Atlantic Beach meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Atlantic Beach boards weigh pension cuts, youth council change; commission to award contracts

Atlantic Beach city boards met last week to consider pension budget reductions, a youth council restructure, and infrastructure contracts. Official minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed. The City Commission is scheduled to act on several multi-year contracts at its Aug. 24 meeting.

City Commission (Aug. 10)

The commission was scheduled to vote on a resolution dissolving the formal Teen/Youth Council and replacing it with a staff-administered Atlantic Beach Youth Council (ABYC). Also on the agenda were proposed contracts for wastewater treatment plant mixer tanks, Mary Drainage Street improvements, Water Treatment Plant #1 interior painting, and a street sweeping truck lease purchase.

Environmental Stewardship Committee (Aug. 12)

The committee held final votes on a Tree Permit Report to the Commission and a Tree Fund Budget. Members also heard a presentation from JEA on its Fleet Electrification Program and received an update on the Parks Master Plan, including public meetings scheduled for Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Pension boards (Aug. 13)

Two pension boards met separately.

The General Employees' Pension Board reviewed a quarterly investment report showing a 7.7% return for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. It discussed a proposed FY27 budget expense reduction from $89,365 to $27,648, based on $24 per member per month. The board also reviewed a new legal services agreement with JonesWalker LLC and an update on an overpayment to Eddie Brown, son of pension beneficiary Martha Brown.

The Police Officers' Pension Board discussed a similar FY27 budget reduction from $54,559 to $16,128. It also considered a possible annual cost-of-living adjustment for pensioners, proposed by the PBA union, and an alternative 13th check option. The board received the investment advisor's quarterly report and began soliciting nominations for the trustee seat of Chase Jamieson, who is moving in October.

Coming up: City Commission (Aug. 24)

The commission will consider awarding three multi-year contracts: landscape maintenance (Bid 2526-14), beach cleaning services (Bid 2526-15), and electrical motors & pumps repair (Bid 2526-16). A public hearing and final reading is scheduled for Ordinance 20-26-183, which would amend the FY 2025-26 operating budget. The agenda also includes the Environmental Stewardship Committee's semiannual tree report and routine items such as approving minutes and a 90-day calendar.

Atlantic Beach Commission to vote on contracts and youth council overhaul; recent meetings covered budget, variances, and tree protections

Atlantic Beach residents have several government items in motion this week, with the City Commission scheduled to vote August 10 on five resolutions covering wastewater upgrades, drainage work, water plant maintenance, a street sweeper lease, and the dissolution of the formal Teen/Youth Council.

The August 10 meeting is the only item with a published agenda in the coming two weeks. Three meetings held July 20–22 have agendas available but minutes not yet published, so outcomes from those sessions are not yet on the record.

City Commission — August 10

The Commission will consider five resolutions:

• **Resolution No. 26-97** — Dissolves the formal Teen/Youth Council and establishes the Atlantic Beach Youth Council (ABYC) as a staff-administered program.
• **Resolution No. 26-94** — Wastewater treatment plant mixer tank contracts.
• **Resolution No. 26-95** — Mary Drainage Street 2526-05 #4 improvements project.
• **Resolution No. 26-93** — Water Treatment Plant #1 interior painting.
• **Resolution No. 26-96** — Street sweeping truck lease purchase.

No dollar amounts were listed in the agenda summary. The resolutions involve public utilities infrastructure and a change to how the city runs its youth engagement program.

Budget Workshop — July 20

The City Commission held a workshop on the 2026-27 budget. The agenda listed four discussion items: a budget overview, a Police Department at-a-glance review, a Public Utilities at-a-glance review, and implications of a Homestead Property Tax constitutional amendment. Minutes have not been published, so no decisions or discussion details are available.

Community Development Board — July 21

The CDB was scheduled to hear three variance applications:

• **410 Sargo Lane** — A variance to allow more than one accessory shed, exceeding the limit under Section 24-151(c)(2).
• **425 Atlantic Boulevard** — A variance to increase front-yard fence height above 4 ft, under Section 24-157(c)(2).
• **1225 Selva Marina Circle** — The variance request was withdrawn by the applicant.

Minutes are not yet published, so the outcomes of the two remaining variance requests are not on the record.

Environmental Stewardship Committee — July 22

The ESC agenda included staff recommendations to approve heritage tree designations for three live oaks at 1885 Live Oak Lane and one live oak at 1800 Sevilla Blvd. The committee was also set to discuss a semiannual tree permit report due to the Commission by Nov. 30, a tree fund budget pending Commission approval, updates on Chapter 23 changes, a free arborist day, and amendments plus staff follow-up for the Landmark Tree Protection Ordinance (Ordinance No. 95-126-128). Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **August 10, Regular City Commission** — Votes scheduled on five resolutions, including wastewater and drainage contracts, water plant painting, a street sweeper lease, and the youth council restructuring. Residents interested in utility spending or youth programs may want to attend.

No other meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Residents seeking outcomes from the July 20–22 meetings should watch for published minutes on the city's website.

Atlantic Beach roundup: Commission set for final votes on tree protections and fees; budget workshop next

Atlantic Beach's City Commission was scheduled July 13 to take final votes on three ordinances — landmark tree protections, building permit fee updates, and parks fee consolidation — and to discuss the FY 2026-27 budget strategy. Minutes from that meeting and the other recent sessions have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed in the record.

City Commission — July 13

The agenda listed final readings for Ordinance 95-26-128, establishing landmark tree protection regulations; Ordinance 5-26-75, updating building, fire, public works, and zoning permit fees; and Ordinance 5-26-76, consolidating parks and recreation facility fees. The Commission also planned a public hearing on an appeal of an administrative decision regarding mechanical equipment setbacks at 970 Jasmine Street. Consent agenda items included contracts for Donner Road lift station repairs and disaster debris monitoring. Because minutes are not yet available, vote tallies and final actions cannot be reported.

Code Enforcement Special Magistrate — July 9

The magistrate was scheduled to hear four new property-violation cases: 1400 Violet St, involving two storage containers on a vacant lot and a debris pile in the right-of-way; 82 8th St W, case CE26-0025; 90 Dutton Island Rd, case CE26-0042; and 705 Atlantic Blvd, case CE26-0060. The agenda also included approval of prior minutes and old business. Outcomes are not yet in the record.

Environmental Stewardship Committee — July 8

The ESC agenda covered approval of minutes from May 27, June 10, and June 24, plus discussion of environmental awards, Minecraft expansion activities, and a planned speaker series. Members were also set to review the Motion Tracker and the Life Cycle of a Motion. No public hearings or major policy decisions were scheduled.

Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee — July 14

ARCC was set to approve minutes from June 9 and June 23, hear grant liaison highlights, review the 2026–27 grant timeline and scoring rubric, and debrief the recent Centennial Celebration event. No decisions on new funding or contracts were listed.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Budget Workshop:** The City Commission will review the 2026-27 budget overview, including at-a-glance looks at Public Utilities and the Police Department, plus implications of a Homestead Property Tax constitutional amendment.
• **July 21 — Community Development Board:** Three variance applications are on the docket: 410 Sargo Lane, to allow more than one accessory shed under Section 24-151(c)(2); 425 Atlantic Boulevard, to increase front-yard fence height above 4 ft under Section 24-157(c)(2); and 1225 Selva Marina Circle, which was withdrawn by the applicant.
• **July 22 — Environmental Stewardship Committee:** The ESC will review staff recommendations to approve heritage tree designations for three live oaks at 1885 Live Oak Lane and one live oak at 1800 Sevilla Blvd. The committee will also discuss the semiannual tree permit report due to the Commission by Nov. 30, the pending tree fund budget, and amendments and staff follow-up for the Landmark Tree Protection Ordinance (Ordinance No. 95-26-128).

Atlantic Beach roundup: Commission set to vote on landmark tree protections and permit fees; recent meetings await minutes

Atlantic Beach's most consequential action this week sits ahead, not behind. The City Commission meets tonight, July 13, with final readings on three ordinances and a budget strategy discussion on the agenda. Meanwhile, three recent meetings — a budget workshop, an Environmental Stewardship Committee session, and a Code Enforcement Special Magistrate hearing — remain agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so outcomes cannot be confirmed from the available record.

Budget workshop held June 29

The City Commission held a budget workshop on June 29 to discuss opportunities and challenges for fiscal year 2026-27. City Manager Hogencamp presented the overview, according to the agenda. Public comment and Q&A were included. No votes or dollar figures are available because minutes have not been published.

Environmental Stewardship Committee met July 8

The Environmental Stewardship Committee was scheduled to approve minutes from its May 27, June 10, and June 24 meetings. Agenda items included discussion of Environmental Awards, updates on Minecraft extension activities, and planning for an ESC Speaker Series on July 9. The committee was also set to review its Motion Tracker and the Life Cycle of a Motion process. No public hearings or major policy decisions were listed. Minutes are not yet published.

Code Enforcement Special Magistrate heard four cases July 9

The Code Enforcement Special Magistrate was scheduled to hear four new cases involving alleged property violations:

• **1400 Violet St** — two storage containers on a vacant lot and a debris pile in the right-of-way.
• **82 8th St W** — case CE26-0025.
• **90 Dutton Island Rd** — case CE26-0042.
• **705 Atlantic Blvd** — case CE26-0060.

The agenda also included approval of previous minutes and old business. Outcomes are not available because minutes have not been published.

Coming up

Regular City Commission — Monday, July 13 (today). The Commission will discuss the FY 2026-27 budget strategy and hold public hearings on three ordinances up for final reading:

• **Ordinance 95-26-128** — establishing landmark tree protection regulations.
• **Ordinance 5-26-75** — updating building, fire, public works, and zoning permit fees.
• **Ordinance 5-26-76** — consolidating parks and recreation facility fees.

The Commission will also hear an appeal of an administrative decision regarding mechanical equipment setbacks at 970 Jasmine Street. Consent agenda items include contracts for Donner Road lift station repairs and disaster debris monitoring.

Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee — Tuesday, July 14. ARCC will approve minutes from its June 9 and June 23 meetings, review grant liaison highlights, and go over the 2026-27 grant timeline and scoring rubric. Members will also debrief the recent Centennial Celebration event and consider volunteer needs and promotional activities. No decisions on new funding or contracts are listed.

Residents who want to confirm what actually happened at the June 29, July 8, and July 9 meetings should watch for published minutes. The agendas above reflect what was scheduled; outcomes will be reportable once the official record is available.

Atlantic Beach roundup: City manager appointment, tree protections on June agendas; minutes pending

Atlantic Beach officials convened a series of meetings in late June covering the city manager appointment, tree protections, budget planning, and grant outreach. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so outcomes of scheduled votes and discussions cannot be confirmed from available records.

City Commission — June 22

The Regular City Commission agenda included several items involving money, land, and city services. The commission was scheduled to consider approving an employment agreement for Kevin Hogencamp as permanent city manager under Resolution 26-81, and rescinding the prior search under Resolution 26-82.

Other scheduled items:

• Introduce Ordinance 5-26-75 and 5-26-76 to consolidate and update city fees across building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, public works, zoning, and parks.
• Introduce Ordinance 95-26-128 creating landmark live oak tree preservation regulations.
• Award construction contracts for the Atlantic Coast Public Works Equipment Building and the 2026 annual milling & paving project (Resolutions 26-79, 26-80).
• Extend the paid parking program at Beaches Town Center through Dec. 31, 2026 (Resolution 26-83).

Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed which of these items passed, failed, or were deferred.

Environmental Stewardship Committee — June 24

The ESC reviewed 2025 tree canopy data showing 4,436 inches of trees removed with permits versus 1,839 inches planted. The committee also discussed 156 mature trees lost through arborist letters with no replacement or fees. A motion was listed to approve up to $12,000 for free arborist days, conducted two to four times per year, for mature tree assessments. The tree fund balance was reported as $613,855 as of June 1, 2026. The committee also reviewed the landmark tree protection ordinance draft headed for commission first reading.

Other Recent Meetings

The Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee held a public Q&A on June 23 regarding 2026-27 grant information. On June 29, the City Commission held a budget workshop where City Manager Hogencamp presented an overview of FY 2026-27 opportunities and challenges, with public comment included. Minutes for both are pending.

Coming Up

• **July 8 — Environmental Stewardship Committee:** Approve minutes from three prior meetings; discuss environmental awards, Minecraft expansion activities, and a speaker series planned for July 9.
• **July 9 — Code Enforcement Special Magistrate:** Four property violation cases, including storage containers and debris at 1400 Violet St., and cases at 82 8th St. W., 90 Dutton Island Rd., and 705 Atlantic Blvd.
• **July 13 — Regular City Commission:** FY 2026-27 budget strategy discussion; final readings on landmark tree protections (Ordinance 95-26-128), building permit fee updates (5-26-75), and parks fee consolidation (5-26-76); public hearing on an appeal of an administrative decision regarding mechanical equipment setback at 970 Jasmine Street.

Atlantic Beach commission weighs city manager hire, tree protections, fee changes

The Atlantic Beach City Commission tackled a full agenda at its June 22 meeting, considering a permanent city manager appointment, new fees, landmark tree protections, and public works contracts. An Environmental Stewardship Committee discussion revealed stark tree loss data, and a budget workshop set the stage for next year's spending plan.

City Manager Appointment

The commission considered a resolution to approve an employment agreement for Kevin Hogencamp as permanent city manager and to rescind a prior search resolution. If approved, Hogencamp would move from the temporary role he has held to a permanent one. Meeting minutes were not yet published, so vote tallies were unavailable.

Fee overhaul and landmark tree ordinance

The commission introduced two ordinances to update city fees for the first time in years. Ordinance 5-26-75 would revise building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, public works, and zoning permit fees. Ordinance 5-26-76 consolidates parks and recreation facility fees. Both will return for a final public hearing and vote on July 13.

Separately, Ordinance 95-26-128 would create regulations to protect landmark live oak trees. Its first reading was introduced at the same meeting; the final vote is also set for July 13.

Public works and parking

The commission took up construction contracts: Resolution 26-79 to award a contract for the Atlantic Coast Public Works Equipment Building and Resolution 26-80 to approve the 2026 annual milling and paving project. They also considered a resolution to extend the paid parking program at Beaches Town Center through Dec. 31, 2026. As with other items, no vote outcomes were available at press time.

Environmental committee addresses tree loss

On June 24, the Environmental Stewardship Committee reviewed 2025 data showing the city lost a net of 2,597 inches of tree canopy: 4,436 inches removed with permits versus only 1,839 inches planted. A total of 156 mature trees were lost via arborist letters with no replacement requirement or fees. The committee discussed the draft landmark tree ordinance and considered a motion to approve up to $12,000 for free arborist days to assess mature trees. The tree fund balance stood at $613,855 as of June 1. Members also discussed semi-annual tree permit reporting and possible changes to Chapter 23, the tree code.

Budget workshop

The City Commission held a budget workshop on June 29. City Manager Hogencamp presented an overview of opportunities and challenges for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget. The discussion included public comment and a question-and-answer session.

Coming up

On July 13, the regular City Commission meets to finalize the landmark tree protection ordinance and the two fee overhaul ordinances, with public hearings. They will also discuss the FY 2026-27 budget strategy and hear an appeal of an administrative decision on mechanical equipment setbacks at 970 Jasmine Street.

On July 8, the Environmental Stewardship Committee convenes to approve minutes from three previous meetings, plan an environmental awards discussion, and continue work on a speaker series. A Code Enforcement Special Magistrate hears four new property violation cases on July 9, including unpermitted storage containers and debris in rights-of-way.