>> APPROVED MINUTES OF THE BOARD AND COMMITTEE TRAINING HELD ON JUNE 18, 2025.
[* This meeting has been joined in progress *]
[00:00:04]
DO WE HAVE ANY CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS? HEARING NONE, THOSE MINUTES WILL ALSO STAND AS SUBMITTED.ITEM 1C, APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORKSHOP ON JUNE 23, 2025.
ANY CORRECTIONS TO THOSE MINUTES? HEARING NONE, THEY STAND AS SUBMITTED.
WE'LL MOVE DIRECTLY TO ITEM 2,
[2. COURTESY OF FLOOR TO VISITORS]
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS.LADASA, HOW MANY DO WE HAVE SIGNED IN?
>> NORMAL PROTOCOL IS IF WE'RE UNDER 10, WE CAN STICK WITH FIVE.
TODAY, YOU'VE GOT FIVE MINUTES.
THOSE OF YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR THREE MINUTES, THANKS FOR DOING THAT, BUT WE'LL ALLOW UP TO FIVE MINUTES PER SPEAKER.
DID EVERYBODY FILL IN A SPEAKING CARD WHEN THEY CAME IN THAT WISHES TO SPEAK? DID YOU NOT FILL ONE IN SIR? THEY'RE RIGHT THERE. WE'LL TAKE ONE MORE IF YOU WANT TO FILL THAT OUT.
IF YOU'RE READY, LADASA, WE'LL TAKE THE FIRST ONE.
>> MITCH REEVES, 1663 SEA OAKS DRIVE IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
TONIGHT IT'S GOING TO BE A INTERESTING NIGHT FOR YOU.
I'M GLAD I'M NOT SITTING UP THERE TO MAKE A DECISION THAT'S ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT.
BUT WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE FIRE CONTRACT THAT JACKSONVILLE HAS WORKED OUT WITH YOU FOR THE 750,000.
WHAT I THINK IS VERY INTERESTING IS I CONGRATULATE THE MAYOR AND HIS COMMITTEE OF FORMER MAYORS AND THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY OF WORKING CLOSELY ON THIS.
EVEN THOUGH IT'S A WONDERFUL DEAL, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DEAL, AND IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH IF WE DON'T TURN IT DOWN, SO WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE? MY IDEAL IS WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY DID THEY FLEX THEIR MUSCLE WHEN WE FIRST WENT TO THEM AND THEY SAID, WE ARE NOT NEGOTIATING OVER THE 1.5 MILLION.
WE'RE NOT. AT THAT TIME, WHAT MADE THEM ALL OF A SUDDEN CHANGE THEIR MIND TO GIVE YOU A SWEET DEAL AT 50% OFF THE 1.5 MILLION? THAT'S THE QUESTION I'D ASK.
MY ONLY CONCERN ABOUT THIS SHORT TERM AGREEMENT IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR? DO THEY COME BACK THEN WHEN THEY FIND OUT JACKSONVILLE NEEDS MORE MONEY? DO THEY COME BACK AND RAISE MILLAGE RATES? DO THEY ASK NEXT YEAR IS IT TWO MILLION? NOT 1.5, IT'S TWO MILLION.
WHAT CONCERNS ME ABOUT 750, I WOULD LIKE YOU TONIGHT TO REALLY LOOK AT IT AND SEE THAT IF IT'S PASSED OR IF IT'S NOT, BUT IF IT'S PASSED, THAT SOMEONE ADDS AN AMENDMENT TO IT TO PUT SOMETHING IN THERE THAT THEY HAVE A WINDOW TO COME BACK AND TWEAK IT A LITTLE BIT.
IT'D BE NICE IF THEY JUST SAY 750 FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR AND THEN AFTER THAT, YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING.
I'VE PROVIDED EACH OF YOU AND I'VE PUT IT OUT.
I ASKED A SIMPLE QUESTION AT BEACHES WATCH TO FIVE ELECTED OFFICIALS AT JACKSONVILLE, FIVE DIFFERENT SERVING FOUR IN DIFFERENT LODGES AT LARGE, ONE OUR COMMISSIONER.
THE SIMPLE QUESTION I ASKED HIM AND ALL OF YOU WERE PROVIDED THAT VIDEO.
I ASKED A QUESTION, DO YOU CONSIDER JACKSONVILLE FIRE, A COUNTY SERVICE? THE ANSWER TO THAT WAS OVERWHELMING.
EVERY ONE OF THEM SAID YES. I WAS SHOCKED.
EVERY ONE OF THEM, I FIGURED THEY'D PLAY AROUND POLITICALLY, BUT THEY SAID, YES.
WE THINK IT'S THE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
LET ME JUST FINISH UP REAL QUICK.
MY CONCERN IS, IS UNDER THE AGREEMENT, WE WERE BEING REIMBURSED, AND IT WASN'T BASED ON HOW MUCH WE PAID JACKSONVILLE.
MELANY BEACH WAS UNDER THE 24 YEAR AGREEMENT. IT WENT UP EVERY YEAR.
IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WHAT WE PAID SO IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WHETHER WE PAID 750 OR 1.5 MILLION. THAT AMOUNT WAS SET.
IF I'M RIGHT, THAT AMOUNT NOW IS $200,000.
I'M ASKING THIS NOWHERE IN THIS AGREEMENT DOES IT SAY WE'RE STILL GOING TO GET TO 200,000.
THEN IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT 200,000 OFF OF 750, WE'RE REALLY DOWN THERE A LITTLE BIT, BUT WE STILL NEED TO GET THE ELEPHANT OUT OF THE ROOM.
THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY, WELL, TWO LAST THINGS.
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ONE IS WHAT I WANT TO ASK IS RIGHT NOW WHEN I LOOKED AT THE BUDGET, THE 1.5 IS STILL IN THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR.THE BUDGET '25-'26 TO BEING PRESENTED TO YOU.
IT'S STILL THERE. I ASSUME AFTER THE VOTE GOES TONIGHT AND YOU ACCEPT A DEAL, THAT CHANGES.
WHATEVER HAPPENS WAS THAT, IF YOU GO WITH THE 750, WILL THEY OWE US ANY MONEY BACK THAT WE ALREADY PAID THEM? THAT'S NUMBER 1.
TWO, INSTEAD OF PUTTING THAT IN THE BUDGET FOR 750, WHY DON'T WE TAKE THE 750 THAT WE'RE SAVING? IF WE NEED IT, BECAUSE I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION, I CAN'T FIND THE ANSWER ON THE WEBSITE, IS WHY DON'T WE TAKE THAT 750 WE WERE WILLING TO PAY ANYWAY FOR FIRE, AND WE TAKE THAT 750 INSTEAD OF PUTTING IT BACK IN THE BUDGET FOR SOMEWHERE ELSE TO BE USED, AND WE USE IT FOR THE UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY.
IF WE HAVE AN UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY, WHICH I ASSUME WE DO, PAY DOWN THAT PENSION FOR OUR OFFICERS THAT DESERVE IT AND SHOULD GET IT.
MY LAST QUICK 19 SECONDS IS WHATEVER YOU DO TONIGHT, I JUST DID AN INTERVIEW ABOUT IT AND MY COMMENT WAS THIS.
EACH OF YOU, I SAID, THE MAYOR AND EACH OF YOU WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, THE BEST DECISION, WHETHER WE AGREE OR NOT FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
IF YOU DO, WE NEED TO GET BEHIND YOU ON YOUR DECISION. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CITY MANAGER, AND STAFF.
I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RUBBING OFF OUR DUNE SYSTEM.
THIS WILL ALLOW OUR DUNES TO GROW AND BETTER PROTECT US.
IF AND WHEN WE WERE HIT BY HURRICANE ENTITLED SURGE.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO RICK CARPER, PUBLIC WORKS, CHRIS CANNINGTON, AND THE PUBLIC WORKS CREW THAT INSTALLED THE ROPE SYSTEM. JOB WELL DONE.
>> GOOD EVENING. FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS DON WOLFSON, FORMER MAYOR ATLANTIC BEACH, 2308 FILLERS LANE.
FIRST OF ALL, AGAIN, I'M HERE NOT CONFRONTATIONAL.
I AM HERE AS HAVING EXPERIENCE ON WORKING WITH THE MAYOR, THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND THE CITY MANAGER, AND MAYOR GALLIFREY, INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT COMMITTEE.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T REALIZE IT, THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH HAS BEEN CHASING THIS ISSUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AS DUVAL COUNTY, FOR WHATEVER REASONS, HAS DELAYED MEETING WITH US AND PROVIDING INFORMATION AND RECEIVING INFORMATION UNTIL RECENTLY.
NOW, THERE WERE SOME EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE WAS NEGOTIATING WITH THE JAGUARS, AND THEY PUT OUR EFFORT ON HOLD.
WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS WITH THIS COMMITTEE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.
THE LAST TIME OUR COMMITTEE MET WAS ON MAY 23RD.
MAYOR FORD, YOU HAD COMMUNICATIONS IN A MEETING WITH THE MAYOR OF JACKSONVILLE AND MICHAEL WEINSTEIN ON THE 6TH JUNE.
A LETTER WAS SENT TO THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO MAYOR DEEGAN ON THE 16TH.
THAT LETTER HAS BEEN MUTUALLY SIGNED BY BOTH ENTITIES.
I HAVE NOT DISCUSSED THIS MATTER WITH MAYOR REED.
MENTIONED I HAVE TALKED, BUT NOT ABOUT WHAT HE CAME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.
I HAD A CONVERSATION THIS MORNING WITH MAYOR GALLIFREY.
I TALKED THIS AFTERNOON WITH COMMISSIONER RING.
MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS LETTER GETS US SOMEWHERE.
NO WHERE WE WANT TO BE, BUT IT'S MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.
THERE IS A 12 MONTH AGREEMENT.
WHEN WE GET TO THE VERY END, AND THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE IS PRONE TO DELAY AND TO POSTPONE.
I THINK I WOULD APPRECIATE, IF THIS COMMISSION TONIGHT, PUTS INTO THIS AGREEMENT THAT AFTER 11 MONTHS, THAT BY MAY 1ST, THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AND THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH HAVE A FINAL DRAFT AGREEMENT
[00:10:03]
FOR THIS COMMISSION TO APPROVE AND TO GET BACK TO THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE PRIOR TO JUNE 1ST, BECAUSE COME ON MAY 31ST, WITH THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE JUST BEING A PHANTOM, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? TO COMMISSIONER REEVES POINT, THEY CAN GO BACK AND SAY, WE'RE GOING TO CHARGE $1.5 MILLION NOW.MY THINKING WOULD BE, GO AHEAD, PUT THAT INTO THE AGREEMENT AND THEN IF WE DON'T HEAR FROM THEM, BY THE END OF APRIL, THAT IT TRIGGERS THE NEXT YEAR, THE SECOND YEAR, WE WE DON'T PAY THEM A THING.
THAT MAKES THEM REACT. IF THEY DON'T REACT, THEN WE'RE GOING TO BE THE BENEFICIARIES OF ANOTHER $750,000 TO OUR BUDGET.
BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO HOLD THEM TO THE DATES AND THE DEADLINES BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T TO COMMISSIONER REEVES, WHICH HE JUST SAID, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN.
THIS WAY, AT LEAST WE HAVE A SECOND YEAR, WHERE WE'RE NOT PAYING ANYTHING, AND WE CAN NEGOTIATE FURTHER BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE AGREED TO A THIRD PARTY TO EVALUATE THOSE AGREEMENTS.
THEIR FINDINGS WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE COMMITTEE AND TO THE COMMISSION FOR US TO TAKE A POSITION OF NEGOTIATION.
BUT RIGHT NOW, THAT LETTER DOESN'T PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH IN YEAR 2.
AFTER YEAR 1, ALL BETS ARE OFF AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY COME BACK TO THE TABLE BEFORE THE 12TH HOUR.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
MY NAME IS CHRISTINE MICHELLE, AND I'M CO-OWNER ALONG WITH ASHLEY LEWIN AND CARRIE FENTON OF TRIPLE THREAT ATHLETES.
THIS IS A YOUTH FOCUS BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL TRAINING FACILITY THAT COMBINES SKILL DEVELOPMENT WITH MENTORSHIP AND CHARACTER BUILDING.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ALLOW GYM AND HEALTH CLUB USES BY EXCEPTION.
THAT'S IN THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE ZONING DISTRICT.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD CREATE A MEASURED CASE BY CASE PATH FOR BUSINESSES LIKE OURS TO APPLY FOR APPROVAL, WITH FULL CITY OVERSIGHT STILL IN PLACE.
THIS IS NOT A BLANKET REZONING.
THIS IS A USE BY EXCEPTION PROCESS WITH ALL OF THE LAYERS OF REVIEW, PUBLIC INPUT, AND DISCRETION THAT ARE ALREADY BUILT INTO OUR SYSTEM.
IF A PROPOSED USE DOESN'T FIT, YOU CAN SAY NO TO IT.
BUT IF IT DOES, LIKE WE BELIEVE OURS WOULD, THE CITY CAN BENEFIT FROM REVITALIZING SPACES, SMART DEVELOPMENT, AND RESPONSIBLE OPERATORS.
I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL, AND JUST LET ME BRIEFLY REMIND YOU ALL ABOUT TRIPLE THREAT ATHLETES.
OUR BUSINESS WAS BIRTHED FROM OUR COMMON LOVE FOR THE SPORT OF BASEBALL AND FURTHER SOLIDIFIED BY EACH OF OUR BOYS PLAYING BASE BALL RIGHT HERE AT ATLANTIC BEACH ON THE BREAKERS ALL STAR TEAM, WHICH WE'VE GOT A FEW PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE IN SUPPORT FROM THE BASEBALL TEAM HERE TODAY THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.
WE ARE THREE BASEBALL MOMS WHO SPEND COUNTLESS HOURS RIGHT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, HELPING OUR CHILDREN GROW AND DEVELOP EVERY BASEBALL SEASON.
WE AREN'T A RETAIL GYM OR A LARGE HEALTH CLUB.
WE'RE A SMALL, YOUTH FOCUSED BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL TRAINING FACILITY THAT OFFERS PRIVATE INSTRUCTION, INDIVIDUAL BATTING CAGE TIME, AND TEAM BASED DEVELOPMENT FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PLAYERS.
RIGHT NOW, OUR USE IS NOT ALLOWED AS A DESIGNATED USE OR USE BY EXCEPTION IN THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE ZONE.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT NEIGHBORING CITIES, INCLUDING JACKSONVILLE, JACKS BEACH, NEPTUNE BEACH, ALLOW THAT SAME OR VERY SIMILAR USES BY EXCEPTION IN THEIR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE ZONES.
THIS AMENDMENT TO OUR ZONING ORDINANCE WOULD SIMPLY BRING ATLANTIC BEACH IN LINE WITH REGIONAL ZONING PRACTICES WITHOUT GIVING UP YOUR AUTHORITY TO APPROVE OR DENY INDIVIDUAL CASES.
ALLOWING THIS USE BY EXCEPTION WOULD GIVE OUR CITY THE FLEXIBILITY TO CONSIDER SUCH PROPOSALS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
IT WOULDN'T AUTOMATICALLY REZONE ANY PROPERTIES.
BUT INSTEAD, IT WOULD EMPOWER THE CITY TO MAKE THOUGHTFUL DECISIONS WHEN A BUSINESS DESIGNATED AS A HEALTH CLUB OR GYM COULD BE A VALUABLE ADDITION TO THE AREA.
WHAT DOES ATLANTIC BEACH GAIN? YOU'D GAIN A LOCALLY OWNED FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, INVESTING IN THE CITY AND PROVIDING SAFE HEALTHY SPACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GROW THROUGH SPORT.
YOU'D GAIN RESPONSIBLE REUSE OF INDUSTRIAL SPACES WITH MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO THE ALREADY PLANNED USES FOR INDUSTRIAL SPACES.
[00:15:04]
YOU'D MAINTAIN COMPLETE CONTROL THROUGH THE EXISTING USE BY EXCEPTION PROCESS.OUR BUSINESS IN PARTICULAR WOULD SERVE NOT JUST ATHLETES, BUT PARENTS, COACHES, LOCAL SCHOOLS, AND BUSINESSES.
IT WOULD KEEP FAMILIES SPENDING TIME AND MONEY RIGHT HERE IN OUR CITY AND IT WOULD GIVE OUR YOUNG ATHLETES A CHANCE TO GROW THEIR SKILLS IN A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT CLOSE TO HOME.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE YOUNG ATHLETES WHO ARE TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF OUR CITY TO GET ACCESS TO THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT THAT THEY COULD AND SHOULD BE GETTING RIGHT HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
IN SHORT, THIS IS A SMART, BALANCED CHANGE.
IT OPENS A DOOR, AND NOT A FLOODGATE, AND IT GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO SAY, YES, WHEN THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY COMES KNOCKING.
TONIGHT, I'M JUST SIMPLY AND RESPECTFULLY ASKING THAT YOU ALL SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT AND ALLOW IT TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE ARE READY FOR OUR BUSINESS TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE BELIEVE THAT THIS PROPOSAL WILL HELP ATLANTIC BEACH CONTINUE TO GROW IN A THOUGHTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, AND A WAY THAT'S IN STEP WITH OUR NEIGHBORS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT'S HERE TONIGHT ON OUR BEHALF.
ARE YOU ASHLEY LEWIN? I APOLOGIZE. YOU'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE, AND I FORGOT. I WANTED TO TAG YOU.
SO THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING AND SPEAKING.
CAN I SEE A SHOW OF HANDS? WHO HERE SUPPORTS WHAT THEY JUST SPOKE ON? THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE. THANK YOU AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR FORD.
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS, STAFF, CITY MANAGER.
I'M BRINKLEY HARRELL, 266TH STREET.
YOU ALL KNOW I'VE BEEN HERE A VERY LONG TIME, AND Y'ALL KNOW THAT I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS FIRE SERVICES AGREEMENT A NUMBER OF TIMES, PARTICULARLY AROUND BUDGET TIME.
I STARTED SPEAKING ABOUT IT BEFORE THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT EXPIRED 13 MONTHS AGO.
I SPOKE ABOUT IT 13 MONTHS AGO BEFORE YOU.
BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM WAS, WELL, IF WE KEEP PAYING THEM ON A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION, THAT WILL INCENTIVIZE COJ TO COME NEGOTIATE WITH US.
WELL, YOU HEARD MAYOR WOLFSON SPEAK THAT NONE OF THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
IT TOOK AFTER, I THOUGHT IT WAS A YEAR, BUT IT WAS TWO YEARS.
IT THEN TOOK MAYOR FORD TO ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH MAYOR DEEGAN TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING.
THE LETTER THAT HE CAME UP WITH IS GOOD.
IT'S NOT THE BEST, IT'S BETTER THAN WHAT IT WAS, BUT THERE IS THAT CLAUSE THAT'S MISSING FROM IT ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN A YEAR FROM NOW? NOW, IRONICALLY, WE HAD OUR 25-YEAR BUY-IN.
WE SPENT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
NEPTUNE BEACH PAID NOTHING, FOR INSTANCE.
OUR BUY-IN SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE OVER A YEAR AGO.
VERY INTERESTING THING, I PULLED UP THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE CHARTER FROM 1967, 1968.
ARTICLE 2, SECTION 2.04 FOR THE GENERAL SERVICES DISTRICT, WHICH IS THE ENTIRE COUNTY, SAYS THAT COJ WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE PROTECTION.
NOW, THERE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT ATTORNEYS AND LEGAL PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT, BUT THE BIGGEST THING IS THAT OUR CONTINUED PAYMENT REALLY DISINCENTIVIZED COJ TO NEGOTIATE WITH US.
NOW, PEOPLE HAVE FEAR THAT IF WE STOP PAYING, THEY'RE GOING TO CLOSE ENGINE 55 AND TAKE IT AWAY.
WELL, THAT WON'T HAPPEN BECAUSE JFRD COUNTY-WIDE HAS A FIRE STATION ABOUT EVERY FOUR MILES APART.
THERE'S ONE FOUR MILES UP AT MAYPORT, FOUR MILES OVER AT QUEENS HARBOR, AND FOUR MILES DOWN THE SECOND BLOCK SOUTH 3RD STREET IN JACKS BEACH.
THEY CAN'T AFFORD FOR THIS STATION TO GO AWAY BECAUSE THAT WOULD LEAVE ALL OF THE NORTH HALF OF JACKS BEACH, ALL OF NEPTUNE BEACH, AND ARGUABLY, ALL OF ATLANTIC BEACH, COMPLETELY UNCOVERED, PLUS THEY WOULD BE LOSING A BACKUP TRUCK TO RESPOND TO MAYPORT, STATION 41, OR TO BACK UP QUEENS HARBOR STATION 58, OR TO BACK UP THE JACKS BEACH STATIONS.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO LOSE THAT FIRE TRUCK IF WE KEEP PAYING.
NOBODY CAN SAY THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE OUR OPPORTUNITY TO BUY IN. WE DID.
WE SOLD OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT TO THEM, THE EQUIPMENT, THE PERSONNEL, THE PENSION PLAN, EVERYTHING.
[00:20:01]
WE STILL HAVE A DOUBLE TAXATION ISSUE.AS AN INDIVIDUAL OF PROPERTY TAX, I PAY TO THE COUNTY, BUT THEN I ALSO PAY TO THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, WHICH THEN PAYS ALSO TO THE COUNTY FOR THIS FIRE PROTECTION.
THERE IS A DOUBLE TAXATION ISSUE ALSO.
NOW, AGAIN, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT COULD BE ADDED TO THE LETTER OR TO THE AGREEMENT OR WHATNOT THAT WOULD CAUSE ME TO MORE FULLY SUPPORT THE REDUCED PAYMENT FOR THE SECOND YEAR OF THE EXTENSION.
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN A YEAR FROM NOW? OR TO SAY, ONCE WE FINISH PAYING, WE'RE DONE.
ONCE THIS OTHER YEAR OF PAYMENTS FOR 750 IS DONE.
NOW, IT'S NOT JUST A SAVINGS RIGHT NOW OF 750,000; AT THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR, WE WOULD HAVE PAID AN ADDITIONAL 2.25 MILLION, SO WE'RE JUST NOT PAYING AS MUCH FOR THE SECOND YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AS YOU LOOK AT WAYS TO MAKE THIS BETTER SO THAT WE CAN FINALLY PUT THIS ISSUE AT REST AFTER 26-PLUS YEARS OF US PAYING COJ. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. HARRELL. CARRIE COSGROVE.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS CARRIE COSGROVE.
MY WIFE, HOLLY, AND I, AND OUR TWO SONS LIVE AT 1827 TIERRA VERDE DRIVE HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
I ALSO OWN A SMALL BUSINESS BASED HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
RECENTLY, WELL, NOT RECENTLY, MY WIFE AND I PUT A POOL IN OUR BACKYARD BACK IN 2021.
THREE YEARS AFTER WE FINISHED OUR POOL PROJECT, I GOT A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM THE CITY REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH TREES.
I STARTED WORKING WITH THE CITY AND THEN I WAS BASICALLY CALLED TO A MEETING WITH THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE WHO I MET WITH AND BASICALLY, IN THIS MEETING, I WAS DRESSED UP AND DOWN BY THE CITY EMPLOYEES AND WORDS LIKE CLEAR CUT WERE USED TO DESCRIBE WHAT I DID IN MY YARD, DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAVE SEVEN LIVE OAKS AND SIX PALM TREES ON MY PROPERTY.
I'M CONCERNED AS A CITIZEN WITH THE INVOLVEMENT OF THIS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE AND HOW THEY BASICALLY HAVE INFILTRATED OUR CITY GOVERNMENT, AND HOW THEY'RE REALLY DICTATING A LOT OF POLICY FOR US AS HOMEOWNERS HERE IN THIS CITY.
I FEEL, AFTER READING A LOT OF THEIR MEETING MINUTES AND GOING BACK AND DIGGING INTO THE THINGS THAT THEY DISCUSSED WITHIN THEIR OWN COMMITTEE MEETINGS, IT'S PRETTY RADICAL STUFF.
THE THING THAT NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IS THESE ENVIRONMENTAL PROPOSALS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING FORWARD.
THEY'RE MAKING LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR REGULAR PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I'M NOT A WEALTHY PERSON FROM NEW YORK THAT BOUGHT A PLACE DOWN HERE THAT JUST MOVED IN DURING COVID.
MY WIFE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN JACKSONVILLE.
I MOVED HERE IN 2010, FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS CITY.
WE'RE JUST NORMAL PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO SURVIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND THE BYPRODUCT OF HAVING DIFFICULT-TO-UNDERSTAND REGULATIONS, AND THEN AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE THAT'S REALLY DICTATING A LOT OF THESE REGULATIONS, IS IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE ON YOUR HOUSE NOW IN ATLANTIC BEACH, NOBODY WANTS TO WORK HERE.
YOU CANNOT FIND CONTRACTORS THAT WANT TO DEAL WITH THE CITY ANYMORE.
WHAT DOES THAT DO? THAT IMPOSES A TAX ON US AS HOMEOWNERS.
YOU'RE MAKING IT MORE EXPENSIVE TO LIVE HERE AS A HOMEOWNER, AND THAT IS NOT FAIR TO US.
A LOT OF THESE REGULATIONS THAT ARE PUT FORTH BY THEM ARE NOT BASED ON COMMON SENSE.
THE RATIONALE THAT THEY'RE USING IS VERY BIASED, AND THEY'RE NOT LOOKING AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE IMPACT OF WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PROPOSE.
MY FATHER WORKED FOR THE EPA FOR 35 YEARS AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL WASTEWATER ENGINEER.
I GREW UP IN A FAMILY THAT WAS VERY INVOLVED WITH ECOLOGY, I'M AN AVID OUTDOORSMAN.
I BELIEVE IN PROTECTING OUR TREES.
IF YOU COME LOOK AT MY PROPERTY, YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF TREES.
I LOVE OUR COMMUNITY AND THE TREES THAT WE HAVE AROUND US.
BUT AT SOME POINT, YOU HAVE TO LET HOMEOWNERS TAKE OUT TREES TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY, WHICH IS WHAT I DID, AND MAKE GOOD COMMON-SENSE DECISIONS THAT ARE ROOTED IN WHAT'S BEST FOR THE HOMEOWNER AND THE COMMUNITY,
[00:25:03]
AND FIND A WAY TO WORK WITH YOUR COMMUNITY.WHAT WAS ALSO VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND WAS THAT THE CITY EMPLOYEES HAD A DIFFICULT TIME REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE REGULATIONS THEMSELVES, AND THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CONFUSION.
WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO IT, REALLY, THIS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE WAS THE ONE WHO PUSHED THE RULING FORWARD.
THIS IS NOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY; THE CITY WANTED TO FINE US $13,000, AND THIS IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE FACT, WHEN WE FINISHED OUR PROJECT, WHICH I TOLD WAS CLOSED OUT, AND THE PERMIT WAS CLOSED OUT.
THEN I GET A LETTER IN THE MAIL SAYING, APPARENTLY, IT'S NOT.
I APPRECIATE WHAT OUR COMMISSIONERS DO TO SERVE US AS A COMMUNITY.
I KNOW IT'S PROBABLY A THANKLESS JOB, AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME THAT YOU GUYS PUT IN TO DO THIS.
I COULDN'T DO IT MYSELF, BUT I HOPE YOU WOULD HEAR US OUT AS CITIZENS AND HELP US FIND A WAY TO MAKE BETTER COMMON-SENSE DECISIONS THAT ARE BETTER FOR OUR HOMEOWNERS. THANK YOU.
>> THAT'S ALL? WITH THAT, WE'LL CLOSE COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS AND WE'LL MOVE TO CITY MANAGER REPORTS, MR. KILLINGSWORTH.
>> BEFORE WE GO INTO THAT. ALL OF OUR SPEAKERS FOR COURTESY OF THE FLOOR, YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY FOR THE REST OF THE MEETING, BUT KIDS, THANKS FOR COMING.
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR, COMMISSION.
[ 3. CITY MANAGER REPORTS]
BEFORE YOU IS THE 90-DAY CALENDAR.THE TWO THINGS I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS SATURDAY IS A TOWN HALL MEETING AT THE GAIL BAKER COMMUNITY CENTER.
ALSO ON THE 90-DAY CALENDAR, THERE'S AN AUGUST 7TH SPEAKER SERIES.
IT IS NOW REFLECTED ON OUR ONLINE CALENDAR, BUT THIS CALENDAR WENT OUT BEFORE THE CANCELLATION NOTICE.
THE NEXT CALENDAR WILL REFLECT THAT THAT HAS BEEN CANCELED, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THAT SPEAKER SERIES HAS BEEN CANCELED.
WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, I WOULD ASK FOR CONSENSUS ON THE 90-DAY CALENDAR.
>> YOU HAVE YOUR 90-DAY CALENDAR?
>> ITEM 3B, WHICH IS THE '25, '26 PRIORITIES.
WE HAD A PRIORITY WORKSHOP A WHILE BACK, AND THESE ARE THE PRIORITIES THAT GATHERED UP THE THREE DOTS OR MORE.
IT WOULD BE ON PAGE 109 OF THE AGENDA.
IF THERE'S CONSENSUS THAT THIS IS WHAT THE COMMISSION MET, I WILL BRING FORTH A RESOLUTION WITH THESE PRIORITIES ON THEM.
>> ANY CONCERNS? WE'RE IN AGREEMENT? BRING IT ON.
>> I WILL BRING FORTH A RESOLUTION.
THE ITEM 3C IS THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES' VOTING DELEGATION.
EACH YEAR, THEY ASK US TO DESIGNATE ONE ELECTED OFFICIAL TO SERVE AS OUR VOTING DELEGATE.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER OR AUGUST 16TH OF 2025.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE ONLY HAVE ONE COMMISSIONER ATTENDING.
I WOULD RECOMMEND. ARE YOU GOING?
>> I THINK I'M GOING TO GO. I DID THIS LAST YEAR.
>> WE POTENTIALLY WILL HAVE TWO.
WE HAVE ONE THAT I KNOW SIGNED THE PAPERWORK, AND PERHAPS WOULD BE OKAY IF YOU GO BEING THE DELEGATE, BUT I'LL LEAVE THAT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT WOULD BE FINE IF YOU DID THAT.
>> YOU SHOULD DO IT, COMMISSIONER BOLE.
>> YOU'RE GOING AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE DELEGATE, AND YOU WILL REPRESENT US WITH HONOR AND INTEGRITY?
>> I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT AGAIN.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO FILL OUT THE TRAVEL PAPERWORK?
>> I WILL DO IT TOMORROW, SIR.
>> IS THERE A CONSENSUS THAT COMMISSIONER BOLE WILL BE THE VOTING?
[00:30:03]
THE COMMISSION PASSED US WITH COMING UP WITH SOME LANGUAGE ON STORMWATER, WHICH COULD GUIDE US UNTIL WE HAVE THE STORMWATER MASTER PLAN TO LOOK AT OUR CODE IN GREATER DETAIL.
WHAT YOU'LL SEE ON PAGE 113 IS THE LANGUAGE.
IT'S ACTUALLY A PRETTY SMALL CHANGE, BUT IT IS A MEANINGFUL CHANGE.
THE SECOND PARAGRAPH IS PROJECTS WHICH INCREASE THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE OF A DEVELOPMENT PARCEL.
THAT OVER 35% IMPERVIOUS SHALL PROVIDE ON-SITE STORAGE OF STORMWATER FOR THE INCREASE IN THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA ONLY.
BASICALLY, IF YOU'RE EXISTING CONSTRUCTION, AND YOU'RE UNDER 35%, THEN YOU WOULD ONLY MITIGATE FOR THAT 35% TO 45%.
THAT PORTION UNDER 35%, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO MITIGATE FOR IT.
HOWEVER, PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE TOTAL RECONSTRUCTION OR MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT SHALL PROVIDE ONSITE STORAGE FOR THE ENTIRE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT.
>> IF THE COMMISSION IS OKAY WITH THIS, WE WILL HAVE TO BRING BACK A DEFINITION FOR WHAT MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT IS.
BUT IN GENERAL, THIS IS STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION BASED OFF THE COMMISSION'S FEEDBACK.
I GUESS AT THIS POINT, WHAT WE WOULD NEED CONSENSUS AS TO HOW YOU WOULD LIKE STAFF TO PROCEED IF YOU'D LIKE US TO FILE A ORDINANCE OR NOT? COMMISSIONER [INAUDIBLE]
>> YES. THIS WAS I GUESS THE COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE MORE THAN 400 SQUARE FOOT TRIGGER WHEN ANY ADDITION TO 400 SQUARE FEET OR NOT, WHETHER REGARDLESS IS IF THEY MET THE 45 55 IMPERVIOUS PERVIOUS SURFACE RATIO, IT WOULD TRIGGER TO HAVE THE ONSITE STORMWATER RETENTION.
HERE WE HAVE, IF YOU GO TO 35% PERVIOUS, THAT THAT WOULD THEN TRIGGER THE STORMWATER. I'M JUST CLARIFYING.
>> IF YOU'RE UNDER 35%, SAY YOU'RE AT 30 AND YOU GO TO 4%, YOU DON'T TRIGGER ANYTHING.
IF YOU GO OVER 35%, THEN YOU HAVE TO MITIGATE.
IF YOU GO TO 37, YOU HAVE TO MITIGATE FOR THE 2%.
>> IF I MAY, I'D LIKE TO COMMENT ON THIS BEFORE WE GO ANY FARTHER.
EACH OF YOU HAD TO DECIDE WHERE YOU STAND ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED, I HATE TO SAY IT AD NAUSEUM FOR AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN MAYOR.
BUT WE ARE GETTING A STORMWATER STUDY, AND THE REQUEST BY A NUMBER OF CITIZENS WAS TO WAIT FOR THE STUDY BEFORE MAKING ANY RADICAL CHANGES.
THIS IS NOT ONLY NOT RADICAL, IT IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO IMPACT TOO MANY PEOPLE BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE ACTUALLY OVERHAUL OR DISCUSS THIS FURTHER.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, LET'S TAKE THE CORE OLDER CITY.
IT'S HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE'S A SINGLE PROPERTY IN THE CORE CITY THAT'S NOT OVER 35% ALREADY.
THEY PROBABLY GET NO RELIEF, BUT THIS WILL GIVE RELIEF TO SOME OF THOSE LARGER PROPERTIES LIKE IN THE SEB MARINA AREA, AND SO ON THAT ARE BELOW 35% AND NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACTING STORMWATER.
FROM MY STANDPOINT, THIS IS JUST A STOP GAP TO GIVE SOME RELIEF AND SHOW THAT WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION AND NOT DRAGGING THIS OUT UNNECESSARILY FOR WHAT I THINK IS AN OBVIOUS ONE. COMMISSIONER.
>> JUST A COMMENT, THERE'S ALSO THE VARIANCE.
IF THERE WAS A WAY THAT WE COULD STREAMLINE THE VARIANCE SYSTEM THAT IT WASN'T SO CUMBERSOME, IT WOULD TAKE BASICALLY TWO MEETINGS.
GET A FORM AND WE LOOK AT THE 400 SQUARE FEET, ETC.
I GUESS THE REASON I'M GOING THE VARIANCE ROUTE, AND I AGREE WITH WHAT WE'VE GOT ON PAPER IS THAT EVERY HOUSE IS DIFFERENT.
EVERY HOUSE IS IN A DIFFERENT AREA.
EVERY HOUSE IS DIFFERENT AS FAR AS STORMWATER.
RICK TELL YOU THERE'S DIFFERENT PLACES AROUND TOWN THAT IT MAKES A BIGGER DIFFERENCE THAN OTHER PLACES.
I WAS THINKING, WOW, WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF WE HAD A REALLY STREAMLINED VARIANCE? IT MADE SENSE, IT WAS LOGICAL, AND WE COULD DO IT FAST QUICK AND EFFICIENTLY.
>> THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS, BUT THE VARIANCE, OF COURSE, WOULD COME THROUGH CDB.
>> UNDERSTAND. I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE WAY THE CBP HAS BEEN VOTING OR WHAT THEY'VE GIVEN US, I WOULD THINK A LOT OF THOSE VARIANCES BECAUSE THEY PUSHED ONE OF THE ISSUES, I THINK, WAS TOO BACK.
I'M JUST SAYING A STREAMLINED VARIANCE PROGRAM WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.
AGAIN, YOU HEAR PEOPLE COMING IN HERE ALL THE TIME.
BUILDERS DON'T WANT TO WORK IN ATLANTIC BEACH, BECAUSE OF THE RESTRICTIONS, ETC.
I'D LOVE TO SEE IT STREAMLINED.
[00:35:01]
>> IT'S NOT DIRECTLY HERE, BUT THAT'S A WAY THAT YOU'RE A HOMEOWNER AND YOU'RE AT 37% OR WHATEVER, YOU COME IN.
>> SINCE WE'RE ON THIS SUBJECT, I'M GOING TO JUST ASK BOTH THE LEGAL COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER, MY HISTORY IS THAT IT'S VERY HARD TO GET A VARIANCE THROUGH CDB.
YOU'VE GOT TO MEET ONE OF THE WHAT IS IT FIVE OR SEVEN CRITERIA IN ORDER TO GET THAT.
A HOMEOWNER SAYING IT'S JUST NOT FAIR BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WATER ON MY PROPERTY IS NOT GOING TO MEET ONE OF THOSE CRITERIA.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE WOULD CHANGE THE VARIANCE STRUCTURE TO WHERE THEY WOULD FEEL.
>> THEY HAVE CDB THAT BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP TO US THE 400 SQUARE FEET THE LAST TIME.
>> YEAH, BUT THEY VOTED TO RECOMMEND TO US TO LEGISLATE.
>> WE'RE TALKING THE SAME THING, MARY.
IF THERE WAS A FASTER STREAMLINE, HEY, A NO, BUT I THINK WE DRAG IT OUT.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE TIME FRAME AND HOW LONG IT TAKES, AND MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT THAT IT GETS TURNED DOWN, BUT BOY, IT'D BE QUICKER THAN THE WAY WE'RE DOING IT NOW.
>> FAIR ENOUGH. CITY MANAGER, IS THAT SO? [OVERLAPPING]
THE CHALLENGE, I THINK, IS DIFFICULT TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESSES BECAUSE IT'S QUASI JUDICIAL.
THERE'S NOTICE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE GREATER THAN LIKE A NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR THIS MEETING.
THE PROCESS IS STRUCTURED IN A WAY THAT SIMPLY TAKES TIME.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. THEN YOU'VE GOT NOTICE AND IT'S GOT TO BE SET, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE THE VARIANCE CHANNEL THAT ALREADY EXISTS, I DON'T WANT TO CREATE SOME OTHER NEW, AN WORMS HERE, BUT WHICH YOU COULD ALSO DO IS CREATE YOUR OWN TYPE OF RELIEF FOR THIS PARTICULAR THING.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU COULD CREATE A TYPE OF THING THAT GOES TO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CDB OR YOU FOR THAT MATTER, THAT SAYS, IF YOU ARE SEEKING RELIEF FROM THIS PARTICULAR PROVISION, THIS IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO COME AND THAT COULD BE STREAMLINED, AND IT COULD BE SOMETHING RIGHT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS IS A SPECIFIC PRIOR THAT WE ALL AGREE ON THAT COULD BE IN MY OPINION.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, A VARIANCE IS BY DEFINITION, SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES UNDUE HARDSHIP, WHICH IS USUALLY A PRETTY HIGH THRESHOLD.
YOU CAN MAYBE SUBJECT THIS. WE COULD LOOK AT IT.
I'M SPEAKING OFF THE CUFF HERE, BUT LIKE THE WAIVER PROCESS.
I DON'T KNOW. THAT MAKES IT EVEN BETTER OR SOMETHING THAT COMES DIRECTLY TO YOU AS OPPOSED TO CDB.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT YOU'RE NOT STUCK WITH JUST THE VARIANCE PROCESS, WHICH, AS BILL SAID, IS A VERY STRUCTURED WAY OF DOING THINGS WITH HIGH THRESHOLD.
DO WE COULD CREATE ANOTHER PROCESS THAT YOU APPLY, YOU JUSTIFY IT WITH CERTAIN CRITERIA WE ESTABLISH, AND IT COMES STRAIGHT TO YOU OR THE CDB.
CDB WOULD APPEAL TO YOU FOR EXAM.
>> IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD LOOK INTO AND GIVE US MORE DIRECTION AT THE NEXT MEETING?
>>THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FOR BRINGING THAT UP. WHERE ARE WE? WE DON'T NEED A MOTION ON THIS, BUT WE DO NEED CONSENSUS TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER, AND I'M ASKING FOR EACH OF YOU TO GIVE THAT SO THAT WE CAN AT LEAST KNOCK OUT WHAT I CONSIDER LOW HANGING FRUIT AND ACTIONABLE.
>> YOU'RE DIRECTED TO PUT THAT INTO AN ORDINANCE.
>> I'M THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
I REVIEW PLANS ON A DAILY BASIS.
IT'S A WELL WORN TROPE THAT BUILDERS DO NOT LIKE TO WORK IN ATLANTIC BEACH BECAUSE IT'S TOO HARD.
GUARANTEE YOU, THEY'RE GOING TO WORK IN ATLANTIC BEACH INSTEAD OF SITTING AT HOME.
I'VE REVIEWED PLANS BY WELL OVER A DOZEN DIFFERENT BUILDERS SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
PEOPLE WILL BUILD IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. I'M GLAD YOU SHARED THAT BECAUSE WHEN I HEARD THE CITIZENS SAY THAT, I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU, THE BUILDERS WILL BUILD HERE.
HOWEVER, WHAT I THINK THE MESSAGE IS IS SOME OF THEM PUT A HARDSHIP PREMIUM ON THEIR BID, NOT CARING WHETHER IT GETS ACCEPTED OR NOT BECAUSE THEY JUST SOON DO BUSINESS IN OTHER CITIES.
I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I CAME OUT OF THAT INDUSTRY.
>> THAT'S TRUE WITH ANY CONTRACT.
ONE OF OUR DRAINAGE PROJECTS. IT CAN BE [INAUDIBLE].
>> DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD?
>> I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS, BUT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I FEEL LIKE, EVER SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE, I'VE HAD COUNTLESS PEOPLE COME UP TO ME WHO HAVE STARTED PROJECTS AND GOT THE FEEDBACK THAT THE THINK MR. COSGROVE SHARED ABOUT, YES, THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE BUILDING HERE.
THERE'S GOING TO BE CONTRACTORS TO DO IT.
BUT I THINK THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH ARE PAYING A PREMIUM.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MINUTIA IS THAT IS CAUSING ALL THAT.
[00:40:02]
PERHAPS WE NEED A WORKSHOP WITH CONTRACTORS TO GET GOOD FEEDBACK, AND THAT'S I'D LOVE TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT I WILL SHARE WITH YOU THE ATLANTA BEACH COUNTRY CLUB, WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO DO CERTAIN THINGS IN THE RECENT RENOVATION, THERE WERE SPECIFIC PIECES OF THAT RENOVATION WHERE NO BIDS WERE SUBMITTED.NATA BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WORK IN ATLANTIC BEACH.
LOVE TO HAVE YOU GO TALK TO OUR GENERAL MANAGER AND CONFIRM THAT, BUT THAT HAPPENED.
>> THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY JUST DIDN'T WANT TO BE HERE AND WORK.
I THINK WE'VE GOT. THE TRUTH IS PROBABLY SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.
BUT I THINK WE NEED TO SOMEHOW BE MORE CONTRACTOR FRIENDLY, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW WE DO IT, BUT I'D LOVE TO SEE A WORKSHOP OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT BECAUSE I DO THINK WE'RE PAYING A TAX TO THE CONTRACTOR TO WORK HERE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU GETTING ME BACK ON TRACK.
WE'RE MOVING TO ITEM 6, CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COMMISSION AND WILL BE ENACTIVE [OVERLAPPING].
>> REPORTS [INAUDIBLE] COMMISSION.
>> I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD LET THAT SLIDE.
>> THAT'S OKAY. LET'S GO BACK TO REPORTS.
[4. REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS FROM CITY COMMISSIONERS]
LET'S GO AHEAD AND START WITH YOU, MR. BOLTON.>> I JUST HAD ONE. I ATTENDED THE BEACHES TOWN CENTER AGENCY AS I DO REGULARLY.
ONE THING THEY'RE LOOKING FOR, I THINK SOME OF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE I CALL IT PARADE OF HOMES, WHERE WE GO THROUGH THE HOMES BOTH IN NEPTUNE AND ANKE BEACH.
IT'S ACTUALLY A BIG DEAL. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT'S ONE OF THEIR LARGEST MONEY RAISERS OF THE YEAR.
MORE THAN DANCING IN THE STREETS, MORE THAN A COUPLE.
I GUESS MY POINT IS, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR HOMES, NICE HOMES, REGULAR HOMES, BEACH HOMES.
EVERYTHING TO TAKE THAT PARADE AROUND.
I THINK SOME OF YOU PROBABLY BEEN ON IT, YOU JUMP IN A GOLF CART.
SOME OF THAT MONEY GOES TO CHARITY.
ONE THING I WOULD MENTION OUT OF THAT, BEACHES TOWN CENTER AGENCY ACTUALLY GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO LETCHER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IT IN THE NEWSPAPER.
AT THE END, INTERACT HELPS THEM WITH DANCING THE STREETS, AND THEY HAD INTERACT STUDENT, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A GREAT IDEA AND GAVE THEM SCHOLARSHIP. THAT'S LIKE THAT.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GRANT.
>> YES, THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST ONE THING.
I'M GOING TO BE SPEAKING BEFORE THE ESC THIS WEDNESDAY.
THEY ASKED ME TO COME AND TALK ABOUT POTENTIAL OPTIONS TO BRING MORE HOMEOWNERS TO THE TABLE TO DISCUSS THEIR PLANS FOR TREES, THEIR LANDSCAPING.
THESE ARE WOULD BE NEW HOMEOWNERS COMING TO ATLANTIC BEACH BECAUSE AND I WON'T GO INTO ALL THE DETAIL AND MY THOUGHTS.
BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE'S A BETTER WAY.
ANYBODY WHO'S TALKED TO ME ABOUT IT, WHETHER IT'S SARAH, OR BRUCE, OR OTHERS ON THE ESC, THAT I THINK THAT COMMITTEE WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE IF THEY WERE LESS MORE CONSULTATIVE THAN POLICE.
I'M HOPING THAT WILL COME UP WITH SOME GOOD IDEAS [NOISE] BECAUSE I ALSO WANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE THAT IS A REALLY INTERESTING DYNAMIC HERE THAT WE'RE RELYING ON THOSE HOMEOWNERS WITH MINI OAKS IN THEIR YARD, AND YET IF THEY CUT A COUPLE DOWN OR NEED TO CUT ONE OR TWO DOWN, THEY ARE VILIFIED.
THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT ARE PROVIDING THE COPY THAT WE ENJOY, AND IF THEY NEED TO DO A LITTLE WORK, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY'RE JUST THEY'RE HAMSTRONG.
I THINK WE NEED TO FIND A BETTER WAY TO WORK WITH THOSE NEIGHBORS THAT HAVE THOSE CHALLENGES AND MAKE IT BETTER FOR EVERYBODY TO ENSURE THAT THIS CANOPY IS HERE FOR A LONG TIME. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT. COMMISSIONER KELLY.
RICK WAS HERE AND I TOLD HIM THAT THE FLAGS AT THE FIVE WAY LOOK GREAT ON 4TH JULY WEEKEND, FUN DRIVE THROUGH THAT CIRCLE.
HAVING JUST CELEBRATED OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY, THE FRENCH CONSIDER THIS THEIR INDEPENDENCE DAY.
APPARENTLY, THEY HAVE JUST AS BIG A LOVE AFFAIR WITH FIREWORKS AS WE DO.
I WENT TO BEACHES WATCH THIS WEEKEND WEDNESDAY FOR THE POLICE REPORT.
[00:45:03]
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WERE RIFE, BUT EVERYONE MANAGED TO GET THINGS DONE AND CHIEF FICK IS PRETTY HAPPY WITH HAVING NEARLY A FULL STAFF, BUT NOW I KNOW HE'S GOING TO ASK FOR CARS.>> NOT TO WORRY. HE'S GOING TO ASK FOR CARS WITH OR WITHOUT A FULL STAFF.
>> I KNOW TODAY WE'LL BE DISCUSSING A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE MEETING TONIGHT THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES THROUGH CITY OF JACKSON MEL.
I DID REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THAT WAS SHARED BY OUR CITIZENS AND FORMER MAYORS REEVES AND WOLFSON.
I THINK THAT'S VALUABLE ADVISEMENT AND WISDOM.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MAYOR GULLIFORD, AS WELL AS MAYOR WOLFSON, FOR ALL THE TIME THEY'VE SPENT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS IN THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT COMMITTEE THAT WAS FORMED BY OUR CURRENT MAYOR BOARD.
WE'LL SEE WHERE WE GO WITH THAT TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I'M JUST GOING TO SPEND JUST A MINUTE ACKNOWLEDGING OUR CITIZEN THAT SPOKE TONIGHT.
HE'S NOT HERE AT THIS TIME, BUT MR. COSGROVE ON THE VIOLATION OF OUR TREE ORDINANCE AND THE EXPERIENCE.
>> I'M GOING TO KEEP IT SIMPLE.
I'M A COMMISSIONER MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, AND I HAVE TROUBLE FOLLOWING OUR TREE ORDINANCE.
THERE'S SO MANY LEGS TO IT, WHEN IT HAPPENS, WHETHER IT WAS PREEMPTION THROUGH FLORIDA STATUTE, WHETHER YOU INTENDED TO BUILD WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER YOU CUT DOWN THE TREES, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE BEEN LEGITIMATELY CUT DOWN, WERE THEY TRASH TREES OR PROTECTED TREES? I WANT TO SIMPLY SAY, WE GOT TO BUILD A BETTER MOUSE TRAP ON THIS, BUT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT A CITIZEN THAT'S BEEN FOUR YEARS IN THE WORKS ON THIS ISSUE.
BY THE WAY, I THINK IT'S NOTEWORTHY TO SAY IN MY OBSERVATION OF CITY STAFF, I DON'T THINK THE CITY STAFF IS BEING MEAN SPIRITED TOWARDS THE CITIZEN.
I THINK IT'S JUST A RESULT OF THE STRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE.
I'VE ASKED AND I'M ASKING FORMALLY NOW FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE CITY MANAGER TO COLLABORATE AND WORK WITH ME ON ANY POSSIBLE RELIEF IF IT'S JUSTIFIED AND I KNOW THAT'S STILL A QUESTION MARK, IF IT'S JUSTIFIED SO THAT WE CAN COME BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING.
BUT THE REASON WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE OF NOT BEING INVOLVED PRIOR TO THIS PAST WEEK, IT WENT BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE.
SHE AGREED AND HAS SET A PENALTY OF $250 A DAY ACCUMULATED FINE AGAINST THAT CITIZEN WHO HAS NOT YET PAID IT BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO REALLY GET MY ARMS AROUND WHAT SHOULD REASONABLY DONE FOR THIS CITIZEN.
ANYWAYS, I'M ASKING FOR SOME ASSISTANCE AND SOME RELIEF FOR THIS CITIZEN AND A MARKET CHANGE IN HOW WE APPROACH THESE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE.
WE'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT LATER.
I DO ALSO WANT TO SAY THOUGH, COMPLIMENTS TO OUR CHIEF VICK FOR A GREAT PRESENTATION LAST WEEK AT BEACHES WATCH.
YOU REPRESENTED THE CITY VERY WELL.
THANK YOU. WITH THAT, LET'S SEE.
WE'LL MOVE BACK TO WHERE WE WERE BEFORE AND THAT IS ITEM 6 CONSENT AGENDA.
[ 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 HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION ON THESE ITEMS. IS THERE A REQUEST TO PULL ANY OF THE THREE OUT OF THIS CONSENT AGENDA? HEARING NONE. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, RESOLUTION 2556, 2557 AND 2558. CAN I DO ALL THREE OF THOSE?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
ITEM 8(A), RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-59,
[8.A. RESOLUTION NO. 25-59]
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, A UTILITY WORK BY HIGHWAY CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH FOR UTILITY ADJUSTMENTS REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE THE MAYPORT ROAD,[00:50:01]
STATE ROAD, A ONE A, ROAD DIET PROJECT AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. KILLINGSWORTH.>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. PREVIOUSLY, THIS COMMISSION, THROUGH A RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZED ME TO NEGOTIATE WITH FDOT AND PUT TOGETHER A CONTRACT FOR THEM DOING THE UTILITY MOVEMENT WITHIN THE RIGHT OF WAY OF MAYPORT ROAD.
WHAT'S BEFORE YOU IS THAT CONTRACT.
THE COST OF THE WORK WOULD BE $80,190.
OUR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC UTILITIES BELIEVES THAT THAT'S A BETTER PRICE THAN WHAT WE COULD GET.
FDOT HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF SCALE.
AS WELL AS BY HAVING FDOT DO IT, WE ALLEVIATE OURSELVES OF THE FINGER POINTING PROBLEM.
IF THEY'RE DOING ALL THE WORK, THEY CAN'T POINT TO OUR CONTRACTOR FOR MESSING SOMETHING UP, THEY WERE DOING.
BE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-59.
>> THANK YOU. ALL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-59.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND DISCUSSION.
>> WHEN WILL THIS GET STARTED?
>> THEY WON'T BE TILL NEXT FISCAL YEAR, SO WE WILL SIGN THE CONTRACT THIS FISCAL YEAR.
WE'RE GOING TO BUDGET FOR MONEY FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR, SO PEOPLE ARE HAVING FUN.
>> BEST STILL DAY. I THINK THEY'RE SETTING FIREWORKS OUTSIDE CITY HALL RIGHT NOW.
>> IT'S NOT A GOOD LOCATION TO DO THAT TONIGHT VISIT. I'M SORRY.
IT WILL BE AFTER OCTOBER 1ST BECAUSE WE WON'T HAVE THE MONEY BUDGETED UNTIL THEN.
>> HEARING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
ITEM 8(B), RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-60,
[8.B. RESOLUTION NO. 25-60]
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, AGREEING TO TERMS OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGARDING FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES, PROVIDING FOR REDUCED PAYMENTS, PROVIDING FOR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS, PROVIDING FOR A COMMENCEMENT AND EXPIRATION DATE FOR SAID REDUCED PAYMENTS, PROVIDING FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE ORDERS TO EFFECTUATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS RESOLUTION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. KILLINGSWORTH.>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THIS IS AN AMENDED AGREEMENT THAT WOULD REDUCE OUR COST $750,000 FOR THE REMAINDER OF OUR TWO YEAR TERM.
DURING THAT ONE YEAR, WE WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT.
THIS TEMPORARY SOLUTION CAME ABOUT THROUGH A MEETING WITH MAYOR FORD AND MAYOR DEEGAN.
MAYOR DEEGAN HAS SIGNED THE AGREEMENT, AND CONSISTENT WITH THE LETTER THAT IS BETWEEN MAYOR DEEGAN AND MAYOR FORD, WE ARE BRINGING IT BEFORE THIS COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL.
WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 25-60.
>> I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AND THEN WE CAN GET INTO DISCUSSION.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-60.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND DISCUSSION?
>> YES, COMMISSIONER. I THINK WHAT WE HEARD FROM OUR CITIZENS, AND I THINK WE ARE PRETTY MUCH IN AGREEMENT IS THAT THIS IS A FIRE IS A DUVAL COUNTY RESPONSIBILITY.
I THINK FOR YEARS AND YEARS, WE PAID THE PRICE.
THE THINGS THAT BOTHER ME THE MOST ABOUT THIS IS THAT AGAIN, AND MAYBE I CAN ASK A CITY ATTORNEY, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DON'T PAY NEXT YEAR?
>> WELL, AT THE MOMENT, WE HAVE A TWO YEAR AGREEMENT.
WE'RE WELL, I THINK, INTO, IF NOT FINISHING THE FIRST YEAR.
WE'RE ABOUT TO JUST FINISH THE FIRST YEAR, SO WE'RE ABOUT TO ENTER THE SECOND YEAR.
AS FAR AS WE'RE CONCERNED, IT'S SUBJECT TO ANOTHER SET OF NEGOTIATIONS.
I UNDERSTAND, OBVIOUSLY, AND CERTAINLY THE INTERPRETATION OF THE CHARTER BEING THAT FIRE SERVICES ARE COUNTY WIDE SERVICES, AND WE CAN HAVE THAT DISCUSSION FURTHER.
BUT RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NO AUTOMATION.
THE AGREEMENT ON ITS OWN TERMS, AMENDMENT OR NOT, ENDS NEXT SUMMER AND SO WE'RE REALLY A NO MAN'S LAND.
COULD WE AMEND THIS AND SAY, YOU'VE GOT TO COME TO THE TABLE BY 30 APRIL,
[00:55:01]
OR WE'RE NOT SENDING THE CHECK IN FOR THE FOLLOWING.>> YOU COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY PUTTING A DEADLINE FOR THEM TO DO SOMETHING, AND THEY CAN IT'S NOT BINDING ON THEM, IS WHAT I'M SAYING.
BUT A COUPLE POINTS BECAUSE, IF IT'S A DUVAL SERVICE, WHY DOESN'T NEPTUNE BEACH PAY THE SAME RATE THAT WE'RE PAYING? THAT JUST DEFIES LOGIC TO ME AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN THAT'S YEARS AND YEARS.
>> NO, THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED, AND I'M NOT GOING TO SPECULATE ON HOW THAT GOT DONE, BUT I WILL SAY THAT I VALIDATED THAT THERE'S FIVE CITIES IN THIS SERVICE AREA OR UNDER COJ.
THERE'S BALDWIN, JACKSONVILLE BEACH, NEPTUNE BEACH AND ATLANTIC BEACH.
ALL OF THE CITIES ARE PAYING INTO FIRE SERVICE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NEPTUNE BEACH.
I HEAR EVERYBODY THAT SAYS THAT IT SHOULD BE A COUNTY SERVICE.
I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE A COUNTY SERVICE.
IF YOU GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT.
THAT ONE DID NOT, BUT HERE'S THE KEY.
THE 1982 AGREEMENT THAT WAS MODIFIED LAST, I BELIEVE IN 1995, THAT ORIGINALLY ALLOWED FOR EMERGENCY OR RESCUE SERVICES AMBULANCE.
THINGS WERE DIFFERENT BACK THEN AND NOW IT'S ALL FOLDED INTO ONE, AND I CERTAINLY AGREE THAT AT LEAST ON PAPER, THAT WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE'RE NOT OBLIGATED TO THE FULL COST OF WHAT JFRD PROVIDES BECAUSE IT'S COMBINED.
NOW, THAT BEING SAID, I HEARD THE STATEMENT BY AT LEAST ONE PERSON THAT IN THEIR CHARTER IN CITY OF JACKSONVILLE.
I BELIEVE I HEARD THAT THAT IT DOES IDENTIFY FIRE SERVICES AS A COUNTY SERVICE.
I THINK WE HAVE GROUNDS, BUT LET ME SAY THIS.
I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES WITHOUT INFORMATION OR DIRECT INVOLVEMENT, IT'S EASY TO BECOME CYNICAL.
I DON'T WANT TO BE CYNICAL AT THIS POINT.
WHAT I WANT IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, AND I WANT TO WORK OUT THE GLOBAL SOLUTION TO THE OLD INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT AND THE SEPARATE INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE FIRE SERVICES, THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE THEM ROLLED INTO ONE FINAL INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT.
I WANT TO SAY THIS FOR THE RECORD.
I BELIEVE MAYOR DEEGAN ACTED IN GOOD FAITH WHEN I APPROACHED HER ABOUT DOING SOMETHING FOR RELIEF WHILE WE GET THROUGH THIS PERIOD AND IT IS NOT TWO FULL YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN IN COMMITTEE TO MEET WITH THEM.
IT'S LESS THAN TWO YEARS, BUT NONETHELESS, IT HAS DRAGGED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORKING ON THEIR BUDGET AT THE TIME WE STARTED, AND THEN THEY WERE WORKING ON THE JAGUAR STADIUM AND SO ON.
I AM IN AGREEMENT THAT AT THE END OF THIS EXTENSION, WE SHOULD PRESS, AND WE CAN DO THAT.
WE COULD DO THAT, WHETHER WE DO THE EXTENSION OR NOT, BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE A TWO YEAR EXTENSION ON THE AGREEMENT.
BUT I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND GOING BACK AND MARKING THIS UP FOR FURTHER REVIEW.
RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE A THREE QUARTERS OF $1,000,000 WINDFALL ON A BUDGET THAT ALREADY PLUGGED IN 1.5 MILLION.
I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT ON US TO PASS THIS WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE AND AGREEMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO FORCE THE ISSUE AND WE'RE GOING TO FORCE THE ISSUE THROUGH THE THIRD PARTY STUDY THAT WE'RE DOING.
BUT FINAL POINT I'LL MAKE IS THEY AUTHORIZED US MANY MONTHS AGO TO GO AHEAD AND INITIATE THE THIRD PARTY STUDY.
THERE AGAIN, THEY'VE ACTED IN GOOD FAITH AND INDICATED THAT THEY WILL COME TO THE TABLE IN FAIRNESS BASED ON THAT STUDY.
THAT STUDY ISN'T DONE YET. YES.
>> DON'T TAKE IT WRONG. I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS.
BUT I THINK WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND, I THINK EVERY COMMISSION THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, AND I THINK BILL WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME WHEN I ASKED A COUPLE CITY COUNSELORS FROM THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, WHAT DO WE AT THE BEACHES GET FROM DUVAL COUNTY? ONE OF THE REPLIES WAS, YOU GET TO USE THE COURTHOUSE.
BUT ONE THING IF YOU SPEND $1 OF TAXES IN ATLANTIC BEACH, YOU SEND IT IN AND TELL ME MY MATH IS WRONG, AND YOU GUYS CAN GO CHECK THIS OUT.
WE GET ABOUT $0.18 IN SERVICES FROM WHAT I CAN TELL.
YOUR DOLLAR, WE GET $0.18 BACK. WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF.
THAT PROPERTY IS ATLANTIC BEACH PROPERTY OVER THERE, THAT DUVAL COUNTY IS OPERATING ON AND I UNDERSTAND.
I SUPPORT THIS, I APPLAUD YOU FOR GOING THERE AND BELIEVE ME, I'M AS COMPLICIT AS ANYBODY IN GOING INTO MY SIXTH YEAR, WHAT DO WE DO PRIOR TO THIS? I THINK THIS IS PROGRESS, I LIKE WHERE WE'RE AT.
BUT I ALSO WANT THEM TO HEAR THAT WE'RE NOT ROLLING HERE.
BECAUSE I CONSIDER THIS A COUNTY SERVICE.
>> IF I MAY, MR. MAYOR, JUST JUST TO GO BACK TO MR. BOLE'S INITIAL QUESTION.
[01:00:02]
IN THE LETTER ITSELF, IF YOU LOOK AT IT IN THE SECOND HALF, THE SECOND PARAGRAPH, IT DOES IDENTIFY THE TIME PERIOD.THE TWO YEAR AGREEMENT, AGAIN, WHETHER VALID OR NOT ENDS AND EXPIRES, MAY 31ST OF 2026, AND WHAT IT SAYS IN THAT LETTER, ACTUALLY, IS THAT DURING THAT TIME PERIOD, SO WE'VE IDENTIFIED THAT AS A DEADLINE, LET'S SAY JUNE 1ST OF 2026, THAT IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, AND ATLANTIC BEACH INTEND TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS TO REVIEW AND EVALUATE THE OVERALL INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND CONSIDER THE TERMS OF A NEW AMENDMENT.
I'M NOT SAYING IT'S A DEADLINE OF SORTS.
I JUST LOOK AT OUR HISTORY, OR HISTORY IS NOT BEEN GOOD ON.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. WHEN IT COMES TO THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION, I'M RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT IT AS READ.
THIS REVIEW IS TO CONSIDER, AND WE JUST HEARD OUR GENERAL COUNCILMAN JUST SHARE THAT AS WELL THAT THE WORD IS CONSIDER.
I DON'T WANT CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO CONSIDER THINKING ABOUT THIS OR CONSIDER REVIEWING THIS ANY LONGER.
I THINK WE NEED TO DELINEATE A SPECIFIED TIME AS COMMISSIONER BOLE HAS SHARED, PUT IT IN WORKS AND HAVE A CONTINGENCY CLAUSE WRITTEN INTO THIS.
>> BUT LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION BEFORE I GO TO COMMISSIONER KELLY.
>> WHAT CHANGES IF YOU PUT THAT IN? TO POINT THIS, IN ONE YEAR, WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT.
THEY EITHER HAVE A VALID RIGHT TO CHARGE US OR DON'T, WHICH WE EXPECT TO DEFEND VIGOROUSLY IF WE DO NOT WIN A FAIR AGREEMENT.
BUT BY THE WAY, WE COULD CHOOSE IN THAT PERIOD OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE REMEMBER, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RENEGOTIATING THE ORIGINAL INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, WHICH IS MANY OTHER THINGS.
WE COULD DECIDE TO AGREE TO PAY SOMETHING FOR FIRE.
WE CERTAINLY WOULD DEBATE WHETHER THAT'S VALID OR FAIR IF NEPTUNE BEACH IS PAYING NOTHING.
THE KEY FOR ME IS GETTING AN OVERALL GOOD AGREEMENT FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
NOW, THE FIRE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NUMBERS THAT WE COULD HAVE.
I DON'T SEE IF YOU GO BACK, AND GIVE THEM NEW LANGUAGE TO DIGEST, AND MAYBE AGREE TO OR MAYBE SIGN, YOU DELAY WHAT I THINK IS A GOOD DEAL TODAY WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT IN ONE YEAR OR LESS.
WE'RE EITHER GOING TO WIN THE ARGUMENT OR WE'RE GOING TO END UP IN LEGAL PERIL.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. MAYOR, THAT IS WHAT IT TOOK LAST TIME IN '95.
FORMER MAYOR GULLIFORD, WHO'S IN THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT COMMITTEE, HAS A MEETING WITH COJ, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS MAYOR WOLFSON, WHO SHARED TWO YEARS NOW.
>> [OVERLAPPING] NO. LET ME CLARIFY.
FORMER MAYOR GULLIFORD HAS NOT MET WITH COJ ON BEHALF OF THIS ISSUE IN THIS PERIOD.
HE HAS MET AS A COMMITTEE WITH THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND A COMMUNICATION PREVIOUS TO MY COMMUNICATION WITH MAYOR DEEGAN.
THE ONLY COMMUNICATION WAS, I BELIEVE, YOURS, MR. KILLINGSWORTH, TO CHIEF OF STAFF, IS THAT OR EITHER THAT OR TO CHIEF POWELL.
>> [OVERLAPPING] MY COMMUNICATION HAS PRINCIPALLY BEEN THROUGH THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER [INAUDIBLE]
>> AGAIN, WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE UPSET THAT HERE WE ARE, AND WE STILL DON'T THINK WE HAVE A GOOD AGREEMENT.
BUT I DON'T THINK AT THIS MOMENT THAT THIS IS THE TIME TO PLAY HARDBALL.
I THINK THIS IS THE TIME TO FINISH WHAT WE ALL AGREED TO, BOTH SIDES, AND THAT IS SECURE THE THIRD-PARTY ENTITY TO DO THE STUDY. WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.
I'LL COME BACK TO THAT IN A SECOND TO GET THAT DONE, AND THEN GET INTO NEGOTIATIONS.
THEN, IF THEY'RE ACTING IN BAD FAITH, WE CAN TALK TO OUR ATTORNEY ABOUT REPRESENTING US IN THAT BATTLE.
WE CAN TALK ABOUT NOT PAYING ANY FURTHER BEYOND THIS YEAR ON THE FIRE AGREEMENT.
THOSE REMEDIES ARE ALL AT OUR DISPOSAL, BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD JUMP THE GUN.
WHAT WAS IT I WAS GOING TO EXPLAIN?
>> THE THIRD PARTY. WE ACTUALLY PUT OUT FOR BID TO A NUMBER OF ENTITIES TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL TO PUT TOGETHER THE [OVERLAPPING] REQUEST FOR INFORMATION THAT WOULD THEN TURN INTO AN RFI OR AN RFP TO ACTUALLY CONTRACT.
WE DID NOT GET ANY RESPONDENTS.
I SPOKE TO SOMEBODY WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA LAST WEEK,
[01:05:02]
AND SO WE NOW HAVE THEM ENGAGED.I THINK WE'LL GET A PROPOSAL FROM THEM.
DO YOU STILL THINK YOU MAY GET A PROPOSAL FROM ANOTHER ONE?
>> NOT AT THIS POINT. NO, MAYOR
>> THAT'S WHY WE HAVEN'T STARTED THAT PROCESS, BUT I THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN FAIRLY SOON.
BUT AGAIN, THE BALL IS IN OUR COURT BECAUSE THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM MAYOR DEEGAN'S OFFICE AGREED MANY MONTHS AGO TO THAT PROCESS, AND THAT THEY WOULD PLAY BALL OR DISCUSS IT WITH GOOD FAITH AFTER WE OBTAINED THAT REPORT. YES, COMMISSIONER.
>> I APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORTS. I REALLY DO.
THIS HAS BEEN DRAGGING ON FOR SOME TIME.
INITIALLY, I WAS HESITANT TO SUPPORT.
I THINK I WILL SUPPORT IT BASED ON YOUR COMMENTS.
I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE MORE THIS THIRD PARTY.
I CAN APPRECIATE SOMEONE LOCAL NOT WANTING TO GET IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OTHER CITIES ARE PAYING, BUT THEN YOU GOT ONE CITY RIGHT NEXT TO US WHO'S NOT PAYING ANYTHING, AND DOES ANY STUDY REALLY WANT TO PUT THEIR NAME ON THAT AND POTENTIALLY VIOLATE.
THEY PROBABLY HAVE A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COJ ALREADY, I'M GUESSING FOR OTHER THINGS.
WE MIGHT NEED TO GO FURTHER OUT TO FIND SOMEBODY TO STUDY THIS.
>> TO ADDRESS THAT, WE ACTUALLY WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
WE WENT TO A PRIVATE COMPANY IN TAMPA THAT DOES THIS TYPE OF WORK.
I'M NOT DISAGREEING, BUT WE WENT OUTSIDE OF THE CITY.
I BELIEVE, AT THIS POINT THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA WILL BE INTERESTED IN PURSUING THIS. COMMISSIONER.
>> I'M A LITTLE UNCLEAR ON ALL THE RELATIONSHIPS.
BUT YOU WENT TO MAYOR DEEGAN, OR DID YOU GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL?
>> NO. I MET DIRECTLY WITH MAYOR DEEGAN, AND HER CHIEF OF STAFF, AND HAD A THREE-PERSON CONVERSATION ABOUT, COULD WE COME UP WITH SOME STOP-GAP REMEDY FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH WHILE WE GET THROUGH THIS INTERLOCAL REVIEW, AND THEY AGREED.
>> SHE DID THIS INDEPENDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
>> A GIFT, IF YOU WILL, DOES THAT NOT AFFECT THEIR BUDGET?
>> YES, BUT THIS ACTUALLY AFFECTS THE NEW BUDGET THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON.
THAT WILL GO BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL.
>> IS THIS A LOLLIPOP FOR BEING FORCED TO WAIT ALL THIS TIME? WHY ARE WE GIVEN THIS GIFT?
>> I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S A LOLLIPOP OR NOT, BUT HOPEFULLY IT TASTES GOOD. I'M JUST KIDDING.
>> BUT INSTEAD OF JUST GETTING ON WITH THE TASK AT HAND, WHY DID WE GET OFFERED THIS?
>> THE TASK AT HAND IS TO GET THE THIRD-PARTY STUDY.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WELL, THE TASK AT HAND IS TO GET THE INTERLOCAL DONE.
>> THAT'S IT. ALL OF THIS IS PART OF THE SAME CONVERSATION.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IN YOUR CONVERSATION, I DON'T REMEMBER, THE LETTER DID NOT SPECIFY WHO WAS PAYING FOR, OR WHO WAS FINDING THE THIRD PARTY, WHICH I THINK IS A GREAT IDEA.
DON'T GET ME WRONG. IT'S JUST THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT QUITE CLEAR.
THE MEETING THAT MR. KILLINGSWORTH, AND I HAD WITH THE CHIEF OF STAFF, AND MAYOR DEEGAN, AND THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHERS, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER WHO AT THE TABLE, BUT IN THAT MEETING, WE DISCUSSED, AND AGREED THAT ATLANTIC BEACH WOULD TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SECURING THE THIRD PARTY TO DO THE STUDY, AND THAT CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, I WON'T GO SO FAR AS TO SAY THEY WOULD ABIDE BY THE STUDY, BUT THEY WERE IN AGREEMENT THAT THAT WAS A REASONABLE APPROACH THAT WOULD ELIMINATE SOME OF THE OBVIOUS CONCERNS WHEN IT'S JUST TWO PEOPLE GOING AT IT THERE.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT WOULD BE JOINTLY PAID FOR BY ATLANTIC BEACH AND JACKSONVILLE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WE'LL SPLIT IT. I JUST FELT LIKE THE NEWS CALLED ME BEFORE I ACTUALLY GOT ANY COURT COMMUNICATION ABOUT WHAT THE DOCUMENT HAD.
I KNOW THAT THE SUNSHINE RULE MAKES IT A LOT, BUT I FELT LIKE BEEN CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE.
>> THIS IS A SHORT LETTER FROM THE MAYOR TO US SAYING, IN THE MEANTIME,
[01:10:09]
WE'RE GOING TO HALF THE DUES THAT YOU OWE FOR THIS ONE PERIOD, AND IT'S NOT BEING HELD IN ESCROW, IT'S JUST A DEAL.>> IT'S JUST A DEAL. THEN WE HAVE A GOAL OF TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IT BY NEXT JUNE.
>> MAYOR, JUST A SIDE NOTE. THE PERSON THAT PROBABLY KNOWS THE MOST ABOUT THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT IS AN EX-COMMISSIONER, BRITTANY NORRIS, WHO WORKED THIS PREVIOUSLY, NOW ON MAYOR DEEGAN'S STAFF.
SHE HAS A LOT OF BACKGROUND, BROUGHT THIS UP EVERY YEAR.
SHE WOULD BE A GREAT PERSON TO GET A HOLD OF, AND FOR US TO ENGAGE IN.
AGAIN, I THINK WE BUILD A COALITION, AND THERE'S PEOPLE WITHIN HER STAFF THAT ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER RING.
>> SIR, I DON'T WANT TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE HERE, AND WE ALL KNOW, OUR AD VALOREM TEXAS THAT THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH PAY, WE KEEP $0.16 TO THE DOLLAR.
WE ARE PAYING MORE FOR FIRE SERVICES THAN WE ARE TO THE MILLING, AND PAVING OF OUR ROADS ON A YEARLY BASIS.
OUR FIRST GOAL AS COMMISSIONERS, AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, OUR RESPONSIBILITY, IS TO OUR CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
ALTHOUGH THIS IS A STEP TOWARDS SOMETHING, I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SIGNING OFF TONIGHT WITHOUT A CLAUSE OF A DATE.
THE CONSIDER THE TERMS OF AN AMENDMENT OR NEW INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, THAT WORD RIGHT THERE, BETWEEN THE PARTIES, AND CONSIDER, CONSIDER, NO, THANKS.
I WANTED TO SAY WE'LL COME TO TERMS WITH AN AMENDMENT BY THEN.
>> BUT LACKING A STUDY, WHICH WAS THE AGREED-UPON PATH, AND WE'RE THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY TO OBTAIN THAT STUDY, WHY WOULD YOU PENALIZE THE OTHER SIDE IF THAT ISN'T DONE TIMELY?
>> MAYOR, WE DISCUSSED THE STUDY FOR THE THIRD PARTY THIS TIME LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING THIS.
>> I DON'T THINK IT WAS A YEAR AGO THAT WE DISCUSSED THE STUDY, BUT WE CAN VALIDATE THAT.
THAT'S YOUR CALL, YOU CAN DO THAT.
I'M JUST SAYING WE'RE BOTH IN BUDGET SEASON, BOTH THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AND CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH.
>> THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THE ISSUE WAS THE STADIUM, AND THAT'S WHY WE COULDN'T BE HURT THEN.
NOW, WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT CASE NEXT YEAR? IT CANNOT HURT US, MAYOR.
IT CANNOT HURT US TO HAVE A CONTINGENCY CLAUSE IN HERE.
>> IS SOMEBODY RECOMMENDING AN AMENDMENT TO THIS?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE AMEND TONIGHT'S RESOLUTION, THAT WOULD INCLUDE A CONTINGENCY CLAUSE, GIVING THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AND CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH A SPECIFIED DATE AND TIME TO COME UP WITH AN AGREEMENT.
>> HEARING NO SECOND, THAT MOTION FAILS.
ANY OTHER CONVERSATION? WE'LL GO AHEAD, AND VOTE.
LET'S DO A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THIS.
>> AYE. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES.
MOVING TO ITEM 8C: RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-61.
[8.C. RESOLUTION NO. 25-61]
RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-61, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH PENN CREDIT CORPORATION FOR COLLECTION SERVICES OF PAST DUE PARKING, AND ANIMAL CONTROL CITATIONS, GRANTING THE CITY MANAGER SIGNATORY AUTHORITY, PROVIDING FOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION HOLDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. KILLINGSWORTH.>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. RESOLUTION 25-61 IS AN APPROVAL FOR THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE PENN CREDIT CORPORATION, THE COLLECTION AGENCY.
THE FEE WOULD BE, FOR FINES UNDER $250, WOULD BE A FLAT FEE OF $25 FOR EACH ONE.
FOR FINES OF $250 OR MORE, THEY WOULD RECEIVE A COMMISSION OF 15% OF THE TOTAL FINE AMOUNT THAT WOULD BE ASSESSED.
[01:15:06]
THEY WOULD ALSO ALLOW FOR THE HOLDS ON A VEHICLE REGISTRATION FOR VIOLATORS WHO ACCUMULATE THREE OR MORE UNPAID PARKING CITATIONS, HANDICAP PARKING VIOLATIONS.IT IS STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-61.
>> I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE 25-61, BUT I DID HAVE ONE THING TO ADD.
>> FIRST, LET'S DO THE MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. DISCUSSION.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS I DID LEARN AT BEACHES TOWN CENTER AGENCY, I TALKED EARLIER WITH BILL, I THINK MOST OF US ARE AWARE THAT FLOW-BIRD IS GOING AWAY, AND THAT'S GOING TO DIRECTLY AFFECT US, AND I'VE TALKED TO BILL ABOUT PARKING.
THEY GOT A RAW DEAL, AND I KNOW THAT FINANCIALLY, THEY ARE GOING TO COME TO US BECAUSE OF OUR JOINT PROGRAM OVER THERE, ABOUT A NEW DEAL THERE SHORTLY.
WE SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BOTH 18TH, 19TH STREET, AND THE BEACHES TOWN CENTER AGENCY PARKING ARE IN PLAY, I GUESS YOU'D SAY.
>> MY CONCERN, AND MAYBE MR. KILLINGSWORTH CAN GO OVER THIS ONE MORE TIME, SO IF WE JOIN IN WITH NEPTUNE BEACH ON THE CHANGE, BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'RE CHANGING VENDORS, AND I THINK WE LIKELY WOULD GO ALONG WITH THAT, PART OF THE SERVICE OFFERED BY THE NEW VENDOR IS COLLECTION.
BUT THAT DOESN'T COVER ALL THE COLLECTION WE'RE DOING HERE.
THIS IS COLLECTION, NOT JUST FOR PARKING CITATIONS IN TOWN CENTER, BUT PARKING CITATIONS AT 18TH, AND 19TH.
>> ANYWHERE THROUGHOUT ATLANTIC BEACH.
>> IS IT AN ANIMAL CONTROL CITATION? HERE'S MY ONLY CONCERN, IS DO WE HOLD ON THIS AND FIRST FIND OUT WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH NEPTUNE BEACH? BECAUSE IF IT'S BUILT INTO THE CONTRACT WITH THE NEW VENDOR FOR THEIR PARKING, AND ACCORDINGLY, OUR PARKING, MAYBE WE SHOULD SEGREGATE THAT OUT AND THEN WRITE THIS AGREEMENT.
>> GREETINGS, MAYOR COMMISSION CHI CILO.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO.
THE BEACHES TOWN CENTER IS A VERY SMALL PART OF OUR PARKING ENFORCEMENT.
I DON'T KNOW IF FOR A FACT THAT THE PRIVATE ENTITY, THE T2 OR FLOBER, THAT MANAGES THAT AREA WOULD BE ABLE TO CONNECT TO THE STATE TO DO REGISTRATION HOLES.
IT'S A CITATION IN MY UNDERSTANDING, IT'S ISSUED BY THAT ENTITY, IF IT'S MANAGED BY A PRIVATE COMPANY, AND THAT CITATION ISN'T PAID, THEN THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO BACK AFTER THE NON-PAYMENT THROUGH RECOVERY, JUST LIKE WE WOULD HERE.
I THINK THERE'S A WHOLE LOT MORE AT STAKE FOR US, ALL THE CITATIONS, THE PARKING CITATIONS THAT OUR OFFICERS WOULD ISSUE ON ALL THE SIDE STREETS FOR SIDEWALKS AND FIRE HYDRANTS, HANDICAPPED PARKING.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE WOULD RECOVER WITH THIS COMPANY IF THEY'VE REMAINED UNPAID.
I KNOW THAT THROUGH THE STATE AND THROUGH THIS VENDOR, THROUGH OUR AUTHORITY, THEY CAN GO AFTER THE REGISTRATION HOLES FOR A FACT.
WE HAVE 18TH AND 19TH STREET THAT WE ARE STILL MANAGING PAID PARKING FOR, ALSO.
WE WRITE THOSE TICKETS ON CITY CITATIONS BECAUSE THE PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO ISSUES THOSE CITATIONS, IF IT'S NOT A POLICE OFFICER, IS CERTIFIED THROUGH A STATE PROGRAM.
I'M NOT MISTAKEN THAT CERTIFIES THEM THROUGH STATE LAW TO BE ABLE TO WRITE ONE OF OUR MUNICIPAL TICKETS.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THE TICKET THAT ANYONE GETS AT BEACHES TOWN CENTER IS A MUNICIPAL TICKET.
I THINK IT'S ISSUED BY THAT PRIVATE ENTITY, THAT PRIVATE COMPANY.
IF YOU DON'T PAY THAT, THEN THEY GO BACK THROUGH RECOVERY THROUGH A PRIVATE VENDOR LIKE THIS ONE TO GET THE MONEY BACK.
BUT IN MY OPINION IS MUCH LESS BROAD THAN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION, COMMISSIONER.
DOES IT ALSO COLLECT ANY FINES LEVIED BY THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE?
>> NO. THOSE ARE MUNICIPAL CODES.
I DON'T BELIEVE. THE WAY THE CONTRACT COVER IT DOESN'T GO.
>> DO WE HAVE TROUBLE COLLECTING THOSE FINES?
>> AT THIS TIME, WE ONLY WROTE THIS CONTRACT FOR THE CIVIL INFRACTIONS THAT WE WOULD WRITE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR PARKING AND THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS.
I SUPPOSE IT COULD BE EXPANDED IF THE CITY WANTED TO GO OUT AND ENGAGE WITH A PRIVATE COMPANY TO RECOVERY FOR THEM.
A POSSIBILITY THEY COULD, BUT WE DIDN'T PUT THAT IN THIS CONTRACT.
THIS IS THE SAME COMPANY THAT THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE USES, BY THE WAY, FOR THEIR PARKING ENFORCEMENT AND NON-PAYMENT.
>> THIS IS NOT A CITY CONTRACT, IT'S A POLICE CONTRACT.
[01:20:02]
>> WE INITIATED, YES, FOR THOSE PURPOSES SPECIFIC TO OUR PARKING CITATION, ANIMAL CONTROL CITATIONS, CORRECT?
>> WE HAVE ANOTHER SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING THE OTHER FINES?
>> UTILITIES HAS THEIR OWN COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR A MUNICIPAL CODE AND THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE, HAVE TO DEFER TO JASON.
CAN THEY USE A COLLECTION AGENCY FOR THAT?
>> I DON'T KNOW. I'D HAVE TO RESEARCH IT.
>> TYPICALLY, WHAT HAPPENS WITH THOSE IS THEY PUT A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY.
>> IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO JUST COLLECT IT.
I WONDERED WHY INSTEAD OF WHY IS IT FINANCE ADMINISTERING THIS PROGRAM INSTEAD OF YOU? BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET THE MONEY, IT STILL GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND, CORRECT?
>> YES. PROCEDURALLY, ONCE WE ENGAGE WITH THIS COMPANY, WE'LL PROBABLY TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENTS OF WHO SHOULD HANDLE, WE'RE GOING TO BE THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR COMPLAINTS AND CHALLENGES TO ANY OF THOSE TICKETS.
BUT WE WILL THEN TRANSFER ALL THE FINANCIAL PART OF THAT TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE, THAT'S CASHIER'S OFFICE TO HANDLE THE FINANCES.
>> THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO TRY AND THE FIRST TWO RECOVERY ATTEMPTS.
WE'RE GOING TO SEND OUT LETTERS, AT LEAST THE FIRST TWO TIMES.
THERE'LL BE AT LEAST 60 DAYS AND TWO NOTICES THAT GO BY AFTER THE DELINQUENCY PERIOD BEFORE WE TURN THIS OVER TO THE COLLECTION AGENCY.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET THEM RIGHT OFF THE BAT.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS FIRST ON OUR PART TO CONTACT THE CITIZENS.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. GOOD QUESTIONS.
COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
MOVING TO ITEM 8D, RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-62,
[8.D. RESOLUTION NO. 25-62]
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE, THE CURRENT YEAR ROLLBACK RATE AND THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 MILAGE RATE AND BUDGET AS REQUIRED BY LAW.DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO FILE SAID RESOLUTION WITH THE PROPERTY APPRAISER DUVAL COUNTY, PURSUANT TO REQUIREMENTS OF FLORIDA STATUTES AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. KILLINGSWORTH.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, THIS RESOLUTION SETS THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AT 2.841 MILLS, WHICH IS THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE.
IT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE ROLLBACK RATE IS 2.6312 MILLS, AND THEN IT ESTABLISHES THAT THE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE SEPTEMBER 8 AND SEPTEMBER 22ND AT 6:00 PM, HERE IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, AND IT AUTHORIZES THE CITY MANAGER TO TURN THIS ALL OVER TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.
I WOULD APPROVE THE RESOLUTION.
THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-62.
>> OKAY. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-62.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND DISCUSSION.
>> I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO GO ANY LOWER BECAUSE WE'VE GOT ALL THINGS WE WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON AND THE LOWER WE GO, THE FEWER DRAINS IN BASEBALL FIELDS WE CAN BUY.
>> WELL, I THINK WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.
WE'LL GET INPUT ACROSS THE BOARD.
I THINK A GOOD NEWS STORY IS THE LAST TWO YEARS, THAT WE HAVE NOT MOVED THAT [INAUDIBLE].
>> HEARING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
MOVING TO 8E, RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-63,
[8.E. RESOLUTION NO. 25-63]
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO ENTER LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, WHICH PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELING OF ATLANTIC BEACH LIFEGUARD STATION, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MR. KILLINGSWORTH.>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. AS WE WERE PUTTING TOGETHER THE LIFE GUARD STATION, WE WERE YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT WE NEEDED SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS, AND THE DISTRICT COUNCIL PERSON WAS ABLE TO GET US $152,362 AS WE WERE EXPENDING THE FUNDS.
THEY CAME, WE SENT IN OUR INVOICE, AND COJ SAID, WELL, WHERE'S THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO AUTHORIZE THIS AND WE SAID, YOU HAVEN'T SENT US AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
THIS IS THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
IT'S PURSUANT TO CITY OF JACKSONVILLE'S ORDINANCE 2598-E.
IT SETS OUR TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS FOR $714,862.
STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF 25,63, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER TO
[01:25:01]
EXECUTE THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE ADDITIONAL LIFEGUARD STATION FUNDING.>> THIS IS THE LIFEGUARD STATION.
THEY ORIGINALLY GAVE US, I FORGET HOW MUCH, 500,000, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND WE WERE A LITTLE BIT SHORT WITH WHAT WE HAD VERSUS WHAT THE QUOTES WORTH.
THE DISTRICT COUNCIL PERSON, ROY DIAMOND, WAS ABLE TO GET US AN ADDITIONAL 152,000 PLUS.
THEY'VE ALREADY ADOPTED THIS INTO THEIR ORDINANCE, BUT THERE'S THE AGREEMENT PIECE OF IT BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES.
WE WILL DO THE WORK, AND THEN THEY'LL REIMBURSE US.
>> I MOVE READ UP RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-63 AS READ.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND FURTHER DISCUSSION.
HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
ITEM 9A, ORDINANCE NUMBER 90-20 5-254,
[9.A. ORDINANCE NO. 90-25-254, Public Hearing and Final Reading]
PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL READING, AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH COUNTY OF DUVAL, STATE OF FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE 2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO CHANGE THE DESIGNATION OF THOSE LANDS DESCRIBED IN ATTACHED EXHIBIT A FROM RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM TO COMMERCIAL, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MR. KILLINGSWORTH.>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. WE CAN HAVE OUR DIRECTOR OF NEIGHBORHOODS COME UP AND GIVE US STAFF REPORT.
>> HI, GOOD EVENING, AMANDA ASKEW, THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS DEPARTMENT.
I'LL PULL UP THE PRESENTATION.
I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH IT RELATIVELY FAST.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ME QUESTIONS AS WE GO ALONG.
WE DID HEAR THIS AT THE LAST MEETING, SO IT'S A REGURGITATION OF THE SAME POWERPOINT.
THE REZONING REQUEST AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, I'M GOING TO GIVE IT AS ONE PRESENTATION, BUT IT'S FOR THE SAME PROPERTY.
IT'S ON THE WEST SIDE OF MAYPORT ROAD.
IT'S 70 FEET, AND IT'S THE WESTERLY 70 FEET OF THIS PROPERTY.
THANK YOU. HERE IT IS, SHOWS THERE'S EXISTING MANY STORAGE UNITS LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY.
THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO COME IN AND REDEVELOP THE SITE.
IN DOING SO, THEY WISH TO UTILIZE THE WESTERN 70 FEET.
HOWEVER, IT IS ZONED RESIDENTIAL RIGHT NOW, AND IT ALSO HAS A FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION AS A RESIDENTIAL.
IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE WESTERN 70 FEET, CURRENTLY, IT'S UNDEVELOPED.
IT IS ADJACENT TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
THIS IS A PROPOSED SITE PLAN OR THE EXISTING SURVEY SHOWING THE BUILDINGS, THE BUILDINGS CURRENTLY ARE NON-CONFORMING.
THEY'RE BUILT DIRECTLY ON THE ROAD.
THE APPLICANT WOULD BE REDOING THE DEVELOPMENT.
THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP, THE DESIGNATIONS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
YOU CAN SEE THE AREA IN YELLOW IS THE RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM.
THERE IS COMMERCIAL TO THE WEST AND TO THE SOUTH AS WELL, AND THERE'S RESIDENTIAL TO THE NORTH AND TO THE EAST.
SIDE. THE ZONING MAP MIRRORS THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP.
THERE'S SEVERAL FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT REZONING IN A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE FACTORS ARE SPELLED OUT IN YOUR STAFF REPORT.
THERE'S DIFFERENT POLICIES RELATED TO THE COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS AND OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
YOU NEED TO LOOK AT SEVERAL FACTORS WHEN YOU ARE MAKING THIS DECISION.
IS THERE ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES? IS THE PROPOSED COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT HAVE ADVERSE IMPACTS TO THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD, AND IS THERE A DEMONSTRATED DEFICIENCY OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL LANDS WITHIN THE CITY? THERE'S ANOTHER POLICY THAT GOES FURTHER INTO THAT, CONSISTENCY WITH THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, CONSISTENCY WITH THE STATE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE NORTHEAST STRATEGIC REGIONAL POLICY PLAN, AND THEN CONSISTENT WITH OTHER ADOPTED POLICIES AND PLANS OF THE CITY, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ADVERSE IMPACTS TO ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS.
THIS PROPERTY DOES NOT HAVE ANY ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS.
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD DID HEAR THIS CASE.
THEY WERE NOT RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.
HOWEVER, THIS IS GONE TO FIRST READ LAST MONTH OR THREE WEEKS AGO.
[01:30:01]
THERE'S GROUNDS FOR APPROVAL FOR THE BOTH OF THEM.I DO RECOMMEND LAST TIME YOU MADE IT IN TWO SEPARATE MOTIONS TO MAKE IT IN TWO SEPARATE MOTIONS AGAIN.
BUT THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DISCOURAGES AMENDMENTS TO INCREASE DENSITY WITHIN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS, COASTAL HIGH HAZARD AREAS OR AREAS VULNERABLE TO FLOODING.
THE PROPERTY DOES NOT CONTAIN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS OR IT'S NOT WITHIN THE COASTAL HIGH HAZARD.
REZONING, THIS SECTION OF THE CODE IS 24 62, AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD SHALL INDICATE THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE PROPOSED REZONING TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO THE CITY AND PROVIDE FINDING THAT THE REQUEST CHANGE IN ZONING IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S GROUNDS FOR DECISION.
YOU CAN EITHER APPROVE THIS OR YOU CAN DENY IT.
WE'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR STAFF.
>> THANK YOU, MISS ASKI. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO,
[9.B. ORDINANCE NO. 90-25-255, Public Hearing and Final Reading]
BEFORE WE OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ ITEM 9B, WHICH IS THE SECOND HALF OF THIS SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.IS THAT OKAY. ORDINANCE NUMBER 90-25-255, PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL READING, AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, COUNTY OF DUVAL, STATE OF FLORIDA, REZONING THOSE LANDS DESCRIBED IN ATTACHED EXHIBIT A FROM RESIDENTIAL GENERAL TO FAMILY TO COMMERCIAL GENERAL, PROVIDING FINDINGS OF FACT, REQUIRING RECORDATION, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO OPEN UP PUBLIC HEARING.
DO WE HAVE ANYBODY SIGNED IT? WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY. THEN I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
NOW LET'S GO BACK TO WE NEED A MOTION, AND WE'LL DO EACH ONE OF THEM BY ITSELF.
WE'RE GOING BACK TO ITEM 9A, AND I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THAT.
>> I MOVE WE APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 90-25-254.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES FOUR TO ONE.
GO TO ITEM 9B, ORDINANCE NUMBER 90-25-255. DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 90-25-255.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> WE HAVE A FOUR TO ONE APPROVAL OF THAT MOTION.
THANK YOU. LET ME GET TO THE RIGHT PAGE HERE.
YOU DIDN'T SPEAK, AND I APOLOGIZE. I DIDN'T OFFER YOU.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO UNWIND THAT?
>> I NOTE THAT MY ATTORNEY DID NOT CALL ME ON THAT AS I WAS RUNNING [INAUDIBLE] OVER YOUR RIGHTS.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS ITEM 9C, ORDINANCE NUMBER 90-25-256.
[9.C. ORDINANCE NO. 90-25-256, Public Hearing and First Reading]
THIS IS PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING, AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, COUNTY OF DUVAL, STATE OF FLORIDA, HEREBY AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AS ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NUMBER 90-24-253.THIS ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY AMENDING SECTION 24-113C, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSING DISTRICTS, PROVIDING FOR [INAUDIBLE] AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. KELLY.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. IF I CAN GET THE DIRECTOR OF NEIGHBORHOODS UP AGAIN.
>> GOOD EVENING, AGAIN. AMANDA ASKEW, THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS DEPARTMENT.
THE CURRENT ZONING DISTRICT LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSING IS A VERY SMALL AREA WITHIN THE CITY.
COMMISSION DID ASK STAFF TO TAKE A LOOK AT ALLOWING POTENTIAL USE BY EXCEPTION TO ALLOW GYMS AND HEALTH CLUBS IN THIS AREA.
THE USE BY EXCEPTION DOES GIVE ADDITIONAL CONTROL TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD IF THEY SO CHOOSE TO APPROVE IT.
WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW OR IS INTRODUCED TO ALLOW GYMS AND HEALTH CLUBS IN THE INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICT.
>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO WE HAVE ANYBODY TO SPEAK ON THIS?
[01:35:01]
>> WE HAVE NOT SWORN ANYBODY IN.
I THINK DO WE NEED TO DO THAT? NO. I'M SORRY. THAT'S FOR ANOTHER. COME ON UP.
>> I WOULD JUST REFLECT WHAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY SAID TO YOU ALL EARLIER DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> I KNEW, AND I MEANT TO TELL YOU EARLIER THAT YOU COULD DO BOTH IF YOU WISH, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
>> NO PROBLEM. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THOUGH I AM AVAILABLE.
>> LET'S SEE. WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I MOVE WE APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 90-25-256.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. DISCUSSION?
>> [LAUGHTER] THAT'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THERE ARE HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUBS IN THE AREA THAT ARE OPERATING OUT OF AT THE ATLANTIC BEACH, WEST OF MAYPORT ROAD.
[OVERLAPPING] BUT THEY'RE THERE IN THE NEIGHBORS, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> TO CLARIFY, THIS IS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, AND A FORMER COMMISSION DECIDED TO AMEND AND NOT ALLOW THAT.
I LIKE THE WAY WE'RE APPROACHING THIS ON A USE BY EXCEPTION BECAUSE IT STILL GIVES THE ABILITY FOR THE CDB TO SAY NO TO A BAD APPLICATION.
I THINK THIS PARTICULAR APPLICATION WORKS ON THE LOCATION THAT I KNOW THEY'RE LOOKING AT AND THE WAY THEY OPERATE, BUT THERE COULD BE ONE IN THE FUTURE THAT SHOULD BE DENIED.
>> THIS IS JUST BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE BASEBALL FIELD.
>> BUT WHEN WE MADE THE LAND USE REGULATIONS, WE METICULOUSLY CONSIDERED ALL THE POSSIBLE USES AND SPECIFICALLY DELINEATED THE ONES THAT FIT THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH OTHER LIGHT BUSINESSES MIGHT PRODUCE NOXIOUS FUMES OR NOISE OR POLLUTION, AND BY ADDING GYMS TO THAT MESS, YOU'RE POLLUTING THEM.
YOU'RE EXPOSING THEM TO WHAT THE NEIGHBORS CAN LEGITIMATELY BE ALLOWED TO USE.
I DON'T THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD SPOT IS A GOOD ENOUGH REASON FOR US TO CHANGE THE ORDINANCE AT ALL.
>> TECHNICALLY, WE'RE NOT CHANGING THE ORDINANCE.
WE'RE JUST GIVING AN EXCEPTION. I RIGHT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. I THINK OUT OF FAIRNESS TO WHAT COMMISSIONER KELLY HAS SAID IS, IT COULD BE THAT YOUR POINT IS VERY VALID IN A MAJORITY OF THIS SMALL AREA OF LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, BUT I THINK WE'LL LEAVE THAT UP TO THE CDB IN THE FUTURE TO ANALYZE THOSE THINGS, AND TO YOUR POINT, IF THERE'S RISK TO HEALTH AND SAFETY, IT SHOULD BE DENIED.
IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.
>> WE HAVE A FOUR TO ONE VOTE, AND THAT MOTION CARRIES.
LET'S GO TO CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS.
>> NOTHING TO REPORT TODAY, SIR.
>> CITY CLERK. COMMISSIONER BOLE.
[12. CLOSING COMMENTS BY CITY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY MANAGER]
>> I WAS TORN ON THE VOTE, AND I AGREE WITH 90% OF WHAT COMMISSIONER RING SAID.
I'M SURE THERE'S PEOPLE TORN IN HERE ALSO SO I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF IDEAS.
ONE, I'M GOING TO GO HOME ON MY CALENDAR AND I'M GOING TO WRITE INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT EVERY MONTH.
I'M GOING TO CALL BILL, I'LL JUST WARN HIM.
I THINK WE SHOULD GET AN UPDATE OF WHERE WE'RE AT.
BECAUSE I THINK, AND I'M AS COMPLICIT AS EVERYBODY ELSE.
WE WERE SLOW ROLLED OVER SO MANY YEARS, AND IT JUST IT WAS TOO HARD.
MAYOR, I APPLAUD WHAT YOU DID.
A COUPLE OF THINGS I THINK WE CAN DO AS A COMMISSION.
MAKE IT KNOWN. I THINK MR. DIAMOND SHOULD BE INVOLVED HERE.
I THINK WE SHOULD GO DOWN THERE AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE, MAYBE START A FIRE NEXT TO, NO, I'M KIDDING.
BUT WE NEED TO PUBLICIZE THE FACT THAT WE'RE AWARE OF THIS AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.
I GUESS, WHAT I'M SAYING IS, I WAS TORN THAT WE DIDN'T PUT A DATE IN THERE BECAUSE IT WAS ONE OF MY IDEAS, BUT I SAW SOME PROGRESS BEING MADE, I SAW MOMENTUM SO THAT'S WHY I VOTED FOR IT.
BUT I FEEL THAT WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO.
>> YES, SIR. WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.
BUT THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS.
BUT TO THE POINT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, I THINK THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE, I CERTAINLY EXPECT MAYOR DEEGAN AND STAFF TO BE REVIEWING OR WATCHING OR HEARING ABOUT TONIGHT'S COMMENTS.
[01:40:05]
I THINK WE'LL GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS THAT THIS IS NOT LIKE WE'RE JUST HAPPY AS CLAMS BECAUSE WE GOT THIS ONE DEAL.SECOND THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IS, I'VE BEEN TWICE, AND I BELIEVE, YOU'VE BEEN TWICE TO THE COMMISSION OFFICES IN DOWNTOWN, PRESSING THE FLESH.
BILL AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING TO GET TO KNOW ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR FUTURE RATIFICATION OF ANY CHANGES.
>> THIS IS JUST A FINISHED COMMENT. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOTAL BUDGET, CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, BILL'S AN EXPERT, MORE THAN ME.
THIS IS NOT, IT SAY A HUGE NUMBER IN THE BIG SCHEME OF THINGS.
I THINK IT'S A FAIRNESS ISSUE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT NEPTUNE BEACH, YOU LOOK AT THE AREA. YOU KNOW WHAT? DUVAL COUNTY, THERE'S A REASON THAT WE PAY THE TAXES WE PAY.
I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE OUR VOICE HEARD.
>> MR. MAYOR, BEFORE COMMISSIONER BOLE LOSES THE FLOOR, I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT HE NEEDS TO TALK FOR ANOTHER [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW. HE DOESN'T HAVE IT. YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER.
>> THANKS, MAYOR. JUST WANT TO ECHO BRUCE'S COMMENTS.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD BE PAYING ANYTHING, BUT I WANT TO APPLAUD THE PROGRESS THAT WE'VE MADE.
I THINK ONE THING THAT WILL BE KEY IS THIS THIRD PARTY STUDY.
I THINK THAT WILL GIVE US A LOT OF LEVERAGE AT THAT POINT, AND WE SHOULD START.
ONCE WE SEE THAT STUDY, AND I FEEL LIKE IT WILL SUPPORT OUR POSITION OF FURTHER REDUCTIONS THAT WE SHOULD LAY THE GROUNDWORK THEN.
THESE ARE THE EXPECTATIONS LEADING INTO THIS RENEWAL MONTHS OUT, ASSUMING WE HAVE THAT THIRD PARTY STUDY THAT WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT.
BY THEN, WITH THAT STUDY, THEY'LL HAVE A GREATER APPRECIATION FOR THE GROUND WE'RE ON AND OUR EXPECTATIONS ALONG WITH THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONSHIP SO THANKS FOR SAVING US 750K.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER KELLY.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT? I THINK I'VE SENT ENOUGH NO'S FOR TONIGHT.
>> [LAUGHTER] COMMISSIONER RING.
>> JUST ONE THING. AS WE WERE DISCUSSING THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES, IT WAS BROUGHT UP ABOUT NEPTUNE BEACH.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF I COULD GET MY COMMISSIONERS TO BUILD A CONSENSUS WITH ME.
WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS AS FAR AS THE AUDIT GOES OF NEPTUNE BEACH AND HOW MUCH HAVE THEY PAID US OVER THE COURSE OF 26 YEARS TOWARDS THE FIRE SERVICES? DO WE HAVE THAT NUMBER?
>> FIRST OF ALL, NEPTUNE BEACH PAID US NOTHING.
ON BEHALF OF NEPTUNE BEACH, COJ AT LAST COUNT WAS PAYING 200,000?
>> I DON'T REMEMBER. I DON'T KNOW WHY THE CONTRACT WERE STRUCTURED THIS WAY.
WE HAD A COST, WHICH WAS FOR FIRE SERVICES THAT ESCALATED AT 3% PER YEAR AND THEN THERE WAS A REIMBURSEMENT FROM COJ FOR NEPTUNE BEACH FOR US AGREEING TO ALLOW THEM TO PROVIDE NEPTUNE BEACH.
>> DID WE GET THAT REIMBURSEMENT?
>> EACH YEAR OR FOR THE ONE TIME?
>> HOWEVER, JUST SO THAT EVERYBODY IS FULLY INFORMED, WHEN MR. KILLINGSWORTH NEGOTIATED THE TWO YEAR EXTENSION, IT WAS A ONE NUMBER, NOT A ONE NUMBER MINUS A CREDIT BACK FOR NEPTUNE BEACH.
WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO NEPTUNE BEACH, BUT WE'RE PAYING THE ONE NUMBER, WHICH AS OF RIGHT NOW IS 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR.
>> WHILE WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT THEN, SHOULD NEPTUNE BEACH NOT BE PART OF PAYING THAT 750K?
>> WE DON'T OWN JFRD, WE JUST GET THEIR SERVICES.
WE EITHER PAY FOR IT OR GET IT FOR GRATUS AS A COUNTY SERVICE SO WE WOULDN'T BE IN THE POSITION OF NEGOTIATING THAT WITH NEPTUNE BEACH.
THAT WAS JUST THE REQUEST BY COJ FOR US TO PROVIDE THE FIRE SERVICES OUT OF STATION 55.
>> IF I MAY. I THINK IT BRINGS UP A VERY STRONG POINT THAT THE PAYMENT FOR NEPTUNE BEACH'S SERVICES IS COMING FROM COJ AND NOT NEPTUNE BEACH SO I THINK IT JUST FURTHER STRENGTHENS.
>> YOU'RE PAYING THAT TAX THAT THEY'RE PAYING BACK TO US.
>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH. I THINK THE CONTRACT ACTUALLY STRUCK TO CALLS IT THAT, BUT IT'S MORE LIKE A REIMBURSEMENT FOR SERVICES OUTSIDE.
[01:45:01]
>> I GET IT. I STILL THINK IT'S.
>> WE WILL NOT DEBATE THAT STATEMENT.
>> CAN WE DEBATE IT FOR ABOUT EIGHT MINUTES?
>> WELL, CITY ATTORNEY, DO WE HAVE ANY GROUND THERE? WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES, IS THERE A PART IN JACKSONVILLE'S CHARTER THAT SAYS, THEY CAN'T DO THAT.
IS THERE A LEGALITY ISSUE THERE WITH NEPTUNE BEACH NOT GETTING FREE SERVICES THROUGH OUR STATION?
>> BEFORE YOU COMMENT ON THAT, I DON'T THINK SO BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING THAT SAID THAT ALL FOUR ANCILLARY CITIES HAD TO HAVE THE SAME SIZE OR THE SAME DEAL.
AS AN EXAMPLE, CITY OF JACKSONVILLE BEACH PAYS NO TIPPING FEES.
WE DO. WHY IS THAT? BECAUSE THEY NEGOTIATED PERHAPS BETTER IN THAT ARENA.
IN MY MIND, WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP THAT NEPTUNE BEACH HAS HAD IS IT GIVES US LICENSE TO DEBATE WHY WE SHOULD PAY AT ALL IF ONE OF THE CITIES IS GETTING FREE SERVICE AND BEING TREATED THAT WAY.
PLUS ADD ON TO THAT WHAT'S IN THEIR CHARTER. GO AHEAD.
>> I'D HAVE TO STUDY THE NEPTUNE BEACH AGREEMENT BEFORE I SPEAK TO THAT.
>> IT'S JUST THAT BALDWIN AND JACKS BEACH ARE NOT PROVIDING FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES TO NEPTUNE BEACH. THAT'S WHY I DON'T THINK.
MAYPORT MAY COME OVER HERE TO CALL IF 55 IS ON A CALL, AS BRINKLEY HARRELL DID SHARE WITH EVERYONE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.
BUT THE REASON WHY I THINK IT'S DIFFERENT FOR BALDWIN AND CITY OF JACKS BEACH VERSUS US IS WE LITERALLY ARE PAYING FOR THOSE SERVICES, AND CITY OF JACKSONVILLE IS REIMBURSING NEPTUNE BEACH SO THEY'RE GETTING AWAY SCOTT FREE.
>> THEY'RE REIMBURSING US FOR PROVIDING THE SERVICES TO NEPTUNE BEACH.
THEY'RE NOT REIMBURSING NEPTUNE BEACH, THEY'RE REIMBURSING US.
>> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? YOU'RE NOT RECOGNIZED, MR. BOLE.
WITH THAT, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.