[00:00:01]
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[INAUDIBLE]. THIS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION.MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
NEXT ITEM IS MODIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA.
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
MR. CITY MANAGER, YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES? ADJUST STAFF HAS NO CHANGES.THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. ANYONE HAVE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA? NO. I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU, LIKE SIGN CARRIES.
MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM IS PUBLIC COMMENTS AND I JUST HAVE TWO SPEAKER CARDS.
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
I HAVE A QUICK THING TO READ HERE.AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS THAT ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
YOU WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CITY'S RULES OF DECORUM.
COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE AND NOT INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS.
COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM SPEAKERS.
FINALLY, I WOULD ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER WHO USES NEEDS TO USE THE OVERHEAD SPEAKER PROJECT OVERHEAD PROJECTOR TO PLEASE SUBMIT THOSE ITEMS TO THE CITY CLERK TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
THE FIRST SPEAKER CARD I HAVE IS LAUREN GEIGER.
ACTUALLY, I SEE MORE SPEAKER CARDS COMING.
I DON'T THINK YOUR MICROPHONES ON.
THERE YOU GO. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
LAUREN GEIGER, 257 RIBERIA STREET, SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
EVEN BEFORE I MOVED TO SAINT AUGUSTINE, PEOPLE LIED TO ME.
FROM THE HOME BUILDER TO THE REALTORS AND THE HANDYMAN.
THEY DON'T REPLACE THE TREES, OR THEY PUT IN SAPLINGS WHICH DIE, AND LETTERS ARE SENT TO THE SENATE WITH PHOTOS THAT ARE IGNORED BY THE CITY, OR THE SAFETY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS COMPROMISED BY INADEQUATE SIDEWALKS AND VEHICLES RUNNING THROUGH STOP SIGNS.
YET IT IS DOCUMENTED THAT RIBERIA STREET IS DANGEROUS, BUT NOTHING IS REALLY DONE ABOUT IT.
VEHICLES SPEEDING MUCH FASTER THAN 30 MILES AN HOUR.
WHY SHOULD I BE YELLED AT FOR CROSSING THE STREET OR PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THEY'RE GOING SO FAST? WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS FOR BRIDGE STREET AND ALL THE OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS.
[00:05:02]
THE SHORT TERM RENTAL PEOPLE COME AND GO.ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE FULL TIME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.
WE ASK FOR SIDEWALKS TO BE SAFER AND NOT BROKEN.
WE ASK FOR DOG WASTE STATIONS, BUT ARE STILL IGNORED, BUT AS THE CITY LEADERS WANT TO EXPAND TAX REVENUE, THESE AREAS REQUIRE SERVICE TOO, AND WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SANITATION WORKERS OR POLICE TO HELP.
ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SPEED THROUGH TO WORK AND THROW THEIR GARBAGE OUT ARE STILL THERE, AND THE COLLEGE KIDS WHO GRAFFITI OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WILL SOON BE BACK, BUT IN THE MONTHS THEY HAVE BEEN GONE, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT GRAFFITI? NO, BUT WE STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH DEVELOPERS AND THOSE WHO COMPLETELY DISREGARD THE HISTORY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.
WHAT WAS ONCE A LOVELY TOWN HAS BEEN DIMINISHED BY GREED AND POOR MANAGEMENT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JOHN VALDES.
TO CORRECT MYSELF, COMMISSIONER JOHN VALDES.
YOU AS WELL, FORMER COMMISSIONER.
THANK GOODNESS IN SOME WAYS AND OTHER WAYS.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME.
FOR A FEW MINUTES, I'M GONNA TALK ABOUT A SUBJECT NEAR DEAR TO MY HEART.
FLOODING, WATER LIFTING BUILDINGS.
YOU HAVE WHAT? TENNESSEE ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE CITIZENS TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS ISSUES REGARDING FLOODING AND THE PCB HAS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT IT, PARTICULARLY MIKE DAVIS.
JUSTIFIABLY SO I JUST WANT TO THROW OUT A FEW IDEAS AND ALSO OFFER MY ASSISTANCE, SHOULD YOU WANT ME TO BE INVOLVED WITH THAT, I'D BE HAPPY TO DO IT. YOU KNOW, FLOODING.
WE TALK ABOUT IT IN GENERAL TERMS. WE HAVE THREE TYPES OF FLOODING.
THE WATER FALLS FROM THE SKY, THE WATER RISES UP DURING THE STORM AND A COMBINATION OF THOSE THREE.
WE ALSO I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS BUILDING BULKHEADS AND BUILDING RETAINING WALLS AND SURGE WALLS AND THROWING IT ALL TOGETHER AND TRYING TO COME UP WITH THE ONE KEY THAT FITS ALL, ALL THE LOCKS.
WE HAVE TWO TYPES OF PROJECTS OUT THERE.
SO IN A WAY, TO SAVE THEM IS TO BUILD A SURGE WALL AROUND THEM.
THE OTHER TYPE OF ISSUE WE DEAL WITH IS NEW CONSTRUCTION.
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING WITH IT AND MY PERSONAL SUGGESTION IS EVERYTHING BE BUILT ON PIERS SUBJECT TO A VARIANCE AND THE ONLY THING IS ALLOWED TO BE BELOW GRADE AND IMPERMEABLE WOULD BE 440FT², WHICH WOULD BE A SIZE OF A STANDARD GARAGE.
THE CONVERSATIONS WE CAN HAVE, BUT WHEN YOU START FILLING WHOLE LOTS LIKE WE'RE SEEING ON RIBERIA AND LIKE WE'RE SEEING ON DAVID SHORES, WE WERE NOW CREATING HUGE ISSUES PUTTING UP RETAINING WALLS, BACKFILLING THE WATER, COMING OFF THOSE PROPERTIES, NOT CONTROLLED.
IT GOES WHEREVER IT WANTS TO GO BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WATER DOES.
SO WE HAVE REALLY A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED SEPARATELY.
IS IT SURGE? RAINWATER OR CONTROLLING THE COMBINATION OF BOTH, PARTICULARLY AT A HIGH TIDE? DURING THESE CONVERSATIONS, HURRICANE, OF COURSE, IS A CONVERSATION, BUT IT'S ONE THAT DOESN'T NEED TO BE ON THE TABLE.
HURRICANES OR HURRICANES? THEY WIPE EVERYTHING OUT.
ONE SOLUTION IS NOT GOING TO FIT ALL THE PROBLEMS. EVERYTHING WE DO HAS TO BE SUBJECT TO A VARIANCE.
WHY WOULD YOU BUILD A BUILDING IN AN AREA THAT FLOODS, THAT YOU KNOW IS GOING TO BE SUBJECT TO OCEAN RISE DURING DURING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE THAT YOU CAN'T LIFT EASILY.
THE EASIEST BUILDING TO LIFT IS THE ONE THAT'S ALREADY ON A CRAWL SPACE.
THAT'S INSANE TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING MORE.
OUR LAST SPEAKER IS BJ KALAIDI.
BJ KALAIDI, WEST CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE 9B1.
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6.9329. 11 A.THE GOVERNOR VETOED A $5 MILLION REQUEST FOR THE WEST AUGUSTINE SEPTIC TO SEWER PROJECT IN THE COUNTY, WHICH IS IN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE SERVICE AREA. QUESTION WHERE WILL THIS 5 MILLION LOSS BE APPROPRIATED IN THE CITY'S BUDGET? PLEASE EXPLAIN TO THE CITY TAXPAYERS HOW THE US SUPREME COURT'S RULE IN GRANTS PASS DECISION ABOUT CAMPING.
SLEEPING IN PUBLIC PARKS AFFECTS OR DOES NOT AFFECT THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.
THIS WAS BRIEFLY MENTIONED AT A PREVIOUS COA MEETING, BUT NO DETAILS WERE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC.
ON JUNE 18TH, 2024, THE SHERIFF MET WITH CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE STAFF ABOUT HOMELESS CAMPING.
IN 2019, AN ARTICLE STATED CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE PURCHASED LAND AT 9193 COQUINA FOR A SAFE ZONE FOR HOMELESS CAMPERS AND PUBLIC PARK.
THE HOMELESS PROBLEMS AT OYSTER CREEK PARK, WHICH IS IN THE NEWLY CREATED WEST CITY CRA, CONTINUED TO CONTINUE IN SPITE OF THE EFFORTS OF THE CITY'S CHIEF OF POLICE.
IS A BAG FULL OF EMPTY BEER CANS, WHICH CONTINUED TO BE LEFT AT OYSTER CREEK PARK.
I LIKE THE WORD FENCE F E N C E.
ONCE HOPELESS, LIFE CAN CHANGE AND EVERYONE CAN BE ENCOURAGED.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I HAVE NO MORE SPEAKER CARDS, THEREFORE PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
MR. CITY MANAGER, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES, WHICH ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING ON AUGUST 12TH. ORDINANCE 2024- 24, WHICH ANNEXES NINE PARCELS OF LAND ADJACENT TO THE CAT'S PAW MARINA ON NICK'S BOATYARD ROAD.ORDINANCE 2024- 26, WHICH AMENDS THE ZONING DESIGNATION FOR THAT 10.38 ACRES OF ANNEXED PROPERTY.
WE HAVE A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS.
THE AUGUST 12TH, 5P.M., REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING, WHICH IS A BUDGET WORKSHOP.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 24TH REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE A RELEASE OF LIEN FOR MORTGAGE FOR UNIT CONNECTION FEES AT 1089 WEST 15TH STREET.
MR. JOHN MCELROY, THE THIRD, AND SANDRA BARBER.
WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR MISS JOHNNIE MAE VANCE.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY. WE HAVE THE QUARTERLY REPORT, THIRD QUARTER FOR OF THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
WE HAVE THE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT, WHICH IS A JAG APPLICATION.
WE HAVE THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE ANNUAL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS OPERATING AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS AND FINALLY, WE HAVE THE SAVANNAH SUITES AND FLORIDA CRACKER CAFE LEASE APPROVAL.
THAT ENDS THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING.
ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE.
I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, LIKE SIGN CARRIES.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[9.A.1. Ordinance 2024-27: Amends regulations relating to floodplain management. (R. Schauland, Building Official)]
OF UNDER ORDINANCES, NO PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED.THE FIRST ITEM IS ORDINANCE 2024- 27 AMENDS REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT AND THAT IS MR. SHARLAND. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M BUDDY SHAW AND THE CITY'S BUILDING OFFICIAL.
[00:15:03]
ANYTIME THAT YOU HAVE CHANGES TO THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT CODE, YOU HAVE TO SEND IT UP TO THE FEDERAL OR TO FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, SPECIFICALLY THE OFFICE OF FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO VERIFY THAT IT COMPLIES WITH THE FEMA GUIDANCE.MAKE SURE THAT WE STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEMA.
EXCUSE ME. WE DID THIS RECENTLY WHEN WE CHANGED THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS BOARD TO THE NUISANCE ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS BOARD AND THE REASON THAT WE HAD TO CHANGE THE FLOODPLAIN CODE WAS BECAUSE THAT BOARD IS DESIGNATED TO HEAR VARIANCES TO THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS.
ALSO, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SEND THAT STUFF UP TO FDM? THEN THEY GO THROUGH AND THEY SCRUB THE WHOLE CODE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IN THERE STILL COMPLIES WITH FEMA'S GUIDANCE AND FEMA LIKES TO CHANGE THEIR GUIDANCE EVERY SO OFTEN AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TONIGHT.
FEMA CHANGED ONE OF THEIR GUIDANCES.
IF YOU BEAR WITH ME, I'LL GO OVER EACH OF THESE CHANGES REAL QUICKLY.
SO THE FIRST CHANGE IS THIS IS TO REPEAL SECTION 8-117.
WHICH AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE RESIDENTIAL.
AND WE'RE APPEALING REPEALING THEM HERE AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CODE.
THE PART THAT THEY'RE IN CURRENTLY IS UNDER ARTICLE TWO, WHICH IS THE ADOPTED BUILDING CODE, AND WE'RE MOVING IT TO ARTICLE FIVE, WHICH THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ARTICLE AND SO IT'S EVERYTHING'S WITHIN THE ONE SPOT THE SECOND ONE THAT WE'RE CHANGING IS SECTION 8-4 19 SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS, SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DETERMINATIONS.
UNDER NUMBER THREE OF THAT WE'RE REMOVING SOME LANGUAGE AND THAT LANGUAGE WAS IN THERE BECAUSE PRIOR TO ADOPTING THE CURRENT ORDINANCE, WE HAD A FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT RULE, AND WE TOOK THAT OUT.
THEY USED TO BE OKAY TO GET THE MARKET VALUE BY TAKING THE COUNTY'S PROPERTY APPRAISERS, BUILDING VALUATION AND ADDING 10% TO THAT AND THAT WOULD BE THE MARKET VALUE.
WELL, THAT'S A CODIFIED NUMBER AND FEMA DOESN'T LIKE TO HAVE CODIFIED NUMBERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MARKET VALUE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE MARKET VALUE WILL FLUCTUATE DEPENDING ON WHAT'S GOING ON AND SO IT'S BEING CHANGED TO ADJUSTED TO APPROXIMATE MARKET VALUE BY A FACTOR PROVIDED BY THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER AND THEN THE FINAL ONE IS ADDING SECTION 8-4 66 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.
WE REPEALED IT BEFORE, AND THIS IS WHERE WE'RE PUTTING IT INTO THE FLOODPLAIN SECTION AND WITH THAT, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE COMMISSION MAY HAVE. ANY QUESTIONS? EXCUSE ME. ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONERS. IT'S A FIRST READING.
IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF HOUSEKEEPING TO ME.
I LIKE THE TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.
CLARIFYING THINGS A LITTLE BIT FOR OUR CITIZENS.
I DO HAVE ONE JUST FOR ME TO LEARN.
IT SAYS THAT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER WILL DO A FACTOR.
IS THAT A STANDARD? DO YOU KNOW IF HE HAS A STANDARD ONE OR DOES HE DO IT ON PER PROPERTY.
IS IT PROBABLY LOCATION? WELL, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IS WHAT FDM'S LOOKING AT.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE BY PROPERTY AND LOCATION AND IT'S SPECIFIC TO THAT PROPERTY.
THEY CAN DO ONE THAT'S A GROUP OF PROPERTIES OR AN AREA AND HAVE IT GOOD FOR LIKE THREE MONTHS.
I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE THIS AFTERNOON ABOUT THAT.
THEY GENERALLY DON'T HAVE A FACTOR, BUT THEY TOLD ME WAS THAT THEY HAVE THEY SET IT IN STONE ON JANUARY 1ST AND IT'S FOR YOUR TAXES AND THEN FROM JANUARY TO ABOUT JULY, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH AND REASSESSING EVERYBODY'S PROPERTY IN JULY.
ON JULY, AROUND JULY 1ST, THEIR WEBSITE SHOWS WHAT THE ADJUSTED RATE OR THE ADJUSTED MARKET VALUE IS, AND THEN THEY CODIFY EVERYTHING IN OCTOBER. SO IT'S NOT MORE OF A IT'S A MATTER OF MORE OF ME JUST LOOKING AT WHAT'S ON THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S WEBSITE AND THEN I CAN CONTACT THEM IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR IF I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE CHANGED AND THEN THEY'LL HELP ME OUT WITH THAT, BUT THEY'RE USUALLY PRETTY ON TOP OF WHAT THE MARKET VALUE IS.
THERE'S NO PUBLIC HEARING FOR.
[00:20:01]
I MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2024- 27 TO SECOND READING.REPEALING SECTION 8-117, AMENDING SECTIONS 8-419, AND 8-460, AND CREATING SECTION 8-466 TO CONFORM TO FLORIDA BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS AND MARKET VALUE.
PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[9.B.1. Resolution 2024-23: Proposed millage rate for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. (M. Breidenstein, Assistant City Manager)]
BREIDENSTEIN. GOOD EVENING.MEREDITH BREIDENSTEIN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2024- 23 SETS THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE'S PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AT 7.5 MILLS.
WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE ROLLBACK RATE IS 6.9329 MILLS.
THE RATE OF 7.5 MILLS REPRESENTS AN EIGHT POINT AND 8.18% INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE.
THIS RESOLUTION ALSO PUTS THE PUBLIC MEETING.
ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONERS, WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR.
THIS IS PROPOSING THE MILLAGE RATE AT 7.5, HOLDING IT STEADY AND OF COURSE, AT THE IN THE FUTURE, WE'RE CERTAINLY FREE TO REDUCE THIS.
IF YES, IT CAN BE LOWERED THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS.
THE CONVERSATION AT THE REVENUE WORKSHOP THAT WE HAD LAST WEEK WAS THE CONSENSUS TO PROPOSE IT AT 7.5 MILS, BUT YES, IT CAN BE LOWERED IF IT IS TO BE INCREASED. THERE'S A LOT MORE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS INVOLVED.
SO IT'S BEST WE'VE ALWAYS SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, WE'VE ALWAYS APPROVED THAT RATE AND THEN IF WE FEEL DIFFERENTLY ABOUT IT, WE CAN ALWAYS HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO BACK OFF.
CORRECT. SO ANY COMMENTS QUESTIONS FROM COMMISSIONERS ON THIS? NOPE. I MOVE WE APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024- 23 READ BY TITLE ONLY.
DON'T ACTUALLY READ THESE YET, BUT YOU'RE GETTING CLOSE.
WHEN I DO THOSE BUDGET THINGS AND I HAVE TO READ THE ENTIRE THING, BUT WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET.
THANK YOU. OKAY, I'LL SECOND THAT AND ANY FINAL DISCUSSION.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
EXCELLENT. SO NEXT ITEM IS ALSO A RESOLUTION TO RESOLUTION 2024-
[9.B.2. Resolution 2024-24: Grants an ad valorem tax exemption for a historic property located at 115 Bridge Street and provides an effective date. (J. Courtney, Historic Preservation Officer)]
24 AND WE HAVE JULIE COURTNEY.MAYOR, CAN WE HAVE THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR, PLEASE? I JUST HAVE ONE HANDOUT I WAS GOING TO PROJECT AND WE CAN ZOOM IN TO THAT IF WE NEED, BUT THANK YOU, MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR WHO IS ABSENT AND THE COMMISSIONERS WE WANTED TO REVIEW RESOLUTION 2024-024 ON JUNE 20TH, 2024, THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD REVIEWED PART THREE OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION APPLICATION TO CERTIFY THE COMPLETION OF REHABILITATION WORK FOR 115 BRIDGE STREET, A CONTRIBUTING BUILDING TO THE LINCOLNVILLE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT THAT WAS CONSTRUCTED AROUND 1800 AND RECORDED IN THE FLORIDA MASTER SITE FILE.
THE HARB DETERMINED THAT THE COMPLETED WORK IS GENERALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR STANDARDS FOR REHABILITATION, AND MADE THE RECOMMENDATION TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH WOULD BE YOU, THE CITY COMMISSION, AND ALSO TO SAINT JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, THAT THE REQUESTED TAX EXEMPTION BE GRANTED FOR THE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT AND REHABILITATION PROJECT INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKETS IS THE RESOLUTION TO FORMALLY APPROVE THE EXEMPTION, ALONG WITH THE REQUIRED COVENANT DOCUMENTS FROM THE THREE PART APPLICATION THAT WAS REVIEWED BY THE HARB.
[00:25:06]
AND WE HAVE PART 3.AT THE TOP AND PORTIONS OF PART ONE AND TWO THAT WERE REVIEWED BY THE HARB IN APRIL 2022, AND SOME PEOPLE ARE CURIOUS ABOUT THE AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION.
THAT SEEMS A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING, BUT IT'S SIMPLY A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE THAT PROVIDES A TEN YEAR EXEMPTION TO THE INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES THAT WOULD RESULT FROM QUALIFIED IMPROVEMENTS TO A HISTORIC BUILDING.
IT DOES NOT EXEMPT THE OWNER FROM ALL PROPERTY TAXES, ONLY THE INCREASE RESULTING FROM THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE WITH THE REHABILITATION PROJECT AND BECAUSE MANY QUALIFIED HISTORIC PROPERTY PROPERTIES ARE OUTSIDE OF OUR HP ONE THROUGH FIVE ZONING DISTRICTS THAT DO NOT HAVE TO ABIDE BY OUR ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
THIS IS TAKEN ON BY PROPERTY OWNERS WHO WANT TO HAVE THIS INCENTIVE, AND THEY MUST QUALIFY.
THE WORK DONE MUST QUALIFY AND BE CERTIFIED TO BE COMPLIANT AND COMPATIBLE WITH THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR STANDARDS, BUT IT DOES ENCOURAGE PROPERTY OWNERS TO PERFORM THESE QUALIFIED REHABILITATIONS.
SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DEFINITELY TRY TO DISCUSS WITH POTENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE CHANGES TO THEIR BUILDING, BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR.
SO WE DO HAVE INFORMATION IN YOUR PACKETS THAT YOU CAN REVIEW FURTHER AND WE HAVE THE OWNER OF 115 BRIDGE STREET, MR. JOE GRIFFIN.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIM BECAUSE WE KNOW WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT THOSE BEFORE PICTURES AT 115 BRIDGE STREET, YOU CAN SEE THE DISREPAIR.
HE BOUGHT THE BUILDING AFTER IT HAD BEEN KIND OF NEGLECTED FOR MANY YEARS AND MADE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE HISTORIC BUILDING AS WELL AS ADDING ON TO THAT BUILDING IN A VERY SENSITIVE WAY.
SO WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIM FOR THAT.
I'LL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE MAKE OUR COMMENTS? NO. ALL RIGHT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THE BUILDING LOOKS AMAZING IN THE HOUSE.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AN INCENTIVE THAT WE USE HERE IN THE CITY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PRESERVE THEIR HOMES. IT OFFSETS SOME OF THE ACTUAL CODES THAT ARE RATHER STRENUOUS ON WHAT WE DON'T LET PEOPLE DO.
SO IT'S NICE TO BE ABLE TO KIND OF BRAG ABOUT IT AND SAY THAT IT'S AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE.
IT'S NOT HUGELY USED, BUT IT'S REALLY ONLY A TEN YEAR PERIOD OF THE ABATEMENT, THE TAX ABATEMENT.
WE WISH WE COULD HAVE IT LONGER, BUT THAT IS WITH THE STATE ALLOWS US TO DO.
IT'S THE MAXIMUM THE STATE ALLOWS US TO DO SO.
WE CERTAINLY DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE THIS PROGRAM.
THAT IN MIND? I WOULD LOVE TO HOLD THE GRIFFINS ON MY SHOULDERS AND SHOUT TO THE WORLD WHAT A GREAT JOB YOU DID.
MANY OF US DO REMEMBER MANY YEARS OF THAT BUILDING BEING A MYSTERY HOUSE.
AND SO WE'RE VERY THRILLED TO SEE IT.
I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR IT YET, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FUTURE.
I WANT TO ALSO CONGRATULATE MR. VALDES FOR HIS GOOD WORK ON THE PROJECT.
I UNDERSTAND THIS IS ONE OF HIS PROJECTS AND WE GIVE HIM A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THAT, TOO.
SO IT'S SOMETHING TO BE VERY PROUD OF AND I JUST WANT TO SAY KUDOS TO STAFF FOR HAVING THE STAMINA TO GET THROUGH IT.
IT IS LABORIOUS AND IT THIS THE STANDARDS OF REHABILITATION HAVE TO BE VERY HIGH TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THIS INCENTIVE. SO LIKE I SAID, CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ALL GOING TO LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE AND BE VERY, VERY PROUD OF IN OUR COMMUNITY, HUMONGOUS EFFORT.
SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE PASS.
I WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT TO, OKAY, DID YOU WANT TO GO FIRST? I DID TOO, I WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS.
I ALSO DID A LITTLE RESEARCH WITH THE MANAGER TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTOOD IT CORRECTLY AND THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT IS THAT THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE WILL GET THE TAX BENEFIT, BUT NONE OF THE ADDITIONS.
SO EVEN THOUGH THERE'S A NICE ADDITION ONTO IT THAT WILL BE TAXED AT A REGULAR RATE.
SO IT'S NOT LIKE THE ENTIRE PROPERTY IS GOING TO GET THE TEN.
[00:30:01]
SO HE WILL BE HAPPILY CONTRIBUTING TO OUR BUDGET.WE SURE APPRECIATE IT AND I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE TIMING ON THIS.
IN LIGHT OF THE DEMOLITIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM AND SPREAD IT AS FAR AND WIDE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN WITHIN THE CITY.
SO THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THAT EXAMPLE.
ANY OTHER FINAL COMMENTS? I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS RESOLUTION 2024- 24.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I THOUGHT IT WAS 232024.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[10.A. Florida Department of State-Division of Historical Resources Grant Update. (B. Moore, General Services Group Manager)]
THE FIRST ITEM IS FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE, DIVISION OF HISTORIC RESOURCES GRANT UPDATE FROM BARBARA MOORE.ANOTHER GREAT HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT IN THE ON THE STOVE COOKING SUGAR GREEN LIGHTS ON. HERE I AM.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS BARBARA MOORE, AND I AM THE GENERAL SERVICES GROUP MANAGER.
AND I'M HERE THIS AFTERNOON TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE FIVE PROJECTS WE'RE WORKING ON, UTILIZING THE FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES.
SO IN JULY 1ST OF LAST YEAR, WE RECEIVED A LINE ITEM APPROPRIATION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF 3,620,000. THEY ARE FOR FIVE SPECIFIC PROJECTS.
WELL, THE FIRST ONE IS REPAINTING THE PENA PECK HOUSE EXTERIOR.
THE SECOND ONE IS THE NEW ROOF ON THE PENA PECK HOUSE.
THE THIRD ITEM IS REPLACING THE FLOORS AT THE VISITOR'S INFORMATION CENTER.
THE FOURTH IS REPLACING THE WINDOWS IN THIS BUILDING.
THIS PROJECT OR THIS FACILITY AS WELL, STARTING WITH THE PENA PECK HOUSE.
THE FIRST PROJECT WAS PAINTING THE EXTERIOR AND THAT PROJECT IS COMPLETE.
THE ORIGINAL BUDGET WAS 60,000.
THE WALLS IN THE GARDEN ARE PAINTED.
WE HAD THE COLORS APPROVED BY HARB, SO THAT IS COMPLETE.
THE SECOND ITEM WE'RE WORKING ON IS THE ROOF REPLACEMENT.
WE'VE SELECTED A VENDOR, WE DID A SOLICITATION, AND THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED AT 605,570 OF THAT IS USING HISTORIC GRANT.
THE OTHER PART WAS BUDGETED IN THIS FISCAL YEAR.
THE MATERIALS HAVE A PRETTY WELL LEAD TIMES COMING IN NOVEMBER.
SO WHAT WE'VE DECIDED TO DO IS DEFER THIS UNTIL FEBRUARY OF 25 DUE TO THE KNIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
SO IT'S RIGHT THERE ON SAINT GEORGE STREET.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE ABOUT A MONTH TO PUT THIS ROOF ON.
IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL COPPER HAND CRIMPED, RED PAINTED ROOF TO MATCH THE EXISTING COLOR.
WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PLAN WITH THEM IS JUST TOO SOON TO HAVE IT DONE.
SO LOOK, FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY, THAT PROJECT WILL BE STARTED ASIDE, AND I WANTED TO GIVE A QUICK NOTE ON THE WINDOWS FOR THE PENA PECK HOUSE. THIS IS NOT A GRANT FUNDED PROJECT, BUT I DO WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE.
LAST YEAR WE BUDGETED FOR HALF IN OUR CITY BUDGET.
THIS YEAR WE BUDGETED FOR THE SECOND HALF.
THIS WAS A FULL RESTORATION AND IT'S TAKEN A LONG TIME AT A COST OF 182,282, IN THE CITY'S BUDGET, BUT IT'S BEAUTIFUL. WHEN WE WERE PAINTING, MOST OF THE SHUTTERS ON THE BUILDING COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED.
[00:35:04]
I MEAN, THEY WERE JUST IN REALLY BAD SHAPE, SO I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR FACILITIES DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY COMPLETELY REBUILT JUST ABOUT EVERY SINGLE SHUTTER ON THE PROPERTY.A COUPLE OF THEM ARE STILL NEEDING TO GO BACK UP.
ALL THE REST HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
OUR FACILITIES, WE HAVE A FLEET MECHANIC WHO HAND FORGED IN IRON ALL OF THOSE SHUTTER DOGS AND CLOSURES AND THEIR BACKUP LOOKS GREAT.
WOMEN'S EXCHANGE LADIES ARE VERY HAPPY.
SO WE'RE JUST ABOUT DONE WITH THIS PROJECT.
SO YOU'LL SEE PROBABLY END OF FEBRUARY, BEGINNING OF MARCH.
EVERYTHING WILL BE DONE AT THE PECK HOUSE.
MOVING ON TO THE VISITORS INFORMATION CENTER.
THE GRANT PROJECT FOR THIS FACILITY IS REPLACING THE FLOORS.
IT IS IN THE SOLICITATION PROCESS.
SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WE'RE GOING TO SEND IT OUT FOR RE SOLICITATION.
HOPEFULLY WE GET SOME BIDDERS.
WE'LL SEE IF WE GO ANYWHERE ON THIS PROJECT.
SO WE HAVE A LINE ITEM BUDGET OF 450,941.
WE'RE HOPING TO EITHER SOLICIT OR GET A CONTRACT BEFORE THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR AND START THE RESTORE IN PLACE OF THE WINDOWS IN THE ENTIRE FACILITY.
MOVING ON TO THE WINDOW REPLACEMENT IN THIS BUILDING.
SO THIS STARTED SOMETIME IN 2004 IS MY UNDERSTANDING.
RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT 363 WINDOWS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
THEY'RE THE YELLOW ONES YOU SEE OUT AND ABOUT IN THIS FACILITY.
TO FINISH THE PROJECT IN THE SCOPE, WE NEED TO ORDER OR HAVE 315 WINDOWS LEFT.
THOSE WILL BE DONE AT A LATER DATE AND THEY WILL BE RESTORED.
SO IT'S SECOND FLOOR UP IN CITY HALL AND THE ENTIRE LIGHTNER MUSEUM.
SO WE HAVE 138 WINDOWS TO ORDER.
WE HAVE 117 WINDOWS ALREADY HERE.
60 AND THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM WILL BE REGLAZED IN PLACE.
SO WHERE WE ARE NOW IS IN THE SOLICITATION PROCESS.
I'M TRYING TO WORK WITH THE STATE AND SEE IF WE CAN'T GO AROUND THE SOLICITATION PROCESS, BECAUSE WE'VE ORDERED SO MANY WINDOWS ALREADY THAT WE CAN JUST ORDER FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. WE WILL SOLICIT THE INSTALLATION OF ALL THOSE WINDOWS AND FINALLY WATERPROOFING OF CITY HALL. SO THIS PROJECT HAS GONE THROUGH HARB.
WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE COME OUT AND LOOK AT ALL FIVE OF THESE PROJECTS.
WE'LL MOVE TO THE OTHER AND SO FORTH.
THEY'RE GOING TO PRESSURE WASH THE ENTIRE BUILDING.
NUMBER TWO, THEY'RE GOING TO COME IN AND REPAIR ALL THE TERRACOTTA THAT IS TERRACOTTA CLAY, THE SPIRES, THE DENTAL MOLDING, THE BRICK, THE TUCKPOINTING, EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE IS BROKEN.
THEY ARE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR AND RESTORE IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL.
ALL THE CRACKS YOU SEE IN THIS BUILDING.
MOST OF THE CRACKS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED INCORRECTLY.
THEY'VE BEEN REPAIRED WITH SOME TYPE OF EPOXY AND THAT'S WHY YOU CAN SEE THEM SO CLEARLY.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS ACTUALLY REMOVE THE MATERIAL THAT'S IN THE CRACKS.
WE WILL PUT A SILICONE APPROVED MATERIAL THROUGH ALL HARB THE STATE, AND DEPENDING UPON THE SIZE OF THE CRACK, WE'LL EITHER HAVE TO REMOVE WHAT'S THERE OR WE WILL HAVE TO FILL THEM ALL.
[00:40:04]
SO THE GOAL IS THEY'RE NOT AS GLARING FOR ALL OF US TO SEE.AFTER THAT IS WHEN WE FINALLY PUT ON THE WATER REPELLENT.
THAT'S A SPECIFIC PRODUCT THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
IT'S BEEN APPROVED BY HARB, AND IT'S BEEN APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
IT'S HIGHLY REGARDED, VERY WELL KNOWN.
WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO IS STOP THE WATER FROM COMING IN THIS BUILDING.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE WHAT WE'RE SEEING AT FLAGLER.
THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS GOING TO BE DONE WITH THE ON THE OUTSIDE WITH A BUCKET TRUCK.
WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO HAVE A TRUCK COME IN.
THEY'LL LOWER IT DOWN EVERY DAY, PULL IT OVER AND PARK IT.
WE SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY DISRUPTION ON THE STREETS.
WE ARE CHOOSING TO START AT THE FRONT.
WHAT WE'VE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IS A LOT OF THINGS.
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, THE SISTER CITY CELEBRATION THAT'S COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER.
HURRICANES. TROPICAL STORMS AND WEDDINGS ALL OF THOSE THINGS WERE THOUGHT ABOUT AT LENGTH.
WE'VE MET WITH THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM.
WE'VE MET WITH THE WEDDING AUTHORITY.
WE'VE MET WITH ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED TO TRY AND WORK OUT A TIMELINE TO GET THIS DONE.
OUR GRANT EXPIRES ON JUNE 30TH OF NEXT YEAR.
WE CAN PROBABLY GET AN EXTENSION, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO GET THIS PROJECT DONE, SO AFTER TALKING TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE, AFTER LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR OPTIONS I WILL MENTION WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO WITH OUR BUDGET THE ENTIRE BUILDING WITH THAT 1,350,000, WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE BACK OF THE LIGHTNER LOBBY.
THE FUNDS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF REPAIRS.
THE REPAIRS WERE WAY MORE THAN WE EXPECTED.
THE FIXING OF THE CRACKS WAY MORE THAN WE EXPECTED.
SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK IN THE FUTURE, WHETHER IT'S 25, WHETHER IT'S ANOTHER GRANT TO FINISH THE REST OF THE BUILDING, WHICH IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE ANOTHER MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS AT THIS POINT.
SO THE TIMELINE THAT WE'VE COME UP WITH IS STARTING IN THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING.
THAT'S GOING TO TAKE THE LONGEST.
IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
WE START AUGUST 1ST, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER.
WE'RE COMMITTED TO BEING OUT OF THERE BY THE END OF OCTOBER, WHETHER WE'RE DONE OR NOT.
CHRIS FITZ NEEDS TO PUT LIGHTS ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING, SO HOPEFULLY WE'RE DONE.
IF WE'RE NOT, WE'LL COME BACK AND SWING AROUND AND DO THAT AT THE VERY END.
THERE WILL BE A PLATFORM THAT WILL BE PUT ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING.
IT'LL BE THERE FOR THE FIRST MONTH AND THAT IS KEEPING ALL THE MATERIALS THAT WILL IMPACT THE CLAY.
SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP BRINGING IT UP AND DOWN.
THAT CAN BE REMOVED WITHIN A DAY IF WE HAVE A STORM COMING.
SO IT'S REALLY NICE THAT WE CAN BE MOBILE ON THIS PROJECT.
SO ONCE WE'RE DONE WITH THE FRONT, WE'LL MOVE TO THE GRANADA SIDE.
WE'LL GO TO THE GRANADA SIDE APPROXIMATELY A MONTH.
WE'LL GO TO THE CORDOVA SIDE FOR APPROXIMATELY A MONTH.
WE'LL GO TO THE BACK SIDE, WHICH IS RIGHT BY THE TWO FOUNTAINS.
WE'LL BUILD A KIND OF A CROSSOVER BECAUSE THERE'S A ROOF THERE, AND THAT WILL BE ABOUT A MONTH.
WE ARE GOING TO DO THE COURTYARD IN FEBRUARY.
IT'S THE LEAST IMPACTFUL ON WEDDINGS.
NO BRIDE WANTS THE SCAFFOLDING IN HER PICTURES.
FEBRUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH AND APRIL WILL BE SCAFFOLDING.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER? COMMISSIONERS. NO.
FANTASTIC JOB IF THIS ALL COMES OUT GREAT, BUT NO, IT'S A LOT OF COORDINATION AND A LOT OF HOMEWORK.
THANK YOU. YEAH. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I HAVE COMMENTS. OKAY.
I KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET ALL THOSE THINGS DONE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
[00:45:06]
CREATE LEAKS AND TRYING TO RUN AFTER THOSE FOR UMPTEEN YEARS.IT'S REALLY GREAT TO SEE ALL THESE THINGS GETTING FIXED.
EVEN WITH THE VIC, SHARON NEEDED THOSE FLOORS DONE BEFORE SHE LEFT AND SO IT TOOK A WHILE, BUT I'M GLAD YOU ARE ON TOP OF GETTING THE GRANT FUNDS.
SO I SALUTE YOU THAT WE ACTUALLY GET TO SEE THESE THINGS COMING TO BEING DONE.
THANK YOU. I KNOW RIGHT. IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.
SO I JUST WANT TO AGAIN THANK SPEAKER PAUL RENNER, CINDY STEVENSON AND TRAVIS HUDSON FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE ON OBTAINING THIS MONEY AND IT HAS TAKEN A LITTLE BIT LONGER THAN WE THOUGHT AND I'M SO SAD TO HEAR THAT WE'RE AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE ENTIRE BUILDING, THE WATERPROOFING.
SO WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THIS GOING.
IMPERATIVE BUILDING, TAKING THIS BUILDING, TAKING CARE OF.
SO THANK YOU, VERY GOOD PRESENTATION.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
VERY GOOD. I JUST WANT TO ADD ONE THING.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN AS WELL.
[10.B. 2024 Conservation Program-Nominated Properties Ranking Presentation. (R. Franklin, Assistant City Manager)]
THE NEXT ITEM WILL BE 10 B, WHICH IS THE 2024 CONSERVATION PROGRAM NOMINATED PROPERTIES RANKING PRESENTATION.GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
REUBEN FRANKLIN ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
THIS EVENING, WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM AND THE RANKING RESULTS.
SO ON FEBRUARY 12TH, 2024, THE CITY COMMISSION APPROVED FIRST EVER CONSERVATION PROGRAM AND ASKED CITY STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IMPLEMENTING IT.
SO WE OPENED UP THE APPLICATION PERIOD.
THE FIRST APPLICATION PERIOD RAN THROUGH MAY 31ST.
WE DID RECEIVE TWO APPLICATIONS.
NOMINATING PROPERTIES FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE.
ONCE THOSE CAME IN WE DID HOLD A PUBLICLY NOTICED STAFF COMMITTEE MEETING ON JUNE 17TH WHERE STAFF MET AND RANKED THE PROPERTIES WITH THE PRE-APPROVED DECISION MATRIX AND WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO TODAY IS INTRODUCE THOSE PROPERTIES FOR THE COMMISSION'S CONSIDERATION.
WE HAD TWO PROPERTIES ONE WE REFERRED TO AS THE SARBANES DESMOND PROPERTY AND ON THE CORNER OF EVERGREEN AVENUE AND SMITH STREET. IT TOTALS ABOUT 2.47 ACRES AND THE OTHER PROPERTY IS THE FRIEDMAN PROPERTY, AND THAT'S AT ZERO CHRISTOPHER STREET AND IT'S JUST UNDER ONE ACRE AT 0.96 ACRES.
LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET THIS SLIDESHOW GOING.
HERE WE GO. [INAUDIBLE], AND I ALSO HAVE MR. MILLER HERE FOR ANY TECHNICAL QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROPERTIES, BUT WE'LL GO THROUGH THE PROPERTY SUMMARIES, HOW THE PROPERTIES WERE RANKED, AND DISCUSSION.
WE ALSO PROVIDED WE DIDN'T HAVE IT IN THE PACKET, BUT WE PROVIDED THE COMPOSITE SCORING FOR BOTH PROPERTIES AND WE ALSO INCLUDED THEM AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION HERE SO THE PUBLIC CAN VIEW THEM AS WELL.
THE FIRST PROPERTY, THE FREDMAN.
THIS IS ZERO CHRISTOPHER STREET.
SO IT'S LOCATED IN THE OYSTER CREEK AREA.
ON THE CORNER OF SYDNEY AND CHRISTOPHER STREET AND IT'S A LITTLE LESS THAN ONE ACRE.
IT'S COMPOSITE SCORE WAS 29.5 AND WAS RANKED SECOND OF THE TWO PROPERTIES.
[00:50:02]
ONE INTERESTING THING WITH THIS IS IT'S ACTUALLY, A DRAINAGE CONVEYANCE.CONVEYANCE DITCH RUNS RIGHT THROUGH THE PROPERTY THAT THE CITY.
IT DRAINS A GOOD AMOUNT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, KIND OF TO THE SOUTH WEST OF THE AREA.
HERE'S A COUPLE OF PHOTOS OF THE PROPERTY AND THEN NEXT TO THE 7 IS DESME PROPERTY.
A COUPLE OF PHOTOS FROM THIS PROPERTY AND SO RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE CURRENTLY APPRAISALS UNDERWAY FOR BOTH PROPERTIES.
WE'RE THINKING THAT THE SO THIS DESME PROPERTY RANKED HIGH AT THE HIGHEST WITH A COMPOSITE SCORE OF 49.6 AND THAT'S WHAT I'M SHOWING NOW AND THEN THE FREDMAN PROPERTY RANKED LOWER.
IT'S A SMALLER PROPERTY, BUT WE DID FIND VALUE BECAUSE OF THE STORM WATER ASPECT OF WHAT IT'S CONTRIBUTING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH DRAINAGE AS WELL. SO THAT HAD A COMPOSITE SCORE OF 29.5 AND WITH THAT I SAID THE APPRAISALS ARE UNDERWAY.
WE THINK THAT THE SOBENESDESME PROPERTIES IN THE RANGE OF AROUND 150,000 $850,000 TO $900,000 SOMEWHERE IN THAT RANGE AND THE FREDMAN PROPERTIES PROBABLY 150 TO $180,000.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF THE PROPERTIES AND LOOKING FOR SOME GUIDANCE THIS WILL PROBABLY BE HELPFUL, BUT THE CURRENT BALANCE OF THE CONSERVATION FUND RIGHT NOW IS $449,942.
WE'D HAVE $1,327,742 BACK INTO THE FUND IF THE COMMISSION CHOSE TO DO THAT.
EXCELLENT. SO THE NEXT THING WE'LL HEAR FROM YOU ON THIS, MICHAEL, MY QUESTION IS THE NEXT THING WE'LL HEAR FROM YOU ON THIS WILL BE WHAT THE ACTUAL NUMBERS COME BACK ON THE APPRAISALS AND YOU'LL ASK US TO MAKE A DECISION OR TO PROCEED TO BEGIN PURCHASE OR NOT.
YES. SO TRADITIONALLY WE PURCHASE PROPERTY THROUGH RESOLUTION.
SO WE'LL COME BACK WITH THE FINAL APPRAISAL OF THE PROPERTIES.
THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THIS PROGRAM.
SO WE'RE STILL WORKING OUT THE PROCESS OF OF PRESENTING TO YOU AND HOW THE STEPS WORK AND WE'RE INTERESTED IN GETTING YOUR FEEDBACK AT THIS POINT TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE WE SHOULD BE PROVIDING TO YOU AND REALLY JUST INTRODUCING THIS TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL.
THIS IS EXCITING TO SAY THE LEAST.
I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN IT FEELS LIKE THIS HAS BEEN PRETTY.
IT'S MOVED ALONG REALLY QUICKLY AND REALLY WELL, REALLY EFFECTIVELY AND IT'S JUST EXCITING TO SEE THIS WHOLE PROGRAM COME TOGETHER, I WONDER IF TWO THINGS.
ONE IS IF WE DON'T SPEND ALL THE MONEY THAT WE BUDGETED THE $2 MILLION MUCH AS THE COUNTY IS GOING TOWARD $2 MILLION FOR THEIR LAMP FUND, WE'RE ALREADY THERE AND IF WE DON'T SPEND THAT ENTIRE $2 MILLION IN THIS BUDGET YEAR, CAN WE ROLL IT OVER TO THE NEXT YEAR FOR THE ANSWER IS YES.
OKAY, GREAT AND I ALSO WANTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANOTHER FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE LOWER RANKING PROPERTY. THE ANSWER TO THAT IS POTENTIALLY.
OKAY. WE BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE THIS PROPERTY HAS DEBT, STORM WATER CONVEYANCE ON IT, THAT DRAINAGE DITCH, IT IS POTENTIALLY WE COULD POTENTIALLY USE OUR UTILITY FUNDS TO PURCHASE THAT PROPERTY, AND THAT MAY BE A BETTER FIT BECAUSE OF THE
[00:55:06]
LOW RANKING OF THAT SITE.BECAUSE. BECAUSE IT IS QUITE A BIT LOWER RANKED AND WE IF WE GET MAKE THAT SORT OF A PRECEDENT THAT I DON'T REALLY WANT TO ESTABLISH. SO IF THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER FUNDING SOURCE, I'D LIKE TO EXPLORE THAT, BECAUSE THAT DRAINAGE DITCH IS IMPORTANT TO THAT AREA.
FOR SURE IT IS AND WE HAVE AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE PURCHASED PROPERTY IN THE PAST FOR TO RELIEVE FLOODING AND DRAINAGE PROBLEMS, AND ALSO TO PROVIDE OPEN SPACE FOR NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE DID THAT ON SEMINOLE DRIVE IN NORTH CITY.
WE DID THAT IN ON COQUINA AVENUE ON SOUTH DAVIS SHORES AND SO PURCHASING THIS PROPERTY WITH THE DUAL PURPOSE OF SAFEGUARDING OUR UTILITY DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND PROVIDING OPEN SPACE FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH PURCHASES WE'VE MADE IN THE PAST.
OKAY, GREAT. WELL, I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME YOU ALL COME BACK AND WE CAN MAKE A DECISION.
I'M LIKE THE KID WHO'S MOVING TO SAINT AUGUSTINE, AND THERE'S ONLY ONE HOUSE FOR SALE.
SO HOW ARE WE PLAYING THIS GAME? BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE WE HAVE ANOTHER APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN, RIGHT? WE HAVE ONE OPEN NOW.
WE WILL OPEN WE'LL NOTICE IT AND OPEN IT IN THE FUTURE SOMETIME PROBABLY IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.
SO WE MAY GET TEN PROPERTIES AT THAT TIME.
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PLAYING THE GAME.
RIGHT. ARE WE STILL TALKING TO LANDOWNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE A PROCESS THAT MAY TAKE SOME TIME? YES, WE ARE OKAY, BUT THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.
I THINK WHERE YOU'RE GOING IS WE SHOULD HAVE A SCHEDULE AND MORE CERTAINTY IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN APPLY WHENEVER THEY WISH, BUT MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE A CALENDAR THAT SHOWS SPECIFICALLY WHEN WE BRING THESE RANKINGS TO THE COMMISSION, RIGHT? SO THERE'S NO ANTICIPATION THAT IF THEY BRING IT IN JULY, IN AUGUST, THEY'RE GOING TO GET BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION.
IT MAY BE IN NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER.
LET ME WORK ON THAT WITH STAFF AND COME UP WITH A TIGHTER CALENDAR FOR THESE RANKINGS.
THANKS. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE ONE COMMENT ABOUT THE ZERO CHRISTOPHER STREET, AND I'M GLAD THAT THERE IS ANOTHER RESOURCE THAT WE CAN USE FOR THAT, BUT THERE IS A CITY GATE.
THAT PROPERTY IS ALMOST ADJACENT TO A BACK WAY TO GET INTO THE CITY YARD.
SO THAT'S THAT WOULD BE A GOOD RESOURCE TO HAVE IN OUR MIDST BECAUSE OF THE CLOSENESS, THE ADDITION FOR THE GREEN SPACE THAT IT PROVIDE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE SO MUCH GREEN SPACE THAT THE CITY OWNS.
SO THANK YOU. YEAH, IT IS A STRATEGIC PROPERTY FROM A STORMWATER PERSPECTIVE AS WELL.
GAINING ACCESS TO THE DITCH THAT RUNS ALONG FLEET MAINTENANCE AREA AND THE CITY'S COMPOUND THERE AND YEARS AGO, WE DID THE STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS ON SYDNEY STREET.
SO IF WE CAN UTILIZE THE STORMWATER FUND OR THE UTILITY FUND TO PURCHASE IT, THAT MIGHT MAKE MORE SENSE BECAUSE THAT AREA CURRENTLY DOESN'T HAVE ANY FLOODING AND WE DON'T WANT TO START NONE. THANK YOU.
MY ONLY COMMENT WOULD BE JUST LOOKING AT THE SCORES, AND WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO COMPARE THIS AGAINST BECAUSE THIS IS A BEGINNING, BUT I'M A LOT MORE SATISFIED WITH SCORE 49 THAN I AM WITH THE 29.
THAT'S JUST IT DOESN'T REALLY SHOW ME MUCH.
SO I'M JUST LOOKING AT THE SCORES, AND I KNOW THERE'S OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, BUT THE GRID DOESN'T REALLY ALLOW US TO JUDGE FOR CONTIGUOUS PROPERTIES, YOU KNOW? MAYBE THAT'S A SUGGESTION THAT WE WOULD MAKE, YOU KNOW, IS IT CONTIGUOUS TO I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING IN THERE.
IS IT CONTIGUOUS TO OTHER PURCHASE PROPERTY, BUT MAYBE TO, YOU KNOW, PUBLICLY OWNED PROPERTY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? I DON'T KNOW, BUT I'M NOT SUPERLY EXCITED ABOUT A SCORE OF 29.
[01:00:06]
A BOTTOM NUMBER, YOU KNOW ANYTHING BELOW BECAUSE THESE WE'RE FEELING WELL RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THIS MONEY YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.APPRECIATE IT. GREAT JOB OKAY.
[10.C. Building for Flood Prevention Citizen Group. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
10 C BUILDING FOR FLOOD PREVENTION.CITIZEN GROUP BUILDING FOR FLOOD PREVENTION.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS AMY SKINNER.
THE BOARD DISCUSSED THE DIFFICULT NATURE OF MANY RECENT APPLICATIONS RELATED TO RAISING BULKHEADS, BUILDING RETAINING WALLS, BRINGING IN FILL, AND SUBSEQUENT BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION IN LOW LYING AREAS.
THESE CONCERNS WERE RAISED SPECIFICALLY FOR DEVELOPMENT ON ANASTASIA ISLAND SOUTH DAVIS SHORES, FOR EXAMPLE, BUT THE CONCERNS COULD BE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS FOR OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY.
THE DIFFICULT NATURE OF THE SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS TO THE PCB IS THAT THESE APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, WITHOUT SPECIFIC CRITERIA. STAFF HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD TO PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH INFORMATION, CONTEXT, AND EVALUATION CRITERIA TO REVIEW THESE TYPES OF APPLICATIONS.
BY CONSENSUS, THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD REQUESTED THAT STAFF APPROACH THE CITY COMMISSION TO CONSIDER FORMING A CITIZEN GROUP OR COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT POTENTIALLY CREATING AN OVERLAY AREA OR AREAS TO ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE BUILDING FOR FLOOD PREVENTION.
AS YOU KNOW, THE CITY RECENTLY CONVENED A BUILDING CODE TASK FORCE THAT DID RECOMMEND A 70% IMPERVIOUS SURFACE RATIO, WHICH IS NOW IN PLACE FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES.
THE TASK FORCE DID NOT RECOMMEND ANY SPECIFIC FORMS OF CONSTRUCTION OR CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES, OR RECOMMEND ANY LIMITS OR ON OR PARAMETERS FOR PLACING FILL ON PROPERTIES.
THIS INCLUDES WORKING WITH A CONSULTANT, WSP, ON A RESILIENT SHORELINE ORDINANCE TO POTENTIALLY ESTABLISH A BULKHEAD HEIGHT AND POTENTIAL HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AND SHORELINE IMPACT OR CONSTRUCTION CRITERIA BASED ON THE EXISTING CONDITION OF THE SHORELINE.
ALTERED SHORELINE OR AN ARMORED SHORELINE WITH A BULKHEAD.
IF THE CITY COMMISSION OPTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CITY WITH THIS PROJECT, THE CITY WOULD ENGAGE A CONSULTANT TO ASSIST THE PROCESS WITH THE PROCESS AND TO DEVELOP SUGGESTED RULES, REGULATIONS, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE CRITERIA TO AMEND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS THAT WERE OUTLINED IN YOUR STAFF MEMORANDUM.
MISS DUNN, CAN I SEE THE OVERHEAD, PLEASE? OUR NEW SENIOR PLANNER DOES HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND, AND WE'VE STARTED TO WORK WITH THIS KIND OF RANKING SYSTEM WHERE WE'VE LOOKED AT THE ACTUAL APPLICATION THAT WAS SUBMITTED.
WE LOOK AT THE TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION AND THE SHORELINE IMPACTS.
WE LOOK TO SEE IF THE CONSTRUCTION IS ON PILINGS, ON GRADE, ON STEM WALL, IF IT'S BEEN FILLED, FOR EXAMPLE, AND WE HAVE A RANKING SYSTEM, AND THEN ALSO WE LOOK AT THE SHORELINE, WHETHER IT IS A NATURAL SHORELINE HAS EXISTING RIPRAP BULKHEAD AND WHAT THE HEIGHT OF THE BULKHEADS. AND THEN WE'VE STARTED TO LOOK AT ADJACENT PROPERTIES.
[01:05:03]
EXCUSE ME. ADJACENT PROPERTIES ON EACH SIDE OF THE ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, SUBJECT PROPERTY FOR THE APPLICATION SO THAT WE CAN LOOK AT KIND OF CRITERIA TO TRY TO SEE WHAT'S ADJACENT TO THESE PROPERTIES.THIS IS ALSO A WORK IN PROGRESS.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE REALIZING THAT WITH THESE STORMS THAT WE'VE HAD, YOU KNOW, MORE PEOPLE ARE CONSIDERING OPTIONS OF WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR PROPERTIES AND SO WE ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD WORK THROUGH SOME CRITERIA THAT THEY CAN THEY CAN LOOK AT AND I DON'T KNOW, FOR YOUR INFORMATION WE DO HAVE SOME INFORMATION ON THE STORM SURGE HEIGHTS FOR THE VARIOUS STORMS THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED IN THE RECENT PAST.
THESE ARE JUST SOME EXAMPLES OF SOME LOCATIONS WHERE WE DO HAVE DATA.
YOU KNOW, I THINK MATTHEW SHOCKED US ALL AND THEN AS WE'VE AS UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE EXPERIENCED MORE STORMS, WE DO HAVE MORE DATA WHERE WE CAN SEE THAT SOME OF THESE STORMS THE STORM SURGE RANGES FROM ROUGHLY FIVE FEET TO, YOU KNOW, SEVEN FEET STORM SURGE.
SO THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD HAS HAD A DIFFICULT TASK.
THE WHAT WAS BROUGHT UP AT THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD, EXCUSE ME, WAS YOU KNOW, AN INTEREST IN FORMING A CITIZEN GROUP OR COMMITTEE TO WORK WITH THEIR CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP CRITERIA THAT WE CAN LOOK AT IN TERMS OF THESE APPLICATIONS.
THE THEY WERE ALSO INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING POSSIBLY AN OVERLAY OR, AND, OR KIND OF REVISITING THE ISSUE OF CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES.
THEY HAVE DONE THAT REGULARLY IN THE RECENT PAST WHERE WE HAVE HAD, YOU KNOW, MANY WORKSHOPS ON DIFFERENT SUBJECTS TO HELP US KIND OF MOVE FORWARD. THEY WOULD BE MAKING ANY CODE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COMMISSION ANYWAY.
SO I THINK IT WOULD BE A BENEFIT TO THEM TO HAVE WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS AND UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WERE MAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS. THEY ARE THEY WOULD.
ANY QUESTIONS? MISS SKINNER, BEFORE WE BEGIN DISCUSSION.
COULD YOU DISTILL WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THE PCB TO BRING THIS FORWARD? IS IT PRETTY MUCH WHAT FORMER COMMISSIONER VALDES WAS TALKING ABOUT THE FILL ON THE ENTIRE LOT.
I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF THINGS AS WE'VE EXPERIENCED THESE STORMS. WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECTS THAT IMPACT OUR CONSERVATION ZONES, WHETHER IT'S ON NORTH SAINT AUGUSTINE BOULEVARD, WHERE PEOPLE ARE TAKING A FIVE FOOT EXISTING BULKHEAD AND WANTING TO ADD 2FT OR 3FT TO AN EXISTING BULKHEAD, OR IN OTHER LOW LYING AREAS LIKE ON COQUINA, FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE THERE MAY BE REMNANTS OF A BULKHEAD THAT IS VERY LOW AND THAT THEY WANT TO ACTUALLY BUILD FIVE TO AN EIGHT FOOT BULKHEAD WITH YOU KNOW, ADJACENT WALLS THAT ARE BASICALLY RETAINING WALLS THAT ARE BRINGING IN FILL.
IT'S A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPLORING AND WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS REALLY SCATTERED KIND OF THROUGHOUT THE DAVIS SHORES AREA AND ALSO IN PELICAN REEF.
PEOPLE ARE PROPOSING TO BUILD SEAWALLS AS WELL AS RETAINING WALLS THAT WILL HOLD, FILL.
SO IT'S NOT JUST WATERFRONT PROPERTY, IT'S OTHER PROPERTIES.
BECAUSE I'VE NOTICED SOME ACTIVITIES LIKE THAT IN I LIVE IN DAVIS SHORES AND THAT'S CORRECT AND AS REFERENCED EARLIER ON RIBERIA STREET, WE ARE SEEING REALLY THROUGHOUT THE CITY, THE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE LOW LYING AREAS AND PEOPLE JUST WANT TO GET LIFTED UP OUT OF THE FLOOD ZONE AND RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T REQUIRE A CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES SO THEY CAN BRING IN FILL AND BUILD UP AND JUST
[01:10:05]
IS REALLY A A CONCERN FOR PROTECTING THEIR INVESTMENT, AS WE'VE ALSO SEEN HOUSES BEING LIFTED.BUT THERE ARE IT'S MAINLY A CONCERN FOR BULKHEADS AND THE FILL AND THE FILL CAUSES ADJACENT PROPERTIES TO PERHAPS EXPERIENCE MORE WATER.
I'M NOT AN ENGINEER, BUT IF YOU TALK TO ENGINEERS OR FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS, IMPACTS ON THE FLOODPLAIN ARE ARE MINIMAL BECAUSE THE FLOODPLAIN IS A LARGE AREA AND THEY SAY IF YOU SPREAD OUT, YOU KNOW, AN INCH OF WATER ACROSS A LARGE AREA, IT ACTUALLY IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT YOU, BUT THEN YOU KNOW THE REALITY WHEN YOU'RE DEALING ON A LOT BY LOT BASIS, HOW DOES HOW IS IT GOING TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE WATER? AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A HALF AN INCH, YOU KNOW, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, GETTING IN YOUR BACK DOOR, IT, YOU KNOW, IT MEANS SOMETHING TO PEOPLE INDIVIDUALLY AND IT'S A DIFFICULT SITUATION.
WE'VE SEEN THAT GAME OF INCHES OR EVEN MILLIMETERS AT OUR OWN HOUSE.
YES. YOU KNOW ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? BECAUSE I HAVE A COUPLE COMMENTS.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE JUST HEARD A DISCUSSION WE JUST TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IN OUR WORKSHOP IN OUR AGENCY MEETING, OUR CRA AGENCY MEETING, WE TALKED ABOUT ADUS AND ALLOWING MORE DENSITY AND DO AGE IN PLACE AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND IF WE'RE TALKING WE'RE THOSE ARE IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS AND I AGREE WITH THEM.
BUT THAT'S ALSO AN IMPACT TO THE FLOODPLAIN.
SO FIRST OFF, LISTENING TO THE DISCUSSION, I THINK IT'S NEEDED.
I THINK COMMISSIONER VALDES MADE A GREAT EFFORT IN MOVING US FORWARD, BUT I THINK THE PROGRESS NEEDS TO CONTINUE AND I KNOW THAT HE INTENDED TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS, BUT THAT OLD CLOCK KEEPS TICKING.
SO, BUT I DO SUPPORT THE IDEA OF VERY MUCH SUPPORT THE IDEA OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE CONCEPTS.
YOU KNOW, LIKE MORE LIKE A PURELY DEMOCRATIC SCENARIO, YOU KNOW, NOT A WE ARE PRESENTING TO THE PUBLIC AND COME TO THE PODIUM THING LIKE A REAL LET'S SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE AND LET'S ALL TALK THROUGH THIS AND EVERYONE HAS AN EQUAL SAY.
SO THAT AND MAYBE THEY WOULD CHOOSE TO DO IT WITH HARB.
THEY ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE THE MOST EXPERTISE.
MORE THAN MY MINE, MORE THAN PROBABLY A LOT OF OURS.
MAYBE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT OPTION TWO, RIGHT? I'M TALKING ABOUT OPTION TWO.
YES. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT A TASK FORCE, SO TO SPEAK.
ALTHOUGH THAT'S THE ONLY OPTION THAT I WOULD FAVOR IF WE WENT IN THAT DIRECTION, BECAUSE IT WOULD DISSOLVE AFTER IT'S ACHIEVED ITS GOAL, WHICH I ASSUME WE HAVE SET GOALS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
OKAY, BUT THAT WOULD BE I'M OPEN, BUT THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE MOVING FORWARD.
OPTION TWO AND PARTLY BECAUSE YOU JUST DO IT TWICE, THE COMMITTEE WOULD MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
THEN THEY WOULD TAKE IT TO THE PCB, AND THEN THOSE EXPERTS WOULD WANT TO TWEAK IT AND WHY NOT LET THEM ALL IN THE SAME ROOM? AND I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF HORROR BEING IN THE ROOM.
THEY BRING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAN PCB AND THAT'S ANOTHER STORY.
DURING THE SURGE, THE HOUSES NEXT DOOR WERE WASHED AWAY.
THE WATER WENT AROUND THE BULKHEAD AND WASHED OUR HOUSE AWAY.
IT'S GONE. SO THE BULKHEADS DON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
LIKE LIKE MR. VALDES SAID. IN THE HURRICANES, WE'RE NOT.
WE CAN'T PLAN FOR THOSE HURRICANES LIKE THAT.
IT'S JUST, I MEAN, IT'S GOING TO BE TEN FEET PRETTY SOON AND WE'LL JUST KEEP BUILDING HIGHER.
SO I'M REALLY GOING BACK TO THE TOPIC OPTION TWO WOULD BE SOMETHING I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF.
I LIKE OPTION TWO ALSO, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT PEOPLE DO NOT COME OUT FOR THINGS I KNOW WHEN THEY HAD THE BRUBAKERS THE RESILIENT WORKSHOP DOWN AT THE GALLIMORE CENTER.
I MADE IT MY BUSINESS TO GO TO THAT, AND THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF PUBLIC PEOPLE THERE.
[01:15:04]
SO WE GOT TO REALLY TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO COME OUT SO THEY CAN HEAR ABOUT THIS AND WHAT THE REPERCUSSIONS CAN HAPPEN IF PEOPLE KEEP BUILDING THAT WAY. I'M SURE THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE LOWER HOUSES HAVE AN INTEREST AND THE ONES THAT ARE BUILDING THE HOUSE IS TRYING TO PREVENT HAVING ANY ISSUES.SO WE'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO GET WITH MELISSA, SOMEONE TO REALLY MARKET THAT.
WE'RE TRYING TO DO THIS AND THE STEPS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE.
WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE AND ADVERTISING SO EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON, WHAT PLANNING AND ZONING IS TRYING TO DO TO HELP THEM AND RECONSTRUCT HOW THESE HOUSES ARE BUILT.
SO IT'D BE BENEFICIAL TO EVERY CITY RESIDENT.
THANK YOU. I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT I'M MORE INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OPTION TWO.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST IF YOU HADN'T ALREADY PLANNED TO DO THIS, THAT THE CONSULTANT WSP WHO'S WORKING ON THE RESILIENT SHORELINE ORDINANCE PROPOSAL, THAT THEY BE A PART OF THIS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT FINISHED WITH THEIR WORK, BUT THEY HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXPERTISE. STAFF HAS A LOT OF EXPERTISE.
I THINK GETTING ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THE BEST EXPERTISE INTO THE ROOM TO WORKSHOP WOULD BE IDEAL, AND THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IF THAT'S POSSIBLE. THANK YOU.
SO IN OTHER WORDS TO FACILITATE THE DISCUSSION.
WELL, TO NOT ONLY FACILITATE BUT ALSO TO KIND OF STEER IT INTO LIKE WHAT THEY'RE ALREADY HOW WHAT HOWEVER FAR THEY ARE ALONG IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING THIS PROPOSAL TO US.
IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, I THINK.
SO I THINK THEY COULD BRING SOME INFORMATION TO THE TABLE.
YES, I AGREE, AND THAT WAS ON MY LIST TOO.
WHAT KIND OF RESOURCES WOULD THEY NEED TO FACILITATE AND STAY ON TRACK AND FOCUS? BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC, IT'S YOU NEED THAT KIND OF OUTSIDE PERSON TO FOCUS, BUT I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA, AND I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE THEM ALL THE RESOURCES THAT THEY WOULD REQUIRE TO WORK EFFECTIVELY.
WE'RE HOPING TO RECEIVE A MORE REFINED DRAFT OF THEIR ORDINANCE IN AUGUST.
THAT'S GOOD TIMING. ALL RIGHT.
SO WOULD ANYONE CARE TO MAKE A MOTION? NO. JUST WE THINK OPTION TWO IS THE BEST OPTION MOVING FORWARD.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
THANK YOU. NO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ALL RIGHT. TRIED TO MAKE THAT TOO COMPLICATED.
ALL RIGHT. ITEM 10 D, THE ABBOT TRACT NATIONAL REGISTERED HISTORIC DISTRICT NOMINATION UPDATE.
[10.D. Abbot Tract National Register Historic District nomination update. (J. Courtney, Historic Preservation Officer)]
THANK YOU AGAIN, MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.AS STATED IN MY MEMO FOR THIS PACKET, THERE ARE SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES WITHIN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE OVER THE YEARS AS HISTORIC DISTRICTS, AND THEY ARE INDICATED ON THIS MAP THAT'S PROJECTED FOR YOU.
ONE OF THESE DISTRICTS THAT [INAUDIBLE] WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED IN 1983, AND THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ENCOMPASSES ALL OR PART OF 17 CITY BLOCKS AND IS OFTEN REFERRED TO NORTH CITY AND IS GENERALLY BOUNDED BY THE CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS FEDERAL PROPERTY TO THE SOUTH, HOSPITAL CREEK AND MATANZAS RIVER ON THE EAST, AND SAN MARCO AVENUE ON THE WEST.
ONE PRIMARY REASON TO UPDATE THE ABSTRACT NOMINATION IS TO REFLECT WHAT IS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CURRENTLY WITH THE BUILDINGS THAT ARE THERE. WITH THIS UPDATE, THE BOUNDARY REMAINS UNCHANGED FROM THE 1983 NOMINATION.
HOWEVER, THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE HAS BEEN AMENDED FROM 1838 TO 1930 TO INCLUDE A BUILDING THAT THEY DID MORE RESEARCH ON, AND FOUND THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY CONSTRUCTED IN 1935.
[01:20:02]
SO THE END DATE FOR THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANCE IS 1838 TO 1935.THE DISTRICT'S SIGNIFICANCE UNDER CRITERION C FOR ARCHITECTURE ARE MAINTAINED, AS WELL AS ITS SIGNIFICANCE UNDER CRITERION A FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
THEY ADDED CRITERION B FOR THE ASSOCIATION WITH LUCY ABBOTT, AND THIS CRITERIA FOCUSES ON THE LIFE OF AN IMPORTANT PERSON, SO THAT WAS ADDED WITH THIS UPDATE.
WHILE THE ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE HAS NOT BEEN DIMINISHED, SOME OF THE RESOURCES HAVE BEEN RECLASSIFIED STYLISTICALLY AND THE RESOURCES WITHIN THE DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED.
THE 1983 NOMINATION INCLUDED 13 OR 19% OF NONCONTRIBUTING STRUCTURES AND 124 OR 91% CONTRIBUTING RESOURCES IN 1983 AND THIS UPDATE, 65 STRUCTURES, OR 33% OF THE RESOURCES, ARE NONCONTRIBUTING AND 122 BUILDINGS, OR 67% ARE NOW CONTRIBUTING.
THE ADDITION OF PROPERTIES IS NOT REALLY BECAUSE WE HAD A HUGE INFLUX OF NEW BUILDINGS.
IT IS BECAUSE THE NEW GUIDELINES FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE REQUIRED THE DOCUMENTATION AND CONTRIBUTING STATUS OF AUXILIARY STRUCTURES, INCLUDING DETACHED SHEDS AND GARAGES.
ALTHOUGH THE ATTACHED ABSTRACT UPDATE WAS REVIEWED BY THE HARB AT THEIR JUNE 20TH PUBLIC MEETING IT IS NOW AVAILABLE TO YOU AS CITY COMMISSIONERS AND THE PUBLIC TO HAVE THEIR FEEDBACK OFFERED AND RECORDED AND WE WILL PASS THAT ALONG TO THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF HISTORIC RESOURCES.
THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE THAT THE REVIEW BOARD FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA WILL BE HEARING THIS UPDATE PROPOSAL AND THAT MEETING IS SCHEDULED AUGUST 8TH.
SO YOU DID RECEIVE IN YOUR PACKETS SOME INFORMATION ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER PROCESS.
YOU RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM OUR STATE'S DIVISION OF HISTORIC RESOURCES THAT WERE THAT WAS SENT TO BOTH THE MAYOR AND MYSELF AND THE ABSTRACT NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT UPDATE AND THE NEW MAPS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
SO I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. QUESTIONS? COMMENTS. AGAIN GREAT WORK.
IT'S GOOD TO UPDATE THESE DISTRICTS.
DO YOU NEED ANY ACTION FROM US? NOT REALLY. IF THERE WAS ANY COMMENTS THAT YOU HAD THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE SHARED OR ANY EDITS OR LIKE ANYTHING THAT YOU FELT WAS NOT INCLUDED, ANY FEEDBACK WILL BE PASSED ALONG TO THE STATE.
WOULD IT BE HELPFUL IF THIS BOARD WERE TO MAKE A FORMAL STATEMENT ABOUT OUR SUPPORT? THAT WOULD BE GREAT. OKAY.
WE'LL WRITE A LETTER ON THE COMMISSION'S BEHALF, AND TO SUPPORT IT, AND UNFORTUNATELY, I WILL BE TRAVELING ON THE EIGHTH SO I WON'T BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
OKAY. IT'S A VIRTUAL MEETING, AND I PLAN TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY OUR CONSULTANTS AS WELL.
ALL RIGHT, THEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I KNOW WE'LL BE VERY WELL REPRESENTED.
OKAY, SO THE ACTION ITEM OUT OF THAT IS THAT WE'LL HAVE A LETTER OF SUPPORT OR.
YEAH, THERE'S NO TIME TO DO A RESOLUTION, SO.
[10.E. Mid-Year Update for 100th Anniversary Celebration of Sister City Relationship with Avilés, Spain. (M. Wissel, Communications Director)]
SPAIN. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.MELISSA WISSEL, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AND 100TH ANNIVERSARY PLANNER.
THE MEMO THAT I ATTACHED FOR THIS, I DON'T I DON'T HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR IT.
[01:25:02]
IT'S MORE OF JUST A DISCUSSION AND ALSO TO DOCUMENT FOR OUR PUBLIC RECORD WHAT WE HAVE SCHEDULED ON OUR END, BUT ALSO TO SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND ANYONE WHO'S INTERESTED, THE LEVEL OF PLANNING AND IMPORTANCE THAT AVILES IS PUTTING ON THIS CELEBRATION IN SPAIN.WE WILL BE TRAVELING WITH A TOTAL OF 19 PEOPLE.
WE WILL BE TAKING MAYOR SIKES-KLINE AND I WILL BE GOING WITH MARIA LOPES.
SHE ATTENDED THE VISITATION WITH US IN APRIL AS WELL, AND SHE'S FROM THE REGION OF ASTURIAS.
WE WILL BE TAKING WITH US PAUL WEAVER, WHO MANY OF YOU KNOW IN OUR COMMUNITY.
HE'S A HISTORIAN, AND WE'VE INVITED HIM TO ATTEND WITH US TO DOCUMENT THE VISIT WHEN WE GO TO SPAIN, AS WELL AS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES HERE IN SEPTEMBER.
WE FELT THAT THIS LEVEL OF CELEBRATION AND HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF 100 YEARS WAS WORTH MORE THAN SOME FACEBOOK POSTS AND SOME CANDID SHOTS ON INSTAGRAM.
HE IS THE CHAIR OF THEIR PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF THE SISTER CITIES ORGANIZATION.
CHARLIE ROBLES WILL ALSO BE REPRESENTING THE VCB.
ISABEL RODRIGUEZ AND SCOTT MAYNARD WILL BE REPRESENTING THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
LAURA STEVENSON DUMAS IS REPRESENTING FLAGLER COLLEGE.
WE'RE ALSO TAKING WITH US FATHER JOHN TETLOW.
HE IS THE RECTOR AT THE CATHEDRAL.
SHE APPLIED TO REPRESENT THE CITY IN A CULTURAL EXCHANGE ASPECT OF OF THIS EXCHANGE WHEN WE GO TO SPAIN. TO BE CLEAR, I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M ARTICULATING CLEARLY WHEN I SAY THEY'RE TRAVELING WITH US.
MOST OF THOSE ENTITIES ARE PAYING THEIR OWN WAY AND WILL BE HOSTED BY THE CITY OF AVILES.
SO WE ARE NOT PAYING FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO ATTEND.
THE VISIT IN AUGUST WILL ENTAIL US GOING BACK TO THE SITES THAT WERE VISITED 100 YEARS AGO, IN 1924.
THERE WILL BE A REENACTMENT OF THE PROCESSION, MEETING AND WALKING THROUGH THE CITY, GOING TO SITES SUCH AS WHERE THE OBELISK GIFT THAT WE GAVE TO THE CITY OF AVILES, WE'LL BE SEEING THAT THEY WILL BE DOING A WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AND ALL KINDS OF ACTIVITIES.
IT'S GOING TO BE RATHER EXHAUSTING, TO BE HONEST.
I WILL TELL YOU THE ONE THING THAT I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT.
THERE IS A PHOTO THAT WAS TAKEN 100 YEARS AGO, IN 1924, WITH ALL OF THE GENTLEMAN WHO LED THE DELEGATION OVERLOOKING A LAKE, AND WHEN WE GO IN AUGUST, WE WILL BE GOING TO THAT SAME LOCATION AND TAKING THE SAME PICTURE, AND I'M JUST VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT ALL OF THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP INDIVIDUALS IN THE PICTURE THAT WILL BE TAKEN IN 2024 WILL BE ALL WOMEN.
SO THAT'S KIND OF SOMETHING TO TELL ABOUT WHAT 100 YEARS CAN DO WITH LEADERSHIP.
ANOTHER RATHER VIGOROUS SCHEDULE.
THEY WILL BE SENDING 15 DELEGATES TO THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.
SO THEY HAVE A RATHER ROBUST DELEGATION AS WELL.
IN ADDITION TO MAYOR MARIVI MONTESERIN, WHO WAS HERE LAST YEAR, ALONG WITH YOLANDA ALONSO AND THEIR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, CARMEN SANTOS, THEY HAVE SEVERAL OF THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR POLITICAL GROUPS, AS WELL AS TWO JOURNALISTS, AND THEY WILL ALSO BE SENDING AN ARTIST AS WELL TO DO SOME PLEIN AIR PAINTING HERE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE.
WE WILL BE HOST THE FLAGLER COLLEGE IS GOING TO BE THE LOCATION OF A WELCOME RECEPTION, BUT THEY ARE HOSTING A BAGPIPE BAND.
[01:30:09]
SPONSORING THIS BAND.I DON'T THINK I'M SAYING ANYTHING THAT'S NOT PUBLIC RECORD, BUT IT'S UPWARDS OF $25,000.
SO THERE'S QUITE AN INVESTMENT FROM THE CULTURAL COUNCIL TO HELP SUPPORT THIS EVENT AS WELL.
THERE WILL BE THREE PUBLIC FREE CONCERTS OF TEJEDOR, THE FIRST ONE BEING ON THURSDAY NIGHT.
ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH, WE'RE WORKING ON A WELCOME MEDIA EVENT, IF YOU WILL, A PRESS CONFERENCE OR WHAT WE'RE REFERRING TO AS AN OFFICIAL WELCOME, AND WE WILL BE WELCOMING THEM AND HAVING A WREATH LAYING CEREMONY IN FRONT OF CITY HALL IN FRONT OF THE PEDRO MENENDEZ STATUE.
ON SATURDAY, WE WILL BE PARTICIPATING WITH THE MISSION AND THE DIOCESE WITH THE REENACTMENT TO INCLUDE THE FOUNDER'S DAY REENACTMENT AS WELL AS THE CATHOLIC MASS, AND THEN WE, THE CITY.
THOSE WHO WILL BE TRAVELING WITH US TO SPAIN HAVE BEEN INVITED, AS WELL AS LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED WITH SISTER CITIES EVENTS IN THE PAST, AND IT IS GOING TO BE HOSTED AT THE MAGNOLIA ROOM.
THERE WILL BE A FREE PUBLIC CONCERT ON SATURDAY EVENING AT COLONIAL OAK.
THEY ARE HELPING TO PROMOTE THAT AS PART OF SING OUT LOUD, AND COLONIAL OAK IS DONATING THAT SPACE OR ALLOWING US TO HAVE OUR BAND THERE, THE TEJEDOR BAGPIPE BAND BAND ALSO.
THEN ON SUNDAY WE ARE WORKING ON A COMMEMORATIVE MARKER.
I WENT BEFORE HARB TO GET IT APPROVED.
MARIN, IF YOU WANT TO SHOW THAT.
WE DO HAVE WE SENT THIS OFF TODAY? WE HAVE TWO MARKERS.
ACTUALLY. THIS PARTICULAR MARKER IS THE MARKER FOR THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY.
THERE'S A HISTORY, THERE'S SOME PICTURES ON IT AND THEN A TIMELINE.
SO WE WILL BE UNVEILING THIS INTERPRETIVE MARKER ON AVILES STREET ON SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 8TH.
THEY'RE WORKING ON A FESTIVAL FOR THAT SUNDAY AS WELL, AND THEY'VE GOT SOME PUBLIC ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCES, AND THE RESTAURANTS ARE GOING TO GET INVOLVED.
SO IT SHOULD BE A REALLY FUN DAY DOWN ON AVILES STREET.
WE'LL ALSO BE REDEDICATING A TILE MOSAIC.
SO WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER AN INTERPRETIVE MARKER FOR THAT AS WELL.
THERE WILL BE ONE LAST CONCERT BY TEJEDOR IN THE PLAZA ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT 2:00.
WE ARE GOING TO ALSO COORDINATE A BOAT TOUR FOR THEM.
SO WE HAVE SAINT AUGUSTINE BOAT TOURS PROVIDING THAT FOR US, AND WE WILL BE ALSO TAKING THEM OVER TO THE LIGHTHOUSE AS WELL, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ON MONDAY WE'RE GOING TO BE TAKING THEM OVER TO FORT MOSE.
THEY WILL BE PROVIDING A GUIDED TOUR IN SPANISH TO OUR DELEGATION, AND WE WILL BE PRESENTING THEM MONDAY EVENING WITH A PROCLAMATION AND RECOGNIZING THE DELEGATION FOR THEIR VISIT.
SO. THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED.
NOT TO LEAVE OUT IN A COUPLE OF THINGS.
COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD HAS BEEN WORKING ON A COMMUNITY GIFT.
HE'S BEEN RAISING FUNDS WITH COMMUNITY DONATIONS FROM RESIDENTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.
THE PAINTING WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM ON THAT FRIDAY OF OUR OFFICIAL EVENT.
SO THE PUBLIC CAN COME AND SEE THAT GIFT.
WE'RE STILL WORKING OUT THE DETAILS OF HOW THAT WILL BE SENT TO SPAIN, BUT IT IS ALL BEING COVERED BY PRIVATE DONATIONS, AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING THAT WAS COMMISSIONED FOR THE 450TH.
ACTUALLY, I THINK I HAVE THAT HERE IN CASE THERE'S ANY QUESTION.
THAT WAS THE PAINTING THAT WAS THAT WAS DONE FOR THE 450TH, AND OUR ARTIST
[01:35:07]
IS SELLING THAT TO WELL, WE'RE COLLECTING DONATIONS TO PAY FOR THE PAINTING.THE CITY IS NOT PAYING THAT BILL, BY THE WAY.
SO THIS IS THE PAINTING THAT WILL BE ON DISPLAY, AND WE WANT TO DISPLAY IT SO THAT FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHAT IT IS PARTICULARLY THE FOLKS WHO HAVE DONATED CAN SEE WHAT IT IS, BUT ALSO TO PUT THAT ON PUBLIC DISPLAY IN THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM.
THE LIGHTNER HAS BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO HELP US COORDINATE WITH THAT AS WELL.
IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER IS ALSO HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
SO WE'RE GOING TO BE EXTENDING THE CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA SERIES TO TWO CONCERTS IN SEPTEMBER OF HISPANIC SPANISH MUSIC, AND THEN WHEN WE GET INTO NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, WE'RE ALSO WORKING ON AN ART EXHIBIT THAT WILL BE HOSTED AT THE SAINT AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION, AND THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS A WHOLE 'NOTHER EVENT.
THERE WILL BE IT'S A COMBINATION OF A PAINTING AND A PICTURE THAT'S PUT TOGETHER IN AN ARTISTIC WAY ON A CANVAS, AND I CAN GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT LATER, BUT I THINK THAT'S QUITE ENOUGH FOR RIGHT NOW.
I'M A LITTLE TIRED, THAT'S ALL.
THANK YOU. I JUST MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, FOR TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING GIFT THAT'S GOING TO GO TO AVILES ON OUR COMMUNITIES.
TRULY A GRASSROOTS EFFORT TO FUND THE PAINTING AND GET IT THERE, WHICH IS, AND WHAT IS THE SIZE ON THAT PAINTING? WELL, ACTUALLY, WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT AS A SPANIARD WORD.
WELL, IT'S THREE METERS, WHICH IS NINE FEET BY TWO METERS, SIX FEET.
SO IT'S NINE FEET WIDE, SIX FEET TALL.
THAT'S RIGHT. HE'S TAKING DONATIONS AS WE SPEAK.
THAT'S RIGHT, AND I'LL JUST SAY THAT THIS IS THE WORK THAT MELISSA WISSEL HAS BEEN DOING IS AMAZING.
IT'S BEEN QUITE A LOT OF COORDINATION TODAY.
THERE CONTINUES TO BE A LOT OF COORDINATION, A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED.
AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN AS A VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT PARTICIPATING, PARTICULARLY OUR, OUR BUSINESS AND TOURISM SECTORS, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO INCLUDE OUR EDUCATIONAL SECTORS.
SO AND THAT HAS BEEN THE GOAL REALLY IN THIS EXCHANGE AND THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH AVILES, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN WE HAVE A MISSION STATEMENT, AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT CREATING EXCHANGES IN THE FIELDS OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT, ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES, HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ARCHEOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, ARTISTIC SPORTS AND TOURISM, AND MUNICIPAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SHARING.
SO WORKING WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS TO HARE OUR EXPERIENCES TOGETHER AND DEEPEN OUR GOODWILL AND THE MUTUAL TRUST BETWEEN OUR CITIES AND OUR COUNTRIES.
SO IT'S BEEN VERY REWARDING SO FAR.
THIS IS MY FIRST YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN ON THE COMMISSION A LONG TIME, BUT I REALLY DIDN'T GET INVOLVED DEEPLY IN IT BECAUSE THERE WERE ALWAYS OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE CARRYING THE TORCH, BUT IT FELT TO ME, AND THIS IS IT HAPPENED TO BE A GREAT YEAR, 100 YEARS OF CELEBRATION.
SO WE DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR PARTICIPATION, AND WE WILL BE CALLING ON YOU AND YOU WILL BE VERY BUSY IN SEPTEMBER DURING LANDING WEEK.
CAN I JUST ADD ONE THING ON THAT, MAYOR? I THINK THAT'S YOU BROUGHT IT HOME FOR ME, WHICH IS THE REASON WHY WE MADE THIS SUCH A BROADER NET AND BRINGING THE PEOPLE WITH US AND MAKING IT.
THAT IS, WE AS A CITY, PRIDE OURSELVES ON THIS HISTORIC HERITAGE OF WHERE WE COME FROM, AND I THINK IN ORDER FOR US AS GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE THAT, WE HAVE TO WE HAVE TO ASK OUR PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP US CARRY THAT BURDEN AND TO SHARE THAT BURDEN AND EVERYTHING CAN'T JUST BE ON THE TAXPAYER OR THAT WE'RE DOING THINGS THAT PEOPLE FEEL LIKE, WELL, WHO ELSE IS GETTING INVOLVED AND WHAT DO I GET FROM IT? SO I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH YOUR SUPPORT AND THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMISSION TO REALLY CAST THIS BROADER NET AND GET THOSE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
[01:40:03]
MUCH TO YOUR POINT, MAYOR, OF GETTING THEIR INVOLVEMENT AND GETTING THEM TO REALLY HAVE THAT VESTED INTEREST OF BRANCHING OUT COMMERCE AND TOURISM AND ALL THAT, AND THAT'S I THINK COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD WOULD AGREE.YOU CAME HOME ON THAT TRIP FEELING THE SAME WAY.
HOW DO WE GET A STORE HERE? HOW DO WE GET HOW DO WE DO THAT? AND THAT'S WHAT THESE VISITS ARE INTENDED TO DO, IS TO SPARK THAT INSPIRATION.
WONDERFUL. COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
TWO THINGS. ONE IS THE STUDENT EXCHANGE IS WHAT THE SISTER CITY REALLY DOES.
SO IT IS FREE, BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO GET AN EVENTBRITE TICKET.
SO TRYTO TELL EVERYBODY, BE LOOKING FOR THAT TO GET AN EVENTBRITE TICKET FOR THAT, BECAUSE IT THEY ARE THEY ARE WORLD FAMOUS AND BAGPIPES IS NOT TYPICALLY WHAT SAINT AUGUSTINE GOES FOR, BUT THEY HAVE SOME DANCERS TOO, RIGHT? YES. THE DANCERS, AND SO I THINK IT'S SOMETHING TO BE ABLE TO SEE, SOMETHING THAT'S FAMOUS SOMEWHERE ELSE.
IT TURNS OUT THAT THEY'RE A CELTIC STATE, AFTER ALL, AND THAT'S THEY HAVE BAGPIPES.
NORTHERN SPAIN IS VERY CELTIC.
IT'S A GREAT ORGANIZATION AND THEY'RE A BIG PART OF THIS TOO.
IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT TO SEE EVERYBODY COMING TOGETHER.
SO ALL RIGHT, WITH THAT SAID, UNLESS WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, I HAVE A COMMENT.
OH, OKAY. GREAT. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO JIM BECAUSE HE CAME TO THE ROTARY AND TALKED ABOUT THE UPCOMING 100TH ANNIVERSARY AND TOLD THE ROTARY ALL ABOUT IT, AND HE GAVE THEM A HISTORY OF SPAIN AND ALL OF THAT, AND HE HAD A LITTLE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.
THEY WERE REALLY EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT IT, BECAUSE JUST GETTING A GLIMPSE OF INFORMATION IS ONE THING, BUT TO ACTUALLY SEE IT, AND HE HAD A LOT OF PICTURES AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT HE PRESENTED, AND HE DID A VERY GOOD JOB.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU AGAIN.
ALL RIGHT. GREAT. SO ALL RIGHT SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.
[10.F. Education and Outreach Communications Campaign for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes. (M. Wissel, Communications Director)]
WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE ITEMS. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN FOR THE FLORIDA-FRIENDLY FERTILIZER USE ON URBAN LANDSCAPES, AND THAT'S AGAIN.GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN, LIKE YOU SAID, FOR THE FLORIDA-FRIENDLY FERTILIZER USE ON URBAN LANDSCAPES. SO THE FIRST THING THAT I DO WANT TO SHOW YOU IS ON THE CITY WEBSITE THE SHORTCUT URL IS GOING TO BE CITYSTAUG.COM/FERTILIZER. I TESTED THIS EARLIER AND IT WORKED.
SO. WE HAVE CREATED THE LANDING PAGE, WHICH IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
THE INFORMATION HERE, THESE DROPDOWN MENUS TELLS YOU WHO THIS AFFECTS.
WHEN ARE THESE THINGS? WHEN SHOULD YOU BE PAYING ATTENTION TO USE OR NOT USE YOUR FERTILIZER.
WHERE DOES THIS APPLY? WHERE SHOULD YOU BE TAKING NOTE OF? OF APPLYING AND NOT APPLYING YOUR FERTILIZERS AND THEN WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? AND THEN OF COURSE YOUR BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
WE'RE STILL FLESHING OUT SOME OF THIS INFORMATION, BUT I DID WANT YOU TO SEE THAT IT IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE AND I'M WORKING WITH HARLEY MILLER, OUR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, WE WILL BE PUTTING TOGETHER SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH.
I HAVE TO THANK COMMISSIONER BLONDER.
SHE DID COME AND DO A RECORDING FOR THE BREAK ROOM.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE FERTILIZER CONCERNS ALSO.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE HEAT EXCESSIVE HEAT PRACTICES OR TAKING CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
SO WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT IN THE CAN.
READY TO GO. COMMISSIONER BLONDER'S EPISODE WILL AIR NEXT WEEK ON THE BREAK ROOM.
IT WILL BE ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AT FIVE AND SATURDAY.
THAT'S ON FLAGLER COLLEGE RADIO 88.5, AND I DON'T HAVE OUR GRAPHICS OR ANYTHING YET BECAUSE WE'RE STILL DOING SOME OF OUR RESEARCH AND HOW TO DO THAT, BUT WE'VE BEEN GETTING SOME GREAT RESOURCES.
[01:45:03]
CHEMICALS OUT OF OUR WATERWAYS, AND REALLY ALSO, IT'S A MONEY SAVING EFFORT AS WELL FOR OUR RESIDENTS AS WELL, AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU. YOU'RE WORKING WITH LABOR SKIP, TOO, I THINK? YES. YES.
OKAY. THAT LOOKS REALLY LIKE A GOOD START.
I MEAN, I JUST WANT TO REEMPHASIZE A LOT OF WHAT THE MAYOR ACTUALLY SAID AT OUR LAST MEETING ABOUT THIS IS THAT THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY MEANT TO BE PUNITIVE, WHERE WE'RE RUNNING AROUND WRITING TICKETS AND CHARGING PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, FOR VIOLATING THE ORDINANCE, BUT MORE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO OUTREACH AND HELP EDUCATE FOLKS TO DO WHAT THEY WOULD WANT TO DO ANYWAY.
SO THAT'S THE REAL IMPETUS FOR THIS THING.
EXCELLENT. WELL, THANK YOU AND I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE BREAK ROOM.
I KNOW PEOPLE DO LIKE THE BREAK ROOM, AND LISTEN.
ALSO HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO [INAUDIBLE], BECAUSE [INAUDIBLE] DID THE WEB PAGE.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE WE MOVE ON? ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE ONE MORE ITEM.
THE CITY HEAT SAFETY RELATED POLICIES.
[10.G. City Heat Safety Related Policies. (S. Slaughter, Director Utilities and Public Works)]
MR. SLAUGHTER.GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
STEPHEN SLAUGHTER, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
OSHA SUMMARIZES THEIR HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION IN THREE EASY REMEMBERABLE WORDS WATER, REST, SHADE.
HOW WE PROTECT OURSELVES AGAINST HEAT RELATED INJURY.
WATER. CONTINUOUS HYDRATION IS KEY, OFTEN BEFORE ONE IS THIRSTY.
WE USE ICE COOLERS, WATER KOOZIES, GATORADE PACKETS TO AID IN HYDRATION, REST, ROTATING STAFF IN AND OUT OF A TASK OR A TRENCH ALLOWS FOR REST BREAKS WHILE MINIMIZING WORK STOPPAGE.
SHADE PROVIDING COVER FROM DIRECT SUN.
A NOTEWORTHY ADDITION IS ARCHEOLOGY'S USE OF A HEAT STRESS MONITOR.
THIS DEVICE MONITORS THE MICROCLIMATE IN THE EXACT LOCATION MEASURING TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY, RADIANT HEAT, WIND, AND CAN EVEN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE TYPE OF CLOTHING THAT ONE IS WEARING.
CITY POLICY REQUIRES THESE INJURIES TO BE REPORTED TO HR.
THERE HAVE BEEN A TOTAL OF FOUR INCIDENTS OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS.
TWO OF THEM IN THE LAST THREE YEARS AND NONE SO FAR THIS YEAR.
OUR GOAL IS TO MINIMIZE, IF NOT ELIMINATE, THE NUMBER OF HEAT RELATED INJURIES, AND WE WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH TRAINING, COMMUNICATION, AND UTILIZING THE LATEST BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, AND WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
HOW DOES THAT WORK FOR THE GARBAGE GUYS THAT HANG ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK? I MEAN, THERE'S NO AIR CONDITIONING FOR THEM.
YES, MA'AM. THERE'S NO AC ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK.
THEY CAN STILL THEY CAN STILL TAKE BREAKS IN THE TRUCK UNDER SHADE TREES.
THEY NECESSARILY DON'T HAVE CANOPIES SET UP.
WHAT ABOUT THE GUYS CUTTING THE GRASS AND STUFF? THEY DON'T HAVE THAT EITHER.
THEY THEY DO NOT HAVE THEY THEY DO HAVE THEY DO HAVE AC VEHICLES.
[01:50:04]
MUCH WITH THE TYPE OF JOB THEY HAVE.I THINK THIS IS GREAT. I LIKED SEEING THAT WE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF HEAT STRESS.
AS WE'RE NOT EVEN IN AUGUST YET AND IT FEELS LIKE OVER 100 DEGREES EVERY DAY THIS WEEK AT LEAST.
SO YEAH, I JUST NEED TO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
THAT REMINDED ME YOU KNOW I'M SURE MOST OF THESE ARE MEN.
MEN DON'T LIKE TO ADMIT THEY'RE HAVING A PROBLEM.
SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO BREAK THROUGH THAT BARRIER, AND WE DO ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION.
DURING SOME OF THE HOTTER DAYS SUPERVISORS DO ROUND UP THEIR STAFF IN THE BEGINNING AND REMIND THEM THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXCEPTIONALLY HOT DAY AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO COMMUNICATE. SO WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO DO THAT.
PLEASE CONVEY OUR THANKS TO THEM ON THESE VERY HOT DAYS IN THE SUMMER, THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER.
WE APPRECIATE IT. WE DEFINITELY WILL.
ALL RIGHT, SO OUR NEXT ITEM IS WE'RE FINISHED WITH OUR STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS.
[11. ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY]
WE'RE MOVING ON TO ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY.I DIDN'T HAVE A PRESENTATION UNLESS THE COMMISSION HAS QUESTIONS.
OKAY. WE DO SEE THE FINAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR 2024.
ANY ANY COMMENTS ON THAT BEFORE WE MOVE ON? THERE WAS A PUBLIC SPEAKER THAT ASKED ABOUT THE HOMELESS PERSON, LAUREN GEIGER, WHEN SHE CAME UP ABOUT, CAN YOU JUST REFERENCE THAT A LITTLE BIT IN CASE SHE'S WATCHING THE GRANTS PASS CASE? YES. I THINK THAT WAS ACTUALLY MISS KALAIDI.
GRANTS PASS CASE AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT AFFECTS OUR OPERATIONS, IT DOES NOT.
THE GRANTS PASS CASE IS A RECENT US SUPREME COURT CASE THAT, IN A NUTSHELL, SAID THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COULD ENFORCE THEIR ORDINANCES AGAINST PUBLIC CAMPING, EVEN IF THERE WERE NO DEFINITIVE SHELTER BEDS AVAILABLE IN THAT COMMUNITY.
SO THE OUTCOME OF GRANTS PASS DOES NOT CHANGE OUR EXISTING ORDINANCE.
SO THAT'S THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.
SO AS FAR AS WE KNOW, WE'LL CONTINUE TO HOLD BEDS AT THE FRANCIS HOUSE TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE OUR ORDINANCE, AND SO THAT IS WHAT WE MEAN BY NO CHANGE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME THING.
CORRECT, AND THAT'S ALSO PART OF THE OUTREACH, RIGHT? SO WHEN PEOPLE ARE CONNECTED WITH THE STAFF AT SAINT FRANCIS HOUSE, THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO LEARN OF OTHER SERVICES.
SO IT'S MORE THAN JUST, WELL, SO WE CAN ENFORCE OUR ORDINANCE.
IT'S ALSO SO WE CAN SORT OF TRY AND GET PEOPLE INTO THAT WRAPAROUND SERVICES OUT OF THE STREETS.
I HAD ONE COMMENT ON THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WITH THE HB 321 RELEASE OF BALLOONS.
WE HAVE A BALLOON ORDINANCE THAT WE PASSED.
I DON'T KNOW, THREE YEARS AGO OR SOMETHING, AND DO WE IT SAYS IN THE SUMMARY ACTION REQUIRED, SECTION 22-2 OF THE CITY CODE SHOULD BE REPEALED, SINCE THE BILL FUNCTIONALLY COVERS THE SAME RELEASE OF BALLOON BALLOON REGULATION AS OUR ORDINANCE.
WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR REPEALING THAT? IT WOULD BE AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD COME BEFORE YOU REPEALING OUR LOCAL ORDINANCE, BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY IT'S BEEN PREEMPTED BY A STATE STATUTE NOW.
IT WOULD BE A HOUSEKEEPING ORDINANCE, SO TO SPEAK.
I'D LIKE TO REQUEST THAT YOU BRING THAT FORWARD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I SUPPORT THAT.
IF WE SUPPORT THAT, YOU'LL BRING THAT BACK TO US.
ALL RIGHT. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK.
[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK]
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR.COMMISSIONERS, I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS.
FIRST IS THE NOTIFICATION OF TWO UPCOMING TERM EXPIRATIONS ON OUR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.
THESE POSITIONS ARE HELD CURRENTLY BY CARL BLOW AND CHARLES PAPPAS.
BOTH ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT, AND I'M HOPING THAT THEY WILL BE REAPPLYING.
[01:55:01]
ALSO A QUICK NOTE.WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE VACANT POSITION FROM THE RECENT RESIGNATION OF MR. JOHN DEPRETER. SO WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR THREE POSITIONS TO FILL FOR PLANNING AND ZONING.
THE NEXT ONE IS A NOTIFICATION OF TWO UPCOMING TERMS TERM TERM EXPIRATIONS FOR OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE SAINT AUGUSTINE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM. THEIR TERMS ALSO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 30TH.
BOTH OF THOSE MEMBERS ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT, BUT WE WILL BE ADVERTISING THOSE AS WELL, AND THE LAST ITEM I HAVE TONIGHT IS A REQUEST TO APPOINT DOMINIC SCINE, CPA, TO OUR AUDIT COMMITTEE. HE IS A FORMER MEMBER.
SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. VERY GOOD, AND THAT IS ALL.
[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]
MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, I'D LIKE TO JUST FOLLOW UP ON A REQUEST FROM THE LAST MEETING FROM COMMISSIONER GARRIS TO GO OVER SOME RECENT EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE STARTING AT THE FEBRUARY 26TH COMMISSION MEETING.COMMISSIONER GARRIS BROUGHT UP SOME IMPORTANT CONCERNS ABOUT THE CITY'S HUMAN RESOURCES AND WORKFORCE WORKFORCE PRACTICES SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS FROM EMPLOYEES, AND WE TOOK THIS VERY SERIOUSLY, AND IN ORDER TO HAVE AN IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION, WE ENGAGED IN AN EMPLOYMENT LAWYER.
HIS NAME IS AVERY MCKNIGHT, AND HE WORKED FOR THE FIRM.
HE WORKS FOR THE FIRM OF ALLEN NORTON AND BLUE.
MR. MCKNIGHT HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE LOOKING INTO THESE TYPES OF MATTERS, AND HE SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME REVIEWING ALMOST 1300 PAGES OF CITY EMPLOYMENT RECORDS AND POLICIES, AS WELL AS INTERVIEWING COMMISSIONER GARRIS, COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, WHO WAS APPOINTED BY THE BOARD TO BE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.
I MYSELF HE INTERVIEWED THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, DONNA HAYES, AND HE SUBMITTED A FINAL REPORT ON MAY 2ND, AND IT CONTAINED A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING, AND I'D JUST LIKE TO GO THROUGH THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS AND HOW WE FOLLOWED UP ON THOSE.
RATHER THAN HAVE THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR ALSO ACT AS THE EEO OFFICER, WHICH IS HOW WE HANDLE THAT NOW, AND WE THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD RECOMMENDATION AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE REQUESTING A NEW POSITION IN THE BUDGET FOR A DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES THAT WOULD FULFILL THAT EEO OFFICER ROLE.
WE THANK MR. MCKNIGHT FOR BRINGING THAT SUGGESTION TO US.
HE ALSO RECOMMENDED AN UPDATE TO OUR DEFINITIONS OF DISCRIMINATION, INCLUDING PROTECTED CLASSES THOSE THOSE ARE PROTECTED BY LAW, AND THIS HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO THE BROADENING AWARENESS IN OUR SOCIETY OF DIFFERENT PROTECTED CLASSES.
HE RECOMMENDED CLARIFYING THE POLICY THAT THE CITY PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION NOT JUST FROM EMPLOYEES, BUT ALSO PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION FROM ANY PERSON REPRESENTING OR DOING BUSINESS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, WHICH INCLUDES ELECTED OFFICIALS, APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS, VENDORS AND VOLUNTEERS.
YOU KNOW, WE HAD TO HE HAD TO POINT OUT THAT THOSE ARE ALL PART OF THE CITY DIASPORA, SO TO SPEAK, AND THEY SHOULD ALSO BE RECOGNIZED AS PEOPLE THAT ARE PROHIBITED FROM DISCRIMINATING.
HE POINTED OUT A NEED TO INCORPORATE A MORE CLEAR AND CONCISE COMPLAINT AND INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS COMPLAINTS, AND THIS HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THIS WAS VERY IMPORTANT.
WE REALLY HADN'T THOUGHT THAT THROUGH.
WHO WOULD INVESTIGATE ME IF SOMEONE CHARGED ME WITH DISCRIMINATION? SO THAT WAS VALUABLE TO POINT OUT, AND WE HAVE MADE THOSE CHANGES.
[02:00:07]
HE RECOMMENDED THAT CITY EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE PRESENTED WITH THE CITY'S DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT POLICIES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AS A REFRESHER, AND THIS IS BEING DONE.HE RECOMMENDED THAT THE CITY MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS HAVE TRAINING RELATED TO OUR DISCRIMINATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AT LEAST EVERY TWO YEARS, AND THIS IS BEING DONE, AND FINALLY, MR. MCKNIGHT LOOKED INTO EACH OF THE SIX INDIVIDUAL DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS AND CHARGES THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST THE CITY SINCE 2017, AND HE LOOKED INTO THE GENERAL ALLEGATION OF DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT AGAINST CITY EMPLOYEES, AND HE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A PATTERN OR PRACTICE OF TREATING EMPLOYEES DIFFERENTLY IN HIRING AND PROMOTION AND DISCIPLINE OR TERMINATION BASED ON THEIR RACE OR AGE, AND HE FURTHER FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES OR RACIAL BIAS.
MR. MCKNIGHT DID ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO CONTINUE BEING PROACTIVE IN RECRUITING AND RETAINING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE, AND WE AGREE WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION AND ARE WORKING TOWARDS THIS GOAL, AND THERE IS AN ONGOING CONVERSATION BETWEEN MYSELF, THE HR DIRECTOR AND OUR ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO TRY TO ADVANCE AND ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.
I CAN TELL YOU THIS WAS NOT AN EASY EXERCISE FOR OUR ORGANIZATION TO GO THROUGH.
IN THIS INSTANCE, THERE IS A VERY POSITIVE OUTCOME.
IT HAS RESULTED IN MEANINGFUL CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR ORGANIZATION, AND FOR THAT, WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO MR. MCKNIGHT. HIS THOROUGH INVESTIGATION, AND WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL TO COMMISSIONER GARRIS FOR BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT MATTER TO OUR ATTENTION, AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, AND WE I JUST WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS FOR MR. BIRCHIM? NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I'D LIKE TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS.
YEAH. I SPOKE WITH HIM ON THE PHONE SEVERAL TIMES AND NEVER GOT TO SEE HIM IN PERSON, BUT WE TALKED AT LENGTH A LOT OF TIMES, AND HE ACTUALLY, IN MY OPINION, KNEW VERY WELL WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO CAVEAT THAT NO EVIDENCE, LIKE ANYTHING, DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT PEOPLE ARE INNOCENT, BUT THAT IT WASN'T TO A LEVEL WHERE IT COULD BE IDENTIFIED AS SOMETHING THAT WAS SYSTEMIC AND THAT THERE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM.
I MENTIONED THE CULTURE WITH THE WORKERS.
THIS IS A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANAGER AND THE LEAD STAFF TO BUILD A CULTURE THAT THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO CHANGE THE CULTURE OF AN ORGANIZATION IF THERE'S SOMETHING PREVALENT AND I THINK HIRING A SEPARATE EEO OFFICER IS AN ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT, AND THAT PERSON WHO GETS SPECIFIC TRAINING CAN ALSO CONDUCT. TRAINING PROGRAMS ANNUALLY, AND CONDUCT SURVEYS TO FIND OUT ATTITUDES AND THE CLIMATE OF THE CULTURE, AND THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT. OBVIOUSLY, THEY'RE IMPORTANT FOR US, AND WE WANT A CULTURE WHERE EVERYBODY'S WELCOME AND WHERE EVERYBODY'S TREATED FAIRLY.
EXCELLENT. DID YOU HAVE MORE TO ADD? NOT ON THAT TOPIC, BUT ONE MORE THING.
OH, I'M SORRY. WE'RE STILL GOING TO.
COMMISSIONER, DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY? YOU PRESENTED QUITE A BIT OF THIS SUMMARY IN A PREVIOUS MEETING, I THINK BACK IN MAY OR SO.
SO I APPRECIATE THE REMINDER, THOUGH.
I THINK IT'S WELL WORTH RE-EMPHASIZING IT.
ALL RIGHT. WELL, I APPRECIATE HEARING IT AGAIN.
I LIKE THAT YOU'RE ADDING THE OFFICER.
THANK YOU FOR THAT RECOMMENDATION AND THAT CONTEXT OF HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.
YOU KNOW, NORMALLY WE JUST SAY, OKAY, WE ADDED A STAFF PERSON TO DO THINGS, BUT I REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT THE CULTURE AND HOW LONG IT TAKES TO CHANGE A CULTURE OF THE CITY, AND I'M GLAD THAT THIS IS MOVING FORWARD.
[02:05:04]
IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS IN THE CITY OVER THE YEARS.SO I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS THAT I WANT TO MAKE ABOUT THIS.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH AN INVESTIGATION.
BASED ON MY CONCERNS THAT I EXPRESSED IN FEBRUARY PUBLICLY, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT ANYTHING HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT THE DISCRIMINATION CASE. SINCE I SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IT, FEBRUARY, WE ALL HEARD ABOUT AN EMAIL THAT WAS SENT.
INDIVIDUALLY, BUT THE PUBLIC HAS NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING, AND THAT'S WHY IT WAS BROUGHT UP BY MR. KALAIDI WANTING TO KNOW THE FINDINGS ON THAT AT THE LAST COMMISSION MEETING, AND I APOLOGIZE TO HER PUBLICLY FOR THINKING SHE SAID SOMETHING THAT SHE DIDN'T SAY.
SECOND I TALKED TO MR. AVERY BIG NIGHT EXTENSIVELY DURING THE COURSE OF THIS INVESTIGATION, AND MY CONCERNS WERE HE NEVER TALKED TO ANY OF THE PEOPLE. HE TALKED TO NOBODY THAT MADE THESE ALLEGATIONS, AND THAT CONCERNED ME.
HE LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT HE DID SEE SOME THINGS, AND HE GOT AN EXTENSIVE REPORT FROM SOMEBODY THAT WORKED IN HR AND SAID THAT THEY WERE A BETTER PERSON AND THAT PERSON IS THE MOST KIND PERSON THAT YOU HAVE EVER MET.
THAT WORKED IN OUR HR DEPARTMENT FOR OVER SIX YEARS.
SO BUT NEVERTHELESS, THE REPORT HAS BEEN TURNED IN.
I KNOW THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS GOING TO THE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
I KNOW OUR HR PERSON IS GOING TO SOME OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY THINGS.
SO I BELIEVE JUST IN SOME RECENT DEALINGS WITH THE HR DEPARTMENT MYSELF, THAT THEY SEEM LIKE THEY'RE ON A DIFFERENT FOOTAGE, AND I JUST HOPE THAT CONTINUES FORWARD.
I JUST WANT EVERY CITY EMPLOYEE TO COME TO WORK AND NOT BE HARASSED, AND I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE GREEN, WHITE, BLUE, WHATEVER THEY SHOULD COME HERE AND BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB EFFECTIVELY BECAUSE WE ARE HERE TO REPRESENT THE CITY AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH A LOT OF ANGRY CITY RESIDENTS THAT ARE CALLING FOR DIFFERENT THINGS.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE HAVING TO PLEASE A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND THE LAST THING ANYONE NEEDS IS TO FEEL HARASSED BY A COWORKER OR SUPERVISOR AND NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO THE HR DEPARTMENT AND GET THE HELP THAT THEY NEED.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I DO THINK IT'S VERY IMPERATIVE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR AND THE EEO PERSON BE THE SAME.
BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT, HOW CAN YOU GO TO THE SAME PERSON? SO MY THING IS THAT I THINK WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I THANK MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS FOR HEARING ME, AND WE'LL JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS THE YEAR GOES ON.
GREAT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS, COMMISSIONERS? WE'RE UNDER COMMISSIONER COMMENTS.
ALL RIGHT. SO I JUST WANTED TO REQUEST THAT OH, I'M SO SORRY.
WHAT ARE WE DOING? I'M COMPLETELY LOST HERE.
OH, YOU HAD ONE MORE ITEM BEFORE WE HAD COMMISSIONER COMMENTS.
THERE WAS A WE ASKED THE STATE THIS GOT TOUCHED ON EARLIER THIS EVENING, BUT WE DID ASK THE STATE FOR A $5 MILLION APPROPRIATION FOR OUR SEPTIC TO SEWER CONVERSION PROGRAM IN THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN, AND THAT WAS PUT IN THE STATE BUDGET, BUT THE GOVERNOR VETOED OUR APPROPRIATION.
I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A GRANT TO COVER THAT.
IN FACT, WE BEEFED IT UP A LITTLE BIT.
WE ASKED FOR A $6.4 MILLION GRANT FOR THAT WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, AND THAT WOULD BE FOR IT'S THE LEE AND IRVING STREETS GRAVITY SEWER AND WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS IS THE NAME OF THAT GRANT APPLICATION AND IT WOULD COVER CONVERTING SEPTIC TO SEWER FOR 136 EXISTING HOMES AND MAKING SEWER AVAILABLE TO 51 VACANT LOTS
[02:10:02]
IN WEST AUGUSTINE.I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS A COMMITMENT THAT WE HAVE MADE FOR SEPTIC TO SEWER CONVERSION IN WEST AUGUSTINE.
COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? YEAH. JUST, YOU KNOW, THANK YOU AND OTHER STAFF FOR FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THE COMMITMENT.
WELL, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING AFTER IT TOO.
SO AND YOU KNOW, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE GOVERNOR VETOED ALL THE WATER QUALITY PROJECTS.
WELL, NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT MOST OF THEM.
SO IT WASN'T LIKE HE SINGLED US OUT.
IT WAS JUST A WATER QUALITY PRIORITY NOT BEING AS HIGH AS I ASSUME.
SO I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN HIS MOUTH.
SO OKAY, SO NOW WE'LL GO THROUGH COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS.
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
WE'RE GOOD? WE'RE GOOD? WE'RE GOOD? WE'RE GOOD? WE'RE SPOKEN? OKAY.YEAH, THAT'S WHERE IT WAS. THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I LEFT IT.
IT WAS A REQUEST THAT I MADE QUITE A WHILE AGO, BUT I'D LIKE TO GO TO VERSION, MAYBE TIME TO UPDATE IT, BUT IN CASE WE'VE DONE SOME ANNEXATIONS, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT DONE WITH THE CRA AND SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE DELINEATION OF THE CRA SO THAT IT'LL HELP US DURING OUR CRA MEETING.
SO I THINK THAT'S JUST A SMALL LITTLE THING, AND THEN THE OTHER THING WAS I WANTED TO UPDATE YOU.
SO JUST SO YOU KNOW, AND, YOU KNOW, YOU PROBABLY HEARD THE GOVERNOR VETOED THE GRANT, SPECIAL GRANT PROGRAM FOR CULTURE AND ARTS WHICH WAS REALLY UNEXPECTED.
IN THE PAST, NORMALLY, WE'VE KIND OF HAD HEADS UP ON THAT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN MAYBE A BAD BUDGET YEAR, SO TO SPEAK, BUT THIS WAS JUST KIND OF OUT OF NOWHERE, AND SO SITTING ON THE TDC REPRESENTING THE ARTS AND CULTURE, BECAUSE THE CULTURAL COUNCIL IS, GETS FUNDED THROUGH THE TDC THROUGH CATEGORY TWO, ARTS CULTURE AND HERITAGE GRANT PROGRAM.
WE SENT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO FULLY FUND THE REQUEST LIST FROM THE ARTS CULTURE AND HERITAGE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY.
NOW, THAT LIST THAT SAY THAT GROUP OF OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT APPLY TO THE COUNTY FOR TDC FUNDS FOR THEIR PROGRAMS IS NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME LIST THAT WAS VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR, BUT WE FELT LIKE IT WOULD BE A LONG WAY.
SO I'M JUST KIND OF SENDING IT OUT INTO THE UNIVERSE THAT I REALLY, REALLY HOPE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CAN SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THAT REQUEST FROM THE TDC TO FULLY FUND THAT, THAT LIST THAT THOSE THOSE REQUESTS AND IT'S UPWARDS OF LIKE 1.3 MILLION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.