[00:00:02]
>> GOOD EVENING. THIS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.>> WE WILL NOW OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER.
>> PLEASE STAND IF YOU ARE ABLE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT ITEM ON
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
THE AGENDA IS MODIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA.MR. CITY MANAGER, DO YOU HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS.
>> NO, MA'AM. WE DON'T HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, ANY MODIFICATIONS TO OFFER? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS WRITTEN.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
LET'S MOVE ON TO SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS.
[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS]
SO THE FIRST ITEM WE HAVE IS GREEK LANDING DAY.WE HAVE ACTUALLY TWO ITEMS ON THAT SCORE.
THIS EVENING WE HAVE POLLY HILLIER IS GOING TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION.
WHAT I'LL DO IS WE'LL SIT AND I'LL READ IT, AND THEN WE'LL ASK YOU TO JOIN US UPFRONT AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE, AND YOU CAN SAY A FEW WORDS IF YOU LIKE.
HERE WE GO. WHEREAS, FLORIDA IS RICH IN CULTURAL HERITAGE AND CAN BE PROUD OF THE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE GREEKS WHO FIRST ARRIVED ON THE SHORES OF ST. AUGUSTINE, JUNE 26TH, 1768, ON THEIR WAY TO ESTABLISH THE COLONY OF NEW SMYRNA, ALONG WITH THE OTHER PEOPLE OF MEDITERRANEAN DESCENT.
WHEREAS THE SURVIVORS OF THAT COLONIZATION RETURNED IN 1777 TO ST. AUGUSTINE IN SEARCH OF REFUGE, FREEDOM, AND JUSTICE.
WHEREAS THOSE IN LATER WAVES OF GREEK SETTLERS TO FLORIDA HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RELIGIOUS CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC HERITAGE OF OUR CITY.
WHEREAS JUNE 26TH, 2025 MARKS 257TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LANDING OF THE GREEKS IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
WHEREAS THIS EVENT ENDEAVORS TO DRAW ATTENTION TO OUR GREEK AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO CONTINUE TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE ON OUR COMMUNITY, AND WHO REMIND US THAT OUR CITY'S GREATNESS STEMS FROM THE DIVERSITY OF ITS PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE MUCH TO ENRICH THIS COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 26TH, 2025 AS GREEK LANDING DAY IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND URGE ALL OF OUR CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR GREEK NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNIQUE HISTORY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND THAT'S SIGNED BY ME.
IF YOU'LL JOIN ME UP FRONT, WE'LL PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION TO POLLY.
THANK YOU. I GAVE A LEASE FOR EVERY.
>> HERE YOU GO. I THINK IT'S ON.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT ON BEHALF OF THE FOUNDATION, WE'RE ALWAYS HONORED THAT OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CELEBRATE GREEK LANDING DAY.
THERE WAS A LITTLE ARTIFACT FOUND ON SITE WHEN KATHLEEN DEAGEN DID THE DIG, AND WE AFFECTIONATELY CALL IT THE ST. PHOTIOS CROSS.
FOR ALL THE TIMES I'VE COME, FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE LEASE HAS FOR ALL 15 TOTAL FROM THE CITY.
WE HAVE A LITTLE PEL PIN FOR YOU AND THE POSTCARD FROM THE SHRINE, AS THIS IS MY LAST GREEK LANDING DAY.
WITH GREAT THANKS AND PRAYERS THAT THE CITY ALWAYS PROSPERS WITH LOVE AND AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE ONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[00:05:04]
>> LOVELY. THANK YOU. I'LL STOP TALKING.
IT'S ALL GOOD. HERE YOUR PROCLAMATION.
DARLENE HAS GOT ONE FOR YOU. THANK YOU.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ IT STANDING UP OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ IT SITTING?
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS THE PROCLAMATION 2020-5-24, PROCLAIMING 2025 AS PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PRESENTED BY VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER.
WE'LL DO THE SAME TYPE OF PROCESS.
WE'LL READ IT SITTING DOWN UP FRONT HERE AND THEN INVITE SARAH BLOOMBERG TO COME UP AND ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION ONCE I'VE FINISHED READING IT.
WHEREAS 237 YEARS AGO, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WROTE THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, WHOSE PREAMBLE STATES, "WE THE PEOPLE IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, ESTABLISH JUSTICE, ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, AND SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY.
DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD A MORE PERFECT UNION, THIS PROGRESS HAS NOT COME ALL AT ONCE, AND OUR COUNTRY STILL STRIVES TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE, WELFARE, LIBERTY, AND TRANQUILITY FOR ALL.
WHEREAS ON JUNE 26TH, 2015, THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT HELD THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO MARRY BELONGS TO SAME SEX COUPLES IN ALL 50 STATES, A VICTORY FOR ALL WHO FOUGHT FOR EQUALITY AND RECOGNITION OF THEIR UNIONS, AND WHEREAS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER/QUESTIONING, INTERSEX, AND ASEXUAL, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS LGBTQIA PEOPLE, ARE VALUED MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILIES, COMMUNITY, AND HISTORY.
WHEREAS, WE MUST CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF EVERY CITIZEN TO EXPERIENCE EQUALITY AND FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION AND RECOGNIZE THE CONTINUED NEED FOR EDUCATION AND AWARENESS TO END DISCRIMINATION AND PREJUDICE.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY JUNE 2025 AS PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND URGES ALL OUR CITIZENS TO STAND AS AN ALLY WITH OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN THE FACE OF PREJUDICE WHEREVER IT EXISTS AND TO EMBRACE THE GREAT DIVERSITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS SIGNED BY MAYOR SYKES-KLINE.
SARAH, WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN ME AT THE FRONT.
>> SARAH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> NO, I JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING OPEN TO OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR SUPPORTING US.
>> BEHALF OF ALL MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> IN THE MIDDLE, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE
WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR A DEAR FRIEND WHO IS JUST UP HERE.
AFTER YEARS AND YEARS OF SERVICE.
THIS IS FOR POLEXENI MAOURIS HILLIER.
I HOPE I DID OKAY WITH THAT ONE.
[00:10:02]
BUT IF YOU WOULD JOIN ME UP FRONT, I'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS AND PRESENT YOU WITH THIS PROCLAMATION WITH THE COMMISSION.WE'RE PRESENTING A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO POLLY.
I JUST PRONOUNCED HER FULL NAME IN GREEK.
I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THESE COUPLE WORDS BEFORE WE PRESENT THIS.
FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, POLLY HAS SERVED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ST. PHOTIOS SHRINE WITH DEDICATION, GRACE, AND PATIENCE.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW YET, ST. PHOTIOS SHRINE IS A SACRED SPACE, A SPIRITUAL HOME, AND A BEACON OF FAITH AND HERITAGE.
POLLY'S LEADERSHIP HAS HELPED NURTURE AND PRESERVE IT.
HER VERY PERSONABLE WARMTH AND KINDNESS TO ALL WHO WALK THROUGH THE DOORS, HAS MADE AN INDELIBLE AND LASTING MARK.
POLLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOUR HEART, AND YOUR CONNECTION TO OUR COMMUNITY.
YOU'RE TRULY ONE OF A KIND, AND YOU WILL BE MISSED DEEPLY.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND ALAN AS YOU BEGIN THIS NEW SEASON TOGETHER.
I HEAR YOU'RE GOING TO NEW ZEALAND.
>> WE'RE MOVING TO NEW ZEALAND.
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THOSE MANY YEARS WITH US.
YOU'RE LOOKING VERY, YOU HAVE A GLOW, SO I THINK IT MUST BE A GOOD THING.
BUT YOU ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE IN OUR HEARTS, I'M GOING TO SAY THIS.
I'M GOING TO SAY THANK YOU IN GREEK.
THAT'S NOT WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN DOWN. [FOREIGN].
>> YOU CAN SAY IT ANY TIME. HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOODBYE, [FOREIGN].
>> FOR ALL OF US. WE LEARNED A LITTLE SOMETHING.
THANK YOU. HERE IS YOUR CERTIFICATE.
>> WOULD YOU PLEASE? YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO TAKE THAT.
>> I'M GOING TO SHARE IT WITH MY HUSBAND WHO JUST COULDN'T MAKE IT DOWNTOWN.
>> I UNDERSTAND. HERE, IF YOU'LL HOLD THIS, WE'LL GET A PICTURE AND WE'LL SAY OUR GOODBYE. THANK YOU.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO SAY QUICKLY FROM GEORGE GARDNER TO NANCY AND EVERY MAYOR IN BETWEEN, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR.
WE HAD NO FAMILY HERE, AND YET ALL OF YOU AT CITY HALL, HAVE NEVER BEEN ANYTHING LESS THAN EMBRACING, WELCOMING, OPEN, WHETHER IT BE A WALL THAT NEEDS TO COME DOWN AND I SPEND $10,000 AND TOLD TO STOP AND THEN HAVE TO REAPPLY FOR A PERMIT OR AND THEN THE UNDERSTANDING AND FOR WHATEVER WE NEEDED TO DO OUTSIDE THE STREET JUST REAL QUICK AND DO A GREEK DANCE AND THEN GET BACK IN REAL QUICKLY.
THE LOVE AND COMPASSION FROM THE CITY HALL, TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, EVERYTHING.
IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO BE HERE.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
>> NOW WE WILL HAVE A GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
I DO NOT HAVE MY SHEET TO READ.THERE HAS BEEN RULES OF DECORUM CIRCLING ON THE SCREEN HERE IN THE ROOM.
WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HOLD ANY COMMENTS SPOKEN OUT LOUD, ANY CLAPPING AND THOSE THINGS.
WE'RE GOING TO TRY REALLY HARD NOT TO DO ANY OF THOSE BEHAVIORS TONIGHT.
WITH THAT SAID, LESLIE KEYS, I'LL CALL TWO NAMES AT ONE TIME, AND THEN THAT WAY YOU CAN GET PREPARED IF YOU'RE CALLED SECOND.
LESLIE KEYS IS OUR FIRST SPEAKER FOLLOWED BY LAUREN GEIBER.
[00:15:03]
>> HELLO. THIS IS A THANK YOU AND A PROGRAM.
LAST WEEK, ST. AUGUSTINE HOSTED THE FLORIDA PLANNING AND ZONING ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, A TRIBUTE TO THE SIX CITY 460TH YEAR.
THANKS TO COMMISSIONER JON DEPRETER WHO PROVIDED A WELCOMING FOR THE PARTICIPANTS AND INTRODUCED SEVERAL CITY INITIATIVES RELATED TO PLANNING BEFORE THE GROUP.
THE VISITOR AND CONVENTION BUREAU PROVIDED TRAVEL PLANERS AND RESTAURANT GUIDES AND THIS WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE A LOT OF THOSE PARTICIPANTS BROUGHT THEIR FAMILIES.
WE HAD LITTLE KIDS RUNNING AROUND AS WELL AS PEOPLE MORE VINTAGE.
THE CASTA MONICA AND THE SUPERB STAFF PROVED TO BE A PERFECT VENUE FOR THE CONFERENCE AS WAS THE WHITE ROOM FOR THE THURSDAY RECEPTION.
FLAGLER COLLEGE AND THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM ENABLED GUIDED TOURS, INCLUDING THANKS TO DAVID BAGNAL AND RAY ME AT THE LATTER.
I SERVED AS THE PROVERBIAL GILLIGAN CONDUCTING THE THREE HOUR TOUR OF THE GILDED AGE RESOURCES.
THANKS TO THE OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR SPONSORING LOCAL TRAVEL SERVICES AND SHARING WITH THE GUESTS TO VETERAN AND BEST DRIVERS.
THE OVERVIEW TOUR WITH OUR DRIVER OZ ENABLED US TO EXPERIENCE THIS COMMUNITY HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES FROM THE MATANZAS TO MAY STREET, FROM THE SAN SEBASTIAN, TO SOUTH STREET.
WE DROVE THROUGH THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH JUST AFTER A BRIEF RAIN SHOWER, WHEN THE PEACOCKS WERE DRYING THEIR FEATHERS AND A NEW BORN PEACHICK WAS HESITANTLY TAKING ITS FIRST STEPS.
THE SHELVES OF THE LIGHTHOUSE NARRATED BY BUD, WHO PROVIDED HIS TRADEMARK SMILE AND GOOD HUMOR, MAKING THE TRIP MEMORABLE EVEN BEFORE THE 150-YEAR-OLD MARITIME DESTINATION WAS ENJOYED.
FINALLY, IN ADDITION TO THE TOURS, MY SESSION ON ST. AUGUSTINE HISTORIC PRESERVATION, PRESERVING FLORIDA'S HERITAGE, AND AN ERA OF RISING SEAS, DREW STRONG ATTENDANCE AND A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ABOUT LOCAL EFFORTS.
I THREW ALL YOUR RESILIENCE EFFORTS IN THERE TOO.
THE CONFERENCE HAD 150 PARTICIPANTS FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
THE PANHANDLE, BOTH COASTS AS FAR SOUTH AS MIAMI AND WEST TO MARCO ISLAND.
MANY PEOPLE CAME TO WITNESS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S RESILIENCE EFFORTS, ESPECIALLY AFTER ALL THE RAIN SHOWERS AND SHARE STORIES FROM THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.
THE CITY'S PLANNING STAFF WAS MISSED AND WE HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.
YES, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO NOTICED I DID DONATE 10 INCHES OF HAIR TO LOCKS OF LOVE.
MY FOURTH DONATION. THANK YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LAUREN, PLEASE HOLD ANY APPLAUSE MOVING FORWARD.
THANK YOU. LAUREN GEIBER FOLLOWED BY JEN HAND.
>> LAUREN GEIBER. I LIVE IN LINCOLNVILLE ON RIBERIA STREET, AND I HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS TRYING TO GET OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY.
EVEN TONIGHT, AS I CAME TO THIS MEETING, SOMEBODY WAS HURRYING DOWN THE STREET AND DIDN'T WANT ME TO PULL OUT AND GAVE ME A WHAT FOR.
FOR YEARS, I HAVE ADVOCATED FOR NACTO SPEED CUSHIONS AND TABLES TO BE PLACED ALONG SOUTH RIBERIA STREET, AND NOTHING TRANSPIRED.
SURE. WE HAD THE LARGE ELECTRONIC SPEED LIMIT SIGN FLASHING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, AND MANY TIMES THE SAPD WATCHES FOR PEOPLE SPEEDING AND RUNNING THE STOP SIGNS AT SOUTH RIBERIA OUT SOUTH STREET, BUT THERE'S NO CONSISTENCY.
Y'ALL REALIZE TRAFFIC IS GETTING WORSE, THAT DRIVERS RUSH DOWN THE STREET BECAUSE IT'S A STRAIGHT AWAY.
THEY DON'T THINK THEY'RE IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, OR THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT SAFETY, JUST GETTING TO THE RED LIGHT FASTER.
IN THE EIGHT YEARS I'VE LIVED HERE, NO PERMANENT SOLUTIONS WERE OFFERED.
I WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS AGAINST PUTTING SPEED CUSHIONS OR TABLES ON THE STREET BECAUSE THEY WOULD TAKE SECONDS OFF OF THEM REACHING THEIR DESTINATION.
BUT THE NACTO SPEED TABLES AND CUSHIONS ARE DESIGNED SO THAT FIRE TRUCKS AND GARBAGE TRUCKS AND BUSES ARE ABLE TO MISS THEM COMPLETELY.
IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME WILDLIFE HAS BEEN HIT BY A SPEEDING CAR.
LUCKILY, I WALKED OUTSIDE OF MY HOME AT THE RIGHT TIME TO WITNESS MISS POSSUM ON THE STREET.
I STOPPED TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
I TOO WAS LUCKY THAT ANOTHER RESIDENT OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND HER DAUGHTER STOPPED TO HELP.
WHAT IS THE CITY GOING TO DO TO HELP? THIS SHOULD BE IN THE BUDGET TO HELP CALM ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS.
YOU COULD CERTAINLY DO A PILOT PROGRAM ON RIBERIA STREET, COULDN'T YOU? I HAVE A RING CAMERA OUTSIDE MY HOUSE, AND I RECEIVE ALERTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN SOMEONE IS SPEEDING DOWN THE STREET.
[00:20:02]
THE FASTER THEY GO, THE MOTION ALERTS GO OFF, AND THE CAMERAS ARE CONSTANTLY CHIMING, ESPECIALLY LATE AT NIGHT.PLEASE, AND THANK YOU IN ADVANCE TO GIVE SOME SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND THOUGHT TO THIS ISSUE THAT IS PREVALENT AROUND ALL OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND ITS ENVIRONMENTS.
MISS POSSUM IS DOING BETTER AND HER BABIES ARE ALIVE.
BUT THAT'S A SMALL BLESSING CONSIDERING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED.
>> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THAT TO THE CLERK I'M SURE SHE'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE US COPIES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT SPEAKER IS JEN HAND, FOLLOWED BY I THINK SIMON DEMARCO.
>> HELLO. TODAY IS MY ANNIVERSARY, AND I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT ANNIVERSARIES FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES.
I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIPS AND THE ANNIVERSARIES THAT YOU MIGHT CELEBRATE.
ACT 1. MICHELLE AND I MET WHEN SHE MOVED TO MY HOMETOWN IN SUBURBAN NEW JERSEY WHEN WE WERE 15.
THAT WAS 41 YEARS AGO. DON'T DO THE MATH.
WE WERE DECENT ENOUGH HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS, PLAYED ON THE SAME TEAM SPORTS TOGETHER SHOCKINGLY, BUT DIDN'T TOTALLY RUN IN THE SAME CIRCLES BECAUSE SHE'S 100 TIMES SMARTER, MORE DRIVEN, AND FRANKLY CUTER THAN I AM.
WE WENT TO DIFFERENT COLLEGES, YET STAYED IN CONTACT.
AFTER COLLEGE, WE LIVED MANY STATES AWAY, BUT STILL KEPT IN TOUCH UNTIL MY LANDLORD SOLD THE HOUSE WHERE I WAS LIVING.
IT TURNED OUT THAT WE WERE BOTH AT A BIT OF A CROSS ROADS WITH JOBS, PLACES TO LIVE, RELATIONSHIPS, BEING IN OUR EARLY 20S, TRYING TO FIGURE IT ALL OUT.
WHAT BETTER TIME TO TAKE A ROAD TRIP? ACT 2. AFTER AN EPIC 10,000 MILE, 35-DAY CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP, THINGS HAD, LET'S JUST SAY, CHANGED.
THAT WAS 32 YEARS AGO, AND WE HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK.
THAT'S THE SECOND NUMBER FOR YOU AND TYPICALLY THE ANNIVERSARY THAT WE DO CELEBRATE.
ALL THOSE YEARS MEANT A LOT OF WEDDINGS TO ATTEND.
BETWEEN US, WE HAVE TEN SIBLINGS, LOTS OF COUSINS, AND COUNTLESS NIECES AND NEPHEWS.
BETWEEN FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN ABOUT 40-ISH WEDDINGS AND AT EVERY ONE OF THEM WHEN SOMEBODY TRIES TO DRAG US ON THE DANCE FLOOR, USUALLY OUR SISTERS AND OUR NIECES.
THEY'D TELL US HOW THEY'RE PLANNING OUR WEDDING AND THROWING OUR WEDDING SHOWER AND PARTIES AND ALL THIS AND THAT.
WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM? WHY DID WE NOT GET MARRIED? FOR MOST OF THE TIME THAT WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER, IT WASN'T LEGAL.
I SWORE I WOULDN'T MARRY HER UNTIL IT WAS LEGAL NATIONWIDE.
ON JUNE 26, 2015, AS NOTED IN THE PROCLAMATION, ONLY 10 YEARS AGO, BARELY 10 YEARS AGO. IT'S ANOTHER NUMBER.
SAME SEX MARRIAGES WERE LEGALIZED IN THE UNITED STATES.
HOPEFULLY, THEY'LL STAY THAT WAY, BUT WOULD YOU BE SURPRISED IF THEY DIDN'T? ACT 3.
BARELY A YEAR LATER ON JUNE 12, 2016, THE PULSE NIGHT CLUB SHOOTING HAPPENED IN ORLANDO.
THROUGH NO COINCIDENCE, WE HAD GOTTEN OUR MARRIAGE LICENSE A WEEK PRIOR WITH NO CONCRETE PLANS TO MARRY, BUT THINKING THAT IT MAY MAKE HER MORTGAGE PAPERWORK EASIER BECAUSE WE WERE LOOKING FOR OUR HOUSE.
AFTER THE SHOOTING, WE WERE VERY UPSET AND WANTED TO BE A BRIGHT SPOT DURING THAT DARK TIME.
TWO DAYS LATER ON JUNE 14, A BEAUTIFUL, SUNNY TUESDAY MORNING, WE PUT OUR BEST DOC MARTINS ON, WENT TO THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND GOT HITCHED.
THAT WAS NINE YEARS AGO, ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY.
JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT ALL OF OUR PATHS ARE DIFFERENT, BUT NO ONE'S IS INVALID.
ALL THIS IS TO TELL YOU THAT PRIDE PROCLAMATIONS, CELEBRATIONS, AND PARADES ARE IMPORTANT.
WE APPRECIATE BEING ACKNOWLEDGED AND NOT MARGINALIZED HERE IN THE CITY WHERE WE CHOSE TO SETTLE.
THAT'S IT ON THAT. I CAN'T STICK AROUND.
HOPEFULLY I HAVE ANOTHER COUPLE OF SECONDS.
I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE WEST CITY CRA REAL QUICK BECAUSE I LIVE ON THE WEST SIDE, THE BEST SIDE, AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE JAMIE AND HER STAFF FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE ON THE WEST CITY CRA AND THE STEERING COMMITTEE, AND I FULLY SUPPORT EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON. GOD BLESS THE CITY STAFF.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SIMON DEMARCO, FOLLOWED BY DOUG RUSSO.
IF I SAID THAT WRONG, I APOLOGIZE.
>> NO, YOU'RE GOOD. IT'S PRONOUNCED SIMON, BUT THAT'S TOTALLY FINE.
I AM A RESIDENT OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS NOW, BUT I AM ALSO FLORIDA BORN AND RAISED, JUST RAISED OVER IN TALLAHASSEE.
I'M ALSO A FLAGLER COLLEGE ALUM WITH A BACHELORS IN PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY AND A CURRENT MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENT.
I WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU, MOSTLY FOR THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
THIS IS WHERE MANY PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN THEIR HOMES.
THIS IS WHERE MANY PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL SAFE, AND THE CITY SUPPORTING ACTIONS LIKE THIS SHOWS VISITORS AND RESIDENTS THAT THIS IS A SAFE PLACE TO VISIT AND TO LIVE IN.
THERE'S ALSO A RICH CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY OF ST. AUGUSTINE
[00:25:01]
AND CONTINUING THE TRADITION OF THIS PRIDE PROCLAMATION IS ALSO CONTINUING THAT AMAZING HISTORY AND REALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE GREAT THINGS THAT ST. AUGUSTINE IS DOING.WHILE IT DOESN'T RIGHT ALL OF THE WRONGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN HISTORY, THIS IS MAJOR STEPS FORWARD AND MAJOR WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR CIVILIANS AND OUR CONSTITUENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THIS IS REALLY CREATING A COMMUNITY AND CHALLENGING DIVISION.
LGBT PEOPLE ARE TOLD THAT WE'RE MONSTERS, THAT WE'RE HORRIBLE AND AGAINST THAT IS SHOWING THAT THE CITY IS SUPPORTING US.
THERE'S A LOT OF RESEARCH THAT LGBT YOUTH ARE AT RISK TO COMMIT SUICIDE AND HAVE WORSE MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES BECAUSE WE ARE TOLD THAT WE ARE MONSTERS, AND WE'RE NOT.
THAT THERE IS A LOT OF RESEARCH ALSO SHOWING THAT ADULT SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS WHAT IS REALLY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO THOSE NEGATIVE MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES.
BY SUPPORTING YOUR COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING YOUR RESIDENTS, YOU ARE DIRECTLY COMBATING THOSE NEGATIVE MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES THAT WE ARE SEEING.
ANYONE CLAIMING THAT LGBT PEOPLE ARE MONSTERS, THEY MAY BE DIRECTLY HARMING THE YOUTH THAT THEY THINK THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO HELP.
THANK YOU FOR PASSING THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION, AND THAT IS ALL.
>> THANK YOU, SIMON. DOUG RUSSO, FOLLOWED BY CHRIS FULMER.
>> WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND WHEN HIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED THAT.
OUR FOUNDING FATHERS HAD A DEATH PENALTY FOR SODOMY.
HOMOSEXUALITY WAS NOT PART OF OUR SOCIETY AT THAT TIME, AND IT WAS A MORE PERFECT UNION BACK THEN, BY THE WAY.
I'M READING FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.
THERE WAS A KING BY THE NAME OF ASA.
HE WAS THE SON OF DAVID, GRANDCHILDREN DOWN.
IT SAYS HERE IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, AND ASA DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE LORD.
ASA DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE LORD.
YOU HAVE TO ASK, WHAT DID HE DO THAT WAS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE LORD? THE NEXT VERSE SAYS, AND HE TOOK AWAY THE SODOMITES OUT OF THE LAND AND REMOVED THEM.
IT IS THE WILL OF GOD AND THE WORK OF THE HOLY GHOST TO ERADICATE SODOMITES.
IT IS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD TO RID THE LAND OF QUEERS, HOMOSEXUALS, LESBIANS, AND TRANS QUEERS.
THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN A CIVIL AND GODLY SOCIETY.
THIS PARTICULAR EVIL IS SUCH A VILE ABOMINATION BEFORE GOD THAT IN TIMES PAST, GOD DESTROYED SODOM AND GAMORA AS AN EXAMPLE.
THE HALF BROTHER OF JESUS CHRIST, JUDE, WRITES IN VERSE 7, 65TH BOOK OF THE BIBLE, THAT IT WAS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT WHICH IS TO COME.
NO HOMOSEXUAL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
JESUS CHRIST DREW ATTENTION TO SODOM AND GAMORA ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.
JESUS JESUS STATED, "REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE.
SHE WAS A RESIDENT OF SODOM THAT REFUSED TO LEAVE.
GOD BROUGHT DOWN FIRE AND BRIMSTONE ON HER, TURNING HER INTO A PILLAR ASSAULT." THE FACT THAT NANCY KLEIN AND THE ST. AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION SEEKS TO CELEBRATE AND EMBOLDENED SUCH LEWDNESS IS A CRIME, A CRIME AGAINST GOD AND A CRIME AGAINST MANKIND.
YOU FOLKS ARE IN REBELLION TO GOD, AND THE CLEAR TEACHINGS OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.
YOU FOLKS STAND DEFIANT TO THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF A HOLY GOD.
LESSER MAGISTRATES ARE TO UPHOLD THE LAWS OF GOD, NOT DEFY THEM.
YOU HAVE BEEN MISLED, DECEIVED, AND STAND IN JEOPARDY OF ETERNAL DAMNATION.
SODOMITES ARE TO BE ERADICATED FROM SOCIETY.
HENCE, GOD HAS ALLOWED DISEASE, AIDS, HIV, AND SUICIDE TO LESSEN THE POPULATION.
GOD DOES WHAT GOVERNMENT FAILS TO DO.
AIDS AND SUICIDE PLAGUE THIS ABOMINATION.
A PROCLAMATION OF PRIDE IS A DEADLY SIN.
>> NEXT SPEAKER, CHRIS FULMER, FOLLOWED BY SEAN MORRISON.
>> GOOD EVENING. CHRIS FULMER, I LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR MAKING A PRIDE PROCLAMATION.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS, RECOGNITION MATTERS, AND ESPECIALLY NOW, DIVERSITY MATTERS.
IT INTRODUCES NEW IDEAS TO A COMMUNITY IT BROADENS UNDERSTANDING.
SEEKING EQUALITY IS NOT ASKING FOR SPECIAL PRIVILEGES, JUST EQUAL RIGHTS ALREADY ENJOYED BY SO MANY CITIZENS.
I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THE UNKINDNESS OR OUTRIGHT HATRED THAT IS
[00:30:01]
DIRECTED TOWARD THOSE WHO JUST WANT TO LIVE THE SAME LIVES AS THEIR FELLOW HUMANS.IT'S ALWAYS INSTRUCTIVE TO HEAR PEOPLE PRESENT A LOVING GOD AS HATEFUL INSTEAD OF LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
WE ARE A COMPASSIONATE CITY AND THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING EVERYONE.
CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU TO MISS HILLIER FOR HER SERVICE AT THE ST. FARDIO SHRINE.
THANK YOU FOR OPPOSING OFFSHORE GAS OIL LEASING.
FOR PEOPLE WHO OPPOSED THIS, REMEMBER THAT ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, AND PLEASE VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT WANT TO OPEN OUR COAST TO DRILLING.
BY THE WEATHER IT'S ALREADY HERE, BUT TECHNICALLY IT'S NOT HERE YET.
IT'S HOT AND TEMPERS CAN BE SHORT.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS, BE KIND TO YOUR WAIT STAFF, TIP YOUR SERVERS, AND IF YOU CAN BE ANYTHING AT ALL, BE KIND.
>> THANK YOU. SEAN MORRISON, FOLLOWED BY DYLAN RUSSO.
>> MAKE NO MISTAKE. THIS BOOK IS THE WORD OF GOD IS INFALLIBLE.
ONCE AGAIN, WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE MONTH OF JUNE, A TIME WHEN MANY SELF PROCLAIMED CHRISTIANS TURN THEIR BACKS TO GOD AND SPIT ON HIS WORD.
ALL TO FOLLOW SATANIC SOCIAL NORMS AND ABOMINABLE PRACTICES.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE ONE TRUE GOD HATES HOMOSEXUALITY.
THE ACT AND THOSE THAT PRACTICE OR SUPPORT IT ARE AN ABOMINATION TO HIM.
IT IS DISGUSTING TO WITNESS THE LEADERS OF OUR CHRISTIAN NATION UPHOLD AND PROMOTE SUCH PERVERSE SIN.
YOU WILL ALL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
PSALMS 9:17, THE WICKED SHALL BE TURNED INTO HELL IN ALL NATIONS THAT FORGET GOD.
PARADING THIS LEVEL OF SIN AND IMMORALITY IN OUR NATION IS A DIRECT DEFIANCE OF GOD.
PUBLIC PROCLAMATIONS OF SODOMITE MONTH ARE DESTROYING THE FOUNDATIONS OF THIS GODLY NATION.
TO THE COMMISSION BEFORE ME THAT DO CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIAN OR BELIEVE IN GOD, HEED THESE WORDS OF CHRIST HIMSELF, MATTHEW 7:18-23.
"A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT.
EVERY TREE THAT BRINGTH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN AND CAST INTO FIRE.
NOT EVERYONE THAT SAYTH ME, LORD, LORD SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER, WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.
MANY WILL SAY TO ME ON THAT DAY, LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN THEIR NAMES, AND IN THY NAME HAVE WE NOT CAST OUT DEVILS, AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS.
THEN I WILL PROFESS ONTO THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU.
DEPART FROM ME, YOU WORKER OF INIQUITY." TO ALL OTHERS THAT ARE ABLE TO HEAR MY WORDS, IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO TURN FROM YOUR REPROBATION AND WICKEDNESS.
ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, WILL YOU EXPERIENCE TRUE HAPPINESS AND TRUE LOVE AND TRUE LIFE.
ALL OTHER PASTS ARE TEMPORARY, PAID WITH LIES, DEATH, AND ETERNAL DAMNATION BY THE SERPENT HIMSELF.
YOU NEED TO REPENT AND ACCEPT CHRIST.
JOHN 3:16, "FOR GOD SO LOVE THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, SO WHOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SUN HASTH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT ON THE SUN SHALL NOT SEE LIFE, BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH UPON THEM." I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS LOVE IS LOVE CAME FROM OR THIS IDEA THAT GOD LOVES EVERYBODY.
GOD CALLS PEOPLE ABOMINATIONS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.
IF YOU ARE PRACTICING THE THING THAT GOD HATES, YOU ARE UNDER HIS WRATH.
I UNDERSTAND YOU CAN'T BE SAVED BY YOUR WORKS, BUT YOUR WORKS WILL PROVE YOUR SALVATION.
IF YOU STAND UP FOR REPROBATION, THAT IS ABSOLUTE PROOF THAT YOU ARE IN DEFIANCE OF GOD.
NANCY, THIS THING YOU HAVE WITH SHOW IN HERITAGE AFTER YOU DESTROYED VETERAN MEMORIALS DOWNTOWN DISGUSTING.
>> YOU'RE EXCUSED. NEXT SPEAKER IS DYLAN RUSSO.
SPEAKER AFTER THAT WILL BE ARTHUR COLBERT.
>> SOME OF THAT MIGHT HAVE SEEMED ROUGH AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
WHENEVER YOU LOVE SOMETHING, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT YOU MUST HATE.
I LOVE MY CHILDREN. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN.
IF SOMEONE WAS COMING TO HARM THEM, I WOULD HAVE TO PUT THAT PERSON DOWN PHYSICALLY, HOWEVER IT IS.
BECAUSE I LOVE MY CHILDREN, YOU MUST DEFEND YOUR CHILDREN.
MY FATHER AND ONE OF MY BROTHER IN-LAW JUST CAME UP AND SPOKE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST AND WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.
THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT LOVE AS LOVE, AND THIS AND THAT.
WELL, THE TRUE LOVE IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, AND IT'S ONLY FOUND THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
IT'S NOT FOUND THROUGH THE PLEASURES OF OUR FLESH.
[00:35:02]
I WANT TO ALSO SAY THAT THE STATISTIC OF CHILD SUICIDE AND HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY HAS ACTUALLY GONE UP IN THE PAST YEARS THAT WE HAVE ACCEPTED PRIDE MONTH.IF ALL THAT WE NEEDED TO DO WAS ACCEPT HOMOSEXUALITY FOR THESE CHILDREN TO STOP KILLING THEMSELVES IN THIS PRACTICE, THEN THE SUICIDE RATE WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN, BUT IT HASN'T.
LET ME TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT A LADY THAT IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE.
SHE WAS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM BEING TRANSITIONED INTO A MALE AND SHE IS DEFINITELY FEMALE.
SHE WAS TAKING THE HORMONE BLOCKERS, EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.
HER NAME IS MARISSA EKEN, IF YOU WANT TO LOOK HER UP.
SHE WAS LIVING IN WASHINGTON STATE IN A TRANS COMMUNITY.
NOT AT ALL HAPPY, BUT SHE WAS LOOKING FOR WHAT THEY SAID THIS LOVE WAS.
SHE MOVED TO THIS TRANS COMMUNITY TO FIND THIS LOVE IS LOVE THAT THEY TALK ABOUT.
WHILE SHE WAS THERE, SHE WAS DOING ALL DRUGS, SATANIC RITUAL, SATANIC WORSHIP.
SHE WAS ACTUALLY ALSO DANCING AND SHE WAS LIKE A TRANSGENDER STRIPPER IN THIS TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY, THIS GAY LESBIAN COMMUNITY THAT THEY HAD.
SHE SAID SHE WOULD GO TO WALMART AND SHE WOULD HAVE THOUGHTS OF JUST SPRAYING DOWN PEOPLE IN WALMART KILLING THEM ALL AND THEN KILLING HERSELF.
THIS IS ALL WHILE TRANSITIONING INTO A MAN BEING FEMALE.
WELL, LATER ON IN LIFE, SHE MET UP WITH AN OLD FRIEND THAT SHOWED HER THE REAL LOVE, THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST.
IT TOOK TWO WEEKS SHE LAID BED REST, THROWING UP SICK, TERRIBLY SICK, GETTING OVER ALL THIS SIN, ALL THIS DRUGS, ALL THIS DRINKING, ALL THIS SEXUAL IMMORALITY THAT SHE HAS BEEN DOING FOR YEARS UPON YEARS.
SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO DIE AS SHE THREW UP AND ALL THIS JUST IT CAME OUT OF HER.
SHE STANDS BEFORE YOU TODAY AS A GLORIFIED CHRISTIAN, A WOMAN SAVED BY GOD'S GRACE, MARRIED TO MY BUDDY JACIE KIN, WHO WAS ALSO THE YOUNGEST MURDERER IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON STATE, WHO ALSO FOUND JESUS CHRIST AFTER HE GOT OUT OF PRISON AND CHANGED HIS LIFE.
IT MIGHT SEEM MEAN AND RUDE, AND WHATEVER YOU GUYS WANT TO SAY ABOUT MY FATHER AND WHAT THEY'RE SAYING.
THE FACT THAT THEY'RE HERE MEANS THERE'S STILL TIME FOR YOU TO TURN AROUND. [OVERLAPPING].
ARTHUR COLBERT, THEN SARAH BLOOMBERG.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MADAM VICE MAYOR, FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, MR. CITY MANAGER.
IT'S A CHALLENGING EVENING TO COME TO THIS.
I ORIGINALLY CAME TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CRA, BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, I WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE.
I THINK THERE'S VERY FEW THINGS THAT WE TAKE GREATER PRIDE IN THEN BEING A COMPASSIONATE CITY, AND WE'RE GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE OUR 12TH ANNIVERSARY.
I COMMEND YOU SO MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING PRIDE MONTH AND OUR PRIDE BROTHERS AND SISTERS AS PART OF ALL THIS.
IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND SOMEBODY WHO'S VERY FAITH FILLED IS REALLY CHALLENGING TO HEAR SOME OF THE SPEAKERS BEFORE ME BECAUSE IN MY OWN HEART OF HEART, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE GOD THAT DAVE REFERRED TO WOULD FEEL THAT WAY IF HE'D LIVED HERE ON THIS EARTH TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO AROUND GAY PRIDE MONTH, AND WE ASK YOU TO WALK WITH US IF YOU CAN ON THE PARADE AND WHATNOT.
MY COMMENTS THAT I CAME TO MAKE OR THAT I WAS THE CHAIR OF THE WEST CITY CRA STEERING COMMITTEE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ENDORSE THE PLAN AS WRITTEN.
THE STRATEGIC POINTS ARE WONDERFUL.
I THINK TWO POINTS I'D LIKE TO MAKE ARE ONE, ONE OF THE PRIMARY POINTS WERE TO BE ABLE TO ALLOW THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LIVED THERE AND GROWN UP THERE AND MADE WEST CITY WHAT IT IS TO BE ABLE TO REMAIN THERE AND TO LIVE THERE.
I THINK THAT THIS NEW CRA PLAN WILL REALLY HELP ENABLE US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
THE OTHER THING IS THAT I THINK THAT WE'VE REALLY GALVANIZE THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ALONG WEST KING AND MASTERS AND OTHER PLACES AS PART OF THIS WHOLE PROCESS.
I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH IN THIS RULE TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND MANY OF THE MEETINGS NOW, AND I THINK THAT YOUR VISIBILITY, YOUR CREDIBILITY, ALL THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN SO UPLIFTED BY THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND BY RESIDENTS IN GENERAL IN WEST AUGUSTINE.
I THINK THEY REALLY FEEL THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME THE VOICES ARE BEING HEARD, PEOPLE LIKE COMMISSIONER GARRIS AND OTHERS WHO LIVE THERE
[00:40:01]
AND THAT THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US.THANK YOU, AND I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO ENDORSE THE PLAN AS WRITTEN.
WITHOUT PEOPLE LIKE JAMIE AND JILL AND WHATNOT, THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPENED, SO AGAIN TO RECOGNIZE THEM.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SARAH BLOOMBERG, FOLLOWED BY MATT RODRIGUEZ.
THANK YOU FOR ISSUING THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION.
THERE ARE SO MANY OUT THERE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO OUR SURVIVAL AND OUR JOY.
THE QUEER COMMUNITY LGBTQA PLUS HUMANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE TRANSGENDER, WHO ARE BLACK AND BROWN, AND WHO ARE IMMIGRANTS, WHO ARE LIVING ON TENTERHOOKS BECAUSE WE'VE EXPERIENCED SUCH HATRED, SUCH VISCERAL DISGUST OF WHO WE ARE.
THERE'S A FEAR OF US THAT ISN'T FOUNDED IN REALITY.
OUR EVERY MOVE, OUR ABILITY TO LIVE, OUR ABILITY TO RECEIVE LIFE AFFIRMING MEDICAL TREATMENT, TO BUY HOMES, TO HAVE JOBS, TO GET MARRIED, HAVE CHILDREN, ADOPT CHILDREN, TO ATTEND HOUSES OF WORSHIP.
OUR ABILITY TO WALK DOWN THE STREETS WITH OUR PARTNERS IS A PRIVILEGE THAT WE ARE NOT GIVEN.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING THIS PROCLAMATION.
YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.
WE ALL DESERVE TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE WITH JOY AND LOVE AND SAFETY, HAPPY PRIDE.
LOVE IS LOVE, AND LOVE WILL RULE.
>> THANK YOU. MATT RODRIGUEZ FOLLOWED BY MELINDA RAKONCAY.
>> GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL.
I'M A CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENT ALACRAO COLLEGE, STUDYING THEATER ARTS WITH A MINOR IN MUSIC, AND I'M CURRENTLY A SUMMER INTERN AT THE LIMELIGHT, A COMMUNITY THEATER HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I ATTEND HERE AS A NEXT GENERATION TO TAKE ACTION IN BRINGING ACTIVE AND EFFECTIVE EQUALITY AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
AS A LOCAL MYSELF, I APPRECIATE THE LARGE AND VARIOUS HISTORY THAT ST. AUGUSTINE HAS TO OFFER AND TO LEARN ABOUT.
ADDITIONALLY, TO DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND ALL PEOPLE WE ATTRACT BECAUSE OF OUR HISTORY.
HOWEVER, LOOKING AT THAT PERSPECTIVE WITHIN A LARGER SCALE, THERE HAVE BEEN ACTIONS STILL IN WHICH THESE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN MISTREATED AND MISUNDERSTOOD SINCE THE BEGINNING.
THEY'RE STILL RECEIVING THE SAME TREATMENT, IF NOT WORSE.
WE HAVE SEEN THAT EVEN THE SIMPLE ACTIONS OF LIVING OUR MOST AUTHENTIC CELLS HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH.
AS AN ASPIRING ACTOR IN EXPRESSING MY ARTISTIC EXPRESSION IS IMPORTANT, IT IS ALSO CRUCIAL TO SHOWCASE MY CREATIVE AND PERSONAL EXPRESSION TO THE PEOPLE I MEET AND BE AROUND.
IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE AN ACTOR TO CONNECT PARTS OF MYSELF WITHIN MY CAREER.
I WILL LET YOU KNOW THAT MY WHOLE LIFE, I GREW UP IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, BUT HAVE USED MY FAITH TO BRING UNIVERSAL AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND EMPATHY TO EVERYONE I MEET.
I KNOW GOD WANTS US TO EMBRACE OUR UNIQUE SELVES JUST AS HE EMBRACES US IN ANY WAY IN SHAPE OR FORM OF HUMAN WHO WE ARE.
I FEEL EMPATHY FOR THE ONES WHO THINK THE OPPOSITE.
IT WAS WRITTEN AS LOVE THY NEIGHBOR.
LOVE YOUR COMPANIONS AND FRIENDS AS YOU WERE TO LOVE YOURSELF, AND THAT'S UNCONDITIONAL.
I JUST WANT TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ACCEPTING AND SIGNING THE PRIOR PROCLAMATION AND NOT ONLY BUILDING THE CURRENT PEOPLE OF ACTION, BUT ENCOURAGING THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF YOUNG ACTIVISTS.
AS STATED IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, WE STRIVE FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, AND THAT'S ALL WE ASK FOR. THANK YOU.
MELINDA RAKONCAY, FOLLOWED BY KELSEY MAY.
I JUST STAND HERE TONIGHT FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO AHEAD AND PASS THE AMENDMENT TO THE NOISE ORDINANCE ON FIRST READING.
RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE THE AUDIBLE SOUND IS COMMON SENSE SO THAT THE NIGHT MANAGER, POLICEMEN WALKING AROUND AFTER 10 O'CLOCK ON WEEK NIGHTS AND 11 O'CLOCK ON THE WEEKENDS.
IF IT'S AUDIBLE, ALL HE HAS TO DO IS SAY, AFTER 11 O'CLOCK, AFTER 10 O'CLOCK, PLEASE TURN IT DOWN.
I UNDERSTAND THE BACKUP OF NEEDING A DECIBEL READING IF SOMEONE WANTS TO GET REALLY HOSTILE ABOUT IT, BUT THIS IS SUCH AN IMPROVEMENT.
BEFORE THE RESIDENT HAD TO GET OUT OF BED, GET DRESSED, CALL THE POLICEMAN, WAIT FOR THE COP TO COME BY, WAIT FOR A DECIBEL READING TO BE COME JUST TO TRY TO GET A NIGHT SLEEP.
THAT'S WHY THE NOISE ORDINANCE NEVER WORKED IN THE PAST.
THIS COMMON SENSE AUDIBLE HEARING IS A HUGE IMPROVEMENT.
[00:45:05]
I UNDERSTAND IT'S USED IN QUITE A FEW OTHER CITIES.I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PASS IT ON FOR SECOND READING, AND I'M NOT SURE I'LL BE HERE FOR THAT.
BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT'S DONE ON IT LONG OVERDUE.
I MIGHT WANT TO SUGGEST THAT I THINK A LONG TIME AGO, I DID SAY THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES ABOUT PRAGUE, ESPECIALLY HAS THE QUIET WIN AFTER 10 AS PART OF THEIR AD CAMPAIGN.
IT REALLY LETS THE VISITOR KNOW THAT YOU'RE ENTERING A CITY WHERE IN ADDITION TO BEING A TOURIST TOWN IS ALSO A RESIDENTIAL DOWNTOWN, AND THAT EVEN AS A VISITOR, THAT YOU TOO CAN GET A NIGHT SLEEP IN YOUR HOTEL OR B&B, OR WHEREVER YOU'RE SPENDING THE NIGHT.
IT'S JUST COMMON SENSE AND IT'S RESPECTFUL TO EVERYBODY.
LIKE I SAID, I THINK IT COULD BE A VERY CLEVER PART OF AD CAMPAIGN TO REALLY GO BACK TO WHAT OUR VISION WAS, THAT THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL SMALL TOWN, WARM WELCOMING REAL CITY, THAT IT'S NOT JUST A TOURIST DISNEY TOWN. THANK YOU AGAIN.
>> KELSEY MAY, FOLLOWED BY TYRA KINDLER.
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR SPONSORING THE RESOLUTION 2025-23 AND BEING A VOICE OF OPPOSITION TO THE 11TH NATIONAL OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM.
I LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING ALONG WITH HOW THIS OPPOSITION CAN HELP PROTECT THE SOUTHEASTERN COASTLINE.
THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION JUST WROTE ABOUT THE APALACHICOLA RIVERKEEPER AND THE LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO CAME OUT IN OPPOSITION AS WELL TO THIS PROGRAM.
A MAN NAMED JUDGE LAWRENCE STEVENSON RECOMMENDED THAT THE FLORIDA DEP DENY THE PERMITS TO DRILL EXPLORATORY WELLS IN THAT AREA.
I HOPE TO KEEP SEEING THIS OUTCOME ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION AGAIN THIS YEAR.
RIGHT NOW, TRANS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE AS THEIR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE AND SURGERIES MAY BE DEEMED NON ESSENTIAL.
AS A NEWLY OUTED QUEER PERSON, I CAN SAY THAT WITH ALL MY HEART, THAT LIVING IS ONE TRUE SELF IS DEFINITELY ESSENTIAL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PROCLAMATION.
EVERY EFFORT HELPS AND HAPPY PRIDE.
>> TYRA KINDLER, FOLLOWED BY VICKI PEPPER.
>> HI. I'M TYRA KINDLER, AND I'M HERE BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO APPEAL TO THE COMMISSION IN REGARDS TO MY APPLICATION TO BE ON THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION.
I LIVED IN LINCOLNVILLE FOR SIX YEARS NOW AS A PRIMARY RESIDENT, AND I LOVE OUR COMMUNITY, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE COMING IN THE FUTURE.
I WANTED TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO MY APPLICATION AND LET YOU KNOW THAT I'M HERE TO SERVE AND I'M EXCITED TO DO SO.
I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE A NOTE SINCE I'M HERE AT THIS MEETING.
I WASN'T EXPECTING ALL OF THIS GOING ON TODAY.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE WAS ON THE DOCKET.
BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT I'M REALLY IMPRESSED WITH EVERYONE THAT COMES UP AND SAYS WHAT THEY THINK.
WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEFS ABOUT LIFE AND ALL THE THINGS.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO SHARE OUR BELIEFS IN A FORUM LIKE THIS WHERE WE'RE CIVILIZED AND WE CAN EXPRESS WHAT WE THINK.
I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CAN DO THAT.
I HAVE AN ART COLLECTION HUNG IN ART BOX RIGHT NOW, AND I'VE BEEN IN A COUPLE OF THE OTHER GALLERIES.
I THINK THAT MY EXPERIENCE IN REAL ESTATE, I'VE BEEN A LICENSED REALTOR FOR 15 YEARS NOW.
I THINK MY EXPERIENCE BETWEEN REAL ESTATE AND THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY GIVES ME A UNIQUE ADVANTAGE IN TERMS OF PERSPECTIVE, HOW TO ACTIVATE OUR COMMUNAL SPACES AND WHAT MIGHT HELP EVERYONE THRIVE AND WORK TOGETHER IN SYNERGY.
WE'RE NEVER GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING.
I THINK THAT THIS MEETING IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT.
WE'RE NEVER GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING.
BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CAN HAVE OUR VIEWS, HAVE OUR VALUES, AND STAND IN WHO WE ARE, BUT STILL LOVE ONE ANOTHER IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHAT I'M ALL ABOUT, AND THAT'S WHY I'D LOVE TO BE ON THE REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION.
>> THANK YOU. VICKI PEPPER, FOLLOWED BY HUNTER MILLER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. I'M VICKI PEPPER.
[00:50:03]
I LIVE ON HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY.WE'RE AN INFORMAL INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP THAT GREW OUT OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION EFFORT.
CARE'S PURPOSE IS TO SERVE BLACK AND OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BY IDENTIFYING RESOURCES, INCLUDING FUNDING SOURCES AND LINKING THEM WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS.
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION IN SUPPORT OF OUR LGBTQIA BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
SECOND, AS YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES ARE AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY FOR WHOM WE ADVOCATE.
FROM THE TIME WE FIRST LEARNED OF THE PROJECT, CARE HAS BEEN FOLLOWING WITH GREAT INTEREST THE CITY'S PLAN FOR A DROP IN DAY CENTER OFF OLD DIXIE HIGHWAY NEAR STATE ROAD 207.
THE LAST WE'D HEARD WHEN WE ASKED A FEW MONTHS AGO, PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT WAS UNDERWAY.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S BEEN SOME SLIPPAGE IN THE HOPED FOR DATE FOR MOVING DINING WITH DIGNITY TO THE SITE, BUT RECENTLY SEVERAL OF US HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF ACTIVITY WHEN WE'VE DRIVEN BY.
WE AGAIN HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CITY'S PLANS FOR THE SITE AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANOTHER UPDATE.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT TIMETABLE FOR MOVING DINING WITH DIGNITY? WHAT IS THE CURRENT TIMETABLE FOR COMPLETING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SHOWERS AND THE WASHER AND DRYER WHICH ARE ALSO PART OF PHASE 1 AT THAT SITE? WE'VE ALSO SEEN SOME VERY ENCOURAGING POTENTIAL PLANS FOR PHASE 1 OF THE CITY'S DROP IN DAY CENTER WHICH WOULD BE OPERATED IN COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE.
WE'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT'S THE CURRENT STATUS AND PROJECTED TIMELINE FOR PHASE 2? MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT'S THE CURRENT STATUS OF FUND RAISING AND FUNDING FOR PHASE 2? IN THIS REGARD, AS YOU AND STAFF CONTINUE WORKING ON THE CITY'S FY 26 BUDGET, WE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY TO INCLUDE AT LEAST SOME FUNDING FOR PHASE 2.
ANOTHER CONCERN CARES RAISED BEFORE IS THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING THE MAIL ROOM INTO PHASE 1.
PROVIDING A MAILROOM AT THE DAY SITE WILL ALLOW PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES TO PROVIDE AN ADDRESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING BENEFITS TO WHICH THEY MAY BE ENTITLED SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE OR VETERANS BENEFITS.
IS THE MAILROOM BACK IN PHASE 1 AND WHEN WILL THAT BE AVAILABLE? FINALLY, WE UNDERSTAND FROM THE LAST TIME WE'D ASKED THAT COMMISSIONER GARRIS WAS WORKING TO BRING A DIGNITY BUS TO ST. AUGUSTINE SO THAT YOU COULD SEE FOR YOURSELVES WHETHER THIS IDEA MIGHT BE A VIABLE TOOL FOR OUR TOOL KIT TO ASSIST PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES.
WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THIS EFFORT? THANK YOU.
>> HUNTER MILLER, FOLLOWED BY JAMES ST. GEORGE.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS HUNTER MILLER.
I'M A RESIDENT OF ST. AUGUSTINE FLAG LAM, AND I CURRENTLY WORK FOR OCEANA, WHICH IS OCEAN CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION.
FIRST, I JUST WANTED TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR PASSING THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
BUT WHAT I CAME TO TALK ABOUT WAS TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING PASSING THIS RESOLUTION OPPOSING OFFSHORE DRILLING.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN TO THE GULF COAST OR FLOWN OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO OR LOOKED AT A SATELLITE IMAGE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN GULF OF MEXICO, BUT IT IS COVERED IN OIL RIGS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF MILES OF INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING PIPELINES.
ON THE COASTLINE, WE HAVE AN INDUSTRIAL COAST IN THE GULF COAST.
THE THOUGHT OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING HERE OFF THE ATLANTIC COAST IS JUST UNFATHOMABLE.
I REMEMBER THE BP DEEPWATER HORIZON DISASTER FOR 87 DAYS, THAT BLOWOUT GUSHED OIL INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO AND IT KILLED UNTOLD AMOUNTS OF OCEAN WILDLIFE.
IT SPOILED THE MARSHES AND ESTUARIES.
IT AFFECTED TOURISM NOT ONLY IN LOUISIANA AND TEXAS AND OTHER PLACES, BUT ALSO IN PLACES THAT NEVER SAW OIL LIKE TAMPA BAY.
THIS PROPOSAL FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REALLY REQUIRES US TO BE ALERT TO AND TAKE SERIOUSLY THAT CONSIDERATION.
I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT OUR OWN COMMUNITY IS WEIGHING IN.
IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THERE'S A 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD THAT WE'RE IN CURRENTLY, WHERE THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND ITS AGENCY BOAM IS A SOLICITING FOR INFORMATION FROM STAKEHOLDERS AND MUNICIPALITIES AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE A STAKE IN THIS GAME TO WEIGH IN AND SAY, YES, WE WANT THIS OR NO, WE DON'T.
I'M REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF YOU WEIGHING IN AND OPPOSING THIS.
LAST WEEK, I TOOK VACATION. WE DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.
[00:55:04]
WE STAYED HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND I TOOK MY 6SIX-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER TO THE BEACH EVERY DAY AND SHE GOT HER FIRST SURFBOARD, AND IT WAS WAVE AFTER WAVE AFTER WAVE.THOSE ARE THE MEMORIES THAT WE WANT TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT.
>> JAMES ST. GEORGE, FOLLOWED BY SCOTT YORK.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JAMES ST. GEORGE.
I RESIDE ON WEEDEN STREET IN LINCOLNVILLE.
I HAVE A PENDING APPLICATION FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE LINCOLNVILLE REDEVELOPMENT AREA.
I CURRENTLY SERVE AS AS CHAIRMAN.
I'VE SERVED IN THAT ROLE FOR THE FIRST TERM AND THIS WILL BE MY SECOND TERM.
I'M A FORMER SURGEON RETIRED A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO AND I WISH TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY AND MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'VE DONE THIS ROLE WITH DILIGENCE AND DEDICATION.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN ITS DIVERSITY AND ITS CULTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ITS HISTORY.
THE REASON I WANTED TO SPEAK TO TODAY IS I BECAME AWARE THAT A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY SENT YOU ALL AN EMAIL OPPOSING MY REAPPOINTMENT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT.
FIRST, THE NUMBER OF THINGS SAID IN THIS EMAIL IS JUST NOT CORRECT.
I RENOVATE HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN LINCOLNVILLE.
I'VE RENOVATED SEVEN HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
FOLLOWING MY RETIREMENT, I GOT A CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE.
OF THOSE SEVEN TO MY FAMILY LIVE IN, IN ADDITIONAL HOME WE LIVE IN.
TWO OTHERS WERE DONE IN TOWN AS PART OF MY WIFE'S BUSINESS, A RETAIL AND FURNITURE DESIGN STORE THAT HAD TWO HISTORIC DISTRESSED PROPERTIES.
THESE PROPERTIES ARE ALL SEVERELY DISTRESSED PROPERTIES, REALLY BLIGHTED.
THE ALLEGATION IN THE EMAIL WAS, I HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN TO TURN THEM ALL INTO AIRBNBS AND I AM TAKEN AWAY FROM THE CULTURAL HISTORY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I OWN TWO AIRBNBS, WHICH I PURCHASED AS INVESTMENT AFTER MY RETIREMENT, AND I DID NOT BUILD THEM.
OF THE 230 AIRBNBS IN OUR COMMUNITY, MY TWO ARE HARDLY A CAB TO INFILTRATE OUR CULTURE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
OTHER ALLEGATIONS IN THAT EMAIL WERE, I HAVE THIS NETWORK OF BUSINESS ENTITIES THAT ARE NOT TRANSPARENT AND COMPLEX, A LABYRINTH.
A LOT OF INNUENDO AND MISINFORMATION.
THESE ENTITIES ARE SIMPLY EACH PROPERTY ISN'T AN LLC, AND THAT'S JUST SIMPLY TO PROTECT THAT PARTICULAR ASSET. NOTHING MORE.
I'VE SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE FAITHFULLY WITH MS. PERKINS AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THAT SERVICE.
ONE LAST POINT, I WILL POINT OUT THAT IN THAT PARTICULAR EMAIL, THE WRITER NEVER SAID ONE THING ABOUT MY SERVICE ON THAT COMMITTEE.
THERE'S NO POINTS TAKEN ABOUT WHAT I DID OR DIDN'T DO.
IT WAS ALL REALLY RATHER PERSONAL AND INVASIVE IN MY PERSONAL LIFE IN MY BUSINESS LIFE.
BUT I GUESS THAT'S THE ROLE WE ALL TAKE WHEN WE TAKE ON SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S JUST, I GUESS IT GOES WITH THE JOB, AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE THOSE CLARIFYING POINTS TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SCOTT YORK FOLLOWED BY P.J COLADY.
>> GOOD EVENING. SCOTT YORK, 29 SPANISH STREET.
I'M PROUD TO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT IS SO DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE.
I THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR ACTIONS TONIGHT.
I COME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT JUST TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED NIGHT LIFE ORDINANCE.
I BELIEVE THAT NOISE ORDINANCE, I SHOULD SAY.
IT COMES ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE NIGHTLIFE ORDINANCE.
A FAILED ATTEMPT, BUT I THINK THAT SOMETHING VERY, VERY GOOD IS COMING OUT OF IT.
THE CURRENT ORDINANCE IS JUST NOT ENFORCEABLE.
THIS ONE FOLLOWS COMMUNITY GUIDELINES.
IT STANDS UP TO LEGAL STATUE THAT IT NEEDS TO STAND UP.
AS MS. LOPEZ HAS INDICATED IN THE PAST, OUR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOLLOWS THE SAME TYPE OF ORDINANCE, MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES DO, AND I'M VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF IT.
I THANK CITY MANAGER FOR PUTTING ALL OF THIS EFFORT INTO IT AS WELL AS ASSISTANT CHIEF CUTHBERT TO BRING THIS BEFORE US AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL PASS IT TONIGHT.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER DEPRETER FOR HIS TIME THAT HE'S DEDICATED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD WALKS THAT WE'VE ALREADY COMPLETED.
WE WILL BE HAVING ANOTHER ONE THIS WEEK AND LOOK FORWARD TO MANY OF YOU BEING ABLE TO JOIN ON THOSE SOON. THANK YOU.
P.J COLADY IS OUR LAST SPEAKER.
[01:00:04]
>> THANK YOU, MISS DUNN. P.J COLADY, WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, 36 FENADA STREET, REQUIRE DEVELOPER TO PUT MURAL STEIN, ST. JOHN'S FARMER SUPPLY AS HE AGREED TO DO.
12 B, LCRA STEERING COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS.
MR. ST. GEORGE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THREES WERE CUT AT 59 A WEEDEN STREET WITHOUT A PERMIT.
WILL THIS QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE LCRA BE PROTECTED BY THIS DEVELOPER ON THE LINCOLNVILLE CRA STEERING COMMITTEE? 8B1, ORDINANCE 2025-07, WCCRA AS WRITTEN SHOULD NOT BE ADOPTED.
THE TIF IS FOR A GARAGE AT US ONE IN KING STREET, NOT QUALITY OF LIFE IN WEST CITY.
THE TIRES ON THE LOT WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CODE ENFORCEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REMOVED AND CREATES MORE BLIGHT IN WCCRA.
THE SIGN AT 228, WEST KING, PAGE 40 IN THE PRESENTATION, VIOLATES CODE AND CREATES BLIGHT.
OYSTER CREEK PARK IS NOT A LIVING LAB, IT'S WHERE PEOPLE SLEEP.
QIF ALSO KNOWN AS PROPERTY TAXES SHOULD NOT BE USED TO FUND BUSINESSES WHO DID NOT DO DUE DILIGENCE IN THEIR CHOICE OF WEST CITY.
CRAS AND THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAVE NOT IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS.
AS WRITTEN, EXCUSE ME, THIS PLAN FOR A GARAGE WILL NOT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS IN WEST CITY.
POLICING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE NEEDED IN WEST CITY.
THE CRA DOES NOT PROVIDE SO THE CITY NEEDS TO USE GENERAL FUNDS TO POLICE WEST CITY.
WE ARE NOT FORTUNATE ENOUGH UNFORTUNATELY, TO HAVE ENOUGH POLICE AND TO HAVE ENOUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER PEOPLE DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO BE DOING SO THAT THE BLIGHT IN THIS COMMUNITY, NOT JUST AT WEST CITY NOW CAN BE HANDLED.
IF WE CAN'T USE OUR TAX DOLLARS WITHOUT THE CRA TO CLEAN UP OUR CITY, ALL PARTS OF IT, THEN WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? THANK YOU.
>> THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENTS.
NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS CONSENT AGENDA, MR. CITY MANAGER.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, THIS EVENING'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES A REMINDER OF UPCOMING ORDINANCES WHICH ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING ON JUNE 23RD.
THAT BEING ORDINANCE 2025-07 ADOPTION OF THE CITY'S WEST CITY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA PLAN AND ORDINANCE 2025-08 AMENDMENT TO THE NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS.
WE HAVE A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR THE JUNE 23RD, 05:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, JULY 14TH, 3:00 PM SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING, WHICH IS THE BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS.
JULY 14TH, 5:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING ON JULY 28TH AT 3:00 PM WE HAVE A COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING, AND IT ON JULY 28TH AT FIVE O'CLOCK A REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE APRIL 14TH, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, THE APRIL 28TH, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND THE MAY 12TH, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE A RELEASE OF LIEN FOR 308 VENETIAN BOULEVARD.
WE HAVE APPROVAL OF OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS FOURTH OF JULY SHUTTLE SERVICES AGREEMENT.
WE HAVE AN INVOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REGARDING THE EMINENT DOMAIN ISSUE FOR THE LAKE MARIA SANCHEZ PROJECT.
WE HAVE AN INVOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE MARLOWE VERSUS CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE PROJECT.
WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT TO FILL ONE VACANCY AT THE CITY FIREFIGHTER PENSION TRUST FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
FINALLY, WE HAVE APPROVAL OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF THE RIGHT OF WAY AT FOUR LOCUST STREET.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSION? I MOVE WE PASS THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> AYE. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES.
WE HAVE NO APPEALS, GENERAL PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS.
[8.A.1. Ordinance 2025-02: Amendment to the Firefighters’ Pension Trust Fund share plan. (/. Lopez, City Attorney)]
THE ORDINANCE 2025-02. MS. LOPEZ.[01:05:03]
>> YES, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
BEFORE YOU IS ORDINANCE 2025-02.
IT'S AN AMENDMENT TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS PENSION TRUST FUND SECTION OF OUR CODE REGARDING THE FIREFIGHTER SHARE PLAN.
CURRENTLY, THE SHARE PLAN SPLITS THE PREMIUM TAX REVENUES THAT ARE SENT FROM TALLAHASSEE FROM THE STATE TO OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
IT SPLITS THEM EVENLY 50/50 PARTIALLY TO DEFRAY THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIREFIGHTER PENSION PLAN AND THE OTHER 50% GOES DIRECTLY TO THE FIREFIGHTERS AS ESSENTIALLY A SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT, HENCE THE SHARE PORTION OF THE SHARE PLAN.
THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT WOULD CHANGE THAT SPLIT 50/50 TO 60% TO BENEFIT THE INDIVIDUAL FIREFIGHTERS AND RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS INCLUDES THEM NOW AND 40% FOR THE CITY'S ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIREFIGHTER PENSION BENEFITS.
THE FIREFIGHTERS UNION HAS VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT AND THIS IS ON YOUR AGENDA FOR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING AND I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANY QUESTIONS OF MS. LOPEZ, BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC HEARING.
I HAVE NO SPEAKER CARDS FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING.
HAS ANYONE HERE WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? HEARING NO ONE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED BACK TO THE DIAS.
>> WHAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE COMMISSION?
>> I'LL JUST MAKE ONE COMMENT THAT I'M GLAD WE'RE DOING THE 60/40.
IT'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY.
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY PER INDIVIDUAL FIREFIGHTER, BUT IT SHOWS THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING THEM IN THEIR RETIREMENT AND IN THEIR FUTURE RETIREMENT AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING TO DO.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2025-02.
>> SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE NEED TO READ IT OUT LOUD.
>> YES. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-02, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE 5, SECTION 20-219 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO MODIFY THE TERMS OF THE FIREFIGHTERS PENSION TRUST FUND SHARE PLAN, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[8.B.1. Ordinance 2025-07: Adoption of the City of St. Augustine West City Community Redevelopment Area (WCCRA) plan. (J. Perkins, Neighborhood Services & CRA Manager)]
THIS IS ALSO GOING TO BE A PUBLIC HEARING TO ORDINANCE 2025-07, WHICH IS THE ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE WEST CITY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA PLAN, MS. PERKINS.>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MADAM VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, JAMIE D PERKINS, NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND CRA MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
IT IS MY ESTEEMED PLEASURE TO PRESENT TO YOU ORDINANCE 2025-07, A LONG TIME COMING, WHICH IS THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE WEST CITY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
I DID WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY BEFORE MADAM MAYOR, YOU OPEN UP FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO JUST RUN THROUGH SOME OF THE MODIFICATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH THE PLAN, WHICH WERE DIRECTIVES FROM THIS BOARD.
WE DID MEET OBVIOUSLY WITH OUR PCB.
THERE WERE NO CHANGES FROM THAT BOARD.
HOWEVER, WHEN WE MET WITH THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, WHICH IS YOU-ALL, YOU REQUESTED SOME CHANGES, SO I DO WANT TO GO THROUGH THOSE VERY QUICKLY JUST SO THAT YOU CAN KNOW THAT THOSE HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS PLAN.
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WAS REQUESTED FROM THIS BOARD WAS THAT WE INCLUDED CHAPTERS IN THE TABLE OF CONTENTS.
THAT HAS BEEN DONE. WE HAVE UPDATED CHAPTERS IN SECTION HEADINGS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN EASILY MOVE THROUGH THE DOCUMENT AND BE ABLE TO FIND THE ITEMS THAT ARE OF IMPORTANCE TO THEM VERY EASILY.
THAT HAS BEEN UPDATED AT YOUR REQUEST.
THERE HAS NOT BEEN MANY LANGUAGE CHANGES TO THE PLAN, EVEN WHEN WE MET WITH THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
IT WAS VERY MINOR CHANGES, BUT I DO WANT TO TALK THROUGH THOSE.
ALL OF THOSE LANGUAGE CHANGES DID START WITH OUR SIX-POINT GOALS OR ACTION PLANS, WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 40 OF YOUR PDF AND ALSO ON THE SCREEN NOW.
TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN SEE IT HERE.
[01:10:01]
THERE WE GO. IT STARTED WITH PAGE 40.THE ACTION PLAN ITSELF WAS NOT UPDATED, BUT ON PAGE 41, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I BELIEVE, MADAM MAYOR, YOU BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION, THE EXPLORATION OR EXPLORE DEVELOPMENT OF A BUILDING FACADE GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH IS THE FIRST BULLET UNDER LOCALLY-ORIENTED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
THAT WAS ALREADY THERE, BUT YOU DID ASK THAT WE ENSURE THAT IT IS ALSO UNDER OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION SECTION.
ALTHOUGH IT WAS THERE, WE DID UPDATE THE LANGUAGE, SO I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THAT HAS BEEN ADDED AS WELL.
ON PAGE 42, UNDER MOBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY, WE DID UPDATE THE LAST BULLET POINT AT THE REQUEST OF THIS BOARD TO ENSURE THAT THE LANGUAGE WAS ADDED FOR IDENTIFY INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS INCREASED WEAR AND TEAR CAUSED BY COMMERCIAL VEHICLES, ADDING DEDICATED DELIVERY ZONES AND DESIGNATED AREAS FOR LARGE TRUCKS TRAVELING WITHIN THE WEST CITY CRA.
INITIALLY, THAT WAS UNDER THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION LINE AND WE WERE ASKED TO MOVE IT UP, SO WE DID.
THE NEXT CHANGE IS ALSO ON THE SAME PAGE, PAGE 42.
WE MODIFIED THE LANGUAGE ON THE FIRST POINT UNDER HISTORIC PRESERVATION TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE REFERENCING PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.
I DID VET THE LANGUAGE WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEY AND MS. LOPEZ WAS COMFORTABLE WITH US USING THE WORD COLLABORATION, WHICH DOESN'T PUT US IN A BOX TO HAVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC, PRIVATE COLLABORATION INITIATIVES, BUT NOT NECESSARILY PUBLIC, PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE LEGALITY OF IT.
THERE WAS ONE THING THAT I WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT WAS NOT A CHANGE, BUT FROM PUBLIC COMMENT, WE TALKED ABOUT I HEARD A COMMENT ABOUT COMMUNITY POLICING.
I DID WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS BOARD WAS AWARE THAT ON PAGE 7 OF THE PLAN, WE DO ADDRESS COMMUNITY POLICING AND WITH THIS BOARD'S APPROVAL, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPEND FUNDS THROUGH THE WEST CITY CRA FOR ADDITIONAL POLICING EFFORTS IN WEST CITY CRA.
I WANT TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
I'M AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
>> ANY QUESTIONS OF MS. PERKINS BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC HEARING.
I DO NOT HAVE ANY SPEAKER CARDS,
[8.C. Resolutions - Public Hearing (only if required by law)]
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS PLAN? I SEE ONE.>> BJ CLADE, WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT BECAUSE THIS WAS THE FIRST READING THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE A PUBLIC COMMENTS MADE, BUT YOU'RE MAKING AN EXCEPTION, IS THAT IT?
>> NO, MA'AM. THAT'S THE PROCESS.
>> YOU CAN SPEAK AT THE FIRST HEARING.
WELL, SHE BROUGHT UP A COUPLE OF THINGS AND I WISH I'D KNOW THAT, BUT THAT'S WHY WE'LL GIVE A SECOND CHANCE.
PAGE 7, THE POLICING OF THE COMMUNITY.
I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION AND SITTING ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE THAT THAT WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAVE OUR MONIES USED.
THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT IT UP AS FAR FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE FUND.
IT'S GOOD IT'S ON THE RECORD NOW THAT THE CRA MONEY WILL BE USED TO INCREASE THE POLICING EFFORTS OVER IN WEST CITY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT WITHOUT HIRING MORE PEOPLE.
ALSO, I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I DIDN'T BRING UP ON PAGE 46 THERE'S A PROPERTY BELONGS TO THE CITY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO DO A COMMUNITY CENTER AND SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE ARCHAEOLOGY.
THIS MAP THAT WAS ON PAGE 46 IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I'VE SEEN THAT, AND IT WAS ALLUDED TO ABOUT COMMUNITY CENTER, BUT THIS MAKES IT MORE CLEAR AND SO WE'RE GOING TO USE MONEY TO DO THAT IN THE WEST AUGUST AND CRA.
RIGHT NOW, THAT'S ALL I'LL BE ABLE TO SAY, BUT ONLY IF REQUIRED BY LAW. I SHOULD HAVE CALLED.
SOMETIMES I DO CALL, BUT THIS TIME I DIDN'T.
BUT WE'LL GET ANOTHER HEARING TO FINALIZE IT VIA SECOND HEARING, SO I'LL BRING UP SOME QUESTIONS BACK THEN. THANK YOU.
>> THAT DOES RAISE A QUESTION.
[01:15:01]
WE'RE STILL IN PUBLIC HEARING.ANYONE ELSE HERE WISH TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING? PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED NOW.
I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT MRS. CLADE BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE ARCHAEOLOGY CENTER.
IS THIS ARCHAEOLOGY CENTER IN THE BUDGET FOR THE CRA OR IS IT JUST ON THE MAP?
>> NOTHING IS IN THE BUDGET FOR THE CRA YET BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN APPROVED YET.
>> WHAT IS THE INTENT, I SUPPOSE, WOULD BE THE QUESTION.
>> THE INTENT IS A POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCE.
AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS AN ENDOWMENT FOR THE MIDDLETON HOUSE ARCHAEOLOGY CENTER THAT'S IN PLACE.
WE JUST WANTED TO INCLUDE THAT IN THE PLAN SO IF FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO THAT ARCHAEOLOGY CENTER ARE ENVISIONED THAT THE CRA IS A POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCE.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY PLANS TO USE THE CRA FOR IT.
>> THANK YOU FOR REFRESHING MY MEMORY, COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD.
>> MRS. CLADE SAID THAT THE WEST CITY WILL FUND THE POLICEMAN, BUT I BELIEVE HE SHOULD HAVE SAID MAY FUND.
SHE WANTED IT ON THE RECORD. I JUST WANT TO CLEAR UP THE RECORD THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO FUND UNLESS THE STEERING COMMITTEE CHOOSES TO FUND. THEY HAVE THE MONEY.
>> NOT THE STEERING COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO TO VOTE?
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.
YOU MAKE A COMMENT. WE CAN MAKE COMMENTS.
>> THANKS. IT'S JUST AN OBSERVATION.
YOU'RE THE ODD PERSON OUT IN THAT YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR OTHER CRAS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS CITY AND THE REST OF US, THIS IS OUR FIRST ONE.
IT'S A BIG DEAL TO ALL OF US FOR ALL OF THOSE REASONS.
I JUST CAN'T THANK STAFF AND THE COMMITTEE THAT WORKED SO HARD WITH STAFF TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. IT'S EXCITING.
>> IT IS WONDERFUL. IT REALLY IS.
I'M SO GLAD YOU SAID THAT BECAUSE IT IS A WONDERFUL TOOL FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE TO OUR LEGISLATORS ON THAT SCORE.
I KNOW WE'RE REALLY MINDFUL OF THAT.
BUT MY COMMENTS WERE I JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR ALL THEIR HOURS OF HARD WORK AND DEDICATION ON THAT.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THEIR INPUT AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT AND PROVIDED INPUT FOR IT, PARTICIPATED IN IT.
WE'RE APPROVING IT BUT IT'S REALLY THEIR COMMUNITY DOCUMENT AND WHAT THEY'VE ENVISIONED THE FUTURE OF THEIR PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S EXCITING TO SEE, ESPECIALLY THAT WE CAN STAND ON THE SHOULDERS SUCCESS OF OUR OTHER CRAS, SO WE CAN BE VERY PROUD.
I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
YOU'VE BEEN REALLY WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH.
I THINK VERY COMPROMISING AND VERY HELPFUL.
JUST DOING A VERY GOOD PROFESSIONAL JOB.
IS ANYONE ELSE WISH TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS? I'M SURE WE HAVE COMMENTS.
>> WELL, I JUST BRIEFLY WANT TO SAY WHEN I WAS CAMPAIGNING LAST YEAR, I DID GO TO A WORKSHOP ON THE WEST CITY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT.
IT WAS AN OUTREACH THAT JAMIE AND JILL HAD PUT ON.
I JUST SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY EXCITED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, NOT ONLY TO SEE A CHANGE, BUT TO BE FEELING LIKE THEY COULD MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THAT CHANGE AND THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF OWNERSHIP AND THAT'S THE ONLY PART OF THE PROCESS THAT I SAW AND IT WAS VERY SATISFYING TO ME.
THANK YOU AGAIN, I KNOW YOU AND JILL DO A LOT OF WORK SO CONGRATULATIONS.
>> WELL, IT'S JUST GREAT SEEING THAT THE WEST CITY IS GETTING SOME ATTENTION.
BUT EVERYTHING'S IN GOD'S TIME.
I JUST WANT TO THANK JAMIE FOR HER DUE DILIGENCE ON ALL THE CRAS ACTIVITY THAT YOU HAVE GREATLY FOR THE CITY.
I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU FOR DEMONSTRATING SUCH PROFESSIONALISM AND LOOKING OUT FOR COMMUNITIES BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR A LOOK OUT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY AND TO MAKE OUR CITY A BETTER PLACE.
I AM REALLY PLEASED WITH HASTINGS.
HASTINGS IS COMING ON THE MAP TOO.
THEY HAVE REALLY DONE A LOT IN HASTINGS.
IT'S LIKE THAT'S ALL CONSIDERED DISTRICT 2 AND IT'S LIKE AN AWAKENING THAT'S HAPPENING AND IT'S A GOOD ONE.
SEEING COMMUNITIES THAT NOTHING WAS DONE.
THEY HAVE REALLY IMPROVED MAIN STREET, DONE A LOT OF GREAT STUFF OVER THERE AND THEY'RE HAVING A LOT OF ACTIVITY.
IT MAKES MY HEART FEEL GOOD THAT THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE MOVING AND DOING AND MAKE IT A DIFFERENCE.
[01:20:03]
ON THAT NOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR 2025-07, THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, WEST CITY ADOPTION ORDINANCE, GO TO SECOND READING.>> LET ME READ THE TITLE ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-07, ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADOPTING THE WEST CITY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HERE WITH PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> RIGHT THEN. ANY FINAL COMMENTS BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THERE WE GO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ON WE GO.
[9.A.1. Ordinance 2025-08: Amendment to Noise Control Regulations. (/. Lopez, City Attorney)]
WE'VE GOT A SET OF ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING.THIS IS OUR FIRST ONE UP IS ORDINANCE 2025-08, AND IT IS THE AMENDMENT TO THE NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS.
WE'VE BEEN CALLING IT THE NOISE ORDINANCE, I PREFER TO CALL IT THE SOUND ORDINANCE, BUT THIS IS WHAT IT IS.
I HAVE MS. LOPEZ, ARE YOU PRESENTING OR.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO QUEUE UP BOTH ASSISTANT CHIEF AND MR. ZWERLING, WHO'S BEEN OUR CONSULTANT.
AS YOU KNOW, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-08 AMENDS THE CITY'S EXISTING NOISE REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE THESE ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ENFORCEMENT.
YOU'VE GIVEN US DIRECTION TO TRY A HYBRID, I THINK WAS WHAT THE COMMISSION WAS CALLING IT A HYBRID METHOD OF ENFORCEMENT SO THIS DOCUMENT BEFORE YOU DOES CREATE VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENFORCEMENT FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, BOTH FROM THE COMPLAINANT AND OTHERWISE.
IT ALSO PROVIDES ALTERNATIVES, BOTH DECIBEL METER READING ENFORCEMENT, AS WELL AS PLAINLY AUDIBLE FROM VARIOUS DISTANCES AND LOCATIONS.
WE HOPE THAT THIS WAS WHAT YOU ALL HAD IN MIND WHEN YOU INSTRUCTED US TO TRY A HYBRID.
I WILL NOW PASS THE BATON TO ASSISTANT CHIEF ANTHONY CUTHBERG AND I THINK MR. ERIC ZWERLING IS ALSO IN THE AUDIENCE, WHO WILL HAVE MORE SPECIFICS ON HOW ALL THIS WILL WORK. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MADAME MAYOR, VIE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS ANTHONY CUTHBERG, ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE, ST. AUGUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
TONIGHT, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MONTHS OF COLLABORATION AND SCIENTIFIC STUDY, YOU'LL BE PRESENTED THE AMENDED NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS.
AS STATED EARLIER, ERIC ZWERLING, OUR NOISE CONSULTANT IS HERE TONIGHT, WHO WILL PASS OVER THOSE AMENDMENTS WITH YOU AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
MR. ZWERLING ASSISTED IN AUTHORING OUR CURRENT NOISE ORDINANCE AND HAS TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM OUR AGENCY, AS WELL AS OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.
FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES, MR. ZWERLING HAS FIELDED CALLS AND TRAVELED NATIONWIDE TO EXPLAIN THE DANGERS OF LOUD SOUNDS ON PEOPLE'S LIVES.
HE HAS WRITTEN NOISE CODE REGULATIONS FOR COMMUNITIES FROM FLORIDA TO ALASKA.
HE HAS 30 YEARS OF SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ON NOISE REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT.
INCLUDING EXTENSIVE PUBLICATIONS AND CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS.
MR. ZWERLING HAS WRITTEN OR ASSISTED IN THE AMENDMENT OF NOISE CODES FOR JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY.
HE HAS TRAINED THOUSANDS OF NOISE ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATORS THROUGH THE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY COURSE TO INCLUDE MYSELF.
MR. ZWERLING HAS SERVED AS AN EXPERT WITNESS IN MANY COURTS AND IS CURRENTLY THE DIRECTOR OF NOISE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MR. ZWERLING.
>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. FIRST, I JUST WANT TO AND THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY SO MUCH TO ASSIST IN PROTECTING ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES, IF NOT THE EARTH.
WHEN I FIRST DID A COURSE HERE 25, 30 YEARS AGO, I SAT ON THE CASTILLO SAN MARCOS AT
[01:25:01]
THE VERY TIP OF IT AND SAT THERE LOOKING AT THE SUN EXCUSE ME, THE LIGHTS COMING UP FROM THE BRIDGE OF LIONS AND I FELT REALLY TEARY BECAUSE I SAID, HERE I AM HELPING STEWARD ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH.THANK YOU FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE DOING THAT.
I'D LIKE TO JUST GO OVER A LITTLE BIT OF THE HISTORY HERE OF WHERE WE GOT HOW WE GOT HERE.
IN EARLY 2024 AND THEN I'M GOING TO GO OVER THE CODE, HOPEFULLY, NOT IN INTERMINABLE DETAIL, BUT ENOUGH FOR YOU TO GET A FEEL FOR WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE.
IN EARLY 2024 FIRST OF ALL, IS THE HISTORY HERE, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD CARE FOR ME TO GO OVER? I GET A HEAD SHAKING.
IN EARLY 2024, THERE'S A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH THE CITY MANAGER BURCHAM AND ASSISTANT CHIEF CUTHBERT, EXPLORING THE CURRENT NOISE ISSUES IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND DISCUSSING POTENTIAL REGULATORY APPROACHES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WE NEED TO COLLECT.
MORE MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH THE ASSISTANT CHIEF AND CORPORAL CHRIS MILLER, BOTH OF WHOM HAVE RECEIVED NOISE TRAINING.
I DREW UP A DATA SHEET AND CORPORAL MILLER COLLECTED DATA FROM APRIL THROUGH JULY OF 2024 ON THE SOUND LEVELS OF VARIOUS BARS AND THE AMBIENCE ON BOTH THE A AND THE C SCALE.
FROM THIS DATA, WE DEVELOPED A NEW STANDARD WHICH COULD BE ENFORCED AT A DISTANCE OF TEN FEET OR MORE FROM THE BAR SO THAT COMPLAINTS COULD BE MEASUREMENTS COULD BE TAKEN IN CLOSE PROXIMITY AS OPPOSED AT THE HOUSE OF A COMPLAINANT.
ON FIRST REVIEW, THE CITY COMMISSION DESIRED ANOTHER NON METERED APPROACH, ONE THAT COULD BE APPLIED TO BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SOURCES EQUALLY.
WE LOOKED TO DEVELOP A PLAINLY AUDIBLE STANDARD FOR THE DISTANCES AT WHICH SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICES COULD BE DISCERNED.
THE CITY ATTORNEY ALSO HAD A NUMBER OF SUBSTANTIVE COMMENTS THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.
WELL COPER MILLER WENT BACK INTO THE FIELD TO COLLECT DATA REGARDING THE DISTANCES AT WHICH THE BARS WERE AUDIBLE.
WE WERE REVIEWING THE CODES FROM SEVERAL JURISDICTIONS AND WORKING WITH THE LAW DEPARTMENT ON LEGAL DATABASE SEARCH.
ASSISTANT CHIEF CUTHBERT PROVIDED CONTACTS WITHIN BOTH THE GAINESVILLE AND MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENTS WHO GENEROUSLY AGREED TO INTERVIEWS REGARDING THE PROS AND CONS, SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF THEIR CITY'S APPROACHES TO PLAN THE AUDIBLE REGULATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF MODIFICATIONS PROPOSED IN THIS VERSION OF THE NOISE CODE AS OPPOSED TO THE ONE SUBMITTED IN JANUARY.
THIS HAS BEEN IN RESPONSE TO INPUT FROM THE CITY COMMISSION, THE CITY ATTORNEY AND LOTS OF ADDITIONAL DATA, COLLECTION AND RESEARCH.
NOW I'LL GO INTO THE CODE ITSELF.
FIRST OF ALL, AT THE VERY FRONT, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS A STICKLER FOR DETAIL.
IN THE ORDINANCE AND THE WHEREAS IS, I'D LIKE TO JUST SAY THIS IS A SMALL OF DETAIL.
BUT IT SAYS, WHEREAS, ERIC WELING MS, INCE ASA.
I WAS A MEMBER OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY FOR 25 YEARS, BUT WHEN THE MEMBERSHIP FEES GOT TOO HIGH IN DECEMBER, I AM NO LONGER A MEMBER.
[LAUGHTER] JUST TO MAKE SURE THIS DOCUMENT IS COMPLETELY ACCURATE, WE SHOULD STRIKE ASA.
I'M STILL A MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF NOISE CONTROL ENGINEERING JUST TO KEEP THINGS COMPLETELY ACCURATE AND HONEST.
SMALL DETAIL, BUT ONE I WANT CITED TO MAKE.
WE'VE DONE WE'VE TIGHTENED UP A NUMBER OF THE DEFINITIONS TO GET INTO THEM TO. GO HERE.
PAGING DOWN. ONE OF THE NEW DEFINITION WE'VE ADDED A NEW DEFINITION FOR AFFECTED PERSONS, WHICH IS IT REQUIRES A COMPLAINANT AND THAT COMPLAINANT HAS TO HAVE STANDING.
YOU'LL SEE WHERE THAT IS USED.
IT IS USED ONLY IN ONE PARTICULAR CASE AND IN THAT PARTICULAR CASE, A PERSON CAN DECLINE THAT PARTICULAR ENFORCEMENT.
THESE ARE NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO GO OVER THE DETAILS OF SPEND THE TIME.
THERE HAS BEEN A CLASSIFICATION OF THIS DEFINITION HERE, FIVE CLASSIFICATION AND USE OCCUPANCIES.
NOW CLASSIFIES TRANSIENT COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE SLEEPING QUARTERS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE RESIDENTIAL.
THOSE FACILITIES, THE RESIDENTIAL LIMITS WILL APPLY.
I WILL DISCUSS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT AS WE GET INTO THE REGULATION ITSELF.
NOTHING HERE IS WORTH SPENDING YOUR TIME OVER.
NOISE DISTURBANCE, THERE IS A NEW PROVISION HERE.
THIS WAS DONE AFTER THE LEGAL DATABASE SEARCH.
THERE'S A DEFINITION OF NOISE DISTURBANCE HERE,
[01:30:02]
WHICH IS A FULL DEFINITION OF WHAT CONSTITUTES A NOISE DISTURBANCE AND THERE'S A PROHIBITION OF NOISE DISTURBANCE, WHICH GIVES THE CRITERIA BY WHICH AN INVESTIGATOR, AN OFFICER WOULD BE ABLE TO DETERMINE AND THEN THROUGH OBSERVATION AND THEN LATER TESTIMONY THAT SUCH A NOISE DISTURBANCE DOES IN FACT EXIST.WE'LL GET TO THAT. THERE IS A NEW MORE ACCURATE DEFINITION OF SOUND LEVEL METER CALIBRATOR AND SOUND LEVEL METER TO KEEP THE DEFINITIONS ACCURATE TO THIS TO TODAY'S EQUIPMENT.
SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICES, A NEW DEFINITION HERE THAT COVERS ALL AMPLIFIED EQUIPMENT.
WE'VE CONSOLIDATED A NUMBER OF REGULATIONS TO COVER SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICES.
MEANS ANY DEVICE WHOSE PRIMARY FUNCTION IS THE PRODUCTION OF SOUND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, LOUDSPEAKER, RADIO, TELEVISION, DIGITAL OR ANALOG MUSIC PLAYER, PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM OR SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT.
THAT'S TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE DEVICE PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO MAKE SOUND.
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT ARE LOUD, LIKE A TILE SAW OR A CHAINSAW, BUT ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO DO SOMETHING ELSE, SOME CONSTRUCTION OR CUT LOGS, BUT ITS PURPOSE IS NOT TO MAKE SOUND.
IT'S THAT WAY THIS DEFINITION BECAUSE A SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICE IS A VOLITIONAL NOISE SOURCE.
YOU CHOOSE WHAT DEVICE TO BUY, WHERE TO INSTALL IT, HOW TO OPERATE.
IT'S ALL COMPLETELY BY CHOICE.
THE MEASUREMENT STANDARD SECTION HERE WAS MOVED AND CONSOLIDATED DOWN BELOW. FURTHER ON.
THERE IS SOMETHING HERE WAS CLARIFIED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF MEASUREMENTS, JUST TO SAY THAT THREE MORE SAMPLING INTERVALS, THERE WAS A JURISDICTION.
IT WAS MAYBE PANAMA CITY BEACH, WHERE THEY HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THEY TOOK MORE THAN THREE THIS CLAUSE WAS IN PANAMA CITY BEACHES CODE, WHICH I ALSO WROTE.
THEY TOOK MORE THAN THREE AND THE JUDGE SAID THAT THAT WAS PILING ON.
[LAUGHTER] IT NOW SAYS THREE OR MORE AND IT ALSO SAYS THAT IF THERE ARE ANY THAT ARE NOT THAT SHOW THAT THERE IS NOT A VIOLATION, THAT'S NOT EXCULPATORY.
IF AN INVESTIGATOR TAKES MORE THAN THREE THAT THAT'S ACCEPTABLE EXPLICITLY.
HERE IS LET ME JUST GET TO PAGE.
WE HAVE REMOVED THE C SCALE PROVISION.
THIS PROVISION HERE, WHICH WAS MEASURED INSIDE A COMPLAINANT'S DWELLING.
THERE WAS SOME THIS IS ESSENTIALLY MADE UNNECESSARY BY THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE STANDARD.
THIS PROVISION HERE WHERE THE PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVEL LIMIT IS 3 DECIBELS ABOVE AMBIENT ON THE C SCALE.
THAT'S ESSENTIALLY THE LEVEL OF AUDIBILITY.
THERE IS A NEW PROVISION HERE, IN ADDITION TO THE DISTANCE PROVISIONS, WHERE WE HAVE IN THIS TABLE HERE SHOWS THE DISTANCE AT WHICH A SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICE IS MAY BE PLAINLY AUDIBLE WITHIN THE DIFFERENT ZONING DISTRICT.
THERE IS A PROVISION HERE IN B THAT SAYS, IN ADDITION, NO SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICE MAY BE PLAINLY AUDIBLE WITHIN THE RESIDENCE OF AN AFFECTED PERSON SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY, BETWEEN THESE HOURS AND THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY ON THESE HOURS, REGARDLESS OF THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICE AND THE RESIDENCE OF THE AFFECTED PERSON.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT IF THE COMPLAINANT FIRST OF IF THE COMPLAINANT WILL IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND IF THEY THEN SAY THAT YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO COME INTO MY HOUSE, YOU CAN LISTEN FOR THAT DEVICE AND IF YOU HEAR IT, THEN THAT CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION.
THAT ADDRESSES VERY SPECIFICALLY THE PROBLEMS THAT I DISCUSSED WITH MIAMI BEACH AND WITH GAINESVILLE.
MIAMI BEACH, THE PROBLEM THAT THEY HAD WAS THEIRS WAS I FORGET THAT THE DISTANCE WAS EITHER 100 OR 200 FEET.
BUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE COMPLAINING WERE IN A BUILDING THAT WAS LESS THAN THAT DISTANCE AND THE BUILDING WAS A VERY BIG BUILDING AND WHEN THEY TRIED TO GO TO THE DISTANCE THAT WAS THE DISTANCE NOTED IN THEIR CODE, THAT LARGE BUILDING WAS A BARRIER.
[01:35:01]
IT WAS NOT AUDIBLE AT THAT DISTANCE.THEY COULD HAVE NO ENFORCEMENT UNDER THEIR CODE.
IN GAINESVILLE, THE ISSUE THERE WAS THAT THEIR STANDARD WAS PLAINLY AUDIBLE AT 200 FEET.
THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE VERY CLOSE TO THE FACILITY THAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE AND IT WAS NOT AUDIBLE AT 200 FEET, BUT THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE REALLY CLOSE TO IT BECAUSE THE ONLY STANDARD WAS PLAIN AUDIBILITY AT 200 FEET.
THIS BASICALLY SAYS THAT DURING THOSE NIGHTTIME HOURS, IF IT CAN BE HEARD INSIDE SOMEBODY'S HOUSE, THAT'S A VIOLATION REGARDLESS OF HOW CLOSE IT IS.
>> IF YOU CAN SPEAK CLOSER TO THE SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICE.
>> THE SPEAKER IS THE SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICE.
THIS IS A SOUND RECORDING DEVICE.
BUT THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED IN ALL OF THIS IS THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WANT TO SAY ABOUT THIS.
THIS PROVISION HERE ADDRESSES THE DEFICIENCIES THAT I FOUND IN THE MIAMI BEACH AND THE GAINESVILLE CODES.
THIS ALLOWS FOR THAT OBSERVATION TO BE MADE IMMEDIATELY IN PROXIMITY TO THE FACILITY.
THIS, THOUGH, WE'RE APPLYING THIS NOW TO COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL.
COMMERCIAL IS NOW DEFINED AS RESIDENTIAL.
THERE ARE SOME COMMERCIAL FACILITIES THAT ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO COMMERCIAL SOUND SOURCES.
THIS IS A DECISION FOR THIS BODY.
ON ONE HAND, YOU COULD SAY THE COMMERCIAL INTEREST OF A FACILITY THAT IS OFFERING LODGING.
THEY AFTER A CERTAIN HOUR AT 11:00 AT NIGHT, THEIR RESIDENTS, SOMEBODY SPOKE BEFORE AND SAID, THIS IS A CITY THAT SHOULD BE WELCOMING AND SO YOU CAN GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP HERE.
OTHER PEOPLE MAY SAY THAT THE FACILITY THAT IS MAKING THE SOUND IS VERY CLOSE TO, THIS IS A POLITICAL DECISION.
IT'S MY JOB TO INFORM YOU OF WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS MAY BE.
I DON'T HAVE A POSITION ON IT.
AS IT IS WRITTEN RIGHT NOW, IT WILL BE PLAINLY AUDIBLE.
THE STANDARD WILL BE PLAIN AUDIBILITY AFTER THOSE HOURS INSIDE ONE OF THAT RECEPTOR.
THE OTHER THING THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED.
IN THIS IS THAT WHETHER THE WINDOWS SOME JURISDICTIONS SAY WITH ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED, THAT THE DETERMINATION OF PLAIN AUDIBILITY IS WITH ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED.
SOME DON'T. SOME SAY THAT THEIR ATTITUDE IS, LOOK, IN THE SPRING AND IN THE FALL, THE WINDOWS ARE OPEN.
IT'S A WONDERFUL PLACE TO DO THAT.
SOME SAY THAT A RESIDENT SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO HAVE TO CLOSE HIS OR HER WINDOWS.
AGAIN, THESE ARE POLITICAL NOT THESE ARE NOT DECISIONS I CAN MAKE FOR YOU.
I WILL JUST LEAVE THOSE TWO QUESTIONS OPEN FOR YOU TO ANSWER.
MOVING ON FROM THAT PARTICULAR PROVISION, GOING DOWN NOW TO THIS PROVISION, WHICH IS THE SOUND AT DISTANCES.
TABLE 2 APPLIES TO IT'S PLAINLY AUDIBLE AT 100 FEET WELL, IT'S BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND HP ONE DISTRICTS AND THE HISTORIC TWO, THREE, FOUR AND FIVE, AT 150 FEET AND 100 FEET DAYTIME AND 50 FEET AND 100 FEET NIGHTTIME.
ANOTHER DECISION BY THIS BODY IS WE MADE THIS WITH EXTENDED HOURS AN ADDITIONAL HOUR THURSDAY NIGHT, THAT COULD THEY CAN BE LOUDER THURSDAY NIGHT BECAUSE SOME BARS, SOME TOWNS THEY START A LITTLE THEY HAVE THURSDAY NIGHT, THEY START PARTYING.
THIS WOULD ALLOW BARS TO BE 1 HOUR LATER, 11:00 AT NIGHT IS WHEN THE QUIETER HOURS KICK IN, THURSDAY NIGHT, FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY NIGHT.
IF THAT'S THE WAY, THAT IS AS IT IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN.
IF YOU FEEL THAT THAT SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO ONLY FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY NIGHT,
[01:40:01]
THEN THEN THAT WOULD BE A CHANGE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO MAKE HERE.>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S VERY VALUABLE ABOUT THIS PLAINLY AUDIBLE STANDARD IS THAT IT ALLOWS FOR VERY EASY SELF POLICING.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING FOR HERE IS COMPLIANCE.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO GIVE PEOPLE VIOLATIONS.
THE PROVISION BELOW, ACTUALLY, TABLE 3 AS WELL ALLOWS FOR FACILITIES TO CONSTRUCTIVELY SELF POLICE AND FOR THEM TO MONITOR THEMSELVES.
THEY CAN EASILY GO TO THE DISTANCE IN THE CODE AND DETERMINE EITHER THROUGH LISTENING AND OBSERVATIONS, OR WITH MEASUREMENTS AND DETERMINE IF THEY'RE IN COMPLIANCE.
THAT'S A VERY VALUABLE TOOL HERE.
I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE POLICE AND THEY'VE SAID THAT THEY WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TELL THE FACILITY WHERE THEY WOULD BE STANDING IF THE MEASUREMENTS WERE GOING TO BE TAKEN SO THAT THEY COULD THEY WOULD KNOW WHERE THE MEASUREMENTS WOULD BE TAKEN AND THEY WOULD KNOW WHERE THE LOCATION OF PLAIN AUDIBILITY WOULD TAKEN SO THEY CAN EASILY DETERMINE SELF COMPLIANCE.
ANOTHER BENEFIT OF THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE STANDARD IS THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT BARS.
BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE 1 BAR PLAYING ONE TYPE OF MUSIC AND ANOTHER BAR PLAYING ANOTHER TYPE OF MUSIC, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL WHICH BAR IT'S COMING FROM WITH CERTAINTY.
I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT IN THE MOST COMPLEX ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT, WHICH IS BOURBON STREET, WHERE I WAS ON A ROOF, I HEARD A PARTICULAR GENRE AND WAS ABLE TO TRACE IT BACK TO A PARTICULAR BAR.
THE SOUND LEVELS THAT ARE IN TABLE 3, WHICH HAS BEEN IN FRONT OF THE COMMISSION EARLIER THIS WAS BASED UPON THE MEASUREMENTS THAT CORPORAL MILLER TOOK.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE FACILITIES THAT HE MEASURED WOULD BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS.
THERE ARE SOME OUTLIERS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF COMPLIANCE, BUT THAT WITH SOME MODIFICATION OF EITHER THE FACILITY OR OF THEIR OPERATIONS WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE.
THERE IS A PROVISIONS HERE FOR SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICES, MOBILE SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICES THAT ADDRESS PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.
THIS IS NOW BROUGHT INTO CONSISTENCY WITH THE STATE CODE AT 25 FEET.
THERE IS A PROVISION HERE THAT DEALS WITH SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICES ON BOATS AND VESSELS.
THERE IS A PROVISION HERE NOW THAT OUTLINES VERY SPECIFICALLY, ALL THE CRITERIA BY WHICH AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD DETERMINE THAT THERE IS A NOISE DISTURBANCE.
THEY INCLUDE NUMBER ONE, FOR INSTANCE, WITH THE VOLUME AND INTENSITY, IS IT JARRING AND DISTURBING? BUT THEN THE TIME OF DAY, THE DURATION OF THE NOISE, WHETHER IT'S UNNATURAL, HARSH, TONAL OR IMPULSIVE, WHETHER THE NOISE IMPACTS UPON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OR INTO A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING AND INFRINGES UPON THE ABILITY OF AN AFFECTED PERSON TO REPOSE OR SLEEP.
THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF CRITERIA HERE SO THAT IF SOME RESIDENT IS WORKING ON THEIR CAR LATE AT NIGHT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THEM IN VIOLATION CREATING A NOISE DISTURBANCE WITH THIS FAIRLY EASILY.
THERE'S MORE DISCUSSION HERE OF SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICES.
THE MOTOR BOAT PROVISION HERE WAS MADE UNNECESSARY BY THE SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICE PROVISION THAT WAS MOVED UP ABOVE.
THE SOUND MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY HERE WAS SOMEWHAT SIMPLIFIED FROM THE VERSION THAT THE COMMITTEE,
[01:45:01]
I APPEARED FOR A NUMBER OF BODIES, SO I APOLOGIZE IF I GO BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.THE SOUND MEASUREMENTS HERE ARE SOMEWHAT SIMPLIFIED AS PER THE REQUESTS THAT WERE RECEIVED.
THERE'S A PROVISION HERE ABOUT INSPECTIONS.
THIS ALLOWS AN INVESTIGATOR TO ASK A FACILITY TO TURN THE SOUND OFF, THE SOUND PRODUCTION DEVICE SO THAT THEY CAN GET THEMSELVES AN AMBIENT SOUND LEVEL MEASUREMENT.
THEN LET'S SEE EXEMPT NOISES THERE'S NOT MUCH CHANGE TO THAT.
THEN THE PENALTIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION HERE.
THIS WAS MODIFIED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY SO THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE DISCUSSED BY HER.
MR. SPRINGFIELD. ANY QUESTIONS.
COMMENTS. LET'S SEE IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FIRST, AND THEN WE CAN GO TO COMMENTS.
>> ONE THING THAT I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT BECAUSE OF A STATE LAW, NOW, ANY CALL THAT'S MADE FOR A NOISE VIOLATION IS NO LONGER ANONYMOUS.
>> IF WE'RE UTILIZING CODE ENFORCEMENT.
>> HOW WOULD IT WORK IN THIS ORDINANCE?
>> MR. ZWERLING POINTED OUT THAT AT THE END OF THE DRAFT, YOU'LL SEE THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENFORCEMENT.
ONE IS CIVIL COUNTY COURT ENFORCEMENT THAT'S WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN USING.
YOU WRITE UP A LITTLE COUNTY COURT VIOLATION.
PEOPLE CAN CONTEST IT IN COURT, OR THEY CAN PAY IT, WHICH IS NO DIFFERENT THAN WE'VE ALWAYS DONE.
BUT WHAT WE'VE ADDED IS NOW AS AN ALTERNATIVE, THAT YOU CAN ALSO HAVE A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER PROCEED TO TAKE A VIOLATION TO OUR SPECIAL MAGISTRATE IN THAT SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU CANNOT HAVE ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS.
>> IT'S ONLY IN THE SECOND SCENARIO, YOU CANNOT HAVE THE ANONYMOUS.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT OUT ON THE RECORD SO WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THAT IS A CHANGE OR IS THAT THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN?
>> WE'VE NEVER HAD CODE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS.
WHEN I SAY CODE ENFORCEMENT, I KNOW THAT SOUNDS WEIRD, BUT MEANING TAKING IT TO EITHER CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OR THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE, NOT HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WRITING A COUNTY COURT CITATION.
THE CODE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS TO GO TO THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE HANDLED BY OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT FOLKS UPSTAIRS, THAT IS NEW TO THIS SECTION.
>> MY NEIGHBOR HAS SOUND THAT'S LOUD, I CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IS MY NAME GIVEN TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, OR CAN THAT PERSON HAVE ACCESS TO MY NAME? I'M NOT JUDGING IT RIGHT OR WRONG.
I'M JUST TRYING TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROCESS IS IF SOMEONE ASKED ME.
>> IT WOULD ONLY BE REQUIRED BY STATUTE IF IT IS CODE ENFORCEMENT MEANING OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE PROCESS, NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT.
>> THANK YOU. VERY MUCH. THAT HELPS A LOT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COMMISSIONERS? YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?
>> YES. I MISSED THE VERY BEGINNING OF YOU SPEAKING.
ARE YOU THE PERSON THAT'S TRAINING OUR POLICE OFFICERS?
>> I HAVE SO FAR UP AT THIS POINT.
>> I WANT TO KNOW THAT ONCE YOU TRAIN THEM, IT'S GOING TO BE ENFORCEABLE, CORRECT? WHATEVER WE DECIDE TONIGHT, IT'LL BE ENFORCEABLE IF THEY'RE VIOLATING?
>> YOU SAID THAT SOMEBODY WORKING ON THEIR CAR COULD CREATE A NOISE VIOLATION, THEY COULD BE IN VIOLATION FOR THAT.
WOULDN'T THAT BE SOMETHING MORE EXTENSIVE LIKE IF SOMEBODY WAS OUTSIDE DRILLING, LIKE A WORK PLACE DOING AFTER HOURS HOW SOMETIMES A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY COMES AND THEY'RE MAKING LOUD SOUNDS.
WOULDN'T THAT APPLY MORE TO THAT THAN SOMEBODY WORKING ON THEIR CAR? I'M JUST CONFUSED.
>> WELL, I'M JUST SAYING THAT IF SOMEBODY WERE DOING, WORK LATE AT NIGHT, IF SOMEBODY WERE LATE AT NIGHT WORKING ON UNRUFFLED MOTOR VEHICLE, AND THE POLICE WERE LOOKING FOR SOME PROVISION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE WAS A NOISE DISTURBANCE,
[01:50:05]
THAT WOULD APPLY HERE.NOW, WHAT I NEED TO DO IS I ACTUALLY, I'VE SAID THIS, AND I DO NOT HAVE IN FRONT OF ME THE FULL EXEMPTIONS LIST THERE I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M NOT SURE WHETHER THAT WOULD BE AN EXEMPTED BEHAVIOR OR NOT.
WHAT I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME HERE IS THE MARKED UP COPY, AND I DON'T KNOW IF IN THE PREVIOUS EXEMPTIONS THAT ARE NOT HERE THAT WERE NOT AMENDED, IF THAT WOULD BE AN EXEMPTED ACTIVITY.
>> MY QUESTIONS ARE AS I RECALL, YOU SAID YOU HAD 2 QUESTIONS.
I I DIDN'T CATCH THE FIRST ONE.
ONE WAS ABOUT WINDOWS AND DOORS OPEN OR CLOSED.
ONE WAS ABOUT THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 11:00 P.M THEN THERE WAS ONE BEFORE THAT, WHICH I DIDN'T GET.
>> THERE WERE THREE INFLECTION POINTS WHERE MR. ZWERLING WAS SAYING, YOU ALL NEED TO MAKE A DECISION.
>> YES. THE FIRST ONE, I BELIEVE, WAS REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANTED TO CONSIDER HOTELS, MOTELS, B&BS TO BE RESIDENTIAL.
BECAUSE IF IT'S RESIDENTIAL, NOW IT'S TREATED THAT WAY TO TAKE THAT PLAINLY AUDIBLE FROM INSIDE.
CORRECT ME AT ANY POINT IN TIME IF I'M MISCHARACTERIZING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
THANK YOU, SIR. THAT WAS INFLECTION POINT ONE.
RIGHT NOW IT'S WRITTEN THAT WAY.
RIGHT NOW, THE VERSION IN FRONT OF YOU SAYS B&BS, HOTELS, MOTELS, WE'RE GOING TO TREAT IT JUST LIKE IF IT WAS RESIDENTIAL.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT, SPEAK NOW.
SECOND INFLECTION POINT WAS WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANTED TO SPECIFY THAT THE WINDOWS AND DOORS HAD TO BE SHUT.
I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW IT'S SILENT ON THAT, CORRECT? RIGHT NOW, IT DOESN'T REQUIRE THAT YOUR RESIDENTIAL WINDOWS AND DOORS BE SHUT IN ORDER FOR US TO DO THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE FROM INSIDE YOUR HOUSE.
IF YOU'RE WITH THAT, WE GO WITH THIS VERSION.
IF YOU WANT TO SAY, NO, NO, NO, YOU'VE GOT TO SHUT YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS, AND THAT'S WHEN WE LISTEN TO SEE PLAINLY AUDIBLE. SPEAK NOW.
THE THIRD INFLECTION POINT WAS WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANTED THAT THURSDAY NIGHT MORE LIBERAL RIGHT, CORRECT.
DID I MISS ANY INFLECTION POINTS? THOSE ARE THE THREE THINGS THAT WE NEED FEEDBACK NOW.
YOU MAY BE HAPPY WITH THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN OR YOU MAY WANT US TO TWEAK THAT.
>> THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE, WHICH WE CAN CONSIDER IF ANYBODY WISHES TO BRING IT UP, I WOULD PREFER WINDOWS AND DOORS TO BE CLOSED ON MY SIDE OF IT.
ALSO, I WOULD SAY, IT'S OKAY WITH ME TO CONSIDER HOTELS, MOTELS, AND SHORT TERM RENTALS AS RESIDENTIAL.
I THINK THAT I WOULD RATHER NOT INCLUDE THURSDAY NIGHTS TILL 11.
BUT THAT MAKES ME ASK WHAT WOULD THURSDAY NIGHT BE IF IT WASN'T AT 11? WOULD IT BE 10? WHAT WOULD IT BE?
>> THEN IT WOULD JUST BE ANOTHER WEEKDAY TILL 10.
>> IT WOULD BE 10 IF IT WASN'T INCLUDED.
>> JUST SO I UNDERSTAND THE DOOR OPEN AND SHUT.
THE QUESTION, I BELIEVE WAS DO YOU WANT THE OFFICER RESPONDING TO SAY, YOU'VE GOT TO THE RESIDENTIAL OWNER.
YOU'VE GOT TO SHUT YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS.
IT WASN'T THAT THE BAR RESTAURANT EMANATING THE NOISE WOULD HAVE TO SHUT THEIR DOORS AND WINDOWS.
>> I UNDERSTAND THE RESIDENT COMPLAINANT.
>> COMPLAINANT SHOULD CLOSE THEIR,
>> WINDOWS AND DOORS AND THEN WE LISTENED TO AUDIBLE.
>> THAT'S THE WAY I WOULD PREFER.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE WERE CLEAR ON WHAT YOU WERE INSTRUCTING US TO DO.
>> BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW THE COMMISSION FEELS ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I THINK WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS THOSE.
THEN I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GENTLEMAN WHO WISHED TO INCLUDE TROLLEYS AND TRAINS YOU AND I HAD A DISCUSSION EARLIER ABOUT THAT TODAY COULD YOU REITERATE THAT?
>> YES. STATE LAW WAS MODIFIED, I'M GOING TO SAY MAYBE THREE YEARS.
>> MAYBE IT WAS SOONER, I DON'T KNOW.
>> ANYWAY, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THAT THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A STATE STATUTE ON NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLES.
FOR MANY YEARS, THAT STATUTE HAD BEEN FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT HAD ALL SORTS OF EXEMPTIONS BASED ON THE TYPE OF SPEECH YOU WERE USING.
IF YOU WERE DOING A POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING WITH A MIC AND A PA SYSTEM,
[01:55:03]
THAT WAS EXEMPT, BUT IF YOU WERE JUST LISTENING TO ROCK AND ROLL, YOU COULD BE CITED COURT SAID, NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.THAT STAYED IDLE FOR A LONG TIME.
THEN A FEW YEARS AGO, THE LEGISLATURE CHANGED THE STATUTE TO ACTUALLY CONFORM.
FROM THAT POINT FORWARD, THE DISTANCE IS 25 FEET, CLEARLY AUDIBLE, ANY VEHICLE THAT STATE STATUTE.
WE JUST MADE OUR RULES MATCH THE STATE STATUTE, WHICH IS 25 FEET, CLEARLY AUDIBLE FROM YOUR VEHICLE, WHATEVER YOUR VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK THAT'S ENOUGH FOR ME.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ENOUGH FOR THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS.
BACK TO THE COMMISSION AND A DISCUSSION ON THESE THREE QUESTIONS.
>> SINCE YOU LOOKED AT ME, I'M GOING TO SPEAK.
>> SEEMS LIKE I ALWAYS GO TO THE TABLE, I DON'T KNOW.
I CAN PICK ON CYNTHIA AND START WITH HER, BUT MAYBE.
>> I AGREE WITH YOU EXCEPT THURSDAY, I WOULD BE WITH THURSDAY NIGHT.
BUT CLOSE THE WINDOWS TO TAKE A READING IN THE RESIDENCE AND HOTEL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED RESIDENTIAL.
>> YOU ARE WITH 11:00 ON THURSDAY.
BUT THE OTHER TWO WINDOWS AND DOORS CLOSED, AND HOTEL MOTEL, SHORT TERM RENTERS INCLUDED IN RESIDENTIAL.
>> I GUESS I'M NEXT. THANK YOU.
I DON'T HAVE OTHER COMMENTS OTHER THAN I'M REALLY GLAD WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE, AND MR. CUTHBERT AS WELL.
I'M FINE WITH THE B&BS AND HOTELS BEING WHERE THEY ARE AS IT STANDS NOW.
AS SOMEBODY WHO KEEPS MY WINDOWS OPEN AT NIGHT, AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, A LOT, I AM AMBIVALENT, ALTHOUGH MY HOUSE ISN'T WELL INSULATED, SO EVEN WITH THE DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED, I CAN HEAR A LOT.
THAT IS A VARIABLE THAT YOU JUST DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE, WHAT BUILDING YOU'RE IN, THE WINDOWS AND DOORS SHUTTER OPEN, IS GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND BASED ON THE TYPE OF BUILDING.
I DON'T WANT THURSDAY NIGHT TO GO UNTIL 11:00.
I'M IN BED FOR WORK TO GET UP AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING MOST OF THE TIME ON THURSDAYS, TO GET TO THAT FRIDAY.
FRIDAY IS MY MOST CHALLENGING DAY FOR TEACHING.
I GO FROM 9:00-5:00 FULL ON, SO I DON'T WANT TO GO TO BED ANY LATER THAN I HAVE TO BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS MAKING NOISE UNTIL 11:00 ON THURSDAY.
>> THANK YOU. I HAD TO DO A LOT OF CATCH UP.
I DID A RIDE ALONG WITH THE POLICE.
I TALKED TO ASSISTANT CHIEF CUTHBERT.
I WAS ALWAYS A LITTLE HESITANT TO GO WITH THE AUDIBLE, BUT NOW I SEE THE WISDOM IN IT.
AS FAR AS THE THREE QUESTIONS, I WOULD SAY NO 11:00 PM ON THURSDAY FOR THE REASON COMMISSIONER BLONDER STATED.
I'M OKAY WITH THE HOTELS AND B&BS BEING CONSIDERED RESIDENTIAL.
IF I'M IN MY HOUSE AND I MAKE A RESIDENTIAL COMPLAINT AND MY WINDOW IS OPEN, AND I HAVE YOU COME IN MY HOUSE TO TAKE THE MEASUREMENT.
IF I GO OUTSIDE AND I HEAR THE MUSIC AND I MAKE A COMPLAINT, IS IT THE SAME PROCESS? BECAUSE IT WOULD SEEM IF I CAN HEAR IT RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WINDOW, THE COMPLAINTS LEGITIMATE, BUT IF I HEAR IT INSIDE, I'M REQUIRED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW.
THERE'S NO LOGIC THERE, SO I WANT TO KNOW BEFORE I MAKE A DECISION.
>> WELL, THE WAY THAT IT'S CURRENTLY WRITTEN IS THAT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WAYS THAT SOMEBODY COULD BE FOUND IN VIOLATION OF THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE PROVISION.
ONE OF THEM IS IS THAT IF THE FACILITY IS PLAINLY AUDIBLE AT 50 OR 100 FEET, WHATEVER IT IS, WE'VE DOWN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, 150 FEET DURING THE DAY OR 100 FEET AT NIGHT, WHICH IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM.
IF IT'S NOT AUDIBLE AT THAT DISTANCE, BUT IT IS AUDIBLE IN SOMEBODY'S HOUSE, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A FAIRLY RARE OCCURRENCE THAT YOU HAVE THAT CONFIGURATION OF EVENTS, THEN THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN IS THAT THIS DETERMINATION IS MADE INSIDE SOMEBODY'S HOUSE.
THAT ALLOWS YOU THEN TO BE WITHIN THAT 100 FEET OR WITHIN THAT 150 FEET.
BUT BECAUSE IT'S AFTER HOURS, IT'S AFTER 10:00 OR 11 O'CLOCK, WE'RE GOING TO APPLY THAT STANDARD OF AUDIBILITY INSIDE THAT PERSON'S HOUSE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE IT'S ANNOYING THEM.
[02:00:03]
THEY'RE NOT SLEEPING ON THEIR BALCONY OR ON THEIR FRONT PORCH.THEY'RE INSIDE THE HOUSE, AND THAT'S WHERE THE IMPACT IS.
>> MR. ZWERLING, WHAT ABOUT THE 10 FEET FOR COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS? YOU WANT TO GO OVER THAT?
>> WELL, NOW THAT'S A DIFFERENT PROVISION.
THERE ARE SEVERAL. LET ME GO BACK UP HERE.
>> IT'S E1 RIGHT ABOVE TABLE 3?
>> THE TABLE 3, WHEN WE ORIGINALLY STARTED THIS PROCESS, THE QUESTION WAS, HOW CAN WE HAVE A STANDARD THAT CAN BE APPLIED WITHOUT A COMPLAINT THAT CAN BE MEASURED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY? ONE OF THE THINGS THAT AN INVESTIGATOR COULD DO IS THEY COULD EITHER STAND 10 FOOT FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE BAR AND MEASURE BOTH THE AMBIENT AND MEASURE THE TOTAL SOUND LEVEL, AND THEN SEE DURING THE DAYTIME, WHETHER IT'S ACTUALLY 12 ABOVE ON A AND C DURING THE DAYTIME AND SEVEN ABOVE AT NIGHTTIME, SO THAT WOULD BE A VIOLATION.
THEN IF SOMEBODY IS NOT METER TRAINED, BUT THEY CAN DO PLAINLY AUDIBLE AT A DISTANCE, THAT THE DISTANCES IS IN THE TABLE 2 UP ABOVE, SOMEBODY WHO IS METER TRAINED COULD ALSO PLAINLY AUDIBLE DISTANCES UP ABOVE.
THE THIRD METHOD WOULD BE IF SOMEBODY IS CLOSER THAN THE DISTANCES IN TABLE 2, BUT IT'S A COMPLAINANT, BUT IT'S STILL AUDIBLE INSIDE THEIR BED AFTER THOSE HOURS, THEN THE OBSERVATION, THE COMPLIANCE DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE INSIDE THEIR DWELLING AT THAT HOUR.
>> LET ME GET BACK TO THIS LITTLE BUBBLE I HAVE IN MY HEAD.
THE TIMES OF YEAR I CAN BECAUSE I GET A BEAUTIFUL WINTER YOU CAN DO THAT.
I'M INSIDE MY HOUSE, HAVE MY WINDOW OPEN, AND I HEAR MUSIC AFTER 11:00, AND THAT MUSIC IS KEEPING ME AWAKE.
NOW, I ASK SOMEBODY TO COME OVER AND I WANT THEM TO TAKE THE MEASUREMENT BECAUSE THAT'S THE SITUATION I'M IN WITH THE WINDOW OPEN, AND THAT'S THE WAY I PREFER TO BE, SO I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO, AND THIS IS THE WAY IT'S CURRENTLY WRITTEN, CLOSE THE WINDOW AND TAKE THE MEASUREMENT FROM THERE?
>> NO. CURRENTLY IT DOESN'T REQUIRE THE CLOSED WINDOWS.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE MAYOR IS SUGGESTING AND FOR THE LIFE OF ME.
>> IT'S CURRENTLY WRITTEN TO HAVE THE WINDOW OPEN.
>> NO. IT'S CURRENTLY MUTE ON IT.
>> I'M GOING FOR THE MEASUREMENT TAKEN WITH THE WINDOW OPEN SO THAT THE PERSON INSIDE THE HOUSE CAN KEEP THE WINDOW OPEN, SO THAT MIGHT BE THE WAY I WOULD GO WITH THAT. AM I RIGHT, AM I WRONG?
>> YOU WANT TO DO MEASUREMENT WHEN THE WINDOW OPEN.
>> I THINK WE STAY MUTE ON IT.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE OPEN OR CLOSED.
IT'S JUST EITHER ONE. THAT'S THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT.
>> CORRECT. IF I'M UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE CORRECTLY, AND AGAIN, MR. ZWERLING WILL CORRECT ME IF I DON'T UNDERSTAND HIS LANGUAGE.
RIGHT NOW, IT DOESN'T SAY WINDOW OPEN OR CLOSED.
IT JUST SAYS INSIDE YOUR HOUSE, AND SO THAT MEANS WHETHER YOUR WINDOWS ARE OPEN OR CLOSED, IF I'M INSIDE YOUR HOUSE AND I CAN HEAR.
>> WE DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE EITHER ONE, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE NOT GOING TO CREATE [OVERLAPPING]
>> CORRECT. BUT WE WANTED TO GET THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COMMISSION ON WHETHER THAT WAS OKAY.
I THINK I'M GETTING TWO YESES AND TWO NOS SO FAR, AND WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO COMMISSIONER GARRIS YET.
BUT I THINK COMMISSIONER DEPRETER AND THE VICE MAYOR BOTH SAY, NO, I WANT MY WINDOWS OPEN, SO LEAVE IT AS IS, LEAVE YOUR LANGUAGE AS IS.
>> CORRECT. THEY WANT ENFORCEMENT EVEN IF THEIR WINDOWS ARE OPEN.
I THINK THAT FLEXIBLE, IT'S STILL ENFORCEABLE WHETHER THE WINDOWS ARE OPEN OR CLOSED.
>> CORRECT. I THOUGHT I UNDERSTOOD YOU.
>> I JUST CHANGED MY MIND. I WAS LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST THOUGHT I WAS NOT UNDERSTANDING, SO NOW WE'RE UP TO, I GUESS, COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
>> I'M GOOD WITH IT BEING BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST REASSURING ME THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> CORRECT. THAT WILL MEAN WE'LL ENFORCE NO MATTER WHAT, WINDOWS OPEN OR CLOSED.
>> UNLESS ANYONE ELSE FEELS VERY STRONGLY, COMMISSIONER GARRIS, YOU FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THAT, WINDOWS DOORS OPEN OR CLOSED?
>> FIRST OF ALL, I THINK A RESIDENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEIR WINDOWS OPEN AND THEIR DOORS IF THEY CHOOSE TO.
[02:05:03]
IF YOU'RE STAYING IN A HOTEL, YOU PAID TO STAY IN THERE, SO WHEN YOU GO IN YOUR ROOM, THEY MIGHT HAVE A BALCONY, SO THEY MIGHT WANT TO LEAVE HAVE THEIR WINDOWS OPEN.I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE NOT PUSHING FOR THEM TO SHUT THEIR HOUSE DOWN BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE DO HAVE BREEZY WEATHER AND PEOPLE MIGHT WANT TO PARTAKE OF THE ATMOSPHERE OUTSIDE.
IT'S TRICKY OF MAKING A HOTEL THOUGH RESIDENTIAL BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A BUSINESS.
I KNOW BEFORE WHEN VIRGINIA WEBSTONE AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE CAME IN HERE AND THEY SAID THAT THE NOISE WAS LOUD AND THE TENANTS, THE PEOPLE THAT WERE RENTING CAME DOWNSTAIRS AND DEMANDED THEIR MONEY BACK.
IT REALLY IS A BUSINESS TO CATEGORIZE IT AS A RESIDENTIAL PLACE THING IS WEIRD.
A HOTEL IS A BUSINESS, IT'S NOT A RESIDENTIAL AREA, WHETHER THEY'RE SLEEPING OR GOING THERE FOR A DANCE OR WHATEVER, WHATEVER THEY UTILIZING THAT HOTEL FOR.
I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE TREATED THE SAME AS A BAR OR ANY OTHER ESTABLISHMENT THAT'S A BUSINESS.
THEY'RE MAKING MONEY. THEY HAVE CUSTOMERS.
>> JUST SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT I THINK YOU'RE SAYING, RIGHT NOW, WHAT'S IN THE DRAFT IS WE WOULD CONSIDER AND TAKE THE READING OR DO THE PLAINLY AUDIBLE FROM A HOTEL ROOM THE SAME WAY AS WE WOULD FROM YOUR RESIDENCE.
IF WE WERE TO TREAT IT AS COMMERCIAL, THEN WE WOULD NOT DO THAT.
>> IF YOU'RE AT A HOTEL, NINE OUT OF 10 TIMES, IF THERE'S A DISTURBANCE AT A HOTEL, IT'S PROBABLY IN THE BANQUET ROOM, SOMEBODY HAVING A WEDDING OR SOMETHING OF THAT MAGNITUDE BECAUSE I'M SURE IF YOU WERE IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM DOING SOMETHING OR FIGHTING, SAY WAS SPRING BREAK OR SOMETHING, THE HOTEL IS GOING TO CALL THE POLICE AND GET THEM OUT OF THERE.
IT'S NOT EVEN GOING TO BE A NOISE THING.
BUT IF YOU'RE IN THERE AND EVERYBODY DECIDED TO GO BUCK WILD AT A WEDDING, THEN, YEAH, THEY'RE GOING TO BRING THE NOISE PEOPLE IN THERE BECAUSE IT'S A BUSINESS. DO YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING?
>> I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE HYPOTHETICAL YOU'RE BRINGING UP.
I THINK THE HYPOTHETICAL WAS MORE, YOU HAVE A SMALL B&B IN THE HISTORIC PART OF TOWN, AND THE NOISE BOTHERING YOUR CLIENTS OR YOUR CUSTOMERS IS COMING FROM AN ADJACENT UNRELATED BAR THAT IS SEEPING INTO YOUR B&B AND KEEPING YOUR CUSTOMERS AWAKE.
I THINK THAT'S A HYPOTHETICAL.
THAT'S RESIDENTIAL BECAUSE IT'S IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT A HOTEL IS SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT.
IS A BUSINESS. DON'T YOU THINK SO?
>> I THINK OF A BED AND BREAKFAST AND A HOTEL ON THE SAME LINES.
>> AS BEING A BUSINESS OR AS BEING RESIDENTIAL?
>> BEING A BUSINESS, BUT IT'S JUST DIFFICULT.
>> A BIG HOTEL, IT'S GOT 300 ROOMS.
>> BIG HOTELS ARE JUST ORIENTED DIFFERENTLY THAN BED AND BREAKFAST.
A LOT OF TIMES BED AND BREAKFAST ARE IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS THAT ARE VICTORIAN.
>> YES. I TEND TO THINK OF THEM AS RESIDENTIAL.
>> WELL, BED AND BREAKFAST IS RESIDENTIAL, BUT A HOTEL JUST SAY LIKE TRIP INN, NOW IT'S A DORM, BUT BEFORE THAT, IT WAS A BUSINESS.
SEE WHAT I'M SEEING? DO YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE?
>> I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT FOR OUR PURPOSES AND THE PURPOSES OF THIS CODE, I WOULD RATHER BE ABLE TO CONSIDER THESE HOTELS AND BED AND BREAKFAST AND SHORT-TERM RENTALS AS RESIDENTIAL SO THAT WE CAN ENFORCE THIS ORDINANCE THERE.
>> IF I'M SLEEPING IN A HOTEL AT 11:00 ON FRIDAY NIGHT, I STILL WANT TO GO TO SLEEP, WEATHER I'M IN A HOUSE OR AN AIRBNB, SO I THINK WE NEED TO ENFORCE IT AS A RESIDENTIAL BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME EFFECT ON DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
>> FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ONLY.
ONLY IN THIS SCENARIO BECAUSE I AGREE WITH YOU OVERALL, BUT IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS ORDINANCE, I THINK WE NEED TO CLASSIFY IT AS RESIDENTIAL.
>> TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I THINK THAT COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD BROUGHT UP THE COMMONALITY OF SOMEONE WHO IS TRYING TO SLEEP OR GET PEACE AFTER A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME IN A RESIDENTIAL TYPE SETTING, LIKE YOU'RE IN A BED, YOU'RE WATCHING TV.
[02:10:03]
I THOUGHT YOU MADE A GOOD POINT WHEN YOU SAID THE BANQUET ROOMS, ROCK AND THE MUSIC DOWNSTAIRS, THE DIFFERENCE IS, THAT IS THAT PERSON'S CUSTOMER.IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT AS A CLIENT IN THAT ROOM, YOU GO DOWN AND YOU COMPLAIN TO THE PERSON YOU'RE PAYING THE MONEY TO.
THAT'S SEPARATE THAN HAVING A NOISE COME FROM ANOTHER ENTITY AND THEN FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST THAT.
BUT I THINK IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
>> I THINK THAT PERHAPS AS WE MOVE ALONG, WE'LL HEAR MORE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY NOW THAT WE'VE OUTED THIS, AIRED THIS ISSUE.
HOPEFULLY, WE'LL HEAR FROM THE BUSINESSES ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT. YES.
>> I HAVE A SEPARATE QUESTION ENTIRELY, SO I DIDN'T WANT TO CUT YOU OFF.
I JUST WANTED TO REGISTER THAT.
>> SURE. WE'LL CONTINUE THAT DISCUSSION ABOUT THOSE THREE ITEMS AFTER YOU.
>> IT JUST DAWNED ON ME AND I HAVE STUDIED THIS, SO I APOLOGIZE FOR JUST BRINGING IT UP NOW.
HOW DO WE DEAL WITH SOMETHING LIKE THE FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF & BLIND, WHICH IS LOCATED SMACK DAB IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA? THEY HAVE REGULAR EMERGENCY ALERTS LIKE ALL THE TIME.
THAT IS YOU CAN HEAR WITH YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS CLOSED AND YOUR DOG BARKING AT FULL VOLUME AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
IT'S JUST, WE CALL IT THE VOICE OF GOD SOMETIMES AND JUST LIKE, OH, MY GOD, IT'S THE DOOM.
>> WE CAN HEAR IT FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SOMETIMES.
>> HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THAT? IT CAN HAPPEN, OBVIOUSLY IT'S A REGULAR EMERGENCY, BUT THEY DO THE TESTING ALL THE TIME.
IS THERE SOME MECHANISM THAT THEY HAVE IS A PASS ON THIS BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE FACT THAT IT'S AN INSTITUTION, ESPECIALLY CATERING TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE A DISABILITY AND HEARING? I GUESS I'M ASKING THE ATTORNEY AT THIS POINT, IS THERE A WAY TO DIAL THAT BACK IN SOME WAY AND GET SOME QUALITY OF LIFE IN THAT AREA?
>> IF IT'S TRULY AN EMERGENCY TYPE ALERT OR SOUND, MUCH THE SAME AS FOLKS WHO LIVE, SAY, NEAR A WAREHOUSE AND WHEN TRUCKS BACK UP, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THAT BEEP, BEEP, BEEP MAYBE VERY ANNOYING SOUND, BUT IT'S REQUIRED, THEN THAT WOULD BE EXEMPT UNDER OUR ORDINANCE.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO AIR THAT OUT.
>> WELL, MAY I INTERJECT? LET ME JUST ASK THAT WHEN THEY HAVE THE TESTING THAT'S BEING DONE, IS IT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME?
>> IT CAN GO ON FOR A GOOD 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR AS THEY TEST ALL OF THEIR SYSTEMS.
>> THEY ALSO HAVE TORNADO WARNINGS.
>> LET ME JUST SAY THAT IN SOME STATE CODES, SPECIFICALLY IN NEW JERSEY, WHICH I'M MOST FAMILIAR WITH, YOU CAN TEST THE FULL FUNCTION OF AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE, LIKE A FIRE OR AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
THE FULL ELECTROMECHANICAL ONCE A MONTH, BUT THE WEEKLY TESTING, THEY ONLY CAN TEST THE ELECTROMECHANICAL FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, AND YOU CAN PUT A LIMIT ON THAT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS GETTING TO WHEREVER IT NEEDS TO GET.
IT MAY BE THAT YOU CAN SAY THAT THE FULL SYSTEM CAN BE TESTED WHATEVER THE MINIMUM DURATION IS.
THE FULL CYCLE, FOR THE FREQUENCY THAT'S NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE.
BUT THEN JUST THE ELECTRONIC TESTING FOR WHATEVER THE PERIOD IS.
LET ME JUST MAKE A POINT, AND I'M SORRY, YOUR NAME PLATE IS OBLIQUE TO ME.
>> GARRIS. THANK YOU. A POINT THAT SHE RAISED, WHICH WHICH WAS EXCELLENT WAS ABOUT INTRA BUILDING NOISE THE BALLROOM TO THE RECEPTOR.
THE PROVISION THAT DOES NOT ADDRESS THAT WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
MAYBE WE SHOULD PUT SOMETHING IN THERE THAT SAYS, THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO INTRA BUILDING COMPLAINTS OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT.
THAT SOMEBODY WHO'S IN A HOTEL THAT'S COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BALLROOM DOWNSTAIRS, THEY'RE IN THAT HOTEL.
THEY CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HOTEL DOWN BELOW, BUT THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A BAR THAT'S SEPARATE.
I WILL SAY THERE ARE A NUMBER OF JURISDICTIONS THAT HANDLE HOTELS OR APARTMENTS AND THINGS.
THOSE ARE ALL COMMERCIAL SOURCES OF NOISE BECAUSE IT'S A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS, BUT THEY ARE RESIDENTIAL RECEPTORS FOR THE REASONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE DISCUSSED HERE.
YOU HAVE A DICHOTOMY WHERE IT'S A COMMERCIAL SOURCE FALLING UNDER THAT REGULATION AS A SOURCE, BUT IT'S A RESIDENTIAL RECEPTOR BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP IN THEM.
>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE REASONABLE ADDITION.
[02:15:01]
THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.>> I CAN'T TELL MY WIFE TO TURN THAT STUFF DOWN IF I'M TRYING TO SLEEP.
ESSENTIALLY, IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
GOT IT. THAT SOUNDS REASONABLE TO ME.
>> IT DOES TO ME TOO. I'D REALLY LIKE US TO EXPLORE ADDING SOMETHING IN ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE TESTING TO TRY TO GET A BETTER HANDLE ON IT BECAUSE IT'S GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE AS THE YEARS HAVE GONE.
>> THAT'S THE THING THAT I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ASK YOU TO RESEARCH IN THE STATE.
>> CORRECT. THE ODDITY AND MAYBE MR. ZWERLING IS NOT FAMILIAR.
THE FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND IS UNDER STATE STATUTE, A PUBLIC SCHOOL.
BUT IT'S A PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT HAS THE STUDENTS BE RESIDENTS AS WELL.
THEY LIVE THERE AND THEY ARE TAUGHT THERE.
THEY HAVE A LOT OF REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THOSE STUDENTS.
I'D HAVE TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE WHAT THESE ALARMS ARE.
IT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY CAN'T DO OR WOULDN'T WANT TO DO NO MATTER HOW ANNOYING IT MIGHT BE, BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE KIDS.
I'M HAPPY TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT AND REACH OUT TO FSDB AND THEIR ATTORNEYS TO FIND OUT WHAT ARE THESE THINGS? ARE THEY JUST DRILLS FOR THE KIDS TO KNOW WHAT TO DO? I GUESS I'M OLD ENOUGH TO LIKE DROP AND ROLL.
>> NO. THE THESE ARE HAPPENING DURING THE SUMMER AS WELL.
IT'S DEFINITELY TESTING EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS DRILLS.
>> IF YOU DON'T MIND, I CAN REACH OUT TO THE SCHOOL FOR THE DEF AND BLIND AND THEIR COUNCIL AND FIND OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE, AND IT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE JUST WILLING TO VOLUNTARILY BE RESPONSIVE TO THEIR NEIGHBORS.
IN THE PAST, THEY HAVE BEEN. I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT.
>> THANK YOU. THERE'S TWO ITEMS. ARE THERE ANY NEW ITEMS? DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO BRING UP OR CAN WE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTIONS?
>> YEAH. WE DID TALK ABOUT PUBLIC OUTREACH SO I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME PUBLIC OUTREACH.
>> WE CAN ADD THAT AT THE END BECAUSE I AGREE WITH YOU AND I HAD THAT NOTE, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT YET BECAUSE I THINK THAT IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE IN THE ORDINANCE.
WE CAN DO A COMMUNICATION PLAN OR ONCE IT'S READY ONCE WE KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT LET'S GET IT ON THE BOOKS FIRST.
I TOTALLY AGREE. I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
I THINK WE'VE COME TO A CONCLUSION THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER HOTELS AND B&BS, AND SHORT TERM RENTALS AS RESIDENTIAL FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ORDINANCE.
MAYBE THE COMMUNITY HAS SOME INPUT ON IT.
I WILL REMAIN OPEN MINDED ON THAT, BUT I HEAR WHAT THE COMMISSION IS SAYING.
THE THIRD ITEM WAS THE THURSDAY NIGHT 11.
I'M NOT SURE I HAVE A FEEL FOR WHERE WE ARE ON THAT.
I'M A DON'T INCLUDE THURSDAY NIGHT PERSON.
>> I WANT THURSDAY TO BE 10 O'CLOCK.
>> YOU WANT THURSDAY TO BE AT 10 O'CLOCK?
>> I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE AT 10:00.
WE WANT TO CHANGE THAT BEFORE WE MOVE INTO SECOND READING.
WE'LL WANT TO ADD THE INTRA BUILDING VIOLATION, SOME LANGUAGE THERE, AND CITY ATTORNEY WILL LOOK INTO HOW THE SYSTEM TESTING FOR STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE RESIDENTIAL WORKS OUT FOR US.
CAN WE DO ANYTHING? MAYBE THERE WAS OTHER WAYS TO WORK THAT PROBLEM OUT.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT NEEDS TO GO ON THE COOK, BUT YOU'LL WORK ON THAT FOR US.
GOOD. WELL, I THINK MOVING FORWARD, I THINK WE NEED TO GET A MOTION ON THESE ITEMS.
>> I HAVE SOME COMMENTS ON IT.
>> YOU DO. YES, BECAUSE WE WERE DOING QUESTIONS.
I GUESS NOW WE'RE READY FOR COMMENTS.
SORRY ABOUT THAT. I THOUGHT THAT BUSINESS IS DONE.
>> I HAVE SIX. SOME PEOPLE WERE REAL CONCERNED ABOUT THE LENGTH OF TIME THIS TOOK AND IF THEY WOULD JUST TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK AT THE REPORT, YOU'LL LEARN REAL QUICK WHY IT TOOK SO LONG.
I SAW OFFICER MILLER OUT A LATE AT NIGHT ALL DURING THE DAY TAKING READINGS, AND HE DID A LOT OF WORK FOR THAT AS DID ASSISTANT CHIEF.
THIS WAS A REAL TEDIOUS PROCESS AND I DON'T CONSIDER IT DONE.
I THINK WE PUT THE ORDINANCE OUT, WE LIVE WITH IT FOR A YEAR OR TWO AND LET THE COMMISSIONS IN THE FUTURE ADJUST IT AS IT'S NEEDED.
BECAUSE IT'S NEW, WE'RE GOING TO BE LEARNING.
I DEFINITELY THINK WE OUGHT TO OFFER WORKSHOPS TO THOSE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE CUSPS VIOLATIONS.
WE OUGHT TO SPECIFICALLY ASK THOSE BUSINESSES TO COME IN TO
[02:20:02]
A WORKSHOP AND EXPLAIN THIS NEW ORDINANCE TO THEM, PARTICULARLY IF WE COULD DO THAT BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING.THE BUSINESSES PROMISED DURING THE NIGHT TIME ORDINANCE TO SUPPORT THIS.
I HALF SEE THAT HAPPENING BECAUSE NOBODY'S HERE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT, BUT THEY NEED TO SUPPORT THIS.
THEY PROMISED US THEY WOULD SUPPORT IT, AND IT WAS PART OF THE REASON THAT THE NIGHT TIME ORDINANCE DID NOT PASS.
THIS IS A KEY PART TO MAKING ALL OF THAT WORK ALONG WITH THE LIGHTING AND THE OTHER THING WE'VE PROMISED THAT WE WOULD DO.
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
IN MY OPINION, I'M NOT AN EXPERT AT ALL.
THE OTHER THING, I'LL PUT A LITTLE PUNCH IN AGAIN TO THE STAFF THAT IF THEY WOULD ELIMINATE THEIR TWO CYCLE TOOLS, THEIR BLOWERS, THEIR WEED EATERS, AND THEIR EDGERS, AND GO WITH ELECTRIC, WE COULD ALSO HELP RESOLVE SOME OF THE SOUNDS. THANK YOU.
>> I'M PRETTY MUCH COMMENTED OUT.
>> I HAVE NOTHING, BUT I'M READY TO MAKE A MOTION WHEN YOU'RE READY.
>> YEAH. COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD WAS JUST SAYING THAT WE DID EVERYTHING.
BUT WE HAVEN'T DONE EVERYTHING.
PEOPLE ARE STILL COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LIGHTING ON CORDOVA STREET THAT IS REALLY DARK, AND I THINK WE NEED TO TRY TO CONSIDER ADDRESSING THAT, PUT UP SOME TEMPORARY LIGHTS UNTIL WE CAN GET SOME BETTER LIGHTS BECAUSE IT'S A BUSY STREET.
CORDOVA IS A VERY BUSY STREET IN OUR COMMUNITY ON THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE A RESIDENT OR A TOURIST GET MUGGED BECAUSE THEY'RE IN A DARK SPACE.
IF WE COULD DO SOMETHING TO ENHANCE THE LIGHTING DOWN THERE, EVEN IF IT'S TEMPORARY UNTIL WE GET SOME HISTORIC FLIGHTS OR WHATEVER, BECAUSE THOSE PROJECTS AREN'T COMING DOWN THE PIKE FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF YEARS, AND PEOPLE NEED LIGHTS TO SEE VISIBILITY.
ONE THING I DO KNOW, IN DARKNESS, YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO GET ROBBED AND MUGGED AND POSSIBLY RAPED, THEN IF A PLACE IS LIT UP, NOBODY'S GOING TO BOTHER YOU BECAUSE SOMEBODY WILL SEE YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE VISIBLE.
>> CAN I JUST ASK ONE LITTLE TINY QUESTION? I APOLOGIZE.
IS THE COMMISSION WANTING US TO PLACE THIS AT THE NEXT AVAILABLE MEETING, WHICH WOULD BE THE MEETING AT THE END OF JUNE, OR ARE YOU WANTING US TO STRETCH THAT OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE TO GET MORE COMMUNITY INPUT? I JUST THOUGHT OF IT WHEN I WAS HEARING YOUR COMMENTS.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.
>> I THINK YOU'VE ALL BEEN HEARING COMPLAINTS THAT WE'VE BEEN DAWDLING.
>> I THINK WE MOVE FORWARD. WHAT I WAS ASKING WAS THAT WE SPECIFICALLY GO AFTER A FEW OF THOSE THOSE VIOLATORS AND MAKE SURE WE REACH OUT TO THEM.
>> I DON'T WANT TO BRUSH THE COMMUNITY, BUT LET'S GO AHEAD.
>> YOU CAN HAVE A SECOND YEAR OR YEAR 2 YOU CAN CONTINUE IT.
>> I THINK THE MOST PREEMPTIVE THING IS JUST GO AHEAD.
IF WE NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE, WE'LL DO IT. MAY I?
>> MADAM MAYOR. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE ORDINANCE 2025-08 TO SECOND HEARING AT OUR NEXT AVAILABLE MEETING, WHICH IS JUNE 23RD.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD THESE ITEMS INTO YOUR MOTION PERHAPS?
>> I'D BE HAPPY TO. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD INTO THE MOTION AFTER COMMISSION DISCUSSION THAT WE LEAVE LANGUAGE REGARDING WINDOWS AS IT IS, ALLOWING A CHOICE OF CLOSED OR OPEN, THAT WE CHANGED THE THURSDAY NIGHT TO 10:00 PM AND TREAT THURSDAY AS A WEEKDAY NIGHT.
THAT WE MOVE AHEAD WITH THE IDEA THAT HOTELS AND BED BREAKFAST AND PLACES WHO ARE MAKING THEIR MONEY, HOUSING PEOPLE IN A RESIDENTIAL STYLE ARE TREATED RESIDENTIAL.
>> WE ALSO WANT TO DO SOME LANGUAGE ON INTRA BUILDING?
>> CORRECT. THAT WE'LL ALSO DO. THANK YOU.
THEN WE'LL ADD TO THAT. LOOKING AT YOU.
I'M LOOKING AT EVERYBODY. WELL, THIS WILL NOT APPLY TO INTRA BUILDING NOISE.
>> WE WANT THIS TO APPLY FROM COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL IN A MULTI-USE BUILDING,
[02:25:05]
BUT WE DON'T WANT THIS TO APPLY FROM RESIDENT TO RESIDENT IN A MULTI-DWELLING DAY.>> CORRECT. IF WE HAVE THAT NOTED AND BRING IT BACK TO.
IT'S A VERY GOOD POINT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THEN THE OTHER ONE WAS THE SYSTEM TESTING IF IT APPLIES.
I LOOK AT THE RESIDENTIAL STATE SCHOOLS.
>> NOT AT ALL. TEAMWORK. DO I HEAR A SECOND?
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-08, AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 11, ARTICLE 4 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR REGULATIONS REGARDING NOISE CONTROL, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> EXCELLENT. ANY OTHER FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> YES, PLEASE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT HARD WORK.
COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU WISH TO TAKE A BREAK, IT'S 7:30, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUSH THROUGH? WE HAVE QUITE A BIT TO GO.
>> WE WOULD LIKE A BREAK. WE WOULD LIKE A 10-MINUTE BREAK OR A 15, 7:45. HOW'S THAT? 07:45. IT'S TO GET BACK TO WORK. LET'S GO.
[9.A.2. Ordinance 2025-09: Amends an existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 36 Granada Street and 8 De Soto Place. (A. Skinner, Planning and Building Director)]
WE'VE GOT ORDINANCE 2025-09, AND MS. SKINNER WILL PRESENT. GOOD EVENING.>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS AMY SKINNER.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
THIS ITEM IS THE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-09 TO AMEND THE EXISTING PUD AT 36 GRENADA STREET.
THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN AN EXISTING PUD THAT HAS RECENTLY OPENED IN A SIGNIFICANTLY RENOVATED BUILDING AS A RESTAURANT USE.
THE APPLICANT WOULD LIKE TO ELIMINATE THE MURAL REQUIREMENT THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE PUD LANGUAGE.
THE MURAL REFERRING TO THE FEED STORE IS CURRENTLY REQUIRED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING FACING DESOTO PLACE ON THE EXTERIOR.
THE PCB REVIEWED THIS REQUEST AND RECOMMENDED A CHANGE TO THE PUD THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN EXTERIOR HISTORICAL REFERENCE TO A PAST USE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IN THE PUD.
THIS RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE ON MAY 6 TO THE CITY COMMISSION.
REVISED LANGUAGE IS IN THE PRD AND ELEVATIONS ARE INCLUDED WITH THE ORDINANCE.
THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION IN FIRST READING.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I AM AVAILABLE.
THERE WAS SOME LANGUAGE ABOUT THE PARKING.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THAT'S BEEN DELETED FROM THE PLANNING BOARD TO HERE.
THE APPLICANT HAS AGREED TO JUST USE THE LANGUAGE THAT THE STAFF IS RECOMMENDING.
THE PUD APPLICATION TO AMEND THE PUD DID HAVE LANGUAGE THAT AMENDED THE PARKING SECTION OF THE PUD, BUT THE PLANNING BOARD DID NOT RECOMMEND THAT LANGUAGE.
THE ONLY LANGUAGE MOVING FORWARD IS RELATED TO THE SIGNAGE SECTION OF THE PUD THAT TALKS ABOUT THE MURAL.
>> I WENT TO THE GRAND OPENING AND I AGREE THAT THAT MIRO DOESN'T NEED TO BE THERE.
THEY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB ON THAT FACILITY.
IT WOULDN'T ADD ANY VALUE KEEPING THAT.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A PLAQUE OR SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO TO MENTION IT SO THE HISTORY OF IT DOESN'T GET LOST. THANK YOU.
>> IT WASN'T THERE AN ELEVATION CHANGE TOO, NOT JUST THE MURAL.
>> THE EXISTING APPROVED ELEVATIONS ARE THESE.
THIS IS ON THE DESOTO STREET OR THE SOUTH SIDE THAT REFERS TO A MURAL.
[02:30:01]
THERE WERE OTHER ELEVATION CHANGES THAT WERE PART OF AN UPDATE TO THE PUD THAT WERE DONE LAST JANUARY.THESE ARE PART OF THAT SUBMITTAL.
THE MURAL WOULD BE IN THIS LOCATION, AND THE REQUEST IS TO ELIMINATE THE MURAL IN THIS LOCATION.
THE DOOR WAS ALSO MOVED AT THE TIME AND THE FRONT DOOR WAS MOVED, AND THE OPEN PORCH WAS ENCLOSED.
ALL THESE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE.
THE ONLY OUTSTANDING QUESTION IS WHETHER THE MURAL SHOULD BE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
I JUST AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH HOW THAT HAPPENED.
I WAS SITTING ON THIS COMMISSION WHEN WE APPROVED THE PUD.
WE WENT THROUGH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ITERATIONS, AND IF I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THE VOTE WAS PARTICULARLY, BUT MY SENSE WAS THAT THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING SENTIMENT BOTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND ON THE COMMISSION, THAT THE MURAL BE A PART OF THAT BUILDING AND THAT PUD.
PUD IS A NEGOTIATION THAT WAS PART OF THE NEGOTIATION.
WE APPROVED IT BASED ON THAT PROVISION AND THAT UNDERSTANDING.
FRANKLY, WHAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO IS GIVE FORGIVENESS.
WE DIDN'T PERMIT THIS, THIS WAS DONE.
I'VE BEEN TO BOTH OF THOSE RESTAURANTS.
I THINK THE BUILDING'S BEAUTIFUL, THEY'VE DONE A NICE JOB.
I LIKE WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN THERE.
BUT THE PRECEDENT SETTING, I DON'T WANT TO APPROVE PUDS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING AND THEN HAVE THEM PROCEED IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND THEN COME BACK AND ASK FOR A PLAQUE THAT I DON'T SEE ANYWHERE IN THIS PACKAGE.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'LL BE FOUR INCHES BY FOUR INCHES IN A BATHROOM SOMEWHERE.
I'M GOING OUT ON THE LIMB HERE.
BUT IT'S NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR THE MURAL THAT WE WERE SHOWN AND THAT WAS APPROVED IN THE PUD, SO I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS AS IT'S PRESENTED.
>> SHE MENTIONED I WASN'T A PART OF THE COMMISSION THEN SO I DIDN'T HAVE A VOTE.
BUT I AGREE WITH HER SENTIMENT IN THAT WE ARE SETTING A PRECEDENT ON FUTURE PUDS TO VIOLATE THE AGREEMENT AND THEN COME BACK AND ASK FOR A ZONING REQUEST PUD CHANGE.
IT REALLY DOES OPEN SOME DOORS FOR PEOPLE POTENTIALLY.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN BUILD IN SOMETHING TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE IF WE DO END UP APPROVING THIS.
>> I WAS IN THE APPLICATION WHEN, MR. MCGARVEY, CAME AND IT WAS A REZONING REQUEST AND HE WAS ONE VOTE SHORT, AND THEN WE WERE THE ONES THAT ASKED HIM TO DO THE PUD.
MY ORIGINAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE MURAL WAS IT WAS GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT BUILDING FACADE PARTIALLY, BECAUSE AT THE TIME HE WAS GOING TO GO AT THE FORMER ELEVATION, AND IT WAS BROUGHT UP ABOUT FLOODING.
HE DID THE WISE THING, I THINK, WHICH IS TO RAISE THE FLOOR ELEVATION.
BY RAISING THE FLOOR ELEVATION THAT I CHANGED THE FACADE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING THAT WAS GOING TO BE OPEN.
BUT NOW THAT THE BUILDING WAS RAISED ON THE INSIDE, THAT WAS ENCLOSED.
I THINK THE GENESIS OF THIS MURAL WAS IT WAS GOING TO BE PAINTED ON THE BUILDING, AND THE BUILDING FELT LIKE A FEED STORE BECAUSE POT BELLIES WAS NOTHING.
IT WAS JUST A RECTANGLE THERE WITH A MASONRY BUILDING.
I THINK THAT WAS ATTRACTIVE AS A FORMER SIGN PAINTER, BECAUSE WHEN YOU PAINT IT ON THE BUILDING, IT'S NOT JUST THE DESIGN, WHICH IS RETRO, BUT THE FACT YOU'RE PAINTING IT ON THE MASONRY BUILDING, THAT DELIVERY ITSELF MAKES THE MESSAGE.
I THINK WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE ELEVATION ON THE NORTH SIDE GOT CHANGED AND THIS THING WAS PUT ON THE SOUTH SIDE, AND I THINK THAT WAS APPROVED BY THIS COMMISSION.
THAT'S ON THE LITTLE WINDOW THERE.
I WOULD SAY FROM AS A SIGN SIGN GUY, THAT A MURAL THERE, THAT IT'S NOT REALLY EVEN A MURAL ANYMORE, IT'S A PLAQUE WRITTEN IN BUT WOULD BE PAINTED, I GUESS, OR A SIGN PUT IN THAT SPACE WHERE A WINDOW IS AT,
[02:35:02]
AND IT WOULDN'T REALLY HAVE THE SAME FEEL AND THE BUILDING DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A FEED STORE ANYMORE.I THINK THE WAY THE PLANNING BOARD THOUGHT ABOUT IT WAS THE MURAL ITSELF REALLY DOESN'T REFLECT THE BUILDING, BUT SOME PLAQUE OR A SERIES OF PLAQUES THAT TALK ABOUT THE FULL HISTORY OF THE BUILDING.
BECAUSE IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, WHEN THE APPLICANT WAS FRONT OF THE PLANNING BOARD THAT IT WASN'T JUST A FEED STORE, IT WAS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
MAYBE IF IT WAS A PLAQUE THAT TOLD A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE FULL HISTORY OF THE BUILDING INSTEAD OF TRYING TO LABEL IT AS A FEED STORE WHEN IT'S ONE OF ITS PERSONAL LIFE, IS PROBABLY MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE PUD.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THESE THINGS CHANGE OVER TIME, THESE PUDS, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE THINGS HAPPENED, AND PROBABLY FOUR YEARS AGO, THAT MR. MCGARVEY CAME AND HE RAISED IT, PROBABLY AT LEAST THAT LONG, AND THEN HE RAISED A BUILDING BECAUSE OF THE FLOODING, WHICH WAS A POSITIVE THING.
I THINK THE PLANNING BOARD THOUGHT IT OUT WELL AND THE FACT THAT THE FEED STORE, IT'S NOT GOING TO REFLECT WHAT'S INSIDE THE BUILDING, THAT MAYBE SOME PLAQUE THAT JUST DESCRIBES THE GENERAL HISTORY OF THE BUILDING.
OUR QUESTION WOULD BE WHERE TO PLACE THE PLAQUE.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S A OVER REQUEST, BECAUSE THE MURAL IS NOT A MAJOR PART OF THE BUILDING IN MY MIND, BECAUSE IT'S LOST ITS VALUE WHEN IT WASN'T PAINTED ON THE BUILDING THE WAY IT WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED.
I WOULD SAY WE FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PLACE A PLAQUE AND MAYBE HAVE, MR. MCGARVEY, GET WITH ONE OF OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PEOPLE AND COME UP WITH A HISTORY.
>> CAN I SAY ONE MORE THING? JIM, YOU WERE ON THE COMMISSION BECAUSE I WAS ON THE COMMISSION, SO WE CAME ON ON THE SAME TIME WHEN THIS CAME UP.
>> BUT I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT IT.
BUT ANYWAY, JUST LIVING HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE FOR A LONG TIME, KNOWING THAT THAT WAS POT BELLIES FOR A NUMEROUS YEARS GOING THERE, IT WASN'T A WELL KEPT THEATER.
WE JUST LIKE SOME PLACE THAT WE WENT PAID $2 TO GO TO THE MOVIES.
THEN SEEING THE YOUNG LADY SPENT ALL THAT MONEY FOR CORIZON, AND SHE JUST REPEATEDLY GOT FLOODED OUT.
SHE GOT FLOODED OUT, HAD TO THROW ALL OF FURNITURE OUT, TRIED TO REBUILD.
I CAN SEE WHY THE ELEVATION WAS NEEDED, BECAUSE NOTHING IS GOING TO SURVIVE THE WAY THE STREET TURNS INTO A RIVER.
AS WE ALL KNOW, COMING DOWN HERE WHEN WE HAVE MASSIVE RAINS OR HIGH TIDES.
I CAN SEE WHY THE ELEVATION IS DONE.
I DO RECALL HEARING ABOUT THE MURAL, AT SOME POINT.
I HAD TO COME BEFORE US AT SOME CAPACITY, BECAUSE I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT THAT.
BUT REGARDLESS OF THAT, THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT NOW IF IT'S BEEN DESTROYED SOMEWHAT.
I THINK THAT WE COULD DO A PLAQUE THAT TELLS THE HISTORY OF WHAT ALL HAS BEEN IN THERE.
THE FEED STORE, THE POT BELLIES, THE CORIZON, BECAUSE THEN IT'S SHOWING YOU THAT THE BUILDINGS HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT USAGE.
THEN PEOPLE WILL GET MORE OF AN UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE I NEVER SEEN IT WHEN IT WAS A FEED STORE.
BUT 25 YEARS AGO, I WAS SITTING THERE AT POT BELLIES. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? I DO AGREE WITH VICE MAYOR BLONDER THAT IF WE SAY THAT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET A POT, AND THEN THEY SHOULD FOLLOW THE REQUIREMENTS.
BUT WE'RE NOT IN A SITUATION WHERE WE CAN CHANGE ANY OF THAT NOW.
THAT'S LIKE THE GUY THAT BUILT THAT WALL DOWN THERE WHERE YOU LIVE AT, AND THEN ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS, BUT THEN ALL HIS NEIGHBORS GOT WORKED UP.
DID WE SEE IT WHEN THEY WERE BUILDING IT? DO WE HAVE SENT CODE ENFORCEMENT OVER THERE? THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHTS.
>> I'M GLAD THE COMMISSION'S NEEDLED IS OVER.
I AGREE IT'S UNFORTUNATE WE DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE SOMETHING IS THIS IMPORTANT.
I CAN'T IMAGINE THE ICE PLANT WITHOUT THE MURAL.
I KNOW THAT WASN'T A HISTORIC MURAL, BUT IT STILL ADDS SO MUCH CHARACTER AND THE BUILDING, IF YOU LOOK AT IT, YOU CAN STILL SEE IT WAS A FEED STORE.
IT LOOKS LIKE A FEED STORE, SHAPED LIKE A FEED STORE, IT'S A BIG SQUARE BUILDING, IT'S A BIG BRICK BUILDING.
IT WAS THERE WHEN MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER LIVED DOWN THERE IN LINCOLNVILLE.
IT WAS PROBABLY MORE THAN A FEED STORE. I DON'T KNOW.
[02:40:02]
IT'S JUST GOT A REAL HISTORY AND IF YOU'RE MADE AWARE THAT IT WAS A FEED STORE, THEN YOU SEE IT DIFFERENTLY.I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH WHAT MR. GARP MCGARVEY DID WITH IT, I'M GLAD HE ELEVATED IT.
THAT'S GOING TO SAVE THE TAXPAYERS A LOT OF MONEY.
IT'S A GOOD THING IN THE LONG TERM.
WE SHOULD ALL BE ELEVATING IF WE CAN.
THAT'S GOOD RESPONSIBLE PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IN DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I DON'T LIKE THE WAY IT HAPPENED MYSELF.
I'VE TALKED TO MR. MCGARVEY, SO HE KNOWS MY DISCOMFORT WITH IT.
LET'S ASK FOR A HISTORIC MARKER.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS LANGUAGE, IS JUST SO ODD.
IT DOESN'T SAY WE WANT A HISTORIC MARKER.
IT'S GOT ALL THIS BEATING AROUND THE BUSH LANGUAGE, LIKE THE MURAL WHICH WAS SHOWN.
THAT'S AN AFTER THE FACT PERMISSION.
SINCE YOU ALREADY REMOVED IT, A PLAQUE WITH SIMILAR EXTERIOR HISTORIC REFERENCES TO PAST USES, WHICH MEETS THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE MURAL SHALL BE CREATED AND PLACED ON THE SITE.
I DON'T KNOW, IT'S NOT VERY FORWARD.
I WOULD RATHER JUST SAY THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A HISTORIC MARKER PLACE REFLECTING THE MURAL.
WELL, THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE MURAL, I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO THAT.
BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER MURAL THERE, IT'S GONE NOW.
BUT WORK WITH OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNER.
HOW CAN WE REWORD THIS SO THAT IT'S JUST, WE WANT A HISTORIC MARKER?
>> WE COULD SIMPLY SAY PRN EXHIBIT D OR WHATEVER, EXHIBIT E, AND HAVE THE DESIGN ITSELF, THE LANGUAGE PRESENTED AT SECOND READING.
>> THAT WOULDN'T BE MY RECOMMENDATION AS WELL, THAT YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE APPROVING AND WE CAN HAVE IT AS AN EXHIBIT IN THE PUD AND ACTUAL MOCK UP OF WHAT'S GOING TO BE ON THIS THING?
>> WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE APPROVING. THANK YOU.
IN THAT WAY, WE WON'T GET INTO THIS NEBULOUS WORLD.
>> WE SHOULD HAVE A DESIGN OF THE PLAQUE AND A POTENTIAL LOCATION FOR THE PLAQUE FOR SECOND HEARING.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD THINK WOULD BE THE REQUIREMENTS.
>> I DON'T THINK, MR. MCGARVEY, OR ANY OF HIS REPRESENTATIVES ARE HERE, BUT JUST FOR COMPLETENESS.
>> HE SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.
AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE PUD, SO IT'S A QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING.
IF YOU'VE HAD ANY EXPARTE, YOU NEED TO DISCLOSE THAT.
WE SHOULD GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY.
>> WE'LL DO THAT FIRST, AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM, MR. MCGARVEY.
>> I, ACTUALLY, WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE BEFORE WE HEAR FROM, MR. MCGARVEY.
>> DO YOU WANT TO DO THE EXPARTE FIRST OR?
>> YES, LET'S DO EXPARTE. DO YOU HAVE ANY EXPARTE?
>> NO COMMUNICATIONS WITH [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'VE SPOKEN WITH, MR. MCGARVEY.
>> I SPOKE WITH HIM WHEN I WENT TO THE GRAND OPENING, AND HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO COME HERE. THAT'S IT.
>> PROCEDURALLY, WHAT I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN IS WHEN THE ELEVATION UPDATE WENT THROUGH PZB AND US, THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OBVIOUS AT THAT TIME THAT THE MURAL WASN'T GOING TO WORK.
I WANTED ALL OF IT TOGETHER AT ONCE.
IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE ADJUSTMENT TO A PUD, I FORGET THE RIGHT TERM, THEN A MODIFICATION TO A PUD, THEN I WANT EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE MODIFIED.
I DON'T WANT SOME OF IT MODIFIED AND SOME OF IT NOT MODIFIED.
>> THIS HAS BEEN BITS AND PIECES.
>> I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.
>> I DON'T LOVE PUD MODIFICATIONS MYSELF EITHER, BUT THEY HAPPEN.
MR. MCGARVEY, DO YOU WISH TO SPEAK? DO WE NEED TO SWEAR HIM IN OR ANYTHING?
>> YOU INFER FROM THE TESTIMONY YOU'RE ABOUT TO GIVE IS THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?
>> I DO. WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS? LET'S SEE.
IS THAT IT? GOOD. TO ADDRESS ONE ISSUE AND NOT TO BE ARGUMENTATIVE, BUT WHAT YOU SEE, ON THE MONITOR, ARE THE APPROVED ELEVATIONS IN THE LAST PUD MODIFICATION.
[02:45:01]
THERE IS NO MURAL ON THOSE ELEVATIONS.WE DID NOT COME TO PIECEMEAL THIS THROUGH THE PROCESS.
SECONDLY, I'M HAPPY TO PUT A PLAQUE OR SOME HISTORIC MARKER.
I'M REALLY HERE BECAUSE MIKE DAVIS, WHO'S ON THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD, MENTIONED AS THEY WERE APPROVING THESE ELEVATIONS, HE ASKED IF WE WERE GOING TO HAVE SOME HISTORIC REFERENCE.
I SAID, YES, THERE WOULD BE A HISTORIC REFERENCE.
SO MISS BLONDER, I'M NOT TRYING TO PIECEMEAL, AND WHAT YOU DO SEE HERE ON THE MONITOR IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU APPROVED.
I'M TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE.
I'M VERY HAPPY TO DO A HISTORIC MARKER, AND WE CAN PUT THAT TOGETHER WITH THE HISTORIANS AND PRESENT IT AND MAKE A SUGGESTION OR TWO AS TO THE LOCATION, AND COME BACK BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
>> YOU'RE WILLING TO BOTTOM LINE AND YOU ARE WILLING TO DO A HISTORIC MARKER?
>> TALKING ABOUT THE BUILDING.
THERE WAS A REALLY NICE PICTURE THAT WAS PRESENTED HERE EARLIER BY, MISS KOLEITY, THAT SHOWED THE BUILDING, THAT WAS GREAT THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AS PART OF THAT, FRANKLY, BECAUSE IT REALLY STIRS THE IMAGINATION.
BY THE WAY, I WANT TO SAY YOU HAVE DONE A BEAUTIFUL JOB ON THE BUILDING.
I WOULD HAVE RATHER SEEN WHEN THIS PLAN WAS PRESENTED US FOR THE MODIFICATION APPROVAL, A TEXT AMENDMENT TO GO WITH IT AS AT THE SAME TIME, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO TEXT AMENDMENT.
>> ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTION FOR?
>> MR. GARP MCGARVEY, BEFORE WE MOVE ON.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> LET ME GET THE NUMBER DOWN HERE.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE 2025-09 AS READ BY TITLE TO A SECOND HEARING.
I SHOULD ASK, MR. MCGARVEY, WOULD YOU LIKE THIS IN TWO WEEKS? WOULD YOU LIKE THIS IN A MONTH OR HOW? SORRY.
>> I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO PUT THIS TOGETHER WITH THE HISTORIC GROUP.
>> WE COULD DO IT DATE UNCERTAIN.
>> DATE UNCERTAIN WOULD BE GREAT.
>> YOU HAVE TO SPECIFY THE DATE.
>> I'M NOT GOING TO DRAG THIS ON FOR YEARS AND YEARS, BUT I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO PUT THIS TOGETHER. I DON'T KNOW IF [OVERLAPPING]
>> [OVERLAPPING] PLANNING BOARD DO DATE UNCERTAIN.
>> IT'S FINE BECAUSE ACTUALLY, OUR CLERK HAS TO NOTICE IT IN THE NEWSPAPER FOR THE SECOND READING, SO WE WON'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNTIL MR. MCGARVEY ACTUALLY HAS ALL HIS DOCUMENTS IN. IS THAT FAIR?
>> IT'S A GOOD IDEA. THAT'S GOOD.
ADVANCE ORDINANCE 2025-09 TO DATE UNCERTAIN.
WITH THE UNDERSTANDING AFTER COMMISSION DISCUSSION THAT MR. MCGARVEY WILL BE BRINGING WITH HIM AN EXHIBIT OF THE NEW HISTORICAL PLAQUE WITH A HISTORY OF THE BUILDING, MAYBE WORKING WITH OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER, THAT WE WOULD HAVE THAT DISPLAY THAT WE COULD LOOK AT, WITH DIMENSIONS, WITH LANGUAGE, WITH GRAPHICS, AND POTENTIALLY TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THAT WE CAN CHOOSE FROM FOR WHERE IT WOULD BE PLACED.
BEFORE FURTHER DISCUSSION, WE'VE GOT TO READ IT FIRST.
>> YES. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-09, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE ZONING FOR APPROXIMATELY 0.75 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 36 GRENADA STREET, PARCEL ID NUMBER 2032400000, AND EIGHT DESOTO PLACE,
[02:50:02]
PARCEL ID NUMBER 2032300000, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HERE AND AFTER TO AMEND ITS CURRENT PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, PUD, CLASSIFICATION.ADOPTING A NEW PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, PUD, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS, DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[9.B.1. Resolution 2025-14: Approval of FDOT Reimbursement Agreement for the Removal, Preservation, and Replacement of the Historic Medici Lions. (J. Webber, Grants Administration Coordinator)]
WE'LL GO INTO RESOLUTIONS NOW.WE HAVE RESOLUTION 2025-14, AND WE HAVE MR. WEBBER HERE TO PRESENT.
MADAM VICE MAYOR, AND FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.
I AM THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE GRANTS ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, I HAVE HERE, RESOLUTION 2025-14, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH FDOT FOR THE REMOVAL, PRESERVATION, AND REPLACEMENT OF THE HISTORIC MEDICI LIONS.
FDOT IS PLANNING A SEAWALL AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, WHICH WILL REQUIRE THE REMOVAL OF LION STATUES ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BRIDGE LIONS.
WITH THIS REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT, THE CITY WILL RECEIVE $100,000 FOR THEIR REMOVAL, STORAGE, CONSERVATION, AND REPLACEMENT AT THE END OF THE SEA WALL PROJECT.
FOR THE AGREEMENT, THE CITY IS TO REMOVE THE LIONS BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROJECT OR BY JANUARY 31ST, 2026, AND BRING THEM BACK ONCE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE OR BY DECEMBER 31ST, 2028.
IT'S STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED AND AGREEMENT SIGNED.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE AGREEMENT. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
>> ACTUALLY I HAVE A QUESTION.
>> CLARIFICATION. JUST SO THAT IT'S OUT THERE ON THE PUBLIC RECORD, IT DID GET A LOT OF NEWS NOTICE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE'RE DOING, WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING HERE.
MR. CITY MANAGER, COULD YOU BE A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT WE AS A CITY WILL DO AFTER WE GET THIS?
>> CERTAINLY. WE WILL USE A MOVING COMPANY TO ACTUALLY LIFT THE LIONS ONTO A TRAILER ON A CITY VEHICLE, CITY EMPLOYEES WILL DRIVE THAT VEHICLE, ONE VEHICLE FOR EACH LION TO THE SOLID WASTE BUILDING AT THE END OF RIBERIA STREET, WHERE THEY WILL BE STORED INSIDE THE SOLID WASTE BUILDING.
WE WILL PUT UP A CHAIN LINK BARRIER SO THAT NO ONE CAN TOUCH THE LIONS DURING STORAGE.
WHILE THEY'RE AT THAT BUILDING, THE LIONS WILL BE PROFESSIONALLY RESTORED AND REHABILITATED.
WHEN THE SEAWALL PROJECT IS COMPLETED, WE WILL DO THE OPPOSITE.
WE WILL THEN TRAILER THOSE LIONS BACK TO THE BRIDGE OF LIONS, WHERE THE CRANE OPERATOR WILL LIFT THEM OFF THE TRAILERS AND RESTORE THEM TO THEIR CURRENT LOCATION.
>> IS THIS THE SAME OR VERY SIMILAR PROCEDURE THAT WAS FOLLOWED WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS REPLACED, AND DURING THAT FOUR-YEAR TIME, WE DIDN'T HAVE LIONS?
>> THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS WE PUT BOTH LIONS ON ONE TRAILER AT THAT TIME AND WE LEARNED A LESSON THAT THAT WAS TOO RISKY.
>> THEY MADE IT SAFELY, THOUGH.
>> YOU HAVE A GREAT PICTURE ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE RECORD OF THE LIONS BRING BROUGHT BACK.
I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I LEARNED FROM THE CITY MANAGER THAT THEY HAVE CONTRACTED WITH ENZO TORCOLETTI AND JOE SIEGEL, AGAIN, WHO HAD THEIR HANDS ON THE LIONS BEFORE, THEY DID THE RESTORATION BEFORE, AND DO AN AMAZING JOB.
I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THAT I KNOW THIS IS AN ASIDE, BUT I JUST WATCHED STANLEY TUCCI'S ITALY ON NETFLIX, WHERE HE TALKS ABOUT FOOD OF ITALY.
BUT THE WHOLE SERIES OPENS WITH HIM STANDING IN THE MARBLE IN ITALY, AND I DON'T KNOW IF I'M PRONOUNCING IT
[02:55:03]
RIGHT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN PRONOUNCED A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT IS IT MEDICI? THE MEDICI.>> IS IT MEDICI? THERE YOU GO, YOU'VE GOT YOUR GO.
THE MEDICI MARBLE MINES IN ITALY, IN TUSCANY.
IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE SERIES, IT'S REALLY WORTH THAT FIRST MOMENT AND REMEMBERING OUR LIONS.
ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS? I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-14.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[9.B.2. Resolution 2025-18: Approves the purchase of 160 Marine Street. (D. Birchim, City Manager)]
RESOLUTION 2025-18, MR. BIRCHIM.>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
>> RESOLUTION 2025-08 IS FOR THE PURCHASE OF 160 MARINE STREET.
THE PROPERTY AT 160 MARINE STREET IS A VACANT PARCEL.
IT IS ONE OF THE THREE PROPERTIES THE CITY NEEDS TO CONSTRUCT A FLOODWALL ON THE EAST SIDE OF MARIA SANCHEZ CREEK TO PROTECT THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF DOWNTOWN FROM FLOODING.
ON THE OVERHEAD, YOU CAN SEE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH, THE PARCEL IS OUTLINED IN RED.
WE HAVE INITIATED A PROCESS TO ACQUIRE EASEMENTS FOR THIS FLOODWALL FROM THE PROPERTY OWNERS, AND THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS RESPONDED WITH AN OFFER TO SELL THE PROPERTY TO THE CITY.
ACQUIRING THE PROPERTY WILL BE OF USE TO US DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF THE LAKE MARIA SANCHEZ DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AS A STAGING AREA.
WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE, THE CITY CAN SELL THIS PROPERTY WITH THE ADDED VALUE OF A NEW FLOODWALL, WHICH INCLUDES A MAINTENANCE EASEMENT, MEANING THE CITY WILL PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO THE FLOODWALL.
IT WILL BE INTERCONNECTED WITH MULTIPLE PROPERTIES THROUGHOUT THIS BASIN, AND THAT WILL PROTECT FUTURE PROPERTY OWNERS FROM FLOODING.
THIS ALSO ADDS TO THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.
ON THE OVERHEAD, YOU'LL SEE THE OVERALL BASIN, THE MARIA SANCHEZ BASIN, THE PROPERTY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS HERE.
THAT'S THE NYE-ISLAM PROPERTY.
THE APPRAISAL OF THE PROPERTY WAS $1,284,000.
THE OFFER IS $1,475,000 PLUS CLOSING COSTS.
PURCHASING THE PROPERTY WILL SAVE THE COSTS THE CITY WOULD BE PAYING FOR ACQUIRING THE EASEMENTS AND FOR OUR LEGAL FEES FOR PURSUING EMINENT DOMAIN.
WHICH AMOUNTS TO AN ESTIMATED SAVINGS OF $228,426.
IF WE APPLY THIS SAVINGS TO THE PURCHASE PRICE, THE CITY'S COST TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY WOULD BE $1,246,574, WHICH IS A $37,426 ABOVE APPRAISED VALUE FIGURE.
I'M NOT SURE IF I'M SAYING THAT VERY CLEARLY.
THE CITY CAN PURCHASE THE PROPERTY ABOVE APPRAISED VALUE IF IT FINDS THAT THE PURCHASE IS A PARAMOUNT PUBLIC PURPOSE OR PROVIDES AN ESSENTIAL NEED FOR THE CITY.
THE LAKE MARIA SANCHEZ DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT WILL PROTECT 186 HOMES AND STRUCTURES IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF DOWNTOWN FROM FLOODING EVENTS, AND THIS PROPERTY IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS FLOOD BARRIER.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? MR. SPRINGFIELD.
>> I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION, I JUST HAVE A CLARIFICATION.
WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS SITE FOR OUR, WHAT DO YOU CALL IT?
>> STAGING AREA WHERE WE WOULD HAVE TO MAYBE POSSIBLY RENT AN AREA TO STAGE, SO THIS ACTUALLY COULD DO ADDITIONAL SAVINGS.
>> THEN OUR REALLY INTENT IS TO USE THE PROPERTY FOR THE TWO OR THREE YEARS, WHATEVER IT TAKES, AND THEN TO SELL IT, WE DON'T INTEND TO KEEP IT AND HAVE A USE FOR IT?
>> I HAVE INCLUDED THAT OPTION IN THE RESOLUTION.
OBVIOUSLY, IT'S UP TO THE COMMISSION WHETHER THEY CHOOSE TO SELL IT AT THAT TIME, BUT YES.
[03:00:01]
>> NO COMMENTS? ANY FURTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS?
THE THREE WORDS THAT STAND OUT TO ME ARE PARAMOUNT PUBLIC PURPOSE, AND THAT'S BECAUSE I WOULDN'T USUALLY WANT TO GO OVER A ESTIMATED PRICE EVALUATION.
IT WAS EVALUATED HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF SINGLE FAMILY.
THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN ARGUE WITH THAT.
IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS FAIRLY APPRAISED.
THERE'S DEMONSTRATED JUSTIFICATION FOR PAYING ABOVE THE APPRAISED VALUE.
I'M GLAD TO SEE THIS MOVING ALONG.
I THINK YOUR MATH IS RIGHT, WE WOULD HAVE TO BE PAY FOR THESE THINGS ANYWAY, AND THEN WE GET THE LAND AT THE END WHICH WE COULD SELL.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS, ARE YOU SAYING TONIGHT IN OUR RESOLUTION, WE SAY WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT OR NOT, OR IS THAT OPEN-ENDED?
>> THAT IS UP TO YOU. I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO COMMIT TO THAT.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT THAT WOULD BE AN OPTION TO RECOVER THE MONEY WE WOULD SPEND TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY NOW.
>> OKAY. I'D PROBABLY KEEP IT OPEN-ENDED.
>> I THINK THAT'S GOOD. I DON'T WANT TO TIE THE HANDS OF THE COMMISSION IN THE FUTURE.
>> I THINK IT'S MARIA, THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME, AND THIS IS GOING TO PUT US ONE STEP CLOSER TO GETTING THOSE HOMES, LIKE YOU SAID, 186 HOMES REPAIRED BECAUSE THAT FLOODING IS NO JOKE AND THERE'S SO MANY AREAS THAT FLOOD.
IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO DECREASE THAT NUMBER, WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO SAVE HOMES BECAUSE EVERY TIME THERE'S HIGH TIDE OR FLOODING, THOSE PEOPLE ARE VERY VULNERABLE.
WE GOT TO TAKE IT ONE AREA AT A TIME TO MAKE SURE OUR CITY IS BETTER. THANK YOU.
>> JUST THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS.
PLUS WE ARE AVOIDING EMINENT DOMAIN ON THIS PROPERTY, SO THAT'S ALSO SAVING US MONEY AS YOU SAID.
>> GOOD. MY ONLY COMMENT IS THAT I THINK THIS IS A KEY PARCEL TO MAKING OUR CITY MORE RESILIENT, ESPECIALLY THAT AREA THAT'S VERY LOW IN FLOODS.
IT'S A REALLY GREAT MOVE, AND I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE IDEA THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY RECOUP THE MONEY IN A FUTURE LAND SALE ON THE PROPERTY.
>> SOMEBODY ELSE? I'M DRINKING COKE ZERO [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] IS THIS TO PASS THIS, OR IS THIS JUST PASSING IT RIGHT NOW?
>> JUST TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE.
>> I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO PASS RESOLUTION 2025-18, A PURCHASE OF 160 MARINE STREET AS IT'S BEEN DEMONSTRATED THAT IT HAS JUSTIFICATION FOR PAYING ABOVE THE APPRAISED VALUE, AND THE APPRAISAL SEEMS LIKE IT WAS FAIR, AND IT'S IN THE GOALS OF THE CITY IN TERMS OF RESILIENCY.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU. GREAT JOB GETTING THAT DONE.
BIG KEY PIECE. LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 2025-21.
[9.B.3. Resolution 2025-21: Requests SJRWMD and FL DEP to reduce permit application fees. (S. Slaughter, Utilities & Public Works Director)]
THAT IS MR. SLAUGHTER. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND THE FLORIDA DEP TO REDUCE PERMIT APPLICATION FEES.I BELIEVE IT'S AN ANNUAL REQUEST. YES?
>> YES, MA'AM. MAYOR VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, STEPHEN SLAUGHTER, UTILITIES PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
RESOLUTION 2025-21 IS A RESOLUTION THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO RECEIVE REDUCED FEES FOR PERMITS, ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THAT IS DUE TO OUR CURRENT POPULATION AND OUR PERCENT AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPT.
>> EXCELLENT. ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION IN THAT CASE.
>> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT RESOLUTION 2025-21.
>> VERY GOOD. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> YES. THANK YOU, MR. SLAUGHTER. THE NEXT ITEM IS RESOLUTION 2025-22,
[9.B.4. Resolution 2025-22: Authorizes the execution of the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network Program Grant Agreement with FDOT. (X. Pellicer, Mobility Manager)]
WHICH AUTHORIZES THE EXECUTION OF THE FLORIDA SHARED-USE NON-MOTORIZED TRAIL NETWORK PROGRAM GRANT AGREEMENT WITH FDOT.[03:05:03]
MR. PELLICER, YOU ARE FREE TO PRESENT. GOOD EVENING.MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, ZAVIER PELLICER, MOBILITY MANAGER WITH THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I DO HAVE ONE SLIDE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOU IF I CAN GET IT UP HERE.
>> LET'S SEE IF I CAN ENLARGE THIS A LITTLE BIT.
THIS SKETCH THAT WE HAVE ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW IS A POSSIBLE PATH FOR THE TRAIL.
THIS IS A DESIGN PROCESS FOR A BIKE TRAIL TO COME THROUGH OUR HISTORIC AREA.
IT WAS INITIALLY CALLED OUT AS KING STREET, BUT IT MIGHT BE ALONG KING STREET.
IT MIGHT BE ALONG THIS PATH THAT'S PRESENTED IN FRONT OF YOU OR IT MIGHT BE ALTERED TO BE ALONG A DIFFERENT PATH.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE VETTED OUT DURING THE DESIGN PROCESS.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHOW THIS AS A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE, AND THAT WE CAN FURTHER EVALUATE.
BUT I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANY QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? I THINK THIS IS STILL IN FLUX, BUT IT'S A GREAT IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED FOR A LONG TIME.
WE'VE HAD HOW MANY PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THIS?
>> BUT WE WILL HAVE ONE DURING THE DESIGN PROCESS.
>> THEN JUST TO HELP SHOW WHAT'S ON THE SCREEN RIGHT HERE IS WE'RE BRINGING IT DOWN ALONG KING STREET, UP ALONG MALAGA STREET, BRINGING IT DOWN VALENCIA STREET.
THEN WE'RE GETTING IT ALONG TREASURY STREET AND GETTING IT ALL THE WAY TO THE BRIDGE OF LIONS.
THERE'S A CURRENT CROSSWALK THAT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO GET ACROSS THE FOUR LANE AVENIDA MENENDEZ, SO THAT'LL BE THERE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CROSSING THAT FOUR LANE.
THERE'S A LOT TO BE VETTED OUT THROUGH THE DESIGN PROCESS, BUT THIS IS JUST ONE POSSIBLE PATH.
>> WELL, I'M VERY EXCITED THAT WE GOT THIS MONEY TO DO THIS, OBVIOUSLY, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES.
IT ALWAYS MAKES ME HAPPY AS A COMMISSIONER, AND AS AN AVID BIKER, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
I'M ALSO VERY AWARE THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE GOING ON FOR A WHILE.
YOU'LL GET A LOT OF FEEDBACK AND THEN I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HOW THIS PROGRESSES.
I'VE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME.
[LAUGHTER] I'M A REGULAR USER OF THE BIKE PATH THAT WILL GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE STATE AND CIRCLE BACK DOWN.
IT'S GOING TO BE AN AMAZING THING.
I PROBABLY WON'T LIVE THAT LONG, BUT I WOULD LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN DURING MY LIFETIME WHERE WE CONNECT THE ELTON AREA ALL THE WAY THROUGH INTO ST. AUGUSTINE AND OVER ON TO ANASTASIA ISLAND AND ON DOWN SOUTH.
THIS IS GOING TO BE COOL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR RECENT AWARD THAT YOU GOT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, RIGHT? DIDN'T YOU GET AWARDED?
>> IT GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT PEOPLE SEE YOU OUT THERE DOING THINGS TO MAKE OUR MOBILITY BETTER, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU DO BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY CATCH A LOT OF THE HEAT FROM NIGHTS TO LIGHTS AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.
BUT I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PLAN THIS YEAR, AND I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU AND OUR CITY MANAGER ARE GOING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE MOBILITY CONCERNS.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF EFFORTS AND YOU GUYS HAD THOSE WORKSHOPS BECAUSE I ATTENDED A COUPLE, AND I JUST THANK YOU THAT WE GAVE RESIDENTS SOME HOPE AS TO SHOWING THEM A STRATEGY ON HOW WE WERE MOVING FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
>> GREAT. EXCITING TO SEE IT HAPPEN FINALLY.
I THINK IT'S BEEN AROUND BEING DISCUSSED EVER SINCE I'VE BEEN A COMMISSIONER.
THIS IS A LOT OF PROGRESS, SO IT'S AWESOME.
TO HAVE THE GRANT AGREEMENT BEFORE US IS NICE.
COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO FILL [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE A MOTION?
>> TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-22.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> YOU NOTICED THAT I'M HURRYING UP HERE AT THE END.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M HURRYING UP HERE AT THE END BECAUSE WE ARE
[03:10:01]
HALF AN HOUR AWAY FROM THE DEADLINE UNLESS WE EXTEND IT, SO LET'S KEEP MOVING.THE NEXT ITEM IS RESOLUTION 2025-23,
[9.B.5. Resolution 2025-23: Opposes Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing. (D. Birchim, City Manager)]
WHICH IS THE OPPOSING OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING. MR. BURTON.>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, RESOLUTION 2025-23 OPPOSES OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING AND DRILLING.
THE US DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HAS BEGUN THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS FOR OPENING UP OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING AND DRILLING OFF THE ATLANTIC, GULF, PACIFIC, AND ALASKAN SHORELINES.
DRILLING OFFSHORE OF OUR COMMUNITY HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES IF SPILLS OCCUR, WHICH WOULD ALSO IMPACT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
RESOLUTION 2025-23, IF ADOPTED, WOULD BE THE CITY'S FORMAL OPPOSITION TO THE 11TH NATIONAL OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM, AND IT WILL BE SENT TO THE BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, AS THE CITY'S FORMAL RESPONSE TO THEIR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS SPONSORED BY VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER.
I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE LAST TIME WE PASSED THIS RESOLUTION? BECAUSE AS I RECALL, THE LAST TIME THIS CAME UP, WE WERE JOINING THE FISHING INDUSTRY IN FIGHTING THIS.
IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT PROGRAM.
>> JUST A WHOLE NEW PROPOSITION.
BUT THIS JUST KEEP COMING BACK AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS I'VE HEARD THIS PROPOSAL, BUT I 100% SUPPORT OPPOSING IT.
ABSOLUTELY COULD BE DEVASTATING TO OUR FISHING INDUSTRY AND OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY AS WELL, WHICH IS A LOT OF SPORT FISHING.
NOT JUST THAT, AND IN ADDITION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DON'T THINK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S NEEDED ON LAND TO SUPPORT IT.
AS MR. MILLER WAS SAYING FROM OCEANA, YOU SEE PIPELINES.
YOU SEE INDUSTRIAL TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING, AND THAT'S NOT IN CONCERT WITH WHAT WE OFFER HERE.
THIS WOULD BE OUR FORMAL OPPOSITION AS THE CITY, SHOULD WE ADOPT THIS [INAUDIBLE] ASSUME WE WILL? HOW SOON CAN THAT GO OUT BECAUSE THAT 45-DAY WINDOW IS CLOSING PRETTY QUICKLY?
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR PREPARING THE RESOLUTION, MS. COLUMBUS.
I'M GOING TO STOP MAKING MOTIONS AFTER THIS.
TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-23 OPPOSING OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASE.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> I'M TRYING TO SEE IF WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO THIS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S TIME.
>> I DON'T THINK IT'S PARTICULARLY TIME-SENSITIVE.
IT WAS A REQUEST I THINK OF THE VICE MAYOR SOMETIME AGO WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT OUR CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
IF IT'S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO PUNT TO THE NEXT MEETING OR A MEETING THAT HAS A GENTLER AGENDA THAT'S NOT QUITE SO VAST, THAT'S FINE TOO.
>> HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT? I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE THIS DUE CONSIDERATION.
>> I AGREE. I THINK WE NEED SOME ROBUST DISCUSSION ON THIS BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY GOOD OPTIONS HERE AND MAYBE A COMBINATION.
I THINK WE NEED SOME MORE TIME.
>> I JUST NEED A LITTLE MORE BRAIN POWER AFTER 8:30.
I'M WHOOPED, SO I WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY DISCUSS IT AT A FUTURE MEETING, IF EVERYBODY'S OKAY WITH THAT.
>> NO, IT'S IMPORTANT. WE SHOULD GIVE THAT TIME.
[11. ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY]
>> THEN THE OTHER ITEM IS THAT WE'LL JUST BRING THAT BACK LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE.
>> IT'S JUST FOR INFORMATION ONLY, BUT FOLKS MIGHT BE MOST INTERESTED IN THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SOME PARKS PROTECTIONS, SINCE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OUR PARKS, AND YOU'LL RECALL THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF HAVING HOTELS AND PICKLE-BALL COURTS AND ALL OF THAT.
THE GOVERNOR DID SIGN THE BILL THIS YEAR THAT WOULD MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT IN THE FUTURE.
THAT'S PROBABLY THE THING OF MOST [INAUDIBLE]
>> DID YOU WANT TO BRIEFLY TALK ABOUT UNLAWFUL DEMOLITION?
>> I CAN. IT'S NOT ON THIS PARTICULAR UPDATE
[03:15:02]
JUST BECAUSE IT WASN'T SIGNED AT THE TIME WE DID THIS LITTLE UPDATE, BUT YES, OUR LITTLE BILL THAT COULD DID GET SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, AND SO AFTER TWO YEARS, WE DO HAVE MORE PROTECTION FOR OUR HISTORIC BUILDINGS.IF SOMEONE DOES AN ILLEGAL DEMOLITION, NOW THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT A POTENTIAL FINE OF 20% OF THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.
WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE PUNITIVE.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATION AND DETERRENCE REALLY MORE THAN ANYTHING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THAT.
>> YOU LED THE CHARGE ON THIS.
YOU WROTE THE LANGUAGE. WELL DONE. THANK YOU.
>> KEPT THE FIRE BURNING AND, OF COURSE, OUR LOBBYIST IN TALLAHASSEE, LANA [INAUDIBLE] DID A TREMENDOUS JOB OF KEEPING IT GOING AND WE HAVE TO THANK OUR SENATOR TOM LEEK.
ACTUALLY, OUR WHOLE DELEGATION SUPPORTED THIS.
FABIAN BASABE FROM SOUTH FLORIDA ALSO SUPPORTED THIS THOUGH.
WE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD SUPPORT.
I KNOW IT WAS HARD WORK, BUT IT WAS GOOD.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT. SECOND, LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEMS BY THE CITY CLERK.
[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK]
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MADAM VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY FIRST ITEM TONIGHT IS JUST A NOTIFICATION OF ONE UPCOMING TERM EXPIRATION ON OUR AUDIT REVIEW COMMITTEE, WHICH IS THE TERM IS CURRENTLY HELD BY THOMAS GILBOY.
HIS TERM EXPIRES JULY 31, 2025, SO WE WILL ADVERTISE THIS POSITION AND ACCEPT APPLICATIONS.
HE IS ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT SHOULD HE CHOOSE TO REAPPLY.
MY NEXT ITEM IS A REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT TO FILL THREE TERM EXPIRATIONS ON THE LINCOLNVILLE REDEVELOPMENT AREA STEERING COMMITTEE.
WE HAVE RECEIVED FIVE APPLICATIONS,.
AND TWO MEMBERS ARE CURRENT AND BOTH OF THOSE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT.
FOR THE THREE POSITIONS, WE DO HAVE BALLOTS OR WE CAN ACCEPT VERBAL NOMINATIONS.
>> DIDN'T ONE OF THEM COME IN HERE TONIGHT?
>> SHE'S STILL HERE. SHE'S STUCK TO THE END.
>> HAD A CURRENT MEMBER AND AN APPLICANT.
>> I'M INCLINED TO WANT TO NOMINATE THE TWO THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT.
ANY DISAGREEMENT WITH ME THERE? MAYBE I CAN GET A SECOND.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> NOW WE HAVE THE ONE THAT IS OPEN SEAT, UNLESS SOMEBODY WISHES TO MAKE A NOMINATION, WE CAN DO A BALLOT. BALLOT?
>> JUST FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ALL THE BALLOTS WILL BE KEPT.
THEY IDENTIFY THE COMMISSION MEMBER AND THEIR VOTE, SO THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC RECORDS.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, THIS BALLOT SHOWS ALL FIVE OF THE CANDIDATES?
>> YES, AND SO YOU'LL PROBABLY STRIKE MARY HAYES AND JAMES ST. GEORGE.
>> CHOOSE FROM THE BOTTOM THREE.
>> WELL, WE'VE ALREADY VOTED FOR THEM.
WE DON'T NEED TO INCLUDE THEM IN THIS BALLOT, SO WE'LL JUST BE VOTING FOR ONE.
>> AFTER TALLYING THE BALLOTS, FOUR VOTES FOR TYRA KINDLER AND ONE FOR MS. NICOLE SMITH.
MS. KENDLER IS OUR NEWEST APPOINTED MEMBER.
>> I'M SURE YOU'LL DO A GREAT JOB. GETTING ON.
[03:20:02]
>> MY NEXT ITEM IS A REQUEST FOR ONE APPOINTMENT ON OUR CORRIDOR REVIEW COMMITTEE.
AS WE PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED YOU WITH THE PASSING OF OUR FORMER MEMBER, WE OPENED IT UP FOR APPLICATIONS TO FILL HIS VACANCY.
WE DID RECEIVE ONE APPLICATION FROM MR. MICHAEL BLAKE, AND MR. BLAKE IS ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT, SO STAFF RECOMMENDS APPOINTING MR. BLAKE TO THIS POSITION.
>> COMMISSIONERS, WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE? DO YOU WISH TO REOPEN IT? YOU RECEIVED ONE APPLICATION OR ARE WE OKAY WITH MR. BLAKE? I'M OKAY WITH MR. BLAKE.
>> I'M OKAY WITH MR. BLAKE TOO.
>> I DON'T KNOW MR. BLAKE, BUT HE'S THE ONLY ONE.
I DID SEE THAT HE DOESN'T LIVE IN THE CITY AND HE DOESN'T OWN A BUSINESS IN THE CITY, BUT HE'S STILL ELIGIBLE.
>> YES. IF HE'S AN ARCHITECT, HE'S ELIGIBLE.
>> DID HE APPLY FOR A PREVIOUS OPENING?
>> HE ACTUALLY APPLIED FOR HARB. THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
THE FORMER MEMBER, MR. DIXON WAS ALSO AN ARCHITECT, SO THIS IS A GOOD REPLACEMENT.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE
>> MR. MICHAEL C. BLAKE TO THE CORRIDOR REVIEW COMMITTEE.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> AYE. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY, AND THEN THE LAST ITEM.
>> MY LAST ITEM IS A MEMO JUST HIGHLIGHTING OUR OPEN POSITIONS, WHICH OBVIOUSLY JUST PUSHED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER.
[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]
>> YOU STOLE MY THUNDER A MINUTE AGO.
I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE MAYOR FOR HER LEADERSHIP, CREATING THE UNLAWFUL DEMOLITION OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES BILL, AND FOR ISABELLE LOPEZ FOR WRITING AND REWRITING THE BILL UNTIL IT BECAME LAW.
GOVERNOR DESANTIS SIGNED SENATE BILL 582 INTO LAW ON MAY 23RD.
THIS IS FURTHER DEMONSTRATION OF OUR COMMITMENT TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO SINCERELY THANK THE CITY FOR DOING THIS, BUT THE CREDIT IS ALL YOURS, SO I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WOULD ALSO SAY THANK YOU TO MS. LOPEZ FOR HANDLING THE MEDIA.
AFTER ALL THE BAD STUFF THAT HAPPENED AFTER BRIDGE STREET AND ALL THE BAD FEELINGS THAT CREATED, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE THAT CAME OUT AS A RESULT.
THAT WAS AN INSPIRATION TO KEEP US MOVING FORWARD WHEN WE REALIZED, WITH HORROR, HOW SMALL THE FINE ACTUALLY WAS.
THIS WAS REALLY GOOD AND IT MAKES THE BOO-BOO A LITTLE BETTER, BUT NOT MUCH.
WE ALWAYS HATE TO SEE THOSE DEMOLITIONS.
[14, ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE COMMISSIONER COMMENTS.I'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND START THAT OFF JUST BECAUSE I WANT TO GET IT GOING BEFORE MY BRAIN MELTS.
BUT I WANTED TO TELL YOU I DID RECENTLY JUST RETURNED FROM ISRAEL.
I WAS THERE ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT AT THE REQUEST AND INVITATION OF THE ISRAELI CONSULATE GENERAL IN MIAMI AND THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN ISRAEL.
THEY DID PAY FOR EVERYTHING, BY THE WAY.
I WAS PART OF A DELEGATION FOR ABOUT A WEEK.
IT WAS REALLY HARD GETTING THERE BECAUSE OF THE WAR.
THERE'S ONLY ONE AIRLINE THAT WILL FLY IN AND OUT OF ISRAEL NOW.
I HAD TO FLY ALL THE WAY TO DUBAI AND THEN FLEW FIVE HOURS BACK TO TEL AVIV, BUT THAT'S NOT ME COMPLAINING.
I JUST WANT TO SAY IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.
I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A COUNTRY WHERE THERE WAS AN ONGOING WAR.
THE FIRST THING THAT THEY DID WAS TAKE US TO THE SITE OF THE NOVA FESTIVAL.
ONE OF THE KIBBUTZES THAT WAS ATTACKED, ONE OF THE ONES THAT YOU'VE SEEN IN THE MEDIA, AND IT WAS MUCH CRAZIER THAN THE MEDIA COULD POSSIBLY EVEN SHOW YOU.
SPOKE WITH SURVIVORS, SPOKE WITH THE MOST RECENT HOSTAGE THAT WAS RELEASED AND HAD BEEN CAPTURED IN THE KIBBUTZ.
HE HAD RETURNED TO THE KIBBUTZ.
THESE ARE VERY RESILIENT AND YOU TALK ABOUT RESILIENCY.
[03:25:04]
THAT WAS AN AMAZING DAY, BUT WE DID A LOT OF OTHER THINGS TOO.WE WERE INVITED TO THE KNESSET, WHICH IS THE CONGRESS OF ISRAEL, AND WE MET AND RECEIVED BRIEFINGS THERE.
I WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT I BROUGHT A LITTLE GIFT BACK, SO THAT'S MY EXCUSE.
WE WERE MET WITH AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT CONGRESS KNESSET MEMBERS, BUT THIS GIFT WAS GIVEN TO US BY AMIT HALEVI, WHO WAS CHAIR OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE STRATEGY AND READINESS.
I'M GOING TO SHOW IT TO YOU IN A MINUTE, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I NOW AM VERY GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY, WHERE WE CAN WAKE UP WITH OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, KNOWING THAT THEY'RE SAFE AND THAT WE'RE SAFE AND WE'RE FREE FROM FEAR.
THAT WAS JUST A REALLY CRAZY EXPERIENCE FOR ME, AND I THINK THAT OVER TIME THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO BE OF SOME USE AND GETTING THE WORD OUT ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN ISRAEL TO HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.
BUT ON A HAPPIER NOTE, I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT THEY GAVE.
THEY WANTED ME TO BRING THIS BACK.
THEY GAVE US THESE LOVELY LITTLE PENS, WHICH I THINK WOULD BE GREAT LITTLE SOUVENIRS.
BUT THEY GAVE ME THIS IN A PRESENTATION OF THE KNESSET.
IT'S LOVELY DOVES, AND I'LL PUT IT UP IN THE OFFICE.
IT SAYS, "WITH BEST WISHES FROM THE KNESSET AND JERUSALEM." IT'S REALLY LOVELY, AND I JUST WANTED TO SHOW IT TO YOU.
LIKE I SAID, I'LL PUT IT IN THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICES.
WITH THAT SAID, I'D LIKE TO WORK ON, AND I'VE TALKED TO CITY ATTORNEY ABOUT THIS, A PROCLAMATION OR A RESOLUTION, ENDORSING THE IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM.
YOU'VE SEEN SOME CRAZY THINGS HAPPENED.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE TWO YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WERE MURDERED IN DC WERE FRIENDS OF MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE FOREIGN MINISTRY WHO OBVIOUSLY, HAD BEEN WORKING FOR THE FOREIGN MINISTRY.
EVEN IF IT'S A SYMBOLIC GESTURE, I KNOW THE STATE HAS THE IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM, WE'RE LOOKING FOR A CONSISTENT DEFINITION OF WHAT ANTISEMITISM IS.
I'D LIKE TO BRING THAT FORWARD TO YOU IN THE FUTURE.
I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK IT NEEDS A CODE CHANGE BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THE PROTECTIONS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE DEFINITION THERE, BUT PERHAPS MAYBE HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WE COULD DO THAT.
I'VE BEEN ASKED TO DO THAT BY THE JEWISH FEDERATION IN JACKSONVILLE.
MY OTHER THING, I KNOW THIS IS A LITTLE THING, BUT IT'S A HANGING THING FROM THE PAST.
WHEN WE FIRST PASSED THE MOORING FIELD ORDNANCE, I HAD ASKED THAT WE PUT A PROVISION IN THAT PROHIBITED ADVERTISING IN THE MOORING FIELD.
I KNOW THAT AT THE TIME, IT SEEMED A LITTLE CRAZY.
WE SAID, IF IT BECOMES A PROBLEM, LET'S COME BACK TO IT AND WE CAN ALWAYS ADD IT LATER.
I'M THERE WITH THAT NOW BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MOORING FIELD RIGHT NOW THAT'S ADVERTISING.
I CAN'T REALLY TELL, MY EYES AREN'T THAT GOOD, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A BARGE WITH SOME THING ON IT, WITH A FLAG HANGING AND SOME LOGO.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT'S ALL ABOUT, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE ADVERTISING TO ME.
>> IF IT'S A CONSTRUCTION BARGE, THEY MAY HAVE THEIR CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IDENTIFIED ON THE BARGE.
BUT IF IT'S ADVERTISING THAT'S IN OUR MOORING FIELD, THEN WE CAN CERTAINLY TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
IF YOU'D LIKE US TO COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO REGULATE THAT, WE'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
>> THANK YOU. IF WOULD YOU JUST LOOK INTO IT.
I DON'T WANT TO BE UNREASONABLE AND CREATE A PROBLEM IF THERE ISN'T ONE, BUT SOMEONE BROUGHT IT UP TO ME AND I LOOKED AT IT AND I SAID, THAT LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY'S ADVERTISING THEIR CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OR COMPANY OR SOMETHING.
>> WE DID INCLUDE SOME REGULATION OF THAT IN THE LAST ROUND OF SIGN ORDINANCE.
>> REMEMBER WHEN WE DID OUR SIGN ORDINANCE, WHAT WAS IT, FIVE YEARS AGO NOW OR SIX YEARS AGO OR WHENEVER THAT WAS?
>> IF YOU LOOK INTO THAT AND THEN LET US KNOW, THAT WOULD BE REALLY GREAT.
>> I'LL COORDINATE WITH MR. BIRCHIM ONCE HE TELLS ME WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON. THANK YOU.
>> LOVELY. COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT WE DO SOME MORE RESEARCH ON RIBERIA STREET.
I THINK WE DO NEED TO CONSIDER SOMETHING THERE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TRAVELING MORE ON IT SINCE THE BASKETBALL COURTS ARE DONE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC GOING TO THE SPORTS COURTS NOW BECAUSE IT'S IMPROVED.
[03:30:03]
I JUST THINK WE OUGHT TO LOOK INTO IT AND SEE WHAT WE COULD DO.ALSO, I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO READ THE HISTORY AGAIN IN THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA, THE NEW ST. AUGUSTINE WHICH I SKIPPED OVER IN THE FIRST ONE.
IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO READ THAT HISTORY, AND I HOPE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DOCUMENT THAT SOMEHOW IN WEST AUGUSTINE WITH SOME PLAQUES OR WITH SOMETHING.
>> I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON BEING NAMED A HOMETOWN HERO FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, AND NOT JUST THE DEMOLITION LEGISLATION THAT YOU WERE VERY INVOLVED IN.
THAT'S EMBLEMATIC, BUT NOW YOU'RE GETTING INVITED TO PLACES LIKE ISRAEL.
AT THEIR EXPENSE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOUR REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY.
ON A LESS POSITIVE NOTE, WE'VE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH STAFF ABOUT FEMA, AND NOW WE'RE IN HURRICANE SEASON.
I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET THE WORD OUT THERE, THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, THE CITY, THE COUNTY, THE STATE.
BASICALLY, WE'RE BEING TOLD WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO STEP UP THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COUNT ON FEMA AT A TIME WHEN IT'S MOST CRITICAL.
WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR BEST TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.
WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR BEST TO BE PROACTIVE AND CONTINUE TO BE RESILIENT AND PRIORITIZE OUR RESILIENCY EFFORTS.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO A DISASTER, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REALLY BAND TOGETHER AND NOT POINT FINGERS, BUT REALLY HELP EACH OTHER.
HOPEFULLY, WE WON'T HAVE THAT HAPPEN THIS YEAR.
THEN FINALLY, I JUST WANTED TO SAY TOO THAT, LIKE I SAID, I'VE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME, I GO TO COUNTY LINE PRODUCE, AND I GO TO HASTINGS A LOT, AND I USE THE BICYCLE PATH OUT THERE A LOT.
I WAS SO IMPRESSED TO SEE WHAT MAIN STREET HASTINGS HAS BEEN DOING, THE CABBAGE, POTATO, AND BACON FESTIVAL.
ACTUALLY AN INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTIST, NAMED KELSEY MONTAGUE, ACTUALLY CONTACTED ME THROUGH EMAIL ABOUT MAYBE DOING SOMETHING IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
WE DIDN'T HAVE REALLY ANYTHING THAT WE COULD OFFER FOR CITY-OWNED BUILDINGS, AND MAYBE THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO GO LIKE THEY ARE IN HASTINGS.
BUT BOY IS SHE INVENTIVE AND INTERACTIVE.
I LOVE THE PUBLIC ART THERE AND I WANT US TO CIRCLE BACK TO PUBLIC ART HERE TOO.
IT'S REALLY REVITALIZING, THAT TOWN, AND THERE'S SO MUCH PRIDE AND SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY.
THE CONNECTIONS, HISTORICALLY, BETWEEN HASTINGS AND ST. AUGUSTINE, WE HAVE A LOT TO WORK WITH THERE.
THE COLLEGE CAN BE A PART OF THAT, THE FLAGLER COLLEGE.
THERE'S JUST SO MUCH THAT WE HAVE AS OPPORTUNITIES.
THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT FOR TONIGHT.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE MAYOR ALSO, AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ISABELLE AND OUR CITY MANAGER BECAUSE I KNOW HE GOES A LOT OF TIMES WITH THE MAYOR DOWN TO TALLAHASSEE, SO IT'S A TEAM EFFORT.
WHEN YOU HAVE A TEAM WORKING TOGETHER, THEN NOTHING BUT GOODNESS COMES OUT OF IT.
VICKI PEPPER SPOKE TODAY FROM CARE, AND SHE BROUGHT UP THE DIGNITY BUS THAT I BROUGHT UP SOME MONTHS AGO ABOUT THE CITY SEEING ABOUT GETTING A DIGNITY BUS, AND I HAVEN'T LOST SIGHT OF THAT.
HOWEVER, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SEASON ENDING, A BUDGET YEAR ENDING, SO I WAS PLANNING ON TRYING TO BRING THAT UP.
THEY SENT SOME LITERATURE AND I GUESS IT WENT ALL RIGHT AROUND CITY HALL BEFORE IT ACTUALLY FELL INTO MY HANDS MONTHS LATER THAT I WAS GOING TO SHARE.
I ASKED THEM TO SEND MULTIPLE BROCHURES SO YOU GUYS COULD GO HOME AND LOOK AT THE PICTURES AND ABSORB IT.
THEY ALSO OFFERED TO BRING THE BUS HERE, WHICH I WAS GOING TO GET SOME LOCAL CHURCHES INVOLVED TO SEE THE BUS AND SO FORTH.
I WAS JUST ASKED ABOUT THAT WHEN I WENT TO THE ST. JOHNS HOMELESS COALITION MEETING ABOUT THE DIGNITY BUS BECAUSE THEY ALSO HEARD ME MENTION THE BUS.
IT'S NOT A MUTE POINT AND IT'S NOT A LOST THOUGHT, IT'S JUST ALL ABOUT TIMING.
WHEN WE START SIT DOWN WITH OUR BUDGET AND SO FORTH, I'M GOING TO SEE ABOUT THEM BRINGING THE BUS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK YOU GUYS SEE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BUS THROUGH PICTURES.
BUT IF YOU ACTUALLY GET ON THE BUS AND SEE WHAT WE COULD OFFER SOME OF THESE PEOPLE,
[03:35:01]
THEN I THINK YOU WOULD BE MORE IN TUNE TO IT.I WILL MEET WITH THE CITY MANAGER ON ONE OF OUR MEETINGS AND WE CAN TRY TO MAKE THAT MORE OF A REALITY.
SHE ALSO ASKED FOR INFORMATION ON THE DAYCARE CENTER, AND I KNOW THAT WE ARE 95% COMPLETED ON THAT.
I THINK WE'RE JUST WAITING ON FP&L TO FINALIZE THE ELECTRICAL SERVICE.
WOULD YOU LIKE US TO COME BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING AND GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE DROP AT THIS TIME?
>> YES, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PEOPLE WITH THE HOME AGAIN, AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE FOOD, AND THE PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATE IN GIVING THE MEALS, THEY ALL WANT TO GO TO THE GROUNDBREAKING BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF THE SHIFT.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? THEY DON'T WANT TO JUST SHOW UP THERE TO FEED THE PEOPLE.
THEY WANT TO BE PART OF SEEING IT BECOME OUR REALITY.
IF WE COULD HAVE THAT INFORMATION, THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
I WANTED TO JUST SAY THAT IT WAS GREAT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE PRIDE MONTH, AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE LET EVERY CITIZEN KNOW THAT THEY'RE VALUED, NOT JUST SELECT GROUPS THAT THE PEOPLE CAME IN, SOME OF THE SPEAKERS, AND THEY WERE QUOTING THE BIBLE IN THEIR OWN VERSION OF QUOTING THE BIBLE, BUT GOD'S GREATEST THING IS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
I THINK IF WE ALL MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT CONCEPT, REGARDLESS OF WHAT RACE, GENDER, WHATEVER THAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, THE ACT OF KINDNESS AND LOVE AND PEACE WENT EVERYDAY BECAUSE IT'S PART OF OUR WORLD THAT WE ALL COULD BE BETTER AND KINDER BECAUSE IT DOESN'T COST ANYTHING TO BE KINDER.
I JUST WANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE SEE THEM, AND WE SEE THEM AS IMPORTANT INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE GOD DOESN'T CREATE MISTAKES.
EVERYBODY IS A MASTERPIECE THAT GOD TOOK THE TIME TO PUT YOUR PARENTS TOGETHER TO CREATE YOU.
ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT FEEL DOWNTRODDEN BECAUSE THEY LOVE DIFFERENT, THEY SHOULDN'T FEEL DOWNTRODDEN BECAUSE WHO YOU LOVE IS IMPORTANT, WHO YOU LOVE IS PART OF YOUR CHARACTER.
I SALUTE THEM THAT THEY'RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SAY WHO THEY LOVE OPENLY AND BE LOVED. THANK YOU.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I HAVE NOTHING.
>> REALLY, I'LL SPARE YOU ALL.
I GET A COUPLE OF THINGS WE'LL DO AT THE NEXT MEETING. I'M GOOD.
>> GREAT. WE ALL REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
WITH THAT SAID, WE WILL ADJOURN.
>> THANK YOU. [NOISE]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.