Apr 28, 2025 City Commission

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:04]

ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING. THIS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

ALL RIGHT. WONDERFUL. I AM GOING TO ASK US TO OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, WHICH WILL BE LED BY VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE STAND IF YOU'RE ABLE.

ALLEGIANCE].

OKAY, HERE WE GO. ALL RIGHT. FIRST ITEM WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA IS

[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]

MR. CITY MANAGER, DO YOU HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS? NO, MA'AM. WE DON'T. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS. ANY MODIFICATIONS? ALL RIGHT, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA.

SECOND. YAY! WE HAVE TWO SECONDS AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. THANK YOU. WE'LL BEGIN THIS EVENING WITH PRESENTATIONS.

[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS]

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE 2025 CITY COMMISSION CITIZENSHIP AWARDS AND COMMISSIONER JIM SPRINGFIELD WILL LEAD THAT AND HE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN CONTINUING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITIZENSHIP AWARDS, UPDATING THAT, MAKING IT RELEVANT AND THAT HAS BEEN SOMETHING HE HAS CHAMPIONED.

SO WE APPRECIATE THAT HE'S TAKING THIS ON TONIGHT.

THANK YOU AND I DO HAVE A SCRIPT, BUT I'M GOING TO DEVIATE RIGHT FROM THE START.

30 YEARS AGO THIS YEAR, WE STARTED THE CHARACTER COUNTS PROGRAM IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOLS AND IT HAS BEEN GOING STRONG FOR ALL 30 YEARS.

AND I WAS IN THE VERY FIRST TRAINING CLASS AT GAMBLE ROGERS MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND I TOOK GREAT PRIDE IN THE PROGRESS THAT WE MADE WITH CHARACTER COUNTS.

AND THIS THIS AWARD TONIGHT IS KIND OF REFLECTING OFF OF THAT PROGRESS THAT WE'VE MADE.

THE CITIZENSHIP AWARD FOR SAINT AUGUSTINE STARTED 25 YEARS AGO, WHEN THE CITY COMMISSION WOULD PRESENT THE AWARD DURING EACH HIGH SCHOOL'S ANNUAL AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY. BUT THAT WAS WHEN WE ONLY HAD TWO HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE CITY.

OVER THE YEARS, EVEN AS THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS INCREASED, THE AWARDS WAS INCLUSIVE TO ALL SAINT JOHNS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOLS, INCLUDING THE SAINT JOHNS TECH CENTER AND THE FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND.

BUT NOW, WITH 13 SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT AND SCHOOLS HAVING SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT RECOGNITION.

THE CITY'S ST. AUG CITIZENSHIP AWARD FELT LIKE IT WAS LOSING ITS SIGNIFICANCE AND ITS IMPACT.

SO WITH THE HELP OF STAFF, WE THAT'S A BIG WE.

THE STAFF DID IT FINE TUNE THE AWARDS CRITERIA THIS YEAR AND WITH US TODAY WE HAVE THREE DESERVING STUDENTS BEING RECOGNIZED.

COINCIDENTALLY, ALL COINCIDENTALLY, ALL FROM SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL.

IN ORDER TO BE NOMINATED, THE STUDENT MUST BE A GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR.

ALREADY BEING RECOGNIZED THROUGH THE CHARACTER COUNTS PROGRAM, IF APPLICABLE, OR IN A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATED AGE STUDENT WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED INTEREST AND VOLUNTEERISM IN PROGRAMS, EVENTS, OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

THEY MUST BE A RESIDENT OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, OR HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN SUPPORTING THE HISTORY, CULTURE, OR PEOPLE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE THIS YEAR, THE CITY COMMISSION PROUDLY PRESENTS EACH STUDENT WITH A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION, A CITY LAPEL PIN,

[00:05:01]

STUDENTS, AS I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

WHEN I HAVE FINISHED READING YOUR BIO, I'LL PRESENT YOU WITH THE CERTIFICATE.

MAYOR SIKE-KLINE WILL PRESENT YOU WITH THE LAPEL PIN AND THE CHECK AND YOU WILL GREET EACH OF OUR COMMISSIONERS.

BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN, WE'LL TAKE A PHOTO WITH COMMISSIONERS.

MOMS AND DADS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAND AND TAKE THE PICTURE AS WELL.

AFTER YOU RECEIVE YOUR AWARD, PLEASE STEP OUTSIDE TO THE COURTYARD FOR A GROUP PHOTO.

WE WANT TO BE SURE AND SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO WE HAVE THE MAYOR. WE HAVE CERTIFICATES AND WE'RE READY TO GO.

OUR FIRST RECIPIENT. RECIPIENT, ZENI BARRETT, SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL.

ZENI WAS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY CENTER FOR THE ARTS AT SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL, AND WAS AWARDED THE 2025 CHARACTER COUNTS AWARD.

SHE HAS A PASSION FOR SERVICE AND A DESIRE TO TO UPLIFT THOSE AROUND HER.

SHE LEADS BY EXAMPLE AND HAS EARNED HER THE RESPECT OF BOTH HER PEERS AND MENTORS AT SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL.

ZENI HAS RECOGNIZED WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS TOP JACKET AWARD, WHICH IS A TESTAMENT TO HER OUTSTANDING CHARACTER AND DETERMINATION.

SHE EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF CITIZENSHIP THROUGH INTEGRITY, COMPASSION, AND A WILLINGNESS TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND IN CONTRIBUTING TO HER SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY. HER POSITIVE INFLUENCE IS FELT BY THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING ALONGSIDE HER, AND SHE CONTINUES TO SET A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW.

ZENI PLANS TO ATTEND A FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITY AND TO EARN A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN FINE ARTS IN ACTING AND A MINOR IN PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING. EVERYBODY. ZENI BARRETT. WE COULD HAVE HER FAMILY. ANYBODY HERE WITH HER? COME ON UP.

WE'LL GET SOME PICTURES.

[INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS. YES. THANK YOU.

NEXT RECIPIENT IS GREYSON DOUCET, SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL.

HE'S EVEN GOT ON THE SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL T-SHIRT AND HIS COAT. THAT'S CLASSY.

GREYSON WAS RECOGNIZED IN THE CHARACTER COUNTS INITIATIVE FOR RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, AND CITIZENSHIP, CELEBRATING INTEGRITY AND LEADERSHIP WHILE FOSTERING A POSITIVE SCHOOL CULTURE AND LIFELONG SUCCESS.

HE WAS A DEDICATED MEMBER AND LEADER OF THE WRESTLING TEAM, CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATING PERSEVERANCE, TEAMWORK, AND SPORTSMANSHIP. HIS LEADERSHIP, BOTH ON AND OFF THE MAT, HAS MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON HIS TEAMMATES AND COACHES ALIKE.

HE'S A SHINING EXAMPLE OF RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, FAIRNESS AND CARING.

GREYSON IS KNOWN FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO HELP.

WHETHER ASSISTING TEACHERS OR SUPPORTING FELLOW STUDENTS.

HE CAN ALWAYS BE COUNTED ON TO STEP UP WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND A STRONG SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.

GREYSON PLANS TO ATTEND SAINT JOHNS RIVER STATE COLLEGE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS WORKING IN THE SAINT AUGUSTINE NO.

NO, A FIRE DEPARTMENT. GREYSON DOUCET. [INAUDIBLE].

AND LAST BYE BYE ALPHABET. AVA VELEZ, SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL.

AVA WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED IN THE CHARACTER INITIATIVE FOR CITIZENSHIP AND TRUSTWORTHINESS, CELEBRATING INTEGRITY,

[00:10:03]

SHE DEMONSTRATES EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION THROUGH HER INVOLVEMENT IN JACKET POND, YOUNG LIFE AND IN NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.

HER ROLES IN THESE ORGANIZATIONS SEEK SPEAK TO HER LEADERSHIP, ENTHUSIASM, AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

AVA REGULARLY PARTICIPATES IN BEACH CLEANUPS WITH BEACHES GO GREEN, SHOWING HER CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND A COMMITMENT TO CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.

AVA IS KNOWN FOR HER HELPFUL AND COMPASSIONATE NATURE, CONSISTENTLY GOING OUT OF HER WAY TO SUPPORT FELLOW STUDENTS, WHETHER THROUGH ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, OR SIMPLY OFFERING A HELPING HAND.

SHE IS A TRUSTED ROLE MODEL TO HER PEERS AND HER PRESENCE UPLIFTS THOSE AROUND HER, CONTRIBUTING POSITIVELY POSITIVELY TO THE CULTURE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL.

AVA HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY, WHERE SHE PLANS TO ATTEND AND STUDY ARCHITECTURE.

AVA VELEZ. [INAUDIBLE] .

THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE IS THE 2025 CITIZENS ACADEMY GRADUATION CEREMONY.

REUBEN FRANKLIN. WE'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP IN SHEPHERDING THIS FIRST INAUGURAL CLASS THAT WE'RE REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF. SO COME ON FORWARD AND WE'LL HELP YOU GIVE THESE RECOGNITIONS OUT.

CERTIFICATES. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.

IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO BE UP HERE THIS EVENING.

WE HAVE CONCLUDED OUR FIRST EVER CITIZENS ACADEMY.

AND VERY EXCITED FOR THIS EVENING'S GRADUATION.

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSION FOR STARTING THE PROGRAM. I THINK IT'S VERY VALUABLE. AND I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR CITY MANAGER FOR ASSIGNING ME THE TASK OF RUNNING IT, BECAUSE THIS IS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY AND I HAD A LOT OF FUN.

AND I FOUND OUT WHAT I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN. OUR COMMUNITY IS FILLED WITH INTERESTING AND INTELLIGENT PEOPLE AND I REALLY ENJOYED SPENDING THE LAST FIVE WEDNESDAYS GETTING TO SHARE THE WORKINGS, THE INS AND OUTS OF THE CITY WITH THESE GRADUATES.

SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I'M GOING TO CALL THEM UP BY NAME, AND WE CAN MAYOR, IF YOU WANT TO COME UP TO GIVE THEM THEIR CERTIFICATES AND THEN I'D LIKE TO GET A GROUP PHOTO AT THE VERY END WITH THE COMMISSION TO CONCLUDE OUR GRADUATION.

UP FIRST IS GIGI BEST-RICHARDSON AND HARRY RICHARDSON.

IF YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO COME UP FORWARD HERE.

WE'LL CALL YOU. WE'LL GET YOU BACK UP HERE FOR A GROUP PHOTO.

UP NEXT ARE TWO BROTHERS, CAMERON AND KYLE DALLAIRE.

[00:15:02]

OUR NEXT GRADUATES ARE LARRY AND KIMBERLY INGRAM- DIAZ.

YES.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS MISS DONNA DOVE.

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS GINA FUENTES.

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS PEGGY GARDNER. THANK YOU .

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS JESSICA HIGHSMITH. I DON'T BELIEVE JESSICA IS HERE, SO WE'LL.

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS STEVE KRAMEK.

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS ADAM LYNN.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS KELSEY MAE.

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS AUBREY MULLIGAN. I DON'T BELIEVE AUBREY IS HERE.

SO. OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS KEVIN PRIESTER.

[00:20:01]

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS ANNIE ROSE.

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS CARISE SCHUSTER.

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS DANIELLE SEITZ.

WHAT A CUTIE.

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS DEBORAH SIMMERSON.

OUR NEXT GRADUATE IS STACEY STRUMPF.

AND OUR LAST GRADUATE FOR THE 2025 CLASS IS SCOTT YORK.

[INAUDIBLE] . AND, MAYOR, WE'D LIKE TO GET ONE MORE PICTURE WITH HARRY RICHARDSON WITH HIS CERTIFICATE. THANK YOU.

[INAUDIBLE].

ALL RIGHT, SO THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN. GUYS. LET'S ALL GET UP HERE NOW.

COME ON. [INAUDIBLE]. TALL PEOPLE IN THE BACK. MEDIUM PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE.

SMALL PEOPLE IN THE FRONT. [INAUDIBLE].

[00:25:25]

[INAUDIBLE].

THAT WAS VERY UPLIFTING. [INAUDIBLE].

ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE TWO MORE PRESENTATIONS AND THE FIRST ONE IS GOING TO BE NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION MONTH AND THAT WILL BE PRESENTED BY FOLKS.

IF YOU CAN EXIT THE ROOM BECAUSE WE CAN'T HEAR OURSELVES.

THANK YOU. OKAY. OH, THEY TOOK THE PODIUM. WELL.

THAT'S OKAY. WOULD YOU LIKE US ALL TO JOIN YOU UP FRONT? [INAUDIBLE]. SAFETY IN NUMBERS.

OKAY, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS WHILE CHILDREN ARE VITAL TO OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE SUCCESS, PROSPERITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE, THEY ARE ALSO MOST OUR MOST VALUABLE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

AND WHEREAS ALL CHILDREN DESERVE TO HAVE THE SAFE, STABLE, NURTURING, NURTURING HOMES AND COMMUNITIES, THEY NEED TO FOSTER THEIR HEALTHY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

AND WHEREAS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION IS A COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY AND FINDING SOLUTION DEPENDS ON INVOLVEMENT AMONG ALL PEOPLE.

AND WHEREAS COMMUNITIES MUST MAKE THEIR EVERY EFFORT TO PROMOTE PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AND WHEREAS EFFECTIVE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS SUCCEED BECAUSE OF PARTNERSHIPS AMONG AMONG AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS, EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BECOME MORE AWARE OF CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONSIDER HELPING PARENTS RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IN A SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. AND WHEREAS PREVENTION REMAINS THE BEST DEFENSE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, THAT APRIL 2025 BE KNOWN AS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION MONTH AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO WORK TOGETHER TO HELP REDUCE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE YEARS TO COME.

[00:30:04]

PULL! RIGHT, JUST RIGHT HERE. I'M GOING TO HAND YOU THE MIC.

YOU BOTH CAN SPEAK. [INAUDIBLE] MY NAME IS TIM DECKER.

I'M DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR SAINT AUGUSTINE YOUTH SERVICES AND THIS IS SKYLER SIEFKER, OUR FEARLESS CEO OF. WE WON'T SAY HOW MANY YEARS, BUT A FEW AND WE JUST WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSION FOR RECOGNIZING THIS DAY.

YOU KNOW, SKYLER HAS WORKED FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE.

AND I'VE BEEN IN THE FIELD FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS MYSELF NOW.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF OUR LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU GUYS AND ALL OF YOU THAT ARE HERE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[INAUDIBLE].

MISS JULIE, WILL YOU COME FORWARD? JULIE [INAUDIBLE] IS OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

WE'RE THRILLED TO HAVE HER HERE THIS EVENING.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, JULIE. ALL RIGHT, SO WHEREAS NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT OF 1966.

IN ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING OUR NATION'S HERITAGE, ESTABLISHED A PROGRAM OF IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION, AND PROTECTION OF HISTORIC AND PREHISTORIC PROPERTIES AND CONTAINS THE LEGAL BASIS FOR THE FEDERAL STATE LOCAL PRESERVATION PARTNERSHIP, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.

AND WHEREAS, THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE WAS DESIGNATED AS A CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM IN 1986 AS A COMMITMENT TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF OUR UNIQUE CULTURAL HERITAGE, RECOGNIZING THE PRESERVATION OF OUR HISTORIC RESOURCES IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND VITAL TO THE LEGACY OF CULTURAL EDUCATION, ESTHETIC, INSPIRATIONAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND ENRICHED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND WHEREAS 460 YEARS AGO, IN SEPTEMBER 1965, OUR 1565 OUR CITY WAS FOUNDED BY SPANIARD DON PEDRO MENÉNDEZ DE AVILÉS.

THE HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY HABS WAS STARTED IN ANTICIPATION OF THE HISTORIC SITES ACT OF 1935 PASSAGE 99 YEARS AGO. DID I GET THAT RIGHT? YES. WITH 28 SAINT AUGUSTINE BUILDINGS RECORDED 65 YEARS AGO, IN 1960, THE NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE SAINT AUGUSTINE TOWN PLAN DESIGNATED 55 YEARS AGO IN 1970.

60 YEARS AGO, IN 1965, A NUMBER OF SPANISH COLONIAL ERA BUILDINGS RECONSTRUCTIONS WERE COMPLETED BY THE SAINT AUGUSTINE HISTORICAL RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION BASED ON ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE AND RESEARCH.

55 YEARS AGO, IN 1970, THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT, OR NEPA, WAS ESTABLISHED, BECOMING A POWERFUL TOOL FOR MANAGING THE IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT ON OUR CITY'S NATURAL CULTURAL RESOURCES.

40 YEARS AGO, IN 1985, THE FLORIDA GROWTH ACT RESULTED IN THE CITY'S FIRST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ELEMENT.

35 YEARS AGO, IN 1990, THE NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRIATION ACT RECOGNIZED THAT HUMAN REMAINS OF ANY ANCESTRY MUST AT ALL TIMES BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, A VALUE OF OUR ARCHEOLOGICAL PROGRAM AND FOUR YEARS AGO, IN 2021, THE SISTERS OF SAINT JOSEPH TACKLED THE REHABILITATION OF THE SAINT BENEDICT, THE MOOR SCHOOLHOUSE WHICH OPENED AS SAINT JOHN'S SAINT JOSEPH'S NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER IN 2024.

[00:35:01]

IN TURN, THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE WILL CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THE CITY'S DIVERSE CULTURAL HERITAGE, LOCAL HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE AND ARCHEOLOGICAL FOUND IN OUR IRREPLACEABLE PLACES THAT HOLD THE STORIES OF ALL AMERICANS.

BY RECOGNIZING AND HONORING IMPORTANT POINTS IN OUR CITY'S VAST HISTORY AND THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO HELP PRESERVE THESE PLACES THAT SHAPE OUR CITY AND BUILD COMMUNITY. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM, PROCLAIM MAY 2025 AS NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH AND RECALLS UPON ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS IN RECOGNIZING AND PARTICIPATING IN THIS SPECIAL OBSERVANCE AND WITNESS THEREOF.

I HAVE UNTO SET MY HAND, CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE TO BE AFFIXED, ETC.

BLAH . NANCY SIKES-KLINE. OKAY, SORRY, I JUST TRUNCATED THAT RIGHT.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF READING TONIGHT, SO MISS JULIE.

THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE] DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO SAY? OKAY. WONDERFUL. WE JUST WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

WE HAVE STARTED THIS LEGACY 460 YEARS AGO WHEN PEDRO MENENDEZ CAME AND WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE POWER OF PLACE, WE CERTAINLY HAVE A POWERFUL PLACE THAT WE SHOULD CELEBRATE.

IT'S VERY UNIQUE HERE WITH OUR SEVEN NATIONAL HISTORIC NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS, OUR FIVE LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ZONING DISTRICTS THAT HARB HELPS US OVERSEE AND HELPS US STAY VERY COMPATIBLE AND CONTRIBUTING AND WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT.

THE CITY ATTORNEY, OUR CITY MANAGER DOCTOR LESLIE KEYES.

MELINDA, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT TAKE A PRIDE, MISS BJ KALAIDI, WHO COMES TO EVERY HARB MEETING.

THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE WHO TAKE PRIDE IN OUR CITY AND MAKE IT THIS POWERFUL PLACE THAT IT IS.

SO WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE THE SAINT AUGUSTINE HISTORY FESTIVAL NEXT WEEK.

IT STARTS NEXT TUESDAY AND RUNS THROUGH THE 11TH.

MOTHER'S DAY. SO JUST BE SURE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE FUN ACTIVITIES THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE.

THE CITY IS HOSTING A WINDOW WORKSHOP ON MAY 10TH, ON SATURDAY, MAY 10TH.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT RESTORING THOSE HISTORIC WINDOWS THAT WE LOVE AND WANT TO KEEP.

AND WE DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE, AGAIN, THE SISTERS OF SAINT JOSEPH.

I BROUGHT THIS LITTLE FAN. THAT THEY THAT THEY PASSED OUT WHEN THEY OPENED.

AND IT JUST IS SO SPECIAL. I HAVE IT HANGING ON MY BOARD AND IT HAS A COUPLE VERSES, WHICH IS COOL FROM THE BIBLE IT SAYS, AND HE WILL RESTORE ALL THINGS. MATTHEW 17:11 AND BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW.

REVELATION 21:5 BUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT ALL THE TRANSFORMATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, IT'S JUST REALLY REMARKABLE AND WE REALLY THINK ALL OF THE BUILDING OWNERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS THAT MAKE THIS SPECIAL PLACE.

THANK YOU. WONDERFUL. WELL SAID. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[INAUDIBLE].

AND WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT JULIE. SO THANK YOU JULIE.

[INAUDIBLE] . NO. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS PUBLIC COMMENT.

[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]

SO WE'LL START WITH MELINDA RAKONCAY, FOLLOWED BY HEATHER NEVILLE.

[00:40:09]

ACTUALLY, WHAT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT TONIGHT IS VERY APROPOS FOR NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH.

DEL MAR TERRACE HAS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, ACTUALLY, DECEMBER OF 2023 STARTED GETTING VIBRATION DAMAGE TO A LOT OF OUR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR STRUCTURES AND WE'RE STILL ONGOING WITH IT.

BUT ONE THING I REALIZED FROM IT AND SOMEBODY CAME ACROSS IN DOING RESEARCH FOR US.

THE CONSTRUCTION VIBRATION DAMAGE GUIDE.COM, WHICH HAS A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION, BUT ONE SECTION IS THE ON VIBRATION REGULATIONS AND I SENT THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER AND SOME OF YOU A COPY OF IT AND MY MAIN CONCERN IS OBVIOUSLY NOT JUST OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT WE HAVE THE EXCHANGE BANK BUILDING HUD THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO GO THROUGH, WHICH IS GOING TO MEAN RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF ONE OF OUR MOST HISTORIC AREAS, NOT ONLY WE GOT A LOT OF DAMAGE FROM THE VIBRATORY COMPACTORS, WHICH IS WHAT DOES MOST OF THE DAMAGE CRACKING OF WALLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE PILE DRIVING. THERE'S GOING TO BE LOTS OF POUNDING AND THIS WEBSITE.

IT GIVES THE CITY AND EVERYONE A GOOD ROADMAP OF STARTING TO GET THESE REGULATIONS IN CONTROL.

THESE THINGS DEFINITELY NEED TO GO INTO THE PUD TO PROTECT ALL THE BUILDINGS AROUND IT, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE REGULATIONS TO PROTECT NOT ONLY OUR HISTORIC STRUCTURES, WHICH THIS WEBSITE POINTS OUT ARE SOME OF THE MOST ENDANGERED AND PROBABLY OUGHT TO HAVE LOWER THRESHOLDS BECAUSE, AS WE TRIED TO POINT OUT TO THEM, OLD PLASTER WALLS DAMAGE AND CRACK A LOT MORE THAN SHEETROCK AND, YOU KNOW, THESE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE USED TO BUILDING AROUND THINGS, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE ASSESSMENTS OF ALL THE BUILDINGS AROUND BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION STARTS. THERE NEEDS TO BE MONITORING EVERY DAY, AND THEY NEED TO LEARN THAT WHEN THEY GO IN WITH THESE [INAUDIBLE] PARTY COMPACTORS, THAT THERE'S ACTUALLY OTHER WAYS OF DOING THIS.

THAT IS THEY MIGHT BE SLOWER, BUT THEY DON'T DO THE DAMAGE AND SO MUCH DAMAGE IS DONE IN THE NAME OF SPEED AND COST AND LIKE I SAID, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HISTORIC SAINT AUGUSTINE, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEART, BUT WE'VE GOT A I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HISTORIC DISTRICTS NOW IN NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT THOSE NEED TO BE PROTECTED NOW AND I REALLY URGE ALL OF YOU, AS COMMISSION, TO START URGING TO GET THESE REGULATIONS IN PLACE FOR THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HEATHER NEVILLE, FOLLOWED BY BJ KALAIDI.

WHENEVER IT COMES UP. HI, HEATHER LYNNE NEVILLE, 80 DE BRUYN STREET.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I'VE STOOD IN FRONT OF A COMMISSION AT THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. SINCE THE LAST TIME I'VE SEEN YOU ALL.

I OWN SEVERAL BUSINESSES IN TOWN NOW, A COUPLE OF WHICH ACTUALLY SHARE AN ADDRESS RIGHT HERE.

NOT JUST ON KING STREET, BUT AS IT CONTINUES ON TO THE COUNTY 214 AREA.

I'M ALSO RECENTLY NOW A HOMEOWNER AGAIN HERE IN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE IN WEST AUGUSTINE.

SO I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE BACK IN THE CITY. STILL WALKING AROUND.

SO YOU'LL PROBABLY SEE ME ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. YES.

I'M STILL HYPER ACTIVE IN THE BIKE PED ADVOCACY.

IT'S A BIG PART OF MY LIFE STILL, AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I'M ON THE TEAM THAT WAS SELECTED TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY RIVER TO SEA LOOP CONTINUING EFFORT. I'VE BEEN PART OF THAT NOW FOR THE BETTER PART OF 15 YEARS, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE DESIGN AND THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION SHOULD BE DONE HERE FAIRLY SOON. THAT'S NOT THE REASON WHY I'M HERE TODAY.

IT'S FUNNY, ALL THE RECOGNITION AND GRADUATIONS TONIGHT ABOUT PUBLIC LEARNING.

WHEN OVER 25 YEARS AGO, I TOOK A CIVICS COURSE FROM WHAT WAS THEN CALLED FCCJ DURING HIGH SCHOOL.

IT WAS THEN I FIRST LEARNED AND LAUNCHED INTO WHAT'S NOW MY CAREER IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T KNOW IT AT THE TIME, ALL THE SKILLS THAT I'VE AMASSED SINCE THEN AND DEVELOPED IN ANY, ANY OTHER WAY THAN A CONVENTIONAL METHOD HAVE LANDED ME IN THE POSITION I HAVE TODAY WITH MY NOT ONLY WITH MY COMPANIES,

[00:45:02]

WHICH LEADS ME WHY I'M HERE TODAY. I'VE BEEN ACTIVELY WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL BIOSOLIDS COMPOSTING COMPANY FOR A FEW YEARS NOW.

ALTHOUGH WE'VE BEEN OPEN SINCE 2009 AND MAKING COMPOST SINCE 2018, IT'S WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, WE'VE BECOME QUITE THE HOT TOPIC. MUCH LIKE TRAFFIC, BICYCLES, HOUSING AND WATER, WE MANAGE THESE THINGS IN AN INTERESTING, DYNAMIC, COMPLEX AND SOMETIMES LIKE COMPOST HEATED WAY.

I'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU ALL TO INDIAN HEAD AND THANK MANY OF THE STAFF FOR VISITING, AS WELL AS MAYOR NANCY SIKES-KLINE FOR TAKING A TOUR OF OUR PROPERTY.

A YEAR AGO, WE ACTIVATED THE GOOD NEIGHBOR PILOT PROGRAM TO ACTIVATE PROJECTS ON THE SITE.

NOW, THIS YEAR, WE'RE ACTIVATING THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS THAT WE PILOTED LAST YEAR.

WE SUCCESSFULLY PILOTED A EDIBLE GARDEN AT R.B.

HUNT TO SHOW THE KIDS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING FERTILIZER AND COMPOST AND WE PLAN EVERY MONTH THIS YEAR TO HAVE A BRIEF UPDATE TO ALL THE CITIES AND COUNTY LEADERSHIP, BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE WE MAKING THE COMPOST WITH THE MATERIALS THAT WE COLLECT FROM THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS, BUT ALSO YARDS, GARDENS, PARKS AND NURSERIES.

USE OUR COMPOST IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY. I PROVIDED A BLOG POST TONIGHT THAT AIMS TO BRING TO LIGHT WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO WITH ALL THE MATERIAL, AND HOW INDIAN HEAD IS PART OF NOT ONLY THE LOCAL SOLUTION, BUT AS A COMMUNITY AHEAD OF THE GAME.

WE HELPED THE CITY AND THE COUNTY MEET STATE LEGISLATION AIMED AT SOLVING THE NEEDS SURROUNDING ALL OF THIS MATERIAL AND AS THE COMMUNITIES CONTINUE TO GROW WITH THE TEAM AT INDIAN HEAD WORKS WITH INCLUDING THE STATE LAND TRUST AND OTHER SITES.

SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AND BRING THAT TO LIGHT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU EVERY MONTH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKER? ANYONE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK BESIDES MRS KALAIDI TONIGHT? I ONLY HAVE ONE SPEAKER CARD LEFT. MISS KALAIDI.

BJ KALAIDI WEST CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. I KNOW WE CAN'T HOLD EVERYBODY THAT WAS HERE SINCE THE 3:00 OR 4:00, BUT IT WOULD BE BETTER IF PEOPLE COULD STAY FOR THE WHOLE MEETING.

REALLY AND TRULY. SO LET ME GET STARTED HERE.

THE SHERIFF'S INMATE PHOTO SEARCH WEBSITE IS STILL SHUT DOWN.

THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR EVERYONE LIVING IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, AND PEOPLE NEED TO CONTACT THEM AND FIND OUT WHY THIS IS STILL GOING ON.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHO THE PROBLEMS ARE, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMMITTED ANY CRIMES.

WE NEED TO SEE THEIR PICTURE. WE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW THEIR NAMES, AND THAT'S NO WAY TO TRY AND FOLLOW UP ON THE SAFETY OF OUR CITY.

PUBLIC CAMPING CONTINUES ON THE WEST SIDE OF OYSTER CREEK, FACING DAVIS STREET AND SOUTH DIXIE.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONTINUED TO HAVE AN INDICATION, ALSO KNOWN AS PRAYER, AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR MEETINGS.

THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE HAS A MOMENT OF SILENCE, AND I WANT TO JUST BRING THIS UP BECAUSE WE JUST CELEBRATED EASTER, AND IT'S ABOUT THE FACT JESUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE AND I WANT TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE DISCOURAGED ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN OUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL. SO IF YOU CAN AND YOU HAVE TIME. PLEASE LISTEN TO 90.5 FM FOR HOPE.

AND I WAS SURPRISED AND I THANK VERY MUCH FOR MISS JULIE.

SHE ALWAYS IS RIGHT THERE IN PRESERVATION AND FOR HER TO CALL IT MY NAME.

I ALMOST FAINTED BACK THERE. BUT I AM CONCERNED AND THAT'S WHY I COME TO THESE MEETINGS.

I KNOW YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH EVERYTHING, BUT I DON'T WANT ANYTHING.

I JUST WANT WHAT WE HAVE TO BE, WHAT IT SHOULD BE.

AND I JUST DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING SOMETIMES.

SO DON'T THINK BECAUSE THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR WEST CITY CRA IS DISSOLVED, I WILL BE BACK AND I WILL BE INVOLVED AS MUCH AS I CAN BECAUSE I DO APPRECIATE THIS CITY AND THIS COUNTY, AND I WOULDN'T DO THIS IF I DIDN'T CARE.

SO I THINK MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I THINK SAYING IT ONCE IN A WHILE I NEED TO, BUT MISS JULIE NOW KEEP HER HERE.

EVEN THOUGH SHE USED MY NAME. OKAY. KEEP HER HERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT.

THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENTS. NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

[5. CONSENT AGENDA ]

THIS EVENING'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR MAY 12TH.

WE HAVE A 3PM SPECIAL CRA MEETING AT 3:15. SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING, THE 4:30 ADELAIDE SANCHEZ AWARD PRESENTED TO

[00:50:02]

WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 24TH REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND THE APRIL 14TH CITY COMMISSION SHADE MEETING.

WE HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY'S QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 24-25.

WE HAVE APPROVAL FOR PERPETUAL PERMISSION TO USE THE CITY CREST FOR THE ANNUAL HISTORY FESTIVAL.

WE HAVE APPROVAL OF PHASE THREE FOR THE FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAT FOR MADEIRA AT SAINT AUGUSTINE AND WE HAVE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE ANNUAL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS OPERATING AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

ALRIGHT. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON ANYTHING ON THE AGENDA? I HAD ONE. I JUST HAD A CONCERN ABOUT AN OPEN ENDED AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF THE CITY CREST, AND I WOULD LIKE TO. I DON'T WANT TO STOP IT, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PARTICIPATE AND USE OUR LOGO.

BUT I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE BETTER IF WE HAD KIND OF AN END DATE ON IT, AND THEN IT COULD BE RENEWED.

YOU CAN JUST MAKE IT AN ANNUAL RENEWAL IF YOU'D LIKE.

DID IT RENEWS ANNUALLY UNTIL IT ISN'T. I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THAT'S KIND OF HOW IT IS NOW. THEY COME EVERY YEAR AND ASK FOR THE.

THAT'S CORRECT. YEAH. WE CAN JUST KEEP DOING IT THAT WAY, IF YOU PREFER.

WELL, I DON'T THINK I UNDERSTAND THAT. MAYBE YOU MEAN AUTOMATICALLY ANNUALLY RENEWED.

UNLESS THE CITY COMMISSION BRINGS IT BACK AS AN ACTION ITEM TO TERMINATE THE RENEWAL.

THAT'S RIGHT. THERE YOU GO. THAT WOULD BE IT.

I UNDERSTAND BETTER. YEAH, I WASN'T QUITE SURE.

OKAY. BUT IF WE COULD MAKE A MODIFICATION TO THAT PARTICULAR ITEM I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE.

I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR FOR A SECOND. SO YOU'RE MAKING IT SO IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY RENEW.

UNLESS. OR IS IT THE OPPOSITE? OKAY. AUTOMATICALLY RENEWS UNTIL THE COMMISSION SAYS UNTIL YOU BRING IT BACK UP. SO IT'LL JUST AUTOMATICALLY RENEW ANNUALLY.

BUT YOU ALL CAN BRING IT BACK AND CHOOSE TO TERMINATE.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS VOTING ON. OKAY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

SECOND. ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT INPUT. I APPRECIATE THAT.

ALL RIGHT. SO THE WE DON'T HAVE ANY ORDINANCES TONIGHT, BUT WE DO HAVE STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS.

[10.A. Review of Public Art Installation. (D. Birchim, City Manager) ]

MADAM MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION. DURING THE MARCH 24TH CITY COMMISSION MEETING, COMMISSIONER GARRIS DISCUSSED MOVING THE PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION THAT SCHEDULED TO BE INSTALLED AT THE MAY STREET AND SAN MARCO AVENUE INTERSECTION, WHICH WE LOCALLY CALL THE THE PEANUT, TO A CITY OWNED VACANT PROPERTY ON THE EAST END OF MAY STREET.

THERE WAS DISCUSSION AT THAT TIME, AND IT WAS THE DISCUSSION WAS DEFERRED UNTIL THIS EVENING SO THAT WE COULD HAVE A FULL BOARD TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE. THE PUBLIC ART PROJECT WAS APPROVED IN AUGUST OF 2024, AND IT'S A $250,000 PROJECT. WE HAVE THE FIRST TWO OUT OF FIVE MILESTONES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

THERE REMAINS $162,500 IN THE BUDGET. ESSENTIALLY, THE DESIGN WORK IS BEING FINALIZED NOW.

WHAT I'VE SHOWN YOU IN THE PACKET IS THE DESIGN FOR THIS PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION AND THE LOCATION AT THE PEANUT, AND INCLUDED SOME OPTIONS THAT THE CITY COMMISSION CAN CONSIDER.

ONE IS TO CARRY ON WITH THE WITH THE PROJECT AS IT IS INSTALLING THIS PUBLIC ART OBJECT IN THE ROUNDABOUT.

A SECOND OPTION WOULD BE TO MOVE THE PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION TO ANOTHER CITY OWNED PROPERTY.

THE VACANT LOT AT THE END OF MAY STREET WAS MENTIONED.

IT WOULD BE ONLY PRUDENT TO, IF THAT DECISION WAS MADE, TO MOVE THE PUBLIC ARTWORK THERE TO INCLUDE A LARGER DESIGN EFFORT FOR THAT PUBLIC PARK. A THIRD OPTION WOULD BE TO MOVE IT TO ANOTHER CITY OWNED PROPERTY, AND A FOURTH OPTION WOULD BE TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT.

THIS WAS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SO COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, YOU WERE NOT HERE, AND WE DID DISCUSS IT,

[00:55:01]

AND COMMISSIONER DEPRETER SAID, WELL, LET'S WAIT.

IN ALL FAIRNESS, IN ALL FAIRNESS TO COMMISSIONER DEPRETER, HE WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL VOTE.

AND I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE BROUHAHA THAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH SIMILAR THING HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS NEW ON THE COMMISSION WITH THE SKATE WALL OVER AT HAMILTON UPCHURCH PARK.

IT WASN'T ANYTHING THAT I HAD REALLY BEEN A PART OF, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL WENT THROUGH TOGETHER.

SO THIS IS A I GUESS I CALLED IT A BROUHAHA, BUT IT'S SOMEWHAT OF A BROUHAHA.

SO BUT I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT I DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT AT THE LAST MEETING, BUT HE RIGHTFULLY SO.

LET'S WAIT TILL COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD'S BACK.

SINCE WE WERE WE FOUR WERE THE ORIGINAL ONES THAT MADE THIS DECISION.

SO WITH THAT SAID, IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO ME TO ANOTHER IDEA IS A LOCATION WOULD BE TO RELOCATE THE ART INSTALLATION IN FRANCIS FIELD AND I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO YOU, YOUR HEART.

BUT I THINK IF I HAVEN'T CHANGED MY POSITION, I STILL THINK THAT THE BEST OPTION IS JUST TO CALL IT OFF, CALL THE LOSSES AND MOVE ON. WE CAN TALK ABOUT HOW TO REALLOCATE.

WE COULD TALK ABOUT HOW TO REALLOCATE THE $162,000.

I HAVE SOME PROJECTS THAT I'D LIKE TO DO THAT ARE BEAUTIFICATION MYSELF.

ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE TO FINALLY COMPLETE THE UNDERCARRIAGE LIGHTING FOR THE BRIDGE LINES WITH THAT MONEY.

OR WE COULD PUT IT IN THE PRESERVATION FUND, OR WE COULD PUT IT IN THE CONSERVATION LAND FUND, OR THERE'S PROBABLY A MILLION THINGS THAT WE COULD PROBABLY DO WITH THAT MONEY.

SO OR WE COULD SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY. I DON'T KNOW, BUT I JUST THOUGHT WOULD IF YOU HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SINCE COMMISSIONER GARRETT, YOU BROUGHT THIS UP IN THE BEGINNING, WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAD THE DISCUSSION ON THIS? I CAN ORIGINALLY, WHEN WE WERE ALL HERE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THIS DESIGN, I VOTED FOR IT, BUT I WAS SKEPTICAL ABOUT VOTING FOR IT AND THEN WHEN IT CAME BACK FOR SECOND READING, I GUESS, TO SEE IF WE WERE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD, I VOTED AGAINST IT AND I VOTED AGAINST IT BECAUSE I GOT SEVERAL EMAILS FROM DIFFERENT RESIDENTS EXPRESSING THE CONCERN OF SPENDING A QUARTER OF $1 MILLION FOR ART AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY SAID IN THE EMAIL TOUCHED MY SPIRIT, BECAUSE THEY WERE WHY I ORIGINALLY WAS HESITANT, WHICH IS THAT IT COULD BE A SPOT FOR THE HOMELESS TO CONGREGATE AT.

IT COULD BE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS AND IF YOU GUYS RECALL, AT THAT SAME PERIOD OF TIME, WE WERE ALSO TALKING ABOUT BEAUTIFYING THE PARK OVER THERE, THE ZORA NEALE PARK, FOR ANOTHER $200,000 AND I TORPEDOED THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT CAMP IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA.

AND A FOUNTAIN WAS DISCUSSED AND I JUST SAID, WE JUST CAN'T SPEND THE CITY TAXPAYER'S MONEY ON THESE THINGS.

AND WE HAD TALKED BEFORE ABOUT BEAUTIFYING THESE AREAS WITH TREES AND FLOWERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT KIND OF GROWS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.

I KNEW WE HAD BOUGHT THE PROPERTY OVER ON MAY STREET, AND THERE WAS LIKE A LITTLE WINDOW IN JUST DISCUSSION ABOUT PUTTING SOMETHING ON THAT LOT.

SO THAT WAS WHY I SUGGESTED THAT WE MOVE THE PEANUT DISPLAY ART DISPLAY OVER TO THAT LOT IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT AGAIN SINCE THIS HAS COME BACK UP THERE WAS A MAJORITY THAT THREE VOTED FOR IT AND VICE MAYOR HORVATH WAS ON THE THING, AND I HAD TOLD THEM AT THAT TIME AND SHE WAS LOOKING A LITTLE DOWN ABOUT IT, AND I TOLD HER, WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO GET THREE VOTES, BUT I STILL TAKE THE POSITION, EVEN IF I HAVE TO STAND ALONE AT TIMES LIKE THIS, WHEN I DON'T BELIEVE SOMETHING IS THE RIGHT WAY TO SPEND OUR FUNDS.

SO I JUST THOUGHT THAT IF WE MOVED IT OVER THERE, AT LEAST PEOPLE COULD PULL OFF THE ROAD AND SEE THIS EXHIBIT THAT THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY WAS AND SPEND TIME THERE. I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO BE INCREASED.

NOW, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I RAN ON WAS THE HOMELESS AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY.

I'M ON THE BOARD WITH HOME AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH TRYING TO FIX THIS PROPERTY OVER THERE ON 207 100.

THE REMAINING MONEY COULD BE UTILIZED FOR THAT PROJECT.

I KNOW THAT WE ARE FINISHED BASICALLY WITH THE SERVING AREA, BUT THERE'S A BUILDING THAT I RIDE PAST EVERY DAY ON 207 AND OLD DIXIE HIGHWAY THAT IS NOT REPAIRABLE, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND.

I KNOW THAT THEY HAD TALKED ABOUT RENOVATING IT, BUT IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO KNOCK IT DOWN AND RESTORE IT.

THAT DIFFERENCE OF MONEY CAN CHANGE LIVES. IF WE TAKE THOSE RESOURCES AND MOVE THEM TO THAT LOCATION,

[01:00:04]

SO JUST LIKE THE MAYOR HAS SUGGESTED OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN UTILIZE THAT MONEY.

THE MAN THAT IS OVER THIS ISN'T GOING TO LOSE ANYTHING, BECAUSE HE'S ALREADY GOT PAID FOR THE FIRST TWO PHASES OF THIS.

SO HE'S NOT OUT OF GAS BY HAVING MOVED FORWARD WITH HIS PART.

YES, WE HAVE TAKEN A HIT FROM IT BECAUSE WE HAVE LOST SOME REVENUE.

BUT WHY ARE WE GOING TO FEED INTO LOSING ADDITIONAL FUNDS WHEN WE COULD REINVEST THAT MONEY IN A DIFFERENT AREA AND THAT IS MY POSITION ON THIS. I UNDERSTAND IT, I VALUE ART, I DON'T GET THE CHANCE TO GO TO THE FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK.

I KNOW ART IS A BEAUTIFUL THING. MY SON IS A CEO OVER THE ART INDUSTRY, SO I KNOW HOW VALUABLE ART IS.

I WAS NOT BROUGHT UP WITH A LOT OF ART BECAUSE IT'S NOT MY PEOPLE'S CULTURE.

BUT LEARNING FROM HIM. I KNOW HOW VALUABLE ART IS, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT EVERYDAY LIVING AND PROVIDING A BETTER COMMUNITY FOR OUR RESIDENTS IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN THAT ART DISPLAY GOING ON MAIN STREET.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING OR? I MEAN, YOU DEFINITELY. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ALYSSA, I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD.

I WAS TALKING TO MY COMPUTER SCREEN A FEW WEEKS AGO.

AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN IN HERE.

IMMEDIATELY WHEN I SAW THE MEETING, I FELT NOT BIPOLAR, BUT I FELT LIKE I HAD TWO SELVES.

I HAVE A SELF PERSONAL SELF THAT HAS OPINIONS, AND THEN I HAVE A COMMISSION SELF THAT BELIEVES THAT I AM HERE TO REPRESENT RESIDENTS, NOT MYSELF. SO PART OF MY REASON FOR VOTING THE WAY I DID IN AUGUST WAS WE HAD GONE THROUGH A PROCESS, AND I MENTIONED THIS WHEN WE VOTED IN, WE WENT THROUGH A PROCESS, WE SELECTED ARTISTS. I KNEW ALL THE ARTISTS EXCEPT FOR ONE PERSON PERSONALLY.

I RESPECTED THEIR OPINION. I DIDN'T LIKE THE RESULT AND I MENTIONED GALLOPING HORSES.

YES. WELL, IRONIC. I FLEW INTO LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY'S AIRPORT, AND I WALK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THERE ARE GALLOPING HORSES BECAUSE IT'S LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, WHICH IS NOT APPROPRIATE HERE AND Y'ALL UNDERSTAND THAT'S NOT WHAT I REALLY AM LOOKING FOR.

BUT AFTER GETTING A NUMBER OF EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS THIS WEEK WHEN THE TOPIC HAS COME BACK UP, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR AND I DIDN'T GET ONE POSITIVE.

BY THE WAY, I GOT ALL NEGATIVE TO THIS PIECE OF ARTWORK.

THEY'RE NOT OPPOSED ARTWORK. THEY'RE OPPOSED TO THIS PARTICULAR ARTWORK.

THEY'RE ALSO OPPOSED TO THE PRICE OF THE $250,000, WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE A LOT, AND IT'S GOING TO BE LIFETIME.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE HERE FOREVER, AND IT WILL BE OUR ONE OF OUR LEGACIES.

SO I THINK ONE OF THE TRAITS OF A PERSON AND ONE OF THE TRAITS OF A COMMISSIONER IS TO ADMIT WHEN YOU'RE WRONG.

RIGHT AND JACKSON BROWNE, YOU KNOW, THE GUY WROTE, HE WROTE THESE DAYS.

DON'T REMIND ME OF MY FAILURES. I'VE NOT FORGOTTEN THEM.

SO I'M INCLINED TONIGHT IF THE NOMINATION, IF THE MOTION COMES UP TO SCRATCH THE PROJECT, ADMIT THAT WE GIVE AWAY 87,000 TO AN ARTIST THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO USE.

EXCUSE OURSELVES, ADMIT A MISTAKE AND SAVE THAT MONEY FOR ANOTHER TIME.

NOT TO BE DETERMINED TONIGHT JUST TO SAVE IT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS WE COULD USE THAT FOR AND ART COULD BE ONE OF THEM BECAUSE WE STILL NEED TO PROJECT CULTURE.

OUR CULTURE AND WHEN I WALKED OUT OF THAT PARKING LOT AND I SAW THE HORSES, I KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHAT LEXINGTON WAS ALL ABOUT.

EVEN THOUGH I KNEW IT BEFORE. BUT YOU KNOW THAT THAT'S WHAT THEIR CULTURE IS, AND THAT'S WHAT DRIVES THEIR ECONOMY AND WHAT DRIVES THEIR THEIR CULTURE.

AND SO I TONIGHT, IF IT COMES UP FOR A VOTE MOTION, I WOULD VOTE THAT WE SCRATCH THE PROJECT AND THAT WE SAVE THE MONEY.

OKAY. I THINK THAT'S REALLY WELL SAID. I CAN'T DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING THAT YOU SAID.

I'M NOT OPPOSED TO ART MYSELF. IN FACT, I HAVE GREAT HOPES.

I KNOW THAT THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON A PUBLIC ART PROJECT ON A PUBLIC ART PROGRAM.

AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US HAVE ONE. I REGRET THIS MISSTEP.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS WELL SUPPORTED IN THE COMMUNITY, THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF ART AND I AGREE WITH YOU.

I THINK SOME PEOPLE ARE OPPOSED TO PUBLIC ART.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE I HEARD FROM WERE JUST THEY'RE OPPOSED TO THIS PARTICULAR CONTEMPORARY ART PIECE THAT I THINK PEOPLE JUST HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME RELATING

[01:05:08]

THAT SAID, YOU SAID MOST OF IT ANYWAY. PRETTY WELL.

SO BUT I WOULD LOVE TO I'M PREPARED TO GO EITHER WAY WITH THE COMMISSION.

IF THE COMMISSION FEELS LIKE IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO MOVE IT.

I THINK FRANCIS FIELD WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE FOR IT.

BUT IF THE COMMISSION WANTS TO END IT, THE PROJECT, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD PREFER.

THAT WOULD BE MY OPTION TO PREFER AND I DO REGRET AND DO APOLOGIZE FOR THIS MISSTEP.

THAT WE HAVE MADE WITH THE BEST OF INTENTIONS.

AND IT'S LIKE I SAID IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT IT TURNED OUT THIS WAY AND THAT PEOPLE TOOK THIS PROJECT THIS WAY.

BUT IT'S DEFINITELY NOT SUPPORTED. SO I'VE NOT SPOKEN TO THE ARTIST, BUT THE INTENT OF THIS WAS TO BE IN A PROTECTED AREA.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT HAVING IT IN A PUBLIC SPACE WOULD BE FOR THIS PARTICULAR ONE WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO THEY'RE GOING TO CLIMB ON IT AND THEY'RE GOING TO SKATEBOARD DOWN IT AND THEY'RE GOING TO, I'M TOO OLD WAS DESIGNED FOR THAT SPACE, SPECIFICALLY SPACE.

SO VICE MAYOR, I'M HAPPY TO DEFER, BUT I DO HAVE SOME COMMENTS.

OKAY, GO. YEAH, IT'S UP TO YOU, I DON'T CARE.

OKAY. I CAN COUNT. YES, AND SO I'M GOING TO SAY MY PIECE I'VE SEEN A LOT OF ART THAT I DON'T LIKE, AND WHETHER I LIKE IT OR NOT IS IMMATERIAL, HONESTLY. ART IS AN EXPRESSION. ART IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN SOMETIMES UNCOMFORTABLE, OFTEN UNCOMFORTABLE FEELINGS AND AND DISCUSSIONS AND THAT, I THINK, IS A REALLY CRITICAL REALLY CRITICAL NEED IN OUR SOCIETY AND IT HAS ALWAYS HISTORICALLY BEEN AND DONE SERVED THAT ROLE FROM PRIMITIVE SOCIETIES ON UP AND SO YOU'RE GOING TO I CAN TELL YOU, IF WE CAN ASK ALL FIVE OF US ANY PARTICULAR PIECE OF ART, AND EVERY ONE OF US IS GOING TO HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION AND I THINK THAT'S JUST THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

WE HAVE I DON'T THINK THIS IS A MISSTEP AT ALL.

I DON'T THINK THAT OUR DECISION BACK LAST SUMMER WAS A MISSTEP AT ALL.

IN FACT, IT WAS INFORMED BY A LENGTHY PROCESS THAT INCLUDED A LOT OF PUBLIC INPUT.

A LOT AND I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF POSITIVES ABOUT THIS PIECE AND ABOUT THE SITE AND THE SITE SPECIFICITY OF THIS PIECE.

THIS WAS NOT THIS WAS NOT A A KNEE JERK REACTION.

AT THE TIME THE MAJORITY VOTE WENT MORE THAN MAJORITY VOTE WENT FOR THIS BECAUSE IT WAS WELL REASONED.

IT WAS A CITIZEN SUBCOMMITTEE THAT WAS HEADED BY OUR VICE MAYOR.

THEY DID THEIR DUE DILIGENCE. THEY BROUGHT IN THE ARTISTS.

I WENT TO ONE OF THE PUBLIC MEETINGS. I THERE WERE, I DON'T KNOW, CLOSE TO 100 PEOPLE AT THE MEETING AND ALL WERE ENGAGED IN THE PRESENTATIONS BY THE FOLKS, THE ARTISTS.

AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE INVESTED BOTH TIME, THOSE PEOPLE'S TIME, AND THAT WE NEED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THAT.

I AM RESPECTFUL OF IT ANYWAY. I SHOULDN'T PUT MY JUDGMENT ON OTHER PEOPLE.

I RESPECT THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S TIME. I WE'VE INVESTED $87,500 IN GOOD FAITH UNDER A CONTRACT THAT SURE, WE CAN WALK AWAY FROM, BUT THAT MONEY IS MONEY THAT OUR TAXPAYERS, MYSELF INCLUDED SPENT ON A PUBLIC ART PROJECT AN INSTALLATION IN A PARTICULAR SITE AND SO WE WENT THROUGH THAT EXHAUSTIVE PROCESS, AND I THOUGHT THAT WE HAD COME TO AN AGREEMENT AND THAT'S CLEAR THAT WE HAVEN'T AND I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. WE CAN MOVE ON. WHAT DOES REALLY BOTHER ME ABOUT THE TONE OF THE PARTICULARLY

[01:10:10]

AND I THINK IT'S EMBARRASSING. ONE OF THE COMMENTS, MANY OF THE COMMENTS INCLUDED, WHY DON'T WE LANDSCAPE IT WITH NATIVE PLANTS I WALK THROUGH OR AROUND THAT INTERSECTION MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.

I DRIVE THROUGH OR AROUND IT. I CAN TELL YOU, AS SOMEBODY WHO IS A SCIENTIST, THAT THOSE ARE ALL NATIVE PLANTS.

IT'S ALREADY BEEN LANDSCAPED BY THE DOT UNDER THE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY.

THE CITY MAINTAINS THAT LANDSCAPING, EXCEPT FOR THE GRASS THAT'S NOT NATIVE.

AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE DECORATIVE GRASSES, BUT ANYWAY, IT'S LARGELY NATIVE.

IT'S FLORIDA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING, IF YOU WILL.

WE DON'T NEED TO SPEND ANOTHER DIME. I WILL NOT SUPPORT ANOTHER DIME BEING SPENT ON THAT INTERSECTION, LANDSCAPING IT WHEN IT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE. SO LET'S DISAVOW OURSELVES OF THAT IDEA.

I'M DISAPPOINTED AND I THINK I'VE SAID MY PIECE.

THANK YOU. OKAY. I SHARE A LOT OF SENTIMENTS THAT MISS BLONDER DOES.

SO I'M IN AN UNUSUAL POSITION, BECAUSE IF I WAS TO LOOK AT THIS, IT'S LIKE AN APPEAL ALMOST, YOU KNOW. SO WHAT I, WOULD DO IS GO BACK AND SEE WHAT YOU GUYS DID.

SO I'M AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION TO KIND OF REVIEW WHAT YOU'VE DONE.

SO HERE'S WHAT I'VE COME UP WITH. IT WAS BUDGETED IN ITS INCEPTION AS A SEPARATE ITEM FOR $250,000.

THE TOTAL COST IN MY WHAT? I FIGURED IT'S PRETTY CLOSE TO ONE QUARTER OF 1% OF THE BUDGET IN ONE YEAR IS A ONE TIME COST, SO I DON'T THINK IT IS. I THINK IT'S A SCALE THING.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE ONE PERSON AND YOU LOOK AT $165,000, IT'S A LOT.

BUT IF YOU DEFER THAT OVER ALL THE TAXPAYERS WE HAVE, I DON'T THINK IT IS AND THAT'S JUST A PERCEPTION THAT COMES WITH SCALE.

SO I PERSONALLY DO NOT THINK IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

I THINK ART AND CULTURE IS A GOAL OF THE CITY.

IT'S IN THE VISION PLAN. I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE CITY SEPARATE FROM ALL A LOT OF THE OTHER FLORIDA COASTAL TOWNS AND I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS I MOVED HERE, HAVING BEEN IN THE ART WORLD, WAS THIS WAS A TOWN THAT VALUED ART AND ART CAN BE A VERY PRETENTIOUS WORD. BUT DESIGN, I MEAN, THIS IS REALLY AS MUCH A DESIGN AS IT IS ART, SO I DON'T REALLY LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

SO REVIEWING THE CITY HERE VOTED FOR A COMMITTEE.

I DID A BACKGROUND CHECK ON ALL THE MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE.

THESE PEOPLE ARE ALL QUALIFIED. THEY'RE ALL LOCAL, AT LEAST.

I THINK AT LEAST A COUPLE OF THEM ARE FROM NORTH CITY. SO THEY GOT SKIN IN THE GAME.

AND ACTUALLY, I WAS VERY SURPRISED WITH SOME OF THEIR QUALIFICATIONS. WE HAD SOMEBODY FROM THE URBAN ONCE.

ONE WOMAN WAS FROM THE SAINT JOHN'S CULTURAL COUNCIL AND WORKS WITH THE PUBLIC ART FUND.

ONE GENTLEMAN HAD THE URBAN INSTITUTE, ONE WOMAN WORKED WITH THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF THE ARTS.

I MEAN, I WAS IT'S A RECOGNITION OF HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE THAT WE CAN RELY ON AS A COMMUNITY AND I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER BLONDER.

WE TOOK THESE PEOPLE FOR EXPERTISE, FOR THEIR VIEWS.

WE'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THESE KINDS OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ON ALL THESE SUBJECTS.

AND I VERY I HAVE REALLY NO REASON TO DISAGREE WITH THEIR CREDENTIALS OR ANYTHING.

THE MEETINGS WERE NOTICED, THE MEETINGS WERE PUBLIC.

THEY WERE IN THIS ROOM. I CAME TO ONE. THEY WERE PUBLIC.

THERE WAS PUBLIC COMMENT THERE. I KNOW I STAY AWAY FROM THE INTERNET FOR MAYBE ONE OF THE REASONS THAT YOU DO.

BUT PEOPLE COULD EMAIL IN I MEAN, IT WAS NOT THE MEETINGS WERE PUBLIC.

THERE WAS TESTIMONY TAKEN. I CAME TO ONE OF MYSELF WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR CANDIDATE.

THE FINAL SELECTION, UNLESS I'M WRONG BY THAT COMMITTEE, WAS UNANIMOUS.

UNLESS I'M THERE. THIS BODY VOTED 4 TO 1. A THIRD OF THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN SPENT.

SO THIS I WILL GO INTO A LITTLE BIT, MAYBE MORE.

MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY IT'S CONTROVERSIAL OR IT'S CONFRONTATIONAL.

I GOT TO TELL YOU, IT'S REALLY NOT THAT CONFRONTATIONAL.

AND BECAUSE USUALLY, IN MY EXPERIENCE, WHEN IT COMES TO THIS CONFRONTATION OR CONTROVERSY REVOLVES AROUND SOME KIND OF SUBJECT MATTER THAT IS OFFENSIVE TO SOMEONE,

[01:15:02]

BUT I REALLY DON'T SEE ANY OF THAT HERE PERSONALLY.

I THINK THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WHETHER THE PIECE FITS THERE.

I THINK THE PIECE WAS CONCEIVED TO BE IN THE ROUND.

I MEAN, IT IS A ROUND STRUCTURE, AND AS YOU GO AROUND IT, IT'S GOING TO SHOW THAT IT'S, I THINK, DESIGNED FOR CIRCULAR VIEWING. IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING TO ME THAT CAROUSELS RIGHT ACROSS FROM THAT.

SO THAT KIND OF SAME KIND OF THING. SO I THINK THAT'S GOOD.

SO I'M HESITANT. I WOULD SAY JUST I WOULD JUST I WOULD VOTE TO JUST MOVE FORWARD.

I MEAN, WE ALREADY HAVE $80,000. I DON'T WANT TO LOSE $80,000.

WE'RE ALREADY INTO IT. FDOT I JUST FOUND OUT RECENTLY FDOT IS PAYING FOR THE LANDSCAPING AND THE POND.

I THINK THE POND IS A FEATURE. NO ONE'S TALKED ABOUT. THE POND NEXT TO THE SCULPTURE IS GOING TO BE A POSITIVE THING AND THE THING I'M A LITTLE AFRAID OF IS IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS AS A GOAL OF OURS HERE IN THE CITY.

I THINK THAT WE'RE KIND OF RETREATING FROM THAT GOAL HERE AND WE'RE TELLING WE'RE TELLING PEOPLE, NO, WE DON'T LIKE THIS. BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE IT AND I HAVE TO AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH COMMISSIONER BLONDER THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU MAKE THESE THINGS NO ONE'S GOING TO LAY.

IF I NAME YOUR FAVORITE SONG, WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE A DIFFERENT SONG. SO I DON'T THINK IT'S OFFENSIVE IN ANY WAY.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE TAKING OFFENSE FROM IT.

IT IS ABSTRACT, BUT IT'S NOT REALLY ABSTRACT IN A PERCEPTUAL WAY BECAUSE I THINK WHEN IT'S THERE, IT MAYBE IT'LL HAVE MORE IT'LL EXPLAIN ITSELF IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN BEING REPRESENTATIVE OF SOMETHING.

ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS DID BRING UP THAT IT WAS BASED ON A MOTION HUT.

WAS IT? IS THAT HOW YOU PRONOUNCE IT? TIMKEN HUT! AND YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT THAT WAS A LITTLE CRAZY WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT, BUT I DID LOOK AT IT.

TIMKEN HUT. AND IT'S REALLY NOT THAT FAR FROM THAT.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK ANYONE ACTUALLY SAID THAT.

NO,. IN THE COMMITTEE, NO ONE SAID THAT. THE ARTIST.

MAYBE IN THE COMMITTEE. YEAH,. NO, BUT NOT HERE.

NO, NOT HERE. NO, I'M NOT REVIEWING YOU GUYS ANYMORE.

NO, I'M JUST SAYING FROM THE PUBLIC. SO FOR ME, IT'S A GOAL.

IT'S A STATED GOAL. WE'RE ONE THIRD OF THE WAY THROUGH IT.

I UNDERSTAND SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT, BUT IT'S NOT REALLY CONFRONTATIONAL TO ANYBODY'S REAL BELIEF SYSTEM.

I SYSTEM, I THINK IS JUST A SHAPE OUT THERE THAT'S GOOD FOR THE INTERSECTION.

SO THAT'S WHAT I GOT TO SAY. WHAT? OKAY, WE'VE ALL HAD OUR SAY.

COMMISSIONER HARRIS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION IF YOU DON'T WANT TO? I WILL. I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL WITH THE MOTION.

BECAUSE COMMISSIONER HARRIS WAS ON THE NO SIDE.

GOTCHA AND SO I KNOW WE LOOSELY USE THAT MEETING AND WE LOOSELY USE ROBERT'S RULES, BUT IT WOULD BE BETTER INFORMED THAT SOMEONE WHO IS ACTUALLY ON THE WINNING SIDE MADE THE MOTION.

I THOUGHT THAT ROBERT'S RULES ONLY APPLIED THAT TO THE SAME MEETING.

ROBERT'S RULES. A SEPARATE MEETING. ROBERT'S RULES TECHNICALLY CANNOT APPLY TO WHAT WE DO.

WE USE IT JUST AS A GUIDELINE FOR MAKING MOTIONS.

SO MY SUGGESTION IS BECAUSE COMMISSIONER HARRIS WAS ON THE NO SIDE OF APPROVING THIS, THAT PERHAPS SOMEONE WHO WAS ON THE YES SIDE WOULD BE A BETTER CANDIDATE TO MAKE THE MOTION.

THAT WOULD BE JIM. WELL, WE VOTED. WE ALL VOTED.

DID YOU HEAR THAT DAY? I YES, I VOTED, I VOTED FAVORABLY TO GO FORWARD WITH IT.

OKAY. SO I'M PREPARED TO MAKE THE MOTION. I MOVE THAT WE CALL THE PROJECT OFF.

WE WILL DECIDE IN THE FUTURE WHAT THE FUNDS REMAINING FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR, AND THAT WILL BE IT.

SECOND, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? I THINK WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS A LOT.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

WHAT IT'S WORTH NOW. ALL RIGHT, FAIR ENOUGH. WE MOVE ON.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, CAN I SAY ONE THING? HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THIS INTERSECTION, WHICH HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A WHILE.

FROM HOW IT WAS ORIGINALLY. WASN'T IT LIKE A GAS STATION? AND THEN IT WAS THE PEANUT AND THEN IT'S THE ARTWORK.

SO HOPEFULLY THIS WILL SQUARE IT AWAY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

OKAY. THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE KNIGHTS OF LIGHTS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SCHEDULE.

[10.B. Nights of Lights Public Engagement Schedule. (D. Birchim, City Manager) ]

[01:20:03]

IN FACT, WE'VE BEEN BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION WITH A REPORT ON THE KNIGHTS OF LIGHT SPECIFICALLY AND RECENTLY I GAVE A REPORT TO THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. WE PLAN ON CONTINUING TO EXPLORE HOW WE CAN IMPROVE LARGE EVENTS, AND I'VE CREATED A STAFF LEVEL TRAFFIC CIRCULATION WORKING GROUP THAT HAS COME UP WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR SHORT TERM GOALS AND LONG TERM STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING OUR MOBILITY DOWNTOWN WHEN WE HAVE THESE LARGE EVENTS.

PART OF THAT EFFORT REQUIRES A ROBUST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS AND WHAT I'M SHOWING YOU TONIGHT IS SIMPLY THE SCHEDULE FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND I'D LIKE TO BREAK IT DOWN INTO A RESIDENTIAL STAKEHOLDER GROUP AND A BUSINESS STAKEHOLDER GROUP.

BUT EVERYONE'S INVITED. EVERYONE'S. IT'S THESE ARE OPEN MEETINGS AND WE'RE HAVING THESE MEETINGS IN THE MORNING FOR RESIDENTS AND AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE SCHEDULE MAY 20TH AND 22ND WILL BE THE FIRST MEETING.

MAY 20TH AT 9AM WILL BE THE RESIDENTIAL STAKEHOLDER FIRST RESIDENTIAL STAKEHOLDER MEETING AND MAY 22ND AT 1PM, WILL BE THE FIRST BUSINESS STAKEHOLDER MEETING.

WE'RE FOLLOWING THAT ON MAY 27TH AND 29TH. AGAIN, THE RESIDENTS WILL BE AT 9AM.

ON MAY 27TH. THE BUSINESSES WILL BE ON MAY 29TH AT 1PM AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE ONE CHANGE.

THE FINAL JOINT MEETING, WHICH IS SORT OF AN OMNIBUS MEETING THAT ANYONE CAN ATTEND.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE THAT AN EVENING MEETING. SO FOR FOLKS THAT ARE WORK DURING THE DAY THESE MEETINGS REALLY ARE FOR ANYONE TO COME OUT AND GIVE US THEIR THOUGHTS VENT THEIR FRUSTRATIONS IF THEY HAVE ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS WERE ALL EARS.

WE PLAN ON ADVERTISING THIS ON ALL OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS ON OUR WEBSITE DIRECTLY CONTACTING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND OUR BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS AND INVITING THEM TO ATTEND.

ONCE WE GET THIS PUBLIC FEEDBACK, IT'LL GENERATE A FINAL REPORT THAT WILL ACCOMPANY THIS PLAN, AND WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

SO THAT'S WHAT IT IS TONIGHT. IT'S JUST SIMPLY ANNOUNCING THE SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, MR. CITY MANAGER. YES. DID YOU SAY YOU'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE JOINT MEETING TO FIVE, OR DID I MISHEAR THAT? YES, SIR. I'D LIKE TO CHANGE THE JOINT MEETING, WHICH IS ON JUNE 10TH.

YEAH. AND HAVE THAT AT BETWEEN 5 AND 7PM. OKAY.

I THINK ALL THE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN THIS ROOM AND THE ALCAZAR ROOM, AND IT'S SORT OF AN OPEN FORMAT.

PEOPLE CAN COME IN, WE'LL HAVE STAFF MEMBERS AS FACILITATORS AND THAT'S WHAT WE PLAN ON DOING.

ARE YOU GOING TO RECORD THAT AND IS IT GOING TO BE ONLINE OR.

NO, WE WON'T BE RECORDING IT. GO AHEAD. GIVEN THE NATURE OF THESE TOWN HALL TYPE OPEN DIALOG MEETINGS, IT WOULD BE WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE LIKE TEN RECORDING SECRETARIES TO CAPTURE EVERY WORD.

SO IT'S A LITTLE MORE RELAXED WITHOUT YOU GUYS THERE.

JUST STAFF IN THE COMMUNITY. OKAY. NOW, I UNDERSTAND THERE'S MORE OF A TOWN HALL.

WE WILL BE RECORDING IT IN THE SENSE THAT WE'LL BE WRITING DOWN ALL THE COMMENTS AND THEN COLLATING THOSE COMMENTS AND BRINGING THOSE BACK TO YOU.

OKAY. BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE. YES, ABSOLUTELY.

OBVIOUSLY, I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO DO THAT, BUT. SO THERE'LL BE NO VIDEO. OKAY. THAT'S THE QUESTION. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO POINT OUT A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.

I THINK THIS HAPPENED WITH THE ARTWORK IS THAT WE NO LONGER HAVE THE RECORD.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY WAY OF REALLY PUBLICIZING WHAT THESE COMMITTEES HAVE DECIDED BEFORE THE VOTE AND WE TAKE VOTES PRETTY QUICK AFTER IT'S BEEN PRESENTED. SO I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH MY BEING HERE IN AT LEAST TWO YEARS IS, COMMUNICATION. AND IT'S NOT OUR FAULT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN.

THE STAFF'S DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO COMMUNICATE. BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT ONCE WE VOTE ON IT,

[01:25:04]

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE'VE BEEN BUMPING HEADS ON A LOT OF PROJECTS LATELY, THAT IT'S NOT OUR FAULT.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE ANY WAY OF HITTING A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THE SAME WAY I'VE GOTTEN OFF SOCIAL MEDIA.

I'M DONE WITH IT. AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THAT ATTITUDE.

SO I'M MISSING OUT ON A LOT OF THE INFORMATION, AND YOU HAVE TO WANT TO FIND THE INFORMATION TO GET IT.

YOU HAVE TO BE INTERESTED IN THE CITY. YOU HAVE TO BE INTERESTED IN NIGHT OF LIGHTS IN ORDER TO FIND OUT THIS INFORMATION.

SO I JUST HOPE THAT WE CAN FIND A WAY TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE AFTER WE'VE HAD PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT, AND THAT WE DON'T RUSH IT TOO QUICK SO THAT AWARENESS CAN BE HANDLED.

I'M GLAD TO SEE WE HAVE A TV CAMERA TONIGHT. I WISH THEY WERE HERE EVERY WEEK.

IT WOULD HELP. WE'RE, VERY WELL SAID. ALL RIGHT.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE WE MOVE ON? I JUST WANTED TO SAY MR. CITY MANAGER DID AN AMAZING JOB WITH THE TDC.

THE PRESENTATION. IT WAS VERY THOROUGH, AND THAT WAS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE TDC MEMBERS.

THEY MADE COMMENTS LIKE THEY WERE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION AND IT IS A LOT.

BUT WE DID HAVE SOME RESIDENTS COME TO THE TDC MEETING, WHICH IS REALLY UNUSUAL AND I WILL TELL YOU THE MESSAGE THEY DELIVERED AND IT WAS ALL ABOUT SAFETY.

THEY WERE LIKE, DO NOT FORGET. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, TDC IS KIND OF IN ITS BUBBLE AND IT'S TALKING ABOUT MARKETING AND ADVERTISING AND BRINGING MORE PEOPLE AND YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE BRING MORE PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT KIND OF PEOPLE AND THOSE THINGS LIKE THAT? BUT IT WAS VERY WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE RESIDENTS SHOW UP AND SAY, DON'T FORGET SAFETY.

THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY FIRST. SO THAT WAS REALLY NICE, BUT I WANTED TO GIVE DAVID A CONGRATULATIONS BECAUSE I THOUGHT HE DID A VERY THOROUGH JOB AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE EVERY MONTH OR WHENEVER, HOWEVER OFTEN YOU CHOOSE TO REPORT.

I THINK WE ASKED FOR IT AT LEAST EVERY MONTHLY, BUT.

SO THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE NOISE ORDINANCE UPDATE AND THAT IS YOU'RE

[10.C. Noise Ordinance Update. (A. Cuthbert, Assistant Chief of Police) ]

TONIGHT WILL HOPEFULLY BE THE LAST TIME I HAVE TO COME UP HERE AND GIVE YOU AN UPDATE.

THIS WILL BE THE FINAL UPDATE BEFORE THE FIRST READING.

TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE, THOUGH WE'VE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ENOUGH DATA COLLECTION NECESSARY TO SUPPORT A SECOND DRAFTING OF THE ORDINANCE.

THIS PROCESS INCLUDED COMMUNITY IMPACT ASSESSMENTS, NOISE MAPPING, AND TARGETED OBSERVATION OF NIGHTLIFE RELATED NOISE SOURCES.

HAD TWO MEETINGS WITH THE NOISE CONSULTANT LAST MONTH.

APRIL 4TH. I'M SORRY. THIS MONTH, APRIL 4TH AND APRIL 16TH.

THESE SESSIONS WERE VERY COMPREHENSIVE AND ADDRESSED BOTH THE TECHNICAL ENFORCEMENT ASPECTS OF THE NEW ORDINANCE, ENSURING ALIGNMENT WITH BEST PRACTICES AND LEGAL SOUNDNESS.

AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SECOND SESSION, MR. ZWERLING ADVISED THAT A COMPLETED DRAFT WILL BE READY FOR MAY 7TH, WHICH WILL THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY ATTORNEY FOR LEGAL REVIEW.

PER THE CITY COMMISSION'S GUIDANCE AND SCHEDULING, WE REMAIN ON TRACK TO SUBMIT THE FINAL VERSION OF THE ORDINANCE BY MAY 29TH, IN ADVANCE OF THE FIRST READING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 9TH.

THIS WILL BE PRESENTED BY MR. ERIC ZWERLING HIMSELF IN PREPARATION FOR THE ORDINANCE ADOPTION.

WE'VE BEGUN TO DEVELOP A ROBUST IMPLEMENTATION IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY WITH SAINT AUGUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

OUR VISION IS TO TRAIN AND CERTIFY A MAJORITY, IF NOT ALL, OF THE SWORN PERSONNEL, ALONG WITH THE DESIGNATED NIGHTLIFE LIAISON, IN THE PROPER USE OF THE NOISE METERS AND ENFORCEMENT UNDER THE UPDATED ORDINANCE.

INITIAL TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED BY OUR CONSULTANT HIMSELF, MR. ERIC ZWERLING, SHORTLY AFTER ORDINANCE ADOPTION.

I'VE ALREADY BEGUN TO IDENTIFY IN-HOUSE INSTRUCTORS WHO WILL SUSTAIN AN ONGOING TRAINING PROGRAM AND TO ENSURE CONTINUED PROFICIENCY IN THE ON AND THE ONBOARDING OF NEW OFFICERS. NOISE ORDINANCE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION ON NOISE METERS IS VERY FEW AND FAR BETWEEN WHICH WE'VE RUN INTO. OUR INVENTORY OF NOISE METERS. I KNOW YOU'VE READ MY MEMO.

I UNDER OVERPROMISED AND UNDER-DELIVERED OR UNDER-DELIVERED OVERPROMISED.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE TWO IN STOCK, AND I THINK I PUT ON THERE.

WE HAVE SIX, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY EIGHT NOISE METERS.

SO PER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION, THE UPDATED CITY ORDINANCE WILL HAVE A BLEND OF PLAINLY AUDIBLE AND NOISE METER

[01:30:03]

ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONER SPRINGER.

I KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME PUSHBACK FROM SOME OF THE BUSINESSES ABOUT THE AUDIBLE VERSION, AND YOU KNOW THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT MAYBE THERE COULD BE AN OFFICER WHO BECOMES OVERZEALOUS FOR ONE BUSINESS OR ZEALOUS FOR ANOTHER.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION IS, WHEN YOU GET INVOLVED WITH A POLICE OFFICER.

I'VE BEEN STOPPED. NOT IN 30 YEARS, BUT I'VE BEEN STOPPED FOR SPEEDING AND SOMETIMES YOU GET A TICKET AND SOMETIMES YOU DON'T.

RIGHT. SO I THINK THIS HAPPENS. THIS WOULD BE A GOOD WAY FOR US TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY GOING IN, BEING ABLE TO GO IN AND SAY, LOOK, YOU ARE TOO LOUD.

TURN IT DOWN AND YOU GIVE THEM A WARNING. BUT IF A CERTAIN BUSINESS IS CONSISTENTLY BREAKING THE RULES, THEY NEED TO BE CONSISTENTLY GIVEN OFFENSES FOR THAT AND I THINK WE CAN WORK IT OUT WITH PROPER TRAINING AND WITH EXPERIENCE TO WHERE THAT AUDIBLE WILL REALLY HELP AND THE BUSINESSES WILL UNDERSTAND THAT WE MEAN BUSINESS.

ABSOLUTELY. PART OF OUR ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM IS OBVIOUSLY WE START WITH EDUCATION FIRST.

YEAH. OH, WE'LL GO VICE MAYOR. I'LL BE BRIEF.

I'D LIKE THAT WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR TIMELINE, AND THAT WE'RE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME READINGS ON THIS FIRST AND SECOND READING AND GO FOR IT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.

ALRIGHT. YEAH. AGAIN, I WASN'T PART OF THIS ORIGINALLY, BUT I'M GETTING UP TO DATE ON IT.

BUT I AM GLAD BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DO COMPLAIN TO ME ABOUT A LOT.

I DO LIKE TO JUMP PIGGYBACK ON WHAT COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD SAID.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE SKEPTICAL AS GOING FORWARD ABOUT JUST RELYING ON SOMEONE'S EAR AND SOMEONE'S OPINION, BUT I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING THAT BE A WARNING AND THEN AS WE GEAR UP THE METERS AND THE PEOPLE ARE CERTIFIED, SOMEBODY GETS A COUPLE OF WARNINGS AND THEY'RE STILL PUSHING IT. WE SEND OVER THE METER AND THAT'S AN OBJECTIVE THING.

SO IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING IN OR THINKING ABOUT, THEN I WOULD BE THAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR ME.

THAT IS CAN I CLARIFY, THOUGH, THAT'S NOT EXACTLY WHAT I MEANT THAT YOU COULD GIVE A WARNING FOR AN AUDIBLE, AND THEN YOU COULD GIVE ONE FOR AN AUDIBLE GIVE A CITATION.

BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT IT'S. ANYWAY, THAT'S JUST THE END OF IT.

YEAH. ALL RIGHT, MR. GARRETT. OKAY, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE GOTTEN AN EMAIL FROM SCOTT YORK, AND I'M GLAD HE'S HERE.

HE HAD AN INCIDENT AND HE CALLED, LIKE, AT ONE SOMETHING IN THE MORNING BECAUSE OF THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD, THE POLICE OFFICER THAT SHOWED UP TOLD HIM THAT THE NIGHT OFFICER WAS NOT ON DUTY.

JABARI. I BELIEVE HIS NAME IS AND THAT HE DID NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO DO A NOISE MEASURE AND WASN'T TRAINED AND NEITHER WAS THAT OFFICER. SO ARE YOU SAYING THAT IS INCORRECT? BUT THE OFFICER TOLD HIM, OR ARE WE IS HE BEING TRAINED OR NOT? BECAUSE THAT WAS VERY UPSETTING TO HEAR, THAT WE DO NOT HAVE SOMEBODY.

WHEN A PERSON IS IN THAT SITUATION, THEY CANNOT SLEEP, THEY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEN THE POLICE OFFICER SHOWS UP AND SAYS THERE'S NOBODY TRAINING AND THE WAY THE CITY HAS IT SET UP THE COMMISSION, THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO THAT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED, ETC. SO I'M GLAD YOU'RE GIVING US WINDOWS OF TIME BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY LIVE IN AN AREA STILL DOWNTOWN WHERE THEY GET THE RIPPLES OF SOUND AND THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN BEING WOKE UP BY LOUD SOUND AND YOU CAN'T TURN IT OFF YOURSELF.

SO ARE YOU SAYING THAT ONCE THESE THINGS GO FORWARD.

WE'LL HAVE PEOPLE TRAINED SO THEY CAN RESPOND EFFECTIVELY.

YES, COMMISSIONER GARRIS. WE WILL HAVE A MAJORITY OF OUR OFFICERS BE TRAINED AND CERTIFIED ON THE NOISE METER, BUT ALSO TRAINED IN THE ASPECT OF THE NEW ORDINANCE, INCLUSION OF THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE THE PARTICULAR NIGHT THAT YOU'RE SPEAKING OF, I AM AWARE OF IT. THE OFFICER THAT RESPONDED TO THAT CALL WAS NOT CERTIFIED TO OPERATE THE NOISE METER, BUT THERE WAS AN OFFICER WORKING THAT NIGHT THAT WAS CERTIFIED, BUT HE HAPPENED TO BE DOING A NOISE METER READING ON THE ISLAND AT THE TIME OF THE CALL.

BUT THAT IS OUR VISION TO HAVE EVERYBODY CERTIFIED AND HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO ENFORCE.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, WITH THAT SAID, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THIS IS NOT AN ACTION ITEM. THIS IS A REPORT OUT .

OKAY. THANK YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE RESULTS AND GETTING SOME RELIEF TO SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS WHO HAVE STRUGGLING WITH THIS.

[01:35:04]

[10.D. Information regarding the City's Community Rating System (CRS) Program. (A. Skinner, Director Planning and Building ]

WE ARE SO HONORED TONIGHT TO HAVE YOU. WELCOME.

THANK YOU. MARION WAS SUPPOSED TO PUT ON THE PRESENTATION, AND I DON'T SEE IT.

MISS MARION, DO YOU HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR US? THERE SHE IS. SHE'S SMILING.

I JUST HAVE TO PULL IT I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT THAT MISS SKINNER IS HERE, THAT SHE DELEGATED, AND WE'RE PROUD OF HER. WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE HER.

OF COURSE, WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO SEE HER. THAT ONE YOU GOT THERE.

THANK YOU. OKAY. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR. COMMISSIONERS. I'M BUDDY SHAWN, THE CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL.

AND ALSO THE FLOODPLAIN COORDINATOR OR FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR.

I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM OR THE CRS.

GIVE A MINUTE FOR IT TO COME UP.

SO WHAT IS THE CRS? CRS IS A VOLUNTARY INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES COMMUNITIES TO EXCEED THE MINIMUM STANDARDS AND FOR THAT, YOU GET DISCOUNTED FLOOD INSURANCE RATE PREMIUM RATES AND THEIR GOALS ARE TO REDUCE AND AVOID FLOOD DAMAGE, STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT THE INSURANCE ASPECTS OF THE NFIP, AND TO FOSTER COMPREHENSIVE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT.

SO WHEN YOU'RE IN THE CRS, YOU GET CLASSIFIED IN CLASSES FROM 1 TO 10, WITH A CLASS ONE BEING THE HIGHEST RATING, AND EVERY 500 POINTS THAT YOU OBTAIN, YOU GO UP ANOTHER CLASS, AND WHEN YOU GO UP A CLASS, YOU GO UP ANOTHER 5% OF DISCOUNTS AND SO IF YOU LOOK ON THIS CHART, THIS CHART IS OLDER, IT'S FROM 2017, BUT IT'S THE NEWEST ONE THAT THEY HAVE IN THE CRS COORDINATORS MANUAL.

BUT IT SHOWS THAT WE'RE A CLASS FIVE. IT SHOWS THAT WE GET 25% DISCOUNT ON OUR FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND IF WE GET TO CLASS FOUR THEN WE SAVE 30%. IT USED TO BE THAT NOT ALL PROPERTIES WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE DISCOUNT.

YOU HAD TO BE A COMPLYING BUILDING, SO YOUR FINISHED FLOOR HAD TO BE AT OR ABOVE THE BASE FLOOD ELEVATION FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO GET THE DISCOUNT.

FROM MY UNDERSTANDING NOW IS THAT EVERYBODY QUALIFIES FOR IT AND THEY'LL GET IT WHEN THEY WENT TO THE RISK RATE 2.0.

THE NEWEST VERSION OF FLOOD INSURANCE, THEY DECIDED TO RAMP EVERYBODY UP TO THEIR FULL RISK RATE.

SO NOT EVERYBODY MAY BE UP TO THEIR FULL RISK RATE YET.

YOU WILL NOT GET THE DISCOUNT UNTIL YOU'RE UP TO THAT RATE BECAUSE YOU'RE ALREADY GETTING A DISCOUNT.

SO BEING IN THE CRS, IN CRS, THEN EVERY YEAR WE HAVE TO DO A RECERTIFICATION.

SO EVERY YEAR THEY SEND US WHAT THEY WANT US TO GIVE THEM, WHICH COMES OFF OF WHAT WE GET POINTS FOR AND WE TURN THAT IN.

AND MR. BIRCHIM HAS TO SIGN A PAPER CERTIFYING ALL THE STUFF WE DID TO GET IT FOR HIM.

HE SIGNS IT, WE SEND IT IN, AND THEN THEY JUST THEY LOOK THROUGH IT.

AND WE ALSO HAVE TO DO A VERIFICATION VISIT AND IF YOU'RE A CLASS SIX OR BELOW, YOU DO THIS VISIT EVERY FIVE YEARS.

IF YOU'RE A CLASS FIVE OR HIGHER, YOU DO IT EVERY THREE YEARS.

SO WE DO IT EVERY THREE YEARS, AND WE HAVE OUR CRS COORDINATOR COME DOWN AND WE GO.

WE TURN IN ALL THE STUFF AND THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TRY TO GAIN MORE POINTS WITH THAT.

ALSO, WE HAVE TO TURN INTO EVERY ELEVATION CERTIFICATE THAT GETS SUBMITTED TO US FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OR SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS.

IT USED TO BE THAT WE WOULD TURN THEM IN DURING THE REVERIFICATION VISIT.

SO YOU TURN IN FIVE YEARS WORTH OF ELEVATION CERTIFICATES, WHICH WAS ALWAYS A PAIN BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING THROUGH A BIG STACK.

FOR US, IT WAS A BIG STACK. I'D HATE TO SEE WHAT THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE OR BIGGER JURISDICTIONS, BUT YOU ALSO DON'T GET FEEDBACK WHETHER YOU'RE DOING THEM RIGHT OR NOT. SO THEY CHANGED THAT NOW. AND SO NOW WE TURN THEM IN SEPARATE FROM THE RECERTIFICATION OR FROM THE REVERIFICATION. WE TURN THEM IN AND THEN THEY GO THROUGH ALL OF THEM, AND THEN WE GET GET IT BACK AS TO HOW WE'RE DOING AND YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN A 90%

[01:40:01]

AS YOU MOVE UP IN CLASSES, THERE'S PREREQUISITES FOR CERTAIN CLASSES.

SO THE FIRST ONE IS A CLASS NINE AND THEIR PREREQUISITE IS TO MAINTAIN THE ELEVATION CERTIFICATES WHICH I JUST TALKED ABOUT.

REVIEW YOUR REPETITIVE LOSS PROPERTIES AND MAP THE REPETITIVE LOSS AREAS WHERE THOSE PROPERTIES ARE.

AND THAT'S GENERALLY OUR HISTORIC FLOODING AREAS.

THEN YOU HAVE TO SEND OUT WE HAVE TO SEND OUT OUTREACH.

SO WE SEND OUT FLIERS TO ALL THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE IN THE REPETITIVE LOSS AREAS.

THE CITY HAS TO MAINTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE ON ALL ITS PROPERTIES THAT ARE WITHIN THE FLOOD ZONE AND WE HAVE TO AGREE TO SHOW THE LIMIT OF MODERN WAVE ACTION OR LIMWA ON THE FINAL PUBLISHED FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP OR FLOOD MAPS.

I PERSONALLY DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS AN OPTION UNTIL TODAY.

SO BUT THEY ALWAYS PUT IT ON THERE FOR CLASS SIX, THE ONLY PREREQUISITE IS YOU MUST RECEIVE AND CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A CLASSIFICATION OF FIVE AND FIVE OR BETTER UNDER THE BUILDING CODE EFFECTIVENESS GRADING SCHEDULE OR THE B CHECKS.

WHAT THE B CHECKS IS A SEPARATE PROGRAM THAT GETS EVALUATED AT THE SAME TIME THAT YOU DO YOUR RECERTIFICATION VISIT, AND THEY EVALUATE THE COMMUNITY'S BUILDING CODE, ADOPTION AND ENFORCEMENT AS IT RELATES TO NATURAL HAZARDS MITIGATION.

IT'S A DESKTOP INTERVENTION WITH THE PERSON FROM ISO, AND THEY SIT AT MY DESK AND WE GO OVER THE STUFF THAT WE DO FOR PERMITTING, FOR PLAN REVIEW, FOR OUR INSPECTIONS AND THAT STUFF AND YOU GET RATED SAME AS THE CRS WITH 1 TO 10, WITH ONE BEING THE HIGHEST AND SO YOU GET TWO SCORES.

THE THEIRS SAYS YOU GOT TO HAVE A 5 OR 5 BETTER.

SO ONE OF THEM IS FOR A ONE AND TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND THE OTHER IS FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES.

SO THE NEXT THAT HAS PREREQUISITES IS PREREQUISITES AS TO CLASS 4. AND THIS IS WHERE WE'RE AT NOW WHERE WE DON'T MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS.

SO YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE AND CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A CLASSIFICATION OF A 4/4 OR BETTER UNDER THE BCEGS.

DEMONSTRATE THAT APPROPRIATE STEPS ARE TAKEN TO ELIMINATE OR MINIMIZE FUTURE FLOOD LOSS.

MAINTAIN OR OBTAIN A MINIMUM TOTAL CREDIT OF 100 POINTS FROM ELEMENTS THAT ARE FOR PROTECTING NATURAL FLOODPLAIN FUNCTIONS, AND OBTAIN SOME CREDIT UNDER THE FLOOD WARNING AND RESPONSE ACTIVITY.

THERE ARE ALSO PREREQUISITES FOR A CLASS ONE.

I WON'T REALLY GO OVER THOSE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT CLOSE TO THOSE YET, BUT I WILL TELL YOU OUT OF ALL THIS, THAT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COUNTY THERE ARE ONLY TWO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE CLASS ONE, AND THAT'S ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA AND TULSA, OKLAHOMA. THERE ARE SEVEN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE CLASS TWO AND PINELLAS COUNTY.

FROM HERE IN FLORIDA IS A CLASS TWO. CLASS THREE HAS TEN COMMUNITIES, WHICH IS CULTURE BAY, MIAMI DADE COUNTY, MONROE COUNTY, AND OCALA. AND THERE ARE FIVE CLASS COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY, WITH PALM COAST BEING ONE OF THEM. SO FOR US TO ACHIEVE A CLASS FOUR, I'VE BROKEN IT DOWN BY WHAT I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. SO THE FIRST ONE WAS TO RECEIVE AND CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A CLASSIFICATION OF A 4/4 OR BETTER ON THE BCEGS.

AND REMEMBER, ONE RATING IS THE HIGHEST. WE HAD OUR ANALYSIS LAST YEAR, AND WE SCORED A FOUR ON A 1 AND 2 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND A THREE ON THE COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES, SO WE MEET THAT REQUIREMENT.

THE NEXT ONE IS DEMONSTRATE THAT APPROPRIATE STEPS ARE TAKEN TO ELIMINATE OR MINIMIZE FUTURE FLOOD LOSSES AND ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IS TO ADOPT A ONE FOOT FREEBOARD, WHICH WE DID IN 2017. THE COMMISSION DID THAT, BUT THEN IT WAS ADOPTED BY THE THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE.

SO IT'S IN THERE. ALSO, WE HAVE TO ADOPT A WATERSHED MASTER PLAN WITH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT A FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN WITH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS. THE NEXT ONE WAS TO OBTAIN A MINIMUM TOTAL CREDIT OF 100 POINTS.

FOR ELEMENTS THAT CREDIT PROTECTING NATURAL FLOODPLAIN FUNCTIONS, THERE'S A LIST OF WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR, AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE A SCORE OF OVER 100 ON THIS ONE.

SO WE MEET THIS REQUIREMENT AND THE LAST ONE IS TO OBTAIN SOME CREDIT UNDER THE FLOOD WARNING IN RESPONSE ACTIVITY.

THIS ONE YOU JUST HAVE TO OBTAIN ONE POINT AT A MINIMUM.

SO YOU HAVE TO OBTAIN ON JUST THAT ACTIVITY OF 610 FLOOD WARNING IN RESPONSE AND THEN THE OTHERS ARE LEVEES AND DAMS WHICH DON'T APPLY TO US.

SO WE ALREADY RECEIVE POINTS FOR ACTIVITY 610.

SO WE MEET THIS REQUIREMENT. SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO WORK ON IS FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND THE REASON THAT FEMA PUTS EMPHASIS ON THIS IS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES FLOOD PROTECTION DECISIONS ARE MADE QUICKLY AND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION ON IT.

SO THEY WANT TO MAKE THE COMMUNITIES TO HAVE A CAREFUL, SYSTEMATIC PROCESS FOR PLANNING DEVELOPMENTS AND THIS ACTIVITY HAS A MAXIMUM CREDIT OF 382 POINTS AND FOR THAT TO GET THIS.

[01:45:01]

SO YOU NEED 191 POINTS. CURRENTLY WE HAVE 165 POINTS AND THAT'S THROUGH THE LOCAL MITIGATION STRATEGY, THE LMS. YOU ALSO HAVE TO EARN A MINIMUM OF 50% OF MAXIMUM CREDIT OR 60 POINTS FOR STEP TWO INVOLVING THE PUBLIC AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE 43 POINTS AND WE CAN ADJUST THE LMS POSSIBLY TO BE ABLE TO GAIN MORE POINTS ON THAT PART, EARN A MINIMUM OF 50% OF THE MAXIMUM CREDIT, OR 26 POINTS FOR STEP FIVE. THE ASSESSMENT OF VULNERABILITY AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE 14 POINTS AND WE'RE HOPING THAT OUR RECENT VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT WILL GAIN US MORE POINTS ON THAT AND THE LAST ONE OF THIS IS TO EARN A MINIMUM OF 50 POINTS OF MAXIMUM CREDIT, OR 30 POINTS FOR STEP EIGHT ACTION PLAN AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE 50 POINTS, SO WE ALREADY MEET THIS REQUIREMENT. THE OTHER ASPECT IS A WATERSHED MASTER PLAN.

A LOT OF THE WATERSHED MASTER PLAN IS A LITTLE BIT OVER. I HIT MY HEAD. IT'S NOT IN MY WHEELHOUSE.

I'VE LEARNED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT SO I CAN KIND OF TALK ABOUT IT.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE INFORMATION ON IT, WE CAN DIG THAT UP.

BUT WHAT I KNOW ON IT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF IT IS TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH A TOOL THAT IT CAN USE TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL REDUCE THE INCREASED FLOODING FROM FUTURE CONDITIONS THAT INCLUDE NEW DEVELOPMENTS, REDEVELOPMENTS AND THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

SEA LEVEL RISE THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND TO DO THIS, YOU HAVE TO CONDUCT A RELATIVELY DETAILED STUDY OF RUNOFF UNDER BOTH, PRESENT AND FUTURE CONDITIONS.

SO YOU DO A HYDROLOGY MODEL HYDROLOGIC MODEL THAT SIMULATES THE VARIOUS RAINSTORMS OVER THE WATERSHED.

AND THEN YOU HAVE HYDRAULIC STUDIES THAT CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNTS OF DETENTION AND RETENTION NECESSARY.

AND THEN WHEN YOU COME BACK WITH THE STUDY IT NEEDS TO SHOW INCLUDE THE MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS THAT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THAT COMMUNITY OR APPROPRIATE FOR THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. AND IT NEEDS TO INCLUDE THESE ITEMS UP THERE.

REGULATIONS, PUBLIC INFORMATION STRUCTURAL CONTROL OF RUNOFF, NONSTRUCTURAL PROGRAMS, PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE NATURAL AREAS, AND ACQUISITION OF FLOOD PRONE PROPERTIES. NOW, THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS PRETTY MUCH INTO THE CRS, AND WE HAVE THE MOST CRS COMMUNITIES IN THE NATION.

AND THE STATE HAS BEEN TRYING TO HELP COMMUNITIES WITH THE WATERSHED MASTER PLAN.

AND THEY COME UP WITH A GRANT, AND IT'S A STATE FUNDED GRANT THAT'S APPROVED BY FEMA, AND THEY USE HMGP FUNDING FOR IT.

AND THEY'VE DONE IT FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. BUT THERE'S WHERE IT'S UNSURE IF IT EVER IF IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE OR NOT.

BECAUSE THE FUNDING THAT WHERE THEY'RE GETTING THE MONEY FROM THEY JUST DID IT IN JANUARY.

THEY JUST CLOSED IT OUT. THEY USUALLY GIVE YOU LESS THAN 30 DAYS TO APPLY FOR IT, AND THEY AWARD UP TO $300,000 FOR THE STUDY FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THAT'S A COUNTY CAN GET THAT MUCH OR A CITY, A SMALL CITY LIKE US CAN GET UP TO THAT MUCH, AND THE COMMUNITY IS NOT OBLIGATED TO DO ANYTHING.

SO IF THEY DO THE WATERSHED MASTER PLAN AND THEY DECIDE THAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, THE COMMISSION DECIDES THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO. THEY DON'T HAVE TO RETURN THE MONEY OR EITHER.

SO EARLIER I TALKED ABOUT THE REVERIFICATION VISIT, THAT WE HAVE IT EVERY THREE YEARS.

WELL, WE HAVE IT TOMORROW. SO THE CRS COORDINATOR WILL BE HERE TOMORROW AND WE'LL SIT DOWN WITH HER AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS SOME OF THESE CLASS FOUR PREREQUISITES. SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO PROBABLY WON'T BE ABLE TO ANSWER BECAUSE THEY SEND ALL THIS STUFF OUT TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, BUT WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THE BALL ROLLING WITH IT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO AND IF WE CAN IMPROVE WITH THE LMS. ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE LMS IS THAT OUT AT THE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS A LADY NAMED LAURA NELSON, AND SHE WORKED DOWN IN FLAGLER COUNTY WHEN PALM COAST GOT THEIR CLASS FOUR, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO TWEAK THEIR LMS SO THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MEET THAT REQUIREMENT FOR THAT ONE. SO SHE'S BEEN WORKING WITH US ON THAT.

THE FUTURE FOR THE CRS. I TOOK THIS OFF THE INTERNET THIS MORNING, AND THEY CALL IT THE CRS REDESIGN.

SO THEY PUT IT OUT FOR TO GET A NEW CONTRACT.

AND TETRA TECH WAS AWARDED THAT NEW CONTRACT.

AND THEY WILL BE IMPLEMENTING ALL OF THE CRS.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO CHANGING IT. THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT SO IT'S MORE THEIR PRIORITIES CHANGE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

AND SO THEY'RE TRYING TO REVAMP IT TO MEET THEIR NEW PRIORITIES.

WHEN THEY DO THIS, IT GENERALLY YOU WILL LOSE POINTS AND YOU'LL GAIN POINTS IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE BECAUSE WE HAD THIS HAPPEN THE TWO CYCLES AGO WHEN WE BECAME A CLASS FIVE.

THEY, WE WENT FROM A 2012 COORDINATORS MANUAL TO 2017 AND WE LOST SOME POINTS IN SOME AREAS,

[01:50:06]

SO I IMAGINE THAT IT'S STILL GOING TO BE THE SAME, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT FEMA'S GOAL WOULD BE FOR SOMEBODY THAT'S A CLASS FOUR TO BE DROPPED DOWN TO A CLASS SIX BECAUSE OF THEIR CHANGING IT.

SO WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE OR HOW IT'S GOING TO TURN OUT.

I THINK THEY JUST STARTED THEY AWARDED THE CONTRACT LAST YEAR.

SO I THINK THEY'RE JUST IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF THAT. WITH THAT, ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WROTE THE ORIGINAL CRS, HIS NAME IS DANNY HENSON. HE WORKED FOR ISO BACK WHEN THEY STARTED THIS PROGRAM.

HE ENDED UP WORKING FOR THE STATE UNDER FM, AND I MET HIM AFTER HURRICANE MATTHEW, WHEN FEMA PAID FOR US TO HAVE CONTRACTORS COME IN TO HELP GET DATA SO WE COULD MAKE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DETERMINATIONS.

AND HE CAME DOWN TO HELP WITH THAT, AND I MET HIM THROUGH THAT. WELL, HE MOVED ON TO TETRA TECH, AND WHEN WE WENT FROM THE 2012 CRS COORDINATOR'S MANUAL TO 2017, HE CAME INTO MY OFFICE AND HELPED ME GO THROUGH IT BECAUSE HE KNEW A LOT ABOUT IT.

HE WORKS FOR TETRA TECH, SO MY HOPE IS THAT HE'S WORKING ON THIS NEW REDESIGN FOR IT, AND HAVING THAT KNOWING THAT PERSON MAYBE MIGHT HELP US WHEN WE GO TO THIS NEW CHANGE AND WITH THAT, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO SEND FOR YOU TO SEND US A LINK ON WHAT? A WATCH. AN EXAMPLE OF A WATERSHED MASTER PLAN.

MAYBE PALM COAST HAVE ONE JUST I'M ASSUMING IT'S A VERY LARGE DOCUMENT.

YEAH, WE COULD REACH OUT TO PALM COAST IF WE COULD JUST.

I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL REACH OUT TO.I'D NEVER HEARD ABOUT ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT IT MAKES SENSE. IT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD EXERCISE FOR US.

I MEAN, I THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO FOR THAT TO BE THE NEXT STEP FOR US.

YES, MA'AM. OKAY. ANYONE ELSE? I HAVE COMMENTS.

AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK WE SHOULD GO FOR THIS IS A 5%.

MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO EVERY ONE OF US IF WE CAN GET THERE AND WITH THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN BEING WITHIN REACH.

I THINK THAT THE WATERSHED MASTER PLAN IS ALSO IN REACH.

I THINK WE HAVE RESOURCES. SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN OVERSEES THESE WATERSHED MASTER PLANS.

RAY DESHLER, WHO'S A FORMER STUDENT OF MINE WHO YOU HIRED, I THINK YOU USED TO WORK FOR THE SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

SO HE WOULD BE HE WOULD KNOW THE RIGHT CONTEXT IF HE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS AND SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD GO FOR THIS THE SURFACE WATER IMPROVEMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN UNDER SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, THE SWIM PLAN SEEMS TO FIT RIGHT INTO THIS CATEGORY OF WATERSHED MASTER PLAN.

SO I THINK THEY HAVE THESE MODELS AND THEY'VE TWEAKED THEM AND WE COULD PROBABLY ACCESS SOME OR PART OF THEM.

SO I REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CRS PROGRAM IS UNDER FEMA, WHICH IS REALLY STRETCHED, LET'S JUST SAY STRETCHED RIGHT NOW AND SO I DON'T WANT TO COMMIT TO TOO MUCH WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THE FUTURE OF THE CRS PROGRAM LOOKS LIKE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT CAN'T HURT TO ENTER INTO THE EXERCISE, AS LONG AS WE'RE NOT INVESTING A TON OF TIME AND MONEY INTO IT, BUT AT LEAST MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION, THE ONE OF THE OTHER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS, THE GENTLEMAN THAT WORKS FOR THEM, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH ONE HE WORKS FOR. HE'S WITHIN OUR REGION OF THE FLORIDA FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS ASSOCIATION.

YEAH AND HE TALKED ABOUT THAT. THE STATE ORIGINALLY WANTED TO DO THE WATERSHED MASTER PLAN FOR EVERY FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

BUT I THINK THAT WAS JUST TOO MUCH FUNDING OR IT'S TOO FAR IN THE FUTURE FOR THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF RESOURCES OUT THERE FOR MODELING, THOUGH, GIVEN OUR ELEVATIONS AND EVERYTHING AND RAINFALL, WHATEVER. SO I THINK IT'S REACHABLE, AND I COMMEND YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO US.

I THINK WE'RE CLOSE. IF THE COUNTY GETS THE POSITIVE LMS RATING, DON'T WE BENEFIT FROM THAT? BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE COUNTY? YEAH, THERE'S SEVERAL THINGS THAT HAPPEN WITH THE COUNTY AND US AND ALSO THE BEACH BENEFIT OFF OF WHAT THE COUNTY DOES.

THE ONE ABOUT THE FLOOD WARNINGS, IT'S THEIR SYSTEM THAT WE'RE A PART OF.

THE LMS IS THEIR SYSTEM WE'RE A PART OF. THEY ACTUALLY CONTACTED ME YEARS AGO FOR THE WE'RE A STORM READY STORMREADY COMMUNITY IS BECAUSE THE COUNTY WAS DOING IT. SO US AND THE BEACH ALL TAGGED ALONG ON THERE.

SO I THINK WE GET FIVE POINTS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO THE COUNTY DOES TRY TO WORK WITH BOTH US AND THE BEACH TO TRY TO IMPROVE EVERYBODY'S STUFF.

AND WHAT IS THE COUNTY'S RATING? THERE ARE FIVE ALSO THERE FIVE.

OKAY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? YEAH. WELL THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS.

I KNOW I'VE BEEN GOING TO THE WORKSHOPS AND I HEARD THIS, SO I'M VERY GLAD TO GET THIS IN FRONT OF US.

I DID HAVE A WHAT I'LL BE LOOKING FOR AS WE MOVE ALONG.

INTERESTING QUESTION IN HERE, THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN WHERE GROWTH IS EXPECTED OR REDEVELOPMENT.

[01:55:06]

YES. YEAH. IF THEY DO THINK SO TOO. YEAH. BECAUSE THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN IS THE MAJOR PART OF THIS, THE THRUST OF THIS. WOULD YOU AGREE? YES IT IS.

YEAH. OKAY. AND YOU GOT TO REVERIFICATION, AND IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO GET BACK TO US WITH THAT INFORMATION OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THERE AT SOME TIME.

RIGHT. FOR THE. WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO MEET WITH THEM TOMORROW, RIGHT? YOU'LL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM. SO. YEAH. USUALLY WHEN IT HAPPENS.

RE-VERIFICATION. LAST TIME WE DID IT WE DO IT AROUND THE SAME TIME FRAME AROUND APRIL/MAY TIME FRAME.

WE DIDN'T GET THE RESULTS FROM IT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

YEAH. I MEAN, BUT I'M NOT EXPECTING IT IMMEDIATELY.

YEAH. SO WE'LL LET YOU KNOW. OKAY. AND DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG A MASTER PLAN? I KNOW IT'S NEW TO YOU. THE DRAINAGE PLAN TAKES.

WE SAT IN ON THE WEBINAR THAT THE STATE DID FOR THE GRANTS FOR THIS YEAR AND THEN WE GOT CONTACTED BY SOME PEOPLE FROM UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DO THIS ALL THE TIME, AND THEY WERE TELLING US THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO PROCUREMENT AND ALL THIS OTHER STUFF.

SO WE WEREN'T REAL SURE ABOUT IT, BUT THEY MADE IT SOUND LIKE IT WOULD TAKE A YEAR OR TWO TO GET THE STUDY DONE.

OKAY, WELL, WE GOT A LOT OF STUDIES GOING ON AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL ALL COME TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IN THE TOWN AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, IS WATER.

YEAH. WE'RE HOPING THAT SOME OF THE STUFF THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN DOING, THE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS, THE STUFF THAT MISS BEACH IS INVOLVED IN, THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO USE A BUNCH OF THAT WHICH WOULD SAVE THE CITY MONEY, BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY DONE THAT STUFF. THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. SO THERE'LL BE A COORDINATION OF ALL BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON. YEAH. OKAY. THAT'S GREAT.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT. THANK YOU FOR I THINK THAT'S IT.

I MEAN, IT'S PRETTY SELF-EXPLANATORY. GREAT. THANKS.

COMMISSIONER HARRIS, ANY COMMENTS? NO. THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT.

THANK YOU. MA'AM. THE ONLY THING I WOULD HAVE TO ADD IS, SO WHAT I'D LIKE TO NOTE IS THAT BY US PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM, CURRENTLY WE HAVE A 25% DISCOUNT ON FLOOD INSURANCE.

YES, MA'AM AND IF WE MOVE TO THE CLASS 4 THROUGH ALL THIS WORK, WHICH WILL TAKE A LOT WE WOULD GET AN ADDITIONAL 5%, WHICH WOULD BRING US TO A 30% DISCOUNT ON OUR FLOOD INSURANCE.

SO THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE TO OUR HOMEOWNERS AND I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY WORTH IT BASED ON THAT.

SO MY QUESTION, I GUESS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE WHATEVER THE NEXT STEPS, GET AN AGREEMENT FROM THE COMMISSION, WHATEVER NEXT STEPS WE NEED TO DO TO GO FORWARD AND HAVE SINCE YOU ALREADY PARTICIPATED IN THE HMP GRANT SEMINAR YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT'S NEEDED FOR IT.

GO AHEAD AND GET AHEAD OF THE GAME. IF THEY ONLY GIVE YOU A MONTH TIME OPEN PERIOD FOR THE GRANT TO APPLY.

I MEAN, WE SHOULD JUMP ON IT AND GET AHEAD OF IT.

YEAH. BE PREPARED TO, YOU KNOW, GO AHEAD AND GO FORWARD WITH IT.

THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE, BECAUSE ESPECIALLY IF THE STUDY IS GOING TO TAKE A YEAR AND A HALF AND IT IS UP TO $300,000, I DON'T I MEAN, THAT'S A REALLY LARGE CHUNK OF MONEY.

SO I THINK THAT GRANT PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.

RIGHT. SO THAT WOULD BE MY DESIRE MOVING FORWARD.

YEAH I HAD THAT WRITTEN DOWN. SO THEY'RE SAYING A VERY QUICK TURNAROUND.

RIGHT. TO GET IT JUST MEANS THERE'S NOT VERY MUCH TIME TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT FROM THE TIME THEY OPEN IT TO THE TIME THE DEADLINE IS A VERY SHORT WINDOW.

SO WHAT MY POINT WAS WE WOULD WANT TO BE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.

AND I KNOW THAT'S A LOT OF WORK, BUT IT'S A LOT OF MONEY AND THE GRANT COULD REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

A $300,000 GRANT. I'M NOT SURPRISED IF IT TAKES A YEAR AND A HALF TO DO, BUT IT COULD BE EXTREMELY VALUABLE TO US IN OTHER WAYS, NOT JUST FOR THIS DISCOUNT. WE'LL LOOK INTO IT.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. SO THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY.

[11. ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY]

YES. ALL RIGHT. ITEM BY ITEMS BY CITY CLERK. I HAVE TWO ITEMS THIS EVENING.

[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK]

WE RECEIVED THREE APPLICATIONS IN TOTAL. MICHAEL BLAKE, GARY MCDONALD, AND ROY WILLIAMS.

[02:00:03]

SO WE CAN EITHER Y'ALL CAN DISCUSS THE APPLICANTS, OR WE CAN VOTE BY BALLOT OR SOMEBODY CAN NOMINATE ONE OF THE THREE APPLICANTS ISN'T GARRETT MACDONALD ON HE.

YES. HIS TERM EXPIRED AT THE END OF MARCH AND WE HAVE IN THE PAST ALLOWED A WHAT I'LL CALL A FORMER BOARD MEMBER TO REAPPLY FOR TWO ADDITIONAL TERMS IF THEY MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS BECAUSE OF HOW SOMETIMES DIFFICULT IT IS TO FIND QUALIFIED APPLICANTS, GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE BOARD REQUIREMENTS WE HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO COME BACK AND REAPPLY IS PROVIDED THEY HAVE MISSED AT LEAST ONE MEETING IN BETWEEN.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING WAY OF PUTTING THAT. SO HE HELP ME OUT.

HE'S ALREADY SERVED HIS TERM TWO FULL TERMS. YES.

HE'S DONE HIS FULL TWO FULL TERMS. OH, IT'S REVOLVING DOOR SCENARIO.

IS THAT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT? CATHERINE DUNCAN DID THE SAME THING, BUT SHE WAS OUR ONLY APPLICANT AT THE TIME.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WELL, LET'S HAVE A VOTE, THEN.

THAT'S THE ONLY FAIR THING TO DO. IF YOU ASK ME.

ANYBODY ELSE HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT YET? LET'S HAVE A VOTE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

THIS IS LIKE CONCLAVE HERE. WHERE'S THE SMOKE? ARE YOU GOING TO SPEND THE SMOKE UP? WHAT COLOR? SMOKE? THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I WONDER IF WE NEED THEM.

WITH FOUR VOTES. GARRETT MACDONALD IS APPOINTED REAPPOINTED.

OKAY, GREAT. ALL RIGHT. WONDERFUL. THANK YOU AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, THE PAPER BALLOTS DO SHOW WHO VOTED FOR WHICH CANDIDATE, AND THEY'LL BE KEPT BY THE CLERK IF ANYONE WANTS TO MAKE A PUBLIC RECORD REQUEST.

PART OF THE RECORD. OKAY. AND THEN YOU HAD ONE OTHER ITEM.

JUST A REMINDER OF OUR OPEN POSITIONS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS JUST CHANGED WITH THE LAST ITEM, BUT WE ARE CONTINUING TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR THE OPEN POSITION ON OUR CORRIDOR REVIEW COMMITTEE AND I WILL ALSO BE BRINGING BACK THE APPLICANTS FOR THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT STEERING COMMITTEE AND FIRST MEETING OF JUNE.

AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN APPLICANT THAT WILL BE TAKEN TO THE FIREFIGHTERS PENSION TRUST FUND.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS THE FIFTH MEMBER. THEY VOTE FOR IT, AND THEN WE WILL BRING THAT BACK TO YOU FOR MINISTERIAL APPROVAL.

OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER.

[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]

[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]

AND WE WILL START WITH COMMISSIONER GARRIS. OKAY.

YES, I HAVE SOMETHING. SORRY. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY, BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SPEAK ABOUT MY TRIP TO SPAIN.

JOINING THE SISTER CITY GROUP. AND MELISSA AND I, ALONG WITH NINE SISTER CITY MEMBERS, WENT TO AVILES TO CELEBRATE THEIR EASTER FESTIVITIES. IN ADDITION TO THAT KEEPING IT A LOT.

BUSINESS WISE, WE DID GO SEE THE CHURCH ON. WE WENT TO THE CHURCH.

[02:05:02]

IT WAS VERY NICE. IT WAS SIMILAR TO THE ONE ON AVILES STREET.

WE WENT TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL MONUMENT. WE ALSO WENT TO THE ANCHOR MUSEUM, AND IT WAS VERY INTERESTING TO SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT ANCHORS AND TO SEE THE ONE THAT WE ALSO PROVIDED TO SPAIN. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE WENT TO THEY HAD A LOT OF PROCESSIONALS. AND I TELL YOU, BEING A WOMAN WITH A STRONG SENSE OF FAITH, IT WAS REALLY I FEEL LIKE WE DON'T EVEN CELEBRATE EASTER THE WAY THEY CELEBRATE EASTER. THERE WAS PROCESSIONALS THAT WERE DONE DOWN THE STREET, AND THEY BROUGHT THINGS FROM OUT OF A CHURCH, AND THEY MARCHED THE STREETS DAY AND NIGHT.

THEY WERE BASICALLY BRINGING HOLY WEEK TO EXISTENCE, AND IT WAS JUST SO WARM AND FILLING AND IT WAS GREAT. WE ALSO I GOT TO SEE THE PICTURE. IT IS IN THE CITY COMMISSION ROOM THAT YOU GOT THE RESIDENTS AND EVERYONE TO DONATE TO SEND IT AWAY THAT ARTIST COMPLETED AND IT LOOKS GREAT.

AND WE DID TAKE PICTURES IN FRONT OF IT SO WE CAN SHOW YOU THAT WE SAW IT.

SO THAT THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THE SOTO DEL BARCO, THE LANDMARK OF THE DELEGATION.

WE SAW THAT WE ALSO MELISSA IS A BRILLIANT PERSON TO TRAVEL WITH.

SHE MADE SURE THAT I SAW EVERYTHING THAT WHEN YOU GUYS WENT OVER THERE FOR THE 100TH YEAR CELEBRATION, SHE MADE SURE I SAW EVERYTHING YOU GUYS SAW SO THAT I WOULDN'T FEEL SHORT CHANGED ABOUT GOING.

SHE WE ALSO SAW THE CASTLE IN THE BACKGROUND.

WE SAW THE SHE MADE SURE I SAW THE CONSTITUTIONAL MONUMENT THAT WE HAVE, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE IN THE PLAZA.

WE ALSO SAW THE FACES FOUNTAIN LIKE WE HAVE OVER BY THE VIC AND WE HAVE PICTURES OF ALL THESE GREAT THINGS. BUT THE MAIN THING, WE WENT TO CHURCH, AND EVEN THOUGH CHURCH SERVICE WAS DONE IN SPANISH, YOU COULD FEEL THE PRESENCE OF GOD'S SPIRIT UP IN THE PLACE.

AND WE WERE TOLD JUST BEFORE GOING THAT THE WEATHER WAS GOING TO BE RAINING A LOT.

AND WE SAID A PRAYER IN FRONT OF CITY HALL THAT NIGHT, AND I PRAYED THAT GOD ALLOWED ME TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF SPAIN, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF I EVER GET THE LUXURY OF GOING BACK THERE FOR SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE AND LET US REALLY CELEBRATE THE RISE OF CHRIST AND I TELL YOU, IT WAS SUNNY EVERY EVENT, SO NOTHING GOT CANCELED.

SO THAT WAS THE MIRACLE OF THAT EVENT IN MY SPIRIT.

BUT THE MAIN THING YOU KNOW HOW YOU SEE ON TV HOW WHEN SOMEONE GOES TO ANOTHER COUNTRY AND THEY EMBRACE THEM SO WARMLY AND YOU THINK, WHAT A GREAT WAY TO REPRESENT PEOPLE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, AND IT WAS A BLESSING TO BE TREATED THAT WAY. THE LOVE WAS REAL. IT WAS WARM.

IT WAS INVITING. THE HOSPITALITY WAS UNBELIEVABLE FROM THEM PAYING FOR OUR ROOMS TO JUST THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THEY DID TO MAKE US FEEL WARM AND WELCOME AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT. IT IS. IT WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED IN MY MIND AND SPIRIT AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT WINDOW AND TIME THAT I WAS ABLE TO GO AND REPRESENT OUR CITY. I ALSO BROUGHT GREETINGS FROM OUR HONORABLE MAYOR, NANCY SIKES-KLINE, AND THE REST OF THE COMMISSION THAT WE WERE HONORED.

I WAS IN THE NEWSPAPER JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY DURING THAT VISIT, AND THEY DID A ARTICLE ON ME AND ASKED ME QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR SISTER CITIES AND ABOUT THE STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM WAS A GREAT THING THAT THEY WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT, YOU KNOW? AND PRIOR TO THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU DON'T GO TO SPAIN, YOU JUST HEAR ABOUT IT.

YOU REALLY CAN'T IDENTIFY WITH SOME OF THEIR CULTURE AND THINGS.

BUT AFTER HAVING GONE AND SEEING THE HOSPITALITY AND THE LOVE THAT SPAIN OFFERS, THAT I TOLD THEM THAT I WILL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION AND ASK THAT WE KEEP THAT ALIVE. BUT I DON'T WANT US TO SEND A MAGNITUDE OF STUDENTS.

I THINK IF WE SEND LIKE 2 OR 3 STUDENTS THAT IT WILL BE MORE VALUABLE BECAUSE WE COULD MONITOR THOSE STUDENTS AND THEY SEND 2 OR 3 TO US THAT IT WILL BE MORE FULFILLING THAN SENDING A GANG OF STUDENTS, BECAUSE THE MORE PEOPLE YOU SEND, THE MORE TROUBLE WE COULD INCUR. BUT IF WE JUST SEND A SMALL HANDFUL OF STUDENTS, THEY WOULD GET SO MUCH VALUE IN GOING AND REALLY APPRECIATING THE

[02:10:04]

I TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT TO MELISSA, AND I'LL TALK FURTHER TO THE CITY MANAGER AS FAR AS HOW WE COULD CREATE SOME MAGICAL THINGS.

I KNOW WE HAVE IT BUDGETED A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY, AND WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THIS AND THAT WINDOW OF TIME WITH THOSE FUNDS, BUT AND THEY NEED TO BE CITY RESIDENTS BECAUSE IT'S CITY'S DOLLARS AND BUT IT'S NOT JUST TO GO TO SPAIN AND HAVE A GOOD TIME, IT'S TO GO TO SPAIN AND LEARN A CULTURE THAT WILL ENHANCE SOMEONE'S LIFE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND I KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT SPAIN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BECAUSE MY GRANDDAUGHTER GRADUATED FROM SALEM UNIVERSITY AND SHE IS HALF SPANISH, AND SHE WENT OVER THERE WITH HER COLLEAGUES IN COLLEGE FOR A MONTH, AND IT CHANGED HER LIFE, THE PERCEPTION AND SHE TOLD ME HOW WONDERFUL IT IS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, SHE HAS A FULL DEGREE TO GO BACK AND GET HER MASTERS, AND SHE'S GOING TO BE GOING TO MADRID AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE IMPACT THAT IT HAS PUT ON HER LIFE. SO I'M A WITNESS THAT IT CAN CHANGE AND ENHANCE SOMEONE'S LIFE.

TO BE ABLE TO GO TO ANOTHER COUNTRY AND LEARN A CULTURE THAT WILL ENRICH YOU AND EMBODY YOU.

AND I TELL YOU THAT MY PERCEPTION OF SPAIN WILL ALWAYS BE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS BEFORE I WENT.

SO MY SPIRIT IS RICHER BECAUSE I SEEN A WORLD THAT IS BETTER THAN WHAT WE DO HERE IN AMERICA.

THE LOVE IS REAL. THE CONCERN IS REAL, THE CULTURE IS REAL AND IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT WAS ON MY BUCKET LIST, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WILL EMBRACE FOREVER BECAUSE IT HAPPENED IN THAT WINDOW OF TIME.

THERE IS NEWS ARTICLES AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT I WILL SHARE AT SOME LATER TIME.

MELISSA IS WORKING ON US GETTING SOME THINGS TOGETHER SO YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE PICTURES, BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSION. I WANT TO THANK THE DELEGATES AND MARVIN AND YOLANDA AND ALL OF THEM THAT MADE THIS TRIP ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

AND I WANT TO THANK MELISSA FOR BEING MY RIDE OR DIE, AS THEY SAY.

SHE LOOKED OUT FOR ME AND MADE SURE I WAS COMFORTABLE AT ALL TIMES OF DAY, AND IT WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT IS ONE OF THE TOP MEMORIES THAT I WILL KEEP IN MY SPIRIT FOREVER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WE HAVE NOTHING.

OKAY. ANYTHING? YES. I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE GRADUATES OF THE CLASS.

NOW YOU'RE READY TO RUN FOR CITY COMMISSION OR TO SERVE ON BOARDS? SOME OF OUR COMMITTEES, WE HAVE VACANCIES OFTEN.

AND NOW, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN SOME OF US. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK MELISSA FOR THE WORK SHE DID ON THE CITIZENSHIP AWARD.

SHE TOOK A LITTLE SUGGESTION AND MADE IT A GOLD MINE.

SO JUST THANKS TO MELISSA AND TO DAVID FOR TAKING THAT ON.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WELL, I'VE HAD NO COMMENTS FOR THE PAST TWO MEETINGS, SO I'M GOING TO MAKE UP A LITTLE BIT FOR THAT.

ALTHOUGH I CERTAINLY COMMISSIONER GARRIS HAD MORE TO SAY.

I JUST WANT TO KICK OFF A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE WITH A FEW IDEAS THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE GET REGISTERED.

AND IT KIND OF HAD TO DO WITH ONE OF THEM HAS TO DO WITH THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT AND THAT IS THE THAT I BROUGHT UP BEFORE.

I REALLY WANT TO GET AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM IN PLACE FOR RAIN GARDENS, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL RAIN GARDENS AND BIOSWALES I THINK FOR THE RESIDENTIAL, EVEN THE TREE COMMITTEE.

THEY HAVE A BEAUTIFICATION SUBCOMMITTEE THAT EXISTED IN THE PAST.

THEY'RE TRYING TO RE-ENERGIZE THAT AND REINTRODUCE IT AND MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO IN TANDEM WITH THEM IN TERMS OF RAIN GARDENS AND USING NATIVE SPECIES.

BUT THESE ARE LITTLE POCKET GREENERIES THAT ARE BEING USED IN PLACES LIKE NEW ORLEANS TO GREAT SUCCESS.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SOLVE ALL OUR PROBLEMS, BUT THEY THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I LOOK AT MY YARD AND IT'S UGLY. IT'S AND I THINK THAT IT COULD BE BEAUTIFIED NICELY IF I DID IT MYSELF.

I COULD DO 150FT² FOR ABOUT 450 TO $750, AND THEN ENTER THE BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM AND HOPE TO WIN AN AWARD WITHOUT TIPPING THE BALANCE. BY SITTING ON THIS BOARD.

I'M JOKING, OF COURSE, BUT I REALLY WANT THAT INTO SOME KIND OF AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND MAYBE WE CAN GET PARTNERSHIP GOING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE NURSERIES OR WHATEVER. BUT I'M HAPPY TO WORK ON THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT STAFF MIGHT WANT ME TO.

[02:15:04]

AND I REALLY WANT US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT AND COMPOSTING.

DEFINITELY WANT TO CONTINUE OR EXPAND OUR COMPOSTING PROGRAM.

THE INDIAN HAD PEOPLE JUST BROUGHT IN THAT. BUT WE CAN DO THIS.

WE'RE DOING IT AT HOME. WHAT IS THIS, OUR THIRD YEAR GOING INTO IT SECOND OR THIRD YEAR? BUT DEFINITELY WANT TO KEEP THAT GOING. SO THOSE ARE JUST FOR THE BUDGET TO GO OFF OF WHAT MISS [INAUDIBLE] WAS SAYING MY HOUSE IS ONE OF THE HOUSES THAT WAS IMPACTED FOR A LONG TIME.

AND BY THE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND. THE DEMOLITION OF THE DORM AND THEN THE THEY USED HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT TO DO THE VIBRATION AND I WAS GOING TO WARN MY COLLEAGUE TO MY RIGHT THAT THEY'RE COMING TO DO SOME DEMOLITIONS.

IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY NORTH CITY AND I WISH I KNEW WHAT I KNOW NOW.

I LEARNED A LOT AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS LEARNING A LOT.

THE PERSON WHO HAS KIND OF SPEARHEADED A LOT OF THIS, I WANT TO GIVE HER CREDIT.

MARY JO SINCLAIR ACTUALLY FOUND THE WEBSITE WITH THIS VIBRATION AND DAMAGE.

BUT IT'S REAL. IT'S NOT JUST CRACKS IN THE WALL.

IT'S FOUNDATIONS. IT'S CHIMNEYS. WE DON'T KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE.

IF WE HAD A BASELINE, WE WOULD KNOW A LOT MORE AND SO WHAT I WOULD WANT TO SAY IS THAT FOR ANY UPCOMING MAJOR TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION, COMING TO THE CITY. I AGREE WITH MELINDA THAT WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE ABOUT IT AND GET SOME SOME RESOLUTIONS, SOME ORDINANCES, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BE ABLE TO PROPERLY ASSESS WHAT THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS MIGHT BE, WHAT TYPES OF EQUIPMENT CAN BE USED, WHAT TIMES OF DAY THEY CAN BE USED.

BECAUSE WE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WHERE THEY WERE STARTING AT SIX IN THE MORNING AND MY ORGANS WERE LITERALLY JUMPING AROUND IN MY BODY CAVITY.

MY DOG STILL HAS PTSD FROM IT. LIKE THERE. THIS IS NOT EVEN THE STRUCTURAL STUFF.

IT'S REALLY LIFE CHANGING AND A LOT OF WAYS. AND I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT'S POSITIVE FOR AT LEAST THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND WITH THE EMPHASIS THAT WE PUT ON OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

THIS IS HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH. WE JUST ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WE REALLY NEED TO GET OUT AHEAD OF THIS CURVE AND SO IF ONE NEIGHBORHOOD CAN BE A TEST CASE FOR HOW TO BETTER PREPARE AND BE BETTER POSITIONED FOR THIS IN THE FUTURE.

THEN LET OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BE THAT TEST CASE AND LET'S BE BETTER PREPARED THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. PERFECT. SO THAT WAS ON MY LIST AS WELL.

I JUST WANTED TO UPDATE YOU. I GOT THE SAME EMAIL THAT YOU DID ABOUT THE VIBRATIONS, AND I DID SPEAK WITH CITY ATTORNEY ABOUT IT AND SPECIFICALLY IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE PUD THAT'S WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH PLANNING AND ZONING AND SO FORTH, AND WE'LL EVENTUALLY MAKE IT TO US. BUT I ASKED FOR A VIBRATION VIBRATION PLAN SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PUD MOVING FORWARD, AND WE'LL SEE HOW IT COMES. I WAS PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED WITH THE POINT THAT WAS MADE ABOUT DAILY MONITORING.

SO I WAS TOOK IT TO HEART. WHAT MISS BROUGHT FORWARD TO AND ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE ONE OF OUR COLONIALS IS LITERALLY ON THAT BLOCK AND IS A, FRAGILE, IRREPLACEABLE RESOURCE AND SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.

I THINK YOU'LL HOPEFULLY IT'LL BE A GOOD PIECE OF THE PUZZLE AND THEN I ALSO SPOKE WITH THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT MOVING FORWARD AND INVESTIGATING.

ALSO CITY ATTORNEY INVESTIGATING HOW WE CAN MODIFY, HOW DO WE MODIFY OUR ZONING CODE AS WELL AS OUR PUD CODE TO INCORPORATE THESE VIBRATIONS? BECAUSE IT'S REAL, YOU KNOW, SO THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT BECAUSE YOUR TESTIMONY FOR THAT AND IT'S IMPORTANT. THE OTHER THING THAT I BROUGHT UP I WANTED TO BRING UP WAS I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU GUYS TAKE A TOUR OF THE INDIAN HEAD BIOMASS PLANT.

IT WAS FASCINATING. IT WAS. THEY WERE VERY WELCOMING.

IT WAS VERY BRIEF. THEY WILL NOT WASTE YOUR TIME.

AND IT WAS JUST REALLY INTERESTING. SO I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO OUT THERE AND TAKE THAT TOUR AND SEE FOR YOURSELF, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE PROBABLY HEARING ABOUT IT.

ALSO, CHIEF HAS OFFERED A RIDE ALONG. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICED THAT OR NOT, BUT IN SOME OF THE REPORTS THAT WE GET, SHE'S OFFERED A RIDE ALONG. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A RIDE ALONG IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE ONE YET.

[02:20:02]

THE OTHER LAST THING I HAVE IS I DID RECEIVE A REQUEST TO WRITE A LETTER OF SUPPORT OR RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE NATIONAL DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE DONE THAT BEFORE. IF WE HAVE DONE A PROCLAMATION, I DON'T THINK WE'VE DONE A PROCLAMATION ON DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH.

I DON'T RECALL ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WHAT MONTH WOULD THAT BE? IT'S APRIL, BUT THE REASON. SO IT'S A LITTLE COMPLICATED.

IT'S ACTUALLY APRIL IS THE MONTH FOR IT, BUT THERE'S A BILL MOVING THAT'S BEEN MOVING THROUGH THE SENATE THAT ADDRESSES IT.

BUT IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE IT MIGHT BE STUCK IN THE HOUSE OR THE HOUSE ISN'T MATCHING IT.

SO WHAT I WANTED TO DO WAS GET AGREEMENT FROM YOU ALL TO WRITE A LETTER TO SUPPORT THE CONCEPT.

SO IT'S A LITTLE UNUSUAL OF A REQUEST, BUT IF YOU AGREE, THEN I WILL.

I THINK IT FITS IN GREAT WITH OUR MOBILITY PLAN.

YES, WELL, I THINK WE'RE STARTING TO SEE A LOT MORE ACCIDENTS OUT THERE WITH DISTRACTED DRIVING, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE WITH THEIR PHONES. SO ANYWAY, SO THAT WOULD BE IT IF EVERYBODY AGREES AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE, NOBODY HAS ANYTHING ELSE, THEN WE ARE ADJOURNED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.