[1. CALL TO ORDER ]
[00:00:02]
GOOD AFTERNOON. I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS REGULAR MEETING IN THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE TO ORDER AND ASK THE CLERK TO PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A QUORUM AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS ARE PRESENT.
THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
THAT RIGHT WHERE WE ARE, RIGHT AS WE ARE, FLOWS ALL THE POWER AND WISDOM OF OUR CREATOR AND THAT THERE IS NOT A SINGLE CHALLENGE OR OPPORTUNITY WE FACE TONIGHT THAT CANNOT BE EASILY OVERCOME WHEN WE AVAIL OURSELVES TO THIS WISDOM.
SO TONIGHT WE AGREE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HUMILITY, TO KNOW THAT SPIRIT MAY BE ALL KNOWING, BUT WE ARE NOT TO KNOW THAT WHEN WE DISAGREE, WE MAY CAN DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS AGREEABLE AND THAT SOMETIMES AN OPINION THAT WE DON'T AGREE WITH IS THE OPINION WE NEED TO HEAR THE MOST.
SO TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO BE RESPECTFUL OF ONE ANOTHER.
WE'RE GOING TO BE RESPECTFUL OF ONE ANOTHER'S TIME, AND WE'RE GOING TO SHARE OUR TRUTHS.
AND TOGETHER WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A MOVEMENT THAT WILL ALLOW THIS COMMUNITY TO GROW AND THRIVE, TO BE BETTER FOR OUR GENERATION TO COME THAN WHAT WAS HANDED TO US.
WE CELEBRATE IN THIS RIGHT KNOWING, AND WE RELEASE THIS PRAYER INTO THE MIND OF GOD TO DO.
IT'S GOOD AND PERFECT, BOLD AND DYNAMIC WORK RETURNING TO US, MULTIPLIED ABUNDANTLY.
AND SO IT IS. PLEASE JOIN ME FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, REVEREND WILCOX, AND PLEASE BE SEATED.
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS ]
COMMISSIONERS YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU THE REGULAR AGENDA.ARE THERE ANY CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA AS PUBLISHED? IF NOT, IS THERE MOTION TO APPROVE? I SO MOVE. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND OF A MOTION? I'LL SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE REGULAR AGENDA AS PUBLISHED? PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
THANK YOU. THE AGENDA IS APPROVED.
[3.A. Special Presentation of the American flag to John Connor and the Connor family in recognition of former City Commissioner and Vice Mayor Raymond Connor. (T. Upchurch, Mayor) ]
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES ST.AUGUSTINE SPECIAL, WHICH I THINK IS A TRIBUTE TO OUR CITY GOVERNMENT, IS WE FOR A LONG TIME TAKE A MOMENT AND RECOGNIZE THOSE FOLKS THAT HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS, IMPORTANT, VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CITY OVER TIME.
THAT'S WHAT WE DO AS A COMMUNITY, IS WE PAUSE AND REFLECT.
AND WE DO THAT WITH A THANKFUL HEART.
COLONEL CONNOR WAS A SON OF OUR CITY.
HIS ROOTS AND THE ROOTS OF HIS WIFE ARE DEEP IN OUR COMMUNITY AND.
HE HAS SERVED OUR STATE AND SERVED OUR CITY WELL.
AND IN PARTICULAR, OF COURSE, HE WAS A MEMBER OF OUR CITY COMMISSION FROM 1998 TO 2002.
AND TWO OF THOSE YEARS HE SERVED AS VICE MAYOR.
HE WAS RETIRED FROM THE FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD AFTER 41 YEARS OF SERVICE AS A QUARTERMASTER AND THEN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUN FOR THE CITY COMMISSION AND TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
IN REFLECTING UPON HIS SERVICE.
WHAT SEVERAL FOLKS HAVE SAID IS THAT HE DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND THIS, OF COURSE, WAS REALLY BEFORE SOCIAL MEDIA.
SO YOU HAD TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL ABOUT LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY THAN PERHAPS WE HAVE TO BE TODAY.
BUT HE WAS WILLING TO ENGAGE PEOPLE IN CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE CITY.
AND AS A PERSON THAT HAD HIS PROFESSIONAL POSITION AS A QUARTERMASTER, HE SEVERAL HAVE COMMENTED ON HOW ANALYTICAL HE WAS AND IN THINKING ABOUT THE ISSUE OF PRIORITIZING OF OF GETTING TO THE NUB OF THE ISSUE AND TRYING TO STAY FOCUSED ON HOW THE CITY ACHIEVED THOSE GOALS.
[00:05:04]
HE WAS THE A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED WAY, A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE SAINT AUGUSTINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.OF COURSE, A FATHER, GRANDFATHER, A GREAT GRANDFATHER.
BUT ONE OF THE WAYS THAT THAT I ALWAYS REMEMBER, COLONEL CONNOR IS ON MY WAY TO WORK, AND I'M NOTORIOUS AT FLAGLER FOR HAVING 8:00 CLASSES.
SO HE WAS A DEVOUT CATHOLIC, A FAITHFUL MEMBER OF THE CATHEDRAL PARISH.
OUR COMMUNITY IS RICHER FOR HIS PRESENCE AND HIS LIFE AMONG US.
AND WE AS THE CITY COMMISSION ARE HERE TO HONOR HIM, TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE.
AND WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS THE FLAG THAT WAS FLOWN OVER CITY HALL ON JULY 12TH OF THIS YEAR COMMEMORATING HIS PASSING, BUT IMPORTANTLY, HIS SERVICE.
AND SO MRS. CONNOR AND THE FAMILY, IF YOU FOLKS WOULD COME FORWARD AND JOIN THE COMMISSION.
SO WHAT THE INSCRIPTION SAYS HERE IS IN HONOR OF FORMER ST.
AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSIONER AND VICE MAYOR RAYMOND CONNOR.
THIS FLAG WAS FLOWN OVER CITY HALL ON JULY 12TH OF 2022.
AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT ANY OF YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO SAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
BUT YOU'RE WELCOME TO. JUST THANK YOU FOR THE WORDS YOU SAID.
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING ]
WE'RE NOW ON ITEM FOUR OF THE AGENDA, WHICH IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.THE FIRST CARD I HAVE IS DWIGHT MILLER.
I HEAR. I'M TAKING THE MASK OFF.
HMM. I AM HERE TO SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT THE SHORT TERM RENTAL PROGRAM IN ST.
AUGUSTINE. I DO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE BEING OVERRUN WITH SHORT TERM RENTALS.
[00:10:03]
WE BUILT OUR HOUSE AND MOVED IN IN 2016 ON ST.GEORGE STREET. THERE WERE NO SHORT TERM RENTALS IN SIGHT.
OUT MY FRONT DOOR, OUT MY BACK DOOR.
NOW I HAVE SIX AND SOON TO BE SEVEN SHORT TERM RENTALS.
I HAVE MADE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS BY PHONE.
MOST OF THE TIME I'M TOLD THERE'S A LOOPHOLE.
SO I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN TIGHTEN UP THESE LOOPHOLES.
MY SUGGESTION IS TO HAVE A PHOTO FOR THE GUEST OR ON THE ADVERTISING SITE TO SHOW A PICTURE OF THIS IS WHERE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PARK.
AND ALSO, IF THERE ARE TWO PARKING PLACES DOWN THE STREET.
ABSENTEE OWNERS ARE NOT REALLY VERY RESPONSIVE THERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA THERE.
WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE? I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE HAVE A SHORT TERM VACATION RENTAL, RESPONSIBLE PARTY.
THAT RESPONSIBLE PARTY MEETS THE GUEST.
I ALSO THINK THE CITY SHOULD INSTITUTE AN ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE SHORT TERM RENTAL OWNERS. MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR JUST TOLD ME TODAY ON THE PHONE SHE DIDN'T KNOW THAT SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO RENT FOR ONE WEEK, ONLY WITH ONE FAMILY.
AND OF COURSE, SHE'S BEEN DOING TWO OR THREE FAMILIES A WEEK AND I'VE BEEN AWARE OF IT.
AND I COMPLAINED FINALLY SOMEONE FROM THE CITY CALLED HER AND SHE WAS SURPRISED.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE TRASH TAKEN OUT WEEKLY WITH THE SHORT TERM RENTALS.
MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR HAS FIVE HUGE TRASH CANS.
AND IS THAT THE END OF MY TIME? YES, IT IS. OKAY.
I ONLY HAVE ONE MORE THING. NO, NO, NO, NO.
I'M SO SORRY. HEY, I'LL COME BACK.
YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
MY WIFE AND I DID NOT COORDINATE OUR PRESENTATIONS BEFORE IN ADVANCE.
THERE HAS BEEN, AND THERE CONTINUES TO BE A RELENTLESS CONVERSION OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS INTO SHORT TERM RENTAL UNITS IN RS-1 AND RS-2.
AND THIS HAS RESULTED IN A STEADY EROSION OF THE RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.
GEORGE STREET IN THE OLD CITY SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE ARE JUST ABOUT HALF A MILE SOUTH OF HERE.
THIS IS A MAP THAT I PULLED OFF FROM GOOGLE MAPS AND THE RED.
I'LL GET RIGHT YET. THE BLUE STAR IS WHERE I LIVE.
THE RED STAR IS WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SHORT TERM RENTAL, ALTHOUGH LINDA TOLD ME IT WASN'T.
THIS IS WHAT THAT SAME MAP LOOKS LIKE NOW.
WE'VE NOW GONE FROM ONE SHORT TERM RENTAL TO SEVEN SHORT TERM RENTALS.
AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT I DIDN'T EVEN GET ON HERE.
LYNDA TOLD ME BEFORE WE CAME OVER, THEY'RE JUST POPPING UP ALL OVER THE PLACE.
[00:15:07]
COMES TO ADVERTISING.FOR INSTANCE, THE CITY CODE SAYS MAX, 12 UNITS.
THEIR BEDROOMS MUST HAVE A CLOSET.
ONE OF THE UNITS THAT WE KNOW OF ADVERTISES SUITABLE FOR WEDDINGS.
HEY, IF THAT'S NOT AN EVENT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.
AND FINALLY, WEEKLY PLUS RENTALS ONLY.
THAT'S IN THE CODE. WELL, GUESS WHAT? THEY'RE RENTING FOR 1 TO 3 DAYS.
MOST OF THEM RENT FOR ONLY TWO DAYS.
BUT SURELY SOME OF THEM WILL GO DOWN TO ONE.
NON RESIDENT OWNERS IN PARTICULAR IGNORE THE CITY CODE.
THEY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS.
ONE SHOWS FOUR AUTOS AND THEY HAD ACTUALLY RENTED A A GOLF CART PARKED OUT.
THIS IS THE RENTAL RIGHT BESIDE US.
THERE WERE FOUR COUPLES WHO WERE STAYING THERE AT THAT TIME, WHICH I THINK VIOLATES SOME ROUTE ALSO.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS VICKI PEPPER.
GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS VICKI PEPPER.
LET ME GET YOU, MS. PEPPER, TO GO A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE SO WE CAN HEAR YOU.
WE'RE AN INFORMAL, INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP THAT GREW OUT OF ST.
AUGUSTINE'S ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION EFFORT.
CARE BELIEVES OUR COUNTY MUST ESTABLISH A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE BOCC WORKSHOP COMMISSIONER BLONDER ATTENDED LAST TUESDAY IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BECAUSE WE NEED OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO STOP MERELY TALKING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND START DOING MORE CONCRETE THINGS TO ADDRESS IT.
THIS GROWING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS IS INCREASINGLY AFFECTING ALL OF US.
WE NEED ALL OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WORKING TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH MEANINGFUL SOLUTIONS.
THERE'S A CONTINUUM OF NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY, FROM THE HOMELESS TO LOWER INCOME SERVICE WORKERS TO MIDDLE CLASS TEACHERS AND FIREFIGHTERS, NOT TO MENTION SENIORS AND OTHERS ON FIXED INCOMES WHO INCREASINGLY FIND THEMSELVES STRUGGLING WITH RISING RENTS.
DID YOU ALL SEE THE ARTICLE IN THE RECORD YESTERDAY ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF SOARING RENTS IN FLORIDA? THERE IS NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION TO THIS COMPLEX PROBLEM, AND IT'S ONLY GETTING WORSE.
DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF THE PROBLEM REQUIRE DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS.
FORTUNATELY, AS WE LEARNED AT THE BOC WORKSHOP LAST WEEK, THE ST.
JOHN'S COUNTY PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL ADD SEVERAL POTENTIAL TOOLS TO OUR LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING TOOLKIT, INCLUDING GAINING DIRECT ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR LOCAL HOUSING, INCLUDING VOUCHERS, ISSUING BONDS AND DEBENTURES TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
DEVELOPING REAL ESTATE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN QUALITY PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND RESTORING AREAS OF BLIGHTED HOUSING INTO MODERN, VIABLE COMMUNITIES OFFERS MANY DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE DISTINCT ASPECTS OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBLEM.
CARE RECENTLY MET WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE TAMPA HOUSING AUTHORITY.
AS PART OF OUR ONGOING EDUCATION, WE LEARNED THAT WITH THE NEW CREATIVE APPROACHES AND PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED, TODAY'S IS NOT OUR GRANDMOTHER'S, SO PLEASE BANISH FROM YOUR MINDS IMAGES OF BLEAK, HUGE RUNDOWN CRIME AND DRUG INFESTED PROJECTS FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO OR THE BRONX IN THE 1970S. THESE THAT JUST ISN'T HOW PUBLIC HOUSING IS DONE ANYMORE.
AND IF ANY OF YOU FEAR UNDESERVING RESIDENTS MAY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PUBLIC HOUSING IF WE ESTABLISH AN AUTHORITY, I'D SAY FIRST THAT OUR NEEDS ARE VERY REAL AND GROWING, AND SECOND, THAT ESPECIALLY WHERE HUD FUNDS ARE INVOLVED, [INAUDIBLE] ARE REQUIRED TO ENGAGE IN SIGNIFICANT VETTING OF RECIPIENTS AND AUDITING OF PROGRAMS ST.
JOHN'S COUNTY NEEDS FOR A GREATLY OUTWEIGHS ANY POTENTIAL CHALLENGES WE FACE IN RUNNING OURS.
SO ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS, TAXPAYERS AND VOTERS OF ST.
AUGUSTINE AND I AM ONE, WE URGE YOU IN THE CITY TO DO ALL YOU CAN TO ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT A ST.
JOHN'S COUNTY PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND ALTHOUGH PHAS ARE SELF-SUSTAINING, IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS FOR OURS TO GET UP AND RUNNING.
AUGUSTINE DOES ITS PART TO ENSURE ADEQUATE RESOURCES, WHETHER BY CONTRIBUTING TO POOLED FINANCIAL RESOURCES OR IN-KIND PROVISION OF OFFICE SPACE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPLIES AND SUPPORT TO ENABLE THE NEW PHA TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.
START PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL.
[00:20:02]
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DWIGHT MILLER.
GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M DWIGHT MILLER.
I LIVE AT 1107 MERCURIOS DRIVE, ST.
AUGUSTINE BEACH AND I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF CARE.
BEFORE I GET GOING AND I WANT TO JUST POINT OUT WHAT'S ON THIS SHIRT.
THIS SHIRT SAYS. WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
UNITED ST. JOHN'S IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, AND I'LL COME BACK TO THAT IF I DON'T RAMBLE TOO MUCH.
THERE'S MUCH THAT I WANT TO ADD.
THERE'S NOT MUCH I SHOULD SAY THAT I WANT TO ADD THAT VICKI HASN'T ALREADY TOLD YOU.
ACTUALLY, I'M HERE TODAY TO REMIND YOU THAT CARE HAS PROPOSED AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPACT FOR ST.
JOHN'S COUNTY. WE DID THIS JUST BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION HELD ITS WORKSHOP ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN LATE JANUARY, AND WE DID SO AFTER MEETING WITH PINELLAS COUNTY LAST SUMMER AND LEARNING ABOUT THEIR IMPRESSIVELY SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO TACKLE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS, WHICH INCLUDED ALL OF THEIR MUNICIPALITIES AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENTERING INTO AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPACT.
NOW, SUCH A COMPACT IS NOT A BINDING AGREEMENT.
IT'S NOT A LEGAL DOCUMENT, PER SE.
IT HAS NO LEGAL EFFECT, BUT IT PROVIDES A PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS, ARTICULATES THE BONA FIDE COMMITMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN A COLLABORATIVE AND COORDINATED WAY AND LAYS OUT THE STRATEGY AND TOOLS THEY AGREE TO EMPLOY TO INCREASE THE AFFORDABILITY OF HOUSING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WITH THE PERMISSION OF PINELLAS FORWARD, AND THAT'S THE COUNTY LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION CARE BORROWED HEAVILY FROM THEIR HOUSING COMPACT.
ALTHOUGH WE ADAPTED OUR PROPOSAL TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR VERY DIFFERENT COUNTY.
THIS IS A VISION, AS PERHAPS SOME OF YOU ALREADY KNOW.
AND AND THAT'S AND THAT'S WHY YOU'LL SEE IT ON THE T SHIRTS FOR A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS.
THIS IS THE WAY TO GET IT DONE.
THE HOUSING COMPACT IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT'S EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER.
THIS CITY, THE BEACH, THE COUNTY.
JOHN'S COUNTY NEEDS A HOUSING AUTHORITY AND I URGE YOU TO COLLABORATE WITH THE COUNTY AND THE BEACH TO GET THAT DONE AND THEN HOPEFULLY WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE HOUSING COMPACT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT SPEAKER IS LAUREN GEIBER.
ARE YOU ALL OUT OF YOUR MINDS? HOW MANY VENDORS WERE ABLE TO BUILD ON BID ON THIS EXTRAVAGANCE? GET THE COUNTY TO PAY FOR IT.
AND THE FOUNTAIN OUTSIDE WITH TOURIST DOLLARS.
LET THE COUNTY PAY FOR IT OR INSTITUTE A TOLL ON NONRESIDENTS TO MAKE SOME MONEY.
$35,000 FOR PLANTS, TREES, LIGHTS, IRRIGATION AND GRASS.
REALLY? FORGET THIS OVERINDULGENCE.
GIVE THE CONCRETE WALL A NEW COAT OF PAINT.
HAVE A SIGN PAINTER STENCIL WELCOME TO ST.
PUT IN SOME SOLAR LIGHTS FROM THE HARDWARE STORE AND CALL IT A DAY.
I'D RATHER THAT MONEY GO TO SOMETHING MORE THAT WOULD BENEFIT US.
LIKE LOWER RESIDENTIAL RATES ON SEWER OR GARBAGE.
[00:25:05]
DO YOU REALLY THINK I CARE ABOUT MAKING A GOOD IMPRESSION ON TOURISTS WITH SIGNAGE, UNLESS IT'S A STOP SIGN OR A SPEED TABLE TO STOP THEM FROM BLOWING DOWN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. COUNT ME OUT.I GET THAT THE CITY NEEDS A SWEET RENTAL DEAL FOR THE COLLEGE BUT PARKING, TOO.
BUT HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY SPENDING ALL THIS MONEY ON WELCOME SIGNS AND OFFERING SWEET DEALS TO THE COLLEGE WITHOUT THEM HELPING OUT WITH PARKING DURING SUMMER MADNESS OR WINTER NIGHTS OF DRUNKEN, DISORDERLY AND TRAFFIC JAM? NO ONE WANTS TO BRING UP THE DISCUSSION WITH THEM.
RIDICULOUS. THE OUTDOOR LOTS DON'T NEED PORTABLE TOILETS.
NO PORTA POTTIES AT ANY OUTDOOR.
LOTS OF CHURCHES AT LEITNER, INDOOR OR OUTDOOR PARKING.
I BRING IT UP. AND YET Y'ALL DO NOTHING.
RIDICULOUS. THE COLLEGE HAS PARKING NEARBY.
THEY CHARGE $10 PER CAR TO PARK NEXT TO THE POST OFFICE.
THEY ALSO HAVE A PARKING LOT NEXT TO THEIR GYM, ACROSS FROM THE POST OFFICE, FREE TO FACULTY MEMBERS, NOT TO RESIDENTS WHEN THEY'RE WANTING TO GO TO THE POST OFFICE OR IF THE COLLEGE IS ON BREAK.
BUT THE PARKING BEHIND THE LEITNER IS A PUBLIC LOT AND THE CITY MAKES MONEY ON IT.
IF 14 TIMES EIGHT TIMES FIVE EQUALS 1400 A WEEK FOUR WEEKS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A LOSS OF $5,600 IN MONTHLY REVENUE TIMES 12 AND EQUALS TO 67,000.
I CALL THIS A VERY SWEET DEAL.
I KNOW THE MUSEUM IN THIS CITY OFFICES, SO THE PROPERTY TAX MIGHT BE A MOOT POINT BEYOND RENT.
BUT YES, THE GOING RATE FOR $22 A SQUARE FOOT IN OFFICES AT THE SCAR FACTOR AT THE CIGAR FACTORY.
BUT THIS IS NOT JUST ANY OFFICE.
THIS IS THE PRESTIGIOUS LEITNER BUILDING.
THANK YOU. PASS IT OVER TO THE THANK YOU.
AND YOU CAN READ IT ALL IN THE WRAP.
AUGUSTINE. THANK YOU, MISS GEIBER.
10B. SINCE FLAGLER COLLEGE DOES NOT PAY PROPERTY TAXES OR PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES, THIS LEASE SHOULD NOT INCLUDE FREE PARKING NOR THE USE OF THIS ROOM FOR CLASSES OR MEETINGS WITHOUT CHARGING MORE.
THOSE WISHING TO LEASE A FLOOR SHOULD PAY.
TAXPAYERS THE CITY FOR THE VALUE OF BRAGGING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS 501(C)3 IS SITTING ON 60 PLUS MILLION TAX FREE DOLLARS, ALSO KNOWN AS ENDOWMENT.
THAT SHOULD NOT ENTITLE THEM TO QUOTE SWEET DEALS.
REMEMBER, THE LEITNER HAS LOCKED OFF THE SOUTH GARDEN AREA TO THE PUBLIC.
ANOTHER SWEET DEAL BY CITY OF ST.
THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE IS BECOMING TRASH BILL SECTION 38.
BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN VOTING ON AUGUST 23RD AND NOVEMBER 8TH.
WE NEED ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO CAN READ AND BE RESPECTFUL TO CITY TAXPAYERS WHO ARE ROUTINELY, ROUTINELY IGNORED AT THESE MEETINGS.
WE NEED ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO CAN READ AND BE RESPECTFUL TO CITY TAXPAYERS WHO ARE ROUTINELY IGNORED AT THESE MEETINGS.
AND I WISH I COULD HAVE GIVEN MY 111 SECONDS TO THE LADY TALKING ABOUT SHORT TERM RENTALS.
YOU KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS? AND THE ANSWER IS THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES.
THAT'S HOW IT WAS WRITTEN. WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
WE'RE GOING TO BLAME SOMEBODY ELSE.
IT'S A SHAME WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE CITY.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY THAT SHOWED UP TODAY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I ENJOYED IT. AND EVEN SOME OF YOU WERE SMILING UP THERE.
THANK YOU. DOES ANYBODY ELSE WISH TO ADDRESS THE CITY COMMISSION DURING PUBLIC COMMENT? I HAVE NO OTHER CARDS.
I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK.
[00:30:01]
SO THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.[5. CONSENT AGENDA ]
MS. BREIDENSTEIN WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE CONSENT AGENDA? WE'RE ON ITEM NUMBER FIVE OF THE AGENDA.YES. TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS.
A CRA SPECIAL MEETING DISCUSSION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET AUGUST 18TH, 2022 9:00 A.M.
A SPECIAL MEETING DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2023 TENTATIVE BUDGET AUGUST 19TH, 2022 AT 9:00 AM IF NEEDED, IS A CONTINUATION OF THE SPECIAL MEETING TO APPROVE THE 2023 TENTATIVE BUDGET.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PRIOR COMMISSION MEETINGS.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
JULY 11TH, 2022 SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND JULY 11TH 2022 REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
FINALLY, WE HAVE THE NOMINATION OF GREGORY "GREG" B WHITE FOR THE 2022 ORDER OF LA FLORIDA AWARD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? SO MOVED. IS THERE SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
[8.A.1. ORDINANCE 2022-12: Amends the St. Augustine Police Retirement Trust Fund to increase real estate investments to an allowable 25% of the fund. (I. Lopez, City Attorney) ]
WE ARE NOW ON ORDINANCE 2022-12, WHICH AMENDS THE ST.THIS IS BEFORE ON SECOND READING AND A PUBLIC HEARING.
MRS. LOPEZ. PARDON ME? YES. MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
THEY DID REQUEST THAT THE OFFICIAL FUND POLICY BE CHANGED FROM A MAXIMUM OF 15% REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS TO UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 25% OF THE FUND'S ASSETS.
ORDINANCE 2212 IS ON SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2022-12.
IS THERE ANYBODY THAT WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON THAT ORDINANCE? SEEING NO ONE, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
I WOULD MOVE THAT WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2022 -READ BY TITLE ONLY AND PASSED ON SECOND READING.
SECOND ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-12 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING PART ONE ARTICLE NINE OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE RELATING TO THE SAINT AUGUSTINE POLICE OFFICER'S RETIREMENT TRUST FUND, AMENDING SECTION 9.05 SUBSECTION 2C TO REVISE ALLOWABLE INVESTMENT LIMITS, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? YES. CAN YOU LET ME KNOW WHO SECONDED THAT MOTION? THANK YOU. OK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ORDINANCE 2022-12 IS APPROVED.
[8.A.2. ORDINANCE 2022-13: Amends the 1977 City Employees' Retirement System to increase real estate investments to an allowable 25% of the fund. (I. Lopez, City Attorney) ]
WE'RE NOW AN ORDINANCE 2022-13, WHICH AMENDS THE 1977 CITY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO INCREASE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS TO AN ALLOWABLE 25% OF THE FUND.MS. LOPEZ? AGAIN, THIS IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE PREVIOUS ITEM.
AND SIMILARLY, THE EXISTING MAXIMUM IS 15% ALLOWABLE INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE AND THEY WOULD BE REQUESTING THE STATUTORY MAXIMUM OF 25%. AND THIS IS SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO GIVE THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY IF ANYBODY WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON ORDINANCE 2022-13. I HAVE NO CARDS AND I DO NOT SEE ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE INDICATING A DESIRE TO SPEAK, AND THEREFORE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WOULD MOVE THAT ORDINANCE.
2022-13 READ BY TITLE ONLY AND PASSED ON SECOND READING.
SECOND ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-13 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST.
[00:35:04]
2124 SUBSECTION 2C TO REVISE ALLOWABLE INVESTMENT LIMITS, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A MOTION BY MYSELF AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORVATH.
IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[8.A.3. ORDINANCE 2022-24: Prohibits smoking in public parks including the Willie Galimore Public Pool at Eddie Vickers Park. (I. Lopez, City Attorney) ]
WE'RE NOW AN ORDINANCE 2022-24 WHICH PROHIBITS SMOKING IN PUBLIC PARKS, INCLUDING THE WILLIE GALLIMORE PUBLIC POOL AT EDDIE VICKERS PARK.MRS. LOPEZ? YES, MAYOR, WE REFERENCED THIS AT OUR LAST MEETING, AND THIS IS AS A RESULT OF A CHANGE IN THE STATUTES AT THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT GAVE US BACK THE AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT SMOKING IN PUBLIC PARKS.
THERE'S BEEN NO CHANGE TO THE ORDINANCE SINCE THE FIRST READING.
I DID HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, I BELIEVE, FROM VICE MAYOR SIKES-KLINE REGARDING THE COMMUNITY GARDENS, AND I BELIEVE THE MAYOR HAD POINTED OUT THE COMMUNITY GARDENS ARE SEPARATELY LICENSED AND CONTROLLED BY THOSE GROUPS, SO THIS ORDINANCE WOULD NOT APPLY TO THE COMMUNITY GARDENS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER THEM.
AND THIS IS OF COURSE, SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AT THIS TIME I WOULD OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2022-24, AND I DO HAVE ONE CARD FROM MR. CHARLES PAPPAS.
CHARLES PAPPAS, 46, MACKERRAS STREET.
I DON'T KNOW. DO I NEED TO BE SWORN IN ON THIS? OKAY. IF I READ THIS CORRECTLY, IT ONLY APPLIES TO CITY OWNED PARKS.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO ADD PARKS THAT ARE CITY OPERATED OR LEASES? IN PARTICULAR? THE FULWOOD PARK IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE ODD PARKS WHERE IT'S OWNED BY THE ST.
JOHN'S PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT AND LEASED BY THE CITY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT QUESTION, MS. LOPEZ? YES, UNFORTUNATELY, WE MIRRORED THE STATUTORY LANGUAGE, SO WE ARE WEDDED TO THAT LANGUAGE BECAUSE THE STATUTE SPECIFIES THAT IT HAS TO BE CITY OWNED PARKS. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION AT THIS TIME? I HAVE NO OTHER CARDS AND SEEING NOBODY INDICATING A DESIRE TO SPEAK.
THEN I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COMMISSIONERS FOR THE QUESTIONS.
I WOULD MOVE THAT ORDINANCE 2022-24 READ BY TITLE ONLY AND PASSED ON SECOND READING.
SECOND ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-24 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA CREATING CHAPTER 18 ARTICLE ONE, SECTION 18-9 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, PROHIBITING SMOKING AT PUBLIC PARKS AND THE WILLIE GALLIMORE PUBLIC POOL AT EDDIE VICKERS PARK.
SAYING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
TRACY UPCHURCH. YES, ROXANNE HORVATH.
I'M SORRY. IT WAS BARBARA BARBARA BLONDER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE ORDINANCE PASSES.
[8.A.4. ORDINANCE 2022-25: Prohibits open burning with exceptions for reasonable recreational and cooking burning. (I. Lopez, City Attorney) ]
WE'RE NOW AN ORDINANCE 2022-25 WHICH PROHIBITS OPEN BURNING WITH EXCEPTIONS FOR REASONABLE RECREATIONAL AND COOKING BURNING. MS. LOPEZ. YES.ORDINANCE 2022-25 CREATES A BASIC SET OF RULES ARE VERY COMMON SENSE KIND OF RULES FOR OPEN BURNING FIRE PITS, GRILLS AND SO ON WITHIN THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE. AT OUR FIRST READING, WE HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT AMENDING THE DRAFT TO INCLUDE WOOD CHIPS AND WOOD PELLETS, AS WELL AS PAPER AS STARTER AND PERHAPS OTHER COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE STARTERS.
AND WE DID INCLUDE THOSE AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL.
SO THE VERSION BEFORE YOU INCLUDES THOSE AMENDMENTS.
I AM NOT SURE IF OUR FIRE MARSHAL IS SOMEWHERE BEHIND ME AND OTHERWISE I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.
AND THIS IS SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ARE THE QUESTIONS OF CITY STAFF AT THIS TIME? I WOULD OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING IF ANYBODY WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON ORDINANCE 2022-25.
I DO NOT HAVE ANYBODY INDICATING A DESIRE TO SPEAK AND THEREFORE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I WOULD MOVE THAT ORDINANCE 2022-25, READ BY TITLE AND PASSED ON SECOND READING.
[00:40:06]
SECOND ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-25 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST.AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION PROHIBITING OPEN BURNING.
ADDING CHAPTER 18 CHARTER ARTICLE FOUR, SECTION 1876 OF THE CODE PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
COMMISSIONERS. WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAYOR AND THE SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BLONDER.
IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[8.A.5. ORDINANCE 2022-18: Rezones and amends the Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 36 Granada Street. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building) ]
WE'RE NOW AN ORDINANCE 2022-18, WHICH REASONS? AND AMENDS THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AT 36 GRANADA STREET.YES, GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS AMY SKINNER.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
THIS ITEM RELATES TO ORDINANCE 2022-18 AMENDING THE EXISTING PUD AT 36 GRANADA STREET AND EIGHT DESOTO PLACE. THE EXISTING PUD WAS ADOPTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2021.
THE PCB RECOMMENDED THIS APPLICATION AT THEIR JUNE 7TH MEETING.
HARB REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE REVISED ELEVATION DRAWINGS AT THEIR JULY 21ST MEETING.
ADDITIONALLY, THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO DO IMPACT THE APPROVED LICENSE AGREEMENT THAT THE CITY HAD WITH THE WITH THE APPLICANT. A PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO THE LICENSE AGREEMENT REMOVES THE LANDSCAPING FROM THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY AND CHANGES THE AWNING CONFIGURATION TO INCLUDE ONLY THREE AWNINGS ON GRANADA STREET.
MCGARVEY IS HERE AND I BELIEVE HIS ATTORNEYS HERE AS WELL FOR QUESTIONS OR RESPONSE.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2022-18.
I DO NOT HAVE ANY CARDS AT THIS POINT.
THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BLONDER? NONE. I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE APPLICANT THIS AFTERNOON AT 230.
I SPOKE WITH THE APPLICANT A WEEK OR TWO AGO.
I SPOKE WITH THE APPLICANT AS WELL.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR MS. SKINNER. WE'RE ADDING APPROXIMATELY 400 SQUARE FEET TO THIS BUILDING.
YES. HAVE WE INCREASED PARKING OR WILL WE NEED TO INCREASE PARKING? THE PARKING DOES MEET THE CODE REQUIREMENT.
SO I THINK THAT'S REALLY A NON PATRON AREA.
IT'S A NON PATRON AREA, I BELIEVE SO, YES.
MISS SKINNER. WHERE WILL THE REPRODUCTION OF THE 1920S, THE HISTORICAL WALL SIGN WALL. THE SIGN AND THE MURAL HAS COME UP AS A QUESTION.
ORIGINALLY IT WAS ON THE NORTH SIDE, WHICH IS THE DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE AREA.
AT THE LAST MEETING IT WAS PROPOSED ON THE SOUTH SIDE FACING DESOTO PLACE.
BUT RIGHT NOW, THE THE MURAL WAS REMOVED FROM THE ELEVATIONS.
SO I HAVE TALKED TO THE APPLICANT, AND THE APPLICANT IS HERE TO CONSIDER A LOCATION FOR THE MURAL.
IT CAN BE PUT BACK ON THE NORTH SIDE, KIND OF AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING.
OKAY. WELL, LET'S HAVE THAT CONVERSATION NOW BECAUSE THAT'S THAT WAS A PART OF THE ORIGINAL AD.
[00:45:08]
WANTED AND EXPECTED.MISS LOPEZ, WE. YOU NEED TO SWEAR THESE FOLKS IN.
I BELIEVE THE CLERK WILL DO THE HONORS.
I KNOW OUR ARCHITECTS, KROENKE DUKE DID NOT PUT THE MURAL ON THE ELEVATIONS AT THIS POINT BECAUSE IT BASICALLY THE MURAL TALKS ABOUT A HARDWARE STORE AND THE BUILDING.
THEIR COMMENT WAS CLEARLY THAT THE BUILDING DOESN'T REALLY RELATE TO A HARDWARE STORE ANYMORE IF.
WE ORIGINALLY WE HAD IT IN THE LAST OF THE FIRST READING OF THIS REVISED PUD ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING, BECAUSE THAT BUILDING, THAT SIDE OF THE BUILDING WAS VERY BLANK IN THE INTERIM BETWEEN THEN AND NOW.
WE HEARD YOUR THE COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION AND WE REVISED THOSE TO INCLUDE A NUMBER OF WINDOWS, A COUPLE OF ACTUALLY FALSE WINDOWS, BECAUSE THE KITCHEN OF THE RESTAURANT BACKS UP TO THAT SOUTH WALL AND A DOOR.
I SPOKE TO COMMISSIONER HORVATH TODAY.
AND AS SHE MENTIONED, AND WE DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH FINDING A PLACE TO PUT THE MURAL.
WE COULD POTENTIALLY, ALTHOUGH I'D LIKE TO CONSULT THE ARCHITECTS, MAYBE TAKE OUT FALSE WINDOW ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY.
BE HAPPY TO PUT IT ON THE PARKING LOT SIDE OF THE BUILDING.
IT MAY FIT THERE BECAUSE WE HAVE.
50 ROUGHLY PARKING SPACES THERE.
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL SEE IT, QUITE FRANKLY.
COMMISSIONER HORVATH AND I TALKED ABOUT PLACING THE MURAL BETWEEN THE TWO NORTH SIDE DOORS ENTRANCE TO THE RESTAURANTS.
THAT WE WOULD BE IF THE COMMISSION FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT THAT.
I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T LET THAT.
NOT PUTTING THE MURAL ON HOLD UP THE, YOU KNOW, A GOOD PROJECT.
I'M A LITTLE TORN ON THIS ISSUE.
I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S A NICE IDEA TO KIND OF HEARKEN BACK TO THE USE OF THE BUILDING, BUT IT IS SUCH A DIFFERENT BUILDING NOW THAN IT WAS. I COULD SEE NOT PUTTING THE MURAL UP.
BUT THEN AGAIN, IF SOMEBODY FEELS STRONGLY ENOUGH ABOUT IT, THEN I THINK THERE ARE PLACES ON THE BUILDING I'D LIKE TO HEAR ANY OTHER PEOPLE'S. MY FEELINGS ON THIS AND OBVIOUSLY I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT IT.
I'VE SEEN IT IN OTHER COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY RETAIN THAT.
AND AGAIN, TRACY'S WORDS, A 1920S COMMERCIAL FEEL WHERE THOSE LARGE SIGNAGES ON THE BLANK SIDE OF BUILDINGS WERE VERY, VERY COMMON AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE THE PARTICULAR WALL OR BUILDING.
AND SO IT'S A CUSTOM, I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO THIS PART OF THE COMMUNITY IN OUR HISTORIC CITY.
AND I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO SEE IT CONTINUED.
I HAVE NO HEARTBURN IF THE WISDOM OF THE COMMISSION AND THE DESIRE OF THE DEVELOPERS TO PUT IT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING, I UNDERSTAND WHY WE MAY BE A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT IT WOULD BE CONFUSING, BUT CERTAINLY ON THE SOUTH SIDE IT WOULD NOT.
SO I THINK IT WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE PLACE ON DESOTO PLACE.
[00:50:01]
ALL RIGHT. OTHER QUESTIONS, ISSUES, COMMENTS.DO WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT FROM THE APPLICANT? YOU HAVE AN AGREEMENT FROM THE APPLICANT.
WILL REREVIEW THE SOUTH ELEVATION AND WILL PLACE THE GRAPHIC ON THAT SOUTH ELEVATION THEN.
COMMENTS? I FIRST OF ALL, WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE NOW HAVE ALMOST 90% NATIVE VEGETATION IN THE LANDSCAPE PLAN, AND I APPRECIATE SEEING THAT SPECIES LIST.
I THINK THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT.
THERE'S ALSO BIO SWALES, A BIKE RACK AND PERMEABLE PAVERS IN THE PARKING AREA.
ALL GOOD. I LIKE THE RETENTION OF THE OF THE GRAPHIC.
I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT FEATURE.
I DID JUST WANT TO BRING UP A QUESTION, I GUESS, OF MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS JUST TO CONSIDER.
I'M LOOKING AND LOOKING AT THE THE.
WHAT THE HARD MEETING IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS SAID DURING THE MEETING ON JULY 21ST, SOME OF THE COMMENTS RELATED TO THE DESIGN HAVING CHANGED AND I WANTED TO LOOK AT THOSE COMMENTS AND KIND OF CONSIDER THEM AS WE CONSIDER THIS AT THE SECOND READING.
AND THEN I WAS LOOKING AS WELL AT THE THE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION OR STAFF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS THAT WAS PREPARED BY MS.. COURTNEY, OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER.
AND ON MY DIGITAL AGENDA, THIS IS ON PAGE 58.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT'LL BE ON YOURS.
BUT IT IS THERE IS ONE COMMENT IN PARTICULAR THAT STANDS OUT TO ME IN NUMBER SEVEN OF HER ANALYSIS, AND THAT IS, I'M QUOTING HERE, REMOVING THE FRONT FACADE SLASH STREET ENTRANCE AND REORIENTING THE ENTRANCE.
AND I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT FORWARD FOR IF ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT.
SOME OF THE HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND IMAGES THAT WERE PROVIDED IN THE PACKAGE ALSO INDICATE A LESS SUBURBAN, MORE HISTORICALLY IN CONTEXT TYPE OF BUILDING.
GRANTED, THE THING HAS GONE THROUGH A NUMBER OF CHANGES OVER THE YEARS.
IT'S NO LONGER BRICK, FOR EXAMPLE.
SO THIS IS NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE.
BUT I DID WANT TO BRING IT FORWARD JUST FOR CONSIDERATION IF ANYBODY ELSE HAD COMMENTS ON THAT.
AND IF NOT, I'M OKAY WITH THAT TOO.
OKAY. WELL, I WOULD JUST COMMENT THAT THE NEW DESIGN IS SO VASTLY IMPROVED OVER WHAT WE HAVE THERE.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY ATTRACTIVE BUILDING AND I CERTAINLY CAN UNDERSTAND THEM WANTING TO RAISE IT IN LIEU OF THE FACT THAT WE WON'T HAVE OUR MARIA SANCHEZ LAKE IN POSITION FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS AND THEIR INVESTMENT WOULD BE WELL PROTECTED BY RAISING THEIR FLOOR.
AND I'M I'M THINKING IT'S A VERY ATTRACTIVE BUILDING.
I HAVE TO CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER HORVATH.
WELL, THIS IS A VERITABLE LOVE FEST.
OTHER COMMENTS? I THINK MAYBE WE'RE JUST HAPPY THAT IT'S BEING ELEVATED.
AND IT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT AND IT'S GOING TO EVOLVE AND IT'S GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENTLY.
IT'S THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT ALL NEW ORLEANS STRUGGLES WITH AND MANDEVILLE, LOUISIANA AND ALL THESE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE DOING MASS ELEVATIONS. SO, YEAH, I SUPPORT THIS.
I HAD ONE MORE MINOR THING ON THE SITE PLAN ITSELF.
IN LOOKING AT THE TRAFFIC FLOW.
AND WHERE IS THAT EGRESS THAT PEOPLE CAN LEAVE? THE PROPERTY. THAT'S CALLED THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA FEATURE.
[00:55:05]
THIS IS BLONDER. ACTUALLY, OUR FUTURE ATTENDANTS WOULD LOVE NOBODY TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY, QUITE HONESTLY, AND JUST STAY THERE FOREVER AND EAT, EAT, EAT, EAT.HOWEVER, THERE ARE TWO EGRESS LOCATIONS ON DESOTO.
AND THEY'RE SHOWN ON THE BLUE ARROWS UP HERE.
OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION THAT ORDINANCE 2022-18 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY AND PASSED ON SECOND READING WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE HISTORIC CULTURAL GRAPHIC MURAL WILL BE REPRODUCED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING.
IS THERE A SECOND? WAS THERE A SECOND? BUT IS THERE A LICENSING AGREEMENT YOU REQUESTED? THAT'LL BE THE SECOND ITEM AFTER WE VOTE ON LAST YEAR.
OKAY. THANKS FOR THE REMINDER.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND VICE MAYOR SIKES-KLINE SECONDED.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-18 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE ZONING FOR APPROXIMATELY 0.75 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 36 GRANADA STREET.
PARCEL ID NUMBER 2032400000 AND EIGHT.
DESOTO PLACE PARCEL ID NUMBER 2032300000 AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREINAFTER TO AMEND ITS CURRENT PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION, ADOPTING A NEW PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PUD, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
I'M VALDES YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THE ORDINANCE PASSES. THANK YOU, MR. MCGARVEY AND MR. DAVENPORT.
WE HAVE THE SECOND PART, THOUGH.
MS. SKINNER OR MS. LOPEZ. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR THE AWNINGS, MISS SKINNER.
I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T HEAR WHAT YOU SAID.
OH, I SAID, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR THE AWNING OVERHANG.
YES. SO THE LICENSE AGREEMENT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET.
THERE ARE THREE AWNINGS PROPOSED ALONG GRANADA STREET.
AND THAT THEY OVERHANG THE RIGHT OF WAY.
I MOVE WE PASS THE LICENSE AGREEMENT.
SO VICE MAYOR SIKES-KLINE HAS MADE THE MOTION.
I'LL SECOND FURTHER DISCUSSION.
YES, COMMISSIONER. QUICK QUESTION.
I THINK ABOUT IT BEING HURRICANE SEASON RIGHT NOW.
MAYBE I MISSED IT, BUT IS THERE SOMETHING IN THE LICENSE AGREEMENT THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE OR REQUIRE THE THE OWNER TO REMOVE THE AWNINGS IN ADVANCE OF AN APPROACHING HURRICANE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT DOESN'T END UP AS.
THERE ISN'T. BUT I CAN ADD THAT PARAGRAPH AND IF YOU'LL INCLUDE IT IN YOUR AMENDED MOTION.
THANK YOU. I DON'T KNOW IF OTHERS FEEL THE SAME WAY, BUT I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.
IF YOU'LL ACCEPT MY AMENDMENT, I WILL MAKE THAT AMENDMENT.
SO WE HAVE LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH ONE CHANGE THAT THE AWNINGS BE SECURED DURING THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT INCLEMENT WEATHER.
FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
AND GENTLEMEN, WE ALL KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO GRANADA STREET AND IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THAT PART OF TOWN. SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.
[10.A. Discussion of the estimated cost of the City entry sign located on Anastasia Blvd. (J. Piggott, Director General Services) ]
WE ARE ON ITEM 10A DISCUSSION OF THE ENTRY SIGNS.[01:00:01]
WE HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE CLARIFIED FOR YOU THE COST NOT ONLY TO PAINT, RENOVATE THE SIGN, BUT ALSO TO LANDSCAPE DESIGN.THAT MAY TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER BECAUSE WE HOPE TO FIT IT INTO OUR WORK SCHEDULE TO GET THAT DONE.
BUT WE COULD DO IT INTERNALLY WITH CITY FORCES OR A POSSIBLY USING A WORK ORDER HERE OR THERE FOR DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE'RE NOT CAPABLE OF DOING, BUT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO 90% OF IT.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. COMMISSIONERS.
JEREMY MARQUIS. MARCUS VLADIMIR HALBACH, 34.
CORDOVA STREET HERE IN LOVELY ST.
AUGUSTINE. HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY.
WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS JOURNEY OVER ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS.
WHAT ARE SOME STEPS THAT WE CAN TAKE TO REALLY IMPROVE AND AT LEAST FRESHEN UP THE SIGN OVER ON ANASTASIA ISLAND? SO THE DESIGN PROCESS THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH TODAY, WE'VE LOOKED AT A NUMBER OF ITERATIONS AND IN THE LAST MEETING REALLY CLARIFIED THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE, IF YOU WILL, A TWO STEP PROCESS, STEP ONE BEING THE DECISION TO FOCUS FIRST ON THE ANASTASIA BOULEVARD, A ONCE A YEAR ALLIGATOR FARM AND REMOVING THE OTHER MONUMENTS. AND THEN STEP TWO WOULD BE TO COME BACK WHEN THE NEW COMMISSION IS SEATED TO LOOK AT THE NORTH ENTRANCE OR THE CONQUISTADORS AND THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE MAY MAKE UP THERE.
IT IS A SIMPLE MODIFICATION, IT IS A REPAINTING.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF WORK TO THE CAPS AND PRIMARILY IT'S EDITING THE SIGN.
SO AGAIN, RIGHT NOW ALL OF THE WORDS ARE FADED, FAIRLY SMALL.
THERE'S NOT NECESSARILY A GOOD HIERARCHY.
THE NEW HIERARCHY, THE CITY SEAL BECOMES MUCH BOLDER, BRIGHTER AND LARGER.
AND IT'S REALLY JUST BRINGING OUT THOSE TWO PHRASES, BOTH WELCOME.
IN ST. AUGUSTINE, WE ARE ENVISIONING ALL NATIVE PLANTINGS AROUND THE SUN BECAUSE THERE'S CERTAINLY, I THINK, NOTHING BETTER TO WELCOME YOU TO THIS PART OF OUR STATE THAN USING OUR NATIVE LANDSCAPE AROUND IT.
SO THAT WOULD BE FOR THE SIGNAGE, THAT WOULD BE FOR DOING SOME REPAIR WORK TO THE STUCCO, THE RE PAINTING COMING IN AND ADDING SOME ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL, ET CETERA.
SO RIGHT NOW, THIS IS A BUDGETARY PRICE.
BUT AS MR. PICKETT MENTIONED, CERTAINLY THIS COULD BE DONE, I'M SURE, FOR FAR LESS BY USING CREATIVE METHODS, CITY CREWS, ETC..
SO WE DID INCLUDE WITHIN YOUR PACKET THE OPINION OF PROBABLE COSTS.
THIS IS BASED ON RECENT BID INFORMATION.
SO THIS IS NOT A BID IS JUST BASED OFF OF ALLOWANCES THAT WE WOULD SUGGEST WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO CARRY FORWARD THROUGH FINAL DESIGN AND THEN CONSTRUCTION.
SO WE ARE HERE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.
WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING ON THIS JOURNEY WITH US.
AND I THINK THAT THIS WILL HOPEFULLY BE A GOOD FIRST STEP IN RENOVATING THOSE SIGNS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONERS.
WELL, YEAH, I'VE JUST I AM NOT A FAN OF MARTINA GRASS.
I THINK THAT IT GETS REALLY TALL AND WAY OUT OF CONTROL, LOOKS MESSY.
AND WHEN YOU TRIM IT, IT LOOKS PRETTY BAD.
SO MAYBE THERE COULD BE SOMETHING ELSE.
MAYBE WE COULD FIND SOMETHING A LOWER THAT STAYS IN CLUMPS OR SOMETHING ELSE.
WE HAVE $3,000 WORTH OF SPARTAN.
AND YOU CERTAINLY GET THAT LOVELY FALL COLOR AS WELL.
WHEN THE PURPLE ONE IS IT MUHLY GRASS? [INAUDIBLE] IS THE LATIN AND IT'S THE ONE THAT WILL HAVE THE PURPLE, THE PINKY, PURPLE BLOOMS. I COULD PROBABLY BRING UP.
[01:05:02]
LET'S SEE. SO IF YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING.OH. THAT'S WHAT YOU GET DURING THE FALL, DURING THE REST.
HOW TALL IS IT, THOUGH? BECAUSE, LOOK, YOU'VE GOT THREE FEET.
NATION'S OLDEST CITY ON THE BOTTOM.
I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE ABOVE.
SO WE WERE REALLY USING THAT TO FRAME THE TWO SIDES OF WHERE THE SUN GOES.
BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE TRYING TO PULL IT BACK AWAY.
STILL NOT A FAN OF THAT EITHER, BUT.
I WAS THINKING MUCH LOWER BECAUSE THAT'S KIND OF THE SAME THING.
IT'S MESSY AND AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE INTENT FOR MR. PIGGOT IS FOR US TO BRING THE FINAL LANDSCAPE PLAN BACK TO YOU ALL OR JUST TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH HIM ON THAT.
SO THEY'RE. COMMISSIONER HORVATH? WELL, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO HAVE CITY STAFF WORK ON THIS PROJECT.
WE'RE NOT IN A HUGE HURRY AND.
I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT OVER WHAT'S THERE.
SO THANK YOU. MR. MARQUIS, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR RESILIENCE AND STICKING WITH THIS.
I LIKE THE SUGGESTION BY MR. PIGOTT THAT WE COULD DO THIS IN HOUSE, AND I AGREE THAT WE ARE NOT IN A HURRY AND I WOULD TRUST YOU ALL TO USE WHATEVER NATIVE SPECIES MAKE SENSE GIVEN THE VICE MAYOR'S COMMENTS ABOUT THEM GETTING UNWIELDY AND TOO TALL.
DO I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVE TO APPROVE THIS.
OKAY. SO THE VICE MAYOR MAKES A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE REWORKING OF THE ANASTASIA BOULEVARD WELCOME SIGN WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT MR. PIGGOTT WILL UTILIZE CITY STAFF TO THE DEGREE POSSIBLE TO REDUCE AND REDUCE COST.
SECOND NOW, COMMISSIONER HORVATH SECONDED FURTHER DISCUSSION.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
THANK YOU. THE PROPOSAL PASSES AND AGAIN, I APPRECIATE YOU WORKING WITH US ON THIS.
[10.B. Discussion of Flagler College lease agreement for the third floor on the south wing of City Hall. (J. Piggott, Director General Services) ]
OF CITY HALL. I, OF COURSE, HAVE TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM PARTICIPATING IN THIS CONVERSATION, AND THEREFORE I WOULD ASK THE VICE MAYOR TO HANDLE THIS ITEM.COMMISSIONERS JIM PIGGOTT DIRECTOR GENERAL SERVICES.
THAT WING HAS BEEN VACANT FOR ABOUT THREE AND A HALF YEARS.
SO WHAT WE DID IS WE FLAGLER PURCHASED.
THEY VERY MUCH WANT THAT AREA.
WE WE MIRRORED OR CURRENT LEASE ON THE NORTH WING SECOND FLOOR.
THE REASON I'M HERE TONIGHT, THERE WAS A RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE CITY COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2017-37 THAT REQUIRED STAFF TO BRING TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR YOUR APPROVAL, WHERE ANY MONTHLY PAYMENT IS $4,000 OR MORE.
BUT EVERY YEAR THAT GOES UP BY THE CPI, THE CPI DOLLAR AMOUNT THIS YEAR IS $4,389.79.
IF YOU APPROVE THIS LEASE, THE MONTHLY PAYMENT WOULD BE $10,410.58.
THIS IS WORKS OUT TO A 2170 PER SQUARE FOOT COST WITH A ANNUAL FEE OR REVENUE GENERATED FOR THE CITY OF $124,926.96. FLAGLER COLLEGE DOES PLAN ON DOING SOME MINOR RENOVATIONS TO THE INSIDE OF THE BUILDING THERE.
THEY THEY KNOW WE SPOKE TO HIM SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT'S IN THE LEASE THAT WHATEVER RENOVATIONS NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY TIM SHIELDS, OUR FACILITIES GROUP MANAGER, AND ANY DESIGN WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE BY A LICENSED ARCHITECT AND ANY WORK INSIDE IT NEEDS TO BE DONE BY A LICENSED CONTRACTOR.
[01:10:06]
SO WITH THAT SAID, THE RENOVATIONS, THEY PLAN ON MOVING IN JANUARY TIMEFRAME, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO START PAYING OCTOBER 1ST.SO WITH THAT SAID, THERE'S NO CLASSES GOING UP.
THIS IS STRICTLY ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL LIKE HUMAN RESOURCES, ETC..
SO WITH THAT SAID, STAFF RECOMMENDS PASSING OF THIS OR THIS LEASE AGREEMENT.
COMMISSIONERS. ANY COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? YES, JIM, THE $21 A SQUARE FOOT, YOU SAY IS THIS 2170, THE NET LEASE? WHAT ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR AS FAR AS MAINTENANCE? I'M SORRY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHAT ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR AS FAR AS MAINTENANCE OF THE.
IT'S THE SAME LEASE THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM RIGHT NOW FOR SECOND FLOOR.
WE GO IN AND EMPTY THE GARBAGE PAILS.
OKAY. YOU SAY IT'S BEEN VACANT FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS.
HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER INTEREST IN IT? YEAH, THERE WAS SOME INTEREST FOR A VERY SHORT TIME IN THAT.
THAT WAS ABOUT IT. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE, IF ANY, INTEREST WHATSOEVER.
OKAY. THANK YOU, JIM. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD SOLUTION AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING THROUGH IT.
SO I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS TO APPROVE THIS LEASE.
OKAY, THEN WE HAVE A MOTION AND THE SECOND.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE MAKE THE ROLL.
MR. LOPEZ, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? I DO NOT. MS. GALAMBOS, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? MS. BREIDENSTEIN I DO NOT.
VERY GOOD ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS ]
I HAVE A COUPLE IN PARTICULAR TO RESPOND TO THE FOLKS THAT SPOKE TO US CONCERNING SHORT TERM RENTALS IN THE ST GEORGE STREET AREA.CERTAINLY MS. BREIDENSTEIN IF YOU WILL HAVE MR. FOX OR THE APPROPRIATE CITY STAFF FOLLOW UP ON THOSE SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS THAT DO RUN AFOUL OF OUR ORDINANCE.
BUT IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND VERY CANDIDLY, SENATOR HUDSON HAS BEEN A STRONG.
ADVOCATE FOR LIMITING THE POWER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO REGULATE SHORT TERM RENTALS.
AND SO OUR HANDS ARE TIED BY STATE GOVERNMENT AND THEY'RE CONSISTENTLY TIED BY THIS ADMINISTRATION.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE LEGISLATURE FALLS INTO THAT MODE OF OF MINIMIZING HOME RULE AND AGGREGATING POWER AT THE STATE LEVEL.
AND SO THIS IS THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE WHERE THE CITY'S ABILITY TO REGULATE SHORT TERM RENTALS IS IS IS RESTRICTED BY STATE GOVERNMENT, STATE STATUTE.
THAT'S WHY WE PASSED AN ORDINANCE.
THAT'S WHY WE GOT SUED AFTER WE PASSED THE ORDINANCE.
SO WE ARE KEENLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.
AND WE'RE SPENDING A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY, INCLUDING REQUIRING OWNERS OF SHORT TERM RENTALS TO REGISTER THEIR THEIR ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE CITY.
BUT THE ABILITY TO DO ALL THAT WE WOULD WANT TO DO IS RESTRICTED BY STATE STATUTE.
THE OTHER THING I WOULD ADD, THOUGH, IS I THINK THAT OUR LOCAL STATUTE WAS PERHAPS MISCHARACTERIZED.
AND AND MR. LOPEZ, YOU'LL CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
OUR STATUTE ALLOWS A PROPERTY TO BE RENTED ONCE IN A ONE WEEK PERIOD.
[01:15:05]
SO THAT MAY BE FOR ONE NIGHT.IT COULD BE OFF FOR A FULL WEEK.
SO THEY CAN THE DURATION DURING THAT ONE WEEK IS IMMATERIAL.
BUT THE POINT IS, IS THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE RENTER PER WEEK, PERIOD.
THANKFULLY, WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT MUCH.
AND AGAIN, THAT'S THAT'S JUST BECAUSE WE WERE THERE BEFORE STATE GOVERNMENT WAS THERE.
AND SO I THINK IF THERE'S A BONE TO PICK, IT IS NOT IT IS NOT WITH THIS CITY COMMISSION.
IT IS, IN FACT, WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
BUT THIS AGAIN IS SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY AT THE COUNTY COMMISSION LEVEL.
THIS IS A COUNTY WIDE PROBLEM.
THE CITY IS NOT IN A POSITION TO CREATE A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.
I THINK THAT THE IDEA HAS BEEN FAVORABLY RECEIVED AT THE COUNTY AND I AM CERTAINLY WILLING.
TO WRITE A LETTER AT THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMISSION.
WE CAN PASS A RESOLUTION, WHATEVER MORE CONCRETE STEPS WE NEED TO TAKE.
I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO DO THOSE.
I DID NOT HEAR A SPECIFIC REQUEST THAT THAT THE COMMISSION DO ANYTHING TANGIBLE, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY AN IDEA THAT I AM SUPPORTIVE OF AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE SERVING AS ADVOCATES FOR THIS.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. WELL, I'D LIKE TO JUST ADD A COMMENT.
I WOULD VERY MUCH BE IN FAVOR OF HAVING A RESOLUTION FOR OUR NEXT MEETING AND PREPARED, AND THAT ALSO IN SUPPORT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HOUSING AUTHORITY IN WITH THE BEACH AND THE ST.
BUT ALSO THAT WE INTEND TO PARTICIPATE.
AND WE HAVE WE HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME HERE.
WE'VE GOT OUR FEASIBILITY STUDY GOING ON FOR THE 80 ACRE PROPERTY.
SO WE HAVE SOMETHING TO BRING TO THE TABLE.
AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN AND WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE HOW THINGS COME BACK.
BUT I WOULD I WOULD REQUEST THAT IF IF EVERYONE'S AGREEABLE.
I SECOND THAT MOTION IS SECOND, LET'S JUST DO THIS BY VOICE VOTE.
SINCE WE'LL VOTE ON THE ACTUAL RESOLUTION, WE HAVE SOME DISCUSSION FIRST.
THE GENE OF OUR PROPERTY AND 120 PARCELS IN WEST AUGUSTINE WERE DESIGNATED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
BUT THE COUNTY COMMISSION WAS MUCH MORE TEPID ABOUT A HOUSING AUTHORITY.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THOUGH, I THINK SHOULD FIRMLY REST WITH THE COUNTY.
AND GIVEN THAT I WOULD ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT A RESOLUTION AND A LETTER AND ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT A HOUSING AUTHORITY, PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT WOULD OPEN UP ALL KINDS OF OPTIONS FOR THIS COMMUNITY TO GET FEDERAL FUNDING.
OKAY. I'M IN FULL AGREEMENT AS WELL.
OUR NEXT MEETING. ALL IN FAVOR.
I'M GOING TO GO TO COMMISSIONER BLONDER.
AM I TURNED UPON? YES. AGAIN? YES, OK. I ACTUALLY.
I HAD A COUPLE OF EMAILS THAT I HAD ALREADY READ THE ARTICLE.
AND I WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, AND I THINK THE MAYOR DID A GREAT JOB OF SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THE SHORT TERM RENTALS BECAUSE THE EFFORTS BY THE STATE TO PREEMPT HOME RULE HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD.
IS IT PERFECT? NO, BUT IT'S NOT OUR FAULT.
[01:20:02]
AND AGAIN, I WOULD REEMPHASIZE WHAT THE MAYOR SAID.IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE LIMITATIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON US, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATURE AND FIX IT OR DO IT IN THE IN THE VOTING BOOTH.
SECONDLY, I THINK THERE IS A MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT ZONING.
OUR COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC SYSTEM IS BASED ON GROWTH AND OUR ZONING LAWS ARE WRITTEN, IF I UNDERSTAND THEM CORRECTLY, AROUND THAT ECONOMIC MODEL.
IF A PROPERTY OWNER HAS PURCHASED A PROPERTY AND IT IS ZONED IN A PARTICULAR WAY, THEN THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS A RIGHT TO DEVELOP THAT PROPERTY, AS IS UNDER THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION WHICH OVERLAYS IT.
SO THE THE IMPLICATION THAT THIS COMMISSION IS TURNING THIS COMMUNITY INTO A RESORT BY RUBBER STAMPING EVERY HOTEL IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.
IT IS THE UNDERLYING ZONING THAT WE HAVE TO DECIDE ON.
THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.
THAT WAS MY THOUGHTS WHEN I READ THAT ARTICLE.
SO AND YOU HIT BOTH OF MY ISSUES, THE SHORT TERM RENTAL AND THE PEOPLE FOR CARE.
BUT NOW YOU'VE GOT ME TEED UP AGAIN.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO QUESTION.
THAT OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, OUR LONG TERM VISION THAT WAS WAS DEVELOPED AND ENACTED UNDER COMMISSIONER HORVATH'S LEADERSHIP MANY YEARS AGO, CLEARLY STATES THAT WE WANT TO BE OUR GOAL IS TO BE A LIVABLE CITY IN ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THAT MEANS.
30 YEARS, HOWEVER, LONG AGO WHEN WE SUED ST.
JOHN'S COUNTY FOR RELOCATING COUNTY GOVERNMENT FROM DOWNTOWN ST.
AUGUSTINE. I CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO OR NOT, BUT WE DID IT BECAUSE WE WERE CONCERNED THAT WHEN YOU TOOK HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES FROM DOWNTOWN SAINT AUGUSTINE AND MOVE THEM OUT OF THE CITY, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR DRUGSTORES, HARDWARE STORES, CLOTHING SHOPS, RESTAURANTS? WHAT WOULD BE THE RIPPLE IMPACT? THE CASA MONICA HAD BEEN VACANT FOR DECADES PRIOR TO 1968 WHEN IT WAS CONVERTED TO THE COURTHOUSE.
AND OUR FEAR WAS THAT IT WOULD STAY VACANT AGAIN.
SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN ONGOING CONVERSATION AND OUR JOB IS THIS CONSTANT BALANCING OF INTEREST WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE LAW.
AND THAT'S THE OBLIGATION OF EVERY COMMISSION.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
BUT OUR VISION FOR THE CITY IS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND AND HELPING THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY THAT AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS COMMISSION, PRIOR COMMISSIONS AND CITY STAFF OF CONSTANTLY LOOKING TO THAT DOCUMENT TO GUIDE US IN OUR LONG RANGE PLANNING.
I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER, AND I FRANKLY INTEND TO ATTEND.
THE FIRST TOURISM MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKSHOP AT CHARLESTON, WHERE THEY MANAGE, THEY HAVE AN OFFICE OF LIVABILITY AND TOURISM AND THEY MANAGE THAT, WHICH IMPLIES THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF TOURISM TO THE LIVABILITY. SO I WOULD LOVE TO PURSUE THAT AND SEE HOW THEY HOW IT SHAPES UP FOR THEM, BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY'VE IDENTIFIED IN NEEDING TO UPDATE THEIR MANAGEMENT PLAN IS THIS NEW PHENOMENON NOT NEW, BUT SINCE 2015, YOU KNOW, THIS PHENOMENON OF USING TECHNOLOGY TO RENT PEOPLE'S HOMES.
AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, ST AUGUSTINE HAS BECOME POPULAR FOR THAT ACTIVITY AS A WAY TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY OR PAY FOR A PIECE OF PROPERTY, MAINTAIN A PIECE OF PROPERTY AND AND SO, SO MUCH SO THAT IT'S ON THE TOP LISTS OF YOU WANT TO DO A RENTAL INVESTMENT, A SHORT TERM RENTAL INVESTMENT, WHEREAS WHAT'S THE MOST PROFITABLE CITY IN THE COUNTRY?
[01:25:05]
AND APPARENTLY ST. AUGUSTINE'S THERE.CAN I FOLLOW UP ON THAT? THIS WEEK WE HAD AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING AT UNIVERSITY.
I MEAN, NORTHEAST REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL.
AND WHAT HE'S FINDING IS THAT THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT ARE BUYING UP MASSIVE HOMES, SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, AND THEY'RE BUNDLING THEM INTO AN INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO FOR PEOPLE.
AND IT'S NOT JUST A SHORT TERM RENTAL ISSUES, IT'S THIS.
HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO GET AROUND IT AND THEIR LLC.
SO IT'S HARD TO TRACK WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE, BUT IT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER ANY RESORT AREA.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY HAVEN'T COME HERE YET IN MASS, BUT THEY'RE IN JACKSONVILLE.
DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING FURTHER? VICE MAYOR. THANK YOU.
I'LL JUST GO BE QUIET TONIGHT.
YOU KNOW, I. I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU PLAN, HOW HARD YOU WORK, HOW MUCH YOU LOVE A CITY, THERE'S ALWAYS THAT SOMETHING THAT COMES OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE AND NAILS YOU AND WHAT NAILS THE CITY AND WHAT'S CREATED THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT SAINT AUGUSTINE IS VACATION RENTAL.
IF ANYTHING'S GOING TO TURN THIS 13 SQUARE MILE INTO ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
AND WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT IDEA.
IT KEPT PEOPLE IN THEIR HOUSES.
FLAGLER COLLEGE CAN'T FIND PLACES FOR THEIR KIDS IN A NEW DORM.
THIS ALL GOES BACK TO ONE FACTOR.
THE ANSWER TO THIS LIES IN TALLAHASSEE AND IT LIES IN THE VOTING BOOTH.
THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE IS THIS CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT, AND I DOUBT THAT HAPPENS IN FLORIDA, BUT OTHERWISE WE ARE GOING TO END UP A 13 SQUARE MILE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT BECAUSE WE'RE HALFWAY THERE NOW AND IT BREAKS MY HEART TO SEE IT.
SO ANYWAY, I WAS GOING TO BE QUIET TODAY.
I HADN'T HAD THROUGH THAT OUT THERE.
THAT'S IT. ANYTHING FURTHER? WE'RE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.