[00:00:02]
>> GOOD EVENING. THIS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE ON OUR AGENDA IS A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
WE WILL HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AFTER WHICH VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE RISE.
>> THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA IS
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
MODIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA.MR. CITY MANAGER, DO WE HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS?
>> I DO HAVE ONE MODIFICATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM 10A OFF OF THE AGENDA.
>> GREAT. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT? I MOVED THAT WE APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA WITH ITEM 10A REMOVED.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT ITEM IS PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
I HAVE QUITE A FEW SPEAKER CARDS.WE HAVE SUCH A PASSIONATE COMMUNITY.
THE FIRST SPEAKER I HAVE IS FOR RUBY REILEY [PHONETIC], AND SHE HAS MARKED ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING.
HOWEVER, THERE IS NO ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT ITEM, SO YOU'LL BE WELCOME TO SPEAK NOW.
IF YOU'LL JUST GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS RUBY REILEY.
I LIVE AT 26 BEACON STREET IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
THANK YOU-ALL FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE, AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU-ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND YOUR RECENT PUBLIC COMMENTS HAVE REALLY WARMED MY HEART THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO LIVE HERE.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK YOU, AND I'M REPRESENTING MY NEIGHBORS AS WELL BECAUSE WE WERE RUNNING OUT OF SPEAKER CARDS.
WE CARE ABOUT THE 100-ACRE MARSH.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE COMMENTS FROM SEPTEMBER.
WE FEEL THAT ANY HARD SURFACES ADDED TO THIS AREA ARE GOING TO EXACERBATE FLOODING.
THERE ARE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO RAISE THEIR HOUSES, AS THERE ARE IN MANY COMMUNITIES AROUND, AND IT'S GOING TO CHANGE SO MUCH.
ONCE AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
I WON'T TAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME SO THAT OTHERS CAN SPEAK. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I NEGLECTED TO READ THE RULES OF DECORUM.
AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS THAT ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION SHOULD FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD, AND I WILL CALL YOU TO THE PODIUM WHEN IT'S 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.
NO PERSONS 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 INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
THANK YOU. WITH THAT SAID, THE NEXT SPEAKER IS GINA BURRELL, FOLLOWED BY TONNI KERN [PHONETIC].
>> HELLO, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
[00:05:03]
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT RESOLUTION 2025-05.ABOUT THE 100-ACRE MARSH LOCATED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF BILLING STREET AND BEACON STREET WITHIN THE FULLERWOOD AREA.
I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO BE VOTING YES TONIGHT BECAUSE WE REALLY CARE ABOUT THIS PROPERTY.
IT'S SENSITIVE. IT'S IN THE MARSH AND IT SHOULDN'T BE DEVELOPED.
ALSO, I AGREE WITH THE FORMER SPEAKER ABOUT WE SHOULDN'T USE PAVERS AROUND, IT SHOULD BE DRAINAGE FROM AROUND HOMES.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS TONNI KERN, WHO WILL BE FOLLOWED BY BILL CURTIS.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION 2025-05 TO PURCHASE THE100-ACRE MARSH.
I LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE FORMER LONGTIME OWNER, THAT WAS HER WISH.
IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN BEFORE SHE PASSED AWAY, BUT THAT WAS HER WISH.
I KNEW HER. I'VE BEEN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD A LONG TIME.
ALSO, WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IS PLEASE KEEP IT NATURAL IF THIS GOES THROUGH BECAUSE WE NEED SOME WILD SPACES.
I DO BELIEVE MANGROVES DO A BETTER JOB THAN HUMAN ENGINEERS.
I JUST THINK THAT THE WILDLIFE NEEDS A BREAK AND THE RESIDENTS NEED FLOOD MITIGATION BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF FLOODING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THANK YOU-ALL FOR HAVING THIS LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU. BILL CURTIS, FOLLOWED BY TOM REYNOLDS.
>> I'M JUST HERE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF KEVIN VAN DYKE AND MERCY VAN DYKE ON MATTER 91, AND I'M THEIR ATTORNEY.
IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME WHEN THAT MATTER COMES UP, I'M HERE.
I'M WILLING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CURTIS. TOM REYNOLDS, FOLLOWED BY NANCY MURPHY.
>> TOM REYNOLDS, 112 ARRICOLA, 32080.
FOLKS, TODAY, WE HAD A GREAT TDC MEETING.
THE MAYOR DID HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY TOO, BUT OBVIOUSLY DOING DUTIES HERE.
>> SIR, IF YOU COULD SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE.
>> THANK YOU. ANYWAYS, THE MAYOR LEFT US ALL IN SHOCK AT THAT MEETING WHEN SHE ANNOUNCED THAT SOMEBODY WAS THREATENING HER.
IT WAS AMAZING. IT'S ON VIDEO. IT'S THERE.
I JUST WANT YOU FOLKS TO KNOW THAT ANYBODY THAT THREATENS YOU OR ANY HIGH-RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY ARRESTED.
I GOT TO TELL YOU THIS QUICK STORY.
A FEW YEARS AGO, OVER IN ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, HURRICANE MATTHEW, A GENTLEMAN PUMPED WATER OUT OF HIS BUSINESS.
HE BLEW OUT 500 YARDS OF THE DUNES.
I VIDEOED IT AND TURNED HIM IN TO EPA.
HE WENT TO HARDWICK, THE CURRENT SHERIFF, WHO WAS CHIEF OF POLICE AND BEGGED HIM TO ARREST ME FOR TURNING THEM IN.
HARDWICK TOLD HIM, TOM REYNOLDS COMMITTED NO CRIME.
WELL, AS THE STORY GOES, HE FILED A CIVIL STALKING CHARGE AGAINST ME, WENT TO TRIAL.
NOT ONLY DID I WIN, BUT THAT JUDGE, HOWARD MCGILLN, WENT UP ONE SIDE OF O'BRIEN AND DOWN THE OTHER.
O'BRIEN WENT ON TO RESIGN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER.
THE REASON WHY I TELL THAT STORY IS BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE MISTAKE CRITICISM AND EXCITEMENT FOR ANGER AND THREATS.
NOW, AS YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I SIGN MY EMAIL, IN EVERY EMAIL I EVER SEND, AND EVERY WORD I SPEAK, I PICTURE IT ON THE COURTHOUSE WALL.
LAWFULLY, LEGALLY, AND ALWAYS PEACEFULLY IS HOW I ROLL, AND I EXPECT EVERYBODY ELSE TO DO THAT.
NOW, I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH TWO WORDS TONIGHT, RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
I EMAILED THE FOUR FOUR-YEAR COMMISSIONERS. IT'S REAL.
WE KNOW WHO'S TO BLAME FOR THE FIASCO THAT HAPPENED IN THIS CITY,
[00:10:04]
PUTTING EVERYBODY'S LIFE IN DANGER DURING THOSE SEVEN NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.PLEASE DON'T HAVE THEM DO THE INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, NANCY MURPHY, FOLLOWED BY ROBIN THOMAS.
>> CAN WE REVERSE THE ORDER AND HAVE HER GO FIRST?
>> YES. IF YOU'D LIKE TO REVERSE THE ORDER, YES.
ROBIN THOMAS FOLLOWED BY NANCY MURPHY.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ROBIN THOMAS, AND I'M HERE TO READ THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION.
THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPASSION LIES AT THE HEART OF ALL RELIGIOUS, ETHICAL, AND SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS, CALLING US ALWAYS TO TREAT ALL OTHERS AS WE WISH TO BE TREATED OURSELVES.
COMPASSION IMPELS US TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF ALL FELLOW CREATURES, TO DETHRONE OURSELVES FROM THE CENTER OF OUR WORLD AND PUT ANOTHER THERE, AND TO HONOR THE INVIOLABLE SANCTITY OF EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING, TREATING EVERYONE WITHOUT EXCEPTION, WITH ABSOLUTE JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND RESPECT.
IT IS ALSO NECESSARY IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE TO REFRAIN CONSISTENTLY AND EMPATHETICALLY FROM INFLICTING PAIN, TO ACT OR SPEAK VIOLENTLY OUT OF STRIFE, CHAUVINISM OR SELF INTEREST, TO IMPOVERISH, EXPLOIT, OR DENY BASIC RIGHTS TO ANYBODY, AND TO INCITE HATRED BY DE-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 PRINCIPLES, THAT ANY INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE THAT BREEDS VIOLENCE, HATRED OR DISDAIN IS ILLEGITIMATE.
TO ENSURE THAT YOUTHS ARE GIVEN ACCURATE AND RESPECTFUL INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER TRADITIONS, RELIGIONS, AND CULTURES TO ENCOURAGE A POSITIVE APPRECIATION OF CULTURAL 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 PRINCIPLED DETERMINATION TO TRANSCEND SELFISHNESS, COMPASSION CAN BREAK DOWN POLITICAL, DOGMATIC, ETIOLOGICAL, AND RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES.
BORN OF OUR DEEP INTERDEPENDENCE, COMPASSION IS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AND TO A FULFILLED HUMANITY.
IT IS THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT AND INDISPENSABLE TO THE CREATION OF THE JUST ECONOMY AND TO A PEACEFUL GLOBAL COMMUNITY, GENEVA SWITZERLAND, FEBRUARY 2009, COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE.
INFLUENCING, INSPIRING AND GROWING A CULTURE OF COMPASSION THROUGH ADVERSITY, AWARENESS, AND ACTION.
ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2013. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NANCY MURPHY, FOLLOWED BY SUE ANN WEBBER.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M NANCY MURPHY, 22 VERONESE COURT.
I'M EXCITED TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU.
LAST MONDAY ABOUT 12 PEOPLE ENGAGED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMPASSIONATE MOVEMENT, WERE GIVEN TWO MINUTES TO SHARE A VIDEO ARTICULATING HOW WE'RE ADDRESSING THE UNITED NATIONS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
IN NOVEMBER OF 2025, THE UNITED NATIONS WILL HOLD THE SECOND WORLD SOCIAL SUMMIT TO DEVELOP AND COMMIT TO A DETAILED AND MEASURABLE ACTION PLAN FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING A FOCUS ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME SINCE 1995 THAT WORLD LEADERS WILL MEET TO ADDRESS PEOPLE-CENTERED DEVELOPMENT.
THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE POSED TO US.
WHAT ARE THE MOST URGENT ISSUES AND OR NEEDS YOUR COMMUNITY FACES? IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS AND GOVERNMENTS AT THIS SUMMIT, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM IS NEEDED TO ERADICATE POVERTY AND CREATE A SOCIETY OF GREATER EQUALITY AND HUMAN DIGNITY? MY RESPONSE WAS, MY NAME IS NANCY.
I'M AN OLDER ADULT WHO LIVES IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THE MOST URGENT ISSUES AND NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT I SEE ARE FOOD INSECURITY, ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES, AND SUPREMACY.
[00:15:01]
COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE HAS A GIFT GARDEN INITIATIVE AND PARTNERS WITH EPIC-CURE FOOD RECOVERY, FEEDING NORTHEAST FLORIDA FOOD DISTRIBUTION, ST. ANDREW SOCIETY GLEANING, LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES, COUNCIL ON AGING, PIE IN THE SKY, AND DINING WITH DIGNITY, ALL HELPING TO ADDRESS THIS NEED.WE WORK TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, HOMELESSNESS, AND SUPREMACY THROUGH OUR GOOD TROUBLE INITIATIVE, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER COMPASSIONATE ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS, THE SIERRA CLUB, CARE, HOME AGAIN ST. JOHNS, AND THE HOMELESS COALITION, AND BY PROCLAIMING THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND SPEAKING OUT FOR THE AREAS UNDER-SERVED POPULATIONS AT CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT MEETINGS.
WHAT I BELIEVE IS NEEDED FOR US TO WRESTLE WITH IS ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION, SUPREMACY, AND INDIVIDUALISM, THAT SELF-CENTERED PURSUIT OF PROFIT RATHER THAN COALITION BUILDING FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
OUR PURPLE BENCH INITIATIVE PROVIDES PLACES FOR CONVERSATION AND STORYTELLING AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEEP LISTENING AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEA MAYA PROJECT FOCUSES ON COALITION BUILDING AND COMPASSIONATE WOMEN COME TOGETHER ACROSS DIFFERENCES TO OVERCOME BARRIERS AND BIASES.
EACH OF THESE EFFORTS ADDRESS AT LEAST ONE OF THE UNITED NATIONS 17 STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
COMBINED, THESE EXAMPLES ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS ALL 17 I THANK YOU AND I THANK EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATES, THE ACTIVE ENGAGED CITIZENS OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND COUNTIES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS SUE ANN WEBBER, FOLLOWED BY WOLFGANG SHAW.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SUE ANN WEBBER, AND I'M PRIVILEGED TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER FULLERWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
I'M JUST HERE TONIGHT TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING PURCHASING THE 100-ACRE MARSH, AND HOPEFULLY, KEEP IT IN A CONSERVATION PROGRAM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS WOLFGANG SHAW, FOLLOWED BY DEBORAH G. NOLIS [PHONETIC].
MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, HOLIDAY SEASON IS OVER, AND I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU HOW HORRIBLE TRAFFIC WAS THIS YEAR.
I HAVE AN IDEA. HALF OF THE TRAFFIC AT LEAST WAS CIRCLING AROUND LOOKING FOR PARKING.
USELESS BECAUSE ALL PARKING WAS TAKEN ANYWAY.
MY IDEA IS, IF WE CAN DEVELOP AN APP, AND EVERYBODY COMES FROM THE OUTSIDE TO THE CITY HAS A PLAQUE WITH A QCR CODE, SCANS IT, HAS IT ON HIS MOBILE PHONE, AND THEN HE CAN SEE WHERE THERE IS PARKING AND WHERE NOT.
WE CAN AVOID HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF CARS JUST CIRCLING THROUGH THE CITY, CLOCKING UP OUR STREETS BY LOOKING FOR PARKING.
THIS CAN INCLUDE THE CITY GARAGE, AND EVERYONE WHO HAS A LICENSE TO SELL HIS LOT AS A PUBLIC PARKING SPACE, HE SHOULD BE OBLIGATED TO ALSO SUPPORT THIS APP BY REPORTING CONTINUOUSLY AVAILABLE PARKING LOTS ON HIS LOT SO THAT WE CAN ALL SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY.
JUST AN IDEA. IF WE NEVER STARTED, IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
SECOND, MY WIFE HAS A CRAZY IDEA.
THE CRAZY IDEA WAS BORN SINCE WE COME FROM THE BOSTON AREA, AND SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW BOSTON HAD A BIG DIG PROBABLY 30 YEARS AGO.
HER IDEA IS, WE HAVE SO MUCH THROUGH TRAFFIC THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE CITY, WHICH WE COULD PROBABLY AVOID IF WE WOULD HAVE A TUNNEL FROM A1A TO VILANO FROM A1A TO US 1.
THEN WE CAN LOCK THE ENTIRE CITY FROM ANY THROUGH TRAFFIC.
CITIES LIKE FLORENCE, THE HOME OF OUR LIONS AND DAVID, 1.5 MILE PERIPHERY CLOSED FOR ANY THROUGH TRAFFIC.
YOU CAN GO IN THERE, UNLOAD YOUR LUGGAGE AT YOUR HOTEL, BUT THEN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR CAR IN THE GARAGE ON THE PERIMETER AND STAY THERE AND WALK DOWNTOWN.
THERE'S NO NEED FOR US TO HAVE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON CUNA STREET, ON AVILES STREET, OR ANY OF THESE LITTLE STREETS.
WHY? THERE'S NO NEED FOR THAT.
WE SHOULD LOOK OUT A LITTLE BIT HOW EUROPEAN CITIES AND ANOTHER ONE IS WORDEN BUSCH OF THE TOWER, AND THE LORD MAYOR IS PRETTY TIED TO ST. AUGUSTINE,
[00:20:02]
HOW THEY RESOLVE THEIR PROBLEM.VERY SIMILAR. YOU'RE BLOCKED OUT FOR THROUGH TRAFFIC.
IF YOU HAVE A HOTEL, YOU CAN COME IN, PARK YOUR CAR.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PARKING TICKET AT THE HOTEL, YOU'RE NOT COMING.
THESE ARE A COUPLE OF IDEAS I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER BECAUSE THIS YEAR WAS A DISASTER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DEBORAH GEANOLIAS, IS FOLLOWED BY SCOTT YORK.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS DEBORAH GEANOLIAS, REGION OF THE MARIAH JEFFERSON CHAPTER, NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR REMOVING 10A, REQUEST FOR PLACEMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOT MARKER BY THE FLORIDA STATE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AT OGLETHORPE PARK FROM TODAY'S AGENDA.
NEXT JULY 4TH, 2026, IS THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
TO COMMEMORATE THAT WORLD CHANGING EVENT, THE DAR OFFERED TO PAY FOR AN AMERICAN 250 MARKER IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
ONE IS ALREADY PLACED IN PENSACOLA.
IN SEPTEMBER 2023, THIS COMMISSION APPROVED THE MARKER AND INSTRUCTED THE STAFF TO FIND A SUITABLE LOCATION.
THERE ARE MANY SITES IN ST. AUGUSTINE RELEVANT TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
THREE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WERE IMPRISONED HERE.
OUR CHAPTER'S NAMESAKE, MARIAH JEFFERSON, WHO LIVED AT 102 BRIDGE STREET, WAS THE GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON.
PRESIDENT JEFFERSON WAS THE AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR STAFF'S INTEREST IN SUPPORTING A MARKER.
OGLETHORPE PARK IS NAMED FOR A BRITISH GENERAL WHO LAID SIEGE TO ST. AUGUSTINE IN 1740 DURING THE WAR AT JENKINS' EAR, LONG BEFORE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
THIS SITE WAS NOT RELEVANT TO THE STRUGGLE FOR AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
THERE WILL BE MUCH TO DO ONCE THE CITY AND THE DAR AGREE ON A LOCATION FOR A MARKER IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE READY FOR JULY 4TH, 2026, OR EARLIER UNVEILING.
A DECISION ON ITS LOCATION SHOULD BE MADE SOON.
WE APPRECIATE THE CITY'S SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT, AND LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH YOUR STAFF AND FINDING A SUITABLE MARKER LOCATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SCOTT YORK, FOLLOWED BY BURY GOWEN.
>> GOOD EVENING. SCOTT YORK, 29 SPANISH STREET, THE MOST CHARMING STREET IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I KNOW NOT EVERYONE IN THE CITY LOVES NIGHTS OF LIGHTS LIKE I DO, BUT WHEN I WALK OUT OF THIS HISTORIC BUILDING TONIGHT AND DON'T SEE THOSE LIGHTS ON, I'LL MISS THAT BEAUTIFUL SITE.
I WANT TO THANK CITY MANAGER DAVID BURCHAM, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR MELISSA WHISTLE, AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS FOR HOLDING A COMMUNITY MEETING THIS PAST WEEK, SEEKING INPUT AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT AROSE THIS YEAR.
ALSO, PROVIDING SOME INSIGHT INTO WHAT IT TAKES TO PUT ON SUCH AN ELABORATE EVENT.
I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY GUIDED WALKING TOURS SAW 35% INCREASE DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, AS COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS, AND MY RETAIL GAME SHOP SAW A 70% INCREASE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN THAT, I WAS ABLE TO MEET THOUSANDS OF VISITORS WHO CAME TO ST. AUGUSTINE FOR THE FIRST TIME, MANY OF WHO CAME HERE WITH NO IDEA WHAT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS WAS OR EVEN THAT IT WAS TAKING PLACE.
IT'S NOT JUST OUR GRAND ILLUMINATION AND MORE THAN THREE MILLION WHITE LIGHTS THAT DRAW THESE VISITORS HERE, BUT WE MUST ALSO KEEP IN MIND THAT MANY OF THEM ARE SIMPLY HERE SEEKING REFUGE FROM THE HARSH WINTER, JUST AS HENRY FLAGLER'S GUESTS DID WHEN THEY CAME TO STAY IN THIS VERY BUILDING.
THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA WAS BUSY AND FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH VISITORS DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR BECAUSE EVERYONE IS OFF OF WORK, EVERYONE IS OUT OF SCHOOL, AND NOBODY WANTS TO BE UP NORTH THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS.
I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS THAT OUR CITY MANAGER, CITY STAFF, AND THIS GREAT COMMISSION WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS TO HELP GUIDE THIS MAGICAL CITY THAT WE CALL HOME INTO THE NEXT ROUND OF EVENTS AND HELP PRESERVE OUR RICH HISTORY AND CULTURE.
I MOST DEFINITELY BELIEVE THAT IT'S YOUR PASSION AND MISSION TO HELP MAKE THIS A MORE LIVABLE CITY.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT THE REVISIONS RECOMMENDED FOR OUR NOISE ORDINANCE.
THE NOISE ORDINANCE AND EXTREME INADEQUACIES OF THE CURRENT ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE OF MIND FOR QUITE SOME TIME,
[00:25:03]
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT OUR CONSULTANT HAS COME UP WITH, AND WOULD ALSO REQUEST THAT THIS COMMISSION EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF AMENDING OUR ORDINANCES REGARDING STREET PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS.WE HAVE NO LESS THAN 20 STREET PERFORMERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY PERFORMING ON OUR STREETS USING LOUD SPEAKERS AND OTHER AMPLIFIED MUSIC DEVICES.
THE REASON THAT THIS CURRENT ORDINANCE WAS WRITTEN WAS TO PREVENT THESE STREET BUSKERS FROM DISRUPTING THE PROGRAMS GOING ON INSIDE OF MUSEUMS AND BUSINESSES, AND THEY WERE FORCED TO MOVE 50 FEET OFF OF ST. GEORGE STREET.
NOW MORE THAN EVER, MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PREVENT THE PROLIFERATION OF THE NOISE POLLUTION WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS BURY GOWEN, FOLLOWED BY MELINDA RAKONCAY.
>> BURY GOWEN, 5 TREMERTON STREET.
WITH YOUR INDULGENCE, MAYOR SIKES-KLINE AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, THE UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION FOR 11 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I WANTED TO TAKE A FEW MOMENTS, I SHOULD SAY, TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR NEW BOARD WHO WERE ELECTED LAST NIGHT AT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL QUARTERLY MEETING.
FIRST OFF, MELINDA RAKONCAY IS THE PRESIDENT OF NELMAR TERRACE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, IS OUR NEW PRESIDENT.
JANETTE BURKE, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE NORTH DAVIS SHORES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS OUR TREASURER.
SCOTT YORK, WHO YOU JUST MET, OF COURSE, AND HAVE MET MANY TIMES.
OF COURSE, YOU DON'T NEED INTRODUCTIONS TO ANY OF THESE FOLKS BECAUSE THEY'VE SPOKEN BEFORE YOU MANY TIMES, BUT SCOTT IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SPANISH QUARTER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND IS OUR VICE PRESIDENT.
TARA OWEN, THE PRESIDENT OF OUR OLD CITY SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, IS OUR NEW SECRETARY.
SHE WASN'T ABLE TO COME TONIGHT.
I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A CHANGE IN BYLAWS THAT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE DELEGATES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL IN AUGUST OF 2024.
UP TO NOW, THE OFFICES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY OUR BYLAWS TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES AS SPEAKERS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL.
IN RESPONSE TO THE MANY CHALLENGES FACING THE NEIGHBORHOODS, HOWEVER, AND AFTER MANY YEARS OF DISCUSSION, THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE WAS ADOPTED INTO OUR BYLAWS.
TO ACCOMPLISH ITS PURPOSE, C, THE COUNCIL MAY DEVELOP POSITIONS CONSISTENT WITH ITS PURPOSE ON ISSUES WHICH DIRECTLY THREATEN THE QUALITY, STABILITY, AND OR VITALITY OF MULTIPLE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, OR WHICH WILL ESTABLISH PRECEDENTS THAT MIGHT DO SO IN THE FUTURE.
THE COUNCIL MAY ENGAGE IN APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ADVOCATE THESE POSITIONS TO CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND TO OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS.
ONE, THE COUNCIL SHALL ONLY ADVOCATE POSITIONS ON ISSUES AFTER REACHING A CONSENSUS OF ITS CONSTITUENT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
TWO, THE COUNCIL SHALL WORK IN A POSITIVE AND COOPERATIVE WAY WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, VOLUNTEERS, AND STAFF, AND WITH OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO ACCOMPLISH ITS PURPOSE.
THREE, THE COUNCIL SHALL NOT ENDORSE OR SUPPORT POLITICAL CANDIDATES.
OF COURSE, ACHIEVING CONSENSUS IS A VERY HIGH BAR WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 11 DIFFERENT CONSTITUENT ORGANIZATIONS, BUT PLEASE NOTE THAT WHEN THEY DO SPEAK AS OFFICERS AND REPRESENT THEMSELVES AS OFFICERS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, THAT THEY SPEAK WITH THE VOICE OF ALL 11 OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS MELINDA RAKONCAY, FOLLOWED BY CHARLES PAPPAS [PHONETIC].
>> AS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF ST. AUGUSTINE, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I HOPE TO CONTINUE THE EXCELLENT WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING OF WORKING BETTER WITH CITY STAFF AND THE CITY COMMISSION.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL IS A WONDERFUL GATEWAY FOR COMMUNICATION WITH OUR DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS.
I WANT IT TO BE ON A POSITIVE ASSOCIATION WITH EACH OTHER.
I KNOW A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN CITY HALL, A LOT OF THE CITY STAFF, AND I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH HOW THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR OUR CITY ARE INTERESTED.
WHILE I'VE GOT THREE MINUTES, I ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION I WAS SAYING, 2502, THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY AT THE END OF MAY STREET, IN WHICH ALL OF YOU UNANIMOUSLY, THE FOUR OF YOU HERE SUPPORTED ON THE CONDITION THAT THE BUYER CAME DOWN TO THE APPRAISED VALUE.
I UNDERSTAND HE HAS COME DOWN TO THE APPRAISED VALUE, SO THAT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO APPROVE THAT PURCHASE TONIGHT, AS WELL AS THE OTHER TWO PURCHASES.
ALL THREE OF THESE PURCHASES ARE GOING TO BE A BENEFIT TO
[00:30:03]
THREE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS IN THIS TOWN.ALSO, AT 10A, WHEN THE DISCUSSION OF THE NOISE ORDINANCE COMES UP, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THING TO ALL THE RESIDENTS DOWNTOWN BECAUSE THERE ARE PLACES WHERE LOUD SPEAKERS CAN AFFECT THOSE THAT AREN'T JUST DOWNTOWN AS WELL.
HOWEVER, IT'S REALLY HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE THREE MAJOR DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE HOPE TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE AND ENFORCEABLE NOISE ORDINANCE THAT WILL HAVE PEACE AND QUIET AFTER 10:00 O'CLOCK SO THAT PEOPLE CAN LIVE DOWNTOWN.
WE WANT TO KEEP ST. AUGUSTINE A LIVABLE CITY WHERE PEOPLE STILL WANT TO LIVE HERE AND THAT WE'RE PROUD OF OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND THAT RELATORS CAN SAY, PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE HERE.
THIS ISN'T JUST A TOURIST TOWN WHERE PEOPLE COME AND GO, AND IT'S LIKE DISNEY WORLD.
THERE'S NOTHING HERE, NOT AFTER DARK, THERE'S PLENTY HERE AFTER DARK, BUT THERE'S NO LIVING PEOPLE HERE.
I'VE BEEN HERE 45 YEARS, AND AS YOU KNOW, I'VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE I THINK THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE PEOPLE THAT MOVE INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE REALLY THE HEART OF THIS TOWN AND I WANT TO KEEP THEM HERE, BUT LIKE I SAID, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY TO KEEP ST. AUGUSTINE THE LIVABLE CITY WE ALL LOVE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS CHARLES PAPPAS PROBLEM. I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T MEAN TO SKIP YOU.
>> CHARLES PAPPAS, MACLAREN STREET, A LIVING PERSON HERE.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION OF THE 100 ACRE MARSH LAND.
WHILE I UNDERSTAND A PROPERTY OWNER'S RIGHT TO DEVELOP, MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS PRESERVING THIS LAND TO ENSURE ITS CONTINUED ABILITY TO SAFEGUARD THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST RELATIVELY LARGE OPEN SPACES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE WATER CAN BE ABSORBED AS THE TIDE RECEDES.
SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES BEFORE WE RECEIVE THE GUIDANCE FROM THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS STUDY WE EAGERLY AWAIT WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO DEVELOPING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO FORTIFYING OUR CITIES AGAINST FUTURE FLOODING CAUSED BY EXTREME WEATHER, BUT BY ACQUIRING THIS LAND NOW, WE POSITION OURSELVES TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION PRIOR TO THE STUDY'S FINDINGS, MAKING IT A LOW-RISK, HIGH-REWARD PROPOSITION.
IN THE FUTURE, THE CITY MAY ESTABLISH CONSTRUCTION OVERLAY ZONES IN CRITICAL AREAS LIKE THIS, ALLOWING ONLY APPROVED BUILDING METHODS THAT PRESERVE THE CURRENT DRAINAGE AND FLOWS.
OPEN PIER CONSTRUCTION, FOR INSTANCE, WOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO MAINTAINING THE AREA'S NATURAL DRAINAGE PATTERNS, ALLOWING CONSTRUCTION, WHICH WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES.
HOWEVER, AT THIS MOMENT, WE DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY, WHICH IS WHY I SUPPORT THIS ACQUISITION.
IN CONCLUSION, THE ONLY CURRENT VIABLE OPTION IS FOR THE CITY TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY.
ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM SMALL, IT SERVES AS A HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE THAT IS ADAPTED TO COEXISTENCE WITH HUMANS.
FROM THE OWLS THAT INHABIT THE TALL PINES TO THE FOXES THAT ROAM AT NIGHT, KEEPING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FREE FROM RATS. THANK YOU, FOXES.
THE POSSUMS AND ARMADILLOS THAT NATURALLY TREAT OUR LAWNS BY CONSUMING PESTS, AND DON'T FORGET THE RACCOONS THAT PROVIDE US WITH EXERCISE EVERY TIME WE BEND AND LIFT THE KNOCKED-OVER TRASH BARRELS.
THIS LAND SUPPORTS A DIVERSE ECOSYSTEM.
ACQUIRING THIS LAND OPENS UP FUTURE POSSIBILITIES FOR PROTECTING THE HILDRETH BACK BAY AND FULLERWOOD NEIGHBORHOODS.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
ON ANOTHER NOTE, NEVER FORGET, JANUARY 27TH, 1945, 80 YEARS AGO THIS DAY, AUSCHWITZ WAS LIBERATED.
THE ASHES OF 1.1 MILLION JEWS ARE BURIED WITHIN THE COMPOUNDS OF WIRED FENCES.
TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS, AND KNOW THAT ONLY BY HOLDING THEM IN OUR MEMORIES, CAN WE ASSURE THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
THANK YOU. ONE LAST NOTE TO SOMEBODY WHO DISTRIBUTED FLYERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SIGN FLYERS SO WE CAN DOUBLE CHECK THE FACTS ON THEM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MS. PEPPER, I HAD TWO CARDS FOR YOU, SO I'M GOING TO COMBINE THOSE TWO SINCE.
>> I THINK I'M JUST GOING TO SKIP THE SECOND ONE.
I ACTUALLY ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE CITY MANAGER ON FRIDAY,
[00:35:01]
AND FOR A LOT OF REASONS, I THINK I WOULD RATHER FOLLOW UP SEPARATELY ON THAT.>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SPEAK AS A RESIDENT ON THAT ONE.
NOW I'M WEARING MY OFFICIAL SHIRT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. I'M VICKY PEPPER.
I LIVE ON HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY.
WE'RE AN INFORMAL INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP THAT GREW OUT OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION EFFORT.
CARE'S PURPOSE IS TO SERVE BLACK AND OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY BY IDENTIFYING RESOURCES, INCLUDING FUNDING SOURCES AND LINKING THEM WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THE HOMELESS ARE AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY FOR WHOM WE ADVOCATE.
FOR SOME TIME, CARE HAS BEEN FOLLOWING WITH GREAT INTEREST THE CITY'S PLANS FOR A DROP IN DAY CENTER OFF OLD MULTRI ROAD NEAR STATE ROAD 207.
THE LAST WE'VE HEARD A FEW WEEKS AGO, PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT IS UNDERWAY AND DINING WITH DIGNITY MAY BE MOVED TO THE SITE AS EARLY AS NEXT MONTH.
WE HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CITY'S PLANS FOR THE SITE AND WE APPRECIATE AN UPDATE.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT TIMETABLE FOR MOVING DINING WITH DIGNITY? DOES THE CITY HAVE ANY PLANS TO ENSURE THAT PATRONS OF DINING WITH DIGNITY WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE NEW SITE SAFELY? THIS COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS OFFICERS ON FOOT HELPING INDIVIDUALS ACROSS US ONE SAFELY AROUND 545, AT LEAST UNTIL PEOPLE GET USED TO THE NEW LOCATION? WHAT'S THE CURRENT TIMETABLE FOR COMPLETING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE MAIL ROOM, THE SHOWERS, AND THE WASHER AND DRYER, WHICH ARE IMPORTANT PARTS OF PHASE 1 AT THE SITE? WE'VE ALSO SEEN SOME ENCOURAGING POTENTIAL PLANS FOR PHASE 2 OF THE CITY'S DROP IN DAY CENTER, BUT WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, WHAT'S THE CURRENT STATUS OF AND PROJECTED TIMELINE FOR PHASE 2? MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT'S THE CURRENT STATUS OF FUND RAISING AND FUNDING FOR PHASE 2? WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT COMMISSIONER GARRIS MADE A FIELD TRIP OF TAVO BEACH TO INVESTIGATE THE DIGNITY BUS.
ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THE DIGNITY BUS THAT WE ESPECIALLY BEEN IMPRESSED WITH IS IT CAN BE OUTFITTED WITH KENNEL PODS UNDERNEATH SO THAT HOMELESS PERSONS ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN SHELTER FOR THEIR PETS.
WE UNDERSTAND NOT WANTING TO ABANDON THEIR FURRY COMPANIONS IS A DISINCENTIVE FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS TO SEEK SHELTER OR OTHER SERVICES FOR THEMSELVES.
FINALLY, WE'D LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER THE CITY IS EXPLORING ACQUIRING AND OPERATING A DIGNITY BUS.
PERHAPS IN COORDINATION WITH THE COUNTY AND/OR LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GEORGE AND GILESPIE FOLLOWED BY EMILY BELL.
>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ALL OF US ABOUT OUR CONCERNS ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY IN FULLER WOOD.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR CONSIDERING BUYING THIS 100 ACRE PLOT.
I WANTED TO SAY THAT I PERSONALLY WAS VERY FOND OF THE PREVIOUS OWNER, SANDRA, WHO INVITED ME AND A FRIEND TO COME THERE ANYTIME.
WE WANTED TO HAVE A PICNIC OR PEOPLE TO RUN THEIR DOGS OR WHATEVER.
ANYWAY, SHE TOLD US AT ONE POINT THAT WHEN SHE PASSED ON THAT THAT LAND WAS GOING TO GO INTO CONSERVATION, AND WE WERE VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT.
I LIVE ON SYLVAN DRIVE, WHICH IS ABOUT HALF A BLOCK OR SO FROM THIS SITE.
ALONG SOUTH PARK, EVERY TIME THERE IS A BIG STORM, THE ROAD IS ALREADY FLOODED, AND IT HASN'T COME THAT FAR UP SILVAN, BUT THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOODS DOWN NEAR THE MARSH THERE ARE FLOODED EVERY FEW MONTHS.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE REALLY NEED TO SAVE MARSH AREAS AND TO HELP GET THE FLOODING AWAY FROM THE HOMES.
THERE'S JUST A HUGE AMOUNT OF WONDERFUL BIRDS AND ANIMALS WHO LIVE THERE.
WITH ALL THE CONSTRUCTION GOING ON ALL AROUND US, THERE'S NO PLACE FOR THEM TO GO ANYMORE BESIDES STAYING IN SOME PRESERVED AREA.
I HOPE YOU'LL CONSIDER BUYING THAT PROPERTY AND SAVING IT FOR EVERYONE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS EMILY BELL, FOLLOWED BY BJ KALAIDI.
[00:40:08]
>> HELLO. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS EVENING, AND I'M JUST HERE.
I'M A RESIDENT IN THE FULLER WOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AT 234 RAINY HALF.
I'M HERE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO PURCHASE THE 100 ACRE MARSH PARCEL, AND TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THAT.
I WOULD LOVE FOR ALL THE LAND THAT'S UP TO BE BOUGHT, THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.
BUT ALL THIS LAND, ESPECIALLY THE LAND IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, OBVIOUSLY, AS A RESIDENT, IT GREATLY IMPACTS FLOODING RISK AND INTRODUCES MORE FLOODING RISKS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THERE'S JUST NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
I REVIEWED THE APPRAISAL THAT YOU GUYS POSTED AND APPRECIATE THAT.
THE APPRAISAL IS PART OF HOSPITAL CREEK.
WHILE HOSPITAL CREEK ISN'T NECESSARILY ON THE AREA OF THE LAND TO BE DEVELOPED, HOSPITAL CREEK IS A KNOWN FLOOD SITE.
YOU'VE HEARD FROM NEIGHBORS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND TODAY HOW MUCH WE ALREADY ARE EXPERIENCING THIS.
THERE'S JUST NO QUESTION THAT FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THIS LAND IS ONLY GOING TO INCREASE THAT FOR US AS WELL AS DESTROY THE WILDLIFE THAT'S THERE.
I WOULD LOVE TO JUST AGAIN, VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THAT AND THAT NO ONE, I THINK IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS LOOKING FOR THIS LAND TO BE DEVELOPED IN ANY WAY OR FOR THE CITY TO DO MUCH WITH IT.
RECOGNIZE THAT THE CITY HAS THINGS THEY HAVE TO DO IF THEY ACQUIRE LAND, BUT SPEAKING AT LEAST FROM MYSELF AND I KNOW MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS, WE WOULD JUST LOVE TO SEE THE LAND STAY AS IT IS, A HOME TO WILDLIFE CONSERVED, THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS JUST TO ENJOY THE NATURE THAT'S THERE AND KEEP WHAT'S THERE AND THE WATER AWAY FROM THE REST OF US.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONSIDERATION.
REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORTS YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN DOING TO LEAD CONSERVATION IN THE CITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST GOT ANOTHER SPEAKER CARD, KELSEY MAY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME AND SPEAK NOW.
KELSEY MAY IS THE SECOND TO LAST SPEAKER.
IF ANYONE ELSE WISHES TO SPEAK, PLEASE TURN IN A CARD NOW. THANK YOU.
>> HI. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
I LIVE AT NINE CORT THEOPHIA IN THE FULLER WOOD DISTRICT, AND I JUST ALSO WANT TO SAY I AM IN FAVOR OF THE CITY PURCHASING THE 100 ACRE MARSH FOR CONSERVATIVE EFFORTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE THE LAST SPEAKER CARD IS BJ KALAIDI.
>> BJ KALAIDI WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
MY LAST NAME IS SPELLED K-A-L-A-I-D-I FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF SHUT DOWN THE INMATE SEARCH WEBSITE, WHICH INFORMS AND PROTECTS THE PUBLIC BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS WERE SCAMMED.
THIS IS A DISSERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
DEPRIVING THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO NAMES AND CHARGES SHOULD BE OF MORE CONCERN BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC THAN HIDING THIS INFORMATION.
MY QUESTION IS, WHO FORCED THE SHERIFF TO TAKE THE INMATE SEARCH WEBSITE DOWN? PLEASE CONTACT THE SHERIFF ABOUT THIS SITUATION.
IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A MONTH.
THERE IS PLENTY OF SCAMMING GOING ON, NOT JUST WHERE HE HAS BEEN INFORMED.
HERE'S MY OPINION ABOUT TRAFFIC.
GRID LOCK IS A RESULT OF PLACING 1,000 POTATOES IN A 50 POUND BAG. IT WON'T WORK.
THERE'S BEEN A SUGGESTION THIS EVENING.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF SUGGESTIONS, BUT IT BOILS DOWN TO THIS REALLY AND TRULY, AND WE ALL KNOW IT.
GRID VERSUS THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
IT'S HARD TO OVERCOME SOMETIMES, BUT THAT'S YOUR JOB.
YOU DON'T GET ANY MONEY, GET A STIPEND, BUT IT'S FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE CITY.
THAT'S WHY WE ALL COME IN HERE.
WHETHER YOU LISTEN TO US OR NOT, WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS CITY, GREATLY CONCERNED.
MY LAST COMMENT WOULD BE, AS I HAVE SAID IN THE PAST AND IT'S A NEW YEAR, LISTEN TO 90.5 FM FOR HOPE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[00:45:02]
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM ON[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
THE AGENDA WOULD BE THE CONSENT AGENDA, MR. CITY MANAGER.>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR THE FEBRUARY 10, 04:30 DAVIS AWARDS PRESENTATION TO THE FORSON FAMILY.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND FEBRUARY 24, 5:00 P.M, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND A MARCH 24, 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE A PROPOSED PROCLAMATION 2025-04, WHICH PROCLAIMS JANUARY 27, 2025, AS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, SPONSORED BY MAYOR NANCY SIKES-KLINE.
WE HAVE A INVOICE FOR THE MARLOW VERSUS CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE MATTER FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
WE HAVE A FISH ISLAND RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AND TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2025.
FINALLY, WE HAVE THE QUARTERLY CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR '24-'25.
THAT CONCLUDES THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU. WITH YOUR INDULGENCE, I WOULD LIKE TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION SINCE IT WILL NOT BE PRESENTED, BUT IT DOES FALL ON TODAY.
I APOLOGIZE FOR MY LATENESS. YES, MA'AM.
>> CAN WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA FIRST BEFORE YOU READ?
>> I MOVE WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION NOW.
[Additional Item]
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INDULGENCE.IT'S VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.
WHEREAS JANUARY 27 MARKS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY, DESIGNATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO COMMEMORATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF ASWITZ BIRKENAL, THE LARGEST NAZI CONCENTRATION IN EXTERMINATION CAMP, AND MARKS 80 YEARS SINCE THE LIBERATION.
WHEREAS TODAY AND EVERY DAY, WE REMEMBER AND HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE SIX MILLION JEWS WHO WERE SYSTEMATICALLY MURDERED BY ALDOF HITLER AND THE NAZIS, ALONG WITH MILLIONS OF OTHER INNOCENT VICTIMS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, POLITICAL DISSIDENTS AND OTHERS TARGETED FOR PERSECUTION.
WHEREAS ANTI SEMITISM HAS BEEN DEFINED BY THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE AS A CERTAIN PERCEPTION OF JEWS, WHICH MAY BE EXPRESSED AS HATRED TOWARDS JEWS.
RHETORICAL AND PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ANTI SEMITISM ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS JEWISH OR NON-JEWISH INDIVIDUALS AND ARE THEIR PROPERTY TOWARDS JEWISH COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS AND RELIGIOUS FACILITIES.
WHEREAS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVES AS A SOLEMN REMINDER OF THE DANGERS OF HATRED, BIGOTRY, AND ANTI SEMITISM AND UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION, VIGILANCE, AND ACTION TO PREVENT SUCH ATROCITIES FROM EVER OCCURRING AGAIN.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING TOLERANCE, UNDERSTANDING, AND HUMAN DIGNITY, WHILE STANDING AGAINST ALL FORMS OF HATRED AND DISCRIMINATION.
WHEREAS IT IS OUR DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THE LESSON OF THE HOLOCAUST REMAIN A CORNERSTONE OF OUR COLLECTIVE MEMORY AND TO HONOR THE RESILIENCE, AND COURAGE OF THOSE WHO SURVIVED AND REBUILT THEIR LIVES.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM JANUARY 27, 2025 AS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY, AND IT URGES ALL OF OUR CITIZENS TO JOIN IN SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS, EDUCATE THEMSELVES ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST, AND COMMIT TO BUILDING A MORE TOLERANT AND COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY.
THANK YOU. WITH THAT SAID, WE WILL MOVE ON.
WE ARE GOING TO SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2024-34. MS. SKINNER.
[8.A.1. Ordinance 2024-34: Amends the Zoning Designation of 30.15 acres of property from City of St. Augustine Industrial and Warehousing (IW) to City Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 404 Riberia Street. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building)]
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS AMY SKINNER.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT FOR THE CITY.
THIS IS A SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF ORDINANCE 2024-34.
THIS ORDINANCE IS A REZONING FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 ACRES FROM INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSING TO A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT.
[00:50:03]
THIS IS JUST A REZONING BECAUSE THE PROPOSED PUD IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MARINE INDUSTRIAL AND OPEN LAND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE CATEGORIES.THE OWNER IS PROPOSING TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE MARINE INDUSTRIAL USES ON THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING THE CONSERVATION OVERLAY DEVELOPMENT TO REBUILD AND RESTORE DOCKING AND BOAT SLIP FACILITIES.
THE PCB REVIEWED THIS APPLICATION AND HELD PUBLIC HEARINGS ON OCTOBER 1 AND NOVEMBER 5, AS REQUESTED AND RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.
THE USES ARE LIMITED TO THOSE OUTLINED IN THE PROPOSED PUD, AND HOTEL MOTEL, FULL SERVICE RESTAURANTS AND SPECIAL EVENT VENUES WERE SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED AS ALLOWED USES.
THE PCB ALSO RECOMMENDED MINOR CLARIFICATIONS TO THE LANDSCAPE PLAN AND CONFIRMED THE INSTALLATION OF A SIX FOOT SIDEWALK ALONG RIBERIA STREET AS PART OF THE PUBLIC BENEFIT DISCUSSION AND RELATED TO THE PROPOSED PUD.
THIS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED AND PASSED ON FIRST READING BY THE CITY COMMISSION AT THE DECEMBER 9 MEETING.
THE CITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE IN THE PUD TO ENCOURAGE PERMEABLE PAVERS AND FLORIDA NATIVE OR FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING AND TO CLARIFY THAT CLUBHOUSES ARE ALSO NOT ALLOWED USE AND TO REMOVE LANGUAGE RELATED TO ACCESS RESTRUCTURES.
CLUB HOUSES HAVE BEEN REMOVED AS A PERMITTED USE, AS WELL AS A REFERENCE TO THE ACCESSORY STRUCTURES IN THE TEXT.
THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN ATTACHED TO THE ORDINANCE DOES INCLUDE REFERENCES TO ALTERNATIVE SURFACES SUCH AS STABILIZED SURFACES AND GRAVEL.
ADDITIONALLY, THE TEXT INCLUDES LANGUAGE TO USE NATIVE PLANT AND TREE SPECIES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AND LANDSCAPE PLANS HAVE BEEN ATTACHED TO THE ORDINANCE AS WELL.
THIS IS A SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.
I THANK YOU AND I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
AS A REMINDER, MS. DUNN, I DO HAVE A MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE PROPERTY.
IF YOU CAN SWITCH TO THE OVERHEAD.
THANK YOU. THIS IS FROM THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.
THE PROPERTY IS APPROXIMATELY 30 ACRES.
IT'S AT THE SOUTH END OF RIBERIA STREET.
THIS IS THE LAND USE MAP, AND THE ZONING MAP.
THE PROPERTY WOULD BE OUTLINED HERE AS A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT.
AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I'M AVAILABLE, THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE IS ALSO HERE.
>> COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS OF STAFF.
WE'LL TAKE QUESTIONS OF STAFF FIRST AND THEN WE'LL INVITE THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVES TO PRESENT IF THEY SO DESIRE.
THEN WE'LL HAVE QUESTIONS OF THEM, AND THEN WE'LL GO ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> WOULD THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE LIKE TO SPEAK BRIEFLY?
>> [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND] GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR.
JAMES WHITEHOUSE, ST. JOHN'S LAW GROUP 104 SEA GROVE MAIN STREET HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF THIS PROPERTY.
AS YOU KNOW, WE WERE HERE PREVIOUSLY FOR FIRST READING.
WE'RE BACK FOR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING TODAY.
THIS IS A WORKING WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
IT'S ON A PROPERTY THAT HAS MARINE INDUSTRIAL USES AND HAVE HAD MARINE INDUSTRIAL USES FOR MANY YEARS.
THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF WORKING WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENT IS SPECIFICALLY PROMOTED BY BOTH OUR STATE STATUTES AS AN IMPORTANT STATE INTEREST AND OUR OWN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
IT'S SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED IN SECTION 34207 OF OUR STATE STATUTES.
[00:55:04]
AS I SAID, AND I TALKED ABOUT LAST TIME, THIS IS A LONG-TIME CITY-DESIGNATED MARINE INDUSTRIAL LAND USE PROPERTY, AND THESE WORKING WATERFRONT USES HAVE BEEN GOING ON IN THIS PROPERTY, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PROPERTIES ALONG THE SAN SEBASTIAN CORRIDOR FOR MANY YEARS.AS I SAID BEFORE, AND I'LL SAY AGAIN, THIS IS CURRENTLY APPROVED AND FUNCTIONING SITE FOR ALL THE USES INCLUDED IN THIS PROPOSED ENHANCEMENT.
THIS PARTICULAR APPLICATION IS FOR REZONING TO PUD, BUT IT'S NOT TO ADD ANY USES OR TO CHANGE ANY REGULATIONS.
IN FACT, THE REASON WE'RE HERE IS BECAUSE OF THE DIRECT GUIDANCE OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH STATES THAT MARINE-RELATED USES MAY BE APPROVED IN THE PUD UP TO 50 FEET, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE HERE, ONLY FOR THAT HEIGHT ON THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY JUST LIKE YOU APPROVED AT CATS PAW IN THE SHIPYARDS UP THE SAN SEBASTIAN CORRIDOR.
WITHIN THE PUD, AS WE TALKED ABOUT LAST TIME, WE SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED THE USES YOU HEARD YOUR PLANNING DIRECTOR TALK ABOUT HOW THE PCB SPECIFICALLY ASKED US TO EXCLUDE HOTEL, MOTEL, FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTS, AND ESPECIALY USED VENUES, WHICH YOU WILL SEE FROM THE TEXT ARE SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED, AND I'LL TALK IN A MINUTE ABOUT HOW WE REVISE THE PART OF CLUBHOUSE.
AS I SAID, ALTHOUGH THE USES WILL REMAIN, THIS ZONING HELPS TO REDEFINE THE SITE THROUGH THE PUD MAP THAT YOU HAVE ARE REQUIRED BY OUR PUD ORDINANCE.
IT ALSO HELPS TO PROMOTE A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS ON THE SITE, THAT IS, WE CURRENTLY HAVE A SITE THAT THERE'S STORMWATER OUTFLOW FROM BECAUSE IT'S AN OLD SITE.
THIS WILL REQUIRE STORMWATER RETENTION AS IS REQUIRED UNDER OUR STATUTES, WHICH IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO THE AREA AND TO THE PUBLIC.
WE ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT FLOODING, NUMBER 1.
THEN NUMBER 2, YOU ALSO HEAR AND THIS CAME UP AT THE PUBLIC MEETING WE HAD, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THE QUESTION, ARE YOU GOING TO BE BUILDING A BUNCH OF CONDOS FILLING IN THE MARSH? NO. THIS SPECIFICALLY PRESERVES THAT WHOLE AREA OF MARSH, BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A PUD MAP TO MODIFY THE SITE PLAN, YOU HAVE TO COME BACK TO U AND THE PZB FOR MODIFICATION.
THOSE TWO ARE HUGE BENEFITS TO THE PUBLIC.
I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH REAL QUICKLY, THE FACT THAT AT PZB, WE HAD A COUPLE OF HEARINGS.
NUMBER 1, WE SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED THE TIME PERIODS.
WE SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED THE DEFINITION OF HEIGHT USING THE EXACT SAME DEFINITION THAT YOU USED FOR CATS PAW.
WE ALSO INCLUDED THE LANDSCAPING PLAN, SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT FLORIDA-FRIENDLY AND NATIVE PLANTS.
WE UPDATED THE LANGUAGE IN THE PUD.
SPECIFICALLY, AS WE TALKED ABOUT LAST TIME, WHICH THERE WAS SOME REFERENCE TO OTHER MARINE USES IN BUILDINGS, WE TOOK THAT OUT AND SPECIFICALLY PUT IN THAT JUST THE PART ABOUT THE CLUBHOUSE MERELY REFERS TO AN ONSITE CAPTAINS LOUNGE, WITH FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE USING THE SITE, NOT FOR OTHER PEOPLE COMING TO THE SITE.
BETWEEN THE LAST MEETING AND NOW, WE ALSO UPDATED THE SITE PLAN IN A MINOR FASHION, BECAUSE WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE LANDSCAPING IN FRONT AND THE FRONTAGE ON RIBEIRA.
YOU SEE THAT THE AREA OF THE OFFICES BECAUSE WE SAW SOME PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT, ARE YOU TRYING TO HAVE MORE OFFICE AND RETAIL SPACE HERE ON RIBEIRA? NO, WE'RE NOT.
THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO USE THIS SITE, AND THEREFORE, WE'VE MOVED THAT OFFICE AREA TO THE INSIDE, AS YOU SEE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN OUTLINED IN BLUE, AND INCREASED THE LANDSCAPING ALONG RIBEIRA.
THERE'S SOME MORE DEPICTIONS OF THE INCREASED LANDSCAPE A LONG RIBEIRA.
AS YOU SAW LAST TIME, THERE'S A SPECIFIC LANDSCAPE PLAN THAT AS YOU HEARD YOUR PLANNING DIRECTOR REFER, SPECIFICALLY REFERS TO FLORIDA-FRIENDLY AND NATIVE PLANT SPECIES THAT ARE PROVIDED FOR UNDER OUR CODE.
I'LL GO THROUGH THIS REAL QUICK BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST TIME, BUT THIS IS A WORKING WATERFRONT SITE.
THERE'S ALREADY BUILDINGS ON THE SITE THAT DO A LOT OF THE THINGS.
IN FACT, THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ALREADY ASKING TO DO IN THIS PUD, AS YOU KNOW FROM THIS SAN SEBASTIAN CORRIDOR, YOU HAVE ALREADY APPROVED THE SHIPYARDS, ENCLOSED BOAT STORAGE, AND THE CATS PAW CLOSED BOAT STORAGE, WHICH ALL ARE CLEARLY WITHIN THIS CORRIDOR AND THE CORRIDOR, WE'RE ASKING FOR THIS SPECIFIC USE.
I WON'T GO OVER THE USES THAT ARE ON SITE NOW, BUT AS YOU KNOW, IT IS A WORKING WATERFRONT SITE.
IT IS EXTREMELY LARGE, AS YOU HEARD FROM STAFF, 30.15 ACRES IN SIZE.
THERE'S OVER 1,500 LINEAR FEET OF FRONTAGE ALONG THE SAN SEBASTIAN CORRIDOR, AS WELL AS ALMOST 1,200 LINEAR FEET OF FOOTAGE OF FRONTAGE ON RIBEIRA, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE SCREEN, WHICH LEAVES LARGE VIEW CORRIDORS FROM RIBEIRA, EVEN WITH THE BUILDINGS THAT ARE ON SITE.
THIS IS THE OVERHEAD WE TALKED ABOUT LAST TIME.
THESE ARE THE TWO AREAS THAT ARE REVISED.
YOU SEE ON THE UPPER PORTION, THAT'S WHERE THE ENCLOSED BOAT STORAGE WILL GO.
THEN ON THE SOUTHERN PORTION, YOU SEE WHERE THERE'S ADDITIONAL BAY THAT'S GOING TO BE ADDED TO THE BOAT REPAIR FACILITY.
WE DID HAVE THE EXPERT TRAFFIC ENGINEER ANALYSIS AS REQUIRED BY YOUR PUD ORDINANCE.
[01:00:04]
THAT EXPERT ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THIS WILL BE A SEVERE REDUCTION IN THE IMPACT ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.THIS IS A LOW TRAFFIC GENERATING USE, ESTIMATED GENERATE 3:00 AM PEAK HOUR TRIPS AND 6:00 PM PEAK-HOUR TRIPS ON RIBEIRA.
AS PART OF THIS PUD, WE'RE REMOVING THE APPROVED OUR RESTAURANT USE THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF CONSTERNATION BY SOME OF LINCOLNVILLE ON RIBEIRA FOR A LOT OF TRIPS, AND ALL OF THOSE WILL BE REMOVED.
LIKE I SAID, FROM THE ANALYSIS, IT'S A NET CHANGE IN DAILY TRAFFIC OF APPROXIMATELY 498 TRIPS, WHICH IS A LOT OF TRIPS ON RIBEIRA.
I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU'VE HEARD SOME SUPPORT FOR THIS PARTICULAR REMOVAL OF THAT RESTAURANT FROM THE AREA.
THIS IS ANOTHER PUBLIC BENEFIT IS THE HUGE ECONOMIC DRIVER THAT THIS TYPE OF USE HAS ON AREAS WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WITHIN OUR COUNTRY.
IT'S A HUGE IMPACT ON GDP, AND IT'S THE SECOND LARGEST ECONOMIC IMPACT BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT WITHIN OUR STATE AS WELL AS IN OUR COUNTRY.
THERE'S A LARGE DEMAND FOR THIS TYPE OF USE, AS YOU KNOW, AND YOU HEARD THAT SPECIFICALLY FROM THE PRESENTERS ON CATS PAW, A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND AS I SAID, AS A VERY LOW-TRAFFIC PRODUCER, ALLOWS THE PROMOTION OF OUR PLANS GOALS WITHOUT THE TRAFFIC IMPACT THAT FREQUENTLY COMES FROM PROMOTING SUCH ADVANTAGEOUS ECONOMIC IMPACT.
WE WENT THROUGH THE CONCEPTUAL VIEWS LAST TIME.
AGAIN, WE TALKED ABOUT THE PICTURES FROM THE BRIDGE.
IT'S GOING TO BE IN BETWEEN THE BORDER PATROL BUILDING, WHICH IS OVER 40 FEET AND THE CURRENT REPAIR BUILDING, WHICH IS OVER 40 FEET, SO IT'LL BE VERY HARD TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE.
AS I SAID, IT'S CURRENTLY APPROVED AND FUNCTIONING SITE FOR ALL THE USES.
IT MEETS OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES OF OUR PLAN, AS WELL AS PROMOTING AN IMPORTANT STATE INTEREST UNDER THE STATE STATUTES.
AS SUCH, WE ASK FOR YOUR APPROVAL ON SECOND READING TODAY.
IT COMES WITH THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL FROM YOUR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.
I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.
>> I ACTUALLY HAVE SOME HERE. DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?
>> THESE ARE QUESTIONS THAT I HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC OR STUFF, BUT I THINK IT MIGHT BE GOOD JUST TO GET ON PUBLIC INFORMATION.
HOW WILL MOST OF THE BOATS ARRIVE AT THE SITE?
>> IT WILL COME FROM THE WATER.
THEY'VE TOLD ME THAT OVER 90% OF BOATS TO THESE TYPE OF FACILITIES COME FROM THE WATER.
IN FACT, THEY SURCHARGE WHEN YOU TRY TO BRING YOUR BOAT FROM BY LAND, AND THEY'RE BIGGER BOATS, TOO, SO THEREFORE, THEY HAVE TO BE LIFTED OUT OF THE WATER.
THAT'S WHY THEY DON'T COME BY LAND.
>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING FROM REVIEWING CATS PAW AND THE OTHER ONE SIDE. THAT'S GOOD.
CAN YOU FOR THE PUBLIC EXPLAIN THE CALL THE FUNCTIONAL NECESSITY OF THE 50 FOOT HEIGHT?
>> YES SIR. I THINK SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THIS WHEN CATS PAW WAS BEFORE YOU, AND WHEN I WAS HERE FOR SHIPYARDS, A SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
TO MOVE THESE TYPE OF BOATS AROUND WITHIN THE FACILITY, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CERTAIN HEIGHT, AND TO HAVE THAT HEIGHT WHEN THE FORKLIFTS GO IN THERE WITH THESE LARGER BOATS THAT ARE ENCLOSED, TO BE ABLE TO MANEUVER AROUND, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE 50 FOOT HEIGHT.
THAT'S WHY THE 35 FOOT HEIGHT, WHICH IS THEY COULD GO AND BUILD.
WE WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE TO BE HERE TODAY IF THEY COULD DO THE 35 FOOT HEIGHT BECAUSE ALL THE USES ARE ALREADY ALLOWED.
THIS ENCLOSED BOAT STORAGE IS ALLOWED, BUT THEY NEED TO HAVE THE 50 FOOT HEIGHT.
LIKE I SAID, THAT'S THE REASONING FOR THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SITE AND THIS TYPE OF USE.
>> THEN I KNOW YOU DID SAY AND I'M AWARE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED PERMITTING FROM THE CITY FOR YOUR STORM WATER AND YOUR DRAINAGE AND STUFF.
BUT COULD YOU GO OVER A LITTLE BIT OF STATUS OF THAT, AGAIN, A LITTLE MORE DETAIL.
YOU MENTIONED IT, WHAT IT WAS AND WHAT YOUR INTENTIONS ARE ON THE SITE.
I KNOW YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE THE EXACT DRAWINGS NOW AND YOU'RE NOT REQUIRED TO, BUT CONCEPTUALLY, COULD YOU GO OVER THAT FOR US PLEASE?
>> YES, SIR. WITHIN THE SITE, SINCE NOW WE'RE REZONING IT, AND WE'RE HAVING A NEW SITE PLAN AND SOME NEW USES IN NEW BUILDINGS, WE HAVE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR STORM WATER RETENTION THAT ARE BOTH BY THE ST. JOHN'S WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AS WELL AS THE CITY'S STANDARDS.
WITHIN THAT, WE HAVE TO RETAIN OUR OWN STORM WATER.
YOU CAN'T JUST HAVE OUTFALL, AND IN THAT INSTANCE, WE HAVE TO EITHER CONTAIN IT WITH STORM WATER PONDS OR UNDERGROUND.
AT THIS POINT, THEY'RE STILL DETERMINING THAT.
THAT'S WHY YOU SAW INITIALLY, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ON SOME OF THE PREVIOUS ITERATIONS ON THE SITE PLAN, THEY HAD SHOWN EITHER SWALES OR PONDS.
THEY TOOK THAT OFF BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T SURE THAT THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO, BUT THEY HAVE TO DO IT. YOU CAN'T GET AROUND IT.
BY THE WAY, IF THEY WANTED SOME VARIANCE FROM THAT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO YOU AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE INTENT ON THAT.
THEY'RE GOING TO RETAIN THEIR STORM WATER.
>> NOW, IT'S TOTALLY JUST OUTFALL?
>> WITH NO RETENTION OR ANYTHING?
>> COMMISSIONER GARRIS, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OF THE APPLICANT?
[01:05:03]
>> I HAVE ONE QUESTION AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S FOR THE APPLICANT, BUT I GUESS IT IS.
I MAY HAVE MISSED IT WHILE I WAS TAKING A BRIEF BREAK, BUT I ALSO WAS LOOKING FOR IT REALLY HARD IN THE PACKET AND I DIDN'T SEE IT.
I SAW LANGUAGE ABOUT THE PERMEABLE PAVERS IN THE LETTER FROM THE CITY MANAGER AND FROM MS. SKINNER WHEN SHE INTRODUCED IT, BUT I DON'T SEE IT IN THE PUD ITSELF.
>> IT'S WITHIN THE MAP ITSELF, ON THE PUD MAP BECAUSE WE'RE GOVERNED BY THE MAP AND IT HAS REFERENCES TO THE PLACES.
THE AREAS THAT THEY CAN JUST TO BE PERFECTLY TRANSPARENT, WHEN YOU'RE MOVING BOATS AROUND AND WHEN YOU'RE USING BECAUSE THESE BOATS ARE VERY HEAVY.
THEY HAVE TO HAVE STABILIZED SURFACES OR CONCRETE FOR THAT.
THAT'S MOST OF THE AREA THAT'S BEHIND THE BUILDING ITSELF, AND MOST OF THE AREA THAT'S ON THE WEST HALF OF THE PROJECT, AS WE TALKED ABOUT LAST TIME, THE INTENT IS TO USE PERMEABLE PAPERS ON THE PARKING AREAS.
SOME OF THE DRIVE AISLES IN THE PARKING AREAS, THEY HAVE TO KEEP THOSE, BECAUSE YOU'RE STILL MOVING STUFF OR FORKLIFTS THROUGH THERE.
THEN AS FAR AS THE AREA THAT'S ON THE SOUTH END OF THE PROPERTY, IT'S CURRENTLY GRAVEL, THEIR INTENT IS TO TRY TO KEEP IT THE SAME, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE IF NOT, THEY'D HAVE HUGE REQUIREMENTS WITH STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.
BUT EVEN IF THAT EVER HAS TO CHANGE, THEY HAVE TO MEET STORM WATER MANAGEMENT.
WHATEVER HAPPENS THERE, THEY HAVE TO RETAIN THEIR WATER, WHICH IS THE WHOLE REASON WE HAVE PERMEABLE PAVERS IS SO YOU DON'T HAVE OUT FLOW OF WATER.
AGAIN, YOU CAN ASK YOUR STAFF.
I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THEM, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU'RE SET FOR THAT, AND I'M NOT AN ENGINEER BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE TO RETAIN YOUR STORM WATER, WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE PERMEABLE PAVERS, SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE HUGE ELABORATE SYSTEMS IF YOU USE CONCRETE OR OTHER STABILIZED TYPE SERVICE.
>> JUST TO ENCAPSULATE IT, IT'S ON THE MAPS, AND I MISSED IT THERE.
>> YES. THERE'S REFERENCE TO IT ON THE MAP. YES.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE? MAYOR STEPPED OUT FOR JUST A SECOND, SO I'M TAKING OVER AS VICE MAYOR, AND I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I THINK THERE'S ONE CARD THAT I SEE, IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT ON THIS MATTER, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND GET A CARD UP TO US OR LET US KNOW ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
THEN MISS LINDAMIC RICANS, PLEASE?
>> DO YOU NEED TO SWEAR ME IN?
>> I DO. MOST OF MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED BY THE APPLICANT.
ONE CONCERN WAS THE WHETHER OR NOT HOW THE BOATS WOULD BE BROUGHT IN, WHETHER THEY'D BE PUT ON, IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY WON'T BE COMING DOWN WHITE AREA.
ALSO IT LOOKED LIKE ENLARGEMENT WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT SQUARE FOOTAGE OF OFFICE SPACE AND OTHER THINGS, I WAS CONCERNED AGAIN ABOUT THE TRAFFIC, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE TRAFFIC REPORTS GOING TO BE LOWER.
THE LAST THING IS I ON THE 50 FOOT.
I JUST SAW THIS PHOTO TODAY IN THE JACKSONVILLE'S SOMETHING OR OTHER NEWS.
FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN A PICTURE BECAUSE ALL THE PACKETS INFORMATION WAS JUST THE LOT AND ZONING MAPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THERE WAS NEVER A PICTURE OF THE PROJECT.
THEY SAID THAT THE ONLY REASON THEY NEEDED 50 FEET IS FOR THE CRANE TO LIFT THESE BIG BOATS OUT.
THESE BUILDINGS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE REACHING 50 FEET.
I JUST WONDERED ABOUT THAT AND I WONDERED WHAT THE PUBLIC'S GETTING IN RETURN BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY CAN DO WHAT THE 50 FEET IS THE ONLY THING THAT'S DRIVING THIS PAD.
I GUESS I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT HOW THAT IMPACTS OUR SKYLINE IN VIEW SHED AND FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS OF THIS, IT IS WATER FRONT PROPERTY.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHAT WE THE PUBLIC WAS GETTING BACK AS THE GET BACK FOR THE PAD ALLOWING THIS 50 FEET TO GO IN BECAUSE WE KEEP PUSHING OUR HEIGHT AROUND THIS CITY MORE AND MORE.
THIS IS DOWNTOWN, NOT OUT AT CATS PAW, IS THIS 50 FEET.
THAT WAS JUST THE QUESTION AND IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE THESE BUILDINGS, THE OFFICE BUILDING MIGHT ALSO BE REACHING 50 FEET, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THE APPLICANTS SAYING IT'S JUST FOR THE CRANE.
I THOUGHT A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED.
I ONLY HAD A QUESTION WHEN I SAW THIS.
[01:10:01]
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I ACTUALLY SAW THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE BUILDING, SO OR THE RENDERING.JUST THINGS TO TALK ABOUT, I HAVEN'T FOLLOWED IT ENOUGH AND FIRST HEARINGS, FIRST READINGS, YOU DON'T SHOW UP BECAUSE PUBLIC CAN'T PARTICIPATE.
THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF MOVING IT ON TO THE SECOND.
THAT'S THE ONLY THAT'S THE ONLY COMMENTS I HAVE, BUT I'M GLAD TO SEE A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED.
THANK YOU, JOHN, FOR GOING DOWN THAT LIST.
>> WE HAVE ONE OTHER SPEAKER CARD, MISS BJ KALAIDI.
THANK YOU, MISS DUNN. [LAUGHTER] WE NEED A JOKE EVERY NOW AND THEN.
ORDINANCE 2024-3444 RIBERIA PUD.
THIS DEVELOPMENT HAS ACCESS FROM RIBERIA STREET THROUGH THE LINCOLNVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY COPIED WHAT KATS PAUL DID WHEN IT WAS ANNEXED INTO THE CITY.
THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN IN THE CITY.
THEIR ACCESS IS FROM US 1, THE KATS PAUL, NOT THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS PUD IS TO CONSTRUCT 50 FOOT STRUCTURES PLEURAL INSTEAD OF 35 FOOT STRUCTURES.
THESE WILL BLOCK THE VIEW VISTA ON THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER FROM RIBERIA STREET.
THE DEVELOPER FROM WASHINGTON, DC, PURCHASED THE PROPERTY THIS IS FOR THE COMMUNITY, PURCHASED THE PROPERTY IN JUNE 2023 FOR 19.8 MILLION DOLLAR.
DOLLARS VERSUS QUALITY OF LIFE.
QUESTION. WILL THE LINCOLNVILLE CRA RECEIVE TIF FROM THIS DEVELOPER? THAT'S TAX DOLLARS, FOLKS.
QUESTION. HOW MANY 50 FOOT STRUCTURES ARE PLANNED? QUESTION. WILL THIS DEVELOPER BE ALLOWED WITHIN 10 YEARS TO ADD A RESTAURANT? QUESTION. IS ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON THIS PROPERTY NOW OR IN THE FUTURE? BRINGING UP THE SAME PICTURES THAT MISS MELINDA DID, WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE 50 FOOT STRUCTURES WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, AND I THINK SOMEONE NEEDS TO ANSWER THAT TONIGHT, SO WE'LL KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING.
I HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE COMPUTERS AND THEY MAKE ME COPIES SOME THINGS.
THIS SHOWS, I WOULD THINK SOMEBODY OUT THERE OR DRINKING OUT THERE.
IS IT GOING TO BE DRINKING WITH THE VOTERS AND EVERYTHING? THAT WAS IN THERE TOO.
IF THERE WERE, WE NEED TO KNOW.
THE THING ABOUT KEEP BRINGING UP THE KATS PAUL. THEY'RE DOWN HERE.
IT'S COMING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE A BUCK FROM THE TIA? FINE AND DANDY, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE GETTING OUT OF THEIR BOATS, AND YOU'RE TELLING THE YOU'RE GOING TO WALK DOWNTOWN? NO. COULD THEY HAVE A UBER OR WHATEVER.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE TRAFFIC. DON'T TELL ME THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE TRAFFIC.
THAT'S MY CONCERN, THE HEIGHT OF THESE BUILDINGS AND HOW MANY BUILDINGS YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT HIGH, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE VISTA.
I KNOW SOME OF IT'S ALREADY GONE NOW.
BUT THOSE ARE MY MAIN CONCERNS FROM THE PICTURES THAT WERE IN THERE.
THERE'S ONLY ONLY FOUR QUESTIONS I NEED ANSWERS TO. THAT'S NOT TOO MANY.
>> WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. WOULD YOU GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS WHAT HEARD.
>> YEAH. THANK YOU. NUMBER 1, AS TO THE HEIGHTS.
A LOT OF THOSE PICTURES ARE CONCEPTUAL PICTURES, OBVIOUSLY, THOSE ARE NOT AND IT SAYS CONCEPTUAL ON THEM.
THEY'RE CONCEPTUAL ARCHITECTS PICTURES.
THE WHOLE INTENT WITH THE PICTURES WAS TO SHOW THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE FINISHING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THOSE TOWERS, THERE'S NO INTENT TO HAVE OFFICE SPACE THAT'S 50 FEET HIGH.
IF THERE'S SOME ACCOUTREMENT ON THAT PART OF THE OFFICE SPACE, IT'S AN ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE NOT TO BE OBVIOUSLY ANYTHING HAS TO BE UNDER 50 FEET.
[01:15:01]
THERE'S NO INTENT FOR THAT PART OF THE OFFICE SPACE TO BE ABOVE THE 35 FEET.BUT AGAIN, POINT OF WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE 50 FEET? WHILE WE HAVE TWO BUILDINGS ALREADY ON THE SITE THAT ARE OVER 50 FEET.
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ONE OF THOSE BUILDINGS, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO REBUILD THOSE BUILDINGS, AND THEY WOULD BE ABOVE 35 FEET.
IT'S LISTED WHAT THE HEIGHTS ARE ON YOUR MAP ITSELF.
THE MAP IS GOVERNING, AND SO THAT WOULD GOVERN IN THE FUTURE AS TO THOSE HEIGHTS.
THERE'S. NO INTENT TO HAVE MULTIPLE BUILDINGS AT 50 FEET NUMBER 2, I THINK I ADDRESS THE ACCOUTERMENTS.
I THINK, TRYING TO THINK OF WHAT ELSE THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT.
>> THE TRAFFIC WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT BEFORE.
OVER 90% OR MORE IS COMING FROM THE WATER ITSELF.
WILL THERE BE SOME PEOPLE, YES.
YOU SAW THE EXPERT TRAFFIC ANALYSIS SAID, I THINK 6:00 A.M.
PEAK HOUR TRIPS, AND I CAN GO BACK TO WHATEVER IT WAS.
ES TO SAY THERE WAS AN EXPERT TRAFFIC ANALYSIS AND I SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE A HUGE REDUCTION IN TRAFFIC BASED ON THE USES THEY'RE PROVIDING WITH THIS PARTICULAR SITE.
PEAK HOUR TRIPS AND 6:00 P. M HOUR TRIPS WITH THE USES THAT ARE PROPOSED ON THIS SITE.
THE ONLY LAST THING I WAS GOING TO SAY WAS ON OUR SITE PLAN.
THEY POINTED OUT THAT THERE'S NOT SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO USE IN THE PERMEABLE PAPERS ON THE PARKING SPOTS, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S REFERENCE TO THE OTHER SPOTS ON THE SITE.
WE WILL GO BACK AND PUT THAT FOR THE PARK PARKING AREAS THAT YOU SEE WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL CAR PARKING SPOTS, THAT THOSE WILL BE PERMEABLE PAPERS, AND THE STAFF CAN APPROVE THAT ACCORDING TO YOUR CITY ATTORNEY.
BUT WE'LL MAKE SURE WE DO THAT. YES, MA'AM.
>> THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO ME.
>> SHE MENTIONED DRINKING ON THE SITE.
>> YEAH. AGAIN, THOSE WERE CONCEPTUAL PICTURES OF JUST SHOWING LIKE WHETHER THERE'S A CAPTAIN LOUNGE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
IT'S NOT A SEPARATE RESTAURANT, OBVIOUSLY.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT MOVING THAT OUT, AND THERE WAS SPECIFIC REFERENCE, AND THAT WAS PART OF THE PDB 2 TO SAY, HEY, LISTEN, YOU CAN'T HAVE HOTELS, MOTELS, RESTAURANTS, SPECIAL EVENT VENUES, AND IT SAYS THAT WITHIN THE TEXT THAT WE CAN'T HAVE THOSE.
SO THOSE WON'T BE HAPPENING ON SITE.
>> WELL, CAN I JUST EXPLAIN MY CLARIFICATION ON THE TRAFFIC.
THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THEM TO HAVE A RESTAURANT TODAY.
A RESTAURANT ON THAT LOCATION WOULD DRASTICALLY INCREASE TRAFFIC.
THE BOATS THAT ARE STORED THERE, IF I KEPT MY BOAT THERE, I'M STILL GOING TO HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE SITE TO HAVE MY BOAT PUT IN THE WATER.
IT IS GOING TO INCREASE TRAFFIC.
BUT I SEE IT AS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN WHAT COULD BE AND WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR.
THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I'VE ALSO HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY'RE IN SUPPORT OF THIS, IS THAT SAY THIS, BUT IT COULD BE A LOT WORSE.
BUT IT'S REDUCING THEIR ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY OF THOSE WORSE SCENARIOS.
THAT'S WHY I PARTICULARLY AM IN FAVOR OF THIS.
>> ECHOES. COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD SENTIMENTS, YOU DO THE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS AND THE COMPROMISE.
WE COULD GET A REALLY INTENSIVE USE RESTAURANT AND RIGHT NOW WITHOUT THE PUD, AND THAT IS MUCH WORSE THAN I THINK WHAT WE'RE GETTING HERE WITH THE PUD.
WE GET A LESS INTENSIVE USE, WE PRESERVE THE WORKING WATERFRONT.
THE STREETSCAPE IS IMPROVED, INCREASED SHADING DUE TO LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE TREES.
SITE BEAUTIFICATIONS, SIDEWALKS.
THESE ARE ALL GOOD THINGS AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE THEM WITH THE RESTAURANT NECESSARILY, WAS THAT WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED.
THE ONLY THING WE'RE GIVEN UP IS THE HEIGHT 35-50.
TO ME, THAT'S A REASONABLE EXCHANGE.
>> WELL, I DON'T WANT TO REPEAT, AGREE WITH EVERYTHING. THAT'S BEEN SAID.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK PLANNING BOARD.
WHO DOES A LOT OF WORK ON THIS STUFF FIRSTHAND.
THEY DO A LOT I KNOW. I'VE BEEN THERE.
THESE ARE MOVING PIECES, A LOT OF MOVING PIECES.
OUR FOLKS ON THEIR WORK REALLY HARD AND THEY BROUGHT US SOMETHING GOOD.
I ALSO THANK THE APPLICANT FOR A VERY FOCUSED APPLICATION.
SOMETIMES WE GET FISHING EXPEDITIONS.
THEY CAME IN WITH A SPECIFIC REQUESTS.
THE 50 FOOT. THEY WORKED VERY WELL WITH I DON'T ABOUT STAFF, BUT THE PLANNING BOARD FROM SEEING THE VIDEOS ON IT.
THEY DID DO A NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS ANOTHER GOOD THING.
MR. CONS DID ASK FOR SOME OF THE PUBLIC BENEFITS,
[01:20:02]
AND SO I WILL GIVE YOU THAT IN A SECOND.I THINK IT'S THE PROPER ZONING, BECAUSE AS YOU MENTIONED IT, T INTENSIFIES ALMOST THE PROPERTY AND AND MORE FOCUSES IT TO THE SPECIFIC USE.
THE RESTAURANT USE WAS PUT ON THE LAST TIME AS A FINANCIAL HELP TO GET THE BOAT BUILDING ANALYSIS.
NOW WE'RE GETTING THE BOAT BUILDING WITHOUT THE NEED OF THE RESTAURANT, SO THAT'S GOOD.
DOESN'T CHANGE THE ZONING OR THE LAND USE.
AS THE OTHER COMMISSIONER SAID, EVEN GOING JUST BACK TO THE REGULAR ZONING OPENS UP SOMETHING ELSE.
I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD THING HERE.
AS FAR AS THE PUBLIC BENEFITS, I'LL JUST GO THROUGH THEM, MAYBE FOR THE RECORD.
WE HAVE AS THE TESTIMONY WAS TONIGHT, WE HAVE NEW DRAINAGE AND WE HAVE A NEW WATER RETENTION SYSTEM, WHICH IT DOESN'T HAVE NOW NOW, WHICH JUST PRETTY MUCH ALL OUTFALL.
THANKS TO COMMISSIONER BLONDER.
WE HAVE BETTER VEGETATION STUFF FOR ALL OF US.
WE HAVE A NEW SIX FOOT SIDEWALK.
THESE ARE ALL THE PUBLIC BENEFITS WE'VE GOTTEN FROM THIS.
WE'RE TRADING THE 50 FOOT HEIGHT, BUT WE ARE GETTING THE DE INTENSIFICATION IN A WAY IN THE FOCUS, BUT WE'RE ALSO THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW THAT IF THEY WENT TO 35 FOOT HEIGHT, THEY GET 80% LOT COVERAGE.
THE LOT COVERAGE NOW IS GOING TO 50, SO WE'RE SAVING 30% OF THE LOT COVERAGE THERE.
MY UNDERSTANDING, AND STAFF CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
MISS CLADE ASKED ABOUT THE AD VALOREM TAX.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT WILL GO INTO THE LINCOLN BILL COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, IS THAT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. ANY OF THE AD VALOREM TAXES FROM THIS PROPERTY WILL GO INTO THAT AND HELP FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD HERE.
IT I THINK THEY'VE ALREADY MENTIONED THE GOALS THAT IT'S GOING TO MEET.
I THINK ALSO MAYBE THE CITY, WE JUST HAVE TO MONITOR THE TRAFFIC FLOW, NOT DUE TO THIS PROJECT, BUT THE MOBILITY SAFETY ON RIBERIA.
I THINK THAT'S UNATTACHED TO THIS, BUT IT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR THE RESIDENTS DOWN THERE TO HEAR.
MAYBE WATCH ANY OVERFLOW PARKING IF THEY DON'T HAVE PARKING ON THE STREET.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I'M TOTALLY IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
I SPOKE TO ATTORNEY WHITEHOUSE.
HE CALLED TO SEE IF I HAD ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, AND I WAS OBSERVING ABOUT IT FROM THE FIRST READING, AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE AN IMPROVEMENT.
THAT CURRENT LOCATION RIGHT NOW IS NOT REALLY PLEASE AND IT'S THERE, BUT I THINK THE BEAUTIFICATION OF IT, MORE SHADE FROM THE HEIGHT, AND SIDEWALKS, WE CANNOT GET ENOUGH SIDEWALKS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THERE'LL BE SIDEWALKS FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING DOWN TO EDDIE VICKERS, AND EVEN TO THE ARB HALING PARK, THERE'LL BE MORE SIDEWALKS.
I THINK IT'S A WIN FOR THE CITY. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE ONE MORE QUICK THING.
I TOOK PICTURES OF IT TOO THIS MORNING.
IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE THEM ON THE COMMISSION JUST FOUR OR FIVE.
BUT JUST TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FROM THE GROUND.
THE REASON I TOOK THE PICTURES IS BECAUSE THE CONCEPTUAL RENDERINGS, IT WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN WHAT'S THERE NOW.
>> YOU CAN MAKE ONE MORE COMMENT TOO.
AS ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I'M DOING MY PUD CHECKLIST IS BECAUSE OF OUR CRITERIA, WHICH WE HAVE HERE, WHICH I'VE BEEN TRAINED ON THE PLANNING BOARD ALWAYS MAKE A REFERENCE TO IS TALKING ABOUT CONFLICTS WITH ADJOINING PROPERTIES, SO I DID THAT LITTLE CHECK.
BORDERS ON HALING PARK, I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY CONFLICT WITH HALING PARK.
I DID ASK AT THE FIRST HEARING.
IS THERE ANY CONFLICT WITH THE BORDER PATROL? FROM TESTIMONY, I HEARD THERE IS NO CONFLICT WITH THEM.
THE RESIDENTS, THERE'S A ROAD THAT SEPARATING IT, SO THAT'S A BIG DEAL OF DIFFERENCE.
I KNOW WHEN WE REVIEWED IT I WAS IN THE PLANNING BOARD AND REVIEWED IT THE FIRST TIME.
IT WAS A CONCERN, BUT AS WAS MENTIONED THEN, MOST OF THE ACTIVITY FROM THIS USE IS GOING TO BE BEHIND THE BUILDING AND FACING THE WATER.
FOR RESIDENTIAL, PROBLEMS THAT'S GOING TO BE BUFFERED.
PUBLIC SAFETY IS ANOTHER CONCERN.
I LOOKED AT THAT AND I THOUGHT THAT THAT'S A MINIMAL FROM THE ROAD BECAUSE THERE WON'T BE A LOT MORE TRAFFIC AND FROM THE WATER, THE PLANNING BOARD HAS ALREADY LOOKED AT THAT.
IT'S BACK FROM THE NAVIGATIONAL CHANNEL, SO THAT'S ALL BEEN CHECKED.
THAT'S MY CHECK LIST AND NOW I'M DONE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MY COMMENTS ARE I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE 50 FEET IN THE VIEW SHED THAT SPEAKER MELINDA BROUGHT UP.
THERE ARE ON THE MAP, WE HAVE THE ONE BUILDING THAT IS ON THE FURTHER NORTH, 40 FEET.
[01:25:03]
THEN WE HAVE THE LARGER BUILDING, WHICH IS ONE WE'RE MOSTLY LOOKING AT IS THE 50 FEET.ATTACHED TO IT, WHICH YOU SAW THE DRAWING, I THINK SHE PRESENTED A DRAWING.
THERE THAT HAS TWO TOWERS ADJACENT TO THE 50 FOOT BUILDING THAT ARE 35 FEET HIGH EACH.
THEN THE FURTHER SOUTH BUILDING IS A 43 FOOT 43 FOOT HIGH SURFACE BUILDING AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, THAT'S A 40 FOOT BUILDING.
I WOULD ASSUME THAT YOU PUT THE 35 FEET BUILDING ATTACHMENTS IN THERE FOR AESTHETIC PURPOSES.
I'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE, AND IT'S LIKE YOU SAID, THIS IS AESTHETICALLY BETTER THAN WHAT'S THERE NOW.
>> WITH THAT SAID, I THINK WE REALLY WENT THROUGH THE PUBLIC BENEFITS, WHICH IS REALLY THE CRUX OF THE WHOLE THING.
THE ONLY THING I WANTED TO ADD IS WE WILL COLLECT A MOBILITY FEE FOR THIS, AND THAT IS A PRETTY BIG BENEFIT FOR US ON A PROPERTY OF THIS VALUE.
WITH THAT SAID, I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2024-34.
>> WITH THE VICE MAYOR BLONDER MODIFICATION TO THE SITE PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED TO STAFF.
>> WITH THE MODIFICATION TO THE SITE PLAN FROM VICE MAYOR BLONDER.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-34, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 30.15 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED WEST OF RIBERIA STREET AND SOUTH OF CERRO STREET IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HERE AND AFTER FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSING, IW, TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, PUD, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM 9B1.
[9.B.1. Resolution 2025-02: Authorizes the purchase of approximately 1.18 acres of land located on the South side of May Street and next to Hospital Creek. (R. Franklin, Assistant City Manager)]
WE'RE UNDER RESOLUTIONS.THE FIRST ONE IS RESOLUTION 2025-02 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF APPROXIMATELY 1.1 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MAY STREET NEXT TO HOSPITAL CREEK, MR. FRANKLIN.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
RUBIN FRANKLIN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
RESOLUTION 2025-02 WAS BEFORE YOU AT THE PREVIOUS COMMISSION MEETING.
WE WERE DIRECTED TO GO BACK TO THE PROPERTY OWNER, MR. VAN DYKE, AND NEGOTIATE TOWARDS SALE PRICE OF THE APPRAISED VALUE.
MR. VAN DYKE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE AGREED TO SELL THE PROPERTY AT APPRAISED VALUE, WHICH IS $1.4 MILLION.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE THREE MILLION DOLLARS IN UNRESTRICTED RESERVES FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
IF YOU WERE TO PURCHASE THIS AT APPRAISED VALUE THIS EVENING, WE WOULD HAVE $1.86 MILLION LEFT IN UNRESTRICTED RESERVES.
JUST BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE TWO OTHER ITEMS ON HERE, IF THOSE TWO PROPERTIES WERE TO BE PURCHASED, WE WOULD STILL HAVE $757,562 LEFT IN UNRESTRICTED RESERVES.
THOSE ARE COMING UP NEXT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO FILL IN THE IN CASE YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
MR. VAN DYKE'S ATTORNEY IS HERE, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS OF EITHER MR. FRANKLIN OR MR. CURTIS.
WE HAVE THESE AGENDA ITEMS PUT ON BY THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF.
THE WAY THEY'RE IN ORDER, THE SITE THAT I AM MOST INTERESTED IN PURCHASING IS 100 ACRES, WHICH IS IT'S NOT 100 ACRES.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT'S NAMED 100 ACRES.
I'M JUST A LITTLE BIT WORRIED ABOUT SPENDING MONEY AND THEN GETTING TO THE END AND NOT HAVING ANY MONEY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW PROCEDURALLY WE CAN DO THIS WHERE WE HAVE SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT AHEAD OF TIME.
>> SURE. IF WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO DO, I MEAN, IF EVERYBODY'S OPEN TO IT, WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO DO IS WE CAN TALK ABOUT EACH RESOLUTION, AND THEN WE CAN MAKE OUR DECISION ONE BY ONE.
>> I JUST WANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT MR. FRANKLIN SAID THAT EVEN IF WE BOUGHT ALL THREE,
[01:30:01]
WE WOULD STILL HAVE OVER.>> SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND.
>> LIKE THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS IN UNRESTRICTED RESERVES.
>> I THINK THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IT MYSELF.
BUT [LAUGHTER] THE PROBLEM IS THIS WILL NOT BE RECTIFIED UNTIL THE NEXT BUDGET IN OCTOBER, AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN HURRICANE SEASON DURING THAT TIME.
MY QUESTION TO THE STAFF, AND TO THE CITY MANAGER WAS, IS THAT ENOUGH TO PREPARE US TO GET THROUGH? IF WE HAVE A FIVE, NO. THE ANSWER IS NO.
WE'RE TAKING SOME RISK BY SPENDING ALL OF OUR MONEY, EVEN THOUGH, THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY.
THAT'S ONE OF MY CONCERNS THAT I THOUGHT SOMEBODY MIGHT BRING UP.
I'M COMFORTABLE WITH BUYING ALL THREE AND HAVING THAT AS A RESERVE, KNOWING THAT WE ALSO HAVE FOUR MONTHS OF RESERVE SET ASIDE IN EVERY BUDGET, SO THAT IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, WE HAVE SOME FALLBACK.
THAT'S MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE.
>> WE ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO GRANTS.
THEY WILL GET SOME OF THE MONEY BACK.
>> CORRECT. THAT'S GOOD POINT. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, LET'S DO THIS, THEN THANK YOU.
IF EVERYBODY IS AMENABLE, THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GO THROUGH ALL THREE RESOLUTIONS.
MR. FRANKLIN CAN DO THAT FOR US, AND THEN WE CAN TACKLE THEM ALL AT ONE TIME, IF YOU LIKE, BUT THE MOTIONS HAVE TO BE INDIVIDUALLY DONE.
>> SURE. NO PROBLEM IN COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, I STRUGGLED WITH THAT AS WELL.
THE OTHER TWO I DID PUT TOGETHER IN
[Items 9.B.2 & 9.B.3]
THE SAME MEMO BECAUSE THEY WERE PART OF THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM.IN THAT, WE HAVE THE AVERY STREET PROPERTY, AND BY THE WAY, BOTH THE AUTHORIZED AGENTS AND FAMILIES ARE HERE FOR BOTH THESE PROPERTIES AS WELL.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, WE CAN FEEL FREE TO CALL THEM UP.
BUT THE AVERY STREET PROPERTY IS 11.39 ACRES.
THIS ONE, JUST TO NOTE IS LOOKING AT THE MAP IS THE ORANGE HIGHLIGHTED PROPERTY ON THE MAP.
I WANT TO SHOW IN CONTEXT THIS PROPERTY IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE IT'S ON THE BANK OF THE SAN SEBASTIAN AND WE'VE ACQUIRED TWO PREVIOUS PROPERTIES JUST TO THE SOUTH AND GREEN AND YELLOW.
THOSE ARE THE FLORIDA AVENUE PROPERTIES AS WELL.
IT'S A GOOD ADDITION TO CONSERVING THE BANK AREA OF THE WESTERN BANK OF THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO SHOW THAT THE BLUE HATCHED AREA IS THE CITY OWNED BOTTOM LANDS THERE.
THERE'S ALSO A LARGE CONSERVATION AREA KNOWN AS SPENGLER ISLAND, WHICH IS THE PURPLE CROSSED HACH AREA OWNED BY THE COUNTY.
WE ALSO HAVE JOE POMAR PARK AS WELL.
WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ALL OF THAT IN CONSIDERATION, IF AVERY STREET PROPERTY IS PURCHASED, THERE'S ABOUT 18,000 LINEAR FEET OF SHORELINE THERE INCLUDING AVERY STREET, WHAT WOULD BE UNDER CITY CONTROL WOULD BE 7,250 FEET OF THE 18,000.
ABOUT 40% OF THE WESTERN BANK OF THE SAN SEBASTIAN WOULD BE SOME CONSERVATION OR OPEN SPACE PARK RECREATION.
THAT'S THE AVERY STREET PROPERTY.
>> CAN YOU GO BACK TO THAT MAP.
MARIN, CAN WE GO BACK TO THE AVERY STREET MAP? SORRY. THAT GAP BETWEEN THE POMAR PARK AND WHAT WE WOULD BE PURCHASING.
IS THAT IN SINGLE OWNERSHIP OR IS IT IN MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP?
>> THAT IS VISTA COVE CONDOMINIUMS.
>> TO THAT POINT, I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO SHOW IT, BUT THAT BECAUSE OF VISTA COVE, THERE'S PROBABLY CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN ALONG THAT AS WELL FOR THE SHORELINE.
>> EXCELLENT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO NEXT RESOLUTION.
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE 100 ACRE MARSH.
>> THEN 100 ACRE MARSH IS 4.56 ACRE PROPERTY.
IT IS IN THE FULLERWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT WAS A APPRAISE AT MARKET VALUE OF 600,000.
I DO NOT HAVE A MAP WITH THAT ONE.
WE HAD IT IN A PREVIOUS PACKETS.
WHAT I DID IS I LAID OUT IN THE MEMO DIFFERENT OPTIONS, AND SHOWED WHAT THE DIFFERENT FUNDS WOULD BE IF YOU PURCHASED.
OPTION 1 WAS IF YOU JUST PURCHASED THE AVERY STREET PROPERTY.
THEN I PUT A NOTE IN THERE IF YOU PURCHASE THE AVERY STREET PROPERTY PLUS THE VAN DYKE PROPERTY.
[01:35:02]
100 ACRE MARSH PROPERTY WITH A NOTE OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IF YOU INCLUDE THE VAN DYKE PROPERTY.I BELIEVE OPTION 3 IS IF WE PURCHASE ALL THREE OF THE PROPERTIES.
IF WE PURCHASE ALL THREE OF THE PROPERTIES, THE AVERY STREET, AND 100 ACRE MARSH, WE WOULD USE, THERE'S CURRENTLY $677,562 IN THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
WE WOULD USE ALL OF THAT FUNDS FROM THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM, AND WE WOULD USE ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED AND TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND ON RESTRICTED RESERVES BALANCE.
THAT WOULD RESULT IN AN UNRESTRICTED BALANCE OF ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINETY SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO DOLLARS.
IF WE PURCHASE THE VAN DYKE PROPERTY, WHICH IS ANOTHER 1.14 MILLION, OUR GENERAL FUND UNRESTRICTED RESERVES BALANCE IS $757,562.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
WE HAD APPRAISALS ON ALL OF THE PROPERTIES.
THE OWNERS ARE WILLING TO SELL THEM AT APPRAISED VALUE.
AGAIN, HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. ARE THERE OTHER PROP WHAT WE DID ASK PEOPLE TO BRING PROPERTIES FORWARD, WE CREATED A LIST.
DO WE HAVE OTHER PROPERTIES ON THE LIST FOR POTENTIAL PURCHASE?
>> THIS IS THIS IS THE WHOLE, BURCHAM.
THERE'S NO END DATE TO IT SO SOMEONE MAY COME IN THE FUTURE AND APPLY THROUGH THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, BUT I THINK AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE NO OTHER PROPERTIES THAT YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY CONSIDERED.
>> MR. BURCHAM, I'M SORRY, WE HAD ONE PROPERTY, BUT IT'S A SMALLER PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.
>> THERE WAS A PROPERTY THEY WERE HIDING FROM ME.
>> I THINK I RECALL THIS WOULD BE.
>> WE HAD ONE ADDITIONAL APPLICATION SUBMITTED, BUT IT IS A SMALL PARCEL.
I THINK IT'S A 0.12 ACRE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT WE'LL REVIEW AND BRING TO YOU IN THE FUTURE, BUT IT DIDN'T FALL WITHIN THIS RANKING OR THESE.
IT'S NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO I THINK HAVE AN IMPACT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
BUT WE WILL EVALUATE IT AND BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION IN THE FUTURE TO SEE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH.
>> COMMENTS ON ANY ONE OR ALL.
>> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION ON THE 100 ACRE MARSH OR TWO QUESTIONS, ACTUALLY.
FIRST, I JUST WANT A CLARIFICATION.
THE PURCHASE FOR THE VAN DYKE PROPERTY WOULD COME ENTIRELY OUT OF THE UNRESTRICTED FUNDS NOT OUT OF THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM FUNDS.
>> THAT IS WHAT STAFF IS RECOMMENDING.
>> YES. THEN SECONDLY, THERE'S A DILAPIDATED GARAGE ON THE 100 ACRE PROPERTY.
>> WELL, WE WOULD PROPOSE TO GET FEEDBACK FROM THE CITY COMMISSION AND MAYBE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND OTHER PROPERTIES, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT REMOVING STRUCTURES.
IF YOU'RE NOT CONTRIBUTING TO ANY HISTORICAL VALUE OR THAT WE DON'T HAVE A NEED.
THEY'LL JUST DILAPIDATE OVER TIME.
IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMISSION WANTS OR ALL THESE PROPERTIES, INCLUDING THE VAN DYKE PROPERTY, WE COULD PROBABLY PUT A LITTLE CONCEPTUAL PLAN TOGETHER BECAUSE I KNOW THERE WAS TALK ABOUT WHAT DO WE WANT THE VAN DYKE PROPERTY TO BE.
WE COULD HIGHLIGHT ALL THOSE THINGS AND COME UP WITH A PLAN AND BRING THAT BACK AT A FUTURE DATE.
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMMISSION AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL.
>> FIRST, I DID SPEAK TO OUR FRIENDLY FINE REPRESENTATIVE AND EVEN THOUGH WE DID TALK ABOUT NOT NAMING PARTICULAR OPTIONS, THERE WAS SOME POSITIVE LANGUAGE ABOUT PARTICULARLY THE ONE WELL, THE ONE ON THE VAN DYKE PROPERTY, THAT IF THE ACCESS TO DOT COULD BE GUARANTEED THAT FINE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN HELPING FOR WATER ACCESS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.
THEN SECOND OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THIS COMMISSION FOR COMING UP WITH THIS PROGRAM IN THE BEGINNING.
I THINK FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, COMMISSIONER BLONDER INITIATED IT, AND YOU ALL FOLLOWED THROUGH.
I SAY THAT FROM MY TIME ON THE PLANNING BOARD, THIS AVERY LOT, LIKE THE ONE FARTHER DOWN FLORIDA AVENUE.
THE PLANNING BOARD STRUGGLED WITH THIS.
I'M TELLING YOU FROM A PLANNING BOARD LEVEL.
THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING BECAUSE WE STRUGGLED WITH THIS.
HOW DO YOU GET SOMETHING BUILT IN AN AREA THAT PROBABLY REALLY SHOULDN'T BE BUILT IN GIVEN THE THE PROPERTY RIGHTS AND THE CODES THAT WE HAVE.
[01:40:04]
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT AND IT'S AN ASIDE, MR. PAPPAS IS RIGHT, WE HAVE MORE TO DO ON THAT.WE GOT TO ENCOURAGE BUILDING ON PEERS.
ONE OF THE MOST FRUSTRATING THINGS I'VE EVER HAD TO DO ON THE PLANNING BOARD WAS ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE RAVENSWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND SAY, I'M SORRY.
WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN HERE, AND THEN I HEARD THIS WAS BEING BOUGHT.
I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GREAT PROGRAM, AND I WANT TO THANK MY OTHER COMMISSIONERS FOR HAVING INSTITUTED IT.
>> WE HAVE A DECISION TO MAKE.
I PROPOSE THAT, I THINK I'M READING THE ROOM HERE CORRECTLY.
I PROPOSE THAT WE PURCHASE ALL THREE AND THAT WE GO RESOLUTION BY RESOLUTION.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT.
>> I THINK THAT'S AN APPROACH. I'LL SUPPORT.
>> WITH THAT IN MIND, I WILL MOVE PASS RESOLUTION 2025-02.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> I PROPOSE THAT WE PASS RESOLUTION 2025-04.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> I MOVE THAT WE PASS RESOLUTION 2025-05.
>> ANY DISCUSSION. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THIS CONSERVATION PROGRAM HAS BEEN TREMENDOUSLY BECOME POPULAR. I'VE SAID IT BEFORE.
I'M THE ONLY PERSON ON THE BOARD WHO REALLY GOT IT INITIATED WITH FISH ISLAND THAN IS THE MAYOR.
I WANT TO THANK HER FOR GETTING PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT PROTECTING PROPERTY IN THE CITY AND CONSERVATION AND MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND THE STAFF, ESPECIALLY.
BUT THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY HAVE GIVEN US THE SUPPORT WE NEEDED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN ARE SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE AND ARE SITTING AT HOME AND HAVE BEEN EMAILING US.
THESE CITIZENS MAKE ME SUPER PROUD.
>> CAN I MAKE SOME COMMENTS TO YOU?
>> WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR OFFICE, DEVELOPMENT WAS THE PROBLEM.
I KEPT SAYING YOU CANNOT DEVELOP PROPERTY YOU DON'T OWN.
>> YOU CAN'T CONTROL SOMEBODY WHO ALREADY HAS ZONING THAT YOU HAVE TO BUY THE PROPERTY.
A YEAR LATER, I SAID, WE ARE THE BENEFICIARIES OF HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES IN THE MOST RECENT YEARS.
WE SHOULD ONLY SPEND THAT EXTRA MONEY ON THINGS THAT TRULY BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY. THIS IS IT.
THAT MONEY IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE FOREVER.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN WHAT WE'VE DONE THE LAST TWO YEARS UNLESS WE GET SOME TREMENDOUS GRANTS AND SUPPORT FROM THE STATE BECAUSE OUR PROPERTY TAXES ARE NOT INCREASING LIKE THEY WERE FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.
I THINK THAT WE WERE EXCELLENT STEWARDS FOR THE EXTRA CASH THAT THE BUSINESS TAXPAYERS, THE RESIDENT TAXPAYERS, AND ALL THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE COMING IN.
I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, ABOUT 40% OF THE MONEY COMES FROM PROPERTY TAX.
BUT WE WERE GOOD STEWARDS FOR THAT MONEY.
I'M PROUD TO BE ABLE TO VOTE YES ON ALL THREE.
ANY OTHER STATEMENTS? I HAVE ONE.
I JUST LIKE TO THANK THE WILLING PROPERTY OWNERS.
WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT THE WILLING PROPERTY OWNERS, AND WE THANK THEM SINCERELY FOR GETTING US TO WHERE WE NEED TO GO FOR THE COMMUNITY.
>> I HAVE ONE STATEMENT I WANT TO SAY.
I WASN'T HERE FOR THE LAST MEETING, BUT I WAS SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS FOR STICKING TO YOUR GUNS AND GETTING THE APPRAISED VALUE FOR THAT PROPERTY BECAUSE WE CAN'T REALLY JUSTIFY OVERPAYING FOR SOME PROPERTY.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
THE NEXT ITEM ITEM 10B, DISCUSSION ON THE UPDATE OF THE CITY NOISE ORDINANCE.
WE'LL JUST PAUSE A MINUTE HERE IF YOU DON'T MIND LET THE ROOM CLEAR OUT.
>> DOES ANYONE NEED A BREAK? LET'S DO THIS.
[01:45:01]
WE'LL TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK.ABOUT 10 MINUTES. HOW'S THAT? WE'LL BE BACK AT SEVEN O'CLOCK.
WE'RE CALLING SMITTI BACK TO ORDER.
WE WILL PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF WITH A DISCUSSION OF
[10.B. Discussion of Update to City Noise Ordinance. (D. Birchim, City Manager)]
THE UPDATE OF THE CITY NOISE ORDINANCE, MR. BURCHAM.>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
RECENTLY, DURING THE NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE DEBATES, THE CITY MADE SEVERAL COMMITMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE MADE COMMITMENTS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF TRASH CANS DOWNTOWN, WHICH WE DID.
WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO HIRING A NIGHT CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, WHICH WE DID.
>> CAN I INTERRUPT YOU FOR ONE SECOND?
>> WHERE ON THE CITY NOISE ORDINANCE? ARE WE ARE WE COMBINING BOTH OF THESE?
>> I WAS JUST GIVING YOU AN EXAMPLE TO THE NOISE ORDINANCE.
>> I WASN'T SURE WHETHER WE WERE IN A REPORT OR WHAT.
THANK YOU. SORRY FOR THE INTERRUPTION.
>> BEAR WITH ME. I KNOW I RAMBLE ON SOMETIMES.
>> WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO IDENTIFYING RIDE-SHARE HUBS, WHICH WE HAVE DONE SO AND THEY'RE IN OUR VEHICLE-FOR-HIRE ORDINANCE, WHICH YOU'LL BE SEEING SHORTLY.
WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING LIGHTING DOWNTOWN, AND THE LIGHTING STUDY HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND WE'LL BE SHOWING THAT TO YOU NEXT MONTH.
WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO LEAVING PUBLIC RESTROOMS OPEN LATER IN THE EVENING, WHICH WE HAVE DONE.
FINALLY, WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO PRESENT TO YOU AN UPDATE TO THE NOISE ORDINANCE.
WE REACHED OUT TO OUR CONSULTANT THAT DRAFTED OUR CURRENT NOISE ORDINANCE, AND WE GAVE HIM INSTRUCTIONS.
WE INSTRUCTED HIM TO UPDATE THE NOISE ORDINANCE USING THE SAME METHODOLOGY THAT OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE USES.
THE WAY OUR CURRENT NOISE ORDINANCE WORKS IS THAT A CITIZEN CALLS INTO THE CITY WITH A NOISE COMPLAINT.
THAT IS RESPONDED TO BY WHAT IN OUR CODE REFERS TO AS THE NOISE COMPLIANCE OFFICER, WHICH IS RIGHT NOW A POLICE OFFICER.
BUT IT CAN BE ALSO A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
THAT POLICE OFFICER RESPONDS TO THE COMPLAINT AND TAKES A METER READING WITH A DECIBEL METER.
THERE'S A TABLE IN OUR CODE THAT HAS MAXIMUM DECIBEL LEVELS FOR DIFFERENT PARTS OF TOWN, BROKEN DOWN BY RESIDENTIAL OR INDUSTRIAL, OR COMMERCIAL AND DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR.
WHEN THE OFFICER TAKES A NOISE DECIBEL READING, IF IT EXCEEDS THAT MAXIMUM DECIBEL LEVEL, HE WILL GO TO WHERE THAT NOISE IS BEING GENERATED AND HE'LL CONTACT THAT PROPERTY OWNER AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
THE UPDATE THAT WE ASKED OUR CONSULTANT FOR WAS THE ABILITY FOR OUR NOISE CONTROL OFFICER, OUR POLICE OFFICER, INSTEAD OF RESPONDING TO A COMPLAINT TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE.
IT'S NOT ALWAYS A BAR OR RESTAURANT, BUT LET'S JUST SAY FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES, IT'S A BAR DOWNTOWN LATE AT NIGHT.
INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR A COMPLAINT TO BE PHONED IN BY A CITIZEN, THE NOISE CONTROL OFFICER COULD GO RIGHT TO A NOISY BAR AND BE ABLE TO TAKE A DECIBEL READING WITH A DECIBEL METER READING AND SEE WHETHER THAT EXCEEDED A SET OF NOISE STANDARDS, MAXIMUM DECIBEL READINGS.
IN EFFECT, OUR CODE WOULD HAVE TWO OPTIONS.
WE COULD RESPOND TO A COMPLAINT AND TAKE THE READING FROM IN FRONT OF SOMEONE'S HOUSE, OR WE COULD GO DIRECTLY TO THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE AND TAKE A METER READING IN FRONT OF THE BAR OR RESTAURANT, WHEREVER IS GENERATING THE NOISE.
OUR CONSULTANT PREPARED THAT UPDATE AND IT'S IN YOUR PACKET FOR YOUR REVIEW.
[01:50:08]
WHEN THAT UPDATE WAS DRAFTED, IT WENT THROUGH A SERIES OF REVIEWS AND IT WENT THROUGH A REVIEW WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.OUR CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID, THERE'S ANOTHER METHODOLOGY THAT WE COULD USE.
IN FACT, IT'S THE METHODOLOGY THAT'S USED BY SEVERAL COMMUNITIES IN FLORIDA, INCLUDING ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
IT'S CALLED THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE STANDARD.
INSTEAD OF HAVING A POLICE OFFICER USE A DECIBEL METER TO READ THE DECIBEL LEVELS WITH A HIGHLY CALIBRATED ELECTRONIC DEVICE, YOU SIMPLY ESTABLISH A DISTANCE AWAY FROM WHERE THE NOISE IS BEING GENERATED, AND A PERSON WHO IS NOT USING ANY HEARING AID CAN FIND A REASONABLE LEVEL OF NOISE BEING GENERATED FROM THAT DISTANCE.
IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, IT'S 100 FEET.
IT'S THE TRICK IS COMING UP WITH THAT DISTANCE, ESPECIALLY IN A DENSE MIXED-USE DOWNTOWN LIKE WE HAVE HERE IN OUR HISTORIC DISTRICT.
WE HAVE HOTELS THAT ARE DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE LIVE MUSIC.
WE HAVE BARS AND APARTMENTS AND BED AND BREAKFAST ALL COMMINGLING TOGETHER, AND SO FINDING AN EQUITABLE DISTANCE TO ESTABLISH FOR THAT PLAINLY AUDIBLE METHOD IS TRICKY.
BUT WE'D LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT WITH YOU TONIGHT.
I'M GOING TO TURN THIS OVER TO ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE, ANTHONY CUTHBERT, WHO'S GOING TO GIVE YOU A PRESENTATION.
BUT THE QUESTION TONIGHT IS ONE, DO YOU WANT TO UPDATE THE NOISE ORDINANCE? IF YOU DO, WOULD YOU LIKE US TO USE THE CURRENT METHODOLOGY, WHICH IS THE DECIBEL READING WHICH WE CURRENTLY USE, OR WOULD YOU LIKE US TO LOOK INTO THIS OTHER METHODOLOGY CALLED THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE STANDARD? IF YOU WANT US TO LOOK INTO THAT, WE COULD GO TO OUR CONSULTANT, AND HE COULD USE CRUNCH THE NUMBERS, LOOK AT DATA, LOOK AT WHERE OUR COMPLAINTS ARE COMING FROM, AND DRAFT SOME LANGUAGE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, WHICH WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE THAT DISTANCE WITH WHICH WE WOULD FIND PROPERTIES OUT OF COMPLIANCE USING THIS PLAINLY AUDIBLE METHOD.
NOW, I'VE BEEN TALKING OR RAMBLING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE, ANTHONY CUTHBERT.
>> HI, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, ANTHONY CUTHBERT, ASSIST IF POLICE FOR THE CITY OF ST AUGUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S BEEN DONE AND WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW.
MR. BURCHAM DID A VERY GOOD JOB EXPLAINING THE PROCESS.
BUT FIRST THING I WANT TO DO IS JUST TALK ABOUT THE ANALYSIS THAT WE DID BACK IN 2024 TO GET WHERE WE'RE HERE NOW AND TO GIVE THE INFORMATION TO OUR NOISE CONSULTANT.
I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN SOME OF THE NOISE COMPLAINT DATA 2023 VERSUS 2024.
ALSO LOOKED AT NOISE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, NOISE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD 2023 AND 2024.
I'M GOING TO GO OVER THE CURRENT ENFORCEMENT PROCESS, AND THEN I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE YOU TO JABARI WHITE, WHO WAS OUR NIGHTLIFE LIAISON PERMIT TECH.
THEN I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, AND THEN THE MIAMI BEACH ORDINANCE, WHICH IS THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE.
BACK IN 2024, BETWEEN MAY AND JUNE, WE DID ABOUT 25 NOISE SAMPLINGS DOWNTOWN.
PRIMARILY, THESE WERE TAKEN IN ZONE 1, THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
PER THE NOISE CONSULTANTS' DIRECTIONS, WE TOOK THESE READINGS 10-30 FEET FROM THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE.
SEVERAL OF THESE NOISE METER READINGS WERE TAKEN FROM THE ACTUAL PROPERTY LINE OF A WILLING CITIZEN.
WE WERE DELAYED A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF WEATHER, WIND AND RAIN, HURRICANES, AND THAT THING, AS WELL AS MEETING SCHEDULES BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT HERE.
BETWEEN JANUARY 1ST, 2024, AND DECEMBER 31ST OF 2024,
[01:55:01]
WE HAD 289 NOISE COMPLAINTS.THOSE RESULTED IN 100 VERBAL WARNINGS, ONE WRITTEN WARNING, AND THREE CITY ORDINANCE CITATIONS BEING ISSUED.
THE AREAS OF THE COMPLAINTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, AND I'LL GIVE YOU A MAP SHOWING WHAT THE ZONES LOOK LIKE IN THE CITY.
BUT THERE WERE 92 COMPLAINTS DOWNTOWN, BASICALLY IN THE LINCOLNVILLE AREA, ZONE 2, WHICH IS NORTH OF CASTILLO, THERE WERE 77 COMPLAINTS, ZONE 3, THERE WERE 47 COMPLAINTS, THAT'S WEST OF PONS, AND THEN ZONE 4, WHICH IS ANASTASIA ISLAND, WE HAVE 50 COMPLAINTS.
I'M SURE YOU CAN'T REALLY READ WHAT THIS IS, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE COLORS.
THE ORANGE IS ZONE 1, WHICH IS THE LINCOLNVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT AREA, GREEN IS ZONE 2, WHICH IS NORTH OF CASTILLO, NORTH CITY, YELLOW IS THE WEST SIDE, ZONE 3, AND THEN THE PINK IS THE ZONE 4, WHICH IS THE ANASTASIA ISLAND.
AGAIN, JUST TO GIVE YOU A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT THE ZONES LOOK LIKE.
THESE ARE THE ACTUAL LOCATIONS OF THE COMPLAINTS.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN ZONE 1, WHICH IS THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
THERE'S QUITE A FEW IN THE HISTORIC AREA, TOP RIGHT OF YOUR PICTURE THERE.
ZONE 2, IT'S QUITE SPREAD OUT.
ZONE 3. THIS IS JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, WHERE THE COMPLAINTS ARE COMING IN AT, AND ZONE 4 ANASTASIA ISLAND.
>> IN 2023, WE HAD A TOTAL NOISE COMPLAINTS OF 422 ANONYMOUS 65 COMPLAINTS DURING THAT PERIOD.
THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE THE CALLER DOES NOT WANT TO BE CONTACTED, BUT THEY PROVIDE A NAME.
THAT'S TREATED AS ANONYMOUS BECAUSE WE OF COURSE, NEED A PROPERTY ADDRESS TO TAKE A NOISE METER READING FROM.
THERE'S ALSO INSTANCES WHERE DISPATCH DID NOT PUT ANY INFORMATION IN AND WE DON'T KNOW THE REASON FOR THAT.
IN 2024, WE HAD A TOLL OF 289 COMPLAINTS, 33 OF THESE WERE ANONYMOUS.
KNIGHTS OF LIGHTS 2023, WE HAD 74 COMPLAINTS, AND THEN THIS YEAR, WE ONLY HAD 64 SO AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S A DOWNWARD COMPLAINT.
DURING THOSE TWO TIME PERIODS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE CANNOT UTILIZE ANONYEST COMPLAINTS ANYMORE FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT.
FLORIDA LAW IS QUITE EXPLICIT ON THAT.
THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS IF THERE'S AN IMMINENT THREAT OR DANGER.
THIS IS A RECENT CHANGE IN STATUTE AND THE NOISE VIOLATIONS ARE NOT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS WITH ANONYMOUS TIPS.
THEY FALL UNDER CHAPTER 162, AND THEREFORE, WE CANNOT USE NOISE COMPLAINTS FOR LAUNCHING ANY POINT OF AN INVESTIGATION SO THAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE BECAUSE WE DO GET A LOT OF ANONYEST COMPLAINTS AND A LOT OF THE CITIZENS DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS.
AS DESCRIBED BY MR. BURCHAM, THE WAY WE DO OUR ENFORCEMENT IS WE'LL GET A COMPLAINT.
WE'LL RESPOND TO THE COMPLAINANT'S ADDRESS, AND WE TAKE A READING FROM THE ACTUAL RECEIVING PROPERTY LINE OF THE COMPLAINANT.
WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THEY LIVE AT, WHERE THEY'RE RECEIVING THE PROPERTY.
THE INSTRUMENT MUST BE CALIBRATED BEFORE WE TAKE A READING, HAS TO BE WITHIN TOLERANCE LEVELS.
WE HAVE TO TAKE A READING WITH THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE ON AND WE HAVE TO DO IT THREE TIMES AT ONE MINUTE INTERVALS.
READING WITH SOURCE NOISE OFF OR ALTERNATE LOCATION, THAT'S NOT IMPACTED BY THE SOUND SOURCE FOR AMBIENT LEVEL REASONS.
WE HAVE TO EITHER WAIT FOR THE BAR, TO TURN OFF THEIR MUSIC OR THE BAND TO STOP PLAYING, AND THEN WE TRY AND FIT IN OUR AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL READING.
THERE ARE PROVISIONS FOR A MORE SENSITIVE C SCALE READING, WHICH JUST TO BASICALLY HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT IS.
THAT'S THE THUMPING OR THE VIBRATION NOISE YOU HEAR FROM MUSIC.
USUALLY YOU CAN FEEL THAT INSIDE YOUR HOUSE ESPECIALLY.
IN THAT CASE, WE CAN USE THAT.
THERE'S A CALCULATION FOR A CORRECTED SOURCE NOISE.
IF IT'S ONLY 0-4 DECIBELS ABOVE THE AMBIENT NOISE THAT WE TAKE, IT'S UNENFORCEABLE AND THEN WE COMPLETE A NOISE REPORT AND ISSUE A VIOLATION OF CITY ONCE IF WE FIND SO.
JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT A NOISE REPORT LOOKS LIKE. THIS IS IT.
AS YOU CAN PROBABLY SEE, WE HAVE TO TAKE MULTIPLE NOISE METER READINGS, WE HAVE TO KNOW THE TIME, THE RAIN, THE WEATHER, WEATHER CONDITIONS, WIND VELOCITY, AND THEN WE HAVE TO DO A SHORT FORMULA TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ACTUAL OF THE NOISE THAT THE SOURCE OWNS.
THEN ON THE BACK OF THAT, WE HAVE TO DO A HAND SKETCH TO SHOW WHERE WE TOOK THOSE NOISE METER RINGS.
THIS NOISE REPORT I'M SHOWING YOU IS FICTITIOUS.
IT DOESN'T EXIST, THE NAMES ON IT,
[02:00:02]
AND ADDRESSES DON'T EXIST.THIS WAS AN ACTUAL EXAMPLE FROM A TRAINING CLASS THAT I TOOK.
THE PROS AND CONS OF OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE.
THE PROS IT'S AN OBJECTIVE ENFORCEMENT.
WE USE SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS TO TAKE MEASUREMENTS.
IT'S A QUANTIFIABLE WAY TO DETERMINE IF A NOISE SOURCE IS EXCEEDING PERMITTED LEVELS, ELIMINATING AMBIGUITY AND ALLOWING FOR MORE PRECISE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
IT'S A STANDARDIZED MEASUREMENT METHOD.
ALL PARTIES INVOLVED, RESIDENCES, BUSINESSES, AND ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS UNDERSTAND HOW THESE NOISE LEVELS WORK AND HOW THEY'RE BEING ASSESSED AND HOW TO REDUCE POTENTIAL DISPUTES.
THE CONS. THIS REQUIRES A CERTIFIED NOISE OPERATOR.
INSTRUMENTS THAT WE USE FOR NOISE METER READINGS HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED EVERY YEAR.
THIS TAKES THEM OUT OF SERVICE.
THE BIGGEST THING IS THAT IT REQUIRES A COMPLAINT TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THEIR PROPERTY.
MOST OF THE CALLS THAT WE GET, IT'S EITHER THEY DON'T WANT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION OR THEY DON'T WANT CONTACT FROM THE OFFICER, OR THEY DON'T WANT US ON THEIR PROPERTY.
NOISE SOURCES NEED TO BE COMPLIANT AND CEASE ACTIVITY FOR AMBIENT NOISE READINGS.
AS I SPOKE EARLIER, WE HAVE TO EITHER WAIT FOR THE BAR TO SHUT DOWN OR ASK THEIR GOOD GRACES IF THEY WOULD PLEASE STOP THE MUSIC SO WE CAN DO THIS.
IT'S A TIME AND CONSUMING INVESTIGATION.
IT CAN TAKE OVER AN HOUR TO DO.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE FILL OUT THE NOISE MEASURING REPORTS, WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR DIFFERENT SPECIFIC TIMES TO GET THE READINGS FOR QUIETNESS, WEATHER, WIND, IF WE CAN'T FIND A GOOD LOCATION TO TAKE AN AMBIENT NOISE READING, WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY GO TO ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS SIMILAR TO WHERE THE NOISE SOURCE IS AT.
I WANT TO MOVE ON TO JABARI WHITE.
HE'S OUR NIGHT LIFE LIAISON A PERMIT TECH.
HE IS DOWNTOWN AS OF LAST YEAR.
HE'S BUILT THIS PROGRAM FROM THE BOTTOM UP.
HE ADMINISTERS AND ENFORCES THE CITY ORANGES RELATED TO THE FRANCHISE VEHICLES, VEHICLES FOR HIRE, ANIMAL DRAWN CARRIAGES, VENDORS, MOBILE VENDORS, NOISE ONCE WE GET THIS FIGURED OUT, HE WILL ALSO BE A NOISE OPERATOR.
HE ALSO LOGS AND TRACKS ALL THE PERMITS AND LICENSES ISSUED, WHICH HASN'T BEEN DONE BEFORE.
IF YOU SEE HIM DOWNTOWN, BE SURE TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
HE'S A GREAT GUY. HE'S VERY EASY TO TALK TO.
HE'S ALREADY DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE BARS DOWNTOWN AND BUSINESS OWNERS DOWNTOWN, THE VENDORS DOWNTOWN.
HE'S ALSO EQUIPPED WITH THE RADIO AND HE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH POLICE DISPATCH.
WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE HE'S DOWN THERE, HE'S GOT EYES AND EARS ON, SO THERE'S ANY TYPE OF EMERGENCY DOWNTOWN.
HE'S ANOTHER SET OF EYES FOR US.
HE'S ALSO BEEN TRAINED IN TRAFFIC CONTROL, SO HE ASSIST US WITH THE BIG EVENTS.
GOING ON TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, WHAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR.
THE NOISE CONSULTANT WANTED ME TO REMIND YOU THIS THAT THERE'S WHAT YOU SEE CAN BE CHANGED BASED ON YOUR WILL.
WE'VE HAD DEFINITIONS UPDATED.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN PUT INTO THIS, WHICH IS BASICALLY WHAT I JUST TOLD YOU HOW WE TAKE THE MEASUREMENTS.
HE SAID THAT CAN EASILY BE TAKEN OUT.
HE'S ACTUALLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT BEING IN THERE.
THERE'S A NEW SECTION CALLED NOISE DISTURBANCE PROHIBITED, WHICH ALLOWS ANY OFFICER IMMEDIATELY TO ADDRESS EGREGIOUS NOISE DISTURBANCES WITHOUT NOISE CERTIFICATION OR METER.
THAT'S A GOOD POINT. IT ALSO ALLOWS OFFICERS TO TAKE NOISE MEASURE READINGS FROM 10 FEET OR MORE FROM THE SOURCE OF ANY NOISE.
THAT'S A COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT THAT SERVES ALCOHOL, FOOD, OR PRESENTING LIVE MUSIC.
THE LEVELS THAT HE'S COME UP WITH BASED ON OUR STUDIES IS THAT FOR IT TO BE A VIOLATION BETWEEN MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, 7:00 A.M-11:00 P.M.
IT HAS TO BE 12 DECIBELS ABOVE THE AMBIENT NOISE AND BASED ON OUR STUDIES, WE SHOWED HIM, MAJORITY OF THE BARS DOWNTOWN WOULD HAVE BEEN IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS.
ONLY ONE OR TWO WERE ACTUALLY IN VIOLATION.
AFTER 11:00 P.M. IT DROPS DOWN TO 6 DECIBELS ABOVE THE AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL.
THERE'S ALSO A PROVISION THERE THAT ALLOWS FOR US TO DO SOUND TESTING, WHICH IS BASICALLY GIVING US A LITTLE LEEWAY AND POWER
[02:05:02]
TO ASK A BAR OR A BUSINESS TO SHUT DOWN SO WE CAN TAKE OUR AMBIENT NOISE READING.THE PROS AND CONS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
THIS ALLOWS FOR MEASUREMENT BE CONDUCTED WHEN THE COMPLAINANT DOES NOT ALLOW US ONTO THEIR PROPERTY.
OFFICERS CAN PROACTIVELY MONITOR NOISE LEVELS FOR VIOLATIONS AT THE TEN FOOT DISTANCE SOURCE.
WE CAN EVEN ISSUE A CITATION AS LONG AS WE'VE IDENTIFIED A COMPLAINANT AT SOME POINT DURING THAT NIGHT, BUT IT ALLOWS US TO ACTUALLY PROACTIVELY MONITOR BARS.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY WAIT FOR A PLACE TO TAKE THE READING WHEN SOMEONE COMPLAINS.
WE CAN DO THIS NOW ON OUR OWN.
THERE'S A PROVISION FOR OFFICERS TO ADDRESS THE EGREGIOUS AND PURPOSEFUL CALLOUS NOISE DISTURBANCES WITHOUT CERTIFICATION AND WITHOUT A NOISE METER.
THERE'S ALSO THE SECTION THAT ALLOWS US TO HAVE THE BARS OR BUSINESSES TURN OFF THEIR SOUND NOISE BRIEFLY SO WE CAN TAKE AN AMBIENT NOISE MEASUREMENT.
NOW, THE CON IS, IT DOES ALLOW FOR ANNOUNCEMENT COMPLAINTS, BUT WAY I'VE ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT THE STATE LAW PROHIBITS IT.
IT REQUIRES AN ESPECIALLY HIGH DEGREE OF DETAIL INVESTIGATION AND TESTIMONY WHEN WE'RE USING THAT LAST SECTION I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE 11-91, THE EGREGIOUS PURPOSEFUL CALLOUS NOISE.
IT'S CURRENTLY ONLY WRITTEN TO APPLY TO COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.
NOW ON TO THE PLAN AUDIBLE MIAMI BEACH NOISE ORDINANCE.
NOW, THIS CAME TO LIGHT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
THIS IS THE MEAT AND POTATOES, AND I APOLOGIZE, THIS IS JUST THE MEAT AND POTATOES OF EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
I'M GOING OVER THE SMALLER STUFF, BUT FOCUSING ON THE BIG POINTS.
THE BIG POINT OF THE PLAN AUDIBLE IS IT PROHIBITS THE USE AND OPERATION AND PERMITTING TO BE PLAYED USE OR OPERATED ANY RADIO, RECEIVING SET, TELEVISION SET MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, PHOTOGRAPH, OR MACHINE OR DEVICE FOR PRODUCING OR REPRODUCING SOUND IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO DISTURB THE PEACE AND QUIET AND COMFORT OF NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS.
THEN IT GIVES YOU A SPECIFIC TIME BETWEEN 11:00 P.M AND 7:00 A.M.
THE OPERATION OF ANY OF THOSE THINGS I JUST TALKED TO YOU ABOUT IS PLAINLY AUDIBLE AT 100 FEET, IT'S IN VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
THAT'S VERY SIMPLE. THAT'S THE MEAN POTATOES OF THAT ORDINANCE.
THE PROS OF IT, IT'S SIMPLE, SIMPLICITY OF INVESTIGATION, AND ENFORCEMENT, LESS TIME TO INVESTIGATE.
MEANING IT TAKES LESS TIME FOR AN OFFICER TO COMPLETE THAT AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT NEXT CALL.
IT'S BASED ON THE PLAINTIFF AUDIBLE BY HUMAN EAR.
THERE'S NO INSTRUMENTS TO KEEP CERTIFIED, NO INSTRUMENTS TO LEARN, NO CERTIFICATIONS, AND IT DOES NOT REQUIRE ACCESS TO THE COMPLAINANT'S PROPERTY.
NOW, THE CONS, IT'S INHERENTLY LESS PRECISE THAN A DENOMINATOR STANDARD LIKE OUR NOISE METERS.
WHAT EFFECTS WILL THIS HAVE ON OUR ENTERTAINMENT VENUES WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS? WHAT EFFECT WILL THIS HAVE ON BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS? WELL DISCOURAGE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
IF YOU DECIDE TO MOVE ON WITH THIS, WE WOULD HAVE TO DO AN ADDITIONAL STUDY.
THIS WAS THE NOISE CONSULTANTS FIRST DRAFT.
HE SUGGESTED ALREADY A COUPLE OF EDITS.
WE CAN MOVE THE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
WE CAN INCORPORATE SOME OF THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE SOLUTIONS INTO HIS AMENDMENT AND WE WOULD HAVE TO DEFINITELY CONTINUE ON WITH AN ADDITIONAL STUDY.
THE OTHER OPTION IS TO MAKE NO CHANGES TO THE CURTAIN ORDINANCE TO WHERE YOU'RE AT.
OR WE CAN EVALUATE FURTHER THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE STANDARD FROM MIAMI BEACH.
I'LL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, BUT I DO WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF FOR THEIR INPUT AND SPECIFICALLY CORPORAL CHRIS MILLER, WHO WORKED DOWNTOWN ALL THESE NIGHTS AND TOOK THE READINGS FOR ME.
>> WELL, THAT WAS A LOT. THAT WAS VERY THOROUGH.
THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS. I HAVE ONE.
I'LL JUST START. I'LL JUST KICK OFF WITH.
BACK ON THE FIRST SLIDE, I THINK YOU MENTIONED HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU HAD, BUT ACTUALLY HOW MANY WARNINGS YOU HAD AND HOW MANY WRITTEN WARNINGS YOU HAD AND IT JUST SEEMED VERY LOW TO ME.
THE NUMBER AND I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.
BUT WHEN I THINK IT CAME DOWN TO THREE ACTUAL CITATIONS.
THERE WAS 100 VERBAL OUT OF 289,
[02:10:02]
100 VERBAL, ONE WRITTEN WARNING, AND THREE CITY ORDINANCE CITATION.CAN CAN YOU TAKE A STAB UP MAYBE WHY THOSE NUMBERS ARE SO LOW.
>> I GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF SCENARIOS WHY THAT WOULD BE.
NUMBER 1 WOULD PROBABLY BE THAT THE OFFICER THAT RECEIVED THE PHONE CALL OR RECEIVED THE COMPLAINT WASN'T NOISE CERTIFIED SO HE COULD NOT TAKE A NOISE METER READING AND TAKE ANY TYPE OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
BUT IF HE GOES AND SPEAKS TO THE SOURCE NOISE AND MAYBE ASK THEM TO TURN IT DOWN, SHUT IT DOWN, IT'S TOO LOUD IN HIS VIEW OR LET HIM KNOW ABOUT THE COMPLAINT.
THEY CAN CLASSIFY THAT AS A VERBAL WARNING.
WE PAGED A STROKE OF LUCK AND HAD AN OFFICER THAT WAS CERTIFIED ON THE STREET AND HAD THE NOISE METER WITH THEM AT THAT TIME.
>> ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT YOU DON'T SEE ANY TYPE OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION, IT COULD BE ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE THEY CALLED IN ANONYMOUSLY OR THEY LEFT THEIR NAME, BUT REFUSED CONTACT WITH THE POLICE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
YOU HAD THE 200, LET'S SAY THE 289.
WERE THOSE IDENTIFIED AS COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL OR BOTH? ANY DISCRIMINATION?
>> WELL, THE CLASSIFICATION WOULD PROBABLY BE A MIXTURE OF THAT AND IT COULD EVEN INCLUDE VEHICLES.
THIS IS A GENERAL NOISE COMPLAINT.
I CAN'T TELL YOU IF IT WAS A HOUSE, NOT WITHOUT GOING THROUGH EACH 289 CALLS AND IDENTIFYING ADDRESSES.
I CAN DEFINITELY GET THAT DATA FOR YOU IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THAT A FUTURE TIME, BUT IT'S A NOISE COMPLAINT SO IT COULD BE LOUD RADIOS, LOUD CARS, BAR MUSIC, RADIO, THAT KIND OF THING.
>> NO, THAT'S ALL I NEED TO KNOW FOR NOW. YOU DON'T HAVE THAT.
>> GO AHEAD. I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LANGUAGE.
IT SAYS COMMERCIAL AND WE'RE ALCOHOL SERVED.
BECAUSE OF THE NEW LAW OF PROPERTY RIGHTS, YOU CAN HAVE A BUSINESS ON YOUR PROPERTY.
IN OUR PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD, WE DO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO HAS WEDDINGS AND WE'VE HAD TO ENFORCE SOME SOUND IN THAT PROPERTY.
IT'S DEBATABLE WHETHER THEY SERVE ALCOHOL OR NOT LEGALLY.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHY IT WAS IN THERE AS JUST COMMERCIAL.
>> I THINK IS BECAUSE OUR NOISE CONSULTANT WAS GIVEN A DIRECTION TO GO AS FAR AS COMMERCIAL-WISE BECAUSE I ASKED HIM, I SAID, THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO ANY RESIDENTIAL AND HE SAID, NO, IT DOESN'T.
STRICTLY TO ADDRESS THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS NIGHTLIFE.
WE WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND ADDRESS SOMETHING SPECIFIC FOR RESIDENTIAL.
>> RIGHT. WE NEED TO DO THAT. I'M SURE.
>> ONE OF THE POINTS IT SAYS IN SUMMARY, BUT ONE MUST BE RECEIVED, WHICH MEANS A COMPLAINT.
BUT ONE MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO A MEASUREMENT THAT CAN RESULT IN A CITATION.
>> YES. I DID SPEAK ABOUT THIS WITH THE CONSULTANT.
THAT WAS ONE OF MY QUESTIONS AS WELL.
THE ORDINANCE, THE WAY HE'S WRITTEN IT IS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A COMPLAINT TO TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT I CAN'T GO IN THERE AND PRIOR DO SOME MEASUREMENTS BEFOREHAND AND LET PEOPLE KNOW IF THEY'RE IN VIOLATION BUT ACTUALLY, TO TAKE AN ENFORCEMENT ACTION LIKE A CITATION, I WOULD NEED A COMPLAINT.
>> I AGREE THAT THE PURPOSE IS TO TURN THE MUSIC DOWN, NOT WRITE CITATIONS.
>> IF THAT WORKS, THAT'S GREAT BUT WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK, WE HAVE TO CREATE A COMPLAINT?
>> YES. BUT WE START OFF WITH EDUCATION FIRST.
>> I'M REALLY UPSET ABOUT THE STATE LAW SAYING WE CAN'T BE ANONYMOUS.
THIS PARTICULAR RESIDENT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS ACTUALLY BEEN CHARGED WITH FELONIES FOR THREATENING OUR NEIGHBORS.
NO ONE WILL CALL ON THIS PERSON BECAUSE HE'S ACTUALLY BEEN THREATENING TO SOMEONE AND BEEN GUILTY OF IT.
IN THAT CASE, THE WAY YOU DESCRIBED IT, IT MAY BE I'M IN FEAR OF MY LIFE IF HE KNOWS OR SHE KNOWS WHERE I AM.
THAT COULD FALL INTO AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT BEING ALLOWED.
>> I'D BACK UP ON THAT, MAYBE.
>> MAY I JUST ADD JUST TO CLARIFY? THERE'S NO PROHIBITION IN TERMS OF THE STATE LAW OF OUR STAFF ISSUING CITATIONS OF THEIR OWN KNOWLEDGE.
THERE'S NO STATE LAW REQUIREMENT THAT THERE HAS TO BE A COMPLAINANT.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE COULD HAVE IT IN HERE THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE A COMPLAINT?
[02:15:01]
>> BUT THAT'S IN THIS ORDINANCE, NOT CURRENTLY.
>> THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT'S CURRENTLY [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M GLAD YOU CLARIFIED THAT.
>> YES. IT'S IN THE AMENDMENT.
>> I JUST WANT TO GO ON RECORD SAYING, I WAS ONE WHO WAS NOT IN FAVOR OF THE NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE AND I INSISTED THAT CERTAIN THINGS HAPPEN.
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT AND WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.
IF WE CHOOSE NOT TO DO ANYTHING, THEN I'M GOING TO ASK BECAUSE I THINK I VOTED NO, SO I COULD BRING UP THE ORDINANCE AGAIN.
JUST HOW IMPORTANT THIS SOUND ORDINANCE IS THAT WE GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME AND THAT WE CAN HAVE A SYSTEM THAT CAN BE ENFORCED.
MR. WHITE DOWNTOWN IS A GREAT START TO THAT, AND I'M GLAD THAT WE JUMPED ON THAT AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
I APOLOGIZE TO THE PUBLIC FOR US TAKING SO LONG, BUT GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW AND WE DO IT RIGHT.
WE DO IT WITH MEASUREMENTS AND WITH LAW, AND IT JUST TAKES LONG TO DO THESE THINGS, BUT WE WANT TO GET IT RIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS.
>> I WANT TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT YOU JUST SAID BECAUSE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE COMPLAINT-DRIVEN.
YOU JUST SAID THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT THAT WE HAVE SOMEBODY PHONE IN A COMPLAINT, AM I RIGHT?
>> IT'S A CULTURAL ASPECT OF OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT.
IF WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN WHICH A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, MR. JABARI WHITE, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN TAKE A METER READING IN FRONT OF A BAR DOWNTOWN WITHOUT A COMPLAINT, THERE MAY BE A TIME WHICH HE CAN SENSE WHEN A BAR IS TOO LOUD AND GO UP TO THE BAR OWNER, THE DOORMAN, AND SAY, "HEY, I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO TAKE A METER READING.
I CAN TELL THAT YOU'RE TOO LOUD.
YOU NEED TO TURN IT DOWN." IF I HAVE TO TAKE A METER READING, THEN I HAVE TO FORMALLY OPEN UP THIS PROCESS, AND IF YOU'RE IN VIOLATION, THEN I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CITE YOU.
THAT'S A WAY THAT I ENVISION SELF-REGULATING NOISE DOWNTOWN WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT FOR A CITIZEN WHO LIVES DOWNTOWN TO FILE A COMPLAINT.
>> RIGHT. OR LIVES IN ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> THAT'S HELPFUL. THIS JUST SEEMS SO CUMBERSOME TO ME, WHAT THE CONSULTANT CAME UP WITH.
I LOVE THE IDEA OF BEING OBJECTIVE ABOUT IT AND TAKING MEASUREMENTS.
BUT I THINK IT'S TOO MUCH ENCUMBERING OUR RESIDENTS, OUR VISITORS.
I'VE GOT NEIGHBORS THAT I WOULD COMPLAIN AGAINST.
ONE, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, AND SO I'M NOT GOING TO CALL ON HIM.
THIS PLACES THAT BURDEN THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN ON OUR PEOPLE, AND I DON'T THINK THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE TO CALL IN FOR A COMPLAINT.
IF THEY WANT TO, THEY CAN, BUT THAT SHOULDN'T START THE WHOLE PROCESS.
I LIKE THE SCENARIO YOU'RE PAINTING.
I'D RATHER SEE THINGS GO THAT WAY.
>> CAN I? THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT COME TO MIND.
I THOUGHT WHEN WE DECIDED TO GET A NIGHTTIME PERSON, THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE MONITORING THE BARS AND THAT THEY WOULD GO IN AND CITE THEM OR HAVE THEM TURN THEIR SOUND DOWN.
HOWEVER, I DO KNOW THAT THERE WAS AN EMPLOYEE THAT SAID SOMETHING AND MADE A CALL AND THE PEOPLE CAME AFTER HIM AND HE RAN.
BECAUSE OF THAT, THAT PERSON FELT THREATENED.
YOU GOING INTO A PLACE SAYING THAT I'M GOING TO CITE YOU, IT COULD PUT THAT INDIVIDUAL IN JEOPARDY IF THEY'RE DRUNK AND ANGRY THAT HE'S COMING INTO THEIR ESTABLISHMENT.
WHY DON'T WE PIGGYBACK HAVE LIKE JABARI OR WHOEVER'S WORKING IN THAT PARTICULAR THING, GO IN, OBSERVE THE NOISE, AND CALL BACK UP, A POLICE OFFICER TO GO IN AND SAY, WE GOT A COMPLAINT AND NOT VERIFY WHO IT IS.
THEY'RE OF MORE OF AN AUTHORITY FIGURE, SO THEREFORE, THAT DOESN'T PUT THAT PERSON AT RISK. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? ALSO, I CAN BE SITTING HOME WATCHING TV AND SOMEBODY CAN COME BY MY HOUSE AND MY WHOLE HOUSE STARTS SHAKING.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW THEY COULD DRIVE WITH THE SOUND.
BY THE TIME I WOULD CALL THE POLICE, THEY'LL BE DOWN THE STREET,
[02:20:01]
DOWN THERE PROBABLY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.THERE'S NOISE LIKE THAT, AND THEN THERE'S ALSO THE NOISE THAT SOMEBODY IS OUT THERE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CONSTANTLY, AND MS. BJ HAS COME BEFORE US DOING FIRECRACKERS AND IT'S NOT EVEN A HOLIDAY.
THEY'RE JUST OUT THERE AND ELDERLY PEOPLE THINK IT'S A GUN, OR DOGS ARE PANICKING, AND YOU DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT'S COMING FROM, BUT THEY'RE GOING OFF.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THEY LIT ONE FIRECRACKER AND THEY STOP.
I COULD CALL YOU AND SAY SOMEBODY'S OVER HERE, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE EXACTLY IS HAPPENING AT.
BY THE TIME A POLICE GETS DISPATCHED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY COULD FINALLY COME DOWN OR THEY MIGHT SEE THE POLICE CAR COMING THROUGH SO THEY'RE GOING TO STOP UNTIL THEY SEE THEM RIDING BACK THROUGH.
I THINK WHEN PEOPLE COME BEFORE US AND THEY TALK ABOUT THE NOISE ORDINANCE, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO BE OVER.
THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN THEIR HOMES.
IN THE LITTLE DESMO THING, YOU HAVE PROOF THAT YOUR MUSIC WAS UP TOO LOUD.
HERE IT IS. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GOT A READING.
IF THEY WANTED TO CHALLENGE IT, WE HAVE EVIDENCE.
BUT YOU STANDING OUTSIDE 100 FEET SAYING YOUR MUSIC WAS TOO LOUD, YOU COULD BE JUST HATING ON MY BUSINESS, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CHALLENGE OF PROVING.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? I THINK THAT WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO GET READINGS WHEN WE DEAL WITH A BUSINESS, AND I DEFINITELY THINK THAT THE PERSON THAT'S WORKING FROM 6:00-2:00 FROM WHAT IS IT 10:00 THE NOISE, REALLY, IF YOU'RE IN VIOLATION, THAT NEEDS TO BE HIS PRIORITY GOING AND WALKING DOWN ST. GEORGE STREET AND GOING TO OTHER AREAS THAT WE ALWAYS GET THE COMPLAINTS.
THERE'S ALWAYS CERTAIN PEOPLE IN CERTAIN BUSINESSES THAT DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SOUND.
WE NEED TO TARGET THOSE BUSINESSES AND MAKE SURE THEY STAY IN COMPLIANCE SO THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT DISRUPTIVE AND PEOPLE CAN GET SLEEP.
I THINK THAT'S THE MAIN CONCERN THAT EVERYBODY IS SEEKING WHILE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS NOISE ORDINANCE.
>> WELL, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS BEFORE US.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION, I GOT SOME COMMENTS.
LARGE ORGANIZED EVENTS, HOW DOES IT WORK WITH THAT? LIKE FRANCIS FIELD OR THE AMPHITHEATER ON THE ISLAND.
>> THERE IS A PROCESS WHERE YOU CAN GET A PERMIT TO EXCEED THE NOISE ORDINANCE FOR A SPECIFIC EVENT.
>> THAT'S HOW THE LARGER ORGANIZED EVENTS DO IT?
>> I DON'T KNOW. I'M GOING A LA CARTE HERE.
>> BEFORE I SAY THAT, THE PERMIT IS TO EXCEED THAT 10 O'CLOCK TIME WITH THE DECIBEL LEVEL.
IT'S NOT TO EXCEED THE DECIBEL LEVEL ITSELF, ISN'T THAT CORRECT?
>> I'D HAVE TO RE-LOOK AT THE EXACT LANGUAGE, BUT I THINK IT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU MAKE IT.
IT GOES TO THE CITY MANAGER, AND IT HAS CRITERIA.
AS LONG AS THE CRITERIA ARE MET, YOU CAN SIGN OFF ON THAT EXCEEDANCE.
>> I'VE SIGNED ON EXTENSIONS TO THAT 10:00 THRESHOLD IN THE PAST, FLAGLER COLLEGE HAD A BAND FOR ALUMNI WEEKEND OR SOMETHING.
>> FOR EXAMPLE. [LAUGHTER] NO, THEY WERE NO TROUBLE PART.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THAT WAS THE NAME OF THE BAND, THE TROUBLEMAKERS, I'M SORRY. [LAUGHTER] CLEARING MYSELF.
>> MR. REAGAN IN THE PAST, AND THIS IS JUST ONE I KNOW OF.
THE FIRING OF CANNONS IS NOT AFTER 10 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, BUT IT DOES EXCEED TECHNICALLY THE DECIBEL RANGE.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET.
>> BUT THEY CLOSE AT 10:00. NO GOOD DAYS DOESN'T MATTER.
>> IT JUST DEPENDS WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE.
EACH ONE WOULD BE ANALYZED WITH THE CRITERIA AND THE CODE AND THE CITY MANAGER COULD ISSUE A WAIVER OF THE RULES, WHICHEVER RULES ARE TRIGGERED.
>> IT'S LIKE A VARIANCE PROCESS OR SOMETHING.
I'M GOING TO GO DOWN THE A LA CARTE MENU IF I CAN IF I CAN DO IT THAT WAY.
IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, LET ME KNOW.
I LIKE TO KNOW COMPLAINT IS NECESSARY.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE I HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH FRIENDS.
USUALLY, IF SOMETHING'S BOTHERING ME ENOUGH, I DON'T MIND IF MY NAME IS ON IT, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT.
I FEEL THAT NO COMPLAINT WOULD BE A PLUS FOR ME.
LIKE COMMISSIONER GARRIS, I LIKE USING THE METER.
WE'VE HAD DISCUSSION, YOU GOT THE WIND BLOWING, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
SOME PEOPLE'S HEARING IS BETTER THAN OTHER PEOPLE'S,
[02:25:01]
SO I WOULD USE THE METER.I LIKE THE IDEA OF THE BACKUP.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
I THINK SOMEBODY CAN HAVE SOME HONES TO GET DOWN THERE OR SOME OF THESE PEOPLE.
THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD WAS A 10-FOOT DISTANCE.
IF WE USE THE NOISE EQUIPMENT, I'LL SAY THE MONITORING EQUIPMENT, THE DIFFICULTY SEEMS TO BE GETTING IN THE PERSON'S PROPERTY.
CAN WE JUST TAKE IT OUTSIDE? THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE HEARING IT.
>> WITH THE NOISE ORDINANCE, THE ONE THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO US, YES.
WE DON'T NEED ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY.
IT'S 10 FEET FROM THE PROPERTY.
>> THEN I WOULD SAY 10-FOOT DISTANCE WOULD BE ON MY A LA CARTE MENU.
THE OTHER THING I DID NOTICE BECAUSE I WAS THINKING, THIS'S A LOT OF WORK FOR AN EXTRA OFFICER.
HOWEVER, IF I TOOK YOUR 289 COMPLAINTS, COULD YOU SAY EACH ONE WAS AN HOUR?
>> IF THEY WERE DOING A FULL INVESTIGATION.
>> LET'S SAY THEY ALL DID A FULL INVESTIGATION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE THREE THEY WOULD ISSUE CITATIONS, GUARANTEE THEY TOOK THEM AN HOUR, AT LEAST TO DO.
>> FROM THE TOTAL YEAR, IT WOULD BE ABOUT 70 HOURS OF AN OFFICER, AND THAT'S SAYING EACH ONE OF THOSE.
AT 289, EACH ONE IS AN HOUR INVESTIGATION, I THINK SO.
PUT INTO A WORK WEEK, IN OTHER WORDS.
THE GENTLEMAN IS ALREADY OUT THERE, ANYWAY, WORKING.
THE ONLY THING I'M NOT CLEAR ON IS ALL THE COMPLAINTS.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT BE BUSINESSES IN RESIDENTS.
I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM MY OTHER COMMISSIONERS.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT IN A NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE SOUND, IF IT'S COMING FROM A BUSINESS OR IT'S COMING FROM RESIDENTS, I DON'T THINK WE CAN BE DISCRIMINATORY THAT WAY, SO I'D PROBABLY LEAN TOWARD RESIDENTS.
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.
THIS HAS TAKEN A REALLY LONG TIME TO GET TO THIS POINT.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT SOMETHING AND WHETHER WE'RE ACTUALLY DECIDING WHAT WE'RE IMPLEMENTING TONIGHT OR WE'RE JUST LOOKING AT THIS DRAFT AND THEN GIVING FEEDBACK BECAUSE THAT SEEMS LIKE THERE'LL BE ANOTHER SIX MONTHS BEFORE WE GET ANOTHER DRAFT.
>> WELL, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND IT WAS OUTLINED IN THE MEMO.
DO YOU WANT TO UPDATE THE CITY NOISE ORDINANCE AT THIS TIME? I THINK WE ALL NEED TO ANSWER THE OTHER TWO QUESTIONS FIRST.
>> I THINK WE JUST TAKE A VOICE VOTE.
>> ARE WE INTERESTED IN PROVIDING GETTING MORE INFORMATION ON THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE NOISE ORDINANCE? THAT SEEMS MUCH MORE EASILY ENFORCEABLE THEN I'M LOOKING AT WHICH I WOULD CALL THAT LIKE THAT'S THE INTUITIVE APPROACH VERSUS THE SCIENTIFIC APPROACH.
WHAT WE'RE USING RIGHT NOW IS THE DECIBEL MEASUREMENT AND HOUR AND ALL THE SCIENTIFIC APPROACH.
I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT'S EVEN GETTING US AT THIS POINT TO GO STAY WITH THAT APPROACH BECAUSE YOU SEE WE'VE ONLY GOTTEN THREE AN ENTIRE YEAR OUT OF 289 AND PUT IT ON THE COMPLAINTS, BUT IT'S GOT THREE CITATIONS OUT OF IT.
>> IT'S COMPLAINT DRIVEN THOUGH.
>> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE. BUT I THINK THAT EXPLAINS THAT SMALL NUMBER.
>> BUT I STILL MAINTAIN WHAT IS IT GETTING US THE RESULTS?
>> WELL, IT WOULD REQUIRE A COUPLE OF CHANGES TO GET THE RESULT.
>> THE QUESTION WOULD BE, DO WE WANT TO STAY WITH THE DECIBEL READING, I CALLED A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH AND GO WITH THESE CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS AS PRESENTED, OR DO WE WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE?
>> ONE OF THE OPTIONS WAS TO HAVE A BLEND AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD SOLUTION PARTLY BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE 40 POLICEMAN BEING THE ARBITRATOR FOR A NON METERED AUDIO LEVEL.
BUT WE DO HAVE MR. WHITE DOWNTOWN.
MR. WHITE COULD BE THE PERSON WHO DOES THE AUDIBLE ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE HE'S THERE.
IT'S NOT ON THE ISLAND. I UNDERSTAND.
HE DOESN'T GO UP THE ISLAND, DOES HE? HE'S ONLY IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
WE'D HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE DESIGNATED THAT WE COULD DO ANYWAY.
YOU DON'T HAVE EVERYBODY BEING THE METER.
EVERYBODY ELSE HAS A METER, THAT MAKES SENSE?
>> I THINK IT'S THE OPPOSITE THOUGH.
MAYBE MR. CUTHBERT CAN EXPLAIN THAT BETTER THAN ME,
[02:30:03]
BUT ONLY SOME PEOPLE ARE FORMALLY TRAINED TO DO THE METERING.REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT WAS COMPLAINT DRIVEN OR NOT, MY UNDERSTANDING, AND NOT, IF I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING.
THEY GOT LUCKY ON THREE, THAT THEY HAD SOMEONE ON CALL THAT ACTUALLY HAD THE FULL TRAINING, HAD THE CALIBRATED DEVICE AND WAS ABLE TO DO IT.
PARK THAT AND SECONDLY, IT IS ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO IS A NOISE CONTROL OFFICER CAN DO A PLAINLY AUDIBLE RIGHT NOW.
FOR INSTANCE, IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN WRITE YOU UP FOR A NOISE VIOLATION BASED ON PLAINLY AUDIBLE.
THEY DON'T DESIGNATE ONE OFFICER PER ZONE THAT CAN DO THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE.
TAKE THAT FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, BUT THAT IS WHAT IT IS.
>> WELL, I'D LIKE TO TAKE YOU ON A RIDE IN MY CAR WITH MY WIFE AND THE MUSIC THAT I LIKE TO PLAY.
BECAUSE I GET TOLD TO TURN IT DOWN ALL THE TIME.
BUT THAT'S WHERE I SEE THE PROBLEM BEING ENFORCEMENT IS IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CONSISTENCY IN THE EARS AND THE PERSON AND EXPERIENCE.
IF WE HAD ONLY A FEW THAT COULD DO THE AUDIBLE, YOU COULD ARGUE, IT'S THE SAME PERSON, HE'S DONE THIS FOR FIVE YEARS.
HE KNOWS, HE DOES USE A METER AS WELL.
ANYWAY, THAT'S JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. DOES HE HAVE A CITY VEHICLE SO HE CAN BE MOBILE TO GO MORE THAN TO JUST DOWNTOWN?
>> SEEING YOUR CHART IS INDICATING WHERE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM.
CAN THERE BE LIKE A WINDOW OF TIME THAT HE ROTATES AROUND? IT WAS DIFFICULT AT NIGHTS AND LIGHTS, BUT CAN HE BE LIKE DOWNTOWN AT A CERTAIN AREA AND THEN GO OVER TO THE ISLAND AND THEN GO DOWN LIKE SAN MARCO IN THAT AREA?
>> I THINK ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
>> DOES HE HAVE A SCHEDULE AS TO BEING AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS AT CERTAIN TIMES?
>> HIS MAIN FOCUS IS IS THE DOWNTOWN NIGHT LIFE.
WE LIKE TO KEEP HIM DOWN THERE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE ISSUES WERE, ESPECIALLY WITH MOBILE VENDORS AND THAT THING.
YOU DON'T GET ANY MOBILE VENDORS ON US ONE OR ON ANASTASIA, SO HE'S ASSIGNED DOWNTOWN.
>> IS THERE MORE OFFICERS THAT WORK AT NIGHT DURING THAT WINDOW OF TIME?
>> CAN WE GET SOME OTHER OFFICERS TO SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY SO WE'RE COVERING MORE THAN JUST ONE AREA OF THE CITY?
>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WORKS NOW IS, WHAT WE PLAN ON DOING IS ONCE THIS IS SETTLED, OUR NOISE CONSULTANT IS GOING TO COME DOWN AND TRAIN AS MANY OFFICERS, IF NOT ALL OF THEM.
I'D LOVE TO SEE THEM ALL GET TRAINED AND CERTIFIED IN NOISE METER.
WE'VE ALSO PURCHASED SEVERAL MORE NOISE METERS, SO WE'LL NEVER BE WITHOUT. THAT'S MY DREAM.
>> IT SEEMS LIKE WE NEED TO ESTABLISH SOME TERRITORIES FOR THE NOISE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN GET USED TO PLACES.
THEY KNOW WHERE THE COMPLAINTS ARE COMING FROM AND THEY CAN SCAN.
I THINK THAT'S HOW WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE NOISE ORDINANCE SO WE CAN COVER MORE AREAS.
>> WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A STAFFING ISSUE, AND I THINK THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS.
BUT THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN JUST SAYING, SOME OF THE POLICE OFFICERS WILL HAVE MORE ROUTES.
THAT REALLY IS A FUNCTION OF THE POLICE ADMINISTRATION, HOW THEY DECIDE TO DEPLOY THEIR PATROL OFFICERS AT NIGHT, VERY SYSTEMATIC.
IF WE COULD GET BACK TO JUST THE CORE QUESTIONS ABOUT, DO YOU WANT TO UPDATE THE ORDINANCE? IF SO, WHICH METHOD DO YOU WANT TO USE? WE CAN WORK ON THE STAFFING ASPECT, AND WE CAN BRING YOU BACK THOSE ANSWERS ABOUT THE STAFFING TOO.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE DEFINITELY DO THE SOUND ORDINANCE UPDATE AND THAT WE BLEND BOTH MODELS.
>> I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING HOW THAT BLEND WORKS.
I'M TRYING TO WRAP MY HEAD AROUND THAT.
BUT I'M IN FAVOR OF WHATEVER OPTION GIVES THE MOST AMOUNT OF OFFICERS THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED.
TO ME, IT SEEMS LIKE THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE.
BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THE TRAINING.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BUYING THE EQUIPMENT, CALIBRATING THE EQUIPMENT, DOING THE TRAINING FOR ALL THE OFFICERS KEEPING THEM TRAINED BECAUSE OF THE TURNOVER THAT WE HAVE AT THE DEPARTMENT, WHICH WE KNOW WE DO HAVE THE TURNOVER.
IT SEEMS LIKE ME I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT A PLAINLY AUDIBLE ORDINANCE HOW IT WOULD WORK.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT WOULD BE A BLEND.
>> OUR ATTORNEY IMPLIES THAT IT'S ENFORCEABLE.
[02:35:01]
THEY HAVE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ON THEIR OWN DETERMINING WHAT IF IT'S TOO LOUD.>> MY ONLY CONCERN ABOUT THAT IS THAT WE NEED TO GET SOMETHING WORKING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HAVING STAFF GO BACK AND RESEARCH IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD ADD A SIGNIFICANT DELAY TO MOVING FORWARD.
I'D LIKE TO SEE AT LEAST TO START THAT WE GO AHEAD WITH WHAT WE HAVE WITH THE DECIBEL METERS AND REMOVE THE COMPLAINT DRIVEN COMPONENT OF IT.
ROLL IT OUT IN PHASES, AND THEN AS THE STAFF ASSESSES THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE, LET'S GO WITH IT.
THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST.
>> HOW MANY METERS DO WE HAVE?
>> AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE EIGHT EIGHT.
>> THAT'S UP SIX FROM LAST YEAR WHEN HAD TWO.
>> I DON'T KNOW I FEEL WE GOT THE METERS.
I DON'T KNOW FOR ME, I JUST HAVE TO GO BACK TO METERS.
IT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN RECORD AND IT'S DEFENSIBLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GETTING WITH THE BLEND IS THAT OUR NOISE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CAN WALK UP AND SAY YOUR MUSIC IS TOO LOUD WITHOUT USING THAT.
IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE AFTER? YOU'RE NOT JUST THE RATIONALE WOULDN'T BE JUST ANYBODY CAN CALL UP AND SAY, I CAN HEAR IT FROM 100.
IS THIS BLEND TO GIVE SOME TOOTH TO THE NOISE OFFICER WITHOUT HIM HAVING TO TAKE THE READING? I'M MY MISUNDERSTANDING THIS?
>> THEN I SEE THE BLEND AND I SEE THE REASON FOR THE BLENDED, AND I WOULD KEEP THE METERS GOING.
YOU DON'T NEED A COMPLAINT, SO THIS WILL LET MR. BAR WAIT GO DOWN AND SAY, HEY, YOUR MUSIC'S TOO LOUD.
THEN START THAT I THINK WE SHOULD START THERE AND I'M VERY MUCH WITH THE IDEA OF MOVING SOMETHING ALONG.
I GOT A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DURING NIGHTS LIGHT.
IS PEOPLE EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT COMING ACROSS IN THE DAVIS SHORES AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.
>> WELL, I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HEARING WHAT THIS BLEND IS JUST BECAUSE IT GETS CLOSER TO THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE.
I LIKE THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE, MAINLY BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ALL THE TRAINING AND ALL THE EQUIPMENT AND THAT CONSTANT CHURN THAT WE HAVE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
LIKE I SAID, ANYBODY WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT AT ANY TIME AND USE DISCRETION.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD GET US MORE CITATIONS OR NOT, BUT I KNOW I DON'T THINK WHATEVER WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GETTING US TOO MANY CITATIONS, AND IF THE REASON IS BECAUSE OF THE TRAINING AND THE EQUIPMENT AND THE EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION AND ALL THOSE THINGS, I WOULD ABANDON I WOULD JUST VOTE TO ABANDON THAT.
IF Y'ALL ARE INTERESTED IN A BLEND MOVING FORWARD, THEN THAT WOULD GET MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE OFFICERS.
IF THAT IS WHAT THAT IS, IF THE BLEND THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS GETTING MORE FLEXIBILITY SO THAT MORE OFFICERS CAN ENFORCE WITHOUT ALL THE EQUIPMENT AND ALL THE TRAINING, THEN I'M IN FAVOR OF IT.
>> THERE'LL BE SOME ELEMENTS TO THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE THAT HE'LL INCORPORATE IN HERE THAT WE HAVE TO MEET BEFORE WE CAN ACTUALLY JUST DO PLAINLY AUDIBLE.
OTHERWISE, YOU'D JUST BE DOING PLAINLY AUDIBLE ON EVERY COMPLAINT.
THERE'LL BE SOME EGREGIOUSNESS THAT HAS TO BE PUT INTO IT.
DON'T FOCUS TOO MUCH ON THE NUMBER OF CITATIONS ISSUED.
LIKE I SAID, OUR ENFORCEMENT IS FIRST EDUCATION AND COMPLIANCE.
IF WE CAN GET THOSE TWO THINGS, WE'D RATHER NOT.
>> WE STILL GET THE COMPLAINT.
>> ARE THE COMPLAINTS DROPPING? I DON'T KNOW.
>> WE DID SEE ALMOST HALF DIFFERENCE IN 2024 AND 2024.
>> GOOD. WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO?
>> I THINK PROBABLY THE PUBLIC BECAME KNOWLEDGEABLE OF WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO HERE.
NOT SAYING THAT THEY ADJUSTED THEIR BEHAVIOR, BUT THAT'S VERY WELL MAY HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.
>> FORWARD SOMEHOW TO MAKE A DECISION.
>> I DON'T KNOW FROM WHAT I'M HEARING, THERE'S CONSENSUS ON THE BLEND.
THERE'S CONSENSUS ON THE BACKUP.
THERE'S CONSENSUS ON NO COMPLAINT NECESSARY.
I GUESS WITH THE BLEND, YOU GET [INAUDIBLE] FOOT DISTANCE.
THOSE ARE FOUR THINGS THAT I THINK THAT EVERYBODY HAS AGREED ON.
TRY TO MOVE IT WITH WHAT WE AGREE ON.
>> RESIDENTIAL. I'M JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE TO SEE IF WE CAN GET.
[02:40:01]
>> DOES THAT GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED FROM TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION?
>> WE WILL HAVE TO MODIFY THE DRAFT THAT YOU HAVE THERE NOW TO INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FLESH OUT THAT COMPONENT THAT ALLOWS FOR THE WE'RE CALLING IT THE BLEND.
THAT WILL BE PUT IN THE FORM OF AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL COME BACK TO YOU FOR FIRST READING.
I ANTICIPATE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO WANT US TO DO SOME PUBLIC OUTREACH.
WE'LL START LOOKING AT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, AND WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU WITH FIRST READING. IF THAT'S YOUR WISH?
>> YEAH, IT WORKS FOR ME. THANKS.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT TIME AND THAT PRESENTATION AND THE FRANKNESS, DISCUSSION WITH YOU.
THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEMS BY THE CITY CLERK.
[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK]
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS BEFORE WE [OVERLAPPING].>> MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
THE FIRST ITEM I HAVE TONIGHT IS JUST A NOTIFICATION THAT WE HAVE ONE UPCOMING TERM EXPIRATION ON OUR QUARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE.
MS. LORNA MCDONALD'S TERM IS EXPIRING MARCH 28TH, 2025.
SHE IS ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT, SO WE WILL REACH OUT TO HER TO SEE IF SHE WISHES TO REAPPLY, AND WE WILL ALSO ADVERTISE.
ACCORDINGLY. MY SECOND ITEM TONIGHT IS NOTIFICATION OF THREE UPCOMING TERM EXPIRATIONS ON OUR HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD.
THESE TERMS EXPIRE ON MARCH 28TH, 2025.
WE WILL, OF COURSE, BEGIN ADVERTISING AN OUTREACH FOR THIS.
I DID WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE TERM HELD BY GARY MCDONALD.
HE HAS SERVED TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS, SO HE'S NOT ELIGIBLE TO REAPPLY AT THIS TIME, BRAD BEACH, HE'S ELIGIBLE TO REAPPLY.
OUR ALTERNATE POSITION, BARBARA WINGO, THERE IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO YOU CAN SERVE AS MANY CONSECUTIVE TERMS THAT YOU WISH IF YOU'RE AN ALTERNATE BECAUSE THE REQUIREMENT IS THAT YOU ARE A FORMAL HARD MEMBER.
WE'LL PROCEED WITH THAT. THE FINAL ITEM I HAVE IS DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF COMMISSION ASSIGNMENTS TO OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND LOCAL BOARDS.
I DID PROVIDE YOU WITH A LIST.
THE LIST IS ALSO IN THE PACKET.
>> IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE I DON'T KNOW.
MAYBE WE COULD GO AROUND THE ROOM AND SEE, ARE WE HAPPY WITH OUR ASSIGNMENTS OR IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE'D LIKE TO DO.
I THINK THAT MAYBE WE COULD SWITCH SOME THINGS UP, KIND OF GET OURSELVES EXPOSED AND MAYBE TO DIFFERENT THINGS. MS. [INAUDIBLE].
>> COULD I MAKE A POINT REAL QUICK.
I HAVE A VERY FULL WORK SCHEDULE AND A LOT OF THE MEETINGS ON THE OTHER BOARDS THAT FOR SERVICE OCCUR DURING THE DAYTIME ON WEEKDAYS.
ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT WHERE I'M AT IS THAT IT HAPPENS IN THE EVENINGS.
>> YOU'RE WITH GUANA NR, AND I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD FIT FOR YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR EXPERTISE, AND WE COUNT ON YOU FOR THAT.
LOOKING AT THE OTHER ONES BY, I DON'T SEE ME CHANGING TDC.
I DON'T SEE ME CHANGING NORTH FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION.
I PERSONALLY AM CERTAINLY OPEN TO NOT BEING THE VOTING DELEGATE AT FLORIDA LAGE CITIES, AND I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHERE BARTRAM TRAIL CONFERENCE IS AT THE MOMENT.
I WILL SAY THIS ABOUT THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL.
ROXY AND HORBTH DID TAKE THAT SEAT FOR US FOR A LONG TIME, AS WE ALL KNOW.
I THINK THAT IS NOMINATED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
>> THAT POSITION IS NOMINATED.
>> APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION, RIGHT?
>> BUT IT CAN ALSO INCLUDE MEMBERS FROM THE BEACH.
>> IT COULD BE THE CITY OR THE BEACH.
WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY'S INTERESTED IN THAT FROM HERE.
IT'S CERTAINLY A BIG TIME CONSUMER.
>> I'M HAPPY WITH MY ASSIGNMENT.
>> USUALLY, A LOT OF TIMES, WHAT WE DO IS WE TAKE THE NEW BEYOND THE BOARD.
>> I THINK I'D GET THE ROOKIE TREATMENT.
I'M TRYING TO JUMP IN THERE BEFORE THAT.
>> YOU GET TO GO TO BE A VOTING DELEGATE AT THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES.
[02:45:04]
BUT USUALLY, WE MAKE THAT DECISION AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, WHICH IS IN AUGUST.SO WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION TONIGHT.
I THINK IT'D BE COOL IF PERHAPS MR. SPRINGFIELD, WE COULD SWITCH YOU UP.
>> I'M HAPPY TO DO WHATEVER YOU ASK, AND I DO HAVE ANOTHER SPECIAL REQUEST.
>> YOU DO? WHAT SPECIAL REQUEST IS THAT?
>> WELL, COMPASSIONATE VILLAGE IS STARTED.
TO ME, AS WE TALK ABOUT SERVING POPULATIONS, THIS IS A POPULATION THAT WE DO NOT SERVE, AND THAT IS THE ELDERLY THAT ARE HOME AND ARE NON-SOCIALIZED.
I'VE BEEN ASKED TO BE ON THE BOARD OF THAT.
BUT LET ME ASK THE COMMISSION'S FAVOR THAT WE ACTUALLY ADD IT TO THE LIST OF ASSIGNMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS SO THAT WHEN MY DESIRE TO NO LONGER SERVE ON THAT BOARD [NOISE] GOES AWAY OR I'M NO LONGER A COMMISSIONER THAT WE CONTINUE TO REPRESENT.
I THINK IT'S AN APPROPRIATE THING FOR THE CITY TO BE A PART OF.
I'M IN THE AGE BRACKET SINCE I'M THE ELDER IN THIS GROUP THAT I SHOULD BE A MEMBER OF THAT [LAUGHTER] COMPASSIONATE VILLAGE.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT WE CONSIDER MAKING THAT AN OFFICIAL COMMITTEE, AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO VOLUNTEER TO DO THAT.
>> I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA, BUT I THINK THE BYLAWS AND THESE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, GENERALLY, IT'S A THING WHERE THE BYLAWS REQUIRE A SEAT.
IT'S ACTUALLY WRITTEN INTO THEIR BYLAWS THAT WE ARE HOLDING A SEAT, AM I RIGHT?
>> WERE YOU THINKING BEING A LIAISON, WHICH WOULD BE FINE.
SITTING ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THOUGH, TRIGGERS OTHER ISSUES.
FOR INSTANCE, IF THAT GROUP WERE WANTING TO OBTAIN A GRANT FROM THE CITY, THEN IT WOULD CAUSE PROBLEMS BECAUSE NOW YOU WOULD BE THAT ENTITY BECAUSE YOU'D BE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
GENERALLY, WHEN IT'S BEEN SAFER INSTANCE, ANOTHER GROUP YOU'RE INVOLVED IN WITH THE SISTER CITIES, IT'S A LIAISON, MEANING AN UNOFFICIAL POSITION.
YOU ATTEND THE MEETINGS, YOU'RE THERE TO COME BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION AND SAY, HEY, THERE'S A NEED OR HERE'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, BUT YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> SOUND GOOD TO ME. [LAUGHTER]
>> THE LIAISON VERSUS, SO WE WOULD JUST MAKE THE DECISION TO HAVE A LIAISON.
YOU JUST HAVE TO SUPPORT THE COMPASSIONATE VILLAGE.
IF THAT'S A PASSION OF YOURS, YOU'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO BE BETTER AT IT.
[NOISE] WE WANT TO ADD THAT TO THE LIST.
EVERYBODY IS IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT, THAT WE ADD THE COMPASSIONATE VILLAGE.
>> CERTAINLY IS SOMETHING THAT'S NEEDED.
WE'LL BE INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE ABOUT IT.
>> YEAH, WE CAN HAVE A PRESENTATION.
>> IF YOU CAN COME BACK AND REPORT TO US HOW THEY'RE DOING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT'S GREAT.
>> I'M HAPPY TO REMAIN ON SISTER CITY.
I WILL REMAIN A MEMBER IF I'M NOT THE LIAISON, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THAT TO SOMEBODY ELSE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.
IT'S A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
AND IT'S A GREAT GROUP OF EX-MAYORS AND COMMISSIONERS THAT ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS.
IT'S A NICE GROUP, AND IT GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY IN CASE IT ARISES FOR SOMEONE TO GO TO [INAUDIBLE].
>> THEY HAVE A TRIP PLANNED IN APRIL.
>> THEY'RE PLANNING A TRIP RIGHT NOW IN APRIL, I KNOW.
BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A NEW ENERGY GOING INTO THE GROUP, SO THAT' REALLY GOOD.
>> THAT IS DURING THE EASTER CELEBRATIONS, WHICH IS PHENOMENAL. UNBELIEVABLE.
>> THAT IS A CRAZY TIME. IT'S REALLY AWESOME.
COMMISSIONER GARRIS, ARE YOU AT ALL INTERESTED IN SISTER CITIES? WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN THAT?
>> DO I HAVE TO SPEAK SPANISH?
THEY ALL SPEAK ENGLISH VERY WELL.
>> ALL RIGHT. THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
THE REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL.
NOW, VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU.
CYNTHIA, YOURS HAS BEEN DOING THAT, IS ANYONE ELSE HAVE AN INTEREST IN THAT? I KNOW WE HAVE STAFF THAT ATTEND.
>> YEAH, MELISSA HAS BEEN ATTENDING FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
>> I WAS THINKING SISTER CITY, BUT IT'S LIKE A MOVIE, IT'S LIKE CARDS HERE.
>> BUT I'M THE ROOKIE, SO I'LL DO IT.
AS LONG AS I DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE TO JACKSONVILLE.
[02:50:07]
>> THEY MEET AT DIFFERENT HOTELS HERE IN TOWN.
>> I WAS ACTUALLY ASSIGNED TO THE CONTINUUM OF CARE ALONG WITH ASSISTANT CHIEF ALFORD, AND I'VE BEEN ATTENDING THAT AND I ACTUALLY LIKE IT.
WE'VE GOT JOHN DEPRATER ON VCB.
>> THE LEAGUE OF CITIES DELEGATION.
COMMISSIONER DEPRETER VCB AND THE LEAGUE OF CITIES?
>> WE HAVEN'T DECIDED ON THE LEAGUE OF CITIES YET.
WE'RE GOING UNTIL BEFORE AUGUST, WE SHOULD WAIT ON THE CALENDAR TO DECIDE IN JULY WHEN THAT COMES UP BASED ON WHO'S GOING, USUALLY.
YOU HAVE CONTINUUM OF CARE [NOISE] FOR COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD. [LAUGHTER]
>> SHE HAS IT AS ASSISTANT CHIEF CUTHBERT, AND HE ATTENDS AS WELL.
BUT LAST YEAR, MAYBE TWO YEARS AGO.
>> BECAUSE I WAS GOING AND THEY WERE ASKING HOW COME YOU WEREN'T GOING.
I SAID I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO, THEY CALLING FOR YOU.
>> YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ON THAT [INAUDIBLE]
>> WE'LL PUT YOUR NAME DOWN TOO.
BECAUSE I LIKE THAT STAFF DOES IT TOO BECAUSE IT GIVES CONTINUITY, BUT ALSO IF A COMMISSIONER HAS A PASSION ABOUT SOMETHING.
DOES THAT WORK? DO I HAVE THEM ALL FILLED? MS. CLARK?
>> EXCEPT FOR THE LEAGUE OF CITIES, WHICH WE'LL DECIDE LATER.
THE NORTH FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL IS APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY, AND WE'RE NOT REACHING OUT TO THEM WITH INTEREST IN HAVING ANY ONE OF YOU JUST GO AROUND.
>> I HEAR NOBODY IS INTERESTED IN THAT.
>> OKAY. YES, OUTSIDE OF THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS CLEAR.
THE ONES THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, SISTER CITIES WILL BE COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU WILL BE COMMISSIONER DEPRETER.
CONTINUUM OF CARE WILL BE COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD AND ASSISTANT CHIEF CUTHBERT.
VICE MAYOR BLONDER WILL BE GUANA AND THE REST DISSOLVE.
WE SHOULD SAY ON THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITY'S VOTING DELEGATE, THAT SHOULD STAY OPEN UNTIL JULY. WE'LL DECIDE THEN.
>> THEN WE HAVE COMPASSIONATE VILLAGE.
>> COMPASSIONATE VILLAGE IS A NEW ADDITION, AND THAT WILL BE COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD AS A LIAISON.
I THINK WE SHOULD CLARIFY THAT.
>> YES, I'LL GET ALL THE INFORMATION AND CLARIFY WITH COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD.
>> WHO'S ACTUALLY A BOARD MEMBER AND WHO'S A LIAISON.
>> EVERYBODY'S OKAY? GOOD. GREAT JOB.
OH, OKAY, I WAS BY CITY MANAGER.
[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]
>> I HAVE NOTHING THIS EVENING.
>> YOU DO HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT, THOUGH.
FEBRUARY 10TH, IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON?
>> NO, FEBRUARY 10TH WILL BE THE REPORT THAT WE GIVE TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
AN AFTER-ACTION REPORT WHERE WE GO THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES IN THE CITY THAT TOUCH THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AND WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON OUR FINDINGS.
THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAD AVAILABLE AND RECOMMENDATIONS MOVING FORWARD.
>> WE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER'S MEETING LAST WEEK, AND IT'S GOTTEN A LOT OF GOOD PRESS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE MEETING ON THE 10TH.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU MEETING WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND TAKING THAT CHARGE AND IT'S A MOVE THAT WAS VERY HIGHLY REGARDED.
I CAN TELL YOU AT LEAST AMONG THE TDC MEMBERS THAT I HEARD FROM TODAY.
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
WE WOULD LIKE TO START WITH COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD.[02:55:01]
THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF.BUT ALSO THANKS TO THE PUBLIC FOR ALL THE INPUT THEY'VE GIVEN US BY EMAIL, BY PHONE CALLS, BY SHOWING UP.
I'M GLAD THE MICHAELS ARE CONTINUING TO KEEP COMING AND MS. CALADY, WE NEED THAT KIND OF INPUT.
BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW, AND WE NEED TO KNOW.
>> OH, MY GOSH. [LAUGHTER] I'M JUST SHOCKED.
>> SHE SPEAKS IN SPANISH. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, I GOT A COUPLE OF THINGS.
FIRST OF ALL, I LIKE WITH THE GENTLEMAN THAT CAME IN PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I THINK HIS NAME WAS WOLF GANG, ABOUT THE PARKING APP.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER DOING A PARKING APP, SEE IF THERE'S PARKING.
MAYBE THAT ELIMINATES SOME OF THE PEOPLE DOING THE BOTTLENECKING.
THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD PUT ON THE [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE ARE ALREADY IN THE WORKS, COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
>> IS THAT SMART ST. AUGUSTINE?
>> IT IS. SMART ST. AUGUSTINE.
>> I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO SCOTT YORK FOR ALWAYS SHOWING UP AND TALKING ABOUT THE NOISE ORDINANCE AND BEING PATIENT WITH US AND GET A LOT OF INSIGHT FROM THE PEOPLE THAT HE ASSISTS THAT COMES DOWN FOR THE DIFFERENT THINGS FOR HIS JOB.
THE DIGNITY BUS DID COME UP FROM MISS, I CAN'T RECALL THE NAME, VICKY PEPPER.
I DID GO DOWN TO VERO BEACH, MYSELF, THE CITY MANAGER, AND THE CODE ENFORCEMENT MANAGER, BARRY FOX.
WE DID GO DOWN AND WE DID TALK TO THEM AND THE BUS WAS AMAZING.
I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT I GOT THE BOOKS WAY LATER, SO I DIDN'T BRING IT BACK UP.
BUT DURING THAT VISIT, THEY OFFERED TO BRING THE BUS HERE BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT YOU WOULD GET AN APPRECIATION FOR THE BUS UNLESS YOU ACTUALLY SAW IT LIKE WE DID.
AT A LATER DATE, MAYBE FEBRUARY, THE BEGINNING OF MARCH AFTER WE HAVE OUR DAY CENTER OPEN.
MAYBE WE CAN HAVE THEM COME AND BRING THE BUS AND PULL IT UP IN THE CIRCLE AND WE CAN ALL GO OUT AND SEE IT PRIOR TO A MEETING.
ALSO, I HAVE TALKED TO SOME CHURCHES AND THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE BUS CONCEPT TOO.
EVEN IF WE GET A BUS, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET MORE THAN A BUS, MAYBE A CHURCH BECAUSE ONE OF THE PASTORS SAID THAT THE CHURCH COULDN'T BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING SOME STUFF CONFIGURING WITH THEIR OWN INCOME, BUT HE HAS PEOPLE IN HIS CONGREGATION THAT PROBABLY COULD WRITE A CHECK FOR A BUS.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS OUR HOMELESS SITUATION.
I KNOW WE HAVE A FEW BEDS OVER THERE ON WASHINGTON STREET AT THE ST. FRANCIS HOUSE, BUT WE NEED TO BEFORE HURRICANE SEASON GETS HERE, AND JUST LIKE WE HAD AN EXTREMELY COLD WINTER, WE NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER OBJECTIVE AS FAR AS SLEEPING PEOPLE INSTEAD OF THEM BEING OUT IN THE COLD.
ONE THING CAME TO MIND IS OUR SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT.
OUR SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT ARE OUR UNSUNG HEROES.
THEY BE OUT THERE WHEN WE HAVE ALL THESE HURRICANES WORKING ENDLESSLY, GETTING ALL THOSE BRANCHES UP, KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY BEAUTIFUL.
WE CAN GET ON THIS MICROPHONE AND SAY, THANK YOU, DO A SHOUT OUT TO THEM, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
WE NEED TO HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR THE SOLID WASTE.
WE CAN GO DOWN THERE, WE CAN TAKE SOME SANDWICHES, AND THEY CAN SEE THEIR COMMISSION REALLY SUPPORTS THEM.
BECAUSE, HAVING BEEN AN EMPLOYEE, THOSE KIND OF THINGS REALLY MATTER.
EVEN IF WE DON'T, WE COULD TAKE SEND A FOOD TRUCK DOWN THERE, JUST SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PICK UP TRASH.
LOOK AT THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, THE VOMA PEOPLE THAT CAME THROUGH HERE, AND THERE'S ONE OR TWO GUYS THAT WORK ALL NIGHT TO PICK UP THAT TRASH SO WHEN WE GET UP IN THE MORNING, OUR STREETS AREN'T TRASHED.
I MENTIONED IT BRIEFLY TO OUR CITY MANAGER, AND HE SUGGESTED THAT I BRING IT UP TO YOU GUYS BECAUSE WE'RE A DRIVING FORCE AND PEOPLE DON'T THINK THAT WE'RE ALWAYS APPROACHABLE.
BUT IF WE STEP OUT OF OUR REGULAR SELF AND JUST SHOW SOME HUMAN DECENCY TO THE LITTLE PEOPLE, I THINK IT WOULD MEAN A WHOLE LOT.
ANOTHER DRIVING FORCE IS OUR PROPERTY SERVICES.
THEY HAD TO GO CLEAN UP ALL THOSE BATHROOMS. THEY HAD TO GO CLEAN UP ALL THE BATHROOMS, THEY CLEAN UP BEHIND OUR CITY STAFF EVERY DAY.
I JUST THINK THAT THOSE DEPARTMENTS DON'T GET RECOGNIZED.
EVEN MARKET THEM, THEY BRING IN OUR FOOD, THEY SET UP THIS ROOM ALL THE TIME FOR ALL THESE DIFFERENT MEETINGS.
THOSE TWO DEPARTMENTS REALLY NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED.
WE COULD JUST DO SOMETHING SPECIAL.
WE COULD HAVE CAKE AND PUNCH SOMETHING IN THE ALCAZAR ROOM AND TELL THEM TO COME THROUGH,
[03:00:01]
BUT WE JUST NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THEIR DAY BRIGHTER.BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THAT'S ALL I GOT FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I LOVE THE IDEA OF HELPING THEM OUT. I'M NOT SURE I'M THRILLED.
I WOULD SAY USE CITY TAX DOLLARS TO DO COME IN FROM THE BUDGET BECAUSE THEN WE WOULD WANT TO DO EVERY DEPARTMENT, JUST TO BE FAIR.
BUT IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PROPERTY SERVICES DEPARTMENT ONE DAY AND THEN DO SOLID WASTE ANOTHER DAY, I PERSONALLY WITH MY OWN FUNDS, I THINK WE SHOULD PRIVATELY FUND IT, WE COULD RAISE MONEY BETWEEN US.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THAT, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONTRIBUTE PERSONALLY TO THAT, BUT NOT ASK THE TAXPAYERS TO GET INTO EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT.
THAT WOULD BE MY THOUGHT ON IT.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ORGANIZE THAT IF YOU WISH.
>> THAT SOUNDS GREAT. THANK YOU.
>> FIRST, I WAS GLAD TO SEE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
PEOPLE CAME IN AND INTRODUCED THEMSELVES.
SOME OF THEM I'VE ALREADY KNOWN, BUT I'M GLAD THAT THEY CAME IN, TOOK THAT TIME TO DO THAT.
SECOND OF ALL, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL GOT IT, BUT I GOT A PETITION FROM THE RESIDENTS IN OLD CITY SOUTH THAT WAS SUBMITTED. I DON'T KNOW.
I GUESS IT WAS IN AT THE SERVER.
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT WAS.
I THINK THESE PEOPLE PROBABLY PRETTY FRUSTRATED AT THIS POINT.
>> YES. WE DID RESPOND TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION EARLIER TODAY, I WANT TO SAY.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING TOGETHER A AGENDA ITEM FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE LAKE MARIA SANCHEZ DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT.
THAT WAS THE TOPIC OF THAT PETITION.
I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF MYSELF AND CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF THE COMMISSION.
WE HAD ADDRESSED IT, AND WE WILL BE HAVING THAT PUBLIC CONVERSATION FAIRLY SOON.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I WANTED WAS THAT ACKNOWLEDGMENT. THANK YOU. THAT'S IT.
>> PERFECT. THE ONLY THING I HAD WAS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS ASKED ABOUT AN UPDATE ON THE DROP-IN CENTER, AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET AN UPDATE AT A FUTURE MEETING, NOT TONIGHT.
>> IF YOU COULD GIVE US AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE SO THAT WE COULD ALL HEAR THE SAME THING THE SAME TIME.
>> ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.