AGREE TO SOMETHING, THEN I GET IT.
BUT IF YOU GUYS CAN AGREE, THERE'S NO REASON THIS WOULDN'T BE BACK ON OUR AGENDA IF YOU WANT US TO ACTUALLY RATIFY IT IN TWO WEEKS.
>> IF I MAY, MAYOR. THE ONLY REASON I'M EQUIVOCATING HERE IS BECAUSE ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THE ORDINANCE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE UP TONIGHT IS THAT IT'S VAGUE AND THERE ISN'T SPECIFIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN THERE.
IF YOU WERE TO DEFINE THOSE, THOSE SAME POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WOULD APPLY.
I'M TOTALLY FINE IF YOU WANT ME TO JUST NEGOTIATE AND BRING SOMETHING BACK.
BUT THAT'S THE ONLY REASON IS BECAUSE THAT'S A DISCUSSION.
>> I GET YOU, BUT IN THIS CASE, I WOULD SAY THAT IT'S WARRANTED BECAUSE I WANT CONSENSUS FROM THIS COMMISSION TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER ON THIS.
BUT I WANT TO REMIND YOU OF WHAT I THINK WE ALL KNOW IN OUR HEART.
THIS IS NOT AN OUTSIDE ENTITY, AND NO DISRESPECT TO THE FARMERS MARKET.
BUT ATLANTIC BEACH BASEBALL FOR OUR CHILDREN IS NOT JUST SPORTS, IT'S EDUCATION, IT'S SOCIALIZATION.
IT IS SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
WE HAVE THIS HUGE GROUP OF PEOPLE TOTALLY INVESTED, SPENDING THEIR MONEY AND THEIR TIME AND THEIR VOLUNTEER HOURS, BREAK IT OUT AND GET IT DONE.
I'M ASKING THIS COMMISSION, ARE YOU IN CONSENSUS TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO WORK THAT OUT AND GET IT RESOLVED BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT MEETING?
>> CONSENSUS? OF COURSE, SUPPLYING YOU WITH A COPY OF IT AS SOON AS IT'S DONE.
>> THANK YOU. IS IT GOOD? WHERE ARE WE? THE NEXT PERSON, COMMISSIONER KELLY.
>> LOOKING AT SOME OF THE ISSUES WE'RE WORKING ON TONIGHT, THERE IS A COMMON THEME, AND THAT IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE A RECREATION DEPARTMENT, AND A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY.
I KNOW THAT WE'VE HIRED AN EVENT COORDINATOR WHO'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO COVER A LOT OF THESE ISSUES.
I THINK PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT THE RECREATION, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO CALL THAT PERSON? EVENT COORDINATOR.
WHO IS THAT DUDE? NO, IT'S A DUDETTE.
>> IT'S A DUDE. HE'S A YOUNG MAN WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE IN PARKS AND SPORTS MANAGEMENT.
>> HIS FIRST MEETING TODAY WAS THE MEETING WITH KELLY AND I THIS MORNING.
>> I PICKED HIM UP AND THREW HIM IN THE DEEP END OF THE POOL.
>> BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR.
I WAS GOING TO ASK HIM, AND MAYBE WE'LL HAVE TO ASK HIM LATER.
BUT I KNOW WE ADDED LINE DANCING EVENTS AT VETS PARK, AND I WAS HOPING TO HEAR HOW SUCCESSFUL THAT WAS AND WHETHER IT'S WORTH GIVING ANOTHER TRY WHEN IT'S WARMER OUT.
THAT'S ALL I HAD. THE OTHER THINGS HAVE PRETTY WELL BEEN HASHED OUT.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER RING.
>> YES, SO MOST OF MY COMMENT WAS ABOUT BASEBALL, BUT I THINK WE'VE COVERED THAT.
I'LL SPARE YOU ALL MY MORE COMMENTS ON THAT.
I DID WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK SCOTT WILLIAMS FOR HIS SERVICE, HIS DEDICATION TO OUR CITY.
HE WAS A LONG TIME AB RESIDENT WHO GREW UP HERE, WENT TO FLETCHER HIGH SCHOOL, GRADUATED FROM FLETCHER HIGH SCHOOL.
I'M PRETTY SURE HE PLAYED BASEBALL ON THE FIELD OUT HERE ON THE DIAMOND OUT THERE.
JUST LAST FALL DURING THE STORM WATER ISSUES, THE MANAGEMENT ISSUES WHEN THE SKIES OPENED UP AND IT RAINED AND RAINED AND DIDN'T STOP RAINING FOR MONTHS, HE WAS QUICK TO RESPOND.
HE WAS THOROUGH NOT JUST TO ME AS A COMMISSIONER, BUT TO CITIZENS.
IF I GOT A QUESTION OR AN INQUIRY,
[02:30:03]
I HAD TO FORWARD IT OVER TO SCOTT, AND IT TOOK HIM LESS THAN 24 HOURS TO RESPOND BACK TO ME, AND HE WAS ALREADY OUT THERE SENDING A CREW OUT THERE THE NEXT DAY.I JUST CAN'T SAY MORE OR ENOUGH ABOUT SCOTT TO REALLY JUST DRILL HOME WHAT A GREAT ASSET HE WAS TO OUR CITY.
I'M SAD TO SEE HIM GO, AND I THANK HIM FOR HIS DEDICATION AND HIS WORK.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I HAVE NO FURTHER COMMENT. I'VE SPOKEN ENOUGH.
AT THIS TIME, UNLESS THERE'S ANY OTHER COMMENTS, WE'LL MOVE TO CONSENT AGENDA, ITEM 6.
[6. CONSENT AGENDA ]
ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COMMISSION AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION IN THE FORM LISTED BELOW.THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION ON THESE ITEMS. ITEM 6A, APPROVED RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-14, 6B, APPROVED RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-15.
WOULD ANY COMMISSIONER LIKE TO PULL EITHER OF THE ITEMS TO DISCUSS? WITH NO COMMENT, RECOMMENDED MOTION IS APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 6A AND 6B AS WRITTEN. DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> MAKING A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-14 AND 25-15.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
[8.A. RESOLUTION NO. 25-17]
RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-17, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURES OF FUNDS FROM THE TREE CONSERVATION TRUST FUND FOR TREE PLANTINGS AND LANDSCAPING ON PUBLICLY-OWNED LANDS AT TWO WELCOME SIGNS WITHIN THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE ORDERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND IS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS RESOLUTION AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MR. KILLINGSWORTH.>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. AS YOU HEARD EARLIER, WE HAD A PRIVATE CITIZEN VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO HELP US WITH A LANDSCAPE PLAN.
THEY CAME UP WITH A PLANT PALETTE AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR SEMINOLE AND ATLANTIC.
WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT SAME PLANT PALETTE.
WE DON'T HAVE A DESIGN YET, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT SAME PLANT PALETTE AND USE IT FOR THE SIGN OVER AT MAYPORT.
>> WHILE THIS SAYS $25,000 DISBURSEMENT FROM THE TREE FUND, THE $25,000 IS ACTUALLY BUDGETED WITHIN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, AND THE SOURCE OF THAT BUDGETED MONEY WAS THE TREE FUND.
WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, I WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 25-17.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-17.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. DISCUSSION?
>> SEVEN YEARS IN THE MAKING. [LAUGHTER]
>> I DO NOTICE IT'S GOING UP ON MAYPORT ROAD.
WITH THE MAYPORT ROAD IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT'S COMING UP, ARE WE PUTTING THINGS UP THAT ARE EVENTUALLY GOING TO BE TORN BACK DOWN?
>> WE'RE JUST GETTING YOUR APPROVAL RIGHT NOW.
>> I'M SORRY. WHAT SEVEN YEARS IN THE MAKING?
>> ONE OF MY PET PEEVES IS THE ATLANTIC AND SEMINOLE, LIKE THAT DEAD TREE AND THE CORN.
>> YOU MAY NOT HAVE NOTICED, IT WAS DEAD FOR A WHILE.
>> IT WASN'T VERY BECOMING OF A TREE CITY USA.
CONGRATULATIONS, COMMISSIONER ON GETTING SOME ACTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> AYE. OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[9.A. ORDINANCE NO. 5-25-71, Public Hearing and Final Reading ]
WE MOVED THAT TO SIX WEEKS FROM NOW, AND WE'RE SKIPPING 9B,[9.B. ORDINANCE NO. 95-25-124, Public Hearing and Final Reading]
THAT ALSO IS BEING MOVED TO SIX WEEKS FROM NOW.ON TO 9C, ORDINANCE NUMBER 95-25-125.
[9.C. ORDINANCE NO. 95-25-125, Public Hearing and Final Reading]
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL READING.AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 5, BEACHES AND PARKS, ARTICLE III, PUBLIC PARKS, TO ADD A NEW SECTION 5-34 ESTABLISHING RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS ACTIVITIES IN CITY-OWNED PARKS AND FACILITIES, PROVIDING DEFINITIONS, PROVIDING FOR RULES AND REGULATIONS, PROVIDING FOR PROHIBITIONS, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES, AND ENFORCEMENT, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY, AND SCRIVENER'S ERRORS, PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION AND CODIFICATION IN THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. KILLINGSWORTH.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THIS IS THE SECOND READ.
[02:35:01]
WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES IS GIVES THE CITY MANAGER THE AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH FOR-PROFITS.YOU DON'T SEE NON-PROFIT ENTITIES IN HERE BECAUSE BASICALLY, THAT'S IN THE CODE NOW.
THAT'S HOW WE ENTERED INTO AGREEMENT WITH ABAA.
BUT THERE'S NOTHING IN THE CODE THAT SPEAKS TO FOR-PROFITS.
THIS ORDINANCE WOULD GIVE THE CITY MANAGER THE AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH FOR-PROFITS AND EFFECTUATE.
IN TERMS OF THE FARMERS MARKET, MY SUSPICION IS THE CITY MANAGER DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT, SO THEY DID IT THROUGH THIS EVENT PROCESS.
I WOULD THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE FARMERS MARKET, WE MIGHT ACTUALLY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT AND TAKE THEM OUT OF THE EVENTS PROCESS.
BUT IT REALLY JUST DOES THOSE TWO THINGS.
IT GIVES THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE FOR-PROFITS OPERATING IN THE PARK, AND THEN IT PROVIDES AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM OF A $500 PER VIOLATION SHOULD A FOR-PROFIT BE OPERATING AND NOT CHOOSE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY.
WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, THE STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 95-25-125.
>> BEFORE I ASKED FOR A MOTION ON THIS, I'D LIKE TO FRAME THIS BECAUSE SEVERAL CITIZENS EARLIER ASKED THAT WE DEFER ON THIS IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER TWO ORDINANCES THAT WE DEFERRED ON.
FIRST OF ALL, FOR THE RECORD, THIS IS BEING RECORDED, SO THAT'S FOR EVERY CITIZEN TO RE-REVIEW IT AT THEIR LEISURE, BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE HERE, IT WAS NOT AN ORDINANCE PUT TOGETHER WITH ANY INTENT TO STOP OR LIMIT.
QUITE FRANKLY, THE WAY IT STANDS RIGHT NOW IS THE CITY MANAGER CANNOT ENTERTAIN FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES SUCH AS THE SCHOOL IN ASHBY PARK, AND SO IT HAS TO COME TO THE CITY COMMISSION.
THAT'S WHY I'M FRAMING IT BECAUSE YOU MAY DECIDE TO NOT ACT ON THIS OR TO DENY IT IF YOU WANT THE CITY COMMISSION TO BE REVIEWING ALL OF THESE TYPES OF CONTRACTS, AND SO THAT'S AN OPTION.
ANOTHER OPTION IS TO MODIFY THIS AND ADD SOME LANGUAGE THAT IS MORE SPECIFIC ON THINGS, WITHOUT GETTING TOO DETAILED, I HATE WHEN YOU GET TOO DETAILED BECAUSE WHATEVER YOU FAIL TO PUT IN WHEN YOU HAVE DETAIL BECOMES YOUR NEXT PROBLEM, BUT WE COULD BE MORE SPECIFIC THAT WE WANT TO SUPPORT EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS IN PARKS.
WE COULD DO THAT. MY FINAL POINT ON THIS IS, I THOUGHT, AND I FELT STRONGLY THAT WE HIRE A VERY, VERY QUALIFIED CITY MANAGER, AND I BELIEVE WE DID WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH A LARGE STAFF, AND SO ON, TO DO THESE THINGS WITHOUT US HAVING TO SIT HERE AND DECIDE ON EVERY LITTLE THING ABOUT RUNNING THE CITY.
THAT'S YOUR JOB, IS TO RUN THE CITY.
NOW, THAT BEING SAID, IT IS OUR JOB FROM TIME TO TIME TO SAY, WE DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU'RE DOING, AND SO WE COME BACK AND WE GIVE COUNSEL AND WE GIVE DIRECTION, OR WE USE ORDINANCE OR WE PASS CODES OR LAWS IN ORDER TO AFFECT WHAT WE WANT.
AT THIS POINT, IN ORDER TO GET INTO THIS DISCUSSION, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I MAKE YOUR MOTION TO APPROVE 95-25-125.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
LET'S DISCUSS IT. COMMISSIONER RING.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO DEFER THIS.
WHY? IS BECAUSE OF, WELL, THE SHOW WE HAD HERE WITH AB BASEBALL AND ASHBY PARK IS REPRESENTED HERE, AND SOME OTHER THINGS.
ON FIRST READING, MAKES SENSE, WE WANT RULES, WE WANT REGULATIONS TO CONDUCT BUSINESS ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC PROPERTY.
BUT ACTUALLY, I DON'T SEE THOSE RULES AND REGULATIONS, THE PROCEDURES AREN'T LISTED HERE.
I BELIEVE IT'S COMMISSIONER KELLY WHO MENTIONED THAT AT THE FIRST READING OF THIS.
I DON'T HAVE THOSE HERE IN FRONT OF ME.
I DO APPRECIATE THE MAYOR'S COMMENT ABOUT AMENDMENTS NEEDING TO BE MADE.
I WOULD LIKE THE CITY MANAGER WHO IS VERY COMPETENT AND RUNNING THE CITY DAY-TO-DAY TO DEAL WITH THAT.
I'M NOT A MICROMANAGER BY ANY MEANS.
BUT I THINK THE SHOW THAT HAPPENED TODAY IS ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT FOR US TO NOT NEGLECT OR NOT KEEP IN MIND AS WE'RE GOING INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH FOR-PROFIT.
>> YES. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.
[02:40:03]
>> I'M GOING TO ECHO COMMISSIONER RING'S COMMENTS.
OF COURSE, I WAS IN FAVOR OF THIS TWO WEEKS AGO AND CAME INTO TONIGHT LOOKING TO BE IN FAVOR.
BUT I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PERCEPTION OF OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW THIS ORDINANCE IMPACTS SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES, NAMELY THE SCHOOL AT ASHBY PARK.
THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
I THINK I'M IN FAVOR OF THE GENERAL TERMS OF THIS IN THAT WE NEED TO PROTECT THE CITY, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE COVERAGE AND ETC.
BUT I THINK THERE'S SO MUCH UNDECIDED AND SOME GRAY MATTER HERE THAT WE NEED TO FINE-TUNE IT, AND IT SEEM LIKE WE'D BETTER DO THAT BEFORE WE PASS IT INSTEAD OF PASSING IT AND THEN HAVING THE CITY MANAGER FINE-TUNE LATER.
>> [OVERLAPPING] COMMISSIONER BOLE.
>> SINCE WE DID OPEN IT UP, I AGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU.
PART OF THIS IS ABOUT STANDARDIZING THE PROGRAM. THINK ABOUT IT.
WE WENT THROUGH FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT FOR-PROFITS TONIGHT.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER RING, WE HAVE TO HAVE RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND THERE IS A WAY AHEAD FOR SCHOOLS, ETC., WHEN THEY COME TO TERMS, AND THEY MAKE A DEAL OR A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY.
RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING, SO IT ALL COMES HERE OR WE HEAR ABOUT IT, OR WE COME BACK.
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS PUT A FRAMEWORK WHERE YOU CAN DO FOR-PROFIT ON CITY PROPERTY.
>> WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES IS IT GIVES A FRAMEWORK TO MOVE FORWARD.
I DON'T MIND DELAYING IT, I HEAR YOU.
BUT JUST TO IGNORE FOR-PROFITS AND NOT HAVING A FRAMEWORK AND A STANDARDIZATION FROM THE GUY WHO RUNS THE CITY, OUR CITY MANAGER, I DON'T THINK THAT'S HELPFUL, MA'AM, BECAUSE HE'S GOT NON-PROFITS TO DEAL WITH, ALSO, AND THERE IS A WAY FORWARD.
YOU CAN DO THAT, JUST DEBATE THE RULES THAT HE CURRENTLY HAS. THAT'S ALL.
>> THANK YOU. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD BE HELPFUL OR NOT, BUT COMMISSIONER KELLY ASKED ME THAT SAME QUESTION, AND I SAID THAT BEFORE WE IMPLEMENTED ANYTHING, WE'D BRING FORTH, JUST LIKE WE DID WITH THE RISK MANAGEMENT.
REMEMBER WE BROUGHT FORTH A RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY THAT WE GOT CONSENSUS FROM THE COMMISSION.
WE MAY HAVE DONE IT BY RESOLUTION, I DON'T REMEMBER.
RATHER THAN JUST A COMMITMENT TO COMMISSIONER KELLY, PERHAPS, THE COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO ADD AN AMENDMENT THAT PRIOR TO ENTERING INTO ANY CONTRACT WITH THE FOR-PROFIT, THE CITY MANAGER SHALL BRING FORTH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO THE COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL.
>> THAT WAY YOU CAN HAVE THE DISCUSSION ON WHAT THOSE ARE.
I CAN'T MAKE ANY ACTION UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, BUT WE CAN CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE GOT THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF HOW THIS CAN POTENTIALLY IMPACT THINGS LIKE THE SCHOOL.
BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR PUBLIC WORKS, STAFF'S INTERPRETATION, AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S RELATED, BUT AFTER THE FIRST READING, AND BRUCE BROUGHT UP THE SCHOOL, WE WENT OVER THERE AND TOOK A BUNCH OF THINGS OUT OF THE PARK, WHICH, I GUESS, LEGALLY, WE WERE ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
BUT HOW NECESSARY WAS THAT? GETTING A CLEARER PICTURE FROM THOSE USING THOSE THINGS TO EDUCATE THE KIDS.
HEY, CAN YOU SHARE INTENT HERE? WHO BROUGHT THESE OUT HERE? I GET THE TIRE SWING PROBABLY NEED TO COME DOWN BECAUSE THAT'S A LIABILITY, I GET THAT.
BUT IF THERE'S A DIRT KITCHEN, I MADE DIRT PIES BACK IN THE DAY.
>> YEAH, MAN. I DID IT ALL. LOUISIANA STYLE.
>> SO ANYWAY, I DON'T WANT US TO FEEL LIKE WE COULD JUST RUN ROUGHSHOD OVER FOOTPRINTS AND PARKS.
WAS IT REALLY A LOT HARM? BUT THERE'S PROBABLY OTHER PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE SAYING, WHY IS ALL THIS STUFF IN MY PARK? I DON'T KNOW.
>> I WAS AND I STILL AM IN FAVOR OF THE IDEA OF THIS ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT GOES BACK TO OUR GOAL IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WHICH IS RISK MANAGEMENT.
I ASSUME THAT'S WHY YOU CUT DOWN THE SWINGS, NOT ONLY IN ASHBY, BUT IN OTHER PARKS WHERE THEY JUST APPEARED, AND WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION TO RISK OUR CITY'S BUDGET,
[02:45:03]
OUR RESERVES ON SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN OR WE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF.IT REMINDS ME WE HAD THIS LONG DISCUSSION ALREADY WITH THE TENNIS PROS BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN WE HAD A RECREATIONAL DEPARTMENT HEAD WHO DIDN'T DEAL WITH THE TENNIS PEOPLE, BUT WE HAD TENNIS PROS CHARGING MONEY TO GIVE LESSONS ON OUR PUBLIC COURTS.
I THINK THIS FOLLOWS ALONG THE SAME LINES.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO CUT OFF OUR CONVERSATION.
WE'LL COME BACK TO IT, AND WE'LL ALSO ENTERTAIN ANY AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING MOTION IF IT COMES FORTH, BUT DONNA, WE NEED TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> I DID NOT HAVE ANY SPEAKER FORMS FOR THIS TOPIC.
>> SOME OF YOU SPOKE OR SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE EARLIER ALREADY SPOKE AND GAVE THEIR OPINION.
HOWEVER, WITHOUT THE COLOR OF WHAT YOU'VE JUST HEARD, IF THERE'S ANYBODY WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS, I WILL ALLOW THAT NOW.
IF YOU WOULD STATE YOUR NAME, AND LET'S WORK WITH THREE MINUTES IF THAT'S OKAY.
WHAT COMMISSIONER GRANT JUST SAID [LAUGHTER] IS WHAT I WANTED TO SPEAK ON.
WE WERE ALL CHILDREN AT ONE TIME, WE WEREN'T BORN IN THESE ADULT BODIES.
[LAUGHTER] AS FAR AS RISK MANAGEMENT, WHEN, SORRY, I GET REALLY [INAUDIBLE] SPEAK.
I SEE KIDS GETTING INJURED ALL THE TIME.
WHY IS THAT NOT A CONCERN, BUT AS TIRE SWING IS, OR A TREE STUMP? WE NEED NATURE, WE NEED KIDS TO BE OUTSIDE, NOT JUST SURROUNDED BY PLASTIC AND SQUEAKY SWINGS THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN PUT YOUR KID ON BECAUSE IT HURTS YOUR EARS.
[LAUGHTER] I JUST WANT THESE TOYS BACK IN ASHBY PARK.
>> IT'S LIKE IT'S JUST A PIECE OF LAND NOW, THERE'S NO COMMUNITY THERE.
YOU SEE MOMS AND DADS AND GRANDPARENTS COMING NOW TO THE PARK, AND EVERYBODY'S JUST SO SAD, ASKING, WHAT HAPPENED? WHERE'S THE MAGIC? LIKE WHERE ARE ALL THE TOYS? WHERE'S THE PICKUP TRUCKS AND THE TREE STUMPS? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SWING? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TIRE SWING? ALL THESE KIDS ARE LIKE CRYING BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO PLAY ANYMORE.
I UNDERSTAND RISK MANAGEMENT, I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL OF AMERICA CARES ABOUT GETTING SUED.
BUT WE HAVE A PARK RIGHT HERE.
IF YOU JUST SIT THERE FOR FIVE MINUTES, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE 10 KIDS GETTING INJURED.
HAVE YOU GOTTEN SUED YET FROM THAT? I JUST PRAY THAT, AND I'M SORRY TO BRING RELIGION, WELL, I JUST PRAY THAT JESUS FILLS YOUR HEART WITH LOVE AND YOU OPEN YOUR EYES, AND YOU SEE THAT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IS NOT WHAT YOU NEED TO LEAD FOR MANAGING A COMMUNITY, A CITY.
WE'RE PEOPLE, WE'RE NOT JUST NUMBERS ON A PAPER, WE'RE NOT JUST SOMETHING YOU COULD JUST PUSH AROUND. OH, GOD.
>> I JUST GET REALLY EMOTIONAL AND ANGER IS NECESSARY, PASSION IS NECESSARY.
YOU CAN'T JUST BE A PUSHOVER YOUR WHOLE LIFE AND JUST BE AN AGREEABLE PERSON BECAUSE NOTHING CHANGES IF THE COMMUNITY JUST IS SILENCED.
I JUST WANT TO SAY ASHBY PARK MIGHT NOT HAVE OVER 450 KIDS THAT USE THE FACILITY, BUT EVERY KID MATTERS.
YES, WE DON'T HAVE 450 KIDS GOING TO PLAYING IN ASHBY PARK, SO WE MIGHT NOT HAVE AS BIG OF A VOICE AS THEM, BUT WE STILL MATTER.
WE JUST WANT OUR TOYS BACK. THAT'S IT.
>> THAT'S DONE. I'LL GET TO YOU GUYS, BUT I THINK THE NEXT HAND I SAW WAS THIS GENTLEMAN.
>> POINT OF VIEW THERE. KEN CAUDLE, AB RESIDENT.
I THINK WE'RE MINIMIZING THIS ISSUE IN ONE SLIGHT FASHION.
THERE ARE NUMEROUS PRIVATE NON PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THIS AREA.
[02:50:02]
YOU WILL SEE SQUADS OF KIDS GOING TO HOWELL AND JOHANSEN AND HANNAH, AND ALL OF THESE PARKS.THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE THERE FOR TO LET THE KIDS GET OUT AND ENJOY NATURE.
GET IN THE CREEKS, PLAY, CLIMB ON THE TREES, DO ALL THOSE FUN THINGS.
WE'RE INSULATING INTO ONE PARTICULAR AREA HERE, AND THE BIGGER ISSUE IS MUCH LARGER THAN THIS.
THERE IS A RISK FACTOR TO THIS, BUT AS WAS MENTIONED, THESE ARE THE NEIGHBORS LIVING AROUND THIS ONE PARTICULAR PARK THAT ARE BRINGING THESE ITEMS INTO IT.
THIS WASN'T THE SCHOOL ITSELF THAT DID THIS.
THIS IS THE NEIGHBORS THAT WANTED THEIR CHILDREN TO PLAY IN THEIR PARK WITH THEIR SPECIFIC WHATEVERS.
WE'VE ALL SEEN THE LITTLE PAINTED ROCKS THAT PEOPLE ARE PLACING AROUND OUR CITY, AND THEY'RE SHARING THEM AND MOVING THEM. IT'S FUN.
IT'S IMAGINATIVE, AND IT'S A LIFESTYLE THAT WE WANT TO SPONSOR ON OUR CHILDREN.
I'D ALSO ASK THE QUESTION AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ANSWERED RIGHT NOW.
WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT PROFIT AND NON PROFIT, BUT THERE'S A CATEGORY IN THERE OF NOT FOR PROFIT.
I'M NOT REALLY SURE ABOUT ALL THE DEFINITIONS OF THINGS FROM A LEGAL ASPECT, BUT NOT FOR PROFIT MEANS THAT THEY DO GENERATE MONEY, BUT THE MONEY COMES BACK INTO THE PROCESS.
THERE'S NOBODY GETTING RICH OFF OF IT.
IT'S NOT AN INVESTABLE FASHION.
WE'RE NOT INCLUDING THAT IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, AND I REALLY THINK IT NEEDS TO BE SOMEWHERE IN THIS ORDINANCE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND THINK BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE WE COMING OUT HERE TO OUR BASEBALL FIELDS, AND I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE THE NEGATIVE IMPACT TO OUR CHILDREN.
WE AS ADULTS CAN UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES, WHENEVER WE MAKE CHANGES AND IT BECOMES A HARSH REALITY BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE, BUT WHENEVER WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE MISQUOTING THE DETAILS, MAKING THINGS MUCH WORSE SOUNDING THAN THEY ARE, AND I APPRECIATE THE RISK FACTORED ALL THESE THINGS AND THEN WE'RE SLAPPING IN A LESS THAN PERFECT SOLUTION IN FRONT OF LITTLE KIDS THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? THAT IS THE SADDEST OF ALL OF THIS.
I'LL JUST LEAVE YOU WITH THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CARDLE. YES, MA'AM.
>> HI. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS MEETING TONIGHT.
>> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME? > I'M LYNN COLSON?
>> I LIVE AT 1614 COQUINA PLACE.
>> I'VE LIVED IN ATLANTIC BEACH FOR OVER 32 YEARS.
HE LIVES TWO HOUSES AWAY FROM ME.
I WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
MY BUSINESS IS CALLED OUTSIDE KIDS.
IT'S A MIXED AGE PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-6.
THE NAME IS OUTSIDE KIDS BECAUSE WE DO SCHOOL OUTSIDE.
THE BUSINESS ADDRESS IS MY HOME, 1614 COQUINA PLACE.
WE TAKE FIELD TRIPS EVERY DAY.
WE GO TO THE BEACH, HANNA PARK, ISLAND, ASHBY PARK, JOHANSON PARK, HOWELL PARK, WE DO NOT GO TO RUSSELL PARK.
THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT THERE IS NOT RISK FREE.
I SENT RESEARCH TO OUR ASSISTANT MANAGER THAT SHOWS THAT MANUFACTURED PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT CAUSES MORE SERIOUS INJURIES THAN A NATURE SCAPE PLAYGROUND.
WHEN I FIRST MOVED ONTO COQUINA PLACE, ASHBY PARK WAS A NO NAME PARK.
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINES, IT HAD BEEN CALLED MARVIN'S GARDEN DUE TO A MEAN DOG THAT USED TO RUN AROUND IN THE PARK AND BARK AT PEOPLE AND BITE PEOPLE.
THE OWNER OF THAT DOG INITIATED THE NAME CHANGE.
WHILE SHE WAS WORKING ON THAT, THE BIG SIGN CAME UP MARVIN'S GARDEN, AND NOW IT'S ASHBY PARK.
WHEN I FIRST MOVED THERE, THERE WAS A TREE HOUSE IN BOTH TREES, THE OAK TREE AND THE MAGNOLIA TREE.
THEY GOT OLD AND DILAPIDATED AND SUDDENLY ONE DAY.
THAT HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL THE CITY CAME AND TOOK IT DOWN.
THIS WAS BEFORE BRUCE BOLE EVEN LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE LATTER STEPS ON THE MAGNOLIA TREE, SAME THING.
THEY'D WEAR OUT. PEOPLE WOULD REPLACE THEM.
[02:55:03]
UP THE KIDS WOULD GO.THERE USED TO BE A TREE HOUSE PLATFORM UP THERE, TOO.
GIRLS WOULD TAKE THEIR BARBIE DOLLS UP THERE.
BOYS WOULD PLAY CATCH FROM TREE TO TREE.
OUTSIDE KIDS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN.
CHILDREN NEED TO BE OUT IN NATURE.
HUMAN BEINGS OF ALL AGE CAN REAP THE MANY BENEFITS OF BEING IN NATURE.
RESEARCH SHOWS, I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
ANYWAY, ASHBY PARK IS MY FIELD TRIP LOCATION.
I AM NOT RUNNING MY BUSINESS OUT OF ASHBY PARK.
YES, SIR. OH, I'M SORRY. YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP.
GO AHEAD. YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN, SIR. PLEASE, COME UP.
>> HELLO AGAIN. I'M DOUG ESSIG.
>> I'M THE ONE. YES, I STARTED ALL THIS.
I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON, BUT SINCE WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED ALL THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS, THINGS HAVE BEEN ALE WONKY ON THE TENNIS COURTS.
WE HAD POLICE SHOW UP ON THURSDAYS JUST TO KICK US OFF THE COURTS, AND IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL THE SAME ANYMORE.
I'D GO AND PLAY PICK UP TENNIS.
I GREW UP PLAYING TENNIS MY WHOLE LIFE.
IT'S WHAT ALLOWS ME TO COACH TODAY.
THE REALITY IS I'VE NEVER SEEN A PARK LIKE JACK RUSSELL BEFORE.
THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE PLAYING IN LEAGUES THAT THEY CREATED ALL WITH ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENTS AND ALL JUST FOR FUN.
I GO TO THOSE PARKS NOW AND ALL THOSE PLAYERS ARE NOW GONE.
WE CREATED A LOT OF RULES AND A LOT OF REGULATIONS THAT TOOK AWAY FROM THE MEANING, AND I GET IT AS WE'RE TAKING MONEY, BUT WE'RE PROMOTING PEOPLE IN WELLNESS DOING A NEW SPORT AND ENGAGING IN A NEW WAY OF LIFE.
ALL I'M HERE TO SAY IS IS THAT BY US PUTTING ALL THESE RULES ON ALL THESE BUSINESSES, IT'S REALLY GOING YES, LIKE, I'M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE EXACT MONEY IS GOING FOR OUR THING, BUT WE CAN GET TO THAT AT A DIFFERENT TIME.
THE REALITY IS THAT I WANT TO SEE OUR PARKS GROW.
I WANT TO SEE OUR COMMUNITY FLOURISH.
I WANT US TO BE OUT IN NATURE.
WE ARE DESIGNED TO BE OUTSIDE AND WHEN WE TAKE THAT AWAY, WE TAKE AWAY A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT, AND I REALLY BELIEVE THAT I DON'T WANT TO USE ALL MY TIME.
I JUST WANT TO FIND A WAY SO THAT WE ALL CAN COME TOGETHER AND COME TO A SOLUTION RATHER THAN JUST PUSHING OUT THE PEOPLE THAT USE THE PARKS. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'RE LISTENING AND YOU'RE RESPONDING.
I MUST FOR THE SAKE OF TRANSPARENCY, TELL YOU, I'M THE GRANDFATHER OF ONE OF MISS' COLSON'S CHILDREN.
HE'S BEEN IN THE PROGRAM FOR THREE YEARS.
WHEN MY DAUGHTER, AND YOU HEARD FROM TWO OF MY DAUGHTERS TONIGHT, KIMBERLY AND AARON WOLFSON.
I'M PROUD OF THEM TO SAY THE, BUT I KNOW THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PARADIGM SHIFT.
WE HAVE WORKED FOR DECADES TO MAKE THIS CITY WHAT IT HAS BECOME.
TOOK A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT INTO IT.
YOU JUST HEARD THIS YOUNG MAN, THERE'S A PARADIGM SHIFT HERE.
I THINK THAT LISTENING TO MISS COLSON, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROGRAM FOUR YEARS AGO, BUT I DID SEE A TEACHER AND AN ASSISTANT TEACHER WITH SIX OR SEVEN LITTLE KIDS RIDING THEY LOOKED LIKE DUCKS.
THEY WERE RIDING THEIR LITTLE BIKES, FOLLOWING, AND LEARNING HOW TO CROSS THE STREET SAFELY.
KIDS ARE TAUGHT SOMETHING THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY'RE TAUGHT TO BE AWARE OF OUR BEAUTIFUL NATURAL RESOURCES, OUR PARKS, OUR MARSHES, OUR WETLANDS, THE BEACHES, AND THE BALANCE OF WILD LIFE LIVING AMONG US.
MY LITTLE GRANDSON GETS UPSET IF WE STEP ON AN ANT.
[03:00:05]
THOSE LITTLE WOODEN STUMPS BARKS.THE KIDS ARE TAUGHT TO LOOK AT THE BARKS AND TO LOOK UNDERNEATH AND TO LOOK ALL AROUND, TO GO LOOKING IN THE PONDS, FOR FISH.
I GET THE NEED OF STORIES WHEN I HEAR HIM.
HE WAS THE ONE THAT SAID, WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN YOU SAW THOSE SPECIAL TOYS OR THOSE SPECIAL VALUABLE THINGS TO THE CHILDREN? WHAT DID YOU THINK? I'M CONFUSED AND I'M SAD.
THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE ABOUT, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE BECOMING.
YOU'VE BEEN A CHILD. THINK ABOUT IT.
THOSE CHILDREN, I REMEMBER THINGS WHEN I WAS 6-YEARS-OLD. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DO, BUT THOSE KIDS WILL REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED.
I THINK TO BRING THINGS BACK, THE MAGIC OF THAT COULD BE INCREDIBLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT THANK YOU IT'S A GREAT GREAT COMMENT.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
WE CAN AMEND THE MOTION, OR WE CAN CALL THE QUESTION AND VOTE ON THE MOTION.
>> MAYOR, I DID MENTION I WOULD LIKE TO DEFER THIS, SO I HAVE A DIFFERENT MOTION THAN THE ONE THAT COMMISSION.
>> HE'S GOT THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BUT DO YOU WISH TO AMEND YOUR MOTION?
>> I'LL ASK OUR CITY ATTORNEY.
I'D LIKE TO DELAY THIS FOR UP TO THE MEETING HELD ON APRIL 14TH? WHAT I WOULD DO IS JUST SINCE YOU'RE THE MOTION MAKER, I BELIEVE, WITHDRAW YOUR MOTION, AND THEN YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND MAKE ANOTHER MOTION TO DEFER THE MATTER TO APRIL 14TH.
>> I WITHDRAW MY FIRST MOTION AND MAKE A SECOND MOTION TO LOOK AT THIS AGAIN ON APRIL 14TH.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'M SORRY.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION A A SECOND. CONVERSATION.
>> WELL, THE RULES AND REGULATIONS, COULD WE INCLUDE THOSE IN THIS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT STATES, AND I DON'T SEE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS WITHIN THIS LISTED.
>> YES. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF MAKING AN AMENDMENT INTO IT.
SO TYPICALLY, WHEN YOU PASS ORDINANCES, YOU LEAVE THEM VAGUE AND YOU HAVE THE STAFF CREATE RULES AND POLICIES TO IMPLEMENT.
IF YOU WANTED TO SEE THEM, A, WE COULD CODIFY THEM.
THAT MAKES THINGS A LITTLE LESS FLEXIBLE BECAUSE YOU GOT TO CHANGE THE CODE TO DO IT, OR WE COULD DO THEM THROUGH RESOLUTION, WHICH IS WHAT I WAS PROPOSING.
THAT WAS WHERE MY AMENDMENT TO PRIOR TO THE CITY MANAGER BEING ABLE TO ENACT ANY AGREEMENT WITH A FOR PROFIT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO BRING A RESOLUTION WITH THE RULES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
THEN IF THE COMMISSION ADOPTED THOSE, THEN IT COULD GO.
>> MAYBE WE CLARIFY, MR. CODELLS MENTION OF FOR PROFIT.
>> WHAT DID YOU SAY, KEN? NOT FOR PROFIT.
WHERE DOES THAT FALL IN OUR, I ARGUE?
>> I KNOW OF NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN A NON PROFIT OR NOT FOR PROFIT, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO LOOK INTO IT OR IF MR. CODELL HAS SOME INFORMATION TO THAT EFFECT, I'M HAPPY TO CONSIDER IT, BUT I KNOW OF NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN NOT FOR PROFIT OR NON PROFIT.
>> THEN WHAT WE'RE ASKING NOW IS TO WAIT A SECOND.
>> RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A MOTION IN A SECOND TO DEFER TO APRIL 14TH.
>> WHAT ARE WE BRINGING BACK ON THE 14TH?
>> TO INCLUDE WHAT THE CITY MANAGER JUST MENTIONED.
>> WELL, WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT WAS PASSING AN ORDINANCE WITHOUT ALL THE RULES AND BRINGING THOSE FORTH ON A RESOLUTION.
>> MR. MAYOR, IT COULD BE DONE TWO WAYS.
WE COULD CODIFY THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
YES, OR WE COULD BRING BACK THE AMENDMENT INCORPORATED INTO THE ORDINANCE, SO IT WOULDN'T BE AN AMENDMENT OR WE COULD PAIR A RESOLUTION WITH IT.
WE'RE DEFERRING IT TO APRIL 14TH, SO WE CAN BRING LANGUAGE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO EITHER CODIFY OR APPROVE AS A POLICY FOR THE CITY MANAGER AT THAT MEETING. IS THAT IS THAT?
[03:05:02]
>> WE DON'T ACTUALLY NEED A MOTION.
DO WE WANT MR. BOLD TO WITHDRAW THAT MOTION? SORRY, MR. BO.
>> YOU KNOW YOU NEED THAT FOR THE DEFERRAL. YEAH.
>> I'M SORRY WE DID I THINK WE'RE GOOD.
WE HAVE JUST A STRAIGHT DEFERRAL TO APRIL 14TH. THE SECOND.
AND YOU ALL WILL VOTE ON THAT IN A MOMENT, BUT WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS THERE'S NO NEED FOR ANY OTHER FORMALITY OTHER THAN I THINK THE CITY MANAGER AND I'LL HELP WITH THIS, TOO.
WE CAN PROVIDE LANGUAGE AT THAT NEXT MEETING THAT YOU CAN CONSIDER FOR EITHER AN AMENDMENT OR A POLICY.
>> ONE THING TO MENTION AND IT'S ALONG THE CITY ATTORNEY.
IF THERE ARE, ISSUES OR THINGS THAT WE WANT TO INCORPORATE BEFORE I'M LOOKING AT CALENDAR BEFORE MARCH 10TH, I THINK WE OWE THE CITY MANAGER OUR INPUT.
>> WOULD THAT QUALIFY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE AND HAVE IT GO BACK AS A FIRST READING RATHER THAN A SECOND FINAL READING?
>> PROBABLY WELL, I DON'T THINK SO.
YOU'RE TALKING FOR PURPOSES OF RE NOTICING IT?
>> YES. WHETHER IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING OR NOT.. NOTICE IT IF IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING ANYWAY.
>> I KNOW WE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT.
TYPICALLY WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WE'RE DEFERRING THE SECOND READING ALONG WITH A PUBLIC HEARING TO APRIL 14TH.
THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT DATE.
I MEAN, WE'RE DOING IT TO A DATE CERTAIN, BUT I THINK WE WOULD PROBABLY STILL PUBLISH ANYWAY AND ADVERTISE, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THAT ONE IS SET, I THINK WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS JUST INCORPORATING SOME MORE INFORMATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS BILL.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO RE NOTICE IT, IS WHAT I'M SAYING.
>> GREAT QUESTION. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER COMMENT, ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
THANK YOU FOR GETTING US THROUGH THAT.
>> NO, MA'AM. THIS IS NOT OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.
IF WE CALL ON YOU, YOU CAN COME UP, BUT WE'RE NOT CALLING ON YOU AT THIS TIME.
I'M SORRY. BUT I GOT TO GET BACK TO SOME DECORUM HERE.
WAS THAT 9C? WE'RE MOVING TO 9D,
[9.D. ORDINANCE NO. 75-25-29, Introduction and First Reading]
ORDINANCE NUMBER 75-25-29, INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING, AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH COUNTY OF DUVAL, STATE OF FLORIDA CREATING WITHIN CHAPTER 21, NEW ARTICLE 8, REGULATION OF BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, AND PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICES OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH CODE OF ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF SAID AMENDMENTS, PROVIDING FOR PURPOSE AND INTENT, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.THE RECOMMENDED MOTION IS APPROVED ORDINANCE NUMBER 75-25-29 ON FIRST READING.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AND THEN OPEN IT UP.
>> GOING TO GO AHEAD AND BRIEF US?
>> I'M SORRY. I SHOULD HAVE FIGURED THAT OUT ON MY OWN.
IT WASN'T WRITTEN ON MY CHEAT SHEET, SO CHIEF.
>> WELL, UNLESS THE CHIEF DISAGREES WITH SOMETHING I SAY, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF WORDS, BUT IT BASICALLY COMES DOWN TO THREE THINGS.
YOU CAN RIDE AN ELECTRIC MOBILITY DEVICE ON THE SIDEWALK, BUT THERE'S A TEN MILE AN HOUR SPEED LIMIT.
YOU CAN RIDE IT ON THE ROAD, BUT YOU HAVE TO OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE ROAD.
YOU CAN RIDE IT ON A MULTI USE TRAIL, YOU CAN RIDE IT ON THE BEACH, BUT IT HAS TO BE UNDER HUMAN POWER WHEN YOU DO THAT.
>> WE'RE NOT LETTING THE RIDE ON THE BEACH, ARE WE?
>> IT HAS TO BE UNDER HUMAN POWER THAT CAN'T BE UTILIZING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR.
>> IT COULD BE A CLASS 1 ELECTRIC BIKE BUT NOT BEING USED.
IT'S BEING RIDDEN LIKE A BICYCLE.
>> OF COURSE, YOU GOT TO CATCH THEM IN THE ACT.
>> THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE PEDALED.
IF THEY'RE GOING 20 MILES AN HOUR DOWN THE BEACH, IT'S UNLIKELY THAT MOST OF US COULD DO THAT, ESPECIALLY IF OUR FEET ARE STANDING STILL.
>> IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THIS IS THE SAME AS WHAT WE DISCUSSED TWO WEEKS AGO?
>> THIS ISN'T A CHANGED DOCUMENT, SO WE ALREADY KNOW, AND IF I MAY, I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE THE COMMENT.
I'M NOT 100% ON THIS ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, I THINK WE NEED AN ORDINANCE, AND I THINK YOU WORKED HARD ON IT.
I'M PREPARED TO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE, BUT I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY AWARE, CITY MANAGER KILLINGSWORTH AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE TPO, THAT'S THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA.
THEY ARE GOING TO DO A STUDY AT THEIR EXPENSE, NOT OURS, FOR ALL THREE BEACHES CITIES ON NOT JUST ELECTRIC BICYCLES, BUT ELECTRIC. [OVERLAPPING]
[03:10:02]
>> MOBILITY. IT MAY VERY WELL COME TO PASS THAT SIX MONTHS, NINE MONTHS FROM NOW, WE MAY COME BACK AND WANT TO MODIFY THIS ORDINANCE BASED ON WHAT WE LEARNED.
I THINK THAT'S GREAT. BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE.
>> FIRST QUESTION. I KNOW WE SPOKE ABOUT THIS.
WOULD THIS INCLUDE, WHEN YOU DRIVE DOWN NEPTUNE ON FIRST STREET, THE BLUE SIGNS THAT GIVE YOU THE RULES OF ELECTRIC BIKES? THAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THIS, CORRECT?
>> NO. WE DON'T HAVE SIGNAGE IN THIS.
>> I GUESS WE SEE IF I WON'T BELITTLES, BUT I THINK A LARGE PART OF THIS IS EDUCATION TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE AND A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN.
>> TO THE CITIZENS, THIS IS A FIRST READING, SO THERE IS NO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS, BUT I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 75-25-29.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIES.
WE WILL ON THE NEXT READING, HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THAT, PLEASE COME BACK AND SPEAK.
WE ARE NOW MOVING ON TO ITEM 10A,
[10.A. Public Hearing on Waiver Request (WAIV25-0001) ]
PUBLIC HEARING ON REQUEST FOR WAIVER FROM SECTION 19-1 TO ALLOW A LANDSCAPING WALL IN CITY RIGHT OF WAY AT 386 SEVENTH STREET. CITY ATTORNEY?>> THE PROCEDURE FORMAT HERE IS TYPICALLY THE APPLICANT IS AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT.
THE STAFF WILL DO A PRESENTATION, I BELIEVE IS THAT AMANDA TONIGHT?
>> I DID EVEN SEE HER HERE SOMEWHERE HERE.
>> SHE'S OVER HERE IN THE CORNER.
>> I'VE SEEN EVERYONE. I HAVEN'T SEEN AMANDA.
THE APPLICANT IS THEN AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION FIRST.
THAT'S FOLLOWED BY ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WANT TO SPEAK TYPICALLY WHO ARE IN OPPOSITION.
THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
THEN AFTER THAT, AFTER ALL THOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS, THE APPLICANT WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO REBUT LIMITED TO THE ISSUES THAT ARE BROUGHT UP BY THE SPEAKERS.
THIS IS QUASI JUDICIAL, AND YOUR QUASI JUDICIAL CONSIDERATION ON THE DECISION MUST BE BASED ON SUBSTANTIAL COMPETENT EVIDENCE, WHICH MEANS THAT THE DECISION MUST BE SUPPORTED BY FACT BASED TESTIMONY OR EXPERT TESTIMONY, NOT ON ANY GENERALIZED CONCERNS OR OPINIONS.
LASTLY, BECAUSE IT'S QUASI JUDICIAL, REMEMBER, QUASI JUDICIAL IS ON REZONING, APPEALS, WAIVERS, SUCH AS THIS.
LASTLY, BECAUSE IT'S QUASI JUDICIAL, EACH COMMISSIONER MUST DISCLOSE ANY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS YOU MAY HAVE HAD ON THE RECORD.
IT'S A BRIEF STATEMENT OF WHEN THE COMMUNICATION OCCURRED, WHO THE COMMUNICATION WAS WITH, AND BRIEFLY WHAT WAS DISCUSSED.
>> COMMISSIONERS, ANY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS?
>> NONE BY ME. WE'VE SATISFIED THAT.
DO WE HAVE THE APPLICANT? WE HAVE THE APPLICANT? DO WE HAVE OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS TONIGHT?
AMANDA, WILL DO A PRESENTATION, THEN WE'LL SWEAR YOU IN AND TAKE YOUR STATEMENT ON. THANK YOU.
>> HI, GOOD EVENING, AMANDA ASKEW.
GIVE ME A MINUTE AND GET UP HOPEFULLY.
>> I NEED TO BE SWORN IN TO AMANDA, RIGHT?
>> WELL, THEN WE'LL SWEAR IN, EVERYBODY.
AGAIN, THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS.
APPLICANT, IF YOU WOULD STAND?
>> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. YOUR RESPONSE SHOULD BE, I DO.
DO YOU SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?
>> I'M GOING TO PUT THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION UP IN MINUTES.
GO TO THE BEGINNING. SORRY. THE WAIVER IS WAIVER 25-001 IS FOR 386 SEVENTH STREET.
IS THE REQUEST FOR A WAIVER TO ALLOW LANDSCAPING WALL AND THE CITY RIGHT OF WAY AND THE FRONT OF THE PROPERTY.
THE SITE CONTEXT, THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SEVENTH STREET, AND IT'S ONE LOT OF SHERRY DRIVE.
IT'S ZONED RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY RS-1.
A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND HERE.
IN JUNE OF 2024, A STOP WORK ORDER WAS ISSUED FOR INSTALLING A LANDSCAPING WALL WITHOUT A PERMIT.
WE FOLLOW IT UP IN NOVEMBER OF '24 WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTION SINCE THERE WAS NO A PERMIT APPLIED FOR.
[03:15:05]
THE STATUS, THE APPLICANT HAS INSTALLED THE WOODEN WALL.IT'S APPROXIMATELY 2.5 FEET TALL AND 12 FEET IN LENGTH TO THE STREET, AND IT'S ALONG THE EASTERN PROPERTY LINE.
EXISTING CONDITIONS; PRIOR TO THE WALL, THERE WAS ABOUT FIVE INCH TALL PAVERS INSTALLED, AND THOSE WERE NOT PERMITTED PAVERS, BUT THEY WERE INSTALLED.
HERE'S A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EXISTING CONDITIONS BEFORE, WHICH SHOW THE PAVERS AROUND HERE.
YOU CAN TELL THE ELEVATION TOWARDS THE HOUSE DOES GET HIGHER.
AT THE STREET LEVEL, IT'S PRIMARILY FLAT.
THIS IS AN EXISTING PICTURE TODAY OF THE UNPERMITTED LANDSCAPE WALL.
AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT 2.5 FEET TALL ADJACENT TO THE STREET.
HERE IS THE IMAGE SHOWING THAT IT IS NOT RETAINING BACK SOIL ADJACENT TO THE STREET.
WE HAVE A COUPLE SECTIONS OF THE CODE THAT THE WAIVER IS BEING SOUGHT, SECTION 19-1 (C) PROHIBITS CONSTRUCTION IN THE CITY RIGHT OF WAY, INCLUDING DECORATIVE WALLS, BARRIERS LANDSCAPING, EXCEPT SOD, AND OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS.
SECTION 19-2, WHICH PERMITS CAN BE ISSUED IF THE CONSTRUCTION BENEFITS THE PUBLIC AND DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
THEN THE ZONING CODE, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR WAIVERS TO OCCUR, WHICH IS 24-66 (E), A WAIVER REQUIRES EVIDENCE THAT COMPLIANCE IS UNREASONABLE, CONFLICTS WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
THOSE ARE THE DETERMINATIONS FOR A WAIVER.
AGAIN, THE APPLICANT IS SEEKING THIS WAIVER TO LEAVE THE EXISTING LANDSCAPE WALL IN ITS CURRENT LOCATION.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS OPPOSES THE REQUEST, CITING SAFETY CONCERNS.
THE SECTION OF THE CODE 19-5 (B)(1) SAYS, WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM OF A TWO FOOT SAFETY ZONE FROM THE EDGE OF PAVEMENT.
THE PROPOSED WALL CONFLICTS WITH THIS REQUIREMENT.
IT IS BUILT ON THE EDGE OF PAVEMENT.
THE WALL DOES NOT SERVE ANY STRUCTURAL PURPOSE.
THE PREVIOUS UNPERMITTED PAVERS WERE REMOVED.
IT'S A RECOMMENDATION TO RELOCATE THE WALL OUTSIDE OF THE CITY A RIGHT OF WAY IF APPROVED.
THIS GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS.
THE WAIVER DOES GO BEFORE THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD ON JANUARY 21ST OF 2025 MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE WAIVER.
HOWEVER, THE MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND.
THEREFORE, THERE'S NO RECOMMENDATION COMING BEFORE YOU.
THE BOARD EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE LACK OF APPROVAL BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS AS WELL AS LIABILITY OF THE WALL ON THE EDGE OF PAVEMENT.
AS I TOUCHED ON EARLIER IN THE PRESENTATION, THE CITY COMMISSION SHALL NOT APPROVE A WAIVER UNLESS ONE OF THE THREE CRITERIA COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE WOULD BE UNREASONABLE, COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS ARE IN CONFLICT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH PROVISIONS ARE PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
I'LL ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR STAFF.
>> I ONLY HAVE ONE. I THINK YOU SAID THIS IS ON THE EASTERLY PROPERTY LINE, BUT THIS WOULD BE ON THE NORTHERLY PROPERTY.
>> IT IS ON THE NORTHERLY AND IT GOES BACK A LITTLE BIT. YES.
>> IT'S ON THE EAST OR THE WEST.
>> I THINK IT WOULD BE ON THE WEST, YES.
>> IT'S ACTUALLY ALONG THE DRIVEWAY, SO IT'S NOT ON THE PROPERTY.
>> THIS PORTION RIGHT HERE, WELL, ADJACENT TO THE STREET IS THE PROPERTY LINE IS WAY BACK HERE, PROBABLY WHERE THIS FIRST STAIRSTEP OCCURS.
>> [INAUDIBLE] WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, IT TOUCHES THE.
>> YEAH. ALL OF THAT CITY RIGHT OF WAY.
>> IN JUNE OF 2024, WHEN YOU HAD A STOP WORK ORDER, WAS IT ALREADY BUILT?
>> YES. WE BECAME AWARE OF IT AND PLACED A STOP WORK ORDER.
THEN YOU FOLLOWED UP IN NOVEMBER.
>> WE FOLLOW UP THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, OFTENTIMES, QUITE NICELY WITH EMAILS AND LETTERS, AND THEN IF COMPLIANCE IS NOT MET, WE TAKE THEM BEFORE THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE.
>> IN LOOKING AT IT, HE'S DEFINITELY GOT A GRADE THERE THAT LOOKS LIKE HE'S TRYING TO KEEP SOD AND DIRT OUT OF THE STREET.
ARE YOU SUGGESTING HE SHOULD HAVE HAD THAT FURTHER UP IN HIS PROPERTY OUT OF THE RIGHT OF WAY AND THEN DEALT WITH WHAT WAS LEFT,
[03:20:01]
I GUESS, SOME OTHER WAY?>> THAT THE CODE REQUIRES IT NOT TO BE IN THE RIGHT OF WAY, DECORATIVE WALLS.
THE PROPERTY LINE IS BACK HERE.
THE NEIGHBOR HAS DONE A RETAINING WALL ON THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY, SO SOMETHING SIMILAR COULD BE DONE ON THIS PROPERTY.
>> THEIR RETAINING WALLS FURTHER BACK UP.
I CAN'T REALLY SEE IT FROM THIS PICTURE, HOW THE GRADE OF THE NEIGHBOR, IS IT HIGHER OR LOWER THAN OR EQUAL TO THAT YARD. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I CAN FIND A BETTER PICTURE.
>> I THINK IT MIGHT BE HIGHER.
>> ONE OF THE, YOU SAID THE POLICE OF PUBLIC WORKS WERE AGAINST THIS.
>> THERE'S NO MINIMUM TWO FOOT SAFETY ZONE.
WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING IN THE RIGHT OF WAY.
A VEHICLE COULD LOSE CONTROL OR PERSON BICYCLING.
THAT ZONE JUST ALLOWS A LITTLE BIT OF OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE CORRECTIONS BEFORE HOPEFULLY STRIKING AN OBJECT IN THE RIGHT OF WAY.
BUT BEFORE THE WALL, IT LOOKS LOWER, AND THEN AFTERWARDS, IT'S HIGHER.
I THINK THE USE. IS IT JUST ME.
MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION FOR THE APPLICANT.
DID HE CALL THE PUBLIC UTILITIES TO HAVE IT RAISED? DID HE RAISE IT HIMSELF? ALSO, IF HE JUST MEETS THE PROPERTY LINE, WHERE IT BEGINS, WHICH IS WHERE HIS NEIGHBOR TO THE LEFT OF HIM HAS DONE, COULD HE NOT DO THAT, OR DID HE JUST NOT WANT TO? I GUESS TWO QUESTIONS.
ONE, THE PUBLIC UTILITIES, DID HE MOVE IT BECAUSE IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT WAS RAISED? AND WHO WOULD HAVE THAT BEEN?
>> I DON'T BELIEVE ANY UTILITY WORK WAS IN THAT AREA, BUT WE CAN CONFIRM WITH THE APPLICANT.
ANY UTILITY WORK WOULD HAVE TO BE COORDINATED WITH THE APPROPRIATE PARTY, WHETHER IT WAS A AT&T BOX OR COMCAST BOX.
I'M NOT SURE WHICH, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE SOME TYPE OF CABLE BOX.
>> DOESN'T IT LOOK HIGHER THAN THE ORIGINAL.
>> I DON'T THINK THAT HAS BEEN MOVED.
THAT WOULD BE QUITE COSTLY AND THE COSTS WOULD BE BURDENED BY THE APPLICANT IN THAT INSTANCE.
>> WHEN YOU BROUGHT TO THE APPLICANT, THE POSSIBILITY OF MOVING HIS RETAINING WALL TO HIS PROPERTY LINE LIKE HIS NEIGHBOR HAS, DID THEY SAY NO?
>> YES. THAT'S WHY WE'RE BEFORE US TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, AMANDA. AT THIS TIME, WOULD THE APPLICANT COME FORWARD AND PRESENT.
>> HELLO. I'M BRIAN DER, THE OWNER OF 386 SEVENTH STREET.
WHEN WE WENT TO PUT THIS WALL UP, THOSE PAVERS THAT WERE THERE HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 15 YEARS.
THEY'VE BEEN IN THE STREET FOR 15 YEARS.
I DISAGREE WITH THE STAFF'S ANALYSIS THAT EROSION IS NOT A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS ERODING OVER THE PAVERS.
ACTUALLY, IF YOU GO BACK TO THE SHEET, YOU SHOW THE PREVIOUS WHERE THE PAVERS ARE.
I BELIEVE YOU CAN SEE PAVERS IN THE STREET, AND WITH THE DIRT OVER THE TOP OF THE PAVERS, ERODING OVER THE PAVERS AND PUSHING THE PAVERS INTO THE STREET.
AS WE'VE BEEN RENOVATING THE HOUSE, OBVIOUSLY PAVERS FALLING INTO THE STREET AND DIRT GOING OVER THE TOP OF THEM WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT LOOKED VERY GOOD ON THE STREET.
THE PEOPLE WHO HAD DONE SOME WORK ON OUR HOUSE AND HAD PUT IN SOME PREVIOUS PERMITS.
THEY DID NOT GET THE RIGHT PERMIT TO DO THE WALL HERE.
WE DIDN'T FIND THAT OUT UNTIL AFTER THE FACT.
>> BUT OUR THOUGHT WAS THAT OBVIOUSLY THE PAVER WALL, WHICH WAS FIVE INCHES AND TWO STACKED HIGH OF THE PAVERS, SO OVER 10 INCHES OF WALL, THE DIRT WAS ERODING OVER THE TOP OF THE PAVERS.
WE TOOK IT UP A LITTLE BIT MORE.
IF YOU LOOK AT IT, THE DIRT IS ACTUALLY MOVED ALL THE WAY UP AGAINST THE WOOD, AND IT IS HOLDING BACK THE EROSION DOWN THE SLOPE OF THE HOUSE.
IF WE WERE TO TRY TO GO BACK ANOTHER 10 FEET, YOU HAVE ALL THE UTILITIES THERE ALREADY.
THERE'S WATER LINES THERE, THERE'S ELECTRIC LINES, AND YOU HAVE THAT UTILITY BOX THERE.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF WE COULD BULLDOZE OURSELVES ENOUGH FOR ROOM TO ACTUALLY GET ALL THE WAY BACK 10 FEET IN THAT AREA, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TREES AND ALL THERE.
WE'RE ASKING FOR A WAIVER HERE.
CERTAINLY WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO BE UNSAFE.
IT'S BEEN THIS WAY FOR 15 YEARS.
I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUES THAT IT HAS BEEN THERE BEFORE, BUT IT WAS IN THE ROAD THERE AND IT WAS PAVERS FALLING INTO THE ROAD.
>> THE PAVERS. YEAH. BUT THE WOOD
[03:25:02]
>> THE WOOD WAS NOT. THE PAVER WALL ON THE STREET WAS THERE FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR THE WAIVER.
REALLY, JUST WANT TO KEEP THE DIRT OUT OF THE STREET AND MAKE IT AS NICE AS WE CAN, AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.
IF YOU MOVED YOUR WALL EQUAL TO THE DISTANCE, YOUR NEIGHBOR.
I WOULD ASSUME THAT ALL THAT SOIL IS GOING TO GO JUST LIKE IT DID FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR.
ARE WE GOING TO EXPOSE ALL THAT UTILITY WORK?
>> [OVERLAPPING] YOU HAVE THE WATER THE WATER LINE RIGHT THERE.
THERE'S ELECTRIC LINES UNDER THERE.
YOU'D HAVE TO GO PROBABLY ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE THIRD STEP UP OF THAT ROCK WALL AND BULLDOZE THOSE ALL THAT OUT OF THE WAY.
>> AMANDA, HAVE WE COMMENTED ON OUR CONCERN? BECAUSE IF HE MOVES THIS WALL, ALL THAT SOIL GOES AND EVERYTHING THERE IS GOING TO BE EXPOSED AS WELL.
>> LET'S WAIT FOR THE REBUTTAL.
>> MR. DURR, DID YOU CALL PUBLIC UTILITIES AND ASK THEM IF THOSE WATER LINES ARE THERE, AND IT CANNOT BE DONE? > NO, I DIDN'T CALL AND ASK THEM.
>> I HAVE NO IDEA. WE HAD A WATER LINE FIX THERE.
THE WATER LINE TO OUR HOUSE ACTUALLY HAD A HOLE AND THERE'S THE ROADS ERODED THERE WHERE THAT HAS HAPPENED.
I KNOW THERE IS A WATER LINE THAT GOES DIRECTLY THERE, AND THERE'S A WATER METER RIGHT THERE AS WELL AS ELECTRIC LINES GOING EAST AND WEST ACROSS THE PROPERTY.
>> BUT IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THEY COULD SAY, HEY, MR. DURR, THAT'S DOABLE.
>> IT'S POSSIBLE. I DON'T KNOW.
UNFORTUNATELY, OUR THOUGHT WAS REPLACING, BUT BETTER WITH SOMETHING THAT WON'T RODE.
>> MR. MAYOR, COMMISSION, IF YOU WERE TO APPROVE THIS, I JUST WANT YOU TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT ON A NUMBER OF THESE NUMBERED STREETS, THE NEXT REQUEST TO COME DOWN IS TO PUT NO PARKING SIGNS ON THE RETENTION WALL BECAUSE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS SOMEBODY WILL PARK THERE, BUT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR.
THEN THEY'LL PARK FIVE FEET AWAY FROM IT SO THAT THEY CAN OPEN THE DOOR.
FIVE FEET MIGHT BE AN EXAGGERATION, BUT THREE FEET AWAY FROM IT SO THAT THEY CAN OPEN THE DOOR, WHICH PLACES THE CAR SQUARELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC ON A NUMBER OF OLDER NUMBERED STREETS.
>> ONLY IF THEY PARK IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, BILL.
>> NO. WE HAD THIS ISSUE ON SECOND STREET, AND I BELIEVE THE REQUEST, AND I THINK YOU HONORED IT, YOU PUT UP EITHER TWO OR THREE SIGNS BECAUSE PEOPLE WOULD PARK WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AGAINST THE RETENTION WALL, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO THE BEACH.
THEY'RE NOT FROM HERE, SO THEY'RE GOING TO PARK, I THINK YOU EXAGGERATED, BILL, SEVERAL FEET OUT FROM THE WALL, BUT THAT PLACES THE CAR MORE IN THE STREET.
>> CAN WE LET THEM HAVE TWO FEET?
>> YES, PLEASE. COME UP. AMANDA, THANK YOU.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER GRANT.
OUR WATERLINE AND SEWER LINE WOULD NOT BE ELEVATED RIGHT THERE BECAUSE IF YOU CAN LOOK AT THE REST OF THE STREET, IT WOULD BE EXPOSED.
THERE IS QUITE POSSIBLY MAYBE HIS PRIVATE WATER LINE IS ELEVATED, BUT OUR PUBLIC WATER LINE AND SEWER LINE WOULD BE UNDERNEATH THE GROUND AND NOT ELEVATED.
I AM FAIRLY CONFIDENT THAT THAT IS EITHER AN AT&T OR COMCAST.
>> I DON'T THINK IT'S IQ FIBER, BUT IT IS SOME TYPE OF CABLE THAT'S NOT OURS.
TO ANSWER, YOU HAD A QUESTION, REPEAT YOUR QUESTION AGAIN.
>> THE MINIMUM THAT WE WILL DO AS A CITY OURSELVES IS TWO FEET.
AGAIN, FOR A LIABILITY, THAT STRIKE ZONE, WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING IN THAT COVETED AREA THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY SWERVE OFF THE ROAD OR BICYCLE AND HIT.
>> WHERE IS THAT SPEED LIMIT SIGN MOUNTED?
>> IF IT'S RIGHT AWAY UP WITH THE STEPS.
HOW FAR BACK IS IT? CAN YOU TELL?
>> I THINK YOU COULD PROBABLY SAFELY ASSUME THAT THE RIGHT OF WAY ENDS WHERE THE NEIGHBOR'S FENCE BEGINS,
[03:30:02]
THE NEIGHBORS RETAINING WALL.>> I RECALL READING THE ATLANTIC BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR.
COULD YOU GO INTO DETAIL WITH THAT? I KNOW IT'S PART OF OUR AGENDA, BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN PUBLIC WORKS AND CHIEF GUALILLO.
IS THE IDEA THAT IT CAN'T BE SEEN OR IT CREATES A BLIND SPOT?
>> IT'S ON AGENDA PAGE 221, AND IT IS AN EMAIL, AND THEY BASICALLY SAY THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL IF IT VIOLATES ANY OF THE SECTIONS BELOW, WHICH WAS THE SECTIONS I SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER 19/5.
>> THE INTERSECTION SITE DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS AND SAFETY ONES.
IS IT BECAUSE IT'S 2.5 FEET HIGH?
>> IF IT WERE SHORTER, AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE, NOT TO PUT HIM ON THE SPOT.
I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR HIM.
HE'S HERE. LET'S SEE GOING THROUGH THIS.
THEY FORWARDED IT TO THE PATROL DIVISION.
THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT SUPPORT IT IF IT VIOLATED ANY OF THE SECTIONS BELOW IN THE CODE.
THEY DIDN'T GIVE A SPECIFIC REASON OTHER THAN IT VIOLATES OUR CODE.
>> THEN ALSO, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD DID NOT HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS.
I THINK THEY WERE HUNG UP ON THE SAFETY ASPECT OF IT. THEY WERE.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. WE'LL HAVE A VOTE.
>> I'M SORRY. WE DO NEED A MOTION, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO DO A ROLL CALL.
SO WHO WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON THIS?
>> I MOVE WE DENY THE PETITION FOR A VARIANCE WAIVER.
>> OH, I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT I ASKED ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> WERE THERE ANY [INAUDIBLE]?
>> BUT I DON'T [INAUDIBLE] ASK.
>> OH, NO, I ASKED. BUT WE'LL OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT AGAIN.
IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? HEARING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? THE MOTION IS TO DENY THE REQUEST.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AN A SECOND. FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>> DONNA, CAN YOU DO A ROLL CALL ON THIS, PLEASE?
>> TO CLARIFY IF WE VOTE YAY OR AYE, THEN THAT MEANS WE'RE AGREEING TO DENY IT.
>> I'M ASSUMING THAT IMPLICATED IN THAT MOTION IS THAT IT DOES NOT MEET ANY OF THE WAIVER CRITERIA.
>> I BEG YOUR PARDON. NO, IT DOES NOT.
>> MOTION CARRIES. I'M SORRY, THE APPLICANT'S NAME AGAIN.
SIR, THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING.
BY THE WAY, YOU'D BUILD A FABULOUS WALL.
I MIGHT WANT TO TALK TO YOU LATER, BUT TONIGHT IS NOT YOUR NIGHT TO WIN THAT BATTLE, BUT GOOD LUCK ON REMEDY.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU CONTACT PUBLIC WORKS AND REVIEW UTILITIES AND SO ON, IF YOU DECIDE TO MOVE THE WALL BACK TO YOUR PROPERTY LINE.
BY THE WAY, ONE THING THAT WASN'T DISCUSSED, FIRST OF ALL, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE CITY UTILITIES IN YOUR PROPERTY.
IF YOU DO, THAT'S A CITY PROBLEM.
THE CITY UTILITIES ARE ALL IN THE RIGHT OF WAY.
YOU WILL HAVE YOUR SEWER TAP AND YOUR WATER COMING FROM THERE, AND IT MAY BE IMPACTED IF YOU START EXCAVATING.
BUT ONE OF THE OTHER REMEDIES YOU HAVE IS ACTUALLY TO COME INSIDE YOUR PROPERTY LINE A FOOT OR TWO.
[03:35:02]
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT IT ON YOUR PROPERTY LINE, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE OF A SLOPE.I FEEL FOR YOU ON THAT, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THIS.
I FEEL FOR ANY APPLICANT TRYING TO IMPROVE YOUR PROPERTY, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.
BUT I AM CLEARLY AWARE BECAUSE I HAD THE REQUEST FROM CITIZENS TO PUT UP NO PARKING SIGNS ON NUMBERED STREETS BECAUSE THE CARS WERE PARKING AWAY FROM THESE WALLS THAT WERE BASICALLY GRANDFATHERED IN, AND SORRY, YOU DIDN'T GET YEARS AGO AND GET GRANDFATHERED IN, BUT THOSE WE'RE STUCK WITH, BUT IT'S JUST NOT A GOOD REMEDY.
I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURE, IMAGINE IF WE SET PRECEDENT THERE, AND START ADDING THE SAME UP AND DOWN THE STREET.
WE'VE JUST CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY THE NATURE OF OUR STREET.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ACTION, COMMISSIONERS.
CITY ATTORNEY, DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL COMMENTS?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> CLOSING COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS.
[12. CLOSING COMMENTS BY CITY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY MANAGER]
I'M SORRY. WELL, IT SAYS RIGHT HERE, CITY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY MANAGER.>> NO, I'M GOING TO GO TO YOU.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE LAST SAY.
[LAUGHTER] BUT WE'LL GO TO COMMISSIONER BOLE.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER KELLY?
>> THANK YOU. THE CITY MANAGER KILLINGSWORTH.
>> I HAVE ABOUT 45 MINUTES WORTH OF STUFF I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, SO LET ME TAKE A BREATH.
[LAUGHTER] SHE DOESN'T LISTEN TO ME.
I DO WANT TO BRING UP TWO THINGS.
NEXT MEETING, WE'RE GOING TO BRING A RESOLUTION FOR AQUATIC GARDENS.
THE CHALLENGE WITH IT IS WE HAVE APPROVAL FROM FMA FOR OUR FAN MODIFICATION.
WE HAVE APPROVAL FROM FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR IT.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE THEM TWO MONTHS IS WHAT WE'RE BEING TOLD BEFORE WE GET A CONTRACT MODIFICATION FROM OUR CONTRACTOR WHO WE'VE ALREADY BID OUT AND DONE EVERYTHING WITH, BASED ON SOME ASSURANCE FROM THE CITY, JUST THE ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL DO IT IF WE GET THE CONTRACT MOD.
WE'LL PRE ORDER THE STRUCTURES BEFORE WE ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THEM.
BUT THE ASK IS AND WHAT I'LL BRING BEFORE YOU NEXT COMMISSION MEETING IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ME TO SIGN THAT CONTRACT ONCE WE GET THE CONTRACT MODIFICATION FROM FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
WHAT THAT WILL DO IS IT WILL SAVE US TWO MONTHS BECAUSE IF WE WAIT UNTIL WE GET THAT MOD, THEN HE'LL HAVE TO ORDER THE STRUCTURES AND THEN IT WOULD TAKE TWO MONTHS FOR THEM TO SHOW UP.
IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE NORMALLY WE DON'T DO IT UNTIL WE HAVE THE CONTRACT, BUT WE WANT TO SAVE SOME TIME THERE.
>> NOT IF WE HAVE A THING FOR THAT.
>>IT WAS PRINCIPALLY STAFF AT FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND FMA. THEY WERE ALL INVOLVED.
>> WAS THAT OUR CITY ENGINEER?
>> THAT WAS OUR CITY ENGINEER.
>> THAT'S GREAT. I'LL THANK HIM IN THE HALL.
>> THE OTHER IS I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION TO GET THE PROPOSED ROUNDABOUT ON THE LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS, AND THE REASON TO GET IT ON THE LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECT IS IT THEN MAKES IT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING FROM THE STATES AND FROM THE FED.
>> WELL, IT'S ON THAT LIST RIGHT NOW.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT THERE'S A POT OF MONEY THAT HAS TO BE SPENT BY THIS JULY AND THE ONLY PROJECT THAT IS ON THE LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS THAT MEETS THE CRITERIA IS THE REMEDY.
FDOT IS WILLING TO DO THE DESIGN FULLY AT THEIR COST.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMISSION IS SUPPORTIVE OF FDOT DOING THAT.
>> NO MATCH. IT'S A $600,000 DESIGN.
>> YES. IF I MAY CLARIFY, JUST MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET ANY MISINFORMATION, THIS IS DESIGN, WHICH WE CAN'T EVEN MAKE A FINAL DECISION AS TO WHETHER THIS IS VIABLE OR THAT WE APPROVE AND WANT IT UNTIL WE GET DESIGN.
THE FACT AND THAT'S A 600 AND HOW MUCH?
> $600,000 PRICE TAG BEING FLOATED AND PAID BY THE TPO.
[03:40:03]
CITIZENS, WE WILL ALL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN AS TO WHETHER WE DO OR DON'T AGREE WITH THE DESIGN AND THE SAFETY AND SO ON.ONCE THE DESIGN IS DONE, BUT I ABSOLUTELY WANT THE DESIGN DONE, AND IT WILL PUT TO BED FOREVER, I HOPE, WHETHER WE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT HAVE A ROUNDABOUT IN THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH. THANK YOU.
>> NO, IT WON'T BE A ROUNDABOUT.
IF WE DO IT, THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN, IT'S ACTUALLY A PEANUT OR A FIGURE EIGHT.
>> CAN I ASSUME THAT THAT'S [OVERLAPPING]?
>> THAT'S AN AFFIRMATIVE. YOU HAVE CONSENSUS.
CITIZENS, I AM JUST TOTALLY AMAZED THAT YOU HUNG IN THERE.
YOU ARE MY BEACON AND MY LIGHT.
TODAY, YOU EXERCISED ATLANTIC BEACH CIVICS 101 TO THE BEST.
THANK YOU. THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.