Argyle Area Civic Council

Minutes of the Mon, Feb 23, 2009 AACC Meeting Dennys Restaurant

Posted March 2009

MINUTES OF THE ARGYLE AREA CIVIC COUNCIL
Held on Monday, Feb 23, 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, David Hodges, Robert Taylor, Thomas R. Martin, Bill Ellis, Fred and Jean Campbell, Bobbie Cockayne, James Mester, Michael Mester, Ashley Davis, and John Draper.

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:44 p.m.
2. Approval of Jan 2009 minutes
No Elected Officials present
3. Committee Reports:
4. Transportation: Tom Martin says according to David Hodges we need to follow up on Collins Road interchange delay. The Collins Road interchange project was a priority along with Beach Blvd widening improvements from 2 to 4 lanes. Some wanted 9B; Beach is in there - but Collins looks to be left out and 9B is back in; AACC feels safety dictates constructing Collins Road should be first;
David will follow up on Collins being in regular funding.
Tom Martin: Shindler to Old Middleburg

Martin explains for those who don’t know that 9 B is located along 9A about two miles northeast of the 9 A/I – 95 interchange. The new 9B would split from 9 A and connect to US 1 first and then goes all the way to 95; not the outer beltway; just a shortcut; Martin thinks Blanding relief should take priority over 9B as a shortcut;

Martin and Hodges report FDOT quote that Collins Rd is ready for shovel in 90 days; Reportedly a local contractor sent an unsolicited bid to FDOT; The unnamed contractor would start project and cover all costs until the money rolls in; The question Did FDOT even consider those contractor offers?
Another question: Who made this reversal? Possible answer: No one stood up to defend Collins Rd as the greater good for most people;

John Draper wonders if the new money isn’t separate and not counted but it would finance the Collins Rd. Interchange. Martin thinks we took our eye off the ball; Question: Can we go as a group (to contest this reversal of priority)? AACC consensus: we are not doing our job as citizens by letting government roll over us without complaint; AACC should make effort to substitute even as this late date;
Municipal government is in a deeper recession; causing whole repeal concurrency; rubber stamp instead of planning smart;
5. Business Development: Construction Indus: housing always first in first out – with current inventory absorption would take a long time to lead us to new building and out of this situation;
Hodge observes that the new Westside apartments near 103rd and Morse Ave don’t appear to be moving quickly.
General discussion on the experimental Bus ONLY Lane: on Blanding - a prototype opened today; The Flea market management was up in arms; Signs: whose brilliant idea; is this a way to kill the idea? Why a bus lane and not an HOV lane; Turning onto that part of Blanding means a driver must jump over bus lane to get to the real right lane;
Ashley Davis: how do you study a mile and a half? Why Blanding? General answer: It was under construction and available.
Hodges says the Econ Development Council Auditor: projected surplus shortfall 3.8 in building permitting dept; They will need to raise fees and eliminate staff; They had 22 million three years ago lost 3.8 mil last year; must cut personnel; economic situation gets worse: Some think Oakleaf is one of highest foreclosure rates in City; as many for sale as mail boxes; Oakleaf: houses that started selling at $200,000 appreciated to $500,000 and may now be worth less than 200,000.
Developers sold mortgages to eliminate company risk and then left few options for those going into foreclosure;
Hodges: Merchants open in West Oakleaf: doing well; they are making money; New Wal-Mart plan appear to be on hold? Wal-mart reps are not talking; HCA and St. Vincent’s hospitals are still tied up in court; General comment all local hospitals in big trouble; massive expansion; Baptist South is booming according to John Draper;
6. Communications and Website BILL LEWIS: Communications and web site: looking for host; current site NH.com; community web site owned by JAX .com; diagrams are gone; Need replacement; word and excel and photos need special parking; Bill looking;
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: Bridge lights on Argyle Forest Boulevard still not installed; Collins Road extension from Collins to Shindler should begin in spring even March;
Housing proposal for Hipps property; Hodges says moving forward. Thinks entrance will be off Hipps road;
11. New Business: General Discussion on the Alan Durant re-ignited long discussed Ken Bible proposal that Argyle Area Civic Council should be a 501c4 to be politically active; not tax deductible; Durant: he knew we wanted to do it sometime; Lewis wants to know it is done right if we do it; Marie Splane: she knows that things must be done correctly: She thinks at this point; the difference between c3 c4: political is imperative that we fully understand She makes a comparison between a business and a community grassroots organization: what if we published a book and advertised; it is a deductible; are we incorporated; if donation comes in: advertising for instance: it is a biz expense; calendar with ads: AACC would make printing costs; Draper: whose number is on bank acct? Business is not a corporate entity; you can operate without being incorporated. EIN number: what does it say? AACC; taking contributions would open a can of worms;
Splane moves to table 501c3 Durant seconds;
Hodges argues for designation as charitable organization: Jacksonville neighborhood grant project; $5,000 grant; Must be a regular non-profit to qualify; others would donate if they see we are doing something; but they need a write-off vehicle; Athletic Assn and others get in trouble; RAP Murray Hill organizations; etc; optimist, lions club; take money and dole it out with legal paper; Splane: you need a bookkeeper; HOA’s are non profits; Disaster relief; economic relief; progress gives stability and income in our lives;
Ten minute guest idea promotion:
Michael Mester of the Mester Organization was given 10 minutes to discuss his idea for building personal wealth in future Jacksonville.
Profit Sharing for All Businesses: Stimulate your business and our economy into the "black" with profit sharing services from our organization in Jacksonville, Florida. First established in 1983, The Mester Organization and A Share of The Wealth is dedicated to help people across America including small businesses succeed through profit sharing! With more than 25 years' combined experience, we can help to put you in business and then direct business to you. Answers at www.ashareofthewealth.com or every Thursday at Old Plank Road Church
Tom Martin: More will form community groups; more coming together for mutual support community share wealth;
Hodges makes one more comment on filling out Internal Revenue Code IRC 990 Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, saying it only takes five minutes and thinks record keeping would not pose a problem;
Bill Lewis motion: Any Mondays that are national holiday, AACC would meet following Monday; Draper seconds unanimously Approved
Marie: David Hodges and Tom Dumas have been such an asset in their past activities on behalf of AACC; some of the things you can’t do in a 501; limit legislative activity; shun political activity; Hodges adds: C4 is what I really think we want to be; AACC is free and needs to stay that way;
There being no further business to come before the council, Bill Ellis made a motion to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 8:53 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Kelly, Recording Secretary

Agenda - Last Updated 2-13-2009 7:30 pm

ARGYLE AREA CIVIC COUNCIL
AACC Meeting Monday, February 23, 2009 7:30 pm ( Fourth Monday to skip President's Day )
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, January 19, 2009 http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/jacksonville/aacc/genpage/638830820.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. Argyle Forest Blvd 4 Lanes - http://www.jtaonthemove.com/projects/bjp/bjargyle2.aspx
2. I-295 @ Collins Rd / Blanding Blvd Interchange C/D Project - http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/public/genpage.html?nid=972432200&nneighid=351562714&nsupercity=623542159
3. 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
4. Old Middleburg Rd./103rd to Branan Field http://www.coj.net/Departments/Better+Jacksonville+Plan/Road+Projects.htm
5. Branan Field Chaffee Road Phase 1 (103rd St. to I-10) - http://www.jtafla.com/Projects/showPage.aspx?Project=11
6. 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 Westside - May 8 & 9, 2009 at Bishop Snyder High School. Cathy Greene - Event Chair, Volunteer Cell: 847.494.9647 cathy.greene@wamu.net
b. New Argyle Forest Blvd Bridge Lights
c. Collins Road Extension between Shindler Drive and Old Middleburg Road - Thomas Martin
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. Should AACC apply for Corp. Non Profit Status?
6. Additional Comments From the Public
7. Motion to Adjourn

Email us
ArgyleACC@joimail.com

Additional Web Links

Minutes of the Monday, January 19, 2009 AACC Meeting
Oakleaf Town Center - Jacksonville, FL - PDF Map
Oakleaf Town Center - Jacksonville, FL - Description
Florida Department of Transportation Information