Jun 06, 2023 Board of County Commissioners

ACTUALLY START AT 55. NOW THEY START AT $52,000. >> THANK YOU.

[1. Constitutional Officers’ Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Presentations - St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections and St. Johns County Sheriff. ]

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THESE EXTRA OFFICERS? >> YES, MA'AM. WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY, THE WAY WE TRACK CRIME IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, I THINK WE'RE ONE OF THE MOST TECHNOLOGY BASED POLICE ENTITIES I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. WE'RE GETTING BETTER AT IT.

WE ADJUST PERSONNEL BASED ON CALLS FOR SERVICE. WHAT WE'RE NERVOUS ABOUT, BELTWAY COMING AROUND CLAY COUNTY THROUGH JACKSONVILLE. ADDITIONAL LANES ON I-95.

AND WE'LL HAVE A 10-LANE HIGHWAY DUMPING FROM DUVAL COUNTY.

AND WE THOUGHT WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF LULL IN THE AMOUNT OF BUILDING PERMITS.

I SEE WE'RE BACK UP IN THE MONTH OF MAY IN THE MID 400S. BACK UP ON THE TREND AGAIN.

INCREASE IN GROWTH AND KEEPING CRIME DOWN, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SHERIFF, I HAVE A QUESTION, OBVIOUSLY THE MAJORITY OF YOUR INCREASE IS WITHIN PERSONNEL.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TRYING TO RETAIN AND RECRUIT NEW OFFICERS.

I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE IN THE PAST AND OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT BY INCREASING THE RATE OF PAY FOR YOUR STARTING DEPUTIES.

>> YES, SIR. FIRST OF ALL, WE TOOK THE MILITARY RECRUITING RETENTION CONCEPT AND BROUGHT IT HERE TO THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

AS YOU'LL SEE TODAY, IN THE ARTICLE, ON THE THIRD WEALTHIEST COUNTY IN STATE OF FLORIDA, THE AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, $518,000.

WITH THE MEDIAN INCOME IS $88,000. WE STRIVE ON SELLING A CULTURE AND NOT JUST A PRICE TAG ON WHAT YOU BRING HOME, AS FAR AS YOUR PAY.

BUT WE WANT TO HAVE THE BEST EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR MEN AND WOMEN PROTECTING OUR CITIZENS OUT THERE. PROVIDING THAT STATE OF THE ART COMPUTER, CAR.

TRAINING IS PHENOMENAL. OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS HAVE GONE DOWN.

HOLD OUR CITIZENS ACCOUNTABLE TOO AS WELL. I FEEL LIKE THE MORE WE BRING INTO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, IT'S MAKING US EASIER TO MARKET THAT PRICE TAG AT $55,000.

DUVAL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THEIR FIVE-YEAR MARK, THEY ARE TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS MORE THAN US. AS YOUR SHERIFF, WORKING WITH THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I THINK WE CAN GET TO WHERE WE'RE COMPETITIVE AND COMPARATIVE.

WHAT KIND OF PUT A DENT IN US, MR. CHAIR, WHEN THEY IDENTIFIED THE FISCALLY CONSTRAINED COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THERE WAS 26 THEY IDENTIFIED, WHERE THE STATE ACTUALLY FUNDED THEM TO CATCH UP IN PAY. IT DIDN'T HELP US OUT AT ALL.

PUTNAM COUNTY WAS THE ONLY COUNTY THAT RECEIVED MONEY TO RAISE THEIR DEPUTY SHERIFF STARTING PAY. WE'RE COMPETITIVE WITH SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

OUR CITIZENS ACTUALLY WANT US TO POLICE HERE. WE ARE PROFESSIONALLY AGGRESSIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE CRIME IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

OUR PEOPLE TOO SEE THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTS THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND FIRE AND RESCUE AND THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK HERE.

WE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RAISE THE PAY AS THE PRICE OF MILK AND CHEESE.

ONE THING GREAT IS WORKFORCE HOUSING, TRYING TO FIND WAYS FOR OUR TEACHERS, FIREFIGHTERS TO LIVE HERE. BUT THE HARD THING FOR MY DEPUTY SHERIFF TO LIVE IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH A MARKED CAR. THEY'LL NEVER GET A TIME OFF.

IT'S HARD. SO WITH THAT, AGAIN, COMMISSIONER, THIS COMMISSION HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME, I APPRECIATE THAT. I DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

BUT AGAIN, THE STARTING PAY AT $55,000 WILL HELP US RETAIN AND RECRUIT QUALIFIED DEPUTY

SHERIFFS TO WORK IN OUR AGENCY. >> I APPRECIATE THAT ANSWER. COMMISSIONER DEAN.

>> SHERIFF, YOU TOUCHED A MINUTE AGO ON BODY CAMERAS. WHEN YOU FIRST BECAME SHERIFF, I RECALL YOU IMPLEMENTED A PILOT PROJECT AND I THINK YOU'RE EXPANDING THAT NOW.

I GET SEVERAL QUESTIONS FROM TIME TO TIME ABOUT DO WE HAVE BODY CAMERAS.

>> YES, SIR. THANKS, COMMISSIONER. YES, SIR.

SO WHEN I BECAME SHERIFF, WE ACTUALLY DID A COUPLE OF PILOT PROGRAMS. WE BACKED OFF AFTER THE FIRST YEAR AS YOUR SHERIFF TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO.

I LISTENED TO THE CITIZENS, WHAT DO YOU WANT. WE FOUND SOME OTHER AREAS IN THE AGENCY TECHNOLOGY WISE THAT WE INVESTED IN WHICH I THOUGHT WAS MORE IMPORTANT.

EVERY DEPUTY SHERIFF IS EQUIPPED WITH A BODY WORN CAMERA.

WE ARE BATTLING WITH ISSUES WITH THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THEY ARE NOT ON WHILE WORKING IN THE SCHOOL. EVERY DEPUTY SHERIFF PHYSICALLY

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YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET AND SUPERVISOR ELECTIONS BUDGET. THAT WAY PEOPLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL STEP BACK UP, IF THAT IS

OKAY WITH YOU, SIR. >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE

SHERIFF'S BUDGET. DUVAL >> JANET, REPRESENTING THE ST.

JOHN CIVIC ROUND TABLE. THE ROUND TABLE RISES TO WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET. WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US. CONSEQUENTLY, WITH THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH THE COUNTY HAS EXPERIENCED, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SHOULD GROW ACCORDINGLY IN MANPOWER AND TOOLS. SO WE CANNOT AFFORD TO COMPRIS PUBLIC SAFETY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. GOOD MORNING.

>> ED SLAVIN. I AM DELIGHTED TO HEAR THAT WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING ON BODY CAMERAS. BACK IN 2016, WE HAD A FORMER SHERIFF ACTUALLY SAID THAT HE REJECTED THE FALSE NARRATIVE THAT COPS NEEDED TO BE WATCHED. OF COURSE, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS HAD DIFFERENT IDEAS. AND THE ROMAN JUVENILE SAID WHO GUARDS THE GUARDIANS.

WELL, BODY CAMERAS WORK. THEY DO A GOOD JOB. IF A CITIZEN IS ABUSED, WE'LL KNOW IT. IF A DEPUTY IS ABUSED, WE'LL KNOW IT.

THE RECENT CASE OF THE DEPUTY WHO WAS MAKING AN ARREST AND DIED, WE HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION TO PROSECUTE THE GUY THAT APPARENTLY -- IT'S A CASE OF HOMICIDE.

FELONY MURDER PERHAPS. BUT WE'VE GOT THE EVIDENCE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE SHERIFF, THOUGH, AS TO INTERNAL CONTROLS, AS RAISED BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE COUNTY HAS FILED AGAINST THE FIRM OF KARR, RIGGS AND INGRAHAM, YOU WILL BE HAVING A SHADE MEETING ABOUT THAT. DON'T SETTLE THAT LAWSUIT. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT GOOD INTERNAL CONTROLS IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THE SAME FORMER SHERIFF HAD 20, 30 FEET FROM HIM. SHE HASN'T GIVEN THE DEPOSITION YET.

WE HAD AN EMBEZZLER WHO IS THE CFO OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

THE ONE THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE SHERIFF CORRECT, FEDERAL DATA QUALITY ACT, FALSE STATEMENT ABOUT SHERIFF DAVIS, SAYING ON THE WEB PAGE, I QUOTE, THAT HE WAS EXONERATED BY THE FLORIDA STATE SENATE. ACTUALLY, SHERIFF DAVIS WAS REMOVED BY A 44-2 VOTE OF THE FLORIDA STATE SENATE. I HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY POINTING THAT OUT SINCE NINE AND A HALF YEARS AGO. WE NEED TO HAVE A PART OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT ADDRESSES ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES, WHITE COLLAR CRIMES, CORPORATE CRIMES.

THE ONES COMMITTED BY DEVELOPERS. FINALLY LIKE TO SEE THE COUNTY COMMISSION DO WHAT JESSIE HAS TOLD Y'ALL YOU CAN DO, PASS A RESOLUTION, YOU CAN REQUIRE EACH OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS TO PRESENT THEIR BUDGETS BY MAY 1ST, NOT JUNE 1ST, THAT WAY WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT IN PUBLIC AND GET THE DATA AND LOOK AT THE LINE ITEMS. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IN ALL OF OUR BUDGETS THAT WE TALK ABOUT ACTUAL LINE ITEMS INSTEAD OF JUST BROAD NUMBERS. LIKE WE WERE DOING AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS BUDGET WORKSHOP THE OTHER WEEK. GOOD JOB ON THE SHERIFF.

GREAT NEWS ON BODY CAMERAS. NO. LO DAVIS WAS NOT EXONERATED.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. NAME WILLIAM FISHER, 10130 MCMAN AVENUES.

THIS IS AN ATTENTIVE BUDGET PRESENTATION BY THE . THIS IS AN ATTENTIVE BUDGET PRESENTATION BY THE SHERIFF. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND FIRE/RESCUE NEEDS TO GROW.

IT'S ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

GOOD MORNING. >> CHUCK LUBANOWSKI. I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF'S

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A SECOND JOB. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> SHERIFF, I DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO

ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS OR ADD ANYTHING ELSE. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

AGAIN, SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS WERE ALREADY ANSWERED OF COURSE.

AND ONE THING I DO WANT TO ADDRESS IS THE INTERNAL CONTROL MEASURES IN THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE IN THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, OF COURSE, WE WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THE O&B AND DIRECTOR JESSIE DUNN. WE ADDED A CFO HERE RECENTLY TO THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF, WHO CAME WITH EXPERIENCE, CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA. I WANT TO REMIND THIS COMMISSION THAT WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY IF TWO OF OUR EMPLOYEES DIDN'T COME FORWARD AND BRING THIS ATTENTION TO THE STAFF AND THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND THEN POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOING THE INVESTIGATIVE WORK. I COMMEND OUR PEOPLE FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING ALL OF THE TIME WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING. OTHERWISE, I'M NOT SURE WE WOULD BE HERE TODAY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I TELL THE COMMISSION AND CONSTITUENTS TOO AS WELL. WITH THAT, ALL THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.

IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE THE SHERIFF HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

>> QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

MOVING RIGHT ALONG TO OUR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS. VICKIE OAKES.

GOOD MORNING, VICKIE, WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSIONERS.

IT'S AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AS YOUR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS.

AND TODAY, I AM GIVING YOU TWO PUBLICATIONS. I DO A VERY DETAILED PUBLICATION ON MY ANNUAL BUDGET REQUEST EVERY YEAR. THERE IS TWO ITEMS TODAY.

NOT JUST MY BUDGET INFORMATION BUT ALSO A STRATEGIC PLAN AMENDMENT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TOUCH ON IN MY BUDGET TODAY. I AM ACTUALLY ON A FOUR-YEAR BUDGET CYCLE WITH THE ELECTIONS OFFICE. ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS, I HAVE A BUDGET THAT HAS TWO ELECTIONS IN IT. THAT OCCURS THIS YEAR. FOR MY TOP PRIORITY, AND THE TOP PRIORITY OF EVERY ELECTION SUPERVISOR IN THIS STATE IS SECURING OUR ELECTIONS.

THAT STAYS ON THE TOP OF OUR LIST. OF COURSE, THAT TAKES SOME FINANCIAL, TAKES MONEY TO DO SO. WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT AGAIN IN JUST A LITTLE BIT. STAFFING ADJUSTMENTS, ADDITIONAL POLLING PLACES, POLL WORKERS, THAT HAS TO DO WITH COUNTY GROWTH. AS WE KNOW, IN EVERY DEPARTMENT, WE ARE FACING THE FALL-OUT OF THE GROWTH IN THE COUNTY AND MY OFFICE IS THE SAME. THE SAME WITH THE OPERATIONAL COST FOR SERVICES FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, THOSE CONTINUE TO INCREASE. AND MY PUBLIC OUTREACH WITH OUR EDUCATION AND INFORMATION FOR OUR VOTERS HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY HIT AND THAT SUPPLY CHAIN PRINTING AND MAILING OUR POSTAGE COSTS JUST REALLY CONTINUED TO INCREASE.

THAT AFFECTS MY BUDGET QUITE A BIT. SO THE TWO ELECTIONS THAT ARE IN THE 24 BUDGET THIS YEAR. MARCH 19TH, PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PRIMARY.

THIS ELECTION OCCURS EVERY FOUR YEARS THE SAME YEAR WE HAVE OUR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

AS YOU ALL, BECAUSE OF FLORIDA'S CLOSED PRIMARIES, OUR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY IS SPECIFIC TO THE PARTIES. WE WILL HAVE A REPUBLICAN PARTY BALLOT FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES. WE WILL HAVE A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT FOR SELECTION. AND IT IS WHERE OUR VOTERS WILL MAKE THEIR CHOICES KNOWN FOR THEIR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES. AND THEIR NOMINEE, WHICH WILL RECEIVE THE DELEGATE VOTES AT THE CONVENTION. NON-PARTISAN VOTERS, MINOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND VOTERS WITH NO PARTY AFFILIATION ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION.

LOCAL, FEDERAL STATE AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS WILL OCCUR IN AUGUST.

NOT ONLY THE PARTY PRIMARIES, BUT SCHOOL BOARD JUDICIAL ELECTIONS AS WELL.

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HOWEVER, OUR MUNICIPALITIES, SUCH AS ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH AND CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, MAY BE, DEPENDING UPON THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES THAT QUALIFY DURING THE QUALIFICATION PERIOD.

NOW, YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE A FULL SLATE THIS YEAR AND A BUSY YEAR AHEAD OF US IN '24.

ON THE STATE LEVEL, THEY QUALIFY ALL OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE CANDIDATES, LOCALLY MY OFFICE QUALIFIES COUNTY, THE MUNICIPAL AND OUR SPECIAL DISDISTRICT OFFICES AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS. WE ARE LOOKING THIS YEAR AT QUALIFYING BETWEEN 140 AND 150 CANDIDATES FOR THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

AS OUR COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW, AS WE CONTINUE TO ADD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS, THAT IS WHAT AFFECTS OUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE. I DID WANT TO TOUCH ON ELECTION SECURITY JUST A LITTLE BIT. MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IN 2017, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DESIGNATED ELECTIONS AS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. AS A PART OF THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR. IN 2017, OUR LIVES AT THE ELECTIONS OFFICE CHANGED.

BECAUSE IN 2016, THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN OUR ELECTIONS, WE KNOW NOW HOW THAT TURNED OUT. OUR WORLD CHANGED. I LEARNED A NEW WORD, CYBERSECURITY. BEGINNING IN '17 AND '18, OUR STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERED WITH ALL ELECTION SUPERVISORS TO PUT TOOLS INTO PLACE TO HARDEN OUR SYSTEMS, TO DO CONTINUED ASSESSMENTS AND STRENGTHENING OF OUR SYSTEMS AND THOSE WERE IN PLACE AHEAD OF THE 2018 ELECTIONS AND CONTINUE IN PLACE TODAY. LAW REQUIRES US TO USE CERTIFIED VOTING SYSTEMS TO COUNT OUR BALLOT. THERE IS A PARTICULAR CERTIFICATION SYSTEM AT THE DIVISION OF ELECTIONS, WITH THE STATE.

AND AS A SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, I CAN ONLY PURCHASE A VOTING SYSTEM THAT IS CERTIFIED BY THE STATE. WE HAVE PRE-ELECTION TESTING, THOUSANDS OF BALLOTS ARE TESTED PRIOR TO EACH ELECTION. AND WE HAVE A PUBLIC TEST OF OUR VOTING EQUIPMENT.

OUR EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE CERTIFIED THAT IT IS COUNTING ACCURATELY BEFORE IT CAN BE USED IN AN ELECTION. AND SINCE 2007, FLORIDA HAS BEEN CONDUCTING POST-ELECTION AUDITS. EVERY COUNTY, EVERY ELECTION THAT DOES NOT HAVE A RECOUNT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A PUBLIC AUDIT. WHAT THOSE AUDITS HAVE SHOWN, HAND COUNTING THE BALLOTS AGAINST OUR MACHINE TOTALS YEAR AFTER YEAR, ELECTION AFTER ELECTION. OUR POST-ELECTION AUDITS HAVE CONFIRMED THE ACCURACY OF OUR VOTING MACHINES. OUR LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN OUR MAINTENANCE LAWS AS WELL AS VOTE BY MAIL SAFEGUARDS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF OUR VOTER ROLLS AND GUARD OUR VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT PROCESS. WE'VE GOT SOME NEW LAWS THAT TAKE AFFECT THIS YEAR WITH REGARD TO LIST MAINTENANCE. I'M VERY EXCITING ABOUT.

WE HAVE OUR DAILY PROCESS OF LIST MAINTENANCE ON OUR VOTER ROLLS.

EVERY DAY VOTERS MOVE IN TO THE COUNTY, OUT OF THE COUNTY. PEOPLE PASS AWAY.

ONCE A YEAR WE ARE REQUIRED TO RUN OUR VOTER ROLLS AGAINST THE NATIONAL CHANGE OF ADDRESS.

SO WE GET INFORMATION ON VOTERS WHO MOVE WITHIN THE COUNTY, WITHIN THE STATE AND OUT OF THE COUNTY. BUT I LIKE TO DO A BETTER JOB THAN THAT.

WE'VE GONE TO A PROCESS OF DOING OUR NCOA EVERY 60 DAYS HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS INACCURATE VOTER ROLLS COSTS THE COUNTY MONEY.

THERE IS NO ONE IN THIS ROOM THAT WANTS MORE ACCURATE VOTER ROLLS THAN ME.

WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY LAW THAT WE ARE ABLE TO. THE LEGISLATURE SPECIFIED MUST

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PREVIOUSLY THE CLERK OF COURTS REPORTED TO THE STATE FELONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

THEY WILL NOW BE COMMUNICATING WITH THE SUPERVISORS, MY OFFICE, WEEKLY ABOUT FELONS, CONVICTIONS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, SO WE CAN BEGIN THAT PROCESS.

AND THAT THIS IS A GREAT IMPROVEMENT. BECAUSE PREVIOUSLY THE STATE WAS BEHIND. 67 COUNTIES MANAGING FELONS. THEY GOT A COUPLE OF YEARS BEHIND ON NOTIFYING SUPERVISORS, OF FELONS CONVICTED IN THEIR COUNTIES.

THIS IS A GREAT IMPROVEMENT. WE WILL BE ABLE TO MANAGE THAT PROCESS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

WE WILL BE GETTING WEEKLY REPORTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHEN SOMEONE FROM FLORIDA MOVES TO ANOTHER STATE AND THAT STATE NOTIFIES FLORIDA, THE DRIVER'S LICENSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED, WE'LL GET THAT INFORMATION AND REACH OUT TO THOSE VOTERS.

IN PLACE LAST YEAR, WE ROLLED OUT A NEW GIS MAPPING SYSTEM, WHICH HELPS THE INTEGRITY OF OUR VOTER ROLLS AND HOW THAT HELPS IS, WE HAVE AN ADDRESSING POINT SYSTEM THAT WHEN YOU REGISTER TO VOTE, WE GO TO ADD YOUR ADDRESS AND IF THERE IS NOT A VALID RESIDENTIAL POINT FOR THAT ADDRESS, THEN WE HAVE TO RESEARCH THAT. IT PROHIBITS VOTERS FROM REGISTERING AT COMMERCIAL ADDRESSES, POST OFFICE BOXES, UPS BOXES AND VACANT LOTS.

I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR POLLING PLACES. BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH IN THE COUNTY, WE WILL BE ADDING TWO NEW POLLING PLACES THIS YEAR. WHEN WE REDREW PRECINCT LINES IN 2022, WE MADE SOME DECISIONS ABOUT AREAS THAT WERE SPECIFICALLY GROWING.

AND PLAN FOR FUTURE GROWTH. WE DO WHAT IS CALLED CO-LOCATING PRECINCTS, WHERE PRECINCTS CAN SHARE A POLLING PLACE UNTIL THEY REACH A SIZE WHERE THEY NOW ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THEIR OWN POLLING PLACE. WE HAVE TWO LOCATIONS NOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SEPARATING OUT. AND THEN WE HAD FOUR PRECINCTS THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SECURING NEW LOCATIONS FOR FOR THE '24 ELECTIONS.

ONCE OUR POLLING PLACES ARE ALL SET, VOTERS WILL BE NOTIFIED. EARLY VOTING REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR WAYS TO VOTE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. AND LOVE PROVIDING THIS.

IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTY. I AM RESTRICTED TO USING COUNTY FACILITIES. I HAVE NO CHOICE ABOUT THAT. I HAVE TO USE COUNTY OR GOVERNMENT FACILITIES IN THE NORTHWEST JULINGTON CREEK IS A VERY SMALL PLACE BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH IN THAT AREA JUST HASN'T KEPT UP. MY OFFICE, SOMETIMES WE SEE ALMOST 1300 VOTERS A DAY COMING TO MY OFFICE. THIS IS A PICTURE FROM THE OPENING DAY FROM THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION. WE HAD VOTERS NOT ONLY DOWN THE SIDEWALK, THEY WERE ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY FOR THE FIRE STATION AND DOWN AVENUE A, WAITING TO COME AND VOTE. OF COURSE, THERE ARE BUDGETARY IMPACTS.

I HAVE TO HIRE AND PAY POLL WORKERS. BUT IT DOES REMAIN ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR WAYS TO VOTE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR CANVASSING BOARD. FLORIDA ALWAYS HAS OPEN, TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS.

OUR MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. WE HAVE ABOUT 20 STAFF MEMBERS, WHEN WE HAVE THESE MEETINGS. WE TAKE VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST US.

AND THEN ALL OF OUR MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THEY ALWAYS HAVE BEEN.

PEOPLE CAN COME AND WATCH THE TESTING OF OUR VOTING MACHINES, CANVASSING, THE OPENING AND COUNTING OUR VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS. EVERYTHING, A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE DO ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IN CASES OF RECOUNT, OF COURSE, THAT IS ALSO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL. SOME OF YOU HAVE SERVED AS MEMBERS ON THE CANVASSING BOARD IN PAST ELECTIONS. AND THEN WITH OUR 24 UPCOMING

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I MENTIONED OUR PUBLIC AUDITS THAT WE HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING. IN THE PAST, THEY HAVE BEEN MANUAL, WHERE WE MANUALLY DRAW A RACE AND PRECINCT. HAND COUNT THE VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS, PRECINCT BALLOTS AND THE EARLY VOTING BALLOTS AGAINST THE TABULATED RESULTS.

YEAR AFTER YEAR, THEY HAVE CONFIRMED THE ACCURACY OF OUR RESULTS.

AND I NEVER FELT I NEEDED TO BUY AND MAINTAIN A SEPARATE SYSTEM TO PROVE TO ME THAT OUR MACHINES ARE ACCURATE. HOWEVER, THE POLITICAL CLIMATE HAS BEEN CHANGED.

OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THIS IS A NEW PRODUCT THAT SOME COUNTIES HAVE BEEN USING IN FLORIDA. IT'S CALLED CLEAR BALLOT. AND WE ARE EMBRACING THE IDEA.

AND EMBRACING THE FACT THAT WE'VE COME TO A POINT IN TIME WE'RE GOING TO PURCHASE THE SYSTEM. AND WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING 100 PERCENT AUDIT OF OUR ELECTION RESULTS MOVING FORWARD. IT IS A COMPLETELY SEPARATE SYSTEM. CONFIRMS THE ACCURACY OF OUR RESULTS.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE WERE ABLE TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE A GRANT FROM THE STATE WHICH WILL PAY FOR 72 PERCENT OF THE COST OF THE AUDIT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IMPLEMENTING THAT BEGINNING WITH THE NEXT ELECTION. WITH THE CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE COUNTY, IT ALSO AFFECTS MY STAFFING. THIS IS JUST ONE YEAR.

FROM '22 TO '24. WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDING AN EMPLOYEE.

35 TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. AND YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE AMOUNT OF POLL WORKERS THAT WILL NEED TO BE ADDED. 525 POLL WORKERS, THOSE WILL BE WORKING.

WE ACTUALLY WILL TRAIN ABOUT 600 POLL WORKERS IN PREPARATION FOR THE ELECTION.

SO I DO HAVE A BUDGET INCREASE THIS YEAR OF ABOUT 20 PERCENT FOR ALL OF THE REASONS THAT I JUST MENTIONED, THE TWO ELECTIONS, GROWTH IN THE COUNTY, AND THE INCREASE IN SERVICES. ONCE IN A WHILE, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR STATE GRANTS. WE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO COME UP.

DURING THIS YEAR ALONE, IN FEBRUARY, WE RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM THE STATE, THEY HAD STATE GRANTS AVAILABLE. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THAT.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO APPLY AND I THINK THEY ARE CUTTING OUR CHECK TODAY FOR ABOUT $111,000 WORTH OF GRANT FUNDING. VERY EXCITED. WE ALWAYS PURSUE ANY GRANT ACTIVITIES WE CAN, WHENEVER POSSIBLE. SO THIS IS WHAT MY INCREASE LOOKS LIKE. ABOUT 20 PERCENT INCREASE THIS YEAR OVER LAST YEAR.

BEFORE I TAKE QUESTIONS, I WANT TO GIVE YOU ALL AN UPDATE ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT I PRESENTED TO THIS BOARD LAST YEAR. DURING MY BUDGET HEARING.

FOLLOWING THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION, IT BECAME VERY APPARENT THAT MY OFFICE HAD OUTGROWN OUR CURRENT FACILITY. SO IN '21, WE SPENT THE YEAR PUTTING TOGETHER OUR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR OUR OFFICE. I PRESENTED THAT TO THE BOARD LAST YEAR.

THE BOARD WAS VERY GRACIOUS AND AFFORDED MY OFFICE APPROXIMATELY TWO MILLION DOLLARS TO MAKE SHORT-TERM ADJUSTMENTS TO MY BUILDING. AND LOOKING AT AND BEGAN THE DISCUSSION FOR LONG-TERM. SO WE MADE, WE LOOKED AT A NUMBER OF OPTIONS FOR HOW WE CAN IMPROVE MY CURRENT FACILITY. A NUMBER OF OPTIONS.

AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS, I'M NOT WILLING TO SPEND TWO MILLION DOLLARS ON A BAND-AID.

I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT. THAT IS MY DECISION. I'M JUST NOT GOING TO DO IT.

AND WHAT I WANT TO FOCUS ON IS LONG-TERM. WE MADE A FEW ADJUSTMENTS.

WE MADE SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS YEAR. BUT I WANT TO FOCUS ON LONG-TERM. HERE IS WHERE WE ARE, A LITTLE HISTORY FOR YOU NEW COMMISSIONERS. MY OFFICE HAS BEEN IN THE CURRENT LOCATION, WE MOVED HERE

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15 YEARS AGO, WE ADDED ABOUT 3300 SQUARE FEET TO THE OFFICE. WHICH SERVED US WELL FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS. ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, WE OUTGREW.

STAFF INCREASE, EQUIPMENT, THINGS HAVE CHANGED. OUR COUNTY HAS GROWN.

WE HAVE TO STAY UP WITH IT. WE NOW HAVE OVER 226,000 REGISTERED VOTERS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. IT'S TIME TO FOCUS ON LONG-TERM.

THIS BOARD ALSO IN ITS WISDOM LAST YEAR, HIRED A CONSULTANT TO LOOK AT LONG-TERM RANGE PLANS FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY, NOT JUST THE ELECTIONS OFFICE. FOR EVERY AREA IN THE COUNTY.

AND CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, COUNTY STAFF, WE'VE BEEN MEETING, WE'VE BEEN -- OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN ASSESSED. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REPORT THAT WILL COME OUT VERY SHORTLY FOR ALL OF THE FACILITIES, INCLUDING MINE, WHICH MEANS THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON PLANNING AHEAD AND NOT JUST LOOKING BACK AND SAYING OH, YOU KNOW, WE OUTGREW OUR FACILITIES TEN YEARS AGO. NOW WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SOME LONG-RANGE PLANS. IT'S PAST TIME TO DO THAT. SO MEETING WITH A CONSULTANT, LOOKING AT LONG-RANGE PLANS, THEY AGREED THAT CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED WHERE I AM CURRENTLY AT. SO LONG-TERM, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TODAY, JUST ASKING YOU AND MAKING YOU AWARE OF THE FACT THAT LONG-TERM PLANS IS TIME TO PLAN FOR MY OFFICE.

WITH THAT, I WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MIGHT HAVE FOR ME.

>> MADAM SUPERVISOR, THANK YOU FOR THE THOROUGH PRESENTATION. I THINK YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT FOR US TO PROCESS HERE. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE SUPERVISOR AT THIS TIME?

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> SURE. JUST TO CLARIFY, OUR MACHINES

ARE NOT DOMINION MACHINES? >> THAT'S CORRECT. THEY ARE NOT.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU GOING THROUGH THE VOTER ROLL. I THINK THAT IS THE WAY TO DO THAT. IT'S NOT AS LONG-TERM. SHORT-TERM, I THINK THAT IS GREAT. SECOND OF ALL, I DO HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW, THEY'RE PROTECTED.

>> OKAY. SO OUR LEGISLATION HAS CHANGED THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

VOTERS, ALL OF THE VOTE BY MAIL REQUESTS FROM THE 2022 ELECTIONS EXPIRED.

NOW, A VOTER HAS TO REQUEST THEIR BALLOT EACH AND EVERY ELECTION CYCLE.

SO IN 2022, THEY WENT AWAY. ANY NEW REQUEST, AND WHEN A PERSON REQUESTS THEIR BALLOT, THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE NOT ONLY THEIR NAME, THEIR ADDRESS, THEIR DATE OF BIRTH, THEY ALSO NOW HAVE TO PROVIDE THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER OR LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY SO WE CAN VERIFY THAT IT IS THAT INDEED THAT PERSON MAKING THEIR REQUEST.

SO THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF CHANGES ADDRESSED BY OUR LEGISLATURE, TO PUT SOME LAYERS

AROUND THAT. >> COMMISSIONER DEAN >> I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION.

I HAVE A COMMENT WHILE BOTH VICKIE AND THE SHERIFF ARE STILL HERE.

I WANT TO SAY QUICKLY THAT I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH LOCAL CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS FROM AROUND THE STATE DURING MY CAREER IN GOVERNMENT.

I WORKED WITH 35 OF THE 67 COUNTIES BETWEEN ST. JOHNS AND SOUTH FLORIDA.

SO WITH THAT BACKGROUND, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT OUR TEAM OF FIVE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ARE ABOUT AS GOOD AS I'VE EVER SEEN. AND EXTREMELY COMPETENT, RESPONSIVE AND DEDICATED TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY. AND I JUST HOPE ALL OF THE CITIZENS IN THIS COUNTY RECOGNIZE WHAT A GREAT TEAM WE HAVE.

I CALL IT THE A TEAM. AND WE'VE HEARD FROM THREE OF OUR FIVE TODAY.

AND THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING. I HAD TO SAY THAT TODAY.

>> YEAH. ABSOLUTELY AGREE. MADAM SUPERVISOR, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I GOT SOMETHING RIGHT. YOU'RE PURCHASING A CLEAR BALLOT SYSTEM, NOT IN RESPONSE TO FRAUD OR INACCURACIES THAT YOU DISCOVERED DURING THE ELECTIONS, BUT JUST IN RESPONSE TO THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT? I JUST THINK THAT IS SORT OF

TELLING THE PRESSURE THAT YOU'RE UNDER. >> YEAH. ON A DAILY BASIS TOO.

[00:35:05]

WE HAVE OPEN TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN IN FLORIDA FOR A WHILE.

I CONDUCT OFFICE TOURS OF MY OFFICE. WE OPENED OUR DOORS, BEGINNING IN 2022, AND EVERY MONTH HAVE TOURS OF OUR OFFICE. PEOPLE THAT WANT TO KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT HOW ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED. NOT ONLY IN FLORIDA, BUT IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME AND TAKE A TOUR OF OUR OFFICE.

I ENCOURAGE THAT. I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME AND LEARN.

I HAVE 100 PERCENT CONFIDENCE IN OUR VOTING SYSTEM AND OUR PROCESSES.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR VOTERS TO LEARN THAT THEY CAN TOO.

>> I JUST COMMEND YOU FOR TAKING EVERY STEP THAT YOU CAN WITHIN THE LAW TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT ELECTIONS HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

MADAM VICE CHAIR, I DO WANT TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS BUDGET. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JUDY SPIEGLE. IT IS NICE TO PUT A FACE TO THE NAME VICKIE OAKES. SO THAT WAS LOVELY TO MEET YOU AND SEE YOU AND HEAR YOU TALK.

A LITTLE CLARIFICATION. I'M SURE THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS.

SHERIFF HARDWICK JUST SAID THAT THE CURRENT POPULATION IS 298,422.

I'M SURE THERE IS A REASON THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE SO SIMILAR. BECAUSE I DON'T SEE HOW THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE. SO I'M SURE THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT.

ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I HAD WAS SHE SAID THAT WHEN A PERSON MOVES TO ANOTHER STATE AND THEIR FLORIDA DRIVER'S LICENSE IS CANCELLED, THEN THE OTHER STATE NOTIFIES US THAT THEIR LICENSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND THEN SHE SAID SHE I QUOTE/UNQUOTE, REACH OUT TO THOSE VOTERS. WHAT IS THAT PROCESS? ARE THEY AUTOMATICALLY NOT REMOVED FROM THE ROLLS? JUST A QUESTION OF HOW THAT WORKS.

THE OTHER THING WAS THE CLEAR BALLOT THING. I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT. NOT SAYING IT'S A GOOD THING OR BAD THING.

POLITICAL CLIMATE IS SCARY RIGHT NOW. THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR THAT THEIR VOTES DON'T COUNT. I AM ALL ABOUT LETTING YOUR VOICE BE HEARD AND COUNT.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

EDSLAVIN. JUST A MOMENT AGO, CAPTAIN DURDEN FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TOLD ME HE JUST REMOVED THE LANGUAGE FROM THE SHERIFF'S WEBSITE.

I SAY THANK YOU. ONE THING, COULD WE PLEASE MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY IN THAT BUDGET TO HAVE AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL CITY LIMITS IN THE ST. AUGUSTINE. I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN A BONE OF CONTENTION SINCE I RAISED IT IN 2008. FINALLY, WE HAD EARLY VOTING AT THE CALHOUN CENTER.

I NOTICED IN 2022, I DON'T THINK WE HAD THAT AGAIN. I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY IN THAT BUDGET, TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE IN WEST AUGUSTINE DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR AFIELD TO VOTE. IT'S ONE THAT IS CLOSE TO MY HEART.

WHEN I WAS IN MEMPHIS AND AFTERWARDS, I RAISED 15TH AMENDMENT CONCERNS THAT ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUING MEMPHIS UNDER THE 15TH AMENDMENT AND STOPPING PRACTICES THAT THEY HAD DONE FOR YEARS.

FINALLY, MEMPHIS GOT TWO BLACK MAYORS. BECAUSE THE VOTING RIGHTS LAWS WERE ENFORCED. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAVE A NEARBY PLACE THAT IS ACCESSIBLE, WHERE YOU DON'T NEED AN AUTOMOBILE OR TWO DIFFERENT BUS TRANSFERS TO GET THERE.

ALSO, I DON'T KNOW IF MS. OAKES CAN ADDRESS THIS, BUT WHEN I HEARD ON NPR RECENTLY ABOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND EIGHT OTHER STATES BAILING OUT OF THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM CALLED ERIC THAT IS USED TO VERIFY THAT PEOPLE AREN'T REGISTERING TO VOTE IN TWO PLACES.

IT SEEMED LIKE SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA, IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE WERE NOT REALITY BASED, THEY WERE GOING WITH PROPAGANDA. AS A RESULT OF THE DECISION MADE IN TALLAHASSEE, OUR ELECTIONS MAY NOT BE SECURE. BECAUSE PEOPLE COULD VOTE IN CONNECTICUT AND HERE AND PERHAPS BE UNDETECTED. SO WE NEED TO LOOK TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN TALLAHASSEE, STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND MAYBE UNDO THAT BEFORE THE 2024 ELECTION. I WAS TROUBLED TO HEAR THAT FLORIDA DID THIS UNILATERALLY.

[00:40:01]

BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN. WITHOUT EIGHT STATES BELONGING TO ERIC, THAT COULD BE PROBLEMATIC. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MS. OAKES AND THANK Y'ALL FOR ALLOWING

PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THANK YOU, SIR. IN ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS BUDGET? SEEING NONE, CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> MRS. OAKES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND OR DO YOU HAVE

ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD? >> YES.

WE ARE ACTUALLY WAITING ON CLARIFICATION FROM THE STATE WITH THE OUT OF STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE, WHERE THAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE AN ACTUAL CANCELLATION, OR WHETHER THAT IS GOING TO FALL IN OUR LIST MAINTENANCES PROCESSES. WITH THE NEW LAW COMING INTO EFFECT, THERE ARE STILL A FEW ITEMS TO BE WORKED OUT. WE ARE LOOKING AT AND HAVE NOT SETTLED ON OUR EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.

UNFORTUNATELY, TURN-OUT IN THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE NOT USUALLY GOOD.

SO WE HAVE ABOUT SIX LOCATIONS, REGULAR SIX LOCATIONS THAT WE WILL BE USING FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN 2020, FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION, I WAS ABLE TO SECURE TEN EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS. SO THAT IS MY GOAL. SO WE'LL BE LOOKING AT LOCATIONS. THERE AGAIN, I AM RESTRICTED ON THE LOCATIONS THAT I CAN USE TO GOVERNMENT. REGARDING ERIC, I TOO WAS VERY SAD THAT OUR GOVERNOR MADE THE DECISION TO PULL FLORIDA OUT OF THE STATE. IT WAS THE ONLY SYSTEM THAT WE HAD WHERE WE COULD CROSS-CHECK VOTERS WITH OTHER STATES. THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM US NOW. DECISION IS A LITTLE HIGHER THAN MY PAY GRADE.

IT WAS SUPPORTED BY ALL 67 SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS. AT THIS POINT THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO ABOUT THAT EXCEPT TO SAY THAT I AM SAD TO SEE IT GO.

WE ARE HOPING THAT THE STATE WILL NOW UNDERTAKE OTHER ACTIONS TO SEE ABOUT REPLACING THIS TOOL THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM US. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER DEAN >> YEAH. I WANT TO RESPOND, JUDY TO YOUR QUESTION. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS JUST MY SORT OF I GUESS CORNBREAD REACTION TO PEOPLE. WE'VE TOSSED AROUND WHAT THE POPULATION IS IN THIS COUNTY.

WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION AT THE LAST MEETING, OR THE ONE BEFORE.

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT I THINK. THE 2020 CENSUS WAS ROUGHLY 275,000, IF I REMEMBER THAT, CHRISTIAN. THAT NUMBER WAS BASED ON RESEARCH THAT WAS GATHERED IN 2019. SO TO ME, THAT REFLECTS WHAT THE POPULATION WAS IN THIS COUNTY IN 2019. 275,000. IF YOU LOOK OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, JUST TAKE THE LAST FOUR YEARS, 19, 20, 21, 22, CONSERVATIVE GROWTH FIGURE FOR THIS COUNTY, IN MY OPINION, IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA AROUND THE STATE, AND YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTY'S GROWTH, CONSERVATIVE GROWTH FIGURE WOULD BE FIVE PERCENT A YEAR. SO IF YOU APPLY THAT TO THE 2019, 275,000, THAT GIVES US ROUGHLY 325 TO 330, 325,000 TODAY. JUDY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE VOTING ROLLS, IT'S ROUGHLY 225,000. VERSUS 325. SO THE VOTER ROLLS ARE ABOUT 100,000 LESS. AND THAT INCLUDES, A, A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T REGISTER AND B, A LOT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. SO I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT BASIS FOR THAT DIFFERENCE WITH

JUDY AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO MAY CARE OR NOT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN. I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF AGAIN AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR COMING OUT HERE, SHARING WITH US YOUR BUDGET. THANK YOU, MADAM SUPERVISOR FOR SHARING YOUR PRESENTATION AND BUDGET WITH US. IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE FROM THE BOARD, THAT WILL CONCLUDE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1. NO ACTION REQUIRED.

[2. KeHE Distributors, LLC Economic Development Incentive Request. ]

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2. MRS. ANDREWS. >> GOOD MORNING.

AND WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING. JOY ANDREWS, DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I'M HERE TO PRESENT THIS ITEM OF RECOMMENDED INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR KEHE DISTRIBUTORS, LLC, AS YOUR APPOINTED PUBLIC AGENCY FOR ECONOMIC

[00:45:09]

I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE DAVID KIERNAN, JENNIFER, FROM OUR OFFICE, WHO HAVE WORKED WITH THE DEVELOPER AND KEHE REPRESENTATIVES. GROWTH MANAGEMENT, TRANSPORTATION, CAME UP WITH CREATIVE IDEAS TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE APPLICANT.

AND FIND A WAY TO RETAIN THEM. I REALLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WOULD RECOGNIZE COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE SPENT TIME PERSONALLY WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES FROM THIS APPLICANT.

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST AND YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR EXPRESSION OFOMMISSIONER WHITER SUPPORT AND YOUR EXPRESSION OF YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR EXPRESSION OF YOUR APPRECIATION OF THIS BUSINESS. IS WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.

THIRD LOCATION OF WE SUBMITTED TO THEM DURING THE TIME FRAME OF ONE YEAR.

I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE LISA FROM CIVIC ROUND TABLE. SHE HAS SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS WITH US AND THE APPLICANT AND WANTED TO HELP THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY WANTS THEM TO BE HERE. IN YOUR PACKET, FOR THE STRUCTURE OF THIS PRESENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND MENTION THAT WE HAVE INCLUDED A REQUIRED COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR THIS PROJECT, ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS. ALSO THE GRAND CALCULATION, WHICH HELPED US TO ARRIVE TO THE FINAL INCENTIVE REQUEST. AND A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO PZA FROM CIVIC ROUND TABLE, SIGNED BY THE CHAIR, LISA. WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM CIVIC ROUND TABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE BETH TATE AND INVITE HER IN A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEIR SUPPORT TO THIS PROJECT.

ALSO, WE HAVE THE APPLICATION ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS PACKET. BY ORDINANCE AND OUR INCENTIVE PROGRAM, WE'RE REQUIRED AS A PUBLIC AGENCY, I'M REQUIRED TO REVIEW ANY APPLICATION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE. AND PROVIDE YOU WITH A WRITTEN REPORT AND OUR RECOMMENDATION.

SO HERE WE ARE KEHE DISTRIBUTORS, LLC. KEHE IS A REALLY LONG-STANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER. THEY HAVE A LONG HISTORY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THEY ARE AN ORGANIC FOOD DISTRIBUTOR AND VALUE MEMBER OF OUR COUNTY.

THEY ARE ALSO AN EMPLOYEE-OWNED ORGANIZATION. THEY PROVIDE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS P THAT INCLUDE EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN. SO THEY HAVE PROPOSED IN THEIR APPLICATION TO RELOCATE AND EXPAND TO THE NEW LOCATION, WHICH IS LOCATED ON DEERPARK BOULEVARD, TO A FACILITY THAT IS GOING TO BE BUILT AND THE SIZE OF THE BUILDING IS 530,000 SQUARE FEET. AT THIS MOMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A NOTE AND REMIND THE COMMISSIONERS, THE LAND USE ITEM THAT IS COMING BEFORE YOU ON THE 20TH OF JUNE IS INDEPENDENT OF THIS REQUEST FOR INCENTIVE PACKET. SO YOUR DECISION TODAY WOULD NOT HAVE ANY BINDING EFFECT FOR YOUR DECISION COMING UP THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.

SO JUST BECAUSE YOU EITHER APPROVE OR DENY THIS ITEM, WOULD NOT HAVE ANY IMPACT ON YOUR DECISION ON THE 20TH. THEY DID GO BEFORE THE PZA IN MAY FOR THEIR APPLICATION FOR LAND USE CHANGE AND RECEIVED A UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE.

SO WITH THAT, THEY ARE PROPOSING TO MOVE IN TO THEIR NEW FACILITY THAT IS TO BE BUILT, ANTICIPATED ON THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2025, AND A TOTAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT IN LAND BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT IS ESTIMATED AROUND 85.5 MILLION. THEY'RE PROPOSING THEIR AVERAGE WAGE IS APPROXIMATELY $52,000. HERE IS A SITE OVERVIEW AND AERIAL MAP.

THERE IS A SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS MAP LATER ON WHEN I TALK ABOUT INCENTIVE.

I WILL BRING THE MAP BACK IN A LITTLE BIT. BUT IN GENERAL SENSE OF THE LOCATION, THEY'RE RIGHT OFF OF 95 AND 207. IT'S REALLY ADJACENT TO THEIR CURRENT LOCATION. THEY REALLY OUTGREW THEIR CURRENT LOCATION AND THEY WERE

[00:50:01]

HE WILL BE EQUIPPED TO SPEAK ABOUT THE IMPACT. >> YES, MA'AM.

GOOD MORNING. WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING.

SO JUST TO CLARIFY WHAT THESE ARE, THESE ARE ALL OPERATIONAL IMPACTS, MEANING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITY IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THESE NUMBERS.

THEY ARE ALSO DIRECT IMPACTS. MEANING THAT NONE OF THE DOWNSTREAM INDIRECT OR INDUCED IMPACTS THAT WE ESTIMATED OR INCLUDED HERE. THIS IS A SORT OF A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE KEHE'S NEW FACILITY. RIGHT NOW, THEY HAVE 345 JOBS THAT WE WANT TO KEEP IN THE COUNTY. AND AS THEY EXPAND IN THEIR NEW FACILITY, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ADD 100 MORE. THE LABOR INCOME IS WHAT THOSE 445 JOBS WOULD EARN. THAT INCLUDES BOTH WAGES, SALARIES AND BENEFITS.

AND THEN GROSS COUNTY PRODUCT, THAT IS SORT OF A MEASURE OF OVERALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

AND IT'S GOING TO INCLUDE THE SPENDING OF THOSE WAGES, KEHE SPENDING ON GOODS AND SERVICES.

AND SOME OTHER FACTORS LIKE EXPORTS AND KEHE WOULD BE A NET EXPORTER, THEY'RE A DISTRIBUTION COMPANY. SO IF THERE IS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. KIERNAN AT THIS TIME? THANK YOU, SIR.

>> SO THIS IS OUR RECOMMENDED INCENTIVE PACKAGE. SO UNDER OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM, UNDER THE CATEGORY OF A NEW BUSINESS, THEY HAVE SCORED 6.5.

WHICH WOULD MAKE THE PROJECT ELIGIBLE FOR A TWO-YEAR REIMBURSEMENT OF THEIR AD VALOREM TAXES THAT THEY PAY ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT. TWO YEARS OF INTANGIBLE PROPERTY TAXES THAT PAID INTO THE COUNTY TO BE REIMBURSED BACK.

AND 50 PERCENT OF THE FEES THAT THEY PAID INTO WHICH WOULD INCLUDE IMPACT FEE, UTILITY CONNECTION FEES. THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS, WHICH WE HAVE GRANTED THROUGH THEIR LAND USE APPLICATION. THE ONE COMPONENT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEND JUST A LITTLE TIME ON AND I MIGHT NEED HELP WITH OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT TO SPEAK ON THE TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY MEASURE IN THE INTERSECTION OF 207 AND DEERPARK BOULEVARD. IN THE APPLICATION OF PUD, THERE IS A MENTIONING ABOUT A SIGNALIZATION, A SAFETY MEASURE THAT ANTICIPATED TO BE PUT AT THE INTERSECTION OF 207 AND DEERPARK BOULEVARD. IF YOU HAVE DRIVEN THAT AREA, IT IS -- IT CAN BE VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN ALL TRAFFIC COME TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME. WE DO ALSO HAVE OUR NEWLY-RENOVATED GOLF COURSE ACROSS THE STREET AND HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FIRE STATION BEING BUILT ACROSS THE STREET. SO TO THE EXTENT THAT IF A SAFETY TRAFFIC STUDY WARRANTS THAT THERE ARE OTHER TRAFFIC MITIGATION NEEDS OUTSIDE OF KEHE'S OPERATION, THE COUNTY HAS IDENTIFIED UP TO ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE IMPACT FEE THAT IS COMING FROM THAT DESIGNATED AREA TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE SIGNAL.

THE APPLICANT WILL STILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.

AND SO IN A SENSE, THAT IF THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 33 PERCENT OF THE TRAFFIC GENERATION, AT THE INTERSECTION, THEY WOULD PAY INTO 33 PERCENT OF THAT COST UNTIL WE REACHED THE LIMIT OF ONE MILLION. SO IF A SIGNAL COSTS MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION, THE DIFFERENCES OF THE COST BURDEN ON KEHE WOULD BE ABSORBED BY KEHE AND ITS DEVELOPER.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE OF IT.

DICK DEZUZA IS HERE, IF YOU NEED ANY EXPANSION OF WHAT I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED.

SEEING NONE, I'M GOING TO GO TO NEXT. THIS IS THE FINAL RECOMMENDED

[00:55:01]

STAND BY FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH >> I JUST HAVE A COMMENT.

I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT WE'RE DOING THIS WITH COMPANIES THAT WE REALLY LIKE HERE IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. I JUST FEEL LIKE THEY WOULD HAVE STAYED HERE ANYWAY.

BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO THEIR FACILITY. I QUESTION HOW MUCH OF A TAX BREAK WE'RE GIVING THEM. BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I WOULD VOTE AGAINST.

I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT I THINK THEY WOULD HAVE STAYED ANYWAY.

BUT I DO LIKE THAT THEY ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHICH IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR FIRE STATION ACROSS THE STREET. MY ONLY COMMENT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. COMMISSIONER CHAIR, IF I MAY RESPOND QUICKLY. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOUR COMMENT IS VERY MUCH IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE INTENT OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE.

THE STAFF WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY PACKET OR INCENTIVE IF THEY ARE ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A PROJECT THAT IS GOING INTO ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THAT IS THE INTENT OF THE LAW.

THROUGHOUT THIS TIME FRAME OF OVER A YEAR, KEHE REALLY CONSIDERED MULTIPLE LOCATIONS AND VERY SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED DUVAL COUNTY AND FLAGLER COUNTY.

IN FACT, THIS LOCATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR A WHILE. IF YOU RECALL, THE BOARD HAD ACTUALLY CONSIDERED AN APPLICATION FOR INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR IN LIGHT DEVELOPMENT, WHO WAS THE INITIAL OWNER OF THIS PARCEL. AND THEY REALLY AT THE TIME WAS NOT CONNECTED WITH THIS PROJECT. SO STAFF REALLY WORKED HARD TO MAKE THE CONNECTION OF THE TWO ENTITIES. AND KIND OF MADE THAT SITE BECOME MORE VIABLE OPTION FOR THEM. IN ADDITION TO THE COMMITMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND OUR COMMISSIONERS THAT WE DO WANT THEM TO BE HERE.

>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MS. ANDREWS? LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE

REQUEST FROM KEHE DISTRIBUTORS >> GOOD MORNING. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER KRISTA JOSEPH. THIS IS CORPORATE WELFARE. WE'RE WASTING MONEY ONCE AGAIN.

AND KEHE, AS COMPARED TO THE OTHER CORPORATE WELFARE RECIPIENTS AROUND ST. JOHNS COUNTY, PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE MERITOUS PACKAGES I'VE EVER SEEN.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN AUDIT OF ALL OF THE INCENTIVES WE'VE GRANTED.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL VALUE? A LOT OF THE SOUTHERN STATES, SINCE ABOUT 1946 HAVE BEEN SELLING THEIR WARES, I THINK JUSTICE BRANDICE OR LOU DOBBS, WOULD HAVE CALLED IT THE RACE TO THE BOTTOM. YOU'RE A CORPORATION, WE'RE GOING TO LET YOU DO THAT.

WORKING CLASS PEOPLE, WE'RE GOING TO BE SUBJECTED TO A 15 PERCENT SALES TAX INCREASE, WHICH THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY VOTED DOWN WITH 62 PERCENT OF THE VOTE LAST YEAR.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS, WHY DON'T WE CODIFY WHATEVER OUR PRINCIPLES, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES ARE ON THESE INCENTIVES, LET'S PUT IT IN AN ORDINANCE AND LET'S ASK THE PEOPLE TO DECIDE. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE A BETTER OPPORTUNITY THAN A YES OR NO VOTE ON THESE PACKAGES. I THINK THERE WERE SIX ITEMS ON THAT SCREEN, THE NEXT TO LAST SCREEN OF THINGS THAT WERE BEING CONSIDERED.

AND THE COUNTY STAFF RECOMMENDED EVERY SINGLE ONE. NOW COULDN'T WE DO IT MORE LIKE A MENU. MAYBE GIVE THEM A TAX HOLIDAY, BUT NOT THE FREE PERMITS, OR THE FREE PERMITS AND NOT THE TAX HOLIDAY. WHY IS IT ALWAYS ONE BIG PACKAGE. WHY ISN'T THERE SOMEBODY WITH THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OR BCC, SOMEBODY WITH A TITLE LIKE OMBUDSMAN, WHO WOULD MAKE THE ALTERNATIVE CASE, WHO WOULD SAY THESE ARE THE REASONS TO VOTE NO. BECAUSE I THINK YOU HEAR A LOT OF SALES JOBS UP HERE. YOU HEAR SALES JOBS FROM DEVELOPERS, SALES JOBS FROM PEOPLE WHO WANT MONEY. BORROWING A LINE FROM THE NOVEL, ALL THE KINGS MEN, GIVE ME GIVE ME, MY NAME IS JIMMY. EVERYBODY THAT COMES TO THE PODIUM WANTS SOMETHING.

THE STAFF ISN'T CRITICAL OUGH. THEY'RE NOT PRACTICING CRITICAL

[01:00:04]

I THINK WE OUGHT TO ASK STAFF TO SHARPEN THEIR PENCILS, LOOK SKEPTICALLY.

THE WORST ONES SPECK WAREHOUSES, LLC, ONLY BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 3 MONTHS.

THE COMMISSION VOTED FOR THAT TOO. TOO MUCH CORPORATE WELFARE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. BETH TATE, NOT ONLY WAS I ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS ON BEHALF OF THE ROUNDTABLE THIS MORNING. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO READ COMMENTS FROM SCOTT MAYNARD WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CHAMBER. THE CHAMBER FULLY SUPPORTS THIS PROJECT. IT ADDS AN ADDITIONAL 100 NEW JOBS OVER THE COMING YEARS AND OPEN UP KEHE'S EXISTING SPACE FOR ADDITIONAL PROJECTS AND MORE JOBS FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M CHARLIE HUNT FROM MILLCREEK ESTATES.

VERY INTERESTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE. BUT AS OF LAST YEAR, WHEN KEHE CAME IN AND WANTED TO TAKE DISTRIBUTION PLANT OR BUILDING AND MOVE IT DOWN 207 TO 207 AND 305 AND TURN IT INTO A DISTRIBUTION SLASH GROW HOUSE FOR BASICALLY HYDROPONIC SYSTEM GROWING OF 300, 400,000 SQUARE FOOT, SOMETHING IN THAT SENSE. BUT THEY TRIED TO TAKE IT AND PUT IT DOWN THERE, THREE AND A HALF MILES FROM WHERE IT'S AT. NEAR 95.

AND SHOW THE INCENTIVES, SHOW HOW GREAT IT WAS. SHOW HOW IT WOULD IMPACT THE PEOPLE OF WEST ST. AUGUSTINE. THEY HAD EMPLOYEES COME HERE AND TELL HOW GREAT IT WOULD BE TO MOVE DOWN THERE. BUT THEY WOULD NOT SAY HOW MUCH POWER IT WOULD TAKE TO RUN THAT FACILITY. THAT IS WHY IT WAS GOING TO BE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM A SOLAR FARM. OKAY. GETTING UP TO NOW.

OKAY. THEY'RE MOVING RIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE THE OLD DISTRIBUTION BUILDING IS. 500,000 SQUARE FOOT. OKAY.

WHERE IS THE WORKERS? IS THERE ANY WORKERS WHO WORKED THERE FOR 20 YEARS? ANYBODY FROM WEST AUGUSTINE COMING IN SAYING THAT THEY HAVE INCENTIVES OF BRINGING, PEOPLE IN THAT COMMUNITY DOWN. AND FOR THE JOBS. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY YET.

SO THAT IS WHAT I'M PUTTING AT. THIS IS JUST A RECONFIGURATION OF WHAT THEY WANT.

OKAY. FROM THAT MASSIVE HYDROPONIC PLANT THAT WAS GOING TO BE RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD, THAT THEY WOULD FEED OFF THE SOLAR FARM TO THIS, WHERE IS THE WORKERS AT THAT IS TESTIFYING. LIKE I SAID, THEY DID BEFORE. THEY'RE NOT HERE.

THEY WASN'T INVITED BECAUSE THIS IS NOW THE INCENTIVES OF HOW MUCH WE WILL PAY SO WE CAN GET FREE MONEY BACK, WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE GOVERNMENT.

THINK ABOUT IT IN THAT CONCEPT RIGHT THERE. THAT IS WHAT THIS IS.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER COVER-UP TO EXPAND INTO SOMETHING LARGER.

BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE REPRESENTATIVES OR THE REAL PEOPLE UP HERE SPEAKING TO THE COMMITTEE. LIKE THEY DID LAST YEAR. BUT WHAT KICKED THAT DOWN WAS THEY HAD TO COMPETE AGAINST THE POPULATION OF ARMSTRONG, WHICH THEY WERE VERY VERY ADAMANT

ABOUT NOT HAVING IT BUILT DOWN THERE. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?

GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. BJ, WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.

I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THIS PRESENTATION BY MS. ANDREWS. I NOTICED THAT NO ONE FROM THE COMPANY SPOKE ABOUT ANYTHING. I ALSO NOTICED GOING ALONG WITH WHAT THE GENTLEMAN SAID BEFORE ME, LAST YEAR THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF REPRESENTATION IN THAT AREA AND THERE SEEMS TO BE

[01:05:01]

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY. IT IS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MONEY. BUT IT'S ABOUT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. AND I DON'T THINK WE'RE REALLY TAKING CARE OF THAT AS MUCH AS WE SHOULD BE. SO IF ANYONE CAN ANSWER THOSE TWO LITTLE QUESTIONS, I WOULD

APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PACKAGE?

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> COMMISSIONER DEAN

>> I WANT TO TRY TO PUT THIS IN A LARGER CONTEXT FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WHOLE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PROGRAM. THIS HAS A HISTORY.

THE PROGRAM. WHEN I FIRST CAME ON THE COMMISSION IN 2016, OUR TAX REVENUE, OUR AD VALOREM TAX REVENUE, 90 PERCENT OF OUR REVENUE WAS COMING FROM RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOPS. TEN PERCENT FROM BUSINESS AND COMMERCE.

THE STATE AVERAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 65 PERCENT ROOFTOPS AND 35 PERCENT BUSINESS.

WE WERE RELYING, NOT EXCLUSIVELY, BUT A LOT PREDOMINANTLY ON RESIDENTIAL.

AND WE AS A COMMISSION THEN TOOK THE POSITION THAT WE NEEDED TO RECRUIT BUSINESSES, WE NEEDED TO GROW THE ECONOMIC BASE IN THIS COUNTY. WE NEEDED TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. AND ALL THE OTHER COUNTIES IN THE STATE ARE DOING THE SAME THING. I MEAN, WE CAN NOT PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE CANNOT PROVIDE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES TO THOSE COMPANIES WHO HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION YET. BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT OUR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE AT THE END OF THE DAY WILL SUFFER. BECAUSE WE WON'T HAVE THE REVENUE TO BUILD THE LIBRARIES, FIRE STATIONS, PARKS THAT ARE NEEDED. BECAUSE THAT REFERENDUM DID FAIL LAST YEAR. AND WE HAVE A GREAT DEFICIT IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET RIGHT NOW. I WILL TELL YOU THAT I CAN SAY WITH SOME DEGREE OF CERTAINTY THAT THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OTHER COUNTY THAT HAS HEAVILY RECRUITED THIS PROJECT.

AND WE CAN EITHER PROVIDE THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE OR NOT. BUT IN THE LONG-RUN, IF WE DON'T COMPETE AS THE OTHER COUNTIES ARE COMPETING IN THIS STATE, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT SUPPORTS OUR QUALITY OF LIFE BECAUSE THEY PAY A MUCH HIGHER PROPORTION OF TAXES IN THE SENSE OF WHAT THEIR BUSINESS IS WORTH.

THEY DON'T HAVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, THEY DON'T HAVE SCHOOL CHILDREN.

THEY HAVE A BUSINESS THAT PAYS A LOT OF TAXES. SO I THINK THAT IS THE CONTEXT I WOULD HOPE WE AS A COMMISSION WOULD CONSIDER THIS ITEM. MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M PREPARED TO

MOVE IT IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS. >> YES, SIR.

I WANT TO HEAR THAT MOTION. BUT I'VE GOT A COMMENT FIRST AND THEN GO TO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH AND THEN WE WANT TO HEAR FROM ANY MEMBER OF THE BOARD WHO WISHES TO SPEAK.

I'M LOOKING AT ONE OF THE PAGES IN THE STAFF'S REPORT THAT IS PUBLIC RECORD.

EVERYBODY HAS ACCESS TO IT. AND IT LOOKS LIKE WITH THE $1.3 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THE ORM OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY, THAT THE NET BENEFIT IS GOING TO BE $7.4 MILLION. I FEEL LIKE I'M AS SKEPTICAL AS ANY HUMAN BEING ON THE PLANET. I'M IN BUSINESS. ALTHOUGH A SMALL BUSINESS.

IF I AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN, TOOK A $1.3 MILLION INVESTMENT AND GOT A $7.4 MILLION RETURN, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD THINK I WAS PRETTY SMART. WE'RE NOT GIVING MONEY AWAY.

AND THE QUESTIONS THAT I ASKED THE STAFF BEHIND THE SCENES, THESE QUESTIONS FOR ME WERE ANSWERED COMING INTO THIS MEETING, ARE YOU SURE THEY WOULDN'T JUST SET UP SHOP HERE

[01:10:02]

THEY HAVE BETTER DEALS FROM OTHER COUNTIES. THIS IS A NET FINANCAL BENEFIT TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY. BLACK AND WHITE IN FRONT OF ME. FOR THAT REASON, I'M GOING TO BE VOTING YES ON THIS. I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THAT I DIDN'T ASK THOSE QUESTIONS OR DIDN'T CONSIDER -- WHICH IS A GOOD POINT. WOULDN'T THESE PEOPLE JUST DO BUSINESS HERE ANYWAY. AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. THERE ARE OTHER OFFERS ON THE TABLE. WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO GO TO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

>> SINCE WE'RE HERE DISCUSS AMONG OURSELVES, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT THOSE 100 EXTRA JOBS ARE FROM INSIDE OUR COUNTY. AND POSSIBLY USING HASTINGS.

I DO WISH A KEY KEHE REPRESENTATIVE IS HERE. >> TODAY WE'RE JUST VOTING ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PORTION OF THIS. WE'RE NOT APPROVING ANYTHING.

MS. ANDREWS MENTIONED THIS IS NOT BINDING. WE ARE GOING TO HEAR SOMETHING FROM KEHE ON THE 20TH. THIS IS NOT A DONE DEAL BECAUSE WE LIKE THE STRUCTURE OF THE NUMBERS TODAY. WE CAN VOTE NO ON THE 20TH. DID I GET THAT RIGHT?

>> YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY ACCURATE ON YOUR STATEMENT. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, THROUGH MR. CHAIR, WE REACHED OUT TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OF KEHE DISTRIBUTOR, DISTRIBUTOR,, LLC. THEIR VICE PRESIDENT IN WRITING COMMITTED 93 OF THE NEW JOBS WILL BE HIRED WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. ARMSTRONG AREA.

COULD BE IN WEST AUGUSTINE AREA. IF I MAY JUST ADDRESS THE OTHER COMMENT ABOUT THE NEIGHBORS AND THEIR FEEDBACK. THIS LOCATION ON DEERPARK BOULEVARD IS ALREADY ZONED FOR INDUSTRIAL. SO THE LAND USE HAS BEEN VETTED IN THE PAST. AND I'M SUSPECTING THAT THE NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE AROUND THIS AREA HAS ALREADY VOICED THEIR OPINION AND THEIR THOUGHTS AND PERSPECTIVE ON THE USE OF THIS PIECE OF LAND. SO IT'S NOT A ZONING CHANGE AT ALL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MRS. ANDREWS. WE DO HAVE COMMISSIONERS WHO

WANT TO SPEAK. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I JUST ECHO YOUR COMMENTS AND COMMISSIONER DEAN COMMENTS. I WANT TO THANK OUR TEAM AND ALL OF THE FOLKS WHO WORKED ON THIS. ADDING JOBS, RETAINING JOBS. GREAT ECONOMIC IMPACT.

RIGHT LOCATION. I'LL BE SUPPORTING IT AS WELL. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. >> YES. I WANT TO THANK OUR TEAM.

THIS HAS BEEN A LONG ROAD. WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD. I CAN ASSURE EVERYONE OUT THERE, KEHE ABSOLUTELY WAS CONSIDERING GOING OTHER PLACES. A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS, HARD WORK. CIVIC ROUND TABLE, US ON THE COMMISSION, JOY.

IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD. I'VE HAD PERSONAL ASSURANCES FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES AT KEHE THAT THEY WILL BE HIRING FROM THAT COMMUNITY. SO I AM ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORT

OF THIS AS WELL. >> IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE BOARD? COMMISSIONER DEAN, YOU MENTIONED YOU WANTED TO MAKE A MOTION.

>> I DO. I DO. I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED INCENTIVE PACKET AND INSTRUCT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT AGREEMENT AND PLACE THE PROPOSED GRANT AGREEMENT FOR CONSIDERATION BY

THE BOARD AT A LATER REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING. >> SECOND

>> SECOND >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEAN SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. EVERYBODY PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0.

CONGRATULATIONS TO KEHE. MRS. ANDREWS, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK.

THANK YOU. THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP IN A TWO-STEP PROCESS.

WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM KEHE ON THE 20TH OF JUNE. THAT TAKES US ON TO AGENDA ITEM

[Items 4 & 5 ]

WHICH WE'RE GOING TO HEAR AS COMPANION ITEMS. COTTAGES AT ST. JOHNS.

QUASI-JUDICIAL. EX PARTE DECIS DISCLOSURE >> DISCLOSURE

[01:15:03]

>> DISCLOSURE >> DISCLOSURE >> I HAD A MEETING ON TUESDAY, MAY 30TH WITH TOM INGRAHAM, AND STAFF. I DON'T KNOW IF I GOT THAT LAST NAME RIGHT. I MET WITH THEM AS WELL ON MAY 30TH TO DISCUSS THE

PROJECT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER DEAN.

>> YES. ON OCTOBER 13TH, 2022, I MET WITH TOM INGRAM ON THIS PROJECT TO DISCUSS THE LAY-OUT OF THE PROJECT AND ISSUES INVOLVED WITH INFRASTRUCTURE, PRIMARILY TRANSPORTATION. ON TUESDAY, MAY 30TH, 2023, AT TWO O'CLOCK, I MET WITH TOM INGRAHAM TO DISCUSS THE SAME ISSUES WE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY. TUESDAY, MAY 30TH, I MET WITH CHARLES, WITH A HALF AN HOUR OR SO TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT. HE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT BOTH COMPATIBILITY, TRANSPORTATION PRIMARILY THAT HE WANTED TO REVIEW WITH ME

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN COMMISSIONER JOSEPH >> I HAD A MEETING ON TUESDAY, MAY 30TH, WITH TOM INGRAHAM. AND THEN A MEETING ON TUESDAY, 30TH, WITH CHARLES LUBANOWSKI

AND OUR TEAM. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. >> I HAD A MEETING ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6TH, WITH TOM INGRAHAM AND STAFF AND THURSDAY, MAY 25TH.

WITH MIKE AND STAFF AND DISCUSSED MANY OF THE SAME THINGS THAT COMMISSIONER DEAN

AL COMMISSIONER DEAN ALLUDED TO. >> I MET ON TUESDAY, MAY 30TH, AT ONE P.M., WITH TOM INGRAHAM, DAVIS MAXWELL AND WE DISCUSSED MANY OF THE SAME THINGS.

WE DISCUSSED SOME OF THE OPPOSITION THAT WOULD INEVITABLY BE THERE.

SOME OF THE E-MAILS I RECEIVED IN OPPOSITION, SO THAT WAS DISCUSSED.

I MET AGAIN ON TUESDAY, MAY 30TH, WITH CHUCK LUBANOWSKI AND OUR STAFF IN THE OFFICE.

HE LAID OUT HIS OPPOSITION BASED ON THE CAPACITY OF THE SCHOOLS.

INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES ON THE ROADS AND OVERALL TIMING OF THE PROJECT.

THAT COMPLETES MY EX PARTE, I THINK WE'RE READY TO HEAR FROM MR. INGRAHAM.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M TOM INGRAHAM WITH THE SODL AND INGRAHAM LAW FIRM.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. ALWAYS WITH ME IS DAVIS MAXWELL, BETH MOORE, MY CO-COUNSEL. ALSO OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEER IS HERE.

I DO BELIEVE KEVIN CAROL OF THE CAROL FAMILY IS HERE. THIS PROJECT IS COTTAGES AT ST.

JOHNS. WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS WELL OVER A YEAR.

THANK YOU FOR MEETING WITH US SEVERAL TIMES ON THIS ONE. HUGE EFFORT.

IT'S PROPOSED FOR 232 DWELLING UNITS ON JUST OVER 20 ACRES. LOCATED AT STATE ROAD 16 AND INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY. WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THE LOCATION HERE IN A MINUTE.

BUT HERE IS AN AERIAL PHOTO. THE CURRENT ZONING IS OR, OPEN RURAL.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE DECADES, WORLD GOLF VILLAGE HAPPENED, BUILT A NEW INTERCHANGE IN THE LATE 1990S AND TURBO CHARGED THE ST. JOHNS DRI, AN OLDER DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT THAT HAD LAID DORMANT FOR MANY YEARS. JIM DAVIDSON AND HIS TEAM DEVELOPED THAT. WHICH LED TO OTHER THINGS. SO THE MURABELLA DEVELOPMENT CAME ALONG, BROUGHT PUBLIX TO THE AREA. IN TURN SPURRED MORE DESIRE TO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE SILVER LEAF THERE TO THE WEST.

10,000 UNITS AND MILLIONS OF SQUARE FEET OF NON-RESIDENTIAL. HERE IS THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP. WE'LL PROBABLY TALK SOME ABOUT DENSITY.

SO I WANT TO TAKE A SECOND ON THIS. RESIDENTIAL C IS NORMALLY FOUR UNITS PER NET DEVELOPABLE ACRE, WITH AN ALLOWANCE TO GO UP TO SIX.

[01:20:03]

SO WITHIN A RESIDENTIAL C LAND USE, YOU CAN HAVE MULTIFAMILY, IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH ACRES TO SPREAD IT THROUGH. SO FOR EXAMPLE, SILVER LEAF IS PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON A FOUR-STORY MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT NEARBY. SAME IN MIXED USE DISTRICT.

THAT THE MAXIMUM DENSITY IS 13 UNITS AN ACRE. AVERAGE OVER AN ENTIRE PROJECT.

CAMILLA, THE NEW APARTMENTS BEHIND THE NEW PUBLIX, 16 UNITS AN ACRE.

EVEN THOUGH THE LIMIT IS 13 UNITS. PLUS YOU HAVE YOUR LIMITS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT. SAME WITH ST. JOHNS DRI.

THEY HAVE THEIR DENSITIES. THEY PREDATE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

NUMEROUS MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE ST. JOHNS DRI, ALONG INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARPARKWAYWAY AND ELSEWHE. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT WE'RE PROPOSING. COTTAGES DEVELOPMENT IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, COMPLETED IN THE LAST YEAR. IT IS IN LEASE-UP. WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS IN THE NEOTRADITIONAL COMMUNITY STYLE WITH A MIX OF TYPES OF HOUSING. SO TO HAVE BOTH A SINGLE FAMILY FORM AS WELL AS MULTIFAMILY. SO IT CAN BE A TOWN HOME, A WALK-UP.

IN OUR CASE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ONE THREE-STORY BUILDING AS WELL AS SOME TOWN HOMES AND SINGLE FAMILY AND DUPLEX ALL MIXED TOGETHER IN A WALKABLE COMMUNITY THAT IS HIGHLY AMENITYIZED. HERE IS OUR SITE PLAN. SO ACCESS WOULD BE OFF OF STATE ROADIZED. HERE IS OUR SITE PLAN. SO ACCESS WOULD BE OFF OF STATE ROAD 16. THREE-STORY BUILDING IN THE CENTER.

IT'S THAT RIGHT THERE. SO THERE ARE NO WETLANDS IMPACT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS.

SMALL SURFACE WATER THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED. BUT WE ARE PRESERVING ALL OF THE WETLANDS. THIS DEVELOPMENT IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED. WE HAD ABOUT 25 ACRES AND 250 UNITS.

ONE OF THE FAMILIES THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THIS DEVELOPMENT DECIDED NOT TO CONTINUE FURTHER. SO WE DID REDUCE THE FOOTPRINT AND THE LAND THAT IS OWNED BY THE CAROLS, NOW 232 UNITS. 20 ACRES. BECAUSE WE CHANGED THE FOOTPRINT OF THE PROJECT, WE WENT BACK TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY RECENTLY AND WE RECIVED A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL FOR THE TWO. SO WITH RICHARD AND JACK PETER VOTING AGAINST. HERE IS THE SITE DATA TABLE. IF Y'ALL HAVE ANY DETAILED QUESTIONS ON THAT. BRIEFLY, THERE IS A 75-FOOT SCENIC EDGE ON STATE ROAD 16.

FOR THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT AESTHETIC, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SEE MUCH IN THIS DEVELOPENT.

ZOOM IN ON THIS SITE. BASICALLY IT SHOWS SWALES AROUND THE PERIMETER.

THE ONE AND TWO UNIT BUILDINGS AS WELL AS TOWNHOME TYPE BUILDINGS.

AND THREE-STORY BUILDING IS IN THE CENTER. AMENITY CENTER WOULD BE IN THE FRONT. IT'S A HIGHLY AMENITIZED DEVELOPMENT.

SOME EXAMPLES OF THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

IT'S A POOL, GYM, ALL OF THAT. SO LET ME GO BACK TO THAT. IT'S REALLY TO TRY TO HAVE THE AMENITIES YOU MIGHT SEE IN A PRIVATE CLUB. SO AGAIN, HERE IS SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS OCCURRED IN THE AREA. ALMOST ALL OF THIS IS LESS THAN 20 YEARS OLD. YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'RE ALL, MOST ALL OF US WERE HERE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN. SO WE NOW HAVE A FIRST FOR ME, I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE.

BUT WE HAVE A PUBLIX ACROSS FROM A PUBLIX. THIS SITE IS WALKING DISTANCE TO BOTH OF THOSE. WE HAVE AN ELEMENTARY OR K THROUGH 8 AS WELL AS A HIGH SCHOOL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL AS CONSERVATION AREAS. I I'M ALSO 12 MILE SWAMP IS PRETTY CLOSE BY. THE WETLANDS SYSTEM TO THE WEST IS PRESERVED AS WELL.

THE LAND TO THE NORTH OF US IS OWNED BY THE FACETTI FAMILY. IT WILL BE RINGED BY

[01:25:03]

THERE IS TWO WAYS TO DEAL WITH TRAFFIC. WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TRAFFIC LATER. ONE IS BUILD MORE LANES. WIDEN THE ROADS.

THERE IS A COST TO THAT, BOTH IN TERMS OF DOLLARS AS WELL AS AESTHETICS AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

AT SOME POINT WIDENING ROADS BECOMES AN UNPLEASANT LIFE EXPERIENCE.

YOU START TALKING ABOUT GOING TO SIX LANES VERSUS FOUR IN PARTICULAR.

THE OTHER IS TO MOVE PEOPLE CLOSER TO THE STUFF. SO LOOK AT YOUR LAND USE PATTERNS AND YOUR DENSITY BY MIXING THE USES, YOU CAN BRING PEOPLE CLOSER TO WHERE THEY ARE GOING EVERY DAY. SO AGAIN, HERE IS THE TYPES OF USES.

WE'VE GOT YOU KNOW, VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING FROM A MATTRESS TO BANK ACCOUNT TO WORKING OUT, TO DOCTORS, YOU NAME IT. HERE IS PARKWAY VILLAGE AT ST. JOHNS.

THIS IS A SITE PLAN THAT SHOWS THE PUBLIX. STARBUCKS, 711.

GATE CAR WASH AND MORE ROOM TO GROW. CAMELLIA IS THE NEWEST MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT TO COME TO THE UNITS. 16 UNITS IN ACRE.

HIGH DEMAND FOR MULTIFAMILY IN THE AREA. MILLCREEK CROSSING IS A RETAIL DEVELOPMENT TO THE EAST OF US. THE SITE HAS BEEN CLEARED. UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND BEEN APPROVED WITH UP TO THREE BUILDINGS, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 40,000 SQUARE FEET.

HERE IS THE SITE PLAN THERE. CEMETERY THERE ON THEIR SITE WHICH IS BEING PRESERVED.

INALLY BASS PRO ANNOUNCED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, 100,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING COMING IN JUST SOUTH OF THE COSTCO. 162,000 SQUARE FEET.

ALSO, RUMORED IS IN THE AREA, WELL, HOME DEPOT HAS ANNOUNCED THE SITE SOUTH OF BASS PRO IS OWNED BY THE FIELDS GROUP, I THINK IT'S ASSOCIATED WITH A CAR DEALERSHIP COMPANY.

SO HOME DEPOT SITE IS SHOWN THERE ON THE SITE PLAN. REALLY THE MARKET HAS DETERMINED THAT THIS IS A TOWN CENTER FOR NORTHWEST ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS HAVE TRIED TO HAVE THEIRS BE THE TOWN CENTER.

I KNOW BANNON LAKES HAS TRIED. THERE IS A HUGE DEMAND THERE FOR HOUSING.

THEY'RE DOING VERY WELL IN THAT. YOU MAY RECALL THAT THERE WAS A PUBLIX IN WORLD GOLF VILLAGE AND IT CLOSED. THE MARKET HAS SHOWN THAT MURABELLA IS THE CENTER FOR THE AREA. THIS IS FROM GOOGLE.

I DIDN'T WALK IT. 17-MINUTE WALK TO CREEK HIGH SCHOOL FROM THE FRONT OF OUR PROJECT. NOT CROSSING ANY ROADS, BY THE WAY.

12 MINUTES TO THE NEAREST PHARMACY, WALKING. 15-MINUTE WALK TO SILVER LEAF PARKWAY. BY THE WAY, THE FRONT IS DESIGNATED FOR MIXED USE.

THERE COULD BE RETAIL ON THE FRONTAGE THERE. THERE IS A RETAIL CENTER WHERE THE HOME OFFICES ARE TO THE NORTH OF THERE. FOR THOSE OF US, MOST OF US WHO DRIVE, IT'S A VERY SHORT DRIVE TO ALL OF THESE THINGS. WE'RE TALKING TWO MINUTES.

FIVE-MINUTE DRIVE TO WORLD COMMERCE CENTER, COSTCO, BUCKEYES, IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD. VERY CENTRAL. LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES TO THE HIGH SCHOOL BY DRIVING. PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT OR NEED.

INCLUDING HEALTH CARE IS THERE. SO ON THE TRAFFIC IMPACTS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT 16 BEFORE AND THEIR NEEDS. I WANT TO TALK NOT ONLY ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, ABOUT -- LET ME GET THE NUMBER. 1:40 P.M. PEAK HOUR TRIPS. LESS THAN ONE TRIP PER UNIT.

[01:30:01]

JOHNS TOWN CENTER OR WORLD COMMERCE CENTER LEVEL OF IMPACT.

THIS IS A 200 UNIT MULTI-UNIT DEVELOPMENT. THOSE ARE THE IMPACTS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY. MOST OF WHICH THE COUNTY IS DOING NOW. ALSO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS PLANNING TO INVEST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN THIS AREA AND WE CAN GO THROUGH SOME OF THOSE.

SO THERE IS THE GENERAL LIST. COUNTY ROAD 2209. 2209, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WILL HELP PROVIDE RELIEF AT THE INTERSECTION OF INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY AND STATE ROAD 16 AND 16A. THIS IS SHOVEL READY. AND THAT IS NOT MY WORDS.

THAT IS THE COUNTY'S WORDS WHEN THEY REQUESTED FUNDING FROM THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

THE LEGISLATURE THANKFUL AGREED TO APPROPRIATE $15 MILLION TO THIS IMPROVEMENT IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. SO IT'S DESIGNED AS A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED FACILITY, UNDER DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 WITH COMPLETION TWO YEARS FROM COMMENCEMENT. ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, THAT IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

THAT WILL HELP RELIEVE A LOT OF TRAFFIC COMING THROUGH 16, WHERE THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE TO COME DOWN THAT ROAD. INSTEAD, THEY CAN TAKE 2209 TO GO NORTH AND SOUTH TOWARDS SILVER LEAF AS WELL AS STATE ROAD 9B AND OTHER REGIONAL ROADS.

2 2209 FROM INTERNATIONAL GGOLF PARKWAY, WILL AGAIN HELP PEOPLE AVOID THE INTERSECTION OF STATE ROAD 16. CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED FISCAL YEAR 2025. I KNOW YOUR STAFF IS WORKING ON THIS AND MAKING GOOD PROGRESS TO GO FORWARD. YOU CAN SEE IN THIS AERIAL THE RELATIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA. SO AS I STATED, THERE IS REDUCTION IN MULTIPLE TURNING MOVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 16 AND IGP, WHICH IS CURRENTLY ONE OF THE BUSIER NTERSECTIONS FOR SURE. THERE IS ALSO INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS BEING CONTEMPLATED AT 16 AND IGP. AND CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULED FISCAL YEAR OF '25. SO THIS DESIGN SHOWS SOME POTENTIAL DOUBLE LEFTS IN EVERY DIRECTION. TO HELP DEAL WITH THAT. WE TALK A LOT ABOUT CONGESTION.

EVERYBODY REMEMBER WHERE ARE PEOPLE GOING. EVERY TOWN CENTER HAS CONGESTION BECAUSE IT IS NOT A PASS-THROUGH ANYMORE. IT IS A DESTINATION.

SO WHETHER IT'S ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER, OR DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE, OR WHAT HAVE YOU, IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE SOME CONGESTION WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR END PLACE.

THE 95 AND 16 INTERCHANGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THAT SHOULD HELP IMPROVE THE FLOW THROUGH THAT INTERCHANGE. FINALLY, THE FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY, WHICH SHOULD START CONSTRUCTION ANY DAY NOW, IS FUNDED. CREATE A NEW BRIDGE ACROSS THE ST. JOHNS RIVER. AND A TOLL FACILITY HIGH SPEED INTERSTATE TYPE TOLL FACILITY RUNNING BETWEEN I-95 AND CLAY COUNTY THAT WILL HELP REDUCE TRAFFIC CUTTING THROUGH STATE ROAD 16 RIGHT NOW TO GET TOWARDS ST. AUGUSTINE. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A WIDENING OF I-95 AS PART OF THAT PLAN. SO THIS IS A YOU KNOW, BILLION PLUS DOLLAR PROJECT. YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IN CLAY COUNTY, MUCH OF THAT IS -- SOME OF IT IS COMPLETE. OTHER PARTS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

SO NORTH FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION HAS LOOKED AT THE EXPRESSWAY AND CONCLUDED THAT TRAFFIC DEMAND ON SOME OF THESE ROADS THAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING WILL BE REDUCED THANKS TO THE EXPRESSWAY. AT LEAST COMPARED TO IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE EXPRESSWAY, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS GROWTH HAPPENING IN THIS AREA, PEOPLE ARE ATTRACTED THERE ARE STUFF THERE, IT'S NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

SO I THINK THERE IS A DEMAND FOR DEVELOPMENT THERE. THIS IS SHOWING A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN EXPECTED DEMAND ON 16, 16A. 13.

COMING FROM -- DUE TO THE FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY. SO STATE ROAD 16 SOUTH OF INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY IS CURRENTLY IN DESIGN. FUNDED BY DOT.

MY EXPERIENCE FROM DOING THIS OVER 20 YEARS, WHEN A STATE AGENCY COMMITS TO DESIGN

[01:35:04]

FINALLY, THIS PROJECT GIVEN ITS LOCATION IS EXPECTED TO HAVE SHORTER TRIP LENGTHS.

REMEMBER I TALKED ABOUT PUTTING PEOPLE CLOSER TO STUFF VERSUS JUST BUILDING MORE LANES, BY HAVING PEOPLE CLOSE TO THE STUFF, TECHNICAL TERM, STUFF, THEY JUST WON'T HAVE TO GO AS FAR. WHEN YOU LOOK AT BIGGER PROJECTS, TRAFFIC ENGINEERS HAVE A CONCEPT CALLED INTERNAL CAPTURE. SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT WHAT TRIPS GO OUTSIDE THE PROJECT VERSUS WHAT STAY IN. IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT THE MURABELLA AREA AS ONE PROJECT, RATHER THAN THIS MULTIFAMILY, A SEPARATE PROJECT, THE MAJORITY OF TRIPS WOULD BE COMING AND GOING BETWEEN THIS PROJECT AND THE COMMERCIAL AREA.

SO IT'S A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE. IT'S ALSO MORE COST EFFICIENT FROM THE COUNTY STANDPOINT. IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE CLOSE TO THE STUFF, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE SAME DEMANDS TO BUILD BIG ROADS AND FIRE STATIONS ALL OVER CREATION.

THIS AREA IS SERVED BY WATER, SEWER, FIRE, ALL OF THE STUFF, THE SCHOOLS, EVERYTHING IS RIGHT THERE. IMPACT FEES ARE ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 1.7 MILLION.

2.8 MILLION IN IMPACT FEES TOTAL. 1.4 MILLION IN CONNECTION FEES.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOMES AND JUST DEMAND FOR HOUSING IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IS WHILE ALL OF US, MOST ALL OF US TEND TO WANT TO OWN A SINGLE FAMILY HOME AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES, WE MAY NOT WANT TO DO THAT FOR OUR ENTIRE LIVES, SECOND, IT MAY NOT BE COST FEASIBLE. INCREASING GAP BETWEEN THE COST OF HOME OWNERSHIP AND THE COST OF RENTING. AND THERE IS ALSO A DESIRE TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S PRIVACY OR LIVING ON A SINGLE FLOOR, WHAT HAVE YOU, THERE IS THAT DEMAND. THIS PROJECT, THE COTTAGES AT ST. JOHNS IS POISED TO TRY TO MEET THAT BETWEEN. SO THE HOUSING FOR, WHETHER IT'S WORKING PEOPLE OR EMPTY NESTERS, DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE COTTAGE'S TYPE DEVELOPMENT CAN'T BE NAILED DOWN TO A PARTICULAR GROUP. IT'S A WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE. DAVIS IS HAPPY TO SPEAK ON THAT IF YOU WOULD LIKE. WHAT WE CAN SEE IS THAT THE COST OF HOUSING, SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING, THE COST OF HOUSING IS OUTPACING THAT OF THE UNITED STATES.

$515,000 UNDER THE ZILLOW HOME VALUE INDEX, COMPARED TO THE U.S., AT 339.

MORTGAGE PAYMENT EXAMPLES, SO ASSUMING YOU COULD FIND A HOME AT 375, WITH 20 PERCENT DOWN, 2500. THAT IS THE RENT WE EXPECT TO HAVE THERE.

AN AVERAGE RENT AROUND 2500 AT OUR DEVELOPMENTS. HOMES AT 375 ARE HARD TO COME BY IN ST. JOHNS. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY WHAT EVERYONE WANTS TO HAVE, WHETHER THEY'RE NEW TO THE AREA, EMPTY NESTERS DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH LAWN MAINTENANCE, OR CABLE GUYS OR WHAT HAVE YOU. AS YOU CAN SEE, WHEN YOU GET UP TO THE MEDIAN HOUSE IN ST.

JOHNS, 522, THE MORTGAGE IS ABOUT 4200. INTEREST RATES, WE ENJOYED LOW INTEREST RATES, WHICH ALLOWED US TO BUY MORE HOME, UNTIL RECENTLY.

THOSE WERE AN ANOMALY. HISTORICALLY THE INTEREST RATES WERE HIGHER.

WE HAVE TO GET USED TO HIGHER RATES. WHAT HAS HAPPENED, IT'S NOT JUST IN OUR MARKET, BUT NATIONALLY, THE SHARE OF PROJECTS WITH HOMES FOR SALE UNDER 300,000 HAS DRAMATICALLY DECLINED AND PRE-COVID AND POST-COVID.

SO WE USED TO BE AT 50 PERCENT OF THE HOMES UNDER CONSTRUCTION, NOW IT'S LESS THAN 20 PERCENT FOR THIS MARKET. SO IT'S REALLY A QUESTION OF WHO IS GOING TO LIVE HERE IN THE FUTURE. AND WILL WE BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT. I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT SOME COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE PURSUED A NO GROWTH STRATEGY RECENTLY. I WILL TELL YOU JUST PERSONALLY, I HAVE NEVER MADE A RESERVATION FOR A COUNTER SERVICE RESTAURANT IN MY LIFE

[01:40:05]

IT'S UNAFFORDABLE. AND IF THERE IS NOT A DIVERSITY OF INCOMES AND PEOPLE, IT AFFECTS ALL OF US. CAN WE PLAY THE VIDEO? IS THAT POSSIBLE? I WON'T BORE YOU THROUGH THE WHOLE THING, BUT I WANTED TO GET YOU TO SEE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE COTTAGES DEVELOPMENT. THIS ONE IS IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA. IT WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED. I'LL MOVE ON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. IT WORKED AT PGA. MAYBE THAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE.

>> PERHAPS WE CAN PLAY IT WHEN YOU COME BACK FOR REBUTTAL. >> WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ONE.

HERE ARE PICTURES. THIS IS NOT A COMPUTER RENDERING.

THESE ARE THE COTTAGES AT DAYTONA, WHICH ARE UP AND RUNNING TODAY.

THAT IS REALLY ALL MY PRESENTATION. I DID INCLUDE THE SLIDE.

WE'LL PROBABLY TALK ABOUT SCHOOLS. ONE THING STATISTICALLY, BASED ON YOUR COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT DATA, NOT AS MANY SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN IN MULTIFAMILY, VERSUS SINGLE FAMILY. SHOW THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF PUBLIC SCHOOL AGED STUDENTS IN THAT DISTRICT FOR SINGLE FAMILY IS .65, FOR MULTIFAMILY, .19. SO YOU'RE TALKING ONE IN FIVE UNITS ON AVERAGE, EXPECTED TO BE A SCHOOL AGED STUDENT. TO HAVE ONE SCHOOL AGED STUDENT. THE OTHER THING OF INTEREST, YOU CAN SEE IN SOME OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, MORE WELL-ESTABLISHED IN OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS, THE GENERATION RATES TEND TO BE LOWER. AND I EXPECT THAT TREND WILL CONTINUE.

PEOPLE MOVE TO ST. JOHNS, INTO YOUR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. I KNOW IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY IN THE 210 CORRIDOR, THAT WAS POPULAR FOR SCHOOLS. MOM AND DAD STAYED THERE AFTER THE KIDS GO TO COLLEGE. GENERATION RATES CAN CHANGE OVER TIME.

WITH THAT, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR BRING UP OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEER TO

DISCUSS TRAFFIC. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> OKAY.

FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE A LOT CLOSER TO THE STUFF. WE'RE CLOSER TO THE HIGH SCHOOL. AND WHEN I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE OVER-CROWDING AT TACOY, THE ONLY HIGH SCHOOL IN THE AREA, WE ALREADY HAVE 16 PORTABLE UNITS COMING IN AND MORE BECAUSE OF THE OVERCROWDING OF KIDS, WHAT DID YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE PORTABLES?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE WHAT I SAID IS THAT PORTABLES HAVE BEEN PART OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM WAY OF ADDRESSING CAPACITIES FOR AT LEAST 40 YEARS.

THERE WERE PORTABLES IN MY SCHOOL IN ALACHUA COUNTY WHEN I WAS A CHILD, IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. ALSO, THE STATE DOES NOT FUND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PERMANENT SCHOOLS UNTIL THERE IS AN ESTABLISHED DEMAND. AND THAT IS SIMPLY TO BE CONSERVATIVE WITH THEIR FUNDS. IF A DEVELOPER COMES AND SAYS I'M GOING TO BUILD 12,000 UNITS, PLEASE BUILD ME FIVE NEW HIGH SCHOOLS, THE STATE WOULDN'T GO FOR THAT.

>> I KIND OF THOUGHT YOU TOLD ME THAT YOU DO BETTER IN PORTABLES.

I MEAN, WHEN I SEND MY CHILD -- >> I DON'T THINK THAT YOU WOULD DO BETTER IN PORTABLES.

>> YOU DID. YOU SAID YOU DID PERSONALLY. >> NO, MA'AM.

>> OKAY. THAT IS FINE. WELL, WHAT I DON'T LIKE IS THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW, IT'S HIGH SCHOOL. AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN THESE PORTABLES. WE HAVE A LACK OF TEACHERS ALREADY AND THEN WE'RE CROWDING THESE KIDS INTO A SMALL WINDOW PORTABLE FOR THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AND THAT IS THEIR LAST THING THAT THEY DO BEFORE THEY GO TO COLLEGE. GREAT TIME FOR THESE KIDS. AND I REALLY AM CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. ALSO, WHY NOT AN RES-C.

COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY AGRICULTURE RESIDENTIAL C, RESIDENTIAL A.

THERE IS NO REASON TO PUT RESIDENTIAL D THERE. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> SURE. A COUPLE OF THINGS ON YOUR SECOND QUESTION, WHY NOT RES-C.

FOUR UNITS AN ACRE. YOU HAVE A SITE THAT IS WALKING DISTANCE TO TWO PUBLIXES.

[01:45:06]

AS THE CHAIR OF YOUR PZA SAID A FEW WEEKS AGO, IT WOULD BE A TRAVESTY TO DEVELOP THIS SITE

>> WHY IS THAT A TRAVESTY? >> BECAUSE ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT PEOPLE NEED ARE RIGHT THERE. SO IT IS A LOGICAL PLACE TO PUT THE DENSITY. IT MAKES MOST EFFICIENT USE OF A LIMITED SUPPLY OF LAND AND

RESOURCES. >> IT DOESN'T LOOK LIMITED THERE.

PRETTY WIDE OPEN THERE. >> THAT AREA IS GOING TO BE RINGED BY 2209 IGP AND STATE ROAD 16. IT IS THE TOWN CENTER FOR THIS SECTION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY

>> NOT UNTIL 2027. YOU SAID QUOTE, NUMEROUS MULTIFAMILIES DRIS IN THE WORLD GOLF PARKWAY. WHY DO WE NEED MORE? I GOOGLED THE INTERSECTION.

IT'S BACKED UP RIGHT NOW. I'M NOT SURE -- I FEEL LIKE -- YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND MAKE A U-TURN. YOU WANT TO GO BACK INTO YOUR HOME, YOU GOT TO GO BACK AND MAKE A U-TURN THE OTHER WAY. I SEE THAT AS A BIG PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO

SAY. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? MADAM VICE CHAIR, LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4 AND NUMBER 5.

>> MS. BISHOP. WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD SOMETHING?

>> I'M SORRY. I FEEL LIKE I'M INTRUDING. BUT THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME HAVE A CHANCE TO COMMENT. I DID HEAR THE APPLICANT, I BELIEVE EARLY ON IN HIS PRESENTATION AND THEN LATER ON IN HIS PRESENTATION ABOUT COMMISSIONER JOSEPH'S COMMENT, HE COMMENTED THAT RESIDENTIAL C ALLOWS FOUR UNITS TO AN ACRE. RESIDENTIAL C WILL ALLOW A MAXIMUM OF SIX UNITS PER ACRE. AND THEN YOUR BASE DENSITY IS TWO UNITS.

IT WILL GET UP TO SIX UNITS TO AN ACRE. THIS PROJECT DOES EXCEED THE SIX UNITS TO AN ACRE. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT IT'S NOT FOUR.

THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM. >> BACK TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS NUMBER 4 AND 5.

WELCOME. >> CHUCK LUBANOWSKI. I DON'T THINK I HAVE ENOUGH TIME FOR THIS BOOK OF 20 PAGES. TO GET STARTED, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING THIS PROJECT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AG, RESIDENTIAL A AND RESIDENTIAL C.

NOT COMPATIBLE. I'M SORRY. THIS GIVES YOU A BETTER VIEW OF WHAT IS AROUND IT. NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DENSITY.

AND IT WAS BROUGHT UP BY COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, THIS IS WHAT THE AREA IS CURRENTLY AT, ONE TO TWO UNITS PER ACRE AND SIX TO EIGHT UNITS PER ACRE, ROUGH.

THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT TO GO TO. IT DOESN'T MAKE A BIT OF SENSE TO HAVE THAT KIND OF DENSITY IN THAT AREA. AGAIN, IT'S NOT COMPATIBLE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ROADWAYS THIS THAT AREA. THIS IS SETTING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF INADEQUATE ROADWAYS RIGHT NOW. I DON'T CARE IF 2209 IS COMING THROUGH. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A MAJOR ISSUE, 16A AND 16 AND IGP.

A LOT OF THAT IS CURRENTLY UNFUNDED. WHEN WILL IMPROVEMENTS BE DONE.

NO TIME SOON. AS COMMISSIONER JOSEPH BROUGHT UP, THIS IS GOING TO BE WHERE THE COMMUNITY IS. IN ORDER TO GO EASTBOUND, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO WESTBOUND, MAKE A U-TURN TO GO BACK. NOW IF YOU'RE COMING FROM THE WESTBOUND SIDE, YOU HAVE GOT TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE INTERSECTION OF IGP AND 16 TO MAKE A U-TURN TO GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. A HALF A MILE BACK DOWN THE ROAD TO MAKE A U-TURN FOR ANOTHER HALF A MILE. AGAIN, NOT COMPATIBLE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SCHOOLS. PASETTI BAY DOWN THE STREET, NOT SURE WHERE THE KIDS ARE GOING TO INTO. PORTABLES, 26 UNITS.

WARDS CREEK, AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DOWN ON 16. WE'RE LOOKING AT 22, GOING TO 32 UNITS, PORTABLE UNITS. NO. CLOSE BY, MILLCREEK, WE'RE LOOKING AT 16 GOING TO 26.

[01:50:04]

IT'S INCOMPATIBLE TO THE ENTIRE AREA. PLEASE, DO NOT APPROVE IT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> GOOD MORNING. >> HELLO.

I'M CHARLIE HUNT, FROM MILLCREEK ESTATES. I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT ON THE MAP THAT WAS SHOWN THAT OF HOW ALL THE AREAS IN THAT, AROUND THAT INTERSECTION WAS ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE LAST 20 YEARS, MILLCREEK ESTATES WASN'T, IT WAS ONLY IN THE MID '80S WHEN THAT WAS ESTABLISHED. SO MAKE A CORRECTION ON THAT SLIDE.

SO HERE IS -- THIS IS HOW MUCH I TAKE THIS TO HEART WHEN I DO MY OWN WRITING ON IT.

OKAY. THE INTERSECTION, 16, IGP. APPROXIMATELY RIGHT HERE IS A MILE AWAY. OKAY. WHAT WAS SAID EARLIER, CAMILLA WORLD COMMERCE, 265 UNITS ON APPROXIMATELY 17 ACRES OF THE 45 ACRES ESTABLISHED.

SO THAT IS HOW THEY GOT AWAY WITH PUTTING 265 UNITS RIGHT THERE, RIGHT NOW.

THE MURABELLA MULTIFAMILY, APPROXIMATELY 360 UNITS COULD BE GOING IN RIGHT THERE.

WHY? BECAUSE RIGHT DOWN HERE, IS 2209.

OKAY. COMING IN. Y'ALL ARE GOING TO HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM MURABELLA WHEN IT'S GOING TO GET PUT RIGHT THERE.

OKAY. RECENTLY WE HAD A COMMUNITY MEETING RIGHT HERE AT THE CHAPMAN CROSSING, 220 UNITS TO GO RIGHT THERE. LOOKING INTO IT.

232 UNITS PLACED ON THE DOWNSIZED ALLOTMENT OF 25 ACRES, DOWN TO 20, PILED ON PEOPLE RIGHT THERE. AND THEN WITHIN THE PLANS, GREENS OF APPROXIMATELY 255 UNITS GOING AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION 16, 16A AND SILVER LEAF PARKWAY COMING IN.

DENSITY IS A FACT HERE. ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE SAME CONCEPT OF SEEING HOW MANY HOUSES GET PUT INTO THESE TOWN CENTERS. I NEVER HEARD IT CALLED A TOWN CENTER BEFORE. NO BIG SIGN UP ON IT. SO WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE IS YES, FIVE MINUTES TO GET TO TACOY, SURE. OKAY.

WHEN YOU HAVE A 16-YEAR-OLD STUDENT DRIVER COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE THAT MIGHT LIVE THERE. GOING TO SEE THAT. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE PUTTING IN THIS 2209 DOESN'T MEAN YOU MAKE -- BUILD BUILD BUILD.

MORE AND MORE AND MORE. YOU KNOW, IT'S THE SAME CONCEPT OF LIKE IF I SAY OH, I DRINK DIET COKE, NOW I CAN DRINK TWICE AS DIET , C, NOW I CAN D AS O, NOW I CAN DRINK TWICE AK, NOW I CAN DRINK TWICE AS E, NOW I CAN DRINK TWICE AS DIET COKECOKE, NOW I TWICE AS , NOW I CAN DRINK TWICE AS , NOW I CAN DRINK TWICE AS MUCH.

THIS IS WHAT IS COMING. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

>> MR. HUNT, IF YOU WOULD GIVE YOUR MATERIALS TO THE CLERK OF COURT.

>> GOOD MORNING. ED SLAVIN, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER JOSEPH AND MR. HUNT AND MR. LUBANOWSKI. THE ONLY WITNESS WAS THE DEVELOPER'S LAWYER.

HE WASN'T SWORN AND HE WASN'T EVEN WEARING A TIE. I THINK IT IS A BREACH FOR OUR PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES FOR LAWYERS TO BE TESTIFYING. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID.

IT WAS A SALES JOB. I OBJECT TO THAT. HE DID NOT HAVE ONE SINGLE ACTUAL WITNESS TO TESTIFY. I OBJECT TO THE EX PARTE MEETINGS THAT Y'ALL HAVE.

AND I THINK IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THEM, YOU NEED TO TAPE THEM, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, THE FBI MIGHT. JUST ASK SCOTT MADDOX, JUST ASK OUR FORMER DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR NOMINEE. THERE WERE DISCREPANCIES THAT COMMISSIONER JOSEPH POINTED OUT

[01:55:05]

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT THE LAWYER LIED, BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN A COMMISSIONER AND A LAWYER ABOUT WHAT WAS SAID, THAT POINTS OUT TO ME THE FRAILTY OF THESE EX PARTE MEETINGS. THEY'LL TELL YOU ANYTHING. LIKE MY LATE FRIEND SAID, THEY'LL SAY AND DO ANYTHING, THEY WANT YOUR VOTE. THEY WANT APPROVALS.

THEY WILL SAY ANYTHING WANT TO HEAR. THESE PORTABLE CLASSROOMS, WHICH WAS THE ISSUE THAT THE COMMISSIONER AND THE DEVELOPER LAWYER DISAGREE ON, THEY ARE DANGEROUS. IN THE EVENT OF A SCHOOL SHOOTING, SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE CAUGHT IN THERE AND NOT ABLE TO EXIT. THEY'RE NOT WIRED AS WELL.

NOT SECURED AS WELL. AND WE KEEP BUILDING THEM. WE KEEP BUILDING AN UN-GODLY NUMBER OF THESE PORTABLE CLASSROOMS EVERY TIME YOU VOTE FOR ONE OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, WHICH ISN'T COMPATIBLE WITH OUR COMP PLAN, YOU'RE SUBJECTING CHILDREN TO POTENTIAL LIFE SAFETY HAZARDS. AND FACULTY AND STAFF TOO. WE'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE PORTABLE CLASSROOMS. THEY'RE TRYING TO TURN ST. JOHNS COUNTY INTO AN UNREASONABLE BROWARD COUNTY. I LIVED IN BROWARD COUNTY FOR FOUR YEARS.

I MOVED HERE. WE NEED TO REQUIRE DEVELOPERS WHO ARE WITNESSES TO SWEAR AND OATH AND BE SWORN. AND STICK TO A TIME LIMIT LIKE WE HAVE.

WE DON'T GIVE DEVELOPERS A TIME LIMIT. WE USED TO HAVE AGREED TIME LIMITS FOR PRESENTATIONS. NOW THEY COULD PROBABLY TALK ALL DAY AND YOU WOULDN'T MIND.

I MIND. THESE PROCEDURES ARE FLAWED AND I THINK THIS IS A NO VOTE.

AND YOU NEED TO TELL THE MAN WHO DEVELOPED THE $200,000 BILL FOR SENTERFITT.

I THINK HE IS PATRONIZING YOU. HE NEEDS TO WEAR A TIE AND PAY SOME RESPECT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JUDY SPIEGLE.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'M UPSIDE DOWN OR NOT. TIME IS GOING.

SO I'LL START TALKING. I AM. I AM GOING TO SPEAK ON COTTAGES ND PROBABLY EVERYTHING YOU HEARD ABOUT DENSITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACT. COTTAGES ARE REQUESTING A COMP PLAN AMENDMENT TO CHANGE TO RES-D. AGAIN, I ASK WHY. JUST WE'VE DISCUSSED THAT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

EXISTING LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN 1 AND 6 UNITS PER ACRE, AS WE HAVE HEARD.

WHY NOT SIX UNITS PER ACRE? COMP PLAN POLICY, IT SAYS TO ENSURE COMPATIBILITY WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO DO A COMP PLAN AMENDMENT. I SAY THAT RES-D IS JUST NOT THERE. PLACES TO LIVE IN MY OPINION DOES NOT MAKE IT COMPATIBLE.

JUST IS NOT THE SAME THING, JUST BECAUSE THEY GO ON YOUR FEET DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE SHOES. NUMEROUS CHARACTERISTICS THAT ARE TO BE CONSIDERED, DENSITY HIGHLIGHTED, INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROJECT AS WE'VE SEEN DEMONSTRATED OVERLOADS THE INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE.

FOUR OF THE FIVE IMPACTED SEGMENTS DO REMAIN NOT FULLY FUNDED.

I JUST THINK THAT THE TIMING ON THIS IS NOT GREAT. TWO PERCENT IS THE PROPORTIONATE FAIR SURE. I DO GET THAT IS A LAW. THEY CAN'T BE FORCED TO PAY MORE. IT SEEMS LIKE NOT A GOOD TRADE-OFF TO ALLOW THAT MUCH MORE TRAFFIC ON TO THE ROADS. I DID HEAD OUT TO THAT AREA SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. I SPOKE WITH MANY OF THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN PINE CREEK. THESE ARE NOT THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS.

BUT THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THERE, MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT I TALKED TO SAID I WAS BORN HERE. EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED IS SO HARD AND DIFFICULT TO EVEN LEAVE OUR PROPERTIES. AND THEY SAID PLEASE, YES, COME AND SPEAK.

I DID GET NAMES. I DIDN'T WANT TO ASK FOR EXTRA TIME.

I PROBABLY COULD HAVE. BUT I DON'T LIVE OUT THERE. I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE UP THE TIME. THEY SAID PLEASE DON'T ADD MORE TRAFFIC TO ROUTE 16 AT THIS POINT. IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE NECESSARILY AGAINST DEVELOPMENT. THEY SEE TOO MUCH TOO FAST. WE DID SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER DEVELOPMENTS COMING UP IN THE AREA. AS FAR AS MR. INGRAHAM'S COMMENT ABOUT THIS IS THE UP AND COMING. WHY DO WE NEED TO STALL DEVELOPMENT. OTHER PLACES ARE HAVING NO DEVELOPMENT.

[02:00:02]

AMENDMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> GOOD MORNING. KEVIN CAROL, OUR FAMILY'S PROPERTY THAT EVERYONE IS SPEAKING ABOUT. A LOT HAS TALKED ABOUT COMPATIBILITY AND WHAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE THERE ANYMORE IS HAVING A RESIDENCE, THE FAMILY, IT'S BEEN IN THE FAMILY SINCE 1910. SMALL FAMILY FARM. IT WAS SURROUNDED BY OTHER FARMS FOR YEARS AND YEARS. THE ONLY BIT OF AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY THAT IS LEFT THERE CLOSE TO IT IS RICHARD PACETTI'S PROPERTY. SO MUCH OF HIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN GIVEN -- NOT GIVEN, BUT TAKEN AWAY AND SOLD AND DEVELOPED EVERYTHING AROUND HIM. NOW THAT 2209 COMING THROUGH, I'M SURE THE REST OF HIS REMAINING LITTLE BIT WILL BE DEVELOPED AS WELL, AS THE REST OF THE AREA.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE OVERVIEW OF THIS AREA, THAT IS NOT WHAT IS COMPATIBLE THERE.

THEY LIVED THERE THEIR ENTIRE LIVES, BORN AND RAISED, MY PARENTS, ME.

IT'S NOT COMPATIBLE TO THAT NOW. WHAT IS COMPATIBLE, LIKE THEY PRESENTED, YOU KNOW, THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED TO BE THERE CLOSE TO THE DEVELOPMENTS. SHORTEN THE TRIPS, ALL THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME.

I UNDERSTAND IT. BUT DENIAL IS JUST PUNISHING THESE ONE PEOPLE THAT WERE LEFT THERE THAT HAVEN'T LEFT YET. THERE IS ONLY I THINK SIX FAMILIES LEFT ON THAT NORTH SIDE OF 16 IN BETWEEN SILVER LEAF AND WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO SAY IT'S RESIDENTIAL.

THERE'S ONLY SIX PEOPLE HERE LEFT. ON THAT NORTH SIDE.

THEY'RE NOT HERE DISPUTING THIS DEVELOPMENT. BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. AND THINK ARE GOING TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY ONE DAY TOO WHEN THEY'RE READY TO RETIRE AND MOVE OUT AND LIVE IN A MORE RURAL AREA LIKE THEY WERE USED TO, LIKE THEY LIVED HERE FOR YEARS AND YEARS. THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY OPPOSITIONS TO THE WHOLE COUNTY AND THE DEVELOPMENT. BUT THAT IS NOT THIS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE PIECE OF PROPERTY HERE. IN THIS LOCALIZED DEVELOPED AREA. I JUST THINK YOU SHOULD VOTE YES FOR IT.

HANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. DORIS TAYLOR.

HOW ARE YOU? I DIDN'T PLAN ON SPEAKING ON THIS.

BUT THIS MAN JUST MADE THE MOST ELOQUENT ARGUMENT FOR SAYING NO. HE JUST EXPLAINED WHY WE SHOULD NOT BE TAKING EXCEPTION TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN EVERY SINGLE MONTH.

YOU HAVE THIS CREEP, THIS EXCEPTION, THAT EXCEPTION. AND THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE ARE THE EXCEPTION. THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE. AND THAT IS WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING EVERY TIME YOU TAKE EXCEPTION TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

EVERY YEAR, CROP LANDS, SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN THE SIZE OF DELAWARE FALLS VICTIM TO THE DEVELOPMENT IN AMERICA. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 2017 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE REPORTED THAT THE AMERICAN FARM ACREAGE OVER THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS HAD VANISHED BY THE EQUIVALENT OF 22,000 SQUARE MILES. DEVELOPERS ARE STEAM ROLLING CROSS OUR COUNTRY AND NATION. TURNING AGRICULTURAL LAND INTO RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS. THERE ARE FEWER AND FEWER ACRES OF FARMLAND TO NOURISH MORE AND MORE PEOPLE. AS A COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR COUNTRY. I LOST MY -- PROTECT THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE. FOCUS ON HOW TO PROTECT OUR FARMERS, AS WE REVIEW AND MODIFY THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND AS YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM, PLEASE LET'S BUILD INCENTIVES FOR KEEPING AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE FOOD PRODUCING BUSINESS. FIND A WAY TO ENCOURAGE ANOTHER FARMER TO BUY THESE PROPERTIES INSTEAD OF HAVING IT DEVELOPED INTO HOUSES AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

ON AGENDA ITEMS 4 AND 5? HI THERE. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS

[02:05:05]

MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THIS DEVELOPMENT IS NOT COMPATIBLE TO AN OPEN RURAL COMMUNITY.

THERE'S BEEN NO ONE OUT THERE RENTS. EVERYBODY LIVES ON AT LEAST ONE ACRE OF GROUND. I LIVE ON TWO. RIGHT NOW IF YOU BUILD A HOUSE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE FIVE ACRES ON OPEN RURAL OR 40 ACRES AT RURAL SIVICULTURE.

WHEN PEOPLE COME OUT OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, 65 PERCENT OF THEM WILL BE GOING TO ST. AUGUSTINE.

THE FIRST THING THEY GOT TO DO IS CROSS TWO LINES OF ACTIVE TRAFFIC, GET IN A TURN LANE, MAKE A U-TURN AND GO BACK. THIS TO ME IS AN ISSUE, NOT JUST -- IT'S PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHEN DOES IT COME TO -- TOO MANY CARS ON THE ROAD THAT WE CAN'T GET THROUGH AND THE RESCUE VEHICLES CAN'T GET THROUGH. PUBLIC SAFETY IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE DECISION. I SPOKE TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, THAT LIVE DOWN RUTH LANDING, THEY SAY WE HAVE A HARD ENOUGH TIME GETTING OUT THERE IN THE MORNING WITHOUT ADDING MORE CARS TO THE CONFUSION. I APPRECIATE IT IF YOU TURN

THIS DOWN, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LILA, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT I THINK YOU SHOULD APPROVE THIS DEVELOPMENT. IT IS THEIR CHOICE TO LIVE IN A DEVELOPMENT. THEY COULD EASILY MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE WITH MORE LAND.

I THINK IT'S SOMEBODY'S CHOICE WHERE THEY WANT TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL AND WHERE THEY WANT TO LIVE. AND THAT IF THEY WANTED TO GO LIVE WHERE THERE IS NOT SO MUCH TRAFFIC, THEY EASILY COULD AND NOT EVERYBODY CAN AFFORD THESE BIG HOUSES WITH FARMLAND.

I THINK IT'S A BETTER DECISION FOR THE ECONOMY TO APPROVE THIS DEVELOPMENT SO THAT MORE PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN SPACES AND IT'S MORE ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> SIR, BEFORE WE HEAR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE A QUICK NOTE, ON THE AGENDA, WE HAVE A TIME CERTAIN TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS AT 11:30. I'M GOING TO MAKE THE DECISION THAT WE ARE GOING TO COMPLETE THESE TWO AGENDA ITEMS. WE'RE GOING TO THEN HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN GO TO LUNCH.

THAT IS THE ORDER IN WHICH WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS THE AGENDA.

PLEASE, SIR. PUBLIC COMMENT. >> GOOD MORNING, I'M MARK, I LIVE ON HARDWOOD LANDING ROAD, WHICH IS JUST OFF 16A, ABOUT FIVE MILES WEST OF THIS PROPOSED PROJECT. WE'RE HAVING -- THEY'RE HAVING TO A GREATER EXTENT THE SAME PROBLEM WE'RE HAVING ON 16A, WHICH THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WHAT I CALL UNRULY TRAFFIC.

A LOT OF DRIVERS TAILGATING, PASSING ON DOUBLE YELLOW LINES AND SPEEDING.

I TEND TO BLAME THIS ACTIVITY ON THE COMMUTERS, WHICH ARE COMING FROM CLAY COUNTY, HEADING FOR THE INTERSECTION TO GO OUT TO 95. IT'S GOTTEN TO BE HAZARDOUS JUST TO MAKE A TURN OFF AND ON THE AREA OF THIS SUBJECT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE BEEN TO THE AREA AND BEEN THROUGH THE MURABELLA INTERSECTION, BUT THE TRAFFIC THERE IS UNBELIEVABLE.

YOU SEE PEDESTRIANS CROSSING THAT INTERSECTION SOMETIMES, BUT I WOULD SAY YOU TAKE YOUR LIFE INTO YOUR HANDS GETTING ACROSS THERE. ANYWAY, AGAINST THE INCREASE IN

TRAFFIC ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS 4 AND 5? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> MR. INGRAHAM, RESPONSE. >> THANK YOU.

[02:10:01]

SO YOU'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS VARIOUS LANDOWNERS, THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF MURABELLA, CURRENT OWNERS, WORLD COMMERCE AND SO FORTH, THEY ASKED FOR AMENDMENTS.

THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE THIS HOLE IN THE DOUGHNUT RIGHT NOW. THEY HAVEN'T COME IN TO REQUEST AN AMENDMENT YET. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A TOWN CENTER FOR NORTHWEST ST. JOHNS COUNTY. AS TO THE TIMING, MANY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ON THE WAY, FUNDED TO HELP ADDRESS THE GROWTH THAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED HERE. YOU HAVE A LOT OF GREAT DEVELOPMENT HERE. YOU HAVE THE PUBLIX ACROSS FROM THE PUBLIX.

ALL OF THE DIFFERENT USES THAT WE NEED. THERE IS MORE COMING.

THIS IS THE LOGICAL PLACE TO PUT MULTIFAMILY HIGHER DENSITY DEVELOPMENT, WHETHER THEY WALK OR DRIVE, THEY'RE JUST CLOSER TO THE STUFF. THIRD, YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT A LOT OF ARGUMENTS TODAY, PARTICULARLY COMPATIBILITY. SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT COMPATIBILITY IS. FIRST OF ALL, AS I'VE TOLD YOU, I THINK IN PREVIOUS HEARINGS, HOMES ARE NOT BEINGS, THEY DON'T THINK, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT BUILDING IS NEXT TO THEM. THIS ISN'T A CARTOON. THEY DON'T HAVE GOOGLELY EYES OR WHAT HAVE YOU. IT'S NOT THE HOME THAT IS THE COMPATIBILITY ISSUE.

IT'S REALLY, WHAT IS IT? THE USE IS THE SAME WHETHER IT'S SINGLE FAMILY, MULTIFAMILY, WHAT HAVE YOU. THE USE IS A HOME FOR A PERSON AND THEIR FAMILY.

TO SLEEP, TO EAT, TO BATHE, TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR FAMILY. THE USE IS EXACTLY THE SAME.

I HOPE NO ONE HERE WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE USES ARE INCOMPATIBLE.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT COMPATIBILITY. WE HEARD THIS WILL BE THE ONLY RENTAL IN THE AREA.

WE HEARD IT'S DENSER THAN THE EXISTING. IT'S STILL THE SAME USE.

THE HOMES DON'T CARE AND MOREOVER, IT'S 75 FEET FROM THE ROAD.

SO THERE IS NO COMPATIBILITY ISSUE BETWEEN THIS AND SINGLE FAMILY.

IN FACT, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURES IN THIS DEVELOPMENT.

THAT IS HOW MUCH WE BELIEVE THAT TO BE TRUE. DON'T FALL VICTIM TO THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A TIRED ARGUMENT TO SAY THAT PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN RENTAL OR IN LESSER PRICED HOMES ARE SOMEHOW LESS THAN AND INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE AROUND THEM.

IT'S FRUSTRATING TO HEAR AND WHEN I HEAR YOU KNOW, OUT OF THE BLUE, OH, WE CAN'T HAVE THIS BECAUSE THERE WILL BE DEATHS, THERE WILL BE THE TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS ARE DIFFERENT. WHAT HAVE YOU. I PROMISE YOU, IN MY EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE AN EXPENSIVE ENOUGH SUBDIVISION, THOSE QUESTIONS GO AWAY.

AND WE HEAR THEM ROLLED OUT IN SPADES ON STUFF THAT IS FOR REGULAR PEOPLE.

AND I TOLD YOU REGULAR FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD THE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES THAT WE'RE PUTTING OUT.

BECAUSE IT'S JUST EXPENSIVE TO DO THAT. SO THIS IS FOR THE MIDDLE.

AND IT'S NOT JUST FOR BRAND NEW RESIDENTS. IT'S FOR EXISTING RESIDENTS.

IF YOU STOP DEVELOPMENT IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, THE LOSERS WILL BE THOSE WHO LIVE HERE NOW.

THE KIDS THAT ARE IN YOUR SCHOOLS. THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD HERE. Y'ALL GAVE AN INCENTIVES PACKAGE TO KEEP AN EMPLOYER FROM MOVING ACROSS THE BORDER TO DUVAL. WHAT ABOUT INCENTIVES TO KEEP YOUR ST. JOHNS COUNTY KIDS HERE. SO ALLOW THEM A CHANCE TO LIVE IN APARTMENTS. AS I DID. AS MOST OF YOU HAVE DONE AT SOME POINT IN YOUR LIVES. YOU KNOW, IT'S PERFECTLY FINE AND I WILL TELL YOU TODAY'S MULTIFAMILY, AND PARTICULARLY THIS PROJECT IS NOT THE MULTIFAMILY OF 30 YEARS AGO.

IT IS A CLUB WITH NICE STUFF. WITH GRANITE COUNTERTOPS. SO ANYWAY, SORRY FOR THE SPEECH. HOPEFULLY YOU ALLOW ME A LITTLE LATITUDE.

I GET A FEW PERSONAL ATTACKS. THANK Y'ALL. >> THANK YOU, MR. INGRAHAM.

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> SIR, THE MAIN POINT IS THAT I'M NOT SAYING YOU CAN'T BUILD.

I'M JUST SAYING THAT RES-C WOULD BE PROBABLY FINE IN THAT AREA.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD WHY RES-D WOULD WORK IN THAT AREA.

>> IT IS -- AGAIN, YOU WOULD WANT TO PUT THE DENSITY NEAR THE STUFF.

[02:15:04]

YOU HAVE A POINT OF VIEW, YOU RAN ON A CAMPAIGN TO STOP ALL DEVELOPMENT.

YOU VOTED CONSISTENTLY IN THAT WAY. I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD SEE THAT THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS. BUT I MEAN THAT OUT OF RESPECT.

THAT IS WHAT YOU RAN ON. >> LET'S KEEP IT FOCUSED ON THE ITEM, PLEASE.

I DISAGREE. WE SHOULD PUT DENSITY NEAR WHERE THE USES ARE, THE THINGS

THAT PEOPLE NEED FOR THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES. >> OKAY.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FOR THE BOARD? BACK TO THE BOARD.

WE CAN CALL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. NOW IS THE TIME TO GET ANY MORE

INFORMATION ON THESE TWO ITEMS? >> MY DISTRICT. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD

>> I'LL TAP IN. I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO CAME OUT HERE TODAY AND SPOKE. THANK YOU TO THE CAROL FAMILY. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN PROPERTY RIGHTS AND YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY. I'M ACTUALLY A FAN OF THIS DEVELOPMENT. IT'S NOT A COMPATIBILITY ISSUE FOR ME.

IT'S A TIMING AND INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE FOR ME. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE TIMING IS NOT RIGHT UNTIL WE GET THESE ROADS CAUGHT UP. MR. INGRAM.

I AM PREPARED TO MOVE TO DENY THIS. SO IF YOU'RE READY.

IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK. >> I AM NOT SEEING ANYBODY ELSE >> MOTION TO DENY COMP PLAN AMENDMENT SMALL SCALE 2021-24, THE COTTAGES OF ST. JOHNS, BASED UPON FOUR FINDINGS OF

FACT PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DEAN? ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION? PLEASE VOTE. MOTIONS TO DENY PASSES 5-0.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5? >> MOTION TO DENY PUD-2021-18, COTTAGES AT ST. JOHNS, SUBJECT TO TEN FINDINGS OF FACT AS PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DEAN PLEASE VOTE. THAT MOTION TO DENY PASSES 5-0. THAT CONCLUDES AGENDA ITEMS

FOUR AND FIVE. >> MR. CHAIR, IF WE COULD ASK FOR A WAIVER.

>> I THINK IT'S AN INAPPROPRIATE TIME TO MAKE THAT REQUEST, CONSIDERING WE JUST

[Public Comment ]

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, WHAT IS YOUR PLEASURE >> NOT AT THIS TIME, SIR, I

APOLOGIZE. >> DON'T APOLOGIZE. THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA.

IT IS A 30-MINUTE WINDOW, WHICH MEANS ROUGHLY TEN PEOPLE, SOMETIMES WE'VE GOTTEN 12 TO SPEAK. USUALLY ABOUT 20 TO 25 WHO WANT TO SPEAK.

WE'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT 10 TO 12 PEOPLE. THOSE ARE THE BOARD'S RULES.

WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AT THE END OF OUR AGENDA, WHICH MAY BE THIS EVENING. THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. WE'RE GOING TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT WHICH WILL END AT 12:10 AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A BREAK AND RECONVENE AT 1 O'CLOCK.

>> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.

ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD SHOULD COME TO THE PODIUM AND STATE HIS OR HER NAME AND ADDRESS. EACH PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.

COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE AND NOT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER.

NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PERSONAL AND PERTINENT AND SLANDEROUS REMARKS.

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ANY DISRUPTIVE COMMENTS.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD DAY, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS JULIETTE MANDLER. RSF IS A 182 SINGLE FAMILY HOME COMMUNITY LOCATED NEAR THE U.S.

1 INTERSECTION AND NEEDS YOUR HELP. I AM HERE TO MAKE THREE SEPARATE QUESTIONS. ONE, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST FOR THE COVENANT FOR MAINTENANCE TO

[02:20:02]

THIS LEAVES THE HOA AND THE COUNTY EXPOSED TO A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT SHOULD ANY INDIVIDUAL GET HURT ON THE EQUIPMENT OR LAND. SINCE THE COVENANT CURRENTLY REQUIRES THE HOA TO MAINTAIN IT. TWO, I REQUEST THAT THE APPLICATION FEE FOR THE MAJOR PUD AMENDMENT BE WAIVED. OUR HOA CANNOT AFFORD THE ROUGHLY $3,000 EXPENSE. 3, I REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY STAFF ASSIST RSF WITH COMPLETING THE APPLICATION AND FILLING IT OUT. IT IS ESTIMATED TO COST UPWARDS OF $20,000. AND I AM ONCE AGAIN STRESSING THAT OUR HOA DOES NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO DO THIS WITHOUT A POSSIBLE ASSESSMENT ON OUR HOMEOWNERS.

THIS ISSUE IS CAUSING OUR HOMEOWNERS OF WHICH AT LEAST 25 ARE HERE TODAY, UNDUE STRESS AT THE PROSPECT OF HAVING TO PAY ADDITIONAL FEES TO GET OUT OF ALREADY PAYING A THIRD OF OUR HOA BUDGET TO MAINTAIN THE LAND. THE ASSOCIATION HAS PAID OVER $44,000 TO MAINTAIN LAND OWNED BY ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THOSE FEES, COMBINED WITH THE TAX THAT THE HOMEOWNERS PAY THAT GO TOWARDS COUNTY PARKS AND ADDITIONAL FEE OF FILING THE APPLICATION, PUTS OUR HOA AT NOW BEING ESSENTIALLY TRIPLE TAXED.

RSF IS BEING ASKED BY THE COUNTY TO PAY THE EQUIVALENT OF A YEAR'S WORTH OF MAINTENANCE TO GET OUT OF A DEAL WHERE WE WOULD BE PAYING A LOT MORE. AT THE LAST COMMISSIONER MEETING, I STATED THAT THERE WAS A PIECE OF BROKEN PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS REFUSING TO RETURN CALLS FROM OUR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY.

I THANKED PARKS AND RECREATION FOR FIXING THE ISSUE, IT DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE OF OUR INABILITY TO OBTAIN LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR THE COUNTY PARK. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR OUR

ATTENTION IN THIS SERIOUS MATTER. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> MY NAME IS TRACY BRANCH, GOING TO BE SOMEWHAT REDUNDANT. I LIVE AT ROCK SPRINGS FARM AS WELL. I AS WELL AS ALL OF MY FELLOW NEIGHBORS ARE HERE TO ADDRESS THE COVENANT MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT. I REALIZE THAT IT'S BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER AND THE OLD ROCK SPRINGS FARMS HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. UPON THE TURN-OVER THE DEVELOPER WHICH TOOK PLACE IN JANUARY 2023, WHICH IS ABOUT THE TIME YOU ALL STARTED RECEIVING E-MAILS, PHONE CALLS, REQUESTING MEETINGS, IT WAS BECAUSE WE WEREN'T AWARE OF THIS MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT.

NOWHERE IN CLOSING YOU'RE PRESENTED WITH DEC BYLAW, I MEAN, YOU DON'T GET PRESENTED WITH THIS MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT. HE ENTERED INTO THE DEVELOPER ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT WITH YOU WITH US MAINTAINING AND PAYING ALL OF THE EXPENSES ON LAND THAT HE DEDICATED TO YOU. YOU BEING THE COUNTY.

AS JULIETTE STATED, OVER 25,000. THE BIGGEST ISSUE, IT'S VERY FEARFUL, IS THAT THE INSURANCE ISSUE, IT'S NOT ONLY THE 25,000 THAT WE'RE PAYING, BUT IT IS SCARY TO THINK THAT SOMEONE CAN GO UP THERE AND BE HURT. YET, IN THIS AGREEMENT, IT IS SAYING THAT WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. WE CAN'T FULFILL THE CONTRACT.

WE CAN'T GET INSURANCE ON YOUR LAND. ALTHOUGH IT'S A BREACH OF CONTRACT, ONE SOLUTION WAS STATED THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A LEASE AGREEMENT AND LEASE IT FROM YOU FOR A DOLLAR. NO INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD DO THAT EITHER.

IT WOULD BIND US AGAIN TO MAINTAIN THE LAND. DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE CAN'T INSURE IT, MANY OF OUR HOMEOWNERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT CLOSED.

IF WE HAVE TO GO TO A COURT OF LAW OR WITH THE MODIFICATION, MINOR OR MAJOR, WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S MINOR FOR THEM TO DO THE RESOLUTION, BUT IT'S MAJOR FOR US TO DO IT.

SO THAT HAS GOT ME WONDERING. IT'S TOO MUCH FOR US. WE HAVE TO HAVE A FUNDRAISER TO

[02:25:05]

GET MONEY. THANK YOU. >>

>> THANK YOU. >> NICOLE CROSBY, I WROTE ALL FIVE COMMISSIONERS AND OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO VOICE VERY SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE COUNTY'S NEW LOGO AND TAG LINE.

NOT ONE OF YOU WROTE BACK TO SAY THIS IS A GOOD LOGO, I LIKE THIS TAG LINE.

IT'S HARD TO REFUTE THE PROBLEMS THAT I RAISED, NO TESTING WAS DONE ON THE TARGET MARKET. SO PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE, INVEST HERE OR MOVE HERE WERE NOT ASKED FOR THEIR INPUT. THE LINE FLORIDA AT FIRST SIGHT WAS MET WITH EYEROLLS.

OUR LOGO IS BEING MOCKED AND LAUGHED AT, IN THE MEDIA, WHO VOICE THEIR CLEAR DISLIKE OF THE TAG LINE. THE SYMBOL OF THE FORT WAS MISTAKEN FOR BEACH SYMBOLS SUCH AS SUN AND TURTLE BECAUSE THE OTHER THREE SYMBOLS ARE BEACH SYMBOLS.

I WROTE HERNANDO COUNTY WHO DESIGNED THEIR LOGO. I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN IT WAS A DESIGN FIRM IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I DO KNOW THEIR FIRM DESIGNED OTHER FANTASTIC LOGOS FOR OTHER COUNTIES THAT I SENT YOU AS EXAMPLES.

THIS LOCAL FIRM HAS DONE BRAND IDENTITY FOR COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY'S BUDDY, SISTER OR FRIEND WAS SELECTED.

OW IN THE WORLD WAS A RESEARCH FIRM HIRED FOR 30 GRAND AND DID NOT ONE SINGLE BIT OF RESEARCH. IN OTHER WORDS, NO ONE THAT THE LOGO WAS DESIGNED FORGOT TO SEE IT AND HAVE ANY INPUT ON IT. NOW $200,000 IS GOING TO SPENT ON THE FOUNDATION.

YOU HAVE A LARGE CRACK IN THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR BRAND IDENTITY.

PLEASE FIX IT. DON'T KEEP ANOTHER $200,000 TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

LET ME TELL YOU WHERE WE NEED IT. THERE IS ONE OFFICER PATROLLING PONTE VEDRA AND VILANO BEACHES. THIS HAS LED TO A SITUATION WHERE UNDERAGE DRINKING IS ALL BUT LEGAL IN OUR BEACHES. I NOW SEE DRUNK AND PASSED OUT TEAMS ON MANY EVENING.

WE DON'T HAVE $250,000 TO THROW AWAY. THIS LOGO WILL BE A PART OF YOUR LEGACY. WILL YOUR LOGO REPRESENT GOVERNMENT WASTE AND INCOMPETENCE OR THE GREATNESS OF OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. COME ON DOWN. >> HI.

GOOD MORNING. OR AFTERNOON OR WHATEVER IT IS NOW.

MY NAME IS MARIE MORRISON, I AM AT 242 SUNSTONE COURT, ANOTHER ROCK SPRINGS FARM CONSTITUENT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC. I WANT TO PROFESS MY STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT CURRENTLY ENFORCED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I SIGNED MY AGREEMENT OF SALE ON JANUARY 26TH, 2021. THE BUILDER DR HORTON ENDORSED THAT. GUESS WHAT THAT MEANT, IT WAS A CONTRACT.

OKAY. THERE WAS MENTION OF A COUNTY PARK.

BUT I SAW NO MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH MY DOCUMENTS THAT I RECEIVED.

IT STATED THAT -- I'M SORRY. THE COVENANT FOR MAINTENANCE WAS NOT RECORDED UNTIL FEBRUARY 26TH OF 2021. THAT IS A MONTH AFTER I ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT WITH A BUILDER.

HOW CAN I, AS A HOMEOWNER BE PLACED UNDER A COVENANT THAT DIDN'T EXIST WHEN I SIGNED MY CONTRACT? THE FINANCIAL BURDEN IS TWO-FOLD, WE'RE BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR A PARK THAT EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY CAN USE. WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE PARK. WE EVEN HAVE TO USE COUNTY ENDORSED CONTRACTORS FOR REPAIRS. WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTY'S PARK SYSTEM THROUGH OUR TAXES.

WE ARE EXPECTED TO PAY ADDITIONAL MONEYS IN PERPETUITY.

SECOND TO THE FINANCIAL BURDEN WE'RE CURRENTLY UNDER, THERE IS THE ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCE OF THIS ARRANGEMENT AND WHAT THAT HAS ON THE VALUE OF MY HOME. IF I WERE TO SELL MY HOME AND A BUYER WAS COMPARING MY HOME IN MY COMMUNITY WITH ONE THAT DIDN'T HAVE THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN, WE WOULD BE IN A MUCH LESS ATTRACTIVE POSITION FOR A SALE.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS PARK IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE IMPROVEMENTS MADE BY THE

[02:30:04]

I FEEL IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTEREST TO HAVE TO FUND MAINTENANCE ON A PARK AS IT IS PRESENTLY OR UPON ANY IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAY BE FORTHCOMING.

WE HAVE THE PROBLEM OF LIABILITY THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED ALREADY AS WELL.

THIS COMMUNITY CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE ON THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN. THE COVENANT FOR MAINTENANCE WAS NOT DISCLOSED WHEN I SIGNED MY AGREEMENT OF SALE. IT WAS ONLY MINORLY MENTIONED IN THE DECLARATION OF COVENANT. COVENANT FOR MAINTENANCE REGARDING THE MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF THE PARK BY THE EXECUTION HAS BEEN EXECUTED BY THE ASSOCIATION, THE DECLARANT AND THE COUNTY. THE DECLARATION WAS FILED AND RECORDED DECEMBER 11TH, 2020, I HAVE THE BOOK, PAGE AND SECTION NUMBER HERE. SO THAT WAS NOT TRUE.

IT WAS NOT RECORDED UNTIL 2/26/21, OVER A YEAR LATER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE. I HOPE THAT THE COUNTY DOES THE RIGHT THING HERE AND MAKES AN AMENDMENT TO WHATEVER DOCUMENT IS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. >> MY NAME IS GAIL EVANS, I RESIDE AT 218 SUNSTONE COURT, ALSO IN ROCK SPRINGS FARMS. AGAIN, WILL REPEAT A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD. AS MS. MORRISON STATED, THOUGH, I PURCHASED MY HOME EVEN SIX WEEKS BEFORE SHE DID IN DECEMBER OF 2020, WELL BEFORE THIS AGREEMENT WAS RECORDED.

AND AGAIN, BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS UNDER MY CONTRACT THAT WASN'T EVEN THERE WHEN I SIGNED IT. ACCORDING TO RESOLUTION 2020-04, THE MINOR MODIFICATION OF ORDINANCE 2017-49, IT CLEARLY STATES THE PARK WAS PROFFERED, HOLD OUT SOMETHING FOR ACCEPTANCE IN EXCHANGE FOR A DENSITY BONUS TO ALLOW FOR UP TO 202 RESIDENTIAL UNITS. REQUIRED STORM RETENTION PONDS DID NOT ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPER TO UTILIZE THIS 202 DENSITY AND THEREFORE, ASKING FOR REDUCTION TO ITS ORIGINAL 182 RESIDENTIAL UNITS WITHOUT TAKING THIS UNDUE FINANCIAL BURDEN OFF OF THE RESIDENTS OF ROCK SPRINGS FARMS WITH THE COVENANT OF MAINTENANCE AS IT WAS TURNED OVER.

ON PAGE 10, UNDER THE HEADING OF PARK PHASING, THE LAST LINE STATES, THE PUBLIC PARK SHALL BE DEDICATED TO ST. JOHNS OR THE DEVELOPER SHALL FOREGO THE DENSITY BONUS FOR DEDICATION OF THE PUBLIC PARK. CLEARLY, IN THIS AGREEMENT IT DID NOT BENEFIT THE HOMEOWNERS OF ROCK SPRINGS FARMS. IT DID BENEFIT THE DEVELOPER. THE DEVELOPER WHO WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE HIS DENSITY, EVEN IF HE DIDN'T USE IT AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THIS LAND WAS PART OF A DEAL WITH THE DEVELOPER. DEDICATED OR NO DENSITY BONUS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO MAINTAIN ANY OF IT. IT WAS A SWEET DEAL FOR HIM.

THIS BURDEN THAT IT HAS PLACED FOR US HOMEOWNERS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SIMPLY, AS YOU CAN TELL BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE FROM THE COMMUNITY, WE JUST CAN'T ACCEPT AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO ACCEPT. WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION IN TAKING CARE OF

THIS FOR US. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW US TO SHARE OUR CONCERNS REGARDING THE COUNTY PARK AND THE COMMUNITY OF ROCKS SPRINGS PARKS.

I LIVE AT 115 OCEAN JASPER DRIVE. I AM THE BOARD'S SECRETARY OF THE HOA. BUT TODAY, I AM HERE AS A HOMEOWNER.

WE NEED YOUR HELP. IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT A LICENSED DRIVER WHO HAS HAD THEIR LICENSE REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR EVEN JUST EXPIRED AND OF COURSE, UNINSURED, BUT CONTINUES TO DRIVE A VEHICLE AND HAS AN ACCIDENT. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE IS HURT, BETTER YET, IF THIS RESULTS IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. NOW, LET'S IMAGINE, IN OUR SITUATION, WHERE WE ARE BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A COUNTY PARK, IN OUR COMMUNITY, THAT WE CANNOT INSURE TO COVER FOR ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENTS WHICH MAY OCCUR.

THE HOMEOWNERS OF ROCK SPRINGS PARKS TO TOO INCOMPREHENDIBLE TO IMAGINE.

WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CARE AND MAINTAIN A PARK OF THIS NATURE.

PLEASE CLOSE THE PARK. BECAUSE JUST LIKE THAT UNINSURED, UNLICENSED DRIVER, WHO CONTINUES TO LIVE VICARIOUSLY, THINKING IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO THEM, AND CONTINUES TO

[02:35:05]

MY HUSBAND AND I ARE ASKING THAT YOU SHUT IT DOWN, UNTIL THIS ISSUE CAN BE SOLVED.

PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

GOOD MORNING. >> SHERI BADGER, 2772 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE.

I DO WANT TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THESE TRUCKS. I DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO A MAN FROM CODE ENFORCEMENT AND HE SUGGESTED THE BARRIERS, BUT IT FELL ON DEAF EARS OF ONE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES. THIS WAS AT 6:30 ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, WHEN THIS TRASH TRUCK WAS BEATING A TRASH CAN. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN MY WINDOWS, BECAUSE IT WAS COOL. SO IT WAS A REAL RUDE AWAKENING ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND. HE IS STILL USING THE ROAD. THESE TRUCKS ARE USING THE ROAD. IF A HEIGHT BARRIER WAS THERE, IT WOULD STOP THEM.

THE LAST COMMISSION MEETING, I BROUGHT YOU A PICTURE OF WHERE MY NEIGHBOR TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO TRY TO BARRICADE THE WATER FROM COMING IN HIS YARD, BUILDING THE BERMS. WHEN WE DO HAVE RAINS, EVEN ONE OF YOU COMMISSIONERS, WHEN YOU WERE MY COMMISSIONER, SAID THAT YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE WATER COMING FROM A DEVELOPMENT ON TO A COUNTY ROAD.

IT COMES INTO RESIDENTS'S YARDS. SO HERE IS A PICTURE OF SOME SAND THAT WAS -- THAT THE NEIGHBOR HAD TO DIG OUT BECAUSE THE LITTLE BIT OF RAINS THAT WE HAD HAS WASHED THE SAND THAT HE PUT UP TO BERM. HE HAD TO DIG THE CULVERT BACK OUT. THIS IS THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY.

BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I WAS TOLD THE COUNTY GAVE TEN FEET OF THIS PROPERTY TO THE DEVELOPER, SO SOMEBODY ALSO NEEDS TO FIGURE THAT OUT. THANK YOU.

GOD BLESS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. CHARLIE HUNT.

MILLCREEK ESTATES. I CAN BRING UP A LITTLE BIT OF THE PAST THAT HAS RELEVANCE TO WHAT HAPPENED TODAY. WHEN THE COTTAGES OF ST. JOHNS WAS DENIED.

IT SHOWED SOME OF THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS THAT WOULD BE IN THAT AREA THAT MIGHT GET WORKED ON. ONE OF THEM WAS FROM THE INTERSECTION OF 16 IGP EAST TO STATE -- OR DOWN 16 TO 95. THAT INTERSECTION -- THAT WHOLE STRIP RIGHT THERE:SO WHEN I GOT LOOKING AT THE AGENDAS, IT SHOWED THAT GRAND OAKS DEFAULTED.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS THE ONE DOING IT NOW.

THAT MADE ME THINK BACK BECAUSE I WAS IN HERE ABOUT THE GRAND OAKS DEVELOPMENT ON 16.

IN THEIR AGENDA, THIS IS WHAT I HAVE RIGHT HERE. I'LL READ FROM.

THEIR AGENDA, WHICH THE PUD, THE ROADWAYS WITHIN THE GRAND OAKS ARE MAINTAINED BY CDD OR HOA FEES. APPLICANT PROCESSED TO IMPROVE A MINIMUM OF THREE MILES FROM STATE ROAD 16. TOTAL WORTH OF ESTIMATED $15 MILLION.

OKAY. IT SAYS IT RIGHT HERE. OKAY.

DURING THAT WHOLE AGENDA, IT WENT THROUGH AND THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING OKAY, YES.

THEY WON'T PUT IN THAT $15 MILLION. IF THAT IS IN THEIR AGENDA, THAT HAS TO BE DONE. ACCOMPANIED WITH, WELL, WE'LL DO IT AS NEEDED.

AS NEEDED. SO FROM THAT MEETING, HERE ARE THE -- I'M GOING TO READ IT.

THIS IS FROM THE RECORDED MINUTES, FROM THAT MEETING OF THE BCC, OKAY, STATES HERE, 11:25 A.M., AND THIS WAS ON THE 17TH OF JUNE, YEAH. JUNE 2018.

11:25 A.M., MORRIS ASKED CHANDELIER ABOUT THE 229 ACCESS POINTS.

ADDITIONALLY, MORRIS CLARIFIED THAT $15 MILLION IS GUARANTEED. SMITH CONFIRMED THAT WHATEVER

[02:40:07]

SUPPORTED THE PLAN AND HAD ADDRESSED ALL OF THE CONCERNS. >> MR. MIGUT, WOULD YOU PLEASE GET WITH MR. HUNT TO TALK ABOUT THE LEGAL ACTION THAT THIS BOARD HAS TAKEN.

THIS BOARD HAS TAKEN ACTION AGAINST THAT DEVELOPER. MR. MIGUT IS GOING TO FILL YOU

IN. >> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS DOUG COAL COLEMAN, I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF MY OTHER HERE IN SUPPORT OF MY OTHER RESIDENTS.

IT WAS NEVER DISCLOSED TO US THAT WE WOULD HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARK.

NO OTHER COMMUNITY HAVE THE BURDEN THAT WE DO. WE ARE BEING TAXED TWICE ON THIS. HOA ASSESSMENT AND PROPERTY TAXES.

WE CANNOT ASSUME THE LIABILITY FOR THE ST. JOHNS RESIDENTS WHO USE THE PARK.

THE PARK SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN UNTIL THIS MATTER IS RESOLVED. THE MAJORITY OF US PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IN THAT COMMUNITY IF WE HAD KNOWN THAT WE WERE ON THE HOOK FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT PARK. WE DON'T WANT TO ASSUME THAT LIABILITY.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD WANT TO. THERE ARE MANY RESIDENTSES LIKE ME, RETIRED VETERANS LOOKING FOR PEACE AND A FAIR LIKE ME, RETIRED VETERANS LOOKING FOR PEACE LIKE ME, RETIRED VETERANS LOOKING FOR PEACE AND A FAIR SHAKE.

>> GOOD MORNING. WE ARE BILL AND SUE. BRING THREE POINTS FORWARD.

LEGALITY OF THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT, TWO, THE LIABILITY OF ROCK SPRINGS RESIDENTS AND 3, HOA SLASH HOMEOWNER FINANCIAL LIABILITY. IT WAS NEVER DISCLOSED TO US THAT THE RESIDENTS WOULD BE PAYING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PARK AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. COMMISSIONER ALAIMO ATTENDED OUR LAST MEETING SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. IT WAS BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION NOT ONE OF THE RESIDENTS WERE INFORMED OF THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH THE PARK DISTRICT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. BOTH BUILDERS FAILED TO DISCLOSE THE PARK AGREEMENT.

HOMES WERE SOLD PRIOR TO THIS AGREEMENT. WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A COUNTY PARK FOR OUR USE. WE ARE THE ONLY DEVELOPMENT THAT WE KNOW OF IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY OR POSSIBLY THE STATE WITH THIS KIND OF AGREEMENT. I QUESTION WHAT WENT ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WHEN THIS AGREEMENT WAS MADE. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY, HOWEVER, AS A HOMEOWNER, I BELIEVE THAT IF THIS HAD TO GO TO LITIGATION, IT WOULD BE A LOST TIME OF ENERGY FOR BOTH THE COUNTY AND HOA. MY GUT TELLS ME THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG HERE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A DEAL CAN BE MADE WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE FOLKS -- LET ME REPHRASE THAT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE DEAL IS MADE FOR THIS, WHERE HE MADE THE DEAL BUT WE HAVE TO PAY THE BILL.

THE LIABILITY OF THE PARK FALLS ON BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE HOMEOWNERS.

IF THERE IS AN INJURY, IT WILL AFFECT HOMEOWNERS. PLEASE NOTE THIS, WE CANNOT PURCHASE LIABILITY INSURANCE ON PROPERTY THAT WE DO NOT OWN. IT IS REQUESTED THAT THE PARK BE CLOSED. 3, BECAUSE WE ARE A SMALL COMMUNITY, THE COST OF MAINTAINING THIS PARK IS AND WILL BANKRUPT OUR HOA. THE COST IS BEYOND THE CAPABILITY OF OUR SMALL COMMUNITY. THE PARK MAINTENANCE IS ONE-THIRD OF OUR TOTAL INCOME. THE HOA FEES COLLECTED. SINCE WE HAVE TAKEN OVER THE HOA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, OUR BUDGET IS RUNNING IN THE RED.

WITH THE PARK MAINTENANCE WITH A HUGE DRAW. FURTHERMORE, WE HAVE THE PARK MAINTENANCE VENDORS PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY AND WE CAN'T CHOOSE MORE ECONOMICAL VENDORS.

IN SUMMARY, PLEASE NOTE THAT NONE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY WERE ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD BE PAYING FOR THE PARK MAINTENANCE BEFORE THEY CLOSED ON THEIR HOMES.

MANY OF US WERE LIED TO ABOUT THE PARK. WE ARE HOPING THAT WE CAN RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT LITIGATION. AGAIN, BECAUSE OF LACK OF ABILITY TO PURCHASE LIABILITY INSURANCE, WE ASK THAT YOU CLOSE THE PARK.

I WOULD LIKE TO REPEAT THAT OUR HOA CANNOT AFFORD THIS HUGE EXPENSE.

SO I HAVE TO ASK THE COMMISSIONERS WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU PERSONALLY WERE PUT IN

THIS SAME PREDICAMENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

[02:45:04]

WELCOME >> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS DOUGLAS METTS.

I LIVE AT 123 SUNSTONE COURT IN THE ROCK SPRING FARM COMMUNITY. I AM REQUESTING THAT THE MAINTENANCE FOR THE COUNTY PARK BE COMPLETELY TURNED OVER TO THE COUNTY.

THE DEAL MADE BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER AND THE COUNTY WHICH WAS NEVER MENTIONED TO MY WIFE AND ME DURING ANY PART OF OUR PURCHASE, MOST IMPORTANTLY, IS PLACING AN UNREASONABLE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON MY COMMUNITY. OUR 182 HOME HOA HAS NO BACKGROUND OR EXPERIENCE IN PARK MANAGEMENT. WE ARE NOT EMPLOYEES OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND ARE THEREFORE, NOT FUNDED BY TAXPAYERS.

THE HOA BOARD CONSISTS OF HOMEOWNERS VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME TO HELP RUN THE HOA, NOT TO HELP RUN A COUNTY PARK. MY COMMUNITY IS UNABLE TO INSURE A PROPERTY THAT DOESN'T BELONG TO US. IT IS LEAVING US EXPOSED TO A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT, AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, I HAVE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR OVER 30 YEARS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO USE THE FACILITIES FOR TENNIS, WALKING, BASKETBALL AND THE LIKE AFTER SCHOOL HOURS. BUT WHEN WE INQUIRED ABOUT THE FACILITIES AT THE NEARBY PEDRO MENDEZ HIGH SCHOOL, WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY WERE UNUSEUNUSA DUE TO QUOTE/UNQUOTE SECURITY CONCERNS. WHY ARE SECURITY ISSUES NOT OF CONCERN FOR OUR COMMUNITY? LAUGHABLE LOGIC AND VERY SCARY AT THE SAME TIME.

PLEASE HELP AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION ON OUR BEHALF

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE GOING TO HEAR TWO MORE SPEAKERS AND THAT WILL CONCLUDE OUR PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION FOR THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING.

WE'LL HAVE IT AGAIN AT THE END OF OUR AGENDA TODAY. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWIG US TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE TODAY. MY NAME IS SHERI, I LIVE AT 578 OCEAN JASPER DRIVE, IN ROCK SPRINGS FARMS. OUR 182 HOA HAS BEEN BURDENED WITH THE DEAL THAT THE DEVELOPER AND COUNTY MADE PRIOR TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR HOMES, WHICH MAKES US RESPONSIBLE TO MAINTAIN THE COUNTY PARK AT THE FRONT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

I AM HERE TODAY TO REQUEST THAT THIS DEAL BE REVERSED AND THAT THE MAINTENANCE FOR THE COUNTY PARK BE COMPLETELY TURNED OVER TO THE COUNTY. IT IS WE AS A COMMUNITY CANNOT AFFORD MAINTENANCE FOR THIS WED MAINTENANCE FOR THIS PARK. HOMEOWNERS WERE NOT INFORMED OF THIS AGREEMENT. WE DID NOT FIND OUT ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT UNTIL OUR HOA WAS FORMED A FEW MONTHS AGO. WITH THIS ADDED EXPENSE, WE ARE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS, MY HUSBAND AND I INCLUDED, BOUGHT INTO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE WE WERE PROMISED NO CDDS AND LOW HOA COSTS.

WE ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT THE ONLY AMENITY IS A SMALL POOL IN EXCHANGE FOR THE LOWER HOA FEES. WE ARE BEING DOUBLE TAXED BY THE COUNTY BECAUSE OF THIS ARRANGEMENT. WE ALL PAY COUNTY TAXES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF PARKS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. WE IN RSF ARE THE ONLY NEIGHBORHOOD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COUNTY PARK. UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ANY IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FUTURE WOULD ADD TO OUR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF PICKLE BALL COURTS AND LIGHTS WERE ADDED TO THE PARK, WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ELECTRCAL BILLS, TO RUN THE LIGHTS AND THE CONDITION OF THE COURTS.

THIS SUBSTANTIALLY ADDS TO THE COST OF MAINTENANCE. WE CANNOT INSURE THE PROPERTY BECAUSE WE DO NOT OWN IT. THIS PUTS A SUBSTANTIAL RISKS OF LAWSUITS ON OUR COMMUNITY.

OUR HOA HAS NO BACKGROUND OR EXPERIENCE IN PARK MANAGEMENT. THE BOARD CONSISTS OF VOLUNTEERS THAT TOOK ON AN ENORMOUS TASKING AND HAVE BEEN HEAVILY BURDENED WITH THIS RESPONSIBILITY. COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN FORMED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT ANY PROJECTS NOT COMPLETELY NECESSARY.

THE GARDEN CLUB RAISED MONEY FOR PLANTS AND FLOWERS TO DRESS UP THE ENTRANCE AND AROUND THE POOL AND DID THE WORK THEMSELVES TO GET EVERYTHING PLANTED AND IRRIGATED.

THIS IS TWO EXAMPLES OF OUR NEIGHBORS DOING ALL THEY CAN. AS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE ST.

JOHNS COUNTY RSF COMMUNITY, I AM ASKING THE COMMISSIONER'S ASSISTANCE TO RIGHT THIS WRONG.

[02:50:05]

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS MARY FALCO. I LIVE AT 812 OCEAN JASPER DRIVE, IN ROCK SPRINGS COMMUNITY. I AM HERE TO -- I WANT TO GIVE MY PERSONAL RESPONSE TO WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOA AND THE COUNTY. SO YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT SINCE THE HOMES ARE BEING LISTED BY BIG SIGN OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITY THAT THEY'RE IN THE HIGH 500 RANGE. THE FAMILIES IN THIS COMMUNITY CAN AFFORD TO MAINTAIN A PARK.

WE SIGNED OUR CONTRACT EARLY. EVEN BEFORE THIS AGREEMENT WAS MADE, FOR A REASONABLE PRICE.

WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE OUR OWN HOME RIGHT NOW FOR THE PRICE THAT OUR HOME IS SELLING FOR. WE SEARCHED FOR A COMMUNITY WITH NO CCD FEES AND NOW WE DISCOVER VICTIMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE BUILDER.

AN AGREEMENT THAT IS ADVANTAGEOUS TO BOTH PARTIES, BUT NOT TO THE HOMEOWNERS.

I WALK THE COMMUNITY DAILY. IT USED TO BE ENJOYABLE. NOW I KNOW THE EXPENSE, IT'S NOT AS ENJOYABLE ANYMORE. KNOWING THAT OUR HOA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY INFESTED TREE THAT I SEE. OH, NO, WHAT IS THAT GOING TO COST US.

EVERY HILL OF FIRE ANTS. OTHER INCIDENTS FROM COUNTY RESIDENTS, KNOWING THAT WE'RE UNINSURED. IT'S SCARY. COUNTY PARKS DO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. BUT THIS AGREEMENT DOESN'T ENHANCE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

SO IT'S AT OUR EXPENSE. AND AGAIN, OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. SO I WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HEARING ME, OVERTURN THIS AGREEMENT.

BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD NOT ONLY THE FINANCIAL, BUT THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL

CONSEQUENCES OF THIS AGREEMENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT AND MAKING PUBLIC COMMENTS.

SO THAT CONCLUDES THIS PUBLIC COMMENT SEEING >> ALL RIGHT.

[6. Special Public Meeting and Special Private Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. ]

MR. MIGUT, DO YOU HAVE A STATEMENT TO MAKE? >> YES.

SO OUR MEETING RECESSED BEFORE LUNCH AND NOW THIS IS A SPECIAL MEETING, I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM THE BOARD THAT I NEED ADVICE CONCERNING ST. JOHNS KUNT COUNTY CARR, RIGGS AND INGRAM.

A CLOSED MEETING WILL LAST ABOUT ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES. THE PERSONS WHO WILL ATTEND

THIS MEETING ARE COMMISSIONER . >> I THINK WE NEED WORKFORCE HOUSING.

[Items 8 & 9 ]

[02:58:37]

>> YES, MA'AM. THIS CHANGE WAS NOT INITIATED BY STAFF, IT WAS INITIATED BY A

PRESENTATION FROM THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA BUILDERS ASSOCIATION. >> FROM HOME BUILDERS, RIGHT SO IT'S NOT FOR THE PERSON WHO NEEDS TO LIVE THERE. OR IT'S FOR THE HOME BUILDERS.

>> I DON'T THINK I'M ADEQUATELY PREPARED TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION HERE. BECAUSE THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH, WITH THIS WHOLE SCENARIO. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE WORKFORCE HOUSING, THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT TO GET INTO IT. AND THERE IS NO WAY WITH THIS

PROGRAM THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET INTO THE HOMES. >> (INAUDIBLE) THE GOAL TO IS PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. SO WHY WOULD WE DECREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF A DEVELOPMENT FROM 40 TO 30 PERCENT, FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUYERS.

THE REASON IS, IN MY OPINION, IS THE SAME REASON THAT WE ADJUSTED THE PRICE POINT, IS BECAUSE FOR, THIS IS NOT A MANDATORY PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPERS AND HOME BUILDERS TO PARTICIPATE IN. IT'S STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. AND TO GET THEM TO PARTICIPATE,

[03:00:02]

BUT THEY CAN'T OPERATE AT A DEFICIT FOR THE WHOLE PROJECT. WE DON'T HAVE TO AGREE.

BUT THEY RECOMMENDED AND DEMONSTRATED TO ME, THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE, IN THE AFFORDABLE, OR IN THE WORKFORCE HOUSING, WORKFORCE AS OPPOSED TO AFFORDABLE GRANTS INVOLVED, WORKFORCE HOUSING PROGRAM, BECAUSE IT'S ALL PRIVATE MONEY, THE DEVELOPERS ARE PUTTING IN THEIR PRIVATE MONEY, THE HOME BUYER IS PUTTING IN THEIR PRIVATE MONEY.

SO IN ORDER FOR THEM TO AT LEAST OPERATE AT LET'S SAY A NEUTRAL NUMBER, THEY CAN'T TAKE A HAIRCUT. SO I HAVE SOMEWHAT RELUCTANTLY, AT LEAST FOR MY VOTE, SOMEWHAT RELUCTANTLY, AGREED, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHATSOEVER, I HAVE SOMEWHAT RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO, IF IT COMES TO A VOTE, VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE 30 PERCENT AND THE 260,000 AND I'LL SAY NOW I'VE GOT A COUPLE AND I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR ALL OF YOU, A COUPLE OF AMENDMENTS THAT I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IN THE LAST WEEK AND I WANTED TO OFFER THEM AND EXPLAIN THEM AT SOME POINT. IF AT LEAST IN MY POSITIO

WE'RE GOING FORWARD. >> ALSO MYSELF. I HAVE SOME THINGS I WOULD LIKE

TO DISCUSS ALSO. >> DID MY EXPLANATION OFFER INSIGHT INTO MY POSITION AND

WHY I WOULD SUPPORT 30 PERCENT? >> YES. 30 PERCENT, IF THE PRICE WERE LOWER, I MEAN, I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL BANKS AND AT 260 AND 270, YOU HAVE TO MAKE 60 TO 70,000 A YEAR AND THAT IS NOT HAVING A CAR PAYMENT OR ANYTHING ELSE, AND WE OURSELVES JUST HAD THE SHERIFF TELL US THAT 55,000 IS FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS.

AND 52,000 FOR KEHE. AND LET'S SEE. THE FIREMEN MAKE BETWEEN 48 AND 50. I CALLED THE SCHOOL BOARD, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY MAKE FOR SALARY IS BETWEEN 45 AND 48. THEY CAN'T BUY THESE HOUSES FOR WORKFORCE.

AND THE BUILDERS ARE USING THIS DESCRIPTION SO THAT THEY CAN INCREASE THE DENSITY ON OUR ST.

JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS, UNLESS THEY LOWER THAT PRICE, AND THE PERCENTAGE I GUESS, SO THAT ACTUAL WORKFORCE PEOPLE CAN GET INTO THEM, THEN I WILL VOTE FOR THAT.

>> WELL, THE REASON THE PRICE IS WHAT IT IS, THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T SELL THE HOUSE OR MAKE A PROFIT AT ALL FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN 260. WE COULD SAY 50 PERCENT OF THE

HOMES HAVE TO BE AT 215,000 OR LESS. >> WELL, THEN WHY ARE WE

SITTING HERE? >> HOW MANY HOMES DO YOU THINK WOULD BE BUILT UNDER THIS

PROGRAM? >> WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? >> WHY ARE WE DOING WHAT?

>> IF WE'RE SAYING THESE BUILDERS CAN BUILD MORE HOMES AT A HIGH PRICE THAT NO WORKFORCE PERSON CAN GET INTO, WHY ARE WE ADOPTING THIS AT ALL? IF ANYTHING, YOU WOULD ADOPT A RENTAL THAT WOULD BE AROUND 1800 A MONTH AND YOU KEEP IT THAT WAY FOR 30 YEARS, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE COUNTY.

BUT YOU CANNOT BUY A HOME FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING AT THAT PRICE.

>> WELL, I THINK THIS PROPOSAL IS WHAT I CALL A GOOD FIRST STEP.

>> FOR THE HOME BUILDER. >> BUT I MEAN, AGAIN, I MEAN, ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE FIVE COMMISSIONERS INSTEAD OF ONE IS WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DISAGREE AND EXPRESS OUR POLICY.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT I AM HERE FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT NEEDS A HOME AND THEY WANT TO WORK HERE. AND THEY'RE FIREMEN, TEACHERS

AND POLICEMEN. >> WELL, IF WE TAKE A MUCH LOWER NUMBER FOR THE PRICE POINT AND WE HAVE A MUCH HIGHER PERCENTAGE FOR THE AMOUNT OF HOMES THAT HAVE TO BE AT THAT PRICE POINT, THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM WILL HAVE ZERO HOMES.

>> AFFORDABLE HOUSING WOULD BE A DIFFERENT PROGRAM. THIS IS WORKFORCE.

>> THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE IS, WE ARE TRYING TO HIT THAT SWEET SPOT, WHERE THE DEVELOPERS WILL PARTICIPATE BUT STILL AFFORD THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE TO PURCHASE AN AFFORDABLE HOME.

BOTTOM LINE. >> SO IF THEY OFFER 270,000, WHY DON'T THEY BUY DOWN THE RATE, THE INTEREST RATE FOR THE HOME SO THEY CAN HAVE A MONTHLY PAYMENT THAT THEY CAN AFFORD.

AND ACTUALLY, WE GOT A LETTER FROM THE ST. JOHNS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP BILL LAZAR AND HIS QUOTE IS, SIMPLY PUT IT'S MONTHLY PAYMENT THAT MAKES SOMETHING AFFORDABLE OR NOT.

NOT THE PRICE OF THE HOME. >> I THINK THIS IS A GOOD DISCUSSION.

>> I'M NOT TRYING TO BE MEAN. I'M TRYING TO HAVE A DISCUSSION FOR THE PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO

AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. >> AGAIN, I WANT TO SAY AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD DISCUSSION TO HAVE. WE CAN ONLY TALK TO EACH OTHER IN THE SUNSHINE AT THESE

[03:05:03]

I THINK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE REQUESTED TEN MINUTES TO SPEAK.

IT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE THAT WE HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT THAT YOU COULD ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.

YOU HAVE GOOD QUESTIONS. AND I THINK COMMISSIONER DEAN IS MAKING GOOD POINTS IN ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS. PERHAPS MRS. RING MAY NOT BE THE BEST PERSON TO FIELD SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF MRS. RING ABOUT THE PRESENTATION THAT SHE GAVE AT THIS TIME FROM THIS BOARD. MR. ROBERTSON, ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> SORRY. THANK YOU. >> JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, FOR THE PROCESS THAT WAS THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNED, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE LAND

DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION OUT OF THE WAY AS WELL. >> PLEASE CONTINUE.

YES, MA'AM. LET'S HEAR ABOUT THE LDC AMENDMENT

>> THANK YOU. SO THIS IS THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM, THIS IS THE SECOND READING OF THE COMPANION LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT TO THE WORKFORCE HOUSING ZONING DESIGNATION. FOR BACKGROUND AGAIN, NAFTA MADE A PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD BACK IN DECEMBER. AT THAT TIME, THE BOARD DIRECTED STAFF TO CRAFT AN AMENDMENT ADDRESSING TWO CRITERIA OF WORKFORCE HOUSING. REQUIRED PERCENTAGE OF WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS. ON DECEMBER 1ST OF LAST YEAR, THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT IN A 4-2 VOTE.

FEBRUARY, WHEN THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY VOTED TO RECOMMEND TRANSMITTAL OF THE COMPANION COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT, THEY INCLUDED IN THAT MOTION A RECOMMENDATION OF INCORPORATING THE ENTIRE NFBA CHANGES. IN FEBRUARY, THIS BOARD ACCEPTED THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT AS PRESENTED IN ITS FIRST READING, 3-2 VOTE.

AT THAT TIME, DIRECTED STAFF TO INCORPORATE THE FULL NFBA AUTHORED RED LINE CHANGES FOR THE SECOND READING, WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 2ND. POSTPONED AT THAT TIME.

AT THAT TIME DISCUSSION, BOARD DISCUSSION HIT UPON TWO POINTS OF CONCERN.

ONE WAS THE TIME PERIOD OF SALES OR RENTALS FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING BEFORE FLIPPING AND A DEFINITION OF AFFORDABLE TO INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO 30 PERCENT OF GROSS MONTHLY INCOME FOR RENT OR MORTGAGE. SO THIS PROPOSED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT AFFECTS THREE SECTIONS OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, SECTIONS 5, 6 AND 12.

AND BASED ON DIRECTION FROM THIS BOARD, THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS FOR CONSIDERATION IN YOUR STAFF PACKETS, ATTACHMENTS 2 AND 3. ATTACHMENT 2 IS WHAT WAS PRESENTED BY NFBA IN OCTOBER AND WHAT STAFF WAS DIRECTED BY THE BOARD IN FEBRUARY TO INCORPORATE. THE CODE CHANGES INCLUDE THE ITEMS ON THIS LIST.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE FIRST TWO ITEMS. THERE IS ALSO ADDING RENTAL UNIT REQUIREMENTS, MAXIMUM RENTAL RATE CALCULATION. REDUCING LOT SIZE AND SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING. INCREASING THE TIME BETWEEN REZONING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMENCEMENT TO THREE YEARS OM. AND IT ALSO AMENDS THE DEFINITION OF WORKFORCE HOUSING TO INCLUDE RENTAL UNITS. SO ATTACHMENT THREE INCLUDES THOSE POINTS AND ADDS CRITERIA THAT THE BOARD ON MAY 2ND, DIRECTED STAFF TO INCORPORATE.

THREE-YEAR YEAR DEED RESTRICTION. IT REQUIRES COMPLIANCE WITH A REVISED WORKFORCE HOUSING DEFINITION, WHICH IS LISTED HERE, THIS WAS CRAFTED WITH INPUT, OF COURSE, FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND READS, I CAN'T READ IT UP THERE. WORKFORCE HOUSING IS HOUSING AFFORDABLE TO BE PURCHASED OR RENTED BY QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLDS, WHOSE TOTAL ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS WITHIN THE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME CATEGORY, OR HOUSEHOLDS EARNING UP TO 120 PERCENT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AREA MEDIAN INCOME. AND ADJUSTED TO FAMILY SIZE. IN ADDITION, ATTACHMENT THREE DOES INCLUDE A DEFINITION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AS WAS DISCUSSED BY THE BOARD OR REQUESTED BY THE BOARD AT THE MAY 2ND MEETING. AGAIN, THIS WAS CRAFTED WITH INPUT FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND IT READS THAT HOUSING IS CONSIDERED AFFORDABLE WHEN PAYMENTS INCLUDING RENT OR MORTGAGE, PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOMEOWNERS, UTILITY COSTS DO NOT EXCEED 30 PERCENT OF A HOUSEHOLD'S GROSS INCOME ADJUSTED FOR FAMILY

[03:10:02]

SO MOTIONS ARE DRAFTED TO ALLOW THE BOARD TO SPECIFY INCLUSION OF REGULATIONS CONTAINED IN ATTACHMENT TWO OR THREE OR A MODIFICATION OF EITHER. THAT CONCLUDES THE STAFF

REPORT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MS. RING.

SO IF THERE ARE NOT ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS AT THIS TIME FROM THE BOARD, WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA'S BUILDERS ASSOCIATION FIRST.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND THEN THEY'LL HAVE TEN MINUTES TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION. AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO

PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU AGAIN, MS. RING. >> RUNNING AND BLOCKING AT THE SAME TIME. SO PLEASE COME ON UP, NAME AND ADDRESS AND THEN YOU CAN START

YOUR PRESENTATION. >> WELL, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THE POWERPOINT. I'VE GOT TO CLICK IT.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AS ALWAYS. I'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED BY DISCUSSING THE CURRENT WORKFORCE HOUSING ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THIS ORDINANCE IN OUR OPINION NEEDS TO BE UPDATED DUE TO INCREASED IMPACT FEES, GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND BUILDING AND LAND COSTS IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. THIS IS EVIDENCE BY ROUGHLY THAT NUMBER HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN, $550,000 MEDIAN HOME PRICE IN THE COUNTY. THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. THE CURRENT ORDINANCE REQUIRES 40 PERCENT OF UNITS TO BE WORKFORCE HOUSING. WHICH HAS BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS TO MEET DUE TO THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.

IT DOESN'T ADDRESS AFFORDABLE RENTAL UNITS. ACCORDING TO RENT CAFE.COM, THE AVERAGE RENTAL RATE IS $1,924 A MONTH. RELIEF WHEN IT COMES TO RENT.

THE CURRENT WORKFORCE HOUSING PRICE LIMIT IS $240,000 IN ST. JOHNS.

HOWEVER, NEWLY-BUILT HOUSES FOR SALE WERE UP 58 PERCENT AT THE END OF 2021 FROM THE YEAR BEFORE. ALSO WITH THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION, THE HIGHEST SEEN IN 50 YEARS, THE ORDINANCE'S PRICE LIMIT MUST INCREASE AS WELL.

THEN I'LL JUST BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGES.

REDUCED REQUIRED PERCENTAGE OF WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS TO 30 PERCENT, TO MATCH OTHER COUNTIES OF SIMILAR SIZE AND WEALTH. ADDS AFFORDABLE RENTAL UNITS.

IT MODIFIES THE MAXIMUM PRICE POINT, IT RAISES THE BASE PRICE FROM 240,000 TO 260,000 AND PROVIDES FOR AUTOMATIC ANNUAL CHANGES UP OR DOWN, BASED ON CHANGES IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

AND AFTER THIS PROPOSED INCREASE, WE WOULD STILL BE 30 PERCENT LOWER THAN SARASOTA AND MARTIN COUNTIES, WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO ST. JOHNS IN WEALTH AND SIZE. IT ALLOWS THE VOTER TO PAY QUALIFIED CLOSING COSTS ON BEHALF OF BUYERS, UP TO $7,000, THAT WAS AN AMENDMENT WE PROPOSED IN SUPPORT OF CAPPING THOSE CLOSING COSTS. BECAUSE WE UNDERSTOOD THAT WAS A STICKING POINT. WE DIDN'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK WE WERE DOING SOMETHING WE WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO. IT ADDS A CATEGORY, BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP AS TO PROVIDE A DIFFERENT OPTION FOR UNITS AS OPPOSED TO JUST TOWN HOMES. AND THEN ON THE NEXT PAGE, WE HAVE A GRAPH, THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT SIDE, IN MY OPINION, COMPARING THIS PROPOSAL NEXT TO OTHER COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE FIRST COLUMN, WE HAVE THE PERCENT OF UNITS REQUIRED. AS YOU CAN SEE, ALL OF THE COUNTIES ON THIS LIST ARE BETWEEN 10 AND 30 PERCENT. THE NEXT COLUMN, THAT SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE OF AMI, OR AREA MEDIAN INCOME ALLOWED. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE DECIDED NOT TO GO WITH A PERCENTAGE OF AMI CALCULATION. SO WE COULD COME IN DRAMATICALLY LOWER ON THE MAXIMUM SALES PRICE. BUT A LOT OF THESE OTHER COUNTIES DO IT THAT WAY. WHICH BRINGS A MUCH HIGHER SALES PRICE.

AND IN THE NEXT COLUMN, YOU SEE THE 2022 AMI. AS YOU CAN SEE, ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS FAIRLY HIGH UP THERE WHEN IT COMES TO AREA MEDIAN INCOME.

THE NEXT COLUMN IS 120 PERCENT AMI CALCULATION, WHICH IS WHAT MANY COUNTIES USE UNDER THEIR

[03:15:01]

UNDER THIS ORDINANCE, BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS WILL BE PAYING ALL OF THE SAME FEES AND MEETING ALL OF THE SAME REQUIREMENTS AS EVERYONE ELSE, WHILE NOT COSTING THE COUNTY A DIME. EVERY WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECT WILL NEED COMMISSION APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD. IT'S WORTH NOTING, THAT THIS ORDINANCE HAS PASSED THE PZA UNANIMOUSLY TWICE, WHICH WE KNOW IS NOT EASY TO DO. AND THE ONLY OTHER WAY TO FIX THIS WORKFORCE HOUSING CRISIS IS FOR THE COUNTY TO START PAYING ITS LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS AND TEACHERS SUBSTANTIALLY MORE, SO THEY CAN LIVE IN THE COUNTY.

IT IS VITAL TO UNDERSTAND THAT LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS $260,000 PRICE POINT IS LESS THAN HALF THE CURRENT MEDIAN HOME PRICE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, WHICH IS $550,000.

WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING ENDS UP BEING ABOUT A THREE PERCENT INCREASE PER YEAR.

WE ALL KNOW INFLATION HAS NOT INCREASED AT THREE PERCENT PER YEAR.

IN FACT, IT'S BEEN EIGHT PERCENT PER YEAR. SO WE THINK THAT MAKES IT MORE REASONABLE, WHAT WE'RE REQUESTING. I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR TO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH'S POINT. THESE CHANGES WILL NOT SOLVE EVERYONE'S CHALLENGES.

WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING A HOME. SINGLE PARENTS AND OTHER LOWER INCOME GROUPS WILL MOST LIKELY STILL BE PRICED OUT AT THESE RATES. SADLY, MOST COULD NOT BE HELPED BY THE CURRENT ORDINANCE EITHER. IT IS OUR HOPE THOSE BUYERS WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FROM CURRENT OR FUTURE PROGRAMS THAT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SHIP OR SAIL FUNDING. THESE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGES ARE A SOLELY FREE MARKET APPROACH WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY GEARED TOWARDS DUAL-INCOME. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK ON THIS ISSUE AND STAFF AS

WELL. >> THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT THAT YOU ALL HAVE SHOWN FOR THE QUESTION IN THE WORKFORCE HOUSING. I WANTED TO HIT A COUPLE OF QUICK ITEMS. YES, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MOVING IT TO 30 PERCENT.

DR HORTON HAS GOT THREE PROJECTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT NOW. PROBABLY WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS FOR SALE HOPEFULLY NEXT WEEK. WITH THE THREE PROJECTS, WE'VE GOT AT 30 PERCENT, THAT WILL PRODUCE OVER 250 OF THE RESTRICTED WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS. WE HEARD MENTION OF BILL LAZAR'S GROUP, ST. JOHNS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, THEY DO A GREAT JOB, BUT THEY RELY ON GRANTS FROM CITIES, STATES, COUNTIES AND FROM FEDERAL AND DONATIONS. WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO SINCE WE STARTED THIS, WAS TO DO SOMETHING WHERE BUILDER, THAT IS IN THE BUSINESS FOR A PROFIT CAN DO THE PROJECT, PROVIDE SOME OF THESE HOMES THAT WILL FIT NOT EVERYBODY, AS EVERYONE HAS POINTED OUT, BUT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, NURSES, TEACHERS, THAT KIND OF THING, WON'T TAKE CARE OF THE SINGLE ONES. BUT IT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT SHERIFF'S DEPUTY THAT IS MARRIED TO A TEACHER WOULD QUALIFY FOR.

WOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD. SO THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE'RE AIMING AT.

I HAVE TWO CONCERNS WITH WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT NOW. ONE IS THE ADDING THE 120,000 OF AMI. 2023, 120 PERCENT OF AMI IS A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN $85,000.

SO IF WE HAD A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY MARRIED TO A TEACHER, WE WOULD HAVE TO TELL THEM YOU CAN'T BUY THIS HOME BECAUSE YOU MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY. AND I DON'T THINK THAT WAS THE INTENT. SO I WOULD ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER DOING AWAY WITH THE 120 REQUIREMENT. AND JUST STICK WITH THE SALES PRICE. THE OTHER IS, I UNDERSTAND WHY WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE RESTRICTED FOR A WHILE. EVERYBODY'S CONCERNED THAT YOU

[03:20:01]

BUT IF IT WERE RESTRICTED FOR A YEAR, I THINK IT WOULD STILL ACCOMPLISH THE SAME THING.

MY CONCERN IS WE SAW A LOT OF NAVY FOLKS, A QUARTER OF OUR BUSINESS.

IF THEY GET ORDERS AND THEY HAVE TO MOVE, WOULD THIS REQUIREMENT, IF THEY WANT TO SELL IT, THEY HAVE TO SELL IT FOR THE SAME 260 THAT THEY BOUGHT IT FOR.

BUT THEY'RE GOING TO PAY $15,000 JUST IN THE COMMISSION. ALSO PAY SOME OTHER CLOSING COSTS. SO IF THEY'VE GOT TO LEAVE BEFORE THEIR THREE YEARS, BASICALLY THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE $20,000. SO WE THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT. JUST ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THOSE TWO ITEMS.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PORTER. >> OKAY. NOW WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> BETH TATE, 441, EAST COAST LANE. CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. AND CHAMBER ESSENTIAL WORKER HOUSING COALITION.

I WANTED TO START TODAY WITH ONE THING, THE CHAMBER HAS NEVER OPPOSED THIS ORDINANCE.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN TRY AND FIND A SOLUTION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ESSENTIAL WORKER HOUSING UNITS BUILT IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

SINGLE FAMILY, APARTMENTS, CONDOMINIUMS, TOWN HOMES, DUPLEX UNITS.

THE ABILITY OF OUR EMPLOYEES TO WORK AND LIVE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS A CRITICAL DRIVER FOR CONTINUED GROWTH AND PROSPERITY AND SAFETY OF OUR COUNTY, IMPORTANTLY, IT MUST BE A PRIORITY AS WE GO THROUGH THE UPDATES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LATER THIS YEAR.

WHEN I LAST SPOKE TO THE AUDIENCE HERE, WE STATED THAT WE SUPPORTED 85 PERCENT OF PROPOSED LANGUAGE IN THIS ORDINANCE. BUT WE REQUESTED INCREASING THE PRICE WHILE REDUCING THE NUMBER OF UNITS REQUIRED. THAT WAS NOT GOING TO PUT ANY MORE OF OUR EMPLOYEES MOVING IN TO NEW HOMES. AS YOU'RE AWARE, NOT ONE NEW UNIT HAS BEEN BUILT AND SOLD UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE THAT WAS APPROVED BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2021. EVEN WITH THIS NEW ORDINANCE, FEWER THAN 300 HOMES WILL BE BUILT. AGAINST A PUBLICLY STATED NEED OF OVER 3500 OF OUR LARGEST EMPLOYERS, JUST FOUR. SO WE HAVE TO DO MORE. THIS LATEST DRAFT VERSION OF THE ORDINANCE MAKES SIGNIFICANT STRIDES TOWARDS ADDRESSING OUR AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS.

WHILE THE BASE PRICE OF 260 REMAINS, SUBJECT TO NO MORE THAN A THREE PERCENT INCREASE OR DECREASE EVERY JULY 1ST. WE'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. SECOND, CRITICALLY, THE CLOSING COSTS CHARGES HAVE BEEN CAPPED AT $7,000, WHICH PROVIDES MORE CERTAINTY TO THE BUYER AND TO THE LENDER. I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS EXPERIENCING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS. YOU'VE HEARD REPEATEDLY IN THIS ROOM, INABILITY OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY WORKERS TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO WORK AND LIVE HERE.

THE CHAMBER HAS RECOGNIZED THIS DISPARITY AND LOOKING AT THIS AT ALL INCOME LEVELS AND WORKING TO TRY AND FIND VIABLE SOLUTIONS. EARLIER THIS YEAR, AS WE STATED, WE POLLED FOUR OF OUR LARGEST EMPLOYERS, FLAGLER HEALTH, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ST.

JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM, TO IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS FOR ESSENTIAL WORKER HOUSING NOW AND IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE PROPOSAL YOU HAVE TODAY PROVIDES FOR ABOUT 300 NEW HOMES TO BE BUILT. THE NEEDS FOR THESE FOUR LARGEST EMPLOYERS ARE OVER 3500 UNITS. IT DOESN'T WORK. THE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS OF HUNDREDS OF OTHER ST. JOHNS COUNTY EMPLOYERS PUSH THAT NUMBER SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER.

WE FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THIS LIMITED INCOME AFFORDABILITY BAN FROM 45,000 TO 65,000, DIRECTLY AFFECTS HOUSING FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, MANUFACTURING EMPLOYEES, EDUCATORS, AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

THESE PROFESSIONS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR SOCIETY. WITHOUT AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS, FOR THESE EMPLOYEES, THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY ECONOMY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GROW AND THRIVE. OUR NUMBER ONE RATED SCHOOLS WILL NOT BE NUMBER ONE IF WE CAN'T HIRE TEACHERS. OUR FIRE SERVICES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WILL

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OUR RESIDENTS HAVE TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE IN SURROUNDING COUNTIES IF OUR HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS CANNOT HIRE IN THE COUNTY. WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXPAND OR ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES IF THE WORKERS HAVE NO PLACE TO LIVE.

THERE ARE MANY IN THE COUNTY WHO WILL SAY THE ANSWER IS TO PAY MORE.

THAT IS BEING ADDRESSED BY EMPLOYERS. BUT IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE AVAILABILITY. ADDRESSING THE HOUSING NEEDS FOR THESE ESSENTIAL WORKERS WILL OPEN THE DOOR TO A WIDER DISCUSSION ABOUT HOUSING AFFORDABILITY THAT AFFECTS OUR VITAL IMPORTANT TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR. AS WE MOVE INTO AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION OF THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, OUR ESSENTIAL WORKER COALITION IS COMMITTED TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE BUILDERS, DEVELOPERS, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC EMPLOYERS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATES AND OTHERS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY WORKFORCE STRUGGLING TO FIND HOUSING TODAY. TWO ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE THAT LIMIT ACCESS TO THE HOUSING NEEDS FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS. THESE ARE AS COMMISSIONER JOSEPH MENTIONED, REDUCING THE PERCENTAGE FROM 40 TO 30 AND RAISES THE BASE PRICE. THAT IS GOING TO BE A LIMIT FACTOR. WE DO AGREE WITH COMMENTS FROM NFBA TODAY, THAT 120 PERCENT AMI CAP NEEDS TO BE REMOVED. THESE QUALIFICATIONS ARE INTENDED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THIS IS WORKFORCE HOUSING. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO DIFFERENTIATE. INSTITUTING THIS 120 PERCENT AMI CAP WILL ELIMINATE MANY OF OUR DUAL INCOME ESSENTIAL WORKERS FROM QUALIFYING TO BUY THESE HOMES.

IT WOULDN'T PROVIDE ANYTHING FOR OUR SINGLE EARNERS. WE'VE CUT OUT EVERYBODY WE'RE TRYING TO HELP HERE. IT IS AN UNNECESSARY RESTRICTION AND LIMITS MOBILITY. WE BELIEVE WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO BRING TOGETHER THE EXPERTS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS WE MOVE FORWARD. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO EXPLORE WAYS WE CAN ADD SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS THAT OUR COUNTY'S ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE OR RENT. WE SUGGEST THIS PROPOSAL IS A STARTING POINT FOR A LARGER DISCUSSION THAT WILL MEET EVERYBODY'S GOAL.

MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS. WE BELIEVE THAT THE NEXT STEP IS BEING INVOLVED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. THIS WILL AFFORD THE COMMUNITY AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS, AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDE A FAIR MARKET RETURN FOR THE DEVELOPERS AND BUILDERS. THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO WORKING ON THIS AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MS. TATE.

>> GOOD PRESENTATION. QUESTION, DOES THE CHAMBER HAVE A RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHAT

THAT NUMBER SHOULD BE THE PERCENTAGE ABOVE AMI? >> WE DON'T HAVE A RECOMMENDATION WHAT THAT NUMBER SHOULD BE. WE DO KNOW THAT IF YOU HAVE A TEACHER MARRIED TO A DEPUTY, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO QUALIFY. SO WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT

WHAT THAT CHART WOULD WORK OUT TO BE. >> JUST FOR THE RECORD, I'M VERY OPEN TO LOOKING AT A HIGHER LIMIT, WHATEVER THAT MAY BE.

TO ENSURE THAT WE DO HAVE, IF WE'RE GOING TO GO FORWARD WITH AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM OR WORKFORCE HOUSING, THAT WE CERTAINLY MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATORS, NURSES, WE DON'T PRICE THEM OUT BECAUSE WE SET THAT INCOME PERCENTAGE SO LOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO IT HERE TODAY, BUT I WANT TO LOOK AT A HIGHER NUMBER RATHER THAN 120 PERCENT OF AMI. AS A CAP. IF ANYONE IS HERE WITH A

NUMBER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR A SUGGESTION AND WHY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I CAN SPEAK ON THE NUMBER AS FAR AS NOT THE PRESENTATION, BUT THE EARNERS.

THEY NEED TO MAKE $130,000, DUAL EARNERS AT THE MAXIMUM LEVEL.

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TWO NURSES OR A MANUFACTURING WORKER AND A NURSE EACH MAKE 65,000.

TOGETHER, 130 WOULD BE THE NUMBER THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW IT TRANSLATED IN PERCENTAGE BASED ON THE HUD SHEET, BUT THAT IS PROBABLY AN ANSWER YOU CAN FIND AMONG YOUR STAFF.

>> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> WELL, FROM WHAT I CAN -- TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE SPOKE.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE. BUT WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE NURSES AND POLICE AND FIRE GET INTO A LIVING SITUATION. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT A NURSE HAS TO MARRY SOMEONE WHO HAS ENOUGH OF AN INCOME TO BE ABLE TO GET WORKFORCE HOUSING.

I MEAN, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A LITTLE MORE TIME, UNLESS THIS IS LIKE SOMETHING WE HAVE TO RUSH AND VOTE ON TODAY. BUT I THINK BETWEEN THESE TWO PEOPLE AND SUGGESTIONS ABOUT HOW LONG YOU KEEP YOU KNOW, PRISCILLA HOWARD, I MET WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AUTHORITY, SHE CAME FROM DUVAL. SHE SAID THE WORKFORCE HOUSING IS IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT AND TURNED INTO RENTALS OR AIRBNB. THEY'RE TAKEN OUT OF PURPOSE IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE'RE NOT ADDRESSING IN THIS TODAY, IN THIS MEETING THAT I JUST FEEL LIKE WE'RE JUMPING TO SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GOING TO COVER A $52,000 SALARY. AND I THINK THERE COULD BE FINANCING COMPONENTS TO THIS.

I KNOW THE HOUSING, I KNOW I USED TO BE, WORK IN CONTINENTAL HOMES IN ARIZONA, WE WOULD BUY DOWN THE INTEREST RATE TO MAKE THE MONTHLY PAYMENT AFFORDABLE FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS.

I CAN'T BELIEVE WE DON'T HAVE THESE KIND OF SOLUTIONS. WE SHOULD DISCUSS IT A LITTLE

LONGER. >> LET ME SAY I AGREE ON YOUR POINT ABOUT HAVING SOME TYPE OF REQUIREMENT THAT THE BUYER HOLDS THE PROPERTY. THIS AFTERNOON I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST TWO YEARS. ONE OF THE REASONS I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT AT LEAST TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, THAT MAINTAIN INSTEAD OF TURNING IT INTO AN AIRBNB OR SELLING IT OR WHATEVER, THAT IS THE ROTATION, AS I UNDERSTAND IT FOR NAVY PERSONNEL AT MAYPORT AND NAS JAX, SO LET'S ASSUME A NAVY PERSONNEL FAMILY PURCHASED A HOME.

THEY WOULD -- THEY COULD SELL IT AFTER TWO YEARS TIED TO THAT ROTATION.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS GOING TO RECOMMEND. >> THAT IS NOT OUR GOAL.

OUR GOAL IS WORKFORCE, FIRE, POLICE, AND NURSES. YES, NAVY.

OF COURSE, NAVY SUPPORTER. BUT I THINK THE GOAL OF THE WORKFORCE HOUSING WAS TO KEEP

OUR FIRST RESPONDERS HERE IN THE COUNTY. >> WELL, DO YOU HAVE A

RECOMMENDATION OF NO TIME OR ANY TIME AT ALL? >> I AGREE.

THEY NEED TO HOLD THE PROPERTY OR THAT PRICE STAYS THE SAME FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

I ALSO FEEL THAT THE RENTAL SHOULD HAVE LIKE A 10 TO 30-YEAR ALWAYS AT THAT RATE.

SO YOU KNOW, THAT IS WHAT THEY DO IN OTHER SMALL TOWNS, LIKE VAIL, YOU KNOW, WHERE THEY HAVE

TO BRING WORKERS IN TO WORK. >> RENT CONTROL BASICALLY. YEAH.

>> I MEAN, IF IT -- I JUST FEEL LIKE WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED THIS LONG ENOUGH TO ALL OF A SUDDEN ADOPT A WHOLE THING THAT IS NOT GOING TO PUT A FIREMAN IN THERE UNLESS HE GETS MARRIED AND I

DON'T THINK THAT IS FAIR. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE PUBLIC

COMMENT ON THESE ITEMS? >> YEAH. I MEAN, WE'RE NOT AT A PLACE WHERE WE CAN REALLY GET INTO A FULL-FLEDGED DISCUSSION. I STILL THINK THAT WE NEED TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THESE ITEMS. BUT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR

THE CHAMBER. >> I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. FOR THE AFFORDABLE DEFINITION, COULD THERE BE A HOME TOWN HEROS EXEMPTION WITH REGARD TO THAT.

I BELIEVE THAT IS DEFINED BY THE STATE. BUT THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD IS WITH REGARD TO THE THREE-YEAR D YEAR DEED RESTRICTION, I THINK MR. PORTER MADE A GOOD POINT. IF THERE IS SOMEBODY THAT DOES GO ON MILITARY ORDERS, THEY HAVE TO SELL THE HOME WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO, YOU KNOW, WOULD THEY BE TAKING A LOSS.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO SELL IT FOR 260 AND THEN THEY PAY THE COMMISSION REALTOR FEES THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT. THAT WAS MY ONLY CONCERN WITH THE THREE-YEAR DEED

RESTRICTION. MAYBE IT COULD BE TWO YEARS. >> THAT IS WHY WE'RE SUGGESTING

TWO YEARS. >> OKAY. >> FRANKLY, BOB AND I HAD

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>> OKAY. I GOTCHA. >> ALL RIGHT.

I'LL WAIT UNTIL THE REST OF THE COMMENTS TO MAKE MINE. >> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDAS NUMBERS 8 AND 9. GOOD AFTERNOON

>> HELLO. CARRIE, 92 MAGNOLIA BEACH TRAIL, PONTE VEDRA.

I CAME HERE TO SUPPORT THIS IN REFERENCE TO GETTING TEACHERS, FIREMEN, POLICE IN HOMES.

I DO THINK THAT THERE COULD BE SOME DISCUSSION MORE ON THE TIME.

BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NAVY AND HONESTLY, I WAS HEARING ABOUT THIS TO HELP OUR COUNTY'S ESSENTIAL WORKERS STAY HERE. WE WANT OUR TEACHERS TO STAY.

WE WANT OUR FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN AND HEALTH CARE AT THE DIFFERENT HOSPITALS.

COULD THERE BE SOMETHING WHERE IF THEY ARE A NAVY PERSON AND THEY BUY A HOME THAT THEY HAVE A SPECIAL EXEMPTION? BUT ONLY NAVY PEOPLE. IF THEY GET ORDERS THAT THEY COULD NOT PAY THE FEES OR WHATEVER. BUT I'M ALL FOR THIS.

CAN YOU AS A COUNTY, TALK ABOUT GIVING TAX BREAKS FOR PROPERTY TAX FOR CURRENTLY EMPLOYED MEMBERS OF THE YOU KNOW, POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SOME SORT OF YOU KNOW, LIKE A VETERAN'S THING. SOMETHING TO HELP THE TEACHERS ALREADY IN. BECAUSE I'VE BEEN HERE FOR NINE YEARS.

MY HUSBAND IS A RETIRED FIREMAN FROM NEW YORK. WE BOUGHT OUR HOUSE FOR 345,000. WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN NOCATEE IF WE CAME TODAY.

I AM WORRIED ABOUT TEACHERS. YES. I LOVE THIS WHOLE THING AND

KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

GOOD AFTERNOON >> GOOD AFTERNOON. 4370 COASTAL HIGHWAY, ST.

AUGUSTINE, 32084. AND I CAME WITH ONE THOUGHT IN MIND AND NOW I'M REALLY CHARGED UP ABOUT HEARING THE DISCUSSION. I THINK Y'ALL ARE ON TO SOMETHING HERE. BUT WHAT I REALIZE IS WE'VE GOT THIS BIG PROBLEM.

I CAME BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND NOT JUST WORKFORCE, THIS DOESN'T REALLY ADEQUATELY AT ALL ADDRESS WORKFORCE. BUT IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WHERE I AM NOW, IS I THINK WE HAD BETTER GET SOME MORE TOOLS IN OUR TOOLBOX, I WANT TO SAY I THINK IT WOULD BE CRITICAL TO ADD THINGS LIKE A HOUSING AUTHORITY TO THIS WHOLE DISCUSSION. WE ARE PASSING UP AMAZING AMOUNTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRANTS, BECAUSE WE AREN'T GOING THERE.

SO I'M LEAVING MUCH MORE CONFUSED THAN WHEN I CAME. I THOUGHT I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO SAY TO Y'ALL. NOW I'M SAYING I HOPE THAT WE LOOK AT IT MORE HOLISTICALLY, WE TAKE WHAT STEPS WE CAN. WE KEEP ON LOOKING WHAT WE'RE NOT DOING.

THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE, IF WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF THEM, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE OUR RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS AND HOSPITAL CLEANERS AND ALL OF THESE FOLKS AS WELL.

SO THAT IS WHAT I MAINLY WANT TO SAY. THANK YOU FOR A GOOD DISCUSSION. AND THIS IS BIG. AND WE NEED TO GO A LITTLE

BIGGER ON IT. >> THANK YOU MA'AM. GOOD AFTERNOON.

SYDNEY CRUISE >> SO I FEEL THAT ESSENTIAL HOUSING IS FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS, ESPECIALLY KEY TO GROWING ECONOMIC GROWTH. NORTHROP GRUMMAN.

THAT FOR ME, PERSONALLY, I BOUGHT MOVING FROM TEXAS, A YEAR AGO.

IT TOOK FOUR YEARS TO GET HOUSING IN ST. JOHNS. I ONLY WAS ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE I'M GETTING MARRIED AND IT WAS A DUAL INCOME. IT'S FRUSTRATING FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PURCHASE A HOME. ESPECIALLY AS A SINGLE PERSON WHO I FELT COMING FROM TEXAS I WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT. I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE AS A SINGLE PERSON COMING TO ST.

[03:40:04]

I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF SINGLE WOMEN OUT THERE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO MOVE 40 MINUES NORTH TO BAYMEADOWS. FAST FORWARD A YEAR NOW, I HAD TO RESIGN A WHOLE OTHER YEAR IN BAYMEADOWS. MY ROOMMATE IS A NURSE. SHE IS LOOKING FOR HOUSING.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE AVAILABILITY EVEN OUT THERE TO PURCHASE.

EVEN IF IT WAS IN OUR INCOME RANGE. IT'S NOT OUT THERE.

SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN, THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMPANY'S GROWTH TO HAVE HOUSING AVAILABLE, AS WE BRING PEOPLE INTO THE COMPANY, LABOR, MANUFACTURING EMPLOYEES.

GROW THE SITE. IT'S TO GROW THE BUSINESS. WE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT UNLESS WE HAVE HOUSING AVAILABLE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. WE'RE ENGINEERS AND STRUGGLING TO PURCHASE HOMES IN OUR INCOME LEVEL. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH ON THE TOUCH LABOR SIDE. THEY'RE NOT MAKING NEARLY AS MUCH AS WE ARE. HONEST TRUTH. THERE IS AN URGENCY IN THE BUSINESS TO ADDRESS IT, NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES, BUT FOR EVERYONE THAT WORKS AT THE COMPANY. SO IF WE CAN WORK TOWARDS ADDRESSING THIS SOONER THAN LATER, THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR ALL OF US. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> KEN MCCLAIN HERE. I AM HERE REPRESENTING KEN MCCLAIRE AND CARE. FIRST OF ALL, THE DEED RESTRICTIONS, I THINK THEY SHOULD BE HIGHER. THE REASON BEING, I RENTED OUT HOUSES BEFORE.

YOU KNOW, THE DEBT SERVICE IS A LOT MORE THAN PURCHASING A HOUSE.

SO YOU KNOW, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LETTING DEVELOPERS COME UP IN HERE AND BUILD THIS AND SETTING BACK THE 40 PERCENT. THAT IS NOT HELPING US. WE ARE IN A CRISIS.

WE DON'T NEED THEM TO BE TRYING TO FALL BACK ON THE PRICE AND THEN YOU KNOW, MESS UP THE WORKFORCE HOUSING. SO I THINK THAT THIS NEEDS TO GO BACK.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT SOME MORE. COME BACK TO THE TABLE AND HAVE A BETTER PLAN. BECAUSE WE'VE GOT WORKFORCE HOUSING, WE'VE GOT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WORKFORCE HOUSING GOT HOME AGAIN RELOCATED SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO GET THIS. HOME AGAIN, WE HAD TO COME BACK, I THANK Y'ALL FOR DOING WHAT Y'ALL DO FOR HOME AGAIN BECAUSE THEY NEEDED IT. WE GOT TO NAIL THIS DOWN.

WE CAN'T KEEP TRYING TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO FIX OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO WORK. I THINK WE SHOULD GO BACK TO THE TABLE, LOOK AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AGAIN. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS SOMETHING IN OUR TOOL BELT THAT WE CAN USE. GET FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, TAMPA HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS A GREAT PROGRAM DOWN THERE. I IMPLORE YOU GUYS TO GO AND CHECK IT OUT. THEY'RE DOING POSITIVE THINGS. AND WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEVELOPERS FACED WITH THE RISING COSTS WANT TO EASE THE REQUIREMENTS THAT ENABLES THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FAVORABLE DIVISION IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, AVAILABLE FOR THOSE DEVELOPERS PROVIDING WORKFORCE HOUSING. RISING COSTS ADVERSELY AFFECT THE GROWING NUMBER OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS. IMPLORE YOU GUYS, TABLE THIS, COME BACK AND CONSIDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR

TIME, Y'ALL HAVE A BLESSED EVENING. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> ED SLAVIN. IT WAS A MISTAKE FOR THIS BOARD NOT TO HAVE A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HUD, I LOOK FORWARD TO HUD INVESTIGATING. THERE WERE STATEMENTS MADE BY COMMISSIONERS AT THE TIME THAT INDICATED AN INTENT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE FOR HUD SECTION 8 HOUSING VOUCHERS. 65 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO GET HUD PUBLIC HOUSING VOUCHERS ARE BLACK OR HISPANIC. IT WAS OVERT DISCRIMINATION FOR THIS BOARD TO REFUSE TO VOTE FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. I WAS ASHAMED. I BLEW THE WHISTLE ON YOU.

YOU'VE HEARD FROM TWO LOBBY GROUPS, TEN MINUTES APIECE. I DON'T KNOW OF A CONGRESSIONAL

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WHY HAVEN'T YOU GIVEN THE FIREFIGHTERS UNION, TEACHER UNION, POLICE UNIONS, WHY HAVEN'T WE HEARD FROM UNION LABOR. WE HAVE A NORTHEAST FLORIDA CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL. SOMEBODY PICK UP THE PHONE AND INVITE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING. BECAUSE OTHERWISE, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES WAS AN ANTI-LABOR GROUP FOUNDED IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHILE PRESIDENT WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT, I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO TAKE ADVICE ON LABOR LAW OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FROM AN ANTI-LABOR GROUP. NORTHEAST FLORIDA'S BUILDER'S COUNCIL, 15, 20 PLAQUES ON THE WALL, GOING UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE PERMIT BUILDING, NOT THE NEW ONE, PRAISING ST.

JOHNS COUNTY FOR BEING COOL FOR BUILDERS AND THE BUILDER'S COUNCIL AND THE HOME BUILDERS.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO LISTEN TO WORKERS. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO INVITE UNION REPRESENTATIVES. WHY DO YOU PUT UP WITH PUT-DOWNS OF BILL LAZAR FROM THE LIKES OF DR HORTON. THAT IS THE COMPANY THAT WAS GOING TO DESTROY FISH ISLAND.

WE SAVED FISH ISLAND. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN. WHY ARE WE GIVING SO MUCH TIME AND CREDIT TO THESE MONEY PEOPLE. .

HENRY SAID IN HIS BOOK, THAT THOSE FELLOWS DID EVERYTHING TO THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE EXCEPT REFINE IT. THAT IS HOW I FEEL ABOUT OUR LOBBYISTS HERE, WHO AREN'T REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS LOBBYISTS. AND WHO COME IN HERE, THEY WRITE LEGISLATION AND Y'ALL RUBBER STAMP IT. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. PLEASE TABLE THIS. PLEASE ADOPT A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. PLEASE STOP THE DEFACTO DISCRIMINATION AND INTIMIDATION OF WITNESSES. WE SHOULD BE HEARING FROM THE UNIONS RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD AFTERNOON

>> MY NAME IS ADAM VANCE, I APOLOGIZE ABOUT MY APPEARANCE. I HAD NO PLAN ON SPEAKING AT ALL. I ACTUALLY AM A NAVY VETERAN AS WELL AS A REALTOR IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I SOLD MRS. CREWS HER HOUSE. I AM A FREE AGENT.

I APPRECIATE YOU ADVOCATING A LOT FOR THE PEOPLE. ANYTHING THAT I SPEAK ON IS TOTALLY UNPREPARED, NOT AS PREPARED AS SOME OF THESE OTHER FOLKS.

HOWEVER, I'M GOING TO SPEAK ON WHAT I KNOW AS FAR AS KNOWLEDE AND THE INDUSTRY I'VE BEEN NOTARY PUBLIC SINCE ABOUT 2016. AND I THINK THE WORKFORCE HOUSING CLARIFICATION, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORKFORCE AND AFFORDABLE AND EVEN JUST OPPORTUNITIES ZONES, WHICH MAY FALL UNDER THE HUD THING THAT HE WAS ADDRESSING, BUT I THINK THE MORE CLARIFICATION ON THAT, EVEN LEAVING MILITARY EXEMPT FROM IT, BECAUSE THEY'RE IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT ASPECT AND DIFFERENT REALM, WHERE THEY'RE LIABLE FOR ORDERS AND HAVING TO TRANSITION.

AND THEN THE THREE-YEAR THING. I BELIEVE TWO YEARS IS A REQUIREMENT FROM FHA, WHERE YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR HOME BEFORE YOU CAN SELL IT WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY CAPITAL GAINS.

SO I THINK THE TWO-YEAR WOULD BE MORE FEASIBLE FOR THAT. AND THEN AS FAR AS THE HOME REQUIREMENTS, I THINK HAVING A REQUIREMENT AS FAR AS BEDROOMS, BATHROOMS, EVEN A GARAGE.

BECAUSE IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WORKFORCE, THE POLICE OFFICER ISN'T GOING TO WANT TO LEAVE IN A HOME OUTSIDE THE GARAGE, IT'S GOING TO LEAVE HIM VULNERABLE. AS FAR AS THE INTEREST RATE, BUYDOWN, THE HOME FOR HEROS THAT YOU BROUGHT UP, I THINK IT'S A GREAT PLAY.

FHA OFFERS I THINK A MAX UP TO SIX PERCENT. BUT THE BUILDERS OR SELLERS CAN PAY TOWARDS CLOSING COSTS. AS WELL AS SOMETHING TOWARDS USDA TYPE LOANS.

DEPENDING ON WHERE THOSE HOMES ARE BUILT, ALSO WHAT LOANS THAT THOSE ARE GOING TO QUALIFY FOR COULD PLAY A BIG PART IN MAKING IT MORE AFFORDABLE. YES, I LOVE THE HOUSING MARKET GOING UP. BECAUSE IT PUTS EQUITY IN MY POCKET.

I'M HERE TO HELP PEOPLE. SO I THINK THE CEILING PRICE WITH THE MAX AND I MAY HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD IT, BUT SOMEONE STAYING IN A HOME AND THEY BUY IT FOR 260, THEY HAVE TO SELL IT, I FEEL IT'S SLIGHTLY UNFAIR, IT SHOULD BE KIND OF HOW THE MARKET IS BASED, AS THE SELLER IS GOING TO BE THE ONE HAVING TO PAY ALL OF THE FEES AND TAKING A LOSS.

AND SO I THINK THAT MAYBE IT SHOULD BE MORE OF JUST A CAP ON THE PURCHASE AND NOT SO MUCH IN THE SELLING. AND THEN THE OTHER THING WAS JUST AGAIN, ON THE HOME TOWN

[03:50:03]

OF X, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO PAY MORE MONEY. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. >> I'M NADINE HEALEY, REPRESENTING MYSELF CARE.

A LOT OF WHAT I SAID, HAS BEEN DISCUSSED. SO I'M HAPPY TO HEAR ALL OF THAT. BASICALLY DEVELOPERS, WE UNDERSTAND ARE FACED WITH RISING COSTS. THAT HOME BUYERS AND RENTERS ARE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. THESE PROPOSED CHANGES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SEEM MOST LIKELY TO INCREASE OUR SUPPLY OF HOUSING, WILL BE UNATTAINABLE BY A GROWING PORTION OF THE WORKFORCE. INSTEAD OF MAKING THESE CHANGES REQUESTED BY DEVELOPERS, WHY NOT ENCOURAGE THEM TO DEVISE CREATIVE SOLUTIONS WORKING WITHIN THE EXISTING GUIDELINES.

THIS APPROACH MAY REQUIRE THE COUNTY TO USE OTHER TOOLS THAT IT HAS AVAILABLE TO WORK WITH DEVELOPERS, SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE AND/OR ADJUSTMENTS RELATING TO IMPACT FEES. WE URGE THE COUNTY TO BE OPEN TO DOING SO AND URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT HELP OUR AFFORDABLE ATTAINABLE HOUSING CRISIS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. GOOD AFTERNOON. DORIS TAYLOR.

HELLO. SO I HAVE A QUESTION. I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

WHY IS THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA BUILDERS ASSOCIATION ESSENTIALLY WRITING THE AMENDMENTS FOR THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. THAT IS HOW IT LOOKS TO ME FROM READING THESE DOCUMENTS. THIS LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE IS CREATING SUBSIDIES FOR THE DEVELOPERS, THE BUILDERS, THAT WROTE IT. THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN COMPLETELY ABOUT AFFORDABILITY, THE COST TO THE CONSUMER. CERTAINLY THAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. GOT IT. BUT I QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THESE DEVELOPERS AND BUILDERS NEED ANY EXTRA INCENTIVE. BECAUSE THERE IS AN ARTICLE I FOUND INTERESTING, IT WAS DATED APRIL 26TH, 2022. CHANNEL 4 NEWS.

JOHN, LAND ACQUISITION MANAGER FOR DR HORTON SAID QUOTE, DENSITY AND HIGHER DENSITY PROJECTS ALLOWS TO HELP REDUCE COSTS. THEY LIKE IT.

THE DEVELOPERS LIKE THIS. IT'S CHEAPER TO BUILD HIGHER DENSITY HOUSING.

YOU KNOW, IT MAKES SENSE. IF YOU DO MATH, SAY YOU CAN PUT ONE HOME, THE AVERAGE PRICE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $580,000.

SO YOU CAN PUT ONE HOUSE THERE. AND SELL IT FOR 580,000. OR YOU CAN PUT AN EIGHT-UNIT BUILDING AND EACH UNIT SELL FOR 200,000. AND THE DEVELOPER GETS 1.6 MILLION. WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER TO DO? I THINK WE SHOULD NOT LET THE DEVELOPERS DRAG US INTO THIS. I THINK THAT EXTRA INCENTIVES BUILT INTO THE LAW THAT THEY WRITE AND HAND TO YOU, IS JUST SOUNDS SO WRONG. SO I HEARD THE WORD CRISIS USED TODAY. IT'S CRISIS. ANY TIME THE GOVERNMENT USES THE WORD CRISIS, I REMEMBER THE PHRASE NEVER LET A CRISIS GO TO WASTE.

MAYBE WE SHOULD LET THIS CRISIS GO TO WASTE. I'M NOT SAYING THERE IS NOT A

PROBLEM. I'M SAYING THIS -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. >> HI THERE. JUDY SPIEGLE.

[03:55:09]

AM I MISREMEMBERING THAT? I DON'T KNOW. BUT THAT WAS SOMETHING I THOUGHT I REMEMBERED. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT NEW BILL IMPACTS THIS SITUATION HERE.

WORKFORCE HOUSING IS FAIRLY NEW. I THINK IT STARTED IN DECEMBER OF 21, IS THAT WHAT I UNDERSTAND. IS THAT NOT RIGHT? ANYWAY, FROM WHAT I WAS INFORMED, IN APRIL THERE ARE NO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES YET FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING. BUT SOMEBODY DID SAY THAT THEY'RE COMING UP NEXT MONTH.

MAYBE THAT IS TRUE. THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW PROGRAM THAT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE SHAKED OUT AND WORKED OUT. I THINK IT'S ESSENTIAL.

BUT A LOT OF THINGS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP TODAY:SO LET'S SEE. SO THAT IS ALL I'M GOING TO

SAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

GOOD AFTERNOON >> GOOD AFTERNOON. DOUG BURNETT.

TWO QUICK POINTS, ONE, I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO REVISIT FROM TIME TO TIME. TODAY IS NOT ONE OF THOSE WE MAKE A DECISION AND THIS WILL NEVER BE REVISITED AGAIN. I THINK YOU REVISIT IT, I DON'T KNOW, 6 MONTHS, 12 MONTHS, 18 MONTHS. RIGHT NOW SOME CHANGE IT LOOKS LIKE IS PROBABLY NEEDED.

SECOND POINT, IF YOU HAVE A DEED RESTRICTION ISSUE, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A CARVE-OUT FOR SERVICE MEMBERS, THIS ISN'T SOMETHING NEW FOR OUR STATE. THERE IS 83.623, SPECIFICALLY IS THAT LANGUAGE FOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND IT HAS CRITERIA IN THERE IF A SERVICE MEMBER GETS DEPLOYED OR PASSES AWAY, THEY CAN GET OUT OF THE LEASE ON 30 DAYS NOTICE.

LANGUAGE IN THE FLORIDA STATUTE. IT'S PRETTY EASY FOR YOU GUYS OR YOUR COUNTY ATTORNEYS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. BURNETT. GOOD AFTERNOON. >> CHUCK LUBANOWSKI.

I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LOW INCOME HOUSING.

SOMETHING THAT THE PEOPLE CAN AFFORD. I THINK WE NEED TO GO AND SHARPEN THE PENCIL MORE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF UNITS AND INCREASE THE COST DOESN'T MAKE A BIT OF SENSE. HOW ABOUT THINKING OUT OF THE BOX.

THE COUNTY HAS A LOT OF PROPERTY. THEY'VE GOT HUNDREDS OF ACRES UP ACROSS THE STREET OF ROUTE 1, FROM THE AIRPORT. WHY NOT PUT THAT TO USE.

WHY DOESN'T THE COUNTY USE THE PROPERTY AND LET A BUILDER BUILD THE HOMES ON THERE AND SELL IT THAT WAY. THAT WOULD BE ONE WAY TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO REDUCE THE COST, BUT YET STILL PROVIDE THAT SERVICE. THANKS.

>> THANK YOU. WELCOME >> SUZANNE KLULO.

I HEAR A MUMBO JUMBO GOING ON HERE. I THOUGHT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WORKFORCE HOUSING. IT SAYS UNITS OFFERED FOR SALE. WHICH TO ME MEANS WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT RENTALS. I HEAR TERMS THROWN AROUND LIKE ESSENTIAL WORKERS, WORKFORCE HOUSING. AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I THINK WE'RE ALLOWING TOO MANY FACTORS TO COME IN TO SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE PRETTY SIMPLE.

BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE TERMS MEAN. THE LIVE LOCAL ACT, I'M PRETTY FAMILIAR WITH THAT. ALTHOUGH I'M WAITING FOR THE BOCC TO GET A REPORT FROM STAFF ON WHAT IT IS REALLY GOING TO MEAN FOR US. BUT THAT IS IF I AM UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, IS PURELY MULTIFAMILY HOUSING FOR RENT.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CONDOS OR BUYING A HOUSE. SO WE'RE GETTING THAT THROWN INTO THE MIX. I DON'T GET A SENSE THAT WE'RE WELL PREPARED TODAY TO MAKE ANY KIND OF RATIONAL DECISION. WE NEED SOME TERMS IDENTIFIED, DEFINED AND IF WE'RE LEAVING IT UP TO THE DEVELOPERS ONCE WE GIVE THEM SOMETHING, PLEASE DON'T MAKE IT TOO VAGUE.

BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO IDENTIFY IT FOR US IF WE DON'T IDENTIFY.

[04:00:07]

PLEASE LET'S TABLE THIS AGAIN AND GET A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE WE'RE GOING BEFORE WE DRAFT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO END UP LATER WISHING WE HAD TAKEN A LITTLE MORE TIME

WITH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? WELCOME. >> THANK YOU.

RANDALL GARNER, 117 SIRUS LANE. SOUTH ST. AUGUSTINE. FIRST OF ALL, AFTER WE SAT UP HERE ALL MORNING, YOUR CHAIRS UP THERE MUST BE COMFORTABLE AND PLUSH.

BECAUSE THOSE AREN'T. SO WE APPRECIATE YOU GUYS, WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT YOU PUT UP.

BUT ANYWAY, MY COMMENTS ARE GOING TO BE SHORT AND BRIEF. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID BEFORE ME. IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE THOUGHT OUT MORE, REQUEST A LOT MORE QUESTIONS. THERE NEEDS TO BE EXPLANATION TO IT TO MAKE IT A GOOD PROJECT

AND A GOOD PROGRAM. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> MR. PORTER, WE'VE HEARD FROM YOU. WE'RE FINISHING PUBLIC COMMENT. I'M SURE THERE WILL BE QUESTIONS THAT YOU CAN ANSWER. I'M SURE THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO RESPOND

TO THOSE QUESTIONS. >> ANYONE ELSE ON PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS 8 AND 9? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE, BY SHOW OF HANDS, THIS IS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH WORKFORCE HOUSING CONVERSATIONS. SO THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE 2019.

IT WAS DISCUSSED IN 2019. IT WAS SORT OF DRAFTED AND IT WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE PAST SHERIFF AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMING TO THIS BOARD, FOUR OF THE FIVE MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD WERE NOT ON THE BOARD, SAYING WE A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY TO BE ABLE TO BE MARRIED TO A TEACHER AND THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD A HOME IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THAT WAS THE IMPETUS BEHIND THE IDEA. IT WAS DISCUSSED FOR THE BETTER PART OF 2019, ENACTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2020, AND IT HAS BEEN FINE TUNED EVER SINCE.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAS COME UP QUICKLY. NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE DONE AND THE LAST TIME THAT WE DISCUSS IT. WHATEVER ACTION WE TAKE TODAY, IT'S GOING TO BE AN ONGOING CONVERSATION FROM NOW UNTIL ETERNITY.

BECAUSE I THINK EVERYBODY IN THIS AUDITORIUM WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE CAN WORK WHERE THEY SERVE SO ADMIRABLY, I THINK WE APPRECIATE THAT WORKFORCE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIND SOLUTIONS. SIMPLE AS THAT.

YES, MS. CLULO TO YOUR POINT, THE WATERS HAVE BEEN MUDDIED A LITTLE BIT, WE HAVE FOLKS WHO WANT OUR TOURISM WORKERS, TO HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE TOO. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE'RE HERE TO DECIDE TODAY. IT I THOUGHT THAT MIGHT PROVIDE CLARITY.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING NEW. THIS IS A FOUR-YEAR PROCESS THAT WE'RE FINE TUNING OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS, WITH THESE RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE AND LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. SO I HOPE THAT HELPS SOMEBODY. IF IT ONLY HELPED ME, THEN MAYBE THAT IS HELPFUL IN THE CONVERSATION. SO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

>> I THINK THE PROBLEM IS IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, A LOT HAS CHANGED.

THE PRICE OF HOMES, INTEREST RATE, INFLATION. ANY CHANCE YOU WANT TO JUST DO A WORKSHOP AND JUST THE WORKFORCE. NOT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> IF YOU'RE ASKING ME, LOOKING AT ME, HENCE THE NEED FOR FINE TUNING.

WE'RE REQUIRED TO ADJUST THIS BASED ON CPI EVERY JUNE. HERE WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF JUNE, SO WE'RE GOING TO FINE TUNE IT THIS JUNE AND NEXT JUNE AND PROBABLY FOREVER MORE.

I THINK THE WORKSHOP CAN HAPPEN IN PART WITH OUR STAFF. >> YEAH.

BUT WE CAN'T GET ANYONE, UNLESS THEY'RE MARRIED OR HAS A PARTNER TO LIVE IN AN

AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE, YOU HAVE TO MAKE 80,000 A YEAR. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, DO YOU

THINK AT 240, A SINGLE TEACHER COULD AFFORD THAT? >> IF THE INTEREST RATE WAS

LOWER, YES. AT 52,000. >> SO IN A WORLD WHERE THE INTEREST RATE IS LOWER AND THE PRICE IS 240, A SINGLE TEACHER COULD AFFORD THAT

>> BUT WE'RE MAKING AN AMENDMENT ON SOMETHING NOBODY CAN AFFORD, A WORKFORCE PERSON

UNLESS THEY'RE MARRIED OR HAVE A PARTNER OR A ROOMMATE. >> I'M JUST AGAIN THE ORIGINAL

[04:05:07]

OMETHING THAT DOESN'T WORK. >> THIS ISN'T FOR EVERYBODY.

THE INTENT IS NOT TO SERVE EVERY PERSON. TO SERVE THOSE THAT WE CAN HELP. MY HOME TOWN IN TALLAHASSEE, THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE TRYING TO HOUSE THEIR TEACHERS. BELIEVE IT OR NOT. THEY'RE HAVING ISSUES WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THEY TOOK A THREE ACRE PIECE OF LAND, USED TO BE A CHURCH, THEY BUILT LIKE A 15-STORY APARTMENT COMPLEX. SO I DON'T GET THE SENSE THAT YOU KNOW, TALKING TO MY NEIGHBORS AND RESIDENTS AROUND ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT WE WANT A 15-STORY APARTMENT COMPLEX POPPING UP ALL OVER ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THAT DOESN'T FIT THE CULTURE HERE. BUT THAT IS HOW WE CAN MAKE IT AFFORDABLE. WE CAN HAVE NO HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS AND PUT A LOT OF DENSE DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL PARCELS OF LAND, AND THAT MAKES IT AFFORDABLE.

WE COULD HELP A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WAY. BUT I THINK SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE THE LOOK OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. IT WOULD CHANGE THE WAY OUR TREELINE LOOKS. CHANGE THE SKY SCAPE OF OUR COUNTY.

I DON'T RECOMMEND THAT WE DO THAT. BARRING TAKING EXTREME STEPS OME UP WITH WHAT MAY NOT BE PERFECT SOLUTIONS. IT'S FRUSTRATING. I'M FRUSTRATED. I'VE BEEN VOCAL IN OCTOBER, I WAS VOCAL EARLIER THIS YEAR ABOUT NO, I DON'T WANT TO REDUCE IT FROM 40 PERCENT TO 30 PERCENT. I DON'T WANT TO INCREASE THE PRICE FROM 240 TO 260.

BUT RIGHT NOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS. >> I DON'T THINK IT'S 270.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO DO 30 PERCENT, IT'S BETTER THAN THAT. >> WE'RE GOING TO LOSE PEOPLE

>> I'M TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF AFFORDABLE AND I FEEL LIKE WE'RE DISCRIMINATORY TOO, TOWARDS YOU KNOW, A SINGLE PERSON THAT IS A FIREMAN OR A POLICE OFFICER OR A NURSE THAT DOESN'T WANT TO LIVE WITH SOMEONE.

SO I DON'T KNOW. THIS IS WHAT THE DISCUSSION IS FOR.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD >> I JUST WANT TO SAY IT'S NOT A ONE-SIZE FITS ALL THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE HERE. THIS MORNING WE AS A BOARD, APPROVED ALMOST $2 MILLION TO GO TOWARDS ABILITY HOUSING, TRULY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT BREAKING GROUND THIS SUMMER. I THINK THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PIECE IS A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION THAN THE WORKFORCE. THAT BEING SAID, I'M NOT CRAZY ABOUT REDUCING THE DENSIT AND INCREASING THE PRICE EITHER. AS MR. BURNETT ALLUDED TO, THIS MIGHT BE A BIT OF A MOVING TARGET THAT WE HAVE TO REEVALUATE.

THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH US AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SO MUCH ABOUT WINNING THE BATTLE SO MUCH AS THE WAR. IF THE BUILDERS CAN'T AFFORD THE BUILD IT, THEY WON'T AND WE WON'T HAVE THE PRODUCT. SO WHILE I THINK IT'S PERHAPS AN IMPERFECT AND NOBODY WINS, AT LEAST WE'RE GETTING SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE TO HELP

OLVE THIS PART OF THE PROBLEM. THAT IS WHERE MY THOUGHTS ARE. >> COMMISSIONER DEAN

>> I'M READY TO MAKE A MOTION UNLESS THERE ARE OTHER BOARD COMMENTS.

>> COMMISSIONER ALAIMO, IT SEEMED LIKE YOU MAY HAVE HAD COMMENTS PRIOR

>> NO. THE COMMENT THAT I WANTED TO MAKE, I KEEP GOING BACK TO THIS BEING A GOOD STARTING POINT. THIS ORIGINALLY HAD GOT BROUGHT UP, I THINK COMMISSIONER DEAN HAD MADE THE POINT, WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF WE HAD 50 PERCENT PARTICIPATION AND THE HOMES WERE AT 200,000. NO HOMES WOULD GET BUILT. SO I DO THINK THIS IS A GOOD STARTING POINT. IT'S NOT PERFECT, OBVIOUSLY. BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE

DISCUSSING IT AND PUTTING IT FORWARD. >> ARE THERE ANY OTHER

QUESTIONS BY THE CHAMBER OR ANY OF THE SPEAKERS? >> COMMISSIONER DEAN, I THINK

WE'RE READY. >> I'M GOING TO BORROW A WORD FROM COMMISSIONER ALAIMO AND SAY I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS MOTION BASED ON MY POSITION THAT WE SHOULD NOT LET PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD. SO WITH THAT, I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE A GOOD START, AS DOUG BURNETT SAID, WE CAN MAKE AMENDMENTS AS WE GO FORWARD MONTHLY, ANNUALLY.

SO ON THAT NOTE, I WILL MOVE TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2023-19, TO ADOPT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS REVISING POLICY A111M AS IN MOTHER, SUBJECT TO THREE FINDINGS OF FACT.

>> SECOND. >> >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEAN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ALAIMO, ANY DISCUSSION. PLEASE VOTE.

THAT MOTION CARRIES 4-1. DO WE HAVE ANOTHER MOTION ON AGENDA ITEM 9?

[04:10:14]

>> WAS THERE ANOTHER MOTION >> YES, SIR. AGENDA ITEM 8 AND AGENDA ITEM 9

>> OKAY. WELL, 9 DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE IN MY BACK-UP, UNLESS IT'S IN

THE OTHER BOOK. >> LET ME GO TO CHRISTINE >> SURE.

MR. CHAIRMAN, I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT WITH THE LDC, YOU HAVE TWO VERSIONS IN YOUR PACKET. ATTACHMENT 2 IS THE VERSION WITH THE NFBA PROPOSAL.

AND ATTACHMENT 3 IS THE VERSION THAT HAS BEEN CHANGED SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING, THAT HAS THE INCOME ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT, IT HAS THE THREE-YEAR MAINTENANCE OF MAXIMUM SALES PRICE, FOR PURCHASED HOMES. SO I KNOW THAT SOME OF THOSE DETAILS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED. SO WE WILL NEED A VERY SPECIFIC MOTION ON EXACTLY WHAT, IF

ANYTHING, THE BOARD WISHES TO ADOPT TODAY. >> WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO TAKE A CRACK AT MAKING THIS VERY SPECIFIC MOTION WITH ALL OF THE REQUIRED DETAIL

>> APPROVAL WITH MODIFICATIONS. >> EVERY SINGLE ONE. >> YOU MAY WANT TO DO THAT.

WE CAN GO THROUGH EACH SECTION AND HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.

PERHAPS WORKING FROM ATTACHMENT 3. >> I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A

MOTION IF THERE IS NO DISCUSSION. >> I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK

IN YOUR JOURNEY, SIR. >> WELL, I WANT YOU TO GUIDE ME THROUGH THIS, CHRISTINE.

I MADE THE MOTION ON 8. WHAT CHANGES ON 9? WE JUST ADOPTED NUMBER 8.

I READ IT INTO THE RECORD. DON'T WE HAVE A SIMILAR WORDING FOR 9?

>> WELL, WITH THE LDC, WE HAVE TWO PROPOSALS. WE HAVE THE PROPOSAL FROM NFBA AND THEN WE HAVE THE PROPOSAL THAT YOU WORKED ON WITH STAFF. WITH CHANGES YOU WANTED TO

DIRECT. >> WHICH ONE, IS IT IN THE BOOK? UNDER NUMBER 9? AM I LOOKING AT THE STAFF PROPOSAL?

>> YES. SO IN THE BOOK, THERE IS AN ATTACHMENT 2.

TO THE STAFF REPORT. THAT IS THE NFBA PROPOSAL. AND THEN THERE IS ATTACHMENT 3, WHICH IS THE PROPOSAL THAT INCLUDES THE CHANGES YOU DISCUSSED WITH STAFF.

>> SO THAT IS THE NUMBER 3, HENRY. >> SO THAT PROPOSAL WILL SAY ATTACHMENT 3 IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER. ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TRY THIS CHRISTINE. >> HOW MANY COMMISSIONERS DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A MOTION?

>> IF IT'S THE DESIRE TO ADOPT THE VERSION THAT IS CONTAINED IN ATTACHMENT THREE, IT WOULD BE MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2023 DASH WHATEVER THE CLERK TELLS YOU, THE VERSION CONTAINED IN ATTACHMENT THREE. NOW, THAT VERSION INCLUDES INCOME ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, THE 120 PERCENT CAP. SO I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYTHING THAT IS IN THAT VERSION IS WHAT YOU WANT TO ADOPT AFTER THE DISCUSSION TODAY.

>> I GUESS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO, ON MY FIRST MOTION THAT JUST PASSED, I WANTED TO MAKE THIS REAL SIMPLE. BECAUSE I WANT TO START AND THEN WE'LL MAKE CHANGES IN THE FUTURE. BECAUSE IT'S GOT A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING THIS AFTERNOON.

SO I JUST WANT TO ADOPT WHAT IS PROBABLY THE FIRST MOTION. >> YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE

[04:15:08]

BEGINNING >> LET ME READ IT AND YOU TELL ME IF IT REFLECTS WHAT THE

RECOMMENDATION IS >> OKAY. >> I'M LOOKING AT THE AGENDA ITEM 9. IN OUR NOTEBOOK. AND THE FIRST APPROVAL IS MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2023 I'M NOT SURE THEY CAN RELATE TO WHAT I'M TRYING --

>> THE THINGS THAT YOU ADDED TO IT IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO, RIGHT?

>> YEAH. >> SO THAT IS THE SECOND -- NOT THE NAFTA, THE OTHER ONE.

>> THE ONE THAT YOU DISCUSSED WITH STAFF IS ATTACHMENT THREE. SO THAT IS -- THE MOTION ON YOUR AGENDA COVER PAGE, ALSO ASKS FOR YOU TO IDENTIFY WHICH ATTACHMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> HENRY, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE ON ATTACHMENT 3, YOU SEE IT DOES INCLUDE THE 120 PERCENT AMI. IF WE WANTED TO ELIMINATE THAT

OR NOT. I KNOW THERE WAS DISCUSSION. >> YEAH.

SO I DON'T KNOW HOW WE GET THERE. CHRISTINE, YOU NEED TO HELP US

OUT HERE. >> SURE. >> SO THROUGH THE DISCUSSION I'VE BEEN GOING OVER ATTACHMENT THREE, IF YOU WANT TO REMOVE THE 120 PERCENT AS A CAP IN THE DEFINITION OF WORKFORCE HOUSING, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU USE THE WORKFORCE HOUSING

DEFINITION, SUGGESTED BY NFBA. >> LET ME TRY THIS. MOVE TO ENACT, THE SECOND

ALTERNATIVE IN THE COVER AGENDA ITEM OF 9 >> SO THAT IS THE NFBA VERSION.

ATTACHMENT 3 IS YOUR VERSION. >> JUST WANT TO POINT OUT ON ATTACHMENT 3, THERE IS 120 PERCENT AMI. THERE IS ALSO THE THREE-YEAR REQUIREMENT.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I MAY HAVE TO TURN THIS OVER TO YOU OR ANOTHER MEMBER.

BECAUSE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT VERSION THREE IS. I'VE GOT TWO ALTERNATIVE APPROVALS AND THEN A DENIAL ON THE AGENDA PAGE OF ITEM NUMBER 9

>> COMMISSIONER DEAN, CAN I SUGGEST THAT WE LET COMMISSIONER ARNOLD TAKE A

CRACK AT IT >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

SEE IF YOU CAN USE YOUR BIG BRAIN TO GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION.

>> MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2023-20 TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS CONTAINED IN STAFF PACKET ATTACHMENT NUMBER THREE TO THE WORKFORCE HOUSING DIVISION WITH THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS, REMOVING 120 PERCENT AMI AND REDUCING THE THREE-YEAR DEED RESTRICTION TO

TWO. >> SECOND. >> LET ME JUST SAY, AS A DISCUSSION POINT, THAT WAS VERY WELL DONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COMMISSIONER DEAN, ANY DISCUSSION? >> NO.

>> OKAY. CHRISTINE. >> DOES THAT MOTION INTENDS

INTEND TO REMOVE THE INCOME QUALIFICATION COMPONENT? >> I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT YOU

SAID, REMOVE THE AMI >> 120. WASN'T THAT -- OKAY.

>> WHAT I HEARD IT WOULD REMOVE 120 PERCENT AMI. >> RIGHT.

THAT DOES. BUT THEN THERE IS ANOTHER SECTION IN ATTACHMENT 3 THAT

HAS INCOME QUALIFICATION AS A REQUIREMENT. >> WHAT PAGE IS THANK THAT?

>> THE PAGES ARE NOT NUMBERED. >> OF COURSE NOT. OF COURSE THEY'RE NOT NUMBERED.

>> SECTION 51104B.3. WHERE IT STARTS ELIGIBILITY. SO IF YOU WANTED TO REMOVE THAT

REQUIREMENT, YOU WOULD STRIKE B3 ALL TOGETHER. >> TO THE MICROPHONE.

>> SORRY. I BELIEVE, IF I'M BEING COMPLETELY HONEST, I THINK DUE TO THE SIZE OF THIS, THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IT ELECTRONICALLY AND ALL OF THE VARIOUS ATTACHMENTS AND RED LINES, I'M NOT 100 PERCENT CERTAIN THAT WE'RE DOING AS A BOARD WHAT WE

INTEND TO DO RIGHT NOW. >> I SECOND THAT. >> I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE

[04:20:03]

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO, EXACTLY WHAT WE INTEND TO DO. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE ALL ON

THE SAME PAGE RIGHT NOW. >> OPTION IS TO CONTINUE IT TO THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.

>> CAN I MAKE A MOTION? >> WELL, WE HAVE AN EXISTING MOTION.

WE HAVE AN EXISTING SECOND. SO WE WOULD NEED SOMEBODY TO WITHDRAW THEIR MOTION.

>> I'LL WITHDRAW MY MOTION. >> WITHDRAW THE SECOND. >> WITHDRAW THE SECOND.

MR. MIGUT, DID THAT MEET THE OBLIGATION >> WILL WE BE ABLE TO DO THIS IN TWO WEEKS THOUGH? I DON'T WANT TO KEEP KICKING THE CAN.

>> I THINK SO. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?

>> MAKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THIS SUBJECT INTO THE FUTURE. >> ALL RIGHT.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO CONTINUE AGENDA ITEM 9, JUST THE LDC PORTION OF THIS.

WE PASSED THE ORDINANCE. >> SURE. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND?

>> CAN WE AMEND THAT TO BE HEARD AT THE NEXT MEETING >> YES.

IF WE CONTINUE IT TO A TIME CERTAIN, WE DON'T HAVE TO READVERTISE.

I THINK THE NEXT BOARD MEETING IS SUFFICIENT. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, WOULD

YOU BE WILLING TO AMEND YOUR MOTION? >> SECOND

>> MOTION TO MOVE THIS ITEM TO JUNE 20TH. SECOND TO MOVE THIS ITEM TO

[10. Public Hearing * CPA(SS) 2023-02 McCrary Family. ]

SO WE WILL HEAR THIS ITEM AGAIN. SO MUCH FUN.

WE'RE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN ON THE 20TH OF JUNE. THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR SHOWING UP AND ENGAGING IN THIS CONVERSATION. I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS TOO FOR JUST HAVING THE COURAGE TO DISAGREE PUBLICLY.

I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT THING TO DO FROM TIME TO TIME. THANK YOU ALL.

THAT MOVES US ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 10. THEY'VE WAITED ALL DAY LONG.

>> WE'LL GET THERE. MCCRURY FAMILY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR

PATIENCE. MR. BURNETT. >> THANK YOU.

DOUG BURNETT. ST. JOHNS LAW CLERK. HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.

I'VE GOT THE PLEASURE OF REPRESENTING THE MCCRURY FAMILY, MS. CAROL IS BACK THERE. HER GRANDDAUGHTER ALYSSA IS SITTING NEXT TO HER AND NEXT TO HER IS ALYSSA'S HUSBAND'S TOMMY. LET ME STEP YOU THROUGH JUST TO GIVE YOU AN ORIENTATION, BACKGROUND ON THE PROJECT. THIS PART OF THE COUNTY KIND OF CENTRAL A LITTLE BIT TO THE WEST OF THE COUNTY. YOU CAN SEE COUNTY ROAD 13A NORTH, BLUE RECTANGLE IN THE MIDDLE, KIND OF ORIENTS YOU TO THE PROPERTY.

HERE IS THE PROPERTY THAT IS IN QUESTION. SOUTH OF COUNTY ROAD 208.

AND THIS IS IN YOUR STAFF REPORT. SHOWS YOU SOME OF THE PROPERTIES AROUND IT. THE MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY, OBVIOUSLY THE PROPERTY TO THE NORTH IS A FAMILY MEMBER. MAJORITY OR ALL OF THE PARCELS TO THE SOUTH ARE FAMILY MEMBERS. THE OWNER OF THE FARM 25 DID MAKE INQUIRY, IT'S IN YOUR STAFF REPORT ABOUT THE PROJECT. I TALKED TO THE GENTLEMAN ON THE PHONE.

HE HAS NO OBJECTION TO THIS. I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANYONE WHO HAS OBJECTED TO IT.

NO ONE IN OPPOSITION AT PZA. HERE IS THE PROPERTY. AND IF YOU READ YOUR STAFF SOMETHING THAT WAS IN THERE. I'M GOING TO ASK MS. CAROL TO COME UP, THOUGH, I KNOW IT'S IN YOUR PACKET TO TELL YOU THE HISTORY OF THIS PROJECT. AND HER HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY. AND WHY THEY WANT TO DO THIS. AND WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.

AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS BETTER THAN MS. CAROL AT PROBABLY TELLING THAT STORY.

>> THANK YOU, EVERYONE. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND BEG FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR A PERMIT FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER, ALYSSA TO BUILD ON FIVE ACRES THAT I GIFTED HER LAST YEAR. FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING A HOME FOR HER AND HER HUSBAND. THIS WILL BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE'VE DONE ALL DAY.

COMING FROM A TOTALLY DIFFERENT AREA. I ALSO WANT TO THANK MR. BURNETT. HE HAS DONE SUCH A GREAT JOB OF HELPING US UNDERSTAND, GIVING US GOOD COUNCIL AND REPRESENTING US ON THE LEGAL END OF ALL OF THIS.

WELL, WHY ARE WE HERE? AND I GOT TO START WITH ONE THING.

IF YOU CAN SEE THAT. THAT IS MY FATHER-IN-LAW, JAMES MCCRURY.

AND THE THING THAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS PICTURE IS THIS IS WHAT HE SAW.

[04:25:02]

I SHARED WITH SOME OF YOU THAT HE CAME TO FLORIDA AS A BEAN PICKER.

IN FT. LAUDERDALE. HE WAS A SELF-MADE MAN. AND BECAME VERY SUCCESSFUL LATER ON IN LIFE. HOWEVER, AFTER BEING A BEAN PICKER, HE WENT TO WORLD WAR II AND HE SERVED IN EUROPE FOR FOUR YEARS. WHEN HE CAME HOME, HE CAME HOME TO A FIVE--YEAR-OLD BOY WHO DIDN'T KNOW WHO HE WAS. BUT THAT GAVE HIM A DREAM.

FROM THE MINUTE HE CAME HOME, WHAT HE WANTED WAS TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE HIS FAMILY COULD HAVE A HOME AND BE TOGETHER AND NEVER BE SEPARATED AGAIN. IN THE '60S, HE BOUGHT THIS BEAUTIFUL FARM, IN PALATKA. HUDSON NEEDED THAT LAND TO PUT IN SESS POOLS OR WHATEVER THEY WERE DOING WITH THAT STUFF AT THE PULP MILL. WELL, HE DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE OBVIOUSLY. THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE FOREVER HOME FOR HIS FAMILY.

HE FINALLY NEGOTIATED A DEAL WITH THEM AND THEY TRADED THAT RANCH FOR THE PROPERTY THAT WE'RE ON HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE NOW. AND WHEN THEY DID THAT, THEY CLEARED THE PASTURE, THEY PUT UP 100 ACRES OF FENCING. AND THEY MOVED ALL OF HIS EQUIPMENT AND CATTLE AND HORSES. EVERYTHING TO ST. AUGUSTINE.

WELL, IT WAS A DREAM FOR HIM. AND IT WAS A DREAM THAT WAS GOING TO BECOME HIS LEGACY, A POWERFUL LEGACY. BECAUSE WHEN HE CAME HERE, HE LOOKED AT THAT PROPERTY AND THOUGHT WOW, I'VE GOT ENOUGH HERE FOR EVERYBODY. YOU KNOW, ONLY HAD ONE SON, BUT HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GRANDCHILDREN. AND IN 1972, HE GAVE MY HUSBAND AND I 20 ACRES TO BUILD OUR HOME ON. AND IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL TIME IN OUR LIFE. THE NEAT THING ABOUT IT IS THAT MY HUSBAND, HIS SON, HE WORKED FOR THE DOD, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, AND HE WAS GONE SOMETIMES FOR MONTHS AT A TIME.

AND DADDY JIM TOOK OVER THAT ROLE THAT MY HUSBAND WAS MISSING.

AS THE GRANDFATHER. IT WAS EVERYTHING THESE CHILDREN DID, HE WAS A PART OF THEIR LIFE. IN FACT, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN PEOPLE THOUGHT HE AND I WERE MARRIED. BECAUSE HE AND THE BOYS WERE THE ONLY ONES THAT HE SAW US WITH:SO WHAT HE WANTED FOR THIS PROPERTY WAS TO KNOW THAT HIS CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE. IN 1995, HE GAVE MY OLDEST SON SIX ACRES TO BUILD HIS HOME ON. AND THIS WAS LIKE FIVE YEARS AFTER THE CHANGES WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND PLAN. HE HAD NO PROBLEMS SECURING A PERMIT FOR THAT FIVE ACRES.

AND LATER ON, NOT TOO MANY YEARS AGO, I THINK SEVEN YEARS AGO, MY SON WANTED THIS SAME ENVIRONMENT FOR HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW. MY GRANDDAUGHTER'S OTHER GRANDMOTHER. AND HER MOTHER. HER GREAT GRANDMOTHER.

SO HE MOVED THEM TO SIX ACRES ADJACENT TO THE PARCEL HE LIVES ON.

AND THAT WAS SO THAT WE COULD TAKE CARE OF THEM. WHICH ONE DAY I HOPE THEY'LL TAKE CARE OF ME. MY YOUNGEST SON WAS IN THE AIR FORCE.

AND WHEN HE CAME HOME, THERE WAS NEVER A QUESTION OF I'M COMING HOME.

SO MY FATHER-IN-LAW, WHO WAS OLDER AND ILL, GIFTED HIM HIS HOME.

JUST TOTALLY DEEDED IT TO HIM. SO IT DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN ESTATE OR ANYTHING ELSE.

SO MY OTHER SON, HAS RAISED HIS CHILDREN THERE. MY OLDEST SON, WHICH NOW WE'RE ON THE FOURTH GENERATION ON THAT PROPERTY, RAISED HIS TWO DAUGHTERS THERE.

MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN HAVE NEVER KNOWN ANOTHER HOME. WHEN ALYSSA WAS A LITTLE GIRL, SHE USED TO SAY I'M GOING TO BE RIGHT NEXT TO YOU, I'M GOING TO BUILD THIS HOUSE RIGHT NEXT TO YOU. AND WHEN SHE GOT OLDER, I MEAN, THERE WAS NEVER A DOUBT THAT SHE WAS GOING TO STAY ON THAT PROPERTY. IT'S BEEN SO INTERESTING TODAY TO HEAR THIS. BECAUSE SHE IS A TEACHER. AND MY GRANDSON IN-LAW, HE IS STARTING A BUSINESS. THERE IS NO WAY THEY COULD LIVE IN THIS COUNTY.

[04:30:02]

OF COURSE, SHE WAS DENIED THE PERMIT. SO WE WENT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING. AND REQUESTED THAT THEY GIVE US A WAIVER OR WHATEVER WE NEEDED TO DO THIS. AND AT FIRST EVERYBODY DIDN'T SEEM TO BE IN OBJECTION.

BUT THEN THERE WERE TWO CONCERNS THAT THEY BROUGHT OUT. NUMBER ONE, DO YOU BREAK THE RULES. AND YOU KNOW, AS I UNDERSTAND THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND PLAN AND LAND USE, TO PROTECT THE LAND. PROTECT THE PEOPLE IN THE LAND. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS FOR US, IT'S SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT. I ALSO IF THEY WANTED TO BUILD A HOME THERE, IT WOULD BE TOTALLY COMPLIANT WITH EVERYTHING AROUND US.

HER NEIGHBORS HAPPEN TO BE ALL FAMILY, EXCEPT ACROSS THE STREET, WHERE THERE IS A PRD.

YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN AND ONE OF THE THINGS THEY VOICED WAS SETTING A PRECEDENT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE WHO MIGHT NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THOSE RULES.

BUT I GOT TO TELL YOU, I BELIEVE THAT PRECEDENT HAS ALREADY BEEN SET.

IT WAS SET WITH MY OLDEST SON WHO BUILT HIS HOME. THE PROPERTY HE PROVIDED FOR MY, HER OTHER GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT GRANDMOTHER. YOU KNOW, IN THE AFTERNOONS, I LIKE TO PLAY IN MY YARD, SIT ON MY FRONT PORCH, I LOOK ACROSS THE STREET AT A PRD THAT HAS FIVE ACRE HOME SITES, WHICH IS WHAT WE THOUGHT WE NEEDED. DIDN'T REALIZE THERE HAD BEEN CHANGES. AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT FOR HER.

AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PRD, BY THE WAY. RURAL.

IT'S JUST A REALLY PRETTY PLACE. I'M GLAD THEY'RE THERE.

AND THE ONLY IMPACT THAT I HAVE SEEN FROM LAND USE IS THAT MY ROAD THAT I LIVE ON, COUNTY ROAD 13A NORTH, I'M SORRY, I SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THE ADDRESS.

IS A -- THERE USED TO BE LIKE FOUR CARS A DAY THAT WOULD PASS OUR HOUSE.

BUT THAT WAS 50 YEARS AGO. GOT TO TELL YOU. TODAY, IT IS A THOROUGH FARE FOR ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE COME AROUND US, BECAUSE THAT IS THE BACK WAY.

WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO TRAFFIC. AND I COULDN'T BEGIN TO COUNT.

IT'S JUST BOOM BOOM ALL OF THE TIME. AND GOD FORBID THAT I-95 BACK UP. FROM WORLD GOLF VILLAGE, ALL THE WAY TO MY HOUSE, BUMPER TO BUMPER STOP AND GO. I DON'T MIND GOING THROUGH THAT IF I'M GOING TO COME HOME TO A VERY QUIET PLACE, WITH ACREAGE AROUND IT. BUT ONE OTHER THING THAT I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT, AND THANK YOU, SOMEBODY COULD SAY YOU'RE TOTALLY WRONG ABOUT THAT, I READ THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND PLAN, AND I LOOKED SPECIFICALLY FOR WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF IT.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS AND THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND PLAN.

AND THIS IS WHAT I FOUND IN CHAPTER 187. I BELIEVE IT WAS SECTION 1.

THE GOAL AND POLICIES CONTAINED IN THE STATE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SHALL BE REASONABLY APPLIED WHERE THEY ARE ECONOMICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FEASIBLE. NOT CONTRARY TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST. AND CONSISTENT WITH THE PROTECTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS. AND YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE TO HAVE RULES.

LORD KNOWS, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DEVELOPMENT MORE CONTROLLED. BUT THIS IS THE WORLD AND PEOPLE ARE HERE AND WE'VE GOT TO DEAL WITH THAT. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S FAIR TO DEAL WITH IT BY SACRIFICING THE RIGHTS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD.

WE'RE NOT ASKING TO DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL. WE'RE NOT ASKING TO DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD NEGATIVELY IN ANY WAY AFFECT THIS. IT WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TWO PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT LIVE HERE, COULD NOT AFFORD TO LIVE HERE UNLESS THE GRANDMA GIVES THEM THE PROPERTY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. AND I DO APPRECIATE ALL OF THE TIME THAT YOU GUYS PUT IN THIS.

OVERWHELMING. THANK YOU. >> I'M SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW

WHEN NOT TO SAY ANYTHING. >> THANK YOU, MR. BURNETT. ARE WE GOOD?

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> IS SHE WILLING TO NOT HAVE ANYONE BUT FAMILY MEMBERS ON THAT PROPERTY? AND MAKE IT KIND OF A FAMILY FARM THING?

>> FAMILY FARM IS AN INTERESTING CONCEPT. AS I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT IN THE

[04:35:05]

THEY HAVE CONFLICTING OPINIONS ON WHETHER OR NOT THEIR PROPERTY WOULD FIT FOR A FAMILY FARM NOT JUST FOR ALYSSA, BECAUSE ALYSSA IS HERE TODAY AND ONE GRANDDAUGHTER.

BUT ALEXIS IS ANOTHER GRANDDAUGHTER WHO IS NOT HERE TODAY.

YOU KNOW, IF SHE COMES IN, IS SHE GOING TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM.

IS SHE GOING TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM NOT THIS MONTH, BUT TWO YEARS, FOUR YEARS.

IS SOMEBODY GOING TO BE REFERRING BACK TO A COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING WHERE THE COMMISSION SAID THIS PROBABLY FITS THE FAMILY FARM. THE ADDED THING IS, I THINK YOU SEE THIS IN FAMILY FARMS. MAYBE THE COUNTY HAS CHANGED SOMETHING IN ITS CODE.

BUT I THINK THAT IF YOU'RE DOING A FAMILY FARM AND BUYING A MOBILE HOME ON TO THE FARM PROPERTY, YOU FINANCE A MOBILE HOME THE WAY YOU TYPICALLY DO AN AUTOMOBILE.

SIMILAR TYPE OF FINANCING. ON A FAMILY FARM, WHEN YOU'RE FINANCING NEW CONSTRUCTION ON THAT PROPERTY, WHICH IS WHAT THEY WOULD INTEND TO DO, YOU HAVE A CHALLENGE WITH THE FACT THAT IT'S LIMITED TO A FAMILY FARM FOR SEVEN YEARS, THE WAY THE COUNTY ORDINANCE IS.

SO THEN A LENDER, IT'S MORE CHALLENGING TO GET TRADITIONAL FINANCING WHEN YOU HAVE THAT

LIMITATION ON IT BECAUSE IT'S A FAMILY FARM. >> IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO NOT SUBDIVIDE THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AGRICULTURE LAND AND START A PRECEDENT WHERE THERE YOU GO, ALL THE BUILDERS ARE GOING TO GO INTO THE DOOR THERE.

IF YOU COULD FIND SOMETHING SO THEY COULD USE THAT PROPERTY WITHOUT HAVING TO YOU KNOW, EVEN THE STAFF ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE APPROVAL COULD SET AN INAPPROPRIATE AND UNWELCOME TREND OF SMALLER LOT DEVELOPMENT IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.

SPOT LAND USE DESIGNATIONS. IF THIS AMENDMENT IS APPROVED A SPOT LAND USE OF RESIDENTIAL A WOULD CREATE AMONG THE RS DESIGNATIONS. I WOULD HATE TO SEE THAT

HAPPEN. EVEN THOUGH I LOVE HER STORY. >> I UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN. I THINK THERE ARE TWO THINGS RELATED TO THAT THAT SHOULD ELIMINATE THAT FROM A TECHNICAL LEGAL STANDPOINT. ONE IS ALMOST ALWAYS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS ARE LEGISLATIVE. THEY ARE VERY AKIN TO THE LEGISLATIVE ACT OF WHETHER OR NOT THE COUNTY HAS A LEASH LAW. THE COUNTY COULD HAVE A LEASH LAW, OR NOT, REQUIRING PEOPLE TO PUT THEIR DOGS ON THE LEASH. THAT IS UP TO THE COUNTY.

SOMEONE CAN'T COME AND SUE THE COUNTY FOR NOT HAVING A LEASH LAW.

COMPREHENSIVE PLANS ARE SIMILAR, IN THAT THEY'RE LEGISLATIVE.

THE EXCEPTION IS WHERE YOU'RE THE HOLE IN THE DOUGHNUT. WHAT YOU'RE DOING TODAY WOULD BE IN SOME WAYS CREATING THE HOLE IN THE DOUGHNUT. THE ONLY EXCEPTION, THOUGH, IS IF THEY WANTED TO REVERT THAT HOLE IN THE DOUGHNUT BACK TO WHAT IS ON THE DOUGHNUT.

SO THAT LETS THEM REVERT IT BACK TO RS, BUT IT DOESN'T LET THEM CHANGE OR GROW THE RESIDENTIAL A. THERE IS NO PRECEDENT SET. YOU CAN'T USE, AS A QUASI-JUDICIAL ARGUMENT THAT THIS IS SET PRECEDENT FOR NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I BELIEVE THAT. I AM CONCERNED.

AND IF THERE IS ANY OTHER SOLUTION, I DON'T KNOW IF MIKE ROBERSON HAS SOME SORT OF IDEA OR SOLUTIONS THAT THEY CAN BUILD HOUSES ON THERE WITHOUT SUBDIVIDING IT.

A FAMILY FARM, I DON'T KNOW. THAT IS MY CONCERN. I MEAN, I'M TRYING TO PROTECT

OUR COUNTY AND SAVE OUR COUNTY AT THIS POINT. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE

BOARD BEFORE WE HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT? >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 10. GOOD AFTERNOON

>> >> MY NAME IS ALYSSA, I'M CAROL'S GRANDDAUGHTER.

I WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO PRESERVE OUR COUNTY. AND YOUR QUESTIONS ARE COMPLETELY VALID. BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU MY FAMILY HAS LIVED HERE FOR 50 YEARS. AND WE ARE ASKING FOR ONE HOUSE AT THIS TIME.

YOU SEE THE PICTURE OF MY GREAT GRANDFATHER. HE WANTED THIS FOR ALL OF HIS CHILDREN. THIS IS ALL WE'RE DOING. IT IS DIVIDED THIS WAY FOR MYSELF, AND FOR MY SISTER, IF SHE CHOOSES. I AM THE ONLY GRANDCHILD AT THIS TIME THAT IS MARRIED, THAT IS A REQUIREMENT, IN MY FAMILY TO INHERIT PROPERTY.

[04:40:02]

AS A TEACHER. I AM A TEACHER IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I CAN'T AFFORD ANYTHING ELSE. AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE FIVE ACRES RIGHT BESIDE MY GRANDMOTHER. THE QUESTION IN PLANNING AND ZONING, HOW DO WE KNOW WE DON'T WANT TO SELL? I DON'T WANT TO SELL.

I CAN'T WRITE A CONTRACT TO YOU, TO PROMISE YOU, BUT I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY HUMBLE HEART

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING. >> STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENT. I WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO

COMPLETE YOUR THOUGHT. >> I WROTE A WHOLE PAGE OF NOTES IN MY PHONE, I HAVEN'T TOUCHED ON ONE OF THEM. MY BIGGEST THING WAS, I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE LAW AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH IT. I WENT TO COLLEGE IN THIS COUNTY, BECAUSE I LOVE MY HOME

AND WHERE WE LIVE. THIS IS OUR ONLY OPTION. >> I JUST WANTED TO ASK HER, WOULD YOU ALL AGREE TO THAT, IT'S ONLY FOR YOUR FAMILY IN THE FUTURE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU PUT THAT IN THE DEED. >> I THINK IT'S A GOOD

QUESTION. LET'S FINISH PUBLIC COMMENT. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 10. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE

PUBLIC COMMENT? >> MR. BURNETT, WE HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CAN WE PUT IT IN

WRITING. >> YOUR CHALLENGE WITH THAT IS THAT YOU PREVENT ALYSSA FROM BUILDING A TRADITIONAL STICK BUILT HOME BECAUSE YOU LIMIT HER ABILITY TO BORROW MONEY.

TO BUILD THE HOUSE. BECAUSE THE BANK IS GOING TO LOOK AT IT AND SAY WE CAN'T FORECLOSE ON IT BECAUSE ONLY A MCCRURY FAMILY MEMBER CAN LIVE THERE.

THAT IS THE CHALLENGE. YOU KNOW, IT REALLY JUST DOESN'T FIT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU HEARD THE FAMILY MAKE A STRONG CASE FOR WHAT THEY'VE ASKED FOR TODAY.

THIS IS FOR THEM FOR THAT PARCEL, IT BREAKS OUT PRETTY NICE FOR WHAT THEIR PLAN IS TO YOU KNOW, HAVE HOMES FOR THE GRANDDAUGHTERS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE FUTURE.

THAT IS THE PLAN. THIS ISN'T TURN AROUND AND SELL IT.

I THINK YOU'RE WELL CONVINCED OF THAT AFTER HEARING WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY TODAY.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU.

HOW LONG HAS THE FAMILY HAD THE PROPERTY? 70 YEARS IT'S BEEN IN THE

FAMILY. >> THIS PARTICULAR PARCEL IS 50.

SO THEY HAD THE PROPERTY IN PALATKA THAT THEY TRADED. THAT IS THE HISTORY.

>> I WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT THAT I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS.

LOCAL FAMILY. I'M 100 PERCENT IN SUPPORT OF IT.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD >> I AGREE, COMMISSIONER. I WANT TO COMMEND MR. BURNETT FOR LETTING MS. CAROL SO ELOQUENTLY TELL YOUR STORY. I DON'T KNOW HOW ANY OF US COULD DENY IT AT THAT POINT. THANK YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FAMILY LIVING NEXT TO YOU AND NEAR YOU FOR THE NEAR FUTURE. MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2023-20. APPROVING COMP PLAN AMENDMENT 2023-02, BASED UPON FOUR

FINDINGS OF FACT AS PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> SECOND

>> MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ALAIMO.

THERE IS A TEXT AMENDMENT TO HAVING SIX HOMES ON IT. IT'S SOMETHING THAT I CONSIDERED, STUDIED. I'M NOT SURE THE DEVELOPMENT ISN'T NECESSARILY ATTRACTED TO ONE UNIT FOR EVERY THREE AND A THIRD ACRE. I'M NOT SURE THAT IS WHAT BIG DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS LOOKING FOR. FOR THAT REASON I'M GOING TO BE

[11. Public Hearing * MAJMOD 2023-05 TrailMark Recreational Pond. ]

[04:45:01]

>> MR. BURNETT, DON'T FORGET THE PICTURE. >> COMMISSIONERS, FOR SOME REASON THE CLERK NEEDS A COPY OF THAT, I'LL DO A SCAN OF IT. OTHERWISE, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE PHOTO BACK. > I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO DO THAT.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS FROM LEGAL? ALL RIGHT. WELL, THAT TAKES US INTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11, WHICH IS QUASI-JUDICIAL. START ON MY LEFT.

COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. MEETING ON THURSDAY, JUNE 1ST,

AT 12:30 WITH LINDSEY HAGA, AND STAFF TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT >> ALL RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER DEAN >> I ALSO HAD A MEETING ON TUESDAY, MAY 30TH.

AT ONE O'CLOCK. WITH LINDSEY HAGA. AND STAFF TO DISCUSS THE

PROJECT AND THE PROPOSED POND ON THE SITE. >> I MET MAY 30TH, '12:30, ALONG WITH STAFF, TO DISCUSS WHAT THEY'RE HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS POND SITE.

>> I HAD A MEETING ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH, 2023, AT 1:30 P.M., WITH LINDSEY HAGA AND STAFF, ALSO A MEETING ON MAY 25TH, 2023, 11:30. ALONG WITH STAFF.

WE DISCUSSED THE POND AND THE RECREATIONAL USE FOR TRAIL MARK.

>> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. >> MEETING ON TUESDAY, MAY 30TH, 2023, 11:00 A.M.,

WITH LINDSEY HAGA. AND THE TEAM >> ALL RIGHT.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. FOR THE RECORD, LINDSEY HAGA, ENGLAND THIMS MILLER. IN JACKSONVILLE. WITH ME TODAY IS GREG KERN.

THEY ARE A MASTER DEVELOPER OF THE TRAIL MARK COMMUNITY THAT WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH HERE IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. THIS MAJOR MODIFICATION WOULD ADD IN 34 ACRES, IN TO THE EXISTING TRAIL MARK PUD. THIS VICINITY MAP THAT YOU SEE SHOWS THE SIX MILE CREEK SOUTH PORTION OF THE PUD, IN THE RED BOUNDARY AND SUBJECT PROPERTY IN YELLOW.

REPRESENTING ABOUT 34 ACRES. WE MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THIS, AS A SMALL SCALE LAND USE AMENDMENT THAT ENTITLED THAT PROPERTY FOR SIX DWELLING UNITS.

WALKING YOU THROUGH YOUR PACKET, THIS SHOWS OUR REGULATORY MAP.

THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SLIDE IN THE ORANGE COLOR SHOWING YOU THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

GIVING YOU THE CONTEXT RELATIVE TO TRAIL MARK. THIS REQUEST WOULD ADD IN LAND, DESIGNATED RESIDENTIAL A ON OUR FUTURE LAND USE MAP. SMALL SLIVER DESIGNATED RURAL CULTURE, TUKED INTO THE REVERSE OF THE END HERE. IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY PROVIDING IT THROUGH TRAILMARK PROPER. JUST TO SHOW US THROUGH CONTEXT, THIS GIVES YOU GLAMOURIZED PLAN. YOU HAVE THE BLACK AND WHITE MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN YOUR PACKETS. THIS HIGHLIGHTS FOR US THE AREAS BUILT WITHIN TRAIL MARK. AREAS UNDER SOME FORM OF PERMITTING, WHETHER THAT HAS BEEN PERMITTED THROUGH A MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN WITH YOUR GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.

SUBJECT PROPERTY, SHOWN IN THE FINAL CONDITION OF ADDING IN A LAKE, TO CONTINUE THE LAKE BASE RECREATION THAT IS FAMILIAR WITHIN TRAILMARK. THAT IS WHAT THIS SLIDE IS INTENDED TO DO, PULL OUT FOR YOU THE NUMBERS OF LAKES THAT WE HAVE WITHIN TRAILMARK.

AND THEN THE ORANGE LINES SHOW US THE PEDESTRIAN NETWORK CONNECT INTO THE EXISTING LAKES AND PONDS. CENTRAL ONE LOCATED HERE AT THE CLUBHOUSE FACILITY, GIVES YOU A PROMINENT SUNSET VIEW. SO HERE JUST GIVES US THIS BOUNDARY OF LOCATING WHERE WE HAVE THE POND WITHIN THE OVERALL PARCEL AND ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE SITE WILL BE PRESERVED WITHIN WETLANDS, REMAINDER OF IT BEING WITHIN THE POND.

THIS MAP HELPS US IDENTIFY THE SHORE LINE EIGHT FOOT TRAIL THAT GOES AROUND THE PROPOSED LAKE AMENITY. THAT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE AS PART OF OUR PACKAGE AS THE INTERMEDIATE USE OF WHAT WE WILL DO WITH THE EXCAVATED MATERIAL FROM OUR LAKE TO USE IT IN CONCERT WITH THE PARCELS AND DEVELOPMENT THAT ARE ADJACENT WITHIN TRAIL MARK.

THIS IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW WHERE WE HAVE AN INTERNAL ROUTE TO HAVE OUR FILTER, NOT HAVING EXTERNAL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. EITHER IN THE INTERMEDIATE SENSE OR IN THE FINISHED COMPLETION SENSE FOR OUR LAKE AMENITY. WE ARE LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST SECTOR. PRIOR TO HAVING OUR NORTHWEST SECTOR MEETING IN MARCH, WE DID

[04:50:04]

QUESTIONS AND EVERYBODY ON OUR TEAM IS HERE AS WELL >> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA

ITEM NUMBER 11. >> SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> BACK TO THE BOARD, ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, PERHAPS A MOTION?

>> PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION AS SOON AS IT LOADS. >> MR. CHAIR.

IF YOU'RE READY, WE DO HAVE A TYPO TO CORRECT IN THE ORDINANCE.

IN THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE SECTION 4, THE LAST SENTENCE THERE, WE DO NEED TO REFLECT A CHANGE BECAUSE IT'S A PUD. IT SHOULD READ NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF THIS ORDINANCE, NO PORTION OF ANY IMPACT ORDINANCE, BUILDING CODE, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OR ANY NON-LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE ORDINANCE OR REGULATION SHALL BE DEEMED WAIVED OR VARIED BY ANY PROVISION HEREIN. WE DO NEED TO ADD THE PREFIX NONTO LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

THEY HAVE SEVERAL WAIVERS ALREADY BUILT INTO THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED >> CORRECT. >> MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE

[12. Public Hearing * CDDAMD 2021-04 Dissolution of the Deerfield Preserve CDD. ]

AS PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> SECOND

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. P SECOND BY COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. PASSES 5-0.

CONGRATULATIONS. ALL RIGHT. NOW WE'RE MOVING RIGHT ALONG.

INTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 12. MS. BISHOP. GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU. AGENDA ITEM 12, CDD AMENDMENT. CDD AMENDMENT TO ACTUALLY DISSOLVE THE DEERFIELD PRESERVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT. THE BOARD ENACTED THIS DISTRICT IN 2006, WITH THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 2006-43, IT ESTABLISHED THE DEERFIELD PRESERVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT. HOWEVER, THE DEVELOPER NEVER FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH THE CREATION OF THE DISTRICT ITSELF.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY BOARD THAT HAS BEEN CREATED OR ANYTHING FOR THIS DISTRICT.

IN MARCH, OF 2020, WE WERE NOTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THAT THE CDD WAS DECLARED INACTIVE. THEY RAN THEIR NORMAL NOTICE IN THE NEWSPAPER.

THERE WAS NO OBJECTIONS TO THIS INACTIVE STATUS. THE COUNTY IS REQUIRED TO DISSOLVE THE DEERFIELD PRESERVE CDD AND REPEAL ORDINANCE 2006-43.

THERE ARE NO OUTSTANDING DEBTS OR MAINTENANCE OR OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS THAT THE CO COUNTY WILL INCUR DUE TO THIS CDD DISSOLUTION.

DEERFIELD PRESERVE IS CURRENTLY BUILT WITH THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF DWELLING UNITS.

THERE ARE UNDEVELOPED TRACKS ALONG 207. I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL OF THE RESIDENTS AT DEERFIELD PRESERVE. THEY HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE CDD DISSOLUTION IS GOING TO RESULT IN A CHANGE TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD NOT CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT WAS NEVER CREATED.

AND THEN WE OFFER THREE FINDINGS OF FACT TO SUPPORT THE DISSOLUTION AND THE REPEAL AND THREE FINDINGS IF YOU CHOOSE TO DENY. THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

I WILL TRY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> MS. BISHOP, IF WE DISSOLVE THIS CDD, IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY LIABILITY OR FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES FOR ST. JOHNS

COUNTY, DOES IT? >> IT DOES NOT, NO, SIR. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA

ITEM NUMBER 12. >> SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

[04:55:02]

>> BACK TO THE BOARD. COMMISSIONER ALAIMO: >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2023-22 APPROVING THE DISSOLUTION OF

[13. Mitigation Consulting Services and the Development of a Residential Flood Mitigation Program and Contract Award. ]

FINDINGS OF FACT IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. IT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE CCOMMISSIONER ALAIMO. IT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE OMMISSIONER ALAIMO. IT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

PASSES 5-0. AGENDA ITEM 13, DR. 2K3W6789 GIAMMANCO.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THE ITEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, GRANT OPPORTUNITY, BASICALLY A PROGRAM TO ASSIST HOMEOWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED FLOODING OR DAMAGE THROUGH LAST SEVERAL STORMS. SO IT'S A MITIGATION OPPORTUNITY FOR FLOOD PRONE RESIDENTS. WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER PROGRAM NEEDS AND IMPLEMENTATION AND WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST. WHY WE NEED THIS PROGRAM, WE'VE HAD MAJOR FLOOD EVENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY, GOING BACK TO MATTHEW.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTS THAT ARE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE, THAT ARE IN THE AREA I WOULD SAY KIND OF A GRAY AREA, WHERE THEIR INCOME DOESN'T QUALIFY THEM FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME ASSISTANCE, BUT THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE MEANS TO WRITE A $250,000.

THERE ARE POTENTIAL GRANTS OUT THERE THAT WE COULD ASSIST THE RESIDENT IN HELPING WITH THE FUNDING OF THESE THINGS. SO THE COST IS VERY EXPENSIVE. THE GRANTS TAKE TIME TO KIND OF GO THROUGH. THEY'RE NOT SIMPLE GRANTS WHERE SOMEONE WILL WRITE A PARAGRAPH AND SUBMIT IT. A LOT OF THESE GRANTS NEED A GOVERNMENT ENTITY AS A SPONSOR TO HELP THEM GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. THAT IS THE PROBLEM IN A NUTSHELL. SO THE SOLUTION IS WE DID AN RFP FOR CONSULTANT TO HELP US WITH THE HOMEOWNER TO GUIDE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF SUBMITTING GRANTS FOR FEDERAL GRANTS. THERE'S TWO IN PARTICULAR THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW THAT ARE TIED TO IAN AND NICOLE FUNDING. THE HOMEOWNER WOULD BE POTENTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR 25 PERCENT. BUT THERE ARE GRANTS THAT COULD COVER 100 PERCENT OF THE COSTS FOR THEIR HOMES. THE SOLUTION IS BRINGING IN A FIRM THAT WOULD HELP US GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, SO THAT THEY COULD APPLY, KIND OF LIKE THE SIGNATURE TO THE FEMA OR FED, SO THEY CAN GET THE ASSISTANCE.

I DON'T WANT TO PUT THE FALSE ADVERTISEMENT OUT THERE IF YOU APPLY FOR THIS, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A 250,000 GRANT. THESE ARE IN MY OPINION, WHAT WE CALL ULTRA MARATHONS.

KIND OF GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET THESE UP AND RUNNING.

BUT WE NEED TO START NOW IN THE SENSE THAT THE APPLICATION PERIODS ARE OPEN FOR I IAN AND NICOLE. WE DID AN RFP, AND IF THE BOARD SO CHOOSES, I'LL HAVE A MOTION AT THE END, TO WORK WITH THIS COMPANY, THIS COMPANY WILL DO OUTREACH, THEY'LL DO THE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION AND CLOSE-OUT. THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING FROM START TO FINISH. WE, AT THE COUNTY LEVEL WOULD BE THE OVERSIGHT.

MAKING SURE THEY'RE DOING ALL OF THIS STUFF RIGHT. BUT THE HOMEOWNER WILL WORK WITH THIS CONSULTANT, THEY'LL PUT THE APPLICATION IN. WE'LL MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS RIGHT. SUBMITTED ON EVERYBODY'S BEHALF AND THEN THE CONSULTANT WALKS THE HOMEOWNER THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS. SO WHAT DOES IT COST? TO THE HOMEOWNER, IT COULD COST UP TO 25 PERCENT, OF WHATEVER THE INITIAL COST OF THAT REPAIR IS. IT COULD BE ZERO. IT DEPENDS ON WHAT GRANT THEY'RE AWARDED. OR APPROVED FOR. THE COUNTY COST, INITIAL COST, THERE IS NO COST FOR THE CONTRACTING WITH THE FIRM. THE WAY THAT THEY GET PAID IS THROUGH THE ACTUAL GRANT. SO IF YOU WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS WITH ME, A HOMEOWNER COMES IN, THEY HAVE A NEED, THEY SIT DOWN WITH A CONSULTANT, WORK THROUGH THE PAPERWORK, APPLICATION, EVERYTHING IS GOOD. WE SUBMIT THE APPLICATION.

THEY GO THROUGH THE APPROVAL PROCESS, THEY GET AWARDED AND THEN THEY GO THROUGH CONSTRUCTION. AS THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THAT PHASE OF IT, THE GRANT ITSELF COMES WITH AN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, ABILITY TO HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT, USUALLY FIVE PERCENT. THAT IS TRANSFERRED TO THIS CONSULTANT.

THEY GET PAID WHEN THE HOMEOWNER IS ACTUALLY APPROVED FOR THE PROJECT.

[05:00:03]

AS WE'RE WALKING THROUGH THIS PROCESS. BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS:WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN A YEAR OR SO.

THERE IS NOT A LOT OF FUNDING FOR THESE GRANTS, BUT THERE ARE SOME.

SO MY LAST BULLET HERE, THERE MIGHT BE A TIME WHERE I COME BACK AND ASK FOR ASSISTANCE ON MANAGING THIS GRANT. BUT TODAY I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING FROM THE COUNTY'S PERSPECTIVE, OTHER THAN THE BOARD SO CHOOSES BEFORE, WITH APPROVING THE CONTRACT WITH THE COMPANY. SO THAT IS IN A NUTSHELL. THIS WILL BE THE MOTION IF THE

BOARD SO CHOOSES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT. >> YES.

QUESTION FOR HENRY, COMMISSIONER DEAN. SO I LOOKED BACK IN THE HISTORY THAT WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE IN 2018, OR 2019. THEY HIRED TETRA TECH CONSULTING AGENCY. I GUESS IT WAS A NIGHTMARE. IS THERE ANY REASON WE

SHOULDN'T DO IT IN-HOUSE INSTEAD OF A CONSULTANT. >> THAT IS DIFFERENT.

WE HIRED THEM FOR THE CBDGBR SPECIFIC GRANT. THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT GRANT ALONE. YES, WE HAD CHALLENGES WITH THEM.

WE DID IT OURSELVES. BUT THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY AND WE'VE HEARD GOOD STORIES FROM THE CITY ON THIS COMPANY. I WOULD RECOMMEND MOVING FORWARD WITH THEM. IF NOT, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT IN-HOUSE AND THEN WE WOULD NEED RESOURCES BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO TAKE ON A PROGRAM THIS EXTENSIVE AND LEARN THE PROCESS. BECAUSE WE'RE NOT THE EXPERTS OF THESE TYPES OF GRANTS.

WE HAVE TO BRING THAT IN. >> ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE BOARD?

LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA

ITEMS 13 AND 14. >> QUESTIONS, COMMENTS. >> JUST 13.

>> I'M SORRY. >> IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-193. AUTHORIZING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DESIGNATED TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT IN THE SAME FORM AND FORMAT AS

[14. Hurricane's Ian and Nicole FEMA Category B Emergency Beach Berm update and Contract Award. ]

SERVICES. >> SECOND >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEAN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. PASSES 5-0. LET'S HEAR 14

>> THIRD PARTY IS A PRETTY GOOD FIRM, BY THE WAY. THEY STARTED WITH KATRINA IN NEW ORLEANS AND DID A LOT OF GREAT WORK THERE. AND THEN 25 OR 30 OTHER MITIGATION PLANS THEY COME UP WITH. SO I THINK THE STAFF IS ON THE

RIGHT TRACK HERE WITH THIS FIRM. >> CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS.

THIS IS AN UPDATE AND MORE OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THE FEMA CAT B, BEACH BERM FOR IAN AND NICOLE. QUICK UPDATE OF WHERE WE ARE. PROJECT EXECUTION AND THE COST.

THE UPDATE IS REALLY FROM THE OVERALL PERSPECTIVE WE'RE LOOKING AT FEMA DID CHANGE SOME OF THEIR INTERPRETATIONS OF THE RULES AND THE AMOUNT OF SAND THAT CAME LAST TIME WAS LESS THAN WHAT THEY SAID. SO I DO HAVE -- THESE ARE THE UPDATED NUMBERS OF WHERE SAND IS ELIGIBLE BASED ON FEMA GUIDELINES. BUT I WANT TO DRILL DOWN INTO BUTLER BEACH, BECAUSE BUTLER BEACH IS WHAT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE BUTLER BEACH IS READY FOR US TO GO. I HAVE TO SHOW MOVEMENT AND CONTINUE SHOWING THAT TO FEMA THAT WE'RE MOVING THE PROJECT ALONG.

SO I SAID EARLIER, I WOULD BRING IT BACK IN SECTIONS AS THINGS ARE READY.

BUTLER BEACH IS THE FIRST SECTION THAT IS READY. IT IS A TRUCK HAUL PROJECT.

WE DON'T HAVE AN OFFSHORE SAND SOURCE THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO PUMP IN SAND.

PLUS THE AMOUNT OF SAND IS NOT ECONOMICALLY VIABLE FOR A DREDGING COMPANY.

SO IT IS A TRUCK HAUL PROJECT. WE DO HAVE THREE ACCESS AREAS THAT WE WOULD BE UTILIZING, OCEAN TRACE, MARY STREET AND GLORIA AVENUE. WE HAVE A CONTRACTOR THAT WAS

[05:05:07]

THE IDEA IS THAT WE WORK THE NORTH, OCEAN TRACE AND THEN OPEN THAT BACK UP AND START WORKING BACK SOUTH. KIND OF THE IDEA OF WHAT WE'RE THINKING.

THE AREA AROUND MARY STREET AND GLORIA AVENUE WE'RE THINKING IS AROUND 14 DAYS.

THE COMPANY DICTATED SIX-DAY WORK WEEK FROM 6:30 TO 7. HOWEVER, I DON'T EXPECT TRUCKS ON THE BEACH AT 6:30, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GET THE ALL CLEARANCE FROM THE TURTLE PATROL, MONITORS AND ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPEN. AT LEAST GET THESE STARTED WORKING AROUND THE AREA. WE WILL PROCEED TO THE BEACH AND WORK ON THE SAND.

WE DID PUT IN THE BID PACKAGES THAT THEY CANNOT WORK DURING COUNTY HOLIDAYS.

SPECIFICALLY THE SATURDAY, THE SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, OF THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND.

THEY CANNOT BE OPERATING ON THE BEACH AT THAT TIME. BUT AGAIN, DRIVING AND ACCESS TO THE BEACH IS GOING TO BE LIMITED IN CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE BEACH OF WHY WE ARE THERE.

WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE INTER-MIXING WITH LARGE HEAVY EQUIPMENT MOVING SAND AROUND ON THE BEACH. SO THE COST, CONSTRUCTION COSTS CAME IN AT 4.1 MILLION.

PROJECT DELIVERY, 700,000, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HERE THAT WE DO HAVE A DEP GRANT FOR ABOUT FOUR AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS THAT IS NOT REFLECTED HERE. ONLY BECAUSE WE JUST GOT THE CONTRACT IN, THE BOARD HASN'T APPROVED IT YET. BUT WE HAVE A FOUR AND A HALF MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM DEP TO COVER ALL COUNTY COSTS UP TO THE FOUR AND A HALF MILLION.

IT SHOULDN'T TAKE ALL FOUR AND A HALF MILLION. BUT I WOULD SAY IN THE SECOND MEETING IN JULY, MOST LIKELY YOU'LL SEE THAT CONTRACT COME THROUGH.

BUT WE DID RECEIVE IT. SO WITH THAT, HERE IS THE MOTION.

IT'S BASICALLY GOING THROUGH THE 4 MILLION FOR THE CONTRACTOR, 700,000 FOR THE COUNTY TO DO ALL OF THE MONITORING, NOT THE MONITORING, CONSTRUCTION MONITORING, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT GO ALONG WITH THE BEGINNING PART OF THE PROJECT.

AGAIN, THAT COUNTY SHARE THAT REFLECTED HERE, 609,000, SHOULD BE REIMBURSED THROUGH THE DEP, BASED ON THAT CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED. WITH THAT, I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. CAN YOU SAY SOMETHING MORE DESCRIPTIVE?

>> YES. SOUTH PORTION OF BUTLER BEACH >> CAN I ADD THAT TO THE

MOTION? >> SURE. >> IT'S YOUR AREA.

STRICTLY BUTLER BEACH. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. WOULD IT MAKE SENSE FOR US TO ELIMINATE A VENDOR WHO HAS LET US DOWN IN THE RECENT PAST FROM BEING ELIGIBLE FOR THIS BID OR

DO YOU THINK THAT IS NOT A SMART WAY TO PROCEED? >> THE BID HAS ALREADY BEEN OPENED. AND PHILLIPS JORDAN IS THE LOWEST BIDDER.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANY ADVERSE THINGS FOR THEM. WE DID DO SOME REFERENCE CHECKS AND SOME OTHER, BASICALLY WE CALLED OUR CONSULTANTS THAT WORK WITH US, AND SAID THIS IS

A REPUTABLE FIRM. >> I KNOW WE DON'T WANT A REPEAT.

THANK YOU >> TOTALLY UNDERSTAND. >> QUESTION.

JOE, CAN YOU PUT THE PROJECT SITE UP AGAIN. YEAH.

JUST REMIND ME MARY STREET IS NOT IN THE PROJECT >> WHY? BECAUSE WHEN FEMA WENT THROUGH, THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS THIS, THEY HAVE TO SHOW A FIVE-YEAR STORM EVENT IS GOING TO DAMAGE PROPERTY. UPLAND PROPERTY.

IN THAT SPECIFIC SESSION OF BEACH, THE UPLAND PROPERTY IS HIGHER THAN THE WAVE RUN-UP IN A FIVE-YEAR STORM. THAT DECISION WAS MADE BY FEMA. OKAY.

I'M PRETTY FAMILIAR WITH THIS NEIGH NEIGHBORHOOD.

[05:10:06]

>> YES, SIR. WE DID AN EXTENSIVE WALK-THROUGH AND BROUGHT FEMA

THERE MANY TIMES. >> DID TRAVIS CALL YOU BACK FROM THAT COMPANY?

>> HE DID NOT. >>. I'M NERVOUS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING OPEN OR PUT OUT FOR NORTH PONTE VEDRA, WHERE HE WAS AT.

>> PENDING ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT

>> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 14.

WELCOME >> I'M MARIE MORRISON. I HAVE A QUESTION ACTUALLY.

JUST SO HAPPENS THAT I PLANNED A FAMILY REUNION, WE RENTED A BEACH HOUSE ON BUTLER BEACH.

I'M JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHEN THIS PROJECT IS SUPPOSEDED TO START.

THANK YOU. >> SO THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS THIS, BOARD APPROVES US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT, WE'RE GOING TO START WORKING WITH THE CONTRACTORS RIGHT AWAY, AND I WILL SAY WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE'RE GOING TO START. LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC AND STUFF ON THE BEACH. BUT TO GIVE A HARD DATE, I DON'T HAVE THAT YET.

IT WOULD BE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. I WOULD SAY WE WOULD START

WITHIN JUNE. >> ANYBODY ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM?

>> SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> BACK TO THE BOARD.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT.

LET'S HAVE A MOTION. >> COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

OFFER A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-194 AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DESIGNEE TO AWARD BID NUMBER 23-41, CONSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY BERMS, FEMA CAT B, POST HURRICANE IAN AND NICOLE. SOUTH PORTION ANASTASIA ISLAND TO THE LOWEST AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER AT THE AMOUNT OF SUBMITTED TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED BID PRICE, TO RECOGNIZE A FEMA GRANT REIMBURSEMENT, IN AN AMOUNT UP TO 75 PERCENT. STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GRANT REIMBURSEMENT IN AN AMOUNT UP TO 12 AND A HALF PERCENT OF TOTAL BID PRICE, APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF GENERAL FUNDS RESERVES.

>> SECOND >> THANK YOU. >> I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

I'M TRYING TO GET THE ONE, BECAUSE WE HAD THE ACTUAL PRICES IN IT.

I APOLOGIZE. SORRY, COMMISSIONER. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DID

IT RIGHT. >> CAN WE WITHDRAW THE MOTION. >> WITHDRAW THE MOTION.

>> WITHDRAW AND SECOND. ALL RIGHT. MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-194, AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR DESIGNEE TO AWARD BID NUMBER 23-41 CONSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY BERMS. SOUTH PORTION OF ANASTASIA ISLAND TO PHILLIPS AND JORDAN INCORPORATED AT THE AMOUNT OF SUBMITTED TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED BID PRICE, $4,170,498. AUTHORIZE 700,000 FOR PROJECT DELIVERY COSTS AND RECOGNIZE FEMA GRANT REIMBURSEMENT OF $3,655,124. STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REIMBURSEMENT. APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF GENERAL

FUNDS, EQUAL TO 609,187 OF THE TOTAL BID PRICE. >> SECOND.

>> WELL DONE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

ALL RIGHT. THAT PASSES 5-0. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> I DO HAVE ONE OTHER THING TO BRING UP TO THE BOARD. IF I CAN GET MY CLICKER TO WORK. SO I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT CRESCENT BEACH, NEXT SECTION THAT IS UP AND READY TO GO. THIS IS THE SECTION SOUTH OF BUTLER, WHERE WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT. THERE IS TWO SECTIONS ELIGIBLE FOR SAND.

WE HAVE ONLY TWO POTENTIAL ACCESS POINTS RIGHT NOW. THE MATANZAS BEACH RAMP, WE HAVE MET WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND GETTING A PERMIT TO USE THEIR RAMP, BUT THEY CAME BACK AND DENIED OUR PERMIT. WORKING WITH THEM TRYING TO GET THE, ALL OF THE NEEDS, SO WE

[05:15:09]

BUT I THINK WE'RE IMPROVING OUR CHANCES. SO WITH THAT SAID, THE REASON WHY I'M BRINGING IT UP NOW, LOOKING FOR BOARD DIRECTION IS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO USE THE PROPERTY AT 7740 A1A AS AN ACCESS POINT. I CAN CREATE THE VEHICULAR ACCESS, USE IT AS A DRIVEWAY TO GET ON TO THE BEACH, EITHER TO BRING SAND, STORE EQUIPMENT, AND THEN WHEN IT'S DONE, I'LL BUILD IT BACK TO THE DUNE THAT IS CURRENTLY THERE.

IT IS A GOOD SPOT FOR US. IT'S ON THE NORTHERN END OF THE PROJECT AREA.

NOT CROSSING ANYBODY'S PROPERTY NOT GETTING SAND. WE'LL BE ABLE TO FACILITATE THIS FASTER. RIGHT NOW, IF WE HAVE FT. MATANZAS BEACH RAMP, WE'RE ESTIMATING 45, 50 DAYS TO DO THAT PROJECT AREA. IF WE HAVE TO COME IN THROUGH CRESCENT BEACH, IT'S NOT IDEAL, LOOKING AT DOUBLING THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND COSTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DRIVE DOWN TOWARDS THE AREA. YOU CAN ONLY DRIVE ON THE BEACH AT SIX MILES AN HOUR. INCREASED COSTS. FUEL COSTS.

TIME. SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT TIME AND MONEY THERE.

HAVING THE ACCESS AT 740 WILL ALLEVIATE THAT. AND IF THE FT. MATANZAS BEACH RAMP, THERE COULD BE DIFFERENT OPTIONS. NORTH, SOUTH, MEET IN THE MIDDLE. SO THAT PROJECT HAS NOT GONE OUT TO BID, BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SOLIDIFIED ACCESS. MY REQUEST IS IF THE BOARD WOULD ALLOW US TO USE THE 7440

ACCESS. OR USE IT AS AN ACCESS POINT >> DO YOU NEED A MOTION FOR

THAT? OR GENERAL CONSENSUS. >> I WOULD SAY GENERAL

CONSENSUS AND I CAN PUT IT OUT FOR A BID. >> IS THAT OKAY?

>> CONSENSUS WOULD BE SUFFICIENT. >> SO COMMISSIONER ALAIMO HAS

REQUESTED TO SPEAK >> I HAD A QUESTION. THIS IS TORTUGA.

ARE THOSE FOLKS IN THOSE CONDOS GOING TO BE NOTIFIED OF THIS. >> THERE IS A PUBLIC MEETING NEXT WEEK, TO TALK ABOUT THAT PARK AREA. I WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF THIS PARTICULAR ASK. I WANTED TO GET IT IN FRONT OF

THE BOARD BEFORE I TALKED TO ANYBODY. >> I GOTCHA.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS THIS WILL BE TAKING PLACE? >> CONSTRUCTION?

>> WE COULD DICTATE THAT HOWEVER WE WANT. AGAIN, WE DID 6:30 TO 7, WE COULD CHANGE THAT. WE COULD DO 7 TO 5. ANY COMBINATION.

BUT JUST THINK IF WE RESTRICT IT, IT ADDS MORE TIME. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

[15. World Golf Village Properties - Staff Assessment and Recommendations. ]

>> DO YOU HAVE TO TAKE OUT THE BIG HILL OR WORK AROUND THAT? >> WE WOULD TAKE IT DOWN AND

REPLACE IT WHEN WE'RE DONE. >> DO WE HAVE CONSENSUS TO LET TO USE THE ACCESS POINT TO SAVE GAS AND TIME AND MONEY. YES. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. WE ARE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 15:MS. ANDREWS.

THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE PROPERTIES. STAFF ASSESSMENT AND

RECOMMENDATIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MR. CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS.

THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR A VERY FIRST OPEN DISCUSSION AMONGST BOARD MEMBERS TO TALK ABOUT THE NEXT STEP FOR WORLD GOLF VILLAGE, IN LIGHT OF THEIR IMPENDING RELOCATION. A LITTLE BIT OF A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND. IN JULY, REALLY VERY PRECISELY ON THE 20TH OF JULY, 2022, WORLD GOLF VILLAGE LOCATION ANNOUNCED THE RELOCATION PLAN THROUGH A PRESS RELEASE.

WE LEARNED ABOUT THE NEWS OF RELOCATION ON THE 20TH OF JULY, 2022.

SINCE THEN, WE HAVE BEEN IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION AND I'M CONFIDENT ALL COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVES, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WHO HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS RELOCATION NEWS.

REALLY THE BRAIN STORMING AND UNCERTAINTY OF WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.

THIS PRESENTATION IS REALLY DESIGNED TO BE PROVIDING THE FACTS AROUND THOSE THREE PROPERTIES THAT I'M GOING TO OUTLINE HERE. AND ALSO, A FRAMEWORK FOR HOPEFULLY A ROBUST DISCUSSION AND WILL SEEK SOME DIRECTIONS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE

[05:20:06]

SO THE PROPOSAL FROM THE FOUNDATION AT THIS MOMENT IS THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING TO MOVE THEIR HALL OF FAME FROM THE CURRENT LOCATION AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, 2023 AND ARE POTENTIALLY SEEKING A TEMPORARY RELEASE EXTENSION, SO THAT THEY CAN MOVE ALL OF THEIR ARTIFACTS AND TANGIBLE ITEMS THAT STILL BELONG TO THE FOUNDATION. TO OTHER PROPERTIES THAT I WANTED TO ADD INTO THIS DISCUSSION, BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIP AND THEY ARE A PART OF THE GRANT TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, ONE OF THEM IS 21 WORLD GOLF PLACE, WHICH CURRENTLY HOUSED THE PGA TOUR PRODUCTIONS. THE PGA PRODUCTIONS IS PROPOSED TO BE VACATED AT THE END OF 2024. AND POTENTIALLY THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2025, INTO THEIR NEW LOCATION IN PONTE VEDRA. AND THE OTHER PIECE OF PARCEL OF THE TWO PROPERTIES IS SOUTH LEGACY TRAIL, LARGELY IS WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IN AN IMAGE IS A PARKING LOT, AND RIGHT-OF-WAYS, IRRIGATION, DRAINAGE, SUBMERGED LANDS.

KIND OF DIVING INTO A LITTLE BIT OF THE DETAILS OF THE HALL OF FAME LOCATION, IT IS ABOUT 64,000 SQUARE FEET AND IT'S MULTI-PURPOSE. WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION, AGAIN, NOTIFIED INTENT TO DISCONTINUE HALL OF FAME OPERATIONS, AT THIS TIME THEY'RE LOOKING AT A TIME FRAME OF SEPTEMBER OF 2023. AND LATER TIME, WE WILL DISCUSS WITH THE HALL OF FAME TO SORT OUT THE DETAILS OF THE CLOSURE OF OF THE CURRENT HALL OF FAME AND POTENTIAL NEED FOR A LEASE EXTENSION AND THIS BODY WILL LOOK AT THE EXTENSION REQUEST AND EITHER PROVIDES APPROVAL OR DENIAL. BASED ON OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE FOUNDATION, AT THE TIME OF DETERMINATION OF THIS USE, AND I AM GOING TO PULL UP THIS LANGUAGE REAL QUICK SO I CAN BE SURE, WE DO HAVE A GROUND LEASE AND GROUND LEASE NUMBER 23 CLEARLY ARTICULATED AT THE TERMINATION OF THE GROUND LEASE TERM, EITHER BY FORFEITURE DEFAULT OR LAPSE OF TIME. THE LEASEE SHALL SURRENDER THE PREMISES, INCLUDING THE FACILITY TO THE LEASER, WHICH SHALL THEREAFTER BE THE PROPERTY OF THE LEASER.

ALL PERSONAL PROPERTY INCLUDING EXHIBITS, EQUIPMENT AND OTHER TANGIBLE ITEMS SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTIES OF THE LEASEE AND SHALL BE REMOVED UPON TERMINATION OF THIS GROUND LEASE. JUST FOR THE INFORMATION OF THIS BOARD, THE GROUND LEASE TERMINATION TIMELINE IS -- LET'S SEE IF I CAN FIND IT. TERM TO 2094.

ITS NATURAL TERM. WHICH IS LISTED IN THE GROUND LEASE NUMBER TWO.

SO WITH THAT SAID, WITH THAT CONDITION, AT THE TIME OF TERMINATION OF THIS OPERATION, THE BUILDING ITSELF, AT FIRST WORLD GOLF PLACE WILL BE CONVEYED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FOR ITS OWNERSHIP. AND ONE OF THE DECISION POINTS THAT WE WANTED TO BRING UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS OPERATION OF IMAX FOUNDATION HAS A FRANCHISE WITH IMAX THEATER CURRENTLY IN THIS BUILDING. AND THE SIZE IS 17,865 SQUARE FEET.

WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION, SIMULTANEOUSLY NOTIFIED US OF THEIR INTENT TO DISCONTINUE IMAX OPERATION, AT THE SAME TIME OF THEIR TERMINATION OF THE HALL OF FAME OPERATION.

SO JUST AS I INDICATED IN EARLIER, THE CITATION OF THE PROVISION, THE EQUIPMENT, THAT IS TANGIBLE, MOVEABLE, WILL GO BACK TO THE FOUNDATION, BUT IN TERMS OF THE THEATER, THE EQUIPMENT, MOVIE SCREEN, AUDIO VISUAL, WOULD REMAIN IN THE BUILDING.

[05:25:01]

BETWEEN FIVE TO EIGHT YEARS. >> THE PRODUCTION BUILDING, CURRENTLY IS STILL OCCUPIED BY THE TOUR AS THEIR MAIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. WITH THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF THE ENTERTAINMENT BUILDING, THEY ARE PLANNING TO RELOCATE THE ENTIRE OPERATION OF THE TOUR PRODUCTION BY THE END OF 2024. BASED ON THE INFORMATION FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER OFFICE, THE JUST MARKET VALUE OF THIS PROPERTY IS 3.49 MILLION. AND THIS IS THE PROPERTY SURROUNDING THE LAKE.

IT'S A SOUTH LEGACY TRAIL. IT'S ABOUT 36 ACRES. LARGELY THEY ARE ENCOMPASSED OF PARKING LOTS, RIGHT-OF-WAYS IRRIGATION, ET CETERA. SUBMERGED LANDS.

OF COURSE WITH THE FOUNDATION RELOCATION, THIS BUILDING, THIS PROPERTY WILL REMAIN IN OWNERSHIP OF THE FOUNDATION. AND JUST MARKET VALUE FROM THE SAME ST. JOHNS COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE IS 5.13 MILLION. AERIAL MAP PROVIDED BY OUR LAND MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE ORIGINAL SERIES WAS ISSUED IN 1996, THEY WERE REFUNDED IN FULL BY THE SERIES OF 2001 BONDS.

2 2001 BONDS WILL MATURE IN 2023. ANY CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OF THESE PROPERTIES WILL HAVE NO ISSUE IN RELATION TO THE BOND. AND BOND OBLIGATIONS.

SO AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSIFIED AND COMPREHENSIVE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD WITH THE COMMUNITIES, THEY'RE SORT OF ANECDOTE IN NATURE, WITHOUT PLANNING PROCESS.

AT THIS TIME PROVIDING THIS RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF TO CONDUCT INFORMATIONAL GATHERING SESSIONS AND WOULD RECOMMEND THOSE INFORMATION GATHERING WOULD BE PROVIDED AND CONDUCTED IN A COMPREHENSIVE WAY. AND FACILITY TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND SURVEYS, SOLICIT PUBLIC INPUT ON POTENTIAL BEST FUTURE USE, WHICH WOULD GUIDE OUR PLANNING PROCESS IN THE FUTURE FOR THIS AREA. BRING BACK OPTIONS WITH ASSOCIATED COSTS SO THAT THIS BOARD CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT CONTINUING THE OPERATION OF IMAX WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR COUNTY RESIDENTS.

THE STAFF WILL THEN PRESENT A FINAL RECOMMENDED PLAN, INFORMED BY THE COMPILED INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY, STAKEHOLDERS AND EACH INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS AND PRESENT A FINAL RECOMMENDED PLAN TO A FUTURE BOARD MEETING. THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY INCLUSIVE PROCESS. AND THEN ELEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PROCESS.

AND I WOULD SAY BECAUSE OF THE OWNERSHIP DIFFERENCES IN THOSE THREE PROPERTIES, THE RECOMMENDED PLAN WOULD HAVE PROBABLY DIRECT IMPACT ON YOUR DECISION MAKING FOR THE PROPERTY THAT THE BOARD DOES P. AND THE POTENTIAL OUTCOME OR SUGGESTED USE FOR THE FUTURE, BEST USE FOR THE AREA, FOR THE PROPERTIES NOT BELONGING TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY WOULD BE MORE OF A GUIDANCE FOR THE BOARD OF WHEN YOU ACT AS A REGULATORY BODY WHEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ON LAND USE CHANGE ON OTHER PROPERTIES. FOR THOSE TWO PROPERTIES,

[05:30:41]

I LISTED TWO RECOMMENDED MOTIONS OF COURSE, WE ARE HERE, WE'LL BE ON STAND BY FOR ANY DIRECTION OR DISCUSSION THIS BOARD MAY WANT TO HAVE AND THEN CERTAINLY TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO RESPOND TO THOSE DIRECTION. SO AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE BOARD IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF TO INITIATE A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS TO COLLECT PUBLIC INPUT ON POTENTIAL BEST FUTURE USE OF ONE WORLD GOLF PLACE AND PRESENT OUTCOMES TO THE BOARD IN A FUTURE MEETING. SECOND, TO DIRECT STAFF TO CONDUCT DUE DILIGENCE RELATED TO THE IMAX OPERATIONS AND BRING BACK OPTIONS WITH ASSOCIATED COSTS. THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AND STAND BY FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

>> BEFORE WE GO INTO PUBLIC COMMENT, DOES ANYBODY WANT TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS?

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH >> OF COURSE, I DO. ARE WE -- THANK YOU.

ARE WE IN THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING SOME -- RUNNING THIS KIND OF THING, OR IS IT TO OUR BEST INTEREST JUST TO SELL IT? THE ONLY THING THAT I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, IMAX, WE HAVE THE AMPHITHEATER. YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT GOES TOGETHER OR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

BUT I WAS JUST CURIOUS, ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAYBE DEVELOP THIS OURSELVES

AND RUN IT AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF THING? >> I THINK THIS IS A POLICY DECISION THAT THIS BODY HAS TO DELIBERATE AND FINALLY MAKE. BUT AT THIS TIME WE DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SPECIFIC ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON THE PROPERTY THAT THE BOARD IS ABOUT TO OWN IN 3 MONTHS. BUT I WOULD SAY ANY DECISION THIS BOARD MAKE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF TO COME BACK WITH THE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS, THAT IS CERTAINLY

SOMETHING THAT THE STAFF WILL BE READY TO PROVIDE. >> THANK YOU, MS. ANDREWS.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME BEFORE WE HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT?

LET'S HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA

ITEM NUMBER 15. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. LONG DAY.

ED SLAVIN. I SUPPORT THE MOTIONS PROPOSED. GARY HEART SAID YOU WON'T GET THE GOVERNMENT OFF YOUR BACK UNTIL YOU GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF THE POCKETS.

YET ANOTHER CASE, WORLD GOLF VILLAGE, ST. JOHNS COUNTY GOT SNOOKED.

IT TURNS OUT COUNTY EMPLOYEES DID A FINE JOB WHEN WE DECIDED BCC DECIDED SOME YEARS AGO TO HAVE THE AMPHITHEATER RUN BY COUNTY EMPLOYEES. YOU'LL KINDLY RECALL THERE WAS AN ORGANIZATION CALLED SIGNATURE THAT HAD SOME INSIDERS INVOLVED.

SIGNATURE WANTED TO RUN THE AMPHITHEATER. SIGNATURE HAD NO EXPERIENCE IN RUNNING ANYTHING, NOT EVEN A CHILD'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. FORTUNATELY, WE HAD COUNTY EMPLOYEES RUN IT. COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB AT THE AMPHITHEATER. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT.

PHILOSOPHICAL DISCUSSION FOR ANOTHER DAY MAYBE. BUT LET'S NOT GET RIPPED OFF AGAIN. I THINK WHEN WORLD GOLF VILLAGE WAS CREATED, WE HAD A COUNTY COMMISSIONER AT THE TIME. HIS LAND WAS INVOLVED. WE DIDN'T DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE THEN. WE NEED TO HAVE VERY STRONG PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

WE NEED TO HAVE AN OMBUDSMAN, INSPECTOR GENERAL WORTHY OF THE NAME.

WE GOT OUR INSPECTOR GENERAL FIRED BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS DONE TO TRAY.

STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT IF WE ARE GOING TO GET AN ACCREDITED INSPECTOR GENERAL.

I THANK MS. ANDREWS. THANK YOU >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JAY, I LIVE AT 1624 SUGAR LOAF LANE, ST. AUGUSTINE.

[05:35:03]

WE HAVE ALSO HEARD RUMORS THAT OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA MAY BE LEAVING.

WHAT REPLACES THESE FACILITIES AND NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT WILL RESULT WILL IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY AND PROPERTY VALUES. SO THAT OUR HOMEOWNERS HAVE A VOICE IN THE PROCESS, OUR NEIGHBORS ARE FORMING A WORLD GOLF VILLAGE ALLIANCE OF HOMEOWNERS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION IS TO MONITOR HOW OUR COMMUNITY IS MANAGED AND IDENTIFY PROPOSED CHANGES. BY UNIFYING HOMEOWNERS, OUR OPINIONS WILL BE HEARD. AND WE CAN INFLUENCE DECISIONMAKERS TO SUPPORT GOOD INITIATIVES, HELP INCREASE HOME VALUES AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE AND PROVIDE SERVICES OF REAL VALUE. AND TO OPPOSE THOSE THAT ARE NOT BENEFICIAL TO THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE COMMUNITY. WE INVITE THOSE INTERESTED TO E-MAIL US AT WORLD GOLF VILLAGE ALLIANCE. WE AWE APPLAUD THE COUNTY FOR WANTING TO INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE RESORT AREA WHICH COULD CHANGE OVER TIME IN THEIR PLANNING. THANK YOU

>> THANK YOU. >> DORIS TAYLOR:HELLO AGAIN. LOTS OF QUESTIONS COME UP, BUT THE FIRST ONE IS, WHAT DOES IT COST TO OWN THIS THING? TAXES, KEEPS COMING UP.

IF IT'S GOING TO COST US ANYTHING TO OWN IT, I THINK WE SHOULD SELL IT.

I ASK ALSO, WHY ARE PEOPLE LEAVING? THE ANSWER? TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC. THAT IS BAD MANAGEMENT ON THE PART OF THIS COUNTY. YEAH. LET'S SELL IT.

AND THEN WHOEVER COMES IN, MAYBE WE HAVE IMPACT FEES AND THEY CAN HELP DEAL WITH THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. MAYBE THEY BRING MONEY IN, AND REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN ON THE RESIDENTS. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY BUSINESS OWNING THIS THING OR

RUNNING IT. PLEASE SELL IT. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM

>> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 15?

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> WHAT IS SO INTERESTING IS THAT THE HALL OF FAME HAD TO MOVE LOCATIONS BECAUSE OF LACK OF TRAFFIC.

IT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH ATTENDANCE. IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING.

COMMISSIONER DEAN >> I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE FIRST MOTION AND GIVE A LITTLE QUICK HISTORY. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT IN MY MIND TO HAVE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT, THE STAKEHOLDERS, HOMEOWNERS WHO NOW LIVE IN THE GENERAL AREA. BECAUSE I WAS HERE IN 1993.

DIRECTOR OF WATER MANAGEMENT. WAS INVOLVED IN PERMITTING THE HALL OF FAME.

AND WHEN THE HALL OF FAME PROJECT TOOK OFF IN, ACTUALLY, THE DISCUSSION STARTED IN '91, WHEN IT TOOK OFF IN '93, ABOUT THE ONLY STRUCTURE WITHIN A FIVE MILE RADIUS, MAYBE TEN MILE RADIUS WAS HORTON'S CORNER GROCERY. IT'S GONE NOW.

BUT NEVERTHELESS, WE NOW HAVE PICK A NUMBER, 20,000 RESIDENTS.

25,000. THAT ENCIRCLE THAT WHOLE AREA. SO IT'S IMPORTANT I THINK THAT WE ALL AGREE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ASK THOSE RESIDENTS WHAT THEIR WISHES ARE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN BOTH A REGULATORY AND PROPRIETARY GROWTH.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. >> I WOULD AGREE, COMMISSIONER DEAN.

I WAS A KID WHEN THIS WENT UP. IT'S BEEN A WHILE. I I HAVE A LOT OF THOUGHTS ON THIS. NUMBER ONE, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY TOWN HALLS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THIS. IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

NOT ONLY IN THE DISTRICT BUT COUNTYWIDE. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS BEEN OUT TO TAKE A TOUR. I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST DID RECENTLY.

I THINK THE POTENTIAL THERE IS HUGE. I HAVE THE OPPOSITE FEELING THAT WE SHOULD SELL IT. IN FACT, I THINK WE SHOULD ACQUIRE IT.

I THINK THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT BUYING IT. I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT POSSIBLY I DON'T KNOW, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WE NEED. WE HEARD THIS MORNING THAT OUR SUERVISOR OF ELECTIONS IS BURSTING AT THE SEEMS. WE AT THE CLERK'S OFFICE ARE

[05:40:03]

I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE IN THE DESIGN PROCESS OF THAT. BUT I KNOW AFTER SITTING ON THE LIBRARY BOARD, THAT IT'S ONLY EIGHT OR NINE MILLION DOLLARS AND THE LIBRARY IS CONCERNED THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO SERVE THAT POPULATION.

NOT TO MENTION, YOU'VE GOT RIVERTOWN WHO NEEDS A LIBRARY. NOCATEE WHO HAS BEEN PROMISED A LIBRARY. I THINK LOOKING AT PURCHASING THIS, POSSIBLY RETROFITTING IT FOR LIKE A COMMUNITY CENTER, LIBRARY, OFFICES, I YOU KNOW, ALL WHILE STILL PRESERVING SOME OF THE GOLF HERITAGE. I KNOW THAT WHEN I TALKED TO MR. MCLAUGHLIN, THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SPACE. I THINK THERE IS A CHANCE TO MARRY THESE CONCEPTS.

>> WHEN I TOOK THE TOUR, JESS WHO IS SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM RIGHT NOW, STARTED OUT BY SAYING SHE'S NOT A TOUR GUIDE, BY THE END OF THE TOUR, SHE COULD BE A TOUR GUIDE.

FANTASTIC JOB. WHEN I WAS WALKING AROUND, THESE FACILITIES ARE WORLD CLASS. THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE BUILT WORLD CLASS.

AND JUST OCCURS TO ME THAT WE SAW A $50 MILLION REQUEST FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR, BECAUSE HE IS WORKING OUT OF AN OLD POTATO CHIP FACTORY BUILT IN THE 1950S.

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS ASKING FOR TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLAR WORTH OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

CLERK OF THE COURTS ASKING FOR OFFICE SPACE IN EVERY BUILDING THAT EXISTS.

SO WE HAVE DEPARTMENTS THAT SERVE THIS COUNTY WHO NEED OFFICE SPACE.

AND IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A WASTE TO NOT HAVE ON THE TABLE AS ONE OF OUR OPTIONS ACQUIRING SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A FUNDING SOURCE THAT IS BUILT INTO THE BUDGET.

SO IF WE CAN ACQUIRE BUILDINGS TO MEET THE NEED WITHOUT SPENDING $100 MILLION IN CONSTRUCTION, SOMETHING ALREADY BUDGET, THAT SEEMS FOOLISH TO AT LEAST NOT ENTERTAIN THAT AS ONE OF THE OPTIONS. I'M SAYING THAT WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, HAVE TOWN HALLS, SOLICIT FEEDBACK. NOT FIND OUT WHAT THEY DON'T WANT, BUT WHAT IS A GOOD FIT FOR THIS AREA. BOY, IF WE DON'T CONSIDER THIS, I THINK IT WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY MISSED, GIVEN THE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS THAT WE'RE UNDER. AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS BEGGING FOR ANY AVAILABLE SPACE. SO THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD

>> I WANTED TO THROW A FEW MORE THINGS OUT THERE. >> ALSO YOU WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE ARCHITECT FOR THE DESIGN/BUILD FIRM WHAT THEY'VE

DONE FOR US. >> 770? >> NOT ALL OF IT.

NO. . >> SO WE'LL PROBABLY NEED TO GET THOSE NUMBERS SO WE CAN --

>> YEAH. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW FAR WE'RE INTO IT.

>> SURE. WE CAN GET THAT FOR YOU. >> ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS? JUST SO WE KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

[05:45:01]

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A MOTION >> MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO INITIATE A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS TO COLLECT PUBLIC INPUT ON POTENTIAL BEST FUTURE USES OF ONE WORLD GOLF PLACE AND

PRESENT OUTCOMES TO THE BOARD. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> COMMISSIONER DEAN GETS THE TIE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0. >> MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO

CONDUCT DUE DILIGENCE RELATED TO THE IMAX OPERATIONS >> COMMISSIONER ALAIMO WITH A

SECOND. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

THAT PASSES 5-0. >> AND I GUESS MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO BRING BACK SOME NUMBERS AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS ABOUT PUBLIC FACILITIES POTENTIALLY MOVING THERE.

WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE. >> SECOND >> COMMISSIONER ALAIMO WITH A SECOND. FURTHER DISCUSSION. PLEASE VOTE.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE'VE GIVEN THREE OPTIONS, MR. CONRAD, IS THERE ANY

FURTHER CLARIFICATION NECESSARY? >> NO, SIR.

[16. Consider appointments to the Contractors Review Board. ]

>> THANK YOU, MR. CONRAD. >> I HAVE ONE COMMENT. I KNOW THE SHERIFF NEEDED A NEW JAIL. JUST KIDDING. I THINK THE WORLD GOLF ALLIANCE WOULD LOVE THAT. ALL ABOUT CREATING JOBS. TRASH PICK-UP.

I'M SURE WE COULD GET TRASH PICK-UP. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. SO I THINK THAT CONCLUDES AGENDA ITEM 15.

MS. SPENCER, AGENDA ITEM 16. GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS, JOANNE SPENCER, SENIOR ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. LAST ITEM AGENDA, NUMBER 16. CURRENTLY THERE IS ONE VACANCY ON THE CONTRACTORS REVIEW BOARD DUE TO AN EXPIRED TERM OF LICENSE POOL CONTRACTOR JAMES BATTS. THIS VACANCY WAS ADVERTISED FOR EIGHT MONTHS.

WE HAD TWO APPLICATIONS. BOTH WERE CONSIDERED. PLEASE REVIEW FOR YOUR CONSIDERATIONS BOTH APPLICATIONS AND A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CONTRACTOR REVIEW BOARD. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M ON STAND-BY.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE. >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL

HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 16 >> SEEING THAN NO, NONE, WE

[Public Comment ]

WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT >> I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A MOTION TO APPOINT DARCY

STANFORD TO THE REVIEW BOARD >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

I'M SORRY. PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0.

>> OKAY. THAT CONCLUDES THE REGULAR AGENDA.

WE ARE NOW GOING TO MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS THAT WERE NOT ON TODAY'S AGENDAS.

IF YOU SPOKE DURING THE LUNCHTIME SEGMENT, YOU WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. BUT YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO SPEAK NOW.

GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING. ED SLAVIN.

ED SLAVIN.COM. HAPPY PRIDE MONTH. 79 YEARS AGO TODAY, MY FATHER JUMPED INTO ST. MARIE IN NORMANDY WITH 11,000 OTHER GUYS.

THE 82ND AIRBORNE TOOK IT BEFORE THE SUN ROSE THAT DAY. FIRST OF 10,000 TOWNS THAT AMERICA AND OUR ALLIES TOOK BACK FROM THE NAZIS. MY DAD TOLD ME WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY, JUST AS JFK'S DAD TOLD HIM. YOU HAVE TO STAND UP WITH PEOPLE WITH POWER OR THEY WALK ALL OVER YOU. WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF THAT IN ST.

AUGUSTINE, OVER THE YEARS, WE WON OVER 75 PUBLIC INTEREST VICTORIES, INCLUDING RAINBOW FLAGS ON THE BRIDGE OF ALLIANCE. INCLUDING AN ORDER, THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, WHICH DUMPED A LANDFILL IN A LAKE, TO KNOCK IT OFF AND REMEDIATE THE POLLUTION. NOWHERE WAS THAT SHOWN MORE THAN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WHEN THIS COUNTY -- ROBERT KENNEDY SAID IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO ALLOW DISSENT.

HE WAS MURDERED ON THIS DATE IN 1968. I WAS 11.

[05:50:08]

JUST LIKE WHAT HAPPENED THE OTHER TIME WITH THE PRIOR COMMISSION CHAIR.

IT WOULD BE NICE IF Y'ALL WOULD ANSWER YOUR MAIL AND ANSWER CONSTITUENTS WHEN THEY ASK YOU

TO RESPECT THEIR RIGHTS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

HI, THERE >> MY NAME IS ANN, I LIVE AT 728 OCEAN JASPER DRIVE.

AND I WISH I WAS A GOOD STORY TELLER AND I HAD A NICE STORY TO TELL TODAY.

BUT I CAN SAY THAT I AM A NATIVE FLORIDIAN, MY PARENTS WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL IN FLORIDA, MY KIDS WERE BORN AND RAISED IN FLORIDA AS WELL. I LOVE ST. AUGUSTINE.

THIS IS THE FOURTH HOA THAT I AS AN ADULT HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF.

YOU CAN GUESS I LIVE IN ROCK SPRINGS FARMS. IT'S 182 SMALL DEVELOPMENTS SOUTH OF 206 ON U.S. 1. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE BUILDER WANTED A HIGHER DENSITY NEIGHBORHOOD. THE DEVELOPER WANTED TO BUILD 24 MORE HOMES, WHICH HE DID NOT. BUT HE LEFT THE COVET OF MAINTENANCE AS A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOA BEHIND. TO BORROW ED'S TERM, I FEEL LIKE WE GOT SNOOKERED.

NONE OF US WERE TOLD THAT WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE COUNTY PARK.

IT IS A FINANCIAL BURDEN AND A RISK THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR, NOR SHOULD WE HAVE TO FUND A PARK IN PERPETUITY. MOST OF THE RESIDENTS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARE OF RETIREMENT AGE. THEY'RE RETIRED OR LIKE MYSELF, I HOPE TO BE RETIRED IN A COUPLE OF YEARS. BUT NOWHERE IN MY RETIREMENT PLAN IS A LINE THAT SAYS I NEED THESE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF A COUNTY PARK. I MEAN, THAT IS WHAT MY TAXES ARE FOR. I'M SURE YOU ALL WOULDN'T WANT TO BE IN THIS SITUATION EITHER.

ESPECIALLY IN RETIREMENT. IF WE GET SUED, I HEARD THAT THEY CAN SUE THE HOA AND PUT LIENS ON OUR HOUSES. WHAT KIND OF SITUATION IS THAT GOING TO PUT US IN? SO THAT IS WHY WE WERE HERE ALL DAY. WE WERE HERE AT THE LAST COMMISSION MEETING SPEAKIN, BECAUSE WE ARE SCARED. WE'RE SCARED ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I DON'T WANT TO MOVE. I LOVE MY HOUSE.

I LOVE ST. AUGUSTINE. AND THIS IS THE TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT THAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE. SOMEBODY EARLIER MENTIONED THAT OUR HOA LACKS FUNDS, WE'RE OPERATING IN THE RED. SHE WASN'T KIDDING WHEN SHE SAID WE HAD FUNDRAISERS TO BUY FLOWERS TO PUT AT THE ENTRANCE IN THE POOL IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. GO FUND ME PAGE OUT THERE FOR OUR GARDENING CLUB.

AND THERE IS GOING TO BE A BARBECUE FUND RAISING DINNER COMING UP.

BECAUSE A THIRD OF OUR HOA MONEY GOES TO THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT COUNTY PARK.

SO PLEASE HELP US GET THIS MAINTENANCE BACK OVER TO THE COUNTY, THE HOA SHOULDN'T BE PARK MANAGERS. AND NOR SHOULD WE BE PAYING TO MAKE, TO MAINTAIN THE PARK.

IT'S A TREMENDOUS FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL BURDEN BECAUSE WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. I KNOW SOME OF MY NEIGHBORS HAVE ASKED -- THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU >> GOOD AFTERNOON >> GOOD AFTERNOON

>> MY NAME IS FRANK LAMOTEA. I LIVE AT 58 ROCK SPRINGS FARMS. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE COVENANT THAT WAS AGREED TO BY THE DEVELOPER AND THE COUNTY AT THE TIME. THAT PROVIDED A PARK IN OUR ENTRANCE.

BUT ALSO PROVIDED THE FACT THAT THE HOA WOULD HAVE TO MAINTAIN THIS.

THAT WE DID NOT EVEN OWN. I'M A HOMEOWNER THERE AND I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THIS WAS

[05:55:05]

WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN LANDSCAPING. WE HAVE OUR OWN IRRIGATION SYSTEM. AND WE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAINTAIN A COUNTY-OWNED PARK. WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS. AND WE ARE ESSENTIALLY BEING DOUBLE TAXED FOR THIS DEAL. THAT WAS MADE BY A DEVELOPER, AGAIN, WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER AT THE TIME. WE DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE IN THE BACKGROUND TO DO THIS.

WE'RE AN HOA. WE DON'T -- THERE IS NO OTHER COUNTY PARK THAT IS MAINTAINED BY AN HOA IN THE COUNTY THAT WE ARE AWARE OF. AND WE REALLY DESIRE AND PLEAD THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO AMEND THIS TO CLOSE THE PARK NUMBER ONE, FOR LIABILITY, WE DON'T HAVE INSURANCE FOR IT, WE CAN'T GET INSURANCE BECAUSE WE DON'T OWN THE PROPERTY.

WE EITHER CLOSE IT OR HAVE THE COUNTY TAKE IT BACK. YOU OWN IT, YOU OUGHT TO MAINTAIN IT. AND TAKE A BURDEN OFF OF US AS HOMEOWNERS IN THIS SUBDIVISION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME:AND I APPRECIATE SOME HELP IN THIS MATTER.

WE CAME HERE TO LIVE NOT TO MAINTAIN A COUNTY PROPERTY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, ALMOST EVENING.

>> HELLO. THE LAST OF A LONG LINE. I AM CJ, LIVE AT 34 PIRATE PLACE IN ROCK SPRINGS FARMS. I JUST WANT TO STAND WITH MY NEIGHBORS TODAY AND AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THEY'VE SAID. WE NEED THE HELP, ACTION BY THE BOARD TO HELP US REMEDY THIS SITUATION. THAT ABSOLUTELY NONE OF US KNEW ABOUT WHEN WE BOUGHT OUR HOMES.

FRANKLY, IF I HAD KNOWN, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IN THERE. IT'S A HORRIBLE THING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH NOW. WE OWN OUR HOMES AND WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT YOU KNOW, THE FUTURE OF OUR HOMES AND OUR PROPERTY. AND YOU KNOW, I DON'T SEE ANY, I MEAN, THERE IS NO COMMON SENSE TO WHAT HAPPENED. YOU KNOW, IT WAS NOT ONLY WERE WE SNOOKERED, EVERY ONE OF US, BY AND SOME OF US WERE LIED TO. SOME OF THE PEOPLE WERE TOLD YOU KNOW, ACTION HAD BEEN APPROVED AND ALL OF THAT. IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED, PERIOD. AND YOU GUYS ARE THE ONES TO HELP US WITH THAT.

WE HAVE NO RECOURSE EXCEPT TO SUFFER. SELL OUR HOMES OR WHATEVER.

WE HAVE NO RECOURSE UNLESS YOU CAN HELP US. WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. HI THERE.

>> JAMES HINSLEY. MARSH LANDING COMMUNITY, PONTE VEDRA BEACH.

I WANT TO GO OVER SOMETHING REAL QUICK. I WANT THIS TO BE A SURPRISE, THIS IS WAYNE FLOWERS'S OPINION WHEN THE ISSUE WITH MARSH LANDING STARTED FIVE YEARS AGO.

IN ADDITION AS NOTED ABOVE, THERE IS RECORD SHOWING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IF NOT APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPER'S INTENTION TO CONSTRUCT ROADWAYS WITH SWALE DRAINAGE ELEMENTS, AND NOT CURB AND GUTTER. TWO WEEKS AGO, WHATEVER IT WAS, MR. FLOWERS CAME BACK AND SAID NOW THAT THE ROAD WATER THAT WE DON'T OWN CAN FALL ON OUR PROPERTIES BECAUSE THERE IS AN EASEMENT. HE IS TOTALL MISTAKEN. TEN FTEN FOOT, CLEARLY HE HAS CHANGED THIS MIND. HE HAS CHANGED HIS MIND AND IS ALLOWING ROAD WATER FROM A ROAD THAT WE PAY COUNTY TAXES ON TO FALL ON OUR PROPERTY AND IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN MARSH LANDING. WE'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. THIS IS THE REPORT THAT MR.

[06:00:01]

CAN'T HELP US. THE PLACE WAS BUILT 40 YEARS AGO.

IT IS WHAT IT IS. ONE THING THAT IS IN HERE, IS THE FLOODING OF PRIVATE PROPERTY. BASICALLY THE FIVE OF YOU, THE THREE OF YOU, AND ALL YOUR STAFF HAVE STOLEN OUR PROPERTY BY APPROVING THIS PERMIT. AND ALLOWING THEM TO STEAL OUR PROPERTY TO STORE WATER ON IT. THAT IS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT IN THIS COUNTY THAT YOU'RE ALLOWING DEVELOPERS AND SUBDIVISIONS TO STEAL OUR PROPERTY, TO STORE WATER.

AND MRS. JOSEPH, AS MUCH AS I DISLIKE YOU, YOU LIVE IN THIS SUBDIVISION.

>> MR. HINSLEY. THAT IS OUT OF LINE. >> YOU CANNOT SAY THAT.

>> I'M VERY UPSET. YOU LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY, YOU IGNORED THIS.

YOU JUST WASHED YOUR HANDS >> MR. HINSLEY, PLEASE ADDRESS THE COURT AS A WHOLE.

>> SO ALL FIVE OF YOU, IF YOU LIVE IN MARSH LANDING, THIS HAPPENED.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. MY PROPERTY WILL NOT BE STOLEN. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

IN THE LAST 35 SECONDS. I LEFT HERE A LITTLE BIT DEJECTED THAT KIND OF WIPED THEIR HANDS AFTER FIVE YEARS THAT I JUMPED THROUGH HOOPS. I PRAYED ALL THE WAY HOME WE FIND IT IN THE PLANS, IN YOUR RECORDS, WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. GUESS WHAT.

I SUBPOENAED THESE DOCUMENTS FOUR YEARS AGO. I FOUND EVERY SINGLE PLAN IN YOUR PUD. THAT MR. FLOWERS STATES THAT IF I FIND THOSE, I FOUND THOSE.

YOUR STAFF COULD FIND THEM. I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THAT. WE HAVE FOUND THE PLANS NOW AND

WE'RE READY TO GO. >> THANK YOU. >> I'M GOING TO RUN FOR

DISTRICT FOUR AGAINST YOU >> NO, SIR. >> GOOD EVENING.

>> FIRST OF ALL, A COUPLE OF COMMENTS, ON THE ROCK SPRINGS FARM PARK, I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE. CLEARLY A CASE OF DEVELOPER CONCESSIONS GONE AWRY IN THE WORST WAY. I HOPE THE COUNTY CAN ASSIST THE HOMEOWNERS IN CORRECTING THIS. I KNOW IF THERE IS A WAY, YOU WILL.

AS FOR THE WORKFORCE HOUSING, I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ALL PUT THE BRAKES ON.

IT WAS VERY CONFUSING. WE JUST NEED A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO GET THIS SQUARED AWAY.

WHEN YOU DO COME BACK IN TWO WEEKS, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THERE COULD BE A SLIDE PUT UP THERE WHO TELLS EVERYBODY WHAT TERMS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS WORKFORCE HOUSING TO BE PURCHASED. IS IT DETERMINED BY INCOME, JOB TITLE, WHO YOUR EMPLOYER IS? WHAT ARE THE EXACT PARAMETERS OF PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM? I THINK IF WE COULD ALL SEE IT UP THERE AND KNOW THIS IS IT. THAT IT WOULD REALLY BE HELPFUL. I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT. IN TWO WEEKS, WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK HERE AND ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW, I THINK, IS THE MULTIFAMILY AT WATSON ROAD AND U.S. 1, COMING BACK FOR A REHEARING.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH YOU ALL REHEARING IT. BUT I HOPE THAT YOU WILL KEEP IN MIND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, THAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT AGAIN.

COMMISSIONER DEAN, ACTUALLY ASKED FOR A LISTING OF WHAT KIND OF HOUSING IS IN LINE, IN THE PIPELINE, BUT HAS NOT YET HAD A CO. I'M NOTICING A LOT OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS, TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENTS, MULTI-HOUSING, THAT HAVE ALL JUST MUSHROOMED ALL OF A SUDDEN DOWN IN OUR AREA. AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE COMING ONLINE. PLEASE CAN WE PLEASE LEAVE THE COMP PLAN ALONE.

WE'RE GETTING READY TO REVISIT THAT. WE'VE GOT ALL OF THIS NEW STUFF COMING. MS. ARNOLD SAID THIS MORNING IT IS A TIMING INFRASTRUCTURE READINESS ISSUE. I THINK SHE HIT IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD.

EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. IT'S NOT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION OR ANYTHING ELSE.

[06:05:01]

WE JUST NEED A BREAK. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> DORIS TAYLOR. SO YES, WE NEED A BREAK. TIMING MATTERS.

IN HIS NOVEL, 1984, ORWELL WROTE THE SLOGAN OF BIG BROTHER'S POLITICAL PARTY AS, WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.

END QUOTE. TODAY'S DEI PUSHERS HAVE DONE ORWELL PROUD.

DIVERSITY MEANS UNIFORMITY OF THOUGHT AND PRACTICE. ALONG IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL LINES. EQUITY DOES NOT MEAN EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY.

IT MEANS EQUALITY OF RESULT. WHICH INVOLVES HANDICAPPING THE MOST TALENTED AND TAKING FROM THE MOST PRODUCTIVE TO GIVE HANDOUTS TO THE LAZIEST AND LEAST MOTIVATED.

INCLUSION MEANS EXCLUSION. EXCLUSION OF UNPOPULAR SPEAKERS FROM PUBLIC VENUES.

AND EXCLUSION OF IDEAS THAT VARY FROM A POLITICALLY RIGID ORTHODOXY.

IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, WE HAVE OUR OWN INSIDE OUT LANGUAGE. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MEANS NO PLAN AT ALL. BECAUSE THIS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TAKES EXCEPTION TO THE PLAN EVERY MONTH. IF YOU GO ON A DIET, MAKE EXCEPTIONS NEARLY EVERY DAY, LITTLE TREATS OR SECOND HELPINGS, THE DIET WON'T WORK. IF YOU DEVELOP A BUDGET TO GET OUT OF DEBT, BUT YOU SPEND BEYOND WHAT YOU BUDGETED, YOU WILL REMAIN IN DEBT.

IF YOU MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, BUT THEN CONTINUALLY TAKE EXCEPTION TO IT, ENABLING DEVELOPERS TO DO THINGS NOT OTHERWISE ALLOWED BY THE PLAN, THEN IT'S AS THOUGH THERE IS NO PLAN AT ALL. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A REVIEW OF THE COMP PLAN IS COMING UP SOON. AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF REVISING OUR COMP PLAN, LET'S MAKE SURE IT'S A PLAN THAT WILL WORK FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY, THIS PLAN SHOULD FOCUS ON GETTING OUR ROADS, SCHOOLS AND POLICE UP-TO-DATE AND PREPARED TO HANDLE THE INFLUX OF PEOPLE WE EXPECT FROM THE ALREADY APPROVED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

WHILE WE'RE AT IT, LET'S PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE POLICE FORCE.

WE NEED SHERIFFS WHO ARE ALLOWED TO DO THE JOB OF KEEPING THE POLICE.

[Commissioners’ Reports ]

DORIS TAYLOR. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE

PUBLIC COMMENT >> THANK YOU, MADAM VICE CHAIR. INTO COMMISSIONER REPORTS.

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH >> THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO DO CITIZENS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AND I USED TO BE IN THE TRACK AND FIELD AND I WOULD WALK ACROSS THE FIELD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A BROOM ALMOST HIT ME IN THE HEAD AND THIS KID THREW A BROOM ACROSS THE ENTIRE FOOTBALL FIELD. I GOT HIM TO COME OUT FOR MY TRACK TEAM AND HE ENDED UP AT STANFORD AND ON THE U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM.

I'M BRINGING UP ISABELLA, I WAS HER CATHOLIC SCHOOLTEACHER. YOU KNOW, SHE FOUND THIS WONDERFUL TALENT AND SHE WON STATE FOR PONTE VEDRA HIGH SCHOOL IN THE JAVALAN.

SHE USED TO BE A LA CROSSE PLAYER. NOW SHE STILL HAS ANOTHER YEAR LEFT. SO LOOK-OUT COLLEGE AND MAYBE OLYMPIC TEAM ONE DAY.

I WANTED TO GIVE HER A GOOD JOB >> VERY NICE. COMMISSIONER ALAIMO.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE FOLKS WHO CAME OUT FROM ROCK SPRINGS FARMS, THEY'VE BEEN OUT HERE ALL DAY. MAKING THEIR COMMENTS.

I ALSO DID AN HOA MEETING WITH THEM, RYAN AND I BOTH DID. WE WENT THERE A FEW WEEKS BACK.

THEY HAD OVER 100 PEOPLE THERE. OUT IN THE RAIN. AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST ENERGIZED AND PASSIONATE FOLKS YOU WILL MEET. THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR

[06:10:02]

WELL, WE HAVE 87 PARKS BUT THEY'RE SPECIAL PURPOSE PARKS. BEACHFRONT PARKS AND THEN WE HAVE BOAT LANDINGS AND RAMPS AND KAYAK LAUNCHES. I DO HAVE CONCERNS OVER LIABILITY. I HAD SHARED THIS WITH DAVID. YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY WERE TO GET HURT OUT THERE, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE ULTIMATELY, COULD THEY COME AFTER THE COUNTY WITH

THAT DAVID? >> I MEAN, IT'S CURRENTLY MANAGED BY ROCK SPRINGS FARM.

THEY COULD GO AFTER THEM OR THE COUNTY. A PLAINTIFF WILL SUE ANYONE AND

EVERYONE WHEN THERE IS AN INJURY. >> OKAY.

YEAH. CONCERNS ABOUT THE LIABILITY, I HAD A MESSAGE THAT ONLY COUNTY APPROVED VENDORS CAN APPROVE ON THE PARK. IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> RYAN KING RESPONSE TO THAT IS THERE IS DEFINITELY SITUATIONS THAT THAT WOULD ARISE, THE PLAYGROUND IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THAT. TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE CERTIFIED PLAYGROUND INSPECTORS AND MANUFACTURERS FOR THAT TYPE OF SCENARIO

>> OKAY. SO THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE BUT THEY CAN ONLY

USE COUNTY APPROVE VENDORS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PARK? >> ON SOME OF THE MAINTENANCE,

CORRECT, SIR. >> ALL RIGHT. YOU KNOW, I'M JUST ONE OF FIVE, AS I EXPLAINED TO THEM AT THAT MEETING, I KNOW LIKE I SAID, THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'VE BEEN BLIND SIDED WITH THIS. I EXPLAINED TO THEM, YOU KNOW, MAJOR MODIFICATION.

THAT IS THE PROCESS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH IF THEY WANT THE COUNTY TO TAKE OVER THE MAINTENANCE, THERE IS A PROCESS FOR THAT. I HAVE HAD OUR STAFF GUIDING THEM, ASSISTING THEM, THEY DID HAVE SOME QUESTIONS WITH REGARDS TO THE COUNTY STAFF KIND OF SERVING ALMOST AS THE APPLICANT. WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

AND PRESENT. I KNOW THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY HAD ASKED ABOUT. THEY WERE TRYING TO SAVE COSTS AND NOT GET AN ATTORNEY.

BUT THAT IS NOT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE UNABLE TO DO THAT. AND THEN THE OTHER QUESTION THEY HAD WAS YOU KNOW, WAIVING THE FEE FOR THE MAJOR MODIFICATION.

I THINK IT'S AROUND 3,000 OR SO. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT AMOUNT FOR THAT. BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAS TO BE FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE IN ORDER TO WAIVE IT. SO I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS QUALIFIES FOR THAT.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT FORWARD TO THE BOARD. I HAVE HEARD THESE FOLKS CONCERNS. THE OTHER QUESTION THAT THEY HAD, RYAN WAS ABOUT CLOSING THE PARK. I DON'T KNOW. INQUIRED ABOUT THAT ORIGINALLY,

THEY CAN'T CLOSE THE PARK. >> I WOULD LOOK FOR LEGAL GUIDANCE ON THAT FROM THE LEGAL TEAM ON THAT. BECAUSE THAT GOES BACK TO THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT

>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER, IT WOULD BE LARGELY DEPENDENT ON TERMS OF

THE AGREEMENT WHICH I DON'T HAVE IN FRONT OF ME. >> OKAY.

>> COUNTY LIKELY WOULD HAVE RESERVED RIGHTS UNDER SUCH A SCENARIO.

I THINK IT WOULD -- WE WOULD HAVE TO REVIEW THE DOCUMENTS. I CAN'T GIVE AN OPINION RIGHT

NOW. >> OKAY. BUT THEY COULDN'T -- I MEAN, SINCE THEY HAVE THE MAINTENANCE TO MAINTAIN IT, THEY COULDN'T PUT TAPE AROUND IT, AND SAY THIS IS CLOSE. WE HANDLE THE MAINTENANCE BUT WE'RE NOT DOING THAT.

>> I'M SPECULATING. >> POTENTIAL BREACH OF CONTRACT.

AGAIN, I'M SPECULATING BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE AGREEMENTS IN FRONT OF ME.

YOU KNOW, IF THEY UNILATERALLY TAKE ACTION, THAT IS VIOLATIVE OF THE TERMS THEY AGREED TO, THERE IS A POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIM THERE. I'M SPEAKING IN GENERALITIES,

NOT SPECIFICS RIGHT NOW. >> THANKS, DAVID. APPRECIATE IT.

THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO REPORT. LIKE I SAID, THESE ARE VERY ENERGIZED PASSIONATE FOLKS.

IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION. BLIND SIDED BY THIS. BUT YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF THE MAJOR MODIFICATION. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT.

THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO REPORT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER DEAN

>> WELL, SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE CAN TALK WITH EACH OTHER, COMMISSION MEETING, I

[06:15:07]

AS ONE COMMISSIONER. I WILL TELL YOU THAT AS ONE COMMISSIONER, THAT I SUPPORT ANYTHING WE NEED TO DO AS A COMMISSION AND CAN DO AS A COMMISSION, TO RELIEVE THIS HOA FROM THE BURDEN OF MAINTENANCE AND THE BURDEN OF INSURANCE, BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT.

BUT AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THAT WE AS A COMMISSION, DIDN'T DAWN ON US AT THE TIME AT ALL.

BUT IF IT'S A COUNTY PARK, WE NEED TO BE MAINTAINING IT, AND IT COULD BE UMBRELLAED UNDER OUR BLANKET INSURANCE FOR ALL OF THE 27 PARKS. EITHER THAT OR WE NEED TO, FRANKLY, WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? I THINK WE OUGHT TO CONVEY THE LAND BACK TO THE HOA, LET IT BE A DOG WALKING PARK, PRIVATELY. I THINK IT OUGHT TO BE PUBLIC OR PUBLIC, NOT HYBRID. THAT IS WHERE I COME DOWN. AND WITH THAT, IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. SO I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANYMORE ISSUES TO ADDRESS.

>> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU HAVE SOMETHING. >> SO CAN YOU MAKE MOTIONS LIKE

THAT TODAY OR DO THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS? >> IF I COULD INTERJECT, I THINK IT SOUNDS AS IF AN APPLICATION FOR MAJOR MODIFICATION IS IN SOME SORT OF PROCESS RIGHT NOW. THAT WOULD BE A QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING, BASED ON THE EVIDENCE BROUGHT BEFORE YOU BOTH IN A STAFF REPORT OR RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PZA.

AND A PRESENTATION BEFORE THE BOARD. AND YOU SHOULD BASE YOUR DECISION ON THAT BASED ON THE EVIDENCE THAT YOU HEAR AT THAT TIME.

SO I THINK IT'S PREMATURE TO BE DISCUSSING THIS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN PUT ON, I DON'T WANT TO SAY PUT ON NOTICE, BUT WE'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE APPLICANT IS ATTEMPTING TO BRING FORWARD A MAJOR MODIFICATION. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE BOARD WITHHOLD COMMENTING AT THIS TIME, REVIEW THAT QUASI-JUDICIAL ITEM AND WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROPER FORM AND MAKE A DECISION THEN AND YOU COULD ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME DISCUSS

OTHER OPTIONS PERHAPS AS WELL. >> I APPRECIATE YOU CHIMING IN:BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S DIFFICULT TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE REQUIRED BY THE LAW TO REMAIN UNDECIDED UNTIL THE DAY

OF THE HEARING. THANK YOU >> COMMISSIONER DEAN, YOU'RE

ALL DONE. >> I HAVE A BRIEF LIST. TRY TO BE QUICK.

I KNOW IT'S LATE. I WANT TO SAY I'M EXCITED TO SEE OUR COUNTY LOGOS SLOWLY ROLLOUT. SEEING IT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

I THINK THAT GOING WITH LOCAL FLAGLER GRAD STUDENTS, I THINK IT WAS AN AMAZING IDEA, SO MANY ASPECTS OF THIS COUNTY THAT THEY HAD TO CAPTURE, I THOUGHT THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB.

SECONDLY, I THINK I POINTED IT OUT, WE APPROVED THIS MORNING, ALMOST TWO MILLION DOLLARS TO GO TOWARDS ABILITY HOUSING. 92 UNITS. TRULY AFFORDABLE.

WITH A CAPITAL A. THIRD THING, I THINK I GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF ON THE WORLD GOLF DISCUSSION. I WANTED TO MAYBE REEVALUATE. I WAS HOPING TO PAUSE THE LIBRARY PLANS FOR WORLD GOLF VILLAGE, POSSIBLY TO GET A CONSENSUS TO REEVALUATE WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT AND LOOK AT IT AS A POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCE TO LOOK AT PURCHASING THE BUILDINGS IN WORLD GOLF. I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS 100 PERCENT CLEAR ON THAT.

BUT THAT WAS MY DESIRE. WAS TO JUST PUT A PAUSE ON THAT.

>> NO, SIR. I'M GLAD YOU CLARIFIED THAT. IT WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AND WE WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU A WHITE PAPER. IF YOU WANT US TO COMPLETELY PAUSE CONSENSUS, THAT IS FINE. I DON'T THINK WE NEED A MOTION. YOU'LL GET A WHITE PAPER IN HOW MUCH HAS BEEN PUT IN THUS FAR. AND WE CAN PUT A PAUSE ON ANYTHING AT THIS POINT WITH, I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE HAVE UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE DESIGNER AT THAT POINT. SO I HAVE TO LOOK FOR LEGAL FOR THAT.

CERTAINLY WE CAN WORK ON NOT EXPENDING TOO MUCH MORE DOLLARS UNTIL WE CAN COME BACK AND GET

YOU INFORMATION TO THE BOARD. >> CONSENSUS. >> I THINK THAT WAS THE INTENT

OF THE MOTION. >> I WANT TO BE SURE I GOT IT RIGHT.

>> IF THERE IS CONSENSUS, WE'LL PAUSE WHATEVER WE CAN LEGALLY PAUSE.

[06:20:01]

>> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. GOOD. GOOD.

>> FOURTH THING, I WANTED TO SEND OUT PERSONALLY AND AS COMMISSION, AS THE COUNTY, OUR PRAYERS TO SERGEANT MICHAEL KUNOVICH'S FAMILY. WE LOST A MEMBER OF OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO. HE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE AND I JUST WANTED TO SEND OUT THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO HIS FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU. I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> THAT IS IT. >> I'VE GOT TWO THINGS QUICKLY. WE HAVE A MEMBER IN OUR COMMUNITY, PAT LAWRENCE, SERVED ST. JOHNS COUNTY ON OUR LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD, BECOMING CHAIRMAN IN 1989, EVER-PRESENT POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THE LIBRARY GROUP BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY GROUP, SHE AT THE AGE OF 92, SHE CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE LIGHT HOUSE AND HELD UP A LARGE I LOVE MY LIBRARY CARDBOARD HEART AS A PROMOTIONAL PHOTO.

SHE IS A FIXTURE AND A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ALL OVER ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THAT SHE DID TURN 100 THIS WEEKEND.

AND SHE IS CERTAINLY SHOULD BE A NAME THAT WE ALL REMEMBER, FOR ALL THAT SHE'S DONE FOR ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. ESPECIALLY THE LIBRARY SYSTEM. SECONDLY, VERY BRIEFLY -- ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT. I APPRECIATE THAT. SHE DESERVES A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR EVERYBODY. JUST SAY THANK YOU. I AM SURE SHE WOULD APPRECIATE YOU RECOGNIZING HER FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT SHE'S DONE SINCE THE MID '80S.

SECONDLY, CONSERVATION, SAVING OUR TREES, GREEN SPACE IN FLORIDA IS OFTEN A TOPIC IN CONVERSATION. I PROPOSED TO MY WIFE AT A STATE PARK.

WE GOT MARRIED AT ANOTHER STATE PARK. WE ENJOYED THE GREEN SPACE FLORIDA OFFERS ALL OF OUR LIVES. CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE THAT TALKS ABOUT THE RATE WHICH THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA IS GROWING.

WE PASSED 22 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE LAST YEAR. 2030, WE'RE GOING TO PASS 25 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE. AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE STEPS TAKEN TO PRESERVE GREEN SPACE.

DURING THIS RECENT BUDGET, THEY SPENT $100 MILLION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF 40,000 ACRES OF

[County Administrator’s Report ]

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. A COUPLE OF THINGS FOR THE COMMISSION THIS AFTERNOON.

YOU ARE WELL AWARE WITH THE CULTURAL EVENTS, P-3 PROPOSAL WE RECEIVED ON JANUARY 23RD THIS YEAR. APRIL THE COUNTY ADVERTISED SOLICITATION FOR ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS TO WHICH WE RECEIVED NONE. AT THIS POINT, STAFF IS LOOKING FOR APPROVAL AND CONSENSUS FROM THE BOARD TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS THAT WOULD BRING BACK A CONTRACT AT A LATER DATE TO POTENTIALLY BE APPROVED BY THIS BOARD.

I WOULD NOTE THAT WE'RE STILL WAITING ON THE CONTRACT FROM THE CULTURAL EVENTS, INCORPORATED. WE THOUGHT WE MAY BE RECEIVING IT AT THE END OF LAST WEEK.

WE'RE WAITING ON THAT CONTRACT FROM THEM. BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO GET CONSENSUS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE NEGOTIATION AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE THAT.

THE NEGOTIATION TEAM HAS ALREADY BEEN DIRECTED AND ADVISED AND FORMULATED.

SO AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE THAT, WE WILL BE READY TO GO, IF THE BOARD WILL GIVE CONSENSUS.

WE BELIEVE THERE IS CONSENSUS NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE THAT CONTRACT TO

BRING BACK. >> ONE MORE THING, AS YOU WERE BRIEFED ON LAST THURSDAY AS WELL, THE COUNTY HAS THE CSR IN PROJECT AT VILANO, WHERE THE ARMY CORPS IS ASKING FROM A COMMITMENT FROM THE COUNTY TO COMMIT TO FUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE HOLD-OUT PARCELS. TODAY I'M ASKING FOR PERMISSION FOR A LETTER TO BE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.