Apr 16, 2024 Board of County Commissioners

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GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

[Call to Order by Chair]

ONCE YOU FIND THE MEETING AGENDA, YOU CAN CLICK ON THE AGENDA ITEM TO ACCESS ALL OF THE SUPPORTING MATERIALS.

THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO COMMENT ON ANY AGENDA ITEM DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.

PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES AND SHOULD THE PRESENTER HAVE ANY EXHIBITS OR PHOTOGRAPHS, PLEASE PROVIDE THOSE MATERIALS TO THE CLERK OF COURT FOR INCLUSION INTO THE RECORD. IF THE CLERK WOULD PLEASE CALL ROLL CHAIR COMMISSIONER SARAH ARNOLD PRESENT.

VICE CHAIR. COMMISSIONER ROY ALAIMO PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAN WHITEHURST, PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER. KRISTA JOSEPH, PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER HENRY DEAN PRESENT.

OKAY. AND WE ARE ALL HERE.

THAT LEADS US INTO OUR INVOCATION.

WE WELCOME PASTOR BRANDON HICKS FROM ANCHOR FAITH CHURCH.

GOOD MORNING. LET US PRAY.

DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND THE EARTH, WE PLACE OURSELVES IN REMEMBRANCE THAT YOU ARE THE RULER OF ALL, AND THAT YOU ABOVE ALL UNDERSTAND THE NEED IN THE GOVERNANCE OF HUMANITY.

FOR IN THE BEGINNING YOU CREATED MAN, BOTH MALE AND FEMALE, IN YOUR IMAGE AND LIKENESS, AND ENTRUSTED TO MAN THE MANDATE OF DOMINION AND DOMINION THAT RESTS SOLELY ON THE OBEDIENCE TO YOUR WILL AND YOUR PURPOSE.

IN ESSENCE, YOU DESIRE TO RULE FROM YOUR REALM INTO THIS REALM.

THROUGH THE MAN SUBMITTED TO YOUR SPIRIT.

WE HUMBLY COME TO YOU TODAY IN PRAYER, SEEKING THAT YOUR WILL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WRITTEN WORD, THAT YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

WITH THIS IN MIND, I PRAY THAT THESE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL TRUST IN YOU, LORD, WITH ALL THEIR HEARTS, AND WILL NOT LEAN ON THEIR OWN UNDERSTANDING, NOR BE WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES. FOR THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMS RIGHT TO A MAN, BUT IN ITS END IS THE WAY OF DEATH.

GIVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE THAT TO DISCERN THE SPIRIT BETWEEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR.

MAY WE SEEK YOUR WILL TODAY AND NOT THE WILL OF ANOTHER.

FOR WHERE THERE IS SELFISH AMBITIONS, THERE IS EVERY EVIL THING.

I PRAY THAT WITH ALL THEY ENCOUNTER TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE, THAT THEY WILL ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AND YOUR WILL, AND THAT YOU WILL DIRECT THEIR DECISIONS.

LORD, STRENGTHEN THEM AND THEIR CALL TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND MAY BLESSINGS, PROTECTION AND STRENGTH SURROUND THESE COMMISSIONERS, THEIR STAFFS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

IN THE NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY.

AMEN. AMEN.

AND NOW TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE, PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS LARRY MULL, UNITED STATES NAVY.

GOOD MORNING, SIR. GOOD MORNING.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND THAT LEADS US INTO OUR PROCLAMATIONS OF WHICH WE HAVE FOUR.

[Proclamation Recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week]

GOOD MORNING.

THIS MORNING WE RECOGNIZE PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK.

AND AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL UP OUR SHERIFF, ROB HARDWICK AND OUR CHIEF MCGEE, TO COME FORWARD.

SHANE IS GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE PROCLAMATION INTO THE RECORD, AND WE'LL HAVE OUR SHERIFF AND CHIEF SAY A FEW WORDS.

A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA.

WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS OF THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, JSO AND SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, SJC, FR PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN LIFE AND PROPERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS ARE THE FIRST CRITICAL CONTACT OUR CITIZENS HAVE WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES, THESE DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN ARE FIRST RESPONDERS SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND WHEREAS, THE SAFETY OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS, DEPUTY SHERIFFS, FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS IS DEPENDENT UPON THE QUALITY AND ACCURACY OF INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CITIZENS WHO TELEPHONE THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER. AND WHEREAS, PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS OF THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FIRE RESCUE HAVE CONTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS, SUPPRESSION OF FIRES AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS.

AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT THE WEEK OF APRIL 14TH THROUGH APRIL 20TH, 2024 BE DESIGNATED NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK, RECOGNIZING EACH PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR THAT HAS EXHIBITED COMPASSION, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFESSIONALISM DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR JOB IN THE PAST YEAR.

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MADAM CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS, OF COURSE, OUR RESIDENTS OF SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY.

JUST A QUICK MINUTE TO JUST RAISE SOME NUMBERS TO YOUR CONCERNS.

OF COURSE, YOUR ATTENTION TO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

OF COURSE, HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, THESE MEN AND WOMEN BEHIND ME.

AND I'M JUST SPEAKING FOR THE SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

OF COURSE, CHIEF WILL ACTUALLY SPEAK FOR SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE, BUT OVER 414,000 CALLS OF INGOING AND OUTGOING CALLS IN 2023, OUT OF THAT, 265,000 ARE WHAT THEY CALL COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH CALLS FOR SERVICE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

IN ADDITION, OUT OF THAT, 115,000 911 CALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE BELIEVE IN A LONG TIME.

THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 911 COMMUNICATORS ARE ACTUALLY AT ALMOST FULL STAFF ALMOST WITH 70 PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY WORK THE PHONES FOR THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JUST AT THE 911 CENTER.

SO ON BEHALF OF THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I'M NOT REALLY SURE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE DOORS HERE OF THE 911 CENTER, BUT THEY ARE A BUNCH OF AMAZING GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE TRULY PROTECTING THE 601MI² OF LAND AND 221MI² OF WATER.

SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

GOD BLESS EVERYTHING YOU ALL DO.

AND I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH, BUT TRULY HUMBLED TO BE YOUR SHERIFF.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

THE SHERIFF TOUCHED ON MOST OF IT.

I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE TELECOMMUNICATORS FOR WHAT THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS.

OFTEN, THEY ARE THE UNRECOGNIZED, UNSUNG HEROES OF THE 911 RESPONSE SYSTEM.

WITHOUT THEM, WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE'RE GOING WHERE WE'RE GOING.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE'RE GOING.

THEY'RE THE FIRST ONES TO TAKE THE CALL.

THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CALM PEOPLE DOWN ON THE PHONE TO GET THE MOST INFORMATION THEY CAN.

THEY WORK DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

WE ARE ALSO AT FULL STAFF IN OUR COMMUNICATIONS CENTER.

AND ALSO WE ALSO DO ANIMAL CONTROL DISPATCHING.

ALSO, I DON'T WANT TO FORGET FORGET THEM, BUT IT'S AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM THIS MORNING.

AND I APPRECIATE THEM FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS AND WHAT THEY DO FOR US.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SHERIFF. THANK YOU, CHIEF, AND THANK YOU TO ALL FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

KEEPING US SAFE. WE HAVE TWO PROCLAMATIONS, ONE FOR THE SHERIFF AND ONE FOR THE CHIEF.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

I AM.

[Proclamation Recognizing April 27th as American Legion Family Day]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IF I COULD HAVE MISS BRIDGET GREENE AND ANYBODY ELSE WHO'S HERE FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION JOIN ME ON THE FLOOR.

I'D APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

SHAYNA, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE PROCLAMATION INTO THE RECORD, A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA.

WHEREAS THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION ESTABLISHED THEIR PRINCIPLES THROUGH THE CREATION OF THE FOUR PILLARS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, WHICH ARE VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION, NATIONAL SECURITY, AMERICANISM, AND CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMS. AND WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN LEGION PASSED RESOLUTION SEVEN.

AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY DAY TO BE OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON THE LAST SATURDAY OF APRIL.

AND WHEREAS THE GOAL IS TO EDUCATE THEIR MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY ON THEIR NEW INITIATIVE, BE THE ONE TO BRING AWARENESS TO VETERAN SUICIDE AND DESTIGMATIZE THE COURAGEOUS DECISION TO SEEK MENTAL HEALTH.

AND WHEREAS THE AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY CONTINUES TO REMAIN STEADFAST IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO THESE PRINCIPLES, IN MEETING THE EVER EXPANDING NEEDS OF THEIR LOCAL

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AND WHEREAS, THE AMERICAN LEGION, THROUGH RESOLVE, URGES ALL MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY, THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS, AND THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, KNOWN COLLECTIVELY AS THE AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY, TO OPEN THEIR HOME DOORS TO OBSERVE SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH, 2024, AS AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY DAY, WITH EMPHASIS ON BE THE ONE AND NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT THE LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH OF APRIL BE DESIGNATED AS AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY DAY, PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THIS 16TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024.

WONDERFUL. THANK YOU.

SO AS I STAND UP HERE TODAY, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THE AMERICAN LEGION WAS FOUNDED BACK IN 1919, AS OUR BOYS WERE DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL IMPACTS OF TRENCH WARFARE AND THE HORRORS OF WORLD WAR ONE.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO STAND BEHIND ME TODAY, THEY CARRY ON THAT PROUD TRADITION OF VETERANS TAKING CARE OF VETERANS AND MYSELF.

I'M A CIVILIAN, BUT I THINK IT'S OUR JOB TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THESE ORGANIZATIONS TAKE CARE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF US TO LIVE IN FREEDOM. THEY'VE LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES, AND THOSE WHO DON'T LAY DOWN THEIR LIVES COME BACK WITH WITH THE SCARS OF WAR THAT THEY CARRY WITH THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

SO AGAIN, THESE ARE HEROES STANDING BEHIND ME TODAY.

IF YOU SEE THEM IN THE HALLWAY, IF YOU SEE THEM OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, PLEASE BE SURE TO SHAKE THEIR HAND AND THANK THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO.

SO IT'S MY PLEASURE, MY HONOR, TO TODAY PRESENT MISS BRIDGET GREEN AND THE AMERICAN LEGION WITH A PROCLAMATION FROM SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZING APRIL 27TH AS AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY DAY.

THANK YOU, SIR. OH GOOD MORNING.

I AM BRIDGET GREEN AND I HOLD THE POSITION OF AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY, DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAIRMAN FOR 2023 2024.

I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 194 HERE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE.

I BRING WELL WISHES FROM DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA COMMANDER MICHAEL GAMBLER RAYMOND, WHO HAD PLANS TO BE HERE BUT IS ATTENDING A FUNERAL OF A FALLEN COMRADE. AND I ALSO BRING WELL WISHES FROM OUR DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA PRESIDENT DEE BELL.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR HAVING US.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY FOR BEING HERE FOR THIS SPECIAL DAY.

AS STATED, THE AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY DAY IS A DAY TO WELCOME THE COMMUNITY INTO THEIR POST FOR A FAMILY FRIENDLY DAY OF FUN EDUCATION ON HOW WE ALL CAN BE THE ONE FOR ALL.

FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, THE AMERICAN LEGION HAS ADVOCATED FOR THE WELL-BEING OF AMERICA'S VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

YET THERE IS NO SINGLE DEED OR ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO OUR ORGANIZATION THAN THE PREVENTION OF VETERAN SUICIDE.

SINCE NINE SINCE THE NINE OVER 11 ATTACKS, THE NUMBER OF VETERANS WHO HAVE TAKEN THEIR OWN LIVES FAR SURPASSES THE NUMBER OF AMERICAN DEATHS INCURRED DURING THE ENTIRE KOREAN WAR, VIETNAM WAR, GULF WAR, AND THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM COMBINED.

A VETERAN IS 50% MORE LIKELY TO TAKE HIS OR HER LIFE THAN A PERSON WHO HAS NEVER SERVED IN THE MILITARY.

THIS MUST STOP.

STATISTICS FLUCTUATE, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT NUMBER TO THE AMERICAN LEGION IS ONE, AS IN BE THE ONE TO STOP A VETERAN FROM TAKING HIS OR HER OWN LIFE. IF WE ALL SAVE ONE COLLECTIVELY, WE WILL SAVE THOUSANDS.

IT HAS BEEN CALLED A CAMPAIGN, A SLOGAN, A PHRASE, AND AN INITIATIVE.

NONE OF THESE WORDS APPROPRIATELY REFLECT WHAT BE THE ONE IS TO THE AMERICAN LEGION.

IT'S A MISSION.

WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION BY DESTIGMATIZING THE ISSUE OF MENTAL HEALTH.

VETERANS VALUE COURAGE AND IT TAKES COURAGE TO ASK FOR HELP.

BUT THROUGH OUR BUDDY CHECK OUTREACH PROGRAMS, THE AMERICAN LEGION DOES NOT SIT BACK AND WAIT TO BE AXED.

WE TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO ASK VETERANS IF THEY ARE OKAY.

ARE Y'ALL OKAY? Y'ALL OKAY? OKAY. THANK YOU.

EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS LISTENING.

THE GOAL IS TO AFFIRMATIVELY AND COMPASSIONATELY ENGAGE WITH THE VETERAN, PAY ATTENTION TO THE RESPONSES, THEIR BODY LANGUAGE, AND OTHER SIGNS.

IF THE VETERAN IS STRUGGLING OR IN CRISIS, ENCOURAGE THE VETERAN TO CALL OR EVEN TEXT THE 988 CRISIS LINE FOR BETTER OUTCOMES.

WATCH THE VETERAN TO MAKE THE CALL, RATHER THAN TRUSTING THAT HE OR SHE WILL DO IT AT A LATER TIME, FOLLOW UP WITH THEM WITH THE VETERAN AND

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COMMUNICATE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE VETERAN SO THEY CAN BE DILIGENT AND SUPPORTIVE.

EVERYONE CAN BE THE ONE AND HELP THE REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VETERANS LOST TO SUICIDE.

FOR THE LATEST ON BE THE ONE, VISIT THE NATIONAL BE THE ONE WEBSITE AT WW.

BE THE ONE ORG.

DID Y'ALL WRITE THAT DOWN? THAT'S W W W BE THE ONE, DAWG.

SINCE 1919, LEGIONNAIRES HAVE ANSWERED THE NATION'S CALL.

WE NOW CALL ON ALL AMERICANS TO ASSIST US IN UNDERTAKING THIS NEW MISSION.

THE MISSION TO BE THE ONE TO SAVE THE ONE.

AGAIN, THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING US.

I DO HAVE SOME LITERATURE ON BE THE ONE THAT YOU GUYS CAN PICK UP.

AND IF IT'S OKAY, I CAN LEAVE IT OUT ON THE INFORMATION TABLE OUTSIDE THAT YOU GUYS CAN PICK UP AND TAKE WITH YOU.

THANK YOU. NOW, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR NORTHERN AREA COMMANDER, LINA HERNANDEZ.

PEREZ. IT'S A LONG NAME.

TO HAVE A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING.

I DON'T WANT TO TAKE TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME BECAUSE I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE A BUSY SCHEDULE, BUT BEFORE I BEGIN SPEAKING, I WOULD ASK IF WE HAVE VETERANS OUT IN THE AUDIENCE.

WILL YOU PLEASE STAND? I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

VIETNAM ERA VETERANS, WELCOME HOME.

I CANNOT STRESS THE THE IMPORTANCE OF BE THE ONE, BE THE ONE.

YOU WILL SEE THIS.

AND IT'S NOT JUST FOR OUR VETERANS.

I SEE FIRST RESPONDERS SITTING HERE TODAY.

YOU ALSO HAVE A HIGH RATE OF VETERANS WHO ARE OF SUICIDE.

SO BE THE ONE TO.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK THE QUESTIONS.

DESTIGMATIZE PTSD.

THE AMERICAN LEGION SAVED MY HUSBAND'S LIFE ALONG WITH MANY OTHER VETERANS.

STOP. LISTEN.

ASK THE QUESTIONS.

DO NOT BE AFRAID.

BE THE ONE TO SAVE A LIFE.

THANK YOU.

COME JOIN THE LEGION. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

[Proclamation Recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month]

IF LISA TALIAFERRO AND EVERYONE WITH HER GROUP COULD COME TO THE FRONT, PLEASE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU, MISS TALIAFERRO, FOR FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION AND FOR REQUESTING THIS PROCLAMATION.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE DONE A MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION SINCE 2019, AND IT IS MUCH NEEDED.

SO THANK YOU. SHANNON, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE PROCLAMATION INTO THE RECORD, A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA.

WHEREAS MENTAL HEALTH SUSTAINS AN INDIVIDUAL'S THOUGHT PROCESSES, RELATIONSHIPS, PRODUCTIVITY, AND ABILITY TO ADAPT TO CHANGE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS EXTEND TO ADULTHOOD AND LIMIT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADING FULFILLING LIVES. AND WHEREAS INCREASED EMPATHIC RESPONSES REDUCES THE STIGMA OF THOSE INCARCERATED AND STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, WHO SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF RESTORATIVE RATHER THAN PUNITIVE TREATMENT.

WHEREAS COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING AND AVAILABLE SUPPORT SERVICES CAN GREATLY IMPACT A PERSON'S ABILITY TO HANDLE THEIR STRESS AND STRUGGLE AND MOVE FORWARD THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY REMAINS ENGAGED IN THEIR PROMISE TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES FACING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

AND WHEREAS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH, TO PROMOTE THE IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS, AND TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS, LEADING TO HIGHER OVERALL PRODUCTIVITY, BETTER EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, LOWER CRIME RATES,

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AND WHEREAS EACH BUSINESS SCHOOL, GOVERNMENT AGENCY, HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATION, NONPROFIT AGENCY, AND CITIZEN SHARES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY'S MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS AND SUPPORT PREVENTION EFFORTS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT THE MONTH OF MAY 2024 BE DESIGNATED AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THE 16TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024.

THANK YOU. SHAYNA. MISS FARRAH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? I. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES. I STAND HERE TODAY WITH IMMENSE GRATITUDE AND HUMILITY AS WE GATHER HERE TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MAY 2024 AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.

THE HONOR IS NOT JUST A RECOGNITION OF MY EFFORTS, BUT IT'S JUST A TESTAMENT TO THE COLLECTION COLLECTIVE DEDICATION OF THE COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO ADVOCATING FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

HERE BEHIND US, WE HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALL COME TOGETHER IN AN EFFORT TO ACTUALLY STRIVE TO CREATE SAFER COMMUNITIES, PROMOTE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, AND TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE FACES THE CHALLENGES OF MENTAL ILLNESS ALONE.

I'M DEEPLY, DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

AND ALSO FROM ANGELA.

ANGELA, WHERE ARE YOU? NOW, ANGELA FROM EPIC.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW, RIGHT NOW, WE ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE WHEN WE'RE PLANNING OUR VERY FIRST MENTAL HEALTH COURT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF OF ANGELA.

AND THEN WE'VE GOT ELIZABETH FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ALL RIGHT. AND WITH ELIZABETH IS STANDING TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

WE ARE WE WE ARE WE ARE WORKING WITH NEURAL DIVERSITY TRAINING SO THAT THIS WAY OUR COUNTY CAN HAVE AUTISM CERTIFICATION SO THAT THIS WAY PEOPLE THAT THAT THINK DIFFERENTLY, RIGHT, THINK DIFFERENTLY THAN US ARE STILL WELCOMED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MICHAEL, BETSY AND TOM FROM NAMI.

THIS IS THE SUPPORT GROUP.

THIS IS A SUPPORT GROUP FOR FAMILIES AND PEERS.

IN ADDITION TO GOOD TROUBLE WARREN ALSO SUPPORT GROUPS.

WE'VE GOT A TON OF PEOPLE.

WE JUST THANK YOU TOGETHER.

LET US RAISE OUR VOICES IN A RESOUNDING CALL FOR CHANGE.

CALL FOR UNDERSTANDING AND FOR COMPASSION.

MAY THIS PROCLAMATION SERVE AS A SYMBOL FOR OUR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A BRIGHTER AND MORE HOPEFUL FUTURE FOR ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND, ANGELA, CAN YOU COME FORWARD? ANGELA? THANK YOU.

[Proclamation Recognizing April as Water Conservation Month]

APRIL IN FLORIDA IS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH, AND I REALLY GET A I GET PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT PRESENTING THIS PARTICULAR AWARD BECAUSE I SPEND ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF MY CAREER IN WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION, CONSERVATION.

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I WANT TO CALL UP DOUG CONKEY.

I WANT TO CALL UP TONY CUBBAGE, BARRY STEWART AND OUR CREEKSIDE HIGH SCHOOL NINTH GRADER, SONIA ALEEM, WHO YOU'LL HEAR A LITTLE MORE ABOUT IN A MINUTE. WHERE IS DOUG? COME ON GUYS.

A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA.

WHEREAS WATER IS A BASIC AND ESSENTIAL NEED OF EVERY LIVING CREATURE, AND WHEREAS THE STATE OF FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS AND SAINT JOHNS COUNTY ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER CONSERVATION.

AND WHEREAS SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAVE DESIGNATED APRIL TYPICALLY A DRY MONTH WHEN WATER DEMANDS ARE MOST ACUTE, FLORIDA'S WATER CONSERVATION MONTH TO EDUCATE CITIZENS ABOUT HOW THEY CAN HELP SAVE FLORIDA'S PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES.

AND WHEREAS, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY HAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED WATER CONSERVATION THROUGH VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS, AND WHEREAS EVERY BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, SCHOOL AND CITIZEN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY CONSERVING WATER, THUS PROMOTING A HEALTHY ECONOMY AND COMMUNITY.

AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT APRIL 2024 BE DESIGNATED AS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH, PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THE 16TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024.

WELL, I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, DEAN AND FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, FOR THIS WATER CONSERVATION PROCLAMATION.

THIS IS THE 26TH YEAR, OVER A QUARTER CENTURY, THAT THE PROCLAMATION, WHICH ALSO STARTED UNDER COMMISSIONER DEAN'S TIME AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, WHEREBY THE STATE RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING OUR PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES.

APRIL MAY BE THE MONTH WE RECOGNIZE WATER CONSERVATION, BUT IN REALITY IT IS A DAILY ENDEAVOR THAT WE ARE TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE WATER RESOURCES. THE THEME IS IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY, WHICH PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS.

THE TYPICAL FLORIDA HOME USES 50% OF ITS WATER OUTSIDE AN IRRIGATION.

THE POTENTIAL FOR SAVINGS TO THE HOMEOWNERS IS SUBSTANTIAL.

WITH A LITTLE EFFORT, WATER CONSERVATION MATTERS AS IT IS, IT CAN DELAY EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY NEEDS AND PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES FROM IMPACTED FROM THE WITHDRAWALS.

THERE IS NO ONE BEST APPROACH.

THE DISTRICT IS COMMITTED TO FUNDING CONSERVATION.

WE HAVE SPENT OVER $38 MILLION FOR 237 PROJECTS THAT HAVE PRODUCED 23.5 MILLION GALLONS A DAY IN SAVINGS OF WATER.

ANOTHER INITIATIVE THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE SPECTACULAR IS OUR ARTESIAN WELL PLUGGING PROGRAM, WHICH SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1983, HAS PLUGGED 3099 WELLS, PROVIDING AN AVERAGE OF 792 1 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY IN SAVINGS. DURING COMMISSIONER DEAN'S TIME WITH THE DISTRICT.

THIS PROGRAM PLUGGED 1812 WELLS, EQUATING TO 471 MILLION GALLONS A DAY IN SAVINGS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM WHICH CONTINUES TODAY.

THE SAINT JOHN'S RIVER MANAGEMENT IS BIG.

IT COVERS ALL OR PARTS OF 18 COUNTIES.

ITS 310 MILES AND COVERS 12,283MI².

THAT'S A LOT OF TURF.

COMMISSIONER DEAN'S LEADERSHIP LAID THE GROUNDWORK.

AS THE DISTRICT IS NOW APPROACHING 800,000 ACRES OF LAND IT OWNS OR MANAGES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER AGENCIES OR COUNTIES, AND APPROXIMATELY 98% OF THESE LANDS ARE OPEN FOR THE CITIZENS TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF FLORIDA.

ITEMS OF NOTE DURING COMMISSIONER DEAN'S TENURE.

1989. THE DISTRICT LAB OPENS TODAY.

THAT LAB COLLECTS 16 MILLION SAMPLES A YEAR.

ANALYZING AND POSTING THIS DATA TO OUR WEBSITE FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW.

1991, SAINT JOHN'S RIVER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT ISSUED DISTRICT WIDE, A FIRST OF ITS KIND EVER WATER CONSERVATION RULE FOR WATERING BEFORE 10:00 OR AFTER 4:00, AND THAT RULE STILL EXISTS.

2000. THE SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PUBLISHED ITS FIRST LONG TERM WATER SUPPLY PLAN IN 1984 THROUGH 2001,

[00:30:06]

THE DISTRICT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ACQUIRING MORE THAN 125,000 ACRES IN THE LOWER SAINT JOHNS RIVER AND NORTHERN COASTAL BASINS OF THE SAINT JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

TO QUOTE COMMISSIONER DEAN, BACK IN 1986 DURING THE ANNUAL REPORT, THE BUSINESS OF WATER MANAGEMENT IS A CONTINUOUS AND ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY. WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO DOING ALL THAT IS NECESSARY TO SAFEGUARD AND ENHANCE OUR BOUNTIFUL WATER RESOURCES.

SO, SIR, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND PASSION TO SERVE BOTH THEN AND NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I BEFORE THIS STARTED THIS MORNING, I SPECIFICALLY ASKED DOUG NOT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT ME.

I ONLY WOULD GUESS WHAT HE WOULD HAVE SAID HAD NOT TOLD HIM TO SHUT UP, SO I APOLOGIZE.

THAT'S NOT WHY WE'RE HERE.

WE'RE ACTUALLY HERE TO HONOR A NINTH GRADE STUDENT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT NOW FROM OUR LEADER IN WATER MANAGEMENT HERE MR. TONY CUBBAGE.

THANK YOU, SIR. I'LL KEEP THIS SHORT AND SWEET.

SAINT JOHNS COUNTY UTILITY DEPARTMENT IS A BUSINESS PARTNER WITH CREEKSIDE HIGH SCHOOL.

WE DO INTERNSHIPS, JOB SHADOWING, FIELD TRIPS SPEAKING, THE CLASSROOMS, ETC.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ALSO DO IS DO EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH.

WE HAVE A DROP SAVER POSTER CONTEST.

AND MISS SONIA LEON IS NOT ONLY THE COUNTY WINNER, BUT ALSO FINISHED THIRD PLACE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

SO WE HAVE A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION TO GIVE TO HER.

AND AGAIN, APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATIONS? SO MOVED.

SECOND. OKAY.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY I.

I. PROCLAMATIONS ARE ACCEPTED.

[Public Safety Update]

GOOD MORNING. SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROCLAMATION, FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS.

THEY DO FABULOUS WORK, AND THEY KEEP OUR PUBLIC SAFE.

THEY KEEP OUR OFFICERS SAFE.

THEY ARE THE VITAL LINK BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND OUR AGENCY, AND WE CANNOT DO OUR MISSION WITHOUT THEM.

ON THE PATROL SIDE, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF AN EXCITING WEEK.

AND THE LAST WEEK ON FRIDAY WE HAD A SHOOTING.

THE VICTIM SURVIVED.

NON-FATAL. HOWEVER, A SMALL PURSUIT INVOLVED A PURSUIT.

A SMALL PURSUIT ENSUED, AND THE SUSPECTS CRASHED AND BAILED OUT.

THANK GOODNESS FOR OUR GREAT TEAMWORK BETWEEN COMMUNICATIONS, OUR AIR UNIT, THE PATROL DEPUTIES AND OUR CANINE DEPUTIES, THEY WERE ABLE TO APPREHEND ALL THE SUSPECTS, AND THEY'VE ALL BEEN CHARGED AND THEY ARE ALL CURRENTLY IN OUR JAIL.

ONE OF THEM WAS A MURDER SUSPECT FROM GEORGIA.

AND AS THE SHERIFF SAYS, IF YOU'RE ON A JOURNEY OF CRIME AND YOU COMMIT A CRIME IN OUR COUNTY, YOUR JOURNEY ENDS HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO RESOLVE THAT.

ON THE JAIL, SARS CORRECTIONS.

OUR COUNT IN MAY COUNTS ABOUT 431.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE WORKING WITH FACILITIES MAINTENANCE.

THEY'VE JUST COMPLETED THE 12TH BLOCK OF THE THIRD FLOOR.

SO THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE TO THE BOTTOM OF OUR JAIL AND CONTINUE WITH RENOVATING THE BLOCKS DOWN THERE AS WELL.

THEY'VE BEEN VERY KIND TO US.

THEY HAVE A VERY AMBITIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR US FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THEN WE ALSO HAVE OUR REENTRY PORTION, OUR REENTRY.

THEY ALSO DO SOME OUTREACH AND PUBLIC TRYING TO GET AHOLD OF PEOPLE AND GET THEM THE HELP THEY NEED BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY COME TO JAIL.

AND THEY PARTNERED WITH SAINT AUGUSTINE BUSINESS COALITION, AND THEY'VE ESTABLISHED A NONPROFIT FUND, 513C, WHERE THEY CAN HELP THE HOMELESS PEOPLE AND PEOPLE BEFORE THEY COME TO JAIL. THEY HAD A FUNDRAISER FOR IT LAST SATURDAY NIGHT.

GREAT SUCCESS. WE'LL GET THE FINAL NUMBERS ON THAT LATER TODAY.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? YES, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, JUST REAL QUICK.

WITH 911 OPERATORS THAT WERE UP HERE, I KNOW THEY HELP YOU, BUT I DON'T.

I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE SLEEP AT NIGHT.

WELL, BECAUSE WE KNOW WE CAN CALL THEM AND THEY WILL HELP US.

SO I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU.

I SLEEP WELL, TOO. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, I APPRECIATE THAT.

[00:35:01]

APPRECIATE IT. GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR.

FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.

CHIEF DUSTY WILSON WITH FIRE RESCUE.

I'M THE LOGISTICS CHIEF.

I OVERSEE THE BUILDING OF NEW FIRE STATIONS, NEW FIRE TRUCKS, AND KEEPING OUR PEOPLE WELL EQUIPPED.

I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT ONE OF OUR EXCITING NEW STATIONS THAT'S ABOUT TO OPEN IN THE SOUTHWEST AREA OF OUR COUNTY.

STATION 11. WE GOT SOME PICTURES UP HERE.

KIND OF SHOW YOU THE PROGRESS OF THE FIRE STATION SLASH SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

LITTLE OFFICE AREA THAT THEY HAVE HERE.

IT'S NOT QUITE AS BIG AS STATION FIVE.

THE ONE THAT'S DOWN ON US.

ONE WITH THEIR S ROCK FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SIDE.

BUT OUR SIDE IS QUITE EXPENSIVE.

WE LOOK TO SERVICE IN THAT COMMUNITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE, HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE SUMMER OF THIS YEAR WITH THE ALS ENGINE, ALS RESCUE AND ALS LADDER TOWER TRUCK.

SO THIS AREA HAS BEEN WAY OUTSIDE OF THE OTHER STATION'S RESPONSE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN NEEDED FOR A LONG TIME.

SO VERY EXCITING TO SEE THIS COME TO FRUITION.

WE'D LIKE TO INVITE ALL THE CITIZENS COMMISSION PEOPLE AROUND THE AREA DOWN 207, NOT JUST THE GOLF COURSE, BUT COQUINA CARLSON FAIRMONT HEIGHTS, ALL OF ELKTON TO COME OUT AND SEE THE STATION WHEN WE'RE OPEN, COME SEE OUR FIRE TRUCKS, SEE OUR OUR FINE WOMEN AND MEN FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE THERE.

THEY'LL BE VERY HAPPY TO SEE Y'ALL.

WE'RE LOOKING AT HOPEFULLY JUNE OR JULY OF THIS YEAR OPENING.

I'D LIKE TO THANK PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR GREG CALDWELL AND HIS TEAM FOR ACTUALLY KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT WERE GOING TO BE TIME DELAYED BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN TIME DELAYED, AND THEY DID A GREAT JOB OF GETTING THE CONTRACTORS TO ORDER STUFF WELL IN ADVANCE, KNOWING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE DELAYED.

SO THERE SHOULD BE ONLY A FEW THINGS THAT KIND OF STALL US AT THE END, BUT WE SHOULD BE SITTING A LOT BETTER THAN WE COULD HAVE BEEN.

OTHER THAN THAT, DO Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENT? ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER DEAN YEAH.

AS A AS AN AVID GOLFER AND A FREQUENT USER OF THE COUNTY COURSE I'VE BEEN DRIVING BY THIS FROM THE GET GO FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

AND NOT ONLY DO I WANT TO THANK GREG CALDWELL AND YOU AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED, BUT THE CONTRACTOR WHO WE'VE DONE A LOT, WHO HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK FOR THIS COUNTY, THE MAYOR IS DOING A GREAT THE MAYOR IS DOING A GREAT JOB ON THIS PROJECT, AND I'M KEEPING AN EYE ON IT ON AN ALMOST WEEKLY BASIS.

JUST I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I'M DOING MY COMMITMENT AND MY WORK DRIVING BY.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER DEAN.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF WILSON? THANK YOU. BRINGS US TO OUR CLERK OF COURT.

[Clerk of Court's Report]

LONG RUNWAY. GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR.

COMMISSIONERS, TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE A RECAP OF OPERATION GREEN LIGHT.

OPERATION GREEN LIGHT IS A STATEWIDE EVENT WHERE THOSE WHO HAVE A SUSPENDED LICENSE DUE TO UNPAID COURT COSTS AND TRAFFIC CITATIONS ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE COLLECTION FEES WAIVED, SAVING ROUGHLY 40% TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD.

OPERATION GREEN LANE HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SINCE 2019, AFTER BEING A STATEWIDE PILOT IN 2015.

THIS YEAR'S EVENT WAS HELD FROM APRIL 8TH TO THE 12TH, AND RESULTED IN 119 DRIVERS BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR REINSTATEMENT AND COLLECTED MORE THAN 53,000IN COURT COSTS AND FINES. I'M PROUD AND GRATEFUL FOR OUR DEPUTY CLERKS ACROSS OUR COURT AND FINANCE DIVISIONS, WHO STEPPED UP AND PROVIDED WORLD CLASS CUSTOMER SERVICE TO RESIDENTS DURING THIS SPECIAL EVENT.

WHILE THIS YEAR'S OPERATION GREEN LIGHT IS OVER, MY OFFICE STANDS READY TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS AND INDIVIDUALS RESOLVE THEIR CASES AND HAVE THEIR SUSPENDED LICENSES ELIGIBLE FOR REINSTATEMENT.

THAT'S MY REPORT PENDING. ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, MISTER PATTY. ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU.

[Legislative Affairs Update]

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

GREAT TO BE HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT OUR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR APRIL.

AS YOU KNOW, SESSION IS FINISHED.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER.

REGARDING THE 2024 SESSION.

TO BEGIN WITH THIS LEGISLATIVE OVERVIEW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATE BUDGET.

STATE BUDGET THIS YEAR FOR FY 25 IS ABOUT 117.5 BILLION.

SLIGHTLY IT'S A SLIGHT INCREASE OVER FY 24.

HOWEVER, THE GOVERNOR'S IS LOOKING AT ABOUT $1 BILLION WORTH OF POTENTIAL VETOES COMING OUT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THOSE VETOES POTENTIALLY WILL HIT.

WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON THAT.

WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN TO WORK WITH OPB AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO LET THEM KNOW HOW VITAL SAINT JOHN'S PROJECTS ARE.

THE IMPLEMENTING BILL THIS YEAR IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THERE IS A SECTION IN HERE THAT DEALS WITH THE UNEXPENDED BALANCE OF DEP LAND ACQUISITION FUNDS, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY

[00:40:09]

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO TAXES RELATED TO SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE 1638, WHICH CREATES A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE PROGRAM FOR WATER QUALITY.

IT ALSO PROVIDES MORE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AS WELL.

SB 280, WHICH I KNOW IS A FREQUENT TOPIC HERE AS WELL, WHICH DEALS WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPLEX REGULATORY SCHEME FOR VACATION RENTALS.

WE'RE ALSO REVIEWING THAT BILL EXTENSIVELY.

AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS TO IT AFFECTS A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE'LL SEE HOW THE LEGISLATURE HANDLES THAT.

MOST LIKELY. I WOULD SAY THAT THIS TOPIC IS COMING BACK NEXT SESSION.

MOVING ON TO THE PARTNER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY.

AND THIS IS WHERE I REALLY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE, WHERE I THINK IS WHERE THE SUCCESS HAS HAPPENED FOR SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

AND IT STARTS WITH THE BOARD.

THE BOARD HAS BEEN FOCUSED IN VISITS TO TALLAHASSEE, DC.

WHETHER WHETHER YOU'VE BEEN ON THE PHONE WRITING OUR DELEGATION MEETING WITH THEM, MEETING WITH AGENCY HEADS.

I KNOW THIS YEAR YOU'VE MET WITH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

YOU'VE MET WITH YOU MET WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, YOU MET WITH THE DIVISION OF FINANCIAL SERVICES UP IN DC, ALL OF OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION MEMBERS AS WELL.

SO ALL OF THAT, THESE INNER ENGAGEMENTS INTERACTIONS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

AND QUITE FRANKLY, THEY MAKE MY JOB SO MUCH EASIER BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO COME THROUGH, COME THROUGH, HELP YOU MEET YOUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND LOOK AND FIND RESULTS WHERE WE CAN.

AND SO I THINK EVERYTHING STARTS THERE.

AND TO KIND OF MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET.

LOOKING FIRST, WE HAVE THE DISTRICT 23 MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

THIS OFFICE WILL SERVE THREE COUNTIES.

CURRENTLY THE EXISTING BUILDING IS OVER CAPACITY, AND THE CAPACITY NEEDED FOR THIS BUILDING IS GOING TO DOUBLE OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS. AND WITH THAT THE PROCESSING OF THE MEDICAL, THE PROCESSING IN THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE WILL BE GREATLY ENHANCED BY THIS NEW BUILDING, NEW UPDATED TECHNOLOGY, UPDATED FILTRATION SYSTEMS. IN THE END, WHAT THIS IS GOING TO ALSO DO IS ALLOW THE PROCESSING OF EVIDENCE TO MOVE QUICKER THROUGH THE JUDICIAL PROCESS.

AND THERE ARE OTHER BENEFITS WITH THIS PROJECT AS WELL.

THE NEXT ONE I HAVE HERE IS THE CENTRAL PUBLIC SAFETY STATION.

THIS IS A COMBINED SHERIFF AND SAINT JOHNS FIRE RESCUE FACILITY.

THE AREA THAT IT'S GOING TO BE LOCATED IN IS CURRENTLY OUTSIDE THE OUTSIDE IN ISO AREA WHERE THE CURRENT INSURANCE RATING IS UP ON THE HIGHER END OF THE SCALE.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PROJECT IN THE FIVE MILE RADIUS AROUND IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO LOWER INSURANCE RATES RELATED TO FIRE SERVICES. ALSO, YOU'RE EXPANDING LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY OUT THERE.

AGAIN, YOUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPACITY AND THE BACKUP PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT WILL BE LOCATED IN THIS FACILITY.

AND THAT MEANS THE PRIMARY PUBLIC SERVICE ANSWERING POINT, WHICH EVERYONE LOOKS AT IS THE 911 CALL CENTER WILL BE IS CURRENTLY IN A FLOOD ZONE.

SO IF SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH A HURRICANE, THIS FACILITY PROVIDES THE BACKUP.

AND SO THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT THAT'S MOVING FORWARD.

AND WE'VE RECEIVED 7.5 MILLION TO COMPLETE TO SUPPLEMENT THE FUNDING REQUIRED TO BUILD THE FACILITY.

NEXT. THE NEXT PROJECT WE HAVE IS THE ALL HAZARDS REGIONAL FIRE TRAINING CENTER.

AGAIN, THE STATE WAS GENEROUS TO PROVIDE 7.5 MILLION FOR THIS PROJECT.

THIS REGIONAL FIRE TRAINING FACILITY IS REALLY A FOCUS POINT OF THE RECRUITMENT AND THE RETENTION PROCESS FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS.

WHEN WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A REGIONAL REGIONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE, WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

THIS FACILITY WILL NOT ONLY ADDRESS THAT, BUT IT ALSO PROVIDES THE ALL HAZARDS DISCIPLINE TRAINING THAT OUR FIREFIGHTERS NEED TO ADDRESS

[00:45:03]

YOU KNOW, AS YOU'RE AWARE, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF HISTORICAL STRUCTURES.

AND IN IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT OF SAINT SAINT AUGUSTINE, YOU HAVE NARROW ALLEYWAYS OLD BUILDINGS THAT POTENTIALLY, IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN THERE, THERE'S POTENTIALLY AREAS AND UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN ORDER TO HANDLE A SITUATION LIKE THAT.

AT THIS REGIONAL FIRE TRAINING FACILITY.

OUR FIREFIGHTERS ARE GOING TO GET EXPERTISE TO HANDLE THOSE KINDS OF SITUATIONS.

ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON FORWARD TO STATE ROAD 16.

THIS PROJECT IS A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT BETWEEN THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE'VE RECEIVED FOUR.

$4 MILLION FROM FROM THE CONGRESS THIS YEAR THANKS TO CONGRESSMAN JOHN RUTHERFORD.

WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED 7.5 MILLION FROM THE LEGISLATURE ADDING THAT MONEY.

WE'VE ALSO ENHANCED THE COMMITMENT FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

I THINK GOING INTO THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A POINT WHERE EVERY ALL THE INDIVIDUALS HAD TO KIND OF GET TOGETHER AND SAY WHERE THE FOCUS POINT OF WHERE DOT IS GOING TO FOCUS ON CERTAIN ROADS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA.

AND I KNOW THAT THE BOARD'S CONCERTED PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EFFORT TO GET THIS JOB DONE HAS HAS EFFECTIVELY NOT ONLY SECURED THIS 11.5 MILLION, BUT HAS ALSO GREATLY ENHANCED THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS IN THE WORK PROGRAM.

AND BELOW, YOU'LL SEE A BRIEF PD AND E DESIGN OF STATE ROAD 16, THAT PARTICULAR PORTION FROM INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY TO THE COUNTY ROAD 2209 INTERSECTION WILL QUICKLY MOVE TO A CONSTRUCTION PHASE. THE OTHER PART OF STATE ROAD 16, FROM THE COUNTY ROAD 2209 INTERSECTION DOWN TO THE OUTLET MALL WOULD BE IN THE DESIGN PHASE.

MOVING FORWARD TO COUNTY ROAD 2209.

AGAIN, THIS IS THIS IS A PROJECT WHERE THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EFFORT HAS COME THROUGH.

THAT'S 25 MILLION FOR THE CENTRAL SEGMENT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THIS YEAR WE RECEIVED 10 MILLION.

THAT WILL TAKE COUNTY ROAD 2209 FROM IGP ALL THE WAY TO STATE ROAD 16.

SO YOU'RE COMPLETING THAT NORTH SOUTH CORRIDOR.

YOU'RE PROVIDING RELIEF TO I-95.

AND SO THIS IS A TREMENDOUS REGIONAL PROJECT.

MOVING FORWARD TO SOUTH PONTE VEDRA BEACH.

THIS IS ANOTHER 4.5 MILLION APPROPRIATION TO PROVIDE DUNE RESTORATION.

AND COMPLETE THIS PROJECT FORWARD.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE, I BELIEVE, SOME LOCAL FUNDS FUNDING IN THIS PROJECT, AND I'M NOT SURE IF THERE'S SOME FEDERAL FUNDS INVOLVED IN THIS ONE OR NOT, BUT THE 4.75 MILLION, I MEAN, 4.5 MILLION WILL GET THIS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD.

THE LINCOLNVILLE MUSEUM, THIS IS A $250,000 APPROPRIATION FOR RENOVATIONS IN THE INTERIOR AND EXHIBIT SPACE OF THE MUSEUM.

AND THEN FINALLY, WE HAVE THE VILANO BEACH, MAIN STREET, $175,000 APPROPRIATION FOR THE STREET IMPROVEMENTS.

AND AND THIS AGAIN, WILL WILL WILL DOVETAIL VERY NICELY WITH THE HISTORIC RENOVATIONS WITH THE ART DECO DISTRICT IN THERE.

AND ALSO MOVING FORWARD.

THIS IS JUST A TOTAL OF WHAT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICE HAS DONE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THIS BOARD TO LEVERAGE MATCHING FUNDS, PARTNERSHIPS AND REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS.

THE OFFICE HAS SECURED OVER $170 MILLION IN THE LAST 20 MONTHS, ABOUT 112 IN CHANGE FOR STATE AND FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS.

NEARLY 5757 MILLION IN GRANTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING.

AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

MADAM CHAIR. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

THANK YOU, MR. TUCKER. THERE IT IS APPARENT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY, REALLY GOOD, EXCITING THINGS GOING ON IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

SO I SEE A COUPLE OF COMMISSIONERS HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU'RE UP FIRST.

YES, I HAVE, THANK YOU.

ADAM. THAT'S AWESOME.

I HAD TWO QUESTIONS.

ONE IS ABOUT THE REGIONAL MEDICAL EXAMINER AND THE AND THE SECOND QUESTION IS THE REGIONAL FIRE TRAINING CENTER.

NOW, IF IT'S REGIONAL, DO OTHER COUNTIES PARTICIPATE IN FUNDING? SO WE'RE NOT JUST FUNDING IT OURSELVES.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, REGARDING THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S FACILITY, MY UNDERSTANDING IS PUTNAM COUNTY AND FLAGLER COUNTY DO PARTICIPATE. HOWEVER, THE APPROPRIATION OF 11.75 MILLION SHOULD COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW FACILITY.

THE REGIONAL FIRE TRAINING FACILITY WILL SUPPORT HARTMANN IN FLAGLER COUNTY.

WE WE PROVIDE MUTUAL AID TO BOTH COUNTIES.

ACTUALLY, MOST RECENTLY, I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN OXYGEN TANK FIRE IN PUTNAM COUNTY.

IT MIGHT HAVE JUST BEEN LAST WEEK.

[00:50:01]

SO SO YES, THERE IS THERE IS A COOPERATION BETWEEN THE COUNTIES.

DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? YEAH, I JUST WAS WONDERING ABOUT THE DOLLARS IF THEY'RE GOING TO COOPERATE WITH SOME DOLLARS.

WELL, I THINK WITH THE REGARDING THE REGIONAL TRAINING FACILITY, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PROBABLY LOOK FOR LOOK FORWARD AT OPPORTUNITIES OF FURTHER PARTNERSHIP POTENTIALLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL, AND THEN ALSO POTENTIALLY COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE AS THE PHASE BUILD OUT.

IT CONTINUES. THANK YOU.

ABSOLUTELY. COMMISSIONER DEAN.

ADAM, YOU TOUCHED ON THE SOUTH PONTE VEDRA BEACH PROJECT.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE EMAIL I RECEIVED FROM JASON HARRELL LAST WEEK.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN THAT.

BUT THE THE JACKSONVILLE CORE HAS BASICALLY GOT THE AUTHORIZATION TO MOVE FORWARD TO PRESENT THE FINAL REPORT.

THE CHIEF'S REPORT, IT'S CALLED THAT WILL BE ON ITS WAY TO ATLANTA AND THEN WASHINGTON.

AND IF THAT'S APPROVED AND WE THINK IT WILL BE, THEN OUR PROJECT, THE SOUTH PONTE VEDRA PROJECT FOR THE FIRST TIME, WILL BE INCLUDED IN WATER.

THAT'S THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT THIS COMING YEAR.

AND THAT'S PRETTY EXCITING BECAUSE THIS IS THE WHAT I'VE ALWAYS CALLED FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY, THE LAST SIX YEARS I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT, AND I CALL IT THE RODNEY DANGERFIELD OF OUR BEACHES BECAUSE IT'S BEEN TOTALLY IGNORED.

THE UP UNTIL WE DID GET A ONE TIME PLACEMENT STATE LOCAL TO DO THIS SIX MILE STRETCH.

AND WITHIN ROUGHLY SIX MONTHS AFTER COMPLETION, IT GOT HIT BY THE HURRICANE.

AND THESE PEOPLE ARE THE HOMEOWNERS, BY THE WAY, THE OCEANFRONT HOMEOWNERS VOTED TO TO TAX THEMSELVES FOUR MILLS A YEAR FOR TEN YEARS FOR MILLS, NOT POINT FOR MILLS.

AND AND IT'S BEEN A STRUGGLE THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH JOE G.

AND DAMON. SO I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT THE FROM MY STANDPOINT, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PUBLIC ACCESS.

GRANTED. BUT IF THE PROJECT BECOMES A FEDERAL PROJECT, REMEMBER THE INSURANCE POLICY, IT'S A 50 YEAR PROGRAM.

AND IF THE BEACH GETS WIPED OUT, JUST LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO VILANO AND SAN AUGUSTINE BEACH, YOU'RE TWO YEARS AGO.

THE FEDS COME IN ON THEIR OWN NICKEL AND PAY 100% OF THE RESTORATION BACK TO PRE-STORM CONDITION.

I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP A LOT OF TIME, BUT I'M PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THE CHIEF'S REPORT GOING FORWARD AND GETTING FEDERAL MONEY INCLUDED IN WORD OF POSSIBLY.

AND I KNOW RUTHERFORD CONGRESSMAN RUTHERFORD WILL WORK HARD ALONG WITH OUR TWO SENATORS TO ACHIEVE THAT.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. DEAN.

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ADAM, WHEN WE GET FUNDING FOR THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS STATE FUNDING, ISN'T THAT REALLY JUST FUNDING FROM ALL 67 COUNTIES? I'M SORRY, SIR, I DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND THE FUNDING THAT COMES TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE THAT'S COMING FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

CORRECT, SIR. SO? SO THAT'S REALLY BUY IN FROM ALL 67 COUNTIES.

TAX DOLLARS. I MEAN, THAT'S MY MY UNDERSTANDING IN OUR DISCUSSIONS.

IS THAT WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO PURSUE THESE STATE FUNDINGS, WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO GO TO TALLAHASSEE IS BECAUSE IT REALLY TAKES THE BURDEN OFF OF OUR PROPERTY AND LOCAL TAXES, AND WE GET COST SHARE FROM 66 OTHER COUNTIES WHEN WE GET THOSE STATE FUNDINGS.

IS THAT TRUE? YES, SIR.

WHAT THE WAY I LOOK AT APPROPRIATIONS IS THAT THIS IS BRINGING MONEY BACK HOME TO THE TO THE THE RESIDENTS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

IT'S TAX MONEY THAT GOES TO TALLAHASSEE AND YOU'RE BRINGING THAT MONEY BACK.

SO THE NEARLY $50 MILLION THAT WAS BROUGHT BACK THIS YEAR IS TAXPAYER MONEY THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ADAM, I DON'T SEE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. TECCHLER.

I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE WORKING REALLY HARD.

[Service Delivery Team Update]

COMMISSIONERS SHAUNA NOVAK, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

AND TODAY I'LL BE PRESENTING WITH GREG CALDWELL FROM PUBLIC WORKS.

TODAY IS THE SERVICE TEAM DELIVERY UPDATE.

I DO WANT TO PREFACE THAT THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP, A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THEY ESTABLISHED A REENTRY PROGRAM.

IT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND WE FIGURED OUT WAYS TO PARTNER WITH THEM.

OKAY, SO THE PURPOSE OF THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY REENTRY CENTER IS TO PROVIDE A PATHWAY TO SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY FOR INDIVIDUALS INCARCERATED IN THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DETENTION CENTER.

TO ACHIEVE THIS, A SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REENTRY SPECIALIST EVALUATES EACH INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL TO IDENTIFY THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS, AND THEN A COLLECTION OF RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED IN ORDER TO CREATE A TRANSITION PLAN.

[00:55:06]

SO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HAS BEEN EMBEDDED AT THE REENTRY CENTER SINCE JULY OF LAST YEAR.

WE'VE SERVED 67 INMATES THUS FAR.

WE HELP THEM WITH APPLYING FOR STATE BENEFITS SUCH AS MEDICAID AND SNAP, PROVIDING HOUSING OPTIONS BASED ON AVAILABLE GRANT FUNDING, HELPING TO FACILITATE CONVERSATIONS IF A RESIDENT IS MAYBE POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR DISABILITY, DISABILITY, SOCIAL SECURITY OR DISABILITY.

AND THEN WE ALSO OFFER ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES SUCH AS OBTAINING BIRTH CERTIFICATES, BUS TOKENS, ACCESS TO THE FOOD CLOSET, UTILIZING THE RESOURCE CENTER THAT WE HAVE AT HHS WHICH IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH COMPUTERS AND PHONES FOR ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OR ANYTHING THAT THE RESIDENT MAY NEED, AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES.

GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR.

COMMISSIONERS. GREG CALDWELL, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.

SO IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WE ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO BENEFIT FROM THIS REENTRY PROGRAM.

SO I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT'S REALLY SET THIS UP, HHS AND OF COURSE, THE SHERIFF'S TEAM, BECAUSE WE HAVE A NEED IN PUBLIC WORKS.

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MAINTENANCE WORKERS.

WE HAVE 22 MAINTENANCE WORKERS THAT FUNCTION IN SAINT JOHN'S AND OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM, AND WE'RE ALWAYS GOING THROUGH THEIR OPENINGS AND SOME VACANCIES.

SO THIS IS A STRATEGY TO HELP US FILL AND PROVIDE THE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO WITH OUR MAINTENANCE WORKERS, SOME OF THEM RIGHT NOW, WE DO NOT REQUIRE A DRIVER'S LICENSE BECAUSE WE SAW THAT AS A HINDRANCE OF GETTING PEOPLE INTO THESE POSITIONS.

WORKING WITH OUR HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT, THEY'VE HELPED US PROVIDE AN AVENUE FOR WE SO WE CAN GET THESE PEOPLE BACK INTO OUR SYSTEM.

AND AS PART OF THE MAINTENANCE WORKER AND OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM, YOU'RE GOING TO WORK IN A BIGGER TEAM, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE OVERSIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A SKILL, YOU'RE GOING TO BE PART OF A BIGGER TEAM.

SO WE'RE EXPECTING EXPECTING THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE HAVE DIRECT OVERSIGHT.

SO WE FEEL LIKE THESE TEAMS ARE GOING TO BE GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY AND GOOD FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND HELP US PROVIDE THE SERVICE TO SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE FIRST REENTRY TEAM MEMBER IN PUBLIC WORKS.

HE'S ON OUR LITTER CONTROL TEAM RIGHT NOW.

HE'S GOING OUT THERE DOING A GREAT JOB SHOWING UP EVERY DAY.

EXACTLY WHAT THE SHERIFF'S TEAM CAME AND TOLD US ABOUT THIS GENTLEMAN IS THAT HE'S GOING TO BE A HARD WORKER.

HE'S GOING TO BE PART OF THE TEAM.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

SO, SO FAR IT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND WE ARE LOOKING TO PARTNER IN THE MORE IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A NEED FOR WORKFORCE AND WE CAN PROVIDE THAT THROUGH THIS MEANS WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. CALDWELL.

THIS IS TRULY A GREAT COLLABORATION AND A GREAT PROGRAM.

ANY QUESTIONS? YOU.

NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OKAY. THAT TAKES US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[Deletions to Consent Agenda]

OKAY. NUMBER FOUR.

OKAY. WE ARE GOING TO BE PULLING NUMBER FOUR AND ADDING IT TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.

I'M GOING TO PUT IT AT THE END BECAUSE WE HAVE A PACKED DAY TODAY.

SO MADAM CHAIR, YES, IT'S MORE RELEVANT IF IT COULD BE BEFORE AGENDA ITEM FIVE.

OKAY. WELL, I DON'T WANT TO SPLIT FOUR AND FIVE, SO.

OH. I'M SORRY. BEFORE FOUR.

I'M SORRY. SO OKAY, WE CAN PUT IT AS AGENDA ITEM THREE A AFTER WORLD GOLF VILLAGE.

THANK YOU. MA'AM. COMMISSIONER LAMAR.

I HAVE NONE. I HAVE NONE.

I HAVE NONE, MADAM CHAIR.

MR. DEAN. NONE.

OKAY. LET'S GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL NOW OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

PLEASE COME FORWARD. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

YOU WILL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU.

MADAM CHAIR, FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS BILL DUDLEY.

I LIVE AT 1072 ALCALA DRIVE.

AND I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO TALK ABOUT OUR NEWLY OPENED VETERANS VILLAGE ON ANASTASIA BOULEVARD.

AND I'D LIKE TO JUST THANK THE COMMISSION FOR BEING SUPPORTIVE OF OF THIS THIS NEW ADDITION WE HAVE TO SERVICE AND TO HELP OUR VETERANS, ESPECIALLY OUR HOMELESS VETERANS IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING FOR OUR VETERANS.

HERE. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT A VALUABLE ASSET IT IS TO OUR VETERANS TO TO BE ABLE TO NOW FINALLY

[01:00:10]

AND WE ARE VERY, VERY PLEASED TO TO BE ABLE TO, TO HAVE THIS FACILITY.

THERE'S A TOTAL OF 20 UNITS IN, IN THE, IN VETERANS VILLAGE, AND THESE 20 UNITS WILL, WILL DO A LOT IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO GET VETERANS OFF THE STREET AND PUT THEM INTO A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND GIVE THEM SOME SELF ESTEEM AS WELL, IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO RESTORE THESE VETERANS THAT HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN NEGLECTED, BEEN FORGOTTEN.

WE HAVE WITH US THIS MORNING TWO VETERANS THAT'S IN OUR VETERANS TREATMENT COURT, AND I'LL BE ASKING THEM TO COME UP AND, AND AND TO SPEAK AS WELL IN JUST A MOMENT.

AND YOU CAN HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THEM HOW MUCH THIS IS MEANT TO THEM TO BE ABLE TO FINALLY HAVE A PLACE THAT THEY CAN FEEL SAFE AND FEEL SECURE AT AT NIGHT AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING ROBBED OR BEING IN A PLACE WHERE THEY FELT LESS THAN THAN SAFE.

SO THIS HAS BEEN A BIG ASSET TO US.

WE PURCHASED THIS WITH THIS THROUGH HOME AGAIN, SAINT JOHN'S AND A STATE GRANT FOR THE MONEY THAT WAS APPROPRIATED TO US ON ON THE 29TH OF FEBRUARY.

AND I CAN TELL YOU, IF YOU RIDE BY THERE TODAY, IT LOOKS A LOT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT DID JUST 2 OR 3 MONTHS AGO AND THE WORK THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE. BUT TO BE ABLE TO HOUSE THESE VETERANS, AND I THINK WE HAVE SOME 15 VETERANS NOW THAT ARE IN THIS FACILITY FOR THESE THESE 20 UNITS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE. AND BY PROBABLY THE 1ST OF MAY, WE'LL HAVE THIS FILLED WITH, WITH WITH VETERANS.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING SUPPORTIVE.

THANK THE ADMINISTRATION AS WELL.

YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB IN SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS AND AND HAVING OUR BACK.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. FOLKS, PLEASE HOLD THE APPLAUSE.

NEXT SPEAKER.

OH, I THOUGHT THAT WAS FOR ME.

ENSLAVE AND BOX 308 FOR ED SLAVIN.

COM. I AGREE WITH COLONEL DUDLEY.

EXCELLENT WORK ON THE HOMELESS COURT AND VETERANS COURT AND THE HOMELESS VETERANS HOUSING.

THERE IS ONE ITEM, THOUGH, IN THE CONSENT AGENDA.

PLEASE LOOK AT 25.

ONE OF THESE THINGS DOES NOT MATCH THE OTHERS.

SINCE WHEN ARE APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS PUT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? PLEASE TAKE IT OFF.

PLEASE DON'T DO IT AGAIN.

AND I THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

GOOD MORNING. I'M ROBERT WILSON.

I'M A VETERAN. I'VE BEEN HOMELESS FOR, LIKE, THE LAST THREE YEARS.

LIVING OUT OF MY CAR, NOT KNOWING WHERE I'M GOING TO PARK MY CAR.

AND THEN ONE NIGHT TO THE NEXT ONE ROOM.

I'LL TAKE A BATH.

YOU KNOW, A THOUSAND THINGS GO THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU'RE HOMELESS.

I BECAME HOMELESS WHEN I LOST MY WIFE AND MY CHILD.

KIND OF WENT KIND OF OFF THE WALL FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

LOSING BOTH OF THEM WITHIN FOUR MONTHS.

SO I BECAME HOMELESS.

I MET MR. DOOLEY AT DUDLEY THROUGH THE VETERANS COURT SYSTEM, AND IT'S BEEN A BLESSING, I THINK, WITH ME GETTING INTO TROUBLE, I DID CHANGED MY LIFE WITH MR. DUDLEY AND THE COURT SYSTEM.

AND NOW, WITH THE VILLAGE THAT I MOVE INTO, I HAVE A PLACE TO LAY MY HEAD EVERY NIGHT.

I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SLEEPING IN MY CAR OR WORRYING WHERE I'M GOING TO PARK MY CAR.

SO THIS IS A BLESSING TO US VETERANS TO HAVE A PLACE TO GO TO AND KNOW WE'RE SAFE.

KNOW THAT PEOPLE CARE AND KNOW WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET IN TROUBLE BY PARKING SOMEWHERE OR, YOU KNOW, GOING BACK TO JAIL.

THAT REALLY SCARES ME.

GOING BACK TO JAIL THE FIRST TIME I EVER BEEN TO JAIL.

SO IT'S BEEN A LEARNING TO ME.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS, AND I APPRECIATE THE VETERANS FOR GIVING US A PLACE TO STAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, I'M EMILY JAMES.

ADDRESS 427 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD.

I'M ALSO HERE ON BEHALF OF BILL DUDLEY.

I'VE BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY FOR SIX YEARS, ACTIVE DUTY FROM 2017 TO 2022 AND FROM 2016 TO 2023.

[01:05:08]

I HAD AN ASSAULT IN THE ARMY, WHICH THEY DON'T SHED A LOT OF LIGHT ON ON SEXUAL ASSAULT.

AND I REPORTED IT AND I FACED A LOT OF RETALIATION.

SO THIS SEQUENCE OF EVENTS KIND OF LED ME TO GET OUT OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY ACTIVE DUTY, AND I BECAME A CIVILIAN, WHICH THEN I KIND OF FELT LIKE I LOST MY LIFE PURPOSE IN A SENSE.

AND AS YOU MAY KNOW, 22 VETERANS PER DAY TAKE THEIR OWN LIVES.

I ALSO BECAME VERY FELT, VERY SUICIDAL.

I HAVE PTSD, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND THROUGH DIVINE INTERVENTION, I WOULD CALL IT.

I CAME TO THE VETERANS COURT BECAUSE I BEGAN DRINKING HEAVILY AND VETERANS COURT REALLY GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK, HONESTLY.

AS WELL AS VOLUNTEERING THROUGH THAT PROGRAM, I WAS ABLE TO MEET UP WITH MRS RENEE AT VETERANS VILLAGE AND. BECAUSE OF MY MENTAL HEALTH, I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE AT MY PRIOR HOME.

I WAS LIVING IN A CAMPER LIKE A FIFTH WHEEL.

AND THERE WE HAVE ON SITE PERSONNEL 24 HOURS A DAY.

SO WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH KIND OF THOSE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, YOU YOU FEEL A LOT SAFER WHEN YOU HAVE A DOOR THAT LOCKS WITH A DEADBOLT AND YOU HAVE SECURITY THERE 24 HOURS A DAY.

I'M A FOURTH GENERATION SAINT, AUGUSTINIAN, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO SAY THAT.

SO I CARE A LOT ABOUT THIS COUNTY.

I CARE A LOT ABOUT OUR CITY.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY GOOD TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON WHAT VETERANS DO GO THROUGH.

EVEN IF IT'S NOT SCARS OF BATTLE, IT'S STILL A VERY HARD TRANSITION FROM BEING A SOLDIER TO BEING A CIVILIAN.

SO VETERANS VILLAGE ACTUALLY HAS HELPED ME TO FEEL SAFE, SECURE.

IT'S CLEAN, AND I HAVE A VERY GOOD RAPPORT WITH THE MANAGERS THERE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT GROW.

WE HAVE NO WAY TO COOK FOOD RIGHT NOW OR A PLACE TO DO LAUNDRY.

SO SOME RENOVATIONS AND SOME, YOU KNOW, GRANT MONEY WOULD ACTUALLY HELP THE FACILITY.

AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT GROW AND BECOME A VERY GOOD VETERAN COMMUNITY THAT ALSO GIVES BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR.

COMMISSIONERS. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW ME, MY NAME IS DAVID GLAB.

I'M THE COMMANDER OF AMERICAN LEGION, SAINT AUGUSTINE POST 37.

AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, IT'S AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY.

AND ON BEHALF OF THE POST AND AMERICAN LEGION, I EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO SAINT JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR PROCLAMATION TODAY, DESIGNATING THE LAST SATURDAY OF APRIL AS AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY DAY.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THIS PROCLAMATION NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE SACRIFICES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR VETERANS, BUT IT ALSO RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

FOR MANY YEARS, POST 37 AND POST 194, IN WEST SAINT AUGUSTINE HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO SERVING VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE PROCLAMATION.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

EXCUSE ME TO EXPRESS OUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR VETERANS VILLAGE.

IT'S INITIATIVES LIKE THESE THAT TRULY DEMONSTRATE THE COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT EVERY VETERAN HAS ACCESS TO THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

WE STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH OUR FELLOW VETERANS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVE THE CARE AND THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE. IN CLOSING, I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION OF OUR POST AT POST 194 AND THE AMERICAN LEGION MISSION TO SUPPORT VETERANS, PROMOTE PATRIOTISM, AND MAINTAIN NATIONAL SECURITY.

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

LET US NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICES THEY HAVE MADE FOR OUR FREEDOM.

AND LET US ALWAYS HONOR THEM WITH OUR ACTIONS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, I'M TROY BLEVINS 14 RIBERIA SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.

I'M THE PRESIDENT OF HOME AGAIN.

AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO STAFF SERGEANT MAJOR MCDERMOTT.

THE ENTIRE BOARD OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNTY HAS GROWN VERY STRONG WITH THE GROUP I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF.

I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DID TO ALLOW US TO GET TO WHERE WE'RE AT WITH VETERANS VILLAGE.

THE STATE APPROPRIATION WAS AMAZING.

I'VE BEEN IN THIS HOMELESS FIGHT FOR ABOUT 20 PLUS YEARS.

I WAS FORMER PRESIDENT OF SAINT FRANCIS HOUSE, BEEN PRESIDENT OF HOME AGAIN, I THINK, FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS.

[01:10:05]

COMMISSIONER ALAIMO, YOU'VE YOU'VE MADE YOUR VISIT OUT THERE AND APPRECIATE IT.

I BELIEVE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS GOING TO COME OVER IN THIS WEEK, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO BE TAKING PLACE.

ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS TALKED ABOUT HAVING LAUNDRY, HAVING A KITCHEN.

BOTH OF THOSE ARE COMING AS THE IMPROVEMENTS AS WE'RE GETTING THERE.

YOU DO HAVE TO QUALIFY TO BE IN THE PROGRAM.

IT'S NOT JUST YOU HAVE TO BE A PARTICIPANT AND ACTIVE PARTICIPANT TO BE IN THE PROGRAM AND TO BE A RESIDENT THERE.

ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE ARE DOING THEIR PART TO BE BETTER CITIZENS.

I KNOW I'VE RECEIVED A LITTLE BIT OF PUSHBACK ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT THIS IS JUST A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, AND IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT THE GENEROSITY OF THE COUNTY, THE STATE, AND THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS. BRANDON PATTI, 1036 MEADOWVIEW LANE.

HERE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE VETERANS VILLAGE.

I WAS AT THE VETERANS COUNCIL MEETING A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND IT WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT AND ACTIVITY THAT'S GONE INTO THIS AND JUST WISH TO COMMEND COLONEL DUDLEY AND THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF HOMELESS VETERANS.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE WHERE THEY'LL GET THE CALL.

IT MIGHT BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. IT MIGHT BE IN THE EVENING HOURS.

WHAT HAVE YOU FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR FROM OTHERS SAYING WE HAVE HEY, WE HAVE THE HOMELESS VETERANS AND THE VETERANS COUNCIL STEPS IN WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT IN ORDER TO HELP PROVIDE THEM SHELTER.

AND THEN WITH THIS PROGRAM, WE'LL GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

AND AS A RESIDENT OR AS A CONSTITUENT, I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF THIS COMMISSION.

AND I JUST WISH TO SAY THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND KEEPING SAINT JOHNS COUNTY THE MOST VETERANS FRIENDLY COUNTY IN THE STATE AND IN THE COUNTRY.

AND AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS JOSEPH MCDERMOTT.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE, 200 SAN SEBASTIAN VIEW, SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, 32086.

I'VE WORKED AT THE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

YOU COMMISSIONERS, OTHER COMMISSIONERS THAT HAVE SERVED THE COUNTY, THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY AND ALL OUR SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR VETERANS. AND I AM GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR ALL THIS SUPPORT.

AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THIS ISSUE OF VETERANS VILLAGE.

IT'S BEEN A LOT OF HARD WORK FOR MISTER DUDLEY, OUR VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, YOURSELVES AND OUR COUNTY STAFF.

BUT AGAIN, THANKS FOR ALWAYS TAKING CARE OF US.

MICHAEL MCDONALD, WINDSWEPT ACRES NEIGHBORHOOD.

I THINK WE COULD USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAYBE COLLABORATE WITH THAT GENTLEMAN AND SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO FOR THIS VETERANS COMMUNITY.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS ENOUGH.

I MEAN, TO PUBLICIZE THIS IS A GREAT WIN FOR THE VETERANS COMMUNITY.

I MEAN, YES, IT'S A BENEFIT AND IT'S GREATLY NEEDED, BUT I THINK WE COULD WORK WITH THIS GROUP SPECIFICALLY TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, THEIR ABILITIES MOVING FORWARD. SO THAT'S ABOUT IT.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED?

[Approval of Consent Agenda]

WE HAVE A SECOND. I'LL SECOND.

BUT, MADAM CHAIR, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT THAT, YOU KNOW, I MET WITH BILL DUDLEY A COUPLE OF WEEKS BACK REGARDING VETERANS VILLAGE AND THEN IMMEDIATELY SPOKE WITH JOEY ANDREWS, OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, ABOUT IT.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING THAT THEY'RE DOING.

I DID DO A SITE VISIT.

I SEE THE PROGRESS AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING HERE FOR OUR VETERANS.

AND WE WE SUPPORT YOU AND WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR US VETERANS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ALAIMO.

I APPRECIATE THAT. AND I THINK I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE ENTIRE BOARD WHEN WE SAY, GOD BLESS YOU, COLONEL DUDLEY.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.

PLEASE VOTE. CONSENT AGENDA PASSES, AS AMENDED.

THANK YOU. TAKES US TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.

[Additions/Deletions to Regular Agenda]

NO, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER ALAIMO.

NONE TO ME.

I DO HAVE A RED FOLDER ITEM THAT'S COME TO OUR ATTENTION THIS MORNING.

THAT IS TIME SENSITIVE.

AND I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE MOVE IT TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE AND PUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY PLAN DOWN TO AGENDA ITEM ONE, A COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

[01:15:02]

NONE. OKAY.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA?

[Approval of Regular Agenda]

OKAY. PLEASE VOTE.

PASSES FIVE ZERO.

ALL RIGHT. THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE.

[Additional Item]

IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO ANNOUNCE TO THE COMMUNITY THIS MORNING THAT WE WERE NOTIFIED LAST NIGHT THAT THE BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM PROPOSAL OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY HAS BEEN RANKED NUMBER ONE BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA BLACK HISTORY TASK FORCE.

AND THAT WE, THE COUNTY, HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE TASK FORCE MEETING IN TALLAHASSEE THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 19TH, TO ANY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS THAT THE TASK FORCE MAY HAVE ABOUT OUR PROPOSAL.

MISS MEEKS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE.

THE STATE GAVE US A VERY TIGHT WINDOW.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE.

BUT THE NEWS LAST NIGHT WAS NOTHING SHORT OF EXCITING, SO THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. IT IS CERTAINLY EXCITING.

MY NAME IS TARA MEEKS.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

AND AS COMMISSIONER ARNOLD KIND OF PREFACE HERE FOR IS WE ARE HERE THIS MORNING AND IT IS A RED FOLDER ITEM BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAME TO OUR ATTENTION LAST NIGHT AT ABOUT 630. AND WE ARE LOOKING TO GO TO TALLAHASSEE ON FRIDAY TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS FROM THE TASK FORCE, WHICHEVER QUESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE ABOUT OUR PROPOSAL.

WE WERE ONE OF EIGHT PROPOSALS THAT MADE IT TO THE FINAL ROUND.

AND WE DID RANK NUMBER ONE.

I DO HAVE THE SCORES HERE, WHICH WILL WILL GET TO HERE IN A SECOND.

BUT WE'RE WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

A GOOD TEAM OF STAFF, BOTH INSIDE THE COUNTY AND SOME OF OUR PARTNERS WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND WE REALLY WERE TRYING TO PITCH SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AS THE PREMIER LOCATION FOR THIS MUSEUM.

AND WE DO, IN FACT, BELIEVE THAT TO BE TRUE WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY HAVE GOING FOR US IS THAT WE HAVE THIS RICH EXISTING TOURISM INDUSTRY THAT HAS CULTURE AND HISTORY RIGHT AT THAT BACKBONE AT THE CENTER OF OUR FOCUS. WE HAVE SUCH EXTENSIVE HISTORY HERE IN OUR AREA.

I'M GOING BACK 450 PLUS YEARS, AND BLACK HISTORY HAS BEEN A REALLY PREDOMINANT THREAD THROUGHOUT THAT STORY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY GREAT EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE THROUGH THE YEAR, AND INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, WE HAVE DONE SOME REVIEWS WITH OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS OF OUR AREA AND THEY HAVE PROCLAIMED THAT WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A WORLD CLASS AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE DESTINATION HERE.

WITH A LITTLE BIT OF, OF FOCUSING IN ON THOSE AREAS OF OUR HISTORY AND CURATING THAT A LITTLE BIT, WE CAN REALLY BECOME AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAT SECTOR OF TOURISM, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING.

AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT HISTORICAL ASSETS HERE.

A LOT OF THEM ARE ALREADY OPEN AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

WE'VE ALSO WORKED ON FURTHER DEVELOPING SOME OF THESE RECENTLY AS WELL AS THROUGH THE PAST DECADES.

ONE OF THOSE OF NOTE IS FORT MOSE HISTORIC STATE PARK.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE RECONSTRUCTING THAT 1738 FORT HERE OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR.

THE GROUNDBREAKING WAS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT LINCOLNVILLE MUSEUM WILL BE MAKING SOME MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING AS WELL.

WE HAVE THE CULTURAL COUNCIL, WHICH HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH TO FOCUS ON THE HOTEL, WHICH IS RIGHT OVER AT THE PIER LOCATION.

THAT THAT'S A BUILDING WITH A LOT OF REALLY NEAT HISTORY, BOTH ARCHITECTURALLY AND AGAIN, SPECIFICALLY FOR BLACK HISTORY.

IT WAS THE SITE OF SOME OF THE WALK INS FOR THE FOR WHEN THEY ALL WALKED INTO THE OCEAN WHICH IS AN INTERESTING, INTERESTING TIME IN OUR HISTORY FOR SURE.

AND THEN ALSO LOCALLY, WE'LL BE DOING SOME REPAIRS WITH THE ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

AND THESE PROJECTS REALLY SHOW THAT NOT ONLY IS THE COUNTY FOCUSED ON PUTTING BLACK HISTORY AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE SUPPORT THE REALLY NEAT, RICH ASSETS THAT WE HAVE IN THE AREA.

BUT OUR COMMUNITY HAS REALLY PULLED TOGETHER FOR THAT SUPPORT AS WELL.

KIND OF FURTHER ELABORATING ON THE TOURISM ASPECT OF THIS AND WHAT WE THINK WILL HELP TO MAKE THIS MUSEUM SUCCESSFUL IN OUR AREA, IS THAT WE DO HAVE A REALLY STRONG VISITOR SENTIMENT TO THE AREA FOR COMING TO VISIT OUR HISTORICAL SITES.

IN PARTICULAR, WE KNOW FROM SOME OF OUR VISITOR SURVEYS THAT 44% OF PEOPLE WHO COME HERE SAY THAT'S THEIR TOP REASON FOR VISITING US IS OUR HISTORY.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT 76% OF OUR VISITORS SAY THAT THEY CAME HERE TO FLORIDA SPECIFICALLY TO VISIT SAINT JOHNS COUNTY WHICH IS WHICH IS PRETTY STRONG WHEN YOU COMPARE US TO OTHER DESTINATIONS.

ONE OF THE NEAT THINGS ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS NOT ONLY WILL IT HAVE A FOCUS ON BLACK HISTORY AND CONVEYING THAT BLACK HISTORY TO THE VISITORS OF THE MUSEUM, BUT IT PROVIDES SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVERALL CULTURAL ENHANCEMENT OF THE AREA.

ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS FACILITY IS THAT IT WILL INCLUDE A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.

AND SO BACK IN 2019, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY COMPLETED A STUDY FOR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, WHICH SAID THAT WE WOULD BE A GREAT LOCATION FOR HAVING AN ADDITIONAL 500 SEAT

[01:20:09]

BECAUSE WE ARE SO STRONG AND RICH, BOTH IN LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS WHO PROVIDE PERFORMING ARTS AS WELL AS WE'RE WE'RE REALLY WELL POSITIONED FOR GROUPS WHO ARE LOOKING TO KIND OF TRAVEL DOWN AND DIP DOWN INTO THE STATE.

SO WE FEEL THAT NOT ONLY CAN WE SUPPORT THAT HISTORY HISTORICAL EDUCATION, BUT WE CAN ALSO SUPPORT THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AS WELL.

WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT SITES IN THE COUNTY, WE CAME TO DECIDE THAT A REALLY NEAT PLACE TO PUT THIS HISTORY MUSEUM WOULD BE THE HISTORIC FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY PROPERTY.

IT IS LOCATED OUT ON THE CORNER OF 214, IN HOMES AND IT IS CURRENTLY A FORESTED PROPERTY.

BUT PREVIOUSLY IT WAS THE FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AND IT HAD A HOST OF DIFFERENT BUILDINGS OUT THERE, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS AS WELL AS SOME DORM BUILDINGS AND SOME MAINTENANCE BUILDINGS.

FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY HAS A REALLY RICH HISTORY IN THE AREA, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY DID LEAVE US IN THE 1960S AND THEY WENT SOUTH, BUT THEY HAVE RETAINED THAT PROPERTY.

AND SO WE DID REACH OUT TO FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY, AND WE'VE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM ABOUT POTENTIAL USE OF A PORTION OF THEIR PROPERTY.

THEY DO RETAIN OWNERSHIP OF A FEW HUNDRED ACRES IN THAT AREA, AND WE'D BE LOOKING TO USE SOMEWHERE AROUND PROBABLY 10 TO 20 ACRES FOR THIS MUSEUM.

THE IDEA IS THAT WE WOULD ACTUALLY STRUCTURE THIS MUSEUM CAMPUS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THINGS LIKE PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS AND STATUE GARDENS TO LOOK LIKE THE CAMPUS, THE ORIGINAL CAMPUS.

WE WOULD HAVE RECONSTRUCTIONS OF SOME OF THE BUILDINGS AS THEY LOOKED FROM THE EXTERIOR.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, ON THE INTERIOR, THEY WOULD BE PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS, MUSEUM EXHIBITS, COMMUNITY SPACE FOR GATHERING.

AND SO WE THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS A REALLY NEAT PITCH TO THE STATE, BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES IT MAKE THIS A GREAT PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE THAT ASPECT OF OF WHAT HAS GONE ON HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND IN THE STATE AS WELL.

IT REALLY TURNS THE WHOLE SITE IN THE EXPERIENCE INTO A HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE.

IF YOU CAN WALK AN OLD CAMPUS AND SEE THE OLD DORMITORY BUILDINGS, AT LEAST WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE FROM THE OUTSIDE AND KIND OF GET A LOOK AND FEEL FOR WHAT LIFE ON THAT CAMPUS LOOKED LIKE, HOW COOL IS THAT? SO THAT'S PART OF OUR PROPOSAL TO THE STATE.

AND HERE YOU CAN SEE THERE'S A RENDERING.

THIS WOULD BE WHAT WE WERE PROPOSING.

THE MAIN BUILDING WOULD LOOK LIKE.

THIS IS A REPLICA OF YOU CAN SEE THE HISTORICAL BUILDING UP IN THE CORNER I BELIEVE I WAS TOLD THIS WAS ONE OF THE DORMITORIES.

I THINK IT'S THE MEN'S, BUT IT MIGHT BE THE WOMEN'S.

AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY.

OF COURSE, WEST AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE AND INVOLVED IN THIS.

WE'VE WE'VE GOTTEN SOME INFORMATION FROM THE ACCORD CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM.

THEY'VE BEEN VERY HELPFUL.

THE LINCOLNVILLE MUSEUM OF COURSE, THE SAINT JOHNS VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU, THEY'VE PUT TOGETHER SOME MARKETING MATERIALS FOR US.

THE CULTURAL COUNCIL PROVIDED A LOT OF PICTURES.

THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE.

AND OF COURSE, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, WE HAVE ALL PULLED TOGETHER TO PULL THIS OFF.

SO, AS WAS MENTIONED, WE GAVE THIS PROPOSAL TO THE STATE.

THEY SHARED IT WITH THE TASK FORCE EARLY IN MARCH, AND THE TASK FORCE SUBMITTED THEIR SCORES BACK TO THE STATE LAST FRIDAY.

AND YESTERDAY EVENING, THE STATE SHARED THEIR SCORES WITH THE RECIPIENTS.

YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT SAINT JOHNS COUNTY IS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THIS LIST WITH 94.

SO WE DID COME IN FIRST IN THIS IN THIS RANKING.

AND THE TASK FORCE HAS INDICATED THAT THEY INTEND TO SELECT AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION OF THE TOP THREE SITES TO GO TO THE STATE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

SO KIND OF OUR NEXT STEPS ARE THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY ON A CONDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH THEM, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S SELECTION AND PROVISION FOR FUNDING FOR THE FLORIDA MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY.

SO IT WOULD BE AT A. PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, BUT IT WOULD HAVE SOME CONTINGENCIES IN IT THAT WOULD RELY ON THE STATE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT BEFORE WE TOOK ANY FURTHER ACTION. AND WE DO INTEND TO GO TO TALLAHASSEE, AS I MENTIONED, SOME COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES THIS FRIDAY FOR Q AND A, THE MEETING IS BETWEEN 9 AND 1, AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO SHARE THAT WE ARE TAKING AT LEAST ONE CHARTER BUS, IF NOT TWO CHARTER BUSSES OF OUR WEST AUGUSTINE RESIDENTS WITH US.

THEY ARE COMING FULLY DECKED OUT IN T SHIRTS AND FANS AND THEY'RE VERY, VERY EXCITED, AS ARE WE.

SO WHAT WE ARE PROVIDING HERE FOR CONSIDERATION IS A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA SELECTION AND PROVISION FOR FUNDING OF A FLORIDA MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY IN THE SAINT AUGUSTINE AREA.

OKAY. THANK YOU, MISS MEEKS.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME FROM THE BOARD? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT WHAT WAS BEING PROPOSED FOR OUR AREA WAS A SORT OF RECONSTRUCTION OF THAT FLORIDA MEMORIAL CAMPUS.

[01:25:05]

I'M AS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AS YOU ARE WHEN YOU TAKE THE TOUR OF WEST AUGUSTINE WITH GREG WHITE AND DEWALA AND ROBERT NIMMONS AND ALL THE GUYS, THEY SHOW YOU THESE BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES OF THE FLORIDA MEMORIAL CAMPUS, AND YOU REALLY HAVE TO USE EVERY BIT OF YOUR IMAGINATION TO PICTURE THAT.

ASSUMING THAT THIS COMES TO FRUITION, I'M JUST I'M JUST THRILLED THAT PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY HAVE A CAMPUS TO WALK ON AND BE ABLE TO RELIVE THAT, THAT HISTORY THAT USED TO EXIST THERE. SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT BIT OF INFORMATION.

THAT'S A WELCOME SURPRISE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, I THINK WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL NOW OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM ONE.

A, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. FOR THE RECORD, YOU'LL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES.

DELIGHTFUL NEWS. ED SLAVIN BOX 3084 ED SLAVIN.

COM A FEW YEARS AGO, FLORIDA MEMORIAL WAS TALKING ABOUT COMING BACK HERE AND OPENING A CAMPUS.

COULD WE WORK ON THAT, TOO? BECAUSE A FEW YEARS AGO, A COUPLE PRESIDENTS AGO AT FLORIDA MEMORIAL KEN, BRIAN, OUR COMMISSIONER FROM DISTRICT FIVE, WAS THERE IN MIAMI GARDENS, I THINK IT IS FOR THE INAUGURATION.

AND THEY WERE SERIOUSLY TALKING ABOUT COMING BACK HERE AND OPENING A CAMPUS HERE.

AND I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT, TOO.

AND I WOULD BE DELIGHTED IF YOU ALL WOULD SUPPORT THAT AS WELL.

ON THE CONDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENT.

I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SEE IT YET, AND I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T EITHER.

COULD WE PLEASE PUT THAT AT THE HEEL OF THE DOCKET? AND HERE'S WHY.

ITEM THREE ON TODAY'S AGENDA IS AN ITEM HAVING TO DO WITH WORLD GOLF VILLAGE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS A WAIVER OF OUR SEVENTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL.

NOW, JUSTICE WILLIAM REHNQUIST SAID THAT THE SEVENTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL IS A BULWARK AGAINST OPPRESSION.

I DON'T WANT ONE IN ANY CONTRACT SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY EVER DOES.

AND I KNOW WE GOT OUR CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND OUR CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH, AND EVEN EVENTUALLY OUR MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD TO AGREE WITH ME.

NO GOVERNMENT SHOULD EVER WAIVE THEIR SEVENTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

AND I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THAT ON ITEM THREE.

BUT LET ME JUST SAY, WITH RESPECT TO FLORIDA MEMORIAL COLLEGE, WE NEED TO TELL THE WHOLE HISTORY.

THEY WERE RUN OUT OF TOWN, THEY WERE RUN OUT OF TOWN, AND THEY LEFT THEIR LIGHTS ON AT THEIR CAMPUS AS THEY MOVED TO MIAMI GARDENS.

AND THE REASON WHY IS THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT IN SAINT AUGUSTINE AND SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY WAS REALLY ANNOYED THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS PROTESTED IN 1963 AND 1964 WITH DOCTOR KING AGAINST SEGREGATION, AND DOCTOR KING CALLED SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY THE MOST LAWLESS PLACE IN AMERICA.

WE GOT NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP.

FOLKS, THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS.

JUST ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED.

AND COULD I PLEASE ASK YOU TO ASK LEARNED COUNCIL AND OUR AIR.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION. MR. SLAVIN, DO NOT BE RUDE. HE'S NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

MR. SLAVIN, WHEN I'M TALKING ONE MORNING, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SHOULD NOT BE TALKING TO SOMEBODY ELSE ANYWAY.

TREY ALEXANDER ASNER AND THREE OTHER CULTURAL RESOURCES COORDINATORS OF SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY WERE RUN OFF IN A HOSTILE WORKING ENVIRONMENT, AND TREY STOOD UP FOR PROTECTING AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.

SEVERAL OF YOU ALL HAVE MET WITH THEM.

I DON'T THINK A COUPLE OF YOU ALL HAVE MET WITH THEM YET, BUT I WISH Y'ALL WOULD.

BUT HE NEEDS TO BE REINSTATED IN STAUNTON WITH BACK PAY AND AN APOLOGY, BECAUSE SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN TRUE TO THE TRADITIONS OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND OUR REPUBLIC. AND BUT THIS IS DELIGHTFUL NEWS.

BUT ON THAT PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT COULD LEARN LEARNED COUNCIL, PLEASE TELL Y'ALL, IS THERE A WAIVER OF THE SEVENTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL? IF THERE'S NOT, THEN LET'S GO AHEAD AND PASS IT.

BUT IF THERE IS, WE NEED TO HAVE A DEBATE ON THIS THOROUGH DEBATE BECAUSE YOU DON'T WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AS A GOVERNMENT.

THANK YOU. WARREN CLARKE, 702 GERONA ROAD.

AND THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS.

WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED THROUGH GOOD TROUBLE AND COMPASSION AT SAINT AUGUSTINE AS WELL, AND STRONGLY SUPPORTING THIS.

AND WHAT I WANTED TO SAY IS THIS IS A TIME OF CELEBRATION FOR US.

IF THIS REALLY DOES COME TO OUR COUNTY, I THINK IT'LL BE EXCELLENT.

IT'LL BE GREAT. THERE WILL BE TIMES IN THE FUTURE, ONCE THIS IS UP AND GOING, WHEN THE HISTORY MUSEUM WILL COME BACK TO YOU ALL, WE'LL COME BACK TO THE COUNTY WITH REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE, WITH PERHAPS DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT I'M LISTENING TO FROM FROM REVEREND DELHI SANDS.

AND SHE HAS THE REVENANT MINISTRY HERE IN TOWN, AND IT WORKS WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF HAVING OF BEING HOMELESS AND HAVING

[01:30:03]

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT IS, HOW CAN WE HAVE THIS MUSEUM AND ITS PRESENCE HERE ACTUALLY BENEFIT PEOPLE NOW IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MOST IN NEED? AND YOU KNOW, SOME PRETTY CREATIVE IDEAS COULD COME FROM THAT A RE-ENACTOR TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PARTICULARLY FOR BLACK RE-ENACTORS ALL THINGS ABOUT MUSIC AND THE ARTS AND THE WAY IN WHICH THAT CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THIS HISTORY MUSEUM.

SO WHEN THEY COME BACK IN THE FUTURE WITH SOME PRETTY CREATIVE WAYS OF HOW THIS MUSEUM CAN BE A BENEFIT TO PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED TO BE TO, TO HAVE, HAVE BENEFIT COME FROM IT IN THAT COMMUNITY.

I JUST URGE YOU TO BE OPEN AND RECEPTIVE TO THAT AND CELEBRATE THE WAY IN WHICH THIS CAN BENEFIT EVERY STRATA OF OUR SOCIETY.

THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING. AND TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND TO THE STAFF.

YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB PUSHING THE NEEDLE WITH THIS MUSEUM.

AND TO MISTER MEEKS.

EXCELLENT. EXCELLENT JOB.

SHE GOT THIS INFORMATION AS SHE STATED AT 630 LAST NIGHT.

SO THAT MEANS SHE DID THAT PRESENTATION LAST NIGHT.

SHE DID NOT SLEEP.

SHE GOT IT TOGETHER.

AND WE WANT TO APPLAUD YOU.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

AND TO OUR DISTRICT TWO COMMISSIONER, THE WARRIOR THAT WENT INTO A BLACK CAUCUS MEETING IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, WITH AN ENTOURAGE AND SIT THERE AND SPOKE IN FRONT OF THEM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AS WELL.

THANK YOU GUYS.

IT IS NOTHING LIKE THE ORIGINAL.

AND IN MY OPINION, SAINT AUGUSTINE IS THE ORIGINAL.

WE HAVE PHOTOMOSAIC THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD CAME SOUTH BEFORE IT WENT NORTH.

TWO STIPULATIONS.

ONCE YOU HAD TO BE PART OF THE MILITIA, THE OTHER YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE CATHOLIC FAITH.

AND THEN YOU WAS A FREE MAN.

SEE THAT SPOKE MOSAIC? IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN BORN RECORDED, I GOT TO USE THE WORD RECORDED FOR MY ATTORNEYS RECORDED WAS RECORDED AT BOTH MOSAIC. THE FIRST MARRIAGE RECORDED AFRICAN AMERICANS AT FORT MOSAIC.

WE SAINT AUGUSTINE IS THE ORIGINAL.

IT IS TIME TO HEAL WITH FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY.

THE COMMISSIONER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH HORACE HOWARD, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY, OKAY.

AND ALSO WALT BILL MCCORMICK AND OTHERS.

THIS CURRENT TRUSTEE BOARD, THEY WANT TO MOVE THE NEEDLE.

THEY WANT THAT MUSEUM TO BE BROUGHT HERE TO THE ORIGINATOR.

AND IN MY OPINION, THE ORIGINATOR IS SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.

IT IS ONLY ONE CITY IN THE ENTIRE STATE THAT MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS ARRESTED, THAT SAINT AUGUSTINE HE VISITED.

FIVE. OKAY.

WE WAS ONE OF THE FIVE, THE ORIGINATOR.

WHEN YOU GO TO SAINT MARY'S CHURCH, SAINT PAUL CHURCH, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, AND YOU GO IN THAT PULPIT, YOU FEEL MARTIN LUTHER KING'S SPIRIT.

IT IS NICE TO PUT HIS PICTURE ON THE WALL, BUT TO FEEL THAT SPIRIT WE HAVE THAT WE ARE THE ORIGINAL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

I HAD TO DO IT ELSE FOR COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

GOSH. I'M EXCITED.

I'M HUMBLED TO BE A PART OF THIS TODAY.

THIS IS AWESOME.

IT'S CELEBRATION TIME.

EVEN TO BE AT THIS POSITION, I WANT TO.

I'M. I GUESS I'M GOING TO THANK THE WHOLE COUNTY NOW AND BEYOND, BECAUSE WE PREPARE FOR THIS FOR SO LONG.

I'M SORRY. MY NAME IS NUALA WILLIS.

FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW ME, Y'ALL FORGOTTEN YOUR NAMES? LONG TIME RESIDENT OF WEST AUGUSTINE.

BELOVED WEST AUGUSTINE.

I'M GOING TO SAY THAT.

CAME BACK HOME FROM COLLEGE AND MILITARY TO A COMMUNITY THAT REALLY NEEDED MY HELP, AND I STEPPED IN WITH OTHERS.

AND I'M PROUD TODAY TO SAY THAT I'M GLAD I DID.

I'M PROUD TO STAND HERE TODAY.

I'M INSPIRED.

I'M EXCITED. I WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO ARE INVOLVED.

I LOOK BACK HERE AT MY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HERE.

WE GOT TOGETHER AND MADE SURE OUR COMMUNITY IS SAFE AND ACCEPTABLE FOR THIS MUSEUM.

WE WORKED HARD. I'VE BEEN DOING WEED AND SEED FOR 20 YEARS NOW.

MAKING PREPARATION.

IT'S TIME.

WEST AUGUSTINE IS THAT UNTOLD JEWEL THAT NEEDS TO SHINE.

AND THIS WILL GIVE US A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

[01:35:01]

MY FATHER WAS ALIVE AND WELL.

I USED TO WALK THAT CAMPUS.

THAT'S WHY I GOT INSPIRED TO GO TO COLLEGE.

I PLAYED COLLEGE ON THAT CAMPUS AND EVENTUALLY WENT TO SCHOOL.

I CAN IMAGINE WHAT THE YOUNG KIDS TODAY IN MY COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE WITHOUT THAT STRUGGLE, IF THAT COLLEGE STILL BEING THERE.

SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT PART AS WELL.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK THIS COMMISSION FOR SUPPORTING EFFORTS IN WEST AUGUSTINE.

EACH OF YOU, WE HAD A CHANCE TO PERSONALLY TAKE YOU THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY AND WALK YOU THROUGH THE GROUNDS OF WEST AUGUSTINE AND LET YOU SEE OUR VISION AS WELL.

WE HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH YOU ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WE PUT A LOT OF SWEAT EQUITY INTO THIS EFFORT.

THIS IS KIND OF LIKE THE HIGHLIGHT.

I NEVER IMAGINED THIS WOULD COME ON OUR DOORSTEPS, BUT IT'S HERE.

THANK YOU FOR EMBRACING IT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE STRONG GOING TO TALLAHASSEE.

WE'VE MOUNTED UP IN WEST AUGUSTINE.

WE'RE READY TO GO.

WE'RE GOING TO BE AT LEAST HOPEFULLY 100 STRONG IN THAT AUDIENCE SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT.

WE GOT YOUR BACK BECAUSE WE KNOW YOU HAVE OURS.

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

ALL THE STAFF, SHERIFF HARDWICK HERE AND HIS STAFF, WE COULDN'T HAVE GOT HERE WITHOUT YOU.

AND WE APPRECIATE YOU.

LET'S DO IT. LET'S BRING IT HOME.

LET'S BRING THAT MUSEUM HERE.

WHO? GOOD MORNING.

HEY, I'M A BEACH GIRL, HEATHER HARLEY DAVIDSON AND I AM RUNNING FOR DISTRICT THREE.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT TO CELEBRATE IS FRANK BUTLER.

DO BUTLER BEACH.

HE WAS AN ASTUTE BUSINESSMAN.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I HOPE WE CAN EMPLOY FRANK BUTLER'S HISTORY WITHIN THIS HISTORY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, I'M VICKI PEPPER.

I LIVE ON HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, AND I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY.

WE'RE AN INFORMAL, INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP THAT GREW OUT OF SAINT AUGUSTINE'S ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION EFFORT.

CARE'S PURPOSE IS TO SERVE BLACK AND OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY BY IDENTIFYING RESOURCES, INCLUDING FUNDING SOURCES, AND LINKING THEM WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS.

AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT SHY ABOUT LETTING YOU KNOW WHEN WE THINK YOU ARE NOT SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WELL.

BUT WE ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT YOU WHEN YOU DO THE RIGHT THING TO BUILD THE BELOVED COMMUNITY THAT DOCTOR KING ENVISIONED HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

OTHERS HAVE ELABORATED, AND WE CERTAINLY ENDORSE OUR COLLEAGUES REMARKS, BUT WE JUST WANT TO SAY THIS MUSEUM PROJECT IS GREAT NOT ONLY FOR WEST AUGUSTINE, BUT FOR ALL OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING AGAIN, COMMISSIONERS.

BRIDGET GREEN FOR 74 PONDEROSA CIRCLE, SAINT AUGUSTINE, 32092.

AGAIN, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR THANK YOU'S TO TARA MEEKS FOR DOING SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB IN BRINGING THE MUSEUM INFORMATION TO YOU GUYS.

THE MUSEUM, IT GIVES THOSE INTERESTED IN AFRICAN, AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.

IT TELLS US ABOUT OUR CULTURE.

IT HELPS ALL AMERICANS SEE OUR HISTORY AND HOW IT SHAPED AMERICA.

AND ALSO THE MUSEUM, IT SERVES AS A PLACE OF COLLABORATION THAT REACHES BEYOND SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY.

AND I JUST THANK YOU ALL FOR CONSIDERATION.

AND I WILL BE ON THAT BUS TO TALLAHASSEE ON FRIDAY.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

MARTIN MCEACHERN 113 TANGLEWOOD TRACE, 12 YEAR RESIDENT OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FROM HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA AND US MARINE CORPS VETERAN. SO I'D JUST LIKE TO TAKE THIS MOMENT JUST TO THANK ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT'S GONE INTO THIS PROJECT.

I'VE BEEN A PART OF THIS WORK MYSELF TO THE COMMISSIONERS TO ADMINISTRATOR, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AND THEN ALL OF THE OTHER FOLKS WHO WHO'VE ACTUALLY PUT IN A LOT OF WORK TO GET TO THIS POINT.

AGAIN, YOU'VE HEARD WE'RE NUMBER ONE.

WE'RE VERY CONFIDENT AND GOING TO WIN ON FRIDAY.

IF WE DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE, THEN WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

BUT FROM FROM THIS ROOM, THE TIME IS NOW.

AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY MOVING TO FLORIDA AND BEING A PART OF THIS MOVEMENT IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME.

WE GET TO CHANGE LIVES BRING EDUCATION AND ALSO THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT IT'S GOING TO HAVE FOR ALL OUR COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTY OVERALL.

SO, AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I AM 100% BEHIND THIS EFFORT AS WELL AS YOU ARE, ALL ARE.

AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR EFFORTS ON THIS PROJECT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, CHARLIE HUNT FROM MILL CREEK ESTATES. I TRY TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE OF WHAT A BUILDING LIKE THIS WOULD MEAN IN WEST AUGUSTINE.

[01:40:10]

IF YOU LOOK AT THE RATING OF WEBSTER SCHOOL AND HOW LOW IT IS COMPARED TO THE SCHOOLS ON THE WEST SIDE OF I-95.

OKAY. IS THAT GOING TO GET IMPROVED? YOU DON'T SEE PORTABLES GOING INTO THERE FOR, YOU KNOW, AFTER TWO YEARS WHEN IT'S BUILT LIKE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF 95.

ALL RIGHT. YEAH, IT WOULD LOOK, THIS WILL LOOK GOOD, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP AROUND IT, NOT JUST PUT THE BUILDING THERE AND SAY, OKAY, EVERYTHING IS FINE.

THAT'S HOW I SEE IT, BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST WHAT THE BUILDING DO, THE DO THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND IT.

PUT FORTH THE EFFORT OF GETTING THAT STRAIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT IT SEEMS LIKE.

IF WE JUST TAKE THIS BUILDING AND PUT IT RIGHT THERE, EVERYTHING WILL LOOK NICE.

WELL, IF YOU WERE LOOKING FOR JUST A TOURIST MONEY.

YES. SO LOOK AT IT IN THAT ASPECT.

THANK YOU.

HI, MY NAME IS SHERRY GLASGOW.

MY ADDRESS IS 550 ASHBY LANDON WAY.

I'M A BORN RESIDENT OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.

I GREW UP ON THE WEST SIDE.

I GREW UP DRIVING PAST HOLMES BOULEVARD AND LOOKING AT THE FLORIDA MEMORIAL SITE.

I BEEN TOLD STORIES ABOUT THAT AREA AND I'VE SEEN HOW IT HAS GONE DOWN.

I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROJECT UNTIL TODAY, COMING HERE TO THIS MEETING FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

SO I THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT TO US.

I THANK YOU TO MY ELDERS FOR IT AND FOR ME AS A YOUNG BLACK LADY HERE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE.

I'M VERY EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT IT, AND I DO HOPE THAT IT COME FORWARD.

AND GOOD LUCK ON FRIDAY.

MICHAEL MCDONALD, WINDSWEPT ACRES NEIGHBORHOOD.

NO DISRESPECT INTENDED BY THIS, BUT WHEN WE TEAR DOWN CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS DOWNTOWN AND BANISH THEM TO PRIVATE PROPERTY OUT IN TROUT CREEK AND WE BUILD MUSEUMS FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY, IT IT JUST SEEMS KIND OF NARRATIVE LIKE IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE KIND OF REWRITING HISTORY HERE IN A FASHION THAT ISN'T REALLY NECESSARY. THAT'S KIND OF MY DEVIL'S ADVOCATE APPROACH TO IT.

I THINK OBVIOUSLY THE BLACK COMMUNITY NEEDS A YOU KNOW, A RESOURCE TO EXHIBIT AND HAVE A SENSE OF FREEDOM AND EXPRESSION, YOU KNOW, MAYBE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, YOU KNOW, WE COULD ADVANCE SOMETHING OVER THERE.

WE DO NOT NEED TO BUILD A MEGALITHIC SITE RIGHT THERE.

ORANGE COUNTY WOULD BE OPEN ARMED FOR IT, I'M SURE.

WE DON'T NEED A FIELD OF DREAMS THAT BUILD THINGS FOR MORE PEOPLE TO COME.

WE ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH TOURIST DESTINATION PLACES FOR US.

WE'VE GOT THE BEACH, THE WATER THE RIVER.

YOU KNOW, YOU COULD IMAGINE ALL THE AMPLE EVENTS THAT ARE BEING HELD IN OUR COUNTY ON A DAILY BASIS.

WE HAVE GOT PLENTY OF ENDEAVORS FOR OUR TOURISTS.

WE DO NOT NEED TO BUILD A MUSEUM ON A CONGESTED ROAD, IN A ROAD THAT I'D BE CURIOUS IF THEIR MILLAGE RATE AS WELL DOES THIS.

DOES THIS PROPOSED MUSEUM INCREASE THE MILLAGE RATE OF THE ENTIRE WEST AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY? I'D BE CURIOUS TO KNOW IF THE TAXPAYER, YOU KNOW, THE TAX ASSESSOR, COULD DETERMINE THAT IF THAT'S GOING TO INCREASE THESE THIS COMMUNITY'S MILLAGE RATE.

I MEAN, THAT'S ALREADY YOU KNOW, A HURT COMMUNITY.

YOU CAN IMAGINE EVERYBODY'S FEELING THE PINCH.

ESPECIALLY THAT ONE FOR SURE.

I THINK ORANGE COUNTY WOULD BE MUCH, MUCH MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THIS PLACE.

IT IS IT SERVES US NO PURPOSE THERE.

I MEAN, IT'S YES, WE WE WOULD SEE TRAFFIC FROM IT, BUT TO BUILD A FOUR STORY BUILDING THAT WANTS TO GO IN THAT WHAT'S TO WHAT? WHAT IS TO OCCUPY THAT? IS THAT GOING TO BE FOR RENTED PLACE BY THE COUNTY? I MEAN WHAT IS WHAT'S THE GRAND SCHEME OF THIS PROJECT? I MEAN, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A, A BIG BUILDING, A BIG SITE ON A PROPERTY THAT IS CONGESTED AND THAT YOU GUYS PLAN TO DEVELOP THE, THE WEST SIDE OF 214 YOU GUYS ALREADY HAVE LIKE WE'VE WE NEED THIS.

[01:45:03]

I MEAN, THIS IS THERE'S NO POINT IN CLEAR CUTTING THOSE TREES TO DEVELOP THIS SITE FOR, FOR YEARS TO DO THIS.

IT MAKES NO SENSE TO BUILD SOMETHING ACROSS THE STREET THAT THE THE FLORIDA MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY CAN HAVE A LOUD, PROUD SITE RIGHT THERE.

THEY CAN. THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM THERE RIGHT NEXT DOOR FOR THEM TO, YOU KNOW, CONGREGATE AND SHOOT THEIR FLARES OFF AND, YOU KNOW, BE REPRESENTED.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO DO A MASSIVE SITE LIKE THIS TO PUT OURSELVES ON THE LINE FOR YEARS TO COME.

THAT, AND I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF THESE PEOPLE KNOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO INCREASE THEIR MILLAGE RATE.

I WOULD BE DUMBFOUNDED.

IF IT ISN'T. I MEAN, WHAT THAT'S GOING TO THEY'RE GOING TO BE PAYING FOR THIS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

I'M ERVIN BULLOCK, 1808 VISTA COVE ROAD.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS IS THE MOST EXCITING THING.

I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS COMING THIS MORNING.

I'LL BE ON THE BUS FRIDAY.

I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSION.

YOU ALREADY HAVE TO HAVE A RESERVED SEAT, BY THE WAY.

SO GOOD LUCK.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GET THERE, YOU MAY HAVE TO COME IN YOUR CAR.

AND THANK YOU, JOY AND THE WHOLE COMMISSION FOR SUPPORTING THIS.

THIS IS NOT JUST FOR WEST AUGUSTINE, THOUGH.

IT IS GOING TO BE WONDERFUL THERE.

IT'S FOR A WHOLE COUNTY.

IT'S FOR OUR SCHOOL KIDS.

IT'S FOR THE ALL THE FOURTH GRADERS THAT COME TO FLORIDA TO VISIT US EVERY YEAR WITH A TOP PLACE FOR COMING FOR FOURTH GRADE TRIPS.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW EXCITING I THINK THIS WHOLE THING IS.

AND I'M SO PROUD OF THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA AND THE WORK THEY DID AS WELL ON THIS.

SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM ONE? AYE. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY. THAT BRINGS US BACK TO THE BOARD.

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MISS ANDREWS, THROUGH THE CHAIR.

YOU'VE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS IN TALLAHASSEE.

YOU'VE BEEN IN SOME DETAILED FACT FINDING ABOUT FLORIDA HISTORY MUSEUM.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS ALREADY FULLY FUNDED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

WILL THIS HAVE ANY IMPACT ON ANYBODY'S MILLAGE RATE? WHO'S A PROPERTY OWNER HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, MILLAGE RATE IS ENTIRELY A POLICY DECISION BY THIS BOARD.

THERE IS NO IMPLICATION ON THE MILLAGE RATE BY THE STATE.

YEAH, I THOUGHT THAT WAS SORT OF A STRANGE THING.

AND JUST ANOTHER COMMENT, IF I MAY, MADAM CHAIR, I, I KNOW A MAN NAMED MARK MINER WHO IS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER ABOUT 15, 17 YEARS AGO.

AND WHEN I WAS WHEN I WAS FIRST SWORN INTO THIS JOB, HE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT ALL THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT THEY DID IN WEST AUGUSTINE 15, 17, ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO NOW, WHATEVER IT WAS. AND AND HE WAS VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT HE DID.

BUT HE SAID, YOU KNOW, THEY THEY NEED MORE.

WE HAVE TO KEEP PUSHING THINGS FORWARD IN WEST AUGUSTINE AND OUR BOARD.

I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN SOME FUNDING FOR A HEALTH CARE CENTER THAT'S GOING IN OVER THERE.

I KNOW THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE IS TRYING TO HELP THEM WITH SOME SEWER TO, TO OR SEPTIC TO SEWER CONNECTIONS.

I'VE NEVER BELIEVED THAT THE FLORIDA MUSEUM, THE BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM, WOULD BE A SILVER BULLET THAT CURES ALL THE ILLS IN WEST AUGUSTINE.

BUT IF YOU'RE ON A THOUSAND MILE JOURNEY, YOU TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU DON'T KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

AND IF THIS HISTORY MUSEUM, THIS BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM HAS A CHANCE, I THINK IT HAS A IT'S ALMOST A CERTAINTY THAT IT WILL IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY AND SORT OF BE A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT, GIVEN THE HISTORY, SOME OF THE UGLY HISTORY THAT EXISTED IN WEST AUGUSTINE THOSE MANY YEARS AGO.

AND THE COMMUNITY WANTS IT.

I MEAN, YOU COULD LIVE IN WINDSWEPT ACRES AND NEVER ONCE PASSED BY THIS MUSEUM IF YOU IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO THAT, GOSH, I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF IT.

AND I THINK THIS WILL BE A WONDERFUL ASSET FOR SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? OKAY. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M GOING TO PROPOSE A REVISED MOTION.

THIS IS THE ONE THAT'S ON THE SCREEN.

I MOVE TO DIRECT STAFF TO DRAFT AND NEGOTIATE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY FOR A SITE FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA, SELECTION FOR A FLORIDA MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION.

WE HAVE A SECOND. THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.

PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

LET'S GO GET IT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

OKAY, I'M GONNA HAVE TO DO A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING.

GUYS, I KNOW WE'VE HAD A LOT OF REALLY EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF EMOTIONAL ITEMS THAT HAVE ALREADY COME BEFORE US THIS MORNING, BUT IT IS ALMOST 11:00, AND WE ARE JUST GETTING THROUGH WHAT IS A VERY LONG AGENDA.

SO I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASK EVERYBODY TO PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE OR WE'RE NEVER GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS.

SO THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM NOW ONE A OUR PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY PLAN.

[1. Public Safety Facility Plan.]

[01:50:03]

GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR. FELLOW COMMISSIONERS MYSELF, ALONG WITH SHERIFF HARDWICK AND JESSE DUNN WITH OMB, ARE HERE THIS MORNING TO PRESENT OUR PROPOSAL FOR THE FIVE YEAR PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN FOR THE COUNTY.

THE PROPOSAL WILL HIGHLIGHT PUBLIC SAFETY, PAST PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENTS BY THE BOARD NEEDED RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES TO EXISTING FIRE STATIONS, THE NEED FOR FOUR NEW FIRE STATIONS IN THE COUNTY, THE NEED FOR A REGIONAL FIRE TRAINING FACILITY FOR THE COUNTY.

THE NEW MEDICAL EXAMINER'S FACILITY WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH THE SHERIFF'S HEADQUARTERS EXPANSION AND THEN FINALLY, CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE BOARD.

SO IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2020, THE COMMISSION'S CURRENT INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SAFETY HAS EXCEEDED $53 MILLION IN FIRE RESCUE CAPITAL NEEDS, WHICH INCLUDE THE NORTHWEST FIRE STATION.

STATION 19.

THE SOUTHWEST FIRE STATION, STATION 11, WHICH CHIEF OLSON SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER.

UPGRADES TO THE INTEROPERABLE RADIO EQUIPMENT AND RADIO SYSTEM.

THE NEED FOR NEW AND REPLACEMENT OF FIRE AND RESCUE, FIRE AND RESCUE APPARATUS, AND NEEDED FIRE STATION MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND UPGRADES.

TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS AND THE FIVE YEARS OF THIS PLAN, THE PLAN.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN FROM THE COUNTY IS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER $100 MILLION.

THERE'S ALSO A NEED FOR CURRENT RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES TO OUR EXISTING FIRE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT WILL OVERSEE A THREE YEAR PLAN AT 9,000,009 ESTIMATED $9 MILLION PROGRAM TO RENOVATE AND UPGRADE EXISTING FIRE STATIONS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO FIRE STATION TEN UP IN PONTE VEDRA.

MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO FIRE STATION 17 OFF OF COUNTY ROAD 210, AND ADDITIONAL NEEDS AND UPGRADES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY FOR OLDER FIRE STATIONS. THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME FOR THIS PROJECT WOULD BE IN THE WINTER OF 2027.

WE'RE ALSO AGGRESSIVELY IDENTIFYING ISO RATING IMPROVEMENT, WITH DIFFERENT INITIATIVES AND INVESTMENTS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

WITHOUT AN INVESTMENT BY THE BOARD, THAT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO GET THE ISO RATING DOWN.

SOME OF THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE WATER SOURCING INITIATIVES TO PROVIDE WATER SUPPLY TO AREAS THAT DO NOT HAVE UTILITY SUPPLIED FIRE HYDRANTS.

THE PLAN WITH THAT IS TO INCREASE OUR CURRENT STAFFING OF WATER TANKERS IN THE COUNTY FROM 3 TO 5 BY FISCAL YEAR 2025, AND THE ULTIMATE GOAL IN ALL THIS IS TO ACHIEVE POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS FOR RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN THE COUNTY.

OH, WHAT DID I DO? THERE WE GO. SORRY. SO MOVING ON TO THE NEW FIRE STATION PROPOSALS.

THE FIRST STATION WILL BE FIRE STATION 21.

THIS STATION WILL BE LOCATED IN THE FLAGLER ESTATES REGION TO INCLUDE ONE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT ENGINE.

ONE WATER TANKER WILL ALSO INCLUDE A SHERIFF'S OFFICE SUBSTATION COMPONENT TO IT.

THIS STATION WILL NECESSITATE 12 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS TO STAFF.

THIS STATION, AND THE COUNTY WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE SAFER FUNDING TO HELP SAFER GRANT FUNDING TO HELP OFFSET THE INITIAL PERSONNEL COSTS OF THIS STATION.

ESTIMATED COMPLETION FOR THIS STATION WOULD BE THE END OF 2025.

THE NEXT STATION IN THE PLAN IS FIRE STATION 22.

THIS IS THE STATION MR. TEGELER SPOKE ABOUT IN HIS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THIS WILL BE LOCATED IN THE SILVERLEAF REGION.

THIS WOULD INCLUDE ONE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT ENGINE, ONE AERIAL APPARATUS, ONE WATER TANKER, ONE AMBULANCE.

ALSO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE COMPONENT SIMILAR TO WHAT'S AT STATION FIVE ON US ONE SOUTH WOULD ALSO BE THE SITE FOR A FUTURE COMBINED FIRE, RESCUE AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE BACKUP COMMUNICATIONS CENTER.

THIS STATION WOULD NECESSITATE 33 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS TO STAFF THE STATION, AND WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PURSUE SAFER GRANT FUNDING TO OFFSET THE INITIAL PERSONNEL COSTS OF THIS ESTIMATED COMPLETION.

IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO FOR THIS STATION IS THE END OF 2027.

THERE IS A POTENTIAL TO POSSIBLY GET IT DONE BY THE END OF 2026 OR EARLY INTO 27.

AND AS MR. TEGELER MENTIONED, THERE'S 7.5 MILLION IN STATE ALLOCATION THAT ASSIGNED TO THIS PROJECT.

THE NEXT STATION IN THE PLAN IS FIRE STATION 23.

THIS STATION WILL BE LOCATED IN THE BEACHWALK TWIN CREEKS REGION.

THE STATION WOULD INCLUDE ONE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT ENGINE, ONE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT LADDER AND ONE AMBULANCE.

THIS WOULD ALSO HAVE A SHERIFF'S OFFICE SUBSTATION COMPONENT TO IT.

THIS STATION WOULD NECESSITATE 30 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS TO STAFF THE STATION, AND AGAIN, WE'LL PURSUE SAFER FUNDING TO OFFSET THAT INITIAL COST.

ESTIMATED COMPLETION OF THIS STATION WOULD BE THE END OF 2028.

THE NEXT STATION IN THE PLAN WOULD BE FIRE STATION 24.

THIS STATION WILL BE LOCATED IN THE LONGLEAF PINE ROBERTS ROAD REGION.

THE STATION WILL INCLUDE ONE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT ENGINE, ONE AMBULANCE, A SHERIFF'S OFFICE SUBSTATION COMPONENT.

THE STATION WILL NECESSITATE 21 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS TO STAFF THE STATION, AND AGAIN, WE WOULD PURSUE SAFER FUNDING TO HELP OFFSET THOSE INITIAL COSTS.

ESTIMATED COMPLETION OF THIS FIRE STATION WOULD BE AT THE END OF 2030.

[01:55:05]

CURRENTLY, THERE IS NO DEDICATED SITE OR FACILITY TO TRAIN FIREFIGHTERS IN THE COUNTY.

THIS PROPOSAL HERE SHOWS TWO DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

BASED ON LOCATION.

LOCATION WOULD DETERMINE THE COST AND TIME FRAME TO GET THIS COMPLETED.

THE CURRENT PLAN THAT IS ON TRACK FOR THIS FACILITY WOULD BE TO USE COUNTY OWNED PROPERTY, WHICH IS LOCATED CALLED THE TURNBULL PROPERTY, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE AREA OF STATE ROAD 16 AND SOUTH FRANCIS ROAD.

IF WE USE THIS PROPERTY, THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE A THREE PHASE PROJECT.

FIRST PAGE. FIRST PHASE.

ESTIMATED COST 7.5 MILLION.

AND THIS BASICALLY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO CLEAR THE LAND, TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE SITE, TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ACCESS AND CURRENTLY MOVE OUR EXISTING FIRE TRAINING EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE TO THE SITE.

PHASE TWO WOULD BE A 12.5 MILLION ESTIMATED COST, WHICH WOULD BUILD THE WHOLE FIELD INFRASTRUCTURE.

ALL THE TRAINING PROPS ON THE SITE.

AND PHASE THREE WOULD BE THE FINAL PHASE, ESTIMATED TO BE $7.5 MILLION, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A UNIFIED COMMAND CENTER BUILDING WHICH WOULD HOUSE CLASSROOMS AND AN APPARATUS BAY FOR ALL THE TRAINING EQUIPMENT.

ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERATIONS TO THE TURNBULL SITE ARE THE FCC FTCC DRIVING TRACK.

IF WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE THE FACILITY TO THE DRIVING TRACK, WE'D BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THIS IN TWO PHASES AT A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN COST.

PHASE ONE WOULD BE 7.5 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE MOSTLY THE BUILD OUT OF THE TRAINING FACILITY AND THE PROPS.

MOST OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN PLACE, SO THERE WOULD BE LESS INFRASTRUCTURE COST.

PHASE TWO OF THE PROJECT WOULD BE THE UNIFIED COMMAND CENTER AND THE CLASSROOMS AND APPARATUS BAY, AND THAT WOULD COMPLETE THE FULL BUILD OUT OF THE FACILITY.

STAFF IS CURRENTLY IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THIS PROPERTY.

AND AS MR. TECCHLER MENTIONED, THERE IS 7.5 ALLOCATED IN STATE ALLOCATIONS FOR THIS PROJECT.

THAT CONCLUDES MY PORTION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN.

I'LL PASS IT OFF TO SHERIFF HARTWICK.

THANK YOU, CHIEF MCGEE. GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR.

CHIEF, WHILE YOU'RE ACTUALLY SITTING DOWN, I JUST GOT ONE SLIDE.

RIGHT. JUST ONE SLIDE.

YEAH. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

GOOD MORNING, FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.

GOOD MORNING AS WELL. I DO WANT TO THANK CHIEF AS WELL.

WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE.

BUT MOST IMPORTANT TO IS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.

IS THAT CHIEF ALLOWS US AND HIS STAFF ALLOW US FOR SMALL FOOTPRINTS, OF COURSE, AND THEIR FIRE STATIONS, WHICH IN THE LONG RUN, OF COURSE, IS GOING TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES FOR OUR CITIZENS AND VISITORS HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

SO THANK YOU, CHIEF. WITH THAT BEING SAID, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORIC INFORMATION I ACTUALLY WANT TO GIVE BACK TO YOU, COMMISSIONERS, BECAUSE MOST OF YOU ACTUALLY WERE NOT AT THE COMMISSION BACK WHEN THIS WAS ACTUALLY APPROVED IN 2014.

THE COMMISSION ACTUALLY APPROVED FOR THE PURCHASE OF APPROXIMATELY 72 ACRES AT THE END OF AGRICULTURAL DRIVE FOR THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN 2018. THE COMMISSION BACK THEN ACTUALLY APPROVED FOR THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WERE GOING TO BUILD THE EMERGENCY 911 CENTER, GET IT OUT OF THE FLOOD ZONE, OF COURSE, AND BUILD THE CENTER, WHICH AT THE TIME WE WERE ACTUALLY LEASING PROPERTY FROM SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE SETI, THE FLORIDA, ACTUALLY THE COLLEGE AT THE TIME.

SO WE'RE LEASING SPACE FROM THEM.

SO FAST FORWARD TO COURSE TO NOW.

WE ACTUALLY OPENED THE EMERGENCY 911 CENTER AND MOVED INTO IT IN 2022.

WE ALSO MOVED INTO THE TRAINING COMPLEX.

AND OF COURSE, SOME OF THAT ACTUALLY SPACE NOW IS BEING LEASED AND ACTUALLY USED BY SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE FOR THEIR TRAINING.

SO WHEN WE OPEN THIS PROPERTY OUT THERE, WE ACTUALLY HAD A ROUGHLY $15 MILLION OVER OUR HEAD LOAN PER SE WITH THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

SINCE I BECAME YOUR SHERIFF, WE'VE ACTUALLY PAID THAT LOAN OFF JUST OVER ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, IT WAS JUST OVER $15 MILLION.

SO AGAIN, WE'RE PROGRESSING FORWARD AGAIN.

THE MASTER PLAN WAS ACTUALLY APPROVED BACK IN 2018 TO EVENTUALLY MOVE FORWARD.

SO AGAIN, BEFORE WE GET INTO THE SLIDE RIGHT NOW, ABOUT 110 OF MY EMPLOYEES, WHICH IS OUR GENERAL SERVICES UNDER DIRECTOR TARA WILDS AND MYSELF, ARE ACTUALLY THROUGHOUT NUMEROUS FACILITIES. SOME OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN ARE IN THE OLD MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

THAT'S WHERE WE CURRENTLY HOUSE OUR RISK AND OUR HR.

AND WE ACTUALLY LOST SOME SPACE TO AS WELL.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW, THE ACTUAL ANNEX OF THE JAIL, THE ORIGINAL JAIL, WHICH WAS BUILT BACK IN 1952, WE HAVE MOVED ALL EMPLOYEES OUT OF THERE AND WE WERE SCHEDULED NOW WORKING UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JODY ANDREWS AND HER STAFF TO HOPEFULLY DEMOLISH THAT BUILDING, WHICH NEEDS TO BE TAKEN DOWN BECAUSE OF SOME SAFETY ISSUES WITH INSIDE THAT BUILDING.

SO MY OFFICE, ALONG WITH OTHER STAFF MEMBERS TO ABOUT 25 OF US, ARE IN THE OLD WISE POTATO CHIP FACTORY, WHICH WAS BUILT BACK IN THE 1960S.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE OUR SERVICES, OF COURSE, OUT OF THE FLOOD ZONE, MAKE ADDITIONAL SPACE AS I SIT IN FRONT OF YOU, PROBABLY IN THE NEXT YEAR, AND PRESENT TO YOU, HOW DO WE GROW THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY JAIL OVER THE NEXT FIVE, TEN, 15 AND 20 YEARS? SO WITH THAT, YOU'LL SEE UP HERE WE ACTUALLY HAVE A CENTRALIZED TRYING TO GET EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF.

WE HAVE AN AREA OUT THERE WHERE MOST OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE AT.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, OF COURSE, IS INVESTING IN THE IMPROVEMENTS OF STATE ROAD 16 AND 995, AND THEN ALSO TWO AT AGRICULTURAL DRIVE AS YOU ENTER INTO AGRICULTURAL DRIVE OFF OF STATE ROAD 16.

[02:00:01]

AND AGAIN, THE SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS DONE, WHICH IDENTIFIED THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HEADQUARTERS NEEDS TO BE IN THE PLAN, OF COURSE, OF REBUILDING AND RELOCATING IT. WE BELIEVE CURRENTLY NOW WITH THE ACTUAL MONEY THAT'S COMING IN THROUGH THE GOODNESS GRACIOUS, I'M DRAWING A BLANK ON THE ACTUAL IMPACT FEES. THANK YOU, CAPTAIN DURDEN.

OUR IMPACT FEES, WE BELIEVE, WILL BE IN THE SAME SITUATION CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW.

SO WE HAD A PHENOMENAL MEETING LAST WEEK, OF COURSE, WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JOY ANDREWS.

HER ENTIRE STAFF, MY ENTIRE STAFF, ACTUALLY, SOME COMMENTS WERE MADE BY OUR DIRECTORS.

THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST MEETINGS WE'VE HAD IN A LONG, LONG TIME.

WE SAT DOWN AND GOT TOGETHER AND PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER AND WHAT'S BEST FOR, OF COURSE, MOVING FORWARD WITH THE COUNTY.

SO HERE YOU'LL SEE, OF COURSE, IN THE PLAN, OF COURSE, FOR THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS TO MOVE FORWARD, OF COURSE, AND GET THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND MOVE ABOUT 110 EMPLOYEES OUT TO THE SAME FACILITY WHERE THE ECTC AND OF COURSE, OUR TRAINING CENTER IS AT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SHERIFF.

MR. DUNN. YES, GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS JESSIE DUNN FOR THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE AND KIND OF BRING THE PRESENTATION TO AN END ON THIS, BUT TO CONTINUE ON THE SHERIFF'S COURT HEADQUARTERS, THERE'S ALSO A BENEFIT THERE IN REALLY, IT BECOMES A DOMINO EFFECT IN OUR OVERALL SPACE PLAN.

SO IN FISCAL YEAR 23, THIS COMMISSION APPROVED A COMPREHENSIVE SPACE NEEDS ANALYSIS.

THERE WAS AN IDENTIFICATION AND ADDITIONAL OFFICE SPACES NEEDED FOR REALLY OUR EXISTING OPERATIONS AND THEN PROJECTED INTO THE FUTURE.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SPACE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND TO THE COURTS.

SO THE PLANNING ON THAT IS REALLY IN THIS SHOP HERE.

THAT STUDY BEGAN IN 23.

IT CONTINUES. IT'S IN DRAFT FORM.

EVENTUALLY THAT WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE COMMISSION.

BUT IF IF THE SHERIFF HEADQUARTERS DOES TRANSITION OUT FROM THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE, THE EXISTING FACILITY, THAT WOULD PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY, AGAIN, A DOMINO EFFECT TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE SPACE NEEDS THAT WE ARE IDENTIFYING.

WITHOUT NEW CONSTRUCTION FOR THOSE AREAS IN PARTICULAR, WE'D BE LOOKING AT THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS TO EXPAND INTO THAT, INTO THAT SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR CONSIDERATION. MOVING ON, THE LAST I BELIEVE IT'S THE LAST FACILITY WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT IS THE MEDICAL EXAMINER FACILITY.

ADAM TECCHLER SPOKE ABOUT THAT EARLIER TODAY.

THERE IS $11.7 MILLION THAT IS IN THE STATE APPROPRIATION RIGHT NOW.

THAT NEW MEDICAL EXAMINER FACILITY WOULD SERVE FLAGLER, PUTNAM AND SAINT JOHN'S COUNTIES AND AGAIN, WOULD SERVE THOSE COMBINED POPULATIONS. IT WOULD ALSO CERTAINLY RELOCATE THE CURRENT FACILITY OUT OF A FLOOD ZONE.

CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO PROJECT FORWARD TOO MUCH ABOUT THAT THOUGHT, BUT GETTING THAT INTO A INTO HIGHER GROUNDS.

AND THEN TO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH'S EARLIER QUESTION ABOUT OPERATING COSTS.

WELL, COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION IS BELIEVED TO BE DONE IN FULL WITH THIS APPROPRIATION, THE OPERATING COSTS FOR THE THE CONTINUED COSTS ARE SHARED WITH FLAGLER AND PUTNAM COUNTY THROUGH A TRI COUNTY INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICES.

SO WE'LL CONTINUE THAT.

THAT WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE WITH THAT AGREEMENT MOVING FORWARD ON THIS.

THERE'S A FIVE YEAR ESTIMATED TIME LINE KIND OF WORST CASE SCENARIO.

SO IT'S A IT'S A FAIRLY AGGRESSIVE PROGRAM HERE FROM 25 TO 30.

YOU CAN SEE QUITE A QUITE A FEW FACILITIES HERE.

THE ONLY ITEM THAT'S NOT INCLUDED ON HERE IS THE FIRE TRAINING FACILITY.

AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY GOING TO BE BASED UPON ULTIMATELY WHERE THAT FACILITY IS IDENTIFIED TO BE LOCATED, EITHER ON THE FTCC CAMPUS OR ANOTHER CAMPUS, SUCH AS OUR THE COUNTY'S TURNBULL PROPERTY.

SO FAIRLY AGGRESSIVE PROGRAM, IF YOU WILL, AND I WANT TO PAUSE ON THAT FOR A SECOND.

AGAIN, A COUPLE OF STATIONS BY 2030 BECAUSE THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE WOULD WE WOULD DO THIS.

SO IN RECENT YEARS, I WOULD SAY THE COUNTY'S APPROACH HAS BEEN TO CASH FLOW.

SO WE ACCUMULATE CASH.

AND I WOULD SAY OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN AND OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAVE BEEN DILIGENT IN ACCUMULATING DOLLARS, THEIR IMPACT FEES, IN PARTICULAR TOWARDS THEIR FACILITIES.

THE SHERIFF JUST MENTIONED AN INTERNAL LOAN IN WHICH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PLEDGED THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPACT FEES AS PAYBACK TO AN INTERNAL LOAN, AND THEN SIMILARLY WITH FIRE RESCUE, THEIR FIRE EMS IMPACT FEES HAVE BEEN ACCUMULATED AND WE'VE

[02:05:06]

BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS CERTAINLY AN ACCUMULATION ON NOW DEMAND FOR SERVICES.

SO THERE'S A THERE'S A POPULATION THAT'S OUT THERE, CITIZENS WHO ARE SAYING, WELL, WHEN IS THE NEXT STATION COMING? AND SO THESE STATIONS ARE, ARE REALLY PROGRAMED TO MEET KIND OF A DEFERRED DEMAND OR RESPONSE TO THE DEMAND THAT'S OUT THERE.

SO CASH FLOWING, THESE STATIONS IN PARTICULAR FOR STATIONS WOULD TAKE CERTAINLY SOME TIME.

WE ARE KIND OF WE'RE WE'RE TRENDING ON A 3 TO 5 YEAR TIME PROGRAM.

SO THIS COULD CERTAINLY IF WE WERE TO CASH FLOWS OF THESE THE TIME FRAME ON THIS EXTENDS ON THIS.

AND SO THE RECOMMENDATION AS WE MOVE FORWARD ON THIS IN TERMS OF FINANCING WOULD BE TO LOOK AT BORROWING FOR THIS.

WE'VE HAD A SIMILAR CONVERSATION A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ABOUT THE SAME THING WITH PARKS AS WELL.

BUT FOR THE THIS THIS SEPARATE CONVERSATION WE'D BE LOOKING AT, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT TWO OPTIONS.

AND BOTH OF THEM AGAIN KIND OF ARE RELATED TO THE TRAINING FACILITY.

BUT THERE'S REALLY MATERIALLY NOT A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF DOLLARS.

IF IF WE WERE LOOKING AT THE CTC SITE FOR THE TRAINING FACILITY, WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 44.1 MILLION IN BORROWING, WHICH MAKES THIS A WHOLE LOT EASIER THAT THE INTERNAL GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION REALLY WAS ABLE TO SECURE UP TO $26.7 MILLION IN APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE MEDICAL EXAMINER, FOR THE CENTRAL STATION AND FOR THE TRAINING FACILITY.

SO THAT WOULD RESULT IN ABOUT 44.1 MILLION IN BORROWING.

OUR CREDIT RATINGS ARE UP THERE.

WE'RE IN WE ARE TRIPLE A CREDIT RATINGS.

WE WOULD UTILIZE OUR IMPACT FEES, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPACT FEES SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT SHERIFF HEADQUARTERS.

IN FACT, THE MODEL RIGHT NOW SHOWS THAT THAT WOULD BE PAID IN FULL.

USING THOSE. BUT CERTAINLY WE ALSO HAVE STATE REMITTED REVENUES WE COULD UTILIZE AS WELL AS LEVERAGE FOR THE DEBT SERVICE.

WORST CASE SCENARIO, I THINK, IN THE DEBT, THE DEBT SERVICE AT ABOUT 44 MILLION IS ROUGHLY WELL, IS ABOUT $3 MILLION.

I BELIEVE THAT A GOOD PORTION OF THAT COULD COME AND THAT'S COMBINED ON THIS PLAN.

GOOD PORTION OF THAT COULD COME FROM IMPACT FEES AND AND AGAIN, THAT RECURRING STATE REMITTED REVENUES.

SO AS TERMS OF THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION, THERE IS NO PROPERTY TAX USED FOR THIS, NO PROPERTY TAX PLAN FOR THIS.

THOSE IMPACT FEES DO NOT IMPLY THAT THE COMMISSION NEEDS TO APPROVE CONTINUED GROWTH.

THERE IS STILL AN INVENTORY OF IMPACT FEES THAT ARE OUT THERE, AND CERTAINLY IF WE SEE THAT IMPACT FEES DRY UP OR LESSEN OVER THE YEARS WITH OUTSTANDING DEBT, WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE STATE REMITTED REVENUE.

SO I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT WHEN I SAY WE'RE NOT USING PROPERTY TAX FOR THE DEBT SERVICE ON THIS.

SO IN KIND OF A LARGE CHART THERE IT SHOWS ALL THE VARIOUS COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACILITIES AND SOME OF THE, THE REQUIREMENTS THERE OF FINANCING ON, ON THESE.

SO THE ONE STATION WE WOULD NOT CURRENTLY FINANCE, IT WOULD LIKELY BRING BACK IN IN THREE YEARS TIME WOULD BE THE STATION 24 JUST BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF BORROWING ON THAT.

SO SO ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL THAT WE'RE SHOWING, IT'S THE 44.1 MILLION, AGAIN, USING THE TRAINING FACILITY AT THE FCT SITE.

THE ESTIMATED BORROWING CHANGES A LITTLE BIT.

IF WE USE THE TURNBULL SITE, UP TO ABOUT $49.1 MILLION.

AND AT THIS TIME WE WOULD RECOMMEND FROM A FINANCING PERSPECTIVE, ONLY PHASES ONE AND TWO OF THAT TRAINING FACILITY.

THERE IS STILL A LARGE COMPONENT IN PHASE THREE THAT WE WOULD STILL NEED TO PLAN FOR, BUT OVERALL WORST CASE SCENARIO ABOUT 49.1 MILLION. CERTAINLY NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT.

I MEAN, IT'S IT'S CERTAINLY SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS ON THAT.

AND CERTAINLY AS WE PUT THESE DOLLARS TOGETHER, AND IN FACT, I'LL TELL YOU, AS WE WERE FINISHING UP THE PRESENTATION, MISS ANDREWS SAID, SO AFTER AFTER TOMORROW'S PRESENTATION, I WANT TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THOSE COSTS ON THESE.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOOK WITH OUR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES AND OUR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT TEAMS, WHAT THOSE COSTS LOOK LIKE.

SO CERTAINLY WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE ON THIS.

I'D BE REMISS NOT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.

[02:10:04]

BUT WE HAVE CERTAINLY SOME OF THE OPERATING COMPONENTS THERE WOULD BE FOR THOSE THOSE FIRE PUBLIC'S PUBLIC SAFETY STATIONS, APPROXIMATELY 105 NEW FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS AT FULL BUILD OUTS ON THAT.

SO THAT'S CERTAINLY REQUIRES A LONG TERM COMMITMENT BY THE BOARD TOWARDS PUBLIC SAFETY.

IF WE WERE TO CONSTRUCT THOSE, AND THOSE WOULD BE PART OF OUR ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS, CERTAINLY IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A COMMITMENT TODAY OF ANYTHING, BUT CERTAINLY AN ONGOING DISCUSSION AS WELL.

I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T INCLUDE CHIEF WILSON'S APPARATUS NEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS THAT WE'RE AT ABOUT TEN EITHER, YOU KNOW, AMBULANCES AND OR TRUCKS, VARIOUS COMPONENTS THERE, 8.7 MILLION THAT WE WOULD FUND AGAIN, THROUGH THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.

WE MAY USE SOME SHORT TERM BORROWING, BUT THAT WOULD BE, AGAIN, SO THAT THE TIMING OF THOSE WE DON'T WANT TO BUY THEM, WE WOULDN'T PURCHASE THEM ALL UP FRONT.

WE WOULD PURCHASE THEM.

SO THEY'RE THEY'RE CERTAINLY QUEUED UP FOR WHEN A STATION OPENS UP WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OPERATIONS.

INITIALLY WE'VE IDENTIFIED NO MATERIAL INCREASE TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OPERATIONS.

THIS WOULD SIMPLY BE FOR THAT OPERATION TO PICK UP FROM THIS CAMPUS OR FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAMPUS ACROSS THE STREET AND MOVE IT OUT TO THE TO WHERE THE TRAINING FACILITY IS.

SO WE IDENTIFIED NO INCREASE IN OPERATIONS THERE.

WITH THAT, THERE ARE TWO MOTIONS TODAY.

THE FIRST MOTION AND AGAIN, THIS MOTION, SIMILAR TO THE PARKS DISCUSSION, DOES NOT PUT ANY COMMITMENT OUT THERE, ANY SORT OF MAJOR FINANCIAL COMMITMENT.

THERE IS A COMMITMENT AND THE SECOND MOTION, BUT THAT THIS FIRST ONE IS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WITH THE CONTINUED PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN.

AGAIN, MISS ANDREWS IS TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, A CONTINUED DUE DILIGENCE ON THE COST.

WE WOULD ASSEMBLE A COUNTY FINANCING TEAM TO PRESENT A FINANCING PACKAGE.

THAT FINANCING PACKAGE WOULD BE PROBABLY BETWEEN IN THE NEXT 60 TO 90 DAYS.

AND AT THAT TIME WE WOULD WE WOULD PRESENT TO YOU WHAT THE MARKET LOOKS LIKE, WHAT THE INTEREST RATES WOULD LOOK LIKE, WHAT A 20 YEAR PROGRAM WOULD BE BORROWING, WHAT A 30 YEAR PROGRAM WOULD BE IN BORROWING 60 TO 90 DAYS FROM NOW.

I'LL ALSO HAVE A BETTER AS YOUR BUDGET DIRECTOR, A BETTER IDEA WHAT THE BUDGET IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

AND IF WE HAVE OTHER CASH, IF YOU WILL, THAT WE COULD APPLY TOWARDS THE OVERALL FINANCING ON THIS TO BRING THE FINANCING DOWN ON THIS.

SO CERTAINLY A GOOD TIME TO HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS WHILE WE'RE IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS.

SO THAT'LL BE THE FIRST MOTION.

AND AGAIN, WE'LL BRING IT BACK IN 60 TO 90 DAYS FOR THE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER.

AND THEN THE SECOND MOTION, IF THE BOARD IS INTERESTED, CERTAINLY WE COULD CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.

THE FIRST STATION, FIRE STATION 21 AND FLAGLER ESTATES, IN ORDER TO OPEN IN IN FISCAL YEAR AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2025, WOULD NECESSITATE SOME DOLLARS TOWARDS THE DESIGN AS WELL, SINCE WE DO HAVE APPROPRIATION FOR THE CENTRAL STATION THAT WE CONTINUE WITH THE DESIGN.

AND SO THE TOTAL DOLLARS WOULD BE ABOUT 800,000 OR UP TO 800,000 FROM OUR FIRE EMS IMPACT FEE FUNDS.

SO THOSE ARE THE TWO CONSIDERATIONS TODAY.

THANK YOU, MR. DUNN.

ONE THING JUST QUICKLY COMES TO MIND.

I'D LIKE TO ASK MISS ANDREWS, DUE TO THE CONSIDERABLE COST SAVINGS AND WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S PREFERENCE, COULD WE REALLY LOOK AT THE CTC AS AN OPTION FOR THE TRAINING FACILITY? AND COULD WE ADD THAT TO OUR AGENDA FOR THE UPCOMING JOINT MEETING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD? ABSOLUTELY. OKAY.

YEAH, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE REALLY NEED TO START WORKING HARD ON AGAIN, BECAUSE THE COST SAVINGS AND I BELIEVE THAT'S THE PREFERRED SITE, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.

CHIEF MCGEE. OKAY, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MR. DUNN.

YES? PROXIMITY TO A FIRE STATION CAN REDUCE THE RATE OF SOMEBODY'S HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.

IS THAT IS THAT RIGHT THAT I.

CHIEF, YOU WANT TO. YEAH.

YEAH. YES.

SORRY. JESSE.

CHIEF. MCGEE. SO.

SO, YEAH. WHAT? THE ISO IS A VERY COMPLICATED THING FOR INSURANCE RATINGS, BUT THE.

I THINK PROBABLY THE TWO THINGS FOR THIS WOULD BE THERE IS A PROXIMITY TO A FIRE STATION WITHIN FIVE ROAD MILES.

THE BEST CASE SCENARIO FOR A PROPERTY OWNER IN THE COUNTY WOULD BE WITHIN FIVE ROAD MILES OF A FIRE STATION AND WITHIN 1000FT OF A UTILITY PROVIDED HYDRANT.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT.

DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ON THE.

CAN IT REDUCE THE RATE OF THE PROPERTY? HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE? YES THERE IS. IF THEY'RE WITHIN FIVE MILES OF A FIRE STATION, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A REDUCTION IN PROPERTY INSURANCE RATES.

SO WITH THE ISO, WHEN THESE FOUR FIRE STATIONS ARE BUILT BY 2030.

[02:15:01]

I COULD TRY AND COLLECT IT FOR YOU WITH PROJECTIONS OUT FOR THOSE AREAS.

YEAH, I THINK I'D LIKE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE CONSIDERING SPENDING A LARGE SUM OF MONEY HERE.

I THINK I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND FULLY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO PEOPLE'S HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE AND HOW THAT MIGHT AFFECT THEIR HIGH ISO RATING, HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT COULD IMPACT. SO I'D APPRECIATE THAT.

OKAY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

YES. SORRY.

THIS IS JUST A COMMENT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE 56,000 HOMES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN BUILT YET.

AND AGAIN, WE'RE BEHIND IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE BASED ON THIS REPORT.

AND I KNOW FLAGLER ESTATES REALLY NEEDS THE FIRE HOUSE.

I MEAN, THEY HAVE FOR YEARS AND TAKE SOME 20 MINUTES TO GET A RESPONSE.

AND, YOU KNOW, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PROVE MORE HOMES TO DO THIS.

AND I HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE A GOOD FINANCING PLAN TO AFFORD THIS BECAUSE I'M A SUPPORTER OF, YOU KNOW, THE FIRE AND THE POLICE.

BUT AGAIN, I FEEL LIKE HERE WE ARE APPROVING ALL THESE HOMES AND WE DON'T HAVE THIS IN PLACE ALREADY, ESPECIALLY SILVERLEAF AND LONGLEAF PINE.

IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING.

THANKS. OKAY, WELL, I SEE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD.

LET'S GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL NOW HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM ONE A.

PLEASE COME FORWARD. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

YOU'LL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES.

AND PLEASE HOLD ALL APPLAUSE AND INTERRUPTIONS.

GOOD MORNING, ED SLAVIN, BOX 304, ED SLAVIN.

COM. GOOD WORK.

COUPLE SUGGESTIONS.

NUMBER ONE, SHERIFF HARDWICK MENTIONED THE 1956 JAIL, THE JAIL ANNEX THAT NEEDS TO BE PART OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. DOCTOR KING WAS INCARCERATED THERE.

THE CELL IN WHICH HE WAS HELD ILLEGALLY, UNCONSTITUTIONALLY, IS APPARENTLY NOW A STORAGE AREA.

THIS NEEDS TO BE REFERRED TO THE CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW BOARD AND THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND I WOULD OPPOSE ANY FURTHER DEMOLITIONS OF CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY IN SAINT AUGUSTINE.

A FEW YEARS AGO, THE MONSOON MOTEL WAS DEMOLISHED.

IT'S A LITTLE PLAQUE IN FRONT.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DESTROY THE JAIL CELL WHERE DOCTOR KING WAS INCARCERATED? AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING AN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM.

THIS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAVE A CULTURAL RESOURCES COORDINATOR.

DO THEY HAVE SOMEBODY WHO COULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE HERE AND NOW? TODAY. I DON'T WANT THIS BUILDING DESTROYED.

NOW, IF YOU HAVE TO DESTROY IT, I WANT TO HEAR A PRINCIPLED REASON FOR IT OTHER THAN GIVE ME, GIVE ME, GIVE ME.

MY NAME'S JIMMY, AS WILLIE STARK WOULD SAY, AND THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL.

WHY WOULD YOU DESTROY DOCTOR KING'S JAIL CELL? YOU CAN'T STOP COVERING UP OUR HISTORY.

ALSO, WHEN IT COMES TO NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE SHERIFF'S HEADQUARTERS, DO NOT DO NOT NAME IT FOR DAVID SHAW.

DO NOT NAME IT FOR ANY FORMER SHERIFF, ANY FORMER SHERIFF, ANY CURRENT SHERIFF.

LET'S HAVE A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

LET'S NAME IT FOR A CIVIL RIGHTS HERO, OR FOR ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK DEPUTIES, OR ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK POLICE OFFICERS IN SAINT AUGUSTINE AND SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

DAVID SHAW WANTED TO BE A SENATOR.

HE WANTED TO BE A CONGRESSMAN.

HE WANTED TO BE ANYTHING BUT DAVID SHAW DON'T NAME THIS BUILDING FOR HIM.

I WOULD STRONGLY OBJECT.

FURTHERMORE I'LL JUST CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO AN ARTICLE IN THE SAINT AUGUSTINE RECORD FROM A FEW YEARS AGO.

FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGE BRIAN SIMPSON, BACK IN THE 60S, SAID IN A COURT ORDER THAT THERE HAD BEEN A DELIBERATE ATTEMPT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN SAINT AUGUSTINE TO BREAK THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT HERE BY PUNISHING THOSE ARRESTED.

JUDGE SIMPSON ORDERED BONDS FOR THE DEFENDANTS IN SIT IN CASES, AND REDUCED, AND ORDERED SHERIFF LORENZO DAVIS TO STOP PUTTING PRISONERS IN AN OUTDOOR PEN IN THE OPEN AND IN PADDED CELLS.

MORE THAN CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT HAS BEEN SHOWN, JUDGE SIMPSON SAID.

HERE IS EXPOSED IN ITS RAW UGLINESS, STUDIED AND CYNICAL, BRUTALITY DELIBERATE, DELIBERATED AND CONTRIVED TO BREAK MEN PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. LET'S NOT COVER UP OUR CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY.

LET'S PRESERVE DOCTOR KING'S JAIL CELL.

THANK YOU. HEY, HEATHER.

HARLEY DAVIDSON, DISTRICT THREE, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSION CANDIDATE.

I WANT TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS ON FINANCING.

IS THIS GOING TO BE A GENERAL A GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND TYPE? AND IF SO, I MEAN, THERE ARE TWO.

AND PLEASE, I'M NOT TRYING TO ACT LIKE I KNOW EVERYTHING, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO DUMB MYSELF DOWN EITHER.

[02:20:01]

BUT WITH THESE BONDS THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF THESE GEO BONDS, AND ONE IS UNSECURED TAXES AND THE OTHER IS UNLIMITED TAXING.

WHERE Y'ALL ARE GOING TO COME LOOK TO US TO FLIP THE BILL FOR THIS? I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE ANY INPUT ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THIS FINANCING.

THANK YOU. HELLO, I'M SHIRLEY LASSITER.

I LIVE AT 4555 CALVIN STREET IN THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA OF FLAGLER ESTATES.

THANK YOU.

HI. FIRE CHIEF MCGHEE, AND THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME HERE TO ATTEND IN PERSON.

THANK YOU FOR BROADCASTING THESE MEETINGS SO THAT WE CAN WATCH FROM HOME.

AND I THINK MORE PEOPLE SEE WHAT YOU DO THAN YOU BELIEVE.

AND I HOPE THAT MY CAR DOESN'T GET TOWED WHERE I HAD TO PARK, BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE THERE WAS NO SPACE LEFT.

AND OTHER THAN THAT SO I'M VERY EXCITED.

DID I REALLY SEE FIRE STATION 21 IN FLAGLER ESTATES BY 2025? IF YOU ALL APPROVE IT, PLEASE.

I HOPE YOU'VE GOTTEN SOME EMAILS BECAUSE I KIND OF LIKE PUT OUT ABOUT 2000 LITTLE QUARTER SHEET FLIERS AND MAILBOXES.

AND I WAS HOPING WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES AND MAYBE PEOPLE WOULD REALLY SPEAK THEIR MINDS.

AND I HOPE IT'S POSITIVE AND IN SUPPORT OF THE FIRE STATION.

BUT YEAH, WE PURCHASED ON EARTH DAY IN 2021, AND THEN WE HAD OUR HOUSE ON.

PIERS PUT IN AND MOVED IN BY JUNE OF 2022, AND I AM JUST GETTING CLEARED TO BE A HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE WORKER BECAUSE IN OUR FAMILY OF FOUR, TWO OF OUR FAMILY ARE DISABLED.

AND SO OCCASIONALLY SOME THINGS HAPPEN AND WE MIGHT HAVE TO CALL FOR HELP.

SO THIS REALLY WILL BRING SUCH PEACE OF MIND TO HAVE OUR FAMILY PROTECTED, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTED, OUR WILDLIFE PROTECTED, AND OUR BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT AND TREES PROTECTED.

SO PLEASE VOTE YES.

THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS WILLIAM FISHER AND I'M PRESIDENT OF FLAGLER STATE ROAD WATER CONTROL DISTRICT, AND I HAVE BEEN ACTIVE OUT THERE FOR ALMOST SEVEN YEARS. AND I DID AN IMPROMPTU SURVEY LAST WEEKEND AT THE BUZZ MART, WHICH IS IN FLAGLER STATES, ABOUT A FIRE STATION.

AND OUT OF 102 HUNDRED PEOPLE, 185 OF THEM WERE SUPPORT IT.

AND I HAD SEVEN THAT WERE AGAINST IT.

AND THEY SAID THAT WOULD INCREASE OUR TAXES.

AND I SAID, NO, YOU ALREADY HAVE AN ASSESSMENT ON YOUR TAX BILL FOR FIRE RESCUE.

AND IF WE DO GET A STATION, IT WOULD LOWER THE COST OF YOUR HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE BECAUSE YOU HAD FIRE PROTECTION.

NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW FAR OUT WE ARE, BUT I'M EIGHT AND A HALF MILES FROM STATION EIGHT, AND I LIVE ALMOST IN THE MIDDLE OF FLAGLER ESTATES.

AND IF THEY'RE ON A CALL.

AND WHAT IF WE GOT A CALL? WHO'S THE SECOND DUE STATION? I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S STATION 11, WHICH IS HOLMES BOULEVARD AND KING STREET, OR.

I'M SORRY, THAT'S 14.

THE SECOND STATION.

YEAH, 14.

THAT'S IT. AND ANYWAY I SUPPORT THIS 100%.

THANK YOU. OH.

GO AHEAD. NICOLE CROSBY, 1169 NECK ROAD.

I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO GIVE A COMMENT TODAY.

THAT'S REALLY SORT OF A ALMOST THE SAME STATEMENT THAT I MADE ABOUT THE PARKS PROPOSAL.

IN THE LAST MEETING, WHICH IS THAT OF COURSE I SUPPORT IT, BUT I QUESTION WHY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE WERE ALL TOLD THAT WE HAD TO PAY A 15% SALES TAX INCREASE IF WE WANTED FIRE STATIONS, JUST LIKE WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED TO PAY 15% SALES TAX INCREASE IF WE WANTED PARKS.

AND NOW, LO AND BEHOLD, HERE WE ARE FOUR MONTHS BEFORE AN ELECTION.

AND IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS MORNING.

[02:25:01]

AND I DO VERY, VERY CLEARLY REMEMBER COMMISSIONERS ARNOLD WHITEHURST AND DEAN IMPRESSING ON US.

THERE IS NO PLAN B.

THERE WAS. WE WERE REALLY BEING PUSHED HARD ON THAT SALES TAX.

SO I THINK WE ALL NEED TO RECALL THAT THAT HAPPENED.

AND LOOK AT THE PATTERN HERE BEFORE AN ELECTION.

THIS IS NOT IN ANY WAY TO DIMINISH THE NEED FOR THE FIRE STATIONS OR THE NEED FOR THE PARKS.

OF COURSE, THOSE NEEDS EXIST, AND I WANT TO SEE THEM FULFILLED.

I JUST DON'T REALLY CARE FOR THE PROCESS THAT TOOK PLACE.

THANK YOU. HEY, GOOD MORNING, CHARLIE HUNT, MILL CREEK ESTATES.

I'D LIKE TO EXTEND ON WHAT SHE WAS SAYING ABOUT.

YES. IF WE VOTED DOWN A TAX TO FUND THIS, IT'S STILL GETTING FUNDED.

SO IT'S IT'S IT'S ALMOST LIKE A A WIN WIN FOR PUTTING IN MORE FIRE STATIONS AND ALL THESE PARKS.

THAT REALLY STEMS FROM THE AMOUNT OF OVERDEVELOPMENT THAT'S EASILY BEING PASSED ON THIS BOARD.

OKAY. THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOMES THAT GET PUT IN AND THEN IT'S LIKE, OH, WE NEED TO GET A FIRE STATION NOW.

OH, WE NEED PARKS.

SO WE NEED TO EITHER HAVE THE CITIZENS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY PAY EXTRA TAX, OR WE'LL JUST TAKE SOME OF THEIR TAX ANYWAYS AND PAY FOR IT.

SO IT'S A WIN WIN FOR FOR ANYBODY ON THAT SIDE.

IT REALLY IS LIKE $130 MILLION THAT WAS THROWN OUT AT THE LAST SESSION.

AND I MEAN, THE BIGGEST THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT CAME UP OUT OF THAT WAS LIKE PICKLEBALL WARS.

OKAY. BUT IT IS IF YOU LOOK AT HOW THOSE AREAS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY ARE BEING RAPIDLY PRODUCED, AND IN SAYING, OH YEAH, WE NEED TO GET A FIRE STATION HERE.

OH, YEAH, WE NEED, YOU KNOW, ALL THIS MONEY TO GO INTO A NEW ESTABLISHED SHERIFF'S STATION.

BUT IT'S ALSO LIKE A FACADE ON THE PUSH OF GETTING ONE OUT AND FLAGLER.

SO IF WE TAKE THAT THAT'S BEEN OUT THERE FOR DECADES AND PUT THAT IN THE MIX WITH ALL THESE OTHER PORK BELLY FIRE STATION ISSUES, YOU KNOW, PUT OUT THERE.

FLAGLER ESTATES NEEDED ONE DECADES AGO.

BUT THIS IS A GOOD WAY OF LAYERING ALL THE ISSUES THAT ARE OCCURRING IN THE NORTHERN PART OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE OVERDEVELOPMENT, AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND IT'S FUNDING FROM ALL AROUND.

SO, YES, IT'S A WIN WIN.

EITHER IT WAS THE TAXES THAT WAS TRYING TO GET PUSHED DOWN OUR NECK, OR WE'LL JUST TAKE AND TAKE MONEY FROM YOUR TAXES AND BUILD THEM ANYWAY.

SO IT'S IT IS IT'S TRULY A WIN WIN ON THAT SIDE OF THE FENCE.

OKAY. BUT I REALLY SEE THAT THIS ABOUT FLAGLER ESTATES AND THE BIG PUSH IN MAKE US FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING, PUTTING THE FIRE STATION IN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR DECADES.

AND NOW WE'LL JUST TACK ON ALL THESE OTHER FIRE STATIONS IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE COMING UP WITHIN FIVE YEARS, MAYBE 10,000, 12,000 HOMES BEING BUILT.

THANK YOU. HI, I'M MICHELLE BERG.

I LIVE OUT IN FLAGLER ESTATES.

10230 ISAACSON.

ISAACSON IS ONE OF THE WEST, THE FURTHEST WEST ROAD IN FLAGLER ESTATES YOU CAN GET TO.

AND SO BILL HAS EIGHT AND A HALF MILES FROM THE NEAREST FIRE STATION.

I'M A LITTLE BIT FURTHER THAN THAT.

I'VE BEEN IN COMMUNITIES WHERE I'VE HAD A CLOSE FIRE STATION AND HAVE HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

THAT PUBLIC SAFETY OF HAVING IT CLOSE BY IS SO REASSURING.

MY HUSBAND AND I, WE, WE RELOCATED OUT HERE SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE WE LOVED WHAT FLORIDA STANDS FOR.

AND MY HUSBAND IS A RETIRED FIRST RESPONDER POLICE OFFICER.

THAT'S ONE OF MY BIGGEST FEARS LIVING OUT HERE.

AS MUCH AS I LOVE THE STATE OF FLORIDA, I LOVE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

I AM AFRAID IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ONE OF US, HOW FAST CAN SOMEBODY GET HERE? SO PUT PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST.

PLEASE HELP US GET A FIRE STATION.

THANK YOU. ROBERT MCKIERNAN FOR 405 ALVIN STREET, FLAGLER

[02:30:01]

I OWN GREAT ATLANTIC FIRE PROTECTION.

I AM HAPPY THAT YOU GUYS WERE ABLE TO JUMP ON THIS FIREHOUSE THAT QUICK.

THANK YOU. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS SET THERE, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING INTO A DESIGN PHASE WHEN THERE IS HUNDREDS OF FIREHOUSES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DESIGNED THAT WE CAN SIMPLY PIGGYBACK OFF OF.

THE NEXT THING IS THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT WE HAVE DOWN THAT WAY.

THERE IS NO FIRE HYDRANTS, SO TANKERS WILL BE NEEDED.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO.

THE NEXT THING ABOUT THIS FIREHOUSE IS THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE CELL SERVICE DOWN THERE.

SO EVEN IF YOU HAVE A FIRE, YOU'RE NOT CALLING THE FIRE STATION FOR HELP.

SO THERE IS MANY DIFFERENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE DEDICATED DOWN THERE, AND I WILL GLADLY WORK WITH YOU GUYS TO GIVE YOU ANY OF MY IDEAS THAT I HAVE. THE OTHER THING IS THE AED THAT WE HAVE DOWN AT OUR COMMUNITY CENTER.

IF YOU NEED TO GET INTO THEIR WEE WEE, NO CELL SERVICE.

SO THE BIGGEST THING WE NEED IS BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE.

AND YOU KNOW, I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

MICHAEL MCDONALD, WINDSWEPT ACRES NEIGHBORHOOD.

I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WHENEVER I CALL THEM, I WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE THEM TO BE THERE.

THIS IS JUST A A DISTURBING FIGURE WHEN WE HAD TO APPROVE FOR IT ONCE.

THAT JUST GOES TO SHOW THE OVERGROWTH.

I MEAN, IF WE COULD APPROVE THEM INTERMITTENTLY, WE WOULDN'T FEEL THE BURDEN OF THESE DRAMATIC COSTS.

I MEAN, AND JUST AS I MENTIONED IN THE LAST MEETING, THIS IS A DINNER BELL.

I MEAN, YOU GUYS, IT IF WE BUILD ALL THIS INFRASTRUCTURE AFTER THE FACT WE'RE NOW ENCOURAGING IT TO PROMOTE IT BECAUSE I'VE SEEN IT ON ALL THE PLATFORMS SO FAR, THIS $123 MILLION YOU GUYS APPROVED FOR THE PARKS.

THAT'S A HUGE DINNER BILL.

NOW THAT YOU'VE GOT FIRE RESCUE AND POLICE IN SILVERLEAF AND NOW ROBERTS ROAD, NOW ROBERTS ROAD IS GOING TO GO AHEAD WITH THAT TOWN CENTER EVERY BIT THEY CAN.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO DEVELOP ROBERTS ROAD AND COUNTY ROAD 13 TO WHERE IT IS JUST STUFFED FULL OF PARCELS.

IT'LL BE JUST PARCEL LAND.

I JUST IT'S ALARMING TO KNOW THAT WE JUST HAVE TO APPROVE SUCH MASS THINGS AT ONCE.

WE WE CAN'T JUST DO THEM ONE AT A TIME.

WE HAVE TO DO THEM FOUR AT A TIME TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH THAT WE'VE INCURRED.

AND IF WE DON'T CONSIDER THE GROWTH THAT WE'RE INCURRING, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS AT AN UNREASONABLE SPEED AND THEN BE FORCED TO BE PAID TAX, WE'RE GOING TO BE FORCED TO INCREASE THE TAXES LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE.

YOU'RE GOING TO LET OUR ROADS JUST SIT STAGNANT FOR MONTHS.

206 NORTH ON US.

ONE IS BEEN REPAVED AND RESURFACED, BUT THEY LEFT THE WHOLE EDGE OF THE ROAD JUST TRASH LIKE IT.

WE NEED TO HAVE LOGICAL, MORE SORRY, LOGICAL FORWARD MOVEMENT.

IF WE'RE FIXING ONE PROBLEM AND MAKING NINE OTHERS IN THE PROCESS, OR CREATING MORE DEVELOPMENT.

IN THE HINDSIGHT OF THAT WHICH THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THESE PARKS, I MEAN, I IMAGINE THE THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE SURROUNDING THAT ALL THOSE PARKS, THOSE ARE GOING TO BE PROBABLY KNOCKED DOWN BEFORE THAT PARK IS BUILT.

I WOULD BE SURPRISED.

I IT MAKES ME WANT TO ACTUALLY GO LOOK AT THE PARCELS AROUND THOSE PARKS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE JUST APPROVED, BECAUSE I'D IMAGINE THOSE ARE IN THE STAKEHOLDERS HANDS THAT ARE YOU KNOW, THAT'S PROBABLY WHERE THOSE 56,000 HOMES ARE TO BE BUILT, IS PROBABLY ADJACENT TO THOSE PARKS.

AND I DON'T KNOW, IT'S JUST ALARMING TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO APPROVE SUCH THINGS LIKE THIS.

I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THE FLAGLER ESTATES COMMUNITY NEEDS IT, AND THERE'S CERTAIN PLACES THAT NEEDS IT.

BUT SILVERLEAF ON THE CORNER THERE, THAT'S THERE'S NO THERE'S NO RESIDENTS WITHIN FIVE STREET BLOCKS OF THAT.

AND MAYBE I DON'T KNOW, THERE'S A LAGOON RIGHT THERE.

I MEAN THERE'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT TOO MANY PROPERTIES THERE.

I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO THINK FORWARD.

ANYONE ELSE FOR.

ANNE MARIE EVANS, CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT ONE.

[02:35:04]

I'M A THE WIFE OF A OF A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER OF 30 YEARS.

SO I DO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THEY DO TO KEEP US SAFE.

FISCAL CONSERVATIVES ADVOCATE TAX CUTS, REDUCED GOVERNMENT SPENDING, FREE MARKETS, DEREGULATION, PRIVATIZATION, FREE TRADE AND MINIMAL GOVERNMENT DEBT.

IT'S OBVIOUS THAT WE NEED SOME OF THESE THINGS, AND THERE'S NO GOING BACK NOW.

BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE AND QUIT APPROVING DEVELOPMENTS WHERE THE INFRASTRUCTURE'S NOT IN PLACE.

WE SHOULDN'T BE GOING INTO DEBT.

WE SHOULD BE BUILDING THINGS AS WE NEED THEM.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR.

MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.

MY NAME IS CLAY MURPHY.

I LIVE IN ON KINGS ROAD SOUTH.

AS A BUSINESS PERSON, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I UNDERSTAND IS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE IN THIS PARTICULAR COUNTY.

WE'VE DEFERRED THE THE NEEDS OF FIRE STATIONS IN, IN A, IN A COMPREHENSIVE, CENTRALIZED SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

SOMETIMES IT'S A BITTER HARD PILL TO SWALLOW, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE TO DO IT ALL AT ONCE.

BUT I APPLAUD THE THE FORETHOUGHT.

I APPLAUD THE, THE, THE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ABILITY TO STEP UP AND SAY, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY NEED AT A TIME WHEN THEY REALLY NEED IT.

AND SO I WOULD BE SUPPORTING THIS MEASURE WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM ONE? AYE. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY. WE ARE BACK TO THE BOARD.

MISS ANDREWS. YES.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A STAB AT.

TRY TO RESPOND. COMMISSIONER WEIHER'S QUESTION EARLIER.

AS WE SPEAK, OUR GIS STAFF IS STILL PULLING ALL THE DATA IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF EXISTING HOMES AND COMMERCIAL SPACE THAT THE PROPOSED FIRE STATIONS WILL PROTECT AND WILL PROVIDE ENHANCED PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES TO.

BUT AT THIS TIME, WHAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM THEM IS THAT ROUGHLY ESTIMATED 16,000 HOMES AND THREE POINT 5,000,000FT² OF COMMERCIAL SPACE WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE CENTRAL ALL HAZARD FIRE STATION AND ALSO, OF COURSE, FLAGLER ESTATE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CLOSE TO 6000 POPULATION OF ABOUT 3000 HOMES WILL BE UNDER THIS NEWLY ENHANCED PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS ANDREWS.

COMMISSIONER ALAIMO, THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AND I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, JUST ON ON ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT THE ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SAID THIS ISN'T ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THESE PARKS, THESE FIRE STATIONS.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT PROMOTING NEW DEVELOPMENT.

THIS IS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SERVING THE EXISTING RESIDENTS THAT WE HAVE HERE THESE, THESE PARKS, THESE FIRE STATIONS.

SO IT'S NOT ABOUT RINGING THE DINNER BELL AND SAYING, WELL, NOW WE GOT THESE FIRE STATIONS, BRING IN MORE DEVELOPMENT.

NO, THIS IS TO SERVE THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT THAT WE HAVE.

SO I'M, YOU KNOW, REALLY PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS.

I, YOU KNOW, AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND I WAS EXCITED TO GO TO TALLAHASSEE, LIKE SOME OF YOU AND ADVOCATE FOR THE FIRE REGIONAL TRAINING FACILITY.

SO THIS IS A GREAT JOB BY OUR FIRE AND AND OUR SHERIFF, SO I'LL BE SUPPORTING IT.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER LIMO.

OTHER COMMENTS. QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD.

OKAY. NOT THAT I WOULD BE PROUD TO OFFER A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN AND ASSEMBLE A COUNTY FINANCING TEAM TO PRESENT A FINANCING PACKAGE TO THE COMMISSION UNDER A SUBSEQUENT AGENDA ITEM.

SECOND, OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, PLEASE VOTE.

AND THAT PASSES FIVE ZERO.

AND THE SECOND IS A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF UP TO $800,000 FROM FIRE MS IMPACT FEE FUND TOWARDS THE DESIGN OF THE FIRE STATIONS 21 AND 22.

SECOND, THE MOTION AND A SECOND.

PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. HEY.

WE ARE WE ARE NOW ON TO TIME CERTAIN PUBLIC COMMENT, WHICH STARTS AT 1130.

[Public Comment]

WE WILL RUN TO 1210 AND THEN TAKE UP THE NEXT ITEM.

OKAY. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

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

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD SHOULD COME TO THE PODIUM AND STATE HIS OR HER NAME AND ADDRESS.

EACH PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE BOARD'S RULES OF DECORUM.

COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE AND NOT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER, AND MAY NOT INCLUDE A DEMAND FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD.

[02:40:11]

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ANY DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATION OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS.

FINALLY, I'D ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER THAT PRESENTS ANY OVERHEAD MATERIAL, PLEASE PRESENT THAT MATERIAL TO THE STAFF OF THE CLERK OF COURT TO BE ENTERED INTO PUBLIC RECORD.

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

THANK YOU. KIM KENDALL 856 EAGLE POINT DRIVE.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE LIVE LOCAL, LIVE LOCAL ACT AND ITS EFFECTS ON OUR STATE THROUGH A STATE PROCESS.

THE LIVE LOCAL ACT ALLOWS DEVELOPERS TO FLIP THEIR COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND MIXED USE LAND INTO HIGH DENSITY, MULTIFAMILY, LOW INCOME HOUSING.

THEY ALSO ALLOWED THEM TO BUILD ANY STRUCTURE TO THE SAME HEIGHT OF ANY OTHER BUILDING THAT IS WITHIN A ONE MILE RADIUS, AND THEY CAN DO ALL OF THIS WITHOUT GOING THROUGH OUR LOCAL BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION PROCESS.

NOW, I'D LIKE TO APPLAUD YOU GUYS FOR TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE AND GET DEVELOPERS TO SIGN WAIVERS TO NOT USE THE LIVE LOCAL ACT AND KEEP THE COMMERCIAL, COMMERCIAL OTHER LOCATIONS AROUND THE STATE.

PASCO COUNTY IS HAVING LAWSUITS BECAUSE OF THE TAX EXEMPTIONS THAT ARE BEING AFFORDED, AND THEY ARE LOSING MILLIONS OF MONIES THAT THEY NEED TO USE FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES.

AND BAL HARBOR, THE DEVELOPER, IS SUING THE VILLAGE OF BAL HARBOR BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BUILD A DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE LIVE LOCAL ACT THAT IS FIVE TIMES THE ALLOWED HEIGHT OF ANY OTHER BUILDING WITHIN THAT VICINITY.

GAINESVILLE HAS SEVEN LUXURY STUDENT APARTMENT BUILDINGS THAT ARE GETTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF SUBSIDIES.

BECAUSE THE KIDS ARE BEING LISTED AS LOW INCOME PEOPLE, ORMOND BEACH, A DEVELOPER, USED IT AS LEVERAGE.

HE TOLD HIS COMMISSIONERS, YOU EITHER APPROVE MY 270 APARTMENTS, OR I WILL INVOKE THE LIVE LOCAL ACT AND BUILD 525 APARTMENTS.

AND IN SOUTH BEACH, PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS, A FOREIGN DEVELOPER HAS BOUGHT UP TWO OF THE SMALL HOTELS ON THE ICONIC OCEAN DRIVE AND UNDER THE LIVE LOCAL ACT, WANTS TO BUILD AN 18 STORY BUILDING THAT INCLUDES LOW INCOME HOUSING.

NOW, ALL OF THIS WAS USHERED IN UNDER AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHICH WE NEED.

BUT THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION.

THERE ARE FOUR OTHER SOLUTIONS THAT I THINK WOULD DO A GREAT JOB ONE, IF WE TRULY CARE ABOUT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR TEACHERS, LET'S PAY THEM MORE.

NUMBER TWO, WE USED TO BUILD HOUSES HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY WITH THAT DID NOT REQUIRE A CD OR AN HOA.

THEY DIDN'T REQUIRE THE SETBACKS, AMENITY CENTERS, SIGNAGE, THINGS LIKE THAT.

I'M BEING TOLD IF WE COULD BUILD HOUSES ON STREETS LIKE WE USED TO, IT COULD BE DONE FOR ABOUT 25% LESS.

ALSO, MISSISSIPPI STATE PARTNERS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO BUILD TINY HOMES FOR TEACHERS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.

ALSO, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA LAW ENFORCEMENT DOWN THERE HAS BUILT BARRACKS ON SHERIFF'S PROPERTY FOR NEW HIRES.

NOW FOR THESE SOLUTIONS DO COME WITH A PRICE TAG, BUT I'D RATHER SEE FUNDING GOING TOWARDS QUALITY SOLUTIONS INSTEAD OF THE OVER $800 MILLION THAT'S BEEN ATTACHED TO THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.

THAT COMPLETELY ERODES OUR HOME RULE.

THANK YOU.

BJ CLARDY, WEST CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

WHEN ONE GIVES TO POLITICIANS WHAT RETURN ON INVESTMENT ROI IS EXPECTED.

QUALITY OF LIFE, UNFORTUNATELY, IS NOT THEIR ROI.

CANDIDATES RUNNING AGAINST THREE BC COMMISSIONERS SHOULD BE AWARE.

SOME DEMOCRATS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE SENDING OUT PROPAGANDA TO OTHER DEMOCRATS TO REGISTER AS REPUBLICANS, SO THREE COMMISSIONERS WILL BE REELECTED AND REMAIN IN POWER.

SUCH MANIPULATION IS THE LOVE OF MONEY, NOT THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

QUESTION. WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS MEETING WITH THE MAYOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE ON AUGUST 9TH? BE CAREFUL.

BE VERY CAREFUL.

BE VERY CAREFUL.

BE VERY CAREFUL.

[02:45:01]

WHEN VOTING.

BE CAREFUL WHEN VOTING.

DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

I'M NOT GIVING THIS AWAY.

LISTEN TO 90.5 FM ONCE HOMELESS OR HOPELESS.

I'M GLAD THE HOMELESS THAT WAS UP HERE.

TWO OF THEM SPEAKING.

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO.

LISTEN TO 90.5 FM.

ONE'S HOPELESS LIFE CAN CHANGE.

AND I JUST WANT TO BRING UP HOW THIS.

MEETING AND HAVE HAS BEEN HANDLED.

I GET VERY, VERY, VERY 43 SECONDS, VERY UPSET WHENEVER CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO CLAP.

YOU HAVE A RULE, DO NOT CLAP.

THEN YOU LET IT GO ON AND ON AND ON.

AND THEN WHENEVER WE GET TO SOMEBODY ELSE'S AGENDA ITEM, THEN YOU MAKE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT.

DO NOT CLAP.

WHY IS THAT GOING ON ALL THE TIME? CERTAIN CRONIES ARE ALLOWED TO DO CERTAIN THINGS, OR PEOPLE THAT YOU AGREE WITH ARE ALLOWED TO DO CERTAIN THINGS, AND YOU DO NOT HAVE THE COMMON COURTESY TO TREAT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM THAT COMES IN HERE THE SAME WAY.

LISTEN. NO CLAPPING.

HI, MY NAME IS ELIZABETH POTTER AND MY ADDRESS IS OUTSIDE IN THE FRONT.

I'M THE REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS VICE CHAIR AND THE CHAIR OF ACTIONS.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M HAVING TO STAND UP HERE TODAY AND READ THIS.

IT MAKES ME SICK AND SAD.

AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE HIT AN ALL NEW EVIL LOW.

SO THIS IS AN AMENDMENT FOR NOVEMBER 5TH, 2020 FOR STATEWIDE.

THAT'S GOING ON OUR BALLOT.

THIS IS A RESOLUTION.

I'VE EMAILED IT TO ALL OF YOU, ALL SO YOU CAN READ IT AND TAKE ACTION.

RESOLUTION OPPOSING EXTREME PRO ABORTION AMENDMENT.

WHEREAS THE NETWORK OF PRO-ABORTION ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND THE ACLU, BACKED BY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE ABORTION INDUSTRY, HAVE PLACED AN EXTREME PRO-ABORTION PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TITLED AMENDMENT TO LIMIT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE WITH ABORTION ON THE NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024 STATEWIDE BALLOT.

AND WHEREAS THIS EXTREME AMENDMENT TO ENSHRINE UNLIMITED ABORTION ON DEMAND IN THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION WOULD ERASE ALL THE PRO-LIFE PROTECTIONS ENACTED INTO FLORIDA LAW OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

AND WHEREAS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS BALLOT SUMMARY STATES, NO LAW SHALL PROHIBIT, PENALIZED DELAY OR RESTRICT ABORTION BEFORE VIABILITY OR WHEN NECESSARY, TO PROTECT THE PATIENT'S HEALTH AS DETERMINED BY THE PATIENT'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

THIS AMENDMENT DOES NOT CHANGE THE LEGISLATURE'S CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO A PARENT OR GUARDIAN BEFORE A MINOR HAS AN ABORTION, AND WHEREAS THE WORDING OF THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING IN THAT IT IS DESIGNED TO MAKE VOTERS BELIEVE IT ALLOWS REGULATION OF ABORTION AFTER VIABILITY, BUT INCLUDES A BROAD HEALTH LOOPHOLE THAT WOULD ALLOW ABORTION ON DEMAND TO THE MOMENT OF BIRTH.

SINCE THE WORLD HEALTH HAS BEEN BROADLY INTERPRETED BY COURTS TO JUSTIFY ABORTION FOR VIRTUALLY ANY REASON, INCLUDING MORNING SICKNESS, MORNING SICKNESS, ANXIETY, AND EVEN FINANCIAL STRESS.

AND SINCE THE AMENDMENT ALLOWS THE ABORTIONIST WHO HAS A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN ABORTING THE CHILD TO DETERMINE IF THE MOTHER'S HEALTH IS AT STAKE.

AND WHEREAS THIS AMENDMENT WOULD REPEAL FLORIDA'S 15 WEEK AND SIX WEEK ABORTION LIMITS.

AND WHEREAS, THIS AMENDMENT ALSO INCLUDES MISLEADING LANGUAGE PRIVACY, PRESERVING THE LEGISLATURE'S AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION BEFORE A MINOR CAN OBTAIN AN ABORTION, WHILE ELIMINATING THE LEGISLATURE'S ABILITY TO REQUIRE PARENTAL CONSENT FOR MINORS SEEKING AN ABORTION, WHEREAS THIS EXTREME MEASURE ALSO WOULD

[02:50:01]

AND YOU HAVE THE REST OF IT.

AND THANK YOU. THIS PASSED THE REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

RICHARD NORWOOD, 34 60 OLD MOULTRIE ROAD.

ONCE AGAIN, YOU HAVE ALL EXERCISED YOUR NONFEASANCE SKILLS TO REMAIN AS ACCESSORIES AFTER THE FACT OF PUBLIC WORKS FRAUD THAT YOU NOT ONLY REFUSE TO INVESTIGATE, BUT TO PROSECUTE.

WITH A PIMPLE SIZE ALLOCATION OF A $1.6 BILLION BUDGET.

SURELY YOU HAVE THE DUTY TO PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM YOUR IN-HOUSE CRIMINALS, AS YOU DID BY SPENDING OVER HALF $1 MILLION ON OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS AND CONSULTANTS TO RECOVER A PORTION OF WHAT RAY BRUNELLE EMBEZZLED FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

WHY NOT FROM MY HOMESTEAD? WHY ARE YOU NOT PROTECTING ME FROM AT LEAST THREE HEAVILY DOCUMENTED CRIMINALS IN YOUR EMPLOYEE WHO SADDLED ME WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE REPAIR COSTS OF AT LEAST $35,000, THE EQUIVALENT OF 10% OF MY LIFE'S FINANCIAL NET EQUITY.

JESSICA GOETCHIUS, REAL ESTATE COORDINATOR, COMMITTED A COLLUSIVE FRAUD OF FILING FALSE DOCUMENTS AS PUBLIC RECORDS.

THOMAS MASHBURN, SIDEWALK PROJECT MANAGER A COLLUSIVE FRAUD OF STAKING OUT FALSE PROPERTY PROTECTIONS AGAINST UNNECESSARY EXCAVATION.

AND GREGORY COLWELL, THE GODFATHER OF PUBLIC WORKS, WHOSE CALLOUS RECKLESSNESS AND GROSS NEGLIGENCE HIDES BEHIND A COERCED AND FRAUDULENT TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT TO OBSCURE HIS ROLE IN THE ENTIRE TRAVESTY.

CALDWELL, AS THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, ALLOWED AN ILLEGAL ACTION OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO DEVELOP FROM A 2018 BLUEPRINT, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS INVERSE CONDEMNATION, WITHOUT OBSERVING FIFTH AMENDMENT, GUARANTEED DUE PROCESS, AND WITHOUT ANY OFFER OF JUST COMPENSATION FOR THE RESULTANT PROPERTY DAMAGES.

AND THEN THERE'S YOUR CLIQUE OF FOUR COWARDLY MEMBERS DEVELOP DELIBERATELY, PROVOKING ME INTO HOSTILE CONFRONTATIONS OVER A YEAR AND A HALF.

NOW, BY YOUR ABSOLUTE DERELICTION OF SWORN DUTIES AND YOUR LACK OF ETHICS THAT I AM IMPOTENT AGAINST BY MASSIVE PERSONAL COSTS OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION AGAINST ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

SAINT JOHNS COUNTY UNCHARTED GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE THE MOST CORRUPT AND INCOMPETENT COUNTY ATTORNEYS AND FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT F.D.L.E UNACCREDITED INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE IN ALL OF FLORIDA.

THIS PROBLEM OF YOUR GHOSTING IS EPIDEMIC WITHIN SJC.

THIS IS YOUR LEGACY CITY COMMISSIONERS, NOT THE DEALS AND WEALTHY DEVELOPER FRIENDS YOU HAVE MADE BY BARTERING OFF THIS COUNTY'S LANDS IN EXCHANGE FOR EVER INCREASING TRAFFIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIENCIES.

YOU FLAT OUT IGNORE US WHEN WE ASK FOR ONLY FAIR CONSIDERATION.

AND A TINY BIT OF THAT JUSTICE FOR ALL YOU SWEAR TO ON OUR NATIONAL FLAG TO DELIVER, THEN YOU RELUCTANTLY GRANT US BONA FIDE CONSTITUENTS.

FARCICAL THREE MINUTE FACE TIME ALLOWANCES AS HOLLOW TOKENS OF XJS GOODWILL WITHIN YOUR GOVERNANCE.

ONE DAY JUSTICE SHALL BE DELIVERED TO IN MEASURE TO YOUR COLLECTIVE CRIMES, HOPEFULLY BY NEXT.

TAKING REPRESENTATIVE RUTHERFORD'S ADVICE TO ME, HE DESCRIBED HIS LIMITED POWERS TO OVERSEE YOUR ACTIONS AND RECOMMENDED THAT I FILE COMPLAINTS AGAINST YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. NORWOOD, WITH THE NINE MEMBER FLORIDA COMMISSION.

TIME'S UP. ETHICS.

AND I WILL NOT THANK YOU.

NICOLE CROSBIE, 1169 NEC ROAD.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT CAME UP IN SOCIAL MEDIA RECENTLY.

THIS ONE, A BIG ONE.

SAINT JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOLS HAVE DROPPED FROM NUMBER ONE TO NUMBER TWO RANKING, ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

AND THERE WAS, LIKE A HUGE KIND OF BACKLASH BY SUPPORTERS OF THE DEVELOPERS AND THE THREE OF THE INCUMBENT COMMISSIONERS TO EITHER TRY AND DISMISS THIS AS UNIMPORTANT, AS MEANINGLESS.

BRUSH IT UNDER THE RUG.

OH, IT'S A TINY COUNTY.

IT DOESN'T COUNT.

I WAS EVEN, LIKE, PERSONALLY ATTACKED, ACTUALLY, BY THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR TWO OF THE COMMISSIONERS HERE TODAY WHO TOLD ME ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS FANCY COLLEGES.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS.

IT SOUNDED LIKE AN ATTACK, THOUGH.

I DIDN'T GO TO A FANCY COLLEGE.

BUT AT ANY RATE, THIS IS REAL.

IT'S DROPPED FROM NUMBER ONE TO NUMBER TWO.

AND THAT MEANS REAL ESTATE BROKERS CAN'T USE THAT ANYMORE WHEN THEY'RE MARKETING PROPERTY HERE.

PEOPLE SHOPPING. ALL OF US WHO ARE PROPERTY OWNERS, THAT COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT US.

AND IS THIS GOING TO CONTINUE?

[02:55:01]

WE SEE OVERCROWDING.

WE'VE GOT THE 630 PORTABLE CLASSROOMS. WE SEE KIDS GETTING BUST OUT OF THEIR HOME SCHOOLS, WHICH IS VERY DISRUPTIVE.

SO NOBODY'S SHOCKED.

BUT OF COURSE PEOPLE ARE UPSET ABOUT IT.

AND I REALLY DON'T APPRECIATE THE INCUMBENTS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF COMMISSIONER JOSEPH KIND OF TRYING TO WELL, THROUGH THEIR SPOKESPEOPLE, DISMISSING IT AND ACTING LIKE IT'S MEANINGLESS.

I THINK IT'S QUITE MEANINGFUL.

IN FACT, ALSO IN SOCIAL MEDIA, THIS WAS POSTED ON THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY FACEBOOK PAGE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE ALL PROBABLY SEEN SITUATION WHERE A BUFFER DISAPPEARED FOR A DEVELOPMENT AND NO TREE BUFFER WAS KEPT BEHIND.

AND AND THE COMMISSIONERS ARNOLD, ALAIMO AND WHITEHURST DID NOT APPROVE ANY OF THE 14 TREE PROTECTIONS THAT WERE PROPOSED.

AND THIS ONE, THIS IS ONE THAT WAS REJECTED.

KEEP NATURAL OR UNDISTURBED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

BUFFERS OF ORIGINAL NATURAL VEGETATION TREES TO PROTECT NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES.

DOES THIS SEEM RADICAL TO ME AT ALL? SEEMS QUITE REASONABLE AND NOT HORRIBLY EXPENSIVE TO ANYBODY.

BUT THIS IS WHAT COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST RESPONDED, THAT THE WHOLE 14 POINTS WAS BY FAR THE MOST HARMFUL POLICY EVER BROUGHT BEFORE OUR BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION. I'M VERY DISTURBED BY THAT.

I DON'T THINK THAT PROTECTION OF A NATURAL RESOURCE SHOULD EVER BE CALLED HARMFUL.

EVER, EVER.

WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IT'S GOING TO COME UP IN THE COMP PLAN DISCUSSIONS.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S NOT COMING UP IN THE COMP PLAN DISCUSSIONS.

IT'S VERY OPPOSED BY OUR EXISTING COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU. PROUD TO HAVE VOTED AGAINST YOUR TREE TAX, NICOLE.

VERY PROUD TO HAVE VOTED AGAINST THAT.

HEATHER. HARLEY DAVIDSON AND NICOLE.

THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS ALREADY DRAFTED.

HEY, I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS SOMETHING.

YOU KNOW, I'M RUNNING FOR COUNTY COMMISSION.

LIKE ALL OF Y'ALL I HAD TO GET.

I HAVE TO GET 2300 OF THESE.

IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT I GOT THE FLYING MONKEYS COMING OUT REGARDING MY HEATHER HARLEY DAVIDSON.

DISTRICT THREE, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSION, 2070 REEF DRIVE.

WAS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED? YES, MA'AM. OKAY. THANK YOU.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROVIDES THAT CONGRESS WILL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE.

IT PROTECTS FREEDOM OF SPEECH, THE PRESS, THE ASSEMBLY, THE RIGHT TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES I SET UP.

I'M A STATE CERTIFIED GENERAL CONTRACTOR.

A REAL ESTATE BROKER HADN'T DONE ANY OF THAT REALLY, IN TEN YEARS.

I'M AN ARTIST.

I SET MY EASEL UP AT THE COUNTY PIER FOR PETITIONS.

I HAD A COUNTY EMPLOYEE COME FROM THE RECREATIONAL DEPARTMENT AND TELL ME I CAN'T DO THAT.

I HAD ALREADY HAD TWO OFFICERS COME AND THEY RESPECTED MY RIGHTS OF OPPRESSION, OF EXPRESSION.

THEY THEY RESPECTED MY RIGHTS AS FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE ON COUNTY PROPERTY, WE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET OUR PETITIONS.

I UNDERSTAND WHEN IT'S A CIVIC GROUP, BUT IF IT'S ON COUNTY PROPERTY, THEY SHOULD HAVE A FREEDOM OF SPEECH AREA. AND WHAT I TOLD THE GUYS I WENT, IF I HAD A BLACK LIVES MATTER SHIRT ON, Y'ALL WOULD HAVE LOOKED THE OTHER WAY AND I HAD TO STICK UP. I GOT TOUGH SKIN, I DON'T CARE.

I LOOK SO GOOD FOR WHAT MY LIFE HAS BEEN THROUGH.

I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT MY RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED BY COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

THANK YOU.

OH, HELLO, I'M CHARLIE HUNT.

MILL CREEK ESTATES.

FIRST OF ALL, I'D REALLY LIKE TO APPLAUD THE HIGHLY UPDATED NEW PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION THERE.

IT REALLY BRINGS SOME GOOD POINTS BEING ABOUT SO.

BUT LET ME GO AHEAD AND GET TO THE THE MAIN WHILE I'M HERE FOR IT'S COPIES OF ALL THE EMAILS THAT I SENT TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND INCLUDING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ON THAT HAPPILY PASSED ABC LIQUOR STORE. OKAY.

ON DECEMBER 21ST, I SENT ONE THAT SAID AT PCA TODAY, ISSUES ABOUT ABC LIQUOR STORE PROJECT OR SPLIT VOTE.

[03:00:10]

AND THEN ALL THE OTHER EMAILS I KEPT SENDING.

I GOT A FEW RESPONSES.

BUT THEN AFTER THE THE IT EASILY PASSED WITH GREAT EMOTIONS.

IT SEEMED LIKE FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HOW GREAT IT IS TO PUT THIS 10,000 SQUARE FOOT LIQUOR STORE RIGHT BESIDE THE THE CHURCH WHERE THE PASTOR SAID, IF IT PAYS ME, THAT'S FINE WITH ME.

OKAY, HERE WE GO.

QUOTE. FOR THE RECORD, JAMES WHITEHOUSE, I'M A RECOGNIZED AS BOARD CERTIFIED EXPERT ON ALL CITY, COUNTY, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAWS.

THE DISTANCE TO ADJACENT CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS THIS IS WITHIN OUR PACKET HAS BEEN PRESENTED AND SHOWS THAT ANY SCHOOLS THAT ARE OVER 1000 FOOT, THAT MAY NOT BE PART OF THE MINOR MODIFICATION APPLICATION.

IT IS JUST THE COMMUNITY CHURCH WHICH IS ADJACENT.

YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PACKET AS WELL, PROPOSED THAT THE ABC LIQUOR STORES WILL BE OFF PACETTI ROAD, BUT ACCESS TO THE SIDE ROAD AND WILL GET OFF THE PARKING LOT BEHIND IT, UNQUOTE.

SO IF THAT LAWYER STATED THAT THERE IS NO SCHOOL WITHIN 1000FT.

ISN'T. THE SURVEY DONE BY THE SURVEY COMPANY.

THAT? YES, I'VE SENT YOU ALL INFO ON THAT.

THE SURVEY COMPANY AND IT WAS EVEN AT THE PGA.

YES. IS 1000 FOOT 990FT.

IF MILL CREEK STAYS ACADEMY IS 990FT, DOES THAT MEAN THAT THERE'S NO SCHOOL WITHIN THAT 1000 FOOT RANGE? DID THAT LAWYER COME UP HERE AND TELL YOU THERE'S NO SCHOOL WITHIN 1000FT, JUST TO GET THE HAPPY RESPONSE FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS? YES, IT NEEDS TO BE APPEALED.

BOTTOM LINE.

MICHAEL MCDONALD, WINDSWEPT ACRES NEIGHBORHOOD.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I KEEP HEARING THE REBUTTAL OF.

WE'RE NOT RINGING THE DINNER BELL I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE EVERY MEETING WE COME TO, IT IS APPROVE APPROVE APPROVE APPROVE APPROVE.

AND JUST TO SHARE EXAMPLE OF HOW WE ARE BOUGHT OUT.

CAN WE ZOOM IN ON THIS? LET'S SEE. THIS IS OUR WIKILEAKS WEBSITE TO SHOW YOU HOW WE ARE BOUGHT OUT BY THE THOUSANDS.

BY THE THOUSANDS.

WE COULD GO ON AND ON.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO LOOK AT THIS.

YES, THESE ARE THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES THAT ARE PILLAGING OUR TOWN AND THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO I'M NOT TRYING TO POINT NAMES OR POINT FINGERS, BUT YOU CAN LOOK ON THERE AND SEE SEE WHERE THE GRAY FUNDING IS.

IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

WE NEED BETTER.

WE NEED A BETTER ROUTE FORWARD THAN BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY.

IT'S GOING TO DESTROY THIS COMMUNITY IT ALREADY HAS BY THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE LACK OF PARKS, LACK OF SCHOOL TEACHERS, LACK OF BUS DRIVERS, LACK OF FIRE FIRE FIGHTERS, I MEAN GAS STATION ATTENDANTS.

I COULD GO ON AND ON.

YOU COULD GO TO ANY ONE OF THE BUSINESSES THAT YOU SUPPORT.

AND I GUARANTEE YOU NONE OF THEM ARE FROM SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY.

I CAN I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT I'M I'M RUNNING AROUND CHECKING THE PULSE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

NOBODY LIVES HERE THAT'S WORKING IN THIS COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE ALL HAVING TO DRIVE FROM AN HOUR AWAY.

EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY THAT'S WORKING IN THIS COMMUNITY IS TRANSPLANT FROM AN HOUR AWAY.

THEY'RE TRAVELING AN HOUR.

THAT'S WHY OUR ROADS ARE SO CONGESTED, BECAUSE THERE'S NO LOCAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

EVERYBODY'S HAVING TO DRIVE AN HOUR TO GET TO WORK BECAUSE THERE'S WE PHASE PEOPLE OUT AND PRICE PEOPLE OUT AND BROUGHT LOTS OF COMPETITION TO THEIR AREA.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE HAD TO SPREAD, SPREAD TO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND IT'S JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN IF WE DO NOT HAVE SOME SENSE OF ACCOUNTABILITY, OF GROWTH.

I MEAN, IF IF THAT'S WHAT OUR COMMUNITY WANTS IS TO BE BOUGHT OUT BY THE DEVELOPERS AND BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE GENTLEMAN SITTING IN THE BACK AND MAKING POLICIES BEHIND OUR BACK, IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT.

IT WILL SHOW AT THIS NEXT ELECTION PROCESS.

IT WILL SHOW IF IF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY WANTS TO WIN, THAT'S THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO STEP UP BECAUSE THEY'RE DESTROYING OUR COMMUNITY.

[03:05:06]

THEY'RE THEY'RE NOT THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT US.

THEY THEY JUST SEE US AS A POG AND TAX BRACKETS.

I MEAN, BECAUSE THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT HOW OUR SCHOOLS ARE DIMINISHED, HOW OUR FIREFIGHTERS ARE BUNKING UP TOGETHER, HOW OUR DETECTIVES ARE SLEEPING TOGETHER.

THEY'RE ROOMMATES TOGETHER.

WE WE WE HAVE A BROKEN SYSTEM.

AND IT'S JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET WORSE BY YOU GUYS.

APPROVAL RATE.

HELLO, MY NAME IS LANA DOBRYNIN AND I'M AT TWO SEVEN, SIX, TEN TAMARA DRIVE, SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, WHICH IS WINDWARD RANCH.

AND I'M OFF OF THE WONDERFUL STATE ROAD 16.

SO APPRECIATE WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING TO IT.

WOOHOO! BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANT TO ASK.

AS YOU'RE DEVELOPING THAT AREA AND ACROSS FROM ARABELLA, YOU RECENTLY PUT IN ANOTHER PUBLIX AND WHICH IS FINE.

PUBLIX OWNS EVERYTHING, BUT IS THERE NOT ANY TYPE OF ARCHITECTURAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEVELOPERS WHEN THEY'RE BUILDING THIS? AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE CEMENT BLOCKS ARE FOR BUILDINGS THAT YOU'RE APPROVING? I MEAN, WE'RE STILL IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, AND IT REALLY UPSETS ME THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINE THAT WOULD HAVE SOMETHING THAT WOULD MIMIC SAINT AUGUSTINE PROPER OR THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING IN MUSEUMS, YOU KNOW, TO CELEBRATE THE HISTORY HERE.

YOU'RE, YOU KNOW, ALL THIS STUFF, BUT YET IN BUILDING, YOU'RE NOT GIVING US ANYTHING ESTHETIC THAT'S EVEN SLIGHTLY APPEALING, BUT ALSO NOTHING THAT REFLECTS THE HISTORY.

SO IF WE'RE GOING TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY ON THE MUSEUM, WHICH, YOU KNOW, I UTTERLY SUPPORT, WHY ARE YOU NOT GOING TO ALLOW US TO HAVE BUILDINGS? AND I MEAN, LIKE THE PUBLIX ACROSS IN MARABELLA, AT LEAST IT HAS THE TERRACOTTA TOP ROOFTOP AREA. I MEAN, IT LOOKS SOMETHING LIKE SAINT AUGUSTINE, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU'RE BUILDING AND RIGHT NEXT TO ME I'M NEXT TO WHISPER RIDGE, YOU ARE BUILDING ANOTHER PUBLIX, YOU KNOW, AREA, AND I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO BE A NICE SQUARE BLOCK OF BUILDING.

SO, PLEASE, I'D REALLY ASK YOU TO CONSIDER REQUIRING DEVELOPERS TO PUT IN A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU MA'AM.

OKAY, ONE, WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE.

WELL. DOG'S NOT COMING UP WITH YOU THIS TIME.

I THINK HE'S EMBARRASSED.

BILL HENNESSY, 54, 60 ONE FOURTH STREET, SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, AND THE WINDSWEPT ACREAGE COMMUNITY.

AND THIS WAS ABOUT MY, I DON'T KNOW, HALF DOZEN TIMES I'VE BEEN UP HERE ABOUT THE BOAT RAMPS.

AND THIS IS THE PETITION I WENT AND GOT FOR THE PALMETTO ROAD BOAT RAMP, BOAT RAMP, AND IT HAS ALMOST 180 NAMES.

AND I GAVE IT TO MR. MCCORMICK, AND HE WAS GOING TO LOOK INTO IT.

OF COURSE, NOTHING HAPPENED.

AND THEN THEY CALLED A MEETING AND IT WAS BILLY ZEISS WHO HAD TEDDY.

TEDDY MEYER AND A COUPLE OF OTHER PEOPLE FROM THE COUNTY TO GO DOWN TO THE PALMETTO ROAD TO DISCUSS THE PARK WITH THESE PEOPLE WHO JUST BUILT A HOUSE DOWN THERE.

AND THIS IS A PICTURE AFTER THE AFTER THE SURVEY WAS DONE, THE GENTLEMAN.

WELL, I WON'T CALL HIM A GENTLEMAN.

PUT ALL THESE PYLONS UP TO TAKE AWAY OUR RIGHT TO TO GET INTO THIS BOAT RAMP.

AND THE COUNTY EVEN ALLOWED HIM TO PUT HIS DRIVEWAY HERE, WHICH HE'S A MEMBER OF THIS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION WITHOUT A VARIANCE MAILBOXES THERE, TOO.

AND THEY GOT A PRIVATE MAILBOX STATION INSIDE THEIR LITTLE COMMUNITY.

AND TO SHOW YOU WHAT KIND OF GREED THIS GUY AND HOW HOW HE DON'T CARE ABOUT NOBODY.

THIS IS HIS TRUCK AND IT'S BACKED ON COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY PROPERTY.

AND HE THIS IS ANOTHER PICTURE OF HIM AND HIS BOAT ON COUNTY PROPERTY.

AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ROAD, THE WAY THEY BUILT UP THEIR LANDSCAPING.

IT FLOODS EVERY TIME IT RAINS.

EVERY TIME IT RAINS, IT FLOODS.

THESE ARE OTHER PICTURES.

THIS IS THE BUTLER PARK, THE BIG PARK RIGHT HERE, WHERE THE ROAD GOES FROM 26FT TO 16FT.

AND Y'ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT SAFETY, MAN, I TOLD YOU, YOU NEED TO PUT A SIGN UP THERE THAT THE ROAD NARROWS.

PEOPLE COME OUT OF TOWN. THEY HAVE NO IDEA.

[03:10:01]

SOMEBODY'S GOING TO GO IN THAT DITCH.

IT'S GOING TO BE A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.

AND I MEAN, IT'S A $200 SIGN.

YOU COULD PUT UP GUARDRAILS.

I MEAN, IF YOU GO DOWN THERE AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, YOU'LL KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, MAN.

IT'S TERRIBLE. IT'S A IT'S A TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN.

AND THIS IS THIS IS THE WOMAN PULLING OUT OF THIS HOME, AS YOU SEE.

AND I'M TAKING PICTURES OF THEM WORKING ON THEIR BOAT, WHICH I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GO UP IN THERE TO, TO PUT MY BOAT IN THE WATER.

AND WHAT IS SHE ALMOST DO? SHE ALMOST RUNS ME DOWN, MAN.

AND Y'ALL STILL HAVEN'T DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS GUY.

HE'S TERRIBLE.

HE NEEDS TO GO TO KINDNESS.

101 EAST PIMENTO CHEESE OR SOMETHING.

BUT HERE HE IS RIGHT HERE.

HE LAUNCHED HIS BOAT AND LEFT HIS TRUCK ON THE RAMP.

AND THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A BUNCH OF PROBLEMS. SOMEBODY'S GOING TO GET HURT.

SOMEBODY'S GOING TO END UP IN JAIL.

OR, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A THERE'S A LEGAL ISSUE HERE.

EVERY TIME A HOUSE SELLS DOWN THERE, IT'S A CONTINUED CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE.

THESE PEOPLE ARE CHANGING PROPERTY.

AND Y'ALL DON'T EVEN GO DOWN THERE AND MAKE SURE THEIR PROPERTY LINE IS SET WHERE WE CAN PUT OUR BOATS IN THE WATER.

AND THEY CHARGED ME WITH TRESPASSING.

I CAN'T GO DOWN THERE TO 2029.

I MEAN, THIS TAKES MORE THAN THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU. THIS IS A LIFETIME OF CRAP.

THANK YOU SIR. OKAY.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC OUR PUBLIC COMMENT TIME.

CERTAIN. WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO NOW, MISS ANDREWS.

[2. Confirmation of Intergovernmental Affairs Director.]

COMMISSIONERS. ITEM NUMBER TWO BEFORE YOU IS TO REQUEST YOUR CONSIDERATION.

APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, MR. ADAM TEGLER.

AND I WANTED TO GIVE JUST A BRIEF CONTEXT AND HISTORY OF THE OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.

IT'S ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

I THINK THE BOARD HAS INDICATED YOUR STRONG EMPHASIS ON THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE ON THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, AND ALSO RECOGNIZING THE BENEFIT OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS CAN LEAD TO POTENTIALLY LEVERAGING FUNDS FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL.

AND THAT WAS WHEN 2022.

MR. TICKLER JOINED US AS THE GRANTS AND LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER FOR SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

AND SINCE 2022, MR. TICKLER WAS ABLE TO LEAD THE OFFICE AND RESPONDING TO THE BOARD'S REALLY STRATEGIC EMPHASIS AND PRIORITIES ON REACHING OUT TO THE STATE AND FEDERAL DELEGATIONS AND AGENCIES.

AND IN TOTAL, WITHIN THE TWO YEARS OF THIS OFFICE, THE THE BOARD HAD REQUESTED $145 MILLION IN A STATE APPROPRIATION.

AND AMONG THAT, THERE IS A TOTAL DIRECT APPROPRIATION FROM THE STATE OF 120 $112 MILLION, WITH THE TOTAL FUNDING SECURED OF $170 MILLION.

AND OF COURSE, THERE IS ALSO THE COMPETITIVE GRANTS THAT THIS OFFICE HAS SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED AND APPLIED AND AWARDED, AND THAT IS $57 MILLION. AND THAT IS ALL DONE WITHIN 20 MONTHS.

SO TODAY I WANTED TO ASK THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION, APPROVAL OF MR. TICKLERS CONFIRMATION AS A DIRECTOR OF THE NEWLY FORMED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.

AND I WANTED TO JUST GO OVER VERY BRIEFLY OF MR. TICKLERS BIO.

HE HOLDS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND HAS EXTENSIVE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE.

PRIOR TO JOINING SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, MR. TICKLER HELD A POSITION AS THE GRANTS MANAGER OF FLORIDA GAS UTILITY AND DRAFTING USDOT GRANT PROPOSALS VALUED AT $15 MILLION FOR A RURAL MUNICIPALITY.

UTILITIES. AND MR. TICKLER OVERSEES THE PURSUE AND ACQUISITION OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PRIVATE RESOURCES, AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT THE CRITICAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY SAINT JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

SO WITH THAT, I'M RESPECTFULLY ASKING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE CONFIRMATION OF MR. TICKLER AS A DIRECTOR OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.

THANK YOU, MISS ANDREWS.

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? OKAY. WE'LL NOW OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO.

PLEASE COME FORWARD. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

YOU'LL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES.

GOOD AFTERNOON. ED SLAVIN BOX 3084 ED SLAVIN.

COM. I SUPPORT THE NOMINATION BUT AND I ALSO SUPPORT ADMINISTRATION NOW ACTUALLY PRESENTING OUR CONFIRMATIONS FOR A VOTE.

[03:15:04]

I NOTICE THERE'S NO RESUME, NO CURRICULUM VITAE.

SO COULD WE PLEASE HAVE THE RESUME AND CURRICULUM VITAE, INCLUDING A LIST OF ALL PUBLICATIONS AND ALL PRIOR LOBBYING WORK INCLUDED IN THE RECORD AND IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE DON'T ASK US TO CONFIRM SOMEONE WITHOUT A RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE AND MAYBE A SPREADSHEET OF PEOPLE WHO DID APPLY.

BECAUSE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY HAS A DISTINCTION TOO MANY, NO BID CONTRACTS, AND TOO MANY PEOPLE HIRED WITHOUT EVER EVEN APPLYING. COULD WE PLEASE FILL IN THOSE DETAILS? THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW.

THIS IS A DEMOCRACY.

OUR REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRATIC FORM OF GOVERNMENT IS AT STAKE.

AND I DIDN'T SEE A RESUME IN THE BACKUP MATERIAL.

WE NEED THAT. WE REALLY DO.

THAT'S THE COST OF ONE PARTY RULE.

LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

SO COULD WE PLEASE SUPPLEMENT THE RECORD WITH THE RESUME, THE CURRICULUM VITAE, LIST OF ANY PUBLICATIONS AND ANY PRIOR LOBBYING WORK? OKAY. AND WERE THERE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SENATOR HUDSON OR OTHERWISE? THANK YOU. MICHAEL MCDONALD, WINDSWEPT ACRES NEIGHBORHOOD.

ONE QUICK QUESTION. IF WE COULD GET HIM TO ADDRESS HAS HE CONTRIBUTED TO THE THREE CANDIDATES THAT ARE UP ON THE STAGE THERE? I'D JUST LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU DONATED TO EITHER THREE INCUMBENTS CAMPAIGN? THAT'S MY ONLY QUESTION BECAUSE I FOUND OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY ON THERE, SO I WAS JUST KIND OF CURIOUS IF THIS GENTLEMAN IS GOING TO BE ON THAT LIST.

YES, I CHARLIE HUNT.

MILL CREEK ESTATES.

MY QUESTION IS WHO DOES THE CONTRACT? IS THIS A COUNTY WORKER BEING APPOINTED TO WORK FOR THE COUNTY? WELL, THE COUNTY DO THE THE THE CONTRACT OR WILL THE INDIVIDUAL PRESENT THE CONTRACT 4 OR 5 MONTHS LATER DOWN THE LINE? OKAY.

I MEAN, OR IS THAT INFORMATION ALREADY PUBLISHED? I DIDN'T SEE IT.

SO MAYBE I'M GETTING BLOCKED FROM LOOKING AT A LOT OF THE COUNTY'S DOCUMENTS, BUT BUT YEAH, THAT'S MY QUESTION.

IF HE'S LOOKING TO GET APPOINTED, WHERE'S THE CONTRACT OR IS HE GETTING CONTRACTED? AND IF SO, WHY CAN'T WE SEE IT? FAIR QUESTION. LET ME ANSWER THAT REAL QUICK.

THERE IS NO CONTRACT.

HE'S A LINE ITEM EMPLOYEE.

HE'S MOVING FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER AS ALL 1400 EMPLOYEES.

THEY ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY.

THEY DON'T HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT LIKE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

THEY'RE JUST LINE ITEM EMPLOYEES.

DOES THAT HELP? OKAY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN.

THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY. WE ARE BACK TO THE BOARD.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

JUST REAL QUICK. DOES HE HAVE AN INCENTIVE LIKE A PERCENTAGE OF THE GRANTS OR HE JUST HAS A SALARY? JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY.

NO. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION IF YOU'RE READY TO ENTERTAIN IT.

ABSOLUTELY. I'M GOING TO MOVE TO CONFIRM ADAM TECCHLER AS THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

PLEASE VOTE. AND THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

CONGRATULATIONS, ADAM.

WE'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE YOU.

MADAM CHAIR. OKAY, ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

[3. Purchase and Sales Agreement for World Golf Foundation, Inc. real property and improvements and Lease Back Agreement for a portion of real property to PGA Tour, Inc.]

AFTER THIS AGENDA ITEM IS HEARD, THE BOARD IS GOING TO BREAK FOR LUNCH FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, AND THEN WE'LL BE BACK TO TAKE UP AGENDA ITEM THREE A AND SO ON.

GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS COREY BOWENS, LAND MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR.

ACCOMPANYING ME IS LEX TAYLOR, DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY.

HERE TO PRESENT THE RESOLUTION FOR PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT AND THE LEASE BACK FOR THE WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION AND PGA TOUR. IF EVERYONE COULD, PLEASE.

I'M SORRY. IF EVERYONE COULD PLEASE TAKE THEIR CONVERSATION OUT INTO THE ROTUNDA.

WE'RE TRYING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

PLEASE. THANK YOU.

PLEASE CONTINUE. MR. ROBBINS, I APOLOGIZE.

FOR A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND.

CURRENTLY, THE COUNTY OWNS THE HALL OF FAME, THE CONVENTION CENTER, AND THE GROUND FOR THE HOTEL COMPLEX.

[03:20:06]

THE WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION OWNS THE TOUR, PRODUCTION, BUILDING AND PARKING AND COMMON AREAS.

AND IF YOU REMEMBER, BACK IN JUNE OF 2023, THE WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION NOTIFIED THE COUNTY OF ITS INTENTION TO MOVE OPERATIONS OUT OF THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE COMPLEX TO HELP ILLUSTRATE SOME OF THAT IN THE BACKGROUND.

I'VE PROVIDED THIS MAP TO SHOW THE CURRENT OWNERSHIP.

AS YOU CAN SEE OVER HERE, THIS AREA IS THE HALL OF FAME, WHICH THE COUNTY OWNS IN BLUE.

AND THEN ALSO WE HAVE THE CONVENTION CENTER AND GROUND FOR THE HOTEL COMPLEX THAT THE COUNTY OWNS AND THEN LEASES TO THE ATRIUM.

THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION IS SHADED IN PURPLE.

IT'S APPROXIMATELY 37 ACRES OWNED BY THE WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION.

THE PGA TOUR BUILDING LOCATED HERE.

ALL OF THE PARKING, ALL OF THE COMMON AREA, AND SOME OF THE OUT PARCELS ARE ALL INCLUDED IN PART OF THAT PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT.

DETAILING THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, SOME OF THE KEY POINTS.

THE ASKING PRICE OR THE PURCHASE AND SALE PRICE IS 5.5 MILLION, WHICH WAS AN AVERAGE OF REAL PROPERTY VALUE.

ALSO, THE INVENTORY FOR THE HALL OF FAME AND THE TRADEMARKS TO GET THAT TOTAL OF 5.5 MILLION.

TWO APPRAISALS WERE TAKEN BY STATE STATUTE AND COUNTY ORDINANCE TO COME TO THAT REAL PROPERTY VALUE.

THE COUNTY ALSO HAS 120 DAY DUE DILIGENCE AND INSPECTION PERIODS SO THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH APPRAISALS, SURVEYS, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND PHASE ONES.

THE AGREEMENT ALSO INCLUDES THE TERMINATION OF THE HALL OF FAME LEASE AND TDA AGREEMENTS.

IF APPROVED, THIS MAP ILLUSTRATES WHAT THE COUNTY CONSOLIDATED.

PROPERTY INTERESTS WITHIN THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE COMPLEX WOULD LOOK LIKE.

THE COUNTY WOULD THEN OWN A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THE PROPERTY WITHIN THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE COMPLEX.

AND THEN QUICKLY DETAILING AND POINTING OUT SOME OF THE KEY POINTS ON THE LEASE BACK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE FOR THE PGA TOUR PRODUCTIONS BUILDING.

THE TOURING CURRENTLY OCCUPIES THE OPERATIONS AND TOUR PRODUCTIONS BUILDING LEASED FROM THE WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION.

THE TOUR WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO LEASE THE BUILDING UNTIL THEIR NEW BUILDING IS READY IN MARCH OF 2025, THEN THEY WOULD RELOCATE TO TPC AT SAWGRASS, THEIR NEW HEADQUARTERS. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE AGREEMENT WILL CONTINUE LEASING THE BUILDING TO THE TOUR THROUGH THE FOUNDATION AND THEN, EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION HAS AGREED TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE IMAX THEATER AND PAY THE PROPERTY OWNER ASSOCIATION COST TO MAINTAIN THE PARKING AND COMMON AREAS THROUGH THE END OF THE LEASE, WHICH IS MARCH OF 2025.

LASTLY PART OF TO MOVE THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FORWARD.

THIS SLIDE LISTS THE THREE MOTIONS THAT STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED, WHICH IS TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, EXECUTE THE GROUND LEASE, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC BUILDING IMPACT FEE RESERVES.

THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AND STAFF IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU, MR. BONES. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? WELL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND TO YOU AS WELL, MR. TAYLOR, THIS HAS BEEN QUITE A JOURNEY.

AND THIS IS STILL ONLY, I THINK, STEP ONE OF WHAT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY LONG PROCESS.

BUT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE WORK, KIND OF UNTANGLING ALL OF THE THE DIFFERENT THREADS OF THIS WEB, IF YOU WILL.

SO WITH THAT, I GUESS WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

WE'LL NOW OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

PLEASE COME FORWARD TO STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

FOR THE RECORD, YOU'LL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU. HELLO AGAIN, ED SLAVIN, BOX 308 FOR ED SLAVIN.

COM WHY WOULD WE AGREE TO WAIVE OUR SEVENTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL? JUSTICE WILLIAM REHNQUIST IN PARKLANE HOSIERY VERSUS SHAW IN DISSENT, SAID THAT.

THE SEVENTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL IS A BULWARK AGAINST OPPRESSION.

CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE NO LONGER APPROVES CONTRACTS WITH WAIVERS OF THE RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL.

[03:25:02]

WHY WOULD THE WHY WOULD OUR GOVERNMENT WANT TO WAIVE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS? I KNOW THEY DO THAT IN PRIVATE INDUSTRY.

THIS IS NOT PRIVATE INDUSTRY.

WHO ASKED FOR THIS WAIVER OF THE RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL? WHO WROTE IT. CALLING YOUR ATTENTION TO PARAGRAPH 31, THERE'S A REFERENCE TO COURT ORDERS AND ARBITRATOR'S DECISIONS.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE ROUTE OF ARBITRATION IS THE SAME AS ARBITRARY.

AND THEN PARAGRAPH 32, A GREAT BIG OLD PARAGRAPH THERE, ALL CAPITAL LETTERS WAVING OUR SACRED SEVENTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL.

NOW, THE LATE UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, JAMES GILL AND I PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE IN THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION JUDGES JOURNAL IN JULY OF 1989.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WEREN'T ABLE TO LIE OF THAT, BUT WE WROTE AN ARTICLE CALLED A RUSH TO UNFAIRNESS.

THE DOWNSIDE TO ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT CONSUMERS AND GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLE LOSING THEIR RIGHTS BECAUSE CORPORATE AMERICA DECIDED TRW AND EXXON AND HARVARD WAS A MASS MOVEMENT TO TAKE AWAY OUR RIGHTS.

A LOT OF PROPAGANDA IS BEING TAUGHT IN LAW SCHOOLS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IF IT'S IN A CONTRACT, THEY HAVE TO SIGN IT.

WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT I DO.

IF ANYBODY EVER ASKS ME TO SIGN A CONTRACT WITH AN ARBITRATION CLAUSE, I CROSS IT OUT AND I INITIAL IT.

AND WHEN BRIAN AND I FIRST MOVED TO SAINT AUGUSTINE IN 1999, WENT TO AN EYE DOCTOR JUST FOR SOME GLASSES, AND HE HAD IN HIS CONTRACT A PROVISION ASKING ME TO AGREE TO WAIVE MY RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL AND TO AGREE TO ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

I CROSSED IT OUT, I INITIALED IT, NOBODY EVER ASKED ANYTHING.

DID OUR ATTORNEYS EVEN THINK TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE WITH THE WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY WAIVING OUR SACRED SEVENTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL? PLEASE TAKE OUT THOSE TWO PARAGRAPHS.

THAT ONE WORD IN 31 ARBITRATORS DECISION, TWO WORDS AND 32 TAKE IT OUT ENTIRELY.

OTHERWISE I WOULD VOTE AGAINST THIS.

IT'S IMMORAL. IT'S ILLEGAL.

IT'S CONTRARY TO PUBLIC POLICY.

SEE RESTATEMENT OF CONTRACTS, SECOND SECTION 178 CONTRACT VIOLATIONS AND PUBLIC POLICY.

IT IS WRONG. THANK YOU SIR.

WRONG. TIME'S UP.

I GOT THIS SHEET OF PAPER.

THANK YOU. CAN WE GET IN ON THAT? CAN WE GET IN ON THAT? LIKE. RIGHT THIS PART RIGHT HERE.

OKAY. HEATHER HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 2070 REEF DRIVE.

THAT WAY, Y'ALL CAN GO TO MY HOUSE AND STALK ME.

PGA STATED THAT IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO FINANCIALLY SUSTAIN THE FACILITY IN SOME ASSETS AND THE BRAND, AND THEY MOVED IT TO PINEHURST WORLD GOLF VILLAGE.

SAINT JOHNS COUNTY BUREAUCRATS IN THE CEDED COMMISSION IN 1990 AGREED TO PAY A REBATE OF 25 YEARS OF AD VALOREM TAXES ON REAL ESTATE, PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW INTANGIBLE PROPERTIES, GENERAL ROADS, FIRE APPROPRIATIONS, AND UP TO 100% OF FEES COLLECTED BY SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

IMPACT FEES. WATER.

SEWER CONNECTION FEES, ACCORDING TO THE AGREEMENT.

PGA TOUR PGA TOURS RECEIVED A SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC INCENTIVES BY SAINT JOHNS COUNTY WITH THIS AGREEMENT. ADDITIONAL COUNTY WOULD COVER UP 100% OF THE COLLECTED FEES, INCLUDING IMPACT FEES, WATER, SEWER FEES AND CONNECTIONS FEES.

AND YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS IN THE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER.

OTHER COUNTIES LIKE SAINT PALM BEACH BOY THEY REALLY THEY GOT THEY RECEIVED THE TAXES.

THEY DIDN'T GIVE ANY BENEFITS OR REBATES.

AND I'D LIKE TO ASK TARA MEEKS, HOW MUCH HAVE WE GIVEN TO PGA AND ITS TOURS OVER THE YEARS? HOW MUCH? 275 NOW IS GOING TO SAWGRASS AT YEAR ANNUAL FUNDING.

AND THEN WE GOT TO FIND OUT WHO'S PAYING FOR THIS.

THE FUNDING, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS EARMARKED FOR LIBRARIES, COVID MONEY.

MAYBE THAT SHOULD HAVE GONE TO SOME OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

I'D LIKE TO HEAR THE EX PARTE OF YOU COMMISSIONERS TO ON THIS.

[03:30:01]

OKAY, YOU GUYS, WE CAN'T KEEP ON BAILING THESE DEVELOPERS OUT THAT DECIDE THAT WE ARE UNDESIRABLE.

THIS ISN'T A GOOD LIBRARY.

OUR LIBRARY DOWNTOWN WITH ALL THIS AIRSPACE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN COULD HAVE HAD SHELVES AND BOOKS IN IT.

YEAH. THIS ISN'T A GOOD PROJECT.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT THIS.

THEY WANT PGA TO PULL THEIR BRITCHES UP, TAKE THEIR LOSS.

HELLO, CHARLIE HUNT.

MILL CREEK ESTATES.

MY QUESTION IS TO THE BOARD OF EARLIER, AS ALL THE ISSUES OF FIRE STATIONS WERE COMING UP OF GETTING FUNDING TO BUILD THESE FIRE STATIONS AND HOW LONG IT WOULD FLAGLER STATES FIRE STATION HAS NEVER OR THEY NEVER HAD A FIRE STATION OUT AT FLAGLER ESTATES. I'M TRYING TO LOOK AT IT IN A RELATIVELY SENSIBLE OF WHY PUT $6 MILLION INTO THIS FACILITY THAT THAT THE COUNTY WANTS TO BUY WHEN THAT MONEY JUST GO STRAIGHT OUT TO FLAGLER ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT AND GET IT BUILT, GET IT DONE.

I'M TRYING TO SEE IT BECAUSE ACTUALLY IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT TO GET THAT WORLD GOLF VILLAGE PLAZA UP AND RUNNING AGAIN, BECAUSE BUCKY'S IS KILLING IT.

THAT'S THAT'S WHAT THE THE DEATH OF THAT AREA IS FOR NOW IS BUCKY'S AND ALL.

WHAT'S GOING ON OUT AROUND IT? OKAY. ALSO, IS THERE A A PLAN IF THE COUNTY WASTES THE MONEY ON BUYING THIS, WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR IT? WHAT'S THE PLAN OF IMPROVEMENTS? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ASPECTS, MAYBE TRYING TO BRING IN PEOPLE TO USE IT TO MAKE PROFIT OFF OF IT.

BUT MY BOTTOM LINE IS ALL THE THE GREAT FIRE STATIONS THAT WERE COMING UP AND FLAGLER ESTATES WAS USED AS THE GOLD STAR OF GETTING THEM DONE.

WHY DOESN'T FLAGLER ESTATES GET TO $6 MILLION RIGHT NOW? PUT THAT FIRE STATION UP RATHER THAN THIS JUST WASTE OF TIME FIASCO OF THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE IS GOING TO GET PAID FOR EASILY.

THANK YOU. NICOLE CROSBIE, 1169 NEC ROAD.

I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE PAGES MISSING FROM THIS AGENDA.

I'M LIKE, LOOKING FOR A MARKETING ANALYSIS OR SOMETHING TO EXPLAIN HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE MONEY ON THIS, HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE GOING TO MAKE, WHO'S GOING TO GO TO IT? I MEAN, I LOVE THE IMAX THEATER.

I MEAN, I CONCEPTUALLY THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME REALLY GOOD POTENTIAL IN THIS PURCHASE.

BUT, I MEAN, IF THIS IS A CORPORATION ABOUT TO MAKE A $5 MILLION PURCHASE, THERE'D BE LIKE A BOOK THIS THICK TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, TARGET MARKETS AND WHO, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE POTENTIAL IS FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND WHAT THE BUSINESS OR BUSINESSES ARE.

AND I LIKE I JUST HAVE A VERY VAGUE IDEA ABOUT WHAT THE USE IS GOING TO BE OF THIS THING.

I KNOW THAT WHEN IT WAS THE GOLF HALL OF FAME, THAT PORTION OF IT WAS VERY, VERY SUCCESSFUL.

LOTS OF TAX DOLLARS WERE SUNK INTO ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE THAT.

SO, I MEAN, WHY ISN'T THERE A ROBUST ANALYSIS OF THE MARKETING ASPECTS OF THIS ACQUISITION? I FEEL LIKE THERE'S LIKE NOTHING THERE, $5 MILLION AND THERE'S LIKE NOTHING THERE TO REALLY BASE A DECISION ON.

THANK YOU.

CHUCK LABANOWSKI 1748 NORTH CAPARO.

THIS IS IN YOUR PACKAGE RIGHT NOW.

I HAVE ONE QUESTION.

WHY ARE WE GOING TO LEASE BACK THE IMAX OR KEEP THAT LEASE GOING WHEN YOU HAVE A COMPANY ALREADY THAT WANTS TO OPEN THAT UP AS A THEATER? DO YOU HAVE BETTER MOVIES IN THERE? WHY DON'T WE WORK AT LEASING THAT OUT TO THAT COMPANY THAT IS ACTUALLY HERE RECOMMENDING THAT? THE OTHER QUESTION IS WE'RE GOING TO BUY A BUILDING I SAW NOWHERE IN THE PACKAGE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT BUILDING FOR WHAT? THE PLANS, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE HALL OF FAME, WHICH IS THERE WITH THE IMAX.

WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THAT? I MEAN, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE IT.

I MEAN, THE PRICE IS GOOD, DON'T GET ME WRONG.

[03:35:04]

SO HOPEFULLY WE'RE GOING TO LEASE OUT THAT PARKING AREA TO THOSE COMPANIES AS THEY ARE NOW.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE.

I KNOW YOU YOU CAN'T ANSWER THEM RIGHT NOW, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE THAT LIVES IN THE AREA, WHAT THE FUTURE PLANS ARE FOR THOSE TWO BUILDINGS, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE SEE NONE.

THANK YOU.

ANNE MARIE EVANS, 1356 ROBERTS ROAD.

CERTAINLY. I THINK IF WE'RE MAKING A PURCHASE LIKE THIS, THERE HAS TO BE SOME IDEA OF WHAT'S GOING IN.

I THINK THE COMMUNITY DESERVES A TRANSPARENT BOARD.

SO IF THERE ARE IDEAS OR THINGS THAT ARE BEING MULLED OVER FOR POSSIBILITIES, I THINK THAT THAT SHOULD BE SHARED WITH THE COMMUNITY BEFORE THIS IS VOTED ON.

IN ADDITION, GOVERNMENT MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT ON A NEEDS VERSUS WANTS BASIS.

IF WE NEED FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND ROADS, WE SHOULDN'T BE BUYING THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE? OKAY. SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY. WE ARE BACK TO THE BOARD, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

THROUGH THE CHAIR. MISS ANDREWS, COULD YOU REFRESH MY MEMORY? WE STOPPED A LIBRARY FROM MOVING FORWARD DOWN PASETTI ROAD, WHERE THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMUNITY PUSHBACK.

WHAT WAS THE ROUGH ESTIMATE FOR THE BUILDING OF THAT LIBRARY? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, IT WAS $10.9 MILLION FOR THE LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION, SO THAT 10.9 HAS NOT BEEN SPENT, BUT IT WAS APPROPRIATED.

IT WAS BUDGETED FOR THAT FISCAL YEAR.

ABSOLUTELY. AND WE HAVEN'T SPENT THAT 10.9 ON ANYTHING ELSE.

NO. OKAY. THANK YOU, MISS ANDREWS.

COMMISSIONER DEAN ANNE MARIE, YOU'RE SORT OF NEW TO THE TO THE PROCESS HERE.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE LAST TWO YEARS? SO I WANT TO TRY TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE INFORMATION.

YOU ASK A GOOD QUESTION, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME INFORMATION I'LL SHARE WITH YOU.

IT WAS THE SUMMER OF 22 WHEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE THAT THE HALL OF FAME WAS RELOCATING TO NORTH CAROLINA.

AT THE TIME, I WAS CHAIRMAN, AND I WAS QUOTED OR PROBABLY AT LEAST FIVE TIMES THAT WEEK FROM DIFFERENT NEWS ARTICLES AND TV REPORTS.

THE PRIMARY MESSAGE THAT I SENT YOU CAN GO BACK AND READ THEM IN THE COLUMNS WAS I WANTED COMMUNITY INPUT, COMMUNITY INPUT ON WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AT WORLD GOLF VILLAGE.

THE REASON IS I WAS INVOLVED 30 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS DIRECTOR OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE ESTABLISHMENT, THE PERMITTING AND THE SETUP OF WORLD GOLF VILLAGE.

THEY HAD INTENDED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT THE DEAL WAS PUT TOGETHER WHERE IT WAS AT WORLD GOLF VILLAGE.

WHAT WAS PART OF THE OLD SAINT JOHNS DRY AT THE TIME? THERE WERE NO HOMES, THERE WERE NO PEOPLE.

THERE WERE NO HOUSES WITHIN TEN MILES.

TODAY THERE'S PROBABLY WITHIN A FIVE MILE RADIUS, 4 OR 5, WELL WITHIN A FIVE MILE RADIUS, PROBABLY BETWEEN 20 AND 25,000 RESIDENTS THAT WEREN'T THERE 30 YEARS AGO.

SO MY POINT TO THE POINT IS I WANTED TO HEAR FROM THEM, THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVED THERE NOW OF WHAT THEY WANT.

MOVE FORWARD.

FAST FORWARD A YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF.

WE HAD FIRST CHRISTIAN AND THEN SARAH DOING A GREAT JOB AS CHAIRPERSON, AND THEY CONDUCTED A SERIES OF MEETINGS, A TOWN HALL MEETING CONCEPT WHERE WE HAD TOWN HALL MEETINGS, WHERE WE HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COME TO US AND TELL US WHAT THEY WANT.

WE'RE STILL WE'RE STILL PUTTING THAT THOSE IDEAS TOGETHER, BECAUSE WHAT I TOLD THE PRESS A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WILL BE TWO YEARS IN JULY THAT WE ARE WE'RE INHERITING WHAT I SEE, FIRST OF ALL, THEY SAID, AREN'T YOU DISAPPOINTED? AND I SAID, WELL, I'M KIND OF DISAPPOINTED IT DIDN'T WORK OUT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS IT DIDN'T WORK OUT WITH THE HALL OF FAME, BUT I SAID, I'M REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE I SEE THIS AS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A BLANK CANVAS THAT WE CAN WORK WITH THE LOCAL RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS THAT WE CAN FILL IN THE BLANK.

WELL, I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TELL EVERYONE TODAY THAT THAT PICTURE IS COMPLETE AND WE KNOW EVERYTHING, BUT WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH THE INPUT FROM THE RESIDENTS AND THE STAKEHOLDERS OF WHAT IS THE BEST AND HIGHEST AND BEST USE FOR THIS PROPERTY.

SO THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

BUT I DON'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO LEAVE HERE TODAY UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT WE'VE GIVEN NO INPUT, NO REQUEST FROM THE LOCAL RESIDENTS.

[03:40:03]

THAT'S THAT'S THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE NOW.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN. DON'T FORGET THE SURVEY.

AND THERE WAS A COUNTYWIDE SURVEY.

WE'VE DONE SO MUCH. I'M FORGETTING PART OF IT.

ABSOLUTELY. YES.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. I THINK YOU PRETTY MUCH HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD THERE.

OH. I'M SORRY, CAN I SAY ONE MORE THING? ABSOLUTELY. EVERYONE IN THE ROOM PROBABLY KNOWS THAT ED SLAVIN AND I DON'T ALWAYS DISAGREE ON EVERY POINT, BUT WE WE AGREE A LOT THAT SOME OF YOU MAY NOT EVEN REALIZE, BUT WE DO AGREE FROM TIME TO TIME AND JUST AS AS AS I SIT HERE, I WANT TO SAY THAT I'D LIKE TO ASK RICH.

I MEAN, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM STRIKING THE THE WAIVING OUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

I'M NOT I'M NOT SURE HOW DISPOSITIVE THAT ISSUE WAS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS, SO I DON'T WANT TO JUMP IN AND MESS THINGS UP.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND AS A SORT OF.

I'M SORT OF AN ATTORNEY IN REMISSION.

I'VE BEEN IN REMISSION FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

IN OTHER WORDS, I DON'T PRACTICE.

SO BUT MY THOUGHT IS THAT I'M PERSONALLY NOT SURE I WOULD HAVE WAIVED WAIVED THE COUNTY'S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL UNLESS THERE WAS AN OVERRIDING REASON.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE LEX WENT, BUT IF HE'S THE ONE WHO WAS HELPING YOU RICH ON THIS, OR MAYBE, YOU KNOW, CAN CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT? IS THAT A FAIR QUESTION? ABSOLUTELY IT IS.

AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

SO EVEN THOUGH LEX DID THE WORK ON DRAFTING AND NEGOTIATING THE AGREEMENT, TRADITIONALLY, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM SOME OF YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, EVEN WHEN GOVERNMENTS DO EVERYTHING RIGHT, EVEN WHEN THEY DO IT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE AND THE CITIZENS, THERE'S A DISTRUST IN GOVERNMENT.

SO TRADITIONALLY, SOMETIMES JURY TRIALS DISFAVOR FINDING IN FAVOR OF THE GOVERNMENT.

IT'S EXPEDITIOUS AS WELL AS TRYING TO GET TO A RESULT THAT'S USUALLY OF LOWER COST WHEN IT COMES TO LEGAL FEES.

SO ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, WE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

THANK YOU, MR. COMMANDO.

IS THAT SATISFY YOUR QUESTION, MR. DEAN? WELL, LIKE MOST THINGS IN LIFE, EVERYTHING'S A TRADE OFF.

SO I, YOU KNOW, I CAN GO WITH THE FLOW IF THAT'S THE WISH OF THE BOARD AND THE ADVICE WE GET FROM THE ATTORNEY.

I JUST I WASN'T REALLY SURE WHEN ED BROUGHT IT UP AND I WOULD.

THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO AT LEAST DISCUSS IT.

NO, ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER. DEAN. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

YES. YOU KNOW, I'M THINKING ABOUT THIS WORLD GOLF VILLAGE.

IT'S NOT BEEN VIABLE UNTIL NOW.

IS IT THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ACTUALLY RUN AN ENTERTAINMENT CENTER? AND BASICALLY THEY HAVE DONE SURVEYS AND TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE.

WE I HAVE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE GROUP.

EVERYONE DOES WANT AN ENTERTAINMENT AREA.

THEY THEY WANT A SCHOOL THERE.

THEY WANT A LIBRARY THERE.

THEY TAKE THE LIBRARY AND SAVE MONEY.

AND GOING IN THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE, ALTHOUGH IT COSTS ALMOST THE SAME AMOUNT TO RETROFIT THAT.

I GET IT, BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE IN THIS BUSINESS.

I THINK THERE'S ACTUAL PEOPLE THAT WOULD TAKE THIS PROPERTY AND ACTUALLY RUN IT AS AN ENTERTAINMENT CENTER OR WHATNOT, BUT WE ALREADY OWN ONE BUILDING. WHY WOULD WE WANT TO OWN THE ENTIRE THING AND THEN HAVE TO SPEND AND HAVE OUR WHOLE STAFF TRYING TO DEVELOP WHAT WE SHOULD ACTUALLY PUT THERE, AND THEN TRY TO GO SELL IT TO, YOU KNOW, TO EACH PERSON AND RUN IT AND MANAGEMENT MANAGE IT.

OUR WHOLE COUNTY WILL BE FOCUSED ON THAT.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THE FIRE STATIONS.

THE POLICE AND ACTUALLY DOING THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO FOR THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY IS MORE IMPORTANT.

AND I'M SORRY, UNTIL WE HAVE SOMETHING MORE DETAILED THAN THAT, I CAN'T VOTE FOR THIS.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

MISS SANDERS. YES.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

SINCE COMMISSIONER ASHLEY WAS WALKING DOWN THE MEMORY LANE, I KIND OF WANTED TO JUST CONTRIBUTE A LITTLE BIT OF A MEMORY ON THAT PART.

IT WAS EARLY PART OF 2023, I THINK, WHEN WE LEARNED THE NEWS THAT HALL OF FAME IS NO LONGER INTERESTED STAYING IN THE CURRENT LOCATION AND DECIDED TO RELOCATE TO SOUTH CAROLINA.

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST ACTUALLY REQUESTED A TOUR OF THE HALL OF FAME, AND COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST AND I ACTUALLY WALKED THROUGH THE ENTIRE BUILDING, TALKED ABOUT THE LIBRARY BASED ON THE FEEDBACK THAT HE RECEIVED FROM THE METAL COMMUNITY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE LIBRARY IS ACTUALLY A VIABLE ADDITION TO THAT COMMUNITY.

IN ADDITION TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE COST OF A LIBRARY OF 16,000FT² AT A PRICE TICKET OF $10.9 MILLION.

WE TALKED IT THROUGH, AND COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST SAID, I THINK IT IS PRUDENT FOR US TO LOOK AT THE COST ESTIMATE TO PUT THIS LIBRARY IN THE HALL OF FAME, BECAUSE WE GOT SO MUCH SPACE HERE, AND WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH IT? SO I THINK SUBSEQUENTLY WE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD A, A SORT OF KIND OF A HIGH LEVEL CONCEPTUAL CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT THE BOARD

[03:45:01]

AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE CAME BACK WITH A COST ESTIMATE OF THE LIBRARY TO BE POTENTIALLY, IF IT'S THE DECISION TO BE MADE TO BE RELOCATED TO HALL OF FAME WITH THE PRICE OF $6 MILLION FOR A RETROFITTING OF A LIBRARY.

THEREFORE, THE IDENTIFIED FUNDING SAVINGS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PART OF THIS THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT.

AND I THINK AND I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE THE BOARD DIRECTED ME TO NEGOTIATE THE PURCHASE SALES AGREEMENT.

BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW, COMMISSIONER DEAN, ACTUALLY WENT WITH ME TO SORT OF COURT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, AND WE TRIED DIFFERENT THINGS.

WE WANTED TO SEE IF THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING A CAMPUS, IF THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WHAT WE QUICKLY HAVE LEARNED AT THAT TIME IS THAT WITHOUT SITE CONTROL, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A MATERIAL INTEREST OF ANY MEANINGFUL PARTNERS TO THIS COMMUNITY. AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT RESIDENTS FEEL SO STRONGLY ABOUT THIS VERY VITAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

THEY WANT TO SEE THINGS ARE HAPPEN THAT IS GOING TO BE A CONTRIBUTION TO THEIR LIFESTYLE AND TO THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

SO I THINK THAT WE BRING BACK THIS PURCHASE SALES AGREEMENT BEFORE YOU REALLY IS TO RESPOND TO YOUR VISION THAT WE WANT TO HAVE AS MUCH CONTROL AS WE CAN OF THIS COMMUNITY SO THAT WE CAN BE A BIG PART OF PLANNING SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS DO GET TO HAVE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.

AND AND I THINK ALL COMMISSIONERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT, WE KNOW AT A HIGH LEVEL WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS.

THEY WANT LOW TRAFFIC, THEY WANT HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE.

THEY WANT PERFORMANCE.

THEY WANT ARTS, THEY WANT ENTERTAINMENT.

OUR PLAN IS TO BRING BACK ALL OF THAT BEFORE YOU IN MAY SO THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY LOOK AT WHAT MAY BE THE VISION THAT WILL FIT FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR REALLY GENERATIONS TO COME FOR THIS AREA.

AND I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHO WAS IT TALKED ABOUT THAT THIS IS A NOT SO VIABLE PART OF THE COUNTY, AND THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR THIS COUNTY.

THIS IS REALLY DEAD CENTER OF THE COUNTY, AND IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS VIABLE FOR OUR RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE.

SO WITH THAT, I'M ASKING THE BOARD TO CONSIDER TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE SALES AGREEMENT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS ANDREWS.

MR. TAYLOR. JUST WANTED TO PUT ONE MORE THING ON THE RECORD AND MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMISSIONER WAS AWARE THE SUBSTANTIAL PURCHASE PRICE OF THIS PURCHASE IS TO PURCHASE THE PRODUCTION BUILDING.

THE PRODUCTION BUILDING HAS VALUE TO THE COUNTY.

IF WE CAN FIND NO ONE ELSE TO COME IN AND DO ANYTHING GREAT.

THE PRODUCTION BUILDING IS STILL A VIABLE BUILDING FOR COUNTY OFFICE SPACE AND HAS A NUMBER OF PUBLIC GOODS PUBLIC USES.

AS MR. LEBOWSKI SAID, THE PRICE ON THIS IS VERY GOOD.

WE'VE WORKED VERY HARD TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE PGA.

THEY RECOGNIZE THAT ALL THE COMMITMENTS THAT THEY MADE TO THE COUNTY, THEY WISH THAT IT HAD BEEN A GREATER SUCCESS.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE KIND OF PUT ALL OF THAT IN TO MAKING THIS DEAL HAPPEN.

BUT WHAT WE ARE PURCHASING TODAY AND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PURCHASING TODAY IS A PRODUCTION BUILDING THAT DOES HAVE PRIVATE OR PUBLIC USES FOR THE COUNTY.

IT'S IT'S A VERY GOOD PURCHASE FOR US IF WE HAVE TO USE IT FOR COUNTY STAFF.

NOW, I THINK MISS ANDREW HAS TALKED.

THAT'S NOT PLAN A, THAT'S MORE OF LIKE A PLAN B OR A PLAN C, BUT I THINK THE COUNTY SHOULD FEEL VERY GOOD THAT IF WE MAKE THIS PURCHASE IN THE LONG RUN, IF IF WE CAN FIND NOTHING BETTER TO PUT OUT THERE, WE CAN USE IT AS, AS AS COUNTY STAFF SPACE.

THANK YOU, MR. TAYLOR. I APPRECIATE THAT CLARIFICATION.

COMMISSIONER DEAN, I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO TAKE THIS AS AN ARGUMENT.

I'M TRYING TO HAVE A DISCUSSION HERE, BUT I WANT TO SAY AGAIN, IT WAS NEVER, NEVER, NEVER MY INTENT FOR THE COUNTY TO BE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS OR OPEN SOME KIND OF ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, THAT IS NOT WHY WE'RE DOING THIS TODAY.

IN MY OPINION.

WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY IS DOING WHAT I SUGGESTED A FEW MINUTES AGO.

WHAT I WANTED TO DO WAS.

GAIN SOME LEVEL OF CONTROL OVER THIS PROPERTY, BOTH FROM A PROPRIETARY AND A REGULATORY STANCE, SO WE CAN LISTEN TO THOSE 20,000 RESIDENTS AND DECIDE FROM THERE, FROM THEIR MOUTH TO OUR EARS, WHAT IT IS THEY WANT THERE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO.

AND I JUST I ALWAYS TRY TO BE TRANSPARENT WHEN I CAN.

ON WHETHER IT'S A LAND USE ISSUE OR CONTRACTUAL ISSUE OR PURCHASE ISSUE, BUT BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WEREN'T HERE TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THIS WAS LAID ON ME WHEN I WAS CHAIRMAN, I HAD EVERYTHING WE'VE DISCUSSED SO FAR WENT THROUGH MY MIND.

AND I'M NO LONGER CHAIRMAN.

IT'S NOT EVEN MY DISTRICT ANYMORE.

[03:50:01]

I DO REMEMBER WHY I WANTED TO GO FORWARD WITH THE WITH THE MEETINGS, THE TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND THE SURVEYS.

SO I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.

THIS CONTINUES WHAT I TRIED TO START TWO YEARS AGO.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER, DEAN, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, I GET THAT THIS IS A HARD CALL FOR EVERYBODY, AND THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN I MAKE A DECISION ON THERE'S AGENDA ITEMS HERE THAT HAVE SO MUCH INFORMATION BEFORE I VOTE YES OR NO ON SOMETHING.

I MEAN, THERE'S NO INFORMATION HERE.

EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY.

AND THAT MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS.

AND YES, I GET THAT IT'S A GOOD PRICE FOR A LOT OF LAND, BUT GUESS WHAT? TO UPKEEP THAT LAND OR REPAVE THE PARKING LOT TO DO ALL THE THINGS TO GET IT BACK UP TO SPEED IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE CITIZENS, AND I GET THAT THE 20,000 PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING THERE, AND I GET IT.

I'D RATHER HAVE THAT THAN ROOFTOPS IN THERE, BUT I FEEL LIKE WE'RE GOING INTO THIS.

IT'S LIKE IF IF YOU LOVE A 10,000 SQUARE FOOT HOME, WELL, YOU FORGET YOU GOT TO GET SOMEONE TO CLEAN IT OR YOU GOT TO CLEAN IT, OR IT BECOMES SUCH A HUGE WHITE ELEPHANT TO YOU. I MEAN, YOU JUST I FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT DOING THIS IN THE RIGHT ORDER.

SORRY. WELL, I HAVE TO SAY ONE MORE.

I WANT COMMISSIONER DEAN.

I WANT TO RESPOND. COMMISSIONER, IT'S ON POINT.

I AGREE WITH YOUR POSITION THAT I DON'T WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON O&M FOR THIS LAND.

THAT'S NOT THE PURPOSE.

I DON'T SEE US AS A COUNTY RETAINING THIS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME BEYOND MAYBE A YEAR.

IT'S IS A TREND. WE'RE SERVING AS A TRANSITIONAL AGENCY HERE.

IN MY OPINION. WHAT MY GOAL IS, IS TO HOLD THIS LAND WHILE WE HAVE BOTH REGULATORY AND PROPRIETARY CONTROL OVER THE PROPERTY AND THEN MOVE INTO THE WHATEVER WHERE WE END UP DISPOSING OF THIS PROPERTY IN A WAY THAT WORKS FOR NOT ONLY US, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE THAT THAT WANT THOSE SERVICES.

I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT WHY I SUPPORT THIS IS REALLY WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JANE. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, WELL, I WANT TO DEFER TO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A GOOD POINT.

COUNTERPOINT. AND WE'RE HAVING IT.

YEAH. WHAT I'M WHAT I'M SAYING IS THE THE TRANSITION.

THAT'S MORE INFORMATION THAN IT'S IN HERE.

SO THANK YOU. THAT'S WHY I'M THAT'S.

NO, NO. BUT I MEAN EVERYBODY OUT HERE NEEDS TO HEAR THAT AND KNOW THAT.

YEAH. NO THANK YOU I WANTED TO SAY THAT SO.

NO, I THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD THAT YOU GUYS WERE HAVING A GOOD DISCUSSION.

MADAM CHAIR, IF I MAY.

OF COURSE. AND FOR REALLY TO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH'S POINT, I THINK I THINK WHILE WE DON'T HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN HERE, I THINK THE INFORMATION THAT I NEED TO MAKE THE DECISION IS THAT IF WE WERE TO HAVE THIS PROPERTY SOLD TO SOMEBODY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THEN WHAT WE LOSE IS THE ABILITY TO REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS OF THAT COMMUNITY AND REPRESENT THEIR VOICE AND WHAT THEY WANT.

WE HEARD A LOT OF COMMUNITY FEEDBACK AT THOSE TOWN HALLS.

AND OF COURSE, THERE WAS NO UNANIMOUS DECISION, AS THERE NEVER IS WHEN YOU BRING A LOT OF PEOPLE TOGETHER.

BUT WE DID HEAR ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SOME STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT WHAT THEY DON'T WANT.

I'M NOT SURE THAT PEOPLE WANT A DAVE AND BUSTER'S OR A WATER PARK OR THOSE USES IN THERE.

IF YOU SELL IT TO SOMEBODY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR NOW, WE ARE REALLY IN THE BACK SEAT INSTEAD OF IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO AND WHAT WE CAN USE OUR INFLUENCE TO DIRECT THE USE OF THIS PROPERTY TO BE IN THE FUTURE.

SO I'LL BE SUPPORTING THE PURCHASE AGAIN IN THE SHORT TERM AS OPPOSED TO THE LONG TERM.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

I'M PRETTY MUCH ON THE SAME PAGE WITH YOU GUYS IN THE IDEA THAT, IN MY OPINION, THE BEST OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE, NOT JUST FOR THAT COMMUNITY, BUT FOR THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE, AS AN ASSET AS A WHOLE, IS FOR THE COUNTY US TO ENGAGE, YOU KNOW, IN PURCHASING THIS SO THAT WE CAN KIND OF CONTROL THE VISION AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN AND WE ARE LOOKING AT IT HOLISTICALLY.

AND SO I'LL BE OFFERING THE THREE MOTIONS NOW AS CHAIR.

AND NOW THAT IT'S IN MY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER TEAM MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020 4-1 74, AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, PLEASE VOTE.

AND THAT PASSES FOR ONE.

MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020 4-1 75, AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OR DESIGNEE, TO EXECUTE THE GROUND LEASE.

SECOND MOTION AND A SECOND PLEASE VOTE PASSES FOUR ONE.

AND THIRD MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF $1,550,000 FROM PUBLIC BUILDING IMPACT FEE RESERVES TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT.

SECOND MOTION AND A SECOND.

PLEASE VOTE. AND THAT PASSES FOUR ONE.

OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MISS ANDREWS.

[03:55:01]

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL RECESS FOR LUNCH.

WE'LL BE BACK AT 130.

OKAY, WE ARE BACK IN SESSION.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE UP AGENDA ITEM THREE, A FORMERLY CONSENT ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

[4. Motion to approve PFS AGREE 2024-02 and authorize the County Administrator to execute the Madison St. Augustine Multifamily Proportionate Fair Share Agreement, finding that the proposed Agreement is consistent with Section 11.09 of the Land Development Code.]

GOOD AFTERNOON, STACY RUIZ.

ONE INDEPENDENT DRIVE, SUITE 1200, JACKSONVILLE, 32202.

I'M THE LAND USE ATTORNEY FOR THIS PROJECT.

BRAD WESTER, OUR LAND PLANNER, IS ALSO HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU.

A TRANSPORTATION PROPORTIONATE SHARE AGREEMENT.

THAT IS FOLLOWED THE TYPICAL COUNTY PROCESS AS WELL AS NEGOTIATION.

AND WE'RE HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

YES. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THIS QUICK.

IT WAS NOTHING TO ATTACK YOU FOR ANY REASON, EXCEPT THAT IT'S THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.

AND I JUST WANT THE PUBLIC TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE NOW GETTING 234 MULTIFAMILY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON 16, WHICH IS A OVEREXPANDED ROAD.

I THINK I WANTED ONE OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS TO JUST TO TELL ME WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE ROAD WERE OVER THERE.

THANK YOU. DICK.

IF YOU HAVE A SECOND. DECTICITA D'SOUZA.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. D'SOUZA.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

DICK D'SOUZA, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT FOR TRANSPORTATION, STATE ROAD 16, IN THAT SEGMENT IS AT.

LET ME FIND IT REALLY QUICKLY.

IT'S CURRENTLY AT 102%.

SO THAT'S OVER CAPACITY.

AND THEN WHAT ABOUT COUNTY ROAD 214 THAT SECTION THERE.

COUNTY ROAD 214 IS AT AND I'M GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

THOSE ARE UNDER CAPACITY IN THAT SECTION.

OKAY. SO THESE ARE THESE ARE AFFORDABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 30 YEARS, WHICH IS BETTER THAN 15 YEARS OR FIVE YEARS OR. BUT WHAT I'M TRYING TO POINT OUT TO THE PUBLIC IS THAT WE HAD NO SAY ABOUT THIS, AND IT'S GOING IN REGARDLESS 234 MULTIFAMILY HOMES OFF OF 16 OR CONNECTING TO 16.

THAT'S IT. I JUST WANTED TO SHOW THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.

OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DO WE I GUESS WE CAN GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL NOW OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE A.

SUZANNE CLULOW 109 LAURELWOOD WAY UNIT 10232086.

I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY YOU ALL DO HAVE A SAY IN SOME OF THIS.

YOU DON'T HAVE A SAY AS TO WHETHER THIS FACILITY GOES THERE, BUT YOU DO HAVE A SAY OVER SETBACKS AND OTHER THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO CONFORM TO.

IS THAT I'M GETTING A YES.

I'M GETTING NODS. SO I'M RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

I'M NOT CRAZY ABOUT THE LIVE LOCAL ACT, BUT I'M ALSO NOT CRAZY ABOUT MAKING IT WORSE.

IT'S BAD ENOUGH.

LET'S NOT MAKE IT WORSE.

THIS IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE THERE'S THERE'S A NUMBER OF OTHER HOOPS THEY HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH FIRST, AND THAT YOU WILL COME BACK HERE WITH SOME SORT OF A SITE PLAN AND SETBACKS AND SO FORTH, SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THAT IT IS CONFORMING TO OTHER THINGS, OTHER RULES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE COUNTY FOR THAT SORT OF PROPERTY.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO WITH THAT.

WE NEED WE NEED THE MULTIFAMILY.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK WE DON'T, BUT WE SPENT TOO MANY YEARS IN A DOWNTURN WITH HOUSING WHERE NOTHING GOT BUILT, AND NOW WE'RE BEHIND THE GAME AND PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PLACE TO LIVE.

SOMEBODY GOT UP HERE TO THIS PODIUM THIS MORNING.

I SAT AT HOME AND WATCHED AND SAID THAT ALL THIS TRAFFIC IS FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND ARE WORKING IN JACKSONVILLE, OR WORKING IN OTHER PLACES. WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT?

[04:00:01]

WE'RE DOING IT BOTH WAYS.

WE NEED MORE HOUSING.

WE NEED MORE HOUSING THAT WE DO HAVE CONTROL OVER.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR PLAN IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

HOW MANY? THREE BEDROOM? TWO BEDROOM? ONE BEDROOM.

I DO HAVE THE LITTLE CHART THAT SAYS HOW MUCH THEY'RE GOING TO CHARGE OR CAN CHARGE FOR THEM, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN SEGMENTS WHERE WE'RE REALLY LACKING, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS AND SOME OF THE OTHER APARTMENTS THAT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO LOOK AT LATER ARE GOING TO SATISFY.

PROVIDING WHAT WE NEED.

I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WE START NEEDING TO HAVE TAKE A HOLD OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRYING TO SOMEHOW GET DEVELOPERS WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE NEED AND THEN PROVIDING WHAT WE NEED, AS OPPOSED TO COMING IN HERE AND SAYING, THIS IS WHAT I WILL GIVE YOU AND MAKE IT FIT WHEN IT'S SOMETIMES A SQUARE THING TRYING TO GO INTO A ROUND HOLE.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? HI AGAIN, LANA DOBRYNIN, WINDWARD RANCH.

ON US STATE ROAD 16.

AND I AM HERE BECAUSE OF THIS MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

I DO AGREE WE NEED IT.

AND SHE HAS AN EXCELLENT POINT.

MY CONCERN IS THAT YOU ALL HAVE TAKEN STATE ROAD 16 BETWEEN 95, AND NOT EVEN AS FAR AS WORLD GOLF VILLAGE, BUT YOU'RE JUST EXPANDING AND EXPANDING AND BUILDING AND BUILDING.

AND I UNDERSTAND WE CANNOT HAVE ONE LITTLE SQUARE INCH OF SPACE.

HEAVEN FORBID THAT WOULD BE AWFUL, BUT 208 DUMPS INTO 16.

WE ALREADY CANNOT GET OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY, NEITHER IN WHISPER RIDGE NOR IN WINDWARD RANCH.

AND I KNOW THAT THE OTHER COMMUNITY DOWN THE ROAD FROM US HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.

AND SO MY PROPOSAL TO THE COMMISSION IS YOU HAVE CHOSEN, CHOSEN BY APPROVING ALL THIS TO MAKE US PRISONERS IN OUR OWN HOMES, BECAUSE BASICALLY YOU'RE SAYING ARE BECAUSE STATE ROAD 16 IS NOT GETTING EXPANDED, NOT EVEN STARTING TILL 2027. SO WE'RE WE'RE PRETTY MUCH STUCK THERE.

YOU'RE BUILDING ALL SORTS OF STUFF.

AND, YOU KNOW, YES, THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO EXPAND 16.

THEY DIDN'T DO IT. WE WERE IN LITIGATION.

I'M HAPPY TO HAVE MY TAX DOLLARS PAY FOR THAT, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INSPECTORS IN THE COUNTY TO LITIGATE THAT BEFORE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENS.

SO I'VE REALLY PROPOSED THAT, YES, YOU NEED TO BUILD A MULTI HOUSING UNIT, BUT YOU NEED TO BUILD IT SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DUMPED SO MANY PEOPLE AND SO MANY CARS AND BUSINESSES, YOU'RE BUILDING A COMPLEX AGAIN RIGHT NEXT TO THE NEW MULTIFAMILY UNITS, THE LUXURY HOMES OR WHATEVER APARTMENTS.

I MEAN, WE'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO TO LIVE.

I MEAN, I'M SORRY I MOVED HERE, I REALLY AM FIVE YEARS AGO.

HAD I KNOWN THIS WAS I LOOKED AND I DIDN'T SEE SOME OF THIS APPROVED, SO I WOULDN'T HAVE MOVED HERE.

BUT I'M KIND OF STUCK NOW.

SO MY PROPOSAL IS, SINCE YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO MAKE US PRISONERS, YOU TAKE AWAY SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY OUR TAXES.

I DON'T WANT TO PAY PROPERTY TAX.

IF I GO TO JAIL, THEY PAY FOR MY FOOD AND THEY PAY FOR MY BUNK.

SO THERE YOU GO.

BUT I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU.

PLEASE STOP FOR A MOMENT.

TAKE A BREATH.

START. STOP APPROVING ALL THIS GARBAGE WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY THERE.

AND I DO BELIEVE IN LOWER INCOME HOUSING NEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE.

I MEAN, IT DEFINITELY DOES, BUT I'M SURE YOU CAN SEARCH AROUND AND FIND LESS CONGESTED AREAS.

THANK YOU.

OF COURSE. COMMISSIONER DEAN.

YEAH. LET ME ASK YOU.

SURE. THANK YOU. YOU MAY NOT KNOW THIS, BUT I MEAN, YOU HAVE GOOD THINGS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO KEEP UP WITH WHAT WE DO OVER TIME.

RIGHT? RIGHT. AND LET ME ASSURE YOU, WE SITTING HERE DID NOT MAKE YOU A PRISONER.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IS THE ONLY PROJECT ON 16 FROM THE OUTLET MALL UP TO IGP THAT WE APPROVED WAS GRAND OAKS.

THOSE OTHER PROJECTS WERE APPROVED BY PREVIOUS COMMISSIONS AND HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHIN THE LAST SIX YEARS, BUT THEY WERE APPROVED BY OTHER COMMISSIONERS IN THE PAST.

THAT'S A LET ME FINISH, PLEASE.

[04:05:01]

80% OF THE HOMES BUILT SINCE 2016, IN THIS COUNTY, SINCE 2016, THAT'S EIGHT YEARS TO 80% OF THE NEW CONSTRUCTION WAS APPROVED BEFORE 2016, IN GIANT PUDS, AND I CAN NAME THEM.

SO I UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION.

I UNDERSTAND FEELING PRISONER IN YOUR OWN HOME, BUT TO STAND HERE AND SUGGEST THAT IT'S OUR FAULT IS JUST NOT CORRECT FACTUALLY. AND I JUST WANT I SYMPATHIZE FOR YOUR.

NO, I RESPECT THAT.

I APPRECIATE YOUR HONESTY, I DO I DO RESPECT IT.

HOWEVER, I DID LOOK UP NOW MAYBE I WASN'T LOOKING IN THE RIGHT PLACE, BUT I DID LOOK UP THE MULTIFAMILY HOUSING THAT'S DONE THAT'S BEING PUT UP, ABOUT TO OPEN BY NEAR THE WHISPER RIDGE.

PARDON? YEAH, NEAR THE OUTLET MALL.

YES, YES. YEAH.

WE DID APPROVE THAT.

YEAH. BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT WAS NOT THAT WAS APPROVED.

AND AGAIN THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT THE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT.

NO, NO, NO, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT IN ADDITION, KNOWING THAT THAT EXISTS AND THEN HAVING PUTTING THAT MULTIFAMILY HOME, YOU KNOW, HOME UP ALREADY AND NOW YOU'RE SAYING, LET ME JUST SNEAK AROUND THE CORNER BECAUSE I'LL TELL YOU THE, THE UNIT THAT UNITS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING UP LITERALLY BUTTS TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT ALL OF THEM ARE GOING TO DUMP BACK ONTO 16.

AND YES, EVENTUALLY IT'LL BE, YOU KNOW, FIXED, I'M SURE SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD.

BUT AGAIN, I, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT 30.

I'M NOT I THINK YOU'RE I THINK YOU'RE SPEAKING ON THE COUNTY ROAD 208 MULTIFAMILY.

YEAH. THAT'S NOT THIS ITEM.

OH, THERE'S GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THAT WHEN WE GET.

I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT THEY SAID THREE A WAS THAT YOU MOVED.

OH, WELL, LET'S CLOSE NOW.

YOU HEARD MY SPIEL. LET ME LET ME CLOSE WITH THIS BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT.

YOU ALSO SAID THAT WE APPROVE EVERYTHING.

YEAH. LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO, THIS BOARD VOTED TO DENY A 1500 UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE INTERSECTION OF IGP AND 16. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE AWARE OF THAT.

NO, NO, I WASN'T ADLER CREEK.

YOU CAN LOOK IT UP. YES.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

WELL THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR HEARING.

OKAY. NEXT SPEAKER.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

EDITOR SLEIMAN. BOX 304, ED SLAVEN.

COM I WAS RIDING IN THE CAR WITH JUDGE LITT, ONCE THE FORMER CHIEF JUDGE OF THE LABOR DEPARTMENT, AND WE WERE HEADING SOUTH ON I 95, AND THEY WERE WIDENING I 95.

AND HE TURNS TO ME AND HIS MERCEDES AND HE SAYS, IF YOU HAD A SEWAGE PIPE DUMPING IN YOUR BACKYARD, WOULD YOU MAKE IT BIGGER? THE STRUCTURE OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY RIGHT NOW.

SINCE THE YEAR 2000.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE VOTES FOR OVERDEVELOPMENT WAS BY REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONERS.

EVERY SINGLE ONE.

ALL REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONERS.

AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET TWO PARTY RULE.

YOU GET CORRUPTION, YOU GET FEATHERBEDDING, YOU GET DISCRIMINATION, AND YOU GET THIS HIDEOUS PROLIFERATION OF THESE UGLY DEVELOPMENTS, POORLY DESIGNED, POORLY EXECUTED.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEM FROM SPACE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEM IN AERIAL MAPS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEM ON THE ZONING MAPS, SOME OF THEM KIND OF RESEMBLE THE STRUCTURE OF A SLAVE SHIP.

CRAM AS MANY PEOPLE IN AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

NOW, MY LATE FORMER WHISTLEBLOWER CLIENT, SENIOR SPECIAL AGENT ROBERT E TYNDALL OF EPA, FORMER FBI AGENT, COURAGEOUS GUY, HE STOOD UP AGAINST $100 MILLION IN ACID RAIN RESEARCH FRAUD, AND WE HELPED TO RUN OFF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL APPOINTED BY REAGAN OF EPA, JOHN C MARTIN, SERVED 13 YEARS IN THE POSITION AND CONSTANTLY HARASSED WHISTLEBLOWERS, INCLUDING JUDGE LOT'S WIFE.

ANYWAY, SPECIAL AGENT TYNDALL AND LINDA MOVED TO COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG IN THAT AREA, AND THERE WAS A SIMILAR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED ON A NARROW ROAD IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND HE WAS THE HEAD OF THE HOA.

HE AND HIS NEIGHBORS DEFEATED IT.

AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE PEOPLE COMING TO ALL THESE MEETINGS.

DO YOU KNOW, BY THE WAY, THERE WAS OVERFLOW PARKING THIS MORNING IN THE NEXT LOT, THE COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING.

WE'RE NOT VERY GOOD AT PLANNING.

WE'RE NOT VERY GOOD AT PLANNING MEETINGS.

WE HAVE TOWN HALL MEETINGS THAT YOU DON'T VIDEOTAPE AND YOU DON'T PUT ON YOUR WEBSITE.

WE HAVE BUDGET MEETINGS THAT YOU DON'T VIDEOTAPE AND YOU DON'T PUT ON YOUR WEBSITE.

AND WE HAVE IT.

ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO BE PLANNERS? I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT KNOWS ANY MORE ABOUT PLANNING THAN A HOG, AND I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE APPROVING THIS ITEM.

[04:10:02]

PAY ATTENTION PLEASE. I THINK WE SHOULD PASS A RESOLUTION DIRECTED AT THE GOVERNOR AND TALLAHASSEE AND THE LEGISLATURE AND ASKING THEM TO JUST STOP.

LET'S ADDRESS THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.

LET'S ADDRESS ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'VE HAD HERE.

YOU'RE SMIRKING OVER THERE.

ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY.

DEPUTY, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

AND WHEN I'M SPEAKING HERE AT THE PODIUM AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WHO DIDN'T EVEN APPLY FOR THE JOB AND THE DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY, OR SMIRKING AND TALKING, THEY OUGHT TO TELL US ALL WHAT THEY'RE SAYING. TELL US WHAT YOU'RE SAYING OVER THERE, BECAUSE I'M NOT VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY OF THEIR LEGAL SERVICES OR THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU. JOE MCINERNEY 1005 BLACKBERRY LANE.

SO FIRST OF ALL, APOLOGIES.

I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS ON THE AGENDA.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, FOR FOR POINTING THAT OUT.

BUT GOING BACK ON MY MY PHONE AND MY RECORDS, I SEE THAT SAINT AUGUSTINE MADISON PUD WAS A PROPOSAL IN 2022, AND AND MAYBE SOMEONE COULD RECOUNT THE STEPS THAT THAT WENT THROUGH, BUT IT ULTIMATELY IT WAS WITHDRAWN AS A PROPOSAL. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER HERE.

CLOSE TO 200 APARTMENTS, I THINK SOME LOW RISE APARTMENTS.

BUT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE WAS CONCERNED THERE WERE REPRESENTATIVES HERE.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS CONCERNED THERE WERE REPRESENTATIVES HERE.

IT ACTUALLY WAS WENT DOWN TO DEFEAT BY THE PGA, 4 TO 2.

SO THAT'S THE HISTORY I HAVE.

I HOPE I'M ON THE RIGHT PAGE HERE.

AND I'M ALL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BELIEVE ME, I AM NOT ALL FOR THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET RID OF THAT.

I DID SEE THAT IT WAS PASSED VIRTUALLY UNANIMOUSLY, HOWEVER, IN TALLAHASSEE.

SO THERE'S NO FINGER POINTING TO BE TO BE DONE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

YOU KNOW, GROUPS CAN REASONABLY DISAGREE, I GUESS, BUT WHAT I FIND UNREASONABLE IS THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE.

NO, NO NO VOICE HERE.

WE HAVE NO VOICE.

WE WERE GOING TO DENY THIS.

I'M SURE. I'M SURE OF IT.

AND NOW IT COMES BACK, CLIMBING THROUGH A LOOPHOLE TO GO AHEAD AND BUILD.

ANYWAY IT JUST DOES SEEM TO ME TO BE IN THE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF EVERYTHING TO BE WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.

I KNOW THERE'S I GUESS THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO OTHER THAN TO JUST RECOUNT THE HISTORY OF THIS PLACE AND BE SAD AND AND MOVE ON.

BUT THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR FOR POINTING THAT OUT.

THAT ONE SLIPPED BY ME.

SO SORRY.

GOOD AFTERNOON, CHARLIE HUNT.

MILL CREEK ESTATES.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS ON THE ON THE THE DEVELOPMENT.

YEAH. ADLER CREEK.

I WAS IN HERE FOR THAT.

THAT WAS ALSO A STEEPLECHASE THAT WAS TRYING TO GET PUT IN THERE.

MR. DEAN, REMEMBER.

REMEMBER THAT? YEAH. AND AND I'VE BEEN OPPOSED TO THE GRAND OAKS WHOLE ISSUE SINCE IT GOT STARTED.

BUT WITH THIS, I DON'T KNOW, IT'S IT IS, IT'S THE BASIC CONCEPT OF LET'S MAX IT OUT AND THEN GET A BENEFIT FOR MAXING OUT THE HOUSING SPACE, OKAY.

PUTTING MORE ON TOP OR MORE AND MAKE IT AFFORDABLE.

THAT DOESN'T WORK HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

I MEAN, DOES IT SHOW HOW MUCH ONE OF THESE BASIC APARTMENTS WOULD COST? RENT A MONTH? AND THEN ALSO, YOU KNOW, I TRY TO LOOK AT THINGS IN A WHOLE BIG SPECTRUM.

YEP. YOU GOT 10,000 HOUSES HERE.

10,000 OVER HERE.

THESE SAY, LIKE, IT WON'T BE, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE IN AND TEN YEARS FROM NOW MAY NOT APPROVED THE SILVER LAKE EXTENSION IN DECEMBER OF 21, BUT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO THAT'S AN UNDERSTANDABLE THING.

BUT WITH THIS AND IT AND IT JUST IT MAKES ME WONDER IF LIKE THIS MONTH IS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH.

SO LET'S PUT MORE HOUSES OUT HERE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

OKAY. IF EACH HOUSE USES ROUGHLY 9000 GALLONS A MONTH.

OKAY, 150 HOMES, AROUND 1.4 MILLION GALLONS.

OKAY, SO IF WE'RE CONSERVING WATER TO PUT MORE FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY, IT'S IT JUST DOESN'T ADD UP.

OKAY. AND WITH THESE, THIS IS WHERE IT'S LIKE OKAY, MAXIMUM OF 13.

[04:15:02]

AND THEN THAT WILL FACILITATE, FACILITATE MORE PROPERTIES.

WILL IT MAKE IT LESS EXPENSIVE? PROBABLY NOT.

WILL IT MAKE BEING ON 208 A LOT SMOOTHER TRANSITION? NO. EVEN THOUGH THESE ARE RIGHT THERE NEAR THE EXIT POINT WHERE THE HUDSON HIGHWAY WILL BE COMING DOWN TO 208.

SO IT'S JUST IT'S JUST LOOKING AT THE OVERALL PICTURE OF HOW MANY MORE HOUSES OR APARTMENTS OR MULTIFAMILY PROJECTS ARE GOING IN, AND HOW MUCH MORE FACILITIES WILL NEED TO USE FOR THESE STRUCTURES.

BETH BREEDING, 1368 BIRMINGHAM ROAD SOUTH.

I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK TODAY.

I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING.

I APPRECIATE THAT EVERYBODY DOESN'T LIKE THE LIVE LOCAL.

IT WAS NECESSARY, INCLUDING SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

MANY COUNTIES IN FLORIDA WOULD NOT APPROVE ANYTHING THAT WAS NOT AN AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOOD, SO THE LEGISLATURE HAD TO STEP IN TO ALLOW PEOPLE THAT ARE GOOD, HONEST, HARD WORKING PEOPLE THAT DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE SOMEONE COME, A DEVELOPER THAT COULD BUILD THESE APARTMENTS TO MAKE RENT AFFORDABLE, IT'S IT.

IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

THESE PEOPLE DESERVE TO HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO PUT THEIR HEAD AT NIGHT.

SO THE LIVE LOCAL STEPPED IN.

IT MIGHT NOT BE PERFECT.

THERE MIGHT BE A LOT OF THINGS WRONG WITH IT.

BUT IF WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE OF THOSE UNITS APPROVED THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA ON A LOCAL LEVEL, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BECOME NECESSARY.

THANK YOU.

BJ WEST CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

I GOT TO STAY THE WHOLE TIME.

HOPEFULLY BEFORE 5:00.

ANYWAY. DEVELOPERS ARE VERY, VERY HAPPY AND THEY CAN RUN UP TO TALLAHASSEE AS WELL AS ALL OF US WHO HAVE TO MAYBE WORK OR TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN.

AND GET THINGS CHANGED.

AND THIS WHOLE THING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WORKFORCE HOUSING.

I KIND OF READING SOME THINGS.

AND IS IT $1,000 FOR MAYBE, WHAT, 15 OF THESE OR 100 OF THESE? IS IT $1,000 RENT OR IS IT $500 RENT? WHAT IS AFFORDABLE? AFFORDABLE? MAYBE ALL THE DEVELOPERS IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW CAN'T AFFORD THAT 1000 PLUS SOME PEOPLE THAT CAN'T.

AND I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ONE COMMISSIONER TO PULL THIS SO THAT WE CAN ALL BE DISCUSSING IT.

AND THE PEOPLE THAT HAD TO LEAVE THAT WERE HERE EARLIER FOR AN ITEM OR ITEMS, BECAUSE YOU SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE, I'LL CONTINUE TO SAY THIS I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK ON THIS EITHER, BUT.

DEVELOPERS AND LAWYERS ARE SITTING IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW AND THEY GET PAID.

WE DO NOT GET PAID TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

AND I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THAT.

BUT I'M GOING TO GO ON AND ON ABOUT THAT.

BUT IF IT HAS TO BE DONE, IT HAS TO BE DONE.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU ALL CAN SAY NO ON SOME OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE. BUT I GUESS LIVE LOCAL AND TIE YOUR HANDS SO SOMEBODY ELSE HAS TIED YOUR HANDS.

WELL, I HOPE YOU GET YOUR HANDS UNTIED.

AND MOST OF YOU SAY, REALLY? START BRINGING THIS FORWARD OFF OF THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS SO THAT PEOPLE WILL KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND MAYBE YOU CAN PUT PROCLAMATIONS AT THE END OF THESE MEETINGS, AND THEY CAN COME AT 3:00, AND THEN YOU CAN DO THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT ON THE AGENDA ITEMS. 36 SECONDS BY.

MICHAEL MCDONALD, WINDSWEPT ACRES NEIGHBORHOOD.

I'M FROM THE GOVERNMENT, AND I'M HERE TO HELP I BRING THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.

THIS IS GOING TO DO NOTHING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

[04:20:01]

THERE'S FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, MAYBE WITH A TURNING LANE, A TURNING MERGE LANE POSSIBLE.

WE'RE GOING TO BE HURTING PEOPLE UNDER 16 FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES.

WHAT? WHAT'S THE INTENT IS, ARE WE GOING TO DO SOME DRAMATIC EMERGENCY EFFORT TO REVITALIZE THAT OVERPASS? WHAT'S WHAT'S THE OTHER OPPORTUNITY? I MEAN, WE'RE WE'RE PUTTING THEM TO THE WEST SIDE OF 95.

I MEAN, THERE'S THEY'VE THEY'VE GOT TO GET ACCESS TO BOTH OF THOSE COMMUNITIES NEED TO GET ACCESS TO NORTH AND SOUTH BOUND LANES.

SO AT THIS POINT, ALL THAT DEVELOPMENT, THE PUBLIC'S, THE 208 AGENDA, THE TWO COMMERCIAL, PRIVATELY OWNED CONDOS THAT ARE GOING UP NEXT TO THAT, AND THE FOUR DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE FUNNELING OUT OF THAT, THE CHURCH THE BASS PRO SHOP AND COSTCO THAT'S COMING OFF OF FRANCIS ROAD.

AND THEN YOU GET INTO MIRABELLA AND THEN YOU GET INTO EVERYTHING ELSE.

THESE ARE OUR MAIN ARTERIES, AND WE JUST DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEM.

THIS IS LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED AT 210.

THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW AT 16.

IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AT 207, AND IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AT 206.

AND I KNOW YOU GUYS WANT IT TO HAPPEN.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M STANDING UP HERE GIVING YOU GUYS EVERYTHING.

I GOT TO ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO SLOW THIS DOWN.

WE ARE GOING TO BE INUNDATED BY THIS FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES, TRULY.

I MEAN THIS GROWTH.

DO YOU GUYS NOT CARE ABOUT THIS COUNTY? I MEAN, WITH THE GROWTH THAT WE'RE FACING ON FROM BUTLER BEACH TO SWITZERLAND POINT, WHERE DOES IT END? ALL THE WAY OUT TO HASTINGS, TO THE BACKSIDE OF FLAGLER ESTATES? WHERE DO WE I MEAN, I KNOW YOU GUYS WANT TO DOUBLE OUR GROWTH, BUT WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THAT? HOW DO WE GET AROUND? HOW DO WE GET HOW DO THE TRADESMEN GET ON TIME TO AN APPOINTMENT? HOW DO YOU KEEP AN APPOINTMENT IN THIS COUNTY? THIS REMINDS ME OF WORKING DOWN IN FORT LAUDERDALE.

I CAN SEE THE BUILDING, BUT I CAN'T GET THERE.

I'VE MISSED MY APPOINTMENT BECAUSE TRAFFIC AND THE INCONSIDERATE DEVELOPMENT.

THIS LIVE LOCAL ACT.

IF MY HANDS ARE TIED, I'M FINDING A FRIEND THAT CAN CUT THEM.

I CAN PROMISE YOU I'M GOING TO RUN UNTIL I CAN FIND SOMEBODY TO CUT THEM.

DO IT PLEASE.

WE ARE GETTING OVERDEVELOPED JOY.

PLEASE, EVERYBODY START STEPPING UP LIKE I MEAN, I KNOW YOU, I KNOW THE MONEY'S ROLLING, BUT JUST TO YOU GUYS, NOT TO THE REST OF US.

AND I DON'T MAKE THIS, AND I AM.

YOU GUYS ARE JUST THE GOVERNMENT.

I DO NOT AIM THIS DIRECTLY AT YOU.

IT'S THE SYSTEM. AND I'M JUST HERE TO TRY TO STOP IT.

I JUST WANT TO LIVE IN MY COUNTY THE REST OF MY LIFE, AND I DO NOT SEE THAT HAPPENING.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY, THAT BRINGS US BACK TO THE BOARD, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. JUST TO TRY AND PUT THE TRAIN BACK ON THE TRACKS HERE, I THINK WE HEARD A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THE AGENDA ITEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR LATER TODAY.

THAT IS THE MULTIFAMILY PROPOSAL ON 208.

THIS ONE IS NEAR SAINT JOHNS RIVER COLLEGE FURTHER EAST ON STATE ROAD 16.

IT IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE LIVE LOCAL ACT, AS IS THEIR RIGHT PER STATE STATUTE.

THIS IS NOT AN UP OR DOWN VOTE BY THE COMMISSION.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S BEEN MENTIONED, WE'VE DENIED A TON OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED ON STATE ROAD 16, ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT POLITICALLY EXPEDIENT TO MENTION THAT NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE PROJECTS WE'VE DENIED IF YOU'RE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

BUT THAT IS A FACT.

WE'VE DENIED A LOT OF PROJECTS.

SO THIS IS THE LIVE LOCAL ACT.

WE DON'T HAVE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE ON THIS PROJECT.

JUST TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

MR. ALAIMO. ALL RIGHT I'LL GO AHEAD AND OFFER A MOTION TO APPROVE.

P F S A G E 2024 HYPHEN OH TWO.

AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE THE MADISON SAINT AUGUSTINE MULTIFAMILY PROPORTIONATE FAIR SHARE AGREEMENT, FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT IS CONSISTENT, CONSISTENT WITH SECTION 11.09 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

PLEASE VOTE. AND THAT PASSES FOR ONE.

OKAY. THAT BRINGS US TO ITEMS NUMBER FOUR AND FIVE, WHICH WE WILL HERE TOGETHER.

[Items 4 & 5]

OKAY. SO THIS IS SORRY, I WAS GOING TO SAY THE NEXT PART FIRST.

YEP. SORRY I DIDN'T KNOW.

YOU'RE GOOD, COMMISSIONER DEAN.

I THOUGHT YOU WERE. WE'RE GOOD.

SO IT'S QUASI JUDICIAL.

SO OUR EX PARTE COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

NO MEETINGS.

COMMISSIONER ALAIMO. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MEETING WITH TOM INGRAM AND PAUL PAUL BONAZZI TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT.

JUST THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE PROJECT.

[04:25:02]

AND AGAIN, WE JUST DISCUSSED THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE PROJECT.

OKAY. I HAD A MEETING WITH PAUL BERTOZZI AND TOM INGRAM AS WELL IN THE OFFICE.

WE DISCUSSED THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT.

WE DISCUSSED THE AFFORDABILITY, THE DENSITY AND THE TRAFFIC AND THE SIDEWALK.

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, I ALSO HAD A MEETING WITH TOM INGRAM AND PAUL BERTOZZI AND OUR STAFF HERE IN THE OFFICE.

WE DISCUSSED THE SITE LOCATION, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP, THE TRAFFIC IMPLICATIONS AND THE AFFORDABILITY OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT.

COMMISSIONER DEAN, YES, I HAD A MEETING WITH TOM INGRAM AND PAUL BERTOZZI, AND WE DISCUSSED THIS PARTICULAR APPLICATION AND PROBABLY AN OVERALL DISCUSSION THAT TOM INGRAM AND I ALWAYS HAVE.

AND THAT'S WHAT TO DO ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

OKAY. THE FLOOR IS YOURS, MR. INGRAM. OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON TOM INGRAM SEATTLE AND INGRAM, 1617 SAN MARCO BOULEVARD JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

WITH ME IS PAUL BERTOZZI.

PAUL IS WITH BNL CAPITAL, WHICH IS THE PURCHASER OF THIS PROPERTY.

AND ONE OF THE DEVELOPERS IN HIS DAY JOB, PAUL IS ALSO HEAD OF LIVE OAK CONTRACTING, WHICH CONSTRUCTS MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST.

THEY'RE HEADQUARTERED IN DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE, AND WE'LL GET INTO MORE DETAIL.

PAUL IS GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE MARKET LATER, BECAUSE HE'S A HE'S A STUDENT OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE MULTIFAMILY MARKET.

ALSO WITH US IS CHRISTINA EVANS, A PLANNER WITH MATTHEWS ENGINEERING.

WE ALSO HAVE RAJESH SCHINDLER, OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEER HERE AVAILABLE.

SO SO THIS IS A 23 ACRE PROPERTY BEHIND AND WEST OF FIRE RESCUE STATION FOR THE PROPOSAL IS TO DEVELOP 180 UNIT MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT WITH FIVE THREE STORY BUILDINGS.

AND ONE OF THOSE BUILDINGS WOULD FRONT COUNTY ROAD 208 WITH WITH AMENITIES.

HERE'S THE SITE SO YOU CAN SEE IT'S THE LITTLE NOTCH.

IT'S A, I GUESS YOU COULD CALL IT A KEYHOLE OR A NOTCH IN THE, IN THE DEVELOPMENT AREA WHERE YOU SEE THE WHITE THAT'S NEXT TO THE FIRE STATION. ZOOM IN.

THIS WOULD EXPAND THE LARGEST AREA OF DESIGNATED FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY.

IT WOULD EXPAND IT BY 23.17 ACRES.

THE DEVELOPMENT AREA THE AT ISSUE EXTENDS FROM JULINGTON CREEK TO THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF PONTE VEDRA TO MATANZAS INLET.

AND THOSE ARE SOME OF THE BOUNDARIES THERE.

THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT.

I ASSUME THAT'S BECAUSE, AS WE'VE ALL RECOGNIZED IN EARLIER DISCUSSIONS TODAY, ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS THERE, ONE OF THE HARDEST CIRCUMSTANCES THERE CAN BE IN LIFE IS TO STRUGGLE TO AFFORD YOUR HOME, WHETHER IT'S MORTGAGE PAYMENT ON A $500,000 HOME OR WHETHER IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE RENTING A ROOM.

I MEAN, THE SAME STRESSES CAN OCCUR, OBVIOUSLY MORE SO FOR THOSE WITH THE LEAST MEANS.

BY COMPARISON, THE DEVELOPMENT AREA AS IT EXISTS TODAY IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT THE ORIGINAL 1990 MAP HAD FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA.

IN THE ORIGINAL MAP, AND THIS IS FROM 94, THE EARLIEST MAP I CAN FIND.

IT ACTUALLY HAS THIS PROPERTY INSIDE THE DEVELOPMENT AREA.

I THINK THAT WAS BACK WHEN PEOPLE USED A MARKER TO MARK THE EDGE RATHER THAN OUR MODERN GIS TOOLS.

AND THIS IS THE SITE IN 2000 WHEN I THINK WE WENT TO GIS AND FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, THE SECTION LINE FOR THE LAND SURVEYING WAS USED IN THIS.

THIS SITE WAS PUT OUTSIDE THE DEVELOPMENT AREA.

JUST TO ORIENT YOU ABOUT THE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, YOU HAVE THE TERRAPIN SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT DOWN THAT LONG ROAD THERE ON THE EAST SIDE OF YOUR MAP, YOU HAVE THE AG CENTER, THE INTERCHANGE AT 16, AND THEN TO THE WEST OF US YOU HAVE CABBAGE HAMMOCK ROAD TO THE SOUTH AND TO THE NORTHWEST YOU HAVE THE STAR FORM MITIGATION BANK, WHICH IS A WETLANDS MITIGATION BANK.

ON THAT, ONE OF THE RESIDENTS AND THE OWNER OF STAR FOR MITIGATION BANK HAS WRITTEN YOU AND STRONG SUPPORT AND YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT IN YOUR IN YOUR EMAILS.

AND THIS THIS SITE AGAIN, IT ABUTS FIRE STATION FOR IT'S ONE OF THE, YOU KNOW, A PROFESSIONAL 24 OVER SEVEN FIRE STATION IS ONE OF THE MORE INTENSE USES THAT WE HAVE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND SURROUNDING.

IN THIS AREA. WE HAVE AN APPROVAL FOR 420 TOWNHOMES DOWN THE ROAD TO THE EAST AS PART OF ELEVATION POINT, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE SALINA APARTMENTS

[04:30:03]

THEY'RE EAST OF WHISPER RIDGE, AND YOU ALSO HAVE THE INTERCHANGE WORK THAT'S HAPPENING AT 16 NOW.

AND THIS IS I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU A FEW SLIDES OF ELEVATION POINT, BECAUSE I JUST WANT TO HELP EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S WHAT'S CHANGING IN THIS AREA.

AND IT'S IT'S REALLY A CHANGE FOR THE GOOD.

ELEVATION POINT'S GOING TO FEATURE A PUBLIX THAT WAS THAT CAME BEFORE YOU RECENTLY THAT'S GOING FORWARD.

SO THAT THAT WILL BE WITHIN 1.5 MILES OF OF OUR SITE.

AND ELEVATION POINT IS A MIXED USE SITE.

IT WILL HAVE RETAIL AS WELL AS APARTMENTS AND TOWNHOMES.

THIS IS THE DEVELOPMENT THAT'S ALMOST DONE.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON 16.

IT'S A FOUR STORY PRODUCT.

OURS IS A PROPOSED AS A THREE STORY PRODUCT.

YEAH. MORE PICTURES OF THE AREA TO THE SOUTH EAST OF US.

OR I GUESS DUE SOUTH IS THE ROBINSON TRACT THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS RESIDENTIAL, BE PROVIDED THAT IT CANNOT BE DEVELOPED UNTIL 2026.

THAT WAS PART OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY TO OBTAIN RIGHT OF WAY FOR COUNTY ROAD 2209, WHICH HAS BEEN A PROJECT IN THE WORKS FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW, AND IT'S CONTINUING IN THE WORKS.

SO THE COUNTY IS NOW BUILDING THE LEG FROM SILVERLEAF PARKWAY TO STATE ROAD 16.

2209 EXTENDS FROM WELL NORTH AS SILVERLEAF, AS I SAID, ULTIMATELY DOWN TO 207.

THERE'S RIGHT OF WAY THAT'S IN PLACE THAT RUNS WEST OF US THROUGH THE STAFF INVESTORS FOR MITIGATION SITE, AND IT'S ENVISIONED AS A FOUR LANE ROAD IN THIS AREA.

THIS WAS PART OF AN EFFORT.

THIS IS BACK WHEN I WAS A BABY LAWYER.

BUT BACK THEN DOT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE STANDARD ON I 95, AND THEY WORKED WITH THE COUNTY TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS ABOUT CONGESTION ON I 95, URGING THE COUNTY TO HAVE A LOCAL NORTH SOUTH ROAD THAT WOULD TAKE SOME OF THE LOCAL TRAFFIC OFF OF I 95.

AND SO 2209 WAS BORN AS A CONCEPT.

AND NOW IT'S IT'S WELL IN PROGRESS.

AND THERE'S THE RIGHT OF WAY CORRIDOR, IF YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO READ.

SO HERE'S THE SITE.

SO WE'RE ABOUT A MILD ELEVATION POINT.

WE'RE ALSO HALF A MILE TO 2209.

AND HERE IS THE SITE PLAN.

A THING TO NOTE, THERE WOULD BE ONE MULTIFAMILY BUILDING THAT'S SOMEWHAT CLOSE TO TO COUNTY ROAD 208.

THERE IS A SCENIC EDGE ALONG THAT PARK.

THERE'S A YOU'LL SEE THERE'S A LITTLE ON THE VERY SOUTHWEST CORNER.

THERE'S A DUMPSTER.

THE SCENIC EDGE WOULD COME DOWN TO 30FT.

WE WE DID TALK WITH THE DEVELOPER OF THESE SOUTH WIND PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT THAT'S HAPPENING TO THE SOUTHWEST OF US, AND HE ASKED THAT I NOTE THAT WE INTEND TO HAVE THAT FULLY SCREENED AND LANDSCAPED, AS WELL AS TO HAVE A WALL OR OTHER TYPE OF BLOCKAGE THERE, SO IT WILL NOT BE VISIBLE FROM THE ROAD.

AND I JUST WANT TO SHOW SOME EXAMPLES OF THE WORK THAT LIVE OAK CONTRACTING HAS DONE IN THE SOUTHEAST, AS WELL AS IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

THEY DID TWO MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENTS IN NOCATEE FAIRLY RECENTLY.

AND I WILL GO THROUGH THESE QUICKLY IN THE INTEREST OF TIME.

SO THE APPLICATIONS IT'S TO REZONE TO PUD, IT WOULD BE TO AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP FROM RURAL SILVICULTURE TO RESIDENTIAL D.

WE HAVE PROPOSED IT ON 40% OF THE UNITS THAT THEY WOULD BE DEED RESTRICTED FOR A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS FROM THE FIRST CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY TO BE AFFORDABLE TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THE STATE RUNS THE NUMBERS ANNUALLY, LOOKS AT WHAT IS THE MEDIAN INCOME IN THE JACKSONVILLE METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA, AND LOOKS AT WHAT IS AFFORDABLE TO TO THE MEDIAN INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, AND THEN FURTHER CRUNCHES THE NUMBERS.

BUT THEY ARE UPDATED EVERY YEAR.

WHY? WHY DOES THIS MATTER? IT WOULD PROTECT TENANTS AGAINST SUDDEN SPIKES IN THE RENT THAT GO BEYOND THE AFFORDABILITY AS DETERMINED BY THE STATE.

SO WE HAVE ASKED IN, IN AS PART OF THIS TO GET A TWO UNIT PER ACRE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DENSITY BONUS.

AND IN YOUR PLAN AND IN STATE LAW, MODERATE INCOME HOUSING CAN BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE USING AS THE BASIS, WITHOUT ANY REQUEST FOR ANY STATE OR FEDERAL OR LOCAL SUBSIDIES, WITH NO WAIVERS FROM IMPACT FEES OR PROPORTIONATE SHARE. SO WE LOOKED AT WHAT WHAT CAN WE DO WITHOUT WITHOUT ANY CORRESPONDING REQUEST FOR MONEY OR WAIVERS.

[04:35:06]

SO THAT IS A REQUEST FOR A TOTAL OF 24 UNITS MORE THAN WHAT WE COULD DO.

BUT WHAT WE ARE OFFERING IS 40%.

SO 7272 UNITS.

CAN I GET THAT RIGHT? OKAY.

SORRY. THE MATH.

SO WITH THAT, I WANTED TO BRING UP CHRISTINA EVANS.

BUT ACTUALLY, CHRISTINA, CAN YOU HOLD FOR ONE SECOND? PAULA, DO YOU WANT TO GO NOW? WHY DON'T YOU TALK? AND THEN WE'LL BRING UP CHRISTINA TO TALK? YEAH, JUST TALK THROUGH THE MULTIFAMILY MARKET.

OBVIOUSLY, HOUSING HAS BEEN A HUGE IMPACT FOR THE OVERALL GDP OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AS WELL AS OUR NATION.

WHAT WE SAW IN THE IMPACTS OF HOUSING NOT BEING HERE NOW, AND THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING REALLY STEMS FROM THE GREAT RECESSION THAT WE HAD 2008, 2009. IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE ECONOMIC STATISTICS IN IN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, WE DO ABOUT 350 TO 400,000 UNITS A YEAR.

IN 2011, WE DID 90, 90,000 ON A 300 TO 400,000 UNIT PRODUCTION ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT YOU SEE WITHIN THE MARKETS NOW WERE NOT BUILT TODAY.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE BUILT.

THEY CAN'T BE BUILT WITHOUT SUBSIDIES.

AND THAT'S WHAT, TO TOM'S POINT, WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR.

WE'RE LOOKING TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE AS WELL, BECAUSE IF WE BUILD NOW, WE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE FUTURE.

RIGHT NOW, THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SOME OF WHAT WE'LL SEE IS THAT THE ARMY THAT WE'RE OPERATING OFF OF SAYS THAT THE RATES OF THE THE UNITS CAN BE TO TO $2,000 A MONTH IN 2021 AND 2022.

WE SAW A 27% INCREASE IN THE JACKSONVILLE MSA ON RENT GROWTH, 26% AMI DID NOT COME CLOSE TO GROWING THAT MUCH, MAYBE MAYBE 6% OVERALL.

SO THE DEED RESTRICTION WOULD ALLOW RESIDENTS THAT WERE CURRENTLY IN THE IN THE COMMUNITIES TO STAY WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE.

THEY'RE NOT MOVING. THEY CAN STILL AFFORD BECAUSE THEY WE HAVE THAT DEED RESTRICTION ON THE COMMUNITY.

IT WORKS FOR US.

IT WORKS TO DELIVER WORKFORCE HOUSING TO THE COMMUNITY AND AS WELL AS IT ALLOWS THE COMMUNITY TO SHOW US WHAT THEY CAN DO.

AS FAR AS RENT, RENTS ARE NOT DICTATED BY AMIS OR ANYTHING ELSE, THEY ARE DICTATED BY THE MARKET.

THIS IS A FREE MARKET.

WE WILL SEE RENTS ADJUST THROUGH THE MARKET.

THIS WILL PREVENT FROM RENT HIKES THAT ARE UNATTAINABLE BASICALLY TO WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE HOUSING.

SO THAT IS THE PRESENTATION THAT WE'RE GIVING FOR THE 40% IS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW TO DEVELOP THIS, HOW TO DEVELOP IT INTO THE FUTURE, AND TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THE RESIDENTS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY TO STAY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, TO NOT HAVE TO DRIVE, TO NOT HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS TO BE EXPANDED BEYOND INTO RURAL AREAS.

THIS IS A THIS IS A KEYHOLE IN A DEVELOPED AREA, SIDEWALKS, WATER, SEWER, ALL AT THE FRONT DOOR, A FIRE STATION AT OUR FRONT DOOR.

SO THOSE ARE DEFINITE KEY MARKS FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

AND WE REALLY YOU APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

CHRISTINA EVANS, SENIOR PLANNER WITH MATTHEWS DKM.

I'VE BEEN A LAND PLANNER FOR OVER TEN YEARS, SO TOM HAS ASKED ME TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE LAND USE AND REZONING CRITERIA, SPECIFICALLY COMPATIBILITY, EXPANSION OF THE DEVELOPMENT AREA AND URBAN SPRAWL.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NOTES WHEN DISCUSSING COMPATIBILITY IS THAT IT DOESN'T MEAN THE SAME, AS IT MEANS THAT THE USES ARE COMPLEMENTARY AND THAT THEY CAN COEXIST WITHOUT A SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE IMPACT.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE DAY TO DAY OF A SINGLE FAMILY SUBDIVISION LIKE WHISPER RIDGE IT IS THE SAME AS THE DAY TO DAY OF THE GARDEN STYLE APARTMENT COMPLEX.

ADULTS. KIDS. FAMILIES.

GOING TO WORK.

SCHOOL. SHOPPING.

GOOD SERVICES. ENTERTAINMENT.

THERE ARE NO NUISANCES FROM A MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT.

ANY IMPACTS FROM A MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE THE SAME AS A SINGLE FAMILY.

PUDS. AND THESE ARE THREE STORY GARDEN APARTMENTS.

THEY'RE NOT HUGE MULTIFAMILY SKYSCRAPERS THAT YOU SEE IN A MULTI METRO AREA.

AS FOR THE CHARACTER THE USES IN THE AREA ARE RESIDENTIAL, RESIDENTIAL, SINGLE FAMILY AND LOW RISE MULTIFAMILY.

AS TOM SAID, THERE'S MULTIFAMILY USES AT ELEVATION POINT ONLY ONE MILE EAST IN SAINT AUGUSTINE CENTER PUD TWO MILES EAST.

SO ADDING MULTIFAMILY AT THIS LOCATION IS NOT OUT OF CHARACTER.

[04:40:04]

THE SURROUNDING PROPERTIES HAVE A MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 35FT FOR SINGLE FAMILY.

THAT'S ONLY A TEN FOOT DIFFERENCE IN ELEVATION POINT.

THE MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT FOR TOWNHOMES IS 35FT.

MULTIFAMILY IS 55, COMMERCIAL IS 50, AND HOTELS ARE ACTUALLY 60FT.

THE PROPOSED APARTMENTS ARE NOT PHYSICALLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH THOSE OTHER DEVELOPMENTS.

THIS AERIAL THAT SHOWS THE PARCEL LINES FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL SINGLE FAMILY LOT HELPS REFLECT THE INTENSITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT ON THE UPLANDS.

IN THOSE WHISPER RIDGE AND SINGLE FAMILY SUBDIVISIONS, THOSE ARE NOT LARGE, RURAL SIZED LOTS.

AND THIS AREA HAS THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR THE MORE INTENSE DEVELOPMENT THAT YOU SEE.

THERE IS A NOTE IN THE STAFF REPORT THAT SAID THAT THIS AREA WAS RURAL.

AND I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

SOME OF THE COMMENTS AT THE PCA WERE REGARDING THE RESIDENTIAL D LAND USE DIRECTLY ABUTTING THE RURAL SILVICULTURE.

PARTICULARLY LANDS THAT ARE CONSERVATION AREAS.

SO IF YOU CROSS I-95, THERE'S A LARGE AREA WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT AREA BOUNDARY, THE MIXED USE LAND USE, WHICH IS EQUALLY OR MORE INTENSE THAN RESIDENTIAL D DIRECTLY ABUTS RURAL SILVICULTURE, WHICH IS THE 12 MILE SWAMP CONSERVATION AREA.

THE SAINT AUGUSTINE CENTER PUD HAS THE APARTMENTS AND TOWNHOMES CLOSE TO THAT BOUNDARY, AND THE 2020 STATE ROAD 16 PUD HAS APARTMENTS AT 13 UNITS PER ACRE.

MAX HEIGHT, 55FT DIRECTLY ABUTTING THAT MIXED USE RURAL SILVICULTURE BOUNDARY.

COMPATIBILITY IS ALSO DETERMINED BY CHARACTER.

SO SINCE THIS IS IN THE NORTHWEST SECTOR, WHERE THE GOAL IS TO MAINTAIN A RURAL ESTHETIC, NOT A RURAL DEVELOPMENT PATTERN BY PROVIDING SCREENING FROM ROADWAYS AND THE ADJACENT DEVELOPMENTS.

OUR DEVELOPMENT HAS A 17 FOOT RIDER RIGHT OF WAY RESERVATION SHOWN IN RED.

AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER 50 FOOT BUILDING SETBACK FROM COUNTY ROAD 208 THAT YOU CAN SEE IN ORANGE.

SO THESE APARTMENT BUILDINGS, WHILE NOT EVEN THAT TALL, ARE SIGNIFICANTLY SET BACK FROM THE MAIN ROADWAY, WHICH REDUCES ITS SIZE FROM THE ROADWAY.

WITHIN THE NORTHWEST SECTOR, THERE ARE WIDER PERIMETER BUFFERS.

THE SCENIC AND DEVELOPMENT EDGES AROUND THE PROPERTY ARE SHOWN IN YELLOW.

OUR PLAN WOULD REQUIRE ENHANCED LANDSCAPING STANDARDS IN THOSE EDGES BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR PROPERTY.

THERE IS ADDITIONAL BUFFERING TO THE WEST IN THE CONSERVATION WETLANDS, AND THE NORTH AND EAST THROUGH MORE PRESERVED WETLANDS AND RECREATION AREA FOR THE ADJACENT PUDS. AND THIS DEVELOPMENT IS NOT DIRECTLY ABUTTING ANY OF THE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS, LIKE ALL NORTHWEST SECTOR DEVELOPMENT.

THE DEVELOPMENT PORTION IS TUCKED INSIDE THE PROPERTY, SURROUNDED WITH ENHANCED LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING.

FUTURE LAND USE AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD EXPAND THE DEVELOPMENT AREA ARE ASSESSED FIRST BY THEIR PROXIMITY TO THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AREA.

CLEARLY, THIS IS A BUDDING THE DEVELOPMENT AREA ON THREE SIDES.

IT LOOKS LIKE A CHUNK WAS TAKEN OUT.

DEVELOPING THIS PROPERTY WOULD CONTINUE THE CONTIGUOUS DEVELOPMENT PATTERN AROUND ALONG COUNTY ROAD 208, WHICH IS ONLY BROKEN UP BY AREAS OF PRESERVED WETLANDS. YOU CAN SEE THE INTENSITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT HERE, BECAUSE THE COUNTY AND DEVELOPERS HAVE ALREADY INVESTED IN THE URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MORE INTENSE DEVELOPMENT, IT'S NOT BEING EXTENDED.

THE FIRE STATION IS ALREADY IN PLACE.

IT'S JUST CONNECTING TO THE ADJACENT WATER SEWER.

SO ADDING THIS PROPERTY TO THE DEVELOPMENT AREA WOULD NOT BE A SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT PATTERN.

THE LAST BULLET ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE WAS ABOUT VESTED BUT UNBUILT ENTITLEMENTS.

SO I GRABBED A FEW SHOTS OF THE COUNTY'S PUD TRACKER FOR THIS AREA.

AND THE DEVELOPMENTS ARE EITHER RECENTLY APPROVED AND CONSTRUCTION OR COMPLETELY BUILT OUT.

SO WINDWARD RANCH, 580 SINGLE FAMILY UNITS, 100% BUILT OUT.

SAME WITH WHISPER RIDGE 405 SINGLE FAMILY COMPLETELY BUILT OUT GRAYHAWK PUD 33 SINGLE FAMILY.

WE HAVE ANDERSON PARK, WHICH IS THE ELEVATION POINT WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY RECENTLY APPROVED MULTIFAMILY.

THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SAINT AUGUSTINE SAINT AUGUSTINE CENTER PUD A PORTION OF THE MULTIFAMILY AND TOWNHOMES HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONSTRUCTED. SEBASTIAN COVE PUD ALSO 100% RESIDENTIAL BUILT OUT.

FARTHER WEST, THE STRATTON MULTIFAMILY PUD 350 MULTIFAMILY UNITS ESSENTIALLY BUILT OUT.

AND THE 2020 STATE ROAD 16 PUD RECENTLY APPROVED FOR 240 MULTIFAMILY UNITS.

[04:45:06]

SO BASED ON THAT, THE DEVELOPMENT AREA HERE IS EITHER BEING DEVELOPED OR PRESERVED WETLANDS.

THERE'S NOT LARGE SPANS OF UNDEVELOPED UPLANDS WHERE NEW DEVELOPMENT CAN GO.

THIS DEVELOPMENT WOULD INCREASE THE VARIETY OF LAND USES AND HOUSING TYPES, AS WELL AS PRICE POINTS, WHICH IS NEEDED FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PATTERN AND SMART GROWTH. MULTIFAMILY IS A VERY EFFICIENT USE OF LAND AS IT CONCENTRATES DEVELOPMENT ON THE UPLANDS, AND THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IS THE AFFORDABILITY LEVEL ASSURANCE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

A CONCERN FOR ALL DEVELOPMENT IS PROMOTING URBAN SPRAWL, THAT IT WOULD BE LOW DENSITY, SINGLE USE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS AN EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF LAND.

THIS DEVELOPMENT IS NOT THAT IT'S NOT SCATTERED OR LEAPFROG INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RURAL SUBCULTURE.

IT'S ABUTTING THE DEVELOPMENT AREA, AND THE PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICE ARE ALREADY IN PLACE AND WITH SUFFICIENT CAPACITY FOR POTABLE WATER, SEWER, SOLID WASTE.

THE FIRE SERVICES ARE RIGHT THERE.

AND THIS ADDITION TO THE DEVELOPMENT AREA STILL MAINTAINS THE CLEAR DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN.

LOOKING WEST, THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THIS ADDITION TO LEAD TO EXPANDING THE DEVELOPMENT AREA BOUNDARY ANYMORE.

THE MITIGATION BANK PUTS A HARD STOP AT THIS PROPERTY.

AND LASTLY, THIS PROJECT REINFORCES THE FIRST GOAL OF THE COUNTY'S HOUSING ELEMENT.

THE COUNTY SUPPORTS PROVIDING A VARIETY OF HOUSING TYPES AND SIZES AT AN AFFORDABLE COST.

THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH DENSITY BONUSES SUPPORTING INFILL PROJECTS.

THIS INCLUDES IMPROVING THE SUPPLY FOR NOT JUST LOW INCOME BUT MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, ALL OF WHICH APPLY TO THIS PROJECT.

I NOTED THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT PRICING OUT RESIDENTS, THE COUNTY'S WORKFORCE, NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD, AND HAVING TO HAVE LONG COMMUTES FROM DIFFERENT COUNTIES.

SO THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL PROVIDE ATTAINABLE HOUSING FOR THOSE LOCAL WORKFORCE PROFESSIONALS.

SO NOW I'LL TURN IT OVER TO TOM TO TALK MORE ABOUT AFFORDABILITY.

THANK YOU. CHRISTINA.

SO THESE ARE THE NUMBERS THAT WERE IN PLACE UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO.

AND I DO HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE OVERHEAD.

SO THE THE STATE PUBLISHES ANNUALLY THE MEDIAN INCOMES FOR THE AREA AND AFFORDABILITY.

AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THE SMALL PRINT, BUT THAT'S THAT IS HOW THEY PUBLISH IT.

AND SO THE RENTS START AT AROUND 2000, AND THAT'S BASED ON A MEDIAN INCOME OF APPROXIMATELY.

AND I BELIEVE IT SAYS 98,000.

SO MEDIAN INCOME WENT UP IN THE AREA, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS.

MEANS IT'S, YOU KNOW, FRANKLY, THERE'S MORE OPTIONS THAT ARE AFFORDABLE TO MEDIAN INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

BUT AGAIN, THE PROPOSAL HERE IS NOT TO TRY TO SOLVE ALL LOW INCOME HOUSING NEEDS.

OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S A BIG NEED.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT.

THE PROPOSAL HERE IS TO ALLOW FOR STABILITY FOR MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

IT PROVIDES SOME ASSURANCE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE SUDDEN SPIKES IN RENT DUE TO THINGS LIKE JUST SHOCKS IN THE ECONOMY OR HOUSING SHORTAGES.

SO IF I CAN GO BACK TO THE OVERHEAD.

OR SORRY, THE POWERPOINT.

THANK YOU.

THE COUNTY, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S IT'S GROWN CONSIDERABLY.

IT IS MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE 2000.

WE DO NEED TO PLAN FOR GROWTH.

I KNOW THERE ARE FOLKS THAT UNFORTUNATELY, THERE CAN BE THIS IDEA THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A ZERO SUM GAME.

I WOULD SUGGEST TO YOU THERE'S BEEN NO BETTER TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE EARTH TO LIVE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY OR TO WORK IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, MEAN TO HAVE PRESENTATIONS THIS MORNING ABOUT ABOUT BUILDING FOUR FIRE STATIONS AND THEN THE WEEK BEFORE TO TALK ABOUT PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND BEFORE TO TALK ABOUT THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.

THINGS ARE REALLY GOING WELL, AND I HOPE FOLKS WILL SEE THAT.

AND I DO HAVE A FEW SLIDES ON THAT, BUT IT REALLY IT REALLY IS A GREAT TIME TO BE HERE.

AND AND IT ISN'T A ZERO SUM GAME.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO POPULATION AND TAX BASE, AND THE BIGGER THE TAX BASE, THE MORE STUFF WE CAN AFFORD.

THE MORE VARIETY OF BUSINESSES, THE MORE EMPLOYER, MORE ATTRACTIVE IT IS TO EMPLOYERS.

AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT OVER AND OVER AND OVER IN THIS AREA.

WE ALSO ARE SEEING SOME CHANGES IN DEMOGRAPHICS.

WE SEE MORE AND MORE SINGLE OCCUPANT HOMES AND THAT CAN BE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

WE HAVE FEWER PEOPLE MOVING.

[04:50:01]

WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION.

THE STRUGGLE REALLY COMES DOWN TO, WELL, IT'S ALL AGE GROUPS AND ALL DEMOGRAPHICS, BUT PARTICULARLY THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE FROM PERHAPS A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF RENTING INTO BUYING A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.

THE MEDIAN HOME PRICE IN THIS AREA IS WELL OVER $500,000 NOW IN ITS.

AND WHILE THAT'S MEDIAN, EVEN THE ENTRY LEVEL HOMES ARE TOUGH TO REACH FOR A LOT OF YOUNG FAMILIES.

AND THAT'S OKAY.

I MEAN, THE REALITY IS WE WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO BUILD AT VERY LOW DENSITIES LIKE WE DID IN THE 80S AND 90S, TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THE GROWTH THAT WE EXPECT IN THIS AREA. BY HAVING HIGHER DENSITY, WE CAN ALSO BUILD MORE PARKS, WE CAN HAVE MORE PRESERVATION AND A MORE EFFICIENT WAY OF DELIVERING SERVICES.

SO LET'S TALK A LITTLE ABOUT TRAFFIC IMPACT.

THERE'S ABOUT 40% OF THE ROAD CAPACITY ON COUNTY ROAD 208 IS BEING USED.

THAT'S A VERY LOW PERCENTAGE.

SO THERE IS GRACIOUS PLENTY CAPACITY ON 208 TODAY.

OUR IMPACT FEES WILL BE ABOUT 1.35 MILLION, OUR PROPORTIONATE SHARE IS ACTUALLY A LITTLE LESS THAN THAT.

AND THE SIGNIFICANT AND ADVERSE LINKS INCLUDE STATE ROAD 16 FROM I 95 TO 4 MILE ROAD.

SO THAT IS JUST WEST OF THE MADISON SITE THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, AS WELL AS FROM WEST MALL ENTRANCE, WHICH IS WEST OF 95 TO 95.

IT'S THAT FOUR LANE SEGMENT.

AND MORE SPECIFICALLY, IT'S REALLY FROM THE POINT WHERE THE NEW COUNTY ROAD 208 AND ELEVATION POINT GOES GOING EAST.

SO IT'S A RELATIVELY SMALL SECTION OF FOUR LANE 16 WHERE THERE'S A PROPORTIONATE SHARE ON THAT FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT.

SO ON OUR IMPACT FEES, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT FOR ROADS, FOR SCHOOLS IT'S ABOUT $540,000.

THERE'S OVER $1 BILLION OF ROAD IMPROVEMENTS HAPPENING IN NORTHWEST SAINT JOHNS COUNTY RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS THE BIGGEST TRANCHE OF ROAD IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN SAINT JOHNS SINCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF INTERSTATE 95.

THE LEGISLATURE IN THIS SESSION JUST APPROPRIATED AND SUBJECT TO GOVERNOR'S VETO.

BUT I WOULD I WOULD BE SHOCKED, $771 MILLION IN THIS BUDGET TO CONTINUE WORK ON THE FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY TO BUILD THE NEW BRIDGE ACROSS FROM GREEN COVE AND GO TO 95.

THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS HAPPENING AT THE INTERSECTION OF INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY, STATE ROAD 16 AND PASETTI THAT ARE FUNDED FOR CONSTRUCTION.

IN ADDITION, THE LEGISLATURE IN THIS BUDGET APPROPRIATED $7.5 MILLION FOR THE WIDENING NOT JUST DESIGN BUT FOR THE WIDENING OF 16 FROM INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY TO 95.

OBVIOUSLY, 7.5 DOESN'T GO VERY FAR.

I'M SPECULATING, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IS SO THAT THE WORK YOU'RE DOING AT THE INTERSECTION OF IGP AND 16 GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE 2209 INTERSECTION AS IT EXITS WORLD COMMERCE CENTER.

THE 2209 IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

AND FINALLY, THE WIDENING OF 95 IS CONTEMPLATED FROM INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY UP TO 295 AT A COST OF OVER $400 MILLION.

AND THAT'S SCHEDULED FOR CONSTRUCTION 20 2728.

SO THERE ARE MAJOR WHILE THERE IS GROWTH.

YES, THERE ARE MAJOR, MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING.

THIS IS THE INTERCHANGE AT 16.

IT'S SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED THIS SUMMER.

OBVIOUSLY WE'VE HAD TO LIVE WITH CONSTRUCTION, BUT IT IS A REVERSE DIAMOND INTERCHANGE THAT WORKS WELL UP IN JACKSONVILLE AT JTB AND SAN PABLO, AS WELL AS IN NASSAU COUNTY.

HERE'S THE 208 ALIGNMENT THAT'S HAPPENING THAT HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE TOWNHOMES ARE BUILT.

SO THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN FAIRLY SOON ON SCHOOLS.

THERE'S ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CAPACITY AVAILABLE.

YOU HAD A JOINT MEETING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD LAST, LAST FALL, TALKING ABOUT ALL THE WORK THEY'RE DOING TO TO KEEP UP WITH GROWTH.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OPEN.

THERE ARE 20 SCHOOL STUDENTS PROJECTED TO RESIDE IN THIS DEVELOPMENT.

THE TAX REVENUES FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT ARE EXPECTED TO COVER THE PROPORTIONATE SHARE COST OF THE ESTIMATED 6.1 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, SO WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE A CONCURRENCY CERTIFICATE WITHOUT A PROPORTIONATE SHARE.

IN OTHER WORDS, AT LEAST WITH REGARDS TO THIS DEVELOPMENT, THE SCHOOL CAPACITY AND BUILDING IS KEEPING UP THE IMPACT FEES THAT WE'RE GOING TO PAY AMOUNT TO ABOUT $27,000 FOR EACH OF THESE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

YOU CAN'T SKIP THROUGH THE SCHOOL ZONES.

NEW SCHOOLS THAT ARE COMING IN NORTHWEST SAINT JOHN'S.

YOU HAVE SHEARWATER, THE NDN SCHOOL.

THAT'S ALMOST DONE.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON Q-Q-Q, WHICH IS OVER AT SILVERLEAF PARKWAY NEAR 16 A THAT'S ANTICIPATED TO OPEN IN 26.

[04:55:06]

THEY HAVEN'T ANNOUNCED WHERE, BUT YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S AN OVER 100 ACRE HIGH SCHOOL SITE IN SILVERLEAF OFF OF 16 A OTHER COUNTY.

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AREA, MILL CREEK REGIONAL PARK IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THERE'S AN AERIAL OF THAT AND ALSO MILL CREEK LIBRARIES AND DESIGN.

IN OTHER WORDS, FOR ALL THE GROWTH THAT WE TALK ABOUT HERE, IT IS NOT A ZERO SUM.

THIS COUNTY, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE MORE THAN ANY ADMINISTRATION BEFORE IT TO KEEP UP WITH GROWTH.

IT'S A STORY THAT DOESN'T GET TOLD ENOUGH, BUT WITH WITH THE INCREASE IN POPULATION, IT HAS BROUGHT PROSPERITY TO WHERE WE CAN TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE HAVING FOUR NEW FIRE STATIONS BUILT, INCLUDING ONE THAT'S IN AN AREA THAT, FRANKLY, TEN YEARS AGO WOULD NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN ON THE RADAR TO SAY, WE CAN'T AFFORD IT. NO THANKS.

BUT THANKFULLY, WITH THE FLAGLER ESTATES DEVELOPMENT, IT LOOKS LIKE Y'ALL ARE MOVING FORWARD AND THAT'S GREAT.

SO THAT WAS A LOT.

WE'RE HAPPY TO TRY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU, MR. INGRAM.

COMMISSIONER JOSEPH YES, I WAS WONDERING, DO YOU HAVE A VARIANCE FOR A REDUCED BUFFER? WE HAVE A REQUESTED WAIVER FOR A REDUCTION IN THE SCENIC EDGE, SPECIFICALLY TO GO TO 30FT AT THAT ONE POINT AT THE DUMPSTER ON THE WEST END. AND I CAN ASK CHRISTINA TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE CHOICES ABOUT HOW MUCH TO PRESENT.

WELL, BECAUSE IT'S A RULE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST LIKE TO KEEP THE THE LOOK.

BUT HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT DOING THAT WHOLE THING AS AGE RESTRICTED BECAUSE THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO HIGH SCHOOL CAPACITY AND THEY ACTUALLY TELL YOU TO WAIT TO BUILD.

THAT'S THAT IS AN OPTION.

IT'S IN EVERY FORM LETTER THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES.

BUT EVERY ONE OPTION IS YOU CAN EITHER MITIGATE FOR YOUR IMPACTS OR YOU CAN WAIT.

IN THIS CASE, WE EXPECT TO BE ISSUED A CERTIFICATE OF CONCURRENCY BECAUSE THE EXPECTED TAX REVENUES FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL COVER.

AND THEN SOME ACTUALLY PROVIDE A SURPLUS OF REVENUE FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BEYOND OUR NEEDS.

BUT BUT YOU'RE GOING TO BE OPEN.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE PEOPLE LIVING THERE BEFORE THAT HAPPENS.

CORRECT. FAMILIES NEED HOMES.

ALSO, THERE'S MANY COMPETING OBJECTIVES THAT YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER.

ONE IS PROVIDING SCHOOLS, ONE IS PROVIDING ROADS, ANOTHER IS MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S ENOUGH HOMES FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THE COUNTY.

SO THE KIDS HAVE TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL.

YOU DON'T THINK YOU MIGHT COULD DO AGE RESTRICTED, THAT WHOLE THING.

WE WE ARE NOT PROPOSING TO AGE RESTRICT THIS DEVELOPMENT.

I WAS JUST ASKING.

THANK YOU. OKAY, COMMISSIONER DEAN.

YES. THANK YOU.

IS IT MR. BERTOZZI? BERTOZZI. BERTOZZI? YES, SIR. OKAY, I THOUGHT I HAD IT RIGHT.

FIRST OF ALL, QUICKLY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING TO OUR ATTENTION AGAIN, MORE INFORMATION THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY ARE NEW AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND.

MAYBE THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND.

THEY JUST DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY.

BUT YOU MENTIONED THE EXTREME SLOWDOWN IN GROWTH AFTER THE ZERO EIGHT CRASH.

YES. ALL THOSE DEVELOPMENTS THAT WERE APPROVED, THE PUDS, THE 125,000 UNITS THAT WERE APPROVED IN THIS COUNTY BETWEEN 2000 AND 2008.

A HUGE MAJORITY OF THOSE HIT THE WALL AND WEREN'T CONSTRUCTED UNTIL AFTER 2016.

WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT OR NOT? I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

AND WE HAVE SEEN MORE GROWTH IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

IF YOU LOOK AT FROM BASICALLY 2010 TO 2022.

YOU KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN GROWTH IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY COMING OUT OF THE GREAT RECESSION.

YOU CAN'T DENY YOU SEE IT EVERYWHERE.

AND THAT'S WHY THE PLANNING THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE HAS SUPPORTED THAT GROWTH.

BUT THAT GROWTH IS NOT STOPPING.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO SEE AND THE DEMAND IS THERE FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO FAR DOWN THAT ROAD, BUT I JUST WANT TO TRY TO ALWAYS ADDRESS THAT MISCONCEPTION THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE, NOT THROUGH THEIR FAULT ALONE, BUT JUST THAT'S HARD. IF YOU DIDN'T LIVE HERE.

I MOVED HERE IN 1984, AND I'M SEGWAYING INTO YOUR PROJECT NOW, TOM, IN 1984, WHEN YOU GOT ON 16 AND GOT WEST OF I, 95 WEST OF I 95.

THE ONLY THING ON THAT STRETCH UNTIL YOU GOT TO GREEN COVE SPRINGS WAS HORTON'S GROCERY STORE.

OKAY. A COUNTRY STORE.

SO WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS UNBELIEVABLE GROWTH, MOST OF WHICH WAS APPROVED BEFORE 2016.

I JUST WANT THE PEOPLE LISTENING TO THIS MEETING TODAY TO TRY TO GET THEIR HEAD AROUND THAT AND UNDERSTAND IT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DEAL WITH.

WE BASICALLY HAVE BEEN SERVED LEMONS AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE LEMONADE, AND WE GET BEAT UP EVERY WEEK AT THIS IN THIS SETTING, EVERY TWO WEEKS.

NOW WITH THIS PROJECT.

[05:00:03]

TOM, WOULD YOU WOULD YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND AND GO TO PAGE? WHAT IS IT, FIVE? NO, GO TO PAGE SIX OF THE STAFF REPORT IF YOU HAVE IT IN FRONT OF YOU.

THE SINGULAR ISSUE THAT I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ON THIS PARTICULAR APPLICATION IS REALLY THE TIMING, THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON, ON EITHER SIDE OF THE I-95 16 INTERCHANGE.

AND, TOM, YOU TOUCHED ON SOME DATES, BUT TO ME, AND I DRIVE THIS ROAD PRETTY FREQUENTLY FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT I KNOW IT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION THAT INTERCHANGE.

BUT A MAN I TELL YOU WHAT, I IT'S TOUGH THAT THAT I MEAN YOU GET BACKED UP ON THAT YOU'LL BE THERE A WEEK.

SO I'D LIKE TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP AND YOU LOOK AT THE DEFICIENT ROAD ROADWAY MAP, THAT'S THE SECTION YOU SEE THE DOTTED THE BLACK DOTS FROM ROUGHLY JUST PAST THE OUTLET MALL, HEADING EAST DOWN TO YOU KNOW, PROBABLY A FOUR MILE ROAD IS WHAT I'M GUESSING.

YES, THAT IS DOWN TO FOUR MILE ROAD.

I SEE IT COMING OFF THERE NOW.

SO EVERYBODY LIKE I'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER EXAMPLE FROM PALATKA.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE EATING BISCUITS AND SIRUP YOU WANT IT TO COME OUT.

EVEN YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE LEFTOVER BISCUITS OR LEFTOVER SIRUP.

YOU WANT IT TO COME OUT PRETTY EVEN.

NOW, WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS IF THIS IS APPROVED, IF YOUR PROJECT IS APPROVED, WHEN, WHEN WILL IT BE BUILT? NUMBER ONE, WHEN WILL THERE BE SO MANY PEOPLE THERE? AND THEN FROM OUR STANDPOINT, EITHER FROM YOU GUYS OR FROM DEQ, WHEN WILL THIS INTERCHANGE, WHEN WILL THIS DEFICIENCY BE REMOVED? I DON'T I DON'T CARE ABOUT PROP SHARE PAYMENTS AND ALL THAT IN THE REAL WORLD.

I WANT TO GET REAL.

I WANT TO KNOW WHEN THERE'S GOING TO BE RELIEF FOR OUR RESIDENTS AT THIS INTERCHANGE AND THIS PORTION OF 16, AND IS THIS PROJECT GOING TO BE IN FRONT OF THAT AND CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS BEFORE WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM, OR IS IT GOING TO COME AFTER WE SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, THE DEVELOPMENT? WELL, I'LL TRY TO ANSWER THAT.

SO FIRST OF ALL, THERE OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE MEDIAN INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TODAY THAT MAY NOT LIVE IN THE COUNTY.

THEY'RE WORKING HERE TODAY.

BUT THERE'S A CHALLENGE TO GET HOUSING.

SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A NET ADDITION OF OF TRAFFIC WHEN YOU GET REAL, WHEN YOU REALLY LOOK AT THIS, THE SECOND THE INTERCHANGE SHOULD BE DONE THIS SUMMER, MAYBE EARLY FALL AT THE LATEST.

IT'S WAY BEFORE US.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE US ABOUT TWO YEARS.

AND THAT'S OPTIMISTIC RIGHT? I MEAN ABOUT TWO YEARS.

SO SO THAT'S THAT'S ON THAT SECTION ON STATE ROAD 16.

AS YOU GO WEST OF 95, THE OUTER BELTWAY IS DESIGNED TO TAKE TRAFFIC THAT IS GOING ON TO THAT SECTION OF 16 AND OTHER ROADS, LOCAL ROADS, AND PUT IT ON THE INTERSTATE AND GET IT OFF OF YOUR LOCAL ROADS.

IT IT HAS BEEN STUDIED.

THAT'S, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE HOW DO WE JUSTIFY $1 BILLION ROAD? WELL, IT BETTER DO SOME GOOD YOU KNOW.

SO SO THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AS TO BETWEEN 1690 SORRY AS BETWEEN STATE ROAD 16, BETWEEN I-95 AND FOUR MILE ROAD THAT IS A DIVIDED FOUR LANE ROAD.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S ON THE LIST RIGHT NOW.

AND DICK. YEAH, I DON'T THINK IT IS.

SO DICK DESOUZA, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR GROWTH MANAGEMENT.

TOM WOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECT MAYBE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO ON THE INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS.

THAT'S ONE THAT I FEEL LIKE EVERY TIME I'M ASKED THAT HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK.

THE CURRENT NOW ESTIMATE IS UNFORTUNATELY EARLY 2025.

DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DELAY IS THIS TIME.

YOU KNOW, I WAS ASKED THIS MAYBE FIVE MEETINGS AGO, AND THE ANSWER WAS WHAT TOM HAD SAID.

THEY'VE SINCE UPDATED THAT TO EARLY 2025.

THE TOTALITY OF STATE ROAD 16 FROM THE INTERNATIONAL GULF PARKWAY INTERSECTION ALL THE WAY TO WHERE WHERE 313 312 WILL BE INTERSECTING STATE ROAD 16 IS ALL PART OF THAT TOTAL NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF THE LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS OF SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

THERE IS CURRENTLY NO, YOU KNOW, RECOGNIZED PROJECT OR FUNDING FOR THOSE WIDENINGS.

YOU KNOW, WE REFERENCED THE THE INITIAL PART WHERE GRAND OAKS IS REQUIRED IS REQUIRED TO DO THE WIDENING.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S THAT'S THE PRIMARY FOCUS.

BUT THE TOTALITY OF THAT LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS, NUMBER ONE ITEM IS ALL OF STATE ROAD 16.

AGAIN, THERE IS NO CURRENT PLANS TO WIDEN THAT.

THERE'S NO CURRENT FUNDING RECOGNIZED FOR THOSE SEGMENTS.

SO I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHEN ANYTHING WOULD COME.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DYNAMIC IS GOING TO BE.

ONCE 2209 COMES DOWN FROM ITS CURRENT TERMINUS ALL THE WAY TO STATE ROAD 16, NOR WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ONCE THE FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY CONNECTS.

IT'S IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE CAN PREDICT TRAFFIC ALL WE WANT.

AND WE'VE SEEN SOME MODELS FOR THAT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO DO TO IT.

BUT THAT INTERCHANGE WILL BE COMPLETE IN EARLY 2025 AT THE LATEST.

OKAY. THAT'S GOOD INFORMATION.

[05:05:01]

IS THAT CORRECT? I HAVE HEARD THE EXACT SAME FROM DOT AS WELL, SIR.

OKAY. I JUST WHILE I WAS THINKING OF IT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. THAT WAS GOOD INFORMATION TO HAVE.

THANK YOU TO REAL QUICK JUST ANSWER THE OTHER QUESTION.

SO WE WOULD BE PROBABLY ABOUT 6 TO 7 MONTHS WORTH OF DESIGN TO GET TO THE COMMUNITY TO WHERE WE WOULD PULL PERMITS AT THE FIRST OF 25.

SO FROM 25 FORWARD, WE WOULD HAVE ABOUT A 22 MONTH CONSTRUCTION TIME FRAME, FIRST UNITS BEING DELIVERED AT PROBABLY MONTH 18 OF THAT CONSTRUCTION TIME FRAME AND THEN A BUILDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH. STABILIZATION WOULD PROBABLY TAKE ANOTHER, YOU KNOW, 6 TO 12 MONTHS THEREAFTER.

SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A FINAL DELIVERY OF THE COMMUNITY SOMETIME IN 27.

YEAH. BECAUSE I GOT TO SAY ONE LAST TIME THAT THAT I'LL CALL IT AN INTERCHANGE.

BUT IT'S REALLY A CHAOS.

CENTRAL IS WHERE 208 COMES IN TO 16 IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF 95.

AND I MEAN, THERE ARE CARS.

IT'S JUST CRAZY.

IT MAY BE THE CRAZIEST INTERSECTION IN THE COUNTY.

AND THAT'S THAT'S MY MY ISSUE TODAY.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER DEAN.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I HAVE A QUESTION.

MR. ROBERTSON, DO YOU MIND COMING UP HERE REAL QUICK? THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME DISAGREEMENT ABOUT WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY LINE IS.

SO I WAS JUST HOPING FOR A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION.

THEY SEEM TO SAY IT'S ONE PLACE, AND WE SEEM TO SAY IT MIGHT BE IN A DIFFERENT PLACE.

YES, MA'AM. MIKE ROBERTSON, GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR.

MAYBE IF TYLER OR WHOEVER'S CONTROLLING THAT AND TAKE IT BACK TO TOM'S PRESENTATION.

OH, TOM. YEAH.

YES, MA'AM. SO THE RED LINE THERE IS THE DEVELOPMENT AREA BOUNDARY, I THINK.

TOM, YOU TOOK THIS PROBABLY FROM THE STATIC MAP OF OUR GIS MAP.

MARK. YES.

SO THE RURAL SILVICULTURE IS IN WHITE LAND USE, AND THEN THE RESIDENTIAL BE IS THERE.

AND SO THAT DIVIDING LINE, ANYTIME YOU SEE THE DEVELOPMENT AREA BOUNDARY, THAT'S A LINE BETWEEN BASICALLY RURAL SILVICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL INTENSIVE.

AND THEN ALL THE OTHER LAND USES, GIVE OR TAKE.

SO THEY ARE RIGHT THERE IN RIGHT THERE WHERE THE STAR IS.

BUT SO THAT'S THE ACCURATE DEVELOPMENT LINE.

YES, MA'AM. OKAY. YES, MA'AM.

THAT WAS MY QUESTION.

SURE. OKAY.

THERE'S NOTHING FURTHER TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL NOW OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS FOUR AND FIVE.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.

PLEASE COME FORWARD. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

YOU'LL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU.

OKAY. I HAVE A POWERPOINT UP THERE ALSO.

JOE MCINERNEY 1005 BLACKBERRY LANE.

SO FIRST, THE SLIDE I PUT UP THERE IS IS JUST A REMINDER THAT WHETHER IT'S WORKFORCE OR MARKET RATE HOUSING, THAT ALL PROJECTS SHOULD BE EVALUATED BASED ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMPATIBILITY.

AND HENRY, YOU'RE ALWAYS THE ONE WHO SAYS THAT.

SO I LIKE THAT A LOT.

AND THAT IS CERTAINLY TRUE.

SO NO MATTER THE PROJECT A MARKET OR OR A MARKET RATE AFFORDABLE.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT INFRASTRUCTURE, I WOULD JUST POINT OUT THAT THESE CARS DO NOT MAGICALLY APPEAR ON COUNTY ROAD 208.

YES, COUNTY ROAD 208 IS OPERATING AT 40%, BUT THOSE CARS COME FROM SOMEWHERE AND CURRENTLY THEY COME FROM THE I-95 16 INTERSECTION.

AND AS WE GO FURTHER EAST ON 16, THAT CAPACITY INCREASES.

IT'S CLOSE TO 150%.

SO THERE IS THAT COUNTY STAFF SAYS THAT STATE ROUTE 16 WILL BE FURTHER ADVERSELY IMPACTED.

AND SO I WOULD SAY THAT WITH REGARD TO OUR COMP PLAN, A125C, THIS IS A PROBLEM.

LET'S DON'T OVERLOOK THAT.

THE APPLICANT HAS POINTED OUT MANY TIMES ABOUT FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING A 2209.

BUT I WOULD PUT IT TO YOU THAT IT'S UNPLANNED UNFUNDED AND YEARS OR DECADES AWAY.

AND MAYBE THIS PROJECT SHOULD COME BACK WHEN THAT'S FINISHED.

COMPATIBILITY, THE SURROUNDING AREA, YOU KNOW, BASED ON YOUR STAFF REPORT IS WETLANDS AG AND RESIDENT RECIPE.

SO WHY REZ DE I MEAN, LOOK AT ALL OF THAT RECIPE ALL AROUND THERE.

ISN'T THAT ACTUALLY SPOT ZONING? AND AT THE PCA MEETING, OUR PLANNING DIRECTOR, THERESA BISHOP, ANSWERED THAT QUESTION BY SAYING YES, SHE BELIEVED IT IS SPOT ZONING.

AND I'M NOT SURE THIS IS THE AREA WHERE WE WANT TO SEE THAT DENSITY HAPPEN.

[05:10:04]

THERE'S YOUR TIME TWO HOURS, FIVE MINUTES, 55 MINUTES IN AND YOU CAN READ HER COMMENTS.

SO YES, OUR COMP PLAN DOES ALLOW HOUSING DENSITIES.

WE KNOW WE CAN GO TO 15 UNITS PER ACRE, BUT THAT SAME COMP PLAN SAYS THAT NOTHING IS GUARANTEED.

EVERY SITE SHALL BE REVIEWED ON A SITE SPECIFIC BASIS.

SO I THINK TO MYSELF, ISN'T THERE AN ALTERNATIVE HERE? LOOK AT ALL THAT RECIPE ALL AROUND.

WHY NOT REVESBY? YOU CAN STILL USE THE DENSITY BONUS.

YOU CAN GET SIX UNITS PER ACRE.

YOU CAN STILL GET AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND SO I WOULD REALLY PUT THERE THAT MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO DENY SD AT 15 UNITS PER ACRE.

BUT CONSIDER OSB THAT IS MORE COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDINGS.

YOU CAN STILL APPLY THE DENSITY BONUSES.

ALSO, PLEASE DENY THAT SCENIC EDGE WAIVER.

THIS IS THE NORTHWEST AREA.

SO I HAVE TALKED TO FOLKS AT ACROSS THE STREET.

THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT SCREENING THIS DEVELOPMENT.

THEY CARE ABOUT THE TRAFFIC THEY'RE GOING TO SEE AS A RESULT.

SO PLEASE DENY TRUSTEE.

THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.

I'LL TRY NOT TO USE MY WHOLE THREE MINUTES.

BETH. BREEDING 1368 BIRMINGHAM ROAD SOUTH, JACKSONVILLE.

SO HERE'S A PROJECT COMING IN THAT'S NOT LIVE LOCAL.

IT'S COMING IN. AS EVERYONE HAS SAID.

YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT, YOU WANT TO REVIEW IT.

THIS PROJECT IS DOING THAT.

I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK FOR THE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE AT WORK TODAY.

AND THEY CAN'T COME.

THAT WOULD BE RESIDENTS HERE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE RECEPTIONIST AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE THAT HELPS CHECK YOU IN, THE DENTAL ASSISTANT THAT CLEANS YOUR TEETH, THE TYPICAL OFFICE WORKER, A TEACHER, PEOPLE THAT WORK AT PUBLIX, THE FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT REPAIRMAN.

WHEN YOUR LIGHTS GO OUT FROM A HURRICANE THAT SHOWS UP, THE SENIOR CARE WORKERS THAT TAKE CARE OF YOUR PARENTS WHEN THEY'RE IN A HOME, WORKERS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY 911 DISPATCHERS, YOUR YOGA TEACHER, YOUR STARBUCKS WORKER, RETAIL CLERK AT YOUR FAVORITE STORE, YOUR FIREFIGHTERS, YOUR BANK TELLERS, AND THE AMAZON WORKERS.

SO AMAZON COMES, THEY BRING ALL THESE JOBS, BUT THE PEOPLE THAT THEY EMPLOY NEED A PLACE TO LIVE.

I'VE HEARD THIS REPEATEDLY THROUGH THE CHAMBER FROM NORTHROP GRUMMAN.

THERE ARE PEOPLE NEED A PLACE TO LIVE SO THAT THIS IS WHAT THIS PROJECT BRINGS TO THIS COUNTY.

AND AS TOM ALLUDED TO, THESE PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO DRIVE 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR.

THAT'S WHAT'S CLOGGING UP THE ROADWAYS.

IF THEY CAN BE MUCH CLOSER TO THEIR JOB AND MUCH CLOSER TO THE GROCERY STORE, THAT PREVENTS A LOT OF EXCESS TRIPS THAT ARE BEING COUNTED, THAT WOULD NOT THEN BE NECESSARY.

THANK YOU.

MICHAEL MCDONALD, WINDSWEPT ACRES NEIGHBOR.

I WILL BE BRIEF AS WELL.

WHEN YOU SAY AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND YOU START THE PRICE POINT OF $2,000, AND THEN YOU GIVE A LIST OF PEOPLE THAT IMMEDIATELY DO NOT QUALIFY.

NONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT SHE LABELED WILL QUALIFY FOR THIS.

AND 8000 OR $2000 A MONTH, YOU PROBABLY NEED TO MAKE ROUGHLY 6500 BUCKS A MONTH TO COMFORTABLY PAY THE WATER BILL, PAY THE POWER BILL PAY YOUR GAS, ETC..

I WOULD SAY NOBODY ON THAT LIST MAKES 6500 BUCKS A MONTH.

SO THIS IS MODERATE.

WHAT WAS THE TERM? MODERATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING? THAT MEANS THE PEOPLE, LIKE YOU KNOW, RANDOM STAFF THAT IS STILL, YOU KNOW, MAKING EXCESS OF 80 GRAND.

I MEAN, THAT'S THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD IN THAT THAT'S MODERATE HOUSEHOLD OR MODERATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ABOUT 80,000.

WHICH ISN'T GOING TO HELP ANYBODY THAT'S GOING TO BENEFIT THE CORPORATE CAPITAL THAT'S ALREADY INFILTRATED OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT'S THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR IS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SHIPPING IN HERE.

IS THE MANAGER OF THE TEXAS ROADHOUSE AND ETC.

THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INVITED INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND FOSTERED INTO OUR COMMUNITY BY THESE DEVELOPMENTS.

THESE ARE NOT LOCALS GOING TO LIVE IN THIS PLACE.

NO. NONE OF OUR LOCAL TRADESMEN OR CONTRACTORS OR SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE GOING TO BE LIVING ON 208, PAYING $2,000 A MONTH, LIVING IN A CONDO.

THAT'S I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT LOCALS ARE GOING TO BE STEPPING UP FOR THIS.

THE PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE BUILDING FOR ARE COMING OUT OF NOCATEE AND COMING OUT OF, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT STATES SEEKING REFUGE IN FLORIDA FOR OUR POLICIES.

THIS THIS IS NOT GOING TO HELP US.

THIS IS JUST GOING TO CLOG 16 EVEN WORSE.

LET'S GIVE IT A BREATHER.

YOU GUYS HAVE LITERALLY DEVELOPED THAT THING ALL THE WAY TO SILVERLEAF.

LIKE, I MEAN, 208 IS JUST GOING TO DUMP INTO THAT FOREVER.

AND OBVIOUSLY ROBINSON OR THAT OTHER DEVELOPMENT BACK THERE IS GOING TO BE DEVELOPED AS WELL.

[05:15:01]

I MEAN, THIS ISN'T THIS DOESN'T ADD UP.

I MEAN, THESE DENTAL HYGIENISTS, THEY MIGHT MAKE 55 GRAND A YEAR, TOPS.

I MEAN, THAT'D BE A CONSERVATIVE.

THAT'D BE A I'M SURE PEOPLE WOULD BE LINING UP FOR THAT POSITION.

AND THAT WILL NOT GET THESE PEOPLE INTO THIS COMMUNITY UNLESS THEY'RE LIKE THE DETECTIVES IN THE OUR COUNTY STAFF, THAT IS ROOMMATES WITH THE OTHER COUNTY STAFF. THAT'S THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT THAT'S THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN AFFORD THAT IS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, COLLECTIVELY JOINING, YOU KNOW, THEIR THEIR THEIR CAMARADERIE IS JOINING THEM.

AND THEY'RE HAVING TO BUNK UP TOGETHER.

SO THAT'S THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO AFFORD IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

I WOULD LOVE FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR WORKFORCE AND OUR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT ARE MAKING LESS THAN 45 GRAND A YEAR TO HAVE ANY OPPORTUNITY IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS.

AGAIN, I'M VICKY PEPPER.

I LIVE ON HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, AND I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE.

AS YOU KNOW, OUR GROWING AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS IS A TOP ISSUE OF CARE CONCERN.

IT'S A PRIMARY REASON CARE CONTINUES TO BELIEVE SAINT JOHNS COUNTY NEEDS A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND THE ADDITIONAL TOOLS AND FUNDING IT WOULD BRING TO OUR EFFORTS TO TACKLE THIS CRISIS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS AN ISSUE FOR ANOTHER DAY.

TODAY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THIS PENDING PROPOSAL FOR MULTIFAMILY DWELLING UNITS THAT WOULD REQUIRE COMP PLAN AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP TO ALLOW FOR A CHANGE FROM RURAL SILVICULTURE CULTURE TO RAISED WITH AN INCREASED DENSITY OF 15 UNITS PER ACRE ON THE BASIS OF PROVIDING 40%, QUOTE UNQUOTE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

HOWEVER, THE COUNTY'S DEFINING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS HOUSING AVAILABLE AT 180 TO 120% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME AND WITH AN INCREASE, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, MI OF 98,000.

ACCORDING TO MR. INGRAM, THAT'S A RANGE OF NEARLY 81,000 TO $125,000 A YEAR.

WHEN MANY OF YOU SPEAK OF OUR NEED FOR MORE AFFORDABLE, QUOTE, WORKFORCE HOUSING, HOUSING, YOU CITE TEACHERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES.

WELL, WE SUBMIT THAT VERY FEW, IF ANY, TEACHERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES MAKE THAT KIND OF MONEY, LET ALONE SERVICE WORKERS IN, FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOSPITALITY AND HEALTH CARE INDUSTRIES WHO ARE A VITAL PART OF OUR LOCAL WORKFORCE.

THE COUNTY NEEDS A MORE REALISTIC AND USEFUL DEFINITION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY.

SMART GROWTH IS GOING TO REQUIRE MAKING SOME TRADE OFFS WHEN IT COMES TO ALLOWING A HOW ALLOWABLE HOUSING DENSITY AND OTHER ZONING REQUIREMENTS LIKE HEIGHT AND SETBACKS. IF WE'RE EVER GOING TO MAKE HEADWAY AGAINST OUR LOCAL HOUSING CRISIS, CARE BELIEVES SOME TRADE OFFS ARE NECESSARY TO ALLOW OUR VITAL WORKERS TO LIVE IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY CLOSER TO WHERE THEY WORK.

BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE TRADE OFFS, THEN YOU MUST BE SMART ABOUT IT AND ENSURE THE RESIDENTS ARE RECEIVING REAL VALUE IN THESE TRADES.

THOSE PURCHASING PROPERTY KNOW OR SHOULD KNOW THE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS FOR THE LAND WHEN THEY MAKE THEIR PURCHASES, AND THESE DESIGNATIONS FACTOR INTO THEIR PURCHASE PRICES.

THERE'S NO ENTITLEMENT TO ZONING VARIANCES BY RIGHT.

AND AS FOR TOOLS SUCH AS DENSITY BONUSES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YOU SHOULD BE USING THOSE TOOLS WISELY.

USE THE LAWFUL LEVERAGE YOU HAVE WHEN YOU HAVE IT TO SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND THE COUNTY MUST MONITOR DEVELOPERS TO ENSURE THEY FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE COMMITMENTS THEY MAKE.

WHEN TO OBTAIN YOUR APPROVAL.

WE SUBMIT THAT YOU'RE NOT DOING A VERY GOOD JOB WHEN YOU CONSIDER AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT REQUIRES OR CONSIDER HOUSING REQUIRING 181 TO $125,000 A YEAR TO BE AFFORDABLE, AND 15 YEARS OF LOWER RENTS OR PURCHASE PRICES IS BETTER THAN TWO YEARS.

BUT WHY NOT THAT YOU CURRENTLY REQUIRE.

BUT WHY NOT REQUIRE THE 30 OR 40 YEARS THAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS REQUIRE OR EVEN AFFORDABILITY IN PERPETUITY? WE ALSO BELIEVE YOU NEED TO BE PROVIDING MORE INFRASTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE WORKING IN THIS SPACE.

WE QUESTION WHETHER THE TRADE OFFS NECESSITATED BY THE PENDING PROPOSALS PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VALUE TO THE PUBLIC.

THANK YOU.

AND I FORGOT TO SAY THIS MORNING, I'M GOING TO BE ON THAT BUS FRIDAY TO.

VIJAY KALADY WEST CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

I KNOW YOU'RE HAPPY TO SEE ME THIS AFTERNOON.

QUESTION NUMBER ONE.

WHO ON THE PGA VOTED NOT TO APPROVE THIS? IT WAS THE 42 APPROVAL.

I WANT TO KNOW WHO THE TWO SAID NO TO IT THAT'S BEEN PUT ON YOUR AGENDA IN THE PAST.

AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT IT'S THE MEDIUM.

SORRY. SOMEBODY'S TALKING.

I'M SORRY. IT'S CLOUDY.

IT'S ON THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHO'S TALKING.

I MIGHT BE HEARING THINGS.

THE MEDIUM INCOME IS BASED ON JACKSONVILLE.

[05:20:02]

WE'RE NOT THAT HIGH.

AND THE $2,000.

DID ANYONE FIGURE THIS OUT 2000 TIMES? 12 IS HOW MUCH? 24,000 IN RENT.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU ALL.

THERE IS NO WAY.

BUT THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I LOVE GETTING UP HERE.

AND I LOVE SITTING HERE AND LISTENING TO EVERYTHING.

THE THING THAT REALLY KIND OF GETS TO ME IS TAXPAYERS GET BEAT UP EVERY TWO WEEKS.

COME IN HERE.

WE GET BEAT UP, BUT WE KEEP COMING BACK AND WE ENCOURAGE OTHER PEOPLE TO COME IN TOO, BECAUSE IT'S YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS TOO.

AND YOU KNOW THE WORD.

I HAVEN'T SPELT WORDS OUT IN A LONG TIME.

SHAME ON ME. AND SCHOOL'S ALMOST OUT.

R E S P E C T SPELLS.

NO CLAPPING, NO NOISE.

RESPECT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DENY. LANA DE BRUIJN IN TWO SEVEN, SIX TINTAMARRE DRIVE.

YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT I FEEL ABOUT THIS.

HOWEVER, I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE FACILITIES DO NOT EXIST.

THE THE FIRE STATION THAT'S ON 208 IS THERE BECAUSE OF THE EXISTING PEOPLE RESIDENCES THAT ARE THERE.

THE SCHOOL, AS YOU POINTED OUT, THANK YOU SO MUCH, IS ALREADY OVER CAPACITY.

WHEN I MOVED HERE, I MOVED HERE WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTERS AND IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND WE'VE ALREADY BEEN MOVED OUT OF THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SO SO NONE OF THE FACILITIES ARE HERE.

AND I DO APPRECIATE THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS INTEREST.

AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT, YES, IN 2008 AND 2009, A LOT OF THE COUNTRY LOST, YOU KNOW, HAD PLANS AND LOST THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR THEM.

I MOVED DOWN HERE FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA DC AREA, AND THE COUNTY THAT I LIVED IN HAD ALL SORTS OF PLANS TO MAKE CHANGES, BUT THEY HAD TO ADJUST BECAUSE OF FINANCES.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

I MEAN, MY CONDO THAT I HAD PURCHASED IN 2007 WENT FROM 300,000 TO 96,000.

AND SO I HAD TO WAIT 12 YEARS AND I BARELY I DIDN'T EVEN MAKE THAT MUCH OFF OF IT.

SO THE POINT IS, THINGS CHANGE AND ADJUST.

SO WE HAVE TO MOVE FROM HERE FORWARD.

SO I WOULD REALLY AND AGAIN, SIR, YOU'VE ALREADY ADDRESSED THE FACT THAT THAT 16 AND THE INTERCHANGE.

THAT IS A NIGHTMARE.

I HAVE SAT THERE FOR 20 MINUTES JUST TO GO TO A STORE.

I MEAN, THAT'S CRAZY.

ANYWAY, PLEASE, I'M BEGGING YOU, DISAPPROVE OF THIS AND THERE HAS TO BE.

I AGREE WITH OTHER SPEAKERS WHO SAID THIS IS NOT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ANY FORM OR FASHION.

THE RENT IS TOO HIGH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUZANNE CLULOW, 109 LAUREL RIDGE WAY, UNIT 10232086.

WE NEED MORE APARTMENTS.

BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS IT.

AND I DON'T THINK IT'S THE PLACE FOR IT RIGHT NOW.

HONESTLY. MISS PEPPER WAS CORRECT.

81 K TO 125 K PER HOUSEHOLD.

IN ORDER TO GET ONE OF THESE APARTMENTS AT THE LOW RATE, THAT MEANS THAT A SINGLE PERSON ISN'T GOING TO BE MOVING IN THERE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A COUPLE OR 2 OR 3 ROOMMATES.

I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER THAT'S BEEN IN R&B, BS, R.N.

NURSE FOR 12 YEARS.

SHE EARNED $70,000.

OKAY. SHE COULDN'T LIVE THERE.

SHE BUILT A HOUSE, THANKFULLY, EIGHT YEARS AGO.

OR SHE WOULDN'T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.

SHE'D BE LIVING ME.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE LIVE IN A COUNTY THAT HAS A VERY HIGH MEDIAN INCOME.

WE HAVE REALLY HIGH INCOME HERE, AND THAT TAKES THAT MEDIAN AND MOVES IT ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THAT DOESN'T HELP THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BELOW THE MEDIAN WHO DON'T EARN HIGH INCOME, LIKE 93,098, I GUESS

[05:25:08]

AND WITH 40% OF THESE JUST BEING FOR THE 81 TO 2125, I JUST HONESTLY DON'T SEE WHO THAT'S GOING TO HELP EITHER. THE TRAFFIC IN THAT AREA IS AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE, AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MULTIFAMILY THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BUT NOT FULLY BUILT YET OUT IN THAT AREA.

SO WE'RE NOT EVEN LOOKING AT THOSE CARS YET.

I REALLY THINK THE COMP PLAN THAT WE HAVE IN PROCESS.

I REALLY WANT TO WAIT UNTIL WE SEE THE RESULTS OF THAT BEFORE WE START APPROVING AND GIVING PEOPLE ANY MORE ENTITLEMENTS TO BUILD. SOMEBODY WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

LET THEM BUILD IT ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT THEY'RE ALREADY ENTITLED FOR, FROM BACK IN 2008 AND 2010, WHEN THEY GOT ALL THESE ENTITLEMENTS AND THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO USE IT.

AS FAR AS SOMEBODY KRISTA MENTIONED, MAKE IT A AGE RESTRICTED.

WELL, I FALL IN THAT AGE RESTRICTED, AND I'M NOT GOING TO LIVE IN AN APARTMENT WITH AN AN ELEVATOR.

AND THEY'RE BUILDING THESE APARTMENTS WITH NO ELEVATORS.

SENIORS CAN'T LIVE IN THERE.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. I WAS WONDERING THAT TO ED SLAVIN, BOX 304.

I WAS WONDERING THAT TOO.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WHEN THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTER AND I VISITED PATTY O'CONNELL IN AN ADJOINING COUNTY, MICHELLE O'CONNELL'S MOM, THE MURDERED GIRLFRIEND OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY.

THREE STOREY APARTMENT BUILDING.

NO ELEVATOR.

HOW DOES ZONING LET THAT HAPPEN? IT DOESN'T COST THAT MUCH TO BUILD AN ELEVATOR ANYWAY.

PLEASE DENY THIS ONE.

FIRST OF ALL, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE WHITE HOUSE BY PRESIDENT WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT AS AN ANTI-LABOR ORGANIZATION.

I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THEIR ADVICE ON WHAT WORKERS NEED OR WANT.

AND YOU'VE HAD TIMES WHEN YOU GAVE EXTRA TIME TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND THAT SHOULD STOP EX PARTE CONTACTS.

YOU DIDN'T DO A VERY GOOD JOB OF DISCLOSING THEM, COMMISSIONER DEAN.

WE COULDN'T EVEN HEAR WHEN HE GAVE HIS EX PARTE CONTACTS.

AND THE IDEA OF EX PARTE CONTACTS IS TO INFORM THE POPULACE AND INFORM THE PARTIES TO WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY CROSS EXAMINE SOMEBODY ABOUT WHATEVER HAPPENED IN THOSE EX PARTE CONTEXTS. I OBJECT TO YOU DOING EX PARTE CONTACTS.

YOU NEED TO VIDEOTAPE THEM.

BECAUSE WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN IN THOSE SECRET PRIVATE MEETINGS OTHER THAN THE DEVELOPER SAYING OUR PAC GIVES THE MAXIMUM? THAT IS SO WRONG.

WAS AN ITEM ON NPR THIS MORNING ABOUT APARTMENTS, AND IT SUGGESTS POSSIBLE ANTITRUST ACTIVITY.

AND MAYBE LEARNED COUNSEL COULD LOOK INTO THIS.

APPARENTLY, THERE'S A NEWSLETTER THAT APARTMENT DEVELOPERS AND APARTMENT OWNERS GET THAT CONSISTS OF A SURVEY OF WHAT EVERYBODY IS PAYING FOR APARTMENTS.

OUR APARTMENT OWNERS COMMUNICATING ILLEGALLY IN VIOLATION OF THE ANTITRUST LAWS.

WE JUST SAW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE REALTORS ASSOCIATION AND PRICE FIXING AND ANTITRUST VIOLATIONS.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MAYBE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND LET'S NOT TALK, BABY TALK.

LET'S TALK. WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE? BECAUSE OF ANTITRUST VIOLATIONS.

YES. RURAL SILVICULTURE.

YOU SHOULD NEVER AGAIN LET SOMETHING IN RURAL SILVICULTURE BE CONVERTED TO SOMETHING ELSE.

WE NEED A MORATORIUM.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST TIME.

I'LL TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT AFTER CLASS.

AND BY THE WAY, HOW COME YOU'RE NOT SWEARING IN WITNESSES? WE'VE RAISED THAT ISSUE AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

YOU HAVE WITNESSES TESTIFY.

THEY'RE NOT SWORN.

THIS IS ADMINISTRATIVE LAW.

THIS IS REALLY BASIC.

UNLESS IT'S THE DEVELOPER'S MOUTHPIECE, UNLESS IT'S THE DEVELOPER'S LAWYER.

AND THEY'RE TALKING. SOMEBODY GETS UP HERE AND TALKS AND THEY'RE WITH THE DEVELOPER OR HIS TEAM.

THEY NEED TO BE SWORN IN.

YOU DON'T SWEAR IN THE WITNESSES.

YOU TAKE ASSERTIONS FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND YOU SALUTE.

THIS IS NOT A THIS IS NOT THE WORLD'S GREAT.

I WORK FOR THE WORLD'S GREATEST DELIBERATIVE BODY AS AS GLADSTONE CALLED THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

THIS IS NOT EVEN A DELIBERATIVE BODY.

YOU'RE NOT DELIBERATING.

YOU'RE ALL REPUBLICAN.

ONE PARTY RULE IS WRONG.

THANK YOU. ARE.

HELLO, I'M CHARLIE HUNT.

MILL CREEK ESTATES.

I LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND HIGHLIGHT A FEW POINTS THAT WAS MADE.

COUNTY ROAD 2209 WAS ACTUALLY STARTED IN THE MID 90S AS BASED ON WHAT SAINT JOHNS COUNTY WAS LOOKING AT DOING WITH THE EXTENSION OF NINE BE COMING DOWN

[05:30:04]

THOSE PEOPLE WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THAT WAS ALAN ROBERTS, WHO WAS ON THE COMMISSION AT THAT TIME, AND THE HUDSON FAMILY.

BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE DEED RECORDS, IT'S ALL TRAVEL THROUGH THEM FOR THAT 22 NINE GOES, OKAY, NOW I KNOW SAN AUGUSTINE, ACTUALLY, SAINT JOHNS COUNTY AND A LOT OF PLACES.

YES, BECAUSE I GREW UP IN JACKSONVILLE AND I COME DOWN, WE HAD FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND, AND GREEN COVE SPRINGS.

YES. MAMA AND PAPA.

GUS. OKAY.

THIS THAT WAS OUT THERE.

I KNOW A LOT WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN HERE.

AND IT WAS IT WAS A CRAZY IMAGE OF SEEING HOW MUCH THAT IT WAS.

IF IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY PASSED BY THE TIME THE THE THE ECONOMY CRASHED, AND NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH IT.

NOW IT'S JUST TOO EASY TO GET MORE HOUSES AND PUT AND PUT OUT THERE.

OKAY. WHAT I'D LIKE TO ASK ABOUT THIS.

IF IT'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCOME, WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF THAT NOWADAYS? IS IT FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE? IS IT FOR MODERATE INCOME PEOPLE WHO IS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING? WOULD THESE BE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GOVERNMENT ASSISTED? WHO NEEDS THAT? WHO ARE FIXED INCOME? THAT'S WHAT I'M KIND OF WONDERING ON THESE.

AND YES, IT'LL, IT'LL THE, THE IMAGE OF IT IS RIGHT THERE, RIGHT BY THE HUDSON HIGHWAY HITTING 208.

AND SO THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ANYTIME SOON.

YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY IT WILL BECAUSE HUDSON GOT HIS OWN MONEY FOR HIS OWN HIGHWAY.

BUT BUT YEAH, WHAT IS WHAT IS MODERATE.

IS IT FOR MODERATE LOW INCOME.

IS IT FOR LOW INCOME.

IS IT FIXED INCOME.

BECAUSE THEY COULD BE LOW INCOME IF THEY'RE FIXED.

THAT'S WHERE IT IS.

ALL RIGHT. IT SOUNDED ALL GREAT UP HERE.

BUT LET'S GET DOWN TO THE BONES OF IT.

YES. FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD.

IF THEY'RE ON LOW INCOME, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THEM TO GET TO AND FROM WORK? WILL THEY BE ABLE TO THERE? WILL THERE BE ANY TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION, A BUS STOP OUT THERE IF THEY'RE ON A LOW INCOME THAT HAS TO LIVE IN THOSE APARTMENTS, HOW WOULD THEY GET TO WORK IF THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE CAR? BECAUSE ALL THE MONEY'S GOING TO THE RENT.

YOU KNOW, IT SOUNDS GREAT, BUT TRYING TO LOOK AT IT IN A PRACTICAL SENSE.

HEY, IT.

IT REALLY IS.

BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO COME BACK UP WITH THE PROJECT RIGHT THERE ON 16 AND 16 A OF THE 255 AFFORDABLE HOUSING APARTMENTS.

CHUCK LABANOWSKI, 1748 NORTH CHAPARRO.

THANK YOU, MR. MCINERNEY.

THAT WAS A GOOD PRESENTATION YOU HAD EARLIER.

A LOT OF POINTS WERE GIVEN OUTSIDE IN THE PTA MEETING ON THIS TOPIC.

AT THE PTA MEETING, IT WAS SAID THAT THIS THING WAS GOING TO BE A FOUR STORY UNIT.

BUT HERE THEY'RE SAYING A PROPOSED THREE STORY UNIT.

NOW, WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE, A FOUR OR A THREE? ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO IN THERE AND BUILD THIS THING INTO A FOUR STORY UNIT? I'VE GOT CONCERNS THERE.

ALSO, AT THE PTA MEETING THE APPLICANT HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY DETERMINATION FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD YET.

I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING UP HERE THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD YET.

ALSO AT THE PTA MEETING, THE WATER AND SEWER EXPIRED MARCH THE 24TH.

SO HAVE THEY RECEIVED A DETERMINATION FROM THE WATER AND SEWER TO UPDATE THAT? YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER DEAN, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT INTERSECTION AT 208 AND 16 AND 95 IS A NIGHTMARE.

BUT JUST WAIT.

IT'S GOING TO GET BETTER.

WE'RE GOING TO PUT AN ESTIMATED 450 CARS INTO THAT INTERSECTION FROM THIS UNIT, FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT.

BUT YET WE GOT THE SAVIOR.

WE'VE GOT THE SAVIOR THAT'S COMING DOWN 2209.

WE'VE GOT THE EXPRESSWAY.

I MEAN, I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY SMOKE AND MIRRORS IN ALL MY LIFE THAT WAS PRESENTED EARLIER ABOUT ALL THESE ROADS UP IN THE NORTHERN END.

BUT GUESS WHERE THEY'RE ALL DUMPING? IT'S GOING TO DUMP ONTO 16.

SO ALL THAT TRAFFIC OFF OF 209 IS GOING TO END UP ON 16.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING? SAINT AUGUSTINE.

WHAT'S THEY GOING TO DO TO THAT INTERSECTION? COMMISSIONER DEAN I'M GOING TO START GOING OVER TO GREEN COVE SPRINGS.

MAYBE I CAN GET ON THAT EXPRESSWAY AND GO ACROSS THERE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT CONCERNS WITH THIS PROJECT.

LET'S LEAVE THE ZONING THE WAY IT IS.

LET'S DENY IT OR POSTPONE IT UNTIL 2209 COMES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 208, WHICH IS ESTIMATED ABOUT 15 YEARS FROM NOW,

[05:35:06]

PLEASE DENY IT. THANKS.

ANNE MARIE EVANS, 1356 ROBERTS ROAD.

JUST WANTED TO DISCUSS, DID I HEAR CORRECTLY THAT THE THE ADDITIONAL KIDS IN THIS SCHOOLS WILL ONLY BE 20? IS THAT. I'M NOT SURE THAT'S WHAT I HEARD, BUT 180 UNITS AND WILL PRIMARILY FEED INTO MILL CREEK ACADEMY AT LEAST UNTIL THE NEW SCHOOLS ARE BUILT. MILL CREEK ACADEMY ALREADY HAS 26 PORTABLES, MEANS THERE'S PROBABLY ABOUT 780 KIDS BEING HOUSED IN THOSE.

THE CAPACITY FOR MILL CREEK ACADEMY WAS 14 TO 1500.

I LOOKED AT THE 2023 2024 FOURTH DAY 20 ENROLLMENT.

THE FOURTH 20 DAY ENROLLMENT IN FLORIDA SCHOOLS REFERS TO THE STUDENT HEADCOUNT TAKEN ON THE 20TH DAY OF THE FOURTH MONTH OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR.

IT IS A CRUCIAL POINT FOR SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS TO ASSESS THEIR STUDENT POPULATION, ALLOCATE RESOURCES, AND PLAN FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THIS ENROLLMENT COUNT HELPS DETERMINE FUNDING, STAFFING, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL NEEDS FOR 20 2324.

THE FOURTH DAY, 20TH ENROLLMENT WAS ALMOST 2000 KIDS, SO AT LEAST 500 ABOVE WHAT THE CAPACITY WAS.

THERE ARE NEW SCHOOLS OPENING, BUT I POINT OUT THAT ELEVATION POINT AND SOME OF THE OTHER SURROUNDING DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE BUILDING ELEVATION POINT BY ITSELF HAS 750 UNITS.

SO A LOT OF TIMES WHEN I COME IN HERE, WHAT I HEAR IS, OH, WE'RE OPENING A NEW SCHOOL, FOLKS.

WE'VE BEEN BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL AND CONTINUING TO APPROVE.

WHEN WE'RE BEHIND, THE EIGHT BALL DOESN'T FIX ANYTHING.

UNCONTROLLED GROWTH HAS CONSEQUENCES.

THE CONSEQUENCE MOST IN MIND RIGHT NOW IS THE FACT THAT OUR RANKING DROPPED FROM THE NUMBER ONE SLOT FOR SCHOOLS TO NUMBER TWO.

THANK YOU.

MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, CLAY MURPHY.

KING'S ROAD SOUTH.

I JUST WANTED TO COME UP AND MAKE A COUPLE OF OF OBSERVATIONS.

I NORMALLY DON'T TRY NOT TO COME UP AND SPEAK WHEN I FEEL LIKE THE.

THE VOTE IS ALREADY BEEN DECIDED BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU KIND OF WASTE YOUR TIME.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICED DURING THE PRESENTATION IS THAT 2209 WAS USED AS A AS A REASON TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS BECAUSE IT TAKES TRAFFIC OFF THE INTERSTATE. AND THEN TEN MINUTES LATER, THEY SAID THAT TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE TRAFFIC OFF THE LOCAL ROADS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE NOTICED WHEN I TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTY IS THAT EVERYONE SAYS THE SAME THING.

TRAFFIC GROWTH.

NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH UNTIL THERE'S PROPER TRAFFIC AND ROADWAYS FOR THIS, FOR ANY PROJECT, THEY ALL NEED TO BE DENIED.

WE ARE IN A POSITION NOW WITH SO MANY HOUSES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED TO BE BUILT, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO STRESS THE ROADS THAT WE HAVE.

I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO DO WHAT YOU THINK IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTY, AND I APPRECIATE THAT AND I RESPECT THAT.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THERE ARE A FEW OF US THAT ARE RUNNING FOR THIS COMMISSION.

IT IS A CHALLENGE.

BUT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IN TODAY'S ATMOSPHERE THAT WE HAVE WITH TRAFFIC AND GROWTH, ESPECIALLY IN THIS AREA, IT WOULD BE AN EASY DENIAL FOR, FOR ME IF, IF I WAS SITTING IN THE CHAIR.

SO YOU GUYS HAVE A HAVE A GREAT DAY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS FOUR AND FIVE.

SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. INGRAM, MR. BERTOZZI, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

THANK YOU. JUST A COUPLE OF HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS. SO WE WE DISCUSSED OUR SCHOOL CONCURRENCY SITUATION.

THERE IS CAPACITY FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THERE'S A SMALL SHORTFALL AND HIGH, BUT IT IS OFFSET BY THE CAPITAL REVENUES OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.

THIS PROJECT IS ABOUT PROVIDING A BALANCE OF HOUSING AND JOBS.

THE IDEA THAT WE SHOULD STOP ALL GROWTH, NOT BUILD ANOTHER THING, DOESN'T SOLVE ANYTHING.

THE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS THAT THE STATE MAKES IN OUR NETWORK FOLLOW GROWTH.

SO THERE'S A REASON WHY WE HAVE AN OUTER BELTWAY, $1 BILLION IMPROVEMENT AND THE WIDENING OF I-95.

AND THAT IS DUE TO THE GROWTH THIS COUNTY AND THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE MORE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE THAN ANY IN THE 20 YEARS THAT I'VE DONE HERE.

[05:40:05]

AND I'M I'M GUILTY OF IT, TOO.

I MEAN, WE WE CAN ALL, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT HOW GREAT THINGS WERE WHEN I WAS A KID.

I REMEMBER IT WAS LIKE TUMBLEWEEDS WHEN I VISITED SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH AS A KID, GOING TO SURF STATION, LEARNING TO SURF THERE.

I REMEMBER WHEN THE 312 BRIDGE FIRST CAME IN, AND WHAT A GAME CHANGER THAT WAS.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU, I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING IN THE WORLD TO TO TODAY.

THIS IS A PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY.

YOU'VE HEARD FROM MANY OF THE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE MOVED HERE IN THE LAST TEN, 25, THREE, ONE YEAR WHO LIKE IT HERE.

THEY'RE A LITTLE AFRAID OF THE GROWTH.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT THIS IS NOT A ZERO SUM EVENT THERE.

THERE IS OPPORTUNITY IN PROSPERITY HERE.

IT WILL CONTINUE. IF WE CONTINUE TO INVEST.

THERE'S IT'S SIMPLY THERE'S NOT A THERE'S NOT A CRISIS HERE.

AND YOU GUYS KNOW THAT.

YOU SEE IT ANYWAY.

PAUL DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING.

SO 67% OF THE COUNTY IS IN THE WORKFORCE.

SO BASICALLY BETWEEN THE AGE OF 19 TO 65, 320,000 PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY, PER THE CENSUS BUREAU, BASICALLY, WE'RE LOOKING AT 224 PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THIS COUNTY, LIVE IN THIS COUNTY AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO SO.

THE GROWTH IS STILL COMING.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT YOU ALL HAVE PLANNED FOR IS COMING.

SO WE ASK YOU TODAY TO LOOK AT WHAT THE PLANS ARE FOR THE FUTURE.

LOOK AT WHAT WHAT IS COMING AND THE AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING FOR THAT.

CURRENTLY WITH STUDENTS THAT WE ARE HIRING OUT OF UNF, WE ARE HIRING NEW STUDENTS OUT OF UNF THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.