[00:00:02]
>> GOOD EVENING. THIS MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION IS CALLED TO ORDER.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.>> BARBARA BLONDER? CYNTHIA GARRIS?
>> GREAT. WE WILL OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, WHICH WILL BE LED BY COMMISSIONER JIM SPRINGFIELD.
>> PLEASE STAND IF YOU'RE ABLE.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM IS MODIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA,
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
AND I HAVE ONE PROPOSAL TO MOVE ITEM 9B3 [INAUDIBLE] ITEM 7 UNDER THE GENERAL PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS, AND I'LL MAKE THAT 7D.>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> VERY GOOD. THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA IS A PROCLAMATION,
[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS]
RECOGNIZING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE IN 2026.I WILL SIT AND READ IT, AND THEN I WILL ASK EVERYONE TO JOIN US IN THE FRONT FOR THE PRESENTATION AND FOR A PHOTOGRAPH.
WHEREAS ON JULY 4, 2026, OUR NATION WILL COMMEMORATE THE 250TH OR SEMI-QUINCENTENARY AS ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
WHEREAS THE JOURNEY TOWARDS THIS HISTORIC MILESTONE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON OUR NATION'S PAST, HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALL AMERICANS AND LOOK AHEAD TO THE FUTURE GENERATIONS WHO WILL CARRY FORWARD THE IDEALS OF DEMOCRACY AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY THAT MAKE THE UNITED STATES A UNIQUE NATION IN THE WORLD COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS FLORIDA PLAYED A ROLE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION WITH FOUR BATTLES OCCURRING ON FLORIDA SOIL, THE BATTLE AT THOMAS CREEK, THE BATTLE AT ALLIGATOR CREEK BRIDGE, THE SIEGE OF PENSACOLA AND THE LAST NAVAL BATTLE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION OFF THE COAST OF CAPE CANAVERAL.
WHEREAS MAY 1780, 63 PATRIOTS IN EXILE, AND THE ENSLAVED AFRICAN MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED THEM WERE TRANSPORTED AND DETAINED IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
BY THE YEAR'S END, THE EXILES INCLUDE THREE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THOMAS HAYWARD JUNIOR, ARTHUR MIDDLETON, AND EDWARD RUTLEDGE.
WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, THE DAR, IS A WOMEN'S SERVICE ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED IN 1890 BY FOUR WOMEN, INCLUDING ST. AUGUSTINIAN ELLEN HARDIN WALWORTH, AND WHOSE MEMBERS ARE LINEARLY DESCENDED FROM PATRIOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
WHEREAS ALL DAR MEMBERS ARE SPENDING THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS CELEBRATING OUR NATION'S RICH HISTORY AND DIVERSITY, PROMOTING BELONGING THROUGH MEMBERSHIP AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO GOD, HOME, AND COUNTRY, AND BY COMPLETING PROJECTS IN UNIQUE, LOCAL AND IMPACTFUL WAYS.
WHEREAS FROM THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOSTON TEA PARTY IN 2023, AND THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF PARIS IN 2033, THE DAR IS CELEBRATING OUR NATION'S RICH HISTORY AND DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCE BY HONORING ALL MEN AND WOMEN WHO ACHIEVED AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
THESE PATRIOTS, LEAVING IN THE NOBLE CAUSE OF LIBERTY,
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FOUGHT VALIANTLY TO ESTABLISH A NEW NATION.NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE IN 2026.
I CALL UPON ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS IN RECOGNIZING AND PARTICIPATING IN ALL THE ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS SPECIAL OBSERVANCE.
IF THE COMMISSIONERS WILL ALL JOIN ME UPFRONT.
I DO HAVE DR. LESLIE KEYES AND THE DAR MEMBERS, PLEASE JOIN US UP FRONT, AND I'LL PRESENT THIS AND WE WILL GET A PHOTOGRAPH.
I WILL PRESENT THIS TO, YES, MA'AM.
VERY GOOD. LOVELY. IT'S A PLEASURE AND HONOR, AND HERE IS THE PROCLAMATION, AND WOULD YOU LIKE YOU SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> WE HAVE A COALITION OF OVER 20 COMMUNITY GROUPS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 FOR THE NEXT NINE YEARS, THIS YEAR PLUS EIGHT YEARS AFTER 2026.
WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL GO TO AMERICA250.ORG.
WE WILL HAVE LISTINGS OF ALL OF OUR ACTIVITIES COMING UP ON THAT WEBSITE, WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US AND WE HOPE TO BRING VISITORS TO OUR BEAR CITY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT AND ALL THE EFFORTS THAT YOU ARE PUTTING INTO THIS, AND WE LOOK VERY MUCH FORWARD TO CELEBRATING THE 250TH.
WITH THAT SAID, WELL LET'S ALL TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH.
[APPLAUSE] THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
WE HAVE QUITE A FEW CARDS, BUT WE HAVE SOMETHING TO READ.COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD WILL READ THE RULES OF ORDER.
>> RULES OF ORDER, SO WE CAN HAVE A PEACEFUL MEETING.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION SHOULD FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD, AND THE MAYOR WILL CALL YOU TO THE PODIUM WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
SPEAKER CARDS ARE FOUND AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CITY'S RULES OF DECORUM.
COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE AND NOT INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS.
COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM SPEAKERS.
NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE COMMISSION WITH PERSONAL, IMPROPER OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM ANY CLAPPING OR DISRUPTION DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENT.
FINALLY, WE ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER WHO USES THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR TO PLEASE SUBMIT THOSE ITEMS TO THE CITY CLERK TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
>> PERFECT. THIS EVENING WE'LL BEGIN WITH KATHERINE BATENHORST, FOLLOWED BY ROBIN THOMAS.
>> HI. KATHERINE BATENHORST, 36 ROHDE AVENUE.
[00:10:02]
AM I SUPPOSED TO GO DURING MY AGENDA ITEM TIME OR IT DOESN'T MATTER?I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S A PUBLIC HEARING, RIGHT?
>> THE STAFF REPORT IS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT AGENDA ITEM 10B, THE PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL PARKING ON THE WEST BLOCK OF ROHDE AVENUE.
I AM OPPOSED TO RESIDENTIAL PARKING IN OUR AREA.
SPECIFICALLY IN THE WEST END, I FEEL LIKE IT WOULD PUSH PEOPLE TO PARK IN THE MIDDLE AND THE FAR END, WHICH IS WHERE I LIVE.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT'S A GOOD SOLUTION FOR THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I DO ALSO THINK THAT EXCUSE ME, I'M GOING TO LOOK AT MY NOTES.
I ALSO THINK THAT MOVING ALL OF THE SPACES TO ONE SIDE, IT CREATES A PROBLEM FOR ONE SIDE WHILE HELPING THE OTHER IN TERMS OF FREEING UP STEPS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, AT LEAST PER THE DIAGRAM THAT WE RECEIVED.
ALSO I THINK IN TERMS OF RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERIOD, IT PLACES A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE RESIDENT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE ANY MORE PEOPLE THAN TWO GUESTS BEYOND YOURSELF AND ANOTHER PERSON WHO LIVES IN YOUR HOME, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THOSE PASSES.
IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL PASSES, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GET THEM IF YOU BORROW THEM FROM NEIGHBORS.
IF ONE OF YOUR VISITORS GETS A TICKET, THEN YOU HAVE TO UNDO THE TICKET.
IT SEEMS LIKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY ON SOMEONE WHO LIVES THERE.
I'M THE RESIDENT, AND I'M PAYING THE TAXES TO LIVE THERE.
I DO APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE NOT ONLY THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR RESIDENTS, BUT ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR VISITORS.
I APPRECIATE YOU ALL LISTENING AND SUGGESTING POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES.
I DO LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING WITH CITY LEADERS FOR SOLUTIONS, ESPECIALLY REGARDING LARGER EVENTS.
DAY TO DAY, IT'S NOT AS GREAT OF AN ISSUE, AT LEAST IN MY OPINION, BUT CERTAINLY THINGS LIKE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, WHICH I KNOW IS ON THE RADAR, AS WELL AS FOURTH OF JULY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
CARS GETTING HIT AND THEN THE PERSON WHO HIT THE CAR KEEPS RIGHT ON DRIVING AND CERTAINLY VERY COLORFUL LANGUAGE WHEN YOU CAN'T MOVE DOWN THE STREET BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A PLACE TO DRIVE BECAUSE BOTH SIDES ARE FULL DURING EVENTS.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT DAY TO DAY.
BUT I'LL END SAYING THAT I AM OPPOSED TO RESIDENTIAL PARKING FOR OUR AREA. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ROBIN THOMAS, FOLLOWED BY SUVERIA MOTA.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ROBIN THOMAS.
I'M A RESIDENT HERE ST. AUGUSTINE.
I'M HERE TO READ THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION.
THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPASSION LIES AT THE HEART OF ALL RELIGIOUS, ETHICAL, AND SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS, CALLING US ALWAYS TO TREAT ALL OTHERS AS WE WISH TO BE TREATED OURSELVES.
COMPASSION IMPELS US TO WORK TIMELESSLY, TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF ALL FELLOW CREATURES, TO DETHRONE OURSELVES FROM THE CENTER OF OUR WORLD, AND PUT ANOTHER THERE, AND TO HONOR THE INEVITABLE SANCTITY OF EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING, TREATING EVERYBODY WITHOUT EXCEPTION, WITH ABSOLUTE JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND RESPECT.
WE URGENTLY NEED TO MAKE COMPASSION A CLEAR, LUMINOUS, AND DYNAMIC FORCE IN OUR POLARIZED WORLD.
ROOTED IN A PRINCIPLE DETERMINATION TO TRANSCEND SELFISHNESS, COMPASSION CAN BREAK DOWN POLITICAL, DOGMATIC, IDEOLOGICAL, AND RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES.
BORN OF OUR DEEP ENTERED INDEPENDENCE, COMPASSION IS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AND TO BE FULFILLED HUMANITY.
IT IS THE PATH OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND INDISPENSABLE TO THE CREATION OF A JUST ECONOMY AND A PEACEFUL GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, FEBRUARY 20, 2009.
I'M ALSO HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE NEW CHANGES THAT HAVE COME ABOUT WITH THE PRESIDENT'S BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.
FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME WITH DISABILITIES, IT'S NOT BEAUTIFUL AT ALL.
DUE TO THESE RECENT CHANGES, I HAVE BEEN STRIPPED OF MY MEDICAID.
LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO RESUBMIT MY APPLICATION, BUT I ONLY HAVE PARTIAL SERVICES, AND THE SERVICES THAT ARE CUT OFF ARE THE MAIN THINGS THAT I NEED.
I JUST WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT HOW HORRIBLE IT IS FOR
[00:15:02]
PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO REALLY NEED THESE SERVICES. THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU. SUVERIA MOTA, FOLLOWED BY JUDY GLAZEBROOK.
>> WELCOME. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE HORSE AND CARRIAGES.
WHILE THE OLD WORLD CHARM OF ST. AUGUSTINE DRAWS PEOPLE IN, IT IS INNOVATION AND PROGRESS THAT KEEPS THE CITY ALIVE.
WE CAN HONOR OUR PAST WITHOUT DRAGGING CRUELTY INTO THE PRESENT.
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE TODAY ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST ANIMAL ABUSE. MYSELF INCLUDED.
REMEMBER HARAMBE, PEANUT THE SQUIRREL, THESE VIRAL OUTCRIES WERE ABOUT MORE THAN A GORILLA AND A SQUIRREL.
THEY WERE CULTURAL MOMENTS THAT SHOWED HOW DEEPLY PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE UNFAIR TREATMENT OF ANIMALS.
WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMALS USED FOR EXPLOITATION, THE TIDES ARE TURNING AROUND THE WORLD, AND THEY NEED TO TURN HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AS WELL.
HORSE CARRIAGES MAY SEEM QUAINT, BUT BEHIND THE PHOTO OPS IS A HARSH REALITY.
HORSES ARE FORCED TO PULL HEAVY CARRIAGES IN UNNATURAL URBAN SETTINGS, ON HOT PAVEMENT, THROUGH TRAFFIC AND INTENSE CONDITIONS, SUDDEN SUMMER STORMS ACCOMPANIED BY THUNDER, LIGHTNING, HEAVY RAIN, EVEN FLASH FLOODS, OFTEN WITHOUT PROPER REST.
ALL OF THIS FOR HUMAN ENTERTAINMENT AND FINANCIAL GAIN.
IT IS NOT ROMANTIC, IT'S EXPLOITATION.
LET'S CALL IT WHAT IT IS A FORM OF MODERN DAY ANIMAL SLAVERY.
ST. AUGUSTINE IS THE OLDEST CITY IN THE US, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO CLING TO OUTDATED INHUMANE PRACTICES.
LET'S BE LEADERS, NOT FOLLOWERS, AND SHOW THAT COMPASSION HAS A PLACE HERE, THAT WE CAN BE BOTH HISTORIC AND HUMANE.
THAT THE SOUL OF OUR CITY IS NOT IN THE SOUND OF HOOFS ON CONCRETE, BUT IN THE BEATING HEARTS OF PEOPLE WHO CARE.
IT IS TIME TO RETIRE THE HORSE CARRIAGES AND MOVE FORWARD WITH EMPATHY, INNOVATION, AND KINDNESS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. JUDY GLAZEBROOK, FOLLOWED BY STEVE JACOBI.
>> GOOD EVENING, JUDY GLAZEBROOK.
I'M AT 30 ROHDE, AND I'M SPEAKING ABOUT THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING REQUEST ON WEST ROHDE.
THE AREA, THAT I LIVE IN, IS ON THE EAST SIDE OF LORING, SO IT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PROPOSED ZONE.
BUT I WANT TO START OFF WITH TWO WORDS THAT I'M GOING TO USE VERY OFTEN IN THE NEXT THREE MINUTES.
THE TWO WORDS ARE COMMON SENSE.
YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR THESE WORDS OFTEN, AND I WANT TO FIRST START WITH THIS SIGNIFICANT QUOTE BY HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.
COMMON SENSE IS SEEING THINGS AS THEY ARE, AND DOING THINGS AS THEY OUGHT TO BE.
USING COMMON SENSE AND SOLVING THE ISSUES, BEFORE US, MEANS FOCUSING ON EVENT PARKING.
EVERYTHING ELSE IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.
I'M SURE THAT WEST ROHDE WOULD NOT BE REQUESTING RESIDENTIAL PARKING IF THE EVENT PARKING SITUATION WAS SOLVED.
DAY-TO-DAY LIVING IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR RESIDENTS DURING EVENTS.
QUALITY OF LIFE AND SAFETY IS THREATENED.
WEST ROHDE RESIDENTS WERE FORCED TO SEEK THE ONLY SOLUTION OFFERED TO THEM, BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF OTHER OPTIONS, AND WERE BEYOND FRUSTRATED BY THE SEVERE PARKING OVERLOAD DURING EVENTS.
THE COMMON SENSE SOLUTION TO THIS IS TO SOLVE THE EVENT PARKING PROBLEM, AND COMMON SENSE ALSO DICTATES THAT THAT'S A FAR BETTER ANSWER BECAUSE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS, ROHDE DOES NOT HAVE A PARKING ISSUE.
WHY MUST WE BE BURDENED WITH ALL THE CUMBERSOME REGULATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH RESIDENTIAL PARKING? YES, I'M REFERRING TO ALL A PARKING ON ROHDE BECAUSE IF WEST ROHDE IS APPROVED, THEN WE'RE BOXED INTO A SITUATION.
IN THE PAST, RESIDENTS HAVE SHOULDERED ALL THE BURDEN, AND NOW FORCING US TO ACCEPT THE ONEROUS RESIDENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM WHEN IT'S NOT NEEDED, JUST CONTINUES THIS UNFAIRNESS.
TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, OTHERS MUST STEP UP AND COMMON SENSE WOULD DICTATE SHARED RESPONSIBILITY BETWEEN THE CITY AND EVENT PERMIT HOLDERS.
THE CITY MUST COME UP WITH A RESIDENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM TO BE ACTIVATED ONLY DURING EVENTS, NOT 365 DAYS A YEAR.
THE CITY ALSO NEEDS TO EXERCISE MORE CONTROL OVER THE ISSUING OF EVENT PERMITS.
IF STRONGER PERMITTING LANGUAGE IS NECESSARY AND IF MUST BE DONE THROUGH ORDINANCES,
[00:20:01]
THEN I'M REQUESTING THAT THIS IS MOVED TOWARDS IMMEDIATELY, AND I IMPLORE ALL THE COMMISSIONERS TO SUPPORT THIS.THE GOAL IS TO HOLD EVENT PERMIT HOLDERS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THERE IS NO INTRUSION INTO RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
>> STEVE JACOBI FOLLOWED BY VICKI PEPPER
>> I THINK I'M PROBABLY THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS COME IN FAVOR OF THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING THAT'S BEING TALKED ABOUT, AND ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO LIVE ON THE BLOCK.
I DO UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN SOME PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION.
I THINK SOMEONE CAME AND PRESENTED AND EVEN SUGGESTED WHAT OUR MOTIVES WERE FOR THE PARKING.
WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE PARKING IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSES, AS THEY'RE BLOCKING OUR STEPS.
ALL OF THIS WITHOUT EVER EVEN MAKING THE SLIGHTEST EFFORT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH US BECAUSE THOSE ARE NOT OUR MOTIVES AT ALL.
MY WIFE AND I HAVE LIVED ON ROHDE FOR 10 YEARS NOW.
I THINK IT WAS LAST YEAR, MAYBE THE YEAR BEFORE.
WE WERE PART OF A BIG MEETING TO DISCUSS PARKING ON ROHDE AND PEOPLE FROM THE PARKING DEPARTMENT WERE THERE.
IT REALLY WASN'T A EVENT PARKING FOR MY UNDERSTANDING.
IT WAS ABOUT SOME THINGS RELATED TO BUSINESSES, BUSINESS PARKING POTENTIALLY FLOWING IN THERE, SO IT'S A MULTIFACETED PROBLEM.
THAT'S NOT THE ONLY TIME THAT PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS. IT'S BEEN A LONG TERM DISCUSSION.
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WE, ON OUR SIDE, HAVE FOLLOWED THE PROCESS, THE INITIAL PETITION BEGINNING LAST FALL.
THEN GETTING SIGNATURES, AND WE'VE DEFINITELY LEARNED ALONG THE WAY.
I CERTAINLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE, WHAT THE RULES WERE, ETC.
I CAN SAY THIS ISSUE OF SPILLOVER INTO THE REST OF ROHDE, I'M NOT SURE IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A REAL ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU WHEN I OPENED THE ENVELOPE AND I SAW PARKING ON ONE SIDE, SEVEN SPOTS FOR 10 OR 11 HOMES, I WAS OUT.
I DON'T WANT THAT. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
WHAT DO WE DO? WE GIVE UP? NO, WE ADAPT.
WE TALK WITH THE PARKING PEOPLE AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY, WELL, MAYBE IT COULD WORK ON BOTH SIDES, WHICH IS THE WAY IT IS NOW, JUST MORE ORDERLY AND WITH FEWER OUT OF TOWNERS PARKING ON THE STREET.
I'M VERY HOPEFUL THAT THAT ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED.
WITH THAT, THE PARKING CAPACITY ON THE BLOCK WON'T CHANGE AND THERE WILL BE NO SPILLOVER.
I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT CAN BE RESOLVED AND IF IT IS RESOLVED, WILL NOT AFFECT PEOPLE ON THE OTHER BLOCK.
JUST LIKE THERE'S A SPEED TRACKER DOWN IN THAT BLOCK, AND WE ALL KNOW THAT WHEN PEOPLE SEE THAT OR SEE RED LIGHT CAMERAS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IT CHANGES YOUR BEHAVIOR.
BUT I TELL YOU WHAT, HAS HAD NO EFFECT WITH ANYONE ON MY BLOCK.
JUST AS I BELIEVE THAT IF WE GET RESIDENTIAL PARKING, WHICH WE HAVE VOTED FOR IN THIS SOMEWHAT DEMOCRATIC PROCESS ON OUR BLOCK, AND THE CAPACITY FOR PARKING IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AS IT IS NOW.
IT WILL NOT AFFECT PEOPLE DOWN THE ROAD.
IF I WERE THEM, I WOULD WANT IT, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GET INVOLVED IN WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.
THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE CITY MAY BUY SOME OF THE SPOTS AND SELL THEM TO LOCAL BUSINESSES.
VICKI PEPPER, FOLLOWED BY KATHERINE ZODA.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I LIVE ON HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, AND I'M HERE TODAY, REPRESENTING MYSELF AS A CITIZEN AND CARE, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY.
WE'RE AN INFORMAL INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP THAT GREW OUT OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S 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.
FULL DISCLOSURE, I ALSO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE.
THE CONTINUUM OF CARE LEADS THE EFFORT TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS, BRINGING TOGETHER RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS TO MAKE HOMELESSNESS RARE, BRIEF AND ONE TIME.
AT YOUR JUNE 9 MEETING, I ASKED ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE CITY'S DROP IN DAY CENTER FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER GARRIS EFFORTS TO BRING A DIGNITY BUS TO ST. AUGUSTINE.
COMMISSIONER GARRIS AND I HAVE SINCE TALKED ABOUT THE BUS, AND ALTHOUGH I HAD TO BE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOR YOUR JUNE 23 MEETING, THROUGH THE MIRACLE OF TELEVISION, I WAS ABLE TO SEE BARRY FOX'S THOROUGH STATUS REPORT ON THE DAY CENTER.
AS I SAID BEFORE, WE THANK BARRY FOX AND THE CITY, WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP AND BACKING,
[00:25:02]
DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR PLANNING, BUDGETING, AND EXECUTING PLANS FOR A DROP IN CENTER TO SERVE PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES AND OTHERS IN NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.CARE, PARTICULARLY, APPRECIATES THAT THE CITY HAS FOUND THE FUNDING AND DECIDED TO PROCEED IN FINALIZING ALL CONSTRUCTION ASPECTS OF PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT BEFORE MOVING DINING WITH DIGNITY TO THE NEW SITE.
PEOPLE LOSE THEIR HOMES FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS AND CARE BELIEVES IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR CONTINUUM OF CARES EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO FIND THEMSELVES UNSHELTERED, ACTUALLY, HAVE JOBS.
YET HAVING ACCESS TO SHOWERS AND FACILITIES TO CLEAN THEIR CLOTHES IS KEY TO THEIR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THEIR EMPLOYMENT.
LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVE OBSERVED THAT THE NUMBER OF SENIORS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES IS GROWING.
AN ALARMING TREND THAT WAS BORNE OUT BY THIS YEAR'S POINT IN TIME COUNT.
AS ROBIN THOMAS JUST REMINDED US ALL, ST. AUGUSTINE IS A COMPASSIONATE CITY.
BEING A COMPASSIONATE CITY SHOULD MEAN MORE THAN JUST A SLOGAN TO US.
BEING COMPASSIONATE MEANS WE NEED TO PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTHS ARE WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT.
THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO, AS MUCH AS WE CAN LOCALLY, IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL AT A TIME WHEN THE FUTURE OF FUNDING AT THE NATIONAL AND STATE LEVEL FOR PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST PEOPLE EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS IS SO UNCERTAIN.
WE ASK THAT YOU ENSURE THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING FOR THE COMPLETION AND OPERATION OF PHASE 1 OF THE DROP IN DAVE CENTER, ENOUGH FUNDING TO ENSURE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLETION OF PHASE 2, AND FUNDING FOR A DIGNITY BUS FOR ST. AUGUSTINE.
PLEASE DO YOUR PART, AND I APPEAL TO MY FELLOW CITIZENS TO DO THEIR PARTS AS WELL.
WHETHER THAT BE CONTRIBUTING FINANCIAL RESOURCES, VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME.
>> MR. PEPPER, PLEASE, ADJOURN SUBMISSION [OVERLAPPING].
>> OR SIMPLY COMMITTING RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS TO HELP US BUILD THE BELOVED COMMUNITY, DOCTOR KING AND [INAUDIBLE].
>> KATHERINE ZODA, FOLLOWED BY CHRIS WILLIAM TAYLOR.
I LIVE AT 48 SORIA DRIVE, ST. AUGUSTINE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE THE CITY COMMISSION TO CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING A FULL BAN ON HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.
THESE CARRIAGES ARE INHUMANE, POSE PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARDS, AND INCREASED TRAFFIC CONGESTION WITHIN OUR BUSY CITY.
ALL FOR OUTDATED ENTERTAINMENT.
NUMEROUS INCIDENTS ACROSS CITIES, INCLUDING ST. AUGUSTINE, HAVE PROVEN THE RISKS INVOLVED FOR BOTH THE ANIMALS AND THE PUBLIC.
WHEN THESE HORSES ARE NOT WORKING, THEY ARE KEPT IN HARSH AND ADEQUATE LIVING CONDITIONS.
AS A RESIDENT WHO REGULARLY VISITS ROBERT HING FREEDOM PARK WHERE THE HORSES ARE HOUSED, I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS THEY ENDURE ON A DAILY BASIS.
THEIR LIVING AREA IS NEGLECTED AND UNKEMPT.
MANY OF THE SHEDS ARE IN DISREPAIR, AND THERE'S NO PASTURE, ONLY DIRT AND MUD.
I HAVE WITNESSED HORSES TETHERED IN BOTH SCORCHING SUN AND POURING RAIN WITH NO ACCESS TO ADEQUATE SHELTER.
THESE ARE NOT RARE OCCURRENCES.
THEY REFLECT A SYSTEMIC FAILURE TO ENSURE BASIC HUMANE STANDARDS.
I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE THAT THE CRA INTENDS TO INITIATE A LANDSCAPING PROJECT AROUND THIS PROPERTY.
PROPERTY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS CURRENTLY LEASED TO A PRIVATE HORSE DRAWN CARRIED TO BUSINESS, WHILE THE EXISTENCE OF THE LEASE MAY EXPLAIN THE PRESENCE OF THIS BUSINESS ON PUBLIC LAND.
IT DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE CONTINUED NEGLECT OF THE FACILITY'S CONDITION OR THE USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES TO OBSCURE ITS DETERIORATING STATE EMPLOYING LANDSCAPING AS A MEANS OF MASKING BLIGHT, RATHER THAN REQUIRING THE LEASEHOLDER TO MEET REASONABLE STANDARDS OF MAINTENANCE AND CARE RAISES IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE CITY MANAGES PUBLICLY OWNED PROPERTY.
I URGE YOU TO REJECT THE CRA'S PLAN OF CONCEALMENT AND TAKE MEANINGFUL ACTION TO END THE USE OF HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES AND OUR CITY.
THIS WOULD NOT ONLY ADDRESS THE CURRENT MISUSE OF PUBLIC LAND, BUT ALSO DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY, RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. CHRIS WILLIAM TAYLOR, FOLLOWED BY SCOTT YORK.
[00:30:06]
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS CHRIS TAYLOR.
I'M LIFELONG LOCAL ST. AUGUSTINE.
I'VE BEEN PEDI CABING SINCE 2013 AND STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS IN 2016.
BESIDES WHAT I DO HERE IN TOWN, OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I'VE BEEN GETTING CONTRACTS FOR HUGE FESTIVALS.
I WORK IN CITIES ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THE LARGEST FESTIVAL I DO HAS 190 PET CAB DRIVERS, AND I'M IN CHARGE OF MANAGING THAT.
OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I'VE LEARNED THE INDUSTRY INSIDE AND OUT.
JUST TO STRESS THE GRAVITY OF WHAT I'M DOING OUT THERE, 190 BIKES IN ONE AREA THAT I HAVE TO MANAGE.
EACH BIKE IS PAYING $6,500 TO WORK THERE.
I'M LEARNING EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE ABOUT IT.
AS FAR AS THE INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR PEDI CABS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY, THIS IS WHERE THEY'RE SET AT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH INVOLVED AND IT'S SUCH A HIGH RISK AND THERE'S SO MANY BIKES IN ONE AREA.
JUST SOME OF THE THINGS FROM THE MOBILITY PLAN, I'D LOVE TO TALK ALL ABOUT ALL OF IT, BUT WITH THE TIME ALLOWED, I'M GOING TO TRY TO TOUCH ON THREE REAL QUICK.
THIS ISN'T JUST AT THE FESTIVALS.
THIS IS WHAT EVERY FESTIVAL REQUIRES NOW, AND EVERY CITY THAT I WORK IN.
I WORK IN AROUND 30 CITIES BESIDE THE FESTIVALS, $1,000,000 EACH OCCURRENCE, $2,000,000 GENERAL AGGREGATE PRODUCTS, $2,000,000.
THAT'S THE STANDARD INSURANCE THAT WE USE ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THE OTHER THING IS THE LITHIUM BATTERIES.
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS ABOUT THOSE.
I'VE HAD THOSE THE WHOLE TIME I'VE BEEN DOING THIS.
WITH MANAGING THESE FESTIVALS, EACH BIKE, IF YOU WANT TO SAY THIS 190 BIKE FESTIVAL HAS ABOUT FIVE BATTERIES.
I'M IN CHARGE OF MONITORING OVER 1,000 BATTERIES.
WHAT I'VE DONE IS SWITCH TO A BATTERY CALLED LIFE PO4, THE NEWEST VERSION OF LITHIUM ION.
THERE'S NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THEM.
THE BATTERIES ARE IMPORTANT TO WHAT WE'RE DOING IS IF WE THINK BACK TO 2015 AND BEFORE THAT, HOW SLOW WE WERE ON THE ROADS.
I HAD PEOPLE REALLY UPSET WITH ME ON THE ROADS BACK THEN.
I'VE, ACTUALLY, HAD THINGS THROWN AT ME.
I'VE HAD PEOPLE THIS WAS BEFORE WE HAD MOTORS.
NOW, I CAN KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC.
I CAN GET OUT OF A SITUATION IF I SEE A SITUATION.
THESE BATTERIES ALSO POWER OUR HORNS.
WE USED TO RELY ON BELLS WITH A PERSON DRIVING A CAR CANNOT HEAR.
WE USED TO RELY ON BIKE LIGHTS, WHICH CAN GO OUT AND ARE NOT AS BRIGHT.
IF YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN ME OUT THERE AT NIGHT, THAT EVERY INCH OF MY BIKE IS NEON COLORED LIT UP, YOU CAN'T MISS ME.
THERE'S MORE TO BATTERIES, BUT I DON'T WANT TO RUN OVER TIME.
THE LAST THING IS THAT I MAYBE BECAUSE I DON'T TOTALLY UNDERSTAND IT.
THE FRANCHISE THING, I HAVE A HACK LICENSE AND A CERTIFIED TOUR GUIDE LICENSE.
TOURS ARE PART OF MY BUSINESS.
NTA LIGHTS IS ALL ABOUT THE TOURS.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE FRANCHISE THING ALL THE WAY.
I LOOKED INTO TRYING TO BECOME ONE, AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT COSTS MORE MONEY THAN WHAT I HAVE. THANK YOU.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS.
NEXT SPEAKER IS SCOTT YORK FOLLOWED BY HEATHER WILSON.
>> I NEED TO OVERHEAD IN A MINUTE, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
GREETINGS, EVERYONE, SCOTT YORK, 29 SPANISH STREET, THE MOST CHARMING STREET IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I WANT TO NOT ONLY CONGRATULATE, BUT ALSO THANK EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF OUR CITY STAFF FOR HELPING OUR MAGICAL TOWN AND CELEBRATING SUCH A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY EVENT DURING THE WEEK OF JULY 4.
HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE IS NOT ONLY A WONDERFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY, BUT A TRUE COMMUNITY EVENT.
MANY OF OUR VISITORS PLAN THEIR ANNUAL VACATIONS AROUND THIS PARTICULAR EVENT.
THIS YEAR, WE ENJOYED SEVERAL EXTRA LAYERS OF SECURITY AND COMFORT WITH THE ADDITIONAL RESTROOMS, COOLING AREAS, WATER DISTRIBUTION, AND STURDY SECURITY BARRIERS.
OUR CITY MANAGER, MR. BURCHAM, TOOK ON THIS MONUMENTAL TASK AFTER NIGHTS OF LIGHTS LAST YEAR, AND I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT HE, ALONG WITH THE CITY STAFF DID AN AMAZING JOB OF MAKING THIS EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS.
THIS IS BY KNOWN MEANS THE EFFORT OF ONE PERSON OR GROUP.
WE'RE ALSO GRATEFUL TO THE VCB, THE TDC, AND ST. JOHN'S COUNTY FOR COMMITTING THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SUCH MEASURES.
ONE OF THOSE ADDITIONAL LAYERS OF PROTECTION WERE THE MERIDIAN BARRIERS, WHICH MANY CITIES AND OTHER AGENCIES USED TO PREVENT MAJOR TRAGEDIES.
WHILE THEY WERE A TEMPORARY SOLUTION FOR THIS EVENT, THEY PROVED THAT WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF PROTECTING OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE.
JUST WANT TO SHOW A COUPLE OF IMAGES OF THOSE MERIDIAN BARRIERS.
>> THIS IS ONE AT CUNA STREET,
[00:35:04]
GOING TOWARDS ST. GEORGE STREET.THIS IS ON JULY 5TH, SO AFTER THE EVENT, BUT STILL DURING THE WEEK BECAUSE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF VISITORS HERE FOR THAT ENTIRE WEEK.
THIS IS THE NEXT DAY ON JULY 6, WHEN THEY'RE GONE.
BUT SHOWING WHERE THEY WERE MARKED HERE IN THIS LOCATION HERE.
THAT FIRST IMAGE SHOWED WHERE THAT PLACARD UP TOP COULD BE USED FOR WAY FINDING, SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.
I THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE FAR MORE EFFECTIVE AND ALSO LESS INTRUSIVE TO THE VISITORS.
IT DOESN'T APPEAR SO MUCH AS A SECURITY BARRIER, BUT AS A WAY TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY AROUND.
THIS IS ONE WHERE THEY COULD BE USED TO SHOW A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS.
THEN THIS ONE HERE, JUST POINTING MORE WAY FINDING DEVICES.
I THINK THAT THE EVENT WAS ABSOLUTELY SUCCESSFUL AND LOOK FORWARD TO MORE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS HEATHER WILSON, FOLLOWED BY BRIAN WILSON.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I RECENTLY MOVED TO THE AREA, AND I'M SO IMPRESSED WITH THE BEAUTY AND THE CHARM OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
THAT WAS UNTIL I SAW THE HORSES PULLING THE CARRIAGES THROUGH THE STREETS.
I SENT A COUPLE OF EMAILS OF CONCERN TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND IN ONE OF MY RESPONSES, IT STATES, I PERSONALLY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY MISTREATMENT OF THESE HORSES.
I CAN TELL YOU IN THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THAT I HAVE LIVED HERE, I HAVE, INCLUDING A VIDEO OF A HORSE BEING PUNCHED IN THE FACE BY A CARRIAGE DRIVER FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IN ADDITION TO MULTIPLE DIRECT OBSERVATIONS OF VIOLATIONS OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE CONDITIONS OF THESE HORSES.
LET'S CONSIDER THE DEFINITION OF HUMANE.
HUMANE IS IF YOU WOULD WANT IT DONE TO YOURSELF.
WOULD YOU WANT TO STAND ON THE HOT PAVEMENT WITH A BIG METAL BIT IN YOUR MOUTH, WITH BLINKERS ON YOUR EYES, MUFFLES ON YOUR EARS, A DEGRADING DIAPER, AND A COSTUME WAITING FOR YOUR NEXT FARE? WALKING THROUGH CARS, TRUCKS, TROLLEYS, VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, INHALING FUMES, OR THE SECONDHAND SMOKE OF YOUR CARRIAGE DRIVER.
MORE IN THE RESPONSE THAT I RECEIVED, MY PRINCIPAL CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL CONFLICT AND SAFETY HAZARD OF THEIR TRAVELING AMONG MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC ON BUSY ROADS.
IT IS NOT POTENTIAL. IT IS REAL.
ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED.
I LOOKED VERY CAREFULLY AT THE STANDARD FRANCHISE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CARRIAGE OPERATORS.
THEIR LICENSE TO OPERATE CARRIAGES IS CONTINGENT UPON COMPLIANCE WITH THE ST. AUGUSTINE MUNICIPAL CODE.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I HAVE WITNESSED MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS, NOT ONLY ON THE STREET, BUT BACK AT THE SLUMS WHERE THEY ARE KEPT IN THE ROBERT HAYLING PARK.
THOSE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS ARE REALLY USELESS.
NEXT, THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT STATES, "THEY MAY NOT USE OR WORK ANY ANIMAL IN ANY ENVIRONMENT OR UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHICH POSE A DANGER TO THE HEALTH OR CONDITION OF THE ANIMAL." YET EVERY SINGLE TIME, THESE HORSES ARE LOADED UP AND TAKEN ONTO THE STREET.
THAT'S A VIOLATION OF THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT.
IT REALLY DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE BY ALLOWING THESE CARRIAGES TO OPERATE.
YOU ARE LITERALLY GAMBLING ON THESE HORSES LIVES.
THIS IS A RISK THAT THEY NEVER CONSENTED TO.
THE HORSES LIVES ARE THEIRS, NOT ANYBODY ELSE'S.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BRIAN WILSON, FOLLOWED BY CARLA WILSON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. WHAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM TODAY ARE JUST A FEW MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION THAT IS WORKING TOWARDS GETTING HORSES OFF OF THE STREETS.
I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE ITEMS THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IN DETAILS, SO WE DON'T REPEAT THESE THINGS.
BUT WHAT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU IS THAT WE ARE DOING OUR PART IN THE STREETS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND THE VISITORS HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE ABOUT THE DANGERS THESE HORSES ARE FACING EVERY SINGLE DAY THEY'RE OUT ON THE STREETS,
[00:40:02]
AND WE ARE ENCOURAGING YOU, THE COMMISSION, TO DO YOUR PART ALSO IN ENSURING THE SAFETY.IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE REOPENING ANY OF THE ORDINANCES REGARDING CARRIAGE HORSES, WE ENCOURAGE YOU INSTEAD OF DOING PIECEMEAL WORK TO TAKE CARE OF IT ALTOGETHER, GET THESE HORSES OFF THE STREETS.
THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE, AND HERE IN THE 21ST CENTURY, WE DON'T NEED HORSES.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE OLDEST CITY, IT DOESN'T NEED TO HAVE OLD IDEAS.
IT DID ENDANGER THE HORSES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, CARLA WILSON.
FOLLOWED BY RENEE KAPLAN NAUGHTON.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES AND THE GROWING TRAFFIC CONGESTION OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ACCIDENTS NATIONWIDE INVOLVING HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
THERE ARE 16,000 RESIDENTS AND OVER TWO MILLION VISITORS EACH YEAR, AND THOSE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO GROW.
IN 2024, THERE WERE 3,772 CAR ACCIDENTS IN THE CITY, 33 OF WHICH WERE FATAL.
DO YOU SEE WHERE I'M GETTING AT HERE? THIS IS A TICKING TIME BOMB WAITING TO HAPPEN.
TIMES AREN'T AS THEY WERE, AND EACH TIME A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC GETS INTO A CARRIAGE, THE PUBLIC AND THE HORSES ARE AT RISK.
ANOTHER CONCERN IS FOR THE EMERGENCY VEHICLES TRYING TO MANEUVER AROUND CARRIAGES IN THE TIME OF A DISASTER OR OTHER PUBLIC EMERGENCIES WHERE SECONDS MATTER.
NO AMOUNT OF ROUTE CHANGES IS GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO GET HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES OFF CITY STREETS ALTOGETHER.
THERE IS DEFINITELY NOT A SHORTAGE OF TOURS OR WAYS TO SEE THE CITY.
IN FACT, THINK OF THE PUBLICITY AND THE EXCITEMENT OF INTRODUCING ONE OF THESE ELECTRIC CARRIAGES THAT SO MANY CITIES ARE ADOPTING, INCLUDING THE CITY OF MOUNT DORA.
NO MORE BAD PUBLICITY, NO MORE PROTEST, OR POSSIBLE LAWSUITS.
I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS TOPIC BE ADDED AS AN UPCOMING AGENDA ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. HAVE A GOOD EVENING.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS RENEE KAPLAN NAUGHTON, FOLLOWED BY SUSAN SINGER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, ST. AUGUSTINE, CITY COMMISSIONERS.
I AM RENEE KAPLAN NAUGHTON, AND I SERVE AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CONGREGATION FOR SONS OF ISRAEL.
THE JEWISH PEOPLE OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND NORTHEAST FLORIDA ARE HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE RESOLUTION 2025-24.
>> THIS SUPPORTS THE STATE DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM.
ALSO KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM.
YOU'LL PROBABLY HEAR MORE ABOUT IT LATER.
BUT I AM HERE REPRESENTING THE FIRST CONGREGATION SONS OF ISRAEL.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR MAKING YOUR FEELINGS KNOWN THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION AND THAT YOU STAND AGAINST ANTISEMITISM AND ALL THAT IT STANDS FOR.
I PERSONALLY, AS A NATIVE OF ST. AUGUSTINE, WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS PROBLEM OF ANTISEMITISM AND THE RESOLUTION SITTING AT THIS TABLE AND IN THIS ROOM TO TAKE ACTION TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL HAVE TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE.
SUSAN SINGER, FOLLOWED BY DOLCE FREEMAN.
>> I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE ADOPTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM WITH A QUOTE FROM ELIE WIESEL, NOBEL LAUREATE, AND HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR.
NEUTRALITY HELPS THE OPPRESSOR, NEVER THE VICTIM.
SILENCE ENCOURAGES THE TORMENTOR, NEVER THE TORMENTED.
[00:45:03]
THE FIGHT AGAINST ANTISEMITISM REQUIRES ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT.NEUTRALITY IN THE FACE OF HATRED IS NEVER AN OPTION.
I AM A PROUD JEWISH AMERICAN AND SECRETARY OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND I AND WE STAND UNITED AGAINST ANTISEMITISM.
THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU. DOLCE FREEMAN, FOLLOWED BY JENNIFER PLOTKIN.
>> VOLTAIRE SAID, "IF YOU WISH TO CONVERSE WITH ME, DEFINE YOUR TERMS." HISTORIANS AND PHILOSOPHERS, WILL AND ARIEL DURANT, CALL THAT THE ALPHA AND OMEGA OF LOGIC THAT EVERY IMPORTANT TERM IN SERIOUS DISCUSSION SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO THE STRICTEST SCRUTINY AND DEFINITION.
EMILE DURKHEIM, THE FRENCH SOCIOLOGIST WHO ESTABLISHED THE ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE OF SOCIOLOGY SAID, "IT IS WORDS THAT INTRODUCED DISTINCTIONS IN THE THREAD OF OUR THINKING.
FOR THE WORD IS A DISCRETE ENTITY.
IT HAS A DEFINITE INDIVIDUALITY, AND SHARPLY DEFINED LIMITS.
BEFORE YOU CONSIDER, SIGN, ENDORSE, ANYTHING, BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE TERMS."
>> JENNIFER PLOTKIN, FOLLOWED BY LESLIE HELD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND ST. AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSIONERS.
WILL YOU PULL YOUR MICROPHONE UP? THANK YOU.
>> NO PROBLEM. MY NAME IS JENNIFER PLOTKIN, AND I AM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION AND FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA.
I'M HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2025-24.
THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTS THE STATE DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE, WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM.
IN 2016, THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ASSOCIATION, IHRA, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP OF 35 NATIONS RELEASED ITS WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM.
AS OF TODAY, 1,266 ENTITIES WORLDWIDE HAVE ADOPTED THE IHRA DEFINITION, 45 COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND FRANCE, AND 37 STATE GOVERNMENTS IN THE US, INCLUDING FLORIDA AND 98 CITIES AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING OVER 20 IN FLORIDA, HAVE ADOPTED THE GOLD STANDARD DEFINITION.
IHRA IS THE BEST TOOL TO SUPPORT CITY AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES IN RECOGNIZING, AND COUNTERING ANTISEMITISM.
IT READS, "ANTISEMITISM IS A PARTICULAR PERCEPTION OF JEWS, WHICH MAY BE EXPRESSED AS HATRED TOWARDS JEWS.
RHETORICAL AND PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ANTISEMITISM ARE DIRECTED TOWARD JEWISH AND NON-JEWISH INDIVIDUALS AND/OR THEIR PROPERTY TOWARD JEWISH COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS, AND RELIGIOUS FACILITIES.
TO GUIDE IHRA IN ITS WORK, THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES MAY SERVE AS AN ILLUSTRATION.
MANIFESTATIONS MIGHT INCLUDE THE TARGETING OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL, CONCEIVED AS A JEWISH COLLECTIVITY.
HOWEVER, CRITICISM OF ISRAEL SIMILAR TO THAT LEVELED AGAINST ANY COUNTRY CANNOT BE REGARDED AS ANTISEMITIC.
ANTISEMITISM FREQUENTLY CHARGES JEWS WITH CONSPIRING TO HARM HUMANITY, AND IT IS OFTEN USED TO BLAME JEWS FOR WHY THINGS GO WRONG.
IT IS EXPRESSED IN SPEECH, WRITING, VISUAL FORMS IN ACTION, AND EMPLOYS SINISTER STEREOTYPES AND NEGATIVE CHARACTER TRAITS." THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS RESOLUTION.
I ALSO HAVE A LETTER FROM REPRESENTATIVE KIM KENDALL THAT I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU.
"DEAR MAYOR SIKES-KLINE AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION.
I'M WRITING TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM AS PART OF THE UPCOMING RESOLUTION TO BE INTRODUCED AND CONSIDERED BY THE ST. AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION.
[00:50:04]
ST. AUGUSTINE AS THE NATION'S OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY INHABITED EUROPEAN ESTABLISHED CITY HOLDS A UNIQUE PLACE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.EMBRACING THIS RESOLUTION WOULD SEND A POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT OUR STUDY STANDS FIRMLY AGAINST BIGOTRY AND INTOLERANCE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION.
REPRESENTATIVE KIM KENDALL." THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LESLIE HELD, FOLLOWED BY TERESA FRIEDMAN.
I'M A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION AND FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST, FLORIDA, AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL.
I THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF ADDRESSING YOU TODAY.
I AM HERE TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE RESOLUTION 2025-24, SUPPORTING THE STATE DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM.
A FEW CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC LIFE IN THE MEDIA, SCHOOLS, THE WORKPLACE, AND THE RELIGIOUS SPHERE.
COULD INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SOME EXAMPLES, CALLING FOR AIDING OR JUSTIFYING THE KILLING OR HARMING OF JEWS IN THE NAME OF RADICAL IDEOLOGY OR AN EXTREMIST VIEW OF RELIGION, MAKING DEHUMANIZING, DEMONIZING OR STEREOTYPICAL ALLEGATIONS ABOUT JEWS, OR THE POWER OF JEWS AS A COLLECTIVE, SUCH AS, ESPECIALLY THE MYTH ABOUT A WORLD JEWISH CONSPIRACY OR OF THE JEWS CONTROLLING THE MEDIA, ECONOMY, GOVERNMENT, SOCIETAL INSTITUTIONS.
ACCUSING JEWS AS PEOPLE BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR REAL OR IMAGINED WRONGDOING COMMITTED BY A SINGLE JEWISH PERSON OR GROUP, OR EVEN FOR ACTS COMMITTED BY NON-JEWS.
ACCUSING THE JEWS AS A PEOPLE OR ISRAEL AS A STATE OF INVENTING OR EXAGGERATING THE HOLOCAUST.
TOGETHER, WE MUST COMBAT ANTISEMITISM.
THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF BEARING ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS.
WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO CARE FOR AND LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS RESOLUTION AND FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF ADDRESSING YOU.
>> THANK YOU. TERESA FRIEDMAN, FOLLOWED BY BERNARD LEVY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU.
I'M TERESA FRIEDMAN, AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF TEMPLE BET YAM, A REFORMED TEMPLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I GREW UP CATHOLIC AND IN MY 20S CHOSE TO BE JEWISH.
THE JEWISH PEOPLE OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND NORTHEAST FLORIDA ARE HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING RESOLUTION 2025-'24, WHICH SUPPORTS THE STATE DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM.
I AM AMONG THOSE HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO FEEL ANTISEMITISM.
ANTI-SEMITIC ACTS ARE CRIMINAL WHEN THEY ARE SO DEFINED BY THE LAW.
FOR EXAMPLE, DENIAL THAT THE HOLOCAUST EXISTED OR DISTRIBUTION OF ANTI-SEMITIC MATERIALS IN SOME COUNTRIES.
CRIMINAL ACTS ARE ANTI-SEMITIC.
WHEN THE TARGETS OF ATTACKS, WHETHER THERE ARE PEOPLE OR PROPERTY, SUCH AS BUILDINGS, SCHOOLS, PLACES OF WORSHIPS, AND CEMETERIES, ARE SELECTED BECAUSE THEY ARE OR PERCEIVED TO BE JEWISH OR LINKED TO JEWS.
A FRIEND OF MINE IN JACKSONVILLE DECORATED THEIR HOUSE FOR HANUKKAH, AND IT WAS VANDALIZED.
ANTI-SEMITIC DISCRIMINATION IS THE DENIAL TO JEWS OF OPPORTUNITIES OR SERVICES AVAILABLE TO OTHERS AND IS ILLEGAL IN MANY COUNTRIES.
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL DATA TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW ANTISEMITISM IN AMERICA HAS REACHED SHOCKING LEVELS IN 2025.
SEVENTY SEVEN PERCENT OF AMERICAN JEWS SAY THEY FEEL LESS SAFE AS A JEWISH PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OF THE OCTOBER 7TH, 2023, HAMAS TERRORIST ATTACKS.
NEARLY SIX IN 10 AMERICANS JEWS SAY THEY ALTERED THEIR BEHAVIOR OUT OF FEAR OF ANTISEMITISM IN 2024, A SHARP INCREASE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.
IN 2023, THIS NUMBER WAS 46 AND 38% IN 2022.
[00:55:05]
NINETY PERCENT OF AMERICAN JEWS SAY ANTISEMITISM HAS INCREASED IN THE US SINCE THE HAMAS TERRORIST ATTACKS.I REMEMBER LISTENING TO A NEWS SHOW, AND THEY MENTIONED THE HAMAS ATTACKS.
THE NEXT DAY, I LISTENED TO THE SAME STATION.
YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS AN ATTACK ON ISRAEL.
THANK YOU. ST. AUGUSTINE COMMISSION FOR CONSIDERING RESOLUTION '25, '24.
>> THANK YOU. BERNARD LEVY, FOLLOWED BY HEATHER NATEN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, ST. AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION.
I AM BERNIE LEVY, AND I SERVE AS VICE PRESIDENT AT TEMPLE BET YAM IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
THE JEWISH PEOPLE OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND NORTHEAST FLORIDA ARE HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING RESOLUTION 2025-24, SUPPORTS THE STATE DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE WORKING DEFINITION ANTISEMITISM.
HERE'S SOME HELPFUL DATA TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW ANTISEMITISM IN AMERICA HAS REACHED SHOCKING LEVELS IN 2025.
A MAJORITY OF US ADULTS, 72% SAY ANTISEMITISM IS A PROBLEM IN THE US TODAY.
ALMOST 6 IN 10, 59%, US ADULTS SAY ANTISEMITISM HAS INCREASED IN THE US IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND THE VAST MAJORITY, 88% OF THIS GROUP SAYS THEY ARE CONCERNED BY THE INCREASE.
NINE IN 10, 90% OF US ADULTS, SAY ANTISEMITISM AFFECTS SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, AND EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMBATING IT.
ANTISEMITISM IS A FORM OF PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION SPECIFICALLY TARGETING JEWS, MANIFESTING IN A DIVERSE EXPRESSIONS FROM SOCIAL OSTRACISM TO VIOLENT ACTS.
IT REFLECTS A DEEP HATRED THAT CAN BE PERPETUATED THROUGH STEREOTYPES AND SCAPEGOATING.
HISTORICALLY, ANTISEMITISM HAS FLUCTUATED IN INTENSITY, WITH ITS ROOTS TRACING BACK TO ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS.
FROM THE ROMAN EMPIRE TO THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD AND THE HOLOCAUST, EACH EPIC HAS LEFT DEEP SCARS, IMPACTING JEWISH IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.
ADDRESSING ANTISEMITISM IS CRUCIAL, NOT ONLY FOR THE PROTECTION OF JEWISH COMMUNITIES BUT ALSO FOR THE PRESERVATION OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND HUMAN RIGHTS, A SOCIETY THAT CONDONES PREJUDICE, FOSTERS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE INTOLERANCE CAN THRIVE AND ESCALATE.
THANK YOU, ST. AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION, FOR CONSIDERING RESOLUTION 2025-24.
>> THANK YOU. HEATHER NAUGHTON, FOLLOWED BY LEVI VOGEL.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS HEATHER NAUGHTON.
I'M BORN AND RAISED ST. AUGUSTINIAN, AND A MEMBER OF THE FIRST CONGREGATION SONS OF ISRAEL, WHICH IS RIGHT DOWN THE STREET, JUST IN WALKING DISTANCE.
AGAIN, LIKE MANY OF OUR OTHER JEWISH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF MINE, WE ARE ALL HERE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE RESOLUTION.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW THINGS ABOUT ANTISEMITISM LIKE OTHERS HAVE.
IT OFTEN APPEARS IN FORMS SUCH AS CONSPIRACY THEORIES, WHICH WE'VE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT, ONLINE HARASSMENT, VANDALISM OF PERSONAL PROPERTY, SYNAGOGUES AND ARE FREQUENTLY EXACERBATED BY SOCIAL MEDIA, WHICH IS JUST GROWING IN 2025 AND IT CREATES A PLATFORM FOR HATE SPEECH BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THE KEYBOARD WARRIORS ARE JUST GETTING STRONGER AND STRONGER.
THE RESURGENCE OF ANTISEMITISM PROFOUNDLY AFFECTS JEWISH COMMUNITIES BY LEADING TO INCREASED ANXIETY AND A SENSE OF VULNERABILITY, STRUGGLING WITH IDENTITY AND QUESTIONING THEIR SAFETY IN PUBLIC AND EVEN IN THEIR PRIVATE SPACES.
MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT THEY JUST DON'T FEEL SAFE EVEN IN THEIR OWN HOMES BEHIND LOCKED DOORS.
MODERN ANTISEMITISM NOT ONLY THREATENS JEWISH COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO UNDERMINES SOCIAL COHESION, CONTRIBUTING TO A CULTURE OF INTOLERANCE.
THE NORMALIZATION OF ANTI-SEMITIC RHETORIC CAN EMBOLDEN OTHER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AND UNDERMINE DEMOCRATIC VALUES.
[01:00:03]
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING SOMETHING THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.IT SHOWS A MESSAGE AND SENDS A VERY POWERFUL MESSAGE TO THOSE THAT LIVE HERE, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE VISITING THAT WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. LEVI VOGEL, FOLLOWED BY NELSON FRANCE.
>> GOOD EVENING. GOOD TO BE HERE.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK FOR A COUPLE OF MOMENTS.
DEAR CITY COMMISSIONERS, AS A RABBI HERE FOR THE LAST ALMOST 18 YEARS, I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL YOUR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THESE YEARS FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.
WE'VE HAD NOTHING BUT LOVE SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. VERY APPRECIATIVE.
YET IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION, NOT BECAUSE FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT WE SUFFER FROM THIS EPIDEMIC HERE IN THIS TOWN.
THANK GOD. BUT BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT, AND THIS SETS AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER CITIES IN OUR AREA TO ALSO TAKE UP THIS ISSUE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS FOR TAKING THIS INITIATIVE.
THANK, MR. FRANCE FROM THE FEDERATION, AND FOR ALL THE GOOD WORK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ONE MORE WORD TO MY FELLOW JEWISH CITIZENS OF ST. AUGUSTINE, NOT TO BE AFRAID, NOT TO BE INTIMIDATED ON THE CONTRARY, JUST INCREASE YOUR JEWISH IDENTITY AND PRIDE, AND THIS WHOLE THING WILL BLOW OVER.
I GUARANTEE IT, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH MUCH WORSE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NELSON FRANCE, FOLLOWED BY PATRICIA RAMOS RIZO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ST. AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION.
I'M NELSON FRANCE, AND I SERVE AS THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA.
THE JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE YOU'VE HEARD OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND NORTHEAST FLORIDA ARE HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING RESOLUTION 2025-24, SUPPORTING THE STATES DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM.
AS YOU HEARD FROM LESLIE HELD EARLIER, THERE ARE 11 CONCRETE EXAMPLES.
THESE ARE CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF MANIFESTATIONS OF ANTISEMITISM, ALSO KNOWN AS JEW HATRED SO I'LL PICK UP FROM THERE.
NUMBER 6, ACCUSING JEWISH CITIZENS OF BEING MORE LOYAL TO ISRAEL OR TO THE ALLEGED PRIORITIES OF JEWS WORLDWIDE THAN TO THE INTERESTS OF THEIR NATIONS.
SEVEN, DENYING THE JEWISH PEOPLE THEIR RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION, FOR EXAMPLE, BY CLAIMING THAT THE EXISTENCE OF A STATE OF ISRAEL IS A RACIST ENDEAVOR.
EIGHT, APPLYING DOUBLE STANDARDS BY REQUIRING A BIT OF BEHAVIOR NOT EXPECTED OR DEMANDED OF ANY OTHER DEMOCRATIC NATION.
NINE, USING THE SYMBOLS AND IMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH CLASSIC ANTISEMITISM FOR EXAMPLE, CLAIMS OF JEWS KILLING JESUS OR BLOOD LIBEL TO CHARACTERIZE ISRAEL OR ISRAELIS.
TEN, DRAWING COMPARISONS OF CONTEMPORARY ISRAELI POLICY TO THAT OF NAZIS.
ELEVEN, HOLDING JEWS COLLECTIVELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL.
GOING OFF OF THAT, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THESE PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT YOU'VE HEARD THIS AFTERNOON HIGHLIGHT THE DEFINITION AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ANTISEMITISM.
IT'S CONTEMPORARY MANIFESTATIONS, THE ROLE OF EDUCATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SECURITY MEASURES NECESSARY TO COMBAT IT EFFECTIVELY.
COLLECTIVE ACTION IS CRUCIAL IN COMBATING ANTISEMITISM AND REQUIRES INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO UNITE IN SPEAKING OUT AGAINST IT.
OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS AGAINST ANTISEMITISM MUST BE UNWAVERING.
THESE COMMENTS HAVE OUTLINED CRITICAL AREAS OF ACTION AND UNDERSTANDING, REINFORCING THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION.
UNITED IN OUR COMMITMENT, WE CAN COMBAT ANTISEMITISM, PROMOTE TOLERANCE, AND BUILD A MORE ACCEPTING FUTURE FOR ALL AND IN CLOSING.
SINCE THE IRA DEFINITION WAS ADOPTED IN 2016, IT'S BECOME THE MOST RECOGNIZED BAROMETER IN THIS COLLECTIVE EFFORT AGAINST JEW HATRED.
SERVING AS AN ESSENTIAL TOOL TO IDENTIFY AND DELINEATE ALL CONTEMPORARY MANIFESTATIONS OF THIS AGE-OLD SOCIETAL SCOURGE.
THE DEFINITIONS PROVEN EFFECTIVENESS, AS YOU HEARD THIS AFTERNOON, IS ROOTED IN THE MAINSTREAM CONSENSUS THAT HAS COALESCED AROUND IT WORLDWIDE, WITH A DIVERSE ARRAY OF INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, NATIONAL AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, NGOS, UNIVERSITIES, ATHLETIC CLUBS, AND CORPORATIONS USING IT AS A NON-LEGALLY BINDING GUIDING FRAMEWORK FOR RECOGNIZING MODERN-DAY ANTISEMITISM.
THANK YOU, ST. AUGUSTINE C COMMISSIONERS, FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. PATRICIA RAMOS, RIZO, FOLLOWED BY SUSAN HOD.
[01:05:07]
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS PATRICIA RAMOS RIZO FROM 18 RAM SHOM PLACE.
IN LOOKING OVER THE AGENDA, I SEE THAT NIGHT OF LIGHTS IS ON THERE.
THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY SPEAKING OF HOW TO IMPROVE EVERYONE'S EXPERIENCE AND TOUCH UPON PUBLIC SAFETY.
ONCE AGAIN, I AM DISHEARTENED THAT NOWHERE IN THIS 55-PAGE AGENDA ARE THE HORSES MENTIONED, NOR THE CONCERN OF THEIR SAFETY.
THAT SHOULD GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC.
AS AN ANIMAL LOVER, AND I'M SURE MANY OF THE PEOPLE PRESENT, I HAVE NOTICED THAT IN SPEAKING WITH THE PUBLIC, THERE IS SOME CONCERN AND OUTRAGE THAT THIS INDUSTRY STILL EXISTS AND THAT IT IS AN EYESORE, NOT ONLY FOR RESIDENTS, BUT FOR TOURISTS TO SEE THE DEPRESSING CONDITIONS OF THE HORSES.
THERE IS ALSO CONCERN, WHICH I'M SURE AND HOPEFUL WILL BE BROUGHT UP, ABOUT THE HORSE SLUMS, OVER IN WHAT IS IRONICALLY CALLED FREEDOM PARK.
IT IS 2025, AND I AM PERPLEXED AS TO WHY WE STILL THINK THAT SOMETHING THAT WAS DONE IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY IS CONDUCIVE AND ACCEPTABLE.
TO EXPOSE A SENTIENT HERD ANIMAL WHO IS RARELY GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOCIALIZE AND EXERCISE WITH ITS OWN SPECIES, AND CLEAN PASTURE TO BOOT, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
THEY ARE FORCED INTO WHAT FOR THEM, BEING A PREY ANIMAL IS NOT ONLY AN UNNATURAL SITUATION, BUT A TERRIFYING ENVIRONMENT.
THESE ARE EASILY SPOOKED ANIMALS, AND PLACING THEM IN SITUATIONS WHERE NOT ONLY ARE THERE CONSTANT MOVING OBJECTS EXHAUSTING THEM, AND NO PUN INTENDED HERE, BEING FORCED TO INHALE EXHAUST FUMES ALL DAY AND NIGHT, PLACES THEM IN TIRING AND PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS.
BASICALLY, A TICKING TIME BOMB, AND LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THERE HAVE BEEN HORSE ACCIDENTS IN THE FUTURE.
WHEN THEY ARE HOPEFULLY PLACED ON THE AGENDA, WE CAN HAPPILY SUPPLY INFORMATION AS WELL AS HORRIFIC PICTURES OF SUCH.
THEY DON'T WANT TO BE OVERWORKED, EVEN MANY TIMES WORKED TO DEATH.
HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES MAKE THE ANIMALS PULLING THE LOAD MISERABLE.
THEY SUFFER IN HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE BRUTAL HEAT OF FLORIDA, AS WELL AS TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS, WHERE WE'VE PERSONALLY WITNESSED ONLY THE SLAVE DRIVERS COVERED THEMSELVES FROM SUCH AND NEVER THE HORSES.
THEY ARE NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEMSELVES OUT OF SUCH SCARY SITUATIONS BECAUSE THEY ARE LIKE SLAVES FORCED WITH CONSTRICTING APPARATUS, SUCH AS CRUEL METAL BITS IN THEIR MOUTH AND OTHER FORMS OF CONSTRAINT TO FORCIBLY CONTROL THEM, WHICH, YES, MANY TIMES IS THROUGH PAIN.
BUT THOSE THAT DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO CONSIDER THE CRUELTY THAT IS DONE TO THESE MAGNIFICENT BEINGS, THEN HOW ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC? REGARDLESS OF CHANGING ROUTES, NOT ONLY WILL THAT NOT HELP THE HORSES OR THE FACT THAT THIS ARCHAIC TRADITION SHOULD END, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY ARE BEING RE ROUTED, IT STILL POSES A THREAT TO THOSE THAT NOT ONLY DRIVE AMONGST THEM, BUT ALSO THOSE WALKING AND CROSSING THE STREETS, ESPECIALLY A BUSY TIME DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, WHERE THERE ARE MORE LIGHTS, MORE CONFUSION, AND MORE DISTRACTED TOURISTS INCOMING TOURISTS.
THEY ARE ALSO IN THE WAY OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
LET THE OLDEST AND ONE OF THE PRETTIEST CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES JOIN IN THE OTHER COUNTRIES, STATES, AND CITIES BAN THIS ANTIQUATED AND CRUEL INDUSTRY.
THERE ARE NINE SO FAR IN FLORIDA, ONE OF WHICH WAS MANTOR, AND THEY WERE THE FIRST IN THE UNITED STATES TO BRING IN THE ELECTRIC CARRIAGES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST SPEAKER IS SUSAN HOD.
>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
IT WAS NICE TO LISTEN TO EVERYTHING GOING ON.
I WAS BORN IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, AS WAS MY MOM AND HER MOM AND HER MOM AND HER MOM BACK TO 1642.
I WANTED TO TALK FIRST ABOUT THIS BECAUSE YOU ALL HAD A NICE PRESENTATION AND SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO'S WHO.
BOTH THE GOVERNMENT, THE LAWS, THE POLICIES, THE NONPROFITS, THE NEEDS, THE BACKGROUND.
AS A CENSUS WORKER, I HAVE ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEMOGRAPHICS EVERYWHERE.
BUT YOU ALL GIVE AWAY THESE COMMEMORATIONS OR WHATEVER LIKE EVERY WEEK.
THE REASON I GOT MY BACKUP IS BECAUSE I'M A DAR, MOM WAS A DAR, AT LEAST COULD HAVE BEEN.
WE COULD HAVE BEEN A COLONIAL DAME, BECAUSE THAT'S 16 SOME WHAT.
DAR IN THE PROCLAMATION, AT LEAST YOU SAID, WELL, WE STARTED THIS COUNTRY AND THE SLAVES.
OF COURSE, THE SLAVES THEY DIDN'T HAVE FREEDOM.
THEY WERE STILL SLAVES, AND IT'S SO DISRESPECTFUL.
NOW THAT I KNOW EVEN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
I ALWAYS KNEW ABOUT ST. AUGUSTINE.
I ALWAYS WANTED TO COME BECAUSE THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY OUT IN WYOMING, OUT IN UTAH.
[01:10:03]
THEY WANT TO COME HERE AND SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE.I THINK THEY'D BE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT IT'S STILL STUCK IN THE PAST.
DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION, MOM DIDN'T WANT TO JOIN BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS PERCEIVED AS RACISM AT THE TIME, AND I LATER LEARNED THAT THAT WAS TRUE.
I NEVER JOINED. WHEN YOU'RE DOING AND ALSO YOU'RE CELEBRATING 250 YEARS, I THINK IT'S PREMATURE.
I THINK IF YOU READ THE NEWS AND IF YOU'RE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING AROUND IN THE WORLD IS PREMATURE TO BE CELEBRATING NEXT YEAR.
PLEASE CONSIDER BRING IN THE OTHER ELEMENTS THAT ARE CURRENT FROM 250 YEARS AGO, THE NATIVE AMERICANS, ETC.
THAT'S ALL I WAS GOING TO SAY EXCEPT THERE DOES SEEM TO BE SOME FEAR AND FEAR IS NOT A GOOD THING.
YOU ALL KNOW PEOPLE DON'T BEHAVE.
THEY'RE VERY KIND AND THEY BEHAVE, BUT YOU KNOW OTHER PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BEHAVE.
YET THAT THE GREATEST DANGER TO THE AMERICAN MALE IS WHETHER THEY'RE JEWISH OR ANYTHING IS HEART DISEASE.
THE GREATEST DANGER TODAY, IT'S STILL TRUE TO THE AMERICAN FEMALE IS MEN. IT'S MALES.
>> I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE HORSES TOO.
THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT THIS EVENING.
MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
WAIT A MINUTE. I DO SEE MISS KALENDI.
I KNOW SHE LIKES TO GO LIST, BUT MISS KALENDI, I DO NOT HAVE A CARD FOR YOU, BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK, WE WILL LEAVE PUBLIC COMMENT OPEN.
IT WAS THERE ALL ALONG. I'M SO SORRY.
>> APOLOGIZES. WAS THERE ALL ALONG.
>> THANK YOU FOR FORGIVENESS. I APPRECIATE.
>> [INAUDIBLE], WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, 982241 WEST KING STREET, THE CRC SHOULD HAVE DENIED THE METAL CLADDING AND REQUIRED ALL BRICK.
THIS IS WHAT'S GOING TO BE OUT THERE.
THERE IS $1.4 MILLION IN THE SALE OF 13 DOLPHIN DRIVE.
THIS DESIGN DOES NOT IMPROVE THE WEST CITY CRA PLIGHT.
YOU MAY NOT HAVE SEEN WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO, BUT THIS IS NOT RIGHT.
9B1, QUESTION. WHY RESOLUTION THEN 9A5 ORDINANCE FOR PLAT AND REPLAT SUBMISSIONS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND TWO THINGS.
10C, SHIPYARDS. QUESTION. HOW MANY OF THE CONSTRUCTED 270 UNITS ARE SOLD OR OCCUPIED? PLEASE CLEARLY EXPLAIN WHAT CHANGES WERE MADE IN THE MAY 10, 2021 DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT WERE NOT IN THE JANUARY 28, 2019 AGREEMENT.
MAY 2021 AGREEMENT, TRANSPORTATION, PAGE 5, ITEM D, INTERSECTION US 1 IN ARAPAHO.
THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS OVER THE 500,000 MUST BE PAID BY THE SHIPYARDS.
THERE SHOULD NOT BE MOBILITY FEE CREDITS.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S LEGAL OR NOT, BUT THEY NEED TO ASSUME THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
AGAIN, THIS WAS INTERESTING TOO, THIS IS JULY 4TH.
WAVING FLAGS ARE NOT PERMITTED.
YET THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE ATTACHED THESE TWO TREES AT CATHEDRAL AND SAN MARCO. I DON'T KNOW WHY.
OUR CITY IS DOING SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T DO, AND IT MAY BE A LEGAL MATTER ALSO.
BUT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WONDERING ABOUT THAT.
A QUESTION, WAS THE POSITION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTOR ADVERTISED, WHO DECIDED THE $91,284 SALARY? THIS WAS AN INCREASE OF 11,906 TAX DOLLAR.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET TODAY, AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE THE UTILITIES.
I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A TIME NOW IN THIS CITY WHERE YOU CONSIDER THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE CONSTANTLY MAKE NICKEL AND DIAMOND, BUT IT ALL ADDS UP TO A LOT OF MONEY.
I THINK SOME OF THE UTILITIES NEED TO BE LEFT ALONE AND NOT USE THE CIP OR WHATEVER THE THING IS JUST BECAUSE IT'S THERE.
ALL OF THESE YEARS, NO ONE HAS REALLY DONE ANYTHING TO HELP THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO CONSERVE THEIR WATER BILLS AND OTHER THINGS.
[01:15:04]
I KNOW THERE'S EXPENSES INVOLVED IN PROVIDING THESE THINGS.THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT UP THIS OTHER POSITION THAT YOU CREATED OUT OF NOTHING.
WE LOOK AT THESE THINGS AND PEOPLE ASK ME THINGS THAT MAY NOT COME IN HERE, AND I WANT TO SAY TOO PUBLICLY, I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY THAT CAME THIS AFTERNOON TO SPEAK AND IN A NICE MATTER TOO AND RESPECTFUL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE SPEAKER CARDS.
IS ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK THAT IS HERE? SEEING NO ONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, MR. CITY MANAGER.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES WHICH ARE ATTENDED TO BE SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING ON JULY 28TH, ORDINANCE 2025-11, WHICH AMENDS THE EXISTING PUD FOR 1500 ARAPAHO AVENUE, ORDINANCE 2025-12, WHICH AMENDS THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF 241 WEST KING STREET FROM COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY TO PUBLIC.
ORDINANCE 2025-13 AMENDS THE ZONING OF 241 WEST KING STREET FROM COMMERCIAL MEDIUM 2 TO GOVERNMENT USE.
ORDINANCE 2025-14, AMENDS THE FUTURE LANES DESIGNATION OF 500 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD FROM COMMERCIAL LOW INTENSITY TO PUBLIC, AND ORDINANCE 2025-15, AMENDS THE ZONING OF 500 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD FROM COMMERCIAL LOW 2 TO GOVERNMENT USE.
WE HAVE THE REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR THE JULY 28TH, 3:00 PM, COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING AND JULY 28TH, 05:00 PM, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE ALSO HAVE A REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING ON AUGUST 11TH AT 5:00 PM, AND A REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING ON AUGUST 25TH AT 5:00 PM.
WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 9TH, 2025 REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE A RELEASE OF LIEN FOR 314 SOUTH POSTE LEON BOULEVARD, MR. DAVID MARIOTTI, FOR MARIOTTI'S CLEANING SERVICE, 928 HELEN STREET, MR. JASON BEFORT, 10 SERAGASA STREET, CLAUDE, AND CHRISTINA WEEKS, AND 995 DUVAL STREET, MR. GREGORY JACKSON.
FINALLY, WE HAVE AN INVOICE FOR THE EMINENT DOMAIN, LAKE MARIA SANCHEZ PROJECT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
THAT CONCLUDES TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA.
>> I MOVE THAT WE PASS A CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE WHO FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOVING ON TO ITEM 7D,
[9.B.3. Resolution 2025-24: Supports the state definition of Antisemitism. (A. Owen, Assistant City Attorney)]
WHICH WAS MOVED FROM ITEM 9 B3.>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, APRIL OWEN, THE ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY.
BEFORE YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS RESOLUTION 2025-24, SUPPORTING THE STATE'S DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM, WHICH AS YOU KNOW, THE STATE ADOPTED IN 2024, THE INTERNATIONAL DEFINITION.
WITH THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HERE TO ANSWER THEM.
>> ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS?
I KNOW YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE, BUT SOME OF YOU KNOW THAT I RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A TRIP FROM ISRAEL, WHERE I TRAVELED AS A GUEST OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL'S OFFICE IN MIAMI WITH DELEGATES FROM FLORIDA AND PUERTO RICO.
WHILE I WAS THERE REPRESENTING THE CITY, I WAS HONORED TO DO IT.
IT HAD ENORMOUSLY A PERSONAL IMPACT ON ME.
YOU MAY NOT KNOW THIS ABOUT ME, BUT MY STEPFATHER, DR. HENRY BATES, WAS A CHILD HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR.
THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS ISSUE ESPECIALLY DEAR TO ME.
IN ISRAEL, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE WELCOMED AT THE KNESSET, WHICH IS THE ISRAEL'S CAPITAL AND WHERE CONGRESS MEETS IN ISRAEL.
I WAS TOURED BY ONE OF THE KIBBUTZ AND THE NOVA FESTIVAL SITE THAT WERE ATTACKED ON OCTOBER 6TH, 2023.
I WANT TO SAY THAT ISRAEL IS A BEAUTIFUL, HIGHLY RESOURCEFUL AND DETERMINED YOUNG COUNTRY, AND I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY IT.
I WANT TO SAY TWO THINGS TO YOU AFTER THAT EXPERIENCE.
ONE, THERE IS NO PLACE FOR HATE AND ANTISEMITISM IN OUR CITY.
WE MUST BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT IN OUR WORDS AND DEEDS.
[01:20:02]
TWO, I CAME BACK GRATEFUL.IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW UNTIL YOU KNOW.
I WANT TO JUST SAY THAT I THANK GOD THAT I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WAKE UP EVERY DAY KNOWING THAT MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS ARE ALL SAFE AND FREE FROM FEAR.
WE SHOULD ALL BE ABLE TO LIVE SAFE AND FREE FROM FEAR.
AFTER VISITING OF ISRAEL, I'M GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN PEACE AND FREEDOM, AND I WILL NEVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED AGAIN.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA. THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, I WILL MOVE THAT WE PASS RESOLUTION 2025-24.
I REALLY HOPE AND I'VE ALWAYS WISH WE COULD LIVE IN A WORLD THAT THIS THING IS NOT NECESSARY.
I THINK THAT FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I HAVE SEEN MORE COMMENTS BEING MADE IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS, NOT REALLY SPECIFICALLY IN THIS TOWN, BUT THAT WOULD CONCERN ME.
I SUPPORT THIS AND I THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR COMING OUT AND VOICING YOUR OPINION.
>> YES, I'M A WHITE MALE CHRISTIAN, DEMOCRAT.
I NEVER REALLY EXPERIENCED ANYTHING UNTIL I RAN FOR OFFICE.
I WAS STANDING BY THE BRIDGE, HAD MY SIGN UP AND THE CAR STOPPED, ROLLED WENT DOWN AND SAID, YEAH, YOU LOOK LIKE A GOOD REPUBLICAN.
I SAID, NO, I'M SORRY, I'M A DEMOCRAT.
[LAUGHTER] NOT ONLY DID HE STOP TRAFFIC, BUT HE EMBARRASSED HIMSELF.
I WAS RAISED IN GAINESVILLE AND MY FATHER IN 1950 TRIED TO APPLY FOR A LOAN TO BUILD A HOUSE.
BUT HE WAS DENIED BECAUSE HE HAD SPOKE OUT IN FAVOR OF INTEGRATING THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AND HE WAS CONSIDERED A COMMUNIST.
WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF PREJUDICE STILL IN THIS COUNTRY, AND I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER DEPRETER, THAT WE ONLY CAN ONLY DREAM OF THAT COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE.
I REALLY DO WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO SPOKE.
IT TAKES GUTS TO STAND UP AND SUPPORT SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR THE POTENTIAL FEAR THAT SOMETHING MAY COME BACK TO YOU, AND I REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING.
>> THANK YOU. BEING A WOMAN OF COLOR, I CAN DEFINITELY SAY I KNOW WHAT DISCRIMINATION FEELS LIKE.
NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR MY RACE AS A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.
I FEEL FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, BECAUSE I CAN IDENTIFY PEOPLE JUST NOT LIKING YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT YOU DO PERSONALLY, BUT JUST THE HATRED OF NOT KNOWING YOUR RELIGION, AND I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH WHEN I WAS GOING TO COLLEGE TO TAKE WORLD RELIGION.
I APPRECIATE EVERY RELIGION THAT THERE IS BECAUSE I LEARNED AND STUDIED EACH RELIGION.
I RESPECT THAT YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FACE ANY CONSEQUENCES FROM JUST BEING YOURSELVES.
I ADMIRE YOUR COURAGE FOR COMING IN AND SPEAKING UP, AND I HOPE THAT THIS RESOLUTION BRINGS PEACE TO YOUR HEART TO KNOW THAT THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE SUPPORTS YOU. THANK YOU.
>> VERY WELL SAID. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
I APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND I FEEL SURE THAT VICE MAYOR BLONDER WOULD FEEL THE SAME WAY.
WITH THAT SAID, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT THIS EVENING AND SPENDING YOUR PRECIOUS TIME WITH US TO MAKE THIS IMPORTANT STATEMENT.
WITH THAT SAID, WE ARE READY TO VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> THANK YOU. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO LEAVE NOW IF YOU SO DESIRE.
YOU'VE BEEN WITH US FOR A LONG TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I KNOW SO MANY OF YOU HAVE TRAVELED A LONG DISTANCE TO BE HERE.
NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS ITEM 8B1,
[8.B.1. Ordinance 2025-10: Amends and Adopts the City's Required Water Supply Plan. (A. Skinner, Planning and Building Director)]
AND THAT WILL BE THE AMENDS AND ADOPTS THE CITY'S REQUIRED WATER SUPPLY PLAN.[01:25:07]
>> 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 2025-10 TO AMEND AND ADOPT AN UPDATED WATER SUPPLY PLAN.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS APPLICATION TO SUBMIT TO THE STATE ALSO REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING.
ON JUNE 23RD, THE CITY COMMISSION HELD A FIRST READING, BUT WE DID NOT HOLD A REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING.
THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD, ACTING AS THE LAND PLANNING AGENCY, REVIEWED THE PROPOSED UPDATE, HELD A PUBLIC HEARING, AND RECOMMENDED THE WATER SUPPLY PLAN UPDATES TO THE CITY COMMISSION AT THEIR JUNE 3RD REGULAR MEETING.
IF THE CITY PASSES THIS ITEM ON FIRST READING, STAFF WILL SUBMIT THE UPDATE TO THE STATE AND THE REVIEWING AGENCIES FOR A 30-DAY REQUIRED REVIEW.
AFTER THIS REVIEW, STAFF WILL RESPOND TO ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND BRING THIS ORDINANCE BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR A SECOND READING AND A SECOND PUBLIC HEARING.
THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION IN FIRST READING WITH A PUBLIC HEARING.
THANK YOU. I'M AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC HEARING? THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN.
IF ANYONE WISHES TO SPEAK, PLEASE COME FORWARD NOW.
SEEING NO ONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
>> I MOVE WE ADOPT ORDINANCE 2025-10.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-10, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO INCORPORATE CHANGES REQUIRED BY THE 2023 NORTH FLORIDA REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY PLAN, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY AMENDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT, INCLUDING AMENDING GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES, AND UPDATING APPENDIX OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT, THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES WORK PLAN, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR APPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY FINAL DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
MOTION CARRIES. WE'LL PROCEED ON THE SECOND READING THEN.
[Items 9.A.1 & 9.A.2]
MOVING ON TO ORDINANCES, THESE ARE ALL FIRST READINGS, SO THERE WILL NOT BE PUBLIC HEARINGS.ORDINANCE 2025-12. MS. SKINNER.
THE NEXT FOUR ORDINANCES ARE ACTUALLY RELATED TO CITY PROPERTIES THAT ARE PROPOSED TO BE DEVELOPED INTO CITY FACILITIES.
ORDINANCE 2025-12 AND ORDINANCE 2025-13 AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION AND ZONING DESIGNATION FOR 241 WEST KING STREET RESPECTIVELY.
THE PROPERTY AT 241 WEST KING STREET IS APPROXIMATELY 0.14 ACRES THAT FACES WEST KING STREET AND IS ADJACENT TO THE CITY'S EXISTING PUBLIC WORKS COMPOUND.
ORDINANCE 2025-12 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE LAND USE FROM COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY TO PUBLIC.
THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION IN FIRST READING.
ORDINANCE 2025-13 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF THE PROPERTY FROM COMMERCIAL MEDIUM 2, OR CM2, TO GOVERNMENT USE.
THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION IN FIRST READING AS WELL.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE AN EFFORT TO INCORPORATE THE PROPERTY INTO THE CITY'S EXISTING OWN GOVERNMENT USE COMPLEX TO BUILD AN ARCHAEOLOGY CENTER WITH ARCHIVAL STORAGE FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS AND COLLECTIONS, AS WELL AS OFFICE SPACE AND COMMUNITY SPACE.
THE CRC REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE DESIGN OF THE PROPOSED STRUCTURE WITH A BRICK FACADE IN FRONT AND A METAL CLADDING TERRACOTTA COLOR TO BLEND IN WITH THE BRICK ON THE REAR PORTION OF THE PROPERTY BUILDING.
THIS CONTINUES THE BREAK THEME OF THE CITY BUILDINGS ALONG WEST KING STREET.
THIS WAS APPROVED AT THE CRC MEETING, THE CORRIDOR REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING ON JUNE 26.
SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PCB REVIEWED THE LAND USE AND ZONING CHANGE REQUESTS AND MADE POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EACH AT THEIR JULY 1ST, 2025 MEETING.
THE PCB DID EXPRESS SOME CONCERNS REGARDING THE PROVISION OF PARKING FOR THE NEW BUILDING, AS WELL AS THE EXISTING PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES AT
[01:30:01]
THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES OF 253 WEST KING STREET AND 26 PALENCIA LANE.STAFF COMPLETED AN ANALYSIS OF THESE FACILITIES, WHICH DEMONSTRATES THE PROVISION OF MORE THAN ADEQUATE EXISTING PARKING FOR ALL THE USES, INCLUDING THE NEW BUILDING.
THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING FOR EACH.
THIS IS A BLOWN OUT AREAL WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE PROPERTY OUTLINED IN BLUE.
THIS IS THE EXISTING PUBLIC WORKS COMPOUND THAT GOES ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO PALENCIA LANE.
THIS IS THE EXISTING ARCHAEOLOGY BUILDING RIGHT HERE.
THERE IS AN EXISTING PARKING LOT HERE THAT IS OFF OF WEST KING STREET.
ALSO, THIS IS THE CITY WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
THIS IS PALMER AND PALENCIA LANE.
YOU CAN SEE THE ENTRANCE TO THE CITY PUBLIC WORKS COMPOUND.
THIS IS THE PROPERTY OUTLINED IN BLUE.
THIS IS THE EXISTING PARKING LOT THAT'S ABOUT 200 FEET AWAY, THAT IS ACCESSIBLE OFF OF WEST KING STREET, AND HERE'S THE CITY WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
THE REST OF THIS AREA WORKS ITS WAY DOWN THROUGH THE COMPLEX TO PALENCIA LANE.
THE EXISTING LAND USE IS COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY.
THE CITY'S FACILITIES ARE IN BLUE THAT ARE ALREADY PUBLIC, AND THE EXISTING ZONING IS COMMERCIAL AND THE EXISTING CITY PROPERTIES ARE GOVERNMENT USE.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION, THIS IS THE BASIC SITE PLAN THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH.
IT'S A PRETTY SMALL PIECE OF PROPERTY.
THIS IS WEST KING STREET AND MADISON STREET, WHERE THE ENTRANCES TO THE CITY PUBLIC WORKS COMPOUND.
THERE WILL BE ACCESS TO TWO PARKING SPACES IN THE BACK IN A COVERED AREA WHERE STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER THE BUILDING TO THE REAR.
THIS IS STORAGE AREA, AND THIS IS A NICE LOBBY COMING IN OFF OF WEST KING STREET.
TWO PUBLIC SPACES FACING THE FRONT.
THE SECOND FLOOR IS ALL STORAGE, AND THERE'S A HALF OF A THIRD FLOOR THAT IS SET BACK, THAT IS ALSO STORAGE FOR THE ARCHAEOLOGY COLLECTIONS.
I DID COMPLETE A PARKING ANALYSIS AS REQUESTED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.
IN MY DETERMINATION, THERE ARE NINE PARKING SPACES REQUIRED FOR THE NEW BUILDING.
TWO PARKING SPACES WILL BE ON THE PROPERTY.
THERE ARE SEVEN ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES THAT ARE NEEDED.
LOOKING AT THE SQUARE FOOTAGES FOR THE WAREHOUSE BUILDINGS AND THE WAREHOUSE OFFICE TYPE BUILDINGS THAT ARE AT 253 WEST KING STREET.
THERE'S A TOTAL OF 59 REQUIRED PARKING SPACES.
AS YOU WORK TOWARD THE SOUTH, THE PALENCIA LANE PROPERTY WITH THE WAREHOUSE STRUCTURES, THE EXISTING ARCHAEOLOGY BUILDING, 14 PARKING SPACES ARE REQUIRED.
THAT'S 73 PARKING SPACES PLUS THE SEVEN ADDITIONAL FOR THE NEW STRUCTURE.
THAT WOULD BE A TOTAL OF 80 PARKING SPACES.
I ESTIMATE THAT THERE'S 158 PARKING SPACES IN TOTAL ON ALL THE PROPERTIES.
SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THE PARKING SPACES ARE TOWARD WEST KING STREET.
TEN PARKING SPACES ARE PROVIDED, AS I MENTIONED, ON THE DIRECTLY OFF OF WEST KING STREET IN FRONT.
IT'S ABOUT 200 FEET AWAY FROM THE PROPOSED SITE.
THESE 10 SPACES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AFTER WORKING HOURS.
WE DISCUSSED AT THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD THAT THE CITY ALSO CONTROLS THIS PARKING LOT.
IF THERE IS A DAYTIME EVENT, THE CITY CAN INSTRUCT STAFF WHERE TO PARK ELSEWHERE FOR THAT DAY OR THAT TIME FRAME.
IF I'M AVAILABLE, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION IN FIRST READING.
>> COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS TO STAFF?
GOOD EVENING, I GUESS, NOW. GOOD EVENING.
I LOOKED AT THE PLANNING BOARD, I THINK THAT THEIR CONCERN, UNLESS I'M WRONG,
[01:35:02]
WAS, TO BE FAIR, THAT WE WOULD TREAT THIS LIKE WE WOULD A BUSINESS.CITY SHOULD LIVE BY ITS OWN RULES THAT WAY.
I KNOW YOU'VE DOCUMENTED, I THINK, VERY WELL THAT WE HAVE THE PARKING SPACES.
I THINK MAYBE IF YOU COULD SHOW LIKE ON A MAP WHERE THOSE PEOPLE WOULD PARK IF THEY CAME THERE BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE MEETING WAS THAT THERE MIGHT BE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS HERE, IF THAT'S USED AS A NEIGHBORHOOD SPACE.
I KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BROUDY PROJECT, I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE IS GOING TO GET THERE FIRST.
I'D LIKE TO KEEP THOSE BROUDY THINGS BECAUSE IF WE HAVE PARKING THERE.
SOME TYPE OF MAYBE A MAP AND I KNOW AS YOU KNOW, I THINK WE MIGHT ASK FOR SIGNAGE FOR PRIVATE BUSINESS PEOPLE.
>> YES. WE WE CAN WORK WITH THE ENGINEERS OR DESIGNERS OR WITH THE CITY FACILITIES.
WE HAVE SIGN MAKING CAPABILITIES.
THIS PARKING LOT ALREADY EXISTS.
>> AS I NOTED AFTER WORKING HOURS RIGHT NOW, IT'S AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE FOR THE PUBLIC TO USE.
IT'S ABOUT 200 FEET TO THE PROPOSED SITE.
THERE ARE FIVE PARKING SPACES RIGHT HERE THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE BEHIND THE GATE TO GET INTO THE COMPOUND.
IF ANY STAFF WERE TO ATTEND THE MEETING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, STAFF COULD PARK HERE.
THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL FIVE SPACES THAT ARE IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED BUILDING.
THE MEETING SPACE IS FAIRLY SMALL.
I CALCULATED ABOUT SIX REQUIRED PARKING SPACES FOR THE SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR THE MEETING SPACE, IF WE CALL IT A COMMUNITY CENTER.
>> THAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR TOTALS OF SPACE THAT WOULD BE NEEDED.
>> JUST WANT TO GET THAT ON THE RECORD.
AS ANOTHER THOUGHT AS AN ASIDE.
WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THIS, WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT NOW, BUT JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE THAT WHEN I LOOK AT IT, I JUST I WOULD WONDER IF IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE TO INCORPORATE THAT PARTICULAR PARCEL INTO THE BIGGER PARCEL SOMEHOW FROM A PLANNING PERSPECTIVE.
I DON'T KNOW, VACATE THE STREET, AND YOU HAVE ONE BIG PARCEL THAT WE COULD DEAL WITH AS A WHOLE.
INSTEAD OF DOING THIS THING, WITH THE SHARED PARKING ARRANGEMENT.
BUT THAT'S NOT FOR NOW AND SO FOR RIGHT NOW, I'M OKAY WITH.
>> THAT CERTAINLY, I BELIEVE, WOULD BE THE INTENT THAT WE CONSIDER IT PART OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMPOUND.
I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN MENTIONED IN THE PAST THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD VACATE THAT MADISON STREET.
IT'S BASICALLY THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE COMPOUND.
>> THEN MAYBE JUST INCORPORATE THIS INTO IT, SO IT'S ONE, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
I'LL LEAVE IT YOU GUYS JUST TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
JUST AN IDEA, I'M THROWING OUT THERE.
>> JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS. ONE IS, THIS IS A NEW BUILDING THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, RIGHT?
>> WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THE OTHER BUILDING?
>> THE ARCHAEOLOGY STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO USE BOTH BUILDINGS.
THIS BUILDING IS GOING TO BE PRIMARILY ARCHIVAL IN NATURE AND WHERE THEY CAN KEEP THEIR COLLECTION IN A MORE CONTROLLED AIR CONDITIONED SPACE.
THE EXISTING MODULAR BUILDING HAS ITS LIMITATIONS AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO KEEP AIR CONDITIONING AND CONTROLS.
THE INTENT RIGHT NOW IS TO KEEP THOSE OFFICES THERE AND TO KEEP THE LAB FUNCTIONS THERE, WHERE THE VOLUNTEERS COME IN AND WHERE THE LAB WORK IS DONE.
THEN THIS BUILDING WOULD THEN BE BASICALLY FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES.
IF SOMEONE WANTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, THEY WANTED TO COME IN AND LOOK AT SOME ITEMS THAT THE CITY IS KEEPING IN FOR THE PUBLIC AND THEY CAN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, STAFF CAN MEET THEM THERE.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OFFICES ON THE SECOND FLOOR WHERE SOMEONE COULD BE ABLE TO COME IN AND ACCESS THE COLLECTION, DO RESEARCH, OR LOOK AT ITEMS THAT ARE SPECIFIC FOR A PERSONAL INTEREST OR THINGS LIKE THAT, WHERE NOW IT'S DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE COLLECTION.
WE WOULD STILL BE USING THE EXISTING BUILDING, BASICALLY FOR WHAT IT'S USED NOW, WE'D HAVE MORE SPACE BECAUSE THERE'S RACKS OF BOXES AND THINGS IN THERE.
WE WOULD MOVE THOSE THINGS TO THIS BUILDING TO BE KEPT IN A SAFER LOCATION AND BE ABLE TO EXPAND INTO THAT AREA IN THE EXISTING BUILDING.
>> I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT STRUCTURE.
[01:40:02]
BUT I JUST WAS HOPING THAT THE NEW STRUCTURE WAS MORE SOUND BECAUSE OF THE HURRICANES AND DIFFERENT THINGS OF THAT NATURE BECAUSE WE'RE DOING ALL THIS DIGGING AND STUFF AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THOSE THINGS ARE SECURE AS ONCE THEY'RE LOST, THEY'RE LOST.THEY'RE PUTTING IN A LOT OF WORK.
I KNOW THEY'RE DOING GREAT WORK.
I JUST WANTED TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.
ALSO, ABOUT THE PARKING, SHE'S SPEAKING OF THE FLEET MAINTENANCE BEHIND THAT AREA AS FAR AS THE PARKING, AND IT'S LESS THAN TWO MINUTES TO WALK TO THAT PARKING LOT.
I THINK PLANNING AND ZONING SHOULD BE FINE WITH THE WALKING.
WE USED TO HAVE TO WALK FROM WHEN I WORKED AT THE COURTHOUSE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE CHURCH.
THAT LITTLE HALF A BLOCK, I'M SURE THAT'LL BE FINE GETTING IN AND OUT OF THERE. THANK YOU.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR ON THE PARKING, THIS IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
>> IT WILL BE OPEN FOR SPECIAL EVENTS?
>> WHEN IT IS OPEN, WE'LL KNOW, AND WE CAN CREATE AS SPECIAL PARKING IF WE WANT BECAUSE WE HAVE?
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR.
>> THAT'S GREAT. I AGREE WITH ALL THAT'S BEEN SAID, AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT THE COLLECTIONS CAN BE INTO AN AREA THAT'S NOT AS FLOODY.
I DON'T KNOW A BETTER BUILDING, LIKE COMMISSIONER GARRIS SAID, THAT IS A GREAT ASSET.
I'M ALWAYS AWARE OF THE NEED FOR MORE AND MORE STORAGE OF ARTIFACTS BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF DIGS THAT ARE BEING DONE AND EXPECT TO BE DONE IN THE FUTURE DO CREATE A LARGE VOLUME OF COLLECTIONS, AND WE HANDLE OUR COLLECTIONS RESPONSIBLY IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
I CAN'T SAY THAT FOR OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, FRANKLY.
I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE THIS HAPPEN.
I AGREE WITH THE SITE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE, WE'LL LEAVE THAT UP TO YOU, BUT FOR NOW, YOU'VE DEFINITELY GOT ENOUGH PARKING.
BUT FOR FIRST READING, THIS IS GREAT.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE TO SECOND HEARING OF ORDINANCE 2025-12, AND THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE NEED AND JUSTIFICATION STUFF SECOND MEETING.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-12, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP PLUM DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 0.14 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 241 SOUTH OF WEST KING STREET AND EAST OF MADISON STREET AS PORTIONS OF THE DANCY TRACT IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HERE AND AFTER FROM ITS CURRENT DESIGNATION OF CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY TO A CITY DESIGNATION OF PUBLIC PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> MOVING ON TO ORDINANCE 20205-13.
>> JUST A REMINDER THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY A QUASI JUDICIAL MATTER, SO IF THERE'S ANY EX PARTE DISCLOSURE, THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME FOR YOU TO DISCLOSE.
>> GREAT. MOVING ON TO ORDINANCE 2025-13, I MOVE THAT WE PASS THE ORDINANCE.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-13, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.14 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2:41 WEST KING STREET IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER, FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL MEDIUM 2 CM2 TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT USE, GU, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> CAN I JUST SAY THAT THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROPERTY WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT IN THE OTHER ORDINANCE SO THAT EVERYBODY IN PUBLIC KNOWS WHEN [INAUDIBLE].
>> [INAUDIBLE] SECOND ONE'S ZONING.
>> THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST READING, SO WE HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.
>> THAT'S TRUE. THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[01:45:01]
>> MOVING ON TO THE NEXT SET OF ORDINANCES.
[Items 9.A.3 & 9.A.4]
>> THESE NEXT TWO ORDINANCES ARE ORDINANCE 2025-14 AND ORDINANCE 2025-15 TO AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION AND ZONING DESIGNATION FOR 500 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD, RESPECTIVELY.
THE PROPERTY AT 500 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD IS APPROXIMATELY 1.27 ACRES FRONTING ANASTASIA BOULEVARD BETWEEN MOULTRIE PLACE AND CAMERAS AVENUE.
ORDINANCE 2025-14 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE LAND USE FROM COMMERCIAL LOW INTENSITY TO PUBLIC.
THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION IN FIRST READING.
ORDINANCE 2025-15 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF THE PROPERTY FROM CL-2, COMMERCIAL LOW 2 TO GU OR GOVERNMENT USE.
THIS IS ALSO AN INTRODUCTION IN FIRST READING.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE AN EFFORT TO RELOCATE THE EXISTING ISLAND FIRE STATION AND BUILD A NEW STATION INCLUDING COMMUNITY SPACE.
THE PROPERTY IS CENTRALLY LOCATED ON ANASTASIA BOULEVARD AND GENERALLY TO THE DAVIS SHORES AREA.
IT ALSO PROVIDES EASY ACCESS TO THE BOULEVARD AND TO EITHER THE DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE OR SOUTH TO THE STATE ROAD 312 CORRIDOR.
THE EXISTING FIRE STATION HAS EXCEEDED ITS USEFUL AND FUNCTIONAL LIFESPAN AND IS ALSO IN A LOCATION WHERE THERE ARE PLANNED INTERSECTION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.
THE CRC WILL REVIEW THE PROPOSED DESIGN OF THIS FACILITY.
IT IS STILL UNDER PRELIMINARY DESIGN.
THE PCB REVIEWED THE LAND USE AND ZONING CHANGE REQUESTS AND MADE POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EACH AT THEIR JUNE 3RD, 2025 MEETING.
THESE ARE INTRODUCTIONS AND FIRST READINGS OF EACH.
JUST TO LOCATE THIS PROPERTY FOR THE PUBLIC.
THE PROPERTY THAT WE'RE REFERRING TO IS HERE OUTLINED IN BLUE, AND THIS IS THE BRIDGE LINES.
THIS IS A1A, AS IT HEADS SOUTH OUT DOWN TOWARD THE 312 CORRIDOR.
THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS PROPOSED TO BE CHANGED TO A PUBLIC LAND USE.
YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S SURROUNDED BY COMMERCIAL PROPERTY WITH RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY BEHIND IT.
THEN THIS IS THE PROPOSED ZONING TO CHANGE THE ZONING TO GU IN ORDER TO BUILD THE FIRE STATION.
THANK YOU. I'M AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> JUST ONE THING I THOUGHT ABOUT.
WE DO HAVE A BUSINESS ON THIS PROPERTY THAT WILL NO LONGER BE ZONE BUSINESS, BUT HE'S NOT READY TO MOVE.
HOW IS THAT GOING TO BE HANDLED?
>> THE GU ZONING ALLOWS ANY TYPE OF USE THAT OUR ZONING CODE NOW, SO IT WOULD NOT BECOME NON-CONFORMING IF WE CHANGE THE ZONING TO GOVERNMENT USE.
>> THE GOVERNMENT GETS TO DO WHAT IT WANTS.
[LAUGHTER] WELL, I JUST STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS, AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BEEN BACK IN THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
IT HAS ALL KINDS OF GOOD REASONS.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANY PROBLEM FINDING THE NEED AND JUSTIFICATION IN THE RELATIONSHIP TO OUR ZONING AND CONSISTENCY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, SO I'M HAPPY MOVING IT FORWARD.
>> WELL SAID. ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE ORDINANCE 2025-14 TO SECOND HEARING AS READ BY TITLE ONLY.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-14, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP, PLUM DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1.27 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 500 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD BETWEEN MOULTRIE PLACE AND CAMERAS AVENUE AS PORTIONS OF DAVIS SHORES IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER, FROM ITS CURRENT DESIGNATION OF CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE COMMERCIAL LOW INTENSITY TO A CITY DESIGNATION OF PUBLIC, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY FINAL DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> CAN YOU JUST SAY ONE QUICK THING?
>> I'D LIKE TO REALLY THANK STAFF FOR HAVING WORKED ON THIS FOR SO LONG.
[01:50:01]
EVERYBODY WHO'S BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS.I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE LOOKED AT ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF PARCELS.
I KNOW PERSONALLY, YOU'VE BEEN TO A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.
I KNOW OUR NEIGHBORHOOD REALLY APPRECIATES THAT.
>> SIMILARLY, THIS IS THE REZONING, SO IT WOULD REQUIRE DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE 2025-15 TO SECOND HEARING AS READ BY TITLE ONLY.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-15, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 1.27 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 500 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL LOW 2 CL-2 TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT USE, GU, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY FINAL DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
ABSOLUTELY. WE'LL GO TO RESOLUTIONS.
I SKIPPED OVER ONE. ORDINANCE 2025-16 AMENDS THE CITY CODE TO DESIGNATE
[9.A.5. Ordinance 2025-16: Amends the city code to designate an administrative authority for plat and replat submissions to conform to state law. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
AN ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY FOR PLAT AND REPLAT SUBMISSIONS TO CONFORM TO STATE LAW, MS. CITY ATTORNEY.>> YES, MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, A STATE STATUTE JUST PASSED THAT ACTUALLY REQUIRES US TO REMOVE THE PROCESS OF PLATTING FROM PUBLIC HEARINGS.
OUR EXISTING CODE CREATED THIS PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL PROCESS IN ADDITION TO THE ACTUAL PLAT APPROVAL, THE FINAL PLAT APPROVAL, BOTH OF THOSE PROCESSES NOW HAVE BEEN PREEMPTED BY STATE LAW, AND THE STATE STATUTE REQUIRED THAT WE ESSENTIALLY STRIP THOSE PROVISIONS FROM OUR CODE, AND YOU'LL SEE SHORTLY UNDER THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMPANION RESOLUTION THAT DESIGNATES MS. SKINNER IN HER CAPACITY AS CITY PLANNING AND BUILDING DIRECTOR AS THE PERSON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE AND HAS NOW THAT AUTHORITY INSTEAD OF THE CITY COMMISSION FOR PLATTING.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S NOT MUCH I CAN DO ABOUT ANY OF THIS.
WE'RE JUST HAVING TO DO THESE CHANGES BECAUSE STATE LAW CHANGED ON US.
>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.
>> THE PROCESS OF PLATTING IS THE PROCESS OF BASICALLY DRAWING THROUGH A SURVEYED PROCESS, LOTS AND ROADS AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES LIKE LIFT STATIONS AND SO ON, AND IT'S A SURVEYING EXERCISE.
FOR SURVEYORS TO DRAW THIS ON A SURVEYED PARCEL.
BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES REVIEW OF ZONING COMPLIANCE, WHICH THE PLANNING DIRECTOR STILL DOES NOW AND WOULD CONTINUE TO DO.
BUT IT ALSO INVOLVES REVIEW, LIKE OUR OFFICE WOULD REVIEW THE TITLE, AND IF THERE'S ANY EXISTING EASEMENTS OF RECORDS THAT NEED TO BE SHOWN ON THIS PLAT WHO HOLDS A MORTGAGE FOR THAT PROPERTY.
IT'S A WHOLE STATUTORY LAUNDRY LIST OF THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO EVENTUALLY SELL LOT 3 TO MR. AND MRS. SMITH.
>> LIKE A TITLE SEARCH IS PART OF IT.
THERE'S THE TITLE SEARCH PROCESS OR AN OPINION OF TITLE FROM AN ATTORNEY.
THEN THERE'S A WHOLE SURVEYING, THE DRAWING.
NOW, IT'S NOT DONE BY HAND, IT'S IT'S CAD MACHINES, I THINK THAT DO IT.
THERE'S THE ENGINEERING OF THE ROADS AND OF THE FACILITIES THAT ARE NEEDED LIKE LIFT STATIONS.
IT'S MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR HANDS IN CREATING THIS DRAWING THAT THEN INDIVIDUALS BUY A PARTICULAR LOT BASED ON THAT LOT DESCRIPTION ON THIS GIANT DRAWING. DOES THAT EXPLAIN IT?
>> CAN I GO ONE STEP FURTHER? [NOISE] ALTHOUGH I AM ALL FOR ELIMINATING BUREAUCRACY.
BUT THIS DOES ELIMINATE THOUGH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAD JUST EXPLAINED.
THAT APPROVAL THEN WOULD GO TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING FOR A COMMITTEE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO REVIEW AND HAVE COMMENTS.
[01:55:04]
ONCE THAT WAS APPROVED, IT WOULD COME TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOWING THE LAW.EVEN THOUGH WE'RE REDUCING SOME BUREAUCRACY FOR DEVELOPERS AND SPEEDING UP THE PROCESS, WE'RE OPENING UP THE DOOR FOR INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITY WHEN ONE PERSON HOLDS THE PEN.
>> WELL, I WOULD HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT THERE WOULDN'T BE AN INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITY FOR STAFF MEMBERS, BUT CERTAINLY I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU THAT THAT TRANSPARENCY, THAT PUBLIC PROCESS WHERE EVERYONE FEELS THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD AT A PUBLIC MEETING.
THEY CAN ASK THROUGH THE CHAIR QUESTIONS THAT ARE GERMANE TO WHAT MAY IMPACT THEM.
SAY IN THESE BIG PROJECTS WHERE THERE'S A PHASE 1 AND A PHASE 2 AND A PHASE 3, AND YOU BOUGHT IN PHASE 1 AND NOW THEY'RE ABOUT TO PLAT PHASE 2, AND YOU HAVE SOME CONCERNS.
I DO THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THAT PROCESS THAT HAS THAT TRANSPARENCY IS NOW GONE, ESSENTIALLY.
>> THERE WOULD BE MORE THAN ONE PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE REVIEWING THE SUBDIVISION PLAT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS.
>> THE LAW GIVES US THE ABILITY TO ASSIGN IT TO A PERSON.
IT'S ACTUALLY A POSITION IN WITHIN THE CITY.
>> CORRECT. IT REQUIRES THAT WE DESIGNATE WHO THE INDIVIDUAL IS OR THE POSITION IS.
>> THAT WILL SIGN THAT PIECE OF PAPER.
>> CORRECT. THAT HAS THE OFFICIAL AUTHORITY.
I'D STILL BE DOING THE REVIEW AND SIGNING OFF FINAL LEGAL THE SURVEYOR AND SO ON.
BUT YES, IT'S THAT TRANSPARENCY THAT PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS IS NOW GONE.
>> WHERE THAT LEADS US AS SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> WELL, SINCE I WAS VOCAL, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-16 IN FIRST READING.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-16, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 23-36 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY FOR PLAT AND REPLAT SUBMISSIONS, REPEALING SECTIONS 23-37 THROUGH 23-46, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[9.B.1. Resolution 2025-26: Designates an administrative authority for plat and replat submissions. (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
RESOLUTION 2025-26 DESIGNATES AN ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY FOR PLAT AND REPLAT SUBMISSIONS, SO THIS WOULD BE PART 2?
>> CORRECT. THIS IS ESSENTIALLY THE COROLLARY WHERE THE FIRST PART, WE HAD TO REMOVE OUR SECTIONS FROM THE CODE BECAUSE THE STATE LAW NOW TELLS US WE CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.
THEN THIS IS PART 2, THE STATE LAW ALSO SAYS THOU SHALT TELL THE UNIVERSE WHO THIS PERSON IS THAT YOU'RE DESIGNATING, AND IT IS OUR PLANNING AND BUILDING DIRECTOR.
>> I'LL BE WILLING TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> IS THIS TRUE FOR THE COUNTY AS WELL?
>> YES, IT'S TRUE FOR EVERYBODY STATEWIDE.
>> GOOD MORNING. [LAUGHTER] I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO THE INEVITABLE THAT WE PASS RESOLUTION 2025-26.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[9.B.2. Resolution 2025-25: Sets the FY 2026 Proposed Millage Rate. (M. Burns, Finance Director)]
THAT IS MS. BURNS. WELCOME BACK.>> THANK YOU. MELISSA BURNS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
HERE BEFORE YOU IS RESOLUTION 2025-25, WHICH ESTABLISHES A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE FOR AD VALOREM TAXES IN FY26 BUDGET.
THIS RESOLUTION SAYS THE MILLAGE RATE AT 7.5 MILLS, WHICH IS THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE.
FROM HERE, THE MILLAGE RATE CAN BE ALWAYS LOWERED BUT CANNOT BE RAISED HIGHER THAN WHAT IS SET HERE TONIGHT.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION ROLLBACK RATE IS 7.3513 MILLS, WHICH IS 2.02% LOWER THAN THE CURRENT PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? WE HAD OUR MEETING EARLIER ON REVENUE PROJECTIONS,
[02:00:01]
SO WE DID DISCUSS THIS AND GO OVER THIS IN WORKSHOP THIS AFTERNOON.AS I'VE ALWAYS SAID, THE PUBLIC IS ALWAYS WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, AND NOT JUST WELCOME, BUT ENCOURAGED.
BUT WITH THAT SAID, THIS IS A FORMALITY IN THAT WE'LL GO AHEAD AND SET THIS MILLAGE RATE AT 7.5, AS YOU SAID, TENTATIVELY UNTIL SUCH A TIME, WE CAN ALWAYS GO LOWER, BUT WE COULD NOT GO HIGHER.
>> THIS IS THE MILLAGE RATE THAT I BELIEVE WE'VE BEEN AT FOR QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS.
>> HAS IT BEEN 10 YEARS? OKAY. TEN YEARS.
>> I DO HAVE ONE, AND I CONFIRMED IT TODAY.
WE'RE A DIFFERENT ENTITY THAN OTHER TAXING AGENCIES LIKE THE SCHOOL BOARD.
THE SCHOOL BOARD IS TOLD WHAT THEIR MILLAGE WILL BE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY GENERATE.
YOU MAY SEE THE MILLAGE RATE GO DOWN ON SCHOOL BOARD TAXES, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL TO RAISE IT HIGHER THAN THAT.
I BET THEY WOULD IF THEY HAD A CHANCE. JUST A COMMENT.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REQUEST TO THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE RESOLUTION 2025-25 TO KEEP THE MILLAGE RATE AT 7.5, AS IT'S BEEN IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.
>> I DO HAVE TO READ THIS ONE IN ITS TOTALITY, SO BEAR WITH ME HERE.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025-25, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE PROPOSED LEVY OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026.
WHEREAS THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA HAS DETERMINED THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA SHALL BE 7.5000 MILLS; AND WHEREAS THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA HAS DETERMINED ITS ROLLED-BACK RATE IS 7.3513 MILLS; AND WHEREAS THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA HAS DETERMINED A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AND BUDGET WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025, AT 5:05 PM.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, SECTION 1, THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA SHALL BE 7.5000 MILLS FOR THE GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET, WHICH CONSTITUTES THE TOTAL PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE, AND WHICH REPRESENTS A 2.02% INCREASE OVER THE ROLLED-BACK RATE.
SECTION 2, THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA IS HEREBY DIRECTED AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA TO APPROPRIATELY NOTIFY AND ADVISE THE PROPERTY APPRAISER OF THE COUNTY OF ST. JOHNS OF SUCH PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AND PUBLIC HEARING DATE.
ADOPTED IN REGULAR SESSION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, THIS 14TH DAY OF JULY 2025.
SIGNED BY OUR MAYOR NANCY SIKES-KLINE.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[10.A. Nights of Lights Update and Discussion. (R. Franklin, Assistant City Manager)]
STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATION IS THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS UPDATE AND DISCUSSION.>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
REUBEN FRANKLIN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
THIS EVENING, I WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE AND HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT PROPOSED CHANGES TO NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
ON THE AGENDA THIS EVENING I'LL GO THROUGH THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS THAT WE WENT THROUGH AND THEN TALK ABOUT PARKING STRATEGIES TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION,
[02:05:02]
TRAFFIC CIRCULATION CHANGES, TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, EXPANSION OF PARK-AND-RIDE SHUTTLE SERVICE, WHAT WE CAN DO TO PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS FROM CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC AND SPILLOVER PARKING, AND THEN GO OVER THE PUBLIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PLAN.FOR THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, WE HAD FIVE TOTAL PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT WERE ADVERTISED.
WE HAD TUESDAY, MAY 20TH, THURSDAY, MAY 22ND.
MAY 20TH WAS GEARED TOWARDS RESIDENTS, THE 22ND WAS GEARED TOWARDS BUSINESSES.
THE 27TH, WE HAD ONE GEARED TOWARDS RESIDENTS, AND THE 29TH, WE HAD ONE GEARED TOWARDS BUSINESSES.
EVERYBODY WAS INVITED, BUT WE WERE INVITING BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS, SO THERE MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION GOING ON, BUT THEY WERE ALL OPEN AND ADVERTISE FOR THE PUBLIC.
THEN ON JUNE 10TH, WE HAD AN EVENING MEETING WHICH RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS COULD ATTEND.
WE HAD A TOTAL OF 84 PEOPLE ATTEND THE MEETINGS.
HERE'S A SNAPSHOT OF THE PUBLIC FEEDBACK THAT WE GOT.
WE HAD BOARDS UP AND WE HAD DIFFERENT STATIONS SET UP THAT WENT OVER THE POINTS OF THE PLAN THAT I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH AFTER THIS.
I BELIEVE THAT WE CAPTURE A LOT OF THE FEEDBACK THAT WE GOT IN THE PLAN THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO GO OVER.
THERE WERE THINGS OF BALANCING THE IMPACTS ACROSS GROUPS, IDEAS LIKE CONGESTION PRICING, THE SHUTTLE ALONG SAN MARCO, MORE BIKE RACKS IN DIFFERENT AREAS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A SNAPSHOT AND SUMMARIZE WHAT WE HEARD THROUGHOUT THAT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
RUN SHUTTLES LATER UNTIL MIDNIGHT, FOCUS ON TRAFFIC AND SAFETY IN DAVIS SHORES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THIS IS WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.
THIS IS PARKING STRATEGIES TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
THE CITY MANAGER HAD STAFF FORM A TRAFFIC CIRCULATION GROUP WHICH CONSISTED OF MEMBERS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF AVILES, FIRE DEPARTMENT, MYSELF, AMY SKINNER, THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DIRECTOR, AND WE HAD A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT SAT DOWN AND WE PUT TOGETHER WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD MAKE AN IMPACT LEADING INTO THE NEXT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
WE HAD MOBILITY AS PART OF THAT AS WELL.
THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS RUNNING SHUTTLES LONGER, FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, AND EVERY DAY BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S.
THAT WEEK BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S IS VERY CROWDED, THE PARKING GARAGE NORMALLY SELLS OUT EARLY IN THE DAY, AND SO WE DO FIND THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE SHUTTLES RUNNING DURING THAT WEEK IN BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S.
THE OTHER THING THAT WAS DISCUSSED WAS CONVERTING THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN PARKING FACILITY EITHER TO A RESERVATION-ONLY SYSTEM OR INCREASING THE ENTRY PRICE.
WHERE WE WANT TO LAND NOW IS A DISCUSSION ON INCREASING THE ENTRY PRICE.
WHILE WE LOOK MORE FURTHER INTO WHAT A RESERVATION SYSTEM WOULD LOOK LIKE, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME JUST YET TO GET THAT FOR THIS UPCOMING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, BUT I THINK INCREASING ENTRY FEES WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING INCENTIVIZE USING SHUTTLES WHEN THEY'RE RUNNING.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INCREASING THE ENTRY FEE, WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT INCREASING IT WHEN WE'RE RUNNING FREE SHUTTLES.
WE CAN ADVERTISE FREE SHUTTLES.
IF YOU WANT TO COME DOWN TO THE PARKING GARAGE, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY A PARKING PREMIUM FOR THAT.
LATER ON, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR INPUT ON.
CONVERTING THE GRANADA AND TOQUES LOTS TO WORKFORCE PERMIT PARKING LOTS.
THE IDEA WITH THIS IS THERE'S ABOUT 135 SPACES.
RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE PUBLIC PARKING, BUT WE HAVE HEARD A NEED FROM THE BUSINESSES AND WORKFORCE ABOUT THE NEED FOR PARKING.
THIS PROVIDES DEDICATED PARKING TO THEM AND IT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE COMING AND CIRCLING LOOKING FOR PARKING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
THESE FOLKS ARE GENERALLY GOING TO GET HERE BEFORE PEAK TIMES OCCUR BECAUSE THEIR SHIFTS ARE STARTING.
THE OTHER ONE IS PROVIDING WORKFORCE PARKING PERMITS IN THE FLAGLER PARKING GARAGE.
FROM DECEMBER 13TH TO JANUARY 4TH, FLAGLER COLLEGE IS NOT IN SESSION, SO THERE'S AVAILABLE PARKING IN THAT GARAGE.
WITH ONE CAVEAT, I HAD 500 SPACES HERE, IT'S LOOKING MORE LIKE WE MAY HAVE 200 SPACES AVAILABLE TO US BASED ON CARS THAT REMAIN THERE OVER WINTER BREAK AND THEIR OWN PRACTICES DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
SETTING UP TEMPORARY RESIDENT-ONLY PARKING ZONES
[02:10:03]
DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS SURROUNDING THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.THERE'S A SLIDE LATER THAT I'LL GO INTO MORE DETAIL ON THAT.
INCREASING ILLEGAL PARKING FINES FROM $35 TO $100.
THIS IS TO DEINCENTIVIZE PEOPLE FROM JUST PARKING WHEREVER THEY WANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT GETS VERY CONGESTED AND CROWDED.
WE SAW CARS PARKED ON THE FORT GREEN, WE SAW CARS PARKED AROUND MARIA SANCHEZ LAKE.
RIGHT NOW THE TICKET IS ONLY $35.
WHEN I SAY ILLEGAL PARKING, IT'S NOT IF YOU PARKED IN A LEGITIMATE PARKING SPOT AND YOUR TIME EXPIRED ON YOUR METER, WE WOULDN'T CHANGE THAT, THAT'S A $25 FINE.
THIS IS IF YOU PARK ON A YELLOW CURB, IF YOU PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL PARKING ZONE, AN ILLEGAL PARKING.
THEN ESTABLISHED RIDE-SHARE PICKUP ZONES, WHICH WE'VE MADE GOOD HEADWAY ON.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE ZONES ESTABLISHED AND IT'S UNDER STAFF REVIEW, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ONE SET UP FAIRLY SHORTLY WITH UBER FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
THAT LEADS TO TRAFFIC CIRCULATION CHANGES.
THAT'S ALL A PARKING STRATEGY.
BUT WHAT CAN WE DO FOR TRAFFIC CIRCULATION TO HELP REDUCE CONGESTION? WELL, WE TRIED THIS OUT FOR FOURTH OF JULY, BUT THE IDEA IS TO REMOVE PARKING FROM CATHEDRAL PLACE AND EXPAND THE PEDESTRIAN AREAS ALONG CATHEDRAL PLACE, SO PUTTING THOSE BICYCLE RACKS UP, AND THAT DOES TWO THINGS: THAT CREATES MORE ROOM FOR PEDESTRIANS, BUT THEN IT ALLOWS US TO CONTROL CROSSING SO PEDESTRIANS AREN'T CROSSING MID-BLOCK.
THEN WE CAN HAVE POLICE STAFF THERE CONTROLLING THE CROSSINGS AND HOLDING PEDESTRIANS UP BECAUSE WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING, AND WE WITNESSED THIS, IS WHEN WE GET SO MANY PEDESTRIANS OUT THERE, THEY START TO IGNORE THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS, AND THEY START WALKING OUT AND THEY'LL STEP OUT DURING THE GREEN CYCLE, AND THEN CARS CAN'T GET THROUGH.
THE IDEA HERE IS TO REMOVE THE PARKING, PUT THE BIKE RACKS UP, AND THAT WAY WE CAN PUSH PEDESTRIANS TO CONTROLLED CROSSINGS.
WE WANT TO CLOSE HYPOLITA STREET.
WE ALREADY DO THIS FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, BUT I WANTED TO PUT IT IN HERE.
WE CLOSE HYPOLITA STREET AND ONLY ALLOW TROLLEYS OR FRANCHISE VEHICLES TO ACCESS HYPOLITA STREET.
CLOSING TREASURY STREET THROUGH TRAFFIC.
THIS IS SOMETHING NEW THAT WE TRIED FOR FOURTH OF JULY.
WE DID NOT ALLOW CARS TO CROSS ST. GEORGE STREET ON TREASURY, AND THAT'S MORE IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN, AND I'LL GO OVER THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER.
WE ALSO WANT TO CLOSE THE SLIP LANE ON ORANGE STREET DURING PEAK TIMES BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS PEOPLE BACK UP WHEN THE PARKING GARAGE CLOSES, AND THEY TRY TO GO AROUND AND THEN THEY END UP QUEUING UP ON THAT SLIP LANE AND THEN THEY BACK OUT ONTO AVENUE AND MENENDEZ.
AGAIN, WITH MORE CONTROLS, WE WANT TO LOOK AT CLOSING ST. GEORGE STREET BETWEEN CATHEDRAL AND KING STREET.
IT'S THAT SHORT STRETCH OF STREET RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSE.
THEN ALSO IMPLEMENT CONTROLS AT THE CORDOVA STREET AND ORANGE STREET INTERSECTION.
THIS WAS AN IDEA THAT WAS BROUGHT TO US BY THE TROLLEYS, BY MR. SWIFT, THAT THEY NOTICED THIS IN THEIR OPERATIONS, BUT WHEN THE PARKING GARAGE CLOSES, YOU GET THE QUEUING UP THAT OCCURS, AND THEN THAT QUEUE ACTUALLY CAN BUILD AROUND AND BLEED INTO THE ORANGE STREET CORDOVA INTERSECTION, AND THEN NOBODY CAN GO ANYWHERE.
REALLY WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS CLOSE IT AND NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO GO TOWARDS THE PARKING GARAGE AND JUST ALLOW THEM TO MOVE SOUTH OR EAST ON ORANGE STREET.
>> THEN WESTBOUND TRAFFIC DURING PEAK TIMES FORCE TRAFFIC TO TURN RIGHT COMING ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF LIONS.
NOT ALLOWING THEM TO COME STRAIGHT AND GO ON TO CATHEDRAL, BUT TO HAVE AN OFFICER OUT THERE AND PUSHING THEM RIGHT NORTHBOUND ON THE BAY FRONT.
ALL OF THOSE CONSIDERED, WE THINK THAT THAT WE'LL HAVE AN IMPACT ON HOW TRAFFIC FLOWS AND MOVES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
WE WANT TO KEEP PEDESTRIANS AND THE TRAFFIC AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC MOVING.
IT'S NOT GOING TO MOVE FAST, BUT WE WANT TO KEEP THEM MOVING.
I PUT IT DOWN AS A LONG-TERM GOAL. THIS IS NOTHING NEW.
WE TRIED THIS YEARS AGO AND THE CITY COMMISSION APPROVED IT, BUT THERE'S DISCUSSION ABOUT HAVING A SHUTTLE LANE INBOUND ON SAN MARCO AVENUE.
WE HAVE MET WITH DOT AND HAD PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT.
THIS WOULD BE AN INBOUND LANE AND THEN THEY WOULD HEAD NORTH ON US 1 TO GET BACK TO THE PARKING AREAS.
I PUT THIS AS LONG-TERM BECAUSE IT'S ANOTHER AGENCY,
[02:15:02]
DOT CONTROLS THE ROAD, SO WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM AND GET IT INCORPORATED IN THEIR PLAN.UNDER PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS FROM CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC AND SPILLOVER, THERE'S TWO ITEMS ON THIS.
ALL OF THE YELLOW AREAS ARE WHAT WE WERE PROPOSING AS TEMPORARY RESIDENT-ONLY PARKING ZONES.
THE IDEA BEING IS WE HAVE OUR ABILITY THROUGH DATA AND ANALYSIS THAT WE CAN SHOW THAT THESE AREAS ARE CONGESTED WITH COMMUTER TRAFFIC THAT WE CAN GO OUT THERE AND ESTABLISH FOR ALL OF NIGHTS OF LIGHTS FOR THE 60 DAYS RESIDENT ONLY PARKING ZONE.
WE WOULD GO OUT THERE AND ERECT SIGNAGE AND COME UP WITH A PROGRAM TO GET PASSES TO THE RESIDENTS THERE.
WE'VE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE, SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE A BIG UNDERTAKING.
BUT WE DID HAVE FOLKS FROM THE FLAGLER MODEL AND GROUP RESIDENTS.
THEY WERE PROACTIVE, THEY CAME TO THE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND ABOUT 80 SIGNATURES WITHIN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD IN SUPPORT OF THE RESIDENT ONLY PARKING ZONE FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AND ALSO THE RESTRICTED TURNS, WHICH I'LL GO OVER IN A SECOND.
THE RESTRICTED TURNS. THE RED AREAS ON US 1, WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IN REALLY CONGESTED TIMES IS PEOPLE END UP DIVING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE THEY'RE QUEUING UP ON US 1.
WHAT WE WOULD PROPOSE IS THAT WE PERMIT THROUGH DOT THE TURN LANE CLOSURES SO WE PREVENT LEFT-HAND TURNS AND RIGHT-HAND TURNS INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
IT'S A RIGHT TURN ONLY OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
PEOPLE CAN GET OUT OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT GETTING BACK IN, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FOLLOW THE REST OF TRAFFIC, SO USING [INAUDIBLE], I THINK IT WILL GO A LONG WAY IN CUTTING DOWN THE AMOUNT OF THROUGH TRAFFIC THAT'S GOING THROUGH, BUT THE RESIDENTS ARE ALSO GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH HOW THEY ACT, IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THEIR ACCESS TO THEIR HOMES.
IT IS TEMPORARY, SO I THINK IT'S WORTH MOVING FORWARD AND TRYING.
SOME IDEAS TO LEAVE ONE OF THE OPENINGS OPEN AND NOT CLOSE ALL OF THEM, BUT HAVE ONE ACCESS OPEN, SO WILLING TO TRY THAT AS WELL.
INSTEAD OF CLOSING ALL OF THE STREETS OFF, YOU MAYBE LEAVE THE MOST NORTHERN ONE OPEN SO RESIDENTS KNOW THEY CAN GET IN AND OUT.
WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROHIBIT ANYBODY COULD GO THROUGH THAT, BUT THAT WAS AN IDEA THAT BUBBLED UP THROUGH THAT.
THEN I ALSO HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS THE PARKING AROUND MARIA SANCHEZ BECAUSE THAT BECAME A BIG DEAL WITH LAST NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, WHERE WE HAD CARS JUST PARKING EVERYWHERE AROUND THAT.
THE IDEA WITH RAISING THE ILLEGAL PARKING FINE IS WE WOULD PUT RIDERS ON ALL THE NO PARKING AREAS, I WOULD SAY $100 FINE.
I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A HUGE DISINCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE PARKING.
RIGHT NOW IF WE PUT RIDER SIGNS IT'S JUST $35 PARKING FINE, I THINK THAT MIGHT ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PARK THERE.
WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT, BUT THAT'S A POLICY DECISION THAT I NEED DIRECTION FROM THE COMMISSION.
THIS WAS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN.
THIS WAS ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTED OVER JULY 4, AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT WAS INVOLVED WITH GOING TO GET THE BARRICADES.
WE HAD TO DRIVE OUT TO ESCAMBIA COUNTY OUT IN THE PANHANDLE TO PICK THESE UP AND THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE ALSO LET US BORROW SOME OF THEIRS.
BUT THESE ARE THE BARRICADES THEY PREVENT, SOMEBODY IN A VEHICLE FROM DRIVING ALL THE WAY DOWN ST. GEORGE STREET.
THE IDEA HERE WAS TO PROTECT THE PEDESTRIAN MALL, ST. GEORGE STREET.
WE'VE ALREADY LEARNED A LESSON HERE FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
WE WOULD REMOVE THE EXISTING BOLLARDS.
THAT WAY WE COULD PUSH THESE BACK A LITTLE BIT FURTHER AND HAVE A MORE UNIFORM ACROSS ST. GEORGE STREET AT CATHEDRAL.
WE HAD THEM ON TREASURY STREET.
THIS IS WHAT I MEANT BY BLOCKING VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
YOU CAN NO LONGER WHEN THESE ARE DEPLOYED ACROSS TREASURY STREET.
IT'S A BLIND CORNER, AND WE WOULD PLAN TO HAVE THESE IN PLACE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
THE IDEA WOULD BE THAT THEY'D BE IN PLACE FOR THE 60 DAYS.
WE'RE NOT OUT THERE MOVING THEM BACK AND FORTH.
THIS WAS HYPOLITA STREET AND ST. GEORGE STREET.
NOW, THIS WE ACTUALLY DID THE SIDE STREET, HYPOLITA, BECAUSE WE ARE ALLOWING THROUGH TRAFFIC ON HYPOLITA STREET HERE.
THESE WERE PUT IN PLACE ACTUALLY ON ST. GEORGE STREET.
A CAR COULDN'T TURN OFF OF HYPOLITA AND GET ON TO ST. GEORGE.
CUNA STREET. THIS WAS FORT ALLEY AND THEN ORANGE STREET.
IF WE DEPLOY THE MERIDIAN BARRICADES IN ALL THESE LOCATIONS,
[02:20:04]
WE'VE REALLY SECURED THE PEDESTRIAN MALL SECTION OF ST. GEORGE STREET.NOW, THAT WAS A LOT. I DO MY BEST HERE TO SUMMARIZE EVERYTHING.
BUT THINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION CHANGES.
AT PEAK TIMES, WE WOULD LIKE TO FORCE TRAFFIC TO TURN RIGHT AT THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE.
LIMIT ACCESS FROM US 1 BY RESTRICTING RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS INTO FLAGLER MODEL LAND IN NORTH CITY NEIGHBORHOODS.
CLOSING ORANGE STREET, SLIP LANE DURING PEAK TIMES, CLOSED TREASURY STREET THROUGH TRAFFIC, MEANING VEHICLES CANNOT CROSS ST. GEORGE STREET, AND THEN CONTROL CORDOVA AND ORANGE STREET INTERSECTION WHEN GARAGE CLOSES.
INPUT ON THAT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
AGAIN, WE HAD DISCUSSION EARLIER TODAY AND I'M HAPPY TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT, BUT AMENDING THE CODE TO INCREASE THE ILLEGAL PARKING FINES FROM $35-$100, INCREASING THE ENTRY FEE TO THE HISTORIC PARKING GARAGE WHEN WE'RE RUNNING SHUTTLES, RIGHT NOW IT'S $20.
WE COULD ENTERTAIN GOING TO $40 OR $60.
IN MY HEAD, I HAD $60, BUT THAT'S UP FOR DISCUSSION.
CONVERTING THE TOQUES LOT TO WORKFORCE PERMIT PARKING.
THAT WOULD BE A 247 CHANGE SO THAT WOULD BE YEAR ROUND.
WE THINK THAT THAT WOULD WORK WELL AND HELP THE WORKFORCE.
CONVERTING THE GRENADA LOT TO WORKFORCE PERMIT PARKING ON WEEKNIGHTS AND WEEKENDS.
DURING THE WEEKDAY, IT'S USED BY CITY HALL AND TENANTS OF CITY HALL FOR PARKING.
ENTER AN AGREEMENT WITH FLAGLER COLLEGE TO USE THEIR PARKING GARAGE FOR WORKFORCE PARKING DURING THEIR WINTER BREAK AND ON FOURTH OF JULY.
REMOVING PARKING ALONG CATHEDRAL PLACE TO PROVIDE WIDER PEDESTRIAN SPACES AND CREATE CONTROLLED CROSSINGS AT CHARLOTTE STREET AND ST. GEORGE STREET.
WE DEPLOYED THAT. THE BIKE RACKS, I THINK A NICE THING THAT WILL HELP WITH THE LOOK IS WE CAN GET SHEETS THAT COVER THOSE METAL BIKE RACKS, LIKE WHITE SHEETS, AND THEN WE CAN ALSO GET BRANDING THAT SAYS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS ON IT OR YOU CAN PUT SIGNAGE THAT POINTS PEOPLE TO REST ROOMS ON IT.
I THINK THAT WILL HELP SOFTEN IT AND BLEND NICER IN WITH THE LIGHTS THAT WE HAVE.
THEN ESTABLISHING THE TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL PARKING ZONES AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
THIS ONE, I'M LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK ON, HOW DO YOU WANT US TO ENGAGE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS FLAGLER MODEL AND PROVIDED A PETITION WITH A LOT OF FOLKS, BUT HOW DO YOU WANT TO HAVE LIKE IN OUR EXISTING ORDINANCE, 60% BUY IN? HOW DO YOU WANT US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT IF YOU'RE ENTERTAINING THAT? HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND GO BACK OVER IT AND I GUESS SAID IT WAS A LOT.
>> GOOD QUESTIONS. WELL, I SUGGEST THAT WE JUST TRY TO GO THROUGH THE QUESTIONS AND RESPOND AND WHAT WE THINK.
OR DO YOU WANT TO ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND THEN GET TO THE QUESTIONS HE'S ASKING US TO ANSWER. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE?
>> WE MAY ANSWER OTHER QUESTIONS WHILE WE'RE TALKING.
I THINK WE JUST GO DOWN THE QUESTIONS.
>> SURE. I'M IN THE CODE TO INCREASE THE ILLEGAL PARKING FINES 35-100.
I THINK THEY OUGHT TO BE 100 ALL THE TIME.
IT'S WORTH IT FOR ME TO BREAK THE LAW SOMETIMES, BECAUSE IT'S A RISK.
GETTING A PARKING POT FOR 20 BUCKS OR 30 BUCKS IN THE FLAGLER PLACES OR ANY OTHER PRIVATE IS NOT A RISK BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU'RE OUT, BUT I CAN GO DOWN THERE AND PARK AND JUST HOPE I DON'T GET A TICKET.
I REALLY THINK WE OUGHT TO DO IT $100 ALL THE TIME.
>> DO WE WANT TO DO [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE REST OF THE QUESTIONS DO YOU THINK [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M NOT OPPOSED TO HAVING THE PARKING GARAGE BE INCREASED AT ALL.
I STILL THINK THAT $20 IS A PRETTY GOOD BARGAIN FOR NIGHT OF LIGHTS TIME OF TWO.
I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RAISING IT WHATEVER YOU'D SUGGEST.
I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF WORKFORCE PERMITS FOR THOSE LOTS FOR THE EMPLOYEES.
THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN FOR SOMEBODY THAT WORKS DOWNTOWN TO TRY TO GET TO WORK.
THE FLAGLER COLLEGE PARKING LOT AS WELL.
[02:25:05]
YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO INVESTIGATE LEASING THEIR OTHER PARKING LOTS.BECAUSE THEY SOMETIMES HAVE THEM FOR RENT AND SOMETIMES DON'T, THEY MAY BE HAPPY JUST TO TAKE SOME MONEY AND SAY, HEY WE'D BE GLAD TO GIVE THEM TO YOU AND LET YOU USE THEM FOR PARKING AND WE COULD ALSO CHARGE ON THOSE LOTS AS WELL.
REMOVE PARKING ON CATHEDRAL WITH WIDE PEDESTRIAN, ABSOLUTELY TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL PARKING ZONES.
IT'S A GREAT IDEA, AND I THINK IT'S VERY WORTH INVESTIGATING AND TRYING BECAUSE IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO ME.
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WOULD BE 24 HOURS A DAY.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE GET A LOT OF MANAGEMENT IF IT WASN'T 24 HOURS A DAY, BUT IT WOULD MAKE SOME SENSE NOT TO HAVE IT FOR THE ENTIRE 60 DAYS BUT FOR THE HIGH TRAFFIC DAYS.
>> A NOTE ON THAT, IF I MAY, A LOT OF TIMES WE TRY TO WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THEY'VE ALREADY SUGGESTED IN THEIR PETITION WHAT THE HOURS THAT THEY WOULD WANT SO.
THEY'RE REALLY JUST LOOKING AT FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS ALL DAY, WHICH IS THE PEAK TIME.
THE NICE THING ABOUT THIS PLAN IS WE CAN ALL PUT THIS IN PLACE AND THEN MONITOR IT AND BRING IT BACK AND THERE'S NOTHING CONCRETE.
WE CAN COME BACK AND CHANGE IT IF IT DOESN'T WORK OR MAYBE IT WORK REALLY WELL AND THEN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS SEE THAT AND WE EXPAND IT.
BUT FOR TEMPORARY, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT GOING OUT THERE AND STRIPING PARKING.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO AND ERECT SIGNS, THAT'S A RESIDENT PARKING ONLY, PUT THE RIDER ON THERE, THAT IT'S $100 FINE IF YOU CHANGE IT TO $100.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO KEEP PARKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT'S JUST TEMPORARY AND SEE HOW THAT WORKS.
FOR FLAGLER MODEL IN, WE WOULD DO FRIDAY, SATURDAYS.
I THINK MAYBE THEY HAD SUNDAYS, BUT THE OTHER THING IS IF THEY ALREADY HAVE A PERMANENT ZONE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO MESS WITH THE PERMANENT ZONE.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO MAKE IT TEMPORARY AROUND THE PERMANENT ZONE.
WHEN WE PULL IT DOWN, THE PERMANENT ZONE REMAINS.
>> HOW WOULD WE ENFORCE IT? WOULD THEY HAVE TO GIVE US THEIR TAG NUMBER OR WOULD WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM PASSES?
>> YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAMP UP AND CREATE PASSES.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WE'VE NEVER TRIED IT BEFORE.
WE LIKE PERMANENT BECAUSE IT'S AN ANNUAL THING.
THIS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CREATE A PROGRAM AND REACH OUT TO THESE RESIDENTS AND GET PASSES TO THEM.
>> COULD IT BE DONE WITH TAG NUMBERS?
>> IT IS DONE WITH TAG NUMBERS, BUT A LOT OF TIMES WE FOUND THAT YOU STILL NEED A PHYSICAL MARKER OR PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE RESIDENTIAL PARKING, DON'T SEE THAT, SO THEY THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST PARKING THERE AND NOBODY'S TICKETING.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? WE ACTUALLY DO IT BY TAG.
BUT WE'VE HAD TO PUT JUST SOME PHYSICAL MARKER SO THEY SEE A HANG TAG OR SOMETHING IN THE CAR.
OTHERWISE, THEY JUST DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S AN ACTUAL PERMIT PARKING ZONE THERE.
$100 RIDER FINE MIGHT GO A LONG WAY IN DETERRING THAT TOO.
>> I WAS THINKING ABOUT GUESTS OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS ON A FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT.
IF IT WAS TAGS, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE PRETTY EASY.
THEY COULD TYPE IN A TAG NUMBER TO A SITE.
>> THOSE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO WORK OUT.
WE HAVE THE ABILITY THAT THEY COULD REGISTER CARS ONLINE.
WITH THEIR TAG NUMBER, BUT WE'VE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE, SO WE'LL HAVE TO WORK THROUGH ALL OF THAT.
THE OTHER THING FROM A POLICY DECISION IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS FREE TO THE RESIDENTS AS WELL, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO CREATE A PROGRAM, CREATE AN OUTREACH TO THEM AND GET THEM THEIR PASSES AND THEIR GUEST PASSES FOR THE SEASON.
>> I THINK IF WE ENFORCE THEM CHARGE 100 BUCKS, WE WON'T NEED TO CHARGE THEM. [LAUGHTER]
>> YEAH. FOR ME, I WOULD JUST SAY, I'M GOOD WITH EVERYTHING.
>> I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU'VE PROPOSED, GETTING DOWN TO THE TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL PARKING ZONES.
I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S A LITTLE COMPLICATED, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO SORT THROUGH.
I WOULD SAY STICK WITH THE PROGRAM THAT WE USE NOW, WHICH IS YOU WOULD REQUIRE 60% OF YOUR RESIDENTS TO OPT IN AND THEN THAT WOULD BRING YOUR WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD IN, JUST LIKE WE DO NOW.
I THINK THAT'S THE CONSTITUTIONAL TEST.
GOING BACK YEARS AND YEARS, GOING BACK INTO WHAT CONSTITUTES COMMUTER TRAFFIC.
I GUESS MAYBE WE SET THAT OR SO.
>> THERE'S STILL MAGICAL FORMULA, BUT WE DO HAVE TO MAKE THOSE FINDINGS THAT THERE ARE SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WARRANT IT.
[02:30:02]
SO YES, IF THAT'S A SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCE.>> I THINK IT'S 60% NOW, AND I WOULD SAY BE AS CONSISTENT AS YOU CAN, JUST TO AVOID CONFUSION.
THEN I THINK YOU HAD ASKED ABOUT THE FEE.
I THINK YOU SHOULD CHARGE A FEE, BUT I THINK YOU SHOULD TRY TO KEEP IT AS LOW AS YOU CAN.
THAT WOULD JUST BE MY INPUT WITHOUT KNOWING ANY DETAILS ABOUT HOW IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK.
[LAUGHTER] BUT GENERALLY, I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF ALL OF THE PROVISIONS THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED.
SPECIALLY PLEASE TO SEE THE WORKFORCE PERMIT PARKING PROGRAM.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN ASKED OF US FOR A LONG TIME.
WE'VE JUST NEVER HAD THE INCENTIVE TO REALLY WORK THROUGH IT OR MAYBE THE COOPERATION OR THE OPPORTUNITY.
I DON'T KNOW, BUT I REALLY LOVE THE IDEA OF THAT.
SORTING OUR WORKFORCE PARKING THROUGH THAT PROBLEM I THINK CAN BE REMOVING HUGE STUMBLING BLOCK TO YEAR ROUND PROBLEMS. IF WE CAN GET THE EMPLOYEES USED TO THE IDEA OF PAYING FOR THEIR OWN OR THE BUSINESSES PAYING FOR THOSE SPOTS AND KEEPING THEM REGULATED, COULD BE A HUGE POSITIVE FOR ALL THE BUSINESSES, BECAUSE THAT WILL JUST FREE UP SO MUCH PARKING AND PEOPLE FROM DOING ALL THAT CRUISING AROUND THAT THEY DO IN CLOGGING THE STREETS BY LOOKING FOR A SPOT.
THOSE TWO FACTORS ARE SO IMPORTANT; THAT CRUISING HAS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE IMPACT AND THEN HAVING EMPLOYEES TAKING UP PARKING.
BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW A LOT OF THE BUSINESSES JUST SAY, EMPLOYEE, IT'S ON YOU AND WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.
THEY CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT AND WE CAN DO BETTER THAT.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY, SO THAT'S ALL I HAD TO SAY.
>> I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT THE WORKFORCE HOUSING.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NECESSARY.
HOW WILL IT BE EXECUTED? HOW'S IT GOING TO BE DELEGATED AND ENFORCED, I THINK I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH YOU.
JUST SO WE GOT IT OUT THERE ON THE RECORD. HOW'S THAT GOING TO WORK?
>> WE HAVE AN EXISTING TOTAL MODEL LOT, IS A PERMIT PARKING LOT AND WE HAVE PERMIT HUNTING PASSES FOR THE PARKING GARAGE.
IT'D BE INCORPORATED INTO OUR PARKING DIVISION.
SAME THING WITH THE TEMPORARY RESIDENT PARKING.
WE'LL DIVVY UP THE NUMBER OF SPACES, AND THEN WE'LL CREATE AN APPLICATION FOR PEOPLE TO APPLY FOR THE WORKFORCE PERMIT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH DETAILS ON IS THAT, WE RECOGNIZE THAT A LOT OF THESE ARE RESTAURANTS AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT SHIFTS COMING ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES.
THEY MAY BE ABLE TO ALLOCATE 10 PARKING PASSES AND WE NEED A WAY FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO PASS THOSE THROUGH SHIFTS.
WE GOT TO WORK ON THAT DETAIL, BUT WE'RE AWARE OF THAT.
WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO GET IN THE BUSINESS OF OVERSELLING THE LOT.
THAT WOULD JUST PROMOTE PEOPLE COMING IN AND LOOKING FOR PARKING THAT'S NOT THERE.
BUT GENERALLY, IT WOULD BE ADMINISTERED THROUGH OUR PARKING DIVISION THROUGH THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
WE'LL GET IT SET UP AND THEN IT WILL BE AGILE.
WE'LL MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WELL, THESE ARE ALL BIG CHANGES.
WILL IT BE THE BUSINESS OWNER THAT'S APPLYING FOR THE SPACES OR WILL IT BE THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES? IN THE WAY YOU'RE THINKING NOW.
>> I THINK THE BEST WAY THAT IT WOULD WORK IS FOR THE BUSINESS OWNER TO COME IN.
>> THAT'S WHAT I THINK. BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW THEIR WORKERS, THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW THEIR SHIFTS AND WORK THROUGH THEM.
BUT I'M GLAD TO HEAR IT, AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED.
I JUST GO THROUGH THESE FORCE TRAFFIC TURN RIGHT, THE BRIDGE ALLIANCE.
FOR US THAT LIVE ON THE ISLAND, THAT'LL BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT, BUT REALLY MOST OF THE TIME IS MOST PEOPLE ARE GOING RIGHT ANYWAY.
LIMIT ACCESS INTO THE LEFT AND TURN LANES.
I'D REALLY LIKE THE WAY FLAG OR MODELING STEPPED UP.
I THINK WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HERE FROM THE OTHER NORTH CITY NEIGHBORHOODS.
THESE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE REALLY GOING TO AFFECT THE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND I FEEL I DON'T WANT TO BE A PRESUMPTUOUS AND TELL THEM WHAT'S GOING TO WORK FOR THEM.
YOU ASKED A QUESTION HOW TO WORK WITH THEM.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE YOU.
I KNOW YOU DO A GOOD JOB AT THAT.
GO THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND TRY TO WORK WITH THEM.
I AGREE WITH THE MAYOR, I THINK AS FAR AS THAT, WE SHOULD DO THE 60%.
I DON'T SEE ANYTHING OR REASON TO CHANGE IT.
[02:35:01]
WE JUST HAVE IT AS A EXTENSION OF THAT.I WILL BE LATER WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RODER AND COMMISSIONER COMMENTS, SUGGESTING WE JUST DROPPED THE FEE FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM PERIOD.
IT'S ONLY $35, BUT I THINK IT'S AN ENCOURAGING THING.
IT WON'T BE A BIG LOSS TO THE CITY.
I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF KEEPING IT LOW, THERE ARE RESIDENTS.
IF THAT'S HELPING THEM, I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE GOOD TO DO.
CLOSE ARNE STREET, TREASURY STRICT WITH THAT CONTROL FOR MEN CREED OR THE ILLEGAL PARKING FEE TO A 100, YES.
I THINK THAT COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD DID A GOOD JOB OF THAT.
WE'D JUST LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT A LOT OF IT IS HOW YOU'RE GOING TO ENFORCE IT.
LIKE IF IT'S 100 AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ENFORCE IT, BUT IF IT'S 35 AND YOU'RE GOING TO ENFORCE IT, YOU'RE GOING TO GET SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY.
THE UNKNOWN RIGHT NOW IS THE ENFORCEMENT, BUT THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF $100 IS SOMETHING I THINK WE NEED TO DO.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IF WE'RE DOING IT FOR YELLOW PARKING, THOSE YELLOW THINGS ARE MARKED CLEARLY, SO WE DON'T HAVE MISUNDERSTANDINGS WITH PEOPLE.
TALK SLOT, YES, GRENADA, YES, GREENWOOD PLAZA COLLEGE, YES, REMOVE PARKING, ESTABLISHED TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL PARKING ZONES IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE ONES THAT ARE LEFT HANGING OUT, IT LOOKS LIKE ARE LINCOLNVILLE, DAVIS SHORES AND MIDTOWN THERE.
APTRACK HAVE YOU REACHED OUT? HAVE THEY COME TO YOU FOR ANYTHING NEW OR ANY?
>> THERE WAS A COUPLE OF RESIDENTS FROM NORTH DAVIS SHORES THAT SHOWED UP.
BUT THAT WAS A QUESTION I ACTUALLY HAD FOR THE COMMISSION.
>> WAS ON THIS SLIDE HERE, THIS SHOWS THE AREAS WE THOUGHT WOULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT.
DO YOU WANT US TO GO FULL GUSTO AND TRY TO KNOCK ALL OF THESE OUT THIS YEAR? OR DO YOU WANT US TO FOCUS ON FLAGLER MODELING AND MAYBE NORTH CITY AND SEE HOW IT WORKS? THEN IF IT WORKS, WE COULD WORK ON EXPANDING IT FOLLOWING YEARS?
>> THAT THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING.
HAS ANYBODY ELSE ACTUALLY COME OUT AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WISE? OR HAVE YOU HAVE YOU REACHED OUT TO THE PRESIDENTS NEIGHBORS AND BROUGHT IT UP YET?
>> I HAVE NOT. THE ONLY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAS SHOWN SUPPORT THUS FAR IS FLAGLER MODELING.
>> THEY DID THAT ON THEIR OWN, RIGHT? YEAH. THEY CAME TO THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. THEY SAW WE WERE [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY WENT OUT AND KNOCKED ON DOORS AND GOT A PETITION.
>> WELL, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU JUST SEND OUT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND JUST SAY, HEY, THIS IS A TOPIC, WOULD YOUR COMMUNITY LIKE TO DISCUSS IT AND LEAVE IT TO THEM AT THE TIME BEING BECAUSE REALLY IT'S GOING TO AFFECT THEM THE MOST.
I GOT A CALL A WHILE BACK FROM ANCHOR FAITH CHURCH DOWN ON US 1 AND THERE THEY GOT A BIG PARKING LOT, AND THEY'RE LOOKING TO USE THAT, SO I FIGURED I'D GET THAT OUT THERE, MAYBE NOT THIS YEAR, BUT IN THE FUTURE.
I DON'T KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SHUTTLES GOING THAT FAR, BUT JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW.
>> [LAUGHTER] COUPLE OF THINGS. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PRESS MY WAY HERE FOR A COUPLE OF THE MEETINGS AND SEE THE PUBLIC AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.
WHEN YOU GUYS WAS CONDUCTING THE MEETINGS, AND I THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE DONE WELL.
I THOUGHT YOU GUYS PROVIDED SOME GREAT INSIGHT ABOUT HOW YOU WERE MOVING FORWARD TO RECTIFY AS BEING OVERCROWDED, TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY.
I WANT TO COMMEND YOU GUYS ON THOSE WORKSHOPS AND SO FORTH.
I SAW MORE BUSINESSES VERSUS RESIDENTS FROM THE TIMES THAT I ATTENDED, EVEN THE FIRST ONE BEING FOR RESIDENTS.
THEN THE SECOND ONE WAS FOR THE BUSINESSES, AND THEN SOME RESIDENTS CAME TO THAT ONE.
I GUESS THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION WITH THE DATES.
WHEN I SAID ABOUT THE ILLEGAL PARKING FINE GOING FROM 35-100$, I STILL THINK THAT THAT'S EXTREME.
BUT FOR THE LOCATIONS LIKE SANCHEZ AREA AND DIFFERENT PLACES LIKE THAT, I CAN SEE THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S NOT SAFE DOWN THERE, IT'S NOT A LOT OF LIGHTING FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT.
I THINK IT WOULD BE BEST THAT THEY DETER AND FIND OTHER ADEQUATE PARKING.
I CAN SEE THAT, BUT IT DOES DEFINITELY NEED TO BE POSTED BECAUSE I'M GETTING EMAILS ABOUT PEOPLE WHINING ABOUT A $35 HOUR TICKET, WANTING TO CHALLENGE IT AND GOING UP AGAINST OUR PARKING PERSON, TRYING TO EXPLAIN ABOUT THE TIMING AND ALL THAT.
JUST IMAGINE WITH THE INCREASE, AND I KNOW THAT PEOPLE HAVE CONFRONTED PARKING ATTENDANCE IN THE PAST, ABOUT A $35 HOUR TICKET.
THAT CONCERNS ME IF THEY REALIZE THAT THE TICKET IS $100.
I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO BE IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE THE PERSON THAT GOT IT IS IRATE.
EVERYBODY AIN'T NICE AND JUST GOING TO SAY,
[02:40:01]
THANK YOU FOR THIS $100 TICKET.THE PARKING GARAGE GOING UP FROM $20-60 TO GET PEOPLE TO GO ON THE SHUTTLE.
I DID HEAR A LOT OF FEEDBACK THAT THE SHUTTLE LINES WERE LONG.
A LOT OF PEOPLE PROBABLY WILL NOT GET ON THE SHUTTLES THIS YEAR, BECAUSE THEY SAID THE WAIT TIME TO GET ON A SHUTTLE WAS LIKE OVER AN HOUR AND THEN THEY WERE JUST STUCK IN TRAFFIC JUST LIKE THE CARS, AND THEY FELT LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST DROVE, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY FELT THEY COULD HAVE MAGICALLY DROVE OVER CARS.
[LAUGHTER] BUT AT LEAST THEY FELT LIKE THEY WERE IN CONTROL OF GETTING HOME VERSUS WAITING ON THE SHUTTLE.
I REALLY DON'T THINK WE SHOULD REALLY TAMPER TOO MUCH.
I SEE A SMALL INCREASE ON THE PARKING GARAGE BECAUSE EVERY PLACE IN TOWN IS STILL CHARGING THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY.
THAT'S GOING TO DETER THEM TO GO ROUND AND FIND A $20 PLACE VERSUS GOING TO THE GARAGE AND PAYING 60 BUCKS.
I'M NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH ACTIVATING THAT UP.
BECAUSE EVEN WITH THE PARKING GARAGE, ONCE YOU LEAVE THE PARKING GARAGE, IF YOU DECIDE TO TALLY BACK THERE, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY ANOTHER $20 ANYWAY BECAUSE IT'S ONE TIME ENTRY, IT ISN'T LIKE YOU GET A PASS TO KEEP GOING IN AND OUT.
WE MIGHT GET $40-$60 FROM THAT PERSON, WHEN THEY REALIZE THEY PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT THEIR SPACE.
I WOULD SAY THAT MAYBE IF YOU WANTED TO INCREASE IT TO GET A LITTLE MORE REVENUE, I THINK IT SHOULD BE 25 OR $30.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE REALLY MAKING THE TOURISTS PAY FOR COMING HERE.
IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT $100 FOR LEGAL PARKING, AND THEN YOU'RE TALKING $60 FOR THE PARKING GARAGE AND YOU'RE CLOSING EVERY STREET KNOWN TO MAN FOR THEM TO GET AROUND, WE'RE NOT BEING FRIENDLY.
I DON'T FEEL AS THOUGH THAT WE'RE BEING WELCOMING TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO COME IN, OR EVEN ANY RESIDENTS THAT WANT TO COME DOWNTOWN.
BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE A QUENCH TIME, THEY DON'T HAVE TO JANUARY TO COME DOWN ANYMORE.
THEY GOT TO COME DOWN IN THAT WINDOW OF TIME THAT WE HAVE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
THAT MEANS MORE RESIDENTS THAT WANT TO SEE THE LIGHTS, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME DOWN WHEN PEOPLE ARE HERE.
IF THEY WANT TO COME DOWN WITH THEIR FAMILIES THAT ARE VISITING.
WE NEED TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT.
THE TORQUE PARKING LOT FOR THE WORK PERMIT, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE MANY OF THE BUSINESSES DIDN'T EXPRESS ABOUT THE CONCERNS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THEM SAFE BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM WORK TO 10, 11 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT.
I KNOW WE HAVE SOME BIKE POLICE, BUT THEY CAN'T BE EVERYWHERE.
I THINK FOR THE SAFETY THAT THEIR EMPLOYERS AND KNOW WHERE THEY LEFT AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A SENSE OF SECURITY INSTEAD OF PARKING ON THIS SIDE STREET AND THAT SIDE STREET.
AS FAR AS THE CHANGING ALL THE STREETS FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN ONTO, WE NEED TO LEAVE ONE STREET OPEN.
BECAUSE IF I LIVED ON LEMON STREET, I'LL BE DARNED IF I AIN'T GOING TO MAKE THAT TURN TO GET ON MY STREET AND GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO AVENIDA MENENDEZ AND COME BACK UP.
THERE NEEDS TO BE A STREET THAT THEY CAN GAIN ACCESS TO THAT THEY CAN JUST SCURRY BACK AND GET BACK HOME.
JUST IMAGINE BEING STUCK IN US 1 TRAFFIC, THEN FINALLY TURNING AND THEN BEING STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON SAN MARCO OR AVENIDA MENENDEZ AND TAKING AN HOUR TO GET HOME BECAUSE I CAN'T MAKE THAT TURN.
I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A SHORTCUT, WHERE THEY CAN CUT THROUGH A STREET AND GET HOME TO TO THEIR HOUSES.
WE DON'T NEED TO SOLVE ONE PROBLEM AND CREATE 10.
IS MY CONCERN. WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THAT LIVE HERE.
BUT IF WE TAKE AWAY THEM NAVIGATING TO GET BACK TO THEIR HOUSES, THEN WE'RE CREATING A PROBLEM FOR THE RESIDENTS.
YOU THINK THE RESIDENTS ARE MAD BECAUSE THE PEOPLE CAME, THEY'RE GOING TO BE REAL MAD THAT THEY CAN'T GET HOME IN AN ADEQUATE TIME.
ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE OLDER AND THEY'RE GETTING OUT AND THEY JUST TRY TO GO OUT AND HAVE DINNER, AND THEY GOT TO SPEND MORE TIME GETTING BACK HOME THAN THEY DID GOING OUT TO DINNER.
ALSO, FOR THE CATHEDRAL, I THINK THAT'S GREAT WITH WHEN THE PEDESTRIAN.
I THINK THAT WORKED WELL FOR THE 4TH OF JULY, CORRECT? I DID LIKE A LOT.
DON'T THINK I'M JUST HATING ON EVERYTHING.
THE THINGS THAT YOU GUYS HAD FOR THE STREET CLOSING THAT ALL WENT DOWN AND GOT.
YOU CAN TELL THAT THAT HELPED A LOT.
I DID GET SOME POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE 4TH OF JULY.
I DIDN'T DARE COME DOWN HERE BECAUSE OF THE WHOLE ROAD CONSTRUCTION.
I JUST KNEW THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A LOT.
I SHOULD HAVE SECURED A PLACE WHERE I COULD HAVE CAME AND CHECKED IT OUT.
BUT LAST YEAR, I CAME DOWN HERE AND THAT WAS A NIGHTMARE BECAUSE I PARKED AT SAN SEBASTIAN WINERY, AND I THOUGHT I PARKED IN JACKSONVILLE BY THE TIME I HOOKED FROM THE BAYFRONT.
[LAUGHTER] I DECIDED THIS YEAR JUST TO WATCH IT FROM HOME.
THE TEMPORARY RESIDENT PARKING ZONES.
I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THOSE PERMITS ALREADY BECAUSE I WENT TO VISIT SOMEBODY ON LEMON STREET.
THERE'S ALREADY PASSES, BECAUSE THEY RAN OUT AND SAID, HEY,
[02:45:01]
I GOT A PASSWORD IF I HAVE A GUESS.I THINK THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH PASSES AND MAYBE AN EXTRA ONE, SO IF SOMEBODY COMES TO VISIT THEM, THAT THEY HAVE THAT AS WELL.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE YELLOW CURB PARKING BEING ADDITIONAL MONEY, BUT I JUST WANT US TO BE NOT ONLY VISITOR FRIENDLY, BUT I WANT US TO BE RESIDENT FRIENDLY.
BECAUSE IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME VISIT THEIR FAMILY.
KIDS ARE GOING TO COME HOME FROM COLLEGE AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BRING THEIR GRANDCHILDREN, AND WE NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND REALIZE ALL THOSE THINGS CAN BE HAPPENING BESIDES JOHN COMING FROM TIMBUKTU TO COME SEE THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS THAT'S NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.
THIS IS HOME FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO PROBABLY HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN YEARS AND THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO COME HOME, AND THEY REMEMBER SEEING AUGUSTINE BEING ONE WAY AND WE'RE CREATING A WHOLE NEW STORY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED?
>> NEXT STEPS WOULD BE LOOKING AT BRINGING AN ORDINANCE, AMENDING THE ILLEGAL PARKING CODE FROM 35-100.
>> ONE THING THAT WE COULD CHECK AND MAYBE CITY ATTORNEY COULD WEIGH IN IS, COULD WE CREATE A ZONE FOR THE $100 FINE THAT IT'S A ZONAL ILLEGAL FINE?
>> SURE. IT'S WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO BE.
IF IT'S CERTAIN HOURS, IF IT'S ZONES, IF IT'S CERTAIN STREETS, IT'S WHATEVER YOU FEED INTO THE LEGAL MACHINE.
>> MAYBE WE START WITH INCREASING THE FINE FOR THE THE DOWNTOWN AREA THAT WE KNOW IS REALLY IMPACTED THEN WE LEAVE THE FURTHER RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
IF YOU'RE PARKED IN LIGHTHOUSE PARK, FOR INSTANCE, ON A YELLOW CURB, YOU DON'T GET $100 FINE, YOU STILL GET $35.
>> THEN WE CAN GET A FINDING FROM IT, TOO, SO IT'LL BE BASED ON SOMETHING.
>> CONSENSUS FOR WORKFORCE PERMIT PARKING FOR THE TOKES LOT AND FOR THE GRENADA LOT AFTER HOURS ON WEEKENDS.
THE ENTRY FEE FOR THE PARKING GARAGE, I COULD BRING BACK DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR THAT.
BUT IT DOES NEED TO GET INCREASED BECAUSE THE WHOLE POINT, WE HAVE TO INCENTIVIZE.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE ST JOHN'S COUNTY RESIDENTS WILL STILL GET THEIR DISCOUNT, BUT THIS IS FOR THE TRANSIENT PERSON COMING FOR THE DAY.
I WAS GOING TO THE EXTREME OF 60 TO REALLY HAMMER THAT HOME.
NOW, ONLY FOUR WHEN THE FREE SHUTTLES ARE BEING RUN, IT WOULD STILL BE THE $20 ENTRY OUTSIDE OF FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS AND POTENTIALLY SUNDAYS WHEN WE'RE RUNNING SHUTTLES.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE INCREASE IS SO $40 OR $60, I CAN BRING BACK OPTIONS ON THAT.
>> I THINK I GOT BUY IN FOR THE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION CHANGES THEN THE ROAD CLOSURE, THE TURNING MOVEMENT CLOSURES FOR NORTH CITY AND MODEL LAND IF LOOKING AT MAYBE KEEPING ONE ACCESS ROAD OPEN AND NOT COMPLETELY CLOSING IT OFF, SO THERE'S INGRESS EGRESS FOR RESIDENTS.
>> CAN I ASK, DID YOU RUN THAT BY THE FLAGLER [INAUDIBLE] PEOPLE OR YOU WILL?
>> THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT CAME UP THROUGH DISCUSSIONS IF THEY COULD KEEP ONE ACCESS OPEN. WE COULD TRY IT.
I'M NOT SURE IF SOMEBODY'S ON WAYS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH COMMUTER TRAFFIC WOULD FIGURE THAT OUT AND START TO USE IT. BUT WE COULD TRY IT.
>> COULD YOU PUT A SIGN SAYING RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC ONLY ON US1 OR IS THAT?
>> WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ENFORCE IT.
BUT I'M JUST CONCERNED BECAUSE IF IT'S ONE STREET, THEN THE NEIGHBORS ON THAT STREET ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE TRAFFIC.
JUST RUN THAT BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD ITSELF.
IF YOU GET IT OKAY FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU GOT TO BE OKAY PERSONALLY.
>> THEN ENGAGE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS ABOUT THE TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING AND HOLD 60% AS THRESHOLD OF WHETHER OR NOT TO ESTABLISH IT OR NOT, GET 60% BUYING.
>> I THINK THE CHARGES KEEP THEM LOW. I DON'T KNOW.
THEN I DO LIKE THE BIG PASS ON THE DASHBOARD.
THAT JUST MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
I WOULD KEEP IT AS LOW AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, MAYBE JUST TO ADMINISTER IT BECAUSE I THINK THE RESIDENTIAL PARK PROGRAM IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR MOBILITY GOALS IN GENERAL.
[02:50:01]
>> ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION IS WE DID WORK WITH THE COUNTY TO GET ADDITIONAL PARKING OUT THERE AT THE COUNTY FOR THE SHUTTLES AS WELL.
THEY HAVE MORE PARKING AVAILABLE, SO WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM.
DAVID MET WITH THE COUNTY AND WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE OUR PARKING CAPACITY OUT THERE WHEN WE'RE RUNNING SHUTTLES.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE FLAGLER PARKING LOT THAT'S RIGHT DOWN HERE, THAT'S CLOSE TO THE LITTLE DORM THAT THEY BUILD, THAT'S BEEN EMPTY A LOT LATELY.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE COULD UTILIZE, SECTIONS OF THAT?
>> WE MET WITH FLAGLER COLLEGE AND WE ACTUALLY FOUND THAT THEY'RE USING THAT FOR PAY TO PARK FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT LOT SPECIFIC, BUT THEY WERE USING A LOT OF THEIR FLAT LOTS FOR PAY TO PARK FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
THEN WHEN THOSE LOTS WERE FILLING UP, THEY WERE DIRECTING TRAFFIC TO THE FILER PARKING GARAGE.
THEY'RE ALREADY USING THAT, BUT WE DID NOT HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH THEM ON WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN UTILIZE IT.
>> I WAS JUST WONDERING WHEN I SAW IT THE OTHER DAY EMPTY.
>> YEAH, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD LIST.
I THINK THAT'S A GOOD START SO THE NEXT THING WE'LL HEAR IS CONTINUE TO HEAR INPUT AND THEN SEE AND BRING IT FORWARD TO US ON THE FINES. CORRECT?
>> I DO HAVE A COUPLE MORE THINGS.
ONE IS, I REALLY LIKE THE PUBLIC SAFETY MAP BECAUSE IT HAS THE BUNEARY AND BAKERY ON THERE AND I USED TO LOVE A BUNEARY.
I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF CLOSING TREASURY FOREVER I THINK ONCE WE FIGURED THAT OUT, THAT MAY BE A GOOD THING TO DO IN THE FUTURE AND MAYBE GET SOME PERMANENT BARRICADES ON SOME OF THOSE STREETS.
I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA FROM OUR SPANISH STREET RESIDENT ABOUT INCLUDING ADVERTISING IN THAT THING.
I DO WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT THAT THIS PLAN IS NOT TO MAKE THE TOURIST EXPERIENCE BETTER.
THIS IS TO MAKE THE CITY MORE LIVABLE.
WE'RE DOING THIS PRIMARILY FOR RESIDENTS AND WE'RE DOING IT FOR BUSINESSES SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER.
I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THAT SAN MARCO LANE IS CRITICAL TO THE SHUTTLE PROGRAM.
JUST LIKE COMMISSIONER GARRIS SAID, I RODE IT AND IT WAS A LONG TIME TO GET THERE AND A LONG TIME TO GET BACK AND MORE SHUTTLES WOULDN'T HAVE HELPED.
I DON'T THINK THEY JUST INCREASED, BUT HAVING THAT LANE REALLY WOULD HELP.
>> I JUST GOT ONE MORE THING TO SAY.
I'VE SEEN A LOT OF FEEDBACK ABOUT SOUTH DIXIE AND WEST KING STREET.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMMENTING ON THOSE ROADS BEING BACKED UP BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE LEARNED HOW TO NAVIGATE AND COME DOWN THE STREETS.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE AS FAR AS THE MOBILITY ON THAT? BECAUSE I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT THAT I COULDN'T EVEN GET HOME COMING FROM THE GYM WHEN I DECIDED TO COME DOWN 207 AND GET ON OLD DIXIE HIGHWAY, AND IT'S LIKE THREE BLOCKS UP AND IT TOOK ME 25 MINUTES TO GET TO MY TURNOFF.
>> IN THIS PLAN, WE DID NOT CONTEMPLATE MOVING THAT FAR WEST YET, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN MONITOR AND LOOK AT INCORPORATING INTO THE FUTURE VERSIONS OF THIS.
I THINK IDEALLY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PROBABLY HAVING THOSE INTERSECTIONS CONTROLLED NOT BY THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL, BUT BY AN OFFICER.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO BE PARKING IN THE BROUDY SLOT THAT'S GOING TO BRING PEOPLE DOWNTOWN.
>> WE'LL BE RUNNING SHUTTLES FROM THE BROUDY PARKING LOT, YES.
>> BECAUSE I KNOW THERE WASN'T FOR 4 JULY.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME FOR NIGHTS AND LIGHT SO THAT THEY CAN GET OFF OUR ROADS DOWN THAT WAY?
>> WHAT WE DID FOR 4TH OF JULY IS WE ADVERTISE IT AS A PARK AND WALK BECAUSE IT'S EIGHT TENTHS OF A MILE SO PEOPLE WERE PARKING AND WALKING INTO TOWN FROM THE BROUDY LOT FOR 4TH OF JULY.
BUT FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, WE'LL BE RUNNING SHUTTLES OUT OF THERE.
THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA IS PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL PARKING
[10.B. Proposed Residential Parking Zone on Rohde Avenue between US1 and Loring Street. (R. Franklin, Assistant City Manager)]
ZONE ON ROHDE AVENUE BETWEEN US1 AND LAUREN STREET, AND THAT IS YOU, MR. FRANKLIN.>> AT THE LAST CITY COMMISSION MEETING, WE WERE ASKED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE OF A PERMANENT PARKING ZONE THAT WAS APPROVED ON ROHDE BETWEEN US1 AND LAUREN.
I WANTED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE FOR THAT AND GO THROUGH THIS PRESENTATION AND GO THROUGH OUR PROCESS AND THEN GET YOUR FEEDBACK OF HOW YOU'D LIKE US TO PROCEED.
THIS GOT WRAPPED UP WHEN WE MADE THE CHARGE FOR THE PARKING CODE UPDATE.
WE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ABOUT HOW
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RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING COULD BE PART OF THE SOLUTION FOR THEM.THIS IS WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT REMOVING PARKING REQUIREMENTS ALONG OUR ENTRY CORRIDORS.
WE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE TALKED ABOUT APPROACHING THIS HOLISTICALLY.
IDEALLY, WE WOULD LOVE TO GET BUY IN FROM THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD SO WE COULD GO AND ESTABLISH RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING ZONES. THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
WE DIDN'T GET FULL BUY IN, BUT THAT DIDN'T PRECLUDE BLOCKS FROM SUBMITTING THEIR OWN PETITIONS TO TRY TO GET ESTABLISHED RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING.
I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES THIS EVENING.
IT'S ON ROHDE AVENUE, THE SMALL BLOCK BETWEEN US1 AND LAUREN.
THIS IS JUST A GRAPHIC GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS, AND I JUST WANTED TO WALK YOU THROUGH THAT.
IN ORDER TO CREATE A NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM, WE HAVE TO HAVE A PETITION THAT'S SIGNED BY 60% OF THE HOUSEHOLDS OR OWNERS ON THAT STRETCH OF ROAD OR BLOCK.
THE MINIMUM WE NEED IS ONE CITY BLOCK.
THIS PARTICULAR ONE WAS ONE CITY BLOCK.
YOU SUBMIT THE APPLICATION TO THE PARKING DIVISION, THEY MOVE FORWARD WITH FIELD SURVEYS THAT ARE CONDUCTED SO WHAT WE DO IS WE GO OUT THERE AND WE DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF EXISTING PARKING SPACES THAT ARE ON THE STREET.
WE USE 20 FEET AS A PARKING SPACE.
IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, WE CAME UP WITH THERE WERE 16 EXISTING PARKING SPACES TOTAL AND THERE'S PARKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD.
THE FIELD SURVEYS, THE NEXT STEP IS THAT WE ACTUALLY GO OUT THERE AND WE DO A STUDY, WE COUNT THE CARS, WE TAKE THE LICENSE PLATES DOWN AND WE FIGURE OUT WHO LIVES ON THE BLOCK THAT'S PARKING THERE AND WHO'S A COMMUTER, SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T LIVE IN THAT AREA, THAT'S PARKING ON THE STREET.
TYPICALLY, WE LIKE TO HAVE A COUPLE OF DAYS SHOWING THAT IT'S TRIGGERING IT.
IN THIS EVENT, WE FOUND THAT THE LIONS SEAFOOD FESTIVAL TRIGGERED THAT EVENT, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE OBSERVED IN THE PAST, WE'VE JUST NEVER DONE A FORMAL STUDY ON IT.
MOST OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SURROUNDING AREAS WILL QUALIFY FOR RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF EVENTS, OF WORKFORCE PARKING IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
WE GOT THE PETITION, WE DID THE SURVEY, WE DID THE COUNTING.
WE THEN SENT OUT CARDS, AND IT WAS IN YOUR PACKET, BUT AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS A COMMENT CARD WHERE WE ASKED THEM EACH INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNER, DO THEY APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE? THEN WE ALSO ASKED THEM IN THAT CARD WHAT SIDE OF THE STREET THEY WOULD LIKE THE PARKING TO BE PLACED ON WE DO THIS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES WE'RE LOOKING FOR 10 FOOT TRAFFIC LANES SO IF IT'S A TWO WAY STREET, WE NEED ABOUT 20 FEET.
WE CAN GO DOWN THE 19.5 FEET, REALLY, BUT WE WANT TO KEEP IT AT 10 FOOT TRAFFIC LANES.
FOR INSTANCE, IN ROHDE, IT'S 26 FEET WIDE RIGHT NOW, AND THEY HAVE PARKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET.
IF THE PARKING STALLS ARE SEVEN FEET, SO THAT'S 14 FEET DEDICATED TO PARKING.
THEY'VE GOT ABOUT 12 FEET OF THROUGH TRAFFIC FOR TWO DIRECTIONAL TRAFFIC ON THE STREET.
A LOT OF TIMES WE'LL TALK WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THAT AND THEN WE'LL ALSO LOOK AT CAR ACCIDENTS.
ONE PARTICULAR THING WE FOUND HERE IS THERE WAS A LOT OF SIDE SWIPES OCCURRING.
THAT'S WHY WE CAME OUT WITH ONE SIDE OF THE STREET.
THIS WAS THE PLAN. THEY SUBMITTED A PETITION.
NOW, HOW DID THEY GET TO THAT PETITION? THEY CALLED A PARKING DIVISION.
SOMETIMES IT STARTS WITH A YELLOW CURBING CONVERSATION, BUT THIS IS A TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX, SO WE WILL THROW IT OUT TO THEM FOR CONSIDERATION IF THEY'D LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
THEY DECIDED THEY WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
THEY WENT THROUGH THE PETITION,12 SURVEYS WERE MAILED OUT, 10 SURVEYS WERE RETURNED.
NOW, WE SENT A SURVEY TO EACH PROPERTY OWNER IF A PROPERTY OWNER OWNS THREE INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES, THEY GET THREE INDIVIDUAL COMMENT CARDS TO WEIGH IN ON.
WE DETERMINED THAT THE STREET QUALIFIED.
WHEN WE DETERMINED IT QUALIFIED, WE SENT OUT A NOTIFICATION AND WE SHOWED THEM THIS PLAN WHICH SHOWED SEVEN PARKING SPACES GOING BACK.
WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO GET FEEDBACK FROM THE OWNERS ON THIS SECTION OF THE STREET,
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AND THEN WE ALSO STARTED TO GET FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS.WE DID LOOK AT IT AND DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND WE DO HAVE A PLAN PROPOSED TO ADD THE PARKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET.
MARON, CAN YOU SHOW THAT? THIS WAS THE PLAN THAT WE WERE GETTING READY TO RE ENGAGE THE STREET WITH THAT SHOWS 16 PARKING SPACES.
THIS WOULD PUT IT BACK ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET AND EMULATE THE EXISTING CONDITIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE TODAY.
THIS WILL KEEP PARKING FOR THESE RESIDENTS ON THIS SECTION OF STREET, SHOULD MITIGATE OVERFLOW PARKING INTO THE OTHER BLOCKS OF ROHDE.
BUT THAT'S WHERE WE WERE AT IN THE PROCESS WHEN WE WERE ASKED TO GIVE AN UPDATE.
WHERE WE WERE GOING TO GO FROM THIS WAS SEND THIS PLAN BACK OUT TO THESE RESIDENTS AND RESURVEY THEM TO SEE IF THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
IF WE HAD THE 60% BUY IN AGAIN WITH THE NEW PLAN, WE WERE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
BUT I'M ALSO HERE FOR FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMISSION.
>> LOOKS LIKE WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE A BETTER SOLUTION.
>> I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM.
I DO NOT BELIEVE SOME OF THE SPEAKERS, 30 AND 36, WERE ON THIS BLOCK.
I TOOK MY BIKE OUT THERE THE OTHER DAY, AND I LOOKED, AND I DON'T THINK THEY'RE ON THERE.
>> THEY'RE RIGHT ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LORING AND ROHDE.
THEY'RE RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THIS.
THEY'RE CLOSER TO THE ZONE, BUT THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY IN THIS BOUND.
>> WELL, I THINK I THINK THEY'VE PROCEEDED.
WE HAVE A PROCESS, AND THE PROCESS IS TO GO OUT AND ASK.
YOU'VE GOT THE OVER 60% AND IF THEY DID SHOW CONCERN THAT THEY WANT IT ON THE OTHER SIDE, AGAIN, THAT'S THEIR PREROGATIVE.
THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS THING IS TO HAVE THIS WORK FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.
I WILL NOTE FOR JUST THE CONVERSATIONISTS, I DID TAKE MY BIKE THROUGH THERE, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF ALLEY ACCESS BEHIND THESE HOUSES, AND THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF PARKING CAPACITY BEHIND THE HOUSES, SO I DON'T THINK IT'LL CONTRIBUTE TO OVERFLOW BECAUSE THERE'S ADDED CAPACITY BESIDES THOSE 16 PLACES.
I WOULD SAY MOVE AHEAD WITH YOUR PLAN.
>> A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT DIDN'T COME UP THROUGH THIS WERE, CAN A BUSINESS USE THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING ZONE? THE ANSWER IS NO. IT HAS TO BE A RESIDENT OR A GUEST OF THE RESIDENT.
CAN THEY SELL GUEST PASSES? THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO?
>> NOW, WE MAY HAVE TO DO SOME INVESTIGATION IF WE FEEL SOMEBODY IS ABUSING IT, BUT THERE IS A PROCESS IN THE ORDINANCE OF REVOKING THE RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PASS IF IT'S BEING ABUSED.
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A TRICKY SPOT.
IF THE AIRBNBS HAVE OFF-SITE PARKING REQUIREMENTS.
NOW, IF THEY MEET THE OFF-SITE PARKING REQUIREMENT, THEY COULD STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR GUEST PASSES.
WHERE WE'VE RUN INTO IN THE PAST IS THEY DON'T MEET THE OFF-SITE REQUIREMENT, AND THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE PZB, AND PZB HAS TO AUTHORIZE THEM AS AN EXCEPTION TO PARK IN AN ESTABLISHED RESIDENTIAL PARKING ZONE.
IF THEY DON'T MEET OFF-SITE CRITERIA, THEY HAVE TO ASK FOR PERMISSION THROUGH AN EXCEPTION.
IF THEY DO HAVE OFF-SITE, THEN WE WOULD JUST ISSUE THEM GUEST PASSES, AND THEY WOULD USE THOSE GUEST PASSES.
BUT THEY'RE MEETING THE OFF-SITE PARKING CRITERIA.
>> I KNOW, I'VE BEEN THROUGH THAT PROCESS, AND IT'S STRANGE.
COMMISSIONER GARRIS, YOUR COMMENTS.
>> QUESTION. MOST OF THESE HOUSES, DON'T THEY HAVE A DRIVEWAY?
>> MOST OF THEM DO HAVE OFF-SITE PARKING, YES.
>> THEY'RE JUST GETTING MORE PARKING ON THE STREET, CORRECT?
>> YEAH, THEY'RE RESERVING THE PARKING FOR RESIDENTS THAT LIVE ON THE STREET. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY DON'T NEED THAT FOR THEIR DRIVEWAY; THEY JUST NEED IT FOR WHEN THEY'RE PARKING ON THE STREET?
>> THEY ALREADY SIGNED A PETITION SAYING THAT THEY WANT IT?
>> WE HAVE A PETITION ON THIS BLOCK THAT HAS OVER 60% SUPPORT.
>> I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LADY AND I THINK SHE CAME AGAIN TODAY, THAT WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT LOSING SEVEN SPACES, BUT SHE INDICATED THAT BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAD STEPS, THAT'S WHY THEY LOST THE SPACES.
SHE DIDN'T REALLY GO INTO THIS PERMIT PART TODAY.
IF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THOSE HOUSES HAVE ALREADY WENT THROUGH THE WORK OF SIGNING A PETITION, AND THEY HAVE HOUSE PARKING WHERE THEY CAN PARK IN THEIR DRIVEWAY, AND THEN IF THEY HAVE MORE THAN ONE CAR, THEY CAN PARK THE OTHER ONE ON THE STREET.
I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD WITH GETTING IT.
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THEY WENT THROUGH THE WORK, THEY CONTACTED US.WE DIDN'T GO OUT AND JUST SAY, HEY, DO YOU WANT SOMETHING ON THE STREET? AS LONG AS THE FIRE TRUCKS CAN GET DOWN THERE AND GET TO THOSE HOMES, AND IF CARLOS AGREES WITH THAT, IT BEING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET, I WOULD SAY, OUT OF RESPECT FOR THOSE HOMEOWNERS THAT WENT THROUGH THE WORK ON TRYING TO GET THIS DONE FOR THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, THEN I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD.
>> I AGREE. WE GOT A PROCESS, AND THEY FOLLOWED IT.
MY ONLY SUGGESTION IS THAT WE REVIEW IT IN SIX MONTHS AND SEE WHAT EFFECT IT DID HAVE ON THE REST OF ROHDE OR EVEN ON CINCINNATI.
THE PROBLEM HAS COME FROM THAT NEW RESTAURANT.
THOSE PEOPLE, THEIR PARKING LOT GETS FULL, AND THEY'RE PARKING ON THE STREET, AND THEY'RE PARKING ON THE FIRST BLOCK.
IF THE PIZZA IS REALLY GOOD, THEY'RE GOING TO PARK WAY DOWN ON ROHDE ON CINCINNATI, AND THEN WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S A PROBLEM.
BUT I THINK I WOULD SUGGEST Y'ALL MOVE AHEAD.
THIS IS NOT A COMMISSION DECISION, IT'S A MANAGEMENT DECISION, SO I THINK Y'ALL MOVE AHEAD.
BUT I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO A STUDY IN SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR AND SEE HOW IT AFFECTED THE REST OF ROHDE.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, YOU'RE SAYING GO AHEAD WITH NOT THIS SCENARIO OR THIS? [OVERLAPPING]
>> WITH BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD.
>> [OVERLAPPING] BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD.
>> THIS MORE IMPROVED VERSION.
>> WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS SEND THIS BACK OUT TO THE RESIDENTS ON THE STREET AND MAKE SURE THAT WE STILL HAVE THE 60%.
>> I SEE A LOT OF VALUE IN THAT BECAUSE I DO WANT TO GIVE CONTROL TO THE RESIDENTS.
THEY'VE BEEN REALLY GOOD, AND YES, YOU DON'T OFTEN SEE THEM COME TOGETHER AND WORK THIS HARD TO GET SOMETHING DONE, BUT WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER.
BUT WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO MAKE BETTER.
>> THAT'S WHY THE SUGGESTION TO TAKE THIS BACK, SEE WHAT THEY SAY, THEN COME BACK TO US.
>> ALSO, SOME OF THE CARDS SAID THEY DON'T APPROVE IT BECAUSE THERE'S PARKING ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SO THOSE NO VOTES MAY BECOME YESES BECAUSE NOW THERE'S PARKING ON BOTH SIDES.
>> WE JUST NEED MORE CLARITY BEFORE WE MOVE AHEAD.
>> I'M ASSUMING WE ALL SUPPORT THE IDEA OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS PLAN.
YOU WILL BRING IT BACK TO US WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. YES?
>> IF YOU WANT IT BACK, IF THEY HAVE THE 60% [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.
>> THEN WE WOULD JUST MOVE FORWARD WITH ESTABLISHING IT.
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY EVEN MORE EFFICIENT.
>> BUT WE DON'T APPROVE THIS OR DISAPPROVE IT.
>> YEAH, WE'RE JUST GIVING YOU THE GUIDANCE THAT IF THEY COME BACK, CAN I?
>> IF I ASSUME THAT IF THEY COME BACK, IF YOU SHOW THEM THIS AND THEY GET ABOVE THE 60%, YOU CAN JUST MOVE AHEAD, IS THAT?
>> THAT'S AGREEABLE. THANK YOU.
>> I'VE GOT TO GO TO THE RESTROOM. I WILL DISAPPEAR FOR A MINUTE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE.
I HATE TO DO THIS, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING A REALLY LONG TIME, BUT IT'S GETTING LATE AND I DO NEED A LITTLE FIVE MINUTES.
THAT'S ALL I NEED, FIVE MINUTES.
[10.C. Shipyards Development Agreement Update. (R. Franklin, Assistant City Manager)]
WE ARE ON ITEM 10C.SHIPYARDS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT UPDATE. MR. FRANKLIN.
>> GOOD EVENING. AT THE LAST COMMISSION MEETING, WE WERE ASKED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE SHIPYARDS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, SO I'M GOING TO GIVE A HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW OF WHERE WE'RE AT IN THE AGREEMENT FROM STAFF'S PERSPECTIVE.
THEN ALSO, I HAVE MR. MASTERS HERE WITH WINDWARD, WHO'S GOING TO COME UP AND GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE INTERSECTION.
WHAT I REALLY WANT TO COVER IS THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSION, THE DEVELOPMENT STATUS TO DATE, AND THEN GO OVER THE PROPOSED INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS, BUT I'LL LET MR. MASTERS TALK ABOUT WHERE THEY'RE AT WITH THE INTERSECTION.
QUICKLY, THIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, AT FIRST, THIS WAS A PUD, AND THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2014.
IN THE LIGHT BLUE OUTLINED AREA, THAT WAS THE BOUNDARY OF IT.
THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS NOT WINDWARD.
THEN IN JUNE 24TH, 2019, THAT PUD WAS REZONED.
THEN IN JANUARY 28TH, 2019, TWO THINGS OCCURRED.
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THE CITY ANNEXED IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION, THAT'S OUTLINED IN RED, AND THEN THAT FORMED THE SHIPYARDS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, WHICH THEN TOTALED 33.38 ACRES AT THAT POINT IN TIME.THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IS IN THAT GREEN OUTLINE AREA IN 2019.
2020, NOTHING REALLY HAPPENED, BUT HERE'S AN AERIAL SHOWING IT.
MAY 10TH, 2021 IS WHEN WE HAVE THE AMENDED AND RESTATED SHIPYARDS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, AND THIS IS WHEN THE OWNER CHANGED TO WINDWARD.
THIS AREA OUTLINES THAT ENTIRE AREA.
THEN THAT AMENDED AGREEMENT ALSO CAME WITH THIS CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN THAT'S EXHIBIT B IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
THAT CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN IS HOW WE NAVIGATE, AND IT HAD MULTIFAMILY AS PART OF IT, A HOTEL, A PROMENADE, THERE WAS A TOWN CENTER, AND TOWNHOUSES AS PART OF IT.
THEN WE GET INTO WHAT WAS REALLY PRIMARILY BEING DISCUSSED FROM LAST WEEK, ABOUT TREE RELOCATION, BUT I'M GOING TO FOCUS MORE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR SHIPYARDS.
ONE THING THAT WE DID NOTICE AND HIGHLIGHT, AND WE DO HAVE TO VERIFY THIS, BUT IT DID LOOK LIKE THERE WAS A PORTION OF THE SOUTHERN PART THAT WAS MAYBE FIVE LOTS OR SO THAT WAS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BOUNDARY, BASED ON GRAPHICS THAT WE HAD.
ALL OF THIS WAS PUT IN THE STAFF REPORT THAT WAS DONE BY OUR PLANNING MANAGER FOR THE APRIL 1ST, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING.
2024, NOT A LOT OF CHANGES OCCURRED OTHER THAN PERMITTING AND GOING INTO CONSTRUCTION.
THEN 2025, WE HAVE THE SOUTHERN PART WITH THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AND THE TREE RELOCATIONS.
BUT WE HAVE TO DATE WITH THE EXISTING DEVELOPERS' AGREEMENT.
IT COVERS A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
SOME OF THE THINGS, STORMWATER, UTILITIES, SHARED PARKING, THEY'RE ALL FROM STAFF'S PERSPECTIVE, MEETING THOSE PARTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
THERE'S A BOAT BARN THAT'S BEEN CONSTRUCTED.
THE MAJOR ROADS, INCLUDING THE UTILITIES, HAVE MOSTLY BEEN CONSTRUCTED.
THEY HAVE A 270 MULTIFAMILY UNIT THAT'S BEEN CONSTRUCTED.
THEY'RE LOOKING AT 51 TOWNHOUSE UNITS THAT HAVE APPROVED CIVIL SITE PLAN PERMIT AND IS MOVING INTO CONSTRUCTION.
THE PROMENADE ALONG THE RIVERFRONT IS ACTUALLY PAST PERMITTING, AND THEY'RE MOVING INTO PRE-CONSTRUCTION.
THERE'S ALSO A PROPOSED HOTEL, WHICH STAFF HAS NOT HEARD MUCH ABOUT OR HAD ANY PERMITS SUBMITTALS FOR THAT.
SAME WITH THE PROPOSED TOWN SQUARE.
THAT LEAVES US WITH THE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT US 1 AND ARAPAHO.
THEY'VE GONE THROUGH FDOT'S INTERSECTION CONTROL EVALUATION, AND WE'RE WORKING TO MOVE THEM INTO PERMITTING WITH FDOT IN THE CITY, AND I'LL LET CARL, MR. MASTERS, TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.
AGAIN, THE STATUS, THIS IS A CONCEPT, AND MR. MASTERS WILL TALK MORE ABOUT IT, BUT WE'VE HAD TO WORK BACK AND FORTH WITH DOT AND THE DEVELOPER ON DIFFERENT CONCEPTS FOR THEIR ENTRYWAY, BUT ALSO THAT WILL WORK FOR DOT AND THE CITY.
A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED, WAS THIS IDENTIFIED IN THE MOBILITY PLAN? I GAVE YOU A LIST OF THE PROJECTS.
IT'S NOT IDENTIFIED AS A SPECIFIC PROJECT, BUT THAT WOULD BE A POLICY DECISION BY THE COMMISSION OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO USE MOBILITY FEES.
FOR THIS, THE CITY IS ALREADY DEDICATING $500,000 TO THE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS.
WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF ME, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM, BUT I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO MR. MASTERS, SO HE COULD GIVE YOU AN UPDATE OF THE INTERSECTION.
>> WELL, ARE GOING TO POP IT UP HERE, OR IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO? PRESENTATION. PERFECT. THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, FELLOW COMMISSION MEMBERS.
I'M DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT WITH WINDWARD MARINA GROUP.
WE ARE EXTREMELY EXCITED TO BE HERE IN FRONT OF YOU GUYS AGAIN AFTER MANY YEARS OF EFFORT AND COORDINATION WITH THE CITY TO GIVE YOU GUYS AN UPDATE,
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PRIMARILY ON THE INTERSECTION, BUT AS I'M SURE, A LOT OF YOU HAVE SEEN, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF GOOD PROGRESS TO THE SITE TO DATE.A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE PUT UNDER THE GROUND, WHICH NO ONE REALLY NOTICES.
SEVERAL MONTHS AND YEARS ACTUALLY PUT INTO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S GOING TO SUPPORT THIS DEVELOPMENT, AND THEN THE MULTI-FAMILY BUILDING COMING INTO ITS OWN PLACE THERE AND BEING THE CATALYST FOR THE PROJECT ITSELF.
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU GUYS A REAL QUICK TWO-PAGER HERE ON THE ORIGINAL DESIGN AND DISCUSSION WITH THE DOT IN THE HISTORY, AND THEN THE STEPS FORWARD TO BRING THIS PROJECT TO COMPLETION.
THEN, OF COURSE, I'LL BE HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS AFTERWARDS.
WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW WAS THE ORIGINAL APPROVAL FROM THE ICE ANALYSIS THAT WE COMPLETED WITH THE DOT, WHICH WAS A PREREQUISITE BEFORE YOU GO INTO OFFICIAL PERMITTING WITH THEM FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTION PLANS.
I'LL JUST READ THE VERBIAGE REAL QUICK AND THEN GIVE SOME HIGHLIGHT POINTS ON IT.
THE ICE-APPROVED INTERSECTION DESIGN SHOWN HERE WAS PART OF THE WINDWARD MASTER CONCEPTUAL DESIGN LAYOUT FOR THE ENTIRE PROPERTY.
THE MAIN INTERSECTION WAS IDENTIFIED AS A CRITICAL ELEMENT IN THE PROJECT'S DEVELOPMENT AND ULTIMATE SUCCESS.
IN EARLY 2020, WINDWARD INITIATED WORK ON THE INTERSECTION PROJECT, BEGINNING WITH PRE-APPLICATION MEETINGS, RELATED TO THE NEWLY REQUIRED AT THE TIME WAS THE ICE ANALYSIS, SO IT WAS NEW AT THAT TIME.
WORKING CLOSELY WITH DESIGN ENGINEERS, WINDWARD OBTAINED FDOT APPROVAL FOR THIS ICE ANALYSIS, WHICH IS THE ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITE FOR THE FINAL DOT APPROVAL.
FOLLOWING THE RECEIPT OF THE DOT ICE ANALYSIS APPROVAL, WINDWARD HELD MULTIPLE MEETINGS WITH NEIGHBORING PROPERTY STAKEHOLDERS AND IMPACTED PROPERTY OWNERS TO ENSURE THAT BUY-IN FROM THE PUBLIC THAT EVERYONE WAS GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH WHAT THE FINAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION WAS GOING TO BE.
SUBSEQUENTLY, WINDWARD PROCEEDED WITH THE FULL DESIGN, PUSHING FORWARD TO THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE, ENGAGING CONSULTANTS, AND CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE DATA COLLECTION.
TO DATE, WE'VE INVESTED OVER $300,000 IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PLANNING FOR THE PROJECT.
>> WHAT YOU'RE SEEING NOW IS A RATHER NEW FINDING ON THE PROJECT.
EARLIER IN THE YEAR, REUBEN HAD REACHED OUT TO MYSELF WITH THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT, WHICH THE DOT HAD PROVIDED TO THE CITY.
DURING THE FINAL STAGES OF OUR INITIAL CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE, THE DOT HAD REACHED OUT TO THE CITY AND SAID, HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE ENVISION THE FINAL DESIGN LOOKING LIKE, THIS IS WHAT WE WOULD PREFER TO SEE.
THE CITY SHARED THIS NEW LAYOUT WITH WINDWARD, PROMPTING A SERIES OF COLLABORATIVE MEETINGS WITH DOT, CITY STAFF, AND WINDWARD.
IN THESE DISCUSSIONS, DOT IDENTIFIED ITS OWN CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN AS PREFERRED DESIGN APPROACH FOR THE INTERSECTION MOVING FORWARD.
THE DOT ALSO CLARIFIED THAT CONSTRUCTION OF THE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS COULD COMMENCE AHEAD OF THE SIGNALIZATION UPGRADES THEMSELVES.
THE SIGNALIZATION UPGRADES WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED UNTIL MINIMUM TRAFFIC VOLUME THRESHOLDS WERE MET.
FOLLOWING THIS GUIDANCE, WINDWARD BEGAN WORKING WITH ITS DESIGN TEAM TO ASSESS THE COST AND TIMELINE FOR REDESIGN.
CONCURRENTLY, WINDWARD AND CITY STAFF DISCUSSED THE OPTIMAL PATH FORWARD, INCLUDING STRATEGIES FOR RE-ENGAGING PRIVATE STAKEHOLDERS.
AFTER FINAL CONSTRUCTION PLANS ARE APPROVED BY THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, DOT, WINDWARD DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, AND THE PUBLIC, THE PROJECT WILL BE PUT OUT TO BID FOR QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS.
UPON RECEIPT OF FINAL BIDS, DEFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION COST WILL BE ESTABLISHED, ALLOWING FOR A DETERMINATION OF MAYBE A REQUIRED ESCROW AMOUNT OR LETTER OF CREDIT.
THIS IS JUST A REAL HIGH-LEVEL TIMELINE OF THE WORK AND EFFORT WE'VE PUT INTO THIS PROJECT TODAY.
BEGINS WITH THE INITIAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DOT BACK IN 2020.
THE PRE-APP WITH THE IS ANALYSIS FOLLOWED AFTER SOME CONCEPTUAL PLANS WERE COMPLETED IN 2021.
EARLY IN 2022, THE IS ANALYSIS WAS ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED TO THE DOT.
LATER ON IN THE YEAR, IN OCTOBER, WE RECEIVED THAT ANALYSIS APPROVAL.
WITH THAT APPROVAL, WE BEGAN PROJECT PROCUREMENT, COORDINATING WITH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS AS WELL AS ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS ON THE EXISTING DESIGN.
WE COMPLETED A SURVEY WORK, SUE WORK, GEOTECH, ALL OF THOSE PROCUREMENT ITEMS THAT ARE REALLY NEEDED TO FINALIZE THAT CONSTRUCTION OF PERMIT SET OF PLANS.
THEN IN 4/21/25, WE HAD AN INITIAL MEETING WITH THE CITY, WHICH ALERTED US TO THE DOT'S PREFERENCE FOR THE NEW DESIGN.
THE REQUEST FROM THE DOT COST OF MODIFICATION FOLLOWED ABOUT A MONTH LATER, AND THAT WAS FOLLOWED UP SUBSEQUENTLY WITH A DOT MEETING AND CITY MEETING OVER AT THE DOT FACILITY.
CONCEPTUAL SITE PLANS WERE FINALIZED BY DOT AND PROVIDED TO US IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR.
THAT'S THE HISTORY WHAT BRINGS US TO DATE.
THEN MOVING FORWARD, REALLY THE NEXT MAIN GOAL IS TO COORDINATE WITH THE DOT, CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS,
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AS WELL AS PROPERTY OWNERS, JUST TO ENSURE THE BUY-IN AND THAT EVERYONE'S COHESIVE AND NO ONE'S GETTING CAUGHT BY ANY SURPRISES ON THE BACK END.IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN PROCESS AND GIVE ANY IDEAS OR TROUBLES, OR CONCERNS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE, SO WE CAN ADDRESS THESE ON THE FRONT END AS OPPOSED TO THE BACK END, VERY SIMILAR LIKE WE DID WITH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN CONCEPTUAL PLAN THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE IS ANALYSIS.
EARLY SEPTEMBER 2025, WE HOPE TO HAVE THE DESIGN PLANS TO THE NEW CONCEPT COMPLETE.
IT'S GOING TO BE A TWO-PERMITTING PROCESS WITH THE DOT.
NOW, THE ROADWORK AND THE SIGNALIZATION WILL RUN ON CONCURRENTLY, BUT ON SEPARATE TIMELINES.
ONCE THE ROADWORK IS APPROVED, THE DOT ADVISED THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY BEGIN THAT, BUT THEY WILL NOT ALLOW US AGAIN TO START THAT SIGNALIZATION WORK UNTIL THOSE TRAFFIC COUNTS ARE MET.
WE HAVE AROUND APRIL OF 2026 TO HAVE THOSE FINAL PLANS, AND THE CONTRACTOR BIDS IN TO SET THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT ON WHAT WE THINK THAT INTERSECTION IS GOING TO COST.
THEN WE HAVE OCTOBER 26 FOR THE COMPLETION DATE FOR THE ROADWORK, AND THEN HOPEFULLY AROUND DECEMBER 2026, FOR THE SIGNAL WORK.
THAT IS ALL FOR THE PRESENTATION, AND I'LL BE HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ALL RIGHT. WELL, DO YOU LIKE TO START?
>> YEAH, SURE. WELL, THANK YOU.
THAT HELPS. I KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS ON THE PLANNING BOARD.
>> MULTIPLE WE MET MANY YEARS AGO DOWN THERE.
>> I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY A COUPLE OF THINGS.
DID YOU SAY YOU HAVE $300,000 IN THIS TO DATE?
>> AT LEAST. YES, SIR. PROBABLY MORE AROUND $400,000, CONSIDERING ICE ANALYSIS, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION PLANS, AND LANDSCAPE PLANS.
>> OKAY. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FDOT MINIMUM TRAFFIC COUNTS?
>> I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY THE TRAFFIC COUNTS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT BASICALLY, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO PUT IN A NEW SIGNALIZATION OR A NEW ENTRANCE AT A DOT-MANAGED RIGHT OF WAY, THEY REQUIRE YOU TO DO THE ICE ANALYSIS.
THEN, IN ADDITION TO THAT, IF YOU'RE ADDING SIGNALIZATION, THEY HAVE TRAFFIC COUNTS THAT MUST BE MET BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY LET YOU PUT IN THAT SIGNAL.
WHILE YOU CAN IMPROVE THE RIGHT OF WAY, THEY HAVE TO SEE THE VOLUME OF THE TRAFFIC THAT DICTATES THE NEED FOR THAT TRAFFIC SIGNAL.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT VOLUME IS? THAT'S MY QUESTION.
>> NO, SIR. NOT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
WE DID INITIAL CALCULATIONS DURING THE ICE ANALYSIS AND TRYING TO ANTICIPATE THE BUILD-OUT OF THE PROPERTY.
WE HAD ALWAYS ANTICIPATED REALLY THE MULTI-FAMILY TO COME IN FIRST, WHICH IT HAS.
I BELIEVE IT WAS AROUND 80% OF THEIR CAPACITY, WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO TRIGGER THAT TRAFFIC COUNT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] JUST OFF THE APARTMENTS?
>> YES, SIR. THAT WAS A FLOATING NUMBER THERE.
WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF DELAYS ON THE PROJECT, BUT THAT WAS THE DRIVING FORCE THERE FOR THE SIGNALIZATION.
>> WHAT IS YOUR PERCENTAGE OF THE APARTMENTS NOW?
>> I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION TODAY.
I REACHED OUT TO DEVELOPER, THEIR VENTURES.
VENTURES IS THE ONE MANAGING THAT. I REACHED OUT TO THAT.
I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION TODAY.
AGAIN, THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS WAS PUSHED OUT A LITTLE BIT.
WE WERE THINKING IT WAS GOING TO BE SOMEWHERE NEAR Q1 OF 2026 WHENEVER WE FIRST LOOKED AT IT WITH SOME OF THE DELAYS IN PROJECT CONSTRUCTION.
IT'S PROBABLY AROUND Q2 OF 2026 IS WHAT I WOULD WHAT I WOULD ESTIMATE. YES, SIR.
>> THEN YOU HAVE THE APRIL '26 TARGET FOR YOUR ESCROW DETERMINATION, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF I'M CLOSE ENOUGH TO THIS.
THAT WOULD MEAN THAT, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, AT THAT POINT IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, YOU WOULD HAVE AN IDEA HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST.
ARE YOU THEN ASKING THAT THAT'S WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR ESCROW DETERMINATION?
>> YES, SIR. WE'D LIKE TO HAVE FINAL CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND THEN PUT IT OUT TO TWO OR THREE DOT-QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS TO REALLY GET A GOOD IDEA WHAT THAT COST IS GOING TO BE.
>> ONE LAST QUESTION, AND I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO GET A LITTLE TRICKY, BUT THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE, THE EXISTING AGREEMENT, IS WITH WINDWARD, LLC HOLDINGS OR SOMETHING.
BUT YOU HAVE SOLD IT NOW TO OTHER COMPANIES.
CAN YOU OR SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THAT WORKS, BECAUSE IN THE END, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BOTH PARTIES WITH THE NAME ON IT, BUT HOW DOES THAT WORK? IF THEY BUY THE PROPERTY, THEY STILL PART OF THE WINDWARD?
>> WHOEVER OWNS DIRT IN THE LAND THAT'S DESCRIBED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, WHETHER TODAY OR TOMORROW, IS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BECAUSE IT'S WINDWARD OR WINDWARD'S HEIR, SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS.
WHOEVER TAKES FROM WINDWARD AND OWNS DIRT IN THAT PHYSICAL AREA IS AUTOMATICALLY A PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
[03:25:01]
>> ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE DON'T NEED THE NAME TOLL BROTHERS IN THERE AT ALL, THAT IT'S COVERED BY JUST YOUR EXPLANATION RIGHT NOW?
>> CORRECT. IT'S THE SUCCESSORS.
REUBEN, DO YOU HAVE THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT HANDY THAT YOU CAN READ IT? BUT I BELIEVE IT SAYS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
>> YEAH, I HAVE THAT. NO. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY.
>> CORRECT. THAT DOESN'T JUST MEAN THE DEVELOPERS.
IT ALSO TRICKLES DOWN TO INDIVIDUAL LOT OWNERS.
ANYBODY WHO OWNS DIRT IN THAT PROJECT?
>> THERE ARE SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
IT'S ANYONE, WHO IS IT? WINDWARD SHIPYARD LAND HOLDINGS, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, AND TOGETHER WITH WINDWARD, THEY'RE SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
>> IF THERE IS AN APARTMENT IN THERE, THEN. [OVERLAPPING]
>> CORRECT. WELL, I THINK APARTMENTS THEY'RE NOT CONDOS.
[OVERLAPPING] IT WOULD BE THE OWNER OF THE APARTMENT COMPLEX, BUT LIKE THE TOWN HOMES, IF THERE ARE TOWN HOMES IN THIS, OR IF THERE ARE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES OR COMMERCIAL UNITS THAT ARE SOLD.
ANYBODY WHO OWNS DIRT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY BE UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA AT ALL HOW MUCH?
>> WITH THE NEW DESIGN, IT'S A LITTLE BIT TRICKY.
THE SIGNALIZATION IS GOING TO STAY THE SAME.
WE HAVE A ROUGH BUDGET NUMBER AROUND $2,000,000.
>> TWO MILLION. OKAY. WE'VE ALREADY PUT OUR 500 IN.
>> I BELIEVE HOW THE AGREEMENT WORKS IS WHEN WE'RE CARRYING THE TORCH FOR THE PROJECT AND REALLY CHAMPION THE EFFORT.
I BELIEVE WE COVER ALL CONSTRUCTION COSTS, AND THEN RETROACTIVELY, THE CITY WOULD REPAY US ONCE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE.
>> MY QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE GET TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE THE REMAINDER, LET'S SAY IT'S TWO MILLION DOLLARS, $1.5 MILLION IN ESCROW?
>> AS SOON AS WE CAN FINALIZE AND REALLY GET THAT BUY-IN WITH THE PUBLIC, THERE'S A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES IN THE AREA THAT I'VE DISCUSSED WITH THE PREVIOUS DESIGN.
I HAVEN'T HAD THE CHANCE SINCE WE JUST GOT THIS NEW DESIGN A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO TO REALLY HAVE A SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS TO THEM.
I BELIEVE DUNCAN HAS A NEW OWNER AS WELL.
I'M TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THEM.
THE IDEA IS TO SHOW THEM THE NEW DOT PLAN, GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPINE IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, OR COMMENTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE COULD ADHERE TO AND MAYBE PRESENT TO THE DOT, MAKE SURE THEY'RE OKAY WITH IT.
THE GOOD NEWS IS ON THE BACK END, WE'VE ALREADY DONE ALL THE DATA COLLECTION THAT WE NEED.
ALL THE SURVEYS COMPLETE, ALL OF THE GEOTECH, SO SURFACE UTILITY EXPLORATIONS ALL COMPLETE.
WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD BASIS, AND IT SHOULD SAVE US A LOT OF TIME ON THIS REDESIGN.
ONCE WE HAVE THAT REDESIGN, WE WILL PUT IT OUT TO BID.
AGAIN, TO THOSE CONTRACTORS FROM PRELIMINARY PRICING, THAT'LL ESTABLISH THAT AMOUNT FOR THE ESCROW.
>> THIS IS IRRELEVANT QUESTION, BUT TONKIN DONALD WILL NOW USE THIS INTERSECTION?
>> YES, SIR. LET ME REPHRASE THAT.
THEY HAVE AN ACCESS OFF OF US-1 AS WELL?
>> YES, THEY DO. BUT THEIR Q LINE IS A PROBLEM.
>> I GET A FEELING. I'M SORRY, DO YOU WANT TO GO?
>> GO AHEAD. [BACKGROUND] YOUR MIC.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. BY AUGUST, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.
YOU'VE GOT A HOLD OF EVERYBODY?
>> [OVERLAPPING] THE FUNDS AND SO FORTH.
>> BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO GO FORWARD IF WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS, YOUR LETTER OF CREDIT OR WHATEVER; HOWEVER, YOU'RE GOING TO PROVIDE THAT.
I WENT DOWN THAT STREET AS A MATTER OF FACT ON FRIDAY.
WHEN I SAW THE APARTMENTS AND STUFF, THEY LOOK GREAT.
>> BUT IT IS VERY TRICKY COMING OUT OF THERE.
>> SAFETY PURPOSE, THAT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF SOONER VERSUS LATER.
IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET OUT OF THAT INTERSECTION.
I KNOW THAT DUNCAN HAS CARS THAT ARE ON THE STREET AT MORNING TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GET COFFEE.
I HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS TO THE GOOD AND WE CAN REALLY GET THE BALL ROLLING.
EVERYBODY'S HAPPY, THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE.
>> ALONG WITH THE BUSINESSES, THE SADDLE LIFE BECAUSE I HAD WENT OVER TO THE RESTAURANT.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPERATIVE THAT WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, AND WE HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
IF YOU COULD JUST GET THE REST OF THE RESOURCES SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
>> WE ARE NOT DELAYED. THANK YOU.
>> YEAH. I GUESS THAT'S MY QUESTION, ALWAYS HAS BEEN, IS HOW DO WE HAVE ASSURANCE FROM OUR END HERE AS A CITY THAT
[03:30:05]
THIS OBLIGATION TO FINANCE THIS WILL BE SECURED SO THAT WE CAN MOVE AHEAD? NOW MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE AGREEMENT HAS BUILDING DEVELOPMENT PLANS THAT GO WITH IT.WE DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT ISSUING THINGS.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU PROBABLY WON'T BE DOING ANYWAY BECAUSE YOU'RE LAYING A LOT OF YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
WHAT TYPE OF INSTRUMENT CAN WE HAVE HERE? IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT, OR HOW DO WE GET FROM HERE NOW? SO I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT YOU GUYS HAVE RECOGNIZED YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS.POINT THAT OUT TO THE COMMISSION AND TO STAFF.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT I NEED TO HEAR.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE CITY HAS A PREFERENCE WHAT THEY NORMALLY USE, IF IT'S AN ESCROW ACCOUNT, IF IT'S A LINE OF CREDIT, IF IT'S A SUB-SCORE OF BONDING.
I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR OWNERSHIP, AND THEY'RE FINE WITH ONCE WE DETERMINE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BUILD HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST, PUTTING UP THAT MONEY.
I THINK WHEN WE'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD TRACK RECORD OF STANDING BEHIND OUR WORD AND DELIVERING ON WHAT WE'VE SAID.
I THINK THAT'S AN ADDED BENEFIT THERE, FEATHER IN OUR HAT, ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THE CITY'S CONCERNS WITH GETTING SOMETHING.
>> WELL, I THINK I LIKE TO HEAR FROM OUR CITY MANAGER.
>> WELL, AT SOME POINT, WHEN THEY PERMIT THIS THROUGH DOT, DOT IS GOING TO REQUIRE A BOND ALSO.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOME HOLDING PATTERN FOR THE MONEY THAT WOULD BE USED TO CONSTRUCT THE INTERSECTION.
THAT DOT BOND WOULD SERVE AS THAT.
IF WE WANTED SOMETHING ELSE, THERE'S SEVERAL DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
ONE CAN BE AN IRREVOCABLE STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT OR A SIMILAR INSTRUMENT LIKE A SURETY BOND.
WE CAN WORK OUT THOSE DETAILS WITH THE DEVELOPER.
>> WE COULD ASK FOR ONE OF THOSE AND THEN HOLD IT, OR WE COULD WAIT FOR THE FDOT BOND TO RUN [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL, I THINK THAT THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IS THAT HE'LL COMPLETE THE DESIGN WORK AFTER HE CONTACTS THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS.
THEN HE BIDS THIS OUT SO THEY KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST.
AT THAT POINT, THE MONEY WILL GO INTO SOME FORM OF ESCROW, WHETHER IT'S A LETTER OF CREDIT OR A SURETY BOND.
SIMULTANEOUSLY, AT THE SAME TIME, HE'LL BE APPLYING FOR HIS PERMIT WITH DOT.
THAT'S GOING TO TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO GET THROUGH THE REVIEW PROCESS WITH DOT.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS AS SOON AS THEY ARE GOING TO ISSUE THAT PERMIT, THEY'RE GOING TO REQUIRE A BOND FOR THE PROJECT AS WELL.
>> THAT'S LOOKING AT THAT APRIL.
>> I THINK HE WAS LOOKING AT APRIL OF '26.
>> YEAH. WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
>> DO WE NEED TO TAKE ANY ACTION?
>> NO. JUST THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THIS IS ALL BEING WORKED OUT? > WE ARE MONITORING IT, AND SO FAR, WE'RE ACTING IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE DEVELOPERS AND OWNERS, AND WE'LL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE.
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF EFFORTS WITH CITY STAFF AND THE ENGINEERING TEAM TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A LOT OF UTILITIES, A LOT OF MOVING PARTS INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT RIGHT ON THE FRONT END, SO WE'RE NOT LOSING ANY TIME ON THIS.
>> YEAH. IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE, THEN I'M COMFORTABLE.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. GREAT. NEXT ITEM
[10.D. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2024. (M. Burns, Financе Director)]
10D IS THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, AND THAT IS MS. BURNS, WHO IS GOING TO BE BACK WITH US.>> HELLO AGAIN. TONIGHT, WE HAVE THE 2024 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT OR ACFR.
THE REPORT WAS PRESENTED AND ACCEPTED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AT ITS MEETING HELD ON JUNE 11, 2025.
THE AUDIT REPORT THAT IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE ACFR HAS AN UNMODIFIED OPINION OVER THE PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND THIS IS A GOOD THING.
THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT. OTHER THAN THAT, I HAVE NO PRESENTATION, I CAN TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY?
>> THANK YOU. AS THE CHAIR OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, WE DID REVIEW THIS AND WE DID BLESS IT, AND WE'RE READY TO GO AT IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
BUT HERE IT IS AND THE ONLY FEEDBACK I REALLY HAVE ON IT, I ALWAYS LOVE TO HAVE THESE DOCUMENTS IS, FOR ME, IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT GUIDE TO HELP ME LOOK BACK AT WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE'VE MADE IN THAT YEAR.
IT'S USUALLY PRETTY MEATY AND I THINK THIS IS PRETTY MEATY WITH THE OBJECTIVES, IT'S BEEN PRETTY GOOD, BUT I FEEL LIKE WE COULD PROBABLY ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE TO IT IN THE FUTURE.
[03:35:15]
HERE'S AN EXAMPLE. OBJECTIVE NUMBER 5, SUSTAINABILITY, ITEM NUMBER 5, CONTINUED PURCHASES OF CONSERVATION LAND.I THINK I'D LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE EMBELLISHMENT ABOUT THAT, HOW MANY PIECES OF LAND, OR WHAT THE VALUE WERE, OR HOW MANY ACREAGE WE REQUIRED.
A LITTLE BIT MORE SUBSTANCE, MEAT ON THE BONE, SO TO SPEAK.
BUT THAT REALLY IS AND THAT'S NOT A CRITICISM AT ALL BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A GREAT JOB, I'M NOT SURE IF OTHERS DO, BUT I RELY ON THIS TO HELP ME SAY, WHERE DID WE COME FROM AND HOW ARE WE DOING FROM YEAR TO YEAR SO THANK YOU.
I WOULD REQUEST THAT THIS BE ONLINE.
IS IT ONLINE? GREAT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
I DID STAR ONE THING HERE, STORMWATER.
THE STORMWATER SYSTEM REMAINS AT THE FOREFRONT OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES FOR THE CITY.
I THINK THAT WAS SPELLED OUT VERY CLEARLY, AND I APPRECIATED THAT.
I'M GLAD TO SEE THE PENSIONS ARE IN GOOD HEALTH.
THAT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT'S A CONCERN OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY ABOUT 10 OR 12 YEARS AGO IN THE STATE.
OUR DEBT SERVICE IS GOING DOWN, BUT IT'S STILL A GOOD IDEA NOT TO PAY IT OFF BECAUSE WE'RE MAKING MORE MONEY RIGHT NOW, I THINK BELIEVE ON OUR INTEREST, THEN WE ARE HAVING TO PAY INTEREST ON THAT LOAN.
I ALWAYS LOVED TO LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO PAY OUR BILLS AND PROVIDE US OUR MONEY.
IT'S REALLY INTERESTING THAT TOP 10 BUSINESSES PROVIDE 8.6% OF THE PROPERTY TAX.
JUST A NUMBER, BUT I REALLY LIKE TO LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS SOMETIME.
AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
THIS IS VERY VALUABLE INFORMATION.
THERE ARE SOME CITIZENS THAT ACTUALLY READ IT AND HAVE QUESTIONS AND I APPRECIATE THEM DOING THAT, AND I WISH THAT MORE WOULD DO IT, BUT THANK YOU. GOOD JOB.
>> YEAH. GREAT JOB. THANK YOU.
THEN WE DO NEED A MOTION FOR YOU TO ACCEPT AND ADOPT, I'M JUST GOING TO CALL IT THE AUDIT.
>> ACFR. I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT, KNOWN AS THE ACFR.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
NEXT ITEM. ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY.
[11. ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY]
>> THIS IS MORE OF AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM.
THE MADEIRA CDD BY STATUTE HAS TO SEND TO YOU THEIR PROPOSED BUDGET FOR ANY COMMENTS YOU MAY HAVE SO YOU'RE NOT APPROVING IT OR DISAPPROVING IT, BUT IT IS PART OF THE STATUTORY PROCESS.
IF YOU HAVE NO FURTHER COMMENTS, I WILL JUST SEND A TRANSMITTAL LETTER BACK TO THEM, LETTING THEM KNOW, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK.
>> THANK YOU. GREAT ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER.
[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]
>> I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU OUR 4TH OF JULY UPDATE.
OUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WENT OFF WONDERFULLY.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ONE ITEM FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS FOR THE NEXT 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
WE SHOOT OFF THE FIREWORKS NOW AT 9:30.
WE'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT TO NINE O'CLOCK.
IT IS PLENTY DARK AT NINE O'CLOCK FOR THE FIREWORKS SO EVERYONE CAN SEE THE FIREWORKS WELL.
THIS IS A FAMILY ORIENTED EVENT, LOTS OF CHILDREN ON THE BAYFRONT AND AS YOU KNOW, THE GREATEST COMPLICATION IS AFTER THE EVENT TAKES PLACE IS EVERYONE LEAVING.
WE THINK THAT IF WE SHOOT OFF THE FIREWORKS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, WE CAN GET EVERYONE OUT OF TOWN MORE EFFICIENTLY AND MAKE IT A BETTER EVENT SO I'D LIKE YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER THAT ONE CHANGE SHOOTING THE FIREWORKS OFF AT 9:00 PM RATHER THAN 9:30. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
>> I AGREE. I STILL WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME INVESTIGATION ON DRONE SHOW.
[03:40:06]
>> WE CAN PUT TOGETHER SOME MATERIALS FOR CONSIDERATION IF YOU WANTED TO LOOK AT THAT OPTION?
>> YEAH. I HAVE NO IDEA THE COST BALANCE.
>> WE DON'T EITHER, BUT WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
FINALLY, I JUST WANTED TO PUBLICLY STATE THAT WE WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL THIS YEAR WITH THE LEGISLATURE WITH OUR TWO APPROPRIATION REQUESTS WERE GRANTED.
WE RECEIVED $2.5 MILLION FOR OUR ISLAND FIRE STATION SITE, WHICH WE RECENTLY PURCHASED FOR FOUR MILLION DOLLARS AND AS YOU RECALL, WE'D ALREADY GOTTEN $750,000 FROM THE STATE FOR DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SO WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY TO BEING REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE PURCHASE OF THAT PROPERTY AND THE DESIGN OF THE NEW FIRE STATION.
WE ALSO RECEIVED $550,000 FROM THE STATE FOR VALENCIA WOODS, WHICH IS OUR ONGOING SEPTIC TO SEWER CONVERSION PROJECT IN THE WEST AUGUSTINE PART OF TOWN.
I WANTED TO THANK THE STATE AND OUR LAWMAKERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND OUR LOBBYISTS.
WE DID A GREAT JOB AND I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT UP AND THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR HARD WORK.
>> BIG PAT ON THE BACK TO YOU AS WELL.
WELL, THANK YOU. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
SHALL WE START WITH COMMISSIONER GARRIS?>> YES. THANK YOU. JUST GOT A COUPLE OF THINGS.
THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS YOU GUYS KNOW I WENT TO SPAIN EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR EASTER TO REPRESENT THE CITY BECAUSE I'M ON THE SISTER CITY COMMITTEE NOW, EFFECTIVE AS JANUARY AND IT WAS SUCH A DELIGHT THAT I WAS HOPING THAT I COULD GET MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS FOR NEXT YEAR THAT WE DO IN OBOLO HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE ON SPANISH STREET.
I'M SURE I COULD GET MR. YORK AND SISTER MICHAELA AND SISTER LEONARDI TO BE HOSTESSES THERE.
WE CLOSE HYPOLITA STREET AS WELL WHERE I CAN GET LEN WEEKS AND THE SISTER CITIES TO SPONSOR THAT STREET.
WITH HIM BEING OVER THE BUSINESS COALITION THAT WE COULD GET SOME FOOD DONATED, AND WE COULD JUST TURN IT INTO A FESTIVAL.
I THINK THAT A LOT OF TIMES THAT PEOPLE DON'T THINK THE COMMISSION IS APPROACHABLE.
IT'LL BE A CHANCE TO BE OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC EYE AND CELEBRATE THAT EASTER IS OVER AND THAT HE'S RISEN, WITHOUT ANY SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES GOING ON, WE COULD PROBABLY GET SOME BELLY DANCERS TO COME THROUGH BECAUSE THEY CAME WHEN THEY CLOSED THE STREET, I THINK WE COULD GET SOME FESTIVITY THINGS, AND IT'LL BE A GREAT CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO GET A TASTE OF SPAIN THAT HAVEN'T HAD THE PLEASURE OF GOING.
I THINK THAT I WANT MELISSA TO BE ON THIS COMMITTEE AND I THINK IF WE START THIS NOW, SHE CAN REACH OUT TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN SPAIN THAT THEY MIGHT WANT TO COME AND FELLOWSHIP WITH US, AND WE CAN JUST HAVE A GRAND TIME. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR YEARS AND WE'VE JUST NEVER DONE IT.
I LOVE OBOLO. I LOVE THE CAKE.
IN FACT, I HAVE CAKE PANS NOW.
[OVERLAPPING] YOU GUYS BROUGHT THOSE BACK FOR ME BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE THE CAKE.
I THOUGHT FEBRUARY WOULD BE A GOOD MONTH AROUND MENENDEZ'S BIRTHDAY, BUT I'M NOT SURE AND MAYBE NOT MAKE IT SO MUCH AROUND THE HOLY WEEK OR LIKE AFTER EASTER, JUST BECAUSE IT'S SO BUSY IN DOWNTOWN AND ONE MORE THING MIGHT BE A LOT.
BUT THAT'S JUST A SUGGESTION FROM MY PART.
FEBRUARY ISN'T SUCH A HEAVY MONTH AND IT WOULD BE A NICE TIME FOR RESIDENTS TO ENJOY THEIR CITY DOWNTOWN.
I DON'T KNOW. BUT I LOVE THE IDEA.
I THINK IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
>> I THINK THAT MAYBE GOING INTO OUR EARLIER MONTH IN THE SEASON, IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE COOLER SO IT WON'T BE SO SCORCHING HOT OUT THERE AND IF WE DO IT AT THE FRONT PART OF THE DAY, LIKE IT WAS DONE THERE, IT GETS HOTTER AS THE DAY PROGRESSES AND WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE APOLOGIES FOR STREET CLOSED FOR THE WHOLE DAY, IT COULD BE OVER WITH BY 11-1 OR SOMETHING AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN MAKING SURE IT HAPPENS,
[03:45:03]
AND I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE A GRAND TIME.I THINK IT WOULD BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
IT WOULD BE A CELEBRATION OF SPAIN.
I'M LOOKING AT IT MORE THAT WAY.
ADOPTING SPAIN AND AUGUSTINE TOGETHER.
>> YEAH, I LIKE THE IDEA OF DOING IT IN A COOLER TIME AND ALSO COMING UP WITH OUR OWN TRADITIONS.
STARTING VERY SMALL AND TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
THE WAY I BELIEVE IT HAPPENS IN SPAIN IS YOU BRING YOUR OWN FOOD.
>> THE RESIDENTS BRING THEIR OWN FOOD.
THE GIVERS GET FOOD BROUGHT TO THEM.
I THINK THEY RENT THEM, DON'T THEY? THEY PAY TO HAVE THAT SEAT FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME.
HELPS PAY FOR THE TABLES AND IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
>> WELL, I THINK IT'S PROBABLY PRETTY SIMPLE TO PUT TOGETHER AND AS LONG AS WE'RE NOT CREATING PUBLIC FORUMS OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS.
>> YEAH. WE WOULD HAVE TO CLOSE THE STREET BECAUSE WE DON'T ALLOW SALES OF FOOD, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE BRINGING THEIR OWN, BUT I THINK THERE'D BE SOME PORTION OF THAT ELEMENT, SO WE WOULD HAVE TO CLOSE THE STREETS.
>> I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER TO CLOSE THE STREET FOR TRAFFIC PURPOSES.
BUT EVEN IF WE USE CUNA STREET VERSUS POLITIC, BECAUSE IT IS A ONE WAY STREET, YOU CAN'T GO DOWN IT, BUT I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF HOW THEY SEE THEIR COMMISSION, AND THEY WOULD FEEL MORE IN TOUCH AND THAT WE'RE APPROACHABLE AND THAT THING.
>> [LAUGHTER] MAYBE YOU COULD DO A LITTLE TAP DANCE OR SOMETHING DOWN THERE.
THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO WELL, IT DOESN'T MATTER, WE ALREADY WENT FORWARD WITH THE ROHDE STREET BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME IN.
I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT EVERYBODY COMING AND TALKING ABOUT THE HORSES.
THERE WAS LIKE MULTIPLE PEOPLE SAYING HOW THE CRUELTY AND THAT THING.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S SOME WAY BECAUSE THAT'S PRIVATE PROPERTY, EXCEPT FOR THE BARN THAT WE OWN.
CAN WE INVESTIGATE OUR BARN AND JUST SEE WHAT'S GOING ON THERE TO SEE IF THERE?
>> WE DID RECENTLY, IN FACT, WE HAD THE COUNTY AG OFFICER.
WE DID A WALK THROUGH AT THE BARN THAT WE LEASE OUT AND THERE WERE SOME REPAIRS THAT HAD TO BE MADE AND THEY WERE MADE.
BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY GO BACK AND JUST DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS SAFE.
WE HAVE THE BARN THAT WE LEASED OUT TO ONE OPERATOR AND WE HAVE THE HORSE TRANSFER STATION ON THE TOP OF THE HILL WHERE THE PEOPLE COME IN AND DROP OFF THEIR HORSES AND PICK THEM UP ON A DAILY BASIS.
WE OWN BOTH OF THOSE PROPERTIES.
THE TRANSFER STATION IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE.
THE BARN IS MUCH OLDER AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE FOLKS WERE TALKING ABOUT WAS THE BARN, AND WE'LL DEFINITELY TAKE A LOOK AT IT, FOR SURE.
>> YEAH, WE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE GOOD BECAUSE AT LEAST WE KNOW THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THE HORSES ARE BEING KEPT PROPERLY, AND WE DID HEAR THEM ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE HORSES. THAT'S ALL I GOT.
>> AS LONG AS THE SPANISH STREET PEOPLE WOULD BE HAPPY WITH THE PARTY, I'D BE OKAY WITH IT.
NOT REALLY A PARTY PLANNER, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WHAT I SAID BEFORE WAS, I WOULD LIKE THE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER JUST DROPPING THE FEES FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING.
IT'S $35 A YEAR, BUT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO ME THAT MIGHT COME TO ABOUT $10,000 AT THE MOST FOR THE CITY.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE TWO CARS AND SO IT'S 70, BUT WHEN I WAS CAMPAIGNING, I WAS TALKING TO PEOPLE AND THEY WERE JUST ALMOST UPSET THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO PARK ON THEIR OWN STREET AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO PUSH THAT PROGRAM ALONG, I THINK WOULD BE A POSITIVE.
>> I'M WITH YOU ON THE HORSES.
I APPRECIATE BRINGING THAT UP AND ASKING THE QUESTIONS SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING A REPORT BACK ON THAT.
I DO WONDER, I THINK THAT WE'VE HAD A CONVERSATION IN THE PAST, AND I CAN'T RECALL IF IT WAS JUST BETWEEN THE CITY MANAGER AND MYSELF OR IF IT WAS HERE AT THIS TABLE, BUT HAVE WE DISCUSSED AN ORDINANCE CHANGE THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO INCORPORATE VIBRATION MONITORING IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS?
>> YES. ACTUALLY, I THINK IT'S BLACK AND VEACH, BUT I HOPE I'M NOT MISATTRIBUTING TO A DIFFERENT ENGINEERING FIRM.
BUT BUDDY RICHARD AND SHAN OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL HAS ALREADY REACHED OUT TO AN ENGINEERING FIRM TO GIVE US PARAMETERS OR EXPLAIN TO US BETTER
[03:50:02]
WHAT COULD BE IN THAT ORDINANCE IN TERMS OF MAXIMUM VIBRATIONS FOR DIFFERENT, I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF STRUCTURE AND WHAT THE MATERIALS ARE AND WHAT SURROUNDS IT.I BELIEVE HE'S ALREADY WORKING ON THAT.
BUT I HAVE IT ON MY TO DO IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMISSION WANTS US TO MOVE FORWARD, WE JUST NEED THE SCIENCE THAT CHUNK IS.
I'LL INSERT IT INTO MY ORDINANCE UNLESS I HEAR DIFFERENTLY FROM THE COMMISSION THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO GO FORWARD WITH THAT.
>> I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT AND IT'S BEING ASKED ABOUT, SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT GO FORWARD.
>> I TOO HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE HORSES, AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE CONVERSATION ABOUT IT SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.
I KNOW WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF PERMITS RIGHT NOW AND I THINK MAYBE A DISCUSSION ABOUT NON RENEWING PERMITS WHEN THEY'RE EXITING AND JUST PHASE IT OUT.
THAT'S JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION.
ALSO, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE ST. AUGUSTINE MUSICAL FESTIVAL FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE.
PRIOTR SZEWCZYK WROTE A PIECE FOR THE 460TH FOR ST. AUGUSTINE AND THEY PLAYED IT AND IT WAS WONDERFUL AND THEY DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR WHAT THEY DO FOR ADDING A LITTLE BIT OF CULTURE HERE AND NOT JUST BLUE GRASS.
>> WELL, WITH THAT SAID, THERE'S NOTHING ELSE LEFT. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.