Argyle Area Civic Council

Minutes of the October 19, 2009 AACC Meeting

Minutes

MINUTES OF THE ARGYLE AREA CIVIC COUNCIL
Held on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at 7:30 P.M.
Denny's Restaurant, 8409 Blanding Boulevard
Jacksonville, Florida 32244

PRESENT: Bill Lewis, President;  Allen Durant, Treasurer; Jim Kelly, Recording Secretary; Transportation/Economic Development chair, David Hodges, John Draper, Ken Shirey, Bill Ellis, Tony Bates, Thomas Martin, Steve Hinkle, Kay Sibert,   

1. The meeting was Called to Order at 7:43 p.m.

2. Approval of Oct. minutes.

Minutes approved Allen Durant/John Draper

 3. Acknowledge visiting representatives

No dignitaries present

4. Committee Reports:
a. Transportation:

• David Hodges reported SR23 is now open; others cautioned watch for speed traps near the I-10 interchange.
• Bill Ellis reported he has seen no recent updates for the Collins Road Extension.
• Tom Martin reported that North East Florida’s Transportation Planning Organization’s Long Range Transportation Plan describes the Shindler Road upgrade to be only three lanes when completed.
• General conversation about the merits of commuter rail vs. COJ proposed rapid busing; generally AACC members would rather investigate rail as the future of choice. Still under general discussion: Some in the group fear a state optional Intelligent Transportation system might prove to be an invasion of privacy because it records faces of drivers and passengers. State Highway patrol monitors speed problems on bridges via cameras and the internet. Hodges received a phone call from FDOT assuring the funds for the long-awaited Collins/I-295 interchange are in place and ready to bid. Tony Bates: Because so many road contractors are available, many road projects are costing less; this allows previously cost-prohibitive projects to be reconsidered and added to the Long Range Plans. Other topics mentioned in passing: Banks and their role in homeownership; Collins Rd extension - what is the status? The Mary Singleton Senior Center; Question of the moment: who is to replace FDOT District Two Secretary, Charles Baldwin; uncertain.

5. Business Development

• David Hodges reported that it is no surprise to anyone that some of the stores in the Oakleaf Village Town Center have failed; Circuit City, Ritz Camera, just to name a couple.
• It is rumored that COSTCO Warehouse is looking in the Argyle, northern Clay County area for a building site.
• Tom Martin says a new store is opening across from Home Depot: Possibly a Dollar Store.
• In general discussion: The state-of-the-art custom high fidelity speaker’s manufacturer has apparently closed its doors.

A Soldier of Fortune store is opening behind ITT Tech on Youngerman selling weapons, holsters, cameras and other spy, self protect products.

On-Site Tech is now open at their previously occupied location on Commonwealth Ave; Chimney Lakes Homeowners Association hopes to stir new interest in the ball fields by allowing more groups from outside the neighborhood to use the park.

6. Community proposals/guest speakers: none 

7. Grant Writing Committee: nothing to report

8. Landscaping

• Hodges suggests that a piece of property between Rampart and Argyle Forest Blvd. too small and oddly shaped to be used for building would make a great zoological garden; A place to show people how native plants can lead to green-scaping in their own back yards. Kay Sibert thinks the Jacksonville Garden Club might take an interest?
• General Discussion: The AACC may need to get involved in community clean up along Argyle Forest Blvd. again; lots of weeds in the Argyle entry-sign curbing; can the sign be refurbished to include original lighting? Would the City pay for rehab? Could be considered a safety improvement; with fewer drivers hitting the sign.
• 9. Treasurer’s Report
  Allen Durant reported that the treasury balance is now $349.74; detailed: $249.74 in old account and $100 in new account. Durant is disappointed that few AACC members have taken advantage of Compass Bank’s incentive program to help the AACC receive some cash back for using the bank’s ATM card.

10. Old Business:
a. none

11. New Business

• Kay Sibert reported seeing children jump in front of cars, including hers, on Cheswick Oak near Staples Mill on a recent Friday night; Others in the group reported passing an accident in that vicinity. The group agrees more street lighting is needed at that intersection and others in the vicinity.

 The meeting concluded at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Kelly, Recording Secretary

Agenda

ARGYLE AREA CIVIC COUNCIL
AACC Meeting Monday, October 19 , 2009 7:30 pm
Location: Denny's Restaurant 8409 Blanding Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32244 Phone: 904-778-4624
Corner of Blanding Blvd and Youngerman Circle.
Map: http://web.sa.mapquest.com/dennys/advantage.adp?transaction=locmap&recordId=509&pwidth=400&pheight=250to
1. Call to Order 7:30 pm
2. Approval of Old Minutes
Monday, September 21, 2009 http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/jacksonville/aacc/genpage/482709843.html
3. Committee Reports
a. Jacksonville City Council, Clay County Commission Report and other elected officials or representatives
1. Duval County School Board District 7 - Tommy Hazouri
2. Jax District 14 Council Member Michael Corrigan - Past Council President 2006 - 2007
3. Jax District 12 Council Member Dan Davis - City Council President 2007 - 2008
4. Jax District 11 Council Member Ray Holt
5. Jax At Large, Group 1 Council Member Ronnie Fussell
6. Clay District 2 Commissioner - Doug Conkey
7. State Representative Jennifer Carroll (R), District 13 - Rebecca Coleman, District Secretary
8. U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns (R), Florida's Sixth District - Sherrie Porter, District Aide

b. Public Safety Report. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Clay County Sheriff's Office
c. Transportation. David Hodges - Click on the links for the Latest Info on these Projects
1. I-295 @ Collins Rd / Blanding Blvd Interchange C/D Project - http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/public/genpage.html?nid=972432200&nneighid=351562714&nsupercity=623542159
2. Collins Road Widening -
. I) Collins Rd/Rampart to Blanding http://www.coj.net/Departments/Better+Jacksonville+Plan/Road+Projects.htm
. II) Collins Rd/Westport to Rampart http://www.coj.net/Departments/Better+Jacksonville+Plan/Road+Projects.htm
. III) Collins Rd/Shindler to Westport http://www.coj.net/Departments/Better+Jacksonville+Plan/Road+Projects.htm
. IV) Collins Rd/Shindler to Old Middleburg http://www.coj.net/Departments/Better+Jacksonville+Plan/Road+Projects.htm
3. Old Middleburg Rd./103rd to Branan Field http://www.coj.net/Departments/Better+Jacksonville+Plan/Road+Projects.htm
4. Branan Field Chaffee Road Phase 1 (103rd St. to I-10) - http://www.jtafla.com/Projects/showPage.aspx?Project=11
5. College Drive Extension North Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study - New connection between Blanding Boulevard (SR 21) and Branan Field/Chaffee Road (SR 23). - Clay county http://www.collegedrivenorth.com/faq.htm
BETTER JACKSONVILLE PLAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS http://www.coj.net/Departments/Better+Jacksonville+Plan/Road+Projects.htm
Jacksonville Transportation Authority Projects Map - http://www.jtafla.com/Projects/showPage.aspx?Sel=185
Florida Department of Transportation Information http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicinformationoffice/moreDOT/majorprojects.shtm#two
d. Business Development - David Hodges
. . Oakleaf Town Center - Jacksonville, FL - Description http://www.sembler.com/current_projects.php?id=12
. . Oakleaf Town Center - Jacksonville, FL - PDF Map http://www.sembler.com/pdfs/Oakleaf%20Town%20Ctr.pdf
e. Communications and Web Site - Bill Lewis
f. Home Owners Association President Meeting - Bill Lewis
g. Grant Writing Committee
h. Landscaping Committee - Argyle Sign at Argyle Forest Blvd and Blanding Blvd
i. Treasurer's Report - Allen Durant
4. Old Business
a. New Argyle Forest Blvd Bridge Lights are now installed - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacksonville-FL/Argyle-Area-Civic-Council/66463272990
b. Damage to the Argyle Sign at Blanding Blvd.
c. Argyle Area Community Garden - Tom Dumas 7033 Collins Rd, Jax, FL 32244 http://www.meetup.com/Argyle-Area-Community-Garden/
5. New Business
6. Additional Comments From the Public
7. Motion to Adjourn

Email us
ArgyleACC@joimail.com

Additional Web Links

Oakleaf Town Center - Jacksonville, FL - PDF Map
Oakleaf Town Center - Jacksonville, FL - Description
Florida Department of Transportation Information