[00:00:02] >> GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD EVENING. [1. CALL TO ORDER] THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION IS CALLED TO ORDER. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. HERE. >> BARBARA BLONDER? >> HERE. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS. >> HERE. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD? >> HERE. >> JOHN D. PRATER. >> HERE. >> WE'RE ALSO HAPPY TO SEE YOU. WE WILL NOW HOLD A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> PLEASE STAND IF YOU'RE ABLE. >> NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS MODIFICATION AND [2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS] APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA STAFF, MR. CITY MANAGER. >> MADAM MAYOR, WE DO HAVE TWO CHANGES TO THE AGENDA THIS EVENING. WE'D LIKE TO ADD AN ITEM UNDER ITEMS OF GREAT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE 7B. WE'D LIKE TO ADD A PRESENTATION ON THE CITY'S CRS RATING. THAT'S OUR COMMUNITY RATING SCORE. IT'S JUST BEEN UPDATED. WE'D LIKE TO ADD A RESOLUTION UNDER 9B. RESOLUTION 2025-3. WHICH AUTHORIZES A JOINT CITY AND COUNTY WORKSHOP OR MEETING FOR THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS. THOSE ARE THE CHANGES WE'D LIKE TO ASK FOR TONIGHT ON THE AGENDA. >> COMMISSIONER, ANY MODIFICATIONS? NO. ANY COMMENTS ON THE APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA? >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT WITH THE CHANGES. >> I SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> [OVERLAPPING] AYE. >> THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE MOVE RIGHT ON TO SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS. [3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS] WE HAVE DELIGHTFULLY TONIGHT. WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GUEST WITH US. WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE RETIREMENT OF A VERY GOOD AND VERY OLD FRIEND OF THE CITY, GORDIE J. WILSON. IF YOU DON'T MIND, HE'S RETIRING FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NEXT WEEK. WE'VE INVITED HIM TO COME BECAUSE WE WANT TO GIVE HIM SOME RECOGNITION FOR ALL THOSE MANY YEARS OF HARD WORK. GORDIE, COME UP FRONT. COMMISSIONERS JOIN ME UP FRONT AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO BRING YOUR WIFE? SHE'S WELCOME TO COME. I'M SURE SHE'LL BE RUNNING IN IT. SO LOVELY. CONGRATULATIONS. WE JUST FELT LIKE ALL THESE YEARS, IT WOULD JUST BE SAD TO SAY GOODBYE AND NOT HAVE YOU HERE AND GIVE YOU A MOMENT TO SPEAK. YOU CAN REMINISCE OR WHATEVER YOU LIKE. BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT YOU'VE BEEN A PERSONAL FRIEND, YOU'VE BEEN A GREAT FRIEND OF THE CITY. THERE IS PROBABLY NOTHING MORE SPECIAL, AT LEAST IN MY ART THAN THE CASTILLO AND HOW IT'S IMPORTANT TO US IN THE CITY. I CAN'T IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT THE CASTILLO, ALTHOUGH I KNOW SOME PEOPLE CAN. I WANTED TO SAY THAT WE LIVE IN A VERY CHERISHED PLACE, AND YOUR SERVICE TO MAKING US KNOW THAT IT'S A CHERISHED PLACE EXPRESSED THROUGH YOUR WORK THERE IS IMPORTANT. WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET THE FOLKS LIKE [00:05:03] YOU WHO DAY IN AND DAY OUT, DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC. WELCOME THE PUBLIC, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, INTERPRET TO THE PUBLIC WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT OUR CITY. I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOU IN THAT SERVICE, AND I'M SURE THAT YOU'VE MADE MANY FRIENDS. I HEAR YOU'RE NOT MOVING AWAY, SO WE'RE VERY THRILLED ABOUT THAT. I HOPE I DON'T PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, BUT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SAY A FEW WORDS IF YOU DON'T MIND. LOVELY. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE IN PRESENTATION IN HONOR OF GORDON J. WILSON. WE ARE CELEBRATING YOUR RETIREMENT IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND APPRECIATION FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING DEDICATION. YOU LEAVE A LEGACY OF COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO THE GREATER ST. AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY THAT WILL ENDURE FOR YEARS TO COME, SIGNED BY MYSELF, REPRESENTING THE COMMISSION. THIS IS FOR YOU. IF YOU'LL BEAR WITH ME FOR ONE MINUTE, IT WOULD BE LOVELY TO HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH IN A MINUTE BECAUSE I THINK I'VE GOT SOMETHING ELSE HERE. WE HAVE A VERY SMALL GIFT FOR YOU, AND PLEASE OPEN IT. IT'S ALL RIGHT. NOTHING LIKE A LITTLE PRESSURE. IT'S THE OFFICIAL STAMP. IT'S A LIMITED EDITION OF THE CASTILLO, UNITED STATES STAMP, IT'S BEAUTIFUL. IT'S REALLY NEAT. FOR YOU. NOW I'LL GIVE THIS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. IT'S A REAL HONOR. I FIRST CAME INTO THIS ROOM AS SUPERINTENDENT IN JANUARY OF 1992. WE WERE IN THE MIDST OF THE COLUMBUS QUINCENTENARY, WAS A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON HERE IN THE COMMUNITY. I GOT A REALLY BIG ADVANTAGE TO JUMP INTO SOME OF THOSE THINGS AND DEVELOP SOME OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE SERVED ME PERSONALLY AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WELL. I FIRST CAME TO THIS MEETING ROOM. TRACY UPCHURCH WAS THE MAYOR, HIS FIRST GO AROUND A MAYOR. HE GAVE ME A VERY WARM WELCOME. I JUST NEVER FORGOT THAT, AND JUST HOW THIS COMMUNITY EMBRACES OUR SITE AND OUR ROLE IN THIS COMMUNITY. IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF DOING THAT FOR SO LONG. THERE'S OVER 400 UNITS IN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, AND THEY ALL HAVE THEIR SPECIAL QUALITIES ABOUT THEM AND THEY HAVE THEIR SPECIAL COMMUNITIES. BUT I CAN PRETTY COMFORTABLY SAY THAT THERE ARE NOT VERY MANY, IF ANY, WHERE SOMEONE WOULD NOT WANT TO COME TO THIS ONE BECAUSE THIS ONE IS VERY SPECIAL IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS. PUBLIC SERVICE HAS BEEN WONDERFUL, AND IN THE SPIRIT OF PUBLIC SERVICE, I PROMISE TO KEEP MY COMMENTS UNDER THREE MINUTES. >> WE LOVED HEARING FROM YOU, THANK YOU. WE'LL HAVE A PICTURE NOW. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] [4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING] NOW WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. [00:10:01] AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS THAT ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION SHOULD FILL OUT A SPEAKER, AND I WILL CALL YOU TO THE PODIUM WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CITY'S RULES OF DECORUM. COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE AND NOT INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM SPEAKERS. NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE COMMISSION WITH PERSONAL OR IMPROPER OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR. MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM ANY CLAPPING OR DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS. FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO 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. THE FIRST SPEAKER I HAVE AND THIS PILE OF CARDS, WHICH I HAVE THEM ALL TOGETHER, I PROMISE TONIGHT, HEATHER WILSON. FOLLOWED BY NELSON FRANCE. OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS HEATHER WILSON, FOLLOWED BY NELSON FRANCE. YES, MA'AM, NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS HEATHER WILSON, 450 STATE ROAD 13 NORTH JACKSONVILLE. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT SOMETHING IN THE ST. AUGUSTINE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE CARRIAGE HORSES, SECTION 27144, ITEM NUMBER 11 UNDER CARE OF ANIMALS. IT STATES ANIMALS SHALL NOT BE SOLD OR DISPOSED OF, EXCEPT IN A HUMANE MANNER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF EQUINE PRACTITIONERS GUIDELINES. I WAS INSPIRED TO LOOK UP THE AAEP GUIDELINES, AND IT STATES, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF HORSES ARE ULTIMATELY UNWANTED BECAUSE THEY ARE NO LONGER SERVICEABLE, ARE INFIRM, DANGEROUS, OR THEIR OWNERS ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO CARE FOR THEM. THE AAEP RECOGNIZES THAT THE PROCESSING OF UNWANTED HORSES IS CURRENTLY AN ASPECT OF THE EQUINE INDUSTRY AND PROVIDES A HUMANE ALTERNATIVE TO ALLOWING THE HORSE TO CONTINUE A LIFE OF DISCOMFORT AND PAIN AND POSSIBLY INADEQUATE CARE OR ABANDONMENT. ACCORDING TO ALEX WALDROP, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION, THE NTRA, 07,500 THOROUGHBRED HORSES GO TO SLAUGHTER EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE STANDARD BREEDS, QUARTER HORSES, DRAFT HORSES, ALL OTHER BREEDS OF HORSES. WHEN YOU ADD ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT HORSES TOGETHER, A VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE IS 15,000-20,000 HORSES GOING TO SLAUGHTER FROM THE UNITED STATES. IN 2007, THE LAST HORSE SLAUGHTERHOUSE THANKFULLY CLOSED ITS DOORS. HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL ACTIVELY SHIPPING HORSES TO SLAUGHTER FROM THIS COUNTRY, INCLUDING SPENT CARRIAGE HORSES. WHEN THE AAP REFERS TO AN ANIMAL PROCESSING PLANT IS A SLAUGHTERHOUSE. THAT IS A EUPHEMISM. I DON'T SEE THE TIME. IS THERE A TIME SOMEWHERE? WHERE'S THE STOPWATCH? I DON'T SEE A STOPWATCH. ACCORDING TO THIS MUNICIPAL CODE, WE ARE SENDING HORSES TO SLAUGHTER. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY CARRIAGE HORSES FROM ST. AUGUSTINE HAVE GONE TO SLAUGHTER BECAUSE RIGHT NOW YOUR CODE ALLOWS IT, AND I WOULD HOPE TO BELIEVE THAT NONE OF YOU ARE OKAY WITH THAT. I'M ASKING IF WE COULD PLEASE PUT THE CARRIAGE HORSES ON THE AGENDA. THERE'S NO GREEN PASTORS WAITING FOR THEM. THEY DON'T EVEN GET GREEN PASTURES WHILE THEY'RE WORKING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS NELSON FRANCE, FOLLOWED BY LAUREN GEIBERG. WELCOME. ADDRESS, PLEASE. >> NELSON FRANCE, 8505 SAN JOSE BOULEVARD. GOOD AFTERNOON, ST AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION. THE JEWISH FEDERATION FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA, APPLAUDS YOUR UNANIMOUS ADOPTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM. MAKING IT THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA TO TAKE THE SIGNIFICANT STEP. WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WORDS AND DEEDS. WE RECOGNIZE THE CRUCIAL INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL JEWISH LEADERS AND CLERGY FROM TEMPLE BET YAM, FIRST SONS OF ISRAEL, AND ST. AUGUSTINE HABAD, [00:15:02] WHO CAME TOGETHER IN A UNIFIED VOICE TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. THEIR PRESENCE IN PUBLIC COMMENTS ADDED POWERFUL TESTIMONY TO THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 24, SUPPORTING THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM. WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO MAYOR NANCY SIKES KLINE, VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER, AND COMMISSIONER CYNTHIA GARRIS, JIM SPRINGFIELD, AND JOHN D PRATER, FOR THEIR UNWAVERING SUPPORT. WE AT THE JEWISH FEDERATION FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU IN THIS BEAUTIFUL, COMPASSIONATE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO BUILD A NORTHEAST FLORIDA WHERE THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE FREELY, SAFELY AND PROUDLY. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR EVENING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT SPEAKER IS LAUREN GEIBERG, FOLLOWED BY JOHN HODGINS. >> CAN THIS GET TURNED ON. LAUREN GEIBERG, 257 RIBERIA STREET. THIS IS A PICTURE OF WHAT TRAFFIC CONSISTENTLY LOOKS LIKE ON KING STREET AND RIBERIA, AS WELL AS KING STREET AND SAN SEBASTIAN HARBOR AND MAGA STREETS. THERE IS ALWAYS SOME YUCK WHO BLOCKS THE BOX SO TRAFFIC CANNOT MOVE, AND IT IS A STANDSTILL CREATING GRIDLOCK PLAIN AND SIMPLE. I'VE WRITTEN THE CITY ABOUT THIS AND ASKED THEM TO DO SOMETHING, BUT IT IS A CONSTANT REOCCURRING SITUATION AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO SOLUTIONS OFFERED. THIS IS NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION THAT'S GOING ON THE STREET, IT IS A CONSTANT FACTOR IN LIFE FOR RESIDENTS OF LINCOLNVILLE AND ANYONE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE CITY. NOTHING'S TRANSPIRED. THERE'S A LOT OF SOLUTIONS OUT THERE FROM SIGNAGE TO PAINTING THE ASPHALT, AND I WISH SOMETHING COULD BE DONE. I POSTED IT ON NEXTDOOR. I GOT FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS AS WELL AS PEOPLE SPOUTING ABOUT OTHER ISSUES IN THE CITY WHERE THE SAME THING HAPPENS, WHICH I WILL PRESENT TO STAFF SO YOU HAVE IT ON RECORD. BUT THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF DON'T BLOCK THE BOX, WHICH IS ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF DON'T BLOCK THE BOX, WHICH IS PAINTED IN RED. SORRY, MY PRINTER DOESN'T WORK FOR COLORS. HERE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT'S DON'T BLOCK THE BOX. IN YELLOW. THERE ARE THINGS AVAILABLE. I ALSO SENT A PICTURE FROM LONDON WHERE THEY TOO HAD SOMETHING PAINTED ON THE GROUND STATING NOT TO BLOCK THE BOX SO PEOPLE COULD PASS AND DRIVERS COULD GET THROUGH AND TRAFFIC COULD MOVE. THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM HERE. I'M SURE IT'S A LARGE PROBLEM IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY TOO. BUT I KNOW WHEN I'M TRYING TO GET OUT OF LINCOLNVILLE, THOSE ARE THE TWO ROADS THAT I TAKE, AND IT'S A CONSTANT HASSLE. IT'S BEEN THAT WAY EVEN BEFORE CONSTRUCTION, BUT IT'S OBVIOUSLY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE PUT THIS ON YOUR AGENDA TO DEAL WITH IT. I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE SOME POLICE OFFICERS COULD GIVE OUT TICKETS, BUT YOU'LL READ THE COMMENTS FROM NEXTDOOR APP, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER SUGGESTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. ALWAYS A PLEASURE SEEING YOU. HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOHN HODGINS FOLLOWED BY KATHERINE ZAGER. >> JOHN HODGINS 12 FLAMINGO DRIVE. IN 2017, SUSAN HILL ENTERED INTO THE STRUGGLE TO SAVE FISH ISLAND, WHICH WE'RE ALL AWARE OF. AND CLOSE BEHIND HER FOOTSTEPS, I CAME ALONG TOO. WE ENDED UP IN THE RESEARCH LIBRARY DOWN ON AVES AND WE WERE THERE FOR THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS. [00:20:01] SEARCHING OUT THE HISTORY OF JESSE FISH, AND WE REALIZED VERY QUICKLY THAT THERE WERE TWO MAIN STORIES TO TELL TO TRY AND SAVE THIS ISLAND. THE FIRST ONE AND THE MOST OBVIOUS ONE AND THE MOST WELL KNOWN IS ITS ORANGE HISTORY. INDEED, WHEN WE WENT TO TALLAHASSEE WITH THE GOVERNOR THERE WHEN HE PURCHASED THIS LAND AND MADE THE CITY, THE CARETAKERS, SAID THAT THAT WAS NO BRAINER. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS HE GOT IT, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER HISTORY THERE. THAT IS THE BLACK ENSLAVED HISTORY THAT JESSE FISH HAD ON THAT ISLAND. IN THE 1760S, HE WAS WRAPPING UP AND SENDING TO ENGLAND UP TO 50,000 ORANGES A YEAR ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. HE WASN'T HARVESTING THOSE TREES AND FILLING THOSE ORANGE BOXES AND SENDING THEM OFF BY HIMSELF. HE HAD A WORKFORCE, A MOTOR, A WORKFORCE TO DO THAT WORK, AND THAT WORK WAS ENSLAVED PEOPLE. WE FELT VERY STRONGLY THAT THIS HISTORY NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE. SUSAN WILL GET INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT LATER ON. WE WERE SHOCKED TO REALIZE THAT IN THE BLACK HISTORY TRAIL THAT'S BEEN WORKED ON OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS BY THE COUNTY. ACTUALLY, I THINK THEY'VE BEEN FUNDED BY THE FEDS AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT FISH ISLAND WAS NOT INCLUDED THERE. FOR MOSE WAS INCLUDED, AND I UNDERSTAND A PLANTATION, AN INDIGO PLANTATION IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY WAS ALSO INCLUDED, BUT NOT FISH ISLAND. FISH ISLAND IS OURS. IT'S A PART OF THE CITY. WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, ALL OF US, THE CITIZENS, THE COMMISSION, ALL OF US. WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THESE VOICES SHOULD BE HEARD. THAT WE'RE OUT THERE. JESSE FISH HAD UPWARDS OF 133 SLAVES ON THAT ISLAND WORKING FOR HIM THROUGH THE YEARS. WE WOULD ASK THAT GOING FORWARD, WE REVISIT THE FISH ISLAND WEBSITE. WE DO OUR VERY BEST TO ENERGIZE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS THERE AND WORK STRONGLY WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO PUT THIS HISTORY AND ALL OF THIS OUT THERE. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> THANK YOU. KATHERINE ZAGER, FOLLOWED BY SUSAN HILL. I BEG YOUR PARDON, IF I PRONOUNCE YOUR NAME IN CORRECTLY. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS KATHERINE ZOTA. I LIVE AT 48 SORIA DRIVE, ST. AUGUSTINE. TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT CRUELTY ON DISPLAY AT THE BAYFRONT. FLORIDA STATUTE 828.12 STATES THAT ANYONE WHO UNNECESSARILY OVERLOADS, OVER DRIVES, TORMENTS, OR DEPRIVES AN ANIMAL OF NECESSARY SUSTENANCE OR SHELTER IS COMMITTING ANIMAL CRUELTY. I'D LIKE TO SHOW A PHOTO. IN THIS PHOTO, YOU SEE A HORSE STANDING OVER A BUCKET OF SPILLED WATER, TONGUE HANGING OUT, UNABLE TO DRINK. NOT PROVIDING REGULAR AND ADEQUATE HYDRATION TO A HORSE, STANDING IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND HIGH HEAT AND HUMIDITY FAILS THE BASIC OBLIGATION OF FLORIDA'S ANTI CRUELTY STATUTE, REQUIRING THAT ANIMALS RECEIVE NECESSARY SUSTENANCE. CITY CODE REQUIRES THAT OUT OF SERVICE ANIMALS HAVE FREE ACCESS TO WATER AND SALT AT ALL TIMES, ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR BASIC NEEDS, BUT THOSE PROTECTIONS DON'T APPLY TO IN SERVICE ANIMALS, THE ONES WHO NEED IT THE MOST. HORSES ARE FORCED TO STAND IN FULL TACK, EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT, SUN, AND HUMIDITY WHILE WAITING FOR A TOUR. THESE CONDITIONS MAKE IT HARDER FOR A HORSE TO REGULATE ITS BODY TEMPERATURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF DEHYDRATION, AND HEAT STRESS. YET CITY CODE ONLY REQUIRES WATER TO BE PROVIDED IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMPLETING A TOUR. IS THIS JUST AN OVERSIGHT? OR IS THE CITY PRIORITIZING APPEARANCES OVER ANIMAL WELFARE, ALLOWING THESE HORSES TO SUFFER IN SILENCE? THE SECOND PHOTO SHOWS A HORSE WEARING FOL TAC, STANDING IN THE SUN WITH NO ACCESS TO SHADE OR WATER. CLEARLY IN DISTRESS, HE WAS STRAINING HIS MOUTH, EXPOSING HIS GUMS AND TEETH, REPEATEDLY GAPING AND STICKING OUT HIS TONGUE IN A TENSE AND UNNATURAL MANNER. ACCORDING TO EQUINE BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST, THIS IS A CLEAR SIGN OF PAIN AND DISTRESS OFTEN LINKED TO THE DISCOMFORT AND PRESSURE CAUSED BY THE BIT. [00:25:03] THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT DISCOMFORT, IT'S ABOUT SUFFERING IMPOSED FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND PROFIT. A HORSE IN THIS STATE IS BEING VISIBLY TORMENTED IN PUBLIC VIEW. THESE PHOTOS DEMONSTRATE THE DAILY REALITIES ON THE BAYFRONT, EXPOSING A SYSTEM THAT EXPLOITS ANIMALS FOR PROFIT. NO TRADITION JUSTIFIES CRUELTY. THE COMMISSION MUST WORK WITH THE OPERATORS TO RESPONSIBLY AND HUMANELY PHASE OUT THIS EXPLOITATIVE INDUSTRY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT SPEAKER IS SUSAN HILL, FOLLOWED BY ROBIN THOMAS. >> I'M GOING TO FOLLOW UP TO WHAT MY HUSBAND DISCUSSED EARLIER. I WANTED TO START. I WAS LOOKING THROUGH AN EMAIL THAT SUSAN PARKER SENT TO ME AT ONE POINT. AT THE BOTTOM OF HER SIGNATURE, SHE ALWAYS INCLUDES A QUOTE, "THE PALEST INK IS CLEARER THAN THE FONDEST MEMORY." HE MENTIONED THAT FISH OWNED 133 PEOPLE. THEY CAME FROM 49 DIFFERENT AFRICAN NATIONS. WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THEIR AGES, THEIR NAMES, HOW MUCH THEY WERE WORTH, THEIR VALUE, THEIR MONETIZED VALUE THAT WERE GIVEN TO THEM BY THE SPANISH. MORE JARRING THAN THE SHEER NUMBER OF PEOPLE HE OWNED WERE THE NUMBERS OF CHILDREN INCLUDED IN THE RECORD. IN TOTAL, THERE WERE 83 CHILDREN OUT OF 133, BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND 16, ONE SEVEN-YEAR-OLD, FOUR EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS, 11 NINE-YEAR-OLDS, 16 10-YEAR OLDS, FOUR 11-YEAR-OLDS, 19 12-YEAR-OLDS, THREE 13-YEAR-OLDS, EIGHT 14-YEAR-OLDS, SEVEN 15-YEAR-OLDS, AND NINE 16-YEAR-OLDS. THE YOUNGEST OF HIS SLAVES WAS A 5-YEAR-OLD CHILD NAMED MEL CORA. SHE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WE HAVE CONTEXTUALIZED ON HER PANELS ON FISH ISLAND. I CAN'T GET THAT CHILD OUT OF MY HEAD. SINCE 2019, I HAVE BEEN ASKING THE CITY. TO LET US HELP YOU INCLUDE IN THE FISH ISLAND WEBSITE ACCURATE CONTEXTUALIZED INFORMATION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF FISH ISLAND. MARSHA CHANCE AND I OFFERED TO ACTUALLY GHOST WRITE IT WITH FULL EDITORIAL POWER FOR THE CITY AND IT WASN'T TAKEN UP THE DORA MAP, IN ADDITION TO THE 133 PEOPLE THAT WAS JUST AT THE END OF THE FIRST SPANISH PERIOD, IT DOESN'T INCLUDE ALL OF THE ENSLAVED PEOPLE THAT WERE BROUGHT OVER DURING THE BRITISH OCCUPATION. IN ADDITION, THE SEPARATE SPANISH CENSUS RECORDS CONFIRM HIS OWNERSHIP OF SLAVES AT THE LB VERGEL PLANTATION, 1783 16, 1786 14, NONE BAPTIZED, 1787 17, HIS PROBATE RECORD OF 1796 LISTS 11 ENSLAVED PEOPLE. THE DOOR MAP OF 1859 SEEMS TO SHOW EIGHT TINY STRUCTURES NORTH OF THE PLANTATION HOUSE. ARCHAEOLOGISTS SPECULATE THAT THESE MAY HAVE BEEN SLAVE OR WORKER QUARTERS. REGISTRATION OF ENSLAVED AFRICAN PEOPLE INCLUDED A TRIBUNAL OF SPANISH OFFICIALS WHO RECORDED A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF EACH PERSON, ASSIGNED THEM A NEW SPANISH NAME AND A UNIT OF VALUE BASED ON THEIR SIZE AND STRENGTH THAT WAS MEASURED IN PIEZAS, A WHOLE, A HALF, A QUARTER. FOLLOWING THIS EXERCISE AND PAYMENT OF A TAX BY THE OWNER, EACH PERSON WAS BRANDED OVER THE LEFT SHOULDER. NO ONE, NOT EVEN THE YOUNGEST OF THE CHILDREN, ESCAPED THAT BRANDING. [OVERLAPPING] IT'S TIME FOR US TO PUT THIS. >> NEXT SPEAKER IS ROBIN THOMAS, FOLLOWED BY NANCY MURRAY. NANCY MURPHY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ROBIN THOMAS, 147 MARTIN LUTHER KING AVENUE, AND I'M HERE TO READ THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION. THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPASSION LIES AT THE HEART OF RELIGIOUS, ETHICAL, AND SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS. CALLING US ALWAYS TO TREAT ALL OTHERS AS WE WISH TO BE TREATED. COMPASSION IMPELS US TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF OUR FELLOW CREATURES. TO THE THROWING OURSELVES FROM THE CENTER OF OUR WORLD. AND PUT ANOTHER THERE AND TO HONOR [00:30:02] THE INVOCO INVULNERABLE 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 INTERDEPENDENCE. COMPASSION IS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, AND TO BE FULFILLED HUMANITY. IT IS THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT AND INDISPENSABLE TO CREATION OF A JUST ECONOMY AND A PEACEFUL GLOBAL COMMUNITY. ALSO, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I CAME TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT I WAS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY STATUS. SINCE THEN, I WAS ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH CONGRESSMAN JOHN RUTHERFORD AND HE WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH MY PAPERWORK WITH ME. HE TOOK THE TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS HAD ME DOWN CATEGORIZED AS A ABLE BODIED ADULT WITH NO DEPENDENTS, NOT RECOGNIZING THAT I AM A PERSON WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY. HE'S GOING TO HELP ME TO GET IT ALL STRAIGHT. I JUST WANT FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE OR IS GOING THROUGH ELIGIBILITY ISSUES TO REACH OUT TO OUR STATE OFFICIALS SO IT COULD BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. VERY HAPPY THAT WORKED OUT. VERY HAPPY. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NANCY MURPHY, FOLLOWED BY JENNIFER CUSHING. >> HI, NANCY MURPHY. I LIVE AT 22 VERNICE COURT, AND I AM GRATEFUL TO BE HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, TO SHARE WITH YOU. I AM REPRESENTING TODAY, CARE, ONE OF COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE'S PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. CARE STANDS FOR COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY. IT'S AN INFORMAL, INDEPENDENT, CIVIC ACTION GROUP THAT GREW OUT OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS 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. YOU MAY RECALL THAT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, CARE, HAS SUPPORTED PASTOR DELI SANDS, IN HER EFFORTS TO INCREASE SAFETY FOR HER CONGREGATION AT THE REMNANT OUTREACH MINISTRY, WHICH MEETS AT THE HISTORIC SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ON WEST KING IN WEST CITY. ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WAS COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT THE CITY, THE COUNTY, AND FLORIDA STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAVE ALL BEEN INVOLVED IN PROVIDING SOLUTIONS. THE RAPID RECTANGULAR FLASHING BEACONS NOW ARE INSTALLED AND FUNCTIONING IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH ON WEST KING. FELLOW CARE MEMBER, VICKI PEPPER, SPOKE RECENTLY WITH PASTOR DELI, AND SHE AND HER CONGREGATION ARE GRATEFUL AND NOW FEEL MUCH SAFER CROSSING WEST KING STREET. WE REALIZE THAT CARE FREQUENTLY COMES TO YOU WITH CONCERNS AND REQUESTS. WE ALSO LIKE TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE. CARE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF PASTOR DELI AND HER CONGREGATION ON THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR THE VITAL ROLE THAT CITY STAFF PLAYED IN GETTING THOSE RAPID FLASH AND BEACONS. I DON'T KNOW IT'S A CODE NAME IN THE RFPS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. WELL DONE, AND THANK YOU. >> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT SPEAKER IS JENNIFER CUSHING, AND IF ANYONE HERE WISHES TO SPEAK, PLEASE FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD NOW. THIS WILL BE YOUR LAST OPPORTUNITY TO FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD AND PRESENT IT. >> HI, JENNIFER CUSHING, 4201 NEW HAMPSHIRE ROAD, ELKTON, FLORIDA. I'M HERE TO BRING TO LIGHT ABOUT THE CARRIAGE HORSES. I'VE GROWN UP IN THIS INDUSTRY WITH THE COLES. I'VE BEEN PART OF IT SINCE I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD. I AM NOW THE OWNER OF THE LARGEST COMPANY HERE IN TOWN. THESE PEOPLE, THAT ARE SPEAKING TO YOU, HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT HORSES. THEY DON'T WANT TO LEARN. [00:35:01] WE'VE TRIED TO TALK TO THEM AND EDUCATE THEM AND SAY, COME TO THE BARN, MEET US, MEET OUR HORSES, SEE HOW IT IS, AND THEY'RE BASICALLY BULLIES. THEY'RE SCHOOL YARD BULLIES. THEY YELL AT US, THEY CUSTED US. THEY CUSSED OUR CUSTOMERS, THEY CHASE US DOWN THE ROAD. THEY ARE NOT NICE PEOPLE. AS FAR AS THE PICTURES THEY SHOWED YOU TODAY, THE HORSE WITH HIS MOUTH WIDE OPEN, HE'S YAWNING. THAT'S SOMETHING EVERYBODY DOES. HE'S NOT IN PAIN, HE'S NOT THIRSTY, HE'S NOT HUNGRY. HE'S JUST YAWNING. THE PICTURE WITH THE HORSE WITH THE BUCKET DUMPED OVER, HE DUMPED IT OVER. WE PUT COOKIES AND TREATS IN THEIR WATER TO GET THEM TO DRINK. WE USE GATORADE, WE USE ALFALFA HAY OR CUBES, ANYTHING WE CAN TO ENTICE THEM TO DRINK MORE WATER. WELL, WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED IS THE COOKIE SINK TO THE BOTTOM. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE WATER. THEY WANT THAT COOKIE. THEIR TRICK IS THEY'LL DRINK A COUPLE SIPS, IF THEY CAN'T CATCH THE COOKIE BEFORE IT SINKS, THEY DUMP THE BUCKET. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES WE PICK UP FULL BUCKETS OF WATER, BECAUSE ALL THEY WANT OF THOSE COOKIES, OR ALL THEY WANT IS THAT ALFALFA CUBE. OUR HORSES ARE EXTREMELY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I CAN HAVE MY VET, I CAN HAVE VETS FROM OCALA, I HAVE A CHIROPRACTOR, WE HAVE A MASSAGE THERAPIST. THESE HORSES ARE BETTER TAKEN CARE OF THAN 90% OF THE WORKFORCE IN ST. AUGUSTINE. I IMPORT MY FARRIER FROM OHIO. HE'S AN AMISH MAN THAT KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING AND HOW TO DO IT RIGHT. I ORDER FIVE TONS OF FEED, AT A TIME, OUT OF OHIO BECAUSE IT'S CHEAPER, BUT THAT'S TO KEEP MY HORSES EATING AND BEING ABLE TO FEED THEM. IT'S A ROUGH TIME FOR US, AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES SINCE WHEN I WAS A KID, OR EVEN IN MY 20S, AS THE CARRIAGE HORSES WHEN THE COLES WERE HERE OR STEWART WAS HERE. BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S TIME FOR US TO GO. I THINK WE'RE A SYMBOL OF THE CITY. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LOVE US. I UNDERSTAND THAT'S NOT EVERYBODY, BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE BED AND BREAKFAST FROM A LOT OF THE LOCALS. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY LOCALS RIDE WITH ME EVERY YEAR. EVERY TIME THEIR FAMILY COMES TO TOWN, THEY CALL ME UP AND THEY WANT TO CARRIAGE RIDE. THEY WANT TO SHOW THE CITY OFF TO THEIR FAMILY. PLEASE CONSIDER HALF OF WHAT THEY'RE SAYING, MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE TRUTH. AS FAR AS RETIRING HORSES, JUST BECAUSE THEY BROUGHT THAT UP. I HAVE THREE HORSES RETIRING THIS WEEK. ONE IS GOING TO A 40-ACRE FARM IN NORTH CAROLINA, AND THE OTHER TWO, I BOUGHT, TRYING TO REHAB AND RESCUE THEM, AND THEY'RE JUST TOO MUCH FOR ME TO DO, AND THEY ARE GOING TO A REHAB CENTER IN VIRGINIA. SLAUGHTER IS NOT AN OPTION FOR US. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE SPEAKER CARDS? WE HAVE PHILIP ANTHONY SMITH, FOLLOWED BY [INAUDIBLE]. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. >> HEY, PHILIP ANTHONY SMITH. I LIVE AT 709 BLACK OAK COURT IN ST. AUGUSTINE. I OWN A BUSINESS RIGHT HERE IN DOWNTOWN NINE KING STREET, THE PHILLIP ANTHONY SIGNATURE GALLERY. I'M HERE FOR ON BEHALF OF MY EMPLOYEES AND TO TRY TO HELP THEM OUT. YOU GUYS HAVE DONE SOMETHING REALLY AWESOME AND HELPED US OUT WITH THE PARK NOW DISCOUNTS. THE CHALLENGE, THAT WE'RE HAVING, IS WE HAVE EMPLOYEES FROM PALM COAST AND FROM JACKSONVILLE. THE COST OF PARKING WITHOUT THAT DISCOUNT THAT'S PROVIDED IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT TO THOSE GUYS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I MIGHT HAVE BEEN LATE TO THE SHOW. I DON'T KNOW. I HEARD THAT THERE'S SOMETHING MIGHT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AS FAR AS PARKING TICKETS GOING UP TO A POTENTIAL $100. THAT IS DETRIMENTAL TO OUR EMPLOYEES. NOT SAYING THAT THE CITY DOESN'T NEED THAT, BUT IF THERE'S SOME EXEMPTION OR WAIVER, SOMETHING THAT OUR EMPLOYEES CAN HAVE, BECAUSE IN OUR BUSINESS ALONE, IT'S SALES-BASED. THEY MIGHT BE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SALE. IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO BREAK AWAY, AND NOW HALF THOSE EMPLOYEES DON'T HAVE AN APP THAT THEY CAN USE BECAUSE THEY'RE FROM OUT OF THE COUNTY. THERE ARE SOME GREAT THINGS THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW, BUT I THINK THERE'S SOME EXCEPTIONS OR SOMETHING ADDITION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN PLACE TO HELP EMPLOYEES, EVEN IF THERE'S A NOTICE FOR TICKETING. A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES WILL RUN OUT TO THE METERS, TRY TO MAKE IT IN TIME. THEY'RE HAPPY TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE, ESPECIALLY IF WE CAN GET THAT AT THAT DISCOUNT RATE. IF THEY HAVE TO GO DOWN TO WHERE THEY GO TO PAY THEIR TICKETS AND SHOW SOME NOTIFICATION, AND CAN SHOW THAT THEY'RE AN EMPLOYEE. THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY THESE $100 FEES OR EVEN JUST THE $35 FEES. [00:40:05] THEY DO ADD UP. PARKING IS A HUGE CHALLENGE. I DON'T HAVE TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION. I KNOW YOU GUYS KNOW THAT. THE THING I'M JUST TRYING TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION IS FOR THE EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY ONES NOT FROM THIS COUNTY, I HAVE EMPLOYEES FROM JACKSONVILLE, LIKE I SAID, I HAVE EMPLOYEES FROM PALM COAST. IT'S A REAL ISSUE. IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE. THAT'S IT. IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO OUR GALLERY, COME SAY, HI. SERIOUSLY, WE'RE NOT JUST A GALLERY. I THINK WE'RE A STAPLE FOR ST. AUGUSTINE, AND A LOT OF PLACES ARE DOWNTOWN. I'M NOT JUST SPEAKING FOR MY EMPLOYEES. I'M SPEAKING FOR ALL THE EMPLOYEES DOWN HERE. BUT THANK YOU GUESS. APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. >> THANK YOU. STICK AROUND. WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE PARKING FINE TONIGHT. THE LAST SPEAKER CARD I HAVE IS VJ CLAY. >> THANK YOU, MISS DUNN. VJ CLAY WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SHERIFF RECORDS, FIVE TICKETS WERE ISSUED FOR E-BIKE VIOLATIONS IN MAY, JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST. ON AUGUST 8, THE BCC CREATED A RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE SAFE USE OF E-BIKES. THIS ISSUE WITH E-BIKES OCCURS IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE CAN PROMOTE SAFETY ON OUR STREETS BY WRITING A RESOLUTION. INSTEAD OF POLITICIANS AND CITY STAFF TAKING TRIPS WITH TAX DOLLARS TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING YOUR DOLLARS TO IFCJ, INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS. AS ONE DRIVES DOWN RIBERIA, LOOK AT PROPERTIES SUCH AS 194, 196, 198, AND 2000 RIBERIA. THESE RENTALS WERE RECENTLY PURCHASED FOR $2,900,000. THIS IS MORE GENTRIFICATION OF LINCOLNVILLE. IT'S COME TO MY ATTENTION, MR. REGAN, HAS BEEN WORKING FROM HIS HOME WITHOUT A CITY BUSINESS LICENSE. WHEN CITY STAFF AND CITY STAFF DO NOT FOLLOW PROCEDURES, IT ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO IGNORE ORDINANCES AND LAWS, WHICH AFFECTS EVERYONE'S QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. FINALLY, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. FINALLY. THE CIVIL RIGHTS PLAQUE AT 32 EVANITA MENENDEZ HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE OUTSIDE WALL, WHERE IT CAN BE SEEN AND THE HISTORY CAN BE SEEN BY EVERYBODY. IT TAKES A WHILE. IT TAKES PERSISTENCE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY IN THIS TOWN THAT'S NOT BEING TOLD, AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP AT IT BECAUSE THAT'S WHY PEOPLE COME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENTS. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS CLOSED. [5. CONSENT AGENDA] WE ARE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, MR. CITY MANAGER. >> MAYOR OR VICE MAYOR COMMISSIONERS, TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR THE AUGUST 28, 9:00 AM. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING, THE AUGUST 28, ALSO 9:00 AM. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CRA BUDGET MEETING, A CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING. THE AUGUST 29, 9:00 AM CITY BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING, ONLY IF NECESSARY, AND A SEPTEMBER 8TH, 05:00 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING. WE HAVE A PROPOSED PROCLAMATION 2025-'27, WHICH PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2025, AS THE 460TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST MUSTER OF FLORIDA'S MILITIA, SPONSORED BY MAYOR NANCY SIKES KLINE, AND PROCLAMATION 2025-'28, WHICH PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER 2025 AS SPINAL CORD INJURY AWARENESS MONTH. SPONSORED BY MAYOR NANCY SIKES KLINE. WE HAVE A BILL FOR THE EMINENT DOMAIN, LAKE MARIA SANCHEZ, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, AND WE HAVE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SETTLEMENT PARTICIPATION FORM REGARDING THE OPIOID LITIGATION SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND PRODUCE SACKLER. THAT CONCLUDES OUR CONSENT AGENDA FOR YOU. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> I MOVE WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOTION CARRIES. [00:45:01] WELL, NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA WILL BE ITEMS OF GREAT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE, [7. GENERAL PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS, ITEMS OF GREAT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE, AND OTHER ITEMS REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS] AND THAT IS YOUR PRESENTATION, MR. CITY MANAGER. >> LIKE TO INTRODUCE, BUDDY SHALIN. MR. SHALIN IS THE CITY'S BUILDING OFFICIAL. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. A FEW MONTHS AGO, YOU HAD ME COME UP AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM, CRS, AND GIVE A BRIEF ABOUT THAT. AT THAT TIME, I TOLD YOU THAT A FEW DAYS LATER, WE WOULD BE HAVING OUR THREE-YEAR VERIFICATION VISIT, AND YOU ASKED THAT I COME BACK TO UPDATE YOU ON THAT AND HOW THAT WENT. I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE GOT IT BACK LAST WEEK, AND WE IMPROVED OUR SCORE BY ALMOST 200 POINTS, AND THE FMA ACCEPTED OUR STUDIES THAT HAD BEEN DONE UNDER THE WATERSHED MASTER PLAN, WHICH IF YOU REMEMBER, THAT WAS OUR BIGGEST HURDLE THAT WE HAD TO TRY TO GET OVER TO BE ABLE TO BECOME A CLASS FOUR COMMUNITY. WITH THAT LAST HURDLE FOR THE PREREQUISITE, WE WILL BE A CLASS FOUR COMMUNITY. WHAT THAT MEANS IN THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT WORLD IS IT'S A PRESTIGIOUS HONOR TO BE CLASS FOUR OR HIGHER. THERE ARE ALMOST 1,800 COMMUNITIES, IN THE NATION, THAT ARE PARTICIPATE IN THE CRS. OF THOSE, WE WILL BE ONE OF 25 THAT ARE CLASS FOUR OR HIGHER. WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE COMMUNITY IS THAT MOST NFIP FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES, NEW ONES OR RENEWED ONES ON OR AFTER APRIL 1ST OF 2026, WILL RECEIVE A 30% DISCOUNT, UP FROM THE 25%. IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, CITY STAFF HAS BROUGHT US UP FROM A 7-4 TO CLASS FOUR, AND WE WENT ADDED AN EXTRA 15% DISCOUNT TO ALL THE NFIP FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES. I'LL SAY THAT THE CITY STAFF HAS WORKED HARD FOR THIS, BUT MOST OF THIS WAS SHOULDERED ON OUR FLOODPLAIN COORDINATOR, RAY DESLER. HE DID MOST OF THE WORK FOR THIS. HE BUGGED, THE CRS SPECIALIST, A LOT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THIS GOT TAKEN CARE OF AND THAT WE DID GET THE WATERSHED MASTER PLAN WITH THAT. SINCE WE RECEIVED THIS LAST WEDNESDAY, ON THURSDAY, WE HAD ALREADY SCHEDULED A MEETING WITH CITY STAFF ABOUT CRS, AND WE DETERMINED THERE THAT WE'RE GOING TO STILL MOVE FORWARD WITH TRYING TO GET THE WATERSHED MASTER PLAN, SO WE DON'T RUN THE RISK OF EVER LOSING THOSE POINTS OR THAT PREREQUISITE, AND THAT WE'RE GOING TO START WORKING ON GETTING A CLASS THREE. WE HAVE ABOUT THREE YEARS TO GET THAT DONE. >> WITH THAT, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> EXCELLENT. THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS. OUR HOMEOWNERS WILL NOW ENJOY A 30% DISCOUNT ON THEIR NFIP FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES, WHICH IS VERY WELCOME FOR THOSE OF US THAT DO BUY HOMEOWNER'S FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES. WE ALSO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO HAVE ONE, WHETHER YOU'RE REQUIRED TO OR NOT, BUT AS I BELIEVE, EVERYONE IN THE CITY IS POTENTIALLY REQUIRED TO HAVE ONE. AM I RIGHT? NO? >> THERE ARE SOME AREAS THAT THEY DID X AND THE X THAT AREN'T REQUIRED BY YOUR MORTGAGE, BUT IT'S ALWAYS ENCOURAGED TO GET IT BECAUSE YOU CAN FLOOD TOO. >> WE DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO HAVE THOSE FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION. I THINK IT WAS A TREMENDOUS HERCULEAN EFFORT. MR. CITY MANAGER, I KNOW THIS IS A BIG PRIORITY FOR YOU, SO THANK YOU. THAT IS ALL. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? >> WELL, YOU MENTIONED THREE YEARS. SO THIS IS GOOD FOR THREE YEARS? >> YES, SIR. >> WE DON'T HAVE TO RENEW IT EVERY YEAR, WHICH IS GREAT. >> EVERY YEAR, WE HAVE TO SEND IN STAFF. BUT IT'S JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE MAINTAINING WHAT WE SAID THAT WE WERE DOING. >> CORRECT. THEN YOU MENTIONED THAT AFTER APRIL 1ST OF '26, WHICH IS A BIG DATE, YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO IF YOUR MORTGAGE IS PAID OFF. >> YOURSELF, YOU CAN GET INSURANCE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A MORTGAGE. >> THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY DON'T HAVE INSURANCE. THEY NEED TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE THEY DO HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE. >> THAT'S WHY WE ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO HAVE ONE. WHETHER YOU'RE REQUIRED TO BY YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY OR NOT. THANK YOU. VICE MAYOR. >> JUST AGAIN, ECHOING WHAT THE MAYOR SAID ABOUT THE STAFF AND THIS HERCULEAN EFFORT YOU ALL DID. ON A PERSONAL NOTE, RAY DESLER IS A FLAGLER ALUM AND HE WAS ONE OF MY STUDENTS. SO IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE THIS COME FULL CIRCLE IN THE BANG-UP JOB HE'S DOING. THAT'S REALLY COOL. THANK YOU AND THANK RAY FOR US, PLEASE. >> I WILL. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN. I MEAN, THIS IS ONE OF THE, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES THAT I WANTED TO RUN ON NOTE. I KNOW EVERYBODY DOES, [00:50:01] BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS FOR ME. I DO WANT TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THE CLASS 3. I THINK THAT IF YOU SAID 2,400, AND THERE'S ONLY HOW MANY? >> THERE'S JUST UNDER 1,800 COMMUNITIES IN THE NATION, AND WE'RE ONE OF 25 THAT ARE CLASS 4 OR HIGHER. >> DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY ARE CLASS 3 BY ANY CHANCE? >> CLASS 3 OR HIGHER IS 19. >> NINETEEN. WELL, IT'S NOT JUST FOR THAT, ALTHOUGH THERE IS SOME BRAGGING RIGHTS WITH THAT, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORK, AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WE'RE GOING TO KEEP PUSHING ON WITH THIS. IT IS AN IMPORTANT THING FOR THE COMMUNITY. I'M ACTUALLY PROUD TO KNOW THAT ST. AUGUSTINE IS A LEADER IN THIS EFFORT TOO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> COMMISSIONER GARRIS. >> THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY THAT WAS INVOLVED IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK AND GIVING US THE UPDATE. WE APPRECIATE IT. GREAT JOB. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I SEE OUR CHIEF RESILIENCY OFFICER IN THE BACK SMILING. MR. CITY MANAGER, YOU'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? >> ALL THIS IS BASED ON THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE BY CITY STAFF BEHIND THE SCENES, AND ONE OF THE MOST PROFESSIONAL AND HARDEST WORKING STAFFS WE HAVE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA WHEN IT COMES TO RESILIENCY AND FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT, ALL THE CREDIT GOES TO THEM, AND I CONGRATULATE THEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WELL SAID. THANK YOU. HERE HERE. THANK YOU, MR. SHALIN. WE APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU. >> VERY PROUD OF YOU. ANOTHER GREAT REASON LIVE IN THE CITY OF ST AUGUSTINE. >> DON'T SAY THAT TOO LOUD. [LAUGHTER] >> IT'S A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE. WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF ROOM FOR ANYMORE. [8.A.1. Ordinance 2025-17: Designates Bannan Avenue southbound from Court Edna to Court Louise as one-way traffic only (J. Beach, Chief Resilience Officer/Utilities and Public Works Deputy Director)] THE NEXT ITEM, WE'RE GOING TO GO ON TO ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS THAT REQUIRE PUBLIC HEARING. ITEM 8A1 IS ORDINANCE 2025-17, AND THAT IS CHIEF RESILIENCY OFFICER BEACH, YOU'RE FREE TO PRESENT. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MADAM VICE MAYOR, FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, JESSICA BEACH WITH THE UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. I WAS HERE JUST LAST MONTH, JULY 28TH, TO PRESENT A ONE WAY THAT WAS PROPOSED FOR BANNON AVENUE. DURING THAT CITY COMMISSION MEETING, I GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE COURT THEOPHILIA DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT THAT WAS REQUIRING THE ONE WAYING FOR BANNON. SO WE HAD SOME INPUT AND DISCUSSION FROM THE COMMISSION ON THE LIMITS OF WHERE WE WANTED TO DESIGNATE FOR BANNON AVENUE FOR ONE WAY. AT THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMISSION, WE WENT BACK TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND GOT SOME MORE INPUT. I MET WITH RESIDENTS. WE HAD A CHANCE TO MEET WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND I MET WITH OUR DESIGN TEAM. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT WE DECIDED, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PROPOSE SOUTHBOUND FOR BANNON AVENUE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO LIMIT THOSE DIRECTIONS FROM COURT EDNA TO COURT LUOIS ONLY. THIS WILL FACILITATE TO ALLOW CONTINUED USE OF THE COMMUNITY GARDEN AND THE PARK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO BOTH THE GREATER FULLER WOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALSO FORT COURT THEOPHLIA ITSELF. THIS WILL STILL ALLOW FOR THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS TO CONTINUE, BUT IT ALSO STRIKES A BALANCE, I THINK FOR BOTH OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS SO I FEEL LIKE WE'RE AT A GOOD PLACE WITH THE PROJECT. BEFORE WE'RE ENTERING INTO SECOND READING, WHICH IS WHAT'S BEFORE YOU TONIGHT, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THAT. THEN WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. OTHERWISE, I THINK THIS IS PUT UP FOR A SECOND READING FOR THE ORDINANCE 2025-17. >> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC HEARING? NO QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN. DO I HAVE ANY SPEAKER CARDS? I KNOW I HAD ANOTHER ONE IN HERE. MS. KYBER, WERE YOU HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? >> I BELIEVE MS. KYBER'S CARD IS FOR THE NEXT ORDINACE [OVERLAPPING] >> OKAY, GREAT. BECAUSE I KNOW I ONLY HAD ONE SPEAKER CARD FOR THESE REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING. PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN, ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK? I DON'T HAVE ANY SPEAKER CARDS FOR IT, THEN PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED. WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD. IS ANYONE DEBATE. DISCUSSION COMMISSIONER [OVERLAPPING] >> I DON'T HAVE A DEBATE, BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR CONSIDERING THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S A GREAT SOLUTION. IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, WE HAVE A GREAT PARKING LOT, THANKS TO COORDINATION WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD. SO THERE'S NO NEED TO PARK ON THE STREET FOR THE GARDEN OR THE PARK. SO THERE IS PARKING ON HILLDRIFT THAT COULD BE USED FOR THE PARK. BUT MAKING THAT A NARROW STREET, ALLOWING IT TO STILL HAVE THE DRAINAGE WORKS FINE AND IT'S TWO WAY, AND THEY HAD A GREAT SOLUTION, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THEM LOOKING INTO IT. >> WELL, AS I RECALL, YOU PROPOSE A SOLUTION, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WELL, I ACTUALLY HAD SAID ONE WAY AND THEY FIGURED. [00:55:01] >> THEY FIGURED IT OUT TO MAKE IT BOTH WAYS. >> THEY FIGURED OUT TO MAKE IT BOTH WAYS, WHICH IS A BETTER SOLUTION THAN MY ARGUMENT. >> EVEN BETTER. >> THEY GET ALL THE CREDIT. >> YES. VICE MAYOR. >> I SAID PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING I WANTED TO LAST TIME FIRST READING, AND I THINK IT'S JUST GREAT AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT HAPPEN AND AND JUST HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COME THROUGH AND SEE EXAMPLES OF HOW WE CAN DO THINGS MORE SUSTAINABLY AND BEAUTIFY THEM. IT JUST MAKES GREAT SENSE. WE'LL DEAL WITH THOSE FLOODING ISSUES EVEN BETTER. THANK YOU. >> TOTALLY SUPPORTIVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> MR. GARRIS. >> I REMEMBER GOING OVER TO THE PLACE AND LISTENING TO THE NEIGHBORS, AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU TOOK THE FEEDBACK THAT YOU GOT FROM THE COMMISSION AND WENT BACK OUT AND TALKED TO THE NEIGHBORS AGAIN SO THAT THEY WOULD KNOW WHAT WAS COMING. YOU ALWAYS DO AN EXCELLENT JOB, AND YOU LOOK NICE TONIGHT. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. >> SWEET. ORDINANCE 2025-17. ANYONE WISH, I'LL MAKE A MOTION. WE'LL MAKE A MOTION. MOVE THAT WE PASS THAT. >> SECOND. >> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-17, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 24, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 24-13 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, DESIGNATING BANNON AVENUE AS ONE WAY TRAFFIC ONLY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> NANCY SECKLINE? >> YES. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD? >> YES. >> JOHN D PRATER? >> YES. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS? >> YES. >> BARBARA BLONDER? >> YES. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WONDERFUL. >> THANK YOU. >> GREAT JOB. NEXT ITEM IS ORDINANCE 2025-22, [8.A.2. Ordinance 2025-22: Amends Sections 24-31 of the City Code to increase illegal parking fines and Sections 24-46 to include franchise stops, transportation network company stops and controlled parking residential areas as unlawful places to stand, park in, or stop. (R. Franklin, Assistant City Manager)] AND THAT IS MR. FRANKLIN CONCERNING ILLEGAL PARKING FINES. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. THIS EVENING, WE HAVE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-22. THIS AMENDS SECTIONS 24-31 AND 24-46 TO INCREASE ILLEGAL PARKING FINES TO CREATE THE ABILITY TO ENFORCE PARKING VIOLATIONS IN CERTAIN DESIGNATED RESTRICTED STANDS. THIS WOULD RAISE THE EXISTING ILLEGAL PARKING FINE FROM $35 TO $100 ONLY FOR ILLEGAL PARKING. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE IF YOU ARE PARKED IN A METERED PARKING SPACE AND TIME EXPIRES, THAT VIOLATION WOULD STAY AT A $25 TICKET. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. WE DID CREATE A RESTRICTIVE ZONE. SO IT'S ONLY A ZONE FOCUSED AROUND THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN THAT WE SEE OVERFLOW PARKING INTO OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. SO THAT WOULD BE FROM OLD MISSION AVENUE TO SOUTH STREET AND BORDERED BY THE MATANSAS AND SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER. >> CAN YOU SPEAK TO OUR COMMITMENT TO REFRESHING THE YELLOW CURBS WITHIN THAT ZONE? >> YES. THIS WAS DISCUSSED LAST TIME, SO WE'RE GOING TO WORK TO GET THE YELLOW CURBS REFRESHED AHEAD OF NIGHTS OF LIGHTS. WE'LL BE ADDING ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE AS WELL. WE'RE ALSO GOING TO LOOK AT PUTTING THE RIDER SIGN TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT IT IS $100 FINE. BUT TYPICALLY, WE TRY TO REFRESH THE YELLOW CURBS GOING INTO NIGHTS OF LIGHT SEASONS IN THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN AREA, SO WE'LL MAKE A BIG PUSH TO GET THIS ENTIRE ZONE DONE. >> EXCELLENT. MY QUESTION WOULD BE JUST SO I UNDERSTAND IT CLEARLY. IT'S FOR ILLEGAL PARKING ONLY, WHICH MEANS LIKE IN FRONT OF A FIRE HYDRANT OR ON THE GRASS OR ON THE SIDEWALK, ON A YELLOW CURB AND THE VIOLATING THE LOADING ZONES OR THE TAXI CABS OR UBERLYFT, OR WHATEVER THOSE CERTAIN ZONES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. >> YEAH, ALL OF THE ABOVE. >> THAT'S DOWNTOWN AREA. >> YES. WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE ILLEGAL PARKING, WHICH IS ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU HAD MENTIONED THERE IN THAT ZONE THAT I SAID, SO EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN OLD MISSION AVENUE, SOUTH STREET, THE MATANSAS RIVER AND SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER, WHICH IS THAT DOWNTOWN AREA. WE TRIED TO INCORPORATE THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE NORTH CITY AND ABBOTT TRACT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF OVERFLOW PARKING THAT HAPPENS IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. SO YOU CAN PARK ON A CURB THAT'S NOT RESTRICTED, BUT IF IT'S A RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING ZONE OR IT'S YELLOW CURBED, THEN YOU WOULD GET $100 FINE FOR PARKING IN THAT IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE PROPER PERMIT OR PARKED IN A YELLOW CURB AREA, WHICH IS A NO PARKING ZONE. >> WELL, THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF CONFUSION IN THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER THIS IS ABOUT IF I DON'T FEED THE METER AND IT EXPIRES ON AN EXPIRED METER, THEN I'M STILL GOING TO GET A $25 FINE, I'M NOT GOING TO GET 100 TO ELEVATED FINE. WE'RE HERE ONLY TO TALK ABOUT THE ELEVATED FINE ON ILLEGAL PARKING. [01:00:03] >> THAT'S CORRECT. WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME AND PARK AND BE COMPLIANT IN HOW THEY PARK. >> I THINK THAT HOPEFULLY THE MEDIA CAN HELP US ILLUMINATE THAT INSTEAD OF LETTING IT PROLIFERATE THAT'S IT'S ABOUT ALL ILLEGAL PARKING, BUT IT'S NOT. I'M VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THIS BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN OUT FACTOR. THE PENALTY HAS TO HURT A LITTLE BIT FOR IT TO BE EFFECTIVE. THAT IS WHY I'M IN FAVOR. COMMISSIONERS, AND IF ANYONE WISHES TO OFFER A MOTION, I DEFINITELY SUPPORT IT. COMMISSIONER, SPRINGFIELD, YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS? WE HAVE ONE CARD? >> NO, YOU DID THAT. >> I BELIEVE WE HAVE ONE CARD. >> WE HAVE ONE CARD. WE HAVE ONE FILLING ONE OUT AND WE HAVE ONE WHO ALREADY FILLED OUT A CARD, MS. LAUREN GEIBERG. >> LAUREN GEIBERG, 257 RIBERIA STREET. WELL, I THINK IT'S GREAT TO RAISE THE FINE FOR PEOPLE THAT PARK INAPPROPRIATELY WITHIN THE CITY. I THINK IT HAS TO BE THROUGHOUT EVERY SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD. LINCOLNVILLE WAS NOT MENTIONED. SINCE I HAVE LIVED THERE, I HAVE WITNESSED AND CALLED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT PEOPLE PARKING AT HANDICAP SIGNS THAT DO NOT HAVE A HANDICAP TAG OR STICKER. I HAVE CALLED ABOUT PEOPLE PARKING AT YELLOW LINES. I HAVE CALLED ABOUT PEOPLE PARKING IN FRONT OF THE FIRE HYDRANT, AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET MR. FRANKLIN TO PUT A SIGN UP THAT SAYS, NO PARKING FROM HERE TO THE CURB, WHICH HELPED THAT SO MUCH, BECAUSE IF THEIR WINDOWS GOT BROKEN, BECAUSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO USE THAT FIRE HYDRANT. WELL, YOU KNOW THEY'D BE SCREAMING AND CARRYING ON. BUT THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY'RE PARKED IN FRONT OF A FIRE HYDRANT. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THEY ARE TAKING UP A SPACE FOR HANDICAPPED PEOPLE. BUT WHAT THE SAPD DID WAS THEY WOULD GO INTO BLUE HEN AND MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT, MOVE YOUR CAR, AND THEY'RE LIKE, WELL, THEY'RE TOURISTS, AND I'M LIKE, WELL, I DON'T CARE. BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO WRITE THE TICKETS, WHAT PURPOSE DOES IT SERVE TO EVEN RAISE THE FINE? THESE PEOPLE NEED TO ACT AND BE ACTIVE, AND THEY'RE NOT. THEY'RE LIKE, OH, WELL, WE'RE A TOURIST TOWN, AND I'M LIKE, YEAH, AND WHAT MAKES YOU THINK HIM NOT GETTING THE $250 FINE OR HER NOT GETTING THE $250 FINE IS GOING TO STOP THEM FROM DOING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN IF THEY'RE NOT PENALIZED. THAT TO ME IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM. IT'S NOT JUST IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, NEEDS TO BE RESPECTED, BUT IT'S EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT NEEDS TO BE RESPECTED. EVERY SINGLE POLICE OFFICER THAT'S OUT THERE, THAT'S DRIVING THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD OR BICYCLING OR RIDING A HORSE OR WHATEVER THEY'RE DOING, AND THEY SEE SOMETHING OUT OF ORDER. YOU SEE SOMETHING, YOU SAY SOMETHING, AND YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. WHEN I WENT TO ISRAEL AT THE AGE OF 16, WE WERE TOLD NOT TO PICK UP ANYBODY ELSE'S LUGGAGE, NOT TO PICK UP A PACKAGE. WHY? BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS GOING TO BE A BOMB IN IT. YOU GO AND YOU SAY SOMETHING. I LIVED NEW YORK, FOR 30 YEARS, AND I ALWAYS WENT AND I ALWAYS SAID SOMETHING. THAT'S WHAT KEEPS US ALIVE. THAT'S WHAT KEEPS US SAFE, AND PEOPLE DOING THEIR JOBS IS A MAIN ASPECT OF THAT. IF THEY DO THEIRS, THE REST OF US CAN BE COMFORTABLE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER CARD. THANK YOU. PHILIP ANTHONY SMITH, LOADING ZONES FOR BUSINESSES. >> PHILIP ANTHONY SMITH, SO NINE BLACK OAK COURT [INAUDIBLE]. WE'RE ON THE SAME TEAM. WE'RE LOOKING GOOD, BUT THERE IS JUST ONE THING TO CONSIDER IS LOADING ZONES, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR CLIENTS. WE HAVE PEOPLE PURCHASING HIGH END ARTWORK AND HALF THE TIME THEY'RE PARKING ALL THE WAY AT THE PARKING GARAGE, AND WE'RE ON NINE KING STREET. JUST SOMETHING TO CONSIDER [01:05:03] IS SOME WHAT WE MAINLY HAVE PEOPLE DO IS COME AND PARK IN OUR LOADING ZONE, AND WE'VE GOT AN EYE ON THAT CAR TRYING TO HELP THEM GET IN AND GET OUT WITH VERY EXPENSIVE ARTWORK. IT'S UNIQUE FOR US, BUT IT'S A REAL SITUATION, AND WE'RE A BUSINESS THAT'S BEEN IN TOWN FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS, TO BE NINE YEARS IN SEPTEMBER. I KNOW THERE'S OTHER GALLERIES RIGHT ON THAT STREET THAT HAVE THAT SAME ISSUE. WE'RE BRINGING REALLY GOOD PEOPLE AND CLIENT AND FLUENT CLIENTS DOWN TO DOWNTOWN THAT ARE INVESTING INTO OUR TOWN. WE'RE ALSO A LOCAL ATTRACTION. IT'S SOMETHING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS, BUT AGAIN, WITH ALL THESE, I THINK THERE'S A BLANKET THING THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, AND I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I LIKE THE STING FACTOR ALSO. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WILL THERE BE SOME EXCEPTION THAT WE CAN BUILD INTO THERE, SO THAT IF SOMEONE GETS A TICKET AND IT'S IN THAT SCENARIO, THAT THEY DON'T GET HIT WITH SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BECAUSE THAT COULD BE A DETERRENT TO OUR BUSINESS. JUST TRYING TO BRING THAT OUT SO YOU GUYS CAN TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKER CARDS. PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED. WE ARE BACK TO THE BOARD FOR DISCUSSION. >> YEAH, I'D LIKE TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS. I SUPPORT THE PROGRAM, OBVIOUSLY, BUT JUST TO GO OVER A COUPLE OF THINGS. WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE YELLOW CURBS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION BECAUSE I HEAR THIS FROM RESIDENTS, EVEN IN MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS DOWNTOWN. THAT THESE YELLOW AREAS ARE OFTENTIMES UNLESS I'M WRONG, PROTECTING SIGHT LINES FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT FROM STREET. WHEN YOU PULL OUT FROM A STREET AND THERE'S TRAFFIC ON BOTH WAYS, THE CITY HAS A DETERMINED MEASUREMENT BACK FROM THAT INTERSECTION. OFTENTIMES WHEN THINGS GET CROWDED, PEOPLE GET IN THAT YELLOW SPACE, AND IT'S A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE TRYING TO PULL OUT ON A ROAD. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THERE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ADVANTAGE TO DOING THIS. I'M VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM. IT'S A PROGRAM THAT I VERY MUCH SUPPORT. IT'S REASSURING TO KNOW BECAUSE THAT'S ANOTHER THING I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE. YOU HAVE A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, PARTICULARLY AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW REALLY WELL A ABTRAK AND STUFF. THEY GET PEOPLE PARKING IN THE YELLOW ZONES AND THAT WAS A RESIDENT CONCERN. I'M VERY GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU TOOK COMMISSIONER GARRIS RECOMMENDATION FOR THE YELLOW ZONE, I THINK THAT'LL HELP. ALSO, I FELT MORE SUPPORTIVE WHEN YOU TOLD ME, OF COURSE, THERE'S APPEALS PROCESS TO THIS, TOO. IF SOMEBODY DOES HAVE A GENTLEMAN HAS A PROBLEM, IT IS, YOU CAN GO TO THE COURTHOUSE AND APPEAL IT DOWN TO THE COUNTY. ONE OTHER THING, IT WAS MAYBE MENTIONED THAT IT WAS JUST DOWNTOWN FROM WHAT I LOOKED AT THE MAP, IT DOES GO DOWN THE SOUTH STREET, WHICH WOULD INCORPORATE A PORTION OF LINCOLNVILLE DEPENDING ON WHERE WHAT YOU CALL LINCOLNVILLE, BUT AS FAR AS THE LINCOLNVILLE, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WILL COVER SOME OF THAT TO SOUTH STREET. OTHER THAN THAT, I SUPPORT IT. >> EXCELLENT. COMMISSIONER [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE YELLOW CURBS WOULD BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND THE SIGNAGE, SAYING THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE $100 TICKET, THAT'S IMPORTANT. I KNOW I'M GOING TO PROBABLY THROW EVERYBODY OFF BUT I SAY THIS. I THINK THAT AND ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WAS BLOCKING SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY WAS ANOTHER WAY. I THINK BLOCKING SOMEBODY'S DRIVEWAY SHOULD BE CITYWIDE. THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE WHEN YOU GO HOME, YOU WANT TO GET YOUR DRIVEWAY. I THINK IT'S REAL INCONSIDERATE WITH SOMEBODY TO BLOCK SOMEBODY'S DRIVEWAY, WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO GET INTO THEIR DRIVEWAY TO GET HOME, AND NOW THERE'S A CAR, AND NOW YOU GOT TO GO DOOR TO DOOR TO FIND OUT WHO PARKED THERE BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW. AS FAR AS THAT'S CONCERNED, THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY PUZZLES ME IS THAT, THE YOUNG LADY SPOKE, I CAN'T REMEMBER HE NAME, BUT SHE WAS SAYING HOW SHE CALLED THE POLICE ABOUT HANDICAP COMING OUT FOR HANDICAPS, AND THEN THE COP COMES OUT AND GOES IN AND ASSES. IF SOMEBODY PARKS IN A HANDICAP SPOT, THERE'S A BLUE SIGN AND IT INDICATES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PAY HER $250. THERE'S NO GOING INSIDE FINDING OUT WHO PARKED THERE BECAUSE YOU ARE PROHIBITING SOMEONE THAT TOOK THE TIME TO GO AND GET A HANDICAP STICKER. [01:10:03] THERE'S NO WARNING. THERE'S YOU GET A TICKET FOR $250. I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO ENFORCE THAT. THIS CAN GET PASSED. BUT THE REALITY IS IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH POLICE, IT'S JUST BASICALLY SMOKE AND MIRRORS AND I STILL FEELS LIKE IT'S REALLY NOT MAKING US SEEM FRIENDLY AS FAR AS A COMMUNITY BECAUSE I THINK THE TICKETS SHOULD GO UP. I'M NOT THAT NAIVE TO THINK THAT $35 IS GOING TO PREVENT SOMEBODY FROM PARKING SOMEWHERE. BUT I THINK THAT WE COULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE LOWER, LIKE MAYBE $75. WE ARE TRIP THE COST OF A TICKET. THERE'S REPEAT PEOPLE THAT COME HERE YEAR AFTER YEAR. THERE'S GOING TO BE NEW PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY MARKET TO COME HERE. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. THAT'S WHY I TEASE THE MAYOR EARLY AND SAY, DON'T TELL PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO COME HERE. WE REALLY AIN'T GOING BE TO MOVE AROUND ON THESE STREETS. WHAT I THINK WE'RE CREATING IS WE'RE GOING TO CREATE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE SO PARANOID WHEN THIS BILL GOES THROUGH THAT THEY'RE JUST GOING TO CIRCLE AROUND, ROUND AND ROUND. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PARK. YOU THINK WE WE GOT A PARK NOW BEING DEADLOCKED. THEY'RE JUST GOING RIGHT AROUND, SO THEY DON'T GET A TICKET OF ANY SORT. THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS. I WOULD LIKE THE PRICE CHANGED, BUT I THINK I AGREE WITH A $100. IF YOU PARK IN FRONT OF MY DRIVEWAY, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT, HONEY. [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE WHEN I SWING IN THAT LITTLE DRIVEWAY THAT I'M BLESSED TO OWN MY HOUSE, I WANT TO GET IN THERE. I THINK YOU ALL AGREE WITH THAT. I THINK EVEN THE RESIDENTS OUT THERE CAN IDENTIFY WHAT WHEN YOU WANT TO GO HOME, I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE HAVING A PARTY DOWN THE STREET. WHAT I WANT TO PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY. IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE A HOUSE, TO RENT A HOUSE, TO BE ABLE TO GET WHERE YOU NEED TO GO. AS FAR AS THE HANDICAP, IT SAY 250, IT SHOULD BE 250. IT'S POSTED ON EVERY SIDE. FAR AS THE YELLOW CURB, LIKE I SAID, IF THIS PUSHES FORWARD, THE YELLOW CURB NEEDS TO BE YELLOW SO WE DON'T GET ANY FLEET BACK AND I KNOW YOU SAID ABOUT THE APPEALS. BUT IF I LIVE IN SAVANNAH, DO YOU REALLY THINK I'M GOING TO COME BACK HERE AND GO TO COURT? I SPENT A $100 COMING BACK HERE. THOSE ARE JUST THINGS TO BE MINDFUL FOR. I KNOW A LOT OF WORK WAS PUT IN THIS. I RESPECT THE WORK THAT WAS PUT IN THIS, BUT I HAVE TO THINK BESIDE MYSELF. I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT I HEAR FROM. THAT LITTLE NEXT DOOR GOES ON AND ON, AND OTHER PLACES ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS. THE BUSINESS PEOPLE ARE THINKING WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT UNFRIENDLY FOR PEOPLE TO COME DOWNTOWN. THAT'S MY TWO CENT. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MELISSA MISTILY AND JAMIE PERKINS FOR GETTING ON THE BREAK ROOM AND REMINDING EVERYBODY THAT SEPTEMBER 1ST, YOUR CARD IS NO GOOD. YOU PARK YOUR CAR. YOU CAN TRADE IT IN FOR CASH SO YOU CAN GO DOWN AND YOU CAN CASH THAT IN. THE PARK NOW APP IS WONDERFUL. YOU CAN GET IT FROM ANYWHERE AND YOU CAN REDO YOUR PARKING. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO HAVE THE MANAGER LOOK INTO SOMETHING FOR EMPLOYEES. WE GIVE THIS PRIVILEGE TO EVERYBODY IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. THAT'S 345,000 PEOPLE GET THIS PRIVILEGE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. I THINK I BROUGHT THIS UP SOME MONTHS AGO STARTING THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT $100 BECAUSE I GOT $140 TICKET IN ASHVILLE. I GO TO ASHVILLE THREE OR FOUR TIMES A YEAR. I'LL NEVER PARK INCORRECTLY IN ASHVILLE AGAIN, $140 HURT. IT COSTS ME $23 A DAY TO GET BREAKFAST. THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS DOES NOT HURT, $100 WILL HURT, AND IT NEEDS TO STAY $100 AT MINIMUM. I WOULD NOT AGREE WITH MY COMPADRE ON LOWERING IT. I THINK IT'S $100 IS A GOOD NUMBER. IT'S BEEN $35 FOR 35 YEARS. IT'S A NUMBER THAT NEEDS TO GO UP. I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS. I'VE GOTTEN OFF MY SOAPBOX ABOUT ALL TICKETS. WE'LL TRY AGAIN ANOTHER YEAR. >> THERE'S NOTHING LIKE REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE. VICE MAYOR. >> I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THIS. IF THERE ARE SOME TWEAKS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE, WE CAN ALWAYS DO THAT IN THE FUTURE. IF WE WANT TO EXPAND IT, IF WE MESSAGE IT DIFFERENTLY, WHATEVER, BUT WE ROLL IT OUT AND START TAKING CARE OF THE ILLEGAL PARKING, MAKE IT SERIOUS. >> I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE GRAVITY. [LAUGHTER] MY ONLY QUESTION IS, [01:15:01] BEFORE WE MAKE MOTION, I JUST HAD ONE LITTLE THING ABOUT ENFORCEMENT. HOW DO WE PLAN OUR DO WE HAVE A COMMUNICATION PLAN ON WARNING EVERYBODY THAT THIS IS, LIKE I SAID, WE'VE HAD SOME MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND CONFUSION IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. DO WE HAVE ANY PLAN TO INCREASE ENFORCEMENT, PATROL, ALSO COMMUNICATE SO THAT WE DON'T GET ANYONE CAUGHT IN THE IN THE CHANGE. WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS SO WE CAN HAVE THIS IN PLACE FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS. THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF TEN DAYS IN THE ORDINANCE. BUT TYPICALLY WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WE ISSUE WARNING WHEN SOMETHING NEW LIKE THIS COMES ACROSS, WE WOULDN'T JUST GO OUT AND START ISSUING TICKETS, WE'D ISSUE WARNINGS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. I WILL CATCH LOCALS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE PARKING AND MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE PROGRAM. WE'LL WORK WITH MELISSA'S DEPARTMENT TO PUT THE MESSAGE OUT. BUT WE'RE REALLY GEARING UP AND ROLLING IN TOWARDS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS. THAT WOULD BE THE PLAN MOVING FORWARD AS THEY START TO ISSUE WARNINGS, MAKING PEOPLE AWARE. BUT AS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS COMES AROUND, BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER, WE'RE ISSUING ILLEGAL PARKING TICKETS. FOR THE HUNDRED DOLLAR. >> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. I THINK WE'VE DONE ALL THE BEST WE CAN. WE'VE DONE THE BEST WE CAN HERE. ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> I'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2025- 22. THANK YOU. I WAS SCROLLING AHEAD. A SECOND READING. >> YOU SPEAKERS ORDINANCE. >> I'LL SECOND IT. >> SORRY. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-22 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 24-31 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, INCREASING THE FINE FOR PAYING PARKING CITATIONS $35-100 FOR VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 24-39, 24-45, 24-46 AND 24-47. WITHIN THE BOUNDARY DEFINED BY OLD MISSION AVENUE, METANSAS RIVER, SOUTH STREET, AND SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER, AMENDING SECTION 24-46 TO INCLUDE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED PARKING STANDS MARKED TO IDENTIFY THE CLASS OF USER ALLOWED TO STOP STAND OR PARK IN THAT STAND, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> BARBARA BLONDER? >> YES. >> JOHN D PRATER? >> YES. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS? >> NO. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD? >> YES. >> NANCY SIKES KLINE? >> YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [9.A.1. Ordinance 2025-23: Amends the Future Land Use Designation of approximately 11.39 Acres at Florida Avenue and 3 Theodore Street East of Nesmith Avenue. (A. Skinner, Planning and Building Director)] >> MOVING ON TO ORDINANCES FIRST READING 9A1 IS ORDINANCE 2025-23. THAT'S MS. SKINNER. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS AMY SKINNER. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT. THE NEXT SIX ORDINANCES ACTUALLY ARE RELATED TO CITY PROPERTIES THAT WERE PURCHASED AS PART OF THE CITY'S CONSERVATION PROGRAM. TWO OF THE PROPERTIES HAVE ALSO RECEIVED GRANTS TOWARD THE PURCHASE FROM THE FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRUST. THE PCB MADE POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ON ALL OF THESE PROPOSED CHANGES AT THEIR AUGUST 5, 2025 REGULAR MEETING. THE LAND USE AND ZONING RECOMMENDATIONS MAY MAKE THE PROPOSED LAND USE AND ZONING DISTRICTS CONSISTENT WITH EACH OTHER. ORDINANCE 2025-23 AND ORDINANCE 2025-24, AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION AND ZONING DESIGNATION RESPECTIVELY FOR PROPERTY ALONG FLORIDA AVENUE AND THREE THEODORE STREET. THE PROPERTY AT FLORIDA AVENUE AND THEODORE STREET IS APPROXIMATELY 11.39 ACRES EAST OF NESMITH STREET AND BETWEEN THEODORE STREET TO THE NORTH AND JOSIAH STREET TO THE SOUTH. THE PROPERTY CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 2.97 UPLAND ACRES AND 8 WATER WORLD ACRES. ORDINANCE 2025-23 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE LAND USE FROM RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY, AND OPEN LAND, VERY LOW DENSITY TO RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ON THE UPLAND AREA AND OPEN LAND CONSERVATION ON THE WATER WORLD AREA. THE OPEN LAND CONSERVATION CATEGORY WAS A NEW CATEGORY CREATED IN THE 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE PROPERTY IS ACTUALLY BEING ASSIGNED TO THAT CATEGORY. [9.A.2. Ordinance 2025-24: Amends the Zoning of approximately 11.39 acres at Florida Avenue and 3 Theodore Street East of Nesmith Avenue. (A. Skinner, Planning and Building Director)] THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING. ORDINANCE 2025-24 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF THE PROPERTY FROM [01:20:06] RG1 TO GU OR GOVERNMENT USE ON THE UPLAND PORTION AND OPEN LAND ON THE WATER WORLD PORTION. BECAUSE THIS IS A REZONING, ORDINANCE 2025-24 REQUIRES THAT THE COMMISSION INDICATE WHETHER THEY HAD ANY EX-PARTE COMMUNICATION. THIS IS ALSO AN INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING. >> THANK YOU. WE'LL GO THROUGH AND DO EX-PARTE COMMUNICATION. I HAVE NONE. >> I HAVE NONE. >> I HAVE NONE. >> IT'S ON THE PLANNING BOARD, BUT NOT FOR THIS, NONE. >> GREAT. LET'S SEE. ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? THIS IS A FIRST READING. VICE MAYOR, YOUR TIMING IS PERFECT. DO YOU HAVE EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ON THIS ITEM? DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OF STAFF ON THIS ITEM? >> I DON'T. >> THANK YOU, THAT SAID, WE PASS ORDINANCE 2025-23 ON FIRST READING. TITLE PASSED RED TITLE PASSED? YES. >> SECOND. >> SORRY. >> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-23, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP PLUM DESIGNATION OF A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 11.39 ACRES LOCATED AT FLORIDA AVENUE AND THREE THEODORE STREET. EAST OF NESMITH AVENUE BETWEEN THEODORE STREET TO THE NORTH AND JOSIAH STREET TO THE SOUTH. AS PORTIONS OF WHITNEY SUBDIVISION, PART OF RAVENSWOOD IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HERE UNDER AFTER, CHANGING APPROXIMATELY 2.97 UPLAND ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM ITS CURRENT LAND USE DESIGNATION OF RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY TO RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE, AND CHANGING APPROXIMATELY 8.42 WATER WORLD ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM ITS CURRENT DESIGNATION OF OPEN LAND VERY LOW DENSITY TO OPEN LAND CONSERVATION. PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE CALL THE VOTE, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> NANCY SIKES KLINE? >> YES. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD. >> YES. >> ONDA PRATER. >> YES. >> BARBARA BLONDER. >> YES. >> THEN, VERY MUCH. WE'LL GO AHEAD SINCE YOU DID, DO YOU'VE ALREADY PRESENTED BOTH? >> YES, YOU CAN. >> SO ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS ON ORDINANCE 2025-24, WHICH IS THE ZONING CHANGE? >> NO. >> NO, OKAY. >> NO. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE 2025-24 AS READ BY TITLE. >> SECOND, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-24, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 11.39 ACRES LOCATED AT FLORIDA AVENUE AND 3 THEODORE STREET, EAST OF NESMITH AVENUE, BETWEEN THEODORE STREET TO THE NORTH AND JULIA STREET TO THE SOUTH AS PORTIONS OF WHITNEY'S SUBDIVISION, PART OF RAVENSWOOD. IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 2.97 UPLAND ACRES, FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL GENERAL ONE (RG-1) TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT USE (GU), AND REZONING APPROXIMATELY 8.42 WATERWORD ACRES FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL GENERAL ONE, (RG-1), TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF ''OPEN LAND'' (OL), PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> JON DEPRETER? >> YES. >> BARBARA BLONDER? >> YES. >>JIM SPRINGFIELD? >> YES. >> NANCY SIKES KLINE? >> YES. >> ON TO THE NEXT. [9.A.3. Ordinance 2025-25: Amends the Future Land Use Designation of approximately 6.57 acres at Florida Avenue and Julia Street East of Florida Avenue. (A. Skinner, Planning and Building Director)] >> THE NEXT TWO ORDINANCES, ORDINANCE 2025-25 AND ORDINANCE 2025-26. AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION AND ZONING DESIGNATION, RESPECTIVELY, FOR PROPERTY ALONG FLORIDA AVENUE AND JULIA STREET. THE PROPERTY AT FLORIDA AVENUE AND JULIA STREET IS APPROXIMATELY 6.57 ACRES, EAST OF FLORIDA AVENUE BETWEEN JULIA STREET TO THE NORTH AND EVERGREEN AVENUE TO THE SOUTH. THE PROPERTY CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 4.26 UPLAND ACRES AND 2.31 WATERWORLD ACRES. ORDINANCE 2025-25 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE LAND USE FROM RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY AND OPEN LAND, VERY LOW DENSITY TO RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ON THE UPLAND PORTION, AND OPEN LAND CONSERVATION ON THE WATERWORLD AREA. AGAIN, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT PROPERTY IS BEING ASSIGNED TO THIS OPEN LAND CONSERVATION LAND USE CATEGORY. THIS IS THE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING. ORDINANCE 2025-26 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF THE PROPERTY FROM (RG-2) [01:25:04] AND (OL) TO (GU) OR GOVERNMENT USE ON THE UPLAND PORTION OF THE PROPERTY AND OPEN LAND ON THE WATERWORLD PORTION. THIS ALSO ASSIGNS (GU) AND (OL) TO PORTIONS OF A VACATED RIGHT AWAY. BECAUSE THIS IS A REZONING ORDINANCE, PLEASE INDICATE ANY EX PARTE COMMUNICATION. THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING, ALSO. THANK YOU. >> WE'LL DO EX PARTE. I HAVE NONE. NO ONE HAS EX PARTE? >> NONE. >> GREAT. NONE TO REPORT. THANK YOU. >> QUESTIONS OF STAFF ON THIS. I MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2025-25. >> SECOND, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-25, AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP PLUM DESIGNATION OF A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 6.57 ACRES LOCATED AT FLORIDA AVENUE AND JULIA STREET. EAST OF FLORIDA AVENUE BETWEEN JULIA STREET TO THE NORTH AND EVERGREEN AVENUE TO THE SOUTH AS PORTIONS OF RAVENSWOOD SUBDIVISION, IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER, CHANGING APPROXIMATELY 4.26 UPLAND ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM ITS CURRENT LAND USE DESIGNATION OF RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY, TO RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE, AND CHANGING APPROXIMATELY 2.31 WATERWORLD ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM ITS CURRENT DESIGNATION OF OPEN LAND, VERY LOW DENSITY TO OPEN LAND CONSERVATION, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> NANCY SIKES KLINE? >> YES. >> JON DEPRETER? >> YES. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS? >> YES. >>JIM SPRINGFIELD? >>YES. >> BARBARA BLONDER? >> YES. >> THESE WERE TWO. >> DO YOU WANT TO PRESENT THE SECOND ONE AS WELL, OR ADD? >> I BELIEVE I DID. >> THIS IS ALREADY DONE. ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS ON 2025-25? >> 26. >> SORRY, 26, WE'RE ON 26. IF NONE, THEN I MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2025-26 ON FIRST READING, READ BY TITLE ONLY. >> I THINK I GOT THE SECOND LAST TIME WHEN YOU DID IT, SO I WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU P SECOND. [9.A.4. Ordinance 2025-26: Amends the Zoning of approximately 6.57 acres at Florida Avenue and Julia Street East of Florida Avenue. (A. Skinner, Planning and Building Director)] >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2020 5-26, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 6.57 ACRES LOCATED AT FLORIDA AVENUE AND JULIA STREET, EAST OF FLORIDA AVENUE BETWEEN JULIA STREET TO THE NORTH AND EVERGREEN AVENUE TO THE SOUTH AS PORTIONS OF THE RAVENSWOOD SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 2.53 ACRE FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL GENERAL TWO RG-2 TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT USE (GU). REZONING APPROXIMATELY 1.28 ACRES FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF 'OPEN LAND' (OL) TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT USE (GU), REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.33 ACRES OF FORMER CITY RIGHT OF WAY FROM UNDESIGNATED TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT USE (GU), AND REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.12 ACRES OF FORMER CITY RIGHT OF WAY FROM UNDESIGNATED TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF OPEN LAND, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> EXCELLENT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? DEBATE. ALL RIGHT. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> NANCY SIKES KLINE. >> YES. >> JON DEPRETER. >> YES. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS. >> YES. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD. >> YES. >> BARBARA BLONDER. >> YES. >> WONDERFUL. MOVING ON TO THE NEXT SET. [9.A.5. Ordinance 2025-27: Amends the Future Land Use Designation of approximately 2.47 acres at 10, 14, and 18 Smith Street and Evergreen Avenue East of Nesbit Avenue. (A. Skinner, Planning and Building Director)] >> YES. THESE ARE THE LAST TWO. ORDINANCE 2020 5-27 AND ORDINANCE 2020 5-28. AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION AND ZONING DESIGNATION, RESPECTIVELY, FOR 10, 14, AND 18 SMITH STREET AND EVERGREEN AVENUE. THE PROPERTY AT SMITH STREET AND EVERGREEN AVENUE IS APPROXIMATELY 2.47 ACRES EAST OF NESMITH AVENUE BETWEEN EVERGREEN AVENUE TO THE NORTH AND SMITH STREET TO THE SOUTH. THE PROPERTY CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 1.4 UPLAND ACRES AND APPROXIMATELY ONE ACRE OF WATERWORLD LAND. ORDINANCE 2020 5-27 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE LAND USE FROM RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY, AND OPEN LAND, VERY LOW DENSITY TO RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ON THE UPLAND ACRES, AND OPEN LAND CONSERVATION ON THE WATERWORLD ACRES. AGAIN, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS BEEN APPLIED, SO WE'RE EXCITED FOR THAT. ORDINANCE 2020 5-28 PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF THE PROPERTY FROM RG [01:30:01] ONE TO GU OR GOVERNMENT USE ON THE UPLAND PORTION AND OPEN LAND ON THE WATERWORLD PORTION. BECAUSE THIS IS A REZONING, PLEASE ALSO INDICATE ANY EX PARTE COMMUNICATION. THIS IS ALSO AN INTRODUCTION IN THE FIRST READING. >> I HAVE NO EX PARTE COMMUNICATION ON EITHER ON THESE PARCELS, SORRY. >> ME NEITHER. >>I HAVE NONE. >>NONE. >> NO. >> SORRY. I MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2025 27 ONTO SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING, READ BY TITLE ONLY, AND PASSED. >> I'LL SECOND IT. >> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2020 5-27 AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP PLUM DESIGNATION OF A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 2.47 ACRES LOCATED AT 10:14 AND 18 SMITH STREET AND EVERGREEN AVENUE, EAST OF NESMITH AVENUE BETWEEN EVERGREEN AVENUE TO THE NORTH AND SMITH STREET TO THE SOUTH AS PORTIONS OF THE BOVE PLATE SHOWING SUBDIVISION OF PROP, IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES. >> IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREAFTER, CHANGING APPROXIMATELY 1.4 UPLAND ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM ITS CURRENT LAND USE DESIGNATION OF RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY TO RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE, AND CHANGING APPROXIMATELY 1.07 WATERWORD ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM ITS CURRENT DESIGNATION OF OPEN LAND, VERY LOW DENSITY TO OPEN LAND CONSERVATION, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE SEVEN VALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> EXCELLENT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >>NANCY SIKES? >> YES. >> JOHN D PRATER. >>YES. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS. >> YES. >>BARBARA BLONDER? >> YES. >> FOR ORDINANCE 2020 5-28, WE'VE HEARD OUR PRESENTATION. I MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2020 5-28 TO SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING, READ BY TITLE ONLY AND PASSED. >> SECOND. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-28, [9.A.6. Ordinance 2025-28: Amends the Zoning of approximately 2.47 acres at 10, 14, and 18 Smith Street and Evergreen Avenue East of Nesbit Avenue. (A. Skinner, Planning and Building Director)] AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, REZONING A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 2.47 ACRES LOCATED AT 10:14 AND 18 SMITH STREET, AND EVERGREEN AVENUE, EAST OF NESMITH AVENUE, BETWEEN EVERGREEN AVENUE TO THE NORTH AND SMITH STREET TO THE SOUTH AS PORTIONS OF THE BOVE PLATE SHOWING SUBDIVISION OF PROP. IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HERE ANDAFTER, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 1.4 UP UPLAND ACRES FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL GENERAL 1, RG 1, TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT USE GU, AND REZONING APPROXIMATELY 1.07 WATERWORD ACRES FROM ITS CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL GENERAL 1, RG 1, TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION OF OPEN LAND, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> NANCY SANKS KIN. >> YES. >> FARMA BLONDER. >> YES. >> JOHN D FRATER. >> YES. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS? >> YES. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD? >> YES. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MISS SKINNER. WE APPRECIATE THAT. WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE SECOND HEARING AND PUBLIC SECOND READING, AND PUBLIC HEARING. WE'RE MOVING ON TO RESOLUTION NINE B. [9.B. Resolutions] WE HAVE 12025-30 THAT HAS BEEN LAID ON THE DESK TO US TONIGHT. WE WOULD APPRECIATE AN OVERVIEW OF THIS FROM MADAM CITY ATTORNEY OR MR. CITY MANAGER, WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE. >> RESOLUTION 2020 5-30 ESTABLISHES A MEETING BETWEEN THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THIS JOINT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 27, WHICH IS THIS WEDNESDAY, AT 3:00 P.M. AT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT COMPLEX. THE SUBJECT IS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS. IF THE COUNTY CHOOSES NOT TO ADVERTISE THIS AS A JOINT MEETING, THEN THE CITY COMMISSION AS AN ORGANIZATION WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND. YOU MUST AT THAT TIME, CHOOSE WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT A SINGLE CITY COMMISSIONER TO REPRESENT THE CITY COMMISSION, DOING SO, IF THE CITY COMMISSION CHOSE TO GO WITHOUT THE COUNTY'S ADVERTISING THE JOINT MEETING, THAT WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF THE SUNSHINE LAWS. NOT SURE IF I EXPLAINED THAT VERY WELL, BUT YOUR ATTORNEYS ARE HERE TO FILL IN THE BLANKS. >> I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB. [01:35:01] >> IS THE BEGINNING STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? I THINK IT'S A HOUSEKEEPING MATTER. I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF IT NEEDS TO BE A JOINT MEETING, AND WE NEED TO, BY FLORIDA STATUTE, APPROVE IT HERE BY RESOLUTION. SO, AS SIMPLE AS THAT. >> THAT IS CORRECT. THAT IS ASSUMING THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION OR THE COUNTY STAFF WILL ALSO AGREE THAT IT IS A JOINT MEETING. >> THAT'S UP TO THEM, CORRECT. >> IT IS. I DON'T KNOW IF, ONCE YOU ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION, YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT ALTERNATIVES IN CASE THEY DO NOT DO SO. I'M HAPPY TO HELP THERE TOO. >> WELL, AS FAR AS MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE'VE BEEN INVITED TO A WORKSHOP. I HAVE BEEN JUST TO UPDATE YOU. THE CITY MANAGER AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TALK TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND UPDATE THEM ON THE PROGRAM. SO WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO MEET WITH THEM AND UNDERSTAND, BUT I REALLY HAVEN'T HAD ANY DIRECT COMMUNICATION ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. SO I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST I WOULD ASK THE COMMISSION, DOES EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS RESOLUTION IS CONCERNING? DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS OF THE CITY STAFF? >> I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS. >> I'M SURE YOU DO. AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK IT OUT. SO HOPEFULLY WE DON'T SPEND. WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS. AND IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT MATTER, AND FRANKLY, WE'VE SPENT QUITE A LOT OF TIME DISCUSSING THIS. AT LEAST I HAVE IN THE CITY MANAGER HAS. AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS REALLY A HOUSEKEEPING MATTER. WE NEED TO DECIDE IF WE WISH TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION, WHICH WOULD, IN EFFECT, SO TO SPEAK, FORCE THE HAND OF THE, I GUESS, THE COUNTY TO MAKE IT A JOINT MEETING. OTHERWISE, WE CAN'T BE THERE. UNLESS WE CHOOSE TO APPOINT A LIAISON. THAT'S NOT A REPRESENTATIVE, CORRECT, BUT SOMEONE JUST TO SIT THERE. >> WELL, THEY CAN TALK ABOUT FACTUAL ISSUES, AND THEY JUST CAN'T BIND THE COMMISSION. HOW'S THAT? >> THEY CAN'T BIND THE COMMISSION BECAUSE IT IS A WORKSHOP. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEIR WORKSHOPS DO NOT HAVE DECISIONS. WE'LL START WITH YOU. >> MY BEGINNING QUESTION IS, WE DID GET A NOTICE OF A ST JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP ON WEDNESDAY, AT 3:00. SO FAR, THEY HAVE NOT ADVERTISED IT THAT I KNOW OF AS A WORKSHOP THAT'S JOINT. THAT'S CORRECT. >> THEY HAVE NOT ADVERTISED IT AS A JOINT WORKSHOP. >> THEY HAVE NOT ADVERTISED IT BEYOND THE COUNTY WEBSITE AS A SCHEDULED MEETING. I'VE BEEN CHECKING ON THAT. >> COULD OUR ATTORNEY ENLIGHTEN US UNDER THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEM TO BE ABLE HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE TO ANNOUNCE A MEETING LIKE THAT? >> THERE'S NO STATUTORY MINIMUM NOTICE. IT'S REASONABLE NOTICE. WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT IF THE CITY COMMISSION PASSES THIS RESOLUTION, SAYING, YES, WE UNDERSTAND UNDER STATUTE FOR OUR BOARD TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT MEETING, WHICH IS HELD OUTSIDE THE CITY BOUNDARIES. THE ONLY WAY WE CAN LEGALLY DO SO IS THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION, SAYING IT'S A JOINT MEETING. MAYBE THAT WILL ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO CHANGE ITS WEBSITE ADVERTISEMENT TO SAY IT IS A JOINT MEETING SO THAT YOU CAN PARTICIPATE? >> YES. >> IT SEEMS LIKE A TERMINOLOGY ISSUE. PLEASE. >> I JUST THINK THE DETERMINATION WE SHOULD MAKE FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD SO FAR IS WHETHER WE ALL WANT TO GO. IF WE WANT TO GO, THEN WE DECIDE WE WANT TO GO, AND THEN WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO THAT. BECAUSE WE CAN'T CONTROL WHAT THEY'RE DOING, REALLY. I THINK THE DISCUSSION IS, IS IT MORE BENEFICIAL FOR ALL OF US OR THE ONES THAT WANT TO GO TO BE THERE? I KNOW I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE VIDEOS. I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF HEAVY LIFTING. I'VE SEEN THE DISCUSSION. >> IT'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK. >> IT'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE MEETINGS, AND I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN DOING A VERY GOOD JOB. I MEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE UP THERE. IT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT INTERESTS. I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU, AND AS A COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO THANK YOU AS MAYOR FOR REPRESENTING OUR CITY. MY FIRST QUESTION WOULD BE, WOULD YOU LIKE SOME HELP? CAN NUMBER TWO, WOULD THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS BE INTERESTED IN GOING? IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN I SAY WE JUST MOVE ALONG AND PASS THIS AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THAT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION. >> MAKES SENSE TO ME, VICE MAYOR. >> YOU WANTED TO ADD TO IT. >> THANKS TO WHAT HE SAID. I JUST WANT TO SAY IT DOES SEEM A LITTLE BIT ODD FOR THEM TO HAVE A WORKSHOP ON NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AND NOT HAVE US REPRESENTED, OF COURSE. [01:40:03] >> OKAY. >> YES, IT'S YOUR TURN NOW, PLEASE. >> OKAY. >> SPEAK. >> THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS VARIABLES. ONE IS, WE ARE ASKING THE COUNTY FOR A LOT OF MONEY, WHICH WE HAVEN'T DONE IN THE PAST. THEY HAVE GIVEN US A STANDARD AMOUNT EVERY YEAR PRIOR TO THE NIGHTLIGHT. OUT OF RESPECT TO ASSISTING US AS THEY CAME HERE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD. ANN TAYLOR, AND ALSO THE OTHER GENTLEMAN, I CAN'T BELIEVE. I CAN'T THINK OF HIS NAME. CLAY MURPHY. THEY CAME HERE AND SAID THAT THEY WANTED TO BE OF ASSISTANCE. I WAS CONTACTED BY SARAH ARNOLD SAYING THAT WE NEEDED TO MEET TO DISCUSS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS. SHE DID THAT AS A THING BECAUSE IT WASN'T LOOKING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO PASS AND GIVING US THE MONEY FOR THE ASSISTANCE. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS BECAUSE LAST YEAR WAS REALLY PRETTY TIGHT. WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF THINGS, A LOT OF VARIABLES. MORE PEOPLE WERE GETTING COMING TO THIS MEETING. I TOOK THE CITY MANAGER, HIM AND I BOTH WENT TO DISCUSS THIS, AND SHE TOLD HER HER PLAN TO HAVE A WORKSHOP WHERE WE ALL GET TOGETHER, BECAUSE SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COMMISSION, I HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER. IT'S NOT THEM OVER THERE AND US OVER HERE. WE ARE ALL THE SAME COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE GO TO THEIR MEETINGS, WHETHER WE FOLLOW THEIR MEETINGS, WE ARE ONE COMMUNITY. WHAT HAPPENS HERE AFFECTS THEM ROUNDABOUT AND WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE COUNTY AFFECTS. THEY SAID THAT THEY WANTED TO HAVE A WORKSHOP. THEY WANTED TO HAVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE THERE SO THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH A PLAN THAT THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. IT DOESN'T ALL NEED TO FALL ON THE CITY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING IN OTHER PERIMETERS BEYOND THE CITY LIMITS WHEN THEY COME HERE. THEY GOT TO DRIVE THROUGH THE COUNTY TO GET TO THE CITY TO THE CORE OF THE CITY AND DIFFERENT THINGS. A WORKSHOP WAS DISCUSSED. THEY HAD SOME ROUNDABOUT DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY WANTED TO COME TO THE WORKSHOP JUST TO GET SOME FEEDBACK, SO WE COULD GET A GOOD UNDERSTANDING. I LEFT THE MEETING, FEELING GOOD ABOUT IT. I THINK THE CITY MANAGER LEFT THE MEETING FEELING GOOD ABOUT IT. IT WAS MYSELF, SARAH ARNOLD, JOY, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. IT WAS SUSAN PHILLIPS, AND IT WAS KAREN ZANDER. IT WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE KEY TO WHAT'S GOING ON DOWNTOWN. SHE REPRESENTED THE BUSINESS, SHE REPRESENTED THAT AND SO FORTH. WE DIDN'T DISCUSS WHAT WE WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE WORKSHOP. WE JUST GAVE AN OVERVIEW THAT WE COULD COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT CAN GO BEFORE THE COMMISSION, SO WE GET OUR MONEY, AND WHAT THE MONEY CAN'T BE SPENT ON. THE WORKSHOP IS CRUCIAL. FOR US TO GET THE FUNDS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL NIGHTS AND LIGHTS. IT'S NOT A POWER TRIP, IT'S NOT THIS OR THAT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU'VE HAD SOME MEETINGS AS WELL, CORRECT WITH THE COMMISSIONERS, MAYOR. I MEAN, SO IT'S BASICALLY JUST TRYING TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING SO THAT WE CAN BE BETTER PREPARED FOR WHAT THE OUTCOME IS GOING TO BE. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, ARE YOU FINISHED? THEN VICE MAYOR. >> I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY. COMMISSIONER GARRIS JUST TO START. COMMISSIONER GARRIS, YOU INDICATED THAT MAYOR SYKES KLEIN HAS MET WITH THE COMMISSIONERS. THAT'S SOME OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. SHE HAS NOT MET WITH US. WE NOT VIOLATED SUNSHINE. >> NO. >> I WANTED TO BE REALLY CLEAR ON THAT. I'M GOING TO SAY A FEW THINGS, AND PLEASE INDULGE ME WITH THE TIME. I WANT TO START BY SAYING THAT STAFF IN PARTICULAR, SPENT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO DEVELOP A PLAN THAT WAS ADDRESSING THE VERY CONCERNS I THINK THAT THE COUNTY STILL HAS, WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND. IT WAS A VERY CLEARLY LAID OUT PLAN. IT WAS VETTED BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS AND ALL OF THE OTHER INTERESTS, INCLUDING THE RESIDENTS. I CLAIM THAT I FOUGHT FOR THE RESIDENTS IN OUR QUALITY OF LIFE BY ADVOCATING FOR A SHORTER NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, AND WE DID PASS THAT. THEN WE WENT ON TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT SINCE JANUARY. THEN LITERALLY LAST MINUTE, THIS INVITATION COMES THROUGH. I'M CONFUSED AS TO THE PURPOSE. I DON'T SEE AN AGENDA. I'M GOING TO BE LATE BECAUSE I HAVE TO WORK UNTIL 3:00, [01:45:01] AND THEN I NEED TO GET TO MY CAR, WHICH IS GOING TO BE PARKED DOWNTOWN SOMEWHERE, AND THEN I'VE GOT TO GET OVER TO THE MEETING. I WOULD SAY THAT MY BIGGEST CONCERN OF ALL IS THAT THE REPRESENTATION IS THAT THE TIMELINE ON THE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION IS EVEN SHORTER THAN THE TIMELINE THAT I GOT, WHICH WAS MONDAY, THAT THIS WAS COMING AT ME OR TUESDAY OF LAST WEEK, OR I DON'T REMEMBER NOW. IT'S A LOT HAPPENING. IT'S THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES FOR ME TOO. THERE'S A LOT BEING JUGGLED. IT'S A VERY SHORT TIMELINE FOR RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTERESTS THAT WERE EXPRESSED DURING THIS LONG VETTING PROCESS THAT WE HAD. I WOULD WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE LAST THING BEFORE I ASK A QUESTION. NO, I DON'T THINK I NEED TO ASK THAT QUESTION. JUST THREE OR FOUR HOURS AGO, THE RECORD PUBLISHED AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND OF THIS MEETING. THAT GIVES ME SOME BETTER SENSE OF WHAT THE MEETING IS ABOUT, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE AN AGENDA, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SUCH A LONG PROCESS THAT WAS CAREFULLY VETTED AND APPROVED AND GAINED SUPPORT BY ALL MEMBERS, INCLUDING FOUR OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO ATTENDED SOME OF THOSE SESSIONS. IN THAT ARTICLE, IT SAYS THAT THERE IS A PROPOSAL THAT THERE WOULD BE THREE TEAMS THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE ALREADY ADDRESSED, SUCH AS SAFETY AND BATHROOMS. THOSE TEAMS WOULD BE COMPRISED OF A MINIMUM OF 14 MEMBERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTY, WITH ONLY ONE RESIDENT INCLUDED ON THOSE TEAMS. GIVEN THE SHORT NOTICE, AND WHAT I SEE AS A PROPOSAL THAT WILL BE COMING AT US OF THESE TEAMS OF MORE THAN 14 MEMBERS, 14 AS A MINIMUM, WITH ONE RESIDENT, I AM HOPING THAT RESIDENTS ARE LISTENING AND THAT THEY WILL SHOW UP IN NUMBERS, BECAUSE ALSO ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE WHERE THE MEETINGS ARE POSTED, IT SAYS THAT THIS WILL BE A LIVE MEETING, BUT IT WILL NOT BE LIVE-STREAMED. >> IT WILL NOT BE, NOT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE. >> YES. THAT'S MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC. WE HAVE HEARD FROM EVERY SINGLE CORNER OF EVERY SINGLE CONSTITUENCY IN THIS CITY, AND I WANT OUR RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE WHO SPOKE TO US WITH SO MUCH ENERGY AND PASSION. I HOPE THAT THEY CAN GET THERE. I HOPE THAT THEY WILL HEAR THIS AND THAT THEY WILL GO AND THEY WILL MAKE THEIR FEELINGS KNOWN. >> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY STRONG FEELING IS THAT WE ALL PARTICIPATE, WHICH IS WHY I 100% THIS RESOLUTION TO GET US TO A JOINT MEETING. I SO MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION, VICE MAYOR. YOU HAVE BEEN A CHAMPION OF THE RESIDENTS, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. YOU HAVE BEEN A GREAT, STRONG VOICE ON THIS ISSUE, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WITH THAT SAID, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET A MOTION. >> MOVE, YOU APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-30. >> I'LL SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> EXCUSE ME. DOES THIS HAVE THE SPECIFIC DATE ON IT IF THEY WANT TO PUSH IT? >> YES IT DOES. IT DOES IF THEY WANT TO [OVERLAPPING]. >> FOR AN ALTERNATIVE. >> IT DOES. >> OKAY. >> LET'S JUST IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY SINCE THIS WAS KIND OF WALKED ON. I NEVER LOVE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN WHEN WE GET PUT INTO POSITION TO WALK ON A RESOLUTION AND SOMETHING THAT IS THIS IMPORTANT AND THE STAKES ARE SO HIGH FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WOULD YOU INDULGE ME AND READ IT? >> SURE. THE RESOLUTION READS RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025-30, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO DISCUSS PLANNING FOR THE 2025 NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AT THE COUNTY COMMISSION ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. WHEREAS FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 166.0213 SUBSECTION 2, STIPULATES THAT THE GOVERNING OF A MUNICIPALITY MAY HOLD JOINT MEETINGS TO RECEIVE, DISCUSS, AND ACT UPON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST WITH THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE COUNTY WITHIN WHICH THE MUNICIPALITY IS LOCATED OR WITH THE GOVERNING BODY OF ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY [01:50:04] AT SUCH TIME AND PLACE AS SHALL BE PRESCRIBED BY ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION. WHEREAS THE CITY COMMISSION AT ITS MEETING OF AUGUST 25, 2025, ELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN A JOINT MEETING WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO DISCUSS PLANNING FOR THE 2025 NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, AND WHEREAS THE CITY COMMISSION HAS CONCURRED THAT THE MEETING IS TO TAKE PLACE AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT A DATE AND TIME AGREED TO BY ALL PARTIES. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. A JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY TO DISCUSS PLANNING FOR THE 2025 NIGHTS OF LIGHTS SHALL BE SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 27, 2025 AT 3:00 P.M. OR AT SOME OTHER MUTUALLY AGREED-UPON AND NOTICED DATE AND TIME CONSISTENT WITH SECTION 125.001 SUBSECTION 2, AND SECTION 166.0213 SUBSECTION 2. SECTION 2. THE JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SHALL TAKE PLACE AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 SAN SEBASTIAN VIEW, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA 32084, OR SOME OTHER MUTUALLY AGREED UPON AND NOTICED LOCATION ADOPTED IN REGULAR SESSION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, THIS AND IT WOULD BE THIS DATE WITH YOUR SIGNATURE. >> THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR COMMENTS BEFORE WE CALL THE ROLL? >> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. THIS IS A WORKSHOP THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. I'VE NEVER DONE A JOINT WORKSHOP BEFORE, IF THIS DOES HAPPEN. CAN WE, AS A BODY, MAKE ANY DECISIONS DURING THAT WORKSHOP? >> NO. >> THANK YOU. >> MY QUESTION IS, IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO HAVE A JOINT AND SOMEONE REPRESENTS US, CAN WE ATTEND IN THE AUDIENCE? >> YES. THAT WAS GOING TO BE IF AND WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION, I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT OPTIONS. >> OKAY. >> IF THIS FALLS APART. >> GREAT. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. GREAT. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> ALL I WANTED TO SAY IS WHEN WE HAD THAT MEETING, THEY RECOGNIZED DAVID'S HARD WORK, AND HE ASKED THEM, WAS THAT A WASTE OF TIME EVERYTHING THAT HE'S DONE? THEY SAID, NO, THEY RESPECT IT. THEY JUST WANTED TO DISCUSS SOME OTHER THINGS THAT THEY THINK COULD BE ADDED TO THAT. WHAT WE'VE DONE ALREADY, BRINGING THE PEOPLE IN HERE, TALKING TO THE COMMUNITY, TALKING TO EVERYBODY. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THAT WAS GOOD. THEY WASN'T TRYING TO MAKE LIKE WE AS A CITY DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD PLAN. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT. >> OKAY. GREAT. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> NANCY SIKES KLINE. >> YES. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD? >> YES. >> JOHN PRATER. >> YES. >> CYNTHIA GARRIS. >> YES. >> BARBARA BLONDER. >> YES. >> THANK YOU. NOW, YOU HAVE [OVERLAPPING]. >> OPTIONS. THE RESOLUTION ASSUMES THAT THE COUNTY AGREES THIS WILL BE A JOINT MEETING PER STATUTE. IF THAT HAPPENS, LIFE IS GOOD. THEY'LL CHANGE THEIR AD ON THEIR WEBSITE, SAY IT'S NOW A JOINT MEETING. ALL MOVES ALONG. NO PROBLEM. IF THEY TAKE THE POSITION THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO ADVERTISE IT AS A JOINT MEETING AND THAT SUBSTANTIVELY, IT IS NOT A JOINT MEETING, THEN THIS RESOLUTION FALLS TO THE SIDE, AND UNDER FLORIDA LAW FROM MUNICIPALITIES, YOU ALL CANNOT MEET OUTSIDE OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO SO IS IF IT'S THROUGH A JOINT MEETING. THAT WAS THE WRINKLE THAT I WAS TRYING TO FIX WITH THIS RESOLUTION. WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS IF THE COUNTY COMMISSION DOES NOT WANT THIS TO BE A JOINT MEETING? I WOULD SUGGEST THAT PERHAPS YOU SELECT SOMEONE FROM THE CITY COMMISSION, ONE OF YOUR FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, TO ACT AS THE LIAISON TO THIS PURELY COUNTY MEETING AND HAVE THAT PERSON BE ABLE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. OBVIOUSLY, IT'S NON-BINDING. WE UNDERSTAND THAT BUT THAT WOULD BE POSITIVE ROLE, I WOULD THINK, TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS, TO GIVE FEEDBACK, TO HAVE THAT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN SOMEONE WHO'S THERE DELEGATED AS THE LIAISON OF THE CITY COMMISSION, A FELLOW CITY COMMISSIONER, TO GO BACK AND FORTH WITH THIS WORKSHOP, THIS COUNTY WORKSHOP CONCEPT, AND KEY CITY STAFF AVAILABLE TO ASSIST AS WELL AND ANSWER QUESTIONS. I WOULD THINK THERE'S SOME VALUE TO THAT. MY SUGGESTION IS AS A BACKUP, [01:55:03] IF THE COUNTY SAYS, NO, IT IS NOT A JOINT MEETING, THEN I SUGGEST YOU SELECT SOMEONE FROM YOUR FOLD TO BE THE LIAISON FOR THE CITY COMMISSION. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. OUR CITY MANAGER HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING, I GUESS IS A PROPER WORD OR DISCUSSING OPTIONS WITH THE COUNTY. IS THERE ANY INDICATION WHAT THE COUNTY WANTS TO DISCUSS BEYOND WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED? I MEAN, I THINK WE'VE GIVEN OUR CITY MANAGER AS A REPRESENTATIVE TO TALK WITH THEM. I'M JUST KIND OF WONDERING, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT EXTRA THINGS THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT OR IS IT MOBILITY IS IT THE FUNDING FOR THE SHUTTLES? IS THERE ANY BACKGROUND MATERIAL? IF I GO THERE IN 48 HOURS, I HAVE SOME IDEA, AND I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THEY NEED TO DO THIS BECAUSE COMMISSIONER BLONDER HAS SAID, A REQUEST SEEMS PRETTY CLEAR. >> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. WE HAVE PREPARED A PRESENTATION FOR THIS WORKSHOP THAT WE HAVE SENT TO THE COUNTY STAFF. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL HAVE OUR PLAN AND OUR MOST UPDATED VERSION OF OUR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS PLAN FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON. THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE GONE OVER LOCALLY, WITH PARKING, WITH SECURITY, WITH RESTROOMS, WITH CHANGES IN TRAVEL PLANS OR A TRAVEL ROUTES. >> THERE'S NOTHING NEW THAT YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY SEEN. I WILL SAY THIS, I WISH I'D GIVEN THAT PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THEY JUST WANT TO HAVE A MUCH MORE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT OUR PLAN IS. WE MADE THAT PLAN TO THE TDC, AND WE MADE THAT PLAN TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO FIVE STAKEHOLDER GROUP MEETINGS, BUT WE NEVER MADE THAT PLAN PUBLICLY TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. >> CORRECT. BECAUSE I SAW WHAT YOU DID WITH THE TDC. I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE VIDEOTAPE ON THIS. I KNOW THIS IS SPECULATIVE OPINION QUESTION, BUT I'M WONDERING IF THEY'RE LOOKING TO SEE IF THE COMMISSION HAS A POLITICAL SUPPORT TO THE PLAN THAT YOU'VE OFFERED. I'LL TALK TO THE COMMISSIONERS ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE I'M WONDERING IF THE DETAILS ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN WE'VE ALREADY KNOWN, IF THIS IS, I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO WE'LL HAVE TO GO THERE, BUT JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT BEFORE. IS THIS TO NEGOTIATE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ALREADY ASKED FOR, OR IS THIS JUST THE POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR THE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED BY THE CITY MANAGER AND THE MAYOR, SO THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHT. >> WELL, DAVID, YOU'RE FREE TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION ON THAT. >> I THINK IT ORIGINATED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT WAS MADE BY THE TDC THAT WAS FORWARDED TO THE BOULDER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DURING THEIR BUDGET HEARINGS. THE TDC RECOMMENDED $850,000 BE EARMARKED FOR THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS. MY IMPRESSION IS THAT BOULDER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WANTS A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THAT MONEY IS GOING TO PAY FOR. IN A NUTSHELL THAT'S PAYING FOR EXPANDED SHUTTLING SERVICES, EXPANDED RESTROOMS AND SECURITY. >> IT'S ALL THE THINGS WE'VE DISCUSSED THAT WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH. THERE'S NOTHING NEW BEYOND WHAT WE'VE ALREADY SEEN. >> THE ONLY THING THAT NEW IS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED REALLY BASICALLY ONE COMMUNICATION FROM THE COUNTY. THE TDC, WHEN WE MADE THE RECOMMENDATION, IT WAS UNANIMOUS. >> YEAH. I REMEMBER THAT. >> TO THE BCC. BASICALLY IT WAS, "WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO FUND $850,000." JUST SO YOU KNOW, THE TDC IS A REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY PAY THE BED TAX, S O THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE BOARD, THESE ARE THE BUSINESSMEN. >> I KNOW THAT. [OVERLAPPING]. >> THEY RECOMMENDED $850,000 AND MADE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT CATEGORIES OF SPENDING IT COULD COME OUT. YOU PROBABLY SAW ALL THAT. BECAUSE THERE WAS CONCERN, YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM ARTS AND CULTURE AND ALL THOSE THINGS. >> I SAW THAT DISCUSSION. >> YOU DON'T WANT TO TOUCH THE SAND MONEY IN CATEGORY FIVE. DAVID AND I RECEIVED A LETTER, AND IT DOES SAY THAT THE STAFF HAS FOUND $776,929 THAT CAN BE APPROPRIATED. [02:00:01] THAT AFTER BEING ADVISED BY THE TDC AND INSTRUCTED BY THE TDC. THAT IS REALLY WHAT I HAVE. THEN MOST OF THE INFORMATION ON THE LETTER IS ABOUT WHAT CATEGORIES IT CAN COME OUT OF. THAT IS REALLY ALL I ACTUALLY KNOW. >> WHAT WAS THAT NUMBER THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED? >> 777,929. IS WHAT THE STAFF WILL BE PRESENTING OR HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND IS AVAILABLE FOR SPENDING. THE REST HAS BEEN STRANGE, ACTUALLY. I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE MORE DIRECT COMMUNICATION. I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER GARRIS HAS HAD DIRECT COMMUNICATION, BUT I HAVE NOT. I HAVE BEEN ASKING QUESTIONS AND TRYING, BUT DAVID AND I HAVE MET WITH COMMISSIONER ANN TAYLOR, AND HE GAVE HER THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION THAT YOU ALL SAW, AND THE COMMUNITY SAW AND THE TDC SAW, SAME PRESENTATION. ALSO, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MEET THE OTHER COMMISSIONER WAS CHRISTIAN WHITEHURST. THEY WERE VERY GRACIOUS TO ALLOW TIME. I CANNOT MEET WITH CHRISTIAN KRISTA JOSEPH BECAUSE THAT IS A SUNSHINE VIOLATION. WE SERVE ON THE SAME BOARD. WE DO HAVE APPOINTMENTS WITH JOY ANDREWS. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE COULD NOT MAKE HERSELF AVAILABLE TO US UNTIL AFTER THE WORKSHOP. WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH SARAH ARNOLD WHO ALSO COULD NOT MAKE HERSELF AVAILABLE TO US BEFORE THE WORKSHOP, SO UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND I DON'T KNOW IF DAVID CAN ANSWER THEM ANY BETTER. THE ONLY OTHER COMMISSIONER IS CLAY MURPHY, AND HE WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO OFFER SOME TIME TO US ON WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE THE WORKSHOP. I WILL JUST SAY MY OPINION HERE. I LOVE THIS COMMISSION. I THINK WE ARE A GOOD COMMISSION. I THINK WE WORK WELL TOGETHER, AND I FEEL LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL GO HERE THE SAME THING AND PARTICIPATE, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S NOT TELEVISED. I KNOW THAT FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT I CANNOT REPRESENT YOU, EVEN THOUGH THE VOTERS MADE ME THE MAYOR, I CAN'T BECAUSE OF THE SUNSHINE LAW IN CONFLICT WITH KRISTA JOSEPH SERVING ON THE TDC. THAT WEIGHS ON MY MIND. IT CONCERNS ME. BUT ALSO, MORE SO, IT CONCERNS ME THAT EVERYBODY DOESN'T GET TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES. EACH ONE OF YOU WERE ELECTED IN THIS COMMUNITY BY THE RESIDENTS WHO PUT THEIR FAITH IN YOU, AND I WANT YOU TO REPRESENT THEM. I WANT TO SUPPORT EACH ONE OF YOU TO BE REPRESENTED TOGETHER. WE'RE NOT ALWAYS A TEAM. WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE. WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ALWAYS AGREE, BUT WE WORK REALLY WELL TOGETHER FOR THE MOST PART. FOR THE MOST PART, WE REALLY DO. WE WORK AS WELL AS WE CAN, SO I SUPPORT ALL OF US GOING TOGETHER, BUT IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT WISH, IF YOU DESIRE ANOTHER, IF YOU DESIRE TO DO A LIAISON, THAT IS UP TO YOU. I WILL BE TOTALLY FINE WITH THAT. >> SINCE IT WOULD BE MY DESIRE THAT THE MAYOR PARTICIPATE AND BECAUSE SHE HAS THE BIGGEST BACKGROUND WITH ALL THESE. CAN THEY ADVERTISE THE TDC MEETINGS GOING TO BE THERE SO THOSE TWO KRISTA AND THE MAYOR CAN BE THERE AT THE SAME TIME? >> THEY COULD. I HAVEN'T HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE COUNTY OR THE TDC. WELL, IT'S TDC, SO THE TDC IS THE COUNTY TDC REALLY. I HAVEN'T HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH THEM. SO FAR, I'VE SEEN WHAT YOU'VE SEEN, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THEIR STAFF THAT IT IS STRICTLY A BOCC WORKSHOP, NOT A JOINT WORKSHOP OF TDC, BOCC OR CITY BOCC. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU. I CAN TRY AGAIN TOMORROW. HOW'S THAT? I'D BE HAPPY TO TRY AGAIN TOMORROW, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY THE MAYOR WOULD BE YOUR FIRST CHOICE TO BE LIAISON, BUT IF THAT CAN'T BE ACHIEVED BECAUSE OF SUNSHINE, THEN PICK AND ALTERNATE, I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF ALL OF THIS FALLS APART AND YOU CAN'T HAVE AT LEAST ONE CITY COMMISSIONER THERE TO TALK BACK AND FORTH TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION. BUT THAT'S JUST ME. I'M JUST YOUR LAWYER. I'M TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN HERE AS BEST I CAN WITHIN THE PARAMETERS. BUT IF THE COMMISSION FEELS STRONGLY THAT IT'S THE ENTIRE COMMISSION IN A JOINT MEETING OR NOTHING, OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S YOUR PURVIEW. >> MAY I? >> PLEASE. >> I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION OR TWO, ACTUALLY. [02:05:01] ONE FOR ISABEL. THAT IS SO I'M ON THAT TDC, IS THAT GOING TO? >> VCB. >> VCP. DOES THAT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IF THERE'S MEMBERS THERE? >> I DON'T THINK SO. AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE IS ON THE VCB. KRISTA, I THOUGHT YOU WERE LIAISON, SO I'M NOT SURE WHO'S AN ACTION. >> WHO IS THE LIAISON FROM THE COUNTY ON THE VCB. DO WE KNOW? >> YES. ANN TAYLOR. >> ANN TAYLOR. SO YOU WOULD HAVE A CONFLICT BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE SUNSHINE. >> THIS IS UNNECESSARILY COMPLICATED. >> IT IS. >> [OVERLAPPING] IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE. >> NO, I KNOW. I AGREE. THIS IS THE ONE TIME WE'RE GOING TO GET A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THIS. >> I AGREE. >> THEORETICALLY, IS THE VCB EVER GOING TO TAKE ACTION ON NIGHTS OF LIGHTS FUNDING? WE'RE ALL ASSUMING THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS JOINT MEETING OR THIS WORKSHOP, WHATEVER WE'RE CALLING IT. REALLY, YOU'RE LOOKING AT, IS THERE A CONFLICT WITH ANOTHER PUBLIC BOARD THAT YOU HAVE JOINT MEMBERSHIP WITH THAT WOULD FORESEEABLY TAKE ACTION ON ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSED AT THAT? MAYBE VCB, THERE ISN'T. THERE IS? >> IT IS THE MARKET. >> THEY DO THE MARKET ADVERTISING. >> I'M I'M DYING HERE. YOU'RE KILLING ME. I'M TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE. >> I'M TRYING TO PROP YOU UP, BUT THIS IS MY ONE CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THIS. ALL OF US IN A FREE FORM CONVERSATION. I THINK IT'S WORTHWHILE LOOKING AT IT BECAUSE EVERYONE SAYS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. IT'S A LAST MINUTE SITUATION, AND I THINK WE SHOULD STRATEGIZE TO SOME EXTENT. I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS. DID THE COUNTY REACH OUT TO YOU? ANYONE ELSE? >> NO. >> NO. >> MY INVOLVEMENT HAS BEEN WITH THE TDC. >> DID THEY REACH OUT TO YOU OR? >> YES. >> [OVERLAPPING] I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE YOU REACHED OUT TO THEM. YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE CONTACTED THE FOUR OF US. I'M JUST TRYING TO GET SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION. >> I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION. WERE WE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AS A LIAISON? >> NO, I DON'T THINK SO. I GOT A CALENDAR INVITE FROM YOU, DAVID. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYTHING FROM THEM. >> WE'RE GOING TO ALL FIVE BE SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE? >> THAT'S THE CHALLENGE, IS IN THE PAST, AND I'M NOT BLAMING ANYONE AT ALL. JUST IN THE PAST, WHEN WE'VE DONE JOINT MEETINGS WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION. ME AND WHOEVER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WAS AT THE TIME, WE'D WORK OUT ALL THESE DETAILS. THERE'D BE A NICE BIG TABLE WITH EVERYBODY'S NAME PLATES. THE TWO LAWYERS WOULD BE THERE. IT'D BE NOTICED AS A JOINT MEETING. WE'VE DONE THESE IN THE PAST. IT'S AN UNUSUAL THING. >> DOING JOINT MEETINGS WITH THE COUNT. >> CORRECT. THIS EVERY TIME I'VE ASKED TODAY, I'VE BEEN TOLD BY COUNTY STAFF THIS IS NOT A JOINT MEETING. IT IS A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER. IT IS NOT A JOINT MEETING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU, BUT WE'RE ENCOURAGING CITY COMMISSIONERS TO ATTEND. MY CHALLENGE IS, THEY JUST ATTEND AND SIT IN THE AUDIENCE AND DON'T PARTICIPATE AND THEY'RE LIKE, NO, WE WANT THEM TO PARTICIPATE. I'M BACK TO, WELL, THEN BECAUSE THE COUNTY BUILDINGS ARE NOT IN THE CITY LIMITS, THE ONLY LEGAL WAY TO DO IT IS THROUGH THIS JOINT MEETING CONCEPT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU. I THINK THEY WANT YOUR PARTICIPATION. BUT SOMEHOW WE'RE NOT COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY ON THE LEGAL DETAILS. >> JUST FOR THE RECORD, AGAIN, I GOT AN E-MAIL ON THE TO THE CITY WEBSITE. FROM ANGELA COWING. >> THAT WAS TODAY. >> YEAH. >> THAT IS CHIEF OF STAFF OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, SAYING, JUST SIMPLY, EVERYBODY GOTTEN IT? >> I THINK IT WAS JUST A PUBLIC NOTICE. >> "GOOD MORNING, BUT WE'LL HOLD THE WORKSHOP. THE PURPOSE IS TO HAVE A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION REGARDING NIGHTS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF THE WORKSHOP, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME." I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS. IS IT AN OFFICIAL TO SAY A CAPACITY HERE? I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU. AGAIN, COUNTY STAFF HAS COMMUNICATED TO ME AND I THINK TO DAVID THAT THEY WOULD WANT THE CITY COMMISSIONERS TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE. I THINK YOU'VE HEARD THE SAME THING. THE CHALLENGE IS, WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN BY THAT? EVERY TIME I'VE SAID, OKAY, SO IT'S A JOINT MEETING, THEY SAID, NO, IT IS NOT. >> WE JUST NEED TO, LIKE WHAT WE JUST DID, ARTICULATE TO THEM, IF THEY WANT OUR PARTICIPATION, FULL PARTICIPATION, EYE TO EYE, FACE TO FACE AT A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION, THEN WE NEED TO MAKE IT A JOINT MEETING. IT'S A SIMPLE LEGAL HOUSEKEEPING ISSUE. THAT'S IT. >> IT'S A TECHNICALITY, YES. [02:10:01] >> YES. >> LET ME ASK AGAIN, IF WE DON'T HAVE A JOINT MEETING, WE'RE NOT INVITED. WE CAN ATTEND AND WE CAN'T SPEAK? >> WELL, THE SPEAKING PART IS TRICKY. YOU'LL RECALL YOUR TRAINING FOR SUNSHINE IS YOU CAN'T USE SOMEONE ELSE TO SPEAK THROUGH THEM LIKE A MODERATOR OR A CHAIR TO SPEAK THROUGH TO OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR BOARD, UNLESS IT'S A NOTICED MEETING. I THINK THE COUNTY STAFF THOUGHT, WELL, JUST NOTICE IT AS A CITY COMMISSION MEETING. I CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE IT'S OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS, SO I WOULD CAUTION YOU THAT IF IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A JOINT MEETING AND YOU REALLY WANT TO ATTEND, BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT NOT WHAT I CALL TRIANGULATING. SPEAKING DURING I GUESS YOUR 3 MINUTES. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE MENTIONING THIS MEETING. DON'T ADDRESS FELLOW CITY COMMISSIONERS. DON'T TACK ON TO WHAT HIS FELLOW COMMISSIONER HAS SAID. >> IT'S NOT WORTH IT TO RISK IT OTHER THAN ONE PERSON SPEAKING. >> THAT'S WHY WE HAD THAT AS A BACKUP. >> WHO WAS NOT AN INVITEE, AND IT COULD BE THE MAYOR. >> WELL, I THINK THE MAYOR THOUGH HAS CONCERNS ABOUT HER SITUATION WITH A FELLOW TDC MEMBER. I CAN WORK THROUGH THAT WITH THE COUNTY. I'M JUST NOT FAMILIAR. ARE YOU A VOTING MEMBER, THE TDC, OR ARE YOU JUST OKAY. >> WE HAVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COME AND SPEAK TO US. DURING OUR THREE MINUTES ABOUT ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE COUNTY. >> SURE. >> BUT THEY'RE NOT VIOLATING THE SUNSHINE LAW. >> CORRECT. >> I'M JUST ASKING WHY CAN'T WE SPEAK OR ONE PERSON. IF WE SAY, OKAY, WE WANT THE MAYOR TO SPEAK FOR US, WE CAN GO, WE DON'T SPEAK. >> YOU CAN DO THAT IF YOU SO CHOSE. I THINK THE MAYOR IS CONCERNED ABOUT SPEAKING ON SOMETHING THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE TDC. THAT SHE IS A MEMBER OF THAT SUNSHINE BOARD. >> I GOT YOU. >> WE CAN ASK WE CAN ASK FOR AN OPINION. YOU'VE DONE THIS BEFORE WHERE YOU'VE GONE TO THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS, YOU TALKED TO THE ATTORNEYS, WE CAN ASK FOR OPINIONS, BUT I'D RATHER JUST SETTLE IT TONIGHT. MY OPINION IS, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ALL GO. >> I THINK WE SHOULD ALL GO AND I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE TO YOU IF THERE IS A PROBLEM AND I WOULD SUGGEST TO EITHER COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD OR COMMISSIONER BLONDER BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY SPOKEN TO COMMISSIONER GARRIS. THAT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION. >> WELL, [OVERLAPPING] WE HAVE A VICE MAYOR FOR A REASON. >> IF IN FACT, YOU CAN DO IT IN YOUR TIME. >> IF THAT'S [OVERLAPPING] BACKUP TO OUR BACKUP, I WILL DO THAT. I CANNOT POSSIBLY GET THERE BEFORE 3:15. I'M GETTING STARTED. [OVERLAPPING] >> I THINK THEY JUST GOING TO HAVE TO RESPECT THAT YOU'RE WORKING AND YOU DESIGNATE. THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT'S GOING TO HAVE T BE. >> NO WAY I CAN CANCEL THE FIRST CLASS OF THE SEMESTER TO DO IT. >> [LAUGHTER] IF YOU AND I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. I FORGOT VICE MAYOR. [OVERLAPPING] >> THAT IS HER RESPONSIBILITY. WHEN I CAN'T SPEAK, SHE SPEAKS. >> I WOULD MAKE THAT SUGGESTION THAT IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IS THAT WE HAVE THE MAYOR AS FIRST CHOICE. THE MAYOR HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH THE SUNSHINE LAW, THEN WE HAVE VICE MAYOR BLONDER REPRESENT US. THEN WE'LL JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS? IT'S CRAZY THAT IT'S COME DOWN TO THIS AFTER EVERYTHING HAS HAPPENED. [OVERLAPPING] IT IS WHAT IT IS. >> TIME IS WHAT IS RUNNING OUT. THIS IS VERY LATE. >> IT IS. >> IF THERE ARE TO BE BIG CHANGES AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN DISCUSSED WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY SAY, WELL, WE DON'T WANT TO FUND THIS AND WE DO WANT TO FUND THAT. AT LEAST THEY'RE SCHEDULING IT BEFORE OUR BUDGET MEETING ON THURSDAY. THAT'S NOT MUCH TIME. >> WE'LL TAKE WHAT WE CAN GET, AND WE CAN STILL MAKE CHANGES. >> AGAIN, ALL I KNOW IS WHAT I READ IN THE PAPER AND WHAT I SAW SARAH ARNOLD SAY, WHICH WAS WE'RE STRUGGLING. WE NEED THEIR ASSISTANCE. >> WE STILL HAVE TIME TO MAKE SOME CHANGES, TOO. >> WE DO. IF WE DON'T GET FUNDED, WE HAVE TIME TO MAKE CHANGES. >> WE COULD DO EMERGENCY MEETINGS ON OUR BUDGET IF WE HAD TO. >> WE HAVE TIME TO MAKE CHANGES TO OUR PLAN ALSO. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS NEEDING. >> YES. DAVID, I JUST WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING SO ACCOMMODATING UNDER THESE VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES HERE IN THE LAST WEEK, BECAUSE IT'S ONLY FEELS LIKE IT'S JUST BEEN A FEW DAYS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON SINCE THE LAST COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING. I WANT TO THANK YOU AND I WANT TO THANK ISABEL, YOU AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR FINE MINDS TO IT. I THINK THE PLAN THAT YOU HAVE IS GOOD, THAT IT IS VERY GOOD AND IT IS VERY SOLID, AND IT'S VERY FAIR. I THINK THAT IN THE COMMUNITY, [02:15:02] FROM WHAT I HEAR IS VERY WELL SUPPORTED. I JOIN YOU IN BEING PUZZLED, WITH WHAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSEDLY STRUGGLING WITH? >> CAN I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK? >> PLEASE. >> I RESPECT THE VICE MAYOR BEING ABLE TO STEP IN WHEN YOU'RE NOT. BUT SINCE THIS WAS BROUGHT TO ME ABOUT THE WORKSHOP, I THINK THAT I SHOULD BE THE LIAISON BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO UPDATE ME ON WHAT WAS SAID AT THE PRIOR MEETING. THEY HAD A LISTING OF THE PEOPLE THAT THEY WANTED TO BE ON THERE THAT THEY PROVIDED US WITH DURING THE COURSE OF THAT MEETING AND THEY ALREADY TOLD US WHAT THE MEETING WAS GOING TO CONSIST OF. THE REASON THEY DIDN'T SELECT YOU IS BECAUSE YOU WERE ON THE SAME COMMISSION, LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY INDICATING. THAT YOU WERE PART OF THE DETERMINING FACTOR FOR THE MONEY. THEY HAD SOMEBODY FROM THE BEACH. THEY WAS TRYING TO CREATE, GETTING INPUT FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE, AND I WAS THE ONE THAT THEY SELECTED. I DID NOT CALL THEM TO SELECT ME, BUT I'VE TALKED TO THEM. I'VE BEEN IN THEIR COMPANY AT DIFFERENT TIMES, SO THEY FELT LIKE I WAS APPROACHABLE. THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKED TO MEET WITH THEM AS A COURTESY. ONCE I FOUND OUT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WAS COMING, I INVITED THE CITY MANAGER, SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO COME BACK AND TELL HIM THE DISCUSSION. HE WAS THERE FOR THE ENTIRE MEETING. THEY PROVIDED DETAILS AS TO WHY THEY WANTED TO HAVE A WORKSHOP, THEY WERE CLEAR WHY THEY WANTED TO WORKSHOP. EVERYBODY SPOKE, SUSAN PHILLIPS SPOKE. JOY SPOKE, AND THE CONCERN WAS THEY DO NOT PAY FOR BATHROOMS, THEY DO NOT PAY FOR THIS. THEY SHOWED THE PAPERWORK THAT WAS SUBMITTED. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT DETAILED ENOUGH FOR THE VARMA MONEY. I TURNED TO MY CITY MANAGER, OUR CITY MANAGER AND ASKED HIM, COULD HE BE MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT, HE JUST HAD REST ROOMS. THEY WANT TO KNOW WHERE THOSE REST ROOMS ARE GOING TO BE LOCATED, EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T PAY FOR THAT. THEY HAD POLICE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. HE HAD HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE SHERIFF, BUT THEY ARE THE COUNTING. THEY CAN PAY THE SHERIFF OUT OF THEIR OWN MONEY. THEY DON'T HAVE TO PUT IT INCLUDED IN THAT. THEY WERE VERY DETAILED, WHEN THEY WERE DISCUSSING THIS. THIS WASN'T JUST SOME LITTLE FLY BY KIND OF THING. SARAH SPOKE, JOYCE SPOKE, THEY WERE VERY THOROUGH. DAVID GAVE INPUT. HE ASKED THEM, DID WHAT HE PRESENTED, WAS THAT NOT GOOD ENOUGH? THEY SAID THAT IT WAS GOOD, BUT SHE WANTS TO MAKE SURE WHEN THEY GO FOR THE VOTE, THAT EVERYBODY'S IN AGREEMENT, SO WE GET THE FUNDING THAT WE NEED. AND THAT WAS WHY THEY WANT TO HAVE THIS WORKSHOP. BECAUSE I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, TO SPEAK TO SARAH THAT'S THE ONE THAT WENT BEFORE, WE DO THE TALKING AT THE END. SHE BROUGHT UP HAVING THIS WORKSHOP, WHY SHE WANTED TO HAVE THE WORKSHOP SO THEY CAN BE AN ALLIANCE AND HELP US WITH [INAUDIBLE], AS THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD, AND THEY AGREED. THEN THIS CAME UP. THIS WAS JUST LAST WEEK. THIS WASN'T LIKE TWO MONTHS AGO. I'M IN CAHOOTS WITH THE COUNTY. NO. THIS WAS JUST LAST WEEK, LAST FRIDAY, TO BE EXACT. I'M SURE VICE MAYOR BLONDER IS VERY INTELLIGENT. HE'S CAPABLE OF GOING IN THERE. BUT IT'S LIKE PUTTING SOMEBODY IN A SPOT THAT DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED BEFORE. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? I'VE ALREADY HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM. IF YOU HAD TO PICK SOMEBODY TO SPEAK ABOUT IT, I CAN'T SAY I'M SPEAKING FOR NANCY. I CAN'T SAY I'M SPEAKING FOR YOU. I CAN JUST SAYING MY PERCEPTION IS, I THINK THAT MYSELF AS A CITY COMMISSIONER, WHAT I THINK WOULD BE BEST FOR THE CITY. THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY. I CAN'T SPEAK FOR YOU. NOBODY CAN SPEAK FOR ME. WE CAN BE ON THE SAME COMMISSION ALL DAY LONG, BUT WE CAN'T SPEAK FOR EACH OTHER. >> THAT MAKES TWO ARGUMENTS FOR ME. ONE IS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT BE THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN TO HIM. THE SECOND ONE IS, MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T SPEAK UNLESS WE'RE INVITED AS THE COMMISSION, BECAUSE NO ONE PERSON CAN SPEAK FOR ALL OF US. >> HE MADE THAT CASE VERY WELL. >> THAT IS THAT THERE'S RUB. NOW I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR COMMISSIONER GARRIS, WHEN YOU SAID THEY WANTED EVERYBODY TO SEE TO GET EVERYBODY IN AGREEMENT. WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE CITY COMMISSIONER? >> NO. >> I TALK ABOUT COUNTY COMMISSION. >> THEY TALK ABOUT THE COUNTY TO VOTE JUST LIKE WHEN WE VOTE FOR SR. THEY DON'T WANT THE VOTE TO BE NO ON GIVEN US THE MONEY. THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING ON WHAT WAS SUBMITTED TO THEM. WHEN WE TURNED IN STUFF, THAT'S JUST LIKE WHEN YOU DO A PAPER, AND THE PAPER IS INCOMPLETE. YOU BEING A PROFESSOR, IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S MISSING FROM THE PAPER, YOU'RE GOING TO ASK, WHERE IS THAT PART OF THE ASSIGNMENT? [02:20:03] THEY'RE JUST ASKING TO FILL IN A GAP SO THAT THEY HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING WHEN THEY VOTE ON IT. >> I THOUGHT OUR CITY MANAGER GAVE HIM THOSE DETAILS. >> THEY HAD QUESTIONS. >> THEY GAVE IT TO HIM. >> WE DON'T BUT WE DON'T DO THAT. THAT'S HIS JOB. >> THAT'S HIS JOB. >> MAYBE IT'S BETTER THAT HE'S SPEAK. >> WHEN IT COMES TO THE DETAILS AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR QUESTIONS, THEY HAVE QUESTIONS ON BUDGET GAPS AND STUFF. I [OVERLAPPING] I WOULD IF IF THE CITY MANAGER WAS HAVING THAT DISCUSSION, THEN A COMMISSIONER. NOW, GIVEN THAT FACT, I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE, I STILL THINK IT SHOULD BE COMMISSIONER VICE MAYOR BLONDER. IF A MAYOR IS NOT THERE, THAT'S THE WAY IT USUALLY GOES. RESPECTFULLY, I'M GLAD THAT YOU MET WITH THEM. IT'S NOT TRYING TO BE DISRESPECTFUL TO YOU. YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO HIM. OUR MAYORS HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO HIM ON THE TDC BOARD AND HAVING THE VICE MAYOR TALK TO HIM IS ANOTHER LOOK. IN A WAY, THEY'RE GOING TO GET A WIDER VARIETY. THEY'VE TALKED TO YOU. THE MAYOR HAS GOTTEN HER VIEWS, AND COMMISSIONER BLONDER, I THINK IT'D BE MORE REPRESENTATIVE IF WE HAD THE THIRD PERSON IN THERE PERSONALLY. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD. WE SHOULD ALL BE THERE. BECAUSE OF ALL THE REASONS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, WE SHOULD ALL BE THERE. WE'RE GOING INTO A BUDGET MEETING ON THURSDAY, AND THEN WE'RE DECIDING ON A BUDGET AND WE'LL DECIDE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. I WANT US TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR NIGHTS LIGHTS. WE HAVE SOME GREAT IDEAS THAT A LOT OF HARD WORK AND CONVERSATIONS WENT INTO. THE CLOCK HAS TICKING. LITERALLY THEIR PREPARATIONS ARE BEING MADE NOW. THEY'VE BEEN BEING MADE FOR SOME TIME NOW. IF WE HAVE A DIFFERENT BUDGET, THEN WE WILL ACCOMMODATE THAT. IT'S TOO BAD IF THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF THE LATENESS OF COMING TO THIS PARTY AT THE 11TH HOUR. I STRONGLY ADVOCATE FOR ALL OR NOTHING IN OUR APPROACH AND NOT HAVING LIAISON THAT MAY OR MAY NOT EVEN GET TO SPEAK. >> IS THAT A MOTION? >> YES, IT ABSOLUTELY IS. >> I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD. >> I THANK MR. GARRIS FOR MAKING THAT PERFECT LATER. THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS WE'RE ALL IN THIS OR NOT? IN THIS CONVERSATION. LET US HAVE OUR OWN CONVERSATION AT OUR OWN MEETING AT OUR OWN TIME AFTER THEY GIVE US SOMETHING TO MEET ON. WE CAN DO THAT THURSDAY MORNING. >> CORRECT. ANY OTHER FINAL COMMENTS BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE? >> NO? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> BARBARA BLONDER? >> YES. >> NANCY TAKES FINE. >> YES. >> JOHN PRATER? >> YES. >> METTY GER. >> YES. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD? >> YES. >> THEN. THANK YOU, EVERYONE FOR THAT CANDOR AND DISCUSSION. AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK THIS HAS BEEN TREMENDOUSLY CHALLENGING FOR OUR CITY MANAGER, AND HE HAS DONE A MAGNIFICENT JOB OF NAVIGATING THROUGH FOR US. I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO EXECUTE, TO BE FLEXIBLE AND TO PROVIDE ALL THE ANSWERS IN A TRANSPARENT WAY THAT ANYONE ASKS OF HIM. I WANT TO GIVE YOU A THUMBS UP VOTE FOR MY CONFIDENCE, AND I FEEL THE SAME WAY WITH ISABEL OUR CITY ATTORNEY. SHE'S DOING A FANTASTIC JOB OF KEEPING US OUT OF TROUBLE WITH THE SUNSHINE LAW. THANK YOU. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I DON'T BELIEVE ANYBODY AT THIS TABLE WANTS TO FEEL TO VIOLATE. DONE. NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA. >> ONE LAST THING. I'M SORRY. >> YES, PLEASE. >> BEFORE THE MEETING, IF YOU COULD LET ME KNOW MY BEING ON THE VCB, IF SOMEONE COULD LET ME KNOW IF THIS GIVES A CONFLICT OR WHAT MY POSITION WOULD BE THERE, HELP ME PREPARE A LITTLE BIT. YES. ARE YOU PLANNING ON JUST ATTENDING AND LISTENING? WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IF IT'S A JOINT MEETING AND THEY'RE HAVING A JOINT MEETING. WE'VE A VOTED ON. I THINK THE VOTE HAS BEEN THAT IF IN ALL PARTS STD, I WANT TO GO. HOWEVER, IF WE CAN GO, I WANT TO KNOW IF I'M CONFLICTED WITH THE SUNSHINE LAW BECAUSE OF MY ROLE. GOT IT. THAT WAY, I'LL BE MORE PREPARED. I CAN MAKE A DECISION I WANT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YEAH. ALL RIGHT. SO THE NEXT ITEM, EVERYONE, OKAY. [10. STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS] OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON. THE NEXT ITEM IS TEN A IS THE STREET TREE ADVISORY YARD OF THE YE YEAR AWARD, MR. SLATER. SO GOOD TO SEE YOU. GOOD TO SEE YA. GOOD EVENING. MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. STEVEN SLAUGHTER, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. HERE TO PROPOSE A CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE YARD OF THE YEAR AWARD, THE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND THE SCORING CRITERIA. [02:25:04] THIS IS A UNPUBLISHED SITE ON OUR WEBSITE RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS HOW WE WILL BE RECEIVING APPLICATIONS. THIS IS WHAT OUR APPLICATION COULD LOOK LIKE. WORKING IN CONCERT WITH THE STREET TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THIS DEPARTMENT WILL ADVERTISE, PROCESS APPLICATIONS AND WORKING WITH STACK WOULD ACTUALLY DO THE SCORING OF THE APPLICATIONS. AN EXAMPLE, LET'S JUST RUN THROUGH THIS REAL QUICK. HERE'S WHAT THE APPLICATION MIGHT LOOK LIKE. THIS IS PART OF YOUR PACKET AS WELL. THE SCORING SHEET, WHICH IS ALSO ATTACHED TO THE MEMO, IT WILL COVER THINGS SUCH AS NATIVE PLANTS AND TREES, FLORIDA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING, POLLINATOR FRIENDLY, FERTILIZED USE, TYPE OF FERTILIZER USED, WATER CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS, AND OF COURSE, CURB APPEAL. THE APPLICATION GIVES THE APPLICANT A CHANCE TO RANK THEIR OWN THEIR YARD OR THEIR GARDEN THAT THEY HAVE. THEN IT ALLOWS STACK TO GO AND REVIEW THE GARDEN AND SCORE IT APPROPRIATELY. WITH COMMISSION'S APPROVAL, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SOLICITATION FOR APPLICATIONS, AND DO THE FIRST ANNUAL YARD OF THE YEAR. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> QUESTIONS? >> YEAH. WE WANT TO KIND OF KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK A LITTLE BIT. I THINK IT'S GREAT A GOOD INTENTION, BUT NATIVE PLANTS, IS THERE GOING TO BE A LIST OF NATIVE PLANTS OR JUST SEE HERE. I DON'T KNOW WHO TO. >> NO. WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE PROVIDING A SPECIFIC LIST. THAT'S THAT'S EASY TO SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, EVEN. >> THERE'S NO DIFFERENT. WHAT ABOUT FLORIDA FRIENDLY, THE TERM FLORIDA FRIENDLY? >> THERE'S A WEB SITE THAT HAS A LIST OF THOSE TYPES OF PLANTS THAT INCLUDES POLLINATOR PLANTS. >> THERE'S NO SPECIFIC THING GOING ON. WHO'S GOING TO LET ME KNOW WHO'S GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN? IT IS GOING TO BE THE STREET TREE COMMITTEE. >> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE ADVERTISED AND RECEIVED THROUGH THE UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. THEN WE WILL WORK WITH THE STREET TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO HAVE THEM REVIEW THE APPLICATIONS AND ACTUALLY SCORE THEM, AND PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE WINNER. >> IS THIS ANNUAL? >> RIGHT NOW, THIS IS ANNUAL, YES. >> THANKS. THE QUESTIONS ALREADY HAD. I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS THEN. THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE IN THE PAST. IT'S NOT THE FIRST ANNUAL, IT'S RESURRECTING THE ANNUAL. REALLY? THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ASKED FOR TO ENCOURAGE NATIVE GARDENING. YES, I THINK YOU ALL HAVE MET THAT REALLY WELL BY HAVING THIS SCORE SHEET THAT YOU'VE REALLY CONCENTRATED ON THOSE THINGS. IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TOTALLY NATIVE YARD, BUT IT HAS TO BE LOOKING THAT WAY. THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE. I HOPE THAT WE HAVE A REAL NICE DESIGNATION SIGN ONCE SOMEBODY IS SELECTED. I KNOW THAT IN SOME OF THE DISCUSSION WITH GINA BURRELL, WHO'S BEEN PUSHING THIS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW. THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT HAVING MULTIPLE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES, BEAUTIFICATION, NATIVE. I STILL THINK THAT WOULD BE A POSSIBILITY IN THE FUTURE. ABSOLUTELY. SAME APPLICATION PROCESS WITH A LITTLE BIT OF TWIST, YOU SAY WHICH ONE YOU WANT TO BE FOR. I SAY THAT BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE MORE WE DO THE BETTER, WE MAKE PEOPLE CONSCIOUS THAT OTHER PEOPLE'S YARDS ARE BEING RECOGNIZED. I'M A PAST WINNER. NOT ME, MY WIFE. I STOOD OUT FOR THE PICTURE. BUT WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THAT HAPPENED TO US IS NOW WE HAVE TO KEEP IT UP. BECAUSE WE HAD WON IT ONCE, AND ALL OUR NEIGHBORS KNEW THAT WE WON IT ONCE. IT'S NOT A ONE YEAR AWARD. IT'S A ONE YEAR COMMITMENT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. IT IS A REALLY GOOD THING. AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK GINA BURRELL FOR PUSHING THIS. SHE'S BEEN ON THE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR YEARS. THIS IS SOMETHING PASSIONATE TO HER, AND I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT THING. >> YES, SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING PUT THIS TOGETHER. >> I MEAN, YOU PUT IN EVERYTHING I ASKED FOR AND, AGAIN, COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING IT AND FOR BEING A PAST WINNER. THANKS TO STAFF FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB AND THANKS TO GINA [02:30:03] FOR ALWAYS BEING PERSISTENT AND ADVOCATING FOR THE GOOD STUFF. >> SHE IS THAT. HERE, ANYONE ELSE WISH TO COMMENT? >> I KNEW THIS HAD YOUR HAND ON, BUT IT'S GOOD. I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR YARDS. >> THANK YOU CHEERFUL. ALL RIGHT. THAT IS YOU WISH A MOTION ON THAT TO ACCEPT THAT OR IS THIS JUST A REPORT AN FYI? >> YOU COULD MAKE A MOTION, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. >> CREATE THE PROGRAM. ALL RIGHT. >> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION ON THE STREET TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AWARD PROCESS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH IT AS EXPEDIENTLY. >> EXCELLENT, IF I MAY HAVE A SECOND. JUST TO GET A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARITY. IT'S OPEN FOR DISCUSSION. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AS FAR AS TIME OF YEAR, AND THIS IS FLEXIBLE. OBVIOUSLY, WE BAKED IN A LITTLE BIT OF FLEXIBILITY. WE'RE THINKING SPRINGTIME AND THEN HAVING THE AWARD SHORTLY AFTER THAT GET US THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS UNLESS THE COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. >> BUT THEY ALL ARE IN CHARGE. >> THAT'S TO BE INCLUDED IN THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION THEN. PERFECT AND LOVE THE WEBSITE DESIGN. SPECIAL THANKS TO GLABER SKIP FOR THAT. >> SECOND. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. BARBARA BLONDER? >> YES. >> JIM SPRINGFIELD? >> YES. >> JOHN PRATER. >> YES. >> TIM BGS? YES, NANCY SIKES KIN. YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LONG TIME. I AGREE WITH YOU. COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD. >> WONDERFUL. ON TWO, ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY? >> I HAVE NOTHING. THANK YOU. [12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK] >> ITEMS BY CITY CLERK. >> I JUST HAVE A REMINDER THAT WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR OUR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD. THESE TERMS EXPIRE AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER. SEND THEM IN. >> GREAT, THEY CAN'T WIN UNLESS YOU SEND IT IN? THAT'S CORRECT. I'M BY CITY MANAGER. [13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER] >> I BRING A REQUEST FROM THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT TO USE THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT LOGO AND THE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT LOGO ON THE SHERIFF'S COMMAND VEHICLE. WITH YOUR PERMISSION, THE SHERIFF WOULD LIKE TO USE OUR POLICE AND FIRE LOGOS ON HIS COMMAND CENTER. >> EXCELLENT. >> IS THAT A CONSENSUS TO ALLOW THAT? >> I THINK THAT'S WE'RE ALL SAYING YES. >> CAN WE CHARGE HIM? >> NO, WELL, THAT'S FUNNY. >> ALL RIGHT. >> LEGS ILLEGALLY PARKS THAT THING. >> YOU HAVE YOUR ANSWER ON THAT. THAT'S ALL. WELL, UNDER THIS ITEM, I CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW RATING. WONDERFUL. THAT'S GREAT. [14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS] MY COMMENTS ARE I JUST WANTED TO MENTION I HEARD THE SPEAKER EARLIER SAY THAT THERE WERE SOME MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT TAX DOLLARS BEING SPENT ON TRAVEL TO ISRAEL AND I WANT TO CLEARLY STATE ONCE MORE, THAT NO TAX DOLLARS WERE SPENT ON THE TRIP TO ISRAEL FROM THIS CITY. I DON'T KNOW IF THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE IN ISRAEL USES US TAX DOLLARS OR NOT, BUT THIS CITY DID NOT FUND MY TRIP TO ISRAEL, I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ON THAT. ALSO, I APPRECIATED WHAT THE SPEAKER DID AND COME FORWARD ABOUT BLOCKING THE INTERSECTION OF RIBERIA AND KING STREET. WE TOOK KING STREET OVER. I ASSUME THAT WE CAN PUT OUR OWN SOLUTIONS THERE TO BLOCKING, IT IS A BIG PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. HOWEVER, YOU CHOOSE TO. >> WE HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THAT, ONCE WE REDO KING STREET, THERE WILL BE A DEDICATED TURNING LANE FROM RIBERIA STREET ONTO KING STREET. THERE'S HOPE ON THE WAY. >> THE MEAN YOU HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS IN THE MEANWHILE? >> I WILL SPEAK TO OUR MOBILITY FOLKS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PLACING THAT DO NOT PARK IN THE BOX. IS THAT INTERSECTION? >> INTERESTING AND IT ALSO DOES OCCUR. I MEAN, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT, MY OWN EXPERIENCE. TRYING TO PULL INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND DAVID SHORES AT THE CORNER OF ANASTASIA BOULEVARD AND ARIDONO. IT'S OFTEN BLOCKED. BUT THANKFULLY, MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE VERY COURTEOUS AND WE'LL PULL UP OR ALLOW US TO TURN INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT SO I AGREE WITH THE SPEAKER THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE IN THE CITY. I'M NOT SPECIFICALLY ASKING FOR ANYTHING THERE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT'S A STATE ROAD AND GOING THROUGH THEIR RULES IS SOMETHING. THE OTHER THING IS YOU HEARD ABOUT THE SPEAKER ON THE FISH ISLAND HISTORY. THEY DID WRITE AN EMAIL TO ME. I BROUGHT IT UP TO THE TDC WITH THE CULTURAL COUNCIL AT THE MEET LAST MEETING THAT THEY HAD HAD LEFT THEY [02:35:02] WERE AGGRIEVED THAT THEY HAD OMITTED THIS HISTORY, WHICH WE ALL KNOW IS IMPORTANT AT FISH ISLAND, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AND I DID GET A RESPONSE FROM THE CULTURAL COUNSEL SAYING THAT THEY COULD ADD THE HISTORY ON THE WEBSITE. THEY HAVE A WEBSITE AND THAT THE NEXT TIME THAT THE BLACK HISTORY TRAIL IS REPRODUCED, THEY CAN ADD IT IN. I DID CONVEY THAT INFORMATION TO MISS HILL THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT. SHE DID NOT SEEM SATISFIED. OBVIOUSLY, TONIGHT, SHE WAS NOT. STILL WANTS TO SEE MORE DONE. I WANT TO SAY TO MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, I HAVE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH J V B, JB MILLER YET AND I WILL BE SPEAKING WITH HIM WITH THE PERMISSION, OF COURSE, OF THE CITY MANAGER, AND ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE AS FAR AS FURTHER EDUCATION OR COMMUNICATION ABOUT THAT HISTORY. I THINK IT'S VERY WORTHY PROJECT. >> I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY JUST ARCHAEOLOGY IS ALWAYS TEACHING US NEW THINGS, AND SOMEBODY GETS A BUG AND THEY GO DO RESEARCH, AND IT'S DELIGHTFUL TO SEE THEM DIGGING IN AND CARING AND WANTING TO TELL THE STORY ABOUT IT. I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S JUST GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME. I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW KIND OF WHAT I'VE DONE ON THAT. IF YOU HAVE OTHER THOUGHTS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THAT'S MINE. COMMISSIONER DE PRATER. >> REALLY NOTHING OTHER THAN I DO LIKE THE IDEA THAT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. I DON'T KNOW KING WHEN'S THAT PART OF KING STREET GOING TO BE ACTUALLY A WHILE, RIGHT? >> F 2028, 20 2029, SOMEWHERE IN THAT TIME FRAME BEFORE WE START OUR KING STREET REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AND GET TO THAT POINT? >> MAYBE I MEAN, I USED TO DO THAT KIND OF STUFF. MAYBE SOME KIND OF GRAPHIC ON THE ROAD OR SOMETHING. SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO. I THINK THAT'S A VERY LEGITIMATE CONCERN. OTHER THAN THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. >> COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER GARRIS. >> THE GUY THAT CAME UP AND SPOKE ABOUT HIS EMPLOYEES, AND THEN HE SPOKE ABOUT THE LOADING ZONES. CAN WE MAKE A SPOT THAT SAYS, PICK UP PICK UP FOR 30 MINUTES THAT WAY, ANYBODY THAT'S SELLING ART ON THAT CORNER ON THAT BLOCK DESIGNATED SPOT AND PUT A SIGN UP LIKE 30 MINUTE PARKING. I SEE THAT IN SOME DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE CITY, THAT WILL ALLOW SOMEBODY TO COME AND THEM NOT PARK IN A LOADING ZONE. IT WILL GIVE SOMEBODY OPPORTUNITY TO GO IN AND BUY THEIR ART. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES AND GET IN THEIR CAR AND TAKE OFF? >> I THINK IT'S MAY ALREADY BE ALLOWED IN A LOADING ZONE THAT A CUSTOMER COULD GO INTO THE STORE AND PICK UP MERCHANDISE. THERE MAY NOT BE A NEED FOR ANY CHANGES, BUT IF THERE ARE A NEED FOR CHANGES. >> I THE REGULAR CAR, AREN'T THEY GOING TO BE LOOKED AT AS BEING A PERSON THAT'S. >> WELL, I NEED TO VERIFY I'M NOT SURE, I NEED TO VERIFY THAT. >> THAT WAS ONE OF MY THINGS. AND IS THERE ANY UPDATE ON THE DAYCARE CENTER OPENING BECAUSE I GOT PEOPLE ASKING ME CONSTANTLY. >> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. WE ARE SO CLOSE TO OPENING UP THE PAVILION FOR DINING WITH DIGNITY. THE ONLY THING WE'RE WAITING ON IS FP&L TO DO SOME UNDERGROUND POWER WORK THERE. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. WE'RE ALREADY CLOSE TO SEPTEMBER. I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANY MORE DETAIL THAN THAT OTHER THAN WE'RE JUST WAITING ON THIS LAST ASPECT OF POWER INSTALLATION FROM FP&L AND WE ANTICIPATE A GRAND OPENING OF THE PAVILION FOR DINING WITH DIGNITY IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. >> AND THE OTHER THING WAS, IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE ELKS LODGE OF BEING THERE FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING. IT WAS SO GOOD SEEING SO MANY PEOPLE TRAVELED THERE, THE ELKTON BROTHERS TRAVELING THERE, THEIR PRESIDENT AND DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS. IT WAS GREAT. IT WAS REALLY A BLESSING TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE OF WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE AFTER THAT STORM AND COMPARED TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW. I MEAN, IT WAS REALLY IT REALLY WAS A GOOD THING, SEEING THAT. AND JAMIE AND HER STAFF DID A GREAT JOB ON THAT CRA. I KNOW ST. MARY'S IS EXCITED SAYING THEY'RE UP NEXT, GETTING THEIR CHURCH BEING RENOVATED AT THIS TIME, ALSO. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO EVERYBODY THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS FROM THE CONTRACTORS TO THE STAFF, THAT IT WAS A JOB WELL DONE. IT LOOKS GREAT. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SPEECHES AND RECOGNIZING YOUR FELLOW COMMISSIONS DURING THAT OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. >> I'LL GO. I'D LIKE TO START BY SAYING, WE FELT FRUSTRATED WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION, [02:40:02] BUT I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS COUNTY COMMISSION. THEY SEEM TO BE THEY HAVE STRUGGLES, BUT THEY SEEM TO BE WORKING THOSE THINGS OUT. THEY ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE RESIDENTS AND GROWTH, AND I THINK THEY'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I APPRECIATE THAT. AND ALSO, JOY ANDREWS IS A GREAT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I DO HAVE ONE QUICK STORY AND I'LL MAKE IT VERY SHORT, I PROMISE BECAUSE I HAD SAID 645 AND IT'S 745. WE GAVE A SCHOLARSHIP TO A STUDENT YEARS AGO FROM OHANS FOR COLLEGE. HE WENT OFF TO COLLEGE AND HE CAME BACK A YEAR LATER TO TELL US WHAT HE'D DONE A YEAR. HE STARTED OUT BY SAYING, I WENT TO CHAPEL HILL. I WAS SO EXCITED. I GOT IN THE DORM AND I SAID, HEY, GUYS, LET'S GO SURFING. THEY SAID, THERE'S NO OCEAN. LET'S GO WATER SKIING. THERE'S NO LAKE OR RIVER. WELL, LET'S GO DOWN TO THE FORT. THERE'S NO FORT, HE SAID. THEN I REALIZED I HAD GROWN UP IN A VERY SPECIAL PLACE. THE EMPLOYEE PARKING THING, I REALLY WOULD LIKE FOR US TO CONSIDER LOOKING INTO. ALSO I WANT TO COMMENT THAT THE SUMMER IS OVER. I WILL BE BACK IN TIE, BUT NOT ON THE WORKSHOP DAY. WELCOME BACK TO ALL THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY AND THE TEACHERS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND ALSO THE STUDENTS, THE FLAGGER KIDS ARE OBVIOUSLY BACK IF YOU'VE BEEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN. >> MISS THEM? >> IT'S FUN. IT GIVES THAT ENERGY AND I'LL BE GLAD WHEN THEIR PARENTS ARE GONE BECAUSE IT'S JUST ADDED TO THE TROUBLE. THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] >> WELL SAID. GO AHEAD. >> I THINK THE STUDENTS WILL BE GLAD WHEN THEIR PARENTS ARE GONE TOO SOME OF THEM. I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS. FIRST, I REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE AGAIN WHAT SO MANY OF US HAVE SAID. THE STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY ON SO MANY DIFFERENT COMPLICATED ISSUES AND THEN ANOTHER ONE WILL DROP ON THEIR DESKS AND EVERYBODY HAS TO DROP EVERYTHING AND RESPOND TO IT, LIKE THE COUNTY INVITATION. YOU ALL DO IT WITH THE UTMOST PROFESSIONALISM AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES, BUT IT SURE LOOKS GREAT FROM OUR VIEW OUT IN PUBLIC VIEW. AND I ALSO WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT E BIKES ON SIDEWALKS. I KNOW WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS SOME YEARS AGO, THE FLAGGER COLLEGE CAMPUS. THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES TOO, AND I'D REALLY LIKE TO SAY PAY SOME MORE ATTENTION TO THAT. THEY'RE BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF THEM AND I DON'T THINK I SEE AS MANY RIDING ON THE SIDEWALKS, BUT WHEN THEY DO, THEY CAN REALLY HURT SOMEBODY, MAIM THEM AND SO FORTH. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THAT IF WE CAN FOLLOW UP ON THAT. THEN FINALLY, MY YARD FLOODED YESTERDAY. THIS RAIN IS JUST NORMAL, BUT MORE THAN NORMAL, IT'S NOT A HURRICANE. I JUST WANT TO KEEP THAT IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY. I WAS LOOKING AT MY HURRICANE, THE STORAGE, THE FOOD AND THE SUPPLIES AND EVERYTHING AND THINKING, I SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN BATTERIES BY NOW. I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE TO EVERYBODY TO JUST STAY VIGILANT. IT COULD BE KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR. HOPEFULLY, IT WILL NOT BE, BUT IT COULD BE KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR, SO JUST REMIND EVERYBODY TO BE PREPARED. >> YES, AND I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE THING ABOUT THE E BIKES. I KNOW THAT THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON ORDINANCE. I KNOW OTHER CITIES ARE WORKING ON ORDINANCE. IT'S A BIG TOPIC AT THE FLORIDA CITIES. WERE YOU JUST SO I'M CLEAR, WERE YOU ASKING FOR US TO LOOK INTO AN ORDINANCE OF OUR OWN? >> IF WE COULD DO THAT, WE HAD STOPPED SHORT OF THAT BEFORE AND I DON'T REMEMBER WHY. BUT IF WE COULD LOOK INTO THAT, YES. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT IT WAS THAT WIDESPREAD. >> IT'S VERY WIDESPREAD. GREAT, WILL I SUPPORT THAT. >> I WOULD SUPPORT IT, TOO. I JUST WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT IF YOU ARE DOING THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE DANGEROUS, I KEEP MINE ON THE ROAD ALL THE TIME. HOWEVER, THAT DOES GIVE US SOME RESPONSIBILITY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY WOULD GO. >> WELL, WE'LL SORT. >> WE CAN HAVE GOLF CARTS AND HORSES AND EVERYTHING ELSE. >> THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SAY. IF YOU'RE DRIVING A CAR IN TOWN AND IF THE BIKES AREN'T GOOD IN THE SIDEWALK, THERE ARE GREAT WAYS TO GET AROUND. YOU EXPECT TO SEE HIM ON THE STREET? IS ALL PART OF THE MESSAGE MULTI MODAL. >> I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. BETTER. PERFECT. IF THAT NOTHING MORE SHOULD BE ADDED, WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.