[Call to Order by Chair ]
[00:00:10]
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ARE WE READY? GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE HERE THIS MORNING.
THIS IS OUR COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING FOR JUNE 21, 2022.
HARD TO BELIEVE IT IS ALREADY 2022, BUT IN ANY EVENT, LET'S
HAVE THE ROLL CALL. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: HERE.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: PRESENT.
>>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: PRESENT. >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: HERE.
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: PRESENT. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: AND WE HAVE A QUORUM. AS WE ALWAYS DO, WE ARE GOING TO START WITH AN INVOCATION AND THEN THE PLEDGE.
AND I AM GOING TO CALL ON CHAPLAIN KELLY KEMP TO GIVE THE INVOCATION AND JOE G. TO GIVE THE PLEDGE.
IF YOU WILL PLEASE STAND WITH M
AS WE GO POST FROM FATHER'S DAY, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS PASSAGE FROM YOU. HEAVENLY FATHERS PROMOTE NOT YOUR CHILDREN OF WRATH BUT IN NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD AND DEUTERONOMY GIVES A CHARGE TO FATHERS, THEREFORE SHALL BE LAY UP THESE WORDS IN YOUR HEART AND SOUL BIND THEM FOR A SIGN UPON YOUR HAND THAT YOU MAY BE AS FRONT LIDS BEFORE YOUR EYES AND YOU SHALL TEACH THEM YOUR CHILDREN SPEAK TO THEM CITIZEN IN THOU HOUSE AND WALKEST NOW WAY AND LIEST DOWN AND RISE US UP. AS FATHER'S DAY PASSES, WE NEED TO THINK OF FATHERS AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH THE PROGRAM WE COME UP WITH, THE GOOD LORD GAVE US FATHERS TO GIVE US GOOD HOMES.
LET'S PRAY FOR THEM. HEAVENLY GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY AND FATHER'S DAY THAT JUST PASSED.
AND WE HONOR DADS AND HELP IT TO BE A CHALLENGE TO DADS.
DADS WILL RISE UP AND EARLY IN THE MORNING TO TEACH OUR KIDS ABOUT GOD. DURING THE DAYTIME, WE SIT IN THE HOUSE TO TELL OUR KIDS ABOUT THE LORD AND GO TO BED AT NEAT, HELP US TELL OUR KIDS ABOUT THE LORD.
WE SEE SUCH DEPRAVITY AND STRANGENESS GOING ON IN THE WORLD AND WE PRAY, HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU USE DADS TO BRING ABOUT REVIVAL. WE PRAY FOR REVIVAL MANY TIMES AND GOD JUST EXPECTS IT TO HAPPEN.
WE KNOW IT NEEDS TO START AT THE HOME, HEAVENLY FATHER AND WE PRAY FOR OUR FATHERS. LORD, WE THANK YOU TO OUR PARKS.
AND THANKS FOR PARKS AROUND THE WORLD AND REMIND US WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN THE BEGINNING WHEN YOU CREATE A GARDEN.
AND HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SERVICEMEN.
AND SPECIAL THANKS GIVING LORD FOR COLONEL WILLIAM H. PRUITT AND MR. TRESTER FROM THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINES.
THANK YOU FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE OUT, GIVE THEM SAFETY. AND WE PRAY FOR OUR FIRE RESCUE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT HEAVENLY FATHER.
HELP US TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.
WE PRAY FOR EACH COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND PRAY THAT YOU BLESS THEM WITH WISDOM. WE PRAY THAT YOUR WORDS ASK FOR WISDOM AND WE GIVE THEM TO IT. WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DEAR GOD AND ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS WE PRAISE YOU, LORD, THANK YOU THAT YOU ARE HEAVENLY IN JESUS'S MOST PRECIOUS NAME.
AMEN. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: AMEN.
>> 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.
[Proclamation Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department ]
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: PLEASE BE SEATED.
OKAY. WE HAVE REALLY EXCITING PROCLAMATIONS THIS MORNING AND THE FIRST I WILL TURN OVER TO MY FELLOW COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER PAUL WALDRON.
>>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT THIS MORNING.
I KNOW WE ALL HAVE BUSY SCHEDULES BUT APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT TO CELEBRATE TODAY WITH US.
THIS MORNING, I AM GOING TO CALL UP RYAN CANE AND ALL THE PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF FIRST. FOR THEIR ATTENDANCE IN THE AUDITORIUM. WE WILL HAVE A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JULY 20, 2022 AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH.
[00:05:04]
I AM GUESS THIS WASN'T ON FOR THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES.IT WAS A REALLY GOOD SPEECH, BY THE WAY.
[LAUGHTER] >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: WELL-DONE,
WELL-DONE. >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: I WILL CALL MISS LORRAINE UP TO READ THE PROCLAMATION OR WE HAVE A
THROUGH THE CHAIR, BEFORE I READ THE PROCLAMATION INTO THE RECORD, THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO SHOW A BRIEF VIDEO. ♪ ♪.
>> THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO A THRIVING LOCAL PARKS SYSTEM.
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITOR TO ENJOY HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AND THE PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL ABOUT BEAUTY OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. EXPLORE THE MANY WAYS PARKS AND RECREATION IS MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES HAPPY AND HEALTHIER BY PROVIDING A PLACE WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.
A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND APPRECIATION FOR HISTORY AND A RESPECT FOR NATURE. .
>> A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST.
JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA. WHEREAS JULY 11, 1972, THE ST.
JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASSED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CREATION OF THE ST. JOHNS PARKS AND RECREATION ARE DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS, THE PARKS AND RECREATION CURRENTLY MANY TAINES 7300, 56 PARKS, 14 BOAT RAMPS, A BEAUTIFUL GOLF COURSE AND 40 MILES OF COASTLINE.
AND WHEREAS FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS, THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT HAS ADDED SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES, INCLUDING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH, SUMMER CAMP, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING, EDUCATIONAL CLASSES, YOUTH AND ADULT SPORTS, NATURE, EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING, SENIOR PROGRAMMING AND SPECIAL EVENTS. WHEREAS, ST. JOHNS COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION CURRENTLY EMPLOYS 86 STAFF MEMBERS, OVER SIX DIVISIONS. AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION ENCOURAGE HEALTHY ACTIVE LIFESTYLES AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY PARKS HELP BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER WITHOUT THE CONSTRAINTS OF EVERYDAY LIFE. OUR PARK ARE INTEGRAL TO THE COUNTY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING AN INFRASTRUCTURE IN NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE REVENUE EVENTS AND TOURISM WHICH BENEFIT THE LOCAL AND STATE ECONOMY WHILE POSITIVELY AFFECTING HOUSING AND STATE REAL ESTATE. WHEREAS, OUR PARK ARE VITAL IN CONNECT WITH OUR HISTORICAL PRESSURES INCREASING OUR DESIRE WHAT WE ENJOY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO EXPLORE NEW WAYS TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AS OUR POPULATION GROWS AND NEEDS CHANGE WHILE RETAINING A PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH OUR RESIDENTS WHEN THEY ENTER OUR PARKS AND FACILITIES.
THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT JULY 2022 BE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND ENCOURAGES THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE MILESTONE DURING THE MONTH OF JULY, PASSED AND ADAPTED OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THIS 21ST DAY OF SCHOOL, SIGNED BRANDON PATTY, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND CHAIR OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, HENRY
DEAN. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, ON BEHALF OF MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND ME, I WOULD LIKE TOO THANK ALL OF YOUR STAFF FOR YOUR HARD WORK.
YOU KNOW, PARKS AND REC ARE A TOUGH DEPARTMENT BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT ON THE FRONT LINE OF WHAT EVERYBODY SEES.
WE SEE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ALL THE TIME, BUT IF YOU GO TO A PARK, AND IF IT IS IN GREAT SHAPE, WE DON'T HEAR FROM YOU. IF IT IS IN BAD SHAPE, WE ALL HEAR FROM YOU. WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR WHAT YOU DO AND LET YOU SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> SURE, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE KNEES ALL WHO IS INVOLVED IN CREATING A SUCCESSFUL PARKS AND RECREATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
YOU KNOW THERE IS A SAYING THAT IT IS NOT OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, IT IS YOUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT. WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCE TO MAKE ST. JOHNS COUNTY A PLACE YOU ARE PROUD TO LIVE IN AND EXCITED TO BE A PART OF. OUR TEAM HAS THAT PASSION OF PUTTING BEFORE YOU AND TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN PROVIDING FOR OUR RESIDENTS. BEYOND OUR TEAM, SO MUCH
[00:10:04]
INVOLVED FROM VOLUNTEERS TO RECREATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS THAT MAKES IT MUCH MORE EXPAND I HAVE IT EVEN THE 85 INDIVIDUALS STAFFED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND IT TAKES A LOT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO DO IT MUCH MORE THAN THE PAYCHECK, THE SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS WHO ARE DOING IT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.THE BASKETBALL COACHES WHO ARE GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
OUR PARKS MAINTENANCE CREW THAT TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE FACILITIES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE OUT THERE FOR LITTLE LEAGUE AND
[Presentation Celebrating the Career of the County First Parks and Recreation Director]
FOOTBALL TO ENJOY FOR THE WEEKENDS.WE APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND WE VALUE THAT. .
AT THIS TIME, WE ARE LOOKING TO CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND RECOGNIZE EVERYBODY WHO HAS GONE THROUGH AND MADE THE DEPARTMENT AND MADE ST. JOHNS COMMUNITY SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE. AND IN DOING SO, THE DEPARTMENT INITIATED A HALL OF FAME. AND THE HALL OF FAME IS THERE TO RECOGNIZE ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO PROVIDE FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES TO THOSE THERE. AND OUR INITIAL INDUCTION IN THE HALL OF FAME COULD BE NOBODY ELSE BUT THE FIRST DIRECTR OF PARKS AND RECREATION, MR. R RED COX, SOMEONE WHO IS GREAT PASSION AND DRIVE TO PROVIDE AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE COX FAMILY TO COME FORWARD WITH US TODAY AND COME IN FRONT AND WE WILL PRESENT THE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION FOR YOU FOR THAT.
>> THIS IS THE AWARD OF THE HALL OF FAME TO REDCOX, THE FIRST DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED IN 1972, AND WE ARE PRESENTING TO HIS FAMILY HERE TODAY.
. >> WE APPRECIATE THIS HONOR.
I KNOW IF MY FATHER WAS HERE, HE WOULD SAYS IT EVERYBODY THAT MAKES THIS WORK. AND HE LOVED EVERYBODY.
HE LOVED THE BOYS AND GIRLS. AND HE ALWAYS INSTILLED IN THE THREE OF US AND THEM, IT TOOK MORE THAN JUST BEING ACTIVE AND EXCITED ABOUT SPORTS. HE EMPHASIZED EDUCATION AND CLEAN LIVING. HE WASN'T A BIG ONE ABOUT POTATO CHIPS AND FRENCH FRIES. AND WE KNEW THAT FROM HOME.
AND JUST WANT ON A PERSONAL NOTE, WE SHARED ALL THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TOO. AND WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE.
WE CONSIDERED ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE PLAYED WITH THROUGH RECREATION AS PART OF OUR FAMILY.
THE DOOR WAS ALWAYS OPENED AT MY HOUSE -- AT OUR HOUSE.
AND THE MENTION OF PEOPLE KNOWING HOW TO FIND YOU.
HIS HOME PHONE WAS IN THE PHONE BOOK.
WE NEVER HAD AN UNLISTED NUMBER. WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING RIGHT OUT AT FRANCIS FIELD OR THE TENNIS COURTS.
WE GET CALLS AT 10:00 AT NIGHT TO FIX IT FROM THE PEOPLE WHO WANTED ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO THROW THE BALL AROUND OR GET IN ONE GAME OF TENNIS. SO -- AND I AM OVERWHELMED BY WHAT PARKS AND RECREATION HAVE DONE.
AND MY SISTER, MIMI COX ROBERTSON AND MY BROTHER REDDY COX. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW
WORDS, NOW IS THE TIME. >> YOU KNOW THE COX FAMILY, MAY NOT GET TO THE AGENDA IF THEY DID.
AN ARTICLE IN THE "TIMES UNION" AFTER DADDY PASSED AWAY.
I ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS. NOT WHAT DADDY DID, BUT THE SMILES THAT EVERYONE WOULD REMEMBER.
THE SMILES THAT WOULD BE ON EVERYONE'S FACE.
SO THAT ALWAYS STUCK WITH ME. WE SURE DON'T WANT TO PASS THAT
TO HIM, BUT -- >> I WILL MAKE IT SHORT AND SWEET, BUT YOU KNOW, HE CARED ABOUT EVERYBODY.
AND NO MATTER IF YOU NEEDED A HANDOUT OR SOMETHING, HE WAS ALWAYS THERE. I KNOW A LOT OF KIDS AT HIS FUNERAL. PARENTS WERE TELLING ME, YOU KNOW, YOUR DAD BOUGHT ME CLEATS. HE BOUGHT ME A GLOVE.
[00:15:03]
HE WAS THAT KINDS OF GUY. WE ALL MISS HIM BUT I REALLY GOT THE PARK WORKING NOW, I TELL YOU.YOU GOT EVERYTHING. >> THANK YOU.
AND HE JUST WANT TO ADD ABOUT THE EDUCATION PART.
WHEN I WAS A FRESHMAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, EVERY SATURDAY MY FRESHMAN YEAR AT THE DORM JENNINGS HALL, I WOULD GET A SPECIAL DELIVERY LET FROM DADDY.
AND IT WOULD HAVE A $5 BILL IN IT.
AND THE SAME MESSAGE EVERY TIME. STUDY HARD SO YOU CAN GET THAT LITTLE PIECE OF PAPER AND THEN YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT.
AND THAT WAS WHAT HE TOLD PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE PROGRAM, THE CHILDREN. HE TOLD THEIR PARENTS.
AND WE HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN THAT EITHER.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WALDRON.
WHEN HIS DAD WAS COMMI COMMISSIONER WALDRON.
HE WAS A GREAT SUPPORTER OF RECREATION AS WAS THE WHOLE THING. WE LOVED HARRY LIKE HE WAS ANOTHER FATHER TO US. THANK YOU, AGAIN.
AND THANK YOU, RYAN. >> THANK YOU.
[Proclamation Recognizing July as Parks & Recreation Month ]
[APPLAUSE] .>> THANKS AGAIN. >> WE DID THIS IN JULY BECAUSE JULY IS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH.
AND RECOGNITION OF JULY AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH AS WELL.
>> A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST.
JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA. PARKS AND RECREATION IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY INCLUDING ST. JOHNS COUNTY. WHEREAS, PARKS AND RECREATION PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELLNESS IMPROVING THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF THOSE WHO LIVE NEAR PARKS.
TIME SPENT IN NATURE WHICH POSITIVELY IMPACTS MENTAL HEALTH BY INCREASING COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AND ALLEVIATING ILLNESSES DEPRESSION, ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERINGS AND ALZHEIMER'S. PARKS AND RECREATION ENCOURAGES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROVIDING SPACE FOR POPULAR SPORTS, HIKING TRAILS, SWIMMING POOLS, AND MANY ACTIVITIES DESIGN TO PROMOTE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES. PARK SPARK A LEADING PROVIDER OF HEALTHY MEALS, NUTRITION SERVICES AND EDUCATION.
WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES SUCH AS OUTS-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMMING, YOUTH SPORTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT TO CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT. AND WHEREAS, PARKS AND RECREATION INCREASES A COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY THROUGH I THINK CREASED PROPERTY VALUES, EXPANSION OF THE LOCAL TAX BASE, INCREASED TOURISM. ATTRACTION AND RETENTION OF BUSINESS AND CRIME REDUCTION. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION THAT JULY 2022 BE. IS THERE PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH. PASSED THIS 21ST DAY OF JUNE, 2022. SIGNS BRANDON J. PATTY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT. AND CHAIR OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, HENRY DEAN, CHAIR.
>> I DON'T THINK WE WILL GO THAT LONGER.
A FULL PICTURE WITH THE STAFF, PLE PLEASE.
[Certificate of Recognition Awarded to Col. William H. Pruitt, U.S. Army Ret. ]
. >> AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE FAMILY OF COLONEL H. PRUITT TO COME FORWARD AND ALSO
MEMBERS OF OUR VETERANS COUNCIL. >> ST. JOHNS COUNTY CERTIFICATE
[00:20:19]
OF APPRECIATION TO COLONEL WILLIAM H. PRUITT, U.S. ARMY RETIRED. 30 YEARS OF SERVICE FIRST WITH THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE AND SUBSEQUENTLY WITH THE FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD, COLONEL PRUITT ENTERED THE MERCHANT MARINE 1942 AND SERVED AS PURSER AND REACHING THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT.HE MADE FOUR TRANSATLANTIC TRIPS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN ON SHIPS THAT CARRIED TANKS, PERSONNEL, MUNITIONS AND OTHER SUPPLIES TO THE EUROPEAN AND NORTH AFRICAN THEATRES OF WORLD WAR II.
HE ATTAINED THE RANK OF FULL COLONEL U.S. ARMY BECOMING THE UNITED STATES PROPERTY AND FISCAL OFFICER FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE HONOR RESIDENT COLONEL PRUITT FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENT OF BEING AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL AND COURAGE AND SELFLESSNESS SERVING THE UNITED STATES. .
>> IN HONOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
WE WILL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS IF YOU WOULD LI LIKE.
>>. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK THE PEOPLE OF ST. AUGUSTINE, ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
A WONDERFUL CITY AND A WONDERFUL COUNTY.
I RAISED MY DAUGHTER HERE. CAME HERE 72 YEARS AGO.
72 YEARS A PERSON CAN EXPECT. - THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[Certificate of Recognition Awarded to Mr. Ed Trester, U.S. Merchant Marine]
[APPLAUSE] .>> AT THIS TIME, WE WILL ASK THE FAMILY OF MR. ED TRESTER, UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE TO COME FORW
FORWARD. >> ST. JOHNS COUNTY CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION AWARD TO MR. ED TRESTER, U.S. MERCHANT MARINE, IN RECOGNITION OF ST. JOHNS RESIDENT MR. ED TRESTER FOR COURAGE AND SELFLESSNESS SERVING THE UNITED STATES DURING WORLD WAR II. MR. TRESTER ENLISTED IN THE U.S.
MERCHANT MARINE AT THE AGE OF 17.
AWARDED THE ATLANTIC MEDITERRANEAN AND PACIFIC WAR ZONE BARS LAND SOON RECEIVE THE DISTINGUISHED CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. HE GOES WELL BEYOND THE SEAS CO-AUTHOR ERRED THE BOOK "TORPEDO FOR LIFE." AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE JAZZ SOCIETY THAT AWARDS MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EACH YEAR.
>> MR. TRESTER, ON BEHALF OF THE BOX WORDS, MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS TO YOU -- THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE WOULD
LOVE TO PRESENT THIS TO YOU. >> CAN I SAY SOMETHING?
>> PLEASE, THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> WELL, THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF BILL PRUITT, AND MYSELF, I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS.
VERY PROUD AND HONOR TO BE HERE. AND I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSION FOR RECOGNIZING THE MERCHANT MARINE AS VETERANS IN WORLD WAR II. I WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS HOW
[00:25:03]
I GOT INVOLVED IN THE MERCHANT MARINES, IF I MAY.IT WAS BACK IN 1943 AND '44 DURING WORLD WAR II.
AND I JUST LEFT HIGH SCHOOL. I FELT LIKE I HAD TO DO SOMETHING AND I JUST WALKED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.
REALLY MY FIRST INTENTION WAS TO JOIN THE UNITED STATES NAVY.
SO I JUST WALKED IN THE NAVY RECRUITING OFFICE, AND A LIEUTENANT WAS SITTING THERE. AND THEY LOOKED UP AT ME AND SAID, YES, SON, HOW CAN I HELP YOU.
I SAID -- I WAS AN IMPEP NEWS KID, YOU MIGHT SAY, I SAID I WANT TO JOIN THE NAVY. WHERE DID YOU COME FROM.
HE SAID YOU GO BACK TO SCHOOL. SO THAT ENDED MY BRIEF CAREER WITH THE UNITED STATES NAVY. [LAUGHTER] I JUST HEARD ABOUT THE MERE CHAPTER MARINE.
SO I DID JOIN US. MY FATHER, WHO WAS A POLICE OFFICER IN NEW YORK, HE WASN'T TOO HAPPY ABOUT ME LEAVING SCHOOL, BUT HE GAVE ME HIS BLESSINGS, AND OFF I WENT TO MARITIME SCHOOL IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
BAND THREE WEEKS AFTER THAT, HE FOUND MYSELF ON A SHIP IN A LARGE CONVOY GOING TO -- GOING ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN INTO THE MEDITERRANEAN. BUT THAT WAS MY BRIEF STORY ON MY FIRST TRIP. BUT I REALLY WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE MERCHANT MARINE IN GENERAL.
FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE IMPORTANT FACTS OF THE MERCHANT MARINE. NUMBER ONE, THE MERCHANT MARINE HAD THE HIGHEST CASUALTY RATE OF ANY SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR II, PERCENTAGE-WISE. THE MERCHANT SERVICE WASN'T AS LARGE A SERVICE AS THE ARMY AND NAVY IN MAN POWER, BUT PERCENTAGE-WISE, IT WAS ONE OUT OF 26 MERCHANT SEAMEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, MOST OF THEM GOING DOWN WITH THEIR SHIPS.
THE MERCHANT MARINE WAS AN ALL-VOLUNTEER SERVICE FROM AGE 17 TO 7. THEY CAME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. AND IN 1943, THE MERCHANT SERVICE WAS REALLY SHORT ON MEN TO MAN THE SHIPS.
THEY LOWERED THE ENROLLMENT TO AGE 16.
CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT? 16 YEARS OLD.
YOUNG KIDS WERE SIGNING UP TO JOIN THE MERE CHAPTER MARINES.
NUMBER THREE, THE MERCHANT MARINE WAS INVOLVED IN EVERY INVASION ALONG WITH THE ARMY FROM NORTH KOREA AND TO THE INVASION OF NORMANDY OUT TO THE FAR REACHES OF THE PACIFIC.
THIS CREATED A HUGE LOGISTIC PROBLEM FOR AMERICA.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO REWARD AND BRING OUR TROOPS EQUIPMENT THEY NEEDED? AT THE TIME PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SAID WE NEED SHIPS, SHIPS AND MORE SHIPS.
THE SHIPYARDS RESPONDED AND STARTED MASS-PRODUCING SHIPS IN QUICK ORDER. THE LIBERTY SHIP, WHICH WAS THE BACKBONE OF THE MERCHANT MARINE WHO CARRIED MOST OF THE DRY CARGO TO OUR TROOPS WAS MADE IN RAPID ORDER.
THERE WERE 2720 LIBERTY SHIPS BUILT DURING WORLD WAR II.
ONE BELIEVABLE. I HAPPENED TO BE ON THE LIBERTY SHIP IN THE PHILIPPINES WHEN WORLD WAR II CAME TO A CLOSE WHEN AMERICA DROPPED THE ATOMIC ON HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI AND WORLD WAR 2, WAS OVER. JUST LIKE THAT, IT WAS OVER.
QUOTE YOGI BERRA. A CHARACTER. WHO HE IS?- A ROUGH GUY. BASEBALL MANAGER FOR THE NEW YORK YANKEES. HIS QUOTE, IT AIN'T OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER, AND IT AIN'T OVER YET.
IT WASN'T OVER FOR THE MERCHANT MARINE BECAUSE NOW WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING THE ARMY TRANSPORT SERVICE TO BRING ALL OUR TROOPS BACK HOME, ALONG WITH ALL THE SUPPLIES SCATTERED AROUND THE WORLD. NOW ON A LIGHTER NOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A LOT OF OUR GIS WHO WERE STATIONED ENGLAND DURING THE WAR FELL IN LOVE WITH SOME ENGLISH LADIES AND THEY MARRIED THEM. AND THEY WERE CALLED "WAR BRIDES." SO AFTER THE WAR, WE -- ON ONE SHIP WE BROUGHT BACK WAR BRIDES AND BABIES.
THE MERCHANT MARINES THAT DELIVERED THE WEAPONS OF WAR, THE BOMBS AND THE BULLETS, NOW DELIVERED BABIES AND BRIDES.
[00:30:08]
SO WE DID IT ALL, YOU MIGHT SAY. SO ALL WELL THAT ENDS WELL.THANK YOU. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE COMMISSIONERS FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY AND MR. BILL PRUITT, 102 YEARS OLD. SO, THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: WELL, THAT WAS QUITE REMARKABLE. THOSE TWO PROCLAMATIONS.
AND CERTAINLY OUR PARKS AND RECREATION.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I CAN'T HELP BUT TELL YOU -- SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW THIS -- I AM ACTUALLY THE RESULT OF A WORLD WAR II ROMANCE. [LAUGHTER] THAT IS THE TRUTH. MY MOTHER WAS A NURSE STATIONED IN THE ARMY AIR CORP. AND MY FATHER WAS IN THE
[Acceptance of Proclamations ]
SERVICE. THEY GOT MARRIED.THE BABY CAME ALONG. THAT WAS ME.
TRUE STORY. [LAUGHTER] SO AS WE -- DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE PROCLAMATIONS?
[Public Safety Update]
>> SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: APPEAR MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE ARE APPROVED. SORT OF A SPECIAL MOMENT, KIND OF AN UNIQUE PLEASURE THAT WE HAVE FOUR OF OUR FIVE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS VISITING US THIS MORNING, WHICH IS A REAL PLEASURE. WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM ALL OF THEM DURING THE COURSE OF THE MEETING AS WE BEGIN.
WE WILL HAVE FIRST THE PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT.
I GUESS COMMANDER BEAVER, YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED.
>> ON BEHALF OF SHERIFF HARDIC AND THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, NOT ONLY FOR THE ST.
JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUT OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN FIRE AND RESCUE AS WELL. YOU KNOW, AS WE TALK TO OTHER EXECUTIVES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY -- THEY ARE KIND OF JEALOUS OF US. THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT OUR SECRET IS AND IT IS IN FRONT OF US.
IT IS THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE BUILD WITH YOU, THE STAFF, AND IT IS JUST HORNS ESTEE, TRUST, AND JUST BEING TRANSPARENT WITH EACH OTHER. WE CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THAT. THIS IS WHAT MAKES ST. JOHNS COUNTY THE NUMBER ONE DESTINATION, AS THE SHERIFF SAYS, TO WORK, LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY.
WE THANK YOU FOR THAT SUPPORT. SO AS THIS MORNING I AM WATCHING TV, TODAY IS OUR FIRST DAY OF SUMMER.
AND THE PEOPLE THAT CAN BE WRONG 100% OF THE TIME AND NEVER GET IN TROUBLE SAYS IT IS GOING TO BE 100-DEGREES PLUS TODAY.
SO WE HAVE PREPARED OURSELVES AND THE COUNTY FOR THAT.
SCHOOL IS OUT OBVIOUSLY. VISITORS.
THE BEACHGOERS ARE UP. WE REDEPLOYED MANPOWER THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO MAKE HOUR THEY ARE SAFE.
REASSIGNED TO BEACH PATROLS TO HELP WITH THE 42 MILES OF BEACHES TO MAKE SURE OUR CITIZENS AND VISITOR ARE SAFE THERE. AND SOMETHING NEAR AND NEAR TO EVERYBODY'S HEART IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, OUR YOUTH IN THIS COUNTY. WE HAVE REDESIGNED A BUNCH OF OUR DEPUTIES TO PUT ON PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY.
AS WE KNOW, THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OUR FUTURE.
SO WE INVEST IN THEM NOW. AND YEARS TO COME, IT WILL COME BACK US TO TENFOLD WITH THAT RELATIONSHIP AND BOND AND MENTORING WE ARE ABLE TO DO FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.
ALSO, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR PAL. THE FIRST TIME IN A HISTORY OF PAL, WE HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME AND IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU.
IT IS IN PROGRESS. WE ARE WORKING, OF COURSE.
IT TAKES MONEY. AS SOON AS WE GET THAT UP AND RUNNING WE WILL HAVE A BIG GRAND OPENING AND A PLACE TO CALL HOME WHERE WE CAN PUT OUR ROOTS AND PUT OUR OWN LITTLE SPIN ON OUR PLACE. BUT THROUGH THE SUMMER PAL WILL PUT ON A NUMBER OF CAMPS, PUTTING ON FIVE OR SIX CAMPS.
EACH ONE IS FROM BASEBALL, FOOTBALL.
WE JUST DID BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERSING.
THE CAMP HAVE 30 TO 50 KIDS. TAKES A LOT OF COORDINATION AND STAFF. OUR FLAG FOOTBALL THAT IS FIXING TO START FOR THE SUMMER AND RUNS 200 TO 250 KIDS FOR THAT SEASON AS WELL. SO WE ARE REALLY BUSY OPINION REALLY INVESTING A LOT OF TIME IN OUR YOUTH TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING TO DO DURING THE SUMMER AND
[00:35:03]
DON'T MAKE US ALL GO CRAZY. WITH THAT, I WILL ENTERTAIN ANYQUESTIONS. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: QUESTIONS?
[APPLAUSE] >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: CHIEF, YOU
ARE BACK, GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
A FEW THINGS. I WILL FOLLOW UP ON THE BEACH ACTIVITY. EXTREMELY BUSY ON THE BEACH FROM MAY 28 TO THIS PAST SUNDAY, JUNE 19.
WE HAD 3958 EVENTS ON THAT BEACH AND 183 SWIMMERS IN DISTRESS IN THAT OCEAN. THAT RIP CURRENT IS STILL STRONG. LIEUTENANT DAN POWERS TALKED ABOUT SOME SAFETY FACTOR WITH IT, BUT I THINK THE BIGGEST THING AND MESSAGE WE CAN GET OUT TO THE REST DENTS AND VISITOR IS SWIM BY THE LIFEGUARDS. THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR.
THEY ARE THERE TO KEEP YOU SAFE. AND THEY WILL MAKE THAT RESCUE.
AND I WILL TELL YOU 183 SUCCESSFUL RESCUES.
SO THAT WAS GOOD. A COUPLE OF THINGS WE HAVE GOT UPCOMING. SOUND THE ALARM NEIGHBORHOOD EVENT THIS SATURDAY. JUNE 25.
SOUTH RODRIGUEZ. WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AND THE ST. JOHNS FIRE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO A PARTNER WITH US TO GO HOUSE TO HOUSE AND MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR, THE AMERICAN RED CROSS WILL INSTALL ONE. THE FIRST EVENT WE ARE DOING ON SOUTH RODRIGUEZ AND MULTIPLE PLACES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND I WOULD LIKE THE COMMUNITY AND COMMISSION KNOW WE ARE START THIS PROGRAM AND IT IS A REALLY GOOD PROGRAM.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE MONITOR ON A REGULAR BASIS IS FROM THE FLORIDA FOREST REE SERVICE.
WHAT OUR FIRE DANGER IS. I DON'T THINK I NEED TO TELL EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM THAT WE NEED SOME RAIN.
AND WE NEED RAIN IN A BAD WAY, WITHOUT THE LIGHTNING.
I WILL PREFACE THAT. OUR DROUGHT INDEX CURRENTLY THIS MORNING 388 ON A SCALE OF 100 TO 800.
BUT THE BIG NOTE OF IT IS 41% OF THE COUNTY IS OVER -- OVER THE 400 NUMBER. BETWEEN 400 AND 500.
2% OF OUR COUNTY IS OVER 500. WE ARE EXTREMELY DRY.
I LOOKED AT STATS THIS MORNING. YESTERDAY MORNING WHEN I CHECKED THE STATS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, 25 ACTIVE WILDFIRES.
AND THAT -- THAT WAS 301 ACRES OF THOSE TOTAL ACTIVE WILDFIRES.
I CHECKED THIS MORNING 41 ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AT 965 ACRES. CURRENTLY ST. JOHNS COUNTY, ONE FIRE, NINE ACRES. IT IS CONTAINED.
THIS IS THE LAST MEETING WE HAVE BEFORE THE FOURTH OF JULY AND THE LAST TIME WE CAN PUBLICLY TALK ABOUT FIREWORKS AND BEING CAREFUL AND NOT SHOOTING THOSE IN THE WOODS OR TOWARD THE WOODS OR THE MARSH. WITHOUT SOME SIGNIFICANT RAIN, CERTAINLY, WE ARE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME BUT THAT DANG IS REAL FROM A FIRE STANDPOINT. WE ARE WORK WITH PUBLIC AFFAIRS TO PUT OUT COMMUNITY NOTICES STARTING THE FIRST OF THE WEEK TO REMIND THE PUBLIC. WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT RAIN, I EXPECT THIS TO GO UP BUT WE WILL MONITOR IT DAILY AND IF THERE IS AN UPDATE NEEDED TO THE BOARD, I MAKE SURE ADMINISTRATION OF THAT GETS TO YOU. I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP AS A CONCERN THIS MORNING GOING INTO THIS FOURTH OF JULY.
[Clerk of Court's Report]
PEOPLE, PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR FIREWORKS.WE DON'T NEED ANY WILDFIRES. WITH THAT, I WILL TAKE ANY
QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: NOW WE WILL HEAR FROM MY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.
GOOD MORNING, MR. PADDY. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
WE HAVE SOME KEY STAFF FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND I WOULD LIKE TO BRAG ON THEM FOR A SECOND, IF I MAY.
LAST WEEK, OUR OFFICE RECEIVED THE RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE BY THE FLORIDA COURT CLERKS AND COMPTROLLERS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE BEST PRACTICES PROS. THE 67 CLERK OFFICES ACROSS OUR GREAT STATE HAVE DEVELOPED DIFFERENT PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES TO FULFILL OUR VAST AND COMPLEX MISSION.
OUR ASSOCIATION A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BEGAN COLLECTING THESE DIFFERENT PROCESSES TO DISTILL DOWN INTO BEST PRACTICES.
12 DIFFERNT BEST PRACTICES PROGRAMS. FROM BAIL BONDS TO RECORDING FUNDAMENTALS, MORE SUFFICIENT WAY TO COMPLETE THESE TASKS. ADOPTING THESE WERE NOT EASY, AND I AM JOINED TODAY BY A FEW OF THE KEY PLAYERS THAT HELPED US ACHIEVE IN NOTABLE DISTINCTION.
JULIO CRUZ, OUR CHIEF OF OPERATIONS.
TARA SCHULTZ, OUR CRIMINAL DIRECTOR.
YODY MACK, OUR RECORDING DIRECTOR.
INSPECTOR GENERAL JASMINE REARDON.
CIVIL SUPERVISOR KATIE SPENCE, OUR SENIOR CIVIL COURT AND HALEY ATLES PUBLIC HEARINGIER, OUR PROBATE CLERK.
THE THING ABOUT OUR OFFICE WHAT YOU GET TO SEE LAST MONTH, WE HAVE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS RELENTLESS OF COMPLETING OUR MIG AS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM AND THE TEAM IN PRESIDENT WORK
[00:40:07]
SERVING THE CITIZENS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> I HAVE ONE, MR. CHAIRMAN.
ARE YOU GETTING MUCH SLEEP? >> HIT OR MISS, SIR.
>> YOU JUST HAD A BABY BOY? >> YES, SIR, CARTER.
HE IS COMING HOME FROM THE NICU. HE IS THE THIRD.
WE ARE NOT SURE WHERE TO PUT HIM SO WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT WHERE
YOU GO. >> I AM SURE SOMEONE HERE CAN SELL YOU A BIGGER HOUSE. [LAUGHTER]
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, SIR.
[Deletions to Consent Agenda]
>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
COMPLETES OUR REPORTS. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO THE REGULAR MEETING NOW STARTING WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THEN THE REGULAR AGENDA. FIRST, ARE THERE ANY DELETIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.
>>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: NONE. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: NONE.
>>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: NONE. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: NONE,
MR. CHAIRMAN. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: STAFF, LEGAL? OKAY.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? THIS IS THE CONSENT AGENDA ONLY, NOT THE REGULAR AGENDA AND NOT PUBLIC GENERAL COMMENT. THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED WITH WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.
>> NAME AND ADDRESS. >> CHUCK.
I AM CONCERNED WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY AS FAR AS GIVING CREDITS TO DEVELOPERS. THIS IS WHAT HAS CAUSED --
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: WHAT IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> NUMBER 7. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: SO EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT IS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
NUMBER 7 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. GO AHEAD.
>> AN ISSUE GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
WE CAN'T KEEP UP WHERE THE INFRASTRUCTURE NOW AND THE MORE CREDITS WE GIVE TO THE DEVELOPERS THE LESS MONEY TO DO THESE CORRECTIONS. WE HAVE A TAX PROPOSAL OUT THERE RIGHT NOW OF OVER $500 MILLION TO COLLECT FROM THE TAXPAYERS.
WHEN REALLY -- TO TAKE CARE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND NOTHING ON THIS BOARD, BUT THIS GOES BACK DECADES THAT THESE CREDITS ARE BEING ISSUED. AND RESIDENTS ARE NOW PAYING THE PENALTY FOR IT TO TAKE CARE OF THE ROADS THAT ARE BEING IMPACTED. SO I REQUEST THAT THIS BE
REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THANK YOU,
SIR. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: EVERYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? YES, MA'AM.
>> BJ KALADY. >> AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TAX DOLLARS. JUNE 20 UNITED WAY MEETING, A LIST WAS PROVIDED SHOWING THE PROJECTS RECEIVING THESE TAX DOLLARS. THIS $1.1 MILLION APPROPRIATION TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS NOT LISTED.
QUESTIONS. IS THIS IN ADDITION TO THE $40.6 MILLION FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS? QUESTION, HOW WILL THIS $1.1 MILLION BE SPENT? THANK YOU.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK
YOU, MA'AM. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY OTHER?
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA? NOW IS THE TIME. SEEING NON, CLOSE PUBLIC
COMMENT. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION ON
THE CONSENT AGENDA? >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: I HAVE A MOTION. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY TO FLORIDA LEBNOWSKI. THIS BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO VETO THE IMPACT FEE TRANSFERS. AND WE HAVE SPOKEN UP OF THE
[Approval of Consent Agenda ]
ISSUE OF THE IMPACT FEE CREDITS. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY OFTHAT FOR THE RECORD. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: GOOD POINT.
GOOD POINT. NOW IS THERE A MOTION?
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: I WILL MOVE TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT
AGENDA. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A SECOND.
>>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ALL IN FAVOR. THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED A IS. NOW I THINK THAT TAKES US TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETION TO THE REGULAR AGENDA? COMMISSIONER AROUND TO OLD.
[Approval of Regular Agenda ]
>>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: NONE, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: NONE, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: NO, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: NO, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: WE WILL PROCEED WITH THE REGULAR AGENDA
AS IT IS. >> MR. CHAIR, WE NEED A MOTION T APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA, IF THERE ARE NO CHANGES.
[1. Constitutional Officers’ Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Presentations - St. Johns County Property Appraiser & St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections. ]
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR
>> SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
NOW ARE WE READY TO BEGIN WITH NUMBER 1? JESSIE, ARE YOU INTRODUCING NUMBER 1?
[00:45:03]
>> YES. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: BEFORE YOU START. WE HEARD FROM TWO OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES AND NOW HEAR FROM TWO MORE.
SO, AGAIN, WE HAVE FOUR OFFICES VISITING WITH US THIS MORNING.
SO WITH THAT, GO AHEAD, JESSIE. >> WITH THAT YOU STOLE MY
THUNDER, CHAIRMAN. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: I AM SORRY.
>> GOOD MORNING, JESSE DUNN, MAJOR OF BUDGET.
7TH OF JUNE, WE HEARD FROM TWO OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CLERK OF COURT AND COMPTROLLER OFFICE AND TODAY WE WILL CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION OF THEIR -- OF CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER BUDGET SUBMISSIONS. SPECIFICALLY -- AND IN THIS PARTICULAR ORDER, THE PROPERTY APPLICANT APPRAISER EDDIE CREAMER, SUPERVISOR OF ELECTION VICKI OAKES.
THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL ONLY. WITH THAT, WE WILL GET INTO THE DISCUSSIONS. THE FIRST PRESENTATION BY
PROPERTY APPRAISER EDDY CREAMER. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: GOOD MORNG
MORNING,. >> THANK YOU, JESSE.
CHAIRMAN DEAN AND FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT OUR BUDGET.
I HAVE A PRESENTATION. THERE WE GO.
DO I ADVANCE IT WITH THIS? PERFECT.
THANK YOU. SO IN ADDITION TO THE BUDGET PRESENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK WITH YOU JUST BRIEFLY AS WE GET STARTED ABOUT THE TAX ROLL THIS YEAR AND THE TAX ROLL SUBMISSION. AND THE FIRST SLIDE I WILL PUT UP. AS YOU KNOW ALREADY, AND I WILL TRY TO EXPLAIN THIS WITHOUT CAUSING YOUR EYE TO GLAZE OVER, BECAUSE I CAN BE A BIT NERDY ABOUT THIS.
JUNE 1 WE SUBMIT TO THE TAXING AUTHORITIES THE ESTIMATE OF THE TAX ROLL FOR THE COMING YEAR. THAT IS FOR THE TAXING AUTHORITIES TO BEGIN FORMULATING THEIR BUDGETS.
SIMULTANEOUSLY, WE SUBMIT OUR BUDGET TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY BECAUSE WE ARE FUNDED BY THE TAXING AUTHORITIES.
THE MONTH OF JUNE IS THE TIME WE DO QUALITY CONTROL ON OUR TAX ROLL. WE DO OUR EDITS.
AND SOMETIMES AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE, WE SUBMIT TEST FILES FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE FOR REVIEW OF THOSE TEST FILES. THE FIRST SUBMISSION OF THE FINAL TAX ROLL ACTUALLY OCCURS ON JULY 1 OF THE YEAR.
NORMALLY, WHEN WE SUBMIT TO THE TAXING AUTHORITIES, THAT MONTH OF QUALITY CONTROL, EDITS AND TEST FILES CREATES OR RENDERS A TAX ROLL GENERALLY THE SAME AS YOU WILL SEE ON THE INITIAL SUBMISSION OR THE INITIAL ESTIMATE WE DO FOR YOU GUYS.
THIS YEAR IT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
THE DIFFERENCE IS BASICALLY, AS YOU ARE ALL AWARE, THE VALUES OF RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE IN OUR COUNTY HAVE SKYROCKETED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS BUT IN TAX YEAR 2021, ESPECIALLY THOSE VALUES INCREASED. AS WE MOVED INTO 2022 THE VALUES CONTINUED TO INCREASE ON THAT. SO KIND OF LIKE WILEY COYOTE TRYING TO CATCH THE ROAD RUNNER. OUR OFFICE TRIED TO CATCH THE ROAD RUNNER ON THE WAY UP. ONE THING TO LOOK AT, WE VALUE FROM 2022, WE ARE USING SALES FROM 2021 BECAUSE OF A MARKET VALUE APPROACH. SALES FROM JANUARY OF 2021 TO DECEMBER OF 2021. A NORMAL MARKET THE RATE OF INCREASE AND VALUE OF JANUARY OF A TAX YEAR TO DECEMBER OF THE TAX YEAR WILL BE IMMATERIAL. AND 2021, HOWEVER THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE SALES VALUES FROM JANUARY 1 OF 2021 TO DECEMBER OF 2021 WAS DRAMATIC. SO AT THAT POINT, WE HAVE TO TIME TREND THOSE SALES, BASICALLY MEANING EACH MONTH, WE ADJUST THOSE SALES FORWARD BASED ON THE INCREASE THAT OCCURRED DURING THE YEAR. THE INITIAL ESTIMATE WE SENT TO YOU, WE HAD A 61.2 BILLION ADJUSTED VALUE IN THE COUNTY AND $39.9 BILLION TAXABLE VALUE AND $1.8 BILLION IN CONSTRUCTION.
NEW CONSTRUCTION, NEW PROPERTIES ADDED TO THE ROLL.
AFTER WE SUBMITTED OUR TEST FILES AND MADE THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE AS INDICATED BY OUR WORK IN THE DOR, OUR FINAL SUBMISSION WILL LOOK MOVE LIAR THIS.
THE ADJUST VALUE IS $65.9 BILLION.
[00:50:04]
A 35.73% INCREASE. THAT IS YEAR TO YEAR.FIRST SUBMISSION OF 2021 TO FIRST SUBMISSION OF 2022.
OUR OFFICE ASSESSES JUST VALUE. EVERYTHING IS CALCULATED DUE TO EVERYTHING OF A PROPERTY OWNER OR EXEMPTION.
TAXABLE VALUE IS $48.8 BILLION, A INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND INCREASE OF ABOUT $784 MILLION IN TAXABLE VALUE FROM THE NUMBERS WE GAVE TO ON THE INITIAL ESTIMATE.
NEW CONSTRUCTION, $2 BILLION. UP AGAIN FROM THE INITIAL ESTIMATE ON THAT. SO THAT IS THE CHANGE IN THE TAX ROLL. OBVIOUSLY THAT WILL AFFECT YOUR BUDGETING. IT WILL EFFECT YOUR FUNDS THAT ARE COMING INTO THE COUNTY. WE DO NOT AT THIS POINT.EXPECT ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THIS NUMBER AS WE WILL DO OUR FINAL SUBMISSION OR OUR JULY 1 SUBMISSION FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK.
SO OUR TAX ROLL WILL BE BASICALLY SHUT DOWN AND CLOSED IN PREPARATION OF TRIM. I WILL POINT OUT HERE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN -- AS YOU ARE ALL AWARE THE ADJUSTED VALUE AND THE TAXABLE VALUE ARE THE CAPS. SO WHEN ADJUSTED VALUE MAY GO UP 35%. TAXABLE VALUE UP 17%.
BECAUSE OF THE HOMESTEAD ASSESSMENT AT 3%.
AND THE NONHOMESTEAD ASSESSMENT CAP LIMITATION AT 10%.
THIS IS EFFECT FROM -- THE EFFECT FROM ESTIMATED TO FINAL.
IT IS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ONLY.
GENERALLY, WE CALL THAT STRATUM ONE AS COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES ARE CONSIDERED IN A DIFFERENT FASHION THAN A COMMERCIAL APPROACH. I WILL START RIGHT THERE ON THE TAX ROLL. I KNOW THAT IS PART OF THE PRESENTATION, BUT IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES ABOUT THIS CHANGE, I WILL BE GLAD TO ADDRESS THEM HERE OR AT THE END.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: EDDIE, I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION ON THE -- ON THE SCREEN NOW. THE $40 BILLION IN COUNTY TOTAL TAXABLE VALUE VERSUS THE 45-PLUS BILLION FOR SCHOOL TOTAL TAXABLE VALUE. I AM NOT AWARE WHY THERE WOULD BE A DIFFERENCE. WHAT IS CAUSING THE DIFFERENCE, THE $5 BILLION INCREASE IN THE SCHOOL.
WHAT ARE WE MISSING AT THE COUNTY THAT WE CAN GRAB -- NO, I DIDN'T SAY THAT --
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? >> HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS BANDED. WE ALL THINK OF HOMESTEAD EARNINGS AS A $50,000 EXEMPTION WHICH IT IS FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER BUT FOR TAXATION, THE $25,000, THE FIRST $25,000 OF THE BAND IS SUBJECT TO ALL COUNTY TAXATION.
THE SECOND $25,000 OF THE BAND IS SUBJECT TO ALL COUNTY TAXATION EXCEPT SCHOOLS. SO THEY APPLY THEIR MILLAGE TO THE SECOND $25,000. SO ON ROUGHLY 90,000 HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES IN THE COUNTY, ONE OTHER SLIGHT EFFECT ON THAT IS THE SENIOR EXEMPTION IS ALSO TAXED FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES BUT EXEMPT FROM -- SORRY, EXEMPT FROM SCHOOL -- I SAID IT WRONG.
EXEMPT FROM SCHOOL TAXES. YOU GET MY DRIFT.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF EDDIE RIGHT IS NOW?
>> OKAY, GOOD. THE LAST TIME THAT COUNTIES -- JUST BRIEFLY, THE LAST TIME COUNTIES GOT CAUGHT IN A TIME TRENDING TRACT WAS IN 2008. LIKE WILEY COYOTE CHASING THE ROAD RUNNER THE OTHER WAY AS PRICES DROPPED DRAMATICALLY.
I WILL MOVE ON TO THE BUDGET PRESENTATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU SOME PERSPECTIVE IN THE BUDGET PRESENTATION WHERE WE STARTED AND WHERE WE HAVE GONE OVER TIME. THIS IS MY SIXTH BUDGET THAT I PRESENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.
2016, '17, $5.5 MILLION TOTAL THIS YEAR A $6.3 MILLION TOTAL EX-CAPITAL EXPENDITURE. THAT IS A -- A 14% INCREASE OVER SIX YEARS, ABOUT 2.3% AVERAGE PER YEAR AS WE TRY TO MAINTAIN OUR BUDGETS WITHIN THE COST OF LIVING.
I WILL TELL YOU, THIS YEAR'S BUDGET GOING FROM 5.9 TO 6.3 IS A 7.6% INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND HALF OF INCREASE IN BUDGETING HAS OCCURRED THIS YEAR.
THAT INCREASE IN BUDGETING IS DRIVEN A LOT -- INCREASING AMOUNT IS DRIVEN BY THINGS YOU ALREADY KNOW.
AN INCREASE IN HEALTH INSURANCE COST.
INCREASE IN FRS RETIREMENT. SALARY INCREASE THIS YEAR.
BUT FOR OUR OFFICE, ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE THAT WE ARE UTILIZING. YOU ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE MEDIA STREET LEVEL IMAGERY THAT WE DO FOR THE COUNTY.
IT HAS BEEN OVER TWO YEARS SINCE THAT WAS DONE.
SO THIS YEAR WILL BE ANOTHER DRIVE OF OUR COUNTY TO CATCH THE DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
[00:55:04]
WE HAVE EXPAND A PROGRAM CALLED "CO-STAR" A COMMERCIAL LISTING SERVICE FOR MULTIPLE PROPERTIES TO FIND OUT WHAT IS SELLING IN OUR MARKET. ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT WE ADD THIS YEAR THAT OUR COMMERCIAL STAFF TELLS US IS A CHAIRMAN CHANGER FOR WHAT THEY DO. THE PROGRAM IS CALLED SHREP.AND WE ADD MORE AND MORE BUSINESSES LIKE BUCKY'S AND COSTCO. SOMETIMES THOSE OWNERS NOT VERY FORTH COME PROVIDING US THE INCOME INFORMATION.
WHAT TREP DOES IS ACCESS TO THE MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES MARKET. NOT THAT WE ARE GOING TO INVEST IN MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES, BUT MOST OF THESE LARGE PROJECTS ARE FINANCED AND THOSE LOANS ARE SOLD IN THE SECONDARY MARKET.
THEY ARE PUT IN A COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITY, THAT IS PUBLIC INFORMATION. WE ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN THAT TO ESTABLISH INCOME RATES, COST RATES, COST RATES, AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND EVEN APPRAISAL AMOUNTS FOR THE NEW BUSINESSES. WE ADD THAT SOFTWARE.
WE UPDATED OUR CORE LOGIC AND MARSHAL AND SWIFT THAT GIVES US COST. COST IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. WE ASSESS ON A MARKET BASIS BUT JUSTIFY WITH COST.
AS THE COST OF BUILDING MATERIALS COME UP, WE DON'T HAVE EASY ACCESS BUT PROGRAMS LIKE CORE STAR AND CORE LOGIC, WE PUT THAT BACK IN. BEGAN WITH 52 FTES.
COST TO ASSESS A PAR THEY WILL FROM $39.70 TODAY 39.34.
SO IT STAYED STAEBL WHICH IS WHAT I WOULD LOOK FOR FOR.
AND OUR PARCELS PER EMPLOYEE OR STAFF MEMBER FROM TO 725 WHICH IS A NUMBER WE WANT TO SEE THAT CONTINUES TO JUSTIFY EFFICIENCIES THAT WE HAVE REALIZED IN THE OFFICE.
THAT IS OUR BUDGET REQUEST FOR THIS YEAR.
I WILL TELL YOU WE WILL BE MAKING A SLIGHT CHANGE TO THE BUDGET WHEN WE SUBMIT AGAIN TO THE DOR.
THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF OUR SENIOR APPRAISERS PASSED AWAY TWO WEEKS AGO AT 52 YEARS OLD AND BEEN WITH OUR OFFICE FOR 16 YEARS. WHILE WE HAVE NOT BUDGETED FOR NEW STAFF IN THAT AREA, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SERIOUSLY LOOK AT WHO WE BRING IN AS TRAINEES TO FILL THAT SPOT.
SO THE MOST THAT WOULD BE WOULD BE TWO PEOPLE AND AN INCREASE IN TOTAL COST OF ABOUT $150,000. SO IF WE DESEED TO GO THAT DIRECTION. SO QUESTIONS ON THE BUDGET AMOUNT? SO GUILT TO THE BIG ITEM, AND THAT IS THE REQUEST TO UPDATE OUR COMPUTER-ASSISTED MASS APPRAISAL SYSTEM. OUR CORE SYSTEM.
THE OFFICE HAS OPERATED ON THE CAMA SOFTWARE FOR 15 YEARS.
WE HAVE SQUEEZE $ALL THE GOOD OUT OF THAT SYSTEM.
WE HAVE PATCHED IT. WE HAVE CHANGED IT.
BUT THERE IS REALLY NOT MUCH MORE WE CAN DO WITH THAT AT THIS POINT. IT IS NO LONGER ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE VENDOR WHICH AFFECTS US WHEN WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES. SO WE ACCEPTED OUT. RFQS TO VENDOR THAT'S DO THIS TYPE OF SOFTWARE AND POSTED THE RFQS TO OUR WEB SITE. WE RECEIVED FOUR RESPONSES FROM THE RFOS. GSA, PATRIOT, VISION, AND TYLER TECHNOLOGIES. WE DEMONSTRATIONS. AND WE SELECTED TYLER TECHNOLOGIES AS THE WINNING BID FOR OUR CAMA SYSTEM UPDATE.
THE PRICE ON TYLER TECHNOLOGIES IS $1,499,893.
THAT NUMBER STARTED CLOSER TO $2 MILLION AND WHERE HE WE ENDED UP WITH IT. I AM LOOKING FOR CONFIDENCE THIS SYSTEM IS CARRY US FOR SOME TIME INTO THE FUTURE.
I WON'T MAKE ANY GUARANTEES OF A TIME FRAME ON THAT.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT TYLER TECHNOLOGIES DOES ASSESSMENT SOFTWARE FOR CHICAGO AND NEW YORK.
SO WE BELIEVE THEY ARE SCALABLE. SO RIGHT NOW, WE PLAN IN JUNE OF 2023 TO SUBMIT DUAL TAX ROLLS. SMET ONE ON OUR EXISTING SYSTEM AND ONE ON TYLER. IF TYLER PASSES MUSTER, THEN WE WILL GO LIVE OCTOBER 1, 2023 ON THE TYLER TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM.
THIS IS NEW FOR OUR OFFICE, IN AS MUCH AS THERE IS NO HARDWARE PURCHASED FOR TYLER TECHNOLOGIES.
THIS IS SOFTWARE AS A SER SERVICE, SAS.
WE ARE BASICALLY BUYING ACCESS OF THE SOFT WEAR, OWNERSHIP OF THE SOFTWARE, AND IT WILL BE HOSTED IN THE CLOUD AT AMAZON
[01:00:03]
WEB SERVICES WITH BACK-UP. SO REDUNDANCY WILL BE IN PLACE.NO HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS IN OUR OFFICE.
NO MAJOR CONCERN OF DISASTER RECOVERY.
AND BASICALLY, OUR STAFF WILL THEN BE ABLE TO WORK FROM ANYWHERE THEY HAVE INTERNET ACCESS TO ACCESS THIS SYSTEM.
IS OUTSIDE OF TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, THE NEXT THING I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU VERY BRIEFLY, WHAT OUR OFFICE DOES IS GOVERNED BY THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION STATE STATUTES AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.
HOW OUR OFFICE DOES IT IS GOVERNED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSING OFFICERS, IAAO.
THEY LOOK AT METHODOLOGY, THEY CERTIFY OUR STAFF, THEY PROVIDE OUR ETHICS, ETC. IAAO HAS CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE AND MANAGEMENT. CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE RECOGNIZES JURISDICTION THAT'S UTILIZE BEST APPRAISAL AND ASSESSMENT PRACTICES IN THEIR OFFICES.
SINCE THE PROGRAM IS DIRECTED AT ENTIRE JURISDICTIONS RATHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL, THE REQUIREMENTS PLACE A STRONG EMPHASIS ON TEAMWORK AND GROUP ACHIEVEMENT. JURISDICTIONS THAT EARN THIS DESIGNATION WILL DEMONSTRATE A HIGH LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY AND APPRAISAL DISCIPLINE TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND PEERS.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY WAS AWARDED THE CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATION. ONE OF 16 COUNTIES OUT OF 67 IN FLORIDA TO EARN THIS AND ONE OF 57 COUNTIES IN THE UNITED STATES TO EARN THIS DESIGNATION. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY SENIOR STAFF TO STAND UP. THEY JOINED ME BEHIND ME.
NICKY PONTELO, BRANDYUEMSTETS, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY.
CHART TEE IS OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
KEVIN HANEY IS OUR CHIEF APPRAISER.
AND CHERYL REESE IS OUR HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER AND HAS BEEN MY RIGHT HAND FOR 26 YEARS. SO WE EARNED THIS AND IN OUR OFFICE BECAUSE OF THE STAFF HERE.
I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THEM.
AND I WILL STOP AND.ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU YOU HAVE.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: I HAVE A COMMENT.
HOW MANY NATIONWIDE DID YOU RECEIVE, 57 --
>> WE ARE THE 57TH -- 57TH JURISDICTION NATIONWIDE.
>> FOR THE RECORD 3100 COUNTIES IN THE NATION.
SO THAT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE. >> THIS IS A VERY IMPRESSIVE DESIGNATION. NOT EASY TO GET.
WE WILL HAVE TO RECERTIFY EVERY FIVE YEARS TO KEEP IT.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF EDDIE?
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: QUESTION, MAYBE MORE OF A COMMENT. JUST REMARKABLE AND I KNOW I EXPRESSED THIS TO YOU PRIVATELY BUT I WANT TO EXPRESS THIS PUBLICLY. I REMAIN IMPRESSED THAT YOU CAN OPERATE WITH SIX LESS FTES THAT YOU WERE OPERATE WITH SIX YEARS AGO AND $5.5 MILLION BUDGET ALTHOUGH ON PAPER LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE SPENDING MONEY WITH A $6.3 MILLION BUDGET, BUT ACCORDING TO THE INFLATION CALCULATOR THAT CAME UP AT THE TOP OF GOOGLE WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS, YOU ARE OPERATING WITH LESS BUYING POWER ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION. $5.5 MILLION IN 2016 IS ADJUSTED TODAY 6.8 MILLION IN 2022 DOLLARS.
SO JUST REMARKABLE THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO OPERATE AN OFFICE WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.
A CREDIT TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF. AND ANYTHING YOU CAN TEACH ANYBODY ABOUT OPERATE WITH ALL THE GROWTH WE HAVE, WITH ALL THE RESPONSIBILITIES WE HAVE IN KEEPING UP WITH THAT GROWTH, WITH LESS STAFF AND LESS REAL SPENDING POWER WOULD CERTAINLY BE APPRECIATED. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP AND LEADERSHIP IN BEING RESPONSIBLE WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THANK YOU, MR. CREAMER.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THANK YOU, EDDIE.
ANYTHING ELSE FOR EDDIE? OKAY.
UNDER ITEM 1. ARE YOU GOING TO INTRODUCE VICKI
OR WANT ME TOO? >> I WALKED UP HERE SO --
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: LET ME INTRODUCE VICKY.
LET ME INTRODUCE VICKY BECAUSE SHE IS KIND OF SPECIAL.
WE HAVE FIVE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND SHE IS NUMBER ONE IN MY HEART. I WANT VICKY TO KNOW THAT.
AND SHE IS A WONDERFUL LADY AND DOES A GREAT JOB AND RUNS OUR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE BASICALLY PERFECTLY.
WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT GO ON NATIONALLY OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WITH ALL THESE SUGGESTIONS AND ACCUSATIONS OF ILLEGAL VOTING AND YADA YADA YADA, VICKY ALWAYS GETS THE BLUE
[01:05:03]
RIBBON FOR RUNNING THE TIGHTEST SHIP IN THE STATE.SO WITH THAT, VICKY, WELCOME. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN.
I APPRECIATE YOUR KIND WORDS, COMMISSIONERS.
GOOD TO BE WITH YOU THIS MORNING.
I PROVIDED FOR YOU A VERY DETAILED BUDGET PUBLICATION ON WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE FOR THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS HIGHLIGHT SOME OF OUR WORK AS WE MOVE AHEAD TOWARD THIS ELECTION. AS WE ALL KNOW KNOW, WE HAVE NEW VOTING DISTRICTS, NEW PRECINCT LINES, NEW POLLING PLACE WITH THE WORK THAT WE DONE, WITH THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS AS A RESULT OF THE 2020 CENSUS. AND THERE IS ALSO THE ELECTION INFORMATION. THIS IS A PUBLICATION THAT MY OFFICE DID. 2022, OUR CITIZENS GUIDE.
DID YOU ALL RECEIVE YOURS IN THE MAIL? THIS PUBLICATION WENT TO 126,150 RESIDENCES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
THIS IS AN EFFORT FROM MY OFFICE TO EDUCATE OUR CITIZENS ABOUT OUR PROCESSES, ABOUT THE UPCOMING ELECTION AND WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW. IT HAS BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED.
IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE. SO AS A RESULT OF OUR NEW VOTING DISTRICTS, NEW PRECINCTS AND SOME NEW POLLING LOCATIONS, WR MAILING VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS TO EVERY VOTE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. OUR DATE OF FILE GOES OUT TO OUR VENDOR AND LATER THIS WEEK, I WILL HAVE A DEFINITE MAIL DATE FOR OUR CARDS TO BEGIN MAILING. SO WHEN I HAVE THE DEFINITE MAIL DATE, THEN I WILL BE ABLE TO PUSH OUT THE INFORMATION TO LET VOTERS KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT THEIR CARDS.
KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED HOPE THAT WILL BE NEXT WEEK, BUT WE WILL LET EVERYBODY KNOW. SO PLEASE STAY TUNED.
ONE VERY IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE OFFICE THAT WE DO IS LIST MAINTENANCE. THAT IS TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY O OUR VOTER ROLLS. MY STAFF HAS BEEN VERY BUSY THE LAST 18 MONTHS. WE HAVE TAKEN EVERY ADVANTAGE OF CURRENT LAW TO SEND VOTERS NOTICES, ASKING THEM TO UPDATE THEIR INFORMATION AS YOU WILL SEE IN '21.
WE MAILED OVER 34,000 NOTICES AND REMOVED FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY VOTER ROLLS OVER 12,000 VOTERS.
NOW WHAT YOU HEAR A LOT IS PEOPLE MOVING INTO TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY, BUT WE DON'T HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVING OUT OF ST.
JOHNS COUNTY. IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS, JANUARY 1 THROUGHOUT END OF MAY WITH THE ASSISTANCE AND PART OF THE LIST MAINTENANCE PROCESSES IS, WE SEND OUR VOTER ROLLS OUT, MATCH THEM WITH NATIONAL CHANGE OF ADDRESS INFORMATION, THEY GIVE INFORMATION BACK WHEN VOTER HAVE MOVED WITHIN THE COUNTY, WITHIN THE STATE, AND OUTSIDE OF THE STATE.
AND WE SEND THEM NOTICES. WE ALSO, LAST YEAR, BEGAN RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM A CONSORTIUM OF STATES, 32 STATES THIS PLUS D.C. THAT SHARE VOTESER INFORMATION.
WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE THAT INFORMATION WE RECEIVED OF ST.
JOHNS COUNTY VOTER WHO REGISTERED TO VOTE IN OTHER STATES. PUT IT IN OUR LIST MAINTENANCE PROCESS, SENT THEM NOTICES, RECEIVED RESPONSES, AND REMOVED THEM FROM OUR VOTER ROLLS. FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS COUNTY, WE HAVE REMOVED 69,014 REGISTERED VOTERS FROM OUR VOTER ROLLS. NUMBER ONE REASON, PEOPLE ARE MOVING. TO OTHER COUNTIES AND TO OTHER STATES. SO THE REASON WE MOVED VOTERS TO THE INACTIVE LIST IS BECAUSE WE SEND THEM NOTICES.
WE HAVE GOTTEN INFORMATION THEY HAVE MOVED.
WE SEND THEM NOTICES. AND THEY DON'T RESPOND TO US.
THAT ALLOWS US TO BEGIN PUTTING THEM ON THE PATH TO WORKING THEM OFF OF OUR VOTER ROLLS EVENTUALLY.
SO MY STAFF HAS BEEN VERY -- WE HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY THE LAST 18 MONTHS WORKING ON OUR VOTER ROLLS.
PREPARING THEM FOR THE 2022 ELECTION.
[01:10:01]
ANOTHER GREAT TOOL THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEPLOY THIS YEAR IS AN UPGRADE TO OUR GIS MAPPING SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES TRANSITIONING TO AN ADDRESS POINT SYSTEM.WHAT THAT ALLOWS FOR SPECIFICALLY IS IT PROHIBITS PEOPLE FROM REGISTERING AT A VACANT LOT, A POSTAL SERVICE WHERE THEY MIGHT GET THEIR MAIL. YOU ARE REQUIRED BY FLORIDA LAW HE UNLESS YOU ARE HOMELESS. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, TO BE REGISTERED AT A POST OFFICE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WE EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO AUDIT ALL OF OUR FILES, VOTERS, ANY VOTERS REGISTERED AT A COMMERCIAL ADDRESS. SENT THEM A CERTIFIED LETTER.
GAVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO UPDATE OR BE REMOVED FROM OUR VOTER ROLLS. SO FOR OUR OFFICE, IT HAS BEEN ABOUT PREPARING OUR VOTER ROLLS. GETTING THEM AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE GOING INTO THE 2022 ELECTIONS.
SO ANOTHER ITEMS WE HAVE ROLLED OUT THIS YEAR IS OUR COMMUNICATIONS PLAN. I KNOW OCCASIONALLY YOU ALL RECEIVE E-MAILS, BUT I WILL TELL YOU A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE THAT MY OFFICE AND MY STAFF DEAL WITH EVERY DAY, PLAYING OUT MISINFORMATION. WE HAVE DONE SOME THINGS, PUT SOME THINGS INTO PLACE. OUR CITIZEN'S GUIDE WAS ONE ITEM. THE MAILING THAT WE DID.
REALLY TRYING TO COMMUNICATE MORE, MORE OFTEN, ACCURATE INFORMATION TO OUR VOTERS SO THEY CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR PROCESSES. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT WE DID THIS YEAR WAS TO OPEN OUR DOORS AND INVITE PEOPLE IN.
AND INVITE THEM FOR A TOUR. AND TO GET THE FACTS ABOUT HOW ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND OUR PROCESSES.
VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THIS. WE EDUCATED A LOT OF PEOPLE.
THAT IS PART OF MY JOB, TO EDUCATE PEOPLE.
I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE THAT TOOK TIME TO COME T.
I AM KIND OF DISAPPOINTED THAT MORE PEOPLE DIDN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE CANDIDATE QUALIFYING ENDED ON FRIDAY, AND AS YOU KNOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PROGRAMMING FOR OUR ELECTION COMING UP, AUGUST PRIMARY.
WE HAD TO STOP OUR TOURS. WE ARE ON LOCKDOWN FOR SECURITY REASONS. WE ALSO DID A CANDIDATE WORKSHOP BASED ON ELECTIONS SECURITY. 30 CANDIDATES ATTEND.
GRATEFUL THEY TOOK THE TIME OUT OF THEIR SCHEDULES TO COME TAKE A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES AND LEARN ABOUT OUR PROCESSES.
VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. SO THE BUDGET I AM PRESENTING TODAY IS -- BEGINS OCTOBER 1 AND CONTAINS THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION. AND MY CURRENT BUDGET, IT IS THE AUGUST PRIMARY. THEY KIND OF GO HAND IN HAND BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE ELECTIONS OVERLAP.
AND IT ALWAYS IS THAT MY BUDGET IS BASED ON THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF ELECTIONS AND EXPECTED VOTER TURNOUT FOR EACH AND EVERY ELECTION. AND, OF COURSE, IT COST AS LITTLE MORE TO CONDUCT A GENERAL ELECTION THAN IT DOES A PRIMARY SIMPLY BECAUSE VOTER TURNOUT, BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF WORKERS, BECAUSE EARLY VOTING, WE HAVE MORE DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS. WE USE MORE WORKERS.
WE MAIL OUT MORE VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS.
WE HAVE MORE BALLOTS PRINTED. SO IT JUST COST AS LITTLE MORE TO PERFORM A GENERAL ELECTION. SO THIS IS WHAT MY -- I ACTUALLY HAVE TWO SEPARATE BUDGET OFFICE -- OPERATION BUDGET AND THEN THE ELECTIONS BUDGET. ON THE OFFICE SIDE, WE HAVE GOT A LITTLE INCREASE OF ABOUT 20%. I HAVE SOME UNFUNDED MANDATES THIS YEAR FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
AND I HAVE TO HIRE SOMEONE TO ACTUALLY WORK ON THE NEW PROCESSES SPECIFICALLY. AND BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH AS WELL. THE ELECTIONS BUDGET IS DOWN A LITTLE BIT, ABOUT 10%. THE REASON IT IS DOWN IS BECAUSE IN CURRENT BUDGET, I HAVE SOME CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS.
THE NEW TABULATORS AND NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAD TO PURCHASE BECAUSE OF OUR REDISTRICTING IN OUR NEW PRECINCT AND POLLING LOCATION. OVERALL A 9% INCREASE WITH MY SMALL BUDGET AMOUNTS TODAY 270,000.
AND THEN OCCASIONALLY WE GET GRANT FUNDING.
AND SOMETIMES IT IS PRETTY UNEXPECTED FUNDS.
[01:15:03]
SO FAR WE HAVE -- THIS YEAR WE HAVE RECEIVED A LITTLE OVER $40,000 IN SECURITY GRANTS FROM THE STATE.WHEN WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES, WE APPLY FOR GRANTS.
A LOT OF TIME IT IS REIMBURSEMENT FOR MONIES SPENT THAT COME BACK DIRECTLY TO THE COUNTY.
SO WITH THAT, CHAIRMAN, I WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY QUESTIONS ON THE COMMISSION FROM THE BUDGET. VICKY'S BUDGET?
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THESE OFFICES I THINK ARE VERY IMPORTANT. MRS. OAKS.
YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL OF THE SERVICES TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
STRIKING THAT YOU WORKED OUT OF THE SAME BUILDING SINCE 1996.
THE POPULATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY WAS 107,000 PEOPLE.
AND I UNDERSTAND NEW LEGISLATION THAT ALLOW CANDIDATES OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES COME IN AND FILTER THROUGH.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT PROCESS TO ME AND WHY THE LIMITATIONS OF SPACE LAB CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS YEAR MORE THAN YEARS PAST WITH THE NEW LEGISLATION THAT RECENTLY PASSED IN TALLAHASSEE?
>> YES, THANK YOU. SENATE BILL 90 AND 524 HAVE GREATLY AFFECTED OUR PROCESSES. WHAT IT BASICALLY HAS DONE, OUR PROCESS -- OUR PROCESS HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT. THE NEW LEGISLATION ALLOWS CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES NOW TO HAVE ACCESS TO VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS, SIGNATURES, VOTER SIGNATURES BY REQUEST. DURING THE CANVASSING BOARD PROCESS, ALLOWS CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE TO BE ABLE TO VIEW THE BALLOT DUPLICATION PROCESS.
AND IN CLOAK PROXIMITY THEY CAN SEE THE BALLOT BEING DUPLICATED.
AND THE THIRD THING IS, CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES NOW CAN WATCH DIRECTLY BEHIND US AS OUR CANVASSING BOARD INDIVIDUALLY CHECKS SIGNATURES AS WE MAKE DECISIONS.
THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO VIEW. AND WHAT I WILL TELL YOU FOR OUR AUGUST PRIMARY ELECTION, I HAVE 45 CANDIDATES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT. FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, I HAVE 85. POTENTIAL CANDIDATES.
THEY WON'T ALL COME AND WON'T DESIGNATE SOMEBODY.
I WELCOME THEM TO COME AND SEE AND EDUCATE OURSELVES ON PROCESSES AND SEE HOW OPEN AND TRANSPARENT OUR ELECTIONS ARE.
THAT IS A CHALLENGE FOR US BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF KEEPING THE BALLOTS SECURED AND NOT HAVING ANY
INTERFERENCE YOU. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK YOU, MISS OAKES. YOU HAVE A FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN. CHAIRMAN BLOCKER -- WHEN HE WAS CHAIRMAN LAST YEAR HELD A MEET WITH ALL CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS TO DISCUSS THE NEED FOR EXPANSION OF SOME OF THESE OFFICES MOVING FORWARD. I WANT TO YOU KNOW AND STATE PUBLICLY, I WILL BE A PARTNER FINDING WHATEVER RESOURCES BECAUSE ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU NOT BE WORKING FOR AN OFFICE ACCOMMODATING 100,000 PEOPLE AND 300,000 PEOPLE AND GROWING. I WANT TO STATE THAT PUBLICLY AS YOU MAIN MAIN MORE TRANSPARENT FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY IN ST.
JOHNS COUNTY. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY QUESTIONS? ON THE BUDGET.
WE WILL SLIDE INTO THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN NEXT.
THAT WAS JUST ON THE BUDGET. ARE YOU READY TO TALK ABOUT THE
A YEAR AGO. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP WHEN I SPOKE TO AND ADDRESSED THE COMMISSION, I SAID OUT OF SPACE. 14 YEARS NOW AND A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN. WE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS.
CLERK PATTY THAT VACATED HIS WAREHOUSE WHICH IS ADJACENT TO MINE AND ALLOW US ON-SITE FOR OUR CURRENT WAREHOUSE TO DOUBLE IN SIZE. WHAT THAT AMOUNTED TO WAS -- I WAS FACED A DECISION BECAUSE I EITHER HAD TO MOVE OUR WAREHOUSE OPERATION OFFSITE AND HAVE IT IN ANOTHER LOCATION THAT I WAS NOT VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THAT ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN OUR OFFICE.
THE SECURITY OF OUR VOTING SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES ALL IN ONE
[01:20:02]
PLACE. IT WAS VERY HELPFUL AND I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE THAT HE SHARED THE SPACE WITH US WHEN HE NO LONGER NEEDED IT. WE HAVE DONE A FEW INTERNAL THINGS TO BE ABLE TO REARRANGE OUR CURRENT SPACE BUT I STILL HAVE SOME ONGOING NEEDS. SOME CRITICAL NEEDS THAT BEFORE OUR 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION REALLY DO NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.MY CURRENT OFFICE, IT IS SPACE FOR THE CANVASSING BOARD.
SIMPLY BECAUSE OF NEW LAW THAT'S WE HAVE IN PLACE NOW AND WHAT I WILL ALSO TELL YOU THAT I LEARNED.
I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU SAW IT THAT OUR SECRETARY OF STATE VISITED OUR OFFICE THIS PAST WEEK.
VERY HONOR TO HAVE HIM COME AND VISIT OUR OFFICE.
HE SHARED WITH ME THERE IS THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE LEGISLATION COMING DOWN THE PIKE. WE ARE UNDER SCRUTINY LIKE WE HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE. AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR THE PUBLIC AND THE CANDIDATES IN THE ROLES THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO BE TO VIEW OUR PROCESSES BECAUSE OUR ELECTIONS IN FLORIDA ARE VERY OPEN AND THEY ARE VERY TRANSPARENT. SO HERE IS WHAT MY STAFF LOOKS LIKE TODAY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
AND 230,000 REGISTERED VOTERS. THAT IS WHAT MY STAFF LOOKS LIKE TO TODAY.
HERE IS A LITTLE PEEK AT -- AND THE REASON WE PUT OUR FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TOGETHER. I TOLD YOU LAST YEAR I HAVE OUTGROWN MY SPACE. I AM IN SERIOUS NEED OF SPACE.
PUBLIC REST ROOMS, ADDITIONAL PARKING.
LOOK WHAT MY WORKFORCE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN TWO YEARS.
I HAVE GOT TO ADD OVER 100 POLL WORKER WITH THE ANTICIPATED GROWTH JUST IN PREPARATION FOR THE 2024 ELECTION.
I NEED SPACE TO TRAIN THOSE WORKERS.
AND LOOK AT '28. NOT LONG WHERE WE ARE GOING TO TURN AROUND AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE 300,000 REGISTERED VOTERS.
I NEED TO -- IT'S TIME TO PLAN LONG TERM FOR WHAT MY OFFICE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH OF THIS COUNTY AND WHAT IS AHEAD. AND I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP WITH THAT. ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS KNOWN FOR OUR VOTER TURNOUT. AND THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION, ST. JOHNS COUNTY, 85% VOTER TURNOUT, THIRD HIGHEST IN THE STATE. WE ARE KNOWN -- WE ARE USUALLY IN THE TOP SIX. SO I LOVE IT WHEN VOTERS TURN OUT AND THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE PROVIDE FOR THEM. THAT IS MY JOB.
TO EDUCATE THEM. I JUST NEED YOUR HELP.
WITH THAT, I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: QUESTIONS ON THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN.
VICKY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. AGAIN, WHAT A GREAT JOB THAT YOU AND YOUR STAFF DO FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THIS HAS BEEN A DISCUSSION FOR A REPORT ONLY ON ITEM 1 FROM BOTH THE PROPERTY APPRAISER AND THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS.
NO VOTE REQUIRED, BUT BECAUSE OF PTHE IMPORTANCE OF THESE TWO ISSUES, OUR PROPERTY TAXES AND OUR VOTING LAWS, I WANT TO ASK IF THERE IS ANY PUBLIC COMMENT EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO VOTE BECAUSE THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT ITEMS. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC MO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT.
LET'S HEAR THAT NOW. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPERTY
[2. Public Hearing * PUD 2022-01 202 0 State Road 1 6 PUD.]
APPRAISER BUDGET AND SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS BUDGET.ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 1.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THANK YOU, CHRISTIAN.
WE ARE READY FOR ITEM 2, ITEM 2 IS A QUASI JUDICIAL ITEM.
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: AID MEETING THURSDAY 2 P.M. WITH THOMAS INGRAM AND BETH MOORE WHO REPRESENT THE APPLICANT.
AT THIS TIME WE DISCUSSED THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, SOME OF THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS.
I THINK THAT'S IT. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN:
COMMISSIONER WALDRON. >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: YES, COMMISSIONER, I HAD THE SAME MEET THAT DAY AT 2:30 P.M. ON APRIL 7 WITH THOMAS INGRAM AND BETH MOORE.
AND WE DISCUSSED TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS OF THE AREA ON
16 AND THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ON APRIL 18 AT 2:00, I MET WITH TOM INGRAM AND BETH MOORE TO DISCUSS
[01:25:03]
SIMILAR ISSUES REGARDING THE HISTORY OF THIS PROPERTY, THE TO OLD, I GUESS, ATTRACTION, AMUSEMENT PARK THAT WAS IN DISREPAIR AND THE SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT AND QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY TRAFFIC ISSUE THAT'S MAY ARISE ON THIS PROJECT.SO WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, THURSDAY APRIL 7, 1:30.
MET WITH THOMAS INGRAM AND BETH MOORE.
WE DISCUSSED DETAILS OF THE PROJECT, THE LOCATION OF THE PROJECT, POTENTIAL TRAFFIC ISSUES, AND THE NEED FOR THESE SORT OF HOUSING OPTIONS IN THIS AREA.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.
>>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I HAD A MEETING THURSDAY APRIL 7 AT 1 P.M. WITH THOMAS INGRAM AND BETH MOORE. WE DISCUSSED MANY OF THE THINGS YOU BROUGHT UP. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, TRAFFIC PATTERN, SAFETY CONCERNS, WORKFORCE HOUSING.
THAT'S IT. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: OKAY, THANK YOU. IS THE APPLICANT HERE TO PRESENT? GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, TOM INGRAM 233 EAST BAY STREET, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING ARLINGTON PROPERTIES, CONCERNING A PROPOSED MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT ON 18.54 ACRES.
THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE EAST OF I-95 ON STAYED ROAD 16.
IT IS IN AN AREA THAT IS DESIGNATED FOR MIXED USES AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPERTY, THE SURROUNDING USES, ARLINGTON PROPERTIES, WHO THEY ARE, THE PROPOSED APARTMENTS, AND THEN WE WILL FINISH ON WHY APARTMENTS HERE AND WHAT ARE THE TRAFFIC IMPACTS BECAUSE THAT IS A COMMON CONCERN.
WE CAN GO INTO A DEEP DIVE ON THE TRAFFIC IMPACTS WHICH IS NOT MY FAVORITE, BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING FOR PEOPLE. AND THERE IS -- THERE IS A -- THERE IS A SORE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL MULTIFAMILY IN THE AREA. I BELIEVE THERE IS ONE NEW APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT COMING ONLINE THIS YEAR WITHIN TEN MILES OF THIS SITE WHICH SEEMS REALLY OUT OF -- OUT OF SYNC WITH POPULATION AND WORKFORCE WE HAVE SEEN IN THE AREA.
SO WITH ME TODAY IS DAVE ELLIS AND STRINGER OF ARLINGTON PROPERTIES BASED IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.
WITH ME IS BETH MOORE OF OUR OFFICE.
ARLINGTON PROPERTIES IS HEADQUARTERED IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA. IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 50 YEARS.
THEY DEVELOPED 30,000 UNITS AND OVER 1.2 BILLION IN DEVELOPMENT SINCE 2010. THEY CURRENTLY MANAGE OVER 16,000 UNITS IN 14 STATES INCLUDING -- THEY HAVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE JACKSONVILLE MSA.
SO THERE HAVE BEEN TEN DEVELOPMENTS IN THE JACKSONVILLE MSA, MOST RECENT BEING TAPESTRY WEST LANDS VILLAGE IN WEST JACKSONVILLE NEAR 295.
CANOPY AT BELLFORD, AND HAWTHORNE.OVER BY THE TINSELTOWN DEVELOPMENT. IF YOU HAVE SEEN THAT MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT DONE IN THE YEAR 2000.
THAT WAS THEIRS. THE LOCATION HERE IS SHOWN -- IT IS AT 16 ON 95, THE EAST SIDE OF 95 WHICH IS A DIVIDED FOUR-LANE ROAD AND IT IS CLOSE TO INMAN ROADS.
.2 MILES EAST OF INMAN. THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE.
THE NEAREST GROCERY STORE IS PUBLIX AT MISSION OPERATION, SIX MILES BY CAR WHICH IS LOCATED STATE ROAD 16 AND HOLMES ROAD.
THERE IS ANOTHER LOCATION MAP TO SHOW THE AREAS.
THE LIGHT GREEN TO THE NORTH IS PART OF THE 12 MILE SWAMP CONSERVATION AREA THAT CHAIRMAN DEAN WORKED ON SOME YEARS AGO WHICH IS PART OF 20,000-ACRE CONSERVATION EFFORT THAT WAS DONE IN THE LATE 2000S -- LATE '90S, EARLY 2000S.
AND ONCE AGAIN, HERE IS AN AERIAL.
TO THE -- TO THE EAST AND WEST OF THIS SITE, SO ADJACENT TO THE WEST IS A GERBER COLLISION AND GLASS REPAIR SHOP.
A SMALL USED CAR DEALER AND AUTO REPAIR -- CAN EVERYBODY HERE ME OKAY, MCFERRIN AUTO SALES AND AUTO SERVICE.
FURTHER TO THE EASTAG PRO THAT SELL LAWN EQUIPMENT.
BOJANGLES, COURTYARD BY MARE I DON'T THE, ST. AUGUSTINE, A PSYCHIC AND ATLANTIC SELF-STORAGE.
ON THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE, TO THE SOUTH OF THE SITE IS THE OLD TOWN VILLAGES CONDOMINIUMS WHICH ARE THREE-STORY BUILDINGS.
[01:30:06]
NINE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WITH AN AMENITY CENTER.FIVE HOMESITES TO THE SOUTH WHICH ARE A BIT HARD TO SEE, BUT THEY ARE IN THAT AREA. YOU ALSO HAVE THE ST. AUGUSTINE CENTRE DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS THERE TO THE NORTHWEST OF THE SITE, WHICH CONTAINS OVER 600 MULTI FAMILY DWELLINGS AND WAS RECENTLY APPROVED FOR 200 MORE DWELLINGS AT THE SITE OF THE FORMER OUTLET MALL THAT IS EITHER IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DEMOLISHED OR WILL BE IMMINENTLY.
TO THE EAST WHERE THAT IS SHOWN AS CONDOS, A DEVELOPMENT CALLED SEBASTIAN COVE DEVELOPED BY DR HORTON.
IN THE MID 2000S. INCLUDED IN THAT IS SINGLE FAMILY AND CONDOMINIUM ARE, INCLUDE APPROXIMATELY 356 HOMES IN 28 ACRES. IT WAS KNOWN AT THE LOTS OF AT SEBASTIAN COVE. AN OVERVIEW OF THE SITE.
YOU ARE PROBABLY PRETTY FAMILIAR WITH IT.
AND WHAT AM I LOOKING AT HERE. A MAP TO GIVE YOU ORIENTATION AS TO WHAT IS IN THE AREA. I DID WANT TO TOUCH ON THIS.
THERE ARE SEVERAL EMPLOYMENT CENTERS BEYOND JUST THE SERVICE THAT IS SHOWN, BUT YOU HAVE IDEAL ALUMINIUM, BURKHART DISTRIBUTION, YOU HAVE THEARKC, AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS TO THE SOUTHWEST THAT INCLUDE MORE SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYERS AND I WILL TOUCH ON THAT LATER. THE PROPOSED ZONING HAS A MIX OF OPEN RURAL, COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE AND COMMERCIAL GENERAL.
THE COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE AND COMMERCIAL GENERAL ALLOW FOR A VARIETY OF COMMERCIAL USES, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, THAT SORT OF THING. THE APPROXIMATELY IS TO DO IT AS A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OR CUSTOM FOR 240 UNITS ON 18.45 ACRES. HERE IS A ZONING MAP JUST SHOW THE AREA. HISTORICALLY, THIS HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AS COMMERCIAL IN A COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MULTIFAMILY THAT I TALKED ABOUT THE HUNDREDS AND ST. AUGUSTINE CENTRE AND SEBASTIAN COVE AND OLD TOWN VILLAGE. HERE IS THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP.
A MIXED USE DISTRICT. THIS GENERAL AREA HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS MIXED USE ESSENTIALLY SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UNDER THE 1985 GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT AND TO THE EAST IS RESIDENTIAL B AND TO THE NORTH I IS SILIVICULTURE OWNED BY THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS.
OUTSIDE THE FLOOD ZONE, NOT 100 OR 500 BUT BEYOND.
AND 1.5 ACRES OF WETLANDS, TOTAL OF WHICH.37 ACRE IS A POND.
1.21 ACRES OF WETLANDS. PROPOSING TO IMPACT THAT AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT. SO THIS IS -- THIS IS JUST THE OVERALL SUMMARY ABOUT THE PRO PROPERTY. HERE IS A SITE PLAN.
AND I HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT IS A LITTLE EASIER TO SEE ON A FOLLOWING SLIDE, BUT A MIX OF TWO AND THREE-STORY MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS TOGETHER WITH A CENTRALIZED AMENITY CENTER WITH I WOULD INCLUDE A POOL AND OTHER AMENITIES.
THE POND -- THE PONDS ARE -- THERE ARE TWO OF THE PONDS THAT ARE LOCATED ALONG THE ROAD FRONTAGE.
AND JUST FOR COMMIS COMMISSIONER WALDRON, NO REQUEST TO REDUCE PARKING RATIOS. IT DOES PROVIDE FOR PARKING PER THE CODE. THERE IS CURRENTLY AN ACCESS EASEMENT TO THE 12-MILE SWAMP PROPERTY THAT IS, IN THEORY, USABLE FOR TIMBER. IT HAS NOT BEEN OPENED OR USED.
THE RAINIER USE AS DIFFERENT ACCESS ROUTE.
W ARE IN DISCUSSION WITH THEM TO RELOCATE THAT EASEMENT TO IT THE FAR WEST SIDE THROUGH THE PARKING AREA.
AND WE ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT WILL GO THROUGH.
IT IS NOT DONE YET, BUT WE THINK THAT WILL WORK.
IF FOR SOME REASON THAT DOESN'T WORK, WE WILL HAVE TO WORK AROUND THAT EASEMENTS IN OUR SITE PLANNING.
I WANTED TO SHOW YOU SOME EXAMPLES OF ARLINGTON PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT. THIS ONE IS IN GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA. BUT YOU KNOW THEY -- LIKE ANY OF THE MODERN MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENTS, THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SECURING A -- NEW TENANTS EVERY DAY.
THEY ARE ALWAYS HAVING TO SELL WHY PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO LIVE HERE. SO IT INCLUDES REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF LANDSCAPING. HAVING A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.
AND HAVING AMENITIES THAT PEOPLE EXPECT IN THE 2020S.
DAVE ELLIS SAID 20 YEARS AGO YOU COULDN'T HAVE AN APARTMENT COMPLEX WITHOUT A TENNIS COURT. NOW PEOPLE WANT TO SEE CO-WORKING SPACES. AND THEY WANT A PLACE TO WALK
[01:35:03]
THE DOG. AND THEY WANT A NICE FITNESS CE CENTER, THINGS LIKE THAT.AND THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE THOSE THINGS.
HERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE, AND THIS IS TYPICAL OF THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT ARLINGTON PROPERTY DOES. THEY HAVE BEEN WORK WITH THE SAME ARCHITECT FOR A WHILE AND PLAN TO USE THE SAME ARCHITECT FOR THIS PROJECT AS WELL. SO IN TERMS 80 MEN TEASE, AGAIN, THERE ARE THINGS THAT TENANTS -- THE AMENITIES.
AGAIN, THERE ARE THINGS THAT TENANTS EXPECT AND OPEN FLOORPLANS, BILLIARDS, PACKAGE CONCIERGE WHICH IS A FANCY WAY TO SAY A SECURE PLACE TO HAVE YOUR AMAZON PACKAGES DELIVERED RATHER THAN ON THE DOOR STEP. FITNESS STUDIO, POOL, WORK SPACE, LAWN FIRE PIT AND SO FORTH.
MORE EXAMPLES OF THE KIND OF AMENITIES THAT THEY PROVIDE.
AND THESE ARE TYPICAL OF THE CLUBHOUSES.
ONE THING THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IS HAVING A VERY HIGH-TECH FANCY COFFEE MACHINE WHICH IS VERY POPULAR.
I HAVE SEEN THEM AND THEY ARE GREAT.
THAT IS ANOTHER -- GO THROUGH THAT.
THIS IS SOME OF THE INTERIORS OF THE SPACE.
SO JUST TO TALK ABOUT THE DEMOGRAPHICS.
WHAT WE WANTED TO SHOW -- THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN THE TAPESTRY WEST LAND PARK PROJECT THE MOST RECENTLY IN THE JACKSONVILLE, MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME WAS $58,754.
COMPARE TO THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY CURRENT MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $77,000. AVERAGE AGE IN THE COUNTY 43.7.
AVERAGE AGE IN AT THAT POINT SEE IT WEST LAND IS 36.7.
MOST INTERESTINGLY, THAT 20.4% OF AT THAT POINT SEE IT WERE PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS, WORK IN SOME TYPE OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
ARLINGTON PROPERTIES HAVE A PRACTICE OF OFFERING DISCOUNTS TO TENNANTS THAT WORK WITH PREFERRED EMPLOYERS.
THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS NOT NEW OR UNIQUE FROM THIS PROPOSAL BUT SOMETHING THEY HAVE DONE IN MANY PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY.
BUT AS PART OF THEIR RESEARCH. THEY LOOKED INTO, YOU KNOW, WHAT SHOULD BE THE PREFERRED EMPLOYERS LIST.
AND THIS IS WHAT OUR THOUGHTS ARE AT THIS TIME.
SO SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, MILITARY, FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD, CARLISLE INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES, WHICH IS OVER ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE INTERCHANGE. BURKHART DISTRIBUTION COMPANY.
INMAN. IDEAL ALUMINIUM AND NORTH CRUMBMAN, A MAJOR EMPLOYER TO OUR AREA AND VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR ECONOMY. WHY APARTMENTS? AS YOU SAW IN YOUR PRESENTATION A FEW MINUTES AGO, HOME VALUE FROM SKY ROCKETED. 28.3% YEAR-OVER-YEAR IN THE COUNTY. MEDIAN HOME PRICE AT $558,700 AS OF MARCH 2022. 43% POPULATION INCREASE IN ST.
JOHNS COUNTY OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS.
THAT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
AND, ALSO, THANKFULLY, THE LABOR FORCE HAS INCREASED BY 38,900 JOBS IN FEBRUARY 2022 COMPARED TO FEBRUARY OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR. WE COMMISSIONED SOME WORK BY CO-STAR TO DO ANALYSIS IS THERE A NEED FOR APARTMENTS IN AT AREA, WOULD IT BE A GREAT INVESTMENT.
SIX APARTMENT COMMUNITIES BUILT IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY SINCE 2010, 1570 TOTAL IS 2.2% VACANCY RATE. TEN-YEAR AVERAGE IS 9% VACANCY COMPARED TO THE NATIONAL VACANCY OF 5.8%.
RENTS ARE GOING UP. SIMILARLY TO HOME PRICES WHICH ARE AT ABOUT 28%. 31.2% ANNUAL INCREASE OF RENT PER UNIT AND COMPARE TO 4.6% INCREASE OVER TEN YEARS.
SO WITH THAT, WE BELIEVE THERE IS A STRONG NEED FOR APARTMENTS.
THIS -- THIS PROJECT REPRESENTS ABOUT A -- LET ME GET MY NUMBER RIGHT. ABOUT A $72 MILLION INVESTMENT IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. SO ARLINGTON PROPERTIES STRONGLY BELIEVES THERE IS A NEED FOR APARTMENTS HERE.
AND WE BELIEVE THAT NOT ONLY IS THERE A NEED, BUT THERE IS A NEED FOR -- FOR PEOPLE WHO -- WHO WANT TO LIVE HERE, WHO HAVE JOBS HERE, WHO MAY NOT BE IN THE MARKET FOR A $$580,000 HOME.
SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW IF THEY WILL BE HERE PERMANENTLY.
MAYBE WORKING AT NORTHRUP-GRUMMAN AND THEN GET
[01:40:03]
TRANSFERRED TO MARYLAND. MANY PLACES AROUND THE WORLD THAT NORTHRUP WORKS. AND TO ENJOY ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND RELOCATE, AS NEEDED, FOR THEIR CAREERS.SO HERE -- NOW WE GET INTO THE FUN STUFF.
THE TRAFFIC. THIS MAP SHOWS THE FOUR-MILE STUDY AREA AROUND THE SITE. I DID WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WEST OF 95, WHICH HAS BEEN A REAL FOCUS OF THE COUNTY AND THEIR CONCERN. OUR TRAFFIC ANALYSIS AND DISTRIBUTION SHOWS A TOTAL OF 8 P.M. PEAK-HOUR TRIPS GOING WEST OF 95 ON 208 AND STATE ROAD 16. FOUR ON TO 16 AND FOUR ON TO 208. THE VAST, VAST MAJORITY OF ANY TRAFFIC IMPACTS ARE ON THE EAST OF I-95.
SO THERE ARE -- LET ME GET MY NOTES STRAIGHT HERE.
THERE WERE 29 ROAD LINKS IDENTIFIED AS BEING WITHIN THE FOUR-MILE -- THE FOUR-MILE RADIUS OF THIS PROJECT.
OF THOSE, THERE ARE THREE THAT ARE CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANTLY AND ADVERSELY IMPACTED. THE OTHERS EITHER HAVE CAPACITY OR THEY WERE JUST NOT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY THIS DEVELOPMENT. AND WE WILL GET INTO THAT.
SO THE FIRST OF THESE I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT FOUR MILE ROAD FROM HOLMES BOULEVARD TO STATE ROAD 16.
THERE ARE ABOUT 20 TRIPS. AND I AM NOT SURE WHY WE CAN'T SEE ALL OF THAT, BUT 20 TRIPS FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT GOING ON TO THAT ROAD. SO IT IS ABOUT 1.74% OF THE MEAN SERVICE VOLUME. WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT FOUR MILE ROAD, PART OF A NETWORK THAT THE COUNTY IS ACTIVELY WORKING TO IMPROVE. SO THE COUNTY HAS BEEN PLANNING FOR STATE ROAD 313 FOR SOME YEARS NOW.
THE RIGHT-OF-WAY WAS AFIVE-DAY FORECAST.
8 MILLION RECENTLY ALLOCATE THIS SPRING FOR DESIGN AND STATE ROAD 313 WAS DESIGNED AND ENVISIONED AS A SIX-LANE HIGHWAY WITH LIMITED ACCESS POINTS. AND PROVIDE A MAJOR NORTH-SOUTH CORRIDOR THAT WILL HELP TO ADDRESS THE CAPACITY ISSUES IN THIS AREA.. PROPORTIONATE SHARE ON THAT LINK IS 122,000. HERE IS THE STATE ROAD 312 EXTENSION. WE TALKED ABOUT IT.
IT IS ORIENTED. IT IS NORTH TO THE RIGHT, BUT IT DOES ASSIST WITH THIS. MY UNDER STAND THAT FOUR MILE ROAD AS PART OF THAT IMPROVEMENT WILL NOT CONNECT ANYMORE TO -- WOULD NOT CONNECT TO # 13. IT WOULD GO OVER AND UNDER IT TO HELP TRAFFIC FLOW. THE NEXT SEGMENT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS 93.1, 95 TO INMAN ROAD. CLOSEST LINK TO THE INTERCHANGE AND CONTRIBUTING 41 TRIPS. THAT AREA IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW BY FDOT TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH THE INTERCHANGE HANDS IT IS EXPECTED TO BE DONE BY 2024.
SO THERE IS -- YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT ONE OF THOSE CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE IS THERE IS NO HOPE IN SIGHT, IN OTHER WORDS.
AND OUR PROPORTIONATE SHARE ON THAT WAS 107,000.
AND HERE IS THE INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE BEING CONTEMPLATED BY FDOT. OKAY.
AND THEN FINALLY, THERE IS A SEGMENT OF STATE ROAD 16 EAST OF THE PROJECT FOUR BCC MILE FROM WOOD LAWN.
AREAS FOR STATE ROAD 313. I UNDERSTAND THAT WOODLAWN ROAD IS GOING TO SEE IMPROVEMENT TO TRAFFIC FLOW TO IMPROVE SOME OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THAT AREA AS WELL.
A ANDH. WALKER TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT. 175,668.
SO I -- IF I COULD GO TO THE OVERHEAD, BECAUSE I DO HAVE A REVISION TO THIS SLIDE. SO THIS IS -- THIS IS OUR
[01:45:05]
CURRENT ESTIMATE OF THE PROPORTIONATE SHARE.WE WERE ASKED TO DO AN ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS INTERSECTION TO SEE WHETHER WE HAD SIGNIFICANT AND ADVERSE IMPACT ON THOSE.
OUR ANALYSIS SHOW WE DO NOT ON ANY OF THEM.
WE HAVE NOT COMMITTED THAT TO THE COUNTY.
WE RECEIVED THE REQUEST. AND THE COUNTY STAFF WILL REVIEW IT. THE NUMBER ON THE FOUR MILE ROAD WAS A LITTLE LESS THAN WHAT I SHOWED EARLIER.
THE PROP SHARE WAS 76,000 IN THAT, AND DUE TO THE REVISION OF THE COST ESTIMATE BY FDOT. THE TOTAL PROP SHARE IS THE CURRENT ANALYSIS ON THIS. COMPARE THAT TO THE IMPACT FEE THAT'S WE PROJECT THAT WE WILL PAY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE REALM OF $1.8 MILLION. THE EXACT NUMBER DEPENDS ON THE SQUARE FOOTAGE MIX THAT WE ULTIMATELY DO, BUT FIVE TIMES THE CONCURRENCY. IF WE HAD THE CONCURRENCY TEST AND HOW WE IMPACT. WE ARE PAYING FIVE TIMES THAT IN IMPACT FEES. OUR PROJECTS HAVE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT ON THAT SCORE. THIS ONE IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE COMPARED TO WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE. IF I CAN GO BACK TO THE SLIDES.
WITH THAT, WHY APARTMENTS? WE BELIEVE THERE IS A STRONG NEED, IN FACT, ARLINGTON PROPERTIES WILL INVEST $70 MILLION IN THAT BELIEF. IN THE YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHICS YOU ARE SEEING A LOT OF POPULATION INCREASE OF YOUNG PEOPLE LOOK TO STAY HERE. I THINK THE ALTERNATIVE IS THAT PEOPLE ARE SIMPLY DRYING FARTHER TO GO TO WORK.
WE HAVE ALL EVEN IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND OUR SURROUNDING AREAS THAT THERE IS A STRUGGLE TO FILL OPEN POSITIONS.
THERE IS -- I KNOW THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS VOICED A CONCERN OF THE ABILITY OF DEPUTIES TO FIND SUITABLE HOUSING.
AND WE DID LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS BOTH FOR SHERIFFS -- FOR PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES. I DIDN'T HAVE THE SHERIFF DEPUTY NUMBERS BUT FOR TEACHERS AND FIRE AND EMS AND WE DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS WITHIN THE REALM OF AFFORDABILITY FOR TEACHERS AND FIRE, AND WE ARE WILLING TO DO A SMALL DISCOUNT.
I -- I HESITATE TO BRING THAT UP, BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T REGULATE RENTS. I MEAN, WE JUST DON'T.
BUT I WILL TELL THAT YOU ARLINGTON PROPERTIES HAVE DONE THIS HISTORICALLY IN OTHER PROJECTS AND THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT TO DO HERE AS WELL. THEY -- THERE IS A SIM BUY OWE SIS HERE THAT -- SIMBIOSIS. THEY WANT GREAT TENANTS AND THE TENANTS BENEFIT AS WELL. WE HAVE OUR TEAM HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF THEM. THANK YOU.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY. LET'S GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT ON
ITEM 2. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2. IF YOU WANT TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO PUBLIC COMMENT, WE ARE GOING TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I AM PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION. THIS IS IN DISTRICT 5.
AND I WILL MOVE TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2022 --PUD 2201 STATE ROADPUD BASED ON NINE FINDINGS OF FACTS AS PROVIDED IN THE
STAFF REPORT. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST:
SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION AND A SECOND ON ITEM 2. PLEASE VOTE.
AND THAT PASSES 4-1. LET ME JUST ADD A PERSONAL NOTE I DRIVE -- I DRIVE 16 IN THIS AREA AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. AND THAT -- THAT HAS BEEN A REAL -- WHAT CAN I SAY OTHER THAN EYESORE THERE, THAT DILAPIDATED WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN OLD ATTRACTION OF SOME KIND.
IT REALLY IS -- I MEAN, IT IS HEAVILY FILLED WITH WEEDS AND
[Items 3 & 4]
ABOUT READY TO COLLAPSE. AND I WAS REALLY PERSONALLY PLEASE TO SEE THIS PROJECT COME ONLINE.AND IT DOES BACK UP TO THE 12 MILE SWAMP.
WITH THAT SAID, GO TO ITEM 3. ITEM 3 AND 4.
4 IS A -- THEY ARE TOGETHER. 3 AND 4, AND 4 IS QUASI JUDICIAL. LET'S DO EX-PARTE EVEN TAKING NUMBER 3 UP. BUT ALSO NUMBER 4.
ANY EX-PARTE ON 4, COMMISSIONER. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I SPOKE BRIEFLY YESTERDAY TO MR. DOUG BURNETT. HE CALLED ME EARLY IN THE
[01:50:02]
MORNING. I CAUGHT HIM LATER IN THE AFTERNOON AROUND 5 P.M. WE SPOKE BRIEFLY OF THIS PROJECT.HE ASKED ME IF I HAD ANY SPECIFIC CONCERNS OR ISSUES.
I DID NOT. >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: YES.
ITS A CALL FROM DOUG BURNETT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
WE DID DISCUSS THE PROJECT AND THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDINGS.
AND I HAD NO OTHER CONCERNS. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: OKAY.
WELL, LIKEWISE -- >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: OF THE
BUILDINGS. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: LIKEWISE, I WILL A PHONE CALL WITH DOUG BURNETT.
WE DISCUSSED THE PROJECT, ITS LOCATION.
THE SURROUNDING LAND USES. THAT WAS ABOUT IT.
MR. WHITEHURST. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: I
HAVE NOTHING. >>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: MUCH LIKE YOU, A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH DOUG BURNETT.
TALKED OF THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, THE LOCATION AND THE
AESTHETIC. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: OKAY, THANK YOU. THAT IS EX-PARTE.
NOW WE WILL GO TO NUMBER 3 AND THEN NUMBER 4 NEXT.
SAME PROJECT GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
FOR THE RECORD DOUG BURNETT, ST. JOHNS LAW GROUP, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. WITH ME IS RANDALL WHITFIELD, VICE PRESIDENT AT ATLANTIC STORAGE ASH PROPERTIES.
ALSO IS GABE BOWMAN, ONE OF THE PROJECT MANAGERS THERE WHO IS OVERSEEING THIS PROJECT. LET ME -- I WILL TOO TOY RUN QUICK BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE RUN LONG IN THE DAY FOR THIS MORNING AND RUN THROUGH THIS QUICKLY.
LOOKING AT THE PROJECT AREA, YOU CAN SEE WE ARE MIDWAY BETWEEN I-95 AND U.S. 1 AND RACE TRACK ROAD.
YOU CAN SEE TWIN CREEKS LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS AERIAL.
YOU CAN SEE OUR PROJECT LOCATION CIRCLED IN THE PURPLE SQUARE.
TAKING A CLOSER LOOK, YOU CAN SEE THAT TO THE NORTH OF OUR PROJECT IS THE COMMERCIAL RETAIL PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN -- BEING DEVELOPED. AND DIRECTLY TO THE NORTH WHERE IT SAYS RAINIER LANE IS MORE RETAIL COMMERCIAL SPACE UNDER DEVELOPMENT, AND THEN OUR SITES. LITTLE CLOSER LOOK AT OUR SITE IN THE BOTTOM LEFT-HAND CORNER AND I WILL COME BACK AND SHOW YOU A PICTURE OF THIS. OUR SITE AND OUTSIDE OF THE ZONING, YOU WILL SEE IT CLEARLY, THE EXISTING CELL TOWER LOCATION. RIGHT THERE.
HERE, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP.
YOU CAN SEE OUR LITTLE SQUARE THAT IS RS, THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED IN, I BELIEVE. AND ZONING MAP, OPEN RURAL, WHICH WE WILL BE SUBMITTING FOR A PUD.
SEVERAL ITEMS BEFORE YOU. YOU HAVE A SITE DATA TABLE.
NOTHING BIG TO POINT OUT 4.13 ACRES.
YOU CAN SEE WHERE OUR CLIE MA ADVERTISED SELF-STORAGE -- CLIMATIZED STORAGE BUILDING AND OUR RETENTION POND AND ENCLOSURE AROUND THE SITE. SAME DRAWING, BUT THE INTERESTING THING TO NOTE THERE IS THE EXISTING CELL TOWER.
IN A MOMENT I WILL OR YECHT IT TO THE NORTH LOCATION.
THE NORTH IS TO THE RIGHT AND THE CELL TOWER IS IN THE BACK OF THE SITE. YOU CAN SEE A MOCK-UP OF LOOSELY WHAT THE BUILDING WOULD LOOK LIKE ON THE SITE, HOW IT WOULD LAY OUT, THE RETENTION POND AND BACK HERE IS THE EXISTING CELL TOWER. PUTTING IN PERSPECTIVE, AGAIN, I I GO BACK TO THE SITE PLAN HERE IN THIS VIEW, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE CELL TOWER IS AND YOU PUT IT IN THE AERIAL.
TWO THINGS THAT BOOK ENDS THE PROJECT.
ONE IS THE CELL POWER TO THE SOUTH.
TO THE NORTH IS THE HIGH-TENSION POWER LINES.
AT LEAST THEY LOOK LIKE -- I AM NOT SURE THE TECHNICAL WORD FOR IT, BUT THEY ARE VERY SIGNIFICANT LARGE POWER LINES ON THAT SITE. INTERESTING THING FROM A ZONING PERSPECTIVE AND THE COMP PLAN, IF THIS WAS COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE WHICH IS A LOT OF THE LAND USE AROUND THE AREA, THIS USE WOULD HAVE BEEN BY RIGHT. COUNTRY ON ASH PROPERTIES.
LOCAL LEADER IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT.
A STAPLE IN NORTH FLORIDA FOR 40 YEARS.
11 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF PROPERTY AND GROWING.
AND I AM NOT GOING TO BOTHER WITH A TRAFFIC COMPARISON.
WE DON'T HAVE A TRAFFIC ISSUE. MUCH LESS TRAFFIC.
P SDMRSHGZA HAD A 6-0 RECOMMENDATION.
NO COMMENTS OF ANY SIGNIFICANT. PZA.
THIS IS GREAT FOR THOSE TYPE OF PROJECTS.
IT IS LIKE THE CONVENIENCE STORE.
THAT WHOLE INDUSTRY HAS GONE TO A BETTER-LOOKING BUILDING.
[01:55:01]
JUST SELF-REGULATING HOW THEY HAVE DONE THAT AND THE SAME THING HAS FOLLOWED SUIT WITH THE SELF-STORAGE INDUSTRY.THIS IS AN ACTUAL ATLANTIC SELF-STORAGE BUILDING AND WHAT WE ANTICIPATE. WITH THAT, I WILL ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: QUESTIONS ON ITEM 3? OKAY.
PUBLIC COMMENT. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: A THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOU HAVE
PUBLIC COMMENT. >> GOOD MORNING, SHERRY BADGER, 2772 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
OKAY, GENTLEMEN, THESE GUYS ARE SHOWN AS THE SHAPE SHIFTERS.
THEY ALSO ESTABLISHED OUT AT NIECE A STORAGE UNIT THAT TURNED INTO A STRIP MALL. OUT HERE ON 16, STORAGE UNIT THAT TURNED INTO A STRIP MALL. 312, STORAGE UNITS.
SAME THING OUT U.S. 1. AND IN THE END, THIS WILL BE THE PUD. AND THEN THERE WILL BE A BOARD SITTING UP HERE LIKE I AM GOING THROUGH NOW SAYING WE DIDN'T DO THIS. THE PEOPLE DID IT BEFORE YOU.
BUT THIS WILL BE ON PUBLIC RECORD OF WHAT THIS SHAPE SHIFTER DOES. SO IT'S UP TO Y'ALL TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE IT IS HIS MO. SO, THANK YOU.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3 AND 4. I AM SORRY MR\.
CHAIRMAN, HAVING PUBLIC COMMENT ON 3 AND 4?
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: OH, YEAH. SAME THING.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: SEEING NONE.
CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: IF NO OTHER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
DISTRICTS 5. MOVE TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2022.
>> 43. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: COMP PLAN 2021-27, 6148 RACE TRACK ROAD AS FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT PROVIDED
IN THE STAFF REPORT. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST:
SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE VOTE.
IT PASSES 5-0. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ON ITEM 4. MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2022.
>> 44. >>PUD, 6148 RACE TRACK ROAD
[5. Public Hearing * REZ 2022-07 Surfside Residential Lots.]
BASED ON NINE FINDING OF FACTS LIST IN THE STAFF REPORT.>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: SECOND.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION AND A SECOND ON 4.
PLEASE VOTE. AND THIS PASSES 5-0.
WHO IS HANDLING ITEM 5. DO WE HAVE EX-PARTE ON 5 TOO.
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE NO RECORD OF
ANY MEETINGS OR E-MAILS ON THIS. >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: NON, MR.
CHAIRMAN. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: NONE FOR
ME. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: NONE,
MR. CHAIRMAN. >>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: NONE, MR.
CHAIRMAN. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: NO EX-PARTE. OKAY.
ANYONE HERE -- ARE YOU REPRESENTING OR ARE YOU THE
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: FOR ITEM 5. PLEASE GO AHEAD, WELCOME.
>> BARBARA JONNESS. I AM BOTH THE APPLICANT AND OWNER OF THESE TWO LOTS. THE PROJECT NAME IS SURFSIDE RESIDENTIAL LOTS. I DO WISH TO DOWNZONE THEM FROM COMMERCIAL HIGHWAY TOURIST TO RS-3 FROM RESIDENTIAL.
ADDRESS 0 COASTAL HIGHWAY. NO KNOWN ADDRESS YET.
IT IS JUST TWO PARCELS. HERE IS THE LOCATION.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP.
CURRENTLY ZONED COMMERCIAL HIGHWAY TOURIST AND I WOULD LIKE TO DOWNZONE IT TO FIT IN MORE WITH THE COMMUNITY.
THIS SHOW THAT'S IT IS COMMERCIAL HIGHWAY TOURIST TO IT THE SOUTH AND RG-1 TO THE EAST AND ALSO TO THE NORTH.
AND THEN ALL AROUND IT, YOU WILL SEE RS-3.
THE AERIAL LOCATED AT COAST AL HIGHWAY IN SHERWOOD.
A CLOSE-UP. YOU CAN SEE UNDISTURBED VACANT LOTS. MY OBJECTIVE IS TO BUILD ONE SINGLE-FAMILY ON EACH OF THE LOTS.
AND WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THE SURROUNDING ZONING AND THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AND MY REASON FOR DOING IT.
I WILL COMPLY WITH THE COMP PLAN AND LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, REALIZE THAT ONE OF THE LOTS IS ON THE CORNER, SO THE SECOND FRONT SETBACK WILL BE 15 FEET. BUT THE FRONT SETBACK WILL BE 25. THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT IS 35 FEET.
[02:00:01]
AND I CAN'T COUNT. IT WAS ONLY SIX PEOPLE AT THE PZA SAID THEY DID NOT VOTE 7-0.IT WAS ONLY 6-0, BUT IT WAS UNANIMOUS.
ANY QUESTIONS? >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: QUESTIONS? OKAY. THANK YOU.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: PUBLIC COMMENT.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: WE WILL NOW HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5. ANYBODY WISH TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA NUMBER 5. SEEING NONE, CLOSE PUBLIC
COMMENT. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: I AM NOT SURE WHY BUT ANOTHER DISTRICT 5 ITEMS. I AM ON A ROLL, I GUESS. I WILL MOVE TO ENACT ORDINANCE 20 2022.
>> 45. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: REZONING SUV RESIDENTIAL LOTS OF FOUR FINDINGS OF FACTS PROVIDED IN
[6. Public Hearing * CPA(SS) 2022-03 750 1 Cowpen Branch.]
THE STAFF REPORT. IS THERE A SECOND?>>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: SECOND ESPECIALLY.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION AND SECOND.
PLEASE VOTE ON 5. THAT IS APPROVED 5-0.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSONERS. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST:
CONGRATULATIONS. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: YES, MA'AM.
THAT IS NOT EX-PARTE. I DO NOT THINK.
>> NO, IT IS NOT, SIR. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ITEM 6.
>> TYLER LEE, 7501 COWPEN BRANCH.
REZONING TO BUILD MY PERSONAL HOUSE.
UNDER THE 29 ACRES OF -- WITH THE CURRENT RULES ARE FOR PZB.
PRETTY MUCH IT. PRETTY CUT AND DRY.
NO AFFILIATION WITH MY BUSINESS. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THANK YOU, SIR. ANY QUESTIONS ON ITEM 6.
PUBLIC COMMENT. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6.
ANYONE WISH TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA
ITEM. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: IS THERE A
MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: YES MR\.
CHAIRMAN. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO ENACT
>>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: 5701 COWPEN BRANCH REQUEST FOR A SMALL SCALE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATIONIAL 16.78 FROMAG INTENTION SIEVE
[7. Public Hearing * REZ 2022-05 829 2 River Road. ]
BASED ON FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND ON ITEM 6, PLEASE VOTE.
THAT IS APPROVED 5-0. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: HAVE A GOOD DAY ITEM 7. ITEM 7.
7 IS, I BELIEVE, EX-PARTE. YES, ITEM 7, EX-PARTE.
COMMISSIONER BLOCKER. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY MEETINGS
OR E-MAILS. >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: NONE.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: NONE BY ME. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: NONE
MR. CHAIRMAN. >>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: NONE, MR.
CHAIRMAN. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: NO EX-PARTE. ITEM 7, GOOD DAY -- IS IT STILL MORNING? IT IS MORNING.
WE ARE ROLLING NOW. >> GOOD MORNING, I AM MAT MATTHEW CHMURA, RIVER RIVER ROAD.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY, DALE AND DANA MURRAY. THEY ARE CURRENT RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THE REQUEST OF THE OWNER IS REZONE 4.1 ACRES OF COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE LAND TO RS 2 TO BUILD A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME ON THE PROPERTY.
THIS IS WHERE THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED.
IT IS LOCATED ALONG ST. JOHNS RIVER, SURROUNDED BY RESIDENTIAL ON ALL SIDES AND THE RIVER. ZONING MAP SHOWS, ONCE AGAIN, IT IS SURROUNDED BY RESIDENTIAL WITH NO COMMERCIAL IN THE AREA -- IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE MAP SHOWS RURAL A AND SILIVICULTURE WHICH ALLOWS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY. IN THE '60S AND THE '70S A CRAB PROCESSING SHACK. IT HAD, I BELIEVE, A MOBILE HOME THAT THE OWNER OF THE SHACK LIVED IN.
ALL THE BUILDINGS CURRENTLY HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE PROPERTY.
THE OWNERS MET WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS ALONG RIVER ROAD AND RECEIVED SUPPORT FOR THE REZONING.
UNANIMOUSLY. THEY DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY NEGATIVE FEEDBACK AT ALL. THIS IS A BRIEF PLAN OF WHAT THE OWNERS PLAN TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY IF THEY ARE GRANTED THE REZO REZONING.
THAT'S ABOUT IT. I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
[02:05:04]
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS? PUBLIC COMMENT.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: ALL RIGHT, WE WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7. ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION? >>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: YES, MR. CHAIRMAN. MOVE TO ENACT 22---
>> 47. >>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: REZONING
[8. Commercial Use of Vilano Floating Dock.]
8292 RIVER ROAD BASED ON FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT.>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: SECOND.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION AND SECOND ON ITEM 7.
PLEASE VOTE. AND THAT IS APPROVED 5-0.
THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ITEM 8. MR. KANE, GOOD MORNING AGAIN.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, COMMISSION, RYAN KANE, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. I'M HERE TO DISCUSS THE COMMERCIAL USE OF VILANO FLOATING DOCK.
AN ITEM THAT CAME BEFORE THE BOARD ON PUBLIC COMMENT.
JANUARY 18 BOARD MEETING, THE COMMISSION CHARGED US WITH COMING BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE OF THE VILANO FLOATING DOCK. JUST A LITTLE BIT OF THE BACKGROUND.. THE STAFF HAS COORDINATED EFFORTS WITH ST. AUGUSTINE, DEPARTMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MULTIPLE ST. JOHNS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND SECURITIES DIVISION WHEN COMING UP WITH THE VIABLE OPTIONS FOR THE FACILITY. WE HAVE RECEIVED COMMUNICATION FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BY E-MAIL. AND WITH REGARDS TO OUR ORIGINAL PERMIT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY IDENTIFIED AS RECREATION ONLY THAT SAID IN THEIR COMMUNICATION, THEY SAID WE COULD UTILIZE COMMERCIAL USE WITH THAT PERMIT.
WITH EXCEPTIONS OF DOING ENVIRONMENTIAL INACTIVE THINGS OF FUEL OR PUMPING OUT. UTILIZE COMMERCIAL USE WITH EXISTING PERMIT AS LONG AS IT DIDN'T INCORPORATE MATTER THAT WERE ENVIRONMENTAL AND IMPACTFUL AND FUELING AND PUMPING OUT BOATS SIMILAR TO RV TRAILERS. A LITTLE QUICK HISTORIES ON THE SPOT. THE VILANO FLOATING DOCK PERMITTED DUE DEP. NO OVERNIGHT PERMANENT SLIPS.
AND IN 2018, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION APPROVED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PILOT PROGRAM TO INCORPORATE BOAT TOURS AND WATER TAXI AND DIDN'T KICK OFF BECAUSE OF STORM DAMAGE TO THE DOCK. ALSO THE PARK ORDINANCE STATES THAT PRIVATE ENTITIES CANNOT PROFIT OFF THE USE OF PARK -- PUBLIC PARKS, BUT EXCEPTIONS MAY BE GRANTED WITH THE DISCRETION OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
THAT DOES GIVE THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THE COMMERCIAL USE WITHIN PARKS WITH THAT DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD.
THE NEXT SLIDE IS JUST ON THE LOCATION, WHICH I BELIEVE YOU ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH. BUT THE -- IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FLOATING DOCK THAT COMES OFF OF THE VILANO PIER THAT IS PICTURED HERE. THE OPTION OF USE AS STAFF LOOKS AT THAT TIME IS TO EITHER CONTINUE WITH THE PUBLIC PARK ORDINANCE TO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC USE ONLY OR OPTION TWO, TO ALLOW FOR COMMERCIAL USE AND TO DEFINE COMMERCIAL USE AS FOLLOWS AND IDENTIFIED PUBLIC BENEFIT. REIMBURSEMENT.
THE ABILITY OF REIMBURSEMENT AND MAINTENANCE.
AND NOT THE TAXPAYERS PAYING THE BURDEN FOR THE COMMERCIAL USE HERE AND RFP PROCESS OR PERMITTING PROCESS TO IDENTIFY THE VENDORS. SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WITH THE COMMERCIAL USE IS PARKING. THERE IS 35 SPOTS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED THERE THAT ARE PUBLIC PARKING SPOTS AT THE VILANO PIER. ADA ACCESSIBILITY.
LIMITED STAFF OVERSIGHT AS OPPOSE TO THE CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE MARINA WITH STAFF ON-SITE.
VILANO FLOATING DOCK DOES NOT HAVE STAFF ON-SITE.
AND MORE COMPLAINT-DRIVEN MANAGEMENT OF THE SITE.
FACILITY MAINTENANCE. THE FACILITY MAINTENANCE DIVISION DID COST ESTIMATE, $10,000 FOR NEW COMMERCIAL GRADE BUMPERS FOR THE FLOATING DOCK. AND THE UPKEEP OF THE FACILITY WILL BE SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES WITHIN THERE.
THE TYPES OF COMMERCIAL USE THAT WOULD BE IDENTIFIED FOR USE.
SOME OF THOSE ARE MOBILITY WATER TAXIS AS AN EXAMPLE, SCENIC OR TOURS, FISHING CHARTERS AND REPAIR.
JUST TO GO BACK TO THE INITIAL PILOT PROGRAM THAT WAS APPROVED.
IT WAS APPROVED FOR WATER TAXIS AND SCENIC BOAT TOURS WHICH WAS INITIALLY IMPROVED UNDER THAT PILOT.
ENFORCEMENT. SPEAKING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THEIR BIG POINTS WERE, THEY WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE IDENTIFIED COMMERCIAL USES TO
[02:10:04]
KNOW SPECIFICALLY WHAT THOSE COMMERCIAL USE ARE.AND IDENTIFY APPROVED USERS THAT WILL GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO ENFORCE THE FACILITY BETTER. THE PROPOSED FRAMEWORK THAT WE PUT BEFORE YOU IS TO DO AN RFP PROCESS FOR COMMERCIAL BUSS WITH LIMITED COMMERCIAL USE. FOR EXAMPLE, WITH INCREASED MOBILITY, EXECUTED AGREEMENT UPON -- WITH THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS, INSURANCE, APPROPRIATE LICENSES FOR BUSINESSES, ADA AGREEMENT, SCOPE OF WORK, MANDATORY REPORTING OF THE BUSINESS THAT ARE UTILIZING THE FACILITY AS WELL BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT. AND SO WE BRING FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION THE TWO OPTIONS AS WE SAID EARLIER.
OPTION ONE IS TO DIRECT STAFF TO CONTINUE ENFORCING THE PARK ORDINANCE TO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC RECREATION USE ONLY.
OPTION TWO IS TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A PROGRAM TO ALLOW FOR LIMITED COMMERCIAL USE AT THE VILANO FLOATING DOCK.
AND WE WILL LOOK FOR GUIDANCE ON THE COMMERCIAL USE THAT WERE PREFERRED BY THE BOARD FOR THAT. ANY QUESTIONS?
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: YEAH, ABOUT EVER WE TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, RYAN, IF WE DO -- IF WE MOVE FORWARD ON OPTION 2, AND YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE LOOKED AT THIS SPECIFICALLY, BUT IT IS MY UNDER STAND THAT WE HAVE AT LEAST TWO POTENTIAL VENDORS OR WATER TAXI COMPANIES THAT MIGHT BE AMENABLE TO USE THIS DOCK?
>> CURRENTLY WITH THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TWO VENDOR THAT ARE -- THAT COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY TO DO WATER
MOBILITY. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ASSUMING THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO IF NOT THREE.
WOULD YOU ENVISION THE COUNTY, SINCE IT IS OUR DOCK, WORKING OUT WHAT WOULD BE A SCHEDULE OF USAGE SO THEY ARE NOT COMPETING AT THE EXACT MOMENTS, TRYING TO DOCK AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOU
WILL? >> YES, A BUSINESS PLAN AND SCHEDULE OF OPERATION IS SOMETHING REQUESTED FOR IN THE RFP PROCESS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO MANAGE THE DOCK BETTER.
THAT WOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT TO US WITHIN THE PROCESS -- ESPECIALLY WE ARE NOT STAFFED TO BE ABLE TO COORDINATE AND FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT SCHEDULE TO SEE WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE AND WHEN.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: COMMISSIONER WALDRON?
>>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: WHO IS LICENSE WITH THE CITY RIGHT NOW?
>> THE TWO OPERATORS IS RED BOAT TOURS AND DOLHIN TOURS.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: PUBLIC COMMENT.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8.
ANYONE WISH TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA CAN COME FORWARD AND USE ANY OF THE TWO PODIUMS.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: GOOD MORNING, SALLY.
>> SALLY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VILANO MAIN STREET.
WE HAVE BEEN WAITING A LONG WHILE TO HAVE SUCH A VENTURE.
AND THE MAIN STREET BOARD AND.ORGANIZATION AND RESIDENTS OF VILANO ARE EXCITED OF OPENING UP THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ONGOING TAXI OR SHUTTLE SERVICE. AND ACTUALLY MAXIMIZING THE USE OF THE DOCK. SO OPTION NUMBER 2 LOOKS LIKE A
GOOD IDEA. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK
YOU, MA'AM. >> HELLO, JIMMY HILL, 372 ATLANTIC STREET. I AM OWNER OF ADVENTURE BOAT TOURS. NOT DOLPHIN BUT SAD VENTURE BOAT TOURS. BELIEVE IT OR NOT I WILL THROW IT IN AND I RECEIVED A CALL FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.
VIVIAN BROWN CALLED ME TO ASK ME TO GO ON SUPPORT WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO TODAY BECAUSE ONE OF THE EARLY NOTIFIER THAT'S THIS SERVICE HAD BEEN TALKED ABOUT, ASKED ABOUT.
WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING A RECREATIONAL TOUR FOR MANY YEARS HERE. I HAVE RUN BOATS SINCE DOUG CRANE OWNED THE MARINA ACROSS THE STREET.
I HAVE BEEN HERE 30-PLUS YEARS RUNNING BOATS.
MOVING WITH TONY FROM RED BOAT. SOMETHING WE DON'T SEE A LOT IS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR A SOLUTION THAT SOLVE RESIDENTS' CONCERNS, BUSINESS CONCERNS, BOTH MUNICIPALITY.
AND THIS IS A PLAN. NOT GETTING THROWN KIND OF TOGETHER. AN AMAZING TOPPINGS PROVIDE ST.
JOHNS COUNTY WITH SOMETHING -- OPTION TO PROVIDE ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH SOMETHING THAT IS NORMALLY FUNDED THROUGH PRIVATE ENTITIES. A MIXED USE.
WE ARE REMOVING THE NEED FOR GOVERNMENT SUB CITY DECEMBER TO DO THE TRANSPORTATION BY A HYBRID PRODUCT.
A HYBRID PRODUCT, A WATER SHUTTLE THAT YOU GET TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE AND HAVE A SCENIC TOUR. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE
[02:15:01]
OTHERS THAT FAILED. AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF SPEARHEADED -- I AM A PAST ELECTED OFFICIAL FROM ATLANTIC BEACH. YOU GUYS RUN A GREAT SYSTEM HERE. YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.YOUR STAFF IS DOING AN AMAZING JOB OF WORKING THROUGH COMPLEX ISSUES. I HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, A LONG, VERY DIFFICULT PROCESS.
AND ENDED UP BEING -- QUITE FRANKLY FROM A GOVERNMENT STANDPOINT A PLEASURE TO WORK THROUGH.
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT OPTION NUMBER 2.
THERE IS NO CONFLICT WITH SCHEDULING.
WE COME AND GO FREQUENTLY AT THAT DOCK AT THE SAME TIME ALREADY. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND THANK THE PARKS ANDREC HISTORIC SIDE OF THING FOR PROVIDING AN AMAZING AMENITY FROM THE PAST AND LEAVING IT IN PLACE FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, ALL.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK YOU, SIR.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THANK YOU >> GOOD MORNING, FOLKS.
OPTION NUMBER 2. EIGHT YEARS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THAT DONE. JUST SO YOU KNOW, THE WATER SHUTTLE THAT JIMMY WAS TALKING ABOUT IS GOING TO WORK VERY WELL. WE RED BOAT AND MY FAMILY HAVE COMMITTED ENOUGH TO IT THAT WE BOUGHT A BOAT AND DELIVERY TOMORROW AND DEDICATED TO THE WATER SHUTTLE AND IT WILL RUN OUR PORTION -- JIMMY AND I SPLIT THE DROP TIMES AT THE DOCK.
IT WILL RUN OUR PORTION OF THE DROP TIMES EVERY DAY WITHOUT FAIL TO GET THE SHUTTLE WORKING. I KIND OF BEEN BACKED OFF ON PROMOTE IT UNTIL WE GET THE BOAT IN PLACE AND WE ARE READY TO GO.
SHOULD BE ANOTHER WEEK. AND WE ARE GOING TO PROMOTE WITH LOCAL RADIO HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND UP IN JACKSONVILLE AND ALL OF THE PROMOTIONS THAT WE DO WILL INCLUDE THE WATER SHUTTLE. SO WE ARE EXCITE ABOUT IT.
I THINK THAT -- ONE THING ABOUT THE DOCK IS THERE IS ENOUGH SPACE ON THE INSIDE OF THAT DOCK FOR JIMMY AND I TO OPERATE BOTH OF OUR TOUR BOATS AND OUR WATER SHUTTLE OUT OF THERE WITHOUT ANY CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER, AS LONG AS WE CAN KEEP THE PUBLIC OFF OF THAT SIDE. THAT IS THE TOUGH PART.
AS IT STANDS WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTION THAT WAY, WE CAN OCCASIONALLY COME BACK TO THE DOCK WITH A BOAT FULL OF PEOPLE TO TRY TO DISEMBARK AND INTO PLACE TO GO.
SO WE DO NEED PROTECTION OF THAT, ESPECIALLY IF WE ARE GOING TO RUN A SHUTTLE THAT IS ON A SCHEDULE.
IF WE RUN THAT SCHEDULE WITH THE CITY AND COMMIT TO CERTAIN TIMES. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THAT DOCK WHEN WE NEED IT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND YOUR WORK ON THIS.
I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK YOU.
ANYBODY ELSE ON PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8? SEEING NONE. WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON
THIS AGENDA ITEM. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY OTHER BOARD QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER WALDRON?
>>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: I WAS READY TO MOVE IT WITH SOME THOUGHTS. I LIKE OPTION NUMBER 2.
WE TRIED TO GET IT GOING. SIMILAR TO SAVANNAH WITH NEW HOTELS COME IN LINE WHERE YOU CAN TAKE A TRIP.
RESTAURANT COMING ON THAT IS BEING BUILT IN ST. AUGUSTINE ALSO. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU -- THE BIG THING WILL BE LIMITING THE NUMBER OF USERS.
YOU KNOW RED BOAT, THE OTHER ADVENTURES, I THINK YOU SAID, ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. THE INSIDE THE DOCK WOULD BE KEY FOR THE COMMERCIAL. IF YOU JUST DO THAT SIDE.
BECAUSE YOU NEED THE WATER BREAK THAT WILL HELP BREAK -- ESPECIALLY WITH BAD WEATHER COMES FROM THE WEST.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU LIMIT THE USERS, BUT I THINK THAT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE THE COMMERCIAL ON THE INSIDE, THE OUTSIDE BE THE RECREATIONAL. ALSO WHEN YOU DO THE PRICING OR YOU DO THE PERMIT, MAKE SURE WE COVER THE RENT.
WE HAVE TO PAY THE CITY FOR THE LAND AREA.
AND ALL OUR COSTS, I DON'T EXPECT US TO MAKE MONEY TO COVER OUR COSTS. DO YOU WANT MOTION, MR.
CHAIRMAN. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: WOULD YOU
LIKE TO MOVE. >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: MOTION TO ALLOW LIMITED COMMERCIAL USE OF VILANO FLOATING DOCK.
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION AND A SECOND ON ITEM 8. PLEASE VOTE.
[9. Consider an appointment to the Planning & Zoning Agency. ]
THA THAT IS 5-0.THANKS SO MUCH. FINALLY EIGHT YEARS.
[02:20:03]
>> IF WE CAN GET AWAY FROM HURRICANES, WE WOULD GET MORE
DONE. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: OKAY.
I THINK WE ARE READY FOR ITEM 9. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
JOE IAN SPENCER, ASSISTANT TO THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TO PRESENT ITEMS 9, 10, 11 AND 12 WITH REGARD TO CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS.
NUMBER 9, CONSIDERING APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY. THIS VACANCY WILL BE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022 WITH THE CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD APPOINTEE COMPLETING HIS FOUR-YEAR TERM. THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DID SOLICIT APPLICATION AND REVIEW TWO APPLICATIONS AT THEIR REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING ON MAY 10 AND HAVE ELECTED APPOINT EUGENE WILSON AS THEIR PLANNING AND ZONING REPRESENTATIVE.
THIS WILL TAKE EFFECTS WHEN MR. MCCORMICK LEAVES JULY 1, 2022.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY QUESTIONS?
ALL RIGHT, PUBLIC COMMENT. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: AT THIS TIME, PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA NUMBER 9, APPOINTMENT OF THE PZA. SEEING NONE, CLOSE PUBLIC
COMMENT FWEENZ. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: READY FOR A
MOTION ON ITEM 9. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: I MAKE A MOTION TO ROD ROT PHI OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD APPOINTMENT OF EUGENE WILSON OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY AS THE ST.
JOHNS COUNTY BOARD REPRESENTATIVE FOR A FULL
[10. Consider appointments to the Arts, Culture, Heritage Funding Panel.]
FOUR-YEAR TERM TO EX-TIRE JANUARY 1, 2026.>>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: SECOND.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: I CAUGHT COMMISSIONER WALDRON FIRST, THE MAKER OF THE SECOND. PLEASE VOTE.
THAT APPROVED 5-0. WE GO TO ITEM 10.
>> ITEM 10, CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE ARTS, CULTURE, HERITAGE FUNDING PANEL. CURRENTLY FIVE VACANCIES ON THE ARTS HERITAGE FUNDING PANEL. GOT TO GET AN ACRONYM FOR THAT.
THREE ARE DUE TO VACANCIES AND TWO ARE DUE TO EXPIRED TERMS. THE VACANCIES IN MARCH THROUGH MID-MAY.
EIGHT ACTIONS AND A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE ARTS, CULTURE, HERITAGE FUNDING PANEL STAFF LIAISON.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY. ANY PUBLIC COMMENT?
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: A THIS TIME, WE WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 10.
SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: QUESTION. CAN WE -- DAVID, CAN WE DO THIS IN ONE VOTE? THERE IS A GROUP HERE.
SHOULD WE DO IT BY -- >> WHATEVER YOUR DISCRETION IS.
EITHER WAY IS FINE. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: OKAY.
POSSIBLY A MOTION TO DO THIS -- A MOTION FOR ALL -- I BELIEVE IT IS FIVE -- HOWEVER MANY THERE ARE.
>> FIVE VACANCIES, SIR. >> LOOKS LIKE ALL THE TERMS WOULD END ON THE SAME DAY AND WOULD BE EASY TO DO IT AS ONE
MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ONE MOTION,
JEREMIAH? >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: I CAN MAKE IT AS ONE MOTION. ARE YOU READY?
DEAN DEAN YEAH. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: MOTION TO REAPPOINT LISA COOK, HOLLY DONOHUE, KATHERINE DORVANIK,
WITH ALL TERMS TO EXPIRE JUNE -- >> JUST ONE THING.
[11. Consider appointments to the Health & Human Services Advisory Council (HHSAC).]
CAN WE CLARIFY THAT MISS SIRIANI WILL BE THE ALTERNATE MEMBER.>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: I AMEND TO HAVE HER THE ALTERNATE.
>> I WILL AMEND MY SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THAT PASSES 5-0. WHICH TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER
11. >> ITEM 11 IS THE CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL. THERE ARE CURRENTLY TWO VACANCIES ON THIS COUNCIL. DUE TO THE REMOVAL OF A MEMBER FOR A ESSENTIAL TEEISM. THE OTHER IS DUE TO A RESIGNATION. AN ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THESE VACANCIES WERE POSTED IN MARCH OF 2022 AND DID RUN FOR 30 DAYS.
PLEASE FIND ATTACHED FOR YOUR VIEWING CONSIDERATION, A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL AND 12 APPLICATIONS.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THANK YOU. IS THERE -- ANY PUBLIC COMMENT
ON 11? >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: AT THIS TIME, WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE
PUBLIC COMMENT. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION ON
11. >>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: YES, MR. CHAIRMAN. I MOVE TO APPOINT HOWARD HETSEL AND KATHLEEN NUTT PATNEAU FOR PORTION TERM JULY 2021.
[12. Consider an appointment to the Ponte Vedra Zoning & Adjustment Board. ]
[02:25:11]
>> SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THAT OKAY
WITH DIFFERENT EXPIRATION DATES. >> YES, IT WAS ALL DETAILED IN
THE MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE.
THAT TAKES US TO NUMBER 12. >> OUR LAST ONE IS NUMBER 12, SIR, CONSIDERING APPOINTMENTS TO THE PONTE VEDRA ZONING AND ADJUSTMENTS BOARD. CURRENTLY THERE IS ONE VACANCY ON THIS BOARD. THE VACANCY IS DUE TO THE EXPIRED TERM OF HARRY GRAHAM. AN ADVERTISEMENT RAN AND PLACED FOR 30 DAYS. SEE THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE BOARD AND SIX APPLICATIONS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT?
OKAY, PUBLIC COMMENT. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: WE WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 12.
ANYONE WISH TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
SEEING NONE, CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: THIS IS DISTRICTS 4, WOULD YOU BE
INTERESTED IN MAKING A MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: YES, MR. CHAIRMAN. TO APPOINT C.F. CHIP GREENE FOR
[Public Comment]
A FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM.. >> SECOND.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION AD A SECOND ON 12.
THAT COMPLETES THE REGULAR AGENDA.
WE ARE READY FOR ANY GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ISSUE.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: WE WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT FROM MATTERS A NOT ON THE AGENDA. YOU CAN COME AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. THREE MINUTES TO COMPLETE AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE BOARD'S RULE OF DECORUM.
SHOULD BE ADDRESS TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE AND NOT INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER. NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PERSONAL, PRN PERTS MEANT OR SLANDEROUS AMOUNTS.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL. FINALLY I ASK THAT ANY SPEAKERS WHO PRESENT OVERHEAD MATERIAL, PLEASE PRESENT THAT TO THE STAFF OF THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD. ANYONE WISH TO MAKE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
YES, MA'AM. >> SHERRY BADGER, 2772 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE. OKAY, LAST YEAR I WAS HERE.
Y'ALL PUT A PLAN, A MOTION TO ACT THAT YOU WERE BEING TO FIX THE ROAD THAT THE WATER WOULDN'T BE COMING BACK TO US.
WELL, THEY HAD THIS FOUR OR FIVE-MONTH PROJECT.
OKAY, RIGHT HERE, YOU CAN SEE FROM HERE BACK IS WHERE THEY DID THE PROJECT. THIS IS MY DRIVEWAY INSTEAD OF THE DRIVEWAY IN THE FIELD. YOU CAN PLAINLY SEE THIS WATER COMING BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY. RIGHT HERE.
THIS USED TO ALL BE ONE LEVEL. I TOLD ONE OF YOU COMMISSIONERS IN THE VERY BEGINNING, ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORKED -- THAT WAS DOING THE ELEVATION OVER THERE SAID HE WAS FROM -- HE WAS FROM -- FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY AND HE HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A BAD PROJECT. WHEN THEY BUILT THIS ROAD UP, THEY BUILT IS IT TO WHERE THE WATER SLOPES AND COMES BACK TO OUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. BECAUSE THEY FILLED IN 266 CUBIC YARD WATER WITH AN 18-INCH CULVERT, WHICH IS NOT WHICH IS TOTALLY -- THERE YOU GO. IT IS COMING RIGHT BACK.
TRUCKS. I WAS TOLD WELL, YOU NEED TO CALL THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. YOU NEED TO CALL -- WHATEVER Y'ALL HAVE. OKAY.
BUT IT DOESN'T WORK IF THERE IS NOBODY THERE TO SEE IT HAPPEN.
THIS IS A TRUCK DOING A THREE-POINT TURN AROUND AND ON AN 18 -INCH CULVERT THAT HE IS DANCING ON NOBODY CAN DO ANYTHING BECAUSE CAN'T SEE THEM. YOU ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT ENFORCING IT.
I CAN'T ENFORCE IS. TRASH TRUCK.
THREE TIMES A WEEK. DON'T EVEN CARE.
USES THE ROAD. U.S. FOODS, SAME THING.
YOU GUYS, THIS -- THIS TRUCK PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY Y'ALL. THESE BIG TRUCKS ARE RUNNING OVER AN 18-INCH CULVERT. SHOULD BE A WAY BETTER CULVERT
[02:30:07]
THAN IT IS. CAN YOU PLEASE STOP AND ANYBODY OUT THERE IN TV LAND, WHEN THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE GOING TO EXEMPT THAT FROM THAT AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT, IT'S A LIE.AND WHEN THE COUNTY COMMISSION APPROVES SOMETHING AND YOU GO TO TRY TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM HIM BECAUSE THEY CAN APPROVE IT, THE COUNTY IS NEVER TAKING ANYTHING AWAY.
THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK
YOU, MISS BADGER. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: CHRISTIAN, BEFORE WE GO TO ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT, LET ME MAKE A BRIEF RESPONSE AND PRIMARILY TO MAYBE SHED THE LIGHT ON ISSUE FOR THE NEWER COMMISSIONERS. THIS ISSUE ON COLLINS AVENUE AND THE STRIP MALL ON COLLINS AVENUE RESIDENTS INCLUDING MISS BADGER.
THIS AN ISSUE SHE RAISED DURING MY FIRST YEAR ON THE COMMISSION OR THE SECOND YEAR WHICH GOES BACK FIVE OR SIX YEARS.
SHE -- SHE IS WORKED WITH ME AND WORKED OUR STAFF.
WE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME, ENERGY AND DOLLARS, I THOUGHT, TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, BUT APPARENTLY MISS BADGER STILL HAS MAJOR CONCERNS OBVIOUSLY. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO TODAY HUNTER TO GET A WHITE PAPER OR A REPORT, A FOLLOW-UP AND MAYBE EVEN A BRIEF PRESENTATION, IF THERE IS ACTION REQUIRED, BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION MOST OF THESE ISSUES WERE ADDRESSED TWO YEARS AGO AFTER ABOUT A TWO-YEAR INVESTIGATION. SO CAN WE DO THAT?
>> YES, SIR. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: OKAY.
BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED TO SORTS OF BRUSH THIS OFF AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT AGAIN. OKAY.
PUBLIC COMMENT. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: OKAY, WE WILL CONTINUE HEARING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
ANYBODY WISH TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT CAN COME FORWARD.
YES, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD,
PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS CHRIS KINSLOW, WITH THE ST. JOHNS WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.
A LAND RESOURCE SPECIALIST. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST:
WONDERFUL. >> THE INFORMATION FOR THIS PUBLIC HEARING THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE CONDUCTING.
I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE COMMENT TODAY. AND I'M HERE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE ST. JOHNS WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS IS HOSTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 FROM 6:00 TO 8:00PM AT THE ST.
JOHNS EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN HASTINGS.
AT THE COMMUNITY SENT THEY ARE. YOU WERE OF THIS HEARING IS TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE DISTRICT'S TEN-YEAR LAND MANAGEMENT FOR THE DEEP CREEK NEAR HASTINGS.
IT CONTRIBUTES GREATLY TO THE -- OF THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA US A WATER RESOURCES AND HOME TO A LONG LIST OF SPECIES, PLANT SPECIES AND ANIMAL PIECES CHEESE.
6,000 ACRES PROVIDES A TREMENDOUS BENEFIT TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF WATER QUALITY IN THE AGRICULTURAL AREA.
IN FACT CHAIRMAN DEAN, DURING HIS TENURE AT THE DISTRICT CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE ACQUISITION OF DEEP CREEK.
THE LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS OF MANAGING DEEP CREEK FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS, AND DISTRICTS WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ALL CITIZENS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND LEADERS WITHIN THE COUNTY AS WELL TO MAKE COMMENT DURING OUR HEARING. ONE AGAIN, THAT HEARING IS IN JULY 27. WEDNESDAY JULY 7 FROM # TO 8 AT THE EQUESTRIAN CENTER. 37.
THE COMMUNITY CENTER. COMMENTS MAY BE PRESENTED ORALLY OR IN WRITING AT THE HEARING, AS WELL AS THEY CAN BE SENT TO ME AT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS C KINSLOW. GIVE ME A CALL AT THE OFFICE AS WELL. AND I CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE DRAFT LANDS MANAGEMENT PLAN AS REQUEST.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS ARE ALSO ON OUR WEB SITE UNDER THE MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION. AND WE WILL ALSO BE POSTING AT EACH OF THE TRAIL HEADS, NOTICE FOR THIS -- FOR THIS MEETING.
AND THAT'S ABOUT IT. WE APPRECIATE THE TIME.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE. AND LOOKING FORWARD RECEIVING COMMENTS. SO AT THIS TIME, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL BE GLAD TO ANSWER THEM.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY QUESTIONS OF THE COMMISSIONERS? OKAY. THAT -- THAT SITE -- IF YOU VICE PRESIDENT BEEN THERE, THAT PRESERVE ON THE ST. JOHNS RIVER IS BEAUTIFUL. KIND OF A FOREST PRIME EVIL.
AND WE -- IT IS A WONDERFUL PART OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES OF ST.
JOHNS COUNTY. >> WE ARE GLAD TO BE PARTNERS OF SEVERAL OF THE REGIONAL STORMWATER TREATMENT FACILITY TO TREAT THE WATERS COMING OFF THE CREEK AS WELL.
EXCELLENT. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK
[02:35:04]
YOU. APPRECIATES IT.LET ME ENCOURAGE TO READ THE ORAL IN THE PONTE VEDRA RECORDER. COUNTY COMMISSIONER SUBMITTED COMMENTS, HE DUESING TAXES. ANOTHER INTERVIEW IN THE ST.
AUGUSTINE RECORD DATED NOVEMBER 25, 2018 BY THE SAME COMMISSIONER STATED, QUOTE, RAISING TAXES IS ALWAYS THE EASY ANSWER TO SOLVING PROBLEMS AND REVENUE FROM AD VALOREMS ALSO KNOWN AS PROPERTY TAXES IS IMPROVING DRAMATICALLY EVERY YEAR, END VOTE. BE CAREFUL WHEN VOTE IN AUGUST AND NOVEMBER. THIS BOARD FAILED TO DIRECT OMD ON THE HEAT MAPS PRESENTED MARCH 1, 2022.
FACTS WERE OMIT TO MISLEAD. WAS ANYONE SURPRISED ON JUNE 3 WHEN MR. DEAN SAID HE WAS VOTING FOR THE SALES TAX? IT IS EASY TO BE FLIPPANT WHEN ONE IS NOT UP FOR ELECTION.
TAXPAYERS, PLEASE VOTE NO SALES TAX INCREASE.
THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO SEND A MESSAGE WHICH THIS BOARD HAS IGNORED WHILE LISTENING TO DEVELOPERS AND THEIR LAWYERS.
MANY THOUSAND DOLLAR DONATIONS TO POLITICIANS ARE FROM DOLORS.
UNTIL THIS BOARD RETURNS GENERAL COMMENT -- PUBLIC COMMENT TO THE BEGINNING OF THESE MEETINGS, WE ARE NOT REPRESENTED.
THE LOVE OF MONEY CONTINUES TO DESTROY QUALITIES OF LIFE IN
[Commissioners’ Reports]
THIS COUNTY. VOTE NO SALES TAX INCREASE.>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: OKAY. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE. WE WILL CLOSE GENERAL PUBLIC
COMMENT. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: OKAY.
THAT WILL TAKE US DIRECTLY TO COMMISSIONER REPORTS.
SO I AM GOING TO START OVER HERE ON MY LEFT WITH COMMISSIONER
BLOCKER. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: NO
REPORTS TODAY. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN:
COMMISSIONER WALDRON. >>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: I WANT TO TELL EVERYBODY TO HAVE A SAFE FOURTH OF JULY.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO, PULL OUT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND READ IT.
THAT WOULD BE GOOD. A LOT OF US HAVE NOT READ IT UNTIL SCHOOL. BE VERY SAFE FOR FIREWORKS.
SOME PEOPLE WILL HAVE ONE LESS FINGER WHEN THIS IS OVER, MAYBE TWO. SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER
[Additonal Item]
WHITEHURST. >>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: NO REPORTS. DEAN DEENSZ ALL RIGHT, I HAVE A
COUPLE TO TAKE UP A -- >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ALL RIGHT, I HAVE A COUPLE MORE TO TAKE UP A LITTLE MORE TIME.
WE ARE FINISHING TOO EARLY. WE NEED TO DRAW THIS OUT FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES. ONE ITEM I WANT TO DISCUSS AND POSSIBLY GET A CONSENSUS ON TODAY.
WHEN WE HAD OUR -- OUR BUDGET WORKSHOPS IN MAY, WE HAD A PRETTY LENGTHY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL AND THE SUPPORT WE ALL SHARED TO GO FORWARD.
AND IT IS INITIALLY IT IS NOW, AS I UNDERSTAND IT AND HUNTER, FOLLOW ME ON THIS, AS I UNDERSTAND IT IN THE 2300 AS AN ITEM. WHAT I FULLY SUPPORT, WE HAVE THE MONEY. COMES FROM THE SHUTTERS PROGRAM.
BASED ON COVID. NOT OUR AD VALOREM TAX DOLLARS.
NOT IMPACT FEE DOLLARS, BUT FEDERAL COVID MONEY THAT IS IN THE BUDGET, BUT IT WOULD NOT BE CURRENTLY ACCESSED UNTIL NEXT SEPTEMBER. OH, I AM SORRY UNTIL OCTOBER.
WHAT -- I THINK WE -- WHAT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO DO TODAY BY CONSENSUS AND VOTE IF NECESSARY, DADE, IS TO GO AHEAD AND BASICALLY TRANSFER THOSE FUNDS TO THE CURRENT BUDGET.
THE CURRENT BUDGET WE ARE IN NOW AND ALLOW THE CONCERT HALL TO PROCEED WITH THE -- WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BALCONY THAT WE ALL -- I THINK MOST OF US. I THINK ALL OF US HAVE ACTUALLY HAD A SITE VISIT. TALKED TO THE FRIENDS FRIENDS OF THE HALL AND PREPARED TO GO FORWARD.
SO SUBJECT TO ANY SUGGESTIONS FROM LEGAL COUNCIL OR STAFF -- LEGAL COUNSEL OR STAFF, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GO FORWARD WITH THAT PROJECT FUNDING FROM THE SHUTTERS PROGRAM TO GET UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WITH THAT I WILL CALL ON
COMMISSIONER BLOCKER FIRST. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I COMPLETELY AGREE.
JARED WILSON HAS COME UP WITH A GREAT STRATEGIC PLAN.
[02:40:02]
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW. I FULLY SUPPORT THAT.>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: COMMISSIONER WALDRON.
>>COMMISSIONER WALDRON: I WAS GIG TO SAY I AM IN SUPPORT OF IT. A LOAN FROM GENERAL RESERVE AND GET IT DONE AND BACK TO BUDGET YEAR.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ANY OTHER? OKAY, DAVID, DO WE NEED TO ARMIAL MOTION WITH PUBLIC COMMENT.
WHAT IS YOUR SUGGESTION. >> I HAVE A SUGGESTION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO GET ADMIN'S INPUT ON THIS, BUT I THINK THIS MAY NEED A BUDGET AMENDMENT. I THINK THE CONSENSUS FOR THE STAFF TO BRING BACK A BUDGET AMENDMENT.
IF I AM MISSPEAKING BECAUSE I AM AT AN EXPERTS ON THE BUDGET
PROCESS, I WOULD DEFER TO ADMIN. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: LET ME JUST SAY THIS. OUR NEXT COMMISSION MEETING IS NOT UNTIL JULY 19, AND THIS IS JUNE 21.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY, IF POSSIBLE, TO GET THIS TRANSFER DONE IMMEDIATELY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OR THE CONCERT HALL CAN BEGIN CONSTRUCTION.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A WAY TO DO THAT BUT WRY HATE TO WAIT FOR A FORMAL TRANSFER UNTIL JULY 19 WHEN WE NEED TO ACT TOGETHER.
HUNTER, DO YOU -- BEFORE I CLOSE -- JEREMIAH?
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: JUST TO -- THROUGH THE CHAIR.
CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, I BELIEVE SINCE WE ARE APPROPRIATING FUNDING. WE NEED TO VOTE TO SUSPEND A RULE. WE HAVE A RULE ON THAT AND THAT WILL ALLOW US TO GO AHEAD AND VOTE TO APPROPRIATE IT.
I BELIEVE THAT -- >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: BRAD,
HUNTER. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: I NEED A
SMARTER LAWYER TO WEIGH IN. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR AND COMMISSION, I LOOKED AT HIM TO ADVISE YOU ON THAT.
AS FAR AS THE APPROPRIATION AMOUNT.
WE NEED TO BRING THAT -- WE NEED JESSE.
I WILL TEXT HIM. TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE AMOUNT -- YOU WE DON'T WANT TO COME BACK AND SAY TO DO A $50,000.
WE NEED THE AMOUNT -- THE PROJECTED AMENDMENT.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN CALL HIM.
>> I WILL GET HIM DOWN THERE. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: 5.4 MILLION FROM THE SHUTTER FUNDS. BUT AGAIN NOT TO BELABOR THE POINT, BUT I WANT TO TAKE ACTION, IF POSSIBLE, IF WE DOTTED THEIS AND CROSSED THETS. I WANT TO GO FORWARD AS A BOARD TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THE $5.4 MILLION BUDGET FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BALCONY AND NOT WAIT UNTIL 2023.
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: MR. CHAIRMAN, IF YOU ALLOW IT 5.4.
I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES.
>>COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: YES.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENT. VOTE TO SUSPEND THE RULES.
THAT PASSES 5-0. SO THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED.
IS THERE A MOTION TO MAKE A BUDGET TRANSFER OF $5.4 MILLION INTO THIS YEAR'S FUND AS OPPOSE TO 2023 TO MOVE FORWARD?
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: I CAN MAKE THE MOTION --
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: I SEE WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.
I DON'T KNOW IF -- IT. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE THE VOTE.
THAT WILL BE FAIR. >>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: YES,
BRING THIS UP WHEN NOBODY IS HERE INCLUDING YOUR STAFF AND CHANGING THE RURALS RIGHT HERE NOW.
YOU HAVE BEEN CHANGING RULES ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENT.
AND YOU THINK IT IS RIGHT TO TREAT THE PUBLIC LIKE THIS? YOU BRING THINGS UP AT THE LAST MINUTE WHEN NOBODY IS AROUND? YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANY RESPECT TO EVEN TALK TO THE STAFF ABOUT IT BEFORE YOU WANTED TO SUSPEND THINGS? BECAUSE YOU ARE A LAWYER? WOE TO LAWYERS, GO AHEAD.
YOU DO WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO. YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION AND YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM US. I KNOW THAT VERY MUCH.
AND I WILL KEEP SPEAKING OUT NO MATTER WHO IS HERE.
HOPEFULLY PEOPLE LISTENING ON THE TV OR STREAM THIS EVENTUALLY WILL GET UP AND VOTE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.
IN IS NOT THE KIND OF GOVERNMENT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE HERE.
YOU DECIDE TO DO THINGS AT THE LAST MINUTE.
SHAME ON EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR DOING THIS.
>>COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST: THANK YOU, MISS KILADY.
ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>>COMMISSIONER DEAN: FOR THE RECORD, I HAD A LENGTH DISCUSSION LAST WEEK ON THIS ITEM WITH C JOAN ANDREW WHO IS ON VACATION. A WELL-DESERVED VACATION WITH HER TWO CHILDREN. I DID DISCUSS THIS AT QUITE SOME LENGTH WITH JOY JUST FOR THE RECORD.
WITH THAT SAID, IF THAT COMPLETES PUBLIC COMMENT.
I SEE JESSE HAS ARRIVED. I DON'T KNOW IF JESSE WANTS TO WEIGH IN. BUT DID YOU MAKE A MOTION JETS, JEREMIAH, NOT YET ON THE ACTUAL TRANSFER.
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: NOT YET. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: DO YOU WANT TO WEIGH? ? I DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW -- I WILL SAY THIS.
I DON'T KNOW IF JOY SPOKE WITH YOU AND SHE AND I TALKED AT
LENGTH ABOUT THIS TRANSFER. >> SO I WAS ACTUALLY UPSTAIRS
[02:45:01]
WORK WITH THE CULTURAL EVENTS ACCOUNTANTS.SOMEONE SAID STOP ON DOWN. WE HAD A BUDGET -- WE HAD APPROPRIATED IN RESERVE FOR NEXT YEAR $5.4 MILLION TOWARD THIS PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL CAPITAL PROJECT.
IF IT IS THE BOARD'S DESIRE TO FAST TRACK OR APPROPRIATE IT THIS YEAR IN '22. IF WE CAN GET A MOTION, WE CAN -- WE WILL WORK ON THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
>>COMMISSIONER BLOCKER: I AM HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION TRANSFER
$5.4 MILLION. >> FROM THE CULTURAL EVENTS
FUND. >> FROM THE PONTE VEDRA CONCERT
HALL. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
PLEASE VOTE. AND THIS PASSES 5-0.
SORRY TO GRAB IT SO QUICKLY. JESS JESSE.
BUT AGAIN I DID HAVE A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH JOY AND I THOUGHT I COVERED THIS WITH THE STAFF APPROPRIATELY.
>> NO, THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER DEAN: ALL RIGHT.
I ALSO WANT TO JUST QUICKLY MENTION, I AM VERY HAPPY AND PLEASED TO REPORT AND EXCITE THAT SOUTH PONTE VEDRA RENOURISHMENT PROJECT. THE ONE-TIME PLACEMENT FROM THE BEACH CLUB UP TO SOUTH PONTE VEDRA SIX MILES IS BASICALLY FINISHING UP AND UNDER BUDGET SUBSTANTIALLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. SO DID A FANTASTIC JOB.
AND ANOTHER RENOURISHMENT FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC STANDPOINT. I THINK WITH THAT THAT IS ALL I HAVE. ANY OTHER
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.