Marsh Oaks Neighborhood Association

March 3, 2001

May 05, 2001

MINUTES

The Marsh Oaks Neighborhood Association (MONA) met on
Saturday, March 3, 200l, for its monthly meeting. The
meeting was held at the Oceanside Christian Church, 130
Main St., Atlantic Beach.


I TRAFFIC

A)SCHOOL BUSES
MONA members reported that traffic does not always come to
a complete stop when school buses are loading or unloading
at two stops, one at Main St. and Levy Rd. and the other at
Rose and West 11th streets. Cars going to and from Naval
Station Mayport via Cypress Cove are said to be the source
of the problem.

B) TRACTOR-TRAILERS
MONA members reported an increasing number of full-sized
tractor-trailers using residential streets in Marsh Oaks,
including Orchid/Rose, Main, West 3rd and West 14th
streets. The tractor-trailers are said to be servicing the
light-industrial area bounded by Main and Levy; also some
of the trucks are entering Marsh Oaks on Levy and
travelling southward through the residential area in order
to service businesses along Mayport Rd.

C) HANDICAPPED ACCESS
MONA members also discussed the problems encountered by
Marsh Oaks' handicapped residents when they want to cross
Mayport Rd., a problem that has become more difficult as a
result of the Flyover construction project.


II BICYCLE PATROLS AND COMMUNITY POLICING

MONA members again discussed the possibility of obtaining
bike patrols of Marsh Oaks, especially during the
afternoons. Members believe that bike patrol officers are
more accessible to citizens and more of a deterrent to
crime. Members voted to invite Chief Thompson to a future
meeting to discuss what role the Association can play in
bringing about bicycle patrols and community policing of
Marsh Oaks.


III ZONING AND SERVICES

MONA members agreed to individually contact the Public
Works Department in an effort to get the growing mound of
trash picked up from a site on the south side of West
Second St., just east of Main St. This pile has been in
existence for some 4 or 5 months.

The crematorium on Levy Road, which has been approved by
the city government, also was a subject for discussion.
Members agreed to keep an eye out for possible pollution or
unlawful activity coming from the site.

Association members also had a second discussion of the
city's zoning ordinance regarding boats, trailers and
vehicles. MONA's position remains that the current
ordinance is unfair and that boats, trailers and vehicles
should be allowed to park in the front yard provided that
they are properly licensed and that they do not extend onto
the city's right of way or onto the road, which would
constitute a hazard.


IV RECREATION

Timmy Johnson, city recreation director, sent word to MONA
that the Rose Park children's park is on schedule and
should be open in April. The city government approved a
total of $30,000 for the project in January, 2001, after
MONA lobbied for the project for more than a year.

Johnson also said that the cultural enrichment program
approved by the city government would include one jazz
concert at Dutton Park, and that the city would make every
effort to ensure that the children of Marsh Oaks have the
opportunity to participate in the summer art enrichment
program ($35 per child).

Association members also discussed the city's efforts to
purchase 6 lots along the north side of Plaza Rd. for the
purpose of creating a park for older children and adults.
The property has not been closed on, and members sugested
that perhaps the city ought to look again at the block
bounded by Main St. and Levy Rd. (Willie's Towing site),
which is now available. This block probably would be more
expensive than the Plaza Rd. site, but it clearly would be
less of a problem in terms of noise for neighbors. In
addition, it is a larger site, and it also could serve as a
safer location for the school bus stop.


The next meeting of MONA will be on Saturday, April 7, at 1
PM in the Oceanside Christian Church, 130 Main St. in
Atlantic Beach. All residents of Marsh Oaks are invited.

Submitted by Michael Hoffmannn, March 7,
2001