Argyle Area Civic Council

Minutes of the Mon, Aug. 20, 2007 AACC Meeting Dennys Restaurant

Minutes - Posted 9-16-2007 8:15 pm

Minutes of the August 20, 2007 Meeting of the Argyle Area Civic Council

Held at Denny’s Restaurant, 8409 Blanding Boulevard

Jacksonville, Florida 32244

Present: Bill Lewis, President; Tom Dumas, Vice-President; Allen Durant, Treasurer; Marie Splane, Recording Secretary; Jim Kelly, Bobbie Cockayne, Kay Sibert, Don Christen, John Draper, Loretta Draper, Ellie Christen, Linda Crawford, Bill & Sally Cook, Wayne Bolla (Clay County School Board), Ashley Davis, Ken Shirey, Kathy Beck, Thomas R. Martin, Bill Ellis, Doug Conkey (Clay County Commissioner), John Davis (Jacksonville Transportation Authority), and Michael Corrigan (City Councilman, District 14).

The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Allen Durant made a motion to accept the July minutes, seconded by Ashley Davis. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: District 14 City Councilman Michael Corrigan presented a proposal on the Argyle Forest Boulevard bridge lights. The existing bridge lights do not meet City standards; the City and JTA(at the request of Councilman Corrigan) have offered to replace the existing fixtures with street lights similar to the ones in place on the Ortega River Bridge. The old lights would be removed. Questions were posed by those in attendance and answered by Councilman Corrigan and John Davis. Ashley Davis made a motion to accept Councilman Corrigan’s proposal for the new lights on the bridge. The motion was seconded by John Draper and passed unanimously. Tom Dumas offered a place to store the old lights if the Chimney Lakes Homeowners Association needs a place for storage until they decide what to do with them.

Councilman Corrigan encouraged residents to call him at 630-1390 or email him at Corrigan@coj.net if there are problems in the district that need attention.

Councilman Corrigan discussed the new city budget and the three proposed new fees, and encouraged feedback from the residents. Questions were asked about property taxes, stormwater fees and franchise fees.

Clay County Commissioner Doug Conkey: The Clay County budget is looking good. Millage has been reduced from 8.756 down to 7, the largest drop in the county’s history. The budget has been reduced by $30 million, while preserving essential services, such as police and fire. The unknown factor in the future is the budget action that will be taken at the state level when the Legislature goes into session again. The Commissioner has been told to expect 4 to 10 percent cuts. Public hearings will be announced in the future.

Traffic lights will be going in at the intersection of Branan Field and Plantation Oaks Boulevard until the flyover is done.

Two new developments are underway, Two Creeks and Pine Ridge, which will result in 1200 new homes at buildout.

Wayne Bolla told us about the plans for the new Oakleaf High School , which will include an aviation academy, which will hopefully be able to use the resources from Cecil Commerce Center, in partnership with FCCJ.

TRANSPORTATION: Ashley Davis and Tracy Murphy brought an issue about the lack of any tree landscaping in the medians on Argyle Forest Boulevard from Westport to Blanding Boulevard. John Davis (JTA) explained that Phase I of the road widening went over budget and there were not enough funds for trees. Councilman Corrigan will try to get the original landscaping plans for Phase I and try to appropriate funds for landscaping similar to Phase II. Kay Sibert suggested contacting Global ReLeaf as a possible source for trees.

Allen Durant brought up a problem with access to Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Coming east on Argyle Forest Boulevard, he has to make a U-turn at Shindler, then head west on Argyle Forest Boulevard to have access to the church. An entranceway will be built at the back of the church property when Shindler Drive is widened, but current access is somewhat hampered. Also, trees were planted in front of the church sign, which when full grown will hide the sign. Allen would like those trees removed.

It was reported that the soil underneath the sidewalk at Bridge Creek and Sable Creek is eroding.

A resident of Bishop Wood reported two deep holes with wires and pipe on the road right-of-way on Argyle Forest. It will be reported to the City.

LANDSCAPING (Argyle Forest Entranceway Median): The subject of mowing the median was discussed with Councilman Corrigan and John Davis. The roadways along Argyle Forest Boulevard are being mowed, including the south side of Argyle Forest Boulevard up to Blanding, but the median is not being mowed because the contractor says that area is not in his mowing contract. Councilman Corrigan will be following up on the mowing of the median.

A question was posed to Councilman Corrigan about crape myrtle trees supposedly being the tree designated by the Mayor as Jacksonville’s tree, and why weren’t crape myrtles planted along Argyle Forest Boulevard. Councilman Corrigan said that the cost of pruning maintenance on crape myrtle is very high and the City is trying to steer more toward trees that don’t cost so much to maintain.

Tom Martin asked about roadway maintenance along Phase II. The homeowners associations have been maintaining the roadways, and he asks if it will continue. John Davis of JTA said once Phase II is finished, the roadway will be handed over to the City to maintain.

The clean-up day last month produced four volunteers.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: No report this month.

COMMUNICATIONS AND WEB SITE: Web site is still up and functioning.

GRANT WRITING: No activity.

TREASURER’S REPORT : Allen Durant reported that the treasury is the same as last month, $347.12.

There being no further business to come before the council, Bill Ellis made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Tom Martin. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Splane, Recording Secretary

Agenda Last Updated 8-17-2007 9:30 am

ARGYLE AREA CIVIC COUNCIL
AACC Meeting Monday, August 20, 2007 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, July 16, 2007 http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/jacksonville/aacc/genpage/745883467.html

3. Committee Reports
a. Jacksonville City Council, Clay County Commission Report and other elected officials or representatives
1. Jax District 14 Council Member Michael Corrigan - Past Council President 2006 - 2007 - Council Member Corrigan will be present at the meeting with a major announcement!
2. Jax District 12 Council Member Dan Davis - City Council President 2007 - 2008
3. Jax District 11 Council Member Ray Holt
4. Jax At Large, Group 1 Council Member Ronnie Fussell
5. Clay District 2 Commissioner - Doug Conkey
6. State Representative Jennifer Carroll (R), District 13 - Rebecca Coleman, District Secretary
7. 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 - 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.betterjax.com/projects/facpac.asp?ID=32
. II) Collins Rd/Westport to Rampart http://www.betterjax.com/projects/facpac.asp?ID=58
. III) Collins Rd/Shindler to Westport http://www.betterjax.com/projects/facpac.asp?ID=57
. IV) Collins Rd/Shindler to Old Middleburg http://www.betterjax.com/projects/facpac.asp?ID=56
. V) Extension of Collins Rd from Old Middleburg to Cecil Commerce Center. Proposed. May or May Not Happen.
4. Old Middleburg Rd./103rd to Branan Field http://www.betterjax.com/projects/facpac.asp?ID=45
5. Branan Field Chaffee Road Phase 1 (103rd St. to I-10) - http://www.jtaonthemove.com/projects/bjp/bjbranan10.aspx
6. Shindler Rd realigned with Cheswick Oaks along the JEA easements for power lines. Proposed. May or May Not Happen.
7. 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.betterjax.com/projects/filter.asp
Jacksonville Transportation Authority Projects Map - http://www.jtaonthemove.com/projects/projects_map.html
Florida Department of Transportation Information http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicinformationoffice/publicinv/PI-D2.htm

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

Lack of landscaping in the first phase of the widening of Argyle Forest Blvd. Phase 1 Blanding to Westport

From: Ashley Davis
To: ArgyleACC@joimail.com
Bill: what i want to address at our next meeting is really a question. I begged for a little landscaping in the first phase of the widening of argyle forest blvd. As you know and as you can still see, we got nothing. On the second phase which starts through chimney lakes and is the approach to OAK LEAF I have counted 86 nice trees in the medians and 200 trees on the shoulders. The first phase ran through the old section of argyle, while the second phase, now in the finishing stage is a little farther up the road and serves the more affluent neighborhood. Do you think the difference in neighborhoods is what makes the difference. please think about it.
Ashley Davis - Arrowroot Neighborhood

-------- Original Message ---------
From: "Tracie Murphy"
To: "Argyle Area Civic Council"
Hey Bill,
I have a question about the road widening. Do you know why the front half of the Argyle Widening project is not getting trees in the middle and along the outside?
Thanks for your time.

Tracie Murphy
Sturbridge Place

i. Treasurer's Report

4. Old Business
a. Argyle Forest Sign Island at Argyle Forest Blvd and Blanding Cleanup Party was a HUGE Success. We still need the assistance of a brick mason who can advise the best way to replace the broken bricks.

5. New Business

6. Additional Comments From the Public

7. Motion to Adjourn

Email us
ArgyleACC@joimail.com

Additional Web Links

Minutes Monday, July 16, 2007 AACC Meeting