04/12/2012
District 6
North Citizens Planning Advisory Committee
Chair: Mike Getchell
MEETING SUMMARY
Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus
4501 Capper Rd. Room C-136
March 14, 2012
Members: Chair – Mike Getchell
Ashford Wood - Evelyn “Kathy” Myers
Betz Realty - William Baker
Black Hammock Island Civic - Mary Thompson
Captiva Bluff Neighborhood - Rex Neidlinger
Charter Member – Richard Berry
Charter Member - Dot Mathias,
Council Appointee District 11-Tommy Ruffin
Duval County Council of PTS/PTA - Vicki Drake
Heckscher Drive Community Club - Fran Beach
Highlands Homeowners – Jack Stuart
Northlake HOA - Josephine Fiveash-Porter
Northlake HOA - Howard Miller
ShAdCo Sector 6 – Jenny Bray
Excused:
Bobby Taylor Shauna Allen
James Shronce Art Sullivan
David Spruill Nancy Burnett
Dolores Spruill Hiron Peck
Harry Wagner Gerie Leigh
Nancy Landau Michael Fisher
Elected Officials: None present
Staff:
Mayor’s Liaison – Mike Sweat
Neighborhoods, Housing & Community Development – Mary Beth Ridderman
Neighborhoods, Municipal Code Enforcement - Bruce Chauncey
Planning - Shakeeb Shariff
Florida Department of Transportation – Thomas Hill
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office - LT. Shawn McCormick
Parks and Recreation - Brian Burket
Guests:
Gay Septon, Amelia View
Pedro Parra, Autumn Point
Stephanie Evans, Autumn Point
Paula Scott, Angel Lakes Estates
Evelyn Kimbrough, Angel Lakes Estates
Robert E. Porter, North Lake HOA
1. Call to Order/Verify Quorum
Chair Getchell called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM. Mary Beth Ridderman verified a quorum.
2. Approval of the Previous Meeting Summary
Richard Berry made a motion to approve the February summary with the following corrections: David Spruill was present, but did not sign in; Bobby Taylor’s absence was excused – his name and comments should be removed from the Public Comments section. A second was made by Jack Stuart. All members voted to approve the summary with corrections.
Chair Getchell called members’ attention to the new agenda format. He said this is the new agenda that we are supposed to follow per the Neighborhoods Department. As Chair, he has the prerogative of going outside the format. In the interest of staff going into overtime he will go through the Staff Reports first, then the presentations. Chair Getchell’s announcement was followed by a brief discussion. Mr. Berry said he prefers the old format primarily because the representatives from the various agencies are shown. Is there anyway to add the names? Ms. Ridderman said she asked about having the names and numbers added, but the Acting Director required all six CPAC agendas and summaries to be identical in format to facilitate transcribing the summaries by staff members who do not attend the meetings but transcribe only from the recording. The “Ad Hoc” section of subcommittees and “Other” section of Staff Reports will be different in each CPAC. Mr. Berry discussed the past history of the CPACs and referred to the by-laws. Other members made comments indicating their dissatisfaction with the changes and supporting the Chair in his decision to follow the original agenda. The following concerns were expressed:
• There were numerous concerns about the proposed changes to CPAC, staffing, agenda and summary.
• The Neighborhoods Department should be flexible to each CPAC to meet their needs instead of mandating that each CPAC be the same.
• Staff and subcommittee chair names should be added back to the agenda – it is informative and helpful to have names and contact information.
• The COJ is trying to control the CPACs.
3. Staff Reports
• JSO (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office) – Lt. Shawn McCormick reported
o To keep up in real time with what is going on in your neighborhood go to www.COJ.net then the Sherriff’s Office site.
o Crime statistics indicate crime is up in the North District
o Abductions/Kidnapping down 200% (none YTD)
o Sexual Battery/Rape down 30% (5 YTD)
o Robbery/Home Invasion up 300% (3 more than last year)
o Robbery to Individuals down 30%
o Robbery/Car Jacking up 400%
o Robbery to Residences down 25%
o Burglary to Business down 70% (33 YTD)
o Auto Theft – no change
o Auto Burglary down 22%
• Best Buy was robbed again on March 13
• Amelia View – a squatter’s case is in active prosecution. He cannot release a lot of information
• Due to budget cutbacks the helicopter is not available 24/7. When it’s needed it takes time to get it dispatched.
• Call 630-0500 for non-emergencies. Call 911 for emergencies.
• Mayor’s Liaison – Mike Sweat
o The Mayor’s Office is offering a series of College Student Aid Workshops for filling out Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The first session is Saturday, April 14 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Raines High School.
o The Extension Office offers several programs including:
• Management simulation
• Parenting
• Tree pruning
• Vegetable gardens, container gardens, hydroponic gardens
o The Extension Office hosts events:
• Master Gardeners will offer plant clinics at Lowe’s, Ace and other stores
• The Day of Gardening event had 287 attendees
• The Poultry Workshop had 291 attendees
• The Food and Nutrition Workshop had 102 attendees
o A question was raised about when Mayor Alvin Brown will visit CPACs. Mr. Sweat replied that Mayor Brown’s schedule is very busy. This week Bi-Lo and Winn Dixie decided to keep their corporate office here. This saved 900 jobs and they are adding 100 jobs to the office on the Westside.
• Duval County Public Schools - No representative. No report.
• FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) – Thomas Hill
o The Dames Point Bridge will be closed from 7:30am to 6:00pm
o The I-95/Nassau Bridge will have single lane closures March 16-18 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
o Matthew’s Bridge will be closed March 16 – 18 for repainting and repairs
o US 301 will be closed periodically
o SR 200 will have single lane closures on March 15
o Public Notice – Request to construct a by-pass around the town of Baldwin. Public presentation of the plan is on April 5, 4 – 6:30 p.m. at the Baldwin Senior Citizens Center, 850 N. Center St., Baldwin. The doors open at 2 p.m.
o A question was raised about a new interchange project near I-95 and Broward Road. Mr. Hill said he was unaware but he will look into it.
o A concern was expressed about the collapse of a culvert on Broward Road near I-95. Mr. Hill said he will look into it.
o A question was raised – is FDOT working to keep the Ferry open? Mr. Hill said FDOT is working with a committee.
• Neighborhoods –
o Housing and Community Development Mary Beth Ridderman reported:
• Members have already commented they don’t like the new agenda format. The change was made at the direction of Acting Director LaCree Carswell. The agendas for all six CPACs are the same template to make it easier for ASD staff to translate the summaries. Coordinators’ time with CPAC and Neighborhoods is recommended by the Acting Director to be cut in half. The other half of their time will be spent on grants. Two of their duties, transcribing the summaries and updating the web page, will be transferred to ASD. Ms. Ridderman apologized for any inconvenience. The changes are due to budget cuts.
• Charter Member Dick Berry expressed concern that when the CPACs were created in 1993 by Mayor Ed Austin to provide input and facilitate communication between residents and government. Each CPAC is individual and should be treated as individuals. He opposes the change.
• Chair Getchell commented that that CPAC Chairs will meet to discuss the changes. A question was raised about the time and place. The meeting will be held at 1601 Walnut St. at the Three Layers Café at 3 p.m.
o Municipal Code Compliance Division – Bruce Chauncey reported
• Officers started on the Oceanway project. Over 200 new citations were written.
• It was necessary to place a condemned sign on the Sanddollar Restaurant. The owners are planning to begin demolition tomorrow.
• Planning & Development – Shakeeb Shariff reported:
The Planning Department is receiving a lot of opposition letters from neighbors regarding the application on New Berlin Road. Letters have been added to the records for public hearings. Planning recommended approval of the application.
o Chair Getchell spoke to someone with Customs. The detention facility is not going to be a long term detention center. It will be used up to 24 hours. The detainees will be there for a few hours then are sent to Baker County.
o Gerie Leigh said she was upset about voting on something not realizing how close it was to a school and bordered on a neighborhood. She went to the neighborhood and notified them.
o Four visitors attended the CPAC meeting from nearby neighborhoods that are located outside of the 350 feet notification requirement but near enough to be affected by the detention center. Residents thanked Ms. Leigh for going into the neighborhoods to notify them about the proposed change – without her assistance they would not have known.
For more information, please contact Mr. Shariff at 255-7847.
o A new application for a zoning change from RPI to CCG2 at the N.E. corner of Dunn Avenue and Marvik Lane for a Churches Chicken.
o Mr. Berry invited the visitors to become CPAC members and he asked Ms. Ridderman to provide nomination forms to them.
• Parks & Recreation – Brian Burket reported
o There are 30-50 Red Knot Shore birds back at Huguenot. That is a sufficient number where they’re required to use protective measures. Volunteers will setup cones and provide a moving protective area.
o The shore bird nesting season is expected to begin earlier this year.
o Last month the Air Potato Roundup was held at Hanna, Tillie Fowler and a dozen other locations in our area. There were 186 volunteers and over 3,000 tubers collected.
o Reed Island had 18 volunteers from 7 different COJ agencies.
o The Annual St. Johns River Clean-up is Saturday, March 17 from 8 - 11a.m. There are several waterfront sites, including Huguenot, Trout River Sykes Boat ramp in the North District. For more information, visit www.coj.net or Google “St. Johns River Cleanup”.
o Restrooms at Thomas Creek Fish Camp are open. The next project is a picnic shelter.
4. Presentation: Evie Pankok – Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN), Duval County Extension Services, Florida Friendly Landscaping
• Stormwater Runoff
How much of the rain is running off of our landscape into the creeks, rivers and things we are trying to protect.
Before there was a lot of rain running to our landscape but now with urbanization there’s a lot less. We have to find a way to conserve that rain water.
• Nine Principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping
1. Right plant right place
2. Water efficiently
3. Fertilize appropriately
4. Mulch
5. Attract wildlife
6. Control yard pests responsibility
7. Recycle
8. Reduce storm water runoff
9. Protect the waterfront
• For more information, please visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep396 or http://www.solutionsforlife.com/
• To apply for Florida Friendly Landscaping Certificate, contact Evie Pankok at 904-387-8850 or email [email protected]
• If you are in a Homeowners Association go to the resources list in the handout.
and review SB 2080, Chapter 720 Amendment to Florida Statue 373.185
• A concern was expressed if commercial properties and fire departments have the same landscape water regulations.
5. Chair’s Report
Chair Getchell continued the discussion regarding the proposed changes to the CPAC agenda and summary. The Chairs are meeting to discuss the changes. He asked members for suggestions. Tommy Ruffin said he doesn’t mind having a template but think there should be some flexibility for the different CPACs to customize it to their needs. If that’s not possible they may lose members. He is concerned that COJ is trying to control them and believes that’s not appropriate. Chair Getchell discussed he would like flexibility in the way we do business, with guidelines. Mr. Berry suggested the Chair bring in the Director of Neighborhoods. The CPAC is an advisory group to the Mayor (only). Dot Mathias discussed she was the very first CPAC Chair, appointed by Mayor Austin. They didn’t have by-laws. As they progress with their meetings, she said they needed rules and regulations and they formed a Bylaws Committee. They were the first to have bylaws then the other CPACs followed. Jenny Bray stated it would be better to have the presentation first before the Staff report. Chair Getchell announced the meeting will be conducted the old way.
6. Elected Officials Reports - No representatives. No reports.
7. Subcommittee/Liaison Reports
• LUZ (Land Use and Zoning)/Governmental Affairs – Tommy Ruffin and Dick Berry
o There are no bills to consider this week
o The CPAC has no Vice Chair so there is no chair for the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee. Mr. Ruffin and Mr. Berry are filling in. They need someone to serve as Vice Chair. Mary Beth Ridderman stated the bylaws require the person serve on Governmental Affairs before moving to Chair.
o He discussed membership. All homeowners should be on the CPAC.
o With the economy the way it is there have not been a lot of applications to review. When the economy picks up, activities will increase.
o Mr. Berry announced in November or December, the CPAC authorized Chair Getchell to write to the JAXPORT Board Members to request they defer closing the Ferry. Since that time the CEO of the Port Authority made a recommendation they get out of the ferry business. Mayor Brown asked the board to postpone closing the ferry until September 30.
o Dot Mathias made a motion to write a letter to Mayor Brown and copy CPAC members, urging them to seek additional long term funding from various agencies to save the ferry. Dick Berry seconded the motion. Chair Getchell offered discussion on the motion. Jack Stuart called for the question. The vote: all in favor.
o Dick Berry announced he has “Save the Ferry” tee shirts for sale for $10
• Beautification/Parks/Environment (no subcommittee)
• Membership – Harry Wagner’s absence was excused. Chair Getchell introduced new representatives from Northlake, Jacqueline Fiveash Porter and Howard Miller. They have been coming to the meetings but just received their appointments from Mayor Brown.
• Transportation – Dick Berry reported:
o A study is being conducted by the Port Authority and another agency on the Dames Point Intermodal Transport Facility. The new owner has applied for Brownfield status and funding.
o He received a copy of the current draft of the 5 year Transportation Planning Organization Proposal. The report is done annually. They add a year to the 5 year plan.
• Flyover at Airport Road and I-95
• Widening of Main Street from New Berlin Road to Pecan Park
• Intersection of Heckscher Drive off 9A
• Widening 9A from I-95 to the Dames Point Bridge
• Work is scheduled for 2015-2016.
• Ad Hoc – No Ad Hoc Committee
• TRUE (Taxation, Revenue, and Utilization of Expenditures)Commission – No report
8. Unfinished Business – None
9. New Business
• Dot Mathias announced she received information that City Council member Ray Holt is planning on taking $1.5 million from the First Coast High School Pool to give to JAX Port to give to CSX to build a road. Ms. Mathias called the Councilman to verify what she was told. He said she heard wrong - it is actually $2.5 million. He has advised the attorneys to begin the process of transferring the funds. Councilmember Holt said he will schedule a meeting with the committee. Ms. Mathias said there will be a public hearing if he decides to transfer the funds. A lengthy discussion followed. Several concerns were expressed:
o Partial funding is in place for a pool at First Coast High School. Residents have waited since before 2007 for the pool. Council Member Holt plans to transfer those funds to JAXPORT for CSX to build a road – the money should be reserved for the pool.
o Public funds are being used to take the money reserved for the pool.
o The proposed CSX roadway will be constructed through the Enclave, which the CPAC had previously recommended to be protected as an historic African American community.
o Independent authorities are too independent. They act without representing the people.
• Chair Getchell called an end to the comment period.
10. Public Comments/Announcements (3-minute time limit) - None
11. Motion to Adjourn - Dick Berry made a motion to adjourn. Tommy Ruffin seconded the motion. The vote: all were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: April 11, 2012 ~ 4:00 PM
Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus
4501 Capper Rd. Room C-136
