Argyle Area Civic Council

Minutes of the Mon, Mar 16, 2009 AACC Meeting Dennys Restaurant

Posted April 2009

MINUTES OF THE ARGYLE AREA CIVIC COUNCIL
Held on Monday, March 16, 2009, 7:30 P.M.
Denny's Restaurant, 8409 Blanding Boulevard
Jacksonville, Florida 32244

PRESENT: Bill Lewis, President; Tom Dumas, Vice-President; Allen Durant, Treasurer; Jim Kelly, Recording Secretary; Marie Splane, Kay Siebert, Tom Martin, Don Christin, Ken Shirey, Ashley Davis, John Draper, Radica Wright and Kathy Greene.

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:51 p.m.

2. Approval of Feb 2009 minutes tabled because numerous corrections are necessary.
No Elected Officials present

3. Committee Reports:

4. Transportation: John Draper and Tom Martin announce that Collins Road widening from Rampart to Shindler is assumed to be approved when the St. John’s Water Management District meets on April 14.

John Draper reports that State Representatives Jennifer Carroll and Tony Hill will enter a proposal to exempt private operators of toll roadways from paying taxes during a public/private negotiated contract period. If this proposal passes, conjecture is that the Brannan Field-Chaffee Road outer beltway might begin construction. If the bill passes, Carroll said construction could begin within a year and could mean up to 35,000 additional jobs in the three-county area.
Questions were raised by John Draper on a Clay County District Two Doug Conkey letter sent and read by Allen Durant. AACC wonders if stimulus money is paying for the overpass at Plantation Oaks Blvd connecting east to west developments. General discussion as to the immediate need of that connection points to the existence of three Clay County Schools already in place or being built. Summer 09 construction is expected according to the Conkey letter.

Bill Lewis summarizes current plans for the planned Collins Road to Blanding and to US17 collector distributor. While some money is allotted for work, the original collector Distributor plan is not in the FDOT five year plan so far. DOT’s $850 million shortage is to blame.

Residents have observed the trial Bus Lane Only lanes on a renovated section of Blanding Blvd and found them detrimental according to some in the meeting.

Councilman Corrigan told some AACC members that the delay on the long awaited lamps on Argyle Forest at Chimney Lakes is due to back-order on the lights.

Ashley Davis wondered why a new left turn lane from Wells Road west has not opened having been completed for several months to date. Commissioner Conkey sent a response explaining that the median must be modified on Blanding Blvd to safely accommodate two lanes of simultaneous left turners. No estimate of when that will happen.

Durant points out that new damage has been done to the Argyle entry sign. AACC will investigate via JSO accident reports who might be at fault. Draper reminds the Council that the land is still city owned and we need permits to fix; General agreement to fix as soon as practicable.

5. Business Development: no report
6. Communications and Website: BILL LEWIS still looking for a web replacement.
7. Grant Writing Committee: Nothing new to report.
8. Landscaping – Ashley Davis says we need to watch the number of trees dying along Argyle Forest Boulevard and notify Big tree.
9. Treasurer's Report: Allen Durant reported that the treasury balance is now $349.74.
10. Old Business:
Kathy Greene made a return visit to tell AACC more about the planned Cancer Society Relay for Life; This may well be one of the biggest relays in Jacksonville with more than 40 teams signed up to relay. She is offering AACC and others the opportunity to buy a sign, volunteer to help and be there as the event is open to the public.
501c3,4,6: More discussion on whether the AACC should become a charity. Some members wonder why we need to be; At least one member suggests we nail down the definition of what we are today. Another sees no advantage to labeling ourselves or subjecting AACC to annual scrutiny; If AACC became a 501c4 according to John Draper, we could remain tax free and contribute to political campaigns.
11. New Business:
Tom Martin reports that Hipps Group Inc is promoting Republic Disposal’s argument that the Garbage contract currently held by Waste Management should be opened to public bids. General discussion reveals that AACC prefers to take the stand that all city contracts should always be offered for open bidding, no exceptions. Tom Dumas will write a letter to City Council and Mayor stating AACC prefers open bidding on all city contracts.
Tom Martin also announces he is in the process of being appointed to the city’s TRUE Commission: Taxation, Revenue, and Utilization of Expenditures (TRUE) Commission; Martin takes a moment along with Jim Kelly to remind concerned citizens about other community activities they might want to attend; Southwest Citizens Planning Advisory Council (SWCPAC) second Monday each month; Sheriffs Advisory Council (SHADCO) - Lima, first Tuesday each month.
Guest Speaker: Radica Wright, moved to Oakleaf from Northside; they had a tackle football league and physical fitness program there. Here she is trying to establish an Argyle program and is looking for a suitable and available field and or facility. Cecil is too far out she says; looking at Bel Med or Enterprise park.
Basic plan: Tackle football for all ages and sizes; fitness for families while their kids play and concession stands would offer healthy alternative snacks like fruit.
Find more information at www.argyleSpartans.com and write to her directly at radica.wright@yahoo.com .

Motion by Kay Seibert to adjourn/seconded by Allen Durant at 9:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Kelly, Recording Secretary

Agenda - Last Updated 3-14-2009 4:30 pm

ARGYLE AREA CIVIC COUNCIL
AACC Meeting Monday, March 16, 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, February 23, 2009 http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/jacksonville/aacc/genpage/617228243.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/projects_map.html
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. Relay for Life of Westside, Jax,FL - Friday, May 8, 2009 4:00 pm til Saturday, May 9, 2009 10:00 am at Bishop Snyder High School.
Cathy Greene - Event Chair, Volunteer Cell: (904)309-4008 cgreenenjax@comcast.net - www.relayforlife.org/westsidefl
b. New Argyle Forest Blvd Bridge Lights
c. Should AACC apply for Corp. Non Profit Status? (Tabled from the February 23, 2009 AACC Meeting
d. Rezoning on Hipps Property - PROPERTY RE-ZONING FROM RR TO PUD PROPOSAL FOR NAVY HOUSING, UNITS OF SINGLE AND MULTI FAMILY HOUSING
Subject: Rezoning on Hipps Property
Email Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:26:42 +0000
This is information you will want to share with your association.
Someone put the following notice in our mail boxes:
As a result I emailed Daniel Davis' office, our city councilman and I got the following response; after the mail box notice.
There is to be a town hall meeting at Shindler Rd Baptist Church on August 4, 6:30pm.
PROPERTY RE-ZONING FROM RR TO PUD
OLD MIDDLEBURG AT SANDLER = HIPPS PROPERTY
CALL CITY, 630-1902, FOR INFORMATION ON #2008517
PROPOSAL FOR NAVY HOUSING, UNITS OF SINGLE AND MULTI FAMILY HOUSING

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July 11, 2008
You were on my list of people to personally call regarding this issue, as I remember you called our office several months ago inquiring about this.
We are holding a community meeting on August 4th at 6:30 pm at the Shindler Road Baptist Church. I JUST placed an order for the mailout post cards about 5 minutes ago as well as requested an ad be placed in the Times Union on Saturday, July 26th as well as the Westside Sun on July 26th and Saturday, August 2nd. Any persons living within 350 feet of the properties in question will receive the post card mail out. I will be mailing those out hopefully by the end of next week.
As of now, these are the following scheduled Public Hearings:
August 12th - City Council in the Council Chambers at 5:00
August 14th - Planning Commission in the Council Chambers at 1:00 (I believe)
August 19th - Land Use and Zoning Committee meeting in the Council Chambers at 5:00
We will have representatives from our Planning Department and the Office of General Counsel to answer any questions and the applicants from Pappas, Metcalf, Jenks and Miller will also be doing a presentation on the rezoning.

Thank you,
Sarah Lane
Aide, Council Member Daniel Davis
District 12: Daniel Davis - City Council President 2007 - 2008
Sarah Balme, Assistant; Email: DDavis@coj.net Phone: 904-630-1380 -- Fax: 904-630-2906
Web Site: http://www.coj.net/City+Council/District+12/default.htm
5. New Business
a. Damage to the Argyle Sign at Blanding Blvd.
6. Additional Comments From the Public
7. Motion to Adjourn

Email us
ArgyleACC@joimail.com

Additional Web Links

AACC Minutes - Monday, February 23, 2009
Oakleaf Town Center - Jacksonville, FL - PDF Map
Oakleaf Town Center - Jacksonville, FL - Description
Florida Department of Transportation Information