[Items 1 -3]
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>>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I WILL CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE TTOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. IRVING, WILL YOU LEAD US.
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 LIB EFFORT AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU. ROLL CALL.
>> COMMISSIONER SARAH ARNOLD? COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, IF YOU ARE STILL WITH US, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
>>SAMUEL TROY BLEVINS: TARDY. I'M HERE.
>> JOE FINNEGAN? >>MICHAEL GORDON: HERE.
>>IRVING KASS: HERE. >>REGINA GALE PHILLIPS: HERE.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
MAYOR DON SAMORA BE A EN SENT. >>NANCY SIKES-KLINE: HERE.
>> MICHAE WICKS WILL BE BE A SENT.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE AGENDA.
>> SECOND. >>MICHAEL GORDON: ALL IN FAVOR.
ABOUT IS THERE PUBLIC COMMENT? OKAY.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM LAST WEEK.
I AM SORRY ARE JANUARY 30. >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES. >> I WILL SECOND ABOUT.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: ALL IN FAVOR. PUBLIC COMMENT? VERY GOOD. NOW WE ARE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECT SECTION.
>>. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS THAT ARE NOT ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD SHOULD COME TO THE PODIUM AND STATE HIS OR HER NAME AND ADDRESS.
EACH PERSON WILL WILL BE PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE BOARD'S RULES OF DUE QUORUM.
COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE AND NOT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER AND MAY NOT INCLUDE A DEMAND FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD.
NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PERSONAL, IMPERTINENT OR SLANDEROUS AMOUNT OR BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ANY DISRUPTIVE OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS.
[7. WELCOME NEW TDC BOARD MEMBER, IRVING KASS]
FINALLY I WILL ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER WHO PRESENT OVERHEAD MATERIAL, PLEASE PRESENT THE MATERIAL TO THE STAFF OF THE CLERK OF COURT TO BE ENTERED INTO PUBLIC RECORD.[8. SPORTS TOURISM GRANT APPROVALS]
THANK YOU. >>MICHAEL GORDON: VERY GOOD, THANK YOU. IS THERE PUBLIC COMMENT? VERY GOOD. WE WILL MOVE ON TO -- I WANT TO WELCOME BACK TO THE TDC, IRVING KASS.
WELCOME BACK. >>IRVING KASS: THANK YOU.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK ON THE COUNCIL.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: SPORTS TOURISM GRANT APPROVALS.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE A VARIETY OF SPORTS TOURISM GRANTS APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY THE ST. JOHNS PARKS ADVISORY BOARD.
AND THEY HAVE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS HERE.
I AM GOING TO RUN THROUGH THEM ALL AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE CAN GET THOSE ANSWERED FOR YOU.
THE FIRST ONE UP FOR CONSIDERATION TODAY IS THE INVITATIONAL RUGBY SHOWCASE. IT WILL BE TAKING PLACE MAY 20-21 WITH A $15,000 RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD. THE OLD SCHOOL KINGFISH SHOOTOUT
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JUNE 9-11 WITH A $20,000 RECOMMENDATION.AND THE PERFECT GAME EVENTS. A SERIES OF FOUR GAMES THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED HERE TODAY. THE FIRST ONE DID JUST OCCUR EARLIER THIS MONTH. MARCH 3-5.
THAT WAS THE NORTH FLORIDA KICKOFF CLASSIC AND $7500 RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS. THE OTHER ONE THE NORTH FLORIDA ABOUT SUPER REGIONAL NIT APRIL 14-16 WITH A $10,000 RECOMMENDATION FOR FUNDING. BATTLE AT THE BEACH WHICH OCCUR MAY 27-29 AND HAS RECEIVED A RECOMMENDATION OF $10,000 FOR FUNDING. AND THE SUNSHINE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TAKE PLACE JUNE 9-11.
RECOMMENDATION MADE FOR $10,000 OF FUNDING FOR THIS EVENT.
THAT IS ALL OF THEM. >>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THESE GRANTS?
>> I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE RUGBY.
IT SAYS THEY ARE USING THE THREE FOOTBALL FIELDS, BUT THAT IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF GROWING SEASON AND RUGBY IS THE WORST FOR TURF. ARE THEY USING THE TURF FIELD AT ALL? BECAUSE THAT WILL DO A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE FIELD. SO THEY ARE USING NATURAL -- NATURAL GRASS FIELD?
>> SO THEY ARE PLANNING TO USE THE THREE FIELD AT DAVIS.
AND WE WON'T BE MAKING ANY IMPROVEMENT TO THOSE FIELDS
UNTIL JUNE 1. >>MICHAEL GORDON: ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS? >> DOES THAT MEAN YOU ARE
COMFORTABLE WITH THAT? >> I AM NOT COMFORTABLE AT ALL WITH IT BECAUSE WILL COST US MORE MONEY WITH THE REPAIR THAN THE ACTUAL TOURNAMENT IS GOING TO BRING IN.
SO I CAN'T SUPPORT THE RUGBY ONE.
THE OTHER ONES I AM COMPLETELY OKAY WITH.
>> SO WITH THAT LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE TAKE UP EACH ONE OF THESEINDIVIDUALLY.
>> GO RIGHT AHEAD. >> THE FLORIDA INVITATIONAL RUGBY SHOWCASE IS THE FIRST IN THE LISTING AND THE FIRST ONE
FOR CONSIDERATION. >> IF WE TURN IT DOWN, IS THE
EVENT STILL HAPPENING? >> YES.
I WOULD SAY, YES, IT IS STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> JUST ON THE POINT OF THE RUGBY, CAN THIS BE ADDRESSED ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN IT IS GOING TO RUIN THE FIELD.
DO WE KNOW IT WILL RUIN THE FIELD? I KNOW IT WILL RUIN THE FIELD. I HAVE DONE RUGBY TOURNAMENTS BEF BEFORE.
>> SO THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR OF THE EVENT.
AND IT HAS BEEN HELD -- THREE DAVIS FOOTBALL FIELDS.
ONE AND THEN TWO SMALLER SIZES. LAST YEAR AWARDED $10,000.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUE OF ISSUE WITH GRASS FIELDS.
WE SCHEDULE THEM SPECIFICALLY IN THE MAY WINDOW AND LOCAL USERS ARE DONE LA CROSSE IN THE SPRING AT DAVIS AND SOCCER IN THE BACK FOR GRASS FIELDS. WE DON'T CLOSE GRASS FIELDS UNTIL JUNE 1 AND GREAT TIME TO REST THEM AND GIVE THEM PLENTY OF USE DECENT FORGET THE LOCAL USERS.
ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE SELECTED IN GROUP TO GO AT THIS TIME OF YEAR JUST FOR -- FOR OUR PARKS AND REC, INSIDE
INFORMATION. >>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT, I WILL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FIRST ITEM WHICH IS THE FLORIDA INVITATIONAL RUGBY SHOWCASE FOR
>>MICHAEL GORDON: WE WILL DO A ROLL CALL ON THIS ONE.
I AM SORRY, I DO NEED TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THAT FIRST? IS THERE PUBLIC COMMENT? THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER SARAH ARNOLD. >>SARAH ARNOLD: YES.
>> SAMUEL TROY BLEVINS. >>SAMUEL TROY BLEVINS: NO.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: YES. >>IRVING KASS: YES.
>> GALE PHILLIPS? >>REGINA GALE PHILLIPS: YES.
>>NANCY SIKES-KLINE: YES. >>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU.
THAT PASSES. NOW ON TO THE OLD SCHOOL KINGFISH. $20,000 RECOMMENDATION.
>> I WILL MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> I WILL SECOND. >>MICHAEL GORDON: VERY GOOD.
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>> MR. CHAIR, I NOMINATE PERFECT GAME FOR EVENTS WHICH INCLUDE NORTH FLORIDA KICKOFF CLASSIC, SUPER REGIONAL NIT, BATTLE AT
[9. MONTHLY REPORTS PROVIDED IN PACKETS]
THE BEACH AND SUNSHINE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR APPROVAL.>> I'LL SECOND. >>MICHAEL GORDON: IN ALL FAVOR.
THAT PASSES. ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THAT ONE? THAT'S TOO LATE, RIGHT. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU THERE. I AM SUSAN PHILLIPS WITH THE VISITORS AND BUSINESS BUREAU. VERY SHORT AND SUCCINCT.
GOOD NEWS TO SHARE. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH OUR TRADITIONAL AND VACATION RENTALS, LODGING.
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY WE HAD DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH.
YOU CAN SEE ALL THE NUMBERS. WHAT HAS HAPPENED THOUGH IS THE TRADITIONAL LODGE SOMETHING OFF THE CHARTS AND ALL THE METRICS.
AND VACATION RENTALS ARE SLIDING A LITTLE BIT.
THE OCCUPANCY IS DOWN AND THEY ARE HOLDING RATE AND THEY WILL CONTINUE THAT THROUGH JANUARY. I LOOKED AT THE REPORT NOT ON HERE FOR FEBRUARY. FEBRUARY IS SIMILAR.
SAME TYPE OF NUMBERS. TRADITIONAL LODGING IS DOING WELL. CARRYING THE WEIGHT.
VACATION RENTALS OFF SLIGHTLY. LOOKING AT THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF MARCH, WE SAW SIMILAR PATTERNS AND NUMBERS UP SINGLE DIGITSND A LOT OF THAT WAS THE TIME PERIOD FOR THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP. SO FAR OUR NUMBERS ARE DOING WELL. WE KNOW THAT YEAR-OVER-YEAR, THOUGH, WE WILL START SEEING SOME CHANGES AND PROBABLY SEE MORE CHANGES IN THE VACATION RENTAL MARKET.
IN A FEW MINUTES WE ARE GOING TO TALK -- I KNOW CHRISTINA.
DID YOU WANT TO TALK OF THE SOUTHERN LIVING.
MAYBE WE CAN DO THIS JOINTLY. WE ARE DOING A LOT OF THINGS JOINTLY, IF YOU ALL HAVEN'T NOTICED.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, SUSAN CALLED ME UP A LITTLE SOONER THAN I WAS EXPECTING. WE ARE GOING TO SHARE INFORMATION ON THE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS FOR LAST MONTH, BUT I DID WANT TO START OUT BY CALLING EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TO THE COVER OF THIS MONTH'S SOUTHERN LIVING WHICH IS SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU. THAT WILL BE ON NEWSSTANDS IN JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN EFFORT THAT REALLY EVERYONE IN THE DESTINATION WHO DOES MARKETING, WHO RUNS LODGING, MATERIAL AND HOSPITALITY DESERVE CREDIT.
THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER WITH SOUTHERN LIVING FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DOING ADVERTISING AND WORKED TOGETHER TO BRING PHOTOGRAPHERS IN FOR A BEAUTIFUL ARTICLE INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE AND TO WORK WITH THE TRAVEL WRITERS WHO DID A GREAT JOB TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE CULTURAL ASSETS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS DESTINATION. SO WE ARE VERY EXCITED THAT ST.
AUGUSTINE NAMED THE SOUTH BEST SMALL TOWN BY THE READERS OF
SOUTHERN LIVING. >> IRVING, YOU COULDN'T GET ON
THE BALCONY. >>IRVING KASS: WHAT WAS IS THAT?
>> YOU COULDN'T GET ON THE BALCONY?
>>IRVING KASS: DECIDED TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL MODEL.
>> GREAT TO SHARE THIS ON IRVING'S FIRST DAY BACK AND
ABOUT IRVING'S RUN OF THE TDC. >> IF EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE I
CAN BUY 4,000 COPIES OF IT. >> I CAN PROBABLY FIND YOU A
COUPLE OF EXTRA ONES. >> WE CAN ACTUAL LEGAL JUST STAY HERE IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH THIS, CHRISTINA.
I WILL GO THROUGH OTHER NOTES. PUBLICITY -- WORKING WITH CHRISTINA AND HER TEAM AND OUR TEAM CONTINUE TO DO A LOT OF FUN THINGS AND MAKE NUMBERS, HIGH NUMBERS.
IN A FEW MINUTES I WILL SHARE A FUN EVENT AND INFORMATION FROM FAR MAYOR NANCY SIKES-KLINE. IT WAS ON THE "TODAY SHOW." IT WAS A FEW MINUTES. WE ARE SEEING THE BUSINESS COME BACK FROM A MEETINGS PERSPECTIVE.
WE SAW WEDDINGS COMING BACK. SPORTS TRAVEL AND SPORTS ABOUT TOURISM IS COMING BACK AND WE ARE SEEING IT COME BACK VERY SOLIDLY. A RADIO PROMOTION JUST PASSED -- THIS PAST MONTH VISIT FLORIDA AND ATLANTA STATION AND MARKET.
ONE I HAD TO PUT OFF FROM LAST YEAR WITH THE HURRICANES, BUT THEY DID A GREAT SHOWCASE OF OUR DESTINATION.
WE ALSO HAVE A BRAND-NEW ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN ENTITLED "IT'S ABOUT TIME. ." WE WILL BE SHOWING THAT AT T THE VCB BOARD MEETING.
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, WE WOULD LOVE TO SHOW TO YOU.TV, PRINT, A LOT OF DIGITAL. ALL SORTS OF WHERE WI WILL EMOTIVE ADS WITH YOU. A CONCERTED EFFORT.
CHRISTINA WORKED WITH ALL OF US ON THIS.
SOMETHING YOU WILL BE PROUD OF. DIFFERENT THAN TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY. THE AN TIS SIS OF THAT.
ABOUT HEARTSTRINGS,LY MOTION. TIME.
THAT IS ALL WE HAVE. IF WE THINK ABOUT IT, TIME IS SO PRECIOUS AND IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US.
WE WILL BE ROLLING THAT OUT AND SHOWCASING NEXT WEEK.
LAUNCHING OUR FLORIDACOAST.COM WEB SITE ON MARCH 3.
IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE, TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
IT IS VERY BEAUTIFUL. I DON'T SAY THAT BECAUSE I AM PREJUDICED AND I WANT IT TO BE SO PRETTY BUT FUNCTIONALITY AND USE. WHAT IT WILL ALLOW US TO DO IS BUILD SECTIONS ON THE WEB SITE THAT TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCES AND TALKING AND DIGGING DEEP INTO ALL SORTS OF CULTURAL EXPERIENCES, CULINARY EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCES HISTORY EXPERIENCES, TOUR EXPERIENCES AND WHERE PEOPLE CAN TAKE USE OF A LOT OF VIDEO AGRAFEE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AND I WILL SHOW YOU A VIDEO IN -- VIDEOGRAPHY AND WE ARE GOING TO SHOW YOU A VIDEO ABOUT THAT.
FEATURING OUR MUSIC SCENE. SO MUCH TO SHOWCASE AND SHARE IS SO AMAZING. THOSE ARE MOST OF MY NOTES.
ALSO A ABOUT SPANISH MICRO SITE. WITH A NEW WEB SITE, TO ATILOR IT FOR A SPANISH MARKET. AND THIS WILL BE LAUNCHED NEXT MONTH AS WELL. BEFORE WE GO TO THE VIDEO.
TALK OF THE TOURISM ADVISORY WORKFORCES.
WE HOSTED TWO TOURISM ADVISORY WORKFORCES FEBRUARY 3 AND 23.
TWO ONE IN PONDRE VEDRE AND ONE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
WE GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION. A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE INTEREST IN. WHAT IS THE TOP TAKEAWAYS.
>> ECO TOURISM IS ONE WE HEARD OVER AND OVER.
>> INTERESTING TO ATTEND THE MEETING FROM THE TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS BECAUSE YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT GROUP IN PONDRE VEDRA THAN ST\. AUGUSTINE.
A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
THINGS WE DON'T NORMALLY TALK ABOUT AT STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOPS HOW THE CITY IS WORKING TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS DOWNTOWN.
WE DID HEAR ABOUT PARKING ISSUES MORE THAN WE TYPICALLY DO.
HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST OF IN THE GRANT PROGRAMS AND HOW THEY WILL BE FUNCTIONS, BUT, YES, ECO TOURISM WAS A BIG TOPIC.
WE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT OYSTERS AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY CAN BE TO
ST. JOHNS COUNTY. >> LEARNED MORE THAN WE WANTED
TO. >> BUT IS I FELT THAT THE AUDIENCES IN BOTH PLACES WERE VERY ENGAGED AND WE LEFT WITH A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION TO HELP US PLAN OUR MARKETING FOR THE
NEXT YEAR. >> AND I THINK ALSO ONE OF THE THINGS CAME UP THAT I THINK GAVE CHRISTINA AND I A POINT OF PRIDE IS THAT PEOPLE SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS ARE WORKING ■BETTER TOGETHER. WE ARE LIKING THE COMMUNICATION.
WHY THAT ISN'T NECESSARILY WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING AS AN OUTCOME, IT WAS NICE TO GET THE AFFIRMATION.
GOOD TO HEAR THE COMMENTS THAT CAME IN.
STILL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. PEOPLE WANT TO SEE MORE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN OTHER AREAS THAN JUST THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
OF COURSE, THEY WANT SOLUTIONS TO ALL THESE THINGS THAT WE BROUGHT. BUT A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL THE COMMENTS, AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO SHARE THAT.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. SO WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS FROM EACH ONE OF YOU A SURPRISE. WHAT SURPRISED YOU?
DID ANYTHING SURPRISE YOU? >> I DON'T THINK I HEARD ANYTHING THAT WAS SURPRISING. BOTH MEETINGS WENT SMOOTHLY.
PEOPLE SEEMED ENGAGED AND OVERALL THEIR COMMENTS WERE POSITIVE. BECAUSE WE HAD FOLKS THAT AREN'T ENGAGED WITH THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
WE HAVE A LITTLE PUSHBACK AND SOME OF THE COMMENTS WE HEAR FROM TIME TO TIME ABOUT DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE IS TOO BUSY AND WE HAVE TOO MANY VISITORS WHICH EVERYONE SITTING ON THIS BOARD HAS HEARD THOSE COMMENTS BEFORE BUT OVERALL VERY POSITIVE MEETINGS AND EVERYBODY FELT GOOD OF THE WORK BEING DONE TO MARKET
THE DESTINATION. >>I THINK THE ONLY OTHER THING IS THERE WAS AN EMPHASIS -- REALLY I THINK AT BOTH MEETINGS, ABOUT WATER -- MORE USE OF THE WATERWAYS.
THAT IS A TREMENDOUS NATURAL RESOURCE AND ASSET FOR US AND A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS. WE HAD FOLKS WITH TIES TO THE
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INDUSTRY IN THE SAILING AND BOATING INDUSTRY AND THEY WERE VOCAL AND USE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AND LEVERAGE IT.A TIE-IN TO ECO TOURISM AND TOURISM.
I DON'T THINK ANYTHING EARTH SHATTERING BUT A GREAT WAY FOR FOLKS TO FEEL LIKE THEY WERE LISTENED TO AND TO SHARE
THOUGHTS AND IDEAS. >> THANK YOU.
>> YOU ARE WELCOMING. >> I HAVE GONE THROUGH -- I TOLD YOU IT WAS SHORT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME.
WE HAVE TWO VIDEOS I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.
ONE OF THEM -- LET ME GET MY NOTES ON IT.
WE LIKE TO WORK WITH FLAGLER COLLEGE STUDENTS WHENEVER WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND SMART YOUNG FOLKS ANDER IN OUR FUTURE.
THEY COME IN TO INTERN. SPENCER HOOKER AND ASHLEY CHAPMAN WANTED TO PRODUCE A GROUP OF VIDEOS THAT SHOWCASE THE BLACK HISTORY IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
EN TITLE THREE VIDEOS, WATERING OUR ROOTS, AN EXPLORATION INTO ST. AUGUSTINE'S BLACK HISTORY. THEY WORKED AT GALE.
I PHILLIPS BEFORE. THEY HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.
THEY ARE SHORT VIDEOS AND WILL SHARE THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
ANYBODY WHO IS INTERESTED. WE HAVE THREE OF THEM BUT WE WILL GO AHEAD AND SHOW THE FIRST ONE NOW. THEY HAVE DONE AN EXCE.
THEY ARE SHORT VIDEOS AND WILL SHARE THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
ANYBODY WHO IS INTERESTED. WE HAVE THREE OF THEM BUT WE WILL GO AHEAD AND SHOW THE FIRST ONE NOW.
>> IF MAYBE TOM CAN HELP ME WITH THE VOLUME FROM THE BACK?
THAT WILL BE WONDERFUL. >> I HAVE IT UNMUTED.
LET ME TRY AGAIN. >> ST. AUGUSTINE'S STREET ARE INTERESTING MATCH OF CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CAME TO ST. AUGUSTINE TO PUSH METHODS FORWARD SPEAK ALONG THE CITY AND LOCAL BRANCHES OF THE NAACP.
THE PROTESTS DREW NATIONAL ATTENTION IN THE SPRING OF 1964 LEADING UP TO TO THE SIGNING OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.
THE FREEDOM TRAIL REMEMBERS ST. AUGUSTINE'S ROLE IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. ♪
>>> I AM SPENCER, AND THIS IS WATERING OUR ROOTS, EXPLORATION INTO THE BLACK HISTORY IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
WE ARE CELEBRATING THE ACCORD AND FREEDOM TRAIL.
THE ANNIVERSARY OF CIVIL RIGHTS FREEDOM.
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RICH CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY THAT OCCUR IN THE STREETS WE WALK EVERY DAY WITH 30 SITES THAT MARK WHERE THE DEMONSTRATIONS TOOK PLACE. THIS IS ANDREW YOUNG CROSSING ONE OF THE SITES ON THE ACCORD FREEDOM TRAIL.
LED A MARCH INTO THE PLAA. THE PROTESTERS WERE MEANT WITH BRUTAL VIOLENCE. YOUNG WAS STRUCK DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES. HE SERVED AS AMBASSADOR AND BECAME THE 53RD MAYOR OF ATLANTA.
AND THE FREEDOM TRAIL ABOUT ACCORD SHOWS.
THE BUILDING ITSELF IS PART OF THE ATTRACTION.
ONCE A DENTAL OFFICE. ROBERT HALING WAS A CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER IN ST. AUGUSTINE. AS N ADVISOR TO THE NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL BILL AND AHEAD OF THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, HE HELD MANY MEETINGS AND PLANNING SESSIONS AT HIS OFFICE. ♪
>>> SO THAT WAS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE ARE TRYING TO TELL THE STORY BETTER ON OUR WEB SITE, ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND ABOUT SHARE IT WITH OTHERS. WONDERFUL ONE OF THESE STUDENTS -- ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT THEY ARE GETTING CREDIT FOR.
SOMETHING THAT IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
JANUARY 15, WE HAD THE "TODAY SHOW" IN TOWN AND THE CALL CAME IN TO MARY WHISTLE AND MAYOR NANCY SIKES-KLINE WANTING TO
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BESTOW -- AN AWARD TO SHOWCASE ST. AUGUSTINE AS A WINTER GIVEAWAY. ONE OF SIX DESTINATIONS.WE WERE GOING TO BE THE FIRST. I THOUGHT THIS ISN'T THE VC B'S HE ROLE TO RUN IT BECAUSE IT CAME IN THROUGH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. AND WE WORKED TOGETHER TO BEST HANDLE IT. MAYOR NANCY SIKES-KLINE DID A GREAT JOB. THE WEATHER COOPERATED ALTHOUGH PEZ PARKAS ON BEFORE WE STARTED THE SERIES.
>> WINTER ESCAPE. SHOWCASING DESTINATIONS FROM
COAST TO COAST. >> FIRST STOP, AMERICA'S OLDEST CITY ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. FIRST COAST NEWS JOINS US WITH MAYOR NANCY SIKES-KLINE. HI, GUYS, WELCOME!
>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING YOU GUYS TO BEAUTIFUL ST. AUGUSTINE. [CHEERING] THEY ARE HERE JUST FOR YOU GUYS THIS MORNING.
THE SUN IS SHINING. A LITTLE COOL THIS MORNING.
BUT WE WILL BE IN THE 70S BY LATER ON TODAY.
I AM GOING TO MAKE YOU JEALOUS QUICKLY.
WE SAW DOLPHINS SWIMMING BY. RIGHT ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF LIONS. ST. AUGUSTINE IS GORGEOUS AND SO MUCH TO BRAG ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO VISITORS.
WE WANTED TO BRING YOU IN HERE. THE MAYOR OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
PINPOINT THINGS. WHY SHOULD PEOPLE COME HERE AND
WHY IT IS A GREAT WINTER ESCAPE. >> IT IS WARM AND BEAUTIFUL.
THE SUN SHINES ALL THE TIME AND GREAT HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE, FOOD. WE ARE VERY FRIENDLY AND HOSPITABLE AND LIKE TO INVITE EVERYBODY TO COME.
>> THAT IS RIGHT. YOU NAME IT, WE'VE GOT IT.
DIA SAN MARCOS. THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM.
THE LIGHTHOUSE. SO MUCH TO ENJOY.
THE BEACHES, WE GOT TO TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
>>THE BEACHES ARE BEAUTIFUL. A WONDERFUL STATE PARK RIGHT IN THE CITY LIMITS AND WALKABLE AND GORGEOUS.
YOU CAN COLLECT SHELLS AND JUST ENJOY THE SUNSHINE.
>> MAYOR, A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE COME AND ENJOY AND THE HIGHWAY IS THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.
TELL US ABOUT THAT. YOU CAN DRINK FROM THE FOUNTAIN
A WONDERFUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK. A LOT OF HISTORY AND WE INVITE
PEOPLE TO SEE THAT AS WELL. >> WE HAVE A PIRATE IN THE AUDIENCE. TOURS AND MUSEUMS. TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY. IF YOU ARE A HISTORY LOVER, YOU
HISTORY IS WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE PEOPLE COME AND VISIT AND EXPLORE.
SEE OUR BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE. EAT IN OUR RESTAURANTS.
AND JUST COME AND HAVE FUN -- RELAX AND HAVE FUN.
>> YES, COME ON OUT AND ENJOY AND RELAX, FOLKS.
BEFORE WE GET THERE, A MESS STAGE FROM ST. AUGUSTINE TO YOU
AT HOME. >> COME TO ST. AUGUSTINE.
>> BEAUTIFUL. BY THE WAY I HAVE BEEN TO ST. AUG, ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL CITIES ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE FREEZING YOUR -- YOU KNOW, YOURSELF OFF, YOUR TUSHIE OFF.
GUYS ARE, GREAT JOB. >> IF YOU HAVEN'T VISITED, WHY NOT. IF YOU THINK YOU LIVE IN THE TOWN THAT THE PERFECT WINTER ESCAPE, LET US KNOW AT TODAY.COM AND PERHAPS WE WILL FEATURE IT ON THE SHOW.
>> THANK YOU, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND I AM HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU. >>NANCY SIKES-KLINE: I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO BRING THE CROWD.
THEY DID ASK FOR BODIES THAT WERE HAPPY AND SMILING AND YOU CAN SEE THE SIGN THAT MELISSA BROUGHT THAT THEY PROVIDED.
WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR HELP.
IT WAS VERY SHORT IN NOTICE. WASN'T MUCH PREPARATION TO IT.
BUT THE SUN WAS SHINING DIRECTLY IN OUR FACES.
SO IT WAS KIND OF HARD TO SEE WHAT WE WERE DOING BUT IT WORKED OUT VERY WELL. THANK GOODNESS WE HAD GOOD WEATHER. WE WERE ABLE TO KIND OF SHOWCASE
[10. MEMBER COMMENTS]
THAT. >>MICHAEL GORDON: CONGRATULATIONS, A GREAT SEGMENT.
MAYOR, THE LIKE THE POLITICIAN YOU ARE, YOU DIDN'T ANSWER THE
QUESTION. >>NANCY SIKES-KLINE: WHICH
QUESTION. >>MICHAEL GORDON: ORANGE JUICE AND COFFEE GO TOGETHER?
>>NANCY SIKES-KLINE: ABSOLUTELY. BUT I DON'T DRINK ORANGE JUICE.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: AND I DON'T DRINK COFFEE.
>>NANCY SIKES-KLINE: WE STILL GO TOGETHER.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MEMBER COMMENTS? >>IRVING KASS: GOOD TO BE BACK.
>>MICHAEL GORDON: WELCOME BACK, IRVING.
>> I HAD A COMMENT, SORT OF LIKE ADDS ON TO THAT.
ONLY OURS IS FREE PUBLICITY ALSO.
FROM -- I JUST GOT AN E-MAIL THIS AFTERNOON.
AND I DON'T KNOW -- MUST HAVE BEEN A YEAR AGO THAT STUDENTS
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FROM LANDRUM MIDDLE SCHOOL IN POND ARERE VEDRA AND GOT HONORARY MENTION FROM C-SPAN OF PLAQUE HISTORY IN ST. AUGUSTINE.IT IS A WONDERFUL VIDEO AND I WILL SHARE IT AS WELL.
A SHOUT OUT TO THOSE STUDENTS. >>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU.
>> CHRISTINE, DID WERE YOU ABLE TO GET FREEDOM ON YOUR MIND FOR YOU. WERE YOU ABLE TO GET THAT TAKEN CARE OF? I KNOW YOU HAVE YOUR EVENT
HAPPENING OUT THERE. >> SORRY, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION?
>> ABLE TO GET THE FREEDOM ON THE MIND.
>> WE TRIED TO REACH OUT FOR THAT AND MAY NEED A NEW UPDATED
E-MAIL FOR YOU. >> I WILL AND THIS TO CHAD.
HE HAS THE FORMAT. >> THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT. AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVITE EVERYONE FOR AN EVENT AT ST. AUGUSTINE H BEACH AND I AM GOING TO BLANK ON A THE EXACT DATE. THE FOURTH WEDNESDAY IN ANTICIPATE, THE 26TH OF APRIL. WE ARE UNVEILING THE PANELS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED THROUGH A NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT OUT AT THE OLD ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH HOTEL BY THE PIER THAT TELLS THE HISTORY OF ABOUT ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH THROUGH THE DAYS IN THE 40S AND 50S A SOCIAL CENTER THROUGH ST.
AUGUSTINE BEACH THROUGH THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND WEIGH-INS ALL
[11. NEXT MEETING DATE – June 19th]
THE WAY THROUGH TODAY. AN EVENT 5:30 ON WEDNESDAY 26TH.AND WE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.