[1. CALL TO ORDER ] [00:00:05] >> I'D LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER FOR APRIL 10, 2023, THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE COMMISSION MEETING. GOOD AFTERNOON. EARLY OR LATE AFTERNOON [INAUDIBLE] I SAY. CAN WE HAVE STAFF CALL ROLL, PLEASE? >> ROXANNE HORVATH. >> HERE. >> BARBARA BLONDER. >> HERE. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS. >> HERE. >> JAMES SPRINGFIELD. >> YEAH. >> NANCY SYKES CLIMB. >> OUR MAYOR IS OUT-OF-TOWN DOING CITY WORK. WE HAVE TONIGHT LET'S SEE PASTOR RICHARD DAW FROM THE MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH TO DO OUR INVOCATION, PLEASE COME TO THE MIC AND AFTER THAT, WE'LL ASK COMMISSIONER BLONDER TO DO OUR PLEDGE, PLEASE STAND. >> THIS AFTERNOON'S PRAYER IS ATTRIBUTED TO ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU, ADAPTED FROM AN ORIGINAL PRAYER BY SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD IT OR PRAYED IT BEFORE. IN THIS PRAYER, WE CALL UPON GOD TO BLESS, GUIDE, AND DIRECT THE WORK OF OUR MAYOR, OUR CITY COMMISSIONERS, ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND THOSE WHOSE WORK SUPPORTS THEM IN OUR CITY, LET US PRAY. DISTURB US, LORD, WHEN WE ARE TOO WELL PLEASED WITH OURSELVES, WHEN OUR DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE BECAUSE WE DREAM TOO LITTLE BECAUSE WE SAIL TOO CLOSE TO THE SHORE. DISTURB US, LORD, WHEN WITH THE ABUNDANCE OF THINGS WE POSSESS, WE HAVE LOST OUR THIRST FOR THE WATER OF LIFE. WHEN HAVING FALLEN IN LOVE WITH TIME, WE HAD CEASED TO DREAM OF ETERNITY. IN OUR EFFORTS TO BUILD A NEW EARTH, WE HAVE ALLOWED OUR VISION OF HEAVEN TO GROW DIM, STIR US, LORD, TO DARE MORE BOLDLY, TO VENTURE INTO WIDER SEAS WHERE STORMS SHOW THY MASTERY. WE'RE LOSING SIGHT OF LAND. WE SHALL FIND THE STARS IN THE NAME OF HIM WHO PUSHED BACK THE HORIZONS OF OUR HOPES AND INVITED THE BRAVE TO FOLLOW. AMEN. >> WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PRAYER. THANK YOU, PASTOR DAW AND COMMISSIONER BLONDER. >> [2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS ] >> FIRST-ORDER IS TO FIND OUT WHETHER WE HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS FOR OUR REGULAR AGENDA. >> YES, MADAM VICE MAYOR, I HAVE ONE MODIFICATION WHICH COULD BE ITEM 12B. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO DISCUSS SCHEDULING THE WORKSHOP. >> THAT SOUNDS GREAT. >> I'VE PROVIDED A MEMO. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> THAT IS THE WORKSHOP ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING? >> CORRECT. >> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER MR. MANAGER? NOTHING. >> VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. GOOD EVENING. STAFF HAS NO OTHER MODIFICATIONS. >> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS MODIFIED. >> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> GREAT. THIS IS SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO, [3.A. Proclamation regarding Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (R. Horvath, Commissioner) ] WHICH ARE SPECIAL PRESENTATION, RECOGNITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS. THE FIRST ONE WE HAVE, I'D LIKE TO INVITE MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS UP, AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE FOUR PROCLAMATIONS TONIGHT. TO THAT, I'LL BE PRESENTING AND TO THAT COMMISSIONER BLONDER WILL BE PRESENTING. WE'LL START WITH THE FIRST ONE, WHICH IS THE PROCLAMATION REGARDING SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH. OUR PERSON THAT WILL COME IS ALLISON SHAW, THAT WOULD BE RECEIVED. NOW IT'S ON. PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH IS INTENDED TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS WIDESPREAD AND HAS PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS FOR EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND MORE AS RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY AS SEEN BY STATISTICS INDICATING THAT 1 IN 5 WOMEN WILL HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ASSAULT BY THE TIME THEY COMPLETE COLLEGE AND WHEREAS WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT [00:05:04] WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HOW TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS AND WHEREAS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OF ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAMS THAT PAY GRIFFIN HOUSE ENCOURAGE EVERY PERSON TO SPEAK OUT WHEN WITNESSING ACTS OF VIOLENCE HOWEVER SMALL. MORE AS WITH LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION, AND ENCOURAGEMENT, THERE IS COMPELLING EVIDENCE THAT WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE THROUGH PREVENTION, EDUCATION, INCREASED AWARENESS, AND HOLDING PERPETRATORS WHO COMMIT ACTS OF VIOLENCE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. WHEREAS BETTY GRIFFIN HOUSE STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PARTNERS AND OF EVERY CITIZEN TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EFFORTS, INCLUDING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS, HOW TO PREVENT IT, HOW TO HELP SURVIVORS CONNECT WITH SERVICES, AND HOW EVERY SEGMENT OF OUR SOCIETY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO BETTER ADDRESS SEXUAL VIOLENCE. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE HEREBY PROCLAIMS THE MONTH OF APRIL 2023 AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, AND IT'S SIGNED BY OUR MAYOR, NANCY SYKES CLIMB [INAUDIBLE] AND I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC. I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS. NO? >> JUST TO SAY THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF WHAT WE DO AT BETTY GRIFFIN CENTER, AND THANK YOU EVERYONE TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR US AS WELL. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. A PICTURE? YES, I ALWAYS FORGET THE PICTURE. YOU WANT TO SIT IN THE MIDDLE? [LAUGHTER] COME IN THE MIDDLE HERE. >> I'LL COME IN THE MIDDLE. THAT'S PERFECT. [BACKGROUND] >> THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. >> THAT'S GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]. [3.B. Proclamation regarding Water Conservation Month. (B. Blonder, Commissioner) ] >> IS THIS ON? >> YEAH, DEFINITELY. >> BEFORE I CALL UP DOUGLAS CLANCY I JUST WANTED TO SAY THIS IS A PROCLAMATION ABOUT WATER SUPPLY AND CLEAN WATER. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM TO KNOW THAT THERE'S A BILL BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE CALLED THE LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT BILL THAT WOULD ACTUALLY REMOVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO IMPOSE MORE STRINGENT STANDARDS ON BOTH WATER SUPPLY IN TERMS OF WATER USAGE AND OVER USAGE AS WELL AS WATER QUALITY. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE REGISTER THEIR OPINION WITH THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS AT THE STATE LEVEL. THERE'S ALSO A RIGHT TO CLEAN WATER PETITION THAT WOULD AMEND THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION THAT YOU CAN FIND ONLINE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN SIGNING THAT, IF THEY GET ENOUGH SIGNATURES THAT GOES ON THE BALLOT IN 2024. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO READ THIS WONDERFUL PROCLAMATION AND CALL UP DOUGLAS CLANCY. MR. CLANCY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. [NOISE]. WHEREAS FLORIDA'S NATURAL BEAUTY, CRYSTAL BLUE WATERS, AND WHITE SAND BEACHES ATTRACT RESIDENTS AND VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. WHEREAS CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES ARE VITAL TO FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY AND QUALITY OF LIFE. WHEREAS MORE THAN 90% OF FLORIDA'S DRINKING WATER IS SUPPLIED BY UNDERLYING AQUIFERS AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE ECONOMY DEPEND UPON A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, AND WHEREAS FLORIDIANS CONSUME MORE THAN 7.9 BILLION GALLONS PER DAY OF FRESHWATER AND THE FUTURE OF FLORIDA DEPENDS GREATLY UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER. WHEREAS THE STATE OF FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS AND THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER CONSERVATION, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS DESIGNATED APRIL TYPICALLY A DRY MONTH EXCEPT TONIGHT. WHEN WATER DEMANDS OUR MOST ACUTE AS FLORIDA'S WATER CONSERVATION MONTH TO EDUCATE CITIZENS ABOUT HOW THEY CAN HELP SAVE FLORIDA'S PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES. WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED WATER CONSERVATION THROUGH VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM [00:10:04] APRIL 2023 AS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH AND CALLS UPON EACH CITIZEN IN BUSINESS TO HELP PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCES BY PRACTICING WATER-SAVING MEASURES AND BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE NEED TO SAVE WATER. FOR THIS, THE 25TH YEAR OF WATER CONSERVATION MONTH, THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL FOCUS ON FIXING LEAKS AND ALL FORMS OF WATER LOSS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH [APPLAUSE] FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU DO. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? >> I'M NEVER AFRAID OF THE MICROPHONE, BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS WONDERFUL PROCLAMATION AND IT IS AN IRONY THAT WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A NOR'EASTER AND I'M ASKING FOR WATER CONSERVATION. BUT YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD THAT WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT STORM WATER, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CLEAN POTABLE WATER THAT'S DOWN IN THE UPPER FLORIDA, AN AQUIFER THAT IS REALLY WHERE WE GET MOST OF OUR INEXPENSIVE WATER. THIS IS THE 25TH YEAR THAT FLORIDA DOES DESIGNATE THIS MONTH AS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH, BUT I SAID THAT'S BIG REALLY. EVERY MONTH IS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND LEAK DETECTION IS OUR THEME THIS YEAR. I THINK EVERYONE CAN RELATE TO THE LEAKS AROUND THE HOUSE AT SOME POINT IN TIME IN THEIR OWNERSHIP. THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD CAN LOSE UP TO 10,000 GALLONS OF WATER AND LEAKS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, 10% OF HOMES CAN LOSE UP TO 90 GALLONS IN A DAY IN BASED ON THOSE LAKES, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS IT'S EASILY CORRECTABLE. LEAKS CAN BE EASILY FIXED AND THAT SAVES THE HOMEOWNER ABOUT 10% ON THEIR WATER BILL. ODDLY ENOUGH TODAY I TOOK A CALL FROM A CONSTITUENT WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT WATER AND THE TIERED WATER PRICING. I HAD TO EXPLAIN TO THEM HOW THAT ALL PROCESS WORK. WATER CONSTIPATION IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART, BUT THEN WE DECIDED TO GO OUT AND ENJOY OUR YARD. MOST YARDS PROBABLY IRRIGATED. 1/30 SECOND OF AN INCH LEAK IN THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM CAN ACCOUNT FOR UP TO 6,300 GALLONS OF WATER IN A MONTH. IRRIGATION PLAYS A BIG PART AND WATER CONSERVATION BECAUSE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, YOUR TYPICAL FLORIDA HOME, MORE THAN 50% OF YOUR WATER IS USED OUTSIDE THE HOUSE. THERE IS A BIG LOW-HANGING FRUIT FOR US TO REALLY PRESERVE OUR WATER. WATER CONSERVATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTION THAT WE CAN TAKE TO SUSTAIN OUR WATER PROPERTIES OR OUR WATER SUPPLY. I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR RECOGNIZING THIS AND PROVIDING A WONDERFUL PROCLAMATION AND I'M ALWAYS HERE TO SERVE. I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MR. CLANCY FOR A WONDERFUL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO HOW WE CAN CONSERVE WATER AND SAVE MONEY AT THE SAME TIME. >> YES. [LAUGHTER]. [3.C. Proclamation regarding Earth Month. (B.Blonder, Commissioner) ] >> FOR THE NEXT PROCLAMATION, WE HAVE BOTH LABOOR SKIP AND OLIVIA SMITH, PLEASE. ACTUALLY, I THINK WE HAVE CAROLINE BLUNCK AS WELL. I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW EVERYBODY'S NAMES. COME ON UP. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A TEAM THAT DOES SOME GREAT WORK WITHIN THE CITY. WELL, CAN WE HAVE YOU ALL INTRODUCE YOURSELVES BEFORE WE GET STARTED? >> I'M CAROLINE BLUNCK. I'M AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR. >> KEVIN MCGINNIS, ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR. >> LABOOR SKIP, ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM SUPERVISOR. >> OLIVIA SMITH, SOLID WASTE MANAGER. >> STEVE WRIGHT, SOLID WASTE FOREMAN. >> PATRICIA WEST, [INAUDIBLE]. >> A GREAT TEAM AND THIS IS A PROCLAMATION FOR EARTH DAY WHICH IS NOW EARTH MONTH. THIS GROUP RIGHT HERE HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT WITHIN THE CITY TO HELP THIS CITY BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE EVERYDAY. [LAUGHTER]. WHEREAS EARTH DAY WAS FIRST CELEBRATED ON APRIL 22, 1970 TO INSPIRE AND APPRECIATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION. WHEREAS THE ANNUAL RECOGNITION OF THIS DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THAT FIRST EARTH DAY AND MARKS A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFORTS TO IMPROVE, PROTECT, AND ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT. [00:15:01] WHEREAS THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY FACES EXTRAORDINARY CHALLENGES, SUCH AS ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES, CLIMATE CHANGE, FOOD, AND WATER SHORTAGES. WHEREAS IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE CITIZENS OF OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT LOCAL EFFORTS THAT PROTECT, RESTORE, AND CONSERVE HABITAT AND VITAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES. WHEREAS EXPANDING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CLIMATE LITERACY IS VITAL TO ENHANCE AWARENESS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, INFORMED DECISION-MAKING, AND PROTECT FUTURE GENERATIONS. WHEREAS IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT SUSTAINABILITY WILL ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE PRESENT WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE NEEDS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS. WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE ENCOURAGES CITIZENS OF ALL AGES TO PARTICIPATE IN EARTH MONTH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PLANTING POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY GARDENS, PLANTING A TREE, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS, WATER CONSERVATION, AND REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE WHEREVER POSSIBLE. WHEREAS EARTH MONTH IS AN ANNUAL REMINDER OF THE CONSTANT NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM, STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTS AND SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS. NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HEREBY PROCLAIMS APRIL 2023 AS EARTH MONTH AND ENCOURAGES ALL CITIZENS, BUSINESSES, AND INSTITUTIONS TO CELEBRATE THE EARTH AND PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE LITERACY. IN THIS GROUP RIGHT HERE WE HAVE A VERY STRONG LEADER WHO HAS REALLY TAKE ON THE CITY'S PLEDGE TO BE IN THE MONARCH PLEDGE. I FORGET THE NAME OF THE HOLDER. >> MAYOR MONARCH PLEDGE. >> MAYORS MONARCH PLEDGE AND WE REALLY HAVE A WONDERFUL GROUP OF FOLKS WHO ARE SPEARHEADING SUSTAINABILITY. CAROLINE WAS A FORMER STUDENT OF MINE AND I'M PROUD TO SEE YOU ALL HERE, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EFFORTS. [APPLAUSE] >> WELL, THANK YOU. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY HAVING OUR FIRST-EVER SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP ON TUESDAY, APRIL 18, FROM 9:00 TO NOON. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE COMPOSTING TOPICS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND WATER CONSERVATION, SO PLEASE ATTEND. IT'S GOING TO BE AT THE GALAMORE CENTER AGAIN ON TUESDAY THE 18TH. THEN ON FRIDAY THE 21ST, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR ANNUAL EARTH WEEK RECYCLING EVENT WITH DOCUMENTS TREADING FOR FREE. RESIDENTS CAN COME BRING FIVE BOXES, DOCUMENTS TO SHRED, AND ELECTRONICS AND USED COOKING OIL RECYCLING. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE. >> THANK YOU. SHE WANTS TO TAKE A PICTURE. >> SURE. TOGETHER. [BACKGROUND]. >> THERE WE GO. [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] DON'T GO ANYWHERE YET. [LAUGHTER] NEXT WE HAVE A POET LAUREATE PROCLAMATION, [3.D. Proclamation regarding National Poetry Month. (R. Horvath, Commissioner) ] AND WE HAVE MISS NORMA SHERRY HERE TO RECEIVE IT. ALSO, I BELIEVE JUST GOING TO READ A POEM FOR US. [BACKGROUND] UP HERE. WE'LL DO THE PROCLAMATION FIRST AND THEN YOU CAN READ US SOMETHING WONDERFUL. >> WONDERFUL. YES. OKAY. >> THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] THE PROCLAMATION READS, WHEREAS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH SEEKS TO HIGHLIGHT THE EXTRAORDINARY LEGACY AND ONGOING ACHIEVEMENT OF AMERICAN POETS, INTRODUCE AMERICANS TO PLEASURES AND BENEFITS OF READING POETRY, BRING POETS AND POETRY TO THE PUBLIC AND IMMEDIATE AND INNOVATIVE WAYS MAKE POETRY AND IMPORTANT PART OF OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND WHEREAS POETRY AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES AFFECTS EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE IN AMERICA TODAY, INCLUDING EDUCATION, THE ECONOMY, AND COMMUNITY PRIDE AND DEVELOPMENT AND WHEREAS POETRY HAS PRODUCED SOME OF THE NATION'S LEADING CREATIVE ARTISTS AND INSPIRED OTHER ARTISTS IN FIELDS SUCH AS MUSIC, THEATER, FILM, DANCE, AND THE VISUAL ARTS AND WHEREAS ST. AUGUSTINE'S SERVED AS THE HOME OR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION OF NUMEROUS LITERARY LEGENDS, INCLUDING RENOWNED AUTHOR MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS, ZORA NEALE HURSTON, AND PULITZER PRIZE WINNING POET WILLIAM ROSE BENET. WHEREAS THIS LITERARY TRADITION CONTINUES TODAY THROUGH THE WORK OF LOCAL AUTHORS [00:20:05] SUPPORTING IN THEIR EFFORTS BY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS ANCIENT CITY POETS AND OUR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY, THE ST. JOHN'S CULTURAL COUNCIL, NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF APRIL 2023 AS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND ENCOURAGED CITIZENS TO CELEBRATE AND PROMOTE THE LITERARY TRADITIONS AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE LOCAL AUTHORS DURING THIS MONTH AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IT'S SIGNED BY OUR MAYOR, NANCY SYKES CLIMB. >> THANK YOU. GET A PICTURE AND THEN I LOOK FORWARD TO. [LAUGHTER] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THEN YOU COULD EITHER HERE OR YOU COULD GO TO THE MIC. >> EITHER WAY, WHEREVER YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO BE. NOW I HAVE IT HERE. [NOISE] THIS POEM IS ENTITLED, A POET AM I? I FASHION MYSELF A POET. I HEAR A WORD AND A SONNET EMERGES. I HEAR A THOUGHT AND THE STORY COMES TO MIND AND I FIND MYSELF PUTTING PEN TO PAPER. I FASHION MYSELF A POET, IMMORTALIZED IN HAPPENSTANCE AND OCCURRENCE AND EVENT, AN EXPERIENCED SHARED, I LISTEN WELL, I FEEL DEEPLY, I'M AN EMPATH OF SORTS. I FASHION MYSELF A POET, BUT THAT WAS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. IN FACT, IT WAS RARELY SO. INSTEAD, I COMPARED MYSELF TO THE POETS OF GREAT RENOWN AND I READ AND LISTENED TO OTHERS WHO FASHIONED THEMSELVES POETS. I THOUGHT I LIKED THE TALENT TO BE THOUGHT AS SUCH SO I KEPT MY SCRIBBLING TO MYSELF. BUT A DAY CAME THAT CHANGED ALL THAT. I FOUND THE MORE I SHARED THE BRAVER I BECAME UNTIL ONE DAY, NOT SO VERY LONG AGO, I BEGAN TO FASHION MYSELF A POET, AND LOOK AT ME NOW. I'M SAYING AUGUSTINE'S POET LAUREATE. [APPLAUSE] >> THAT'S WONDERFUL. [LAUGHTER] I KNOW. WHY NOT JUST DO THAT? YOU'RE RECOVERING STILL? >> I'M HAVING SURGERY ACTUALLY. >> I'M GONG TO SAY A BUNCH OF PRAYERS. WELL, THAT WAS MY FAVORITE PART. [LAUGHTER] I JUST LOVE THAT. [4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING ] OUR NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS PUBLIC COMMENTS AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CARDS HERE TONIGHT. WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME PLEASE COME UP TO THE MIC AND TELL US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. IT'S A THREE MINUTE COMMENT PERIOD. THE FIRST PERSON IS PAULA GETZ AND FOLLOWING PAULA WILL BE BETH ROBINSON. >> PAULA GETZ, 27, MARYLAND AVENUE, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO HEAR INFORMATION AND GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED FIREHOUSE THAT WILL BE AT THE END OF MY STREET. INFORMATION WAS NOT FORTHCOMING. I MADE SOME CALLS, DIDN'T GET A LOT OF ANSWERS. IN THE MEANWHILE, WE DEAL WITH IMMENSE TRAFFIC ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE AMPHITHEATER, THE CONCERTS, GRADUATIONS, THE MARKET. I UNDERSTAND TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN FRONT OF [INAUDIBLE] JUST TWO WEEKS AGO DURING THE WIDESPREAD PANIC CONCERT OR AFTER. TRAFFIC IS ALWAYS A PROBLEM THERE. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND CREATING MORE PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A LIGHT THAT WAS NOT CONTROLLED BY PEDESTRIANS. IT WOULD BE THE FIRE STATION, SO THAT WOULDN'T HELP US. I GUESS MY MAIN ISSUE IS THE CONGESTION, THE TRAFFIC, [00:25:03] THE UNNECESSARY DEATHS ON STATE ROAD, ANASTASIA BOULEVARD, NOT ONLY AT OUR END BUT ALSO UP AT THE FOOT OF THE BRIDGE. PEOPLE ARE GETTING HIT ALL THE TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME FLASHING YELLOW LIGHTS LIKE ON ALONG THE BAY FRONT AND DOWN ON SOUTHERN A1A. THEY HAVE YELLOW FLASHING LIGHTS. I THINK THAT WOULD DO THE TRICK AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE FIRE STATION, WHAT IS THEIR NEED TO MOVE TO THAT LAND? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. MAYBE I'LL GET THAT INFORMATION TONIGHT. THAT'S WHAT I HOPE TO HEAR, BUT I AM NOT FOR THE FIRE STATION BEING MOVED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING SCHEDULED TONIGHT TO ACTUALLY GO OVER THE DETAILS FOR THE FIRE STATION, BUT WE WILL HAVE IT IN AN UPCOMING MEETING. [BACKGROUND] ONE SECOND, MR. MANAGER? >> VICE MAYOR, MAYBE WE COULD ASK STAFF IN THE BACK TO GET THE SPEAKERS' PHONE NUMBER. WE COULD WORK ONE-ON-ONE UNTIL WE COME TO A PUBLIC MEETING. >> WE'LL WORK ONE-TO-ONE UNTIL WE SET UP A PUBLIC MEETING. THANK YOU. BETH ROBINSON. >> HELLO. HI. >> HI. >> WHICH ONE? THIS ONE? >> THAT ONE. >> HEY, THERE? HEY, I'M BETH ROBINSON. I AM A RESIDENT, ACTUALLY, RIGHT AT 25 MARYLAND, WE ARE NEIGHBORS. WE ALL GOT TOGETHER IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO DISCUSS THIS. SOME OF THE MEMBERS ARE HERE AND WE APPRECIATE THAT. I DO BELIEVE THERE'S A MEETING SCHEDULED ON THE 17TH BUT IT'S THREE DAYS LATER THAN WHEN THE STATE IS HAVING A MEETING, WHICH IS ON THE 14TH, SO WE'RE A LITTLE CONFUSED. THE STATE IS GOING TO TRY TO DECIDE SOMETHING IN TALLAHASSEE TO ALLOCATE THIS PARCEL OF LAND TO CHANGE ITS CLASSIFICATION, ITS ZONING. WE WERE FEELING WE HAD TO COME DOWN HERE QUICKLY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT THINGS TO BE DECIDED AND THE LAW OR WHATEVER OCCURRING AND NOT HAVING YOU HEARD HOW WE FEEL ABOUT IT. >> YES. THANK YOU. >> BUT ANYHOW, LET ME JUST SPEAK ON A COUPLE OF THINGS. AT THE END OF OUR STREET THERE'S THIS SIGN, AND I DON'T KNOW, DOES EVERYONE HAS A COPY? CAN EVERYONE HOLD IT UP? IT SAYS, "STATE PARK BOUNDARY. ALL TREES, PLANTS, AND ANIMALS ARE PROTECTED BY STATE LAWS, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION." IT SAYS THAT AT THE END OF OUR STREET, ON THIS PARCEL. ANYHOW, NOW IT'S TO BE TURNED INTO A FIREHOUSE STATION. WE UNDERSTAND THE POINTS WHERE THE DOT NEEDS IT TO BE CLOSER TO A CERTAIN AREA FOR THE POPULATION TO BE SERVED. WE HEARD A LOT OF DIFFERENT POINTS ON IT. HOWEVER, I'M NOT HERE TO DISCUSS THAT, I JUST WANTED TO BRING UP A COUPLE OF THINGS. I PULLED UP A CITY SAYING AUG.COM ON THE CITY WEBSITE. A RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACE IS THE DESIGNATED TITLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PARCEL. NOW WE'RE WONDERING WHY THERE ARE SIGNS LIKE THIS THAT ARE UP AT THE END OF THE STREET AND THAT IT'S DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL OPEN USE AND IT'S TO BE JUST TURNED FROM PRESERVED LAND INTO A FIREHOUSE. THAT'S ONE THING. THE OTHER IS WE DO UNDERSTAND THERE WAS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY DONE, OR THE SPECIES OF PLANTS THAT ARE THERE RIGHT NOW WERE ALREADY MARKED AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FLAGS HAVE ALREADY COME OFF THEM, BUT WE'D LIKE TO KNOW THE RESULTS OF THAT STUDY. WE'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THE DEP IS GOING TO GET INVOLVED, OR IF THERE'S SOME WAY THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO JEOPARDIZE THIS ENVIRONMENT FROM BECOMING A FIRE STATION. THE FINAL THING IS I'M A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED, OBVIOUSLY, NONE OF US WANT THIS, IT'S GOING TO DECREASE THE VALUE OF OUR PROPERTIES. THERE'S LOTS OF REASONS THAT ARE PRETTY OBVIOUS WHEN YOU HEAR THE REST OF US SPEAK. BUT I'M GOING TO SAY THE NOISE POLLUTION, THAT ALSO, WILL BE A CONCERN. I LIVE 14 HOUSES DOWN AND WE HEAR THE CONCERTS ALL THE TIME AND THEY HAVE TO BE FINISHED AT 10:00. REMOVING THE BUFFER OR THAT PARCEL, I GOT TO STOP TALKING NOW, IT WOULD ALSO HAVE FIRE TRUCKS MAKING ALARMS AND THERE'S ALSO GOING TO BE AN AMBULANCE. >> I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND WE'LL GET BACK WITH YOU. MR. CITY MANAGER? >> VICE MAYOR, I DON'T NORMALLY MAKE A COMMENT, BUT I WAS GOING TO SEE IF WE COULD ASK STAFF IN THE BACK TO, STEPH HAS A SUGGESTION THAT WE CAPTURE EMAILS AND PHONE NUMBERS FROM THE SPEAKERS SO [00:30:04] THAT WE CAN CREATE A MAILING LIST AND PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTS AS REQUESTED AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR COMMUNICATION. THIS IS REALLY FOR THE STAFF IN THE BACK TO ASK THEM TO CATCH EMAIL ADDRESSES. >> EVERYBODY THAT SPEAKS ON THIS ISSUE, IF YOU COULD STOP WITH THE STAFF IN THE BACK AND GIVE THEM THAT INFO? >> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ALEX CROSTON, I THINK. >> HEY, HOW'S IT GOING? MY NAME IS ALEX CROSTON, I LIVE AT 24 MADEIRA DRIVE. I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M OPPOSED TO THE FIRE STATION AT THE END OF THE STREET OR THE HEAD OF THE STREET. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S ALREADY BURDENED WITH NOISE FROM THE CONCERTS, PEOPLE, TRAFFIC, HELICOPTERS THAT LIKE TO FLY AROUND THE LIGHTHOUSE. NOW WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FIRE STATION MAKING NOISE IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE NIGHT. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BUFFER. IT SHOULD BE LEFT THERE. IT'S NICE AESTHETICALLY. IT'S A BAD LOCATION. IT'S LIKE PUTTING A FIRE STATION AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THERE'S A CONCERT, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GET OUT BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A CLUSTER OF TRAFFIC THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER FOR THEM TO EXPEDITE GETTING OUT. THAT'S IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT PERSON'S, DANIELLE BARBANEL? [LAUGHTER] >>HELLO, MY NAME IS DANIELLE BARBANEL. I LIVE AT 24 MADEIRA DRIVE AND I'M JUST GOING TO BE ECHOING WHAT SOME OTHER FOLKS HAVE SAID. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS ISN'T A SAFE LOCATION FOR A FIRE STATION. AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW, THERE ARE MULTIPLE EVENTS AT THE AMPHITHEATER EVERY WEEK. THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ATTENDING HERE, I FEEL LIKE WE KNOW BETTER THAN ALMOST ANYONE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN THAT HAPPENS. WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS TRAFFIC BACKED UP IN BOTH DIRECTIONS FROM MULTIPLE BLOCKS, PETTY CABS DRIVING DOWN THE CENTER LANE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR TURNING, AND NUMEROUS PEDESTRIANS, SOME OF WHICH ARE JUST FLITTING ACROSS THE STREET AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF INEBRIATION, RIGHT? JUST ADDING THAT TO FIRE TRUCKS OR AN AMBULANCE TRYING TO GET OUT, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A GOOD PLACE FOR THE FIRE TRUCKS AND THE FIRE STATION FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE, BUT IT ALSO SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM FOR THEM BEING ABLE TO EXIT. WHILE I KNOW FROM TALKING TO THE FIRE CHIEF LAST WEEK THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE SOME FIRE STATIONS THAT ARE ALSO DIFFICULT, LIKE BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF DOWNTOWN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO PURPOSELY CHOOSE A LOCATION THAT IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR EXIT LIKE THAT. THAT POTENTIALLY PUTS PEOPLE IN DANGER. I ALSO FEEL LIKE, AS WAS MENTIONED BEFORE, THERE'S AN ISSUE OF CONSERVATION OF THAT LAND. IF WE LOOK AROUND THE ISLAND, THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS IN TERMS OF LOTS THAT HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY CLEARED ALREADY. I KNOW THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN DOING SOME STUDY ON THIS BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE COULD BE A LITTLE, WE'RE ASKING FOR THEM TO THINK A LITTLE MORE OUTSIDE THE BOX AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE FOR OTHER ALTERNATIVES FOR LOCATIONS. I THINK THAT'S IT. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. THE NEXT PERSON IS E. JANET THOMPSON. >> HELLO? >> HELLO. >> I'M JANET THOMPSON, 22 MARYLAND AVENUE SINCE THE SUMMER OF 1980. THE TOWN HAS CHANGED QUITE A BIT SINCE THEN BUT I STILL LOVE ST. AUGUSTINE. I WOULD HAVE TO SAY I LOVE AND APPRECIATE THE AMPHITHEATER TOO. I SAID THAT THOSE WERE MY TAX DOLLARS GOING TO GOOD USE. I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW THIS BECAUSE IT IS A PROTECTION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND I AM A TREE HUGGER. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE LAND OR GOPHER TORTOISES IN THAT AREA FOR SURE. I WANT TO PROTECT THAT STRIP OF LAND, THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. THERE ARE MANY BIRDS AND OTHER ANIMALS LIVING THERE. IF THEY'RE BOUND AND DETERMINED TO HAVE THE FIRE STATION IN THAT AREA, PUT IT ACROSS THE STREET CONNECTING IT WITH THE PARKING LOT OF THE AMPHITHEATER. THAT WOULD BE AN OPTION. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR US. I WOULD GO OVER TO THE STATE PARK BUT I CAN'T TAKE MY LIFE INTO MY HANDS CROSSING ANASTASIA BOULEVARD, [00:35:04] IT IS VERY BUSY. IF THE COUNTY WOULD GIVE ME A RADAR GUN, I CAN MAKE A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE COUNTY. IF THEY'D GIVE ME A RADAR GUN AND ONE OFFICER, TRUST ME, I CAN MAKE A LOT OF MONEY FOR YOU GUYS. FORTY MILES AN HOUR IS THE SPEED LIMIT AND THEY'RE GOING 60. THINKING ABOUT THE ROUNDABOUT, THAT IS A RIDICULOUS IDEA THAT IT WOULD SLOW THE TRAFFIC DOWN BECAUSE AS SOON AS THEY COME OUT OF THAT CIRCLE, BOOM, THEY'RE GOING TO SPEED RIGHT ON DOWN TO THE 312 TRAFFIC SIGNAL AS THEY DO NOW. THE ALLIGATOR FARM, I UNDERSTAND OWNS THE PROPERTY BEHIND THE FIRE STATION. COULD IT BE AN OPTION TO MAKE THAT PUBLIC DOMAIN AS THEY DID OUT AT THE AIRPORT? MAKE THIS PROPERTY PUBLIC DOMAIN, BUILD A BRAND NEW FABULOUS FIRE STATION. ALL OF US WANT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO RESPOND WHEN WE CALL THEM, THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT. I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT, I THINK THE CHIEF, THAT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TO ORDER SPECIAL FIRE TRUCKS FOR THAT SMALL FIRE STATION THAT'S THERE NOW. WE NEED TO STOP THE SPEED ON ANASTASIA BOULEVARD. IF THERE WAS A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT CASANOVA OR MADEIRA, WHICH IS WHERE I'D LIKE TO HAVE IT, RIGHT THERE AT THE AMPHITHEATER, OR EVEN DOWN BY THE BAPTIST CHURCH, THAT WOULD STOP THE TRAFFIC. IT WOULD HELP STOP THE TRAFFIC, SLOW THE TRAFFIC DOWN. THE ONLY THING THAT SLOWS THE TRAFFIC DOWN ON ANASTASIA BOULEVARD IS THE BRIDGE OF LIONS WHEN IT'S UP, OR IF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL IS RED AT MATANZAS BOULEVARD. OTHERWISE, IT'S STEADY TRAFFIC. I'M THINKING MORE GOING SOUTH. >> YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE KRISTIN THOMAS. KRISTIN? AFTER KRISTIN WILL BE PHILIP SPROUTS, I THINK, BUT I COULD NOT QUITE SURE I'M READING IT CORRECTLY. >> I WILL LIKE TO SAY WE RAISED [INAUDIBLE] IT'S JUST VERY IMPORTANT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. KRISTIN. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KRISTIN THOMAS. I'M AT 33 MATANZAS CIRCLE, 32080. I GREW UP ON MARYLAND AVENUE FOR OVER 45 YEARS. I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT THERE OFF AND ON WITH MY MOM AND MY DAD WHO WAS DECEASED AFTER 23 YEARS. I HAVE INCREDIBLY AMAZING MEMORIES ON THIS PLOT OF LAND AS A CHILD. JUST PLAYING IN THE DUNES AND RUNNING AROUND AND CATCHING GRASSHOPPERS AND LIZARDS, AND THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 12 CHILDREN THAT I KNOW OFFHAND THAT LIVE THERE ON THAT LITTLE STRIP THERE OR ARE THERE REGULARLY, AND I DON'T WANT TO DEPRIVE THEM OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAD AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH OPEN SPACE, SPACE THAT IS FREE TO ROAM, FREE TO LEARN FROM NATURE. THIS IS EARTH MONTH. LET'S TRY TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL LIKE JUST ENVIRONMENT. YOU SAID, WE DON'T WANT ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION. LET'S MAKE A STAND RIGHT NOW AND TRY TO WALK A MILE IN THE MOCCASINS OF THE SPEECH THAT WE ARE SAYING, THE PROCLAMATION THAT WE ARE MAKING THIS MONTH, LET'S MAKE A CHANGE AND PROTECT THE PROPERTY THAT'S IN I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY IT LIKE PONDERING OR IN DISCUSSION OR WHATEVER. I'VE HEARD THAT IT'S A DONE DEAL, BUT WE'RE ALL HERE HOPING AND PRAYING THAT IT'S NOT A DONE DEAL. BECAUSE AS BORN AND RAISED HERE ARE CONCEIVED AND RAISED HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, I JUST AM FIGHTING FOR THE GRASSHOPPERS AND THE LIZARDS AND THE OWLS THAT DON'T HAVE A VOICE. IN ADDITION TO MY CHILDREN AND MY CHILDREN'S CHILDREN, WE HAVE SEVERAL PROPERTIES WITHIN A QUARTER MILE. DON'T MY KIDS KIDS DESERVE TO PLAY IN OPEN SPACE? I THINK SO. WE'VE ALREADY SEEN TONS OF OPEN SPACE JUST IN THAT COUNTY PROPERTY. WE LIVE IN THE COUNTY. [00:40:02] MAYBE THAT'S WHY WE'RE NOT INCLUDED ON ALL OF THIS INFORMATION. I'M NOT SURE, BUT IT IS A DIRECT IMPACT ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND ON THE BUTTERFLIES AND THE BEES AND ALL THE SPECIES THAT LIVE IN THAT LITTLE SPACE OF PROPERTY. I HOPE THAT WE CAN MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AND FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE LIKE ON PLANTATION ISLAND. I'VE HEARD THAT THEY'VE EXPLORED LAND ON PLANTATION ISLAND, WHICH WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE THERE'S ALREADY, BUSINESSES AND OTHER PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY CLEARED. THEY'RE ALREADY DOING THAT. THAT'S IN MOTION, AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT FOUR MILES FROM THAT SPACE TO DATE ASSURES, LIKE THE CLOSEST RESIDENTS. THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT THE 312 AND BRIDGE OF LIONS CORRIDOR. ACCESS SO FOR MILES IS I'M NOT HOW FAST THAT IS, BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THAT ACCESS FROM THE CRESCENT BEACH FIRE STATION TO THE FARTHEST CRESCENT BEACH RESIDENT IS MORE THAN FOUR MILE. THAT'S JUST A GUESS. I DON'T KNOW, BUT I'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT INFORMATION BECAUSE I IMAGINE IT'S MORE THAN FOUR MILES, WHICH PROMOTES BUILDING THE FIRE STATION AT PLANTATION ISLAND INSTEAD OF ON THIS PROPERTY IN THIS PATCH OF LAND, AND ALSO WITH THE AMPHITHEATER, I WAS IN CROSS AND STORED AS A CHILD. I WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH WHEN IT WAS A TWO LANE ROAD. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. I HAVE GREAT MEMORIES OF THAT. IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME, AND I'VE ACCEPTED THAT. I MOVED ALL OVER THE PLACE AND MOVED BACK TO RAISE MY CHILDREN HERE, DESPITE THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THANKFULLY, I'M STILL ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET SOMEHOW. BUT ANYHOW, I JUST REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT HOPEFULLY FINDING ANOTHER PLACE TO BUILD A FIRE STATION. I LOVE THE FIRE PEOPLE. THEY DO INCREDIBLE WORK. I VOLUNTEER A LOT WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND HOMELESS SINGLE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN, AND I LOVE OUR FIRE STATION RESPONDERS. THEY'RE PATIENT AND THEY'RE KIND, AND I WANT THEM TO HAVE THEIR NEEDS MET AS WELL. I'M JUST HOPING THAT WE CAN FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO DO THAT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE PHILIP SPROUTS. >> SPURLEY. >> SPURLEY. >> SPROUTS. AFTER PHILIP, IT'LL BE HOLLY DUSHAY. >> DUSSET. >> DUSSET. SORRY, IT'S A ROUGH NIGHT ON NAMES FOR ME. >> MY NAME IS PHILIP SPURLEY. I LIVE AT 12 MARYLAND AVENUE. THIS IS INTERESTING, AND THIS IS EARTH MONTH. FOUR WAREHOUSES DOWN ON THIS PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY THE MAYOR. WHEREAS IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE CITIZENS OF OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT LOCAL EFFORTS THAT PROTECT, RESTORE, AND CONSERVE HABITAT, ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES, HERE WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM FLATTENING A MARITIME HAMMOCK, THE HABITAT OF MANY ANIMALS, STUFF THAT LIKE THAT IS RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING FROM THE STATE. I WANT TO READ A LITTLE PIECE FROM A MAN NAMED WILLIAM BLALOCK. "IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE LEASE FOR THIS PROPERTY WILL BE FINALIZED ON APRIL 14TH. IN OTHER WORDS, THERE'S NO COMMUNITY INPUT, JUST BOX CHECKING. THE CITY WAS REQUIRED TO DO A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND A CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT. THESE ARE ALREADY COMPLETED. NO ONE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS SEEN THEM. WHY WEREN'T THE RESIDENTS INFORMED THAT THESE WERE BEING DONE AND WHAT THE PROJECT IS PRIOR TO A WEEK BEFORE THE LEASE IS BEING FINALIZED? THIS IS A CITY PROJECT TAKING PLACE ON STATE LAND IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS NOT IN THE CITY. THIS MEANS THAT THE CITY HAS ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THEY ARE IMPACTING BECAUSE THEY CANNOT VOTE IN CITY ELECTIONS." THIS IS A STATE PARK. WE CANNOT HAVE THIS FLATTENED. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO DO THIS, AND THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE, LIKE HAS ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED, WON'T DO MUCH TO ELIMINATE OR MITIGATE THE SPEEDING PROBLEMS AND THE CONGESTION ON THERE. HOW MANY MINUTES? I GOT TO ANOTHER MINUTE AND A HALF TO GO. [LAUGHTER] >> OH, BOY. >> YEAH. I PERSONALLY, I WORK AT THE AMPHITHEATER AND WHEN I COME HOME AFTER THE CONCERT, I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED MANY TIMES DEAR, GOING IN THERE AND FORAGING AND COMING OUT. WE USED TO PLAY IN THERE WITH THE KIDS AND STUFF. THERE'S GOPHER TURTLES, SNAKES, ALL SORTS OF ANIMALS AND STUFF. WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO? THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO GO OUT IN THE STREET AND GET RUN OVER BY THE 55, 60 MILE AN HOUR TRAFFIC. THERE'S OTHER PLACES WE CAN PUT THIS FIRE STATION. THERE'S ALREADY TOO MUCH CONGESTION THERE. I GOT 59 SECONDS [LAUGHTER] AND THE CHILDREN. [00:45:06] BUT IT'S FUNNY THAT THIS IS BROUGHT UP DURING EARTH MONTH. LET'S HEED WHAT THIS PROCLAMATION HAS ANNOUNCED AND FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO PUT THIS FIRE STATION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY CLAPPING. THANK YOU. SORRY. HOLLY. >> AM I IN THE RIGHT SPOT? >> YES. >> HI. I'M. HOLLY DUSSET. I LIVE ON 13 MARYLAND AVENUE. [OVERLAPPING] >> YOU MIGHT WANT TO BRING YOUR MIC A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOU. >> WHICH, IS IN THE COUNTY. I REALIZED THE CITY HAS ALREADY PUSHED THIS PROJECT THROUGH WITHOUT THE INPUT OR TRANSPARENCY FROM OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH IS ADJACENT TO WHERE THE PROJECT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE LET US KNOW ABOUT IT BEFORE THEY'VE COME THIS FAR. THE OBVIOUS REASONS I DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN IS BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO AFFECT MY QUALITY OF LIFE. IT'LL AFFECT MY PROPERTY VALUES, AND THEN ALSO THE CONGESTION AND THE LOUD TRAFFIC NOISE. ALSO, WE ALREADY HEAR THE CONCERTS. WE ALREADY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE TRAFFIC FROM THE CONCERTS, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH SIRENS. AND THE BUFFER IS GOING TO BE GONE FROM THE WOODS THAT ARE RIGHT THERE. IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO PUT THIS STATION. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A DOT TRAFFIC STUDY DONE LOOKING AT THE TRAFFIC IN THAT AREA, AND I'M JUST WONDERING, DID THEY DO A TRAFFIC STUDY IN THE LAST YEAR? BECAUSE THE INCREASE OF TRAFFIC HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL AND IT'S GOTTEN MUCH WORSE THAN LAST YEAR. I FEEL LIKE THAT REALLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO PUT A FIRE STATION RIGHT THERE. WHAT STEPS HAS THE CITY TAKEN TO DECREASE THE SPEED AND INCREASE THE SAFETY IN THIS AREA? AS YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE GETTING RUN OVER, PEOPLE ARE GETTING KILLED. HAS THERE BEEN ANY MOVES BY THE CITY TO INCREASE THE SAFETY? TO ADD MORE CONGESTION TO AN AREA THAT'S ALREADY VERY CONGESTED DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. I KNOW THAT THERE'S A BIG FIELD THAT ARE BEHIND. HAS THAT PROPERTY BEEN LOOKED AT? I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S AVAILABLE, BUT THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE. IT'S NEAR THE STATION THAT YOU HAVE NOW. [NOISE] HAS THE CITY ASKED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHERE THE AMPHITHEATER IS? THAT IS MUCH NEEDED AND THERE'S NO POLICE THERE. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY PULLED OVER THERE IN I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW LONG. I DON'T EVEN SEE POLICE OVER THERE. BUT THE TRAFFIC IS 55 MILES AN HOUR AND IT SHOULD BE 40 AND EVEN THAT'S UNSAFE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE. WHEN I TURN TO GO INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD, SOMEBODY ELSE'S TURNING TO GO TO THE ELKS LODGE AND WE'RE HEADED ON WITH EACH OTHER AND IF THEY DON'T SLOW DOWN OR I DON'T SLOW DOWN, WE'RE GOING TO HIT EACH OTHER. SO DO YOU THINK THAT IT'S FAIR THAT THE CITY IS MAKING PLANS ON STATE LAND THAT'S ONLY AFFECTING THE COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY OR INPUT FROM US? I FEEL LIKE THIS HAS JUST BEEN PUSHED THROUGH WITHOUT OUR INPUT, OUR KNOWLEDGE. THAT'S ALL I MIGHT HAVE TO SAY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LAUREN THOMAS. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS LAUREN THOMAS. I WAS BORN AND RAISED ON 22 MARYLAND AVENUE. MY MUM AND DAD MOVED THERE IN 1980 AND I WAS BORN IN 1981 THERE. LOVED GROWING UP IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, PLAYED IN THOSE WOODS A LOT WITH MY BROTHER, GREAT BIKE TRAILS BACK THERE. WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GO BACK THERE ANYMORE BECAUSE IT BECAME A STATE PARK BOUNDARY WHICH SAYS "ALL TREES, PLANTS AND ANIMALS ARE PROTECTED BY STATE LAWS. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION." WHAT PLANTS AND ANIMALS ARE IN THERE? THIS IS ACTUALLY KNOWN AS A BIRD SANCTUARY. THIS IS A HABITAT FOR MANY NEOTROPICAL MIGRANT BIRD SPECIES, INCLUDING THE SWALLOW-TAILED KITE, THE NORTHERN CARDINAL, THE BLUE JAY, THE NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, THE RED BELLIED WOODPECKER, THE BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE, AND THE TURKEY VULTURE. I KNOW THEY'RE NOT AS PRETTY AS THE OTHER ONES, BUT WE NEED THEM FOR ROADKILL. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PIECE OF WOODS THAT WAS PROTECTED MANY YEARS AGO BY THE STATE PARK IS A MATURE AND INTACT EXAMPLE OF A MARITIME HAMMOCK. THESE HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY SCARCE SINCE IT IS A HABITAT THAT IS ALSO FAVORED BY RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS ALONG FLORIDA'S COASTAL AREAS. THERE AREN'T VERY MANY MATURE MARITIME HAMMOCKS LEFT, [00:50:05] AND THEY'RE PROPOSING TO DESTROY A PERFECTLY STABLE, BEAUTIFUL ECOSYSTEM. THIS MARITIME HAMMOCK IS ALSO ONE OF SIX SIGNIFICANT NATURAL COMMUNITIES HABITATS THAT ARE TYPED AS RECOGNIZED BY THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY IN ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH IS POLICY E.2.2.12, PARENTHESES B, AND FOR WHICH EXTRA CONSERVATION MEASURES ARE REQUIRED. THERE ARE 36 PLANT SPECIES THAT WERE FOUND DURING A CURSOR AIRY PEDESTRIAN SURVEY OF THIS PROPERTY ON MARCH 27TH, 2023. THESE ARE THE LIVE OAK, THE RED BAY, THE SAND LIVE OAK, THE SUMMER GRAPE, THE CABBAGE PALM, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE SLUMP CABBAGE, MY NATIVE AMERICAN FRANK TOLD ME, THE SOUTHERN RED CEDAR, THE LAUREL OAK, THE YAUPON HOLLY, THE SOUTHERN FOX GRAPE, THE SAW PALMETTO, THE SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA, THE HORSE SUGAR, THE BEAUTY BERRY, THE CAROLINA CHERRY V, THERE'S 36 OF THEM, WINGED SUEMAC, THE SAND HOLLY, THE WILD OLIVE, THE DEERBERRY, THE STAGGERBUSH, THE WILD BUT CORN, THE BEAK RUSH, THE PAINTED-LEAF, THE ADAM'S NEEDLE, THE SAND PINE, THE TREAD SOFTLY, THE LYRELEAF SAGE, THE RESURRECTION FERN, THE SPANISH MOSS, THE BALLMOSS, THE PRICKLY PEAR, THE CHEROKEE BEAN, THE GREENBRIER, THE WAX MYRTLE, THE FROSTWEED, THE TWINFLOWER, AND THE SPIDERWORT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. TIM ROBINSON. >> MADAM VICE MAYOR, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE MANY MORE, BUT MAYBE LETTING THE PERSON KNOW WHO'S NEXT UP SO THEY GET PREPARED. >> YES. THE NEXT PERSON WILL BE VICKY PEPPER AFTER TIM ROBINSON. >> THANK YOU. I'M TIM ROBINSON. I LIVE AT 25 MARYLAND AVENUE. I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TONIGHT. I'VE NEVER HEARD THE TERM PARKS SURPLUS LAND BEFORE. I'M JUST SHOCKED THAT OUR PARKS ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT IN AN AREA, LIKE MY NEIGHBORS HAVE SAID, THAT IS ALREADY CONGESTED AND SAFETY IS CERTAINLY A BIG CONCERN. BUT ENVIRONMENTALLY, AS LAUREN POINTED OUT AND KRISTIN, THIS IS A NATURAL HABITAT FOR SO MANY SPECIES. WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO, THE BEES, THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO OUR HOMES ROADKILL IS GOING TO BE JUST OFF THE CHARTS AND WE SOUGHT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OVER AT THE FOOT OF THE 312 BRIDGE. WE NEVER SAW SO MANY COYOTES COME INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AS WE DID WHEN THEY START TO DEVELOP THAT. IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO END. I DON'T THINK PARKLAND IS DESIGNED FOR THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT, AND I'M AFRAID TO SAY THIS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A SHORTCUT FOR A SOLUTION THAT'S AN EASY SOLUTION. I THINK THERE ARE MORE SUITABLE PIECES OF LAND OUT THERE THAT MAYBE HAVEN'T BEEN EXPLORED BECAUSE THIS DECISION MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE. THAT'S WHAT I TOOK AWAY FROM OUR MEETING THE OTHER NIGHT THAT A FIREHOUSE IS APPROVED ON ANASTASIA ISLAND, IT WILL GO ON THAT LAND AND FOR US TO NOT KNOW ABOUT IT AND TO NOT BE INFORMED BECAUSE WE DON'T LIVE 100 FEET FROM THE LAND. I THINK THE ONLY ONE THAT DOES ARE BILL AND KARLA. BUT WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW AND IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT WE ARE LEFT WITHOUT ANY INFORMATION AT ALL. I KNOW I HAVE A MINUTE AND 20 LEFT WHERE I'D LIKE TO YIELD THAT TIME IF I COULD DO ANOTHER NEIGHBOR, PLEASE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE VICKY PEPPER NEXT. THE NEXT PERSON WE HAVE IS JOHN MILLER. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS VICKY PEPPER. I LIVE ON HARBOUR VISTA CIRCLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, ALTHOUGH I'M A MEMBER OF THE INFORMAL INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP CARE. THIS EVENING, I'M REALLY SPEAKING MORE FOR MYSELF AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN OF ST. AUGUSTINE. FIRST, I KNOW FROM THE LAST MEETING, COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO BE IN A POSITION TO SELECT THE NEW CITY MANAGER BY ITS MEETING APRIL 24TH. IT LIKES TO SELECT AN INTERNAL CANDIDATE WHO'S ALREADY CITY EMPLOYEE. I UNDERSTAND THIS DESIRE FOR SUCH A CONDENSED PROCESS AND A QUICK DECISION TO BE ROOTED IN A CONCERN THAT AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE MUST BE ALLOWED FOR OVERLAPPING HANDOVER OF ONGOING CITY MATTERS FROM MR. REAGAN TO HIS SUCCESSOR. THE DESIRE FOR AN ORDERLY TRANSITION TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM GIVEN THAT CITY IS NOT LOOKING TO CHANGE DIRECTIONS PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO'S SPENT MY ENTIRE FIRST CAREER OF OVER 30 YEARS [00:55:03] IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WITH DECISION MAKING PROCESSES, I'D CAUTION THAT UNLESS YOU'RE VERY CAREFUL IN THE DESIGN AND EXECUTION OF YOUR PROCESS, ITS SPEED COULD END UP BEING INVERSELY RELATED TO THE QUALITY OF THE RESULTING DECISION. SECOND, THE MAYOR SAID AT THE LAST MEETING, YOU WANT PUBLIC INPUT AS PART OF THE SELECTION PROCESS, BUT IF YOU'RE NOT EVEN APPROVING THE JOB DESCRIPTION UNTIL THE EVENING AND YOU PLAN TO SELECT THE NEW CITY MANAGER AT YOUR NEXT MEETING, YOU'RE NOT LIKELY TO GET MUCH MEANINGFUL PUBLIC INPUT TO FACTOR INTO YOUR DECISION. CERTAINLY NOT ANY INPUT THAT'S BEEN DEVELOPED DURING A STRUCTURED AND TRANSPARENT PUBLIC PROCESS. IF YOU DON'T REALLY WANT OR NEED TO SELECT A NEW CITY MANAGER, WELL, REMEMBER, WE, THE PUBLIC HAVE ELECTED YOU TO RUN OUR CITY FOR US. I'D SUGGEST IT'D BE BETTER TO JUST SAY THAT, EXPLAIN WHY TO THE PUBLIC, AND OWN ANY CONSEQUENCES OF THAT DECISION RATHER THAN MAINTAINING AN ILLUSION. THIRD, WITH RESPECT TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION THE CITY MANAGERS REPORTED BACK ON, THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED LATER. I'D SUGGEST THAT YOU CONSIDER TWEAKING THE PROVISION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST PAGE TO BROADEN IT TO ENCOMPASS GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AT ALL LEVELS, LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL AND PARTICULARLY CALL OUT ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I BELIEVE THAT NOT ONLY WOULD THAT CHANGE BE CONSISTENT WITH CITY MANAGERS ACTUAL JOB AS I UNDERSTAND IT, BUT ALSO IT WILL EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CITY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNTY, WHICH COMMISSIONER GARRIS HAS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, SHE'S WORKING ON CULTIVATING. FOURTH, I KNOW THAT GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, LIVING WATERS MINISTRY AND THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA ARE SPONSORING TRAINING OFFERED BY VISIONS INC. ON BUILDING BELOVED COMMUNITY LEADERS, CREATING POSITIVE COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE TRAINING WILL BE HELD JUNE 27TH THROUGH 30TH AT GRACE. I KNOW JOHN TOOK A VERSION OF THE VISIONS TRAINING SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I FIRST MET NANCY VIRTUALLY AT COMMUNITY CONVERSATION, WHICH GREW OUT OF THAT VISIONS TRAINING. I BELIEVE JOHN AND NANCY WOULD ENDORSE MY VIEW THAT THE GUIDELINES AND TOOLS OFFERED BY VISIONS ARE INVALUABLE FOR LEARNING HOW TO COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY ACROSS DIFFERENCES. I'D URGE YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GIFT TO OUR COMMUNITY, SEND THE NEW CITY MANAGER YOU SELECTED THIS TRAINING AND FOR OTHERS IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, INCLUDING YOURSELVES CONSIDER IT. FINALLY, ON AN UNRELATED MATTER OF FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE OF MINE, KENNETH MCLEAN, SENIORS OFFERED TO SERVE ON THE LINK AND VILLE CRA STEERING COMMITTEE. HE NO LONGER LIVES IN LINCOLN BILL, BUT HE HAS MANY CURRENT TIES. HE VERY ACTIVE ENGAGED IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WOULD BE A REAL ASSET ASSUMING HE'S ELIGIBLE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JOHN MILLER. >> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU. MY TOPICS IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE WE'VE HEARD. WHAT I'D LIKE YOU TO DO, BY THE WAY, I LIVE AT ONE HAWKS BILL LANE, ST. AUGUSTINE, JOHN LORD. IF YOU'D TAKE JUST A SECOND AND LOOK OUT INTO THE AUDIENCE AND CONSTANT NUMBER OF TEENAGERS. THERE AREN'T ANY. WHICH BRINGS ME TO WHY I'M HERE. I SENT YOU ALL DETAILED LETTER, I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOTTEN IT YET, BUT THIS IS JUST A HEADS UP. MY WHOLE LIFE, HAS BEEN PASSIONATELY DEDICATED TO YOUNG PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY TEENAGERS. FOR 32 YEARS, I TAUGHT IN OHIO IN 1999, NOW RETIRED HERE AND THAT YOU'RE STARTING TO MODEL UNITED NATIONS PROGRAM AT PAGE WOMAN, AND THERE'S HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH I KEPT FOR 20 YEARS. IN FACT, MR. UPCHURCHES SON WAS IN THAT. NOW, THE REASON I'M HERE IS THIS, I REALLY BELIEVE AND HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT EDUCATION FOR KIDS, MUST INCLUDE EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION BEYOND ACADEMIC. I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU WANT TO BE A LEADER, THEN YOU LEAD. YOU DON'T READ ABOUT LEADING. IF YOU WANT TO RIDE A BIKE, YOU RIDE A BIKE. YOU DON'T READ ABOUT RIDING A BIKE AND TAKE A TEST ON IT. NOW, A FEW WEEKS BACK, MY WIFE AND I HAD TWO OF THE KIDS HAVE A CLUB THAT I HAD I DO NOT HAVE NOW, AND WE TOOK THEM TO TAMPA TO MEET WITH SUSAN VALDES, WHO WAS A LEGISLATOR, AND WHILE I WAS THERE, I WAS READING THE TAMPA NEWSPAPER ABOUT SOMETHING CALLED A MUNICIPAL YOUTH COUNCIL AND IT CAUGHT MY EYE. I ASKED NANCY OR I ASKED SUSAN ABOUT IT AND SHE SAID, WELL, YEAH, WE HAVE A COUNCIL THAT SITS AS AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO OUR CITY COUNCIL. I THOUGHT IS THAT A TERRIFIC IDEA AND IF THEY HAD A TAMPA, DID THEY HAVE IT ELSEWHERE, 45 SOME CITIES IN THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA THEY'RE CALLED STUDENT YOUTH COUNCILS OR YOUTH MUNICIPAL COUNSELS OR WHAT HAVE YOU. BUT THE POINT IS, IT'S EXPERIENTIAL. KIDS SIT IN THE COUNCIL AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THE BEST EXAMPLE I CAN GIVE, I JUST HEARD ABOUT A STREET LIGHTS AND CROSS-LINKS. [01:00:01] THERE WAS A YOUTH COUNCIL IN OCOEE THAT RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL THERE THAT THEY NEEDED A STOPLIGHT NEAR THE HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE THREE KIDS AND UNTIL THEY'RE. COMING DOWN THE LINE HERE, I AM GOING TO ASK EVENTUALLY THAT THIS CITY COUNCIL CONSIDER FORMING A YOUTH COUNCIL. I'VE TALKED WITH CITY MANAGER REAGAN AND THE MAYOR ABOUT IT, AND THEY SEEM TO SUPPORT IT. I'M GOING TO ASK FOR A 10-MINUTE AGENDA SPOT COMING DOWN THE ROAD. I WANT YOU TO THINK OF THIS 20 %, ONLY 20% OF OUR POPULATION IS KIDS, BUT 100 PERCENT OF OUR FUTURE AS KIDS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S THE END OF BAR. OH, I THINK I HAVE ONE ADDITIONAL ONE. BJ CALADY. >> BJ CALADY WITH CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE 981 ORDINANCE 2023_09, GENERAL EMPLOYEES PENSION RETIREES RAYS, ALSO KNOWN AS COLA. QUESTION, IS PRIOR EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS, THE 170,000 NON-VESTED DOLLARS THAT 50 EMPLOYEES FAIL TO COLLECT WHEN THEY RETIRED. IF SO, THIS ORDINANCE WILL TAKE PENSION DOLLARS EARNED BY SOME EMPLOYEES AND GIVE IT TO EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE NOT EARNED IT. THIS IS AN ABUSE OF LOCAL HOME RULE RETIREES PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS MONEY. I'LL GO OVER THIS LIST THAN A MINUTE. SOUNDS LIKE $500 TAX THE CITY MANAGER RECENTLY GAVE ALL CITY EMPLOYEES. REMEMBER, TAXPAYERS PAY THE WATER BILL OF 19 CITY EMPLOYEES, TAXPAYERS PAY THE CAR ALLOWANCE OF 18 CITY EMPLOYEES. RECENT INFLATION HAS COST TAXPAYERS FINANCIAL DISTRESS. YET THE MAYOR IN A CITY EMPLOYEE ARE ON A 14 DAY TRIP TO SPAIN, PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS. A HOTEL IS TO BE BUILT AT 90 LIBERIA. TRAFFIC ACCESS FROM MARBURY IS PLANNED. WE'LL DELIVERY TRUCK STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF LIBERIA, AS THEY HAVE DONE FOR THE STEEL AND THE RESTAURANT ON LIBERIA. WE KNOW THE PLAN SINCE 2021 HAS BEEN AND IS TO GIVE THE CITY MANAGER'S POSITION TO MR. BERTRAM. AS OF FEBRUARY 2022, MR. REAGAN'S STOP TAKING 60 TAX DOLLARS A MONTH TO PAY HIS ORDER BILL. MR. BURTON SHOULD DO THE SAME. OVER 25% OF PROPERTIES IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DO NOT PAY PROPERTY TAXES. THEREFORE, IT'S TIME CITY EMPLOYEES PAY THEIR WATER BILLS, ARE ASKED MR. HARRIS, HE USED TO BE A CITY MANAGER TO PAY THEIR WATER BILLS SINCE IF ORDINANCE 2023-09 WILL BENEFIT HIM, AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER RETIREES AND THIS LIST, AND I'LL READ THE NAMES. ADAIR, BRIAN, CUNNINGHAM, CURRY, DUSK FOR G. S. BAHRAINI. GIRARD GRAHAM HEARING, HICKEY, HOBBES, HUMPHRIES, FACET, AND JARED UNFORTUNATELY, DID NOT GET THEIR MONEY. SOME OF HER MAKING, YOU'RE GOING TO BE GIVEN THIS AWAY LIKE $6,200. I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT, AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO STATE THAT TONIGHT. I HAVE 32 SECONDS. I'VE INVITED THE COMMISSIONERS OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO COME TO 12 NEWTONS STRAIGHT DOWNWARD. KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU EVER GOT A CHANCE TO DO IT. BUT THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN ON MARCH 24TH AND IT'S ABOUT A USE OF DRUGS AT THAT HOUSE NOW. THERE'S THINGS GOING ON IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE NOT ONLY ON THE ISLAND BUT THROUGHOUT WEST CITY, THAT NEEDS TO BE HANDLED AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT CONCLUDES OUR COMMENTS THIS EVENING. THE NEXT ITEM IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA. [5. CONSENT AGENDA ] DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THAT? [NOISE] MR. CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ IT? >> [NOISE] A VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS ON TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING ON APRIL 24TH, 2023. ORDINANCE 2023-09. WE HAVE A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS. APRIL 24TH, 2023, 5:00 PM REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING, MAY 8TH, 2023, 5:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND MAY 22, [01:05:01] 2023, 5:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING. WE HAVE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PRIOR COMMISSION MEETINGS. MARCH 13, 2023, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND THAT COMPLETES THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? >> SO MOVED. >> DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE. >> ANYBODY OPPOSED? OKAY. WE PASS. [7.B.1. Florida Department of Transportation King Street Drainage Presentation. (R.Franklin, Public Works Director) ] THE FIRST ITEM THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON IS THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION KING STREET DRAINAGE PRESENTATION BY RUBEN FRANKLIN OR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING THIS. >> GOOD EVENING, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, RUBEN FRANKLIN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, AND THIS EVENING, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE MR. PICKERING, THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFICER FOR DOT, WHO'S GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE PRESENTATION FOR THE DETOUR OF THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AT THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE, AND THEN ALSO I'M SURE I'LL TOUCH BASE, BUT WE DO PLAN TO HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE HERE IN THIS ROOM FOR BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS., APRIL 18TH. WITH THAT, ALL INVITE MR. PICKERING UP. >> THANK YOU. THAT WILL BE ON NEWS AND NOTES AS WELL, CORRECT? >> YES. WE'LL PUSH IT OUT ON OUR PLATFORM. >> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM, VICE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS. I'M JACOB PICKERING. I'M COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST FOR THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. TODAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE KING STREET AT AVANADE THEM AND MENDEZ DRAINAGE PROJECT [NOISE]. INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT ATTACHED YOU ARE HERE, YOU'LL SEE THE PROJECT LIMITS. IT IS ON KING STREET FROM AVILES TO THE BAYWALL. PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE REPLACING AND ADDING UP TO 60-INCH DIAMETER DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE ROAD. NEW CONCRETE MASONRY WALL SYSTEM AT THE PARK, AT GIBBS PARK. NEW TIMBER PERGOLA, NEW METAL CONCRETE STANCHIONS WITH GUARD RAILING, SIDEWALK UPGRADES, BICYCLE PATH LIGHTING UPGRADES, AS WELL AS ASPHALT RESURFACING. NEW LANDSCAPING WILL BE INSTALLED ONCE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED. HERE YOU'LL SEE THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION. WE ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT WITHIN THREE PHASES. PHASE 1 WILL BE IN EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRETY OF THE PROJECT. PHASE 1 CLOSES SIDEWALKS WITHIN GIBBS PARK AND ONLY THAT. PHASE 2 DETOUR DOES IMPACT KING STREET. THIS PHASE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FALL. DETOURS ARE ONLY MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY FOR THIS ENTIRE PROJECT. YOU'LL SEE HERE THAT FOLKS CAN STILL ACCESS BRIDGE OF LIONS ON A1A NORTHBOUND, AS WELL AS TAKE A RIGHT ONTO A1A SOUTHBOUND FROM KING STREET. THE DETOUR IS THE FACT THAT YOU CAN NOT TURN LEFT ONTO A1A NORTHBOUND FROM KING STREET DURING THIS PHASE, AND YOU WILL BE DETOURED THROUGH CORDOVA, AS SEEN HERE IN THIS SLIDE. PHASE 3 FOLLOWS PHASE 2. IT DOES COMPLETELY CLOSE OFF A1A. FOLKS THAT WANT TO HEAD TO THE BRIDGE OF LIONS FROM SOUTH OF KING STREET WILL HAVE TO USE CORDOVA. KING AND CORDOVA AGAIN, IF YOU WILL. PHASE 4 IS THE FINAL PHASE. THIS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED SHORTLY AFTER PHASE 3. AGAIN, THESE DETOURS ARE ONLY MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FALL TO COMPLETE THIS STRANGE PROJECT. HERE, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE FOR PHASE 4, THE FINAL PHASE IS THAT A1A NORTHBOUND IS ACCESSIBLE AGAIN. DRIVERS ON A1A SOUTHBOUND WHO WISH TO CONTINUE PAST THE BRIDGE WILL HAVE TO USE CATHEDRAL TO GRANADA. THAT IS THE FINAL PHASE AND THAT IS PRETTY MUCH ALL YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE PROJECT FOR NOW. >> COULD YOU GO BACK TO THE LAST SLIDE? WHEN WE'RE SAYING THAT WE CAN USE CATHEDRAL PLACE AND SUCH, THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE BOTH OF THAT PARTICULAR ROAD TWO-WAY. >> CATHEDRAL PLACE, YOU CAN TAKE A RIGHT ONTO CATHEDRAL. HOWEVER, CORDOVA IS A TWO-WAY STREET BETWEEN CATHEDRAL AND KING. HOWEVER, YOU CANNOT CONTINUE SOUTHBOUND ON CORDOVA AFTER KING STREET. YOU WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE ON TO GRANADA TO GO SOUTH IF YOU WANT TO GO SOUTH, SO YES. >> WELL, OKAY. GO BACK A COUPLE OF MORE SLIDES. NO. [01:10:07] >> ONE MORE? >> YEAH, THAT'S GOOD. I'M STILL THINKING THAT YOU'RE MAKING CATHEDRAL PLACE ONE WAY EAST, ONE WAY WEST. >> THAT WOULD NOT BE THE CASE. CATHEDRAL WILL REMAIN A ONE-WAY GOING WESTBOUND ONLY. KING STREET, HOWEVER, IS THE EASTBOUND. FOLKS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE EASTBOUND ON KING STREET ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TURN ONTO ST. GEORGE, TURN ONTO CATHEDRAL, TURN ONTO KING AGAIN, GO SOUTH ON GRANADA TO GET OVER TOWARD THAT NEIGHBORHOOD IS JUST SOUTH OF THE BRIDGE OF LIONS. >> BUT SAY THEY WANT TO GET FROM IN FRONT OF THIS BUILDING ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF LIONS. THEY'VE GOT TO GO ALL THE WAY NORTH ON CORDOVA AND COME BACK. >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> IS THERE A REASON WHY THEY COULDN'T BE ONE WAY EAST OR ONE WAY WEST? >> WELL, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, I DON'T THINK WE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE DIRECTIONS OF THE ROAD ON CATHEDRAL. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THAT PROJECT MANAGER? WELL, THE CATHEDRAL REMAINS A ONE-WAY FOR OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS DURING THIS DETOUR. WE ARE NOT EXPECTING TO CHANGE THAT DURING THIS PROJECT. >> WAS THAT EVER STUDIED? I GUESS MY QUESTION IS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IS A REALLY LONG TRIP GOING ALL THE WAY UP TO CORDOVA, TO ORANGE TO COME ALL THE WAY BACK DOWN AVENIDA MENENDEZ AND THEN CROSS THE BRIDGE. >> I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WAS STUDIED WITH MY KNOWLEDGE. [OVERLAPPING] >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YES. >> I TRAVERSE CORDOVA STREET DAILY AND THE TRAFFIC ON CORDOVA STREET AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, IS ALREADY OVERBURDENED. I DON'T HAVE A STUDY BEHIND THAT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT MOVES WELL BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. MOST OF THE TIME AND THERE IS A LOT OF PARKING ON THAT STREET FOR DELIVERIES AND SO FORTH. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT DETOUR. I THINK THAT THAT COULD HAVE ANOTHER LOOK TAKEN AT IT. >> MADAM VICE MAYOR, I HAD THE EXACT SAME QUESTION. IT SEEMS LIKE WE CAN ELIMINATE PARKING ON CATHEDRAL AND MAKE IT A TWO-WAY STREET. EVEN IF WE HAVE TO PUT CONES RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE A REAL BLOCKAGE OF TRAFFIC, IN MY OPINION, WITH CORDOVA AND ORANGE. IT'S HARD TO GET OUT FROM ORANGE STREET. IT'S HARD TO TRAVEL DOWN CORDOVA AND IT'LL BLOCK THAT TRAFFIC ALL THE WAY BACK UP TO KING STREET, I'M AFRAID. NOT THAT PEOPLE WILL LEARN, BUT HOW LONG WILL THESE DETAILS GOING TO BE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE FOR MAYBE A MONTH. >> THESE DETOURS. >> YES. >> THAT'S THE QUESTION. THESE DETOURS AS WE HAVE PLANNED RIGHT NOW, THEY SHOULD ONLY BE APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS EACH DETOUR. THAT'S THE MOST. HOPEFULLY, MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, SO THEY AREN'T GOING TO BE MONTH-LONG OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE ARE HOPING TO GET IN AND OUT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. >> WELL, THAT MAKES ME FEEL A LOT BETTER. I'M THINKING MONTHS. >> NO, MA'AM. YES. IT WILL BE WEEKS. EACH PHASE WILL BE WEEKS MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY ONLY. NOT MONTHS. >> WELL, THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSION? WELL, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING IT DONE VERY QUICKLY. >> YES. THANK YOU. I'D ALSO LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT WE DO HAVE CONSTRUCTION OPEN HOUSE ON THIS PROJECT IN THIS ROOM ON TUESDAY, THE 18TH FROM 04:00 TO 06:00 P.M. AND WE ARE INVITING EVERYBODY TO COME WHO WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE. OUR PROJECT MANAGERS AND ENGINEERS WILL BE ON-SITE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OF THE RESIDENTS AT THAT TIME. I'M ALSO GOING TO LEAVE FLYERS WITH MY BUSINESS CARD ON THE BACK WALL IF ANYBODY HAS MORE QUESTIONS FOR ME. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. [9.A.1. Ordinance 2023-09: Retiree Cost of Living Allowance. (G. Johnson, Deputy Finance Director) ] >> NEXT ITEM UP IS, I SEE WE HAVE THE NINE A1 WHICH IS ORDINANCE TO 2023-09, RETIREE COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE AND THAT'S A MR. JOHNSON. >> GOOD EVENING MADAM VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M GREG JOHNSON, DEPUTY FINANCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. AS YOU KNOW, THE CURRENT INFLATIONARY ENVIRONMENT DECREASES CONSUMERS PURCHASING POWER. OUR GENERAL PLAN RETIREES LIVING ON A FIXED MONTHLY AMOUNT HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN INCREASE SINCE 2014. [01:15:02] TONIGHT WE HAVE OUR ORDINANCE 2023-09, WHICH PROVIDES A ONE TIME COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT OR COLA FOR OUR GENERAL PLAN RETIREES. THE COLA HAS RANGED $100-300 PER MONTH DEPENDING ON HOW LONG THE INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN RETIRED. LAST YEAR, THE PENSION ACTUARY WAS CONSULTED ABOUT THE USE OF PRIOR EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PLAN, AND HE AGREED THAT THE COLA WE'RE DISCUSSING TONIGHT WAS IN APPROPRIATE USE. PRIOR EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS ARE CONTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUARIAL REQUIRED AMOUNT, SO THE ACTUARY ESTIMATES WHAT YOU'RE REQUIRED TO PAY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE CITY HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN THAT, THAT MONEY THEN EARNS INTERESTS AND IT GROWS. IT'S NOW A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT. THE PLAN IS TO DO THIS COLA AS WELL AS OFFSET FUTURE LOWER-THAN-EXPECTED RETURNS, OR THAT THE PLAN MAY HAVE IN THE FUTURE. THE TOTAL COST OF THE COLA AS A ONETIME $2.2 MILLION, AND THAT'S AN ACTUARIAL COST AS WELL. IF YOU GOT ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HERE TO ANSWER THIS. >> DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> I DO. I'M SORRY, THE PRIOR EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS, COULD YOU GIVE US MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE, WHERE THEY'RE BEING HELD, AND YOU SAY THERE'S $2.2 MILLION IN THEM CURRENTLY OR THAT'S THE COST OF THAT. >> THAT IS THE COST, IS LARGER, THAT'S LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW. ESSENTIALLY IT MEANS THAT'S IN THE PLAN. THE PLAN HAS A TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT'S BEING INVESTED, THAT'S INCLUDED IN THAT. IT JUST MEANS THAT WE, THE CITY, HAVE CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN WHAT WAS REQUIRED BY THE ACTUARY. SO THE ACTUARY ESTIMATES ALL THINGS, ONE BEING SALARIES. THE CITY PAYS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL SALARIES. IF ACTUAL SALARIES ARE MORE THAN ESTIMATED SALARIES, WE WILL BE ADDING TO THE EXCESS CONTRIBUTION NUMBER IN THAT SCENARIO. >> I GUESS I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION. IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY IF WE'RE ONLY LOOKING AT PUTTING HALF OF IT TOWARD THIS COLA. WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES FOR USING THOSE PRIOR EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES AND COMPLETELY BRAND NEW TO ME. >> I GET YOU. THE OTHER WAY THAT IT BUILDS IS PAST 10 YEARS, THE STOCK MARKET HAS DONE VERY WELL, AND SO THE ACTUAL RETURN HAS BEEN GREATER THAN THE ESTIMATED RETURN. YOU USE THIS MONEY WHEN THE OPPOSITE HAPPENS. IF THE MARKET DOWNTURNS AND YOU ESTIMATE 7%, BUT YOU ACTUALLY EARN 3%, YOU CAN STEP IN WITH THIS MONEY TO SUPPLEMENT AS WELL. >> IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, IF THE MARKET DOWNTURNED, ARE WE GOING TO BE OKAY WITH THE HALF THAT'S REMAINING? HAVE YOU DONE THAT CALCULATION? >> YES. THIS IS LESS THAN HALF OF THE TOTAL OF THE PEC THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY. I'M SORRY, PEC IS THE PRIOR EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS. LESS THAN HALF OF THE TOTAL. >> NO. BUT I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT IF THE MARKET TAKES A DOWNTURN THAT HAVING REMOVED THAT HALF OF THE TOTAL, WILL THAT HURT OUR ABILITY TO? >> IT WILL NOT. THE PLAN IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND THE CITY IS IN GOOD SHAPE IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE PAYING ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. >> THANK YOU. >> MR. MANAGER. >> ONE OF THE THINGS THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR IS THE PLAIN IS ALSO HIGHLY DIVERSIFIED IN TERMS OF THE INVESTMENT POLICY OF THE GOVERNING BOARD, IN TERMS OF REAL ESTATE, WHAT'S IN STOCKS, BONDS, AND SO FORTH. IT'S A STEADY-PERFORMING FUNDS, SO TO SAY. THAT ALSO FACTORS IN IS THE INVESTMENT POLICY. MAYBE WHAT I COULD SUGGEST THAT A FUTURE MEETING IS MAYBE TAKE THE COMMISSION THROUGH HOW THE PENSIONS WORK AND THEIR INVESTMENT POLICIES AND UNDERSTANDING SOME OF THOSE DETAILS BOTH FOR THE COMMISSION AND THE PUBLIC. BECAUSE WE'RE A VERY, VERY HEALTHY PENSION FUNDS. >> WELL, THAT MAKES ME HAPPY. DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS? >> I MOVE TO APPROVE. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SURE. SECOND. >> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2020-09, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE 4 CITY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, CREATING SECTION 20-148, COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR RETIREES, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE AND INVALID PROVISIONS, [01:20:01] AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD? >> YES. >> BARBARA BLONDER? >> YES. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS? >> YES. >> ROXANNE HORVATH? >> YES. >> THE NEXT ITEM UP IS 11A, [11.A. Legislative Update. ( For Informational Purposes - No Presentation) (I. Lopez, City Attorney) ] WHICH IS THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY. >> I WON'T HAVE ACTUAL PRESENTATION, BUT JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THAT PERHAPS WERE MAKING SOME HEADWAY ON A BILL OF INTERESTS TO THE CITY COMMISSION REGARDING DEMOLITION OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES. OUR LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A DESIRE TO ADDRESS CITIES LIKE THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND NOT CREATE A NECESSARILY A UNIFORM RULE THAT WOULD IMPACT OUR HISTORIC REGISTER DISTRICT OR HISTORIC TOWN PLAN AND SO MANY OTHER NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICTS THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY. KEEPING TOES AND FINGERS CROSSED HOPEFULLY, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL THAT ARE FLOATING AROUND, AND WE WILL HEAR FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT IN HOPES THAT THAT ONE VERSION AND A FEW OTHER VERSIONS ARE CO-EQUAL ESSENTIALLY. ONE OF THEM WOULD EXEMPT US SPECIFICALLY, OTHERS WOULD CREATE MORE GENERIC EXEMPTIONS FOR NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICTS. AND SO ON. EITHER WAY, THEY WOULD SERVE OUR PURPOSE, SO WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED, HORVATH. >> THAT SOUNDS GREAT. THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT IS 11B, [11.B. Notification of statutory development order extension for Madeira PUD. (I. Lopez, City Attorney) ] THE NOTIFICATION STATUTORY DEVELOPMENT ORDER EXTENSION FOR MADEIRA PUD. CITY ATTORNEY? >> YES. YOU'VE SEEN A FEW TIMES, BUT FOR OUR NEWER MEMBERS, THE STATE LAW BASICALLY CREATED THIS AUTOMATIC EXTENSION FOR DEVELOPMENT ORDERS AND PUDS ARE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT ORDER. EVERY TIME THAT THERE IS A STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED, IT AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDS ALL OF THESE DEVELOPMENT ORDERS. THERE'S NOTHING FOR YOU TO DO. IT'S BY OPERATION OF LAW. I JUST PUT IT ON HERE TO LET FOLKS KNOW THAT THE MADEIRA PUD BECAUSE OF THESE LAWS THAT EXTEND EVERY TIME THERE'S A STATE OF EMERGENCY ORDERED BY OUR GOVERNOR THAT PUD HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO AUGUST 19, 2032. THE REQUESTS WERE BASED ON HURRICANE IAN AND TROPICAL STORM NICOLE. AGAIN, THERE'S REALLY NOTHING FOR YOU TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE, IT'S JUST TO LET YOU KNOW AND LET THE PUBLIC KNOW BECAUSE THEY ARE PROBABLY WONDERING WILL THIS PUD EVER TERMINATE, AND THE REASON WHY IT KEEPS GETTING EXTENDED IS GOSH, I DON'T WANT TO SAY EVERY YEAR WE HAVE A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND I'LL PLEASE KNOCK ON SOMETHING THAT'S WOOD, BUT IT SURE FEELS THAT WAY. THAT'S JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [12.A. Request for two Appointments to the Lincolnville Redevelopment Area Steering Committee (LCRA). (D. Galambos,City Clerk) ] >> THE NEXT ITEM IS 12A, AND THAT IS REQUEST FOR TWO APPOINTMENTS TO THE LINCOLNVILLE REDEVELOPMENT AREA STEERING COMMITTEE, AND THAT WILL BE OUR CITY CLERK. >> MADAM VICE MAYOR. THESE TWO TERMS EXPIRE APRIL 30TH. WE ADVERTISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR CITY POLICIES, AND WE RECEIVED TWO APPLICATIONS BACK. THE FIRST ONE WAS FOR MADELINE WHITE SHE IS A CURRENT [INAUDIBLE] MEMBER, AND ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT. THE SECOND ONE WAS FROM MR. KENNETH MCLAIN, AND HE IS ALSO ELIGIBLE. WE DO GIVE PREFERENCE TO LINCOLNVILLE RESIDENTS, BUT WE CAN APPOINT NON-RESIDENTS AS WELL. IF IT PLEASES THE COMMISSION I REQUEST THAT BOTH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS BE APPOINTED. >> WE CERTAINLY HAVE HEARD A LOT FROM MR. MCLAIN BEFORE AND I KNOW HE HAS A LOT OF TIES AND I CAN VOTE SO. I CERTAINLY AM IN FAVOR OF SUCH A THING, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR IF THERE IS A MOTION ON THAT. >> I MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE TWO NAMES THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE LINCOLNVILLE REDEVELOPMENT AREA STEERING COMMITTEE. >> GREAT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> I'D LIKE TO SECOND AND ALSO MAKE SOME COMMENTS. >>> YES. PLEASE, MAKE A COMMENT. >> I JUST WANT TO TRY TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF ADVERTISING THESE. PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW THESE IS COMMITTEES TO SERVE ON [OVERLAPPING] LUMP OR SOMETHING BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A FUN THING TO DO. IT'S SUCH A GOOD THING TO DO. BUT PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING THE WORD. A TIME I MENTIONED [OVERLAPPING]. >> ALWAYS WE PUT IT OUT THERE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WE ADVERTISE IN THE NEWSPAPER. WE PUT IT WHEREVER WE CAN. I DO KNOW THAT OUR CRA COORDINATOR ALSO HAS A FANTASTIC JOB OF GETTING OUT THERE AND RECRUITING, [01:25:05] IF YOU WILL, POTENTIAL APPLICANTS. BUT YES, YOU'RE CORRECT. YOU SPENT 10 YEARS AS A VOLUNTEER [OVERLAPPING] AS WELL. >> IT'S A REALLY GOOD THING. >> GREAT. LET'S SEE. I THINK WE CAN DO THIS BY VOICE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, AYE. >> AYE. >> ANYBODY OPPOSED? I DON'T HEAR IT, SO IT PASSES. THEN WE HAVE THE EXTRA THING THAT WE ADDED 12B ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING UPDATE. [Additional Item ] >>> YES. THE PREVIOUS MEETING YOU ASKED BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CHARRETTE THAT WE HAD ON MARCH 20TH, AND SO STAFF WANTS TO SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING SO THEY CAN GO OVER WHAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS. WE SUGGEST MAY 8TH AT 3:00 PM. WE NORMALLY WOULD HAVE WORKSHOPS THE SECOND MEETING OF THE MONTH BUT WE DO HAVE OUR CRA MEETING SCHEDULED AT THE LAST MEETING IN MAY. >> WE DON'T HAVE A MAY UP HERE NOW. >> NO, WE DON'T. >> WE NEED TO SWITCH THAT UP. WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK IS THAT? >> IT'S MONDAY. IT'S PRIOR TO OUR COMMISSION MEETING. >> MONDAY. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT? >> WELL, IT'S MY ANNIVERSARY. >> OH, NO. >> ON THE 20TH, THIS YEAR. >> WERE YOU PLANNING [OVERLAPPING] >> WELL, HER HUSBAND CAN COME. [LAUGHTER] >> THAT'S FUNNY. [LAUGHTER] WELL, IS THAT THE VERY BEST DAY? >> IT'S FINE. >> IS IT REALLY? >> WELL, WE HAVE A COMMISSION MEETING AT 5:00 THAT SAME DAY, SO SHE'S GOING TO BE HERE ANYWAY. >> GREAT. THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. >> IT'S VERY ROMANTIC. [LAUGHTER] ALSO THEY ARE HOPING TO GIVE A FINAL REPORT BASED ON THE CONVERSATION THAT THEY HAVE WITH YOU ON THE 8TH AT OUR MAY 22 MEETING, AND ALSO, I'D LIKE TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT WE RESCHEDULED THE PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE FOR THE 450 HOLMES BOULEVARD SITE REVIEW. THAT WILL BE THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 15TH FROM 09:00 AM TILL NOON. >> HAS EVERYBODY'S SEEN THAT SITE, ALL OF OUR COMMISSIONERS? YOU HAVE? >> I HAVE. >> I HAVEN'T WALKED THROUGH IT, BUT I KNOW WHERE IT IS. YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS. >> IT'S WORTH OF IT. >> IF YOU HAVE TIME, WELL, ONE AT A TIME PROBABLY, WE COULD GET A MEETING FOR YOU TO GO SEE IT BECAUSE IT REALLY IS WORTH SEEING, I THINK. STAFF COULD LOOK INTO THAT. MAYBE I DIDN'T ANTICIPATE THAT. >> THE PUBLIC IS ALL INVITED TO COME ON THE 15TH. >> I HOPE THEY COME. >> HOPE IT DOESN'T RAIN. >> YES, I HOPE NOT. NOW, WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER, [13.A. City Sponsorship of Juneteenth Event. (J. Regan, City Manager) ] CITY SPONSORED JUNETEENTH EVENT. >> VICE MAYOR COMMISSIONERS, THIS FIRST ITEM IS A RECOMMENDATION BY STAFF TO PROVIDE A SPONSORSHIP TO THE JUNETEENTH EVENT THAT AT THE LAST CITY COMMISSION MEETING, WE HAD A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS THAT CAME AND ASKED FOR SUPPORT FROM THE CITY. IT HAD MORE TO DO WITH SOME OF THE TECHNICAL LOGISTICS OF THE EVENT ITSELF. WE'RE ABLE TO SORT THROUGH THOSE ISSUES AND CREATE THE EVENT AS THE ORGANIZERS ENVISIONED IT, BUT AS I GOT TO UNDERSTAND THE EVENT AND THE PRODUCERS, IT HIT ME THAT THIS IS THE TYPE OF CULTURAL EVENT THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE VISION OF THE COMMUNITY. THE COSTS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE EVENT, THAT WOULD BE PAID TYPICALLY BY THE EVENT FOR POLICING SERVICE, PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES, SOLID WASTE SERVICES. WHATEVER CITY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ARE TYPICALLY CHARGED TO THE EVENT. IN THIS CASE, THERE'S APPROXIMATELY $1,000 IN CHARGES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED TO THE EVENT. IT CAN PLUS OR MINUS, DEPENDING ON THE DAY OF EVENT. IT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY PAY THOSE CHARGES, ABSORB THOSE CHARGES. WE PHYSICALLY DO MAKE TRANSFERS WITHIN THE BUDGET. THAT MAKES US A SPONSOR OF THE EVENT. [01:30:03] THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE ALLOW THE USE OF THE CITY SEAL ON THE PROGRAM MATERIALS, WHICH MAKES A CLEAR OBVIOUS TIE OF THE CITY'S SUPPORT FOR THE EVENT. THIS IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY. IT IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CITY HAS DECLARED IT AS A CITY HOLIDAY AND I THINK IT'D BE APPROPRIATE BASED ON THE VISION AND WHERE I BELIEVE THE COMMISSION WANTS TO TAKE OUR COMMUNITY. >> GREAT. DO WE NEED ACTION? DO WE NEED A VOTE ON THAT? IS THERE ANY COMMENT? >> BUT I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION. THAT WE GO AHEAD AND APPROVE THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION AND BECOME A SPONSOR AND ALLOW AND IN FACT ENCOURAGE OUR LOGO FOR THE CITY TO BE USED AS OUTLINED IN THIS LETTER TO THE COMMISSION. >> SOUNDS WONDERFUL. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> I SECOND. >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF FOR TAKING SUCH PRODUCTIVITY AND BEING CREATIVE. IT WAS A GREAT SOLUTION. >> YES. I THINK SO, TOO. THANK YOU. >> WE GOT TO VOTE. >> WE HAVE TO VOTE, YES. [LAUGHTER] ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [BACKGROUND] ANYBODY OPPOSE? NO. LET'S SEE. [13.B. Distribution and discussion of City Manager job description. (J. Regan, City Manager) ] THE NEXT IS 13B, THE DISTRIBUTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE CITY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION. I HATE THIS, I HATE HEARING ABOUT THIS, BUT WE NEED TO DO IT. >> VICE MAYOR, I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE SAID TO YOU PUBLICLY AND PLANNING [INAUDIBLE] SECOND. I KNOW YOU HATE TO HEAR THAT. >> NO, I DO. >> I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH. >> ISN'T THAT A APRIL FOOLS' JOKE? [LAUGHTER] >> NO, I APPRECIATE THAT. I APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT FROM YOU THROUGH ALL THE YEARS. ALL OF OUR COMMISSION, I THINK THAT WE HAVE A WONDERFUL BOARD THAT WILL TAKE US INTO THE FUTURE. BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF SOLICITING FOR THE NEXT CITY MANAGER, HOWEVER THE COMMISSION DECIDES TO DO THAT, DOES INVOLVE HAVING A JOB DESCRIPTION. THE JOB OF THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY ARE OUTLINED IN THE CHARTER ITSELF, BUT WHAT THIS IS, IS WHAT WOULD BE A MORE TYPICAL JOB DESCRIPTION IN THE FORMAT THAT OTHER CITY JOBS ARE DESCRIBED. [NOISE] WHAT WE DID WAS WE ADDED SOME LANGUAGE THAT'S SHOWN IN ITALICS THAT COMES FROM CITY STAFF, AND WE HAVE ADDED LANGUAGE IN STRIKE THROUGH DELETION THAT REPRESENTS CHANGES THAT CAME FROM WITHIN THE CITY COMMISSION IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THIS IS A TIME TO REVIEW THOSE CHANGES. IF A COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR SUBTRACT FROM THE JOB DESCRIPTION, I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN FIND CONSENSUS ON ANY CHANGES THAT CAN BE APPROVED THIS EVENING SO THAT TOMORROW WE WOULD FINISH THE JOB DESCRIPTION BY ELIMINATING STRIKE THROUGH DELETIONS AND ADD AND DELETE, BUT THERE WILL BE A CLEAR TIE TO TONIGHT AND THE JOB DESCRIPTION SO THAT WE CAN GET THAT AS PART OF THE POSTING. WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO THE VICE MAYOR. >> DO HAVE WE ANYTHING THAT HAS COME TO YOU FOR CHANGES ON THIS? I ONLY HAVE ONE, AND I THINK TYPING ISSUE. THE REST LOOKS GOOD ME, BUT GO AHEAD. ANY COMMENTS? >> NO, I HAVEN'T DONE THIS. >> I ALREADY PROVIDED MY COMMENTS IN THERE, INCLUDED IN HERE, ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE ONE THAT I PROVIDED PREVIOUSLY AND THERE WAS SOME ADJUSTMENT TO IT, BUT I'M STILL TROUBLED BY IT AND JUST WANT TO DISCUSS IT WITH MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, AND THAT IS THE PHYSICAL DEMANDS. THAT'S I BELIEVE THE LAST SECTION ON PAGE 3 OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION. I THINK THAT THE SENTENCE REQUIRES THE FREQUENT USE OF HANDS AND ARMS TO OPERATE A COMPUTER, AND MOUSE, IT JUST DOESN'T SIT THE RIGHT WAY WITH ME. I KNOW A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY OUT THERE THAT TALK TO TEXTS AND SO FORTH WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, I FEEL SUPERSEDES THE RATIONALE BEHIND INCLUDING THESE TYPES OF VISION ACUITY AND BEING ABLE TO USE HANDS AND ARMS. [01:35:01] I JUST THINK IT NEEDS DISCUSSION. IT TROUBLES ME. >> I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. IT STOOD OUT TO ME ALSO. I WOULD ASK OUR ATTORNEY YOUR FEELINGS ON THIS, OR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS. >> WELL, I HAVE NO FEELINGS. LAWYERS HAVE NO FEELINGS AS I'VE BEEN TOLD, WE'RE JUST HARSH PEOPLE. ALL KIDDING ASIDE, THE INTENT, I BELIEVE FROM YOUR HR DEPARTMENT TO ADD THE WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, I THINK THE INTENT WAS TO SAY THAT THESE VARIOUS PHYSICAL DEMANDS ARE THERE REGARDLESS OF ANY ACCOMMODATION, AND I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING FROM COMMISSIONER BLONDER IS THAT, IN FACT, WE COULD HAVE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS THAT WOULDN'T CAUSE UNDUE HARDSHIP TO THE CITY FOR SOME OF THESE PHYSICAL DEMANDS IF I'M INTERPRETING WHAT I'M HEARING CORRECTLY. >> I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THESE STATEMENTS COMPORT WITH THE ADA. >> YOU CAN HAVE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS THAT SIMPLY CAN'T BE ACCOMMODATED FOR, SO THAT IS LEGAL. I THINK YOUR QUERY IS THAT ACTUALLY TRUE IN THIS CASE, IF I'M HEARING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. >> THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY, IS THAT I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE ENOUGH TECHNOLOGY OUT THERE AND THAT I DON'T FEEL LIKE THESE STATEMENTS ARE REALLY ACCURATE IN THIS DAY AND AGE. >> MR. MANAGER. >> I COULD MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT MAYBE THE STATEMENT COULD JUST BE MODIFIED TO READ THE FREQUENT USE OF COMPUTERS TO PERFORM DUTIES. THAT OUTLINES WE EXPECT YOU TO HAVE SOME ACUMEN IN COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE. >> I THINK THAT WOULD SIT BETTER. >> THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT. >> WELL, WE'VE HIRED TOTALLY BLIND PEOPLE BEFORE AND THE REQUIREMENTS WERE TO HANDLE A COMPUTER AND THEY DID WELL, SO THE TECHNOLOGY IS THERE. >> GREAT. >> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT WAS MADE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT BEING ABLE TO WORK ACROSS DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND I THOUGHT THAT MY SUGGESTION, WHICH YOU SEE HERE UNDERLINED THE ABILITY TO FORM COALITIONS CONSISTING OF KEY DECISION-MAKERS IN THE PRIVATE, PUBLIC, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION, AND GOVERNMENTAL SECTORS TO ADDRESS COMPLEX CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY MORE THAN IT COVERS THAT. I WANTED TO MAKE THAT EXPLICIT. >> I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO GO SPECIFIC ST. JOHN COUNTY, BUT I THINK THAT'S PERFECT. ANYTHING? >> I WAS JUST LOOKING AT THAT SENTENCE THAT YOU GUYS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION AND IT JUST SAYS, IF YOU JUST TAKE OUT FREQUENT USE OF HANDS AND ARMS THEN THE SENTENCE WOULD READ BETTER. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE BESIDES THAT. >> MY TYPO REALLY IS UNDER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES ON PAGE 1 IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH WHERE IT SAYS, HIRES AND WHEN NECESSARY, SUSPENDS, DEMOTES, OR REMOVES ALL CITY EMPLOYEES. WOULD IT BE ANY? [LAUGHTER] I'D HATE TO LOOSE EVERYBODY. ANY [LAUGHTER] CITY EMPLOYEE? ITS EMPLOYEE, NOT EMPLOYEES. >> MAYBE QUALIFY THAT. I STILL HAVE MY LITTLE TINY KINGDOM OF THREE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT UNDER THE CITY MANAGER PORTION OF THE CHARTER. I READ IT TO MEAN THOSE THAT THE CITY MANAGER WOULD RESPOND TO, BUT I JUST HAVE MY THREE LITTLE PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF. [LAUGHTER] >> WOULD THAT BE TRUE FOR DARLENE'S DEPARTMENTS TOO? >> ACTUALLY NO. DARLENE WORKS FOR THE CITY MANAGER. YES. BUT YOU WORK FOR HIM UNDER THE CHARTER AND SO DO YOUR EMPLOYEES. >> GOOD. >> ARE YOU TELL ME I COULD HAVE FIRED DARLENE? [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] >> NO I DON'T THINK SO. >> WELL, YOU ALMOST MISSED YOUR CHANCE. >> [OVERLAPPING] COMMISSIONER [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU. ONE CLARIFICATION, REMOVES MEANS TERMINATE AND SHOULDN'T WE SAY TERMINATE? REMOVES AIN'T AND MAY NOT BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD HOLD UP IF SOMEBODY WAS. >> I THINK TAKE EMPLOYMENT ACTION ULTIMATELY WOULD BE ALL EMPLOYMENT ACTION, REALLY WOULD BE CONTROLLED BY THE CITY MANAGER FOR THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE WITHIN THE CITY MANAGER'S AREA OF DIRECTIVES SO WE CAN WORDSMITH THAT A LITTLE BIT IF YOU LIKE. >> IF YOU WOULD, THAT WOULD BE GOOD. [01:40:01] TO THE POINT WHERE THOSE POINTS THAT YOU'VE JUST MADE. I THINK JUST WORDSMITH THAT SECTION. THANK YOU. >> ANYTHING ELSE? >> NO, ACTUALLY, I DO HAVE SOMETHING. ARE WE FINISHED COMMENTING ON THE [OVERLAPPING] >> I'M GOING TO HAVE MR. CITY MANAGER SAY SOMETHING IN A MOMENT. >> WHAT I WANTED TO ASK IS AND MAYBE HE CAN ADD THIS INTO WHATEVER HE WAS GOING TO SAY. I WANT TO KNOW FOR TRANSPARENCY FOR EVERYBODY. WHAT IS EXACTLY THE APPLICATION PROCESS? WHO ARE THE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO? WHAT IS A COMPLETE APPLICATION CONSISTS OF? IS IT A RESUME AND A COVER LETTER? IS THAT ANYTHING IN ADDITION TO THAT? WHAT IS THE DEADLINE? THOSE THREE QUESTIONS. >> THOSE ARE GOOD QUESTIONS AND I ACTUALLY HAD THAT LISTED HERE TOO. BUT THAT'S OKAY. BECAUSE I'VE ONLY GOTTEN TO RESUMES, BUT I'VE HEARD THERE'S OTHERS OUT THERE. MR. MANAGER, YOU WERE GOING TO COMMENT. >> WELL, I HAD A COMMENT ON THE LANGUAGE. LET'S. >> GO TO THE LANGUAGE AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT. >> JUST TO COME BACK ON THOSE CHANGES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT UNDER PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND BUILDING A LITTLE BIT, AND ONE THING THAT OCCURRED TO ME WAS THE SMARTPHONE IS ACTUALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPUTER DEVICE. LET ME TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE WITH THE COMMISSION. TO MODIFY THE SENTENCE AND I'LL ARTICULATE THE STRIKE THROUGH DELETION SO THAT IT'S CLEAR IN THE RECORD. REQUIRES THE FREQUENT USE OF COMPUTERS AND SMARTPHONES TO PERFORM DUTIES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE STRIKE THROUGH OF HANDS AND ARMS TO OPERATE. ADDING AN S TO COMPUTERS, STRIKING OUT, INCLUDING KEYBOARD AND MOUSE AND ADDING IN SMARTPHONE IN ITS PLACE. >> DID COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD ADD THE VISUAL ACUITY PORTION TO BE UPDATED? DID WE GET CONSENSUS ON THAT? >> WOULD YOU SAY IT AGAIN? >> THE LINE ABOUT VISUAL ACUITY, A TOTALLY BLIND PERSON CAN STILL USE A COMPUTER AND GET DATA AND GET CHARGED. [OVERLAPPING] >> THAT WAS MY POINT ON THAT. THANK YOU. >> THAT'S A GOOD CATCH. >> DO WE HAVE A MODIFIED LANGUAGE CHANGE? >> YES. >> COULD WE STATE IT FOR THE RECORD? MAYBE I MISSED IT. >> YOU COULD SCRATCH THROUGH A VISUAL ACUITY TOO AND SAY BE ABLE TO PERFORM, BE ABLE TO, AS AN UNDERLYING, BE ABLE TO PERFORM ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ANALYZING DATA AND FIGURES, OPERATING COMPUTER, WELL, NOT MOTOR VEHICLE, [LAUGHTER] IF YOU'RE TOTALLY BLIND. >> GOT IT. >> GOT IT. JUST FOR A QUESTION, WHAT IS LICENSED CLASSIFICATION? IS THAT WHERE YOU'RE USED AS A SHUTTLE, YOU GO PICK UP PEOPLE AT THE AIRPORT? >> I'M VERY CONFIDENT BUT NOT 100% CONFIDENT. [LAUGHTER] I'M ALWAYS CAREFUL AND I'M NOT 100%, BUT THAT'S JUST THE STANDARD DRIVER'S LICENSE. >> [OVERLAPPING] STANDARD. >> THANK YOU. WELL, I THINK WE'VE GOT THAT PRETTY WELL COVERED. NOW WE WANTED TO GO BACK TO WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE? >> THE DETAILS SO FAR. WITH THAT, I'D ASK ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, MEREDITH BRIENSTEIN TO MAYBE COME AND WALK THROUGH THOSE DETAILS. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, MEREDITH BRIENSTEIN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER. WE ARE RECEIVING APPLICATIONS IN OUR HR DEPARTMENT. THOSE ARE THEN BEING SENT DIRECTLY TO EACH OF YOU. WE HAVE AN APPLICATION DEADLINE OF NEXT WEDNESDAY SO THAT THEY CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE PACKET FOR THE APRIL 24TH COMMISSION MEETING. >> CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA? ARE THERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO INTERVIEW? >> I SUGGEST WE JUST WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE INTERVIEW POOL IS. WE DON'T WANT TO PROVIDE ANY PREJUDGMENT OR ENCOURAGEMENT, DISCOURAGEMENT TO THE EMPLOYEE BASE. >> I GUESS I'M JUST TRYING TO GET AN IDEA. IF NEXT WEDNESDAY, THAT'S THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE OUR MEETING, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TALK TO THESE PEOPLE. >> THAT'S A WEEK AND A HALF PRIOR TO. IF WE RECEIVE THOSE ON WEDNESDAY AS A DEADLINE, WHICH THEY WILL THEN BE SENT TO YOU. THAT MEANS THEY'LL BE IN THE PACKET FOR DISTRIBUTION THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY. YOU HAVE ANOTHER WEEK, SO IT'S REALLY ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF FROM THE DEADLINE. >> THE DEADLINE IS THIS WEDNESDAY? >> YES. >> I THOUGHT IT WAS THE 19TH. THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TIME THEN. [01:45:01] >> I WOULD SAY SEVERAL, BUT NOTHING THAT WOULD BE OUTSIDE I THINK THE REALM OF REVIEW. >> WE'RE WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR THURSDAY MORNING, ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS TO BE FORWARDED TO EACH OF OUR EMAIL INBOXES [OVERLAPPING] >> IF NOT SOONER. THEY SHOULD BE GOING TO YOU AS THEY COME IN. >> I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY YET, AS OF THIS AFTERNOON. NOT ONE. >> I APOLOGIZE. THEY'LL BE COMING TO YOU. >> IF YOU CAN MAKE SURE ALL OF THEM COME TO ALL OF US AT ONE TIME. >> YES. >> MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THEM ALL. >> WE CAN DO THAT AND WE WILL CONFIRM. WE WILL ASK FOR YOUR CONFIRMATION TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'VE GOTTEN THEM. >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A CHANGE. CANDIDLY, USUALLY WHEN WE HAVE A TIME CERTAIN DEADLINE, THE HR POLICY IS TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THAT DEADLINE ELAPSES AND THEN SEND TO ALL CANDIDATES AT ONE TIME. >> THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME. >> WE USUALLY HAVE OPEN DEADLINES FOR OTHER CITY JOBS AND SO WE REVIEW THEM ONGOING. BUT IN THIS CASE, I WOULD RECOMMEND GOING TO A TIME CERTAIN. >> I AGREE. >> I'M FEELING LIKE THE TIMELINE IS MAYBE TOO AMBITIOUS AND I WANT AN ESCAPE HATCH FROM THAT. IF WE GET TO OUR NEXT COMMISSION MEETING AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'VE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO ADEQUATELY ASSESS THE DIFFERENT APPLICANTS AND ALSO THEIR REFERENCES FRANKLY, THAT I'M JUST SAYING I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THE DECISION. I'M SAYING THAT NOW, FOR TRANSPARENCY. >> I THINK THAT'S REASONABLE. >> HOW ARE APPLICANTS NOTIFIED THAT THE JOB IS AVAILABLE? >> AN EMAIL WENT OUT FOLLOWING THE PREVIOUS COMMISSION MEETING WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS. I'LL HAVE TO LOOK BACK AT THE DISTRIBUTION LIST. I KNOW IT WAS SENT TO ALL SENIOR STAFF AT THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THE APPLICATION WAS OPEN, WE HAD A DRAFT JOB DESCRIPTION LETTING EVERYONE KNOW THAT DECISION WOULD BE FINALIZED TONIGHT, SO IT WAS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND THAT APPLICATIONS WOULD BE DUE BY WEDNESDAY, WHICH IS THE 12TH, I BELIEVE, APRIL 12TH. >> CORRECT. >> IT'S A COVER LETTER, IT'S A RESUME, IT'S REFERENCES? >> YES. OUR STANDARD IS JUST AN APPLICATION. WHEN WE HAVE INTERNAL APPLICANTS, WE HAVE ASKED FOR THIS TO BE BEYOND THAT BESIDES JUST OUR INTERNAL APPLICATION, BUT YES, A RESUME, A COVER LETTER, AND REFERENCES AS WELL. >> THAT SOUNDS GOOD. ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS? >> WELL, JUST A PROCEDURAL THING. I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE A NUMBER UP, FIVE, AND THEY ALL HAVE THREE REFERENCES AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET CALLS FROM FIVE PEOPLE. [LAUGHTER] THEY'RE GOING TO HANG THE PHONE UP AFTER THE SECOND OR THIRD. NOT REALLY. SHOULD WE TALK ABOUT MAYBE HAVING A DIFFERENT WAY TO DO THE REFERENCES OR SOMETHING, OR WE EACH WANT TO CALL THE REFERENCES? IT'S GOING TO BE [OVERLAPPING] >> THAT'S WHY I HAD SUGGESTED THE PANEL INTERVIEW WHERE WE HAVE THE PEOPLE COME IN AND WE JUST ASK THEM QUESTIONS TO SETUP A LOT OF TIMES, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO EVERYBODY INDIVIDUALLY MEET PEOPLE BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE ALL HAD OUR OWN QUESTIONS AND INTERVIEWED THE CANDIDATES AND WROTE DOWN NOTES ON IT. >> I'M SORRY. THAT'S ONE THING AND THE OTHER IS THE REFERENCES. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT [OVERLAPPING] >> I THINK MR. GARRETT HAS A GOOD POINT. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S NOT LEGAL BECAUSE OF THE SUNSHINE LAW? >> YOU'D HAVE TO DO IT IN THE SUNSHINE, SO IT'D BE A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, MINUTES RECORDED THE WHOLE SAME AS ANYTHING ELSE. YES, YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY DO IT, BUT IT HAS TO BE SUNSHINE. >> MR. REAGAN. >> IT HAS TO BE A SUNSHINE. BUT YOU COULD ALSO DO IT IN A REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, YOU COULD SCHEDULED WORKSHOP. THERE IS NO PROBLEM STAFF MAKING SURE THAT YOU MEET ALL STANDARDS OF THE SUNSHINE AND YOU DO IT AT THE WILL AND THE WAY THAT YOU WANT IT DONE. >> DO WE HAVE A NUMBER ABOUT APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE APPLYING OR YOU DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION AT THIS TIME? >> WE WILL HAVE TO LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE HAVE THE FINAL DEADLINE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE MAY COME IN AFTER ANY CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T THINK I CAN GIVE YOU A NUMBER. >> I'M FRANKLY LEANING TOWARD COMMISSIONER GARRIS'S SUGGESTION IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY AND SOME OF THE FEEDBACK I'VE BEEN GETTING. [01:50:04] WHILE I DISAGREE THAT WE NEED TO DO A NATIONAL SEARCH, I DO AGREE THAT WE NEED TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE. >> BECAUSE I'M GETTING SOME FEEDBACK TOO, BECAUSE I WAS THE FIRST PERSON THAT WAS ASKED TO SPEAK THAT DAY, [LAUGHTER] AND IT HAS BEEN THE CITY POLICY EVER SINCE I WAS AN EMPLOYEE THAT WE'VE ALWAYS HIRE WITHIN. THAT WAS JUST SEEMED AUTOMATIC, HAVING A CITY PERSON GET PROMOTED TO THAT POSITION THAT KNOWS ABOUT THE CITY, IT SAVES TIME ON TRYING TO BRING SOMEBODY UP TO PAR, AND I BASICALLY STATED THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY FAVORITES. I JUST WANT WHEN JOHN LEAVES US, UNFORTUNATELY, I WANT SOMEBODY THAT CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, SO THAT THE CITY DOESN'T SUFFER FROM HIM RETIRING. >> IN MY PAST LIFE, WE'VE DONE PUBLIC INTERVIEWS, AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT AN APPLICANT CAN ALSO ATTEND THE PREVIOUS INTERVIEW AND LISTEN TO THE QUESTIONS AND THE ANSWERS. >>THAT'S ALWAYS TRUE. THAT HAS TO HAPPEN. >> THAT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND EVERYONE'S ALLOWED. >> ALSO, IT'S MORE DIFFICULT FOR FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS. IT'S JUST A BETTER CONVERSATION TO ONE-ON-ONE, I FOUND OUT IN MY PAST IF I WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF A GROUP INTERVIEW. >> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT. >> IF I COULD REGARDING THE REFERENCES, IF IT'S HELPFUL AT ALL. IT WON'T BE ASKING QUESTIONS, BUT REFERENCES OR ANY OTHER DETAILS ON THE RESUME CAN BE CHECKED BY OUR OFFICE AND I CAN LET YOU ALL KNOW. THAT'S JUST CHECKING REFERENCES, IT'S NOT ASKING ANY QUESTION YOU MAY WANT TO ASK. BUT IF THAT'S HELPFUL AT ALL, THAT CAN BE DONE FOR EACH APPLICATION. >> ARE THEY REFERENCE LETTERS TO US OR THEY'RE JUST SOMEBODY'S NAME SAYING [INAUDIBLE]? [OVERLAPPING] >> I DO NOT BELIEVE WE HAVE ASKED FOR LETTERS OF REFERENCE. >> WE HAVE NOT. HAVE WE? >> I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT CAME FROM YOU-ALL. >> MR. REAGAN. >> I HAVE A TRITE SAYING I THINK I'VE USED WITH ALL OF YOU, LET THE DATA SPEAK TO YOU. YOU'LL KNOW HOW MANY APPLICANTS YOU HAVE AFTER THE DEADLINE CLOSES. YOU'LL KNOW WHETHER YOU CAN PROCESS IT, YOU LOOK AT THE SCOPE AND THE SCALE AND DETERMINE WHETHER YOU NEED TO CALL REFERENCES, WHETHER YOU HAVE THE TIME TO CALL REFERENCES AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS TO TAKE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME AS A COMMISSION TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. WE'RE TRYING TO FORECAST SOMETHING THAT WE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW BIG IT IS, AND THAT WOULD BE MY GENERAL ADVICE. THE OTHER THING IS, I'M CONFIDENT THAT, AS MUCH AS PEOPLE TALK TO ME, I'M SURE PEOPLE ARE TALKING TO YOU. THOSE ARE ALL FORMS OF REFERENCES. DON'T FORGET THAT. >> THAT'S TRUE. YEAH. ARE WE HAPPY WITH THIS? >> I'M NOT SURE WE'VE MADE A DECISION ABOUT WHETHER TO HAVE A PANEL IN SUNSHINE. >> I'M TORN BECAUSE I THINK, I WOULD PREFER TO DO IT ONE-ON-ONE. BUT IF IT MAKES THE PUBLIC FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, THEN THE PANEL MAKES SOME SENSE. >> WHAT WE'VE DONE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION BEFORE AND FOR THE PRIVATE EDUCATION IS WE REQUIRED APPLICANTS TO DO A PRESENTATION IN PUBLIC. THE COMMITTEE GAVE A TOPIC TO THE APPLICANTS AND THEY ALL PRESENTED ON THAT TOPIC AND THEY DID IT IN PUBLIC AND OTHER EMPLOYEES WERE INVITED AND THE PUBLIC WAS INVITED TO ATTEND. PART OF YOUR INTERVIEW PROCESS WAS THE ABILITY FOR THE PERSON TO PRESENT IN PUBLIC AND TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC AT THE SAME TIME, AND THEN INTERVIEWS WERE DONE SEPARATELY ONE-ON-ONE. >> I REALLY LIKE THAT. >> I LIKE THAT TOO. >> IT'S LIKE WHEN I GO FOR PUBLIC WORK, WE ALL GET SHORTLISTED AND THEN A THREE FIRMS COME IN AND YOU GIVE YOUR PRESENTATION AND YOU HOPE YOU WIN. BUT IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SO SOMEBODY ELSE COULD WATCH YOUR PRESENTATION. >> BUT THEY'RE ALL DONE THE SAME DAY. THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO COME AND CHANGE IT. >> IF WE SCHEDULE ON BACK-TO-BACK, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO. >> OR THEY SUBMIT THEIR PRESENTATIONS BEFORE THEIR PRESENTATIONS, SO WE HAVE THEM, THEY'RE NOT CHANGED, AND THEN THEY'RE PRESENTING ON. BECAUSE I CAN MAKE CHANGES ON THE FLYER. I'M SURE THERE ARE SOME PRESENTATIONS I HAVE DONE SO. [LAUGHTER] >> DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING OR IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING AS A WORKSHOP OR I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE TIMING IS MADE. >> WELL, I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON HOW QUICKLY WE CAN ADVERTISE IT, [01:55:04] BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE OPEN AND ADVERTISED. IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GETTING THE RESUMES, EVERY APPLICANTS SEND BY THE 13TH, HOW LONG DO YOU NEED TO ADVERTISE? >> IT'S JUST REASONABLE NOTICE. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC STATUTORY AMOUNT OF DAYS OR WEEKS. THERE'S NO NEWSPAPER NOTICE, SO IT'S JUST A POSTING DOWNSTAIRS AND OBVIOUSLY THROUGH OUR WEB PAGE, BUT IT'S A REASONABLE NOTICE. THAT CAN BE FAIRLY QUICK TURNAROUND. >> WE DON'T NEED TO RUSH AND ALSO WE COULD HAVE PRESENTATIONS ON 24TH AND WE COULD PUSH IT TILL MAY 8TH AS A DECISION TOO. >> THAT'S NOT A BAD IDEA. >> YEAH, THAT'S JUST WHAT I WAS THINKING. [OVERLAPPING] >> IF I'M HEARING THE CONSENSUS MAY BE AROUND THE TABLE AND PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. IT GIVES US, AS COMMISSIONERS AND OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH EACH CANDIDATE WHO HAS MET THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS. THEN WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO DISCUSS ANY QUESTIONS WITH ANY REFERENCES INDIVIDUALLY. THEN WE WOULD HAVE PRESENTATIONS BY EACH CANDIDATE AT THE BEGINNING OR SOME POINT WORKSHOP AT OUR NEXT MEETING, APRIL 24TH. THEN ACTUALLY MAKE THE DECISION ON THE NEW CITY MANAGER ON THE FOLLOWING MEETING, MAY 8TH. IS THAT WHAT I HEARD? >> CORRECT. THEN WE NEED TO PICK A TOPIC FOR THE PRESENTATION TONIGHT, BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO APPLY ON THE 12TH AND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO MEET IN ORDER TO GIVE A TOPIC UNTIL. WE'RE STILL RUSHING THINGS A GOOD BIT, BUT WE COULD HAVE AN APPOINTEE ON THE 8TH TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE MANAGER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT MONTH. >> MR. SPRINGFIELD, HAVE YOU AND YOUR EXPERIENCE SEEMED SOMETHING MORE OPEN-ENDED PERHAPS AS THE TOPIC, SOMETHING LIKE IDENTIFY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THE CITY MAY HAVE? I THINK THINGS THAT YOU-ALL WOULD WANT. >> ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT WAS TELL US YOUR FIRST 90 DAYS. >> WELL, THAT'S A GOOD ONE. >> THAT'S A GOOD ONE. >> LET'S SEE. ARE WE WANTING TO HAVE THIS SCHEDULED PRIOR TO THE MEETING OR DURING THE REGULAR MEETING? BECAUSE THAT DOES MAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENCE. OR WE'RE GOING TO WORKSHOP IT? >> I WAS THINKING WE WOULD HAVE THE PRESENTATION ON THE 24TH, AND THEN WE WOULD SPEND NEXT WEEK. [OVERLAPPING] >> DURING THE REGULAR NEXT MEETING? >> YES. NEXT COMMISSION MEETING AND THEN NEXT WEEK WE CAN TRY TO GET UP WITH THEM AND SPEAK TO THEM INDIVIDUALLY. THEN HEAR ABOUT THEM ON THE 24TH, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE THE NEXT TWO WEEKS TO MAKE THE DECISION. >>DO WE HAVE THE CONSENSUS? [OVERLAPPING] >> WE DON'T HAVE CONSENSUS, I THINK. BUT MR. REAGAN WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING. [OVERLAPPING] >> I MAY HAVE ONE MORE THING AFTER HIM. >> TO BUILD ON COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD'S POINT, THE FIRST 90 DAYS. I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU HERE. IF I WAS IN YOUR POSITION, I WOULD BE ASKING CANDIDATES, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE LARGEST CHALLENGES OF THE CITY AND HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH THEM? WHAT WOULD YOUR FIRST 90 DAYS LOOK LIKE? MAY BE WHAT WOULD YOU FIRST-YEAR LOOK LIKE? BUT THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES TO THE CITY, AND I THINK THAT TELLS YOU A LOT ABOUT SOMEONE'S LEADERSHIP ON HOW THEY APPROACH THAT TYPE OF OPEN-ENDED QUESTION. THE DESIGN AN OPEN-ENDED QUESTION, YOUR FIRST 90 DAYS, THAT'S AN OPEN-ENDED QUESTION. I'M JUST TRYING TO THROW OUT TO YOU WANT TO ADD ANOTHER ONE OR JUST LEAVE IT THE FIRST 90 DAYS. >> I LIKE EXACTLY THE WAY YOU SAID. YES. >> I THINK THAT'S VERY GOOD. IT GIVES THEM A LOT MORE TO WORK WITH. >> JUST SO I CAN HAVE A CLEAR RECORD. WE'LL PUT OUT THE QUESTION, WHAT DO YOU SEE THE CHALLENGES OF THE CITY MOVING FORWARD? HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH THEM IN YOUR FIRST 90 DAYS AND YOUR FIRST YEAR? DOES THAT SOUND GOOD? >> WE PROBABLY NEED TO HAVE A TIME LIMIT FOR THE PRESENTATION. >> IF SOMEONE TAKES MORE THAN 15 MINUTES TO TELL YOU ABOUT SOMETHING, IT'S TOO LONG. [OVERLAPPING] >> FIFTEEN MINUTES IS GOOD. YOU COULD DO A SERMON IN 15 MINUTES >> IF WE DO 44 APPLICATIONS WE'RE IN TROUBLE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE PLACE THIS NEAR THE BEGINNING OF OUR AGENDA SO THAT THE INTERESTED PUBLIC DOESN'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE VERY END. >> I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD IDEA. BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN HEARING ABOUT THIS. >> YOU HAVE ONE MORE COMMENT? >> THAT WAS IT. >> THAT WAS IT? >> YEAH. >> GREAT. THE LAST THING [INAUDIBLE]. [OVERLAPPING] >> DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS? [02:00:01] >> NO. >> I MIGHT SEE IN CONSENSUS OF WHAT WE'VE JUST DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF THE QUESTION, THE TIMING, AND THE INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS AT YOUR LEISURE. >> YES, MR. SPRINGFIELD. >> JUST ONE LAST THING. WE TALKED ABOUT THE OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY. I JUST ALSO WANTED TO RECOGNIZE A GENTLEMAN IN THE BACK, NICHOLAS PARIS, WHO IS A RISING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, WHO IS SHADOWING ME LEARNING ABOUT THE CAREER IN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS. I JUST WANTED TO ASK NICK IF YOU MIGHT STAND AND WAVE HELLO. >> HELLO. >> I JUST THINK IT'S WONDERFUL WHEN A YOUNG PERSON TAKES THE INITIATIVE TO LEARN ABOUT GOVERNMENT. >> THE LAST NAME WAS PARIS? >> THE GRANDSON OF STAN LEE AND CATHERINE PARIS. >> SO WE DO HAVE A TEENAGER IN HERE? >> WE DO. >> ONE? >> YEAH. [BACKGROUND] [14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS ] >> OUR LAST UNDER MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS WE HAVE 14A. 14A? NICE JOB. >> YES, MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND VICE MAYOR. ACCORDING TO RESOLUTION NUMBER 2016-15, WHERE A CITY COMMISSIONER CAN ESTABLISH THE PROCESS OF NAMING A PUBLIC PARK. I HAVE A REQUEST TO NAME, THERE'S A LETTER INSIDE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT. >> I HAVE A LETTER. >> YEAH, THERE'S A LETTER, THE 14A. >> OH, I HAVE A, NO, JUST A MEMO. >> A MEMORANDUM. >> YES, I GOT THAT. I KNOW THIS PARK REALLY WELL. >> YEAH, YOU DO BECAUSE YOU WAS INVOLVED. [LAUGHTER]. >> AND I LOVE THIS PARK AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO NAME IT. >> WELL, I'M REQUESTING THAT THE PARK IS NAMED SAM'S PARK. SAM ADUKIEWICZ WAS OUR FIRST HARBOR MASTER. HE IMPLEMENTED THE HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT INCLUDED ESTABLISHING ST. AUGUSTINE WITH THREE MOORING FIELDS, WHICH INCLUDED THE CITY'S FIRST PUMP OUT BOAT. THE MUNICIPAL MARINA WAS AWARDED THE DESIGNATION OF A CLEAN AND RESILIENT MARINA IN 2014 UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP BY THE DEP. THIS WAS THE SECOND MARINA IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY IN FLORIDA TO RECEIVE THIS DESIGNATION. >> WONDERFUL. >> SAM WORKED FOR THE MARINA FOR 15 YEARS. SAM WAS A GREAT PERSON AND HE LOVED WATER. I WORKED CLOSELY WITH SAM ON THE SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE. I THINK WHEN I LOOK BACK AT MY YEARS AT THE CITY, SAM WAS A VERY STRONG, HUMBLE MAN, BUT HE LOVED HIS JOB. EVERY DAY HE WOULD GO AND GIVE AN UPDATE TO HIS BOSS, WHICH WAS JIM PICKETT ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE MARINA. SAM LOVED WATER. WHEN HE WENT TO RETIRE, HE DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING. HE WAS RETIRING TO LOVE HIS DOG. HE WOULD GET RESCUE DOGS AND UNFORTUNATELY, JUST BEFORE HE RETIRED, HIS RESCUE DOG PASSED AWAY AND HE WAS REALLY HEARTBROKEN. ME AND TIM SHIELDS DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING WONDERFUL FOR HIM. MY DAUGHTER, SHE RUNS THE BOSTON MARATHON WHICH SHE'S RUNNING NEXT MONDAY. THIS IS HER 10TH YEAR AND I WOULD MAKE THESE BASKETS AND RAFFLE THEM. HE ALWAYS PARTICIPATED AND HE WON ONE TIME, BUT HE GOT LIKE THE SECOND-PLACE BASKET AND HE WAS POUTING A LITTLE BIT. I MADE HIM THIS ENORMOUS BASKET FOR HIM RETIRING AND HE DIDN'T KNOW IT, BUT I VIDEOED HIM AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE NEVER GETS ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THAT NOBODY EVER THINKS OF HIM THIS WAY. HE WAS JUST SO HUMBLE AND KIND. HE'S ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT LEAVE PEOPLE BETTER THAN YOU FIND THEM. BECAUSE OF HIS GENTLE NATURE. I NEVER SEEN HIM MAD. HE'S ALWAYS WAS LIKE A MILD PERSON AND WITH THE LOVE OF WATER. YOU KNOW BECAUSE SHE WAS INVOLVED WITH THAT. HE WOULD CALL US ANYTIME ANYTHING WENT WRONG WITH THAT MARINA. HE JUST WANTED THAT MARINA TO BE PERFECT. ONE DAY DURING MY DUTIES OF DOING SOME FIRE EXTINGUISHER CHECKS, THERE WAS A DAY WHERE I TOOK A PICTURE OF HIM STANDING IN FRONT OF THE MARINA LOOKING OUTWARD. HE HAD A LITTLE GALLERY THAT YOU COULD GO WALK OUT AND SEE ALL THE BOATS. IT WAS THE FOG WAS BEHIND HIM AND HE ACTUALLY STOOD OUT. [02:05:03] IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS THREE-DIMENSION. AND SO ME AND TIM HAD THAT PUT ON A PORTRAIT. WHEN HE PASSED AWAY, HIS WIFE DISPLAYED THAT. HE TOLD ME HE WAS GOING TO TAKE THAT HOME AND PUT IT IN HIS MAN CAVE. IT WAS LIKE ONE OF HIS TREASURED MOMENTS. LIKE I SAID, HE CRIES AND HE'S JUST SAID HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. NOT ONLY WAS HE A GREAT PERSON, BUT HE TRAINED ERIC MAULDIN TO TAKE THE REINS AND BE ABLE TO RUN THE MARINA EFFECTIVELY AFTER HE RETIRED. THAT'S WHAT A GOOD LEADER DOES. WHEN THEY KNOW THEY'RE LEAVING, THEY SET THE WAY THAT YOU DON'T LOSE ANY VALUE OF ANY PROPERTY. HIS WIFE, I'VE CHATTED WITH HIS WIFE. HIS WIFE IS THRILLED AT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT MAY BE IT MIGHT BE NAMED SAM'S PARK IS ON THE NORTH SHORE AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF AND IT DOESN'T HAVE A NAME CURRENTLY. BUT WE THOUGHT TO HONOR ONE OF OUR OWN, IT WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. >> WELL, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. WE HAVE TO OPEN IT UP THOUGH, CORRECT? >> YES. >> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. THE DATES ARE IN HERE. >> YEAH, THE DATES ARE IN THERE. >> SO FRIDAY, APRIL 14TH. WE'RE ASKING FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE NAME FOR THAT PARK AND THE DEADLINE IS APRIL 28TH, TWO WEEKS LATER. THEN THE COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW ON THE 2ND MAY, MAY 11TH, IT'LL BE ON THE AGENDA FOR THE MAY 22ND MEETING. ANYBODY LISTENING TO THIS, IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER IDEAS, PLEASE SEND HIM FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT. OKAY, ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS EVENING? >> I'LL GO SO YOU COULD BE LAST. [LAUGHTER]. >> EITHER WAY IS FINE WITH ME. >> I TOO WANT TO SPONSOR A STREET. I DIDN'T HAVE A LETTER IN EARLY, BUT THERE'S AN ALLEY BETWEEN CINCINNATI AND ROADIE THAT IS UNNAMED. THERE IS AN ALLEY BETWEEN ROADIE AND GROVE THAT IS NAMED EAST LANE. BUT THE RESIDENTS HAVE CONTACTED ME AND THEY WANT TO NAME THE ALLEY, PUT IT ON THE MAP SO IT CAN BE GOOGLED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WILL PROBABLY FOLLOW THE SAME TIMELINE AS THIS. >> NOT SURE ACTUALLY. I'M DOING THIS FROM MEMORY. I KNOW DARLENE WILL KICK ME UNDER THE TABLE, BUT I BELIEVE NAMING STREETS MAY HAVE TO BE DONE BY ORDINANCE. >> YES. >> BY RESOLUTIONS. SO JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. BUT AS LONG AS WE GET DIRECTION FROM YOU ALL, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. WAS I RIGHT? >> YES. >> SUCH A SWEET FEELING TO BE CORRECT. [LAUGHTER]. >> SO IT'LL BE A LITTLE BIT LONGER BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE A FIRST READING. RIGHT. OKAY. >> OKAY, ANYTHING ELSE? >>WELL, I HAVE SOME OTHER COMMENTS. JUST A QUESTION ABOUT TALKING ABOUT THE FIREHOUSE. I UNDERSTAND THERE COULD BE A CROSSWALK AND A LIGHT THAT COULD BE CONTROLLED BY THE FIRE STATION IF THIS ALL COMES ABOUT. BUT COULDN'T THAT TRAFFIC LIGHT BE USED DURING THE CONCERT TRAFFIC TO HAVE PEDESTRIANS GO BACK AND FORTH? THAT CAN HELP THE AMPHITHEATER AND THEY HELP THE PROBLEM WITH THE PEOPLE CROSS-INDUSTRY. >> I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF A DESIGN TEAM. I THINK WE HEAR YOUR INTENTION AND THE INTENTION OF THE COMMUNITY. LET US COME BACK WITH A RESPONSE TO THAT. >> I REALLY LIKED THE IDEA OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL. WE HAVE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY TO RECOMMEND TO THE PRINCIPAL. I THINK IT'S A GREAT WAY TO GET SOME STUDENTS INVOLVED. >> AND COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, I THINK AS LONG AS IT'S NOT CREATED BY YOU ALL, BECAUSE AS SOON AS YOU CREATE A GROUP THAT MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS, IT HAS TO MEET IN THE SUNSHINE AND SO ON. I THINK IT'S BRILLIANT IF YOU SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS DOING IT OR SOME PRIVATE GROUP. BUT IF YOU CREATE A STUDENT COMMITTEE NOW IT'S A SUNSHINE COMMITTEE. >> THAT'S ANOTHER MEETING. >> WELL, YEAH, IT WOULDN'T BE FOR US ANYWAY. YEAH. >> MAYBE YOU'LL THINK ABOUT WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO SPONSOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. >> WELL, THE STAFF COULD, CORRECT? >> OKAY. >> WE'D BEEN MEETING BEHIND THE SCENES WITH JOHN MILLER OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. FULL DISCLOSURE, HE'S ALSO MET WITH MAYOR SIKES-KLINE. AFTER THE MAYOR GETS BACK, IT DOES INVOLVE ULTIMATELY SOME INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMISSION. LET ME HAVE SOME TIME TO CONFER WITH MS. LOPEZ AND GET BACK WITH MR. MILLER. [02:10:04] THIS IS A WORK THAT IS IN PROGRESS. ALSO I THINK WE NEED TO ALSO BE COGNIZANT THAT WHILE I SUPPORT IT, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WON'T BE HERE TO IMPLEMENT IT, RIGHT? I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT KNOWN. BUT IT'S A REALLY GREAT IDEA. >> IT IS A GREAT VOLUNTARY OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU IN JULY. >> WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OUR CITY AMBASSADORS? WE USED TO HAVE CITY AMBASSADORS. >> THEY WERE EXCLUSIVELY, I BELIEVE FOR THE 450TH, IF YOU'LL RECALL, DANA ST. CLAIRE WAS VERY INVOLVED IN THEM. IT WAS A FINITE PERIOD OF TIME AND THEY HAD CERTAIN EVENTS THAT THEY ATTENDED. YOU MIGHT REMEMBER SEEING THEM. >> I DO. I DIDN'T REALIZE. I JUST THOUGHT THEY PETERED OUT. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS TIME CERTAIN FOR THEM TO BE OVER WITH. BUT OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I HAVE SEVERAL COMMENTS. DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST? >> COMMISSIONER GARRIS. >> YEAH, THE ONLY COMMENTS IS THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE A REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT FIRE STATION. I DON'T KNOW IF ALL OF THEM WENT BACK THERE TO GIVE THEIR NAMES AND ADDRESS. PERHAPS WE CAN GIVE THE CARDS AND THAT THEY CAN GET A EMAIL SO THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. THEY TOOK THE TIME TO COME HERE AND THEY REALLY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE NATURE AND SO FORTH. I THINK OUT OF RESPECT FOR THEIR TIME THAT THEY NEED A RESPONSE. >> I WOULD SEGUE OFF OF BOTH COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD AND COMMISSIONER GARRIS. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE STAFF I'M RELUCTANT TO BRING THIS, BUT I REALLY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE THOROUGH WITH THIS PROCESS. I KNOW HOW HARD THE STAFF HAS WORKED AND IT MAY WELL BE THAT THE ONLY GOOD LOCATION IS THAT STATE PARK-OWNED PROPERTY BUT I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE NEIGHBORS TO BE EXHAUSTIVE ABOUT OTHER POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES, AGAIN, THIS MAY BE A TERRIBLE IDEA, BUT THE THREE-ACRE PROPERTY THAT THIS CITY IS GETTING READY TO DIVEST ON 312. I HAVE DONE MY OWN RESEARCH IN MARITIME HAMMOCKS BOTH IN NORTH CAROLINA AND HERE IN THE GUANO RESERVE, AND HAVE EVEN PUBLISHED ON THE FACT THAT THEY ARE FAST DISAPPEARING INCLUDING THE THREATENED, AND SHOULD BE ENDANGERED SPECIES SUCH AS THE GOPHER TORTOISE IT WILL BE INEXPENSIVE. THERE ARE GOPHER TORTOISES ON THAT PROPERTY. IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE TO THE CITY TO RELOCATE THEM. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE WERE ANY AND I HAVEN'T EVEN STEP FOOT ON THE PROPERTY. I'VE ONLY DRIVEN AROUND IT. I THINK IT BEHOOVES US TO FURTHER ENGAGE THE NEIGHBORS AND WITH ALL DUE DILIGENCE LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS. THERE'S ANOTHER PERSON WHO LEFT ME A MESSAGE AND I WAS REMISS NOT RETURNING IT BEFORE NOW WHERE THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE DUNE AT THE WESTERN END OF THAT PROPERTY AND THE STATE PARK PROPERTY IS REALLY STEEP AND MAY IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP ALL THAT WE WANT TO ON THE PROPERTY. THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT CONSIDERATIONS AND I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE VERY THOROUGH AND INCLUSIVE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN CONSIDERING ALL OF THOSE OPTIONS. I APPRECIATE THE NEIGHBORS COMING OUT AS WELL AS THE STAFF'S HARD WORK. I'M GOING TO ASK STAFF ON ANOTHER NOTE TO DISPLAY A COUPLE OF PHOTOGRAPHS I TOOK ON MY WALK INTO WORK BECAUSE IT'S PERTINENT TO THE PARKING CODE THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AT A PREVIOUS MEETING THAT MRS. SKINNER BROUGHT TO US AND THE PCB IS WORKING ON RIGHT NOW BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OUR PARKING CODE THAT IS SOMEWHAT BEHIND THE TIMES RIGHT NOW IS BEING REVISITED IN PART TO THINK ABOUT SURFACE PARKING. THIS IS LOOKING AT THE RENAISSANCE MOTEL FROM THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF SAN MARCO, AND THERE IS A NEW SURFACE PARKING LOT. IF YOU ZOOM IN ON IT, YOU CAN SEE THE PICTURE, IN THE FAR LEFT SIDE OF THAT PHOTOGRAPH THAT SAYS PARKING. ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT THE TREES WERE PROBABLY SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED AND THE SITE PREPARATION FOR THIS THIS IS MORE SURFACE PARKING AND IT IS RIGHT ON THAT INTERSECTION THAT IS SO BUSY. IT'S PERFECTLY LEGAL, [02:15:04] AND IT'S GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO MORE CONGESTION, MORE TRAFFIC, LESS WALKABILITY IN THAT AREA, AND PERHAPS MORE PEDESTRIAN. THERE ARE SO MANY EYEWITNESS SO MANY EVERY DAY, BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE VALUE PROPOSITION IS THAT MAKES IT MORE PROFITABLE TO BUILD A SURFACE PARKING LOT IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA THAN IT IS TO DO INFILL. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE'RE REALLY DOING SOMETHING THAT IS OPPOSITE TO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. PICTURES TELL A THOUSAND WORDS. I THINK THAT'S EMBLEMATIC, IT REALLY DIDN'T DAWN ON ME HOW THIS VALUE PROPOSITION COULD EVEN BE A THING UNTIL THAT HAPPENED. I WOULD LIKE US TO REALLY HAVE SOME DEEP DIVES INTO WHAT IS GOING ON WITH [OVERLAPPING] >> OUR PARKING. > OUR MOBILITY, OUR PARKING IN PARTICULAR, AND WHAT WE ARE PROMOTING AND WHAT ARE TRYING TO WORK TOWARD. IF WE'VE GOT THIS STUFF, THE MOBILITY PLAN IS GOING TO BE A LOT HARDER TO EXECUTE AND SUCCEED. >> I AGREE. WHEN I SAW IT, I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT WHY DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET THERE'S THE LITTLE GREEN BUILDING, THERE'S A WINE SHOP, AND WHATEVER. IF THEY HAD BUILT SOMETHING SIMILAR ALONG THE FRONT EDGE OF THIS AND KEPT PARKING BEHIND, THAT WOULD HAVE MADE THE WALKABILITY OF THAT STREET SO MUCH BETTER. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A CODE THAT WE NEED TO GET TO OR HOW WE GET PEOPLE TO DO THAT. >> BUT I'M ASKING THAT WE HAVE A WORKSHOP OR SOMETHING ON THIS SURFACE PARKING ISSUE FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PCB BUT THAT WE SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THIS IN THAT WORKSHOP. >> I AGREE, AND THAT'S A GOOD COMMENT BRINGING THAT UP. >> ONE LAST COMMENT AND IT'S A SHORT ONE. >> OKAY. >> GIVEN THE FACT THAT IT'S TWELFTH MONTH, I'M REQUESTING FROM STAFF THAT WE GET AN UPDATE ON GLASS RECYCLING BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY UPDATE IN RECENT TIMES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THAT TOO. ANYTHING ELSE? NOTHING. MRS. CARIS, ANYTHING? >> NO. >> WE DID HAVE A QUESTION. >> AFTER WE FINISH THE HEARING [INAUDIBLE] >> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR IT. >> I'M SORRY. [LAUGHTER] >> JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION COMING BACK ON THE QUESTION FOR THE CITY MANAGER CANDIDATES, ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING WRITTEN IN ORAL, VISUAL, ANY COMBINATION, ANYTHING SPECIFIC? >> HOW ABOUT A POWERPOINT? >> OR LEAVE IT UP TO THE APPLICANT [OVERLAPPING] AND HOW WOULD THEY CONVEY? >> YES. >> I AGREE. >> I THINK A TIKTOK VIDEO PROBABLY IS NOT APPROPRIATE. >> YEAH. [LAUGHTER] >> WE JUST NEEDED TO KNOW DEADLINES TO CONVEY. IF THEY WANT TO SUBMIT SOMETHING IN WRITING, THE DEADLINE WOULD BE THIS THURSDAY AT NOON, LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE. >> I DON'T THINK SO. I THINK IT WOULD GO IN OUR PACKET. THE NEXT WEDNESDAY IT WILL BE THE 19TH. >> YEAH. >> I'M SORRY. OUR DEADLINE IS THE THURSDAY, BUT YES IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE WEDNESDAY NEXT WEEK. IF THEY WANT US SUBMIT SOMETHING IN WRITING THEN IT WOULD HAVE TO MEET THE SAME DEADLINE FOR THE 24TH CITY COMMISSION AGENDA. IF THEY DON'T, THEY DON'T HAVE TO. >> I THOUGHT THEY WERE JUST GOING TO PRESENT THEIR RESUME AND STUFF LIKE THAT. >> NO. FULL ON PRESENTATION OF ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS AS MODIFIED BY THE CITY MANAGER IS WHAT I UNDERSTOOD. I'D LIKE TO SEE THE PRESENTATIONS GO INTO THE PACKET IN WHATEVER FORMAT; WHETHER WRITTEN OR POWERPOINT SLIDES, WHATEVER. >> WELL, I THINK IT'D BE GREAT. >> THAT DEADLINE THE CLERK HAS TOLD ME IS THE 13TH AT NOON. >> YEAH. >> APRIL 13TH. >> WHOEVER DECIDES THE DEADLINE FOR THE APPLICANTS IS THAT 13TH BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THEIR INFORMATION THEN UNTIL OUR PACKAGE COMES TO US ON THE 19TH. CORRECT? >> NO. STAFF'S DEADLINES TO SUBMIT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING FOR THE UPCOMING AGENDA FOR THE 24TH OF APRIL IS NOON THE 13TH. >> THAT'S TOO CLOSE, HONESTLY. >> I THOUGHT THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE ALL THE APPLICANT'S INFORMATION BY THE TIME IT GOES OUT, AND THEN THEY WOULD COME IN HERE AND DO THEIR PRESENTATIONS IN THAT MEETING. >> YEAH, WE DON'T SEE ANYTHING BEFORE. >> YES. >> THEY JUST DO THE PRESENTATION. >> HOW ABOUT IF WE HAVE THE PRESENTATIONS COME TO MARIN NO LATER THAN THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING AND THAT'S WHAT THEY PRESENT SO THAT THERE'S NO OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THEIR PRESENTATIONS [OVERLAPPING] [02:20:03] >> YEAH, THAT'S FINE. >> SO THEY DON'T SUBMIT AHEAD OF TIME. THEY'LL JUST BRING IT IN DURING THE DAY. >> THAT'S FINE. >> PERFECT. >> THAT WILL GIVE THEM SOME TIME TO GET CREATIVE. >> THAT'S WAY TOO CLOSE. >> WE DON'T WANT TO STRESS THEM OUT. [LAUGHTER] >> NO, WE DON'T. LAST COMMENTS? NO MORE COMMENTS? WOW. WE THANK EVERYBODY AND [LAUGHTER] WE'LL SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS. [NOISE] * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.