[00:00:02]
WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER FOR THE ST. AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION, MARCH 25TH, AT 5:00 PM.>> NANCY SIKES-KLINE? ROXANNE HORVATH?
>> NANCY SIKES-KLINE HAD A PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENT, SO I'LL BE CHAIRING TODAY.
WE'RE GOING TO STAND FOR 60 SECONDS OF SILENCE AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE PLEDGE READ BY COMMISSIONER BLONDER.
A MINUTE IS A LONG TIME WHEN YOU'RE PRAYING, WE'LL HAVE THE PLEDGE.
>> PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE.
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
>> DO WE HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA MR. CITY MANAGER?
>> VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, THE ONLY CHANGE I HAVE TO THE REGULAR AGENDA IS ASSIGNING COMMISSIONER BARBARA BLONDER AS THE SPONSOR FOR THE PROCLAMATION THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY CHANGES FROM THE COMMISSION?
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL?
>> I MOVE WE APPROVE THE AGENDA.
>> PERFECT. OUR NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS OUR PROCLAMATION 2024-11.
[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS]
THAT WILL BE READ BY OUR COMMISSIONER BARBARA BLONDER.>> COULD I ASK MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS TO JOIN ME IN STANDING IN THE FRONT OF THE DESK, AND ALSO, MR. CONKEY FROM THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, PLEASE.
IT'S A SIGN. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT.
WHEREAS FLORIDA'S NATURAL BEAUTY, CRYSTAL BLUE WATERS AND WHITE SAND BEACHES ATTRACT RESIDENTS AND VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
WHEREAS CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES ARE VITAL TO FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
WHEREAS MORE THAN 90% OF FLORIDA'S DRINKING WATER IS SUPPLIED BY UNDERLYING AQUIFERS, AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE ECONOMY DEPEND UPON A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.
WHEREAS FLORIDIANS CONSUME MORE THAN 7.9 BILLION GALLONS PER DAY OF FRESHWATER AND THE FUTURE OF FLORIDA DEPENDS GREATLY UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER.
WHEREAS THE STATE OF FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER CONSERVATION.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS DESIGNATED APRIL, TYPICALLY A DRY MONTH, WHEN WATER DEMANDS ARE MOST ACUTE AS FLORIDA'S WATER CONSERVATION MONTH, TO EDUCATE CITIZENS ABOUT HOW THEY CAN HELP SAVE FLORIDA'S PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED WATER CONSERVATION THROUGH VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIM THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 2024 AS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH, AND CALLS UPON EACH CITIZEN AND BUSINESS TO HELP PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCES BY PRACTICING WATER SAVING MEASURES AND BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE NEED TO SAVE WATER.
[00:05:01]
FOR THIS THE 25TH YEAR OF WATER CONSERVATION MONTH, THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL FOCUS ON FIXING LEAKS AND ALL FORMS OF WATER LOSS.THIS IS SIGNED BY OUR MAYOR, OR WILL BE.
MR. CONKEY, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD?
>> YES, PLEASE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS MAYOR HORVATH, FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS GREAT SUPPORT.
THIS IS THE 26TH YEAR OF THE PROCLAMATION COMING OUT FROM THE STATE, RECOGNIZING APRIL AS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH, BUT IT IS A 24/7, 365 EVOLUTION.
IT'S JUST NOT ONE MONTH, IT'S ACTUALLY 12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR THAT WE SHOULD BE CONSERVING OUR WATER.
THAT WATER THAT'S ABOUT 1,000 FEET BELOW US, THAT IS THAT HIGH QUALITY, INEXPENSIVE WATER THAT WE ALL RELY ON.
OUTDOOR IRRIGATION, AS WAS MENTIONED, THE THEME THIS YEAR IS IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY.
YOUR TYPICAL FLORIDA HOME IS GOING TO BE USING 50% OF THE WATER IT USES OUTSIDE.
SO THAT IS LOW HANGING FRUIT THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE ON THOSE LEAKS.
AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO WATER YOUR DRIVEWAY OR THE STREET, IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO SEE THE GROW GRASS OUT THERE.
AND IT ACTUALLY CREATES TRANSPORTS HAZARD MATERIALS DOWN INTO THE STORM WATER DRAINS THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN.
ALSO, CONSERVATION DOES MATTER IF PEOPLE WANT TO ASK THAT QUESTION BECAUSE IT DELAYS THE ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES THAT QUITE OFTEN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO UNDERTAKE TO SUPPLY WATER AND WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.
WE'RE SPENDING $100 MILLION TO SUPPLY BLACK CREEK WATER DOWN TO KEYSTONE TO RECHARGE THE AQUIFER. THAT'S EXPENSIVE.
IT'S A CRITICAL PROJECT, BUT CONSERVATION IS THE CHEAPEST FORM OF SAVING OUR WATER.
IT'S ALSO A WAY OF PROTECTING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES FROM THOSE WITHDRAWALS BECAUSE THOSE ECOSYSTEMS, AS MUCH AS YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT HAPPENS UNDERNEATH OUR FEET DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE WETLANDS IN THOSE FLOOD PLAINS.
THE DISTRICT DOES FUND CONSERVATION QUITE A BIT.
WE'VE FUNDED OVER 237 PROJECTS TO THE TUNE OF $38 MILLION WHICH HAVE PRODUCED 23.5 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER SAVINGS IN A DAY.
THE MOST IMPRESSIVE STAT IS SINCE 1983 WE'VE BEEN PLUGGING AND NOW WE PICK UP THE TOTAL COST OF PLUGGING ARTESIAN WELLS. THEY'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE.
THEY'VE ACTUALLY FOUND SOME DURING THE STORMS ON THE BEACHES WHEN THEY WERE UNCOVERED.
SINCE THAT TIME, SINCE 1983, WE HAVE PLUGGED 3,099 WELLS TO THE TUNE OF $90 MILLION AND THE STAGGERING AMOUNT OF 792.1 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY ARE SAVED.
CONSERVATION IN ALL FORMS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
IF YOU SEE AN ABANDONED OR UNUSED ARTESIAN WELL, PLEASE BRING IT TO OUR ATTENTION AND WE'LL MAKE SURE IT GETS TAKEN CARE OF.
AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR STAFF, AND YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN A LEADER AND IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO COME DOWN HERE.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]
>> VERY WELL PUT. THANK YOU FOR THOSE IMPORTANT WORDS.
>> THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS,
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.THERE ARE THREE MINUTES PER INDIVIDUAL.
WE'LL START WITH JOSE RIERA WILL BE FIRST.
AFTER JOSE WILL BE JOANNA [INAUDIBLE] .
IF YOU'LL COME TO THE MIC, JOSE, THAT'D BE GREAT, AND THEN JOANNA WILL BE READY AFTER YOU. WELCOME.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JOSE RIERA.
I LIVE MADEIRA, 133 PARANZA TRACE HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF MADEIRA.
APPARENTLY, THE DEVELOPER HAS NOT FOLLOWED CERTAIN GUIDELINES THAT WERE DESIGNED IN THE ORIGINAL PUD IN THE 2004 WHICH REQUIRES THE USE OF ARBORIST DEVELOPMENT, PRESERVING OF TREE HAMMOCKS, ALL TREES, AND MOVING PONDS AND ROADS TO PRESERVE SIGNIFICANT TREES.
MY CONCERN IS I WAS HERE AT THE LAST MEETING, AND THERE WERE A LOT OF TREES THAT WERE REMOVED IN ONE OF THE PHASES.
WHEN WE CAME OVER HERE TO PRESENT OUR VIEWS AND COMPLAINTS, WE WERE RAILROADED BY THE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEVELOPER UNDER THE PRETEXT THAT
[00:10:06]
THESE TREES WERE REMOVED BECAUSE THEY WERE AN ENVIRONMENTAL INVASIVE SPECIES AND THEY NEED TO DO SOME REMEDIATION CONTROL.QUITE FRANKLY, THEY DID NOT GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY OR THEY DID NOT SHOW ANY OF THE RESIDENTS THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT THAT SAYS THIS NEEDED TO BE DONE.
BEFORE ANY TREES ARE REMOVED AT THE NEXT PHASE BECAUSE IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE THE PUD WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED, I'D LIKE TO SEE AN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT THAT CLEARLY STATES WHAT IS GOING TO BE REMOVED AND WHAT IS THE DEVELOPER REALLY DOING IN ORDER TO PRESERVE SOME OF THE STUFF THAT HAS BEEN GROWN OR IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, I DON'T WANT TO BE RAILROADED AGAIN INTO SOMETHING THAT WE WERE NOT HAPPY TO SEE WITHOUT HAVING A PROPER ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT INDICATING THIS IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
WHEN I SAY ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT, I DON'T MEAN ONE THAT WAS DONE 20 YEARS AGO.
I'D LIKE TO SEE ONE THAT'S BEEN DONE AT LEAST IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, 2022, PROPERLY REVISED AND SIGNED BY A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
I MYSELF, I AM A RETIRED REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND OKLAHOMA, SO I KNOW WHAT IT INVOLVES TO DO A LOT OF THIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SITE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. CITY MANAGER, CAN YOU REFRESH US ON IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE ARE REQUIRING AN UPDATE FROM THE CLIENT OR THE APPLICANT WHO IS GOING TO DO THE NEXT PHASE, THE OWNER?
>> I'M NOT AWARE OF A REQUIREMENT FOR A UPDATED ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT, BUT WE ARE GOING TO GET A REPORT FROM AMY SKINNER, THE PLANNING DIRECTOR TONIGHT, ABOUT MADEIRA.
I DON'T WANT TO SAY SOMETHING THAT'S INACCURATE, SO I'D PREFER TO JUST WAIT UNTIL THAT UPDATE IS DONE TONIGHT.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. NOW WE HAVE JOANNA INGLE.
AFTER JOANNA, IT'LL BE SCOTT YORK.
>> HI, I'M JOANNA INGLE, 438 CRESCENT KEY DRIVE, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
I'M HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SEASON AND HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO BE.
JUST SO YOU KNOW, NIGHTS OF LIGHTS IS SO IMPORTANT TO US.
MY BUSINESS PARTNER, ANDREA, IS BACK THERE.
WE'RE THE FOUNDERS OF THE TASTING TOURS.
WE PROBABLY DO 40% OF OUR REVENUE DURING THAT SHORT LITTLE 10-WEEK PERIOD.
THE FIRST SIX WEEKS, THAT'S OUR TOURISTS.
THEY COME IN, THEY LOVE OUR CITY, WE LOVE SEEING THEIR SMILING FACES.
BUT COME ABOUT JANUARY 1S, A LOT OF THOSE TOURISTS, IT SLOWS DOWN.
EVERYBODY GOES BACK TO SCHOOL THEN.
THEN WHAT WE CALL IT IS L NOL, WHICH IS OUR LOCAL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS SEASON.
THAT'S WHEN THEY GET TO COME OUT AND HAVE THEIR FAMILY TRADITIONS WHEN IT'S NOT QUITE SO CROWDED, IT'S NOT SO BAD.
WHENEVER THEY COME OUT AND WE SEE THOSE KIDS' SMILING FACES EVERY YEAR, IT'S JUST TRADITION.
I WOULD JUST PRAY THAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER KEEPING OUR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS SEASON THROUGH THE END OF JANUARY AT LEAST.
TRUST ME, BY JANUARY 31ST, WE'RE EXHAUSTED, WE'RE TIRED, WE'RE DONE, BUT WE'RE SO HUMBLED THAT PEOPLE LOVE OUR CITY AND WE GET TO SHARE OUR CITY WITH THEM.
SO JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE SCOTT YORK TO SPEAK NEXT AND THEN BILL LOGGERSON.
>> THANK YOU. MADAM VICE MAYOR, I AGREE THAT A MINUTE OF SILENCE IS A LONG TIME, AND SO IS A MINUTE OF LOUD MUSIC, WHICH IS BEING AMPLIFIED BY LOUDSPEAKERS, WHICH IS WHAT BRINGS ME BEFORE YOU AGAIN TONIGHT.
AS I'VE SENT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU IN MY DISCOVERY OF SEARCHING THROUGH THE CURRENT MUNICIPAL CODES THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2004 AND JUST SIMPLY NOT BEING ENFORCED THAT IN THE CURRENT CITY CODE, LOUD SPEAKERS CANNOT BE USED AFTER 10:00 PM ANYWHERE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, NOT JUST IN THE TOURIST DISTRICT, BUT ANYWHERE IN THE CITY LIMITS AFTER 10:00 PM.
THEY ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN OUR CURRENT CITY CODE.
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT USING OF OR OPERATING FOR ANY PURPOSE, THE LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM OR SIMILAR DEVICE, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10:00 PM AND 07:00 AM ON WEEKDAYS, AND 10:00 PM AND 10:00 AM ON THE WEEKENDS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
NOW I'M ASKING YOU TO ASK THE CITY MANAGER TO DO HIS DUTY THAT HE'S SWORN TO DO AND TO SEE THAT ALL THE TERMS AND
[00:15:02]
CONDITIONS IMPOSED IN THE FAVOR OF THE CITY AND ITS INHABITANTS, THIS IS THE SWORN DUTY THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN AS WELL, TO PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO QUALITY OF LIFE HERE IN THE CITY.IT'S TIME TO STOP IGNORING IT.
WE DON'T NEED A NEW ORDINANCE, WE DON'T NEED TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A NIGHT MANAGER.
WE SIMPLY NEED TO ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2004 PROHIBITING LOUDSPEAKERS.
I WILL LEAVE A COPY OF THIS TO ENTER INTO THE RECORD.
IF YOU NEED DEFINITIONS OF LOUDSPEAKERS, I'VE SENT THEM ALL TO YOU.
I DON'T NEED TO GO OVER THEM, BUT IF THE RESIDENTS HERE WANT TO HEAR THEM, I HAVE THOSE.
THE CITY MANAGER EMAILED ME AND LET ME KNOW THAT BECAUSE THIS CODE DOESN'T PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DEFINITION FOR LOUDSPEAKERS, I WENT AHEAD AND LOOKED IT UP FOR YOU, AND I'VE INCLUDED IT ALL FOR THEM.
BUT IT IS ANY DEVICE WHICH AMPLIFIES MUSIC FOR ANY REASON.
THEY ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED, AND I'M ASKING YOU NOT TO MAKE FURTHER PROMISES THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO UPHOLD, BUT TO ACTUALLY ENFORCE THE LAWS WHICH ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.
DON'T TELL US THAT OH, I WOULD HAVE VOTED AND THEN WE MISSED THE BOAT AGAIN AND WE MISSED THE BOAT AGAIN, AND OH, WE SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT ONE BEFORE WE SIGNED ANOTHER MUSIC FESTIVAL.
LET'S ENFORCE THE LAWS THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S BILL LOGGERSON NEXT, AND AFTER THAT, IT'S GOING TO BE PAUL HAMEL, MAYBE.
I'M NOT SURE. THE HANDWRITING IS A LITTLE HARD TO READ. MR. LOGGERSON?
NOBODY EVER GETS MY LAST NAME RIGHT.
YOU DID GREAT. I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF MADEIRA.
YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD OUR CONCERN ABOUT THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND THE TREES AND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IS THE TREES THAT ARE PROTECTED AND SHOULD BE PRESERVED OR THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL PERMITS TO BE REMOVED GET THAT CONSIDERATION.
I HAVE SOME PICTURES HERE OF TREES IN THAT AREA.
THIS IS A MAGNOLIA THAT'S 24 INCHES IN DIAMETER.
THAT'S THE DIAMETER AT THE BASAL HEIGHT.
THAT'S CHEST HIGH IS WHERE THAT'S MEASURED.
NEXT ONE. THIS IS A LIVE OAK THAT'S 30 INCHES IN DIAMETER.
CYPRESS TREE 24 INCHES IN DIAMETER.
YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS ONE.
THIS IS A LIVE OAK THAT'S 55 INCHES IN DIAMETER, 55 INCHES PLUS.
THEN I ALSO HAVE SOME PICTURES OF THE WILDLIFE, THE BIRDS THAT ARE IN OUR AREA THAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE THEM CONTINUE TO THRIVE.
JUST TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE AREA THAT HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED YET.
I BELIEVE THESE BIRDS ARE PROTECTED.
I LIKE THIS ONE BECAUSE THE BIRDS ARE JUST WATCHING THE BULLDOZER GO BY.
WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION.
AT LEAST HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT THE AREA AND THE TREES THAT SHOULD BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PAUL HAMEL, I THINK.
JUST A MINUTE. AFTER PAUL, IT'LL BE JEFF FOX. THANK YOU.
FOR THE RECORD, IN MY HOUSE ABUTS THE POND ACROSS FROM PHASE 3 IN MADEIRA.
LAST SPRING, OUR NEIGHBOR WITNESSED A TREE BEING CUT DOWN BY THE DEVELOPER WHERE AN EAGLE WAS BUILDING A NEST.
SHE CONTACTED THE DEVELOPER AND WITH THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE NORTH FLORIDA LAND TRUST, SOUGHT TO PRESERVE AT LEAST THE PENINSULA OF LAND ALONG THE POND IN PHASE 3, WHERE THERE IS THE GREATEST CONCENTRATION OF BOTH LOCAL AND MIGRATORY BIRDS, INCLUDING PROTECTED SPECIES.
YOU'LL SEE THAT IN PAGE 7 IN THE COLORED MAP OF MADEIRA AND PHASE 3.
AFTER DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER IN THE NFLT, NORTH FLORIDA LAND TRUST, THE NFLT PROPOSED A ROUGHLY 54 ACRE PARK AND PRESERVE THAT INCLUDES PHASE 3 OF MADEIRA WITH ADJACENT ACREAGE JUST TO THE NORTH, WITHIN THE COUNTY JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE CITY.
[00:20:03]
ALONG WITH THE NFLT, WE SOUGHT A COOPERATIVE APPROACH AND WIN-WIN SOLUTION WITH DEVELOPER AND UNDERSTOOD THAT IF THE DEVELOPER GOT PAID, THEY WOULDN'T CARE IF THE LAND WAS PRESERVED OR DEVELOPED.EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE COUNTY COMMISSION APPROVED THE PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD FOR THE LAND OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS, IS IN THE PROCESS OF STATE LEVEL REVIEWS.
IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT THE DEVELOPER CAME TO VICKY PAINE, AND DESPITE THEM WORKING WITH THE NFLT FOR THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR, SAID THEY WERE NEVER A WILLING SELLER.
THEN THE DEVELOPER OFFERED TO DONATE KURTZ ISLAND, WHICH TO MY UNDERSTANDING, CAN'T BE DEVELOPED TO THE NORTH FLORIDA LAND TRUST.
I REALLY WONDER WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN PRIVY TO NOW ABOUT THE TREES IN PHASE 3 A LITTLE BIT MORE.
BASED ON A SURVEY BY THE FLORIDA STATE FOREST SERVICE LAST YEAR, THERE'S AT LEAST EIGHT SPECIES OF PROTECTED TREES BACK THERE.
IN TOTAL, THERE ARE SEVERAL DOZEN TREES OF SUFFICIENT DIAMETER THAT THEY REQUIRE A PERMIT BEFORE BEING TOUCHED BY THE DEVELOPER OR ANY OTHER ENTITY.
TO ENFORCE THE CITY'S REGULATIONS AND THE PADS THAT BELONG TO MADEIRA, A DETAILED MAP OF GPS COORDINATES SHOULD BE MADE TO INVENTORY EACH PROTECTED TREE, AND THAT MAP SHOULD BE MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD IMMEDIATELY UPON COMPLETION.
MANY OF THESE TREES SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO BE HACKED DOWN.
FINES CAN RANGE UP TO $5,000 FOR LEGALLY TAKING OUT A TREE.
THAT'S PEANUTS WHEN THE DEVELOPER WAS REPUTEDLY WILLING TO CONSIDER $12.5 MILLION TO MAKE THE LAND A PRESERVE.
JUST AS REPEAT SPEEDING TICKET DEFENDER GETS HIS OR HER DRIVER'S LICENSE REVOKED, WE BELIEVE THAT FURTHER ILLEGAL ERADICATION OF TREES SHOULD RESULT IN REVOCATION OF THE BUILDING PERMIT IN THE AREA.
THE DEVASTATION OF THIS COASTAL FOREST WILL ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE AREA BEING MORE FLOOD PRONE THAN IT ALREADY IS.
DURING HURRICANE AND WE'VE SEEN A GLIMPSE OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN BACK THERE.
YOU COULD DO THE RIGHT THING, AND I'M SURE YOU WILL PROTECT YOUR CITIZENS, AND HELP PREVENT UNNECESSARY DESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES.
THANK YOU. SORRY IF I'M A BIT EMOTIONAL, BUT MAYBE YOU CAN SEE WHY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JEFF BOX.
AFTER JEFF, IT'S GOING TO BE VICTORIA PAINE.
I LIVE AT 586 PESCADO IN MADEIRA.
MADEIRA COASTAL FOREST PROVIDES UPLAND AND WETLAND HABITATS FOR THE FEDERALLY THREATENED WOODS STORKS, STATE THREATENED LITTLE BLUE HERON AND ROSIE EIGHT SPOON BILL.
A RECENT BIRD SURVEY COUNTED 22 SPECIES OF BIRDS THERE IN TWO HOURS.
DEER, RACCOON, POSSUM, BOBCATS, HOGS, AND NUMEROUS LESSER ANIMALS CALL THIS PLACE HOME.
THE MADEIRA FOREST WAS INHABITED FROM EARLY PRE-HISTORIC TIMES THROUGH AT LEAST THE 1940S.
THE NATIVE AMERICAN VILLAGE OF COPULACCA IN THE 2ND SPANISH PERIOD, SANCHEZ HOMESTEAD, ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN LOCATED THERE.
NATIVE AMERICANS BURIED THEIR DEAD THERE.
THE FLORIDA STATUTE 872.05 STATES THAT UNMARKED HUMAN REMAINS AND BURIAL SITES ARE PROTECTED FROM DEVELOPMENT.
FLORIDA FOREVER HANDOUT LABELED NUMBER 1 CLEARLY DEFINES A HISTORICALLY AND ARCHAEOLOGICALLY PRISTINE PIECE OF PROPERTY, AND CLEARLY STATES THAT PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROPERTY WOULD PROTECT AND PRESERVE MANY UNIQUE CULTURAL RESOURCES FOR FUTURE PUBLIC USE AND APPRECIATION.
THE MADEIRA PARCEL HANDOUT NUMBER 2, MARCIA CHANCE ARCHAEOLOGIST AND PRESERVATION CONSULTANT FROM ST. AUGUSTINE STATES THAT THE LANDS OF FORT MOSE AND MADEIRA PARCEL COMBINED WOULD FORM AN INCOMPARABLE HISTORICAL RESOURCE.
ANOTHER REFERENCE BY MARCIA CHANCE HANDOUT 3, DICTATES THAT THE MITIGATED SITES WERE NOT COMPLETELY EXCAVATED, AND SURELY HUNDREDS OF SITES REMAIN TO BE EXCAVATED AS THEY ARE CULTURALLY UNIQUE.
KATIE CONRAD AND BILLY BROOKS, US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, NORTHEAST FLORIDA, AND CONSTANT CASTLER, DIVISION MANAGER OF FLORIDA ECOLOGICAL SERVICES, US DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, ALL AGREE THAT THE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE MADEIRA COASTAL FOREST FOR WILDLIFE IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT, NESTING, AND FORAGING BIRDS AND ANIMALS TO PROVIDE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ADJACENT TO URBAN FLORIDA COMMUNITIES, AND CONSERVE LAND FOR FUTURE COASTAL MARSH MITIGATION.
IN CLOSING, NUMEROUS EXPERTS CITED COLLECTIVELY CERTIFY THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESERVATION OF THIS PROPERTY FOR HISTORICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECOLOGICAL PURPOSES.
THESE ARE THE EXPERTS SPEAKING TO YOU, THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE IGNORANT OF THE FACTS AND ALLOW HISTORY, BURIAL SITES, AND ECOLOGY TO BE BULLDOZED IN THE NAME OF ADDING SEVERAL MORE HOMES TO OUR CITY OR YOU CAN BE SENSITIVE TO THE FACTS REPORTED AND
[00:25:05]
DELAY ANY DEVELOPMENT UNTIL SUCH TIME THE HISTORY HAS BEEN FULLY VETTED AND THE BEST USE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PROPERTY IS DETERMINED WITH THE BEST USE TO THE COMMUNITY IN MIND.YOU HAVE TO DECIDE IF ST. AUGUSTINE IS TRULY WHERE HISTORY LIVES AND THE ENVIRONMENT IS PRIZED OR IS IT A PLACE WHERE HISTORY DIES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT DESPISED AS BOTH ARE BULLDOZED IN THE NAME OF PROGRESS.
I APPRECIATE THAT. VICTORIA PAINE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSELMAN.
MY NAME IS VICKY PAINE. I'M IN 394 PESCADO.
I'M ADDRESSING THE ISSUES THAT RALPH BROOKS LETTER SENT TO YOU REGARDING THE MADEIRA COMPLETION DATES, THE ARCHAEOLOGY, AND THE LAND USE DEVELOPMENT PRESERVATION AS OUTLINED IN THE PUDS.
YOUR 2001 PUD EXPLICITLY STATED DEVELOPMENT PHASE COMPLETION DATES WITH PHASE 1 SUPPOSEDLY FINISHED BY 2008 AND PHASE 3 BY 2018.
NONE OF THAT HAS OCCURRED, AND THAT LAND IN PHASE 3 REMAINS A NATURAL STATE, BUT OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE.
ST. AUGUSTINE PROMOTES PRESERVING HISTORY AND CULTURE.
PUD 2001 EXHIBIT B, IDENTIFIED ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE 2 IN MADEIRA, BUT FAILED TO DO SO IN ALL FUTURE PUDS.
DR. GREG SMITH PARTIALLY EXCAVATED FOUR OF THE FIVE SITES THERE.
ALL WERE ELIGIBLE FOR STATE AND NATIONAL REGISTRY STATUS.
THE EXCAVATED ARTIFACTS WERE FROM THE ANCIENT PERIODS THROUGH THE PATRIOTS WAR.
MARCIA CHANCE FURTHER SAID THAT THIS WAS TRUE, NOTIFYING THE CITY THIS YEAR THAT THE MITIGATION DID NOT COMPLETE EXCAVATION AND HAD NOT OCCURRED, RATHER THAT HUNDREDS OF SIGNIFICANT ARTIFACTS REMAINED IN THOSE SITES AND NEEDED TO BE RESERVED AS THEY ARE CULTURALLY UNIQUE FOR THE NATIVE AMERICANS, BLACK AMERICANS, SPANISH AMERICANS, AND HISTORY AS A WHOLE, REALLY SHOULDN'T BE DESTROYED FOR A DEVELOPMENT.
FROM THE FIRST PUD ORDINANCE OF 2001, ST. AUGUSTINE MANDATED PRESERVATION OF NATURAL BEAUTY AND ENVIRONMENT.
SPECIFICALLY, THAT PUDS WILL NOT BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, AND REQUIRE THE OWNER DEVELOPER TO COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY'S TREE LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE.
THE PUD OF 2004 AND NUMEROUS POLICIES REQUIRES THE USE OF ARBORS DURING DEVELOPMENT, PRESERVING TREE HAMMOCKS, PRESERVING ALL TREES 20 INCHES OF DBH OR GREATER, AND MOVING PONDS AND ROADS TO PRESERVE THESE SIGNIFICANT TREES.
THE SAME ORDINANCES APPLIED TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
IT STATES THAT LOTS WILL NOT BE CLEARED AS PART OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, BUT BUILDERS IN COMPLIANCE WITH CITY TREE CODES AND WITH BUFFERS AROUND TREES THAT ARE CONSIDERED OF SIGNIFICANT 20 DBH OR GREATER.
TREE PRESERVATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A QUICK UTILITY AND ROAD INSTALLATION.
THESE SAME PRESERVATION IDEAS ARE REAFFIRMED AGAIN IN THE FUTURE LAND USE OF 2016, "THE CITY GOAL IS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE RESIDENTS CAN MAXIMIZE POTENTIAL ECONOMIC BENEFIT." WE ARE SUPPOSED TO ENJOY OUR NATURAL RESOURCES WHILE MINIMIZING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION.
AGAIN, YOU ENCOURAGE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT OF SENSITIVE LANDS.
WHILE THE US DOI IN 2024 RECOGNIZED THE LAND IN PHASE 3 AS A VALUABLE COASTAL FOREST WITH 60% IN THE FLORIDA BLUE, FLORIDA FOREVER PRESERVATION LAND, AND UNIQUE COASTAL SIGNIFICANCE THAT HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING THE CITY TO DO IS PRESERVE ALL OF THE TREES THAT ARE NECESSARY IN FOLLOWING YOUR PUD ORDINANCES THAT YOU HAD AN AGREEMENT.
MARK THOSE TREES, MARK WHERE THEY ARE, MAP THEM AS SIGNIFICANT TREES, AND IF YOU DOUBT US, COME VISIT US. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE TERRY TACKLE.
THEN AFTER TERRY, IT'D BE JENNIFER CUSHION.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M TERRY TAGAN, I LIVE AT 80 PESCADO DRIVE IN MADEIRA, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THIS PART OF THE FLORIDA FOR ALL MY LIFE.
I REMEMBER WHEN THE OLD PONCE GOLF COURSE WENT UNDER.
I HAD BEEN THERE MANY TIMES, THE REC CENTER, AND IT WAS A SHAME.
EVERYBODY FELT THAT. NOW WE'RE IN A NEW PHASE.
I'VE BEEN IN MADEIRA 11 AND A HALF YEARS.
I'VE SEEN JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING GOING ON.
THAT SECTION, PHASE 3 SHOULD HAVE BEEN PRESERVED FROM DAY ONE AS A CRITICAL HABITAT.
IT IS A MARITIME HAMMOCK THAT IS GORGEOUS.
THERE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTS TO TRY AND PRESERVE THAT PROPERTY, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.
THERE'S NOT MUCH LIKE THAT IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
THE CLOSEST THING TO IT IS IN THE COUNTY DOWN IN THE SHORES.
[00:30:02]
BUT IT NOT ONLY IS A BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY, IT HAS ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE TO ME, HISTORICAL AND IN MANY WAYS.NOW, HAVING BEEN THERE, I WAS HERE WHEN THEY PUSHED THE FIRST ROAD IN THERE AND IT REALLY BROKE MY HEART BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY GORGEOUS TREES IN THAT PROPERTY.
PUSHED UP IN A PILE WAS A TREE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED A SPECIMEN TREE.
IT WAS A HOLLY THAT WAS PROBABLY 14 TO 16" IN DIAMETER.
IT'S NOW SITTING IN A PILE OVER THERE.
NOT ONLY THAT, THERE WERE THREE BIG RED CEDARS.
THEY WERE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME SIZE GONE.
BUT THERE'S A BIG MAGNOLIA THAT THEY DID RUN THE ROAD AROUND.
THERE ARE A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL OAK TREES IN THERE, HICKORY TREES AND REALLY SOME GORGEOUS PINE TREES.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THEM, BUT WE HAD SOME REALLY BEAUTIFUL LONGLEAF PINE IN THERE.
IT'S A SHAME THAT IT'S NOW SLATED FOR DESTRUCTION, BUT IN MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 25, TREES AND LANDSCAPING COVERS ALL THIS.
IT COVERS MITIGATING TREES, RUNNING THE TREE SURVEY, GIVING POINTS FOR TREES THAT ARE EXISTING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED.
AT THE LEAST WE CAN DO IF THE PROPERTY CAN'T BE PRESERVED, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT TREE SURVEY IS RUN.
WE PROTECT WHAT IS LEFT IN THERE OR WILL BE LEFT IN THERE.
SECTION 25, AND THAT ALSO CHAPTER 25, SECTION 55, PLAN APPROVAL.
IT STATES THAT THERE SHALL BE APPROVAL OF THE TREE SURVEY AND THE TREES THAT ARE THERE AND WHAT THE DEVELOPER DOES.
ONE THING IN THE PUD THEY DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS A WOODSTOCK HABITAT.
I SAW NOTHING IN THERE ABOUT SPOON BILLS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WOODS STORKS, WE HAVE NIGHT ERRANDS, WE HAVE A BUNCH OF SPECIES IN THERE THAT NEED PROTECTION.
IF THE TREES ARE GONE, THAT'S GONE.
IT'S A SHAME THAT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IS CHANGING THE WAY IT IS.
I HATE TO SEE IT. LET'S PRESERVE WHAT WE CAN.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JENNIFER CUSHION IS NEXT AND AFTER THAT, WILL WOLFGANG SHAW.
>> HI JENNIFER CUSHION, COUNTRY CARRIAGES.
MY ADDRESS IS 4021 NEW HAMPSHIRE ROAD.
I ACTUALLY LIVE IN ELKTON NOW, BUT I'M HERE ABOUT NIGHT TO LIGHTS.
I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS THIS YEAR FOR 20 YEARS WITH THE CARRIAGES.
I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE BUSINESS.
THE COOLIES WERE LIKE MY GRANDPARENTS.
I'VE BEEN AROUND THE WHOLE TIME, BORN AND RAISED IN THIS TOWN.
LOTS OF ROOTS. NIGHT TO LIGHTS IS A BIG PART OF OUR BUSINESS.
I HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME FROM GEORGIA AND FLORIDA AND THEY BOOK THAT FINAL WEEKEND, THE 30TH AND 31ST.
THAT'S THEIR TIME TO COME BACK AND ENJOY THE MAGIC WITHOUT THE MADNESS.
WE LOST SEVERAL RESERVATIONS THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE LIGHTS BEING TURNED OFF WITH NO NOTICE.
MY QUESTION WOULD BE, IS IT POSSIBLE TO SET A RESOLUTION THAT LASTS FOR FIVE YEARS? WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF PERMANENCE THERE.
THE SECOND SATURDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING TO JANUARY 31.
I HAVE A SIMPLE SAYING, KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID.
FOR ME, THE EASIEST THING TO SAY IS IF YOU LIVE IN JACKSONVILLE OR YOU LIVE IN PALM COAST OR MIAMI OR WHATEVER.
IN JANUARY, COME ON BACK. JANUARY 31.
ARE YOU GOING TO REMEMBER JANUARY 23RD THIS YEAR AND JANUARY 27 NEXT YEAR? TO ME, FROM A CUSTOMER'S POINT OF VIEW, IT'S A VERY SIMPLE POINT TO THEM THAT THIS IS THE DATE.
IT'S NOT A HARD DATE TO REMEMBER WHETHER IT BE A FRIDAY OR WEDNESDAY OR WHATEVER.
THAT'S THEIR CHOICE IF THEY WANT TO COME THE WEEKEND BEFORE OR THE ACTUAL LAST DAY.
BUT TYPICALLY A LOT OF AND LOCALS, MY FAMILY MEMBERS, COME AND RIDE IN JANUARY, COME TOWARDS THE END BECAUSE IT IS SLOWER BEFORE BIKE WEEK AND ALL THAT OTHER STUFF STARTS UP AGAIN.
WE RAN LAST YEAR WITHOUT A RESOLUTION FOR IT.
SO WHAT WOULD IT HURT IF WE COULD SET ONE? THAT'S GOOD FOR AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE CAN ALL COUNT ON.
I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL THINK ABOUT IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOLFGANG SHAW AND THEN ANN DERBY.
>> GOOD EVENING, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS WOLFGANG SHAW, AND YOU CAN PRONOUNCE MY MY NAME CORRECT.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT PIRATES, NOT THE ANCIENT PIRATES, MODERN PIRATES.
[00:35:03]
BEFORE COVID, I HAD FRIENDS OF MINE VISITING US BEAUTIFUL ST. AUGUSTINE, AND THEY PAID $28 FOR A TROLLEY TICKET GOING AROUND THE CITY.THIS TICKET WAS VALID FOR THREE DAYS.
LAST YEAR IN MARCH, MY SON AND MY GRANDSON CAME, THEY PAID $46 FOR ONE DAY, AND FOR THREE DAYS, THEY CHARGED $112.
I KNOW IT'S A PRIVATE ENTERPRISE RUNNING THIS BUSINESS, BUT I THINK IT'S PART OF OUR CITY'S GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID OUR FRIENDS AND TOURISTS WHEN THEY COME IN TOWN TO VISIT US TO BE ROBBED BY MODERN PIRATES. THANK YOU.
ANN DERBY AND THEN ELLEN AVERY SMITH.
I REALLY DIDN'T COME PREPARED TO TALK.
MY ADDRESS IS 125, [INAUDIBLE].
I AM ON THE STREET TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AND I WANT TO SUPPORT MY NEIGHBORS.
WE ARE ASKING YOU TO ADDRESS THE TREES, I GUESS IT'S SECTION 3.
IF YOU HAVE THE CHANCE COME BY WHEN YOU SEE THE ROSETTA SPOON BILLS ON THOSE DARK TREES, IT LOOKS LIKE CHRISTMAS.
PLEASE CONSIDER IT AND THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ELLEN AVERY SMITH.
AND AFTER ELLEN AVERY SMITH, IT'LL BE BJ CALADY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM VICE COMMISSIONERS.
ELLEN AVERY SMITH, ROGERS TOWERS, 100 WHETSTONE PLACE, AND I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE DEVELOPER OF MADEIRA.
WITH ME ARE BILL LANIUS AND DOUG MAYER.
I WANT TO START OUT BY SAYING THAT I REALIZE THAT MOVING INTO A COMMUNITY IS HARD WHEN YOU HAVE VACANT LAND, BUT MADEIRA, FIRST OF ALL, I CANNOT ADDRESS ALL THE MISINFORMATION YOU JUST HEARD FROM THE RESIDENTS.
BUT I WILL ALSO SAY TO YOU THAT MADEIRA HAS BEEN A PUD APPROVED IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND THEN IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR 25 YEARS, PLUS.
MADEIRA ALSO IS SUBJECT TO EVERY LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL APPLICABLE AGENCY AND HAS GONE THROUGH ALL THE APPROPRIATE REVIEWS FOR ARSENIC CONTAMINATION, CLEAN UP FOR SPECIES, FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, ALL OF THAT.
THIS DEVELOPER HAS PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS APPROVED BY THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE, AND I'VE BEEN DOING THIS IN THE CITY FOR A LONG TIME ON VARIOUS PROJECTS THAT YOU COME TO A POINT WHERE PEOPLE DO NOT DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE THEY BUY AND THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT THE LAND NEXT DOOR OR IN THEIR BACKYARD IS SLATED FOR DEVELOPMENT.
NOTHING IN THE PLAN FOR THE MADEIRA PUD ESPECIALLY PARTICULARLY SINCE PEOPLE HAVE REFERENCED PHASE THREE HAS CHANGED IN ALL THESE YEARS.
THAT AREA HAS BEEN ON THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR MADEIRA FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS.
IT AGAIN, IS UNFORTUNATE THAT PEOPLE HAVE NOT DONE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, TO DATE, THE MADEIRA DEVELOPER HAS COMPLIED WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AND I THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR THAT FROM YOUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND A LITTLE BIT.
AGAIN, I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION.
WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER WHATEVER QUESTIONS.
AGAIN, THIS IS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION OF PEOPLE MOVING IN LATE AND JUST NOT REALIZING WHAT WAS GOING TO BE DEVELOPED IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BJ CALADY.
>> [INAUDIBLE] CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.10B QUESTION.
HOW MUCH WILL CITY TAXPAYERS PAY NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR THEIR SERVICES AND UPDATING THE CITY OF ST AUGUSTINE'S VISION PLAN? QUESTION. WHO WILL BE ON STEERING COMMITTEE? SECTION 2445, IT SHALL BE LOCAL FOR ANY PERSON TO PARK A VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS CONTINUOUSLY IN THE SAME LOCATION, UPON ANY STREET.
QUESTION. WILL THE VISION PLAN STOP INDIVIDUALS FROM USING
[00:40:03]
PUBLIC STREETS AS PARKING GARAGES WHEN THEY CLUTTERED THEIR PROPERTY WITH STUFF? QUESTION, WILL PARKING ON HUMP SPEED PREVENT IT? 9A1, 9A2 ON CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE CONSENT AGENDA MAY 23, 2022.THE CODE ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL MAGISTRATE AGREEMENT WAS EXTENDED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH VOS LAW.
QUESTION. IS VAS STILL CONTRACTED WITH THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE? QUESTION. WHETHER RFQ 2405 LAWYER MAGISTRATE ALLOWED CONCERNED TAXPAYERS TO SPEAK? CITY TAXPAYERS WILL BE INTERESTED IN A REPORT FROM MR. [INAUDIBLE], MISS [INAUDIBLE] MR. SPRINGFIELD, MS. WHISTLE AND MISS MARIA ON THEIR TRIP TO SPAIN WHICH BEGINS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2024.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE MADEIRA AND THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT MADEIRA COMING IN HERE AND SPEAKING, DON'T BE AFRAID OF OUR POLITICIANS, DON'T BE AFRAID OF LAWYERS.
ALSO, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO VICE CHAIR HORVATH FOR SPEAKING UP AND SAYING WE HAD 60 SECONDS NOW BECAUSE WE WERE NOT ALLOWED ANYMORE AS OF JANUARY TO SAY AN INVOCATION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S GOOD TO BE QUIET FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
BE SOBER, BE VILIGAN BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL, WALKS ABOUT LIKE A ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR, RESIST HIM.
DO NOT BELIEVE EVERY SPIRIT, BUT TEST THE SPIRITS WHERE THEY ARE OF GOD.
BECAUSE MANY FALSE PROPHETS HAVE GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD.
QUESTION. I THINK WE HEARD THIS TONIGHT TOO.
QUESTION. THE LOVE OF MONEY IS WHAT? LISTEN TO 90.5 FM.
ONE'S HOPELESS LIFE CAN CHANGE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR BEING CONSIDERATE OF PEOPLE WHO'VE NEVER BEEN HERE PROBABLY BEFORE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK AND NOT BE POUNDED OUT AND ASKED TO BE QUIET RIGHT AWAY.
I APPRECIATE SEEING THAT KIND OF RESPECT FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND STAFF TOO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT COMPLETES THE CARDS THAT I HAVE FOR THIS EVENING.
THE NEXT THING THAT WE NEED TO COVER IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
MR. CITY MANAGER.>> MADAM VICE MAYOR. TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA FOR MARCH 25TH INCLUDES THE LIST OF THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES WHICH ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING ON APRIL 8.
THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS BOARD ORDINANCE 2024 DASH 07, EDITS AND BRINGS INTO CONFORMITY REFERENCES TO THE NUISANCE ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS BOARD AND SPECIAL MAGISTRATE.
A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS APRIL 8TH AT 5:00 PM THE REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
APRIL 22 AT 4:00 P.M. A COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING.
APRIL 22 AT 5:00 P.M. A REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND MAY 13 AT 5:00 P.M. A REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
A PROPOSED PROCLAMATION, WHICH IS PROCLAMATION 2024-14, PROCLAIMING APRIL 2024 AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER JIM SPRINGFIELD.
AND THAT COMPLETES THE CONSENT AGENDA. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DO I HAVE A MOTION ON THAT?
>> SECOND. I WILL SECOND THAT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OUR NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS WILL BE 9A1,
[9.A.1. Ordinance 2024-06: Sunsets the Code Enforcement, Adjustment and Appeals Board and establishes the Nuisance, Appeals and Adjustment Board. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
WHICH IS THE ORDINANCE 2024-06, AND OUR ATTORNEY, ISABEL LOPEZ, WILL BEAT US IN THAT.>> VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, BEFORE YOU, I'LL COVER BOTH ORDINANCES, IF THAT'S HELPFUL, AND THEN YOU CAN VOTE ON EACH, BUT THEY TIE TOGETHER.
THE FIRST ORDINANCE IS THAT YOUR DIRECTION.
YOU TOLD US TO SHIFT CODE ENFORCEMENT FROM A VOLUNTEER BOARD, CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD, TO THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE ON A GOING FORWARD BASIS.
I WANT TO SAY THAT WAS ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO.
I MAY BE OFF A LITTLE BIT ON THE DATE.
THE FIRST ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU DOES THAT VERY THING.
IT SHIFTS TRADITIONAL CODE ENFORCEMENT ROLES FROM THE VOLUNTEER CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD TO THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE.
WHAT IT ALSO DOES IS CREATE BUNDLES TOGETHER, I SHOULD SAY, THE ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF OUR EXISTING CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD.
[00:45:06]
OUR EXISTING CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD IS A TRUE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD, BUT IT ALSO HAS A COUPLE OF OTHER DUTIES.CURRENTLY, IT WOULD COVER STATUTORY NUISANCES, AND THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT ARE RELATED TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY.
IT ALSO COVERS A FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT APPEALS, AND IT ALSO COVERS CONTRACTOR DISPUTES OVER CODE PROVISIONS BETWEEN FIRE CODE AND BUILDING CODE.
SO IT HAS A COUPLE OF OTHER DUTIES BEYOND JUST CODE ENFORCEMENT.
THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE, THE FIRST ONE, SHIFTS THE TRUE CODE ENFORCEMENT DUTIES FROM CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD TO A SPECIAL MAGISTRATE AND THEN CREATES A NEW THIS NUISANCE APPEALS AND ADJUSTMENTS BOARD TO COVER THOSE ADDITIONAL DUTIES THAT WERE NOT CODE ENFORCEMENT.
IT PROVIDES FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO APPOINT THEM ON AN AD HOC BASIS BECAUSE WE DON'T GET A LOT OF THOSE TYPES OF ISSUES.
SO WE DIDN'T WANT TO PLACE PEOPLE ON A PERPETUAL PUBLIC BOARD WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO ALL THEIR FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES AND COMPLY WITH SUNSHINE IF THEY WEREN'T ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ACTIVATED.
IT GIVES YOU THAT FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO, ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, ACTIVATE THAT BOARD FOR FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ISSUES IF SOMETHING COMES UP OR A NUISANCE, STATUTORY NUISANCE, THOSE CRIMINAL NUISANCES.
THAT'S WHAT THE FIRST ORDINANCE DOES.
THE SECOND ORDINANCE JUST GOES THROUGH OUR ENTIRE CODE AND CHANGES OUT THE NAMES.
WE HAD TO MAKE EVERYTHING CONCORD.
WE WERE REMOVING ONE CREATED BOARD, AND SO WE HAD TO PULL ALL THOSE REFERENCES OUT, SWITCH IT TO SPECIAL MAGISTRATE OR THIS NEW NAAB BOARD.
THAT'S WHAT THE SECOND ORDINANCE DOES, AND I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THIS IS FIRST READING.
>> FIRST READING. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY ON THE BOARD THAT WANTS TO ASK QUESTIONS OR SPEAK ON THIS OR DO WE HAVE A MOTION THAT WE'D LIKE TO MAKE? WE DON'T HAVE TO SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE IT'S FIRST READING, SO.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. I'M JUST HERE FOR QUESTIONS.
>> I WOULD MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2024-06 TO SECOND READING.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE FIRST AND SECOND.
>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-06, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 5, DIVISION 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
AMENDING SECTION 2-211 TO -212 TO -213 AND TO -16.
NAMING THE NUISANCE APPEALS AND ADJUSTMENT BOARD, PROVIDING FOR ORGANIZATION AND POWERS, REPEALING SECTIONS 2-214 AND 2-215, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. WE'LL STAFF CALL ROLL, PLEASE.
>> OKAY. NOW, WE HAVE THE SECOND ORDINANCE.
[9.A.2. Ordinance 2024-07: Edits and bring into conformity references to the Nuisance, Adjustments and Appeals Board and Special Magistrate throughout the municipal code. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THAT ONE?>> YEAH, I MOVE. WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-07 BY TITLE ONLY. READ BY TITLE ONLY.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-07, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
AMENDING SECTIONS 3-238-38-48-58-4468-4478-4488-4528-45319-219-522-325-5625-5728-3528-9028-347 AND 28-43 TO CONFORM TO THE SUN-SETTING OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS BOARD PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> OKAY. BOTH OF THOSE HAVE PASSED, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO 9B1 RESOLUTION 2024-11.
[9.B.1. Resolution 2024-11: Supports the grant application under the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) waterways assistance program. (J. Perkins, Neighborhood Services and CRA Manager)]
WE HAVE MISS PERKINS TO SPEAK WITH US ON THIS.[00:50:03]
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
I AM JAIME D. PERKINS, NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND CRA MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
TONIGHT I AM PROPOSING THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2024-11, SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATION UNDER THE FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT WATERWAYS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS FIND.
THIS RESOLUTION PROPOSES WILL BE AN ASSISTANT OR FUNDING ASSISTANT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A KAYAK LAUNCH DOWN AT EDDIE VICKERS PARK, WHICH IS AN ADOPTED IMPROVEMENT FOR THE EDDIE VICKERS AND ROBERT B. HELEN PARK MASTER PLAN.
THIS RESOLUTION IS IDENTICAL TO THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU ALL ADOPTED IN 2017, RESOLUTION 2017-05, WHICH THE COMMISSION ADOPTED FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
CRITICAL CHANGES TO POINT OUT IN THIS GRANT REQUEST IS THAT IN 2017, THE TOTAL PROJECT COST WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $180,000 AND THE GRANT REQUEST WAS HALF OF THAT 50%, 90,000..
THIS RESOLUTION TONIGHT ESTIMATES THE TOTAL PROJECT COST TO BE $350,000 AND THE GRANT REQUEST IS 50% OF THAT AT 175,000.
THIS COST CHANGE IS CONSISTENT WITH CURRENT TRENDS RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION, MATERIAL, LABOR, AND COST INCREASES.
I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ADD THAT FIND DID PREVIOUSLY AWARD THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE THIS GRANT IN 2017 FOR THE PURPOSES OF DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING THE KAYAK LAUNCH DOWN AT EDDIE VICKERS PARK.
HOWEVER, DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FOLLOWING YEARS STORM SEASON, WE DID HAVE TO REALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO THE REPAIR OF THE MARINA.
THE PLAN IS TO UTILIZE THE DESIGNS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE.
WE JUST TOOK THEM OFF THE SHELF AND WE'RE GOING TO USE THOSE CURRENT DESIGNS AND CONSTRUCT THAT PREVIOUS PROJECT THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.
TONIGHT I AM HERE REQUESTING THAT THE APPROVAL IN ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION FOR THE KAYAK LAUNCH BE ADOPTED TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MISS PERKINS? ANYBODY?
>> I DO HAVE ONE. THIS IS KIND OF OUTSIDE ALL THE OTHER IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE WERE DOING WITH THE TWO PARK, CORRECT?
>> NO, IT IS A PART OF THE MASTER PLAN.
IT'S ALREADY REPRESENTED IN THE FULL SCOPE OR CONCEPTUAL PLAN OF EDDIE VICKERS INHALING PARK.
>> OKAY. ASSUMING WE DO NOT GET THIS GRANT BUT WE STILL BUILD IT.
>> YES. IT WILL TAKE US A LITTLE BIT LONGER BECAUSE FUNDING CHALLENGES CREATE LONG TERM CHALLENGES, SO IT MAY TAKE A LITTLE LONGER.
BUT THE KAYAK LAUNCH DID RANK VERY HIGH ON OUR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
WHEN WE ASKED THE RESIDENTS, THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS WAS A PHASE PROJECT AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO CHERRY PICK ELEMENTS TO CONSTRUCT AT BOTH PARKS.
THE KAYAK LAUNCH RANK REALLY HIGH.
THE IDEA THAT WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND GRAB THESE FUNDS FROM FIND IF POSSIBLE COULD.
IT HELP US EXPEDITE CONSTRUCTING IT.
>> YES. ASSUMING WE DO GET THE GRANT FROM FLORIDA AND NAVIGATION DISTRICT, WHAT WOULD BE THE TIMELINE? I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF INTEREST, LIKE YOU SAID, AND FOLKS HAVE ASKED US OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN.
>> I WOULD HOPE THAT WE COULD START CONSTRUCTION WITHIN A YEAR.
I THINK THE GOOD PART ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT ELEMENT IS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE THE DESIGN.
A GREAT PART OF PROJECTS THAT USUALLY TAKES A LONG TIME IS GETTING THAT DESIGN COMPLETE.
BUT SINCE WE ALREADY HAVE THE DESIGN, THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT IS POSSIBLY DOING A SURVEY JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DESIGN THAT WE PULLED OFF THE SHELF IS STILL ACCURATE BASED OF THE LAND.
MAKING SURE THERE'S BEEN NO SHIFTS DUE TO SEA LEVEL RISE.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I THINK WE COULD GET THIS ONE OFF THE GROUND PRETTY QUICKLY.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK WE WOULD CALL IT LOW HANGING FRUIT.
>> I HAVE NO QUESTION THAT INCLUDES THE PARKING THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. CORRECT?
>> SO THIS PARTICULAR GRANT WOULD NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARKING, BUT WE WOULD HAVE CRA DOLLARS THAT WE COULD COVER TO INCLUDE THE PARKING.
ALTHOUGH IN THIS DESIGN, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE PARKING LOT, THAT ADDITIONAL PARKING THAT WE NEED FOR THE FUNCTIONING.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I WENT TO SOME OF THE CRE MEETINGS AND THEY WANT THAT DONE, SO IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
>> YES, I MOVE. WE PASSED RESOLUTION 2024-11.
[00:55:02]
>> NEXT RESOLUTION IS 2024-12 AND IT'LL BE MELISSA WISTFUL,
[9.B.2. Resolution 2024-12: Sets the dates for the traditional Nigihts of Lights celebration. (M. Wissel, Director Communications)]
OUR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, SPEAKING TO US ON THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.>> GOOD EVENING, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE DAYS, NOT DATES, BUT THE DAYS, THE SATURDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING THROUGH THE LAST SUNDAY OF JANUARY AS THE SEASONAL PERIOD FOR THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
>> OKAY. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
I DID WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT THOUGH IF THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU, MS. WHISTLE, FOR PUTTING THIS BEFORE US.
I DO APPRECIATE THE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO CAME FORWARD AND SPOKE AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION.
HOWEVER, I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE.
I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF RESIDENTS WHO ARE JUST THE OPPOSITE AND DO HEAVILY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.
SO I WILL MOVE TO SUPPORT IT WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.
>> I AGREE. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE LENGTH OF IT.
AND THIS DOESN'T SHORTEN IT NECESSARILY, BUT SOME YEARS IT'LL BE THE SAME LENGTH BECAUSE THE 31ST WOULD FALL ON A SUNDAY.
BUT I THINK THIS IS MORE DEFINITIVE FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE MAKING THEIR PLANS TO KNOW EXACTLY WHEN IT IS.
>> AGAIN, I DO APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE COMING FORWARD, BUT I HAVE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS THAT THEY'RE TIRED OF IT AND I HAVE HEARD FROM THE VCB THAT WANTS TO STAY AND SOMETIMES GO INTO FEBRUARY.
SO IT'S LIKE A SCALE, BUT WE REALLY HAVE TO PUT OUR RESIDENTS, I BELIEVE, FIRST ON THIS AND THEN THEY HAVE AN IDEA AS TO WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE OVER.
I THINK THAT THE BUSINESS I UNDERSTAND, BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT TIES INTO FEBRUARY, AND THAT PROMOTES BUSINESS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY IN THAT REGARD.
BUT IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU CAN'T GET AROUND BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING HERE TO ENJOY NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
AND THE AVERAGE PERSON ALREADY GOT THEIR BILL FROM CHRISTMAS AND THEY REALLY AIN'T FEELING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AT THAT POINT.
I WOULD GO ALONG WITH CHANGING IT FOR THAT REASON.
THANK YOU. SO WE NEED A MOTION.
>> I MOVE THAT WE PASS RESOLUTION NUMBER 2024-12.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. STAFF.
>> MADAM VICE MAYOR IF I COULD REAL QUICKLY.
MS. WHISTLE BECAUSE THERE MAY BE CONFUSION, THERE HAS BEEN CONFUSION IN THE PAST.
I ENCOURAGE STAFF TO HEAVILY MESSAGE THIS THROUGHOUT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND TO OUR VISITORS TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, SO THAT EVERYBODY'S CLEAR WHEN NIGHTS OF LIGHTS BEGINS AND ENDS.
>> WE WILL PROBABLY PUT SOMETHING IN A RELEASE, PROBABLY NOT THIS WEEK, BUT MAYBE THE WEEK AFTER, JUST ANNOUNCING THAT THE COMMISSION HAS MADE A DECISION AND THAT GETS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH OUR WHOLE MEDIA LIST AND OUR LOCAL FOLKS.
WE CAN GO AHEAD AND PUT IT IN NEWS AND NOTES NOW EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS EARLY.
AND THEN WE'LL MOST CERTAINLY.
>> CAN I JUST ADD TO THAT? I KNOW THAT THERE'S A WAY THAT YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOTTOM OF PEOPLE'S WATER BILL.
YOU CAN PUT A LITTLE NOTE, SO MAYBE THAT CAN GO ON THERE AS WELL, BECAUSE EVERYBODY GETS A WATER BILL AND THEY'LL SEE THAT IF IT'S PRINTED IN RED OR SOMETHING, THAT THEY'LL KNOW WHAT'S COMING.
>> CLOSER TO THE SEASON THOUGH?
>> YEAH, CLOSER TO THE SEASON.
>> YEAH. EXCELLENT IDEA. NO PROBLEM.
>> OKAY. SO NEXT UP IS STAFF PRESENTATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION BOOKLET.
[10.A. Staff presentation of the Neighborhood Grant Program Guidelines and Application Booklet. (J. Perkins, Neighborhood Services and CRA Manager)]
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN, MADAM VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
I AM JAIME D. PERKINS, NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND CRA MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
TONIGHT I AM HERE REQUESTING YOUR APPROVAL, ADOPTION IN SUPPORT OF THE LONG ANTICIPATED MODIFIED NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROGRAM.
IN YOUR BINDERS IN THE AGENDA PACKET, YOU'LL FIND THE FULL GRANT CRITERIA AND APPLICATION THAT IS BEING PROPOSED TONIGHT.
[01:00:02]
IF APPROVED, GRANT APPLICATIONS CAN BEGIN BEING ACCEPTED AS SOON AS APRIL 1ST AND AWARDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR'S THIRD QUARTER.THE GRANT CRITERIA PROPOSES A $3,000 MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD TO EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN THE UNDERTAKING OF SMALL SCALE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT, ENRICHMENT AND ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS OR EVENTS.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROGRAM WILL ALLOW COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO UTILIZE GRANT FUNDS TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL BENEFIT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS A WHOLE.
IMPROVE STAKEHOLDERS QUALITY OF LIFE, SUPPORT BEAUTIFICATION INITIATIVES, STRENGTHENS LOCAL CULTURE, AND SUPPORTS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
A FEW ELEMENTS OF THE CRITERIA THAT I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT IS THAT THE MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD WOULD BE $3,000.
WE WERE ASKING THAT THE MINIMUM GRANT AMOUNT WOULD BE 1,000 AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE IN THE CRITERIA.
WE COULD BE FLEXIBLE WITH THAT AND HAVE SOME DISCRETION IF THERE WAS SOMETHING.
BUT I COULDN'T IMAGINE A SMALL SCALE PROJECT OR EVEN BEING LESS THAN $1,000.
GRANTS WILL NOT BE AWARDED TO INDIVIDUALS, BUT TO ORGANIZATIONS FORMALLY AND INFORMALLY STRUCTURED, NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS ABLE TO SHOW PROOF OF FORMAL ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND HAVE BEEN ACTIVE FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS, WOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY ON THE GRANT.
THE GRANT APPLICATION MUST SHOW A CLEAR PUBLIC BENEFIT OF AT LEAST ONE OF THESE THREE CATEGORIES, WHICH IS COMMUNITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION, PLACEMAKING, REVITALIZATION, ENRICHMENT INITIATIVE OR PROGRAM OR AN EVENT.
THE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE WILL BE FORMED OF CITY STAFF, APPROXIMATELY FIVE STAFF MEMBERS.
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WILL SCORE APPLICANTS INDIVIDUALLY ON A FIVE POINT SCALE.
AND I DO HAVE A COPY OF OUR SCORE SHEET IF THE COMMISSION WANTED TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING, THE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE WOULD USE.
WE PROPOSE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS EACH QUARTER, WHICH WILL BE JANUARY, APRIL, JULY, AND OCTOBER.
AND WE WOULD ACCEPT BETWEEN THE FIRST AND THE 15TH OF THOSE MONTHS.
AND WE WOULD ACCEPT APPLICATIONS EACH QUARTER UNTIL ALL GRANT FUNDS ARE EXHAUSTED.
BASED ON THE CURRENT NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROGRAM BUDGET, IF WE WERE TO AWARD THE MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNT, WHICH IS $3,000 TO ORGANIZATIONS, THE CITY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SUPPORT A MINIMUM OF FIVE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS EACH YEAR.
WE POTENTIALLY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT MORE DEPENDING ON THE AWARD AMOUNTS.
THE GRANT CRITERIA DOES PROVIDE IN YOUR PACKET A NON EXCLUSIVE LIST OF ELIGIBLE AND WHAT WE WOULD DEEM AS INELIGIBLE OR NON ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.
IN THE CRITERIA, WE DID SPECIFY THAT STAFF AND THE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE COULD MAKE DISCRETIONARY CALLS BASED ON THE PROJECT CONTRACT OR FUNDING, DEPENDING ON WHAT THAT PROJECT WOULD BE.
THIS PROGRAM CRITERIA HAS BEEN VETTED AND APPROVED THROUGH OUR CITY ATTORNEY.
OUR CITY MANAGEMENT HAS REVIEWED AND APPROVED THIS CONTEXT AND I AM AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING THE GRANT CRITERIA OR THE APPLICATION ITSELF.
>> YOU SAID THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THREE A YEAR AT 3,000, SO THERE'S ONLY 15,000?
>> YEAH, 5*3, 15,000 IS BUDGETED?
>> I BELIEVE THAT IS OUR BUDGETED AMOUNT.
>> THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE ALLOCATED THIS YEAR, 15,000.
>> I LIKE THIS A LOT AND IT REALLY HELPS ME THINK ABOUT IT WHEN YOU HAVE LAID OUT THE ELIGIBLE AND NON ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.
AND THEN YOU HAVE A CAVEAT UNDERNEATH THAT, ON WHATEVER PAGE THAT IS.
PAGE 7, THAT THE INFORMATION LISTED ABOVE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN INCLUSIVE LIST OF ELIGIBLE OR NON ELIGIBLE PROJECTS, BECAUSE I WAS THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE LANDSCAPING, BEAUTIFYING AN AREA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND THEN I WENT OFF ON A TANGENT BECAUSE JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN NELMAR, THERE'S A VERY NICE LITTLE PARK.
AND I'M ALSO THINKING OF THE ONE IN SOUTH DAVIS SHORES WHERE MANGROVES ARE STARTING TO REALLY GET GROWN UP AND BEGINNING TO INTERFERE WITH THE VIEW SCAPE.
AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I THINK CITY STAFF ARE LICENSED TO TAKE CARE OF BECAUSE THERE'S A MANGROVE PROTECTION ACT, SO THERE'S AN ACTUAL COST TO MAINTAINING THE HEIGHT OF THE MANGROVE.
SO WOULD THAT BE AN ELIGIBLE PROJECT? SOMETHING LIKE THAT? LANDSCAPING ON ONE HAND AND THEN MAINTAINING A VIEW SCAPE ON THE OTHER HAND.
>> I THINK THAT IT COULD BE CONSIDERED.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE, WHAT THEIR TASK WOULD BE.
ONCE THE APPLICANT WOULD SUBMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT,
[01:05:04]
WHAT IT IS THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING AND HOW THE FUNDS WOULD BE SPENT, THEN IT WOULD BE VETTED THROUGH STAFF, THE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE.AND WE DID ALSO PUT IN THE GRANT CRITERIA THAT CERTAIN PROJECTS MAY NEED TO BE REVIEWED BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY JUST TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING STATE GUIDELINES AND WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING LEGALLY.
>> I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT I'D ALMOST LIKE TO SEE THAT TYPE OF AN IDEA, LANDSCAPING, BEAUTIFICATION, WHATEVER.
MAINTAINING A VIEW SCAPE PUT INTO THE ELIGIBLE PROJECTS IF MY COLLEAGUES AGREE WITH THAT.
>> I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.
I CAN SEE MARIA SANCHEZ LAKE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.
>> THERE'S A NUMBER OF PLACES THAT COULD REALLY UTILIZE THAT.
>> I DON'T MEAN TO DERAIL LIKE GETTING MANGROVES TRIMMED, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I DON'T SEE ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAPTURES THAT.
>> BUT I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HAPPEN EVERY YEAR.
>> I CAN ABSOLUTELY ADD THAT LANGUAGE UNDER THE ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.
>> THAT'S GREAT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU. DO WE NEED A VOTE OF SOME KIND? I THINK WE'VE GOT CONSENSUS TO MOVE FORWARD.
THAT'S WHAT I CONTRIVED FROM THE COMMENTS.
THE NEXT WILL BE STAFF PRESENTATION ON UPDATING THE CITY 2014 VISION PLAN.
[10.B. Staff presentation on updating the City's 2014 Vision Plan. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
IT'LL BE AMY SKINNER.YES. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS AMY SKINNER.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
AS REQUESTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION, STAFF HAS MOVED FORWARD TO DEVELOP A PROCESS TO UPDATE THE CITY'S 2014 VISION PLAN.
AS NOTED, THE EXISTING VISION PLAN IS 10 YEARS OLD AND IT IS TIMELY TO UPDATE THE PLAN, ESPECIALLY REGARDING MORE RECENTLY UNDERSTOOD AND PRIORITIZED CONCERNS TO BETTER ADDRESS SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY EFFORTS, AS WELL AS TRYING TO EMPHASIZE LIVABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.
STAFF HAS CONTACTED THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL TO HELP US FACILITATE THE PROCESS IN A TIMELY MANNER.
ATTACHED IS A DRAFT SCOPE OF SERVICES.
AS DRAFTED, THIS SCOPE OF SERVICES IS ESTIMATED TO COST $50,000 TO COMPLETE THE WORK.
THE STAFF HAS ALREADY COMMUNICATED WITH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF TO SEE IF WE CAN PARE DOWN THE SCOPE TO RECOGNIZE AREAS THAT THE CITY MAY ALREADY HAVE INFORMATION AND WHERE STAFF CAN OFFSET SOME OF THE EXPENSES.
THANK YOU. I AM AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
AGAIN, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL TO SEE IF WE CAN WORK THROUGH THE SCOPE TO REDUCE THE COSTS.
THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? YES. I'M WONDERING IF WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAVE OURSELVES SOME MONEY.
IF IT'S APPROPRIATE IF THE SURVEY THAT WAS CONDUCTED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE COULD BE FUNNELED IN TO INFORM, THAT WAS A PUBLIC SURVEY, WENT OUT TO I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS, BUT QUITE A NUMBER AND WE GOT A REPORT FROM MS. WHISTLE SOME MONTHS AGO ON THE SUMMARY AND SO IT'S REALLY STILL FRESH.
I'M WONDERING IF THAT'S A PIECE THAT WE COULD [OVERLAPPING] I BELIEVE SO. I THINK THAT ACTUALLY IS A GOOD POINT, THAT IT'S FAIRLY RECENT DATA, AS I WOULD SAY, AND THAT IT MAY CONTAIN A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT WOULD GIVE US A GOOD BASE TO START FROM TO UPDATE THE VISION.
WE CERTAINLY CAN. IN FACT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT I MENTIONED WITH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF THIS MORNING.
IT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO COMPILE RESULTS OF A SURVEY, SO ALTOGETHER IT WOULD PROBABLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE SCOPE.
THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ON THAT SURVEY THAT WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED, IT WAS COMPREHENSIVE.
IT'S WIDE RANGING, COMPREHENSIVE.
MANY ARE REALLY VERY CLEARLY DIRECTED AT QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES, AND SO I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A GREAT STARTING POINT.
YEAH, IT DEFINITELY GIVES US A STEP UP.
WHEN I WAS REVIEWING THIS CAREFULLY FOR THIS MEETING, I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GOALS SET OUT BELOW THE VISION, BELOW THE STRATEGIC RESULTS, BUT THERE'S NO DATES.
IT SEEMS LIKE TO ME WE OUGHT TO HAVE SOME MEASURABLE GOALS.
WE OUGHT TO HAVE SOME TIMELINES OR SOMETHING MEASURABLE WITHIN THESE, SO HOPEFULLY WE COULD TALK ABOUT THAT AS PART OF THE PROCESS AS WELL.
WELL, I'M EXCITED THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DOING SOMETHING ON THIS.
[01:10:01]
THIS MAKES ME REALLY HAPPY.I HAVE COMPLETE TRUST IN THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL.
I'VE SEEN THEIR WORK FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS, AND THEY'VE DONE VISIONING FOR SMALL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE STARTING FROM SCRATCH.
WE'RE A LOT FURTHER ALONG THAN THAT, SO I EXPECT TO GET SOME REALLY GOOD RESULTS OUT OF THEM.
THEY'LL BE GETTING BACK TO US WITH THE REFRESHED PRICE.
I HAVE A MEETING SET UP WITH THEM ALREADY TOMORROW AFTERNOON.
AFTER TONIGHT'S MEETING, I CAN UPDATE THEM.
WE WOULD THEN ALSO INSERT SPECIFIC DATES AND THE TIME FRAMES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WITHIN THE GOALS OF THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AND WE'LL WORK WITH A NUMBER AND REPORT BACK.
WONDERFUL. IT'S JUST INFORMATION FOR US. THANK YOU.
AN UPDATE. THEN THE NEXT ORDER
[10.C. Madeira Development City Commission update. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
OF BUSINESS IS THE MADEIRA DEVELOPMENT CITY COMMISSION UPDATE.THAT'S ALSO WITH YOU MISS SKINNER.
AS REQUESTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION, THIS PRESENTATION IS INCLUDED TO BE AN UPDATE REGARDING THE MADEIRA DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHERN CITY AREA EAST OF HIGHWAY US 1.
THIS DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN A PLANNED COMMUNITY FOR MANY YEARS.
IT WAS ANNEXED INTO THE CITY IN 2001.
SEVERAL PHASES HAVE BEEN PLOTTED AND ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.
THIS ACCOUNTS FOR 461 UNITS OF THE TOTAL ALLOWED OF UP TO 749 RESIDENTIAL UNITS.
THE REMAINING 288 ALLOWED RESIDENTIAL UNITS MAY BE PERMITTED AS INDIVIDUAL SINGLE FAMILY PLATTED LOTS, OR SOME FORM OF MULTI FAMILY TYPE DEVELOPMENT, IN 2003 AND 2004, ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK WAS DONE ON THE OVERALL SITE.
INVESTIGATIONS WERE COMPLETED, AND THE FIRM ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC, OR ESI, DETERMINED THAT SIGNIFICANT DATA HAD BEEN RECOVERED SUFFICIENTLY TO MITIGATE ADVERSE IMPACTS.
IN APRIL OF 2004, THE STATE DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES CONCURRED OUR OPINION THAT THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK HAS BEEN CONDUCTED APPROPRIATELY AND IS COMPLETE AT THIS TIME.
THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE CITY, INCLUDING THE CIVIL SITE PLANS FOR ALL PHASES.
AS PART OF A 2004 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, 51 POINTS OF AGREEMENT WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE PUD AND SITE PLAN AS MODIFICATIONS, INCLUDING REFERENCES TO BUFFERS AND TREE REMOVAL, AS AGREED TO BY THE DEVELOPER.
THESE POINTS WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
I HAVE SEVERAL MAPS THAT I CAN SHOW YOU THAT WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE EXISTING STATE OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
OTHERWISE, I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
THIS IS A QUICK SNAPSHOT OF OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT MAP.
THIS IS THE REPRESENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE CATEGORIES THAT ARE APPLIED TO THE PROPERTY.
THEN MARSH PROPERTY IS OPEN LAND.
THE UPLAND PORTIONS OF THE PROPERTY ARE RESIDENTIAL, MEDIUM DENSITY, MIXED USE.
THERE IS ALSO SOME COMMERCIAL PROPERTY THAT FRONTS ALONG US-1.
IT'S PART RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE.
THIS IS ACTUALLY DESIGNATED FOR RECREATION.
AGAIN, THESE ARE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CATEGORIES FOR THE PROPERTY.
THIS IS THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT I REFER TO.
THIS OVERALL PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE CITY.
THE GREEN HERE INDICATES THE PARK PROPERTY, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 10 ACRES, AND THEN THE OUTLINE IN RED ARE THE COMMERCIAL AREAS.
THE REST OF THIS, INCLUDING PHASE 3, ARE ALL RESIDENTIAL IN NATURE, MOSTLY SINGLE FAMILY.
THEY HAVE INDICATED A FUTURE POTENTIAL MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT AREA, BUT IT COULD ALSO BE SINGLE FAMILY.
THE TOTAL PROJECT CANNOT EXCEED 749 RESIDENTIAL UNITS.
[01:15:01]
THERE HAS BEEN SOME REFERENCE TO FLORIDA FOREVER AND BLUEWAY BOUNDARIES.THIS IS AN UPDATED MAP THAT WAS IN YOUR PACKET.
THIS MAP BASICALLY TAKES THE MAP THAT WAS IN YOUR PACKET AND ADDS THIS RED AREA WHICH INDICATES PHASE 3 OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS AN UPLAND PORTION OF THE EXISTING PROPERTY THAT IS SLATED FOR DEVELOPMENT.
THE ORANGE AREAS IS WHAT IS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS.
THAT AREA ARE IN THE COUNTY AND THEN THESE BLUE AREAS ARE PRIVATELY OWNED BY THE DEVELOPERS.
HOWEVER, THEY ARE OUT IN THE MARSH.
THIS IN GENERAL, INDICATES THE AREA THAT IS INCORPORATED IN THE BLUEWAY AREA.
LASTLY, VERY QUICKLY, I JUST WANTED TO SHOW THIS IS THE CURRENT REPRESENTATION OFF OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S MAP WEBSITE THAT SHOWS THE DEVELOPMENT.
YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AREAS ARE.
THESE ARE PHASES CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THIS IS THE MOST RECENT PHASE, I SHOULD SAY, THAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN PLOTTED.
THERE'S BEEN SOME PLAT WORK OUT HERE TO THE EAST, BUT THESE OTHER AREAS ARE NOT CURRENTLY PLATTED YET.
BUT YOU CAN SEE THE PROPERTY APPRAISER DOES SHOW A GENERAL INDICATION OF WHERE THE ROADS, THE RIGHTS OF WAY ARE PROPOSED.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M AVAILABLE.
>> THE QUESTION THAT OCCURS TO ME FIRST IS, SOME OF THE SPEAKERS WERE TALKING ABOUT TREES THAT EXCEED OUR 20 INCH DIAMETER.
HAVE THEY ALL BEEN IDENTIFIED IN PHASE 3 SINCE THAT'S ALL WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE REALLY.
>> XANNE, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME TREE SURVEYS THAT WERE SUBMITTED ORIGINALLY.
THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN TALKS ABOUT TREES OVER 20 INCHES BE IDENTIFIED IN THE 2004 AGREEMENT.
IT'S INCUMBENT UPON THE DEVELOPER TO WORK WITH THE EXISTING TREES AND PROPOSE A DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE RIGHT AWAY AND UTILITIES THAT WOULD TAKE THOSE TREES INTO ACCOUNT.
>> BUT ALSO ON THE PLOTTED LAND, THE PLOTTED HOUSING LOCATIONS AS WELL. CORRECT?
>> ANY PLAT HAS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
THOSE STIPULATIONS THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THE PUD, THE PLATS HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE STIPULATIONS.
>> DO WE HAVE COPIES OF THAT, THE TREE SURVEY?
>> WE DO HAVE SOME RECORDS IN OUR PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT, BUT AGAIN, THEY WERE SUBMITTED WITH THE ORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT.
>> 2004. CAN WE REQUEST TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT?
>> BECAUSE I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE US FOLLOW THROUGH AND PROTECT THE TREES AS WE WOULD AS IF THEY WERE HERE IN OUR CITY.
IF THEY EXCEED 20 INCHES THEY NEED TO BE FLAGGED AND GIVEN A BUFFER SO THAT THEY'RE NOT DAMAGED.
THAT'S MY FEELING ABOUT WHAT I HEARD FROM THE NEIGHBORS.
THERE WAS ONE TREE THAT WAS 37 INCHES THAT THEY HAD.
>> FIFTY FIVE INCHES AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GROW THOSE OAK TREES AND REALLY, WE NEED AS MUCH HABITAT AS WE CAN HAVE FOR THE OTHER ANIMALS THAT LIVE ON THE PLANET, IN MY OPINION. JIM.
>> NONE OF THAT AREA LOOKS LIKE IT WAS EVER A FAIR WAY SO THE SOIL DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MITIGATED IN THIS AREA.
I HAVE GONE BACK THROUGH THE AERIALS AND I THINK YOU ARE CORRECT, THAT NORTHEASTERN AREA WHERE THAT PHASE 3 IS IT LOOKS LIKE THAT HAS ALWAYS HAD TREES.
>> I HAVE SOME GOLF BALL STILL IN THERE. I'D LIKE TO GET BACK.
THE REASON I ASKED THAT QUESTION IS THAT THERE CAN BE NO TREES REMOVED WITH THE IDEA THAT THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THE SOIL AND REPLACE IT IN THAT AREA.
I'M SURE IT'S NOT 100% THAT WAY, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THAT AREA WAS NEVER FAIRWAY, WAS NEVER FERTILIZED, PROBABLY WON'T NEED TO BE SOIL MITIGATED.
>> OF COURSE, I'M NOT AN ENVIRONMENTALIST.
[01:20:02]
I'M NOT AN ENGINEER THAT SUBMITTED THAT REPORT.BUT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL THE REMEDIATION HAS BEEN COMPLETE.
>> I'M TRYING TO RECONCILE WHAT MISS AVERY SMITH SAID WITH WHAT THE NEIGHBORS IN THE AREA HAVE SAID.
I'M NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROJECT.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME, I KNOW MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, THAT THOSE TREES ARE IDENTIFIED AND THAT THE DEVELOPER IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEM AND COMPLIES WITH OUR TREE ORDINANCE.
THERE'S CLEARLY, TO ME BEEN SOME MISCOMMUNICATION THAT THERE WERE SOME EXPECTATIONS.
IT'S VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT THE DEVELOPER IS NOT WILLING TO SELL.
THAT'S JUST IT'S PLAIN FACT. IT'S UNFORTUNATE.
I WISH IT WERE DIFFERENT BECAUSE I THINK THE STATE COULD HAVE COME FORWARD WITH SOME FUNDING AS THEY ARE WITH AN ADJACENT PROPERTY TO PUT IT INTO CONSERVATION BECAUSE IT'S CLEARLY NOT IN CONSERVATION NOW.
THAT BEING SAID, AT THIS POINT THAT DEVELOPMENT IS APPROVED, THE COMMUNICATION ABOUT WHAT CAN OR CANNOT HAPPEN NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED SOMEHOW.
THAT DISCONNECT, THAT HAS TO BE CLARIFIED.
IT'S COMPLICATED, IT'S GOT A LONG HISTORY, AND I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S TRULY BEEN APPROVED AND IS LEGAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.
THEN FINALLY, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE PUT THE SATELLITE IMAGE WITH THE DIFFERENT TRACKS BACK UP ON THERE FOR ME.
NOT THAT ONE. THE OTHER ONE WITH THE DIFFERENT COLORS SHADING.
DID I UNDERSTAND THAT CORRECT?
>> TO BE CLEAR, THESE ARE WETLAND SPECIES, THE BIRD SPECIES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BEING IMPACTED.
THEY WOULD BE LARGELY PROTECTED BY THE FACT THAT THE WETLANDS WON'T BE DEVELOPED.
AM I UNDERSTANDING THAT? I MEAN, THE WETLANDS WON'T BE DEVELOPED, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. IN ANY CASE WHERE IF THEY HAVE SOME WETLAND JURISDICTIONAL LINE THAT NEEDS TO BE INDICATED AND ADDRESSED, THEN THAT IS NOT DEVELOPABLE.
WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE DEVELOPABLE AREA.
>> I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR ON THAT.
I'M NOT THRILLED. AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, I'D LOVE IT TO GO INTO CONSERVATION.
WE JUST PASSED A LAND CONSERVATION AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A WONDERFUL CANDIDATE FOR IT AS WELL AS THE STATE SEEING IT THAT WAY.
BUT THEY'RE NOT AQUATIC BIRDS, BUT THESE WETLAND SPECIES HOPEFULLY WILL BE MOSTLY PROTECTED BY THE FACT THAT THE WETLANDS WON'T BE DEVELOPED.
I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT OFF MY CHEST.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. DOES THIS WATER AND THINGS IN THE WETLANDS GO INTO WHERE THE FORT MOSE BEGINS? ARE THEY JOINED OR?
>> I BELIEVE THAT THE FORT MOSE PROPERTY IS SOUTH OF THIS AREA.
IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE DOWN IN THIS AREA OR THEY'RE SOUTH.
>> ADJACENT TO THIS DEVELOPMENT?
>> THERE'S A NEIGHBORHOOD IN BETWEEN.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THERE'S A NEIGHBORHOOD IN BETWEEN.
>> IN SIENA DRIVE OR SOMETHING STREET.
>> THE FORT MOSE AREA IS CLOSER TO THE SCHOONERS, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD NORTH OF SCHOONERS.
THERE'S A SECOND NEIGHBORHOOD IN BETWEEN.
>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE UPDATE.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT WE WILL BE GETTING A CURRENT SURVEY FOR THE TREES AND THAT WE'LL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON THAT.
>> NO, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'LL BE A CURRENT SURVEY.
CERTAINLY, I'LL ASK THE DEVELOPER FOR ANY UPDATED SURVEYS THAT THEY HAVE.
BUT I KNOW THAT THE CITY DOES POSSESS SOME TREE SURVEYS, BUT THEY MAY BE OLDER.
>> YEAH. WELL, WE WANT THE MOST CURRENT ONE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOW, WE HAVE ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY.
[11. ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY]
>> MY GOODNESS. THEN WE HAVE ITEMS BY CITY CLERK.
[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK]
>> I'M ALSO LETTING YOU OFF THE HOOK. I HAVE NOTHING.
>> MY HUSBAND IS GOING TO BE HAPPY ON HIS BIRTHDAY. CITY MANAGER.
[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]
[01:25:03]
THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM, WHICH WAS JUST MENTIONED, IS GOING TO GO LIVE TOMORROW.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TRYING TO ACQUIRE WHETHER THE CITY WANTED TO ACQUIRE CONSERVATION LANDS, THE WEBSITE WILL BE ONLINE TOMORROW WHICH INCLUDES THE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
NOW, ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. JIM?
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
>> YEAH, I'M HAPPY TO GO FIRST.
I WONDER IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO GET A DEFINITION OF LOUDSPEAKER.
>> I DIDN'T WANT TO JUMP IN, BUT THERE'S AN EXTENSIVE WAY THAT JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS READ CODES, AND IF YOU'RE CURIOUS YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL ME.
BUT IT ISN'T AS SIMPLE AS JUST THE DEFINITION.
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE CODE AND SEE IN CONTEXT, TELEVISIONS THESE DAYS HAVE LOUD SPEAKERS.
THERE'S SIMPLY A TRANSMITTER DEVICES AS YOU KNOW, AS A MUSICIAN YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND AN APP COULD BE THAT.
YOU CAN'T READ ONE DEFINITION OR ONE SECTION OF CODE IN ABSENTIA OF THE REST OF THE CODE.
I'M HAPPY TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND WORK THROUGH OUR NOISE ORDINANCE AND EXPLAIN TO YOU HOW IT DOESN'T LITERALLY MEAN EVERYBODY HAS TO TURN OFF EVERY LOUDSPEAKER, MEANING EVERY RADIO, EVERY AMP, EVERYTHING AT 10 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT.
THAT IS NOT WHAT THE INTENT OF OUR CODE IS.
>> BUT WOULDN'T IT BE, YOU'D HAVE TO TURN IT OFF IF IT IS NOT IN YOUR HOUSE.
>> IF IT'S IN YOUR CAR, CORRECT.
THAT IS REALLY THE INTENT OF THAT USAGE OF LOUDSPEAKER IN OUR CODE.
IF YOU READ IT IN CONTEXT, YOU REALIZE, OH, THEY DON'T MEAN LITERALLY SPEAKERS AS PART OF A OLD TURNTABLE, OR AN AMP, OR AS PART OF YOUR TELEVISION.
THEY MEAN LOUDSPEAKERS PLACED OUTDOORS, REALLY, IF YOU READ THE ENTIRETY, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT IT WAS INTENDED FOR.
YOU'LL RECALL THIS IF YOU'RE OLD TIMERS HERE IN TOWN, WE USED TO HAVE CAR DEALERSHIPS AND GARAGES WHERE YOU WOULD HAVE A PA SYSTEM SAYING CUSTOMERS SUCH AND SUCH TO THE BACK LOT.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT WAS INTENDED PROBABLY TO ADDRESS, MORE SO THAN TELEVISIONS, AMPS, SOUND SYSTEMS. BUT I'M HAPPY TO TALK TO THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE, OR YOU INDIVIDUALLY IF YOU WANT TO SIT DOWN WITH ME.
>> PERHAPS THE GENTLEMAN THAT WANTED TO SPEAK ON THAT COULD SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH YOU.
>> CERTAINLY. HE'S WELCOME TO CALL ME.
I'M NOT IN THIS WEEK, BUT NEXT WEEK, IF YOU'D LIKE TO.
>> MR. YORK, IF YOU COULD SPEAK.
>> YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO GIVE ME A CALL NEXT WEEK THOUGH, PLEASE. THANK YOU.
>> I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO COME AS A SHOCK, BUT I HAVE NOTHING.
>> OH, PETERS, CAN I THANK YOU, TOO, CYNTHIA?
>> I HAVE NOTHING. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.
>> WELL, I JUST HAVE ONE THING TO SAY, I'M SO EXCITED THAT OUR ART PROJECT FIRST PHASE, WE WILL BE HEARING ON MONDAY.
THE ARTISTS WILL BE PUTTING IN THEIR REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND THAT'S WHERE WE START TO COME UP WITH THREE PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THE CONCEPT FOR THAT MAIN STREET INTERSECTION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM WORKING ON IT, SO THANK YOU.
WELL, GREAT MEETING. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY AND WE'RE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.