City Council (2025-02-03)

FEBRUARY 3, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING PAGE 1

[Seal of the City of Neptune Beach, Florida]

MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025, 6:00 P.M. NEPTUNE BEACH CITY HALL 116 FIRST STREET NEPTUNE BEACH, FLORIDA 32266

Pursuant to proper notice, a Regular City Council Meeting of the City Council of the City of Neptune Beach was held on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., at Neptune Beach City Hall, 116 First Street, Neptune Beach, Florida 32266

IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor Cori Bylund Vice Mayor Nia Livingston Councilor Tim Horvath Councilor Josh Messinger Councilor Brent Rogers

STAFF: City Manager Richard Pike City Attorney Paul Waters Chief of Police Michael Key Chief Financial Officer Jaime Hernandez Public Works Director Deryle Calhoun Parks and Sustainability Director Colin Moore City Clerk Catherine Ponson

Call to Order/Roll Call/Pledge: Mayor Bylund called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and Councilor Rogers led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Swearing In Ceremony: Mayor Bylund administered the oath of office for police officers to Officer Jared L. Geis and Officer Jason T. Walsh.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes: Made by Livingston, seconded by Messinger.

MOTION: TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING: January 6, 2025, Regular Council Meeting January 21, 2025, Special City Council Meeting January 21, 2025, Workshop City Council Meeting January 21, 2025, Town Hall City Council Meeting

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5 - Horvath, Messinger, Rogers, Livingston and Bylund. Noes: 0

MOTION CARRIED

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Public Comments: Pat Hazouri, 207 Florida Boulevard, Neptune Beach, spoke thanked Council for answering emails and for the atmosphere of the meetings. She mentioned that she hopes that no ordinances are passed that are not properly planned.

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FEBRUARY 3, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING PAGE 2

Thomas Brouillette, 333 Sunrise Circle, Neptune Beach, stated he had concerns regarding the DMV conducting driving tests in his neighborhood.

David Wicker, 427 South Street, Neptune Beach, commented on the ballpark in Jarboe Park and asked how it could be more usable. He also asked if there was a standard size for speed bumps throughout the City.

Mayor Bylund reminded everyone there would be a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

CITY MANAGER REPORT

City Manager Report: City Manager Richard Pike introduced the new part-time Park Ambassador Robert Hustad. Mr. Hustad’s hours will be all day, Friday through Sunday. He will oversee the park and be a contact for the City and residents who use the park.

Mr. Pike reported there would be two variances on the Community Development Board meeting on Wednesday, February 12, at 6:00 p.m. Code discussion regarding boats and RVs would also be held at that meeting.

Mr. Pike announced at the next Council Workshop on February 18, 2025, the Finance Department would be presenting several scenarios for the upcoming millage rate. He also reported budget workshops for department heads would start next month.

The monthly City Manager Reports can be found on the City website at: https://www.nbfl.gov/city-manager/pages/city-manager-reports.

ORDINANCES

Ord. No. 2025-01, Beach Fires: Ordinance No. 2025-01, First Read and Public Hearing. An Ordinance of the City of Neptune Beach, Florida, Amending Chapter 7, Beaches and Waterways by Amending Section 7-36, by Banning Beach Fires, Providing Codification, Conflicts, Severability, and Providing and Effective Date

Public Hearing: Mayor Bylund opened the public hearing.

Taylor Anderson, 220 Oak Street, Neptune Beach, stated he appreciated what Atlantic Beach has done with their beach fire program which gives accountability while still allowing beach fires.

James Anderson, 218 Oak Street, Neptune Beach, stated a self-contained stove could be used and no residue would be left behind.

David Wicker, 427 South Street, Neptune Beach, pointed out that people may not know you can have a fire on the beach. He would like to see a permitting process like Atlantic Beach.

There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Bylund closed the public hearing.

Council Discussion/Questions: Vice Mayor Livingston stated she had requested statistics and information about Atlantic Beach’s beach fire regulations. They allow them from November through February and in 2023-2024, they had 600 applications. For this season, they already had 400. She thought this was alarming because of that many applications. She understands it could generate revenue but has concerns about how that would play out and safety issues.

Councilor Horvath commented that Neptune Beach would not have as many applications, and this is a good opportunity to generate revenue if done in a correct manner.

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Councilor Messinger remarked that since the current language is ambiguous, he understands the logic in codifying this ordinance for the time being. He does think there is a decent opportunity to have fires. He understands not keeping it ambiguous and supports not allowing fires. He added that Atlantic Beach has a thorough mechanism to allow fires. He would not be opposed to some type of pilot program, such as the City did with the chicken coop ordinance.

Councilor Rogers expressed he is in favor of having an option for people to have fires. He would like to see an opportunity for people to get permission.

Mayor Bylund pointed out that in four different places, the Code bans fires. We will be clarifying that people will not be able to have fires of any kind. She also would like to pass this ordinance and explore another ordinance that safely permitted and contained.

Made by Messinger, seconded by Livingston.