[00:00:02]
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
I'M GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.THIS IS THE REGULAR MEETING FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE MONDAY, AUGUST 12TH, 2024, 5:00 PM.
WOULD THE STAFF PLEASE CALL ROLL?
>> OUR MAYOR IS IN SPAIN ON OUR 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SISTER CITIES DELEGATION, AND SHE SHOULD BE BACK THURSDAY, AND SHE'LL TELL US ALL ABOUT IT.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FIRST, AND THEN AFTER THAT MOMENT, I'M GOING TO ASK COMMISSIONER BLONDER TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. LET'S TAKE A MOMENT.
I'M NOT SURE THAT WAS ACTUALLY A FULL MINUTE.
[LAUGHTER] I SAID A LOT OF PRAYERS IN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NEXT, THE MODIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF [OVERLAPPING].
>> SORRY, THE PLEDGE. I'M READY.
>> IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, PLEASE RISE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE MODIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA.
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
ARE THERE ANY CHANGES FROM STAFF?>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY CHANGES? WE'RE GOOD TO GO.
>> I'M SORRY. WE DO HAVE ONE ITEM TO DECIDE WHETHER PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE HEARD ON THE SPANISH STREET MATTER.
>> I WAS GOING TO MENTION THAT. UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT, WE DO HAVE A BIG ISSUE TODAY, WHICH IS THE SPANISH STREET PEDESTRIAN ISSUE AND IT IS 10A.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CARDS FOR THAT.
I WANT YOUR INPUT, EITHER HEAR THEM NOW UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT OR WE CAN HOLD THEM AND HEAR THEM AFTER STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND PRESENTATION. WHAT WOULD YOU PREFER?
>> PERSONALLY, I'D LIKE TO WAIT IF THE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO WAIT, IF NOT, I GUESS THEY CAN COMMENT DURING THE REGULAR AND THEN THEY WOULD LEAVE.
>> I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE HEARD NOW BECAUSE EVERYBODY MIGHT NOT WANT TO WAIT TILL WE GET TO 10 ON THIS AGENDA THAT WAY IF THEY HAVE TO LEAVE, THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION AND STATE THEIR CONCERNS.
>> MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO WAIT, BUT I'M FINE EITHER WAY.
>> I'M ACTUALLY LEANING TOWARDS WAITING.
IF THERE'S THREE TO ONE, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH WAIT UNLESS SOMEBODY THINKS THEY CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE ISSUE.
IF YOU CAN'T WAIT, PUT YOUR HAND UP. DON'T SEE ANY HANDS.
WE'RE GOOD. WE ARE GOING TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
>> WE NEED A MOTION. I MOVE WE APPROVE THE AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE JUMPED SHIP ON THAT ONE, BUT YES.
>> WE'RE ALL APPROVED. I NEED TO READ A LITTLE SCRIPT HERE RIGHT BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND IT GOES LIKE THIS.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
MATTERS THAT ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION SHOULD FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD AND WE'LL CALL YOU TO THE PODIUM WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
YOU WILL HAVE THREE 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.
[00:05:02]
NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE COMMISSION WITH PERSONAL IMPROPER OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM ANY CLAPPING OR DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS.
FINALLY, I WOULD ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER WHO USES THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR TO PLEASE SUBMIT THOSE ITEMS TO THE CITY CLERK TO BE ENTERED IN THE PUBLIC RECORD. THANK YOU.
THIS IS A BE KIND TO EACH OTHER STATEMENT.
AFTER THAT, WE DO HAVE A FEW CARDS THAT ARE GENERAL CARDS.
THE FIRST ONE IS ROBIN THOMAS.
IS ROBIN THERE? THERE SHE IS, GREAT.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS ROBIN THOMAS, AND I'M HERE TO READ THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION.
THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPASSION LIES AT THE HEART OF OUR 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 ALL OUR FELLOW CREATURES, TO DETHRONE OURSELVES FROM THE CENTER OF OUR WORLD, AND TO PUT OURSELVES THERE AND TO HONOR THE INEVITABLE SANCTITY OF EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING, TREATING EVERYBODY WITHOUT EXCEPTION WITH ABSOLUTE JUSTICE, EQUALITY, AND RESPECT.
IT IS ALSO NECESSARY IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE TO REFRAIN CONSTANTLY AND EMPATHETICALLY FROM INFLICTING PAIN, TO ACT OR SPEAK VIOLENTLY, OUT OF SPIKE, CHAUVINISM, OR SELF INTEREST, TO IMPOVERISH, EXPLOIT OR DENY BASIC RIGHTS TO ANYBODY, AND TO INCITE HATRED BY THE INTEGRATING OTHERS, EVEN OUR ENEMIES IS A DENIAL OF OUR COMMON HUMANITY.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE FAILED TO LIVE COMPASSIONATELY AND THAT SOME HAVE EVEN INCREASED THE SUM OF HUMAN MISERY IN THE NAME OF RELIGION.
WE THEREFORE CALL UPON ALL MEN AND WOMEN TO RESTORE COMPASSION TO THE CENTER OF MORALITY AND RELIGION, TO RETURN TO THE ANCIENT PRINCIPLE THAT ALL INTER PERSPECTION OF SPIRITUAL THAT BREEDS VIOLENCE, HATRED, AND DISDAIN IS ILLEGITIMATE TO ENSURE THAT USE ARE GIVEN ACCURATE AND RESPECTFUL INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER TRADITIONS, RELIGIONS, AND CULTURES.
TO ENCOURAGE A POSITIVE APPRECIATION OF CULTURE AND RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY, TO CULTIVATE AN INFORMED EMPATHY WITH THE SUFFERING OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS, EVEN THOSE REGARDED AS ENEMIES.
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 INNER INDEPENDENCE, COMPASSION IS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AND TO FULFILL HUMANITY.
IT IS THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT AND INDISPENSABLE TO CREATORS OF A JUST ECONOMY AND A PEACEFUL GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, FEBRUARY 2009, AND COMPASSION ST. AUGUSTINE, INFLUENCING, INSPIRING, AND GROWING A CULTURE OF COMPASSION THROUGH ADVOCACY, AWARENESS, AND ACTION.
ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013. THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GOING TO BE CHRIS FULMER.
>> HIT THE BUTTON. THERE YOU GO.
>> HI. MY NAME IS CHRIS FULMER.
I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY PROGRESS ON THE CAROUSEL.
WE WERE HOPING THAT IT WOULD HAVE AN UPDATE SOON, SO I'M HOPING SOMEBODY WILL LOOK INTO THAT BECAUSE IT'S AN EMPTY SPACE NOW WHEN WE DRIVE BY.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY FOR WHATEVER PART YOU GUYS PLAYED IN GETTING THE CROSSWALK AT ANASTASIA ISLAND AND ZORATOA, IT IS VERY WELL USED AND IT'S MAKING PEOPLE SAFER, THANK YOU.
[00:10:02]
I WOULD ONCE AGAIN LIKE TO DRAW THE CITY'S ATTENTION TO THE RIDICULOUS BUILDING AT 22 AVENUE TO MENENDEZ WITH THEIR GAUDY DISPLAY OF BIZARRE POLITICAL SIGNS.I DON'T CARE WHAT SIDE HE'S ON.
IT'S UNSIGHTLY. IT DOESN'T FIT THE HISTORIC CITY CORRIDOR THEME, AND IT'S JUST PLAIN WEIRD.
I KNOW IT'S FREE SPEECH, BUT SURELY, THERE IS SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS THE OWNER WELL ENOUGH TO TELL HIM HE'S MADE HIS POINT.
IT'S TIME TO END THIS STRANGE CRUSADE.
IT'S AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE CITY AND A BLIGHT ON ONE OF THE MOST VISITED STREETS IN OUR CITY.
IT'S SUMMER, IT'S HOT, IT'S THUNDERSTORM SEASON, IT'S HURRICANE SEASON.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, STAY HYDRATED.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS, BE KIND TO YOU WAIT STAFF, TIP YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU.
BJ [INAUDIBLE] IS OUR LAST SPEAKER IN THIS SECTION. BJ.
>> BJ [INAUDIBLE] WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
THE DROP IN CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS AT 90 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY HAS INDIVIDUALS SLEEPING.
OYSTER CREEK PARK HAS GRAFFITI ON OUR TREES.
MORE EMPTY BEER CANS CONTINUE TO BE LEFT AT OYSTER CREEK PARK.
A RESTAURANT AT 223 WEST KING RECENTLY OPENED.
WHEN THEY WERE AT ML KING, PARKING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS A PROBLEM.
I WAS TOLD THAT YOU HAVE TO SPEAK NOW ABOUT THE INCREASE IN OUR UTILITY BILLS. THE RESOLUTIONS.
INCREASING THE MINIMUM RESIDENTIAL WARDED BILLS BY $1.72 OR 67.29 TO 69.01 OR $20.64 FOR 2025 WILL BRING IN HOW MUCH REVENUE IN 2025? QUESTION. HOW MANY RESIDENTS PAY THE MINIMUM? QUESTION. IS THE MONTHLY MINIMUM GALLONS 3,000? IF NOT, IF IT WAS CHANGED, WHEN? QUESTION. DID I MISS THE EXHIBIT FOR THE STORMWATER INCREASE? QUESTION? WHY DO RESIDENTS WHO CONSERVE CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR WATER BILL INCREASE? THIS IS DISCUSSED WHEN THE SITUATION COMES UP EVERY YEAR, WHETHER OR NOT TO INCREASE THE UTILITY BILLS, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO REAL CONSIDERATION FOR THOSE WHO OVER THE YEARS HAVE KEPT THEIR WATER LOW AND CONSERVED.
YES, CHAIRMAN HORVATH, IT WAS CLOSE TO A MINUTE.
I THINK WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CONTINUE TO SAY A PRAYER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR NEXT ITEM IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
ANY CHANGES TO THAT, AND IF NOT, WOULD YOU READ IT?>> TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES WHICH ARE TENDED WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING ON AUGUST 26TH.
ORDINANCE 2024-28, WHICH AMENDS THE LITTERING REGULATIONS RELATED TO BALLOON RELEASES.
WE HAVE A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS.
WE HAVE THE AUGUST 22ND, 9:00 AM, CRA BUDGET WORKSHOP, AND FOLLOWED BY THE CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING.
WE HAVE THE AUGUST 23TF, 9:00 AM, CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING, ONLY IF NECESSARY.
WE HAVE THE AUGUST 26TH, 5:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE THE SEPTEMBER 5TH, 5:05 SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION BUDGET MEETING.
THE SEPTEMBER 9TH, 4:30 PM, ORDER OF LA FLORIDA AWARD PRESENTATION TO WILLIAM BILL DUDLEY.
THE SEPTEMBER 9TH, 5:00 PM, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 8TH, SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION BUDGET MEETING, THE JULY 8TH, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND THE JULY 22ND, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE A RELEASE OF LIEN FOR UNIT CONNECTIONS AT 1:11 ZORATOA AVENUE, MR. JAMES PHILCOX.
WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR DR. DOROTHY HEADLEY ISRAEL, PHD, IN CELEBRATION OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
WE HAVE THE AUTHORIZATION TO JOIN A PAYMENT CARD, INTERCHANGE FEE, AND MERCHANT DISCOUNT ANTITRUST LITIGATION LAWSUIT, AND WE HAVE THE STATE REVOLVING FUND AMENDMENT 1 TO A LOAN AGREEMENT, WHICH WAS DW 550410.
[00:15:04]
THAT ENDS OUR CONSENT AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING.>> ANYBODY WANT TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WRITTEN?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS WILL BE ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING.
[Items 8.A.1. - 8.A.3. ]
WE HAVE THREE.AMY SKINNER IS GOING TO SPEAK TO US ABOUT ALL THREE OF THESE AT ONE TIME, BUT WE'LL APPROVE THEM INDIVIDUALLY.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
YOU'RE CORRECT, THESE NEXT THREE ITEMS ARE RELATED TO THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY NORTH, WEST, AND SOUTH OF THE EXISTING CAT'S PAW MARINA ON NIX BOAT YARD ROAD.
THE ANNEXATION IS RELATED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 ACRES IN TOTAL AT 199 AND 200 NIX BOAT YARD ROAD.
THIS PROPOSAL HAS MOVED FORWARD FROM TWO VOLUNTARY PETITIONS TO ANNEX AND TWO ANNEXATION AGREEMENTS.
THE FIRST ONE WAS PRESENTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION IN OCTOBER OF 2023, AND THE SECOND ONE IN MAY OF 2024.
I'LL HAVE THE MAPS, SO MS. DUNN, IF YOU CAN TURN ON THE OVERHEAD.
THIS FIRST MAP SHOWS THE EXISTING CAT'S PAW MARINA OUTLINED IN WHITE.
THE SECOND MAP SHOWS THE SERIES OF ANNEXATION PROPOSALS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE EXISTING CAT'S PAW MARINA IN THE MIDDLE.
THEN TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH ARE THE FIRST PROPERTIES OUTLINED IN YELLOW THAT WERE PROPOSED IN OCTOBER TO ANNEX.
THE ADDITIONAL ACRES OUTLINED IN RED ARE PROPOSED TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE PUD, AND SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY.
THESE ARE THE PROPERTIES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THE FIRST ORDINANCE, 2024-24 IS THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 10 ACRES.
THE PROPERTY IS CONTIGUOUS TO THE CITY AND ADJACENT TO THE CAT'S PAW MARINA.
THE SECOND ORDINANCE, 2024-25 IS THE PROPOSED LAND USE CHANGE FROM THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY MIXED USE DISTRICT TO THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, MARINE INDUSTRIAL.
THIS CHANGE WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE PCB IN JUNE AND APPROVED ON FIRST READING BY THE CITY COMMISSION ON JULY 8TH.
THE THIRD ORDINANCE IS 2024-26, AND IS THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO REZONE THE PROPERTY FROM ST. JOHN'S COUNTY COMMERCIAL HIGHWAY TOURIST, RESIDENTIAL MOBILE HOME, RMH, AND OPEN RURAL TO CITY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT.
THIS CHANGE WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED BY THE PCB ON JUNE 4TH, AND APPROVED ON FIRST READING BY THE CITY COMMISSION ON JULY 8TH.
THE PROPOSED PUD AND ITS PROPOSED USES ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE PROPOSED LAND USE DESIGNATION OF MARINE INDUSTRIAL.
THE ATTACHED PUD DOCUMENTS INCORPORATE RESPONSES TO COMMENTS AND ITEMS DISCUSSED BY THE PCB AT THE JULY 8TH, CITY COMMISSION, WHICH YOU ALL HAD SEVERAL COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
THE PUD DOCUMENT INCORPORATES RESPONSES TO YOUR CONCERNS.
THE PUD HAS AN ATTACHED ADDENDUM MEMORANDUM AS REQUESTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION THAT OUTLINES THE ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE PUD LANGUAGE.
THE FINAL PUD DOCUMENT INCLUDES LANGUAGE TO ALLOW FOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE SITE PLAN TO REDUCE IMPACT ON TREES, AS WELL AS SPECIFIC TREE MITIGATION AMOUNTS, SPECIFIC LANGUAGE REMOVING THE CLUBHOUSE USE AND SPECIAL EVENT VENUE AS ALLOWABLE USES, AND CLARIFYING SITE SPECIFIC PARAMETERS, AS WELL AS OTHER CLARIFICATIONS.
QUICKLY, I HAVE A MAP THAT SHOWS THE EXISTING ZONING DISTRICTS FOR THE AREA.
IN THE MIDDLE, YOU CAN SEE THE EXISTING PUD THAT IS WITHIN THE CITY, AND THEN THE ADJACENT COUNTY REFERENCES TO THE COMMERCIAL HIGHWAY TOURIST IN RED,
[00:20:03]
THE MOBILE HOME IN THE GREEN, AND THE OPEN RURAL TO THE WEST AND SOUTH.ALL THESE PROPERTIES WOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE PUD.
AS YOU NOTED, EACH OF THESE ITEMS IS A SECOND READING IN PUBLIC HEARING, AND THE CITY COMMISSION WOULD NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON EACH ITEM AND HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON EACH ITEM.
I'M AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE IS ALSO HERE.
>> LET'S TAKE UP ORDINANCE 2024-24 AS OUR FIRST ONE.
DOES THE APPLICANT WANT TO SPEAK?
>> BRAD WESTER, DRIVER, MCAFEE, HAWTHORNE & DIEBENOW.
>> SIR, WE'LL HAVE TO PUT YOU UNDER OATH, SINCE AS I RECALL, YOU'RE NOT AN ATTORNEY.
>> ONE INDEPENDENT DRIVE, SUITE 1,200, JACKSON, FLORIDA. I DO. THANK YOU.
I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF LAND USE AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AT A REAL ESTATE LAW FIRM.
WE'VE SEEN THIS MATTER FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
I DO HAVE A PRESENTATION. I DON'T HAVE TO GIVE IT.
AMY DID A GREAT JOB SUMMARIZING EVERYTHING.
IT MAY BE A LITTLE REDUNDANT, BUT IT'S UP TO YOU GUYS IF YOU WANTED TO GO TO VOTE, WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
THE OWNER, GILBOS DIXON IS HERE, MY CIVIL ENGINEER, ERIC ALMAN IS HERE, AND THEN OUR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT CHRIS REED IS HERE AS WELL TO JOIN ME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING AND WE MAY CALL ON YOU.
>> WE ARE ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT.
ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS? WE'VE SEEN IT BEFORE.
DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> I ACTUALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE POWERPOINT.
I THINK WE NEED A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION FOR US AND FOR THE PUBLIC ABOUT THOSE CHANGES YOU MADE FROM THE LAST MEETING.
LET ME GO TO THE SLIDESHOW FROM THE BEGINNING.
I APPRECIATE THAT. I'LL OBLIGE IN THE INTEREST OF TIME.
THIS IS A CONDENSED POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.
YOU'VE SEEN A MUCH MORE LENGTHY ONE DESCRIBING THE DEMAND AND JUSTIFICATIONS.
BUT WHAT I'LL DO IS GO THROUGH THIS FAIRLY QUICKLY AND GO THROUGH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT AMY'S ALREADY TALKED ABOUT AND JUST GET TO THE LIST OF CLARIFICATIONS AND RESPONSES.
AGAIN, THIS IS A REQUEST THAT INCLUDES AN ANNEXATION, ENTITLEMENTS FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE ZONING.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE DIFFERENT USES, GOES FROM MIXED USE TO MARINE INDUSTRIAL, PAST ADOPTIONS, AND THEN THE CURRENT APPROVALS, MOST RECENTLY IN THE ZONING BOARD ON JUNE 4TH AND THE CITY COMMISSION ON JULY 8TH.
HERE'S THE PROPERTY, AND THIS IS WHAT AMY ALSO SHOWED AND IT'S MORE HIGHLIGHTED BY JUST ORANGE AND WHITE.
THE WHITE IS THE CURRENT CAT'S PAW MARINA, AND THEN ALL OF THE YELLOW IS THE EXPANSION.
HERE'S A SURVEY THAT ALSO DESCRIBES THE EXPANSION THAT WE NEEDED FOR OUR LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.
THEN HERE ARE THE SURROUNDING USES THAT WE'VE ADDRESSED AND TALKED ABOUT PREVIOUSLY.
THESE ARE LAND USE AND ZONING MAPS.
AMY SHOWED THOSE A MINUTE AGO.
HERE IS OUR CONSERVATION OVERLAY ZONE MAP, AND THAT IS REALLY INCORPORATED INTO OUR TREE PRESERVATION AND MITIGATION PLAN FOR OUR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE.
THIS IS THE LAND LOT COVERAGE SHOWING THE WETLANDS AND UPLANDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AREA.
HERE'S THE CURRENT CAT'S PAW PUD SITE PLAN CONCEPT AND THAT'S SHOWING ALL THE PREVIOUS AND IMPERVIOUS AREAS WITH THE FORM OF THE BUILDING MASSING IN THE CIRCULATION AND SIDEWALK CONNECTIONS.
HERE'S OUR TREE MITIGATION PLAN, SHOWING THE PRESERVED AND THE REPLACED TREES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CAMPUS.
THEN OUR RENDERINGS THAT GO WITH IT.
REALLY, THIS IS A BYPRODUCT OF WHERE WE'VE COME TO DATE ON SOME OF THE APPROVALS, AND WE'VE PUT SOME ARCHITECTURE TO THIS, THE CIVIL SITE PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AS WELL.
GOING THROUGH THIS, YOU CAN SEE THE ELEVATION PERSPECTIVES AS WE GO AROUND THE PROPERTY.
THIS IS A SUMMARY HERE, THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES OR A SUMMARY.
I THINK YOU GUYS RECEIVED THIS AS PART OF YOUR AGENDA PACKET, BUT I'LL GO THROUGH IT.
THE SUMMARY OF CLARIFIED AND RESTATED ITEMS AND TASKS.
THE PUD DOES LIMIT THE TYPE AND SCALE INTENSITY OF USES COMPARED TO THE ALLOWANCES IN THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY, INCLUDING HEIGHT, IMPERVIOUS SURFACE LOT COVERAGE, AND TREE MITIGATION.
THE PUD CONSERVATION OVERLAY DOES PROVIDE A SURPLUS OF 358.5 CREDITS,
[00:25:04]
AND THAT'S A CONSIDERATION OF THE DEFICIT FOR THE TREES REMOVED PLUS THE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE PRESERVING AND REPLACING.THE PUD WILL CONNECT TO CENTRALIZED WATER COMPARED TO THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, WHICH IS UTILIZING WELLS AND NUMEROUS UP TO 10 SEPTIC TANKS OUT THERE FOR THE VARIOUS USES.
THE PUD DOES LIMIT THE MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE RATIO TO 49% AND THE MAX LOT COVERAGE TO 38, WHICH IS A REDUCTION FROM THE 75 AND THE 50 RESPECTFULLY.
IT'S QUITE A JUMP. THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AND THE LOT COVERAGE DEFINITIONS IN THE PUD PURSUANT TO THE CITY CODE FOR THE OVERALL LOT COVERAGE AND IMPERVIOUS SURFACE DEFINITIONS.
THE PUD DOES LIMIT THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT TO THE HIGHEST BUILDING FROM 60 FEET IN THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO 50 FEET, WHICH MATCHES THE ROOF HEIGHT PEAK OF ROOF OF THE EXISTING, AS WE CALL IT THE BOAT BARN, THE EXISTING DRY STORAGE BUILDING.
PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY IS PLAN THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY BY WAY OF SIDEWALKS AND PATHS, AND THEY LINK ALL THE PARKING LOTS, OPEN SPACES, AND BUILDINGS AS DEPICTED.
SCENIC VISTAS, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ONE, AND THE PUD ARE ENHANCED WITH PLANNED WATERSIDE PARK AND VIEWING SPACES, VISUAL CORRIDOR FROM NIX BOAT YARD ROAD, AND THEN DEDICATED BOARDWALKS AND INDIGENOUS TREE PLANTINGS ALONG THE WATER EDGE.
THE PUD AND EXPANSION OF USES WILL TAKE PLACE ON EXISTING PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED UPLAND AREAS, AS DEPICTED ON THE PUD, WITH NO WETLAND IMPACTS.
THE PUD MASTER STORMWATER SYSTEM WILL BE DESIGNED AND ENGINEERING PURSUANT TO LID STANDARDS.
LID STANDARD IS REALLY A BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE THAT WE WILL ADHERE TO PER THE ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.
THE ALLOWED USES IN THE PUD SHALL NOT INCLUDE A CLUBHOUSE OR A PLACE FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL EVENT USES AS FURTHER DEFINED IN THE NARRATIVE TEXT.
THE PUD SITE PLAN MAY BE MODIFIED AND PROCESSED ADMINISTRATIVELY FOR APPROVAL BY THE CITY STAFF IF THE MAX DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN PUD ARE NOT INTENSIFIED OR INCREASED.
THAT ALLOWS US TO WORK WITH STAFF ON SOME PARKING AND CIRCULATION ITERATIONS IN MOVEMENT OF BUILDINGS, BUT ONLY IF IT PROTECTS AT LEAST ONE TREE.
THAT'S THE CAVEAT IN THIS WHOLE THING.
THE PUD SHALL ADHERE TO THE CURRENT ADOPTED CAT'S PAW MARINA PUD ORDINANCE REGARDING SOUND AND MUSIC HOURS.
WE ESTABLISHED THAT LAST YEAR.
THE ANTICIPATED DATE OF COMPLETION OF THE PUD IS NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31 OF 2030.
THOSE WERE ALL CONSIDERATIONS, AND HERE THEY ARE IN JUST VARIOUS FORMS. WE'VE ADDED AND CLARIFIED THEM INTO THE ACTUAL PUD NARRATIVE WRITTEN DESCRIPTION.
WE'VE INCLUDED THAT AS A MUCH MORE DESCRIPTIVE AREA IN THE SITE DATA TABLE.
THE ONE AREA THAT THE MAYOR ACTUALLY BROUGHT UP AT THE LAST HEARING WAS WE HAD CLUBHOUSE IN THERE.
THAT WAS REALLY MEANT FOR MORE MARINE RELATED AMENITY USES.
WHAT WE DID WAS TAKE CLUBHOUSE, LANGUAGE OUT, AND THEN FURTHER DEFINE WHAT CANNOT GO THERE.
THOSE ARE THINGS SUCH AS PLACES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS, HOSTING WEDDINGS AND FUNCTIONS, GALAS, FAMILY REUNIONS, ORDINATIONS, FUNERALS, CONFERENCES, TRADE SHOWS, MUSEUM EXHIBITS, FIREWORKS, DISPLAYS, AND LAUNCHES, THESE ARE THINGS THAT I'VE ADDED TEMPORARY SEASONAL OUTDOOR SALES, FOR INSTANCE, FIREWORKS, PUMPKIN PATCHES, HOLIDAY, CHRISTMAS TREE, FLOWER PLANTS, PETTING ZOO, FAIRS, AND CIRCUSES AND EXPOS AND SIMILAR EVENTS.
I THINK THAT REALLY PROTECTS, SOUNDS SILLY, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS CODIFIED.
THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT I PULLED FROM YOUR CODE ELSEWHERE TO PACKAGE INTO THERE TO SAY THAT THOSE AREN'T REALLY RELATED TO MARINE FUNCTIONS, AND THEY DO DRAW AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT'S NOT NEEDED IN THE AREA.
THIS IS A CLARIFICATION OF OUR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PLAN.
WE'VE HIGHLIGHTED THAT IN THE GREEN AND THE RED, BUT REALLY BOLDED WITH THE CENTER PORTION THERE SHOWING THE TOTAL PRESERVED CREDITS ON THE PROPERTY.
THEN THAT'S ALSO REFLECTED IN THE VERBIAGE OF THE ACTUAL PUD TEXT NARRATIVE.
REALLY WHAT WE'VE DONE PER YOUR REQUEST IS TO MARRY UP THE SITE PLAN AND THE TEXT NARRATIVE, SO EVERYTHING IS CO-EXISTENT.
WHETHER YOU HAVE ONE OR THE OTHER, THEY SAY THE EXACT SAME THING, NO MATTER WHO WALKS AWAY FROM STAFF OR US WHEN WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS.
THEN I'VE DONE THIS AND I AT TESTED THIS WITH MY SIGNATURE, AND THIS WILL BE RECORDED AS PART OF THE PUD.
THIS IS A RUNNING LIST OF OUR OBLIGATIONS AND TASKS THAT WE WERE TASKED AT THE LAST MEETING AND PZB TO COME BACK. THESE ARE ALL.
WHAT I WANTED TO DO IS SUMMARIZE THAT IN A NUMERICAL FORM TO SHOW OUR OBLIGATIONS AS PRESENTED TO YOU GUYS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BECAUSE I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP TO PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVE ONE PERSON THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT.
BJ CALADY. BJ, YOU NEED TO BE SWORN IN. THIS WAY.
[00:30:01]
>> MS. CALADY, I ASSUME YOU'RE TESTIFYING ON ALL THREE?
>> YES. I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT FIT, SO I WAS DOING THAT.
>> AT THE JULY 19TH, 2024 DRC ALSO NOT AS FRIDAY REVIEW.
THE ARCHITECT MADE REMARKS ABOUT TAKING TREES DOWN WITHOUT NEEDING TO RETURN FOR CITY APPROVAL.
THE PRESENTATION WAS ALSO BROUGHT UP SOMETHING ABOUT MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE STAFF.
THE DEFINITION OF WHAT IS BEING CONSTRUCTED, A NEW BUILDING OR AN ACCESSORY BUILDING WAS DISCUSSED.
REQUIREMENTS ARE DIFFERENT FOR AGE, WHETHER IT'S A NEW BUILDING OR AN ACCESSORY, AND I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED A LITTLE BIT MORE.
TO ME, AND LISTENING TO THAT AND READING EVERYTHING, THEY'VE BEEN VERY FORTHRIGHT, BUT I GOT CONCERNED AT THE FRIDAY REVIEW ON THE 19TH.
BECAUSE DOES THE STAFF KNOW FOR SURE THAT WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO CONSIDER THIS AS NEW CONSTRUCTION OR AS AN ACCESSORY AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? THE BOARD CAN KNOW TO BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR DETERMINATION AND YOU VOTE ON THIS TO MOVE IT FORWARD.
I FEEL LIKE IT SHOULD COME BACK TO THE CITY IF THERE'S ANY MODIFICATIONS AND NOT BE DONE BY THE STAFF.
IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH A LOT OF PUDS.
YOU START WITH ONE THING, YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING ELSE.
I APPRECIATE WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON UP UNTIL JULY 19, AND THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT THIS UP TONIGHT TO HAVE SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS CLARIFIED.
I'M GLAD MR. SPRINGFIELD ASKED FOR A PRESENTATION.
I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE PRESENTATION, BUT THE MODIFICATION IS WHAT CONCERNS ME AND IS THE STAFF GOING TO BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE DECISION, OR SHOULD IT BE YOU ALL, AND CAN YOU CLARIFY OR HAVE THEM CLARIFY TONIGHT, WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO CONSIDER THIS A NEW BUILDING OR AN ACCESSORY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MS. CALADY. LET'S SEE.
WE HAVE THE OWNER TO SPEAK AGAIN IF YOU COULD ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> BRAD WESTER DRIVER MCAFEE, AGENT FOR THE MATTER.
I WISH MS. CALADY WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO OUR ATTENTION BEFORE THE MEETING TONIGHT, BUT WE'VE BEEN FORTHRIGHT IN PRESENTING ALL OF THE DATA AT HAND.
WE'VE BEEN AT THIS OUT 18 MONTHS WITH THE CITY.
I THINK MS. CALADY'S COMMINGLING SOME TERMINOLOGY ON THE BUILDING CODE SIDE, WHETHER IT'S A PRIMARY OR AN ACCESSORY BUILDING.
WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE CIVIL AND THE BUILDING CODE AND THE FIRE MARSHAL.
IT HAS TO DO WITH FIRE RATED WALLS AND DIFFERENT ELEMENTS LIKE THAT.
I DON'T THINK IT APPLIES TO THIS PUD WHATSOEVER.
WE WOULDN'T PUT THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL IN THE PUD REGARDING FIRE RATED WALLS.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE'S ASKING FOR, BUT IT REALLY IS DEALING WITH MORE OF A BUILDING CODE ISSUE.
WE ARE RUNNING SOMEWHAT OF A PARALLEL COURSE WITH SOME OF THE SITE CIVIL ENGINEERING PERMITTING GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
REGARDING STORMWATER AND OUR SITE DEVELOPMENT, AND STAFF HAS BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO RISK ANYTHING IN THE PUD THAT WE ARE AT TESTING TO AND GETTING APPROVED TODAY.
ANY CHANGES THAT WE OR STAFF MAKE TO THIS PUD IN THE CONCEPT PLAN DO NOT TRIP ANY NUMERICAL THRESHOLDS FOR SQUARE FOOTAGES, LOT COVERAGES, ISRS, OR INTENSITIES WHATSOEVER.
I'M HERE TO STATE THAT UNDER TESTIMONY UNDER OATH, AND I'VE ALREADY WRITTEN THAT IN MY STATEMENTS AND THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT WOULD BE DOPTED IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE PUD.
WE CANNOT INCREASE ANY INTENSITY, SQUARE FOOTAGE, ISR, LOT COVERAGE OF ALIKE.
WE CAN SAVE A TREE OR TWO FOR THE SAKE OF MOVING SOME PARKING AROUND AND A BUILDING AROUND.
THIS PUD, THE SITE PLAN IS REALLY MEANT TO BE A PLACEHOLDER.
I WOULD SAY IT'S AS CLOSE AS IT'S GOING TO GET, BUT THERE WILL NEED TO BE SOME ITERATIONS BASED ON SOME GEOTECHNICAL EXPLORATION FOR SOILS, SOME ARCHITECTURAL ITERATIONS, ENGINEERING, THAT'S ALWAYS THE CASE WHEN YOU COME TO A PUD.
WE HAVE A 20 ACRE PUD, 20 ACRE SITE PLAN. IT'S A BIG CAMPUS.
TO SAY THAT THIS PUD IS ENGINEERING AND SHELVE ALREADY IS NOT ACCURATE, SO IT'S NOT.
WE NEED A LITTLE BIT OF FLEXIBILITY, BUT NOT FOR THE SAKE OF TRIPPING ANY LOT COVERAGE, ISR, INTENSITY OR SQUARE FOOTAGE, WHATSOEVER.
WE'VE KEPT EVERYTHING AND THAT'S WRITTEN IN THE CODE IT'S BLACK AND WHITE.
THAT'S WHAT WILL BE ADOPTED HERE TODAY.
I THINK WHAT MS. CALADY IS TALKING ABOUT IS SOME FIRE MARSHAL THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH.
THERE WAS A DISCUSSION OF THE RESTAURANT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REST OF THE USE AND HOW ITS FIRE RATINGS ALL PLAY OUT WITH THE FIRE FLOWS AND THE RATING WALLS.
WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THOSE ITERATIONS.
WE'LL BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH MS. CALADY IN BEFORE OR AT THE DRC MEETINGS IN THE FUTURE TO DISCUSS AND CLARIFY EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
BUT WE'RE NOT TRYING TO PULL A FAST ONE ON ANYBODY.
WE'VE BEEN AT IT FOR 18 MONTHS, STAFF HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH.
ALL THE BOARDS HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH.
I THINK WE'VE OBLIGED BY EVERY QUESTION AND CLARIFICATION THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO US AND OUR ATTENTION.
[00:35:01]
AGAIN, WE'RE NOT MAXIMIZING THIS SITE.AS YOU SEE, IF IT WAS STAYING IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, WE COULD GO UP TO 60 FEET.
WE COULD GO UP TO 75% ISR AND LOCK COVERAGES.
WE'RE ASKING FOR A SELF PROFFER FOR THE SAKE OF WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY FOR THAT APPROVAL, AND WE ASKED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THAT APPROVAL.
>> THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
>> WELL, THEY'RE ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THERE'S ONLY A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT EXIST OUT THERE.
THERE'S THE OLD ADMIN BUILDING AND SHIP STORE.
THERE'S THE CURRENT RESTAURANT THAT'S BEING FITTED OUT RIGHT NOW AND FINALIZED, AND THEN THERE'S THE CURRENT BOAT BARN, AS WE CALL IT, AND THEN A SMALL UTILITY BUILDING THAT IS FOR OUR MARINE SERVICE INDUSTRY.
THE REST OF IT'S GOING TO BE ALL BRAND NEW.
>> NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTION.
>> IT'S ACTUALLY A COMMENT WITH A QUESTION.
WELL, FIRST, THE COMMENT I WANTED TO MAKE IS THAT I KNOW I WASN'T CRYSTAL CLEAR IN WHAT I WAS ASKING FOR AT OUR LAST MEETING WHEN WE PASSED IT AT FIRST READING.
BUT YOU GOT IT. YOU'VE CONNECTED THE DOTS TO EVERY ONE OF THE QUESTIONS OR CLARIFICATIONS THAT BOTH THE PCB AND WE HAD ASKED FOR.
YOU CONNECTED THE DOTS, YOU'VE WRITTEN A MEMO, YOU'VE PUT ALL THIS IN THE PRESENTATION, YOU PUT IT IN THE PUD.
I THINK ANYBODY THAT FOLLOWS US IF THERE WERE TO BE SOME REVISITATION OF THE PUD IN THE FUTURE WOULD UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND BE ABLE TO WORK FROM THAT.
PLUS, YOU'VE GIVEN THE PUBLIC THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE PLANNING TO DO.
THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT ATTENTION TO DETAIL.
YOU HAVE A MEMO THAT BEGINS ON OUR PACKET PAGE 186, AND THIS IS ABOUT THE PUD MASTER STORMWATER SYSTEM.
ONE THING I'D JUST LIKE YOU TO EXPLAIN TO ME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN BY LOW IMPACT.
YOU SAY THE PUD MASTER STORMWATER SYSTEM WILL BE CONSTRUCTED WITH LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
CAN YOU GIVE US SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS.
>> I'LL PUT MY CIVIL ENGINEER HAT ON.
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT STANDARD IS AN ACTUAL TERMINOLOGY FOR BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN STORMWATER.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IN THE NATION LEADS STORMWATER QUALITY LIKE FLORIDA DOES.
WE REALLY SET THE TONE FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY BECAUSE EVERYTHING BELOW US IS OUR DRINKING WATER AND EVERYTHING THAT WATER SHEDS INTO IS OUR SWIMMING WATER.
WE REALLY LEAD IN TERMS OF WATER QUALITY STANDARDS, AND SO WE WILL ADHERE TO ALL THAT.
BASICALLY, LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT IS A DEFINITION THAT'S USED AROUND THE COUNTRY FOR THINGS LIKE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
I KNOW THAT THE CITY ITSELF HAS SOME GUIDELINES FOR PERVIOUS PAVING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE WENT OVER THAT LATE LAST YEAR.
THAT WHILE WE WON'T DO PERVIOUS PAVING THROUGHOUT THE SITE, THE ACTUAL END RESULT WILL ACTUALLY BE CLEANER THAN WHAT PERVIOUS PAVING DOES AND WITH LOT LESS MAINTENANCE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DO A MAJORITY OF THE SITE AS UNDERGROUND RETENTION AND BIOS-WELLS AND RETENTION TANKS.
THAT'S A MUCH MORE EFFICIENT WAY TO CONVEY THE STORMWATER AND GET USABLE LAND IN THE UPLANDS.
THEN ALSO TREAT IT AND CONVEY IT TO WHERE IT OBVIOUSLY NEEDS TO GO TO REGULATORY WISE.
THE LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IS A SUSTAINABLE LAND PLANNING AND DESIGN APPROACH THAT MANAGES STORMWATER ON SITE.
THE GOAL OF LID IS TO REDUCE POLLUTANTS AND OTHER HEALTHY COMPONENTS, STORMWATER RUNOFF AND TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND STREAM RESOURCES.
LID OR LOW IMPACT DESIGN STRATEGIES, FOCUS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF AVOID, REMEDY, AND MITIGATE AND USE NATURAL PROCESSES TO MANAGE QUALITY EFFECTS.
I THINK WHAT WE'VE SHOWN REALLY HERE IS THAT WE'RE NOT DEVELOPING THE ENTIRE PROPERTY, WE HAVE A LOT OF GREEN SPACE, AND THAT'S WHY I PUT THAT IMAGE UP THERE SHOWING ALL OF THE PERVIOUS AREAS BECAUSE IT CAN GET LOST IN THE EYES WHEN IT'S JUST A GRAY SCALE MAP, AND THEN ALL OF THE TREES, WE HAVE A SURPLUS OF TREES THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY REPLANTING.
THROUGH ALL OF THAT AND THE PROTECTION OF THE WATER'S EDGE, WHICH REALLY PROVIDES A LOT OF WATER QUALITY ON THE SHEDDING OF THE WATER IS REALLY OUR WAY OF PROMOTING LID AND REALLY BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE STORMWATER INDUSTRY.
OUR CIVIL ENGINEER IS ACTUALLY AN EXPERT IN STORMWATER DESIGN, NOT JUST PURE LAND DEVELOPMENT, BUT THEY'RE AN EXPERT IN STORMWATER.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE THEM ON BOARD.
THEY'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING, AND THE CITY'S NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE WE'RE DOING.
THEY'RE ANXIOUS TO SEE THIS COME INTO PLAY FOR OTHER POTENTIAL USERS DOWN THE LINE.
THAT'S WHAT STATED ON THE RECORD LAST YEAR.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND SO IT IS A MASTER STORMWATER SYSTEM.
WE WILL HAVE SOME OTHER BIOS WELLS AND THINGS THAT IMPLEMENT THE LID PROCESSES, BUT THAT'S IN A NUTSHELL.
ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGE DISTRICT ACCEPTED PRACTICE AND METHODOLOGY.
[00:40:01]
>> JUST TO FURTHER THAT, I GUESS IT'S A DRY DETENTION SYSTEM, RIGHT?
>> YES. IT WILL BE MOSTLY DRY BECAUSE IT WILL CAPTURE SOME WATER, BUT THE POINT IS TO PERK OFF. GOT A LOT.
>> THE WET DETENTION SYSTEMS ARE WHAT WE USUALLY SEE AS STORMWATER PONDS.
>> THOSE DO A PRETTY LOUSY JOB OF PRODUCING.
I JUST WANTED TO CALL ATTENTION.
>> THANK YOU. MATTER OF FACT, WE HAVE ONE, A WET POND ON THE PROPERTY RIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE REPURPOSING TO PUT EVERYTHING UNDERGROUND, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT BE A DEVELOPABLE PIECE OF PROPERTY BECAUSE IT JUST CLEANS UP THAT SITE. YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT.
>> NO OTHER QUESTIONS. DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> WE DO HAVE TO DISCLOSE EX PARTE FOR THE THIRD ORDINANCE.
IF YOU'RE WILLING TO DO IT NOW, THAT MEANS ANY EMAILS OR CONVERSATIONS OR SITE VISITS YOU MAY HAVE HAD.
I HAVE NOT TAKEN A WALKING TOUR, AND I'VE RECEIVED SOME CORRESPONDENCE FROM FROM THE OWNERS.
>> I'VE RECEIVED A COUPLE OF EMAILS FROM MR. WESTER AS RECENTLY AS FRIDAY AND TODAY, AND I RESPONDED TODAY, JUST ON CLARIFYING SOME OF THESE POINTS. THANK YOU.
>> I DON'T RECALL GETTING ANYTHING.
I COULD HAVE GOTTEN THAT EMAIL IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
>> I DID GET THE EMAIL, BUT I DID NOT RESPOND.
THANK YOU. SO WE'RE GOOD ON THAT, CORRECT? NOW WE CAN HAVE A MOTION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE ACCEPT 2024-25 READ BY TITLE ONLY.
>> TWENTY FOUR. I'M SORRY. ONE PAGE, YEAH 24.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-24 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AND ANNEXING APPROXIMATELY 10.38 ACRES OF PROPERTY NOW LOCATED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, LYING WEST AND SOUTH OF THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT REFERRED TO AS THE CAT'S PAW MARINA., NORTH AND EAST OF NIX BOAT YARD ROAD, AND SOUTH AND WEST OF THE ST. SEBASTIAN RIVER ENVIRONMENT, 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 HERE OF 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.
>> LET'S SEE. WELL, STAFF, PLEASE CALL ROLL.
>> WE NEED TO GO TO ORDINANCE 2024-25.
NOW, IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MS. CALADY SPOKE ON ALL THREE OF THOSE? WAS OUR UNDERSTANDING?
>> I THINK SO, BUT YOU STILL NEED TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, JUST IN CASE SOMEBODY HAS DECIDED THEY WANTED TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> LET'S SEE. I WILL OPEN IT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND DON'T SEE ANYBODY, SO WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE IT BACK DOWN.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS?
>> NOW I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE 2024-25.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-25, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP PLUM DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 10.38 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH AND EAST OF NIX BOAT YARD ROAD AS A PORTION OF THE GW PROPYL GRANT ADJACENT TO THE CAT'S PAW MARINA DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER FROM ITS CURRENT DESIGNATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY MIXED USE DISTRICT TO A CITY DESIGNATION OF MARINE INDUSTRIAL, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THAT ONE PASSES, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO ORDINANCE 2024-26.
LET'S SEE, WE'LL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING, AND I DON'T SEE ANYBODY, SO WE'LL CLOSE IT BACK DOWN AGAIN AND IT'S BACK TO THE BOARD.
>> EVERYBODY'S LOOKING AT ME. [LAUGHTER] I MOVE WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-26.
>> PARDON ME. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-26, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 10.38 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH AND EAST OF NIX BOAT YARD ROAD AS A PORTION OF THE GW PROPYL GRANT
[00:45:02]
ADJACENT TO THE CAT'S PAW MARINA DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTIAL MANUFACTURED MOBILE HOME, RMH, COMMERCIAL HIGHWAY TOURIST CHT, AND OPEN RURAL OR TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, PUD.THIS INCLUDES THE AMENDING AND RECONSTITUTING OF THE EXISTING CAT'S PAW MARINA PUD INCORPORATING THE PROPERTY, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. STAFF CALL ROLL.
>> ALL THREE PASS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE'RE NOW GOING TO DO ORDINANCE 2024-27,
[8.A.4. Ordinance 2024-27: Amends regulations relating to floodplain management. (R. Schauland, Building Official)]
AND THAT'S GOING TO BE OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL, MR. SHOWLAND.IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, VICE MAYOR COMMISSIONER.
I'M BUDDY SHALON THE CITY'S BUILDING OFFICIAL.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2024-27, AMENDING REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT.
THIS ORDINANCE REMOVES LANGUAGE THAT REFERENCES ACCUMULATIVE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT, REMOVES THE CODIFIED 10 PERCENT IN THE DEFINITION OF MARKET VALUE AND INSERTS AN ADJUSTED FACTOR AND MOVES THE TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE INTO THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT CODE.
THIS ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM THE BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE AS IT IS REQUIRED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH FEMA'S REQUIREMENTS.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. LET'S SAY IT'S PUBLIC HEARING.
WE'RE GOING TO OPEN IT UP IF THERE'S ANYBODY.
I DON'T HAVE ANY CARDS THAT REFLECT ANYBODY WANTING TO SPEAK, BUT IF THERE'S ANYBODY, PLEASE PUT YOUR HAND UP.
>> I THINK MS. CALADY'S CARD HAD THIS NUMBER ON IT AS WELL.
>> I DON'T SEE ANYBODY, SO WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE IT BACK DOWN. BACK TO US.
ANY DISCUSSIONS? ANY MOTION? THIS COMES TO US BECAUSE THE STATE HAS OVERRULED US AND BASICALLY WERE RESPONDING.
>> RIGHT. THEY'VE MADE SOME TECHNICAL CHANGES, I GUESS, IS THAT A FAIR ASSESSMENT, AND THEY WANT OUR ORDINANCE TO MIRROR THAT.
>> WHEN WE CHANGED THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD TO THE NUISANCE BOARD, BECAUSE WE HAD TO CHANGE PART OF THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE, WE HAD TO SEND IT UP TO THE STATE.
THEN THE STATE GOES AND REVIEWS OUR ENTIRE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT NOTHING IS CHANGED WITH FMA THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED, FMA CHANGED SOME OF HOW THEY DO STUFF OR HOW THEY WANT US TO DO STUFF AND SO WE HAVE TO COME AND CHANGE IT.
>> WELL, THAT EXPLAINS IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> TECHNICALLY, WE CAN'T BLAME THE STATE.
WE HAVE TO BLAME THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THIS IS A FMA REQUIREMENT.
I DON'T WANT TO KEEP SAYING WE BLAME THE STATE FOR EVERYTHING, ALTHOUGH 90 PERCENT OF IT IS WORTH BLAMING.
>> THANK YOU, JIM, FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
>> I'LL MOVE WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2024-27.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-27, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, REPEALING SECTIONS 8-117, AMENDING SECTION 8-419 AND 8-460 AND CREATING SECTION 8-466 TO CONFORM TO THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS AND MARKET VALUE, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. STEFF CALL A ROLL.
NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ONE OF OUR ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING,
[8.B. Ordinances - First Reading (only if required by law)]
AND THAT'LL BE ORDINANCE 2024-28, AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AMY OWEN, OUR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY.>> I THINK I'M GOING TO BE SUBBING FOR HER.
IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT WITH YOU, AS YOU'LL RECALL, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE WERE IN THE VANGUARD OF ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE RELEASE OF BALLOONS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL THE OBVIOUS REASONS.
A, IT'S JUST LITTERING, BUT B BAD FOR VARIOUS ANIMALS AND FISH WHO MISTAKE IT FOR FOOD.
[00:50:05]
WHAT OCCURRED INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THIS PAST, LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS THE STATE LEGISLATURE ADOPTED ESSENTIALLY THE SAME RULES.THERE'S THIS CONCEPT OF PREEMPTION THAT IS TRIGGERED WHEN THE STATE COVERS THE EXACT SAME TOPIC AND ESSENTIALLY REGULATES.
IT MAKES OUR LOCAL ORDINANCE ESSENTIALLY OBSOLETE, AND THIS ORDINANCE WOULD CLEAN THAT UP AND REPEAL THOSE SECTIONS FROM OUR CODE, SINCE NOW WE HAVE A STATE LAW ON THE ISSUE.
>> THIS IS THE ONLY PREEMPTION I'VE SEEN THAT I'VE LIKED.
WE WERE ON THE VANGUARD, AND I'M HAPPY TO BE AMONGST WITH VICE MAYOR HORVATH OVER HERE BECAUSE WE WORKED HARD TO GET THAT BALLOON BAN ORDINANCE PASSED.
I'M GOING TO MOVE THAT WE PASS IT TO SECOND READING.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-28, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 22 OF THE CITY CODE TO CONFORM TO STATE LAW, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> READY, WOULD YOU CALL ROLL, PLEASE?
>> WE'RE JUST MARCHING THROUGH THIS, AREN'T WE? WE HAVE RESOLUTIONS.
[9.B.1. Resolution 2024-25: Increases Water and Sewer rates by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 3%. (M. Breidenstein, Assistant City Manager)]
RESOLUTION 2024-25 THROUGH 27.WE HAVE MEREDITH BRIDE AND STEIN WILL BE SPEAKING ON THESE.
HOW'D YOU DO THAT? LET'S START WITH THE FIRST ONE.
MEREDITH BRIDE AND STEIN ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
THE FIRST ONE YOU HAVE IS RESOLUTION NUMBER 2024-25.
THIS IS A RESOLUTION THAT INCREASES THE WATER AND SEWER RATES BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OF THREE PERCENT.
ON PAGE 3 OF YOUR PACKET, YOU WILL SEE THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE WAS LEFT BLANK IN ERROR.
THE EFFECTIVE DATE SHOULD BE OCTOBER 1, 2024 TO CORRESPOND WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. YOU'LL ALSO SEE EXHIBIT A THAT SHOWS THE DETAIL AND PREVIOUS YEARS RATES FOR COMPARISON.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. I THINK MS. CALADY HAD MENTIONED ABOUT PEOPLE CONSERVING WATER. HOW ARE WE GOING ABOUT THAT?
>> THESE ARE CONSIDERED CONSERVATION RATES.
I BELIEVE IT WAS 2016, I'D HAVE TO LOOK THAT UP WHEN SHE MENTIONED IT.
BACK BEFORE 2016, WE HAD A MINIMUM USAGE OF 3,000 GALLONS.
YOUR BASE RATE, YOU WERE PAYING FOR THE USAGE OF 3,000 GALLONS, WHETHER YOU USE THOSE OR NOT.
OUR BASE RATE IS NOW DOWN TO 100 GALLONS.
THE COST WAS LOWERED AND YOU NOW PAY FOR YOUR ACTUAL USAGE, NOT ASSUMING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO USE 3,000 GALLONS.
WE HAVE MOVED TO CONSERVATION RATES, AND I'M HAPPY TO WORK WITH MS. CALADY TO SHOW HER EXACTLY HOW THAT WORKS, HOW WE CALCULATE IT AND HOW IT WAS CALCULATED IN THE PAST TO SHOW THE DIFFERENCE.
I APPRECIATE THAT. THAT THREE PERCENT IS JUST.
>> THAT'S THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FROM MAY TO MAY.
IT'S WHAT WE USE FOR SMALL SOUTHERN CITIES.
WE USE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX TABLES FOR THAT AND IT'S WHAT WE USE FOR OUR RENTAL INCREASES AND FOR OUR UTILITY RATE INCREASES.
>> I WILL COMMENT ON ALL THREE OF THEM.
I DID DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE AMOUNT OF CARRY FORWARD WE HAVE FROM THE FEES WE CURRENTLY HAVE AND THERE WAS NOT AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF MONEY CARRY FORWARD.
ALSO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT WE CAN'T SPEND THIS MONEY ON ANY OTHER PROJECT.
YOU CAN'T TAKE WATER MONEY AND PAVE A STREET OR HAVE A PIECE OF ARTWORK.
WHEN WE GET OUR WATER PIPES BURSTING, WE HAVE MONEY IN RESERVE TO GO FIX THOSE PIPES.
JUST KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION IS A GOOD IDEA, AND I WAS SURPRISED THREE PERCENT WAS THE INFLATION RATE AND NOT HIGHER.
I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THESE RATES.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THEN I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-25 READ BY TITLE ONLY.
[00:55:01]
>> PERFECT. NOW, RESOLUTION 2024-26.
[9.B.2. Resolution 2024-26: Increases Stormwater Management Utility rates by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 3%. (M. Breidenstein, Assistant City Manager)]
>> THIS ONE IS FOR THE STORMWATER RATE.
AGAIN, IT IS A THREE PERCENT CPI INCREASE.
THERE IS NOT A TABLE ATTACHED TO THIS ONE BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY ONE RATE AND SO IT'S EMBEDDED WITHIN THE RESOLUTION.
IT IS THE SFU, WHICH HOMES ARE EITHER CHARGED ONE FULL SFU OR A PARTIAL BASED ON THEIR SIZE.
BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE RATE THAT WE ARE CHANGING BY THREE PERCENT INCREASING AGAIN FOR COST OF LIVING.
>> I MOVE WE APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-26.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL GO TO THE THIRD ONE, WHICH IS 2024-27.
[9.B.3. Resolution 2024-27: Increases Solid Waste Rates and Fees by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 3%. (M. Breidenstein, Assistant City Manager)]
>> YES. THE LAST ONE YOU HAVE IN THIS GROUP IS AN INCREASE TO THE SOLID WASTE RATES AGAIN OF THREE PERCENT.
THIS ONE DOES HAVE AN EXHIBIT THAT GETS INTO THE DETAIL OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RATES THAT WE HAVE FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL.
THIS AGAIN WILL BE EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1 UPON PASSAGE TONIGHT.
>> JUST TO COMMENT THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST JOBS TO FILL IN KEEPING UP WITH SALARIES FOR THIS POSITION IS ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL THINGS AND WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO COLLECT OUR SOLID WASTE, ALMOST 365 DAYS A YEAR, AND WE NEED TO SUPPORT THIS GROUP, AND SO I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF THIS.
>> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT SOLID WASTE IS THE COST TO US AS A CITY ARE DEPENDENT ON HOW MUCH WE PRODUCE AND HOW MUCH IT WEIGHS.
IF WE CAN GET AT THAT EQUATION AND TRY TO REDUCE HOW MUCH WE PRODUCE AND HOW MUCH IT WEIGHS, THEN WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAVE SOME MONEY THAT WAY AND NOT PASS IT ON TO OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR BUSINESSES.
THAT'S SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO AIM FOR IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
>> WHICH BRINGS ME TO RECYCLING OF GLASS, AND WE DO HAVE TWO LOCATIONS FOR RECYCLING GLASS RIGHT NOW, AND THAT'S A HEAVY PART OF OUR PRODUCTS AND OUR TRASH.
I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT, BUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN DO MORE OF THAT.
I'D STILL LIKE TO DO SOMETHING COMMERCIALLY ON THAT.
WE'RE STILL LOOKING INTO THAT.
>> COMPOSTING WOULD BE A BIG HELP FOR US TOO IF WE COULD FIGURE OUT A WAY FOR US TO DO SOME COMPOSTING CITYWIDE.
NOT JUST GIVING INDIVIDUALS, BUT HAVING SOME A REAL PLAN FOR COMPOST, EVEN PICKING IT UP.
>> FROM AN INDIVIDUAL STANDPOINT.
WE HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGETED COMPOST BINS.
AGAIN, THAT'S RESIDENTIAL, NOT COMMERCIAL, AND WE HAVE BUDGETED FOR 2025, THE SAME THING.
ANYONE WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED ONE YET, THERE SHOULD BE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.
OF COURSE, WE'LL COMMUNICATE THAT ONCE THOSE COME IN AND WE'RE READY TO GET THOSE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ONE?
>> I WISH TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-27.
>> I WILL SECOND. PLEASE CALL ROLL.
>> NOW WE HAVE RUBEN FRANKLIN,
[9.B.4. Resolution 2024-28: Renews the Traffic Signal Maintenance and Compensation Agreement between the FDOT and the City of St. Augustine for Fiscal Year 2025. (R. Franklin, Assistant City Manager)]
WHO'S GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT RESOLUTION 2024-28.COMMISSIONERS, RUBEN FRANKLIN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS RESOLUTION 2024-28, THIS AUTHORIZES THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT IS $112,722 THAT WILL BE REIMBURSED TO THE CITY FOR MAINTAINING TRAFFIC SIGNALS WITHIN CITY LIMITS.
>> THIS IS AN ANNUAL. WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR.
>> THIS IS AN ANNUAL AGREEMENT, YES.
>> WE CAN GET IT FASTER THAN THE STATE CAN GET IT FIXED.
>> WE PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE AND THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE AGREEMENT.
>> WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE 2024-28. DO I HEAR A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE CALL ROLL.
>> SHE STEPPED OUT. LET'S SEE. THANK YOU.
YOU'RE ALSO GOING TO HANDLE THE NEXT ONE,
[01:00:01]
WHICH IS 10A,[10.A. Spanish Street Pedestrian Pilot Project Summary. (R. Franklin, Assistant City Manager)]
OUR SPANISH STREET PEDESTRIAN PILOT PROJECT.YOU'LL PRESENT THAT AND THEN WE'LL OPEN IT UP FOR COMMENT.
>> IT WOULD BE MY PLEASURE. THIS EVENING, WE COMPLETED THE SPANISH STREET PILOT.
I WANT TO GO THROUGH A SHORT PRESENTATION TO GO OVER WHAT THE EXISTING CONDITIONS WERE BEFORE THE PILOT PROJECT, WHAT THE PILOT PROJECT WAS, AND GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THAT, GO OVER SOME TRAFFIC COUNTS THAT WE DID OUT THERE ON THE STREET, AND THEN GO OVER WHAT THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE CITY COMMISSION TO TAKE WOULD BE.
PRIOR TO GOING INTO CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTHERN SECTION OF SPANISH STREET, WHICH WAS FROM CUNA STREET TO ORANGE STREET, AND WE ALSO RECONSTRUCTED TOLO MODEL LANE, TRAFFIC WOULD FLOW ONE WAY NORTHBOUND.
CUNA STREET IS ACTUALLY ONE WAY EASTBOUND AND THEN TOLO MODEL LANE WAS ONE WAY WESTBOUND.
BUT YOU COULD TAKE SPANISH STREET ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO ORANGE STREET AND MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPANISH STREET AND TOLO MODEL LANE, WE DID BRING TO THE COMMISSION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION A PILOT PROJECT.
WE BROUGHT SOME DIFFERENT OPTIONS, BUT ULTIMATELY THE OPTION THE COMMISSION WANTED TO SEE IN PLACE WAS WHAT I HAVE BEFORE YOU HERE.
FOR ABOUT 90 DAYS STARTING IN APRIL 12, OVER 90 DAYS NOW, BUT WE CONVERTED THE NORTHERN PART OF SPANISH STREET INTO A PEDESTRIAN AND LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY FOR THE SECTION IN BETWEEN CUNA STREET AND THE ENTRANCE TO THE TOLO MODEL LOT.
THEN IT WAS ONE WAY NORTHBOUND BACK TO TOLO MODEL LANE, WHICH REMAINED ONE WAY WESTBOUND.
THEN WE MADE THE SECTION BETWEEN TOLO MODEL LANE AND ORANGE STREET PEDESTRIAN ONLY, SO NO TRAFFIC AT ALL ON THAT SECTION.
CUNA STREET WAS ONE WAY WESTBOUND.
TRAFFIC THAT WAS COMING ON SPANISH STREET WOULD ENTER HEAD NORTH AND THEY HAD TO TURN LEFT ON CUNA STREET TO GET BACK TO CORDOVA STREET.
FOLKS THAT WERE ACCESSING THE NORTHERN PART OF SPANISH STREET WERE NOW TURNING INTO THE TOTAL MODEL LOT ENTRANCE AND COMING THROUGH AND ENTERING SPANISH STREET FROM THAT DIRECTION.
WE'VE HAD THE PILOT PROJECT IN PLACE.
WHEN WE REOPENED THE STREET, WE HAD THE PILOT PROJECT IN PLACE.
JUST TO GO THROUGH SOME PHOTOS HERE.
I HAD A MEETING WITH SOME BUSINESS OWNERS THAT WERE NOT IN FAVOR OF THE PILOT PROJECT.
BUT FROM THAT, WE DID ADD SOME ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE TO TRY TO HELP NAVIGATE CARS.
THAT NO WAY GIVE THEIR APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT, BUT WE DID TRY TO ADD SOME ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE AFTER MEETING.
THIS IS OFF OF CORDOVA STREET.
THEN WHEN YOU GET TO SPANISH STREET ON THE RIGHT, THE PHOTO ON THE RIGHT, WE HAD A LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY SIGN WITH A LEFT TURN SIGN AS WELL.
THIS IS THE SECTION, IF YOU'RE AT THE INTERSECTION OF CUNA STREET, LOOKING NORTH, THAT WAS YOUR LEFT HAND PHOTO ON THE RIGHT, A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION.
>> AND NOW WE'RE GOING FURTHER.
WE'RE JUST NORTH OF THE TOLOMATO LOT ENTRANCE DRIVEWAY APRON.
YOU CAN SEE IN THIS PARTICULAR DAY WHEN I WAS OUT THERE, WE HAD SOME COMMERCIAL VEHICLES UTILIZING THE LOADING ZONE STILL.
AND THEN THIS IS THE SECTION OF SPANISH STREET BETWEEN TOLOMATO LANE AND ORANGE STREET AND YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE CONDITION ONE REASON WE REALLY WANTED THIS FROM STAFF'S POINT OF VIEW WAS THIS CONFLICT RIGHT HERE, YOU SEE, WHICH IS YOU HAVE A BLIND CORNER WITH TWO BUILDINGS.
SO VEHICLES WERE COME TO THAT INTERSECTION.
I TOOK THIS PHOTO ON A WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, BUT A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS CROSS RIGHT HERE.
SO THAT ELIMINATED A CONFLICT BETWEEN THE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE TRAFFIC.
JUST TO GIVE AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, AND WE DID GO OUT AND DO SOME CAR COUNTS.
SO WE DIDN'T DO TRAFFIC COUNTS BEFORE WE PUT THE ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
WE WEREN'T EVEN REALLY THINKING ABOUT THIS PILOT PROJECT.
IT BUBBLED UP DURING THE CONSTRUCTION, SO WE DIDN'T HAVE A BASELINE TO GO TO.
BUT WE DID GO OUT AND DO COUNTS AND WE LOOKED AT TWO DIFFERENT SECTIONS.
WE LOOKED AT THE SECTION OF SPANISH STREET BETWEEN HYPOLITA AND CUNA STREET, WHICH IS ON THE LEFT HERE, AND THEN SPANISH STREET BETWEEN CUNA AND ORANGE STREET.
WHAT YOU CAN SEE HERE IS HYPOLITA AND CUNA STREET, YOU HAVE ABOUT 588 VEHICLES PER DAY WHEN WE WENT OUT AND DID
[01:05:05]
THE COUNTS VERSUS THE NORTHERN SECTION OF SPANISH STREET WHERE NOW THEY'RE ENTERING TOLOMATO LOT, WHICH IS ABOUT 105 VEHICLES PER DAY.NO SPEEDING WAS OCCURRING ON EITHER SECTION.
THEY WERE GOING ABOUT 12-13 MILES PER HOUR, WAS THE AVERAGE OR THE 85TH PERCENTILE.
BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS.
SO HYPOLITA AND CUNA STREET HAD ABOUT 163 PEDESTRIANS PER HOUR.
THAT'S ALSO BECAUSE HYPOLITA AND SPANISH STREET INTERSECTION WAS PART OF IT, AND YOU'RE GETTING A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS FLOWING DOWN HYPOLITA STREET OFF OF ST. GEORGE STREET.
AND THEN THE NORTHERN SECTION HAD ABOUT 57 PEDESTRIANS PER HOUR, BUT ALMOST 800 PER DAY.
THE QUESTION FOR THE COMMISSION IS WE'RE AT THE END OF THE PILOT STUDY.
SO I'M BACK BEFORE YOU TO GAUGE WHAT DIRECTION YOU WOULD WANT TO GO.
A COUPLE OF OPTIONS, WE COULD RETURN IT TO EXISTING CONDITIONS.
WE CAN MAKE THE PILOT PROJECT PERMANENT.
THAT WOULD REQUIRE AMENDING ORDINANCES.
WE HAVE AN ORDINANCE THAT ACTUALLY OUTLINES OUR ONE WAY STREETS.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE IT PERMANENT, I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND THAT WE MAKE THE DRIVE THROUGH AISLE OF TOLOMATO LOT, AN ACTUAL ROAD SIGNED ROADWAY.
SO YOU WOULD HAVE TOLOMATO LANE NORTH, AND THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TOLOMATO LANE SOUTH.
WE DO PLAN IN THIS UPCOMING BUDGET YEAR TO FUND THE TOLOMATO LOT IMPROVEMENTS.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE COULD PAVE, JUST TEMPORARILY PAVE THAT SECTION BECAUSE IT DOES GET ROTTED UP, AND I THINK THAT THAT DOES IMPACT PEOPLE'S ACCESS IN AND OUT OF THE LOT AS WELL.
AND A COUPLE OF THINGS WE DID LEARN THAT WE WILL HAVE TO DO IS DURING EVENTS, WE WERE OPENING THE ROAD FOR LIKE WHEN WE HAVE OUR ST. PATTY'S DAY PARADE OR OUR PARADES, THE PD WAS OPENING THE ROAD FOR EVENT TRAFFIC TO DIVERT EVENT TRAFFIC AND THINGS.
DURING SPECIAL EVENTS, IF IT BECAME PERMANENT, WE WOULD BE OPENING THE ROAD INTERMITTENTLY DURING EVENTS IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, IF WE'RE GOING TO OPEN IT UP TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> I THINK WE [INAUDIBLE] AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. SO WE'RE GOING TO OPEN IT UP.
THE FIRST CARD I HAVE IS VIRGINIA WHETSTONE, FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL I CAN'T READ IT, 63 WILLOW.
I BELIEVE YOU ALL RECEIVED A LETTER THAT I EMAILED YOU AND I DID TRY TO CONTACT EVERY COMMISSIONER AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN SPEAKING TO SOME OF YOU, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE OTHERS DIDN'T REACH OUT TO ME.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO REITERATE MY WHOLE LETTER.
BUT I DO WANT TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS.
FIRST OFF, I'M A PROPERTY OWNER AT 26 SPANISH STREET WHICH IS A COMMERCIAL PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT IS BEING LEASED TO A REAL ESTATE OFFICE.
CURRENTLY, IT'S BASICALLY CONSIDERED DEAD ENDED.
YOU GO THROUGH TOLOMATO LANE AND YOU HAVE TO TURN RIGHT.
WHICH SAYS LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY, SO THERE'S NO DRIVE THROUGH TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF MY COMMERCIAL PIECE OF PROPERTY, WHICH THERE WAS WHEN I BOUGHT IT.
THERE WAS ASSUMED THERE WOULD BE REMAINING DRIVE THROUGH TRAFFIC VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF THE BUSINESS WHEN I LEASED IT TO THE REAL ESTATE COMPANY.
MAKING THIS A PERMANENT CHANGE IS GOING TO AFFECT THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY AND THE FUTURE ESCALATION OF MY RENTS FOR MY PIECE OF PROPERTY.
I AM ABSOLUTELY OPPOSED TO THIS STREET BEING CLOSED IN THIS SECTION TO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ONLY.
WHEN IT CAME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, MY PROPERTY AND MY TENANTS WERE NOT LEGALLY NOTIFIED OF ANY POTENTIAL CHANGE.
WHEN I HEARD ABOUT IT, XAVIER PELLICER CALLED A FEW DAYS AHEAD AND SAID, OH, THIS IS ON THE AGENDA,
[01:10:01]
AND THERE'S FOUR OPTIONS.I WASN'T CONSULTED, I WASN'T ASKED, AND I KNOW GREER EDMONSTON WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO ME WAS NOT ASKED.
THERE ARE OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS THAT HAVE COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES.
WE'RE ONLY AWARE OF THE CLOSURE DOWN BY TOLOMATO AND ORANGE STREET BEING CLOSED.
NOT THE WHOLE STREET TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM CUNA FORWARD.
THERE ARE OTHER VIABLE OPTIONS I PUT TWO IN MY LETTER.
ONE IS TO OPEN IT BACK UP TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
YOU HAVEN'T DONE THAT STUDY TO SEE WHAT THE TRAFFIC'S LIKE.
NUMBER 2, A LOT OF THE COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES WOULD BE OKAY WITH RESTRICTING THE STREET BEING CLOSED LIKE AT SIX O'CLOCK OR SEVEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO ACCOMMODATE THE RESIDENTS.
BUT THE BUSINESSES ARE THERE TO MAKE A LIVING AND TO MAKE A PROFIT, AND I AS A PROPERTY OWNER NEED TO PAY THE RENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MICHAEL POUNDS, FOLLOWED BY GREER EDMONSTON.
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. MICHAEL POUNDS, 63 WILLOW DRIVE.
FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE SPANISH STREET PROJECT.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL. IT ONLY TOOK NINE MONTHS.
FOR THAT NINE MONTHS, I HAD NO ACCESS TO MY PROPERTY AND WE LOST A FORTUNE.
I COULDN'T GET INTO THE BACK, COULDN'T SELL ANYTHING, COULDN'T LOAD ANYBODY. IT WAS A NIGHTMARE.
AND IT TOOK I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS FROM PHASE 1 TO PHASE 2 IT TOOK.
AND SO WE SUFFERED AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE STREET DIDN'T GET REOPENED, AND WE WERE VERY DISAPPOINTED.
I CAME DOWN TO THE MEETING WHEN YOU MADE THIS DECISION THREE MONTHS AGO, AND I DIDN'T SPEAK BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS REASONABLE TO TRY IT FOR 90 DAYS TO SEE HOW IT WORKS, AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU TONIGHT THAT IT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME.
I CAN'T GET CUSTOMERS IN THE BACK OF MY PROPERTY.
I THINK THERE'S SOME THINGS YOU COULD MITIGATE, BUT BASICALLY, THE REAL PROBLEM ON SPANISH STREET, AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO CITY STAFF ABOUT THIS FOR MANY YEARS.
MORE YEARS THAN I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS DOWN THERE FOR 46 YEARS.
BUT THE REAL PROBLEM ON SPANISH STREET IS YOUR LOADING ZONE, IT DOESN'T BELONG THERE.
NOW THAT WE'VE MADE THE IMPROVEMENTS ON THE STREET, IT REALLY DOESN'T BELONG THERE.
I KNOW CITY STAFF WANTS TO MOVE IT, RUBEN WANTS TO MOVE IT INTO THE TOLOMATO LOT, THAT'S A GREAT CHANGE.
BUT IT COULD BE ANOTHER YEAR OR TWO BEFORE YOU GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.
YOU WANT TO MOVE THE DUMPSTER, GET THE GARBAGE TRUCKS OFF THE STREET AND YOU WANT TO MOVE THE DUMPSTER ONTO THE TOLOMATO LANE.
THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. BUT I THINK MOST OF THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AND MOST OF THE CONGESTION PROBLEMS THAT I THINK AFFECT THE RESIDENTS WOULD BE ALLEVIATED BY GETTING THAT LOADING ZONE OFF THE STREET AND I'VE BEEN SAYING IT FOR TOO MANY YEARS.
THERE WAS A TRACTOR TRAILER, 40 FOOT CONTAINER IN THAT LOADING ZONE THE OTHER DAY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW HE GOT AROUND THE CORNER BEHIND MY BUILDING AND DIDN'T TAKE OUT MY BUILDING, BUT HE MANAGED IT. HE WAS A GOOD DRIVER.
MOST OF THE TIME, I'M SEEING LARGE TRUCKS TAKING THE BARRIERS OUT AT THE END OF TOLOMATO LANE AND DRIVING DOWN AND TURNING LEFT ON ORANGE LIKE THEY USED TO.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES MY BUILDING HAS BEEN HIT DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS.
I'M SO HAPPY TO HAVE THAT LITTLE SECTION CLOSED.
IT'S TAKEN OUT THE CASTILLO FORT SIGNS.
IT'S A NARROW STREET. BIG TRUCKS DON'T BELONG ON THERE.
SMALL VEHICLES BELONG ON THERE, BUT NOT BIG TRUCKS.
IN CONCLUSION, THIS DOESN'T WORK FOR ME EVEN THE CHANGES THAT YOU WANT TO DO I DON'T LIKE THIS IDEA OF TOLOMATO STREET SOUTH AND TOLOMATO STREET NORTH.
THAT JUST ADDS MORE CONFUSION.
EVERYBODY GETS EVERYWHERE USING THESE TODAY.
EVERYBODY USE A GPS AND SO YOU'RE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO DO BUSINESS DOWN THERE.
I DON'T DISLIKE ANY OF THE RESIDENTS, I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO LIVE DOWN THERE, AND WE DO NEED TO CUT TRAFFIC DOWN ON THE STREET.
AND A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE MY FRIENDS.
I HATE TO DISAGREE WITH THEM, BUT YOU NEED TO OPEN IT BACK UP.
MAKE THE CHANGES LATER ON AND THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN, BUT YOU REALLY DIDN'T TALK TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. GREER EDMONSTON, AND FOLLOWED BY SCOTT YORK.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MARGARET GREER EDMONSTON, AND I AM HERE.
MY FAMILY OWNS THE PROPERTY AT 17 CORDOVA STREET WITH OUR DRIVEWAY THAT COMES OFF AND CONNECTS TO SPANISH STREET, WHICH WE HAVE FOR THE LAST 20 SOMETHING,
[01:15:02]
30 YEARS, HOWEVER LONG WE'VE BEEN THERE.USED TO EITHER AS AN ENTRANCE AND EXIT OF OUR BUILDING, A SECONDARY ONE, BUT STILL ONE THAT WE HAVE USED.
AS VIRGINIA WHETSTONE JUST MENTIONED, THIS WAS A SUDDEN THING.
WE KNEW ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION, THE PARKING LOT, CHANGES THAT WERE DONE TO ACCOMMODATE THE SPANISH STREET CONSTRUCTION, WENT THROUGH ALL THAT AND THEN JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS TRIAL WITHOUT REALLY BEING CONSULTED OR GIVING INPUT.
I'M SPEAKING, WE, BECAUSE OF THE OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS THAT WE'VE TALKED TO, WE HAD A MEETING WITH RUBEN FRANKLIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, AND JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS AND WHAT OTHER OPTIONS THERE MIGHT BE TO MAYBE NOT GIVE THEM THE COMPLETE CLOSURE THAT THEY MAYBE ARE WANTING, BUT WOULD HELP WITH THE TRAFFIC BECAUSE NOISE AT NIGHT AND TRUCK TRAFFIC AND THE SAFETY ISSUES.
WE ALL UNDERSTOOD CLOSING SPANISH STREET AT ORANGE IT'S A REAL SAFETY HAZARD, AND THERE WASN'T ANY BUSINESS OWNER THAT SPOKE AGAINST IT.
BUT TRYING OTHER THINGS FIRST, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW DIRECTION OF CUNA, HOPEFULLY, THAT WOULD HELP GET CARS OFF TO CORDOVA SOONER.
THE CLOSURE AT THE END OF THE STREET MEANS PEOPLE CAN'T JUST GO ALL THE WAY TO THE END AND GET OUT LIKE THEY USED TO.
BUT TRYING OTHER THINGS LIKE SIGNAGE THERE.
LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY, NO TRUCKS PERMITTED NORTH OF CUNA STREET, MAYBE PUTTING AN ARCH THAT WOULD PREVENT TRUCKS FROM GETTING DOWN THAT SECTION OF THE STREET.
AND THEN NIGHTLY CLOSURES, LIKE VIRGINIA WHETSTONE JUST MENTIONED, SIX OR SEVEN O'CLOCK, THAT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF LATE NIGHT NOISE.
SO AGAIN, HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE CLOSING.
FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS WE THINK OTHER OPTIONS SHOULD BE TRIED FIRST BEFORE JUST TAKING THAT MORE EXTREME STEP.
AND I HAD SENT YOU EMAILS, SO SOME OF THIS IS REPETITIVE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO READ THEM, BUT I THINK THAT WAS THE GIST OF WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO RELAY.
SCOTT YORK IS NEXT AND THEN MARTHA MIKLER.
>> IF I COULD GET THE OVERHEAD DISPLAYS, IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.
SCOTT YORK, I'M A RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER ON SPANISH STREET.
THIS MAGICAL TOWN HAS SEEN MANY GREAT LEADERS AND INNOVATORS THROUGHOUT ITS RICH AND VIBRANT HISTORY FROM PONSO LEON TO PEDRO MENENDEZ TO HENRY FLAGLER AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE INNOVATORS AND VISIONARIES FRANKLIN SMITH.
WHEN FRANKLIN SMITH CAME TO ST. AUGUSTINE, HIS VISION FOR THIS TOWN FOREVER SHAPED THE CITY'S ENVIRONMENT THAT WE KNOW TODAY.
AT THE TIME, ST. AUGUSTINE WAS A REMOTE TOWN ON THE SOUTHERN FRONTIER OF AMERICA.
AS SMITH LATER EXPLAINED, I DECIDED TO BUILD A HOME IN ST. AUGUSTINE, AFTER THE MODEL, WHICH THE EXPERIENCE OF CENTURIES HAD PROVED DESIRABLE AND SEMI TROPICAL CLIMATES.
HIS INNOVATIVE METHOD OF POURED CONCRETE, MIXED WITH LOCALLY FOUND CRUSHED COCINA SHELL AND SAND, IT WAS THE FIRST CONCRETE STRUCTURE IN FLORIDA AND THE VERY FIRST BUILDING OF ITS KIND.
SMITH'S INNOVATION PROVIDED AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO CONSTRUCT AN ARTIFICIAL STONE STRUCTURE THAT WAS NOT ONLY RESISTANT TO FIRE, MOISTURE, AND INSECT DAMAGE, BUT ONE THAT WOULD STAND THE TEST OF TIME.
THE VILLAS ARAITA SPARKED THE GENESIS OF MODERN CONCRETE BUILDING TECHNOLOGY, REVOLUTIONIZING THE ARCHITECTURE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, INCLUDING THE VERY BUILDING THAT WE'RE STANDING IN TODAY.
THIS CITY COMMISSION AND HEROIC CITY STAFF NOW HAVE THAT VERY SAME OPPORTUNITY TO LAY OUT THE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS GREAT CITY.
IMAGINE A DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT, WHICH IS SAFE FOR VISITORS AND RESIDENTS ALIKE TO STROLL ABOUT AND PATRONIZE THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES.
ENJOY A MEAL, VISIT OUR PARKS.
LISTEN TO SOME LIVE MUSIC, GRAB A SNACK, AND SOCIALIZE WITH ONE ANOTHER.
A SMALL PORTION OF THIS PLAN IS ALREADY IN PLACE AND HAS BEEN TESTED FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS.
OUR BELOVED SPANISH STREET NEIGHBORHOOD, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN BY THE MINORCANS, AS LITTLE SAN FELIPE HAS SERVED AS THAT TEST PATTERN FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY.
MORE THAN 2000 PEDESTRIANS PASS THROUGH THIS VERY SPECIAL NEIGHBORHOOD EACH DAY, BY FOOT, ON BIKES, ON SCOOTERS, SKATEBOARDS, AND VARIOUS OTHER PEDESTRIAN METHODS,
[01:20:02]
SAFELY ENJOYING THIS AREA WHEN THEY DO.EVEN THE EMPLOYEES OF A FEW OF THE BUSINESSES WHO WANT TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS ARE NOW ABLE TO SAFELY LEAVE THEIR BUSINESSES AND TAKE THEIR TRASH TO THAT VERY SAME COMPACTOR THAT MR. POUNDS SPOKE ABOUT AND GET SAFELY TO THE PARKING LOTS AS WELL.
THE RESIDENTS OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ARE MOST DEFINITELY NOT THE ONLY ONES BENEFITING FROM CREATING THIS PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY PATH.
THIS PROJECT HAS BENEFITED THE ENTIRE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
MY DEAR FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR MS. MARTHA AND I WERE RECENTLY STANDING OUTSIDE, CHATTING IN THE MIDDLE OF SPANISH STREET, WHEN WE MET A KIND GENTLEMAN VISITING ON A HOLIDAY FROM ENGLAND.
AND I ASKED HIM ONE OF MY STANDARD QUESTIONS IS WHAT DREW YOU TO ST. AUGUSTINE.
HE MENTIONED THAT 25 YEARS AGO.
HE READ AN ARTICLE IN A MAGAZINE ABOUT ST. AUGUSTINE AND HOW CHARMING IT WAS.
HE TOLD US STANDING THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF SPANISH STREET, THAT THIS STREET MADE THAT ARTICLE LIVE UP TO WHAT WAS PROMISED 25 YEARS AGO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. IT'S MARTHA MIKLER NEXT, FOLLOWED BY RON MIKLER.
>> THANK YOU. I'M MARTHA MIKLER AND I GREW UP ON THAT STREET.
I'M THE THIRD GENERATION OF MY FAMILY TO LIVE ON THAT STREET.
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU THE COMMISSION AND THE CITY STAFF FOR LISTENING TO OUR CONCERNS ABOUT TRAFFIC AND SAFETY IN THIS RESIDENTIAL SECTION.
THE PILOT PROGRAM HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.
THE RESIDENTS HAVE SUPPORTED ALL THE EFFORTS OF MAKING OUR HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD A SAFER PLACE FOR EVERYONE.
I HAVE COME TO THE COMMISSION SEVERAL TIMES WITH CONCERNS OF SAFETY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
I APPRECIATE THE ACTIONS YOU HAVE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT OUR HISTORIC AREA IS MORE LIVABLE AND SAFER.
I SENT EACH OF YOU AN EMAIL LAST WEEK AND INCLUDED A COPY OF THE DATA THAT I HAVE COLLECTED SINCE 2021 ON VARIOUS DATES AND TIMES.
THESE TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN COUNTS WERE TAKEN FROM THE CORNER OF CUNA STREET THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ON SPANISH STREET.
THE COUNTS THAT THE MOBILITY DEPARTMENT RECENTLY OBTAINED REINFORCES HOW POPULAR HP3 IS TO SO MANY PEOPLE.
WE THE RESIDENTS HAVE TAKEN GREAT PRIDE IN MAKING THIS STREET ENJOYABLE FOR THE MANY VISITORS AND LOCALS WHO WALK BY EVERY DAY.
RESIDENTS SPEND TIME OUTSIDE EVERY DAY TALKING WITH PEOPLE, WALKING BY OUR HOMES.
WE ARE AMBASSADORS TO THE MANY BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN.
PEOPLE STOP AND ASK US FOR RECOMMENDATIONS, AND WE ARE PLEASED TO DIRECT THEM TO MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORING BUSINESSES.
I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF ALL THE EFFORTS THE CITY HAS TAKEN TO ENSURE A SAFER DOWNTOWN FOR RESIDENTS AND EVERYONE WHO WALKS DOWN SPANISH STREET.
OF COURSE, THE MOST IMPACTFUL ACTION HAS BEEN MAKING THIS A PEDESTRIAN ONLY SECTION.
THE ADDITIONAL LIGHTING HAS ALSO MADE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN HELPING EVERYONE FEEL SAFER.
I HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORT THE PLAN TO KEEP THIS A PEDESTRIAN ONLY STREET.
I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND CHANGE IS DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY CHANGING A TRAFFIC PATTERN.
WHEN I MOVED BACK TO OUR HOMETOWN AFTER ST. GEORGE STREET BECAME A PEDESTRIAN ONLY STREET, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW CHALLENGING THAT TRAFFIC CHANGE MUST HAVE BEEN TO EVERYONE.
NOW, LOOK HOW SUCCESSFUL THAT PEDESTRIAN STREET IS.
I COMMEND YOU PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE WHILE MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUR RESIDENTS AND PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE.
IN CONCLUSION, ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS, AND MANY OF THEM ARE HERE TONIGHT.
IN THIS HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO MAKE THIS PROGRAM PERMANENT.
WE HAVE RON MIKLER, FOLLOWED BY LEONARD PELLISSIER.
>> RON MIKLER, 30 SPANISH STREET.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU'VE BEEN DOING AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH.
YOU'VE DONE A REALLY GREAT JOB, I BELIEVE, AS A WHOLE GROUP.
I WISH OUR MAYOR WAS HERE TOO, BUT I'M GLAD SHE IS WHERE SHE IS, REPRESENTING ST. AUGUSTINE.
IF WE GO BACK FAR ENOUGH, ST. AUGUSTINE NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE HAD SMALL STREETS EVERYWHERE,
[01:25:04]
BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE LARGE VEHICLES TRYING TO GO THROUGH THEM.THAT GOT TO BE A PART OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS HAVING LARGE VEHICLES, AND THEY JUST SEEMED TO GET LARGER AND MORE DETERMINED TO COME DOWN IN THE SMALL AREAS.
I WATCHED A LOT OF THE WORKERS, THOUGH, WHO DRIVE THE TRUCKS, THEY PARK ON THE OUTER SKIRTS, AND THEY REALLY WORK HARD PULLING STUFF BACK AND FORTH.
WELL, SPANISH STREET HAS REALLY CHANGED SINCE YOU OPENED IT UP TO JUST PEDESTRIANS.
I WOULDN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU KNOW HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING DOWN THAT STREET.
WEEKENDS ARE ESPECIALLY VERY HEAVILY TRAFFICKED.
LARGE FAMILIES AND PARENTS WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR LITTLE CARTS AND PEOPLE WHO NEED WHEELCHAIRS AND WHATNOT.
BUT IT'S SO MUCH SAFER THROUGH THAT AREA.
AS THEY COME DOWN AND THEY COME IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
MOSTLY CERTAIN TIMES THEY COME DOWN AND THEY GO DOWN TO CUNA STREET.
SOME WILL GO STRAIGHT ON DOWN SPANISH, BUT MANY OF THEM TURN AT CUNA AND GO OVER TO ST. GEORGE STREET, AND IT'S SO MUCH SAFER.
THAT'S THE THING THAT I BELIEVE HAS BEEN THE BEST ADVANTAGE IS THE SAFETY WITHOUT THEIR CARS COMING DOWN THROUGH THERE BECAUSE SO MANY OF THEM DO NOT PAY ATTENTION AND WILL NOT TAKE CARE.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
THE COMPANY WHO DID THE WORK, THEY WERE EXCELLENT.
THEY TRIED TO TREAT EVERYONE FAIRLY AND DO AS MUCH AS THEY COULD.
THEY GAVE A COUPLE OF THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE TONIGHT, GAVE THEM NICE BIG PARKING AREAS.
REALLY APPRECIATE IT, AND I HOPE YOU'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS. THANK YOU.
WE HAVE LEONARD PELLISSIER, FOLLOWED BY CHRIS BOMER.
>> LEONARD PELLISSIER, 31 SPANISH STREET.
I'M A LATTER DAY MENORCA AND STILL LIVING ON SPANISH STREET, SO IT'S NICE TO STILL HAVE A LITTLE MENORCA DOWN THERE.
I FIRST CAME TO ST. AUGUSTINE IN MARCH OF 1945, AND MY WIFE FOLLOWED ABOUT A YEAR LATER.
NOW, WE WEREN'T MARRIED THEN, BUT SHE FOLLOWED ABOUT A YEAR LATER.
I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT WHERE I WAS AT THE TIME, AND HONESTLY, THAT DIDN'T CHANGE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
I WENT TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL HERE AND NEVER REALIZED HOW LUCKY WE ALL ARE TO CLAIM THIS CITY AS OUR HOME.
IT WASN'T UNTIL I LEARNED A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT I REALIZED IT WAS ALMOST A MIRACLE TO BE A NATIVE OF THIS CITY.
NOT TO MENTION INHERIT OF FAMILY HISTORY THAT STRETCHES BACK OVER MANY GENERATIONS.
WHEN I LEFT SCHOOL, I ENLISTED IN THE NAVY, WHERE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW A GOOD MANY OTHER PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD GET TO LIVE THEIR LIVES.
WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE SERVICE, I WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, GOT MARRIED, HAD CHILDREN, ENJOYED A CAREER IN EDUCATION, K THROUGH UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL.
OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE LIVED AND WORKED IN SEVERAL OTHER STATES AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I FIRST ARRIVED IN THIS CITY 80 YEARS AGO.
POPULATIONS IN OUR COUNTY HAS GROWN TO 10 OR 12 TIMES WHAT IT WAS AT THAT TIME.
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL INTEGRATED PUBLIC, COUNTY WIDE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES ALL OUR KIDS IN ONE SYSTEM.
WE'RE RANKED FIRST IN THE STATE FOR MANY YEARS NOW.
THERE ARE MANY MORE SHOPPING CENTERS, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, TURNS ATTRACTIONS, YOU NAME IT.
THERE IS LITERALLY SOMETHING HERE FOR EVERYONE.
IN FACT, THERE ARE A LOT OF SOME THINGS FOR EVERYONE.
EVEN WITH ALL THE GROWTH AND CHAINS, ST. AUGUSTINE HAS SOMEHOW MANAGED TO MAINTAIN ITS MAGICAL FEEL AND ITS BREATHTAKING BEAUTY.
I DEFY ANYONE TO TAKE A WALK ALONG THE SEA FRONT AND CONCLUDE IT'S ANYTHING OTHER THAN MAGNIFICENT.
LOTS OF AFTERNOONS, NANCY AND I SIT ON THE FRONT PORCH WITH HER ACROSS THE STREET NEIGHBORS AND CHAT WITH FOLKS LOCAL AND OUT OF TOWN AND OUT OF COUNTRY WHO ARE WALKING DOWN SPANISH STREET.
CAN'T TELL YOU JUST HOW MANY TIMES WE'VE HEARD, THIS TOWN IS SO BEAUTIFUL.
WE CAN'T WAIT UNTIL WE CAN RETIRE AND MOVE HERE.
OF COURSE, WE DON'T TELL THEM ABOUT PROPERTY PRICES.
[01:30:02]
IN CONCLUSION, LIVING HERE IS INDEED A DREAM, AND THE COMMISSION PROPOSAL TO MAKE SPANISH STREET A WALKING STREET ONLY ENHANCES THE BEAUTY OF THAT DREAM.MY HOPE IS THAT THIS PROPOSAL WILL WORK SO WELL.
THERE'LL BE MORE STREETS THAT CAN BE RESERVED FOR WALKERS AND BABIES AND PETS AND BICYCLES, AND TRICYCLES, AND FEWER FOR SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILERS, TRUCKS, CARS, AND MOTORCYCLES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CHRIS BOMER, FOLLOWED BY CHARLES PAPPAS.
>> HI. GOOD EVENING. I JUST WANT TO SAY I HAVE LONG ADVOCATED FOR SHUTTING STREETS OFF DOWNTOWN, ESPECIALLY ON DIZZY WEEKENDS.
WE GOT THE COMPLETE STREETS FOR A REASON, AND I THINK [INAUDIBLE] AND SPANISH NEED TO BE SHUT ON A REGULAR BASIS WHEN IT'S VERY CROWDED.
BUT WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING IT SO MUCH WALKING DOWN SPANISH.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL STREET. IT'S QUIET.
WHEN I WALK WITH THE GRANDKIDS, WE DON'T HAVE TO HOLD THEIR HANDS THE ENTIRE WAY.
IT'S ONE STRETCH WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CARS AND WE REALLY ENJOY IT.
SO I WOULD SAY, PLEASE KEEP IT.
WE'D LIKE YOU TO MAKE IT PERMANENT. THANK YOU.
NEXT, CHARLES PAPPAS, FOLLOWED BY TIM FLEMING.
>> CHARLES PAPPAS, [INAUDIBLE] STREET, ST. AUGUSTINE.
THIS HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL PILOT PROGRAM.
IT'S NICE TO SEE PEOPLE ROMAN BEYOND ST. GEORGE AND EXPERIENCE THAT TRUE TINY LITTLE GLIMPSE OF THE PAST WITH THE WELL THERE IN THE OLD HOUSES IN THE NARROW STREET.
IT MAKES IT MUCH SAFER WALK IN THE STREETS IN THIS NARROW AREA.
OUR TRAFFIC COUNTS SHOW THAT THIS AREA IS USED BY PEDESTRIANS MORE THAN VEHICLES.
LET'S GIVE THE PEDESTRIANS THE RIGHT AWAY.
THIS WAS ALSO BECOME MORE DYNAMIC BUSINESS AREA AS MORE PEOPLE WALK IN THIS AREA IF IT BECOMES PERMANENT.
YES, THERE WILL BE AN ADJUSTMENT AND A CHANGE FOR THOSE BUSINESSES, BUT JUST LIKE ST. GEORGE, THEY WILL ADJUST. LET'S THINK BACK.
THERE'S THAT DEVELOPMENT GOING ON THERE WHERE THERE'LL BE A NEW RESTAURANT INSIDE A HOUSE OPENING SOON, BRINGING MORE WALKERS WHO WILL CHOOSE TO ENTER VIA SPANISH STREET THAN ST. GEORGE STREET.
AS A WALKER AND A BIKER, I ALWAYS AVOIDED SPANISH STREET BECAUSE IT WAS JUST TOO DANGEROUS.
EVEN IF YOU HAD ONE CAR, JUST LIKE WHEN YOU PLAYED KIDS, SOMEBODY HAD A YELLOW CAR, AND WE ALL HAD TO PUSH TO THE SIDES.
SINCE THIS PILOT STARTED, I REDISCOVERED THIS AREA WHEN THE PILOT STARTED.
LET'S MAKE THIS PERMANENT AND SUPPORT THE RESIDENTS AND OUR WALKING VISITORS.
IT'S A TOUGH SMALL STEP, BUT WE KEEP WAITING IN THE CITY OF NOT REACHING OUR GOALS BECAUSE WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE.
THESE LITTLE TINY STEPS WILL GET US TO OUR GOAL.
IT'S NOT PERFECT, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IT IS HARD TO MAKE THAT DECISION. THANK YOU.
TIM FLEMING, AND HE WILL BE OUR LAST SPEAKER.
>> GOOD EVENING, VICE MAYOR. COMMISSIONERS. NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
I HAVE TO TELL YOU RETIREMENT IS VERY FUN.
>> [LAUGHTER] I'M THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT OUR CITY HAS UNIQUE TRAFFIC ISSUES.
I GREW UP ON THE CORNER OF SAN MARCO AVENUE IN PINE STREET.
FOR THE LAST 36 YEARS, MY WIFE AND I HAVE LIVED RIGHT SMACKED DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF ANDERSON STREET BETWEEN SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY AND US1.
I ALWAYS WONDERED, I HAVE SEEN GROWING UP IN ST. AUGUSTINE SINCE I WAS THROWING NEWSPAPERS ON ST. GEORGE STREET FOR THE ST. AUGUSTINE RECORD AT AGE 9, BACK WHEN THERE WERE CARS ON ST. GEORGE STREET, I'VE SEEN EVERY ITERATION OF TRAFFIC PLAN IN THE CITY, AND WE'VE ALWAYS HAD ISSUES.
I DON'T DENY THE FACT THAT SOMETIMES IT'S VERY TRYING TO GET AROUND.
I ALWAYS WONDERED WHY, JUST BECAUSE WE'RE AN OLD CITY.
THEN I HAD EXPLAINED TO ME BY A RANGER AT THE CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS WHILE I WAS ON THE CANNON CREW. NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT.
CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE WAS LAID OUT BY THE SPANISH AUTHORITIES IN THE 1590S.
ABOUT THE SAME TIME MY SANCHEZ AND SOLANO ANCESTORS GOT HERE.
IT WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT AN ENEMY FORCE FROM PENETRATING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CITY AND STILL WORKING TODAY.
[LAUGHTER] BUT RUNNING SOME FACTS, I RAN A QUICK SCAN OF THE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER, 15 PROPERTIES ON SPANISH STREET, EATON WEST, SEVEN OF WHICH ARE RESIDENCES.
YES, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT.
BUT EVEN IF YOU WERE TO CLOSE THIS SECTION OF THE STREET, THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE TRAFFIC COMING THROUGH THE [INAUDIBLE] LANE ONTO THE NORTH PART OF SPANISH STREET.
[01:35:02]
THE CITY TAXPAYERS PAID FOR THE RENOVATION OF THAT STREET, THE WHOLE STREET.CITY TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT WHOLE STREET.
I THINK YOU'D BE MAKING A VERY BAD PRECEDENT IF YOU MADE A PRIVATE CUL-DE-SAC ON THAT CORNER OF CUNA IN SPANISH STREET.
YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT TRAFFIC, YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT EMERGENCY VEHICLES, POLICE VEHICLES, COMMERCIAL CARS, COMMERCIAL TRUCKS GOING UP AND DOWN.
COME OVER TO ANDERSON STREET SOMETIME.
BUT I CAN'T SEE ESTABLISHING A PRECEDENT OF CLOSING OFF A STREET FOR SEVEN RESIDENCES.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO TELL THE FOLKS ON THE ABBOTT TRACT ON WATER STREET IF THEY DECIDE THEY WANT A PRIVATE STREET? THEY DON'T WANT CARS COMING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO TELL THE RESIDENTS ON GROVE AVENUE OR CINCINNATI AVENUE THAT CONNECTS SAN MARCO AVENUE WITH US 1.
THEY DON'T LIKE THE TRAFFIC GOING BACK AND FORTH.
I THINK WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE EXISTING SITUATION.
WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES ON ST. GEORGE STREET.
JUST THIS MORNING, MY WIFE AND I MARK SPANISH STREET AND THERE'S 35-40 PARKING SPACES ON THE WEST SIDE OF SPANISH STREET TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES ON ST. GEORGE STREET.
WE HAVE TO KEEP THE BUSINESSES IN MIND, TOO.
THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM WHAT WE'VE HEARD? WHO WOULD LIKE TO START? [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, I HAVE A LOT OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE SPANISH STREET PILOT.
I WENT DOWN THERE WHEN IT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THOSE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES, IT AFFECTED THE RESIDENTS MORE SO BECAUSE THEIR HOMES WERE CAGED AND THEY COULDN'T GET IN THERE AND THEY WERE PARKING IN A TOLOMATO PARKING LOT AND SO FORTH, BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT HOW LONG IT WAS TAKING AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
I MET WITH A LOT OF THEM, AND THEY ARE A GREAT GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT RESIDE.
I'M SURE THERE'S GREAT INDIVIDUALS THAT LIVE OUT THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.
BUT I WAS GOING TO CHECK THAT PARTICULAR AREA.
I ALSO WENT, I THINK ALL OF US WENT JUST ABOUT AND ATTENDED THE OPENING, AND THEY HAD SO MUCH LOVE FROM THE BUSINESSES, AS WELL AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT WAS A GREAT THING, AND IT WAS JUST A WONDERFUL DAY THERE TO SEE IT OPEN.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I HAVE WENT DOWN THERE BECAUSE I KNEW THIS DAY WAS COMING AND I HAVE TALKED TO THE INDIVIDUALS.
I'VE TALKED TO A BUSINESS OWNER THAT HAS A LITTLE STORE ON THE CORNER.
I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE REALTORS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT THERE.
I SAW ACCESS THAT THEY CAN GET TO DIFFERENT BUSINESSES EVEN COMING THROUGH THE TOLOMATO LOT.
I'M NOT A FAN OF THE CONDITION OF THE TOLOMATO LOT, BUT I DID HEAR OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER SAID THAT WE COULD PAVE THAT TEMPORARILY TO MAKE IT NOT SUCH A NIGHTMARE TO COME THROUGH.
THAT CONCERN, AS FAR AS IT BEING MUDDY AND HARD FOR VEHICLES TO COME THROUGH THERE THAT ARE MAKING THAT TURN, I THINK IT WILL ELIMINATE THAT.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT ANYONE IS FOOLISH ENOUGH TO THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE EVERY STREET.
I DON'T THINK EVERY STREET HAS THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAD ON SPANISH STREET TO BE FRANK.
THEY HAVE PROBLEMS FROM THE BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN THAT LINGERED INTO THEIR YARDS AND DRIVING THROUGH THERE.
EVEN WITH THE PILOT PROGRAM, SOMEONE GOT THEIR VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE WITH IT BEING CLOSED NOW.
I DISCOVERED THAT BY GOING BY THERE JUST TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND HOW THE RESIDENTS WERE ENJOYING THAT.
I BELIEVE THAT IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY TO LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS NOW.
I'M SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCES A COUPLE OF BUSINESSES BECAUSE I DO UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERNS, BUT THEY CAN STILL GET TO THEIR BUSINESSES.
I THINK THAT THE SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS,
[01:40:02]
I WITNESSED IN MY VISITS NUMEROUS PEOPLE COMING THROUGH THERE WALKING AND ENJOYING IT.A LOT OF THEM WERE RESIDENTS, A LOT OF THEM WERE AS EMPLOYEES.
IT WAS A MIXTURE OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT CAME THROUGH THERE AND ENJOY THAT.
I PERSONALLY ENJOYED IT AS WELL THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO RUN OUT OF THE ROAD FOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE SAFETY THAT THESE RESIDENTS HAVE THAT THEIR SMALL ANTIQUED HOMES HAVE NOW AND NOT FEARING.
ONE RESIDENT TOLD ME THAT A TRUCK CAME THROUGH, AND THEY HAD $5,000 IN DAMAGES TO THEIR HOME THAT THEY HAD TO ABSORB FROM THE MAGNITUDE OF THE VIBRATIONS FROM TRUCKS.
I RESPECT THAT THE TAXPAYERS PAY FOR IT.
HECK, I'M A TAXPAYER, TOO, BUT I STILL RESPECT THE FACT THAT IT'S ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL STREET THAT WE WILL HAVE THAT THE PEDESTRIANS CAN WALK THROUGH SAFELY WITH THEIR CHILDREN, WITH THEIR CARRIAGES, WITH THEIR SKATEBOARDS AND BE UNHARMED. THANK YOU.
>> STARE OFF. [LAUGHTER] I'VE DONE A LOT OF THINKING ABOUT THIS AND I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND I'VE TALKED TO SOME BUSINESS OWNERS, AND I THINK I'M AT THE QUANDARY THAT EVERYBODY HERE'S AT.
WE HAVE A PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT TECHNICALLY IS A GATED COMMUNITY, ALTHOUGH PEOPLE CAN WALK THROUGH IT.
IT IS A SMALL SECTION OF THE TOWN.
BUT THEY'VE BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME.
IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT THAT WE HAVE CREATED THIS MONSTER ON SPANISH STREET WITH PEOPLE.
THE SPEAKER SPOKE ABOUT THE INVADERS.
WELL, THE INVADERS ARE HERE, AND THEY'RE ON FOOT, BECAUSE WE MAKE THEM PARK IN THE GARAGE.
I'VE WALKED THAT STREET SEVERAL TIMES MYSELF BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT CUT OFF, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU PARK IN A GARAGE TO CUT OFF TO GET DOWN TO ST. GEORGE STREET SOMEWHERE QUICK AND NOT PAST PEOPLE TRYING TO SELL YOU PERFUME OUT OF THE DOOR.
I'M AT A REAL QUANDARY BECAUSE I DO FEEL THAT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE BUSINESSES NEED CERTAIN AMENITIES FOR THAT BUSINESS TO STAY IN PLACE, THINGS THAT THEY HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.
I AM MORE IN LINE TO HAVE US TRY A 90-DAY PERIOD OF AN OPEN DURING THE DAY, MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY OR MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY EVEN AND HAVE IT CLOSED AT NIGHT.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE THAT STREET PAVED THE TOLOMATO SOUTH, ALTHOUGH WE'D HAVE TO CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE, THAT REALLY WOULD BE CONFUSING TO HAVE TWO TOLOMATOS.
MOST PEOPLE CAN'T SAY IT TO BEGIN WITH.
BUT ALSO AT THE END OF THAT TOLOMATO TO HAVE SIGNS FOR THOSE TWO BUSINESSES THAT HAVE ENTRANCES THAT WAY BECAUSE IT IS CONFUSING.
IT IS CONFUSING FOR THOSE TWO PARTICULAR SPOTS.
THERE IS A SIGN WHEN YOU TURN OFF CORDOVA AND YOU START HEADING DOWN TOWARD SPANISH, IT SAYS NO TRUCKS.
THERE'S A BIG TRUCK WITH A BIG SIGN WITH ARROW THROUGH IT.
BUT I DON'T THINK WE ENFORCE THAT.
I DON'T KNOW WHY WE HAVEN'T ENFORCED IT, BUT I'VE SEEN TRUCKS GOING DOWN THERE.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE RESTAURANTS DOWN THERE THAT NEED SERVICE AND OTHER BUSINESS THAT NEED SERVICE, BUT RESTAURANTS IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE THEY GET DELIVERIES ALMOST EVERY DAY.
WE HOPE THEY GET DELIVERIES EVERY DAY FOR FRESH THINGS.
WE NEED TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE PLACES FOR THOSE TRUCKS TO DROP THEIR GOODS AND WALK IN, WHETHER THAT BE THE CIRCLE WHERE THE CLOCK IS OR WHETHER THAT BE ON ORANGE STREET, WHERE THE CURRENT TOUR TRAINS HAVE A CERTAIN TIME IN THE MORNING, THEY COULD STOP THERE OR EVEN CREATING ONE ON CORDOVA SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY CAN SKIP RIGHT THROUGH TO SPANISH STREET.
BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE HONORABLE OF US AND FAIR FOR US.
WE GAVE THE RESIDENTS A 90-DAY TEST THAT WE ALSO LOOK AT SPANISH STREET.
I DROVE IT WHEN PEOPLE WERE THERE AND YOU HAVE TO CREEP ALONG.
IF I WAS AS A LOCAL, I DEFINITELY WOULD TURN DOWN CUNA AND GET OUT OF THERE IF I HAD GONE TO THE FLORIDIAN OR I HAD GONE TO A RESTAURANT SOMEWHERE OR DO BUSINESS DOWNTOWN.
I DIDN'T HAVE TO CREEP ALONG WITH ALL THE PEDESTRIANS.
MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE WE WOULD CUT SPANISH STREET TO WALKING THE ENTIRE THING.
THAT WOULD BE A BEAUTIFUL THING, BUT WE CAN'T BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH PARKING LOTS AND BUSINESSES THAT OWN PARKING SPOTS DOWNTOWN.
[01:45:01]
THAT'S JUST NOT FEASIBLE RIGHT NOW.PERSONALLY, I'D LIKE TO SEE SPANISH STREET CLOSED LIKE IT IS, BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE FAIR AND HONORABLE TO TRY A TEST WITH IT OPEN DURING THE WORK HOURS. THANK YOU.
>> I PROBABLY HAVE MORE WORDS THAN COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
BUT I DO WANT TO TAKE MY TIME TO SAY ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
BUT BEFORE I START, I'D LIKE TO CALL MR. FRANKLIN BACK UP, IF I COULD, TO ASK HIM A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS JUST FOR EVERYBODY'S EDIFICATION.
I KNOW THIS COMMISSION HAS SEEN THE PLANS FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF THE TOLOMATO LOT.
BUT NOW THAT WE'VE HAD THE PILOT PROJECT AND THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TERMS OF ACCESS THROUGH THE LOT TO SPANISH STREET FROM CORDOVA STREET.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE WHOLE JIGSAW PUZZLE LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT THE TIMING MIGHT BE GIVEN THE CURRENT BUDGET CYCLE IN OUR UPCOMING CONSIDERATIONS?
>> SURE. THE TOLOMATO LOT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN ON OUR TO-DO-LIST FOR A LONG TIME, AND IF THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR BUDGET IS APPROVED, WE'LL HAVE MONEY TO PUT IT OUT TO BID TO RECONSTRUCT IT.
THAT RECONSTRUCTION ENVISIONED TAKING THE LOADING ZONE OFF OF SPANISH STREET AND ADDING MORE LOADING ZONES ACTUALLY IN THE TOLOMATO LOT FOR LARGE DELIVERY VEHICLES AND FOR MEDIUM SIZED, AND THAT YOUR ACCESS FOR THAT WOULD COME OFF OF THE OFF OF CORDOVA STREET.
YOU'D TURN INTO THE LOT, YOU'D CIRCLE AROUND AND THERE'D BE COMMERCIAL LOADING ZONES.
THEN YOU WOULD EXIT BACK ONTO CORDOVA STREET AND NOT ONTO SPANISH STREET AT ALL.
THAT WAS THE INTENT WITH OUR TRASH COMPACTOR THAT'S THERE, WE TURN THAT INTERNAL TO THE TOLOMATO LOT.
NOW, OUR SOLID WASTE VEHICLES ARE ALSO DOING THE SAME THING.
YOU WOULD ELIMINATE THE LARGE TRUCK TRAFFIC THAT'S TRYING TO GET TO THAT LOADING ZONE THAT'S ON THE NORTH SECTION OF SPANISH STREET.
THAT WAS THE INTENTION AND TO PROVIDE SOME MORE LOADING ZONES BECAUSE DURING OUR PEAK TIMES, WE HAVE A LOT OF VEHICLES THAT ARE TRYING TO GET IN.
WE HAVE TRIED TO ENFORCE OUR WAY OUT OF IT.
WE'VE WRITTEN TICKETS IN THE PAST, AND IT BECOMES A COST OF DOING BUSINESS.
LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE, IT'S REALLY ALMOST LIKE A PHYSICAL BARRIER, YOU'D HAVE TO GO BACK TO LIKE AVILES STREET, THAT TO REALLY LIMIT.
I WILL SAY THIS IS THE ONE THING THAT EVERYBODY I TALKED TO AGREED ON, WHICH WAS GETTING TRUCKS OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS EMERGENCY SERVICES AND FIRE TRUCKS.
HOW DO WE MAINTAIN ACCESS FOR OUR FIRE TRUCKS? THAT'S BEEN THE BIG ISSUE THERE.
BUT ESSENTIALLY, THE TOLOMATO LOT IS RECONFIGURING IT.
TO ADD COMMERCIAL LOADING ZONES, WE WILL REMOVE THE LOADING ZONE ON SPANISH STREET.
>> YOU AND I MET LAST THURSDAY, SO I'LL JUST SAY THAT.
BUT CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF PAVING AN ENTRYWAY FROM CORDOVA INTO THE TOLOMATO LOT?
>> SURE. IT'S GOING TO TAKE US TIME TO BID THE PROJECT OUT.
WHEN THE PROJECTS BUILT, PUT ON THE STREET AND BUILT, IT'S SPECKED OUT TO BE ALL CONCRETE WITH THE PARKING SPOTS, PERMEABLE PAVERS FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.
THE INTERIM, BECAUSE I DID SEE IT AS A CRITICISM, AND I TEND TO AGREE IT GETS ERODED REAL EASY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TRUCK TRAFFIC.
WE COULD TEMPORARILY JUST PAVE THAT DRIVE ACCESS WHILE WE WAIT FOR US TO GO THROUGH THE 90-DAY PROCESS TO BID AND GET A CONTRACTOR UNDER CONTRACT TO START CONSTRUCTION.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS ALLUDING TO WITH THAT. WE COULD PAVE IT.
THAT WOULD BE A SHORT-TERM FIX WHILE WE WORK ON GETTING INTO CONSTRUCTION.
>> IT WOULD ADDRESS A NUMBER OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED BY THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF MAINTAINING THIS CONFIGURATION OF PEDESTRIAN ONLY, IF WE DO THAT TEMPORARY PAVING BASICALLY UNTIL WE CAN FINISH THE PROJECT.
>> IT WOULD HELP WITH THE ROTTING THAT OCCURS THERE, THAT IS NOT PROVIDING A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE TRAVERSING IT EVERY DAY.
>> ALSO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS RAISED, IDEAS THAT WAS RAISED THAT WAS REFERRED TO BY COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD IS THE VISITOR CENTER CIRCLE THAT IS USED BY A NUMBER OF,
[01:50:02]
IT'S NOT USED BY CASUAL VISITORS, IT'S USED.BUT THAT'S ADJACENT TO ORANGE STREET.
IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF GETTING SOME OF THE DELIVERY TRUCKS OVER THERE ON A TEMPORARY BASIS WHILE WE ARE DOING THESE UPGRADES, PERHAPS LIMITING THE HOURS THAT THEY CAN BE THERE, BUT THEN GETTING THEM OFF OF SPANISH STREET?
>> WE DID ALLOW THEM TO USE THE CIRCLE WHILE IT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, SO IT'S POSSIBLE.
DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, IT WOULD BE VERY CONGESTED IN THERE.
SO IT MAY WORK CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR AND NOT OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR.
OTHER THINGS WE'VE CONTEMPLATED WAS OPENING CORDOVA STREET, MAYBE SIGN CORDOVA STREET TO ALLOW, IT'S YELLOW CURBED ALL THE WAY DOWN.
BUT IF WE ALLOW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES TO PARK ON THE CURB SIDE OF CORDOVA, MAYBE TILL 9:00 AM OR 10:00 AM, THAT MIGHT ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE ISSUE TOO WHEN THERE'S LOW TRAFFIC VOLUMES ON CORDOVA.
BUT YEAH, CERTAINLY THE OPENING THE CLOCK TOWER CIRCLE IS WHAT I REFER TO IT AS. CAN BE AN OPTION.
THANK YOU. THAT'S WHAT I NEEDED TO KNOW.
I BEG EVERYBODY'S PATIENCE WHILE I GO THROUGH MY RATIONALE HERE BECAUSE I HAVE A NUMBER OF PERSPECTIVES AND HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH.
LET ME START WITH THE FACT THAT I HAVE BEEN A PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE COMMUTER FROM THE NORTH CITY AREA, VERY SIMILAR TO MR. PAPPAS HERE, TO DOWNTOWN FOR WORK AND BACK FOR 21 YEARS.
I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A REALLY GOOD SENSE OF THE PULSE OF THE CITY FROM A PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST POINT OF VIEW, AS WELL AS A DRIVER BECAUSE I HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH THE CITY AS WELL.
I'VE PERSONALLY WITNESSED AND PARTICIPATED IN SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES DURING MY COMMUTE.
I'LL SEE A FAMILY GO INTO THE ICE CREAM SHOP AS THEY'RE WALKING DOWN SAN MARCO, POP INTO THE BOUTIQUE, POP INTO WHATEVER STORE.
SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE ON SPANISH STREET ARE SEEING AN UPTICK IN THEIR VISITORS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE VISITORS ARE ACCESSING THE STREET.
THEY'VE ALREADY PARKED SOMEWHERE ELSE.
THAT'S THE WHOLE IDEA OF OUR MOBILITY PLAN.
PARK ONCE, WALK AROUND, AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO WANT TO DUCK INTO THE AIR CONDITIONING SOMEWHERE AS YOU'RE WALKING AROUND, IF NOTHING ELSE WHILE YOU'RE WALKING TO GET OUT OF THE WEATHER.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR THEN THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WITH BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE BOTH OPPOSED TO THIS PERMANENT PEDESTRIAN CONFIGURATION, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE IN FAVOR OF IT.
IT'S NOT UNIVERSALLY AGREED UPON PREMISE THAT THE PEDESTRIAN ONLY CONFIGURATION IS GOOD OR BAD FOR BUSINESS.
IT'S JUST NOT FROM THOSE WHO I'VE SPOKEN WITH.
I ALSO HAVE DONE MY OWN RECONNAISSANCE.
I'VE WALKED AROUND, I'VE DRIVEN AROUND THE CONFIGURATION ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.
I MET WITH YOU ON SITE LAST THURSDAY.
WE TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES.
THE BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT POSSIBLY A GATE.
THAT'S ONE OF THEIR ALTERNATIVES THAT THEY'VE PROPOSED FOR LIMITED ACCESS TO VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY OR EVENING OR WHATEVER.
YOU MENTIONED THAT A GATE WOULD BE LOGISTICALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE WHY?
>> IF IT'S A MECHANICAL GATE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO HARB AND FIGURE OUT HOW'S THE EQUIPMENT AND GETTING POWER TO IT.
BUT I THINK THE IDEA OF A PILOT THAT IT'S JUST AN OPERATIONAL ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH, IS THERE A CITY STAFF MEMBER THAT'S COMING BY AT 6:00 OR 7:00 PM EVERY NIGHT AND CLOSING THE ROAD? IF THE GATE MALFUNCTIONS, WHICH IT PROBABLY WILL.
BUT THE MECHANICAL NATURE OF IT, I JUST DON'T KNOW.
WE'D HAVE TO GO TO HARB TO GET THERE A WAY IN ON WHAT WE COULD INSTALL OUT THERE OUTSIDE OF ONE OF THE WOODEN BOLLARDS THAT WE HAVE NOW, AND WE'VE DONE THAT WITH OTHER PROJECTS.
JUST THE WORKING OUT, IF THAT BECOMES PERMANENT, WHO'S DOING IT, AND WHAT DO WE DESIGN TO MAKE THAT FUNCTION?
>> THANK YOU. THERE'S SOME OBSTACLES, BUT IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE?
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. I ALSO THINK ABOUT BECAUSE I'VE DEALT WITH THIS WHEN I COULDN'T WALK OR RIDE DUE TO AN INJURY LAST YEAR AND DRIVING TO WORK, COMING ONTO CORDOVA STREET, ESPECIALLY DURING OUR PEAK VISITOR SEASON SO GETTING ONTO ORANGE STREET AND THEN HEADING WEST, TURNING LEFT ONTO CORDOVA STREET.
IF YOU KNOW WHERE MOJOS IS, IT'S RIGHT AT THAT INTERSECTION AND VERY FREQUENTLY,
[01:55:01]
ALL TIMES OF THE DAY, THERE IS A DELIVERY TRUCK PARKED IN FRONT OF MOJOS FOR A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME BLOCKING THAT ENTIRE INTERSECTION.IN FACT, WE CHANCED UPON A PASSENGER VEHICLE THAT WAS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING, AND MARON, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, OR RUBEN, DO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THAT PICTURE? IT'S NOT A GREAT PICTURE, BUT GIVES YOU THE IDEA.
>> I BELIEVE MARON PUT IT ON HERE.
YEAH, THAT'S IT. IF YOU CAN PICTURE, THIS IS LOOKING TO THE SOUTH, I MEAN TO THE NORTH, MY APOLOGIES, AND FROM THE TOLOMATO LOT.
IF YOU CAN PICTURE A BIG DELIVERY VEHICLE THERE AND VEHICLES TRYING TO TURN ALL DIFFERENT WAYS TO AND FROM ORANGE STREET AND CORDOVA STREET.
THERE'S A BIG PILE UP THERE WHEN THERE'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC.
I YOU KNOW THE TOWN, YOU KNOW THAT YOU COULD GET ON SPANISH STREET AND TURN LEFT TO CUNA AND AVOID THE MESS AT CORDOVA STREET AT ORANGE STREET APPROXIMATELY.
BUT NOT EVERY VISITOR WILL KNOW THAT, AND THE GPSS WILL SEND THEM THROUGH THE TOLOMATO LANE DOWN SPANISH STREET, GOING NORTH, THROUGH THE TOLOMATO LANE GOING WEST AND ONTO CORDOVA STREET INTO THE MIDDLE OF THAT MESS.
I SEE THAT AS A MUCH WORSE AND DANGEROUS TRAFFIC CONFIGURATION.
THAT'S ANOTHER REASON I DON'T LIKE REOPENING SPANISH STREET ALL THE WAY.
LET'S GO TO THE NUMBERS. I'M A NUMBERS PERSON I'M A SCIENTIST.
WHEN I COLLECT MY DATA, I HAVE TO HAVE IT VERIFIED, LOOKED AT BY OTHER SCIENTISTS, TORN APART AND SPIT UP AND THROWN BACK OUT.
I LOOK AT NUMBERS, AND PLEASE DON'T GET UPSET WITH ME ABOUT THIS BECAUSE YOU'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME COLLECTING NUMERICAL INFORMATION.
MS. MIKLER HAS SENT US HER DATA COLLECTING PEDESTRIAN COUNTS AND VEHICLE COUNTS ON SPANISH STREET, I THINK SINCE 2021.
I WISH THESE NUMBERS COULD BE PERSUASIVE, BUT WHEN I LOOK AT THEM, THEY'RE SUBJECT TO A LOT OF VARIATION.
THE NUMBERS ARE NOT COMPELLING TO ME, I'M SORRY TO SAY.
THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN THE METHODOLOGIES THAT ARE USED.
THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN THE TIMES OF YEAR, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBERS OF YEARS, THE TIMES OF DAY, HOW LONG THE DATA WERE COLLECTED.
BUT THERE'S VARIATIONS IN WEATHER CONDITIONS.
HOW DO WE ACCOUNT FOR THAT? YOU'RE GOING TO SET IT UP FOR JULY, WHATEVER 4-11TH, AND IT RAINS FOR THREE OF THOSE FIVE DAYS.
BUT THE NEXT YEAR IT DOESN'T, OR RIGHT AFTER THE PROJECT, IT DOESN'T.
THERE'S NO COMPARING THOSE NUMBERS.
WHAT ABOUT THE INTERESTS AND USERS OF THOSE PEOPLE ON SPANISH STREET, SOME ARE COMMUTERS, SOME ARE CALLING TRASH, SOME ARE INCIDENTALLY WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND SOME ARE TAKING WEDDING PICTURES.
WE CAN'T ACCOUNT FOR THOSE VARIATIONS, AND WE CAN'T ACCOUNT FOR NECESSARILY NUMBERS OF VISITORS BECAUSE LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR, WE'RE 20% DOWN IN TERMS OF OUR VISITATION FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND.
THERE'S TOO MUCH VARIATION FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO BE COMPELLED BY THE NUMBERS. I'M GOING TO THROW THAT OUT.
THEN LASTLY, I'VE GOT A COUPLE MORE THINGS.
WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT FOR ME IN MAKING THIS DECISION IS NOT THE RESIDENTS IT'S NOT THE BUSINESS OWNERS, I'M SORRY, FOR BOTH OF YOU GROUPS.
IT'S A CONSISTENCY OF THIS CHANGE IN USE ON SPANISH STREET WITH OUR GUIDING DOCUMENTS.
THESE ARE OUR VISION AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
WE'VE ADOPTED A FAR REACHING MOBILITY PLAN.
THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THE MOBILITY PLAN TO HAVE ALL TYPES OF USAGE AND ACCESS.
ANOTHER THING AND SO I'M GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF MAKING THIS A PERMANENT CHANGE.
THIS IS THE THING THAT RANG THE BELL FOR ME IS YESTERDAY AS I'M WATCHING THE CLOSING CEREMONIES OF THE OLYMPICS, AS MANY OF US DID, I'M REALLY NOT GOING OUT ON A TANGENT HERE AT ALL.
BUT THERE WAS THE TRANSITION FROM PARIS TO LA, LOS ANGELES, THE CAR CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
LA HAS MADE IT VERY PUBLIC THAT THEIR GOAL IS TO HAVE A CAR FREE OLYMPICS IN 2028.
IF LA CAN DO IT, IF THEY CAN EVEN GET PART WAY THERE, WE CAN DESIGNATE A 230 FOOT SECTION OF A VERY NARROW STREET WITH A LOT OF SAFETY HAZARDS AS PEDESTRIAN ONLY, AND THAT'S IT FOR ME.
[02:00:03]
>> WELL, THAT'S A HARD ONE TO FOLLOW.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO SAY, I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE OPENING. I WAS OUT OF TOWN.
I HEARD IT WAS A GREAT EVENT WHEN WE OPENED THE CLOSING OF THE STREET.
WHEN I FIRST RAN ALMOST 12 YEARS AGO, MY PLATFORM REALLY WAS BUILT ON BALANCING THE RESIDENTS, THE BUSINESSES, AND OUR TOURISTS THAT COME OUT ALL THE TIME.
WEHN WE FIRST STARTED DOING THE PILOT, I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A GREAT IDEA BUT 90 DAYS, WE'LL CHECK IT OUT.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY, I FEEL THAT ONE, THE BEST I COULD DO IS I WOULD NEVER GIVE UP THE CLOSURE NEAR ORANGE STREET.
THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM, WE HAVE A BAR VERY CLOSE BY, PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS BACK AND FORTH SO I WOULD NOT GIVE THAT UP.
THE BEST I WOULD DO WOULD BE WHAT JIM IS SAYING, WHICH WOULD BE A TEMPORARY OPENING OF THE STREET UNTIL NO LATER THAN SIX O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, AND THE BOLLARDS GO BACK AND THAT WOULD BE A TEST, AGAIN, FOR 90 DAYS AND I WOULD ONLY GO FOR THAT BECAUSE OF THE STATEMENT THAT THE BUSINESSES WERE NOT LEGALLY INFORMED.
MR. FRANKLIN, DID WE NOT GO TO THE BUSINESSES AT THE START OF THIS AND SAY.
>> WELL, WHEN WE PUT THIS TOGETHER, IT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION SO WE REACHED OUT TO EVERYBODY ON THE STREET, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE A WORKSHOP TO GO THROUGH THE PLAN.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A PUBLIC, PERIOD TO MAKE COMMENT ON BEFORE WE MOVED FORWARD WITH IT OUTSIDE OF THE ADVERTISED COMMISSION MEETINGS THAT WE BROUGHT IT.
IT DID COME SUDDEN, BUT THAT WAS THE POINT OF THE 90 DAY PERIOD WAS TO TEST IT OUT.
>> I BELIEVE IN SMALL STEPS, AND AS MR. PAPPAS MENTIONED, THIS IS A SMALL STEP TOWARDS MAKING IT MORE LIVABLE FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
I LEAN TOWARDS KEEPING IT CLOSED BUT IF WE NEEDED TO, WE COULD DO A 90 DAY AS MR. STRING. BUT ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THAT? I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO BECAUSE.
>> ARE YOU READY FOR A MOTION?
>> WHEN WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT REDOING TOLOMATO, LET'S ASSUME IT'S NORTH AND SOUTH TOLOMATO DRIVE, ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE THEM GO AND COME BACK OUT SOUTH OR ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE THEM GO AND GO OUT NORTH? TOLOMATO.
>> YOU WOULD EXIT ON THE SOUTH ONE ONTO SPANISH STREET AND THEN HEAD NORTH.
>> NO, WHEN YOU REDO TOLOMATO PARKING LOT.
>> THEY WOULD COME THEY WOULD ENTER ON SOUTH TOLOMATO, LET'S JUST SAY WE CALL IT THAT, AND THEY WOULD PARK EMPTY, AND WHERE WOULD THEY GET OUT?
>> THEY CIRCLE BACK TO THE ENTRANCE ON CORDOVA STREET.
>> SO THEY GO BACK TO THE SOUTH SO THEY WOULD NOT BE GOING BACK TO THE ENTRANCE THAT SHE'S MOST CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THE CAR WAS?
THEY'D COMING IN AND OUT OF THE ENTRANCE THAT'S ADJACENT TO I THINK EDMONSTON.
>> EDMONSTON. THE ONLY TRAFFIC THAT'S GOING TO GO DOWN SOUTH TOLOMATO AND GET ON SPANISH IS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA PARKING LOTS, THE CONDOS, FOR THESE BUSINESSES, AND THEY WILL EXIT EITHER ONE.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THEY COULD GO BACK ACROSS THE STREET AND EXIT THE TOLOMATO LOT OR THEY COULD TURN NORTH AND TURN LEFT AT TOLOMATO LANE.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING AGAINST OUR CODES ANYWHERE THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO ADVERTISE THOSE BUSINESSES TO THE RIGHT? IF WE COULD HAVE SIGNS THAT SAID SUCH AND SUCH, SUCH AND SUCH.
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT SAYS LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY.
>> IF I'M LOOKING FOR THAT BUSINESS, I'M GOING TO TURN LEFT IF I'M FROM PITTSBURGH, SO IS THERE ANYTHING AGAINST OUR CODES FOR ALLOWING THAT TO HAPPEN?
>> GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE DON'T ADVERTISE BUSINESSES ON CITY PROPERTY IT'S CONSIDERED OFFSITE SIGNAGE.
BUT IF THIS WERE DEEMED A SECURITY OR SAFETY OR TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE, POTENTIALLY, WE COULD INVESTIGATE THAT IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION THE COMMISSION WANTS TO GO.
>> IF I COULD JUST EXPAND ON THAT.
[02:05:01]
THERE IS RIGHT NOW, MS. WEBSTONES COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ON THE RIGHT THAT HAS REMARKS.IT COULD BE POLICY, BUT WE COULD HAVE MAYBE TWO RESERVE SPOTS REMARK, WE COULD PUT THEIR BUSINESS SIGN IN THE TOLOMATO LOT DRIVE BECAUSE THERE WAS CONFUSION OVER TURNING RIGHT THERE BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE THAT, YOU PICKED UP ON THAT YOU GET YOUR LOCAL ACCESS SIGN, LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY SIGN AND THEN LEFT HAND TURN SO WE NEED TO WORK ON THAT.
BUT THAT WAS IF SOMEBODY'S TRYING TO GET TO THE REMARKS OFFICE, I COULD SEE THAT BEING CONFUSING.
>> YES, I THINK WE COULD HAVE A MOTION.
>> I MOVE THAT WE MAKE THIS PILOT PROJECT, PEDESTRIAN ONLY ON THAT SECTION OF SPANISH STREET THAT WE'VE BEEN REFERRING TO PERMANENT AND THAT WE AMEND OUR CODES TO ENABLE THAT TO HAPPEN.
FOR THE ONE WAY, I BELIEVE IT'S CALLED? YES.
>> THAT'S JUST DIRECTING STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ALL THE ADVERTISING.
>> YEAH. I DIDN'T MEAN TO INCLUDE THAT AS PART OF THE MOTION. THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. NOW, DOES THAT THAT INCLUDES EITHER WAY, WE WOULD PAVE THE STREET SOUTH TOLOMATO BEFORE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT A LONG TIME.
>> YEAH, IF IT'S APPROVED THIS EVENING EITHER WAY, WE'LL WORK ON GETTING THAT THOROUGHFARE PAVED AS SOON AS WE CAN.
>> WE'D HAVE TO HAVE TO MAKE IT A STREET SO IT WILL SHOW UP ON GPS? YES.
>> THE TWO THINGS THAT WE'LL DO IS THERE IS A AMENDMENT TO THE ONE WAY STREETS SECTION, AND WE'LL MAKE THIS A NAMED STREET.
>> WE'LL DO IT SIMULTANEOUSLY.
>> WELL, STAFF CALL ROLL, PLEASE.
>> TWICE I HAVE DONE THIS TO YOU IN PUBLIC.
>> HOW DOES IT ALWAYS HAPPEN? OH, GOSH.
OUR NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS ANY ITEMS BY THE ATTORNEY?
>> DO WE HAVE ANYTHING FROM OUR CLERK?
>> DO WE HAVE ANYTHING FOR THE CITY MANAGER?
>> NOT THIS EVENING. THANK YOU.
>> DO WE HAVE ANYTHING FROM OUR BOARD HERE?
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
>> YES, I DO. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU ALL.
IT'S A GREAT DISCUSSION, AND WE'RE MOVING AHEAD.
I WANT TO THANK THE MANAGER AND THE CREW FOR PAVING THE SIDEWALK FROM ORANGE STREET TO THE VISITORS INFORMATION CENTER.
IT LOOKS WONDERFUL. DID A GREAT JOB, AND I THINK IT'S A BIG IMPROVEMENT.
>> I'LL BE BRIEF. IT'S RECENTLY COME TO MY TO NOTE THAT THE JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS HAD A BIG TUSSLE WITH A TOWING COMPANY IN THE JACKSONVILLE AREA WITH REGARD TO PRACTICES THAT ARE VERY QUESTIONABLE, LET'S SAY.
WE HAVE PARKING ISSUES IN OUR CITY AND ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS WHO IS NEAR AND DEAR TO ME ACTUALLY ENDED UP GETTING TOWED AND FOUND OUT THAT SOME OF THE PRACTICES THAT THE TOWING COMPANY WERE EMPLOYING WERE EXCESSIVE IN TERMS OF THE FINES AND WAS ABLE TO DO THE RESEARCH AND GET SOME OF HIS MONEY BACK.
BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT BECAUSE THAT SAME TOWING COMPANY THAT'S COME TO THE ATTENTION OF JSO IS OPERATING AS WELL IN THE ST. AUGUSTINE AREA AND IN THE CITY.
THERE MAY BE OTHER ISSUES AS WELL SO I'D LIKE TO ASK STAFF TO EXPLORE THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT UNNECESSARILY HAVING PEOPLE MISTREATED OR EXCESSIVE COSTS, ESPECIALLY IF THE PRACTICES OF THE TOWING COMPANY ARE QUESTIONABLE.
IF WE COULD FOLLOW UP WITH THAT, THAT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I AM VERY GLAD FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON THE SPANISH STREET, ABOUT THE MOBILITY ASPECT OF IT.
[02:10:01]
IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT THE RESIDENTS.I THINK AT SOME POINT, WE HAVE DISCUSSED THAT WE WANT DOWNTOWN TO BE WALKABLE ONLY, AND WE CANNOT GET THAT UNTIL WE PROBABLY GET THE BROWDYS PARKING LOT DONE.
WHERE THEY CAN JUST WALK OVER AND JUST WALK OUR CITY.
WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CITY DOWNTOWN, AND ALL THE BUSINESSES DESERVE TO BE EXPLORED AND TALKING TO SOME OF THE BUSINESSES, THEY ARE PUT IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE WALKING MORE.
AS WE KNOW, WALKING IS ALSO GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH, AND I ENCOURAGE ALL OF US THAT WE NEED TO GET MORE EXERCISE IF WE WANT TO LIVE LONG.
IT'S VERY THANK EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT TONIGHT, WHETHER THEY WERE FOR THE SPANISH STREET OR AGAINST THE PROJECT.
I KNOW THAT CHANGE IS ALWAYS HARD, AND I ALSO RESPECT THE FACT THAT DURING THE PILOT, IT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE A CHANGE AND I FEEL THOUGH THAT THAT CHANGE IT WAS A GOOD CHANGE AND I HOPE THAT EVERYONE THAT HEARS THIS OR WAS PART OF THIS UNDERSTANDS THAT IT WASN'T REALLY THE BUSINESSES AGAINST THE RESIDENTS IT WAS WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE CITY AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE NOTHING TONIGHT SO WE'RE ADJOURNED.
GOOD JOB. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.