[1. CALL TO ORDER ]
[00:00:13]
>> [NOISE] EXCUSE ME. THIS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER.
GOOD EVENING. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> WONDERFUL. WE WILL HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, WHICH WILL BE LED BY VICE MAYOR ROXANNE HORVATH.
AND PLEASE JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE.
>> PLEASE BE SEATED. WE HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS.
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
ANY MODIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA.STAFF, DO YOU HAVE MODIFICATION?
I DO HAVE ONE MODIFICATION TO THE AGENDA.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ADD AN ITEM UNDER 7A2, GENERAL PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS, A PRESENTATION ON THE ST. AUGUSTINE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S RECENT PUBLIC DAY CAMP.
>> GREAT. ANY OTHER MODIFICATIONS OR SUGGESTIONS.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE A MODIFIED AGENDA?
>> I'LL SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> AYE. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES.
WE DO HAVE A SPECIAL PRESENTATION.
[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS]
WE HAVE TWO PROCLAMATIONS TONIGHT.THE FIRST ONE IS BRAIN HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, AND I'LL ASK MISS GINNY BULLARD TO PLEASE COME FORWARD.
IF YOU WANT TO BRING WHOEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING.
COMMISSIONERS, WILL YOU JOIN ME AT THE FRONT OF THE ROOM? [BACKGROUND] I JUST WANT TO STAND RIGHT HERE.
WHEREAS BRAIN HEALTH AS DEFINED AS THE STATE OF FLORIDA, STATE OF BRAIN FUNCTIONING ACROSS COGNITIVE, SENSORY, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND MOTOR DOMAINS, ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL OVER A LIFETIME, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF DISORDERS, AND WHEREAS EARLY INTERVENTION AND TIMELY ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ACTION AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO MAY BE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, AND WHEREAS, EARLY INTRODUCTION OF STRATEGIES FOR THOSE SHOWING SIGNS OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT CAN HELP MAXIMIZE INDEPENDENCE AND MAINTAIN CAPACITY FOR PERFORMING ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, BENEFITING BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS, AND WHEREAS THE NUMBERS OF AMERICANS LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IS GROWING FAST WITH MORE THAN SIX MILLION AMERICANS LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE TODAY IN 2024.
THAT NUMBER IS PROJECTED TO RISE TO NEARLY 13 MILLION BY 2050.
WHEREAS LEARNING ABOUT THE PILLARS OF BRAIN HEALTH AND IMPLEMENTING PRUDENT LIFESTYLE CHOICES CAN EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS AND POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY DEAL WITH COGNITIVE DECLINE, AND WHEREAS, EMPHASIZING BRAIN HEALTH AWARENESS NOT ONLY IMPROVES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, BUT ALSO CREATES POSITIVE SOCIAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS FOR THE GREATER WELL-BEING THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
[00:05:01]
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA DECLARES JUNE 2024 TO BE DESIGNATED AS BRAIN HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, AND CALLS UPON ALL OF THE CITY STUDENTS TO BRING AWARENESS THROUGH FUND RAISING AND ACTIVITIES OF YOUR CHORES, SIGNED BY MYSELF.GINNY BULLARD IS HERE TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION.
JENNY, YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS NOW AND WE'RE SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU AGAIN THIS YEAR FOR THIS.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> I APPRECIATE EVERYONE LISTENING, AND I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR BRAIN HEALTH BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS ONE AND IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY, AND IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT BRAIN HEALTH.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS AND FRIENDS.
>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE ONE MORE PROCLAMATION, AND IT'S GOING TO BE PRESENTED BY COMMISSIONER BARBARA BLONDER.
>> THANK YOU. COULD I ASK SARAH BLOOMBERG OF HOUSE OF PRISONS TO COME UP, PLEASE? HELLO, SARAH.
WHEREAS, 236 YEARS AGO, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WROTE THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION WHOSE PREAMBLE STATES, WE, THE PEOPLE, IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, ESTABLISH JUSTICE, ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, AND SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TO A MORE PERFECT UNION, THIS PROGRESS HAS NOT COME ALL AT ONCE, AND OUR COUNTRY STILL STRIVES TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE, WELFARE, LIBERTY, AND TRANQUILITY FOR ALL.
WHEREAS ON JUNE 26, 2015, THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT HELD THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO MARRY BELONGS TO SAME SEX COUPLES IN ALL 50 STATES, A VICTORY FOR ALL WHO FOUGHT FOR EQUALITY AND RECOGNITION OF THEIR UNIONS, AND WHEREAS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER, QUEER QUESTIONING, INTERSEX, AND ASEXUAL, IN OTHER WORDS, LGBTQIA PEOPLE, ARE VALUED MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILIES' COMMUNITY AND HISTORY, AND WHEREAS, WE MUST CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF EVERY CITIZEN TO EXPERIENCE EQUALITY AND FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION AND RECOGNIZE THE CONTINUED NEED FOR EDUCATION AND AWARENESS TO END DISCRIMINATION AND PREJUDICE.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 2024 AS PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE AND URGES ALL OUR CITIZENS TO STAND AS AN ALLY WITH OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN THE FACE OF PREJUDICE WHEREVER IT EXISTS AND TO EMBRACE THE GREAT DIVERSITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCEPT IT? [APPLAUSE]
>> I'D LIKE TO READ A POEM BY MAYA ANGELOU.
YOU MAY WRITE ME DOWN IN HISTORY WITH YOUR BITTER TWISTED LIES.
YOU MAY TROD ME IN THE VERY DIRT, BUT STILL, LIKE DUST, I'LL RISE.
DOES MY SASSINESS UPSET YOU? WHY ARE YOU BESET WITH GLOOM? BECAUSE I WALK LIKE I'VE GOT OIL WELLS PUMPING IN MY LIVING ROOM.
JUST LIKE MOONS AND LIKE SUNS WITH THE CERTAINTY OF TIDES, JUST LIKE HOPES SPRINGING HIGH, STILL I'LL RISE.
DO YOU WANT TO SEE ME BROKEN, BOWED HEAD AND LOWERED EYES, SHOULDERS FALLING DOWN LIKE TEARDROPS WEAKENED BY MY SOULFUL CRIES? DOES MY HAUGHTINESS OFFEND YOU? DON'T YOU TAKE IT AWFULLY HARD BECAUSE I LAUGH
[00:10:01]
LIKE I'VE GOT GOLD MINES DIGGING IN MY OWN BACKYARD.YOU MAY SHOOT ME WITH YOUR WORDS, YOU MAY CUT ME WITH YOUR EYES, YOU MAY KILL ME WITH YOUR HATEFULNESS, BUT STILL, LIKE AIR, I'LL RISE.
DOES MY SEXINESS UPSET YOU? DOES IT COME AS A SURPRISE? THAT I DANCE LIKE I'VE GOT DIAMONDS AT THE MEETING OF MY THIGHS.
OUT OF THE HUTS OF HISTORY, SHAME, I RISE.
UP FROM A PAST THAT'S ROOTED IN PAIN, I RISE.
I'M A BLACK OCEAN LEAPING AND WIDE, WELLING AND SWELLING I BEAR IN THE TIDE.
LEAVING BEHIND NIGHTS OF TERROR AND FEAR, I RISE.
INTO A DAYBREAK THAT'S WONDERFULLY CLEAR, I RISE.
BRINGING THE GIFTS THAT MY ANCESTORS GAVE AND THE DREAM AND THE HOPE OF THE SLAVE.
I RISE, I RISE, I RISE. [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PHOTO NOW. [APPLAUSE]
THAT IS THE PART OF THE PROGRAM THAT WE DO ACTUALLY DO CLAPPING.
FOR THE REST OF THE MEETING, WE'RE GOING TO BE TAKING UP BUSINESS MATTERS, SO WE WILL NOT ENTERTAIN CLAPPING.
I'LL APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION WITH THAT.
MOVING ON, WE DO HAVE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS,
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
AND I HAVE QUITE A FEW CARDS HERE, SO WE'LL GET STARTED.FIRST, WE HAVE CHRIS FULMER, FOLLOWED BY DYLAN ROUSSEAU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CHRIS FULMER.
I LIVE IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION OF THE LIVE.
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING PRIDE MONTH.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO USE RELIGION TO JUSTIFY HATE. I CHOOSE LOVE.
I USED TO BE A TEACHER, SO I KNOW HOW TO WAIT UNTIL THE CLASS GETS QUIET.
JOHN 13:34, A NEW COMMAND I GIVE YOU, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, THAT ALSO YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
THERE IS NO PLACE FOR HATE IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER AT YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK ONLINE WITH THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER.
IF YOU WANT TO VOTE BY MAIL, THEY HAVE CHANGED THE LAW, SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU SIGN UP AGAIN BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT AND THEY DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO VOTE FOR.
MAKE SURE YOU VOTE. I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE COLONIAL QUARTER LEASE.
HAS IT COME UP FOR RENEWAL YET BECAUSE I DON'T RECALL IT BEING DISCUSSED SINCE THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE.
IT'S A GREAT MUSIC VENUE AND A GREAT FOOD COURT, BUT IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE A LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM AS WELL.
PLEASE PREPARE YOUR HOME AND YOUR FAMILY FOR HURRICANE SEASON, PROTECT YOUR PETS FROM THE HEAT.
REMEMBER IF THE ASPHALT IS TOO HOT FOR YOUR FEET, IT'S TOO HOT FOR THEIR FEET.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, STAY HYDRATED, BE CAREFUL.
REMEMBER TO PATRONIZE LOCAL BUSINESSES, BE KIND TO YOUR WAIT STAFF, TIP YOUR SERVERS, AND I WILL BE AN ALLY FOREVER.
NEXT SPEAKER IS DYLAN ROUSSEAU, FOLLOWED BY DOUG ROUSSEAU.
>> IT'S A SHAME THAT I EVEN HAD TO COME OUT HERE TONIGHT.
I'M HERE JUST BECAUSE IF ANYONE ACTUALLY EVEN READ AND CARED ABOUT WHAT THEIR COMMISSION WAS DOING, YOU'D HAVE MORE PEOPLE HERE, BUT OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY STAY OUT OF THESE LOCAL POLITICS AND AREN'T HERE.
BUT IF YOU DID HAVE THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE HERE, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS WOULD BE AGAINST WHAT YOU'RE DOING, ESPECIALLY IN THE SMALL CITY LIKE ST. AUGUSTINE.
BUT I JUST WANT TO BRING SOME FACTS BEFORE YOU SINCE YOU WANT TO UPHOLD A THING THAT THEY CALL PRIDE, AND IF YOU WANT TO KNOW SOME FACTS ABOUT IT, I WAS LOOKING UP TODAY THIS MORNING,
[00:15:01]
PEOPLE THAT INDULGE IN HOMOSEXUALITY HAVE A LOWER LIFE EXPECTANCY OF 20 TO 30 YEARS.ALSO, HIV/AIDS, SEXUAL DISEASES IS WAY MORE RAPID INSIDE THE SEXUAL COMMUNITY THAN ANY OTHER COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO UPHOLD SOMETHING THAT IS KILLING PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A COVID-19 MONTH OR A SMALLPOX MONTH OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S CAUSING GENOCIDE? HOMOSEXUALITY IS KILLING ITSELF BECAUSE THEY CAN'T EVEN REPRODUCE.
THAT'S THE CURSE THAT GOD'S GIVEN THEM.
IF IT WAS SO NATURAL YOU'D BE ABLE TO CREATE.
BUT SINCE THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO CREATE, THAT'S WHAT THEY DO, THEY COME OUT AND THEY SPREAD THEIR LIES.
THEY SPREAD THEIR DISGUSTING PERVERSION ON CHILDREN AND OTHER PEOPLE AND TRY TO STEAL STRAIGHT PEOPLE'S CHILDREN INTO WHAT THEY'RE DOING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T PRODUCE THEIR OWN.
THAT'S WHY THEY'RE HERE, AND THAT'S WHY THEY'RE TRYING TO SPREAD WHAT THEY CAN SPREAD BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE THEIR OWN CHILDREN.
BUT I'M HERE TODAY TO SAY THAT I'M NOT FOR IT, YOU BRING THE COMMISSION AND STUFF GOES TO THESE GROUPS OF HOMOSEXUALS AND THESE LOVE GROUPS, AND THEY TELL THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY SAY, HEY, COME OUT HERE AND MAKE A SPEECH AND THAT'S WHY YOU GET A COUPLE MORE OF THEM AND THEY COME OUT HERE AND SAY THEIR SPEECH OR WHATNOT.
IF YOU WERE TO SHARE THIS WIDESPREAD POST LIKE ADS ON FACEBOOK OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE YOU'D HAVE MORE PEOPLE LIKE ME SHOWING UP STANDING UP FOR THE CHILDREN AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
ALSO, IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A PRIDE MONTH BASED ON LOVE IS LOVE, WELL, THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE CALLED PEDOPHILES AND THEY ACTUALLY LOVE CHILDREN.
IS THAT LOVE? IS THAT ALLOWED? THERE'S ALSO PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT COMMIT ADULTEROUS ACCIDENT TO DOGS AND ANIMALS.
IS LOVE LOVE? WHAT IF YOU REALLY LOVES THE DOG? IS THAT ALSO ALLOWED TOO? BUT ONE DAY, THIS PERVERTED GROUP WILL MAKE THAT ALLOWED.
THEY'LL BE ADDED ON THE END OF THEIR ALPHABET GROUP RIGHT THERE WILL BE PEDOPHILIA AND BESTIALITY RIGHT THERE AT THE END AND THEY'LL ACCEPT EVERYTHING.
JUST LIKE IT IS RIGHT NOW, THERE'LL BE MORE DISEASE, MORE DEATH BECAUSE IT'S A CURSE FROM GOD ON THESE PEOPLE, THAT THEIR CULTURE IS NOTHING BUT DEATH.
IT DOESN'T BRING REPRODUCTION, IT BRINGS DEATH, DISEASE, SICKNESS, AND ALSO NAKED PEOPLE PARADING IN YOUR STREETS IN FRONT OF CHILDREN.
I'M SURE THAT'S WHAT YOU GUYS WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN WHEN YOU CALL IT THIS. YOU SAY.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WHAT THIS IS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU'RE EXCUSED.
PLEASE RESPECT THE DIFFERENCES THAT ARE IN THIS ROOM.
THE PERSON SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU MAY HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT OPINION THAN YOURSELF.
THIS IS WHAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS.
PEOPLE ARE FREE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES AS LONG AS THEY STAY WITHIN THE RULES. MR. ROUSSEAU.
>> IT'S A MORE OF A COMEDY ACT PRIDE MONTH THAN IT IS, ANYTHING ELSE.
YOU GOT ONE OF THE QUEER WOMEN HERE QUOTING JESUS ABOUT LOVE.
JESUS IS THE ONE THAT SAYS, IF YOU HATE NOT YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER, BROTHER, SISTER, HATE EVEN YOUR LIFE, YOU CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.
SHE KNOWS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT IT.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT JUSTIFYING HATE USING THE BIBLE.
SHE JUSTIFIES HER PERVERTED SIN USING THE BIBLE.
LET'S READ A VERSE, WHICH I'M SURE ALL THE QUEERS HERE KNOW ANYWAY.
MAN ALSO LIE WITH MANKIND AS HE LIE WITH THE WOMAN, BOTH OF THEM HAVE COMMITTED AN ABOMINATION.
THEY SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH.
THEIR BLOOD SHALL BE UPON THEM.
WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND EVEN THOUGH THAT PROCLAMATION WANTS TO DRAG OUR GODLY FOREFATHERS INTO IT.
HEY, LET ME REMIND YOU THAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, AT THAT TIME, HOMOSEXUALITY, LESBIANISM WAS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH, AND THAT WAS RESPECTIVE IN EVERY STATE THERE WAS IN THE EARLY UNITED STATES.
OUR FOREFATHERS WOULD ARE SPENDING IN THEIR GRAVES AND THEY'D PROBABLY BEAR THEIR GUNS OUT IF THEY KNEW THAT SUCH A CITY WOULD HAVE A PROCLAMATION ABOUT PRIDE.
YOU'RE A DISGUSTING PERSON, THIS WHOLE COMMISSION IS.
BUT ANYWAY, THAT WAS LEVITICUS 20 VERSE 13, IT'S THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.
YOU PEOPLE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT BOTH TESTAMENTS, THE OLD TESTAMENT AND NEW TESTAMENT CONDEMN HOMOSEXUALITY.
IT IS NOT ONLY A SIN, IT IS A CRIME, AND IT'S NOT ONLY A CRIME, IT'S A CRIME PUNISHABLE BY DEATH WITHOUT EXCUSE.
UNTIL THE 1850S IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, HOMOSEXUALITY WAS A CRIME PUNISHABLE BY DEATH IN THIS PARTICULAR STATE.
IT IS A DEATH STYLE LIKE MY SON HAS SPOKEN ABOUT THAT YOU GOT 78% OF THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY HAVE SEXUAL DISEASES.
SUICIDE, YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT SUICIDE.
IT'S RAMPANT IN THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY.
THE LESS OF THEM THERE ARE, THE BETTER BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD NOT TOLERATE SUCH WICKEDNESS AND SUCH EVIL.
AIDS, OTHER SEXUAL DISEASES ARE CONSTANTLY BEING PROPAGATED BY THESE PERVERTED PEOPLE.
[00:20:06]
FOR NANCY, YOU AND I HAVE BEEN AROUND A FEW TIMES.YOU ARE A DISASTER TO THE CITY.
YOU TOOK DOWN THE OLDEST WAR MEMORIAL IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
YOU'RE PRETTY PROUD OF IT. IT'S JUST A CONSTANT.
YOU'VE TURNED OUR NICE LITTLE CITY INTO A SHOULD I SAY FAGGOT INFESTED DUMP HOLE IS WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
BY THE WAY, THESE QUEERS USED THE WORD FAGGOT TOO.
THEY DON'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
JESUS SAID, REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE.
HE BROUGHT UP THE SUBJECT OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH.
THERE WERE FIVE CITIES OF THE PLAIN THAT GOD DESTROYED, AND NONE OF THOSE CITIES CAN BE DISCOVERED BY ARCHAEOLOGICAL MEANS TODAY.
HOMOSEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION UNDER GOD.
IT HURTS PEOPLE. GOD HATES IT, AND GOD HATES THEM.
>> WILL YOU PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE. THANK YOU.
MARGARET ROUSSEAU, FOLLOWED BY SHAN MORRISON.
>> WE'RE READING FROM PROVERBS 1:20.
"WISDOM CRIETH WITHOUT UTTERING HER VOICE IN THE STREETS.
SHE CRIETH IN THE CHIEF PLACES OF CONCOURSE, IN THE OPENINGS OF THE GATE: IN THE CITY, SHE UTTERETH HER WORDS SAYING, HOW LONG YE SIMPLE ONES, WILL YOU LOVE SIMPLICITY AND THE SCORN OR DELIGHT IN THEIR SCORNING AND FOOLS HATE KNOWLEDGE? TURN YOU AT MY REPROOF.
BEHOLD, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UNTO YOU.
I WILL MAKE KNOWN MY WORDS UNTO YOU." MERCY. "BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED YOU AND YOU REFUSED.
I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HAND AND NO MAN REGARDED, BUT YE HAVE SET AT NAUGHT ALL MY COUNSEL, AND WOULD NONE OF MY REPROOF.
I ALSO WILL LAUGH AT YOUR CALAMITY.
I WILL MOCK WHEN YOUR FEAR COMETH.
WHEN YOUR FEAR COMETH AS DESOLATION AND YOUR DESTRUCTION COMETH AS A WHIRLWIND, WHEN THE TREES AND ANGUISH COME UPON YOU, THEN SHALL THEY CALL UPON ME, BUT I WILL NOT ANSWER.
THEY SHALL SEEK ME EARLY, BUT THEY SHALL NOT FIND ME.
FOR THAT THEY HATED KNOWLEDGE AND DID NOT CHOOSE THE FEAR OF THE LORD.
THEY WOULD NONE OF MY REPROOF.
THEREFORE, SHALL THEY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THEIR OWN WAY AND BE FILLED WITH THEIR OWN DEVICES.
FOR THE TURNING AWAY OF THE SIMPLE SHALL SLAY THEM, AND THE PROSPERITY OF FOOL SHALL DESTROY THEM, BUT WHOSO HEARKENETH UNTO ME SHALL DWELL SAFELY AND SHALL BE SAFE FROM FEAR OF EVIL." THAT'S MERCY. THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE TODAY TO WARN YOU.
THAT IS MERCY OF GOD, MY FRIEND.
ANOTHER CHANCE TO REPENT AND TURN TO HIM.
JUDGMENT IS COMING AND GOD WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD, AND HE HAS ALREADY TOLD US WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
PSALMS 9:17, "THE WICKED SHALL BE TURNED INTO HELL AND ALL NATIONS THAT FORGET GOD." THE ONLY REASON I DID THIS TONIGHT WAS GOD TELLS US TO REPROVE THEM, AND I DON'T WANT THE JUDGMENT OF GOD ON MY LIFE, MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, BECAUSE I SAID NOTHING, BECAUSE GOD DEMANDS HIS CHILDREN TO REPROVE THEM.
>> THEY'RE JUST GOING TO KEEP DOING IT.
SHAN MORRISON, FOLLOWED BY KELSEY KALINSKI.
>> THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO ONE NATION UNDER GOD.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S VERY MANY PEOPLE IN HERE THAT HAVE EVER EVEN READ THE BIBLE, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW ANYBODY COULD PLEDGE TO THAT.
IF IT WASN'T SO DISGUSTING, IT WOULD BE HUMOROUS THAT THE CITY COMMISSION HAS CHOSEN TO PROCLAIM BRAIN HEALTH AWARENESS AND SODOMITE PRIDE MONTH AT THE SAME TIME.
IT'S AN ABOMINATION TO GOD AND NOT SOMETHING TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
MARK 10:6, "BUT FROM THE BEGINNING OF CREATION, GOD CREATED THE MALE AND FEMALE." EVEN IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THE BIBLE, YOU SHOULD HAVE A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF BIOLOGY.
EVERY OTHER INVENTED OR IMAGINATED GENDER IS A LIE.
YOU ARE BORN AND REMAIN EITHER A MALE OR A FEMALE.
TO CONTINUE TO REFER TO PEOPLE AT THEIR CHOSEN PRONOUN IS TO AGREE WITH A MENTAL DELUSION.
GENESIS 13:13, "BUT THE MEN OF SODOM WERE WICKED AND SINNERS BEFORE THE LORD EXCEEDINGLY." THE CITY HAS BECOME THE LIKES OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH.
NOT ONLY IS A SODOMITE COMMUNITY ACCEPTED BY THE LEADERS OF THIS CITY, IT IS APPALLED.
MASS SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE OF THIS SIN IS AN EARMARK OF THE DESTRUCTION OF EVERY GREAT NATION AND POWER AND HISTORY.
GOD WILL NOT BLESS THOSE WHO OPENLY DEFILE AND DENY HIS WORD.
[00:25:03]
YOU THINK YOU LOVE THESE PEOPLE BY RECLAIMING TO UPHOLD THEIR SIN, YOU HATE THEM.YOU'RE APPLAUDING A BEHAVIOR THAT CONDEMN THEM TO ETERNAL DEATH AND HELL FIRE.
WARN THEM, REBUKE THEM, AND PRAY THAT THEY CHANGE.
YOUR WORK IS NOT THAT OF LOVE, BUT OF SATAN.
ROMANS 1:27, "AND LIKEWISE, ALSO MEN LEAVING THE NATURAL USE OF WOMAN, BURN IN THEIR LUST ONE TOWARD ANOTHER, MEN WITH MEN, WORKING THAT WHICH IS UNSEEMLY." WHAT YOU'RE HOLDING IS AN ABOMINATION.
GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED BUT SO LONG.
YOU MAY THINK YOU'RE GETTING AWAY WITH IT, BUT YOU WILL BE JUDGED BY YOUR WORKS.
YOUR TREE IS BURIED AND YOUR FRUIT IS WEATHERED AND ROTTEN.
WHILE SALVATION CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BY WORKS, BUT AN ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST ALONE, WORKS ARE EVIDENCE OF SALVATION.
YOUR WORKS ARE THOSE OF INIQUITY.
YOU UPHOLD AND PUSH THE AGENDA OF THAT OLD SERPENT.
FIRST CORINTHIAN 7:2, "NEVERTHELESS, TO AVOID FORNICATION, LET EVERY MAN HAVE HIS OWN WIFE AND LET EVERY WOMAN HAVE HER OWN HUSBAND." ANYTHING OTHER THAN THIS IS THE PERVERSION OF MARRIAGE.
TWO MEN COHABITATING IS NOT MARRIAGE, IT'S DISGUSTING AND APPALLING TO OUR LORD.
TO SAY OTHERWISE IS TO CALL GOD A LIAR.
PROVERBS 28:9 READS, "HE THAT TURNETH HIS EAR FROM HEARING THE LAW, EVEN HIS PRAYERS ARE AN ABOMINATION." DON'T YOU HAVE INVOCATION SOMETIMES? YOUR PRAYERS ARE AN ABOMINATION TO GOD.
YOU HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM, TAKING ON THE TEMPERATURE OF YOUR SURROUNDING AND YOU WILL BE SPEWED FROM HIS MOUTH.
JOHN 3:16, "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER SHOULD BELIEVE ON HIM SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." LET'S READ DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER.
JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT ON THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE, BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH UPON HIM." EVERYBODY KNOWS JOHN 3:16, NOBODY CARES TO READ DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THAT CHAPTER, DO THEY? IF YOU STAND FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, YOU ARE DIRECTLY AND OPENLY REBELLING AGAINST ALMIGHTY GOD.
>> YOU NEED TO STEP UP AND STAND AGAINST THIS.
>> YOU MAY BE WORRIED ABOUT PLEASING [OVERLAPPING] MEN AND [INAUDIBLE] TO THEM, BUT YOU'RE CONDEMNING YOURSELF TO HELL.
>> YOU HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY WARNED.
>> THE WRATH OF GOD [INAUDIBLE]. THE SALVATION DEPENDS UPON IT.
>> I KNOW I'M BUTCHERING YOUR NAME, KELSEY.
IF YOU'LL JUST HOLD ONE MINUTE SO THAT WE'LL BE SURE AND BE ABLE TO PAY ATTENTION TO YOU.
[BACKGROUND] WE'LL JUST HOLD ONE SECOND.
[BACKGROUND] YOU CAN GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. FLAGLER COLLEGE ALUM.
IT WAS HARD TO START WRITING ABOUT PRIDE MONTH BECAUSE ONE REASON WE HAVE PRIDE MONTH IS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE DECIDE WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF OURSELVES FOR NOT BEING ROMANTICALLY ATTRACTED TO THE OPPOSITE SEX, BUT THAT DOESN'T DETER ME FROM BEING OF MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS, FOR SUPPORTING AND ME.
PROUD OF THIS COMMISSION FOR HELPING ST. AUGUSTINE FEEL MORE INCLUSIVE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T FIT A STANDARD SOCIETAL MOLD.
EVERY DAY, IT IS A GIFT TO GET TO BE MYSELF AND LIVE IN OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY.
TWO YEARS AGO, AFTER I UNDERSTOOD WHO I WAS AND WAS ABLE TO COME OUT, I FELT LIKE I WAS FLOATING.
I STILL FEEL LIKE THAT SOMETIMES.
FLOATING IS NOT THE BEST PART ABOUT COMING OUT.
THE BEST PART IS THAT NOW I GET TO BE MYSELF WHEN I GET TO BE WITH MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR SIKES-KLINE AND COMMISSIONERS.
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH TO YOU AND TO HENRY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS ECHO NOVA, I THINK I GOT THAT RIGHT, FOLLOWED BY NANCY MURPHY.
>> HELLO. I'M ECONOVA, REPRESENTING EQUALITY FLORIDA, THE LARGEST STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION FOR LGBTQ ADVOCACY AND POLICY.
WE STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND OF THE PRIDE MONTH PROCLAMATION.
THE PRIDE MONTH IS VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY NOWADAYS, NOW MORE THAN EVER AS CIVIL RIGHTS ACROSS THE BOARD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE BEING ERODED, AND LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE BEING HARMED.
[00:30:02]
TO THIS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO REMEMBER A COUPLE OF THINGS, [INAUDIBLE] AND STONEWALL, KATHLEEN CHRISTINA JAMES, AND TASHA ENGLISH AND SELENE WALKER.THE LAST THREE ARE THE THREE BLACK TRANSWOMEN WHO WERE KILLED IN JACKSONVILLE 2018.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REMEMBER ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE COME BEFORE AND THOSE WHO WILL COME AFTER US AS WELL.
TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVE [INAUDIBLE] AND REPRESENTATIVE NIXON AND SEVERAL OTHERS, THE LGBT COMMUNITY, THE BIPOC COMMUNITY, THE DISABLED COMMUNITY, AND OTHER MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES DO NOT NEED ALLIES, WE NEED ACCOMPLICES TO GET THE WORK DONE.
ST. AUGUSTINE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF DEALING WITH SLAVERY AND CIVIL RIGHTS AND ALL THAT AND TODAY YOU HONOR THAT HISTORY BY RECOGNIZING THE LGBT COMMUNITY WITH THIS PROCLAMATION.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY COMMISSION AND HOUSE OF PRISON FOR THEIR WORK IN THIS TO GET THIS DONE.
EQUALITY FLORIDA WILL STAND IN SUPPORT OF BOTH GROUPS TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITY IS SURVIVING AND THRIVING FOREVER MORE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NANCY MURPHY FOLLOWED BY SARAH BLOOMBERG.
HI, NANCY MURPHY, 22 VARNES COURT.
I'M HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH YOU AN ABBREVIATED FORM OF THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION.
THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPASSION LIES IN THE HEART OF ALL RELIGIOUS, ETHICAL, AND SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS, CALLING US ALWAYS TO TREAT ALL OTHERS AS WE WISH TO BE TREATED OURSELVES.
COMPASSION IMPELS US TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF OUR FELLOW CREATURES, TO DETHRONE OURSELVES FROM THE CENTER OF OUR UNIVERSE, AND PUT ANOTHER THERE, AND TO HONOR THE INVIOLABLE SANCTITY OF EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING TREATING EVERYBODY WITHOUT EXCEPTION, WITH ABSOLUTE JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND RESPECT.
WE URGENTLY NEED TO MAKE COMPASSION A CLEAR, LUMINOUS AND DYNAMIC FORCE IN OUR POLARIZED WORLD.
ROOTED IN A PRINCIPLE DETERMINATION TO TRANSCEND SELFISHNESS, COMPASSION CAN BREAK DOWN POLITICAL, DOGMATIC, IDEOLOGICAL, AND RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES.
BORN OF OUR DEEP INTERDEPENDENCE, COMPASSION IS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AND TO A FULFILLED HUMANITY.
IT IS THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT AND INDISPENSABLE TO THE CREATION OF A JUST ECONOMY AND A PEACEFUL GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
THE CHARTER WAS AFFIRMED IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND IN FEBRUARY OF 2019, AND THIS COUNCIL CHOSE TO ADOPT IT AND BECOME A COMPASSIONATE CITY, FORMING COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013 BY INFLUENCING, INSPIRING, AND GROWING A CULTURE OF COMPASSION THROUGH ADVOCACY, AWARENESS, AND ACTION.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE THAT AND IT'S BEEN MY GREAT PLEASURE TO GET TO COME AND BE THE VOICE OF COMPASSION AT THESE COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR MANY MONTHS NOW, AND I FIND MYSELF GETTING READY TO HEAD OFF ON MY NEXT ADVENTURE.
COUPLE WEEKS AGO, I WAS GOING TO READ A LITTLE POEM I WROTE.
BUT THEN THE POET LAUREATE WAS HERE THAT DAY, SO I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I COULD FOLLOW THAT.
WELL, TODAY IT WAS MY ANGELUS.
I'M GOING TO FOLLOW HER ANYWAY, BUT THIS IS JUST MY WORDS TO YOU.
I CALL IT AN ODE TO ST. AUGUSTINE.
NO MATTER WHERE I GO IN LIFE, NO MATTER WHAT I DO, DEAR CITIZENS OF ST. AUGUSTINE, MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU.
IT'S HERE THAT I'VE BEEN LEARNING RATHER LATE IN LIFE THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPASSION AND ITS PRINCIPLES ARE TRUE.
YOU'VE WELCOMED ME WITH KINDNESS AND RESPECT, EVEN THOUGH I'M NEARLY NEW TO THIS ANCIENT COMMUNITY AND RELATIVELY NEW TO YOU.
WITH SOME OF YOU, I'VE WALKED AND TALKED, SHARED COFFEE AND THE LIKE AND SOME OF YOU, I'VE ONLY SPOKEN TO THROUGH THIS VERY MIC.
NOW, I'M OFF TO SERVE AS COMPASSIONATE AMBASSADOR AT LARGE.
WE'LL HOPE TO SEE YOU WHEN YOU RETURN.
SARAH BLOOMBERG, FOLLOWED BY MELINDA RICANSE. YOU SPOKE.
SARAH BLOOMBERG HAS WAIVED HER SPEAKING.
MELINDA RICANSE, FOLLOWED BY [INAUDIBLE].
WE HAVE MORE. I APOLOGIZE. MELINDA RICANSE.
[00:35:04]
THE PROJECTOR ON.DO I NEED TO SIGN IN OR JUST GIVE MY NAME AND ADDRESS.
GOOD EVENING. YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
MELINDA RICANSE 86 MAGNOLIA AVENUE.
MOST OF US ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE COUNTESS DE MONTJOYE HOUSE BUILT IN 1888 AT 11 BRIDGE STREET.
THE OWNER GOT A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER TO SUBMIT A REPORT THAT IT WAS AT RISK OF COLLAPSE AT ANY WIND EVENT.
THIS DEMOLITION DID NOT GO BEFORE HARB FOR A SECOND OPINION, NOR WAS THERE AN INDEPENDENT STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS DONE.
WITH HARB REVIEW, THE CITY HAS PREVENTED DEMOLITION AND SAVED HOUSES IN MUCH WORSE CONDITION THAN THIS ONE.
HOW CAN A HOUSE THAT WAS BEFORE HARB AND PZB FOR A PUD REQUEST TO CONVERT THIS INTO A B&B ALL OF A SUDDEN BE A SAFETY RISK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC? IF YOU COULD HAVE IT RESTORED TO A B&B, IT CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN RESTORED TO A PRIVATE RESIDENCE AS IT WAS ZONED FOR.
THIS WAS BOUGHT IN 2016 FOR ONLY $210,000.
CLEARLY, AT THAT PRICE, THE BUYER COULD HAVE AFFORDED TO RESTORE IT AS A PRIVATE HOME AS SO MANY OF THE SURROUNDING HOUSES WERE.
INSTEAD OF STARTING RESTORATION IN 2016, WHEN BUILDING COSTS WERE MUCH LOWER, THE HOUSE WAS ALLOWED TO SIT WITH NO REPAIRS.
IT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN STABILIZED BACK THEN.
THE OLD TRICK OF DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT HAS BEEN AROUND FOREVER.
THE OWNER NEGLECTS REPAIRS NEEDED TO STABILIZE THE HOUSE, AND THEN WHEN THE MARKET IS RIGHT, THEY ASK FOR A ZONING CHANGE TO MAKE THE PROPERTY MORE PROFITABLE.
THEY CRY RESTORATION COST IS A REASON TO COMMERCIALIZE A RESIDENTIAL HOUSE.
WHEN THAT DOESN'T WORK, THEY PUT IT ON THE MARKET FOR $950,000 WITH A REAL NARRATIVE SAYING, THIS VICTORIAN HOME IS WAITING FOR THE RIGHT OWNER TO BRING HER BACK TO HER FORMER GLORY.
HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE NEW OWNER TO HAVE THE MONEY TO RESTORE A HOUSE AT THAT PRICE TAG? WELL, WHEN IT DIDN'T SELL, THEY PAID A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER TO SAY IT WASN'T WORTH SAVING.
IT JUST SOLD LAST WEEK ON THE CONDITION THAT THE CITY WOULD ALLOW DEMOLITION.
THIS WEEKEND, IT WAS SMASHED TO BITS.
IT APPEARS THAT NONE OF THE ARCHITECTURAL BUILDING MATERIALS WERE SALVAGED AND PRESERVED AS REQUESTED BY THE CITY.
BY GRANTING A DEMOLITION PERMIT WITHOUT HARB, THE CITY HAS OPENED A NEW PATHWAY FOR DEVELOPERS OF DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS WILL BE ON DEVELOPERS SPEED DIAL LIST AS A WAY TO CIRCUMVENT HARB REVIEW.
TO PREVENT THIS, I ASK THAT YOU AMEND THE CODE TO REQUIRE INDEPENDENT SECOND OPINION AND REVIEW BY HARB ON DEMOLITION REQUEST IN HP AND NATIONAL REGISTERED DISTRICTS.
WE BETTER WAKE UP OR NONE OF THE HISTORY THAT MADE US FAMOUS WILL BE LEFT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MR. JASON ROTH IS HERE AND HE'S REQUESTING TO SPEAK ON A ITEM THAT IS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING.
WOULD YOU WISH TO PERHAPS SPEAK NOW AND THEN COME BACK IF ASSUMING THAT IT PASSES OVER TO SECOND READING IN PUBLIC HEARING, YOU CAN COME BACK AND SPEAK THEN.
BUT I'M GIVING YOU THE OPTION OF WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO DO.
INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES. MAYBE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SPEAK IF WE DO PASS THIS ON OUR FIRST READING, THEN YOU CAN COME BACK AND SPEAK. THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BOWIE FORSYTH FOLLOWED BY MILES BONANO.
I'M BOWIE FORSYTH. I LIVE AT 21 WILLIAMS STREET.
THE FIRST TIME I EVER VISITED ST. AUGUSTINE WAS WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
I TOOK ONE LOOK AROUND AND I SAID, THIS IS WHERE I WANT TO LIVE.
FLAGLER COLLEGE WAS THE ONLY SCHOOL THAT I APPLIED TO SO I AM ALSO FLAGLER ALUM, AND I LOVED MY TIME THERE.
I KNOW ST. AUGUSTINE TO BE A BEAUTIFULLY DIVERSE CITY, FULL OF WELCOMING PEOPLE.
I URGE YOU TO SIDE THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION SINCE I KNOW THAT'S HOW OUR CITY IS. THANK YOU.
NEXT SPEAKER IS MILES BONANO, AND THEN FOLLOWED BY RUTH HOPE.
YOU DID A GREAT JOB PRONOUNCING MY LAST NAME.
VERY GOOD JOB. MY NAME IS MILES BONANO.
GOOD EVENING. I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS MEETING FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW.
[00:40:02]
I'M GOING TO SPEAK QUICKLY BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT TO SAY.LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING I AM A FLORIDA NATIVE.
ALL 22 YEARS OF MY LIFE HAVE BEEN SPENT IN THIS STATE.
DESPITE THIS, I HAVE BEEN OUT AS TRANS FOR MORE THAN HALF MY LIFE.
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A DOUBT IN MY HEAD THAT I KNOW WHO I AM.
I AM HEADSTRONG, I'M LOVING, I AM OUTGOING, I'M OUTSPOKEN AND I AM TRANS.
I CAME HERE TONIGHT NOT TO PLEAD FOR UNDERSTANDING AND INCLUSIVITY, WHILE I DO WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE FIGHT TO MAKE ST. AUGUSTINE A MORE INCLUSIVE AND ACCEPTING PLACE.
I CAME TO SAY THAT IN SPITE OF THE CURRENT POSITION AND STRUGGLE, THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN MAKE FLORIDA NOT MY HOME.
I AM FLORIDIAN, I AM QUEER, I AM TRANS, NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE THAT.
I APOLOGIZE AGAIN FOR SPEAKING SO QUICKLY, BUT I WILL NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR ALL THAT I HAVE TO SAY ON THIS TOPIC, ON THE TOPIC OF MY JOY AND MY SURVIVAL.
IN SPITE OF PREJUDICE, IN SPITE OF HATRED, IN SPITE OF BIGOTRY, I WILL HOLD JOY IN MY IDENTITY AND FOR FLORIDA BEING MY HOME.
I FEAR NOT A HATEFUL DAMN LORD, AND I ESPECIALLY DO NOT FEAR THOSE PUSHING A FALSE AGENDA.
NOTHING WILL EVER MAKE ME STEP DOWN, NOTHING WILL EVER MAKE ME GIVE UP MY HOME.
I URGE YOU TO SIGN THE PROCLAMATION IN SOLIDARITY WITH YOUR FELLOW STRONG FLORIDIANS.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND I WELCOME YOU FOR ALL OF MINE.
THANK YOU. RUTH HOPE IS THE NEXT SPEAKER FOLLOWED BY NADINE HUEY.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M RUTH HOPE.
I ACTUALLY LIVE AT 133 NEPTUNE ROAD IN ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH.
I'M AN OLDER STRAIGHT WHITE MOTHER.
I'M HERE ACTUALLY WITH MY STRAIGHT WHITE SON, AND I'M HERE TO SAY, I'M PROUD OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR ISSUING THE PRIDE MONTH DECLARATION.
I CAME HERE FIRST IN 2002 AND EMBRACED THE HISTORY, AND I MOVED HERE IN 2013.
I WAS SO PROUD WHEN THE CITY BECAME THE FIRST COMPASSIONATE CITY IN THE USA, AND I'M PROUD TO SAY YOU'RE WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE OF EVERYBODY NO MATTER WHAT THEIR RELIGION, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR RACE, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR SEXUALITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS NADINE HUEY FOLLOWED BY RABBI OLY.
I LIVE AT 175 ATLANTO AVENUE, AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION.
FROM THE TIME I WAS 11, GROWING UP, OUR FAMILY HAD FRIENDS WHO WERE GAY.
I DON'T REMEMBER WHY I KNEW THAT THEY WERE GAY OR HOW THAT CAME ABOUT, JUST THAT THEY WERE VERY KIND.
IN TODAY'S LANGUAGE, I THINK THAT THEY SAW ME.
IF I HADN'T BEEN SO AFRAID OF TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING AT THAT TIME, I THINK I COULD HAVE TALKED TO THEM AND THEY WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD AND PROBABLY KNOWN WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO STRUGGLE AS A YOUNG PERSON WHO DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG.
AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MAKING THEM A PART OF THIS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. RABBI OLY. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU. HI, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS RABBI OLY, 295 CHAPEL.
I'M HERE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROCLAMATION, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
I FIND THAT WORDS OF QUALITY DON'T NEED TO BE YELLED.
THINGS THAT HAVE QUALITY DON'T NEED TO BE YELLED AT A PERSON, AND I'VE ALREADY FORGOTTEN THE WORDS OF MR. RUSSO, HE JUST HAD A LOUD VOICE.
I JUST TAKE IT HE WASN'T HAVING A LOT OF SEX, AND HE WAS A LITTLE BIT UPSET ABOUT THAT.
GENUINELY, THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND THEY WANT TO TAKE US BACK TO A TIME WHERE PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE REPRESENTATION OR PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR CARE OR RIGHTS.
WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS IN TOWNS LIKE THIS, AND WE'RE TAKING THEM KICKING AND STREAMING ALONG WITH US.
I'LL SAY THIS. MEN OF QUALITY DO NOT FEAR EQUALITY.
I GENUINELY DO APPRECIATE YOU GUYS.
THANK YOU. YOU GUYS AND GIRLS. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. THAT WAS MY LAST SPEAKER.
CARD BJ KALEDI IS OUR LAST SPEAKER.
BJ KALEDI, WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
SELFISH INDIVIDUALS, NO RESPECT, CONTINUE TO STEAL MY PROPERTY.
THEIR HOPELESS LIFE CAN CHANGE WHEN THEY LISTEN TO 90.5 FM.
WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THE AGE, AGAINST SPIRITUAL HOST OR WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES.
[00:45:05]
113 CEDAR STREET, ''I LOVE 2F''.NOT WHAT YOU'RE THINKING OF, BUT IT STANDS FOR TO PASS GAS.
LET'S TAKE MY LAST MINUTE, 60 SECONDS TO SILENTLY PRAY IN JESUS NAME FOR THE SALVATION OF THOSE WHO STEAL, NOT ONLY MY PROPERTY, BUT OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY.
>> MISS COLDI, ARE YOU INTENDING NOT TO SPEAK FURTHER TONIGHT? ARE YOU USING YOUR LAST 60 SECONDS FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE?
>> WE DID HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE OFFERED TO THE ROOM SO I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO GO AHEAD AND WRAP YOUR PRESENTATION UP.
>> THAT WAS 45 SECONDS BECAUSE I TIMED IT.
WE HAVE TAKEN AWAY THE RIGHT IN THIS CITY COMMISSIONER NANCY TO PRAY.
>> I CAN'T USE MY REMAINING MINUTE THE WAY THAT I WANT?
>> WE LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY, AND WE TREAT EVERYBODY THE SAME.
THAT'S THE END OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HERE WISH TO SPEAK? NOT HEARING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
CONSENT AGENDA, MR. CITY MANAGER.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES OR ALTERNATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING ON JUNE 24TH, ORDINANCE 2024-18, 2024-19, 2024-20, 2024-21, AND ORDINANCE 2024-22.
WE HAVE A REMINDER OF THE UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR JUNE 24TH, WHICH IS THE 5:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, JULY 8TH AT 3:00 PM, A SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING, WHICH IS THE BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS, JULY 8TH AT 5:00 PM, A REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND JULY 22ND AT 5:00 PM, A REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
TONIGHT, WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 8TH REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, THE APRIL 22ND, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND THE MAY 13TH SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE A RELEASE OF LIEN FOR UNIT CONNECTION FEE MORTGAGES AT 350 ABBEY AVENUE, CECILIA O'NEIL, WE HAVE A FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT FOR THE ST. AUGUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAINING PROJECT, AND WE HAVE THE CONFIRMATION OF THE NOMINATION OF MR. WILLIAM BILL DUDLEY FOR THE 2024 ORDER OF LA FLORIDA AWARD, AND CONFIRMATION OF THE NOMINATION OF PASTOR LAVERNE MARCH FOR THE 2024 ORDER OF LA FLORIDA AWARD.
THAT CONCLUDES THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COMMISSIONERS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WE DO HAVE TWO PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS.
[7.A.1. Live Wildly Foundation Presentation. (N. Sikes-Kline, Mayor)]
OUR FIRST ONE IS THE LID WILDE FOUNDATION PRESENTATION, AND WITH US, WE HAVE MEREDITH BUDD. WELCOME.>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. CAN I JUST PULL UP THE PRESENTATION HERE? PERFECT.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS.
I AM THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES WITH THE LIVE WILDLY FOUNDATION.
THANK YOU, MAYOR SIKES-KLINE AND THE REST OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY AND TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION AND HOW WE'RE WORKING HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
THE LIVE WILDLY FOUNDATION IS A PRIVATE 501C3 FAMILY FOUNDATION.
WE WERE STARTED BY A TAMPA BASED ENTREPRENEUR, A TECH ENTREPRENEUR.
AS SUCH, OUR FOUNDATION IS ACTUALLY TASKED WITH TAKING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH TO OUR MISSION,
[00:50:02]
WHICH IS CONSERVATION OF FLORIDA'S NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE, WHILE WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO SEEK A BALANCE FOR SMART GROWTH, A ROBUST ECONOMY WITH A CONNECTED, PROTECTED, AND RESILIENT LANDSCAPE ACROSS THE STATE.AS A FAMILY FOUNDATION, WE ARE ENGAGING WITH VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE STATE TO BUILD COALITIONS, TO FOSTER COLLABORATION BETWEEN AND AMONGST STAKEHOLDERS, AND TO EMPOWER STAKEHOLDERS BY PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP ADVANCE CONSERVATION EFFORTS.
BUT IT'S NOT CONSERVATION FOR CONSERVATIONS SAKE.
WE REALLY ARE STRIVING, I SHOULD SAY, TO ACHIEVE THAT BALANCE OF THE NEEDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE NEEDS FOR PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
WE HAVE 1,200 PEOPLE MOVING EVERY SINGLE DAY TO THE STATE.
IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT BALANCE.
WE'RE REALLY UNIQUE IN THAT WE ACTUALLY LAUNCHED WITH A BRAND CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND THROUGH THIS BRAND, WE BELIEVE THAT IF WE CAN DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION AND LOVE FOR WILD FLORIDA AND WHAT MAKES FLORIDA FLORIDA IN PEOPLE, THEN WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT OUR MOST IMPORTANT NATURAL RESOURCES ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF DECISION MAKING NOW AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
AS YOU ALREADY PROBABLY KNOW, THERE'S BEEN UNPRECEDENTED STATE INVESTMENT IN CONSERVATION AND WITH THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR.
LIVE WILDLY LEASE FUNDER PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN HELPING TO PASS THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR ACT BACK IN 2021, WHICH ESTABLISHED AN 18 MILLION ACRE LANDSCAPE ACROSS THE STATE INTO FLORIDA STATUTE.
TEN MILLION OF THOSE ACRES ARE ALREADY PROTECTED.
THEY'RE ALREADY IN SOME FORM OF CONSERVATION.
THE REMAINING EIGHT MILLION ACRES ARE WHAT ARE KNOWN AS OPPORTUNITY AREAS.
THERE ARE AREAS THAT ARE STILL IN NEED OF PROTECTION.
THEY'RE IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP, BUT THERE'S OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THOSE LANDOWNERS AND PROTECT THAT LAND.
THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMS OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP PROTECT THE LAND, LARGELY, THE STATE PROGRAMS, WE HAVE FLORIDA FOREVER.
WE HAVE RURAL AND FAMILY LANDS.
BUT ALSO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN HELP PROTECT LAND NOT ONLY WITHIN THE CORRIDOR, BUT OUTSIDE OF THE CORRIDOR AS WELL, WHICH IS EQUALLY AS NECESSARY.
WE ARE, OF COURSE, COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AGENCIES, STAKEHOLDERS TO PROTECT THE CORRIDOR.
BUT WE KNOW THAT THE BENEFITS ARE BEYOND JUST WILDLIFE AND WATER RESOURCES, WHICH WE KNOW EXISTS BECAUSE WE'VE COMMISSIONED STUDIES TO SHOW THE BENEFIT TO WILDLIFE AND WATER RESOURCES, WHICH WE ARE REALLY PROUD, AND I'D BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU ALL AND YOUR STAFF WITH THOSE RESOURCES, IF YOU'D LIKE.
WELL, WE'RE EQUALLY COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORRIDOR IS PROTECTED.
AS A FOUNDATION, AGAIN, WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT BALANCE.
WE HAVE TO BALANCE ECONOMY AND ECOLOGY AND WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THOSE AREAS CLOSER TO URBAN CENTERS THAT MAY NOT BE A PART OF THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR ARE PROTECTED AND AT THE FOREFRONT OF THOSE DECISION MAKING, WHICH IS WHAT BRINGS US HERE TO ST. AUGUSTINE.
AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, NOT MUCH OF THE CORRIDOR IS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY OR WITHIN ST. AUGUSTINE PROPER.
THE MAP YOU SEE ON THE SLIDE ACTUALLY SHOWS ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND YOU CAN SEE THE CITY BORDER OBVIOUSLY, OUTLINED IN YELLOW.
ALL THE DARK BROWN IS WHAT IS ALREADY PROTECTED, AND YOU CAN SEE HERE'S ANASTASIA STATE PARK AND SOME OTHER CONSERVATION AREAS THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY PROTECTED WITHIN YOUR SMALL CITY FOOTPRINT, WHICH IS REALLY SIGNIFICANT.
ON THE MAP, YOU CAN ALSO SEE THOSE PARTS OF THE CORRIDOR THAT ARE WITHIN THE LARGER COUNTY.
LARGELY FOCUSED IN THAT SOUTH PART OF THE COUNTY WHERE YOU HAVE THE DARK GREEN, WHICH IS ALREADY PROTECTED LAND AND THOSE LIGHT GREEN AREAS, WHICH ARE THOSE CORRIDOR OPPORTUNITY AREAS, AGAIN, OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE CITY LIMITS DELINEATED ON THE MAP IN THAT STRONG CONSERVATION FOUNDATION THAT YOU ALL DO HAVE GIVEN YOUR SMALL FOOTPRINT.
THIS SLIDE ACTUALLY SHOWS THE FLORIDA ECOLOGICAL GREENWAYS NETWORK, AND IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR, THIS IS WHAT THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE QUARTER IS PREDICATED ON.
THE FLORIDA ECOLOGICAL GREENWAYS NETWORK IS A MODEL, AND THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE QUARTER ACTUALLY IS ONLY MADE UP OF PRIORITIES NUMBERS 1 THROUGH 3.
YOU CAN SEE ON THE MAP, WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTY IN THE SOUTH PART, PRIORITIES ONE THROUGH THREE, COMPRISED WITHIN THE CORRIDOR.
BUT YOU CAN SEE THERE IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF DARK BLUE AND LIGHTER BLUE AREAS WITHIN THIS MAP, ESPECIALLY AS YOU CAN SEE THE DARK BLUE AREA WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
THOSE ARE NOT PART OF THE CORRIDOR, BUT THEY'RE PART OF THE FLORIDA ECOLOGICAL GREENWAYS NETWORK, AND THEY REPRESENT OPPORTUNITIES TO PROTECT REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS.
WHILE THERE IS NO PART OF THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR WITHIN CITY LIMITS OR LARGELY NOT WITHIN THE COUNTY, THERE ARE REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS FOR CONSERVATION THAT ARE OF SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE.
THIS LAST SLIDE, EXCUSE ME THAT I WANTED TO SHOW YOU WAS THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION THAT YOU ACTUALLY HAVE HERE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
THIS IS THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA BLUE WAY.
IT'S THE FLORIDA FOREVER PROJECT, AND IT HIGHLIGHTS WHAT IS OPPORTUNITY WHERE MONEY CAN ACTUALLY COME TO THE CITY TO HELP PROTECT LAND HERE WITHIN YOUR CITY LIMITS.
FLORIDA FOREVER HAS BEEN PROVIDED UNPRECEDENTED FUNDING IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS,
[00:55:01]
AND THERE'S OPPORTUNITY HERE TO BE ABLE TO BRING IN THOSE DOLLARS TO HELP PROTECT IMPORTANT AREAS THAT ARE WITHIN YOUR CITY BOUNDARIES.THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY HERE WITHIN YOUR COUNTY AND YOUR REGION AND SPECIFICALLY WITHIN YOUR CITY BOUNDARY.
I MENTIONED THAT WE HAVE A BRAND CAMPAIGN.
IT'S REALLY HOW WE CONNECT PEOPLE TO NATURE, AND IT'S A BIG FOCUS ON HOW WE BUILD THAT APPRECIATION FOR AND VALUE FOR NATURE.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO FIND THEMSELVES IN WILD FLORIDA, AND IF YOU CAN APPRECIATE NATURAL RESOURCES, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE MORE INCLINED TO TAKE ACTION.
WE HAVE A SHORT PSA. IT'S ONLY A 45 SECONDS.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PLAY IT FOR YOU NOW.
IT AIRED IN MANY MARKETS ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING THE JACKSONVILLE MARKET, SO WITHIN THIS REGION.
>> THERE'S YOU LOVE THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR. LOVE BEING IN THE WATER.
THEN YOU LOVE THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR.
LOVE THE WATER BEING IN YOU, THE CORRIDOR.
THIS, THIS, THIS, CORRIDOR, CORRIDOR, CORRIDOR.
IF YOU LOVE ICE FISHING, NO, THAT'S MORE LIKE IT THIS, THAT, THAT THIS ALL KINDS OF THIS.
IF YOU LOVE FLORIDA, YOU LOVE THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO PROTECT ALL OF ITS 18 MILLION ACRES AT LIVEWILDLY.COM.
>> WHEN WE FIRST LAUNCHED, WE WERE VERY FOCUSED, AND AS WE'VE CONTINUED TO GROW, WE'VE REALIZED THAT THERE'S A HUGE NEED TO NOT ONLY PROTECT THAT CORE CENTER OF THE STATE, BUT TO EXPAND ELSEWHERE INTO THOSE URBAN CENTERS.
HOW IS LIVE WILDLY WORKING WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY? WE ARE SUPER GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT CAME OUR WAY TO PARTNER WITH THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL THIS YEAR.
AS YOU KNOW, THE FESTIVAL COMBINES MUSIC WITH COMMUNITY, AND WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL BE TITLED THE LIVE WILDLY SHOWCASE, WHICH IS REALLY HELPING TO PROMOTE A MOVEMENT TO PROTECT AND CONNECT WILD FLORIDA.
ONE BIG PIECE OF THAT IS PROMOTING ALL OF THE NATURAL PLACES THAT FOLKS CAN EXPLORE RIGHT HERE IN YOUR BACKYARD HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL OUTCOMES FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP IS THAT AS IN YEARS PAST, THERE'S GOING TO BE A DONATION PIECE.
FOR EVERY TICKET, THERE'S A $10 DONATION GOING TO CONSERVATION EFFORTS RIGHT HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE WITHIN THE LARGER COUNTY.
LAST YEAR, ABOUT 27,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FESTIVAL.
IF THE NUMBERS TRACK THIS YEAR, WE'RE LOOKING AT RAISING IN THE BALLPARK OF $270,000 THAT CAN GO TOWARDS HELPING KEEPING WHAT MAKES THIS COMMUNITY SO SPECIAL IN OUR NATURAL AREAS.
ALONG WITH THE PARTNERSHIP, LIVE WILDLY ALSO JUST LAUNCHED WHAT WE CALL OUR JOIN THE MOVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN MAY.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ONSITE ACTIVATIONS AT THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO ASK PEOPLE TO SIGN A PLEDGE TO PROTECT WILD FLORIDA.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE PLEDGE ON THE SCREEN HERE, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO CHECK AT OUR WEBSITE.
MEMBERS WHO SIGN THE PLEDGE WILL GET ACCESS TO A COMMUNITY OF LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS AND RECEIVE MEMBER EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS LIKE DISCOUNTS AT MAJOR OUTDOOR RETAILERS.
AGAIN, WHAT MAKES THIS EVEN MORE IMPACTFUL IS THAT FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT SIGNS THIS PLEDGE, OUR ORGANIZATION ACTUALLY DONATES A DOLLAR TO LAND CONSERVATION HERE IN THE STATE.
THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF OUR JOIN THE MOVEMENT WAS LAST MONTH WHEN NATIONAL RECORDING ARTIST JJ GREY SIGNED THE PLEDGE HIMSELF.
WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE JJ GREY AS A SPOKESPERSON FOR OUR JOIN THE MOVEMENT CAMPAIGN, AND SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE PLANNING TO DO AT SING OUT LOUD LATER THIS YEAR IN SEPTEMBER, WE HAD OUR FIRST IN PERSON ACTIVATION WITH HIS CONCERT THAT WAS JUST AT THE ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATER ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW JJ GREY, HE IS A JACKSONVILLE NATIVE, WHOSE MUSIC OFTEN REFLECTS HIS CONNECTION TO THIS REGION'S LANDSCAPE AND THOSE LANDSCAPES AND THE WATERWAYS THAT HE LOVES.
WE'RE HONORED TO BE AT THE AMP AT THAT LAST WEEKEND IN MAY FOR JJ'S CONCERT.
WE HAD THIS REALLY AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO TABLE AT THE TWO DAY CONCERT.
WE GOT TO INTERACT WITH FOLKS AND LOCALS, TOURISTS THAT CAME TO THE SHOW TO VISIT THE AREA FOR THE SHOW.
AND WE WERE OVERWHELMED REALLY WITH GRATITUDE BY HOW MANY PEOPLE RESONATED WITH OUR MESSAGING TO WANT TO PROTECT WILD FLORIDA.
ON TOP OF THAT, JJ HIMSELF ASKED PEOPLE TO GO AHEAD AND SIGN THE PLEDGE AND PROTECT WILD FLORIDA.
IT WAS REALLY GREAT, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THIS FURTHER UNFOLDS AT THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL IN SEPTEMBER.
TO WRAP UP, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND SPEAK TO YOU ALL.
WE ARE REALLY THRILLED TO HAVE FOUND FANTASTIC PARTNERS HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE TO BRING AWARENESS TO CONSERVATION AND THE NEED TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN GROWING POPULATIONS AND THE NEED TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT.
AS WE CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH OUR PARTNERS AT SING OUT LOUD, WE'RE ACTUALLY BUILDING EVEN MORE PARTNERSHIPS AS OUR BRAND IS GETTING OUT THERE.
WE ARE AN ACTIVE SPONSOR OVER ON THE BEACH AT THE MUSIC AND ART BY THE SEA SERIES AND WE ALSO JUST FORMED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL TO CREATE A MURAL AND THAT CALL FOR ARTISTS WENT OUT LAST WEEK.
WE HOPE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH LOCAL PARTNERS AND ELEVATE OUR COLLECTIVE GOALS. SO THANK YOU AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU, MS. BUDD. WE APPRECIATE IT.
WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING AND HEARING A LOT MORE FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE AS WE WORK WITH YOU AS WE WORK ON THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL.
VERY GOOD. THE NEXT ITEM IS 782.
[Additional Item]
IT'S THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DE CAMP REPORT,[01:00:01]
CHIEF AVILES IS HERE TO FILL US IN ON ALL THE GOOD STUFF THAT HAPPENED.BOY, THAT WAS QUICK. YOU ALL PUT IT TOGETHER IN QUITE A HURRY.
MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CARLOS AVILES, YOUR FIRE CHIEF.
I BROUGHT WITH ME, FIREFIGHTER EMILY SCHILL, ONE OF OUR EVENT ORGANIZERS.
WE CAME TODAY JUST TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE, SO WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THIS INITIAL OR INAUGURAL SPARK THE FLAME CAMP.
WE WERE ABLE TO SELL OUT OR WE WERE AT CAPACITY, ESSENTIALLY, WE DIDN'T CHARGE FOR THE EVENT, THANKS TO SPONSORS AND DONATIONS.
BUT THE PROGRAM WAS AN AMAZING SUCCESS.
THE FEEDBACK WAS JUST INCREDIBLE FROM THE CAMP ATTENDEES TO THE PARENTS TO THE FIREFIGHTERS THEMSELVES THAT GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE IT.
THE NARRATIVE, I KEEP TELLING PEOPLE IS I FEEL LIKE WE FOUND SOMETHING WE DIDN'T EVEN REALLY KNOW THAT WE NEEDED UNTIL WE HAD EXPERIENCED IT FIRSTHAND.
REAL BRIEFLY, I HAVE JUST A SHORT VIDEO TO PLAY FOR YOU THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PUT UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA FROM IZZY, ONE OF OUR CAMP ATTENDEES, WHO INITIALLY HAD FROZEN UP ON THE WALL.
>> [MUSIC] I FACE THE FEAR BY GOING ON A LEDGE AND SITTING THERE AND BEING TERRIFIED BY LIFE.
I SAT THERE FOR A WHILE AND THOUGHT ABOUT, WHY I'M I DOING THIS TO MYSELF? THIS IS BAD.
BUT THEN, AS SOON AS I KICKED MY LEG OVER AND GOT MY LEGS OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND PUSHED MY WEIGHT BACK, I WAS ABLE TO GO DOWN AND I WAS THINKING THE ENTIRE TIME, L CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST DID THAT.
I FEEL POWERFUL AND I FEEL I JUST LEARNED A LOT FROM THAT.
TO FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT MYSELF AND WHAT I'VE DONE.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE I KNOW WHO WOULD NOT DO THAT.
I JUST GO BACK TO SCHOOL WHEN SUMMER'S OVER AND I FEEL GREAT.
>> I FEEL AMAZING. I FEEL GREAT. I COULD DO THAT AGAIN.
I COULD DO THE BACKWARDS AND GO BACKWARDS.
>> EZY MANAGED TO IN A MINUTE, REALLY CAPTURE WHAT WE WERE HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THAT CAMP WHEN WE EMBARKED ON DOING THIS, REALLY A SHORT TIME AGO.
WE WERE LIKE, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS.
IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER THE CAMP THAT I FOUND OUT FROM SOME OF MY STAFF THAT THEY THOUGHT I WAS A LITTLE BIT CRAZY FOR GIVING THEM THE 10 WEEK DEADLINE TO PULL THAT TOGETHER, BUT THE PROGRAM SO FAR EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT WE GOT OUT OF IT AND THAT WE FELT COMPELLED TO COME BACK HERE AND REPORT TO YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT THAT THE CITY PROVIDED.
THEN LASTLY, WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS BY OURSELVES.
WE ARE A SMALL AGENCY OF 33 FIREFIGHTERS.
IN ORDER TO PUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS TOGETHER, IT TOOK AN ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS.
IN OUR SMALL THREE DAY EVENT, THERE WERE 13 FIRE DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTED HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE FROM ST. AUGUSTINE FIRE DEPARTMENT, ST. JOHNS COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, JACKSONVILLE FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT, FLAGLER COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, PALM COAST FIRE DEPARTMENT, PUTNAM COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, FORT MYERS FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE IIONA MCGREGOR FIRE DISTRICT, ORANGE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, POLK COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, CORAL SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE DIVISION OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL FROM TALLAHASSEE CAME AND THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL HERSELF CAME TO ADDRESS THE GIRLS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE CAMP.
THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE BUCHANAN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IN VIRGINIA WITH ONE VERY SPECIAL YOUNG LADY THAT VOLUNTEERS FOR HER HOMETOWN AT THE RIPE AGE OF 15, WHICH WAS INCREDIBLE.
I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HOW PROUD I'M OF THE WORK THAT OUR STAFF DID TO HELP PULL THIS EVENT TOGETHER.
THE COMMUNITY WAS INCREDIBLE IN SUPPORTING THE PROJECT, AND WE WILL BE BACK IN SPRING DURING SPRING BREAK OF 2025 TO DO THIS AGAIN.
THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> SORRY. SINCE YOU GUYS ARE A PILOT, ARE YOU GOING TO GET MORE KIDS INVOLVED?
>> LOGISTICALLY, IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO SCALE MUCH LARGER WITHOUT MOVING THE EVENT, AND THEN WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE GOING TO LOSE BEING THE HOST OF IT.
I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO TO TWEAK THE EVENT.
BY CHANGING THE SIGN UP AND PERHAPS INCORPORATING MORE HIGH SCHOOL AGE GIRLS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM OR ANYBODY ELSE THAT WANTED TO FOR THAT MATTER.
[01:05:03]
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE EVALUATING NOW IN OUR AFTER ACTION.THEN I'VE GOT SOME IDEAS THAT I'M RATTLING AROUND IN MY HEAD AT THE MOMENT FOR A CO-HEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CAMP HERE IN THE COUNTY IN THE FUTURE.
>> WHAT ABOUT CAMP DOING IT MORE THAN JUST ONCE?
>> CORRECT. YEAH. I'M LOOKING FOR A WAY TO INCORPORATE A LARGER WEEK LONG CAMP THAT WOULD TARGET HIGH SCHOOL AGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE NOT JUST THE FIRE SERVICE, BUT PUBLIC SAFETY AS A WHOLE HERE IN THE COUNTY.
HOPEFULLY WE HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS ABOUT THAT HERE IN THE FUTURE.
BUT AS FOR SPARK TO FLAME, WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO KEEP THIS MODEL THE WAY WE HAVE IT HERE UNTIL.
IF IT GROWS TO WHERE WE HAVE TO MOVE IT TO ANOTHER VENUE TO EXPAND, THEN THAT'S AN AWESOME PROBLEM TO HAVE AND WE'LL FIGURE THOSE LOGISTICS OUT WHEN WE NEED TO.
>> NO, IT SOUNDS GREAT. GREAT JOB.
DID YOU USE A MODEL OR A FRAMEWORK THAT WAS ALREADY IN PLACE SOMEWHERE?
>> YES, WE DID. THAT CAME FROM THE IONA MCGREGOR FIRE DISTRICT FROM A PROGRAM CALLED CAMP BRAVEHEART.
YES, EMILY AND HANNAH REDRICK AND MYSELF TRAVELED THERE IN MARCH TO VOLUNTEER AT THEIR EVENT TO SEE IT FIRSTHAND.
WE WERE ABLE TO SIT WITH THEIR STAFF AFTER THEIR EVENT HAD CONCLUDED IN ORDER FOR US TO ESSENTIALLY GAME PLAN HOW WE WERE GOING TO DO IT.
I LOVE IT BECAUSE WE NOW KEEP IN TOUCH WITH EVERYBODY AND THEY'RE FOLLOWING US AND SHARING ALL OF OUR SUCCESS ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA BECAUSE THEY WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF IT.
THEY'VE BECOME OUR DEFACTUS SISTER DEPARTMENT IN SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA.
TO SHARE THE LOVE IS TO PROVIDE THAT MODEL AND THAT FRAMEWORK TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS THAT WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT KIND OF PROGRAM IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.
>> THE GROUP THAT WAS HERE FROM CORAL SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE ON A COMPLETE FACT BINDING TOUR.
THAT'S WHY THEY WERE HERE FOR THE TWO DAYS.
>> EXCELLENT. WHAT A LEGACY THAT COULD BE.
WE HAVE NO ITEMS OF GREAT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE, ALTHOUGH WE ALWAYS DO.
I ALWAYS HATE TO SAY WE DON'T, BUT I KNOW BECAUSE WE ALWAYS DO, BUT IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA. LET'S SAY THAT.
[8.A.1. Ordinance 2024-08: Introduction of the annexation of a parcel of land to include 523 West King Street (PID1123300000). (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON SECOND READING TONIGHT.AMY SKINNER IS HERE TO PRESENT.
MS. SKINNER, WELCOME. GOOD EVENING.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS AMY SKINNER.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
THE NEXT NINE ITEMS ARE RELATED TO ANNEXATION REQUESTS ON WEST KING STREET BETWEEN THE EXISTING CITY LIMITS AND THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB PROPERTY THAT IS ALSO WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS TO THE WEST.
THE PROPERTIES INCLUDE 523 WEST KING STREET, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER ACRE OWNED BY THE HOMELESS COALITION.
525 AND 527, WEST KING STREET, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY HALF AN ACRE OWNED BY THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, AND 545 WEST KING STREET, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 0.1 ACRES OWNED BY THE ANCIENT CITY LODGE.
THE PROPERTY OWNERS PETITION TO ANNEX INTO THE CITY ON FEBRUARY 12TH, WENT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD FOR RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO ESTABLISHING A CITY LAND USE AND ZONING DISTRICT FOR THE PROPERTIES ON APRIL 2ND, AND THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES WERE INTRODUCED AND FIRST READINGS WERE HELD BY THE CITY COMMISSION ON APRIL 8TH.
JUST TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE INCLUDED.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THESE PROPERTIES ADJACENT TO SOUTH WHITNEY ARE ALREADY IN THE CITY.
THEN THESE ARE THE THREE PROPERTIES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANNEXING.
THEN THIS IS THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB PROPERTY.
THIS IS A LITTLE BROADER PERSPECTIVE, SO YOU CAN SEE THE WHOLE WEST KING STREET CORRIDOR AND THE COMMERCIAL LAND USE THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
THESE ARE THE THREE PROPERTIES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT ARE FRONT ON WEST KING STREET.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND A SECOND READING FOR EACH OF THESE ORDINANCES.
THERE ARE THREE ORDINANCES FOR EACH PROPERTY.
AS YOU MENTIONED, THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL ORDINANCES, ORDINANCE 2024-08 RELATES TO THE ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY AT 523 WEST KING STREET.
[01:10:03]
ORDINANCE 2024-09 RELATES TO CHANGING THE COUNTY LAND USE TO A CITY DESIGNATION OF COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY FOR 523 WEST KING STREET.ORDINANCE 2024-10 RELATES TO CHANGING THE COUNTY ZONING TO A CITY CLASSIFICATION OF CM2, COMMERCIAL MEDIUM 2 AT 523 WEST KING STREET.
THE PROPERTY ACTUALLY IS CURRENTLY UNDESIGNATED IN THE COUNTY, SO THIS WOULD CLARIFY ANY CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT IS ALLOWED ON THESE PROPERTIES.
THE NEXT THREE ORDINANCES RELATE TO 525 AND 527 WEST KING STREET.
2024-12 IS THE ASSIGNING OF THE LAND USE CATEGORY, COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY, AND 2024-13 IS ASSIGNING THE CM2 ZONING DISTRICT TO THAT PROPERTY.
THEN THE LAST THREE ORDINANCES RELATE TO THE PROPERTY AT 545 WEST KING STREET, 2024-14 IS, AGAIN, THE ANNEXATION.
2024-15 IS THE LAND USE, COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY, AND 2024-16 IS ASSIGNING THE ZONING DISTRICT OF CM2, SO ALL THREE PROPERTIES.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MS. SKINNER BEFORE WE PROCEED? WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE FIRST SET OF ORDINANCES, WHICH IS THE PROPERTY AT 523 WEST KING STREET, WHICH IS AN ORDINANCE FOR THE ANNEXATION, THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION, AND THE REZONING.
THAT I HAVE ONE SPEAKER CARD FOR THAT.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS OPEN.
I HAVE ONE SPEAKER CARD, AND THAT IS FOR MS. BJ KALEDI.
>> BJ KALEDI WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, SO YOU TAKEN ALL THREE AT ONE TIME FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL.
>> ALL THREE AT ONE TIME FOR THIS PROPERTY.
>> 8A 1, 22.10% OR A TOTAL OF 833,610,806 TAX DOLLARS FROM NON PROFITS IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE ARE NOT COLLECTED.
NON PROFITS DO NOT PAY PROPERTY TAXES.
BRINGING 523 WEST KING, ALSO KNOWN AS HOMES COALITION INTO CITY LIMITS WILL INCREASE THE COST OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
QUESTION. HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT THOSE PAYING PROPERTY TAXES IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE? 8A 2 QUESTION.
WHAT WILL THE NON PROFIT TAX EXEMPT BE PERMITTED TO DO WITH LAND USE DESIGNATION, COMMERCIAL, MEDIUM INTENSIVE? I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THESE PROPERTIES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO ON THEIR PARCELS AND ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON 8A 3, QUESTION.
WHAT WILL THIS NON PROFIT TAX EXEMPT BE PERMITTED TO DO WITH THE CM2 ZONING? I THINK THE CITIZENS NEED TO KNOW ANSWER TO THESE THREE QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.
>> THERE ARE ANY OTHER FOLKS HERE TO SPEAK IN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS PROPERTY 523 WEST KING STREET? HEARING NONE. PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
MS. SKINNER. ARE YOU ABLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS?
>> CM2 IS OUR MOST COMMERCIAL.
IT'S THE HIGHEST INTENSITY COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT, IT IS CONSISTENT TO ASSIGN THESE PROPERTIES.
THIS ZONING CATEGORY IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT'S ALLOWED ALONG WEST KING STREET.
IT DOES ALLOW FOR NON PROFITS AS WELL IN THE EXISTING USES ON THE PROPERTY, SO WE FELT THAT IT WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE CORRIDOR TO CONTINUE THIS CM2 ZONING.
IT WOULD ALLOW OTHER COMMERCIAL USES, SO THE PROPERTY COULD BE SOLD.
IT COULD TURN INTO OTHER COMMERCIAL USES, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE PLANS ARE, BUT CERTAINLY IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW MULTIFAMILY.
IT WOULD ALLOW OTHER COMMERCIAL USES, IT WOULD ALLOW A FLEXIBLE AMOUNT OF USES THAT ARE THERE.
[01:15:03]
THERE'S POTENTIAL THAT IT COULD BE SOLD AND IT COULD BE A COMMERCIAL USE.AS FAR AS THE BENEFIT TO THE CITY, IT DOES CLEAN UP THIS BOUNDARY AND IT WOULD BECOME PART OF THE WEST CITY CRA, WHICH I THINK IS A BENEFIT TO THE AREA IN GENERAL, IF THAT IS ESTABLISHED, AND THESE PROPERTIES WOULD BENEFIT AND THE AREA WOULD BENEFIT THAT THEY BE IN THE WEST CITY CRA.
IT CERTAINLY WOULD ALLOW FOR CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT ACROSS ALL THREE OF THESE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CITY.
COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? WE WILL TAKE EACH ORDINANCE INDIVIDUALLY, BEGINNING WITH ORDINANCE 2024-08.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-08, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, ANNEXING APPROXIMATELY 0.23 ACRES OF PROPERTY NOW LOCATED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, LYING WEST OF THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET, AS DESCRIBED HERE IN, REDEFINING THE BOUNDARY LINES OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO INCLUDE SAID PROPERTY.
AMENDING SECTION 1.04 OF THE CHARTER LAWS OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
PROVIDING FOR FILING OF A COPY HEREOF WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CITY CODE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
>> I'M JUST GLAD THAT WAS A SHORT TITLE.[LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, WE HAVE SEVEN MORE TO GO.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> PERTAINING TO ORDINANCE 2024-09,
[8.A.2. Ordinance 2024-09: Amends the future land use designation of the 0.23 acres of annexed property at 523 West King Street (PID1123300000) from St. Johns County Residential-D to City Commercial Medium Intensity. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
DO I HEAR A MOTION?>> MADAM, PLEASE READ THE TITLE.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-09, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP PHLUM DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 0.23 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET AND WEST OF SOUTH WHITNEY STREET AS PORTIONS OF THE DANCY TRACT IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER FROM ITS CURRENT DESIGNATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTIAL D TO A CITY DESIGNATION OF COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> PERTAINING TO ORDINANCE 2024-10.
[8.A.3. Ordinance 2024-10: Amends the zoning designation of the 0.23 acres of annexed property at 523 West King Street (PID1123300000) from St. Johns County Residential Single Family-three (RS-3) to City Commercial Medium-Two (CM-2). (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
>> ON THIS ONE, I WILL NEED EX PARTE DISCLOSURE IF THERE WAS ANY BECAUSE THIS IS A REZONING.
>> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY EX PARTE DISCLOSURE?
>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-10, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.23 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET AND WEST OF SOUTH WHITNEY STREET, AS A PORTION OF THE DANCY TRACT, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 523 WEST KING STREET, PARCEL ID NUMBER 112-330-0000 IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HERE AND AFTER FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY RS3 TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL MEDIUM TWO CM2, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING, NONE, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
[8.A.4. Ordinance 2024-11: Introduction of the annexation of a parcel of land to include 525 West King Street (PID1123200000). (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
WE HAVE THE NEXT THREE ORDINANCES PERTAIN TO 525 WEST KING STREET, THE FIRST OF WHICH IS AN ANNEXATION, THE SECOND OF WHICH IS THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION CHANGE,[01:20:02]
AND THE THIRD WILL BE THE ZONING DESIGNATION CHANGE.THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN FOR THIS, AND I HAVE ONE SPEAKER CARD.
>> WELCOME. B J CADY WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, 884, 22.10% OR A TOTAL OF 833,610,806 TAX DOLLARS FROM NON PROFITS IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE ARE NOT COLLECTED.
NON PROFITS DO NOT PAY PROPERTY TAXES.
BRINGING 525 WEST KING AND 527 WEST KING NOT SHOWN IN YOUR AGENDA.
I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT WAS LEFT OFF.
ALSO KNOWN AS ST. JOHN'S HOUSING PARTNERSHIP AND TO THE CITY LIMITS WILL INCREASE THE COST OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
AGAIN, THE QUESTION, HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT THOSE PAYING PROPERTY TAXES IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE? 8A5 QUESTION.
WHAT WILL THIS NON PROFIT TAX EXEMPT BE PERMITTED TO DO WITH LAND USE DESIGNATION, COMMERCIAL, MEDIUM INTENSIVE? MS. SKINNER'S RESPONSE FOR THOSE QUESTIONS IS NOT SPECIFIC ENOUGH.
CAN ANYONE UP THERE TELL ME WHAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO? IT WASN'T ANYWHERE IN THE BACKUP MATERIAL. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? 8A6 QUESTION.
WHAT WILL THIS NON PROFIT TAX EXEMPT BE PERMITTED TO DO WITH CM2 ZONING.
I'M ONLY ASKING THIS AS A RESIDENT OF THAT AREA AND FOR PEOPLE THAT MAY LISTEN TO THIS MEETING AFTERWARDS TO KNOW WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN THIS ANNEXATION.
NOT AGAINST IT, BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN OVER THERE.
I KNOW YOU CAN'T READ THE FUTURE, BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOME INFORMATION AS TO WHAT IS ALLOWED IN THOSE DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATIONS AND THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING FOR.
I'M A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED WHEN I DON'T GET AN ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS AND I THINK THEY ARE LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS, AND ESPECIALLY TO IMPROVE.
I KNOW THE ANNEX IN THESE END SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY THE COUNTY AND THEY DIDN'T DO IT.
WE'RE GOING TO GET IT, WHICH IS FINE.
BUT IS IT BECAUSE OF THE GARAGE? IS IT BECAUSE THESE INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES ARE GOING TO BE BENEFITED MORE THAN US AS THE CITIZENS IN WEST CITY AND IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC COMMENT? HEARING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
MS. SKINNER, IN THE BACK OF MATERIAL, THERE IS A LISTING OF THE PERMITTED USES IN THE CODE FOR COMMERCIAL MEDIUM TWO.
CAN YOU JUST BRIEFLY OUTLINE THAT?
>> YES. I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT GETTING MORE SPECIFIC EARLIER.
AS I SAID, THIS IS OUR MOST COMMERCIAL, LET ME GRAB THE RIGHT ITEM.
>> I CAN DO IT IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR FINGER RIGHT ON IT, PERMITTED USE IN STRUCTURES, RETAIL OUTLETS FOR THE SALE OF GENERAL MERCHANDISE, EXCLUDING NEW OR USED AUTOMOBILES, TRUCKS, BOATS, AND TRAILERS, BUT NOT AUTOMOBILE WRECKING OR STORAGE YARDS, JUNK YARDS, OR SCRAP PROCESSING YARDS, HEAVY MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, DAIRY, SUPPLIES, FEED, FERTILIZER PLANT, MATERIAL, LUMBER, BUILDING SUPPLIES, SUPERMARKETS AND CONVENIENCE STORES, AND SIMILAR PRODUCTS.
SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS OF ALL KIND, INCLUDING AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION OR TRUCK STOP, EXCLUDING BUSINESSES WHERE AUTOMATED VEHICLES AND OFFERED FOR RENT OR SALE, REPAIR, AND SERVICE GARAGE, MOTOR VEHICLE, BODY SHOP, AUTO LAUNDRY, DRIVE IN DRIVE IN RESTAURANTS, LAUNDRY, DRY CLEANING ESTABLISHMENT, VETERINARIAN, OR BOARDING.
ANIMAL BOARDING KENNELS IN SOUND PROOF BUILDING, PEST CONTROL, CARPENTER OR CABINET SHOP, HOME EQUIPMENT, RENTAL, ICE DELIVERY STATION, JOB PRINTING, OR NEWSPAPER, MARINA, RADIO OR TELEVISION BROADCASTING, TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA, OFFICE, AND STUDIO FACILITIES, BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, VIDEO RENTALS, FUNERAL HOMES, TRAVEL AGENCIES, ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, TV, REPAIR SHOP, EMPLOYEES OFFICES, HOLSTERING FURNITURE, REFINISHING, AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS.
ESTABLISHMENTS OR FACILITIES FOR THE RETAIL SALE AND SERVICE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, EITHER FOR ON PREMISES OR OFF PREMISES CONSUMPTION.
ANY TYPE OF WHOLESALE JOB OR DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS WHERE THE TOTAL OPERATION DOES NOT REQUIRE MORE THAN 4,000 SQUARE FEET OF FLOOR SPACE.
NO VEHICLE IS USED IN EXCESS OF 1.5 TON CAPACITY.
[01:25:01]
ALL MERCHANDISE IS STORED WITHIN AN ENCLOSED BUILDING AND NO HEAVY MACHINERY AND MANUFACTURING IS LOCATED ON THE PREMISES.HOTELS AND MOTELS, WITH OR WITHOUT KITCHENETTES.
BUILDING TRADES CONTRACTORS, NOT REQUIRING OUTSIDE STORAGE NOR USE OF ANY VEHICLE IN EXCESS OF ONE TON CAPACITY OR ANY MACHINERY.
DITCHING MACHINES, TRACTORS, BULLDOZERS, OR OTHER HEAVY EQUIPMENT, MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGS AS FOR RG1.
COLLEGES, SHOPPING PLAZA OR SHOPPING CENTER, INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES, AGRICULTURE MARKET, OUTDOOR OR INDOOR, SPECIAL EVENT USE AS FOR SECTION 28-3347.
CRAFT ALCOHOL INDUSTRY, HOME BASED BUSINESS, MOBILE FOOD DISPENSING VEHICLES, MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS AND THEN WE HAVE THE USE BY EXCEPTIONS, WHICH I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO, BUT THOSE ARE THE PERMITTED USES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YES. THESE ITEMS WERE REVIEWED BY OUR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD, AS I SAID, WHICH IS OUR LAND PLANNING AGENCY, AND THEY RECOMMENDED THIS LAND USE IN THIS ZONING DISTRICT FOR THESE PROPERTIES.
>>YOU SAID IT IS CONSISTENT WITH ADJACENT PROPERTIES?
>> THANK YOU. WITH THAT SAID ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HEARD.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR 2024-11.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-11, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, ANNEXING APPROXIMATELY 0.577 ACRES OF PROPERTY, NOW LOCATED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, LYING WEST OF THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN.
REDEFINING THE BOUNDARY LINES OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO INCLUDE SAID PROPERTY, AMENDING SECTION 1.04 OF THE CHARTER LAWS OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR FILING OF A COPY HEREOF, WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CITY CODE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU. FURTHER DISCUSSION, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THE NEXT ORDINANCE IS ORDINANCE 2024-12.
[8.A.5. Ordinance 2024-12: Amends the future land use designation of 0.57 acres of annexed property at 525 West King Street (PID1123200000) and 527 West King Street (PID 1123400000) From St. Johns County Residential-D to City Commercial Medium Intensity. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
ANY DISCUSSION OR COMMENTS?>> I MOVE WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-12.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-12, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP, FLUM DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 0.57 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET AND WEST OF SOUTH WHITNEY STREET, AS PORTIONS OF THE DANCY TRACT COMMONLY KNOWN AS 525 WEST KING STREET, PARCEL ID 1123200000 AND 527, WEST KING STREET, PARCEL ID NUMBER 1123400000 IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER FROM ITS CURRENT DESIGNATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTIAL D TO A CITY DESIGNATION OF COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT THREE ORDINANCES.
>> WAIT. WE'VE GOT ONE MORE AND THAT'S THE REZONING.
>> SO I DO NEED EX-PARTE DISCLOSURE ON REZONING.
>> ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE ANY EX-PARTE DISCLOSURE FOR THE PROPERTY AT 525 WEST KING STREET?
>> NO? NONE. WE HEAR NONE. ALL RIGHT.
[8.A.6. Ordinance 2024-13: Amends the zoning designation of the 0.57 acres of annexed property at 525 West King Street (PID 1123200000) and 527 West King Street (PID 1123400000) from St. Johns County Planned Unit Development (PUD) to City Commercial Medium-Two (CM-2). (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
AND THIS IS PERTAINING TO THE REZONING, WHICH WAS THE QUESTION WE HAD. WE HAVE A MOTION.>> I MOVE WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-13.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-13, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.57 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET AND WEST OF SOUTH WHITNEY STREET AS A PORTION OF THE DANCY TRACT COMMONLY KNOWN AS 525 WEST KING STREET, PARCEL ID 112-320-0000, AND 527 WEST KING STREET, PARCEL ID 1123-40-0000 IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER,
[01:30:02]
FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, PLAN UNIT DEVELOPMENT, PUD TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL MEDIUM 2, CM 2, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> ALL RIGHT. OKAY. NOW WE GO TO THE FINAL SET OF THREE ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO 545 WEST KING STREET, WHICH INCLUDE AN ANNEXATION, FUTURE LAND USE REDESIGNATION, AS WELL AS A REZONING JUST LIKE WE DID THE OTHER ONES.
SO WE DO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, AND I HAVE ONE SPEAKER CARD.
PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN, MISS B. J COLADY.
>> B. J COLADY, WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
I DO APPRECIATE BOTH THE CITY CLERK AND MS. SKINNER GIVING ME THE SECTION NUMBER 28-209, ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ZONING AND THE INTENSITY OF WHAT CAN BE PUT ON THOSE THREE PROPERTIES.
I DO WANT TO READ AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO MINUTES, BUT I DO WANT TO READ THIS AGAIN.
I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, NOT JUST ABOUT THIS INFORMATION AND PEOPLE COMING IN AND WE BRINGING DIFFERENT PEOPLE INTO THE CITY LIMITS.
THEY DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE COUNTY.
SO I'M VERY CONCERNED WHEN THAT HAPPENS.
INSTEAD OF REALLY TAKING CARE OF WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE, YOU ANNEX A LOT OF STUFF IN AND IF IT'S NOT PAYING THEIR WAY OR DOING WHATEVER.
IT'S DETRIMENTAL, I BELIEVE, TO THIS PART OF TOWN AND OTHER PARTS TO BECOMING BLIGHT BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ENFORCEMENT, YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO DO THE JOB.
SO THAT'S MY CONCERN AND SO I WANT TO READ THIS AGAIN AND I KNOW IT'S PART OF AN AGENDA ITEM.
I WAS GRATEFUL THAT I FOUND IT WHENEVER I WAS DOING THIS, 887, 22.10% OR A TOTAL OF 833, 610, 806 TAX DOLLARS FROM NON PROFITS IN THE CITY LIMITS ONLY OF ST. AUGUSTINE ARE NOT COLLECTED.
NON-PROFITS DO NOT PAY PROPERTY TAXES, BRINGING 545 WEST KING ALSO NOTICED THE MASONIC LODGE INTO CITY LIMITS WILL INCREASE THE COST OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
I AGAIN SAY, I'M GRATEFUL AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW TOO THAT ARE NOT HERE THAT THEY CAN LOOK UP SECTION 28.209 TO SEE WHAT CAN BE PUT INTO THOSE THREE PARCELS AND TO BENEFIT NOT JUST THESE PARCEL NUMBERS, BUT ALSO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
SO I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
AGAIN, I THANK BOTH MS. SKINNER AND FOR THE CITY CLERK, MISS DARLENE, TO GIVE US THAT ANSWER SO THE PUBLIC CAN KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON A LITTLE BIT BETTER. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK? PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONERS, WE'LL TAKE UP THE FIRST ONE, ORDINANCE 2024-14.
[8.A.7. Ordinance 2024-14: Introduction of the annexation of a parcel of land to include 545 West King Street (PID 1123600000). (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-14, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, ANNEXING APPROXIMATELY 0.11 ACRES OF PROPERTY NOW LOCATED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, LYING EAST OF THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET, AS DESCRIBED HERE IN REDEFINING THE BOUNDARY LINES OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO INCLUDE SAID PROPERTY, AMENDING SECTION 1.04 OF THE CHARTER LAWS OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE PROVIDING FOR FILING OF A COPY HERE OFF WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA AND WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CITY CODE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> ORDINANCE 2024-15 PERTAINING TO THE FUTURE LAND USE REDESIGNATION OF THE PROPERTY.
[8.A.8. Ordinance 2024-15: Amends the future land use designation of 0.11 acres of annexed property at 545 West King Street (PID 1123600000) from St. Johns County Residential-D to City Commercial Medium Intensity. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
[01:35:07]
DO I HEAR A MOTION?>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-15, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP, FLUM DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 0.11 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET AND EAST OF THE FEC RAILROAD AS PORTIONS OF THE DANCY TRACT COMMONLY KNOWN AS 545 WEST KING STREET, PARCEL ID NUMBER 112-360-0000 IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER FROM ITS CURRENT DESIGNATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTIAL D TO CITY DESIGNATION OF COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> ALL RIGHT. THE FINAL OF THIS BATCH, ORDINANCE 2024-16.
[8.A.9. Ordinance 2024-16: Amends the zoning designation of 0.11 acres of annexed property at 545 West King Street (PID 1123600000) from St. Johns County Residential single family-three (RS-3) to City Commercial Medium-Two (CM-2). (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
>> THIS ALSO IS A REZONING, REQUIRES EX-PARTE DISCLOSURE.
>> DOES ANYONE HAVE EX-PARTE COMMUNICATION TO DECLARE?
>> NONE. I HEAR NONE AT THE TABLE. I HAVE NONE.
ALL RIGHT. WE WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-16, ZONING CHANGE.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2020 4-16, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.11 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET AND EAST OF THE FEC RAILROAD AS A PORTION OF THE DANCY TRACT, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 545 WEST KING STREET, PARCEL ID, NUMBER 112-360-0000 IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HERE AND AFTER, FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY THREE RS3 TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL MEDIUM 2, CM 2, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[8.A.10. Ordinance 2024-17: Amends Chapter 11 to add protection for Longleaf Pine Trees and amends the dock maximum height limit. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
WE'RE MOVING ON TO ORDINANCE 2024-17.MS. SKINNER, YOU'RE HERE TO PRESENT.
>> YES. GOOD EVENING. AMY SKINNER WITH THE CITY PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE 2024-17.
THIS ORDINANCE AMENDS THE LIST OF SIGNIFICANT TREES TO INCLUDE LONG LEAF PINES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE CITY STREET TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE LONG LEAF PINE TREE BECOMES MOST ACTIVE IN CONE PRODUCTION WHEN IT IS 15 INCHES IN DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT AND WOULD BE CONSIDERED A MATURE TREE AT THIS SIZE.
STAFF RECOMMENDED TO INCLUDE THE LONG LEAF PINE WITH A MINIMUM OF 15 INCH DBH IN THE DEFINITION OF A SIGNIFICANT TREE WITH THE EXCEPTION FOR BONAFIDE SYLVA CULTURE ACTIVITIES.
THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD REVIEWED THIS LANGUAGE AT THEIR FEBRUARY 6TH MEETING AND MADE A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION.
ADDITIONALLY, THE PCB HAS RECENTLY DISCUSSED UPDATING CHAPTER 11 IN THE CONSERVATION OVERLAY ZONE CRITERIA RELATED TO DOCKS.
BASED ON INITIAL INFORMATION FROM THE RESILIENCE SHORELINE RESEARCH, STAFF DRAFTED CHANGES TO THE ATTACHED CODE LANGUAGE THAT RAISE THE MAXIMUM DOCK HEIGHT FROM SIX FEET TO EIGHT FEET.
THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD REVIEWED THIS LANGUAGE AT THEIR APRIL 2ND MEETING AND MADE A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION TO THIS ISSUE AS WELL.
THE CITY COMMISSION PASSED THIS ORDINANCE ON FIRST READING AT THEIR MAY 13TH MEETING.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CONCERNS EXPRESSED RELATED TO THE PINE TREE EXEMPTION FOR BONAFIDE SILVICULTURAL USES.
FIRST, THERE IS A FLORIDA STATUTE, WHICH IS REFERENCED AS THE FLORIDA RIGHT TO FARM ACT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CANNOT ADOPT ANY ORDINANCE THAT RESTRICTS BONAFIDE FARM ACTIVITY.
SECONDLY, IF WE HAVE THIS BONAFIDE ACTIVITY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, TREES ARE TYPICALLY PLANTED TO BE HARVESTED, PLANTED VERY CLOSE TOGETHER AND ARE BASED ON A MONETARY INVESTMENT AND ARE MEANT TO BE THINNED BECAUSE THEY ARE PLANTED CLOSE TOGETHER.
THIS COULD ENCOURAGE THE SPREAD OF BUGS AND DISEASE AMONGST THE TREES.
THIS ACTIVITY IS TYPICALLY EXEMPTED.
WE ARE PROPOSING THIS ORDINANCE TO PROTECT NATIVE, DISPERSED,
[01:40:01]
SPECIFIC LONGLEAF PINES THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND NOT THOSE THAT ARE CONSIDERED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES.I THANK YOU AND I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS.
>> I HAVE A COMMENT, WHICH SHE JUST SAID, I WELL, THERE WAS AN E MAIL FROM GINA BORRELL.
SAYING THAT WE NEED TO TAKE THAT SYLVA CULTURE, DID YOU HEAR FROM HER?
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT SHE BROUGHT UP THAT QUESTION. YES.
>> WOULD IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF WE REMOVED THAT?
>> I BELIEVE IT PROBABLY IS WORTH KEEPING THE REFERENCE IN AS FAR AS WE'RE CONCERNED.
TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE CITY IS NOT PASSING ANY LOCAL ORDINANCES THAT WOULD IMPACT THE BONAFIDE AGRICULTURAL USE.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY REAL AGRICULTURALLY ZONED PROPERTY.
THE ONLY AREA THAT I'M FAMILIAR THAT MIGHT HAVE SOME PLANTED PINES IS THE AREA NORTH OF THE LANDING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE SAN SEBASTIAN VIEW.
BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IS CLEAR THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO IMPOSE ANYTHING ON BONAFIDE AGRICULTURAL USES.
>> BECAUSE SHE'S CONCERNED THAT WE WON'T LET THE TREES GET MATURE ENOUGH BECAUSE THEY'LL BE, A DEVELOPER CAN USE THAT A WAY OF CUTTING DOWN BEFORE THEY BROKE TO THEIR POTENTIAL.
>> AS I STATED EARLIER, IF TREES ARE PLANTED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES, THEY'RE TYPICALLY PLANTED VERY CLOSE TOGETHER.
THEY'RE TYPICALLY INTENDED TO BE FARMED BASICALLY AND USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THEY AREN'T SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE CITY DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE TREES.
THEY WOULD ONLY GROW TO A CERTAIN EXTENT AND THEN THEY WOULD BE HARVESTED FOR WHATEVER THE PURPOSE THAT THEY WERE PLANTED FOR.
IT'S REALLY INTENDED TO PROTECT TREES THAT REACH A SIGNIFICANT SIZE AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SURVIVE.
>> MAYBE I CAN HELP A LITTLE BIT.
SYLVA CULTURE BY DEFINITION IS THE COMMERCIAL FARMING OF TREES AND FLORIDA LAW, THE RIGHT TO FARM ACT PROHIBITS US FROM REGULATING THAT.
WE'RE PREEMPTED, THAT IS WHY THE TERM SYLVA CULTURE IS EXEMPTED OUT OF THIS ORDINANCE SO WE DON'T GET AT CROSS PURPOSES FROM THE PREEMPTION LANGUAGE IN THE RIGHT TO FARM ACT.
DOES THAT MAKE IT EASIER? MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD? GOT IT
>> I WOULD SAY IF THERE'S PLANTED PINES ANYWHERE IN THE CITY LIMITS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOBLOLLY OR SOMETHING THAT'S VERY FAST GROWING AND NOT LONG LEAF.
WE'VE GOT SOME SCATTERED LONG LEAVES AROUND THE CITY AND THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL AND I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THIS ORDINANCE AND MOVE IT FORWARD, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-17.
>> IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING THOUGH.
>> IT IS. WE HAVE TO DO THAT AND THAT'S FINE AND I UNDERSTAND.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION OF STAFF BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC HEARING? THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN, I HAVE NO SPEAKER CARDS IS ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? HEARING NONE. PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
NOW, WE'LL GO TO COMMISSIONER BLONDER.
>> I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-17 AT SECOND READING, READ BY TITLE ONLY.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-17, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 11, ARTICLE 2, CONSERVATION OLAY ZONE DEVELOPMENT SECTION 11-27 DEFINITIONS, ADDING LONG LEAF PINE TO THE LIST OF SIGNIFICANT TREES AND A DEFINITION OF SILVICULTURAL USE.
I'M AMENDING SECTION 11-29 STANDARDS FOR REVIEW REVISING DOC MAXIMUM HEIGHT, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU. ADDRESSING MISS BURRELL'S COMMENTS, WE DO NOT WANT TO RUN AFOUL.
WE WANT TO BE VERY SPECIFIC THAT WE ARE NOT TRYING TO PREEMPT STATE LAW SO THAT IS THE REFERENCE TO THE CIVIL CULTURE.
FURTHERMORE, THE QUESTION ABOUT THE ACTUAL GROWING THE PRACTICE OF CIVIL CULTURE IN THE CITY, IT'S VERY UNLIKELY THAT THAT WOULD OCCUR AND IF IT DID, IT WOULD BE A VERY LIMITED BASIS,
[01:45:02]
AND AS WE UNDERSTAND CIVIL CULTURE, IT IS THE FARMING OF TREES.IT IS ACTUALLY THE PROCESS OF THIS IS MUCH OF WHAT WE HAVE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY, WHEREVER YOU SEE PINE TREES PLANTED IN ROWS THAT IS CIFUCULTURE.
I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR BECAUSE I KNOW PROBABLY MISS PARRELL IS WATCHING AND WANTS A CLEAR ANSWER.
BUT WITH THAT SAID, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT ITEM IS MS. SKINNER, YOU'RE UP AGAIN.
[8.B.1. Ordinance 2024-19: Amends Chapter 28 of the City Zoning Code to add a definition of Resiliency Facility and to add a defined Resiliency Facility as a permitted use by exception in the CM-2 and IW zoning districts. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building) ]
WE HAVE A FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2024-19.>> YES. GOOD EVENING. THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND A REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE 2024-19.
THIS ORDINANCE IS RELATED TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA PASSING LEGISLATION THIS YEAR, HB 1645 RELATED TO ENERGY RESOURCES.
THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE LEGISLATION.
HOWEVER, THE CITY COMMISSION EXPRESSED CONCERN RELATED TO THE POTENTIAL USE OF RESILIENCY FACILITY IN ANY COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND MANUFACTURING LAND USE AND ZONING DESIGNATIONS.
THE STATED INTENTION OF THE LEGISLATION IS TO ENSURE ADEQUATE AND RELIABLE FUEL SOURCES FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
AFTER JULY 1ST, THE CITY CANNOT AMEND THE CODE TO CONFLICT WITH A RESILIENCY FACILITY AS DEFINED IN THE LEGISLATION AS AN ALLOWABLE USE IN ANY COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT.
THE CITY DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE ANY SPECIFIC MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS.
THIS ITEM WAS REVIEWED AND RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD AT THEIR JUNE 4TH MEETING.
THE PCB CONSIDERED AND MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION TO ADD A DEFINITION OF RESILIENCY FACILITY TO THE DEFINITION SECTION OF THE ZONING CODE AND TO INSERT THE SPECIFIC USE OF A RESILIENCY FACILITY AS A PERMITTED USE BY EXCEPTION IN THE CM2 AND INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSING ZONING DISTRICTS.
THIS WOULD SERVE TO DEFINE THE USE IN THE CODE AND TO INSERT THE USE INTO SPECIFIC ZONING DISTRICTS.
INCLUDING THE USE IN CERTAIN ZONING DISTRICTS, WOULD THEN PRECLUDE THE USE IN OTHER ZONING DISTRICTS, THEREFORE, NOT ALLOWING THE USE IN LOWER INTENSITY COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS.
THE PCB DID QUESTION THE IMPLICATIONS OF LIMITING THE DISTRICTS WHERE THIS USE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE THAT THE CITY WOULD NOT BE LIMITED IN AN EMERGENCY AT CITY FACILITIES SUCH AS THE SEWER PLANT AT THE END OF RIBERIA STREET.
STAFF DID LOOK AT THE GOVERNMENT USE ZONING DISTRICT, WHICH DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY OUTLINE A LIST OF USES, BUT DOES ALLOW FOR USES THAT ARE PARTICULARLY AND PECULIARLY RELATED TO GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS.
WE FEEL LIKE THE INSERTING THIS INTO THE CM2 BY EXCEPTION AND INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSING BY EXCEPTION DOES MEET THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMISSION.
AS I SAID, BECAUSE THIS CHANGES THE PERMITTED USES IN ZONING DISTRICTS, PLEASE, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AS WELL SO THAT WE CAN HAVE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE JULY 1ST.
THANK YOU. I COMMEND STAFF FOR COMING FORWARD WITH THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WHAT REALLY CONCERNED ME WAS THAT WE COULD HAVE A NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANT, AKA, A RESILIENCY FACILITY, WHICH I FIND INTERESTING THAT NOMENCLATURE IN ANY COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
I HAD REQUESTED THAT WE TRY TO LIMIT IT TO THE LEAST IMPACTFUL OF OUR ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS.
IF I'M CORRECT, CITY ATTORNEY, I THINK HB 1645, INTERESTINGLY, ALONG WITH THE STRANGE NOMENCLATURE, ALSO IS THE ONE THAT PROHIBITS THE USE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
THE INTENTION OF THIS BILL IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE AT A CURSORY READING, AND SO THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DID WHAT WE COULD TO PREPARE THE BEST WE COULD FOR THIS PREEMPTION. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE BALL AND GETTING US AHEAD OF THIS.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION, PUBLIC HEARING? YES, WE DO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.
ACTUALLY, IT IS A FIRST READING, SO WE DO NOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.
WE DO BECAUSE IT'S AN ODD FIRST READING.
[01:50:01]
IT IS REQUIRED FIRST READING, PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.I HAVE NO SPEAKER CARDS FOR THIS ITEM.
GO AHEAD. [LAUGHTER] BUT THEN LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2024-19 AT FIRST READING, TWO SECOND READING READ BY TITLE ONLY.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-19, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 28-2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR RESILIENCY FACILITY.
TO AMEND SECTION 28-209 COMMERCIAL MEDIUM 2CM TWO ZONING DISTRICT TO INCLUDE RESILIENCY FACILITY AS A PERMITTED USE BY EXCEPTION TO AMEND SECTION 28-226 INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSING IW ZONING DISTRICT TO INCLUDE RESILIENCY FACILITY AS A PERMITTED USE BY EXCEPTION, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN CHAPTER 28, ZONING OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
THANK YOU. WE'LL SEE THAT AGAIN IN THE NEXT MEETING.
MOVING ON TO FIRST READINGS WITHOUT PUBLIC HEARINGS,
[9.A.1. Ordinance 2024-18: Extends the non-exclusive natural gas franchise agreement between Peoples Gas System and the City. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
ORDINANCE 2024-18, CITY ATTORNEY. MS. CITY ATTORNEY.YES. THIS EVENING BEFORE YOU IS ORDINANCE 2024-18 ON FIRST READING.
IT IS A REQUEST BY PEOPLE'S GAS TO EXTEND THEIR EXISTING FRANCHISE.
THIS IS, AGAIN, A STANDARD CLAUSES AND A NON-EXCLUSIVE NATURAL GAS FRANCHISE AGREEMENT TO USE OUR RIGHTS OF WAY FOR PEOPLE'S GAS SYSTEM.
I BELIEVE THE REQUEST CAME IN THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, IF YOU HAVE FURTHER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.
I SEE MR. ROTH IS IN THE AUDIENCE FROM TECO, AND WE APPRECIATE HIM BEING HERE.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THAT'S A GOOD POINT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT TECO GAS AND PEOPLE'S GAS IS THE SAME COMPANY.
FOLKS LIVING AT HOME WOULD THINK, NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE.
I'VE GOT TECO GAS, NOT PEOPLE'S IT IS THE SAME COMPANY.
ONE AND THE SAME. THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
ANY DISCUSSION OR ANYONE WILLING TO OFFER A MOTION? ONE COMMENT. THIS IS A RENEWAL OF A LONG TERM LEASE THAT WE'VE HAD FOR YEARS, RIGHT? SINCE 2009, YES, SIR.
I MOVE WE ACCEPT ORDINANCE 2024-18.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-18, AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO PEOPLE'S GAS SYSTEM INC, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS A NON-EXCLUSIVE NATURAL GAS FRANCHISE AGREEMENT TO USE THE PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AND PRESCRIBING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH SAID FRANCHISE MAY BE EXERCISED, MAKING FINDINGS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
NEXT ITEM IS ORDINANCE 2024-20.
[9.A.2. Ordinance 2024-20: Provides the Advisor and Board of Trustees for the Police Officers Retirement System a more diversified range of potential investments and allows all legally permissible investments. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
MS. CITY ATTORNEY.YES. THE NEXT COUPLE OF ORDINANCES ARE ALL SOMEWHAT RELATED TO THE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
YOU'LL RECALL LAST MARCH WE HAD THE REFERENDUM THAT REMOVED THOSE SECTIONS OF THE CHARTER AND PLACED THEM IN THE CODE, SO IT'D BE SOMEWHAT EASIER FOR US TO AMEND.
THESE ARE LONG-STANDING REQUESTS FROM OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR UNION AND MEMBERSHIP.
THE FIRST OF WHICH IS ORDINANCE 2024-20 WHICH WOULD UPDATE THE PENSION PLAN TO PROVIDE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND ITS ADVISOR A MORE DIVERSIFIED RANGE OF POTENTIAL INVESTMENTS AND ALLOW THEM TO INVEST IN ANYTHING THAT IS LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE TO BE INVESTED IN INSTEAD OF STATIC CATEGORIES, AS IS CURRENTLY THE CASE.
THIS IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID.
I WANT TO SAY LAST YEAR OR NINE MONTHS AGO WITH THE GENERAL EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT BOARD, IF YOU'LL RECALL.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
GREAT. I'M SURE THAT THEY APPRECIATE THE ABILITY, MORE FLEXIBILITY AND WHERE THEY CAN INVEST MORE OPTIONS, MORE CHOICES.
[01:55:01]
I MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2024-20.ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-20 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE 6, SECTION 20-225 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE REGARDING INVESTMENT OF RETIREMENT SYSTEM, ASSETS FOR THE ST. AUGUSTINE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
NEXT, WE HAVE ORDINANCE 2024-21.
[9.A.3. Ordinance 2024-21: Allows for the restoration of forfeited credited service to police officers. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
YES, MADAM. MAYOR AND VICE MARON COMMISSIONERS.THIS, AGAIN, IT IS ANOTHER ONE OF THESE QUESTIONS THAT'S BEEN BOUNCING AROUND AND A REQUEST FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP OF THE POLICE OFFICERS.
IT WOULD BE TO ALLOW POLICE OFFICERS TO BUY BACK THEIR CREDITED SERVICE IF THEY'VE LEFT SERVICE WITH THE CITY GONE ELSEWHERE, AND THEY WANT TO COME BACK AND BUY BACK INTO THE PENSION.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
IT IS SIMILAR AND PROVIDES PARITY TO OUR OTHER PENSIONS.
FOR INSTANCE, GENERAL PENSION ALLOWS YOU TO DO THAT, TO BUY BACK YOUR TIME IF YOU SO WISH.
ANY DISCUSSION? I MOVE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-20.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-21, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE 6 SECTION 20-226 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO PROVIDE FOR RESTORATION OF FORFEITED ACCREDITED SERVICE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS FOR POLICE OFFICERS PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE COMMENT.
THIS IS A GREAT RECRUITMENT TOOL BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE LEAVE THEIR POLICE FORCE, THINKING THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER.
THEY GET AWAY FROM US, AND THEY SAY, OH, MY GOSH, I WANT TO COME BACK.
IT'S A GREAT RECRUITING TOOL TO BRING PEOPLE BACK INTO THE SERVICE.
EXCELLENT. GREAT POINT. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[9.A.4. Ordinance 2024-22: Establishes, enacts, and clarifies the details of the Police Officers Retirement System Share Plan. (I. Lopez, City Attorney]
MOVING ON TO ORDINANCE 2024-22.THIS IS THE LAST AND FINAL BUNDLE FROM OUR POLICE OFFICER RETIREMENT FOLKS.
THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE 2024-22 PROVIDES FOR SOME CLARIFICATION AND EDITS TO THE POLICE OFFICERS SHARE PLAN.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, PREMIUM STATE TAX MONIES ARE ALLOCATED AND TRANSFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND THERE IS A FORMULA UNDER CHAPTER 185 ON HOW THAT ALLOCATION CAN OCCUR LEGALLY.
FURTHERMORE, THE CITY'S PENSION SPECIAL COUNSEL, MR. JIM LYNN, THE COASTAL FLORIDA POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS OUR POLICE UNION, AS WELL AS HR, HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON CLARIFYING THE LANGUAGE AND THE WAY THE SHARE PLAN WILL WORK FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS, AND THEY'VE COME TO THIS AGREEMENT.
SO THIS IS THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE IN ORDINANCE 2024-22.
ANY DISCUSSION? WOULD ANYONE CARE TO MAKE A MOTION? I'M SEEING IT AS 2024-21 IN OUR BOOK.
I'VE GOT 24 IN FRONT OF ME, BUT I DON'T HAVE A PAPER BOOK.
THE NEXT ITEM IS RESOLUTION 2024-21, SO IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE CONFUSING.
I'M AHEAD OF MYSELF? YEAH. IT'S SANDWICHED IN BETWEEN 2024, 21.
AM I THE ONE CONFUSED HERE? AM I CORRECT? CLERK, I AM.
WHERE ARE WE? WE ARE MAKING MOTION.
YES I MOVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-22.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-22, AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE 6, SECTION 20-236 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO CLARIFY AND ESTABLISH THE DETAILS OF THE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM SHARE PLAN,
[02:00:01]
PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR COMMENTS? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
WE'RE MOVING ON TO RESOLUTIONS.
[9.B.1. Resolution 2024-21: Reduces permit application fees for SJRWMD and FDEP. (S. Slaughter, Director Utilities & Public Works)]
WE HAVE ONE RESOLUTION AND HERE TO PRESENT AS MR. STEVEN SLAUGHTER.>> I'M ALL TALKED OUT, SO THAT'S IT FOR ME TONIGHT.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. VICE MAYOR, COMMISSION.
>> STEVEN SLAUGHTER, HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION.
BASICALLY, WITH THIS RESOLUTION, THE CITY QUALIFIES FOR AND WILL BENEFIT FROM REDUCED PERMIT FEES FROM THE ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR '24 '25.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, CERTAINLY, I THINK WE SHOULD PASS THIS SINCE IT GIVES US A NICE COUNT.
>> ABSOLUTELY, WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR?
>> YES, MA'AM. EVERY YEAR, WE QUALIFY FOR IT.
>> EVERY YEAR THAT I CAN REMEMBER.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I MOVE THAT WE PASS RESOLUTION 2024-21.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE DON'T HAVE A READING OF THE TITLE ON THIS ONE.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU, MR. SLAUGHTER. MOVING ON TO STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS.
[10.A. FDOT Seawall Replacement Project Update. (J. Beach, Chief Resilience Officer)]
OUR FIRST ITEM IS THE FDOTC WALL REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE.HERE TO PRESENT THAT IS OUR CHIEF RESILIENCE OFFICER, JESSICA BEACH.
VICE MAYOR, FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.
AS YOU MENTIONED, JESSICA BEACH HERE TO PRESENT ON THE DOTC WALL PROJECT AND GIVE AN UPDATE ON THAT.
I'M GOING TO LAUNCH THIS PRESENTATION QUICKLY HERE.
THERE WE GO, GET IT ON THE SCREEN.
THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR OVER A YEAR.
WE'VE BEEN COLLABORATING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND A NUMBER OF OTHER ENTITIES THAT I'LL TALK ABOUT IN JUST A MINUTE.
BUT THE PROJECT SCOPE IS GOING TO START JUST SOUTH OF CASTILLO, AND IT'S GOING TO TRAVERSE THE BAYFRONT DOWN TO GIBBS PARK JUST SOUTH OF THE BRIDGE OF LIONS.
THE PURPOSE AND THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT, THEY ARE REPLACING THE DETERIORATING SEA WALL THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS.
IT'S REACHING ITS LIFE EXPECTANCY, SO THEY NEED TO DO SOME WORK ON THAT.
WHILE THEY'RE ABLE TO DO THAT, THEY'RE GOING TO COUPLE IT WITH IMPROVED SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS AND ALSO MAINTAIN SOME AESTHETICS OF THE AREA.
I'VE GOT SOME RENDERINGS TO SHOW WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE.
ALSO, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ELEVATING THE WALL A BIT TO HELP WITH STORM PROTECTION.
DOT HAS A NICE WEBSITE THAT HAS A LOT OF THE INFORMATION AND MY PRESENTATION IS ON THEIR WEBSITE AS WELL.
DOT ACTUALLY HAS ENGAGED THE CITY PRETTY EARLY ON ON THIS PROCESS.
WE INVITED THEM TO OUR PLANNING CHARETTE BACK IN EARLY OF 2023 WHEN WE OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF THE US ARMY CORPS BACK BAY FEASIBILITY STUDY.
WE HAD INVITED A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND DOT TO BE PART OF THAT COORDINATION EFFORT, AND WE WERE SHARING PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING UP.
THIS WAS ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO COLLABORATE ON BETWEEN STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL.
I WANT TO ALSO EMPHASIZE THE INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH DOT HAS ACTUALLY ENABLED THEM TO SECURE $45 MILLION FOR THIS PROJECT.
IT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A VERY LONG TIME AS FAR AS WANTING TO DO THIS PROJECT, BUT IT'S AN EXPENSIVE PROJECT, SO THEY'VE ACTUALLY BEEN ABLE TO LEVERAGE STATE DOLLARS TO PUT THE RESOURCES WHERE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY IS IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA.
BECAUSE OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH DOT, THE COORDINATION EFFORTS THAT'S ALREADY HAPPENING, THAT ENABLED DOT TO MOVE FORWARD AND ALLOCATE THE FUNDING FOR IT.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE WAS AWARE OF THAT BEHIND THE SCENES THAT'S HELP THEY'VE ALSO ENGAGED THE PUBLIC IN SEVERAL MEETINGS EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THEY PRESENTED TO HARBOR HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ABOUT A YEAR AGO IN MAY OF LAST YEAR TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK.
NOW THEY ARE MOVING FULL FORCE WITH DESIGN.
THE PHOTOS THAT ARE SHOWN HERE IS EXISTING CONDITIONS OF WHAT WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH TODAY WITH THE EXISTING BAYFRONT.
IT'S THE BALLARD AND CHAIN WITH THE SEAWALL.
THERE'S A LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS SCENARIO.
AS THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, PART OF THEIR REQUIREMENTS IS TO LOOK AT THAT SAFETY COMPONENT.
FOR THE PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE THAT WAS VETTED EARLIER THIS YEAR THROUGH THE SERIES OF PUBLIC MEETINGS.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE SHOWING A SOLID WALL AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT HIGHER LEVEL OF SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AS WELL AS AESTHETICS.
AS PART OF THE PROJECT ON THE NEXT SLIDE, I'M GOING TO SHOW SOME RENDERINGS OF IT, BUT FOR CONSTRUCTION, THIS IS AN UPDATED SCHEDULE FROM WHAT THEY SHARED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING FOR THIS CONSTRUCTION TO START IN NOVEMBER OF 2025.
[02:05:03]
I HAD MENTIONED $45 MILLION OF TOTAL PROJECT COSTS THAT'S BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE PROJECT FROM DOT.THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE A LITTLE OVER 38 MILLION, THAT'S THE LATEST ESTIMATE.
THESE RENDERINGS ARE GOING TO SHOW MORE OF THE PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE CONCEPT THAT WAS VETTED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE WALL HEIGHT IS INCREASING A LITTLE LESS THAN TWO FEET.
THE EXISTING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TODAY IS AT 6.7 FEET AND THAT'S AN NAVD 88.
THEY'RE LOWERING WHERE YOU'RE ACTUALLY WALKING, BUT THEN THERE'S GOING TO BE A 42 INCH BUFFER, IF YOU WILL, WITH THE SEAWALL.
THE TOP OF THAT WALL IS AROUND 8.5 FEET.
THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE FLOOD PROTECTION TO HELP WITH THAT WAVE ACTION AND THINGS THAT WE'VE ALREADY SEEN WITH RECENT HURRICANES.
THEN ALSO, IF YOU'LL NOTICE IN THIS TOO, THE GREEN SPACE IS GOING TO BE RESTRUCTURED.
IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT SAFER SLOPES.
THERE'S NOT QUITE AS SHARP OF A DROP OFF WHEN YOU'RE WALKING ALONG THE TOP PART OF THAT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING A NICE JOB OF THIS.
IT MIMICS THE 2013 SEAWALL THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE THAT'S SOUTH OF THE MARINA.
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER RENDERING, ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE SHOWING WHAT THE VIEW WOULD LOOK LIKE WITH THIS PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE CONCEPT.
DOT IS GOING TO BE COMING BACK BEFORE THE COMMISSION AT OUR NEXT MEETING ON THE 24TH.
THEY'RE GOING TO TALK MORE SPECIFICS ABOUT THE PROJECT.
THERE'S TWO COMPONENTS THAT THEY WANT TO GET COMMISSION INPUT ON.
ONE OF IT'S GOING TO BE THIS GREEN SPACE.
WE'VE ALREADY ENGAGED THEM ON CONVERSATIONS AT THE STAFF LEVEL.
WE'RE GOING TO BE ARTICULATING WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT WITHIN THE RIGHT OF WAY, BASICALLY ENCAPSULATED UNDER OUR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT.
THAT'LL BE COMING BEFORE YOU SOON.
THEN THESE ARE JUST CROSS SECTIONS.
THE TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS IS EXISTING AND PROPOSED.
WE'RE ACTUALLY GAINING A LOT OF USABLE SPACE THAT WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE WITH THIS PROJECT.
DOT IS GOING TO TALK MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT THIS AND GET INPUT FROM THE COMMISSION ABOUT THE EXISTING PIER PLATFORM THAT'S LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GIBBS PARK, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE TALKING MORE DETAILS ABOUT SOME OPTIONS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT WITH A DESIGN PERSPECTIVE.
CONSTRUCTION. WE'RE STARTING TO GET QUESTIONS ALREADY ABOUT WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FOR CONSTRUCTION? DOT HAS EVALUATED A NUMBER OF ALTERNATIVES AND THEY HAVE GONE WITH A TEMPORARY WORK PLATFORM.
THIS IS GOING TO BE THE LEAST DISRUPTIVE TO OUR CURRENT DAY TO DAY LIFE WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THAT TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY DURING CONSTRUCTION.
MOST OF THE CONSTRUCTION CAN BE CONDUCTED FROM THE WATER SIDE.
THEY'LL HAVE A BARGE THAT CAN COME IN WITH THE MATERIALS AND THEY CAN DO MOST OF THE WORK IN THE WATER WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOUTH GIBBS PARK.
DOT HAS A REALLY NICE VIDEO THAT I'M GOING TO SHOW ON THE NEXT SLIDE THAT REALLY EXPLAINS AND WALKS YOU STEP BY STEP ON HOW THEY'RE GOING TO DO THIS.
I THINK IT'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND I THINK THIS WILL HELP THE PUBLIC AS WELL.
WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO START THIS AND HOPEFULLY THE VOLUME IS NOT TOO LOUD ON THAT.
CLICK IT AGAIN. THERE IT GOES.
THEY'RE GOING TO ZOOM IN ON THE SOUTH GIBBS PARK.
THAT PIECE HAS TO BE CONSTRUCTED FROM THE LAND SIDE.
YOU'LL SEE AS THEY SHOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO DO THIS, THEY'RE GOING TO ISOLATE THE WORK AREA DURING CONSTRUCTION.
THEY'RE GOING TO START BASICALLY MOBILIZING EQUIPMENT INTO THE AREA AND START DOING THE PRE WORK THAT THEY HAVE TO DO FOR THE WALL.
AS THE VIDEO GOES THROUGH IT, THEY'LL SHOW YOU HOW THEY'RE GOING TO INSTALL SHEET PILING, WHICH IS GOING TO GO IN FRONT OF THE EXISTING WALL.
I'LL GIVE IT A MINUTE TO GO THROUGH.
THERE'S ACTUALLY SOME NICE MUSIC WITH THIS, BUT I DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE TOO LOUD. I'M GOING TO TALK THROUGH IT.
ONCE THEY PUT THIS SHEET PILE IN AND THEY'RE GOING TO START ANCHORING THAT SYSTEM.
THEY'RE GOING TO ALSO BE PUTTING A CONCRETE FACADE ON THE FRONT OF IT TO HELP WITH THE AESTHETICS, AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO BACKFILL AND ELEVATE IT AND YOU'LL SEE THAT THROUGH THE NEXT FEW GRAPHICS WITH THIS.
I'LL LET THE VIDEO GO THROUGH THAT JUST TO SHOW HOW IT'S GOING TO LOOK AND WORK.
THIS IS THAT CONCRETE FACING TO HELP BLEND THE WALL WITH THE EXISTING, AND THEN THERE'LL BE A CONCRETE CAP THAT TIES IT IN AND ANCHORS IT WITH THE EXISTING LAND SIDE.
WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE GAINING.
THIS IS WHERE IT SLOPES ON THAT NORTH GIBB PARKS, WHERE IF YOU REMEMBER THAT BOAT THAT GOT BROKEN LOOSE AND WAS HITTING UP AGAINST THE WALL DURING HURRICANES IN.
ACTUALLY, I THINK IT IS ON THE SOUTH SIDE, BUT ANYWAY, WE'RE GOING TO BE GAINING SOME USABLE SPACE ON THIS AREA.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY USE THIS WHEREAS BEFORE IT'S THAT SLOPED AREA.
THEY'RE GOING TO TRANSITION NOW TO THE NORTH SIDE.
IT'S GOING TO BE A SIMILAR APPROACH, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING IT FROM THE WATER SIDE.
THIS IS WHERE THE BARGE WOULD COME IN.
THEY WOULD MOVE THE MATERIALS AND THE EQUIPMENT.
THEY DO SOME OF THAT PRE WORK, AND THEN THEY'LL DO A SIMILAR APPROACH WHERE THEY INSTALL
[02:10:02]
THE SHEET PILING THAT WOULD GO IN PLACE AND THIS VIDEO WALKS THROUGH THAT.LET'S SEE IF I CAN MAYBE SPEED IT UP JUST A LITTLE BIT. I THINK I WENT TOO FAR.
NOW I PAUSED IT. THAT'S THE THING WITH THE VIDEOS.
ON THE OTHER SCREEN, I WAS ABLE TO FAST FORWARD IT BECAUSE I REALLY WANTED TO SHOW YOU ALL THE RENDERINGS AT THE END IF I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THERE.
[LAUGHTER] OH, I THINK I JUMP THROUGH IT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TAKE MORE TIME, BUT IT'S A REALLY NICE VIDEO THAT SHOWS AT THE END OF THE PROJECT WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE AND THEY HAVE PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH IT AND GIVES YOU A VIRTUAL WALK THROUGH FOR IT.
IT'S A QUICK VIDEO FOUR MINUTES THAT YOU CAN CHECK OUT ONLINE TOO.
NEXT STEPS AS I WRAP THIS UP, DOT IS COMING BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION.
THEY DO WANT TO GET YOUR INPUT ON SOME OPTIONS FOR THE EXISTING PLATFORM PIER.
ALSO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT OF WHO'S GOING TO BE DOING WHAT THE DESIGN, AS I HAD MENTIONED IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.
THEY'RE WORKING ON RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION THROUGH THEIR RIGHT OF WAY OFFICE, AND THEY ARE STILL TARGETING THAT CONSTRUCTION TOWARDS THE END OF 2025.
I HAD MENTIONED THE DIFFERENT PROJECT COSTS; $45 MILLION IS THE TOTAL PROJECT COST, AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION COST IS A LITTLE OVER $38 MILLION.
AGAIN, THEIR WEBSITE AND THEN THEIR PROJECT MANAGER WITH DOT.
I ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO GO OUT THERE.
GO TO THE WEBSITE IF YOU NEEDED MORE INFORMATION OR I CAN RELAY THAT TO DOT.
AT THIS POINT, THAT'S THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MAY HAVE.
>> LET'S GO BACK TO THE ADDRESS. THERE IT IS.
THE WEBSITE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS N-F-L-O-R. WHAT IS IT? WOULD YOU READ THAT TO ME BECAUSE IT'S QUITE SMALL.
>> YES, IT IS. IT'S NFL ROADS, NORTH FLORIDA ROADS SHORTENED FOR THAT.
THAT'S WHERE THEY HOUSE A LOT OF THEIR DOT PROJECTS.
>> THAT'S GOING TO BE THE WEBSITE MOVING FORWARD.
>> YES. THE CONSTRUCTION VIDEO THAT I WAS SHOWING PARTS OF THAT, THE FULL YOU CAN ACCESS THAT TOO. WE HAVE THAT.
WE CAN SEND THE LINK OUT IF ANYONE'S INTERESTED. YOU CAN LOOK AT THAT TOO.
THERE'S SOME NICE RENDERINGS AT THE END THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO FAST FORWARD THROUGH IT WITH THE SCREEN SET UP ON THIS.
>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'LL PROBABLY WANT TO SHARE IN SOME WAY OR HAVE AVAILABLE ON OUR OWN WEBSITE, MAYBE PROJECT PAGE OR WHATEVER.
>> WE COULD DO THAT. WE CAN CREATE A LINK.
WE'VE DONE THAT WITH SOME OTHER PROJECTS, AND EVEN THOUGH THIS ISN'T A CITY PROJECT, WE'RE TRYING TO LINK UP THOSE OTHERS THAT ARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH US, AND SO WE CAN ADD THAT TO OUR WEBSITE OR RESILIENCY LANDING PAGE TOO.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
>> NUMBER ONE, THE VIEW SCAPE THAT WE HAVE NOW AS WE'RE DRIVING IS YOU CAN SEE THE WATER.
WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE THE WATER.
AT LEAST THE SHORT PEOPLE DRIVING LIKE ME [LAUGHTER] WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE THE WATER.
I DON'T KNOW OF WORK AROUND THAT, BUT IT'S SOMETHING TO NOTE.
>> THEY DO HAVE. I KNOW DOT HAD SOME RENDERINGS OF THE BUSINESS SIDE LOOKING AT THE BAYFRONT SIDE OF THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY DID LIKE STREET VIEW, BUT I'M GOING TO BE TAKING QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BACK TO DOT.
>> I HAVE NOT SEEN THOSE THE BUSINESS SIDE.
I LOOKED ON THEIR WEBSITE I'VE SEEN THE VIDEO BEFORE.
EVEN THOUGH I WON'T BE HERE AT THE NEXT MEETING, I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT.
THEN THE OTHER QUESTION AND NOT REALLY A QUESTION, IT'S A COMMENT.
A EMAIL CAME IN TODAY SOMETIME.
SOMEBODY IN SOUTH DAVIS SHORES IS CONCERNED THAT THE INCREASED HEIGHT OF THE SEAWALL COULD REFLECT BACK SOME OF THE ENERGY AND OR FLOODING INTO SOUTH DAVIS SHORES.
IF YOU ALL COULD ADDRESS THAT IN TERMS OF AN ENGINEERING OR MODELING, AT THE NEXT MEETING, THAT WOULD BE GREAT OR IF YOU WANT TO NOW, EITHER WAY IS FINE.
>> I'M HAPPY TO RELAY THAT TO DOT.
I KNOW THAT QUESTION DOES KEEP RESURFACING.
I KNOW WITH THE ARMY CORPS BACK BASED STUDY BECAUSE THEY'RE LOOKING COMPREHENSIVELY AT THINGS THAT WILL DEFINITELY GET ANSWERED WITH THAT.
WITH THESE SMALLER SCALE PROJECTS, IT'S SUCH A SMALL SEGMENT, I DON'T FORESEE HOW THAT COULD ACTUALLY IMPACT SUCH A LARGE MASSIVE WATER BODY SYSTEM, YOU TALKING ABOUT REFRACTORBAL WAVES.
BUT AGAIN, I WILL RELAY THAT TO DOT SO THEY CAN LOOK INTO THAT AND CONFIRM AND MAYBE ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
THEY MAY HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN, AS PART OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT TOO, BUT WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THAT.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO REALLY CHANGE.
MOST OF US HAVE SEEN THE BAYFRONT
[02:15:01]
AFTER A COUPLE OF THESE STORMS WHERE PEOPLE ARE BOATING DOWN.I THINK THAT WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE STOPPED THOSE TWO STORMS THAT I CAN RECALL.
>> IT HAS ALWAYS. THEY DID THE SEAWALL BACK WHEN MARTHA GRAHAM WAS HERE AND IT DIDN'T GET INCREASED IN HEIGHT, AND I THINK THAT WAS A BIG PROBLEM.
I THINK THAT LESS DAMAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IF THEY WOULD HAVE DID A HEIGHT.
I KNOW THAT IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK OVER AND SEE THE WATER.
BUT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THAT LITTLE PIECE OF CHAIN.
I'M SURPRISED KIDS HAVEN'T GOTTEN HURT BECAUSE THERE'S NO BARRIER BETWEEN THAT SIDEWALK AND THEM GOING OFF IF THEY GET AWAY FROM THEIR PARENTS.
I PERSONALLY LIKE THE HEIGHT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE.
YES, IT'S NOT AS BEAUTIFUL RIDING YOUR CAR, LOOKING OVERSEEING THE WATER.
HOWEVER, THAT'S JUST MORE ENCOURAGEMENT TO GET OUT YOUR CAR AND WALK TO BAYFRONT.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I REALLY ENJOYED THAT.
I'M SORRY THAT IT GOT CUT OFF WHEN WE DIDN'T SEE THE LAST PART OF THAT.
THAT WAS BRILLIANT, HOW WE COULD ACTUALLY SEE IT BEING CONSTRUCTED.
IT MADE YOU SEE THE PROJECT BECAUSE SO MANY OF THESE PROJECTS THEY LAST SO LONG AND WE DON'T SEE THE STEPS, AND THAT GAVE US A VISION OF HOW THEY WERE GOING TO CREATE THAT.
AS WE HEAR ABOUT IT AND YOU COMING FORWARD, THEN WE CAN KNOW WHAT MAGNITUDE THAT THEY'RE AT BECAUSE YOU WERE SHOWING STEP BY STEP THE PROCEDURE.
WHOEVER CREATED THAT, I WOULD LIKE THAT LINK SENT TO ME SO I COULD WATCH THE WHOLE THING IN ITS ENTIRETY.
BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION. THANK YOU.
ONE IS, AS CYNTHIA GARRIS MENTIONED, THE CHAINS, SOME OF THEM ARE HELD TOGETHER WITH ZIP TIES.
THEY ARE RUSTED AND THEY'RE VERY, VERY POOR SHAPE.
IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO START CONSTRUCTION UNTIL NOVEMBER THAT'S TWO YEARS AWAY, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO ASK DOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT.
I THINK THE [INAUDIBLE] CORRECTED SOME OF IT A FEW YARDS DOWN, BUT THEY DIDN'T FINISH THE HOLDING, THAT'S ONE THING.
THE OTHER THING IS, WHEN I SAW THESE PICTURES, I DID NOTICE THAT THAT GREEN AREA, AND I'M GLAD SOMEBODY MENTIONED IT FROM MAINTENANCE, IS GOING TO BE A MAINTENANCE NIGHTMARE BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO WALK.
RIGHT NOW, NOT TO MEET PEOPLE WHO ARE JUMPING OFF THE WALL OR JUMPING UP ON THE WALL, THEY WALK AROUND TO THE SIDEWALK AND GET UP.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE COULD BE SOME TEMPORARY BARRIERS, A SHORT FENCE OR SOMETHING AND THEN HAVE WALK-AWAYS UP TO THE WALKWAY.
IN THE PICTURES, THERE'S VERY LITTLE ACCESS TO GET ONTO THE PROMENDADE.
IT'S ONLY AT THE VERY BEGINNING AND THE VERY END.
BUT IF WE HAD WAYS TO GET INTO IT THAT WERE DEFINED AND IT WOULD KEEP PEOPLE OFF THE GRASS, IT WOULD REALLY HELP WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT.
BUT I ALSO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER GARRIS THAT THE WALL IS SOMETHING THAT IT'S GOING TO LIMIT SOME OF YOUR VIEW.
TALL PEOPLE WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.
[LAUGHTER] PEOPLE WHO HAVE GIANT SUVS.
[LAUGHTER] BUT I DID NOTICE THE PICTURES TOO, HAD PICTURES FROM THE STREET, BUT THEY DIDN'T INDICATE THE HEIGHT OF THAT CAMERA, AND THEY WERE ABOVE CARS.
I THINK THERE WAS A LITTLE TRICKERY IN THOSE PICTURES TO TRY TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THEY WERE PROBABLY IN THERE ABOVE A TRUCK IN THE BACK OF THE BED TAKING PICTURES. AWAY, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT'S DISPLAYED NOW.
I THINK THAT GIVES YOU A GOOD PERSPECTIVE ABOUT WHERE THE SEAWALL WOULD COME UP ON AT THE HUMAN SCALE SIZE, AROUND THE HIP DEPENDING ON HOW TALL YOU ARE.
I THINK AND THAT'S WHAT THE MOST CONCERN I'VE HEARD ABOUT IS THE AESTHETIC PORTION OF IT, HOW IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE VIEW, AND THAT IS A TRADE-OFF THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE.
THERE MANY TRADE OFFS, AS ANY OF FOLKS LIKE MR. BURCHMAN AND MYSELF, WHO HAVE NEW STRUCTURES, BASICALLY, YOUR REBUILT STRUCTURE AND MY OWN NEW STRUCTURE, THERE ARE AESTHETIC TRADE-OFFS.
WE VISITED MANDEVILLE, LOUISIANA.
WE SAW THE HISTORIC DISTRICT THERE AND WHAT THE TRADE-OFFS ARE THERE AS YOU ELEVATE BUILDINGS.
IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING TRADE-OFFS TO SECURE OUR FUTURE.
WHAT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO US IS ARE THESE HISTORIC STRUCTURES THAT WE'RE PROTECTING IN THE DOWNTOWN AND WE HAVE TO ALWAYS BE MINDFUL OF THAT.
LIKE I SAID, THERE WILL BE TRADE-OFFS.
WITH THAT SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE THE REST OF MY COMMENTS UNTIL I HEAR THE FINAL PRESENTATION AT THE NEXT MEETING AND WE HEAR WHAT THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT WITH
[02:20:02]
THE VIEWING PLATFORM AND THEN THESE GREEN AREAS TOO BECAUSE IT'S A LOT TO THINK ABOUT.THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG CHANGE.
THE GREEN AREA IS GOING TO BE A BIG CHANGE.
THIS IS ALL GOING TO BE FLAT NOW.
WE DO, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD.
WE HAVE SOME CONSIDERATIONS TO THINK ABOUT THERE.
WITH THAT SAID, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL TAKE THAT INFORMATION BACK TO DOT. APPRECIATE IT.
>> APPRECIATE IT. RECOMMENDATION, ITEM 10B IS A RECOMMENDATION FOR NAMING OF PUBLIC PARK.
[10.B. Recommendation for naming a public park. (J. Perkins, Neighborhood Services & CRA Manager) ]
I THINK I HAVE TWO SPEAKER CARDS HERE PERTAINING TO THIS ITEM.WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL HEAR THE PRESENTATION, AND THEN I WILL ASK FOR PUBLIC INPUT.
I'LL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR PUBLIC INPUT.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I AM JAMIE D. PERKINS, THE DIVISION MANAGER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
TONIGHT, I WILL BE PRESENTING TO YOU THE PUBLIC PARK NAMING FOR A PARK THAT IS SCHEDULED TO BE IMPROVED AT 81 WEEDON STREET IN LINCOLNVILLE.
I'LL JUST GET THIS PRESENTATION GOING. THERE IT IS.
THE REASON WHY I'M PRESENTING TO YOU ON THIS PUBLIC PARK NAMING AND NOT YOUR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, MS. MELISSA WISSEL, IS BECAUSE THIS PARK WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH OUR LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY PARK IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA T FUND.
>> PER RESOLUTION 22016-15, THE CITY STAFF IS REQUIRED TO ACCEPT PUBLIC INPUT FOR THE NAMING OF PUBLIC PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES.
OUR TYPICAL PRACTICE IS TO COLLECT DATA AND PUBLIC INPUT VIA OUR RESIDENTS VIA AN ONLINE SURVEY.
AFTER THAT, WE WOULD FORM AN INTERNAL STAFF COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE DATA THAT WE RECEIVED.
WE FOLLOW THE SAME PROTOCOL THAT WE FOLLOW FOR ALL PUBLIC PARK NAMINGS AND ANY PUBLIC SPACE THAT WE NAME.
THE SAME AS WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST.
ADDITIONALLY, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT REQUIRED BY OUR RESOLUTION, STAFF DID MOVE FORWARD WITH HAVING AN IN PERSON PUBLIC WORKSHOP AHEAD OF THE PUBLISHING OF THE ONLINE SURVEY.
WE DID THIS TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK AND INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC.
THE WORKSHOP WAS WELL ATTENDED.
WE HOSTED IT AT THE WILLY GALLIMORE CENTER, AND THE INFORMATION RECEIVED AT THE PUBLIC WORKSHOP WAS USED TO DEVELOP OUR ONLINE SURVEY.
THE WORKSHOP AND THE SURVEY REQUESTED PARK NAMES RELATED OR SUGGESTIONS IN THREE CATEGORIES, LOCAL FIGURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ERA, LOCAL FIGURES FROM LINCOLNVILLE WHO WERE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ERA, AND THEN WE REQUESTED NAME SUGGESTIONS UNRELATED TO ANY PARTICULAR PERSON OR SPECIFIC TIME PERIOD.
WE RECEIVED 122 TOTAL RESPONSES VIA OUR ONLINE SURVEY.
THE TOP THREE RESPONSES FOR EACH CATEGORY WERE AS FOLLOWS.
OLLIE AND GEORGE SMITH PARK, WHICH RECEIVED THE HIGHEST OF EACH CATEGORY, 44 RESPONSES OR 36% OF THE SURVEY RESPONSES.
PAPINO PARK, WHICH IS A FORMER CITY COMMISSIONER, RECEIVED 29 RESPONSES OR 25% OF THE SURVEY RESPONSES, AND THEN LINCOLNVILLE PARK, WHICH CAME IN SECOND, RECEIVED 33 RESPONSES OR 29% OF THE SURVEY RESPONDENTS.
BASED OFF OF THE RESPONSES IN THE TOP-3 NAMES AND THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BY THE PARK NAMING OR INTERNAL STAFF COMMITTEE, STAFF RECOMMENDS TO THE BOARD THAT THE THAT THE PARK BEST SCHEDULED TO BE IMPROVED 81 WEEDEN STREET BE NAMED LINCOLNVILLE PARK IN HONOR OF GEORGE AND OLLIE SMITH, OR LINCOLNVILLE PARK HONORING THE LEGACY OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
THESE TWO NAMES ALLOW US TO UTILIZE THE TOP-2 NAMES SELECTED BY THE PUBLIC WHILE BEING COGNIZANT OF WHAT WE FOUND TO BE THE CITY COMMISSION SOMETIMES RESERVATION IN NAMING THE PARK FOR SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS OR PERSONS.
THIS SLIDE, I'M JUST SHOWING A CONCEPTUAL IDEA OF WHAT THE PART THE PARK NAMING WOULD LOOK LIKE ON THE PILLARS THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO BE IMPROVED AT THE PARK.
THAT BOTTOM PHOTO IS FROM THE DESIGN OF WHAT THE COCINA WALL WOULD LOOK LIKE AND WHERE THOSE PLAQUES COULD POSSIBLY BE PLACED DEPENDING ON WHICH NAME WE DECIDE TONIGHT, YOU ALL DECIDE TONIGHT.
I'D LIKE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I'M PROPOSING TONIGHT.
IN REGARD TO LINCOLNVILLE PARK IN HONOR OF GEORGE AND OLLIE SMITH.
[02:25:04]
THE SMITH FAMILY HAS BEEN IN THE ST. AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY SINCE THE EARLY 1950S.THEY MOVED TO THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY IN THE 1960S AND ACTUALLY STILL RESIDE IN THEIR HOME TODAY.
ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECOGNIZED ON A GRAND SCALE FOR THEIR EFFORTS DURING THE TUMULTUOUS TIMES THAT IS THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, THE COMMUNITY IS AWARE OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS DURING THAT TIME.
THERE IS NOTED ORAL HISTORY THAT SPEAKS OF THE SMITH RESIDENTS BEING FIREBOMBED IN THE '60S WHEN THEIR HOME WAS MISTAKEN FOR ANOTHER FAMILY THAT HAD INTEGRATED THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
ADDITIONALLY, OLLIE SMITH WAS INTERVIEWED BY ONE BRUCE HARTFORD FOR AN ARTICLE CALLED VETERANS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS NATIONAL ARTICLE.
BUT PRIOR TO THE PUBLISHING OF THAT ARTICLE, MS. SMITH ASKED THAT HER INTERVIEW BE REDACTED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES.
I BELIEVE THE ACCORD MUSEUM HAS A VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF MS. OLLIE SMITH'S SECTION.
THE SMITHS PROVIDED MEALS TO ACTIVISTS AS WELL AS ALLOWING THOSE WHO WERE TRAVELING FOR THE MOVEMENT TO FIND SOLACE IN THEIR HOME, AND THAT'S ACTUALLY A PRACTICE THAT THEY STILL DO TODAY.
THEY PROVIDED SHELTER AND REST TO CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, EVEN AS RECENTLY AS THE EARLY '90S AND 2000S, COMMUNITY MEMBERS RECALL BEING ABLE TO GO TO THE SMITH FAMILY RESIDENCE FOR HOME-COOKED MEALS IN A SAFE PLACE.
THE SMITH'S STILL OWN MULTIPLE PROPERTIES IN THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE.
THEY ARE THE OWNERS OF ONE OF THE ONLY COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS THE CORNER MARKET, WHICH IS ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AVENUE.
ALTHOUGH FACED WITH ADVERSITY AND EVEN THROUGH ALL OF THE CHANGES THAT THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY HAS FACED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, I THINK MUCH CAN BE SAID ABOUT THEIR RESILIENCE AND THEIR ABILITY TO REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH SOME VERY DIFFICULT TIMES.
WITH THEIR NAME RECEIVING THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE IN THE SURVEYS, THIS IS STAFF'S INITIAL RECOMMENDATION.
I TOOK THE LIBERTY TO PUT A PHOTO OF MR. GEORGE AND MS. OLLIE SMITH ON THIS PRESENTATION FOR YOUR REVIEW.
THEN THE ALTERNATE NAME RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE A NOD TO ALL OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES WE MAY NOT KNOW BUT THEY HAVE PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE MAKING OF LINCOLNVILLE OR MAKING THE COMMUNITY OF LINCOLNVILLE THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ALL LOVE AND ADMIRE TODAY.
STAFF BELIEVES THAT THIS SECOND NAME OR THE ALTERNATIVE NAME IS AN APPROPRIATE OPTION IF THE COMMISSION HAS ANY RELUCTANCE TO NAME THE PARK FOR A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL.
THE PARK IMPROVEMENTS ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETE BY MID TO LATE AUGUST SO I AM ASKING FOR US TO HAVE A DECISION TONIGHT SO THAT WE COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH GOING INTO PRODUCTION WITH PLAQUES AND SIGNAGE SO AT THE RIBBON CUTTING OF WHAT WE ARE NOW REFERRING TO AS WEEDEN PARK, WE CAN ACTUALLY HAVE A COMPLETE ENTRY CORRIDORS FOR THE PARK, AND I AM AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THIS BOARD MAY HAVE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT? THANK YOU.
FIRST SPEAKER WE HAVE IS DEBORAH HOWARD, FOLLOWED BY NICOLE SMITH.
YOU HAVE TO STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE, AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU. GREETINGS TO THE BOARD.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, MS. HOWARD, IF YOU'LL PULL YOUR MICROPHONE DOWN. THANK YOU.
>> GREETINGS TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONS OF OUR WONDERFUL CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
MY NAME IS DEBORAH HOWARD, AND I'M THE DAUGHTER OF GEORGE AND OLLIE SMITH, WHOM I LOVE DEARLY.
MY PARENTS BELIEVED IN FAMILY AND SERVING GOD AND HUMANITY.
THEY HAVE LIVED IN THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY SINCE THE LATE '50S, EARLY '60S.
THEIR DOORS AND THEIR HEARTS WERE ALWAYS OPEN TO ANYONE THAT NEEDED HELP AND A PLACE TO STAY.
AS YOU KNOW, MY MOM'S JOURNEY ON THIS EARTH HAS ENDED. EXCUSE ME.
>> IT IS MY BELIEF THAT SHE IS NOW IN THE ARMS OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
MY PARENTS ARE GOOD NEIGHBORS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITIES.
I REMEMBER ONE INCIDENT, WHETHER IT WAS A BRICK OR SOME OTHER DEVICE WAS THROWN THROUGH THEIR WINDOW AT THEIR HOME BECAUSE IT WAS THOUGHT THAT THAT'S WHERE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS,
[02:30:06]
BUT HE WAS NOT THERE.MY PARENTS BELIEVED IN LEGAL AND EQUAL RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE AND THEY DID AND THAT WE ARE OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER.
MY FATHER, MY FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND MYSELF, CONSIDER IT AN HONOR FOR THE POSSIBILITY TO HAVE A PARK NAMED IN THEIR HONOR.
I THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU CONCERNING THIS MATTER.
GOOD AFTERNOON, AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THOSE WORDS.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NICOLE SMITH.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. I'M NIC SMITH.
I'M THE DAUGHTER OF OLLIE AND GEORGE SMITH ON SOUTH STREET.
I'M THE ONLY OF THE CORNER MARKET IN LINCOLNVILLE CURRENTLY.
MY PARENTS, OLLIE AND GEORGE SMITH, THEY DEDICATED THEIR LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS.
MOM WORKING FOR FLAGLER HOSPITAL AS A PHYSICAL THERAPIST, BACK WHEN IT WAS ON MARINE STREET.
THAT WAS SOME TIME AGO IN A PLACE OF MY BIRTH.
SHE WORKED AS A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND A DENTAL HYGIENIST FOR DR. OTIS A. GARVIN ON BRIDGE STREET, AND BOTH RETIRING, MY MOTHER AND FATHER, AS THE OWNER OF THE SMITH CONVENIENCE STORE IN LINCOLNVILLE, CURRENTLY KNOWN AS THE CORNER MARKET OF LINCOLNVILLE.
MY FATHER, GEORGE SMITH, HIS PROFESSIONAL HISTORY, BEGAN ATTENDING INDUSTRIAL ART DEGREE AND ACCEPTING EMPLOYMENT AT THE FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND.
TEACHING BLIND STUDENTS HOW TO BUILD WOODEN TRADES, LAMPS, PLANTERS, ETC.
BY TEACHING THEM HOW TO USE RISQUE TOOLS EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY.
JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE BACKGROUND AND HOW TO USE SAWS AND DRILLS AND MANY OTHER TOOLS USED TO BUILD SOME OF THE WOODWORK.
HE RETIRED TWICE FROM THE FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND.
GEORGE WORKED AS A CARPENTER IN LINCOLNVILLE THROUGHOUT ST. AUGUSTINE.
AS YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY TEACH DURING THE SUMMER, THEY HAVE TIME OFF, SO HE WAS AT IT THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD, HELPING ELDERLY AND WHOEVER NEEDED HELP.
OLLIE AND GEORGE, THEY RAISED A WONDERFUL FAMILY OF EIGHT CHILDREN AND GENERALLY OPENED THEIR HOME TO MANY FAMILIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING MANY STUDENTS THAT WERE TRYING TO GET THE EDUCATION, NEEDED A PLACE TO STAY, BLACK COLLEGE STUDENTS OR OTHER STUDENTS THROUGHOUT ST. AUGUSTINE THAT NEEDED THEIR ASSISTANCE, EVEN IF IT WAS BRIEFLY TO GET A LITTLE JUMP START ON LIFE.
GEORGE AND OLLIE, OUR BELOVED FIGURES IN THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY FOR OVER SIX DECADES AND WAS A PART OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THEM AS TO HAVE THIS PART. THANK YOU.
>> DOES ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? YOU CAN FILL THE CARD OUT AFTER YOU SPEAK.
>> DELANJA DUNCAN, PRESIDENT OF ACCORD, AND WE DO HAVE THE ORAL HISTORIES, AS JAMIE STATED, ABOUT MS. OLLIE SMITH.
BUT I ALSO WANTED TO ADD ABOUT GEORGE SMITH, BEEN A RETIRED EDUCATOR FROM THE FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND, AND RAY CHARLES ATTENDED THAT SCHOOL AS WELL.
BUT I AM IN SUPPORT LIKE THE CITY STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR THE OLLIE FAMILY BEING RECOGNIZED.
[02:35:02]
ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? MS. DUNCAN, YOU CAN JUST FILL OUT THAT CARD AND TURN IT IN IN THE BACK WHEN YOU GO.>> YES. MY NAME IS GAIL WHISTLER, LIVE AT 163 MARTIN LUTHER KING AVENUE.
I'M HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS RECOMMENDATION TO NAME THE PARK AFTER PEOPLE.
THESE PEOPLE, YOU'VE HEARD IT AND THEIR WONDERFUL FAMILY.
I THINK IT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TO HAVE THIS PARK NAMED AFTER THEM AND BLESS THEM IN THE LOSS OF MS. OLLIE. THANKS.
>> THANKS, MS. WHISTLER. FILL OUT THE CARD AND TURN IT IN BACK.
THEN HEARING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
IT'S BACK TO THE COMMISSION FOR DISCUSSION.
LET'S START WITH MR. SPRINGFIELD.
>> MR. SPRINGFIELD. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'LL FINISH IT UP WITH COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
>> TYPICALLY, I WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF SOME NAME, BUT THIS NAME HAS BEEN IN MY HOUSEHOLD, EVEN THOUGH MR. SMITH DOESN'T EVEN REALIZE THAT.
MY WIFE, PATTY, TAUGHT AT THE FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND BLIND.
SHE WAS A MOBILITY INSTRUCTOR FOR THE BLIND, AND SHE HAS TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR MR. SMITH AND THE THINGS HE DID AT THE SCHOOL.
WE DRIVE TO THROUGH LINCOLNVILLE OCCASIONALLY TO LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE, AND SHE ALWAYS SAYS, HEY, THAT'S MR. SMITH'S HOUSE.
SO I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF HAVING THIS BE THE GEORGE AND OLLIE SMITH PARK, AND GEORGE AND OLLIE IN THAT ORDER ONLY BECAUSE IT'S ALPHABETICAL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BLONDER.
>> HE SAID WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.
>> FINALLY, I NEED TO DO IT ONCE.
>> I'LL PASS BECAUSE I AGREE WITH HIM, [INAUDIBLE].
>> I'LL JUST ADD THAT I ALWAYS APPRECIATE IT WHEN WE GET TO HEAR MORE ABOUT OUR LONGTIME RESIDENTS.
CERTAINLY I WAS FASCINATED TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THESE RESIDENTS OF OURS DOWN IN LINCOLNVILLE AND THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY.
I APPRECIATE EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT TONIGHT.
IT WAS A LONG WAIT, AND I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO COME AND WAIT THIS OUT.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REWARDING FOR YOU TONIGHT.
I SUPPORT THIS RECOMMENDATION BY STAFF AS THE TOP RECOMMENDATION OF GEORGE AND OLLIE SMITH, AND THE SAME AS COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, I DON'T NECESSARILY ALWAYS FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT NAMING PARKS OF LIVING FOLKS.
BUT IN THIS CASE, I THINK THESE ARE OUR CIVIL RIGHT HEROES, AND I THINK THAT WE CANNOT FORGET THEM.
IT'S IMPORTANT, APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DID TO BRING THIS TO US.
>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A FOUR TO ME.
WE'RE JUST WAITING ON ONE MORE.
>> COMMISSIONER GARRIS, YOU HAVE THE FINAL WORD.
>> WELL, LET ME GET READY TO SEAL THE DEAL ON THIS.
[LAUGHTER] FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING THE SMITHS, AND THEY ARE A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE.
MY FAMILY'S HISTORY GOES WAY BACK TO WHEN THEY LIVED ON GOLD AVENUE.
MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER, MA BLANCHECON, LIVED ON THAT STREET, AND THEY WERE HER NEIGHBORS IN THEIR YOUTH.
SHE'S BEEN GONE FOR A WHILE NOW, BUT SHE USED TO COME OVER ALL THE TIME AND HAVE COFFEE AND MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO MAKE THESE GREAT CAKES, AND THEY WERE FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER.
BUT EVERY TIME I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING MS. SMITH, SHE ALWAYS HAD A WARM SMILE AND SHINING EYES AND YOU COULD JUST FEEL HER GOOD SPIRIT.
MY CONDOLENCES TO THE SMITH FAMILY FOR YOUR LOSS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT'S IMMEASURABLE, THAT THE LOSS IS GOING TO BE DEEP AND IT'S GOING TO LAST FOR A LONG TIME.
BUT TO BE ABLE TO GO TO A PARK AND JUST REFLECT ON THE BEAUTY THAT SHE CREATED IN HER LIFETIME, HER AND YOUR FATHER, I THINK IS A GREAT TRIBUTE TO HER CORE OF THE PERSON THAT SHE WAS, AND I HOPE IT BRINGS SOME SENSE OF COMFORT TO THE FAMILY KNOWING THAT THE RESIDENTS PICKED THE NAMING OF THEM TO BE THE TOP NAME OF THE PARK.
THAT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THE VALUE OF HER PRESENCE IN LINCOLNVILLE.
I KNOW NIKKI HAS THE CORNER MARKET, AND BEFORE THAT, TONY HAD THE BARBERSHOP THAT MY LATE HUSBAND PETER RAN TO EVERY WEEK TO GET HIS HAIR CUT.
HER CHILDREN, HER OFFSPRINGS HAVE ALSO BEEN DOING GREAT THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY.
[02:40:04]
IT'S A BLESSING TO HAVE YOU RESIDENTS IN LINCOLNVILLE, AND SOME OF YOU MIGHT HAVE MOVED AWAY, BUT TO KNOW THAT HOW MUCH YOUR FAMILY IS VALUED IN OUR CITY.>> I WOULD. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO MAKE SURE THAT MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, THAT YOU KNOW THAT MR. SMITH IS ACTUALLY HERE WITH US TONIGHT AND HE SAT THROUGH THE ENTIRE MEETING, SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, MR. SMITH.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENCE AND ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY OVER THESE MANY YEARS.
I KNOW THIS IS DEEPLY PERSONAL AND EMOTIONAL MATTER FOR YOU, AND WE JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW WE APPRECIATE YOU.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED A VOICE VOTE, MADAM SUPERINTENDENT?
>> SURE, YOU CAN CERTAINLY DO A VOICE VOTE.
I THINK COMMISSIONER GARRIS WAS ON A ROLL TO START THE VOTE PERHAPS. [LAUGHTER]
>> YEAH, I THINK WE'LL GIVE HER THE HONOR OF MOVING THIS FORWARD.
>> LET ME SAY THE RIGHT VERBIAGE ON THIS MOTION. EXCELLENT.
>> THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING TONIGHT.
WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH SO MUCH.
LET ME FIND JAMIE ON HERE. HERE WE GO.
I MOTION RECOMMENDATION FOR NAMING A PUBLIC PARK BEHIND OLLIE AND GEORGE SMITH, AND THE WEEDON PARK.
>> IS THAT IS THAT THE LINCOLNVILLE PARK IN HONOR OF GEORGE AND OLLIE SMITH?
>> YES. THE LINCOLNVILLE PARK IN HONOR OF GEORGE.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING, AND THE RIBBON CUTTING AND GROUNDBREAKING OR WHATEVER NEXT COMES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING.
AGAIN, ITEMS VICE CITY ATTORNEY.
[11. ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY]
>> I DIDN'T HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, BUT I DID HEAR RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING, THAT YOU'LL RECALL THE FORM 6, WHICH IS THE NEW VERY CONVOLUTED FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORMS THAT YOU ALL ARE REQUIRED TO FILL.
YOU'LL RECALL THAT WE SUPPORTED FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, MAYORS, AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS WHEN THEY DECIDED TO SUE THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND VARIOUS OFFICIALS.
RIGHT BEFORE THE MEETING, WE GOT THE INJUNCTION FROM THE FEDERAL JUDGE, THAT ENJOINS ENFORCEMENT OF FORM 6 STATEWIDE.
AS OF 4:20 TODAY, FORM 6 CANNOT BE ENFORCED AGAINST ANY LOCAL OFFICIAL.
NOW, I KNOW AT THE TIME THAT YOU INSTRUCTED ME TO JOIN THE LAWSUIT AND YOU INSTRUCTED ME TO JOIN THE STATE LAWSUIT, NOT THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT.
WHICH DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THE INJUNCTION COVERS ALL THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
BUT AT THE TIME YOU HAD SAID THAT YOU INDIVIDUALLY INTENDED TO GO AHEAD AND FILE THE FORM 6 REGARDLESS, BUT IT WAS SORT OF THE PRINCIPLE OF THE THING THAT YOU WANTED TO TAKE THAT POSITION.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, BECAUSE LITERALLY AS THE MEETING WAS STARTING, I'M SCRAMBLING TO READ THE FEDERAL JUDGE'S ORDER.
FOR NOW, THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS CANNOT ENFORCE THE REQUIREMENTS OF FORM 6 AGAINST YOU. YES.
HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THE REQUIREMENT FOR CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ELECTION IN ORDER TO QUALIFY, BECAUSE I DID FILE ALREADY.
YES. THAT WAS THE REASON THAT THE ATTORNEY TEAM THAT WAS REPRESENTING, I SAY ALL OF YOU, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, STATEWIDE, ALL OF THESE SIMILAR OFFICIALS WERE PRESSING THE FEDERAL JUDGE TO GET A DECISION TODAY, BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, NOW IS THE TIME TO QUALIFY, AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS.
NOW BASED ON THE FEDERAL INJUNCTION, MY UNDERSTANDING IS, FOLKS WHO CHOOSE TO NOT FILE THE FORM 6 HAVE A LEGAL BASIS NOT TO FILE IT BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL INJUNCTION, BUT THEY STILL MUST FILE THE FORM 1.
I'LL BE GETTING MORE DETAILS OF WHAT ALL THIS MEANS TOMORROW FROM THE LEGAL TEAM.
BUT AGAIN, I WAS SCRAMBLING LITERALLY AT FIVE TRYING TO READ THE COURT ORDER.
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE TO FILL OUT THE FORM 6.
[02:45:02]
I KNOW YOU ALL INDIVIDUALLY SAID YOU INTENDED TO REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THE LAWSUIT, BUT THAT LOOKS LIKE, THAT IS THE STATE OF THE LAW RIGHT NOW, IS A FEDERAL JUDGE SAID FORM 6, AN INJUNCTION AGAINST THE ENFORCEMENT OF IT, AND THEREFORE, YOU THEORETICALLY COULD FILL OUT THE FORM 1, AND I'LL FIND OUT MORE DETAILS TOMORROW FROM THE LEGAL TEAM THAT FILED DOCUMENTS.>> CAN YOU FIND OUT WHETHER YOU CAN RETRACT IT IF YOU'VE ALREADY FILLED OUT? [LAUGHTER]
>> IF YOU IF YOU HAVEN'T FILLED IT OUT, DO YOU HAVE TO?
>> IF YOU HAVE NOT FILLED OUT THE FORM 6, WHAT I'M SAYING, I THINK AS OF THE INJUNCTION EARLY THIS EVENING, WHATEVER 4:30 IS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BECAUSE A FEDERAL JUDGE SAID FORM 6 IS ESSENTIALLY VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW.
IN THEORY, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO FILL OUT FORM 6.
NOW, THERE'S ALWAYS A DANGER TO THAT, BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN APPEAL THESE DECISIONS, SOMEBODY COULD CHALLENGE YOU IF YOU ARE UP FOR ELECTION.
IT COULD BECOME A POLITICAL QUESTION, RATHER THAN A LEGAL QUESTION.
I'LL LET YOU ALL CHEW ON THAT OVERNIGHT.
OF COURSE, I'M GOING TO BE IN THE OFFICE TOMORROW, AND I'LL BE CIRCLING BACK TO THE TEAM AND ASKING ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS OF, WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS IF YOU FILL OUT THE FORM 1 INSTEAD OF FORM 6?
>> AND SO TECHNICALLY IT'S JUST A TEMPORARY STAY UNTIL THERE'S ACTUALLY A RULING?
IT'S A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION.
THE STANDARD FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, IS THAT, MORE LIKELY THAN NOT YOU WOULD WIN THE PERMANENT INJUNCTION.
MOST OF THE TIME THAT'S READING THE TEA LEAVES AND THE JUDGE IS SAYING, "YES, " IT'S TECHNICALLY A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION, BUT THE STANDARD IS, MORE LIKELY THAN NOT, YOU'VE PROVEN YOUR CASE ON IT GOING FORWARD.
BUT AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE STATE OFFICIALS WILL DO WITH THIS RULING.
I'M SURE THEY'RE SCRAMBLING ON THEIR END TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEIR REACTION WILL BE TO ALL OF THIS.
>> IT STILL DOESN'T EXEMPT ANY ONE OF US TO DO FORM 1. STILL HAVE TO DO FORM 1.
>> THE DEADLINE TO FILE THOSE IS JULY 1ST.
>> WAIT. WE HAVE TO DO BOTH FORM 1 AND FORM 6?
>> NO. IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO FORM 6, YOU'RE FINE, AND I THINK MANY OF YOU ALREADY HAVE DONE SO.
THIS LAWSUIT, ESSENTIALLY, WAS TO SAY, FORM 1 IS LEGAL, FORM 6 IS NOT, AND A FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS, THAT IS CORRECT.
FORM 6 IS UNLIKELY TO BE FOUND CONSTITUTIONAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW.
BUT FORM 1 IS NOT AN OP IS NOT AN OPTION TO NOT FILE IT.
YOU GOT TO FILE ONE OR THE OTHER.
>> BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO FILE BOTH?
>> IF I DON'T FILE FORM ONE AND I'M TRAVELING OVERSEAS BY JULY 1ST, I'M GOING TO BE OKAY, RIGHT?
>> YOU'RE OKAY IF YOU FILED FORM 6 INSTEAD.
I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY FILED FORM 6.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT? BASICALLY, IF YOU'VE ALREADY DONE FORM 6, IT'S OUT THERE. IT'S DONE.
YOU WANT TO NEXT YEAR, PERHAPS IF THIS INJECTION HOLDS, THEN, IT WILL BE BACK TO FORM 1, MOST LIKELY.
WE'LL SEE. INTERESTING. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW.
[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK]
WE HAVE [OVERLAPPING]>> MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE ESTABLISHING THE WEST CITY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA STEERING COMMITTEE.
WE ADVERTISED AND RECEIVED SIX APPLICATIONS, AND WE'RE REQUESTING APPOINTMENT FOR FIVE MEMBERS FOR THIS COMMITTEE.
>> YOU HAVE FIVE SIX PEOPLE, YOU HAVE FIVE SEATS?
>> THIS STEERING COMMITTEE IS GOING TO BE DOING AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK.
THEY'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING THE PUBLIC INPUT ON THE MASTER PLAN, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THEY WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEGINNING THE IMPLEMENTATION, MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CRA BOARD, WHICH IS US.
>> IT'S AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK.
FOR TONIGHT, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A TIME CRUNCH.
IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR TIME CRUNCH HERE WHERE WE HAVE TO HURRY UP AND DO THIS BECAUSE IF WE DO, THAT'S TOO BAD FOR US.
>> MISS PERKINS IS STILL HERE, SO SHE CAN PROBABLY BETTER ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> I HOPE THE ANSWER IS WE ARE NOT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE, AND I FEEL LIKE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT I HAVE
[02:50:02]
AN OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW THEM OR HEAR FROM THEM.>> JAMIE, IS THERE A DEADLINE THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE THE STEERING COMMITTEE FORMED BY?
>> THERE IS NO SPECIFIC DEADLINE.
HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE A TIMELINE WITH OUR CONSULTANT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MEET.
WE WERE HOPING TO HAVE A FORMAL ADOPTION OF THE CRA PLAN PRIOR TO THE ENDING OF THE FISCAL YEAR IN SEPTEMBER, WHICH WOULD ALLOW US TO HAVE AT LEAST 3-4 MEETINGS WITH OUR STEERING COMMITTEE FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
HOWEVER, BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A CRITICAL AND SENSITIVE COMMUNITY ITEM, I UNDERSTAND THE IDEA TO BETTER GARNER INFORMATION ON OUR CANDIDATES.
MANY OF THEM DID WRITE VERY COMPELLING COVER LETTERS AND PROVIDED SOME OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND.
>> THEY ARE. I APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.
HOWEVER, I READ THOSE LETTERS AND I LOOKED AT THEM.
I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT I GOT THAT WAS SPECIFIC TO WHY THEY'RE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THIS COMMITTEE.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST IS THAT WE ASK THEM TO COME TALK TO US.
WE CAN GIVE THEM TIME AT A MEETING.
WHAT I LIKE TO DO IS I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM, FROM THE HORSES MOUTH, WHAT IS MOTIVATING THEM AND WHAT IS OF INTEREST.
>> I WON'T BE AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> I MEAN JULY. WE CAN DO THIS IN JULY.
>> I'D HAVE TO BE THE FIRST MEETING OF JULY BECAUSE I WON'T BE HERE THE SECOND.
>> WE CAN DO IT ON THE FIRST MEETING IN JULY.
>> WE CAN DO THIS. I DO WANT YOU THERE.
SEEING HOW HAVING BEEN THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS WITH THE STEERING COMMITTEE DOWN IN LINCOLNVILLE, THE CREATION AND GOING TO SEE HOW IT ALL WORKED OUT, I WISH I'D KNOWN THE MEMBERS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
NOW, I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COMMITTEE WILL DISSOLVE ONCE THE MASTER PLAN IS APPROVED.
>> CORRECT. IT'S A TEMPORARY STEERING COMMITTEE THAT WILL DISSOLVE POST THE ADOPTION OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN.
THEY WILL ONLY BE TOGETHER FOR THREE PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND THEY WILL CONDUCT THEIR PRIVATE ORDERS OF BUSINESS CORRESPONDING WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND RESIDENTS SEPARATELY AND MAYBE BRING THAT INFORMATION BACK TO THOSE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
>> BUT THEY WILL BE THE FACE OF THE CITY AND REPRESENT IN MANY WAYS US IN WEST AUGUSTINE.
I WOULD ASK FROM THIS COMMISSIONERS IF YOU WOULD AGREE, I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> I HATE TO INTERRUPT BUT WE DO HAVE A VERY AMBITIOUS ADOPTION SCHEDULE.
MAYBE RESERVING SOME TIME TO HEAR FROM THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, LIKE YOU SUGGEST, WOULD PRODUCE A BETTER RESULT THAN IF WE RUSHED INTO THIS.
I THINK YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD IDEA TO ASK FOR INTERVIEWS.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT COMMISSIONER. YES, MA'AM.
I DID RECEIVE A SEVENTH APPLICATION THAT WAS DATED THE DATE AFTER THE DEADLINE TO APPLY.
BUT I DO FEEL LIKE MAYBE SHE SHOULD BE INCLUDED, INVITE HER TO COME.
>> OF COURSE. SINCE WE HAVE PUT THIS OFF A LITTLE BIT, WOULD THE COMMISSIONERS ALSO BE WILLING TO PERHAPS EXTEND THE DEADLINE, OR DO YOU THINK THAT'S TOO MUCH?
>> I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE.
WE'LL SEND OUT INVITATIONS TO ALL SEVEN INDIVIDUALS THAT SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS AND GET THEM SCHEDULED FOR THE FIRST MEETING OF JULY, WHICH IS THE JULY 8TH.
>> TO MADAM CITY CLERK'S POINT, WE DID RECEIVE NOTIFICATION FROM SEVERAL OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
THEY DID NOT SUBMIT APPLICATIONS IS MY UNDERSTANDING, BUT THEY DID REACH OUT TO MY DIVISION ASKING IF THEY COULD APPLY.
WE ADVISED THEM THAT IT WAS TOO LATE BASED OFF OF THE TIMELINE THAT WE HAD INITIALLY ESTABLISHED.
I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT WE ARE NOT EXTENDING THE DEADLINE, SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SUBMIT STILL.
BUT THE SEVENTH APPLICATION WE WOULD ACCEPT.
>> IN LIGHT OF THAT, COULD WE EXTEND IT.
LET ME LOOK AT SEE. WE'VE GOT JULY 8TH.
>> WE'VE GOT TIME IF WE WANT TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE.
>> WELL, I THINK THAT IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT INTERVIEWING PEOPLE, WE SHOULD JUST GO WITH THE SIX NAMES THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED AND INTERVIEW THEM BECAUSE NOW IF YOU PUT THAT OUT LONGER, THAT'S GOING TO PUT MISS PERKINS OUT LONGER TO GET HER STEERING COMMITTEE TOGETHER.
[02:55:05]
WE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT.COMMISSIONER BLONDER IS GOING TO BE TRAVELING AND I'M TRAVELING, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO INTERFERE WITH ANY COMMISSION MEETINGS, AND SO IS VICE MAYOR.
I THINK WE NEED TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE WITH THE SIX PEOPLE AND THEN OPEN IT UP IF WE DON'T HAVE FIVE CANDIDATES AT THAT POINT.
>> I THINK WE CAN HAVE OUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO HERE.
EVERYBODY WILL BE HERE FOR JULY 8TH.
THAT GIVES US BETWEEN NOW, WHICH IS JUNE 10TH AND JULY 8TH.
>> WHEN ARE WE GOING TO INTERVIEW THESE CANDIDATES THOUGH?
>> THEN WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A VOTE THEN?
>> WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO ADVERTISE OR AT LEAST TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL CANDIDATES TO PARTICIPATE AND AT THAT TIME, THEY CAN BE NOTIFIED THAT WE WOULD WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO COME AND SPEAK TO US.
>> I WOULD PUT THE NEW DEADLINE AS JUNE 26TH, SO WE CAN PREPARE DOCUMENTS FOR THE AGENDA.
>> THAT GIVES PLENTY OF TIME FOR APPLICATIONS.
>> I HAVE TO SAY I'M CONCERNED THAT WHETHER EVERYBODY ELSE AGREES OR NOT.
IF WE OPEN IT UP FOR TWO MORE WEEKS, WE COULD HAVE 20 MORE PEOPLE.
>> EXCEPT THAT I DON'T THINK IT IS.
NUMBER 1, IT'D BE REALLY HARD TO MAKE A DECISION WITH THAT MANY PEOPLE.
NUMBER 2, DO WE NEED A SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING TO DO THIS BECAUSE WE ALWAYS HAVE A PRETTY ROBUST AGENDA? WE'RE GOING INTO OUR BUDGET AND SO I'D HATE TO END UP RESERVING AN ENTIRE COMMISSION MEETING ON INTERVIEWS.
>> WELL, IN THAT CASE, IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT JULY 8TH, WE COULD START AT 4:00 AND JUST DO A SPECIAL MEETING AT FOUR O'CLOCK FOR INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES.
>> DID YOU WANT TO LET THEM KNOW APPROXIMATELY HOW LONG THEY WOULD HAVE FOR A PRESENTATION?
>> IN YOUR MIND, IS IT THREE MINUTES PER PERSON PLUS QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSION?
>> I WANTED COMMISSIONER BLONDER TO HEAR THIS.
>> WE DO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING ON JULY 8TH.
>> WE HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING ON JULY 8TH ALREADY AT WHAT TIME?
AT 4:30, WE COULD INTERVIEW CANDIDATES AND WE CAN GIVE EACH CANDIDATE THREE MINUTES.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MAY I OFFER ANOTHER SUGGESTION.
IF IN FACT, WE DID LIKE COMMISSIONER BLONDER SUGGESTED, WE RECEIVED AN ABUNDANCE OF ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS, MAYBE WE CAN GET EVERY APPLICATION OVER TO THE BOARD IN A TIMELY MANNER.
YOU WOULD ALL HAVE TIME TO REVIEW THEM AND MAYBE MAKE SELECTIONS FROM THOSE TO REQUEST INTERVIEWS AND NOT REQUEST INTERVIEWS FROM EVERY SINGLE APPLICANT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE AN OPTION.
I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF POSSIBLY INTERVIEWING EVERYONE, BUT TO COMMISSIONER BLONDER POINT, IF WE RECEIVED 25 APPLICATIONS, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO SPEAK TO.
>> WELL, IT'S NOT REALLY THAT HARD.
WE DID THIS AT THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND WE HAD PROBABLY 15 APPLICANTS.
NOT EVERYBODY CAME, NOT EVERYBODY WANTED TO DO THE INTERVIEW PART.
BUT IT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THEIR POSITION AND TO GET TO KNOW THEM A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
BUT ARE YOU EXPECTING AN OUT POUR?
>> I DON'T KNOW. WHAT YOU MISSED COMMISSIONER BLONDER WAS THAT WE DO HAVE A MEETING PRIOR TO JULY 8TH, SCHEDULED AT THREE O'CLOCK, BUT I THINK THAT WE HAVE TIME TO SLOT IN BEFORE THE FIVE O'CLOCK MEETING, A SPECIAL MEETING TO GIVE APPLICANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND MEET WITH US.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SUGGEST THAT WE OPEN THE SEARCH FOR ONE MORE WEEK BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE ON THE WINGS AND SAY, CALL IN THOSE PEOPLE, AND THEN WE DO HAVE THE MEETING ON THE 8TH AND LIMIT IT TO A THREE MINUTE COMMENT OF WHY THEY WANT TO BE ON THE BOARD, AND THEN WE SELECT FROM THAT.
>> THERE WE GO. I THINK THAT SOUNDS GOOD.
>> I DON'T THINK THREE MINUTES IS LONG ENOUGH.
>> THEN WE CAN GIVE THEM FOUR.
>> THREE WAS A REALLY LONG TIME TODAY.
>> YOU CAN GET A LOT IN AND YOU CAN MAKE YOUR POINT IN THREE MINUTES. [LAUGHTER].
[03:00:04]
>> THAT'S ON MY COMMENTS BY THE WAY.
>> I WILL SAY THAT IF WE DO HAVE, SAY 10, 15, AND WE HAVE A BALLOT THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS, WE MAY HAVE A LOT OF TIES.
AND SO RANK VOTING IS A WAY TO DO THAT.
I HATE TO COMPLICATE THIS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S WHY WE HAVE FOUR BALLOTS.
>> IF WE END UP WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE, WE MAY NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE STRUCTURE THE BALLOT.
>> IT'S NOT REALLY AS HARD AS YOU THINK IT IS.
LIKE I SAID, WE DID DO THIS AT THE TDC, AND BECAUSE WE WERE HAVING SO MANY APPLICANTS, AND WE WERE NOT COMFORTABLE APPOINTING PEOPLE TO THE TDC OR MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS, NOT KNOWING THEM.
>> THAT'S NOT MY POINT. MY POINT IS THAT WE MAY ACTUALLY END UP WITH A LOT OF TIES IF WE HAVE A LOT OF CANDIDATES.
>> WELL, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE FOUR BALLOTS.
>> THIS IS EASY. WE HAD 96 ON THE ART COMMITTEE.
>> LET ME TELL YOU 10 OR 15 IS EASY.
>> WELL, I THINK YOU HAVE YOUR ANSWER.
>> APPRECIATE YOUR TIME WE'RE HERE FOR THIS.
>> WE STICKING WITH THREE MINUTES IN ONE WEEK?
>>I THINK 3 MINUTES IS PLENTY OF TIME.
>> WITH THE OFFICIAL DEADLINE, I'M GOING TO SAY IS THE 18TH.
>> THEN WHEN WOULD YOU SEND US THE INFORMATION, SO WE CAN REVIEW IT BEFORE OUR MEETING?
>> I THINK WE CAN SEND IT OUT AS SOON AS WE GET IT AND PACKAGE IT TOGETHER AND ALL THE INFORMATION WE SEND YOU, WE CAN PUT IN THE AGENDA.
>> I THINK THE MEETING TIME AT 4:30 IS GOING TO BE CRAZY.
>> I'M SORRY. WE SHOULD PROBABLY MEET AT 2:30.
I THINK WE NEED TO NOT REALLY.
>> WELL WE JUST HAVE LUNCH HERE. [LAUGHTER]
>> WHY DON'T WE DO THIS? HAVE WE ALREADY ADVERTISED THE MEETING AT THREE O'CLOCK?
IT WAS PART OF THE CALENDAR OF BUDGET MEETINGS THAT YOU APPROVED PREVIOUSLY.
>> BUT THAT'S NOT A LEGAL IMPEDIMENT, IT'S A COURTESY REMINDER OR MAY BE A LOGISTIC NIGHTMARE FOR YOUR FINANCE STAFF.
>> CAN I MAKE ONE OF MY COMMENT? I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN RESUMES OR CVS AS A REQUIREMENT AS WELL.
ALL WE HAD WAS A COVER LETTER AND AN APPLICATION, BUT NOTHING ABOUT THEIR BACKGROUNDS, THEIR SKILLS, THEIR EXPERIENCE.
>> THE APPLICATION ACTUALLY ONLY CALLS FOR A COVER LETTER.
>> RIGHT. I SAW THAT, BUT I WOULD LIKE THEM TO ADD THAT BECAUSE THAT GIVES ME MORE PREPARATION.
>> I THINK WE COULD ASK FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE.
>> MY ONLY THOUGHT ABOUT THAT IS IT MAY ELIMINATE SOME PEOPLE FROM WANTING TO DO IT, BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE EXPERIENCE WRITING ONE, OR THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH TO PUT ON A RESUME.
>> WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE IT ACADEMICALLY MANDATED.
[OVERLAPPING] ROUND OUT THE APPLICATION'S MORE DETAILS THAN YOUR CONCERNING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
>> I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEIR EXPERIENCE IS BEYOND A COVER LETTER.
>> HOW LONG THEY'VE LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD MIGHT BE A GOOD ONE, TOO.
BECAUSE I DID LIKE THAT WE GOT SOME LONG TERM RESIDENTS APPLYING.
IT WAS ACTUALLY A VERY GOOD POOL.
IT'S EVERYTHING ABOUT, I JUST DON'T KNOW THEM ALL SO WELL.
I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL THEY'RE AT A DISADVANTAGE, BECAUSE THEY AREN'T KNOWN TO US.
I THINK THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO GO ON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]
>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSION, I JUST HAVE ONE THING.
NEXT WEDNESDAY, THE 19TH IS JUNE 10TH, WHICH IS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY, AND CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED NEXT WEDNESDAY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
WE'LL START WITH COMMISSIONER GARRIS.MELINDA RICANSE CAME UP AND SHOWED THAT HOUSE, AND IT LOOKED PERFECTLY FINE IN THE FIRST PICTURE, AND THEN IT WAS DEMOLISHED IN THE NEXT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED.
I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE MOVE OUT OF A HOUSE AND IT SITS THERE, BUT SHE ALSO BROUGHT UP SOME FACTS THAT IT WAS
[03:05:02]
JUST CATEGORIZED AS IT COULD BE OUR AIRBNB, FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THAT.HOW THE HARB PEOPLE OR NONE OF THEM WERE INVOLVED, I HEARD SOME OTHER PEOPLE TALKING AT LUNCH ABOUT THAT HOUSE BEING DEMOLISHED, AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HOUSE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, AND THEN SHE BROUGHT IT.
THEN I WAS LIKE, "THAT HOUSE." I THINK WE JUST NEED TO HAVE A TIGHTER GRIP ON WHAT WE ARE GIVING DEMOLISHING.
>> WHAT SHE WAS REFERRING TO IS OUR PROCESS FOR EMERGENCY DEMOLITIONS.
I WANT TO SAY, THIS IS PROBABLY THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME THAT'S EVER BEEN USED.
YEAH. IT DOES BYPASS HARB CERTIFICATE OF DEMOLITION, BUT IT'S VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT HAS TO BE GIVEN TO THE BUILDING OFFICIAL TO PROVE THAT THE STRUCTURE IS IN AN IMMINENT DANGER OF COLLAPSE.
>> LOOKING AT THE PICTURE, DIDN'T LOOK LIKE IT WAS IN DANGER OF FALLING DOWN, THOUGH.
>> WHAT IF FIRE AND THE WHOLE BACK SIDE OF IT WERE OPEN?
>> IT WASN'T VISIBLE FROM THE FRONT.
>> WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT TIGHTENING UP THOSE PROCESSES, BUT WE HAVE A VERY CUMBERSOME CERTIFICATE OF DEMOLITION PROCESS NOW.
BUT EVEN TO REQUIRE SOMEONE WHO GETS A APPROVED CERTIFICATE OF DEMOLITION, TO WAIT 30 DAYS AFTERWARDS BEFORE THEY CAN EVEN DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURE.
WE HAD SOME VERY DANGEROUS STRUCTURES THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER HURRICANES THAT NEED TO COME DOWN, BUT STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE HARD PROCESS.
THIS EMERGENCY DEMOLITION PROCESS WAS MEANT TO ADDRESS THOSE TYPES OF STRUCTURES.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DETAILS WERE, BUT I DID TALK TO THE BUILDING OFFICIAL BEFORE THIS ONE CAME DOWN, AND HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT IT WAS QUALIFIED UNDER THIS EMERGENCY DEMOLITION PROCESS.
WE CAN CERTAINLY HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TIGHTENING UP THAT PROCESS, BUT IF YOU CAN IMAGINE A HURRICANE COMING THROUGH AND HAVING HALF DEMOLISHED HOUSES IN A COMMUNITY, WE SIMPLY CAN'T GO THROUGH THIS THREE MONTH BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS TO ADDRESS DEMOLITIONS, WHICH IS REALLY WHAT IT TAKES NOW TO GET SOMETHING APPROVED.
IT'S MY OPINION THIS PROCESS IS NOT BEING ABUSED.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER, I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
>> JUST SO THAT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE COMMISSION IS JUST LETTING EVERYTHING JUST GO.
I JUST THINK FOR OUR PROTECTION, AND FOR THE COMMUNITY, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO SAY WHY THAT HAPPENED AND BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT TO THE PUBLIC, BECAUSE I'M SURE THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE THE LAST TIME THAT WE HEAR ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR HOUSE.
>> WELL, AND JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, BECAUSE THAT WAS MY KEY ISSUE AS WELL FOR TONIGHT TO DISCUSS AFTER I SAW THAT, BECAUSE IT WAS A BIG SURPRISE.
THE CODE FOR BUILDING BACK WILL BE SECOND PERIOD SPANISH?
>> NO. HP1 HAS MORE FLEXIBILITY IN ITS ARCHITECTURAL STYLES THAN THAT.
>> OF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I THINK THE FLEXIBILITY IN HP1 EXTENDED TO ADJACENT ARCHITECTURAL STYLES OR ARCHITECTURAL STYLES PREVALENT ON THE STREETSCAPE, SOMETHING TO THAT MATTER.
OKAY. IT WAS MORE THAN JUST SECONDS.
>> IT'S A LOT BROADER AND A LOT MORE FLEXIBLE.
>> BECAUSE IT'S MORE RESIDENTIAL IN CHARACTER, AND THERE'S A LOT OF INFILL FROM DIFFERENT PERIODS.
>> HOPEFULLY THEY WON'T MODEL A HOTEL OR SOMETHING.
>> WELL, THEY THEY HAVE TO DO A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE.
HOTEL WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE IN HP1.
>> JUST ONE COMMENT ABOUT GOSSIP.
SOMEBODY TOLD ME OF THE DAY THAT THEY HEARD JIM SPRINGFIELD WANTED THE COUNTY TO GROW BECAUSE HE WANTS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT THAT'S ABSOLUTELY THE OPPOSITE OF NOT THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, BUT I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT IT TO GROW.
I'M GOING TO GO HOME AND SIGN THE PLEDGE FOR THE LIVE WILLY.
I THINK THAT'S A WONDERFUL THING.
>> IT'S A GREAT NAME, ISN'T IT?
>> WHEN I MET WITH THE CITY MANAGER LAST WEEK,
[03:10:03]
I BROUGHT UP THE ANYBODY WHO WENT OUTSIDE THIS AFTERNOON, IT WAS HOT.I BROUGHT UP THE NEW LEGISLATION ABOUT.
THE GOVERNOR PROHIBITING SIGNING LEGISLATION, PROHIBITING COMPANIES FROM IMPOSING MANDATORY BREAKS FOR SHADE AND HYDRATION.
I CAN JUST IMAGINE A ROOFER BEING OUT THERE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO COME DOWN OFF THE ROOF AND GET SOME MORE WATER OR GET SOME SHADE. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT OUR CITY, WHICH WE DO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO PROVISION FOR THAT, AM I RIGHT, MISS LOPEZ?
MY RECOLLECTION WAS IT PREEMPTED OUR ABILITY TO REGULATE THOSE ISSUES, BUT I CAN DOUBLE CHECK.
>> IF YOU COULD DOUBLE CHECK, I'D APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE I'D LIKE US TO BE KINDER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE IF IT'S AT ALL POSSIBLE AND ENABLE OUR CITY WORKERS TO BE SAFE.
THAT'S NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO IS I AM GOING ON VACATION.
I AM LEAVING ON WEDNESDAY AND I WILL BE AWAY FOR THE JUNE 24TH MEETING, BUT I WILL BE BACK FOR THE JULY 8TH MEETING.
>> GREAT. I TOO WANTED TO TALK ABOUT 11 BRIDGE STREET JUST FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF IT CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD, AND IT WAS A SURPRISE.
BUT NOW THAT I'VE LEARNED THAT IT WAS AN EMERGENCY DEMOLITION, I'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE.
I DO UNDERSTAND THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SPECULATION OUT THERE.
THERE'S LOTS OF RUMORS FLYING.
THERE'S FINGER POINTING, ALL THE USUAL SUSPECTS ARE INVOLVED.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND I'D LIKE A REPORT AT OUR NEXT MEETING SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT WE COULD DO BETTER SO THAT IT WOULDN'T BE SUCH A SHOCK AND A SURPRISE.
I UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF IT.
EMERGENCY DEMOLITION MEANS NOW TODAY, THIS IS DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.
BUT I'D ALSO KNOW IF THERE'S ANY OTHER FLEXIBILITY.
I CAN RECALL ANOTHER EMERGENCY DEMOLITION WAS THE BUTLER BUILDING ON THE CORNER WHERE THE DOG ROSES.
I REMEMBER THAT WAS AN EMERGENCY DEMOLITION PERMIT. I THINK AFTER THE FACT.
DO YOU RECALL THAT? I THINK YOU MIGHT REMEMBER.
>> I THINK I WAS INVOLVED WITH THAT.
>> I THINK YOU WERE. I REMEMBER TALKING TO YOU SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THAT.
IT WAS ONE THAT JUST FELL DOWN.
THERE WAS ALSO ONE ACROSS FROM BLUE HEN.
I THINK THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES. EMERGENCY DEMOLITION.
SOMETIMES WHEN PEOPLE GET INTO FIXING THE HOUSES, THEY REALIZE IT'S JUST IMPOSSIBLE AND THERE'S NOTHING LEFT OR AND THEY WANT TO START OVER.
IT'S JUST THAT'S SUCH, YOU KNOW, I HAVE MANY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES.
WE WERE VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH THE DAVIS FAMILY.
MARTHA AND AUBREY DAVIS, MY FAMILY WAS, AND OF COURSE, MRS. BAILEY WAS JUST WONDERFUL.
MARILYN, EVERYBODY REMEMBERED MARILYN.
SHE WAS ALWAYS ON THE PORCH, WAVING HELLO WITH THE ROCKING CHAIR.
BUT ANYWAY, SO IT'S VERY PERSONAL TO ALL OF US.
BUT THE SECOND THING I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT IS OUR DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT ORDINANCE AND MORE UNDERSTANDING ABOUT HOW WE CAN PREVENT BUILDINGS LIKE THIS FROM GETTING.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT THIS WAS ACTUALLY A DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT.
BUT CERTAINLY THAT IS A STRATEGY THAT PEOPLE HAVE USED IN THE PAST.
I'M NOT SURE THAT IT'S APPLICABLE IF THERE WAS A FIRE.
FOR EXAMPLE, I REMEMBER THE CLARK WORLEY HOUSE OVER IN WEST KING STREET UNDER THE OWNERSHIP OF THE BRODY FAMILY.
THE BUILDING WAS VACANT FOR MANY YEARS.
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDING.
IT HAD THE TURRETS JUST LIKE 11 BRIDGE AND THERE WAS A FIRE.
GOT INTO IT BECAUSE THE BUILDING WAS VACANT FOR SO LONG AND THERE WAS A FIRE THAT DAMAGED IT AND THEN FINALLY, IT HAD TO BE DEMOLISHED AFTER THAT.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT ANYBODY DID ANYTHING ON PURPOSE, BUT SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN.
I'D LIKE TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT ORDINANCE AND SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT A LITTLE BIT DEEPER, MAYBE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE ON THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS A QUESTION I REMEMBER, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN KIND OF IN THE BACK OF MY MIND.
IS THIS AS GOOD OF AN ORDINANCE AS WE CAN HAVE? WHAT DOES IT SAY? IS IT IS IT ENFORCEABLE? BECAUSE THE LAST TIME I CHECKED ON THE DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT, IT WASN'T NECESSARILY.
>> BY ITS NATURE, IT'S RETROACTIVE.
>> IT'S IT'S A CHALLENGE TO ENFORCE.
[03:15:01]
>> JUST SO YOU KNOW THOUGH THAT SINCE THE DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT WAS ADOPTED, WE'VE ALSO ADOPTED THE INTERNATIONAL MAINTENANCE CODE.
THAT MAY BE A TOOL WE DIDN'T HAVE IN THE PAST.
>> AFFIRMATIVE MAINTENANCE IS IN CALL RIGHT NOW.
I KNOW. WELL, I'D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT.
I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR ALL OF US TO GET A REVIEW BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD A REVIEW ON THAT.
THEN THE SECOND THING IS THE FINAL THING IS I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE COUNTY ON THEIR CITIZENS ACADEMY.
I'M HEARING REALLY POSITIVE THINGS AND VERY GOOD FEEDBACK.
THE CITIZENS ACADEMY IS A PROGRAM THAT IS OFFERED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT.
IN THIS CASE, IT WAS THE COUNTY.
WE HAD LOOKED INTO DOING A CITIZENS ACADEMY FOR THE CITY IN THE PAST.
JUST GAUGING WHAT KIND OF INTEREST AT THE COUNTY LEVEL THERE WAS AND THE SUCCESS OF THAT PROGRAM, I THINK IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO LOOK AT OR AT LEAST CONSIDER.
I'M ASKING YOU TO POSSIBLY CONSIDER THAT FOR SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE, NOT IMMEDIATELY, BUT SOMETHING TO MAYBE DELVE INTO AND FIND IF YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA FOR US.
I THINK THERE'S SO MANY BENEFITS TO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HEARD FROM WHEN I TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER CITIES IN FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES OF WHAT WAS THEIR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE CITIZENS ACADEMY BESIDES JUST GETTING PEOPLE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND EDUCATED ABOUT THE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT, IT WAS THAT PEOPLE GOT MORE INVOLVED IN BOARDS.
THEN WE HAD MORE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
THEY BECAME MORE INTERESTED AND MORE COMFORTABLE WITH GOVERNMENT.
YOU HAVE MORE GOOD QUALIFIED APPLICANTS FOR PLANNING AND ZONING AND THE STEERING COMMITTEES AND THAT KIND OF BEEN SPURRING INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO US.
I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT UP TO YOU AND LIKE I SAID, I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE COUNTY ON THAT GREAT SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.
WITH THAT, I HAVE NOTHING ELSE.
IN THAT CASE, THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.