[00:00:04]
THE MEETING OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
WE WILL OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]
NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS MODIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA.MR. CITY MANAGER, DO YOU HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS? NO, WE DON'T.
COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS? NO.
I MOVE THAT WE PASS THE REGULAR AGENDA AS PROVIDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS]
PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.WE HAVE OUR FIRST PROCLAMATION IS 2026-24 PROCLAIMS JUNE AS 2026 AS PRIDE MONTH AND THAT IS VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER.
I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THIS FROM THE DAIS HERE AND THEN ASK SARAH BLOOMBERG TO ACCEPT IT.
SARAH ARE YOU HERE? GREAT ALL RIGHT GREAT THANKS I DIDN'T SEE YOU BACK THERE.
PROCLAMATION WHEREAS 238 YEARS AGO OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WROTE THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, WHOSE PREAMBLE STATES, WE THE PEOPLE, ISN'T IT 250 YEARS AGO? YEAH, OKAY, IT'S A TYPO HERE AND I JUST HAD TO STOP AND CORRECT THAT.
WHEREAS 250 YEARS AGO, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WROTE THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, WHOSE PREAMBLE STATES, WE THE PEOPLE, IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, ESTABLISH JUSTICE.
ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, MY GOSH, AND SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY.
DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD A MORE PERFECT UNION, THIS PROGRESS HAS NOT COME ALL AT ONCE, AND OUR COUNTRY STILL STRIVES TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE.
WELFARE, LIBERTY, AND TRANQUILITY FOR ALL.
AND WHEREAS ON JUNE 26, 2015, THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT HELD THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO MARRY BELONGS TO SAME-SEX COUPLES IN ALL 50 STATES, A VICTORY FOR ALL WHO FOUGHT FOR EQUALITY AND RECOGNITION OF THEIR UNIONS.
AND WHEREAS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, QUESTIONING, INTERSEX, AND ASEXUAL, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS LGBTQIA PEOPLE, ARE VALUED MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILIES, COMMUNITY AND HISTORY, AND WHEREAS WE MUST CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF EVERY CITIZEN TO EXPERIENCE EQUALITY AND FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION AND RECOGNIZE THE CONTINUED NEED FOR EDUCATION AND AWARENESS TO END DISCRIMINATION AND PREJUDICE.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 2026 AS PRIDE MONTH.
AUGUSTINE AND URGES ALL OUR CITIZENS TO STAND AS AN ALLY WITH OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN THE FACE OF PREJUDICE WHEREVER IT EXISTS AND TO EMBRACE THE GREAT DIVERSITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THIS IS SIGNED BY OUR MAYOR NANCY SYKES-KLEIN.
FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR, WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN FRONT? AND SARAH BLOOMBERG AS WELL.
[00:05:10]
I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL OUR ALLIES FOR COMING OUT.THIS IS HUGE FOR US TO BE HERE AND TO CELEBRATE EVERY LGBTQIA PLUS PERSON AND OUR ALLIES.
THIS WILL BE WE'LL BE HIGHLIGHTING ST.
AUGUSTINE FLORIDA PRESERVATION AWARD RECIPIENTS AND JULIE COURTNEY OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER IS HERE TO PRESENT.
JULIE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO USE A HANDHELD MIC AND STAND AT THE FRONT.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOUR PROGRAM IS, BUT IF THAT WORKS BETTER FOR YOU, YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO IT.
I HAD OUR SLIDES UP, OR I'LL PUT UP SOME SLIDES JUST TO HAVE.
GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND CITY COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS JULIE COURTNEY, HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER, AND ALONGSIDE ME IS HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNER CANDACE SEYMOUR.
WE ARE WITH THE CITY'S HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIVISION UNDER THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT LED BY DIRECTOR AMY SKINNER.
PRESERVATION MONTH JUST WRAPPED UP IN MAY, WHICH THE CITY RECOGNIZES EACH YEAR WITH A SPECIAL PROCLAMATION AND ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE ST.
ON MAY 14TH, THE FLORIDA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION RECOGNIZED EXCELLENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION THROUGHOUT THE STATE WITH THEIR FLORIDA PRESERVATION AND BOARD AWARDS.
AFTER PRESERVATION AWARD NOMINATIONS WERE SUBMITTED BY THE PUBLIC, THEY WERE REVIEWED AND RECIPIENTS SELECTED BY A JURY COMPRISED OF PRESERVATIONISTS FROM AROUND THE STATE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE HONORED FOR DEEPLY IMPACTING HISTORIC PRESERVATION EFFORTS IN ST.
AND FIVE NOTEWORTHY PRESERVATION-RELATED PROJECTS WITHIN THE CITY THAT ALSO RECEIVED AWARDS.
A SUMMARY OF EACH OF THE AWARD RECIPIENTS FROM ST.
AUGUSTINE IS IN YOUR MEETING PACKET, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THOSE DESCRIPTIONS.
I WILL READ THE NAMES OF THESE AWARD WINNERS WHO WE INVITE TO GO TO THE FRONT AND HAVE A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH WITH THE CITY COMMISSIONERS.
FIRST, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOGNIZED EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY THROUGH THANK YOU.
JUST TWO BOARD AWARDS, GORDON OR GORDIE J.
WILSON, WHO SERVED FOR 33 YEARS AS SUPERINTENDENT AT CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS AND THE FORT MENTANZA NATIONAL MONUMENTS, RECEIVED THE PRESIDENT'S AWARD, ONE OF THE HIGHEST AWARDS BESTOWED ON INDIVIDUALS.
SO WOULD YOU LIKE THEM TO COME UP AND STAND AND THEN COME OUT? YOU CAN WELCOME THEM UP AND WE'LL GET OUR PICTURE.
WEAVER III WAS AWARDED THE INDIVIDUAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FOR HIS NEARLY HALF DECADE OF WORK IN PRESERVATION.
155 CORDOVA STREET, OR THE DIMUCCI HOUSE, WAS BUILT BETWEEN 1865 AND 1884 AND RECEIVED THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR AWARD.
GABE WICKS, HOMEOWNER WHO WENT THROUGH THE HARD PROCESS, DID SOME OF THE HANDS-ON WORK HIMSELF AND OVERSAW THE PROJECT.
THE ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, LOCATED IN WEST AUGUSTINE, WAS AWARDED WITH THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR AWARD. SARAH RYAN, ARCHITECT, LLC, LED THE RESTORATION OF THIS WONDERFUL 1921 BUILDING.
CORNER CONSTRUCTION SERVED AS THE PROJECT CONTRACTOR.
AND WANDA SAMS, THE WIFE OF...
THE PRESENT PASTOR, REVEREND J.
[00:10:01]
THE ST.JOHN'S COUNTY BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL, WHICH FEATURES PEOPLE AND PLACES OF ST.
AUGUSTINE AS WELL AS THE COUNTY, AND A WEBSITE AND GUIDEBOOK THAT CAN BE DOWNLOADED ONLINE, RECEIVED THE PRESERVING PLACE AWARD.
SO WE HAVE JEFF POTTS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH THE ST.
BRENDA SWAN OF THE CULTURAL COUNCIL WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL AS WELL, BUT COULD NOT BE HERE.
WE HAVE GAIL PHILLIPS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH THE LINCOLNVILLE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER.
AND THOMAS JACKSON OF THE FORT MOSE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
SO THIS IS A WONDERFUL RESOURCE AND YOU'RE RECEIVING A COPY AND THOSE ARE ACTUALLY AVAILABLE ONLINE AS WELL.
SO WE JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CHECK THOSE OUT.
AND THEN LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, THE 2025 FLORIDA PRESERVATION AWARDS WERE PRESENTED.
TWO OF THE RECIPIENTS WERE FROM ST.
AUGUSTINE AND WE WANTED TO ALSO RECOGNIZE THEM FOR THEIR AWARDS FROM THE FLORIDA TRUST.
FOR TRANSFORMING TWO DIFFERENT BUILDINGS WITHIN THE LINCOLNVILLE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT THAT HAD REALLY DETERIORATED OVER TIME.
SO WE HAVE 121 KINGSBURY WAY, WHICH WAS BUILT BETWEEN 1885 AND 1894.
THEY RECEIVED A RESTORATION, REHABILITATION, OR ADAPTIVE USE AWARD, AND DUKE AND ELAINE DARNOLD POURED MANY HOURS AND DEVOTED CAREFUL CRAFTSMANSHIP INTO THIS DILAPIDATED HOUSE OVER THE FOUR-YEAR PROJECT.
AND THEY ALSO WENT THROUGH THE CITY'S AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION PROCESS.
AND FINALLY, THE DRAMATIC PRESERVATION PROJECT OF ST.
JOSEPH'S NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, WHICH RESULTED WITH NEW LIFE, WAS BREATHED INTO THE 1898 ST.
BENEDICT THE MOORE SCHOOLHOUSE.
AND IT WAS DEFINITELY SEVERELY DETERIORATED OVER TIME AFTER IT CLOSED IN 1964 AND WAS ALSO AWARDED THE FLORIDA TRUST RESTORATION, REHABILITATION, OR ADAPTIVE USE AWARD.
SO WE HAVE THE SISTERS HERE FROM ST.
JOSEPH, THE SISTER KATHLEEN CARR, WHO'S THE GENERAL SUPERIOR, SISTER STEPHANIE FLYNN, MECHANICAL TREASURER, SISTER SUSAN FOSTER, BOARD MEMBER, SISTER JANE STOKER, BOARD MEMBER, AND FRANK CASTILLO, THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.
DON CRITCHLOW WAS ARCHITECT, AND JOHN BENOIT OF BEST BUILDERS WAS A PROJECT CONTRACTOR.
SO MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AWARDS IS AVAILABLE ON THE FLORIDA TRUST WEBSITE.
AND WE ARE JUST SO PROUD TO FEATURE OUR LOCAL AWARD WINNERS AND WISH TO THANK YOU AND THANK ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED AND THESE VERY IMPORTANT PROJECTS WITHIN ST.
TO THE RECIPIENTS, THE STATEWIDE AWARDS YOU RECEIVED REFLECT THE HIGH CALIBER OF YOUR HARD WORK.
AND DEDICATION TO UNCOVERING, PROTECTING, AND SHARING ST.
AUGUSTINE'S UNIQUE AND VERY SPECIAL HISTORY AND CULTURAL RESOURCES AND PRESERVING THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US.
COMMISSIONER GUERRA SAID, WELL THAT'S THE HALF OF THE ROOM GOING OUT OF THERE.
AND I SAID, YOU KNOW, THAT IS A VERY GOOD THING THAT WE HAVE THESE PRESERVATIONISTS, SO MANY OF THEM, AND THAT WE
[00:15:02]
HAVE THIS WONDERFUL ETHIC.HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE CITY AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE A VERY DEDICATED STAFF WHO WORKS HARD TO BE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE RECOGNIZED AND THAT THEY'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.
SO IT'S A REALLY FUN THING THAT WE JUST DID.
SO I KNOW WE HAVEN'T DONE IT IN THE PAST, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE A NEW TRADITION.
OK, THAT SAID, NEXT WE WILL HAVE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING]
THESE ARE FOR, THIS IS, WE'LL HAVE THE 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 ON YOU TO COME TO THE PODIUM WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, AND YOU SHALL COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF DECORUM.
COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE AND NOT INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS.
COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT ANSWER.
NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE COMMISSION WITH PERSONAL, IMPROPER OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM CLAPPING OR DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENT.
THAT ANY SPEAKER WHO USES THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR, PLEASE SUBMIT THOSE ITEMS TO THE CITY CLERK TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
I HAVE A LOT OF SPEAKER CARDS TO GET THROUGH TONIGHT, SO I WILL CALL TWO NAMES AT ONCE.
THE FIRST NAME I WILL CALL TO THE PODIUM.
THE SECOND NAME I'LL ASK THEM TO COME TO THE FRONT OF THE ROOM, IF YOU'LL RESERVE A SEAT THERE FOR THE SPEAKER.
WE CAN HOLD ONE SEAT OPEN ON THE FRONT ROW.
WE LIKE TO KEEP ONE SEAT OPEN ON THE FRONT ROW FOR THE SECOND SPEAKER SO WE CAN JUST GET THROUGH THIS.
ALL RIGHT, FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE DOUG ROUSSEAU FOLLOWED BY DYLAN ROUSSEAU.
DYLAN ROUSSEAU, THERE IS A SEAT FOR YOU ON THE FRONT ROW SO YOU CAN GET QUEUED UP.
I KNOW YOU TRY TO PUT US FIRST ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I PUT MY CARD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STUFF THERE.
SO ANYWAY, MY NAME IS DOUG RUSSO.
I AM THE PROUD FATHER OF 11 CHILDREN WITH ONE WIFE.
AND I'M HERE TONIGHT ONCE AGAIN TO PROTEST AGAINST THE CITY'S PROCLAMATION OF ADVOCATING AND APPROVAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY, LESBIANISM, AND OTHER SEXUAL DEVIANT PERVERSIONS.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE THAT THE CITY, MY HOMETOWN, MY CITY, THAT WE ALLOW SUCH AN EVIL THING TO CONTINUE TO BE YEAR AFTER YEAR.
MOST OF YOU KNOW WHO I AM AND HAVE DONE THIS FOR MANY YEARS.
BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, PRAISE THE LORD, HALLELUJAH, THAT THESE FAGS ARE KIND OF LOSING THEIR STRENGTH.
I HAVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT.
I HAVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO USE THE WORDS.
IF THESE FAGS DON'T LIKE IT, THEY CAN LEAVE, YOU KNOW.
I HAD THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO USE THE TERMINOLOGY I CHOOSE TO USE.
IT IS A WORD IN OUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
FAGGOT CAME FROM A LOG THAT WAS BURNT BECAUSE AS BLONDER THERE, AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER SHE'S A MAN OR A WOMAN.
YOU WILL NOT ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, MR. RUPP.
KELSEY LIES TO US YEAR AFTER YEAR TELLING US ABOUT A MORE PERFECT UNION.
WHEN GEORGE WASHINGTON, BEN FRANKLIN, AND JOHN HANCOCK, WHEN THEY WERE RUNNING THIS COUNTRY, HOMOSEXUALITY WAS A CRIME AND PUNISHABLE BY DEATH.
THESE THINGS ARE VILE AFFECTIONS THAT SHOULD NOT BE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND PRAISE GOD, HALLELUJAH, HE HAS JUDGED THESE THINGS WITH CERTAIN DISEASES.
AIDS, STDS, AND EVEN SUICIDE IS PART OF THE RESULT OF THIS TYPE OF UNGODLY BEHAVIOR.
YOU PEOPLE, YOU CALL IT PRIDE MONTH.
THE FIRST PRIDE MONTH IS WHEN SATAN WAS CAST OUT OF HEAVEN.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU GO TO CHURCH.
YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAVE ANYBODY DO PRAYER TONIGHT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, YOU KNOW.
I DO KNOW THAT THE MAYOR OF THE CITY IS A WITCH, AND SO I MAKE NO AMENS FOR THAT.
AND YOU'RE A HYPOCRITE TOO, BY THE WAY, BECAUSE YOU WANT PRESERVATION FOR THE CITY, AND YOU DESTROYED TWO OF THE MONUMENTS THAT WERE IN OUR FORUM OUT THERE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
IT'S CONDEMNED IN BOTH TESTAMENTS.
PEOPLE CLAIM JESUS NEVER SPOKE AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY.
BECAUSE JESUS, WHEN HE WAS TALKING ABOUT DIRTY HEARTS
[00:20:01]
VERSUS DIRTY HANDS, HE USED THE WORD FORNICATION.FORNICATION IS A WORD USED FOR ALL SEXUAL DEVIANT SINS, WHETHER IT'S ADULTERY OR ANY TYPE OF SIN.
SO JESUS DID PREACH AGAINST IT.
IT'S AGAINST THE LAW OF NATURE.
YOU CAN'T REPRODUCE TWO MEN AND TWO WOMEN.
AND ALL YOU PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS KIND OF THING, YOUR DAY'S COMING.
AS A BAPTIST PREACHER, YOUR DAY IS COMING.
I KNOW YOUR LIVES ARE MISERABLE.
YOU KNOW, YOU MAY LAUGH ALL YOU WANT TO.
MR. DILLON SO FOLLOWED BY SEAN MORRISON.
IT IS KIND OF STRANGE HOW WE ARE ALWAYS FIRST IN LINE HERE.
IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A CONSPIRACY, BUT WE DEFINITELY CAME IN LAST, LIKE, PUTTING CARDS LAST, AND WE'RE ALWAYS SPEAKING FIRST.
ANYWAYS, IT'S PRETTY SAD TO GROW UP IN THIS TOWN AND THEN TO HAVE A MONTH WHERE YOU DEDICATE TO A SEXUAL ORIENTATION, TO A TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT DO UNGODLY ACTS, AND THEN NOT ONLY TO COME IN HERE AND YOU GUYS SAY THAT.
OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WERE FOR THIS WHEN YOU CAN CLEARLY READ OUR HISTORY.
OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WERE DEFINITELY AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY.
IN THE BEGINNING OF OUR FOUNDATION, IT WAS ACTUALLY PUNISHABLE BY DEATH FOR HOMOSEXUALITY.
SO TO COME IN HERE AND TO SAY THAT THE PREAMBLE IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION IS FOR US TO BRING IN A PEOPLE THAT CAN'T EVEN REPRODUCE OR CREATE OR ADD ANYTHING INTO US.
THAT'S THE WAY TO CREATE A MORE PERFECT UNION.
THAT IS JUST NOT ONLY STUPIDITY, BUT ALSO HERESY AND NOT AT ALL WHAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS TALKED ABOUT.
HOW WOULD CREATING A MORE PERFECT UNION BE BRINGING IN PEOPLE THAT CAN'T EVEN CREATE HUMAN LIFE? HOW DOES THAT BRING FORTH A MORE PERFECT UNION? HOW IS BRINGING FORTH A MORE PERFECT UNION BRINGING IN A PEOPLE THAT ARE RIDDEN WITH AIDS, STDS, AND ALL KINDS OF...
HOW IS THAT BRINGING FORTH A MORE PERFECT SOCIETY? HOW IS BRINGING FORTH A MORE PERFECT SOCIETY HAVING PEOPLE WALK AROUND IN OUR STREETS HALF NAKED, BOOTY SHORT, ALL THESE GUYS WEARING BOOTY SHORTS AND THEY'RE BRINGING THE PRIDE PARADE HERE WITH THEIR TITTIES HANGING OUT, WOMEN WITH THEIR TITS CUT OFF, WALKING AROUND IN OUR STREETS.
HOW IS THAT BRINGING FORTH A MORE PERFECT UNION? I'M THE FATHER OF FOUR CHILDREN.
I WOULD HATE TO HAVE MY CHILDREN GO DOWN THERE AND SEE THESE WOMEN WITH THEIR TITS CUT OFF.
TAKING THEIR SHIRTS OFF WITH SCARS ON THEIR BODY? HOW IS SCARRING UP MY BODY A MORE PERFECT UNION? HOW IS IT? HOW IS SCARRING UP THE BODY THAT GOD GAVE ME, CUTTING OFF WHAT GOD GAVE ME, AND DENYING THE BODY THAT GOD GAVE ME A MORE PERFECT UNION? ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST THE PERFECT UNION.
THE PERFECT UNION IS THE UNION THAT YOU ARE BORN WITH.
THE PERFECT UNION IS THE UNION BETWEEN MAN AND GOD WHEN YOU SUBMIT YOURSELF TO A HOLY GOD.
AND YOU BOW YOUR KNEE AND YOU SAY, I'LL DO WHATEVER YOU DO, EVEN IF I LOOK FOOLISH, EVEN IF I LOOK STUPID, BUT I WILL AGREE TO YOUR LAW.
GOD IS THE ONE WHO CREATED EARTH.
HE'S THE ONE WHO CREATED THE RULES.
WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO AGAINST IT.
YOU CAN'T GO INTO A FOOTBALL GAME, RUN THE OPPOSITE WAY, DO ALL KINDS OF BAD CALLS, AND THEN EXPECT FOR THE GAME TO CHANGE BECAUSE YOU SAID IT IS.
THEY'RE WRITTEN ON MAN'S HEART.
THEY'RE WRITTEN ON THE EARTH, AND YOU CANNOT CHANGE IT NO MATTER WHAT YOU PROCLAIM.
ONE DAY YOU'LL UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS AGAINST GOD, AND NO MATTER WHAT YOU PROCLAIM OR WHAT YOU SAY, THERE WILL BE JUDGMENT FOR IT.
AND I KNOW THERE ALREADY IS JUDGMENT FOR IT, BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT YOUR SON DID IN HIGH SCHOOL.
SEAN MORRISON IS OUR SPEAKER, FOLLOWED BY EVAN MORRIS.
HAVING UNDERTAKEN FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AN ADVANCEMENT OF CHRISTIAN FAITH, AN EXCERPT FROM THE OPENING OF THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT.
OUR CONSTITUTION IS ONLY FOR A MORAL AND RELIGIOUS PEOPLE.
IT IS WHOLLY INADEQUATE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY OTHER.
JOHN ADAMS. I WOULD SAY THAT THAT'S THIS COMMISSION RIGHT HERE.
THIS COMMISSION IS NEITHER MORAL NOR RELIGIOUS, TRUE RELIGION BEING THE WORSHIP OF CHRIST.
THIS COMMISSION IS AN ABOMINATION.
ANY MENTION OF GOD BY THE LOT OF YOU IS VILE AND UNDERMINING.
YOU'RE ALL OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL.
YOU ARE LIARS AND CHEATS THAT DEFILE OUR COMMUNITY AND SOIL THE GOOD NAME OF OUR CITY AND COUNTRY.
WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF THIS NATION'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY, A NATION FOUNDED AND BUILT BY CHRISTIANS FOR CHRISTIANS.
YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.
AGAIN AND AGAIN, GOD HAS SENT JUDGMENT ON HIS WAYWARD CHILDREN AND THOSE THAT WOULD DARE STAND AGAINST HIM AND AGAINST HIS WORD.
KNOW THAT YOU ARE BRINGING THIS JUDGMENT ON OUR NATION AND ITS PEOPLE.
[00:25:02]
YOU ARE LEADING THE IGNORANT STRAIGHT TO HELL, HOLDING THEIR HANDS AS YOU OPEN THE GATES.HOMOSEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD.
IT SAYS IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
IT IS UNNATURAL IN BOTH AFFECTION AND PRACTICE.
HEAR THIS, WHILE YOU MAY SIT ON THAT SIDE OF THE RAILING AND PRAISE THIS DISGUSTING BEHAVIOR BY RECOGNIZING IT WITH YOUR HOLLOW PROCLAMATIONS, YOU DO NOT REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OF THIS COMMUNITY OR THE ONE TRUE LIVING GOD.
TO THOSE IN THIS ROOM THAT PROFESS CHRIST AND STAND FOR THIS WICKEDNESS, I GIVE YOU A FEW VERSES FROM MATTHEW.
MANY WILL SAY TO ME IN THAT DAY, LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED THY NAME? AND IN THY NAME HAVE WE CAST OUT DEVILS? AND IN THY WE HAVE DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS.
AND THEN I WILL PROFESS UNTO THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU.
DEPART FROM ME, YOU WORKERS OF INIQUITY.
FOR THE REST OF YOU, KNOW THAT IF YOU CONTINUE TO LIVE IN YOUR FILTH AND PRIDE, ETERNAL HELL AWAITS YOU.
ONLY THROUGH CHRIST CAN ONE BE SAVED.
TURN TO CHRIST AND FROM YOUR SIN OR BURN IN HELL.
FOREVER REMEMBER THE 3RD FLORIDA INFANTRY COMPANY B, ANY FATE BUT SUBMISSION.
AND SEEING AS WE HAVE ANOTHER MINUTE LEFT, LET'S JUST GO AHEAD AND READ FROM THE BIBLE FOR A LITTLE BIT.
WHEREFORE, GOD ALSO GAVE THEM UP TO UNCLEANNESS THROUGH THE LUST OF THEIR OWN HEARTS TO DISHONOR THEIR OWN BODIES BETWEEN THEMSELVES, HAVING CHANGED THE TRUTH OF GOD INTO A LIE, AND WORSHIPPED AND SERVED THE CREATURE MORE THAN THE CREATOR, WHO WAS BLESSED FOREVER.
FOR THIS CAUSE, GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO VILE AFFECTIONS, FOR EVEN THEIR WOMEN DID CHANGE THE NATURAL USE OF THAT WHICH IS AGAINST NATURE.
AND LIKEWISE ALSO THE MEN, LEAVING THE NATURAL USE OF WOMAN, BURNED IN THEIR OWN LUST ONE TOWARD ANOTHER.
MEN WITH MEN, WORKING NOT WHICH IS UNSEEMLY, AND RECEIVING THEMSELVES AT RECOMPENSE OF THEIR ERROR WHICH WAS MEAT.
AND EVEN AS THEY DID NOT LIKE TO RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE, GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO REPROBATE MINDS, TO DO THE THINGS THAT WERE NOT CONVENIENT, BEING FILLED WITH ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, FORNICATION, WICKEDNESS, COVETOUSNESS, MALICE, FULL OF ENVY, MURDER, DEBATE, DECEIT, MALIGNITY, WHISPERS, REPENT, OR PERISH.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS EVAN MORRISON, FOLLOWED BY ROGER JOHN CARLSON.
MY NAME IS EVAN MORRISON, AND I'M 7TH GENERATION.
I JUST WANTED TO GET UP HERE AND SAY THAT THIS WHOLE EVENT IS DISGUSTING AND AN ABOMINATION TO GOD.
LEVITICUS 20.13 SAYS, IF A MAN ALSO LIE WITH MANKIND, AND HE LIETH WITH A WOMAN, BOTH OF THEM HAVE COMMITTED AN ABOMINATION.
IT'S CRAZY HOW A 15-YEAR-OLD KID HAS TO GET UP HERE AND TELL YOU ABOUT YOUR SIN.
YOU SHOULD REPENT AND ASK GOD FORGIVENESS.
WHO PRACTICES HOMOSEXUALITY SHOULD PRACTICE WHAT I JUST DID.
NEXT SPEAKER IS ROGER JOHN CARLSON, FOLLOWED BY MOLLY MALONE.
AUGUSTINE SHORES, A RETIRED UNITED METHODIST MINISTER, SERVING CHURCHES IN MARYLAND FOR 40 YEARS BEFORE RETIRING AND MOVING WITH MY WIFE CINDY TO ST.
SIR, I'M SORRY, COULD YOU, THERE YOU GO.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T NEED TO REPEAT ALL THAT, RIGHT? CINDY AND I, MY WIFE AND I, ARE ACTIVE AT GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DOWNTOWN AND VARIOUS MINISTRIES AND ARE MOST PLEASED THAT THIS CONGREGATION HAS EMBRACED FULL ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION OF ALL GOD'S CHILDREN IN ALL ASPECTS OF CONGREGATIONAL LIFE.
WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES EQUALITY, JUSTICE, AND INCLUSION FOR ALL, AND THAT CONTINUES TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESILIENCE OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
CAN YOU HOLD ON ONE SECOND? I'M SO SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT I DO NEED TO SAY THIS.
WE WILL MAINTAIN ORDER IN THIS ROOM.
BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
WE CAN SIT QUIETLY AND RESPECTFULLY AND LISTEN TO OTHERS, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY DISAGREE WITH US.
AND WE'LL GIVE YOU YOUR MINUTES.
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, OF WHICH I AM, OF COURSE, MOST FAMILIAR, AFFIRMS THE SACRED WORTH AND BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.
OF ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY.
THE DENOMINATION NOW PERMITS CLERGY TO OFFICIATE SAME-SEX MARRIAGES AND WELCOMES LGBTQIA PLUS INDIVIDUALS INTO ALL LEVELS OF CHURCH LIFE AND LEADERSHIP.
[00:30:03]
ARE ABLE TO SERVE AS PASTORS IN UNITED METHODIST DENOMINATION.IN THESE VERY BRIEF MOMENTS, I OFFER FIVE GENERAL COMMENTS RELATED TO BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDINGS BEHIND THIS STANCE THAT MANY DENOMINATIONS NOW SHARE FIRST.
I BELIEVE THAT THE CHURCH MUST TAKE A CHRIST-CENTERED APPROACH TO HUMAN RELATIONS THAT PRIORITIZES GRACE OVER RIGID BIBLICAL LITERALISM.
SECONDLY, I BELIEVE THAT THE BIBLE MUST BE READ IN ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT, WHICH LEADS TO FULL INCLUSION AND WELCOMING LGBTQIA PLUS INDIVIDUALS INTO THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH, AS WELL AS INTO THE GREATER COMMUNITY.
THIRD, I BELIEVE THAT PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE THAT HAVE BEEN TRADITIONALLY USED TO CONDEMN SAME-SEX INTIMACY REFLECT THE CULTURAL PRACTICES AND PATRIARCHAL UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD.
THESE KINDS OF BIBLICAL VERSES ARE SIMILAR TO BIBLICAL TEXTS REGARDING SLAVERY.
SUBORDINATION OF WOMEN AND THE HITTING OF CHILDREN.
FOURTH, I BELIEVE THAT ALL SCRIPTURE MUST BE INTERPRETED THROUGH THE LENS OF JESUS' TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS.
I WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THIS FOURTH.
I'M SORRY FOR THE INTERRUPTION.
FOURTH, I BELIEVE THAT ALL SCRIPTURE MUST BE INTERPRETED THROUGH THE LENS OF JESUS'S TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS, TO LOVE GOD AND TO LOVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR.
AND FINALLY, RATHER THAN TAKING AN INERRANT APPROACH TO WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT HUMAN RELATIONS, A HIGHER VIEW TAKES ITS CONTENT SERIOUSLY WITHOUT EVERY WORD LITERALLY.
THE BIBLE'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO REVEAL GOD'S CHARACTER AND RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OF HUMANITY.
EMBEDDED IN THOSE SACRED WORDS CONTAIN THE MESSAGE THAT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR BIGOTRY OR JUDGMENT OR EXCLUSION.
THIS, I BELIEVE, IS THE INTENT OF THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION THAT WE CELEBRATE TODAY, AND THANK YOU FOR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
NEXT SPEAKER IS MOLLY MALONE, FOLLOWED BY CHRIS TAYLOR.
I'M HERE TODAY AS A SENTIENT BEING WHO SUPPORTS THE HORSES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE CARRIAGE ORDINANCE.
WHILE LONG OVERDUE, IT HAS HIGHLIGHTED DEFICIENCIES IN THE CITY'S OVERSIGHT THAT, IN MY OPINION, CONTRIBUTED TO THE EARLY TERMINATION OF A 20-YEAR FRANCHISE.
LEASING A PARCEL THAT A COMMISSIONER RECENTLY STATED SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN USED FOR HORSES, WHILE OWNERS ENDURED INTENSE PUBLIC SCRUTINY AND SPENT THOUSANDS TO MAINTAIN THEIR HORSES' HEALTH, CARRIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTABILITY.
MOVING FORWARD, SINCE 1855, THE CARRIAGE HORSES HAVE BEEN AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ST.
FOR MORE THAN 170 YEARS, THE INDUSTRY HAS MAINTAINED A STRONG SAFETY RECORD WITH ZERO DOCUMENTED DEATHS INVOLVING CARRIAGE HORSES OR DRIVERS IN AVAILABLE HISTORICAL RECORDS.
DUE IN LARGE PART TO RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP, WHICH MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED.
AND THERE'S NO ABUSE, ONLY THE OPINIONS OF PERFORMATIVE ACTIVISTS WHO EXPLOIT THE HORSES FOR INSTAGRAM VIDEOS AND PETA PAYCHECKS.
IF THERE WAS ACTUAL ABUSE, WHY DON'T THEY CALL THE POLICE? BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE IT.
WE THINK THEY'RE SUFFERING OR THEIR OPINIONS, NOT REALITY.
TO SPEAK FOR THE HORSES WHOSE DEATHS THEY EXPLOIT, TITAN PASSED FROM COLIC, THE NUMBER ONE PREMATURE KILLER OF HORSES.
THERE ARE 27 KNOWN CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EXTREMELY COMMON CONDITION.
EQUINE VETS CONCUR THAT EVEN HORSES RECEIVING EXCELLENT CARE CAN DEVELOP AND DIE OF COLIC.
GHOSTS DIED FROM PNEUMONIA, COMPLICATION OF STRANGLES, WHICH CAN BE SPREAD FROM HORSE TO HORSE AND CONTAMINATED HUMAN HANDS, FEEDING THEM AT A FENCE.
AS OF TODAY, THE EDCC HAS CONFIRMED 12 CASES OF STRANGLES IN FLORIDA THIS YEAR.
THERE WERE 33 TOTAL CASES LAST YEAR.
[00:35:01]
LISA WAS RUSHED TO EMCO AND HUMANELY EUTHANIZED AFTER SPECIALISTS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF HER PAIN.A NECROPSY DISCOVERED A HERNIA TEAR CAUSING INTERNAL STRANGULATION.
ADAMS CONFIRMED THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THIS.
THEIR DEATHS WERE NOT DUE TO BEING ABUSED OR BEING CARRIED TO HORSES OR ANY IRRESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP.
AS FOR THE EAT CARRIAGES, THE VAST MAJORITY ARE PRODUCED IN CHINA.
CHINA ALSO SLAUGHTERS OVER 1.5 MILLION HORSES ANNUALLY FOR MEAT CONSUMPTION.
REMEMBER THE ACTIVISTS' RECENT OUTRAGE ABOUT TIGER MEAT AND SENDING HORSES TO SLAUGHTER? YEAH.
THEN THERE'S THE LARGER LITHIUM BATTERIES REQUIRED FOR TOURING CARRIAGES, WHICH ARE EXTREMELY ENVIRONMENTALLY HARMFUL AND KNOWN TO CATCH FIRE.
THOSE TOXIC FUMES ARE MUCH MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE SMELL OF HORSE URINE.
ARE E-CARRIAGES AND SUPPORTING CHINA'S HORSE AND DOG MEAT MARKETS REALLY THE MORALLY ETHICAL PLATFORM THE CITY WANTS TO PURSUE? BECAUSE IF THE HORSE CARRIAGES GO AWAY, THE PERFORMATIVES WILL ATTACK YOU NEXT.
ORDINANCES ARE NEEDED IN TODAY'S TIMES, BUT 170 YEARS OF ZERO CARRIAGE-RELATED FATALITY SPEAKS VOLUMES.
NEXT SPEAKER IS CHRIS TAYLOR, FOLLOWED BY SCOTT YORK.
SCOTT YORK FOLLOWED BY PATRICIA RAMOS.
GOOD EVENING, SCOTT YORK, 29 SPANISH STREET, THE MOST CHARMING STREET IN ST.
THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THE MEETING TONIGHT.
I GOT HERE A LITTLE BIT LATE, SO I GOT TO WAIT OUTSIDE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, AND I'M GLAD THAT I DID.
THIS HAS BEEN AN AMAZING WEEK IN ST.
LAST WEEKEND THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION WERE IN TOWN TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR MOST ESTEEMED RESTAURANTS AND THEIR TALENTS THAT THEY BRING TO OUR CITY.
WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS THAT OUR VISITORS COME HERE TO SEE.
NOT JUST OUR ARCHITECTURE, NOT JUST OUR HISTORIC BUILDINGS, BUT SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS.
JUST THIS MORNING I WAS ABLE TO GIVE A TOUR TO A FAMILY AT MY MUSEUM AND AT THE END I ALWAYS ASK HOW THEY FOUND OUT ABOUT US.
OUT ABOUT US BY WALKING DOWN SPANISH STREET LAST YEAR.
AND I HAPPENED TO BE SITTING OUT ON MY PORCH AND THEY WERE AT THE END OF THEIR VACATION AND THEY ASKED WHAT FUN THINGS TO DO ON THEIR NEXT ADVENTURE.
THEY CAME BACK HERE THIS YEAR.
THAT IS ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
BUT IT'S MORE IMPACT BY JUST OUR KIND AND FRIENDLY RESIDENTS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN ST.
THAT ONE JUST HAPPENED TO BE ME.
I'M NOT THE ONLY KIND ONE AND I'M NOT THE ONLY FRIENDLY ONE, BUT I WAS.
GLAD TO ENCOUNTER THEM LAST YEAR AND THEN THE FACT THAT THEY CAME BACK TO VISIT HERE AGAIN.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WORK ON ALL THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT THE CITY HAS.
TONIGHT BEFORE YOU IS AN ORDINANCE THAT MR. RUBIN HAS SPENT TWO YEARS WORKING ON THAT RELATES TO VEHICLES FOR HIRE AND LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND I REALLY THINK THAT THE INDUSTRY DOES NEED SOME REGULATION TO JUST REIN IT IN AND MAKE EVERYBODY ON THE SAME PLAYING FIELD.
JUST ON THE WAY HERE TO THIS MEETING.
COMING DOWN HIPPOLYTA STREET WAS ONE OF THOSE OUTLAW CARTS.
DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, MAN IN A SPORTS COAT, DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND LOOKING FOR PASSENGERS.
NO MEDALLION, NO CITY PERMIT, SO IT DOES NEED SOME REGULATION AND ALSO ENFORCEMENT OF THOSE REGULATIONS.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ITEMS IN THAT ORDINANCE.
ONE IS, IF I COULD GET THE OVERHEAD.
STATING THAT THE VEHICLES MAY BE GIVEN PERMISSION BY A BUSINESS OWNER IN ORDER TO PARK AND UNLOAD, BUT THE BUSINESS OWNERS CANNOT GIVE THE RIGHT TO PARK ON OUR PUBLIC SIDEWALKS.
AND WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S VERY CLEAR.
OUTSIDE OF THE HISTORIC RESEARCH LIBRARY OF THE HISTORIC SOCIETY ON ABILENE STREET IN A NO PARKING ZONE.
I HAD TO STOP MY TOUR BECAUSE I COULD HEAR THEM AT THE CASA DE SOLANO INN.
THIS IS A VEHICLE LAST NIGHT ON FLAGLER COLLEGE PROPERTY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS PATRICIA RAMOS.
FOLLOWED BY JESSE SABO GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS PATRICIA AND I'M HERE ONCE AGAIN
[00:40:01]
TO SPEAK UP FOR THE ABUSED HORSES OF ST AUGUSTINE THE PICTURES I'M ABOUT TO SHOW ARE VERY DISTURBING AND SADLY OF A HORSE NAMED BARBIE WHO WAS CONTRACTED OUT BY THE CITY OF ST AUGUSTINE THIS HORSE BELONGS TO FRED OF COASTAL CARRIAGES.AS SEEN HERE ON MARCH 10TH, BARBIBO HAS A GAPING WOUND.
THESE PHOTOS DOCUMENT THE LACERATION AND PROGRESSION FROM APRIL THROUGH JUNE.
THE PHOTOS, I WOULDN'T CALL HAVING A LACERATION LIKE THAT BEING ON VACATION, AS CALLOUSLY STATED BY CHRISTINA LAMMERS ON A SOCIAL MEDIA POST.
THE SAME NIGHT, WE WITNESSED BARBIE FORCED TO DO TOURS.
ON JUNE 3RD, WE AGAIN WITNESSED CHRISTINA AND JOE LAMMERS TAKING BARBIE OUT ON TOURS WITH THE CONCEALED LACERATION.
JUST TWO DAYS LATER, HER WOUND BEGAN TO OOZE.
HOWEVER, JUNE 6TH, BARBIE WAS TAKEN OUT ONCE AGAIN BY JOE AND CHRISTINA WITH THE STRATEGICALLY CONCEALED LACERATION.
AND DIABOLICALLY, AGAIN, LAST NIGHT, JUNE 7TH, INJURY STILL COVERED AND PRESENT.
THE FACT THAT THIS HORSE WAS TAKEN OUT TO WORK UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IS UNACCEPTABLE.
IT IS EQUALLY CONCERNING THAT THE CONDITION APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN COVERED UP RATHER THAN ADDRESSED.
THE PUBLIC DESERVES ANSWERS AND THE CITY SHOULD DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY.
SPEAKING OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND COVER-UP, THE WOUND WAS PRESENT IN MARCH, YET THIS VET YOU ON MAY 14TH, NEGLECTS THE LACERATION AND CHECKS OFF THAT THIS HORSE, BARBIE, IS IN GOOD CONDITION, FREE FROM WOUNDS.
IN CASE YOU FORGOT, LET ME SHOW YOU THE WOUND IN APRIL 28TH AND MAY 24TH.
DO THESE VETS EVEN LOOK AT THESE HORSES? AS PER FRANCHISE AGREEMENT UNDER SECTION C LABELED ANIMALS, ALL ANIMALS SHALL BE MAINTAINED IN GOOD HEALTH CONDITION AND APPEARANCE.
THE FRANCHISE MAY NOT USE OR WORK ANY ANIMAL IN ANY ENVIRONMENT OR UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHICH POSE A DANGER TO THE HEALTH.
AS PER SECTION 14-75 IN THE ORDINANCE SHORTENED FOR TIME, IN THE EVENT OF AN ALLEGATION OF ANIMAL ABUSE OR NEGLECT, THE CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND ALL OR PART OF THE FRANCHISEE'S OPERATIONS.
ARE WE GOING TO ALLOW FOR ANOTHER ABUSE CASE TO BE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG, SUCH AS WAS THE CASE OF BILL CUSHIONS FROM COUNTRY CARRIAGES.
HOW MUCH MORE PROOF IS NEEDED TO SHOW THAT THIS INDUSTRY HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT CRIMINAL, COMPLICIT IN THEIR CONCERNS FOR THE HORSE'S WELFARE? SHAME ON ST.
AUGUSTINE FOR NOT KNOWING THE CONDITIONS OF THE HORSES THAT YOU CONTRACT OUT TO FORCEFULLY EXPLOIT.
IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT IT'S OVERWHELMING AND A DAUNTING TASK TO MONITOR, AND IN DOING SO, YOU ALLOW THE HORSES TO CONTINUE TO SUFFER.
INSTEAD OF TRYING TO AMEND CODES OR MAKE CRUELTY BETTER, WHY NOT ABOLISH THE CORRUPT INDUSTRY? I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT'S NOT...
CAN YOU PLEASE FOCUS THAT? WHY NOT ABOLISH THE CORRUPT INDUSTRY AND SHOW THE WORLD THAT ST.
AUGUSTINE SUPPORTS ECOTOURISM AND BRING IN THE ELECTRIC CARRIAGES? TO BE FOCUSED.
I'M SORRY, JESSE SABO, FOLLOWED BY JOSHUA LUKE.
A LOT OF ANIMOSITY IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT.
I CAME TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE HORSES.
WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE PROTESTERS AND THE ACTIONS THAT THEY ARE TAKING IN THEIR PROTEST.
LAST WEEK, I PULLED ONTO THE STAND.
AND THEY HAD A HUGE SIGN WHICH WAS TACKED TO THE GROUND, WHICH I DON'T THINK IS WITHIN THE RULES, AND IT WAS BLOWING IN THE WIND.
AND IT CAUSED MY HORSE TO GET SCARED AND KIND OF MOVE TO THE SIDE A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE IT WAS HIS FIRST TIME SEEING THAT STIMULUS.
THEY WERE THERE PHOTOGRAPHING THE INCIDENT AS TO USE AS SOME TYPE OF EVIDENCE.
IF YOU CREATE AN INCIDENT AND THEN CLAIM THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEN YOU ARE THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT.
AND YOU'RE NOT SOLVING ANYTHING.
I BELIEVE THESE PEOPLE HAVE GONE BEYOND JUST THEIR DESIRE TO END HORSE CARRIAGES AND THEY'VE GONE ON PERSONAL VENDETTA AGAINST THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE BUSINESS.
THEY SEEM TO TRY AND BE CAUSING THE HORSES TO GET SCARED AND LEAVE STAND, WHICH MIGHT REINFORCE THEIR POSITION AND I DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS A WAY FOR THINGS SHOULD WORK.
I TRIED DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH.
AND I'LL ADMIT IT'S VERY COMPLICATED AND IT'S TIED TO SOME OF OUR BASIC, YOU KNOW, THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY AND IT'S HARD TO FOLLOW.
BUT EVERYTHING I READ ABOUT PROTESTS TALKED ABOUT THE SAME THING, A THIN BLUE LINE,
[00:45:03]
WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE A PROTECTORY BARRIER BETWEEN CONFLICTING PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF AN ARGUMENT.I THINK THAT THE SITUATION BETWEEN THE PROTESTERS AND THE CARRIAGES IS ESCALATING.
AND I THINK THAT THE ACTIONS THAT THEY'RE TAKING ARE SUSPECT.
AND I THINK THAT WE NEED THAT TYPE OF MEDIATION TODAY.
I THINK THAT WE NEED SOMEONE THERE THE ENTIRE TIME THAT THEY ARE THERE SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE.
WE AS DRIVERS ARE BOUND BY OUR CODE OF CONDUCT TO TREAT PEOPLE IN A CERTAIN MANNER.
BUT THEY ARE UNBOUND BY ANY CODE OF CONDUCT AND THEY ACT IN A WAY THAT I FEEL IS CAUSING DIRECT DAMAGE TO THE HORSES DIRECTLY I DON'T REALLY CARE THAT MUCH WHAT THEY DO TO ME BUT I REALLY WOULD LIKE SOME HELP IN DEFENDING OUR ANIMALS.
AND I THINK THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THAT IS BY HAVING A MEDIATOR THERE WHENEVER THEY ARE PRESENT, WHETHER IT BE AN APPOINTED MEMBER FROM YOU OR A MEMBER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
NEXT SPEAKER IS JOSHUA LUKE, FOLLOWED BY JAMES HILL.
EVEN MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU PUT INTO THIS MATTER.
YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE A BUSINESS AND A PURPOSE.
AS FOR ME, I'M A HUSBAND, HOPEFULLY SOON TO BE A FATHER, AND I'M A TOUR GUIDE IN ST.
IT WAS MY DUTY TO TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY AND MY CUSTOMERS.
CONCERNING MY CUSTOMERS, I WANT TO INTRODUCE THIS WONDERFUL PLACE I LOVE, SHARE THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST CITY AND WHAT IS NOW THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH.
YOU KNOW, I DO THIS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MAKE MILLIONS.
I JUST WANT TO FULFILL MY DUTIES AS A HUSBAND AND KEEP MOUTHS FED.
AS FOR GOVERNMENT, CITY, STATE, AND FEDERAL, IT'S THEIR DUTY TO HARM OR NOT THEIR DUTY TO HARM, IMPEDE, OR EVEN HELP THOSE WHO WISH OF US TO BUILD WHAT WE CALL THE AMERICAN DREAM.
RATHER, THEY ARE TO ENSURE THAT EVEN A LITTLE GUY HAS A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED OR FAIL ON HIS OR HER OWN.
YOU KNOW, THE TWO RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE TIER 2 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS WOULD DEVASTATE THESE BUSINESSES, SHUT DOORS TO MANY, MYSELF INCLUDED.
A GENERAL LIABILITY POLICY DOES NOT COVER INCIDENTS INVOLVING AUTOS, LAND, MARINE, OR AIR.
WE HAVE TO HAVE COMMERCIAL INSURANCE POLICIES THAT THERE ARE ONLY TWO UNDERWRITERS IN THE COUNTRY, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY AND PRIME.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD COST ME OVER $20,000 TO $25,000 PER YEAR, AND I'M ONLY PROJECTED TO MAKE $40,000 A YEAR WITH FIVE AVAILABLE SEATS AND MY ONE LITTLE CART.
I HAVE A $300,000 COMBINED POLICY THAT'S ABOVE THE STATE MINIMUM, COSTS ME $12,000 A YEAR.
THE ONLY STATE THAT'S SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE STATE MINIMUMS IS MIAMI, AND THAT'S A $500,000 COMBINED POLICY.
TO DOUBLE THAT WOULD BE A DETRIMENT TO US.
A SUGGESTION WAS MADE TO ME TO KEEP THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS THE SAME AND ONLY INCREASE IT IF YOU HAVE SOME AT-FAULT ACCIDENTS WITHIN A CALENDAR YEAR.
YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES.
YOU KNOW, IN JUST ONE YEAR OF SERVICE, I'VE MANAGED TO CONJURE UP THE PARATROOP FROM AN IDEA INTO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE BEST TOURS IN ST.
THIS HAS NOT COME WITHOUT COST, HARD WORK, OR SACRIFICE, BUT ACCORDING TO GOOGLE YELP AND TRIPADVISOR AND MANY LOCALS, IT.
AND PARAPETROL HAS PROVEN TO BE A PRETTY WELL-THOUGHT-OF SERVICE HERE IN ST.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT? THE SAME CAN BE SAID OF EVERY TIER 2 INDUSTRY IN THIS ROOM.
DON'T PUNISH THOSE OF US WHO HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG.
WE AREN'T ASKING FOR ANY KIND OF SPECIAL TREATMENT.
WE JUST WANT A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE THINGS WE LOVE.
YOU KNOW, I THINK ROCKY SAID IT BEST IN THE SIXTH ROCKY BALBOA MOVIE.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO LEAVE ANYTHING ON THE TABLE EXCEPT WHAT'S RIGHT.
NEXT SPEAKER IS JAMES HILL, FOLLOWED BY NANCY ASTRALAGOPALA. HELLO, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK.
AS A PAST CITY COMMISSIONER IN A SMALL CITY TO YOUR NORTH, I'M GLAD I COULD COME IN ON A RELAXING NIGHT WITH NO ISSUES.
AND REVISIT THE JOYS OF SITTING IN YOUR SEAT.
SO YOU'VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT YOU HAVE TOUGH STUFF TO WRESTLE WITH.
AND I WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE AS A STAKEHOLDER IN THE 2026-10 ORDINANCE, THANK STAFF FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE MISSION.
SOMEONE SET A GRENADE IN THEIR LAP AND PULLED THE PIN AND SAID, FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS SO COMPLICATED AND SO DIFFICULT AND DO IT KIND OF QUICK.
WE'RE VERY, VERY POSITIONED POSSIBLY TO END UP WHERE WE WANT TO BE, BUT WE GOT CAUGHT IN A LITTLE BIT OF A GAP.
THE CHANGES IN ORDINANCE CAUGHT US WITH SOME TIMING ISSUES, AND STAFF HAS DIRECTED THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH THEM AND WE'LL BE FINE.
[00:50:03]
WE'LL CONTINUE OUR BUSINESS.BUT BECAUSE OF THAT, IT MADE ME RECOGNIZE IN THE ORDINANCE, AND I WAS GOING TO ASK SPECIFICALLY THE COUNCIL TO...
CONSIDER THAT THIS IS A FIRST LOOK AT A REALLY SENSITIVE ISSUE, AND IT'S SUPER FLUID.
THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUE IS NOT GOING TO BE SOLVED IN ONE STAB AT IT.
SO WHAT I ASK IS LET STAFF HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO FIX WHAT IS BROKEN HERE.
LET THEM MANEUVER TO KEEP YOU GUYS OUT OF LAWSUITS BECAUSE THIS IS A PRETTY VOLATILE AREA.
AND THEN REVISIT THIS ON A SCHEDULED, REGULAR BASIS SO THAT AS IT EVOLVES, BY ORDINANCE REVISITED ON A SCHEDULED REGULAR BASIS ANNUALLY OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE, JUST SO THAT YOU CAN KEEP UP.
BECAUSE TRANSPORTATION IS NOT GOING TO STOP EVOLVING IN ST.
IT'S GOING TO ONLY GET A LITTLE WORSE.
YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF PRESENTING THE CITY FOR WHAT IT IS.
AUGUSTINE IS AN INCREDIBLE PLACE TO VISIT, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO SLOW DOWN.
SO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
I HOPE YOU MIGHT KEEP THE DOOR OPEN TO LET THIS EVOLVE, LET IT BREATHE A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH, TOUGH JOB FOR STAFF TO GET THROUGH IF THEIR HANDS ARE TIED.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TOO LATE IN THE PROCESS.
I DON'T TOTALLY UNDERSTAND YOUR PROCESS COMPARED TO WHAT I KNOW, BUT IT GIVES YOU SOME LEEWAY TO MAKE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS AND THEN PROVIDE STAFF THE ROOM TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO SOLVE THIS BIG PROBLEM.
SO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
SPEAKER IS NANCY AND I WILL SAY A.
AUGUSTINE THREE WEEKS AGO AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS THE BEST PLACE TO BRING MY CONCERN.
AS A PONTAVIDRA BEACH RESIDENT, RETIRED EDUCATOR AND SOMEONE WHO REGULARLY FREQUENTS ST.
AUGUSTINE, I HAVE NOTICED A DISTURBING TREND AT DAVENPORT PARK NEAR THE ST.
ON ANY GIVEN DAY, DRIVING PAST THIS PARK, YOU NEED ONLY BE MILDLY OBSERVANT TO NOTICE THAT THERE ARE USUALLY TWO TO FIVE HOMELESS PEOPLE, ALMOST ALWAYS ADULT MEN, AT PICNIC TABLES OR SITTING, LYING, OR SLEEPING ON BENCHES WITH BICYCLES, OVERSIZED BAGS, ETC.
WHILE I AM EMPATHETIC TO THE PLIGHT OF THE HOMELESS, I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE FOR THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
THE CITY SUGGESTED I CALL THE POLICE TO HAVE THE UNHOUSED PEOPLE MOVED ALONG, BUT THIS WOULD BE A TEMPORARY FIX TO WHAT LOOKS TO BE BECOMING A PERVASIVE PROBLEM.
WHILE I SUPPOSE I COULD CALL THE POLICE EVERY DAY, I WOULD LIKELY ONLY SUCCEED IN AGGRAVATING A BUSY DEPARTMENT, EARNING MYSELF A KAREN CARD, AND ONLY IN THE SHORT TERM MOVING THE HOMELESS OUT OF THE PARK.
THE DAVENPORT PARK IS DESCRIBED BY THE CITY AS A FULLY HANDICAP-ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND, WITH OPEN AND CLOSED SLIDES, MONKEY BARS, AND OTHER EXERCISE AND FUN EQUIPMENT, WITH PICNIC TABLES THAT IS FULLY FENCED.
WHILE THE CITY HAS ESTABLISHED CITY ORDINANCES IN REGARD TO PARK USE REGULATIONS, NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NO PUBLIC CAMPING.
I SEE NO ORDINANCE REGARDING HOMELESS ADULT MEN LOITERING IN SUCH SPACES.
AND WHILE SOME MIGHT HERE DISMISS MY GREATER CONCERN FOR CHILDREN OVER THE HOMELESS AS CRUEL, WE HAVE SEEN, ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THAT HOMELESSNESS INCLUDES AN ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF INDIVIDUALS.
INDIVIDUALS NOT JUST DOWN ON THEIR LUCK, BUT STRUGGLING WITH BEHAVIORS OF EXTREME CRIMINALITY, ADDICTION, AND VARYING STATES OF MENTAL INSTABILITY.
IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE U.S., WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE INCIDENTS OF UNPROVOKED VIOLENCE.
SO WHEN WE'RE TEMPTED TO SAY IT WON'T OR HASN'T HAPPENED HERE, WE MUST AT LEAST CONSIDER ADDING YET.
DAVENPORT PARK IS A PLAYGROUND FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, AND THEIR FAMILIES.
PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, VISITORS, AND SINGLE MOTHERS OR DADS WHO WANT TO TAKE THEIR CHILDREN TO DAVENPORT PARK OR ANY ST.
AUGUSTINE PLAYGROUND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO MAKE THEIR DECISION BASED UPON WHETHER THEY'RE OUTNUMBERED BY HOMELESS MEN.
FEEL SAFE ENOUGH TO ENTER THE PLAYGROUND WITH CHILDREN OR QUESTION WHETHER THE PARK IS SANITARY.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT SHINING A LIGHT ON THIS ISSUE WILL PROMPT THE CITY COMMISSION TO TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT DAVENPORT PARK REMAINS A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND, ITS INTENDED PURPOSE, AND NOT A REFUGE FOR THE HOMELESS AT THE EXPENSE OF CHILDHOOD.
SIMPLY PUT, ADULT HOMELESS MEN WITHOUT CHILDREN BEING ALLOWED TO LOITER AT A PLAYGROUND EXPOSES CHILDREN, HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, AND THEIR FAMILIES TO UNNECESSARY RISK.
AUGUSTINE HAS TAKEN NUMEROUS MEASURES TO ASSIST THE HOMELESS BY EMPLOYING A VERY BUSY COMMUNITY OUTREACH PERSON.
BUT THE STAKES COULDN'T BE HIGHER WHEN IT COMES TO ENSURING PLAYGROUNDS ARE SAFE FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY.
PLEASE SAY YES TO ADVOCATING FOR OUR CHILDREN WITH AN ORDINANCE THAT SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THE WELFARE OF THE HOMELESS, WHILE IMPORTANT, DOESN'T SUPERSEDE THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN ON THE PLAYGROUND.
DAWN MARIOTTI, FOLLOWED BY JOANNE ENGEL.
I'M DAWN MARIOTTI, AND I'M HERE
[00:55:01]
TO TALK ABOUT THE VEHICLE FOR HIRE ORDINANCE.I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS, AND I UNDERSTAND THE CITY'S CONCERN ABOUT CONGESTION, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND PROTECTING THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF ST.
AND I'M ALL FOR THOUGHTFUL REGULATIONS.
MY QUESTION IS, HOW THESE SPECIFIC LIMITS ON THE ORDINANCE WERE DETERMINED? TIER 1 GETS TO OPERATE 16 VEHICLES, WHILE TIER 2 IS LIMITED TO 3.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THOSE NUMBERS? DID YOU DO A TRAFFIC ANALYSIS? DID YOU DO A CONGESTION STUDY? WHAT SUPPORTS LIMITING TIER 2 TO 3 VEHICLES? I'M CONCERNED ABOUT A SITUATION IN WHICH LOCAL OPERATORS ARE GOING TO BE FACED WITH HIGHER COSTS BECAUSE OF REGULATIONS, INSURANCE INCREASES, COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS.
HOWEVER, YOU ARE LIMITING OUR ABILITY TO GROW BY THIS VEHICLE CAP.
I'M SIMPLY ASKING THAT ANY RESTRICTION BE SUPPORTED BY OBJECTIVE DATA.
THAT DETERMINES THAT THIS ORDINANCE WILL ACHIEVE THE GOAL THAT IT'S SET OUT TO.
IF LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ABSORB ADDITIONAL COSTS AND LIMITATIONS, THEN THOSE REQUIREMENTS NEED TO BE BACKED BY EVIDENCE, NOT IMPOSE UNNECESSARY FINANCIAL BURDENS ON BUSINESSES WHEN THERE IS NO CLEAR PROOF THAT THIS IS GOING TO BENEFIT THE PUBLIC.
AS A LOCAL TOUR GUIDE, I HOPE YOU REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE HAVE IN THIS CITY.
WE GET TO CONNECT NOT ONLY VISITORS BUT ALSO RESIDENTS TO THE HISTORY, THE CULTURE, AND THE BUSINESSES THAT MAKE ST.
AUGUSTINE SO UNIQUE AND WONDERFUL TO LIVE HERE.
NEXT SPEAKER IS JOANNE INGLE FOLLOWED BY CHRIS FULMER.
HI, IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU GUYS AGAIN.
I'M JOANNE INGLE WITH THE TASTING TOURS.
I DID HAVE THE PLEASURE OF GOING THROUGH THE CITIZENS ACADEMY.
REALLY GOT TO LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT YOU GUYS DO.
AND THEN I GOT TO SIT THROUGH THE WORKSHOP FOR THIS ORDINANCE.
AND I'M GOING TO TELL Y'ALL, IT WAS AWESOME.
SOME OF Y'ALL ARE SPICY AND WE NEED THAT.
AND SOME OF Y'ALL WERE JUST INSPIRING.
I SAT THERE AND WENT, MAN, THEY'RE GETTING THROUGH THIS, ALL THE HARD WORK THAT WAS HAPPENING.
SO WHAT I TOOK AWAY FROM THAT WERE KIND OF THREE CONCERNS THAT I HAD.
THE FIRST ONE BEING ENFORCEMENT OF THIS NEW ORDINANCE.
I'VE BEEN SPEAKING ABOUT THIS EVER SINCE THIS STARTED.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO KNOW WHO WE ARE? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO KNOW WHO THE FRANCHISES ARE? ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A BIG UMBRELLA OR FLAG WAVING AROUND? MAKE IT EASY FOR JABARI TO FIND US AND KNOW WHO WE ARE AND THEN GET THE OTHER GUYS OUT SO THAT THEY'RE NOT INFRINGING ON OUR BUSINESS.
AND THE NEXT IS FAIRNESS IN THE FRANCHISES.
THE TROLLEY'S BEEN FRANCHISED ALL THIS TIME, SO WE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW ALL THE GREAT STUFF THEY HAD.
SO WE JUST WANT A FEW OF THOSE THINGS.
WE DEFINITELY WANT OUR OWN LOADING AND UNLOADING ZONE SO THAT WE'RE SAFE.
WE HAVE A SAFE PLACE FOR OUR GUESTS TO LOAD.
BUT WE WOULD ALSO LIKE A FEW OTHER LITTLE PERKS.
WE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO CROSS ST.
GEORGE STREET DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL RESTRICTED TO ONLY TROLLEY ACCESS THROUGH THERE.
WE WOULD LOVE ONLY US FRANCHISEES WHERE WE CAN HAVE THREE CARTS, SO JUST THOSE THREE CARTS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO CROSS THERE AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANT ALL THEIR PERKS.
WE JUST WANT A FEW OF THE GOOD ONES THAT THEY HAVE.
THE LAST THING THAT FOR US IS CONSISTENCY.
SO WE'RE GOING TO BE LIMITED TO THREE CARTS.
BUT PEOPLE THAT RENT CARTS IN OUR DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT ARE UNLIMITED.
THEY CAN RENT AS MANY AS THEY WANT.
SO YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE US A PLATE OF COOKIES AND YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE US THREE COOKIES AND YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM THE COOKIE JAR.
IF WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS TRAFFIC CONCERN THAT WE HAVE, THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS IT ACROSS THE BOARD.
I LIKED WHAT HE WAS SAYING EARLIER ABOUT, YOU KNOW, BEING FLUID, BEING ABLE TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT THIS IN A YEAR AND GO, OKAY, THIS WAS GREAT.
WE MADE A LOT OF GREAT HURDLES THERE.
WE STILL GOT FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE.
WE GOT ALL THESE RENTALS THAT ARE EVERYWHERE.
AND LAST THING THAT I WANT TO SAY, AND THIS IS REAL DEAR TO THE TASTING TOURS HEART, WE JUST WANT TO LET THOSE CARRIAGE COMPANIES KNOW THAT WE SUPPORT THEM.
WE WANT THOSE CARRIAGE DRIVERS TO KNOW THAT WE SUPPORT THEM AND WE LOVE THEM.
AND WE HOPE FOR A BEAUTIFUL SEASON COMING UP.
AND WE HOPE THERE'S SOME GREAT PROGRESS IN THAT AREA AS WELL.
BUT IT'S JUST IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO KNOW BECAUSE WE WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH THEM.
AND WE SEE WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH AS WELL.
JUST LIKE THEY SEE WHAT WE'RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER.
SO WE REALLY WANT TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
AND WE JUST WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE DO SUPPORT THEM.
[01:00:01]
FOLLOWED BY JOANNE WESSLING.I WANT TO THANK THE CITY ONCE AGAIN FOR THEIR PRIDE DECLARATION.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST ONE BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS ORDERED THAT LOCALITIES CANNOT DO IT ANYMORE.
PEOPLE USING RELIGION TO HATE AND DISCRIMINATE IS AS OLD AS TIME.
WE CAN START WITH THE TREATY OF TRIPOLI IN 1797, WHERE ARTICLE II SAYS, AS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS NOT IN ANY SENSE FOUNDED ON THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, NO AMOUNT OF SHOUTING WILL CHANGE THAT.
ALL CITIZENS DESERVE EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUAL ACCESS TO SERVICES, EQUAL ACCESS TO THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
STATE-SPONSORED DISCRIMINATION HAS A LONG AND SAD HISTORY, AND I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER.
MOSTLY WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE HOMESTEAD TECH EXEMPTION PROPOSAL THAT IS GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER.
WHAT CITY SERVICES ARE PEOPLE WILLING TO TAKE AWAY FROM EVERYBODY? FOR THOSE WHO ARE CHEERING THE END OF PROPERTY TAX, I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.
IF THIS IS REAL TAX REFORM, WHAT REPLACES IT? BECAUSE CITY AND COUNTY BUDGETS DEPEND ON PROPERTY TAXES AS WE HAVE NO STATE INCOME TAX.
WILL THESE TAXES COME BACK THROUGH HIGHER UTILITY BILLS OR HIGH ASSESSMENTS OR A RISE IN SALES TAXES OR HIGHER FEES? THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE.
WHO PAYS THE DEBT ALREADY BACKED BY PROPERTY TAXES? FLORIDA COMMUNITIES HAVE BORROWED BILLIONS IN BONDS.
FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE AND WATER SYSTEMS, POLICE STATIONS, FIRE STATIONS, HURRICANE INFRASTRUCTURE.
WHO PAYS THE DEBT? WE GOT THAT ALREADY.
WHAT EXACTLY COUNTS AS CORE SERVICES? THIS IS A BIG ONE.
SCHOOLS AND ROADS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE EXEMPT, SO PEOPLE WILL STILL BE PAYING PROPERTY TAXES.
BUT WHAT COMES NEXT? IS DRAINAGE A CORE SERVICE? STORMWATER, PERMITTING AND INSPECTIONS, PARKS, LIBRARIES, TO TRANSIT, HOMELESS SERVICES, MOSQUITO CONTROL.
WHO DECIDES WHAT SERVICES ARE GOING TO GET CUT? I TELL PEOPLE THAT YOU MAY NOT USE THEM, BUT YOUR NEIGHBORS DO, AND PRIVATIZATION IS A KNEE-JERK RESPONSE BECAUSE IT PROVIDES THE SAME SERVICES AT A HIGHER COST WITH A PRIVATE COMPANY MAKING PROFIT FROM TAX DOLLARS.
SO THESE ARE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT.
WHO CONTROLS THE CITY BUDGET? THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF TALLAHASSEE DEFINES WHAT A CORE SERVICE IS, THEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS MANAGED BY TALLAHASSEE.
THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IS NOT JUST TAXES.
THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, AND THE BIG THING, IS THERE A SUNSET CLAUSE? JUST LIKE IT WAS BROUGHT UP NOW, YOU NEED TO HAVE A REVIEW IN A FEW YEARS.
THERE'S NO SUNSET CLAUSE ON THIS FOR MEASURING HOMEOWNER SAVINGS AND RENTER IMPACTS AND ALL THAT.
SO IT'S A REALLY, REALLY BAD IDEA.
TIP YOUR SERVERS, SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS.
NEXT SPEAKER IS JOANNE WESTLING, FOLLOWED BY ALLIE BRIDGEFIELD.
HI, I'M JOANNE WERLING OF JBL PEDICAB.
I JUST HAD A FEW QUICK POINTS.
MY FIRST ONE IS KIND OF RANDOM.
A FEW MEETINGS BACK, THE TOPIC OF 100 PEDICABS WAS BROUGHT UP.
AND I GAVE THE THUMBS DOWN SYMBOL AND I JUST WANTED TO APOLOGIZE.
THAT WAS NOT REALLY HOW I WANT TO BE PRESENTING MYSELF AND I DO BELIEVE IN LAW AND ORDER BUT I'M NOT A PERFECT PERSON SO MAKE MISTAKES.
ON THAT NOTE, I DID LIKE THE IDEA THAT WAS BROUGHT UP OF 45 PETTYCAB PERMITS WITH THE ATTRITION DOWN TO 30.
PERSONALLY, I HAVE FOUR PERMITS.
I WOULD DEFINITELY BE WILLING TO GO TO THREE.
I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THOSE THREE, THOUGH.
THE OTHER TOPIC THAT WAS BROUGHT UP WAS MUSIC, AND I WANTED TO BRING UP A, I DON'T KNOW IF WE ALREADY HAVE IT, I'M SORRY I HAVEN'T DONE MY RESEARCH ON THIS, BUT A CLAUSE OF NOT HEARING MUSIC OVER 15 FEET AWAY OR 10 FEET AWAY.
WE REALLY ONLY HAVE A FEW PEDICAB DRIVERS.
I'D SAY LIKE TWO THAT ABUSE THAT ROLE AND I DON'T.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I DEFINITELY LIKE HAVING MUSIC ON MY CAB.
IT'S NICE TO PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC FOR PEOPLE.
MY PLAYLIST IS MALLEABLE, SO I'M ABLE TO PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN PEOPLE'S NATIVE LANGUAGES LIKE FARSI AND SPANISH.
THINGS LIKE THAT AND I THINK THAT THAT MAKES PEOPLE REALLY HAPPY AND KEEPS THEM COMING BACK TO THE CITY BECAUSE IT'S
[01:05:03]
JUST A PLEASANT SURPRISE FOR THEM AND THAT'S REALLY MY GOAL AS A CHAUFFEUR DRIVER IN ST.AUGUSTINE IS TO MAKE PEOPLE REALLY EXCITED AND THINK OH I HAD A GREAT TIME I'D LOVE TO COME BACK HERE I FELT VERY SPECIAL VERY CATERED TO I'M ALSO JUST ABLE TO YOU I DON'T KNOW, I'VE REALLY JUST KIND OF DEFAULTED TO PIANO MUSIC LATELY.
I CALL MY CAB THE DECOMPRESSION CAB, AND I JUST FEEL LIKE WE LIVE IN THIS CRAZY, OVERWHELMING WORLD, SO IT'S NICE TO KIND OF GIVE PEOPLE THAT NICE LITTLE RELAXING BREAK.
SO IF WE KEEP MUSIC ON THE PEDICABS, I'D REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
I'M SORRY SOME PEOPLE ABUSE THAT, BUT, YOU KNOW.
WE CAN GIVE THOSE PEOPLE TICKETS, YOU KNOW.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK AND TIME AND ENERGY.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ALLIE BIRCHFIELD, FOLLOWED BY JUDY GLAZEBROOK.
ALLIE BIRCHFIELD, 29 RHODY AVENUE.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE RESIDENTS OF UPTOWN TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY...
THE RESIDENTIAL RESTRICTED PARKING PROGRAM BEYOND NIGHTS OF LIGHTS TO INCLUDE OTHER MAJOR SPECIAL EVENTS.
THE NEED FOR THIS PROGRAM IS CLEAR.
DURING LARGE EVENTS, VISITORS SEEKING TO AVOID PARKING GARAGE FEES ROUTINELY PARK THROUGHOUT OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
ONCE THE LEGAL PARKING SPACES ARE FILLED, VEHICLES BEGIN OCCUPYING YELLOW CURVED AREAS, BLOCKING DRIVEWAYS, AND PARKING IN LOCATIONS THAT CREATE SAFETY HAZARDS.
AS STREETS BECOME OVERCROWDED, THE ABILITY FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO FUNCTION IS COMPROMISED, CREATING CONGESTION AND IN SOME CASES GRIDLOCK.
THIS AFFECTS RESIDENTS TRYING TO ACCESS THEIR HOMES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT CAN IMPEDE EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS.
CITY STAFF HAS PREVIOUSLY SUGGESTED THAT ANNUAL RESIDENT PARKING TAGS COULD BE ISSUED DURING THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS PROGRAM AND THEN USED THROUGHOUT THE FOLLOWING YEAR FOR ANY OTHER QUALIFYING EVENTS.
WE BELIEVE THIS IS PRACTICAL AND AN EFFICIENT APPROACH.
THE RESIDENTS OF RHODY AVENUE, CINCINNATI, AND FIRST STREET HAVE COMPLETED PETITIONS WITH APPROXIMATELY 75 PERCENT OF RESIDENTS SUPPORTING AN EXPANDED PROGRAM.
THE ABBOTT TRACK NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE REMAINDER OF UPTOWN ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE KNIGHTS OF LIGHTS PROGRAM AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON SIMILAR PETITIONS.
BASED ON THE FEEDBACK WE'VE RECEIVED, IT IS VERY LIKELY THEY WILL ALSO WANT TO PARTICIPATE.
OUR REQUEST IS STRAIGHTFORWARD.
FOLLOW THE SAME MODEL THAT WAS SUCCESSFULLY USED DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE CLOSURE OF RHODY AVENUE FROM US 1, THE ESTABLISHED PARKING SIGNAGE, RESIDENT ACCESS PROCEDURES, AND ENFORCEMENT THROUGH PARKING FINES.
WE'RE ASKING THAT THE PROGRAM BE ACTIVATED DURING MAJOR EVENTS SUCH AS SING OUT LOUD, THE CELTIC FESTIVAL, THE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL, AND OTHER SIMILAR HIGH ATTENDANCE EVENTS AS DETERMINED BY THE CITY STAFF.
HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF THE STREET VIEW IN THE MORNING PRIOR TO THE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL.
YOU CAN SEE THE STREET IS FAIRLY EMPTY THERE.
THESE OTHER PHOTOS ARE MIDDAY SHOWING A FULL STREET WHILE THE VISITORS ARE IGNORING THE EVENT PARKING PROHIBITED SIGNAGE.
THIS REQUEST IS ABOUT PROTECTING NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, PRESERVING THE RESIDENTS' QUALITY OF LIFE.
BUILDING UPON A PROGRAM THAT HAS ALREADY PROVEN SUCCESSFUL.
WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THE COMMISSION TO DIRECT STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD WITH EXPANDING THE RESIDENTIAL RESTRICTED PARKING FOR MAJOR SPECIAL EVENTS.
I'M ALSO HERE TO SUPPORT JUDY GLAZEBROOK WHO WILL BE SPEAKING NEXT ON THE SPEED HUMPS ON RHODY AVENUE.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JUDY GLAZEBROOK FOLLOWED BY SARAH BLOOMBERG.
GOOD EVENING, I'M JUDY GLAZEBROOK OF 30 RHODY AVENUE AND THIS HIT AND RUN HAPPENED ON RHODY AVENUE ON DECEMBER 08, 2024 AND DEMONSTRATES WHY RESIDENTS STRONGLY SUPPORT THE INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS ON RHODY AVENUE.
RESIDENTS BELIEVE THE STREET HAS BECOME UNSAFE AND INCREASINGLY PRONE TO ACCIDENTS.
WE HAVE PETITIONS SIGNED BY MORE THAN 75 PERCENT OF THE RESIDENTS.
WE'VE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HOPE YOU WILL APPROVE THIS TONIGHT, THIS REQUEST TONIGHT.
[01:10:02]
BEING USED AS A CUT-THROUGH ROUTE BETWEEN SAN MARCO AVENUE AND US 1 BY DRIVERS SEEKING TO AVOID CONGESTION AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT WEST CASTILLO DRIVE.WHEN RESIDENTIAL STREETS BECOME SHORTCUTS, THEY LOSE THEIR PRIMARY PURPOSE AS SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD SPACES.
CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC BRINGS HIGHER SPEEDS, RISKIER DRIVING BEHAVIOR, AND INCREASED DANGER TO RESIDENTS, PEDESTRIANS, AND CHILDREN.
TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES SUCH AS SPEED HUMPS CAN DISCOURAGE CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC AND HELP RESTORE RHODY AS A SAFE RESIDENTIAL STREET.
WHILE WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE CITY-ESTABLISHED PROCESS, RHODY AVENUE DOES NOT MEET THE THRESHOLD UNDER THE 85 PERCENTILE SPEED RULE.
STANDARD IS BASED ON AVERAGES.
AND CAREFUL RESIDENTS DRIVING RESPONSIBLY LOWER THOSE AVERAGES, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE OURS TO ADDRESS LEGITIMATE SAFETY CONCERNS.
BUT SPEED IS ONLY ONE MEASURE OF SAFETY.
FIRST, ACCIDENT DATA SHOWS A CLEAR PROBLEM.
AUGUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS, RODE AVENUE EXPERIENCES APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS EACH YEAR.
FOR A RESIDENTIAL STREET SERVING ONLY 37 RESIDENTS, THAT NUMBER IS UNACCEPTABLY HIGH.
SECOND, TRAFFIC VOLUMES ARE EXCESSIVE.
THE CITY'S TRAFFIC STUDY FOUND THAT AS MANY AS 500 VEHICLES PER DAY USE RODE AVENUE, A VOLUME THAT STRONGLY SUGGESTS SIGNIFICANT CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC.
THIRD, ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES ARE UNDERSTANDABLY LIMITED.
SPEED HUMPS PROVIDE A PRACTICAL, COST-EFFECTIVE, 24-HOUR TRAFFIC CALMING SOLUTION THAT DOES NOT DEPEND ON CONSTANT ENFORCEMENT.
FINALLY, RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT ST.
AUGUSTINE FACE INCREASING PRESSURES FROM TOURISM AND POPULATION GROWTH, AND COMMUNITIES NEED PRACTICAL TOOLS TO PROTECT RESIDENT SAFETY, AND SPEED HUMPS ARE A GOOD TOOL.
FOR THESE REASONS, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN APPROVING SPEED HUMPS ON RHODY AVENUE.
AND HELPING RESTORE THE SAFETY AND CHARACTER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
AND ALLIE BIRCHFIELD'S PRESENTATION I ALSO SUPPORT.
THESE ARE THE PETITIONS THAT I WILL...
OH, YES, IF YOU'LL GIVE THOSE TO THE CLERK.
SARAH BLOOMBERG, FOLLOWED BY GARY HADDOCK.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU THROUGH THE YEARS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY.
ME ASKING YOU EVERY YEAR TO MAKE JUNE THE PRIDE MONTH.
AND I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MEANINGFUL IT IS TO YOU.
IT MIGHT NOT MEAN A LOT, BUT TO OUR COMMUNITY, IT SAVES LIVES.
IT GIVES US ROOM TO BREATHE, TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE SPACE TO BE WHO WE ARE MEANT TO BE.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP DOING WHAT WE DO, EVEN THOUGH THE LAW IS NOT ON OUR SIDE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PRIDE THIS YEAR AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP BEING THE AMAZING HUMANS THAT WE ARE.
AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FROM MY HEART.
GARY HADDOCK, FOLLOWED BY TED HILL.
MY NAME IS GARY HADDOCK, AND I AM A RETIRED PASTOR OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOR 43 YEARS.
I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD SOME OPINIONS ABOUT THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION THAT YOU'VE DONE TONIGHT.
I KNOW THERE'S DIFFERENT OPINIONS AND DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT WHAT THAT'S ABOUT.
I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE SCRIPTURE AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE BEING USED.
I KNOW THAT ONE WAY OF INTERPRETING THIS IS TO LOOK AT LEVITICUS AS IT WAS READ AND TO TAKE IT LITERALLY IN THAT WAY.
BUT I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER...
VERSUS THAT ARE LEVITICUS THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AS WELL THAT WE DO NOT FOLLOW AND DO NOT LOOK AT AT ALL.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE THAT EAT PORK AND EAT BACON OR EAT SHELLFISH, PARTICULARLY IN THIS CITY.
WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE THAT THROW AROUND THE PIGSKIN, WHICH IS SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TOUCH, WHICH WOULD MESS UP A LOT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES, I THINK.
WE HAVE BANS THAT PREVENT WORKING ON THE SABBATH, AND MY GUESS IS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE WORKED ON THE SABBATH AS WELL.
WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR MIXED FIBER CLOTHING, AND MY GUESS IS THAT ALMOST
[01:15:01]
EVERYONE HERE IS PROBABLY WEARING SOME KIND OF MIXED FIBER IN THEIR CLOTHING RIGHT NOW.IT ALSO BANS THE TRIMMING OF BEARDS AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE DO NOT FOLLOW.
THE TRADITIONAL AND THE LITERAL TRANSLATION OF SOME OF THESE VERSES IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME, BUT I THINK THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO BE ABLE TO INTERPRET SOME OF THESE SCRIPTURES.
I KNOW THAT ALSO MATTHEW WAS USED IN TERMS OF A WOMAN ACTING UNNATURALLY, AND I THINK SINCE MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE A PART OF THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY, MOST PEOPLE ARE THERE NOT BECAUSE OF CHOICE, BUT BECAUSE THEY WERE BORN THAT WAY.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE DOING WHAT THE JESUS THAT I BELIEVE IN, THE JESUS OF MY CHRISTIAN FAITH AND THE GOD THAT I BELIEVE IN, WHEN HE CALLS US TO LOVE ALL PEOPLE, TO LOVE GOD AND LOVE ALL PEOPLE, THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT AND YOU'RE CARRYING OUT THAT WILL.
SO I APPLAUD YOU FOR DOING THAT.
MY NAME IS TED HILL, AND I OWN A STORE DOWNTOWN ON 35 HIGH PAULA STREET CALLED MANLY TOYS AND HOBBIES.
SOME PEOPLE KNOW IT AS BEAR MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS.
I'VE BEEN A LUCKY RESIDENT OF YOUR CITY IN THAT LEASE SPOT FOR 10 YEARS, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT.
I'M NOT HERE TO, I'M SORRY, I'M NOT HERE TO CHALLENGE THE CITY'S RIGHT TO LOOK FOR MORE RESTROOMS DOWNTOWN, BUT YOU'RE KILLING MY BUSINESS.
YOU'RE KICKING ME OUT OF THE PLACE I'VE BEEN FOR 10 YEARS.
THE BUSINESS HAS IMPROVED 20% EVERY YEAR SINCE ITS INCEPTION.
STOP FOR MY CLIENTS WHO COME YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
WE BECOME A TRADITION FOR OUR CLIENTS.
THEY GET A PICTURE WITH WILLIE, OUR ONE-EYED PIRATE OUT THERE, AND I'VE SEEN THE PICTURES OF THEIR KIDS GO FROM EIGHT TO 18 WHILE THEY COME AND SEE MY SHOP.
I'M NOT HERE TO CHALLENGE THAT CONCEPT THAT WE NEED MORE BATHROOMS DOWNTOWN, BUT YOU'RE DESTROYING SOMEBODY WHO'S GIVEN THE CITY OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN RENT.
AND FEES, I TAKE CARE OF MY BUILDING.
I TAKE CARE OF THE AIR CONDITIONING.
I EVEN PAY THE PROPERTY TAXES ON IT.
AND ALL OF THAT'S GOING TO GO AWAY IF YOU GET RID OF MY BUSINESS.
AND ALL THOSE FAMILIES THAT COME TO SEE ME YEAR AFTER YEAR, THEY'RE NOT COMING BACK TO ME.
AND THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO HOLD IN MY HEART.
IT'S NOT SIMPLY A CHOICE BETWEEN A BUSINESS AND A RESTROOM.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT SERVES VISITORS, PROTECTS TAXPAYERS, AND PRESERVES A BUSINESS THAT WAS INVESTED IN THIS CITY FOR DECADES.
I WON'T STEP DOWN WITHOUT THANKING YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS.
GRATITUDE IS SOMETHING WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF.
AND SO I'M HOPING THAT MY BUSINESS DOESN'T DIE BECAUSE WE NEED MORE BATHROOMS. I HAVE A SOLUTION, I THINK, AND THIS IS MY SOLUTION.
OUT IN FRONT OF MY BUILDING, I HAVE A REALLY WIDE WALKWAY.
WHEN NIGHTLIGHTS OR SUMMERS COME OR WHATEVER, PUT PORTA-POTTIES UP IN FRONT OF MY BUSINESS.
I'M IN FRONT OF A HUGE OPEN AREA.
WE CAN FIT 15 OR 20 PORTA-POTTIES IN THAT AREA.
WE CAN DESIGN IT TO LOOK ELEGANT AND SAFE FOR THE CITY.
YOU WON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND.
SPEND IN TURNING MY PLACE IN A BATHROOM.
THERE'S INADEQUATE ELECTRICITY.
I'M SURE YOU'VE LOOKED AT THOSE NUMBERS, BUT IT'S ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE THAT WE PRESERVE THIS TRADITION.
AND I'M HOPING THAT SOMEBODY WILL CHAMPION US AND HELP US OUT.
NEXT SPEAKER, JACQUELINE WOLF, FOLLOWED BY KELSEY MAY.
MY NAME IS JACKIE WOLFE, AND I FIRST WANTED TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A QUESTION AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE STATEMENT IN PROCLAMATION 2026-24, WHEN IT SAID THAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS
[01:20:01]
WROTE THE CONSTITUTION 238 YEARS AGO, AND I JUST WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT IS ACCURATE.THE CONSTITUTION OFFICIALLY WENT INTO OPERATION AS THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT 238 YEARS AGO BECAUSE THERE WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
SO AS A FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND SMART ALECK, I JUST HAD TO...
SO REST ASSURED, BARBARA, YOU'RE GOOD.
SO AS I SAID, MY NAME IS JACKIE WOLF, AND I'M THE CHAIR OF THE INCLUSION COMMITTEE AT GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
AND I AM PROUD TO LIVE AND WORSHIP IN ST.
AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE CITY FOR THE PROCLAMATION THAT WAS MADE HERE TONIGHT.
AND WHILE I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS A SIN, I DO BELIEVE THAT HOMOPHOBIA IS A SIN.
ANY READING OF SCRIPTURE THAT PRODUCES CONTEMPT FOR YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS IS A MISREADING OF SCRIPTURE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PART IN, FOR PLAYING YOUR PART IN LETTING OUR LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS KNOW HOW VALUED THEY ARE.
AND IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE QUEER COMMUNITY AND YOU'VE SUFFERED HARM AT THE HANDS OF THE CHURCH, I'M TRULY SORRY.
AND I'M SORRY FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAD TO HEAR TONIGHT.
AND YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY, WONDERFULLY MADE JUST AS YOU ARE.
YOU MAKE THIS COMMUNITY BETTER.
AND TO THE COMMISSION, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION THIS MONTH.
I WANTED TO ADDRESS SOMETHING THAT THE SPEAKERS WHO WENT FIRST CLAIMED.
THEY CLAIMED THAT PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE TERRIBLE LIVES.
THAT WE'RE REALLY SAD AND THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS. AND WHILE OUR COMMUNITY IS IN NO WAY PERFECT AND IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE PERFECT, I DID WANT TO SHARE A STORY ABOUT THE WAY THAT MY LIFE HAS IMPROVED SINCE COMING OUT.
I NEVER REALLY HAD A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH MY DAD AND I THINK IT'S BECAUSE I COULDN'T BE MYSELF.
WHEN YOU CAN'T BE YOURSELF, IT IS HARD TO CREATE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS.
THE LAST TIME THAT I WAS AT HOME, IT WAS OVER CHRISTMAS, AND MY DAD TOOK ME ON A TOUR OF ALL THE TRAILS HE LIKES TO GO ON BECAUSE HE'S A NEWLY GRADUATED CONSERVATIONIST IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
WE BOTH LOVE TO BE OUTSIDE, WE BOTH LOVE TO BE IN THE WOODS, AND WE LOVE TO TALK ABOUT ANIMALS.
AND IT WAS A REALLY NICE DAY, AND WE WENT TO GO GET SOME FRIED CHICKEN AT A COUNTRY CAFE.
AND IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I'D EVER BEEN OUT TO LUNCH WITH MY DAD AS MYSELF, WEARING THE CLOTHES THAT I WANTED TO WEAR, CLOTHES THAT FELT COMFORTABLE FOR ME TO WEAR.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT, BUT I KNOW THAT I REMEMBER HOW GOOD I FELT WITH HIM.
AND HOW HAPPY I AM THAT FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS OR SO THAT HE'S GOING TO BE ALIVE, THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE LUNCHES WITH HIM IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE I'M FINALLY MYSELF AND HE ACCEPTS ME FOR BEING MYSELF AS DO MOST OF MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING, KELSEY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS BLAISE MORRELL, FOLLOWED BY HEATHER WILSON.
HI, HOW'S IT GOING? I'M BLAISE MORRELL HERE.
I OWN PINEAPPLE RIDE AND TOUR.
I'VE SPOKE WITH REUBEN FRANKLIN AS WELL AS JIM OVER HERE ABOUT SOME OF OUR ISSUES WITH INSURANCE MOSTLY.
IN REGARDS TO THE NEW ORDINANCES, WE'VE GOT TOGETHER TODAY WITH RISK...
FOUNDATION PARTNERS WHO INSURES
[01:25:01]
A LOT OF THE COMPANIES HERE IN ST.AUGUSTINE TO DISCUSS, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE RATES ARE WE PAY, WHY WE PAY THE LIABILITY INSURANCE THAT WE PAY.
AND HERE, I'M JUST GOING TO READ MY THING.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I UNDERSTAND WHY THE CITY FEELS THE NEED TO IMPLEMENT THESE ORDINANCE CHANGES.
FOR FAR TOO LONG, BAD ACTORS AND PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN COME IN FROM NIGHT OF LIGHTS, LINE THEIR POCKETS, MAKE A MESS, AND THEN LEAVE WITHOUT US, LEAVE US WITH HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE REPERCUSSIONS.
WE JUST FEEL AS LOCAL COMPANIES, WE FEEL OVER-REGULATED.
WE FEEL LIKE THE CITY HAS FAILED TO EVEN ENFORCE THE LAWS IT HAS ON THE BOOKS.
WE ALSO DID SOME INVESTIGATING AND FOUND THAT OVER 35% OF THE COMPANIES THAT WE FOUND ARE EITHER NON-COMPLIANT, NON-EXISTENT, OR DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TYPES OF INSURANCE TO BE DOING THIS BUSINESS.
SO WE JUST FEEL LIKE UNTIL YOU GUYS GET A WRAP ON THAT, THAT CHANGING THE ORDINANCE AMOUNTS, IT SEEMS LIKE IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO WITH A FINER TOOTH COMB THAN JUST ASSUMING THAT WE'RE A TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ISSUE WHEN WE'RE CLEARLY NOT, ACCORDING TO THE DATA AVAILABLE.
OUR RECORDS REQUEST SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF NONCOMPLIANCE.
THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE, ISN'T REALLY ENFORCING THINGS OR KEEPING A TRACK OF HOW MANY.
CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT JUST SEEMS LIKE YOU GUYS KIND OF NEED TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE WHAT YOU GOT BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO THROW MORE REGULATIONS AT IT AND THINK THAT THOSE REGULATIONS ARE GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE.
THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER PROBLEMS HERE, INCLUDING OUT-OF-TOWN ACTORS MOSTLY COMING INTO TOWN, AND OUR ABILITY TO ENFORCE THAT AS A CITY NEEDS TO BE CHANGED SO THAT WE CAN OPERATE OUR BUSINESSES WITHOUT GETTING THROWN UNDER THE BUS.
WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING, YOU KNOW, CHANGES IN THE CITY.
WE UNDERSTAND YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE ORDINANCES AND WE'RE ALL FOR THAT, BUT WE'D LIKE TO BE, WE'D LIKE IT TO BE DONE GOING FORWARD WITH THE FACTS AND NOT JUST ASSUMING THAT WE'RE A SAFETY CONGESTION ISSUE WHEN THERE'S OVER 40 INCIDENTS WITH OLD TOWN TROLLEY AND THERE'S OVER, THERE'S ONLY 10 FOR THAT SAME 10 YEARS FOR ALL OF THESE SMALL BUSINESSES COMBINED.
SO WE ARE A VERY SAFE INDUSTRY.
YOU CAN ASK OUR INSURANCE PROVIDER ABOUT THAT AND THAT'S A FACT.
I HAVE ZERO CLAIMS IN 10 YEARS.
AND WE'D LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO GROW OUR BUSINESSES HERE WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, UNLESS IT'S GOING TO BE THERE TO HELP US REGULATE THESE PIRATES FROM OUT OF TOWN.
HEATHER WILSON, FOLLOWED BY CATHERINE ZOTA.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
THE CITY LEASED STABLES ON RIBERIA SEEM TO BE THE GENESIS OF THE FRANCHISE TERMINATION FOR COUNTRY CARRIAGES.
BUT WHEN IS THE LAST TIME THE CITY AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVE LOOKED AT THE OTHER CARRIAGE COMPANIES' HORSES, WHERE THEY ARE STABLED, TO ENSURE THAT WHERE THEY LIVE, IT IS UP TO CITY CODE? WE KNOW AT LEAST ONE COMPANY IS IN VIOLATION.
BROKEN FENCES, STALLS NOT MUCKED, HORSE FECES EVERYWHERE, DEBRIS, FILTH.
NO DRY BEDDING AND NO GRASS TO GRAZE ON.
THESE STABLES ARE ACTUALLY NO BETTER THAN THE ONES ON RIBERIA.
NEXT, ON MAY 31ST, I SUBMITTED AN INQUIRY REGARDING BARBIE WITH COASTAL CARRIAGES.
WE WERE CONCERNED BECAUSE WE HAD NOT SEEN HER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
INSTEAD OF GETTING A PROPER RESPONSE FROM THE CITY, WE WERE MOCKED ON PUBLIC SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES BY A VERY LOUDMOUTHED CARRIAGE DRIVER CLAIMING THAT BARBIE WAS ON VACATION.
WHEN IN FACT BARBIE WAS ON A MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE, SHE HAD A DEEP LACERATION IN HER RIGHT HIND LEG.
YET BARBIE MIRACULOUSLY PASSED A CITY VET EXAM ON MAY 14TH.
JUST AFTER MY INQUIRY, BARBIE WAS SEEN WORKING ON THE 2ND AND 3RD OF JUNE WITH HER WOUND CONCEALED.
ON JUNE 5TH, HER INJURY WAS OPEN AND BLEEDING.
ON JUNE 6TH AND 7TH, SHE WAS BACK OUT WORKING AND FORCED TO PULL HEAVY CARRIAGES.
I'M GOING TO SHOW SOME DOCUMENTATION FROM MY PHONE AND I WILL KEEP TALKING.
PER THE COASTAL CARRIAGE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT, FRANCHISEE AT ALL TIMES SHALL COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT.
AND ALL ANIMALS SHALL BE MAINTAINED AND KEPT IN GOOD HEALTH, CONDITION AND APPEARANCE, AND MUST BE HOUSED AND FED IN CLEAN AND SANITARY CONDITIONS AT ALL TIMES.
FROM ORDINANCE 2026-11, SECTION 14-75, CARE OF ANIMALS.
IN THE EVENT OF AN ALLEGATION OF ANIMAL ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR MISTREATMENT INVOLVING THE FRANCHISEE, THE CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION.
[01:30:01]
PART OF THE FRANCHISEE'S OPERATIONS PENDING THE OUTCOME OF A FORMAL INVESTIGATION.AND NO ANIMAL SHALL BE USED TO DRAW A CARRIAGE UNLESS THE ANIMAL IS KEPT IN GOOD CARE, HEALTH, AND WORKING CONDITION, SHALL NOT HAVE OPEN SORES OR WOUNDS.
SO BASED ON THESE FINDINGS THAT WERE JUST PRESENTED ON MY PHONE, IT IS REASONABLE TO SUSPEND THE FRANCHISE OF COASTAL CARRIAGES PENDING AN INVESTIGATION.
OTHERWISE, THE CITY IS COMPLICIT IN UNFETTERED ANIMAL ABUSE, ANIMAL CRUELTY, AND ANIMAL NEGLECT.
NEXT SPEAKER, CATHERINE ZOTA, FOLLOWED BY DAVE CHATTERTON.
THE CITY CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS FOR THE HORSE CARRIAGE INDUSTRY.
YET RECENT EVENTS HAVE SHOWN THAT THE RISKS AND CRUELTY INHERENT TO THIS INDUSTRY CANNOT BE REGULATED AWAY.
A RECENT HORSE SPOOK INCIDENT ON THE BAYFRONT IS A REMINDER THAT REGARDLESS OF THE REGULATIONS IN PLACE, HORSES ARE POWERFUL PREY ANIMALS.
THEY CAN REACT SUDDENLY AND UNPREDICTABLY WHEN FRIGHTENED.
NO AMOUNT OF REGULATION CAN ELIMINATE THAT RISK.
I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW A VIDEO CLIP OF THE INCIDENT FROM LAST MONTH.
IF YOU CAN JUST RUN IT A LITTLE BIT WHILE I SPEAK, THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.
THAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY HIT THE HORSE.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE DRIVER STATED, YOU CAUSED THIS.
YOU KEPT CHANGING YOUR BANNER.
HE THEN ADDED, THINGS WAVING IN THE WIND SCARE THE HORSE.
THINGS WAVE IN THE WIND EVERY DAY ON CITY STREETS.
IF A WAVING BANNER CAN SPOOK A HORSE, THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE BANNER.
THE PROBLEM IS PUTTING HORSES IN CITY TRAFFIC.
THE CITY CAN WRITE RULES, BUT IT CANNOT REGULATE AWAY THE NATURE OF A HORSE, NOR CAN REGULATIONS CONTROL HUMAN BEHAVIOR.
TIME AND AGAIN, OPERATORS HAVE DEMONSTRATED A DISTURBING DISREGARD FOR ANIMALS THEY PROFIT FROM.
WE HAVE SEEN A CARRIAGE COMPANY OWNER REPEATEDLY STRIKE A HORSE IN THE HEAD.
THIS PHOTO SHOWS THAT INCIDENT.
WE HAVE SEEN A HORSE GO DOWN IN THE STREET AND BE SENT RIGHT BACK TO WORK WITHOUT REST OR EVALUATION.
AND MOST RECENTLY, WE HAVE SEEN A HORSE RETURN TO SERVICE WITH A SIGNIFICANT INJURY CONCEALED FROM PUBLIC VIEW.
THE PUBLIC SEES HORSES ON THE STREET, BUT MUCH OF WHAT THESE HORSES ENDURE OCCURS OUT OF PUBLIC VIEW.
THESE ARE NOT FAILURES OF REGULATION.
THEY ARE THE PREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCES OF USING LIVING ANIMALS AS VEHICLES.
NO REGULATION CAN ELIMINATE THE INHERENT CRUELTY OF THIS INDUSTRY.
THESE HORSES ARE FROM THE RECENT SHUTDOWN COUNTRY CARRIAGE OPERATION.
CURRENT CITY CODE ALLOWS CARRIAGE HORSES TO GO TO SLAUGHTER.
NO HORSE SHOULD SPEND YEARS SERVING THE CITY ONLY TO BE ABANDONED TO A CRUEL AND TERRIFYING END ALLOWING SUCH A PROVISION TO REMAIN IN CITY CODE IS REPREHENSIBLE A PHASE OUT OF HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES IS THE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FORWARD THANK YOU VERY MUCH DAVE CHATTERTON FOLLOWED BY THOMAS REYNOLDS UH DAVE CHATTERTON UH 33 ALISTAIR AVENUE ST AUGUSTINE FLORIDA GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS, AGAIN, DAVE CHATTERTON.
I'M THE GENERAL MANAGER OF OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS IN EPHESON-AUGUSTINE.
I'D FIRST LIKE TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE THOUGHTFUL WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS FRANCHISE ORDINANCE.
WE APPRECIATE THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS AND CREATE A FRAMEWORK THAT SERVES RESIDENTS, VISITORS, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.
I WOULD LIKE TO RESPECTFULLY ADDRESS ONE ASPECT OF THE PROPOSED TIER 2
[01:35:02]
FRANCHISE CATEGORY.AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, TIER 2 WOULD ALLOW UP TO 15 FRANCHISES WITH A MAXIMUM OF THREE VEHICLES PER FRANCHISE.
THAT MEANS 45 ADDITIONAL SLOW-MOVING SIGHTSEEING VEHICLES COULD BE OPERATING WITHIN THE CITY AT ONE TIME.
WHILE WE UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE TO BE A CHRISTIAN, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, WE BELIEVE THIS PROVISION MAY UNINTENTIONALLY WORK AGAINST ONE OF THE CITY'S STATED GOALS, WHICH IS REDUCING TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
THE HISTORIC DISTRICT IS ROUGHLY 20 SQUARE BLOCKS, ADDING UP TO 45 ADDITIONAL SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES INTO THAT AREA.
PARTICULARLY DURING PEAK PERIODS, COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON TRAFFIC FLOW.
DURING EVENTS SUCH AS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, HOLIDAY WEEKENDS, FESTIVALS, AND OTHER BUSY TOURISM PERIODS, IT IS LIKELY THAT MOST OF THESE VEHICLES WOULD BE OPERATING AT THE SAME TIME.
THOSE ARE ALSO THE TIMES WHEN RESIDENTS, VISITORS, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES ALREADY EXPERIENCE THE GREATEST TRAFFIC CHALLENGES.
IN FACT, 45 TIER 2 VEHICLES WOULD EXCEED THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SIGHTSEEING VEHICLES OPERATED BY OLD TOWN TROLLEYS AND THE RED TRAINS COMBINED.
THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL VEHICLES TO INTRODUCE INTO A RELATIVELY SMALL AND HEAVILY TRAVELED AREA.
WE ARE NOT ASKING THAT ANY CURRENT OPERATOR BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
IN FACT, WE WOULD SUPPORT GRANDFATHERING EXISTING BUSINESSES.
THAT CURRENTLY UTILIZE THREE VEHICLES.
HOWEVER, WHEN A FRANCHISE IS TRANSFERRED, SOLD, OR AWARDED TO A NEW OPERATOR IN THE FUTURE, WE RESPECTFULLY SUGGEST THAT IT REVERT TO A MAXIMUM OF TWO VEHICLES RATHER THAN THREE.
THIS APPROACH WOULD ALLOW CURRENT BUSINESSES TO CONTINUE OPERATING AS THEY DO TODAY WHILE GRADUALLY REDUCING THE MAXIMUM POTENTIAL NUMBER OF TIER TWO VEHICLES FROM 45 TO 30 OVER TIME.
IT IS A BALANCED SOLUTION THAT SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES AND WHILE HELPING THE CITY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS THOMAS REYNOLDS, FOLLOWED BY AMANDA GERBER.
TOM REYNOLDS, 280 LASSA COMMON CIRCLE, SA 32084. WHAT THIS IS, FOLKS, IS THIS IS A COPY OF THE EMAIL THAT I SENT CITY ATTORNEY ISABEL CHRISTINE LOPEZ, FLORIDA BAR NUMBER 89818 ON MAY 20TH.
AND IN THIS, I OUTLINE THE SCIENTIFIC FACTS ABOUT HORSES, HEAT AND SHADE, EXTREME THERMOREGULATION STRESS, HORSES.
PASSIONATES POSSESS A LARGE BODY MASS AND THICK COATS, MEANING THEY ABSORB HEAT RAPIDLY BUT LOSE IT VERY SLOWLY.
UNLIKE HUMANS, THEIR INTERNAL COOLING MECHANISMS FALL QUICKLY UNDER EXTREME HEAT.
ALSO THE ASPHALT AFFICTIATION, 90-DEGREE DAY.
90-DEGREE DAY MEANS 150-DEGREE PAVEMENT HEAT FOR THE HORSES.
THE OPTION OF SHADE IS MANDATORY.
EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS THERE'S NO SHADE FOR THOSE HORSES.
8 TO 20 GALLONS OF CLEAN WATER DURING THESE HEAT.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THAT WAS LIABILITY FOR CUSTODIANS AND OWNERS.
MISDEMEANOR ANIMAL CRUELTY VERSUS...
FELONY AGGRAVATED CRUELTY, HOW CODE NONCOMPLIANCE BECOMES A FELONY, STRICT FELONY PENALTIES IN FLORIDA, AND SEVERE ABUSE OF HORSES IS A SECOND DEGREE FELONY.
NOW, COMMISSIONERS, I KNOW YOU KNOW ALL THESE THINGS, SO I'VE LISTED YOU FIVE AS WITNESSES, AND IT'S PRETTY SAFE TO SAY IT'S JUST SIMPLE.
I JUST PUT DOWN EVERYTHING THAT'S THE TRUTH.
THAT YOU KNOW THERE'S NO SHADE.
YOU KNOW THERE'S NOT ENOUGH WATER.
THOSE DIRTY LITTLE GALLON BUCKETS OF WATER WITH AN OIL SLICK ON IT.
I PUT DOWN THAT YOU'VE SEEN ALL THE VIDEOS.
[01:40:02]
YOU KNOW OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS.SO I HAVE TO GO AFTER SOMEBODY WHO'S REALLY ALLOWING ALL THIS, AND THAT WAS THE CITY ATTORNEY.
ALSO, FOLKS, THE LARGE LITTLE GENTLEMAN THAT SPOKE UP HERE AND SAID THAT THE HORSE WAS SPOOKED.
WELL, I WAS THERE AND THE HORSE WAS SPOOKED BECAUSE IT WAS VERY WINDY AND THE HORSE WAS SPOOKED BECAUSE OF THE WIND.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAT WHEN HE DROPPED PEOPLE OFF 17 MINUTES.
I GOT IT ON MY BODY CAM BEFORE HE GOT HIS SELF OFF THE CARRIAGE AND GAVE THE HORSE WATER.
THE MAN IS A DISGRACE, AND THOSE FLAGS WERE NOT IN THE GROUNDS.
AMANDA GERBER, FOLLOWED BY LLOYD PIERCE.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK, AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION UP TODAY AND EVERY JUNE FOR EVERY YEAR.
AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE TIER TWO GOLF CARTS.
I HAVE BEEN, I AM THE OWNER OF PANDA TAURUS, AND I HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR FIVE YEARS.
AND MOST OF ALL THE GOLF CARTS ARE ACTUALLY ELECTRIC.
ALL THE PEDICABS ARE ECO-FRIENDLY AS WELL.
SO THAT DOES SAVE A LOT OF POLLUTION FROM COMING ONTO OUR STREETS.
AND THE ONE THING THAT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT IS THE INSURANCE.
THE INSURANCE, THE $1 MILLION COMBINED IS EXTREMELY HIGH.
THAT IS THE HIGHEST IN THE STATE.
THERE IS NO OTHER CITY RIGHT NOW THAT EVEN REQUIRES SOMETHING THAT HIGH.
THE ONLY THING CLOSE TO IT IS MIAMI, AND THAT'S $500,000.
RIGHT NOW, THE CITY REQUIRES $300,000 GENERAL LIABILITY.
THEY DON'T EVEN REQUIRE COMMERCIAL AUTO INSURANCE, WHICH IS WHAT WE NEED.
BY STATE, THE STATE DOES REQUIRE IT.
I WOULD REALLY PREFER IF WE CAN TRY TO GO TO THE STATE MINIMUM OF WHAT THE STATE REQUIRES.
GAINESVILLE, TAMPA, JACKSONVILLE, ORLANDO, THEY ALL, THE ONLY REQUIREMENTS THEY HAVE IS STATE MINIMUM.
AND WE ARE A MUCH SMALLER CITY.
MY GOLF CART CAN'T EVEN GET TO LIKE 20 MILES PER HOUR.
WITH PEOPLE, IT CAN GET TO 10 MILES AT THE MOST.
AND IN THE MAJORITY OF ALL THE YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN COMBINED, WE'VE REALLY HAD NO INCIDENCES OR ACCIDENTS.
SO AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK, AND I DO APPRECIATE YOU GIVING ME THE TIME TO SPEAK.
LLOYD PIERCE, FOLLOWED BY VICKI PEPPER.
BUT ANYWAYS, MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THIS.
I AM ONE OF THE OWNERS OF ONE OF THE TIER TWO COMPANIES, OKAY? BOTTOM LINE IS THIS, WE'RE TRYING TO ACTUALLY GET MORE OF A PERSONAL VIEW OF THE CITY, MORE OF A FAMILY VIEW OF THE CITY LIKE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
I WAS NOT GOING TO GET PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE STATEMENTS TONIGHT, BUT I GUESS I'M GOING TO HAVE TO NOW THAT SOME OF THEM WERE ALREADY MADE.
AS A TIER TWO OWNER, THREE VEHICLES WILL ROUGHLY BE ABOUT 60 FEET LONG.
IF I PUT THE MAX ON THERE, WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT 10 PEOPLE.
THAT'S ROUGHLY ABOUT 30 PEOPLE.
IF I DO ONE OLD TOWN TROLLEY OR ONE RIPLEY'S, THAT IS 58 TO 60 FEET LONG.
I'M DOING 30 AND HALF THE SIZE, 30 FEET, 60 FEET.
NOW, IF YOU TAKE CASARENA, THE RESTAURANT, OR BASICALLY HARRY'S THAT WE'RE COMMONLY KNOWN WITH, ALL THE WAY TO WHERE THE CURVE IS AT.
WHERE THE RIVER IN FORD IS NOW AT, THAT'S ROUGHLY 3,000 FEET, MAYBE 2,800 FEET.
WHEN YOU TAKE 68 TROLLEYS OR 68 TRAINS AND YOU PUT THEM BACK TO BACK, THAT'S ABOUT 10 UNITS IN THERE.
THEY JUST SAID THAT THEY GOT 16 OF THOSE VEHICLES OUT ON THE STREET AT ONE TIME.
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE YOU REDUCING TRAFFIC LIKE THAT? NIGHTS OF LIGHTS IS A VERY, VERY BUSY SEASON FOR THIS CITY.
MAKES A LOT OF MONEY FOR EVERYBODY, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BEING HERE FOR 70-SOMETHING YEARS, BECAUSE I WAS BORN HERE IN ST.
AUGUSTINE, I HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY HERE, BURYING MOST OF THESE CEMETERIES BACK IN THE 1500S.
I HAVE A LOT INVESTED IN THIS TOWN AS A PERSONAL FAMILY MEMBER.
I MIGHT NOT LIVE HERE BECAUSE I CAN'T REALLY AFFORD $10,000 A YEAR IN PROPERTY TAXES, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
IT'S A PRICE OF DOING BUSINESS.
BUT I DO HAVE 10 ACRES, A 3,000-SQUARE-FOOT HOME, 85 MILES WEST OF TOWN.
THAT'S MY 40 MINUTES OR 60 MINUTES FROM BROADWAY.
[01:45:01]
IN THE 1920S.BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THIS SITUATION RIGHT NOW, TRAFFIC.
SITUATION, LIFE, 18 PEOPLE SEVERELY HURT, OKAY, BECAUSE OF A PERSON THAT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE AND CREATES A PROBLEM.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING THAT'S OUT OF CHARACTER.
BEEN THAT WAY FOR ALMOST TWO AND A HALF, THREE YEARS NOW, FOUR YEARS.
SO WHERE DO WE GO? WE'VE GOT THE TECHNOLOGY, LIKE I SAID ONCE BEFORE TO SOME OF YOU PRIVATELY.
YOU CANNOT HAVE A MONOPOLY IN THIS TOWN.
JUDGE GREEN, 1986, MADE THAT RULING.
SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO HERE IS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE EASIER AND A LITTLE BIT MORE PRODUCTIVE AND HOPEFULLY ACTUALLY HELP THIS CITY PLUS THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME HERE.
YOU GUYS ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TALK TO ME ANYTIME YOU WANT.
NEXT SPEAKER IS VICKI PEPPER, FOLLOWED BY B.J.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
I LIVE IN HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN ST.
AUGUSTINE, AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY.
OUR INFORMAL INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP GRATIFIES ST.
AUGUSTINE'S COMMUNITY CONVERSATION EFFORT, AND CARE'S PURPOSE IS TO SERVE BLACK AND OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN ST.
JOHNS COUNTY BY IDENTIFYING RESOURCES, INCLUDING FUNDING SOURCES, AND LINKING THEM WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THANK YOU FOR THIS YEAR'S PRIDE PROCLAMATION.
WE HOPE THAT IT WON'T BE OUR LAST.
AS A PARTING SHOT IN HIS CULTURE WARS CAMPAIGN, OUR LAME DUCK GOVERNOR SIGNED THE ILL-CONCEIVED AND MEAN-SPIRITED SB 1134, WHICH IS INTENDED TO INTIMIDATE LOCAL FLORIDA GOVERNMENTS AND PREVENT THEM FROM EXPENDING FUNDS OR TAKING ANY ACTIONS HE CONSIDERS TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.
FORTUNATELY, FLORIDA HOUSE SPEAKER PEREZ HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT AS AMENDED, THIS PERNICIOUS LAW DOES NOT PROHIBIT CITIZEN FESTIVALS AND PARADES.
EVEN IF GOVERNMENT PERMITS ARE REQUIRED.
LET'S HOPE THAT IN NEXT YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WE'RE ABLE TO GET THIS UGLY LAW FURTHER AMENDED, IF NOT REPEALED.
BECAUSE DESPITE THE POLARIZED ATMOSPHERE RAMPANT IN THIS COUNTRY UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, CARE SEEKS TO HELP BUILD THE BELOVED COMMUNITY THAT REVEREND DR.
ENVISIONED FOR OUR NATION, RIGHT HERE IN ST.
KING ENVISIONED IS AN INCLUSIVE, CONNECTED SOCIETY.
DRIVEN BY UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, JUSTICE, AND NON-VIOLENCE.
EVERYONE IS TREATED WITH INHERENT DIGNITY AND CONFLICTS ARE RESOLVED PEACEFULLY WITHOUT BITTERNESS.
AUGUSTINE BECOMING A COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY, AS ROBIN THOMAS OF COMPASSIONATE ST.
AUGUSTINE USUALLY REMINDS US, SO I HOPE SHE'S OKAY SINCE I DON'T SEE HER TONIGHT, IT'S A GOOD START ON BECOMING THAT BELOVED COMMUNITY.
SO IS TODAY'S PRIDE PROCLAMATION, WHICH REFLECTS THE THE INCLUSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF LGBTQIA PLUS PEOPLE IS VALUED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
UNFORTUNATELY, IF THE HATRED AND VENOM BEING SPEWED HERE AND ON LOCAL ONLINE PLATFORMS IS ANY INDICATION, WE'VE STILL GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO BECAUSE MEMBERS OF THE BELOVED COMMUNITY TREAT ONE ANOTHER WITH KINDNESS AND RESPECT.
I DO NOT SEE OR FEEL KINDNESS OR RESPECT TOWARD YOU OR OUR LGBTQIA PLUS FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN MANY REMARKS TODAY.
I UNDERSTAND MANY OPPONENTS OF LGBTQIA PLUS RIGHTS CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIAN.
WELL, I'VE STUDIED THE LIFE AND TRIED TO FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST FOR MOST OF MY LIFE, AND I REALLY DON'T RECOGNIZE THIS HATRED IN JESUS' LIFE AND WORDS, BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST MADE A POINT OF ENGAGING, PRIORITIZING, AND ELEVATING HISTORICALLY OUTCAST AND MARGINALIZED PEOPLE IN HIS TIME.
HE DELIBERATELY CROSSED SOCIAL BOUNDARIES OF HIS TIME TO UPLIFT, ADVOCATE FOR, AND INCLUDE.
SOCIETY'S MOST VULNERABLE GROUPS.
JESUS TEACHES US TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES.
WHATEVER OUR FAITH TRADITIONS, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON OUR COMMUNITY, OPEN OUR MINDS, AND SOFTEN OUR HEARTS SO ONE DAY WE'LL WELCOME ALL NEIGHBORS.
AS VALUED MEMBERS OF OUR BELOVED COMMUNITY.
MS. KALEIDI, LAST SPEAKER OF THE NIGHT.
USUALLY, FOLKS, IT DOESN'T LAST TWO HOURS, BUT EVERYONE NEEDS TO SPEAK.
WHEN ONE READS THE REVISED STRATEGIC PLAN, THERE IS NO MENTION THAT ELECTED POLITICIANS ARE THERE TO, QUOTE, TAKE CARE OF MY PEOPLE, END QUOTE.
CITY POLITICIANS OVER THE YEARS HAVE FAILED TO COLLECT PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES FROM FLAGLER COLLEGE.
YET OUR PROPERTY TAXES PAY THREE SENIOR STAFF OVER SIX MONTHS.
$654,000 PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS FOR THEIR SALARIES.
[01:50:01]
OTHER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES VOTE? IN NOVEMBER FOR THE PROPERTY TAX REFORM.IT'S A SHAME THE MEDIA HAVE ALREADY BEGUN SCARE TACTICS ABOUT THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION PROPOSAL.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE INDIVIDUALS DRIVING OFF US 1 AT MALAGA CONTINUE TO BACK UP TRAFFIC SO THEY CAN TURN EAST ON VALENCIA AS THEY VIOLATE THE POSTED LAW.
10A, MARKER AT HURSTON PARK, US 1 AND KING STREET.
OF AN EMAIL THAT GERALD EUBANKS SENT TO MS. JENNIFER WOLF IN JULY 2016.
QUOTE, I WAS NOT THERE, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NAME OF ZORA NEALE HURSTON WAS CHOSEN.
WELL, THAT IS A DISGRACE TO THE LEGITIMATE HISTORY OF THE CITY AND COUNTY.
SHE HAD NO SIGNIFICANT NOR HONORABLE CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
THAT DESERVES HISTORIC RECOGNITION.
IT IS SAD WHEN PEOPLE WHO ARE NATIVE OR LONGTIME RESIDENTS AND CULTURALLY, ETHNICALLY CONNECTED ARE ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY-RELEVANT PROJECTS AND ARE DISREGARDED.
QUESTION, WILL THE ANDERSONS PAY FOR THE SIGN THAT WILL BE PUT IN THAT? THANKS.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
THAT'S THE END OF PUBLIC COMMENT.MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES A REMINDER OF THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES WHICH ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING ON JULY 13TH. ORDINANCE 2026-10 AMENDING THE VEHICLE FOR HIRE ORDINANCE AND ORDINANCE 2026-11 AMENDING THE FRANCHISE ORDINANCE.
WE HAVE A REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETINGS THE JUNE 22ND 5 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND THE JULY 13TH 3 P.M.
SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING AND JULY 13TH 5 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE APRIL 13TH REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, THE APRIL 27TH REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND THE MAY 11TH SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION 2026-30 WHICH PROCLAIMS JULY 4TH 2026 AS THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE SPONSORED BY MAYOR NANCY SYKES-KLEIN.
AND WE HAVE THE UPDATED STRATEGIC PLAN WITH REVISIONS.
AND THAT CONCLUDES THE CONSENT AGENDA.
COMMISSIONERS, ANYONE HAVE COMMENTS, CHANGES? OKAY.
I MOVE WE PASS THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
[7.A. General Public Presentations]
AYE.WE'LL MOVE ON TO GENERAL PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS.
WE HAVE ONE TONIGHT AND THAT IS THE ST.
JOHN'S COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE AND WE WILL HEAR A REPORT ON THE PIT DATA.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM CONTINUUM OF CARE.
HOW DO I GET MY PRESENTATION UP? FANCY.
AND THEN DOES THIS JUST AUTOMATICALLY? NO, I MEANT THE TIME.
IT'S 10 MINUTES, RIGHT? OKAY, I JUST WANTED TO DOUBLE CHECK.
HI, MY NAME IS HANNAH EVANS. I AM WITH THE ST.
CAN YOU MOVE YOUR MICROPHONE UP? I AM SO SORRY.
I AM THE HMIS PROGRAM COORDINATOR WITH THE ST.
THAT'S THE HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS. SO THIS IS THE POINT IN TIME COUNT DATA.
SO THIS YEAR OUR POINT IN TIME COUNT WAS JANUARY 26TH.
THAT'S THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 26TH.
SO THE POINT IN TIME COUNT CONSISTS OF SHELTERED AND UNSHELTERED.
OUR COMMUNITY OPTS TO DO SHELTERED EVERY YEAR, BUT IT'S OPTIONAL.
IT'S ONLY REQUIRED EVERY OTHER YEAR.
SO THIS JUST KIND OF OUTLINES WHAT IS SHELTERED VERSUS UNSHELTERED.
SO THIS KIND OF GOES OVER WHAT CHANGED FROM 2025 TO 2026.
WE IMPLEMENTED A NEW SOFTWARE.
[01:55:01]
THIS YEAR ALSO OUR COLD NIGHT SHELTER WAS OPEN WHICH IN PREVIOUS YEARS IT HAS NOT BEEN AND THEN WE UPDATED PIT METHODOLOGY TO STRENGTHEN VOLUNTEER COORDINATION SO ESSENTIALLY THAT'S JUST INCLUDING VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY WORKED WITH THE POINT IN TIME COUNT OR WHO WORK WITH THE HOMELESS POPULATION.SO THIS IS JUST SOME OVERALL SURVEY STATS.
SO OVERALL, 344 SURVEYS WERE SUBMITTED.
OF THOSE, 271 SURVEYS COUNTED TOWARDS THE FINAL POINT-IN-TIME COUNT.
OUR CONTINUUM, OUR COMMUNITY, WE HAVE 100, OR I'M SORRY, WE HAVE OPTIONAL SURVEY QUESTIONS, SO THOSE ARE NOT REQUIRED BY HUD, AND OF THOSE, 154 INDIVIDUALS ANSWERED THOSE SURVEY QUESTIONS.
I ALSO INCLUDED DUPLICATE SURVEY NUMBERS AND THEN OBSERVATIONAL.
SO 89 DUPLICATE SURVEYS, AND OF THOSE, 39 WERE COUNTED.
AND THEN 11 OBSERVATIONAL, AND AN OBSERVATIONAL SURVEY ESSENTIALLY IS JUST YOU DON'T INTERACT WITH THAT PERSON.
SO THOSE WE DID, ONLY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS COULD RECORD AN OBSERVATIONAL SURVEY.
SO THIS IS OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER LOCATIONS AND OUR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOCATIONS.
SO EMERGENCY SHELTERS, PORT IN THE STORM, ST.
FRANCIS HOUSE, BETTY GRIFFIN CENTER, AND THEN THE COLD NIGHT SHELTER.
AND THEN THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOCATIONS WAS ALPHA OMEGA, HOME AGAIN, HOMELESS COALITION, AND THEN BETTY GRIFFIN.
SO THEN THIS JUST KIND OF SHOWS OUR SHELTERED VERSUS UNSHELTERED COUNT THROUGH THE YEARS.
SO FOR 2026, WE OVERALL WAS 367.
FOR SHELTERED, THE NUMBER WAS 177, UNSHELTERED WAS 190, WHICH WAS AN INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR OF 133.
BUT SHELTERED DID GO DOWN FROM LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS 183.
HOWEVER, OVERALL FROM 2022, THERE HAS BEEN A GENERAL DECLINE.
SO THEN THIS JUST KIND OF SHOWS SOME GENERAL DEMOGRAPHICS IN TERMS OF RACE AND ETHNICITY.
SO FROM THIS OVERWHELMINGLY THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SELF-REPORTED AS WHITE, WHICH WAS 247 INDIVIDUALS.
SORRY, I KNOW THAT'S KIND OF SMALL.
AND THEN 80 INDIVIDUALS REPORTED AS BLACK.
SO THEN THIS JUST KIND OF SHOWS THE DISTRIBUTION OF AGES OVER THE YEARS.
SO OUR YOUTH POPULATION DECREASED FROM 39.
INDIVIDUALS IN 2024 TO 27 IN 2025.
OUR AGING POPULATION INCREASED FROM 68 IN 2024 TO 112 IN 2025 AND THEN TO 116 IN 2026.
AND THEN WE LUMPED THE ADULT POPULATION SO THAT WOULD JUST BE EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN YOUTH AND AGING AND AGING WAS 55 AND OLDER.
SO THE ADULT POPULATION HAS INCREASED.
SO THEN THIS IS JUST A COMPARISON OF ADULT ONLY VERSUS ADULT WITH CHILDREN HOUSEHOLDS.
IN OUR COMMUNITY, OVERWHELMINGLY ADULT ONLY HOUSEHOLDS HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
AND THEN THIS IS JUST ONLY WITHIN THE POINT IN TIME COUNT.
SO AGAIN, THIS IS JUST ONLY ONE NIGHT.
BUT SO OVERALL THIS YEAR, 286 INDIVIDUALS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE IN AN ADULT ONLY HOUSEHOLD WHEREAS 25 INDIVIDUALS WERE AN ADULT CHILD HOUSEHOLD HOWEVER LAST YEAR THERE WAS 38 UM THAT WERE AN ADULT CHILD HOUSEHOLD SO THEN THIS IS OUR SPECIAL POPULATIONS NUMBER UM VETERANS THE INCREASE THIS YEAR WAS DUE TO THE INCLUSION OF HOME AGAIN.
SO THAT'S WHY THERE'S A DRASTIC INCREASE.
HOWEVER, THE NIGHT OF THE POINT-IN-TIME COUNT, OUR VETERANS LIST WAS AT, LIKE, 13 FOR OUR BY-NAME LIST.
SO THAT'S JUST EVERYBODY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WHO'S CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND WE KEEP RECORD OF THAT.
SO ON THE NIGHT OF THE POINT-IN-TIME COUNT, OUR VETERANS LIST WAS AT, LIKE, 13.
AND THEN SURVIVORS OF DV THIS YEAR, AGAIN, THIS IS ALL SELF-REPORTED.
[02:00:02]
SO LAST YEAR, THAT NUMBER WAS 78.AND THEN INDIVIDUALS WITH INCOME, 75 INDIVIDUALS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD INCOME, 75 INDIVIDUALS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD NO INCOME, AND THEN 150 INDIVIDUALS DID NOT ANSWER OR LEFT BLANK.
SO THIS WAS ONE OF THE COMMUNITY QUESTIONS.
SO THIS WAS AN OPTIONAL QUESTION THAT THEY WERE NOT REQUIRED TO ANSWER.
AND THEN THIS IS FURTHER BROKEN DOWN BETWEEN BENEFITS AND EMPLOYMENT INCOME.
SO THIS JUST KIND OF SHOWS HOW LIKE THE PERCENT, THE AMOUNT, THE PERCENTAGE OF THE AMOUNT THAT THEY GET PER MONTH.
SORRY, THAT WAS KIND OF A MOUTHFUL.
SO 28 INDIVIDUALS REPORTED BENEFITS INCOME AND THEN 47 INDIVIDUALS REPORTED EMPLOYMENT INCOME.
SO THEN THIS JUST FURTHER SHOWS DEMOGRAPHICS, 132 WOMEN VERSUS 235 MEN.
SO THEN IT JUST KIND OF SHOWS WHAT IS CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.
I COULD READ IT ALL, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I DON'T KNOW IF, OKAY.
SO THEN THIS IS JUST OUR CHRONIC NUMBERS OVER THE YEARS.
WE HAD 41 INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE CALCULATED AS CHRONIC.
SO THAT, I'M JUST GOING TO GO BACK REALLY QUICK.
CHRONIC, THERE'S LIKE A WHOLE, IN ORDER TO BE CALCULATED AS CHRONIC, THEY HAVE TO HAVE A WHOLE, I GUESS, NOT SLEW OF THINGS, BUT IT'S JUST KIND OF, THEY HAVE TO HAVE CERTAIN THINGS IN ORDER TO QUALIFY AS CHRONIC.
THEN CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS, THIS IS ANOTHER COMMUNITY QUESTION THAT WE ASKED.
RESPONSES AND OF THESE 50 HAD MULTIPLE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
SO IT KIND OF BETWEEN RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN, FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN, AND LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THEY'RE ALL KIND OF SIMILAR IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGE.
RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN IS 27%, FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN IS 23%, AND LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS 23.2.
AND THEN OF THOSE 89 INDIVIDUALS INDICATED IT WAS THEIR FIRST TIME EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
SO THEN THIS JUST FURTHER BREAKS THIS DOWN INTO WHAT THESE 89 INDIVIDUALS SAID WAS THEIR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THEIR HOMELESSNESS.
AND OF THOSE, 42% SAID IT WAS RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN.
SO THEN LENGTH OF TIME FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO REPORTED IT WAS THEIR FIRST EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS.
SO THIS OVERWHELMINGLY, THESE INDIVIDUALS REPORTED ONLY ONE MONTH.
SO THEN THIS WAS THE BY NAME LIST THAT I HAD MENTIONED.
SO THIS IS, WE KEEP A LIST OF ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY WHO WE KNOW OF WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
SO ON THE NIGHT OF THE POINT IN TIME COUNT, THERE WERE 170 INDIVIDUALS ON OUR BY NAME LIST.
OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, ONLY 47 COMPLETED THE SURVEY.
THIS WAS PUT IN HERE IN ORDER TO LIKE LOOK FOR NEXT YEAR ON WHAT CAN WE DO IN ORDER TO INCLUDE THESE INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE WE CONTACTED ALL OF THEM.
THIS WAS JUST MORE SO TO KIND OF SHOW THAT.
SO HEALTH INCOMES, THIS GOES OVER PHYSICAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, SPECIAL EDUCATION, DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE.
INDEPENDENCE AND HIV-AIDS. 87 OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO REPORTED THAT THEY USED SUBSTANCES 33 INDICATED THAT THEIR SUBSTANCE USE BEGAN AS A RESULT OF THEIR HOMELESSNESS.
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME QUESTION.
COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? SORRY, I KNOW I WENT REALLY FAST.
THAT WAS A LOT OF INFORMATION FOR A SHORT TIME.
THE STATISTICS FOR THE ADULT WITH CHILDREN WAS PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL TO ME.
DOES THAT INDICATE THAT WE HAVE MORE SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH CHILDREN THAN WE DO FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE JUST ADULTS? I MEAN, I WOULD SAY THAT...
SO IT WAS ADULTS ONLY HAD THE HIGHER NUMBERS.
[02:05:01]
SO THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND HOUSING.I MEAN, IT MIGHT JUST BE THAT LESS.
ADULTS WITH CHILDREN PRESENTED ON THE DAY OF THE PICK COUNT OR THAT THERE ARE THEN ADULTS ONLY THAT THERE'S MORE ADULTS ONLY THAN CHILDREN AND NOT NECESSARILY THAT THERE'S MORE SERVICES BUT I DO BELIEVE OVERALL UM THAT I DON'T WANT TO LIKE SAY THAT THERE'S MORE SERVICES IT SEEMED IT SEEMED LIKE A PRETTY BIG NUMBER DIFFERENCE YEAH THAT AND THE REASONS WOULD ALL BE THE SAME FOR SOMEONE TO GO TO BE HOMELESS WITH CHILDREN OR WITHOUT YOU YEAH.
SO I'M JUST CURIOUS WHY THAT NUMBER IS SO LOW WITH ADULTS WITH CHILDREN.
NOT SO LOW, BUT I MEAN LOWER THAN THE ADULTS.
I KNOW WE DO HAVE A LOT OF SERVICES IN TOWN THAT ONLY FOCUS ON FAMILIES.
SO MAYBE THAT IS PART OF THAT REASON.
SO WE COULD EXTRAPOLATE THEN THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE SERVICES MORE JUST FOR ADULTS.
BUT I KNOW THEY'RE MORE DIFFICULT TO GET IN.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? NO, I JUST THOUGHT WHAT STRUCK OUT, WELL, THANK YOU, NUMBER ONE.
AND NUMBER TWO, I MEAN, IT'S STILL ABOUT 20% OF THE PEOPLE SAID IT WAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAS THE REASON, WHICH WAS A LITTLE LOWER THAN I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR REPORT.
I JUST WANT TO KIND OF GO OVER.
WHAT THE CAUSES WAS THE LACK OF INCOME, LOSS OF JOBS, WERE THOSE LIKE THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS? I CAN BRING IT BACK UP IF YOU NEED ME TO.
BUT YEAH, I WANT TO SAY IT WAS RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN.
YEAH, THEY WERE WITHIN WHEN A SURVEYOR WENT OFF TO AN INDIVIDUAL.
THERE'S LIKE IN PARENTHESES, LIKE EXAMPLES OF WHAT THEY MIGHT BE.
THEY JUST WEREN'T INCLUDED IN THAT BECAUSE THERE'S.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WAS ONE, AND I WANT TO SAY THAT WAS WITHIN RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL.
I'VE BEEN ON THE COMMISSION, THIS IS MY SIXTH YEAR, AND EACH YEAR IT HELPS TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING.
I THINK USEFUL INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO TARGET, YOU KNOW, THE NEEDS.
BY CATEGORY AND WHATEVER ELSE TO TRY TO REDUCE THIS ISSUE AS OPPOSED TO CONTINUING TO LET IT GROW.
I THINK IT'S GOOD INFORMATION AND I HOPE THAT YOU'LL CONTINUE TO COME.
AND DO THE REPORT OUT SO THAT THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE AN IDEA.
IT CONTINUES TO BE A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, AND WE APPRECIATE THE WORK OF ALL THOSE AGENCIES THAT WORK TOGETHER IN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE
[8.A.1. Ordinance 2026-14: Amendments to anchoring and mooring of vessels to conform with updates to state statute (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]
TO END HOMELESSNESS.WE DO HAVE A SECOND READING AND THAT IS.
ORDINANCE 2026-14, AND THAT IS THE ATTORNEY LOPEZ.
MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, BEFORE YOU IS ORDINANCE 2026-14 REGARDING ANCHORING AND MOORING OF VESSELS.
AS I MENTIONED AT THE FIRST READING, THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE'S MARINA WAS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF MARINAS THAT WERE PART OF PILOT PROJECTS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
AND THE STATE WANTED TO UTILIZE THESE PILOT PROJECTS TO COME UP WITH STATEWIDE REGULATIONS.
WELL, THEY'VE DONE THAT, AND THEREFORE OUR ORDINANCE NEEDS TO FOLLOW THE PREEMPTIONS THAT INEVITABLY COME WITH STATE REGULATION, RIGHT? WE KNOW THIS.
AND ALSO INCLUDE ANY AREAS THAT AREN'T PREEMPTED.
SO THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE PREEMPTED BY STATE LAW, AND SO I HAD TO REMOVE THOSE FROM OUR ORDINANCE.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT ARE NOT PREEMPTED, AND SO THOSE STAYED.
I DID ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SORT OF REALLY GO INTO A BIGGER DETAIL ON THE FACT THAT THE CITY OWNS ITS SUBMERGED LANDS, THAT IT HAS PROPRIETARY INTERESTS IN THEM BEYOND JUST THE ABILITY TO REGULATE AS A JURISDICTION.
SO THAT, IN A NUTSHELL, IS WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN THIS ORDINANCE.
I'M CERTAINLY AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THIS IS A SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.
SO WE WILL GO AHEAD AND GO TO PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS.
DOES ANYONE WISH TO SPEAK ON THE MATTER?
[02:10:04]
HEARING NO ONE.TO THE COMMISSION FOR DISCUSSION COMMISSIONERS YEAH I THINK UM I THINK WE KIND OF COVERED IT AT THE LAST HEARING WHY WE'RE DOING IT UM AND WHY IT'S NECESSARY SO I WOULD BE WILLING TO MAKE A MOTION UNLESS SOMEBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT MORE NO NO PLEASE OKAY SO I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2026-14 AS READ BY TITLE.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-14, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 7, ARTICLE 5, SECTION 7-93 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR ANCHORING AND MOORING TO CONFORM WITH UPDATES TO STATE STATUTE, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[Items 9.A.1 & 9.A.2]
CYNTHIA GARRIS? YES.ALL RIGHT, NEXT UP, WE DO HAVE TWO ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING, WHICH THERE IS NO PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED, HENCE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
ORDINANCE 2026-10, AMENDING VEHICLES FOR HIRE, CHAPTER 27 ORDINANCE, AND THAT IS MR. FRANKLIN, THERE YOU ARE.
MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, RUBEN FRANKLIN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF BOTH ORDINANCES AND THEN WE CAN FALL BACK TO THE FIRST ONE FOR MORE DISCUSSION? YES, LET'S DO THAT REFRESHER.
OKAY, SO WE HAD ON MAY 8TH A ROBUST WORKSHOP HERE IN THE ALCAZAR ROOM AND WE DISCUSSED THE TWO CHAPTERS.
THAT ARE FOR FIRST READING TONIGHT, VEHICLES FOR HIRE, WHICH IS CHAPTER 27, AND FRANCHISES, WHICH IS CHAPTER 14.
AND WE TOOK YOUR INPUT FROM THAT WORKSHOP, AND WE'VE MADE THE CHANGES TO BOTH ORDINANCES.
AND I HIGHLIGHTED IN THE MEMO WHERE THOSE CHANGES ARE AND WHAT SECTION THEY CAN BE FOUND IN.
AND WE CAN STILL HAVE DISCUSSION OVER CHANGES TO THAT.
IF WE GET PUSHED TO SECOND READING, WE WOULD HAVE SECOND READING.
I'M ANTICIPATING BRINGING THAT BACK JULY 13TH.
SPECIFICALLY FOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE, WE DID SET THE LIMITS FOR PEDICAB OPERATORS.
SO IN THIS ORDINANCE, WE HAVE A LIMIT OF 15 OPERATORS AND TWO CABS PER OPERATOR.
WE SET MORE RESTRICTIVE NOISE REGULATIONS BASED ON FEEDBACK.
WE BASICALLY SAID NO MUSIC OR LOUD NOISE IS ALLOWED FOR PEDICABS.
WE REVISED THE PENALTY SECTION FOR THE VEHICLES FOR HIRE.
IT IS MORE SIMILAR TO THE FRANCHISES, BUT WE STREAMLINED BOTH PENALTIES FOR FRANCHISES AND VEHICLES FOR HIRE.
BASICALLY, YOU GET A FIRST WRITTEN OFFICIAL WARNING IS THE FIRST PENALTY.
THE SECOND PENALTY IS A $500 FINE.
THIRD PENALTY WITHIN A 12-MONTH PERIOD GETS YOU A HEARING IN FRONT OF THE CITY COMMISSION TO GO OVER WHETHER OR NOT A SUSPENSION IS IN ORDER FOR THE OPERATOR.
AND IF YOU HAVE FOUR IN THAT TIME PERIOD, YOU COME BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION TO SEE IF A LONGER SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION IS REQUIRED.
SIMPLIFIED IT, BUT WE ADDED THE WRITTEN WARNING.
WE INCREASED THE PENALTY TO, IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS $500 NOW.
AND THEN A HEARING WITH THE CITY COMMISSION.
WE ALSO INCLUDED EXCLUSION AREAS FOR NEIGHBORHOODS.
THAT'S UNDER SECTION 27-63, RESTRICTED AREAS.
WE SET INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.
AT THE WORKSHOP, WE HAD SET A MILLION DOLLAR COMBINED AND THAT WE WERE GOING TO MAKE THAT FOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE, TIER TWO, AND THE HORSE CARRIAGE FRANCHISES.
THIS IS AN AREA THAT I HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF FEEDBACK ON.
AND I EXPECT WE HAVE SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
AND THEN WE INCLUDED A CODE OF CONDUCT, WHICH WAS ASKED US TO DO AT THE WORKSHOP.
THAT WAS SECTION 27-33 FOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE.
IT'S THE SAME CODE OF CONDUCT IN BOTH CHAPTERS.
WE DID RECEIVE A LETTER FROM A LOCAL ATTORNEY IN TOWN CITING FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUES.
OR CONCERNS WITH THE CODE OF CONDUCT.
SO I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT WITH THE COMMISSION.
[02:15:02]
CHANGES FOR THE VEHICLE FOR HIRE ORDINANCE.IF I JUMP TO FRANCHISES, WHAT WE DID IS WE AMENDED THE PENALTIES.
WE INCLUDED AN IMPOUNDMENT PROVISION AS WELL.
WE INCLUDED EXCLUSION AREAS FOR THE FRANCHISES AS WELL.
THAT WOULD BE UNDER SECTION 14-12, CITY APPROVAL OF ROUTES.
THE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS, AGAIN, THOSE WERE SET TO BE THE SAME ACROSS VEHICLES FOR HIRE, TIER 2 FRANCHISES, AND HORSE CARRIAGES.
WE INCLUDED THE CODE OF CONDUCT.
WE SET THE WORK PERIOD FOR THE HORSES, SO THAT'S IN SECTION 14-74K. AND WE ALSO SET A TEMPERATURE CUTOFF FOR HORSES.
STAFF REVISED THIS SECTION USING THE WET BULB GLOBE TEMPERATURE WITH A CUTOFF OF 90 DEGREES.
WE ALSO INCLUDED THE DEFINITION FOR...
THE WET BULB GLOBE TEMPERATURE IN THAT CHAPTER.
WE SET LIMITS FOR THE TIER 2 FRANCHISE OPERATORS, THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES PER OPERATOR, AND PASSENGERS.
THE NUMBER OF OPERATORS IS SET TO 15, WITH A MAXIMUM OF THREE VEHICLES AT NINE PASSENGERS PER VEHICLE.
WE HAD 11 PASSENGERS PER VEHICLE, AND AT THE WORKSHOP WE GOT DIRECTION TO REDUCE THAT TO NINE PASSENGERS PER VEHICLE.
IT'S ALSO WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE CITY WILL ALLOW ALL THE CURRENT ACTIVE BUSINESSES TO APPLY FOR A TIER 2 FRANCHISE WHICH MAY BE OVER THE 15 MAXIMUM AT THE START.
HOWEVER, NO NEW FRANCHISES WILL BE ALLOWED UNTIL THE NUMBER OF FRANCHISES FALLS UNDERNEATH 15 IN THE FUTURE.
WE SET THE LIMIT FOR THE NUMBER OF MEDALLIONS.
SO A FRANCHISE CAN HAVE UP TO FIVE MEDALLIONS WITH A MAXIMUM TOTAL MEDALLION SET AT 15 FOR ALL FRANCHISES.
WE SET AN OWNERSHIP TRANSFER REQUIREMENT FOR FRANCHISES.
THE FRANCHISES ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE AND THE FRANCHISE SHALL ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF THE BUSINESS OPERATING UNDER THE FRANCHISE.
AND SHALL NOT PERMIT THE FRANCHISE TO BE USED SOLELY BY ANOTHER PERSON OR ENTITY.
THIS IS AN AREA THAT I'D LIKE TO GET A LITTLE MORE FEEDBACK ON AS WELL, AND IT'S ALSO SPREAD OUT IN THE CODE, SO I'D LIKE TO PROBABLY JUST CONSOLIDATE IT UNDER ONE SECTION.
WE SET THE METHODOLOGY FOR SELECTING A FRANCHISE.
WE INCLUDED AN INCENTIVE TO USE ELECTRIC CARRIAGES IN THE HORSE CARRIAGE FRANCHISE.
SO THAT WAS THE WAY THAT I HAD IT WRITTEN WAS YOU COULD HAVE AN ADDITIONAL, FOR YOUR MEDALLIONS, YOU COULD ADD AN ADDITIONAL ELECTRIC CARRIAGE IN ADDITION TO THE NUMBER OF MEDALLIONS YOU HAD.
SO IF YOU HAD THREE MEDALLIONS, YOU COULD HAVE THREE HORSE CARRIAGES ON THE STREET PLUS ONE ELECTRIC CARRIAGE.
AND THE IDEA WITH THAT WAS TO INCENTIVIZE MAYBE A TRANSITION INTO USING ELECTRIC CARRIAGES INTO THE FUTURE.
IT ALLOWS THEM AN EXTRA VEHICLE ON THE STREET.
WE ALSO PUT IN THAT SECTION THAT YOU COULD INTERCHANGE AN ELECTRIC CARRIAGE FOR ANY OF THE EXISTING MEDALLIONS.
SO IF YOU HAVE THREE MEDALLIONS, YOU COULD HAVE TWO HORSES, ONE ELECTRIC CARRIAGE FOR ONE OF THE MEDALLIONS, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL ELECTRIC CARRIAGE.
SO YOU COULD HAVE UP TO FOUR ON THE STREET.
AND I'M WELCOME FOR ANY FEEDBACK ON THAT.
WE ALSO INCLUDED A REGULAR USE PROVISION IN THE CODE AS WELL.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ THAT TO YOU JUST SO YOU 14-54, SECTION 14-54H, BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THAT.
SO WITH THAT, FOR THE REGULAR USE PROVISION, SO WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT AND FOR THE AUDIENCE IS THAT IF YOU HAVE A FRANCHISE, YOU SHOULD BE USING IT ON A REGULAR BASIS AND YOU'RE NOT HOLDING ON TO THEM JUST FOR EVENTS AND FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
AND SO WHAT WE INCLUDED HERE WAS A FRANCHISEE SHALL COMMENCE OPERATIONS.
WITHIN 90 DAYS OF A FRANCHISE ISSUANCE AND SHALL CONTINUOUSLY
[02:20:02]
PROVIDE THE AUTHORIZED SERVICES UNDER THE FRANCHISE.FAILURE TO COMMENCE OPERATIONS OR CESSATION OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OPERATIONS FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS WITHOUT CITY APPROVAL SHALL CONSTITUTE ABANDONMENT OF THE FRANCHISE AND MAY RESULT IN REVOCATION OR FORFEITURE.
SO WE HAD BASICALLY YOU CAN'T GO WITHOUT 60 DAYS WITHOUT OPERATING ON THE CITY STREETS.
THOSE ARE ALL OF THE UPDATES AND CHANGES THAT WE MADE TO BOTH CHAPTERS.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
AND WHENEVER YOU WANT TO FALL BACK TO THE FIRST FOR CHAPTER 2026-10, ORDINANCE 2026-10, I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT AS WELL.
WELL, WE JUST GOT HEARD ON BOTH ORDINANCES.
AND THIS IS THE FIRST READING.
IT'S A GOOD TIME TO AMEND IT IF WE HAVE HEARTBURN SPECIFICALLY.
AT LEAST ONE THING CAME UP OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AND I WOULD ASK YOU THE QUESTION STARTING JUST TO TRY TO STAY ORGANIZED, NOT TRYING TO PUSH A DISCUSSION IN ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER, BUT I WOULD ASSUME WE'RE PROBABLY ALL THINKING THE SAME THING, THIS INSURANCE COVERAGE.
IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM AT THE CURRENT LEVEL.
SO ARE WE, WOULD OUR DESIRE TO BE THE STATE LEVEL? BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE EXCEEDING THE STATE LEVEL.
HOW WOULD WE FEEL ABOUT THAT? WELL, I DO THINK THE $1 MILLION AND THE $500 IS A BIT STEEP FOR SOME OF THE OPERATORS, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE LIMITING THE CARTS.
SO I'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT WE GO WITH THE $300,000 LEVEL, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN THE STATE.
BUT WE ARE A DIFFERENT KIND OF TOWN.
WE ARE DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF OUR HISTORIC DISTRICT AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
SO I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROTECTED BY HAVING THEM PROTECTED.
SO I WOULD RECOMMEND WE CHANGE THAT BACK TO 300 INSTEAD OF THE 500. YEAH, I'VE GOT A LOT OF EMAILS ABOUT THIS ALSO.
UM, I DID FROM, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FIGURES WHILE YOU'RE HERE NOW, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
ONE IS YOU DID SHOW ME, AT SOME POINT, AN INCIDENT REPORT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF FIGURES THROWN AROUND WHEN PEOPLE COME UP, BUT THERE, HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY LOW INSTANCES OF ACCIDENTS WITH TIER TWO VEHICLES.
AM I RIGHT SAYING THAT? YEAH, SO WE DID A...
ACCIDENT ANALYSIS FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, WE LOOKED AT ALL OF THE ACCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AND THERE WAS ABOUT 40 TOTAL FOR THE WHOLE INDUSTRY.
SO IT'S A SAFE INDUSTRY FROM THAT STANDPOINT.
I ALSO HAD A MEETING TODAY WITH HERBIE WILES AND MR. MORRELL, WHO WAS UP HERE EARLIER, AND WE WENT THROUGH INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.
AND HERBIE WILES AT TODAY'S MEETING HAD SAID THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE, ANYBODY THAT THEY'RE INSURING, THEY HAVE LITTLE CLAIMS. AND THEY WERE GOING TO DO AN ANALYSIS FOR US IN TIME FOR SECOND READING TO SHOW ALL THE CLAIMS THAT THEY'VE HAD TO DATE.
BUT FROM WHAT I'VE DONE WITH AN ACCIDENT REVIEW, THEY'RE VERY LITTLE.
AND OF THE 40 ACCIDENTS, 36 HAD NO INJURIES.
AND ALSO NONE HAD ANY ALCOHOL.
THERE WAS NO ALCOHOL INVOLVED IN ANY OF THE 40 ACCIDENTS.
SECOND QUESTION FOR, BECAUSE I MISSED THE WORKSHOP, FOR OUR TOWN ATTORNEY.
IF WE LOWER OUR LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR THIS COVERAGE, DOES IT IN ANY WAY EXPOSE THE CITY ANYMORE IN TERMS OF ITS LIABILITY? WELL, THE CONCEPT OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY MEANS THAT IN TORT LITIGATION, WHICH IS PERSONAL INJURY, GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE STATE HAS CAPPED THE CITY'S EXPOSURE, WHETHER IT'S SOMETHING WE DID DIRECTLY OR A LITIGANT THAT WOULD BRING US...
INTO AN ISSUE WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
AND THOSE NUMBERS WERE JUST RECENTLY, THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, INCREASED TO $350,000 PER PERSON AND HALF A MILLION PER INCIDENT.
SO THAT'S THE MAXIMUM EXPOSURE THAT THE CITY COULD HAVE UNDER SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY LIMITS.
[02:25:02]
SO THERE'S REALLY NO DOCTOR.SO WHAT I'M HEARING IS IT DOESN'T.
REALLY EXPOSE US GREATLY WHAT THIS LIMIT IS, WHETHER IT'S 300 OR 500, OR DOES IT? DID I HEAR THAT WRONG? THE LIMITS OF OUR EXPOSURE UNDER SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY IS $350,000 PER PERSON WHO'S INJURED OR $500,000 PER INCIDENT.
OKAY, AND SO I WOULD THINK THAT WE COULD BACK IT OFF FROM THE 500. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD SUGGESTION.
THERE'S NO STATISTICAL EVIDENCE OF INCIDENTS.
DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG LIABILITY ISSUE FOR THE CITY.
AND I WOULD SAY THAT THEY ARE LIGHTER WEIGHT THAN AUTOMOBILES.
I THINK IF THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD PROBABLY BE LESS.
SO I WOULD THINK THAT I COULD BACK IT DOWN.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ABOUT THAT? I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY I'M IN AGREEMENT BECAUSE I'VE SPOKEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE DEBT.
THAT THEY'RE GOING TO INCUR, SO THEY WON'T EVEN HAVE A PROFIT, AND THEIR VEHICLES ARE BEING LIMITED.
SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD, UNLESS WE HAVE SOMEONE THAT HAS CONSISTENT ACCIDENTS, THEN WE SHOULD REVISIT THAT PARTICULAR COMPANY.
AND THAT IT'S JUST LIKE SOMEBODY BEING LATE, AND YOU HAVE A MEETING FOR EVERYBODY, AND THEN ONLY ONE PERSON'S LATE.
SO I JUST THINK AT THAT TIME, WE COULD REACH OUT TO THAT PARTICULAR COMPANY.
I THINK I WAS ONE OF THE ONES WHO CAME OUT PRETTY STRONGLY FOR A HIGH LEVEL OF COVERAGE, IN PART TO REDUCE THE CITY'S EXPOSURE SHOULD THERE BE AN ISSUE.
AND WE WOULD BE EXPOSED STILL, IS WHAT I'M HEARING YOU SAY, TO THE TUNE OF 350, 500.
MY BIGGER CONCERN IS NOT SO MUCH THE VEHICLES THEMSELVES.
BUT THE ROAD RAGE OUT THERE WITH OTHER PEOPLE TRYING TO PASS THEM ILLEGALLY, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF STUFF LIKE THAT.
I'VE EXPERIENCED IT A LOT ON MY BICYCLE WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOT YIELDING THE THREE FEET THAT'S REQUIRED, EVEN IN A SHARED LANE.
SO I'M MORE WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE, THE PASSENGERS AND THE DRIVER AS A RESULT OF OTHER BIGGER VEHICLES DOING RISKY BEHAVIOR, THE ROAD RAGE STUFF.
SO, BUT I'M NOT, BUT I AM, I SHOULD SAY, I AM SYMPATHETIC.
RUBEN, MR. FRANKLIN, THE QUICK EMAIL THAT YOU SENT AFTER YOU SPOKE WITH HERBIE WEIL'S COMPANY A WEEK OR TWO AGO, IT'S ROUGHLY GOING FROM 300-300 TO THE ONE MILLION COMBINED SINGLE LIMIT.
SO THERE'S LIKE THREE STEPS IN THERE.
WOULD BE ROUGHLY DOUBLE TO GET TO THE MILLION FROM WHAT WOULD BE 300.
SO I THINK IT'S REASONABLE TO GO WITH THE 300.
STILL ABOVE STATE REQUIREMENT AND SHOULD HELP PROTECT PEOPLE.
SO, YES, I'M IN FAVOR OF COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD'S SUGGESTED.
I THINK THAT GIVES US CONSENSUS.
SO WE'LL, WHEN WE MAKE A MOTION, WE'LL WANT TO INCLUDE THAT IN A MOTION.
WHAT OTHER ITEMS? YOU HEARD FROM MR. FRANKLIN ABOUT.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU THOUGHT WERE A TOPIC.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR NEXT ONE? SO WE COVERED INSURANCE.
THE NEXT ONE THAT BOTH AND WHEN I BELIEVE WHAT WE JUST COVERED WAS FOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE, THE TIER TWO OPERATORS AND THE HORSE CARRIAGES FOR THE 300 COMBINED INSURANCE.
SO THE NEXT ONE THAT WOULD BE BOTH ORDINANCES WOULD BE THE CODE OF CONDUCT THAT WE INCLUDED.
AND WE DID GET FEEDBACK AGAIN ABOUT THAT.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THAT.
I THINK IN OUR WORKSHOP MEETING, I SPECIFICALLY ASKED OUR ATTORNEY IF THERE'S ANYTHING WITH REGARD TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH, WHICH IS WHAT AT LEAST ONE PERSON HAS BROUGHT UP TODAY WITH REGARD TO LIMITING FREEDOM OF SPEECH BY REQUIRING A CODE OF CONDUCT.
CAN YOU REVISIT THAT FOR US, PLEASE? YES, I DON'T EXACTLY RECALL THAT, BUT BOTTOM LINE, AS YOU KNOW, AND WE DEAL WITH FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUES ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS IN THE CITY, AS WE KNOW.
SO ANYTIME THAT THE GOVERNMENT RESTRICTS THE CONTENT OF SOMEONE'S SPEECH, YOU'RE GETTING INTO WHAT'S CALLED STRICT SCRUTINY REVIEW, WHICH IS A VERY HIGH THRESHOLD FOR GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE THOSE ORDINANCES.
[02:30:01]
ANY TYPE IS CERTAINLY YOUR FIRST LEVEL CHALLENGES STAFF HAVING TO WITNESS AND THEN DETERMINE.IS THAT SPEECH PROTECTED OR NOT? IS SOMETHING THAT ONE PERSON WOULD PERCEIVE AS RUDE OR UNPROFESSIONAL? WOULD SOMEONE ELSE PERCEIVE IT THE SAME WAY? I THINK TONIGHT WE HEARD A NUMBER OF DIFFICULT TOPICS WITH FOLKS ARTICULATING THEIR VIEWPOINTS IN A RANGE OF WAYS.
AND SO YOU CAN SORT OF IMAGINE THAT WE WOULD BE REPRODUCING THIS CHALLENGE OF STAFF HAVING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DOES OR DOESN'T VIOLATE THE CODE OF CONDUCT, AND THEN YOU'D HAVE JUDICIAL REVIEW POTENTIALLY.
NOW, OUR ORDINANCE HAS A SAVINGS CLAUSE, WHICH JUST MEANS THAT IF ANY PORTION OF THE ORDINANCE IS FOUND TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL, THE REST OF THE ORDINANCE STANDS.
IT'S A MATTER OF WHETHER THE COMMISSION FEELS THAT THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH THE TOPIC.
I KNOW MYSELF AND MR. FRANKLIN CHATTED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ALTERNATIVES TO NOT CODIFY THIS SORT OF THING, TO AVOID THE SCENARIO WHERE WE'RE HAVING TO DEFEND THIS IN COURT.
AND WE TALKED ABOUT POTENTIALLY MAKING IT AS A VOLUNTARY STATEMENT THAT PEOPLE COULD CHOOSE OR CHOOSE NOT TO.
OPERATE IN THAT FASHION ON THEIR APPLICATIONS.
SO THAT'S A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE.
BUT YES, WHENEVER YOU START REGULATING SPEECH AS GOVERNMENT, AND THESE ARE NOT OUR EMPLOYEES, RIGHT? SO WE'VE GOT TO REMEMBER THAT THEY'RE PRIVATE CITIZENS, PRIVATE BUSINESS OWNERS.
IT IS ALWAYS A VERY HIGH THRESHOLD FOR US TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LITIGATION.
WELL, I'M THINKING BACK TO THE COMPLAINTS I HEARD ABOUT THE UGLY THINGS THAT WERE SAID TO LOTS OF PEOPLE BY THE SCROOGE OR THE GRINCH.
AND I THINK AS BUSINESS OWNERS, FOLKS SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT.
AND I THINK I HEARD THAT HAPPEN IN THIS ROOM DURING A PUBLIC COMMENT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO DOES HEAR UGLY COMMENTS AND IS OFFENDED BY THEM TO COMPLAIN LOUDLY AND OFTEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
AND THAT WOULD DISCOURAGE THOSE BUSINESSES FROM CONTINUING THOSE PRACTICES IF THEY HAVE BAD ACTORS.
SO I'M AMBIVALENT ABOUT HAVING THAT CLAUSE.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD GUIDELINE.
AND SINCE THE REST OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE PROTECTED IF WE WERE CHALLENGED ON THAT, I'M AMBIVALENT ABOUT IT.
SO YOU'RE OKAY WITH THE WAY IT IS? I'M FINE WITH THE WAY I'D PREFER IT THE WAY IT IS, BUT I'D BE I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE BATTLE.
I MEAN LOSE THE WAR BECAUSE OF THIS ONE THING.
IN OUR ORDINANCE, WE COULD SAY ALL GOLF CARTS BE PAINTED BLACK.
NOW, THERE'S MIXED CASE LAW, AND I DON'T WANT TO BORE EVERYONE WITH THAT, BUT THERE IS SOME CASE LAW THAT ALLOWS A CERTAIN UNIFORMITY.
LIKE, FOR INSTANCE, NEW YORK CITY CABS USED TO BE THOSE YELLOW CHECKERED CABS.
SO THERE'S SOME ABILITY TO REGULATE, BUT NOT THINGS LIKE YOU'RE BEING RUDE, YOU'RE BEING UNPROFESSIONAL.
I'M ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE CARTS.
I THOUGHT WE WERE STILL ON THE OTHER TOPIC.
WELL, IT'S SORT OF THE SAME BECAUSE THERE'S NO OTHER PLACE FOR THE CART APPEARANCE OTHER THAN THIS, CORRECT? IS THERE ANOTHER PLACE FOR THAT? THE CART APPEARANCE? YEAH.
PROVIDE IF THEY'RE NEW FRANCHISE SIGNING AND ALL THAT, BUT SIGNING AND THEN THE APPEARANCE OF THE CART.
AND WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT REMOVING JUST NOT THE WHOLE SECTION, BUT JUST THE, I, I, IN THAT SECTION, I ADDED THE CODE OF CONDUCT.
I'M, I'M IN FAVOR OF HAVING THE CODE OF CONDUCT JUST TO GIVE US A CONVERSATION POINT WITH SOME OF THE FRANCHISEES SO THAT WE HAVE, CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION THAT SAYS.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE REPRESENTING THE CITY, EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE REALLY NOT, YOU'RE A STRONG BUSINESS, BUT WE DO GIVE YOU A FRANCHISE AND THIS IS OUR CODE OF CONDUCT.
WE EXPECT CERTAIN BEHAVIOR IN THIS MEETING.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE OUGHT TO EXPECT IT OF OUR FRANCHISEES AS WELL.
JUST TO BE CLEAR, AND THIS IS COMPLICATED, SO FORGIVE ME.
IN THIS MEETING, IT IS NOT A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC FORUM.
[02:35:01]
SO YOU DO HAVE A LOT MORE CONTROL.OVER DECORUM RULES AND THAT'S BEEN LITIGATED.
SO I KNOW SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE SPLITTING HAIRS, BUT IT'S BECAUSE THE LAW VERY MUCH SPLITS THOSE HAIRS, IF I CAN PHRASE IT THAT WAY.
LIKE I SAID, THE RISK IS THAT THERE IS LITIGATION.
NOW, FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES, YOU RISK ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS, RIGHT? SO THAT'S NOT COVERED BY OUR INSURANCE AT THE LEAGUE UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT.
IF YOU'RE ANALYZING RISK REWARD, THE RISK REWARD IS LITIGATION, POTENTIAL ATTORNEY'S FEES.
SO JUST FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
THE PART THAT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE WHAT WAS ADDED WAS DRIVER SHALL ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING CODE OF CONDUCT.
IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SPECIFICALLY RIGHT? SO THE FIRST ONE, BE COURTEOUS, RESPECTFUL, AND PROFESSIONAL WITH ALL PASSENGERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THAT SEEMS. RELATIVELY BENIGN BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAYING WHAT THEY DON'T WANT.
I WOULD JUST THINK STRIKE B, JUST TAKE B OUT.
IT SAYS AVOID ABUSIVE LANGUAGE, HARASSMENT, BULLYING, OR DISCRIMINATION WITH PASSENGERS IN THE PUBLIC BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S KIND OF COVERED IN A.
I DON'T KNOW IF OUR STAFF ATTORNEY WOULD DO THAT, BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT ANYTHING IN, I WOULD JUST DEFINITELY TAKE OUT B AND POSSIBLY JUST LEAVE LEAVE IT BE, AND THAT'S IT.
WELL, I'M GOING OFF SCRIPT BECAUSE WHAT I'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT IS US GOING WITH NINE PASSENGER VEHICLES VERSUS 11.
AND I KNOW AT THE WORKSHOP WE SAID THAT WE WANTED TO GO TO NINE, AND WE GOT SOME EMAILS ABOUT THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A HARDSHIP.
IT'S LIKE $20,000 A VEHICLE TO CHANGE.
SO I WAS HOPING THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD GO BACK TO 11, WHICH MEANS THEY'LL HAVE 10 PASSENGERS AND THEY WOULD BE THE 11TH PERSON INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM BUY NEW VEHICLES BECAUSE IT WAS SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T TAKE SEATS OUT OF THE VEHICLE.
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED THAT THEY ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF CARTS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
BUT NOW IF YOU MAKE THEM BUY NEW ONES, THAT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.
AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY BECAUSE THEY HAVE LESS VEHICLES.
SO MY TWO CONCERNS FROM TALKING TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WITH AND GOT EMAILS FROM, THAT IF WE JUST, YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM AND THEY'RE JUST ASKING FOR THOSE TWO THINGS SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE A PROFIT DOING WHAT THEY DO, THEN I THINK THAT WE SHOULD LISTEN BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT INCOME IS GOING TO BE AFFECTED.
I WOULD HAVE A REAL ATTITUDE IF I WAS A PERSON AND I WAS DOING MY LITTLE CART THING AND YOU'RE TELLING ME I NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE FOR ME DRIVING AN 11-PEOPLE PASSENGER VERSUS A 9 IF I ALREADY OWN THAT? DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? ANY OTHER COMMENTS? WELL, I'LL AGREE WITH HER.
IT'S ACTUALLY 10 PASSENGERS AND ONE.
A DRIVER, SO IT'S ONLY 10 PASSENGERS, SO IT WOULD BE FROM UP TO 10 FOR SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES AND 11 AND ABOVE FOR TIER 1, WHICH MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
OFF SCRIPT, I'D LIKE TO ALSO SAY I THINK THREE CARTS MINIMUM IS PROBABLY MORE REASONABLE THAN JUST TWO.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO IS GET CARS OFF THE ROAD.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE TROLLEYS ADVERTISE IS THAT THIS VEHICLE TAKES 65 CARS OFF THE ROAD.
WELL, IF YOU HAVE A CART WITH 10 PASSENGERS, YOU CAN THEORETICALLY SAY YOU'RE TAKING TWO CARS OFF THE ROAD, ALTHOUGH YOU'RE ADDING ONE.
SO I STILL THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA FOR US NOT TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CARTS DOWN TO TWO, BUT TO LEAVE IT AT THREE.
SO WE'D HAVE 45 SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES INSTEAD OF...
IS THAT CORRECT? YEAH, CURRENTLY FOR TIER TWO WE HAVE THREE, BUT PEDICABS IT'S ONLY TWO.
THE OTHER IDEA WITH THAT WAS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IT AT THE WORKSHOP, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE GOT WITH IT, WAS ALLOWING THEM TO EXPAND TO FIVE DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.
AND MY LOGIC IS THE SAME, THAT IT WOULD STILL PRODUCE MORE ABILITY THAT THEY PICK UP LOCALS THEY GO INTO DAVIS SHORES AND THEY COME TO FULLERWOOD AND THEY PICK
[02:40:01]
PEOPLE UP AND BRING THEM DOWNTOWN AS A SERVICE TROLLEYS AREN'T ABLE TO DO THAT THAT'S ONE THING THEY CAN DO SO I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE ALLOW THEM TO MOVE TO FIVE DURING THE NINTH OF LINES.OKAY, SO THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF FLOATING AROUND HERE.
SO FOR THE FIRST, I WASN'T AT THE WORKSHOP, SO WHAT I DID, I JUST WENT THROUGH THE ORDINANCE WHEN I WROTE MY IDEAS DOWN.
SO IT'S MORE SPECIFIC TO THE PAPER.
AND THEN THE BROADER POINTS, I WASN'T REALLY READY FOR.
SO IN THE FIRST, THIS IS FOR THE.
I JUST GOT TO GO RIGHT THROUGH THEM.
PAGE 4 UNDER APPLICABILITY 2712 AND THEN PARENTHESES B.
I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH RUBEN AND DAVID ABOUT THIS.
ALL OPERATIONS OF A VEHICLE FOR HIRE EXCEPT PEDICABS ARE PROVIDED FROM OFFERING ANY SIGHTSEEING ACTIVITIES CHARTERS.
AND THEN IN 2713, WHICH IS ON PAGE 9, WE HAVE ANY PEDICAB DRIVER DESIRING TO PROVIDE SIGHTSEEING SERVICES SHALL BE REQUIRED TO MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS.
SO THIS CONCERNED ME, AND IT WAS KIND OF SURPRISING FOR ME BECAUSE SO THE VEHICLE FOR HIRES ARE HAVE A SPECIFIC MOBILITY FUNCTION, WHICH YOU JUST SAID.
AND THEN THE TOURS HAVE ITS SPECIFIC FUNCTION, AND THAT IS TO MOVE PEOPLE AROUND IN A CAR.
BUT IT'S BASICALLY A MORE LIKE EVERYTHING COMMERCIALIZING OUR STREETS.
WE'RE TRYING TO MANAGE THIS COMMERCIALIZATION OF OUR STREETS.
SO MY FEAR IS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
AND NOW, BECAUSE YOU'VE LIMITED THE PEDICABS IN THIS, IN THE VEHICLE FOR HIRE, THE 15 BY 2, YOU HAVE 30 OF THEM.
I'M GOING TO GUESS THAT THERE'S MORE MONEY IN TOURS THAN THERE ARE PICKING PEOPLE UP.
AND THERE'S NO LIMIT ON HOW MANY OF THESE THAT ARE PEDICABS THAT PERFORM A DISTINCT MOBILITY FUNCTION THAT'S IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOALS OF OUR MOBILITY PLAN IS GOING TO BE KEPT CONSTANT.
SO YOU COULD HAVE 30 MORE TOURS ON THE ROAD HERE BECAUSE YOU DID 15 AND TWO.
AND I THINK THAT'S AGAINST THE PRINCIPLES OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
IT'S ALSO LIMITING THIS OPTION AND I THINK THIS IS REALLY OBVIOUSLY FOR ME IT'S BEING ON A BIKE BUT IT'S NOT JUST ME.
I MEAN IN OUR MOBILITY PLAN IT SAYS LET'S TRY TO ENCOURAGE THESE.
SO I FEEL LIKE THIS IS KIND OF A BACKDOOR WAY TO GET OUT.
NOW IF PEOPLE DON'T, I CAN SEE PEOPLE MIGHT DIFFER WITH ME ON THIS.
SO WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HAVE SOME OF THESE TOURS, THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO IS HAVE TWO DIFFERENT TERMINOLOGIES.
A PEDICAB IS A CAB PERFORMING A CAB-LIKE FUNCTION, AND A PEDITOUR IS A TOUR THAT'S BEING DONE BY A BICYCLE.
I THINK WE'RE TAKING THE TERM FOR THE PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT, AND WE'RE USING IT FOR TWO DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS, AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO GET US IN TROUBLE.
SO IF WE HAVE 15, IF YOU WANT TO STICK WITH THE 15 BY 2, SAY EVERYBODY GETS TO HAVE ONE TOUR AND ONE CAB, OR INCREASE THE TOTAL NUMBER TO YOU TIMES THREE AND THEN SAY EACH PERSON CAN HAVE TWO PEDICABS AND ONE PETTY TOUR ON PAGE THE NEXT PAGE UM NEXT ONE I GOT HERE UH OKAY 27 37 IS THE PETTY TOUR IT'S BASICALLY A CHANGING FROM A PEDICAB TO A PETTY TOUR LIABILITY INSURANCE SO THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN ANSWERED AND I WAS LEANING TOWARD THAT LOWER NUMBER.
RESTRICTED AREAS, 2763, NOT SHALL BE RESTRICTED FROM PARKING OR SOLICITING PASSENGERS ON PROPERTY OWNED BY FRANCHISEES.
WHAT WAS THE RATIONALE? THAT WAS SO THAT, SORRY, THAT'S 2763, SUBSECTION C.
ARE YOU IN THE RED LINE VERSION? COMMISSIONER? I'M ON THE CLEAN.
AM I RIGHT? WE PROVIDED A CLEAN VERSION AND A RED LINE VERSION.
SO THE RESTRICTED AREA THAT FROM STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK, SOME OF THE FRANCHISE, THE TIER ONE FRANCHISES WERE HAVING FOLKS COME AND PICK UP PEOPLE ON THEIR PROPERTY.
OKAY, THAT'S WHY THAT PROVISION
[02:45:01]
ISN'T THERE.THAT CAN GO ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, BUT YOU NEED THE PERMISSION OF THE OWNER.
SO THAT WAS INPUT FROM THE FRANCHISEES? YES.
NOW, THAT BRINGS ME TO THE SECOND AREA, WHICH IS DESIGNATED AREAS.
AND IT SAYS VEHICLES FOR HIRE MAY ELECT TO PROVIDE LOADING AND UNLOADING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY THEY OWN OR HAVE PERMISSION TO USE BY PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS.
SO COULD THAT BE A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY? HOW ARE WE DETERMINING IF THAT'S RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL? I MEAN, IF SOMEBODY DOWN THE STREET WANTS THIS, IF THERE'S A GOOD LOCATION RESIDENTIALLY, I'M JUST TRYING TO LOOK AT THIS FROM A DARKER ANGLE, LIKE HOW THESE THINGS COULD BE USED.
SO THAT'S A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION.
I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO ANSWER IT RIGHT NOW.
BUT MY CONCERN IS WITHOUT SOMETHING PRIVATE, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, I'M JUST A LITTLE AFRAID THAT...
IF WE'RE DOING THIS MOVING FORWARD, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE USING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY COULD, BUT IN THE CODE IT SEEMS LIKE THEY CAN.
SO I COULD VERY WELL BE WRONG, BUT IF WE COULD TAMPEN THAT CONCERN DOWN, I'D FEEL BETTER.
AND VEHICLES FOR HIGHER MIX-IN, THEY OWN PERMISSION TO PARK.
PETTY CASBY PERMITTED TO TEMPORARILY PARK IN ADDITIONAL DESIGNATED AREAS THAT ARE SIMILAR IN SIZE AND DO NOT ACCOMMODATE.
HAVE THOSE BEEN IDENTIFIED YET? WE HAVE NOT, NO.
OKAY, AGAIN, CRUISING AND SOLICITATION OF PASSENGERS 2767, UNDER A, 3 AND 4.
IT SAYS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE VEHICLE OR ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS GRANTED PERMISSION FOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE TO OPERATE.
THAT IS FOR SOLICITATION OF PEOPLE.
AND AGAIN, I'M JUST A LITTLE CONCERNED MAYBE.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED THE WORD COMMERCIAL IN THERE OR NOT.
ALL VEHICLES SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH A FULLY FUNCTIONING HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM.
ARE WE ASKING FOR THAT IN THE OPEN AIR CARTS? THAT'S JUST MOTOR VEHICLES.
DASH 70 HAS A C1 IS MOTOR VEHICLES AND THEN PARAGRAPH 02, C2 IS PEDICAB.
AND THIS IS FOR THE STANDARD FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES.
SO I'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT ALL OF THESE GOING DOWN HERE ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO XXV WOULD BE PART OF OUR INSPECTION PROCESS.
SO THAT WHEN SOMEBODY COMES AND STARTS OPENING A BUSINESS AND THEY SAY, HEY, WHAT DO I NEED? YOU GOING TO BE BASICALLY THIS PHYSICAL LIST OF THINGS.
AND THAT'S GOING TO BE MADE CLEAR TO THEM FROM HERE.
FROM HERE, SO WHEN THIS ORDINANCE IS ADOPTED, WE'LL CREATE AN APPLICATION PROCESS AND SOMETHING THAT MIRRORS THIS APPLICATION.
IT'LL BE USER-FRIENDLY FOR THEM, AND THEN OUR MECHANICS WILL KNOW, INSPECTION GUYS WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, RIGHT? CORRECT.
SORRY TO GO THROUGH THIS, BUT I MISSED THE WORKSHOP.
AND FOR PEDICABS, IT SAYS CARRIAGES SHALL NOT BE MODIFIED IN ANY MANNER TO CARRY MORE PASSENGERS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
SO BATTERIES ARE GOING TO GROW.
SO DO WE WANT TO HAVE A LIMIT ON THAT? I MEAN, RIGHT NOW THEY'RE PULLING TWO PEOPLE.
WHAT WE FOUND THROUGH THE PROCESS IS THAT PEDICABS CAN BE MODIFIED.
AND SO IF WE WANTED TO PREVENT THEM FROM MODIFYING THEM, IF THE SPECIFICATIONS SAY THEY ONLY CARRY TWO PASSENGERS, WE DON'T WANT THEM TO MODIFY IT TO BE ABLE TO CARRY FOUR PASSENGERS.
HAVE YOU SEEN ANY THAT ARE MANUFACTURED FOR FOUR? I THINK THERE'S ONES NOT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
I SEEM TO RECALL ONES THAT YOU CAN FACE.
OKAY, SO THAT'S JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT FOR THE FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.
IF YOU WANT TO JUST LIMIT IT TO TWO OR FOUR.
OH, SCRIVENER'S THING, 2771, ANNUAL INSPECTION.
I CAN SHOW THIS TO THESE GUYS LATER.
OKAY, 27-73, INSPECTION FEE, UNDER C.
IT SAYS ANY NEW VEHICLE PLACED IN SERVICE AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT AND THE ANNUAL
[02:50:01]
INSPECTION SHALL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AN INSPECTION.IS THAT TWO DIFFERENT INSPECTIONS OR IS THAT JUST A LINE? I READ THAT AS IF YOU HAVE A NEW VEHICLE THAT'S GOING IN AND YOU DIDN'T TAKE PLACE DURING THE ANNUAL RENEWAL OR INSPECTION, THAT YOU HAVE TO GET THAT VEHICLE INSPECTED AND PAY THE FEES.
OKAY, SO THAT'S WHAT, SO THAT'S, OKAY.
DO THE WHAT? I WAS GOING TO MOVE TO HORSES IF YOU WANT TO.
MY ORIGINAL INTENT WITH THE ELECTRIC CARRIAGE WAS THAT WE WOULD JUST ALLOW THEM TO USE A MEDALLION FOR AN ELECTRIC, BUT MAYBE THERE COULD BE AN INCENTIVE FOR ONE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS WOULD TAKE THAT.
THAT WOULD MEAN THAT YOU COULD HAVE FOUR VEHICLES IF YOU WERE A FRANCHISEE THAT HAD THREE MEDALLIONS.
MY INTENT OF THAT WAS TO GIVE THE OPERATORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY IT OUT TO SEE IF IT WOULD BE FEASIBLE.
I DO THINK IT'D BE ATTRACTIVE.
I THINK BATTERY POWERED ARE AMAZING THINGS NOW FOR VEHICLES AND I THINK THERE'D BE A GOOD IDEA FOR US TO ALLOW THEM TO REPLACE ONE.
I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL WOULD AGREE WITH ADDING ONE OR NOT BUT THAT WASN'T MY ORIGINAL INTENT IN BRINGING THAT UP.
YEAH, I THINK THE LANGUAGE NEEDS SOME WORK TOO BECAUSE THE WAY I READ IT...
FRANCHISEE SHALL BE ALLOWED TO USE ONE ELECTRIC HORSELESS CARRIAGE IN ADDITION TO ISSUED MEDALLIONS.
THAT COULD BE INTERPRETED AS I GET ONE ELECTRIC HORSE CARRIAGE FOR EACH MEDALLION THAT I HAVE.
THAT LANGUAGE JUST NEEDS TO BE TYPED.
SO IF THE INTENT IS ONLY ONE, I DON'T HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THAT.
MY ORIGINAL INTENT WAS LET THEM REPLACE A HORSE WITH ELECTRIC IF THEY COULD DO THAT.
AND WE'VE HAD SOME OFFERS ON THIS PODIUM TO BUY THEM ONE.
WE'RE DOING FRANCHISES NOW? YES.
CAN I INTERJECT FOR JUST A SECOND? IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THAT YOU HAD SOME VERY SPECIFIC ISSUES, LIKE INSURANCE THAT WE WANTED TO ADDRESS AND, LIKE, CODE OF CONDUCT.
I THINK WE HAVE CONSENSUS ON THE INSURANCE.
RIGHT, BUT CODE OF CONDUCT WE DON'T, AND THEN SOME OF THE OTHERS THAT, SO WE'VE BEEN KIND OF GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE.
WELL, COMMISSIONER DEPREDER WANTED TO CHANGE, TO DELETE A SECTION, SECTION NO, I JUST DID MY ONE SECTION.
I THINK HE HAD IT FIXED FOR THAT.
SO IS THAT, I MEAN, WE CAN GO BACK TO THAT AND SAY, IS THAT WHAT WE WANT TO DO? THAT'S RIGHT.
I MEAN, THAT'S THE ONLY ONE THAT'S DISCUSSED IT.
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I HAVE DOWN.
AND THEN I HAD GO BACK TO 11 PASSENGERS BECAUSE WE'RE GOING ALL AROUND.
AND MADAM MAYOR, IF I MAY, I THINK COMMISSIONER PRATER JUST WENT THROUGH KIND OF A DETAILED LIST OF CHAPTER 27 VEHICLES FOR HIRE.
SO IF I CAN JUST GO THROUGH THAT ONE MORE TIME, MAYBE WE CAN PIN THAT ONE UP AND THEN MOVE ON TO THE FRANCHISES.
SO OF THIS, WE GOT THE INSURANCE OUT OF THE WAY.
WE'RE GOING TO REMOVE SECTION B TO THE CODE OF CONDUCT.
WE DISCUSSED THE EXCLUSION AREAS, PENALTIES.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE IN THE ORDINANCE RIGHT NOW.
WE TOOK MUSIC OUT AT THE WORKSHOP.
IS THAT CORRECT? IS THAT CORRECT? WE TOOK MUSIC OUT IN NOISE.
AFTER WE HEARD FROM THE INPUT FROM THE CITIZENS.
SO NOW WE HEARD A PUSHBACK, A LITTLE BIT OF PUSHBACK TONIGHT.
WHERE DO WE STAND ON NOISE, THAT SORT OF THING? I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE LOW MUSIC THAT THEY CAN HEAR IN THEIR CAR BECAUSE MYSELF PERSONALLY, I LIKE DRIVING TO MUSIC.
I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE RADIATED SO LOUD THAT FIVE CARS UP CAN HEAR THE MUSIC THAT I'M PLAYING.
I MEAN, YOU CAN TURN MUSIC DOWN TO, UNLESS YOU'VE GOT ONE OF THOSE BOOM, BOOM, BOOM BOXES, MUSIC IS CONTROLLABLE.
I THINK EVEN WITH THE TROLLEYS THAT GO THROUGH, IT'S LIMITED.
YOU KNOW, THE BIGGER TROLLEYS, I DON'T HEAR IT ALL THE WAY UP THERE.
YOU MIGHT HEAR IT A LITTLE BIT PASSING.
AND SO IT MAKES PEOPLE MORE PEACEFUL.
IT MAKES PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE GO
[02:55:01]
INTO THE NIGHT'S LIGHT SEASON, WHEN THEY'RE PLAYING THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC, IT'S KIND OF LIKE UPLIFTING.I THINK THAT IF THEY HAVE, I DON'T THINK THEY NEED TO PLAY LIKE RAP MUSIC WITH SWEARING AND CUSSING AND ALL THAT.
BUT IF THEY PLAY LIKE A SOFT, I THINK IT BRINGS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PEACE TO THE RIDE.
I'M GOING BACK TO CONTENT REGULATION.
MAYBE I CAN HELP JUST A LITTLE BIT.
THERE'S ALREADY A STATE LAW THAT SAYS THAT YOUR MUSIC IN YOUR CAR OR YOUR VEHICLE CAN'T BE CLEARLY AUDIBLE FROM 25 FEET AWAY.
SO THAT'S WHAT, MORE OR LESS TWO LARGE SUVS WITH SOME GAP IN BETWEEN.
THERE'S ALSO A SECOND SECTION TO THAT STATE STATUTE THAT SAYS IT CAN'T BE ANY LOUDER THAN THAN NECESSARY FOR THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE TO HEAR IT.
SO THAT ALREADY EXISTS UNDER STATE LAW.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT KIND OF GETS YOU THERE.
WASN'T THAT IN OUR NOISE ORDINANCE THAT WE PASSED TOO? WE HAVE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VERSION IN OUR NOISE ORDINANCES.
AND AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A DIFFERENT ONE FOR VESSELS.
BUT EVEN UNDER STATE LAW, THERE IS THAT SORT OF GENERAL LANGUAGE THAT SAYS YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE A...
LEGAL RIGHT TO BLAST YOUR MUSIC ANY LOUDER THAN FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE.
SO WE HAVE A LAW THAT COVERS IT, AND THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN REALLY DIMINISH IT IS BY HAVING LESS OF THEM ON THE STREET.
I MEAN, IN THE END, THAT SEEMS...
IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE THE CODE.
WHEN THEY'RE PASSING BY AND JABARI'S CHASING THEM DOWN THE ROAD RUNNING WITH A BEATER VERSUS NO MUSIC, IT'S EASY TO ENFORCE.
IT'D BE NICE TO HAVE NICE, BUT IT'S HARDER TO CATCH PEOPLE BREAKING AN ORDINANCE OF SOUND.
BUT WE ALLOW IT FOR THE TROLLEY.
SO IT SEEMS LIKE A DOUBLE STANDARD THERE.
WELL, THE TROLLEY, I WILL SAY, HAVING LIVED THROUGH THE TROLLEY SOUND DEBACLE, BUT GOT FIXED.
THE NEIGHBORHOODS WERE SUBJECT TO THE BLEED, LET'S SAY, AND THE TROLLEYS CAME UP WITH THE SOLUTION TO KEEP...
ANY EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW, DIRECTED INWARD.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO GO TO THE EXTENT OF SHAPING SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH PEDICABS, BUT I THINK THAT WOULD ONLY BE FAIR IF WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW IT.
SO MY FALLBACK IS DON'T ALLOW IT.
I KNOW I HATE IT TOO, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I WOULD RATHER TAKE.
I WOULD RATHER SEE US, IF THAT'S THE WAY YOU GUYS WANT TO GO, IF YOU GUYS WANT TO ALLOW IT, IF WE AGREE THAT WE WANT TO ALLOW IT, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD SHAPE SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT, DOES THAT MAKE SENSE, TO WHAT WE AGREE TO WITH THE TROLLEYS? IF I COULD, I THINK IT WOULD, I AGREE, IT WOULD MAKE IT HARDER TO ENFORCE, AND I THINK MR. YORK'S CAPTURE OF THE NOISE COMING FROM THAT ONE PEDICAB I'VE SEEN THAT ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND FOLLOWING A WORKSHOP WHERE WE'RE SCRUTINIZING THESE TYPES OF THINGS AND THAT BEHAVIOR STILL GOING ON VERY MUCH CONCERNS ME THAT IT'S GOING TO BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REGULATE IF WE DO ALLOW MUSIC OR NOISE COMING FROM THE PEDICABS, I DEFINITELY EMPATHIZE, BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY VERY TOUGH AND WE HAVE LOTS OF OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES TO ENFORCE TO IT'S HARD TO DO EVERYTHING I KNOW.
IT WAS SOMETHING WE WORKED OUT.
I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY A STATEMENT I MADE.
THAT APPLIES TO MOTOR VEHICLES.
SO NOW WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT PEDICABS, NOT THE OTHER.
SO OUR DEFAULT THEN WOULD BE OUR ORDINANCE OR ANYTHING SPECIFIC YOU PUT IN THIS ORDINANCE.
SO WHAT VEHICLE ARE WE DISCUSSING? THE CARTS OR THE PEDICABS? BECAUSE YOU SAID THE...
THAT WAS THE CONTEXT OF THE CONVERSATION WAS THAT'S WHAT IT WAS BROUGHT UP IN PEDICABS.
IT WAS BROUGHT UP IN PEDICABS.
WE'RE SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT PEDICABS.
IT SHOULD PROBABLY APPLY TO CARTS TOO.
Y'ALL SAW WHAT HAPPENED DOWN ON.
WHATEVER WE'RE DOING, WE SHOULD.
WE SHOULD BE FAIR, AND THIS IS THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU HAVE PETTY TOURS AND YOU HAVE PETTY CABS.
I'M THINKING WE SHOULD JUST SEPARATE THE TWO AND HAVE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GETTING AN AGREEMENT ON THAT.
[03:00:01]
BUT WHATEVER WE'RE DOING FOR THE CARTSĀ I DO LIKE THAT IDEA.I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE SEPARATING THE TWO.
AND I'M SAYING IT BECAUSE IF I'M IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND I WANT TO SAY, HEY, I JUST WANT TO GO DOWNTOWN, MAYBE 10 YEARS FROM NOW, I'M NOT ON MY BIKE, I SAY, HEY, I WANT TO GO ON THE BACK OF A BIKE, I WANT TO GO DOWNTOWN.
IT'S JUSTĀ THEN THE GUY COMES AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HIM PLAYING MUSIC.
HE'S JUST GOING TO PICK YOU UP.
SEE, THIS IS, I THINK THIS IS, THIS IS, THIS CROSSING HERE WITH THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF VEHICLE IS CAUSING MORE CONFUSION THAN IT'S HELPING.
ONE MORE COMMENT ABOUT THE MUSIC, AND I'M NOT FLIP-FLOPPING, BUT I AM.
WE ALSO, WE ALSO PUT IN VERY STRICT PUNISHMENTS.
SO IF WE HAVE THIS, IF WE ALLOW THE MUSIC.
AND SOMEBODY EXCEEDS THAT TWO TIMES, IT'S A $500 FINE.
I MEAN, WE'VE REALLY PUT IN SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY DO NOW, AND I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER BONUS TO ALLOWING SOME FLEXIBILITY WITH SOME OF THE FRANCHISES.
I THINK THERE'S A CONSENSUS AT THE TABLE.
DO I SEE THERE'S A CONSENSUS ABOUT MUSIC? AND IT IS.
AND NOISE AND IT IS NO ON THE PEDICAB NO I UNDERSTAND UM I'M GONNA SO THAT COULD BE IN A MOTION WHERE I'M TRYING TO TAKE NOTES OF WHAT COULD BE IN THE MOTION AND I THINK YOU PROBABLY HAVE A LIST AS WELL YES AND THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE ORDINANCE WE'RE NOT CHANGING THAT WE HAD NO MUSIC OKAY, WELL, WE'RE REVISITING IT, AND WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IT ALONE.
YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
THE LAST THING FOR VEHICLE FOR HIRES, AND IT IS ON THE TOPIC OF PEDICABS, IS THE TOUR AND NOT THE TOUR.
WE HAD IN THERE THE VEHICLE FOR HIRE.
THAT PEDICABS ARE CLASSIFIED AS VEHICLES FOR HIRE, AND THERE'S AN EXCEPTION THAT THEY ARE ALSO ALLOWED TO DO TOURS.
WE CAME UP WITH THAT BECAUSE THROUGH STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, WE FOUND NOT MANY OF THEM ARE, SOME OF THEM ARE DOING TOURS, BUT PRIMARILY THEY'RE OPERATING AS A VEHICLE FOR HIRE.
SO WE DIDN'T WANT TO CREATE ANOTHER CLASS, ANOTHER TIER IN THE FRANCHISES BECAUSE WE JUST DIDN'T SEE FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE THE NEED FOR IT AT THIS TIME.
KEPT THEM OVER BUT I ALSO HAD A HIGHER LIMIT WE REDUCED THE LIMIT TO 15 OPERATORS WITH TWO CABS SO A TOTAL OF 30 PETTY CABS ON THE STREET AT ANY GIVEN TIME SO DIRECTION ON THAT WE COULD BRING BACK IF YOU WANT TO CLASSIFY A PETTY TOUR THAT WOULD BE US CREATING A TIER THREE IN THE FRANCHISE ORDINANCE AND WE COULD BRING THAT BACK CAN I ASK A QUESTION SURE IF YOU'RE ALLOWING IT NOW THEY JUST NEED TO GET A CERTIFIED GUIDE.
THEN WHY WOULD YOU NEED TO CREATE ANOTHER CATEGORY? CAN'T YOU JUST SAY IN THE ORDINANCE WE HAVE, SAY, TWO TIMES 15, AND ONE PERSON EACH GETS A CERTIFIED GUIDE.
WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER FRANCHISE? I GUESS YOU COULD DO IT THAT WAY TOO.
I MEAN, YOU ALREADY HAVE IT WRITTEN.
I DON'T WANT TO REWRITE THE WHOLE THING.
I MEAN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE SOME FUNCTIONAL, ACTUAL PEDICABS GOING AROUND TOWN ACHIEVING OUR MOBILITY GOALS BECAUSE WE RUN INTO THIS ALL THE TIME.
GET CLOSE AND THEN YEAH AND SO THERE'S NOTHING PROHIBITING A PEDICAB THAT'S GIVING A TOUR DOES NOT PROHIBIT THEM FROM OPERATING LIKE A VEHICLE FOR HIRE THEY'RE ALLOWED TO DO BOTH YEAH UNDER THE ORDINANCE IT SEEMS TO ME IT WOULD BE THE CUSTOMER THEY PICK UP IF THEY PICK UP SOMEONE WHO LIVES HERE THAT ISN'T INTERESTED IN LISTENING TO A TOUR THEY'RE JUST GOING TO BE CONVEYANCE FROM POINT A TO POINT B BUT IF THEY PICK UP A VISITOR THE VISITOR MAY EXPECT A LITTLE TOUR ON THE WAY I DON'T KNOW, WE MAY BE OVERTHINKING THIS.
WELL, I'M JUST LOOKING AT IT FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT.
LIKE, WE HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE COMING IN HERE AND THEY'RE TELLING US HOW WELL THEIR BUSINESS IS AND THEY'RE DRIVING PEOPLE AROUND TOWN AND THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, MAKING MONEY FROM THIS.
AND JUST, I'M LOOKING AT IT AND I'M SAYING, WELL, YOU JUST POSSIBLY OPENED UP 13 MORE OF THESE AND HOW ARE THE OTHER ONES GOING TO, ARE WE GOING TO BE RESERVING THE ACTUAL PETTY CAB FUNCTION IN AND OF ITSELF? I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
THAT'S WHY I THINK IF YOU HAVE 15, YOU SAY EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO HAVE ONE TOUR AND THEN ONE PEDICAB.
I MEAN, I DON'T THINK IT'S REALLY, IT'S JUST LIMITING AT LEAST 15.
SO WE HAVE, WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE 15 OPERATING PEDICABS AROUND TOWN AS A MOBILITY OPTION.
I MAY BE OVERTHINKING IT, BUT I'M JUST LOOKING AT IT AS A BUSINESS.
CAN I SUGGEST SOMETHING? WE HAD A PRESENTER WHO SAID THAT WE OUGHT TO REVIEW THIS.
THIS MAY BE A GOOD TOPIC TO LOOK AT TO SEE IF THAT EVEN
[03:05:01]
BECOMES AN ISSUE.LET THE PEDICABS OPERATE THE WAY WE HAVE IT WRITTEN, AND THEN IF WE DISCOVER THROUGH INFORMATION THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH PEDICABS, WHICH IS WHAT YOU'RE IMPLYING, THEN WE REVIEW IT IN A YEAR OR SO AND SAY, OKAY, WELL, MAYBE WE NEED TO UP IT TO THREE.
IF THAT'S ON THE RECORD AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT AND WE REVIEW IT, THAT'S GOOD.
WELL, IT'S 8 O'CLOCK, AND I'M NEEDING A BREAK.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE WANT TO GO FROM HERE.
DO WE WANT TO, ARE WE, I'M TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT A BETTER COURSE OF ACTION IS TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO GO TO A SECOND READING WITH AMENDMENTS.
ARE WE FEELING THAT, OR ARE WE GOING TO TABLE IT FOR...
MORE DISCUSSION? WHAT ARE YOUR, WHAT'S YOUR SENSE? WELL, YOU CAN HAVE AS MANY SECOND READINGS AS YOU WISH.
SECOND READINGS IS JUST THE FIRST READING THAT HAS A PUBLIC HEARING.
SO IF YOU HAVE PROVIDED SUBSTANTIAL COMMENTS TONIGHT ON VEHICLE FOR HIRE.
I THINK YOU HAVE ENOUGH GUIDANCE FROM US ON THIS DISCUSSION.
I'M NOT SURE I DO, BUT I HOPE YOU DO.
I GUESS YOU CAN GO BACK AND REVIEW.
WE ONLY GOT THROUGH ONE OF THESE.
WE GOT THROUGH VEHICLE FOR HIRE.
CAN I ADD ONE THING? IF WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW THE ELECTRIC CARRIAGES, I THINK UNDER DEFINITIONS, WE OUGHT TO HAVE THE DEFINITION OF AN ELECTRIC CARRIAGES.
SO THAT WOULD BE ON, WE CAN ADD THE DEFINITION FOR ELECTRIC CARRIAGES.
BECAUSE I NOTICED IT'S NOT ON THE DEFINITION.
SO IF WE'RE ALLOWING IT, IT SHOULD BE DEFINED IN SOME WAY.
WE CAN ADD A DEFINITION FOR ELECTRIC CARRIAGES.
IS THERE ANY HEARTBURN ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED OR THE STAFF NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND? THAT YOU DESIRE TO SEE A CHANGE THAT HASN'T BEEN MENTIONED DID WE WE DID MENTION THE 9 VERSUS 11 WE DID AND I THINK WE WENT TO 11 THAT THAT THAT IS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER YEAH WE'RE ONLY ON READING FOR 26 RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT OKAY 2026-10 AMENDING VEHICLES FOR HIGHER ORDINANCE I DID GET ENOUGH FEEDBACK I FEEL LIKE YOU'VE GIVEN US ENOUGH CONSENSUS AND FEEDBACK THAT WE CAN OKAY ARE YOU GOOD ON BOTH OF THESE CHAPTER 27, I FEEL LIKE I AM ASKING ABOUT BOTH ORDINANCES MOVING FORWARD.
WELL, WE DID, WE TALKED ABOUT HORSES AND THAT WAS ABOUT THE WORK.
YOU CHANGED THE WORK PERIOD AND THE TEMPERATURE CUT OFF.
SO WE HAVE TO PASS, I GUESS, IF YOU WANT TO HEAR AND WORK THROUGH THE FRANCHISE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU PASS.
OR MOVE TO PASS FIRST READING FOR VEHICLE FOR HIRE.
WELL, NO, OKAY FAIR ENOUGH LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY HOW DO YOU THAT MAKE SENSE? I'D PREFER IF YOU JUST CALL THE READ CALL IT FOR SECOND READING FOR THE VEHICLE FOR HIRE ORDINANCE AND GET THAT OVER WITH AND THEN WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE FRANCHISE.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION WHO WANTS TO GO? I'LL MAKE NOW YOU GOTTA I GOTTA GET THE NUMBER OUT HERE 26- 10.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE THE SECOND READING, ORDINANCE 2026-11.
10? AM I ON THE WRONG ONE? YES.
SYMPATHETIC OF WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
AND THAT'S WITH THE STATED DIFFERENT CONDITIONS.
AND WITH ALL THE, WHICH RUBEN HAS SAID THAT HE HAS, YES.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-10, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 27 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR REGULATIONS FOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE, AMENDING ARTICLE 1 IN GENERAL, ARTICLE 2 VEHICLE DRIVERS, ARTICLE 3 MOTOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE, ARTICLE 4 TRAILER TRAINS AND SIGHTSEEING BUSES.
AND ARTICLE 5, TRANSPORTATION BY ANIMAL-DRAWN VEHICLES FOR PURPOSES OF TOURING, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ANY DISCUSSION? DEBATE? ALL RIGHT.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[03:10:01]
OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO ORDINANCE 2026-11, AND THAT IS AMENDING FRANCHISES, CHAPTER 14.AND I'LL JUST GO THROUGH WHAT I'VE HEARD, AND WE CAN GO FROM THERE.
WE'VE GONE OVER THE PENALTIES FOR THE FRANCHISES AND THE HORSE CARRIAGES.
ONE OF THE THINGS WITH THE HORSE CARRIAGES I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT IS WE HAVE THE FIRST PENALTY INCLUDES A $500 FINE.
SO WE ADDED THAT TO THE HORSE CARRIAGE.
WE HAVE EXCLUSIONARY ZONES UNDER CITY APPROVAL ROUTES.
WE'VE DISCUSSED AND I BELIEVE HAVE AGREEMENT ON INSURANCE.
WE TALKED ABOUT IT, THE CODE OF CONDUCT, AND WE'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE PARAGRAPH B FROM THAT OR SUBSECTION B.
THE WORK PERIOD FOR HORSES, WE'VE CHANGED.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT SECTION, BUT WE DIDN'T REDUCE IT TO FIVE DAYS A WEEK.
DURING JUNE THE SUMMER MONTHS, JUNE TO AUGUST I BELIEVE.
WHEN WE GET TO TEMPERATURE WE'RE USING THE WET BULB GLOBE TEMPERATURE AND WE INCLUDED THE DEFINITION AND THE CUTOFF WILL BE 90 DEGREES.
WE WILL USE THE CITY MARINA'S WEATHER STATION AS THE FIRST PLACE TO LOOK FOR THAT TEMPERATURE.
THIS IS A POINT OF DISCUSSION.
WE TALKED ABOUT FOR TIER 2, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF VEHICLES IS THREE.
THERE'S 15 TOTAL OPERATORS, AND WE HAD IT AT NINE PASSENGERS, AND WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSION GOING BACK AND FORTH.
ORIGINALLY, WE HAD 11 PASSENGERS.
AT THE WORKSHOP, WE DROPPED IT BACK DOWN TO NINE PASSENGERS.
SO WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION.
DO WE WANT NINE, TEN? WHAT I HEARD HERE WAS TEN PASSENGERS.
AND SO THAT IS A DECISION POINT THAT WE NEED CLARIFICATION ON.
I DON'T REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT 10 PASSENGERS.
I REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT 9 AND 11. CAPACITY VERSUS PASSENGERS.
SO PASSENGERS, WE HAD AT 11, BUT JUST NOW IN DISCUSSION, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT 10 PASSENGERS.
SO WHEN YOU SAY PASSENGERS, THAT ASSUMES...
PASSENGERS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DRIVER.
THE WAY THAT WE HAVE IT WRITTEN IS...
11 PASSENGERS, RIGHT, WOULD BE A DRIVER PLUS 11 PASSENGERS.
10 PASSENGERS WOULD BE A DRIVER PLUS 10 PASSENGERS.
DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THAT, OR DO YOU WANT ME TO KEEP GOING? SURE.
WELL, I APPRECIATED THE DISCUSSION COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD BROUGHT UP.
I MEAN, IT'S LESS CARS OFF THE ROAD.
YEAH, AND I THINK THE CARTS THAT CAN HOLD NINE ACTUALLY HAVE FOUR SEATS.
THE DRIVER'S IN THE FRONT SEAT, YOU HAVE THREE, AND THEY COULD PUT ONE PERSON IN THE FRONT SEAT WITH THEM, SO THAT'S 10.
SO THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION.
BUT I RECALL THE REASON THAT WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION WAS AT THE WORKSHOP, WE WERE REMINDED OF REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR.
PEOPLE THAT WERE BREAKING WERE.
WE WERE GIVING THEM THEIR WAY.
SO THAT WAS WHY I THINK WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION.
SO THAT, I'M JUST BRINGING THAT UP FOR Y'ALL TO THINK ABOUT.
BUT I AM SWAYED BY YOUR DISCUSSION, YOUR ITEM, AND I WOULD BE AMENABLE TO 11.
GOT A QUESTION? SO RUBEN, DID I HEAR YOU SAY THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE OPERATING NOW, THAT WE DISCUSSED AS 11, IS ACTUALLY 10 PEOPLE? 10 PASSENGERS AND ONE DRIVER? IS THAT WHAT MOST OF THEM ARE FIT FOR? NO, NO, IT'S A TOTAL OF 12 PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE.
THAT'S 11 PASSENGERS AND ONE DRIVER.
I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT DID YOU SAY THAT THIS IS WHAT A LOT OF THESE...
BECAUSE COMMISSIONER GARRIS BROUGHT UP THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT PEOPLE TO REDO THEIR CARTS.
SO HAS IT BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT THAT'S KIND OF THE UPPER LIMIT ON THAT? THE 11 PASSENGERS, 12 TOTAL WOULD BE THE UPPER.
AND WHAT HAPPENED IS OVER TIME, THOSE VEHICLES DIDN'T EXIST.
AND THEN THEY STARTED TO COME ONTO THE MARKET AND YOU COULD START TO BUY THEM.
AND SO THEY'VE STARTED TO POP UP OVER TIME.
AND THAT'S ONE REASON THAT WE LOOK, ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES OF RE-LOOKING AT THE ORDINANCE WAS, DO WE NEED TO UPDATE IT? BECAUSE WHAT WAS HAPPENING IS THEY WERE GOING OVER NINE PASSENGERS AND THEY WERE TECHNICALLY HAVE TO QUALIFY AS A FRANCHISE AT THAT POINT.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THEY DROVE IT.
SO IF SOMEBODY HAS A VEHICLE THAT CAN FIT 12, THEY JUST HAVE ONE SEAT EMPTY.
THEY DON'T REALLY NEED ANOTHER VEHICLE.
WE'D PREFER NOT TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE TRIED
[03:15:01]
TO HAVE THESE 11 PASSENGER VEHICLES ELIMINATE SEATS TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE.WHAT THEY WOULD BE DOING IS MODIFYING A VEHICLE THAT WAS DESIGNED FOR 12 PEOPLE TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE.
THE TECHNOLOGY EVOLVED TO HAVE 12-PERSON CARTS, 11 PASSENGERS AND A DRIVER.
PEOPLE WERE BUYING THEM AND USING THEM.
AND WE COULD NOT EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATE THE EXTRA SEATS BECAUSE THEY WOULD SAY, OKAY, WE'LL PUT A BAG OVER THE SEAT AND WE'LL BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE.
THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION.
I MEAN, SOMEBODY MAY LOOK AT IT AS REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR, BUT THAT IS REALLY JUST THE REALITY OF THE VEHICLES AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLES THEMSELVES.
THIS IS GOING TO EVOLVE BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ARE GOING TO GET BIGGER.
ARE WE STILL TALKING ABOUT THE HORSES OR ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE VEHICLES AT THIS POINT? BECAUSE I'M KIND OF CONFUSED.
I THOUGHT WE ALREADY RULED ABOUT THE VEHICLES.
THERE WAS A DISCUSSION, BUT NOW WE'RE ON THE ORDINANCE FOR TIER 2 FRANCHISES, WHICH IS THE GOLF CART FRANCHISES AND THE HORSE CARRIAGES.
I THOUGHT WE JUST AGREED TO HAVE 11.
TEN PASSENGERS AND ONE DRIVER.
NO, THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO HAVE 11 PASSENGERS AND ONE DRIVER, SO A TOTAL OF 12 PEOPLE.
I ASSUME THAT'S WHAT YOU MEANT WHEN YOU WANTED THE LARGER VEHICLE.
THANK YOU I WOULD SUGGEST WE JUST DO THAT FOR SIMPLICITY.
I THINK WE'RE ALL IN AGREEMENT ELEVEN PASSENGERS PLUS ONE DRIVER FOR A 12 VEHICLE 12 SEAT VEHICLE.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? OKAY, WE'RE ALMOST THERE.
OH THERE GOES WELL WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE THINGS AND I THINK WE'RE ALMOST THERE, OKAY? WE TALKED ABOUT MEDALLIONS FOR THE HORSE CARRIAGES.
THE NEXT THING THAT I THINK DOES NEED A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION IS THE OWNERSHIP TRANSFER REQUIREMENT FOR FRANCHISES.
IF WE CAN GET SOME DIRECTION ON THAT, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT IT NOT BEING TRANSFERABLE, BUT THEN YOU COULD BUY IT AS LONG AS YOU DIDN'T CHANGE THE NAME OF THE CORPORATION.
AND WE HAD SOME PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
SO DO YOU WANT TO ALLOW THE TRANSFER OR HOW DO YOU WANT TO PROCEED WITH? FRANCHISE THAT WANTS TO SELL IT.
I HEARD THIS CONVERSATION IN THE WORKSHOP AND I THINK JIM WAS USING JIM'S RESTAURANT AS AN EXAMPLE.
SO BROADLY SPEAKING, AS A FORMER BUSINESS PERSON, YOU LIKE THAT WHEN YOU BUILD A BUSINESS UP, YOU LIKE TO HAVE SOME EQUITY IN IT.
HOWEVER, IF WE IF WE MAKE IT JUST TRANSFERABLE AS THAT, THEN THE MEDALLION PRICES CAN GO UP.
SO WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FROM STOPPING THOSE TWO CONTRADICTORY THINGS? HOW COULD WE POSSIBLY ALLOW PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR EQUITY AND STILL HAVE BECAUSE ANY NEW FRANCHISE, IF IT'S SOLD, WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TOO.
DOES IT NEED TO COME BACK? I KNOW YOUR CONVERSATION WAS IF IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE NAME ON A SUNBIZ FORM, RIGHT? THEN IT DOESN'T COME BACK.
IS THAT RIGHT? IF THE FRANCHISE IS GRANTED TO A COMPANY, PARDON ME? IF YOU GRANT A FRANCHISE TO A COMPANY, ABC CORPORATION, AND SOMEONE BUYS ABC CORPORATION, WE CAN'T PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING BECAUSE THE COMPANY HAS THE FRANCHISE, NOT THE INDIVIDUAL, NOT THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY.
THAT WAS THE DISCUSSION AT THE WORKSHOP.
AND SO THERE WAS SOME BACK AND FORTH ABOUT SHOULD THE CITY COMMISSION REVIEW THAT IN SOME WAY? IF THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY WANTS TO CHANGE THE NAME AFTER THEY'VE PURCHASED THE COMPANY, DOES THAT CONSTITUTE A NEW FRANCHISE? RIGHT.
AND THERE'S NO GOOD ANSWER TO THAT.
I WOULD NEED MORE TIME TO HASH THAT OUT.
CAN ANY CURRENT FRANCHISE OWNER CHANGE THEIR NAME? WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
I MEAN, BUSINESSES HAVE THE DBA OPTION, RIGHT, DOING BUSINESS AS.
SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH CONTROL DO YOU WANT OVER THE TRANSFERABILITY OF THE FRANCHISES YOU GRANT TO A BUSINESS.
IF YOU HAVE NO CONTROL, THEN AS SOON AS YOU PUT THESE FRANCHISES INTO THE MARKETPLACE, YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHO'S OPERATING THEM.
[03:20:03]
BUT YOU DO HAVE PARAMETERS OVER WHICH HOW BIG THE VEHICLES CAN BE, HOW OFTEN THEY HAVE TO BE USED, AND MAYBE THAT'S ENOUGH CONTROL AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MICROMANAGE WHAT INDIVIDUALS OWN OR ARE MANAGING MEMBERS OF CORPORATIONS.I JUST KIND OF WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP TWO CONCEPTS SEPARATE BECAUSE THEY ARE QUITE DIFFERENT.
ONE IS WHETHER MEDALLIONS OR FRANCHISES CAN BE BOUGHT AND SOLD.
ON THE OPEN MARKET AND FULLY TRANSFERABLE.
AND WE HAVE NOT ALLOWED THAT HISTORICALLY.
AND WE CERTAINLY CAN DO THAT TO RESTRICT THAT.
I THINK THE QUESTION THAT CAME UP FROM VARIOUS FOLKS IN THE AUDIENCE AND OTHERS IS, IF THE OWNERSHIP CHANGES, NOW WHETHER IT COULD CHANGE COMPLETELY SO THAT THE ENTITY THAT HOLDS THE FRANCHISE REMAINS THE SAME.
IT IS ABC INCORPORATED OR ISABEL LOPEZ LLC.
THE QUESTION IS NOT SO MUCH IS THE FRANCHISE TRANSFERABLE? IT IS NOT.
AND I WOULD SUGGEST YOU PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE NOW YOU'RE CREATING, YOU KNOW, SORT OF A MARKETPLACE FOR BUYING AND SELLING AND TRANSFERRING THE FRANCHISE.
BUT THE CONCERN THAT SOME FOLKS WERE SAYING IS, BUT WHAT IF I SELL THE COMPANY AND THE COMPANY OWNS THE FRANCHISE.
IT'S A THING, RIGHT? I KNOW IT'S A FICTIONAL THING, BUT CORPORATIONS ARE THINGS, ARE PEOPLE ESSENTIALLY UNDER THE LAW.
AND I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THAT, BUT THAT'S THE FACT.
SO THE QUESTION WAS, BUT IF I WANT TO SELL MY COMPANY TO SOMEBODY ELSE, I SHOULD HAVE A RIGHT TO DO THAT.
AND THAT'S THE RUB, RIGHT? THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING.
WE HAVE IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
SAID THAT IF THERE'S A TRANSFER OF OVER 50% OF THE SHARES OF THE COMPANY, THEN IT COMES BACK TO THE CITY.
SO YOU HAVE A RANGE OF OPTIONS FROM IT'S OKAY SO LONG AS THE ENTITY THAT HOLDS THE MEDALLION CONTINUES TO HOLD THE MEDALLION, DOES NOT CHANGE ITS NAME, DOES NOT BECOME A NEW AND DIFFERENT CORPORATION TO A GRADATION OF THAT.
IF 50% OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TURN OVER, THEN YOU GET ANOTHER LOOK AT THE HOLDER OF THE FRANCHISE.
YOU HAVE SORT OF SHADES OF GRAY, RIGHT? YEAH, MY CONVERSATION, WHICH I'LL JUST REPEAT, IS THAT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SELL YOUR BUSINESS, BUT WE LEASE THE MEDALLIONS.
WE LEASE THEM FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, CORRECT? THERE'S 10 YEARS AND THERE'S...
IT'D BE JUST SIMILAR TO OWNING A MCDONALD'S.
BUT THEN LEASING THE BUILDING FROM THE LANDOWNER, FOR EXAMPLE.
BUT I STILL THINK A PERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD UP THEIR BUSINESS, SELL IT, AND THEN WE GET TO APPROVE THE SALE AS THE LEASEE OF THE MEDALLION.
OR THEY CAN STILL BUY THE BUSINESS, BUT WE WON'T GIVE THEM THE MEDALLION IF WE DON'T AGREE TO LEASE THE MEDALLION TO THEM.
WOULD THAT COME UP AT THE SALE OR WOULD THAT COME UP AT THE TERM, AT THE END TERM OF THE FRANCHISE? CONTINGENT ON THE SALE.
OKAY, PLEASE, LET'S NOT HAVE THIS SPEAKING OUT TONIGHT.
HOW OFTEN ARE THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS? FIVE YEARS, IS THAT WHAT WE'RE SETTING? THESE WILL BE, THE TIER TWO WOULD BE A 10-YEAR.
10-YEAR AGREEMENT OF TIER ONE OR 20 HERE I MEAN MY FEELING IS IF PEOPLE ARE PERFORMING THE BUSINESS PROPERLY AND THEY'RE FOLLOWING ALL OUR REGULATIONS AND THEY SELL THE BUSINESS AND THEY'RE STILL OPERATING UNDER OUR REGULATIONS I DON'T SEE A DOWNSIDE TO THAT FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN SO FAR AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO STILL COMPLY ANNUALLY WITH OUR INSPECTIONS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS YEAH I MEAN EVERYTHING IF EVERYTHING'S THE PENALTY YEAH UH FORMAT SO THAT MAKES SENSE.
I JUST WANTED TO JUST KIND OF GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF KIND OF WHAT JIM WAS PIGGYBACKING ON.
YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A NAIL SHOP IN THE MALL, AND THEY ENDED UP PURCHASING THE NAIL SHOP FROM WINN-DIXIE AND WENT UNDER THEIR LEADERSHIP BECAUSE THEY SPECIALIZE IN THE SAME PRODUCT.
I DON'T SEE WHY THEY JUST DON'T NOTIFY THE LEASER, WHICH WOULD BE US HAVING THE MEDALLIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
THAT WE'RE CHANGING HANDS BECAUSE I MIGHT BE MOVING OUT
[03:25:01]
OF TOWN AND WE JUST UNDERSTAND WHO HOLDS THAT MEDALLION NOW.I DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM IN A CHANGE OF TRANSFER AS LONG AS WE'RE NOTIFIED ABOUT IT AND IT GOES ON RECORD AT THAT POINT BECAUSE NOW WE'RE AWARE OF WHO WE'RE DEALING WITH VERSUS WHO WE USED TO DEAL WITH.
I DON'T SEE THAT WE SHOULD PUT THAT KIND OF RESTRICTION ON A BUSINESS BECAUSE PEOPLE MOVE, LIFE CHANGES.
YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY COULD HAVE A STROKE AND CAN'T DRIVE NO MORE AND THEY JUST WANT TO.
NOT THEIR BUSINESS GO UNDER, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? SOMETHING THEY CREATED.
SO I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THAT.
ATTORNEY, ISN'T THAT SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DO? THANK YOU.
I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, I'M SORT OF HEARING A NUMBER OF YOU SAYING THE SAME THING, THAT IF YOU'RE SELLING THE BUSINESS, THEN IT SHOULD BE TO SOME DEGREE TRANSFERABLE IN TERMS OF IT'S THE SAME BUSINESS, SO YOU'RE NOT SELLING IT TO A DIFFERENT CORPORATION.
BUT YOU'RE SELLING YOUR ENTIRE BUSINESS, THEN THE BUSINESS HOLDS THE MEDALLION.
IT KIND OF, IT WALKS, THE MEDALLION WALKS WITH THE BUSINESS, THE INCORPORATED BUSINESS OR THE LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION.
I THINK I'M HEARING GENERAL CONSENSUS ON THAT.
THAT GIVES THE PEOPLE EQUITY, BUT THEN THERE'S A REVIEW AFTER 10 YEARS ANYWAY.
WE CAN CLOSE THEM DOWN IF THEY'RE NOT DOING IT.
I THINK THAT'S GENERALLY THE, I THINK I'M SEEING AT LEAST THREE, FOUR PEOPLE.
MR. FRANKLIN, DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE YOUR MARCHING ORDERS? I GOT IT.
OKAY, THE NEXT ONE I'LL MAKE EASY.
INCENTIVE FOR THE ELECTRIC CARRIAGE.
WE'LL JUST ELIMINATE, I'LL PROPOSE WE ELIMINATE THE ADDITION AND LET THEM JUST BE INTERCHANGEABLE WITH EXISTING MEDALLIONS, AND WE'LL ADD A DEFINITION FOR ELECTRIC CARRIAGE.
OKAY, THAT SOUNDS LIKE GUESSING, GUESSING.
AND THE LAST THING I HAVE IS THE PROVISION OF USE.
WITHIN ONCE, AT LEAST EVERY 60 DAYS.
OKAY, DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? I THINK I SEE NODS.
ALL RIGHT, SO ARE WE READY TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION? I'M ENTERTAINING A MOTION.
YOU'LL DO IT AGAIN? I MEAN, WHY NOT? 20-26-11.
OKAY, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE ORDINANCE.
2026-11 AS READ BY TITLE AND WITH THE CHANGES THAT WE'VE MADE HERE TONIGHT SPEAKING TO MR. FRANKLIN TO A SECOND HEARING.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-11, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE 1 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR REGULATIONS FOR FRANCHISES.
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[9.B.1. Resolution 2026-11: Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement to Continue the Transit Corridor Development Program (R. Franklin, Assistant City Mananger)]
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. FRANKLIN.IT'S A COMPLICATED SET OF ORDINANCES, AND I BELIEVE YOU ARE UP FOR THE NEXT ITEM, RESOLUTION 2026-11.
THIS RESOLUTION 2026-11 IS FOR OUR GRANT AGREEMENT FOR THE STAR CIRCULATOR WITH FDOT.
THIS AUTHORIZES THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER NEXT FISCAL YEAR'S REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT, WHICH IS $1.5 MILLION.
THIS IS AN INCREASE, AND WE DO INTEND TO BRING YOU BACK A PROPOSAL WHERE WE ACTUALLY MODIFY THE ROUTE TO CONNECT THE BEACH TO THE CITY WITH THAT $1.5 MILLION THAT GIVES US THE FLEXIBILITY TO MOVE THAT.
I'LL GET INTO THE DETAILS OF THAT LATER.
I'LL COME BACK WITH THE STAFF REPORT.
TO SHOW THE CHANGES AND GET INPUT AT A LATER DATE.
I MOVE WE PASS RESOLUTION 2026-11, TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[Items 9.B.2 - 9.B.4]
NANCY SECKLEIN? YES.WE HAVE THREE RESOLUTIONS DEALING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
[03:30:02]
BRIDENSTINE, YOU'RE...MEREDITH BRIDENSTINE, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE ALL THREE OF THEM, AND THEN WE CAN JUST...
YOU CAN VOTE ON THEM SEPARATELY.
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REACHED OUT TO THE CITY REGARDING A DEED TO TEMPORARY EASEMENTS AND TO PERMANENT EASEMENTS NEEDED FOR THE CITY...
NEEDED FROM THE FOR THE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
ON STATE ROAD 5A, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS A1A, THESE PARCELS ARE LOCATED ON A1A FROM THE BRIDGE OF LYONS TO CHARLOTTE STREET.
TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT, THEY NEED EACH OF THESE.
THE FIRST ONE, NUMBER 2026-12, IS THE CITY DEED.
IT'S 4,862 SQUARE FEET ALONG STATE ROAD A1A.
WE CAN VOTE ON THEM INDIVIDUALLY IF YOU'D LIKE.
CAN WE DO THEM ALL AT ONE TIME? OKAY.
SURE, THEY'RE RESOLUTIONS, SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO NAME THE RESOLUTIONS.
MS. BRIDENSTINE, YOU DID THE OVERALL REVIEW OF WHAT ALL OF THESE WERE, RIGHT? YES.
ALL RIGHT, SO WE CAN HAVE CALL AND RESPONSE FOR RESOLUTION.
CAN WE DO 2026-12, 13, AND 14 ALL AT ONE TIME? YES, YOU CAN.
YOU CAN, UNLESS THERE'S A DIVERGENT VOTING, BUT I DON'T IMAGINE IT WILL BE WITH THIS.
DOES ANYONE HAVE AN OBJECTION TO THAT? NO, I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT ALL AS ONE.
HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS, JUST NECESSARY.
ALL RIGHT, I MOVE WE PASS RESOLUTION 2026-12, RESOLUTION 2026-13, RESOLUTION 2026-14.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE
[10. STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS]
CALL THE ROLL.THE NEXT ITEM IS THE ZORA NEIL HURSTON PARK HISTORIC MARKER.
LANGUAGE AND SIGN STYLE REVIEW.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, JAMIE D.
PERKINS, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF ST.
TONIGHT, I WILL BE PRESENTING AS A STAFF REPORT THE ZORA NEALE HURSTON PARK HISTORIC MARKER LANGUAGE.
AND THEN IN YOUR PACKET, I ALSO DID PROVIDE SOME MOCK-UPS FOR WHAT THAT SIGNAGE COULD LOOK LIKE.
I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION, JUST BASED OFF OF EARLIER PUBLIC COMMENT, THAT THIS IS NOT RELATIVE TO THE NAMING OF THE PARK.
THE COMMISSION NAMED ZORA NEALE HURSTON MEMORIAL PARK BACK IN 2016 WITH RESOLUTION 2016-23 USING OUR ADOPTED RESOLUTION 2016-15, WHICH IS OUR PARK NAMING PROCESS.
IT WENT THROUGH AN ELABORATE PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS.
AND THEN IT WAS ADOPTED THROUGH RESOLUTION.
THIS BOARD HAS ALSO PROVIDED STAFF WITH DIRECTIVES ON WHAT THAT PARK SHOULD LOOK LIKE IN THIS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A SIDEWALK, SOME LANDSCAPING FEATURES, AND THE SIGNAGE THAT IS IN QUESTION TONIGHT.
THE LANGUAGE THAT IS PRESENTED TO YOU ALL THAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET, I TRIED TO STICK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT IS RELATIVE TO MS. HURSTON'S TIME HERE IN THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT HER LIFESPAN, THE 1920S, 30S, AND MOST NOTABLY THE 1940S. AS REQUESTED BY THIS BOARD, I DID CONSULT WITH THE ANDERSON FAMILY WHO WAS HERE EARLIER TONIGHT BUT DID LEAVE I'M ASSUMING THEY HAD SOMETHING THAT THEY NEEDED TO GET TO SO THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO STAY FOR THE DURATION OF THE MEETING.
BUT I HAD EXCELLENT CONVERSATIONS WITH MR. AND MRS. ANDERSON, WHO ARE THE OWNERS OF ZORA'S SOJOURN.
AND WE COLLABORATED ON THE LANGUAGE.
AND THAT IS WHAT IS BEFORE YOU.
SO I'M LOOKING FOR A CONSENSUS.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED A FORMAL VOTE, BUT A CONSENSUS ON THE LANGUAGE.
AND THEN THE MOCK-UPS OF THE SIGNAGE.
I AM AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? NO QUESTIONS? I HAVE A QUESTION.
WHAT IS IT? IT'S HARD FOR ME TO DETERMINE WHAT THIS MATERIAL BEING USED IS.
IS IT A WOODEN SIGN OR IS IT A BRONZE MARKER LIKE THE STATE? I BELIEVE THAT WE WERE GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF A BRONZE MARKER SIMILAR TO A LOT OF THE HISTORIC SIGNS THAT WE SEE AROUND TOWN.
I DID ADD A PHOTO OF THE SIGN THAT IS LOCATED AT THE ZORA SURGEON PROPERTY ON WEST KING STREET.
AND SO MY THOUGHTS WERE THAT WE WOULD GO
[03:35:01]
IN A SIMILAR DIRECTION TO THAT SIGN, THAT SIGNAGE.HOWEVER, IT IS COMPLETELY UP TO THIS BOARD OF HOW YOU ALL WOULD LIKE US TO ADDRESS THAT WITH THE MATERIALS.
BUT MY THOUGHTS WERE THAT WE WOULD DO SOMETHING MORE TRADITIONAL IN A BRONZE MAKEUP.
AND OF COURSE, ADD LOGOS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITY OF ST.
RIGHT, THAT WAS THE ONLY THING I SAW MISSING WAS THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE, BECAUSE USUALLY WHEN YOU HAVE THE BRONZE MARKERS, THERE'S AN IDENTIFIER OF WHO MADE THE MARKER.
ANYONE ELSE? NO, I THINK IT'S ADVANTAGEOUS TO KEEP THE STYLE OF THESE THINGS.
SIMILAR AS YOU GO AROUND THE CITY.
YEAH, THERE'S DIFFERENT ONES, LIKE THE CORDED ONES, THAT ARE LIKE ORANGE, AND THE STATES ARE BLUE, AND THEN THERE'S THE OLD ONES, WHICH ARE THE GREEN ONES, BUT THEY'RE ALL BRONZE, AND THEY HAVE THAT SAME SHAPE.
IT'S DONE BY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, THE COUNTY HAS A PROGRAM WITH WORKERS, BUT THEY GO THROUGH THE STATE REVIEW PROCESS.
THEY SEND THEIR TEXT TO THE STATE.
SURE, AND THEY HAVE STANDARDS.
THE STATE, YES, AND THE STATE CREATES THE MARKER AND BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, THAT KIND OF THING.
BUT OKAY, THOSE WERE MY QUESTIONS.
SO IT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYBODY SAYS GO FORWARD.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR YOU TO GO FORWARD WITH GETTING THE SIGN.
WE'VE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT ZARA NEAL PARK, AND WE KEEP HEARING SOME FEEDBACK THAT...
NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, SO I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD ON THAT.
I KNOW IT CAME BEFORE US ABOUT A ZERO-NIL WALL AND ALL THAT OTHER STUFF, BUT I THINK THIS IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION SO SOMEBODY WALKING BY CAN FIND OUT WHY THE PARK IS NAMED THAT.
AND I THINK WE MADE SOME POSITIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU RECENTLY ABOUT HOW WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.
ANYBODY GOING TO SECOND ANYBODY GOING TO SECOND THE MOTION? THE MOTION? I'LL SECOND IT.
DID YOU WANT? I WAS JUST GOING TO HAVE, DO WE NEED A MOTION? ARE WE READY FOR A MOTION? I DON'T KNOW IF THIS I DON'T KNOW IF THIS I DON'T KNOW IF THIS SHOULD BE...
[11. ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY]
I BELIEVE MADAM GARRETT HAS MADE ONE.SHE WANTED TO FORMALIZE IT, SO IT'S SECOND.
SO IT'S SECON ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
VERY BRIEFLY, CDDS ARE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A COPY OF THEIR BUDGET.
[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK]
THERE IS NOTHING FOR YOU TO DO IN TERMS OF FORMAL MOTION, ONLY IF YOU HAD ANY COMMENTS YOU WANTED ME TO CONVEY BACK TO THEM.OTHERWISE, IT'S JUST INFORMATION.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MADAM VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
I JUST HAVE NOTIFICATION OF OUR OPEN POSITIONS ON OUR CITIZEN BOARDS.
WE HAVE TWO ON OUR CITY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
ONE IS CITY EMPLOYEE APPOINTED.
THE OTHER IS BOARD APPOINTED THAT WE WILL BRING BACK FOR YOUR MINISTERIAL APPROVAL ONCE
[13. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER]
THAT PROCESS IS COMPLETED.AND WE HAVE AN OPEN VACANCY ON OUR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.
MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS LAST TUESDAY.
JUNE 2ND, THE FLORIDA HOUSE PASSED A JOINT RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES, WHICH IS THE SOURCE OF INCOME FOR US, SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR US.
AND THIS PROPOSAL WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER 3RD BALLOT.
TO PASS, IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY 60% OF FLORIDA VOTERS.
IF IT PASSES, IT WILL REDUCE THE REVENUES OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, WHICH WE USE TO OPERATE AND TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.
AS YOU KNOW, HOMEOWNERS IN FLORIDA, THE PROPERTY APPRAISER SUBTRACTS UP TO $50,000 FROM THE ASSESSED VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY TO DETERMINE THE TAXABLE VALUE.
AND THEN IT ASSIGNS THE MILLAGE RATES TO CALCULATE YOUR ANNUAL PROPERTY TAXES.
THIS $50,000 DISCOUNT IS CALLED THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION.
AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT WILL DO SEVERAL THINGS, BUT THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO US IS THAT IT WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION FROM $50,000 STARTING JANUARY 1ST, 2027, IT WILL INCREASE IT TO $150,000.
AND THEN ON JANUARY 1ST, 2028, IT WILL INCREASE IT TO $250,000.
THE AMENDMENT ALSO SAYS THAT NEW RESIDENTS TO THE STATE AFTER JANUARY 1ST, 2027 HAVE TO WAIT FIVE YEARS BEFORE THEY
[03:40:03]
ENJOY THIS EXPANDED HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION.STATE ALSO WILL ADJUST THIS TAX EXEMPTION ANNUALLY BASED ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.
THEY ALSO ALLOW A FULL ELIMINATION OF PROPERTY TAXES.
THAT CAN BE PURSUED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE FUTURE AND WE'RE NOT EXACTLY SURE HOW THAT WORKS YET.
THESE EXPANDED TAX EXEMPTIONS DO NOT APPLY TO YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES BUT THEY DO APPLY TO CITY AND COUNTY TAXES AND ALSO ALL THE OTHER TAXING AUTHORITIES.
AND FINALLY, THE MAXIMUM ANNUAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
THAT'S ASSIGNED TO NON-HOMESTEADED PROPERTIES, THAT WOULD BE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, VACATION RENTALS, INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES, WHICH IS NOW CAPPED AT 10% INCREASE PER YEAR, WOULD DROP TO A MAXIMUM 5% INCREASE PER YEAR.
AND THIS MAY ALSO RESULT IN A LOSS OF REVENUE TO THE CITY.
THIS HAS BEEN THE TOPIC OF CONVERSATION FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, EVER SINCE THE GOVERNOR CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION.
IT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THREE DAYS.
IT ONLY LASTED A DAY AND A HALF.
BUT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO WHAT THAT IMPACT POTENTIALLY COULD BE, NOT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, BUT FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET.
AND I'D LIKE TO BRING MEREDITH UP.
I'LL DO THE NUMBERS A LITTLE BIT FOR YOU.
GOOD EVENING, MEREDITH BRIDENSTINE, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME HIGH-LEVEL ESTIMATES THAT WE HAVE TAKEN A LOOK AT SO FAR.
AUGUSTINE CURRENTLY HAS 2,976 PROPERTIES WITH HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS, OUT OF A TOTAL OF 9,412.
THIS MEANS 31.6% OF OUR PROPERTIES HAVE A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
BASED ON THE CITY'S MOST RECENT TAXABLE VALUES, THE FISCAL YEAR 2028, LIKE MR. BURCHAM JUST SAID, NOT THE BUDGET WE'RE IN, NOT THE BUDGET WE'RE WORKING ON, BUT THE FOLLOWING.
THAT FISCAL YEAR, A PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL $100,000 FOR HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES WOULD EQUATE TO $2.1 MILLION OF GENERAL FUND REVENUE REDUCTION.
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2029, WE WOULD SEE A $4.2 MILLION REVENUE REDUCTION FOR THE GENERAL FUND.
OUR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE YEAR WE'RE CURRENTLY IN, AD VALOREM REVENUE IS $25 MILLION AND IT'S USED TO PAY FOR THE FOLLOWING.
93% OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET, 60% OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET, 80% OF STREET PAVING AND REPAIR, 55% OF OUR GROUNDS DIVISION, WHICH ARE OUR PARKS AND OUR CONSERVATION LANDS, 100% OF THE CITY'S REQUIRED TRANSFER TO THE CRAS, 100% OF THE CITY COMMISSION BUDGET, AND 25% OF THE CITY'S ADMINISTRATION THAT INCLUDES THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY CLERK, HR, RISK MANAGEMENT, FINANCE, AND PURCHASING.
ALL OF THE REMAINING GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES ARE COVERED WITH OTHER SOURCES, INCLUDING STATE REVENUES, USER FEES, GRANTS, AND TRANSFERS FROM ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
THESE EXPENDITURES THAT I HAVEN'T NAMED SO FAR INCLUDE PUBLIC WORKS, COMMUNITY SERVICES, CODE ENFORCEMENT, PLANNING, COMMUNICATIONS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, EVENTS, FLEET, CUSTOMER SERVICE, FACILITIES, PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, AND IN THE REMAINING BALANCE OF THE ADMINISTRATION, POLICE, FIRE, STREETS, AND GROUNDS.
THAT'S WHAT THE GENERAL FUND DOES A LOT.
IN ORDER TO MEET THIS POTENTIAL REDUCTION IN REVENUE, CITY STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO EVALUATE EACH POSITION THAT COMES OPEN AND EVERY LEVEL OF SERVICE.
CURRENTLY BEING PROVIDED TO OUR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND VISITORS.
WE'LL BRING ANY AND ALL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COMMISSION THROUGHOUT FISCAL YEAR 26, FISCAL YEAR 2027, AND IN ORDER TO PUT OUR RESIDENTS IN THE BEST POSITION, IF THESE DO PASS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2028 AND 2029 BUDGET, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT FROM NOW UNTIL THEN.
I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
WELL, CAN YOU PROVIDE US WITH A...
EMAIL WITH THAT INFORMATION ON IT.
MY QUESTION WOULD BE HOW TO DISSEMINATE THIS INFORMATION TO OUR...
[03:45:03]
EARLIER TODAY.SO WE HAVE BEEN SEEING EXAMPLES OF OTHER COMMUNITIES' EDUCATION EFFORTS, AND THERE ARE SOME GOOD EXAMPLES.
AND WE ARE PREPARING TO COME UP WITH OUR OWN FAQ SHEET THAT...
EXPLAINS THIS IN A SIMPLE WAY SO THAT EVERYONE CAN UNDERSTAND IT.
AND WE'VE GOT SOME GOOD EXAMPLES.
SO IT'S INTERESTING THAT YOU BROUGHT THIS UP BECAUSE THIS WAS A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION TODAY.
WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP? AND THE NEXT STEP IS EDUCATION OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS REALLY THE ONLY ACTION STEP WE HAVE.
WE HAVE NO OTHER CONTROL OVER THIS SITUATION, WHICH IS VERY FRUSTRATING.
THE ONLY THING WE CAN CONTROL IS WHAT WE PROVIDE IN THE WAY OF FACTS.
FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO BE MAKING THIS DECISION.
WE CAN'T SPEND ANY MONEY ON TRYING TO LOBBY TO OPPOSE THIS EFFORT.
SO, COMMISSIONERS? YOUR EXAMPLE WAS 90% OF THE POLICE IS BY PROPERTY TAX.
IT'S NOT BY THESE PROPERTY TAX ALONE.
IT IS BY AD VALOREM REVENUE, 93% OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THAT DIFFERENCE IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME WHAT WE CALL RENT.
IT'S NOT TRULY RENT, BUT WE HAVE THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICERS WHO WORK FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD AND FOR FLAGLER COLLEGE, AND THEY PAY US FOR THAT.
BUT THAT INCLUDES THE AD VALOREM FOR BUSINESSES AND AIRBNBS AND...
I DID NOT BREAK OUT THE TYPES.
IT SOUNDS LIKE, WHEN YOU SAY THAT, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT THE BUDGET 90% BECAUSE OF THIS LAW.
SO I THINK WHEN WE GIVE INFORMATION, WE OUGHT TO BE AS REAL AS WE CAN SO THAT WE'RE NOT SCARING.
PEOPLE TO VOTE ONE WAY, BUT THAT WE GIVE THEM THE REAL INFORMATION.
SO A $2.1 MILLION CUT, HAVE Y'ALL STARTED LOOKING AT WAYS TO MAKE UP THAT INCOME? PARKING GARAGE, ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AD VALOREM TAX INCREASE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.
THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS FOR US TO INCREASE SOME REVENUES.
WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT HOW TO RAISE FEES.
USER FEES IN PARTICULAR, PARKING IS THE BIGGEST USER FEE THAT GENERATES INCOME FOR US.
RAISING PARKING RATES IS A SENSITIVE ISSUE.
THAT WOULD BE YOUR DECISION OR THE COMMISSION'S DECISION TO DO THAT.
BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERY WAY WE CAN POSSIBLY TO RAISE OUR REVENUES IN ANTICIPATION THAT WE WILL LOSE ALL OF THESE HOMESTEAD TAXES EVENTUALLY.
AND THE STATE HAS MENTIONED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE A SLUSH FUND FOR COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT.
NO, THAT DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE FUND.
OH, I'M GLAD WE'RE NOT IN UNION COUNTY.
SO WHAT OTHER, I'M SURE WE HAVE COMMENTS.
I MEAN, WE'RE ALL FRUSTRATED, YES, BY IT.
YEAH, I'M FEELING PRETTY DEVASTATED BY THIS.
AND I JUST THINK ABOUT THE JOBS THAT WILL BE LOST, THE FACT THAT WE'LL HAVE A BONUS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS, SO WE'LL SEE MAYBE A PROLIFERATION OF THOSE BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO GET THEIR MAXIMUM INCREASE DECREASED BY 50%.
IT'S NOT GOING TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS IN TERMS OF I MEAN, YOU TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THIS IS A THERE'S NO INCOME TAX IN THIS STATE.
SO YOU TAKE MONEY AWAY, IT'S GOT TO COME OUT OF SOMETHING.
IT'S GOT TO COME OUT OF SALES TAX OR OTHER FEES OR WHATEVER.
AND I THINK INCREASING PARKING RATES, IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUR POTHOLES FILLED, IS GOING TO DISCOURAGE TOURISM.
SO THIS IS JUST A DEVASTATING ACT.
AND I THINK IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY HARD TO COMMUNICATE.
AND I KNOW WE'VE GOT GOOD COMMUNICATORS HERE.
YOU KNOW, WHEN SOMEBODY'S LOOKING AT A BIG REDUCTION IN THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILL AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE PRICE OF GAS AT THE SAME TIME AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE PRICE OF EGGS AND MILK AND EVERYTHING ELSE, THEY'RE LIKE, YEAH, THIS WOULD HELP ME A LOT.
SO THE KNEE-JERK REACTION WOULD BE ONE THING.
BEING REALISTIC, I THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HAVE YOUR HANDS FULL.
IT JUST GOES IN FRONT OF VOTERS.
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING TO BE TEMPTED.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF TALKING, COMMUNICATING.
AND LIKE I SAID, LAST TIME WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD BROUGHT IT UP, I MEAN, WE MIGHT JUST BE LOOKING AT REVENUE SOURCES FOR OURSELVES.
[03:50:01]
THAT WE CAN'T DO.SO LIKE YOU'RE SAYING, PARKING OR ANYTHING WE CAN DO.
I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR SITTING HERE IS WAYS WE CAN DO THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING I FEEL LIKE WE CAN DISCUSS AND WE CAN KIND OF CONTROL.
SOME OF THE OTHER STUFF IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL POLITICALLY.
I DON'T HAVE TO SAY IT, BUT SO THAT'S WHAT I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR FROM THE CITY IS CREATIVE WAYS TO COME UP WITH MORE MONEY THAT DOESN'T TAX OUR RESIDENTS.
WE DO HAVE A BIG TOURISM BASE HERE, BUT THEN OUR HANDS ARE HELD ON THAT.
SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME CREATIVE THINKING, BUT I THINK WE CAN MAKE SOME OF IT UP IF IT HAPPENS.
I'M JUST SAYING IF IT DOES, VOTERS ARE GOING TO DECIDE AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REACT.
WELL, THIS IS CONCERNING, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.
BUT WE DO KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE COME IN HERE DURING BUDGET COMPLAINING ABOUT PAYING TAXES AND SO FORTH.
AND SO IN THEIR MINDSET, THIS IS A WIN THAT THEY WON'T HAVE TO PAY TAXES.
I THINK THAT THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT.
I KNOW WE HAVE SOME BIG PROJECTS COMING ALONG THAT'S GOING TO TAKE MORE MONEY.
I THINK A LOT OF THOSE THINGS MIGHT HAVE TO GET POSTPONED IN ORDER FOR US TO SEE WHERE WE ARE FINANCIALLY AS A CITY.
AND I THINK THAT THERE WAS A MAN THAT CAME IN HERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE WAS CONTACTED AND WAS TOLD THAT HE PAYS US GOOD RENT TO BE IN THE CASA MONICA.
I DON'T THINK HE SHOULD BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS WHEN HE'S A SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE CITY.
WE DO HAVE A BATHROOM PROBLEM.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT A COUPLE OF THINGS.
THINGS THAT WE AS A CITY PROMOTE, WE COULD TRY TO DO SOME OFFSETTING TO GET HIGHER REVENUE COMING IN.
WE CAN ALSO HOLD OFF ON SOME THINGS UNTIL WE STABILIZE, BASICALLY.
I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO DO.
WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE MORE MONEY GOING OUT AND LOSING JOBS TO PREVENT US FROM PERFORMING AS A CITY.
THAT MIGHT BE, THE FIRE STATION MIGHT NEED TO BE HELD UP UNTIL WE KNOW THAT WE CAN'T LOSE THE GRANT THAT'S SUPPOSED TO COME WITH IT.
ANOTHER THING MIGHT HAVE TO BE A DELAY THE BROWDY PROJECT.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT SOME THINGS TO SUSTAIN THE CITY SO THAT WE REMAIN STRONG.
AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO, LIKE, HAVE SOME MORE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO, WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT THE ANSWERS TO NOVEMBER.
IF WE GET 53%, THEN IT'S NOT GOING TO EVEN HAPPEN.
SO I THINK WE JUST NEED TO COME UP WITH PLAN B, A AND B, AND JUST MOVE FORWARD AND SEE WHERE WE'RE GOING.
AND I'M SURE MEREDITH AND DAVID AND THE ADMIN TEAM AND ISABEL CAN COME UP WITH SOME SOLUTIONS BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT THEM A LOT TOO AND THEIR FUTURES.
SO I THINK WE NEED TO JUST DO LIKE AN OBSERVATION.
PROVIDE SOME INSIGHT TO THE COMMUNITY.
I DON'T BELIEVE THE STATE CAN PULL EVERYONE'S REVENUE BECAUSE THERE'S SOME, I'VE BEEN READING A LOT ABOUT THIS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF CITIES THAT'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE VULNERABLE THAN US, A LOT OF COUNTIES.
SO I THINK THAT THE STATE'S GOING TO HAVE TO AWARD SOME MONEY FOR THIS OFFSET.
YOU CAN'T JUST TAKE EVERYBODY'S MONEY AND NOT GIVE THEM A SUBSTITUTE OF SOME SOURCE OF REVENUE.
SO I TRUST AND BELIEVE THAT THAT WILL OCCUR.
I CAN'T GUARANTEE IT BECAUSE I'M NOT A STATE REP OR ANY OF THOSE PEOPLE MAKING THESE DECISIONS.
I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO GO INTO PANIC MODE.
I THINK WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO SHOW HOW STRONG THAT WE WILL BE REGARDLESS OF WHAT DOES TRANSPIRE.
COMMISSIONER GARRIS, I WOULDN'T HOLD MY BREATH IF I WAS EXPECTING THE STATE TO MAKE UP THE GAP BECAUSE THEY HAD THEIR OPPORTUNITY AND IT WAS.
DEFINITELY IN THE ORIGINAL BILL AND THEY ACTUALLY ELIMINATED THAT.
SO I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE ANY INTENTION OF FILLING A GAP FOR UNION COUNTY OR ANYONE.
JUST, YOU KNOW, I GUESS MY COMMENTS ARE WE HAVE A DUTY TO LET OUR VOTERS KNOW WHAT THE SAME INFORMATION YOU JUST PROVIDED TO US.
I THINK WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THAT.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES HAS AND SAYING...
FOR A YEAR NOW, YOU KNOW, EVER SINCE THIS CAME UP IS, YOU KNOW, GET OUT THERE AND COMMUNICATE.
AND Y'ALL ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE TO GET OUT AND COMMUNICATE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AN OPINION ON IT, BUT I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD GIVE THE VOTERS THE INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN, GOOD INFORMATION, SO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE AND THAT WHAT'S AT STAKE.
YOU KNOW, 93% OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ALTHOUGH I DO
[03:55:01]
BELIEVE OUR HANDS ARE TIED ON THAT, YOU CANNOT CUT POLICE.THAT WAS A DIFFERENT LAW THAT WAS PASSED A COUPLE YEARS AGO, RIGHT? YEAH, YOU HAD IT EARLIER THIS REGULAR SESSION.
THIS ONE THAT THEY PASSED DID NOT SPEAK TO THAT.
THE ONLY PROTECTED GROUP WAS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES.
I THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A LAW IN THE BOOK THAT YOU CANNOT CUT FUNDING AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
I CAN LOOK INTO IT, BUT IT WASN'T IN THIS BILL.
I'M PRETTY SURE THEY DID THAT.
WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT QUESTION.
A PREVIOUS VERSION OF THIS BILL DID PROTECT THAT, BUT IT ALSO GOT STRUCK.
BUT I BELIEVE YOU'RE RIGHT THAT THERE WAS A PRIOR BILL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THAT SPOKE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS.
SO WITHOUT GOING ON BELABORING THIS, I DO SEE, SADLY, I SEE A REMOVAL OF POWER AT THE BASE LEVEL.
YOU KNOW, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE POVERTY TAX, BUT GENERALLY WITH ALL OF THE HOME RULE POWERS THAT HAVE BEEN REMOVED, IT'S BEEN A VERY STRONG TREND WITH THIS LEGISLATURE.
THAT BASICALLY, THIS IS ANOTHER WAY TO REMOVE POWER TO TALLAHASSEE.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE VOTERS REALLY SEE THAT PATTERN LIKE WE DO AS ELECTEDS, BUT IT IS A VERY STRONG PATTERN, AND I DO FEEL LIKE THAT IT WILL NOT BE LONG AT THIS PACE BEFORE TALLAHASSEE DOES CONTROL.
PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING AND WE WON'T HAVE MANY DECISIONS TO MAKE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND THAT'S SAD BECAUSE THAT'S A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL AND THEY'RE IN TALLAHASSEE WE CAN'T ACCESS THEM UNLESS THEY'RE IN THE DISTRICT AND AND THAT SAID I THINK THAT IF THIS DOES PASS WE ARE KIND OF IN A RACE TO MEDIOCRITY MEDIOCRITY SEE MEDIOCRITY AND I HATE TO SEE THAT TO MY GREAT STATE OF I LOVE THIS CITY.
I LOVE THE NATION TOO, BUT I HATE TO SEE IT.
THIS KIND OF CARVING OUT LITTLE PIECES HERE AND THERE AND TAKING AWAY LOCAL CONTROL.
SO WITH THAT SAID, WE CAN MOVE ON TO ITEMS
[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]
BY MAYORS AND COMMISSIONERS.DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING? THANK YOU, MS. BRIDENSTINE.
SORRY YOU HAD TO DELIVER THAT SAD NEWS.
I'VE HAD SOMEBODY WHO'S BEEN SITTING HERE ALL NIGHT LONG.
AND I'D LIKE TO GET TO THAT PERSON'S REQUEST AS PART OF MY COMMENTS, AND I'LL BE FAIRLY BRIEF, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO BE HERE AT THE SECOND MEETING OF THE MONTH BECAUSE I'M GOING ACROSS THE EQUATOR TO WINTER AT THAT POINT.
SO, OKAY, SO MY FIRST COMMENT IS THAT I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE THIS COMMISSION SUPPORT THE REQUESTS FROM MS. JUDY GLAZEBROOK AND ALLIE BIRCHFIELD.
FOR BOTH THE ROADIE STREET SPEED HUMPS, AS WELL AS ADDING A LARGE EVENT RESIDENTIAL PARKING RESTRICTIONS, AND BASED ON THE MODEL FROM KNIGHTS OF LIGHTS THAT WE HAD, AND PERHAPS ONE WAY TO DO THAT WOULD BE, AS SUGGESTED, THE RESIDENTIAL ANNUAL PARKING PASSES.
I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO RUBEN'S ATTENTION.
THEY HAVE THE PETITIONS, THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT.
SO I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW IF THIS COMMISSION SUPPORTS THOSE TWO ASKS HOW WE COULD MOVE THAT FORWARD.
WELL, I HAD THAT ON MY LIST TOO, BUT I WAS GONNA HOLD IT OFF IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WOULD NEED TO COME FROM THE CITY COMMISSION AS A REQUEST? IT STARTS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD THEY'VE PROVIDED ALL THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, ALL THE SUPPORTIVE INFORMATION ALREADY.
OKAY, SO IF THEY'VE SUBMITTED A PETITION AND THE STUDY HAS BEEN DONE, BUT THE STUDY DOESN'T WARRANT A SPEED HUMP, THEN I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S AN APPEALS PROCESS DIRECTLY TO THE CITY COMMISSION, AND YOU CAN PROVE THAT.
I'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT POLICY.
THAT WE HAVE UM I THINK I'M LOOKING AT MR FRANKLIN BECAUSE HE'S BEEN PRETTY INTIMATELY INVOLVED WITH THIS I BELIEVE COME ON UP REUBEN OKAY UM SO FROM
[04:00:01]
THE SPEED HUMP POLICY WE LOOK PURELY AT SPEED UH I THINK THERE'S TWO THINGS HERE WE'VE LOOKED AT THE SPEEDING AND THERE'S NOT SPEEDING ON ROADIE, BUT THERE'S CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC.SO THERE'S NOT A POLICY THAT DEFINES CAN WE USE, THAT PROHIBITS US FROM PUTTING SPEED HUMPS ON IF THERE'S A CUT-THROUGH ISSUE THAT'S BEEN SEEN.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE CLARIFICATION THAT OUR SPEED HUMP POLICY ONLY GOES FROM A SPEEDING, AND THERE ARE CERTAIN ROADS THAT WE CANNOT PUT THEM ON IF THEY'RE A COLLECTOR, AND WE HAVE TO TRIAGE THAT WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SO FOR ROADIE, WE WOULD LOOK AT IT AS A CUT-THROUGH ISSUE TO TRY TO MITIGATE CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC.
THE OTHER PART OF IT WOULD BE THE RESIDENTIAL PERMIT.
WE ENACTED IT FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, AND IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH EVENTS, I KNOW THAT RHODY AND ABITRACK ARE SPECIFICALLY IMPACTED BY THE SPRING EVENTS. SO WHAT'S OUR MECHANISM? SO THE CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC, WE DO HAVE A MECHANISM FOR INSTALLING SPEED HUMPS? SPEED HUMPS, WE COULD INSTALL THEM BY LOOKING AT A DEMONET AS A CUT-THROUGH ISSUE AND NOT A SPEEDING ISSUE. TYPICALLY, BECAUSE IT'S NOT IN THE POLICY, A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE COME TO US WITH SPEEDING ISSUES, SO WE GO THROUGH THE SPEEDING, BUT WE DON'T ADDRESS THE CUT-THROUGH.
SO WHAT MS. GLAZEBROOK AND ALLIE DID WAS TYPICALLY STAFF WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY ON THE ROAD, THAT THEY HAVE A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE THAT WANT THAT. AND SO THAT'S THE QUESTION AT HAND IS IT DOESN'T MEET THE POLICY FOR SPEEDING. HOWEVER, THERE IS CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC THAT'S OCCURRING BECAUSE IT'S BETWEEN US-1 AND SAN MARCO. SO WE COULD DEPLOY THEM AS A TRAFFIC CALMING MECHANISM FOR CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC. THEY EVEN HAD A VEHICLE GET HIT THAT WAS SPEEDING. I MEAN, THEY EVEN SHOWED THE VEHICLE GET HIT LIKE THE PERSON HAD TO BE DRIVING LIKE CRAZY. SO, I MEAN, IF THAT AIN'T PROOF ENOUGH, THERE'S SOME SERIOUS SPEEDING GOING ON. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. DID YOU SEE THE VIDEO WHEN IT WAS PLAYING? OH, OK. I SAW THE VIDEO. WE DO TRAFFIC STUDIES AND SPEED STUDIES. AND SO WE DIDN'T DO IT DURING THAT TIME WHEN THAT VEHICLE WAS GOING DOWN THE STREET. BUT WE HAVE OUR POLICY ONLY TALKS TO SPEEDING. AND WE CAN USE SPEED HUMPS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS THAN JUST SPEEDING CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC. WE WOULD NOT ELIMINATE THE TURNS OFF OF US-1 LIKE WE'VE DONE IN MALMORE NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIFICALLY, BUT WE COULD DEPLOY THEM TO HELP REDUCE CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC. ALSO, I'M SURE MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS GOT EMAILS FROM SOUTH DAVIS SHORES ABOUT SOME SPEEDING AND ABOUT THERE NOT BEING ANY SIDEWALKS AND HOW PEOPLE ARE IN FEAR OVER THERE. IF WE'RE GOING TO START MONITORING THESE STREETS, WE NEED TO MONITOR THAT AREA TOO AND GET THAT LITTLE MACHINE OUT THERE THAT Y'ALL PUT ABOUT HOW FAST SOMEBODY'S SPEEDING, JUST SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON IN THESE COMMUNITIES SO WE CAN ADDRESS PEOPLE'S CONCERNS. THANK YOU.
YEAH, I'M JUST WONDERING IF WE HAVE AGREEMENT ABOUT RHODY STREET HERE. YES, I'M IN AGREEMENT. I MEAN, WE JUST HAD, THEY'RE REALLY, I THINK THE ONLY THING IS. DO THEY HAVE SOMEONE THAT'S AGREED TO LET THEM PUT THEM IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE? BECAUSE THAT'S, I THINK, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DON'T WANT THE BUMP IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE. AND IS IT ONE SET OF BUMPS OR IS IT TWO SET OF BUMPS? IT'S MOST LIKELY TWO OR MORE. BECAUSE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD JUST GOT TWO SETS OF BUMPS. WE CAN WORK WITH MS. GLAZEBROOK AND MS. BIRCHFIELD TO... MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE RESIDENTS ON THE STREET ARE ON BOARD.
YEAH, AND LIKE I SAID, NOBODY WANTS THEM IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE, SO YOU'D HAVE TO MAYBE DO THAT. BUT I'M IN AGREEMENT. ONE THING, WE'LL HAVE TO WATCH, BECAUSE I'M IN AGREEMENT.
WE'LL HAVE TO WATCH CINCINNATI, THOUGH, AND HOPE, BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST GOING TO MOVE PEOPLE DOWN THE STREET. SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WATCH THAT NEXT.
AND THAT'S OKAY. THEY COME TO US AND ASK FOR THE SAME THING. IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO ME. WE'RE JUST GOING TO MOVE THE PROBLEM, PROBABLY. BUT I THINK WE CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM IF WE REACT TO THAT. I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS. GREAT. THANK YOU.
HAVE WE USED THIS CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC BEFORE TO PUT SPEED BUMPS IN, OR WOULD THIS BE A PRECEDENT? WE HAVE USED IT IN OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY. OKAY. AND THE SECOND REQUEST WAS THE PARKING, EXTEND THE RESIDENT PARKING ONLY AT, SOUNDED LIKE EVENTS AT FRANCIS FIELD. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU? ALSO ONE TO CONSIDER? YEAH, YEAH, I SAID THAT. YEAH, SO I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH ONE AND THEN THE OTHER.
YEAH, SO DO WE HAVE CONSENSUS ON THE EVENT MARKING TOO? YEAH, GREAT. BOTH OF THEM.
OKAY, SO MY OTHER COMMENT DURING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS IS JUST THAT THERE'S A RIVER TO SEE, ALLIANCE, I THINK IT'S CALLED. IT'S A BIKE TRAIL. I'M
[04:05:01]
ON THAT BIKE TRAIL ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK OUT TOWARD ELKTON AND HASTINGS. IT'S VERY POPULAR. I'VE SEEN OUR CITY ATTORNEY OUT THERE AT TIMES.AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT WE ALL KNOW, BUT IT'S FAMILIES, PEOPLE ARE TEACHING THEIR KIDS TO RIDE BIKES, IT'S HEAVILY USED, AND IT'S BEING BROUGHT, THE WHOLE LOOP WOULD COME THROUGH ST. AUGUSTINE. THE COUNTY COMMISSION WAS ASKED FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SUN PORTION OF IT, WHICH PART OF, I THINK, IS IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TOO. I'M NOT CLEAR ON THE BOUNDARIES OF ALL OF THIS, BUT... COUNTY COMMISSION WAS ASKED TO SUPPORT IT AND DID NOT SUPPORT IT. I WONDER IF THIS CITY COMMISSION COULD SUPPORT THAT CONTINUATION OF THE LOOP THROUGH OUR PART OF THE COUNTY AT LEAST. I THOUGHT WE ALREADY APPROVED THAT, DIDN'T WE? WE'VE ALREADY APPROVED THAT. YEAH, SO I GUESS WE COULD JUST REITERATE THAT SUPPORT AT THIS CRITICAL TIME WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO GAIN MORE MOMENTUM. BECAUSE THEY DID GET SHUT DOWN BY THE COUNTY.
ANYONE ELSE? LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN JULY. YES.
ANYONE ELSE? I'LL WAIT UNTIL NEXT MEETING. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. I SECOND THAT. IF IT CAN WAIT, LET'S LET IT WAIT. ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.