[Call to Order by Chair]
[00:00:08]
>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IN ORDER TO MITIGATE THE TRANSMISSION OF THE SUPERVISE REDUCE THE RISK OF COVID-19 ILLNESS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT MEETINGS USING REMOTE PARTICIPATION THROUGH EMERGENCY ORDER 2020-10. THE PUBLIC HAS A MEANS TO COMMENT WITHOUT PHYSICALLY ATTENDING. THE COUNTY WEB SITES PROVIDES A TELEPHONE NUMBER TO USE TO CALL INTO THE MEETING EVEN IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DO NOT PROVIDE COMMENT, BE ADVISED PEOPLE MAY BE LISTENING WHO DO NOT PROVIDE COMMENT AND THOSE PERSONS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES. PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING IS BEING RECORDED FOR THOSE CALLING IN TO COMMENT IF YOU RECEIVE A BUSY SIGNAL, PLEASE CALL BACK.
IN ADDITION, PLEASE SELF-TIME TO 3-MINUTE TIME LIMIT. 3-MINUTE TIMER MAY NOT BE VISIBLE TO YOU. PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONES WHILE YOU ARE SPEAKING.
>> PLEASE BE AWARE THERE MAY BE A 30-SECOND TIME DELAY IN THE VISUAL PRESENTATION IF WE'RE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WE'LL TAKE A BRIEF RECESS AND RESUME THE MEETINGS.
THE MEETINGS AVAILABLE TODAY ARE UNDER AGENDA AND MINUTES. ONCE YOU FIND THE MEETING AGENDA YOU CAN CLICK ON AGENDA ITEMS AND ALL THE SUPPORTING MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO YOU.
>> CLERK, POLICE CALL THE ROLE. >>> CHAIR COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH BLOCKER.
>>> PRESENT. >> VICE CHAIR COMMISIONER HENRY DEAN.
>>> HERE. >>> COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAN WHITEHURST.
>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER JEB SMITH. >> PRESENT.
>> COMMISSIONER PAUL WALDRON. >> AT THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO ASK PASTOR TO COME FORWARD AND
LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION. >> LET'S PRAY. DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. AND GOD, WHILE YOUR WORD TELLS US TO BE STILL AND KNOW YOU THAT YOU ARE GOD, BEFORE WE OPEN UP THIS MEETING, BEFORE ANYONE DISCUSSES WAYS TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR FAMILIES SAFE. GOD, WE JUST WANT TO BE STILL AND WELCOME YOU INTO THIS PRESENCE. GOD, WE THANK YOU THAT YOU ARE A GOD OVER ALL THINGS.
AND YOU'RE NOT JUST GOD OF LOVE BUT A GOT IN LOVE WITH US. AND GOD, I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE SKILLFULLY ALL THE DECISIONS MADE THROUGHOUT THIS MEETING.
GOD, BE WITH EACH OF THESE COMMISSIONER, BE WITH EACH OF THESE COMMISSIONERS, GO, THE FAMILIES THEY REPRESENT IN THE COMMUNITY THAT PLACED THEM HERE. GOD, BE WITH US IN ALL THAT WE DO GOD, WE LOVE YOU, BECAUSE YOU LOVED US FIRST. WE ASKED THESE THINGS IN JESUS'
NAME, AMEN. >> AT THIS TIME I'M GOING ASK CHIEF INJURILY DEGE TO COME
FORWARD. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING DIMINISHNERS. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY, I AM A CAPTAIN WITH THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OVER AIR MARINE AND THE BEACHES OPERATIONS.
UNFORTUNATELY, I JUST RETIRED FROM THE MILITARY AFTER 42 YEARS WITH THE ARMY AND FLORIDA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD. THAT WAS EIGHT DAYS AGO. SO MY PUBLIC SERVICE HAS BEEN MOST OF MY LIFE. I HAVE SPENT 42 YEARS THERE AND 23 YEARS AS A RESERVE DEPUTY WITH THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND I STARTED THE AIR UNIT BACK WHEN NEIL J. PERRY WAS THE SHERIFF. HE WAS A COLONEL IN THE GUARD WITH ME. AND ASKED ME TO COME ON BOARD AND I DID.
AND IT HAS BEEN A VERY REWARDING CAREER. PUBLIC SERVICE, I CAN TELL YOU IT HAS BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE AND IT IS ALL THAT I REALLY KNOW. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICES.
THANK YOU. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT AN EASY JOB. MINE IS NOT AN EASY JOB.
IT TAKES COMMITMENT AND IT TAKES A LOT AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SERVE.
>> COMMISSIONER BLOCKER AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT IRAQ AND OUR TOURS IN IRAQ AND WHAT IT DOES TO YOU. IT DOES MORE TO YOUR FAMILY THAN IT DOES TO ANYBODY.
IT TAKES A LOT, LOT AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILIES. I WAS TELLING HIM, MY WIFE I WAS GONE FOR 14 MONTHS SHE WAS DOING THINGS HER WAY. AND CAME HOME AND SAID, NO WE'RE DOING IT THIS WAY. SO I GOT SET STRAIGHT PRETTY QUICK.
SO THEY GET INTO THEIR OWN GROOVE. BUT IT TAKES A TOLL ON THE FAMILY. SO I APPRECIATE NOT ONLY YOUR SERVICE, BUT EVERY MILITARY SERVICE. AND I GUESS I'M HERE TO LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE THIS MORNING. PLEASE STAND WITH ME. 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. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[1. Emergency Management Update]
[00:05:02]
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF EDGE FOR KINDS WORDS. >>> EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR YOUR COVID UPDATE. CURRENT CASES IN THE COUNTY ARE 19,089 TO DATE.
WE HAVE CURRENT 18 HOSPITALIZED. THE ICU BED AVAILABILITY IS ADEQUATE FOR OUR AREA.
JUMPING RIGHT INTO THE VACCINES. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET THESE NUMBERS OUT.
FOR THE COUNTY, COUNTY RESIDENTS, WE HAVE VACCINATED 38,,TWAY.
THE CALHOUN RESCUE COUNTY SPONSORED SITE, WE HAVE VACCINATED A TOTAL BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND DOSE 16,883 RESIDENTS. WE ARE DOING -- WE HAVE A PRETTY STEADY FLOW RIGHT NOW OF 3900 VACCINES COMING INTO THE COUNTY A WEEK.
THAT ACTUALLY TRANSLATES TO OBTAIN 4680 BECAUSE THERE IS AN EXTRA DOSE IN THERE.
WE FILL THOSE APPOINTMENTS. WITH THAT BEING SAID IT IS ABOUT 160 TO 170 PEOPLE AN HOUR THREE DAYS A WEEK THAT FIRE RESCUE IS PUSHING THROUGH THE SOLOMON CALHOUN CENTER.
I WANT TO MENTION THEY'RE DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB AS WELL AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS SUPPORTING. WE HAVE A LOT OF OUTSIDE AGENCIES THAT ARE THERE.
AND IT IS DOING VERY WELL. THE RESIDENTS WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK.
THE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULES ON THURSDAY ARE STARTING TO GET A LITTLE BIT EASIER.
I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE ARE STILL FRUSTRATED GOING THROUGH THE ON-LINE SYSTEM AND CALLING IN.
BUT WE ARE MANAGING IT. JUST FOR HISTORICAL NUMBERS THE VERY FIRST DAY WE DID THIS WE HAD ABOUT 280,000 HITS TO OUR WEB SITE ON THAT FIRST DAY OF VACCINE APPOINTMENTS.
THE LAST TIME WE DID IT WE ONLY HAD 71,000. SHOWING WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS.
ALSO, IT IS ABOUT TWO TO THREE HOURS ON THE PHONES ON THAT THURSDAY MORNINGS OF SCHEDULING PEOPLE. AND ABOUT TWO TO THREE DAYS OF ACTUALLY CALLING PEOPLE BACK AND MAKING THOSE APPOINTMENTS FOR FOLLOWING WEEK. SO JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW YOUR STAFF IS WORKING VERY HARD TO GET THIS MISSION OUT AND DOING A YET JOB.
ANY QUESTIONS. >>> THANK YOU. BOARD, ANY QUESTION?
S. >> SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE MAYBE LITTLE OVER HALFWAY THAT WITH 65
AND OLDER VACCINATIONS WOULD THAT BE DIRECT. >> I WOULD SAY SO ACCORDING TO
LAST YEAR'S CENSUS DATA THAT IS >> JUST SO DELETE S SORT OF PROJECTING THAT OVER THE NEXT WEEK, SOUNDS LIKE WE MIGHT BE GENERALLY ROUGHLY COMPLETE WITH THE 65 AND OVER MAYBE BY, LET'S
SAY,. >> SOY WOULD SAY IT IS A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER.
>> WE'RE TALKING GENERALITIES. WE CAN ESTIMATE A LITTLE. >> CORRECT.
IF WE CONTINUE ON THIS PACE AND THE SUPPLY DATE DOESN'T CHANGE EUROCRAT.
WE WILL BE GOING THROUGH LIKE I SAID, 3900, A LITTLE OVER 4,000 IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS, WE'LL BE CATCHING UP TO OUR SECOND DOSE AND FIRST DOSE STAGES. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT LITTLE OVER 9 SHOT,000 SHOTS PER WEEK, 10 TO 12 HOUR DAYS TO GET TO YOUR POINT, YES, IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS WE'LL HIT THAT NUMBER AND WHATEVER THE GOVERNOR TELLS US NEXT, WE'LL BE READY FOR THAT
MISSION. >> WOULD YOU REMIND ME, JEB, QUICKLY, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP A LOT OF TIME, FOR THOSE RESIDENTS THAT HAVE SERIOUS UNDERLYING CONDITIONS THAT THEY'RE SUBSTANTIALLY AT RISK, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE 50 YEARS OLD, SUBSTANTIALLY AT RISK FOR SERIOUS COVID, YOU KNOW, ILLNESS OR DEATH, ARE THEY ABLE TO GET SHOTS YET?
OR WHEN WILL THAT HAPPEN. >> ACCORDING TO THE EXECUTIVE ORDER CURRENTLY OUT THERE IS A PROVISION IN THERE FOR PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING. HOWEVER, THOSE FOLKS ARE NOT -- THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T GIVE ME THE DISCRETION AT SAY OUR SITE TO DO THIS.
THIS HAS TO GO THROUGH A HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITALS HAVE THE ABILITY TO MINISTER VACCINES TO WHO THEY BELIEVE IS IN SERIOUS THREAT OF COVID.
THE SITES THAT THE STATE-SPONSORED SITES DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY, 65 AND OLDER HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND THE NURSING HOMES ARE BEING DON PRIVATELY.
>> OKAY, ARE YOU GOING TO TOUCH ON TESTING? HOW IS IT GOING?
>> TESTING IS OPEN. WE HAVE IT OPEN FOR A LITTLE OVER A WEEK NOW OVER AT THE WYNN MITIGATION BUILDING BEHIND THE AGRICULTURAL CENTER. WE ARE NOT SEEING THE NUMBERS THAT WE ANTICIPATED OR WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO SEE. WE ARE ACTUALLY AVERAGING ABOUT 20 TO 25 PEOPLE PER DAY. THAT SITE IS OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK.
OF THE UNINSURED, WE HAVE PROBABLY HAD LESS THAN FIVE OR SIX PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN UNINSURED THAT THE COUNTY HAS LOOKED TO FUND. LY GET BETTER NUMBERS AS WE GO
[00:10:03]
THROUGH, BUT AGAIN, WE'RE AVERAGING ABOUT 25 PEOPLE A DAY. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT IS ALL I HAVE. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST,
NEXT. >> MR. GIAMANCO. FOR US TO ESTIMATE WE'RE ROUGHLY HALFWAY THROUGH THE 65+ AND HEALTH CARE POPULATION, AND BEING ABLE TO REASONABLY ANTICIPATE THAT WE'LL FILL THOSE COMMITMENTS, ARE THERE STEPS OR DIRECTIONS GIVEN FROM THE STATE AS TO WHAT THE NEXT BATCH OR NEXT GROUP OF PEOPLE WOULD BE? AND DO WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE SO WE DO NOT HAVE VACCINES GOING BAD OR SITTING ON THE SHELF FOR TOO LONG?
WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? >> YES, SIR, SO THE -- WE DON'T HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE ON WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO OPEN UP NEXT. SO I DON'T WANT TO SPECULATE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT FALSE NUMBERS OUT. THERE WE DON'T HAVE THAT IN WRITING YET, WE DON'T KNOW, HOWEVER, FOR THE VACCINES THAT ARE ON THE SHELF, WE DON'T KEEP ANY VACCINES ON THE SHELF. AS SOON AS THEY COME IN, WE'RE SCHEDULING ALL THE APPOINTMENTS THAT WE HAVE THAT WERE GIVEN TO US, AND THAT EXTRA DOSE THAT POTENTIALLY COMES IN SOME OF THE VILES. IT COMES IN A WEEK LATER BY THE WEEKENDED IT IS OUT.
WE DO A 3-DAY A WEEK SHOT APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE WHICH IT RUNS, IF YOU WILL, WE GET OUR VILE VACCINES USUALLY MONDAY OR TUESDAY FOR THAT WEEK. WE ACTUALLY ARE WORKWEEK FOR THOSE VACCINES STARTS ON FRIDAY SO IT GIVES US ENOUGH TIME TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS.
WE DON'T WANT TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS BEFORE VACCINES ARE IN HAND BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO CANCEL ANYTHING. OUR FRIDAY APPOINTMENTS ARE REALLY MONDAY AND TUESDAY, SO FRIDAY, MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY ARE WORKWEEK OF VACCINES, THEY'RE ALL GONE BY WEDNESDAY.
THERE IS NOTHING SITTING ON THE SHELF. >> YES, SIR, AND YOU HAVE DONE A MASTERFUL JOB OF GETTING THE VACCINES THAT HAVE COME INTO YOUR CARE INTO THE ARMS OF OUR RESIDENTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. FANTASTIC JOB.
I GUESS WITH US BEING ABLE TO ANTICIPATE THAT GROUP WILL BE SATISFIED HERE IN THE NEXT ONE TO TWO MONTHS, I'D LIKE TO SEE US REACH OUT TO THE STATE IF POSSIBLE, AND SORT OF SEEK DIRECTION FOR WHAT THEY CAN ANTICIPATE, YOU KNOW. IF WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET 3900 VACCINES A WEEK, WE CAN ANTICIPATE THAT WE'RE GOING TO EVENTUALLY 65+ COMMUNITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET DIRECTION FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA SO WE EVENTUALLY DON'T
HAVE VACCINES SITTING ON THE SHELF. >> WE HAVE A DAILY CALL WITH THE
STATE AND I WILL BRING THAT UP TO THE STATE CALL. >> THANK YOU MR. GIAMANCO.
>> JUST A QUICK QUESTION, DO WE HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON THE LINE?
>> DEPUTY OFFICER OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. >>> GOOD MORNING, HOW ARE YOU.
>>> I'M GOOD, HOW ARE YOU. >>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.
I HAD A CONSIT WENT BRING THIS UP, I'M NOT SURE IF MR. GIANMANCO.
DID AS WELL. IS THERE TESTING BEING CONDUCTED AFTER THE VACCINATION CYCLE IS COMPLETED, IS THERE TESTING BEING COMPLETED ON PATIENTS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE ANTIBODIES? I HAD A CONSTITUENT BRING THIS UP AS A DOCTOR OF MAYO AND THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT QUESTION,
DO WE NO. >> I DON'T THAT GLFTION I'M NOT AWARE OF THAT AS WELL, I WILL
CHECK INTO THAT AND GET BACK TO YOU. >>> LET ME MAKE SURE I'M BEING SPECIFIC AND VERY CLEAR. AFTER THE VACCINATION CYCLE IS COMPLETED, ARE WE GOING BACK AND LOOKING OR THE S THE T STATE GOING BACK LOOKING AND SELECTIVELY TESTING TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE ANTIBODIES PRESENT? DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> IT DOES MAKE SENSE.
AND I CAN LOOK INTO WHETHER THE STATE IS DOING THAT OR HAPPENING CDC BUBBLE IN SOME WAY AND LET
MR. GIAMANCO KNOW. >>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUST TO MAKE SURE, THE NUMBERS FOR THE TESTING ARE FAIRLY LOW, LIKE 25 IS WHAT YOU
SAID. >> YES, SIR. >> HOW ARE WE COMMUNING THAT TO THE -- COMMUNICATING THAT TO THE PUBLIC? ARE WE COMMUNICATING THERE IS A
TESTING SITE? >> WE HAVE HAD A EMERGENCY PUSH. WE CAN PROBABLY DO ANOTHER ONE TO PUT IT OUT AGAIN. WE HAVE SIGNS BASICALLY EVERYWHERE DOWN OUT TO 16 SHOWING WHERE IT IS AT. WE TALKED TO THE CITY. I REACHED OUT AS MANY PLACES I COULD. BUT WE COULD DO ANOTHER MEDIA PUSH.
>> ARE PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND CITY, ARE THEY PUSHING THIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL? THE REASON I'M ASKING, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE OVERCOMMUNICATING THIS.
IT SEEMS THAT WE HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT VACCINATIONS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT COME OUT HERE AND PUT OUT INFORMATION ABOUT HEY, HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET TESTED. MY CONCERN IS MAYBE WE NEED TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO
[00:15:02]
COMMUNICATE, THAT DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> YES, SIR, I HAVE TALKED PERSONALLY TO THE CITY MANAGER AND WE HAVE COMMUNICATED THIS, AND HE WAS GOING TO DO A PLEADIA PUSH FROM -- MEDIA PUSH FROM THEIR SIDE. I KNOW WE HAVE REACHED OUT, BUT
WE CAN DO MORE. >> WE ARE SPENDING TIME AND RESOURCES ON THE SITE.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS MAXIMUMLY EFFECTIVE AND REACHING AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLES OUT THERE LOOKING FOR THIS I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ACTIVELY
COMMUNICATING THAT, DOES THAT MAKE SENSE. >> YE, SIR.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, THERE WAS AN ARTICLE RECENTLY ABOUT THE TESTING AVAILABILITY OF THE
TESTING JUST FYI, MAY NOT READ THE RECORD ON A DAILY BASIS. >> THANK YOU.
ANYTHING FURTHER FROM THE BOARD? OKAY, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN UP TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1, THE UPDATE ON THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
WE HAVE AT LEAST APPARENTLY TWO CALLS. SO IF THE FIRST CALLER WOULD STATE NAME AND ADDRESS, WE'LL COMMENCE. NAME AND ADDRESS.
HELLO. >> TOM REYNOLDS 50 BRIG TEEN COURT ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH,
FLORIDA. >>> COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS EMERGENCY MEETING TODAY. WE CAN'T GET ENOUGH INFORMATION OUT HERE.
THERE IS REALLY, REALLY BAD INFORMATION COMING ALL AROUND US.
NOW I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, COMMISSIONER, I'M REALLY GLAD THEY'RE GIVING PEOPLE OVER 65. BUT PLEASE, DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE THE ENGINE ROOM WORK. DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PEOPLE ALL DOWNTOWN.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE WAITRESSES, THE WAITER, THE BUS BOY, THE TRAIN, DRIVERS I NEVER, EVER, EVER HEAR SAY MENTION IN THIS CASE ANY OF THOSE PEOPLE. I'M THINKING TO MYSELF, IF I TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIX, THE LADY WALKED UP TO THE LADY TAKING NAMES AND SAYS, MA'AM, AM I ALLOWED TO GET A SHOT I'M 71 YEARS OLD. SHE SAYS DO YOU LIVE HERE.
SHE SAID NO, WE RENT FOR THREE MONTHS SO THAT LADY, I'M GLAD SHE IS 71 AND I'M GLAD SHE GOT A SHOT, BUT SHE'S NOT GOING TO BE IN CONTACT FOR 100 TO 150 PEOPLE THIS WEEK.
SHE'S NOT GOING TO BE IN CONTACT WITH 1,000 PEOPLE THIS WEEK LIKE SOME OF THE PEOPLE ODELETE S ON THE TRAIN. I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, DIMINISH DELETE S COMMISSION I HOPE YOU PICK UP YOUR GAME. WHEN I HEAR DIMINISH IN BLOCKER I HE COULD STAN START BY PICKING THE PHONE UP AND CALLING THE CLERK OF COURT AND ASK WHY THE AGENDA WASN'T POSTED.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR INFORMATION OUT HERE. NOT EVERYONE IS A COMMISSIONER.
I HAD TO GET MY INFORMATION, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER SMITH THIS MORNING ACTUALLY TAKING ME TIME TO TEXT ME BACK, YES, THERE IS A MEETING TODAY. ALSO, TWO, COMMISSIONER, I DON'T HAVE THE AGENDA IN FRONT OF ME. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE A SPOT FOR OTHER INFORMATION.
PLEASE TAKE UP THE HAZMAT CASE FOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS. IT IS SOMETHING I'VE GONE AFTER WEEK AFTER WEEK AND NEVER GET AN ANSWER. I HEAR THAT CAPTAIN FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THAT IS AN AWESOME HE'S A MAN OF SERVICE AND AWESOME HE'S BEEN A DEPUTY ALL THESE YEAR, TOO, I THINK IT IS GREAT. BUT I GOT TO TELL YOU I NEVER HEAR ANYONE WALK TO THE PODIUM AND SAY THESE DEPUTIES DESERVE A RAISE.
THESE DEPUTIES DESERVE HAZMAT PAY. THESE PARAMEDICS.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ALL THESE OTHER PEOPLE, OBVIOUSLY HE'S A VERY BRAVE MAN.
SO IS ROBERT HARDWOOD, BUT THEY NEVER COME AND ASK FOR HAZMAT PAY.
YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF THE PAY. TOUGH, I LOOK FORWARD TO CALLING IN AGAIN.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> IS THERE ANOTHER CALLER? I DON'T SEE ANOTHER CALLER ON THE SCREEN. ARE WE DONE WITH CALL-INS? THANK YOU, OKAY. ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC FROM THE AUDIENCE WISH TO SPEAK?
>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. >> REMINDER, CVS IS OFFERING COVID-19 TESTING. I REPEAT THE WORD "TESTING" FREE OF CHARGE FOR UNINSURED RESIDENTS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 A.M. TO 9:30 P.M., SATURDAY 9 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M., SUNDAY 10 A.M. TO 6:30 P.M. CALL 1-844-239-6927. THEY MAY REFER TO 1866-389-2727.
AT THE DECEMBER 2ND BCC, THE PUBLIC WAS INFORMED 184 COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAD TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE UPDATED AT ALL BCC MEETINGS,
[00:20:02]
TRANSPARENCY IS IMPORTANT. AT THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, COMMISSION MEETING LAST NIGHT.CITY MANAGER REAGAN STATED THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAD VISITED THE SOLOMON CENTER FRIDAY JANUARY 29THAND FOUND THE OPERATION FOR VACCINATION FUNCTIONING VERY WELL.
SO KUDOS TO THE PEOPLE. ST. JOHNS COUNTY, CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND OTHER EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE ASSISTING THERE AT THE SOLOMON, AS WELL AS STILL PERFORMING THEIR DAY JOBS, SHOULD, IN MY OPINION, TAKE TURNS BRINGING THEIR WELL-BEHAVED DOG TO HELP DESTRESS THE ENVIRONMENT. THE SHERIFF POOCH IS GOOD, TOO. RESCIND MANDATORY MASK WEARING IN COUNTY BUILDINGS. BRING THIS UP. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT SHOULD BE AT THE BEGINNING OF BCC MEETINGS NOT AT THE END. AND ALSO, FOR THE PEOPLE THAT MAY BE LISTENING, INFORMATION ABOUT DR HORTON LAWSUITS ON THE COMPUTER IS VERY INTERESTING.
AND I DO APPRECIATE WHAT STAFF ARE DOING. AND I THINK WE WHO ARE NOT THERE ON A DAILY BASIS FOR THESE VACCINATIONS HAVE NO CONCEPT OF WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH.
AND THAT IS THE REASON I SUGGESTED THEIR DOGS. I KNOW NOT "THERAPY DOGS" BUT WELL-BEHAVED DOGS. AND I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN OTHER SITUATIONS.
SO I THINK WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT THAT. AND IT CAN BE A REAL BOOST, MORE SO THAN ANY MONEY THAT YOU MAY BE PAYING THEM, WHICH IS FINE. BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY THE STRESS THAT THEY'RE UNDER ON A DALE BY -- DAILY BASIS ON WHO ARE PANICKING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET A VACCINATION. THANK YOU FOR THAT AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
>>> IT APPEARS WE HAVE ANOTHER CALL-IN. NO? OKAY. THAT WAS A FALSE ALARM. WE WILL -- THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC
COMMENT AT THIS TIME. >>> PUBLIC COMMENT BEING CONCLUDED ANYTHING FURTHER FROM
THE BOARD ON THIS MATTER. >>> BRIEFLY, I DID HAVE A COMMUNICATION WITH CLERK OF COURT, THERE WAS A GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM TODAY THAT IS BEING RECTIFIED, THAT SHOULD BE
[2. Extension of Local State of Emergency]
CORRECTED. MR. PATTY INFORMED ME OF. THAT I'LL GO TO AGENDA ITEMNUMBER 2. >> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR, GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
BEFORE YOU HAVE A DRAFT EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION WHICH, IF APPROVED BY THE BOARD, WILL BE 2021-6. THIS BROCK CLASSROOM MITIGATION EXTEND -- BROCK CHA MITIGATION IS LIMITED BY STATUTE, YOU HAVE HEARD FROM YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR, YOU HEARD SOME CONCERNS FROM THE PUBLIC, UNLESS THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, THIS DRAFT BROCKCA OBLIGATION I.
>>> I MOVE TO ADOPT EMERGENCY BROCK CHA MITIGATION 2021-DIX EXTENDING THE LOCAL STATE OF
EMERGENCY FOR AN ADDITIONAL 7-DAY PERIOD. >> SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, MY COMMISSIONER IS SECOND. MR. WHITEHURST.
LET'S OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> PUBLIC COMMENT IS OPEN FOR ITEM 2 THE EXTENSION OF THE
EMERGENCY PROCLAM MITIGATION TH. NAME AND ADDRESS. >>> TOM REYNOLDSING ST.
AUGUSTINE BEACH, FLORIDA. GENTLEMEN, PLEASE VOTE TO OBVIOUSLY CONTINUE THIS EMERGENCY ORDER IN GOING FORWARD. AND ALSO, TOO, COMMISSIONER, I KNOW YOU REALLY SOUND GOOD TODAY. YOU'RE ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. I LOVE THE COMMUNICATIONS THAT YOU'RE PUTTING OUT THERE GIVING ALL THE PEOPLE THE INFORMATION. BUT I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU ONE MORE TIME, I ASK YOU ONE MORE TIME, DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN THE ENGINE ROOM. THEY'VE GOT TO GET THESE.
WE HAVE TO GET ALL THESE PEOPLE VACCINATED AS FAST AS WE CAN THAT ARE WORKING IN DOWNTOWN.
WE ARE IN CONTACT. JUST SO YOU KNOW, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, RHODE ISLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA. WE ARE TOUCHING BASE WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE BRINGING THE COVID IN OR NOT.
BUT I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, NUMBER ONE CONCENTRATION SHOULD BE FOR THIS COMMISSION IS WHEN TO VACCINATED, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, IF YOU ANYTHING I WOULD APPRECIATE FIT YOU WOULD IN OUR& AUDIENCE A SPECIAL PRAYER LIKE YOU DID FOR THE FBI AGENT'S WIFE LAST TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY MORNING, I WOULD APPRECIATE FIT YOU WOULD PUT A PRAYER IN FOR THAT POLICE OFFICER THAT WAS KILLED FROM THE DOMESTIC TERRORIST ATTACK IN WASHINGTON, D.C BECAUSE UNLESS I MISSED IT, I DIDN'T HEAR ANYBODY PRAY FOR HIM, I DIDN'T HEAR FOR THE TWO OFFICERS THAT COMMITTED SUICIDE. I JUST HOPE THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A LOT OF TRUMPKINS BEING AROUND HERE IN THE COUNTY.
[00:25:03]
THOSE POLICE OFFICERS ARE ARE -- IF ANYBODY DESERVES A PRAYER IT IS THOSE OFFICERS, THANK YOU,COMMISSIONERS. >> ARE THERE ANY OTHER CALL? I THINK THAT COMPLETES CALL-INS.
ALL RIGHT. >> BJ CALLADY, ST. AUGUSTINE. >>> LISTENING HERE EX10ING THIS WHICH IS GREAT, MAYBE FOR OUR KNOWLEDGE, THE REASON TO EXTEND THIS IS UP ON TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH WITH COVID-19. BUT MY QUESTION SPECIFICALLY TODAY IS, DOES THIS ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE CARES MONEY? WHICH I THINK IT DOES, BUT I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW THAT.
AND TO FOLLOW UP, WILL WE BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO EXTEND THIS EMERGENCY FROM WEEK TO WEEK UNTIL EVERYONE IS VACCINATED IN THE COUNTY? THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION. IS THAT -- CAN WE FIND OUT IF WE CAN CONTINUE THIS, BECAUSE MAYBE MARCH OR APRIL -- I DOUBT THAT -- IF IT GOES THROUGH THE SUMMERTIME, CAN WE CONTINUE TO SO THAT WE CAN GET THE NECESSARY FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO EVERYONE ASSISTING AND VOLUNTEERING TO ENSURE PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED SO THAT IS MY QUESTION.
IF WE DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, THAT WILL BE ON MY LIST FROM DAY-TO-DAY.
BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD HELP THE PUBLIC TO KNOW, BECAUSE IN TALKING AND THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE BEING ASKED, 65 AND OLDER OR PEOPLE WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS, BUT AS FAR AS TESTING OR VACCINATING EVERYBODY IN THIS COUNTY THAT WORKS OR PLAYS, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS EMERGENCY LEGALLY CAN BE EXTENDED. SO HOPEFULLY IF WE CAN GET THAT CLARIFIED FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW, TOO, BECAUSE THIS COULD GO ON FOREVER.
WHICH IS TYPE, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE ALL THAT MONEY IS SO PLEASE, LOOK INTO THAT AND TRY TO HELP THE PUBLIC WHO ARE LISTENING TO THIS MEETING OTHER MEETINGS KNOW WHERE WE CAN GO AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT. BECAUSE THIS IS COSTING A LOT OF MONEY.
AND LIVES ARE IMPORTANT, BUT CAN WE REALLY COUNT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE CARES PROGRAM PAYING FOR WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE DONE TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY?
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> I THINK THAT COMPLETES PUBLIC
COMMENT. >> I'M GOING TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION.
OUR BOARD RULES ARE CLEAR THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT TO ASK QUESTIONS BUT I THINK MS. CALLADY RAISED A
GOOD QUESTION. >> RELATED TO FIRST QUESTION, MR. CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS, YES, WE HAVE CARES ACT MONEY. AS YOU KNOW THAT HAS BEEN APPROPRIATED PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31ST. THE BOARD APPROPRIATED THAT AS PART OF THE WEEKLY UPDATES WE WERE GETTING UP TO DECEMBER 31ST AS TO WHERE THE MONEY WAS BEING SPENT.
ADDITIONALLY AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO PUMP MONEY INTO THE ECONOMY, WHICH AT SOME POINT WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FORWARD. AT THE CURRENT MOMENT, AS LONG AS WE REMAIN IN A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY IT MAKES US AVAILABLE TO ALL FUTURE MONEY.
AND WE'RE RECEIVING MONEY FOR VACCINE DISTRIBUTION AS WELL, CURRENTLY OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS AVAILABLE TO RECEIVE 100% FEMA MATCH ON CERTAIN OPERATIONS.
SO WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS. IN RELATION TO HOW LONG A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY GOES ON AND TO BE CONSIDERED I'LL LET MR. MCCORMACK WEIGH IN.
YOU MAKE ALL MAKE THAT DETERMINATION AND WE PROVIDE YOU THE INFORMATION BASED ON WHAT THE RESOURCES ARE ON THE GROUNDS, WHAT IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS AS YOU ALL SEE THEM FIT AND THEN YOU MAKE A WEEK TO WEEK DETERMINATION UPON THAT.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MR. CONRAD. >>> YEAH, AND MR. CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS, I THINK THE ADMINISTRATOR DESCRIBED THAT ACCURATELY.
I PARTICULARLY LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, THE WHEREAS CLAUSES IN ROAST RECENT EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION, WHERE COVID-19 CONTINUES TO CAUSE EXTENSIVE CONCERNS TO THE PRIVATE CITIZENS AND PUBLICF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND WHERE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CONTINUES TO EXERT EFFORTS TO ADDRESS EMERGENCY CONDITIONS AND ASSIST AFFECTED CITIZENS AND PROPERTIES, THAT IS
[00:30:03]
INCLUDED AMONG THE WHEREASES, RIGHT? AS LONG AS THE BOARD REVIEWS THOSE AND HEARS FROM YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR AND THE PUBLIC AND FINDS CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO THAT EFFECT THE BOARD MAY EXTEND THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY.THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MR. MCCORMACK, BACK TO THE BOARD, QUESTIONS IN COMMENT? WE HAVE A MOTION, COMMISSIONER DEAN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0. IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
THAT COME BEFORE THE BOARD TODAY? >> WE'LL GO INTO GENERAL PUBLIC
COMMENT NOW. >> OKAY, GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. I DON'T SEE ANY CALL-INS YET.
BJ, YOU WANT TO SPEAK UNDER GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT? I DON'T SEE ANY CALL-INS.
I DON'T SEE ANY AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION, WE'RE GOOD. >>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT NOW CLOSED WE'RE GOING TO DO IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TODAY.
MR. CONRAD. ANY COMMENT? >> MR. MCCORMACK?
>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> MR. WALDRON. >> NO.
>> MR. VICE CHAIR. ME
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.