[00:00:01]
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
DO WE HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS OF THE REGULAR AGENDA?[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> GREAT. WELL, THEN WE HAVE FOUR PROCLAMATIONS TONIGHT AND WE HAVE FOUR OF US HERE.
[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS]
SO COMMISSIONER DEPRETER, WOULD YOU KINDLY START WITH OUR NATIONAL MS AWARENESS PROCLAMATION.>> I KNOW I GO THERE. I READ THIS.
>> YOU'LL NEED A MICROPHONE TO BE.
>> AFTER YOU READ THE CALL US UP TO.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S MY FIRST PROCLAMATION. BIG MOMENT.
CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IS A CHRONIC, OFTEN DEBILITATING NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM THAT AFFECTS NEARLY ONE MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS GENERALLY STRIKES PEOPLE IN THE PRIME OF THEIR LIFE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20 THROUGH 50 WHO ARE MORE LIKELY WOMEN THAN MEN BY ABOUT 02:1 AND THE EXACT CAUSE AND CURE FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ARE UNKNOWN, AND WHEREAS THE OFTEN DEBILITATING SYMPTOMS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CAN INCLUDE MUSCLE STIFFNESS OR SPASMS, VISION PROBLEMS, MEMORY LOSS, WEAKNESS, NUMBNESS OR TINGLING, LOSS OF BLADDER OR BOWEL CONTROL, POOR BALANCE AND COORDINATION.
WHEREAS THE PROGRESS, SEVERITY, AND SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS OF MS IN ANY ONE PERSON CANNOT YET BE PREDICTED, BUT ADVANCES IN RESEARCH AND TREATMENT ARE MOVING US CLOSER TO THE WORLD FREE OF MS. WHEREAS EACH YEAR, THE NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY HOSTS WALK MS ST. AUGUSTINE, A POWERFUL COMMUNITY EVENT THAT RAISES FUNDS FOR ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND RESEARCH FOR PEOPLE IN OUR REGION AND LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
THE 2025 EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 12 AT RB HUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE COMMENDS ALL THOSE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO FINDING A CURE FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RECOGNIZES THE CHALLENGES FACED BY AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 2025 AS NATIONAL MS AWARENESS MONTH, AND URGES ALL CITIZENS, EXCUSE ME, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BY VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME DURING THIS IMPORTANT EVENT.
I LIKE TO CALL THE COMMISSION UP, PLEASE, AND HEIDI KATZ, IF YOU'RE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE, PLEASE.
DUE IS NOT HERE? WE'LL GIVE HER A SECOND.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL MS SOCIETY, OUR NORTH FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AS WELL AS THE ONE MILLION PLUS PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE WHO LIVE WITH THIS DEBILITATING DISEASE.
THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION AND FOR HELPING US TO BUILD AWARENESS.
WE HAVE A WALK COMING UP HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE ON APRIL 12, AND WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS.
COME FIND US. THERE'S A GROUP OF US OUT THERE.
WE'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO GIVE EVERYBODY SOME INFORMATION, BUT WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION, MOST OF ALL.
[00:05:11]
>> WHERE ARE THE VOLUNTEERS? DO YOU LIKE TO GET IN THE PHOTO? THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY.
GOOD EVENING. THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS THE MONTH OF MARCH HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND RECOGNITION OF ARCHAEOLOGY IMPORTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING AND PRESERVING THE STATE'S CULTURAL RESOURCES, AS WELL AS PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THOSE RESOURCES, AND WHEREAS THE PEOPLE OF DIVERSE RACES AND ETHICS HAVE MADE FLORIDA THEIR HOME FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND LEFT BEHIND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF THEIR PRESENCE.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAS RECOGNIZED THE NATION AND INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ITS ARCHAEOLOGY HERITAGE AND HAS COMMITTED TO RECORDING EVIDENCE OF ALL PAST PEOPLES BY ESTABLISHING AN ARCHAEOLOGY PROGRAM.
WHEREAS 2025 MARKS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY'S ARCHAEOLOGY PRESERVATION ORDINANCE, ONE OF THE FIRST ENACTED IN THE COUNTRY.
AND THROUGH ITS IMPLEMATION, HAS GAINED IMMEASURABLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITIES PAST AND OF THOSE MISSING OR UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE HISTORICAL RECORD.
WHEREAS, THE ARCHAEOLOGY PROGRAM RECOGNIZED OUR PRESERVATION PARTNERS BOTH WITHIN THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND IN THE COMMUNITY.
WHO ARE ESSENTIAL TO DOCUMENTING AND PRESERVING ST. AUGUSTINE'S PASS THROUGH ARCHAEOLOGY.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MARCH 2025 AS ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH IN ST.
AUGUSTINE AND ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING THE PASS BEFORE ITS LOSS AND SUPPORT THE ARCHAEOLOGY EFFORTS TO PRESERVE ST. AUGUSTINE'S UNIQUE CULTURAL HERITAGE.
AND WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE TO SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO BE A FIXED THIS TENTH DAY OF MARCH IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 2025 AND 490 YEAR OF THE FOUNDING OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S NATION'S OLDEST CITY SIGNED BY OUR MAYOR NANCY SIKES KLINE.
IF I COULD HAVE ANDREA WHITE AND ANYBODY THAT'S HERE WITH HER TO COME FORWARD AND MY FELLOW COMMISSION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
YOU'RE ACTUALLY ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE CAN BE INCLUDED IN WHO WE WANT TO THANK.
IT'S SO WONDERFUL TO HAVE SUCH A SUPPORTIVE CITY COMMISSION THAT UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S SOMETHING OUR COMMUNITY HAS REALLY DEEMED A VERY IMPORTANT VALUE.
THESE INDIVIDUALS IN FRONT OF US TODAY HAVE
[00:10:02]
REALLY HELPED US IN OUR MOST LATEST DISCOVERY, WHICH WAS A BRITISH RED THAT EXCAVATED ABOUT NOT EVEN A MONTH AGO.WE HAVE FOLKS FROM INSIDE THE CITY THAT ARE PART OF OUR PRESERVATION PARTNERS.
WE HAVE DAVID SEAR, WHO'S PART OF JOINT FIELD OPERATIONS AND ROB BURNS, WHO WAS A MCATE BACKO OPERATOR.
THEY'VE ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION TEAM OR DIVISION FROM PUBLIC WORKS HELPED WITH WELL POINTS AND ALL THINGS, HEAVY EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED TO DO OUR JOB AS ARCHAEOLOGIST.
THOSE THINGS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT AND WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE OUR WORK WITHOUT THEM.
WE REALLY RELY ON FOLKS INSIDE CITY GOVERNMENT, AND THEN WE HAVE OUR PRESERVATION PARTNERS OUTSIDE CITY GOVERNMENT, WHICH INCLUDE EMILY JANE MURRAY, WHO WAS WITH THE FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK, NORTHEAST.
SHE NOT ONLY PROVIDED GROUND PENETRATING RADAR, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO.
SHE ALSO CAME IN A MOMENT'S NOTICE AND BROUGHT A DRONE, WHICH REALLY HELPED CAPTURE SOME OF OUR IMAGES OF OUR LARGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURES AND BROUGHT US HOT TEA ON A VERY COLD DAY.
WE ALSO HAVE LAURIE LEE, WHO IS A FLAGLER PROFESSOR WHO HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING SUCH GREAT SUPPORT FOR US AND ALSO LUCAS FENZEL, WHO'S ONE OF OUR FORMER INTERNS, BUT ALSO AS A FLAGLER STUDENT.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE LEE NEWSOME, WHO IS A PALEO ETHNOBOTANIST.
YOU MIGHT WONDER, WHAT IS THAT? THAT IS SOMEONE WHO STUDIES ORGANIC REMAINS, THINGS LIKE SEEDS, AND WE'VE FOUND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF VERY INTERESTING SEEDS.
THAT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP US UNDERSTAND A LOT MORE ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING 200 YEARS AGO.
WE REALLY THANK THESE INDIVIDUALS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANKS FOR THE COMMISSION FOR RECOGNIZING ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH.
>> WE WANT THE PROFESSOR TO SPEAK.
DOES A PROFESSOR WANT TO SPEAK?
>> I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON.
>> PROCLAMATION, I MEAN TWO MORE, BUT I HAVE ONE MORE.
THIS IS FOR ST. AUGUSTINE'S FINANCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT WEEK.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S FINANCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT SERVES THE COMMUNITY AND ST. AUGUSTINE BY SAFEGUARDING THE CITY'S ASSETS, MAXIMIZING THE USE OF CITY REVENUE, AND EFFICIENTLY PROVIDING ACCURATE AND TIMELY INFORMATION FOR THE CITY COMMISSION, CITY MANAGERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S FINANCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ALL THE CUSTOMERS OF ITS THREE UTILITIES, WATER, SEWER, AND SOLID WASTE.
IN ADDITION TO ASSISTING THE PUBLIC WITH BUSINESS TAX RECEIPTS, LICENSING, PARKING, AND VENDOR PERMITS, AND WHEREAS THE FLORIDA GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, IS A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDED IN 1937 AND SERVES MORE THAN 3,300 PROFESSIONALS FROM THE STATE, COUNTY, CITY, GOVERNMENT, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, SPECIAL DISTRICTS, AND PRIVATE FIRMS. WHEREAS THIS GOVERNMENT FINANCE PROFESSIONALS WEEK SPONSORED BY THE FGFOA AND ALL OF ITS GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERS, IS A WEEK LONG SERIES OF ACTIVITIES AIMED AT RECOGNIZING GOVERNMENT FINANCE PROFESSIONALS IN THE VITAL SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE TO OUR STATE AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE ACKNOWLEDGES THE HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP OF ITS FINANCE STAFF AND EXTENDS APPRECIATION TO ALL GOVERNMENT FINANCE PROFESSIONALS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 17 TO THE 21, 2025, AS GOVERNMENT FINANCE PROFESSIONALS WEEK AND URGES CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE GOVERNMENT FINANCE PROFESSIONALS AND THE VITAL SERVICE THEY PROVIDE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
SIGNED BY MAYOR NANCY SIKES KLINE.
CAN I HAVE MELISSA BURNS, PLEASE COME UP WITH ANYONE SHE WISHES TO BRING.
HER STAFF. THE COMMISSIONERS JOIN US.
[NOISE] I DID REFRAIN FROM CALLING ALL BEAN COUNTERS, BUT I JUST COULDN'T RESIST. [LAUGHTER]
[00:15:05]
>> I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSION FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND OUR GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS WEEK.
I JUST WANT TO INTRODUCE WHO I HAVE WITH ME HERE.
I HAVE OLGA RABEL, WHO'S A DEPUTY FINANCE DIRECTOR.
I HAVE JUDY WESTERFIELD-MORRIS, WHO'S OUR ACCOUNTANT. I HAVE JOHN.
>> AUGUSTUS, THANK YOU. IT WAS THE A WORD.
[LAUGHTER] WHO'S OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPERVISOR AND TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM THAT COULD NOT BE HERE TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
[BACKGROUND] HE'S OUR ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN.
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE PROCLAMATION TONIGHT, AND THIS IS FOR NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
WHEREAS EACH YEAR, AMERICANS OBSERVE NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH IN MARCH TO COMMEMORATE AND ENCOURAGE THE STUDY, OBSERVANCE, AND CELEBRATION OF THE VITAL ROLE OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
WHEREAS THE 2025 WOMEN'S HISTORY THEME, MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER, WOMEN EDUCATING AND INSPIRING GENERATIONS IS A TRIBUTE TO THE COLLECTIVE STRENGTH AND INFLUENCE OF WOMEN WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT.
WHEREAS FROM CLASSROOMS TO BOARDROOMS AND FROM GRASSROOTS MOVEMENTS TO GLOBAL INITIATIVES, WOMEN EDUCATORS AND LEADERS HAVE PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN NURTURING MINDS AND INSPIRING TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION.
WHEREAS WOMEN HAVE BEEN LEADERS NOT ONLY IN SECURING THEIR OWN RIGHTS OF SUFFRAGE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, BUT ALSO IN THE ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT, THE EMANCIPATION MOVEMENT, THE INDUSTRIAL LABOR MOVEMENT, THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, AND OTHER MOVEMENTS, ESPECIALLY THE PEACE MOVEMENT WHICH CREATE A FAR MORE FAIR AND JUST SOCIETY FOR ALL.
WHEREAS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT THE UNHERALDED LEGACIES OF WOMEN FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR UNIQUE CONTRIBUTIONS AND DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, ETHNICITY, RACE, CULTURE, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE ST. AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION HEREBY PROCLAIMS MARCH 2025 AS NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND ENCOURAGES ITS CITIZENS TO OBSERVE THIS MONTH WITH APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS, CEREMONIES, AND ACTIVITIES THAT HONOR THE HISTORY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN WOMEN.
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE FOUR PROFESSORS FROM FLAGLER COLLEGE, TWO RETIRED, TWO CURRENT.
WE HAVE ANOTHER EDUCATOR IN THE ROOM, VICKI, AND WE HAVE OUR FLAGLER COLLEGE STUDENTS HERE TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION.
IF STUDENTS COULD PLEASE COME FORWARD, THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
WHICH OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION? GREAT.
>> YOU ARE MAKING HISTORY. [LAUGHTER] BEFORE WE GET A PHOTO, COULD WE GET A QUICK INTRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THESE STUDENTS, THEIR MAJOR, AND WHEN THEY'RE GRADUATING?
I'M A WOMEN'S STUDIES MINOR AND A POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR.
I'M GRADUATING IN MAY OF 2025.
I'M A DOUBLE MAJOR IN ANTHROPOLOGY IN ART HISTORY AND A DOUBLE MINOR IN ARTS ADMINISTRATION IN BIOLOGY, AND I'LL BE GRADUATING IN THE SPRING OF 2027.
>> HI. MY NAME IS LOGAN MICHAEL.
I'M A DOUBLE MAJOR IN JOURNALISM AND POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH A MINOR IN WOMEN'S STUDIES, AND I SHOULD BE GRADUATING IN SPRING OF 2028.
I AM GRADUATING DECEMBER 2025.
I'M MAJORING IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND MINORING IN WOMEN'S STUDIES.
>> MY NAME IS MANNY MARK ANTONIO.
I MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE, AND I MINOR IN PRELAW, AND I AM PROJECTED TO GRADUATE DECEMBER OF 2025.
I'M A POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR,
[00:20:02]
AND I'LL GRADUATE IN MAY 2026.I'M A POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR, AND I SHOULD BE GRADUATING SPRING 2026.
>> MOVE ON HERE FOR A PICTURE. THERE'S MORE ROOM HERE.
>> IT IS NOW TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
WHILE PEOPLE ARE SORTING THEMSELVES OUT.I DID WANT TO CALL OUT FOR ANY ADDITIONAL CARDS FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT WANT TO SPEAK.
WHILE THAT'S COMING FORWARD, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE RULES OF DECORUM.
PROBABLY NOT NECESSARY TODAY, BUT I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THEM.
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'LL CALL YOU TO THE PODIUM WHEN IT'S YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CITY'S RULES OF DECORUM, WHICH ARE COMMENTS, SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE AND NOT INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM SPEAKERS.
NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE COMMISSION WITH PERSONAL IMPROPER OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM ANY CLAPPING OR DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS.
FINALLY, I WOULD ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER WHO USES THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR TO PLEASE SUBMIT THOSE ITEMS TO THE CITY CLERK TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
I'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL SHANNON SAPP UP FIRST, FOLLOWED BY NANCY MURPHY.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS WHEN YOU FIRST GET TO THE PODIUM.
MY ADDRESS IS 3,400 JUSINA ROAD.
I COME THIS TIME TO READ, SO I DON'T GET SO NERVOUS BECAUSE I'M NOT USED TO TALKING.
BUT ON FEBRUARY THE 25TH, I REQUESTED AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION BE DONE ON PATRICE DRINKER.
THE RECORDS HOLDER AT THE ST. AUGUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENT CONCERNING EVIDENCE THAT SHE HAD STOLEN AND THAT SHE HAD DELETED FROM ME.
BUT PATRICE'S ACTIONS WITHHOLDING AND DELETING THIS EVIDENCE THAT I PAID FOR HAS NOW COST ME THOUSANDS OF EXTRA DOLLARS IN ATTORNEY FEES.
ON FEBRUARY THE 26, PATRICE HERSELF INFORMED ME THAT THE CHIEF HAD SENT ME A LETTER REGARDING MY REQUEST CONCERNING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION THAT I REQUESTED TO BE DONE ON HER, ONE THAT SHE HERSELF CLOSED OUT.
I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE THE LETTER.
I AM NOW REQUESTING THAT FDLE COME IN AND INVESTIGATE AS TO WHY THE CHIEF, JENNIFER, WOULD HAVE THE PERSON I REQUESTED THE INTERNAL INVESTIGATION ON CONTACT ME.
THE ONLY WAY I COULD SEE THIS WOULD BE AS INTIMIDATION.
THE CHIEF HAS VIOLATED HER OWN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
HOW COULD ANYONE FEEL THAT THEY WOULD RECEIVE A FAIR INVESTIGATION CONCERNING ONE OF THE CHIEF'S EMPLOYEES, REQUESTING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION AT SAPD SEEMS TO BE A JOKE, JUST AS THE LEADERSHIP IS THERE.
THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS IT HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT SAPD WITH THE CHIEF INVOLVED EACH TIME.
THE CHAIN OF COMMAND SHOULD MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST STANDARDS ENSURING EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW.
INTERNAL INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM THOSE IMPACTED.
APPARENT TO THE CHIEF BELIEVES THAT INTIMIDATION WILL MAKE THESE ISSUES DISAPPEAR, BUT I ASSURE HER I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
TO ADD TO THIS MESS, IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A PREVAILING CULTURE OF NEGLIGENCE AND INTIMIDATION WITHIN THE SAPD.
THIS IS NOT JUST ONE PERSON'S GRIEVANCE, BUT THE ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED.
THE LEADERSHIP'S APPARENT DISREGARD FOR PROTOCOL IS VERY CONCERNING.
HOW COULD YOU TRUST TO BE ESTABLISHED WHEN THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF ACCOUNTABILITY ARE COMPROMISED? THE INTEGRITY OF THE DEPARTMENT IS IN QUESTION, AND WITHOUT A TRANSPARENT AND UNBIASED INVESTIGATION, HOW COULD JUSTICE EVEN BE SERVED? THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY DESERVE BETTER.
WE DESERVE A POLICE FORCE THAT UPHOLDS THE LAW AND OPERATES WITH THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF ETHICS AND FAIRNESS.
THIS SITUATION REVEALS A TROUBLESOME PATTERN THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED, AND IT IS TIME FOR AN EXTREME BODY TO STEP IN AND ENSURE THAT THE SAPD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS ACTIONS, MOSTLY THE CHIEF.
ONLY THEN CAN WE HOPE FOR A MEANINGFUL CHANGE.
THIS ISSUE IS NOT JUST ABOUT ONE INVESTIGATION, IT IS A LARGER PROBLEM WITHIN SAPD.
[00:25:01]
THE LACK OF PROCEDURAL ADHERENCE AND TRANSPARENCY UNDERMINES THE TRUST OF THE PUBLIC PLACES IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.WHEN THOSE IN THOSE POSITIONS OF POWER MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM TO PROTECT THEIR OWN, THE FOUNDATION OF JUSTICE AND ITS ACCOUNTABILITY IS AT STAKE.
THE CHAIN OF COMMAND MUST BE HELD TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS, AND THIS IS NOT BEING DONE WITHIN THE SAPD, AND IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT, MISS VICE MAYOR.
COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN AND THANK YOU EVERY DAY FOR YOUR ROLE IN HELPING TO NOT JUST HAVE ST. AUGUSTINE BE A COMPASSIONATE CITY, BUT HAVE IT BECOME MORE COMPASSIONATE AS WE GO FORWARD.
NANCY MURPHY, 22 VARNESE COURT.
THIS IS THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION FIRST READ AT THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN GENEVA SWITZERLAND IN FEBRUARY 2009.
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 OTHERS, TO DETHRONE OURSELVES FROM THE CENTER OF OUR WORLD, AND TO PUT ANOTHER THERE, AND TO HONOR THE INVIOLABLE SANCTITY OF EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING TREATING EVERYBODY WITHOUT EXCEPTION WITH ABSOLUTE JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND RESPECT.
IT IS ALSO NECESSARY IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE TO REFRAIN CONSISTENTLY AND EMPATHICALLY FROM INFLICTING PAIN, TO ACT OR SPEAK VIOLENTLY OUT OF SPITE, CHAUVINISM, OR SELF-INTEREST, TO IMPOVERISH, EXPLOIT, OR DENY BASIC RIGHTS TO ANYBODY OR TO INCITE HATRED BY DENIGRATING OTHERS IS A DENIAL OF OUR COMMON HUMANITY.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE FAILED TO LIVE COMPASSIONATELY SOMETIMES AND THAT SOME HAVE EVEN INCREASED THE SUM OF HUMAN MISERY IN THE NAME OF RELIGION.
WE URGENTLY NEED TO MAKE COMPASSION A CLEAR LUMINOUS AND DYNAMIC FORCE IN OUR POLARIZED WORLD.
ROOTED IN A PRINCIPLE DETERMINATION TO TRANSCEND SELFISHNESS, COMPASSION CAN BREAK DOWN POLITICAL, IDEOLOGICAL, DOGMATIC, AND RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES.
BORN OF OUR DEEP INTERDEPENDENCE, COMPASSION IS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN RELATIONS AND TO A FULFILLED HUMANITY.
IT IS THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT AND INDISPENSABLE TO THE CREATION OF A JUST ECONOMY AND A PEACEFUL GLOBAL COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MISS MURPHY. AT THIS TIME,
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
WE HAVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, MR. CITY MANAGER.>> GOOD EVENING, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES THAT ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING ON MARCH 24TH, ORDINANCE 2025-03, WHICH AMENDS THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 0.08 ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY TO CITY COMMERCIAL LOW INTENSITY AT 4 LOCUST STREET AND ORDINANCE 2025-04, WHICH ESTABLISHES THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 4.39 ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM UNDESIGNATED TO CITY OPEN LAND AT 179 STATE ROAD 16.
WE HAVE A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS, THE MARCH 24TH, 05:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, THE APRIL 14TH, 05:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
THE APRIL 28TH, 3:30, AND I BELIEVE THE DATE OF THE TIME OF THIS MEETING WILL BE DISCUSSED LATER AT CITY CLERK'S COMMENTS.
BUT THE APRIL 28TH, 2025 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING, WHICH I BELIEVE IS GOING TO BE STARTING AT 3:00 PM.
THE APRIL 28TH, 04:30 ADELAIDE SANCHEZ AWARD PRESENTATION TO THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH AND THE APRIL 28TH, 05:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 27TH, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE RELEASE OF LIEN FOR 4564 FOURTH AVENUE, THE IRONSIDES LAND TRUST.
WE HAVE THE ADVANCEMENT OF NOMINATION FOR SELECTION OF THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH AND
[00:30:02]
CINDY STEVENSON FOR THE 2025 ADELAIDE SANCHEZ AWARD FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION, SPONSORED BY MAYOR NANCY SIKES KLINE.>> WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE EDWARD MEMORIAL JUSTICE GRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOUR VEHICLE-MOUNTED RADIOS.
FINALLY, WE HAVE AN INVOICE FOR THE MARLOWE V. CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
THAT CONCLUDES THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> I MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A BRIEF AGENDA TODAY.
WE HAVE NO APPEALS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS, ITEMS OF GREAT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE AND OTHER ITEMS, REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE HAVE NONE.
FOR ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS THAT REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING, WE HAVE NONE, AND FOR ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING, WE HAVE NONE.
WE'LL MOVE STRAIGHT INTO STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS, MISS LOPEZ.
[10. STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS]
>> YES, MADAM VICE CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS, ONE OF WHOM I CAN BARELY SEE, THESE POKING HERE.
[LAUGHTER] I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW YOU WANT ME TO GO THROUGH THIS.
I CAN GIVE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MOST IMPORTANT, PERHAPS THAT'S A POOR CHOICE OF WORDS.
BILLS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER LOVELY BILLS OUT THERE THAT ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO OTHER CONSTITUENCIES.
BUT THOSE THAT WOULD AFFECT US MOST PROFOUNDLY AND DIRECTLY.
MAYBE I CAN PUT THEM IN BASKETS.
YOU'VE GOT AS THE FIRST BASKET, WHAT I'M GOING TO CALL ALL THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, BUNDLE OF BILLS, AND YOU'LL START SEEING THEM.
[NOISE] PARDON ME. GENERALLY, ON PAGE 4-ISH OF YOUR SPREADSHEET.
THE BIG ONE BEING HOUSE BILL 943.
THEN YOU'LL SEE OTHERS, THEY'RE IDENTIFIED IF YOU LOOK AT THE TITLE WITH LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.
YOU'VE GOT A NUMBER OF OTHER BILLS WRAPPING THEMSELVES AROUND TO THE NEXT PAGE AND THEN SCATTERED ELSEWHERE.
FOR INSTANCE, ON PAGE 7, THERE'S MORE RESIDENTIAL LAND USE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.
PAGE 8, DEVELOPMENT PERMITS AND ORDERS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAND REGULATIONS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ANOTHER ONE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
ALL OF THOSE BILLS, I WOULD BUNDLE TOGETHER AS CHANGES TO THE WAY WE HANDLE ZONING, LAND USE, PERMITTING IN GENERAL.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS A GREATER EXPANSION OF THE STATE TELLING US WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT REGULATE IN TERMS OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE REGULATIONS, IN TERMS OF THE WAY WE REGULATE ZONING OR VARIANCES.
THE BIG ONE BEING THE AMENDMENTS TO THE LIVE LOCAL ACT AND THOSE ARE I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH DETAIL YOU WANT ME TO GO INTO, BUT BASICALLY THE LIVE LOCAL ACT WAS A CONCEPT WHERE IT WAS ADOPTED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND THERE'S BEEN AMENDMENTS SINCE.
THE THOUGHT PROCESS WAS, WE HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN FLORIDA, BUT VERY LITTLE OF IT IS AFFORDABLE.
WE, BEING TALLAHASSEE, WILL NOW CREATE THESE REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO INCENTIVIZE AND I SAY THAT IN QUOTES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.
GENERALLY, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS THINGS LIKE IF YOU HAVE 40% OF YOUR PROJECT THAT IS AFFORDABLE FOR 30 YEARS.
THEN YOU GET A WHOLE BUNCH OF ADDITIONAL INTENSITY AND DENSITY AND HEIGHT AND NO REQUIREMENTS IN SOME INSTANCES FOR PARKING REQUIREMENTS.
IT'S BASICALLY LIKE ALL THESE RULES WE HAVE IN OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE GO AWAY IF YOU CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT YOUR PROJECT IS 40% AFFORDABLE.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE, IT'S AS DEFINED IN THE STATUTE.
THEY'VE ADDED THAT IF IT'S ALSO THAT WORKFORCE HOUSING, WHICH IS ANOTHER MADE-UP TERM, BUT HAS CERTAIN SALARY AND INCOME REQUIREMENTS TO THAT.
WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO IS PUSH US FORWARD WHERE PROJECTS THAT HISTORICALLY, THEY WERE IN COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL AND ALREADY MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICTS,
[00:35:01]
COULD MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING, WITHOUT ALL THE HEARINGS WE SEE AT PCB, YOU'D BE FAMILIAR WITH MR. DEPRETER.THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REZONED, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE A VARIANCE AND JUST GET THE MAXIMUM INTENSITY, MAXIMUM HEIGHT, MAXIMUM DENSITY, MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO THAT IS ALLOWED UNDER OUR EXISTING CODES.
YOU WOULD JUST FIND THE THING THAT IS THE MOST INTENSE, AND IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO THAT PROJECT IF THAT PROJECT MEETS THOSE AFFORDABILITY CRITERIA.
THAT'S THE THE BACKGROUND TO IT.
NOW IT'S MOVED ON TO INCLUDE ADUS, WHICH ARE ATTACHED ADULT DWELLING UNITS, GRANNY FLATS OR GARAGE APARTMENTS, THOSE THINGS.
IN THAT CASE, IT BASICALLY PROHIBITS OUR ABILITY TO REGULATE THEM IN ANY WAY DIFFERENTLY THAN THE PROPERTIES AROUND IT, THE OTHER RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
IT DOESN'T DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THOSE UNITS BEING USED FOR SHORT TERM RENTALS VERSUS BEING USED FOR PERMANENT OR SEMI-PERMANENT HOUSING.
THEN THAT SAME BILL, THIS IS ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.
ADDS ADDITIONAL, I'M CALLING IT A SHOT CLOCK.
I THINK IF YOU ALL HAVE PLAYED SPORTS, YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS, THE CLOCK STARTS GOING AND YOU HAVE SO MUCH TIME TO REACT TO IT OR TO ATTEMPT TO SCORE.
IT DOES CHANGE SHOT CLOCKS FOR OUR PERMITTING DEPARTMENT.
AGAIN, IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND'S EYE INTO THIS IDEA OF THE STATE WANTS US TO PUSH AFFORDABLE HOUSING EVERYWHERE, INCLUDING PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING PARCELS THAT ARE ADJACENT TO EXISTING PLANED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS.
IF THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT BRINGS IN THAT ADJACENT PARCEL AND MAKES IT AFFORDABLE BACK TO THAT 40%.
THIS WHOLE CONCEPT OF DON'T HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS, DON'T PROHIBIT BASED ON OTHER REGULATIONS YOU HAVE.
GIVE THEM TAX EXEMPTION THAT'S PART OF THAT LIVE LOCAL AS WELL.
IF YOU DON'T DO IT, YOU CAN BE SUED AND HAVE ATTORNEY'S FEES ASSESSED AGAINST YOU, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
NOW IT ADDS THIS ANNUAL REPORT THAT I GUESS POOR MISS SKINNER IN THE BACK IS GOING TO HAVE TO FILE EVERY YEAR.
IT'S THAT CONCEPT OF PUSH, PUSH, PUSH TO MAKE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
PERHAPS TO THE DETRIMENT OF NEIGHBOR PERHAPS TO THE DETRIMENT OF GOOD PLANNING.
I GUESS EVERYONE CAN HAVE A PERSPECTIVE ON THAT.
YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF THEM, THE MAIN ONE BEING THIS AMENDMENT TO THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.
>> STOP THERE AND GET COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS ON THOSE.
I THINK THAT WAS A REALLY NICE SUMMARY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST IS GET OUT AHEAD OF SOME OF THE LEGISLATION IN CASE IT WERE TO COME AND WE'VE DONE THAT PRETTY SUCCESSFULLY WITH OUR LAND USE REGULATIONS LESS SUCCESSFULLY WITH OTHERS.
BUT THAT'S WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS HEAD IS IN A DIRECTION WHERE WE CAN BE PROACTIVE AND NOT BE CAUGHT SHORT.
COMMISSIONERS, MR. SPRINGFIELD.
>> I SPOKE TO A GROUP THIS LAST WEEK ABOUT GOVERNMENTAL POLICY, AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS WHAT KEEPS ME AWAKE.
I SAID, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM SLEEPING, BUT RESTRICTIONS ON CITIES IS ONE OF MY NUMBER 1 CONCERNS.
ONE OF THE COMMENTS I MADE WAS AFTER THE CITY MANAGER MENTIONED THAT SILVER LEAF HAS MORE RESIDENTIAL HOMES THAN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
MY COMMENT WAS A CCD HAS MORE ABILITY TO CONTROL THEIR ENVIRONMENT THAN A CITY DOES, AND THAT'S A SHAME.
IF YOU LIVE IN AN HOA, YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR ENVIRONMENT.
LIVING IN A CITY, THE STATE'S TAKEN AWAY OUR RIGHTS.
>> WELL, I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T SAY THIS, BUT IT SUCKS THAT WE GET CAUGHT UP IN ALL THESE REGULATIONS AND WE CAN'T GOVERN ACCORDINGLY.
HANDCUFFING IT TO SOME EXTENT WHERE YOU CAN'T MAKE MOTIONS AND DO THINGS.
IS THIS WHEN YOU SAY ABOUT THE LAND AND STUFF LIKE THAT, I KNOW AT ONE TIME THEY WERE SAYING THAT IF YOU LIVED ON A PROPERTY, YOU COULD PUT TINY HOMES ON THERE.
IS THAT GOING TO PREVENT THINGS LIKE THAT FOR PEOPLE TO DO THINGS OF THAT NATURE?
>> IT WOULD STOP US FROM STOPPING THAT.
[00:40:02]
BOY, THAT'S A DOUBLE NEGATIVE AND TERRIBLE ENGLISH.ARE THOSE LITTLE UNITS, SOMETIMES CALLED GRANNY FLATS OR DETACHED ADULT DWELLING UNITS IN YOUR BACKYARD OR ABOVE YOUR GARAGE.
THAT THIS BILL IS TRYING TO FORCE THE CITY TO ALLOW THAT EVERYWHERE WITHOUT A PUBLIC HEARING, WITHOUT ANY CRITERIA.
SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY THAT'S GREAT.
THAT WILL HELP OUR PROBLEM WITH HAVING AFFORDABLE UNITS.
IF YOU CAN HAVE A LITTLE UNIT THAT SOMEONE CAN RENT OUT A STUDENT OR AN ELDERLY PERSON. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S WONDERFUL, EXCEPT IF YOU'RE A HIGH TOURISM AREA LIKE WE ARE, THOSE UNITS RARELY BECOME FULL TIME HOMES FOR PEOPLE.
THEY'RE BASICALLY JUST AN EXPANSION OF A SHORT TERM RENTAL.
IT JUST BECOMES ANOTHER UNIT OF THE SHORT TERM RENTAL.
THAT'S THE DOWNSIDE. [INAUDIBLE]
>> MEANT CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH
>> WE CAN NOT EVEN UNDER OUR EXISTING LAWS AND THESE BILLS WOULD GO EVEN FURTHER IN SAYING, NO, CRAM AS MANY ADUS AS YOU CAN ON THE PARCEL, BUT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO REGULATE IT.
YOU'RE NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO HAVE RIGHT NOW.
FOR INSTANCE, I KNOW MR. DEPREO IS FAMILIAR WITH THIS.
UNDER OUR SHORT TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE, WE HAD THE PARKING REQUIREMENT WOULD COME TO PZB AS TO WHERE THEY COULD PARK.
THEY HAVE TO HAVE ONE PARKING SPOT PER BEDROOM.
THIS WOULD BASICALLY SAY, NO, ANYBODY CAN HAVE THESE ADUS RAMMED ONTO THEIR PARCEL AND YOU CAN'T REALLY ADD ALL THESE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS INCLUDING REGULATIONS TO HOW MUCH PARKING YOU NEED.
THAT WOULD DROP OFF THE PCB AGENDA AS YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH COMMISSIONER DEPREO.
THAT'S THE PROBLEM, I THINK EVERYONE IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
PROBABLY OF THOSE GRANNY FLATS OR MOTHER IN LAW HOUSES AS WELL OR TINY HOMES IN YOUR BACKYARD.
THE PROBLEM IS IF THAT ISN'T COUPLED WITH THE ABILITY TO LIMIT THEM TO TRUE RENTALS, AND I SAY THAT IN TERMS OF REAL PEOPLE LIVING THERE, NOT PEOPLE ON VACATION, JUST RENTING IT FOR THE WEEK OR THE WEEKEND, THEN WE'RE JUST NOT SOLVING THE PROBLEM.
>> COMMISSIONER DEPREO, DID YOU HAVE ANY?
>> YEAH, WELL, JUST EXPAND ON WHAT MISS LOPEZ SAID.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS AGO, 70 I STARTED ON THIS WHOLE THING.
BIG AN ADU. THE PROBLEM WAS, THE SITUATION WAS DIFFERENT BECAUSE AS MISS LOPEZ SAY, WE DIDN'T HAVE SHORT TERM RUNNELS, BUT WE HAD SOME CODE ABOUT IT AND THEN, OF COURSE, THAT WAS CHANGED.
WHAT BOTHERS ME, THERE'S REALLY NOT MUCH COMES OUT TO [INAUDIBLE] I'M PLEASED WITH, THAT'S JUST GENERALLY.
I THINK COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD POINT WAS VERY GOOD.
HOA IS GOING TO BE PROTECTED BETTER.
I THINK IT'S THE CONTRARY CONTRADICTORY NATURE OF THESE THINGS.
THEY'VE TOLD US WE CAN'T REGULATE SHORT TERM RENTALS, BUT NOW THEY'RE GOING TO ALLOW FOR THE TINY HOMES.
THE TINY HOMES I WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BIG FAN OF.
I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE JUST WANTED ANYBODY TO DO THEM, BUT I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO BEEN ABLE TO PURSUE IT ON THE PLANNING BOARD LEVEL BECAUSE IT'S A VERY GOOD CHANCE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
ALSO, I KNOW I'VE SEEN A LOT OF PUBLIC TESTIMONY FROM WORKING FAMILIES THAT NEED A LITTLE BIT EXTRA MONEY.
I DON'T KNOW MANY WORKING FAMILIES.
NOW I GOT A COUPLE OF KIDS THAT DON'T USE A LITTLE EXTRA CASH.
THEY COULD SUPPLY A HOUSING UNIT FOR SOMEONE, THAT MONEY WOULD STAY IN THE COMMUNITY, HELP THEM.
WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SHORT TERM RENTALS ON THE PLANNING BOARD, HAD A LOT OF RETIREES COME IN.
PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST A SPOUSE.
LIVING ON THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY, THEY COULD USE A LITTLE BIT EXTRA MONEY, AND A LOT OF THEM JUST LIKE THE SOCIAL INTERACTION HAVING PEOPLE COMING OUT.
I'M A VERY BIG FAN OF THAT IF IT'S REGULATED, BUT IT'S JUST THIS CONTRADICTORY THING.
THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE IT, BUT WE CAN'T CONTROL IT.
THE OTHER ONE I SAW IN THERE, I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT THAT, THE CRAS, MAYBE WE'LL GET INTO THAT IN A LITTLE BIT.
>> I LIKE TO HOLD OFF ON THAT ONE UNTIL WE GET THERE.
>> IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT ADUS AND IT BOTHERS ME BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN TOWN, BUT NOT IN THE CONDITIONS THEY'RE GIVING THEM.
TO US. IT'S LIKE YOU GOT TO PLAY BY MY RULES SO YOU DON'T GET TO PLAY, SO THAT BOTHERS ME.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT BUCKET. MISS LOPEZ.
>> JUST LITTLE SPRINKLE OF SUNSHINE ON THIS.
THERE ARE TWO BILLS THAT I'M SOMEWHAT FASCINATED BY.
THEY CREATE THESE ODD LITTLE THINGS CALLED SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL USE OR SINGLE FAMILY HYBRID HOUSING USE.
WE WILL HAVE THESE BUNDLED BETTER FOR YOU.
I DO APOLOGIZE. THEY'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE,
[00:45:01]
BUT WE'LL BUNDLE THEM BY TOPIC.>> AT THE TOP OF PAGE 5, YOU'LL SEE THIS SB 634.
THEN THERE SEEMS TO BE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A COMPANION TO IT, AND IT'S SHIFTED OVER TO PAGE 7, SO I APOLOGIZE AT THE BOTTOM, HB 401.
BUT THEY BOTH TALK ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ESSENTIALLY AN OWNER-OCCUPIED PROPERTY AND ONE THAT, THEY CALL THESE THINGS SINGLE-FAMILY HYBRID HOUSING.
I'M GOING TO DO A DEEPER DIVE IN THAT BECAUSE IT APPEARS, AND MAYBE I'M BEING OVERLY OPTIMISTIC, IS MAYBE THOSE TWO BILLS ARE TRYING TO GIVE US BACK THAT CONTROL OF SAYING IF IT'S OWNER-OCCUPIED, YOU CAN HAVE A SET OF RULES, AND IF IT'S NOT OWNER OCCUPIED, IF IT'S THIS WEIRD HYBRID, LIKE YOU'RE USING A SHORT-TERM RENTAL OR WHATEVER, IT'S LAND HOLDINGS, I THINK THEY SAY FIVE UNITS OR MORE, THEN YOU CAN BE REGULATED DIFFERENTLY.
I THINK IS WHERE THEY'RE GOING WITH THIS.
I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO DO A DEEP DIVE IN THESE TWO BILLS, BUT I JUST WANTED TO THROW IT OUT THERE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF A SILVER LINING THERE.
MAYBE SOME LEGISLATORS ARE REALIZING MAYBE WE SHOULD DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN AN OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL VERSUS A NON-OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL, WHICH I THINK MOST HUMANS WOULD AGREE PROBABLY SHOULDN'T BE TREATED THE SAME WAY.
THESE TWO BILLS ARE GOING TO COME IN A COMPLETE CLASH WITH THE OTHER BILLS, THOUGH.
I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE POLITICS ARE AT.
THE OTHER BUNDLE OR BUCKET OF BILLS YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IS A WHOLE BUNCH OF BILLS REGARDING TAXATION, HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS, 50 MILLION DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.
THEY'RE ON PAGE SIX, AND THEY KEEP GOING.
YOU HAVE PAGE 5 AND 6 ARE THE BIG CHUNKS OF AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION.
I GUESS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS ONE OF THE BILLS IS A BILL ASKING TO STUDY THE CONCEPT OF TAKING AWAY ALL PROPERTY TAXES THAT WE KNOW OF AS AD VALOREM TAXATION AWAY FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
ALL THE OTHERS ARE JUST THIS LAUNDRY LIST OF ADDITIONAL TAX EXEMPTIONS, AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTIONS, HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS, AND ALL THESE OTHER CATEGORIES WHERE IT WOULD BE REDUCED.
I KNOW THAT OUR FINANCE GROUP HAS, I THINK LOOKED AT SOME OF THE IMPACT OF SOME OF THE REDUCTIONS, BUT OBVIOUSLY, IF WE WOUND UP LOSING THE ABILITY TO HAVE ANY PROPERTY TAXES, I GUESS THAT SOLVES ALL OUR PROBLEMS, MAYBE.
WE'LL JUST SAY CLOSED FOR BUSINESS AND WE'LL SHUT THE DOOR.
THAT'S THE OTHER BIG BUNDLE OF BILLS.
YOU HAVE ANOTHER BUNDLE OF BILLS STARTING ON PAGE 7.
THERE ARE ALL THESE ANCHORING AND VESSEL REGULATIONS.
I WILL ADMIT I HAVE NOT DONE A DEEP DIVE YET ON THOSE.
OTHER ASSESSMENT TYPE REVENUE BILLS STARTING AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 8.
AGAIN, ON PAGE 9, EVERYTHING FROM LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES TO REVENUES FROM AD VALOREM TAXES AND RESTRICTIONS ON THAT.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BILLS.
THERE'S I GUESS TWO BILLS THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO YOU.
ONE OF THEM IS DRIVING THROUGH FLOODWATERS AND CREATING A WAKE.
I THINK WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT AS SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THE CITY.
THERE'S ALSO AN UPDATE ON OUR RESPONSES TO FLOOD AND OTHER EMERGENCIES.
THERE'S AN EOC-TYPE BILL IN THERE AS WELL.
WE HAVE OUR FIREFIGHTER BENEFITS, AND THOSE ARE UPDATES TO PREVIOUSLY PASSED LAWS REGARDING HOW WE TAKE CARE OF AND WE SUPPORT OUR FIREFIGHTERS WHO MAY HAVE VARIOUS AILMENTS BASED ON THEIR SERVICE.
WHAT ELSE IS THERE? I'M SORRY.
THERE'S LIKE 14 PAGES OF BILLS, LOTS OF BUILDING PERMIT BILLS.
AS YOU KNOW, THE CRA BILL THAT CAPS THE AMOUNT OF YEARS THAT A CRA CAN BE ACTIVE, AND I THINK THAT MAY BE ONE THAT WOULD AFFECT US.
WE'VE GOT 2.5 CRAS, I GUESS, WE'RE NOT QUITE DONE WITH THE WEST.
>> ARE WE GOING TO BE DONE WITH THE THIRD ONE?
>> I'M PRETTY MUCH DONE. [OVERLAPPING].
>> ARE WE GOING TO BE DONE WITH THAT THIRD CRA BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST?
[00:50:02]
>> I BELIEVE THE CRA HAS BEEN CREATED.
WE JUST HAVEN'T ADOPTED THE PLAN YET, SO WE SHOULD BE FINE.
>> GOOD. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE WEREN'T AT RISK THERE.
COMMISSIONER GARRIS, DO YOU HAVE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
>> WELL, THERE'S JUST SO MANY BILLS LOOKING AT THIS.
WHEN WE HAD THE MEETING WITH THE ROTARY TODAY, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TALKED ABOUT THE PROPERTY TAXES AND HOW THERE'S A BIG TALK ABOUT THE PROPERTY TAXES GOING AWAY AND HOW IT WOULD AFFECT THEM.
I KNOW WHEN WE WERE DOING THE BUDGET, THERE WAS A LADY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THAT WE CHARGE FOR THE CITY AND WE WERE LOOKING MEMBER AT TRYING TO ROLL IT BACK AND SO FORTH.
I SEE ON HERE AS FAR AS THE HOMESTEAD IS CONCERNED, IN ONE BREATH, THEY SAY, TAKE IT AWAY, AND THEN IN ANOTHER BREATH, THEY SAY TO INCREASE IT TO 75,000.
DID YOU SEE THAT? PEOPLE WILL GET MORE VALUE FOR THEIR PROPERTY.
THERE'S SOME NEGATIVE, BUT THEN THERE'S SOME POSITIVE ON THAT, IS THAT.
>> THERE'S THERE'S A BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD TO $75,000, AND THERE'S A SECOND BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE ALL EXEMPTIONS TO $100,000, EVEN NON-HOMESTEADED PROPERTIES WOULD GET THAT.
BOTH OF THOSE INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION OR THE TOTAL EXEMPTION AND WOULD RESULT IN LESS AD VALOREM TAXES COMING INTO THE CITY.
OUR FINANCE TEAM AND ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER MEREDITH BREIDENSTEIN ARE GOING TO SHOW YOU WHAT THAT REDUCTION IN REVENUES WOULD LOOK LIKE IF THOSE BILLS ARE PASSED.
THEN THE OTHER ISSUE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT WAS SOMETHING THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY TALKED ABOUT, WHICH WAS THE TOTAL ABOLITION OF AD VALOREM TAXES ENTIRELY, AND THAT WOULD BE SIMPLY CATASTROPHIC, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OPERATE WITHOUT THEM.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THIS.
THE PROPERTY TAX ONE IS POLITICAL, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PLANNING, REALLY.
THE HOMESTEADING ONE, I JUST AS SOON JUST FOLLOW, AND I THINK THAT THE BIGGER ISSUE MAY BE IS PROPERTY INSURANCE.
I THINK THAT'S MAYBE PARTIALLY DRIVING SOME OF THIS.
I'M THINKING ABOUT IT LIKE IF WE HAVE LESS MONEY FROM THE CITY, WE CAN DO LESS POSSIBLY TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM FLOODING, WHICH IS THE INSURANCE GOES UP, SO IT'S JUST A CONVOLUTED THING THAT JUST THROW IT OUT THERE, SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
MY FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE POLITICAL WORLD THAT WAY.
I'LL LEAVE IT TO OUR CITY ATTORNEY TO SORT THIS OUT AND FOLLOW IT FOR NOW.
>> [NOISE] I DO HAVE SOME COMMENTS. THE REDUCTION IN THE PROPERTY TAX IN THE EXEMPTION IS A GOOD THING FOR RESIDENTS.
IT HURTS THE CITY, BUT IT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY WOULD PAY LESS TAXES.
I WOULD NEVER BE IN FAVOR OF EVERYBODY GETTING REDUCTION.
BUT ANYWAY, WE HAVE CONSIDERED IN THE PAST IN OUR DISCUSSIONS LAST YEAR A REDUCTION IN THE MILLAGE, AND I UNDERSTAND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIG REPORT THIS YEAR ON HOW THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT IF WE CHOOSE TO DO THAT.
TODAY, I'M LEANING ON NEITHER ONE.
THE REASON IS WE HAVE THE FEDERAL AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT IN A REDUCTION OF SERVICES MOOD.
THEY ARE DRASTICALLY CUTTING SERVICES TO PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.
ALTHOUGH THAT WILL BE A REDUCTION IN INCOME TAX THEORETICALLY, IT IS GOING TO PUT A BURDEN ON STATES AND CITIES GO LOWER BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING THOSE SERVICES ARE NO LONGER GOING TO GET THOSE SERVICES.
I UNDERSTAND SPEAKING TO ONE POLITICAL PARTY THAT IT IS THE BELIEF THAT LOCALS AND PRIVATE DONORS SHOULD TAKE UP MUCH OF THAT REQUIREMENT.
WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN ST. AUGUSTINE THAT HELP FILL THE GAP WITH THE HOMELESS, WITH FEEDING PEOPLE, WITH FOOD BANKS, THINGS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT SUPPORTING RIGHT NOW.
THEY SUPPORT IT TO A CERTAIN POINT WITH MEDICAID, BUT VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS, AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE BIG HEARTS DO THE REST.
IF ALL THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ARE CUT, IT'S GOING TO BE LEFT TO THE PRIVATE CITIZENS.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT INFLUX OF HOMELESS AND HUNGRY PEOPLE,
[00:55:06]
NOT TO MENTION HEAD START AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS, WE CAN GO ON AND ON.FOR THE STATE TO BE CONSIDERING THEIR OWN DODGE, WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN THEIR DODGE TOGETHER IS POOR PLANNING.
I WOULD RECOMMEND TO THE STATE THAT THEY HOLD OFF A YEAR AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
I'M ALL FOR REDUCING WASTE AND REDUCING FEDERAL EXPENDITURES, BUT NOT AT THE COST OF US IN SMALL TOWNS.
MY BROTHER PAYS HIGHER HOA FEES THAN I DO AS A CITIZEN IN ST. AUGUSTINE FOR MY ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAX.
IT'S CHEAPER TO LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE THAN IN AN HOA.
BUT THAT COULD CHANGE DRAMATICALLY IF WE HAVE TO PICK UP SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO BE DEMANDED ON US BECAUSE OF ACTIONS BY THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT.
>> THAT'S INTERESTING. WELL, I THINK THAT'S REALLY WELL PUT, COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, AND I AGREE WITH YOU ON ALL THOSE POINTS.
I'M GOING TO JUST SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS AND THEN I WANT TO GO AND GO THROUGH MY LIST AND HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THOSE, BUT I'LL BE BRIEF ON THAT.
IF THERE IS NO PROPERTY TAXES, THAT MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE, AS YOU'RE SAYING, AND IN OTHER COMMUNITIES ACTUALLY STATE AND I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS NORTH DAKOTA, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER STATE THAT'S BEEN GOING AFTER THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, AND THEY'RE WATCHING FLORIDA TO SEE IF FLORIDA IS SUCCESSFUL AT DOING THIS.
BUT WHAT THEY'VE DETERMINED IS THAT THE PROPERTY TAXES, THAT REVENUE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOMEHOW FOR US TO GET SERVICES.
I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE CITY RESIDENTS GET MUCH BETTER LEVEL OF SERVICE THAN YOUR BROTHER'S HOA DOES.
[LAUGHTER] WE DO A GREAT JOB HERE, BUT THOSE REVENUES WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BY HIGHER TAXES ON BUSINESSES, WHICH IS HIGHER SALES TAXES AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
I THINK IT WOULD KILL TOURISM TO BE HONEST BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIGGEST SOURCES OF BEING ABLE TO REGULATE THE AMOUNT OF TAXES THAT WE CAN COLLECT.
I THINK IT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA. I'M JUST GOING TO GO THROUGH.
THERE'S A FEW SB 50 ON PAGE 2, NATURE-BASED METHODS FOR IMPROVING COASTAL RESILIENCE.
I'M SURE THAT JESSICA BEACH, OUR CHIEF RESILIENCE OFFICER IS WATCHING THAT ONE.
I'M GOING INTO PAGE 3, WE HAVE TWO BILLS THAT WE HAVE ACTIVELY SUPPORTED IN THE CITY, THAT'S HB 717 AND SB 582, THE UNLAWFUL DEMOLITION OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, AND I HOPE WE GET GOOD SUPPORT FOR THOSE TWO.
THAT'S ALL THOSE LAND USE AND PROPERTY TAX STUFF THAT I'M SCROLLING THROUGH HERE. LET'S SEE.
I LIKE THIS IDEA ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE ARE PUTTING MONEY INTO ELEVATING OR MAKING THEIR HOMES AND BUILDINGS MORE RESILIENT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAXES IF THEIR ASSESSMENTS GO UP IN TERMS OF THEIR VALUE.
THERE'S A REALLY GOOD ONE HERE, TWO PAIR BILLS, HB 73 AND SB 156 THAT ARE ON PAGE 10.
THESE ARE THE SAFE WATERWAYS ACT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
I THINK ALL OF US CAN GET BEHIND THIS AND I HOPE WE DO VERY STRONGLY.
THIS WOULD INCREASE MONITORING FOR IMPAIRED WATERS WHERE PEOPLE SWIM IN PARTICULAR AND WOULD REQUIRE SIGNS TO BE POSTED IF FECAL BACTERIA ACCOUNTS ARE DANGEROUSLY HIGH.
THAT WOULD BE A BIG BENEFIT TO US TO MAINTAINING WATER QUALITY THAT WE HAVE COME TO EXPECT.
THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT FOR NOW.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OR ABOUT HER REPORT?
>> THE ONLY THING I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY WAS ON THE SAME PAGE IS FOR THE CRA.
THE CRA WOULD TERMINATE IN 2045 NOW.
ALL THE CRAS WOULD TERMINATE, COULD NOT BE EXTENDED ANY FURTHER THAN 2045.
IT'S STILL A GOOD RUN, BUT I JUST WANTED PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT WAS THE NEW DROP DEAD.
I THINK THE ONE DOWNTOWN IS ABOUT THAT TIME.
IS THAT 2045? ANYWAY, SO THAT ONE AND THE NEW ONE IN THE LINCOLNVILLE ALSO.
>> I'D GIVE ABOUT 20 YEARS TO THE NEW ONE IN WEST CITY.
>> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT. THAT WOULD BE 2045. SORRY.
>> THAT'S FINE. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT JUST LAUNCHING A NEW CRA IN PARTICULAR AND THE OTHER TWO CRAS,
[01:00:05]
GETTING A LOT OF MOMENTUM, I'D HATE TO SEE ALL THAT SUNSET IN 20 YEARS.[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK]
ITEMS BY CITY CLERK.>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
THE FIRST ITEM I HAVE TODAY IS A PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE 2025 MEETING SCHEDULE THAT WE ADOPT ANNUALLY AFTER TALKING WITH MISS PERKINS AND IN REGARDS TO THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE QUARTERLY.
BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE THREE, SHE FELT LIKE THEY STARTED TO FEEL A LITTLE RUSHED.
SHE ASKED IF WE COULD BACK THOSE MEETINGS UP TO THREE O'CLOCK. MOVING FORWARD.
THE DATES FOR THIS YEAR, APRIL 28TH, 2025, JULY 28TH, 2025, OCTOBER 27TH, 2025.
CONSENSUS TO MOVE THEM BACK TO 3:00 IS REALLY ALL WE NEED. THANK YOU.
>>LOOKING AROUND THE TABLE, IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE ALL FOUR KNOTS.
>> MY NEXT ITEM IS REQUEST FOR ONE APPOINTMENT TO OUR CORRIDOR REVIEW COMMITTEE.
THIS TERM WILL EXPIRE MARCH 28TH.
WE ADVERTISED AND POSTED IT ON OUR WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND WE DID GET ONE APPLICATION FROM OUR CURRENT MEMBER, MISS LAURA MCDONALD.
SHE IS ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT.
SO STAFF REQUESTS YOU APPROVE HER REAPPOINTMENT.
>> OKAY. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT MISS MCDONALD TO THE CORRIDOR REVIEW COMMITTEE.
>> CAN WE JUST TAKE A VOICE VOTE FOR THIS? YES.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE AYE.
>> MY NEXT ITEM IS A REQUEST FOR TWO APPOINTMENTS FOR THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD, ONE REGULAR BOARD MEMBER AND ONE ALTERNATE.
WE AGAIN ADVERTISE THESE AND GOT TWO APPLICATIONS BACK.
ONE FROM BRAD BEACH, WHO IS A CURRENT BOARD MEMBER, ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT, AND OUR ALTERNATE MEMBER, BARBARA WINGO, ALSO REAPPLIED, AND SHE IS ELIGIBLE.
STAFF IS REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENTS FOR BOTH OF THOSE FOR MOTION.
>> YES. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT THEM.
I JUST SAW ONE OF THEIR LATEST ONES OF WORKSHOP THEY HAD, I THINK THEY'RE BOTH DOING A GOOD JOB.
I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT THEM.
>> A SECOND AND I HAVE A QUESTION.
ON YOUR NEXT ITEM, YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE'S THREE VACANCIES.
THIS TAKES CARE OF TWO OF THEM.
>> THERE'S REALLY ONLY ONE VACANCY.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> MY LAST ITEM IS SOMETHING THAT I'M GOING TO PROBABLY CONTINUE TO PUT ON THE AGENDA UNDER ITEMS BY CITY CLERK.
IT'S JUST A NOTIFICATION OF ANY VACANCIES OR UPCOMING OR CURRENT TERM EXPIRATIONS THAT WE HAVE ON ALL OF OUR BOARDS.
IT JUST KEEPS IT OUT THERE AND LETS YOU GUYS KNOW ON AN ONGOING BASIS BECAUSE I KNOW SOMETIMES WE ANNOUNCE IT, AND THEN IT GOES STALE FOR A LITTLE BIT, AND IT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW WHAT'S AVAILABLE, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL START GETTING SOME APPLICATIONS.
>> YEAH, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, AND I THINK YOU'RE SEEING THAT REFLECTED SUPPORT FOR THAT IDEA.
>> I'M REALLY SURPRISED LINCOLNVILLE CRA HAS THREE VACANCIES BECAUSE WE HAD SO MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WERE EXCITED ABOUT AND ALSO OPPOSED TO OUR PLANS THAT I WOULD SEE LIKE THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER.
>> THESE ARE ACTUALLY UPCOMING TERM.
SO WE CAN AND WE ARE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THAT, AND WE ALREADY HAVE A COUPLE ALREADY THAT HAVE REAPPLIED.
SO WE COULD ACTUALLY MAKE THAT A LITTLE MORE CLEAR IN OUR MEMO OF WHAT'S JUST UPCOMING EXPIRED, AND WHAT IS CURRENTLY VACANT.
AS WE DO BOTH OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS PENSION AND OUR POLICE OFFICERS PENSION, WE HAVE TWO TRUE VACANCIES.
>> THANK YOU ANYBODY IN THE LIKE ME THAT DIDN'T READ THE WHOLE THING.
>> ANYBODY OUT THERE IN THE PENSION WORLD COME SEE ME.
>> I THINK THE TIMING FOR THAT TYPE OF AN UPDATE, REGULAR UPDATE IS EXCELLENT BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE CITIZENSHIP ACADEMY QUICKLY FILLED UP
[01:05:02]
TO ITS MAXIMUM OF 20 AND THAT THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE, AND SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL PEOPLE TO DRAW FROM.THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT ABOUT IT.
GOOD JOB STAFF ON THAT ONE, RUBIN, IN PARTICULAR BACK THERE.
GOOD JOB. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER.
[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]
>> I HAVE NO ITEMS TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
>> AND YOU HAD A GOOD TRIP THOUGH?
WE GOT BACK LATE LAST NIGHT FROM POLAND.
WE ACCOMPANIED THE MAYOR FOR THE TENTH EUROPEAN CONGRESS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WHERE THE MAYOR SPOKE AT A PANEL AND ALSO SPOKE AT A SEPARATE SESSION ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OUR CHALLENGES WITH TOURISM.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT APART FROM FLOODING AND HURRICANES, WE ARE FACING THE ALMOST IDENTICAL CHALLENGES THAT ALL EUROPEAN CITIES ARE FACING RIGHT NOW WITH OVER TOURISM WHEN IT COMES TO PARKING, TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS, TRAFFIC CONGESTION, VACATION RENTALS, THE LOSS OF AUTHENTICITY WITH LOCAL CUISINE AND RESTAURANTS.
ALL THE THINGS THAT WE TALK ABOUT LOCALLY THAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF TOURISM ARE THE SAME THINGS THEY'RE DEALING WITH THERE. IT WAS INCREDIBLE.
>> THAT IS INCREDIBLE. I'M SO PLEASED THAT YOU ALL WERE ABLE TO GO TO SHARE THOSE CHALLENGES AND MAYBE GENERATE SOME IDEAS ACROSS THE POND AS WELL AS HERE.
ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS,
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
WHO WOULD LIKE TO START? MR. COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD HAS NONE.COMMISSIONER DEPRETER HAS NONE. COMMISSIONER GARRIS?
>> I KNOW YOU'RE HOPING THAT I SAY I HAVE NONE.
>> NO BECAUSE I'M GOING TO MAKE EVERYBODY MAD, TOO.
>> I KNOW WHEN THE MAYOR WAS HERE IN THE LAST MEETING, THIS YOUNG LADY, SHARON SAT, CAME BEFORE THE COMMISSION EXPRESSING HER CONCERNS, AND I'M HOPING THAT BY THE NEXT MEETING THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK ON THAT SITUATION.
THE MAYOR CAN HEAR IT TOO, SINCE SHE'S NOT PRESENT TODAY BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE SHE'S GOING TO KEEP COMING AND SPEAKING EVERY TIME, AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO GET AHEAD OF THE BUS AND BE ABLE TO GIVE SOME FEEDBACK AS FAR AS WHAT THE CITY'S POSITION IS.
>> JUST TO LET US KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THAT PARTICULAR SITUATION.
THE ONLY OTHER THING I AM GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK.
MEREDITH, I HAD A GREAT VISIT WITH MEREDITH.
SHE WAS GREAT FOR OUR MEETING ON THURSDAY.
I GOT TO SEE A DIFFERENT SIDE OF HER BECAUSE YOU JUST SEE HER ASKING HER TO COME BEFORE AND GIVE US BUDGET INFORMATION.
SO THAT WAS GREAT, AND I LIKE TO HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH HER BECAUSE I THINK SHE'S A DELIGHT, AND GREAT JOB.
MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS ON THE PROCLAMATION.
EVERYBODY STOOD UP THERE AND GAVE ONE TODAY.
WE HAD OUR CHURCH 100TH ANNIVERSARY.
THEY REALLY APPRECIATED THE PROCLAMATION, AND THE POWER OF UNITY IS GREAT, AND SO TONIGHT, WE PROVE THAT BY EACH GIVING A HELPING HAND TO OUR VICE MAYOR.
SO SHE'D HAVE TO STAND THERE AND READ OFF FOR IT.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
I HAVE A FEW THINGS TO SAY AND THERE'S TWO BASIC TOPICS.
FIRST, I HAD THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE VOLUNTEER IN THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITIES WOMEN BUILD DAY.
WE HAD SOME WONDERFUL CONVERSATIONS WHILE WE WERE PAINTING AND TALKING AND MAKING JOKES AND THAT THING.
I ENCOURAGE ANYBODY OUT THERE.
IT'S JUST SO WELL RUN THE VOLUNTEER PROCESS THERE.
BUT IT WAS ALL WOMEN VOLUNTEERS, AND ONE OF THE WOMEN NEAR ME, WAS TALKING ABOUT, SHE WAS ASKING WHO I WAS AND MENTIONED, I HEARD YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE CITY COMMISSION.
SHE SAID, NIGHTS LIGHTS HAS REALLY GOTTEN OUT OF CONTROL.
SAME CONVERSATION I'VE HAD WITH SO MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS.
PEOPLE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT THIS AT ALL.
SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS THAT FAMILY PARKED THEIR CAR SO THAT SHE COULD NOT GET OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY FOR TWO HOURS, AND THIS IS IN WEST AUGUSTINE.
THEY CAME BACK TO FIND THAT THEIR CAR WASN'T THERE, AND THEY STARTED SCREAMING AT HER, AND THAT IS NOT AN ISOLATED TYPE OF AN INCIDENT DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
WITH THAT IN MIND, WITH THE RECENT EXPERIENCE WE'VE HAD IN 2024 GOING INTO 2025 AND HOW BIG OF AN IMPACT IT HAS HAD.
[01:10:01]
I'M GOING TO DIRECT STAFF.THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY CONTROVERSIAL.
TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION TEMPORARILY REDUCING THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS FOR THE 2025 SEASON FROM THANKSGIVING WEEKEND, ENDING THE WEEKEND AFTER NEW YEAR'S, WHICH WOULD BE 5TH JANUARY AND 2026.
I HAVE A RATIONALE THAT'S THREE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS TO IT.
FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE A CONSULTANT.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE DO HAVE A CONSULTANT YET.
>> WE HAVE THE SOLICITATION HAS BEEN PREPARED AND I BELIEVE IT'S ON THE STREET NOW, AND IF NOT, IT SHOULD BE THIS WEEK.
WE ARE ADVERTISING FOR A CONSULTANT.
>> WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SECURING A CONSULTANT, WHO WILL THEN MAKE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, WHO WE WILL THEN NEED TO CONSIDER AND DELIBERATE ON AS A BODY WITH PUBLIC INPUT.
NONE OF THAT WHOLE PROCESS, I SHOULDN'T SAY NONE OF IT. I WANT TO CORRECT MYSELF.
THAT WHOLE PROCESS WILL NOT UNFOLD AND BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS IN 2025, AND SO THAT'S ONE OF MY ELEMENTS OF RATIONALE IS THAT WE NEED MORE TIME.
WE CAN'T JUST GO FORTH WITH 2025 AND MAKE NO CHANGES AND EXPECT THAT IT'S GOING TO GET BETTER ON ITS OWN.
SECONDLY, THE KING STREET BRIDGE OVER THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER, THAT IN AND OF ITSELF WITHOUT THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, WITHOUT JULY 4, WITHOUT SPRING BREAK IS GOING TO HAVE AN UNDETERMINED BUT SIGNIFICANTLY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON TRAFFIC FLOW AND TRAFFIC PATTERNS.
THAT WILL HAPPEN THIS SUMMER, AND SO WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW THAT WILL IMPACT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, BUT ANY REASONABLE PERSON COULD PROJECT THAT IT WILL BE VERY BAD.
IF WE MOVE THIS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS LATER INTO NOVEMBER THAN WE CURRENTLY DO, THEN WE'RE PAST HURRICANE SEASON.
WE DON'T HAVE A YEAR WHERE WE HAVE A HURRICANE BLOW THROUGH, AND WE HAVE TO SCRAMBLE AFTER THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, HAVE TO SCRAMBLE, PAY MORE MONEY, MORE TAXPAYER MONEY AND SO FORTH, TO GET THOSE LIGHTS FIXED AND BACK UP IN TIME FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
THOSE THREE REASONS, THOSE ARE MY RATIONALE FOR ASKING STAFF TO DEVELOP A RESOLUTION THAT I WOULD SPONSOR.
>> CAN I ASK SOME CLARIFYING ON THE DATES? I HEARD THANKSGIVING.
SO YOU MEAN LIGHT UP NIGHT WOULD BE THANKSGIVING DAY, THE THURSDAY, AND IT WOULD RUN AND YOU SAID THE WEEKEND.
>> THAT'S A RECOMMENDATION AND STAFF, AS TO WHEN THE BEST TIME FOR LIGHT UP NIGHT TO BE.
BUT I WANT IT SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTENED.
I WANT IT TO BE LATE NOVEMBER.
>> LATE NOVEMBER AND YOU SAID FOR THE TERMINUS AT THE BACK END, I HEARD WEEKEND AFTER NEW YEAR'S.
>> JANUARY 5TH, WOULD BE IN THIS CASE.
>> I WAS JUST BECAUSE I ACTUALLY I UNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU GUYS SAID.
>> THEN LASTLY, I WOULD ALSO LIKE STAFF TO PUT ON AN UPCOMING AGENDA, A REPORT ON VEHICLES FOR HIRE, ALL THE DIFFERENT ONES THAT WE HAVE OUT THERE AND WHAT OUR OPTIONS ARE FOR LICENSING AND SO FORTH.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE KING STREET BRIDGE AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
COMMISSIONER GARRIS, YOU HAVE ANOTHER YES.
>> I SAW TODAY ON ST. AUGUSTINE NEWS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS WELL, YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOU HAVE ST.
AUGUSTINE NEWS BECAUSE I LIKE TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THEY HAD I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY GOT THIS FROM BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HEARD THIS AND ANY COMMISSION MEETINGS, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD THIS FROM OUR CITY MANAGER.
THERE'S A RUMOR OUT THERE THAT WE HAVE INVITED CRUISE SHIPS TO COME HERE AND PORT.
SO ALL THE PEOPLE CAN GET OFF THE BOAT AND COME INTO ST. AUGUSTINE.
BUT FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A PORT FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, AND THEY ARE BLAMING THE MAYOR FOR HEADING THIS UP.
I KNOW SHE'S PART OF THE CHAMBER, BUT I DOUBT VERY SERIOUSLY IF THERE'S ANY TRUTH THAT IS AT ALL, THEY GOT SOME DOCUMENT THAT THEY POSTED SAYING THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE CRUISE SHIPS COME IN INTO THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND GET OFF THE BOATS AND LIKE THEY DO IN PORTS WHEN THEY DO DOCK ON PORTS, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY IN CASE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING CITY RESIDENTS THAT FAR AS I KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE ANY SUCH FOOLISHNESS. DID YOU SEE IT?
>> THERE WAS A CRUISE SHIP PARKED AT THE INLET.
IF IT'S SILL THERE OR NOT. I WAS THERE FOR FIVE DAYS.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT CAME FROM.
I HAVE NO INTEREST IN IT, BUT I DO KNOW THERE WAS ONE PARKED THERE OVERNIGHT SEVERAL NIGHTS,
[01:15:03]
AND I'M SURE THEY WERE SHUTTLING PEOPLE INTO THE CITY.>> WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT TOO.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THE CITY IS NOT ADVOCATING FOR THAT AND NEVER HAS.
>> GOOD. I'M GLAD WE CLARIFIED THAT.
WELL, I FOR ONE, AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MAYOR'S RETURN, AND WITH THAT, WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.