Sep 14, 2026 City Commission

[00:00:02]

ORDER. THANK YOU. MADAM

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

NANCY SIKES-KLINE.

HERE.

BARBARA BLONDER.

HERE.

CYNTHIA GARRIS.

HERE.

JIM SPRINGFIELD.

HERE.

JON DEPRETER.

HERE.

THANK YOU. UM, WE WILL OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, LED BY VICE MAYOR BARBARA BLONDER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

PLEASE STAND IF YOU ARE ABLE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. ALL RIGHT, FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS MODIFICATION

[2. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS]

COMMISSIONERS, ANY MODIFICATIONS? MR. CITY MANAGER, ANY MODIFICATIONS? STAFF HAS NO MODIFICATIONS.

ALL RIGHT, UM, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA.

SECOND.

ALL RIGHT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

OKAY, PERFECT. LET'S MOVE RIGHT

[3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS ]

AND WHEREAS IT IS WIDELY IMPORTANT THAT THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND MEANING OF THE CONSTITUTION BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD BY ALL CITIZENS, THAT WE MAY UPHOLD, PROTECT, AND DEFEND IT AGAINST POSSIBLE INFRINGEMENT.

AND WHEREAS SEPTEMBER 17TH IS THE 238TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF OUR CONSTITUTION, WHICH PROVIDES A MOMENTOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AMERICANS TO DISCOVER AND RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR FAR, FOREFATHERS AND TO PONDER THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF CITIZENSHIP, AS WELL AS THE RESPONSIBILITIES THEREOF. AND WHEREAS THE REGENTS COUNCIL OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION JOINED THE NATIONAL CELEBRATION, AND THIS ANNUAL OBSERVANCE SERVES AS A TIME FOR ALL CITIZENS TO HOLD DEAR AND CELEBRATE THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES THIS DOCUMENT AFFORDS TO US AS AMERICANS.

AND WHEREAS ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS SHOULD RESPECT THEIR INDEPENDENCE AS GUARANTEED BY OUR CONSTITUTION, WITH FITTING CEREMONIES AND COMMEMORATIVE ACTIVITIES DURING CONSTITUTION WEEK, AS ORDERED AND PROCLAIMED IN 1956 BY PRESIDENT DWIGHT D.

EISENHOWER AND THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF THE CITY OF ST.

AUG- CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, HEREBY PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER 17TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23RD AS CONSTITUTION WEEK IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND URGES ALL OF OUR CITIZENS TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION DURING THIS WEEK TO OUR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ADVANTAGE OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP, AND FURTHER INVITE EVERY CITIZEN AND INSTITUTION TO JOIN IN THIS NATIONAL COMMEMORATION.

SIGNED BY MYSELF. ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S COME UP FORWARD. IF THE DAR COULD COME, THEY'RE HERE TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION.

THANK YOU. HI LOVE. HELLO, HI, GOOD TO SEE YOU. HELLO. IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU. OH YEAH, YEAH. HI. YOU LOOK FABULOUS.

THANK YOU.

VERY GOOD TO SEE YOU. YOU LOOK FABULOUS. I LOVE THE PEN ON THE BACK. THAT'S SO CUTE.

[00:05:01]

BETH.

BETH. BETH, I WILL, UM, PRESENT YOU WITH THE PROCLAMATION, AND, UM, IF YOU WOULD LIKE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT WHAT'S COMING UP.

WONDERFUL. THERE WE GO. WELL, W- THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THIS WILL BE THE 26TH STRAIGHT YEAR THAT WE HAVE CELEBRATED THE RINGING OF THE BELLS IN THE PLAZA DOWNTOWN, AND WE HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL COME OUT AND JOIN US. THE W- BELLS RING AT 4 O'CLOCK EXACTLY. THE CEREMONY STARTS AT 3: 45, BUT AT 4 O'CLOCK, IT'S NOT JUST HERE; IT'S AT 4 O'CLOCK ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. SO, IN CALIFORNIA, IT'LL BE 1, BUT WE HOPE THAT YOU'LL COME AND JOIN US. AND THIS IS REALLY A, A WONDERFUL CELEBRATION, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE THAT WE JUST CELEBRATED. SO, THIS IS ANOTHER, ANOTHER WONDERFUL DOCUMENT PUT FORTH THAT IS GUIDING OUR COUNTRY EVEN TODAY. SO PLEASE COME AND JOIN US. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE IT.

ALL RIGHT, GET A PICTURE.

(INAUDIBLE). PERFECT.

I HAVE IT.

OKAY, WE HAVE, UH, TWO MORE PROCLAMATIONS. THE NEXT ONE I WILL READ AND, UH, WILL BE ACCEPTED BY MISS JAMIE D. PERKINS. WHEREAS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES, OR COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS CRAS, AND REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN REVITALIZING, REVITALIZING NEIGHBORHOODS, ELIMINATING CONDITIONS OF SLUM AND BLIGHT, STRENGTHENING LOCAL ECONOMIES, REVITALIZING DOWNTOWNS, AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE YEAR 2000 WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA, THE LINCOLNVILLE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA, THE LCRA, WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2013, AND IN 2024, THE WEST CITY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA, WCCRA, WAS ESTABLISHED, AND IN 2024, THE HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING CRA PLAN WAS AMENDED TO CURRENT HISTORIC AREA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA. AND WHEREAS THE YEAR 2025 MARKED THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, CELEBRATING A QUARTER CENTURY OF STRATEGIC INVESTMENT, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ECONOMIC VITAL REVITALIZATION, AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE ENHANCED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND VISITORS.

WHEREAS REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES ENCOURAGE PRIVATE INVESTMENT, SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES, IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE, ENHANCE PUBLIC SPACES, AND EXPAND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, THEREBY FOSTERING VIBRANT, RESILIENT, AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES. AND WHEREAS THE FLORIDA REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MUNICIPALITIES, COUNTIES, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, PROMOTES BEST PRACTICES, PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION, AND COLLABORATION TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA. AND WHEREAS FLORIDA REDEVELOPMENT WEEK PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE REDEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENTS, HIGHLIGHT TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS, ENGAGE CITIZENS AND STAKEHOLDERS, AND CELEBRATE THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION; AND WHEREAS THE OBSERVANCE OF FLORIDA REDEVELOPMENT WEEK RAISES AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AND INSPIRES CONTINUED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN FLORIDA'S NEIGHBORHOODS, DOWNTOWNS, AND COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE

[00:10:02]

(INAUDIBLE) OH, WE HAVE A CREW, AND JAMIE HAS BROUGHT A CREW. WELL, JAMIE, YOU CAN INTRODUCE EVERYBODY. I'M SO GLAD YOU DID.

ALL RIGHT. SPECIAL DAY, SPECIAL DAY. HI, HI, SARAH.

OKAY, IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY. CAN YOU TELL WE ALL KNOW EACH OTHER ALREADY? AWESOME. OKAY, GOOD TO SEE YOU. ALL RIGHT. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, UM, I PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION TO YOU, JAMIE, AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO SAY A FEW WORDS AND INTRODUCE YOUR FRIENDS.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING OR AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM MAYOR, MADAM VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING, UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, THE CITY RECOGNIZING THE WORK THAT WE DO IN OUR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY IN AREAS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

WHEN I CAME TO THE CITY 6 YEARS AGO, I ADOPTED A PHILOSOPHY THAT SAID THAT REDEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT'S OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT IT HAPPENS IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. SO, I HAVE MAIN- TRIED TO MAINTAIN THAT PHILOSOPHY THROUGHOUT MY TIME PERIOD HERE AT THE CITY, AND, UM, NONE OF THIS WORK, OF COURSE, COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE ARE SO BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THROUGHOUT THE, OUR TIME FRAME ON ALL OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS, RESIDENTIAL REPAIR PROJECTS THAT WE DO. SO, I BROUGHT ALONG, UM, MR. BILL LAZAR, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ST. JOHNS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, UM, SARAH RYAN OF SARAH RYAN ARCHITECTS, AND MR. JEREMY MARQUIS OF MARQUIS, LATIMER, AND HALBACH ARCHITECTS. AND THEN I ALSO WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT RECOGNIZE MY COLLEAGUE AND, UM, A FRIEND, UH, JILL, MISS JILL COLLINS, WHO IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR FOR OUR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. SHE PROVIDES AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THAT DIVISION, AND I COULD NOT ACCOMPLISH, UM, NEARLY HALF OF THE THINGS THAT I DO WITHOUT HER. I WANT TO THANK OUR CITY MANAGER FOR HIS SUPPORT, AND I ABSOLUTELY WANT TO THANK MR. RUBEN FRANKLIN, WHO IS IN THE BACK, WHO PROVIDED THE INITIAL SUPPORT THAT I NEEDED WHEN I STARTED HERE AT THE CITY, WHEN, UH, THE CRA WAS UNDER HIS PURVIEW AS MY DIRECTOR. SO, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THIS, AND I HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL GO OUT AND CELEBRATE, UH, CRAS AND GO SEE ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IN OUR AREAS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

(INAUDIBLE) OKAY, WE HAVE ONE MORE PROCLAMATION, AND I WILL START NOW. WHEREAS A SPINAL CORD INJURY IS AN INJURY TO AN INDIVIDUAL'S SPINAL CORD, RESULTING IN TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT CHANGES IN THE SPINAL CORD'S NORMAL MOTOR, SENSORY, OR AUTONOMIC FUNCTION. AND WHEREAS THOSE WHO SUSTAIN SPINAL CORD INJURIES OFTEN FACE PERMANENT AND PROFOUND NEUROLOGICAL DEFECTS AND

[00:15:01]

AUGUSTINE HEREBY PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER 2026 AS SPINAL CORD INJURY AWARENESS MONTH AND RECOGNIZES THE ACHIEVEMENTS MADE, AND TO CONTINUE THESE EFFORTS BY PROMOTING THE PREVENTION AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DANGERS OF SPINAL CORD INJURY, SIGNED BY MYSELF. SO, COMMISSIONERS, IF YOU WILL JOIN ME UP FRONT, WE WILL, UH, PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION. I HAVE MISS KIM HARRISON IS HERE, AND, UM, WHOEVER ELSE SHE WISHES TO BRING FORWARD. ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. HI, GOOD TO SEE YOU. ALL RIGHT. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. LOVE YOUR HAIR.

OKAY, WE'LL SURROUND YOU. HI, I'M KIM HARRISON. I AM THE NORTH FLORIDA CHAPTER ADVOCACY COORDINATOR FOR UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, THE HONORABLE MAYOR SYKES KLEIN, AND OUR DISTINGUISHED COUNCIL MEMBERS. WE'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS SPINAL CORD INJURY AWARENESS MONTH. WE APPRECIATE UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION AND THE SUPPORT AND DEDICATION FOR BETTERING OUR LIVES. AND I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO ANGEL SO SHE CAN TELL HER STORY, SINCE I DO A LOT OF ADVOCATING, AND I'D LIKE TO HAVE HER GIVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO THE COMMUNITY.

WELL, HELLO. SO, WHEN KIM ASKED ME TO SPEAK, I SAID I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE TOLD HER, YOU KNOW, I FAILED SPEECH WHEN I WAS IN MY 20S. SO, GETTING HERE AND LOOKING AT EVERYONE, I'M GOING, I KNOW, NOW REMEMBER WHY I FAILED IT.

IT'S A LITTLE NERVE-WRACKING UP HERE. SO, BEAR WITH ME. I'M KIM. KIM MENTIONED THAT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY STORY, SO I'LL BE REALLY BRIEF, BUT UM, LET'S JUST DO THIS FOR ALL OF MY GOLDEN GIRL FANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LOVE ESTELLE GETTY. PICTURE THIS: CAPE CORAL, 1991. MY FRIEND AND I DOWN THERE DECIDED WE WANT TO TAKE A ROAD TRIP, AND WE CAME TO ST. AUGUSTINE.

WHEN I WAS HERE, I WAS 19 YEARS OLD, AND WHEN I WAS HERE, I SAID, SOMEDAY I'M GOING TO LIVE IN THIS GREAT CITY.

SOMEDAY I'M GONNA GO TO FLAGLER COLLEGE. 3 DECADES LATER, YOU CAN ALL BREATHE. I DON'T GO TO MY 20S, 30S, AND 40S. I GET ALL THE WAY TO MY 50S. I DECIDED, UM, SO I WAS WORKING AT THE LIBRARY, MY DREAM JOB OF CHOICE. I LOVED MY JOB SO MUCH AT THE LIBRARY. UM, MY HUSBAND AND I CAME HERE. UH, WE HAD BOUGHT A HOUSE. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE SPECIFICALLY DOWNTOWN BECAUSE I LOVE THE TROLLEY. I LOVE THE TROLLEYS GOING BY THE HOUSE. IT'S SO MUCH FUN.

I LO- I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE ROMANCE OF OUR GREAT CITY. I ALSO, MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE, HAVE DECORATED MY HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS AND OTHER HOLIDAYS, BUT REALLY FOR CHRISTMAS. UH, MY HOUSE IS DOWN THERE ON BRIDGE STREET ACROSS FROM UNITED WAY. SO, YOU'VE, YOU'VE DRIVEN DOWN THERE AT CHRISTMAS TIME; YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN AN EIFFEL TOWER ON THE PERGOLA. WELL, THAT VERY PERGOLA BROUGHT ME TO...

[00:20:03]

UH, VERY MUCH ENJOYED THAT.

WELL, I WAS TAKING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS DOWN ON MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, AND, UH, SEE, IF I'D HAD JUST BEEN AT WORK, THAT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED, RIGHT? BUT IT WAS OFF FOR THE HOLIDAY, TAKING DOWN MY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, AND I FELL AND RESULTED IN A SPINAL CORD INJURY. IN JANU- UH, DECEMBER OF 2023, I ACTUALLY FINISHED MY SCHOOLING AT FLAGLER. SO, JANUARY 2024, MY ACCIDENT HAPPENED, AND I HAD TO ROLL ACROSS THE AMPHITHEATER FLOOR- STAGE AND, UH, ACCEPT MY DIPLOMA. SO, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. I MADE ALL MY DREAMS COME TRUE. MY DREAMS HAVE NOW CHANGED. OBVIOUSLY, I CAN'T DO THE THINGS THAT I USED TO DO, SO I'VE DECIDED ON.

SO, THE REASON THAT I AM HERE AND WANT TO ADVOCATE IS BECAUSE I DON'T EVEN THINK I KNEW WHAT MY SPINAL CORD WAS BEFORE.

WHEN I FELL, I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE YOU COULD DO THAT.

LIKE, I FIGURED THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED IF I, IF I FELL, I'D BREAK AN ARM, BREAK A LEG, WHATEVER. I'D PICK UP THE PIECES AND MOVE ON. I NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD THE BODY AS I DO NOW. SO, I F- HAVE TO THINK THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT DIDN'T KNOW THAT. I KNOW THAT I'M NOT. SO, OUR ADVOCACY, ADVOCACY WITH US, WITH OUR GROUPS, WITH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WE ASSOCIATE WITH, UM, WE JUST WANT TO GET THE WORD OUT. IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYBODY. IT DID NOT HAVE TO HA- IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A DISEASE, ALTHOUGH IT COULD BE. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WE KNOW THAT HAVE MS, THAT HAVE LOST THEIR LEGS, THEY CANNOT WALK BECAUSE OF MS? IT'S A VERY REAL THING.

UM, IN 2 WEEKS I JOIN WITH THE CYCLE TO THE SHORE WITH THE COUNTY, ACTUALLY.

UM, WE ARE THE WELLNESS WHEELERS, AND WE WILL RIDE, UM, TO DAYTONA AND BACK, AND THAT IS FOR MS AND TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THEM.

IT MEANS A WHOLE LOT TO ME BECAUSE I DO HAVE MS, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT GOT ME.

THAT I FELL, AND THAT HAS A, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S DIFFERENT.

BUT ALL I, WHAT I WANT TO REALLY GET THROUGH TO EVERYBODY IS UNDERSTAND IT IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WORLD WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE TWO LEGS TO WALK, TO STEP ON FUN STEPS, AND YOU HAVE TO ROLL EVERYWHERE. YOUR LIFE CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY, AND UM, I MEAN, GRATEFUL THAT I HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A VERY POSITIVE PERSON, BUT IT'S A, IT'S A LOT TO DEAL WITH, AND WE APPRECIATE ANYTHING THAT YOU ALL DO TO HELP US IN OUR CITY. UH, I GO TO OTHER CITIES, AND WE SEE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE KIND OF HELPFUL, AND I THINK KIM IS ABOUT TO TELL YOU ABOUT ONE OF THOSE THINGS. SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH, VERY MUCH, UH, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US, FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE, THE COMMUNITY, AND UH, NO MATTER IF I WALK OR I ROLL, I STILL LOVE ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING. THAT WAS VERY IMPACTFUL, AND I'M SURE THAT YOU'LL CONTINUE THOSE GREAT EFFORTS AND MOVE FORWARD, AND WE'RE, UH, RIGHT BESIDE YOU, SO THANK YOU. WE'LL GET A PICTURE NOW. SORRY. THANK YOU.

DO YOU MIND THE WHOLE SPEECH? (INAUDIBLE) SUPER WARM IN HERE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.

[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR FOR AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING ]

[00:25:02]

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM ANY CLAPPING OR DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS. AND FINALLY, I WOULD ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER WHO USES THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR TO PLEASE SUBMIT THOSE ITEMS TO THE CITY CLERK TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD. THE FIRST SPEAKER I HAVE IS CLAY AUSTIN, FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES INSURANCE PROGRAM. ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING, I'M CLAY AUSTIN, WITH THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES.

FMIT HAS INSURED ST.

AUGUSTINE'S PROPERTY AND CASUALTY PROGRAM FOR 46 OF THE PAST 48 YEARS. TOM CONLEY, WHO HAS WORKED WITH THE CITY FOR 30 YEARS, ASKED ME TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

HE'S NOT UNABLE TO ATTEND. WE UNDERSTAND THE CITY'S CONSIDERING A MOVE TO PRM ON OCTOBER 1ST WITHOUT A FORMAL COMPETITIVE PROCESS. GIVEN OUR LONG RELATIONSHIP, WE'RE SIMPLY ASKING THE CITY TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK BEFORE MAKING THAT CHANGE.

THERE'S 3 THINGS THAT I'D LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER. FIRST, PRM HAS A 100 MILLION DOLLAR WIN LIMIT, AND THAT LIMIT IS SHARED ROUGHLY BETWEEN 60 MUNICIPALITIES IN THE STATE.

ST. AUGUSTINE ALONE HAS 66 MILLION DOLLARS IN INSURED VALUES, AND KEY WEST, WHO IS CURRENTLY INSURED BY THE PRM PROGRAM, HAS OVER 200 MILLION. RECENT HURRICANES HAVE SHOWN US HOW QUICKLY A SHARED LIMIT CAN BE USED UP.

WITH FMIT, ST. AUGUSTINE COVERAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE CITY AND IS NOT SHARED WITH ANYONE ELSE. SECOND, GETTING OUT OF THE PRM COST CAN BE COSTLY.

THERE ARE EXIT FEES, STRICT NOTICE REQUIREMENTS, AND OTHER EXPENSES. LEVY COUNTY RECENTLY PAID 57,000 DOLLARS TO LEAVE, AND JACKSON COUNTY WALKED AWAY FROM A PRM LOW BID AFTER LEARNING ABOUT THE EXIT COSTS. THE CITY COULD ALSO NEED EXTENDED REPORTING COVERAGE BECAUSE PRM'S ERRORS AND OMISSIONS COVERAGE IS CLAIMS-MADE.

THIRD, UNDER PRM, LEGAL EXPENSES COME OUT OF THE LIABILITY LIMIT AVAILABLE TO PAY A CLAIM. SO, IF A CASE BECOMES HEAVILY LITIGATED, THE CITY COULD HAVE MUCH LESS PROTECTION LEFT WHEN IT MATTERS MOST. FMIT'S COVERAGE DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY. I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ST. AUGUSTINE IS MORE THAN A POLICY. AFTER HURRICANE MATTHEW, ANOTHER CARRIER DENIED A CLAIM THAT FMIT WOULD HAVE COVERED A STORM SURGE. EVEN THOUGH THE CITY WAS INSURED ELSEWHERE AT THE TIME, OUR DISASTER RECOVERY TEAM STILL STEPPED IN TO HELP. WHEN THAT AGREEMENT ENDED, THE CITY CAME BACK TO FMIT.

THAT'S THE KIND OF PARTNER WE'VE BEEN TRIED TO FOR THE PAST 3 DECADES, 4 DECADES. TODAY, FMIT SERVES ABOUT 65% OF THE CITIES, COMPARED WITH ABOUT 8% BY PRM. WE BELIEVE THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE TRUST PLACED IN OUR COVERAGE, SERVICE, AND STABILITY FROM OTHER CITIES. OUR CLAIMS, UNDERWRITING, RISK CONTROL, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND DISASTER RECOVERY TEAMS ARE ALL LEAGUE EMPLOYEES WORKING TOGETHER IN ORLANDO. THAT MEANS ST.

AUGUSTINE GETS COORDINATED SUPPORT BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER A LOSS. PRM RELIES ON OUTSIDE COMPANIES AND DOES NOT OFFER THE SAME KIND OF DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM.

FOR A DECISION THIS IMPORTANT, A FORMAL RFP WOULD GIVE THE CITY THE CHANCE TO COMPARE COVERAGE, COST, EXIT PROVISIONS, CLAIMS HANDLING, AND DISASTER RESPONSE SIDE BY SIDE. FMIT HAS ALREADY OFFERED A RENEWAL THAT WOULD SAVE THE CITY MORE THAN $600,000 COMPARED WITH ITS EXPIRING PREMIUM. IT ALSO LEAVES YOU WITH THE COVERAGE COMPARISON THAT OUTLINES THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PROGRAMS THAT I'LL LEAVE WITH YOU GUYS. BECAUSE OF OUR LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH ST. AUGUSTINE, I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE CITY TO PAUSE THE OCTOBER 1ST MOVE, RENEW FMIT COMING YEAR, AND THEN CONDUCT A FORMAL RFP IN FUTURE CHANGES FOR NEXT YEAR. THAT GIVES THE CITY CONTINUED PROTECTION AND BENEFITS OF A COMPLETE, TRANSPARENT COMPARISON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. IF YOU'LL LEAVE THAT WITH THE CLERK, AND I'LL ASK HER TO DISTRIBUTE THAT TO US. NEXT SPEAKER IS KIMBERLY HARRISON, FOLLOWED BY VICKY PEPPER. I'M GONNA DO IT THIS WAY. NOW I CAN SEE YOU GUYS. OOPS. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO, IT'S BLURRY. IT'S A LITTLE BLURRY THERE. UM, YOU

[00:30:01]

BUT MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE, AND I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE BLURRY, BUT IF BUSINESSES COULD PUT A SIGN OUT FRONT, ESPECIALLY IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT WHERE THERE'S ONE STEP TO GET IN, IT SAYS YOUR WORDING HERE, AND WHAT THEY WOULD PUT ON THERE IS FOR ACCESS, CALL THIS NUMBER, WHICH IS THE STORE, AND THEN WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO, AND I APOLOGIZE, WHAT THEY'LL DO IS BRING OUT A PORTABLE RAMP. WHEN THEY BRING THE PORTABLE RAMP OUT, IT GAINS ACCESS TO ANYBODY WITH A MOBILITY ISSUE. UM, RIGHT NOW, WHEN FRIENDS COME TOWN TO VISIT, I GET TO SIT OUTSIDE AND WATCH THEM WALK AROUND AND SHOPPING, AND IT- IT'S NOT INCLUSIVE.

AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS NOT TAKE AWAY FROM THE BEAUTY OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, BUT WE CAN MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE IF WE REQUIRE THE SHOPS TO CARRY PORTABLE RAMPS. THAT PORTABLE RAMP WILL COST ABOUT 150 DOLLARS. I CAN PICK IT UP IN MY CHAIR, SO THEY'RE NOT THAT HEAVY. IF I CAN PICK IT UP, EVERYBODY ELSE CAN. WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS MAKING IT INCLUSIVE.

THAT RAMP WILL PAY FOR ITSELF IN A WEEK. IF YOU THINK I GO IN THAT STORE AND BUY 2, 3 T-SHIRTS, THAT RAMP JUST PAID FOR ITSELF. SO, LOOK AT HOW MANY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CANNOT ACCESS THE STORES THERE BECAUSE OF ALL THE STEPS AND, AND THE BARRIERS WE FACE. BUT WE CAN MAKE IT EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY REQUIRING THE STORES TO BRING A PORTABLE RAMP OUT SO WE CAN GAIN ACCESS.

WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS MAKING IT WHERE EVERYONE'S INCLUSIVE, EVERYONE'S WELCOME TO SHOP HERE. RIGHT NOW, IT LOOKS KIND OF SILLY, ME SITTING OUTSIDE LIKE A LITTLE PATHETIC CHILD WATCHING EVERYBODY SHOP INSIDE THE STORE BECAUSE I CAN'T GET IN. MY MONIES AND MY TAXES ARE JUST AS GOOD AS EVERYBODY ELSE, AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WE'RE NOT SPENDING MONEY BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET IN THE STORE. YOU WANT OUR MONEY, GET US IN THERE, AND WE'RE GOING TO SPEND IT.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT IN THE COUNTY, BUT YOU'RE FORCING US TO GO TO ONLINE SHOPPING. CITY'S NOT MAKING MONEY OFF OF THAT. SO LET'S SHOW, LET'S SHOW HOW INCLUSIVE ST.

AUGUSTINE CITY IS. LET'S MAKE EVERYBODY WELCOME. SO THAT'S MY SUGGESTION. I'M SORRY IT'S BLURRY, BUT IF WE GET THE GIST OF IT, WE CALL, YOU BRING A PORTABLE RAMP OUT, YOU BRING IT IN SO IT'S NOT BLOCKING WAY, NO ONE'S GOING TO TRIP OVER IT, AND WE'RE READY TO LEAVE, BRING IT BACK OUT, WE LEAVE, YOU BRING THE LAMP RAMP IN. SO IT'S A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

WE CAN SHOP, AND YOU GUYS GET THE MONEY. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. I HAVE A CHANGE IN ORDER, UM, NANCY MURPHY, FOLLOWED BY VICKY PEPPER.

THANK YOU, MAYOR SYKES-KLINE, FOR ACCOMMODATING THAT REQUEST.

I AM NANCY MURPHY, AND I, UH, LIVE ON CARRERA, AND I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE REPRESENTING COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE AND THE INTERNATIONAL CHARTER FOR COMPASSION. I'M ESPECIALLY HAPPY TODAY BECAUSE ON WEDNESDAY WAS THE 13TH ANNIVERSARY. SO, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2013, THE THEN MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS HAD A PROCLAMATION THAT PROCLAIMED THAT ST. AUGUSTINE WAS BECOMING A COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY. I'M SO HAPPY THAT WE'RE STILL BECOMING A COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY, MORE AND MORE AS THE YEARS GO BY. THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION READS IN PART THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPASSION LIES AT THE HEART OF ALL RELIGIOUS, ETHICAL, AND SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS, CALLING US ALWAYS TO TREAT ALL OTHERS AS WE WISH TO BE TREATED OURSELVES.

COMPASSION IMPELS US TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS, TO DETHRONE OURSELVES FROM THE CENTER OF OUR UNIVERSE AND TO PUT ANOTHER THERE, AND TO HONOR THE INVIOLABLE SANCTITY OF EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING, TREATING ALL OTHERS WITH ABSOLUTE DIGNITY, EQUITY, AND RESPECT. WE URGENTLY NEED TO MAKE COMPASSION A CLEAR, LUMINOUS, AND DYNAMIC FORCE IN OUR POLARIZED WORLD. SO, I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE ARE LIVING BY THOSE WORDS AND MAKING GREAT EFFORTS TO THAT END. AND AS A PART OF OUR CELEBRATION OF OUR VISIONING OF THE NEXT 13 PLUS YEARS, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ALL OF YOU, PLEASE, IF YOU ARE ABLE, TO JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE VISIONING WITH PARTNERS, WITH CURRENT COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND HOPEFULLY WITH MANY NEW WHO ARE EAGER TO GET INVOLVED AT GRACE METHODIST CHURCH ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER THE 10TH AT 2 O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON. AND YOU'LL RECEIVE A FORMAL INVITATION, BUT I'M JUST HERE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IT WAS JUST APPROVED BY THE BOARD THAT WE'LL HOST THAT EVENT AT GRACE

[00:35:01]

THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS VICKY PEPPER, FOLLOWED BY BRIAN BLISS.

GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME'S VICKY PEPPER. I LIVE ON 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 GREW OUT OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S COMMUNITY CONVERSATION EFFORT.

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. MANY OF THE CITIZENS AND GROUPS YOU HEAR FROM SPEAK PUBLICLY TO VOICE CONCERNS, LODGE COMPLAINTS, OR ASK POINTED QUESTIONS. CARE FREQUENTLY STANDS BEFORE YOU IN THIS CAPACITY.

BUT CARE ALSO LIKES TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN THE CITY DOES THINGS THAT REFLECT THAT IT IS A COMPASSIONATE CITY, LIKE MY COLLEAGUE NANCY JUST NOTED. ONE LAUDABLE THING THE CITY HAS DONE IS TO HELP BUILD THE BELOVED COMMUNITY THAT THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING ENVISIONED FOR OUR NATION, UM, BY BUILDING AND OPENING ITS DIGNITY PAVILION TO SERVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE UNSHELTERED OR AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES. THE CITY'S DIGNITY PAVILION IS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY AND STATE ROAD 207. LAST WEEK, LONG-AWAITED PART TWO OF PHASE ONE OF THE DIGNITY PAVILION, UH, ITS LAUNDRY SERVICES LAUNCHED.

THE DIGNITY PAVILION'S LAUNDRY SERVICES COMPLEMENT THOSE OFFERED MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY AT HOME AGAIN ST.

JOHN'S, WHICH IS LOCATED ON STATE ROAD, ROAD 16 NEAR MASTERS DRIVE. THE DIGNITY PAVILION SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 12 TO 5 P. M., WITH THE LAST LOAD BEING WASHED AT 4 P. M. SERVICES, INCLUDING DETERGENT, ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. MANY THANKS TO PAS- PASTOR DELI SANDS AND HER REMNANT OUTREACH MINISTRY FOR COORDINATING VOLUNTEERS.

MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO FULLY STAFF THE LAUNDRY OPERATION, SO IF YOU'D LIKE TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE CONTACT PASTOR DELI AT 604-669-6415.

WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE PROGRESS MADE TO DATE, YET THE NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY REMAIN GREAT AND ARE GROWING. SO, WE CONTINUE TO ANXIOUSLY AWAIT THE LAUNCH OF PART THREE OF PHASE ONE OF THE PAVILION'S OPERATIONS, ITS SHOWER SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE CITY'S CONTINUED PURSUIT OF PHASE TWO WITH THE DROP-IN DAY CENTER, WHICH WILL PROVIDE SPACES FOR THOSE IN NEED TO MORE READILY ACCESS A RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE AND OTHER LOCAL NONPROFITS. WE'D MUCH APPRECIATE IT IF THE CITY WOULD PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH REGULAR PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE STATUS OF THE DIGNITY PAVILION AND PHASE TWO OF THE DROP-IN DAY CENTER AT FUTURE CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS. AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE CITY'S 13TH ANNIVERSARY AS A COMPASSIONATE CITY, AND THANK YOU TO YOU AND THE CITY OF ST.

AUGUSTINE FOR THE DROP-IN DAY CENTER AND DIGNITY PAVILION.

THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS BRIAN BLISS, FOLLOWED BY HEATHER WILSON.

GOOD EVENING. EXCUSE ME. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS BRIAN BLISS, AND, UM, IT'S, IT'S ALWAYS AN HONOR TO TALK BEFORE YOU GUYS, THE, YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR AND THE COMMISSIONERS. IT'S, I JUST LOVE IT. SO, UH, I LIVE IN DAVIS SHORES, AND I OWN A COMPANY CALLED ANCHOR EATS, AND I'M ALSO, UH, THE VOICE OF THE BR- UH, ST. AUGUSTINE CRUISERS NETWORK BROADCAST.

AND I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WE HAD A GREAT SUMMER SEASON HERE ON THE WATERS. WE HAD LOTS OF PEOPLE AT OUR SANDBARS. EVERYBODY HAD LOTS OF FUN. WE CREATED LOTS OF MEMORIES. A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TO ST.

AUGUSTINE DURING THE SUMMERTIME TO BOAT. WE CONDUCTED OUR, UH, SANDBAR CLEANUP. WE DID THAT AROUND THE KING TIDES. IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL. WE REMOVED SEVERAL BAGS OF TRASH, UH, UH, DEBRIS AND PLASTIC AND BROKEN GLASS THAT WERE LOCATED ON THE BEACH, BUT IT REALLY WASN'T THAT BAD BECAUSE WE HAVE A GREAT BOATING FAMILY HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE. THEY DON'T REALLY LITTER, SO IT WAS- WASN'T THAT BAD, BUT WE WERE OUT THERE TO GET WHAT WE COULD. UH, AS THE SUMMERTIME HAS ENDED AND WE START TO GET INTO FALL, ANCHOR EATS IS GOING TO CHANGE INTO, WE START TO GET READY FOR OUR HOLIDAY SEASON AND OUR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AND OUR CRUISING SEASON WHERE EVERYBODY COMES THROUGH THE CITY. WE ATTRACT A LOT OF BOATERS THAT CRUISE UP AND DOWN THE COAST. WE'RE PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS FOR BOATING HERE ON THE EAST COAST. AND, UH, BOATERS COME TO THIS TOWN.

THEY START IN NOVEMBER, UH, RIGHT AROUND NOW, NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, WHEN THE HURRICANE SEASON ENDS, AND AS THEY'RE COMING THROUGH, THEY STOP INTO ST. AUGUSTINE TO REPROVISION, TO GET GROCERIES, TO GO TO RESTAURANTS, TO VISIT OUR AMAZING CITY, BUT TO GET CERTAIN ITEMS TO, YOU KNOW, TO STOCK THEIR BOATS UP. AND A LOT OF THEM DON'T KNOW ALL OF

[00:40:01]

AUGUSTINE MUNICIPAL MARINA.

THIS IS JUST A RENDITION OF, UH, SOME OF THE, LIKE, OF WHAT WOULD BE ON THE BAG. I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF THEM, AND I'LL S- I'LL SUBMIT THEM TO YOU SO YOU CAN CHECK THEM OUT.

THERE WE GO. THERE WE GO, RIGHT THERE. AND, UH, SO WE'D GIVE YOU A BAG, AND IT WOULD HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE MARINA, LIKE BRIDGE OPENING SCHEDULES, UH, WHERE THEY CAN GET PUMP OUTS, WHERE OUR LOCAL, UM, RESTAURANTS AND HARDWARE STORES, MARINE SUPPLY CENTERS, AND ALL THESE THINGS ARE LOCATED. AND WE WOULD HAND THESE OUT TO ALL THE BOATERS.

ANCHOR EATS, WE'RE ALREADY OUT THERE EVERY DAY, UH, GREETING PEOPLE AND SEEING PEOPLE ON THE WATER, SO WE WOULD JUST HAND THESE BAGS OUT TO PEOPLE AS LIKE A WELCOMING COMMITTEE.

NOW, THIS WOULDN'T COST THE CITY ANYTHING. I'VE TALKED TO THE HARBOR MASTER MALDEN DOWNTOWN, AND I'VE LET HIM KNOW OF, UH, THAT I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU GUYS TONIGHT AND SAY SOMETHING TO YOU JUST TO MAKE SURE HE WAS OKAY WITH IT. AND, UM, I'D LIKE TO PUT THAT INFORMATION IN THE BAGS AND SHARE IT WITH OUR BOATERS. IT WOULDN'T COST THE CITY ANYTHING BECAUSE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THE BAGS THROUGH THE ADVERTISEMENTS AND THE SPONSORSHIPS ON THE BAGS, AND IT WOULD JUST GIVE VITAL INFORMATION TO OUR BOATING COMMUNITY.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

CONTINUE.

IT WOULD GIVE VITAL INFORMATION TO OUR BOATING COMMUNITY ABOUT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT SERVICES THAT WE HAVE HERE THAT ARE AVAILABLE, AND I JUST THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL WAY TO HELP, UH, SHOW- SHOWCASE THIS WONDERFUL CITY. IT'S AN AMAZING CITY, AND, UH, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT THING. I JUST WOULD, I DON'T NEED ANY TH- I- I DON'T NEED ANY MONEY FROM THE CITY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO GET YOUR...

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

BLESSING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OKAY. UM, HEATHER WILSON, FOLLOWED BY CATHERINE ZODA.

GOOD EVENING. BLATANT DISREGARD OF THE RULES IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES.

ONE, BETH WALT WAS MADE AWARE OF BARBIE'S LEG INJURY ON MARCH 10TH, DESCRIBED BY FRED PEZA IN HIS EMAIL TO HER AS A SMALL CUT. THAT IS NOT A SMALL CUT, THAT IS A LACERATION. BARBIE WAS FORCED TO WORK WITH AN OPEN WOUND, VIOLATION OF SECTION 1475, CARE OF ANIMALS, ITEM NUMBER 1, PAGE 27, THE CITY DID NOTHING. 2.

FOR FAILING TO PROPERLY QUARANTINE RALSTON AFTER HE WAS NEWLY TRAFFICKED IN FROM OUT OF STATE, COASTAL CARRIAGES RECEIVED A 21-DAY SUSPENSION LAST MONTH FOR VIOLATION OF SECTION 1475, CARE OF ANIMALS, ITEM NUMBER 7, PAGE 27.3.

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 23RD FROM COREY SACRED TO COASTAL CARRIAGES, HE CLEARLY OUTLINES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OVERNIGHT STABLING AT THE CITY LEASE TRANSFER STATION ON RIBERIA. A WRITTEN REQUEST MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LESS THAN ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE.

IN AN EMAIL DATED JUNE 3RD, FRED PEZA OF COASTAL CARRIAGES EMAILED BETH WALT FOR PERMISSION TO STABLE BARBIE TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2ND, OVERNIGHT FOR HER FARRIER APPOINTMENT, BUT JUNE 2ND WAS ACTUALLY A TUESDAY. UH, MISS WALT RESPONDED TO THE EMAIL ON THURSDAY, JUNE 4TH, STATING APPROVED. SO NOT ONLY WAS FRED ASKING FOR PERMISSION WITH ONLY ONE NIGHT, RATHER THAN ONE FULL WEEK AS REQUIRED, BUT MISS WALT APPROVED OF IT AFTER THE FACT. UH, THIS WAS BARBIE'S LEG AROUND THE TIME OF HER FARRIER APPOINTMENT, AND THIS IS COMPLETELY HORRIFIC, SHAMEFUL, AND INEXCUSABLE. UH, 4, LASTLY, NAME TAGS PER ARTICLE 3, SECTION 2733 ON PAGE 8. ON SEPTEMBER 5TH, CHRISTINA LAMMERS DRIVING FOR CB HINSON, NOW THE THIRD COMPANY SHE'S BEEN WORKING FOR, SHE DID NOT HAVE HER NAME TAG.

SHE WAS FRANTICALLY LOOKING FOR IT, WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE IT, AND THEN SHE WAS PULLED FROM DUTY. UM, SHE COULD NOT FIND IT, AND NEITHER COULD HER MINIONS.

UH, IN ADDITION, JESSE SABO DID NOT HAVE A NAME TAG ON, BUT HE DID PUT THE NAME TAG ON WITH QUITE A FUSS. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, JUST YESTERDAY, ON SEPTEMBER 12TH, JESSE CONTINUED TO IGNORE THE DRIVER FOR HIRE AGREEMENT AND REFUSED TO WEAR HIS NAME TAG. WHEN I QUESTIONED HIM ABOUT THIS, HE YELLED AT ME, GO AHEAD AND CALL JABARI. NO NAME TAG. THE CITY HAS NO CONTROL OVER THESE CARRIAGE COMPANIES.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME ENFORCEMENT, BUT THE INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO DEFY YOUR RULES AND REGULATIONS. IT IS TIME TO ABOLISH THIS EYESORE OF ANIMAL CRUELTY AND PHASE OUT HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES, JUST LIKE THEY ARE DOING IN SAN ANTONIO. AND THEN WE CAN

[00:45:02]

NEXT SPEAKER, CATHERINE ZOTA, FOLLOWED BY PATRICIA RAMOS. I'M CATHERINE ZOTA. I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE INCREASINGLY DEFIANT AND NON-COMPLIANT CONDUCT OF HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE OPERATORS, AND THE ESCALATING HOSTILITY WHEN THAT CONDUCT IS CHALLENGED. RECENTLY, THAT CONDUCT WAS ON FULL DISPLAY WHEN OPERATORS WERE ASKED TO COMPLY WITH CITY CODE.

IN ONE INCIDENT, A SIMPLE REQUEST FROM THE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR OPERATOR JESSE ZABO TO WEAR HIS REQUIRED NAME TAG WAS MET WITH OPEN DEFIANCE. ZABO FETCHED THE TAG, PUT IT ON, AND DELIBERATELY TOSSED IT BEHIND HIS BACK, OUT OF SIGHT. ONE WEEK LATER, AT SATURDAY'S PROTEST, HE WAS AGAIN NOT WEARING THE REQUIRED TAG. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, I REMINDED ZABO THAT HE WAS REQUIRED TO GIVE HIS HORSE WATER BEFORE LEAVING ON THE NEXT TOUR. WHEN THE HORSE DID NOT DRINK, HE PROCI- PROCEEDED TO MOCK ME, AND THE EXCHANGE ESCALATED, AS SEEN IN THIS VIDEO. PLEASE PLAY VIDEO 1. VOLUME, PLEASE.

JESUS CHRIST.

OH MY GOD! I SAW HIM FALL DURING THE NIGHT OF LIGHTS.

OH MY GOD! HELP! HELP, HELP US, HELP US.

GOOD JOB, CITY OF ST.

AUGUSTINE. THIS IS WHAT YOU CONTRACT OUT.

THAT'S HOW YOU DO YOUR JOB, BY MOANING AND WHINING AND.

THIS IS WHAT YOU CONTRACT OUT TO REPRESENT ST. AUGUSTINE.

SHAME ON YOU.

AS THE VIDEO ENDS, THE EXCHANGE CONTINUED. JESSE ZABEL CAME STRAIGHT AT ME, GETTING RIGHT IN MY FACE. HE STOOD THERE GLARING DIRECTLY INTO MY EYES BEFORE FINALLY STEPPING AWAY, A CLEAR THREAT WITH ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE. AS YOU WILL SEE IN VIDEO 2, THE RECORDING RESUMES JUST AFTER HE STEPPED AWAY FROM ME. PLEASE PLAY THE SECOND VIDEO WITH VOLUME. WHY DON'T YOU GET A LITTLE CLOSER? SERIOUS? THAT'S OKAY.

TIME IS UP.

THIS ENTIRE ESCALATION, FROM THE MOCKERY TO THE THREATENING FACE-TO-FACE CONFRONTATION, BEGAN WITH A SIMPLE REMINDER THAT HE WAS REQUIRED TO GIVE HIS HORSE WATER. THESE HORSES ARE PULLING CARRIAGES IN FLORIDA HEAT AND HUMIDITY IN FULL TACT. UNDER FLORIDA LAW, DEPRIVING AN ANIMAL OF NECESSARY SUSTENANCE IS PROHIBITED, AND CITY CODE REQUIRE WATER AFTER EVERY TOUR OR EVERY HOUR.

YET WHEN I REMINDED JESSE ZABO OF THAT REQUIREMENT, HIS RESPONSE ESCALATED FROM MOCKERY AND HOSTILITY TO INTIMIDATION AND THREATENING BEHAVIOR. WHEN BAS- BASIC ENFORCEMENT IS MET WITH HOSTILITY, DEFIANCE, AND ESCALATING CONFRONTATION, IT BECOMES CLEAR THIS INDUSTRY CANNOT BE MANAGED. THE CITY SHOULD STOP TRYING TO MANAGE THE UNMANAGEABLE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND MOVE FORWARD.

NEXT SPEAKER, PATRICIA RAMOS.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS PATRICIA. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK UP FOR THE HORSES. I WANT TO ADDRESS A RECURRING CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUE INVOLVING A CARRIAGE DRIVER WHO HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED TOO PROPERLY DISPLAY HIS REQUIRED PICTURE ID. THE MUNICIPAL CODE REQUIRES THE ID TO BE WORN ON THE DRIVER'S SHIRT OR COAT AND TO REMAIN IN PLAIN VIEW, VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES. YET, AS THESE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW IN ANOTHER- THIS IS ANOTHER DRIVER THAT HAS EITHER ALWAYS FAILED TO WEAR IT, OR SOMETIMES HAS IT TUCKED UNDERNEATH OR BEHIND HIS NECK, BEHIND THE PONYTAIL. LET'S BE HONEST, AN ID THAT IS HIDDEN UNDER AN ARMPIT OR PONYTAIL IS NOT VISIBLE, IT IS CONCEALED.

TONIGHT, I WILL SHOW A VIDEO OF WHAT HAPPENED WHEN A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE. THE DRIVER SAYS, AMERICANS DON'T LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO. PLEASE PLAY THE VIDEO.

WONDERFUL, YEAH. I DON'T SEE A NAME TAG. DON'T SEE A NAME TAG.

[00:50:01]

THAT STATEMENT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT DEMONSTRATES THAT HE UNDERSTOOD HE WAS BEING INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. THEN, WHEN WE ASK HIM TO PLACE THE ID WHERE IT CAN BE ACTUALLY SEEN ON THE FRONT OF HIS SHIRT, HE TELLS US TO SHUT UP AND CALLS US HOOKERS, AND HE DOES THIS IN PRESENCE OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

THAT APPEARS INCONSISTENT WITH THE CODE 2026 SECTION E, WHICH REQUIRES THE DRIVERS TO BE COURTEOUS, RESPECTFUL, AND PROFESSIONAL WITH THE PUBLIC. NOW WATCH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. RATHER THAN PUTTING THE ID WHERE IT CAN BE SEEN; HE WHIPS IT BEHIND HIS NECK WHERE IT'S CON- CONCEALED.

HOW DISRESPECTFUL, AND THE OFFICER ALLOWS HIM TO CONTINUE OPERATING. PLEASE PLAY THE VIDEO. IT SHOULD BE IN THE FRONT OF THE SHIRT WERE WE CAN SEE IT.

WHY DON'T YOU SHUT UP? OR ON THE COAT.

THAT'S ENOUGH.

HOW MUCH ARE YOU? IT SHOULD BE.

HOOKER.

IT SHOULD BE. GO AHEAD, SWEETHEART. LET EVERYBODY KNOW HOW YOU ARE. THIS IS WHAT THE CITY ALLOWS TO HAVE REPRESENTED.

THAT RAISES A SERIOUS QUESTION ABOUT EQUAL ENFORCEMENT.

ANOTHER DRIVER, CHRISTINA LAMMERS, WHO WAS NEVER SEEN WITH HER TAG, WAS BENCHED FOR NOT HAVING HER ID AT ALL, BUT SIMPLY POSSESSING AN ID IS NOT THE SAME AS DISPLAYING IT, AS THE CODE REQUIRES. IF THE CODE SAYS IT MUST BE PLAIN IN PLAIN VIEW, THEN THE ID HIDDEN BEHIND HIS NECK OR BENEATH THE STRAGGLY PONYTAIL DOES NOT SATISFY THAT REQUIREMENT. AND IF ANOTHER DRIVER WAS BENCHED FOR AN ID VIOLATION, WHY IS THE DRIVER ALLOWED TO CONTINUE OPERATING AFTER OPENLY REFUSING TO COMPLY? THE RULES ARE NOT SUGGESTIONS, THEY MUST APPLY EQUALLY TO EVERY CARRIAGE DRIVER. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT, WE ARE ASKING FOR THE SAME ENFORCEMENT APPLIED TO ALL DRIVERS. SO, I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE CITY THIS DOC- TO REVIEW THIS DOCUMENTED INS- INCIDENT AND ENFORCE ITS OWN CODE. IF THE CODE SAYS IT MUST BE VISIBLE, THEN REQUIRE IT TO WEAR VISIBLY. AS THE TIME IS LEFT, I WOULD ALSO ASK THE PUBLIC TO NEVER UNHEAR THE REPRESENTATION OF JOHN REDMAN, OLD CITY.

PLEASE PLAY THE VIDEO.

YOU ARE CHAIN SMOKING IN FRONT OF THAT HORSE.

I WAS NOT IN HIS FACE, SO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUCK MY ASS.

EW.

HORRIBLE REPRESENTATION.

ALL RIGHT, NEXT SPEAKER IS BJ KALADY. MS. DUNN, BJ KALADY, WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.

AGENDA ITEM 9B1. THE CITY POPULATION OF 16,548 HAS QUALIFIED FOR MANY YEARS THE CITY TO RECEIVE A REDUCTION IN CERTAIN PERMIT FEES. 501C3S ARE EXEMPT FROM PAYING PROPERTY TAXES TO THE CITY, WHICH TOTALS 967,566, 571 IN LOST REVENUE, ALSO KNOWN AS INCOME.

AT A SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 MEETING, MR. DELANEY WITH FLAGLER COLLEGE DID NOT SAY YES OR NO ABOUT PAYING PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES, PILOTS. IF ONE REMEMBERS, THE CRAYOLA HOTEL ON US 1 SOUTH BECAME A DORM, SO PROPERTY TAXES ARE NOT COLLECTED. NOVEMBER WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT. IF YOU BELIEVE THE SCARE TAXES CONCERNING AMENDMENT 3, PLEASE CONTACT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER AND ASK HIM TO ELIMINATE YOUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. VOTE YES, O-N, ON 3. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, THAT IS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR THE EVENING. WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. MR. CITY MANAGER.

[5. CONSENT AGENDA]

REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND THE OCTOBER 12TH 5 P. M.

REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING. WE HAVE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FO- FROM THE AUGUST 24TH REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING. WE HAVE A PROPOSED PROCLAMATION, PROCLAMATION 2026-17, WHICH PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER 28TH THROUGH OCTOBER

[00:55:01]

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CONSENT AGENDA? I MOVE THAT WE PASS THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE.

AYE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

RIGHT, WE WILL MOVE RIGHT ALONG TO, UH,

[8.A.1. Ordinance 2026-21: Amendments to Reorganization Meeting (I. Lopez, City Attorney)]

YES, MADAM MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, MAYOR-ELECT, AND COMMISSIONERS. UH, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-21 WOULD CHANGE THE, UH, START TIME AND LOCATION OF YOUR, UH, EVERY 2 YEARS, UH, SPECIAL MEETING WHERE OUR NEW COMMISSIONERS, UM, GET SWORN IN, AND WE CALL IT THE REORGANIZATION MEETING. UM, WE ALSO ADOPT A, UH, A PROCEDURES OF OUR, UM, OF OUR BUSINESS ITEMS AND, UH, AND CITY COMMISSION AGENDA, UM, PROCESSES AT THAT SAME MEETING, HENCE THE REORGANIZATION TERM.

UM, THE COMMISSION HAD TASKED ME TO CHANGE THIS YEAR'S, UM, MEETING TIME TO 5 P. M. ON THE FIRST MONDAY IN DECEMBER, STARTING THIS YEAR, AND THEN WE HAD SOME DISCUSSION AT A FOLLOW-UP MEETING, UH, REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD ADD ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE SAYING, WELL, IF IN FUTURE YEARS YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE TIME AGAIN, YOU COULD DO IT BY RESOLUTION OR OBVIOUSLY ORDINANCE. AND SO I ADDED THAT. SO THAT'S THE CHANGE FROM A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN YOU SAW THE FIRST, UM, HEARING OF THE ORDINANCE. AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE THE LANGUAGE SAYING THAT THE, UM, SPECIAL MEETING CAN BE AT ANY LOCATION THAT IS LEGALLY ACCESSIBLE PER FLORIDA GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE THAT IS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY. SO THOSE ARE THE TWO BIG CHANGES. 5:00 P.M.

THIS YEAR, FUTURE YEARS YOU COULD CHANGE IT BY RESOLUTION IN TERMS OF THE TIME, UM, AND YOU CAN ALSO, UH, HOLD IT AT CITY HALL OR ANYWHERE ELSE, UH, IN THE CITY AS LONG AS IT COMPLIES WITH GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE. SO THIS IS A CHARTER CHANGE, UH, BUT IT IS APPROVABLE BY ORDINANCE, AND IT IS A SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.

ALL RIGHT. ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC HEARING? ALL RIGHT, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN. I HAVE NO SPEAKER CARDS. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE MATTER, PLEASE COME FORWARD. OH, I APOLOGIZE, MISS KALADY. I HAVE YOUR CARD HERE. B. J. KALADY WITH CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, 8A1, ORDINANCE 2026-21.

SWEARING IN OF CITY POLITICIANS WILL BE AT 5:00 P.M... AFTER ANOTHER 38 YEARS, THE TIME CAN BE CHANGED IN THE FUTURE. IT'S INTERESTING. MY QUESTION IS, AND I'M PAYING ATTENTION AS BEST I CAN ON THIS, WHAT LOCATION HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR DECEMBER 2026? D- DOES THE PUBLIC KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE? HAS ANYONE REALLY MADE THAT FINAL DECISION? I HAVEN'T HEARD, AND I'M TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION. SO, WITH THE CHANGES TONIGHT, CAN YOU LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ANY MORE ABOUT WHERE THIS ONE IN DECEMBER WILL BE HELD, EITHER HERE, OUTSIDE, OR WHEREVER? THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY. I THINK WE'LL GET TO THAT. UM, ALL RIGHT, WE'RE BACK. UM, PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED. WE'RE BACK TO THE DAIS FOR DISCUSSION.

ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? NOPE? IT'S TO EVERYONE'S LIKING.

[01:00:02]

OKAY. OKAY, MR. CITY MANAGER.

WE, THE ANSWER IS WE DON'T HAVE A FINAL DECISION YET. WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH AN EXERCISE TO DETERMINE WHETHER WE COULD HAVE THIS SWEARING-IN CEREMONY AT OTHER LOCATIONS, AND IT'S LESS LIKELY THAT WE CAN DO THAT. WE ARE GOING THROUGH A PROCESS OF LOOKING AT WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE TO HAVE THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY HERE, AND IF WE HAVE A LARGE GATHERING OF FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WATCHING THE MAYOR-ELECT, CYNTHIA GARRIS, SWEARING IN, IT'S POSSIBLE THAT WE WOULD HAVE THAT CEREMONY HERE IN THIS ROOM ON DECEMBER 7TH AT 5 P. M. AND THEN IF THAT CROWD LEFT THE ROOM, WE COULD HAVE THE SWEARING IN WITH THE TWO NEW COMMISSIONERS IN THIS ROOM, AND THEN FOLLOWING THAT, UH, WE WOULD HAVE THE REORGANIZATION RESOLUTION. THIS IS ALL DEPENDENT UPON HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTEND THE CEREMONY ON DECEMBER 7TH. WE HAVE RECEIVED A GENEROUS OFFER TO USE THE LOBBY OF THE ALCAZAR MUSEUM AS OVERFLOW THAT EVENING, IF NECESSARY, IF FOLKS CANNOT COME INTO THE ROOM BECAUSE WE HAVE AN OCCUPANCY LIMIT, UH, IN THIS ROOM. SO, OUR WORKING, UH, PLAN NOW IS TO HAVE THE CEREMONY HERE, TO ACCOMMODATE EVERYONE THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN IN THIS ROOM, AND IF IT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE OVERFLOW, WE COULD HAVE A TELEVISION OUTSIDE IN THE LOGGIA AND A TELEVISION IN THE LOBBY OF THE LEITNER MUSEUM FOR FOLKS TO WATCH THEIR CEREMONY.

AFTER ALL OF THE BUSINESS HAS BEEN COMPLETED, THEN PERHAPS IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE, THE COURTYARD WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR PICTURES, UH, BEFORE, UH, EVERY, ALL THE COMMISSIONERS LEAVE FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE RECEPTIONS.

THAT IS THE PLAN SO FAR. I HOPE I'VE, UH, EXPLAINED THAT ADEQUATELY.

SO THE GENEROUS OFFER FROM THE LEITNER MUSEUM IS, UM, NO FEE FOR THE USE OF THE, OF THE LOBBY, IS THAT CORRECT? UH, I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF THAT. I W- I DID NOT TALK TO THEM ABOUT A FEE, BUT I NEED TO CONFIRM THAT.

OKAY.

UM.

I'M JUST TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF, IS THIS, WOULD DOING ANY OF THESE CHANGES THAT ARE SWIRLING AROUND OUT THERE COST MORE, UM, THAN THE USUAL SWEARING-IN CEREMONY THAT HAS BEEN TRADITIONAL? UH, THE- AND IF SO, WOULD WE FIND OUT WHAT THOSE COSTS ARE? WOULD WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO APPROVE THEM? I, I JUST THINK I WANT TO BE REALLY TRANSPARENT IN THIS TIME OF, YOU KNOW, SCRUTINIZING TAXES AND PROPERTY TAX REFORM AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

I JUST WANT TO BE REALLY, REALLY TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT OUR EXPENSES ARE.

OKAY. I'D BE HAPPY TO COME BACK AT THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING AND GIVE YOU A RUNDOWN OF ANY EXPENSES, IF ANY, UH, UNDER THAT SCENARIO. I KNOW THAT IF WE WERE TO HAVE THE, UM, OVERFLOW IN THE LOBBY OF THE MUSEUM AND WE WANTED TO HAVE A TELEVISION ON A CART THAT WOULD SHOW THE SWEARING IN LIVE, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A TELEVISION.

WE'VE ONLY GOT ONE TV, UH, SET UP FOR VIEWING OUTSIDE IN THE LOGGIA, SO I KNOW THERE WOULD BE AN EXPENSE TO THAT.

AND, AND THE REASON I ASK THIS IS NOT FROM A PERSONAL LEVEL, BUT BECAUSE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN ASKING ME.

I UNDERSTAND.

THEY'VE HEARD RUMORS THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME CHANGES IN OUR PROCEDURES. THIS IS PUBLICLY ADVERTISED, AND THEY WANT TO KNOW IF THERE ARE GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL COSTS, ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS.

I'D BE HAPPY TO.

AS A RESULT OF THESE CHANGES.

I'D BE HAPPY TO BRING THAT BACK TO YOU AT THE NEXT.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

RIGHT. WELL, I THINK, I HOPE THAT ANSWERED THE QUESTION.

UM, BUT DID IT CHANGE? OKAY, SO WE HAVE, UM, I WILL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE 20 S- 26-21 TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

I SECOND.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-21, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE 5, DIVISION 1, SECTION 5.02 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDED START TIME AND FLEXIBILITY IN LOCATION WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS FOR THE FIRST DECEMBER CITY COMMISSION MEETING FOLLOWING EACH REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

RIGHT THERE. ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? MADAM CLERK.

[01:05:01]

OH, OKAY.

OKAY. I DON'T KNOW HOW, UM, THERE'S ALL THESE DIFFERENT DETAILS THAT'S OUT THERE BECAUSE, UM, I HAVEN'T SPOKEN OF ANY DETAILS AS FAR AS GETTING SWORN IN.

WHAT I DO KNOW IS A LOT OF MY FAMILY ARE TRAVELING HERE FROM RHODE ISLAND, AND A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS ARE TRAVELING HERE TO SEE ME GET SWORN IN BECAUSE IT IS HISTORIC, AND IT'S NOT ABOUT, UM, I'M SPECIAL, BUT I AM MAKING HISTORY, AND I APPRECIATE THE COOPERATION OF THE COMMISSION, UM, AND I APPRECIATE THE, UM, CITY MANAGER. AND IF A PLACE BECOMES AVAILABLE THAT DOESN'T CHARGE US, UM, I WOULD WANT TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES THAT EVERYBODY CAN BE SEATED AND WE DON'T HAVE TO BE FLIPPING PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF A ROOM. THE REASON WHY IT WAS GOING TO BE DONE HERE IS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LIVE STREAM IT FOR ANYBODY THAT CANNOT. SO, UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL GO THROUGH THE REGULAR PROCEDURE IN THIS ROOM, BUT I WILL GET SWORN IN AGAIN AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION SO PEOPLE THAT TRAVEL HERE TO SEE ME GET SWORN IN, UM, AND THAT'S NO COST TO THE CITY. THANK YOU.

YEAH, I HAVE THE COMMENTS.

OKAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IS TRYING TO HAVE REMOTE MEETINGS, PERIOD. YOU KNOW, HAVING SOME COMMISSION MEETINGS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY. IT MAY BE WORTH INVESTIGATING THE, UH, COST FOR THAT SO THAT WE HAVE THAT ABILITY TO DO THAT IN THE FUTURE, AND IT COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS KIND OF A, A REQUEST FROM A FUTURE MAYOR. IT'S, IT'S NOT THAT DIFFICULT, I DON'T THINK, TO FIND THE EQUIPMENT THAT'S NECESSARY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE MEETINGS, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE REALLY VALUABLE TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF TOWN FOR US TO SHOW UP, UH, IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS FOR THEM TO ATTEND A MEETING.

OKAY, PORTABLE MEETINGS. UM, THAT'S A SUGGESTION FOR THE FUTURE. UH, ANYONE ELSE WISH TO MAKE A COMMENT PERTAINING TO THIS PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE? NO? OKAY.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

NANCY SIKES-KLINE? YES.

CYNTHIA GARRIS? YES.

JOHN DEPRETER? YES.

JIM SPRINGFIELD? YES.

BARBARA BLONDER? YES.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. MR. CITY MANAGER, I'M SURE YOU WILL FIND A WAY TO WORK IT OUT. I SEE YOU WORKING VERY HARD TO WORK IT OUT, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. MOVING ON. UH, THE NEXT ITEM IS, UM, RESOLUTION

[9.B.1. Resolution 2026-28: Requests FDEP and SJRWMD to Reduce Permit Application Fees (G. Skipp, Utilities and Public Works Deputy Director)]

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M GLABER SKIP, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS.

RESOLUTION 2026-28 REQUESTS REDUCED PERMIT APPLICATION FEES FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE ST. JOHN'S RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT BASED ON OUR POPULATION AND PERCENTAGE OF PROPERTIES EXEMPT FROM AD VALOREM TAX. THIS IS AN ANNUAL RESOLUTION THAT WILL SAVE US OVER 10,000 DOLLARS IN WATER AND WASTEWATER FEES.

ANY QUESTIONS? WONDERFUL. IT'S AN ANNUAL THING. THIS IS CORRECT, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS.

LET'S SAVE SOME MONEY AGAIN.

YES, IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? NO.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION, IF, IF I MAY.

PLEASE.

TO PASS RESOLUTION 2026-28.

SECOND.

ALL RIGHT, ANY OTHER COMMENTS? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

JOHN DEPRETER? YES.

BARBARA BLONDER? YES.

CYNTHIA GARRIS? YES.

JIM SPRINGFIELD? YES.

NANCY SIKES-KLINE? YES.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MISS KIM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. GREAT JOB.

ALL RIGHT, NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS KNIGHTS OF

[10. STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS ]

GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MADAM VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M MELISSA WHISSEL, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY. AS IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, AND LAST YEAR WAS NO EXCEPTION, OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES, PROPERTY OWNERS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, B&BS, THEY ALL LOVE TO DECORATE AND CREATE WHAT THEY THINK IS GOING TO BE THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST AND SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY.

AND ALSO EVERY YEAR IT IS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT SOME OF IT IS JUST TOO MUCH, OR IT IS NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE LIGHTING DISPLAYS, WHICH WAS TO HIGHLIGHT THE ARCHITECTURE OF OUR CITY AND CREATE A WARM, CLASSIC, AND CONSISTENT LOOK THROUGHOUT THE CITY. SO AT THE END OF LAST NIGHTS OF LIGHT SEASON, YOU ASKED FOR A ONE-PAGE HANDOUT, A REMINDER OF SORTS, SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN HISTORIC

[01:10:01]

AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION, AND TO PROVIDE COPIES TO THE CITY'S CODE ENFORCEMENT TEAM SO THEY MAY HAND THEM OUT IN PERSON WHEN THEY ARE MEETING WITH BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS. WE CAN ALSO SEND A NEWS RELEASE, WHICH THEN TRIGGERS OUR OWN COMMUNICATIONS AND MESSAGING PROTOCOL TO POST IT ON THE HOMEPAGE OF THE WEBSITE AND THROUGH VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS.

I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

OKAY, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? UM, THIS IS GOOD. IT'S VERY CLEAR. I EVEN UNDERSTAND IT.

THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME. OKAY. VICE MAYOR.

HOW LONG HAS THIS P- THIS PORTION OF CODE BEEN IN EFFECT? I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO CITY ATTORNEY, MS. LOPEZ.

IT PRE- PREDATES ME, AND I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 2011.

OKAY, IT CERTAINLY PREDATES ME.

I WAS JUST CURIOUS. SO, IT'S BEEN IN EFFECT A LONG TIME.

YES.

WHEN WOULD THIS INFORMATION GO OUT TO THE, UH, STAKEHOLDERS? UM, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THAT'D BE GOOD, IN ADVANCE OF THEM GOING OUT AND BUYING STUFF THAT THEY WOULD LATER REGRET BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MEET OUR CODE. THAT'D BE GREAT.

THANK YOU.

NO PROBLEM.

GOOD JOB.

THANK YOU.

OTHER COMMISSIONERS, OTHER COMMENTS? NO? OKAY. I, MY ONLY COMMENT IS, UH, SPREAD IT FAR AND WIDE, PLEASE.

OKAY.

IT WOULD BE EVERYWHERE, NEWSLETTER, NEWS AND NOTES, AND, UH, WE'LL PUSH IT OUT THIS WEEK.

I'D BE HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT IT ON MAYOR'S MONTHLY MINUTE.

GREAT.

AND THAT KIND OF THING TOO.

OKAY.

SO THE MORE WE CAN GET THIS WORD OUT, THE BETTER. IT'S A GREAT RESOURCE, SO THANK YOU.

THAT WORKS. ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT. OKAY, MOVING ON, ITEMS BY CITY ATTORNEY.

I HAVE NOTHING.

OKAY, ITEMS BY CITY CLERK.

[12. ITEMS BY CITY CLERK ]

UH, WE DID RECEIVE FOUR APPLICATIONS, AND I DID WANT TO NOTE THAT SUSAN JOHNS IS CURRENT, UH, BOARD, BOARD MEMBER OF OUR PZB AND IS ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT. UM, WE CAN EITHER TAKE NOMINATIONS AND VOTE SEPARATELY, OR WE CAN VOTE BY BALLOT.

WHAT'S THE PLEASURE? I SAY BALLOT? WE'LL GO FOR THE BALLOT. SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, SUSAN JOHNS IS, UM, ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT.

SHE IS ELIGIBLE.

AND WE HAVE 2 OPENINGS.

YES. SO, I WILL NEED YOU TO MARK 2 INDIVIDUALS ON YOUR BALLOTS.

RIGHT, AND THIS IS OUR FIRST BALLOT. UM, MAY I SAY SOMETHING WHILE THEY'RE COUNTING? SURE.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK, UH, CHRISTINE TUCKER FOR BEING ON THE PLANNING BOARD. I KNOW I SERVED WITH HER, AND SHE IS, I MEAN, SHE WAS VERY BIG ASSET.

SHE HAS REAL PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, UM, AND I WANT TO GIVE HER A LITTLE CREDIBILITY, MORE CREDIBILITY THAN SHE HAS, BUT JUST A LITTLE SHOUT OUT BECAUSE IN WORKING WITH HER, I ALWAYS LIKED HER.

SHE'S VERY DELIBERATE. SHE DOESN'T COME IN PREJUDGING THINGS. SHE ASKS A LOT OF GOOD PHYSICAL QUESTIONS, AND HER BACKGROUND IS GOOD, AND I WANT TO THANK HER FOR HER SERVICE.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.

YEAH.

PZB IS A TOUGH JOB, SO FOR ALL OF THESE APPLICANTS, I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE, I THINK, ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE COMMISSION AND THE STAFF, THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO PUT THEMSELVES OUT THERE AND, AND STEP UP IF CHOSEN. SO, THANK YOU.

THESE BALLOTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR UM, PUBLIC RECORD, BUT, UH, AFTER TALLYING, WE'VE GOT A UNANIMOUS APPOINTMENT, REAPPOINTMENT FOR MISS JOHNS, AND, UH, THREE VOTES FOR MR. TUCKER, ONE FOR MR. ST. GEORGE, AND ONE FOR MISS ROBBINS. UH, SO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER IS MR. TUCKER.

OKAY, CONGRATULATIONS, MR. TUCKER AND M- UM, MISS JOHNS.

[01:15:04]

YES.

WE HAVE AN OPENING.

YES, WE DO REACH OUT.

AS A, AS A POLICY.

YES.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. UM, ANYTHING ELSE? REMINDER OF OPEN POSITIONS.

UM, YES, I, I... WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS.

UH, ONE ON OUR AUDIT COMMITTEE, ONE POSITION ON OUR, UM, CITY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM, UH, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, UH, ONE ON OUR CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, ONE ON OUR ST. AUGUSTINE FIREFIGHTERS PENSION BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND ONE ON OUR POLICE OFFICERS, UH, BOARD OF TRUSTEES. SO, ANYBODY OUT THERE WITH ANY EXPERIENCE OR PASSION FOR INVESTMENTS, GIVE ME A CALL.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, ANY OTHER? NO. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER.

I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING THIS EVENING. THANK YOU.

OKAY. WONDERFUL. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.

[14. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS]

I WAS GOING TO ASK FOR HIS HANDOUT ALSO SO I COULD FIND OUT WHAT EXACTLY, UM, IN DETAIL THAT HE WAS DISCUSSING WITH US AND SAYING HOW, UM, THEY'VE BEEN BENEFICIAL IN THE PAST. SO, I WANTED MORE INFORMATION ON THAT, AND IN THE, UM, LIEU OF TIME, I WILL, UM, GET WITH THE CITY MANAGER AT A LATER DATE AND ASK HIM ABOUT THAT. AND THERE WAS, UM, I WANTED TO THANK, UM, VICKY PEPPER FOR COMING OUT AND, UM, CONGRATULATING US ON THE CARE PHASE TWO, GETTING THE LAUNDRY DONE, AND I'M SURE WE ARE GOT IT IN THE PLAN TO WORK ON GETTING THE SHOWERS AVAILABLE, UM, IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A DATE FOR THAT START DATE YET, BUT I'M SURE THAT'S COMING.

AND, UM, I DID LIKE THE LADY BRINGING UP ABOUT THE PORTABLE RAMPS. UM, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD, UM, REACH OUT TO THE BUSINESSES BECAUSE THEY ARE LOSING MONEY.

AND I REMEMBER, UM, A FEW YEARS BACK THAT GIGGLING GATORS GOT SUED BECAUSE THERE WAS A HANDICAPPED PERSON THAT WANTED TO PLAY POOL, AND IT WAS ON THE SECOND FLOOR, AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO GET UP THERE, AND THEY WON. AND SO, UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO REACH OUT TO THE BUSINESSES AND MAKE THEM AWARE, BECAUSE THAT HAS TO BE KIND OF FRUSTRATING IF PEOPLE COME INTO TOWN TO VISIT AND THEY'RE SHOPPING AND YOU HAVE TO STAND OUT THERE, SIT OUT THERE, AND NOT BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THOSE SPACES. SO MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN JUST, UM, NOT DEMAND IT, BUT JUST MAKE THEM AWARE THAT THEY'RE LOSING POTENTIAL SALES FROM NOT HAVING THAT AVAILABILITY. AND I THINK THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE FOR NOW.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, GREAT. COMMISSIONER DEPRETER, NOTHING? OKAY.

COMMISSIONER.

UH, YES, I GOT A COUPLE. I HAVE TO CONGRATULATE CRA FOR ALL THE GOOD WORK THEY'VE BEEN DOING.

IT'S REALLY BEEN A- AN EDUCATION FOR ME IN THE LAST 4 YEARS, AND UM, I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING. I'D ALSO LIKE TO ASK, UH, THE COMMISSION, DO WE HAVE TOO OFFICIALLY DESIGNATE THE PAVILION, THE DIGNITY PAVILION? IS THERE A WAY TO NAME THAT OFFICIALLY? THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY'S CALLING IT, BUT DO WE? WELL, WE HAVE A NAMING PROCESS.

WE'RE ACTUALLY GOT IN THE PROCESS OF NAMING RIGHT NOW A, A S- A ROAD. UM, SO WE DO HAVE AN, WE DO HAVE A PROCESS.

IS THAT NAMING PROCESS FOR BUILDINGS TOO? UH, IT'S FOR PARKS, BUT WE COULD CREATE, WE COULD FOLLOW THAT PROCESS IF YOU WANTED TO FORMALIZE THE DIGNITY PAVILION NAME, IF, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANTED.

WELL, I'M, I'M NOT PROPOSING TO, UH, DO THAT RIGHT NOW. I'M JUST SAYING WE OUGHT TO, IF WE'RE GONNA CALL IT THAT, WE OUGHT TO.

OKAY.

WE OUGHT TO TALK ABOUT HOW YOU DESIGNATE IT OFFICIALLY, YOU KNOW. OF COURSE, WE WOULD TAKE A MILLION DOLLARS TO NAME IT MR. SMITH'S PAVILION. UH, THE LAST THING I HAVE IS ABOUT TREE ORDINANCE.

UH, I MET, I MET WITH A FORMER MEMBER OF THE TREE COMMITTEE, AND HE'S, UH, PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS. UH, IN THE CA- IN THE, UM, ORDINANCE, AND ACTUALLY IN THE PLANNING AND ZONING BUILDING TREE

[01:20:01]

AND, UH, THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS 8 TIMES THE DIAMETER OF A TREE, NOT 3.

AND I, THIS PERSON DIDN'T KNOW HOW EXACTLY IT GOT CHANGED, BUT HE DID PROVIDE ME WITH, UH, THE NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE, THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE BOOK THAT SHOWED THAT, UH, 8 IS A PRETTY MINIMAL TIME TO THE DIAMETER OF THE TREE.

IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WE'VE HAD A CHURCH IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHO BUILT VERY CLOSE TO SOME TREES THAT WE DON'T BELIEVE ARE GONNA BE ABLE TO SURVIVE, GIGANTIC OAK TREES, AND ALSO A HOME ON EAST PARK, TWO HOMES ON EAST PARK THAT WERE BUILT VERY CLOSE TO GIGANTIC OLD OAK TREES THAT WERE BUILT UNDER THE RULE OF THREE TIMES THE DIAMETER OF THE TREE. SO, I'D LIKE TO HAVE, UM, THE STAFF REVIEW THIS AND GIVE US A REPORT ABOUT THAT WITH YOUR CONSENSUS SO THAT WE CAN MAYBE LOOK AT PUTTING IT BACK AT 8 LIKE IT WAS INTENDED TO DO IN THE BEGINNING. IT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. YOU HAVE A 4-FOOT TREE, INSTEAD OF BUILDING 12 FEET, YOU'RE TALKING BIG, YOU KNOW, 32 FEET AWAY. SO, IT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE, BUT I, I DON'T KNOW THE LOGIC BEHIND WHY IT WAS CHANGED TO 3 OR WHY IT WAS LEFT AND NOT LEFT AT 8, BUT I THINK INVESTIGATING WOULD BE IMPORTANT.

YEAH, I, I AGREE WITH YOU, UM, AND I WOULD SUPPORT THAT DEFINITELY BECAUSE THE ROOT MASS ITSELF IS MUCH, MUCH GREATER THAN, UM, THAN EVEN THE CANOPY IN A LOT OF CASES.

RIGHT.

YEAH.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THAT. I KNOW THAT THE STREET TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OFTEN ADVISES ON THESE THINGS, AND PERHAPS THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT, OH, HERE WE GO, WE HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY.

SORRY, BUT AS YOU KNOW, SB 180 LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO PASS ANY ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BE MORE RESTRICTIVE, AKA MORE BURDENSOME THAN WHAT IS IN OUR CODE CURRENTLY.

HOWEVER, UM, WE DID LOOK INTO THE, THE COMMENTS AND THE CONCERNS, AND I THINK ONCE STAFF IS ABLE TO FLESH OUT, UH, EXACTLY WHAT OCCURRED AND THE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE THAT'S ALREADY IN THE CODE, THAT MIGHT GIVE YOU SOME MEASURE OF COMFORT THAT THERE ARE OTHER CRITERIA THAT GET TRIGGERED AS WELL. BUT IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO CHANGE A NUMERIC DISTANCE TO SOMETHING MORE RESTRICTIVE, IT'S UNLIKELY THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SB 180.

YEAH, MY REQUEST WAS TO HAVE STAFF RESEARCH IT AND GIVE US A REAL GOOD ANSWER.

I, AND I AGREE WITH THAT, AND I AGREE WITH, I THINK IT'S WORTH LOOKING INTO, UM, PERHAPS IT'S SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, THERE'S, UM, MAYBE AT THIS POINT WE COULD START BUILDING SOME CASE STUDIES, UM, OF HOW WE HAVE BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY SENATE BILL 180. MAYBE SOMEDAY IN MY DREAMS SOMEBODY WILL COME ALONG AND DO A GLITCH FIX, BUT I DON'T KNOW.

THAT WAS A VERY GOOD POINT YOU BROUGHT UP. QUESTION TO OUR CITY ATTORNEY. IF I'M REMEMBERING THIS CORRECTLY, WHEN WE DID THE FILL ORDINANCE, THE NEW FILL ORDINANCE OR GRADING ORDINANCE, WE HAD A, UH, UM, WOULD YOU CALL IT LIKE A CARROT? WE INDUCED CARROTS INTO THAT AND SAID THAT IF YOU DIDN'T CHANGE IT, OR IF YOU DID THIS, OR IF YOU BUILT ON PIERS, OR IS ANY OF THAT STUFF TRANSFERABLE TO THE TREES, SUCH AS IF YOU ARE CLOSE TO THE TREE, AND I HAVE SEEN THIS MYSELF, THESE, UM, STEM WALL STRUCTURES WHERE PEOPLE COME IN AND THEY COMPACT THE DIRT REALLY, REALLY HEAVILY, AND THEY PUT CEMENT ON IT, THAT TREE IS GOING TO BE, ROOTS ARE GOING TO BE, UH, CRUSHED. HOWEVER, PEOPLE BUILD ON PIERS, YOU, THE DISTANCE BECOMES LESS. SO THERE, IT'S NOT JUST THE DISTANCE, IT'S THE BUILDING TECHNIQUE AND THE CARE AND THE DESIRE TO DO IT. SO, WE HAD SOME CARROTS BUILT INTO THE FILL.

IS THAT ANYTHING THAT COULD BE-.

CORRECT, AND, AND THAT WAS WHY I WAS SAYING, HOWEVER, UM, THERE ARE ALREADY BUILT IN OTHER CRITERIA REGARDING THE TREE ORDINANCE THAT MAY MITIGATE POSITIVELY, I GUESS I'LL SAY IT THAT WAY, AND, AND YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE A, AN ITERATION OF WHAT THOSE ARE. SO, IT'S NOT JUST.

YEAH.

THE STATIC DISTANCE, BUT THERE'S ALL SORTS OF OTHER CRITERIA, INCLUDING STEM WALL CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER MEANS TO PROTECT THE TREE. SO MAYBE WHEN YOU GET THE FULL REPORT, IT WON'T FEEL QUITE AS DIRE.

YEAH. MAYBE BRING THAT IN. I THINK THAT'D BE A GOOD PART OF THE CONVERSATION, JUST LIKE INCENTIVES.

RIGHT. ALSO, THERE IS SOME MITIGATION PROCEDURES THAT WE, WE ACTUALLY DISCUSSED IT WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT, UM, CORDOVA

[01:25:02]

OH, YEAH.

YEAH. SO, THERE ARE SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE CAN.

UH-HUH.

CAN BRING UP WITH CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS AND.

OH, YEAH.

YEAH.

DEFINITELY WORTH HAVING.

UM, I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT, UM, THERE'S A CLASS AT FLAGLER COLLEGE, INTERDISCIPLINARY, THAT THEY'RE STARTING TO LOOK AT THIS TYPE OF THING, SO MAYBE THEY CAN ASSIST THE CITY STAFF IN DOING SOME OF THE BASIC RESEARCH, UM, BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT POLICY. SO MIGHT BE KIND OF FUN. UH, MR. FRANKLIN IS AWARE OF THIS AND IS KIND OF THEIR LIAISON, AS AM I.

OKAY. OKAY. COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD, ARE YOU... YOU'RE FILLED, FINISHED? OKAY, GREAT.

ALL RIGHT, UH, VICE MAYOR.

OKAY. UM, I HAVE A FEW THINGS.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER GARRIS, UM, ABOUT, UH, WORKING ON SOME PROGRAM. UH, MISS CITY ATTORNEY, IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO, UM, IMPOSE THIS ON OUR BUSINESS OWNERS? I'M PRETTY SURE THERE'S NOT, BUT WE COULD CERTAINLY RAISE AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGE, UM, THE PORTABLE WHEELCHAIR.

CORRECT. UH, COMPLIANCE WITH THE ADA IS A FEDERAL LAW, AND INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY. NOW, THERE ARE SOME HISTORIC PRESERVATION, UM, EXCEPTIONS THAT ARE BUILT INTO THE ADA, UH, REGARDING, UH, HISTORIC PORTIONS OF BUILDINGS THAT DON'T HAVE TO NECESSARILY COMPLY, BUT CERTAINLY THE CITY COULD BE A, A, A GOOD STARTING POINT AND A PR, UM, ON BEST PRACTICES TO GIVE FOLKS ACCESS BEYOND WHAT ANY GIVEN BUSINESS MAY BE REQUIRED TO DO.

WOULD THIS COMMISSION THEN SUPPORT THAT? YES.

THAT EFFORT? YES.

GREAT, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. UM, I HAVE TO, EVERY SINGLE TIME WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT, WE HAVE, UH, PEOPLE PROTESTING ABOUT THE HORSE CARRIAGES, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT IT IS CLEARLY ESCALATING, UM, AND THAT MAKES ME NERVOUS IN TERMS OF THE BEHAVIORS, UM, BETWEEN THE PROTESTERS AND THE CARRIAGE OPERATORS. UM, AGAIN, MS. CITY ATTORNEY, UM, WE HA- WE DO, THESE ARE FRANCHISES, AND WE DO LICENSE THEM, UM, BUT THERE'S A CERTAINLY LIKELY, I'M NOT ACCUSING ANYBODY, BUT THERE MAY BE SOME FEELINGS THAT THEY'RE BEING PROVOKED. I DON'T KNOW, I'M NOT THERE, UH, BUT I DO WORRY ABOUT BYSTANDERS, UM, IN PARTICULAR ABOUT WHAT, UM, WHAT WE LOOK LIKE AS A CITY, UM, WHEN WE HAVE THESE TYPES OF, UM, SHOUTING MATCHES AND, UM, UNPLEASANT BEHAVIOR. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO A- ALONG THOSE LINES BE- BEYOND ENFORCING OUR CODE? WELL, UH, OUR CODE CONTEMPLATES THAT EVERYONE HAS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS ON.

RIGHT.

TRADITIONAL PUBLIC FORUM, RIGHT? SO THAT INCLUDES STREETS AND SIDEWALKS. SO, I UNDERSTAND THAT ONE PARTICULAR GROUP MAY BE, UM, VOICING ITS, UM, THOUGHTS AND BELIEFS IN A CERTAIN WAY THAT ANOTHER GROUP, UM, RESPONDS TO IN KIND, PERHAPS.

MM-HMM.

OR, OR ESCALATES VERBALLY.

BUT AGAIN, I THINK IN TERMS OF WHAT THE CITY COULD DO TO PROHIBIT ONE GROUP FROM FIRST AMENDMENT EXPRESSION IN A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC FORM IS VERY LIMITED. THERE'S REALLY.

THAT'S.

VERY LITTLE WE CAN DO THERE.

UM, BUT CERTAINLY NOBODY CAN, UM, CAN, UH, ASSAULT ANY-.

RIGHT.

OR- OR CAUSE A F- A- A- A- A RIOT OR ANY OF THOSE SORT OF TRIGGERS WHERE, UH, IT BECOMES A CRIME, RIGHT? CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. UH, AND AGAIN.

AGAIN, I WOULD CAUTION JUST, UM, FOCUSING, UH, ONE PERSPECTIVE.

SURE.

OVER ANOTHER, RIGHT? SO, SO WE'RE SHOWN CERTAIN THINGS.

EXACTLY. I MEAN, WE'RE SHOWN CERTAIN THINGS.

RIGHT.

EXACTLY. I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND, AND THEY- NO DISPARAGEMENT OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE SHOWN, BUT JUST THAT, UM, PERHAPS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK YOUR, UH, CITY MANAGER TO TOUCH BASE WITH OUR ENFORCEMENT FOLKS AND GET WHAT THEY'RE SEEING IN TOTALITY OUT THERE.

I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

SO I'M MAKING THAT REQUEST.

UM, JUST, I, I JUST WANT TO SEE THIS ATTENDED TO IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER SO THAT WE'RE NOT JUST PASSING IT BY. AND THEN LASTLY, I HAVE AN IDEA. I THINK I MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT, I WANT TO S- I WANT TO SAY I BROUGHT THIS UP AT A PREVIOUS TIME, BUT MY MEMORY ISN'T CLEAR ON THIS. UM, I, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE A, UM, A BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD.

UM, WE HAVE A, UM, A, A NEW AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, UM, AND, AND, AND I'D, I'D LIKE TO SEE A, UM, EN- ENCOURAGE OUR BUSINESSES TO, UH, COMPETE FOR A BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD. UM, AND MAYBE WE CAN BRING IT TO THE ST. AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION AND S- WHO'S THE LIAISON? DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY

[01:30:02]

NO.

NO, OKAY, THAT'S WHAT I WAS ASKING.

WE HAVE A LIAISON. OH, ONE OF US.

YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING.

AND-.

YEAH, WE CAN'T HEAR.

TURN ON YOUR MIC.

I SAID I THOUGHT IT WAS RUBEN THAT ATTENDED MOST OF THOSE MEETINGS ON A REGULAR.

MY- BUT WE DON'T, WE DON'T HAVE A COMMISSIONER.

OKAY, THAT'S WHAT I WAS ASKING.

OKAY, SO, UM, BUT I THINK I'D LIKE TO GO ALONG WITH THIS IDEA WITH ALL, ALL Y'ALL'S SUPPORT AND MAYBE TRY TO, TO RECOGNIZE BUSINESSES ANNUALLY, UM, WHO WHATEVER CRITERIA, UM, THAT WE COME UP WITH.

SURE.

YEAH? YEP.

ALL RIGHT.

GREAT IDEA.

IT'S A STAFF, IF WE COULD, I- I'D BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH STAFF TO COME UP WITH SOME IDEAS ABOUT HOW WE COULD MOVE THAT FORWARD.

MM-HMM.

SO, THANKS. OKAY.

SOUNDS GREAT.

GREAT. THAT'S IT. THAT'S IT.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT, WELL, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A LIST. UM, I'LL GET THE EASY STUFF OUT OF THE WAY. I, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR, UM, UH, I'M ASKING FOR A COUPLE UPDATES. ONE ON, UM, THE DROP-IN CENTER AND THE STATUS OF IT, UH, SHOWER SERVICES AND A TIMELINE WITH THAT. ALSO, WHERE WE ARE ON PHASE 2, IF THERE IS ONE. I THINK I BROUGHT IT UP AT THE BUDGET MEETING THAT I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING FUNDED IN THERE FOR PHASE 2, SO I'D LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT, HOW THAT'S, SO THAT WE'RE ALL CLEAR ON WHERE WE ARE. UM, THAT THAT'S ONE, AND THEN THE OTHER ONE IS THE UPDATE OF THE SEAWALL PROJECT ON INLET DRIVE, WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT, BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT THEY REMOVED THE CONSTRUCTION CONES, BUT IT'S NOT BEING MOWED YET. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE IRRIGATION. I DID STEEP SPEAK WITH MR. SLAUGHTER ABOUT IT, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHERE THAT LANDED. SO, I'D JUST LIKE TO SEE WHERE ARE WE ON THAT PROJECT? IS IT FINISHED? NOT? WHERE ARE WE? UM... THIS IS SO... BRICK STREETS. SO, UH, I'VE BEEN HAVING QUITE A FEW CONVERSATIONS, UM, LATELY ABOUT BRICK STREETS, AND I HAVE A CITIZEN WHO'S VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BRICK STREETS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE COMPLETING THE SEVILLA STREET PROJECT, WHICH IS, WAS A BRICK STREET, HAS BEEN KEPT A BRICK STREET IN THE REHABILITATION, BUT ALL NEW BRICKS. SO THE BRICKS THAT WERE TAKEN UP WERE SALVAGED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, WHICH IS A GREAT THING TO DO, UM, BUT WERE, INSTEAD OF REUSING ANY, THEY WERE, I BELIEVE, SALVAGED AND PALLETIZED AND P- PUT IN A SAFE LOCATION, AND ALL NEW BRICK WAS USED ON SEVILLA. NOW, I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF THAT, BUT THAT'S JUST WHAT I'M TOLD.

SO IT KIND OF PRECIPITATED ME WANTING, STARTING TO ASK AROUND, DID WE HAVE A RESOLUTION? I THOUGHT WE HAD A RESOLUTION THAT ESTABLISHED A POLICY. ONE, WHICH WAS IF A STREET WAS BRICK AND IT'S COVERED UP WITH ASPHALT OR JUST PARTS OF IT ARE REMAINING, WHEN WE GO BACK AND REHABILITATE, I DEFINITELY WANT TO SEE US HAVE A POLICY THAT SAYS WE WILL ALWAYS REPLACE BRICK WITH BRICK. THAT'S JUST 101.

BUT ALSO, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A POLICY EXPRESSED IN A RESOLUTION THAT WE WOULD SUPPORT THE REUSE OF AS MUCH BRICK AS POSSIBLE OR FEASIBLE WHEN A PROJECT IN A REHABILITATION PROJECT HAS DONE. AND THEN, FURTHERMORE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A, UM, A RESOLUTION THAT STATED A POLICY THAT IF PATCHING OR INTERMEDIATE RE- NOT FULL REHABILITATION, BUT JUST, WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL IT TECHNICALLY, PATCHING, PATCHWORK NEEDS TO COME, IT SHOULD BE BRICK, NOT CONCRETE PAVERS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO, I WOULD, IF Y'ALL WOULD SUPPORT THAT, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT WE WOULD ASK THE CITY ATTORNEY OR CITY MANAGER TO FORM A POLICY. IT'S A, IT'S A RESOLUTION, IT'S NOT AN ORDINANCE. UM, IT'S ON US, IT'S OUR RESOURCE, IT'S THE CITY'S RESOURCE, SO WE'RE NOT RUNNING AFOUL OF SB 180. UM, BUT I THINK IT'S JUST GOOD STEWARDSHIP AND TO HAVE IT CLEARLY WRITTEN DOWN. I THOUGHT IT WAS, I WAS WRONG, BUT I'D LOVE TO SEE IT.

CAN I ASK A QUESTION? ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT IN THE HISTORIC AREA OR WHERE SPECIFICALLY? WELL, WE ONLY HA- I THINK WE ONLY HAVE BRICK STREETS IN THE HISTORIC AREA, SO WE'RE PROBABLY PRETTY MUCH, YEAH. BUT I N- I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE ARE BRICK STREETS OUTSIDE OF THE HISTORIC AREA, YES. I THINK THEY SHOULD, IF THEY'RE BRICK, THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH BRICK.

OKAY, DID YOU, DID YOU SUGGEST THAT ANYTHING THAT'S GETTING REPAVED THAT'S NOT BRICK WOULD BE BRICK? OR ARE YOU JUST TALKING ABOUT REPLACING BR- BRICK? REPLACING.

EXISTING BRICK STREETS.

YES.

AND PATCHED WITH BRICK.

PATCHING BRICK.

OKAY, I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR. OKAY, THANKS.

I THINK THAT'S THE, DO- DOES EVERYONE AGREE WITH THAT ON THAT? YEAH, I THINK IT'S GREAT.

YOU MAY WANT TO HEAR BACK FROM S- STAFF ON TECHNICAL ASPECTS.

WELL, WE'RE I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BRICKS, BUT.

[01:35:02]

CORRECT.

YOU KNOW, DOES THE BRICK, IS THERE BRICK THICKNESS THERE? CORRECT. IF IT'S ALREADY TOO BRITTLE.

THAT'S WHY I SAID.

THERE MAY BE A REASON THEY'RE NOT REUSING.

REUSE, WHEN POSSIBLE, WHEN FEASIBLE. I'M NOT SAYING IT HAS TO BE A CERTAIN WAY, BUT I WANT, ALL I'M REALLY TRYING TO GO TO IS A POLICY THAT SAYS THIS IS WHAT WE'RE, OUR GOALS ARE, AS LOFTY AS THEY MAY BE. UM, SOMETIMES WE KNOW YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH THAT BECAUSE THE BRICK IS, UM, POROUS. IT'S NOT AS, IT'S NOT FIRED AT A HIGHER TEMPERATURE AND HARDER. IT'LL WEAR DOWN, OR IT'S THICKER, IT'S A DIFFERENT SHAPE, OR, YOU KNOW, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. SO, I KNOW THERE'S TECHNICAL THINGS IN THERE, BUT I, I WANT A, I WANT A POLICY THAT'S FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THAT. I MEAN, STAFF HAS TO HAVE HAND, UH, FREE ENOUGH HANDS TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE REASONABLY WHEN IT COMES TO THESE THINGS. SO, UM, THE OTHER THING IS, UM, I WOULD LOVE TO, UH, ACCOMMODATE THE GENTLEMAN ABOUT THE WELCOMING BAGS. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. I KNOW, I HOPE THAT Y'ALL ALL SUPPORT THAT AS WELL. ARE YOU? UM, THERE ARE SOME LEGAL ASPECTS TO THAT AGAIN. UM, HE'S CERTAINLY FREE TO DO WHATEVER.

YES.

HE WISHES PRIVATELY. HE CANNOT USE THE CITY SEAL WITHOUT THE CITY'S PERMISSION, AND THERE'S A RESOLUTION THAT SETS OUT THE CRITERIA TO GRANT THAT PERMISSION.

GENERALLY, IT'S NOT FOR FOR-PROFIT TYPE MERCHANDISING.

RIGHT.

BUT HE'S CERTAINLY FREE TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTS PRIVATELY.

THE CITY SH- UM, THERE ARE VERY STRICT REQUIREMENTS OF UTILIZING THE CITY'S RESOURCES FOR PRIVATE GAIN IN THIS PARTICULAR GENTLEMAN'S BUSINESS. SO THAT'S UNLIKELY TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE CITY COULD DO, BUT HE'S MORE THAN HAP- YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY THERE'S NO ISSUE IF HE WISHES TO DO HIS OWN WELCOME BAG WITH PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION, BUT THAT WOULD BE SEPARATE FROM ANY CITY INVOLVEMENT IN HIS PRIVATE BUSINESS.

AND I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT? I MEAN, IT'S HIS EFFORT.

I THINK IT'S THE ONLY-.

HE'S NOT ASKING FOR MONEY.

IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT.

THIS GUY'S GOT A BUSINESS, AND HE WANTS TO DO IT.

RIGHT.

IT'S FINE.

I DON'T HAVE TO, OKAY. ALL RIGHT, SO THERE'S THAT. AND THEN, UM, THE, UM... WE TALKED ABOUT THE ACCESSIBILITY, AND THEN I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE STAR SHUTTLE. IT'S REALLY PRETTY EXCITING. MAYBE WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT OCTOBER 1, THE STAR SHUTTLE WILL EXPAND, AND THAT IS SUCH A BIG MOVE FOR US. WE'RE SO, I'M CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT A WONDERFUL THING THAT IS BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN THE VISION ALL ALONG, AND I KNOW I'VE SEEN SOME CRITICISM ON THE INTERNET ABOUT, YOU KNOW, OUR M- M- STAR CIRCULATORS IS NOTHING BURGER KIND OF THING, BUT IT'S REALLY NOT. IT'S THE BEGINNING OF A SYSTEM, AND THE BEACH HAS BEEN A VERY POPULAR ROUTE. UM, WE'VE PROVEN IT AT NORTH NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT. THE MAYOR OUT AT THE BEACH DID UM, SHE DOES A WEEKLY MAYOR'S THING, SO SHE DID A LITTLE VIDEO THIS MORNING ABOUT THE SHUTTLE WITH RUBEN FRANKLIN AND STAR SHUTTLE, SO I'M PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. IF YOU S- IF YOU'RE ON FACEBOOK, GO AND LOOK AT THE MAYOR'S UM, WEEKLY MINUTE OR WHATEVER IT IS FROM THE ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, IT'S VERY INFORMATIVE. SO WITH THAT, I WOULD, I THE, MY LAST THING I WANTED TO BRING UP IS A LITTLE BIT PRICKLY FOR ME BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A, UM, IT'S BEEN A DISAGREEMENT BUT BETWEEN THE CITY MANAGER AND MYSELF. UM, WE'VE HAD SOME TOUGH CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT, AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FMIT FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES INSURANCE. AND, UM, THIS, THIS CITY MAN- D- YOU HAVE PUT OUT A, UH, WE, YOU ACCEPTED AN UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FROM PRM AND THEN WROTE A LETTER SAYING, ALLOWING YOURSELF THE ABILITY TO ACCEPT AN UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL, UM, JUSTIFIED IT INSTEAD OF HAVING A GOING OUT TO BID PROCESS. AND THAT'S, YOU KNOW, THAT PROCESS, YOU AND I HAVE DISAGREED ON THAT. UM, SO WHAT WE HAD TONIGHT WAS M- UM, REPRESENTATIVE OF FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES COME BEFORE US AND ASK US TO PAUSE, GIVE IT A BREAK, AND LET US, LET US TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS, UM, THESE TWO PROPOSALS. SO, AS FAR AS YOU AND I HAVE AGREED, MR. CITY MANAGER, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S THE PROPOSALS ARE VERY SIMILAR, UM, BUT THERE ARE REASONS THAT TIPPED YOU OVER TO, UM, TO WANT TO GO WITH

[01:40:01]

I'VE SEEN YOUR ANALYSIS. I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN VERY THOROUGH. I JUST WANT TO SAY, IN ALL FAIRNESS, YOU'VE BEEN VERY THOROUGH. YOU HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO ME.

YOU HAVE BEEN VERY OPEN WITH ME ABOUT WHAT IT IS, BUT I HAVE, I AM, I AM STILL NOT IN AGREEMENT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND A BREATHER, LET THE COMMISSIONERS LOOK THIS OVER AND DECIDE IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, IF THEY WANT TO SWITCH OVER FROM THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES AFTER, WHAT DID WE SAY, 24 YEARS OR WHATEVER. IT'S BEEN 46 YEARS.

WE'VE HAD A VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. UM, I DON'T KNOW PRM. I KNOW SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES HAVE GONE TO THEM, AND I KNOW SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN HAPPY AND SOME OF THEM HAVEN'T, SO I JUST KIND OF THROWING THIS OUT TO YOU. I THOUGHT IT WAS NICE THAT THEY CAME AND SPOKE TO US IN THE PUBLIC FORUM.

CAN, CAN WE GET A COPY OF THE PRM? UM, IS THAT AVAILABLE? ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU.

SO, SO I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A DEADLINE.

I, I BELIEVE IT'S, IT'S, IT'S OVER NOW. I MEAN, THE, THE, THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES POLICY WAS NOT RENEWED, AND IT EXPIRES ON OCTOBER 1ST.

RIGHT, RIGHT.

AND THAT'S WHY WE COULDN'T GO THROUGH A 6-MONTH SOLICITATION FOR RE-ADVERTISING OUR INSURANCE. NOW, LET ME JUST START BY SAYING, WE STILL USE THE LEAGUE FOR INSURANCE. THEY INSURE OUR MARINA, THEY HAVE, THEY FOLLOW, THEY COVER OUR DRONE INSURANCE.

UM, SO WE STILL USE THEM AS AN INSURANCE CARRIER. I'D BE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU THE ANALYSIS WE DID WITH PRM. THE COMPETITIVE.

HAVE YOU SWITCHED TO PRM, OR? I LET, I'D HAVE TO CHECK WITH OUR RISK MANAGEMENT FOLKS ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE CONTRACT WITH PRM. I BELIEVE WE HAVE ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT WITH THEM, UH, BUT I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT FOR SURE UNTIL I CHECK WITH THEM. I WISH THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM THE LEAGUE HAD GIVEN US SOME HEADS UP THAT HE WAS GOING TO COME HERE AND DO THIS. I THINK IT'S VERY UNPROFESSIONAL OF HIM TO DO THAT. THE LEAGUE OF CITIES IS AN INSURANCE COMPANY, UM, AND THEY INCREASED OUR INSURANCE PREMIUM BY OVER 700,000 DOLLARS RIGHT BEFORE WE HAD TO DECIDE WHETHER WE WERE GOING TO TELL THEM WHERE- WHETHER WE WERE GOING TO AUTOMATICALLY RENEW THEIR POLICY OR NOT.

THAT'S WHAT LED TO THE SOLICITATION BY PRM SAYING, WAIT A MINUTE, WE CAN GIVE YOU BETTER COVERAGE AT A LOWER PRICE, WHICH THEY DID. THAT WAS HOW THIS STARTED.

OKAY.

SO I, IF ANYONE BELIEVES THAT THIS INSURANCE COMPANY, THE LEAGUE OF CITIES, WAS TREATED UNFAIRLY, I DISAGREE.

I HAVEN'T, WELL, YOU AND I AGREED TO DISAGREE ON THAT. SO MY PROBLEM HAS BEEN WITH THE PROCESS, SO.

YEAH, I, I THINK WE, WE'RE TREADING ON PRETTY DANGEROUS PROPERTY BECAUSE IF, IF THE POLICE CHIEF DECIDES HE WANTS TO BUY CHEVROLETS AND BOZARD WANTS TO COME IN AND MAKE A PUBLIC PROPOSAL, IT IS, IN MY OPINION, VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. THE, THE MANAGER IS HIRED TO DO THESE KINDS OF THINGS, AND WE EITHER TRUST HIM OR WE DON'T.

WELL, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. AN OUTSIDE COMPANY CAME IN AND MADE AN UNSOLICITED.

A BETTER OFFER, RIGHT, AND HE EVALUATED IT AND MADE A CHOICE.

THAT'S, THAT'S HIS JOB. SO, I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT WE OUGHT TO START GETTING IN THE MIDDLE OF, OF BUYING SHOVELS AND BUYING CARS AND BUYING INSURANCE. UM, I UNDERSTAND WE'VE, WE'VE CHANGED SOME OF OUR IDEAS FOR THE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE EMPLOYEES. THAT'S NOT A DECISION NECESSARILY THAT WE NEED TO GET INTO, IN THE ROOTS OF IT. THAT'S NOT OUR JOB.

WE'RE NOT MANAGERS OF THE CITY. WE ARE POLICYMAKERS.

CORRECT.

AND I THINK IF WE'RE UNHAPPY WITH THE MANAGER, WE CHANGE MANAGERS. UM, BUT WE HAVE TO TRUST HIM IN THIS JOB. AND SO MY OPINION IS IT WAS UNPROFESSIONAL FOR S- UH, A VENDOR TO COME IN HERE AND MAKE A PLEA TO A COMMISSION.

MM.

THAT THAT'S NOT THEIR JOB TO DO.

YEAH. WELL, I, I DISAGREE. I THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO S- IT NEEDED TO BE EXPOSED, FRANKLY, BUT ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I.

I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY MANAGER LAST WEEK, I GUESS, UM, AND IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, AND I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE DECISION HE MADE.

FAIR ENOUGH.

MR. CITY MANAGER, YOU SAID YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO PREPARE AN ANALYSIS, UM, OF THE TWO.

WE HAVE. WE HAVE AN ANALYSIS.

LED TO YOUR DECISION? MM-HMM.

YES.

I THINK THAT MIGHT BE, SINCE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT, IT MIGHT BE USEFUL TO HAVE THAT ON THE PUBLIC RECORD, UM, THAT ANALYSIS BY BRINGING IT TO A MEETING IN A REPORT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR.

I'D- I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT. I DO SHARE JIM'S CONCERNS THAT ONCE WE START

[01:45:01]

I- I- I DO.

FOR VENDORS TO START.

I SHARE HIS.

POLITICIZING THESE DECISIONS.

I SHARE HIS CONCERNS TOO. I'M JUST ASKING FOR A WAY TO, TO, NOW THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, TO, TO, I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND.

CERTAINLY.

THE DOORS, AND I DON'T WANT, I, I JUST WANT TRANSPARENCY.

THAT'S ALL. I DON'T WANT TO.

I AGREE. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TOO.

I DON'T... CLEAR PROCESSES AND TRANSPARENCY.

I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO YOUR JOB. THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO AT ALL. I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ROLE OF THE CITY COMMISSION IS.

CAN, CAN I SAY ONE THING? SO ARE YOU ASKING FOR HIM TO GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION AND YOU TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT, OR.

NO, NO, NO.

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HIM BRINGING IT IN HERE AND DISCUSSING IT? I, I JUST WANT A PRESENTATION THAT JUST SHOWS THIS IS THE, THESE ARE THE ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES OF EACH ONE, AND THIS IS WHY I MADE THE CHOICE.

THAT'S RIGHT, AND HE'S DONE ONE, AND HE CAN BRING THAT TO US.

I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT, VERY WELL.

THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT DISCUSSION, AND UM, IT, IT MAY NOT BE SOMETHING I AGREE WITH, WHICH IS NORMAL WITH ME AND THE COMMISSION, STANDING ON 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF DISAGREEING AND BEING A 4-1 ON THE ONE SIDE IS FINE, BUT I JUST AM GLAD THAT IT'S OUT HERE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT. UM, MAKES ME FEEL A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

I- I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT AT ALL, SO I'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT IT. THANKS.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT, UM, I THINK THAT IS ALL. I DON'T THINK I, I DON'T THINK I HAD ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND WE ARE ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.