[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:02]
THIS IS THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION.MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE WILL OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER, IF YOU'LL BEGIN NOW.
>> PLEASE STAND IF YOU'RE ABLE.
>> NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE MODIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA,
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
MR. CITY MANAGER, DO YOU HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS?>> YOU DO NOT. COMMISSIONERS, ANY MODIFICATIONS? I DO. I HAVE ONE TO ASK YOUR OPINION OF.
IT HAS BEEN REQUESTED THAT WE DO A PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 7A2, WHICH IS THE REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT OF 117 INLET DRIVE.
>> UP ON THAT. POSITIVE. I WOULD OFFER THE MODIFICATION THAT 7A2 WOULD BECOME A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT ITEM.
WITH THAT MOTION, DO I HEAR A SECOND?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO WE WILL HEAR THE PUBLIC ON THAT ITEM.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS]
WE HAVE TWO PROCLAMATIONS.THE FIRST ONE IS VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER.
YOU WILL BE DOING THE NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.
LOVELY, AND I WILL SIGN IT FOR YOU.
>> I'LL FOLLOW YOUR LEAD IN PAST MEETINGS, AND I'LL READ THE PROCLAMATION FROM HERE, AND I WILL ASK THOSE WHO ARE ACCEPTING THE PROCLAMATION TO COME FORWARD AFTER I FINISHED READING IT, AND WE'LL HAVE ALL THE COMMISSIONERS GATHER UP FRONT.
>> LOVELY. I HAVE THE WRONG ONE.
>> THAT'S OKAY. I JUST NOTICED.
THIS IS GOING TO BE MEMBERS OF THE DAR THAT WILL BE COMING UP TO ACCEPT IT, WHEREAS NATIVE AMERICAN AWARENESS WEEK BEGAN IN 1976, AND RECOGNITION WAS EXPANDED BY CONGRESS AND APPROVED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH IN AUGUST 1990, DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.
WHEREAS THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF OUR GREAT NATION HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCED BY AMERICAN INDIANS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND WHEREAS NATIVE AMERICANS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE HEALTH AND VITALITY OF OUR NATION, AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE ENHANCED THE FREEDOM, PROSPERITY, AND GREATNESS OF AMERICA TODAY.
WHEREAS THEIR CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS ARE RESPECTED AND CELEBRATED AS PART OF A RICH LEGACY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, AND WHEREAS IN HONOR OF NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS, AS WELL AS NUMEROUS CULTURAL, ARTISTIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND HISTORICAL ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN PLANNED.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE ST. AUGUSTINE CITY COMMISSION HEREBY PROCLAIMS NOVEMBER 2025 AS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, AND URGES ALL OUR CITIZENS TO OBSERVE THIS MONTH WITH APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS, CEREMONIES, AND ACTIVITIES.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN FRONT, COMMISSIONERS AND THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DAR, PLEASE.
[00:05:17]
>> I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE PROCLAMATION, IF I MAY, TO MS. BETH PELZER.
I'M SORRY, LITTLE BIT TONGUE TIED RIGHT NOW.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? JUST A FEW WORDS.
>> FOR MORE THAN 500 YEARS BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF PEDRO MENENDEZ, THE TIMEQUA PEOPLE OF ST. AUGUSTINE AREA HAD BEEN LIVING IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS THEY WERE IN 1565, AND THEIR VILLAGE WAS THERE AT THE SITE OF THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.
I HOPE IF YOU'VE NOT VISITED THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, YOU WILL GO THERE AND AS PART OF THIS MONTH TO CELEBRATE THEIR LEGACY.
I ALSO WANTED TO REMIND EVERYONE HERE THAT THE COLONIAL DAMES, THE DAR, AND THE SAR, WILL BE SPONSORING THE LECTURE SERIES BEGINNING IN JANUARY, AND THE VERY FIRST LECTURE SERIES.
THE SERIES IS ABOUT THE UNKNOWN FACES, FACTS, AND FEATURES OF FLORIDA AND THE REVOLUTION.
THE VERY FIRST LECTURE IS ON JANUARY 7 IN THE VIRGINIA ROOM AT FLAGLER COLLEGE AND IT IS FREE, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, BUT YOU DO NEED TO REGISTER.
BUT IT'S ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS TO FLORIDA AND ST. AUGUSTINE AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
WE HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WILL JOIN US AT THAT TIME.
>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IT'S REALLY BEEN GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE. [APPLAUSE]
>> I APPRECIATE SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE ANOTHER PROCLAMATION.
I SEE MR. HARTLEY AND THE AUDIENCE THERE READY TO COME AND ACCEPT THIS.
THE SECOND ONE IS, WHEREAS THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY IS AN ICONIC NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES, WHOSE MULTI-GENERATIONAL MIGRATION AND METAMORPHOSIS FROM CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY HAS CAPTURED THE IMAGINATION OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, AND WHEREAS BOTH THE WESTERN AND EASTERN MONARCH POPULATIONS HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT DECLINES WITH LESS THAN 1% OF THE WESTERN MONARCH POPULATION REMAINING, WHILE THE EASTERN POPULATION HAS FALLEN BY AS MUCH AS 90%.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE RECOGNIZES THAT HUMAN HEALTH, ULTIMATELY, DEPENDS ON WELL FUNCTIONING ECOSYSTEMS AND THAT BIODIVERSE REGIONS CAN BETTER SUPPORT FOOD PRODUCTION, HEALTHY SOIL, AND AIR QUALITY, AND CAN FOSTER HEALTHY CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HUMANS AND WILDLIFE.
WHEREAS CITIES, TOWNS, AND COUNTIES HAVE A CRITICAL ROLE TO PLAY TO HELP SAVE THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY, AND THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE IS STRIVING TO BECOME A LEADER.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAS SIGNED THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION'S MAYOR'S MONARCH PLEDGE, COMMITTING TO TAKING MEANINGFUL ACTION TO PROTECT THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY.
WHEREAS EVERY CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE MONARCH BY PLANTING NATIVE MILKWEED AND NECTAR PLANTS TO PROVIDE HABITAT FOR THE MONARCHS AND POLLINATORS IN LOCATIONS WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, WORK, LEARN, PLAY, AND WORSHIP.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2025 AS MONARCH BUTTERFLY MONTH, AND ENCOURAGES ALL OUR CITIZENS, BUSINESSES, AND INSTITUTIONS TO SUPPORT AND CELEBRATE MONARCH CONSERVATION.
NOW, IF THE COMMISSION WOULD JOIN ME IN THE FRONT, MR. HARTLEY, WILL ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION FROM US.
[00:10:10]
HERE YOU GO. HERE IS YOUR PROCLAMATION.WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> BRIEF. I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY FOR RECOGNIZING THIS AND FOR THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT JUST TO ALL OF THE COUNTY, REALLY, AND TO BE PART OF IT IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT SO THANK YOU.
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
THE NEXT ITEM WILL BE PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING.WE DID MAKE THE CHANGE AT THE LAST MINUTE.
I'M GOING TO TRY AND CHECK THESE CARDS TO MAKE SURE THAT OKAY, WE HAVE A COUPLE IN LET.
I'LL TRY AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS GETS SORTED OUT CORRECTLY. LET'S SEE.
LET'S START WITH, I BELIEVE, I WAS THE PILE GOT SHOVELED.
ROBIN THOMAS, FOLLOWED BY VICKY PEPPER.
MS. THOMAS, CAN YOU HOLD ONE SECOND WHILE I READ THE STATEMENT? I APOLOGIZE. I MISSED THAT.
ONCE I'M FINISHED, THEN YOU'RE FREE TO GO AHEAD.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS THAT ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION SHOULD FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD, AND I WILL CALL YOU TO THE PODIUM WHEN IT IS TURN YOUR TO SPEAK.
YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CITY'S RULES OF DECORUM, THAT BEING, COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE, NOT INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS, AND COMMISSIONERS DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM SPEAKERS AT THAT TIME.
NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE COMMISSION WITH PERSONAL, PROPER OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM ANY CLAPPING OR DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS.
FINALLY, I WOULD ASK ANY SPEAKER WHO USES THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR TO PLEASE SUBMIT THOSE ITEMS TO THE CITY CLERK TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
THANK YOU. MS. THOMAS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO GO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ROBIN THOMAS, 147 MARTIN LUTHER KING AVENUE.
THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPASSION LIES AT THE HEART OF ALL RELIGIOUS, ETHICAL, AND SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS, CALLING US ALWAYS TO TREAT ALL OTHERS AS WE WISH TO BE TREATED OURSELVES.
COMPASSION IMPELS US TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF OUR FELLOW CREATURES, TO DETHRONE OURSELVES FROM THE CENTER OF OUR WORLD AND PUT ANOTHER THERE AND TO HONOR THE ENABLE 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 PRINCIPLED DETERMINATION TO TRANSCEND OUR SELFISHNESS.
COMPASSION CAN BREAK DOWN POLITICAL, DOGMATIC, IDEOLOGICAL AND RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES, BORN OF OUR DEEP INTERDEPENDENCE.
COMPASSION IS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AND TO FULFILL HUMANITY.
IT IS THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT AND INDISPENSABLE TO THE CREATURE WITH THE CREATION OF A JUST ECONOMY AND A PEACEFUL GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
[00:15:05]
GENEVA SWITZERLAND, FEBRUARY 2009. THANK YOU.OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS VICKY PEPPER, FOLLOWED BY PAUL HAMEL.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I LIVE ON HARVARD VISTA CIRCLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY.
CARE'S PURPOSE IS TO SERVE BLACK AND OTHER UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BY IDENTIFYING RESOURCES, INCLUDING FUNDING SOURCES, AND LINKING THEM WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WE'RE ENTERING INTO CAN BE A CHALLENGING TIME FOR MANY OF OUR LOCAL FAMILIES UNDER THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
THIS YEAR, THOUSANDS OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY ARE REALLY STRUGGLING AS A RESULT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, AND ESPECIALLY THE SUSPENSION OF SNAP BENEFITS.
LOOKS LIKE THE SHUTDOWN MAY BE ENDING, BUT WHO KNOWS HOW LONG IT'LL TAKE TO SORT OUT THE MESS.
LAST WEEK, OUR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AUTHORIZED THE USE OF $200,000 FROM ITS EMERGENCY RESERVES TO ENABLE LOCAL FOOD DISTRIBUTION ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN COORDINATION WITH THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO COUNTY RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY DUE TO THE SHUTDOWN.
THE COMMISSIONERS ALSO SUPPORTED SUSPENDING UTILITY DISK CONNECTION FOR NON PAYMENT THROUGH THE END OF NOVEMBER.
I UNDERSTAND THE CITY SIMILARLY, CAN WORK WITH RESIDENCES EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP TO SUSPEND UTILITY DISCONNECTION FOR NON PAYMENT TEMPORARILY, AND THAT RESIDENTS NEEDING SUCH ASSISTANCE MAY CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE.
CARE UNDERSTANDS THAT CASH IS THE MOST USEFUL CONTRIBUTION TO ORGANIZATIONS ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY.
IF THE CITY WERE SIMILARLY ABLE TO COME UP WITH SOME FUNDING, IT COULD REALLY HELP.
DONATIONS OF NON PERISHABLE ITEMS HELP TOO, SO THE CITY MIGHT CONSIDER WORKING WITH LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS TO ORGANIZE A FOOD DRIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, THEN DISTRIBUTE THE ITEMS COLLECTED TO AND THROUGH LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES.
BUT EVEN BEYOND WHAT OUR CITY GOVERNMENT AND CITY EMPLOYEES ARE ABLE TO DO, AS ROBIN REMINDS US, WE ARE A COMPASSIONATE CITY.
ALL OF US BEAR SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR BUILDING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY THAT DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR ENVISIONED.
KAREN AND I CALL UPON ALL OF OUR FEDERAL LAW CITIZENS TO LOOK INTO THEIR HEARTS AND THINK ABOUT THOSE LESS FORTUNATE WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT IN A POSITION TO MAKE A FINANCIAL OR IN KIND CONTRIBUTION, THERE ARE MANY GREAT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED WITH WHOM YOU MAY VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND TALENTS.
I'VE LEFT COPIES OF OPENING DOORS, A BROCHURE PUBLISHED BY THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE, WHICH PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT A VARIETY OF LOCAL NON PROFITS ON THE BACK TABLE IN ORDER TO HELP THOSE INTERESTED IN LEARNING WHERE AND HOW THEY MIGHT HELP, TO INCLUDE KNOWING WHERE TO DIRECT THEIR NEIGHBORS WHO MAY NEED TO DRAW UPON SUPPORTIVE RESOURCES.
A WEALTH OF INFORMATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE CONTINUUM OF CARE WEBSITE AT ST. JOHNS COUNTYCOC.ORG OR ON THE SEPARATE WEBSITES OF MANY OF OUR LOCAL NGOS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BEFORE WE GO ON, NOW MR. HAMEL IS COMING, MR. CITY MANAGER, DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT AND WAS THAT GOING TO BE PART OF YOUR REPORT TODAY?
>> IT WAS, BUT I CAN SUMMARIZE IT RIGHT NOW.
THE CITY HAS A COUPLE OF INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE DOING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS.
ONE IS THE CANNED FOOD DRIVE. WE DO THAT EVERY YEAR.
WE ALSO HAVE A CHARITABLE DONATION PROGRAM THAT CITY STAFF PARTICIPATE IN.
WE'VE ALREADY RAISED $600 SO FAR.
THAT MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS LOCAL FOOD BANKS.
YES. I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE.
WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS IN NEED DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER IF THEY NEED MONEY TO PAY THE BILLS, AND IF IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO SUSPEND THEIR UTILITY DISCONNECTIONS IF THEY CAN'T PAY THEIR WATER AND TRASH BILL, WE'LL SPEAK TO THEM ON A ONE ON ONE BASIS.
I DO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS NOT A FREE MONTH OF WATER AND SEWER AND TRASH SERVICE, THAT THEIR ACCOUNT WILL REFLECT THOSE CHARGES.
WE HAVE TO TALK TO FOLKS BEFORE WE SUSPEND DISCONNECTION SERVICES BECAUSE WE WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY STILL OWE US THOSE CHARGES.
WE WOULD JUST PUSH THOSE CHARGES OFF TO A FUTURE DATE. YES, MA'AM.
>> LOVELY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I FELT LIKE IT WAS AN URGENT MATTER AND THAT
[00:20:01]
THE COMMUNITY SHOULD KNOW THAT WE ARE A COMPASSIONATE CITY.>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD, TOO, THAT THE AMPHITHEATER IS HOSTING A HUGE FOOD DRIVE ON FRIDAY FROM 7:00 AM TILL 6:00 PM.
IF YOU HAVE NON PERISHABLE ITEMS, PLEASE DROP THEM OFF THERE. I CERTAINLY PLAN TO.
> PERFECT. THANK YOU. MR. HAMEL, YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK NOW. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE [OVERLAPPING].
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I LIVE IN THE MADEIRA SUBDIVISION, WHICH IS ALONG AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE CITY.
A LOT OF YOU MAY RECALL LAST YEAR WE HAD AN ISSUE OF 30 ACRES BACK THERE THAT WERE BEING USED NOW BY THE DEVELOPER FOR DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSES, AND AS THAT PROCEEDED, THEY CUT THE STREETS, AND THEY'VE CUT OUT ALL THE UNDERBRUSH THERE, LEAVING THIS PAST SUMMER A CLEAR LINE OF SIGHT BACK TO THE INTRACOASTAL FOR ANYBODY WHO GOES BACK THERE.
THE KING TIDE LAST MONTH ON OCTOBER 11TH CAME WELL UP ALMOST TO THE PANTANO STREET, WHICH IS THE ROAD THAT'S GOT CUT BACK THERE.
IT LEFT FLOODING LIKE THIS BEHIND THERE IN THE KING TIDES OF LAST MONTH.
JUST FOR THE RECORD AS WELL, I WENT OUT THERE LAST WEEK TWICE, DURING WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE KING TIDE, HIGH TIDE. DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING.
WE HAD A NORTHEASTERN LAST MONTH. THERE'S MORE FLOODING.
THESE WERE PHOTOS TAKEN BY A NEIGHBOR AND POSTED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OF THE COMMUNITY.
ANYWAYS, THE FLOODING BACK THERE DOES NOT REFLECT WHAT'S IN THE FEMA MAPS, AND THIS IS A FEMA MAP OF THE AREA THAT WAS USED IN THE PCB MEETING LAST WEEK FOR BUILDING OF HOUSES BACK THERE.
AGAIN, THIS CAME FROM A REPORT FROM THE CITY.
THE ELEVATIONS HERE, I DON'T THINK THEY'RE ACCURATE AND WHAT'S GOING ON.
I THINK THAT IDEALLY, I'D LOVE TO SEE A SURVEY AND RELOOK AT THAT FEMA MAP, OF WHAT IS AT RISK AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN THE TREES DO GET TAKEN DOWN.
I'M NOT CONTESTING THAT AT ALL.
I THINK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING, EVERYBODY INVOLVED.
BUT I'M REALLY NOT SURE THAT ALL THE INFORMATION THAT'S BEEN OUT THERE, GIVEN THAT THIS IS NEW INFORMATION.
IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, WE SAW SOME SIGNIFICANT FLOODING THAT WOULD GO PAST WHERE HOUSES ARE GOING TO BE BUILT, AT LEAST ON, I DON'T KNOW, HALF A DOZEN LOTS, MAYBE MORE, THAT THERE'S AN ISSUE BACK THERE, AND WITH THE WATER MOVING AROUND STEM WALLS AND ELEVATED STREETS, THE STREETS BUILD UP THREE OR FOUR FEET ABOVE THE EXISTING ELEVATION, THAT WE MIGHT HAVE A REAL PROBLEM BACK THERE.
SOME OF THE MORE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THAT, I'M NOT A HYDROLOGIST, BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME PROBLEMS BACK THERE, POSSIBLY, AND I THINK IT OUGHT TO BE LOOKED AT BY THE CITY OR COUNTY OR FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. THANK YOU.
PATRICIA RAMOS, FOLLOWED BY KATHERINE ZOTA.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS PATRICIA, AND I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU TO SPEAK UP FOR, ONCE AGAIN, THE ABUSED HORSES OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
WE CAN KEEP THIS PLAYING FOR A BIT.
WE UNDERSTAND HORSES ARE EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN, BUT A SENTIENT BEING WHO HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FORCEFULLY EXIST, SHOULDN'T HAVE TO EARN THEIR KEEP.
WE'RE NOT TRYING TO TAKE JOBS AWAY.
WE ARE ASKING FOR ELECTRIC CARRIAGES TO REPLACE THE CRUELTY WHILE STILL KEEPING THE CHARM.
YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF WHO YOU RESCUE, INCLUDING THESE HORSES,
[00:25:04]
AND INSTEAD ALLOW THEM TO LIVE FREELY ON YOUR PROPERTY INSTEAD OF EARNING MONEY.INSTEAD, YOU SHOULD EARN MONEY YOURSELF, THAT IS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THEM.
WHY NOT DRIVE THE ELECTRIC CARRIAGES? THAT COULD BE ONE WAY, ONE OPTION.
IT'S TIME TO EXTEND COMPASSION AND EVOLVE A WAY FROM MAKING MONEY OFF THE BACK OF SLAVES.
REGARDLESS OF THEIR SPECIES, THEY ARE JUST AS SENTIENT.
WITH THE UPCOMING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, THERE WILL BE MORE TOURISTS AND OBVIOUSLY MORE POSSIBILITIES OF NOT ONLY RESIDENTS, BUT VISITORS HAVING ONE TOO MANY DRINKS AND DRIVING DRUNK WITHIN THE BEAUTIFUL STREETS OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
WITH SO MUCH TRAFFIC BEING ADDED DURING THAT TIME, THE HORSES IN THE PUBLIC ARE PLACED MORE AT RISK.
THE COMMISSION SHOWS THAT THEY NEED TO CARE FOR THE ANIMALS, THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND THE PUBLIC.
HERE'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF A DRUNK DRIVER FLEEING THE POLICE IN ST. AUGUSTINE ON CATHEDRAL AND KING.
DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT THESE PEOPLE CARE IF THERE WAS, GOD FORBID, A HORSE CARRIAGE IN THEIR WAY AS THEY ARE IMPAIRED OR THE COPS THAT ARE CHASING THIS SUBJECT? THAT'S ALL DAMAGE ON KING STREET AND CATHEDRAL, AND ST. AUGUSTINE.
THAT IS SOMEONE WHO WAS FLEEING THE COPS.
IMAGINE WITH THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE THERE.
THESE ARE ALSO TWO INCIDENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
EIGHT CRASHES IN ST. AUGUSTINE, WITH THE HORSE AND CARRIAGES.
I'D LIKE TO ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.
PETA IS NOT THE ONLY ORGANIZATION OUT THERE WHO FIGHTS FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOM.
NO, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN HERE MULTIPLE TIMES FIGHTING FOR THE HORSES, BUT WE WILL JOIN FORCES SOON.
FINALLY, AS THE PUBLIC AND SOME CONSTITUENTS, WE FEEL IT'S CLEAR THAT SOME OF THE COMMISSION CANNOT APPROACH THE ISSUE OF HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES WITH IMPARTIALITY.
THEIR LONGSTANDING PERSONAL TIES TO THE CARRIAGE OPERATORS HAVE CLOUDED THEIR JUDGMENT AND PREVENTED FROM ACKNOWLEDGING THE UNDENIABLE SHOWN EVIDENCE OF ANIMAL NEGLECT, ABUSE, AND REPEATED VIOLATIONS.
AGAIN, IT'S ABSOLUTELY REPULSIVELY IMMORAL THAT WITHIN MINUTES OF WATCHING THIS VIDEO, THE COMMISSION CAN STATE THAT THEY SEE NO ABUSE TOWARDS THE HORSES.
DOES THIS LOOK LIKE SOMETHING THAT IS DONE OUT OF LOVE FOR THE HORSES?
KATHERINE ZOTA, FOLLOWED BY ALLIE BURCHFIELD.
I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE CITY'S FAILURE TO ACT ON REPORTED INCIDENT OF ANIMAL ABUSE BY THE OWNER, OWNER OF COUNTRY CARRIAGE, A CITY FRANCHISEE.
WE RECENTLY PRESENTED DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE CONTAINED IN A POLICE REPORT THAT SHOWED A SMALL HORSE BEING REPEATEDLY STRUCK IN THE FACE BY THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY.
DESPITE THE SERIOUS EVIDENCE, THE CITY FAILED TO PROPERLY DOCUMENT OR INVESTIGATE THE COMPLAINT.
DOES THIS MEAN THE CITY IS WILLING TO TOLERATE THE STRIKING OF HORSES IN THE FACE? AN ACT SO DISTURBING, IT WOULD NEVER BE ACCEPTABLE ON CITY STREETS.
A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST CONFIRMED THAT THE CITY DID NOT CONDUCT ANY INTERNAL INVESTIGATION INTO THIS INCIDENT, AND DID NOT EVEN CONTACT COUNTRY CARRIAGES TO DISCUSS THIS BEHAVIOR, MUCH LESS TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION TO PREVENT IT FROM CONTINUING.
WHILE THE CITY HAS REPEATEDLY REDIRECTED RESPONSIBILITY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THIS INCIDENT INVOLVES A CITY FRANCHISEE OPERATING UNDER THE CITY'S AUTHORITY.
DEFLECTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT ABSOLVE THE CITY OF ITS DUTY TO CONDUCT ITS OWN REVIEW AND HOLD ITS FRANCHISEE ACCOUNTABLE.
BEYOND THE VIDEO EVIDENCE, THE POLICE REPORT INCLUDED AN AUDIO RECORDING IN WHICH THE OWNER GAVE CONFLICTING EXPLANATIONS FOR STRIKING THE HORSE.
FIRST, HE CLAIMED THE SMALL HORSE ATTACKED HIM.
THEN LATER STATED, THE HORSE BOLTED PAST HIM.
THEN THAT IT CAME AT HIM WHEN HE PULLED IT FORWARD.
FINALLY, THAT IT WAS GOING UP ON ITS HIND LEGS AND STRIKING OUT.
YET THE VIDEO CLEARLY SHOWS THE MAN DOMINATING THE SMALL HORSE, NOT DEFENDING HIMSELF FROM AN ATTACK.
[00:30:03]
HE ALSO MADE INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS ABOUT THE HORSE'S WHEREABOUTS, INITIALLY CLAIMING HE STILL HAD THE HORSE, THEN STATING HE DID NOT KNOW WHICH HORSE IT WAS, AND LATER THAT HE HAD NOT HAD THE HORSE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.THESE DISCREPANCIES SHOULD HAVE PROMPTED A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION.
THE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE OWNER REPEATEDLY STRIKING THE SMALL HORSE CLEARLY INDICATES SIGNIFICANT ANIMAL WELFARE VIOLATIONS.
THE CITY CANNOT DISMISS THESE ACTIONS.
DOING SO IT SUGGESTS THE CITY CONDONES VIOLENCE TOWARDS ANIMALS ON CITY LAND UNDER CITY SUPERVISION.
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO TAKE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST COUNTRY CARRIAGES. THANK YOU.
NEXT SPEAKER, ALLIE BURCHFIELD, FOLLOWED BY REBECCA KRELL.
>> GOOD EVENING. ALL BURCHFIELD 29 ROHDE AVENUE.
I LIVE IN THE UPTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'D LIKE TO START BY COMMENDING THE CITY STAFF ON PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN THAT THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON SINCE MAY, OR MAYBE EVEN BEFORE THEN.
THEY'VE HAD SEVERAL ADVERTISED WORKSHOPS IN THE MAY, JUNE TIMELINE FOR INTERESTED STAKEHOLDERS.
THEIR PRESENTATION INCLUDED A PLAN TO ALLOW THE TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
MANY OF US WORKED TO COLLECT PETITIONS FROM RESIDENTS AND EASILY GOT THE REQUIRED THRESHOLDS FOR THAT PROCESS.
THE PLAN HAS BEEN DONE VERY THOUGHTFULLY, AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING IT.
I'M GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THE BUSINESSES ARE DISGRUNTLED ABOUT IT RECENTLY AND ARE APPEALING TO THE CITY FOR SOME LAST MINUTE CHANGES.
I LOVE OUR LITTLE BUSINESSES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY ARE TRULY AN ASSET TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I SUPPORT THEM AS WELL AS MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS.
THAT BEING SAID, I DO NOT AGREE WITH A BUSINESS MODEL THAT RELIES ON RESIDENTIAL PARKING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
MOST DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES ARE LOCATED DOWNTOWN IN ORDER TO CAPITALIZE ON THE WALKING TRAFFIC FROM THE TOURISTS AND FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
I DO NOT SUPPORT ANY ATTEMPT TO ALTER THE PLAN AS IT IS.
KEEP IN MIND WHEN WE WERE WORKING TO COLLECT PETITIONS AND THE SIGNATURES FROM RESIDENTS, WE DID NOT GET A SINGLE DESCENT.
PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND AND FEEL THE WEIGHT OF ALL OF THE RESIDENTS IN YOUR FUTURE CONVERSATIONS FOR ANY APPEALS TO THE SYSTEM WE PUT IN PLACE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, REBECCA KRELL, FOLLOWED BY DARCY SOUTHERN.
>> YES, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, IF YOU SO INCLINED.
>> HI. MY NAME IS BECCA KRELL.
THIS IS MY FIRST CITY HOME MEETING, SO THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME.
I HAVE BEEN A ST. AUGUSTINE RESIDENT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW, AND ANIMAL CRUELTY AND SMOKING HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MY TWO BIGGEST PET PEEVES.
I'VE SEEN A SHOCKING AMOUNT OF BOTH OF THESE PRACTICES IN MY TIME HERE.
YESTERDAY, I ACTUALLY SAW A CARRIAGE DRIVER BLOW HIS CIGARETTE SMOKE RIGHT INTO A HORSE'S FACE.
I CAN WALK AWAY FROM SMOKERS, BUT THE HORSES DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY, AND THAT ACT YESTERDAY BROUGHT ME HERE TO VOICE MY DISAPPOINTMENT.
THIS CITY HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL, BUT THESE OUTDATED PRACTICES REALLY DULL THE CITY'S CHARM.
I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO HELP DRIVE SOME POSITIVE CHANGE HERE.
I HAVE A VIDEO THAT I CAN SHOW YOU OF THE SMOKING.
I'LL JUST CASUALLY TALK AS THIS IS PLAYING.
I WASN'T REALLY PLANNING TO ATTEND THIS EVENT.
I JUST SO HAPPENED TO MEET A GROUP OF LOVELY LADIES WHO WERE STICKING UP FOR THE HORSES YESTERDAY, AND I FELT THE SAME WAY THAT THEY DO, AND IT JUST BROKE MY HEART.
I REALLY DO THINK THAT THIS CITY COULD BE SUCH A GREAT PLACE FOR SO MANY RESIDENTS, VISITORS ALIKE, AND SEEING THINGS LIKE THIS, IT'S SO SAD ON SO MANY LEVELS.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP CHANGE THAT, I WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DARCY SOUTHERN, FOLLOWED BY JUDY GLAZEBROOK.
[00:35:05]
>> HI, MY NAME IS DARCY SOUTHERN, AND I'M THE MANAGER OF ONE OF THE BUSINESSES IN THE UPTOWN DISTRICT, CRAFTS WITHOUT BORDERS.
THE OWNER WOULD BE HERE, BUT SHE'S OUT OF THE STATE AT THE MOMENT, AND I CAME TO TALK ABOUT THE VERY PARKING MEASURES THAT WERE MENTIONED EARLIER.
THANK YOU. IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR FROM THE RESIDENTS BECAUSE I'M SURE IT'S REALLY TOUGH WITH ALL THE PARKING THERE DURING CHRISTMAS TIME.
I THINK WHAT CAUGHT US OFF GUARD WAS HOW SUDDEN IT WAS FOR THE BUSINESSES.
WE DIDN'T GET ANYONE, REACHING OUT TO US DIRECTLY INFORMING US THAT THESE PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN THE UPTOWN DISTRICT WOULD TAKE PLACE, ESPECIALLY ON CINCINNATI AVENUE AND ROHDE.
OUR BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO THINKING OF THESE STREETS AS OUR PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT'S FREE AND OPEN PARKING, AND SO WHEN WE SAW THESE SIGNS COMING UP, SAYING THAT EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK FROM 1:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M.
THERE WOULD BE RESIDENT ONLY PARKING BY PERMIT, THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MIND WAS THAT OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE NOWHERE TO PARK.
I KNOW THAT MY NEIGHBORS AT THE SCOOP EMPLOY MINORS.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF LADIES WHO ARE OVER 50, AND THE THOUGHT OF THEM CLOSING SHOP AT 8:00, 9:00, SOMETIMES EVEN 10 O'CLOCK, AND WALKING DISTANCES TO THE PARKING GARAGE OR TO THE SPACES AT THE FLAGLER PARKING GARAGE.
THAT'S JUST A LONG WAY TO WALK FOR THESE PEOPLE, THAT IT'S NOT EXACTLY SAFE.
WE HAVE SEEN SOME ROWDY STUFF, EVEN IN UPTOWN, WHERE IT'S GENERALLY QUIETER.
WE'RE DEFINITELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
PLUS IT COULD BE EXPENSIVE FOR THEM TO TRY TO FIND PARKING.
THE OTHER THING IS THAT OUR CUSTOMERS DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO PARK, AND WE DO HAVE A LOT OF LOCALS THAT COME IN, AND, OF COURSE, CHRISTMAS TIME IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR RETAIL BUSINESSES.
I THINK THAT WHAT WAS HARDEST FOR US WAS JUST THAT IT WAS THE WHOLE STREET, NO PROVISIONS FOR, LIKE, MAYBE FROM SAN MARCO TO FIRST STREET, PART OF THAT BEING AVAILABLE FOR CUSTOMERS.
THERE'S NO OPTION FOR US TO, LIKE, BUY A PERMIT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES TO PARK THERE.
THE TIMING, EVEN, LIKE, STARTING AT 1:00 P.M. SEEMS LIKE A LOT.
IF IT WERE TO START MAYBE AT 5:00, WHEN PEOPLE GET HOME FROM WORK, THAT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE, AND THE SHUTTLES THAT ARE RUNNING DON'T HAVE ANY DEDICATED STOPS IN UPTOWN.
THAT'S GOING TO CUT OUT SOME OF THE FOOT TRAFFIC THAT WE USUALLY SEE.
ALL OF THIS JUST BROUGHT A LOT OF CONCERNS TO US, THE FACT THAT IT WAS SO SUDDEN, AND THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY MEASURES PROVIDED TO HELP THE BUSINESSES OUT.
OF COURSE, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS FROM ALL THE TOURISTS BECAUSE THEY GET PUSHY SOMETIMES.
THEY GET DISGRUNTLED, BUT WE'D APPRECIATE SOME CONSIDERATION FOR THE BUSINESSES AS WELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. JUDY GLAZEBROOK, FOLLOWED BY SUSAN GREGORY.
>> HI, JUDY GLAZEBROOK, AT 30 ROHDE AVENUE, AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING THAT WE'VE WORKED ON FOR SIX MONTHS.
SOME PEOPLE SEEM SURPRISED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT I JUST WANT TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE CITY STARTED WORKING ON THIS WITH A MEETING ON MAY 20TH, AND ONE OF THE PROPOSALS WAS TO PROTECT THE NEIGHBORHOOD FROM TRAFFIC AND THIS TOP PORTION UP HERE IS UPTOWN, AND IT SAYS TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL PARKING FOR 60 DAYS.
BUT WE WANT TO THANK THE CITY FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT THEY PUT TOWARDS THIS PROGRAM, AND IT'S NOT NEW.
IT'S BEEN WORKED ON FOR ALMOST SIX MONTHS, AND THE CITY HAS REALLY COME FORWARD TO HELP THE RESIDENTS OUT ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.
THEY HAVE LISTENED TO THE RESIDENTS.
THEY WORKED THROUGH MANY ISSUES, TALKED TO US, AND I JUST THINK IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL HOW MUCH THE CITY HAS PUT FORTH TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR US, AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE BUSINESSES, AND WE HOPE THAT THERE'S A SOLUTION THAT CAN BE REASONABLE FOR EVERYBODY AND THAT CAN HELP THE BUSINESSES IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION.
[00:40:01]
BUT WE DO NOT WANT ANY SOLUTION TO IMPACT THE CURRENT PROGRAM.IT'S TAKEN A LONG TIME TO COME UP WITH THE PROGRAM.
WE'RE IN FAVOR OF IT, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT SOME SOLUTION IS WORKABLE WITHOUT CHANGING ANYTHING IN THE PROGRAM.
WE'RE JUST GRATEFUL. I JUST WANT TO AGAIN SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY FOR DOING THIS, AND IT'S A TEST.
IT'S ONLY 60 DAYS THROUGH THE YEAR FOR THEM THIS YEAR, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK OUT A LOT OF THE ISSUES, AND WE HOPE TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THE CITY, AND THIS IS A TEST THAT WE WILL, IT'S A PROCESS THAT WE WILL WORK THROUGH. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, SUSAN GREGORY, FOLLOWED BY BRUNO DIFABIO.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS SUSAN GREGORY.
I'M SPEAKING TO THE SAME ISSUE.
I'M A RESIDENT OF ABBOTT TRACT NEIGHBORHOOD.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CITY FOR TAKING PROACTIVE STEPS THIS YEAR TO ADDRESS THE VERY REAL IMPACTS THAT THE 58 NIGHTS OF LIGHTS HAS ON THE RESIDENTS.
FOR YEARS, THE CELEBRATION HAS DRAWN TREMENDOUS CROWDS.
IT BRINGS ENERGY TOURISM, ALSO BRINGS TRAFFIC, SAFETY CONCERNS, AND A SERIOUS LOSS OF LIVABILITY FOR THOSE OF US TO CALL THE CITY HOME YEAR ROUND.
THE NEW RESIDENTIAL PARKING ONLY ZONES FROM 1-10 ARE IMPORTANT LONG OVERDUE MEASURES.
AS A NEIGHBORHOOD, WE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THOSE HOURS TO ALLOW FOR UNRESTRICTED MORNING ACCESS, SUPPORTING NEARBY BUSINESSES, CLEANING CREWS, AND SERVICE WORKERS, WHILE STILL PROVIDING PROTECTION DURING THE BUSIEST HOURS OF THE EVENT.
OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS ARE OPTING FOR FULL DAY RESTRICTIONS, BUT WE CHOSE THIS BALANCED APPROACH BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF COOPERATION AND COEXISTENCE WITH OUR COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORS.
NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THE BUSINESSES BORDERING RESIDENTIAL AREAS HAVE VOICED CONCERNS THAT THEIR CLIENTS AND EMPLOYEES WILL BE AFFECTED.
I DO UNDERSTAND THEIR FRUSTRATION, BUT THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR MONTHS.
THE SIGNS ARE UP, AND RESIDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN GOOD FAITH.
IT'S A LITTLE LATE IN THE GAME TO BE RAISING THESE OBJECTIONS NOW.
THAT SAID, SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND NOT FOR ALL OF ABBOTT TRACT, I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF MEASURED APPROACH.
THAT ALLOWS COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES ALONGSIDE ST MARCO TO RECEIVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF EMPLOYEE PARKING HANG TAGS.
THESE BUSINESSES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE OUR DAILY NEIGHBORS, EVEN MORE SO THAN SHORT TERM RENTALS.
WE INTERACT WITH OUR COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORS DAILY, AND WE SHARE A VESTED INTEREST IN THEIR CONTINUED SUCCESS.
WHAT I CANNOT SUPPORT, HOWEVER, IS OPENING THE DOOR TO BROADER PARKING ACCESS THAT UNDERMINES THE INTENT OF THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING ONLY PROGRAM.
A BUSINESS MODEL SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON USING RESIDENTIAL STREETS FOR PARKING.
ESPECIALLY WHEN SOME OF THE COMMERCIAL LOTS INTENDED TO SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES ARE BEING USED FOR PAID TOURIST PARKING DURING THE EVENT.
THAT PRACTICE SHIFTS THE BURDEN FROM VISITORS ONTO RESIDENTS, AND THAT'S NOT FAIR.
THE GOAL, I THINK, IS TO CREATE A PLAN THAT STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN SUPPORTING OUR SMALL LOCAL ECONOMY AND PROTECTING LIVABILITY.
A DEDICATED SHUTTLE STOP FOR UPTOWN AND SAFE NEARBY EMPLOYEE PARKING ARE EASILY ACHIEVABLE WINS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF WHAT WE'VE ALREADY DONE.
I URGE YOU TO STAY THE COURSE, SUPPORT THE RESIDENTS, PRIORITIZE SAFETY AND ACCESS, AND ENSURE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS REMAIN PLACES TO LIVE AND NOT STAGE IN GROUNDS FOR EVENT PARKING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. BRUNO DIFABIO, FOLLOWED BY LAUREN LONDON, I THINK.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS BRUNO DIFABIO, AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE MANY MERCHANTS IN THE AREA SURROUNDING CINCINNATI AND ROHDE.
EARLIER TODAY, WE HOSTED A MEETING AT MY RESTAURANT WITH COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, AND I WANT TO THANK HIM SINCERELY FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN.
MORE THAN 60 MERCHANTS ATTENDED, WHICH RESPECTFULLY IS MORE THAN THE NUMBER OF HOMES ON THOSE TWO STREETS COMBINED.
THAT TURNOUT SHOWS HOW SERIOUS THIS ISSUE IS FOR OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT OVER HALF OF THOSE MERCHANTS LIVE RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND MANY OF THEM OWN THE VERY PROPERTIES THEY OPERATE FROM.
THESE ARE LOCAL RESIDENTS, TAXPAYERS, AND BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE DEEPLY INVESTED IN THE SUCCESS OF THE CITY.
THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED RESIDENTIAL ONLY PARKING RESTRICTION ON CINCINNATI AND ROHDE, SET FOR NOVEMBER 15TH THROUGH JANUARY 11TH, DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS HAS CAUSED REAL CONCERN.
WE ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO PROTECT RESIDENTS DURING THE BUSY SEASON, BUT THIS DECISION, AS WRITTEN, CREATES REAL HARDSHIP FOR THE PEOPLE WHO RUN AND WORK IN THE NEARBY BUSINESSES.
THE PEOPLE WHO HELP MAKE ST. AUGUSTINE LIVELY AND WELCOMING.
MOST OF THESE BUSINESSES DO NOT HAVE OFF STREET PARKING.
EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN TOLD TO PARK SEVERAL BLOCKS NORTH, OFTEN THREE BLOCKS AWAY, AND MANY ARE NERVOUS ABOUT WALKING THAT DISTANCE AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHILE CARRYING CASH AFTER CLOSING.
THESE ARE HARD WORKING LOCALS AND THEY DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE.
THERE'S ALSO GROWING ISSUE WITH THE SIGNAGE CONFUSION.
MOST SIGNS LIST THE RESTRICTED DATES, NOVEMBER 15TH THROUGH JANUARY 11TH,
[00:45:01]
BUT SOME SIGNS SAY ONLY NO PARKING $100 FINE RESIDENTIAL ONLY WITH NO END DATE AT ALL.THAT INCONSISTENCY SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE.
WITHOUT CLEAR DATES, PEOPLE MAY ASSUME THE RESTRICTION IS PERMANENT, AND THAT PERCEPTION COULD DISCOURAGE THEM FROM EVER RETURNING TO PARK OR VISIT THAT AREA AGAIN.
CONSISTENT AND CLEAR SIGNAGE IS ESSENTIAL TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDING AND LONG TERM DAMAGE TO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD'S ACCESSIBILITY.
IF IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO FULLY RESCIND THE ORDER, I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT THE CITY AT LEAST ISSUE PARKING PASSES FOR LOCAL EMPLOYEES, ALLOWING THEM TO PARK SAFELY ON CINCINNATI.
THAT WOULD BE A FAIR, COMPASSIONATE COMPROMISE.
HOWEVER, THE SOLUTION THAT RECEIVED OVERWHELMING SUPPORT AT OUR MEETING TODAY FROM BOTH MERCHANTS AND RESIDENTS WAS TO MAKE THE RESTRICTION ONE SIDE OF THE STREET ONLY.
THAT APPROACH STILL GIVES RESIDENTS RELIEF WHILE KEEPING SOME ACCESS FOR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS.
IT'S BALANCED, IT'S PRACTICAL, AND WOULD ALSO PROVIDE VALUABLE DATA FOR NEXT YEAR TO GUIDE FUTURE DECISIONS.
I TRULY BELIEVE THIS COMPROMISE WOULD PROTECT RESIDENTS WHILE SUPPORTING THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT MAKE ST. AUGUSTINE UNIQUE AND VIBRANT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. LAUREN LONDON, I THINK.
I'M SO SORRY IF I CAN'T QUITE READ IT.
LAUREN LONDON FOLLOWED BY MELISSA GIBSON.
>> HI. MY NAME IS LAUREN LONDON.
SORRY IF MY HANDWRITING WAS A LITTLE BIT SCRIBBLED.
>> I OFTEN GET THE NAMES WRONG, THANK YOU FOR KINDNESS.
>> THANK YOU GUYS FOR HEARING US OUT.
I'M A LOCAL, A 30 YEAR PLUS LOCAL, AND I'M ALSO A BUSINESS OWNER IN UPTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE.
I SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH MY FAMILY, SHOPPING, EATING, AND VISITING THE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES IN TOWN.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M HEAVILY CONCERNED WITH THIS NEW PLAN IMPLEMENTED FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, THE PARKING MEASURE.
THIS NEW PARKING SITUATION WILL CREATE DETRIMENTAL PROBLEMS FOR ALL OF THE UPTOWN BUSINESSES THAT HEAVILY RELY ON THIS TIME OF YEAR.
IF VISITORS AND LOCAL ST. JOHN'S RESIDENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO PARK IN THE NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS, THEY ARE GOING TO DRIVE BY AND NOT SUPPORT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES.
THE TRAFFIC AND DRAW FROM NIGHTS OF LIGHTS GETS A SMALLER BUSINESSES THROUGH THE YEAR, MAKING UP FOR THE SLOWER MONTHS.
I UNDERSTAND THIS NEW PARKING MEASURE IS TO PREVENT TRAFFIC IN THE AREA, AND I HOPE WE CAN JUST CREATE A SOLUTION AND A PLAN THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MOVE FORWARD, AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE'S SEVERAL SOLUTIONS THAT CAN HELP ALLEVIATE THIS CRUCIAL SITUATION.
CREATING SHUTTLE STOPS ALONG SAN MARCO.
THERE ARE MANY SHUTTLES THAT GO DOWN SAN MARCO ALREADY FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, AND IF THERE ARE A COUPLE STOPS ALONG THE WAY, A LOT OF THE SHUTTLES ARE ALREADY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC, THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE THE LOCALS AND VISITORS ALIKE TO STOP ALONG AND SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES.
RESTRICTING THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS TO ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SUCH AS BRUNO JUST TALKING ABOUT, AND THEN I HEARD THAT AIRBNBS ARE BEING PROVIDED UP TO FOUR RESIDENTIAL PARKING PASSES.
SEVERAL OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN UPTOWN HAVE AS MANY AS 15 AIRBNBS ON ONE ROAD.
MANY OF THEM ALSO HAVE DRIVEWAYS AND DON'T NEED RESIDENTIAL PARKING PASSES, LET ALONE FOUR PER HOUSE.
IF THE VISITORS STAYING THERE, THEY'RE NOT LOCAL, AND IF THEY'RE CONSIDERED RESIDENTIAL INSTEAD OF A BUSINESS, DO THEY NEED THAT MANY PASSES? IF SO, THEN CAN THE OTHER BUSINESSES IN UPTOWN GET RESIDENTIAL PARKING FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AS WELL? AS SAID BEFORE, THERE'S MANY MINERS THAT WORK IN THESE BUSINESSES.
WALKING TO THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE OR A MUCH FURTHER PUBLIC PARKING SPOT, SUCH AS THE ONE IN FLAGLER, LATE AT NIGHT WITH TIPS IN THEIR POCKETS IS SCARY AND UNSAFE.
I UNDERSTAND THE RESIDENTS ARE HEAVILY IMPACTED BY THIS TIME OF YEAR.
IT'S QUICKER FOR ME TO GO TO JACKSONVILLE THAN IT IS TO LEAVE AND GO THROUGH DOWNTOWN.
BUT I JUST HOPE WE CAN CREATE A PLAN THAT HELPS WORK WITH THE SMALLER BUSINESSES AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MELISSA GIBSON, FOLLOWED BY LIZ SNYDER.
>> HI, I'M MELISSA GIBSON, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND BUSINESS OWNER OF MATERIALISTIC AT 76 B SAN MARCO AVENUE.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE UPTOWN MERCHANTS. LET'S SEE.
THE SIGNS WENT UP, AND GOT TO SAY, SEEING THAT WE'RE GOING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
THERE'S REALLY NOTHING WARM AND FUZZY ABOUT THE SIGNS AND
[00:50:05]
THE PARKING MEASURES FROM 1:00 TO 10:00 P.M. AT NIGHT FOR 58 DAYS STRAIGHT.SOMEONE SAID IT'S ONLY 58 DAYS, BUT THOSE 58 DAYS ARE SO VITAL TO OUR BUSINESS.
IT'S NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, REVENUE IS NOT ICING ON THE CAKE.
IT'S WHAT GETS US THROUGH SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, JANUARY, AND PART OF FEBRUARY, AND EVEN PART OF OCTOBER.
WE REALLY RELY ON OUR HOLIDAY SHOPPERS.
THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS IS GREAT FOR TOURISM AND BRINGING MORE PEOPLE TO TOWN.
BUT WE ALSO HEAVILY RELY ON LOCALS JUST SHOPPING, DOING THEIR HOLIDAY SHOPPING.
THAT'S WHAT GETS US THROUGH THE YEAR.
I FEEL LIKE THE MEASURES SEEM A LITTLE DRASTIC.
I THINK WE COULD COMPROMISE TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY.
MAYBE ONE SIDE OF THE STREET, WEEKENDS ONLY, OR JUST DURING PEAK TIMES, THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS LIGHT UP, THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, CHRISTMAS, THROUGH NEW YEAR'S.
TO ME, THAT MAKES MORE SENSE THAN JUST SHUTTING IT ALL DOWN, ESPECIALLY THESE VERY BROAD AVENUES, RODY AND CINCINNATI.
MANY OF THE RESIDENTS DO HAVE AMPLE OFF-STREET PARKING, AND I JUST DON'T THINK THEY REALIZE HOW TERRIBLY IT COULD IMPACT ALL OF OUR LIVELIHOODS.
A SHUTTLE STOP WOULD BE VERY NICE.
DEFINITELY. EMPLOYEE PARKING, MAYBE SOME PERMITS FOR THAT, TOO.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, LIZ SNYDER, FOLLOWED BY GINA BLEVINS.
>> HELLO, GOOD EVENING, LIZ SNYDER.
I'M CO-OWNER OPERATOR OF SPINSTER ABBOTT 661 SAN MARCO AVENUE.
THIS IS A CHALLENGING EVENING, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I'M SITTING BETWEEN TWO OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE OR FAMILY MEMBERS.
MY NEIGHBORS, WHO ARE MY FIRST FAMILY, WHEN I FIRST MOVED HERE AND OPENED THE BUSINESS, AND SOME OF MY OTHER UPTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS, WHO BECAME MY SECOND FAMILY.
I USED TO LIVE IN AN UPTOWN AS WELL UNTIL VERY RECENTLY, SO I CAN UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES.
I INTENTIONALLY, TO QUICKLY ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW BUSINESS OWNERS DIDN'T ENGAGE THIS PROCESS EARLIER AND WITH MORE INTENTION.
I KNEW IT WAS HAPPENING, BUT I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS FOR RESIDENTS.
IT WAS BEING DRIVEN BY RESIDENTS.
I HEARD ABOUT IT FROM RESIDENTIAL GROUPS, AND IT FELT ICKY FOR ME TO SHOW UP TO THOSE CONVERSATIONS AS A BUSINESS OWNER.
IT FELT LIKE I WAS WADING INTO AN AREA SELFISHLY THAT I DIDN'T BELONG.
THESE WERE RESIDENTIAL CONVERSATIONS, AND KNOWING THEM AND HOW MUCH THEY HAVE CHAMPIONED OUR UPTOWN BUSINESSES IN THE PAST, I TRUSTED AND I STILL DO.
I THINK THIS WAS A FANTASTIC PROCESS, AND WE GOT SOME GREAT IDEAS.
I THINK A COUPLE OF THINGS I JUST WANT TO FLAG IS, I WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR THE MEETING EARLIER TODAY TO COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD.
I HOPE THAT NO ONE'S GETTING THE IMPRESSION THAT THAT MEETING WAS FULL OF HOTHEAD BUSINESS OWNERS.
WE CAME WITH A LIST OF SIMPLE ACHIEVABLE, SOME MITIGATING MEASURES THAT COULD NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE GOOD WORK OF THE RESIDENTS, BUT ALSO MAYBE INTERJECT SOME OF THE BUSINESS CONCERNS.
TWO OF THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED BEFORE, BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT COULD BE DONE IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT UNDOING THE GOOD WORK OF THE RESIDENTS IS, YES, THOSE PARKING PASSES FOR THE WORKERS.
IN MY MIND, THE PENDULUM SWUNG A LITTLE FARTHER IN THE DIRECTION, BECAUSE EVEN IN OFF SEASON, WHEN IT'S NOT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, OUR WORKERS WOULD PARK THERE,
[00:55:01]
AND OUR RESIDENTS ARE USED TO SEEING THAT'S PART OF THE NORMAL TRAFFIC IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS FOR THOSE WORKERS.NOW, WITH THIS NEW MEASURE, WITHOUT HAVING WORKER PASSES, NOW SHUTTING ALL OF THAT DOWN FOR THE WORKERS THAT NORMALLY DID GET TO WORK THERE, SO IT FEELS A LITTLE OVERCORRECTIVE.
IF WE COULD DO THAT AGAIN, FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR WORKERS, AS WELL, THAT WOULD BE AMAZING.
THEN, SUPER COOL THAT WE HAVE THE SAN MARCO PARK AND RIDE LOT, OVER BY DOSE, AND THEN THE ONE UP BY ST. JOHN'S HEALTH, THAT'S FANTASTIC, AND THE SHUTTLES ARE COMING DOWN.
IF THERE WAS ANY WAY AT ALL TO HAVE ONE, TWO, THREE SHUTTLE STOPS ALONG THAT RUN AS IT HEADS TWO DOWNTOWN, THAT COULD MITIGATE THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE ABOUT GUESS PARKING AND THEN PASSING OUR BUSINESSES AND NOT VISITING US THIS YEAR. THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS GINA BLEVINS, FOLLOWED BY BJ GLADY.
>> GOOD EVENING, GINA BLEVINS, 138 MARKLN PLACE.
I WANTED TO COME AND SPEAK ABOUT THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING, HOW IT AFFECTS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WAS NOT GETTING INTO THE SAN MARCO, BUT FILER MODEL.
I ACTUALLY WORKED IN JUNE TO PETITION MY NEIGHBORS, MY FRIENDS, IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SUPPORTING WHAT THE CITY WAS TRYING TO DO AFTER THE ISSUES WE SAW LAST YEAR.
FAST FORWARD TO THURSDAY, WHERE SOME OF MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WENT TO GET THEIR PERMITS AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T QUALIFY.
THAT WAS BECAUSE, FOR INSTANCE, A FRIEND LIVES ON LEMON STREET, THAT ALREADY HAS, I WILL CALL IT RESIDENTIAL PERMITTED PARKING, AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR THESE ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY NIGHTS TO LIGHTS PASSES.
I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE THAT'S NOT HOW I WILL SAY IT WAS SOLD TO ME IN JUNE AND MAY WHEN I CAME TO SEVERAL OF THE MEETINGS THAT THE CITY DID HAVE.
I KNOW SARA GASA IS ANOTHER STREET THAT IS SEGMENTED WITH RESIDENTIAL PERMITTED PARKING.
IF SOMEBODY PULLS IN AND THERE'S NO MORE PERMITTED PARKING SPACES, THEY JUST GO TO THE NEXT BLOCK AND PARK.
WELL, NOW THEY'RE BEING TOLD, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET A NIGHT TO LIGHT TO PASS IN ORDER TO PARK IN THAT NEXT SECTION.
I REACHED OUT TO MISS PERKINS TODAY.
I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HER YET.
I SPOKE WITH TARA THIS MORNING.
SHE HAD ASKED ME TO REACH OUT TO JAMIE.
THOSE ARE A COUPLE LITTLE CONCERNS.
I'M ALSO DON'T EVER REMEMBER ANY TIME PERIODS BEING PLACED ON NIGHTS OF LIGHTS PARKING.
IT WAS GOING TO BE DURING THE DAYS, THOSE 58 DAYS.
SOME STREETS DON'T HAVE TIMES AT ALL.
THEY JUST HAVE NO PARKING DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
THEN TODAY, I GUESS VALENCIA HAS NOW REMOVED SOME OF THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, NO PARKING SIGNS BECAUSE OF THE CHURCH BEING CONCERNED ABOUT PARKING.
I WANT TO SUPPORT THE CITY SO MUCH BECAUSE I LOVE THE CITY.
I WAS EXCITED WHEN THE CITY WAS PUTTING FORWARD A LOT OF NEW IDEAS.
BUT I THINK WE'RE GIVING A VERY MIXED BAG OF INFORMATION.
TO ME, ALREADY, I CAN'T IMAGINE A TOURIST WHO COMES TO TOWN AND GOES, I CAN PARK HERE, BUT I CAN'T PARK HERE, BUT I CAN PARK ON THE STREET DURING THIS TIME, BUT I'M SUPPOSED TO USE A SHUTTLE THAT'S THIS WAY.
I JUST HOPE THAT THE REST OF THE PLAN GOES A LITTLE BIT MORE SMOOTHER THAN THIS FIRST INITIAL ROLLOUT OF PARKING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HAVE NO MORE SPEAKER CARDS.
BJ GLADY WAS CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE? AT THE JUNE 9TH CITY COMMISSION MEETING, IT WAS REQUESTED THE DEVELOPER AT 36 GRANADA STREET.
PUT THE ST. JOHN'S FARMER SUPPLY MURAL BACK ON THE BUILDING AS HE AGREED TO DO.
THERE ARE BIRDS AND TREES ON THE WALLS INSIDE THIS ESTABLISHMENT.
ON JUNE 26TH, 2025, THERE WAS A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT WITH VEHICLE GOING WRONG WAY ON DESETA AFTER LEAVING 36 GRENADA.
PLEASE DO A NEWS RELEASE ABOUT THIS CHECK FOR $2.5 MILLION FROM THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF FLORIDA TO PURCHASE LAND ON ANASTASIA BOULEVARD FOR A FIRE STATION.
OUR PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW THIS IS GOING THROUGH AS BEST WE CAN AND FOLLOWING THROUGH.
[01:00:10]
OH, BOY. ON NOVEMBER 6TH, 2025, THE CRC APPROVED THIS DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MEMORIAL PROJECT MARKER AT 05:45 WEST KING STREET, NEW AUGUSTINE.ART DECO WITH CLOCK FROM MAGIC BEACH WILL NOT PROMOTE THE CHARACTER OF THIS AFRICAN AMERICAN BLACK DISTRICT KNOWN AS NEW AUGUSTINE.
THE CRC NOT TO REQUEST THIS DEVELOPER MODIFY THE APPLICATION TO FIT THE HISTORICAL CHARACTER OF THIS BLACK DISTRICT.
CONSENT A GITAM ITEM NUMBER 10.
204 PELICAN REEF DRIVE SHOULD BE PUT ON THE REGULAR AGENDA AND DISCUSSED AS 117 INLET DRIVE.
MAY NOT DO IT THIS AFTERNOON, BUT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHENEVER THE CODE ENFORCEMENT IS DOING THEIR JOB.
THIS DEVELOPER HAS MONEY TO HIRE A LAWYER TO ASK FOR A LIEN REDUCTION TO $4,500 FOR CHOPPING DOWN TREES.
HE SHOULD PAY THE ENTIRE LIEN.
THOSE MANIPULATING CODE ENFORCEMENT NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, WHICH ENFORCEMENT, NOT COMPLIANCE WILL ACHIEVE.
DENY REQUESTS TO REDUCE THIS FINE, MAKE THEM PAY FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE.
IRON ALORA SHOULD NOT GET YOU OUT FREE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HAVE NO MORE SPEAKER CARDS.
THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED. THANK YOU.
WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST ONE IS SUSAN PHILLIPS.
WE INVITED SUSAN TO COME AND SPEAK TO US ABOUT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AND WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE HERE TONIGHT, AND REALIZE [OVERLAPPING]
>> MADAM MAYOR, BEFORE WE DO THAT, CAN I GET THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE?
IF YOU WILL JUST PARDON ME RIGHT THERE, I MESSED UP AND GOT AHEAD OF IT.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND READ THAT THEN.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES ARE TENTATIVE WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING.
ORDINANCE 2020 5-32 AMENDS CHAPTER 28 ZONING CODE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR CREATING SECTION 28-358 AND SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR THE CERTIFIED RECOVERY RESIDENCES.
WE HAVE A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR THE DECEMBER 8TH, 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, THE JANUARY 12TH, 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND THE JANUARY 26TH, 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE PROPOSED PROCLAMATION 2025-36, WHICH PROCLAIMING DECEMBER 9TH, 2025 AS RIPLEY'S CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS, SPONSORED BY MAYOR NANCY SIKES-KLINE, AND WE HAVE CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION 2025-11 PRESENTED TO FLAGLER COLLEGE SAINTS, SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER JIM SPRINGFIELD.
WE HAVE A NOTIFICATION OF CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION 2025-10, WHICH IS PRESENTED TO ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL BLACK STUDENT UNION, SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER CYNTHIA GAS.
WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR THE CARRY FORWARD FUNDS BUDGETED IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 TO FISCAL YEAR 2026.
WE HAVE THE NOMINATION OF GORDON GORDY WILSON FOR THE 2026 DE AVILES AWARD, SPONSORED BY VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER.
WE HAVE THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE LIEN REDUCTION RECOMMENDATION FOR 204 PELICAN REEF DRIVE, AND WE HAVE THE QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
>> I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD JUST BRIEFLY PULL THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE'S LIEN REDUCTION OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PUT IT ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.
>> MISS PHILLIPS, IF YOU'LL TAKE A SEAT, PLEASE, I'LL TAKE A MOMENT.
MY APOLOGIES. WE HAVE A MOTION TO PULL.
DO YOU WANT TO PULL IT OR JUST WANT TO REPORT?
>> I WANT TO REPORT ANY WAY THAT WE CAN GET TO IT.
>> LET'S HEAR FROM MR. CITY MANAGER.
HOW DO YOU WISH TO PROCEED, MR. CITY MANAGER?
>> WELL, ACTUALLY, I BELIEVE THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OWNER IS IN THE AUDIENCE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE OWNER.
>> MY QUESTION IS, IS A SPECIAL MAGISTRATE'S DECISION,
[01:05:01]
IF YOU DON'T MIND, MADAM MAYOR?>> IS THAT DECISION FINAL OR IS THAT?
>> NO. THAT'S WHY IT'S BEFORE YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I WANTED THAT CLARIFICATION. APPRECIATE IT.
>> DOES THAT CLEAR UP YOUR QUESTIONS IN IT? DID YOU WANT A PRESENTATION?
>> I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF IT'S ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, WE'RE REALLY NOT CONSIDERING IT.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO APPROVE IT IF WE DON'T TAKE IT OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
SO I WOULD LIKE AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THERE IS A REDUCTION IN THAT FINE.
>> HOW DO YOU WISH TO PROCEED?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED AND NOT THE OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE?
>> YES, MA'AM. IT IS. I CAN GIVE YOU A GENERAL OVERVIEW, BUT I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE SPECIFICS OF THE NUMBER OF TREES THAT WERE REMOVED.
THIS IS A CODE ENFORCEMENT CASE THAT WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE.
FOR A PROPERTY ON PELICAN REEF DRIVE, WHERE TREES WERE REMOVED WITHOUT A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT.
THE OWNER WAS FOUND GUILTY AND FINED, AND THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO REDUCE THAT FINE TO $4,500.
AND THAT IS THE FACTS OF THE CASE.
IF YOU WANT SPECIFICS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF TREES AND SPECIES, THE OWNER CAN PROVIDE THOSE DETAILS.
>> MADAM MAYOR, CAN I ASK A QUESTION?
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE COMMISSION PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA, AND WE DENIED IT?
>> I'M SORRY, I WAS TRYING TO PULL IT UP.
THEY WERE FIND THE CERTAIN AMOUNT.
THEY'RE PER PROCEDURE ALLOWED TO MAKE A REQUEST FIRST TO THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE FOR A RECOMMENDATION.
AND THEY DID THAT, AND THEY GOT A RECOMMENDATION, AND NOW IT'S BEFORE YOU FOR APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL.
>> IF WE DISAPPROVE IT, IT GOES BACK TO THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE?
>> NO, IT JUST STAYS AS WHAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY.
>> THANK YOU. AND YOU HAVE A QUESTION.
>> THEN I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE IT FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> WHAT WOULD YOU WISH TO DO IF WE REMOVE IT FROM A FUTURE MEETING OR-.
BECAUSE AGAIN, IT'S REMOVAL OF [OVERLAPPING].
>> LET'S DO THIS. LET'S GO AHEAD AND APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THIS ONE.
THEN YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO DO.
>> WHETHER YOU WANT TO PUT IT ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR A PRESENTATION, OR WHETHER YOU WANT TO, IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO DENY IT, TONIGHT, SEND IT BACK.
I WOULD IMAGINE IT WOULD GO BACK TO CODE ENFORCEMENT.
THEN THEY REQUESTED A MODIFICATION OF IT.
AND I THINK YOU HAVE MR WHITE HOUSE HERE, WHO I WOULD SUGGEST YOU MAY WANT TO HEAR THE RATIONALE OF WHY HIS CLIENT REQUESTED THAT REDUCTION.
>> CORRECT. AND WHY THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE?
>> NOW, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT TODAY, I UNDERSTAND THAT.
YOU MAY SCHEDULE IT TO A FUTURE HEARING IF YOU'D LIKE OR A FUTURE MEETING TO HEAR MR. WHITEHOUSE, WHO'S RIGHT THERE.
AND COULD ANSWER SOME OF THOSE BASIC QUESTIONS OF WHAT OCCURRED, AND WHY THAT WAS REQUESTED, AND WHY THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE RECOMMENDED IT.
>> IT WOULD NOT GO BACK TO CODE ENFORCEMENT.
>> THANK YOU. THE QUESTION I ASKED WAS, DO YOU WANT TO PUT IT ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION? HOW DO YOU WANT TO DO IT? BUT LET'S DO THIS FIRST.
HOW ABOUT LET'S DO THE HOUSEKEEPING? LET'S APPROVE THE MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITHOUT THE ITEM.
>> FOR THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE REDUCTION.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> CAN WE HEAR WHAT THEY'RE SAYING?
>> YES, MA'AM. ALL WE'RE DOING IS APPROVING THE REST OF THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WE'VE PULLED THAT ONE THAT WE NEED MORE INFORMATION ON OFF, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THAT NEXT.
>> ALL RIGHT, SO THAT'S A YES. NEXT, WHAT WE'D LIKE TO DO IS WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE. NO.
[CA.10. Special Magistrate Lien Reduction Recommendation 204 Pelican Reef Drive (B. Fox, Code Enforcement Manager)]
>> I DON'T FEEL PREPARED TO DISCUSS THIS.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT IT ON A FUTURE AGENDA?
>> OKAY. I MOVE THAT WE PUT AGENDA CA10 AT A FUTURE MEETING.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. VERY GOOD.
[7.A.1. Presentation by Susan Phillips, President/CEO, St. Johns County Visitor and Convention Bureau, on Nights of Lights (D. Birchim, City Manager)]
THAT WAS JUST, THANK YOU.WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOU, SO THANK YOU.
[01:10:01]
IT IS A DELIGHT TO SEE ALL OF YOU, MADAM MAYOR, CITY COMMISSIONERS.
IT SEEMS LIKE IN A LOT OF THE CONVERSATIONS TO TALK ABOUT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
I WANTED TO START OUT. THERE'S REALLY THREE THINGS THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
AND MY PRESENTATION WILL BE BRIEF.
I'M NOT GOING TO BE 2 HOURS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU, FIRST OF ALL, HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO THE CITY COMMISSION, ESPECIALLY THE MAYOR.
MAYOR SLACKS KLEIN, YOU DID SOMETHING REALLY REMARKABLE EARLIER THIS YEAR.
YOU CALLED ME. OF COURSE, WE ALL KNOW I WAS ON A CRUISE, BUT I DID TAKE THE PHONE CALL OR TRIED TO.
WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AND HOW TO MOVE FORWARD, AND JUST THIS OVERWHELMING FEELING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE FELT.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE RESIDENTS, SO CONCERNS FOR THE RESIDENTS, CONCERNS FOR THE VISITORS, CONCERNS FOR THE SMALL BUSINESSES.
AND HOW COULD WE WORK TOGETHER? A YEAR AGO, WE ALL STAYED IN OUR OWN LANES AND WORKED SEPARATELY ON WHATEVER WE HAD TO WORK ON.
BUT WHAT'S REALLY BEEN NICE IS THIS YEAR, WE HAVE HAD THAT SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION.
SOMETHING THAT I'VE LIVED HERE EIGHT YEARS.
AND I WILL BE HONEST, I HAVEN'T NECESSARILY SEEN THAT BECAUSE WE ALL STAY BUSY WITH OUR OWN THINGS, BUT WE HAD TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.
THIS EVENT HAS GONE ON FOR WHAT WILL NOW BE 32 YEARS.
IT'S REMARKABLE. AND WHILE WE'VE GOT ALL THE GREAT NOTORIETY ABOUT IT, WE HAD SOME CHALLENGES LAST YEAR.
WE WERE COMPLETELY CONSUMED, OVERWHELMED.
THERE WERE A LOT OF REASONS FOR IT.
WE CERTAINLY HAD A PERFECT STORM.
WE HAD A LOT OF PENT-UP DEMAND DURING THE YEAR.
WE SAW THAT OUR WEBSITE, AND I TOLD SEVERAL PEOPLE THE SATURDAY OR THE WEEKEND BEFORE THE ELECTION, OUR WEBSITE TRAFFIC SPIKED.
PEOPLE WERE SUDDENLY INTERESTED.
WE HAD ALSO DONE ADDITIONAL ADVERTISING.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAD THE BUSY SEASON COMPRESSED INTO FIVE WEEKS INSTEAD OF SIX WEEKS.
THAT WAS A YEAR AGO. HERE WE ARE TODAY.
AND I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT, IN ADDITION TO THE MAYOR, HELPING US HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, I THANKED HER FOR CALLING ME.
IT TOOK A LOT OF COURAGE TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL GRUMPY SUSAN AND SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? AND WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATIONS, SO THAT YOU WERE THE GENESIS OF THIS, OF REALLY HAVING THIS CONVERSATION TO TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE FIND A SOLUTION? IT'S NOT ABOUT POINTING FINGERS OR BLAME, BUT WE WANT TO DO A BETTER JOB, AND IT IS, OF COURSE, PUBLIC SAFETY, TOO.
IN ADDITION TO THAT THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE THAT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE DAVID BURCHAM.
THE WORK THAT HE HAS DONE ON THIS HAS BEEN REMARKABLE.
REUBEN, FRANKLIN, THE SAME THING, AND MELISSA WHISTLE.
AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT IT TAKES A VILLAGE.I ALSO WANT TO REALLY STATE THAT WE'VE HAD THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED, TOO.
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, JOY ANDREWS, A LOT OF FOLKS INVOLVED THERE, AND THEN WE HAVE THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH.
AGAIN, IT'S COMING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.
IT'S NOT SAYING THAT THIS IS A CITY'S ISSUE.
IT IS OUR COMMUNITY'S ISSUE TO STEP UP AND DO A BETTER JOB.
I WANTED TO START OFF WITH THAT.
I THINK ALL OF US WANT THE SAME THING AT THE END OF THE DAY.
WE WANT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT IT HAS TO BE A BALANCED APPROACH.
YES, MY JOB IS TO BRING THE VISITORS HERE, BUT WE'VE GOT A VESTED INTEREST IN MAKING SURE THAT WE BALANCE THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS, THE SMALL BUSINESSES, AND THE VISITORS.
WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO BE VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THAT.BUT AGAIN, THE CITY'S DONE A REALLY GREAT JOB IN LOOKING AT SOME OF THE OPERATIONAL ASPECTS.
WHEN I STEPPED BACK AND SAID, WHAT CAN WE, AS THE VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU, DO? THE VCB? IT REALLY SEEMED TO ME THAT WE NEEDED TO FOCUS ON OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND REALLY REACH OUT ACROSS TO THE CITY GOVERNMENTS, COUNTY GOVERNMENT, AND ALSO JUST EVERYONE IN BETWEEN THAT WE COULD TO TRY TO DO A MUCH BETTER JOB.
WHAT I WANT TO DO NOW IS TALK ABOUT THE TWO THINGS.
I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOME OF THE ADVERTISING, AND WE ARE DOING LESS ADVERTISING THIS YEAR.
BUT SOME OF THE ADVERTISING THAT WE'RE DOING, I THINK YOU'LL LIKE IT.
IT DOES SHOW OFF OUR CITY IN A VERY NICE WAY.
BUT THEN I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR NEW CAMPAIGN FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
AND THIS IS MORE OF A GRASSROOTS EFFORT.
IT'S THE NO BEFORE YOU GO CAMPAIGN.AND I'LL TELL YOU SOME REALLY COOL THINGS ABOUT THAT.
WE'LL GO THROUGH THE ADVERTISING PIECE NOW.
YOU DON'T GET TO SEE THE ADS BECAUSE THEY'RE TYPICALLY OUT OF MARKET.
EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING THIS YEAR IS PREDOMINANTLY SOCIAL, DIGITAL, SOME VIDEO.
WE DO HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF DIGITAL BILLBOARDS, NO PRINT ADS, AND, OF COURSE, WE'VE GOT SOME RADIO ADS.
I'LL SHOW YOU SOME SAMPLES OF THIS.
>> WE'RE TOO OLD TO GET LOST IN THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS.
SEE ST. AUGUSTINE, PONTE VEDRA, AND THE BEACHES TRANSFORM INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS, SIGHTS, AND MUSIC.
LEARN MORE AT NIGHTOFLIGHTS.COM.
>> THAT'S OUR 15-SECOND SPOT THERE.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET THIS ONE TO PLAY.
>> YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO GET LOST IN THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS.
SEE ST. AUGUSTINE, PONTE VEDRA, AND THE BEACHES TRANSFORM INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS, SIGHTS, AND MUSIC.
[01:15:03]
EXPLORE 42 MILES OF SCENIC ATLANTIC COASTLINE AND WALK 20 ENCHANTING BLOCKS IN AMERICA'S OLDEST CITY.ALL DRESSED UP IN OUR HOLIDAY FINERY.
LEARN MORE AT KNIGHTSOFLITS.COM.
>> NOW, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF THE ADS.
THESE ARE OUR PAID SOCIAL ADS.
THEY HAVE THE SAME APPROACH, THE SAME IMAGERY TO IT.
ALL OF OUR ADS ARE GOING TO OUR NIGHTSOFLIGHTS.COM PAGE.
AND ON THAT PAGE, WE HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT I'M GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU IN JUST A MOMENT.
AGAIN, IT'S A VERY SIMPLE, BUT BEAUTIFUL CAMPAIGN.
THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF OUR DIGITAL BANNER ADS.
AND NOW WHAT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT OUR NO BEFORE YOU GO CAMPAIGN.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BECAME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO ME AS I STEP BACK AND TRY TO REALLY LOOK AT THIS FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES IS WE HAVE NEVER TOLD PEOPLE THAT THIS IS NOT A DRIVE-THROUGH EVENT.
IMAGINE THAT. A LOT OF CITIES HAVE DRIVE-THROUGH LIGHT OR LUMINARY EVENTS WHERE YOU CAN DRIVE AROUND.
BUT IT SEEMED TO ME THAT WE NEEDED TO FIRST AND FOREMOST START OUT AND SAY, THIS IS NOT A DRIVE-THROUGH EVENT.
WE DON'T NEED YOU TO COME DOWNTOWN AND DRIVE AROUND 20 TIMES AND THEN LEAVE AND GO HOME.
THIS IS AN EVENT WHERE YOU NEED TO COME PARK IN A SHUTTLE LOT, TAKE THE FREE SHUTTLE, COME DOWNTOWN, BRING A LOT OF PATIENTS WITH YOU IF YOU'RE COMING ON WEEKENDS BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE BUSY.
BUT PARK THAT CAR AND ENJOY THE BUSINESSES, ENJOY THE AMBIANCE, THE FESTIVITIES THAT ARE GOING ON, AND LEAVE YOUR CAR OUT OF THE CITY.
IF YOU GO TO OUR WEBSITE, YOU'LL SEE THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
WE ALSO DECIDED THAT WE WANTED TO DEVELOP A NIGHTS OF LIGHTS QR CODE SO THAT WE COULD PUSH THAT INFORMATION OUT THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU JUST HOW WE ARE DOING THAT RIGHT NOW.
I KNOW YOU GUYS CAN'T SEE IT, OR AT LEAST, FOLKS.
THESE ARE TENT CARDS THAT WE HAVE PASSED OUT TO BUSINESSES WITH THE QR CODES.
VERY SIMPLE. IT REFERS THEM EITHER WITH THE QR CODE OR THE URL TO NIGHTSOFLIGHTS.COM.
WE WANT EVERYONE, NOT JUST THROUGH THE CITY, BUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, TO BE PUTTING UP MATERIALS THAT ARE AGAIN, DIRECTING WHETHER IT'S A LOCAL RESIDENT IN THE CITY, WHETHER IT'S A COUNTY RESIDENT, OR WHETHER IT'S A VISITOR, WE WANT THEM TO KNOW BEFORE THEY GO.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE THOUGHT, WE MIGHT AS WELL GO AHEAD AND DEVELOP AN APP.
WE HAVE DEVELOPED WITH VISIT ST. AUGUSTINE, THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS APP.
THIS WAS PUT TOGETHER IN FOUR MONTHS, AND OUR PURPOSE REALLY STARTED OUT TO TALK ABOUT WHERE YOU COULD FIND YOUR PARKING.
WHERE COULD YOU FIND THOSE SHUTTLE LOTS? BUT IT HAS EVOLVED OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
AND AS OF YESTERDAY, I JUST HAD THE STATS ON THIS.
THIS IS AN EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
WE HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF RIGHT AT 15,000 DOWNLOADS OF THIS APP IN LESS THAN A MONTH.
WHAT DOES THAT TELL US? IT TELLS US THAT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, WHO HAVE ALL BEEN COMING DOWNTOWN FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, THEY ARE DOWNLOADING THIS APP. THEY'RE GOING TO BE USING IT.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO GET OUR VISITORS TWO MONTHS TO GET HERE.
AND IF YOU HAVEN'T DOWNLOADED THE APP, I WOULD ASK EVERYONE TO TAKE OUT YOUR PHONE, GO TO THE APP STORE, AND IF YOU LOOK UP NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, ST. AUGUSTINE, WHETHER YOU'RE ON AN APPLE OR AN ANDROID, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP.
IT IS FREE. AND EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE DONE FOR THIS IS FREE.
ALL OF THE MATERIALS THAT WE HAVE ARE FREE.
WE PRINTED 5,000 OF OUR TENT CARDS.
WE ARE PASSING OUT, AND I HAVE MY TEAM GOING OUT FROM BUSINESS TO BUSINESS, PASSING OUT ALL OF THIS MATERIAL.
EVEN IF YOU GO IN PUBLIC, YOU'LL SEE IT ON THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTERS.
SO, AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO DO OUR JOB IN GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT.
BUT WHAT'S BEEN? BLESS YOU? WHAT'S REALLY BEEN NICE, THOUGH, IS WORKING WITH MELISSA HERE WITH THE CITY AND WAYNE LARSON WITH THE COUNTY, BECAUSE COLLECTIVELY TOGETHER, WE PUT TOGETHER A COMMUNICATIONS PLAN SO THAT WE'RE ALL SAYING THE SAME THING.
YOU FOLKS, WITH THE CITY, ARE GOING TO BE TALKING TO YOUR CITY RESIDENTS.
THE COUNTY SHOULD BE TALKING TO THE COUNTY RESIDENTS.
I'M TALKING TO THE VISITORS, BUT WE HAVE A COMMON THEME.
AND SO THAT'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL.
AGAIN, WE'RE ALL WORKING COLLABORATIVELY AS A GROUP.
NOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE APP, AGAIN, WE WERE STARTING TO FOCUS ON PARKING.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT'S GOING TO DO IS IT WILL TELL YOU WHERE THE NEAREST LOCATION IS FOR YOUR FREE SHUTTLE LOT.
IT WILL ALSO GIVE YOU AN ESTIMATED SHUTTLE TIME FOR THE ARRIVAL, AND YOU CAN SAVE YOUR PARKING SPACE AS WELL.
ALSO, WE TALK ABOUT THINGS TO DO, LIVE MUSIC, RESTAURANTS, AGAIN, TRYING TO SHARE THAT COMMERCE OPPORTUNITY, GET THEM OUT, GET THEM WALKING AROUND DOWNTOWN, NOT BRING IN THEIR CAR, BUT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THIS.
[01:20:03]
AND WE ALSO HAVE DEVELOPED A VIDEO, A KNOW-BEFORE-YOU-GO VIDEO.ALL OF THESE ARE DEVELOPED AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREE.
AND YOU MAY RECOGNIZE THIS YOUNG LADY, AND IF YOU DON'T, I'LL TELL YOU WHO SHE IS.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN. THIS IS HEATHER QIN, WHO WORKS FOR OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS AND HISTORIC TOURS OF AMERICA.
>> WELL, AND THIS IS MY CRESCENDO MOMENT.
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.
WELL, WHAT'S THAT? THANK YOU. I NEED TO CALL A FRIEND. MISS DUNN.
>> [INAUDIBLE] [BACKGROUND] I KNOW.
I PLAY IF WE TAKE IT OFF BACK ON THAT LIST.
EVERYBODY WANTS TO TAKE A BREAK.
>> FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
THERE'S THIS INCREDIBLE ENERGY IN THE AIR, A SENSE OF ANTICIPATION FOR THE SEASON OF WONDER.
OUR NIGHTS OF LIGHT IS A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION.
BECAUSE WE WANT THE EXPERIENCE TO BE ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE, OUR RESIDENTS, OUR BUSINESSES, AND YOU, OUR GUEST, WE ASK THAT YOU KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.
TO REALLY EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC.
THIS IS NOT A DRIVE THROUGH EVENT.
HERE'S A LOCALS SECRET FOR YOU.
TO ENJOY THE GLOW AT A MORE RELAXED PACE, WE RECOMMEND VISITING ON A WEEK NIGHT.
YOU'LL FIND MORE ROOM TO WANDER, AND PARKING IS OFTEN EASIER TO COME BY.
IF YOU'RE VISITING DURING THE AMAZING WEEKEND ENERGY, THE FREE PARK AND RIDE SHUTTLES ARE YOUR GOLDEN TICKET.
THEY RUN ON OUR BUSIEST NIGHTS, FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, AND A FEW OTHER SPECIAL DATES.
THINK OF THEM AS THE OFFICIAL START OF YOUR ADVENTURE, LETTING YOU SKIP THE TRAFFIC AND STEP DIRECTLY INTO THE GLOW OF THE OLDEST CITY.
YOU CAN FIND THE FULL SHUTTLE SCHEDULE AND ALL PARKING OPTIONS AT NIGHTSOFLIGHTS.COM.
ONCE YOU'RE HERE, REMEMBER TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON.
THE GLOW ISN'T JUST FROM THE LIGHTS.
IT'S FROM OUR INCREDIBLE LOCAL SHOPS, OUR RESTAURANTS, AND OUR ATTRACTIONS, EXPLORING THEM AS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE.
FINALLY, PLEASE HELP US RESPECT THE LIGHTS.
IT'S OUR HOME, FULL OF HISTORY.
BY USING OUR CROSSWALKS, FINDING A TRASH CAN, AND BEING COURTEOUS, YOU HELP US PRESERVE THE BEAUTY AND SPIRIT OF THIS SPECIAL PLACE FOR EVERYONE.
SO BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT, START AT NIGHTSOFLIGHT.COM.
FROM THERE, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS APP, WHICH PUTS EVERYTHING YOU NEED RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS FROM REAL TIME UPDATES TO INTERACTIVE MAPS.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO ONE SIMPLE IDEA KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY, AND WE'LL SEE YOU UNDER THE LIGHTS.
>> I'M SO DELIGHTED THAT, THAT WORKED. THANK YOU, MISS DUNN.
THAT SAVED ME. THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
I COULD GO ON FOR A LONG TIME AND TELL YOU ABOUT ALL THE BEHIND THE SCENES DETAILS, BUT I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS.
[01:25:02]
>> I HAVE A COMMENT. THAT SHOULD BE REQUIRED THAT LAST VIDEO.
[LAUGHTER] BEFORE ANYBODY COMES TO VISIT IT'S.
I DOWNLOADED THE APP RIGHT AFTER THE COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING WHEN YOU INTRODUCED IT, AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS OUT ON LIVE. I LOVE IT.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE 20 SOMETHING PEOPLE COMING TO VISIT ME OVER THANKSGIVING.
THAT'S THE REQUIRED READING FOR THEM, TOO.
>> GREAT. WONDERFUL. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST HAD A QUESTION ABOUT HOW YOU'RE GETTING THE QR CODE OUT.
YOU SAID THEY WON'T KNOW ABOUT IT UNTIL THEY GET HERE, BUT DO YOU HAVE IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
>> YEAH. WE'VE GOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, YOUTUBE CHANNELS, SO EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE, WHERE YOU'RE PUSHING OUT ALL OVER THE PLACE.
ANYBODY THAT GOES TO OUR WEB PAGE, AND OUR NIGHTSOFLIGHT.COM PAGE IS OUR HIGHLY VISITED PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE.
THEY'VE BEEN GOING TO IT FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW ALL OF THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
WE'RE UPDATING IT REAL TIME AS CHANGES ARE MADE.
WE ADDED WEBCAMS ALSO TO THE APP.
THE REASON FOR THAT IS WE WANT PEOPLE, IF THEY'RE LOCAL, I THINK IT'S BUSY DOWNTOWN, WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON DOWNTOWN.
IS IT BUSY? IS IT NOT? AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THIS A WHOLE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE.
ARE WE GOING TO REACH EVERYONE THIS YEAR? NO, I THINK, REALISTICALLY WE'RE NOT.
THE FACT THAT WE'VE HAD ALREADY 15 RIGHT AT 15,000 DOWNLOADS, THAT'S HUGE.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
WE KNOW THAT WE'RE STARTING THE PROCESS OFF RIGHT.
I THINK PART OF IT IS EDUCATING OUR OWN FOLKS.
I'VE MENTIONED BEFORE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD SUCH AN INFLUX OF FOLKS MOVING TO THE COUNTY.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO EDUCATE.
BUT BY GOLLY, WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MESSAGE IS OUT THERE AND YOU'LL SEE MORE AND MORE OF IT IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU. I KNOW WHEN I GOT ON HERE I WAS ON THE [INAUDIBLE], AND THE FIRST THING I DID WAS GET INVOLVED IN THIS THING, AND I THINK THAT THE CONCERNS THAT WE'VE HAD AT LEAST MINE, PARTICULARLY ON THE MESSAGING ABOUT THIS BEING A PEDESTRIAN THAT WAS A HIGH GOAL OF MINE, AND I THINK YOU'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB.
THE APP IS A REALLY GOOD WAY TO DO THAT, AND PARTICULARLY NOT JUST SAYING IT'S ONE, BUT GIVING PEOPLE ACCESS TO THE SHUTTLES AND STUFF. I WANT TO THANK YOU.
I THINK YOU REALLY HEARD THAT WELL, AND I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW THIS WORKS.
I KNOW I DON'T WANT TO HAVE REUBEN'S HEAD POP UP IN THE BACK, BUT WE HAVE A NEW SMART SYSTEM COMING INTO THE CITY AND PLAY THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TRAFFIC AND STUFF.
IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW WE CAN WORK THAT IN AS THAT SYSTEM WORKS AND HOW WE CAN WORK IT IN WITH YOU, BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE.
>> THANK YOU FOR SERVING ON THE VCB FOR US AND REALLY BEING A VITAL MEMBER OF THAT.
I APPRECIATE THAT. COMMISSIONER GERRES.
>> THANK YOU, SUSAN. YOU ALWAYS HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB FROM THE YEARS THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE ON THE VCB.
I THINK IT WILL STILL DRAW PEOPLE, BUT MAYBE A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE SO THAT THE BUSINESSES DO PROFIT, AND THAT THE PEOPLE THAT DO COME BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE CITY BECAUSE NOW THEY KNOW MORE COMING INTO THE CITY THROUGH THIS APP.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT, I THINK IT'S VERY NICE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE NEEDED TO DO FOR A LONG TIME TO HELP REDUCE CONGESTION, BUT THANK YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR VOICE IN THERE AND SAYING THIS IS NOT A DRIVE THROUGH EVENT.
THAT'S GOING TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN OUR CONGESTION ISSUES.
RIGHT AT THE MEAT OF IT IS OF COURSE, THE PARKING.
I APPRECIATE YOU HELPING WITH US AND GETTING THAT MESSAGING OUT.
PARKING IS A CHALLENGE FOR US.
YOU HEARD THE DISCUSSION TONIGHT.
WE'LL JUST KEEP WORKING THROUGH THOSE ISSUES, BUT I APPRECIATE YOU USING THOSE COMMUNICATION SKILLS THAT YOU HAVE TO HELP US WITH THAT.
THEN I LOVE THE END OF THE VIDEO SO MUCH ABOUT, RESPECT THE COMMUNITY.
THIS IS A REAL TOWN, REAL LIVING TOWN. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
LIVABILITY IS IMPORTANT TO US.
COMMERCE IS IMPORTANT TOO, BUT LIVABILITY IS SO GOOD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEARING US. WE APPRECIATE THAT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
>> THAT SAID. WE HAVE OUR NEXT ITEM IS THE ITEM 702,
[7.A.2. Revocable License Agreement for 117 Inlet Drive (D. Birchim, City Manager)]
REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR 117 INLET DRIVE.I THINK THAT THE FIRST THING WE SHOULD DO SINCE WE ADDED A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, WE SHOULD HEAR THE PRESENTATION FROM MR. BURCHAM ON THAT OR UPDATE OR HOWEVER YOU WANT TO PROCEED.
>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, BEFORE YOU IS A REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT TO USE THE CITY RIGHT OF WAY FOR VACANT LOTS ADJACENT TO 117 INLET DRIVE FOR A FENCE.
LANDSCAPING, WHICH CONSISTS OF PALM TREES, SOME IRRIGATION FOR THAT LANDSCAPING AND ACCENT LIGHTING.
[01:30:06]
ON SEPTEMBER 22, THE CITY COMMISSION DENIED A REVOCABLE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR THIS PROPERTY.THE PROPERTY OWNER SUBMITTED AN AMENDED APPLICATION, WHICH IS BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING.
THAT AMENDED APPLICATION PROVIDES MORE DETAILS ON THE FENCE, WHICH CLARIFIES THAT IT WILL ALWAYS BE AN OPAQUE FENCE, AND ALSO CLARIFIES THAT THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT DOES NOT ADD TO THE DEVELOPABLE LAND FOR THIS PROPERTY.
AT THE END OF THE PACKET OF INFORMATION IN YOUR AGENDA PACKET, IS A MEMO FROM THE PLANNING DIRECTOR, AMY SKINNER THAT TALKS ABOUT THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS VACANT LOT.
THAT WAS ALSO A QUESTION THAT CAME UP WHEN WE MOST RECENTLY SPOKE ABOUT THIS PUBLICLY AND WHAT THIS PLANNING DIRECTOR DID, IS SHE WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THE PUBLIC RECORD, AND SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE TO THE VACANT LOT, WHICH WAS THE SEAWALL AND THE RIP RAP HAS BEEN APPROVED BY OUR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD AND PROPERLY PERMITTED.
THE OTHER QUESTION THAT WAS BROUGHT UP DURING PREVIOUS PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS WAS WHETHER THAT SIDE YARD, WHICH CONSISTS OF TWO PLATTED LOTS WAS A BUILDABLE PARCEL OF LAND.
IT IS INDEED TWO PLATTED LOTS.
OUR DEFINITION OF DEVELOPABLE LAND ONLY INCLUDES THE UPLANDS PORTION OF A LOT, AND MOST OF THOSE LOTS ARE WETLANDS OR SUBMERGED.
THERE IS A SMALL PORTION OF UPLANDS ON THAT PROPERTY, WHICH IS INDEED DEVELOPABLE.
THAT WAS ALSO CLARIFIED IN THIS MEMORANDUM THAT IS PART OF YOUR PACKET AND PART OF THE RECORD? THE OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE IS HERE THIS EVENING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE AND I'M HERE AS WELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT SAID, I WOULD OPEN UP THIS FOR PUBLIC HEARING, PUBLIC COMMENT.
THEN WE CAN BEGIN TO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE.
HOW ARE YOU AMENABLE TO THAT? IS THIS OKAY, ATTORNEY?
>> YES, IT'S JUST PUBLIC COMMENT.
THIS ISN'T A QUASI JUDICIAL MATTER, SO IT'S NOT AN ACTUAL HEARING.
>> I'M JUST TO BE FAIR TO EVERYBODY. THAT'S ALL.
I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE EVERYBODY FEEL LIKE THEY'VE BEEN FAIRLY HEARD.
I HAVE A SPEAKER CARD FOR SPEAKER CARD, AND MR. THOMAS DRIVES BACK, FOLLOWED BY BJ GLADY.
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS.
THE PEOPLE WHO COMMUNICATED WITH ME AND MADE SITE VISITS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FIRST QUESTION AND THE PRESENTATION, IS THE SPECIFIC AREA OF THE LICENSE FROM THE CURB TO THE PROPERTY LINE OR FROM THE FENCE TO THE PROPERTY LINE? IF THAT CAN BE ADDRESSED AT SOME POINT, I APPRECIATE IT.
>> DENY THE ILLEGAL PLACEMENT OF FENCE, LIGHTING, AND LANDSCAPE VIA A LICENSE.
WHEN HARDY RECEIVED FENCE PERMIT FROM THE CITY, IT WAS FOR PLACEMENT OF ON HIS PRIVATE PROPERTY.
HARDY WAS FOUND TO ILLEGALLY PLACED FENCE, LANDSCAPING, AND LIGHTING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, AND IN FORMED TO REMOVE ALL IMMEDIATELY.
HAVING BEEN FOUND IN VIOLATION, HARDY HAS NOW APPLIED TWICE FOR A LICENSE WITH PERSONAL USE AND PLEASURE AS HIS NEED.
DUE PROCESS HAS BEEN MORE THAN SERVED.
HARDY IS A PROFESSIONAL BUILDER AND SEEMS TO HAVE TAKEN ACTIONS WITH INTENT.
PERMISSION TO LICENSE SHOULD BE GRANTED PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION, NOT AFTER BEING FOUND IN VIOLATION.
LICENSE IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT.
WHEN HARDY PURCHASED THE LOT ON 117, HE SIGNED LEGAL DOCUMENTS DENOTING PROPERTY BOUNDARIES.
NOTE THE EXISTING NORTH RETAINING WALL ENDING AT THE WEST PROPERTY LINE.
WHEN HARDY PERMITTED HIS HOUSE AT 117, HE SIGNED LEGAL DOCUMENTS DENOTING PROPERTY BOUNDARIES.
WHEN HARDY BUILT HIS ORIGINAL POOL FENCE AT 117, HE SIGNED LEGAL DOCUMENTS DENOTING PROPERTY BOUNDARIES.
WHEN HARDY PURCHASED ADJACENT 120 INLET DRIVE, HE SIGNED LEGAL DOCUMENTS DENOTING PROPERTY BOUNDARIES WITH MANY OF THOSE AT THE SAME POINTS AS 117 INLET.
[01:35:04]
WHEN HE PLACED PHIL ON 117, EXCUSE ME, WHEN HARDY SPLIT 120 AND MERGED WITH THE EAST PORTION OF 117 INLET, HE SIGNED LEGAL DOCUMENTS DENOTING THE PROPERTY BOUNDARIES.WHEN HE PLACED PHIL ON 117 INLET, SORRY. IT'S A LITTLE LONG HERE.
HE WAS VISITED BY CODE ENFORCEMENT, PHYSICAL BOUNDARY MARKERS WERE IN PLACE CLEARLY SHOWING THE FRONT PROPERTY LINE.
THE PHOTOS ARE ON FILE IN CITY HALL.
PLEASE DENY THE ILLEGAL PLACEMENT OF FENCE LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING VIOLATIONS.
IT'S SIMPLE, HARDY VIOLATED THE RULES AND MUST NOW FIX IT, DENY THE APPLICATION.
I DO HAVE SIGNED AFFIDAVITS FROM A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ADJACENT TO HIS PROPERTY UP AND DOWN INLET DRIVE.
THESE ARE ALL TAX PAYING, DAVID, TAX PAYING PROPERTY OWNERS AND NEIGHBORS.
NOBODY REALLY WANTED TO SIGN ONE IN FAVOR OF WHAT IS GOING ON.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S EFFORTS. THANK YOU.
>> COULD YOU TURN THOSE INTO THE CLERK, AND THEN SHE CAN SHARE THEM WITH US, BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO SEE THAT.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO ALSO SAY I HAVE TWO THINGS ON MY AGENDA THIS WEEK.
ONE IS THIS MEETING, AND ONE IS A ROOT CANAL.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MY ROOT CANAL TOMORROW PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. YES. IF YOU'LL GIVE THOSE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE CLERK IS.
COULD YOU GIVE THOSE TO CITY MANAGER? THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE. MISS GLADY,.
>> BJ GLADY WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
EVEN THOUGH I DON'T LIVE OVER THERE, I HAVE SO MUCH TIME THAT I GO TO ENFORCEMENT.
THIS IS NOT A PLACE THAT I LIKE TO BE, BUT YOU LEARN WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON.
THAT'S WHY I WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I WAS AT CODE ENFORCEMENT WHEN THAT WAS ORIGINALLY BROUGHT UP.
ON MAY 24, 2024, THIS PROPERTY WAS BEFORE CODE ENFORCEMENT FOR A VIOLATION.
ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2025, 18 MONTHS LATER, THIS COMMISSION DENIED THE RIGHT OF WAY LICENSE.
I KNOW YOU CAN MAKE THESE AGREEMENTS, BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE FOR IT AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT WENT ON AT CODE ENFORCEMENT AND SINCE THEN TWO, SINCE YOU ALL VOTED ON THIS ALREADY.
>> EVEN THOUGH THINGS CAN BE PUT IN THE RIGHT OF WAY, THE WAY THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED, I BELIEVE, EXCUSE ME.
NOTHING SHOULD BE PERMITTED IN THE CITY RIGHT OF WAY, ALSO KNOWN AS TAXPAYER OWNED PROPERTY.
IF PEOPLE WANT TO USE IT, THEN IT SHOULD BE WORKED OUT WITH, ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU, AND YOU SHOULD NOT BE GOING TO CODE ENFORCEMENT FOR VIOLATIONS.
IF YOU DO AND IT CONTINUES AND CONTINUES, THAT'S TELLING US THE PUBLIC, THE RESIDENTS THAT SIGNED THERE TOO, THAT SOMEONE'S NOT LISTENING.
THEY THINK THEY CAN KEEP ON AND KEEP ON AND KEEP ON.
I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS WITHOUT ANY OBSTRUCTION OF ANYTHING ON OUR EASEMENT.
I ASK YOU TO PLEASE DENY THIS REVOCABLE AGREEMENT REQUEST FOR 117 INLET DRIVE.
SINCE I GOT A SECOND, WHEN THESE THINGS SEEM TO BE COMING UP ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA, I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE ONE OFF TONIGHT.
THERE'S THINGS TO LISTEN TO, AND SOMETIMES YOU DON'T HAVE THE TIME, I UNDERSTAND THAT TO LISTEN TO ALL THESE THINGS, BUT THINGS ARE GOING THROUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT.
COMPLIANCE IS ONE THING, BUT ENFORCEMENT IS WHAT WE WANT.
THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, SO SOME OF THIS CAN BE STOPPED, AND PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND WE HAVE TO RESPECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, TOO, AND WHEN YOU'RE NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH, WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. I LOOKED OVER THE PETITION AND THE SIGNATURES OF QUITE A FEW OF MY NEIGHBORS.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK? OH, WE DO HAVE SOMEONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK.
I DID NOT HAVE A SPEAKER CARD FOR YOU, SO I APOLOGIZE.
>> BECAUSE I'M THE APPLICANT, YES, MA'AM.
OH, WE STILL WE WERE STILL NOT FINISHED WITH YOU.
SORRY. I THOUGHT WE WERE. YES. NAME AND ADDRESS.
I LIVE AT 120 INLET DRIVE, DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM 117 INLET DRIVE.
THIS QUESTION MAY BE ANSWERED IN THE PRESENTATION WE'RE ABOUT TO GET, BUT I WAS CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT WAS JUST SAID ABOUT PART OF THE LOT HAVING ENOUGH ELEVATION TO ALLOW IT TO BE BUILDABLE OR DEVELOPABLE.
OUR UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THIS WOULD NOT EVER BECOME A BUILDABLE LOT SO THAT A HOUSE OR OTHER LARGE STRUCTURE COULD BE BUILT THERE.
[01:40:05]
IF WE COULD GET SOME SORT OF EXPLANATION ABOUT THE FUTURE POSSIBILITIES THAT THIS PERMIT OR WHATEVER THE PROCESS IS COULD GIVE US SOME CLARITY ABOUT THE STATUS OF THIS AS A BUILDABLE LOT CURRENTLY AND IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU.MR. CITY MANAGER, COULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT DEEPER? IT IS A BUILDABLE LOT, AS YOU SAID, IS THAT CORRECT?
WHEN MR. DAVIS DESIGNED DAVIS SHORES.
HE HAD A RECORDED SUBDIVISION APPROVED, WHICH IS IN PLACE.
THIS PARCEL CONTAINS TWO LOTS WHICH ARE PLATTED WITH THE DAVIS SHORES SUBDIVISION.
THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY ARE BUILDABLE IS BASED ON THE DEVELOPABLE ACREAGE.
THAT IS THE UPLANDS PORTION OF THE LOTS.
IT'S VERY MARGINALLY DEVELOPABLE, BUT IT IS DEVELOPABLE, AND MR. HARDY COULD GET A PERMIT RIGHT NOW AND BUILD A SHED OR A GARAGE ON THAT SIDE YARD.
IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
>> I THINK THAT DOES. I THINK THAT SATISFIES ME AS TO WHETHER IT IS DEVELOPABLE, BUILDABLE, OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT ON THE UPLANDS PORTION OF THE LOT.
>> CORRECT. NOW, IF THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER RECORDED COVENANTS ON THAT PROPERTY, WHICH WOULD VOLUNTARILY MAKE IT UNBUILDABLE IN THE FUTURE, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
I HAVE NOT SEEN THE DEED THAT ACCOMPANIES THOSE TWO VACANT LOTS, BUT FROM THE CITY'S PERSPECTIVE, A PLATTED LOT THAT HAS DEVELOPABLE ACREAGE IS A BUILDABLE LOT.
WOULD YOU COMMENT QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO?
>> WE'LL HEAR FROM YOU IN JUST A MINUTE, MR. WHITEHOUSE.
>> I JUST HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
I UNDERSTAND YOU AND I WERE IN A MEETING ON THE PROPERTY APPRAISER, IT'S ONE LINE AROUND IT.
BUT IF YOU INVESTIGATE THE PRINT THAT SAYS IT'S TWO BUILDABLE LOTS.
IT'S FUNCTIONING AS A SIDE YARD, BUT IT HAS DEVELOPABLE ABILITIES.
MY QUESTION IS, THIS JUST TO GET MYSELF CLEAR ABOUT THIS.
YOU MENTIONED A GUEST HOUSE OR A BUILDING OR SOMETHING ON THAT BEING BUILT.
THAT WOULD NOT BE ANOTHER RESIDENCE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE WERE FIVE LOTS ORIGINALLY, MR. HARDY'S BUILDING HAS COVERED THREE, AND THAT'S NOW AN AGGREGATED LOT.
THOSE THREE LOTS ARE NOW AGGREGATED AS ONE LOT BECAUSE HE'S COVERED THREE LOTS, RIGHT?
>> IF HE WERE TO BUILD A GUEST, I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT HOW MUCH LAND HE HAS, HE DOESN'T HAVE A LOT, SO THAT'S WHY IT'S MARGINALLY BUILDABLE, BUT SAY THE MOST LIKELY OUTCOME, MAYBE, I'M GOING TO SUGGEST, IS A GUEST HOUSE, SAY.
IF HE BUILDS A GUEST HOUSE ON THAT AND THAT GUEST HOUSE COVERS BOTH LOTS, DOES THAT AGGREGATE ALL FIVE LOTS THEN INTO ONE, OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE A SEPARATE RESIDENCE? THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IF HE BUILDS A GUEST HOUSE ON THE REMAINING TWO LOTS, AND THAT GUEST HOUSE COVERS BOTH LOTS? DOES THAT AGGREGATE THOSE TWO LOTS, OR DOES THAT, BECAUSE IT'S A SECONDARY USE, DOES IT AGGREGATE ALL FIVE LOTS INTO ONE LOT?
>> AGGREGATES THOSE TWO LOTS AS ONE PARCEL.
>> EVEN IF IT'S NOT A RESIDENCE?
>> CORRECT. HE COULD SELL OFF THAT GUEST HOUSE INDIVIDUALLY FROM THE PARENT PROPERTY, FROM THE PARENT HOUSE, IF YOU WISH TO? LIKE, HE JUST ADDED THE TWO VACANT LOTS TO THE HOUSE? HE COULD SEPARATE THAT AND DO A CORRECTIVE DEED AND SELL OFF THOSE TWO VACANT LOTS, OR HE COULD BUILD A GARAGE ON THOSE TWO VACANT LOTS AND RECORD A CORRECTIVE DEED AND SELL OFF THE GARAGE.
WHOEVER PURCHASED THAT PROPERTY WOULD HAVE TO CREATE A DWELLING UNIT ON THAT PROPERTY BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE AN ACCESSORY USE WITHOUT A PRIMARY USE. I'M GETTING INTO THAT.
>> NO. THAT'S THE POINT I'M TRYING TO GET TO.
I'M JUST WONDERING IF THE SCENARIO IS LIKELY THAT IF HE PUT A GARAGE OR A GARAGE APARTMENT OR SOMETHING ON THERE, THAT WOULD ONLY AGGREGATE THOSE TWO LOTS, THAT WOULDN'T AGGREGATE TO THE HOUSE, WHICH IS THE PRIMARY USE, SO IT WOULD BE AGGREGATED TO ONE LOT.
>> IT WOULD AGGREGATE IT TO THE THREE LOTS IF IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE HOUSE.
[01:45:01]
>> IF HE HAD A DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT THAT WAS DESIGNED SO IT MET ALL OF ITS CODE COMPLIANT SIDE YARD SETBACKS AND STANDALONE LOT COVERAGE FOR DEVELOPING JUST THOSE TWO VACANT LOTS.
HE COULD DEVELOP IT INDIVIDUALLY, AND THEN IT COULD BE SOLD OFF AS A SEPARATE PARCEL IN THE FUTURE.
>> EVEN IF HE GETS THE PERMIT THAT IT'S SECONDARY TO THE USE OF THE MAIN HOUSE?
>> THE NEW OWNER WOULD THEN HAVE TO CONVERT THAT TO A PRIMARY USE.
>> WITH A BUILDING PERMIT, THEY WOULD CONVERT THE GARAGE OR GUEST HOUSE TO A DWELLING UNIT BY ADDING A KITCHEN, FOR EXAMPLE.
>> OH, AND THEY WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT ON THOSE TWO LOTS BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SECONDARY, THEY COULD CHANGE IT TO A PRIMARY.
>> THE FIVE LOTS WOULD BE AGGREGATED TO THREE, AND THEN TWO.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW.
NOW, AGAIN, IF THAT HAPPENS, THAT SCENARIO HAPPENS.
AFTER HE BUILD IT, HE SAYS, HEY, I'M GOING TO SELL IT AS A SEPARATE RESIDENCE, AND THAT PERSON GOES IN AND APPLIES TO HAVE THAT BE A PERMANENT RESIDENT, INDEPENDENT OF THE HOUSE, NO LONGER A GUEST HOUSE, THAT WOULD BE A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, RIGHT?
>> THAT CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP WOULD REVOKE THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AM I RIGHT?
>> OKAY. THAT'S ALL I WANT TO KNOW.
>> I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THE LICENSE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING.
>> I KNOW, I'M JUST DOING THIS BECAUSE A CONVERSATION CAME UP.
THE FENCE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEVELOPABILITY OF THE LOTS.
IF THEY'RE LOTS, IF THEY'RE A SIDE YARD, IT'S IN A QUANTUM STATE NOW.
IT'S ACTING AS A SIDE YARD, HAS A POTENTIALLY LIKE SCHRODINGER'S CAT WE GOT GOING HERE.
BUT IT'S GOOD THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS ALL THE INFORMATION.
THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR THE RESIDENTS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE FENCE PLACEMENT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THIS, BUT THIS IS REALLY FOR INFORMATION FOR THE NEIGHBORS, IN MY OPINION.
>> SURE. THE REVOCABLE LICENSE IS JUST THAT.
IT'S REVOCABLE AT OUR WILL WITH 30 DAY NOTICE FOR ANY REASON.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. THAT'S ANOTHER REASON I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IT.
>> IT'S CALLED A REVOCABLE LICENSE.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GERRES.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO SPEAK. SORRY.
>> YEAH. BASICALLY, WE'RE HERE ABOUT THE FENCE AND THE TREES.
ALL THIS OTHER STUFF ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE BUILDING.
THAT'S NOT WHAT'S COMING BEFORE US TONIGHT, IS THAT NOT CORRECT?
>> WE DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT HE'S BUILDING UNTIL HE ACTUALLY PUTS IN A PERMIT, AND THEN THAT WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH A DUE PROCESS, CORRECT?
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO ON TO THE APPLICANT REPRESENTATIVE? MR. WHITEHOUSE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE RECORD.
JAMES WHITEHOUSE, SINT JOHNS LAW GROUP, 104 SEAGROVE MAIN STREET, HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
I AM HERE, MARIN, CAN YOU PUT UP THE? I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS OF 117 INLET.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO START OUT WITH WHAT WE'RE NOT HERE FOR.
WE'RE NOT HERE TO DEVELOP THIS LOT.
WE'RE NOT HERE TO ASK YOU TO VACATE ANY RIGHT OF WAY AT ALL.
THAT'S WHY WE WENT BACK AND PUT THAT SPECIFIC REFERENCE WITHIN THE REVOCABLE LICENSE THAT SAYS THERE'S NO INTENT WHATSOEVER TO INCREASE THE DEVELOPER AREA OF THIS PARTICULAR LOT.
THIS IS TO ASK FOR A LICENSE, WHICH WE DO ALL THE TIME AT THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FOR PEOPLE TO PUT FENCES, OR THERE'S A NUMBER OF THEM IN DAVIS SHORES, WHERE YOU HAVE BRICK ENTRYWAYS, WHERE YOU HAVE THEIR LANTERNS AT THE HEAD OF THEIR DRIVEWAY.
WE FENCE OFF PIECES OF PROPERTY THAT ARE EXTRA LOTS THAT ARE ADJACENT TO A NUMBER OF THEM IN LINCOLNVILLE, IF YOU DRIVE AROUND LINCOLNVILLE, TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S PROPERTY.
IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, THIS IS A VERY LARGE RIGHT OF WAY IN FRONT OF IT, AS YOU GUYS KNOW, AND IT ACTUALLY GOES DIAGONALLY.
IT GOES FROM ABOUT 13.5 FEET OFF THE PAVED RIGHT OF WAY BACK TO ABOUT 26 OR MORE FEET ON THE NORTHERN END.
THIS PARTICULAR FENCE THAT WAS PUT UP IS OF A LEGAL HEIGHT WITHIN OUR ZONING CODE.
AS YOUR CITY MANAGER SAID TO YOU, WE PUT SPECIFIC LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT IT WILL BE A NON OPAQUE FENCE DURING THE EXISTENCE OF THIS REVOCABLE LICENSE.
IT'S ABOUT 13.5 FEET OFF THE PROPERTY LINE.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PICTURES, THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR PARKING, ETC, ALONG HERE.
PARKING IS ALLOWED ALONG THE STREET IN THIS AREA.
IT'S ACTUALLY WITH THESE TREES AND LANDSCAPING THAT ARE ALSO IN
[01:50:01]
THE PARTICULAR RIGHT OF WAY HAVE ACTUALLY BEAUTIFIED THE AREA, AS WELL.THEY ASK JUST FOR THIS REVOCABLE LICENSE, LIKE WE'VE GRANTED TO LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY IN DAVIS SHORES.
IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE AS TO SAFETY, IT WAS ON A CORNER, AND YOU COULDN'T SEE AROUND IT.
THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT NOT GRANTING REVOKABLE LICENSES, IN THIS CASE, NONE OF THOSE THINGS EXIST, AND YOU'VE HEARD NO EVIDENCE TO THAT.
THEY WOULD ASK JUST THAT YOU GRANT THIS REVOKABLE LICENSE, AS YOU HEARD FROM YOUR CITY MANAGER AND STAFF. IT'S REVOKABLE.
IF THERE BECOMES A PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO COME OUT, THEN 30 DAYS' NOTICE, AND IT CAN COME OUT.
I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, WHO WANTS TO GO FIRST?
>> NO, NOBODY WANTS TO GO FIRST.
I'M FINE WITH THIS. I'M NOT FINE WITH THIS.
THIS, AFTER A FACT, AGREEMENT, EVERYBODY'S BENT OVER BACKWARDS, OBVIOUSLY, TO MAKE THIS WORK FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER.
THE USE OF IT IS IT'S BASICALLY PUBLICLY OWNED PROPERTY.
PUT IN THE PUBLIC TRUST, AND IT'S WATERFRONT.
WE HAVE A ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER WHO WISHES TO USE THIS PUBLIC PROPERTY WATERFRONT FOR HIS OWN PLEASURE AND HIS PERSONAL ENJOYMENT.
HE'S PUT THE LANDSCAPING, THE LIGHTING, THE FENCE, THE EVERYTHING.
THERE, THE PAVERS, EVERYTHING.
IT'S ALL IN THE LEASE AGREEMENT, LICENSING AGREEMENT.
I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD PRECEDENT TO SET.
THAT SAID, I MIGHT HAVE ONE LITTLE QUESTION.
I KNOW MR. DRISBEG ASKED THIS.
THE LICENSING AGREEMENT BECAUSE IT SAYS, SPECIFICALLY, GRANTOR GRANTS THE LICENSE TO THE GRANTEE ON A CONTINUING BASIS FOR USE OF THE GRANTOR'S RIGHT AWAY, BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY GRANTEE FOR THE CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF ONE, A NON OPAQUE APPROXIMATELY FOUR FOOT FENCE ARE ALREADY LOCATED THEREIN, AS WELL AS THE LANDSCAPING, LANDSCAPING APPURTENANCES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PLANTS, TREES, IRRIGATIONS, PAVERS, AND LIGHTING, ALL LIMITED TO THE AREA DEPICTED IN EXHIBIT A.
MY QUESTION IS, IF THIS WAS AGREED TO, ALL THE LANDSCAPING THAT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE CURB.
>> THIS IS THE PICTURE RIGHT HERE.
>> ALL OF IT. IT'S ALL [OVERLAPPING].
LANDSCAPING, THE LANDSCAPING APPURTENANCES.
THAT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE CURB.
THAT IS WHAT IS IN THIS AGREEMENT.
>> THANK YOU. WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE GONNA GIVE HIM ALL THE WAY TO THE CURB.
IF WE APPROVE THIS, IT'S ALL OF IT.
EVERYTHING THAT'S THERE, THE TREES, THE LANDSCAPING, THE LIGHTING, THE IRRIGATION, THE FENCE, AND THE LANDSCAPING MATERIAL TO THE CURB.
[OVERLAPPING] THAT'S IN THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE TOP.
NOBODY ELSE ON LAW ON THE WATER THERE HAS DONE THAT WITH THEIR PROPERTY, SO INTERESTING.
THERE ARE SEVERAL LOTS THAT ARE OWNED ON THAT SIDE OF THE ROAD NORTH OF THAT PROPERTY.
I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER FOUR LOTS THAT ARE OWNED PRIVATELY BY THE PROPERTY OWNERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET.
I KNOW MR. ROBERTS IS ONE OF THEM.
>> THEY COULD DO THE SAME THING. FROM THE CURB.
IF WE DO THIS, WE COULD GIVE THEM TO THE CURB TO WHEREVER THEIR FENCE IS.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. THAT'S WHERE.
>> MAY BE AMENDABLE TO TAKE OUT THE PART FROM THE FENCE TO THE CURB.
IF YOU GUYS WANT TO TAKE THAT PART OUT.
BY THE WAY, THE CITY PROJECT THAT YOU'RE DOING JUST TO THE NORTH OF THIS IS TAKING THE WHOLE AREA OF RIGHT OF WAY.
INCLUDING THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ENTERED INTO THAT AGREEMENT BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A BCB AND WILL BE COMING ON APPEAL TO YOU IN JANUARY, BUT THEY'RE ALSO DOING THE SAME THING. THAT'S JUST THE NORTH.
[01:55:01]
>> THE CITY PROJECT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, IS THAT THEY'RE USING THAT WHOLE THE CITY, IT'S A CITY PROJECT, IS USING THE WHOLE AREA OF THE RIGHT OF WAY AS WELL FOR THAT PROJECT.
>> WHAT'S COMING TO APPEAL ON.
>> EXCUSE ME. IS THIS CONVERSATION BETWEEN JUST US, OR ARE WE STILL ASKING THEIR ATTORNEY QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT. I'M JUST CONFUSED.
>> NO, I'M CONFUSED. I WANT CLARIFICATION.
>> I AM MAKING MY STATEMENT AND I ASKED A QUESTION.
I'M GOING TO ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.
BUT WE'RE GETTING OFF ON TO OTHER THINGS.
>> TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. THEY'LL TAKE THAT OUT.
>> I JUST FEEL LIKE WE'RE HAVING A CONVERSATION BETWEEN SIX OF US AND NOT FIVE OF US.
>> GOT YOU. I THINK HE CLARIFIED AND HE MADE SOME EXTRA POINTS.
WHICH IS FINE. WHO WANTS TO GO NEXT?
>> I'LL GO NEXT. ASK THE CITY MANAGER. YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
I'M LOOKING AT IT LIKE MY RATIONALE IS THERE.
THERE'S AN ANOMALY IN THE RIGHT OF WAY THAT'S PRETTY SPECIFIC TO THIS PROPERTY.
THAT'S UNUSUAL FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SO I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM, SO NOTHING'S CHANGED ON ME.
I'M WILLING TO MAKE THE TRADE THAT IT'S LANDSCAPED AND IT HAS TAKEN CARE OF.
BUT I WANT TO JUST TRY BOIL IT DOWN FOR MYSELF.
CURRENTLY, THE STATUS QUO IS IF THIS DOESN'T GET APPROVED TONIGHT.
THE STATUS QUO FROM OUR LAST VOTE, WHICH WAS THE PROCEDURAL VOTE IS THAT, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS.
COMMISSIONER GERRES, I THINK THE LANDSCAPING COMES OUT, THE FENCE COMES OUT, THE PALM TREES ARE CUT DOWN.
I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?
>> IT WOULD GO TO OUR SPECIAL MAGISTRATE.
ULTIMATELY, WE WOULD PURSUE THE REMOVAL OF EVERYTHING IN THE CITY RIGHT OF WAY.
THAT INCLUDES THE LANDSCAPING, THE FENCING, THE LIGHTING, THE IRRIGATION, ANY PAVERS, WHATEVER IS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY, WE WOULD PURSUE THE REMOVAL OF THAT THROUGH SPECIAL MAGISTRATE PROCESS.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY DETERMINATION FROM THE MEASUREMENTS THAT I SAW IN THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S MAP, WHICH YOU KNOW IS NOT EXACT? IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A NUMBER OF PALM TREES IN THE RIGHT AWAY THERE.
IS THAT A DETERMINATION THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE THAT I CAN MAKE A DECISION ON OR WE KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE WOULD BE CUT DOWN IF THIS IS OKAY?
>> EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE IN THOSE PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE SCREEN WOULD BE REMOVED.
>> IF THIS IS OKAY TONIGHT, IF THIS IS APPROVED, IF THIS IS NOT OKAY TONIGHT, THE STATUS QUO IS ALL THAT STUFF IS GOING TO COME OUT, AM I RIGHT?
>> IF THE CITY COMMISSION DOES NOT APPROVE THIS REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT, STAFF WILL PURSUE THE REMOVAL OF EVERYTHING IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY THROUGH THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE PROCESS, AND IF NECESSARY, BEYOND THAT. YES.
>> SEE, SO THAT'S WHAT MY PROBLEM IS.
IT SEEMS LIKE MAYBE THERE COULD BE SOME MIDDLE GROUND HERE BECAUSE WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PLANT THINGS IN THE RIGHT AWAY, AND NOW WE'RE TAKING THINGS DOWN IN THE RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE IT'S NOT A LICENSING AGREEMENT.
IF THERE'S SOME WAY TO SMOOTH THIS COMMENT.
>> SIR, YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER, PLEASE.
>> NOT HAVING A JUDGMENT, I'M JUST TRYING TO SAY WHAT PHYSICALLY THE OPTIONS ARE.
THE ONE PHYSICAL OPTION IS TO LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED ANYTHING ELSE.
THE OTHER PHYSICAL OPTION IS IT ALL GETS REMOVED.
DO WE PURSUE GETTING IT ALL REMOVED, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> UNLESS YOU WANT TO CONSIDER ANOTHER AMENDED LICENSE AGREEMENT APPLICATION THAT WOULD JUST BE THE PALM TREES WHEN HE WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE FENCE, BUT HE COULD KEEP THE TREES.
YOU CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE OWNER, THE APPLICANT AND HIS.
>> I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF LEAVING IT OR HAVING THAT CONVERSATION. I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> I'LL GO. I CAME LATE TO THIS BECAUSE I MISSED THE MEETING, SO I'VE DONE A LOT OF HOMEWORK.
IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME, THIS IS AN ODD SITUATION.
WE HAVE A CONTRACTOR WHO HAS DONE CONSTRUCTION AROUND THIS AREA FOR A LONG TIME.
HE'S RETIRED. HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING.
HE TURNED IN A PAPER APPLICATION FOR THIS TO THE PERMIT, AND HE DID NOT GET IT PERMITTED AT THE END BY GETTING AN INSPECTION.
EITHER HE IS FAULTY AS A CONTRACTOR OR HE DID IT ON PURPOSE.
BUT WE'RE NOT HERE TO JUDGE THIS.
IF THIS WAS BJ GLADY'S PROPERTY, WOULD WE BE LOOKING AT THE RESOLUTION DIFFERENT? WE GOT TO TAKE PERSON OUT OF THIS COMPLETELY.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IF WE VOTE NO, THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE TO REMOVE THE TREES,
[02:00:02]
HE HAS TO MOVE THE TREES.HE COULD MOVE THEM BACK TO HIS PROPERTY.
TECHNICALLY, IT COULD LOOK ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME WITH AN EIGHT FOOT SOLID FENCE AND THE TREES BEHIND IT, HIM JUST TO ENJOY.
A COUPLE OF COMMENTS IS THAT I DON'T THINK THIS IS WATERFRONT PROPERTY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY.
THIS IS WATERFRONT PROPERTY FOR THE OWNER TO ENJOY.
YOU CAN'T ENJOY IT FROM THE EASEMENT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE A STRUCTURE IN FRONT OF IT RIGHT NOW.
YES, IF HE WANTS TO BUILD A FENCE ON THAT PROPERTY TO BLOCK PEOPLE'S VIEW, HE STILL CAN.
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT EITHER.
THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF WHETHER THE NEIGHBORS ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE ACCESS TO VIEW IT.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, AND IT IS IN FULLER WOOD, FOR EVERYBODY THAT OWNS PROPERTY AND TO HAVE AN EASEMENT IN FRONT OF THEM, THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN THAT PROPERTY, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> IF THERE'S A TREE ON THEIR PROPERTY, THEY HAVE TO HAVE IT MAINTAINED.
>> OUR CODE DOES REQUIRE THAT THE ADJACENT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER MAINTAIN THE RIGHT OF WAY IN FRONT OF THEIR PROPERTY, YES.
>> THEY HAVE TO PUT GRASS OR MOW IT OR THEY CAN PUT DOWN GROUND COVER.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE GRASS.
THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT FOR WHAT THEY PUT IN THAT EASEMENT.
>> THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT FOR WHAT THEY PUT IN AN EASEMENT, THAT'S CORRECT.
>> FOR HIM PUTTING GROUND COVER FROM HIS FENCE, IF WE SAID, YES, FOR HIM PUTTING GROUND COVER TO THE CURB WOULD BE OKAY.
BECAUSE HE'S MAINTAINING THE PROPERTY THAT WE REQUIRE HIM TO MAINTAIN.
>> HE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN IT, BUT IT WOULD BE OUR GROUND COVER BECAUSE IT WOULD BE ON THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
HE COULD TAKE IT OUT AND PUT GRASS.
>> THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT HE WOULD REQUIRE PERMISSION TO DO IN THE RIGHT OF WAY.
THIS IS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT TODAY REQUIRE EITHER A RIGHT OF WAY PERMIT OR A LICENSE AGREEMENT.
NOW, THE ISSUE OF CAN HE PLANT FLOWERS OR GROUND COVER IN THE RIGHT OF WAY? THE ANSWER IS YES. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT REQUIRES ANY RIGHT OF WAY PERMIT. RIGHT TO DO SO.
>> WHO WANTS TO GO NEXT? I HEAR DIFFERENT.
>> AFTER I VOTED, I GOT CONTACTED BY MR. HARDY AND I WENT OUT AND CHECKED THE PROPERTY ALONG WITH THE CITY MANAGER TO SEE HIS PERMITS, TO SEE THE PLATTING AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
BASED ON THE FENCE, WHAT'S OUT IN FRONT OF THE GATE IS IVORY.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DRIVEN ON.
IT'S NOTHING THAT IS IT'S JUST LIKE GRASS, BUT IT'S LIKE A LEAFY PLANT.
SOMEBODY SIT OUT THERE IN THE AUDIENCE, THERE WAS SOME TREES, AND HE ADDED ADDITIONAL TREES.
HE CANNOT PUSH THAT FENCE BACK UNLESS HE PUT THEM BEHIND THE TREES.
HE ASSURED ME, AND I'M SURE HE ASSURED THE CITY AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN WHERE THE CITY HAD TO HAVE ACCESS TO HIS PROPERTY FOR ANY REASON, HE WOULD HAVE THE FENCE REMOVED TO MAKE SURE THEY COULD TAKE CARE OF WHATEVER THEY NEEDED TO DO.
I BELIEVE MY DECISION HAS CHANGED BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WE WORKED REALLY HARD ON PLANTS AND TREES AND TRYING TO BEAUTIFY OUR COMMUNITY.
TO MAKE SOMEBODY REMOVE PALM TREES, I AM NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH AFTER GOING THERE, SEEING THE PALM TREES, SEEING THE FENCE, THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE STREET CAN SEE OVER ON HIS PROPERTY BECAUSE THEY CAME OVER AND APPROACHED US, AND THEIR CONCERN WAS HIM BUILDING.
WE'VE HEARD BACK AND FORTH TALK ABOUT THAT.
THIS HERE RECONSIDERATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM BUILDING.
IT'S ABOUT THE FENCE AND THE TREES.
PERIOD. WE'RE NOT GRANTING HIM POWER TO BUILD ANOTHER HOUSE, A GARAGE.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO ADDRESS THE TREES AND THE FENCE.
THE FENCE IS BECAUSE HE HAS A POOL ON HIS PROPERTY, AND IT IS REQUIRED TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE DOES NOT GO ON HIS PROPERTY AND DROWN.
[02:05:01]
THAT'S WHY HE HAS A FENCE.I WALKED AWAY FROM THERE FEELING TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
THIS WAS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I WOULD HAVE WENT OUT THERE AND LOOKED AT THE PROPERTY IF I KNEW IN ADVANCE THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE VOTING ON IT, IT WAS PULLED OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT.
JOHN BROUGHT UP SOME GOOD POINTS, AND HE WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE ATTORNEY.
VICE MAYOR BLONDER BROUGHT UP SOME GOOD POINTS ABOUT MAKING PRESIDENTS.
I WAS CONFLICTED WHEN I VOTED.
BUT NOW THAT I HAVE SEEN THE PROPERTY, AND SEEN THE TREES.
I WISH I COULD HAVE THE PALM TREES IN MY YARD, I TELL YOU.
I KNOW, AS FAR AS THE RIGHT AWAY, THE CITY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO ON THE RIGHT AWAY, BECAUSE THEY PUT A FIRE HYDRANT ON ON THE RIGHT AWAY IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND THEY SAY, JACK TO ME ABOUT IT, AND I DIDN'T COMPLAIN.
WE HAVE THE RIGHTS TO DO ANYTHING WE WANT TO DO TO THE RIGHT AWAY IF IT'S FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CITY.
IS WHAT BASICALLY WHAT I'M SAYING.
IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE PUT ON THAT RIGHT AWAY, I'M SURE WE WOULD LET MR. HARDY OR ANYBODY ELSE THAT LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I GUESS, IT OCCURRED TO ME TODAY I WAS PREPARING FOR A CLASS AND I'M GOING TO TEACH ON WEDNESDAY.
THIS IS HOW I GOT WHERE I'M STILL AT.
THE CLASS IS ON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, AND IT'S BASICALLY THE CHAPTER ON CIVIC 101.
I'M LIKE, WE'RE GOING WAY BACK.
BUT THIS IS AN INTERESTING, READ BECAUSE IT PUT IT IN A WAY THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING CIVIC 101 REGARDING POLICY.
HOW DOES POLICY GET DEVELOPED? IT WAS COOL BECAUSE IT SAID, POLICY IS DESIGNED TO GUIDE BEHAVIOR.
THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE HAVE A CERTAIN BEHAVIOR THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE OR INCENTIVIZE AND OTHER BEHAVIORS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DISINCENTIVIZE OR PUNISH.
WE HAVE A POLICY ON RIGHTS OF WAY.
WHAT IS ALLOWED ON PUBLICLY OWNED PROPERTY THAT IS OWNED BY EVERYBODY IN THE CITY, WE HAVE POLICIES TO PROTECT THAT.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, COMMISSIONER GERRES, I DISAGREE IT'S NOT ABOUT THE TREES IN THE FENCE.
THE TREES IN THE FENCE ARE BEAUTIFUL.
THEY CAN BE UNPLANTED AND REPLANTED SOMEWHERE ELSE.
IT'S ABOUT THE PUBLICLY OWNED RIGHT OF WAY.
IF WE CHIP AWAY AT OUR POLICIES, JUST LIKE WE'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE STATE I'M TAKING AWAY OUR HOME RULE.
THEN AND WE'RE CHIPPING AWAY AT OUR OWN POLICIES.
WHERE DOES THAT STOP? THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY OWNER, AS THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT OUTLINED IN THAT MEMO.
HE'S DONE THIS BEFORE WITH RIPRAP.
HE WENT AHEAD AND INSTALLED RIPRAP WHICH WAS NOT PERMITTED BACK IN 2024.
THIS ISN'T LIKE ANCIENT HISTORY.
I'M CONSISTENT IN MY VOTING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
IF IT'S A PRECEDENT SETTER THAT CHIPS AWAY AT OUR POLICIES THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE ASKED US TO MAINTAIN, THEN I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST IT.
THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE.
>> I WANT TO CLARIFY ON THE POOL.
HE DOESN'T HAVE TO HAVE THAT FENCE FOR HIS POOL.
HE COULD PUT THE FENCE FOR HIS POOL, SO HE COULD BLOCK HIS FENCE HIS POOL IN WITHOUT THAT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE COMMENT.
WE'RE IN TROUBLE IN THE WORLD.
WE'RE FIGHTING OVER A METAL FENCE AND TREES.
ISN'T IT GREAT TO LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
THE THIRD THING IS TO HER COMMENTS ABOUT CIVIC 101.
THERE IS A THING IN OUR POLICY CALLED LICENSE AGREEMENTS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. HE HAS A RIGHT TO APPLY.
HE DID IT POORLY. MULTIPLE TIMES.
HE PROBABLY DID IT WHEN HE'S A CONTRACTOR.
I'M ASSUMING I DON'T HAVE ANY FACTS.
WE EVALUATE THE VALUE OF IT, THE DAMAGE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION IF I CAN.
>> I LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE DENY THE APPLICATION, REQUESTING THAT HE MOVE THE FENCE BEHIND
[02:10:03]
THE TREES IN ANOTHER AGREEMENT BROUGHT BACK TO US.THE TREES STAY, IRRIGATION STAYS, FENCES MOVE BEHIND THE TREE.
I WOULD ASK YOU TO ALSO HAVE THE LANDSCAPING MATERIAL REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH GRASS NOT LANDSCAPE MATERIAL.
>> THE FENCE MOVED AND GRASS PLACED BACK IN THE RIGHT AWAY.
>> COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, JUST FOR CLARITY, YOU MEAN THE FENCE MOVED BACK TO HIS PROPERTY.
>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. THAT TO BE ON HIS PROPERTY.
LEAVE THE LIGHTING, LEAVE THE IRRIGATION.
>> REMOVE THE LANDSCAPING MATERIAL AND REPLACE IT WITH GRASS, AND PUT THE AS DESCRIBED, NOT A SOLID FENCE, A FOUR-FOOT NON-OPAQUE FENCE.
>> WE ACTUALLY COULDN'T DO THAT ON HIS PROPERTY. THAT'S THE RUB.
>> THAT WOULD BE A PERMIT. WE WOULD DESIRE THAT KIND OF PERMIT.
IT SHOULD BE OUR ASSUMPTION HE WILL.
>> BUT THE FENCE WON'T BE ON OUR PROPERTY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT.
>> WELL, I THINK THAT IT SOUNDS GOOD, BUT IF HE MOVES IT BACK ON HIS PROPERTY, HE CAN HAVE A SOLID FENCE.
>> HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DO THAT.
>> HE HAS A RIGHT TO ASK FOR THAT, BUT HE'S NOT GOING TO BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO AFFECT HIS BUILDABLE NATURE OF HIS LOT.
>> IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE BUILDABLE NATURE OF THE LOT.
BUT THE THING IS THAT IF HE MOVES IT BACK ON HIS PROPERTY, THEN HE GETS TO BUILD WHATEVER FENCE HE WANTS.
HE DOESN'T NEED ANYYTHING FROM US.
>> CORRECT. BUT HE HAS THAT RIGHT.
IF WE APPROVE THIS, HE HAS THAT RIGHT.
>> IS IT A SIDE YARD FENCE OR IS IT A FRONT YARD FENCE?
>> IT'S A FRONT YARD FENCE, BUT HE CAN BUILD A FOUR-FOOT FENCE ON HIS FRONT PROPERTY FENCE.
>> IT'LL BE A FOUR-FOOT OPAQUE FENCE AS OPPOSED TO HAVING IT OUT TEN FEET MORE AND HAVING IT TRANSPARENT, BECAUSE BASICALLY IT'S A PRETTY LIGHTWEIGHT FENCE.
THAT'S THE BARGAIN WE'RE MAKING, CORRECT.
>> WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS ASSUME THE BETTER NATURE OF MR HARDY.
>> BY PUTTING THE FENCE AS IT IS ON HIS OWN PROPERTY.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, IF IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE REACHING A GENERAL AGREEMENT, AND YOU MAY NOT.
I DON'T KNOW. I'M JUST SPITBALLING HERE.
DO YOU WISH TO MAKE YOUR MOTION TO SIMPLY AMEND THE EXISTING REVOCABLE LICENSE THAT'S BEFORE YOU?
>> YES, I DIDN'T KNOW I COULD DO THAT. THANK YOU.
>> YOU CAN. BUT IT'S UP TO YOU.
I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING LIVE.
>> I ASSUMED WE HAD TO DENY IT AND HE HAD TO APPLY AGAIN.
>> THAT WOULD SHORTCUT THE PROCESS.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, YOU WANT THE FENCE ON HIS PROPERTY?
>> I WANT THE FENCE ON HIS PROPERTY.
TREES STAY, LIGHTING STAYS, AND THE LANDSCAPING BE REPLACED IN FRONT OF THE TREES TO BE GRASS.
>> I THINK THERE'S PAVERS AS WELL? ARE WE OKAY WITH THE PAVERS?
>> THE PAVERS ARE BEHIND THE TREE.
>> THEY'RE WAY UP ON WHERE HE'S GOT HIS BENCHES AND HIS CHAIRS AND HIS LITTLE BEACHY THING.
>> CAN I ASK A QUESTION? IF WE WERE TO AMEND THIS, IF THERE WAS A MAJORITY THAT VOTED TO AMEND THIS AS COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD HAS SUGGESTED, WILL WE SEE THIS AGAIN?
I WAS JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING.
BY THE WAY, THERE ARE PAVERS IN THE DRIVEWAY.
YOU COULD TONIGHT, MODIFY THE LICENSE THAT'S BEFORE YOU, HOWEVER YOU WISH.
OR YOU COULD SAY NO, OR YOU COULD SAY YES, OR YOU COULD ASK FOR THEM TO REAPPLY WITH SOME PARAMETERS.
>> I REALLY WANT TO GET THIS DONE.
ARE WE GOING TO SEE THIS AGAIN IF UNDER ANY ONE OF THOSE SCENARIOS, THOSE FOUR SCENARIOS, WHICH IS THE ONE THAT'S GOING TO BE THE FEWEST STEPS IN THAT WE HAVE.
YOU CAN APPROVE AS IS TONIGHT.
YOU CAN MODIFY TONIGHT AND APPROVE.
IF YOU ASK TO BRING IT BACK WITH CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS, OBVIOUSLY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HEAR IT AGAIN.
>> OKAY, SO MY MOTION HAS TO BE TO MAKE EVERYBODY AGREE THAT IT HAPPENS TONIGHT AND NEVER COMES BACK.
IT'S AN AMENDMENT TO THE CURRENT AGREEMENT THAT SAYS THE FENCE IS MOVED BACK TO HIS PROPERTY.
THE GRASS IS REPLACED ON THE EASEMENT IN FRONT OF THE TREES, AND NOTHING ELSE.
THE TREES STAY, I THINK, BUT THAT'S IT.
[02:15:02]
JUST THE FENCE MOVED, GRASS PUT BACK.>> CAN I THROW ONE FINAL IDEAD.
>> I'LL SECOND THAT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES, SO MR. YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
>> OKAY. SO THE ONLY THING THAT SCARES ME IS WE'RE HEARING THAT HE HASN'T BEEN COOPERATIVE, SO WE'RE RELYING ON HIS GOOD GRACES.
WOULD ANYBODY ENTERTAIN THE IDEA OF MOVING IT TO LICENSING AGREEMENT, MOVING IT ONE FOOT ON THE RIGHT AWAY? THAT WAY WE CAN REQUIRE THE FENCE BE TRANSPARENT.
THAT WAY, IT'S ONLY ONE FOOT DIFFERENCE, AND THE FENCE IS TRANSPARENT, AND WE'RE NOT RELYING ON HIS GOOD GRACES, BECAUSE I KNOW THE NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE STREET WROTE ME AN E MAIL SAYING THAT THE FENCE, IF IT'S MOVED FARTHER BACK, IT'S GOING TO BLOCK THEIR VISUAL VIEW OF THE WATER, SO I'M TRYING TO GET A WIN WIN WIN IF I CAN.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. I ALSO THINK, THOUGH, THAT IF WE DO THAT, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS FIVE MORE TIMES.
>> IF IT'S INTO THE RIGHT OF WAY, AND I CAN'T SUPPORT IT BECAUSE OF WHAT STATEMENTS I MADE ABOUT PRECEDENCE SETTING.
>> NO, I UNDERSTAND THAT. I'M JUST LOOKING AT IT MORE LIKE IN AN ACTUAL PHYSICAL WAY BECAUSE THERE IS AN ANOMALY THERE.
MY EXPERIENCE IN THE CITY IS THERE'S ANOMALIES EVERYWHERE, AND WE MAKE CONDITIONS FOR THOSE ANOMALIES BECAUSE IT'S NOT CARTESIAN.
BUT I'M JUST THROWING THE IDEA OUT, 1 FT TRANSPARENT, THAT'S WHERE YOU GET THE TRANSPARENCY.
>> THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT POINT.
>> I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD'S MOTION AMENDMENT TO JUST HAVE HIM MOVE THE TREE BACK AND PUT GRASS IN THE FRONT?
>> THE FENCE BACK, LEAVE THE TREES, LANDSCAPING, EXCEPT FOR THE GRASS, REPLACE THE GRASS ON THE PUBLIC PROPERTY. HE HAS PLANTS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AS EVERYBODY FEELS LIKE THEY'VE HAD THEIR SAY, ANY LAST COMMENT FROM THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE?
>> I WAS JUST SAYING, IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR PACKET IN FRONT OF YOU FOR THE LICENSE ITSELF, YOU SEE THE AREAS THAT ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW.
THAT WAS THE STUFF ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE NON-OPAQUE FENCE.
JUST SO THEY'RE CLEAR ON HOW TO WRITE THE LICENSE BEFORE IT'S GIVEN TO SIGN, IT'S EASY ENOUGH TO JUST SAY, INSTEAD OF MAINTENANCE OF A NON-OPAQUE FENCE ALREADY LOCATED THERE IN, SAY, MAINTENANCE OF LANDSCAPING AND LANDSCAPING.
TAKE THE FENCE PART OUT OF THERE, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
>> TAKE THE FENCE PART OUT OF THERE IN THOSE THREE SECTIONS TO WHERE IT'S REFERENCED.
I THINK THAT'S JUST TO GIVE THEM GUIDANCE AS TO HOW THE APPLICATION'S WRITTEN.
>> WE CAN CLEAN UP THE LANGUAGE, THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM.
IT WOULD LIMIT TO THE EXISTING VEGETATION MINUS THE GROUND COVER, WHICH WOULD NOW BE CONVERTED TO GRASS.
IT'D STILL ALLOW THE PAVERS IN THE DRIVEWAY.
EVERYTHING, EXCEPT THE FENCE, WOULD MOVE BACK TO HIS PROPERTY LINE, AND THE GROUND COVER WOULD BE CONVERTED, I SUPPOSE, OR TORE OUT AND SEEDED OR SODDED IN GRASS.
THAT'S THE DESIRE OF THE COMMISSION IN THE MOTION, AS I UNDERSTAND IT.
I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY SOMETHING DIFFERENT? THE FENCE MOVES BACK TO HIS PROPERTY LINE?
>> CORRECT. BUT HE HAS TO TAKE OUT THE GROUND COVER TO PUT GRASS AS WELL, YES?
>> DO WE NEED TO MODIFY THAT RIGHT HERE TO APPROVE IT?
IF YOUR MOTION IS CLEAR, THEN WE CAN HANDLE THE SCRIVENER PORTION OF IT.
>> CAN I ASK ONE LAST QUESTION? I'M NOT TRYING TO HOLD IT UP, BUT I'M TRYING TO GET THE BEST DEAL POSSIBLE.
WOULD THE APPLICANT BE WILLING TO PUT IN THE LICENSING AGREEMENT THAT THE FENCE ON HIS PROPERTY TO GET THE RIGHT AWAY WOULD BE TRANSPARENT?
>> AS PART OF THE LICENSING AGREEMENT.
>> IT'S UP TO THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE.
>> I MEAN, TO BE HONEST, IT'S NOT REALLY PART OF THE LICENSING AGREEMENT.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, THOUGH.
BUT IF IT'S GOING TO BE ON HIS PROPERTY, HE MAY NOT EVEN PUT IT. I DON'T KNOW.
AGAIN, I HAVE TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER HE'S GOING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT THIS OR NOT, OBVIOUSLY.
BUT I THINK THAT UNDER THE CODE, YOU CAN PUT A FOUR-FOOT FENCE IN THE FRONT YARD.
>> THE SETBACK IS 15 FEET, THAT'S CORRECT.
>> WE'RE SAYING HE CAN PUT IT ON THE PROPERTY LINE, THOUGH, WITH THIS.
>> YOU CAN PUT A FOUR FOOT FENCE ON YOUR FRONT PROPERTY LINE.
BUT THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT IS FOUR FEET.
[02:20:03]
>> WE'RE WAITING FOR HIM TO ANSWER ON THAT.
IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH THAT.
WITHOUT HIM HERE, IT'S HARD TO MAKE THAT PROMISE.
>> I THINK YOU COULD SAY FOUR FOUR-FOOT NON-OPAQUE FENCE.
>> WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IF THE APPLICANT PUTS A FENCE, BECAUSE HE COULD JUST PUT IT ON THE SIDE YARD TOO.
IF THE APPLICANT PUTS A FENCE, IT'LL BE A NON OPAQUE FOUR FOOT.
>> THE REALITY IS IF HE PUTS UP A SOLID FENCE, WE CAN TAKE THE TREES DOWN.
>> OKAY. IS THAT AN AMENDMENT?
>> WE DON'T NEED TO DO THAT. I THINK WE GOT EVERYTHING.
>> EXCUSE ME. IF WE WOULD LIKE TO AMEND THAT MOTION.
>> I WILL SECOND THE AMENDMENT.
>> IT'S SO NICE I'M DOING THIS MOTION.
>> THE APPLICANT, THE PROPERTY OWNER, WOULD INSTALL ON HIS OWN PROPERTY A NON OPAQUE FOUR FOOT FENCE.
>> CORRECT. HE'S NOT REQUIRED TO PUT A FENCE, BUT IF HE WERE TO PUT A FENCE AS PART OF THIS LICENSE, THEN IT'S LIMITED TO NON OPAQUE FOUR FEET, AND IT HAS TO BE AT HIS PROPERTY LINE.
>> COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, IF THAT'S YOUR AMENDED MOTION.
>> AMEND THAT AS A GREAT COMPROMISE AND A GREAT SOLUTION, AND THANK YOU, MR. WHITEHOUSE, FOR SPEAKING FOR YOUR PLAN.
>> AND MADAM MAYOR, ARE YOU SECONDING THAT MODIFIED?
>> I SECONDED THE MODIFIED MOTION.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? NO. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> I HOPE EVERYBODY HAS SOME SYMPATHY FOR THE PLANNING BOARD NOW, AND YOU KNOW WHY THE PLANNING BOARDS MEETINGS GO FOREVER.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON THEN. ALL RIGHT, THEN.
[7.B.1. Discussion of St. Augustine Public Forum on Property Tax Reform (N, Sikes-Kline, Mayor)]
DISCUSSION OF THE ST AUGUSTINE PUBLIC FORUM ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM.I ASKED THE CITY MANAGER TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA SO THAT WE COULD HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW WE WOULD LIKE TO APPROACH EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY.
WE DO HAVE RULES AS TO WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO.
>> WE ARE NOT ABLE TO EXPEND PUBLIC FUNDS TO LOBBY OR ADVOCATE FOR SOME TYPE OF POSITION THAT WOULD BE ON A BALLOT.
BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY HAVE PUBLIC FORUMS TO GATHER THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO DEBATE WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT NEXT YEAR THAT THE STATE HAS DEFINED AS PROPERTY TAX REFORM.
THE HOUSE HAS INITIATED, I DON'T KNOW, EIGHT OR SO BILLS THAT THEY'VE INTRODUCED THAT HAVE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS PROPERTY TAXES.
MOST OF THOSE HAVE TO DO WITH AMENDING THE CURRENT ADVALORUM EXEMPTIONS THAT EXIST IN STATE LAW OR TO EXEMPT SENIOR CITIZENS FROM PROPERTY TAXES.
ALL OF THOSE SCENARIOS WOULD RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN REVENUE TO THE CITY, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY OR AN INCREASE IN THE MILEAGE RATE FOR NON-HOMESTEADED PROPERTIES.
THAT SHOULD BE DEBATED PUBLICLY BY THE COMMUNITY, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DISCUSS TONIGHT IS A PUBLIC FORUM IN JANUARY AFTER THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS WHEN WE CAN GET TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS THINKING ABOUT PUTTING ON THE BALLOT, PRESENTING THOSE SCENARIOS TO THE COMMUNITY AND HAVING OUR ACCOUNTANTS AND CPAS CRUNCH SOME NUMBERS TO SEE WHAT THAT LOSS OF REVENUE MIGHT BE AND HOW THAT WOULD IMPACT OUR BUDGET AND OUR SERVICES.
SO WHAT I SUPPORT IS AT LEAST ONE FORUM IN JANUARY, NOT NECESSARILY HERE, WE CAN THINK ABOUT WHERE WE WOULD DO IT THAT'S EASY FOR PEOPLE TO GET TO, AND THAT SORT OF THING.
I'D LIKE TO SEE A FAQ OR A FAQ SHEET.
I KNOW THAT CITY MANAGER CAN GENERATE THESE FINANCIAL IMPACTS TO US ONCE WE KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY ALL ARE GOING TO BE.
HOPEFULLY, THEY DON'T PUT ALL OF THESE THINGS ON ONE BALLOT.
HOPEFULLY, THEY'LL PICK ONE, BECAUSE IF THE VOTERS VOTED FOR ALL OF THEM, WOW.
[02:25:01]
BUT HOW IT WOULD IMPACT OUR BUDGET AND ALSO OUR CRAS.SO WE REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE CRAS.
AND I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE CRAS NEED TO UNDERSTAND.
THIS WOULD BASICALLY WIPE THEM OUT.
THAT WOULD BE DONE. WE WOULD BE DONE WITH CRAS.
I KNOW IT'S A VERY POPULAR DEVELOPMENT TOOL.
I THINK THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO, AND IF YOU ALL ARE AGREEABLE, THEN WE CAN GO AHEAD AND DIRECT STAFF TO BEGIN THAT WORK.
>> I THINK IT'S ESSENTIAL, AND IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
I SEE BOTH OF MY JOBS AT THE COLLEGE IN HERE.
IN LARGE PART BEING ABOUT GETTING EDUCATED AND THEN DISSEMINATING THAT INFORMATION IN WAYS THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.
BUT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO HAVE THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.
SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP.
>> I LIKE THE WAY THAT YOU PUT THAT.
>> I HAD ASKED WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR OFFICE, AND RIGHT AS SOON AS I GOT THAT WE WOULD HOLD SOME MEETINGS IN NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE TALKED ABOUT GOING OUT TO THE BEACH.
WE TALKED ABOUT GOING TO WATERWORKS, TALKED ABOUT GOING OUT TO WEST AUGUSTINE, AND THIS MAY BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A SERIES OF MEETINGS AS THOSE LAWS DEVELOP OVER THE SPRING AND GO OUT TO NEIGHBORHOODS.
>> GO TO THEM, LIKE THE WEST SIDE TO THE NORTH.
>> CORRECT. TO A BIGGER VENUE, TOO, SO WE CAN GET PEOPLE AND MAYBE NOT LIMIT IT JUST TO THIS TOPIC.
WE'RE REALLY HAVING A PUBLIC FORUM FOR TOPICS THAT ARE OF INTEREST, AND IT'D BE NICE TO UPGRADE LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE AT THE TIME ON THE FIRE STATION IF WE'RE IN THE DAVIS SHORES, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH A CRA, IF WE'RE IN THE OTHER.
IT JUST MAY BE A GOOD THING FOR US TO REACH OUT?
>> WELL, I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH THE IDEA OF GOING TO THE CRAS AND LETTING THEM KNOW WHAT THE IMPACT WILL BE TO THEM DIRECTLY. YES, MA'AM.
>> I'M SORRY. I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND.
YOUR INTENT ISN'T TO JUST DO COMMUNITY OUTREACH MEETINGS.
YOU WANT FULL-FLEDGED CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS?
>> JUST LIKE TOWN HALL MEETINGS FOR INTEREST. GOT YOU.
WAS THAT WE JUST UPDATED WHERE WE HAD ALL THOSE MEETINGS AT THE YORK CLUB AND AT THE WATERWORKS, IT COULD BE STABLE.
WHEN WE DID THE MOBILITY INSTITUTE, WE DID THE SAME THING WHEN WE DID NORTH CITY, AND THEN WE DID ANASTASIA BOULEVARD IN DOWNTOWN, AND WE WOULD DO WEST AUGUSTINE TOO.
I WOULD THINK THOSE WOULD BE THE FOUR AREAS.
>> WE'D BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT A CALENDAR.
IN FACT, YOUR CITY CLERK IS GOING TO BRING YOU THE NEXT YEAR'S CALENDAR AT THE NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE'D BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT A CALENDAR FOR SPRING AND MAYBE SOME POSSIBLE LOCATIONS AND BRING IT BACK TO YOU NEXT MONTH.
>> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE THAT.
DOES ANYONE WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?
>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA, I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT.
GETTING OUT TO PEOPLE IS BETTER.
THESE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A TIME TO COME IN A ROOM, PARTICULARLY IF IT'S SUBJECT ORIENTED LIKE THIS.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT AFFORDABILITY IS AN ISSUE FOR PEOPLE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS PARTICULARLY SOLVING IT AT ALL.
BUT THE IDEA OF GIVING PEOPLE OPTIONS BECAUSE WE JUST HAD AN ELECTION NATIONALLY AND AFFORDABILITY IS A BIG ISSUE IN THE COUNTRY.
THAT SHOULD BE ROLLED INTO THE CONVERSATION TOO, AS WE MOVE ALONG.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM,
[9.A.1. Ordinance 2025-32: Amends Chapter 28, Zoning Code of the City of St. Augustine to create Section 28-358 in the Supplementary Regulations to establish procedures for the review and approval of Certified Recovery Residences (A. Skinner, Planning and Building Director)]
WHICH IS ORDINANCES, NO PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED.THIS IS THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-32, SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CERTIFIED RECOVERY RESIDENCY IN CHAPTER 28.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS AMY SKINNER.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
THIS ORDINANCE IS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA STATUTES RELATED TO THE RECOGNITION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF CERTIFIED RECOVERY RESIDENCES IN MULTIFAMILY ZONING DISTRICTS, A PROCESS TO FILE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST, AND APPEALS PROCESS, GENERAL PROVISIONS, AND REVOCATION PROVISIONS AS REQUIRED.
THIS ORDINANCE ESTABLISHES A NEW SECTION AND SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS IN THE ZONING CODE, REFLECTING THESE REQUIREMENTS.
THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION IN FIRST READING FOR ORDINANCE 2025-32.
I'M AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> COMMISSIONERS, SOUNDS LIKE A REALLY GOOD IDEA TO ME.
>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AS EXPLAINED TO ME, SO I THINK IT'S GOOD.
>> WE HAVE A RECOVERY INSTITUTE LIKE THAT,
[02:30:04]
AT THE START OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.WHEN IT FIRST WENT IN I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT OUR KID BEING IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.
THEY'RE GREAT NEIGHBORS. I THINK THEY'RE REALLY IMPORTANT SERVICES.
>> I'M IN FAVOR OF SENDING IT ON TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.
LET THE COMMUNITY LOOK IT OVER AND DECIDE HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT, TOO.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2025-32 ON FIRST READING, MOVE TO PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVED.
>> READ BY TITLE ONLY APPROVED.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-32, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING AND UPDATING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 28 ZONING ARTICLE 4 SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS, DIVISION 1, GENERALLY, CREATING SECTION 28-358 CERTIFIED RECOVERY RESIDENCES, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> ANY FINAL COMMENTS BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTE? DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?
>> NO ONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE NEXT ITEM IS STAFF REPORTS.
[10. STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS]
WE HAVE THE EAR-BASED LETTER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS JACOB FREDERICKSON.
I'M WITH THE CITY'S PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
FOR YOUR REVIEW AND APPROVAL THIS EVENING IS THE CITY'S NOTIFICATION LETTER TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, FORMERLY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY.
THIS NOTIFICATION LETTER IS REGARDING THE EVALUATION APPRAISAL REPORT OF THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040.
STATE LAW REQUIRES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO HAVE AND MAINTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THEY ALSO REQUIRES TO EVALUATE AND AMEND AS NECESSARY EVERY SEVEN YEARS TO REFLECT ANY CHANGES IN STATE LAW OR CHANGES IN LOCAL CONDITIONS.
ST. AUGUSTINE LIS DID THIS IN 2018, SO THEY'RE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BY DECEMBER OF 2025, WHICH IS NEXT MONTH.
THIS TOPIC WAS INTRODUCED ON JULY 16 AT THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING.
SINCE THEN, STAFF HAS DETERMINED THAT NO CHANGES IN STATE LAW REQUIRE US TO AMEND OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
WE INTEND TO NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE THAT NO AMENDMENTS ARE NECESSARY FOR CHANGES IN STATE LAW IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.
THE COMMISSION SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THOUGH THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO COMPREHENSIVELY EVALUATE AND NECESSARILY UPDATE OUR CONFERENCE PLAN BASED ON CHANGES IN LOCAL CONDITIONS OF THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE GOING TO BE UPDATING OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT TO INCLUDE OUR UPDATED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT DATA ANALYSIS THAT WE USED BACK IN 2016, 17, 18 TO CRAFT OUR CONFERENCE PLAN.
IF WE MAKE CHANGES TO THAT, WE MIGHT HAVE TO AMEND OR MODIFY SOME OF THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES OF THE PLAN.
THESE UPDATES REVIEWS, SUBMISSIONS TO THE STATE, THEY'D BE TAKING PLACE DURING 2026, SO OVER THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR.
TO RECAP ON TONIGHT'S ITEM IS THE EVALUATION APPRAISAL REPORT LETTER, WHICH WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD AND THE AFFIDAVIT, WE NEED TO BE SIGNED BY THE MAYOR CONFIRMING COMPLIANCE WITH THE FLORIDA STATE STATUTES.
THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION OF THIS ITEM.
STAFF AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? PRETTY ROUTINE THING?
>> I THINK HE'S LOOKING FOR A MOTION.
>> DO YOU WANT A MOTION FOR THIS? THIS ACTION ITEM, WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO APPROVE? THE APPROVAL OF THE YEAR REPORT?
>> THE NOTIFICATION LETTERS THAT WE CAN SEND ALONG?
>> YOU DO APPROVE THE LETTER? I HAVE THE LETTER RIGHT HERE SOMEWHERE.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LETTER TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF THE CITY'S REQUIRED EVALUATION APPRAISAL REPORT.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[11. ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY]
SETTLEMENT ON THE STEEL PARCEL.>> HOPEFULLY MARIN CAN GET THIS UP. IT'S A LITTLE MAP.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAD A SHADE MEETING.
REGARDING POTENTIAL SETTLEMENT BACK IN SEPTEMBER 22.
YOU GAVE SOME DIRECTION TO YOUR LEGAL TEAM REGARDING POTENTIAL SETTLEMENT IN THE STEELY MATTER.
[02:35:05]
THIS IS THE LAKE MARIA SANCHEZ PROJECT, AS WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH.YOU DID APPROVE A RESOLUTION FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH EMINENT DOMAIN, WHICH WE DID.
WE FILED THE COMPLAINT, AND THEN THESE ROUNDS OF SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS ENSUED.
THE CURRENT SETTLEMENT THAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY WOULD BE OF A TOTAL OF $550,000, WHICH IS $450,000 AS COMPENSATION FOR A PERMANENT EASEMENT, A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT, AND A PERMANENT ACCESS EASEMENT.
THE REASON I WANTED TO SHOW YOU THE MAP IS ALL THAT YELLOW OR LIME GREEN, WHATEVER COLOR WE WANT TO SAY THAT IS.
WITH LAKE MARIA SANCHEZ, IT'S A BIT OF AN UNUSUAL SITUATION.
THE STEELY FAMILY ACTUALLY OWNS THOSE SUBMERGED LANDS.
FOR PROJECTS, WHEN WE'RE ACCESSING SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND CERTAINLY SOME OF THE FUTURE REPAIRS, WE WOULD BE ACCESSING WATER WORDS.
FROM THE WATER TOWARDS THE SEA WALL.
YOU'LL SEE THE RED IS THE PERMANENT EASEMENT FOR THE SEAWALL.
THEN THE BLUE IS THE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT.
THE STEELY PARCEL, AGAIN, IT AFFECTS MUCH WIDER THAN THE ACTUAL PROPERTY BECAUSE IT INCLUDES ALL OF THAT WATER ACCESS ALL ALONG OUR FUTURE SEA WALL.
AGAIN, THE AMOUNTS OF COMPENSATION ARE $450,000 FOR THE THREE DIFFERENT EASEMENTS TO THE STEELY FAMILY AND $999,621 AS THE STATUTORILY REQUIRED COMPENSATION TO THEIR ATTORNEYS.
IT'S A MATHEMATICAL FORMULA PER STATUTE BASED ON WHAT THE ULTIMATE SETTLEMENT NUMBER IS, THEY ARE ENTITLED TO THEIR ATTORNEY'S FEES.
THAT'S JUST THE WAY THE EMINENT DOMAIN STATUTE WORKS.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, AND THE MONEY I AM TOLD BY MISS BRIDEN STEIN, IS TO BE IN YOUR MOTION FROM GENERAL FUND RESERVES.
I'M SORRY, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYONE.
THERE IS NOT. I WASN'T SURE IF THEIR ATTORNEY WOULD BE PRESENT.
>> THE MOTION WOULD BE 550 MOVED FROM GENERAL FUNDS TO RESERVES IN ORDER TO MEET THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.
>> CORRECT, AND APPROVE THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, WHICH WAS IN YOUR PACKAGE.
>> IT WOULD BE ONE APPROVED THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AS PRESENTED.
>> THEN, TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUNDS TO RESERVES OF 550K.
>> IT'S COMING FROM GENERAL FUND RESERVES, IT IS A TECHNICAL TERM.
>> GENERAL FUND RESERVES TWO RESERVES?
>> I HAD TO WRITE THAT DOWN WRONG, SORRY.
THAT WOULD BE 550,002 GENERAL FUND RESERVES TO MEET THE SETTLEMENT CONDITIONS?
>> NO, BUT I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION.
THE GREEN AREA, THAT'S THE WATER ACCESS?
>> I THINK I MIGHT HAVE MISSED THAT, AND I'M SORRY.
THAT IS A TEMPORARY OR IS THAT PERMANENT?
>> IT'S PERMANENT BECAUSE WE ANTICIPATE IF WE NEED TO DO REPAIRS, WE'LL BE COMING FROM THE WATER.
>> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT. I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT. THANK YOU.
>> GREAT. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION.
>> THIS IS DOMINO NUMBER 2, OF THE THREE PIECES THAT WERE ESSENTIAL FOR THE LAKE MARIA SANCHEZ PROJECT?
>> DOMINO NUMBER 3, I GUESS, BECAUSE THE CONNOR PARCEL WOULD BE ONE. I SUPPOSE.
NOW, WE DID GET VOLUNTARY EASEMENTS FROM YOUR FORMER VICE MAYOR, ROCK SAN HORVATH, AND HER SPOUSE GRANTED US THEIR EASEMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL.
I GUESS MAYBE THIS IS FOUR OR FIVE, BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE PARCEL LEFT.
>> THAT'S MY POINT. WE'RE GETTING THERE.
>> GRADUALLY, AND SO THE STAKES ARE VERY HIGH.
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BEGGING US TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE FLOODING.
WE'VE SAID IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME AND A LOT OF MONEY.
THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF ONE PROPERTY, AND WE HAVE TO DO IT. WE GOT TO DO IT.
IT'S 550,000 20 YEARS FROM NOW, WON'T BE MUCH MONEY THAT WE SPENT IN ORDER TO MAKE GRANADA STREET NOT TO FLOOD.
>> I THINK I SAID THIS BEFORE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THESE FOUR PUBLIC WORKS MANAGERS AGO.
ANY OTHER FINAL COMMENTS? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[02:40:01]
>> IF YOU'LL SAVE YOUR LAWYER FROM WALKING BACK AND FORTH, I DO HAVE ONE LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING MATTER, IF I MAY.
I WANTED TO GET YOUR PERMISSION TO SCHEDULE BOTH THE PRELIMINARY SUFFICIENCY.
THAT MEANS THE PERSON HAS STANDING THEY CORRECTLY BY THE DEADLINE, FILED AN APPEAL.
THE SUFFICIENCY HEARING AND THE SUBSTANTIVE HEARING REGARDING THE PROJECT ON INLET DRIVE, THE CITY HAD TO GO FORWARD AND ASK THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD FOR CONSERVATION OLAY ZONE PERMIT APPROVAL.
THAT APPROVAL WAS APPEALED BY AN ADJACENT NEIGHBOR.
NORMALLY, WHAT WE DO IS A TWO-STEP PROCESS.
WE SCHEDULED THE SUFFICIENCY HEARING, MEANING THAT TECHNICAL, DID YOU PROPERLY SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO APPEAL? WE SCHEDULE IT AT ONE MEETING, AND THEN THE FOLLOWING AVAILABLE CITY COMMISSION MEETING, WE DO THE SUBSTANTIVE HEARING.
BECAUSE OF THE WEIRD HOLIDAY SCHEDULE AND THE FACT THAT WE ONLY HAVE ONE NOVEMBER MEETING, ONE DECEMBER MEETING, I AM ASKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL TO SCHEDULE BOTH THE SUFFICIENCY PORTION, THE QUESTION ABOUT, IS YOUR APPLICATION SUFFICIENT, AND THE SUBSTANTIVE APPEAL AT THE JANUARY 12 MEETING BACK TO BACK.
YOU'LL HEAR IS YOUR APPLICATION COMPLETE? DO YOU HAVE STANDING? IF YOU SAY YES, THEN WE MOVE RIGHT INTO THE SUBSTANTIVE HEARING.
MR. WHITEHOUSE IS THE ATTORNEY FOR THAT APPELLANT, AND HE HAS NO OBJECTION TO US HAVING THIS SOMEWHAT MODIFIED SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 12.
IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, JUST A GENERAL CONSENSUS, AND I WOULD APPRECIATE.
>> YES. I KNOW THERE'S A CONSTRAINT OF TIME FOR THE GRANT MONEY, TOO.
THIS IS A GOOD RATIONALE OF MOVING ALONG.
YES. WE WILL BE BACK UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THAT SPEEDING ALONG.
THE NEXT IS ITEM BY CITY CLERK.
[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK]
>> PULL THAT DOWN BEFORE I TURN IT ON.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MADAM VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
I HAVE ONE REQUEST FOR TWO APPOINTMENTS TO OUR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.
WE DID RECEIVE THREE APPLICATIONS FOR THESE TWO POSITIONS, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS AFTERNOON, I RECEIVED COMMUNICATIONS FROM MR. MATT BROWN, WHO HAS WITHDRAWN HIS APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.
WE DO HAVE TWO APPLICANTS, MISS JANE KELLY AND MR. MICHAEL DAVIS, AND WE HAVE TWO SPOTS.
>> EXCELLENT. I MOVE THAT WE APPOINT BOTH APPLICANTS.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> THANK THEM FOR BEING WILLING TO.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING TO DO THAT.
REMINDER OF OPEN POSITIONS ON BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
>> THAT'S JUST OUR STANDARD MONTHLY THING? A REMINDER, WHAT WE'VE GOT OPEN, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S NOW OUTDATED.
>> EXCELLENT. NEXT, ITEM IS BY CITY MANAGER.
[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]
>> JUST TO A REMINDER THAT TOMORROW IS VETERANS DAY, SO KEEP THAT IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
SATURDAY IS LIGHT UP NIGHT, 06:30 PM IN THE PLAZA DE LA CONSTITUTION DOWNTOWN, EVERYONE IS INVITED TO KICK OFF THE SEASON'S NIGHTS OF LIGHTS. THAT'S IT, THANKS.
>> I'M SO EXCITED BECAUSE VICE MAYOR BLONDER IS GOING TO BE MASTER OF CEREMONIES.
>> THE MAYOR IS GOING TO BE CELEBRATING HER OWN MASSIVE FAMILY EVENT.
>> MASSIVE FAMILY EVENT. MY SON'S GETTING MARRIED.
OTHERWISE, I WOULD BE THERE WITH BELLS ON.
THEN, ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
I HAVE ONE ITEM.I WOULD LIKE TO WRITE A LETTER ON BEHALF OF US TO THE STATE LEGISLATORS, ALL OF OUR LEGISLATORS, SUPPORTING THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL GRANT THAT WAS JUST SUBMITTED AND RANKED NUMBER 2, WHICH MAKES ME SO PROUD OF OUR WHOLE TEAM THERE, OUR ARCHAEOLOGISTS AND OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNERS, PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
IT IS HISTORY BENEATH YOUR FEET, ST. AUGUSTINE'S ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE TRAIL, WHICH WOULD BE AWESOME.
I'D LIKE TO WRITE A LETTER TO EACH LEGISLATOR IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM FUNDING.
[02:45:08]
I THINK THAT'S THE MAIN POINT IS THE SUPPORT OF THE FUNDING.I'LL WORK WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE TO GET THAT LETTER WRITTEN AND SENT.
>> THAT WAS THE PRESENTATION WE SAW NOT THAT LONG AGO.
FOR THAT APPLICATION FROM THE ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM? I REMEMBER SEEING SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND IT'S REALLY A GREAT PROJECT SO I WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
>> I DID SEE A PRESENTATION, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW LONG AGO IT WAS.
>> IT I HAD TO BE MORE THAN MAYBE AT LEAST A FEW MONTHS AGO.
>> BUT ANYWAY, IT SEEMED REALLY GREAT.
YES, BY ALL MEANS, LET'S GO GET SOME SUPPORT FOR THAT.
>> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU FOR REPORTING OUT ON THE UTILITY SUSPENSIONS FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE OVERDUE ON THEIR WATER AND SEWER BILLS.
JUST GIVING THAT GRACE PERIOD IS SO WONDERFUL.
I DID HAVE A QUESTION FROM A RESIDENT THAT I PROMISED I WOULD ASK TONIGHT ABOUT THE SEAWALL IN DAVIS SHORES.
SHOULD WE NOT DISCUSS THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE PENDING LEGISLATION?
>> IF YOU MEAN THE INLET DRIVE PROJECT, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU NOT DISCUSS IT BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO BE HEARING AN APPEAL.
>> WELL, THAT WOULD BE BETTER THAN I DON'T DISCUSS IT.
THAT WAS ALL I HAD. ANYONE, GO AHEAD.
>> I GOT RIPPED ON THAT LAST TIME TO SEE YOU ALL THING, SO I'M SYMPATHETIC[LAUGHTER] AS I RECALL. SO WE BOTH GOT THAT.
NUMBER 1 IS, MY WIFE AND I WENT DOWN TO SEE THE JULY 4TH FIREWORKS THIS YEAR, AND WE DECIDED TO USE A SHUTTLE SHUTTLE WORK GOOD.
BUT WHEN WE GOT DOWN THE END OF OUR STREET THERE, RIGHT AT THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE OF LINES, THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF BICYCLES THAT WERE THERE.
I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT THE IDEA OF HAVING BIKE RACKS, AND I SAW THE CITY MANAGER SENT SOMETHING OUT FOR THAT TODAY, SO I'D VERY MUCH LIKE TO SUPPORT THAT IDEA.
I THINK THAT'S A PERFECT WAY FOR RESIDENTS TO GET AROUND.
YOU DON'T EVEN REALLY NEED TO SHUTTLE THAT.
YOU'RE GOING TO BIKE DOWN, HAVE A SECURE BIKE RACKS OUT THERE, AND THEN YOU JUST WALK OVER THE BRIDGE.
I KNOW I HAVE THE DIRECT EVIDENCE OF SEEING IT FROM 4TH OF JULY.
WOULD YOU SEE THAT WHEN YOU WENT OVER THE BRIDGE? BIKES EVERYWHERE.
>> THERE EVERY YEAR, THERE'S BEEN BIKE THERE WHERE.
IT'S JUST GREAT CAUSE IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GET AROUND.
>> I KNOW, AND I PROBABLY I'M A REMISS.
I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP ON MY LIST THAT I'LL GET INTO IN A SECOND FROM, 10 MONTHS AGO.
I SHOULD HAVE SAID WE NEED BIKE RACKS HERE.
MY MIND, I'M VERY GLAD AND I WOULD BE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.
>> I DO HAVE A MEETING WITH THE BUSINESS OWNERS FOR WEDNESDAY MORNING TO BE TUESDAY, BUT I HAD TO POSTPONE IT FOR A DAY.
AS IT SOUNDS LIKE COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD DID, GOING, LISTENING.
ALWAYS GOOD TO GO TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE AT AND LISTEN TO HIM, AND I DON'T HAVE AN AGENDA.
I'M JUST GOING TO LISTEN AND I'LL COME BACK AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT I HEARD.
THEN QUICKLY, I WANTED TO SAY THAT ONE YEAR AGO, WHERE IS IT HERE? JANUARY, IN LIGHT OF SUSAN'S PRESENTATION TO US, I HAD A LIST OF GOALS THAT I WOULD LIKE THAT I THINK WE ALL WANTED TO SEE FROM LAST YEAR.
I WANT TO GO THROUGH THEM REAL QUICK WITH THE CITY MANAGER, JUST BECAUSE I THINK IT JUST MAKES ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING.
FIRST ONE WAS SAFE AND CONVENIENT THROUGH ROUTES FOR RESIDENTS, AND I THINK WE'RE WORKING ON THAT BY SOME OF THE ROADS BEING ONE WAY ACCESS IN THE FLAGLER MODEL AND NEIGHBORHOOD.
GUARANTEED PARKING ACCESS TO RESIDENTS HOUSES AND STREETS.
WE'RE SEEING THAT. OBVIOUSLY, THESE THINGS WILL NEED TO BE ADJUSTED AS WE GO ALONG.
PLAN TO ENSURE LESS DRIVE THROUGH TRAFFIC AND LOOK AT THE LIGHTS.
WE JUST HEARD FROM MISS PHILLIPS THAT SHE'S ADDRESSED THAT WITH HER APP.
DISINCENTIVIZE FOR PARKING IN THE CORE AND INCENTIVIZING MULTIMODAL.
I THINK WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.
ASSISTANCE AND PERMISSION FROM PROPERTY OWNERS FOR MULTIPLE SHUTTLES.
WE HAVE ONE COMING IN NOW FROM ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH THAT WE DID NOT HAVE BEFORE.
OBVIOUSLY, THE BIG LINK IN THIS IS STILL THE ACTUAL TRANSIT LANE IN SAN MARCO, BUT HOPEFULLY WE'LL KEEP DOING THAT.
THERE WAS A TRAFFIC ANALYSIS FOR THE KING STREET REDO.
WE'LL PROBABLY GET THAT. WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.
IN LANGUAGE IN THE MOBILITY PLAN FOR LARGE SCALE EVENTS, I THINK WE'RE THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE SLOWLY WORKING TOWARD.
PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE TIME ANALYSIS WITH THE MOBILITY PLAN.
WE HAVE MORE POLICE AS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.
DO DEVELOP MEASURABLE GOALS AND METRICS.
I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'LL GET INTO AS THIS THING UNFOLDS TO FIGURE LIKE WHAT THE GOALS ARE AND HOW WE'RE ACHIEVING THEM.
IMPROVING PARTNERSHIP OR MAKING IT A PEDESTRIAN EVENT.
I'M SEEING ALL THOSE IS MY GOAL, AND I GOT TO SAY,
[02:50:02]
I'M VERY HAPPY THAT WHERE WE WENT, AND I'M GOING TO KEEP THIS LIST, AND I'LL COME UP WITH ANOTHER ONE NEXT YEAR, AND WE'LL JUST DO IT, BUT I WANT TO THANK CITY MANAGER AND REUBEN AND ALL THE PEOPLE, ALL THE STAFF THAT'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS.AS WE ROLL INTO IT, I'M FEELING COMFORTABLE THERE'LL BE MORE, BUT IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO REVIEW WHAT WHAT YOU WANT IT, SO.
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THAT LIST AND UPDATING US. COMMISSIONER GERRES.
I'M EXCITED THAT FRIDAY'S GONNA BE THE FIRST MEAL AT THE NEW DAY CENTER.
I WAS APPROACHED TODAY AND WAS TOLD A GENTLEMAN NAMED CHEF ERIC ISRAEL WANTS TO GO OVER THERE WITH HIS OWN GRILL AND BARBECUE AND FEED THE PEOPLE.
HE'S GOING TO REACH OUT TO ME TO SET UP A DATE TO DO THAT.
BASICALLY, HE CAN SET IT UP WITH JOE CAUSE JOE'S BASICALLY MORE SO IN CONTROL OF THAT.
BUT HE'S EXCITED THAT WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD AND GOTTEN THE DAY CENTER.
HE FEELS LIKE THAT'S A PROPER PLACE TO GO VERSUS JUST TRYING TO GO ON THE LOT WHERE WE WERE BEFORE WE MOVED TO THE DAY CENTER.
ALSO, I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL THE ROD AND CINCINNATI RESIDENTS THAT CAME OUT TONIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS, AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS OWNERS.
I KNOW THAT THAT'S BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE.
SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY.
IF YOU TRY TO HELP THE RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY CAN'T GET TO THEIR HOMES, AND BY THE SAME TOKEN, THE BUSINESSES, MAYBE WE CAN HAVE THE SHUTTLE STOP IN THESE DIFFERENT PLACES SO THAT THEY CAN GET OUT AND WALK AROUND AND CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE LOCATIONS.
SOME COMPROMISE SO THAT THEY DO GET VISIBILITY.
I WANT TO THANK SUSAN PHILLIPS FOR COMING OUT AND TALKING ABOUT NO BEFORE YOU GO APP.
I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE ANYTIME YOU GO TO A CITY THAT YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH, YOU'RE KIND OF LIKE BLIND TO NEWNESS, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON THERE.
I THINK THAT THAT APP WILL CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF KNOWLEDGE, SO IT WILL GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO PARK.
SHE SHOWED SOME OF THE THINGS, AND SHE ENCOURAGED THEM TO WALK.
THIS IS NOT A DRIVE THROUGH EVENT, AND IT'S REALLY NOT.
IN ORDER TO CATCH THE ESSENCE OF THE NIGHTS LIGHTS, YOU EITHER NEED TO GO ON THE TROLLEY, OR YOU NEED TO WALK AROUND IN ORDER TO REALLY CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF ALL THE LIGHTS DIFFERENT PLACES.
IF THEY HAVE LITTLE KIDS, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THEY GO ON THE TROLLEY BECAUSE THEY'LL PROBABLY BE CARRYING THOSE LITTLE KIDS IN ABOUT AN HOUR.
THEN THE TROLLEYS CAN EXPLAIN WHAT THEY'RE SEEING, AND IT CAN BE A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE.
I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSION THAT WE CAME UP FOR A COMPROMISE FOR THE GENTLEMAN ON THE INLET DRIVE, BECAUSE I THINK THE TREES NEEDED TO BE SAVED.
WE DO SO MUCH ON LANDSCAPING, AND WE'RE DOING THE PRESERVATIONS ABOUT SAVING TREES.
WE GO OUT AND PLANT TREES FOR ARBOR DAY, THAT IT JUST SEEMED UNTHOUGHTFUL TO REMOVE THEM.
I'M GLAD THAT WAS A WIN FOR HIS PROPERTY.
HOPE I SEE SOME OF YOU TOMORROW AT THE VETERANS DAY.
COLONEL DUDLEY PUTS A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS.
I THINK SOMETIMES THE VETERANS FEEL LIKE THEY WENT TO WAR, AND NOBODY APPRECIATES IT CAUSE THERE'S WOUNDED VETERANS THAT BE THERE, THERE'S VETERANS THAT RETIRED FROM THE MILITARY.
IT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO RECOGNIZE ALL VETERANS.
THERE'S DIFFERENT HOLIDAYS EXCEPT MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATING THE DECEASED VETERANS.
BUT THIS ONE IS FOR EVERYBODY THAT SERVED.
I THINK IT'S REALLY A BLESSING.
THAT AN EVENT OF THIS CALIBER HAS BEEN PLANNED, AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON YEAR AFTER YEAR, BECAUSE WHEN I WAS ON THE SPECIAL EVENT COMMITTEE THEY USED TO TRY TO DO PARADES, AND THEY WERE LONG, AND THEN IT WAS A WHOLE FAKE.
I THINK THAT THIS IS THE BEST WAY THAT EVERYBODY CAN RELAX.
THERE'S SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT COME THERE THAT TELL YOU WHAT THEY'RE ALL ABOUT.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO TOMORROW TRYING TO GET THERE EARLY FOR PARKING, IF YOU'RE SMART, BECAUSE IT STARTS AT 11, BUT THEY SET UP, AND THEY'RE SET UP BY 9:00. THANK YOU.
>> I DO HAVE A COUPLE. I DID MEET WITH A BUSINESS TODAY, AND THERE WERE 60 PEOPLE THERE.
IT WAS VERY, GOOD. I'M GLAD I DID.
THERE WEREN'T JUST BUSINESSES THERE.
THERE WERE RESIDENTS THERE AS WELL.
BUT THEY DID GIVE ME A CHANCE TO GET A NICE LONG LIST THAT I WILL SPEAK TO THE MANAGER ABOUT, AND HE'S ALREADY WELL AWARE OF SOME OF THOSE ISSUES, AND THEY SPOKE TO HIM TONIGHT.
SPEAKING ABOUT THE SNAP ISSUE.
[02:55:02]
I HOPE THAT PEOPLE IN THE CITY WILL TREAT THIS CURRENT SITUATION LIKE A HURRICANE.THAT THEY PERSONALLY WILL GIVE AS MUCH AS THEY CAN TO THOSE NON-PROFITS THAT ARE PROVIDING FOOD, BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS IN TIMES WHEN THEY CAN THEY HAVE NO CONTROL.
IT'S LIKE A HURRICANE. I HOPE THAT THEY WILL.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I'LL ASK THE MANAGER ABOUT.
ONE IS THAT WILL GPS BE MODIFIED, AND I'LL TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT PRIVATELY, BUT JUST WILL GPS BE MODIFIED FOR THOSE STREETS THAT WE'RE BLOCKING? BECAUSE WE'RE BLOCKING CINCINNATI TO TURN.
ALSO THE QR CODES, IF WE CAN'T GET STICKERS AND PUT THOSE STICKERS ON SOME OF THOSE DON'T PARK HERE SIGNS, BUT LOOK HERE, AND THAT KIND OF THING.
THAT WAS SOME IDEAS THAT CAME OUT.
I REALLY WAS GLAD TO MEET WITH THEM TODAY, AND IT WAS PRODUCTIVE.
THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY CLUE.
I MADE THEM FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.
I SAID, YOU GOT TO PAY ATTENTION.
YOU GOT TO BUT IT'S ALSO OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO COMMUNICATE.
WE DON'T HAVE THE RECORD ANYMORE.
WE'VE SAID THAT 100 TIMES, BUT SO WE HAVE TO SORT OF REPLACE THAT SOMEHOW, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT.
I'M NOT THAT PERSON AND WE DON'T HAVE A HUGE STAFF, AND I WISH WE DID, BUT COMMUNICATION IS SO CRITICAL TO GET THESE THINGS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
>> THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE] MAYOR.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY IN THE RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING, THE TEMPORARY.
I HAVE BEEN I'VE BEEN MESSAGING THAT EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING IS ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT.
WE'RE GOING TO SEE GOING TO ROLL THESE THINGS OUT? WE'RE GOING TO LEARN FROM THEM? WE'RE GOING TO RESPOND TO THAT, WHAT WE LEARN ABOUT.
I WANTED TO THANK COMMISSIONER GERRES FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY FOR THE UNSHELTERED.
YOU HAVE A BIG HEART AND VERY COMPASSIONATE, AND WE'RE ALL BETTER FOR BEING ABLE TO DO PROJECTS LIKE THIS.
THE TOWN MERCHANTS DID MEET WITH ME PROBABLY A YEAR OR SO AGO AND ASKED FOR THAT SHUTTLE STOP, ONE OR TWO SHUTTLE STOPS ON SAN MARCO.
IS THAT SOMETHING YOU THINK WE CAN PUT INTO PLACE BEFORE NIGHTS LIGHTS?
>> I'D HAVE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT IT, BUT MY GUT FEELING IS NO.
THE INTENT OF THE SHUTTLE IS TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE FROM SATELLITE PARKING TO THE VIC WHERE THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS IS BEING STAGED.
IT'S NOT TO DROP PEOPLE OFF AND PICK THEM UP IN BETWEEN THAT.
THAT BEING SAID, WE WILL SIT DOWN TOMORROW MORNING AND TAKE A LOOK AT OPTIONS.
>> GOOD. CAUSE I FEEL LIKE THAT THERE'S A WAY TO SKIN THAT CAT.
I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A WAY TO GET PEOPLE INTO THE MIDDLE OF, SAN MARCO SO THAT IT'S WALKING DISTANCE TO GET DOWNTOWN.
IT'S JUST THE TRANSIT LANE AND EVERYTHING ELSE ON SAN MARCO THAT MAKES IT SO DYSFUNCTIONAL.
>> GREAT. IT'S REALLY ALL AHEAD.
>> THAT'S GOOD. SO EVERYBODY'S HAD.
I JUST WANTED TO ANSWER ONE QUESTION.
YOU HAD SAID, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL THEM.
WE REALLY NEED TO PUSH NEWS AND NOTES WHEN WE GO OUT.
THEY NEED TO ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO STAY INFORMED ON WHAT WE'RE DOING IS TO GET A SIGNED UP FOR NEWS AND NOTES.
READ IT. BUT, OUT OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE, IF YOU HAD 60 PEOPLE, SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE READ IT.
WOULD HAVE SOUNDED ALARM OR SOMETHING.
I JUST FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE 60 PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE BUSINESS, WHOSE BUSINESS LIVELIHOOD IS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY DID NOT KNOW.
CAN I MAKE A SUGGESTION? PLEASE.
>> I GOT TIRED OF SAYING THAT OVER AND OVER TO PEOPLE AND SENDING THEM THE LINK, SO I PUT IT RIGHT IN MY EMAIL SIGNATURE.
>> THAT WAY. ANY COMMUNICATION IT'S RIGHT THERE. SIGN UP FOR THIS.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT'S HAPPENING.
IT'S ONE THING, BUT IT MIGHT HELP A LITTLE.
ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY, YOU SAID TOMORROW, I DON'T THINK ANY STAFF WOULD BE HIT TOMORROW [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, I WORK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK [LAUGHTER]
FOR US, WE WORK. WE'RE WORKING TOMORROW.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.