[00:00:03]
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M CALLING THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[NOISE] MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.COMMISSIONER BLONDER IS NOT PHYSICALLY PRESENT, SO SHE WILL NOT BE PART OF THIS INITIAL ROLL CALL. THANK YOU.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WOULD YOU TO REPEAT THE ROLL CALL THEN?
>> YES, MA'AM. NANCY SIKES-KLINE.
>> ALL RIGHT THEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND A MOTION THAT NEEDS TO BE CARRIED BECAUSE COMMISSIONER BLONDER WILL NOT BE PRESENT IN THE ROOM.
CITY ATTORNEY, MS. LOPEZ, WILL YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS?
>> YES. MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, SO YOU'VE GOT A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO DO IN TERMS OF ALLOWING A COMMISSIONER WHO'S NOT PHYSICALLY PRESENT TO PARTICIPATE AND VOTE DURING A CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
[NOISE] THAT'S BASED ON TWO KEY ISSUES.
THE FIRST BEING WHAT WE CALL YOUR REORGANIZATION RESOLUTION.
YOU'LL RECALL EVERY TWO YEARS, WE ADOPT OUR RULES AND PROCEDURES.
THAT RESOLUTION REQUIRES A VOTE OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO SUSPEND ANY PROVISION IN OUR RULES AND REGULATIONS AND SO YOU NEED TO MAKE THAT VOTE, TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER BLONDER TO PARTICIPATE AND VOTE USING ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY.
THE SECOND PART OF THAT PUZZLE IS THAT, THERE IS A LINE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS AND THAT IS ALL THEY ARE OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION.
THERE IS NO EXPLICIT DECISION BY A COURT SAYING THAT THIS IS ALLOWED OR DISALLOWED.
BUT THERE ARE ABOUT, A COUPLE OF DECADES WORTH OF ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS DATING BACK TO THE '90S THROUGH ACTUALLY OUR COVID EMERGENCIES THAT HAVE FLESHED OUT WHAT ATTORNEY GENERALS BELIEVE IS THE INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW AND THAT STATES THAT IF A PHYSICAL QUORUM IS PRESENT, WHICH WAS WHY WE NEEDED TO ESTABLISH THAT YOU HAD A PHYSICAL QUORUM PRESENT AND IF THERE IS A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION THAT PRECLUDES THE PARTICIPATION IN-PERSON OF A COMMISSIONER.
THE COMMISSION HAS TO APPROVE THAT PARTICIPATION AND VOTE BY USE OF ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY.
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THIS PRELIMINARY VOTE.
OF COURSE, AGAIN, I WOULD HIGHLIGHT THAT THE FIRST REASON IS BECAUSE YOUR RULES OF PROCEDURE REQUIRE THAT YOU VOTE TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER BLONDER TO PARTICIPATE.
SECONDLY, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION OF WHETHER YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS THAT HAVE STATED THAT A COMMISSIONER CAN PARTICIPATE, BUT ONLY IF THERE IS A PHYSICAL QUORUM PRESENT.
THE REASON FOR THEIR ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PARTICIPATION IS DUE TO A SERIOUS PHYSICAL CONDITION AND YOU SO APPROVE.
THERE'S ALWAYS A RISK WHEN YOU PROCEED FORWARD WITHOUT ACTUALLY HAVING A COURT DECISION ON THE ISSUE.
YOU'RE BASING IT ON THOSE ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS AND I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS, BUT WE WOULD NEED A MOTION THAT STATES THAT THERE'S A PHYSICAL QUORUM PRESENT, THAT THE REASON FOR COMMISSIONER BLONDER'S PARTICIPATION VIA TECHNOLOGY IS DUE TO A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION AND THAT YOU APPROVE COMMISSIONER BLONDER'S PARTICIPATION AND VOTE USING THAT SAME ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY.
THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD LOOK FOR.
DO I HAVE TO REPEAT IT ALL? [LAUGHTER].
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> NOW, COMMISSIONER BLONDER, ARE YOU PRESENT AND CAPABLE OF HEARING EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON?
>> I MOST CERTAINLY I'M AND I SHOULD BE IN AND I SHOULD BE ON THE CAMERA EXCEPT FOR [OVERLAPPING] THE INJURY PART OF MY IMAGE.
I APPRECIATE MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS SUPPORT OF MY BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.
BELIEVE ME, THERE IS NOTHING I WOULD RATHER THAN TO BE ABLE TO BE THERE PHYSICALLY.
THIS IS TEMPORARY, BUT I AM MISSING EVEN SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL AND WORK.
I CAN'T PHYSICALLY BE PRESENT AT PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND THANK YOU TO STAFF AND EVERYBODY ELSE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
>> WELL, THANK YOU. WE'RE GLAD THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST AND HEALING QUICKLY.
[00:05:03]
IN LIGHT OF THAT, I WOULD ASK THE CITY CLERK IF, PEOPLE COME UP AND HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OR THINGS TO PRESENT ANY STAFF PRESENTATIONS, BE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PUT IT ON THE MONITOR OR ON THE SCREEN IN ORDER THAT COMMISSIONER BLONDER CAN SEE IT AS WELL.THANK YOU. TWO OTHER ITEMS, I'M ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE HERE.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO ASK IS THAT THE SPEAKERS THAT ARE HERE ON THE FLORIDA AVENUE PURCHASE PROPOSAL, PLEASE SPEAK DURING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS HERE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
THAT ITEM WILL BE HEARD LATER.
BUT, IT DOES NOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ASSOCIATED WITH IT, SO YOU'RE WELCOME TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS DURING THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS.
SECOND PART OF THAT IS [NOISE] EXCUSE ME.
THE OTHER SPEAKERS THAT ARE HERE FOR THE NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE, AS IT'S COME KNOWN, THEY WILL NEED TO SPEAK DURING ITEM 8A4, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
THAT WILL BE LATER IN THE MEETING.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.
WE HAVE BEGUN ROLLING OUR RULES OF DECORUM ON THE SCREEN AHEAD OF STREAMING.
WE DID THAT AHEAD OF THE MEETING, BUT I'D LIKE TO READ THEM HERE SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN HEAR THEM.
IT'S A BIT OF A READ SO, PLEASE BEAR WITH ME.
SPEAKERS MAY PRESENT THEIR VIEWPOINT IN THIS LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM WITHOUT USING TERMINOLOGY OR GESTURES THAT CAUSE A DISRUPTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTIES OR CAUSE A DISRUPTIVE ENVIRONMENT HOSTILE TO THE PARTICIPATION OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
ANY PERSON VIOLATING THE RULES OF DECORUM IS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION OR OTHERWISE DISPLAYING DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR, SUCH AS THOSE BUT NOT LIMITED TO SHOUTING, NOISEMAKING, ISSUING THREATS, HARASSING OR INTIMIDATING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, INTERFERING WITH THE DUTIES OF ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIALS AND THE CITY STAFF DURING A PUBLIC MEETING OR OTHERWISE INTERRUPTING OR DISRUPTING THE PROCEEDINGS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE PUBLIC ASSEMBLY PURSUANT TO LAW.
EACH SPEAKER MUST COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING RULES OF DECORUM WHEN ADDRESSING THE COMMISSION, BOARD, OR COMMITTEE.
THE SPEAKER MAY NOT ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, BOARD, OR COMMITTEE FROM THE AUDIENCE.
THE SPEAKER MAY ONLY APPROACH THE PODIUM TO SPEAK WHEN RECOGNIZED BY THE MAYOR.
THE SPEAKER MAY NOT APPROACH THE DAIS WITHOUT THE CHAIRPERSON'S PERMISSION.
THE SPEAKER MUST DIRECT QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS AT THE COMMISSION, BOARD, OR COMMITTEE THROUGH THE CHAIRPERSON.
THE SPEAKER MUST OBSERVE THE TIME LIMIT SET FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
THE SPEAKER AT A PUBLIC HEARING MUST LIMIT HER COMMENTS TO THE SUBJECT OF THE HEARING.
THE SPEAKER MUST AVOID MAKING IRRELEVANT, REPETITIVE, PERSONAL, IMPERTINENT, OR SLANDEROUS COMMENTS.
A SPEAKER VIOLATING THESE RULES OF DECORUM IN OR OTHERWISE DISRUPTING A MEETING MAY BE GOBBLED OUT OF ORDER BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND IF THE SPEAKER WILLFULLY REFUSES TO ABIDE BY THE LAWFUL ORDER OF THE CHAIRPERSON TO SIT THE FLOOR AND CEASE AND DESIST ALL DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR, THE SPEAKER MAY BE REMOVED FOR DISRUPTING A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 871.01, FLORIDA STATUTES.
WITH THAT SAID, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INDULGENCE ON THAT.
THIS IS AN ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED IN 2020 AND HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME HERE AND IS OUR POLICY.
THE NEXT THING WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE ONTO IS THE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE.
WITH US TODAY, WE HAVE PASTOR RICH BARRETT WITH ACCESS CHURCH. PLEASE STAND.
IF YOU'RE SO INCLINED, PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYER.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT WE LIVE IN A NATION WHERE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SELF-GOVERN AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH THAT.
WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE TO ASSEMBLE AND TO EXPRESS OUR VIEWPOINTS AND TO SPEAK FREELY.
THANK YOU FOR EACH OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE JUST ASK THAT TONIGHT, AS COMPLEX MATTERS ARE DISCUSSED, THAT YOU WOULD GIVE THEM WISDOM AND THAT YOU WOULD GIVE THEM CLARITY, THAT YOU WOULD HELP THEM AS THEY LEAD THIS COMMUNITY THROUGH COMPLEX MATTERS, THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THINGS IN A WAY THAT REPRESENTS OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY, THAT THEY WOULD MAKE DECISIONS THAT SEE EVERYONE, THAT INCLUDE EVERYONE,
[00:10:01]
THAT ARE FAIR FOR EVERYONE, AND [LAUGHTER] ALL OF THAT'S DIFFICULT.THAT'S A BIG CHALLENGE. WE ASK THAT YOU'D GIVE THEM WISDOM.
WE ASK THAT YOU'D GIVE THEM THE COURAGE TO STAND BY THEIR CONVICTIONS AND TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.
GOD, WE ARE A CITY THAT IS KNOWN FOR BEING A LIGHT ON THIS COAST.
WE ASK THAT THAT LIGHT WOULD NOT JUST BE PHYSICAL LIGHT ON THE COAST OF FLORIDA, BUT THAT IT WOULD BE A LIGHT IN THE HEARTS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO FEEL THAT THIS IS A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN BE SEEN AND THEY CAN BE HEARD AND THEY CAN BE TREATED FAIRLY AND WITH JUSTICE.
WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S DISCUSSED HERE TONIGHT, GOD, WE ASK THAT THAT WOULD REFLECT YOUR HEART AS YOU HAVE CREATED EACH ONE OF US EQUALLY AND YOU DESIRE TO SEE US TREAT EACH OTHER IN YOUR LOVE.
GOD, WE ASK THAT AND WE HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
WE LOVE THIS PLACE, WE LOVE THESE PEOPLE.
IT'S GOOD TO BE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND HELP US TO REMEMBER TONIGHT THAT WE ARE NEIGHBORS AS WE DISCUSS ALL OF THIS AND THAT WE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRIVING TO LIVE OUT LOVE IN THE WAY THAT WE SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER TONIGHT, IN THE WAYS THAT WE MAKE DECISIONS TONIGHT, AND THE WAYS THAT WE LEAD OUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY AND OUR NEIGHBORS THIS EVENING, WE ASK ALL OF THIS IN YOUR NAME. AMEN.
>> THANK YOU, PASTOR. WE'LL NOW HAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY VICE MAYOR ROXANNE HORVATH.
>> PLEASE JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE.
COMMISSIONERS, NEXT ITEM IS MODIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA.
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
I HAVE A CHANGE.I GOT A CALL FROM REPRESENTATIVE STEPHENSON THIS MORNING AND SHE'S UNABLE TO ATTEND.
WE WILL RESCHEDULE HER OR FIND ANOTHER WAY TO THANK HER AND RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HER FOR HER SUPPORT FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, WHICH HAS BEEN MIGHTY SUPPORT.
SHE'S BEEN TREMENDOUS, NOT JUST A FRIEND TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO HAS TAKEN MANY ACTIONS TO ASSIST AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER.
IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER CHANGES, PLEASE OFFER THEM NOW.
THEN I'LL MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE REMOVE ITEM 3A FROM THE AGENDA, OTHERWISE, APPROVAL.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS]
>> THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE, WE HAVE PROCLAMATION.
WELL, WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION OR EPIC, AND I'D LIKE TO CALL UP PATTY GREENOW, NANCY POLPHOS, LAURIE VOGEL, SARAH RUTAN, TERESA ANDREAS, DAN MAORI, PATRICK MORRISSEY, LORNA MCDONALD, AND JAMIE WELLON.
IF YOU WOULD COME FORWARD, WE WOULD LOVE TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS PROCLAMATION, WE'LL READ IT OUT LOUD AND THEN YOU'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
>> MAYBE IT'D BE EASIER IF WE WENT THERE [LAUGHTER]
>> YEAH. IT'S A GREAT GROUP AND I'M GLAD THEY'RE ALL HERE AND THEY'RE ALL VERY WELCOME HERE [BACKGROUND] WHEREAS A GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONCERNED ABOUT YOUTH DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE CAME TOGETHER IN 1973 TO START A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE.
WHEREAS THAT ORGANIZATION HAS INCORPORATED AS JAM HOUSE ON OCTOBER 10TH, 1973 AND SUBSEQUENTLY WAS KNOWN AS THE DRUG EDUCATION AND PREVENTION CENTER, EPIC COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND NOW AS EPIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE AND ITS FOCUS HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS.
WHEREAS EPIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE IN ITS 50TH YEAR OF SERVICE HAS WORKED TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING PERSON-CENTERED CARE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND OTHER BEHAVIORS THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION,
[00:15:01]
PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND COUNSELING.WHEREAS EPIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE PAST 50 YEARS, AND HAS CONSISTENTLY SAVED LIVES AND TRANSFORMED FAMILIES, AND HAS PROVEN THAT PREVENTION WORKS, TREATMENT IS EFFECTIVE, AND THAT PEOPLE CAN RECOVER FROM THEIR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND/OR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER.
WHEREAS THAT WHILE EPIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE IS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS, IT HAS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE QUALITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND JOINS IN CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EPIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE AND ENCOURAGES ALL CITIZENS TO SUPPORT AND RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT EPIC HAS MADE TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY AS THE LEAD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER AND TO CONGRATULATE EPIC ON 50 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH MANY MORE YEARS TO COME.
MAYOR SIKES-KLINE, VICE MAYOR HORVATH, COMMISSIONER GARRIS, AND COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD.
REALLY APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION AND THE SUPPORTIVE EPIC OVER THE YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS.
I WANTED JUST TO SAY THROUGHOUT OUR 50 YEARS, OUR GOAL HAS BEEN TO TAKE PART IN STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BY OFFERING LIFE-CHANGING AND LIFESAVING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING AND STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS AND PEOPLE AROUND THEM.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO DO 50 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND WE DON'T PLAN TO STOP.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I BROUGHT BOTH STAFF LEADERSHIP AND SOME OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS TODAY AND JUST WANTED TO MENTION THEM; PATRICK MORRISSEY, JAMIE WELLON, DAN MAORI, WHO ELSE IS ON THE BOARD? THE THREE BOARD MEMBERS, AND ALSO NANCY POLPHOS, SARAH RUTAN, LAURIE VOGEL, AND TERESA ANDREAS IS OVER THERE WHO PLANNED ALL THIS.
I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT AND SAY THANK YOU TO THEM AS WELL FOR ALL THAT THEY DO FOR EPIC AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND].
THIS IS A PROCLAMATION FOR COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE, IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE.
ARTHUR. WELCOME. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN [BACKGROUND] WHEREAS COMPASSIONATE ST.
AUGUSTINE HAS BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN COMPASSIONATE INITIATIVES SINCE THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DECLARED ITSELF A COMPASSIONATE CITY ON AUGUST 26, 2013.
WHEREAS COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE IS INFLUENCING THE CITIZENS OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO TREAT
[00:20:06]
OTHERS AS WE WISH TO BE TREATED OURSELVES BY LIFTING UP THE CORE VALUES OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, COMPASSION, AND FREEDOM.WHEREAS COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE IS INSPIRING THE CITIZENS OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO TREAT EVERYBODY WITHOUT EXCEPTION, WITH ABSOLUTE JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND RESPECT.
WHEREAS COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE IS GROWING A CULTURE OF COMPASSION THROUGH ADVOCACY, AWARENESS, AND ACTION BY ENCOURAGING OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO EXHIBIT COMPASSIONATE VALUES IN PUBLIC POLICY.
WHEREAS COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE IS WORKING TO MAKE COMPASSION A CLEAR, LUMINOUS, AND DYNAMIC FORCE IN OUR POLARIZED WORLD BY ESTABLISHING THE FIRST COMPASSIONATE SISTER CITIES PROGRAM WITH OVERLIES SPAIN.
WHEREAS ON THIS 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF BECOMING A COMPASSIONATE CITY, THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE REAFFIRMS THE PRINCIPLES OF COMPASSION AND COURAGEOUS CITIZENS AND INSTITUTIONS TO WORK TOGETHER TO EMBRACE AND APPLY COMPASSIONATE SOLUTIONS.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 21ST AND ENDING OCTOBER 21ST AS COMPASSIONATE ACTION MONTH AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE PRACTICE OF COMPASSION [APPLAUSE] ARTHUR, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR, FELLOW FRIENDS AND COMMISSIONER, MY CITY MANAGER, AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE THIS EVENING.
IT'S SUCH A GRATEFUL OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AS WHAT YOU'D LEAD IS TO CREATE A COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY.
IT DIDN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT.
I CAN'T THANK ENOUGH IN TERMS OF WHAT A PARTNER THE CITY IS WITHOUT THEM SIGNING THE CHARTER 10 YEARS AGO, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO EXIST, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO FOUNDED THIS WHO CAME BEFORE US HAVE CREATED SUCH A FOUNDATION AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
THE REASON THAT MOST OF THESE JUST SALT IN AND OUT HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE HALF OF OUR BORDER YOUNG PEOPLE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE.
SAY IT, THEY HAVE EXCUSES WHY THEY'RE STUDYING AND STUFF.
BUT WE'RE NOT RELAUNCHING THIS COMPASSIONATE MOVEMENT FOR PEOPLE MY AGE NECESSARILY.
IT'S VERY INTERGENERATIONAL AND INCLUDES ALL AGES.
WE'RE GRATEFUL TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION.
YOU DON'T HOW MUCH CARE ABOUT YOU ALL AND HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE YOU ALL AS PARTNERS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, NANCY [APPLAUSE]
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THIS GROUP IS WONDERFUL.
THEY COME TO THE BEGINNING OF OUR MEETINGS AND THEY PARTICIPATE, THEY MAKE STATEMENTS.
THEY ARE EXTREMELY COMPASSIONATE IN ALL OF THEIR ACTIONS AND THEIR WORDS, WHICH IS WHEN YOUR ACTIONS AND YOUR WORDS MATCH, THAT'S INTEGRITY.
I APPRECIATE YOUR GROUP BEING VERY FULL OF INTEGRITY.
WITH THAT, WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY MAYBE YOU SHOULD STAY THROUGH THE REST OF THE MEETING [LAUGHTER].
>> THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA IS PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
THIS IS ITEMS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING.AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS WOULD BE THE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE PROPERTY ON FLORIDA AVENUE.
WITH THAT SAID, OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS ELIZABETH SMITH, FOLLOWED BY DIANYA MARKOVITS.
>> ELIZABETH SMITH, 955 FISH ISLAND PLACE,
[00:25:01]
CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.REPRESENTING THE FISH ISLAND COMMUNITY ALLIANCE.
MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF WORKING ALONGSIDE AN EXTRAORDINARY GROUP OF CITY RESIDENTS, THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE RAVENSWOOD WEST AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE SHARED FACTS, RESEARCH, PLOT PLANS, EMAILS, FRUSTRATIONS, MEALS, LIBRARY MEETINGS, CONTINUANCES, AND YES, MANY MEETINGS WITH THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.
WHAT HAS STRUCK ME ABOUT THIS GROUP IS NOT ONLY THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THIS LAND AND APPRECIATION FOR ITS ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND ITS NATURAL BEAUTY, BUT ALSO THEIR COMMITMENT TO ONE ANOTHER.
THIS MIXED RACE MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER WITH A UNIFIED SENSE OF PURPOSE TO OPPOSE DEVELOPMENT ON THE LAND AT FLORIDA AVENUE.
ONE OF THE MOST MOVING SCENES I HAVE EXPERIENCED AT A PUBLIC MEETING OCCURRED WHEN MORE THAN 30 CITY RESIDENTS OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE APPROACHED THE LECTERN TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF SAVING THIS LAND.
THEIR STORIES ARE THE STORIES OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD OF SHARED EXPERIENCE THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND BAD, OF COPING WITH FLOODING, LACK OF SIDEWALKS AND OLDER INFRASTRUCTURE.
OF NAVIGATING NARROW STREETS, AND STRUGGLES TO FIND PARKING SPACES.
OF PICKUP BASKETBALL GAMES, AND CHEERLEADING PRACTICES ON STREET CORNERS, AND OF DEEP CONCERNS OVER A HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT COMPLETELY INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD THEY LOVE.
THESE GOOD PEOPLE HAVE DEMONSTRATED WHAT COMMUNITY IS ALL ABOUT, WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS, AND HOW TO STAND UP WHEN YOU CARE ABOUT PRESERVING NOT ONLY THE LAND YOU LOVE, BUT ALSO YOUR WAY OF LIFE.
THEY ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR WORK AS CITIZENS OF THIS CITY.
PURCHASE OF THIS LAND IS COMPATIBLE IN EVERY WAY WITH THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE'S CONSERVATION AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT GOALS AS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
"THE ROLE OF THE CONSERVATION ELEMENT IS TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE CITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND ITS CITIZENS' QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE FACE OF POTENTIAL POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT GROWTH." I ASK YOU RESPECTFULLY TO PLEASE HONOR THE RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD THEY LOVE BY PURCHASING THIS LAND. THANK YOU.
>> MS. DIANYA MARKOVITS FOLLOWED BY HAROLD GEORGE.
>> YES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> [LAUGHTER] DIANYA MARKOVITS, 32 FLORIDA AVENUE, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA 32084.
AS PRESIDENT OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE RAVENSWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND AS A FLORIDA RESIDENT, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTS THE OFFER TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS ZERO FLORIDA AVENUE AND ZERO JULIA STREET.
I AM SINCERELY GRATEFUL TO THE COMMISSION FOR CONSIDERING THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND TO MR. DALE PARSONS FOR ACCEPTING THE APPRAISED VALUE AS THE SALES PRICE.
THE PURCHASE OF 6.57 ACRES OF CRITICAL AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LAND ALONG THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCES THE CITY'S GOAL TO "PROTECT AND CONSERVE NATURAL AREAS, ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS, NATURAL VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES, WILDLIFE HABITATS AND MARINE RESOURCES" AS STATED IN THE CITY'S CONSERVATION AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES.
ADDITIONALLY, THE USE OF CITY FUNDS TO PURCHASE THIS LAND ALIGNS WITH THE LAND ACQUISITION INITIATIVE FOR CONSERVATION AND RESILIENCE AS THE MAJORITY OF THIS LAND LIES WITHIN CONSERVATION OVERLAY ZONES 1, 2, AND 3.
FURTHERMORE, IN THIS SEPTEMBER 25TH MEMORANDUM, CITY MANAGER DAVID BERTRAM CONFIRMS THAT THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES.
FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE, I BELIEVE THE USE OF CITY FUNDS TO PURCHASE ZERO FLORIDA AVENUE AND ZERO JULIA STREET FOR THE APPRAISED VALUE OF 1.935 MILLION IS JUSTIFIED.
IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT THE COMMISSION AGREES AND ACCEPTS THE OFFER TO PURCHASE THIS LAND AT TONIGHT'S CITY COMMISSION MEETING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT SPEAKER IS HAROLD GEORGE, FOLLOWED BY MARTHA HAN.
>> GOOD EVENING. I CAN'T STATE IT BETTER THAN MS. SMITH OR MS. MARKOVITS,
[00:30:02]
BUT I'D LIKE TO ADD MY VOICE TO THOSE IN SUPPORT OF THE EFFORT TO SAVE THIS PROPERTY.I'VE LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OFF AND ON FOR 49 YEARS AND IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO GROW UP.
FOR A COUPLE OF DECADES IT MAY HAVE BEEN A LESS THAN FASHIONABLE NEIGHBORHOOD IN ST. AUGUSTINE, BUT CONFLUENCE OF FACTORS HAVE MADE IT A DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD ONCE AGAIN AND OF COURSE, PEOPLE HAVE MOVED IN, FIXED UP HOUSES, BUILT NEW HOUSES AND PEOPLE HAVE SEEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MONEY, WHICH NO ONE WOULD FAULT IN PRINCIPLE, BUT THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE TO ACTUALLY PROTECT THIS LAND, PROTECT THE QUALITY OF NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE OVERALL QUALITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE'S NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY ASSETS, AND SO I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS PURCHASE. THANK YOU.
>> SORRY. BEFORE YOU LEAVE, WE DIDN'T CATCH YOUR NAME OR IF YOU'RE WILLING TO GIVE US AN ADDRESS.
>> THOUGHT I WAS NOT GOING TO HURRY TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
HAROLD GEORGE, I AM AT 1220 FRANCIS STREET. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MARTHA HAN, FOLLOWED BY MAUREEN LONG.
MS. HAN NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
>> YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYONE FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THIS IS MARTHA HAN, 45 FLORIDA AVENUE, AND I AM THE SECRETARY OF SARNA.
I JUST WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING EVERYONE FOR CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF THIS PROPERTY AND FOR MR. PARSONS TO OFFER TO SELL IT TO THE CITY.
THIS IS THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040.
IT WAS A LOT OF WORK TO GET IT READY, WAS PUBLISHED JULY OF 2020.
I'M GOING TO READ JUST ONE LITTLE PARAGRAPH, "AS AN ADDITIONAL MEANS OF PROTECTION, THE CITY SHALL CONSIDER PUBLIC ACQUISITION OF LANDS THAT CONTAIN SIGNIFICANT NATURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS, NATURAL VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES, AND WILDLIFE HABITATS.
SUCH LANDS, SHOULD THEY BE ACQUIRED, SHALL BE MANAGED AS OPEN SPACE AND FOR PASSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION IN A MANNER THAT FURTHERS THE PROTECTION OF THE RESOURCES OCCURRING ON SITE." THIS WAS ADOPTED ON JUNE 2011.
I BROUGHT A FEW PICTURES THAT I CAN LEAVE BEHIND.
HOPEFULLY WILL BE THE LAST ONES WE NEED.
THIS IS THE CORNER OF FLORIDA AVENUE AND EVERGREEN.
THIS WAS JUST RAIN ON LAST OCTOBER, RAINED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.
THESE ARE THE TREES THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
IT'S ABOUT 600 TREES IN ABOUT SIX ACRES OF LAND.
THEY ABSORB ALL THE WATER FROM THE KING TIDES AND OUR RAINS FROM THE WEST.
THIS WAS ON 11/10 OF LAST YEAR AFTER NICOLE'S.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF OUR NEIGHBOR, GEORGE CAREY THE WHO LIVES ON HELEN AND THE RIVER.
HE USED TO HAVE A YARD, BUT HE DOESN'T ANYMORE BECAUSE OF SEA LEVEL RISING.
THIS PROPERTY ALSO DOESN'T SHOW THIS FLOODING BECAUSE OF THE TREES.
THIS IS JULIA STREET AND THIS IS THE DITCH THAT IS ABOUT THREE FEET DEEP AND THREE FEET WIDE AND THIS WATERS GO TO THE RIVER, SO IT'S ESSENTIAL TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY AT THIS TIME.
THE PROTECTION OF THE TREES WILL MAKE THE CITY PROSPER FOR SURE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS MAUREEN LONG FOLLOWED BY SUSAN CRAIG.
MS. LONG, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> I'M MAUREEN LONG, 1821 CASTILLO STREET, MENENDEZ PARKS, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
I HAVE SOME PICTURES THAT I'M GOING TO BE USING TOO IF I CAN.
MAKE SURE THEY'RE THE RIGHT WAY.
TONIGHT I ASKED THE CITY COMMISSION TO ACCEPT THE OFFER FROM MR. PARSONS TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY OF LAND NEAR FLORIDA AVENUE AND JULIA STREET.
THE TREES. THERE ARE 1,614 TREES AND THE VALUE OF THOSE ARE PRICELESS.
THE OXYGEN THESE TREES GIVE, THE REDUCTION OF STORMWATER RUNOFF, REDUCING EROSION OF FLOODING, THE MANY SPECIES OF WILDLIFE DEPEND ON THESE TREES FOR HABITAT, PROVIDING FOOD PROTECTION AND HOMES FOR MANY BIRDS AND MAMMALS.
I'LL BE MENTIONING TWO OF THE SPECIES OF TREES STARTING WITH THE OAK TREES.
I HAVE A CHART THAT SHOWS ALL OF THE TREES THAT ARE LISTED, WHICH ALL OF THEM ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
BUT I'LL TALK ABOUT THE OAK TREES AND ON THIS LAND, THE OAK TREES THERE'S 234 OF THEM ARE HOMES TO 38 SPECIES OF BIRDS.
[00:35:03]
THEN WE HAVE 42 CEDAR TREES, WHICH ARE VALUABLE FOOD SOURCE AND PROTECTION AND COVER OF NESTING FOR THE CEDAR WAX WINGS, THE SPARROWS, ROBINS, WARBLERS, AND MOCKINGBIRDS.ALL OF THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND THE TREES, AND THE TREE CANOPY, AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE SAVED BECAUSE THERE'S 614 TREES IF THE PROPERTY IS PURCHASED, WILL BE ABLE TO STAY THERE.
THIS LAND IS INVALUABLE TO THE NEIGHBORS OF FLORIDA AVENUE, FOR RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY AND FOR ALL OF THE CITY, FOR THIS TO BE SAVED, PURCHASED AND SAVED AS A PRESERVE OR AS A PASSIVE PARK FOR THE NEIGHBORS OF RAVENSWOOD, FOR THEY ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO BE ABLE TO WALK ON AND THE TREES WILL BE SAVED, AND IT WILL JUST BE A JOY FOR ALL OF ST AUGUSTINE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. MS. SUSAN CRAIG, FOLLOWED BY VICKI PEPPER.
MS. CRAIG, YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE?
>> SUSAN CRAIG, 52 SMITH'S STREET, ST. AUGUSTINE, 32084.
GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS.
A LOT'S HAPPENED IN THE TWO WEEKS SINCE I LAST SPOKE TO YOU ABOUT ECO PARK.
THE OWNERS SEEMS TO HAVE HAD A CHANGE OF MIND TO SELL WHICH GIVES US AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT OF 35 LUXURY HOUSING UNITS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS WITH IT'S IMPERMEABLE PARKING LOTS FOR 70 CARS ON A WETLANDS PROPERTY IN WEST AUGUSTINE WOULD DESTROY THE CHARACTER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OF MODEST SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
IT WOULD PUT US AT FURTHER RISK OF FLOODING AND ENDANGER MANY FAMILIES WHO ARE DEALING WITH HOMELESSNESS AND BELOW POVERTY INCOMES.
THE ENTIRE PROPERTY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY UNDERWATER THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR.
THIS PROJECT, WHICH WE REFERRED TO AS ECHO DESTRUCTION, WOULD DESTROY ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING WETLAND AREAS THAT PROVIDE HABITAT TO WILDLIFE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
THERE ARE GREAT MANY REASONS TO PRESERVE THIS LAND AND ONE OF THE BEST IS THAT IT PROTECTS US FROM THE HIGH WINDS AND FLOODING FROM HURRICANES AND STORMS. THE TREE CANOPY THAT DEVELOPERS PLAN TO REMOVE CURRENTLY BREAKS THE WIND FROM STORMS AND THE ROOT SYSTEM IS ABSORBED THE WATER FROM THE ALL TOO COMMON FLOODING.
TREED AREAS ARE ALSO MUCH COOLER THAN AREA IT'S DENUDED FROM TREE CANOPY.
AS MUCH AS 25 DEGREES COOLER, AND WITH THE HOTTEST SUMMER ON RECORD, BARELY BEHIND US THIS IS WORTH CONSIDERING.
A PARK IN THIS AREA WITH MAYBE A TRAIL WOULD BE A WONDERFUL THING FOR THE CHILDREN WHO CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THE STREETS.
GIVEN THE GRATITUDE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD HOLD IF THIS LAND CAN BE PRESERVED, I'M QUITE SURE THAT WE CAN GET OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO COMMIT TO ASSISTING WITH REGULAR CLEAN-UPS.
IN THE PAST, YOU'VE ALL DEMONSTRATED YOUR COMMITMENT TO RESILIENCY AND LAND CONSERVATION WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
I DO HOPE THAT SOMEHOW THIS BEAUTIFUL LAND CAN BE PRESERVED AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CAN BE PROTECTED FROM LARGE GREEDY DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL DO NOTHING TO BUILD OUR COMMUNITY, BUT MUCH TO DESTROY ITS VERY FABRIC.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE TO PURCHASE THE LAND AND PRESERVE IT FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND PREVENT A LARGE DEVELOPMENT OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN WEST AUGUSTINE FROM DESTROYING OUR PRECIOUS WETLANDS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THE PRESERVATION OF OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY.
>> THANK YOU. MS VICKI PEPPER FOLLOWED BY CAROL HILTON.
>> GOOD EVENING MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
I LIVE ON HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY.
WE'RE AN INFORMAL, INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP THAT GREW OUT OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION EFFORT.
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING EPIC AND COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE TODAY.
I WORK WITH EPIC ON THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE AND THEY'RE TERRIFIC AND CARE ALSO WORKS WITH COMPASSION AND ST. AUGUSTINE ON MANY PROJECTS AND THEY'RE TERRIFIC TOO.
ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT WHY WE NEED A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND ALTHOUGH CARE AND MANY OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND THE COMMUNITY CONTINUED TO BELIEVE WE NEED THE TOOLS OF PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD ADD TO OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TOOLKIT AS I BELIEVE YOU DO TOO.
TODAY, I WANT TO SAY THAT CARE AND THE COMMUNITY OF WEST AUGUSTINE AND HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED PART OF OUR CITY AND COUNTY WHOSE LEADERSHIP CARE WORKS WITH AND SUPPORTS WITH OUR ADVOCACY, LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE CITY TO CREATE A VIBRANT NEW COMMUNITY ON THE CITY'S PROPERTY AT 450 NORTH HOMES BOULEVARD IN WEST AUGUSTINE.
AS A COMPASSIONATE CITY, ST. AUGUSTINE SHOULD BE A LEADER IN FOSTERING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY
[00:40:04]
ENVISIONED BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING FOR ALL OF US HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.WE LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING AND WORKING WITH THE CITY IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE NEW COMMUNITY ON NORTH HOMES BOULEVARD THAT WILL PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FIRST-RATE HOUSING AND AMENITIES AND WILL BE AFFORDABLE TO A WIDE RANGE OF RACIALLY, CULTURALLY, AND ECONOMICALLY DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING THE CURRENT RESIDENTS OF WEST AUGUSTINE.
FINALLY, I ALSO HOPE THAT YOU WILL PURCHASE THE LAND NEAR FLORIDA AND JULIA STREET. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. CAROL HILTON FOLLOWED BY GENE BURROW.
>> MADAM. YOU CAN JUST LOWER THAT MICROPHONE A LITTLE BIT AND IF YOU'LL PLEASE START WITH STATING YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> THANK YOU. CAROL HILTON, 86 CHEAPENS STREET.
NEED A BIRTH DATE? OH, GOOD. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'M SORRY THAT I DIDN'T GET THIS TO YOU.
>> WE DO NEED YOU TO. YES. THANK YOU.
>> IS IT ON. [LAUGHTER] I'M SORRY THAT I DIDN'T GET IT INTO THE MAIL AND THEN I THOUGHT, WELL, I'LL JUST BRING IT IN TODAY.
I'M SENDING THIS LETTER FOR MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS AND URGING THEM TO VOTE FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY.
THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD, INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY HOMELESS HOUSES, WILL BE FLOODED IF THE PROPERTY IS DEVELOPED.
ALSO SIGNIFICANT TREES, OVER 200 OF THEM PROTECT US AND ALL THE SPECIES THAT LIVE ALONG THE SEBASTIAN RIVER.
IF THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD TO THE CITY.
THIS IS OUR WINDOW OF TIME TO SAVE OUR TREES FOR THE FUTURE.
SAVE WETLANDS AND ANIMALS AND OYSTER BEDS IN THE MARSHES.
PLEASE SAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU CAN HAND THOSE PAPERS TO THE CLERK, PLEASE.
>> MISS GINA BOROUGH, FOLLOWED BY TAWNEY LI KERN. WELCOME.
>> WELL, GINA BOROUGH, 27 SEMINOLE DRIVE.
THIS IS SO GREAT ABOUT THIS PROPERTY BECAUSE TONY AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
WE GOT INVOLVED IN AT THE BEGINNING AND THEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD JUST GOT INVOLVED, AND IT'S JUST WONDERFUL TO SEE EVERYONE COMING TOGETHER.
THAT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF PROPERTY.
WE'LL ALL THOSE BIG TREES AND PROTECTING THE WILDLIFE TOO, ANYWAY, I HAD THIS ONE COMMENT.
I THINK THE CITY SHOULD PURCHASE THE UNDEVELOPED LAND NEAR FLORIDA AVENUE IN JULIA STREET NEAR THE SEBASTIAN RIVER, THE AREA FLOODS VERY BADLY.
IT WILL HELP THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN THE AREA.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME NEGATIVE COMMENTARY ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT THE CITY SHOULD NOT BUY THIS PROPERTY.
THE COMMENTS ARE NOT BASED ON FACTS SO I'M SURE YOU'LL IGNORE IT. THANKS A LOT.
>> ALSO, I SENT YOUR COMMENTS ON THE NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE.
>> THANK YOU. TONY KERN, FOLLOWED BY JOHN P. LUCKY. WELCOME.
>> HI. MY NAME IS TONY KERN AND I LIVE AT 23 LCS STREET AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OF FLORIDA AVENUE, JULIA STREET.
I HAPPEN TO HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.
I SOLD A PIECE OF PROPERTY TO THE CITY AND MY NEIGHBORS AROUND ME HAD A DEEP SIGH OF RELIEF BECAUSE IT DOES SERVE AS FLOOD MITIGATION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND I FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT IT.
I WANT TO THANK THE CITY AND YOU COMMISSIONERS, FOR STARTING THIS PROGRAM, IT'S MUCH NEEDED, AND THE ACTION I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TAKE TONIGHT IS APPROVE THE PURCHASE.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE A PLAQUE GO ONTO THIS PROPERTY, THANKING MR. PARSONS.
AFTER MY PROPERTY WAS SOLD, IT WAS SUCH AN EASY PROCESS.
I GET OUT MY HOMEMADE STATIONERY.
I WAS SO EXCITED AND I SENT HIM A LETTER AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT HELPED, BUT YOU ALWAYS HOPE.
I HOPE WE HAVE A PLAQUE ON THAT PROPERTY AND THE BENEFIT IS GOING TO BE WE'RE GOING TO HELP MAINTAIN THE RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE'RE GOING TO HELP THE WATERSHED.
WE'RE GOING TO SAVE ALL THESE TREES AND THEN THE WILDLIFE, I'M SO EXCITED.
I CRIED WHEN I HEARD THAT HE SENT YOU ALL A LETTER AND MY FINGERS ARE CROSSED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CLAPPING.
[00:45:04]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JOHN P. LUCKY.>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JOHN P. LUCKY.
I LIVE NOT IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, BUT IN THE NORTH BEACH ON VOLANO 411-17TH STREET, I FEEL A KINSHIP TO THE FOLKS WHO ARE AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTION OF ECO PARK ON FLORIDA AVENUE.
I LIVE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE SHORELINE ALONG ROUTE A1A.
MOST DAYS I PASS BY THE DAMAGE THAT'S BEEN CAUSED BY THE HIGH WINDS AND POUNDING SERFS PRODUCED BY RECENT HURRICANES IN NORTH EASTERNERS.
ON THE SHORELINE ONCE MAJESTIC BEACH HOMES HAVE HAD TO BE COMPLETELY DECONSTRUCTED AND REMOVED IN PIECES CAUSED BY THESE WEATHER EVENTS.
MY WIFE AND I REALIZED THAT THE NEXT BIG ONE COULD DO MORE DAMAGE TO OUR HOME THAN THE DAMAGE DONE TO IT IN THE 2016 BY HURRICANE MATTHEW.
PERHAPS TO THE POINT WHERE WE WOULD HAVE TO REBUILD OR MOVE AWAY FROM THE AREA.
THREE TIMES IN THE 10 YEARS WE HAVE LIVED IN NORTH BEACH, THE BEACHES HAD TO BE NOURISHED BY THE [NOISE] ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DUE TO THE STORM DAMAGE.
BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR SITUATION AND THAT OF THE HOMEOWNERS NEAR WHERE 35 UNITS AND 70 PARKING SPACES THAT THEY COMPRISE THE PLANS FOR ECO PARK.
THE ATLANTIC OCEAN BOARDED NORTH BEACH LONG BEFORE MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED OUR HOME IN 2013.
WE WENT INTO IT WITH OUR EYES WIDE OPEN.
MY FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES HAD NO AWARENESS OF THE FUTURE CONSTRUCTION OF ECO PARK AND THE DAMAGING IMPACT OF TREE REMOVAL, WETLANDS IMPACT, AND THE SHEER SCOPE OF THE PROJECT WOULD ALL RESULT IN EXCESSIVE FLOODING AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
THE THREE-STOREY BUILDINGS WOULD HARM THE VIEW ACROSS THE WATER AND THE IMPACT ON WILDLIFE WOULD BE INCALCULABLE. THEY'RE EXPENSIVE.
THE PROPOSED PLANS FOR OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION THROUGH LAND ACQUISITION WOULD PROTECT PROPERTY VALUES AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MOTHER NATURE FOR THOSE IN RANGE OF THE PROPOSED ECO PARK BUILDING PLANS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MARSHA DANIEL'S FOLLOWED BY EDWARD MCKINLEY.
AS DANIEL'S NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE?
>> MARSHA DANIEL'S 34 MADEIRA DRIVE.
>> MS. DANIEL'S CAN YOU PULL THAT RIGHT UP.
>> THERE. THANK YOU. WE WILL HEAR YOU BETTER.
>> THANK YOU, MS. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M JUST WRITING OR SPEAKING TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE IN FAVOR OF PURCHASING THE LAND ALONG FLORIDA AVENUE.
MANY THANKS GO TO DAVID BERTRAM AND CITY STAFF FOR RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF THIS PROPERTY TO THE CITY AND PROPOSING ITS ACQUISITION.
THANK YOU ALSO TO MR. PARSONS FOR BEING A WILLING SELLER.
THE NEIGHBORS DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR THE LAST YEAR TO MAKE THEIR CURRENT ISSUES WITH FLOODING KNOWN AND THE IMPACT OF PROJECT WOULD HAVE ON THEIR QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING THIS BEAUTIFUL AND ESSENTIAL FOREST WITH NUMEROUS SIGNIFICANT TREES FOR THE MANY BENEFITS IT BESTOWS ON OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS PLEASE LISTEN TO THE CRIES OF YOUR NEIGHBORS AND THE WISDOM OF THE CITY MANAGERS AND PURCHASE THIS LAND. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. EDWARD MCKINLEY, FOLLOWED BY CLAUDIA JACOB.
>> EDWARD MCKINLEY, 124 TWINE STREET.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY COMMISSION.
I CAME HERE FOR A SEPARATE ISSUE, BUT AS A SCIENTIST, I WANT TO THROW MY SUPPORT BEHIND THE FLORIDA LAND ACQUISITION OVER AT FLORIDA AVENUE.
I THINK IT'S A BRILLIANT IDEA AND PIGGYBACKING OFF OF SOME OF THOSE FOLKS HAVE SAID IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY, I HAD RECENTLY EMAILED THE CITY COMMISSION.
MY ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT LAND ACQUISITION, BUT ABOUT THE ISSUE OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND I KNOW THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA.
I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I AND MY CHILDREN BY PROXY FEEL WE ARE THE LAST OF A DYING BREED IN THE TOWN RESIDENTS WHO ACTUALLY LIVED DOWNTOWN BETWEEN THE TRASH ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR HOUSE, BETWEEN THE INCORRECT BOOKINGS, AND THE OUTRIGHT LIES ON BOOKINGS, WHICH YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT FROM SOME OTHER CITIZENS.
BLOCKING OF OUR ROADS, DRUNK PEOPLE DRIVING GOLF CARTS UP AND DOWN THE ROADS AT NIGHT, PEOPLE SCREAMING, WAKING UP MY CHILDREN HAVING TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHY.
IN THEIR WORDS, PEOPLE HATE THE EARTH BECAUSE THEY LEAVE TRASH EVERYWHERE.
I WANTED TO COME TO THE MEETING TO MAKE MY VOICE HEARD.
I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
[00:50:02]
I HAD EMAILED THE CITY COMMISSION BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I HAD GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF FILING COMPLAINTS THROUGH THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL BOARD AND WE FEEL LIKE NOTHING HAS CHANGED.WE DON'T FEEL LIKE THE FOLKS WHO ARE ACTUALLY RENTING THESE PROPERTIES ARE HEEDING ANY OF THESE REGULATIONS, OR IF THERE'S ANY FINES BEING IMPOSED, IF IT'S ACTUALLY HAVING ANY IMPACT.
I KNOW THE CITY COMMISSION'S HANDS ARE TIED BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE THAT WE AS RESIDENTS FEEL LIKE WE'RE BEING CHASED OUT OF OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THE FOLKS BEFORE ME HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT.
I JUST ASK THAT THE CITY COMMISSION REALLY CHECK IN ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS, MAKE SURE THEY'RE ADVERTISING THE CORRECT NUMBER OF BEDROOMS, AND PARKING SPACES, MAKING SURE THAT RENTERS ARE BEING TOLD OF WHAT THE REGULATIONS ARE.
WE'VE ACTUALLY SPOKEN TO SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO RENT THESE PROPERTIES, AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA.
THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO PARK ON THE STREET.
THEY'RE TOLD THAT THEY CAN PARK ANYWHERE.
THEY'RE TOLD THEY CAN PARK ON SPACES THAT ARE ACTUALLY PRIVATE PROPERTY.
I JUST ASK THAT THE CITY COMMISSION REALLY LAY INTO ENFORCING THESE CODES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITIZENS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU.
THE GARBAGE PICKUP BECAUSE OF THE SING OUT FESTIVAL DIDN'T HAPPEN LAST WEEK.
IT LOOKS LIKE THE CITY IS RUNNING A GARBAGE STRIKE AND YOU HAUL YOUR GARBAGE IN, YOU HAUL IT OUT.
WE WENT THROUGH THE FIRST OF THE MONTH WAS A HURRICANE WARNING.
THAT WAS THE DAY ALL THE YARD TRASH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PICKED UP, SO NOBODY PUT IT OUT.
BUT THAT'S THE DATE THE GARBAGE PEOPLE CAME BY.
THEY DID NOT HAVE A MAKEUP DAY.
WE HAD ONE PICKUP THIS MONTH AND HOPEFULLY, THEY'RE GOING TO PICK IT UP THIS WEEK.
IS THERE ANY WAY YOU CAN GET THE UTILITY COMPANY TO PUT ALL OF THEIR PEOPLE ON AN EMAIL LIST, SO WE'RE NOT HAVING PICKUP AND JUST SEND AN EMAIL, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO LUG IT OUT TO THE STREET AND LUG IT BACK IN.
RIGHT NOW, I'VE JUST DECIDED I LEAVE IT OUT THERE UNTIL IT GETS PICKED UP, BUT IT REALLY MAKES THE STREETS LOOK AWFUL.
WHEN YOU HAD THE FESTIVAL, YOU TOOK ALL YOUR GARBAGE PEOPLE TO RUN THE FESTIVAL AND I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT TO THE CITIZENS TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.
>> THANK YOU. MS. JACOB, WOULD YOU PLEASE.
>> MA'AM, IF YOU GO TO THE BACK OF THE AUDIENCE AND TALK TO RUBEN FRANKLIN, HE CAN GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE GARBAGE PICKUP.
>> ALSO THAT WE HAVE A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER THAT WOULD PROVIDE INFORMATION.
>> YES. AND I THINK HE CAN GIVE HER THAT INFORMATION.
YES. DENISE DECLARE FOLLOWED BY GAIL WHISTLER.
>> DENISE DECLARE 132 TWINED STREET.
I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON AN EMAIL I SENT LAST FRIDAY THAT DISCUSS SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND OTHER TOPICS.
THANK YOU TO MAYOR SIKES-KLINE AND COMMISSIONER BLONDER, OR FOR RESPONDING TO MY EMAILS.
IF YOU COULD LOOK AT THE COPIES I MADE, I WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY CODE ENFORCEMENT AND CITY STAFF.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE, THE FIRST PAGE, 120 TWINE STREET.
>> PARDON ME, MAY I INTERRUPT, PLEASE. PLEASE FORGIVE ME.
CAN WE PUT THIS ON THE SCREEN FOR COMMISSIONER BLONDER PLEASE? SHE CAN FOLLOW ALONG.
>> WE'RE BACK AT 120 TWINE STREET.
I'VE HIGHLIGHTED IN RED THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS ADVERTISED AND THE BEDROOMS ADVERTISED.
IF YOU WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH THE PAGE 123 TWINE STREET, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS ADVERTISED AND THE BEDROOMS. IF YOU TURN THE PAGE, SAME THING.
LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS ADVERTISE THE NUMBER OF BEDROOMS. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE, THE LAST LISTING ON RABIRIUS STREET, IT'S THE SAME SITUATION.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OUR SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE IS STIPULATED MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY OF TWO PERSONS PER BEDROOM AND ONE STABILIZED PARKING SPACE PER BEDROOM.
[00:55:02]
THE EXAMPLES I'VE SHOWN YOU FROM THE 230 PLUS LINCOLNVILLE LISTINGS ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY STREET IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A MAJORITY OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL OWNERS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCES.IF YOU GO BACK TO 120 TWINE, THE FRONT PAGE 123 TWINE, I INCLUDED PICTURES OF AN ISSUE THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS OCCUPANCY RATE THAT IS TOO HIGH.
YOU SEE THE TRASH OUTSIDE OF THE RECEPTACLES. IT'S ON THE GROUND.
ON OUR STREET THE RACCOONS LOVE THIS.
THEY HAVE A FIELD DAY WITH THE TRASH LEFT OUT.
FOCUSING AGAIN ON 120 TWINE, YOU CAN READ IN THE DESCRIPTION THAT ALTHOUGH THE OWNER ADVERTISES FOUR BEDROOMS, THEY ONLY HAVE THREE PARKING SPACES.
IF YOU READ FURTHER, YOU SEE THAT THE GUESTS ARE DIRECTED TO PARK IN ST. CYPRIAN PARKING LOT.
I CONTACTED ST. CYPRIAN TO INQUIRE ABOUT AN ARRANGEMENT THE OWNER MIGHT HAVE WITH A CHURCH, BUT THERE IS NONE.
IN FACT, THEIR BOARD MET LAST THURSDAY AND DECIDED TO WRITE THE OWNER ON CHURCH LETTERHEAD REQUESTING THAT THEY TAKE THIS OUT OF THEIR DESCRIPTION OR THEIR GUESTS WILL BE TOWED.
IN COMMISSIONER BLONDER'S RESPONSE TO MY EMAIL, SHE SUGGESTED I CONTACT CODE ENFORCEMENT.
PLEASE KNOW THAT I HAVE MULTIPLE TIMES AS HAVE MY NEIGHBORS AND RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
WE NEVER RECEIVE A RESPONSE, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THE ISSUES AREN'T BEING ADDRESSED BECAUSE THEY CONSISTENTLY SHOW UP.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE CITY COMMUNICATE OR RESPECT FOR RESIDENTS BY TAKING ACTION ON THIS ISSUE.
THERE MAY NOT BE A LOT OF RESONANCE HERE TO DISCUSS SHORT-TERM RENTALS THIS EVENING OR OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
BUT PLEASE KNOW RESIDENTS ARE LOOKING TO THIS ELECTED COMMISSION TO COMMUNICATE THAT THEY CARE ABOUT RESIDENTS AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THE SAME RESIDENCE SHOW UP TO PCB MEETINGS.
>> I'LL EXTEND YOU NEXT FOR 10 SECONDS.
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE SAME RESIDENT SHOW UP TO PCB MEETINGS, HARD MEETINGS, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, LCRA MEETINGS.
WE VOLUNTEER WITH DINING WITH DIGNITY WITH THE LINCOLN BILL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER AND WITH PIE IN THE SKY.
THE SHORT-TERM ORDINANCES ARE IN PLACE.
PLEASE ENFORCE THEM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GAIL WHISTLER, FOLLOWED BY SULTANA RAHIM. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS GAIL WHISTLER AND MY HUSBAND AND I LIVE AT 163 MARTIN LUTHER KING AVENUE.
SO AGAIN, HERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND I'M TRYING TO PRESERVE THE LOCAL RESIDENTS NEEDS.
YOU'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THAT TODAY.
THE HISTORY THAT IS BEING LOST, ON ON ALL THE PEOPLE WHO COME INTO THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S MONEY FOR PROFITS TO BUSINESSES AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, AIRBNB AND THE CITY NEEDING INCOME FROM THE TOURISTS.
BUT MANY OF THESE THINGS ARE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE RESIDENTS.
I'M ASKING YOU AGAIN TO CONSIDER THE BIG PICTURE, WHETHER IT'S A LATE NIGHT ORDINANCE, WHETHER IT'S TRASH BEING PICKED UP SPEEDING ON LIBERIA AND ML KING.
NOW WE'VE GOT LOTS OF SPEEDERS COMING THROUGH.
BUT TO PROTECT LINCOLNVILLE AND THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR MORE ENCROACHMENT, WE NOW HAVE ABOUT 274 AIRBNB.
I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MANY HOMES THERE ARE IN LINCOLNVILLE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE IT IS, BUT WE ARE LOSING OUR VOICE.
THAT'S BEEN STATED BETTER THAN I COULD A LITTLE EARLIER.
THE ISSUE OF THE UNREGULATED NIGHTLIFE IN THE CITY IS REALLY BECOMING AN ISSUE OF SAFETY.
I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THE ACCIDENTS LATELY.
WE ARE ASKING YOU TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE, PRESERVE THE RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE QUIET THAT SO MANY PEOPLE MENTIONED WHEN THEY COME, EVEN THE AIRBNB FOLKS.
I JUST WANTED TO QUOTE A FEW ADVERTISEMENTS FROM SOME OF THE AIRBNB.
IT'S AN IDEAL AIRBNB VARIABLE POWERHOUSE.
IN SHORT-TERM RENTAL MARKET, HIGHLY LUCRATIVE AIRBNB PROPERTY INVESTORS SPECIAL.
YOUR NEXT AIRBNB RENTAL AND THIS IS A HOME THAT HAS BASICALLY THE OWNER IS NOW OR THE RESONANT THERE HAS BEEN BASICALLY PUSHED OUT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I CAN SAY ABOUT THAT EXCEPT TO HEARKEN BACK TO THIS ARTICLE FROM THE GARGOYLES IN 2018 WHERE MR. WHITE WAS BEING INTERVIEWED.
THEY USE HE AND HIS BUDDIES USED TO HANG OUT AT THE CORNER OF MLK AND BLANCA.
THE LAST THING THAT HE SAYS THAT THEY QUOTED HERE, RIGHT,
[01:00:02]
WHITE PLANTS TO HANG ONTO HIS HOME AS LONG AS HE CAN WHILE HE COULDN'T.BUT SINCE IT'S LINCOLNVILLE WILL BECOME PART OF THE COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE IN ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.
JUST CAUTION EVERYONE TO BE AWARE OF THIS.
AGAIN, TRY TO PROTECT OUR ANCIENT CITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SULTANA RAHIM VARICOSE.
SORRY I KNOW I PRONOUNCED THAT SHE'S LEFT.
OKAY, ALRIGHT, I HAD TWO CARDS FOR HER.
ARTHUR COLBERT, FOLLOWED BY DEBORAH INGRAM.
WE WOULD NORMALLY READ THE CHARTER, BUT SINCE YOU DID SUCH A BEAUTIFUL JOB IN THE PROCLAMATION, WE'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
BUT I WANTED TO JUST COMMENT ON THE PAST THAT YOU ALL HAVE TAKEN THE PAST SIX WEEKS.
APPROPRIATING LAND, MONEY TO KEEP LAND INTO 2024 BUDGET.
WHAT WILL BE HERE THIS EVENING ON THE PROPERTY OF FLORIDA.
IT SPEAKS VOLUMES FOR WHAT YOU ARE ABLE TO DO AND WHAT WOULD APPEAR THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO, WHICH IS THE RIGHT THING.
TO LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS, THE ARTICULATE RESEARCH AND THE MANY PAINSTAKING AREAS THAT HAVE GOTTEN INTO BEING ABLE TO GET TO THIS POINT.
THEN TO HAVE OUR CITY MANAGER REALLY STEP UP AND FIGURE IT OUT.
IF MR. PARSONS IS IN THE ROOM DO WE KNOW THAT, THE PERSONALLY THANK HIM FOR COMING FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO WANT TO SELL THIS.
AS WE HEARD FROM THE WOMAN, WAS DR. PARKER THAT WE RECOGNIZE BEFORE THIS BEGAN, SHE'S BULK OF HERITAGE.
SHE SAID THAT WE FEEL ABOUT THIS CITY.
I THINK THE COMMENTS WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT, ANY OPPORTUNITY TO PRESERVE THIS LAND FOR SO MANY REASONS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
I KNOW YOU ALL KNOW THAT. OKAY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE WISDOM THAT YOU HAVE HERE THIS EVENING AND TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
>> DEBORAH INGRAM, 12TH AVERY STREET. BRINGING IT DOWN.
I'M PLEADING WITH THE CITY TO CONSIDER PURCHASING THE PROPERTY THAT IS UP FOR DEVELOPMENT AND AT RAVENSWOOD THE SEBASTIAN RIVER IS A DELICATE SYSTEM.
CONSTRUCTION ALONG THE RIVER WILL HAVE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES TO THEIR ENTIRE DOWNTOWN AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I OWN A HOME VERY CLOSE TO THE SEBASTIAN RIVER ON AVERY STREET.
THIS AREA TOO, IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
I FEAR FOR THE FUTURE OF THE WATERSHED AND THAT SAVES OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FROM FLOODING WITH ALL THAT WATER EVENTS THAT'S HAPPENING THERE.
PLEASE LOOK AT PURCHASING ALL PROPERTIES ALONG THE SEBASTIAN RIVER.
WAIT FOR THE ARMY CORP ENGINEERS RESEARCH THAT'S BEING DONE IN THE AREA TO HELP THE CITY WITH THE FLOODING.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO US.
WE HAVE EVERYBODY'S INTERESTS IN MIND.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LAUREN GUYVER.
LAUREN GUYVER IS MY LAST SPEAKER CARD ON GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> I'M SORRY, I DID NOT HEAR YOU.
>> CAN I GET THE OVERHEAD, PLEASE?
>> CAN YOU USE THE MICROPHONE, PLEASE?
>> CAN I GET THE OVERHEAD, PLEASE?
>> LAUREN GUYVER. LINCOLNVILLE, ST. AUGUSTINE. GOOD EVENING.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE NEIGHBORS FOR THIS FLORIDA STREET IN JULIA STREET PROPERTY.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A LOT OF FUNNY BUSINESS GOING ON.
IF YOU FOLLOW THE GRAND TOUR AND THE GRANTEE NAMES GOING BACK-AND-FORTH ON THE PROPERTY RECORDS, WHICH THIS SHOWS AND I'VE PUT DOWN ARROWS, KEEPS GOING BACK-AND-FORTH.
THE MAXIMUM PAID, I FIND IT HIGHLY SUSPECT, FOLLOW THE MONEY, IT'S A SHELL GAME.
THE MAXIMUM PAID FOR THIS PROPERTY AFTER ALL OF THEM SELLING IT BACK AND FORTH IS LESS THAN 400K.
[01:05:04]
IF I WAS IN CHARGE OF THIS NEGOTIATION, I WOULD NOT BE SO QUICK TO OFFER THEM $2 MILLION.QUESTIONS. WHO IS THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY? CAN THEY EVEN GET INSURANCE FOR BUILDING IN A FLOOD ZONE OF SUCH MAGNITUDE IN FLORIDA AT THIS POINT? WE ALL KNOW THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE LEAVING THE STATE IN DROVES SO WHAT IS THE REAL STORY AND WAS THIS A WILD GOOSE CHASE TO GET MONEY OUT OF THE CITY? FIRST OFF, THE PCB APPROVING THIS APPLICATION WAS RIDICULOUS.
I THINK THE CITY SHOULD REVERSE THE PCB DECISION, OFFER A FAIR MARKET VALUE, WHICH IS WHAT THEY PAID PLUS 20%, BECOME BETTER NEGOTIATORS.
IF YOU'VE NEVER HAGGLED FOR A CAR, A RUG, OR ANYTHING ELSE, THEN LET SOMEONE ELSE TAKE OVER WHO KNOWS HOW TO DO IT AND LEARN.
THIS IS THEIR OPENING LETTER WHICH YOU DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT IT, AND PROCEED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM FURTHER.
IF YOU DON'T BARGAIN WITH THESE PEOPLE, THEN EVERYONE COMING AFTER THEM WILL DO THE SAME THING AND DEMAND A PARK BEING NAMED AFTER THEMSELVES TOO.
CITY MANAGEMENT HAS TO GET IT TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT WHAT OTHER PROPERTIES THEY NEED TO ACQUIRE BEFORE EVERYBODY ELSE HAS THEIR HANDOUT FOR ST. AUGUSTINE CITY TAXPAYERS' MONEY. THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CHRIS PALMER.
AFTER THAT, I HAVE NO MORE SPEAKER CARDS ON THIS IN GENERAL COMMENTS.
THIS IS FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT AGENDA ITEMS.
>> HI, CHRIS PALMER CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND I THINK THERE MIGHT BE MORE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEIR NAMES ON BOTH CARDS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE OFFICER WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M CHRIS PALMER.
I WANT TO START BY GIVING US BIG THANK YOU TO PUBLIC WORKS.
WE IDENTIFIED A LEAK AND A WATER PIPE COMING INTO OUR PROPERTY ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE METER, I CALLED THE CITY AT 9:30, THERE WAS A CREW THERE AT 12:30 AND THEY DIDN'T COME TO LOOK AT IT, THEY CAME TO FIX IT AND THEY WERE GONE IN AN HOUR.
THEY WERE NICE PEOPLE, THEY CLEANED ABOVE EVERYTHING AND I LOVE THIS TOWN.
SING OUT LOUD HAS BEEN GREAT THIS MONTH WITH MUSIC ALL OVER, INCLUDING THE WONDERFUL LINCOLNVILLE PORCH FEST.
THE FRANCIS FIELD SHOWCASE WAS A HUGE UNDERTAKING AND I THINK IT WORKED OUT REALLY WELL.
LOTS OF GOOD PLANNING WENT INTO IT.
I WOULD SUGGEST A COUPLE OF THINGS.
I HEARD FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE THERE NEEDS TO BE SHUTTLES EARLY AND LATE FOR THE EMPLOYEES WHO WORKED DOWNTOWN BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET TO WORK AND THE LINE FOR SECURITY AT THE SINGLE ENTRANCE WAS REALLY LONG IT GOT BETTER ON A SATURDAY NIGHT, BUT FRIDAY NIGHT WAS A DISASTER.
EVERYBODY I KNOW WHO ATTENDED HAD A FABULOUS TIME AND THEY HAD PARTICULAR COMMENTS IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS AND THE PORTABLE TOILETS.
I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT THE SOUND FROM THIS EVENT CARRIED FOR MILES AND THE SOUND CHECKS WERE HEARD.
I'M UP IN LINCOLN RULE EARLY IN THE MORNING, SO THIS MAKES SOUND ORDINANCES AN INTERESTING TOPIC.
PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR RESIDENTS ABOUT THE FLORIDA AVENUE PURCHASE AND PRESERVING THE MATURE COASTAL HAMMOCK ON A1A NEAR THE AMPHITHEATER.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DESIGNATING OF THE NUISANCE BOARD.
BEN, I'M SEEING IN A YEAR FROM NOW WHAT THE STATISTICS ARE FOR THE NUISANCE CALLS AND WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT SHORT-TERM RENTAL.
DO THAT. ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL TOWN, PATRONIZE OUR WONDERFUL LOCAL BUSINESSES, BE NIGHT TO YOUR WAITSTAFF, TIP YOUR SERVICE, AND TIP YOUR LIVE MUSICIANS.
>> I HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKER CARDS OR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THAT'S FINE. THERE'S NOTHING TO STOP THEM, IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
THEY DO NOT WISH TO WAIT UNTIL THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[01:10:03]
>> WELL, AND THAT'S CERTAINLY THE COMMISSION'S DECISION IF IT WISHES TO ALLOW FOLKS TO SPEAK OUT-OF-ORDER, THAT'S ENTIRELY UP TO YOU.
GO ON THEN, WE'LL KEEP GOING ON.
I HAVE A SPEAKER CARD FOR WARREN MERRILL FOLLOWED BY GENEDA SABAYIERO.
>> I'M JUAN MARROW THREE-TO-ONE PUBLIC POINT DRIVE.
HERE WE ARE AGAIN, IT'S BEEN 13 YEARS SINCE NANCY SAID NO FOR THE 2:00 AM.
SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT SAID 2:00 AM BACK THEN AND SHE'S ON THE NOISE MISSION SINCE THEN TO SQUELCH THE NIGHTLIFE.
SHE'S BEEN ON THE RECORD SAYING 10:00 PM IS WHEN SHE WOULD REALLY LIKE THE DRINKING TO STOP AT RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
I WAS WARNED TOO BY THE OUTGOING CITY COMMISSIONERS WHEN SHE GOT AN OFFICE TO WATCH OUT FOR THE NEW INCOMING BOARD MEMBERS BACK THEN, COMMISSIONERS, THAT THEY WERE NOT BUSINESS-FRIENDLY AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH TRUE HOW IT'S BEEN.
SHE HAS NOT ENGAGED THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, SHE HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT HAS ON THE BUSINESSES WITH THIS ORDINANCE.
SHE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE EMPLOYEES.
YOU GOT SKINNER PUTTING OUT THESE OR THEY BATCHED THEM OUT SURE, PUT OUT THE LITTLE ECONOMIC, WHATEVER IT SAYS.
FIFTY PERCENT OF MY BUSINESS OCCURS DURING THE TIME FROM 12:00 AM TO 2:00 AM.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE COMMISSIONER SAYING, WE'RE PROVIDING MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE 12:00 AM ORDINANCE.
BUT THE WAY THE ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN NOW, WE GET VIOLATED FOR CALLING THE POLICE FOR SERVICE VIOLATED, THAT'S A VIOLATION.
WE CAN VIOLATE IF I CALL FOR A TECHNICIAN TO FIX MY ICS ON THE ROOF, HE'S UP THERE SMOKING WEED OR DOING A LINE OF COKE.
SOMEBODY IN THE WATCH TOWER, THE PIPERAZINE LOOKS DOWN CALLS THE POLICE I GET VIOLATED BECAUSE THEY'RE ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND THE POLICE WERE CALLED.
IT'S THE SILLIEST THING I EVER HEARD THAT YOU GET PENALIZED FOR CALLING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IF WE CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR SERVICE, PEOPLE COME UP, 99% OF THE PEOPLE WE DON'T KNOW, THEY COME UP.
THEY'RE TOURISTS THAT COME UP STREET, WE DON'T KNOW IT.
OFF THE STREET, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR INTENT IS, WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE WEED IN THEIR POCKET, WE DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S SOMEONE TO SELL COCAINE.
WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO THE BATHROOM AND SNORTING COKE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN KNOW OF ANYTHING UNTIL WE KNOW AND UNLESS SOMEBODY ALERTS US WHERE WE ACTUALLY SEE IT AND WHEN WE DO SEE IT, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CALL THE POLICE AND NOT GET VIOLATED AND LOSE OUR AFTER-HOURS USE.
ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THAT ORDINANCE IS THE PART THAT SAYS THAT ANYBODY WHO IS A RESTAURANT BUT ALSO HAS AN ALCOHOL BEVERAGE LICENSE WHO HAS AFTER-HOURS PERMIT, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE AFTER 2:00 AM BUT YET, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BEVERAGE LICENSE, THEN YOU CAN OPERATE 24 HOURS.
THAT'S DISCRIMINATORY. DISCRIMINATORY GETS PEOPLE WITH LIQUOR LICENSE, AND THERE'S A STATUTE FIVE-SIXTHS TO THIS PROTECTS US FROM THAT ORDINANCE.
IT'S JUST BAFFLING TO ME TO LISTEN TO ISABEL STATE THE REASONING ALLOWING SOMEBODY TO REMOTELY CALL IN AND BE ABLE TO VOTE.
EVERYTHING THAT SHE TALKED ABOUT WAS ADDRESSED AND ASHLEY MOODY'S OPINION, THE 20TH OF 2023.
THAT WAS IN '20 2003 FOR COVID AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE WAS ADDRESSED IN THE 2003 IS THE MOST IMPORTANT EXECUTIVE ORDER.
>> GENEDA SABAYIERO IS OUR NEXT SPEAKER, FOLLOWED BY MARCEL VISKARA. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
>> [INAUDIBLE] 105 COLON AVENUE.
ACTUALLY PUT IN TWICE TO SPEAK BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT NIGHTLIFE RIGHT NOW.
I DID WANT TO JUST SPEAK TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND THANK EVERYONE WITHIN OUR CITY OR COUNTY, ALL OF OUR PUBLIC RESPONDERS FOR SING OUT LOUD WEEKEND.
I THINK IT TAKES SO MANY DEDICATED PEOPLE TO PUT ON A PRODUCTION OF THAT SIZE.
I PLAYED A WEDDING AT THE LIGHTHOUSE ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND DROVE HOME WITH NO TRAFFIC.
I WAS SO WORRIED I WAS GOING TO GET CAUGHT IN TRAFFIC AND MADE IT HOME AT 10:45.
THAT'S REALLY ALL I WANTED TO SAY TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT, IS REALLY THANK DIANA, WHO'S HERE TONIGHT AND JUST SO MANY PEOPLE THAT PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO THAT PROJECT, INCLUDING ALL OF YOU.
>> MARCEL VISKARA, FOLLOWED BY TYRA KINDLER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MARCEL VISKARA,
[01:15:03]
51 SOUTH WHITNEY STREET.I'M HERE AGAIN TO JUST SAY I'M OPPOSING TO THE ORDINANCE FOR NIGHTLIFE, JUST BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY HARD FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO OPERATE IN TOWN AND JUST ADDING ANOTHER STRESSFUL ORDINANCE WOULD JUST MAKE IT WORSE.
ALSO, JUST TO ASK YOU FOR MORE SUPPORT TOWARDS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.
WE ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO OPEN A SMALL COFFEE SHOP ON WEST KING STREET AND THE AMOUNT OF RESTRICTIONS AND THE AMOUNT OF BARRIERS ARE PUTTING UP IS JUST VERY DIFFICULT FOR US RIGHT NOW.
IS MAKING IT REALLY HARD EVEN ON MY HEALTH.
IT JUST MAKES ME ANGRY THAT THERE'S SO MUCH ASKING FOR US IN ORDER TO OPEN.
BUT WHEN I DRIVE AROUND THERE IN THE SAME STREET, THERE'S POTHOLES EVERYWHERE, I WANT TO FIX IT MYSELF; CAN I? PROBABLY NOT.
BUT JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT AND SEE IF YOU GUYS CAN SUPPORT US AND BE MORE THERE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND ESPECIALLY FOR RESTAURANTS AND BARS AND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY THAT'S THE BACKBONE OF THIS CITY.
WE MAKE THE CITY A LOT MORE FUN.
PEOPLE COME HERE TO HAVE FUN AND WE'RE REALLY A HUGE PART OF THAT.
THAT'S ALL I HAD TO SAY. THANK YOU.
>> TYRA KINDLER, FOLLOWED BY DAVID WERNICKE.
MS. KINDLER, PLEASE, NAME AND ADDRESS. WELCOME.
I LIVE AT 140 TWINE STREET AND I ALSO HAVE THE DUPLEX ON LIBERIA.
I WANTED TO COME OUT AGAIN AND JUST SPEAK AGAINST THE NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE.
I FIND IT HONESTLY UNSETTLING THAT WE HAVE SO MUCH SUPPORT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IS PLEADING WITH THE COMMISSION ON THIS AND THAT IT STILL SEEMS TO KEEP ON ROLLING.
I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU'LL RECONSIDER THAT AND USE WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE VERSUS CONTINUALLY MAKING NEW ORDINANCES AND THAT SORT OF THING.
ALSO WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO WAS INVOLVED, THE POLICE AND THIS THING SING OUT LOUD PEOPLE.
I MEAN, IT WAS A REALLY WELL DONE EVENT.
I ENJOYED MYSELF AND I ALSO WAS ABLE TO GO HOME EASILY WITH NO TRAFFIC. THANK YOU.
>> DAVID WERNICKE, FOLLOWED BY KYLE EDWARD SHAW WALTER.
>> SORRY, I WAS SO ANGRY I LEFT MY PHONE.
>> HELLO THERE. I'M DAVID WERNICKE, 10 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD.
THIS IS MY THIRD MEETING COMING TO ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I MISSED ONE OF THEM THOUGH.
I'D LIKE TO SAY MOST PEOPLE, ABOUT 50-5 OPPOSED TO THIS.
I'VE SEEN A FEW PEOPLE SHOW UP AT EACH MEETING OR WANT THIS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE MAJORITY IS OPPOSED TO IT.
IT'S HAVING A THUMB OVER OUR LIVELIHOODS A LITTLE MORE.
ANOTHER FINE, ANOTHER FEE, ANOTHER REGULATION.
ST. AUGUSTINE, WE'VE HAD A BUSINESS HERE SINCE 1985.
IT'S A QUAINT LITTLE DRINKING VILLAGE WITH A FISHING PROBLEM, AS MANY MAY RECALL.
JUST WANT TO SAY I'M OPPOSED TO IT.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, COMMISSIONERS AND MADAM MAYOR.
KYLE EDWARD SHAW WALTER, FOLLOWED BY EMBRY, AND I'M SORRY, I CAN'T READ IT.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT MR. SHAW WALTER BECAUSE WE HAVE OTHER PEOPLE HERE TO DO A PRESENTATION.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO READ THIS CARD.
EMBRY RUSSELL OR MELODY SMITH.
[01:20:14]
THERE YOU ARE. MELODY SMITH.>> MY NAME IS EMBRY RUSSELL, 20710 STREET.
YOU GUYS, THE RENTALS ALONE, I PAY $2,000 FOR A ONE BEDROOM.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO AFFORD THIS? PEOPLE WHO OWN, THAT'S GREAT, BUT IT'S GETTING RIDICULOUS.
IF YOU GUYS START CUTTING THE MONEY THERE'S SO MANY THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS, SERVER'S, BARTENDERS, BAR KEEPS, DOOR MAN, IT'S UNAFFORDABLE HERE.
EVERYONE'S GOING TO START TO LEAVE.
I'VE NEVER BEEN TO ANYTHING LOCAL LIKE THIS BEFORE, OBVIOUSLY NOW A NEW START, I'M WORKING ON ALL YOUR NAMES, AND I HOPE YOU GUYS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MELODY SMITH.
I'M HERE TO OPPOSE THE NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE.
I WORK AT TWO BARS IN ST. AUGUSTINE, ONE ON THE BEACH AND ONE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
I'VE BAR-TENDED IN ST. AUGUSTINE FOR AROUND THREE YEARS AND WORKED IN RESTAURANTS IN ST. AUGUSTINE AS FAR BACK AS 15-YEARS-OLD.
FIRSTLY, ST. AUGUSTINE DOESN'T REALLY HAVE A PROBLEMATIC NIGHTLIFE TO BEGIN WITH.
I GET GROUPS REGULARLY OF 10 OR MORE PEOPLE ASKING ME FOR INFORMATION ON WHERE TO GO OUT AND THEY ARE ALL DISAPPOINTED WHEN I TELL THEM THAT MOST PLACES CLOSE AT 12:00 AND ONLY A COUPLE OF CLOSE AT 2:00.
ON THE BEACH ALONE, THERE'S ALMOST ZERO NIGHTLIFE.
PEOPLE TRAVEL FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO VISIT ST. AUGUSTINE FOR WEDDINGS AND EVENTS IN GENERAL, AND THIS WILL DEEPLY AFFECT OUR ALREADY STRUGGLING ECONOMY.
ALREADY THERE'S A RENTAL CRISIS HERE.
A LOT OF RENTERS HERE ALSO WORK AT OUR LOCAL BARS AND RESTAURANTS.
I, AS A BARTENDER, PAY $2,000 A MONTH FOR A ONE BEDROOM, AND AFFECTING OUR INCOME WILL PUSH ALL OF US OUT AND THEN THERE WILL BE NO NIGHTLIFE AT ALL.
OUR ECONOMY IS ALREADY ON THE DECLINE FOR BLUE COLLAR WORKERS, SO WHY MAKE IT WORSE? MOST PEOPLE I WORK WITH ALREADY HAVE A 45-MINUTE COMMUTE BECAUSE THEY ALL RECENTLY GOT PUSHED OUT OF THE CITY DUE TO THE OBSCENE RISE IN RENTAL COSTS.
ALSO, IF YOU THINK THIS ORDINANCE WILL STOP DRINKING AND DRIVING, I'M SORRY, BUT THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.
PEOPLE WHO BREAK THE LAW WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK THE LAW NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF NIGHT IT IS, AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE PUTTING THIS MORE SO ONTO OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RATHER THAN TO CREATE MORE STRUGGLES FOR LOCALS.
I'VE CALLED THE COPS A COUPLE OF TIMES ON QUITE A FEW BELLIGERENT AND UNSAFE DRIVERS AND I HAVE YET TO SEE ANY OF THEM GET PULLED OVER.
ST. AUGUSTINE ALREADY HAS LIMITED THINGS TO DO AND TAKING AWAY OUR NIGHTLIFE WILL TAKE AWAY A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY, WHICH AT THE END OF THE DAY SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY THING SOME OF THESE COMMISSIONERS CARE ABOUT.
HENCE WHY THEY WANT TO COLLECT A FINE FROM SMALL BUSINESSES IN ORDER TO APPROVE THEM TO SERVE ALCOHOL PAST 12:00.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE MAKES MONEY OFF OF THESE BUSINESSES BEING PROFITABLE, AND I THINK EVERYONE ON THE BOARD SHOULD KEEP THIS IN MIND. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. CARRIE LILY FOLLOWED BY BRUCE MAGUIRE. MR. LILY, NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
CARRIE LILY, I LIVE AT 817 CAPTAINS DRIVES, ST. AUGUSTINE.
I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT HERE SINCE 2019 AND OWNER HERE SINCE 2016.
I WOULD TELL YOU THAT I'M OPPOSED TO THE ORDINANCE, BUT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO HURT MY FAMILY.
NO, I'M NOT RELATED TO ANY OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO JUST SPOKE OR ANYONE ELSE BUT THEY HAVE BECOME MY FAMILY.
I COME AND LISTEN TO THE BANDS WHERE THEY PLAY IN THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS.
I GET TO KNOW THE BARTENDERS, THE SERVERS, AND YES, THEY'RE MY FAMILY.
THEY'RE PART OF WHAT MAKES THIS A SPECIAL TOWN.
IF WE DO THINGS THAT HURT THESE FOLKS, THIS KIND OF SPECIAL PEOPLE SENDING THEM AWAY, MAYBE THE JACKSONVILLE, DAYTONA BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT HERE WITH LESS HOURS AND WHATEVER ELSE? I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF IT.
I TOO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY FOR ALL THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT SINGING OUT LOUD BUT IT SHOWS THAT WE NEED THINGS LIKE THAT TO MAKE THIS CITY TURN.
WE'RE NO LONGER BACK IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS THAT I HEAR OF HERE ALL THE TIME EVERYBODY WISHES THERE WAS ONLY THREE CARS ON THE STREET.
THOSE WILL NEVER BE HERE AGAIN, AND THAT THOUGHT WOULD NEVER GET ANYWHERE.
BUT WE NEED TO STICK WITH OUR MERCHANTS, OUR BAR OWNERS, RESTAURANT OWNERS, AND THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND SUPPORT THEM AND ENCOURAGE THEM AND HELP THEM RATHER THAN HARM THEM.
>> BRUCE MAGUIRE, FOLLOWED BY ASHLYN JOHNSTONE.
>> HEY, BRUCE MAGUIRE 297 ST. GEORGE STREET.
A PREVIOUS PERSON GOT UP HERE AND TALKED ABOUT
[01:25:03]
HOW MUCH MONEY HE MADE BETWEEN 12:00 MIDNIGHT AND TWO O'CLOCK.THAT SHOULD HAVE RAISED A LOT OF RED FLAGS.
WE HAVE BECOME A DRINKING COMMUNITY.
WE ARE NO LONGER A QUAINT COMMUNITY.
THE REAL ISSUE I SEE HERE IS PUT TOGETHER SUCCINCTLY BY ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS WHO SENT AN EMAIL SAYING THAT HE VOTED AGAINST IT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO ENFORCE IT.
LATER ON IN THE EMAIL HE MADE THE COMMENT ABOUT, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO DO SUCH THINGS AS BETTER CLEAN UP, MORE BATHROOMS, AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
THAT'S REALLY AVOIDING THE ISSUE.
THE ISSUE IS, WE HAVE A PROBLEM AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO SOLVE IT? THE WAY YOU SOLVE IT, IF THERE IS A LACK OF ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITY, YOU CREATE THE ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITY, YOU DON'T JUST TOSS IT AWAY. THAT'S ABSURD.
ST. AUGUSTINE HAS A DRINKING PROBLEM.
WE NEED TO SOLVE IT. THIS DOESN'T CUT OUT DRINKING.
THIS JUST SAYS WE WANT MORE CONTROL OVER WHAT'S GOING ON AT NIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS CITY. THAT'S IMPORTANT.
I HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEMS. I'VE EXPERIENCED SOME PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE, BUT I HAVE CONSISTENTLY.
WE NEED TO BECOME A RESPECTABLE COMMUNITY WHERE WE MODERATE DRINKING AND WE TURN THE DRINKING ISSUE INTO SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT GET OUT OF CONTROL.
PLEASE APPROVE THIS AND CREATE THE ABILITY TO ENFORCE THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU.
>> ASHLYN JOHNSTONE, FOLLOWED BY HARRIS NUSSBAUM.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ASHLYN JOHNSTONE.
I LIVE AT 5448 7TH STREET, ST. AUGUSTINE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO COME UP HERE AGAIN AND STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS NIGHT ORDINANCE JUST BECAUSE THIS IS HOW WE MAKE OUR LIVING.
LIKE THE GENTLEMAN SAID BEFORE ME, WE ARE A HUGE FAMILY.
I'VE BEEN WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY FOR 13 YEARS AND I'VE MET SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING PEOPLE.
THIS IS HOW WE PAY OUR BILLS, THIS IS HOW WE SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES.
WITH THE RISING RENT COSTS, IT'S INSANE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND THIS IS JUST HOW WE PAY OUR BILLS.
I DON'T THINK IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THE DRINKING IN ST. AUGUSTINE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DRINK NO MATTER WHAT.
THIS IS AN ISSUE OF HOW WE ARE GOING TO PAY OUR BILLS AND THAT'S JUST THE BOTTOM LINE.
SO EVEN IF YOU STOP AT MIDNIGHT, YOU GET GUIS AT 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM.
SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY, I VERY STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS. THANK YOU.
>> HARRIS NUSSBAUM, FOLLOWED BY CAROL WALLBERG.
NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE, SIR?
MY NAME IS HARRIS NUSSBAUM ON 51 ORANGE STREET.
FIRST OFF, I GOT THE LUCKY EXPERIENCE TO SIT ON MY FRONT PORCH AND WATCH THIS THING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND.
AND ONE THING THAT WAS AWESOME AS EVEN THOUGH HE MADE A MISTAKE ON FRIDAY NIGHT, WE REMEDIED IT ON SATURDAY NIGHT.
THAT'S THE THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT THIS TOWN.
I TALKED TO ALL THESE BARTENDERS AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE COMMON DENOMINATOR IS IS YOU DON'T GET OUT THERE AND TALK TO THEM.
YOU JUST SIT THERE AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
THANK YOU TO MR. JIM AND SORRY MA'AM IN THE BEAUTIFUL DRESS, I DON'T REMEMBER YOUR NAME FOR SAYING NO LAST TIME.
BUT THE THING TO REMEMBER IS NEXT YEAR IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND THE THING YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR QUEST FOR WHATEVER IT IS YOU'RE QUESTING FOR IS TO UNITE THE BAR STAFF ALL AROUND TOWN AGAINST YOU AND TO VOTE YOU OUT NEXT TIME.
BECAUSE THOSE OF US THAT LIVE DOWNTOWN KNOW THERE'S NO DANGER AT NIGHT.
SURE, THEY'RE NORMAL STUFF HAPPENS, BUT GO TALK TO THE POLICE.
GO LOOK IN OTHER TOWNS AROUND.
THE CURMUDGEON GENTLEMAN THAT JUST GOT UP HERE AND TALKED ABOUT THAT.
I'M SORRY, SIR THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.
IF YOU CLOSE IT AT MIDNIGHT, THE ONLY THING YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS PUSH THE DRINKING UNDERGROUND WHERE IT'S MORE DANGEROUS, WHERE THERE'S LESS OVERSIGHT, AND WHERE THERE'S MORE PROBLEMS. FURTHERMORE, WHERE DO YOU THINK EVERYONE IS GOING TO GO? THEY'RE GOING TO LEAVE ST. AUGUSTINE.
SO CONGRATULATIONS IF YOU WANT TO ROB MONEY OUT OF THE POCKETS OF SMALL BUSINESSES HERE BUT THAT IS LITERALLY THE ONLY THING YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH THEN.
NOW FOR EVERYONE OUT THERE, THE 135 OR WHATEVER DOLLAR FINE, THEY HAD THIS LITTLE NUISANCE BOARD.
THAT'S OUR LITTLE SOCIAL CREDIT SYSTEM TO TAKE THE STEPS TO GET TO NANCY'S LITTLE THING OF 10:00 PM.
PLEASE VOTE NO. IT'S RIDICULOUS.
AS A VETERAN OF THIS COUNTRY, THE SOCIAL CREDIT HAS GOT TO GO, AND WE'RE DONE WITH IT. THANK YOU.
CAROL WALLBERG, FOLLOWED BY ELLIE SCHULTZ.
[01:30:09]
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS CAROL WALLBERG.
I LIVE AT 1205 STREET ROAD 206 EAST.
I WAS HERE LAST TIME AND I TRIED TO APPEAL TO YOU GUYS TO THE EMOTIONAL SIDE OF WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH AS A COMMUNITY, FEELING LIKE WE'RE NOT BEING LISTENED TO BY THE PEOPLE THAT WE VOTED IN TO GOVERN IN OUR NAME.
BUT NOW, I'M VERY SORRY, I AM VERY ANGRY.
WE HAVE TRIED TO APPEAL TO LOGIC.
WE HAVE TRIED TO APPEAL TO REASON.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS EVEN ASKED YOU TO PLEASE STOP AND ASSESS WHAT YOU ARE DOING BECAUSE IT WILL HAVE AN ECONOMIC IMPACT WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO DO THAT REPORT IN OCTOBER.
WE ARE A STRONG TOWN BECAUSE WE WORK TOGETHER.
WE DIDN'T ONLY SURVIVE DURING THE COVID LOCKDOWN, BUT WE HAVE THRIVED.
I'M SORRY, BUT IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH NOISE FROM A NIGHTLIFE, THEN PERHAPS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE MOVED INTO A TOWN, SPECIFICALLY IN THE DISTRICT WITH THE NIGHTLIFE PRESENT.
WE DON'T WANT TO FIGHT EACH OTHER.
WE WANT TO SURVIVE. WE WANT TO THRIVE.
IN AN ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY IN THE SIZE OF OURS, IS A VERY SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP.
IF YOU SPEND ANY TIME OUT ON THE WATER IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE, YOU WILL SEE THAT EVERY PART, EVERYTHING FROM THE OYSTERS, THE SANDPIPERS, THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER.
WE ARE ALL IMPORTANT IN OUR ECONOMY.
WE DON'T WANT TO DISRESPECT IT AND WE DO NOT DISRESPECT IT.
I COME FROM A TOURIST TOWN AS WELL.
AND YOU KNOW WHERE MOST OF THE PROBLEMS COME FROM, NOT THE RESIDENTS.
IT COMES FROM PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN.
AND YES, WE WANT TO PROTECT IT.
AND WE WANT TO CALL FOR HELP IF WE NEED IT.
WE WANT TO KEEP THIS PLACE SAFE.
WE WANT TO LET OUR FAMILY AND OUR CHILDREN THRIVE HERE BUT IF YOU TAKE AWAY PART OF OUR ECONOMIC ABILITY TO DO THAT AND ALSO TO PUT BACK INTO THE ECONOMY.
LIKE LET'S SAY WE WANT TO BE FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERS.
WE WANT TO RENOVATE OUR GARDEN SO OUR DOGS DON'T GET RUN OVER BY CARS.
WE PAY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WITH THIS MONEY THAT WE EARN.
WE'RE NOT HOLDING IT LIKE DRAGONS.
WE'RE PUTTING IT BACK INTO OUR ECONOMY.
SO PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, WE DON'T WANT TO FIGHT, BUT WE WILL IF WE HAVE TO TO SURVIVE.
PLEASE, DON'T FORGET THAT WE DO LOVE ST. AUGUSTINE AND WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
ALSO, HAPPIER FOOD SERVICE WORKER DAY.
ELLIE SCHULTZ FOLLOWED BY RACHEL MILLER.
NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. WELCOME.
>> HI, ELLIE SCHULTZ, 1525 NORTH WHITNEY STREET ST. AUGUSTINE.
I AM A LOCAL CHEF, BUSINESS OWNER, AND 20-YEAR VETERAN IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.
I AM DEATHLY AFRAID OF PUBLIC SPEAKING, BUT I NEED TO SPEAK OUT BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME.
WE'RE NOT ONLY RESIDENTS BUT BUSINESS OWNERS, TAXPAYERS, AND EMPLOYEES WHO DESERVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING IN THIS TOWN. WE WORK LATE.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO AND ENJOY OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN THE INDUSTRY.
AND IF THAT MEANS GETTING OUT AFTER WORK AND BEING ABLE TO GO SOMEWHERE AND HAVE A DRINK OR FOOD WITH FRIENDS.
WE PUT MONEY BACK INTO THIS TOWN IN THE SAME WAY THAT SHE SAID BEFORE US THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EARN MONEY IN A FAIR WAY.
AND I THINK HONESTLY THAT IT'S THE IDEA OF STOPPING AT A CERTAIN TIME IS PURITANICAL AND ISN'T GOING TO ACTUALLY PREVENT DRINKING, LIKE THEY SAID BEFORE MAKE IT GO UNDERGROUND OR CREATE A POWER HOUR OR SOMETHING WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DRINK HEAVILY OR EARLIER AND IT DOESN'T REALLY DO ANY GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY OR FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING HERE.
SO I'LL SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I THINK THAT'S RACHEL MILLER.
>> WELCOME. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
>> FEEL MILLER, 6524 NASSAU STREET.
I'M JUST HERE TO OPPOSE THIS MOVEMENT.
I AM SPEAKING FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A HEALTH CARE WORKER, EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
[01:35:02]
BUT PAST TEN YEARS OF FLAGLER HOSPITAL.I CAN TELL YOU THAT INCIDENCE IS I'VE SEEN IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AFTER MIDNIGHT HAVE NOT BEEN A MAJORITY FROM OUR BARS AND ISSUES WITH ALCOHOL AFTER 12:00.
IT'S AROUND THE HOMELESS POPULATION AND THE UNCONTROLLED ISSUE.
I DON'T WANT TO GET ON A TANGENT OVER THERE, BUT IT HAS NOTHING.
I GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS I THINK THAT OUR FOCUS IS MAYBE IN THE WRONG AREA.
I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE DATA AROUND CRIME AND IF THAT'S WHAT THE BASIS OF THIS IS, DRUNK DRIVING CRIME, ETC, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT'S CENTERED AROUND OUR NIGHTLIFE FROM MY PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE.
I'VE ALSO WORKED DEEPLY IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THE CDC AND THE CRA, MARK BAILEY, TRYING TO SECURE FUNDS FOR A COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER AND WESTKING, WHICH WERE AWARDED FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SOME OF THE DATA THAT WAS EXTRACTED FROM THAT RESEARCH THAT I DID MYSELF WITH THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS ALONGSIDE FLAGLER WAS THAT WE NOTICED A THE LARGEST DECLINE AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION IN R320, AND OUR WESTKING POPULATION.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP WHEN WE WERE APPROVED FUNDING FOR THIS CLINIC WAS WHO WILL WE HAVE CLIENTELE FOR THIS CLINIC FIVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD? AND OUR JOBS ARE IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY HERE I'M MUSICIANS, SERVICE WORKERS, BUSTERS, WAITERS, BARTENDERS.
THIS IS WHERE WE WILL KEEP OUR POPULATION IN WESTKING.
WHERE ELSE ARE WE GOING TO GO? I MEAN, MANY OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE STOOD UP HERE AND SPOKE TALKING ABOUT GOING TO JACKSONVILLE, DAYTONA, OUTSIDE OF OUR CITY FOR JOBS.
THIS IS TRUE AND THIS IS HAPPENING AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THERE'S DATA TO SUPPORT THAT POINT.
I THINK THAT IF WE START LOOKING AT NUMBERS AND FACTS AND DATA THAT SUPPORT THIS STUFF, I THINK WE'LL GET TO BETTER SOLUTIONS.
I WOULD ALSO LOVE TO SEE LIKE MAYBE SOME COMMUNITY MEETINGS WHERE WE COULD BRING POSITIVE.
I'M SORRY, I'M NOT VERY GOOD AT PUBLIC SPEAKING, BUT I LOSE ALL MY THOUGHTS AS SOON AS I STEPPED UP HERE, I HAVE THEM WRITTEN DOWN BUT I DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT THEM, BUT MORE INCENTIVIZING PROGRAMS FOR THESE BARS AND RESTAURANTS AND MUSICIANS, WE COULD PUT MORE MONEY INTO INVESTING AND SOUND STAGES.
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION WHERE WE HAVE SOMEONE CONTROLLING THE SOUND THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.
LET'S INVEST IN OUR ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT.
THIS IS THE LIVELIHOOD OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO KEEP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HERE, KEEP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT BEING HERE, HAVE INDUSTRY HERE FOR THEM.
WHY DON'T WE DEVELOP IT INSTEAD OF, PUNISHING THE INDUSTRY, PUNISHING THE LOCAL SERVICE INDUSTRY AND MUSICIANS THAT ARE HERE TRYING TO BE THE HEARTBEAT OF THIS TOWN.
LIKE WE CAN INCENTIVIZE THEM WITH SMART COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMING THAT ELEVATES WHAT WE'RE SERVING.
I ALSO THINK THAT HAVING SAFE SPACES WHERE IDS ARE CHECKED AT THE DOOR FOR DRINKING AND YOU DO HAVE SECURITY OFFICERS AND POLICE OFFICERS DOWNTOWN, IT'S A SAFER SITUATION.
I ONLY HAVE ONE SPEAKER CARD LEFT FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS. WE HAVE MORE.
AARON WINDLER, FOLLOWED BY RYAN WINDLER.
>> AARON WINDLER, 135 OF VETO STREET.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, AND THE COUNCIL, AND PEOPLE OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
I JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO KINDLY SAY THAT I DO RESPECTFULLY DECLINE THAT ORDINANCE HERE.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A COMMON DENOMINATOR BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE BARTENDERS AND TOURISM IS A SENSE OF SAFETY AND COMMUNITY.
IF SAFETY AND COMMUNITY ARE THE PRIME IDEAS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE HERE IN THIS TOWN, WHILE KEEPING EVERYTHING BALANCED, THERE COULD BE A WAY OF WEAKENED APPROACH THIS.
SAFETY DOESN'T MEAN CLOSING DOWN.
SAFETY COULD MEAN ADD MORE TO THE NIGHTLIFE TO WHERE WE FEEL SAFER THAT THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPEN, THE OPTIONS TO BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ELSEWHERE WHILE WE NEEDED FOR TOURISM AND FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
IF THE COMMUNITY IS NOT ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT OR HAVING THE ABILITY TO HAVE A COMMON DENOMINATOR WHERE WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF OUR TOWN, THEN THAT IS NOT VERY PROGRESSIVE.
I FEEL THAT ST. AUGUSTINE COULD HAVE THAT THE PERCUSSION THAT WE NEED HERE.
I HOPE THAT WE DO TAKE THIS ORDINANCE AS A CHANCE TO ACHIEVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE A COMMON DENOMINATOR AND BE PROGRESSIVE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A GOOD EVENING.
[01:40:09]
NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE?>> RYAN WINDLER, 133 A VETO STREET.
HELLO. I'M HERE REPRESENTING MYSELF AND MY WIFE NOEL, WHOSE HOME WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN.
I'M ALSO REPRESENTING MY MOTHER, DONNA WINDLER.
I GREW UP IN THIS TOWN, IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND MY WIFE AND I ARE HOMEOWNERS AT 133 VETO STREET.
DONALD, WHEN LEAR OWNS 130,132, 134,136, 131 VETO OR KING STREET, 131 VETO STREET, AND TWO HUNDREDS OR TWO AVENUE, ALL WITHIN THE CITY.
THANK YOU FOR HEARING US TODAY.
AT THIS TIME, WE ARE RESPECTFULLY OPPOSED TO THIS ORDINANCE.
WE BELIEVE IT WILL MAKE THE CITY LESS SAFE AND CAUSE SIGNIFICANT HARM TO THE COMMUNITY'S ECONOMY AND REPUTATION.
SAFE WALKING CITIES HAVE ROBUST NETWORKS OF COMMERCIAL STREETS CONNECTING VIBRANT COMMERCIAL HUBS, REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPEN AND CONNECTING THE MORE POPULAR AREAS OF THE TOWN, ESPECIALLY DURING THE LATE EVENING HOURS, WILL MAKE THE STREETS LESS SAFE FOR PATRONS, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
A LOSS OF COMMERCIAL BUSINESS REVENUE WILL REDUCE THE COMMERCIAL TAXES COLLECTED IN THE COMMUNITY AND PUT FURTHER BURDEN ON THE RESIDENTIAL HOMEOWNERS, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO AN OVERALL REDUCTION IN THE FUNDING FOR THE SAME SAFETY ORIENTED COMMUNITY RESOURCES WE'RE DISCUSSING HERE TODAY.
ADDITIONALLY, ST. AUGUSTINE COMPETES WITH MANY FINE CITIES IN THIS REGION FOR TOURISTS LOOKING TO CELEBRATE AND/OR DO A VACATION HERE, PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THE GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTLIFE.
IF WE BECOME KNOWN AS THE SLEEPY SHUT DOWNTOWN, WE ALL LOSE.
WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND WE SHOULD REMAIN OPEN TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT SPEAKER IS TYRONE BENNETT. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
>> TYRONE BENNETT 256 FRANCIS AVENUE.
HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING, YOU ALL DOING ALRIGHT? [LAUGHTER] WE HAVE TWO NEW COMMISSIONERS ON BOARD HERE.
I REMEMBER WHEN GOING OUT TO GET EVERYBODY'S VOTES SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE, I REMEMBER YOU TALKING TO ME.
I REMEMBER YOU, SIR. MR. JIM, SPEAKING WITH ME AND YOU CYNTHIA, COMING OUT TO EVENTS LAST YEAR.
YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE CITY.
YOU WOULD GO OVER AND BEYOND FOR WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE CITY.
THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE CITY.
IT ENCOURAGES TOURISM AND PEOPLE TO GO ELSEWHERE, TO GO TO DAYTONA, TO SKIP US.
AS A BUSINESS OWNER HERE, NEWLY BUSINESSES, AND YET PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HERE BUSINESS FOR YEARS LONGER THAN ME.
BUT IT SKIPS THE CITY, AND WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME, HEY, WHERE WE SHOULD GO AT NIGHT, I ENCOURAGE THEM TO GO TO THE BARS AND THE RESTAURANTS DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE WHILE VISITING THE CITY.
I JUST ACTUALLY JUST CAME FROM A CATERING AND THEY ASKED ME THAT.
WHERE DO WE GO TONIGHT, WHERE DO WE GO THIS WEEKEND? I TELL THEM, GO DOWN TO WHITE LINE GO TO AN UNKNOWN NAME BAR, BAR WITH NO NAME, GO TO THESE PLACES AND SPEND YOUR MONEY, WHICH ENCOURAGES GROWTH IN TOURISM.
SITTING ORDINANCES TO LIMIT THAT, OR PUT A BURDEN ON THE EXISTING BUSINESS OWNERS TO PAY A SPECIAL FEE TO STAY OPEN FROM 12:00-2:00 IS AN UNDUE BURDEN.
IT'S ALREADY AN UNDUE BURDEN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO GO THROUGH THE RED TAPE THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO GET OPEN. THAT'S NUMBER 1.
NUMBER 2 TO ADD THIS BECAUSE I READ THROUGH THE ORDINANCE, I'M JUST NOT SPEAKING HERE WITH ANGER AND SCREAMING OUT CRAZY STUFF.
I ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE ORDINANCE AND I SEE WHERE YOU SAID THAT YOU WANT TO CHARGE THE BUSINESSES EXTRA FEE FROM 12:00-2:00 AND PUT THE BURDEN OF SECURITY AND RESTRICTIONS ON THAT BUSINESS SO THAT THE CITY CAN BE HOLD HARMLESS OF ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS.
I KNOW THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT OVER HERE ENCOURAGES THAT.
I ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO DO THAT.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE CITY.
SINGING OUT LOUD HAS SHOWED US WAS VERY STANDARD BEARER FOR THINGS THAT SAY, IF SOMETHING IS DONE PROPERLY IN COHESIVE WITH THE CITY, IT CAN GET DONE.
THE SINGING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL HAD 30,000 PEOPLE SHOUT OUT TO DAVE, SHOUT OUT TO CHRIS CULPEPPER, AND ALL THE TEAM OVER AT THE AMPHITHEATER FOR PUTTING ON THAT SPECTACULAR EVENT THAT ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND SPEND MONEY AFTER THAT EVENT.
[01:45:02]
IF YOU PUT AN ORDINANCE ON THAT AND BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED FROM 12:00-2:00, THEN IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND WITH 30,000 PEOPLE WHO WAS THERE AND THEY HAVE TO GO BACK TO THEIR HOTEL ROOMS AND THEY HAVE TO GO BACK TO THEIR ROOMS AND DO NOTHING.>> THANK THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HAVE NO MORE SPEAKER CARDS EXCEPT FOR MS. COLLETTI WHO USUALLY LIKES TO GO LAST.
ANYONE ELSE CARE TO COME FORWARD? NO. MS. B.J COLLETTI.
>> THANK YOU. B.J. COLLETTI WITH CITY ST. AUGUSTINE CONSENT AGENDA 8.
ACCORDING TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER, JIG MANAGEMENT, LLC, MITCHELL MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED OWNS THIS PARCEL AT 95 EVERGREEN AVENUE, AS WELL AS PALMER STREET PARCEL 1089200003 AND MASTERS DRIVE PARCEL 1090200020.
WELL, THIS DEVELOPER CARE ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN WEST CITY OR THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.
ON OCTOBER 9TH COMING UP AT THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE MEETING, THE DEVELOPER AT US 1 IN KING STREET WILL BE APPLYING FOR BROWNFIELD DESIGNATION AT 194 WEST KING WHERE THE AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS IS, WHICH THE DEVELOPER PURCHASED FOR $1 MILLION.
CREATING THIS DEVELOPMENT AS CRA WILL PROVIDE TAX REFUNDS TO THE DEVELOPER.
TAXPAYERS, PLEASE GOOGLE FLORIDA BROWNFIELDS ASSOCIATION.
IN JANUARY 2023, FLORIDA STATUTE 37680 ALLOWED A NON-PROFIT TO BUILD ON STATE ROAD 207, WHERE THE SALVATION ARMY AND HOME AGAIN HAD PROVIDED SERVICES.
WHERE IS THE TRANSPARENCY AND WHAT IS GOING ON AT US 1 IN KING STREET? THAT DEVELOPMENT.
I DO WANT TO SAY, I DO APPRECIATE PEOPLE COMING IN HERE AND THE ONES THAT ARE INTERESTED IN A CERTAIN ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-27, WHICH IS FOR SECOND READING, WHICH WE HAVE HAD TO LISTEN TO AS PART OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO GO HOME, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE HERE NOW TO LISTEN TO THAT.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER GROUP COME IN.
I THINK TOO, THAT WE SHOULD BE RESPECTFUL OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE FOR OR AGAINST IT.
IF IT'S AN AGENDA ITEM LET THEM SPEAK DURING THAT TIME.
THE ONES THAT YOU STARTED WITH AND THE IDEA OF ANSWERING THE FLORIDA AVENUE DECISION TONIGHT SHOULD HAPPEN AND WE SHOULD BE RESPECTFUL OF WHAT YOUR AGENDA SAYS.
I KNOW YOU TRIED TO BE OPEN TO THE PEOPLE THAT COME IN HERE, BUT MOST OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE NEVER SHOWN UP TO ANY CITY COMMISSION MEETING EXCEPT FOR WHAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN.
AS RESIDENTS, WE SHOULD BE SHOWING UP FOR EVERYTHING NOT JUST FOR I DON'T WANT TO PAY $139. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT ENDS PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT MOVING FORWARD.
IN RESPONSE, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST CITY MANAGER TO PLACE ON THE FUTURE AGENDA A PRESENTATION ON THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND ENFORCEMENT, AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PRESENTATION TO THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF CODE ENFORCEMENT, NOT JUST SHORT-TERM RENTALS, BUT AN OVERALL VIEW.
WITH THAT SAID, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. MR. CITY MANAGER.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 28TH, 505, A SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE 2024 BUDGET, AND FINAL MILLAGE RATE ADOPTION.
OCTOBER 9TH, 5:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, OCTOBER 23RD AT 4:30, A COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING, AND ON OCTOBER 23RD, A 5:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE APPROVAL OF AN ORDER OF RELEASING CODE ENFORCEMENT LEAN ON 95 EVERGREEN AVENUE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> I'LL SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WE HAVE NO GENERAL PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS.
[7.A.1. Presentation by Lynne Cason, Florida State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (FSSDAR) Historian, requesting the placement of a Revolutionary War Patriot marker in the City.]
YES, WE DO. WE HAVE A GENERAL PUBLIC PRESENTATION.[01:50:02]
MS. LYNNE CASON WITH THE FLORIDA STATE SOCIETY OF DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION HISTORIAN.THANK YOU, MS. CASON, FOR WAITING ALMOST TWO HOURS NOW.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR PRESENTATION.
>> YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME AND THANK YOU.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GET PAID, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'M LYNNE CASON THE STATE HISTORIAN FOR FLORIDA STATE SOCIETY, DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
>> WELL JUST GIVE US A MINUTE, PLEASE.
>> THAT'S OKAY. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, AND THANK YOU FOR SPONSORING THIS PROPOSAL TO HONOR OUR FIRST PATRIOTS, AS THIS NATION STANDS ON THE EVE OF OUR GRAND 250TH ANNIVERSARY.
ALSO, THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR HORVATH AND COMMISSIONERS BRONDER GARETH AND SPRINGFIELD.
FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION TO THIS PROPOSAL, WE'RE ASKING THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO ALLOW THE FLORIDA STATE SOCIETY DAR TO ASSIST IN CELEBRATING THIS HISTORIC 250TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT.
OUR STATE REGION CINDY ADDISON'S GOAL IS TO PLACE 250TH MARKERS AND FLORIDA'S TWO OLDEST CITIES, ST. AUGUSTINE AND PENSACOLA.
DO WE HAVE THE SLIDE YET? DO YOU WANT ME TO PUSH WITH YOU?
THIS ONE. [OVERLAPPING] IS IT UP? ACROSS AMERICA, DAUGHTERS ARE PLACING 250TH MARKERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.
AS OF SEPTEMBER 2023 IN FLORIDA, SEVEN HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AND ALREADY FIVE HAD BEEN PLACED.
I HAVE A FEW SLIDES TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE AND HOW A COUPLE OF THE FLORIDA MARKERS HAVE THEM PLACED AND A SUGGESTION ON WHERE THE ST. AUGUSTINE 250TH MARKER COULD BE PLACED IF APPROVED BY THIS COMMISSION.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO GO DO THIS.
>> OUR TECH IS PROBABLY WORKING ON IT RIGHT NOW.
>> CAN YOU HOLD UP JUST A SECOND.
I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET YOUR SLIDES UP, I'M NOT SURE.
>> THAT'S THE FIRST ONE. YEAH.
>> I CAN GO TRY SOMETHING ELSE IN THE BACKGROUND.
>> WE'LL GO TO SLIDE 2, IF IT COMES UP.
THE PROPOSAL IS TO REMEMBER AND HONOR AND SHINE A LIGHT ON OUR PAST PATRIOTS.
MALES AND FEMALES ALL WHO HAVE SERVED.
THIS INCLUDES SOMEONE'S GREAT GRANDMOTHER, SIX TIMES REMOVED, WHO WAS A SPY DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
ALMOST 600 SPANISH SOLDIERS, AS WELL AS 9,000 AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO SERVED, AND 5,000 WHO HAVE SERVED IN COMBAT.
THIS MARKER IS A REMINDER. YOU WANT ME TO DO IT THAT WAY? I DIDN'T GO THERE.
>> LET'S JUST LET MRS. KAYSEN AND CONTINUE.
>> THIS MARKER IS REMINDER TO ALL OF US OF OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS WE HAVE AS AMERICANS BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT VALIANTLY TO FOUND A NEW NATION, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS OUR DIFFERENCES AS WE HAVE SEEN AND TO PROTEST THOSE DIFFERENCES WHEN WE WANT CHANGE.
JUST LAST WEEK WE CELEBRATED OUR CONSTITUTION, WHICH HAS WITHSTOOD THE TEST OF TIME FOR OVER 236 YEARS.
FOR ALL OF THESE PRECIOUS RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, IT IS OUR VERY REASON TO CELEBRATE OUR UPCOMING 250TH ANNIVERSARY AND AS MANY WAYS AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
NOW TO A FEW SPECIFICS, I THINK Y'ALL HAVE A COPY OF [OVERLAPPING] THE COST OF THE MARKER WILL BE COVERED BY THE FLORIDA STATE SOCIETY DAR.
[01:55:01]
PRESENTLY THE COST IS $5,555, WITH SHIPPING.THE PRICE WILL BE GOING UP IN JANUARY.
THE POST FOR THE MARKER IS SEVEN FEET TALL, WITH TWO FEET GOING IN THE GROUND, LEAVING FIVE FEET ABOVE GROUND, AND THEN TWO-AND-A-HALF FEET PLAQUE WILL BE PLACED ON TOP OF THE POSE FOR A TOTAL HEIGHT OF SEVEN-AND-A-HALF FEET ABOVE GROUND.
IT IS BRONZE WITH THE BROWN BACKGROUND.
THE DAR INSIGNIA IS ON THE TOP AND THE 250TH LOGO AT THE BOTTOM CENTER.
THE MANUFACTURERS THAN TWO PAGES OF INSTRUCTIONS ON THE POST MOUNTING AND PLACING OF THE PLAQUE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE GUIDANCE AND WORKING WITH CITY MANAGER, MR. BERTRAM, HIS ASSISTANCE AND THE HARB COMMITTEE, IF THIS PROPOSAL IS APPROVED.
MOST OF THE FLORIDA MARKERS HAS BEEN PLACED IN VETERANS PARKS.
MARKERS HAVE BEEN PLACED AT FORT WALTON BEACH, VENICE, OCALA, MELBOURNE, AND IN VENICE.
THE OTHER TWO WILL BE PLACED IN BRADENTON AND IN STEWARD.
THE EXAMPLE YOU SAW ON SLIDE 3 IS THE OCALA MARKER PLACED IN THE COUNTIES VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK DURING NOVEMBER 2022.
THIS IS THE VERY FIRST MARKER PLACED IN FLORIDA IN FORT WALTON BEACH DURING NOVEMBER 2021 AT THE WOMEN'S VETERANS MEMORIAL.
A POSSIBLE PLACEMENT FOR THE ST. AUGUSTINE 250TH MARKER COULD BE NEXT TO OR NEAR THE WAR MEMORIALS IN THE PLAZA.
THIS WOULD EXTEND THE CITIES HONOR AND RESPECT FOR ST.
AUGUSTINE'S VETERANS WHO FOUGHT DURING WORLD WAR II, THE KOREAN WAR IN VIETNAM, IRAQ, AND AFGHANISTAN.
THEY SERVED AT HOME AND ABROAD AND THEY ARE PATRIOTS WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOMS. THIS MARKER WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO ST. AUGUSTINE'S HISTORY ALREADY SHOWCASED IN THE PLAZA, FROM THE SPANISH PERIOD, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, THE WAR VETERANS, AND ST. AUGUSTINE CIVIL RIGHTS PARTICIPATION.
ALTHOUGH A SUGGESTION FOR THE MARK IS PLACEMENT IS MADE.
IF YOU THE CITY COMMISSIONERS GIVE YOU APPROVAL FOR THE MARKER, PLEASE KNOW THE FINAL DECISION OF PLACEMENT WILL BE WHEREVER THE CITY GOVERNMENT ENTITIES DETERMINED.
ONLY AFTER THE FINAL DECISION FOR THE PLACEMENT OF THE MARKER IS MADE BY THE CITY, COUNTY APPLICATION BE SENT TO THE NATIONAL SOCIETY, DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IN WASHINGTON DC.
I WILL WORK WITH THE CITY MANAGER, MR. BERTRAM, AND THE HARB TO DETERMINE IF FURTHER CITY OR COUNTY APPROVALS ARE NEEDED, AND WE'LL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST IN DRAFTING THE LETTER FROM THE CITY AND OR FOR ANY OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES IF NEEDED.
THESE LETTERS OF APPROVAL AND THE LOCATION OF THE MARKER BECOME PART OF THE DAR APPLICATION WHICH IS SENT TO OUR NATIONAL HISTORY IN GENERAL FOR APPROVAL.
AFTER ALL APPROVALS ARE OBTAINED, WHICH MAY TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS.
ONLY THEN CAN THE POST AND THE PLAQUE BE ORDERED.
IT COULD TAKE UP TO TWO MONTHS PLUS BEFORE WE RECEIVE THE POST AND THE PLAQUE.
ONCE THEY HAVE ARRIVED, AGAIN, I WILL SEEK TO CITY MANAGERS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THEM PLACED.
ONCE THEY COMPLETE MARKER IS IN PLACE WE CAN PREPARE FOR A COMPATIBLE DAY WITH THE MAYOR AND THE FLORIDA STATE REGION TO PLAN A CELEBRATION.
I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
>> THANK YOU, MS. KAYSEN, COMMISSIONERS, YOU'RE BEING REQUESTED TO BEGIN A PROCESS TO DO A MARKER, TO BE PAID FOR BY THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, A LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED.
I LIKE TO PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF THE CITY MANAGER TO WORK THROUGH THE DETAILS. WHAT SAY YOU?
>> I WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS AS WELL.
>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA AND IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU LEFT YOUR CARD.
>> I'LL GIVE YOU A CALL IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER BLONDER ANY COMMENTS?
>> YES, I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE MARKER ITSELF VERY MUCH SO.
THE LOCATION I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.
>> I THINK MAYBE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT POTENTIAL LOCATIONS COULD
[02:00:02]
BE BROUGHT TO US BY CITY STAFF JUST LIKE THEY WERE FOR THE ISAAC BARRETT MARKER.THEN WE COULD GO FROM THERE IN MAKING A DETERMINATION AS TO WHERE MIGHT BE THE BEST LOCATION FOR IT. THANK YOU.
>> I WOULD SAY THE EXACT SAME THING BASICALLY THAT I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE MARKER, BUT I WOULD LIKE SOME ALTERNATE LOCATIONS DISCUSSED.
>> EXCELLENT. I MOVE THAT WE INSTRUCT THE CITY MANAGER TO WORK WITH THE FLORIDA STATE SOCIETY, DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION TO BRING US BACK ON LOCATIONS THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER AND WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS. DO I HEAR A SECOND?
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> AT THIS POINT, I NEED TO TAKE A BREAK.
I NOTICED Y'ALL HAVE ALREADY TAKEN A BREAK, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.
LET'S RECESS, FORM NOW UNTIL 7:25.
WE'RE CALLING THIS MEETING TO ORDER, PLEASE. THANK YOU.
[BACKGROUND] WE'RE MOVING ON TO EIGHT A1 ORDINANCE 2023,
[8.A.1. Ordinance 2023-26: Amends Section 1.04 of the City Charter to correct a scrivener's error in the legal description of the annexed property of Cat's Paw Marina. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
AMEND SECTION 104 THE CITY CHARTER TO CORRECT A SCRIBNER THERE AND THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF ANNEX PROPERTY AT CATS PALM MARIA, MS. CITY ATTORNEY?>> YES, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
WE DID AN ANNEXATION FOR THE CAT'S PALM MARINA PROPERTY AND WE FOUND OUT AFTER THE FACT THAT THERE WAS AN ERROR IN WHAT'S CALLED THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION, WHICH IS JUST A SURVEY OR DESCRIPTION WHERE THE SURVEY DIDN'T COMPLETELY CLOSE.
THIS IS JUST A SCRIBNER'S ERROR CORRECTION, IN ORDER TO HAVE THAT SURVEYING DESCRIPTION PROPERLY DESCRIBED THE AREA AND CLOSE THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION.
>> LET ME JUST DOUBLE-CHECK AND MAKE SURE COMMISSIONER BLONDER IS WITH US.
COMMISSIONER BLONDER, ARE YOU STILL WITH US?
>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF?
>> NO, BUT I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2023-26.
>> WE DO HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT, THOUGH.
>> WE'RE GOING TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL RIGHT.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS ITEM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU'RE FREE TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> OKAY. MY MOTIONS STILL STANDS, ORDINANCE 2023-26 TO PROVE [OVERLAPPING]
>> READ BY TITLE ONLY TO PASS AND APPROVED, YES.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-26, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 1.04 OF THE CHARTER LAWS OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA TO CORRECT A SCRIBNER AND ERROR AND ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-18, RELATING TO ANNEX SAYING APPROXIMATELY 0.90 ACRES OF PROPERTY LYING WEST OF THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT REFERRED TO AS THE CAT'S PALM MARINA, NORTH OF NICK'S BOAT YARD ROAD, SOUTH AND WEST OF THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVERINE ENVIRONMENT, PROVIDING FOR SEPARABILITY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOTION CARRIES.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 8, A2, ORDINANCE 2023-30.
[8.A.2. Ordinance 2023-30: Amends Section 1.04 of the City Charter to correct a scrivener's error in the legal description of the annexed property of the Shipyards. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
THE CITY ATTORNEY? [NOISE]>> YES, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
THIS IS A VERY SIMILAR SCENARIO, BUT FOR A DIFFERENT PROPERTY.
THIS IS FOR THE LATEST SHIPYARDS ANNEXATION.
ONCE AGAIN, THERE WAS AN ERROR IN THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION BY THE SURVEY OR THAT DIDN'T COMPLETELY CLOSE THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION, SO THIS WOULD BE TO CORRECT THAT SCRIBNER'S ERROR.
>> ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT OF STAFF? I DON'T HAVE ANY SPEAKER CARDS ON THE MATTER.
ARE THERE ANY WITNESS SPEAKERS HERE THAT WISH TO SPEAK NOW? HEARING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
[02:05:01]
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2023-30 READ BY TITLE ONLY.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-30, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 1.04 OF THE CHARTER LAWS OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA TO CORRECT A SCRIBNER'S ERROR IN ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-10, RELATING TO ANNEXING APPROXIMATELY 14.79 ACRES OF PROPERTY LYING SOUTH OF THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT REFERRED TO AS THE SHIPYARDS, EAST OF ARAPAHO AVENUE, NORTH AND WEST OF THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER, PROVIDING FOR SEPARABILITY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOVING ON TO ORDINANCE 2023-29.
[8.A.3. Ordinance 2023-29: Designates the Code Enforcement Board as the local nuisance board as required by Section 893.138, Florida Statutes. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
THE CITY ATTORNEY.>> YES. THIS ORDINANCE IS TO ENACT A BY ORDINANCE THE DESIGNATED THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD, THE CITY'S EXISTING CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD, AS THE NUISANCE BOARD, PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTES 893.138.
THIS ESSENTIALLY IS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR NUISANCES THAT ARE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
IT ISN'T OUR TRADITIONAL CODE ENFORCEMENT ROLE FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT.
THIS WOULD BE FOR, SAY, A DRUG HOUSES OR HOUSES THAT ARE USED FOR THE SALE OF CONTRABAND OR OTHERWISE.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE A MECHANISM FOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD TO HEAR THOSE MATTERS BY STATE LAW.
IF WE ARE TO DO THIS, WE NEED TO DO IT BY ORDINANCE, AND WE HAD YET TO DO THAT.
SO IT'S A BIT OF A HOUSEKEEPING ORDINANCE.
THIS AGAIN IS SECOND READING AND PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAD A SPEAKER WHO IMPLIED THAT THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE.
IT'S TOTALLY UNRELATED TO THE NIGHTLIFE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE.
>> WE'LL MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKER CARDS? ANYONE HERE TO WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS MATTER? HEARING NONE, HORVATH'S COMMENT IS CLOSED.
>> I MOVE WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2023-29. READ BY GARRIS.
>> WE HAVE A SECOND [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M SORRY. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-29, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 1 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, CREATING SECTION 2-216, DESIGNATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD AS THE NUISANCE BOARD PURSUANT TO STATE LAW, PROVIDING FOR SEPARABILITY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
WE WILL BE MOVING ON TO ORDINANCE
[8.A.4. Ordinance 2023-27: Amends Chapter 4 of the Code creating a process and regulations for alcoholic beverages on site between the hours of midnight and two o'clock in the morning. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
2023-27. MR. CITY MANAGER.>> TONIGHT IS SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2023-27, TO REGULATE ALCOHOL SALES AND SERVICE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 2:00 AM THROUGH AN EXTENDED HOURS OF OPERATION PERMIT.
FIRST READING OF THIS ORDINANCE WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 11, AND BASED ON FEEDBACK AT THAT MEETING, THE TEXT OF THE ORDINANCE WAS UPDATED SPECIFICALLY IN THE DEFINITION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENT.
THE NEW LANGUAGE EXEMPTS CATERED PRIVATE RECEPTIONS AND AREAS THAT ARE NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
IT EXEMPTS ROOMS AT PUBLIC LODGING ESTABLISHMENTS FROM HAVING TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FOR LATE NIGHT ALCOHOL SALES AND SERVICE.
PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE REQUIRE THAT A BIT FOR BUSINESS TO SELL AND SERVE ALCOHOL BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 2:00 AM.
THE BUSINESS MUST OBTAIN AN EXTENDED HOURS OF OPERATION PERMIT AND COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING.
IT MUST HAVE A LAST CALL, ONE-HALF HOUR PRIOR TO CLOSING.
THE BUSINESS SHALL PROVIDE SECURITY IN THE FORM OF CAMERAS OR SECURITY STAFF.
THE BUSINESS SHALL PROVIDE A CROWD MANAGER WHEN THE OCCUPANCY EXCEEDS 50 PERSONS AND ADDITIONAL CROWD MANAGERS WHEN OCCUPANCY EXCEEDS 250 PERSONS, AS PER THE FIRE CODE.
[02:10:01]
THE BUSINESS WILL NOT ALLOW STAFF DRINKING OR SHIFTS DRINKING BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 2:00 AM, WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT BARTENDERS MAY TASTE COCKTAILS AS PART OF THE PREPARATION TO DESCRIBE THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TO THE CUSTOMER.ESTABLISHMENTS THAT HAVE MORE RESTRICTIVE HOURS OF OPERATION AS PART OF A USE BY EXCEPTION PERMIT GRANTED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXTENDED HOURS PERMIT WITHOUT GOING BACK TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD AND MODIFYING THEIR USE BY EXCEPTION.
THE EXTENDED HOURS ALCOHOL PERMIT DOES NOT APPLY TO MANDATORY EVACUATION RULES OR CURFEW RULES CREATED DURING OR AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS OR EMERGENCIES.
ONE STAFF MEMBER ON EVERY SHIFT MUST COMPLY WITH A RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM, WHICH AMONGST OTHER THINGS, TEACHES BARTENDERS AND SECURITY STAFF TO IDENTIFY CUSTOMERS WHO SHOULD NOT BE SERVED ANY MORE ALCOHOL AND A FORM MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE BUSINESS AND THE ANNUAL PERMIT FEE IS APPROXIMATELY $140.
VIOLATIONS OF THE EXTENDED HOURS OF OPERATION PERMIT INCLUDE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ON THE PREMISES, NOISE VIOLATIONS, OPERATING WITHOUT AN EXTENDED HOURS PERMIT, AS WELL AS FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CODE VIOLATIONS.
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS INCLUDE WARNINGS FOLLOWED BY POTENTIAL PERMITS, SUSPENSIONS OF UP TO 60 DAYS, AND THEN UP TO 180 DAYS, AND FINALLY, A REVOCATION OF THE PERMANENT.
THIS ORDINANCE ALSO ALLOWS A BUSINESS THAT IS LICENSED TO SELL ALCOHOL TO OBTAIN FOUR TEMPORARY EXTENDED-HOURS PERMITS DURING THE YEAR WITHOUT HAVING TO OBTAIN AN ANNUAL PERMIT.
THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THE CITY GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN RESPONSIBILITIES TO MAKE THE DOWNTOWN AREA A SAFER AND CLEANER ENVIRONMENT.
TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING MORE LIGHTING FOR PEDESTRIANS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
WE WILL PRESENT A PLAN FOR A RIDE-SHARE HUBS DOWNTOWN, MORE ACCESS TO PUBLIC RESTROOM FACILITIES DOWNTOWN AND WE ARE TRYING DILIGENTLY TO FIND MORE AREAS FOR TRASH CANS.
THE CITY HAS A NIGHT CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION IN THE BUDGET TO FACILITATE THESE CHANGES DOWNTOWN.
THE DETAILS OF THESE INITIATIVES WILL BE PRESENTED TO YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.
I'D LIKE ISABELLE TO IDENTIFY A VERY MINOR SPELLING ERROR THAT'S IN THE DOCUMENT THAT AMY SKINNER, WHO IS THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DIRECTOR, WILL COME UP TO GIVE YOU A VERY SHORT HISTORY OF THIS PROJECT.
ESSENTIALLY TELLING EVERYONE HOW DID WE GET HERE.
FOLLOWED BY CHIEF JENNIFER MICHAUD GIVING YOU SOME INSIGHT ON OUR POLICE SERVICE CALLS.
I HOPEFULLY THE OVERHEAD WORKS.
MY HOPE HAD BEEN TO WALK THROUGH THE LITTLE TYPOGRAPHICAL OR SCRIBNER'S ERRORS AND A FEW MINOR EDITS FOR THE AUDIENCE AND FOR YOU AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY TO PUT THEM UP ON THE OVERHEAD SO PEOPLE COULD ACTUALLY SEE WHERE IT IS.
THE FIRST WAS A TYPO ON THE WORD, WHEREAS IN THE VERSION THAT WAS CIRCULATED AND I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE THINGS MIDWAY AND PEOPLE GET CONFUSED AS TO WHICH VERSION WAS THE ONE THAT WOULD BE POTENTIALLY REVIEWED AND ADOPTED TONIGHT.
THE SECOND WHEREAS CLAUSE, THERE WAS A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR OR THERE WAS AN E MISSING.
THAT'S ONE POSSIBLE CHANGE THAT YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER TONIGHT.
I'M FOLLOWING THAT ON THE FIFTH PAGE AT LETTER B AT THE TOP, THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EXISTING LANGUAGE AND IT SAYS, SERVER OFFER TO SERVE ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF ANY KIND REGARDLESS OF ALCOHOLIC CONTENT, OR BE OPEN FOR OPERATION ON ANY DAY OF THE WEEK BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 07:00 AM.
THERE WAS SOME CONCERN, I BELIEVE AT THE LAST MEETING AND IN SOME OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT THAT THAT COULD BE INTERPRETED THAT OR BE OPEN FOR OPERATION LANGUAGE COULD BE INTERPRETED TO MEAN IF
[02:15:03]
A BUSINESS WANTED TO CONTINUE SELLING SODA OR FOOD, THAT THEY WOULD BE PROHIBITED AFTER MIDNIGHT IF THEY DIDN'T GET THIS PERMIT AND THAT WASN'T THE INTENT.I WOULD SUGGEST A SMALL CHANGE THERE TO SIMPLY ADD OPEN FOR OPERATION FOR THE SALE OR CONSUMPTION ON PREMISES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT BUSINESSES THAT CONTINUE TO SELL ALCOHOL.
YOU CAN SELL FOOD AND SODA, MILK OR WHATEVER AFTER THAT TIME, IT'S NOT A PROBLEM.
THAT SAME LANGUAGE COMES UP A LITTLE LATER IN YOUR ORDINANCE THAT'S IN YOUR BOOKS.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN FIND IT ON PAGE 8 AND IT'S UNDER NUMBER 7, THE EXACT SAME SCENARIO.
IT SAYS TO SELLERS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, OR BE OPEN FOR OPERATION AND THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE, OR BE OPEN FOR OPERATION AFTER 02:00, AND SO ON.
MY SUGGESTION IS MAYBE YOU USE THAT SAME PHRASE AND SAY, OR BE OPEN FOR OPERATION FOR THE SALE OR CONSUMPTION ON-PREMISES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
TO MAKE IT CLEAR, YOU CAN BE OPEN FOR OPERATION IF YOU WANT TO SELL FOOD AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
IT'S THE SAME MINOR CHANGE IF THE COMMISSION WANTS TO CONSIDER THAT TONIGHT.
THE LAST CHANGE WOULD BE ON PAGE 11 AND ITS LETTER G. IN IT, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP, I BELIEVE AT THE LAST MEETING AND POSSIBLY EVEN AT DURING THE WORKSHOP, IF I'M REMEMBERING CORRECTLY, AND COMMISSIONERS INDIVIDUALLY ASKED ME ABOUT THIS.
A POSSIBLE CHANGE TONIGHT THAT YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER IS UNDER G. IT TALKS ABOUT THE ENFORCEMENT.
THE SUGGESTION IS AT THE END OF THE EXISTING PARAGRAPH TO ADD, AUTHORIZED CITY OFFICIALS WILL NOT ISSUE NOTICES OF VIOLATION PURSUANT TO THESE REGULATIONS UNTIL NOVEMBER 25, 2023.
DURING THIS INFORMATION AND OUTREACH PERIOD, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE.
AGAIN, YOU CAN CHANGE IT HOWEVER YOU WISH TONIGHT BASED ON FEEDBACK.
BUT IT WAS JUST AN ATTEMPT TO PUT SOMETHING ON PEN TO PAPER ON THIS CONCEPT OF EVEN THOUGH THE ORDINANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE UPON ADOPTION, YOU COULD SAY THAT YOU WILL HAVE ONE MONTH, TWO MONTHS, THREE MONTHS, WHATEVER DATE YOU CHOOSE, AND HAVE A SLOW ROLLOUT WHERE WE AREN'T ACTUALLY CITING ANYONE.
WE'RE JUST DOING OUTREACH AND EDUCATION ON THE TERMS OF THE ORDINANCE AND TRYING TO GET FOLKS TO VOLUNTARILY COMPLY.
BUT AGAIN, ALL OF THOSE CHANGES ARE ENTIRELY UP TO YOU.
THEY WERE JUST THINGS THAT CAME UP.
I HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND I WANTED TO SHARE.
IF THE OVERHEAD WORKS, I COULD TRY AND PUT THAT ON. SHOULD I TRY? UPSIDE DOWN.
THERE WE GO. THAT'S THE WHEREAS THAT I MENTIONED THERE WAS A TYPO IN THE VERSION THAT WAS CIRCULATED AND I WANTED FOLKS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHERE THAT CHANGE HAD OCCURRED.
HERE YOU SEE ON, I WON'T TOUCH IT ANYMORE.
ON THE FIFTH PAGE WHERE THAT LITTLE PHRASE ABOUT OPEN FOR OPERATION, BUT IT REALLY IS ONLY OPEN FOR OPERATIONS FOR THE SALE AND CONSUMPTION ON PREMISES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
IF YOU WANT TO STAY OPEN TO SELL FOOD AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO SO.
HAS EVERYONE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THAT? THEN THE SAME PHRASE LATER ON.
THEN YOU SEE THE EXACT SAME PHRASE, OPEN FOR OPERATION, BUT THEN IT QUALIFIES IT JUST FOR SALE OR CONSUMPTION ON PREMISES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE FINAL POSSIBLE CHANGE YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER TONIGHT IS HERE, AND LET'S HOPE I CAN GET THIS DONE.
YOU'LL SEE THIS IS ESSENTIALLY THE TWO MONTHS WHERE WE DO OUTREACH AND WE DON'T ACTUALLY CITE ANYONE.
COMMISSIONER BLONDER, WERE YOU ABLE TO SEE ALL OF THAT? YES, I WAS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I APPRECIATE THE CLARITY
[02:20:02]
IN YOU'RE EXPLAINING THESE OFFERED CHANGES.THAT IS ALL I HAD AS POSSIBLE SORT OF HOUSEKEEPING CLEANUP CHANGES, BUT IT'S ENTIRELY UP TO THE COMMISSION.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
MY NAME IS AMY SKINNER AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE A BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OUTLINING THE BASIC TIME FRAMES OF THIS SUBJECT.
IN 2005, THE CITY EXTENDED THE HOURS OF SALE FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO 02:00 AM WHEN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE HOSTED THE SUPER BOWL.
THE DISCUSSION REGARDING THIS ISSUE BEGAN IN 2019 BEFORE COVID.
THIS ORDINANCE WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED IN 2021 AFTER MANY COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND SEVERAL CITY COMMISSION DISCUSSION PRESENTATIONS AND INITIAL FIRST READING OF THIS ORDINANCE WAS HELD IN AUGUST OF 2021.
AFTER THAT, THE CITY ENGAGED A FIRM RESPONSIBLE HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE, OR RHI, TO LOOK AT THE SITUATION AND CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
RHI COMPLETED AN EXTENSIVE OUTREACH AND STAKEHOLDER PROGRAM.
THE REPORT, BASED ON THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WERE COMPLETED IN JUNE OF 2022.
SINCE THE ORIGINAL FIRST READING WAS HELD IN AUGUST OF 2021, STAFF RECOMMENDED HOLDING ANOTHER FIRST READING, WHICH WAS HELD ON JULY 24TH OF THIS YEAR.
AT THAT MEETING, THE CITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDED A WORKSHOP.
THE WORKSHOP REGARDING A POTENTIAL NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE WAS HELD ON AUGUST 21ST AFTER FURTHER CONSIDERATION, THE CITY HAS REVISED THE ORIGINAL PROPOSED ORDINANCE.
THE FIRST READING WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 11TH REGARDING A REVISED ORDINANCE.
THE FIRST READING PASSED THEREFORE, THIS IS THE SCHEDULED SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS.
AS NOTED, CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE BASED ON COMMENTS, BUT THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. COMMISSIONER JENNIFER MICHAUD, CHIEF POLICE ST. AUGUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>> CAN YOU PULL THE MICROPHONE UP JUST A LITTLE BIT. SORRY ABOUT THAT? IT'S LITTLE BIT SHORTER THAN I AM.
I WAS ASKED BY SEVERAL COMMISSIONERS SOME CLARIFICATIONS OF YOUR PREVIOUS SPEAKER.
TWO WEEKS GO ABOUT SOME STATISTICS THAT WERE PROVIDED TO YOU ALL.
IT IS TRUE WE ARE DISPATCHED THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT START UNTIL JUNE OF 2021.
SAPD STAFF CAN RETRIEVE ALL THE INFORMATION AT ANY GIVEN TIME THAT WAS RETRIEVED BY THAT SPEAKER.
THE PERSON THAT DOES RETRIEVE OUR INFORMATION IS OUR RECORD SUPERVISOR, AND SHE'S ALSO WAS AT THE TIME A COMMUNICATION SUPERVISOR.
SHE'S VERY FAMILIAR WITH USING THE CAD DATA SYSTEM AS SHE WAS A DISPATCHER AND A SUPERVISOR.
THE DATA THAT THE SPEAKER OBTAIN WAS ACCURATE.
THERE'S NO DOUBT IT WAS ACCURATE AS IT WAS REQUESTED AND PROVIDED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO THE SPEAKER.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY 18 DISPOSITION CODES WERE REQUESTED.
THERE ARE 396 DISPOSITION CODES.
EXAMPLES, ONE OF THE DISPOSITION CODES THAT WAS REQUESTED WAS AGGRAVATED BATTERY.
I HOPE WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THOSE DOWNTOWN.
THEY'RE SEPARATED INTO AGGRAVATED BATTERY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, BATTERY ASSAULT.
SOME OF THOSE THAT YOU CAN GO DOWN FURTHER.
WHAT WASN'T USED, WHICH IS SURPRISING, WAS NOISE COMPLAINTS AND TRESPASSING.
NOISE COMPLAINT WAS NEVER EXTRAPOLATED, WHICH THE PREMISES OF PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
TWO CODES THAT WERE REQUESTED THAT DOESN'T EVEN APPLY TO US WAS BEACH VIOLATION OF ALCOHOL AND CITY ORDINANCE OTHER AND THERE WAS TWO CODES LISTENS FOR THAT.
WE DO NOT USE THOSE WHATSOEVER.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE A PERCENTAGE OF THOSE, THEY DON'T EXIST IN OUR DATABASE.
WE HAVE OUR OWN OPEN CONTAINER CODE, WHICH WAS ALSO USED, BUT WE DON'T USE THE OTHER THREE THAT SHE REQUESTED WHEN WE CLEAR CODES.
ONE THING YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND IS WHEN YOU GET THIS DATA, IT CAN BE SUBJECTIVE TO HOW YOU USE IT AND HOW YOU APPLY IT.
MEANING YOU CAN PROVE AND DISPROVES THE CAUSATION UNLESS YOU OPEN EACH CALL, YOU HAVE TO DIG DOWN TO EACH CALL.
WE SAW THAT WITH THE DUI THAT WAS BROUGHT UP ON ST. GEORGE STREET,
[02:25:04]
THAT DUI HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH DOWNTOWN.THE DUI ACTUALLY STARTED ON THE ISLAND.
IT CAME OVER THE BRIDGE ALLIANCE.
IT WAS THE STOP ACTUALLY WAS CONDUCTED ON CATHEDRAL.
THE PERSON TOOK OFF AND WENT DOWN ST. GEORGE STREET.
WE HAD INDIVIDUALS THAT SAID THAT CALL HAD TO DO WITH THE BARS. WE DON'T KNOW.
EVERY CALL TO GET DOWN INTO IT, YOU WOULD HAVE TO OPEN AND LOOK INTO IT LIKE ADDRESS LOCATIONS.
YOU CAN'T PICK AN ADDRESS AND SAY THAT IT OCCURRED.
SORRY, MR. ALEXANDER AT THE WHITE LINE BECAUSE WE MIGHT BE IN FRONT OF THE WHITE LINE AND USE THAT ADDRESS.
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT'S WHERE THE CALL OCCURRED.
EVEN THOUGH SHE SHOWED THAT THERE WAS CALLS AT THE WHITE LINE IF COULD OCCUR SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT THAT'S WHERE THE OFFICER STANDING AT THE TIME SO WE USE WHERE WE'RE AT THE TIME.
COMPLAINT NATURES AND DISPOSITION CODES ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
THERE'S ONLY 57 COMPLAINT NATURES.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT THAT, AND YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT IS, IF IT IS CRIMINAL, WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE DISPOSITION CODE TO MATCH.
EXCUSE ME, LET ME CORRECT THAT.
WE CHANGED THE CLIENT NATURE TO MATCH THE DISPOSITION CODE.
WE HAVE TO DO THAT BY FBI STANDARDS BECAUSE AS YOU'RE FAMILIAR, WE USED TO DO UCR AND NOW WE DO NEIGHBORS.
THAT'S HOW WE CHECK OUR CRIME STATS.
NOW, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THOSE.
DISPOSITION CODES, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A DISPOSITION CODE NO MATTER WHAT THE CALL IS.
EVEN AT ADMINISTRATIVE CALL LIKE AN OFFICER IS GOING TO TRAINING.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A DISPOSITION CODE NO MATTER WHAT CALL YOU'RE ON.
WE CANNOT SKEW THAT BECAUSE EVERY CALL IS STAMPED WITH A NUMBER.
YOU CAN'T JUST SKIP OVER NUMBERS.
EVERY ONE OF THEM WILL HAVE A DISPOSITION CODE FOR WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
WHAT I FIND IS REALLY INTERESTING THAT TRESPASS WASN'T PULLED IS AS SOME OF THE BAR ESTABLISHMENTS OF SAID RESTAURANTS ESTABLISHMENTS.
WE DO WORK GOOD TOGETHER AND WE ALWAYS HAVE AND THEY MIGHT CALL IT A DISTURBANCE AND WE GET THERE.
THEY DON'T WANT ANYTHING DONE, AND WE RECLASSIFY IT AS A TRESPASS.
THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT.
BUT UNTIL YOU DIG DOWN AND OPEN EVERY SINGLE CARE CALL AND LOOK AND SEE WHY WE'RE IN THAT PLACE IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY TIME CONSUMING TO OPEN UP EVERY CALL SO THAT TAKES US DOWN TO THE NUMBERS.
DOWNTOWN IS ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF ZONE 1.
THE NUMBERS BY PULLING THE DISPOSITION CODES AND I KNOW THESE WERE TALKING ABOUT THEY STAYED PRETTY MUCH STEADY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND TWO FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
MIND IS THAT 2020, THERE WAS REALLY NO CHANGE FOR DOWNTOWN.
THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE FOR THE TOTAL ZONE, BUT THE DOWNTOWN ZONE PRETTY MUCH STAYED THE SAME FOR ALL HOURS.
THERE WAS NO CHANGE FOR THE ENTIRE ZONE, BUT A SLIGHT INCREASE FOR THE DOWNTOWN ZONE.
WE HAVE ALL THE NUMBERS FOR YOU.
I THINK THOSE WERE ALL PROVIDED AT THE WORKSHOP.
BUT I THINK WHAT WE GOT TO UNDERSTAND IS THESE NUMBERS CAN BE MANIPULATED BY WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AND YOU CAN'T JUST PICK CERTAIN AMOUNT OF NUMBERS.
WE'RE TRANSPARENT AND ANYONE CAN COME TO US.
WE CAN GET THOSE NUMBERS JUST AS AS EASY AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAN AND OUR RECORDS SUPERVISORS MORE THAN HAPPY TO SIT DOWN AND SHOW YOU EXACTLY HOW YOU GET TO THOSE NUMBERS. CAN I ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS?
>> SOUNDS GOODS? YES, I DO I HAVE A QUESTION.
YOU SAID FOR ZONE 1 IS ONE-THIRD OF THE DOWNTOWN, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. THE NUMBERS WE PROVIDED WAS WE PRETTY MUCH DID A CIRCLE.
WE DID DOWN THE BAY FRONT, UP THE CATHEDRAL DOWN CORDOVA, BACK DOWN ORANGE STREET.
THAT WAS WHAT WE CALL DOWNTOWN.
ALL OF ZONE 1 WILL ACTUALLY RUN ALL THE WAY DOWN MARINE STREET, ALL THE WAY OVER TO LIBERIA, ALL THE WAY TILL THE END AND UP TO WEST CASTILLO.
YOU CAN'T TAKE ALL THE CALLS OUT OF ZONE ONE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JUST THE THIRD OF IT, WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT THAT AREA.
BUT IT'S VERY EASY TO DO A GEO MAP OF JUST THAT.
THE SYSTEM ALLOWS YOU TO DO THAT, TO DRAW A MAP AND JUST SAY, I WANT JUST THESE CALLS.
WE PROVIDED THAT AT THE WORKSHOP.
>> YOU SAID THAT CALLS WERE STEADY BETWEEN WHAT PERIOD? OVER WHAT PERIOD OF TIME.
>> BUT AT THE SAME THING WE DID THE LAST, WE DID THE FOUR YEARS MINUS THE 2020 DUE TO COVID.
WE SAW NO CHANGE BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND TWO IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE.
WE SAW NO CHANGE AND WE SAW A SLIGHT DECREASE FOR THE ENTIRE ZONE 1.
[02:30:06]
BUT REALLY NO CHANGE IN THE DOWN TOWARD THE HISTORIC DISTRICT THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON RIGHT NOW.YOU'RE TALKING 2020 CALLS MAYBE NOT REALLY ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
>> VERY GOOD. DO WE HAVE ANY NUMBERS? NOW AT THE ORIGINAL PRESENTATION WE HAD NUMBERS ON A NUMBER OF ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENTS OVER TIME.
DO WE HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THAT?
>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN ON NUMBER?
>> WHEN WE FIRST ON THIS, ROXANNE HORVATH, YOU'RE HERE AT THAT TIME.
DO YOU HAVE ANY DATA ON THE NUMBER OF ALCOHOL PERMITS BEING ISSUED? MAYBE THAT'S A QUESTION FOR STAFF.
>> YEAH, WE DON'T ISSUE THE PERMITS.
>> DID YOU HAVE ANY NUMBERS SPECIFICALLY ON HOW MANY? YOUR TIME PERIOD IS WHEN YOU GOT BACK AT 2021?
>> THE REQUEST THAT WAS MADE WAS 2018 THROUGH 2023 OR 2022 MINUS 2020.
>> 2018 MINUS 2022. FOUR-YEAR.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON HOW MANY ALCOHOL PERMITS WERE IN 2018 AND THEN HOW MANY THERE WERE IN 2023?
>> NO, WE DON'T. WE PUT TOGETHER A GIS MAP OF ALL THE CURRENT ALCOHOL LICENSES.
WHEN THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS OPEN AND CLOSE FOR BUSINESS.
WHAT ALCOHOL LICENSE THEY HAVE, WHETHER IT'S A BEER AND WINE ARE FULL LIQUOR LICENSE.
THEN THOSE BUSINESSES THAT STAY OPEN CURRENTLY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 02:00A.M.
WE'VE GOT THAT UP ON OUR WEBSITE AND WE SHOWED THAT TO YOU AT THE WORKSHOP.
I WANT TO SAY THERE WAS 27 BUSINESSES THAT SELL ALCOHOL BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 02:00 A.M. CURRENTLY. WE DIDN'T GO BACK.
>> IT WAS RIGHT AROUND THAT NUMBER.
WELL, WE DIDN'T GO BACK AND COMPARE THE BARS THAT WERE OPENED IN 2018 AND 2019.
WE DIDN'T DO THAT COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS.
THE QUESTION IS WE YOUR DATA THAT YOU PROVIDE TO US WAS 396 CALLS. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> WELL, YOU HAD SAID THAT THE SPEAKER HAD PULLED 18 DISPOSITION CODES OUT OF 396 DISPOSITION CODE?
>> THOSE GO ANYWHERE FROM MURDER ALL THE WAY TO OPEN CONTAINER.
>> FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN FOR ONE YEAR.
>> NO 396 WAYS WE CAN CLEAR A CALL.
>> IT'S BEEN EXPLAINED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW.
>> THERE'S ONLY 57 COMPLAINT NATURE'S YOU CALL IN A COMPLAINT OF LOUD MUSIC.
BUT THERE'S 396 WAYS I CAN CLEAR IT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE CHEAP FOR CLARIFYING THAT, WHEN I HEAR THAT ONLY 18 TYPES OF CALLS, I FORGET YOUR TERMINOLOGY, BUT THAT'S A SUBSET THAT'S A SKEWED SAMPLE THAT MIGHT INDICATE THAT LACK OF UNDERSTANDING BY THE PERSON WHO WAS REQUESTING THE INFORMATION.
BUT IT'S STILL IS A SNAPSHOT OF A MUCH BIGGER PICTURE THAT MAY NOT REALLY REFLECT WHAT THAT BIG PICTURE REALLY SHOWS US.
>> THANK YOU. IS THAT THE END OF YOUR PRESENTATION?
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, BEFORE WE TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF CLARIFICATIONS?
>> I DO HAVE ANOTHER COMMENT IF YOU DON'T MIND.
>> I'M NOT SURE HOW TO PHRASE THIS, BUT THE NARRATIVE THAT PERSISTS ABOUT CLOSING BARS AT MIDNIGHT, CLOSING ESTABLISHMENTS AT MIDNIGHT AND PUTTING PEOPLE OUT OF WORK IS INCORRECT.
THIS IS A PERMANENT SYSTEM AND SO DURING PUBLIC COMMENT,
[02:35:03]
I WOULD URGE PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR COMMENTS TO WHAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE REALLY DOES PROPOSE, AS OPPOSED TO HEARSAY AND MISINFORMATION.EVERYBODY WANTS TO PROTECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE, EVERYBODY WANTS.
I THINK WE CAN AGREE ON A LOT OF THINGS WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO LOSE THEIR JOBS.
WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO HAVE A DECREASE IN INCOME AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND SO I WOULD APPRECIATE NOT HEARING THAT FRANKLY FALSE NARRATIVE BECAUSE THAT'S TRULY NOT THE CASE OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.
AT THIS POINT, I DO HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKER CARDS, STARTING WITH MR. KYLE, EDWARD SHAW WALTER, FOLLOWED BY CHRIS PALMER.
>> HELLO, BONJOUR WALTER, 621 PULLMAN.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, AND HAPPY NATIONAL FOOD SERVICE WORKERS DAY.
I HOPE YOU'VE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ MY EMAIL I SENT, AND ITS ATTACHMENT.
IF FOR WHATEVER REASON YOU HAVEN'T, I HAVE COPIES HERE.
OVER 50 OF US STOOD HERE TWO WEEKS AGO AND OPPOSE THIS ORDINANCE.
A FEW HAVE SUPPORTED IT IN THE NAME OF COMMUNITY SAFETY, IDENTITY, AND LOST PROFITS AT THEIR BUSINESSES.
I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THOSE THINGS.
COMMUNITY SAFETY TAKES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, NOT VAGUE ORDINANCES THAT REQUIRE PERMITS.
PERMITS, WHICH CAN ACCORDING TO HOW THIS ORDINANCE HAS WRITTEN, BE REVOKED FOR PATRONS, ILLEGAL ACTIONS.
OFTENTIMES, UNFORESEEABLE ACTIONS.
WHOLE BUSINESSES LIABLE FOR UNFORESEEABLE ACTIONS, BY PATRONS IS A VIOLATION OF LONGSTANDING FLORIDA CASE LAW.
IF YOU'RE UNSURE THE CASE LAW, I IMPLORE YOU TO REFERENCE THE EMAIL I SENT.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IS BUSINESSES, AND THE CITY GETTING TOGETHER, NOT MEETING AT ODDS.
REMEMBER OVER A DECADE AGO WE WENT FROM MIDNIGHT TO 02:00 A.M. IN ORDER TO STEM ARISE IN DUIS.
SOME HAVE STATED THE QUESTION, DO WE WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED AS A PARTY CITY OR HISTORIC CITY? WELL, THE IDENTITIES ALREADY HERE, IT'S BEEN HERE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN A DESTINATION CITY.
A DESTINATION CITY RICH IN HISTORY WITH A VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE, BOTH OF WHICH ATTRACT TOURISTS.
THEY SEEK SUPPORTS THIS NIGHT LIFE, LOOK AT THIS PAST WEEKEND AND ALL THAT HAPPENED.
THERE ARE VERY FEW PLACES WHERE YOU CAN TAKE IN SUCH HISTORY DURING THE DAY, AND THEN GO ENJOY NIGHTLIFE LIKE OURS.
SOME HAVE MENTIONED DISSATISFIED HOTEL GUESTS DEMANDING REFUNDS.
THESE SAME HOTEL IT'S BRIDAL PARTIES, BACHELOR PARTIES, ROWDY BOOK GROUPS, AND OTHERS.
THE DISSATISFACTION IS LIKELY DUE TO OTHER GUESTS, NOT THE BAR SCENE.
IF IT WERE JUST THE BARS IS SIMPLE DISCLAIMER AT BOOKING OR CHECKING COULD MITIGATE THOSE CONCERNS.
IT IS INTERESTING THOUGH, AS SOME WHO HAVE SPOKEN FOR THIS ORDINANCE HAVE PROPERTIES WITH BUSINESSES WHERE ALCOHOL IS SOLD FOR PROFIT.
NOW I WONDER IF THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE TRAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLORIDA RESPONSIBLE VENDORS, ACTUALLY, LIKELY NOT, AS MOST OF THEM ARE NOT OPEN PAST 10:00 P.M.
I VENTURE TO SAY WHEN NEARLY 100% CERTAINTY, PEOPLE HAVE LEFT THESE ESTABLISHMENTS DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AS POORLY WRITTEN ORDINANCE, WE ONLY DIVIDE OUR CITY FROM ITS BUSINESSES EVEN FURTHER.
NOW, THIS ORDINANCE LOOKS TO UNDO THE PROGRESS, EVEN THOUGH ST. JOHNS COUNTY CHAMBER COMMERCE IS ASKING THE SELECTED BODY TO STAY THIS ORDINANCE FOR FURTHER RESEARCH, I'D LIKE TO QUOTE A NEWS FOR JACK'S ARTICLE FROM SEPTEMBER 22ND.
THE CITY HAS APPEARED ON MANY NATIONAL BESTSELLER LIST FOR ITS QUALITY OF LIFE AND TOURISM, AND HOSPITALITY OFFERINGS WERE NOT SAID WITHOUT A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS THESE BUSINESSES TO THE COMMUNITY, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS PROPOSED NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE MAY HALT THE POSITIVE TRAJECTORY OF THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR, WHICH IS THE CITY'S LARGEST EMPLOYER.
I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU THIS ONE QUESTION.
IS THIS ELECTED BODY GOING TO CONTINUE THE POSITIVE TRAJECTORY OF THE CITY BY OPPOSING THIS ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN? OR ARE WE GOING TO PASS IT AND SET OUR INDUSTRY BACK IN OUR CITY BACK? THANK YOU.
>> DID YOU NEED COPIES, BY THE WAY, ANYBODY?
DID YOU KNOW THAT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME.
CHRIS PALMER, FOLLOWED BY MARK ALEXANDER.
>> HI. GOOD EVENING, CHRIS PALMER.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WE'VE BEEN HERE IN A MONTH-AND-A-HALF.
IT'S EIGHT O’CLOCK AND THE PLACE IS FULL.
I'M HOPING THAT YOU'RE APPRECIATING THE TIME THAT PEOPLE ARE SPENDING HERE.
THE PAST MEETINGS YOU'VE HAD A HANDFUL OF DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS.
THEY SPEAK ABOUT THE TRASH, THE PUBLIC URINATION, THE AUTO ACCIDENTS AND DUIS, BUT THEIR BIGGEST COMPLAINT HAS BEEN THE NOISE AND YOU'RE NOT REALLY ADDRESSING THAT.
[02:40:01]
YOU HAVE JUST HEARD FROM THE POLICE CHIEF THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 2:00 AM.YOUR ORDINANCES TO ADDRESS THE INCREASE IN CRIME BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 02:00 A.M. WHICH DOESN'T EXIST.
LAST TIME YOU HEARD EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS AT VARIOUS RESTAURANTS AND BARS TALK ABOUT OTHER TRAINING.
YOU HAD RESTAURANT AND BAR OWNERS PRACTICALLY BEG YOU TO WORK WITH THEM IN THE PROCESS.
YOU HAD A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH RE-EXPERIENCING DUI ARREST, CALL THIS ORDINANCE UNNECESSARY AND REDUNDANT.
A WOMAN WHO WORKED ON THE NIGHTLIFE TRANSFORMATION TEAM WHO SAID THEY SAW NOTHING DURING THEIR UNDERCOVER INSPECTIONS TO CAUSE SUCH ALARM ABOUT NIGHTLIFE.
HER COMMENTS WERE MOSTLY GEARED TOWARD THE RECOMMENDATION THAT MORE PUBLIC RESTROOMS BE AVAILABLE.
YOU HEARD FROM AN ER NURSE WHO SAID THERE IS NO INCREASE IN AFTER MIDNIGHT EMERGENCIES.
ONE OF THE SPEAKERS WAS A FORMER CITY ATTORNEY WHO WAS REPRESENTING THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION, AND HE MADE CLEAR THAT YOU HAVE NOT REACHED OUT TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS WANT TO WORK WITH YOU.
I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU WON'T TAKE YES FOR AN ANSWER.
I'M ASKING YOU TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY, THAT YOU ENFORCE THE NOISE ORDINANCES THAT YOU HAVE, AND THAT YOU VOTE DOWN THIS ORDINANCE. THANK YOU.
>> MARK ALEXANDER, FOLLOWED BY JENNA TEST THE BARROW.
>> HELLO, MARK ALEXANDER 234 COCINA AVENUE.
THIS LAW IS ABOUT CONTROL AND NOT SAFETY.
EVERYTHING ENFORCEABLE IN THIS ORDINANCE IS ALREADY COVERED IN THE EXISTING CITY OR COUNTY LAWS.
I'VE HEARD THE ARGUMENT, THE FIRST WORKSHOP, THIS ORDINATE IT'S BASED ON PHONE CALLS TO THE POLICE.
THIS AFTER MIDNIGHT TIME PERIOD NEEDS SPECIAL ATTENTION BECAUSE OF UNFAIR BURDEN, IT'S PLACED ON THE CITY POLICE.
THE SAME TIME AT THE WORKSHOP, WE ALSO HEARD CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM THE STUDIES POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE CITY HAS SHIFTED RESOURCES AWAY FROM THIS TIME PERIOD TO EARLIER TIMES IN THE EVENING BECAUSE IT NEEDED THEM, THERE MORE THE ONLY NEW THING THAT THIS ORDINATE SEEMS TO ESTABLISH IS THE CITY CAN RESTRICT A BUSINESS FROM OPERATING AS NORMALLY AS ONLY IF IT VIOLATES THE LAWS ON THE CITY OF THE BOOKS.
I LIKE TO THINK THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH ALL OF THIS, THAT THE INTENTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE ARE TO MAKE THE CITY SAFER.
BUT THIS ORDINANCE, AS IMPLEMENTED ON ANY BUSINESS THAT SERVES ALCOHOL BEFORE MIDNIGHT, CAN COMPLETELY IGNORE, VIOLATE THE REGULATIONS FOR THIS ORDINANCE.
ORTHOPEDIC, NO REPERCUSSIONS WHATSOEVER.
IN OTHER WORDS, ANYBODY THAT SERVES ALCOHOL UP TO 12, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANY OF THIS.
YOU CAN SEND SOMEBODY OUT ON THE STREETS, DUI OR ANYTHING ELSE.
WE HAD A DUI ON MY STREET FEW YEARS AGO, TWO CAR SIDESWIPED EACH OTHER.
CAR KEPT GOING, MY WIFE WAS OUT FRONT, SHE STOPPED THE CAR, THE LADY ROLLED DOWN HER WINDOW AND MY WIFE REACHED IN THE CAR AND PULLED OUT THE LADY KEYS.
NOW THE LADY DIDN'T COME FROM ANY BAR IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
JUST CAME FROM BURNOUT ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, BUT IT WAS IN ST. AUGUSTINE THAT HAD HAPPENED.
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THESE THINGS.
HERE'S WHAT TIME OF DAY WAS IT? IT'S ABOUT SIX O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING.
SO YOU CAN HAVE A DUI AT ANYTIME LADY PROBABLY BEEN AT HAPPY HOUR SOMEWHERE.
BUT IF IT'S ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND RELIEVING THE BURDEN ON THE CITY POLICE, AND ISN'T THAT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO DO THIS THAN ALL THE BUSINESSES SHOULD BE DOING THIS.
IF IT'S THAT IMPORTANT, NOT FOR IS JUST EXTRA HOUR AND A HALF FOR US TO STAY OPEN BECAUSE BASED THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WE'VE ALWAYS GIVEN LAST CALL AT THAT TOP.
BUT WHEN THE LAW CHANGED, IT WAS 12:30 USED TO GET COMPLAINTS FROM OUT OF TOWN PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T USED TO CLOSE UP THOSE EARLY HOURS.
THIS TIME IT'S AT 1:30, WE DON'T GET THE COMPLAINTS LIKE WE USED TO.
BUT WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE FOR AN EXTRA HOUR AND A HALF? WE'RE GIVEN A BIKE AND TELL YOU THE BATENDERS ARE READY TO LEAVE.
THEY WANT THEM OUT OF THERE TOO.
IT'S NOT LIKE THAT WE KEEP SERVING.
IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT, IT'S NOT FAIR THAT I COULD CLOSE MY BUSINESS, AND I CAN SEND SOMEBODY OUT JUST AS DRUNK AS THEY CAN POSSIBLY BE.
BUT YOU HAVE NO SERVER STATION, NO SERVERS TRAINING, LIKE WE PUT OUR OUR SERVERS OR A BARTENDER STORY AS THOUGHT THAT HAS [OVERLAPPING].
>> GENEDA SABAYIERO, ROSALIE COCCI.
>> [INAUDIBLE], 105 COLON AVENUE.
[02:45:02]
I AM REALLY, I GUESS, BEFUDDLED THAT THIS HAS CONTINUED TO EVOLVE WITHOUT COMMUNITY SUPPORT.TO THIS EXTENT, IT SEEMED AS IF THE COMMUNITY WAS WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT ON THIS, WITH A TRANSFORMATION TEAM, AND THAT GOT SHELVED, AND THEN IT TOOK A BACKSEAT.
ALL TO SAY, AS A RESIDENT, A BUSINESS OWNER, A LOCAL PERFORMER, A GIG WORKER, A PARENT OF A CHILD WHO'S JUST GETTING HER LEARNER'S PERMIT, I WON'T DENY THAT ALCOHOL IS A VERY GOOD TOPIC.
MOST OF THE NOISE COMPLAINTS ARE PEOPLE WALKING TO AIRBNBS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE GOING TO ENFORCE PEOPLE WALKING TO AIRBNBS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE GOING TO ENFORCE A SHIFT DRINK.
[LAUGHTER] IT SEEMS A LITTLE BIT OVER THE TOP, I THINK.
WOULD A BUSINESS BE PENALIZED FOR CALLING 911 DURING THE DAY? I DON'T KNOW. THERE'S BUSINESSES SERVING ALCOHOL.
SUNDAY IS A BIG DAY THAT PEOPLE GO DOWNTOWN TO DRINK.
I THINK THAT WE COULD HAVE REALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO TAKE A VARIED APPROACH TO THIS AND IT MAKES ME FEEL DISMISSED.
I THINK IT MAKES THE BIGGEST INDUSTRY WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY FEEL DISMISSED, AND I'VE JUST OVERWHELMINGLY HEARD THAT AGAIN AND AGAIN.
IT'S NOT ABOUT ECONOMIC VIABILITY, IT'S NOT ABOUT $150.
IT'S ABOUT CONTROL, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT. THANK YOU.
I'M SURE I PRONOUNCED THAT WRONG.
MY APOLOGIES. FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL ALEXANDER.
IT IS 164 SCHOOL STREET IN LINCOLNVILLE, RIGHT DOWN THE STREET.
I ACTUALLY HAVE WORKED WITH A COUPLE OF YOU ON THE BOARD OVER THE YEARS.
I'M A FLAGLER COLLEGE GRADUATE, CLASS OF 2009.
I LIVED IN DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS FOR 17 YEARS.
I'VE BEEN A LINCOLNVILLE RESIDENT FOR OVER 10.
I WAS AN ARCHAEOLOGIST FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND ALSO FLAGLER COLLEGE WHERE I GOT TO WORK WITH MR. SPRINGFIELD AND MAYOR SIKES-KLINE.
I WAS A LONGTIME RADIO HOST ON WFCF, WHERE I GOT TO REPRESENT MY COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
I WAS A MAGAZINE EDITOR FOR A LOCAL MAGAZINE AND A REGIONAL MAGAZINE AS WELL.
I CURRENTLY OWN TWO LLCS THAT ARE REGISTERED IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND I WAS A GENERAL MANAGER AT A HAIR SALON WHERE THE MAYOR ACTUALLY USED TO GET HER HAIR DONE AD FOR A LONG TIME, WHICH I THINK SHE'S STILL DOES, BUT I'M A CREATIVE CONSULTANT FOR THEM AT THIS POINT.
I CURRENTLY AM AN ASSISTANT MANAGER AT PIE IN THE SKY.
I'VE BEEN THE ASSISTANT MANAGER FOR FOUR YEARS.
THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN GROWING IN CRAZY AMOUNTS.
OVER 600 SENIOR CITIZENS AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
I PERSONALLY TOUCH EVERY SINGLE BAG THAT GOES THROUGH THE DOOR IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER THAT FEEDS.
AND THAT TAKES A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS OVERALL.
I SAY ALL OF THAT, YES, TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.
BUT REALLY I SAY ALL THAT BECAUSE AS YOU MIGHT HEAR, I DON'T RISK ANYTHING IN THIS ORDINANCE.
ONE THING I DID FORGET TO MENTION AS WELL, I HAVE BEEN A NINE YEAR VETERAN EMPLOYEE OF THE COUNTY AS FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS A BACKSTAGE ASSISTANT FOR THE ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATER.
I AM ONE OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT PUT ON AND DRIVE ALL THE FAMOUS PEOPLE AROUND.
I WAS DRIVING ALL THE FAMOUS PEOPLE AROUND THIS PAST WEEKEND.
THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC.
BUT AGAIN, I SAY THIS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AT RISK AND I KNOW WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT INCOME, BUT IT'S HARD NOT TO WHEN YOU'RE ACTUALLY TRUE.
I MEAN, LIKE YOU'RE TAKING IT OUT OF PEOPLE'S HANDS.
AGAIN, THIS THING OUT LOUD EVENT, THE VISITORS WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE THAT THEY DID IF THIS ORDINANCE WAS IN PLACE.
THEREFORE, IT'S EASY TO SAY THAT THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE LAST TIME THAT WE HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT FOR ANY VISITOR OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
[02:50:04]
I'VE NEVER HAD TO COME UP AND SPEAK AGAINST SOMETHING LIKE THIS.I HAVE SPOKEN FOR THE HISTORICAL BOARD TO SAVE MY COMMUNITY.
I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT ARBOR DAY.
I'VE ACTUALLY ALSO BEEN TO AT LEAST SPAIN TO REPRESENT ST. AUGUSTINE DURING THE 450TH FOR ARCHAEOLOGY WORK WHICH WAS AMAZING.
MICHAEL ALEXANDER, FOLLOWED BY MARTHA MICKLER.
>> MICHAEL ALEXANDER, 20 CLARK STREET.
I'M UP HERE JUST TO TELL YOU THAT I'M AGAINST THE ORDINANCE.
I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF EXISTING CODES THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS THAT WE CAN ENFORCE AND TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IN DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN SAID AND PIGGYBACKING OFF OF WHAT MY FATHER SAID.
IF THIS IS TRULY ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, EVERY PLACE THAT SERVED ALCOHOL NEEDS TO HAVE A PERMIT, NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THE TRAINING AND NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE.
IF IT'S GOING TO JUST BE 26 BUSINESSES, IT SHOULD BE ALL 200 OF THEM THAT ARE DOWN HERE SERVING ALCOHOL.
MARTHA MICKLER, FOLLOWED BY SHANE SHELTRA.
>> MARTHA MICKLER, 30 SPANISH STREET.
ALL COMMISSIONERS, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, YOU'RE FINALLY CLOSE TO PASSING AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL BEGIN TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE NIGHTTIME ENVIRONMENT IN DOWNTOWN.
IT HAS CERTAINLY BEEN DISCUSSED, DEBATED, REVISE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT THE ONLY CONCERN RESIDENTS HAVE IS NOISE, BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE.
RESIDENTS ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY.
SAFETY IS THE REASON THESE DISCUSSIONS BEGAN SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
ALSO, AS I THINK YOU'RE AWARE, THERE'S NOWHERE THAT I SEE IN THIS REVISED ORDINANCE THAN ANY BUSINESS IS GOING TO BE CLOSING EARLY.
YOU'RE BEGINNING TO ADDRESS MANY SAFETY CONCERNS BY RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR MORE LIGHTING, WHICH IS NEEDED DOWNTOWN, MORE RESTROOMS, MORE RIDESHARE PROGRAMS, AND I COMMEND YOU FOR THAT.
YOU'RE ALSO COMMITTED TO HIRING A NIGHT CODE MANAGER.
ALL OF THESE ARE GREAT IDEAS, BUT I BELIEVE YOU ALSO NEED AN ORDINANCE TO GIVE YOU GUIDELINES JUST AS YOUR SHORT-TERM RENTAL GIVES YOU GUIDELINES IN THAT ORDINANCE AND YOU HEARD MANY PEOPLE SPEAK EARLIER TONIGHT THAT WE NEED TO REVISIT THAT SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE.
TONIGHT, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY ADOPTING SOME ORDINANCE.
IT MAY NOT BE THE PERFECT ORDINANCE, BUT YOU NEED TO BE PROACTIVE BY TAKING ACTION TONIGHT TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE WITH REVISIONS.
HOPEFULLY, DURING YOUR DISCUSSIONS, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO COME TO A CONSENSUS TO MAKE ANY REVISIONS THAT ARE NEEDED, DELETE THINGS THAT YOU DON'T AGREE WITH, OR ADD THINGS, AND THEN ADOPT THIS ORDINANCE.
THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TONIGHT.
RESIDENTS SEE THE ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TONIGHT AS A COMMITMENT BY YOU TO PROVIDE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE ENJOYING OUR HISTORIC CITY EACH NIGHT.
WE SINCERELY HOPE YOU WILL MAKE THIS COMMITMENT TONIGHT.
ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE AFTER REVISIONS, AFTER YOU HAVE TIME FOR DISCUSSIONS, IS YOUR FIRST STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND I THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. THANK YOU.
SHANE SHELTRA FOLLOWED BY HOLLY PIERCE.
>> HELLO. SHANE SHELTRA, 157 CASABLANCA ROAD 32095.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME AGAIN.
WE'RE HERE DOING THIS ALL OVER AGAIN AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU GUYS TO HEAR US TALK AND I JUST WANT TO COMMENT ON THE LAST SPEAKER THAT WE HAVE GUIDELINES ALL HOURS OF THE DAY.
WE DON'T NEED AN ORDINANCE THAT JUST GIVES US GUIDELINES FOR TWO HOURS OF THE DAY, SO EVERY HOUR OF OUR OPERATION, WE ARE UNDER STRICT REGULATIONS TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN GUIDELINES THAT KEEP OUR BUSINESSES SAFE.
[02:55:02]
AS FOR BARBARA BLONDER'S COMMENTS ON THE POTENTIAL NARRATIVE, THIS ORDINANCE DOES GIVE THE POWER TO THE CITY TO POTENTIALLY REMOVE OUR LICENSE AND SHUT US DOWN.SO AS A BUSINESS OWNER THAT IS VERY CONCERNING FOR US TO BE SUBJECTED TO THOSE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY SHUT US DOWN.
I THINK ALL THE RESONANCE THAT HAVE BEEN SPEAKING HERE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SOUND AND I HEARD THE PREVIOUS RESIDENTS TODAY DISCUSS THE REGULATIONS THAT IMPOSE AIRBNBS, IT SOUNDS LIKE BOTH OF THOSE ARE NOT BEING ENFORCED AND PROPER ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE I THINK CAN SOLVE ALL THESE ISSUES.
I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS PASSING THE BUDGET TO BE ABLE TO INCREASE THE LIGHTING AND DO SOME OF THE STUFF THAT ARE AHI WANTS US TO DO AND TO KEEP OUR CITY SAFE, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.
I THINK IF WE START WITH THAT, THAT WILL SOLVE A LOT OF THE SAFETY ISSUES THAT WE'LL REALIZE THAT IT'S GOING ON BECAUSE WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THAT STUDY AND THAT IS THEIR NUMBER ONE SUGGESTION TO DO THOSE AND FORM A COMMUNITY ALLIANCE.
I REALLY FEEL LIKE THAT IS A GREAT STARTING POINT AND JUST START WITH THAT, NO ORDINANCE, YOU GUYS WILL REALIZE THAT THAT WILL SOLVE MORE ISSUES THAN AN ORDINANCE THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE.
I FEEL BAD FOR WHOEVER IS PUTTING THE POSITION TO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE THIS ORDINANCE.
IT IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WHEN THERE ARE ALREADY ORDINANCES OUT THERE THAT ARE NOT BEING ENFORCED, THAT ARE EASIER TO ENFORCE THAN WHAT IS AT THE TABLE TODAY.
AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I REALLY WANT TO WORK WITH YOU GUYS AND I FEEL LIKE YOU GUYS WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AND IF I WERE TO HYPOTHETICALLY ASK EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW TO RAISE THEIR HAND IF THEY ARE AGAINST THIS ORDINANCE, I'M NOT ASKING HYPOTHETICALLY, I CAN VISION WHAT WOULD HAPPEN BEHIND ME.
I FEEL YOU HAVE TO TAKE THAT POWER OF EVERYBODY THAT'S SPEAKING AND REALLY UTILIZE IT TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION YOU GUYS POSSIBLY CAN.
I HAD A WHOLE SPEECH WRITTEN AND I'M JUST GOING OFF THE TOP, SO I JUST WANT TO HIT ON CERTAIN TOPICS. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.
HOLLY PIERCE FOLLOWED BY RONALD MICLAR.
I JUST WANT TO MENTION A LITTLE BIT, WE GIVE EACH SPEAKER THREE MINUTES AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY SPEAKERS, WE WANT EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF HERE IN A DECENT TIME SO EVERYONE GETS THREE MINUTES AND I HAVE NOT BEEN EXTENDING THAT TIME BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY SPEAKERS HERE.
I DON'T WANT ANYONE, I HOPE NO ONE TAKES IT PERSONALLY IF THEY ARE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM AFTER THREE MINUTES, SO THANK YOU.
HOLLY PIERCE FOLLOWED BY RONALD MICLAR.
HOLLY PIERCE. WELL, I'LL PUT THIS CARD ASIDE AND I'LL CALL IT AT THE END IN CASE MAYBE SHE COMES IN.
>> RON OR RONALD MICLAR, 30 SPANISH STREET, ST. AUGUSTINE AND SOME PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THEIR HERITAGE, WELL, I'VE BEEN HERE AND MY FAMILY HAS BEEN HERE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, THAT'S BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY DRANK A LOT, JUST KIDDING.
[LAUGHTER] NOW, YOU'VE HEARD EVERYTHING AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE PROBABLY ALREADY MADE UP YOUR MINDS ABOUT HOW YOU WANT TO DO THIS BUT I'VE SPOKEN WITH SOME OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND I'VE SPOKEN WITH SOME OF THE BAR OWNERS PEOPLE, SOME OF THEM I'VE KNOWN FOR A LOT OF YEARS.
I THINK WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO DO IS AMONGST YOURSELVES WHEN YOU'RE THROUGH LISTENING TO ALL OF THIS IS TO TALK ABOUT WAYS TO REVISE SOME OF THE PARTS OF THIS ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE WORKABLE.
IT'S VERY EVIDENT FROM THE SPEAKERS WE'VE HAD THAT MOST OF THE SPEAKERS DO NOT KNOW WHAT'S IN THE ORDINANCE, THEY STILL THINK IT'S GOING TO CUT THEM OFF AT 12:00 AT NIGHT AND PUT THEM ALL OUT OF BUSINESS.
SOMEONE STARTED THAT RUMOR MAYBE SIX WEEKS AGO AND CALLED EVERYONE AND SAID,
[03:00:01]
YOU GOT TO GET DOWN THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO CLOSE THIS ALL DOWN AT MIDNIGHT AND IT WASN'T TRUE.BUT YET THAT TRUTH THAT HAS NOT GOTTEN STRAIGHTENED OUT.
THEY STILL BELIEVE IT, A LOT OF THE PEOPLE HERE STILL BELIEVE IT.
IF I ASKED THOSE BEHIND ME TO RAISE THEIR HANDS AND I CAN'T SEE, I WOULD SAY HOW MANY OF YOU THINK THAT THE ORDINANCES ARE SUPPOSED TO CUT US OFF AT 12:00? WELL, I HOPE BY NOW THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IS NOT WHAT'S IN THE ORDINANCE.
GO AHEAD AND LISTEN TO EVERYONE AND GET ALL OF THE INPUT.
A FEW HAVE BEEN RUDE BUT SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN I THINK VERY VERY GOOD.
LISTEN TO IT AND THEN PLEASE DISCUSS THIS AMONGST YOURSELVES AND SEE IF THERE ARE SOME REVISIONS SO THAT YOU CAN ALL MAKE A BETTER DECISION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DANIEL BRENNAN FOLLOWED BY NANCY PALISIA.
>> DANIEL BRENNAN, 88 JUERO STREET, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
HOW ARE Y'ALL? THIRD TIME BEING BACK HERE, THIS IS SUPER FUN.
I'D RATHER BE WATCHING THE EAGLES GAME RIGHT NOW.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO COME IN AND SAY ONE LAST TIME WHAT I REALLY FEEL LIKE THIS ORDINANCE IS DOING IS BASICALLY TRYING TO DOUBLE DIP INTO OUR BUSINESS EXPENSES.
I KNOW IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A LOT OF MONEY, 140 BUCKS BUT TODAY MY BUSINESS SOUTH PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS AND HUGGIES IS RIGHT DOWN THERE AT THE END WHERE THE BRIDGE OF LYONS IS NOW COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN.
WHEREAS I WOULD HAVE NORMALLY HAD 1,000, $2,000 LUNCH, WE DID $200.
I'M GOING TO HAVE THAT FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS, SO THAT'S GOING TO TAKE CHUNK OF CHANGE OUT OF MY POCKET AND OUT OF ALL MY EMPLOYEE'S POCKETS.
140 BUCKS DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A LOT BUT IT CAN BE.
IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT'S GETTING A LITTLE GRAB YET.
WE ALREADY FOLLOW ALL OF THE ORDINANCES THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED THAT YOU CAN ENFORCE.
WE DON'T NEED AN EXTRA TOPPING ON THIS, IT'S ALREADY GETTING DONE.
IF YOU'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH NOISE, WE HAVE A NOISE ORDINANCE, WE HAVE THE GUY THAT CAN GO AROUND WITH A LITTLE DECIBEL METER.
IF STAFF'S BEING TOO LOUD, I'VE BEEN IN HOUSE PARTIES, COP COMES UP, KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR, TURN IT DOWN, IT'S NOT HARD.
THAT'S REALLY ALL THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
WE DON'T NEED TO EXTRA TAX ON A FEW BUSINESSES WHERE THAT JUST SEEMS DISCRIMINATORY ALMOST, WE ARE A COMMUNITY.
IF YOU NEED THE EXTRA I THINK IT'S $10,000 OR SO THAT THIS WOULD DRUM UP TO PAY FOR THE NIGHT MANAGER, WHY IS THAT BURNED ON TO INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES? THAT SHOULD BE SPREAD AROUND, THAT'S WHAT I THINK.
IT'S JUST SILLY TO ME THAT YOU'RE PUTTING IT ALL ON US TO MAKE UP FOR A FEW BAD APPLES, WE DON'T ALL ROT THE BUNCH.
SOMEBODY'S BREAKING AN ORDINANCE, YOU CAN FINE THEM, YOU CAN TAKE THEIR LIQUOR LICENSE AWAY, WE GET RATED BY THE ATF.
THEY COME IN, THEY CHECK ALL OF OUR STUFF, WE HAVE TO DO THAT ONCE A YEAR AT LEAST.
ANYWAY, I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
NANCY PALISIA FOLLOWED BY JASON GUSTAVSON.
>> GOOD EVENING. NANCY PALISIA AT 31 SPANISH STREET.
I HAD MY MIND MADE UP WHEN I CAME.
REALLY DOES SEEM LIKE BECAUSE I HAVEN'T READ THE OTHER ORDINANCES, THAT IT'S JUST A MATTER OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANY CONTROL PUT UPON THEM.
I WAS GOING TO SAY, I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS COMPLICATED BECAUSE WE LIVE
[03:05:02]
OUR LIVES WHERE WE ALL HAVE TO ABIDE BY RULES AND REGULATIONS.YOU GET A LICENSE TO DRIVE, IT MIGHT BE LIMITED.
YOU GET A PERMIT TO BUILD A HOUSE, IT MIGHT HAVE RESTRICTIONS.
EVEN A LIBRARY CARD, I HAD TO TAKE A PROOF OF MY IDENTITY WHERE I LIVED.
I AM THINKING MORE ALONG THE LINES THAT THIS IS FOR THE FUTURE.
WE HAVE SIX MILLION PEOPLE WHO VISIT AND WHILE WE DON'T HAVE A NIGHTLIFE PROBLEM NOW, ACCORDING TO THE BARS, WE DO HAVE ONE OUTSIDE THE BARS, AND THOSE THINGS THAT HAPPEN OUTSIDE.
I THINK THE BARS FEEL LIKE THEY'VE BEEN PUT UPON TO TRY AND REGULATE EVERYTHING THEMSELVES AND I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT WAS THE OBJECTIVE OF HAVING AN ORDINANCE, BUT I DO THINK WE DO HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING EITHER ROLL TOGETHER FROM THE OTHER ORDINANCES, AN ORDINANCE THAT IS FOUNDED IN SOLID COMMON SENSE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER SIX MILLION PEOPLE COME AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO BE AND KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE EXPECTED OF THEM.
I REALLY, IN TALKING WITH SOME OF THE PEOPLE, THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WANT SOME CLARIFICATION ON SOME OF THE THINGS IS HOW IT'S READ AND I CAN UNDERSTAND IF WHAT THEY SAID IS CONFUSING.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IF THERE'S NO PROBLEM NOW, THERE WON'T BE ONE WHEN THE ORDINANCE IS PASSED BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN SEE IN IT THAT'S DIFFERENT AS FAR AS THE TIME OF CLOSING THE EARNING MONEY.
BUT I DO THINK THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE CLARIFIED THAT MAYBE THE BARS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
I'M SORRY, THIS IS ALARMING AND VERY CONFUSING.
BUT I KNOW THAT THERE'S A PUSH TO THIS BECAUSE OF OCTOBER AND WHAT THE STATE WILL DO, AND IT'S TOO BAD WE DIDN'T START ON THIS SOONER AND IRON SOME OF THIS STUFF OUT.
BECAUSE WHEN THE STATE TAKES OVER, I DON T THINK WILL LIKE IT LOCALLY BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T DONE A VERY GOOD JOB TO PRESENT.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE IN YOUR PLACE.
I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL PASS AN ORDINANCE OR COBBLESTONE TO GATHER.
>> JASON GUSTAVSON FOLLOWED BY JAMES CALL.
>> EVENING, JASON GUSTAVSON, 2801 KINGS ROAD.
I JUST WANT TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TONIGHT.
I'VE GOT A SPIDER WEB OF THOUGHTS GOING RIGHT NOW AND I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST TO PUT THEM INTO WORDS AND HOPEFULLY REACH YOU GUYS.
I HEAR SAFETY AND SECURITY IS A REALLY BIG CONCERN.
I'M GOING TO SPEAK ON THAT REALLY QUICK FROM MY PERSPECTIVE OF THE RESTAURANT THAT I WORK AT THAT'S OPEN LATE NIGHT AND THAT'S PROHIBITION KITCHEN.
WE HAVE 56 SECURITY CAMERAS AS OF RIGHT NOW FOR OUR ESTABLISHMENTS.
WE HAVE A SECURITY TEAM THAT WE HIRE OFF-STAFF, OVERWATCH SECURITY, TO GUARD US EVERY SINGLE NIGHT OF THE WEEK AND WE HAVE 4-6 OF BOYS ON THE WEEKEND.
WE DO OUR BEST TO TAKE CARE OF THE PUBLIC.
WE'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONG TIME.
WE'VE DOING BEFORE THIS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED.
WE REALIZE AND WE OPEN PKA THAT WE NEEDED SECURITY AND SO WE DID THAT.
I KEEP HEARING ABOUT SECURITY AS WELL.
IF IT'S TRUE THAT IT'S JUST THE 27 BUSINESSES THIS EVENING THAT ARE GOING TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ORDINANCE, IF I DO $140*27, THAT GIVES ME $3,780, WHAT KIND OF SAFETY IS THAT GOING TO BUY US? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THAT? I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN THAT, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO ME YOU GUYS ARE ACTUALLY TRYING TO FIND A SAFE AND SECURE TOWN OR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM THAT YOU SEEM TO SAY WE HAVE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT DRINKING CAN BE AN ISSUE AND DRINKING DOES PROVIDE SOCIETAL ISSUES AND PROBLEMS, BUT WE BRING A FEW OTHER ISSUES TO HAND.
BETWEEN JULY 2020 AND JULY 2021, 16,000 PEOPLE MOVED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND IN THE YEARS 2010-2020, 83,000 PEOPLE MOVED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
THERE IS GOING TO BE PROBLEMS THAT COME WITH GROWTH.
THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN DO IN A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME.
I'VE BEEN IN THIS TOWN SINCE 1983.
MY FAMILY MOVED HERE BECAUSE IT WAS AN AMAZING TOWN.
THAT'S THE STORY OF ALL OF US.
MOST OF US WHO AREN'T LOCALS, BUT I'M MORE LOCAL THAN MOST PEOPLE.
[03:10:02]
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.I JUST GOT DONE READING THAT WE'VE BEEN VOTED THE FOURTH FRIENDLIEST SOUND IN AMERICA RECENTLY.
WE'RE DOING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS.
ONCE AGAIN, THAT'S NOT JUST YOU GUYS, THAT'S HOSPITALITY, THAT'S BARTENDERS WHO'RE GIVEN THE EXPERIENCE.
WE'RE GIVING THEM WHAT THEY WANT, THEY WANT TO COME BACK, THEY WANT TO SEE US AGAIN.
WE ALSO WON, IN 2019, THE SOUTH'S BEST FOOD TOWN.
SOMETIMES LATE NIGHT DRINKING COMES WITH THE BEST FOOD TOWN.
IT'S HARD THREE-HOUR WAY TO EIGHT O'CLOCK AT NIGHT.
THAT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET IN.
IF SERVICE SOMEBODY AT 10:30, THEIR DINNER, THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO KEEP DRINKING THAT WINE AT 11:30, 11:45.
ALSO, WE JUST WON NUMBER 1 FROM SOUTHERN LIVING, 50 BEST SMALL TOWNS IN THE SOUTH, WE WERE NUMBER 1.
ONCE AGAIN, IF YOU'RE HAVING AN ISSUE OF SAFETY AND SECURITY, WE'RE NUMBER 1. [NOISE]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [OVERLAPPING]
JAMES CALL. I SAID JAMES CALL.
>> JAMES CALL, 76 COOKING AVENUE.
I JUST WANTED TO FIRST BRING UP TO THE GUY THAT SAID SHOULD BE A RED FLAG THAT WE MAKE MOST OF OUR MONEY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 01:30.
ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT? DO YOU GO TO OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE AT 09:00 IN THE MORNING? DO YOU BREW COFFEE AT 10:00 PM AT NIGHT? THE MAIN REASON WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DRINK AT MIDNIGHT IS BECAUSE WE'VE WORKED ALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY SERVING MOSTLY TOURISTS AND LIKE TO GO HOME AND RELAX FOR A LITTLE SOMETIMES.
MOST OF US IN THE INDUSTRY OPERATE ON DIFFERENT HOURS THAN MOST PEOPLE WITH REAL JOBS.
ALSO, MOST BARS HAVE LATE NIGHT MUSIC THAT'S WAY MORE ENJOYABLE WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN AND IT'S NOT 100 DEGREES.
TROLLEYTOWARDS.COM, THE BUSTLING NIGHT LIFE OF ST. AUGUSTINE IS ALWAYS HOPPING.
GRAB YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAVORITE DRINK, AND A DELICIOUS MEAL TO END YOUR EPIC DAY.
STAY AN HOUR OR THE ENTIRE EVENING IF THE DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN.
FLORIDAHISTORICCOAST.COM, LIVE MUSIC FLOWS NIGHTLY FROM EVERY TAVERN, BISTRO, BAR, AND RESTAURANTS IN ST. AUGUSTINE'S HISTORIC DISTRICT.
GROOVE TO THE SOUNDS OF SMOOTH JAZZ, SPANISH GUITAR, CLASSIC ROCK, FOLK, AND POP PERFORMED BY TALENTED LOCAL MUSICIANS.
VISITSAINTAUGUSTINE.COM, ST. AUGUSTINE NIGHTLIFE INCLUDES A ROBUST LIVE MUSIC SCENE, AS WELL AS DANCING COMEDY COCKTAILS AND PLENTY OF GHOST TOURS.
THE CITY COMES ALIVE WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN.
I WAS GOING TO QUOTE MISS [INAUDIBLE].
"I GET THAT YOU'RE NOT SHUTTING US DOWN, BUT MAKING US OBTAIN A PERMANENT JUST TO CONTINUE DOING THE THINGS THAT BRING MANY PEOPLE BACK TO THIS TOWN ISN'T JUSTIFIED JUST BECAUSE OF A COUPLE OF PEOPLE CAN FIND STATS AND MANIPULATE THEM TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE THIS INDUSTRY, THE CITY'S LARGEST EMPLOYER, IS AT FAULT.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ALL THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS CAME TOGETHER AND DECIDED, SCREW IT, LET'S NOT GET THIS PERMIT? EVERYONE WOULD LOSE, ALL THESE ARTICLES WOULD CEASE TO EXIST AND A LOT OF PEOPLE'S REPUTATIONS WOULD BE PUT AT JEOPARDY.
IMAGINE ST. AUGUSTINE ON A WEEKEND NIGHT WITH NOTHING TO DO AROUND MIDNIGHT, EXCEPT BY $30 WORTH OF SCRATCH OFFS AND A FAMILY SIZE FUND BAG OF ONIONS, WHICH I'VE ACTUALLY DONE BEFORE.
[LAUGHTER] YOU GUYS ALL BECAME A PART OF THE CITY COMMISSION BY USING YOUR VOICE AND GATHERING MORE OF IT THAN OTHERS.
WE'RE USING OUR VOICE OR GATHERING MORE VOTES THAN THE OTHER SIDE.
BUT YET IT FEELS LIKE THE MAJORITY OF US ARE FIGHTING FROM BEHIND.
THE FINAL TALLY OF THE LAST READING WAS 50-5 IN FAVOR OF OPPOSING THE ORDINANCE.
BUT SOMEHOW WE'RE STILL HERE." GO JAGS.
>> I HAVE NO MORE SPEAKER CARDS.
I'M GOING TO CALL HOLLY PIERCE ONE MORE TIME.
WE DO HAVE SOME, WE HAVE SEVERAL.
THE HOLDOUT AT THE END. GOT TO.
[OVERLAPPING]. THERE'S MORE COMING.
JAMES WHITEHOUSE WANTS TO BE LAST.
JASON BAITBAFFER. WE GOT SOME MORE.
>> JASON BEAUFORT, 16 SOUTH CASTILLO DRIVE.
I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK TONIGHT, THAT'S WHY YOU GOT MY CARD SO LATE.
BECAUSE I THINK FROM THE LAST TIME EVERYONE DID SUCH A GREAT JOB THAT I DIDN'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING. POINTS WERE MADE.
BUT SITTING HERE, I WAS THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING AND I WANTED TO ADDRESS IT.
YOU GUYS HAVE SPOKEN ON HOW CURRENT ORDINANCES OR LAWS HAVE NOT BEEN REALLY FOLLOWED, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ENFORCED.
THE BIG ISSUE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY RESIDENTS IS SOUND.
I'VE BEEN AT NO NAME BAR FOR NEARLY NINE YEARS.
[03:15:02]
I'VE NEVER HAD A CITATION FOR SOUND OR MUSIC, NOR HAVE I EVER HAD A POLICE OFFICER COME AND TELL ME THAT TURN THE MUSIC DOWN. NINE YEARS.RIGHT THERE. WE DON'T NEED TO DO THIS ORDINANCE.
WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE NOW.
IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW THE ONE YOU HAVE NOW, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO FOLLOW THE ONE YOU'RE GOING TO PROPOSE? NINE YEARS, NANCY, RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM YOU, THE BAY.
NOT ONE COMPLAINT FROM POLICE OFFICER, NOT ONE CITATION.
I'D ASK THE CHIEF TO PULL UP THAT DATA AND THAT'S SOME DATA YOU SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT UP ACTUAL NOISE COMPLAINTS FROM BARS THAT HAVE BEEN CITED.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF THAT DATA HAS BEEN PULLED UP. THAT SHOULD BE PULLED UP.
BUT NINE YEARS I'VE NEVER HAD IT ONCE, AND I WORK EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT AND MOST OF THE WEEKDAYS.
THE OTHER THING I'D LIKE TO BRING UP IS THE ATTORNEY GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE MANUAL.
I LIKE TO HAVE SOMEONE; THE BOARD OR THE CITY ATTORNEY ADDRESS THE LOCAL BOARD MEETINGS SECTION IF YOU GUYS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT.
IT STATES, IF I GET IT, I GOT MINUTE 25.
AT LOCAL BOARDS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE HAS NOTED THAT THE AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT MEETINGS ENTIRELY THROUGH THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA TECHNOLOGY APPLIES ONLY TO STATE AGENCIES.
IT APPLIES ONLY TO STATE AGENCIES.
I ASK FOR THE ATTORNEY TO REVIEW THAT AND PLEASE ADDRESS IT.
IT'S THE GOVERNMENT IN SUNSHINE MANUAL 2023 EDITION.
OTHER THAN THAT, I THINK MOST OF YOU HAVE YOUR MIND MADE UP, BUT FOLLOW THE RULES YOU HAVE NOW.
WE ALREADY COMPLY, BUT PROVE THAT WE CAN COMPLY. COME OUT.
SEND SOMEONE OUT, ADDRESS THE ISSUES.
DON'T PUT UP A NEW LAW THAT YOU'RE NOT EVEN ADDRESSING THE OLD ONES.
BUT THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR TIME. BYE.
TRAVIS SHELTRA FOLLOWED BY LEN WEEKS.
>> THANK YOU. TRAVIS SHELTRA, 117 ST. GEORGE STREET.
PROHIBITION KITCHEN PATHOLOGIES.
COMMUNITIES ARE ECOSYSTEMS. AND JUST LIKE ANY ECOSYSTEM, IF YOU ALTER ONE THING, YOU COULD HAVE SNOWBALLING CONSEQUENCES.
WE ALL TALK ABOUT HOW QUAINT THIS CITY WAS IN THE NEAR PAST, BUT SINCE THEN THE CITY'S CHARMS ATTRACTED MANY MORE VISITORS, WHICH HAS BUILT UP THE HOTELS, AIRBNBS, RESTAURANTS, AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS.
WHICH IS EXACTLY THE VISION HENRY FLAGLER HAD BACK IN THE DAY.
ALL OF US ARE NOW DEPENDENT ON ST. AUGUSTINE KEEPING US SAFE AND ATTRACTIVE IMAGE.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE ALL INTERCONNECTED IN ALTERING A CERTAIN FACET OF THIS COMMUNITY HAS POTENTIAL TO TRICKLE DOWN AND AFFECT US ALL.
IF THIS ORDINANCE IS SOMETHING NECESSARY, THEN THERE'S NO DOUBT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY RECOMMENDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE RHI FINDINGS THAT YOU HIRED SHOULD SUPPORT THEM BY DISCARDING THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE PUTTING NOT JUST OUR LIVELIHOODS IN JEOPARDY, BUT THE FUTURE OF THE CITY.
IN FACT, THE AMOUNT OF MODIFICATIONS YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE TO THIS ORDINANCE SHOULD SHOW YOU THAT THIS IS A VERY NUANCED ISSUE, ONE THAT REQUIRES THE RESEARCH ADVISED ON HOW IT WILL AFFECT ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE.
PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT ANY NEW ALTERATIONS, DO NOT SUPPORT ANY MODIFICATIONS, AND DO NOT SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE OR ANY DERIVATIVE OF IT UNTIL A PROPER STUDY IS CONDUCTED, AND WE'LL BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW IT AFFECTS ALL OF US, INCLUDING THE CITY WE LOVE.
YOU SEE HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO ALL OF US BEHIND ME.
DO NOT SUPPORT MAKING ANY LAST-MINUTE CHANGES TO SOMETHING THAT HAS SUCH INTERCONNECTED CONSEQUENCES TO THIS COMMUNITY. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. LEN WEEKS, FOLLOWED BY JEFF, I THINK IT'S CABOT.
I CAN'T REALLY READ THE FIRST LETTER, SO I APOLOGIZE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO US.
I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FOR FOUR YEARS.
I WAS PART OF THE RESPONSIBLE HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE.
I SERVED ON NUMEROUS COMMITTEES AS DID SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HERE TODAY OR THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS INDUSTRY.
I'M HERE AS AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT ALSO TO REPRESENT THE ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION, WHICH IS A MIX OF ABOUT 20 DIFFERENT BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, SPECIFICALLY TO HELP US COMMUNICATE WITH YOU.
WE FORMED ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO WITH JOHN REAGAN'S DISCUSSIONS WITH ME THAT THEY NEEDED A BUSINESS COALITION THAT COULD ACTUALLY WORK WITH THE COMMISSION, WITH THE COMMUNITY, WITH THE RESIDENTS TO TRY TO BRIDGE SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES WE HAVE.
WHAT I WANTED TO JUST SAY TONIGHT ON OUR BEHALF IS THAT WE'RE HERE,
[03:20:04]
AS THE ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION, IF WE COULD BE PART OF THE SOLUTION HERE, AND THE MAYOR AND I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS.I WOULD OFFER OUR ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION AS A VEHICLE TO HELP DO THE NIGHTTIME SOCIAL VENUE ALLIANCE.
I THINK THAT WAS THE RIGHT TERM.
WE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS TONIGHT FROM THE BED AND BREAKFAST, THE VACATION RENTAL PROBLEM.
THIS ALL VERY SIMILAR, THE THINGS THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM THE COMPLAINT AND THE COMPLAINTS WE'RE HEARING ABOUT THE LATE-NIGHT THING, PRIMARILY THE NOISE.
WE JUST WANT TO ASK YOU AND YOU ARE DOING IT, BY THE WAY.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOU WHO'VE MET WITH US AND LISTENED TO OUR CONCERNS, YOU'RE DOING YOUR PART IN THIS NEW BUDGET BY HIRING A NOISE PERSON AT NIGHT.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT MORE LIGHTS, MORE BATHROOMS, MORE RIDES HERE, MORE GARBAGE CANS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO DO, WHICH YOU'RE JUST NOW STARTING TO IMPLEMENT.
AND I'M ASKING YOU IF WE COULD NOW IMPLEMENT OUR PORTION OF THAT IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE, WHICH IS A GROUP OF BUSINESS OWNERS, RESTAURANT OWNERS THAT WOULD WORK WITH YOU TO SERVE THAT FUNCTION BECAUSE THAT WAS ONE OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE RHI STUDY.
IT HASN'T COME UP PRIMARILY BECAUSE THIS JUST SAT DORMANT FOR FOUR YEARS AND SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHY WITH THE STATE LAW ON OCTOBER 1ST.
WE'RE ALL GETTING INTO GEAR REALLY QUICKLY.
WE'RE HERE TO OFFER OUR SERVICES TO THE CITY COMMISSION TO WORK WITH STAFF.
I WANT TO SAY DAVID AND THE STAFF HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO COMMUNICATE THIS WITH US OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
REALLY, THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY.
WE WOULD PREFER THAT YOU NOT PASS ANOTHER ORDINANCE IN THE RHI STUDY.
EVERYTHING THAT'S IN HERE, JUST A SUMMARY, WE'RE WILLING TO SUPPORT AND WE'RE WILLING TO DO.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS NOT IN THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS IS THE PASSAGE OF A NEW ORDINANCE.
IT WAS ABOUT LET'S ENFORCE THE THINGS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE ON THE BOOKS THAT WE'RE NOT ENFORCING NOW.
LET'S TRY TO DO THAT. LET'S TRY TO SAVE THE CITY SOME HEADACHES AND STAFF TIME, AND TAXPAYER MONEY, AND LET'S SEE IF WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY, OUR RESIDENTS, OUR VISITORS, AND OUR BUSINESSES ALL SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE WE ALL WANT A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WE'RE BACK TO MR. JEFF TABOT.
>> IT'S JABOT AND I'M AT 712, PROMENADE POINTE DRIVE.
>> I'M SORRY. IT SAYS T-A-B-O-T.
>> SORRY, MY JS ARE A LITTLE OFF SOMETIMES, SO I'M GETTING ALL MY [OVERLAPPING] J-A-B.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M REALLY AGAINST THIS AND I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN TO YOU WHY.
FIRST OFF, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL KNOW IT, BUT OUR INDUSTRY IS THE TOUGHEST IN THE WORLD.
DO YOU KNOW THAT? IT'S THE MOST FAILING BUSINESS THERE IS, THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.
WE'RE CURRENTLY DOWN ABOUT 20-25% YEAR-OVER-YEAR RIGHT NOW.
[NOISE] I'M GETTING OVER A COLD.
YOU GUYS LOOK AT THIS AS JUST 138 OR $150 FEE.
IT'S FAR GREATER THAN THAT. FAR GREATER.
YOU GOT TO TRAIN THE PEOPLE AND THE TRAINING YOU HAVE IN THE ORDINANCE, IT'S CRAZY EVERYTHING YOU'RE ASKING FOR.
YOU'RE NOT JUST ASKING FOR A RESPONSIBLE VENDOR, YOU'RE ASKING FOR JURISDICTIONS IN THIS.
IT'S STUFF THAT WOULD TAKE TWO OR THREE COURSES TO COVER ALL THAT STUFF.
IT WOULD TAKE HOURS, AND TIME IS MONEY.
IF YOU'RE HAVING TO TRAIN FIVE PEOPLE, JUST A RESPONSIBLE VENDOR PROGRAM CAN TAKE THREE OR FOUR HOURS.
YOU'VE GOT TO PAY ALL THEM, YOU'VE GOT TO PAY ALL YOUR EMPLOYEES, YOU HAVE TURNOVER, SO IT'S NOT JUST THE $138 FINE, IT'S A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR TO THESE BUSINESSES.
TIME IS MONEY. ANOTHER THING ON THE ORDINANCE ABOUT HAVING TO GO IN FRONT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL, THE SEATING CHART.
WE HAVE TO DO ALL OF THAT TO GET A REGULAR LIQUOR LICENSE TO BEGIN WITH.
WHY ARE YOU ASKING US TO JUMP THROUGH HOOPS TO DO IT? IT'S LIKE THE ORDINANCE WAS WRITTEN FOR IT TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR US AND THEN VERY EASILY TO PUT US OUT OF BUSINESS.
LIKE THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED, IF SOMEBODY WAS TO COME TO OUR ESTABLISHMENT AND WE CALL THE POLICE BECAUSE HE WAS INTOXICATED AND THEY FOUND COCAINE.
[INAUDIBLE] IS DOING COCAINE IN YOUR ESTABLISHMENT THAT YOU HAD NOTHING TO KNOW.
THE WAY THAT'S WRITTEN, YOU WOULD LOSE YOUR LICENSE, YOUR PERMIT.
DO YOU KNOW THAT, NANCY? IT'S WRITTEN THAT WAY.
THE RH STUDY DIDN'T MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT NEED A PERMIT OR CHANGING ANY ORDINANCE.
IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT'S ADDING MORE RED TAPE.
WE DON'T NEED MORE RED TAPE IN OUR INDUSTRY.
WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE HERE THAT DO A GREAT JOB, A LOT.
I PERSONALLY DON'T EVEN THINK THIS IS NEEDED.
IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR THAT THE CHIEF SAID THAT THE STATISTICS HAVEN'T GONE UP.
THANK YOU, KAREN, FOR GETTING THE STATISTICS FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE. WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.
IS PEOPLE WANTING TO MAKE IT A PROBLEM? I MEAN, I GO TO A LOT OF OTHER CITIES.
I WALKED THE STREETS ALL THE TIME.
[03:25:01]
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANY PROBLEM.IT'S WHY DO WE MAKE IT SUCH A PROBLEM? LET'S FOCUS ON LIGHTING, BATHROOMS, RIDE-SHARING. YOU WANT TO MAKE IT SAFE? THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THE WHOLE THING ABOUT YOUR LAST CALL IS AT 01:30, IT'S WRITTEN THAT YOU CANNOT SERVE ALCOHOL AFTER 01:30.
YOU CALL LAST CALL AND THEN YOU HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO CREATE THE DRINKS.
THAT IS GOING TO REDUCE THE REVENUE OF THOSE PLACES THAT COUNT ON THAT REVENUE DRAMATICALLY.
IT WILL AFFECT THE BAR STAFF AS WELL BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THEY MAKE THE MAJORITY OF THE MONEY.
TO SAY IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT PEOPLE'S INCOMES OR BUSINESSES, YOU'RE COMPLETELY WRONG.
THAT'S OFF TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> LAUREN GUYVER, FOLLOWED BY MATT MORRISON.
>> MADAM MAYOR, CITY COMMISSIONERS, AND CITY STAFF.
>> MS. GARVER, WOULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE?
>> LAUREN GUYVER, LINCOLNVILLE, ST. AUGUSTINE.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. MADAM MAYOR, CITY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY STAFF, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE SINCE THE CITY WE STARTED THIS INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ORDINANCE TO OBTAIN RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, RE-ESTABLISHED QUALITY OF LIFE AND NEIGHBORHOODS, AND RESPECT FOR RESIDENTS AND OTHER BUSINESSES THAT ACCOMMODATE OVERNIGHT GUESTS.
SOUNDS LIKE NOBODY'S PAYING ATTENTION.
MOST PEOPLE THINK HANDING OUT DUI TICKETS TOO DRUNKS IS THE ANSWER, BUT IT ISN'T.
THE ANSWER IS RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND NOT NECESSARILY IN THIS ORDER.
ORGANIZE VOLUNTEERS FOR RIDE SHARES, DESIGNATED SPOTS FOR TAXIS, UBERS, AND LIFTS.
THE AMP SEARCHES, BAGS, POCKETS, AND WANTS PEOPLE FOR GUNS AT NIGHT AND WEAPONS.
BOUNCERS NEEDS TO DO THE SAME, AS WELL AS CHECKING FOR AGE.
ESTABLISHMENTS SHOULD HAVE A POSTER THAT SAYS ESTABLISHMENT PROHIBITS WEAPONS ON ITS PROPERTY.
THE FINE FOR BRINGING IN A WEAPON IS $500 PER FLORIDA STATE LAW.
A POSTER CAN ALERT CUSTOMERS THAT KEYS WILL BE REQUESTED EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DRINKS REPORT IF THE CUSTOMER, ACCORDING TO A TRAINED MEMBER OF STAFF IS INTOXICATED.
BARTENDERS WITH AN EDUCATION ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE THOSE OVER THE LIMIT AND ABILITY TO HANDLE DIFFICULT CUSTOMERS AND ASSESSING SITUATIONS BEFORE THEY ARE OUT OF HAND.
OFFERING FOOD, WATER, COFFEE, AND OTHER ITEMS TO HELP WITH THE ABSORPTION OF ALCOHOL.
WEARING A T-SHIRT OR A PIN THAT SAYS NEED A SAFE RIDE HOME, ASKED ME I CAN HELP, BOUNCES WHO CAN ALSO PICK OUT THOSE WHO WILL MORE LIKELY CAUSE TROUBLE OUTSIDE THEIR ESTABLISHMENT.
IF BAR OWNERS GAVE THEIR EMPLOYEES ARRAYS HEALTH INSURANCE AND A 401K, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE TURNOVER BECAUSE YOUR EMPLOYEES WOULD BE HIGHLY VALUED.
DOUBLE DOORS, SO NOISE FROM LOUD MUSIC AND LOUD VOICES DOES NOT ESCAPE YOUR ESTABLISHMENT, LIGHTING ADDED TO THE STREETS, BATHROOM ATTENDANTS ARE NEEDED IF PUBLIC FACILITIES ARE GOING TO BE OPEN LATE AT NIGHT, PARKING LOT ATTENDANTS TO MOVE PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF VEHICLES WITHOUT EXTRA NOISE, 911 ON A SPEED DIAL.
I JUST LEARNED TONIGHT THAT A TOP SHELF DRINK IN ST. AUGUSTINE IS $20.
THE FEE OF $139 FOR AN EXTENDED LICENSE IS MAYBE 8-9 DRINKS AT TOP.
IF A TOP-SHELF BOTTLE COSTS $40, A STANDARD BOTTLE OF ALCOHOL OR A FIFTH HAS 150 MILLILITERS, WHICH WILL GIVE YOU ABOUT 16 SHOTS OR 16 COCKTAILS.
HELLO, THAT'S PRETTY GOOD OVERHEAD.
INTERESTING ISSUE FROM ONE SPEAKERS, THEY DON'T CALL SAPD BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE PENALIZED.
AN EXAMPLE IS MR. MERRILL WHO SAID THE AC MAN WAS SNORTING COCAINE ON THE ROOF.
MR. KYLE FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHO WORKS FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, APPEARS TO BE AGAINST THIS ORDINANCE.
BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS HIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME WITH WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS.
MR. ALEXANDER SENIOR GAVE ANOTHER EXAMPLE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MATT MORRISON, FOLLOWED BY JAMES WHITEHOUSE.
>> THERE WE GO. MATT MORRIS, 820 QUEEN ROAD.
FIRST-OFF, COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU.
[03:30:02]
YOU HAVE BY FAR THROUGH THIS WHOLE THING BY MY FAVORITE COMMISSIONER.I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ARE INTO THE DATA, YOU ARE INTO STATISTICS.
YOU WANT TO SEE HARD FACTS ABOUT ALL THIS INFORMATION.
ALSO I'D LIKE TO THANK COMMISSION FOR THE CITY, I GUESS AS A WHOLE, FOR THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL.
WELL, I DID NOT COME DOWNTOWN THIS WEEKEND TO EXPERIENCE IT, I HAVE HEARD IT WAS PHENOMENAL TRADE WINDS.
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MUCH BETTER REVENUE LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR, AS OPPOSED TO THE SING OUT LOUD OR THE MUMFORD AND SONS GENTLEMEN OF THE ROAD.
I THINK THAT IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE BUSES THIS YEAR.
I HEARD THAT THE BUSES ARE RUNNING UNTIL 2:00 OR 03:00 IN THE MORNING AS OPPOSED TO 11:00, WHICH HELPED EVERYONE DOWNTOWN.
EVERYONE DOWNTOWN AND SAID THAT THEY DID MUCH BETTER THIS TIME THAN GENTLEMEN OF THE ROAD DID LAST TIME.
ALL THAT BEING SAID, I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF NOTES.
WHILE I WAS WAITING EARLIER IN THE COMMISSION MEETING, I WAS WATCHING ON MY PHONE OUTSIDE AS THERE WAS A LARGE CROWD HERE.
I DID WALK AROUND THE PROPERTY QUITE A BIT, PICKED UP QUITE A BIT OF TRASH ON THE PROPERTY HERE AS WELL.
SOME THINGS PRETTY NONCHALANT.
THERE ARE SOME BOTTLES OF WATER. THERE WAS ALSO SOME DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
THERE WERE SOME BEER BOTTLES RIGHT OUTSIDE THE BUILDING.
THERE WERE SOME BLUNT WRAPPERS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE BUILDING.
WHILE THAT'S ALL RIGHT HERE IN THE LIGHTENER MUSEUM BUILDING, I THINK IT'S UNFAIR TO PUT THE TRASH THING ON THE BARS LATE AT NIGHT.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THIS ORDINANCE ARE ALREADY BEING ADDRESSED BY THE BARS.
LAST CALL, ANY BAR I'VE EVER WORKED IN HAS ALWAYS HAD A LAST CALL PROCEDURE.
USUALLY IT'S FOR 02:00 AM CALL TIME.
IT'S BETWEEN 01:15-01:30, 01:30 BEING THE ABSOLUTE LATEST.
THE FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS THAT ARE IN THIS ORDINANCE, WE ALREADY HAVE THOSE.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COMES BY, THE FIRE MARSHAL COMES BY.
THEY CHECK ALL OF OUR EMERGENCY LIGHTS, THEY CHECK ALL OF OUR EXIT SIGNS, THEY CHECK OUR CAPACITY.
THEY DO ALL THOSE THINGS. ALL THE BUSINESSES ARE ALREADY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THAT.
I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE FIRST VIOLATION WAS A WARNING.
I THINK IT WAS 90 DAYS OR 180 DAYS AND THEN A YEAR FOR THE FOURTH VIOLATION.
BUT AS IT APPEARS IN THE ORDINANCE I READ TODAY, THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE HAS THE ABILITY TO REVOKE THE PERMIT AFTER A SECOND OFFENSE, WHICH THAT WORRIES ME.
I KNOW THAT THE COMMISSION KEEP STATING THAT THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO SHUT THE CITY DOWN AT MIDNIGHT.
THEY'RE NOT SHUTTING THE BARS DOWN AT MIDNIGHT.
BUT IF WE ALL SLIP UP TWICE, OUR PERMITS ALL GET REVOKED, THE CITY WILL SHUT DOWN AT MIDNIGHT.
OBVIOUSLY WE'RE NOT TRYING TO BREAK LAWS.
WE DON'T WANT TO BREAK LAWS, BUT THINGS HAPPEN.
IF YOU SIT THERE AND WATCH US WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS, YOU'RE GOING TO FIND SOMETHING EVENTUALLY.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? ALL THAT BEING SAID, I'M OPPOSED TO THIS ORDINANCE, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL WAS FANTASTIC.
CROSS FINGERS FOR JAGS TO YOU REQUESTED TO BE THE LAST SPEAKER.
>> NO, YOU DIDN'T. IF YOU DON'T MIND, THEN I LIKE TO ASK THE AUDIENCE IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE THAT WANTS TO COME AND SPEAK.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? NO, MS. GARRIS.
>> THANK YOU. MADAM VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE RECORD.
JAMES WHITEHOUSE, ST. JOHN'S LOG GROUP 104 SEA GROVE MAIN STREET HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
I AM A CERTIFIED EXPERT IN CITY, COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW, AND I'M ALSO A FORMER ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY FOR OUR CITY.
I REPRESENT THE ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION, WHICH AS YOU ALL KNOW AND YOU HEARD FROM MR. WEEKS, THIS DISTINGUISHED GROUP OF BUSINESSES AND CIVIL LEADERS IN OUR CITY AND THEY REALLY DO CARE ABOUT OUR CITY.
SOME OF THEM HAVE ACTUALLY SAT IN THE SEATS THAT YOU SIT IN TODAY.
ALTHOUGH I REPRESENT MANY OF THOSE BUSINESSES AND CIVIL LEADERS AND WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK WITH YOU.
I ONLY WANT TO MAKE A FEW POINTS, BUT THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT POINTS.
A LOT OF THEM ARE THE THINGS I TALKED TO YOU ABOUT LAST TIME, BUT I WANT TO REITERATE THEM TO YOU TODAY.
I WANT TO REITERATE THE VERY THINGS THAT THESE DEDICATED BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE SAID TO YOU, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT WHAT THEY SAID.
I DO WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WE DO HAVE CODES AND REGULATIONS THAT ADDRESS A LOT OF THE THINGS AND A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT.
AND I THINK YOU'RE ALSO GOING TO HEAR SOME OTHER VARIATIONS OF THE ORDINANCES THAT TALK ABOUT WAYS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU THEIR REGULATIONS ON THE BOOKS TODAY THAT ADDRESS A NUMBER OF THOSE ISSUES AND WE NEED TO ENFORCE THEM, AS I TOLD YOU LAST TIME, EVEN WHEN I WAS AN ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY HERE, THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CODE THAN NOISE ORDINANCE WAS VERY SLIM FAR BETWEEN AND I THINK A LOT OF THE COMPLAINTS YOU HERE ARE FOR NOISE.
SECONDLY, I THINK NONE OF THAT ADDRESSES THE FACT THE STUDY OF THE EXPERTS THAT WE'VE PAID 10S OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND TO LOOK AT IT FOR US AND WHAT THEY RECOMMENDED ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE.
[03:35:05]
NUMBER 1, THESE ARE THE TWO MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A SOCIAL ECONOMY ALLIANCE.NUMBER 2, CONDUCT AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIAL ECONOMY.
FURTHER, AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE CHAMBER ALSO HAS ASKED YOU TO TAKE THE CITY'S EXPERT CONSULTANTS' RECOMMENDATIONS TO HEART AND TO FOLLOW THEM AND SOME, WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES, WHY ARE WE NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF OUR EXPERTS? WHY DO THE EXPERTS MAKE THOSE TWO MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS? WELL, IT'S BECAUSE THE EXPERTS, YOUR EXPERTS KNOW THAT THE WAY WE ADDRESS SUCH ISSUES THAT EXIST ARE THROUGH THE BUSINESS OWNERS, NOT THROUGH ADDITIONAL REGULATION.
I REPRESENT MANY OF THEM, THEY DO AND THEY WILL MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
FINALLY, I THINK YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE EMOTION IN THE COMMENTS OF SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY.
THEY'RE NERVOUS. THEY'RE NERVOUS ABOUT THE REGULATIONS.
WE, THE OWNERS AND THE CIVIL LEADERS ARE NERVOUS, NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A SAFE AND CIVIL KNIFE LIFE AND INDUSTRY, BUT INSTEAD BECAUSE WE DO CARE AND WE DO PROVIDE A SAFE AND CIVIL NIGHTLIFE, WE WORK AT IT EVERY DAY, MAKE NO MISTAKE.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT A $150 FEE IT'S ABOUT INCREASED REGULATION ON OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEN THEY ARE WILLING TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND WORK THROUGH THIS.
YOU HEARD FROM THE FORMER MAYOR WEEKS.
THAT'S WHAT THEY WANNA DO TO LET THEM HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MADAM MAYOR, WE ARE AT ALMOST NINE O'CLOCK HOUR, SO WE WILL NEED A VOTE OF THE COMMISSION TO EXTEND OUR TIME A LITTLE BIT.
>> I SO MOVE TO EXTEND BY HALF AN HOUR.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> COMMISSIONER BLONDER WAS THAT AN AYE?
>> YEAH. I JUST GOT A DUMB PROBLEM GETTING MY MOUSE, SO YES. AYE.
WE'RE BACK TO THE DIETS FOR QUESTIONS AND DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF, CLARIFICATIONS FROM STAFF OR BLONDER?
>> I GUESS, IF YOU DON'T MIND, I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WHERE THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN A WAY.
I KNOW THE SECOND READING WAS ORIGINALLY OF THIS INITIAL ORDINANCE WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 11, 2021, BUT IT NEVER GOT ON THE AGENDA, AND I DON'T REMEMBER WHY.
BUT, I DID SEE IN THE REVIEW OF OUR PACKET FOR TODAY THAT THE RHIO TRANSFORMATION TEAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN NOVEMBER 2021.
IF I COULD INFER THE DELAY OF THE SECOND READING WAS TO ENABLE THAT TRANSFORMATION TEAM TO GET OFF THE GROUND.
THE NEXT MEETING THAT I SAW ON THEIR AGENDA WAS ON JANUARY 22, AND THEN THEY WERE GOING TO MEET AGAIN.
BUT THEY DIFFERED TO 24 HOURS TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET SOMETHING ON EVERYBODY'S SCHEDULES AND THEN I DON'T SEE ANY FURTHER MEETINGS OF THAT TRANSFORMATION TEAM.
COULD ANYBODY ON STAFF SPEAK TO THAT STUTTERING STEP PROCESS AND WHETHER THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL IN UNDERSTANDING? WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET AT IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SPOKE TODAY WHO WERE SAYING THAT THEY'RE ASKING WHY WE HAVEN'T WORKED WITH THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT AND I FEEL LIKE THAT EFFORT WAS MADE, BUT I WASN'T IN THE ROOM FOR THE TRANSFORMATION TEAM AND I DON'T HAVE A FULL UNDERSTANDING.
IF ANYBODY ON STAFF COULD HELP ME BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> WELL, THE RHI PROCESS INCLUDED BREAKING UP MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY INTO VARIOUS SUBGROUPS CALLED THE TRANSFORMATION TEAM, INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, CITY STAFF MEMBERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND HOSPITALITY BUSINESS OWNERS, AND THE RHI CONSULTANTS MET WITH ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT SUBGROUPS WITH VISIONING EXERCISE ESSENTIALLY AND PRODUCED A DOCUMENT THAT THEY WHICH IS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET.
WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR CONTRACT WITH RHI AND THEY HAD A CERTAIN SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS.
A LOT OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS HAD TO DO WITH FACILITATING
[03:40:02]
THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND MAKING PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS LIGHTING, TRASH CANS, AND RESTROOMS, THOSE THINGS AND HAVING A CLOSER GOVERNMENT-TO-BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.THEY CALLED THIS RELATIONSHIP A TEAM.
OF COURSE, THE CITY CANNOT MANDATE THE CREATION OF A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION.
WE ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND PARTICIPATE WITH THE ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION OR ANY OTHER PRIVATE BUSINESS ORGANIZATION TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
BUT WE CAN'T REQUIRE IT THROUGH AN ORDINANCE OR IN ANY OTHER WAY.
THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T TRY TO EMPHASIZE CREATING THIS PRIVATE TEAM.
THE TRANSFORMATION TEAM WAS THANKED AND WAS DISSOLVED SO THAT THOSE TEAM MEMBERS COULD SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER THROUGH THIS ORDINANCE CREATION PROCESS BECAUSE THEY WERE STILL A SUNSHINE GROUP WHEN WE STARTED THE FIRST READING FOR THIS CURRENT ORDINANCE.
WE DIDN'T WANT THE FOLKS THAT WERE ON THAT TRANSFORMATION TEAM, SOME OF WHICH ARE IN THE AUDIENCE NOW TO FEEL LIKE THEY COULDN'T SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER.
SO WE FORMALLY DISSOLVE THE TRANSFORMATION TEAM, ALTHOUGH THE RHI STUDY HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
I'M NOT SURE IF COMMISSIONER BLONDER IF I HAVE ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION OR NOT, BUT SOME BACK.
I JUST WANTED TO HAVE SOME CLARITY AS TO WHETHER MOMENTUM WAS LOST AND YOU DID EXPLAIN THAT THE TRANSFORMATION TEAM BECAUSE OF THE SUNSHINE LAW WAS DISSOLVED.
SO I GET THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CLARIFYING.
THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE FOR RIGHT NOW.
>> VERY GOOD. MR. SPRINGFIELD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF?
>> NO QUESTIONS FOR THE STAFF?
ONE IS, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT THE RHI AND I'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN GETTING EMAILS FROM PEOPLE AND THEY WERE SAYING THAT I NEED TO BE UPDATED ON ALL OF THIS INFORMATION.
WE NEVER REACHED OUT TO THE BUSINESS DISTRICT.
>> WELL, I'VE CERTAINLY SPOKEN TO THE ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION PERSONALLY, TO THEIR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
WE HAD A LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT BUSINESS OWNERS WHEN RHI WAS CREATING THESE TEAMS SO WE ALL MET TOGETHER AND SPOKE ABOUT A VARIETY OF ISSUES.
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT BEFORE THIS CAME ON OUR AGENDA IN JULY 24TH, WAS THAT RELATIONSHIP HAPPENING? THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING.
>> YES, IT WAS I SPOKE TO THE ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION.
I WENT TO ONE OF THEIR MEETINGS TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
I DON'T KNOW TO THE EXTENT THAT COMMISSIONERS DID.
>> WELL, THE FIRST TIME I HEARD ABOUT THIS IS ON JULY 24TH WHEN IT CAME BEFORE US ON OUR AGENDA.
I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS NIGHTTIME ORDINANCE FROM JOHN, AND I OF COURSE, I CAN'T TALK TO MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.
>> I REALIZED THAT. IT PREDATED YOUR ELECTION TO OFFICE.
>> WELL, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN READ THE TEA LEAVES HERE.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND START. HOW ABOUT YOU START, COMMISSIONER, VICE MAYOR RABAT?
>> WELL, I DID PREPARE SOME NOTES TRYING TO PUT MY THOUGHTS TOGETHER THAT HAPPEN ACTUALLY REINFORCED TONIGHT.
JUST START WITH EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS, WE'VE ALL HAD NUMEROUS EMAILS ON THE SUBJECT.
I'VE MET WITH THE ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION.
I'VE MET WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND I'VE HAD A DISCUSSION WITH ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH COMMISSIONER RUMRELL.
THE ABOVE GROUPS THAT I JUST STATED, THEY HAVE STATED A DESIRE FOR AN ALLIANCE WITH THE CITY ON THIS ISSUE TO ACT AS A RESOURCE ON THIS ISSUE.
TO NOT APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE AS IT IS CURRENTLY STANDS.
THE CHAMBER HAD TALKED ABOUT DELAYING THE ORDINANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT
[03:45:05]
COULD BE REFINED AND MORE ACCEPTABLE. I BELIEVE THEM.I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE THAT I SPOKE WITH, THEY DO HAVE INTEREST IN MEETING WITH THE CITY TO REFINE THIS ORDINANCE.
IF WE NEED AN ORDINANCE IT'S IN THEIR INTEREST AS WELL TO HAVE A SAFE AND VITAL COMMUNITY.
THAT DISCUSSION WITH THE BEACH COMMISSIONER WAS THAT THEY HAD A SIMILAR SITUATION OUT AT THE BEACH.
THEY HAD A COUPLE OF BAD ACTORS AND THEY MADE THE DECISION TO STRENGTHEN THEIR ENFORCEMENT OF THEIR EXISTING CODES AND ORDINANCES, AND IT HAS WORKED OUT FOR THEM.
THEY DON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM ANYMORE.
I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR TONIGHT THAT WE HAVE BASICALLY STAYED PRETTY LEVEL.
CHIEF SPOKE TO US ABOUT THAT AND THE LAST FOUR YEARS WE REALLY HAVEN'T INCREASED ANY PROBLEMS. I STILL BELIEVE THAT MAJOR ISSUE IS THE NOISE ORDINANCE.
ALL THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED DOWNTOWN AND SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE BEING ASKED TO REFUND MONEY BECAUSE OF THE NOISE, THAT'S A PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.
BUT WE'VE PUT MONEY IN OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR TO ADDRESS THAT.
I THINK IT WILL WORK IF WE CAN GET IT OUT THERE.
WE DO NEED TO TO ASK EACH OTHER TO BE RESPECTFUL AND I KNOW IT'S SOMETIMES THAT'S DIFFICULT, BUT WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE STUDY BY THE RESPONSIBLE HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE.
WE'VE MENTIONED THAT A COUPLE OF TIMES TONIGHT, THE ADDITIONAL LIGHTING AND ADDITIONAL TRASH CANS, THE PICKUP AND RIDESHARE LOCATIONS.
WE HAVE NOT YET DONE THE ECONOMIC STUDY THAT THEY SUGGESTED AND THE HRI.
IF WE DO THIS, I THINK THE FINDINGS WILL SUPPORT US AND OUR REQUESTS TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY FOR ADDITIONAL BED TAX FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE TO HOST OVER SIX MILLION PEOPLE.
THAT'S THE BIG COST TO OUR CITY AND WE HAVE 15,000 RESIDENTS.
THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF BATHROOM, A LOT OF TRASH CANS, A LOT OF PICKUP, A LOT OF STAFF TO BE IN THE BATHROOMS LATE AT NIGHT SO THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT THE COST OF THIS PROGRAM, THE FEE BEING $140 A YEAR.
BUT THERE ARE MORE EXPENSES TO THE BUSINESSES AND IN THEIR REQUIRED TRAINING FOR OVER SERVING OVERCROWDING GLASS CALL.
ALL OF THIS SUGGESTS THAT TRAINING THAT THE STATE SPEAKS ABOUT.
THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE LARGER BARS ALREADY DO THIS.
THE RESTAURANTS, THEY DO THE TRAINING WHICH HELPS WITH THEIR INSURANCE AND THEIR LIABILITY ISSUES SO THAT'S GREAT.
IT IS THE SMALL BUSINESS THAT WILL HAVE A HARD TIME MEETING THESE REQUIREMENTS.
I KNOW THAT WE ALL DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS RESULT FROM THE ORDINANCE, THE SMALL COMPANIES BEING HURT, SMALL BUSINESS, THE MOM AND POP BUSINESSES.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE BAD PRESS AND THE MISINFORMATION THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL UNWELCOME.
WE HAVE SO MUCH TO SHARE WITH OUR VISITORS AND THEY HELP TO SUPPORT OUR VIBRANT COMMUNITY.
WE'VE MODIFIED THIS ORDINANCE THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
THEY HAVE ONE ON THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW ABOUT EXTENDING IT.
IF WE PUT THE ORDINANCE ON, WE WON'T ACTUALLY PUT IT INTO EFFECT FOR TWO MONTHS SO IT GIVES PEOPLE TO SCALE UP.
WE'RE CONSTANTLY REVISING IT, BUT I DON'T STILL DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT.
IT'S NOT THAT WELL-WORKED OUT YET.
AFTER GOING ROUND AND ROUND ON THIS ISSUE, I COME DOWN TO THE THOUGHT IF WE FOLLOW THROUGH WITH OUR WORK AND STRENGTHENED THE NOISE ORDINANCE AND ARE STRONGER AT ENFORCING OUR EXISTING CODES, WILL BE ABLE TO ATTAIN OUR DESIRED RESULT OR MORE RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR RESIDENTS.
MY HOPE IS THAT WE CAN TOGETHER MAKE THIS A COMPASSIONATE, VITAL CITY WITH A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE WITHOUT THE COORDINATES AT THIS TIME.
[03:50:04]
I'M COMMITTED TO WORK WITH THE RESIDENTS AND THE BUSINESSES ON ANYWAY THAT I CAN TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE BY CREATING THIS ALLIANCE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.IF WE NEED THE ORDINANCE IN THE FUTURE AND WHAT MAY GET MORE THAN SIX MILLION PEOPLE.
WE MAY HAVE TO PUT IT INTO EFFECT AT THAT TIME, BUT I JUST FEEL THAT WE CAN DO IT WITH OUR ORDINANCE THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
>> THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE THAT CONCERN ME.
WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF MEETING SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE AGAINST THAT AT ONE OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION THINGS, AND I HEARD THEM AND I HEARD THEIR CONCERNS.
THEIR CONCERNS WERE BASICALLY THE NOISE WAS THEIR NUMBER 1 THING THAT THEY SPOKE OF, AND ONE OF THEM SPOKE TONIGHT, MRS. MICKLER, AND SHE TALKED ABOUT SAFETY AND SAFETY COMES WITH LIGHTING.
SAFETY COMES WITH A LIGHTING AREA BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT CITY YOU LIVE IN IF IT'S LIT UP, PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO COMMIT CRIMES BECAUSE THEY CAN BE SEEN AND ARRESTED.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS SPECIAL MAJESTY THAT SHALL DETERMINE IF YOU'RE IN VIOLATION AND HOW LONG YOU'RE IN VIOLATION.
THIS WHOLE THING ABOUT THE ORDINANCE, $140 I AGREE WITH THE VICE MAYOR, IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE OR BREAK SOMEBODY.
BUT I JUST THINK THAT I LISTENED TO THE SHERIFF BECAUSE HE TALKED ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE ON 904 NEWS.
HE SAID THAT WE ARE RUSHING TO CREATE THIS ORDINANCE AND ENOUGH TIME HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN IT.
I WENT BACK AND READ THIS, AND HIGHLIGHTED STUFF, AND DID ALL THAT BECAUSE AGAIN, SOMEBODY SAID YOU SHOULD GO BACK AND READ ALL THE STUFF THAT HAPPENED BACK IN THE DAY, AND I DID DO THAT.
MAYBE IN THAT WINDOW OF TIME, WE MIGHT HAVE NEEDED THIS ORDINANCE.
BUT IF THAT'S THE CASE, WHY DIDN'T THE PREVIOUS COMMISSION IMPLEMENT IT? WITH THAT BEING SAID, THERE HAD TO BE SOME ISSUES AS TO WHY THEY DID NOT MOVE FORWARD.
I DON'T SEE THAT IT'S CORRECT NOW.
I KNOW WE HAVE WENT, WE HAVE LISTENED, WE HAVE MADE MODIFICATIONS, WE HAVE DONE CRITIC AND I SALUTE THE CITY ATTORNEY WHO'S MODIFIED EVERY TIME WE HAVE A DISCUSSION GOING BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.
BUT IF YOU REALLY ARE LISTENING TO THESE PEOPLE BESIDES THE ONES THAT'S GETTING IT WRONG, I THINK WE CLOSE THEM DOWN AT 10, THEY HAVE SOUND REASONS.
I HAVE A DEGREE IN MARKETING, AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESSES.
PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT, THEY CAN'T EVEN PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL SOMEBODY BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE CONSIDERED A COMPLAINT.
THE SHERIFF SAID THAT THE INFORMATION THAT KAREN ZANDER PRESENTED WITH THE NUMBERS WAS ACCURATE.
HE SAID THAT SHE HAD CABE THERE AND HE INDICATED WHO GAVE HER THOSE NUMBERS, AND THE CHIEF ALSO SAID THAT THOSE NUMBERS WERE ACCURATE, BUT SHE GAVE US INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIFFERENT CODING.
I LOOK AT JACKSONVILLE, IT'S VERY DEPRESSING TO LOOK AT THE NEWS, BUT I HEAR JACKSONVILLE ALL THE TIME.
SOMEBODY GOT SHOT HERE, SOMEBODY GOT SHOT THERE.
WE'RE NOT JACKSONVILLE, AND WE'RE NOT DAYTONA, WE ARE A HISTORICAL CITY.
WE ARE THE SECOND PLACE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO.
THE FIRST BEING DISNEY, WE AIN'T NEVER GOING TO BEAT THEM OUT, AND THE SECOND IS ST. AUGUSTINE BECAUSE OF ITS HISTORY AND BECAUSE OF ITS CULTURE.
PEOPLE FEEL SAFE BESIDES THEM WHINING ABOUT THE HOMELESS, THEY FEEL PRETTY MUCH SAFE WALKING DOWN OUR STREETS.
I THINK THAT THIS HERE THING ABOUT THERE'S THINGS THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE WITH THIS FIRE MARSHAL.
THE FIRE MARSHAL DON'T BE PLANNED BECAUSE I KNOW BECAUSE HE'D GO OUT, I'D SEE HIM GO OUT, HIM, HER NOW.
THEY GO OUT AND THEY CAUSE VIOLATIONS, AND THEY COME BACK, AND IF YOU DON'T DO THAT, NOW THE FIRE MARSHAL THE ONLY ONE DOING HIS JOB AS FAR AS GOING OUT TO THESE PLACES.
WE HAVE VOTED TO GET SOMEBODY IN.
WE HAVE VOTED TO SEE ABOUT GETTING MORE RESTROOMS. WE CAN GET SOMEBODY THAT GOES OUT IN THIRD SHIFT AND THAT GOES OUT FROM 12:00 RIGHT AROUND TO ALL THESE BUSINESSES AND SEE WHOSE NOT IN COMPLIANCE.
NOBODY WANTS THIS ON THE VCB BOARD AND THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING REVENUE,
[03:55:05]
THEY'VE BEEN MAKING MONEY.THEY HAVE REALLY ADVERTISED FOR PEOPLE TO COME HERE.
IF THESE PEOPLE FELT LIKE THESE BARS WERE A THREAT, THEY WON'T BE COMING HERE.
I JUST REALLY DON'T SEE WHY, I PERSONALLY WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO CANCEL IT AND JUST GET WITH THESE BUSINESSES AND REALLY HAVE OUR CITY MANAGER BECAUSE HE'S VERY INTELLIGENT GET WITH THESE BUSINESSES.
BECAUSE WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO GET WITH THE BUSINESSES, BUT UNLESS Y'ALL DID IT WHEN I WENT OUT OF TOWN FOR A MINUTE.
I DON'T RECALL US GETTING AS A COMMISSION WITH THE BUSINESSES, SO WE CAN REALLY HANDLE THIS WHERE EVERYBODY IS HAPPY. THAT'S MY FEEDBACK.
>> YEAH. I DO HAVE A PREPARED STATEMENT AND I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO FEEL LIKE I DIDN'T LISTEN TONIGHT BECAUSE I THINK WHAT I HEARD TONIGHT JUST REINFORCED WHAT I'D ALREADY PREPARED.
I DO WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THOUGH THAT THE INCOME FROM THIS CITY, THE $40 MILLION THAT WE OPERATE THE CITY FROM, ONLY 15% COMES FROM THE BUSINESSES, AND 34% COME FROM THE RESIDENTS.
THE TRUTH IS, WE DO NOT MAKE ANY MONEY ON THE SALES TAX OF THE BUSINESSES, EXCEPT FOR THE PROPERTY TAX.
THESE BUSINESSES ARE BRINGING A REPUTATION TO ST. AUGUSTINE THAT'S INCREASED OUR PROPERTY TAX.
WE HAVE A WINDFALL OF THAT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE THAT WERE ABLE TO BUY A $2 MILLION PIECE OF PROPERTY TO SAVE SOME TREES.
PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE REPUTATION OF THE CITY.
I'VE GONE OFF MY SCHEDULE ALREADY.
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO HAS CALLED ME, OR WRITTEN ME, OR SPOKEN WITH ME ABOUT THE PROPOSAL.
I'VE HAD A LOT OF PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS BUILT AND I'VE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL.
THESE DISCUSSIONS HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE TO SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENCES AND THE COMMONALITIES THAT WE HAVE.
IN SOME CASES, WE DISAGREE WITH THE CONTENT OF THE ORDINANCE, BUT I HAVE FOUND NOBODY AT ODDS WITH THE INTENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE INTENT OF THE ORDINANCE I BELIEVE IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
EVERYBODY WANTS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT 24 HOURS A DAY.
NOT JUST A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, BUT ONE THAT ACTUALLY FEELS SAFE.
THE SECOND THING IS PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE DOWNTOWN.
PEOPLE HAVE LIVED DOWNTOWN FOR DECADES, MRS. MICKLER AND GOOD CITY PLANNING DEMANDS A DOWNTOWN THAT WELCOMES RESIDENTS.
FOR THE SPEAKER TO SAY THESE PEOPLE SHOULDN'T LIVE DOWNTOWN, THEY OUGHT TO MOVE.
IT DOESN'T REALLY FIT BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HERE LONGER THAN WE USED TO BE CLOSED AT 5 O'CLOCK.
BUT THIS ORDINANCE IS AN ATTEMPT TO ASSIST IN CREATING A LIVABLE DOWNTOWN.
THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE ORDINANCE.
A GOOD CITY NEEDS TO HAVE A VARIETY OF BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE GOOD JOBS AND PROVIDE SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
THIS ORDINANCE IS A RESULT OF A REAL OR A PERCEIVED IMBALANCE IN THE LIVEABILITY OF DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I'M TOTALLY IN AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE ALLOWED ST.
AUGUSTINE TO REDEFINE ITSELF OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
I WAS ONE WHO AT 1989 WHO WANTED BUSINESSES TO STAY OPEN PAST 5 O'CLOCK EXCEPT THE VILLAGE INN.
I PARTICIPATED IN A MUSIC FESTIVAL IN CREATING MUSIC FESTIVAL IN MAY BECAUSE THE TDC ASKED FOR US TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR PEOPLE TO DO IN MAY BECAUSE THE BUSINESSES HAD A DEAD TIME.
THE NIGHT OF LIGHTS WAS CREATED SPECIFICALLY TO BRING VISITORS, AND THE ORIGINAL MUMFORD AND SONS CONCERT WAS SPECIFICALLY CREATED TO BRING THE YOUNGER CROWD TO LEARN ABOUT ST. AUGUSTINE AND IT WORKED.
NOW, MANY FEEL WE'VE REACHED THE TIPPING POINT.
THIS ORDINANCE IS A CRY FROM RESIDENTS TO HELP.
THE COMMISSION AND CITY STAFF HAVE HEARD THE CRY AND WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO REMEDY SOME OF THE LIVEABILITY ISSUES THAT HAVE EVOLVED, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THIS ORDINANCE WILL PRODUCE RESULTS.
WE AS RESIDENTS, REMINDING EVERYBODY THAT ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE TO RESIDE IN THE CITY, THAT WE'RE HOPING THAT IT'LL ACHIEVE BECAUSE THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOTHING SPECIFICALLY TO MAKE THE NIGHTLIFE SITUATION BETTER AS MOST OF THE REQUIREMENTS ARE ALREADY REQUIRED.
LET ME ADDRESS FIVE OF THOSE REQUIRED ITEMS. TRAINING. THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE REQUIRES ITEMS WHICH ARE NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A BAR OR ITS EMPLOYEES.
FOR EXAMPLE, ITEM 4A3 IS RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM DRINKER AND COMMUNITY TREATMENT PROGRAMS OR AGENCIES.
[04:00:03]
WE SHOULD DEVELOP THE TRAINING PROGRAM MAYBE IN-HOUSE.THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES ONE PERSON TO HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
THE REQUIREMENT OF LIST OF THE ITEMS WILL MOST LIKELY BE A MANAGER OR AN OWNER BECAUSE OF THE LARGE LIST AND THE TURNOVER THAT EVOLVE WITH REGULAR EMPLOYEES.
GENERALLY, THE MANAGER OR THE OWNER IS NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH SERVING ALCOHOL OR DEALING DIRECTLY WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS.
THE TRAINING NEEDS TO BE FOR THE ENTIRE STAFF AND WITH APPROPRIATE TOPIC TOPICS.
CURRENTLY, BARS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE TRAINING AND IT IS REINFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
THE STATE REQUIRES A PROGRAM CALLED SAFESTAFF AND IS MANDATED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CERTIFICATIONS ON FILE.
MANAGERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO BE TRAINED BY SAFESTAFF AND ONE MUST BE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES.
THE TRAINING HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.
SECURITY. THE SECURITY CAN BE IN-PERSON OR WITH APPROPRIATE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.
THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS WILL NOT PROVIDE A SAFER ENVIRONMENT.
THEY WILL ONLY BE USED FOR AN INCIDENT AFTER IT HAS OCCURRED.
MOST BARS ALREADY HAVE CAMERAS AS PART OF THEIR INSURANCE PROGRAM.
SO SECURITY IS EITHER INAPPROPRIATE OR IS ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF. CROWD MANAGEMENT.
IT IS NOT REQUIRED, BUT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY OUR FIRE MARSHAL AND MANY HAVE COMPLIED.
THIS COULD BE ADDED TO THE FIRE PREVENTION CODE WHERE IT BELONGS AND WHERE IT CAN BE MONITORED.
SPEAKING OF THE FIRE PREVENTION CODE NUMBER 4, THIS IS ALREADY REQUIRED OF ALL RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
NUMBER 5, THE DRINKING OF THE BARTENDERS.
JUST PICTURE US CATCHING SOMEBODY DRINKING.
WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE OUR NIGHT MANAGER VISUALLY SEE IT, RUN, GET THE REST OF THE JAR, PUT IT IN A SAFE BAG, HAVE IT TESTED FOR ALCOHOL CONTENT JUST TO PROVE THAT A BARTENDER TOOK A SIP OF A DRINK.
IT'S MY BELIEF THAT ADDING THESE ITEMS AS PART OF THE ORDINANCE WILL NOT ADD ANY ADDITIONAL SAFETY FEATURES TO CURRENT BAR OPERATION.
WHAT WILL HELP TO MAKE DOWNTOWN SAFER AND PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE ARE THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED BEFORE AND THE THINGS THAT OUR MANAGER HAS ALREADY AGREED TO TAKE CARE OF.
BETTER LIGHTING, TRASH CANS, MORE OPEN RESTROOMS IN THE AREAS AND DURING THE LATE NIGHT HOURS, RIDE-SHARE LOCATIONS DESIGNATED AND SIGNAGE ADDED.
I APPRECIATE THE CITY MANAGER TAKING INITIATIVES.
I THINK HE'S HEARD OUR REQUESTS LOUD AND CLEAR.
I SUGGEST, AS I DID IN THE VERY FIRST TIME WE MET, THAT WE CREATE A COMMUNITY BUSINESS ALLIANCE LIKE THE TOWN & GOWN COMMITTEE OF FLAGLER COLLEGE AND LOCAL RESIDENTS, INCLUDING A REPRESENTATIVE GROUP OF RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN A CERTAIN DISTANCE FROM BARS, BAR OWNERS OR MANAGERS, RESTAURANT OWNERS AND MANAGERS, AND CITY REPRESENTATIVES.
THE ALLIANCE WILL BE ABLE TO DISCUSS REAL ISSUES AND POTENTIAL SOLUTION IN REAL TIME.
THEY ALSO SET PARAMETERS FOR A RECOGNITION PROGRAM THAT I MENTIONED OF THE RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENTS.
FOR US THAT HAVE CHILDREN AND FOR US THAT WE'RE IN EDUCATION, WE ARE HIGHLY RESPECTED AS AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL WITH A SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS.
THE EFFORTS THAT GO THROUGH THAT ACCREDITATION ARE ARDUOUS.
THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I WAS A STATE DIRECTOR FOR SUMMER CAMPS.
MY IDEA IS TO ESTABLISH A RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENT TIERED RECOGNITION PROGRAM, MAYBE GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE.
I MEANT TO BRING YOU ALL GOLD STARS, BUT I DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE LITTLE STORE.
THE ALLIANCE WOULD SET THE STANDARDS FOR EACH OF THESE BE MET.
FOR INSTANCE, IF A BAR HAS SECURITY PERSONS AND CAMERAS, AEDS, CPR TRAINED STAFF, AND CROWD CONTROL MANAGEMENT TRAINED, AND SUCCESSFUL FIRINGS INSPECTIONS, THEY WOULD BE A GOLD STANDARD.
A SILVER STANDARD MAY NOT MEET ALL OF THOSE.
IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE SIZE OF THE BAR AND THEIR ABILITY.
THE NIGHT MANAGER COULD MANAGE THIS PROGRAM.
THE CHAMBER COULD ADVERTISE THESE LEVELS AND THE CITY COULD PROVIDE SIGNAGE ON THE BUILDING FOR THESE, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE NOT REGISTERED AS RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE LAST ITEM IS A SOUND ORDINANCE, WHICH WE'VE NOT HEARD A THING ABOUT TONIGHT.
I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE CONSENSUS ON THE COMMISSION TO REWRITE THE CURRENT SOUND ORDINANCE.
[04:05:01]
IT'S CURRENTLY NOT BEING ENFORCED DUE TO THE PROCESS INVOLVED, NOT THE FAULT OF ANY EMPLOYEE, BECAUSE IT IS BEING IGNORED.IT'S BEING IGNORED BY CITIZENS BECAUSE THEY MAKE COMPLAINTS AND THE PROCESS REQUIRES SUCH ARDUOUS DUTY, NOTHING EVER CHANGES AND THEY QUIT CALLING.
IT SHOULD NOT BE A COMPLAINT DRIVEN ONLY PROCESS AND SHOULD INCLUDE RANDOM SOUND CHECKS BY THE NIGHT MANAGER.
A COMMISSION HAS COMMITTED TO ADDING THIS POSITION IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET FOR A NIGHT MANAGER WITH A SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF ENFORCING THE SOUND ORDINANCE.
WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT, NOT JUST THOSE MIDNIGHT TO 2:00 A.M, MR. ALEXANDER, AND THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE A DOABLE, ENFORCEABLE ORDINANCE.
IT'S BEEN REMINDED ALREADY AND I HAVE IT IN MY NOTES THAT THE RHI DID NOT RECOMMEND AN ORDINANCE OR A PERMEATE.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S UNDERLYING ALL THIS IS TRUST AND COOPERATION.
I DON'T REALLY FEEL I AGREE WITH MR. MICKLER WHEN I MET WITH HIM AND MRS. MICKLER.
THE NUMBER OF BARS THAT WOULD BE CLOSED BY MIDNIGHT WOULD PROBABLY BE VERY SMALL BECAUSE THE FEAR OF BEING SMALL MIGHT MAKE THEM DO THEIR JOB.
BUT WHAT'S BEEN CREATED HERE IS A DISTRUST BETWEEN THE BAR OWNERS, BUSINESSES, AND THE COMMISSION.
THERE IS ALSO THAT DISTRUST BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS AND THE COMMISSION.
THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE WE'RE PROVIDING THEM WITH ENOUGH.
I THINK WE SHOULD DO OUR JOB TO COMPLETE THE RHI BY DOING THE LIGHTING, THE BATHROOMS, TRASH CANS, AND THE UBER SO THAT THEY CAN SEE THAT WE'VE HEARD THEM AND WE'RE TRYING.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER HORVATH, THAT AFTER WE DO THAT PERIOD OF TIME THAT WE RE-EVALUATE AND THAT WE CREATE SOME KIND OF MEASURABLE CRITERIA TO MEASURE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM OF LIGHTING AND THAT WE GIVE THAT LIGHTING AND BATHROOMS AND ALL THAT ONE YEAR OF TIME BEFORE WE BRING THIS TOPIC BACK UP. THANK YOU.
I NOTED THAT VICE MAYOR HORVATH REPORTED EX PARTE, SO I'LL DO THE SAME JUST IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION.
I HAD A REALLY VERY POSITIVE CONVERSATION WITH THE SHELTERS AND ALSO SPOKE WITH JEAN BLEVINS AND RECEIVED EASILY DOZENS AND DOZENS OF EMAILS THAT I COULDN'T POSSIBLY NAME, BUT CERTAINLY HAVE THEM ON THE PUBLIC RECORD IN MY EMAIL.
I JUST HAVE A NUMBER OF COMMENTS, ARE NOT GOING TO BE VERY LENGTHY.
BUT I DID WANT TO JUST, IN MY MIND, GET BACK TO THIS IDEA ABOUT SAFETY OR NOISE.
I DID NOT EVER SEE THIS ORDINANCE AS BEING ABOUT ONE OR TWO SPECIFIC ELEMENTS, BUT ABOUT A BROADER QUESTION ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE AS IT REFLECTS BACK ON OUR VISION STATEMENT THAT IS BASICALLY OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
I WILL ALSO SAY THAT THE UNPARALLELED RATE AND PACE OF GROWTH HAS PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE AS A VERY SMALL CITY WITH A SMALL TAX BASE OF RESIDENTS WHO ARE, MYSELF INCLUDED, FEELING RATHER OVERBURDENED BY THE COST OF JUST KEEPING UP WITH THIS RATE OF GROWTH IN THE VISITATION.
LOVE THEM OR NOT, THIS IS CERTAINLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ECONOMIC BASE AND I GET THAT AND I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES.
MANY OF YOU KNOW ME BECAUSE THAT'S WHO WE PATRONIZE, IS OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES SINCE I LIVE IN NORTH CITY AND WORK DOWNTOWN SO MUCH EASIER FOR ME TO END, MUCH MORE PLEASANT FOR ME TO MEET MY HUSBAND DOWNTOWN AND WE CAN WALK HOME.
I JUST REALLY WANT TO REFLECT BACK ON THAT OUR VISION STATEMENT ON OUR STRATEGIC PLANS AND TRYING TO PROTECT, RETAIN OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND NOT BECOME DISNEY WORLD WHERE OUR ENTIRE DOWNTOWN IT DOESN'T CONTAIN RESIDENTS ANYMORE.
IT'S NOT LIVING, IT'S JUST A SHELL.
THAT'S NOT WHAT ANY OF US WANT AND SO THAT'S REALLY MY MOTIVATION FOR SOME OF THE THINGS I WANT TO COMMENT ON.
I CAN COUNT THE VOTES AND SO I CAN SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING.
[04:10:03]
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ASK FOR A COUPLE OF WHAT I WOULD CALL CONDITIONS, BUT THEY WON'T HAVE ANY TEETH.WELL, BEFORE I SAY THAT, I'M A LITTLE BIT DISORGANIZED HERE I'M SORRY.
I DID WANT TO SAY THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS ONE OF THE REMAINING TOOLS WE HAVE IN THE TOOLBOX THAT COULD HELP US CATCH UP WITH THAT RAPID GROWTH.
WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES.
WE'RE NOT GETTING A LOT OF HELP FROM THE COUNTY AND WE NEED THAT HELP IF WE'RE GOING TO RESPOND IN SOME OF THE WAYS THAT MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS HAVE SUGGESTED IN TERMS OF INCREASED ENFORCEMENT AND SO FORTH.
GETTING BACK TO SOME OF THE CONDITIONS I'D LIKE TO SEE, IF WE DON'T PASS THIS ORDINANCE.
ONE IS THAT THE ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION, AS THEY HAVE OFFERED, COMMITS THROUGH LEADING THE CHARGE.
I'M LEADING THE GROUP INFORMATION AND REGULAR MEETINGS ABOUT HOW THE ESTABLISHMENTS MOVE FORWARD.
I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST REASONS WE'RE HERE IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A FEW BAD APPLES AS A COUPLE OF PEOPLE HAVE RECOGNIZED AND THAT'S THE REALITY.
I THINK THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR ESTABLISHMENTS ARE HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL.
THEY STAY IN BUSINESS AND THEY GET REPEAT CUSTOMERS BECAUSE THEY DON'T PRACTICE SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC.
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO GET THE BAD APPLES IN LINE AND RECOGNIZING BEST PRACTICES AND BEING ACTIVE IN EMPLOYING THOSE, AND EMBRACING THOSE.
ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COMMISSION, I'M LOOKING FOR YOU TO STEP UP LIKE YOU'VE OFFERED, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
I WOULD SIMILARLY ASK THE CHAMBER TO COMMIT TO ADVOCATING TO THE COUNTY THAT TOURIST DEVELOPMENT BOARD, WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR THE CITY TO HAVE SOME BUDGET RELIEF TO HELP WITH ENFORCEMENT WHERE ALL OF THOSE VISITORS WHO COME HERE TO CONTINUE THEIR DINING EXPERIENCE AND THEIR NIGHTLIFE EXPERIENCE AND THEIR POSTING OUT LOUD EXPERIENCE.
ALL OF THE ENFORCEMENT WOULD BE HELPED ALONG VERY MUCH WITH THE CHAMBER'S HELP I BELIEVE.
I WILL NOTE THAT THERE HAS BEEN INFORMAL COALITION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT'S LEADERSHIP IN THAT COALITION AND THEY HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED AND THEY ARE WORKING TO, AS THEY TELL ME AND I BELIEVE THEM, TO DEVELOP BEST PRACTICES, AND MANY OF THOSE ARE OUTLINED IN WHAT WOULD BE THIS ORDINANCE IF WE WERE TO PASS IT.
BUT TO TRY TO GET EVERYBODY TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS IMPORTANT, NOT JUST TO OUR VISITORS, BUT TO OUR EMPLOYEES, OUR BUSINESS OWNERS, AND ESPECIALLY OUR RESIDENTS.
I LASTLY WANT TO SAY THAT I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF AND MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS WHETHER WE AGREE OR NOT.
BUT AT LEAST FOR HAVING A HARD CONVERSATION, ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO THE ROOM AND SACRIFICED QUITE A BIT OF TIME TO SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVES WITH US, SHARE THEIR CONCERNS, I DO APPRECIATE.
HOWEVER, I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO CONTINUE WHAT I SEE AS PROTECTING THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR NEEDS AND THEIR ASKS FOR EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE THE MINORITY IN THE ROOM, THEY ARE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR CITY, AT LEAST AS MUCH AS ANY OF OUR ESTABLISHMENTS ARE.
I WANT THEM TO CONTINUE TO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A VOICE AND THEY HAVE A PLACE FOR NOW AND FOREVER.
WITH THAT, I WILL CLOSE MY COMMENTS AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.
I THINK IT'S BEEN A VERY INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION.
I THINK A LOT OF REALLY GOOD POINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON ALL SIDES.
I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING.
I HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH BUSINESS OWNERS ONE-ON-ONE, FOUND THEM TO BE VERY CORDIAL, VERY PRODUCTIVE.
THESE ARE BUSINESSES THAT PARTICIPATED OR NOT AND THE RHI TRANSFORMATION TEAM.
[04:15:06]
FRANKLY, I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF BUSINESS PEOPLE, AND I'M NOT JUST SAYING MEN, BUSINESS PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY DO TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN WHAT THEY DO.THEY'RE VERY PRIDEFUL AND AS A RESULT, WE HAVE THIS AMAZING CITY THAT JUST KEEPS VOTED ON AND VOTED ON EVEN THOUGH WE'RE STILL 15,000 PEOPLE.
THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH PROCESS FOR ME.
I REALLY HAVE CARRIED THIS THROUGH THE YEARS FROM DAY 1.
IT'S BEEN MY VISION ALL ALONG THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ITSELF DOES THE HEAVY LIFTING.
THEY'RE REALLY IN THE BETTER POSITION TO MANAGE THEMSELVES ALWAYS THEN GOVERNMENT SO IT'S ENCOURAGING TO ME TO HEAR ALL THIS WONDERFUL TALK.
I WILL LIKE TO SEE THE PROOF IN THE PUDDING JUST BECAUSE I'VE BEEN WITH IT FOR AWHILE BUT I WILL LIKE TO BEFORE I FINISHED, WHEN I'M GOING TO SAY I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT AGAIN, LIKE I SAID AT THE LAST MEETING AND I'VE SAID EVERY TIME, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY HOPE THAT WHAT THE RESULT IS, IS AN ALLIANCE AND A STAKEHOLDERS GROUP THAT MANAGES THEMSELVES WITH OUR INPUT AND INVOLVEMENT AND THAT IS THE NUMBER 1 RECOMMENDATION THAT CAME OUT OF THE RHI ASSESSMENT, AND THAT WAS TO FORM AN ALLIANCE.
NUMBER 2 WAS TO ESTABLISH BASELINES NOW WE'VE BEEN CALLING IT DIFFERENT THINGS, IT'S AN ASSESSMENT THAT'S BEING CALLED AN IMPACT STUDY BUT IT'S REALLY THE PURPOSE OF IT WAS TO ESTABLISH A BASELINE OF PATTERNS AND GROWTH AND DECLINE IN RENEWAL IN THE DOWNTOWN SO THAT YOU COULD MEASURE YOUR GROWTH OR YOUR LACK OF GROWTH GOING FORWARD.
THE THIRD AND THAT'S WHAT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS ASKING FOR, THEY'RE SAYING, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO THIS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
THE THIRD WAS THE INTERESTING ABOUT SAFETY IS EASIER ACCESS BY EMERGENCY SERVICES TO DOWNTOWN.
WAS IT AN INTERESTING ONE? THE FOURTH, WHEN YOU GET THESE STUDIES AND THEY MAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND SOMETIMES YOU SCRATCH YOUR HEAD, BUT THAT'S CONSULTANTS FOR IMPROVED LIGHTING.
FIVE, FORM A VENUE ALLIANCE, WHICH IS KIND OF JUST FOR, I'M NOT SURE I REALLY TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT ONE BUT THE VENUE ALLIANCE WOULD BE MORE LIKE WEDDINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS BECAUSE THAT'S ALSO PART OF THIS, EVEN THOUGH WE'VE CARVED IT OUT OF THIS DISCUSSION IN THIS ORDINANCE.
THE SIXTH ONE IS EDUCATE THE VISITORS NOT TO OPEN CARRY.
THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH OPEN CARRY SO THEY'VE MADE THAT RECLAMATION.
HOW DO YOU SOLVE IT? EDUCATES YOUR VISITORS.
THEY'RE NOT HERE TO OPEN CARRY, AND ALSO WORK WITH YOUR BUSINESSES TO MAKE SURE NOBODY'S WALKING OUT THE DOOR WITH THE CONTAINER.
EDUCATE VISITORS TO NOT GIVE TO PAN HANDLERS.
THERE IS A GOOD ONE. WE'VE ALREADY DONE THAT WE'RE DOING THAT.
IF YOU VISIT THE VIC, IT'S SIGNAGES IN, MORE ORIGINAL LIVE MUSIC.
RECOMMENDATION LIKE THAT TELLS YOU THIS ISN'T ABOUT REGULATION.
I MEAN, A RECOMMENDATION LIKE THAT ISN'T ABOUT REGULATION IT'S ABOUT MAKING THE CITY BETTER.
IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT WITH THE SOUND DIPLOMACY STUDY AT THE TDC, WHICH IS GOOD SINGER SONGWRITERS, IT'S A WHOLE POINT IS SAYING OUT LOUD, WAS GIVING THE SINGER OR SONGWRITERS, THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS, GIVING THEM A PLATFORM, SO HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE THAT? THAT'S A HUGE COMPONENT.
NINE, YOU TRACK ALL YOUR SPECIAL EVENTS, KNOW WHEN AND WHERE THEY ARE SO THAT YOU CAN ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL STAFF WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF WEDDINGS IN TOWN THAT WEEKEND, AND WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO BE AND THAT SORT OF THING.
TEN WAS THE RIDESHARE HUBS, WHICH IS, I'D LOVE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
[04:20:02]
PARKING FOR EMPLOYEES, THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE, WE DO HAVE THAT.NOW WE HAVE A SHUTTLE THAT RUNS TILL TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, I THINK THAT THAT CAN DO NOTHING BUT HELP WITH THE EMPLOYEES WHERE THEY CAN GET THE MONTHLY PASSES IN THE GARAGE.
NOW THAT'S AN INTERESTING BECAUSE, WHAT WE HEARD AND WHAT WE HEAR, WHAT THEY HEARD WAS RESIDENTS DON'T COME DOWNTOWN BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S ANYTHING FOR THEM.
WE HEAR IT ALL THE TIME SO HOW DO WE BRING OUR RESIDENTS, HOW DO WE GET THEM INVOLVED? AND THEN THE LAST ONE IS REVISIT THE SOUND ORDINANCE, WHICH WE ALL KNOW.
I MEAN, I THINK STAYING ON TRACK, I THINK OVERALL, MAYBE I DON'T MAYBE I AGREE WITH ALL OF THEM MAYBE NOT ONE OUT OF THOSE BUT I'M ENCOURAGED TO HEAR THIS DISCUSSION, AT LEAST THAT WE NEED TO FORM AN ALLIANCE.
I DO THINK THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT GOING TO PASS.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME GOOD THINGS COME OUT OF IT AND THIS RELATIONSHIP, I'VE ALREADY HAD THIS I'M GOING TO CALL IT THE MAYOR'S DOESN'T HAVE TWO SOME PEOPLE ARE SO MAD AT ME, I DON'T MAY NOT WANT THE NAME ON IT, BUT THE MAYOR'S ENGAGEMENT GROUP ON NIGHTLIFE AND I'VE ALREADY GOT TWO BARS DOWNTOWN END A REALLY HOT AREA WHERE ALL THESE CALLS ARE THAT WE GOT THE CALL MAP ON TO AGREE.
I'VE INVITED ANOTHER AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND GOTTEN NO RESPONSE FROM THAT INVITATION BUT I'LL KEEP TRYING AND I THINK THAT'S GREAT.
WE CAN HAVE THE SOUND ORDINANCE CONTINUE, WE REALLY NEED TO WORK ON THAT.
THE RIDE-SHARE HAVE THE THESE ARE THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE.
>> MADAM MAYOR, I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT, BUT WE'RE NOW AT 09:42 AND YOU EXTENDED JUST FOR 30 MINUTES, MY SUGGESTION IS IF THE COMMISSION CAN EXTEND FOR US TO FINISH THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA IF THAT'S POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME RESOLUTIONS [OVERLAPPING]
>> YEAH, WE WILL NEED TICKETS THAT WASN'T LONG ENOUGH.
HALF AN HOUR WAS DEFINITELY NOT LONG ENOUGH.
>> THAT WAS A LITTLE SHORT, I DIDN'T WANT TO INTERRUPT, BUT [OVERLAPPING]
>> FINE. COMMISSIONERS I MOVE THAT WE EXTEND THE TIME.
WE STILL HAVE A DISCUSSION CONCERNING [OVERLAPPING]
>> IF WE COULD FINISH THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME FINANCE ITEMS AND THE RESOLUTIONS SO IF WE COULD JUST EXTEND UNTIL WE FINISH OUR AGENDA IF YOU'RE WILLING.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WE SHOULD NOT DO A TIME THING, EXTEND IT UNTIL WE FINISH OUR AGENDA.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
I THINK I'VE SAID ENOUGH, I THINK THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSION.
I MOVE THAT ORDINANCE 23 DASH THE 27.
SUSPEND ANY FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE ORDINANCE?
>> YES. THAT'S A VERY PRETTY WAY OF TRACKING IT.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> OKAY THEN, MAYBE WE'LL JUST SIT HERE FOR A MINUTE WHILE WE CLEAR THE ROOM, I ASSUME THAT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE GOING OUT NOW. TAKE A MINUTE.
>> YOU CAN JUST PUT THAT IN THERE.
I'LL GET MY MOUNTAIN DEW OTHER THING I COULD TAKE IT HOME [LAUGHTER]
>> LET'S SEE IF WE CAN DO THIS IN RECORD TIME.
I DON'T THINK WE'LL BE HERE ANOTHER HOUR THEN I QUIT.
>> I THINK WE'LL GO AHEAD AND [NOISE] PLEASE WE ARE TRYING TO CONDUCT A MEETING AND CONTINUE.
[04:25:05]
WE HAVE QUITE A LONG EVENING IF YOU DON'T MIND TAKING IT OUT. THANK YOU.>> MADAM MAYOR, THE THREE RESOLUTIONS ALL DO NEED TO BE OPENED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'M NOT SURE THERE'S ANYONE LEFT THAT HAS AN INTEREST, BUT THEY SHOULD BE OPENED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
[8.D. Resolution 2023-28: Increases the water and sewer rates for the Fiscal Year 2023- 2024 budget. (M. Simpson, Director Finance)]
RESOLUTION 23-28. MR. SIMPSON, THERE YOU ARE. HELLO, WELCOME.VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS MARK SIMPSON, FINANCE DIRECTOR.
TONIGHT I HAVE RESOLUTION 2023-'28, WHICH RAISES UTILITY RATES BY 4.4%.
IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED A COUPLE OF TIMES PRIOR TO THIS EVENING AT VARIOUS BUDGET MEETINGS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION THAT THE SURCHARGE FOR OUTSIDE CITY WAS LOWERED BY 1% FROM 19%-18%.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THIS RESOLUTION IS APPROXIMATELY $625,000.
I AM HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT RESOLUTION 2023- '28 AND THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> QUESTIONS OF STAFF BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC HEARING? NO, OKAY.
>> HAVE YOU NOTICED PEOPLE ARE LEARNING THAT THEY NEED TO BE LAST.
BJ CALAIS TO WEST CITY, ST. AUGUSTINE RESOLUTION 2023-'28.
THE MINIMUM UTILITY BILL IS CURRENTLY $64.46.
THE 4.4% INCREASE ON ALL UTILITIES, WATER, SEWER, STORMWATER, AND SOLID WASTE SHOULD NOT APPLY TO PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS CONSERVING AND PAYING THE MINIMUM.
THE MINIMUM OF 6446 WILL INCREASE BY $2.84, WHICH EQUALS $34.08 FOR THE YEAR.
THE GAS COMPANY WITH YELLOW STICKS ALL OVER THE CITY PAYS ZERO TO DO BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
ACCORDING TO STAFF YEARS AGO, IT WOULD BE AN INSIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO CHARGE THEM.
YET $2.84 ON THE AMENDMENT UTILITY BILL IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.
AT THE END OF 2021, FLAGLER COLLEGE HAD AN ENDOWMENT OF $83.2 MILLION, WHICH IS 1 MILLION LESS THAN THE PROPOSED CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BUDGET FOR 2024, 2025 OF 84 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS.
THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAS FAILED TO REQUIRE THIS INSTITUTION TO MAKE PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES PILOTS.
THIS GOAL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE 23.40% WHO PAYS ZERO PROPERTY TAXES BENEFIT ON THE BACKS OF THOSE WHO PAY PROPERTY TAXES.
QUESTION, HOW MANY PARCELS CURRENTLY PAY THE MINIMUM? THIS RESOLUTION IN 2023-'29,2023-'30 SHOULD BE WRITTEN TO INCREASE UTILITY RATES ON THOSE PAYING MORE THAN THE CURRENT MINIMUM OF $64.46 OR DIRECT STAFF TO CREDIT THOSE PAYING $64.46 WITH A $34.08 ON THEIR WATER BILL BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, GIVE THEM A CREDIT TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.
SOME OF YOU HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT TRYING TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE PUBLIC.
TAXPAYERS CONTINUED TO PAY 16 CITY EMPLOYEES $11,520 A YEAR ON THEIR UTILITY BILLS.
I THINK YOU NEED TO REALLY START THINKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN CONSERVING ALL THESE YEARS.
WHETHER IT'S ONE, TWO, OR THREE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
YOU MAY NOT THINK $34.08 IS A LOT OF MONEY, BUT IT IS AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE GIVEN BACK TO THE PEOPLE THAT'S DONE WHAT THEY SHOULD BE AS FAR AS PAYING THEIR WATER BILLS AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY THAT WOULD BE.
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THAT INFORMATION LATER ON AND MAYBE YOU ALL CAN FIGURE THAT OUT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS PRESENT? HAVE A COMMENT IS CLOSED.
>> CITY MANAGER WANTS TO MAKE A COMMENT.
>> CITY MANAGER WANTS TO MAKE A COMMENT.
>> THE SPEAKER TALKED TO A VERY OLD POLICY IN WHICH THE CITY PAID CITY EMPLOYEES WHO LIVED IN THE CITY THEIR WATER BILLS.
THAT HAS NOT OCCURRED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
[04:30:02]
THERE WAS A CITY RESIDENT, $60 PAYMENT TO CITY EMPLOYEES WHO LIVED IN THE CITY THAT I ELIMINATED WHEN I BECAME CITY MANAGER, THAT PAYMENT WAS MADE TO TRY TO INCENTIVIZE CITY EMPLOYEES FROM LIVING INSIDE THE CITY.BUT WHAT WE SAW IS OUR NEW EMPLOYEES COULD NOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE CITY.
WE WERE PENALIZING PEOPLE WHO WERE LIVING IN PALM COAST AND DRIVING INTO TOWN.
SO THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN ELIMINATED.
THE CITY DOES NOT PAY CITY EMPLOYEES WATER BILL AND I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT THANK YOU.
>> VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NO COMMENTS. I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS RESOLUTION 2023-'28. I NEED TO READ IT.
>> ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> DO WANT TO ROLL CALL? RESOLUTION 2023-'29, MR. SIMPSON.
[8.E. Resolution 2023-29: Increases the stormwater fee for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget. (M. Simpson, Director Finance)]
>> THANK YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONERS.
MARK SIMPSON, FINANCE DIRECTOR, RESOLUTION 2023-'29.
THIS IS A VERY SIMILAR RESOLUTION, IT RAISES STORMWATER FEES BY 4.4%, WHICH IS OUR COST OF LIVING FROM MAY TO MAY.
IT INCREASES THE SINGLE-FAMILY UNIT TO 1025 PER MONTH.
ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THIS IS $50,000.
IT JUST KEEPS UP WITH THE COST OF LIVING.
HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AT A COUPLE OF PRIOR BUDGET WORKSHOPS, BUT I AM HERE TO HELP IF NECESSARY.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COMMISSIONERS?
IF THE STORMWATER IN THE WATER BILL THERE, THEY'RE SAME.
HOW MUCH IS THE ACTUAL BILLS GOING TO GO UP FOR THE AVERAGE RESIDENT?
>> I BELIEVE MS. GLADY HAD IT CORRECT.
THE AVERAGE RESIDENT'S TOTAL BILL, IF ALL OF THESE THREE RESOLUTIONS PASS, SHOULD GO UP BY A NET 4.4% BECAUSE ALL THE RATES ARE GOING UP BY FOUR.
>> WAS THAT 4% FOR THE SALTWATER AND SO AND THEN ANOTHER 4% FOR THE STORMWATER?
THERE ARE THREE SEPARATE UTILITIES.
A UTILITY WHICH COMPRISES WATER AND SEWER, AND THEN STORMWATER AS ITS OWN SEPARATE UTILITY AND THEN TRASHING GARBAGE IS ITS OWN SEPARATE UTILITY.
IN THE APPENDICES OF THE UTILITY RESOLUTION AND IN THE TRASH AND GARBAGE RESOLUTION, YOU'LL SEE THE INDIVIDUAL RATES AND THEY ALL GO UP BY 4.4%
>> THAT IS ACTUALLY 12% IF YOU ADD ALL 4% TOGETHER, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> NO, MA'AM. NO. IF YOU TAKE EVERYTHING ON YOUR MINIMUM WATER BILL AND ADD THEM ALL UP AND MULTIPLY THAT TIMES 4.4%.
THAT SHOULD BE YOUR NET INCREASE.
>> TO MAKE COMMENT. I THINK MS. GLADY HAS A POINT AND IT MAY BE SOMETHING WE MIGHT WANT TO ENCOURAGE AND INVESTIGATE.
THAT IS, THE WATER AND SEWER BILLS ARE CONNECTED.
THE MORE WATER YOU USE, THE HIGHER YOUR SEWER.
CONSERVING WATER IS NOT PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IN FLORIDA, BUT IT ISN'T A LOT OF OTHER STATES AND IT'S GOING TO BE.
MAYBE WE COULD WORK OUT A REWARD SYSTEM FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO REMAIN BELOW THE MINIMUM AN OFFER, SOME A REBATE BECAUSE IT BECOMES AN INCENTIVE TO TURN THE WATER OFF WHILE YOU'RE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH.
A FEW YEARS AGO WE HAD A RESIDENT THAT ENCOURAGED US TO DO THE SAME THING.
MY DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND MYSELF WORKED TO TRY TO KEEP THE BASE RATE THE SAME.
BUT BECAUSE SO MUCH VOLUME OF WATER IS IN THE BASE RATE THAT WE HAD TO EXPONENTIALLY INCREASE ALL THE OTHER RATES TO WHERE IT BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO INCREASE THE BASE RATE.
>> YOU'RE SAYING THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE PAY THE MINIMUM?
>> NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING.
I'M SAYING IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOUR FEDERAL INCOME TAXES WHERE THERE ARE SO MUCH OF THE INCOME IS IN THE 0-15% TAX BRACKET.
WE'RE ON A BRACKETED SYSTEM BASICALLY AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT MORE FOR THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.
BUT WE DID FIND IT TREMENDOUSLY DIFFICULT TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.
WE DID IT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BUT THOSE OTHER RATES INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. WE HAVE LOOKED AT THAT.
>> YES. WE WERE JUST ANSWERING QUESTIONS.
ANYBODY HAS ANY MORE QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER BLONDER, DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?
[04:35:03]
>> [OVERLAPPING] ANY SPEAKER CARD.
I'M ASSUMING THAT'S MS. GLADY.
>> THANK YOU, MS. DONNA. BJ CLAY, WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
AS I WAS LISTENING TO MR. BERTRAM SPEAK, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CLEAR FROM WHAT HE SAID THAT THESE 16 PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DO NOT HAVE THEIR WATER BILLS PAID ON A MONTHLY BASIS OF $60.
THERE'S 16 OF THEM AND I DON'T THINK THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WAS TOLD AND THAT'S WHY I WANT THIS CLARIFIED FOR EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THESE INDIVIDUALS AND IT GOES BACK TO 2008.
GRANTED, MR. BERTRAM GOT OFF THE LIST AND MR. RUSSI, MR. REAGAN GOT OFF THE LIST.
BUT THESE PEOPLE ARE STILL WORKING FOR THE CITY.
THE FURTHEST ONE THAT GOES BACK TO 208.
THESE WILL CONTINUE TO GET $60 TOWARDS THEIR WATER BILLS UNTIL THEY RETIRE FROM THIS CITY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS CLEAR AND IF I'M WRONG, FINE.
BUT THIS IS THE LAST INFORMATION I GOT FROM MS. DONNA WITH HUMAN RESOURCES AND I'LL TURN THIS IN.
>> THAT IS NOT CORRECT, I ELIMINATED THE PROGRAM.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, WHO WANTS TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE. WE APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023. 29.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> LET'S GO TO ITEM 23-30 RESOLUTION. MR. SIMPSON.
[8.F. Resolution 2023-30: Increases the fees for solid waste disposal for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget. (M. Simpson, Director Finance)]
>> THANK YOU AGAIN. MARK SIMPSON, FINANCE DIRECTOR, HERE TO BRING A RESOLUTION 2023-30, VERY SIMILAR TO THE LAST TWO RESOLUTIONS.
4.4% ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASES FOR THE SOLID WASTE UTILITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE HEADER ON EXHIBIT A [LAUGHTER] ERRONEOUSLY SAYS 2017, 2018, THAT WAS NOT VISIBLE TO ME ON EXCEL, BUT WHEN IT PRINTED, THIS IS ACTUALLY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024.
ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THE SOLID WASTE FUND ON THIS IS APPROXIMATELY $238,000.
ONCE AGAIN, COMPUTED BASED ON THE CPI THAT WE USE FOR OUR OTHER BUDGETED ITEMS.
>> ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. SIMPSON?
>> [OVERLAPPING] PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> I ASSUME MS. COLLETTI, [OVERLAPPING].
>> I MOVE RESOLUTION 2023-30 FOR APPROVAL.
>> I'LL SECOND, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> OKAY THEN. ON TO DISCUSSION, THIS IS WHAT EVERYBODY HAS BEEN WAITING FOR TONIGHT? I SEE. WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION,
[10.A. Discussion of the offer to purchase undeveloped land near Florida Avenue and Julia Street (Parcel Numbers 107790 0110 and 107790 0010). (D. Birchim, City Manager)]
THIS IS MR. BURTON.WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION CONCERNING FLORIDA AVENUE.
>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
THIS ITEM CONCERNS THE PURCHASE OF A SIX-AND-A-HALF ACRE WATERFRONT PARCEL ON THE ST. SEBASTIAN RIVER, BOUNDED ON THE WEST SIDE BY FLORIDA AVENUE AND ON THE NORTH SIDE BY JULIUS STREET.
THREE-AND-A-HALF OR I SHOULD SAY 3.8 ACRES IS UPLANDS.
THIS PARCEL HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF NUMEROUS PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETINGS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING ON THE SITE.
I THINK IT WAS 37 OR 38 UNITS THAT WERE GOING TO BE BUILT ON THE SITE.
THIS HAS BEEN A SITE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DEVELOPED.
ON THE OVERHEAD, YOU CAN SEE AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH THAT'S BORDERED IN RED AND THAT IS THE SITE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE PORTION THAT IS
[04:40:04]
FRONTING FLORIDA AVENUE FOR THE MOST PART IS NOT PART OF THE PARCEL WE'RE PURCHASING.IT IS ONLY THE PIECE THAT IS BORDERED IN RED.
IT DOES HAVE PUBLIC ACCESS FROM FLORIDA AVENUE ON THE SOUTH SIDE HERE AND JULIUS STREET ON THE NORTH SIDE HERE.
BUT THERE WILL BE DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE STREET FRONTAGE OF FLORIDA AVENUE THAT IS NOT PART OF THE REAL ESTATE THAT IS BEING OFFERED FOR PURCHASE TODAY.
THE APPRAISAL CAME BACK AT $1,935,000.
THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY HAS OFFERED TO SELL US THAT PROPERTY FOR THE APPRAISED VALUE.
WE RECENTLY DID A NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.
TODD GRANT, WHO'S THE DIRECTOR OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MET THE NEIGHBORS AND DISTRIBUTED THIS INFORMATION TO THEM.
WE ALSO DISTRIBUTED THE INFORMATION TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL COORDINATOR.
TONIGHT'S AGENDA ITEM IS CONSIDERATION OF THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY AT THE APPRAISED VALUE PLUS CLOSING COSTS.
THOSE FUNDS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES.
AT THE LAST MEETING, THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY IS IN THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES AND HOW MUCH WOULD BE LEFT OVER IF YOU DID THIS.
IF WE MOVE TWO MILLION DOLLARS AT A GENERAL FUND RESERVES TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY, WE MOVED AN ADDITIONAL MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF RESERVES AS THE SEED MONEY FOR THE CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITION.
WE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING LIKE ONE-AND-A-HALF MILLION DOLLARS LEFT AFTER WE RECONCILE ALL OF OUR END-OF-THE-YEAR BOOKS WITH THE BUDGET CYCLE.
THE THIRD ACTION ITEM IS ALLOWING THE CLOSING TO BE DONE EITHER KNIGHT BARRY TITLE OR A STATE TITLE IS THE TITLE COMPANIES THAT THE PROPERTY OWNER WOULD LIKE TO USE.
WE'VE USED BOTH TITLE COMPANIES, THEY'RE BOTH GOOD TITLE COMPANIES.
I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
>> COMMISSIONER BLONDER, I'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO SPEAK FIRST.
>> I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
I DID WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF MINOR POINTS.
YOU-ALL KNOW, THERE'S NO SECRET HOW STRONGLY I SUPPORT THIS IDEA AND PUTTING IT INTO EFFECT AT THIS TIME IN PARTICULAR AND IN THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION THAT HAS BEEN UNDER SUCH THREAT.
THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT HOW I'M GOING TO VOTE ON THIS.
BUT I DO WANT TO SAY JUST TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T GET LOST THAT THE STAFF HAS JUST DONE A FABULOUS JOB IN WORKING WITH THE SELLER AND WORKING WITH THE NEIGHBORS.
THE NEIGHBORS AS WELL, THAT PEOPLE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY'RE SO PASSIONATE AND THEY'RE SO CLEAR EYED ABOUT WHY THEY WANT THIS AND WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR THE ENTIRE CITY.
THEY'VE CERTAINLY GOTTEN A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
IT'S JUST BEEN A REALLY EXCITING RIDE AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THIS IN FRONT OF US AND THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN A PART OF IT.
I PROMISE I'LL BE BRIEF, IT'S REALLY LATE.
FIRST OF ALL, THAT I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT THE PROPERTIES THAT FRONT LORDE AVE, WE JUST CAN'T EXPECT OR HAVE ANY IDEA THAT THAT WOULD BE ENCUMBERED IN ANY WAY BY US MOVING FORWARD ON THIS PURCHASE OF THE SIX-AND-A-HALF ACRES.
WE HAD A SPEAKER EARLIER TODAY THAT INFERRED THAT OR DIDN'T INFER, BUT BASICALLY SAID THAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB IN NEGOTIATING.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE OWNER DID GET HIS OWN APPRAISAL AND IT CAME IN MUCH HIGHER THAN THE CITY'S APPRAISAL.
THE FACT THAT HE AGREED TO GO WITH OUR APPRAISAL I THINK IS A GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATION AND I THINK WE SHOULD JUMP ON THIS.
I HAVE TWO IMPORTANT PRECEDENTS THAT I HOPE WE'LL CARRY OVER INTO OUR NOVEMBER WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPING CRITERIA FOR HOW WE IMPLEMENT OUR LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM.
SINCE WE'RE GETTING OUT AHEAD OF THAT A LITTLE BIT, THAT'S HOW THESE THINGS WORK.
YOU CAN'T ALWAYS PLAN IT AND WHEN YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE WE DO WITH THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES, THAT'S GREAT AND I'M GLAD WE'RE CONSIDERING THIS.
BUT THE TWO IMPORTANT PRECEDENTS ARE THAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO PURCHASE THIS AT THE ASSESSED VALUE.
NUMBER 2, I WOULD CONDITION OUR PURCHASE OF
[04:45:03]
THIS PROPERTY THAT WE HAVE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN PLACE OVER IT WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME AND I WOULD SAY THAT WOULD BE ABOUT A YEAR AND THAT COULD BE MODIFIED BY ANYBODY.BUT THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS AS A GREAT WAY TO CAP OFF A LONG AND INTERESTING MEETING. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS.
I'M GETTING IT TO THE AGENDA AS IT CAN GET AS AN AGENDA ITEM.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN WORKING FOR A LONG TIME AND THIS HAS BEEN YOUR BABY AND YOU'RE THE CHAMPION OF IT.
IF THE COMMISSION LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THIS, I'LL CIRCLE BACK TO YOU AND ASK YOU FOR A MOTION.
>> I'M TOTALLY IN FAVOR OF IT.
I HAVE BEEN GETTING EMAILS ABOUT THIS PROPERTY BECAUSE, OF COURSE, IT'S ON THE WEST SIDE FOR AWHILE.
I SPOKE TO JOHN ABOUT IT A WHILE BACK AND THEN AGAIN WITH DAVID AND SO I THINK IT'S GREAT.
I THINK THAT IT'S SAVING A CANOPY OF TREES, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT PRESERVING.
I THINK IT'D BE GREAT FOR THOSE RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY CAN REST EASY KNOWING THAT THAT AREA IS NOT GOING TO GET THOSE THREE STORY DEVELOPMENTS THAT WAS COMING.
>> VICE MAYOR, THREE-STORY DEVELOPMENT AND PAVED PARKING LOT.
[LAUGHTER] I'M TOTALLY IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
>> EXCELLENT. COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF POINTS. ONE, I'M IN FAVOR OF IT AS WELL.
I SAID DURING CAMPAIGNING AND I'VE SET IT HERE, IF YOU DON'T OWN THE LAND AND HAVE THE ZONING, IF YOU HAVE THE LAND AND YOU HAVE THE ZONING, WE CAN'T REALLY STOP YOU FROM DOING THINGS, SO BUYING THE LAND IS THE ONLY WAY TO REALLY PREVENT.
I THINK THIS IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST PIECE WITHIN THE CITY, WE HAVEN'T FACT CHECKED THAT, BUT THE LARGEST CONTINUOUS PIECE THAT WE COULD HAVE PROBABLY BOUGHT.
WE HAVE THE RESOURCES BECAUSE PROPERTY VALUES HAVE GONE UP AND THE COMMISSION HAD THE FORESIGHT NOT TO LOWER THE MILLAGE IN ORDER TO HAVE FUNDS FOR THESE TYPE OF ACTIVITIES.
ONE THING THAT WASN'T MENTIONED BESIDES THE PARKING LOT AND THE TREES IN THE PARK AND ALL THAT IS THE VISTA, FOR ME THAT'S ONE.
I THINK KEEPING THAT BEAUTIFUL RIVER WITH THE VISTA OF OAK TREES AND TREES IN THE BACKGROUND MAKES A STATEMENT TO ANYBODY DRIVING THROUGH TOWN OF WHAT WE CARE ABOUT.
>> I DO HAVE A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING, WHENEVER YOU'RE READY TO MAKE A MOTION OR COMMISSIONER BLONDER, ALSO MAKE A FINDING THAT IT DOES COMPLY WITH THE PARAMOUNT PUBLIC PURPOSE SECTION OF OUR CODE, WHICH IS THE REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION PROCEDURES.
THAT SECTION 2-2, SO THAT THIS DOES MEET THAT PARAMOUNT PUBLIC PURPOSE.
SECONDLY, I WOULD CAUTION ON CONDITIONING THIS PURCHASE ON THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A CONSERVATION EASEMENT.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A SEPARATE ENTITY THAT ACCEPTS THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT AND THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN.
IF YOU COULD MAKE A MOTION THAT IT MEETS THE PARAMOUNT PUBLIC PURPOSE REQUIREMENT FOR REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION PROCEDURES IN OUR CODE.
I'M GOING TO DO MY COMMENTS NOW.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED FOR A LONG TIME.
I WASN'T REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH IT UNTIL WE HAD THE COMMITMENT TO THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
REALLY, MOVING CLEARLY IN THE DIRECTION OF HAVING A LIST OF WHAT'S ELIGIBLE AND WHAT ARE THE BEST MOVES AND A BUDGET THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.
BUT THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND I APPRECIATE IT FOR THE TREE CANOPY.
WE ARE A TREE CITY ON THE TREE PRESERVATION.
I APPRECIATE IT TO HELP PROTECT ON THE REPETITIVE FLOODING AND PROVIDE SOME SORT OF MITIGATION.
I APPRECIATE THE SUGGESTION ABOUT A HISTORIC MARKER.
I'M VERY CURIOUS ABOUT THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE ON THE PROPERTY.
OF COURSE, THOSE DEEP CONCERNS OVER THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT ON THIS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT DOWN THE ROAD.
I'M GOING TO LET COMMISSIONER BLONDER MAKE THE MOTION.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A MANAGEMENT PLAN AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND LIKE I SAID, THAT IT WAS SUGGESTED AS A HISTORIC MARKER OR INTERPRETIVE PANELS,
[04:50:02]
MUCH LIKE WE'VE DONE WITH FISH ISLAND.I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ALL THAT.
>> I AM PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION.
BEFORE I DO, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.
BUT I ALSO NEED TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR VISION AND HOW CLEARLY YOU OF ALL JUMPED RIGHT IN BECAUSE YOU SEE HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS FOR OUR CITY.
WITH THAT, I HOPE I GET THIS RIGHT.
MS. LOPEZ, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OF UNDEVELOPED LAND NEAR FLORIDA AVENUE AND JULIA STREET AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 10A.
I BELIEVE THERE IS A FINDING THAT IT MEETS THE PARAMOUNT PUBLIC PURPOSE REQUIREMENT FOR REAL ESTATE ACQUISITIONS IN OUR CODE.
I WOULD CONTINUE IN THIS MOTION BY STATING THAT I HOPE THAT THE STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO INITIATE A MANAGEMENT PLAN AND SECURE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR DEBATE? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. BARBARA BLONDER.
>> ALL RIGHT THEN. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEMS BY CITY CLERK, ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER.
ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. ANYONE ELSE?
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THE SUCCESS OF THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL THAT BROUGHT US TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL, A WHOLE NEW PROFILE.
CITY STAFF DID A REMARKABLE JOB.
I HEARD NOTHING BUT KUDOS AND CONGRATULATIONS.
A COUPLE OF PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE GARBAGE PICKUP, BUT I THINK WE CAN GET THE WORD OUT BETTER ON THAT.
I AM SO SORRY, I HAD TO MISS IT.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU. WE ARE SORRY THAT YOU MISSED IT TOO AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE YOU SOON BACK HERE IN THIS ROOM.
>> THAT'S THE PLAN. WITH THAT THAT SAID, WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.