[1. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Appropriation. On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the launch of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), to provide emergency funding for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments, to support the immediate pandemic response, bring back jobs, and lay the groundwork for a strong and equitable recovery. St. Johns County has received ARPA funding totaling $51,409,434. ARPA funds must be expensed by December 31, 2026; prior to that, ARPA funds must be committed/encumbered by December 31, 2024. ARPA funds not committed/encumbered must be refunded. To date, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) has approved the reappropriation of ARPA funding when it has been determined that projects will not achieve the December 31, 2024 deadline: these reappropriations have been brought forward by County Administration as either regular or consent agenda items. On 10/01/2024 (consent agenda item #24), the BCC approved the most recent reappropriation of funding. For the 12/03/2024 agenda, County Administration is requesting the reappropriation of remaining category balances, including $2.0 million for the World Golf Village property acquisition, into Sheriff’s Police Athletic League (PAL) projects, allowing the County to meet the commitment/encumbrance ARPA deadline of December 31, 2024. It has been determined that the World Golf Village property acquisition cannot be executed by the December 31, 2024 deadline. In addition, the Grant Administration category balance is also recommended to be transferred to the PAL project. Attached to this agenda item is the comprehensive American Rescue Plan Act funding plan and the recommended reappropriations. Up to $10 million of ARPA funding can be appropriated to capital projects under the lost-revenue category.]

WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> OKAY. WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD AND AGENDA ITEM ONE. IT'S UP. HI, JESSE.

>> GOOD MORNING. MADAM CHAIR JOSEPH, COMMISSIONERS JESSE DUNN . AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE IS RELATED TO THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT . I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF ITEMS JUST TO KIND OF BRING EVERYBODY UP TO SPEED ON THIS. THESE APPROPRIATIONS WERE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 . SPECIFICALLY IN MAY OF 2021 , AT WHICH TIME ST.

JOHNS COUNTY WAS ALLOCATED $51.4 MILLION . THE OBJECTIVE IS UP THERE TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY FUNDING TO SUPPORT IMMEDIATE PANDEMIC RESPONSE TO BRING BACK JOBS AND LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR STRONG AND EQUITABLE RECOVERY. UP TO $10 MILLION WITHIN THAT 51.4 MILLION IN TERMS OF THE ROLES COULD BE APPROPRIATED TO CAPITAL PROJECTS WITH SOME UNRESTRICTED REQUIREMENTS ON THOSE UNDER WHAT WAS CALLED A LOST REVENUE CATEGORY. A RARE PROGRAM -- THERE WAS NO GRANT MATCH. NO LOCAL MATCH. NOTHING. IT WAS JUST TO ENSURE THAT WE COMPLY WITH ALL THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT TS . THE OVERAL RULING ON THAT -- THOSE APPROPRIATIONS CAME IN 2021.

[01:00:04]

THOSE DOLLARS MUST BE EXPENSED BY DECEMBER 31ST, 2026 . ALL REMAINING DOLLARS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY. PRIOR TO THAT DEADLINE, ST. JOHNS COUNTY MUST COMMIT . AND THAT IS ENCUMBRANCE. THIS IS IN TERMS OF THE CONTRACT OR AN ACCOUNTING REQUIRED ENCUMBRANCE BY DECEMBER 31ST . UPCOMING 2024. SO JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS FROM NOW. WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF FUNDING AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION. ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS FLOOR HERE . I BELIEVE THERE WAS ONE ITEM THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD FOR AN AMENDMENT THAT CAME UNDER CONSENT AGENDA . AT THAT TIME THE BOARD THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE. BUT THESE ARE OFTEN BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE BOARD ANY TIME AND ALL TIMES IF THERE IS AN APPROPRIATION OF ARPA FUNDING. THIS IS THE FOURTH SUCH AMENDMENT. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AT THIS POINT IS TO MAXIMIZE USE OF FUNDING BY COMMITTING ALL OF THOSE DOLLARS BY DECEMBER 31ST, 2024. THE NEXT SCHEDULE IS REALLY A BREAKDOWN OF THAT FULL 51.4 MILLION DOLLARS. SO I WILL GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF THOSE AREAS . WE HAVE CERTAINLY HAD DISCUSSIONS ON THESE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS . HASTINGS VOCATIONAL SCHOOL. THAT IS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BUILD AND ESTABLISH A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL OUT OF THE HASTINGS. I BELIEVE THAT IS THE OLD HIGH SCHOOL AT 7.6 MILLION.

THERE WAS CLOSE TO 7.4 MILLION FOR ASSISTANCE TO IMPACTED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS . AGAIN, POST-COVID. $7 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE , PRIMARILY IN THE HASTINGS AREA. THERE WAS FIRST RESPONDER PREMIUM PAY.

ABOUT 5.4 MILLION . IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE YEARS, BUT IF YOU RECALL BACK TO COVID-19 RESPONSE AND THE ABILITY FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO HAVE GLOVES, MASKS, APPROPRIATE SUITS AND THE RESPONSE OF HAVING THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS OUT THERE . $5 MILLION FOR THE AUGUSTINE MEDICAL FACILITY . A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY AMERICAN RESCUE ENCOURAGING OPEN RECREATIONAL SPACE BY GETTING PEOPLE OUTSIDE . IF YOU RECALL, ONE OF THE SUCCESSES OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA WAS REMAINING OPEN AFTER COVID. ONE OF THE PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE ARPA PROGRAM WAS TO GET PEOPLE OUTSIDE TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE RECREATIONAL SPACE FOR WHICH WE PUT THE BOARD PUT $3.7 MILLION INTO THAT PROGRAM . AND THE LIST GOES ON. AFFORDABLE HOUSING. 2.3 MILLION. THEN THERE WERE SOME RESPONSE EFFORTS FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM. OUR MITIGATION PROGRAMS . A VERY SMALL AMOUNT THAT WE UTILIZE FOR GRANT ADMINISTRATION. AND THEN WE HIGHLIGHTED THE LOST REVENUE PROGRAM, WHICH WAS UP TO 10 MILLION. AND A COUPLE OF PROJECTS THEREIN. AT THE END OF THIS PROGRAM , WE REVIEWED , RECONCILED, AND WE HAD A BALANCE IN OUR GRANT ADMINISTRATION. WHEN WE ORIGINALLY SET THIS UP I THINK WE PUT UP 5% OF THE OVERALL PROGRAM INTO THIS. SLOWLY WE HAVE BEEN BREAKING THAT DOWN AND USING IT ONLY WHEN WE NEEDED TO USE IT. SO WE ARE AT A PLACE WHERE WE ARE GOING TO REQUEST $187,000 TRANSFER OUT OF THAT FOR BETTER USE TO MAXIMIZE THAT USE. AND THEN AS WELL WE HAD -- THE BOARD HAD APPROVED $2 MILLION FOR THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE ACQUISITION . AT THIS TIME THAT PROJECT CONTINUES TO BE REVIEWED . BUT IN TERMS OF OUR DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER 31ST, 2024 , WE WOULD NOT MAKE THAT . THAT DISCUSSION IS STILL ONGOING. EXCUSE ME. KIND OF THE REVIEW HAS BEEN FOR US TO LOOK FOR PROJECTS THAT MEET THAT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT AND CAN BE COMMITTED BY DECEMBER 31ST. SO A PROJECT THAT IS IF NOT SHOVEL READY IS READY TO COMMIT IN TERMS OF ACCOUNTING , IN TERMS OF ENCUMBERING THOSE CONTRACTS.

IN ALL, WE ARE RECOMMENDING A VERY SPECIFIC AMOUNT, $2,187,252 TO BE REALLOCATED TO MAXIMIZE THE ARPA APPROPRIATIONS TO MEET THAT REQUIREMENT BY DECEMBER 31ST, 2024. AND THAT WOULD GO INTO A POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE PROJECT

[01:05:03]

. AT THIS POINT I'M GOING TO HAND THIS OFF TO KENDAL HARDWICK , WHO'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE TIME OF THE PROJECT.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JULIE ANDREWS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT THIS PROJECT TODAY. MY NAME IS KENDAL HARDWICK. LIST WITH ME IS CAPTAIN LARRY DURDEN. HE IS THE PROJECT MANAGER. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRESENTATION IS TO SHOW YOU AN AMAZING PROJECT THAT I'M ASKING THE COMMISSION TO PARTNER WITH. AND ALLOCATE FUNDS TO. BEFORE I BEGIN SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY TO THE PROJECT , THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLISHED A REPORT IN 2020 NOTING THE POPULATION OF PRE-K THROUGH 12 STUDENTS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY'S FOR 3644 . THE PERCENT OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, 17%. THAT IS 7419 CHILDREN. WE HAVE GROWN IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS FROM THEN. AND THIS INFORMATION DOES NOT INCLUDE CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN PRE-K. SO THIS IS AN UNDERSERVED, OFTEN UNRECOGNIZED POPULATION IN OUR COMMUNITY .

THAT BRINGS ME TO THIS PROJECT WHY IT TRULY IS GOING TO BE AN ENHANCEMENT TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND WHY IT IS NECESSARY. SO THE DIAMOND OF DREAMS IS AN ALL-INCLUSIVE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED BASEBALL FIELD MULTIPURPOSE FIELD AND PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN WITH YOUNG ADULTS -- CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. IT IS LOCATED IN SOUTHERN ST. JOHNS COUNTY WHERE THE FACILITY IS CURRENTLY BEING BUILT. THE PROPERTY, AS YOU KNOW, IS ON COUNTY OWNED LAND TO THE HISTORIC ST. JOHNS COUNTY POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE.

THE BASEBALL FIELD WILL BE AN A.D.A. COMPLIANT CARPETED WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE FIELD THAT WILL ALLOW FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, INTELLECTUAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITIES , TO PLAY ON A FIELD SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THEIR NEEDS. THE LAND SPACE WILL ALSO INCLUDE A SEPARATE AREA WITH SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT THAT IS ALSO WHEELCHAR ACCESSIBLE. IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY THERE IS ONLY ONE OTHER SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED A.D.A.

COMPLIANT BASEBALL FIELD AND PLAYGROUND . IT IS LOCATED IN ABERDEEN IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY. SO THE PRELIMINARY COST OF THE DIAMOND PROJECT IS $3.5 MILLION . WE HAVE FUNDS RAISED AND WILL CONTINUE FUNDRAISING . WE ARE SEEKING OTHER FUNDING SOURCES . BUT I STAND HERE TODAY ASKING YOU TO PARTNER WITH US TO MAKE DIAMOND OF DREAMS A SAFE PLACE FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY BASEBALL , WEAR A UNIFORM, PLAY WITH THEIR PEERS, BE ON A TEAM, HEAR THE ROAR OF THE CROWD, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY PLAY ON A PLAYGROUND THAT IS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THEIR NEEDS SO THEY CAN PLAY WITH THEIR SIBLINGS, THEIR FRIENDS, AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. THAT IS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT. SO I DO HOPE THAT YOU CONSIDER THIS.

AND I TRULY AM HONORED THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND THIS AND CONSIDER THIS PROJECT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? LET'S OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE.

>> TOM REYNOLDS. 112 . 32080. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THIS . IT SEEMS LIKE I'M UNDERSTANDING THEY ARE ONLY ASKING FOR $1 MILLION . 2 MILLION? OKAY. THAT IS PERFECT BECAUSE AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU CAN PUT INTO THE LESS FORTUNATE , THE BETTER OFF THE WHOLE COUNTY WILL BE. I PERSONALLY MYSELF DON'T THINK THE COUNTY REALLY PUTS ENOUGH INTO CHILDREN IN GENERAL , BUT IT IS SO NICE TO SEE THIS PROJECT COME ABOUT BECAUSE I HAD A SISTER WHO SPENT HER LIFE IN A WHEELCHAIR . SO I UNDERSTAND . I HAVE BEEN TO QUITE A FEW HOSPITALS OVER THE YEARS. THANK YOU. AND PLEASE

VOTE FOR THIS FUNDING. >> THANK YOU.

[01:10:02]

>> GOOD MORNING. AGAIN, COMMISSIONERS, I AM THE KEEPER.

I LIVE ON HARVARD VISTA CIRCLE IN SAN AUGUSTINE. I'M STILL HERE REPRESENTING MYSELF AND C.A.R.E. , COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY. THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE DOES GREAT WORK IN AND FOR OUR COUNTY AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND YOU SHOULD SUPPORT IT. BUT AS WE SAID DURING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS, C.A.R.E. HAS ISSUES AND CONCERNS WITH THE WAY THE COUNTY HAS MANAGED FEDERAL ARPA FUNDING, ESPECIALLY WITH RESPECT TO TRANSPARENCY AND THE USE OF PUBLIC INPUT OR LACK THEREOF . AS PART OF ITS PRIORITY SETTING AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. WE BELIEVE THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY NEEDS TO PLACE A MUCH HIGHER PRIORITY ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND WE CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED THAT THE COUNTY SEEMS TO HAVE A BLIND SPOT WHEN IT COMES TO ACKNOWLEDGING AND ADDRESSING OUR NEEDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN MEANINGFUL WAYS. THAT SAID, WHETHER WITH BETTER FORESIGHT AND PLANNING AND ARPA FUNDING COULD HAVE BEEN REPURPOSED TO THE COUNTY'S DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR PERHAPS USED TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS , THE POLICY FOR WHICH CARE HAS LONG ADVOCATED , WE WILL NEVER KNOW. BECAUSE WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.

THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FEDERAL FUNDING MUST BE OBLIGATED BY DECEMBER 31ST OR ST. JOHNS COUNTY LOSES IT. WE HAVE ONLY ONE MORE BOCC MEETING BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

C.A.R.E. MAINTAINS DIALOGUE WITH SHERIFF HARDWICK AND WE ARE GENERALLY SUPPORTIVE OF HIS OFFICE AND THE GOOD WORK DOES IN OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE ST. JOHN'S SHERIFF'S OFFICE RE-ENTRY CENTER AND ITS ASSOCIATED PROGRAMS AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WORK SUPPORTING OUR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH THROUGH ITS WORK WITH ST.

JOHNS COUNTY PAL ESTABLISHED BY ONE OF HIS PREDECESSORS. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY. THE SOUTHWEST PART OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS AN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED PART OF THE COUNTY. SO C.A.R.E. ABSOLUTELY SUPPORTS COUNTY FUNDING TO BUILD A SPECIALLY DESIGNED BASEBALL AND MULTIPURPOSE FIELD FOR CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES. THIS FACILITY WILL ADDRESS CURRENTLY UNMET NEEDS IN THIS PART OF OUR COUNTY TO THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. BUT IN A MORE PERFECT WORLD , THE COUNTY SHOULD AND WOULD BE USING ITS OWN FUNDING TO BUILD FACILITIES LIKE THIS AS WELL AS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PURPOSES. FOR THE PROJECTS THAT MEET PRIORITY NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US SHOULD NOT BE DEPENDENT UPON FEDERAL FUNDING . THAT SAID, GIVEN THE REALITIES OF OUR CURRENT SITUATION, INCLUDING THE FACT WE ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER OF LOSING NEARLY $2.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE TO MEET AN IMPORTANT NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THAT NO ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS APPEAR TO BE VIABLE AT THIS POINT, YOU SHOULD APPROVE THIS PROPOSED REALLOCATION OF FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT. PLEASE DO SO IN THE INTEREST OF ALL RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? 1820 WOULD STONE WAY. SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. I'M HERE TODAY TO JUST ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER APPROVING THIS PROJECT. AS A FATHER OF A DAUGHTER WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, IT IS A HIGHLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY. THERE IS ONLY ONE PART IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT I CAN TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO. WE GO OUT THERE QUITE A BIT. IT IS QUITE A DRIVE FROM DOWN HERE IN SAN AUGUSTINE. FOR SURE. AND I WANT TO COMMEND MS. HARDWICK FOR HER PASSION AND HER DESIRE TO SERVE THAT COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE TO EXCUSE ME. I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT . I HAVE A DAUGHTER WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. BUT I JUST ASK THAT YOU GET A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT COME BEFORE YOU AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF WAYS YOU CAN SPEND YOUR MONEY, BUT I ASK YOU TO PLEASE TAKE STRONG CONSIDERATION TO THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A NEED.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE ART OF ST. JOHN'S, WHO I ALSO VOLUNTEER WITH -- I DO A PROGRAM CALLED SURF QUEST. IF YOU LOOK AT THEIR PROGRAMS, THEIR NUMBERS ARE GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS OUT THERE. PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN THIS COMMUNITY . THE COMMUNITY CAMPUS WHERE MY DAUGHTER GOES TO SCHOOL. THE NUMBERS ARE ACCELERATING EVERY YEAR. THEY ARE OUTGROWING THEIR SPACE AS WELL. SO THE NUMBER SHE GAVE YOU IS PROBABLY GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO HIGHER AND HIGHER . FOLKS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES THAT NEED THESE TYPES OF PLACES TO PLAY . TO BE A PART OF A TEAM.

TO BE PART OF A COMMUNITY . ESPECIALLY TO HAVE IT AT A PLACE LIKE P.A.L. -- THE P.A.L. PROJECT WHERE THEY ARE ENGAGED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. AS A RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF 30 YEARS, THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAN CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES AND WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR OUR KIDS. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS. THANK YOU.

[01:15:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> HEY. DENVER COOK. FIRST , I WAS GOING TO COME SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF P.A.L., WHICH I THINK IS NEEDED. HAVING WORKED WITH OUR YOUTH FOR YEARS , WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH COVID A MASSIVE INCREASE IN SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, SELF-HARM ATTEMPTS, ADDICTION RATES ARE ON THE RISE . KIDS NEEDING DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS ARE ON THE RISE. THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FACING SEVERE CHALLENGES AND GETTING SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY. BUT I KIND OF WANT TO DIVERT BECAUSE MIKE SPOKE BEFORE ME. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH MIKE FOR YEARS IN MY WORK WHEN HE WAS A SHERIFF'S LIEUTENANT . HE WAS ONE OF MY MENTORS AND HOW WE ACCOMPLISH THINGS FOR SONIC IS IN OUR COMMUNITY. HE IS ONE OF THE TRUE FIGHTERS THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE. HE HAS SERVED ON EVERY BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY -- SOMETHING IS GOOD FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR COMMUNITY, LOOK NO FARTHER THAN WHAT HE SAID. IF HE IS MAKING A RECOMMENDATION, THAT SOMETHING IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, BY GOD, IT IS. HE HAS DONE MORE FOR THIS COMMUNITY THAN ANYONE I KNOW. SO I JUST TELL YOU TO VOTE FOR THIS. MANY OF YOU WHO DO KNOW ME , I AM A BUDGET HAWK AND I DON'T LIKE SPENDING ANY VERY OFTEN, BUT WHERE WE NEED TO, WE NEED TO. OUR KIDS ARE SUFFERING RIGHT NOW. THEY'RE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF COVID. OUR FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING AND DEALING WITH OTHER ISSUES. WE NEED SOMETHING POSITIVE IN THEIR LIFE. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH POSITIVE FOR OUR FAMILIES AND OUR KIDS. THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WORKS AND MAKES AN IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR FAMILIES AND THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR FAMILIES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR CHILDREN , WHICH AFTER ALL IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, GOT THREE KIDS AND I CARE ABOUT THEIR FUTURE. IT'S WHAT I FIGHT FOR EVERY DAY. SO I SUPPORT DOING THIS. I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE DONE. AND I HOPE FOR A 5-0 VOTE AND THAT IT BE DONE QUICKLY. AND THANK YOU, ROB, AND YOUR WIFE, AND EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS. YOU PUT IN EXTRA HOURS AND EXTRA TIME FOR NO PAY AND NOTHING.

YOU DO IT FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. GOD BLESS YOU FOR IT. THANK

YOU. THANKS. >> THANK YOU.

>> NICOLE CROSBY. 1169 NECK ROAD. I TOTALLY CONCUR. THIS IS A FABULOUS PROJECT . AND I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE IT. I'M GOING TO BE A LITTLE GREEDY AND SAY, HEY, CAN YOU DO IT AGAIN UP IN THE NORTHERN END OF THE COUNTY? IT IS A LONG COUNTY. 42 MILES.

IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN CONSIDER.

I'M ALSO GOING TO ADD SOMETHING. WE ALL SEEK PROJECTS THROUGH OUR OWN LENS. I GUESS MY LENS HAS TO DO WITH TREES.

OBVIOUSLY YOU CANNOT PUT A TREE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BASEBALL DIAMOND, BUT THE PLAY AREA COULD BE 10 DEGREES COOLER . IF THERE IS A WAY YOU CAN PLANT MATURE TREES STRATEGICALLY SO THAT THERE COULD BE SHADE EARLY ON IN THAT PLAY AREA. IT CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE . ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER IN FLORIDA. PARENTS COULD PICK A PLAY AREA BASED ON WHERE THEY CAN FIND SOME SHADE. STREETS THAT HAVE A TREE CANOPY ARE MUCH MORE OF A DRAW TO PEOPLE WHO RIDE BIKES AND EXERCISE AND SUCH. SAME WITH THE PLAYGROUND. SO I JUST ASK YOU TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY YOU CAN FOLD INTO THIS PROJECT THAT THE TREE CANOPY -- ONE OR TWO STRATEGIC TREES THAT CAN CREATE REAL

SHADE. OKAY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> JACKIE LEBLANC. 3930. DISTRICT THREE. AS NICOLE SAYS, WE ALL DO SEE IT THROUGH OUR OWN LENS. I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT I LOST MY BROTHER AT AGE 55 JUST THREE YEARS AGO. HE WAS DISABLED HIS ENTIRE LIFE. THE ONLY REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE GOING INTO A FINANCE PERSON AS I AM , I WOULD LIKE TO SEE -- A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS. I TOTALLY SUPPORT THE PROJECT. DON'T GET ME WRONG. AND MORE LIKE IT. BUT I REALLY THINK IN THIS PROJECT AS WE DELVE INTO THEM WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE MAINTENANCE COSTS. THIS IS SOME EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT GOING IN THERE. I'M FAMILIAR WITH DISABLED EQUIPMENT. WHAT IS THE DEPRECIATION AND LIFE OF SOME OF THAT EQUIPMENT? WHAT ARE OUR ONGOING MAINTENANCE COSTS TO MAINTAIN THESE WONDERFUL PARKS THAT I BELIEVE IN THAT I HAVE SEEN APPROVALS ON MANY OF THEM ? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN OUR PROPOSALS A MORE -- AS A FINANCE PERSON, AGAIN, MARKET GOES UP, MARKET GOES DOWN. MAINTENANCE COSTS INCREASE.

REPLACEMENT COSTS INCREASE. I WOULD HATE TO SEE WONDERFUL PROJECTS LIKE THIS SUFFER AND GO DOWNHILL BECAUSE OF A LACK OF MAINTENANCE . AND IT JUST DRIVES INCREASES IN TAXES AND

[01:20:03]

SO FORTH IN THE FUTURE IF WE DON'T PROPERLY ALLOCATE AND GET A REALISTIC VIEW OF THE ONGOING MAINTENANCE COSTS IN SOME OF THESE PROJECTS. AGAIN, I TOTALLY SUPPORT IT. SORRY I CANNOT HELP MYSELF AS A FINANCE PERSON. I LIKE TO SEE THE BOTTOM LINE ON SOME OF THAT. AND IT ONLY ENSURES THE FUTURE SUCCESS AND AN ONGOING PERPETUAL USE AND GOOD THINGS

LIKE THIS PROJECT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> AS LABAN.

SUPPORT THE PROJECT. I AGREE. WE NEED TO CONSIDER LIFECYCLE COSTING ON EVERY ACTION THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY COUNTY COMMISSION TAKES. USED BY THE PENTAGON AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENTS FOR YEARS. GARY HART FROM COLORADO HELPED TO SPEARHEAD THAT BACK IN THE '70S. IF YOU DON'T CONSIDER WHAT IT IS GOING TO COST FOR MAINTENANCE, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO -- BUDGET. DOING WHAT MY LATE BOSS FROM TENNESSEE SAID ABOUT HIS FIRST BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING. HE CAME BACK AND SAID IT WAS LIKE REARRANGING DECK CHAIRS ON THE TITANIC . LIFECYCLE COSTING. I THINK WE OUGHT TO INSTRUCT THE STAFF. NOT ONLY ZERO-BASED BUDGETING BUT ALSO LIFECYCLE COSTS. I WANT TO AGREE WITH VIC ABOUT THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND I HOPE THE NEW PCC WILL JOIN WITH THE PRIOR PCC MEMBERS. A COUPLE MEMBERS SUPPORTED -- INCLUDING MS. ARNOLD -- SUPPORTED A PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY. IF YOU ARE A LOW INCOME PERSON IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND YOU NEED A HUD HOUSING VOUCHER, THERE IS NONE TO BE HAD IN THE COUNTY. WE ARE ONE OF ONLY TWO OR THREE OF 67 COUNTIES WITH NO PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO CLEAR UP TO JACKSONVILLE IF YOU NEEDED A HUD SECTION 8 HOUSING VOUCHER .

PUBLIC OFFICIALS SOMEWHERE IN JACKSONVILLE. THAT IS TOTALLY INEFFICIENT AND IT IS DISCRIMINATORY AND THERE IS A PENDING COMPLAINT THAT I FILED THAT THE COUNTY CAME BACK AND SAID TO THE GUY FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. MEDIATION PROGRAM . INVITED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO CONCILIATE WITH ME ABOUT THE FAILURE TO ENACT A FAIR HOUSING -- ENACT A PUBLIC HOUSING. AND THE COUNTY WENT AND HIRED SOME LOCAL HAM AND EGG LAWYER. I DON'T KNOW HIS NAME. BUT RATHER THAN MEET AND TALK TO ME AND TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THE PRIOR REGIME AND PRIOR COUNTY ATTORNEY ACTUALLY CAME BACK AND SAID, NO. WE REFUSED TO TALK. WE REFUSE TO

CONCILIATE. >>, GET BACK TO ITEM NUMBER

ONE? >> I'M JUST GOING TO -- YOU DO THE RIGHT THING AT CHRISTMAS TIME AND THINK ABOUT POOR PEOPLE WHO NEED HOUSING. I SUPPORT THE MOTION AND I AGREE WITH MS. PEPPER. BUT THINK AFFORDABLE HOUSING. LET'S PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA AND LET'S GET THIS COUNTY MOVING AGAIN FOR THE PEOPLE. THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. >> CHOCOLATE JANOWSKI. 1748.

BEFORE WE ALLOCATE ANY MORE FUNDS TO WORLD GOLF VILLAGE TO BUY PROPERTY, LET'S DECIDE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THAT FACILITY. IT HAS BEEN ONGOING NOW. WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING AS A COMMUNITY. WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THAT. ARE WE GOING TO GET RID OF IT? ARE WE GOING TO KEEP IT? ARE WE GOING TO LEASE SOME OF THE BUILDINGS OUT? I KNOW THERE IS A THEATER THAT WANTS TO MOVE IN THERE. I UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY HAS NOT MADE A DECISION ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THE FACILITY, SO THEY CANNOT GO INTO A LONG-TERM CONTRACT WITH THE COMPANY THAT WANTS TO RUN THAT THEATER. SO IN THE FUTURE LET'S NOT ALLOCATE ANY MORE FUNDS TO THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE UNTIL WE DECIDE . YOU CANNOT FIND A BETTER PLACE THAN THE FIELD OF DREAMS TO PUT THAT MONEY AT THIS TIME RIGHT NOW. UNFORTUNATELY IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

IT SHOULD BE MORE. SO WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE ALL OF THE DEVELOPERS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO MAKE A NICE DONATION TO THE P.A.L. PROGRAM. LET'S MAKE IT A SUBSTANTIAL DONATION. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. AND THANK YOU . AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR THREE NEW MEMBERS . I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED . WE ARE LOOKING AT A $51 MILLION --

>> WOULD YOU START WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE?

>> KAREN MCMANUS. 45697 -- 4569 SECOND AVENUE. ARE WE VOTING ON

[01:25:04]

JUST DREAM FIELD AND NOT THE REST OF THE 50? OKAY. THEN I AM ALL FOR IT. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THAT WAS SUCH A GOOD DISPLAY AND THERE IS A $7 MILLION ITEM IN THE OTHER BUDGET. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE SAME FOR THEM BEFORE HAND.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> SHERRY BADGER. 2772 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE. SHERIFF, HE HAS BEEN A GOOD STEWARD OF THE PAL PROGRAM. MY NIECES ARE IN THE CHEER. WHEN THE FIELDS ARE TOO WET SOMEWHERE ELSE, THEY GO OUT THERE WHERE THEY CAN PRACTICE. Y'ALL NEED TO GO AHEAD AND APPROVE THIS BECAUSE A LOT OF THE PUBLIC PARKS IN THE 20-YEAR PLAN DISSOLVED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. SO ALL THOSE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS WAITING FOR PARKS DON'T GET THEM. BUT THIS IS A GOOD PROJECT AND HE HAS BEEN A GOOD STEWARD FOR P.A.L.. AND I ENCOURAGE Y'ALL TO GO AHEAD AND GIVE HIM THE MONEY BECAUSE HE DOES A FINE JOB OF FUNDRAISING. AND I'M SURE IF HE SEES A NEED AT HIS FIELD THAT HE WILL ADDRESS IT. AND IF HE CAN'T, HE WILL ADDRESS A FUNDRAISER THAT CAN. GOD BLESS

AND HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE. SEEING NONE, WE

WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> WE ARE BACK TO THE BOARD FOR COMMENTS OR EMOTION. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT THIS.

I WANT TO THANK KENDALL HARDWICK. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

CAPTAIN LARRY DURDEN, THANK YOU. THE SHERIFF, THE DIRECTORS. THANK YOU, GUYS, FOR SPEARHEADING THIS INITIATIVE.

IF ANYBODY HAS THE CHANCE, THE FIELD OF DREAMS, WHICH IS A SPECIAL-NEEDS BASEBALL PROGRAM THAT EXISTS IN EVERGREEN PARK , HAS THEIR OPENING DAY TYPICALLY LATE JANUARY, EARLY FEBRUARY.

SOMETHING LIKE JULY 10TH MOST YEARS. YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SMILES ON EVERY CHILD'S FACE. VOLUNTEERS FROM HIGH SCHOOL, BASEBALL, AND SOFTBALL PROGRAMS HELPING THE LITTLE KIDS RUN THE BASES. THE IDEA OF CREATING SOMETHING IN THE SOUTH PART OF THE COUNTY THAT WILL BENEFIT CHILDREN FOR GENERATIONS TO COME IS NOT ONLY WORTH THIS AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT, BUT WHATEVER MAINTENANCE COSTS THAT COME LATER, I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE THE TIME TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAINTAIN IT WHEN THE TIME COMES. IT IS A WORTHWHILE ENDEAVOR JUST TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE THAT I KNOW THIS WILL MAKE IN THESE CHILDREN'S LIVES. THANK YOU AGAIN. YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT.

>> EXCELLENT COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER

ARNOLD ? >> THANK YOU, CHAIRWOMAN. I ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST SAID. MY DAUGHTER PLAYS AT THE FIELDS. TO SEE THESE KIDS AT THE FIELD OF DREAMS AND THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES FOR THESE FAMILIES. WE SEE IT EVERY WEEK. TO OPEN THAT UP AGAIN TO THIS SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY TO GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE PUT IN. I ALSO ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT THIS PROJECT.

>> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> YES. I'M VERY EXCITED TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT. YOU DID A GREAT JOB. EXCELLENT PRESENTATION. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SHERIFF HARDWICK. I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS.

>> COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MAINTENANCE. YOU GUYS HAVE ALREADY GOT A PLAN FOR THAT. NOD YOUR HEAD. SAY, YES, I HAVE A PLAN FOR CONTINUED MAINTENANCE. I'M ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

>> I DID SEE A TRACK ON THERE. IS THAT GOING TO COME? THE TRACK? EVENTUALLY? MY FAVORITE THING. SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION?

>> THERE ARE TWO MOTIONS . >> THANK YOU.

>> I'M HAPPY TO MOVE THIS. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE RE-PREPARATION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING FROM COMPLETED CATEGORIES TO BCC APPROVED CATEGORIES IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE THE SPENDING OF THE PROGRAM.

>> I WILL SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. EVERYONE VOTE, PLEASE. AND THAT PASSES, 5-0. SECOND

MOTION. >> JUST DISAPPEARED.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024.

>> 538. >> AUTHORIZE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT BY ST.

JOHNS COUNTY AND POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE A AWARD OF 2.187252 FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN REVENUE FUND

BUDGET. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. EVERYONE VOTE, PLEASE.

IS THERE ONE MORE VOTE THEIR? AND THAT PASSES, 5-0.

[2. Consider the proposed 2025-2028 St. Johns County Funding and Advocacy Roadmap. The St. Johns County Funding and Advocacy Roadmap is a focused list of priorities and objective steps the County may initiate to secure financial resources and other support from our State and Federal representatives. County Administration presents a list of recommended items from County staff for the Board to consider adopting as the 2025-2028 St. Johns County Funding and Advocacy Roadmap. The approved Funding and Advocacy Roadmap is subsequently presented to the public and submitted to the County’s Legislative Delegation and other public agencies for consideration.]

[01:30:08]

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR COMING. AND THANK YOU FOR WAITING THROUGH PUBLIC COMMENT.

I APPRECIATE IT. WE ARE ON AGENDA ITEM TWO. ADAM TECLER.

>> GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR. COMMISSIONERS, I AM HERE TO PRESENT THE 2025-28 ST. JOHNS COUNTY FUNDING AND ADVOCACY ROAD MAP. STARTING OFF I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT THIS PLAN IS REPLACING THE ORIGINAL LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN . WE STARTED WITH A PLAN THAT WAS CREATED ANNUALLY ON A ONE-YEAR BASIS. THIS MOVES US IN A BIT OF A DIFFERENT DIRECTION , WHICH IS LOOKING AT IT IN MORE EXPENSIVE TERMS OF FOUR YEARS AND HOW THE WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY MAY BE AVAILABLE IN THAT FOUR-YEAR PERIOD. MOVING FORWARD, THE FUNDING AND ADVOCACY ROAD MAP IS A LIST OF STEPS THE COUNTY MAY INITIATE TO SECURE FUNDING AND RESOURCES AND OTHER SUPPORT. YOU HAVE STATE RESOURCES, FEDERAL RESOURCES, AND PARTNERSHIPS.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS A FOUR-YOUR PLAN AS COMPARED TO A ONE-YOUR PLAN. OBJECTIVES FOR EACH PRIORITY ARE STEPS TO SECURE THE FUNDING FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS. STEPS TO INFLUENCE POLICY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. WHAT WE TRIED TO DO WITH THE FUNDING AND ADVOCACY ROAD MAP IS LAYOUT A LIST OF OBJECTIVES FOR EACH OF THE BOARD'S PRIORITIES. AND THEN IDENTIFY POSSIBILITIES FOR FUNDING IN THOSE INFLUENCE. AND YOU WILL SEE THAT THROUGHOUT THE DOCUMENT THAT YOU RECEIVED . TO KIND OF GO A LITTLE BIT MORE IN DETAIL, THE ROAD MAP IS COMPILED BY THE BOARD WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF STAFF . IT IS SUPPLEMENTED BY THE COUNTY STATE AND FEDERAL LOBBYISTS.

THE CHAIR PRESENTS THE ROAD MAPS DELEGATION MEETING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, WHICH WILL BE ON JANUARY 10TH. AND I WANT TO GO OVER SOME OF THE HIGH-PRIORITY PROJECTS THAT THE BOARD HAS IDENTIFIED TO ME, STARTING OFF WITH STATE ROAD 16 . AGAIN, MOVING OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, THERE ARE CERTAINLY SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES TO SECURE COMPETITIVE FUNDING FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. IN ADDITIONAL LOOKING HOW WE CAN LEVERAGE FUNDS THROUGH THE STATE WORK PROGRAM. AGAIN, THIS PROJECT IS ADDRESSING MAJOR AND IMPORTANT GATEWAY CORRIDOR THROUGH TWO I-95 AND ON THE WAY TO SAINT AUGUSTINE. WIDENING THAT STRETCH IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL . SECOND PRIORITY I WANT TO MENTION IS PROTECTING RULE AND FAMILY LANDS. I KNOW COMMISSIONER JOSEPH -- THIS IS SOMETHING YOU TALKED -- VERY MUCH A HIGH PRIORITY ON. THE FAMILY LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM IS A GROWING PROGRAM. THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN BUDGET LEVELS OVER THE SUCCESSIVE YEARS . HOPEFULLY THIS PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE TO BE FULLY FUNDED . ONCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND SERVICES HAS BROUGHT ATTENTION TO ME IS THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO UTILIZE THIS PROGRAM.

SUCCESSFULLY UTILIZED WITH THE PROPERTY. THAT IS AN ONGOING APPLICATION PROCESS. BUT THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES THERE AS WELL ON THE AGRICULTURE SIDE LOOKING AT COMPETITIVE FUNDING BOTH AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL FOR CRITICAL NEEDS. FOR EXAMPLE I HAVE LEARNED OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS A LOT OF IMPORTANT ISSUES REGARDING AGRICULTURE -- HOW IMPORTANT -- OUT IN SOUTHWEST COUNTY FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. ALSO UNDERSTANDING THAT CREATING PROP RESILIENCY AND SURVIVABILITY ARE ALSO VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE RESEARCH THAT IS DONE IN THAT. SO THERE ARE GRANTS OUT THERE AVAILABLE. WE ARE CERTAINLY GOING TO BE LOOKING TO TRY TO LEARN MORE ON THIS POLICY SIDE TO HELP FOR THE BENEFIT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. MOVING ON ALSO TO FLORIDA MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH DEVELOPING GOVERNANCE LEGISLATION HOPEFULLY TO BRING TO THE LEGISLATURE THE SESSION AND LOOK AT HOW WE CAN DEVELOP THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS .

GUIDANCE OF THE MUSEUM. DESIGN. AND EVENTUALLY SOME FUNDING ALONG WITH THAT. AND THEN ALSO LOOKING AT THE DISTRICT 23 MEDICAL CENTER , THIS FACILITY IS CRITICAL TO BOTH FLAGLER AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY. SHOWING THIS PICTURE HERE, THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE AUTOPSY ROUTE. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, YOU HAVE THE X-RAY MACHINE AND THE SPACE CONSTRAINTS IN THE DISTRICT 23 MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE. SO THIS PROJECT WOULD BE BUILDING A NEW FACILITY PROVIDING DEDICATED IMAGERY ROOMS, DEDICATED DECONTAMINATION FACILITIES, IMPROVING VENTILATION IN THE BUILDING. AND IT IS AN ABSOLUTE CRITICAL PROJECT. LOOKING AT THE ROAD MAP , I AM REQUESTING THE

[01:35:03]

BOARD'S PERMISSION TO MOVE FORWARD TO ASK FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS THE SESSION. THIS WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE A LONG PHASED PROJECT WHERE THE SESSION FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT AND ENGINEERING. AND THE NEXT SUBSEQUENT SECTION IN CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS. AND THEN THE INTERCOASTAL FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT . COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, I KNOW THIS IS YOUR DISTRICT. THE NORTH BEACH SEE YOU ALL .

CONGRESSMAN WAS THERE FOR THE BOAT TOUR. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, I KNOW YOU WERE ON THAT TOUR AS WELL. CRITICAL NEED OF THE PROJECT AS WELL AS SOME PICTURES WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE FLOODING IN THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY. CONGRESSMAN HAS INDICATED TO US THIS IS A PRIORITY PROJECT. HE HAS IDENTIFIED THE GRANT AS THE BEST OPTION TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS. WE CERTAINLY WILL BE SEEKING SOME STATE FUNDS AS A MATCH TO HELP FACILITATE THAT FUNDING ALONG THE SEAWALL. ALSO WANT TO MENTION THE WASTEWATER AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE .

COMMISSIONER MURPHY . LOOKING AT IDEAS , WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH UTILITY DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST WEST AUGUSTINE AND OTHER PROJECT AREAS BOTH AT THE FUNDING OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE BUT ALSO THE POLICIES THAT POTENTIALLY AFFECT THE BUILDING OF INFRASTRUCTURE. AND I KNOW THAT THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE WAS HERE TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES. THAT IS MENTIONED IN THE ROAD MAP. WITH THE BOARD'S PERMISSION, WE CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD AND WORK WITH THOSE PARTNERSHIPS AND SEE IF WE CAN ASSIST WITH SOME OF THE SEWER PROJECTS THAT THE CITY HAS IDENTIFIED . THE NEXT STEP -- MY RECOMMENDED MOTION IS TO ADOPT THE 2025-28 ST. JOHNS COUNTY FUNDING AND ADVOCACY ROAD MAP. AFTER THAT, PRESENTATION OF THE ROAD MAP WOULD OCCUR AGAIN AT THE JANUARY 10TH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MEETING. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, BUT THAT

DOES CONCLUDE MY PRESENTATION. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR ADAM? SHOULD WE OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AGENDA

ITEM NUMBER TWO. >> JOE MCINERNEY. FOUR YEARS AGO -- TO ME THIS LOOKS LIKE WHAT USED TO BE CALLED A LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN . I LIKE THE NEW NAME. FOUR YEARS AGO THIS WAS A 98-PAGE LIST OF PROJECT, PROJECT, PROJECT BY CATEGORY. IT WAS VERY TEDIOUS. IT DID SUMMARIZE COSTS -- $500 MILLION IN DREAMS, IF YOU WILL , THAT THE COUNTY WANTED. SO I APPRECIATE THIS NEW FORMAT. I SPOKE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN I SAW THIS NEW FORMAT FIRST PRESENTED. IT IS LIVELY.

IT INFORMS THE PUBLIC AS TO WHAT THESE CATEGORIES ARE REALLY ALL ABOUT. I LOVE THE PICTURES. I LOVE THE EXPLANATION. I THINK YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC PERSON HERE.

ABSOLUTELY. SO JUST HERE TO COMPLEMENT EVERYTHING THAT WE HEARD AND SAW THIS MORNING. I AM A ROWS AND COLUMNS GUY. I WOULDN'T MIND IF THAT WERE AN ATTACHMENT. DEEP SOMEWHERE. I WOULD GO OVER EVERY PAGE. BUT I LIKE THE FORMAT. I LIKE THE PRESENTATION. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> I DISAGREE. I THINK IT WAS 38 PAGES AND IT WAS VERY DETAILED AND IT WAS VERY DEEP ATTENDED INCLUDED THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN TOTALLY OMITTED NOW BECAUSE OF THE INFLUENCE OF DEVELOPERS. FOR INSTANCE, IT HAD AN ITEM ABOUT PROVISIONS IN THE FLORIDA FALSE CLAIMS ACT.

THE FLORIDA FALSE CLAIMS ACT ALLOWS A CITIZEN TO STEP INTO THE SHOES OF THE GOVERNMENT AND BRING AN ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR HAS MISLED OR MISREPRESENTED THINGS JUST LIKE THE FEDERAL FALSE CLAIMS ACT. WELL, THAT IS NOT HERE ANYMORE. WHY? AND FLORIDA STATE AGENCIES ARE COVERED.

COUNTIES, CITIES, AND SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE FLORIDA FALSE CLAIMS ACT. Y? I REMEMBER ASKING OUR FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THAT ON ABOUT JANUARY 28TH , 2008 . HE WAS VERY RUDE . HE DID NOT WANT TO BE QUESTIONED. HE WAS AUTHORITARIAN. SAID, SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE ASKING ME TO ENDORSE MOTHERHOOD. THAT IS WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE. A BUNCH OF PRETTY PICTURES, BUT IT DOESN'T GO TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS LEGISLATION. I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH MR. MCINERNEY. I DON'T LIKE DELETING ITEMS WITHOUT EVER DISCUSSING WHY THEY WERE DELETED . ON BLACK

[01:40:03]

HISTORY, I APPRECIATE THE FACT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM BUT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION RAN OFF AND FIRED TREY ALEXANDER -- PROTECTING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY. FOUR OF THE FIVE OF Y'ALL HAVE MET WITH HIM AND YOU KNOW WHAT WAS DONE WAS WRONG. BUT WE HAD AN ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY WHO ACTUALLY TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO TELL COMMISSIONERS NOT TO MEET WITH HIM AND NOT TO MEET WITH OTHER CITIZENS. SO WE NEED TO GET REAL AND TALK ABOUT THE FIRST AMENDMENT. WE NEED TO LOOK AT AS MR. MCINERNEY SUGGESTED THE PRIOR ITERATIONS OF THIS LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN AND RESTORE A LOT OF IT. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PRETTY PICTURES FOR THE MONEY . I WANT STATE LAWS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE. AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY OUR LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN WOULD NOT REVIVE THAT PROVISION . WHY AREN'T COUNTY GOVERNMENTS INCLUDED? WELL, THEY ARE GRIFTERS WHO BENEFIT LIKE THE DEVELOPERS FROM NOT HAVING -- JUDGE WOULD ALWAYS SAY, WHO BENEFITS? WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE STAFF RESTORE MUCH OF WHAT WAS DELETED. THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PRINCIPLED REASONS . I THINK THEY GOT ADVICE FROM AN AD AGENCY OR SOMETHING. SOME MARKETING GROUP. NOW WE HAVE EIGHT PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT WHERE WE USED TO HAVE ONE . I THINK WE NEED TO START TALKING ABOUT CUTTING THE COUNTY BUDGET . AND WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT STATE LAWS THAT WILL TELL COUNTIES WHAT TO DO IN TERMS OF CUTTING THE BUDGET. OUR TRIM HEARINGS ARE A JOKE.

WE DON'T GET TO TALK. WE DON'T GET QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

I HAD 104 QUESTIONS FOR JESSE AND HE NEVER ANSWERED THEM ON THE FY 2024 BUDGET. HE WAS RUDE ABOUT IT. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM TWO? SEEING NONE, WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ADAM ? COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

>> THANK YOU. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT MAYBE WE COULD EXTEND AN INVITATION TO OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION WHEN THEY ARE HERE IN JANUARY TO TOUR THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS FACILITY. I WAS VERY SHOCKED THAT WAS VETOED LAST YEAR IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET. I THINK IT HAD THE SUPPORT UNANIMOUSLY IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND IT DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH. SO I JUST THINK THAT IF THEY COULD SEE IT FOR THEMSELVES THEY MIGHT BE THAT MUCH MORE PRIMED TO FIGHT FOR IT. JUST A

THOUGHT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, FOR REMINDING ME. I HAD TOTALLY FORGOTTEN MY PRESENTATION. YES. THIS FRIDAY WE ARE HAVING A TOUR OF THE EXISTING MEDICAL EXAMINERS FACILITY. AND WE HAVE INVITED THE DELEGATION AS WELL AS FLAGLER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY. SO WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THAT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO EVERYONE SEEING THE MEDICAL CENTER AS YOU MENTIONED AND SEEING HOW MUCH OF A PRIORITY PROJECT THIS IS AND WORKING HARD TO GET THAT MESSAGE THIS YEAR.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING TO OVERTURN THE PREEMPTION THAT WAS ENACTED DURING THE FIRST YEAR ON THIS BOARD. JUST FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THIS BOARD, THERE IS A VAPING SHOP PREEMPTION THAT WAS PASSED BACK IN 2021 THAT DOES NOT ALLOW A LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO CREATE A MINIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN A SCHOOL AND A VAPE SHOP. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A LOT OF STATE LEGISLATORS AND STATE SENATORS . MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS BAD POLICY AND IT WOULD BE COMMON SENSE TO OVERTURN IT AND ALLOW THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO CREATE A MINIMUM DISTANCE THAT WE DON'T HAVE CHILDREN ON BICYCLES WRITING BY VAPE SHOPS ESSENTIALLY BEING MARKETED TO BUY BRIGHTLY COLORED SIGNS AND FRUIT IN THE WINDOW AND ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY DESIGNED TO ENTRAP CHILDREN INTO TRYING VAPES FOR THE FIRST TIME. ALL THAT TO SAY, IF WE ADD THAT REQUEST TO OVERTURN THIS LAW INTO OUR LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST , I WILL ADD WHATEVER THE PLEDGE OF THE BOARD IS, SIR, AND HAPPY TO TAKE CARE OF THAT. I CAN MENTION THAT I DO RECALL A BILL THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT MENTIONED LAST SESSION . AND IT DID PASS THROUGH ONE COMMITTEE REFERENCE. AND THAT IS A GOOD START BECAUSE THAT GETS THAT BILL MOVING FORWARD IN UPPER POSTURE FOR COMING INTO THE SESSION. I HAVE THAT ON THE HOT LIST OF BILLS THAT I KNOW WE NEED TO BE WATCHING AND SEEING WHERE IT IS AT AND SEEING OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVOCATE. BUT ABSOLUTELY WHATEVER THE BOARD WOULD LIKE AS FAR AS AMENDMENTS, HAPPY TO TAKE CARE

OF THAT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FORMAL REQUEST FROM THE BOARD TO SUPPORT THE OVERTURNING OF THIS PREEMPTION THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO CREATE A MINIMUM DISTANCE AND MAKE THAT REQUEST.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE CONSENT. >> THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE TWO COMMENTS. I THINK IT IS REALLY AWESOME TO GO THROUGH THIS AND SEE THAT WE ARE ALREADY MAKING PROGRESS ON A LOT OF THESE THINGS, WHICH IS REALLY A CREDIT TO WHAT YOU

[01:45:03]

HAVE BEEN DOING WITH THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL AS OTHER COMMISSIONERS THAT HAVE BEEN DOING THAT. THANK GOD WE HAVE SOMEONE LIKE YOU FOR OUR COUNTY BRINGING IN EXTRA FUNDING. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS BACK UP FOR THE PUBLIC . THE EMAIL YOU ABOUT THE BACKUP IF THEY WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT A CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE. IS THAT ALL RIGHT?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. I WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE EMAIL AND CONTACT INFORMATION.

>> OKAY. AND THEN CAN THE PUBLIC GO TO THE MEDICAL

EXAMINER'S TOUR ON FRIDAY? >> THE TOUR IS A BIT LIMITED.

WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF THERE AS WELL TO TAKE PHOTOS. BUT THE SPACE IS QUITE CRAMPED . WE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO FIT SO MANY PEOPLE INTO THE FACILITY.

>> OKAY. ALSO, IS THERE SOMETHING ON THE BOOKS THAT IS COMING REGARDING ELECTRIC BIKES ON SIDEWALKS AND SPEED AND HELMETS AND HOW YOUNG THE KIDS ARE ? SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, BUT IS THERE ANYTHING COMING UP ON

THAT? >> I WILL HAVE TO CHECK INTO THAT. I'M NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING ON TOP OF MY HEAD.

>> AND I PUT THAT IN IN THOSE LEGISLATIVE -- I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN THAT. CAN WE LOOK INTO PUTTING THAT

INTO THIS ADVOCACY? >> ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. AND I CAN TALK TO YOU FURTHER TO GET A BETTER IDEA OF

SPECIFICS ON WHAT DIRECTION . >> EXCELLENT. ANYTHING ELSE,

COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> I HAVE A MOTION. MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2025-2028 ST. JOHNS COUNTY FUNDING AND ADVOCACY

GROUP . >> I WILL SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, GO AHEAD AND VOTE. THAT PASSES, 5-0. THANK YOU, MR. TECK LEE. WE ARE

[3. 2025 Roadway and Transportation Alternatives List of Priority Projects (LOPP). The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) request project priorities from local governments for potential funding of new transportation projects to be considered for inclusion in the new fiscal year of FDOT’s Work Program. This is an annual recurring request sent to local governments. The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is charged with prioritizing all projects within the County, including those within municipal boundaries. The Transportation Advisory Group (TAG), consisting of County staff, representatives of the City of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns County School District, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority met on November 14, 2024, to review last year’s priorities and recommend this year’s priorities. The attached LOPP includes TAG's recommendations for both highway and alternatives projects. Staff is requesting the approval of the Local priorities, the Transportation Alternatives, and the Sidewalk to Schools list. The Board will hear the Regional Priority list on December 17th. The full list, including the Regional Priorities, is presented at this time.]

ON AGENDA ITEM THREE. MR. D'SOUZA.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THE 2025 VISTA PRIORITY PROJECTS EXCLUDING OUR REGIONAL LIST THAT WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE NEXT MEETING. SO I'LL BE PRESENTING TO YOU THE LOCAL LIST OF PROJECTS, THE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES, AS WELL AS THE SIDEWALKS FOR SCHOOLS FOR YOUR APPROVAL TO SEND TO THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION. JUST A QUICK OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH. THIS IS AN ANNUAL PRESENTATION WE GIVE TO STAFF AND THE BOARD'S TO BE TRANSMITTED TO THE TPO FOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. SO EVERY YEAR THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP MEETS IT IS COMPRISED OF STAFF MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY AS WELL AS LOCAL JURISDICTIONS. THERE ARE SITTING CITIZENS THAT ATTEND THIS AS WELL. THIS YEAR'S MEETING WAS HELD ON NOVEMBER 14TH. WE PRIORITIZE THE PROJECTS YOU WILL BE SEEING IN THE LIST HERE THIS MORNING. AND SO REALLY WE ARE LOOKING AT PRIORITIZING PROJECTS FOR FUNDING FOR CONSIDERATION FOR INCLUSION IN D.O.T.'S NEXT FIVE-YEAR WORK PROGRAM. PART ONE OF THIS IS THE HIGHWAY PROGRAM. ONLY PRESENTING AT THIS TIME THE LOCAL ROADS. THIS LIST ESSENTIALLY REMAINS UNCHANGED. TWO PROJECTS WERE REMOVED BECAUSE FUNDING WAS RECEIVED FOR THEM. WE WILL GO OVER THOSE HERE NOW. AGAIN, THIS LIST REMAINS MOSTLY UNCHANGED. ITEM NUMBER FOUR, WHICH IS ADDING SIDEWALKS FOR THE ST. JOHNS RIVER TO SEE TRILL . THE HAS BEEN REMOVED BECAUSE OF FUNDING AS WELL AS PRIORITY NUMBER EIGHT, WHICH IS THE CITY. AND THAT IS ALSO A PROJECT. EVERYTHING ELSE REMAINS UNCHANGED . AND THEN IF WE GO TO OUR NEXT SET OF LISTS , IT IS THE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES. THE FIRST ONE WILL GO OVER HIS TRAILS. THIS IS A LIST OF NON-VEHICLE OR PROJECTS TO PROVIDE FOR ACCESS FOR THOSE USERS. WE HAVE PRIORITIZE THE TRAIL AS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR PRESENTATION. THAT IS IN ANTICIPATION OF FUNDING BECOMING AVAILABLE AS LONG AS IT IS THE TOP-RANKED PROJECT. THE PREVIOUS TOP PRIORITY IS THE RIVER SEALED OR THAT HAS BEEN FUNDED AND SO THAT HAS DROPPED OFF. THE SECOND IS THE SIDEWALKS TO SCHOOLS. THIS IS A LIST PROVIDEDBY THE SCHOOL BOARD TO THE COUNTY OF BOARD TRANSMISSION. THIS LIST HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. THIS IS A LIST OF THE SCHOOL BOARD SENDS. THE COMPLETION OF SIDEWALK SO WE CREATE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS.

SO YOU WILL SEE -- AND THIS IS THE REDLINE VERSION. NUMBER ONE WAS THE RIVER TO SEE LOOP. THAT IS THE RIVER TO SEE FUNDING.

NUMBER THREE IS NOW THE TOP PRIORITY ITEM . EVERYTHING ELSE SHIFTS DOWN IN THIS ONE. AND THEN HERE IS THE SIDEWALK TO SCHOOLS. I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

>> DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, BOARD? OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT,

[01:50:01]

PLEASE. >> WE WILL NOW HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

>> GOOD MORNING. CHARLIE HUNT. WHAT IS THE FUNDING ON THE INFAMOUS STATE ROUTE 16 TO 95? I HAVE BEEN LOOKING IT UP AND TRYING TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THE F D.O.T. , WHICH I MUST GO TO THEIR GENERAL ANSWER BOX AND GET A REPLY . WE ARE LOOKING AT -- WE'RE WORKING ON IT. NO REAL TIMELINE ON WHERE THEY ARE AT EXCEPT THAT THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON IT. THE INTERSECTION SHOWS THAT IT IS TO BE MAY BE STARTED IN MAY OF NEXT YEAR . I ASKED IF THAT IS GOING TO INTERFERE OR HOW IS THAT CONTRACTING WITH IF THE COUNTY IS DOING THAT . WILL THE STATE TO THE REST OF IT? OR IS THE COUNTY DOING JUST THAT INTERSECTION? AND THE STATE WILL TAKE OVER THE REST OF 16 ON DOWN TO 95 . WIDEN IT TO THE PROJECTED ALMOST 200-FOOT WIDE STATE ROUTE 16 , WHICH IN A SENSE WILL MIRROR THE 2209 PORTION UP IN SILVERLEAF . SO IT IS GOING TO GO FROM THAT SKINNY LITTLE ROAD TO THIS MASSIVE, MASSIVE STATE ROAD .

AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE CONCERNED BECAUSE OF HOW IT IS LAID OUT BEING OVER 200 FEET. THAT IS INCLUDING THE 10 TO 12 FOOT WIDE MULTIVEHICLE PASSAGE LANES THAT WILL BE ON THE SIDE . SO INSTEAD OF THE TWO LANES FOR EACH DIRECTION , THERE'S GOING TO BE THESE MASSIVE, MASSIVE MULTIPURPOSE. THAT IS WHERE YOU CAN GET OUT THERE WITH THE GOLF CARTS AND ELECTRIC BIKES . SO IT IS BECOMING AN EXCESSIVE FOR THAT AREA. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THEY MUST HAVE GOT SOMEBODY FROM TEXAS TO COME OUT AND DESIGN THAT PART OF 16 TO 95 . IT LOOKS FINE. THAT IS GREAT. OKAY. WE'VE GOT IT. BUT WHEN IT IS FOUR LANES, THIS MUCH OF AN OFFSET . THESE TWO MULTIPURPOSE LANES ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 12 FEET WIDE. AND THEN THE OFFSETS FROM THAT. IT WILL ACCOMMODATE UP TO 200 FEET ACROSS , WHICH IS MASSIVE. IT'S MASSIVE. AND I CAN'T FIND ANY CLARIFICATION ON WHO IS DOING WHAT . IF THE COUNTY ONLY DOES THE INTERSECTION AND THE STATE DOES THE REST. SO THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME INSIGHT ON . THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> ED SLAVEN. THOSE ARE ALL GOOD QUESTIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST -- FOR THE COMMISSION. FROM SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH TO GARY SNODGRASS. SHERMAN GARY SNODGRASS. HE HAD A RULE THAT IF YOU ASK A QUESTION IN PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU WOULD GET AN ANSWER THAT DAY. EITHER DURING THE ITEM OR FROM THE STAFF BEFORE EVERYBODY LEFT FOR THE EVENING. I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO THAT BECAUSE IT IS KIND OF DYSFUNCTIONAL HAVING ALL THESE GREAT PUBLIC COMMENTS AND THEN Y'ALL AREN'T ALLOWED TO SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT ATTORNEYS HERE TELLING YOU TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT JUST LIKE THEY TRIED TO DO TO US. AND THAT NEEDS TO STOP. ON TRANSIT, THERE IS NO TRANSIT SYSTEM IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. NONE. WE HAVE THE COA BUDGET , WHICH HAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF COUNTY FUNDS FOR THE SUNSHINE BUSES. AND THEY ARE TOTALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL. I WOULD COUNCIL AND URGE EACH OF Y'ALL SOMETIME JUST FOR FUN TO TRY TO TAKE A COA BUS TO GO FROM HERE TO THERE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. EVEN ON THE ISLAND IF YOU WANTED TO GO TO THE LIBRARY YOU WOULD HAVE TO TAKE TWO BUSES AND TRANSFER. IT IS A VERY POORLY DESIGNED SYSTEM. ONE OF THE WORST I HAVE SEEN IN THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, WHERE I SPENT SEVERAL YEARS. IN THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE THEY TALKED ABOUT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LIST OF NUMBERS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, IS ST. JOHNS COUNTY BY ANALOGY TO THE FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT GOING TO REQUIRE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEES BE FAIRLY REPRESENTATIVE? HOW MANY PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION DON'T DRIVE ? CAN'T DRIVE. DON'T HAVE CARS. SHOULDN'T DRIVE. PEOPLE LIKE ME. GOT ARTHRITIS. YOU WOULD NOT WANT ME DRIVING. WHY DOESN'T ST. JOHNS COUNTY ADDRESS THE NEEDS

[01:55:05]

OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T DRIVE CONNECT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD A CAR TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE? THE SUNSHINE BUS COMPANY DOESN'T EVEN RUN ON SUNDAY. YOU COULDN'T EVEN GET TO CHURCH ON ONE OF THOSE BUSES AND THEY RUN PAST ANY GIVEN LOCATION, LIKE, FIVE TIMES A DAY. THAT IS TOTALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL. THEIR ENGINEERING COMPANIES. AND ROAD BUILDERS. AND IT KIND OF REMINDS ME OF A LOVELY SERIES OF CARTOONS IN THE DOONESBURY COMIC STRIP FROM ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO WHERE ONE OF THE CHARACTERS FROM OKLAHOMA AND HIS GRANDDADDY OR SOMEBODY WAS TAKING PAYOFFS. I THINK THERE WAS A PRICE FIXING SCANDAL BACK THEN. ABOUT 27 STATES , ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST WHERE THE ROAD BUILDERS BRIBED THE OFFICIALS TO GET PROJECTS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CAMPING CONTRIBUTORS HERE, FOLKS. PEOPLE WHO GET BIG MONEY AND WANT THESE ROADS BUILT. HE MIGHT GIVE YOU A SIDEWALK OCCASIONALLY, BUT I WOULD LIKE A FUNCTIONING TRANSIT SYSTEM. HOW ABOUT LIGHT AND RAIL? IF YOU LOOK AT THE NATIONAL LEGISLATION, I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT IT ON JANUARY 10TH TO THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION. WE HAVE GOT THAT IN HERE. WITH THE SAN AUGUSTINE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK TO GET FEDERAL FUNDS TO BUILD A TRANSIT SYSTEM YOU CAN BE PROUD OF AND GET PLACES TO WITHOUT A

CAR. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> CALL CROSBY. 1169 NECK ROAD. I'M REALLY THRILLED TO HEAR THE TOPIC BEING RAISED BY THESE TRAILS BECAUSE I'VE ACTUALLY SENT SOME EMAILS TRYING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPECIFICALLY WHAT YOU CALL THE ORANGE DALE TO -- TRAIL. WE DESPERATELY NEED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ON THIS. I JUST WANT TO KNOW MORE.

WE DON'T WANT SURPRISES ABOUT STRIPS OF TREES COMING DOWN OR WHAT HAVE YOU. I THINK TRAILS ARE OF COURSE A GREAT THING, BUT I'M REALLY CONCERNED NOW WHEN I LOOK AT NUMBER FOUR. 24 STREET TO MICHAEL ROAD ALONG A 1A. HUGE STRETCH. THE SCIENTISTS HAVE HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT NOT PUTTING THE TRAILER ON A 1A. THERE IS A LOT OF -- AND ALSO AUDUBON. THEY HAVE WRITTEN UP A LOT ABOUT HOW THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. AND THERE'S OTHER EVIDENCE THAT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO BRING FAMILIES OVER TO A 1A AND HAVING THEM RECREATE ALONG A 1A FOR WE HAVE HAD SO MANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON ALONG THE EDGE OF A 1A. I GUESS MY LARGER QUESTION IS, HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY GET INVOLVED? I'M KIND OF LOOKING AT YOU, MR. D'SOUZA . JUST FIND OUT MORE SO WE CAN HAVE

SOME INPUT. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? GOOD MORNING.

>> AT THAT TIME I WALKED A LOT FASTER. VIVIAN BROWNING. 30 BEACHCOMBER WAY. APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO Y'ALL.

CHAIR JOSEPH AND FELLOW COMMISSIONERS , I APPRECIATE YOUR PREVIOUS SUPPORT . AND I WELCOME THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.

FIRST, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE TRAILS. DURING MY TIME , I HAVE BEEN PRESIDENT OF NORTH SHORE. LED THE FOUNDING OF THE TOWN CENTER. 18 YEARS MAIN STREET PRESIDENT . AND I'M A RESIDENT BUSINESS OWNER . AND I'M STILL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES . THE SITUATION ON THE TRAILS IS I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE TPO WHEN THEY WANTED TO MOVE THE TRAIL OFF THE COAST, BUT I DO AGREE WITH THIS LINEUP OF TRAILS. AND I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION FOR KEEPING UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE TRAILS ARE SO IMPORTANT ALONG THE COAST . AND THEY CONNECT INTO THE EAST COAST GREENWAY . IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD OF THAT, IT WILL BE A TRAIL OR IT IS A TRAIL FROM MAINE TO KEY WEST ABOUT 3000 MILES. THESE TRAILS NUMBERS TWO , THREE, AND FOUR UNDER TRAILS WILL BE PART OF THAT. AND THIS -- THE MAIN REASON -- LET'S SEE. THE TRAIL THAT GOES UP TO 24TH STREET. THAT IS ONLY ABOUT THREE MILES FROM THE BRIDGE UP TO THE BEACH PARK. SO THAT WILL OPEN UP HUNDREDS OF HOMES TO BE ABLE TO WALK IN AND OUT OF THE TOWN

[02:00:03]

CENTER. WALK INTO SAN AUGUSTINE. IT IS VERY -- DESIGN NOW. AND THAT IS A LOW-COST TRAIL BECAUSE IT IS VERY SHORT.

I BELIEVE THAT IF WE COULD GET THE NEXT SECTION TAKEN CARE OF , THAT WOULD BE THE -- WELL, THE DUVAL COUNTY LINE HOOKS US INTO THE GREEN COAST . THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT PART OF THE TRAIL. THE OTHER PART -- IF WE COULD GET FROM NORTH BEACH PARK UP TO THE EDGE OF YOUR DISTRICT , COMMISSIONER -- IF WE COULD GET THAT FAR , YOU CAN GO OVER THE DAM AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER AND GET INTO. YOU CAN GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BRIDGE AT PALM VALLEY . AND YOU CAN COME BACK OUT WITH WHAT THEY ARE DOING THEIR . SO YOU COULD HAVE SORT OF AN IN LAND TRAIL FOR THAT SECTION IF IT DOESN'T GET TRACTION ALONG A1A. THANK YOU.

I AM IN SUPPORT. I TOLD MY STUDENTS WHEN I TAUGHT SCHOOL , YOU EITHER HAVE A CAR BECAUSE YOU WANT ONE OR YOU DON'T HAVE ONE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT. SO YOU NEED A TRAIL, SIDEWALK, OR SOME WAY TO GET TO WORK. THANK YOU. YOU ARE A

GENTLEMAN. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, BORED. HOW ARE YOU? MY NAME IS ADAM LYNN. I ACTUALLY WAS NOT PLANNING ON GETTING UP HERE AND TALKING TODAY. I WAS HERE IN SUPPORT OF ANOTHER ITEM, BUT TO SEE THE TRANSIT ITEM ON THE DOCKET, IT DEFINITELY -- I AM IN UBER SUPPORT OF THIS. I OWN A OLD TOWN CONNECT. WE ARE OPEN - ON SUNDAYS. BUT WE JUST WORK IN SUCH A SMALL AREA. WE CONCENTRATE BETWEEN DOWNTOWN AND THE BEACH MAINLY BECAUSE OF COST. OUR INSURANCE IS HIGH. COST OF FUEL IS OBVIOUSLY HIGH TOO. WE CAN'T OPERATE ON A MASSIVE LEVEL YET JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE USAGE THERE YET. BUT I THINK THAT TRANSIT IN THE COUNTY IS MUCH NEEDED. HE IS RIGHT. SUNSHINE BUS. I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE SCHEDULE. ONCE AN HOUR KIND OF THING. IT DOES WORK. WE ARE MORE ON AN ON-DEMAND SYSTEM. WE COME AND GET YOU AS REQUESTED. USUALLY ONLY HAVE ABOUT A 15-MINUTE WAIT TIME. WE STAY OUT OF DOWNTOWN. THERE'S THINGS WE WORK IN BETWEEN. BUT I USED TO RUN RESTAURANTS HERE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH FOR YEARS. GENERAL MANAGER. I SAW AROUND '07 A SHIFT OF EVERYONE STOPS COMING TO THE BEACH AND GOING TO DOWNTOWN. AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO REALLY INTERMINGLE THE CROWDS. THEY WOULD NOT GO TO DOWNTOWN BECAUSE OF THE PARKING OR LACK OF TRANSIT . I MOVED AWAY FOR A COUPLE YEARS. WHEN I CAME BACK I SAW THERE WAS A NEED AND A NICHE FOR THAT.

ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF COVID. UBER IS UNRELIABLE. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T SHOW UP. SOMETIMES THEY CHARGE YOU MORE. I THOUGHT THERE HAD TO BE SOMETHING MORE FOR OUR GUESTS AND OUR LOCALS.

BUT I AM IN MUCH SUPPORT OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING. HOPEFULLY I CAN SEE A LOT MORE. A LOT MORE TRANSIT COMING ABOUT. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> SHERRY BADGER. 2772 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE. LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR YOUTH. OUR YOUTH CANNOT GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. CAR INSURANCE ON A VERY LOW BASICS TO HAVE YOUR CHILD DRIVE IS $600 A MONTH . THESE CHILDREN HAVE NO WAY TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. OTHER THAN THEIR PARENTS. I'M SURE EVERYBODY IN HERE CAN AFFORD $600 A MONTH FOR A CHILD TO DRIVE THEIR CAR PLUS ON TOP OF THE OTHER INSURANCE ALREADY.

BUT THE SUNSHINE BUS DOES NOT RUN PAST 9:00. THERE IS NO BUSINESS IN THIS TOWN THAT CLOSES AT 9:00. MAYBE THEY CLOSE AT 9:00, BUT THE STAFF HAS TO WORK UNTIL 9:00, 9:30, 10:00. OR WHATEVER IT IS. WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, THERE USED TO BE A PUBLIC BUS. AND IT WAS FROM THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. AND THE LAST ROUTE WAS A REAL AVENUE. BUT THAT BUS WAS MORE RELIABLE BACK THEN -- 40 YEARS AGO -- THAN THE TRANSPORTATION WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU.

[02:05:01]

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> WE ARE BACK TO THE BOARD. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE

COMMISSIONERS? DISCUSSION? >> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO MOVE IT

IF YOU WOULD LIKE. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

I'M GOING TO MOVE TO APPROVE THE 2025 ST. JOHNS COUNTY ROADWAY TRANSPORTATION OH LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS .

TRANSMITTAL TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE NORTH FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

ORGANIZATION. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE. THAT IS 5-0. IT PASSES. OKAY. NOW NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER FOUR. JAMIE

[4. Change Order #06 to Master Contract 20-MAS-ENG-12227 with England Thims & Miller, Inc., under RFQ 20-10; Design of Intersection & Widening Improvements for State Road (SR) 16 at International Golf Parkway (IGP) to San Giacomo Road. In 2020, the County issued RFQ 20-10 for the Design of Intersection & Widening Improvements for State Road 16 at International Golf Parkway to San Giacomo Road, which included professional engineering services for the complete design, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, utility coordination and construction documents. On July 20, 2020, the County entered into contract with England Thims & Miller, Inc, as the top-ranked firm. Change Orders #01, #03, and #04 have been issued to extend the completion time of the work. Due to the requirement for an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) by FDOT, the initial contract only included Phase I scope, and price, and Change Order #02 was done to authorize Phase II for complete design. Change Order #05 provided for additional engineering design, surveying, geotechnical exploration and testing, plans production, and permitting to extend the project limits along IGP, and to include a stormwater outfall. Change Order #06 is proposed for the design of SJCUD facilities from CR 2209 to the eastern SR 16 reconstruction limits, additional environmental permitting due to the US Army Corps of Engineers assuming responsibility of FDEP permitting, additional geotechnical analysis as required by FDOT comments received on the 60% plan submittal, sketch and legal descriptions, addition of an expenses item for printing, delivery service, mileage, and permitting fees, and the addition of a Post Design Services task. Proposed Change Order #06 conveys an additional cost of $128,363.38, which increases the total contract value to $1,179,589.60. Due to the added cost being in excess of 25% of the initial contract value, proposed Change Order #06 must be reviewed and approved by the Board of County Commissioners in order for it to be executed. Staff recommends Board approval to execute Change Order #06 for the above-mentioned additional work.]

LOCKLEAR. >> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS FOR CHANGE ORDER NUMBER SIX TO THE CONTRACT WITH ENGLAND THAMES AND MILLER FOR THE CONTRACT AT 16 AND IDP. THERE WE GO. SO TO TAKE US BACK, THIS CONTRACT WAS AWARDED IN 2010 AFTER DOING AN RFQ FOR ENGINEERING FIRMS. WE INITIATED THE CONTRACT WITH THE FIRST PHASE AT 15% DESIGN BECAUSE THERE IS COORDINATION WITH D.O.T. SO I KNOW THERE WERE QUESTIONS PREVIOUSLY ABOUT THE LOW DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE INITIAL CONTRACT. WE DID THAT AS A PHASE ONE BECAUSE OF THE EFFORTS BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND D.O.T. TO COORDINATE THE PROCESS OF THE PROJECT. WE HAVE DONE CHANGE ORDERS ALONG THE WAY TO INCORPORATE THE FINAL DESIGN AND TO INCORPORATE SOME TIME EXTENSIONS FOR ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE DESIGNS. AND THIS CHANGE ORDER THERE IS ACTUALLY SIX TASKS . THERE IS THE INCLUSION OF THE DESIGN FOR THE REUSE FROM 2209 TO THE EAST END OF THE PROJECT. AND IT IS INCORPORATING IT INTO THIS DESIGN SO WE ARE NOT DOING A SEPARATE SOLICITATION AND CONTRACT FOR THE DESIGN OF THOSE FACILITIES. THERE'S ALSO SOME ARMY CORPS COORDINATION PERMITTING BECAUSE THEY TOOK IT OVER FROM DEP. THERE HAVE BEEN ADJUSTMENTS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THAT CHANGE AND ADDITIONAL DESIGN INCLUDING GEOTECH AND OTHER SERVICES THAT CORRESPOND TO THOSE DESIGN CHANGES.

THERE'S ALSO SOME SKETCH AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS RELATED TO EASEMENTS AND RIGHT-OF-WAY. THERE'S ALSO SOME BUDGETARY ITEMS THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY FOR US TO UTILIZE AT THE LEVEL WE DETERMINE IS NECESSARY FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH IS EXPENSES AS FAR AS PRINTING AND PERMIT FEES AND OTHER THINGS. ALSO POST DESIGN SERVICES. ANYTHING THEY ARE GOING TO DO FOR US WHILE CONSTRUCTION IS GOING ON. WE HAVE A BUDGET IN THIS PROPOSAL FOR THEM TO DO THAT AS WE DETERMINE IS NECESSARY. SO BEFORE YOU TODAY IS THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CHANGE ORDER FOR 128,363 38 FOR THE INCLUSION OF THESE ADDITIONAL SERVICES.

WE'VE ALSO GOT PUBLIC WORKS HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT. MIKE I HAVE A QUESTION THAT THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS DON'T. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE A QUESTION? WHEN THEY COME TO BID -- I KNOW THEY DO A LOT OF PROJECTS FOR US. OTHER PEOPLE DID AGAINST THEM?

>> YEAH. ENGINEERING IS UNDER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. IT'S ACTUALLY PART OF THE COMPETITIVE CONSULTANT NEGOTIATION ACT. WE HAVE TO DO THOSE BY QUALIFICATIONS.

ESSENTIALLY THEY ARE SELECTED BY QUALIFICATIONS BEFORE WE TALK PRICE. YOU CANNOT BID THEM AGAINST ONE ANOTHER BASED ON

PRICE. THERE IS COMPETITION. >> BUT DO YOU LOOK AT THE PRICE

BEFORE YOU PICK SOMEONE? >> NO, MA'AM. YOU CANNOT BY STATUTE. NOT WITH ENGINEERING AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

>> I GUESS I'M CONCERNED THEY COME IN WITH A CERTAIN PRICE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY ARE CHANGE ORDERING DOWN THE ROAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CAN'T GET THE REAL PRICE UP FRONT. ALL THESE THINGS YOU ADDED TO IT -- I DON'T REALIZE THEY COULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT TO START WITH. THAT IS MY ONLY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS. THE REASON IT IS ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE IT WAS ON THE CONSENT ITEM AGENDA AND IT IS SUCH A BIG AMOUNT. I THINK I DON'T WANT TO SEE THOSE KIND OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ANYMORE. THEY SHOULD PROBABLY BE ON THE MAIN AGENDA.

>> THIS ONE WAS STRUCTURED THIS WAY BECAUSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT WITH D.O.T. SO WE DID THE INITIAL CONTRACT THAT WAS FOR A SMALL AMOUNT. ABOUT 50% DESIGN TO CORRESPOND WHEN THOSE PROGRESSIVE SPIT STEPS WITH D.O.T. SO TYPICALLY IF WE HAVE A FULL DESIGN OF A PROJECT, THAT IS WHAT COMES BEFORE YOU. WE DO HAVE A NEGOTIATED AMOUNT WITH THAT CONSULTANT FOR THAT PROJECT AND IT LOOKS AT IT IN TOTALITY.

THIS ONE WAS NOT DONE THAT WAY BECAUSE OF HOW THIS PROJECT HAS KIND OF EVOLVED BECAUSE OF ITS HEAVY INTERACTION WITH D.O.T.

SO GENERALLY WE DO NEGOTIATE A FULL PRICE FOR THE TOTAL PROJECT . THIS ONE WAS KIND OF DIFFERENT IN THAT WAY BECAUSE

OF HOW IT WAS STRUCTURED. >> GOOD. I JUST LEARNED

[02:10:01]

SOMETHING. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? LET'S GO TO PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> WE WILL NOW ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

>> IN ANSWER TO THE CHAIR'S QUESTION, THERE IS A STATE LAW THAT BASICALLY IS ANTICOMPETITIVE. THAT IS THE KIND OF THING WE OUGHT TO ASK THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE. BASICALLY, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO CONSIDER PRICE BECAUSE WHO WRITES OUR LAWS ? LOBBYISTS. AND IN THIS ROOM WE DON'T EVEN REQUIRE A LOBBYIST TO REGISTER . WE HAD A PROPOSAL IN 2016 BY ONE OF OUR COMMISSIONERS. THAT PROPOSAL GOT -- I'M SORRY. IT WAS A COMMISSION FROM PONTEVEDRA BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS BURDENSOME TO HAVE A $25 REGISTRATION FEE. OUR LAWS ARE WRITTEN BY LOBBYISTS. BUT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ENGLAND THIMS AND MILLER BEING REPEATEDLY THE CONTRACTOR FOR ENGINEERING WORK FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY. SIMULTANEOUSLY THEY WORK FOR DEVELOPERS . CALLING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE BIBLE WHERE IT SAYS, A MAN CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS. THAT IS A FUNDAMENTAL RULE IN AMERICA.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST LEGISLATION. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DIXON YATES CAKES -- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA VERSUS THE DIXON YATES CARTEL . MISSISSIPPI VALLEY GENERATING COMPANY . SUPREME COURT SAID THAT PROHIBITIONS ARE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARE BASICALLY BIBLICALLY BASED BASED UPON THAT PROVISION OF SCRIPTURE. A MAN CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS. WELL, HOW DO WE GET A HANDLE ON THIS PROBLEM WITH ORGANIZATION -- CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, THE SAME 271-EMPLOYEE FIRM, ENGLAND THIMS AND MILLER, WORKS FOR US AND BILLS US EVERY MEETING . EVERY MEETING ENGLAND THIMS AND MILLER IS THERE SAYING, GIVE ME , GIVE ME, MY NAME IS JIMMY. THEY MOVED TO CAMPAIGNS AND THEN THEY WORK FOR DEVELOPERS. HOW DO WE REGULATE THAT? HOW DO WE POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND ? I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LADY JUST SAID.

SHE TALKED A MILE A MINUTE. A BUNCH OF BUZZWORDS. AND IT WENT CLEAR OVER MY HEAD. I'M NOT THAT SMART. BUT WE NEED TO LEARN ABOUT PROCUREMENT IN THIS COUNTY. AND WE NEED TO WITHIN THE LIMITS WE HAVE WITH WHATEVER THE LEGISLATURE LEADS US TO DECIDE SAY TO ENGLAND THIMS AND MILLER, WAIT A MINUTE. YOU WANT TO DESIGN THIS PROJECT FOR A DEVELOPER ? AND YOU WANT OUR MONEY FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY? WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ONE? PICK A SIDE. MAYBE WE COULD POSSIBLY FIND SOMEBODY TO ADVISE ST. JOHNS COUNTY ON ROADBUILDING THAT IS NOT ENGLAND THIMS AND MILLER AND NOT WITH DEVELOPERS AND NOT WORKING WITH DEVELOPERS HERE. BECAUSE IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE THIS FORM OF SUBTLE CORRUPTION OF OUR GOVERNMENT BY GIANT COMPANIES LIKE ENGLAND THIMS AND MILLER AND HIS MULTINATIONAL DEVELOPERS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND MUST BE ENDED AT ONCE. WHAT DO Y'ALL RECKON? I'M JUST TROUBLED BY IT. I'M ESPECIALLY TROUBLED BY THE LADY'S ESTIMATION OF THIS CHANGE ORDER . IT WAS CLEAR AS MUD. I DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT.

AND IF I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT, MAYBE SOME OF Y'ALL DIDN'T EITHER. CAN WE GET SOME DEPTH HERE? LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A NEW COUNTY ATTORNEY. A REAL ONE. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. CHARLIE HUNT. HILL CREEK ESTATES. ISN'T IT KIND OF FUNNY WHAT DIAMOND OF DREAMS COMES IN WITH A SET AMOUNT OF FUNDING THEY NEED TO BUILD SOMETHING LIKE THAT ? IN HERE THIS IS. THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED IN 2020 FOR $149,000 TO ETN. THE FIRST SET OF CHANGES FROM 2021 TO 2022 . ACCUMULATED AT $499,000 FOR THOSE SET OF CHANGES THERE . LAST YEAR WAS A CHANGE . A SIMPLE CHANGE. JUST NEEDED SOME EXTRA WORK TO GET DONE. AND THAT ONLY COST $356,000 FOR THAT CHANGE. ONE CHANGE. SO IF THIS CHANGE -- THE SIMPLE $120,000 CHANGE -- CHANGE SIX -- GOES IN, THAT MEANS THAT FROM JULY 2022 TODAY -- LIKE I SAID, IF IT GOES THROUGH, THE $149,000 CONTRACT WOULD HAVE GROWN TO $1,179,589 , WHICH FROM 2020 , THE $149,000 HAS BEEN INCREASED . THERE IN REESE -- THEIR INCREASE HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 680 PRESENT CHANGES. 680

[02:15:01]

PRESENT CHANGES ON THAT SIMPLE CONTRACT FOR THAT INTERSECTION.

COME ON. REALLY? REALLY? LET'S TALK ABOUT A LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM IF THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT BACK THEN. OKAY.

THERE WOULD BE A COUPLE OF CHANGES HERE AND THERE. I BROUGHT THIS UP LAST YEAR ABOUT THIS RIDICULOUS CHANGE OF $350,000 . ALL RIGHT, THIS IS ANOTHER ONE JUST TO GET THE MONEY IN. REALLY. I DON'T KNOW. IF THIS IS THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM, HOW -- CHANGES? BECAUSE AFTER THE LAST TIME I SPOKE ABOUT THIS AT $350,000 CHANGE , IN A BREAK OFF TO THE SIDE I WAS APPROACHED AND TOLD THE REASON THEY NEEDED THAT CHANGE IS BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE OF COST OF ASPHALT . THERE WAS NOTHING GETTING PAID THERE AT THAT TIME. THERE WAS NOTHING. NO MARKERS OR ANYTHING IN THAT AREA. I DRIVE BY THAT AREA EVERY DAY. EVERY TIME. OKAY? THIS IS JUST PAYING OFF, PAYING OFF. AND IF YOU DON'T LOOK AT HOW THIS WILL MANIPULATE AND IT DOES MANIPULATE THE BUDGET -- ALL RIGHT , COME ON. 680% INCREASE ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU , MR. HUNT. >> JOE MCINERNEY. BLACKBERRY LANE. I DID HAVE ALSO A CONCERN ABOUT THIS CONSENT AGENDA ITEM TWO WEEKS AGO AND PRESENTED SOME INFORMATION THAT EXPLAINED MY CONCERN . I'M NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT PROCUREMENT. BUT ABOUT DESIGN . MYSELF AND MY FAMILY WERE MOVED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY IN 2004. I REMEMBER STRUGGLING TO GET OFF OF 95 ONTO 210. THERE WAS A REDESIGN. CONSTRUCTION . AND THEN FIVE YEARS LATER THERE WAS MORE ORANGE BARRELS DESIGNED AFTER DESIGNED AFTER DESIGNED. I GET IT. THINGS HAPPEN. YOU DO THE BEST YOU CAN WITH THE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE . BUT MY CONCERN TWO WEEKS AGO IS MY CONCERN TODAY. I GUESS I WAS HOPING ETN WOULD BE HERE. MAYBE MR. D'SOUZA CAN GIVE ME A ONE-WORD ANSWER, WHICH WILL BE YES. BUT HERE IS WHAT I PRESENTED. AGAIN, I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN INTERSECTION AND WIDENING IMPROVEMENT FOR IGP AT 16. SO WHAT I PRESENTED WAS THAT IN 2020. THAT IS ACTUALLY 2019 STATISTICS. PROBABLY ETN MOVED FORWARD WITH THESE STATISTICS. HAVING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, WE NEEDED SOLUTIONS. ALMOST TWICE OVERCROWDED IGP WAS ALREADY AT 105 AND SO FORTH. AND THEN I PRESENTED THIS TWO WEEKS AGO AS WELL. LOOK HERE. ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS HAVE GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY. MY ONLY QUESTION WAS , GIVEN 2004 AND HOW I SAW THE 210 95 INTERSECTION ALWAYS WITH ORANGE BARRELS . HAS ETN PREPARED A DESIGN THAT ACKNOWLEDGES OUR CURRENT STATISTICS? THEIR CONTRACT STARTED IN 2020 BASED ON 2019 STATISTICS. I DON'T KNOW. THAT IS THE ONLY QUESTION I WOULD ASK. THE DESIGN WE ARE GOING TO RECEIVE. WILL IT DO THE JOB? AGAIN, MAYBE ORANGE BARRELS WILL BE NEEDED AGAIN AND AGAIN. WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT NEW TRAFFIC COMING ALREADY TO WORLD COMMERCE CENTER. BUT THAT WAS MY ONLY QUESTION TWO WEEKS AGO. IT IS MY QUESTION TODAY. I WISH ETM WAS HERE. BUT IF MR. D'SOUZA KNOWS AND CAN GIVE ME A ONE-WORD ANSWER, WE ARE PROCEEDING WITH THE BEST INFORMATION WE HAVE. THE INTERSECTION DESIGN LOOP WILL DO THE JOB. THAT IS MY ONLY

QUESTION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> CHUCK LEVIN IN. 1748. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF CHANGES AT THAT INTERSECTION. I KNOW OF THREE HARD PRINTED CHANGES TO THAT INTERSECTION. THAT IS THREE . ONE QUESTION I'VE GOT IS, WHY SO MANY CHANGES ? WHY NOT COME UP WITH YOUR DESIGN? YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE LIKE.

WHY NOT COME UP WITH A SINGLE DESIGN, PERIOD. I MEAN, THERE WERE MAJOR CHANGES. ETM HAS TO GO THROUGH AND REDESIGNED THE THING ALL OVER AGAIN. SO WE'RE GENERATING THE COST OURSELVES.

WE SHOULDN'T BE. WE SHOULD COMEUP WITH A DESIGN AND SAY,

[02:20:05]

THIS IS THE DESIGN WE WANT, PERIOD. AS FAR AS COSTS ARE CONCERNED , WHY ISN'T F.PAYING ? YOU REALIZE HOW MANY TIMES 16 HAS BEEN BORED? I KNOW OF SIX TIMES PERSONALLY. THIS IS OVER YEARS . I HAVE SEEN THE GUYS OUT THERE BORING THAT HIGHWAY TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THERE. TURNS OUT F.DO NOT LIKE THE WATER SETTING OUT THERE RIGHT NOW . THAT IS WHY THEY HAD TO GO BACK AND REDO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. AGAIN, THAT IS COST OVERRUN. WE SHOULDN'T BE HAVING TO DO ALL OF THESE BORINGS. MAYBE F. WILL PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL BORINGS WE HAVE TO DO. THANKS.

>> WEST CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. FIRST OF ALL, I REALLY WANT TO THINK -- I WON'T USE ANYBODY'S NAME .

FOR TAKING THIS OFF OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AND BRINGING IT BACK TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. AND I WILL SAY AGAIN , THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PUBLIC COMMENT . NOT ONLY DURING PUBLIC COMMENT IN THE BEGINNING AT 9:00 . WONDERFUL. BUT ALSO DURING THESE AGENDA ITEMS BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE THE PROBLEM STARTS. WE DON'T KNOW AND UNDERSTAND. AND I THINK MAYBE IT IS UP TO THE ADMINISTRATOR AND THAT OFFICE AND THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO EXPLAIN TO ALL OF YOU ON THE BOARD WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND CLEARLY BECAUSE I DON'T AND I LISTEN TO THE STUFF. BUT WHEN PUBLIC COMES UP AND THEY HAVE DONE ALL OF THEIR RESEARCH AND SHOW US PICTURES AND ALL KINDS OF STUFF . THEY KEEP COMING IN HERE AS A PUBLIC MEMBER . NOT GETTING PAID ANYTHING. BUT I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE THAT KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT ALL THIS STUFF THAN I DO. ALL I KNOW -- I SEE THOSE ORANGE LITTLE THINGS TOO. THEY ARE NOT GOING AWAY, FOLKS. THE THING IS, ETM ALSO DOES THE SAME THING IN THE CITY LIMITS OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. THEY ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY. BRINGING THIS BACK AND BRINGING THIS BACK, WE KNOW THERE IS INFLATION. OUR TAXES WENT UP. BUT IF THERE IS INFLATION FOR US AND THEN THERE IS AN INCREASE ON EVERY ONE OF THESE DEVELOPERS AND WE HAVE TO LET THEM HAVE THE INCREASE , I THINK WHEN YOU MAKE A DECISION THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD TO IT . AND WE DON'T INCREASE IT BECAUSE SOMETHING WENT UP. THAT IS THEIR PROBLEM. LET THEIR SALARIES GO DOWN AND PAY FOR THESE THINGS INSTEAD OF THE TAXPAYERS. SO ONCE AGAIN , I DO APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION THAT SOME OF THE PUBLIC PUTS INTO DOCUMENTING AND GOING OVER ALL OF THIS INFORMATION BEFORE WE GET HERE. AND I THINK AGAIN THAT THE STAFF NEEDS TO BE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON AND CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS , WHICH ARE YES OR NO FOR ONE OF THEM THERE. I THOUGHT SOME OF YOU COULD ANSWER THAT ONE THAT WAS ASKED IF WE ALL REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS. THANK YOU VERY

MUCH FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> BACK TO THE BOARD.

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. >> I HAD A QUESTION. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM MR. D'SOUZA REGARDING SOME OF THE THINGS WE JUST HEARD. I AGREE. IF THERE IS A YES NO ANSWER, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT BECAUSE WE DO NEED TO KNOW IF THEY ARE LOOKING AT CURRENT STATISTICS. I COULDN'T AGREE MORE THAT WE CANNOT KEEP GOING AND HAVING ALL OF THESE CHANGE ORDERS. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND IT IS NOT A GOOD USE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS.

SO WE NEED TO SEE GOING FORWARD HOW WE CAN REDUCE.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. THIS IS A PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT. SO I WILL REALLY DEFER TO GREG AND HIS STAFF. I WILL SAY THAT AS WE LOOK AT THE TRANSPORTATION ANALYSIS SPREADSHEET AND THE NUMBERS WE ARE SHOWN, THAT IS INCLUSIVE FOR SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY EXIST AS OF TODAY .

AND SO IT IS NOT REALLY YES OR NO. THERE'S A LOT OF NUANCES TO TRAFFIC. THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABLES THAT COME INTO PLAY.

WE LOOK AT OUR TRANSPORTATION SPREADSHEET AND HOW WE COUNT TRIPS AND WHAT WE USE TO KIND OF GENERATE THINGS. BUT I WILL LET HER DIG INTO THE DETAILS ON THIS CONTRACT WITH ETM. IT IS

NOT AS CLEAR AS YES AND NO . >>, JUST ASK , ARE YOU LOOKING AT NOT ONLY RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC BUT ALSO ALL OF THE

[02:25:01]

NONRESIDENTIAL? BECAUSE THAT IS REALLY WHAT IS CONTRIBUTING TO TRAFFIC. ESPECIALLY IN THE VILLAGE AREA. IT IS NONRESIDENTIAL. IT IS ALL OF THAT COMMERCIAL THAT IS CONTRIBUTING. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. IS THAT BEING

INCLUDED? >> AGAIN, THAT IS ANOTHER NUACED QUESTION. A FEW YEARS BACK A DIFFERENT BOARD CHOSE TO EXEMPT NONRESIDENTIAL FROM CONCURRENCY. AND SO PRIOR TO THAT DATE , YES, WE WERE CONSIDERING NONRESIDENTIAL . AT THIS POINT, NONRESIDENTIAL IS NOT SUBJECT TO CONFORMANCE IN THE COUNTY. AND SO THEY ARE NOT REALLY COUNTED. PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE PUBLIC, A MAJORITY OF THOSE PEOPLE GOING TO THE PUBLICS THERE WOULD BE RESIDENTS IN VALENCIA COMING TO AND FROM HOME ANYWAY. SO IT IS THIS IDEA OF BYPASS TRIPS . DIFFERENT RATES OF CAPTURE OF TRAFFIC. SO OFTENTIMES YOU ARE LOOKING AT RETAIL THAT IS GOING IN. IS IT REALLY A TRUE TRAFFIC GENERATOR? OR IS IT REALLY CAPTURING TRIPS THAT WERE ALREADY EXISTING ON THE ROAD? SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A WALMART GETTING 2000 TRIPS, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO A WALMART AS A DESTINATION VERSUS HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO A WALMART THAT IS JUST THERE ON THEIR WAY TO AND FROM? AND SO THAT IS REALLY NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD, BUT WE ARE NO LONGER CONSIDERING THESE NONRESIDENTIAL TRIPS SINCE NONRESIDENTIAL -- CURRENCY.

>> ALL OF THE NUMBERS WE ARE SEEING AS PERCENTAGES REALLY

SHOULD BE HIGHER. >> YES AND NO. THE COMER CENTER WAS DRI. THE IMPACT WAS BASED OFF OF RESIDENTIAL. THIS IS INCLUDED IN THOSE COUNTS. IF YOU ARE IN EXISTENCE PRIOR TO THAT EXEMPTION, WHICH PREDOMINATELY THAT AREA IS , THOSE ARE COUNTED IN ACTUAL TRIPS BECAUSE THEY HAVE OCCURRED OR THOSE VESTED TRIPS HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO THEM AND EXISTED PRIOR TO THE CONCURRENCY EXEMPTION. IT IS NOT YES OR NO. IT IS -ISH. IF I CAN USE A VERY SPECIFIC

TECHNICAL TERM THERE. >> DON'T LEAVE YET.

>> CAN YOU HELP ME GET BACK TO THE MAP? GREG CALDWELL. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. THIS CHANGE ORDER RIGHT NOW IS POSITIVE IN OUR EYES BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING THE NEAR COMPLETION OF THE DESIGN AND PERMITTING FOR THIS PROJECT. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COMPLICATED PROJECT. THAT IS WHY IT HAS TAKEN US SO LONG.

THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM ALONG OUR STATE ROUTE 60 IMPROVEMENTS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY CONCERNING TO US. THAT IS WHY WE KIND OF CREATED THE WAY WE DID THIS PROJECT AND THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAD TO HELP CONTROL COSTS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A TOTAL UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE WERE GOING TO HANDLE THE SYSTEM. LUCKILY ALONG THE WAY WE CAME UP WITH A VERY INNOVATIVE SOLUTION THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD RIGHT NOW TO TAKE ALL THE DRAINAGE ALONG STATE ROAD 16 PHYSICALLY FROM THE 2209 INTERSECTION ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE TO A HIGH SCHOOL WASTEWATER -- STORM WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM. THE SCHOOL BOARD IS WORKING WELL WITH US . ETM AND THEIR DESIGN ENGINEER CAME UP WITH THIS.

REALLY REDUCE OUR COST OVERALL THAT WE DID HAVE TO PURCHASE .

WE DO HAVE TO DO SOME RESTORATION OR MODIFICATION TO THE EXISTING , BUT AT A LOWER COST THAN WHAT WE NORMALLY SEE.

SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS. ORIGINALLY THIS PROJECT WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO GO TO IDP. WORKING WITH THE D.O.T., THEY ARE REALLY MAKING US COME ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 2209. NOW WE HAVE A SECTION IN 2209 ALL THE WAY THROUGH IGP. THE STATE HAS PROVIDED FUNDS TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO ASSIST WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PROJECT. THE NEXT PROJECT IS ABOUT $20 MILLION FOR US TO HELP WITH 2209 STATE ROAD 60 TEAM. -- 16.

SO THEY ARE HIGHLY INVESTED AS WELL. THE TRAINS ORDER WE HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU IS TO HELP US FINALIZE SOME OF THE EASEMENTS REQUIRED FOR THIS , HENCE THE SCHOOL BOARD EASEMENTS OVER THE SCHOOL BOARD . THAT IS WHY WE ARE DOING THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS RIGHT NOW. WE DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY HAVE PERMITTING ISSUES GOING ON . THE ARMY CORPS DEP AND BACK TO THE ARMY CORPS. THAT HAS BEEN TROUBLESOME ALONG THE WAY.

WE ARE NEARING THE COMPLETION OF THAT. WE ARE WORKING ON THAT AND HOPEFULLY HAVE ALL THE PERMITS IN HAND THE FIRST PART OF NEXT YEAR. RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING TO THIS PROJECT THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR. THIS IS A HUGE THING FOR ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. 2209 UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW. THAT IS GOING TO TAKE US ALL THE WAY THROUGH IGP . AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO BUILD FOUR LANES FROM STATE ROAD 16 ALL THE WAY THROUGH IGP. THIS I'M ACTUALLY EXCITED ABOUT WHERE WE STAND AND WHERE WE ARE IN PLACEMENT OF THIS PROJECT BECAUSE WE ARE

[02:30:03]

GOING TO SEE IMPROVEMENT STARTING. THIS TIME NEXT YEAR -- AGAIN, I WOULD SAY CONSTRUCTION DOESN'T MAKE THINGS BETTER UNTIL IT IS REALLY FINISHED, BUT WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF WORK GOING ON NEXT YEAR. YOU'RE GOING TO SEE 2209. YOU CANNOT SEE FROM THE ROADWAY, BUT IT IS COMING THROUGH . AND IT IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD RIGHT NOW.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MAJOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS COMING THROUGH THAT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE A LOT OF THE TRAFFIC.

SO WANT TO JUST SHOW YOU THIS MAP . IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS

I HAVE OR YOU HAVE FOR ME. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY ?

>> DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN 2209 IS GOING TO BE OPEN FROM ST. JOHN'S PARKWAY DOWN TO IDP?

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THAT ON THE CONTRACT ALL THE WAY THROUGH DECEMBER OF 2025. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CONTRACTOR , WHO IS DOING A GREAT JOB FOR US RIGHT NOW TO SEE IF WE CAN ADVANCE THE SECTION -- THE NORTHERN SECTION UP TO THE SILVERLEAF PARKWAY . 2209 INTERSECTION. IF WE CAN GET THAT DONE EARLIER THAN THE COMPLETION DATE OF THE CONTRACT -- I DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU A DATE RIGHT NOW. YOU SHOULD BE

ABLE TO PRIDE THAT. >> OKAY. SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT IS, ONE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT THROUGH THESE CHANGE ORDERS LOOKING AT COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE RE-LOOKED AT. AND THAT WE ARE NOT SKIPPING OVER THE PROCESS BY ADDING A CHANGE ORDER . THE OTHER THING IS THAT THE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT HAS GONE THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE AND STUFF LIKE THAT. I KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CHANGE ORDERS AND HOW FRUSTRATING THEY CAN BE. THEY ARE VERY FRUSTRATING. THEY ARE VERY COSTLY. SO I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT IT IS AGGRAVATING AS IT IS THAT WE HAVE TO COME THROUGH AND KEEP COMING BACK FOR THESE CHANGE ORDERS , I DO KIND OF HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY YOU ARE DOING IT. THE IDEA OF USING THE DRAINAGE FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD TO SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN I THINK WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE CHANGE ORDERS . YOU PEOPLE COME UP WITH INNOVATIVE IDEAS TO SAVE MONEY AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT IT COSTS MONEY TO SAVE MONEY. KIND OF SOUNDS WEIRD. I JUST

WANTED TO ADD THAT TOO. >> THE LAST THING I WANTED TO ADD. THE COST WAS JUST OVER $1 MILLION FOR THIS ENTIRE DESIGN.

THE CONSTRUCTION COST. $25-$30 MILLION. SO THAT IS A LOW PERCENTAGE OF THE COST FOR THE DESIGN PROJECT OF THIS SIZE.

THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL . WE CAN IDENTIFY WHERE THE NEXT STEPS NEED TO OCCUR AND THEN WE CHANGED TO INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE PROJECT.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT VOTERS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA DID GO TO THE POLLS IN 2020 AND VOTED TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE FROM $10 AN HOUR TO $15 AN HOUR. OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO PAY PEOPLE MORE MONEY, BUT IN DOING THAT, WE ESSENTIALLY AGREED AS A STATE TO INCREASE THE COST OF GOODS AND SERVICES. THAT IS THE INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.

THINGS WILL COST MORE MONEY . WE THEN HAD THE POST-COVID SPIKE THAT RESULTED IN EVERYTHING GOING UP. AGGREGATE FOR CONCRETE, ASPHALT . IN FACT, WE WERE HAVING A CONVERSATION BACK IN 2021 ABOUT THE COST OF WORKFORCE HOUSING.

WE HAD DEVELOPERS WITH RECEIPTS IN HAND SHOWING US A 1200% INCREASE IN THE COST OF LUMBER. THEY HAD PAPERWORK TO BACK THAT UP. AS IT RELATES TO THIS AGENDA ITEM , ETN IS NOT INSULATED FROM THESE INFLATIONARY INCREASES . IT IS CERTAINLY NOT THEIR FAULT THAT THINGS GO UP AND I'M IN THE JEWELRY BUSINESS. WHEN I GOT IN THE BUSINESS 25 YEARS AGO IT WAS $300 AN OUNCE FOR GOLD. TODAY IT IS OVER $2600 ANNOUNCED FOR GOLD. I AM FRUSTRATED BY THAT. I DON'T LIKE IT ONE BIT. I WISH GOLD WOULD GO BACK TO WHERE IT WAS SO I COULD INVEST IN IT AND GET RICH. BUT THINGS GO UP. WE SHOULDN'T TAKE THAT OUT OF ETN . THEY'RE COMING BEFORE US BECAUSE AS WE SIT HERE THE COST IS GOING UP AGAIN. WE ARE SUBJECT TO INFLATION AS WE SIT IN THIS MOMENT. I WOULD RECOMMEND WE IMPROVE THIS BEFORE THE COSTS GO UP AGAIN AS

QUICKLY AS WE CAN. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I DO HAVE A COUPLE COMMENTS. I AGREE THAT ETM CANNOT -- I MEAN, OF COURSE APPROVE THIS BECAUSE WE WANT TO FINISH THIS. NO MORE ORANGE IN A YEAR. BUT MY CONCERN IS JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARING THE EXEMPTION FOR NONRESIDENTIAL NOW THAT WE ARE GETTING WALMART, BUCKYS -- ALL THESE COMMERCIAL PLACES. HOW DO WE LOOK INTO ACTUALLY BRINGING IT BACK? SORRY TO ASK YOU THAT.

>> AND SO THAT WOULD BE A BOARD DECISION. YOU WILL BE HEARING THE IMPACT FEE STUDY AND THE RESULTS OF THAT AT SOME POINT AND A PRIOR HEARING OF THAT BEFORE THE BOARD WAS WHEN IT

[02:35:02]

WAS CHOSEN TO EXEMPT THE NONRESIDENTIAL AS WELL AS INCLUDING THE BUY DOWN OF THE NONRESIDENTIAL FOR THE FEE TO A LOWER FEE. THAT HAS BEEN BOUGHT DOWN AS WELL. SO AT THAT TIME IS NOT IN THE SAME POSITION, BUT I BELIEVE THE BOARD'S DIRECTION WAS TO DO BOTH OF THOSE THINGS IN ORDER TO INCENTIVIZE NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY TO KIND OF OFFSET THE EXPLOSIVE RESIDENTIAL -- THAT HAD COME ON. THAT WOULD BE A BOARD DECISION.

>> IS ANYONE HERE ON THE BOARD WANT TO LOOK AT THAT AGAIN?

CONSENSUS FOR THAT? >> YES. ABSOLUTELY.

>> SURE. CAN WE HAVE A REPORT ON THAT GIMMICK THAT WOULD BE REALLY INTERESTING. ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE COMMERCIAL COMING

IN. >> IF I MAY , MIKE ROBERTSON.

GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR. WE INTEND TO INCLUDE THOSE OPTIONS FOR YOU WITHIN THAT IMPACT FEE UPDATE , WHICH IS COMING VERY SHORTLY. SO IF IT IS OKAY WITH THE BOARD AND YOU, WE WILL BRING IT BACK WITH ALL OF THE IMPACT FEE INFORMATION AS WELL.

>> OKAY. AND I DO HAVE A MEETING WITH ETN. I THINK IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE PROJECTS. MAYBE WE WANT THEM TO COME AND DO THAT FOR US AND THE PUBLIC. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANYMORE QUESTIONS?

>> I AM HAPPY TO MOVE THIS. MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-539 AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE AND ISSUE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 62 MASTER CONTRACT 20-MAS- ENG -12227 WITH ENGLAND THIMS AND MILLER UNDER RFQ NUMBER 20-10, DESIGN OF INTERSECTION AND WIDENING IMPROVEMENT FOR STATE ROAD 16 AT IGP TO NOT EXCEED AMOUNT OF

$128,363.38. >> I WILL SECOND.

[5. IFAM 2024-01 Silverleaf DRI Road Impact Fee Agreement Modification. The Silverleaf DRI Road Impact Fee Agreement (IFA 2017-02) originally approved by the BCC on 10/3/2017, by Resolution 2017-312, as amended on 8/20/2019 by Resolution 2019-257 (IFAM 2019-03) and on 6/21/2022 by Resolution 2022-209, is being modified to update the total road impact fee credit consistent with the increased transportation mitigation required by the DRI Development Order as modified in 2021 by Resolution 2021-551 and DRIMOD 2024-01 approved by the BCC on 11/5/2024. The road impact fee credit amount is increased from $78,528,877 to $109,060,292, an increase of $30,531,415 for the construction of the CR 16A Connector (River Reach Pkwy from CR 16A to Silver Lake Drive) at a mitigation value of $5,382,659, and Silver Lake Drive Extension at a mitigation value of $20,984,270, and a mitigation payment to the County in the amount of $4,164,486 designated for County improvements to CR 16A. The mitigation value for these improvements is based on the total cost minus the development's percentage utilization of capacity. The CR 16A Connector and the Silver Lake Drive Extension have both been constructed, and the $4,164,486 payment for improvements to CR 16A has been received by the County. Presenter: Jaime Locklear, Director of Purchasing]

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. GO AHEAD AND VOTE. THAT PASSES, 5-0. WE ARE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> AT MORNING, MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS. 100 WHETSTONE PLACE HERE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE. WE ARE GOING TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION SINCE WE ARE ON A ROLL. BEFORE I GET STARTED, I WANT TO INTRODUCE OUR TEAM FROM THE HUDSON COMPANIES. CODY HUDSON, KIM RYAN, AND JOHN METCALF. AND THEN FROM ENGLAND, -- ENGLAND THIMS AND MILLER, WHO IS OUR PROJECT PLANNER, CASEY. BY WAY OF VESPA NATION, THIS APPLICATION IS FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE SILVERLEAF IMPACT FEE CREDIT AGREEMENT FOR ROAD IMPACT FEES. BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS INSTRUCTIVE BECAUSE YOU HAD MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS. I WANT TO WALK THROUGH HOW THIS IMPACT FEE CREDIT AGREEMENT DOVETAILS IN WITH THE SILVERLEAF DRI, WHICH IS DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT. SO TO START OFF , YOU SEE ON THIS MAP THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT IS CALLED THE SILVERLEAF DRI DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT. DRI BASICALLY WAS A CREATION OF FLORIDA STATUTES IN CHAPTER 3 AE THAT TALKS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT THAT IS LARGE ENOUGH TO HAVE REGIONAL IMPACTS ON THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK SCHOOL SYSTEM UTILITIES -- WHATEVER -- THAT YOU DO WHAT IS CALLED A DRI DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT DEVELOPMENT ORDER. SO SINCE WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE DRI, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU COPIES OF THIS BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO WALK THROUGH SEQUENTIALLY HOW WE ARE GETTING TO THE IMPACT FEES AND THE TRANSPORTATION MITIGATION FOR SILVERLEAF.

>> I HEARD MR. SLAVEN IN THE BACK, SO I'M GOING TO MOVE OVER AND SHOW THE PUBLIC WHAT I JUST GAVE YOU. SO GOING TO WHAT I JUST GAVE TO THE COMMISSIONERS WAS A COPY OF RESOLUTION NUMBER 2024-493, WHICH IS THE MOST RECENTLY APPROVED DRI DEVELOPMENT FOR THE SILVERLEAF DRI AS APPROVED BY THIS BOARD ON NOVEMBER 5TH . SO I'M GOING TO GO BACK JUST

[02:40:01]

BY WAY -- I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS OFF AND GO BACK TO THE PRESENTATION. WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND FORTH. AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THIS. SO THIS DRI DEVELOPMENT ORDER RELATES TO ALL DEVELOPMENT IN SILVERLEAF. BASICALLY IT SAYS IN EXCHANGE FOR DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO PAY MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR TRANSPORTATION , SCHOOL SITES, UTILITY CONSTRUCTION , PARKS -- ALL OF THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO SERVE NOT ONLY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN SILVERLEAF BUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE BROADER PUBLIC IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. SO YOU SEE ON THIS MAP A NUMBER OF ROADS , INCLUDING 2209 . SILVERLEAF PARKWAY. WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT SILVERLAKE DRIVE. WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT RIVER RUN ROAD IN STATE ROUTE 16 A. RIVER REACH ROAD. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

SO THE TRANSPORTATION MITIGATION PLAN THAT IS SUMMARIZED ON THIS SLIDE IS ACTUALLY FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT ORDER. SO IF YOU FLIP TO PAGE 27 OF THE DRI DEVELOPMENT , AGAIN, THIS IS AN APPROVED DOCUMENT APPROVED BY THE COUNTY. BY THE WAY , THE SILVERLEAF DRI HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS. AND SO THE LATEST WAS JUST AN AMENDMENT TO THIS DRI. AND SO YOU SEE THAT IN THE TRANSPORTATION ALREADY PREVIOUSLY APPROVED WAS 78 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS IN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS.

AND SO IN THE LAST MODIFICATION , THEIR QUOTA WAS GOING TO CONTRIBUTE AN ADDITIONAL $30.1 MILLION TO THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK FOR A TOTAL OF 109,060,000 AND $292 IN TRANSPORTATION MITIGATION. THAT IS ALL IN THE DRI DEVELOPMENT ORDER . AND IF YOU WILL GO BACK IN THE SLIDE -- SORRY TO KEEP GOING BACK AND FORTH. AND I'M GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH ALL OF THE LINE ITEMS ON THE SLIDE. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS $109 MILLION OF TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS ALREADY DONE. SO IF YOU LOOK ON THIS , YOU SEE CONSTRUCTION OF COUNTY ROAD 2209, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS ST. JOHN'S PARKWAY , WAS COMPLETED IN MARCH 2020 TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST $30 MILLION. BY THE WAY, THAT IS THE MITIGATION VALUE . THE ROAD COST A LOT MORE MONEY TO BUILD . BUT AS STATED IN YOUR STAFF REPORT FOR THE IMPACT FEE CREDIT AGREEMENT MODIFICATION APPLICATION, THE PROJECT ONLY GETS ROAD IMPACT FEE CREDITS FOR A PORTION OF WHAT IT SPENDS BASED ON THE PUBLIC BENEFIT -- I WILL CALL IT -- OF THE TRANSPORTATION MITIGATION PROCESS, MEANING NOT FOR TRIPS CONSUMED BY SILVERLEAF. NOT FOR CAPACITY CONSUMED BY THE PROJECT ON THE ROAD. SO THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE. THE NUMBERS I'M SHOWING YOU ON THIS SLIDE ARE FROM THE DRI DEVELOPMENT ORDER STAFF AND COMMISSION AGREED THAT THESE WERE THE ACTUAL PUBLIC BENEFIT DOLLARS, IF YOU WILL, FROM THE PROJECT. SO CONSTRUCTION. THE SECOND LINE ITEM IS CONSTRUCTION OF SILVERLEAF PARKWAY, WHICH IS AGAIN FOR COMPLETED IN MARCH OF 2020 FOR ABOUT $17.5 MILLION .

THEN WE WERE JUST TALKING ON THE LAST ITEM ABOUT THE EXTENSION OF 2209. SILVERLEAF CONTRIBUTED THE RIGHT-OF-WAY ENGINEERING PLANS ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS , CONSTRUCTION PERMITS, DRAINAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION FOR 2209 EXTENSION TO ST. JOHN'S PARKWAY. THAT WAS CONTRIBUTED IN DECEMBER 2019 TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $29 MILLION WORTH OF VALUE. THE CONSTRUCTION OF SILVERLAKE DRIVE EXTENSION WAS COMPLETED IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR TO THE TUNE OF $21 MILLION.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE 16 ZERO CONNECTOR, WHICH IS CALLED RIVER REEF PARKWAY, WAS COMPLETED LAST MONTH TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 5.4 MILLION . AND THEN THE FUNDS FOR THE 16 A IMPROVEMENTS WERE ACTUALLY PAID ON NOVEMBER 14TH OF THIS YEAR .

4.16 MILLION. SO THAT IS WHERE WE GET THE $109 MILLION OF TRANSPORTATION PAYMENT MITIGATION PAYMENT BY SILVERLEAF . AND THAT IS WHERE YOU GET THE RESULTING ROAD IMPACT FEE CREDIT. SO IF YOU GO THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT ORDER -- AND I'M JUST GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS QUICKLY FOR PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE. YOU WILL SEE THIS IS TRANSPORTATION .

SPECIAL CONDITION 24 . YOU JUST SHARE -- THIS IS PAGE 28. IT TALKS ABOUT 2209. THAT WAS LINE ITEM NUMBER ONE IN OUR PACKAGE.

AND IT HAS A LOT OF TEXT BECAUSE IT TELLS YOU WHAT THE RIGHT-OF-WAY , THE TYPE OF IMPROVEMENT TO BE CONSTRUCTED

[02:45:02]

-- ALL OF THAT . IT TELLS YOU THE CONDITION WAS SATISFIED .

MARCH 31, 2021 -- 2020. AND IT GIVES YOU THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT.

THE DOLLAR VALUE IS RIGHT HERE. 31.9 MILLION. THEN GOING INTO THE STATE ROUTE 16 CONNECTOR , AGAIN, 17 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS RIGHT OUT OF THE DRI DEVELOPMENT ORDER COMPLETED IN MARCH OF 2020. SO AGAIN, THIS IS WHERE THE SUMMARY AND THE SLIDE CAME FROM, BUT YOU HAVE ALL OF THIS DETAIL IN THE DEVELOPMENT ORDER THAT TELLS YOU HOW MUCH THE MITIGATION VALUE WAS TO BE FOR EACH ROADWAY COMPONENT . AND THAT IS ALL WE ARE DOING. MEMORIALIZING THAT A SECOND TIME IN THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE ROAD IMPACT FEE CREDIT AGREEMENT. SO I WILL NOT BORE YOU WITH THE ADDITIONAL DETAILS, BUT I WILL ALSO POINT OUT ON PAGE 44 OF THE DRI DEVELOPMENT ORDER THAT IT TALKS ABOUT IMPACT FEES. AND THIS RELATES TO FLORIDA STATUTES AS WELL AS YOUR OWN CONCURRENCY PROGRAM THAT IMPACT FEE CREDITS FOR CONTRIBUTION OF LAND, MONEY , INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PROPORTIONATE SHARE OR FAIR SHARE CONTRIBUTIONS OR ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS . MAYBE ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER. I'M SORRY.

AND PURSUANT TO THE IMPACT FEE ORDINANCES CAN BE IMPACT FEE -- OR CAN RECEIVE IMPACT FEE CREDITS . AND SO YOU SEE THAT IN WRITING AT THE DRI DEVELOPMENT ORDER ALREADY. THAT IS AGAIN WHAT WE ARE MEMORIALIZING A SECOND TIME IN THIS IMPACT FEE CREDIT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT. SO IF WE CAN GO BACK TO THE SLIDES JUST TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE OF HOW ALL THIS LOOKS ON THE ROAD -- SO HERE IS THE OVERALL COMPLETED. AGAIN, 2209 SILVERLEAF PARKWAY CONTRIBUTED RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT IS BEING CONSTRUCTED NOW . THAT ROADWAY.

RIVER REACH. SILVERLAKE DRIVE . AND THEN THE MONEY FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO 16 A, WHICH WERE PAID LAST MONTH. SO YOU SEE HOW THE ROADWAY NETWORK TIES INTO THE REGIONAL ROADS , WHICH WAS THE ENTIRE -- THE IDEA OF A DRI -- DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT. AND YOU ALSO TALK ABOUT HOW , AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THE DATES THESE ROADS WERE OPENED, THE ROAD WAS OPENED PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC. PRIOR TO THE FIRST CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY WITHIN SILVERLEAF. SO THE ROAD WAS AVAILABLE TO USE COMMISSIONER PIERS'S -- WHITEHURST'S LINGO UP FRONT.

TRAFFIC SIGNALS WERE PLANNED TO BE OPERATIONAL WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE OPENING OF THE ROAD, BUT THEY WERE OPERATIONAL WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF THE ROAD OPENING JUST BECAUSE THE ROAD WAS BEING USED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT LIVING IN SILVERLEAF BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ONE LIVING IN SILVERLEAF AT THE TIME. SO THIS IS THE BENEFIT OF HAVING A DRI WITH UP FRONT PIPELINE IMPROVEMENTS. RIVER REACH PARKWAY. IT CONNECTS COUNTY ROAD 16 A TO THE ELLWOOD AREA. WE HAVE TALKED A LITTLE BIT IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS ABOUT ELLWOOD. THE MAJORITY OF THE TRAFFIC IS CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC NOT FROM PEOPLE IN SILVERLEAF BECAUSE NO CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY AGAIN HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO PEOPLE WHO USE RIVER REACH PARKWAY FOR PRIMARY ACTION. OPENED IN 2023. IT COMBINED WITH RIVER REACH PARKWAY GIVES RESIDENTS OUTSIDE OF SILVERLEAF FAST ACCESS TO I-95 AND COUNTY ROAD 210. SO YOU CAN JUST SEE THAT IMPROVEMENT. AGAIN GOING BACK TO THE ENTIRE PLAN ALONG WITH YOUR STAFF , BY THE WAY, BECAUSE WHEN THE DRI DEVELOPMENT ORDER WAS FIRST PUT TOGETHER AND IT IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN YOUR STAFF AND THE DEVELOPER TO TALK ABOUT , OKAY, HOW DO YOU WANT US TO SPEND THIS $110 MILLION? AND SO THIS IS HOW THE $110 MILLION PLUS SOME BECAUSE AGAIN THE $110 MILLION IS ONLY THE MITIGATION VALUE , NOT THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS, WHICH WERE MULTIPLE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. SO I APOLOGIZE FOR TAKING THIS MUCH TIME, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS INSTRUCTIVE TO SEE HOW THESE TWO DOCUMENTS DOVETAIL IN. YOU SEE THAT WHEN DONE RIGHT , DEVELOPERS ACTUALLY DO BUILD ROADS UP FRONT BEFORE THEY PUT CARS ON THE ROADS IN THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, OR IN THIS CASE, MORE THAN $100 MILLION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER WHATEVER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD?

[02:50:01]

>> I JUST HAVE A COUPLE. SO LET ME FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WATCHING -- LET ME SEE IF I HAVE GOT THIS RIGHT. DEVELOPERS SPEND , LET'S SAY, $100 MILLION BUILDING A ROAD. BUT THEY DON'T GET CREDIT FOR THE WHOLE HUNDRED. THEY JUST GET CREDIT FOR A PERCENTAGE THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD USE . OKAY. SO WE KNOW THEY HAVE TO BUILD THEIR OWN ROADS FOR THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT . AND SO IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GET CREDIT FOR THE ROADS THEY BUILD, IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS IMPACTED TO THE COMMUNITY AROUND IT AND NOT NECESSARILY TO THE COMMUNITY ITSELF.

>> CORRECT. TO YOUR POINT, THE ROADS THAT WERE BUILT BY THIS

PROJECT ARE REGIONAL ROADS. >> OKAY. SO THEY ARE ONLY

GETTING. >> 2209 ROADS THAT BENEFIT THE ENTIRE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK. THEY ARE NOT ROADS THAT WOULD -- THAT I WOULD GET OFF OF TO GO TO MY HOME. THERE LITERALLY 2209 BIG CONNECTORS.

>> SO THEY GET CREDIT FOR ROADS THAT PEOPLE WHO WOULDN'T NECESSARILY LIVE IN SILVERLEAF USE. FOR INSTANCE, I USE THE ROADS. SO THEY ARE GOING TO GET A CREDIT FOR A PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO DRIVES THROUGH SILVERLEAF.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. JUST IN A VERY SIMPLISTIC WAY --

>> THIS IS LIKE A DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR -- NOT EVEN A DOLLAR FOR

DOLLAR. >> IT IS LIKE A $.50 PER DOLLAR . I'M JUST USING THAT AS A ROUGH NUMBER.

>> SO THEY'RE GETTING A PERCENTAGE OF THE MONEY THEY SPEND ON ALL THE ROADS BASED ON THE IMPACT USAGE. TO THE

SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. >> THAT IS CORRECT. THEY ONLY GET THE MITIGATION CREDIT FOR THE CAPACITY CREATED BY THOSE ROADS THAT IS NOT CONSUMED OR USED BY RESIDENTS OF SILVERLEAF

BY THIS EXAMPLE. >> I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE AN IDIOT, BUT I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T DO THIS FOR A LIVING AND THEY REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY $109 MILLION WOULD BE GIVEN BACK TO SOMEONE AND EXPLAINING THAT IS A REALLY BIG HELP FOR ME AND FOR MY CONSTITUENTS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE $100 MILLION -- BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE AT ALL. THIS IS ACTUALLY A REBATE FOR WHAT THEY HAVE

ALREADY DONE. >> THAT'S RIGHT. AND IN YOUR STAFF REPORT ON THE FIRST PAGE I'M GOING TO READ YOU THE LAST SENTENCE. IT SAYS THE MITIGATION VALUE FOR THESE IMPROVEMENTS IS BASED ON THE TOTAL COST MINUS THE DEVELOPMENT PRESENTED UTILIZATION OF CAPACITY . AND THEN IT GOES ON TO SAY THE CR 16 A CONNECTOR AND SILVERLAKE DRIVE EXTENSION HAVE BOTH BEEN CONSTRUCTED AND THE 4,154,000 $486 PAYMENT FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY ROAD 16 A HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY. AND IT IS REALLY THE SECOND LAST SENTENCE THAT IS THE IMPORTANT ONE. THE TOTAL COST MINUS THE DEVELOPMENT PERCENTAGE OF UTILIZATION OF CAPACITY. THAT SUMS IT UP BETTER THAN I COULD SAY IT.

>> AND BETTER THAN I WAS SAYING IT TOO. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> I DO HAVE A STATEMENT OR QUESTION. MY GOOGLE MAPS TAKES ME THROUGH THAT TO ELLWOOD. I GO VISIT ALVIN IN ELLWOOD AND I GET REALLY GOOD POTATO SALAD FROM HIM AND HIS WIFE. ARE THEY

EVER GOING TO GATE THAT? >> GATE WHICH?

>> THE ROAD GOING INTO ELLWOOD. >> NO. THE ROAD -- YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT RIVER REACH PARKWAY. NO. IT WILL NOT BE GATED. IT IS A PUBLIC ROAD. IT IS OPEN TODAY.

>> SO THEN THAT IS LEGAL AND MITIGATED. RIGHT. THANK YOU.

JUST WAS ASKING. >> SURE.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? ALL RIGHT. SHOULD WE

OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? >> WE WILL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE.

>> ED SLAVEN. BOX 3048. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, FOR TAKING THIS OFF OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. AND I WAS JUST APPALLED WHEN THE TOWERS LOBBYIST THREATENED Y'ALL FOR DOING THAT. AS IF YOU HAD DONE SOMETHING ILLEGAL. AS IF YOU HAD BUMPED HER OUT. WE CAN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT THIS STUFF.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING IT OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA. THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE IS A GENTLEMAN OR PERSON LISTED AS BEING THE STAFF CONTACT FOR THIS ITEM.

THEY DID NOT SPEAK. THE LOBBYIST SPOKE. NOW, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE? WE USED TO PRIOR TO 2019 ON EVERY SINGLE AGENDA ITEM RELATED TO DEVELOPMENT HAVE A COUNTY STAFF PERSON SPEAK. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE LEGISLATIVE IN NATURE.

[02:55:01]

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A DEMOCRACY? NO. YOU HAVE A LOBBYIST FROM ROGERS TOWERS, CORPORATE LAW FIRM . THEY MAKE THE PRESENTATION. YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A STAFF PERSON HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT IT ? IS JAN TRANTHAM HEAR? ANYWAY. TOM WORKERS, JOURNALS AND PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, SAID, IF YOU ARE TELLING A STORY ABOUT A BEAR, BRING ON THE BEAR. TRAVIS JAMES HUDSON IS THE DEVELOPER OF THIS DEVELOPMENT. HE IS OUR FORMER STATE SENATOR. HE GOT HIS WAY.

HE ELECTED SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE ON THE BCC WHO MADE SOME OF THESE QUESTIONABLE VOTES TO DO SOME OF THESE QUESTIONABLE THINGS THAT ARE CLOGGING OUR ROADS . YOU CAN SHAKE YOUR HEAD, MS. ARNOLD, BUT THAT IS NOT REALLY ANSWERING ME. I THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE MORE COHERENT STRUCTURE FOR COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS TO WHERE THE STAFF PERSON ASSIGNED TO AN ITEM MAKES A PRESENTATION FIRST. NOT A LOBBYIST. AND LET'S MAKE THE LOBBYIST REGISTER AS THEY DO IN TALLAHASSEE. AS THEY DO IN D.C. I'M COMPLETELY MYSTIFIED AS TO WHY YOU WOULD HAVE A SALES PITCH FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT AND IN THIS MONEY BEING PAID OUT . AND THE STAFF IS SILENT. ARE THEY GAGGED? JUSTICE MAY BE GAGGED, BUT IS NOT -- WE NEED TO COMPLETELY CONSTRUCTOR -- RECONSTRUCTION -- WHEN YOU MADE THE MOTION TO TAKE THIS OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA. AND THE RESPONSE TO THE MODEST REQUEST TO TAKE THIS OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA WAS SO FREAKY.

INAUDIBLE ] I MEAN, DID YOU HEAR HER SAY THAT AT THE PRIOR MEETING THAT SOMEHOW WE WERE BREAKING THE LAW BY NOT GIVING HER ENTITLEMENT TO HAVE THINGS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? TO BE RUBBERSTAMPED. THAT IS KOOKY. THE WAY THIS COUNTY HAS BEEN RUN KIND OF REMINDS ME OF WHAT SHE WOULD BE LONG'S PUPPET GOVERNOR IN LOUISIANA -- WELL, HIS NAME WAS OSCAR K ALLEN.

EARL LONG , HIS BROTHER, SAID THAT A LEAF BLUE IN HIS OFFICE ONCE WHEN OKAY ALLEN WAS GOVERNOR. IN HIS WINDOW AND HE SIGNED IT. THAT HAS BEEN THE APPROACH OF PRIOR BCC S AND PRIOR CHAIRS. SO WE HIRED A LAWYER , WHO NEVER EVEN APPLIED FOR THE JOB. HE IS STILL SITTING THERE GETTING PAID.

GIVING YOU A GLARE. AND THEN WE HIRED A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHO DID NOT APPLY FOR THE JOB EITHER. SO IF YOUR NAME IS TRAVIS JAMES HUDSON, YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT AROUND HERE, BUT IF YOU ARE ED SLAVEN OR ANYBODY ELSE -- SOMETHING HE WANTS TO KNOW THE TRUTH -- GETTING GLARED AT, IGNORED, RECORDS REQUESTS IGNORED AND DISRESPECTED. OUR RIGHTS NEED TO BE PROTECTED AND NOT NEGLECTED. THANK YOU, CHAIR JOSEPH, THANK YOU MR. MURPHY, AND THANK YOU MS. TAYLOR FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING HERE. WE JUST WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH. AND COULD WE POSSIBLY GET A FORENSIC AUDIT OF THESE FEES? OF THIS SO-CALLED -- IT IS NOT A SYSTEM. WHATEVER THE DEVELOPERS WANT TO PAY. THEY WILL HIRE A TEST LIAR -- SOMEBODY TO COME IN AND TESTIFY. THAT IS WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING. AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE EXPERTISE ON THE COUNTY STAFF. WE DON'T HAVE A COUNTY SCIENCE ADVISER? WE DON'T HAVE A MATURE STAFF WITH MASTERS DEGREES AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT. GROSS MISMANAGEMENT OFFICE. WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

AND WE NEED TO STOP FIRING PEOPLE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH.

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? THE TRUTH SHOULD SET YOU FREE.

THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

>> CHUCK LEVIN IN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR REMOVING THIS OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA. IT GIVES US A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. COMMISSIONER MURPHY , I'VE GOT ONE QUESTION THAT I DON'T THINK WAS ANSWERED. WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE THAT THEY ARE GETTING BACK ? ALL I HEARD WAS A PERCENTAGE. I DID NOT HEAR A VALUE WHATSOEVER. I'M JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHAT PERCENTAGE IS ACTUALLY GIVEN BACK . AND WOULD HE BE INTERESTED -- THE DEVELOPER BE INTERESTED IN DONATING A LITTLE BIT TO THE P.A.L. PROGRAM? THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE?

>> HERE SHE COMES. >> AND WE ARE PATIENTLY WAITING. I WILL REMEMBER TO PUSH THE BUTTON THIS TIME. I

PROMISE. >> BJ. WES CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE. I WAS WAITING FOR ANOTHER PERSON STANDING UP TO COME. BUT THAT'S ALL RIGHT. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE

[03:00:06]

CONSENT AGENDA. THIS IS AN EDUCATION FOR US AND THE ONES THAT ARE LISTENING. AND THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING BECAUSE SOMETIMES SOME PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT FORGET WHO IS PAYING THEIR SALARIES. AND EDUCATING US. NOT KEEPING SECRETS. AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO BE TRANSPARENT.

AND I APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONER 'S QUESTION AND COMMENTS BECAUSE HE KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE BILL. HERE IS MY QUESTION A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT. ALL RIGHT. NOBODY IS LIVING IN SILVERLEAF. BUT THEY WILL BE THERE . AND THEN HOW ARE THOSE PEOPLE GOING TO LEAVE THE AREA AND NOT GET ON OUR ROADS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS GOING TO WORK. AND THEY'RE GOING TO USE OUR ROADS THAT WE ARE GETTING BACK TO THE DEVELOPERS . DID I NOT UNDERSTAND THAT ? BECAUSE HOW ARE THEY LEAVING FROM THEIR AREA WHEN THEY DO BEGIN TO BUILD THE LITTLE MANSIONS ? IT'S NOT GOING TO BE TWO BEDROOM. LET'S FACE IT. AND THAT'S FINE. BUT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT PART. AND AGAIN , I TRULY APPRECIATE THESE IMPACT FEE -- BEING TAKEN OFF OF ANYMORE CONSENT AND PUTTING IT BACK ON THE AGENDA . AND IF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE -- THE TEAM AND DEVELOPERS KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, THEY CAN GET IT DONE IN 10 MINUTES. THEY DON'T NEED AN HOUR AND A HALF. BECAUSE I'M GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE. I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE SAD, BUT IT IS 12:00 NOON AND I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT BECAUSE ON YOUR DAYS, THE PCB IN SAN AUGUSTINE MEETS AT 1:00. SO NOT AS JUST A CITIZEN, WHICH I AND , BECAUSE LAWYERS WANT TO COME UP HERE AND CONTACT YOUR DEPARTMENT -- LOT APARTMENT. WELL, CANNOT GET THERE. I'VE GOT TO DO THIS OTHER ONE . OH, MY GOODNESS. CAN YOU PUT ME ON THEIR? THEY NEED TO DO DUE DILIGENCE, OKAY? WE HAVE TO DO DUE DILIGENCE WHERE WE CAN BE . MY BASIC QUESTION IS, HOW ARE THOSE GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS DEVELOPMENT , SILVERLEAF, GOING TO LEAVE ON OUR ROADS AND WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM BACK MONEY? THINGS THAT ARE WORKED OUT THAT WE NEED MORE TRANSPARENCY ON. SO I THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND LET'S ALL TAKE A BREAK. I DON'T KNOW. GO TO LUNCH. BUT THESE PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW TOO . I'M WATCHING THE CLOCK. BELIEVE ME. I'M WATCHING THE CLOCK. I DON'T LIKE THE BUZZER. BUT I KNOW IT IS NECESSARY. SOME PEOPLE DON'T WATCH THE CLOCK. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. ANYONE ELSE FOR AGENDA ITEM NUBER FIVE, EXCEEDING ZENON, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> TO THE BOARD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> YES, MADAM CHAIR, IF I MAY, MS. SMITH -- I GUESS THERE IS A STATE LAW THAT DETERMINES WHAT THE MITIGATION PERCENTAGES WOULD BE AND A WAY TO CALCULATE THAT. TO ANSWER CHUCK'S

QUESTION. >> THAT ONE IS ON.

>> THANK YOU. SO THERE ARE -- YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A CONCURRENCY CHAPTER IN YOUR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE . AND A LOT OF IT IS TAKEN FROM STATE LAW. AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE CHAPTER 163.

SECTION 163.3180 REGARDING CONCURRENCY. AND THEN THERE IS ALSO BECAUSE OF SILVERLEAF IS WHAT IS CALLED A DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT , WHICH IS IN CHAPTER 380. SPECIFIC THE CHAPTER 380 06 . BOTH OF THESE LAWS SET FORTH ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR STAFF BECAUSE IT IS NOT LIKE THESE THINGS ARE DONE RANDOMLY. THERE IS A TRAFFIC STUDY THAT IS DONE. WE WORK WITH YOUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO DETERMINE , ARE THE CALCULATIONS CORRECT OR PROPORTIONATE FOR CONCURRENCY? THESE THINGS ARE ANALYZED AND GUIDANCE IS GIVEN TO WHAT THE ROADWAYS SHOULD BE THAT THESE FUNDS ARE USED TO BUILD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE PROJECT.

>> THANK YOU. >> IS THERE A PERCENTAGE? OR IT IS JUST BASED ON ALL OF THOSE THINGS?

>> IT IS BASED ON THE UTILIZATION OF THE PROJECT OF THESE ROADS. SO THERE ARE VERY DETAILED TRAFFIC STUDIES . I DO NOT HAVE THEM WITH ME TODAY. BUT THEY ARE IN ALL OF THE FILES FOR SILVERLEAF. EVERY TIME THE ORIGINAL DRI WAS SUBJECT TO WHAT IS CALLED APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL . AND IT INCLUDED A HUGE TRAFFIC STUDY. EVERY TIME THAT DEVELOPMENT ORDER IS MODIFIED , ANOTHER TRAFFIC STUDY IS DONE. THOSE ARE ALL IN YOUR RECORDS REVIEWED BY YOUR

[03:05:02]

STAFF AND AGREED UPON. AND THAT IS WHY DRI DEVELOPMENT ORDERS REALLY DO A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE DEVELOPER. BECAUSE IT IS AN EXCHANGE.

>> I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION AND THIS MAP IS FANTASTIC. I LIKE THE LITTLE NEON.

>> I CAN THINK ETM. I CANNOT DO GRAPHICS LIKE THAT.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

>> I WANTED TO THANK COMMISSIONER MURPHY FOR TAKING ÚTIME TO ASK QUESTIONS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BECAUSE IT IS COMPLETED. TRANSFER STRUCTURED -- TRANSPORTATION OF THE STRUCTURE. IMPACT FEES AND IMPACT FEE TRANSFERS ARE ALL VERY COMPLICATED AND CAN TAKE TIME TO LEARN. SO I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER MURPHY FOR ASKING SOME GOOD QUESTIONS.

I'M ALSO THANKFUL THAT THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. JUST REMIND PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE NOT STUCK IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF SILVERLEAF. THEY ARE STUCK IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE A LOT OF DEVELOPMENTS WERE APPROVED THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO BUILD ROADS IN PHASES. IF COUNTY ROAD 210 WEST ONTO GREENBRIER ROAD -- IF THOSE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WOULD HAVE WIDENED THE ROAD FIRST, WE WOULD NOT HAVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION. IF THE BEACH WALK TWIN CREEKS DRI WOULD HAVE WIDENED THEIR ROADS FIRST BEFORE THE FIRST HOUSE WAS BUILT AND OCCUPIED, WE WOULDN'T HAVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION. IF GRAND OAKS WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE BEST DEAL IN THE WORLD AND WIDEN THEIR ROADS WHEN IT WAS $5 MILLION A MILE TO WIDEN THREE MILES A STATE ROUTE 16, IT WOULD HAVE GREATLY REDUCED THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION. SO I WANTED TO THANK SILVERLEAF, THE COMMUNITIES FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING AND BUILDING THE ROADS FIRST BEFORE THE HOUSES ARE OCCUPIED. IF EVERY DEVELOPMENT IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY WAS BUILT THIS WAY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION. MOVING FORWARD, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW TO DO IT. THAT CONCLUDES

MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO -- DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT? I WAS GOING TO

MAKE A MOTION. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. I DO HAVE A QUESTION BECAUSE I'M A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED BECAUSE IT DOES SAY THAT JAN TRANTHAM IS THE PRESENTER AND IS NOT HERE. IS THERE A REASON? WHY ARE WE NOT HEARING FROM THEM?

>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, WE ARE THE APPLICANT AND SO TYPICALLY .

>> BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT EVEN LISTED. I WAS A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED. I DON'T KNOW HOW OFTEN THAT HAPPENS . YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW.

>> YES. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR GROSS MANAGEMENT. BECAUSE IT WAS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA ORIGINALLY, WE PUT THAT EXACT SAME ITEM ONTO THE REGULAR AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING . STAFF DID NOT UPDATE THAT BECAUSE WE WERE STILL WORKING THROUGH WHO WAS GOING TO BE THE PRESENTER. BY THE TIME WE PUBLISHED THAT , THERE IS TYPICALLY NO PRESENTER FOR THE CONSENT ITEMS. THAT IS WHY WE LIST THE STAFF NUMBER .

BECAUSE THAT CHANGE OCCURRED SO QUICKLY. IT GOT PUT BACK ON THEIR. I WAS PERSONALLY WORKING TO MAKE SURE SHE WENT UP THE PRESENTATION READY TO GO FOR THIS ITEM. THAT IS WHY IT REFERENCES MS. LOCKLEAR. BUT BECAUSE IT IS THE SILVERLEAF APPLICATION, MS. SMITH IS MAKING THE PRESENTATION ON

BEHALF OF HER CLIENT. >> THANK YOU. VERY DETAILED.

VERY HELPFUL. THANK YOU. AND THAT IS IT.

>> GO FOR IT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024 540 AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED IMPACT FEE CREDIT AGREEMENT WITH WHITE, FORD, TIMBER, LLC LONGLEAF PARTNERS , LLC, VENTURES LLC, TROUT CREEK VENTURE LLC AND INVESTMENTS LLC TO INCREASE THE IMPACT FEE TO

109 060292. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. GO AHEAD AND VOTE. SO FAR , FOUR. 5-0. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.

[6. Consideration of Presentations under RFP 1976; Destination Marketing Management Services. On Monday, November 18, 2024, at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Tourist Development Council, the TDC voted unanimously to forego presentations, as elected by the evaluation committee, and to proceed with award based upon the evaluation scores from the submitted Proposals. As the TDC is an advisory council of the BOCC, their vote is provided as a recommendation for BOCC consideration. The RFP, attached hereto, provides the option to conduct Presentations as a second stage of evaluation, as determined by the Evaluation Committee. Subsequent to the initial scores related to the submitted Proposals, the majority of the Evaluation Committee agreed that conducting presentations as a second stage of evaluation was appropriate to make the final decision. The Presentations and subsequent Evaluation Meeting have been scheduled with the responding Proposers and Evaluation Committee for December 6, 2024. The Board has two options: 1. Vote to forego presentations and proceed with award based upon the scored Proposals as recommended by the TDC; OR 2. Vote to continue with the presentations and then proceed with award based upon the total scores in accordance with the RFP.]

REALLY. >> INFORMATION IS POWER.

>> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE ON TO AGENDA ITEM SIX. I THINK WE WILL PROBABLY BREAK FOR LUNCH AT 12:30 JUST TO GIVE YOU A

HEADS UP. >> COMMISSIONERS, JAMIE LOCKLEAR. ITEM NUMBER SIX IS CONSIDERATION OF PRESENTATIONS UNDER RFP 1976 FOR DESTINATION MARKETING MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

THE RFP -- THE PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE

[03:10:01]

RFP WERE EVALUATED BY THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE. THE EVALUATION SUMMARY IS IN YOUR PACKET. AS A RESULT OF THE EVALUATION PROPOSALS, THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE AGREED TO DO A SECOND STAGE OF SHORTLIST PRESENTATIONS -- OR IN THIS CASE, PRESENTATIONS FROM BOTH RESPONDING FIRMS . AS A SECOND PIECE TO DECIDE FINAL AWARD. ESSENTIALLY THREE OF THE SIX PRESENT EVALUATORS WANTED PRESENTATIONS. THE OTHER THREE AGREED IF THE PRESENTATIONS COULD BE DONE REMOTELY . AND THE PRESENTATIONS HAVE CURRENTLY BEEN SLATED FOR DECEMBER 6 JUST TO HAVE EVERYBODY ON A SCHEDULE.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE GOT THIS MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED, IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET THOSE THINGS SCHEDULED. THEY HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED AND ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION DEPENDING ON THE BOARD'S DECISION TODAY. THE RFP PROVIDED THE SHORTLIST PRESENTATION AS AN OPTIONAL STEP. SO THIS PROVIDED EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS AND THEN IF DETERMINED BY THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE , EVALUATION OF PRESENTATIONS.

THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE ESSENTIALLY DETERMINED TO DO THE SECOND STEP ON NOVEMBER 18TH. THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL VOTED TO FORGO PRESENTATIONS . INSTEAD TO RECOMMEND OR GO FORWARD WITH THE TOP RANKED FIRM BASED ON EVALUATIONS OF PROPOSALS. AS AN ADVISORY BOARD TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THAT DECISION IS PUT BEFORE YOU TODAY TO EITHER VOTE TO FORGO PRESENTATIONS AND UPHOLD THE RECOMMENDATION , OR VOTE TO CONTINUE WITH PRESENTATIONS AS RECOMMENDED OR AGREED TO BY THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE. AND I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

>> I DO, BUT DO ANY OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. I WAS IN MY PAST AN ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE OF A HOMEBUILDER IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA. WE HAD AN $8 MILLION BUDGET TO FIND AN AD AGENCY. AND SO THEY WOULD PRESENT TO EVERYONE BEFORE YOU MAKE THAT KIND OF COMMITMENT .

AND I DO THINK THAT THEY SHOULD COME IN AND PRESENT IN FRONT OF THIS BOARD BEFORE WE VOTE FOR A CONTRACT IN MY OPINION. CAN

THEY COME DO THAT? >> TYPICALLY THE PROCESS IS THAT A RECOMMENDATION COMES TO YOU OR A NEGOTIATED CONTRACT BECAUSE THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE ESSENTIALLY DETERMINES WHO TO MAKE THAT AWARD TOO. THAT RECOMMENDATION COMES TO THE BOARD FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE OR DENY.

TYPICALLY WE DO NOT INCORPORATE AN ADDITIONAL PRESENTATION FROM MULTIPLE FIRMS TO THE BOARD AS PART OF THAT BECAUSE THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE. BUT THERE IS NOTHING PROHIBITING THAT AS A STEP IF THE BOARD VOTES OR DICTATES THAT TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> I KNOW COMMISSIONER TAYLOR HAS A BACKGROUND IN MARKETING ALSO. I WOULD LIKE A PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD.

>> I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT. >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER

MURPHY. >> I HAVE HAD SEVERAL YEARS EXPERIENCE BEING THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVE FOR MARKETING . ONE OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE HERE THOUGH IS THAT THIS HORSE HAS BEEN ROAD AND THEN BEAT TO DEATH. I THINK IT IS TIME TO PUT THIS TO BED. MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO FORGO THE PRESENTATIONS AND PROCEED WITH THE AWARD BASED ON THE SCORE PROPOSALS. WE HAVE BEEN HERE. WE HAVE DONE THIS A LOT. I THINK THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE THE BEST INTEREST FOR THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND FOR PEOPLE WHO RELY ON TOURISM KINDA FEEL THAT WAY . I DON'T THINK WE NEED ANOTHER PRESENTATION. THAT IS JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRWOMAN. I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER MURPHY. HAVING BEEN THE LIAISON AND BEING PRESENT AT THAT MEETING , IT WAS PRETTY RESOUNDING WHEN IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD. AND YOU ARE RIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON WAY TOO LONG. IF THAT WERE TO BE THE MOTION THAT WOULD BE MADE, I

WOULD HAPPY TO SECOND. >> SHOULD WE GO TO PUBLIC

COMMENT? ANY MORE COMMENT? >> OKAY. AT THIS TIME WE WOULD OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX.

>> GOOD MORNING. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. IT'S BEEN A GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. I'M REGINA PHILLIPS. I AM THE CHAIRPERSON AT THIS POINT OF THE TDC. I SERVE ON THAT COUNCIL WITH PLEASURE AT THE PLEASURE OF THIS BODY. WE HAVE UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROPOSALS BASED ON OVER A YEAR OF BACK-AND-FORTH WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAVE GONE ON, WHICH HAS DELAYED THE LETTING OF THIS CONTRACT . I SAY I SERVED AS COMMISSION WITH PLEASURE BECAUSE NOT ONLY AM I A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT I'M ALSO A DIRECTOR FOR A MUSEUM. I'M ALSO A PART OF A

[03:15:04]

BODY OF PEOPLE THAT SERVED WITH ME THAT OUR INDUSTRY MEMBERS .

AND THE INDUSTRY IS THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MADE UP OF PEOPLE FROM THAT INDUSTRY. AND WE SACRIFICE OUR TIME. I HAVE BEEN HERE ALL DAY. I OPERATE A SMALL MUSEUM AND THAT IS NO SMALL FEAT FOR ME TO BE AWAY FROM THAT OPERATION . WAITING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY . AS WELL AS THE TIME WE SPEND REVIEWING THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRESENTED BEFORE US. THE RFP CAME ABOUT BECAUSE THE TDC RECOMMENDED THAT WE HAVE A COMMUNITY GROUP THAT WILL COME UP WITH AN RFP AND THAT WAS AN OPTION THAT WE WOULD GO FOR THE SECOND SET OF REVIEWS. BUT AFTER SEEING THE SCORES THAT CAME BACK TO US, WE UNANIMOUSLY AGREED THAT THERE WAS REALLY AN EXPENDITURE THAT WASN'T REALLY NECESSARY TO GO FORWARD BEFORE THE REVIEWS. AND SO WE MOVE THAT WE RECOMMEND THE VISITORS AND FUNERAL HERE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, WHO HAS MANAGED THAT CONTRACT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS TO MANAGE IT AGAIN. AND WE RECOMMENDED THAT BASED ON WHAT WE WERE PRESENTED, BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE SCORES OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE THEMSELVES, WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR PACKET, SHOWS IT WAS AN OVERWHELMING SUPPORT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT REALLY DOWNGRADED . AND THOSE WERE STAFF MEMBERS -- AT LEAST ONE OF THEM WAS A STAFF MEMBER THAT VOTED VERY NEGATIVELY AGAINST THEM. SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OTHER PART OF THE AGENDA IS, BUT BECAUSE WE MAKE A SACRIFICE TO COME AND SERVE AND FOR THE ADVISED -- ADVISORY CAPACITY THAT WE HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO SERVE IN IS A SACRIFICE FOR MOST OF US. AND TO NOT ACCEPT OUR RECOMMENDATIONS -- WE ARE NOT JUST GOING AT THIS LATELY, BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN THIS INDUSTRY FOR DECADES WHO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND WE ALL COLLECTIVELY AGREE THAT WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD. AND SO WE RECOMMEND BCB BECAUSE IT IS A MEMBER SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION OF PEOPLE LIKE ME AND HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY THAT DO BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTY. AND IF I COULD GO FOR ONE MOMENT, THEY ARE LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AND THEY ALSO HAVE A RECORD OF KNOWING THIS COUNTY . KNOWING THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE DO HERE AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO US AS RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE SUPPORT RECREATION . THE PARKS THAT WE

TALKED ABOUT -- >> EXCUSE ME, MA'AM.

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

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM IRVING . 887 GARRISON DRIVE. I AM THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE TDC. AND I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS THE TDC VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO DO THIS. BUT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND OF THE TEAM OF THE TDC. I HAVE SERVED ON THE TDC FOR OVER 10 YEARS. I HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS 45 YEARS . AND I DON'T NORMALLY TALK ABOUT MY BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC. IT IS SOMETHING I LIKE TO BE KNOWN AS THE OWNR OF THE SMALL ST. GEORGE HOTEL . BUT THE LAST TIME I BROUGHT IT IN PUBLIC WAS WHEN MR. MANUAL WAS TRYING TO TAKE US IN THE WRONG DIRECTION YEARS AGO AT THE COMMISSION MEETING. ANYHOW , IN MY PREVIOUS LIFE , I WORKED FOR HYATT HOTELS FOR 10 YEARS BACK WHEN HYATT WAS THE COMPANY. I WAS MEANT TOWARD BY THE FINEST HOTEL GENERAL MANAGER IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA . A GENTLEMAN NAMED PETER GOLDMAN WHO WORKED FOR HYATT BUT PRIOR THAT HE RAN FAIRMONT FOR 25 YEARS. HE WAS MY PERSONAL MENTOR . I WORKED FOR -- WHICH WAS A JOINT VENTURE OF CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES. AND THE CONTINENTAL COMPANIES . AND WE RAN THE TOP 10 SPOT IN THE WORLD AND I ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTED PUTTING SPAS ON CRUISE LINES AND HELPED THE CRUISE LINE INDUSTRY DO THAT. I RAN THE GOLF RESORT AND SPA AND BUILT A GOLF COURSE WITH RAYMOND FLOYD. I BUILT ANOTHER GOLF COURSE WITH THE SHARK . AND I BUILT A THIRD GOLF COURSE

[03:20:03]

WITH GARY PLAYER WHEN I WAS AT GRAND RESORT. I WAS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE MIAMI AND BEACHES HOTEL ASSOCIATION. IN MICHIGAN I WAS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE LODGING ASSOCIATION. THEN I WENT TO WORK FOR KKR'S AFFILIATE, CASSELL RECREATION, WHERE I WAS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY. AND I DID MULTIPLE MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR ACQUISITIONS. I WORKED ON BUYING PEBBLE BEACH. I WORKED ON BUYING LACOSTE. I WORKED ON BUYING GRAND DRIVERS RESORT . SO I AM SAYING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE AN IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE BUSINESS . AND I FEEL I'M NOT THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON ON THE TDC. THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT I RESPECT STRONGER THAN MYSELF.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. AT SLAVEN.COM. I AGREE WITH CHAIR JOSEPH. I THINK PRESENTATION FROM EACH WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.

EVEN IF IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE RESULT, WHAT IS THE HARM? FUNDAMENTAL POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DATING BACK TO 1890 IN THE SHERMAN AND TRUST ACT IS COMPETITIVE BIDDING. FREE AND OPEN COMPETITION. SO THE SCORES WERE LOW FOR THE ONE COMPETITOR. WE ARE NOT EVEN GOING TO HEAR THEIR CASE ? I THINK YOU SHOULD LET THEM COME INTO THE NEXT MEETING OR THE MEETING AFTER THAT AND MAKE A PRESENTATION.

THERE IS NO HARM. NO PREJUDICE. IF YOU WERE PICKING AN ADVERTISING AGENCY IN YOUR PRIVATE LIFE, YOU WOULD WANT TO HEAR WHAT EACH AGENCY HAD TO SAY. I DON'T SEE ANY HARM. I DON'T HEAR ANY PREJUDICE. WHAT I DO HERE IS KIND OF LIKE THE TITLE OF A REALLY GOOD BOOK. TRUST US . WE ARE EXPERTS. THE GUY WHO WROTE IT IS ONE OF MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS. TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT. TWO OF Y'ALL HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THIS FIELD. WHERE IS THE HARM IN LETTING YOU HEAR THE ACTUAL PRESENTATIONS AND ASK QUESTIONS IN REAL-TIME? WE NEED MORE OF THIS. ASK QUESTIONS. DEMAND ANSWERS. EXPECT DEMOCRACY. WE APPRECIATE YOUR WANTING TO HEAR PRESENTATIONS. I'M SURE BOTH ARE QUALIFIED. BUT WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO HEAR THEM? WHY THE BIG SONG AND DANCE ABOUT HOW, WE KNOW BEST ? WE HAVE HEARD THAT TOO MUCH. I MEAN, REALLY. FROM DEVELOPERS.

THEY USED TO HAVE AN EXPRESSION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OFFICE . THEY STILL DO. BLACK LUNG CASES. BACK THEN THEY HAD FILES WITH RUBBER BANDS AROUND THEM. ONE OF OUR JUDGES WAS SERVING TEMPORARILY IN A GROUP IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THAT BENEFITS REVIEW BOARD. HE WAS TEASED BY SOME OF HIS FELLOW JUDGES AT LUNCH. DO YOU GUYS REALLY TAKE OFF THE RUBBER BANDS? DO YOU REALLY LOOK AT THE FILE? I APPRECIATE Y'ALL GETTING INTO THIS AND ASKING THE QUESTION AND DEMANDING ANSWERS. LET'S TAKE OFF THE RUBBER BANDS. LET'S HAVE A PRESENTATION. AND LET PEOPLE HERE IN THE COUNTY WATCH IT ON TV OR COME HERE AND LISTEN. AND LET'S USE OUR INTELLIGENCE AND NOT DEFER TO HIERARCHIES LIKE TDC . YEAH. THEY ARE RICH PEOPLE. THEY OWN MOTELS. THEY RUN OUR ECONOMY HERE LOCALLY.

BUT DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE GET TO TAKE THIS OFF THE AGENDA AND NOT HAVE PRESENTATIONS ? THAT IS UN-AMERICAN. IT REALLY IS.

IT IS KIND OF SHOCKING TO HEAR BECAUSE I HEARD NO TIME CRITICAL ASPECT. NO PREJUDICE. NO PRINCIPLED REASON FOR DEPARTING FROM THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ECONOMY DATING BACK TO 1890, WHICH IS FREE AND OPEN COMPETITION. WE HOPE. COMPETITIVE BIDDING. AND TO ENCOURAGE FUTURE BIDDERS .

LET'S DO THIS. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> BACK TO THE BOARD. ANY COMMENTS? THE ONLY OTHER COMMENT I WOULD LIKE -- COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.'S PER

CAPITA GO OUT TO YOU. >> SURE. THE ONLY OTHER COMMENT -- I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT I AM NOT TURNING DOWN YOUR RECOMMENDATION. I THINK I'M TRYING TO BE TRANSPARENT AND OPEN. IF ANYTHING, YOU SELL YOUR CASE MORE WHEN YOU GO UP AGAINST COMPETITION AND YOU BOTH SEE WHAT YOUR IDEAS ARE.

AND EVEN ONE CAN GET IDEAS FROM THE OTHER SOMETIMES. THIS IS

[03:25:04]

TAX MONEY. AND IT IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY. AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT MISSING AN ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY BY ACTUALLY GIVING YOUR HESITATION BECAUSE YOU ARE ON GTB FOREVER. SO IT IS KIND OF A GOOD THING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD HURT. AND IT IS NOT LIKE IT HAS TO BE A FIGHT.

I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR EVERYONE TO SEE WHAT THEIR MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON. I DID WATCH THE VOTE . I DO THINK THERE WAS SOME COMMUNICATION OF EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULDN'T JUST DO THAT PUBLICLY. SO I'M NOT GOING TO AGREE TO THAT, BUT I REALLY WOULD LOVE TO SEE

PRESENTATIONS. GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION . WE ARE NOT HIRING AN AD AGENCY. WE ARE HIRING A MARKETING MANAGEMENT COMPANY, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I HAVE BEEN PURCHASING PRINT, RADIO, AND TELEVISION ADVERTISING FOR MY LITTLE BUSINESS -- MY LITTLE SHOPS AT THE MALL'S -- IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 20 YEARS. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 20 YEARS. MY LITTLE STORES. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WE AS A BOARD KNOW MORE ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS THAN THEY DO, IF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE. I TRUST THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION OF THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. THESE ENTREPRENEURS, MANY OF WHICH HAVE IMPRESSIVE BACKGROUNDS AND RESUMES. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TAX DOLLARS AND PEOPLE'S MONEY, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

I AGREE WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. HOWEVER, THE STATUTE THAT CREATED THE BED TAX OUTLINED WITH THE USE WAS FOR.

THE USE OF A BED TAX WAS INITIALLY ENVISIONED BY A STATUTE TO PROMOTE TOURISM MARKETING. SO IT IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY, BUT THE EXPRESS INTENT OF THE STATUTE WAS TO PROMOTE THESE TOURIST DESTINATIONS. SO IN THAT WAY IT IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY BECAUSE IT IS A TAX BY DEFINITION.

HOWEVER, THESE ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER MATTER EXPERTS THAT ARE BEST SUITED TO RECOMMEND. SO BASED ON ALL OF THAT, I'M GOING TO VOTE TO AGREE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION WITH TDC.

>> DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION?

>> I WOULD BE HAVE TO MAKE THE MOTION. I MOVED TO FORGO PRESENTATIONS AND PROCEED WITH THE AWARD BASED ON PROPOSALS AS

RECOMMENDED BY THE TDC. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, SO GO AHEAD AND VOTE.

AND THAT PASSES, 4-1. LET'S SEE WHAT OUR TIME IS. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BREAK FOR LUNCH BEFORE NUMBER SEVEN. AGENDA ITEM SEVEN. LET'S RETURN BACK

[7. Public Hearing * CPA(SS) 2024-03 Colee Cove Hamlet. Request for a Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the Future Land Use Map designation of approximately 45.8 acres of land, located at 7926 Colee Cove Road, from Rural/Silviculture (R/S) to Residential-A (Res-A), with a site-specific Text Amendment limiting the number of residential uses allowed on the subject property to a maximum eleven (11) single-family residential dwelling units. This request was heard by the Planning and Zoning Agency at their regularly scheduled public hearing on Thursday, November 7, 2024, and was unanimously recommended for approval, 7-0.]

[03:35:29]

>> YOU NEED TO HIRE SOMEBODY TO GO OUT THERE AND TELL US IF IT

[03:35:32]

IS A LEGITIMATE OR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT NECESSARY TO PROTECT. -- IT IS CALLED FLATWOODS. SO THIS AREA RIGHT HERE SINCE WE HAD ALREADY CARVED THIS OUT, IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE. BUT THIS ONE IS ALREADY WITHIN THE SURVEY. I ASKED HER, WHAT SHOULD WE DO? SHE SAID, WELL, JUST TAKE -- SHE SAID JUST TAKE AND PUT THIS WORDING TO PROTECT IT. SO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. AND SO WE DID THAT. SHE ALSO SAID TO PUT THE WORDING , 35-WHAT -- FOOT-WIDE LANDSCAPE BUFFER AROUND THE EDGES. NOW, THAT WILL SATISFY THE ENVIRONMENTALIST DEPARTMENT AS FAR AS PLANNING GOES. THE NORTHWEST SECTOR OVERLAY ALSO SAYS TO RESPECT EXISTING DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS. OUR PLANNED FOUR ACRE LOTS WILL CLOSELY MATCH COLEE COVE HAMLET'S GROWTH.

CAN SEE -- RANGING FROM QUARTER ACR TO . THEN OVER HERE TO THE SIDE LOOKING AT. HAVE WON . PLACED

ITS FUTURE IN >> BOARD, HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I HAVE JUST ONE. ON THE LANDSCAPE BUFFER, IS THAT GOING TO MAINTAIN NATURAL, OR ARE YOU GOING TO CLEAR-CUT IT AND THEN

REPLANT? >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. I HAVE GONE LONG SINCE WE SPOKE EARLIER . I HAVE BEEN AROUND AND AROUND ABOUT THIS. WE DON'T OWN THE TREES.

>> OKAY. >> SO AS A RESULT AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME IT IS UP TO RENIER WHETHER THEY CLEAR-CUT OR NOT.

SO I ASKED STAFF -- JUSTIN KELLY -- AND HE IS WILLING TO COME UP AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE REQUIRED IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO CALL THEM UP AND BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO REQUEST.

>> THANK YOU. SOMETIMES WHEN THEY REPLANT IT IS NOT COMPARABLE TO WHAT WAS THERE . ESPECIALLY THE DENSITY.

>> BY THE WAY, ON THAT NOTE, RENIER UNDER CONTRACT .

CURRENTLY THEY DID NOT CUT IT IN THIS HARVEST RIGHT NOW. BUT IF THEY DID CUT , THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED BY CONTRACT TO PLANT BACK 450 SEEDLINGS PER ACRE ON OUR CONTRACT. SO IT WOULD GET

DENSE AGAIN SOON. >> IN YEARS.

>> YEAH. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. JUSTIN KELLY. GROWTH MANAGEMENT. TO ADDRESS THE CHAIR'S QUESTION, THE DEVELOPMENT EDGE WOULD BE REQUIRED AROUND THE EDGE OF HIS PROPERTY. 35 FOOT DEVELOPMENT EDGE WOULD BE REQUIRED. IT COULD BE CLEARED OR IT CAN BE LEFT IN A NATURAL STATE . THERE ARE MANY REASONS -- ONE WHICH HE JUST SAID. HE DOES HAVE A LEASE ON THAT PROPERTY SO SOMEONE IS ALLOWED TO COME THROUGH AND TAKE THOSE TREES

[03:40:02]

DOWN. HE IS REQUIRED PER CODE. THIS IS THE CODE SECTION HERE.

THESE FIRST FOUR BULLET POINTS HERE UNDERNEATH THIS CODE SECTION IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE ARE THE REQUIRED PLANTINGS THAT WILL HAVE TO GO BACK INTO THAT AREA TO MEET THE DEVELOPMENT EDGE STANDARDS. SO THAT IS WHERE HE WILL BE REQUIRED TO INSTALL IF AN AREA DOES GET CLEARED OUT. IT ALSO ACCOUNTS FOR THE BRAKES ON THAT DEVELOPMENT EDGE. IF THERE ARE ANY BREAKS IN THE DEVELOPMENT EDGE WERE TREES ARE NOT EXISTING, HE WOULD HAVE TO COME IN IN THOSE BRAKES.

>> AND IT CANNOT BE LITTLE SEEDLINGS.

>> CORRECT. THAT IS WHERE THE CODE SECTION GOES THROUGH AND EXPLAINS THERE'S MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS ON THE PLANTINGS. SPACING TO ALLOW THEM TO GROW AND GET BIGGER. IF IT DOES GET CLEARED YOU WILL HAVE TO MEET THOSE.

>> GOOD JOB. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM

NUMBER SEVEN. >> JOE MCINERNEY. I USED THE LUNCH PERIOD TO HAVE A GREAT MEETING WITH OUR APPLICANT HAD MANY OF THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE BACK THERE WITH -- THAT HAVE QUESTIONS. LET ME JUST SAY SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY I WANT THIS TO WORK. I REALLY DO. I LOVE THE TREES. I LOVE THE LOCATION. I KNOW THERE ARE COMPLICATIONS . BUT SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY , I HOPE THERE IS A GOOD RESOLUTION THAT COMES OUT OF TODAY'S MEETING.

LOOK, I WAS PREPARED TO COME HERE INITIALLY TO SAY , IF YOU WOULD -- TO SAY THAT I HAD A CONCERN -- WHAT DO WE GOT TO DO HERE? THERE WE GO. I DID HAVE A CONCERN WITH WHAT THE ROAD LAYOUT WOULD LOOK LIKE. AND THIS IS A WELL AREA .

PROTECTION SAYS EACH INDIVIDUAL HOME WILL HAVE TO SELF PROTECT WITH FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM. SO I AM REMINDED THAT OUR OTHER APPLICANTS , WHO HAVE COME BEFORE YOU, SAY THAT WE WILL COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE STANDARDS IN THE COUNTY CODES.

I LOVE THIS APPLICANT. THIS IS NOT THE GREAT PRESENTATION WITH 450 SLIDES AND 300 -- I JUST LOVE THIS APPLICANT. BUT THAT WAS A CONCERN I HAD . I AM WILLING TO SAY IT WILL WORK.

SOMEHOW IT WILL WORK. ALSO PREPARED TO COME AND SAY I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE TREES. I REALLY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT RENIER. AND IT DOES SOUND AS THOUGH IN GOOD FAITH -- I MEAN, COME ON. IT STAYS AS THOUGH OUR WITH THE TEXT AMENDMENT TO LIMIT THIS TO 11 LOTS. YOU CAN PUT 45 ON, BUT YOU ARE LIMITING TO 11. A CONCERN WAS THAT A DEVELOPER IS GOING TO BE SOLD TO A DEVELOPER. THE DEVELOPER CAN COME BACK IN FRONT OF YOU AND SAY IT SAYS 11 BUT I'M ASKING YOU TO MAKE IT 45. THAT COULD HAPPEN. NOTHING IS FOREVER, BUT I THINK IN GOOD FAITH, THIS APPLICANT IS TAKING THE RIGHT STEPS. I LOVE THAT HE HAS ASKED THE QUESTIONS. WE HAVE A GREAT STAFF. GOOD ANSWERS. DOESN'T HAVE $5 MILLION TO HIRE THE BIGGEST CONSULTANTS IN TOWN. I THINK HE'S DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN.

I JUST HAVE A CONCERN. IT SOUNDS TO ME AS THOUGH HE IS REMOVING THEIR OPPORTUNITIES. AND THERE WILL BE A COMPENSATION HE WILL HAVE TO PAY. SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO PAY RENIER. I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT. I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT, BUT THAT IS AN IMPEDIMENT THAT IS OUT THERE THAT IS CONCERNING. WOULD ALL THE TREES BE CUT DOWN? I DON'T KNOW THE RIGHT QUESTION AND THE RIGHT ANSWER. BUT SOMEHOW SOMEWAY I HOPE WE COME OUT OF HERE TODAY WITH SOME AGREEMENT AND SOME DRUPAL -- APPROVAL. I'M GOING TO LEAVE THESE HERE BECAUSE I'M FINISHED REALLY. I THINK THAT MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS WILL COME FORWARD. THEY WERE INTERESTED IN THESE MAPS AND MAY USE THEM AS WELL. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN?

>> HI, MY NAME IS CINDY LONG. I ACTUALLY LIVE RIGHT ACROSS THE

[03:45:03]

STREET FROM THIS PROPERTY . I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE

THAT. >> THERE YOU GO. OKAY. CAN YOU

SEE THAT? >> I'M HELPING YOU OUT.

>> THERE IT IS. I GOT IT RIGHT THERE. THAT AREA RIGHT THERE.

IT IS MY CANAL. AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE CANAL ACTUALLY REACHES OVER INTO THAT PROPERTY . I AM STILL LEARNING A LOT ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AT ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND MY CANAL, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT I HAVE BEEN HAPPY BECAUSE WE HAVE -- BECAUSE NOW I CAN GET IN AND OUT OF MY CANAL ANYTIME I WANT. BUT USUALLY WE DON'T GET THAT. BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID , THE CANAL WAS REALLY HIGH THIS YEAR. A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF -- I GUESS THE SEDIMENT IS RISING IN THE CANAL. I FELT REALLY HEARTBROKEN BECAUSE WE WENT OUT ON THE BOAT SUNDAY. AND I THINK WE HIT A MANATEE BECAUSE IT IS JUST RISING UP AND THEY COME INTO THAT CANAL TO WARM UP.

SORRY. SO WITH THIS PROPERTY , THOUGH, I WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE STREETS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TO ENTER THIS PROPERTY BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT IS NOT A VERY LONG ROAD . AND WHEN YOU COME ACROSS THE BOTTOM PART , THAT IS A BIG CURVE . AND IF SOMEBODY IS COMING THROUGH THAT CURVE , IT IS HARD TO TURN THAT CURVE. AND IF THERE IS AN ENTRANCE, I'M JUST AFRAID THERE MIGHT BE AN ACCIDENT. AND ON THE OTHER HAND WHERE THE GREEN IS, WHICH IS A LITTLE FURTHER NORTH OF THAT, IS WHERE MY STREET IS. AS YOU SEE, THERE IS ANOTHER CURVE. A LOT OF PEOPLE RACE DOWN THE STREET . SO WE HAVE TO BE LOOKING THIS WAY , LEAVING.

WHEN WE TURN IN WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL GO WIDE OR SHORT AROUND THESE CORNERS AND SPEED THROUGH THERE. AND AGAIN, THE BUFFER WITH THIS PROPERTY -- IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ONLY ON THREE SIDES. LIKE, THERE WOULDN'T BE A BUFFER ALONG COLEE COVE ROAD. IT LOOKED LIKE THAT WOULD JUST BE OPEN INTO THIS DEVELOPMENT . AND THAT IS NOT THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I MOVED INTO. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT BUFFER GO ALL THE WAY AROUND ALONG COLEE COVE ROAD.

BECAUSE WHEN I WAS COMING DOWN 13 ONE DAY AND I SAW ALL THOSE TREES GONE, I ABOUT HAD A HEART ATTACK . OH, MY GOSH. YES. I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAID, ARE THEY GOING TO BE BUILDING THIS HUGE PROJECT HERE? YOU KNOW. AND IT IS HARD BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND WHERE HE IS COMING FROM, BUT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO SAVE OUR TREES. WE NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT. HE HAS BEEN TO YOU GUYS TO TRY TO BUY THIS PROPERTY IS LAND CONSCIOUS OF -- CONSERVATION. WHAT IS GOING ON, THERE IS AN EAGLES NEST LESS THAN A MILE FROM THIS PROPERTY.

HOW CAN LOSING THESE TREES NOT BE -- I MEAN, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL TO OUR WILDLIFE. WE HAVE DEER THAT ROAM AROUND HERE. AND IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE, YOU'VE GOT PROPERTIES THAT ARE STARTING TO ENCROACH . WHERE ARE THESE WILDLIFE GOING TO GO? REALLY.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO? WE NEED TO KEEP OUR TREES. AND I JUST SAW SOMETHING ON FACEBOOK THE OTHER DAY THAT SAID SAINT AUGUSTINE USED TO BE DESIGNATED A TREE SANCTUARY KIND OF THING . AND WE NEED TO BECOME MORE PROUD OF THAT BECAUSE IT SUCKS TO LOSE OUR TREES. IT IS THE BEAUTY . THAT IS WHAT MAKES ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. THE BEAUTY OF OUR TREES. AND WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PRESERVE IT. FIGURE OUT A WAY TO HELP HIM. A WAY TO HELP KEEP OUR NORTHWEST SECTOR A BEAUTIFUL AREA . JUST SO YOU KNOW, I FOUND OUT WHEN I MOVED OVER HERE THAT THIS AREA ACTUALLY USED TO BE THE CREEK LAND . A LONG TIME AGO. WHICH

[03:50:02]

IS WHY IT IS HERE. I AM A CREEK NATIVE . AND WE NEED TO PROTECT

IT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM SEVEN?

>> AT SLAVEN.COM. LIKE CARRIE SNODGRASS SAID, FARMERS AND RANCHERS SHOULD BE FRIENDS. WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE CONCILIATION AT THESE MEETINGS. SAINT AUGUSTINE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD. JERRY DIXON. HE WAS AN ENGINEER. ARCHITECT. HE AND CARL WOULD REASON WITH APPLICANTS ABOUT SAVING TREES.

SOMETIMES THEY TAKE AN HOUR AND A HALF. COULDN'T TURN THE HOUSE THIS WAY. COULDN'T DO THAT. MORAL REASONING WORKS FOR ME. I AM HOPING THAT THE NEW FOLKS WILL DO THAT AND ASK AN EXPERT QUESTIONS THAT WILL SAVE TREES. FINALLY, REMEMBER FIRST VISITING ST. JOHNS COUNTY IN 1992. WE MOVED HERE AS SOON AS WE COULD IN 1999. LIVED HERE FOR 25 YEARS. WHEN WE ARE FIRST DRIVING DOWN U.S. 1 IN 92, WE WERE KIND OF LOST. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY WAS PLAYING ON THE DVD PLAYER -- CD PLAYER. BUT WE LOVE OUR TREES. THAT IS WHY PEOPLE MOVE HERE. OUR FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER, HENRY DEAN, REFERRED TO IT AS GOD'S COUNTRY. AND IT REALLY IS. BUT IT IS BEING SPOILED ONE LITTLE BIT AT A TIME. THIS IS NOT A GOOD DEVELOPMENT. I THINK YOU CAN REASON WITH THESE FOLKS AND GET SOME SORT OF COMPROMISE. SO OFTEN IT SEEMS THE COUNTY STAFF -- THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS SILENT. THERE IS AN ANCIENT MAXIM THAT ST. THOMAS MORE USED AS PORTRAYED IN THE MOVIE, MAN FOR ALL SEASONS. SILENCE IS CONSENT. YOU WERE ELECTED FOR A REASON. ESPECIALLY THE THREE OVER HERE. THAT REASON IS TO SAVE THE TREES. WE ARE GOING TO GET -- AND I WOULD APPRECIATE THESE FOLKS CONTRIBUTING TO THAT DISCUSSION AND DEBATE . AND EVERYBODY WATCHING US. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU RULE IN THIS APPLICATION. SEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE GOOD MOTIVES. JUST REASON WITH PEOPLE AND LET THEM TALK. DON'T INTERRUPT AND DON'T BARK AT US BECAUSE SOME OF THE PRIOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS -- LIKE CRUELLA DAVILA FROM 101 DONATIONS. I'M SORRY. PEOPLE COME HERE TO TALK . TO TALK ABOUT DEVELOPMENT .

TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TREES. THE LADY WHO JUST SPOKE WAS ELOQUENT. ONE OF THE BEST SPEAKERS I HAVE EVER HERE -- HEARD HERE. NOT TO RUBBERSTAMP. NOT TO TAKE MONEY FROM TRAVIS , BUT TO HELP PEOPLE AND TO PROTECT PEOPLE AND TO PROTECT OUR TREES AND OUR WILDLIFE . I ACTUALLY REMEMBER ONE TIME I WAS AT THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE TALKING ABOUT LOVELY . ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS WAS SMIRKING AND LAUGHING. TALKING ABOUT SAVING THE WILDLIFE. Y'ALL AREN'T GOING TO DO THAT

TODAY. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC

COMMENT? GOOD AFTERNOON. >> MY NAME IS ARLENE TANNER .

8046 COLEE COVE ROAD. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE SECTION WHERE THE OWNER'S PROPERTY AND TIMBER PROPERTY IS AROUND US. WE ARE ON THE TOP THIRD . AND WE LOVE IT THERE . AND OF COURSE WE ALL WENT INTO PANIC MODE . THEY ARE GOING TO SELL THE PROPERTY BEHIND US. BUT ANYWAY , MY HUSBAND AND SON IN LAW AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TO PREVIOUS MEETINGS FOR TODAY AND CAME AWAY WITH MORE UNDERSTANDING , MORE INFORMATION, WHICH IS POWER . AND THEY ARE GOING TO TEMPER THE TREES OUT. THAT IS THEIR JOB. AND THEN , WHO KNOWS? ARE THEY GOING TO PUT ON MULTISTORY APARTMENTS OR CONDOS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT RIGHT BEHIND US ? WHICH WE WERE NOT THRILLED. BUT WITH THIS PLAN WITH 45 ACRES AND ONLY 10 PROPERTIES , I THINK WE COULD NOT ASK FOR MORE THAN THAT. AND I THINK WHERE THE PLAN IS

[03:55:04]

COMING FROM THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF THOUGHT AND RESEARCH AND JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS EVEN BY THIS POINT TO GET THIS GOING.

RIGHT THERE. IT IS RIGHT BEHIND OUR BACK DOOR, SO TO SPEAK. OUR ACREAGE. ANYWAY, WE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PLAN .

HOPEFULLY WITH ALL OF YOUR WISDOM PUT TOGETHER YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AND SUPPORT US WHICHEVER WAY.

WE ARE THERE NO MATTER WHAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, MS. TANNER. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE

PUBLIC COMMENT. >> WE ARE BACK TO THE BOARD.

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> I JUST WANTED TO THANK HIM FOR BRINGING US SOMETHING THAT IS NOT JUST COMPATIBLE BUT IN PERFECT HARMONY WITH THE EXISTING CHARACTER OF THE COMMUNITY. ONE UNIT FOR EVERY FOUR TO HALF ACRES. VERY LOW DENSITY . ESPECIALLY THE CLOSER WE GET TO THE RIVER. SUCH A GEM OF THIS COUNTY. JUST SOMETHING TO NOTE FOR ANYBODY WONDERING, YOU CAN GO ON TO THE ZONING MAP COUNTYWIDE. ANYTIME YOU SEE RURAL CIVIL CULTURE, THEY CAN FARM THOSE TREES, WHICH MEANS THEY CAN CUT EVERY TREE ON THAT PROPERTY AS A MATTER OF LEGAL RIGHT. FOR ANYBODY LISTENING OR WATCHING , RURAL CIVIL CULTURE -- SOMETIMES WE THINK OF IT AS TREES. WHAT IT CAN BE MOST OF

THE TIME IS A TREE FARM. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEAR. I HAD THE EXACT SAME FEAR. MY PHONE BLEW UP WHEN ALL OF THAT STUFF WAS TIMBERED. IT WAS APARTMENTS. IT WAS BIG BOX STORES. CONDOS. EVERYBODY WENT INTO FULL ON PANIC MODE. I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW YOU CAN GO ON A WEBSITE AND SEE THOSE ARE TREES. THAT IS A CROP THAT IS TO BE FARMED. I THINK HE HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS COMPATIBLE. I THINK THIS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO FOR THIS PROPERTY. SO I WILL BE VOTING IN FAVOR FOR

IT. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY?

>> THANK YOU. >> IT WAS ELOQUENTLY SAID.

>> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> I AGREE. I THINK IT IS A GREAT USE OF PROPERTY. I THINK A LOT OF US PROBABLY AGREE THAT IF SOMETHING HAS TO GO IN, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPTION.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> MOTION TO ANNEX ORDINANCE 2024-59 APPROVING PLAN AMENDMENT SMALL-SCALE 2024 COLEE COVE HAMLET BASED ON FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT AS PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

[8. Summer Haven Managed Retreat Project Grant Agreement. During the 2023 Legislative session, the County sought and was awarded funding for the Summer Haven Managed Retreat Project (the “Project”). The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has grant funds appropriated in the amount of $5,000,000 under Legislative Line-Item Grant (FY23/24) Project L2313 - St. Johns County Summer Haven Managed Retreat. The $5,000,000 is recognized and appropriated in the FY25 Land Management budget. The grant agreement requires a one-to-one match and staff is pursuing opportunities to fund the match through grant funding. For this item, staff is requesting approval to execute and submit the grant agreement to FDEP while the County continues to pursue match funding. If grant funding is not available, staff will bring back an item for Board consideration to appropriate local funding as properties become available for purchase and/or through the Fiscal Year 2026 budget process.]

>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8. >> GLAD TO BE BACK, COMMISSIONERS, THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD TWO PRESENTATIONS IN ONE DAY. TRYING TO MAKE IT -- HERE TO TALK ABOUT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8, SUMMER HAVEN MANAGEMENT RETREAT GRANT AGREEMENT. AS YOU ARE AWARE COME IN FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024, WE RECEIVED $5 MILLION FROM THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE SUMMER HAVEN MANAGEMENT RETREAT PROGRAM SPONSORED BY SPEAKER RENNER AND SENATOR HUDSON, THE AGREEMENT, THE MONEY, ONCE A FLOW TO ST. JOHN COUNTY PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE MONEY REQUIRES A GRANT AGREEMENT, TYPICALLY THE TERMS GET A LITTLE BIT MIXED UP, YOU HAVE APPROPRIATION, WHICH HAD THE GREAT AGREEMENT FOLLOWING APPROPRIATIONS, THAT WAS ONE THING I WANTED TO CLEAR UP . THIS GRANT AGREEMENT ESTABLISHES A ONE FOR ONE REIMBURSEMENT FOR UP TO $5 MILLION IN ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS . WITH ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS, ACQUISITION OF LAND, AND LAND ACQUISITIONS RELATED CONSULTANT SERVICES. LAND ACQUIRED TO THE PRODUCT MUST BE DEDICATED IN PERPETUITY AS A PUBLIC OUTDOOR RECREATION SITE . IN GENERAL , THE PROJECT AREA IS FROM SURVEY MONUMENTS R202 THROUGH R206, YOU HAVE THE YELLOW AREA , ROUGHLY THE