[Call to Order by Chair]
[00:00:09]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WE'LL BRING THIS MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TOCALL,
HERE. >> KRIS CHAIR COMMISSIONER ANN TAYLOR.
>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER SARAH
PRESENT. >> AND COMMISSIONER KRISTA
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'LL NOW HAVE THE INVOCATION BY RABBI -- FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY LIEUTENANT
HEAVENLY FATHER, SOURCE OF ALL LIFE AND BLESSING, WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER TODAY IN SERVICE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ASK YOUR BLESSING UPON THIS HONORABLE BODY, UPON OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, STAFF, AND ALL THOSE ENTRUSTED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP. GRANT THEM WISDOM, CLARITY, AND INTEGRITY, AS THEY DELIBERATE AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THE LIVES OF SO MANY. MAY THEIR WORK BE GUIDED BY A DEEP SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, COMPASSION, AND RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY OF EVERY HUMAN BEING, EACH CREATED IN YOUR IMAGE.
WE ARE REMINDED BY THE TIMELESS MORAL FOUNDATION GIVEN TO ALL OF HUMANITY THROUGH THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES THAT CALL FOR JUSTICE, RESPECT FOR LIFE, FAMILY, PROPERTY, AND THE RECOGNITION THAT MORAL ORDER IS ESSENTIAL FOR A PEACEFUL AND THRIVING SOCIETY. MAY THESE UNIVERSAL VALUES INSPIRE US TO ACT WITH HONESTY, KINDNESS, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN BOTH PUBLIC SERVICE AND IN DAILY LIFE. BLESS OUR COUNTY WITH SAFETY, PROSPERITY, AND UNITY. HELP US WORK TOGETHER ACROSS DIFFERENCES, SEEKING THE COMMON GOOD AND STRENGTHENING THE BONDS THAT CONNECT US AS NEIGHBORS AND CITIZENS. MAY THE EFFORTS OF THIS ASSEMBLY BRING BLESSING TO ALL WHO LIVE HERE, AND MAY PEACE, COOPERATION, AND GOOD WILL PREVAIL IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND LET US SAY AMEN.
>> IF EVERYONE WOULD PLEASE FOLLOW ME IN THE PLEDGE OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF OUR
NATION. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[Proclamation Recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Month]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. IT'S MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO RECOGNIZE JANUARY 2016 AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH.
IF ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO COME UP FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, PLEASE JOIN ME. MS. SHELBY, IF YOU WOULD READ IT INTO THE RECORD.
>> A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA. WHEREAS HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS THE RECRUITMENT, HARBORING, TRANSPORTATION, PROVISION, OR OBTAINING OF A PERSON FOR LABOR OR SERVICES THROUGH THE USE OF FORCE, FRAUD, COERCION FOR THE PURPOSE OF FORCED LABOR OR SEXUAL SERVITUDE, AND WHEREAS HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A $150 BILLION A YEAR GLOBAL CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE AND IS A CRIME AS WELL AS A CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION. AND WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES THAT BETWEEN 600,000 TO 800,000 INDIVIDUALS ARE TRAFFICKED ACROSS INTERNATIONAL BORDERS EACH YEAR.
AND IN 2024 FLORIDA HAD THE THIRD HIGHEST NUMBER OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING CASES IN THE UNITED STATES WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,830 CASES RECORDED, AND 1,874 IDENTIFIED VICTIMS. AND WHEREAS MORE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION IS CRUCIAL TO ERADICATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, STATE, AND NATION, AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT JANUARY 2026 BE DESIGNATED AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH TO RECOGNIZE, ENCOURAGE, AND SUPPORT SURVIVORS
[00:05:03]
AND THEIR FAMILIES THEN FIGHT AGAINST THE EXPLOITATION OF WOMEN, MEN, AND CHILDREN. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THIS 20TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026.>> THANK YOU, SHELBY. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW
MY NAME IS KATHY ALTMAN. I'M COPRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN THE ST. AUGUSTINE CHAPTER. AND I'M HERE TODAY WITH KELLY FRANKLIN, WHO IS THE CEO OF THE BETTY GRIFFIN, CENTER, OUR LOCAL OUTREACH AGENCY. WE WANT TO EXTEND OUR SINCERE THANKS TO CHAIR CLAY MURPHY, VICE CHAIR ANN TAYLOR, AND COMMISSIONERS CHRISTIAN WHITEHURST, KRISTA JOSEPH, AND SARAH ARNOLD, ALONG WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNER SHERIFF HARDWICK, AND ALL OF HIS ASSOCIATES.
ALL OF US ARE PARTNERS IN TRYING TO BRING AWARENESS TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
MANY PEOPLE WOULD THINK THIS WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM IN A COUNTY LIKE OURS. WHEN YOU'RE SANDWICHED BETWEEN AND WE ARE ON THE THROUGH FARES OF A1A, U.S. 1, I- 95 WITH EASY ACCESS TO I-75 AND I- 10, ALL OF THESE ARE MAJOR, MAJOR THROUGHFARES TRAFFICKERS WILL USE IN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS UP AND DOWN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
AND IN ADDITION WE HAVE TO REALIZE OUR STATE IS HEAVILY ENTERTAINMENT ORIENTED. WE HAVE1 A LOT OF EVENTS HERE, AND ALL OF THIS DRAWS TRAFFICKERS THROUGH FLORIDA GOING TO VARIOUS LOCATIONS INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
WE APPRECIATE THE AWARENESS OUR COUNTY GIVES TO THIS ISSUEMISM IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
AND OUR PARTNER BETTY GRIFFIN, CENTER IS OUR FEET ON THE GROUND AGENCY THAT HAS ACT OUTREACH SHELTER AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE EVERYONE THEIR HOT LINE NUMBER, WHICH IS A 24- HOUR HOT LINE NUMBER.
904-824-1555. AND THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE HAVE A STATEWIDE REPOSITORY FOR DATA GATHERING, AND THIS WAS APPROVED IN 2023 BY OUR LEGISLATURE. IT'S CALLED TIPSTER, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL IN TRACKING ACTIVITY THROUGH THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IT'S A CENTRALIZED REPOSITORY RUN BY THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA.
AND THERE'S FIVE -- THEY CALL IT THE FIVE P'S THEY'RE ORGANIZING THEIR PROGRAM ARMED.
IT'S THAT PREVENTION, PROTECTION, PROSECUTION, POLICY, AND PARTNERSHIP. AND I THINK THOSE FIVE AREAS ARE SO CRITICAL TO EXAMINING AND MAKE MORE VISIBLE THE ISSUE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, WHICH IS A VERY HIDDEN, VERY INVISIBLE CRIME, YET IT AFFECTS SO MANY. AND I WANTED TO JUST POINT OUT ONE THING I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE THIS YEAR NORMALLY MOST OF THE ATTENTION IN TRAFFICKING IS ON SEX TRAFFICKING.
HOWEVER, INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, LABOR TRAFFICKING ON A GLOBAL -- GLOBAL WIDE ASPECT IS ACTUALLY THREE TIMES MORE PREVALENT THAN SEX TRAFFICKING. AND WE DO HAVE LABOR TRAFFICKING ISSUES HERE IN FLORIDA BECAUSE OF OUR LARGE AGRICULTURAL CONCERNS.
THE OTHER THING IS THEY ADDED A THIRD TYPE OF TRAFFICKING, WHICH IS CALLED CYBER EXPLOITATION.
AND THAT IS WHAT YOU'VE BEEN READING ABOUT IN NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES, WHAT THEY CALL SEXTING, SEX PLOIITATION, COERCING OR ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SHARE INTIMATE PHOTOS AND THEN DISSEMINATING THEM WITHOUT PERMISSION.
AND MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE READ JUST THIS PAST WEEK ON AN APP CALLED GROK, WHERE THE APP ALLOWS PEOPLE TO TAKE REAL PHOTOS OF REAL PEOPLE AND ALTER THEM INTO IDEALIZED PHOTOS SEXUAL OR OTHERWISE.
AND IT'S -- IT'S BEEN, LIKE, IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES," AND IT'S BECOMING QUITE A PROBLEM. BUT, YES, CYBER EXPLOITATION HASHAS JOINED LABOR AND SEXUAL TRAFFICKING. SO IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT AND TO BE AWARE OF, AND WE APPRECIATE OUR PARTNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. SO THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH. AND THANK YOU TO ALL MY PARTNERS HERE. THANK YOU.
[00:10:29]
>> THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE. WE HAVE A TEAM, GREAT.
[Acceptance of Proclamation]
TEAM. YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.>> MR. CHAIR, I'D LIKE TO MOVE APPROVAL OF THE
PROCLAMATION. >> OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.
YES, THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY
[Critical Infrastructure Update]
AYE. >> AND OPPOSED? OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.
NOW WE'LL MOVE TO OUR UPDATE. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MURPHY, VICE CHAIR TAYLOR AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY TO HEAR OUR PRESENTATION ON INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY. THIS PRESENTATION IS GOING TO BE A VERY SMALL SNAPSHOT TO THE SCALE, THE COMPLEXITY, AND THE MOMENTUM OF YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY IN ST.
JOHNS COUNTY. IN 2025 ALONE THE TEAM BEHIND ME HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERED 61 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. LOOKING AHEAD IN 2026, WE HAVE 51 PROJECTS ARE EITHER ENTERING INTO THE BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION OR REACHED THE COMPLETION OF ENTIRETY. WE'RE VERY EXCITED FOR THAT MOMENTUM, AND THIS DOES NOT EVEN INCLUDE OUR ANNUAL COUNTYWIDE PROGRAM SUCH AS SIDEWALK,
[00:15:03]
DRAINAGE, BRIDGE MAINTENANCE, THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE QUIETLY AND CRITICALLY SUPPORTING OUR RESIDENTS EVERY DAY. THE PROJECTS YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR TODAY DOES NOT REPRESENT THE FULL BREADTH OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM, BUT THEY DO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EFFORT OF OUR TEAM.AND I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING YOU FOR YOUR VISION, YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR LONG- TERM INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE. WITHOUT THAT NONE OF THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THIS COLLECTIVELY REPRESENT $820 MILLION IN INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
THEY NOT ONLY BENEFIT OUR RESIDENTS TODAY BUT THE GENERATIONS TO COME, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISION. OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH TO FUNDING IS TO MAXIMIZE THE FEDERAL STATE APPROPRIATION GRANTS, THE DEVELOPERS MITIGATION OBLIGATION, AND REALLY MINIMIZE THE BURDEN ON OUR TAXPAYERS.
WE THINK OUR APPROACH ALIGNS WITH YOUR VISION, YOUR GOALS, AND TRULY IS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE THAT IS GUIDING OUR CIP OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED. OF COURSE NONE OF THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY TEAM RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF YOU.
I WANTED TO USE THIS MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE OUR TEAM, DAN WHITCRAFT, JAMEY, DAN, MICROBARSON, DICK DESUSA, WAYNE LARSON, AND MANY OTHERS THAT WORK BEHIND THE SCENE.
WE ALSO APPRECIATE PARTICIPATION FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FROM LARRY, STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THEY ARE A ROCK STAR TEAM. TODAY WE'RE LOOKING INTO A VERY SMALL WINDOW INTO THE AMOUNT OF COORDINATION, PROBLEM SOLVING AND COMMITMENT THAT GOES INTO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, AND I'M REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF OUR TEAM.
WITH THAT I'M GOING TO BRING DAN WHITCRAFT, HE CHAIRS OUR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. HE HAS SHARED STEADY LEADERSHIP PRIORITIZING PROJECTS, STRENGTHENING OUR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY, AND HE'S GOING TO INTRODUCE HIS LEADERSHIP TEAM ON THE COMMITTEE AND THE GOALS AND MISSION OF THE COMMITTEE.
CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING. I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT HOLIDAY. WELCOME BACK. SO AS JOY MENTIONED BEFORE WE GET INTO THE PRESENTATION, IN ADDITION TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY DEAL, WHICH ALLOWS LEADERSHIP FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO GET TOGETHER AND COLLABORATE ABOUT DIFFERENT PROJECTS, AS YOU'LL SEE IN THE PRESENTATION, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS. SO WITH THAT COMES HOW DO WE MANAGE IT, AND HOW DO WE OVERSEE BOTH THE BUDGET AND THE SCOPE OF THESE PROJECTS? SO WE WERE TASKED WITH DEVELOPING AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. SO MYSELF, GREG CALLWELL, JAMIE LOCKLEAR, WE ACTUALLY OVERSEE THE CIP COMMITTEE, THAT IS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT. DICK DESUSA BASICALLY TAKES CARE OF THE HORIZONTAL. SO WITH THAT WE HAVE TWO MAIN FUNCTIONS. WE HAVE THE GOAL OF PUTTING IN A PROCESS OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.
SO WE'RE KIND OF AN INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
WE DON'T BUILD DIRECTLY, BUT WE OVERSEE.
AND WITH THE MISSION OF -- WITH THE MISSION OF MAKING SURE WE DON'T DEVIATE FROM THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECTS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY AND NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, WE STAY WITHIN THE APPROVED BUDGET. SO THAT REALLY IS THE FUNCTION OF THIS CIP OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. SO WITH THAT BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I DO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND SUSANA EVANS FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THIS PRESENTATION.
THEY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB. SO WITH THAT, WE'LL GET IT KICKED OFF. THERE'LL BE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING UP AND SPEAKING.
WE KIND OF BROKE IT UP INTO CATEGORIES.
SO WITH THAT WE'LL START WITH THE PUBLIC FACILITIS.
SO IN 2025 WE COMPLETED THE ANNEX FOR THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026 AS FAR AS PUBLIC FACILITIES, AS YOU'RE AWARE WE ARE -- ALL OF THESE PROJECTS ARE IN SOME STATE OF EITHER DESIGN OR
[00:20:04]
CONSTRUCTION. WE HAVE THE OLD JAIL RENOVATION COMING UP. WE HAVE THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER THAT IS ALSO PROBABLY KNOWN TO A LOT OF FOLKS AS THE PERMIT CENTER.IT WILL BE -- THE NEW BUILDING WILL BE COMPLETED HERE IN EARLY '26. WHAT THIS DOES IS ALLOWS US TO THEN START UTILIZING THE EXISTING PERMIT CENTER TO START MOVING AROUND SOME COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND FREE UP SPACE, SO THIS WAS A HUGE PROJECT FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE COUNTY. NEXT WE HAVE THE COURTROOM EXPANSION. THIS IS ROUGHLY $4 MILLION WITH THE OUTCOME OR WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF CREATING TWO NEW COURTROOMS WITHOUT EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE CURRENT COURT COMPLEX, SO THIS WAS BIG FOR US.
NEXT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. THIS IS A $6. 5 MILLION PROJECT COMPLETED. RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN BEGIN OF THE DESIGN PHASE WORKING WITH DR. SNEAD ON MUCH NEEDED SPACE, SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD.
PUBLIC SAFETY. IN 2025 CONSTRUCTION SERVICES COMPLETED THE AWARD WINNING TACTICAL TRAINING FACILITY. THIS WAS A REAL GAME CHANGER FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026 WE HAVE THE SILVER LEAF, I'M SORRY, THIS IS THE FLAGLER ESTATES FIRE STATION 21 SHOULD BE COMPLETED THE EARLY PART OF '26.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT OUT IN FLAGLER ESTATES.
WE'RE DOING THE EXPANSION OF FIRE STATION 17.
SO BACK IN LATE '24 THE BOARD APPROVED FUNDING TO GO AHEAD AND START WORKING ON EXISTING FIRE STATIONS. WE HAVE ALL THESE NEW FIRE STATIONS COMING ONLINE.
IT WAS TIME TO GO BACK AND START LOOKING AT BUILT ENVIRONMENTS. SO WE ARE LOOKING AT ROUGHLY 135 SQUARE FEET RENOVATING THE EXISTING FIRE STATION 17.
SILVER LEAF FIRE STATION 2 AND SHERIFF SUBSTATION, IT'S GOING TO BE AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS BUILDING WHEN IT'S TON DONE. WE'VE JUST RECENTLY KICKED OFF CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PROJECT HERE. THE SHERIFF'S ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, ROUGHLY ABOUT 35 TO 37,000 SQUARE FEET. WE ARE IN LATE DESIGN PHASE FOR THIS, AND WE ANTICIPATE COMPLETION IN LATE 2027. SO WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO BRING UP RYAN KING. HE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT
CHAIR, COMMISSION, RYAN KING, YOUR DIRECTOR OF PARKS INTEGRATION. IT'S AN EXCITING TIME WITH NEW AND ADVANCED FACILITIES, MAXIMIZING THE UTILIZE ASIAN OF PARK IMPACT DOLLARS, TDT DOLLARS, AND GRANTS WHERE POSSIBLE WITH THE BOARD'S DIRECTION. WE APPRECIATE THE COOPERATION. THESE PROJECTS ARE BRINGING ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE TO THE RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
MIDDLE CREEK PARK RECENTLY COMPLETED IN MARCH, HOME TO TWO BASEBALL FIELDS, TWO SOFTBALL FIELDS, ONE OVERSIZED ARTIFICIAL TURF FIELD PROVIDING PARK OPPORTUNITIES AND BALL FIELDS IN THE WORLD GOLF VILLAGE, WHICH WAS KIND OF A DESERT FOR PUBLIC RECREATION.
SO THAT WAS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY THAT JUST OPENED, AND THE BALL FIELDS ARE OPEN AND ACTIVE AND HIGHLY INVOLVED. WE JUST WENT THROUGH A FULL FOOTBALL SEASON THERE.
PROVIDES EXPANDED PLAY 365 DAYS A YEAR THROUGH THOSE MAJOR RAIN OUTS. GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR WEST AUGUSTINE TO HAVE THAT ADVANCEMENT AND INCREASE THAT PLAY IN THAT AREA.
FIELD OF DREAMS EXPANSION, THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PROGRAMS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
IF YOU'VE NOT BEEN OUT TO FIELD OF DREAMS, THEY HAVE THEIR OPENING DAY JANUARY 31ST THAT WILL INCLUDE THE OPENING OF THE ADVANCEMENTS HERE. THIS IS COMPLETED MUCH NEEDED FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY ADA FACILITIES, INCREASED PARKING FOR THE SITE, AND IT'S NEARING COMPLETION FOR JANUARY 31ST. THE NORTH BEACH PARK IMPROVEMENTS THIS WAS ALSO RECENTLY COMPLETED.
THIS IS INCREASED PARKING AND ENHANCED USER EXPERIENCE. SO REALLY GOING ALONG WITH THE COMP PLAN OF TRYING TO INCREASE THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE BEACHES WAS A MAJOR DRIVER OF THIS.
ADDITIONALLY, WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP A LOT OF THE GREEN SPACE AND LAWN THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO THAT LOCAL COMMUNITY.
[00:25:05]
VOLLEYBALL, AND THIS WAS REALLY GENERATED AT THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD LEVEL WITH THE COMMUNITY COMING OUT AND SPEAKING FOR A NEED FOR THIS.FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOLS RECENTLY ADDED SAND VOLLEYBALL AS A SPORT, AND WE'RE SEEING THE TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT FOR THAT AND WITH THE YOUTH IMPACT, AND THIS PROVIDES THAT TO THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY. BUTLER WEST BOAT RAMP FINE GRANT GENERATED AS WELL AT THIS SITE UTILIZING THAT WE EXTENDED THIS DOCK CREATING A BETTER BOAT USER EXPERIENCE. IF YOU'RE TRYING TO TIE UP TO THE DOCK AND LAUNCH THE BOAT OFF, IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPOTS ON THAT DOCK, IT'S VERY HARD TO MANAGE.
THIS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY, ALSO IMPROVED THE TRAFFIC FLOW AT THAT SITE.
BEACHFRONT PARKING, THIS WAS PART OF AN FCT GRANT.
WE JUST FINISHED PHASE THREE. THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE THREE PHASES, WHICH HAS ALL HAPPENED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE ADDED 49 BRAND NEW PARKING SPACES FOR THE BEACH ACCESS, REST ROOM FACILITY, GREAT RECK REACTION OPPORTUNITY INCLUDED WITHIN THAT PROJECT. A COUPLE OF OTHER PARK IMPROVEMENTS HERE TO ADD IN IS CRES WANT BEACH BOARD WUK WAS AN ADA BEACH WALK. IN ADDITION TO THAT WE ADDED MUCH NEEDED 26 PARKING SPOTS TO THAT SITE. TREATY PARK ADDED 20 PICKLE BALL COURTS, NEW TENNIS COURTS, AND A DOG PARK THAT IS SO BUSY, IT IS INCREDIBLE.
AND IT'S EXCITING TO SEE. CONTINUING ON, LOOKING IN ADVANCE TO WHAT'S COMING FORWARD FOR US, RIGHT NOW A REALLY EXCITING PROJECT THAT'S ABOUT TO KICK OFF FOR US IS DAILY ONSHORES PARKS IMPROVEMENT.
AGAIN, A VERY COMMUNITY LED PROJECT. THIS COMMUNITY CAME OUT AND SPOKE FOR THE WANTS AND NEEDS THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THERE. WE HEARD THAT.
WE PUT THAT INTO THE BUDGET PROCESS UTILIZING IMPACT FEE DOLLARS AND ARE ABOUT TO START THE PROJECT REALLY HITTING WHAT THE COMMUNITY WAS LOOKING FOR AND TO GAIN ACCESS THERE.
INCREASED GREEN SPACE, WALKING TRAIL, BRAND NEW SKATE PARK COMPONENT IN THERE, PICKLE BALL COURTS AT THE SITE AS PART OF WHAT'S OCCURRING THERE. BEACH RAMP IMPROVEMENTS, THIS IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. THIS IS THE END OF OUR BEACH DRIVING, AND THIS WAS REALLY SECURING THIS UP AND, YOU KNOW, MAKING THIS A BETTER LONG- TERM SOLUTION. IT WAS STARTING TO FAIL A LITTLE BIT FROM SOME OF THE WASH AWAY, AND THESE IMPROVEMENTS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL REALLY KEEP THAT BEACH DRIVING ACCESSIBLE AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT AT THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE EXTEND. RIVER DEAL OVERFLOW PARKING, AGAIN ANOTHER FINE GRANT LED IMPROVEMENT.
THIS IS ALONG STATE ROAD 13. THIS IS IMPROVED PARKING AND TRAILER PARKING. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED THE PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET, AND WE'LL HAVE OVERFLOW PARKING THERE, AND WE'LL HAVE INCREASED TRAILER PARKING FOR A BOAT LAUNCH AND GETTING ACCESS TO THE WATERWAYS. NEXT ONE UP IS THE PORPOISE POINT VEHICLE RAMP HARDENING. AND THIS IS JUST SECURING THE SITE AND CREATING A RAMP HARDENING SO THAT BEACH POINT CONTINUES TO STAY, AND ADDITIONALLY IT PROTECTS THE NEIGHBORHOOD FROM STORMS. EVERY TIME A STORM IS COMING PUBLIC WORKS IS COMING OUT RUSHING TO DROP SAND AT THE SITE. NOW THIS IS TAKING THAT AWAY AND KEEP THAT SECURE THERE BUT ALSO KEEP THAT BEACH DRIVING ACCESSIBLE.
WE ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT PORPOISE POINT LOCATION IS TO THE POINT. ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING ONES COMING FORWARD IS THE SAN SEBASTIAN BOAT RAMP AND PARK.
THIS IS THE PROPERTY THAT WAS PURCHASED JUST ACROSS THE BRIDGE, 312 BRIDGE BEHIND THE HOME DEPOT LOCATION ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO BY THE BOARD FOR ABOUT $17 MILLION. ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SPOTS OF LAND IN THE COUNTY, WAS LOOKING AT BEING DEVELOPED AT ONE POINT IN TIME, AND THIS COMMISSION CAME FORWARD AND STEPPED FORWARD AND PURCHASED THE PROPERTY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE. THIS WILL BE A BOAT RAMP. WE ARE GOING TO START WORK ON THE INGRESS EGRESS AS WELL THERE ON THAT SITE.
AND ADDITIONALLY TO BEING A BOAT RAMP IT'LL BE A ACCESS SITE FOR PUBLIC RECREATION WE'RE LOOK REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO. AGAIN, WHEN I TALK ABOUT A RECREATION DESERT, THIS WILL BRING MORE RECREATION TOTO WORLD GRANT VILLAGE AREA AND WITH TRAILS, BASKETBALL COURTS, AND A DOG PARK COMPONENT INCLUDED IN THERE WITH A PLAYGROUND. THIS IS KIND OF OUR FAMOUS BATHROOM PARK. IT WILL NOW BECOME A TRUE PARK FOR THAT COMMUNITY, AND SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT AS OPPOSED TO JUST BEING TEN PARKING SPOTS AND A BATHROOM OUT ON THE SITE. UP NEXT.
[00:30:02]
THANK YOU, BOARD.>> THANK YOU, RYAN. SO TO CONTINUE THE 2026 MOVING FORWARD, HASTINGS COMMUNITY CENTER SLASH LIBRARY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT THERE. IT'S AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL BUILDING. WE'RE LOOKING FOR COMPLETION SOME TIME EARLY 2026. JUST A HUGE ADDITION TO THIS PART OF HASTINGS ON MAIN STREET.
THE SHEARWATER COMMUNITY PARK AND LIBRARY.
THIS IS A RENDERING OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
IT WILL HAVE BOTH A PARKS AND COMMUNITY CENTER.
THIS IS A TRUE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK.
THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL PARK IN GREEN BREYER, WE'VE JUST NOW BREAK IN GROUND ON THIS PARTICULAR PARK.
JUST, AGAIN, IT WILL BE AN ABSOLUTE GORGEOUS PARK WHEN IT IS COMPLETED. NORTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK IN NOKATEE, WE'RE RIGHT AT THE FINAL STAGES. THE LAST PART IS IN FRONT OF THE BOARD TODAY TO BE APPROVED. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NORTHEAST PARK, WE'RE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DAVIS PARK, AND THIS TIME LINE WAS NOT JUST BY MISTAKE.
WE ACTUALLY TIMED THESE TOGETHER BECAUSE WE DO THINK THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF SAVINGS FOR CONDITIONS BY RUNNING THESE TWO PARKS AND THESE TWO PROJECTS CONCURRENT WITH EACH OTHER.
AND AS PART OF THE NOCATEE NORTHEAST PARK, WE'LL ALSO HAVE A FREE STANDING ROUGHLY 19,000 SQUARE FOOT LIBRARY THAT WILL BE COMPLETED -- RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT SUMMER OF 2027 FOR THE PARK AND THE LIBRARY. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE SILVER LEAF SPORTS PLEX, A TRUE SPORTS COMPLEX. IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT ON 16A, YOU CAN ALREADY SEE WHAT THIS PARK IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE. IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPRESSIVE ALREADY WHAT THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO END UP BEING. AND WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO GREG CALWELL, AND HE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT ROADS.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY FAVORITE THING TO TALK ABOUT ROADS.
SO, FIRST OF ALL, APPRECIATE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SUPPORT OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO GET US TO THE POINT OF ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE MADE IN 2025, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE. WANT TO ALSO THANK ADMINISTRATION FOR SUPPORT FOR GETTING ALL THESE PROJECTS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. SO BACK IN 2025 LONG LEAF DRIVE PARK WYWAS ONE OF THE PROJECTS WE COMPLETED. EWE BUILT FROM A TWO- LANE TO A FOUR-LANE ROADWAY. THE BIG THING ABOUT THIS PARK WAS NOT ONLY THE IMPROVEMENTS BUT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MADE THE DEVELOPER PAY UP FRONT FOR IMPROVEMENTS. $15. 1 MILLION WAS THE DEVELOPER'S CONTRIBUTIONS, AND ALSO IT WAS DELIVERED WITH LESS THAN 1% CHANGE ORDERS. ANOTHER THINK WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS MICHAEL ROAD AND STATE ROAD A1A. WE DID RECEIVE MONEY FROM THE STATE FOR THESE IMPROVEMENTS.
IT IS STATE ROAD A1 A, SO THOSE IMPROVEMENTS HELPED THEM AS WELL, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM AND GET MONEY INTO THIS PROJECT. PINE ISLAND AND U.S. 1 SIGNAL, WE MADE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MADE THIS ONE OF THEIR TOP PRIORITIES IN THE PAST. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THIS UNDER DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION LAST YEAR AND FINISH THAT.
I FEEL IT'S A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT FOR THE AREA ALONG U.S. 1. WE ALSO RECEIVED MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING FROM THE STATE FOR THIS PROJECT.
WE WIDENED THE SECTION TOTO LANES.
THESE FUNDS MOSTLY CAME FROM TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUNDS.
THIS IS AN OVERALL AREA GOING TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF THAT ROAD SEGMENT. AND THEN SILVER LEAF, THIS IS ONE OF THE LATEST ONES WE COMPLETED FROM SILVER LEAF PARKWAY, AND THROUGH INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY, THIS IS A GREAT ROADWAY FOR ST.
JOHNS COUNTY. IT ALIGNS WITH THE NORTH, SOUTH CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO. THIS WAS A PROJECT THAT WAS COMPLETED, AND WE HAD A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DESIGN ENGINEER AND CONTRACTOR.
WE JUST HAD OUR RIBBON CUTTING NOT TOO LONG AGO IN THIS SECTION. STATE ROAD 16 AND SOUTH FRANCIS ROAD, THIS CAME UP DURING LAST YEAR, AND WE REACHED OUT TO THE D.O.T. LOCAL OFFICE. THEY WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH US AND PROVIDE 50% OF THE FUNDING
[00:35:01]
TO COME UP WITH A TEMPORARY DESIGN SO WE CAN GET THIS UP-AND-UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND IT IS OPERATIONAL TODAY. BUT THIS WAS A GREAT WAY THAT RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND THE D.O.T. ALLOWED PROJECTS TO MOVE FORWARD. AND EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT PROGRAMMED WITHIN THE D.O.T. FIVE- YEAR WORK PROGRAM, THEY SUPPORT US IN MAKING SURE THERE'S IMPROVEMENTS AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS WHENEVER NECESSARY.STATE ROAD 207 IN BRINKOFF IS ANOTHER INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT. THERE'S ALSO A PUBLIX AND SHOPPING CENTERS IN THIS GENERAL AREA.
THE SIGNALS HELP WITH EFFICIENCY OF MOVEMENT IN THIS INTERSECTION AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENTS THE SAFETY OF THE OVERALL AREA. AND THEN SUMMER HAVEN, THIS WAS A PROJECT THAT STARTED BACK WITH HURRICANE MATTHEW, WHEN IT IMPACTED THIS AREA. AND OVER THE COURSE OF SOME TIME.
2016 IS WHEN HURRICANE MATTHEW HIT US.
THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER IMPACTS THAT KEPT HITTING THIS GENERAL AREA, BUT THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS PROJECT IT IS COMPLETE.
WE REBUILT THE ROAD. THIS MITIGATES FUTURE IMPACTS FROM STORMS. BUT ALSO 75% OF THESE FUNDS SHOULD COME FROM FEMA FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO THE COUNTY AS WELL AS ANOTHER 12. 5% COMING FROM THE STATE.
SO THIS COST THE COUNTY 12. 5% FROM THE LOCAL TAXPAYERS.
AND THEN LOOKING FORWARD BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE TRAIL INTERSECTION UP IN NOCATEE, THIS PROJECT HAS ALREADY BEEN AWARDED TO A CONTRACTOR. CONSTRUCTION WILL START MOMENTARILY, AND IT WILL BE COMPLETE HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE SUMMER THIS YEAR. THIS IS FULL NEW SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION. STATE ROAD 16A, AND TRAIL, WE ARE WORKING HAND IN HAND TO DO INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS. THE EXPECTATION IS THIS PROJECT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION THIS SUMMER.
THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. IT'S ADJACENT TO VILLAGE DRIVE.
THIS IS GOING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PARKING FOR THE SCHOOL AND THE PARK AFTER IT'S COMPLETED. THIS IS A BIG ONE.
STATE ROAD 16 AND INTERNATIONAL GOLFWAY IMPROVEMENTS.
THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW. THE KEY THING IS 2209 HAS BEEN CONSTRUCT. IT HAS NOT BEEN CONNECTED TO STATE ROAD 16 YET. THAT IS COMING.
THAT IS COMING IN THE NEXT 60 TO 90 DAYS. FIRST DAYS OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CONNECT 2209 INTO STATE ROAD 16, SO THAT IS GOING TO OFFER A SECONDARY ACCESS POINT TO THE OVERALL AREA. THIS PROJECT IS GOING EXTREMELY WELL. WE HAVE A GREAT CONTRACTOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT. THIS IS GOING FOUR LANES BETWEEN 2209 ALL THE WAY THROUGH INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY AS WELL AS INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY AND STATE ROAD 16. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE RECEIVED OVER $17 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR THIS PROJECT. ANOTHER MAJOR IMPROVEMENT NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO OUR COMPLEX IS THE STRATTAN BOULEVARD SIGNAL ON STATE ROAD 16. THIS IS A SERIES OF FOUR DIFFERENT SIGNALS. THIS IS THE D.O.T. U-TURN- TYPE OF SCENARIO, BUT THEY WILL ALL BE SIGNALIZED AND THIS WILL HELP OUT WITH THE COLVERS, UPS STORE, AS WELL AS OTHER COMMERCAL FEATURES IN THE AREA. THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE COMPLETE THIS YEAR.
COUNTY ROAD 210 WEST WIDENING, THIS PROJECT IS STARTING TO TAKE SHAPE. IF YOU'VE BEEN OUT THERE LATELY YOU CAN SEE PAVING IS STARTING TO COME ALONG.
A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS ARE STARTING TO FORM.
THE SECOND BRIDGE HAS BEEN COMPLETED, SO THIS IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT IT'S DONE AND COMPLETED AND OPEN IN THE MAY OF 2026.
THIS ALSO INCLUDES MAJOR INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT VETERANS, COUNTY ROAD 210, AND GREENBRIAR.
COUNTY ROAD 210 EAST, I THINK I'LL BE THE HAPPIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD IF THIS IS PROJECT IS COMPLETE. IF YOU'VE BEEN OUT THERE LATELY THERE'S PAVING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD. NEXT WE CAN ACTUALLY SEPARATE THE TRAFFIC ON NORTH SIDE AND SOUTH SIDE TO SEPARATE THE MEDIANS WITH THE EXPECTATION THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. AND WE DO NOT SEE ANYTHING FROM STOPPING US FROM MEETING THAT GOAL. ALSO THERE'S A SIGNAL AT CUMBERLAND THAT SHOULD GO INTO OPERATION WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
GREENBRIAR ROAD IS ANOTHER SECTION CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION WITH THE DEVELOPERS.
[00:40:02]
THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDER DESIGN AND PERMITTING WITH ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH THE EXPECTATION WE SHOULD HAVE ALL WHAT WE NEED TO BID THIS OUT THIS YEAR AND START CONSTRUCTION.FIRST THING THAT WE'LL DO IS CLEAR IT AND GET THE UTILITIES OUT OF OUR WAY AND START CONSTRUCTION. CANES ESTATE ROAD CORRIDOR, THIS IS A PROJECT WE HAVE BROKEN UP INTO MULTIPLE PHASES JUST BECAUSE OF THE SIZE AND COST OF THE PROJECT. WE HAD BID OUT THE FIRST PHASE, WHICH IS HILLTOP ROAD. WE'LL COME BACK TO THE BOARD TO AWARD THAT CONTRACT, AND CONSTRUCTION WILL COMMENCE THE FIRST PART OF NEXT YEAR. I'M SORRY, FIRST PART OF THIS YEAR. IT'S ALREADY 2026.
AND WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN THIS OVER TO NEIL SHINKRE TO TALK ABOUT UTILITY PROJECTS.
>> COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING. NEIL SHINKRE.
CERTAINLY, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO FOLLOW THAT AMAZING ORDER AND ENTOURAGE OF PROJECTS THAT WILL BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY FOR YEARS TO COME. WOULDN'T YOU AGREE WITH ME THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE JUST GOOD-LOOKING? COMMISSIONERS, I'M JUST SETTING THE EXPECTATIONS. IN CONTRAST THE UTILITY PROJECTS ARE NOT SO GOOD- LOOKING, BUT THEY'RE RESOURCEFUL, AND THEY'RE NECESSARY FOR US.
THE BEST COMPLEMENT A UTILITY CAN RECEIVE IS JUST SILENCE.
THE REASON BECAUSE WHEN THE SYSTEM WORKS, IT'S INVISIBLE. AND WHEN IT DOESN'T, IT IS UNACCEPTABLE. AND WE JUST LOVE IT THAT WAY.
2025 MARKED A GREAT YEAR FOR US. WE FINISHED 25 PROJECTS -- OVER 25 PROJECTS BUDGETING ABOUT $200 MILLION WITH PROBABLY INVESTING ABOUT $90 MILLION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY RIGHT AWAY WITH A COMMON GOAL -- TO MAKE SURE EVERY CUSTOMER FEELS WHEN THEY NEEDED THAT WATER, IT'S THERE FOR THEM.
AGAIN, WE LIKE IT THAT WAY. 25 FEATURED THREE MAIN THINGS, ONE IS RELIABILITY, REDUNDANCY, CAPACITY, AND I'LL ADD ONE MORE, R AND R, FROM THE PROJECTS. WITH THAT I'LL BRIEFLY GO WITH OUR PROJECT. THIS ONE I LOVE THIS PROJECT BECAUSE WHAT IT BRINGS ABOUT IS THE TECHNOLOGY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THAT, WE USE MICROTUMBLING, DIRECTIONAL DRILL TO MAXIMIZE THOSE TECHNOLOGIES FOR THIS PROJECT.
VERY SMOOTH PROJECT, VERY MINIMAL DISRUPTIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY, TRAFFIC. THAT'S WHAT WE LIKE, INVISIBLE.
THIS PROJECT IS NOT SO AS INVISIBLE, BUT IT WILL BOOST THE PRESSURES AND PROVIDE REDUNDANCY, PROVIDE RELIABILITY FOR THE STATE ROAD 16 CORRIDOR AROUND THAT AREA. ANOTHER THING I LIKE ABOUT THIS PROJECT IT TRANSFERS WHAT I CALL THE GOOD QUALITY WATER OR CHEAPER PRODUCING WATER FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH TO OUR SOUTH CUSTOMERS.
ANOTHER STORAGE TANK, ANOTHER RELIABILITY, ANOTHER REDUNDANCY PROJECT IN OUR NORTH WEST PART, VERY NEEDED.
THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO SERVE US MAKING SURE OUR CUSTOMERS GET THAT NEEDED WATER PRESSURES WHEN THEY NEED IT. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORTS IN HASTINGS. I THINK I'VE PRESENTED TO YOU BEFORE. IT'S COMPLETED NOW.
IT ALMOST TRIPLED THE FIRE FLOW TO THIS COMMUNITY IN THE DOWN TOWN AREA. WHAT'S AMAZING ABOUT THIS IS THIS WILL SET A STEPPINGSTONE, YOU CAN CALL IT A BUILDING BLOCK FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY IS SO MUCH WANTING THIS PROJECT, SO THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
2026, A LOOK AHEAD, REALLY WHAT I WANT TO SAY BEFORE I START IS THIS IS GOING TO BE A UNIQUE START OF A NEW CYCLE FOR US. I THINK I'VE MENTIONED TO YOU ALL, I CALL IT THE AGE OF THE REGULATORY RENAISSANCE.
WE'RE HERE TO MITIGATE IT. WE'RE ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE FROM TALLAHASSEE, BUT THAT WILL NEED A LOT OF FUNDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. SECOND, WE'RE HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE SECURING WATER SUPPLY FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST AS SORT OF OUR CAP FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS STARTING THIS YEAR IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND RESOURCEFUL WATER CONSERVATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO REALLY TAKE UP THAT CHALLENGE TO PROVIDE THE 100% RE- CLAIMED WATER FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND THAT'S GOING TO SET ABOUT 100 PROJECTS THAT WILL TOTAL 500 TO $600 MILLION FOR THE YEARS TO COME HERE.
THIS IS A PROJECT THAT IS GOING TO BE COMPLETE NEXT YEAR. I LOVE THIS PROJECT.
I CALL IT A 10 BY 10. TEN FOR THE LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY AND TEN WITH MY PERSONAL RATING TEN OUT OF TEN. THE REASON IS BECAUSE IT GOT COMPLETED IN THREE YEARS. IT WILL BE COMPLETED IN THREE YEARS. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PROJECT TO COORDINATOR.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FIVE, SIX AGENCIES.
OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT, OUR LAND USE DEPARTMENT, EVEN OUR LEGAL, EVERYBODY GETTING TOGETHER, OUR CONTRACTORS AND MORE SPECIFICALLY OUR STAFF, OUR ENGINEERING TEAM GETTING TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS
[00:45:03]
HAPPEN. SMOOTHEST PROJECT, NO CHANGE ORDERS. RIGHT ON TIME FOR THE COMMUNITY.IT'LL BE TRANSFERRING TO THE SOUTH PART WHERE IT'S AVAILABLE TO THE NORTH PART WHERE WE NEED IT. ALL RIGHT? SO THIS ONE AGAIN IS SORT OF A CONTINUATION FOR THAT SAME GRID.
IF YOU'VE TRAVELED ON STATE ROAD 16, COMMISSIONERS, YOU WILL SEE THIS PIPELINE ON THE RIGHT- HAND, THE EAST SIDE OF THE COMMUNITY. IT'S ABOUT A 6- MILE PROJECT IN TOTAL. THE FIRST ONE IS GETTING COMPLETED VERY QUICKLY HERE, AND THE SECOND ONE WILL FOLLOW, ESTIMATED TO BE COMPLETE THIS YEAR, AGAIN, ON TIME, ON BUDGET, NO CHANGE ORDERS. THIS ONE YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN.
IT'S OUR STAPLE 207207 FACILITY.
AGAIN, BORING BUT NEEDED. THIS IS WEST OF 95 ON 207.
AMAZING THINGS ABOUT THIS PROJECT IT'S $190 MILLION FACILITY, A CONTRACT. THIS FACILITY THAT YOU SEE IS ABOUT $123 MILLION. TWO THINGS I WANT TO MENTION -- STATE-OF-THE- ART, A.I.- READY, AUTOMATED, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WHAT I LOVE IS WE'RE GOING TO BE REMOVING ABOUT -- I WOULD SAY ABOUT A MILLION POUNDS OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS OF NUTRIENTS IN THE MOTANSA, SO I LOVE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PART. THIS IS ANOTHER PROJECT IN HASTINGS. I FORGOT TO PUT THAT SLIDE IT'S IN NORTH BEACH COMMUNITIES. THOSE TWO PROJECTS WILL PROVIDE RELIABILITY AND REDUNDANCY IN THESE COMMUNITIES.
THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE WORKED FOR AGES, FOR 20, 30 YEARS NOW FOR ONE KIND OF TRAIN THAT SUPPORTS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
UNACCEPTABLE. THESE PROJECTS WILL PROVIDE BACKUPS, RELIELT, REDUNDANCY, GENERATOR BACKUPS, NEW ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, AGAIN, PROVIDING THAT WATER WHEN THEY NEED IT 100% OF THE TIMES TO BE COMPLETED SHORTLY.
AGAIN, THE WATER SUPPLY THAT I MENTIONED FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS, COMMISSIONERS, TROUT CREEK WILL BE A NEW PROJECT FOR US THAT WILL RESOURCEFULLY ADD IN THE FUTURE WITH THE GROWING NEEDS IN OUR NORTHWEST AREA. THIS WILL BE, AGAIN, A STATE-OF-THE- ART FACILITY. ANOTHER THING IMPORTANT IS WE'RE PROUD OF OTHER UTILITIES DON'T DO IS REMOVE SULFATES. IT'S REALLY BANG FOR THE BUC.
IT'S A HUGE PROJECT YET TO COME. $45 MILLION WE ANTICIPATE, AND PLUS PROBABLY 10 TO -- I'M SORRY, 6 TO 8 FLORIDA WELLSWELLS WILL ALSO PROVIDE WATER TO THIS PROJECT. LASTLY, AGAIN BORING BUT NEEDED, WASTEWATER FACILITY EXPANSION FOR OUR NORTHWEST WASTEWATER. AGAIN, NEEDED SETTING A STAGE FOR CAPACITY FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS FOR THIS COMMUNITY. AGAIN, AUTOMATED -- FULLY AUTOMATED, A.I.- READY, AND RESOURCEFUL. ALLOWS ME TO BRING MY GOOD FRIEND CORY HERE. EVERY PROJECT YOU SEE A LAND MANAGEMENT TOUCHES ON. AGAIN, I APPRECIATE JAMIE AND HER OFFICE. AGAIN, THEY HELP US WITH EVERYONE, AND NOT TO FORGET GORDON SMITH, SCOTT, AND THEIR TEAM OF ENGINEERING REALLY SUPPORT EVERYTHING I'VE SAID AND JUST COME HERE AND SPOKEN TODAY.
>> THANK YOU, NEIL. GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS. HAPPY NEW YEAR. CORY, LAND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
I APPRECIATE NEAL POINTING OUT SOME OF WHAT LAND MANAGEMENT DOES. WE'RE A SMALL AND MIGHTY TEAM. SOME OF THE PROJECTS YOU SEE FROM PUBLIC WORKS, UTILITIES, PARKS AND REC,EVEN FACILITIES REALLY DON'T GET THEIR START UNTIL EITHER SOME FORM OF EASEMENT OR LAND IS ACQUIRED BEFORE THEY CAN ACTUALLY GET THE PROPOSAL AND START THE PROJECT.
SO WITH THAT, I DO APPRECIATE YOU RECOGNIZING THE TEAM. I'M GOING TO TOUCH ON JUST A COUPLE OF SMALL PROJECTS -- NOT SMALL. LARGE PROJECTS MORE NOTABLE FOR LAND MANAGEMENT THIS YEAR. AS YOU'RE AWARE THE SUMMER HAVEN TREATMENT PROGRAM IS SOMETHING BOARD DIRECTED STAFF TO WORK TOWARDS AS A LONG- TERM SOLUTION.
THE BOARD HAS SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CRITICALLY ERODED PORTIONS OF OF THIS AREA. I CAN REPORT TO YOU THAT FOR 2025 WE WERE SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO ACQUIRE FIVE PROPERTIES.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ANTICIPATING FOUR MORE TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD. THERE'S FOUR THAT WE'RE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH, AND WE HAVE SEVEN MORE OTHER PPRAISALS, SO WE'VE RECEIVED POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.
AND I'LL REITERATE, IT IS PURELY
[00:50:03]
VOLUNTARY. NEXT, WE HAVE TOUCHING ON LAND -- LAND ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT PLAN.THESE ARE THE VISION ESTATE ACQUISITION.
TWO OF THE THREE LARGER PARCELS, SO THE BAYLEY RANCH PARCEL IS BEING HANDLED BY FLORIDA -- WHAT IS IT, FLORIDA NATIONAL TRUST? THEY'RE GOING TO WORK TOWARDS ACQUIRING STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS.
BUT WE WERE SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO ACQUIRE THE RIVERFRONT LOTS, THE 2.7 ACRES IN JANUARY AT APPRAISED VALUE. LASTLY WE HAVE THE HAWKINS ISLAND ACQUISITION. SO THIS WAS A 14, A LITTLE OVER 14- ACRE MARITIME SALT MARSH FORESTED ISLAND JUST SOUTH OF 312 THAT THE LIST PRICE I BELIEVE WAS, LIKE, 1.6, BUT WE WERE SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO ACQUIRE THAT AT 5. 65 ACRES AS PART OF THE LAMP PROGRAM. THAT CONCLUDES MY PORTION.
I WILL NOW PASS THIS ONTO DR. JOSEPH TO COVER THE COASTAL
PROJECTS. >> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS. I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROJECTS. SO THE FIRST PROJECT I'M GOING TO BE BRINGING UP IS IN RESPONSE TO THE 2024 STORMS. AS YOU RECALL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE DID THE RENOURISHMENT OF THE FULL 9 MILES.
HOWEVER, THOSE COUPLE OF STORMS DID SOME DAMAGE IN SOME OF THE AREAS, AND WE ARE RIGHT NOW IN KIND OF THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN WORKING WITH FEMA, WORKING WITH OTHER PARTNERS TO REALLY KIND OF HONE IN EXACTLY WHERE WE NEED TO PLACE SOME SAND. I WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE BOARD PROBABLY IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS HERE TO REALLY GET INTO THE WEEDS OF THIS PROJECT SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT THE FUNDING AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROCEED WITH THIS PROJECT.
THIS IS SOMETHING YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE.
WE HAVE GONE THROUGH, WELL, FEMA. THIS IS JUST ABOUT FULLY FUNDED.
WE ARE NOW RIGHT NOW WAITING SUPERSOME PERMITS AND THE FINAL DESIGN BEFORE WE GET TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS.
THIS IS ANOTHER PROJECT I'LL BE COMING BACK WHEN WE GET TO THOSE MILESTONES TO PRESENT EXACTLY WHERE W ARE AND GO INTO CONSTRUCTION. THIS PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETED SOME TIME THIS YEAR, IF WE GET ALL OUR FINAL PERMITS IN PLACE. AND THE LAST PROJECT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS THE SOUTH PONTE VEDRA PROJECT. GET PART OF THE BEACH UNDER PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CORP BECAUSE THAT BRINGS A LOT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND - TERM STABILITY TO THE BEACH.
THIS PROJECT WILL NOT BE COMPLETED IN '26.
IT'S LIKELY A COUPLE OF YEARS OUT, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF PIECES THAT GO INTO THIS PROJECT WITH COST SHARE THAT YOU'LL SEE ME COME BACK AND WORK ON GETTING THIS PROJECT FULLY FUNDED.
IT'S A LARGE PROJECT, AND IT'S AGAIN FOR 50 YEARS.
A LOT OF MONEY IN PLACE WITH THIS, AND THE TEAM BEHIND ME HERE THAT -- THE REASON WHY I GOT PUT INTO THIS IS BECAUSE OF THIS MAJOR PROJECT IS WE'LL BE TALKING WITH A LOT OF INTERNAL PARTNERS IN TRYING TO GET THIS DONE. SO THAT IS OUR STORM WATER -- OUR STORM PROJECT, AND I'M GOING TO BRING UP TOM FOR THE TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> GOOD MORNING. TOM, ERP SYSTEMS ARCHITECT, AND I'M GOING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE ERP SYSTEM.
IT'S AN INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECT THAT MODERNIZES OUR BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS IS ACROSS THE HR PAYROLL, PROCUREMENT, AND FINANCIAL PAYMENT SYSTEMS. I LIKE TO SAY HOW WE MANAGE EVERY POSITION AND EVERY PENNY.
THIS IS OUR BIGGEST TECHNOLOGY PROJECT FOR THE COUNTY. IT REPLACES DECADES OLD OBSOLETE AND UNDERSIZED SYSTEMS. IT IS ON SCHEDULE.
WE LAUNCHED OVER THE PAST FOUR WEEKS.
WE ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON USEDER SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION, WHICH IS A LARGE PART OF THIS PROJECT THAT TAKES SEVERAL MONTHS. THE ERP IS A FOUNDATION FOR BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, SO IT WILL ALLOW US TO BUILD FURTHER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ENHANCEMENTS OVER TIME. THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION FOR THE TEAM ON ALL OF THE PROJECTS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THAT TO
THAT WAS A PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE LOOK BACK AND LOOK FORWARD FOR OUR COUNTY. YOU GUYS ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB.
[00:55:06]
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. CAN EVERYBODY HEAR
ME? >> IS THERE ANY WAY JUST TO STOP THAT? OKAY. NOW YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I DON'T WANT TO PROLONG WHAT WAS A THOROUGH AND COMPREHENSIVE PRESENTATION. JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS TO TOUCH ON. THE PERMIT CENTER, MR. WHITCRAFT, I JUST WANT TO REASSURE PEOPLE BECAUSE WHEN THAT WAS INITIALLY FUNDED THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION ABOUT WHERE THE FUNDING WAS COMING FROM. I WANT TO CONFIRM THAT WE'RE NOT SPENDING ONE PENNY OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX DOLLAR, NOT ONE PENNY OF SALES TAX, GAS TAX, AND CERTAINLY NOT FROM OUR PRECIOUS PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS.
>> THAT'S ALL COMING FROM THE PERMITS.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> BEING PURCHASED.
AND SOMETHING ELSE I NOTICED ABOUT THE PRESENTATION I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY.
>> YES. >> EVERY PROJECT, WHICH BY THE WAY, YOU COULD DO A LIMITED SERIES ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE PROJECTS, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT. THESE ARE COMPLEX AND TIME- CONSUMING -- IT TOOK YEARS TO PUT THAT INTO A 30- MINUTE PRESENTATION. IT'S YEARS OF PEOPLES LIVES AND YEARS OF PEOPLES EFFORTS AND FUNDING.
BUT THE FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHAT JUMPED OUT TO ME IS YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB OF SEEKING OUT EVERY GRANT OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE.
YOU'RE MAXIMIZING THESE IMPACT FEES AND REALLY ACTIVATING THE IMPACT FEES WE'RE GETTING FROM NEW DEVELOPMENTS HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ALL. YOU'RE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB.
I WISH THE 350,000 RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY CAN SEE HOW HARD YOU'RE WORKING AND HOW YOU'RE IMPROVING THE QUAL OF LIFE. AS A COMMISSIONER AND AS A RESIDENT, I JUST WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> ALL RIGHT, I JUST THINK IT WAS AMAZING THE PRESENTATION.
I RESPECT DAN WHITCRAFT, RYAN KING, JOE, TOM TIBBETTS.
I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL, AND I DO -- I DON'T WANT TO PUT A DAMPER ON IT, BUT I THINK PUBLIC COMMENT -- WE'RE MISSING PUBLIC COMMENT.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT GONE. THIS WAS 45 MINUTES.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN AN AGENDA ITEM. I'M NOT ATTACKING THE CHAIR.
I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THETHE PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING THERE THINKING THEY HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT RIGHT AWAY.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE, AND THAT WAS VERY COMPREHENSIVE AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. AND I LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY, TOO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I THINK THANKS IS AN
[Deletions to Consent Agenda ]
UNDERSTATEMENT. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PUT IT ANY BETTER THAN THAT. BUT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.ANY DELETIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? AND LET'S SEE, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH? YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. WE'VE GOT A NEW SYSTEM SO YOU'REYOU'RE GOING TO HAVE GIVE US A SECOND.
THANK YOU. AND COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.
YES, SIR, I NEED TO PULL NUMBER 26 FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH APOLOGIES TO STAFF. LAST WEEK WHEN I HAD MY BRIEFING I DIDN'T KNOW, BUT I HAVE A CLARIFYING QUESTION ABOUT KEEPING THE NORTHWEST TOWER FUNDS IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE COUNTOPY JUST TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP.
BUT I'LL NEED TO PULL THAT JUST TO GET SOME CLARIFYING
LANGUAGE. >> OKAY, WE'LL PULL 26 AND MAKE IT 9 FOR NOW ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THAT MIGHT
CHANGE. >> ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER
[Approval of Consent Agenda]
TAYLOR, ANYTHING? OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.AND I HAVE NONE. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY, SORRY. THANK YOU.
ANYWAYS, I WANT TO USE THIS CONSENT AGENDA TIME BECAUSE I GOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.
WAS THAT EVER IMPRESSIVE THAT PRESENTATION.
IT WAS INCREDIBLE. AND I GOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, I COULDN'T EVEN FIND ONE FLAW IN THE WHOLE THING. AND IT JUST -- I TELL YOU, LIKE, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST SAID, I SURE HOPE THAT THE 350,000 PEOPLE OR AT LEAST HALF OF THEM TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THEM, BECAUSE I'M TELLING YOU THAT'S THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THING I'VE SEEN IN ABOUT 10 OR 15 YEARS.
[01:00:02]
>> OKAY. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY, SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. NOW A MOTION TO APPROVE.
WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AND OPPOSED? THANK YOU.
THAT'S PASSED. ADDITIONS -- THIS IS A NEW SYSTEM, SO IF EVERYONE WOULD PUSH THEIR BUTTON, IT'LL
[Additions/Deletions to Regular Agenda ]
GO A LOT -- IT'LL GO A LOT QUICKER. THANK YOU.ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE REGULAR AGENDA? MS. ARNOLD?
>> OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, DO YOU HAVE ANY?
>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, DO YOU HAVE ANY?
>> AND COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, DO YOU HAVE
>> OKAY. I'M LOOKING AT THAT SECRET SQUIRREL WINDOW BACK THERE, TOM. OKAY, I HAVE NONE EITHER. DO WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF WOULD LIKE TO PULL AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6, THE URBAN FLEX DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. THERE'S SOME MINOR REVISIONS.
WE EXPECT THAT TO BE ON THE FEBRUARY 3RD
AGENDA. >> OKAY, REGULAR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6 IS BEING PULLED FOR ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM. OKAY.
[Approval of Regular Agenda ]
PUBLIC COMMENT? FOR THE AGENDA, ISN'T THAT RIGHT?>> COMMISSIONER MURPHY, I WANT TO MOVE APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA AS
AMENDED. >> OKAY, WE HAVE APPROVAL.
>> WE HAVE A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[Public Comment]
>> AND OPPOSED? OKAY, THAT PASSES.
NOW WE GO INTO GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO TURN THIS THING OFF FOR NOW.
TOM, YOU GOT ANY WISDOM FOR US BACK THERE? YEAH, SURE. RIGHT NOW WE'LL HEAR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. SEE IF YOU CAN -- OKAY, SO ANYWAY 3 MINUTES. STEP ON UP.
GO. >> TOM REYNOLDS, 112, 32080.
MY PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY IS THOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINSTTHY NEIGHBOR. AS YOU KNOW THERE'S A LAWSUIT.
ST. JOHNS IS GETTING SUEDSUED THE ROBINSON COMPANY.
I'M SUPER DISAPPOINTED THAT IT'S THE DOUGLAS LAW FIRM. NOW, THE DOUGLAS LAW FIRM IS THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH'S CONTRACT AND IT'S THE CITY ATTORNEY.
WHY I FIND IT SO TROUBLING IS THAT LAW FIRM IS SUING US AND ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH IS IN THERE. THEY'RE SUING THEMSELVES. NOW, I WANT TO REMIND YOU AWESOME. MR. ROYAL IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST HIGH RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL I HAVE COME ACROSS IN 50 YEARS OF GOING TO PUBLIC MEETINGS. AND DOUGLAS LAW FIRM, I BROUGHT IT TO THE COMMISSION, THE BEACH COMMISSION THAT THEY'RE SUING, AND THEY COULDN'T DO A THING ABOUT IT. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN ADDRESS IT THAT THEY'RE SUING. AND I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU WHO'S IN THE DOUGLAS LAW FIRM.
JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER, PARTNER OF THE LAW FIRM, A MAN WHO WAS
[01:05:07]
A COUNTY COMMISSIONER. AND I JUST FIND IT SO ODD THAT HE WOULD SUE THE COUNTY OR HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH SUING THE COUNTY. I WANT TO POINT THAT OUT TO YOU BECAUSE, SEE, A LOT OF PEOPLE THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW THIS BUT BLOCKER IS 100% DISABLED. HE PAYS NO TAXES, AND HE THINKS HE CAN GET AWAY WITH A LOT OF THINGS. AND I WANT TO REMIND THIS COMMISSION THAT JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER IN THIS ROOM BROKE STATE LAW, BROKE THE COUNTY ORDINANCE, AND DISCRIMINATED AGAINST WOMEN.SO WHEN IT COMES BUDGET TIME FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, I REALLY HOPE YOU'LL REMEMBER THESE THINGS BECAUSE TO ME ALL THAT MONEY THAT FROM BEACH SERVICES IS GOING TO THE ABSOLUTELY OUT OF CONTROL POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY HAVE THERE. NOW, CITY HALL I JUST WANT TO REPEAT THEY ARE EXCELLENT WORKERS. ACROSS THAT PARKING LOT WHERE THE COPS ARE, I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH OUT OF CONTROL SPENDING IN MY LIFE AS THAT POLICE FORCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. AND, GUESTS, WE HAVE THREE PODIUMS UP HERE.
IF YOU GUYS WANT TO COME ON UP AND JUST BE READY TO GO.
WE'LL DO THE HONORS SYSTEM OF WHO'S FIRST.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MADAM VICE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION OR FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY MANAGER. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY WITH REGARD TO -- CAN WE HAVE OUR SLIDES, PLEASE? WITH REGARD TO ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE.
ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDEFINE AGING AS WE KNOW IT TODAY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
IN THE PAST 22 MONTHS WE'VE HAD MANY HANDS AND HEARTS WORKING TO CREATE THIS VILLAGE COMPLEX, THINGS TO BE ABLE TO DO JUST THAT. WE'VE HAD ENORMOUS OUTPOURING FROM IT CITY, THE COUNTY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY FROM THE RESIDENTS THEMSELVES.
OUR RESIDENTS INCLUDE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE COUNCIL ON AGING, LIFELONG LEARNING OF FLAGLER COLLEGE, AND THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. THE CHALLENGE.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OH, I CAN DO IT.
SORRY ABOUT THAT. ISOLATION AND LONELINESS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE BY ZIP CODE, RATHER.
THERE ARE LONELY PEOPLE IN PONTE VEDRA, LONELY PEOPLE IN FLAGLER ESTATES, AND LONELY PEOPLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE. AGING AND LONELINESS EQUATE TO MORE THAN A PACK OF CIGARETTES A DAY IN TERMS OF THE EFFECTS ON OUR HEALTH. THE VILLAGE MOVEMENT IS 22 YEARS OLD. THERE ARE 280 VILLAGES NOT ONLY NATIONWIDE BUT THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA INCLUDING PLACES LIKELIKE FINLAND. THE VILLAGE NETWORK HEADQUARTERED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL VILLAGES INCLUDING SAN FRANCISCO AND WASHINGTON, D.C.
SAN FRANCISCO THAT VILLAGE HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN 600 MEMBER.
IN WASHINGTON, D.C. I WOULD POINT OUT THEY HAVE 11 VILLAGES. THEY HAVE A LINE ITEM OF A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR JUST TO SUPPORT THESE VILLAGES.
AND THE REASON THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS LIKE IT IS THEY'RE VERY COST-EFFECTIVE. AND THE REASON VILLAGES LIKE IT IS BECAUSE THEY'RE GRASS ROOTS AND NOT GOVERNMENT.
I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO COFOUND A VILLAGE IN ST.
LOUIS 11 YEARS AGO. JUST LOOKING AROUND THAT ROOM IS JUST AMAZING.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT INCLUDES A NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
FLORIDA'S MODEL FOR AGING IN PLACE. REALLY I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME JUST THAT, WHERE PEOPLE SEE ST. JOHNS COUNTY AS A DESTINATION TO RELOCATE TO FLORIDA. VISIT ST. AUGUSTINE WE'RE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM TO CREATE A PORTAL AND WHEN THEY GO ON THEY WOULD SEE. WE'RE GOING TO DO IT IN A SCALABLE WAY TO ALLOW US TO BUILD VILLAGES THROUGHOUT ALL OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
SO WITH THAT, A LITTLE BIT SHORT IN TERMS OF MY TIME, BUT GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TOBE HERE TODAY TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT SOME OF THAT TO YOU. SO GOING TO INTRODUCE THE REST
[01:10:01]
OF OUR TEAM AND A COUPLE OF VILLAGES WHO ARE ALSO GOING TO MAKE TESTIMONIES. THANK YOUTHANK YOU SO MUCH. AND IF EVERYONE CAN PLEASE MOVE UP SO EACH OF YOU ARE AT A MIC, THAT WILL HELP US MOVE QUICKER. THANKS SO MUCH.
>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS SUNNY. I'M A FLAGLER COLLEGE GRADUATE, AND I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD VOLUNTEERS AND OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE ALREADY ASKING FOR SUPPORT. ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE IS A COMMUNITY- BASED NON- PROFIT SERVING RESIDENTS AGE 55 AND OLDER. WE ARE BUILT ON THE VILLAGE TO VILLAGE MALL, A NATIONALLY PROVEN APPROACH THAT HAS BEEN OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY FOR MORE THAN 22 YEARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND NOW ONE HAS DEVELOPED IN CANADA AS WELL, SO WE ARE PROUD TO BE THE SIXTH VILLAGE IN FLORIDA SPECIFICALLY IN ST. AUGUSTINE WE ARE WORKING ON A HUB AND SPOKE MODEL AND ST. AUGUSTINE IS OUR FIRST SPOKE.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS EXPERIENCING A RAPIDLY GROWING SENIOR POPULATION. ALONG WITH THAT GROWTH COMES INCREASED ISOLATION, TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, AND DIFFICULTY ACCESSING BASIC SERVICES ESPECIALLY FOR RESIDENTS ON FIXED INCOMES.
WHEN THESE NEEDS GO UNMET, THE RESULT IS INCREASED RELIANCE ON EMERGENCY SERVICES, HOSPITALS, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS. ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE PROVIDES A PREVENTATIVE COMMUNITY- BASED SOLUTION. WE OFFER TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT, REFERRALS TO VETTED PROVIDERS, AND SOCIAL CONNECTION THROUGH VOLUNTEERS. MOST IMPORTANTLY WE CREATE ONE COORDINATED ACCESS POINT SO OLDER ADULTS CAN GET HELP EARLY BEFORE SMALL ISSUES BECOME CRISES.
VILLAGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DEM STATED REDUCED EMERGENCY CALLS AND HOSPITAL VISITS, DELAYED ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT, AND STRONG OUTCOMES BY LEVERAGING VOLUNTEERS AND PARTNERSHIPS RATHER THAN COSTLY INTERVENTIONS.
IT IS HIGH IMPACT WITH LOW PUBLIC INVESTMENT.
TODAY WE ARE REQUESTING ONE- TIME STARTUP FUNDING TO FORMALLY LAUNCH ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE. ONGOING COSTS WILL BE SUSTAINED THROUGH GRANTS, DONATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND DUES, NOT LONG- TERM COUNTY DEPENDENCY. THE PRIMARY USE OF THESE FUNDS IS LEAN ACCOUNTING LEADERSHIP INCLUDING PARTIAL FUNDING FOR THE DIRECTOR ROLE AND INFRASTRUCTURES SUCH AS BRANDING AND A KEY WEBSITE. OUR OPERATIONAL ROLES ARE ALREADY VOLUNTEER-LED. THIS ORGANIZATION IS READY.
WE HAVE AN ENGAGED BOARD, COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS, STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND RESIDENTS ALREADY REQUESTING SERVICES. YOUR INVESTMENT WILL HELP OLDER ADULTS AGE SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, AND REDUCE LONG- TERM COUNTY COSTS WHILE SUPPORTING A MODEL THAT IS SCALABLE AND SUSTAINABLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND YOUR
CONSIDERATION. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS MARIA. I AM VICE PRESIDENT OF ST.
AUGUSTINE VILLAGE AND A MEMBER. I LIVE AT 506 MEDERA, ST. AUGUSTINE.
I'M A RETIRED SCHOOLTEACHER WHOWHO TAUGHT IN BOTH -- AND ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. I AM DIVORCED, I HAVE NO CHILDREN OR SIBLINGS. I AM BLESSED TO HAVE A LOVELY HOME, FRIENDS, AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES. I LOOK FORWARD TO ENJOYING ALL THE FUN AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE GATHERINGSGATHERINGS ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE WILL OFFER. I AM A TWO- TIME CANCER SURVIVOR. EXCUSE ME, I GET -- SORRY.
I HAD DOUBLE MAS TECT OIMS WITH RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY.
AT TIMES IT WAS HEART BREAKING FOR ME.
DURING MY CANCER EVENT I HAD THE RESOURCES TO HIRE HELP AND A FEW CASUAL FRIENDS WHO REACHED OUT, BUT BASICALLY I WAS EMOTIONALLY ALONE.
IT WAS A SAD TIME. I WAS CHALLENGED TO FIND RIDES TO THE HOSPITAL EVEN ON THE MORNING OF MY MAS TECTOMIES.
WHEN YOU HIRE, IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN ACCOMPANY YOU AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING. ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE IS NOT OFFICIALLY OPEN, BUT I'M HAPPY TO REPORT A SUPPORT SYSTEM HAS ALREADY FORMED. AS A SUPPORTED VILLAGER, I RECENTLY OCCUPIED ANOTHER VILLAGER TO THE HOSPITAL FOR HIS
[01:15:01]
BIOPSY AT 6 A.M. I PICKED HIM UP, I WAITED WHILE HIS BIOPSY WAS TAKING PLACE AND STAYED WITH HIM UNTIL HE WAS READY TO BE DISCHARGED. WHEN RELEASED, WHEREWHERE HIM HOME. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT HIS HOUSE, ANOTHER VILLAGER BROUGHT OVER HOMEMADE CHICKEN SOUP, WHICH WE ALL ENJOYED TOGETHER.I STAYED UNTIL HE FELT COMFORTABLE TO BE ALONE.
WHEN I LEFT HIS HOUSE, I FELT HOW MUCH I WOULD HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THIS TYPE OF KINDNESS WHEN I WAS OVERWHELMED WITH MY HOSPITALIZATION AND MY FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS. I AM WELL, HAPPY AND STRONG TODAY. I LIVE AN ACTIVE FULFILLED LIFE, BUT SOMEDAY I'LL NEED A FRIEND TO SIT WITH ME AND DRIVE ME WHEN NEEDED. IF YOU HELP US WITH FUNDING THE ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE, THERE WILL BE SOMEBODY THERE FOR ME. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERYVERY MUCH. OKAY
403 SHAMROCK ROAD, THE BOTTOM, OR SOUTHERN END OF THE SOUTH. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
THAT'S HARD TO FOLLOW. THAT REALLY HIT HOME.
BUT YOU ALL KNOW, I'VE SPOKEN WITH ALL OF YOU THAT I OPPOSE ANY SORT OF TRAIL OR PATH IN MY COMMUNITY, ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH. I COULD GO INTO THE REASONS, BUT I DO WANT TO KEEP IT SHORT AND JUST LOOK AT THE FUNDING SIDE OF THINGS.
I BELIEVE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $1.6 MILLION OR SO TO CREATE A PROJECT IN MY COMMUNITY THAT I COULD ARGUE MY COMMUNITY DOESN'T WANT AND DOESN'T NEED. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND. I WAS VERY, VERY PLEASED TO HEAR DIRECTOR KING TALK ABOUT THE BOAT RAMP PROJECT WITH SUCH ENTHUSIASM, SUCH EXCITEMENT. IT'S A MILE UP FROM THE INTERCOASTAL WHERE I LIVE. IT WOULD CREATE AMENITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY, RESIDENTS ALL OVER THE COUNTY TO COME USE THE BOAT RAMPS, THE PAVILIONS, THE KAYAK LAUNCH, THE REST ROOMS, THE PARKING. IT'S JUST A BRILLIANT PROJECT.
AND I WOULD PUT FORWARD WHY DON'T WE CONSIDER REALLOCATING THE MONEY FOR A TRAIL PROJECT THAT WE DON'T WANT IN MY COMMUNITY TO THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVERBOAT RAMP? YOU GUYS CAN DO THAT.
YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT. I HOPE YOU CAN CONSIDER IT AND PERHAPS PUT A MOTION FORWARD AT SOME POINT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
SHERRY BADGER. 2072 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE.
THERE WAS A BIG STORY ON THIS MORNING.
IT'S GOING ON HERE IN THIS COUNTY. THIS I GOT FROM A LADY AT WORK. SHE'S MY COWORKER. SHE TAKES CARE OF HER DISABLED HAS AND HER MOTHER. THESE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES ARE COMING IN AND RUNNING AND DOING THINGS. THIS IS LIKE A THREE- DAY LEGAL NOTICE. AND WE ALL KNOW TO GET A LEGAL NOTICE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN EVICTION NOTICE IN THREE DAYS. THEY'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE OVER IN WEST AUGUSTINE, AND I AM BRINGING THIS TO Y'ALL'S ATTENTION THAT THESE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES -- I'M GIVING YOU THESE PAPERS THAT SHE GAVE ME WHERE MAYBE SOMEBODY CAN LOOK INTO WHAT'S GOING ON.
I DON'T KNOW THE LEGAL JUST, BUT I KNOW WHEN SOMEBODY'S TAKING CARE OF THEIR DISABLED HAS, DISABLED MOTHER, AND PAYING THEIR RENT ON TIME AND HAVING A FIRST MONTH $1,600, THAT SHE HAD TO PAY. AND THIS IS WHAT'S GOING RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW IN THIS COUNTY. MAYBE CHANNEL 30 CAN HOOK UP WITH SOME Y'ALL AND Y'ALL CAN LOOK INTO IT.
THANKS FOR LISTENING TO AN 80-YEAR- OLD WOMAN.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AND OTHER RELIABLE SOURCES ARE STATING THAT BY THE YEAR 2030 ST. JOHNS COUNTY WILL BE 25% SENIOR CITIZENS.
THAT MEANS IN FOUR SHORT YEARS ST. JOHNS COUNTY WILL BE WORKING WITH 84,000 SENIOR CITIZENS.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE WITH AGING AND WATCHING WHAT MY FRIENDS ARE GOING THROUGH -- TAKE MY TESTIMONY -- THERE'S A WIDE SPECTRUM OF ISSUES, CHALLENGES, AND PROBLEMS THAT COME WITH AGING. AND YOU CAN'T REALLY PLAN FOR IT BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HIT
[01:20:04]
YOU PERSONALLY.ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAS SOME VERY GOOD PROGRAMS THAT WE APPRECIATE, BUT MY EXPERIENCE AND SOME OF MY FRIENDS' EXPERIENCE IS THAT IT GETS VERY COMPLICATED BECAUSE WE ALMOST QUALIFY.
WE CAN'T TICK OFF THAT LAST PESKY LITTLE BOX THAT WOULD QUALIFY US FOR A PROGRAM, AND SO WE FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE VILLAGE WOULD BE WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE COUNTY? IT WOULD HELP PICK UP THE SLACK AND FILL IN THE CRACK BECAUSE WE HAVE AN EASE FROM THE COUNTY BECAUSE THE FLEXIBILITY THAT COMES WITH THE CREATIVITY THAT'S ALLOWED BY THE VILLAGE WOULD ALLOW US TO GET OUR OWN ISSUES AND PROBLEMS SOLVED IN A UNCOMPLICATED WAY. I BELIEVE THAT THE SIMPLICITY OF IT AND PICKING UP THE SLACK WOULD HELP US BECAUSE IT'S UNATTAINABLE IN THE CURRENT FRAMEWORK OF THE COUNTY PROGRAMS. MY SECOND POINT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS OUR MENTAL HEALTH. IT'S ALREADY DOCUMENTED ABOUT LONELINESS AND STUFF, BUT IT GOES DEEPER THAN THAT.
MANY OF US ARE -- HAVE A DEEP- SEATED DESIRE TO -- WELL, SOCIOLOGISTS ARE CALLING IT INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTIVITY.
WELL, WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE'RE ACHING TO PASS ON OUR KNOWLEDGE, OUR INFORMATION, OUR WISDOM TO THE FUTURE GENERATIONS. WE ARE HOPING FOR CHANCES TO SHARE, TO MENTOR, TO BUILD A LEGACY AND CONNECT WITH OUR YOUNG, ENERGETIC ADULTS OF TODAY. I BELIEVE THAT THE -- THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE A FRUGALFRUGAL OF FUNDS BY SUPPORTING A WELL- RUN, WELL- STAFFED VILLAGE BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE COMING UP. IT'S GOING TO BE THE SILVER TSUNAMI. THAT'S BASICALLY IT BECAUSE SOME OF US ARE LIVING WHAT THOROUGH CALLED LIVES OF DESPERATION, SO YOU CAN SOLVE THAT FOR
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT, NEXT.
>> SORRY, GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE IN REGARDS TO THETHE CROSSOVER.
RECENTLY THEY UPDATED SHORES BOULEVARD INTO DOUBLE LANES ON EITHER SIDE --
>> I'M SORRY, MA'AM. THIS IS FOR NONAGENDA ITEMS, AND THAT'S AN AGENDA ITEM, SO WE WILL NOT TAKE THAT AT THIS
ITEM? >> WE ACTUALLY HAVE THAT SCHEDULED AS AN AGENDA ITEM FOR
TODAY. >> OH, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT TODAY?
HERE. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT. YEAH, THIS IS JUST FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
>> OKAY. SUDDENLY IT'S MY TURN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
MY NAME IS NANCY MURPHY. I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF REGARDING COMPASSION AND REGARDING THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROCLAMATION, I'M REPRESENTING CARE WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO SERVE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN ST.
JOHNS COUNTY BY IDENTIFYING RESOURCES AND LINKING THEM WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS. CARE THANKS YOU FOR YOUR PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JANUARY AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH. CARE THANKS THE BETTY CENTER, AND OTHER NGOS FOR PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, I'D LIKE TO NOTE THAT THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOT LINE CAN BE REACHED AT 888-373-7888.
CARE KNOWS FROM OUR ONGOING DIALOGUE WITH SHERIFF HARDWICK THAT IDENTIFYING AND LOCATING SUSPECTS AND VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS ONE OF IT TOP PRIORITIES OF THE ST.
JOHNS SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THIS IN THIS REGARD. YESTERDAY WE CELEBRATEDCELEBRATE D DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S BIRTHDAY, AND WORKING TO ELIMINATE THE SCOURGE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF BUILDING THE BELOVED THAT REVEREND DR. KING ENVISIONED HERE IN ST.
[01:25:05]
JOHNS COUNTY.THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS AND SUPPORT ON THE VILLAGE. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT IN THE BUILDING OF AN ACTIVITY MY HAS COFOUNDED. I WITNESSED AND EXPERIENCEDEXPERIENCED ITS FIRST-HAND.
IN FACT, THAT EXPERIENCE WIZ A FACTOR IN THE BUILDING OF THISTHIS VILLAGE. AS THE BUILDING OF ST. AUGUSTINE MOVES FORWARD IT IS MY FERVENT HOPE AND PRAYER IT BECOMES THE POTENTIAL OF WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED, A COMPASSIONATE VILLAGE.
MAYBE THERE'S EVEN STILL TIME FOR THE VILLAGE TO BECOME THE FIRST INTENTIONALLY FORMED COMPASSIONATE VILLAGE IN THE WORLD. JOY ANDREWS AND II DISCUSSED THE IDEA OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY BECOMING A COMPASSIONATE COUNTY.
YESTERDAY AT THE DR. KING'S GATHERING DOWNTOWN ONE OF THE MC'S MENTIONED THAT COMPASSIONATE SAINT AUGUSTINE WAS PRESENT BUT SHE REFERRED TO US AS COMPASSIONATE ST. JOHN'S. I HOPE SHE'S A VISIONARY LIKE MLK.
>> I'M REPRESENTING OUR FOUNDER, KAREN GOLDMAN, AND OUR ESTEEMED BOARD MEMBERS. MY PURPOSE HERE TODAY IS TO EXPRESS PROFOUND CONCERNS REGARDING THE CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC FUNDING FOR THE ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE INITIATIVE. OUR ORGANIZATION PREVIOUSLY ENGAGED WITH ST.
AUGUSTINE VILLAGE. HOWEVER, DUE TO A SERIES OF SIGNIFICANT AND UNRESOLVED ISSUES, COMPASSIONATE ST.
AUGUSTINE FORMALLY DISASSOCIATED FROM THIS INITIATIV.
THIS DECISION WAS MADE DUE TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM BOTH OUR BOARD MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS WHO INITIATED OR INTERACTED WITH THE VILLAGE, HIGHLIGHTING A SEVERE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND SERIOUS GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES, PARTICULARLY CONCERNING ITSITS STATED NON- PROFIT STATUS AND FINANCIAL PRACTICES. SPECIFICALLY THESE ISSUES INCLUDED CREDIBLE AGRIVATIONS OF SEVERE MISMANAGEMENT REGARDING THE DEPLETION OF ORGANIZATIONAL FUNDS AND JEOPARDIZED OUR 501C3 STANDINGS. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THESE GRAVE CONCERNS, COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE FORMALLY ISSUED A CEASE AND DESIST LETTER TO DR. ARTHUR COLBERG DEMANDING AN END TO ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ASSOCIATION OF OUR ORGANIZATION WITH ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE.
REGRETTABLY, DESPITE THIS FORM OF NOTICE, DR. COLBERG CONTINUES TO MISREPRESENT COMPASSIONATE ST. AUGUSTINE TO THE PUBLIC WHICH IS MISLEADING.
GIVEN THE GRAVITY OF THESE MATTERS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, WE RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO REEVALUATE THE PROPOSED FUNDING FOR ST. AUGUSTINE VILLAGE. WE ARE PREPARED TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENTS AND FURTHER DETAILS TO ASSIST IN THIS INFORMED DECISION. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS COMPASSIONATE SAINT SAINT AUGUSTINE'S CONCERNS.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MURPHY, VICE CHAIR TAYLOR. WE'RE FROM SMA HEALTH CARE. WE ARE YOUR NON-PROFIT SAFETY NET PROVIDER OVER AT 1880 SAN SEBASTIAN VIEW.
WE WANTED TO COME AND GIVE A REALLY BRIEF UPDATE ON OUR SERVICES HERE AT ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.
THIS WON'T TAKE TOO LONG AT ALL. OVER THE COURSE OF OUR LAST FISCAL YEAR SMA PROUDLY PROVIDED SERVICES. WE OFFER SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTPATIENT THERAPY, PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION
[01:30:01]
MANAGEMENT, AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. IN ADDITION, WE ALSO OFFER FLORIDA ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT COMMUNITY KNOWN AS OUR FAX TEAM FOR ADULTS THAT HAVE SEVERE AND PERSISTENT ILLNESS. YOU CAN FIND MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON OUR SERVICES BY USING THE QR CODE ON THE DOCUMENT THAT YOU RECEIVED.FINALLY, I'LL VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE IN EARLY FEBRUARY WITH THE SUPPORT OF SHERIFF HARDWICK, AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE AND THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WE'LL BE OPENING A 15-BED RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IN PUTNAM COUNTY.
THIS SIX- MONTH PROGRAM WILL SERVE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY CITIZENS THIS PROGRAM WILL HELP TO REDUCE OVERDOSES, HELP TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM AND HELP ST.
JOHNS BUILD WHAT THEY NEED. WE ARE COMMITTED TO A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED TO FIND HELP AND RECOVERY.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND WE'D BE HAPPEN TO PROVIDE A MORE IN- DEPTH REVIEW OF SMA SERVICES AT A LATER DATE SHOULD YOU SO WISH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW MIME, I'M LINDSEY.
MANY OF YOU DO KNOW ME AND THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR.
SOME OF YOU HAVE STOOD IN MY BACKYARD AND SEEN THIS FIRST-HAND. I'M HERE TO CLARIFY ONE KEY POINT THAT REMOVES ANY REMAINING AMBIGUITY. ACCORDING TO MY RECORDED BOUNDARY SURVEY MY REAR PROPERTY LINE ENDS AT THE CURB LINE LABELED C2.
EVERYTHING BEYOND THAT LINE IS TRACKED 3F-9.
A PLOTTED OPEN SPACE SO OWNED BY THE DEVELOPER. SITS ON THE PRIVATE LOT, NOT ON THE BOUNDARY AND NOT IN THE OPEN SPACE.
THAT MEANS THE FENCE IS A PRIVATE LOT FENCE, NOT A ROADWAY BUFFER.
AND IT CANNOT LEGALLY SATISFY THE CR- 16A SCENIC EDGE REQUIREMENT. COUNTY PARCEL MAPS CONFIRM THAT ALL TOWER COURT HOMES BACK TO THE SAME OPEN SPACE TRACT.
UNDER THE APPROVED PUD NORTHWEST SECTOR OVERLAY AND LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 60604. THE RAILWAY BUFFER WAS REQUIRED TO BE A SINGLE BUFFER BUILT INSIDE TRACK 3A- 9 NOT BUILT INSIDE PRIVATE YARDS. THE COUNTY HAS ALREADY DOCUMENTED THIS AS A VIOLATION UNDER CASE 2503930 ENVIRONMENTAL STAFF CONFIRMED BUFFER WAS CLEARED AFTER APPROVAL AND HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED, LEAVING THE SCENIC EDGE NONCOMPLIANT. FINAL ROADWAY APPROVALS ARE ALREADY BEING WITHHELD PENDING COMPLIANCE, SO AT THIS POINT THE ISSUE IS NO LONGER OWNERSHIP, DESIGN, OR INTERPRETATION.
THE DEVELOPER STILL OWNS THE TRACT, THE VIOLATION IS CONFIRMED, AND THE FENCE IS IRRELEVANT. WHAT IS MISSING IS ENFORCEMENT.
MORE THAN 500 RESIDENTS HAVE SIGNED A PETITION ASKING FOR A PERMANENT SOLUTION.
SPECIFICALLY, A 10- FOOT STONE BUFFER WALL OR BERM WITH PLANTING BECAUSE THE EXPRESSWAY AND CR- 16A, LEAVE OUR HOMES COMPLETELY EXPOSED.
THIS ISN'T JUSTJUST LANDSCAPING.
I'M RESPECTFULLY ASKING THE BOARD TO DIRECT THE STAFF TO ENFORCE THE APPROVED DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE THE DEVELOPER TO BRING TRACT 3F- 9 INTO COMPLIANCE BEFORE ANY ACCEPTANCE, CONVEYANCE, OR FINAL APPROVALS OCCUR. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT. IT'S A REQUEST FOR THE COUNTY TO ENFORCE ITS OWN CODE CONSISTENTLY AND COMPLETELY.
GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DAVID GANGY.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE PRESENTATION.
IT'S AMAZING. ACTUALLY CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COUNTY AND WHAT YOU'RE ACCOMPLISHING, AND IT'S AMAZING THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT YOU'RE SPENDING, YOU KNOW, HUPS NDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR GOOD PROJECTS. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE TRAIL IN ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WITH ALL OF THIS MAJOR STUFF YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT YOU CAN SPEND ANY TIME AND FOCUS ON THIS PROJECT. IT'S REALLY JUST FOR THE COMMUNITY.
YOU CAN SAY IT'S FOR THE COUNTY.
IT WOULD HAVE TO BE, I GUESS, IF YOU PUT THIS IN.
[01:35:02]
I AM ENCOURAGING YOU TO IF YOU WANT TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY, AND YOU WANT TO MAKE THE ROAD SAFER, PLEASE TAKE THOSE DOLLARS AND CONTRIBUTE IT TOWARDS THE WALDRON STREET SEBASTIAN RIVER PROJECT. IT'LL MAKE THE COMMUNITY A LOT SAFER GETTING THE BOATS OFF THE ROAD. PLEASE USE THAT MONEY OVER THERE. THANK YOU.>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS BRUCE.
2476, ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH. THERE IS A PATH RUNNING THROUGH HERE REDESIGN COMING UP. I'M HERE TODAY JUST TO SUPPORT CHRIS' IDEA ABOUT REALLOCATING THE REMAINING SHORE DRIVE FUNDS TO THE COUNTY'S SAN SUBUS CHAN RIVER PARK.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA, AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL HAVE PLENTY OF PARKING, ACCESSIBILITY TO REAL RESTROOMS, PICNIC AREAS, PLAYGROUNDS. PROBABLY A LOOP TRAIL WOULD BE NICE AROUND THE RIVER, AND ALL THE AMENITIES THAT RYAN HAS TO HIS AVAILABILITY WOULD MAKE IT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO GO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND LISTENING AND TAKING THIS INTO
>> WHILE WE'RE ON THAT SUBJECT, I FOUND THIS MORNING AND I'D LIKE TO READ IT. THIS PHRASE BEST DESCRIBES MY NEIGHBORHOOD, MY NEIGHBORS, AND THE WATERFRONT PARK AREA.
ALL OF US ARE DEEPLY, THOROUGHLY, AND HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY THE LONG- STANDING CUSTOMS, VALUES, AND HABITS PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES LIVING IN ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH. TRADITION IS JUST NOT PROJECTED OCCASIONALLY BUT IS ESSENTIAL, A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF OUR IDENTITY AND OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH RESIDENTS.
WE NEED TO PRESERVE OUR PARK. WE HONOR THOSE BEFORE US FOR GENERATIONS AND GENERATIONS TO FOLLOW.
PLEASE CONSIDER MOVING THIS TRAIL TO THE SAN SEBASTIAN PROJECT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS CARROLL AT 110 BEACHWOOD ROAD, ST.
AUGUSTINE SOUTH. I'M ALSO A CONCERNED NEIGHBOR FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON A PROPOSED SOUTH SHORE PATH.
WE HAVE ONLY 2,400 HOMES IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE AVE A THIN, NARROW PARK THAT HAS BEEN USED SAFELY FOR OVER 60 YEARS.
WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF PLANNING FOR THE PARKING THAT IS PROPOSED ON THIS NARROW ROAD WITH NO SHOULDERS DUE TO SWALES AND POST- OFFICE BOXES. THIS PROPOSED PATH IS DIRECTLY WHERE OUR TRADES PARK THEIR TRUCKS AND TRAILERS TO SERVICE HOMES ONSHORE DRIVE. THERE'S ALSO NO MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR THIS PROJECT.
WE ARE NOT AN HOA. WE DO NOT HAVE FUNDS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND UPKEEP FOR THIS PROJECT THAT WE DO NOT WANT NOR NEED. PLEASE DON'T CREATE ANYMORE HAVOC IN OUR COMMUNITY. SAVE THIS PRISTINE GREEN SPACE.
I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER TRANSFERRING THE $1. 6 MILLION BUDGETED FOR THIS PROJECT TO THE SAN SEBASTIAN BOAT AND PARK PROJECT SO THAT ALL OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY CAN USE THIS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> HELLO, I'M SUSAN MILLER, 3202 SHORE DRIVE. IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS.
IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON. THE ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD HAS AN IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, AND THEY NEED TO PICK UP THE REINS ON WHAT THIS COMMUNITY WANTS AND NEEDS. WHATEVER THEY WANT, THEY NEED TO VOTE FOR IT, THEY NEED TO PLAN FOR IT, AND THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR IT. IT'S NOT UP TO THE COUNTY TO PAY FOR THIS AMENITY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN SO MANY OTHER TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY HAVE THESIS AMENITIES IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEY'RE PAYING 3, 4, $500 A MONTH TO REPAIR THAT AMENITY, MAINTAIN IT, BUILD IT, ET CETERA. LET THE ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION PICK UP THE REINS, FIND OUT WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS AND WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS WILLING TO PAY FOR.
THE ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH ASSOCIATION IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION HAS NEW LEADERSHIP. THAT LEADERSHIP CAN TAKE TAKE THE REINS AND RUN WITH THIS. IN THE MEANTIME, LET'S MOVE ON.
YOU HAVE A $17. 5 MILLION WEED PATCH OVER BEHIND THE HOME DEPOT NEEDING FUNDS.
TAKE THE MONEY, MOVE IT THERE, BUILD A STARTER PARK.
YOU COULD START IT NOW. YOU'VE GOT ALMOST $2 MILLION.
DIRT PARKING LOT, PICNIC TABLES, KAYAK, CANOE LAUNCH, FOOD TRUCK, KIDS FISHING AREA.
[01:40:01]
ALL THAT CAN BE DONE. GET PEOPLE EXCITED FOR WHAT'S TO COME THERE. LET ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD DECIDE WHAT THEIR FUTURE WILL BE AND HOW THEY WILL PAY FOR IT, AND LET THE LEADERSHIP TAKE OVER THE REINS, AND ALLEVIATE THE TRAFFIC AT THE BOAT RAMPS.THE BOAT RAMPS ARE FILLED TO CAPACITY. I WAS THERE ON A SATURDAY THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY.
THERE WASN'T A PARKING PLACE. ALL THE CANOES, ALL THE KAYAKS, ALL THE KIDS FISHING WILL BE AT THIS NEW LOCATION. YOU WILL HAVE SOME, YOU KNOW, NOT AS MUCH OF A CRUNCH AT THE IT'S TIME.
IT'S TIME. 20 YEARS IS ENOUGH.
MY NAME IS CARRIE ANN. I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME NUMBERS.
THE MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERS ARE THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME THE TOTAL POPULATION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AS OF JULY 1, 2025, IS 343,516 PEOPLE.
THE POPULATION OF ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH IN THE SAME TIME PERIOD IS 5,030 PEOPLE. THAT'S 1. 46% OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
ONLY 10.46%. THE PARKS AND RECREATION TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR 2026 IS $25,810,685. THAT'S 6. 3% OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BUDGET. AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THAT MAKES SENSE. IF YOU CAN TAKE THAT SAME MONEY AND MOVE IT OVER TO THE SAN SEBASTIAN PARK, YOU'D BENEFIT THE ENTIRE COUNTY NOT JUST 1% OF THE COUNTY. I KNOW THE OTHER THING IS I KNOW IT'S IN DISCUSSION WITH SURVEYS AND SO ONTO FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE REALLY THINK. BACK IN 2022 PARKS AND REC DID TWO SURVEYS. THEY ONLY GOT 150 RESPONSES.
AND OF THOSE ONLY 262 WERE RESIDENTS OF ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH. WE'VE ALREADY PRESENTED THIS BODY WITH A PETITION SIGNED BY 600 RESIDENTS OF T.
AUGUSTINE SOUTH OPPOSING THE TRAIL.
IN MY OPINION THE NUMBERS SUPPORT MOVING THE MONEY.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
MY NAME IS VICKY PEPPER. I LIVE AT HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE. AND I DON'T NEED TO EXPLAIN CARE BECAUSE MY COLLEAGUE NANCY HAS ALREADY DONE THAT. I REALLY WASN'T PLANNING TO SPEAK IN GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS, BUT A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS HAVE LEFT YOU WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT THE SHORES NEIGHBORHOOD DOES NOT WANT OR NEED THE SHORE SHORE DRIVE TRAIL. THIS IS NOT TRUE.
IT IS TRUE THAT IT WAS A DIVISIVE ISSUE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT MANY, MANY, MANY RESIDENTS DO SUPPORT AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT FOR REASONS OF IMPROVING SAFETY AND FOR PROVIDING A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN AN UNDERSERVED PART OF THE COUNTY TO ENJOY THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. IT WAS A DIVISIVE ISSUE.
THERE WAS MUCH PUBLIC DISCUSSION, AND THE BOCC DECIDED TO APPROVE THE TRAIL SOME TIME AGO. EVER SINCE THAT TIME OPPONENTS HAVE CONTINUED TO TRY TO UNDERMINE THE TRAIL. WE SEE THIS ONGOING TODAY.
EVEN AFTER A COMPROMISE PLAN WAS DEVELOPED.
THIS IS THE COUNTY PARK. THE COUNTY WILL MAINTAIN THE PARK. IT IS A RESOURCE IN AN UNDERSERVED PART OF THE COUNTY THAT WILL PARTICULARLYPARTICULARLY HELP NEIGHBORS WITH DISABILITIES, SO I URGE YOU TODAY TO STICK TO THE PLAN AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SHORE DRIVE TRAIL. THANK
YOU. >> MY NAME IS CANE ANDERSON.
I LIVE AT 296 ST. AUGUSTINE. I'M ONE OF THE SHEARWATER RESIDENTS. I'LL BE BRIEF, JUST WANT TO PITCH MY SUPPORT FOR WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE SCENIC -- OR THE VISUAL AND SOUND WALL BY SHEARWATER PARK.
I'M HERE AS WELL TO VOICE MY OPINION ABOUT THE SCENIC WALL THAT IS GOING AROUND COUNTY ROAD 16 THAT WE'RE REQUESTING. I PURCHASED MY HOME BACK IN JULY OF 2024, AND WE -- NOVEMBER
[01:45:06]
2024 IS WHEN ALL OF OUR TREES WENT DOWN. WE PURCHASED THAT LOT WITH THOSE TREES. YOU GUYS TORE ALL OF THEM DOWN WITH NO NOTICE OF IT AS OF NOVEMBER, AND THEN TOOK AWAY ALL OF OUR SOUND BARRIER, TOOK AWAY ALL OF OUR SAFETY THAT WE HAD THAT YOU GUYS HAD EXPANDED TO COUNTY ROAD 16 WITH FREE HOLD -- FREE HOLD DEVELOPMENT OF EVERYTHING. THAT ROAD IS NOW EXTREMELY CLOSECLOSE OUR FENCE WALL AND OUR PROPERTY WALL. ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I AM FIGHTING FOR THIS WALL IS THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY.WE DON'T WANT IT BE IN OUR BACKYARD.
WE BOUGHT THIS HOME. IT IS OUR HOME.
WE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THIS PROPERTY, AND I CAN'T EVEN -- I DON'T WANT MY KIDS IN THAT BACKYARD.
WE WANT TO HAVE PARTIES BACK THERE, WANT TO HAVE FAMILY BACK THERE. WE DON'T WANT TO BE BACK THERE.
I'M TERRIFIED A CAR IS GOING TO GO INTO OUR BACKYARD.
I'M TERRIFIED IT'S GOING TO KILL A FAMILY MEMBER OR INJURE SOMEBODY BECAUSE OF HOW CLOSE IT IS TO THAT FENCE LINE. WE'RE ASKING FOR SAFETY.
WE'RE ASKING TO GET SUPPORT TO PUT UP SAFETY INTO THAT BARRIER. BESIDES THAT, ALL OF OUR SOUND IS GONE. I WAKE UP AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING BECAUSE WE HAVE HUGE TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES AND EXHAUSTS FROM CARS DRIVING BY THAT WE NO LONGER HAVE SOUND BARRIERS. I HAVE TO LEAVE MY HOUSE FOR WORK BECAUSE I WORK FROM HOME, AND I CAN'T DEAL WITH THE SOUND THAT IS DONE WITH ALL THE CONSTRUCTION GOING ON AND ALL OF THE CARS DRIVING BY BECAUSE OF THE SOUND BARRIERS THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN AWAY FROM US.
SO WE ARE ASKING FOR SUPPORT TO HELP WITH THIS WALL TO GO UP AND EVERYTHING.
SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHERE WE'RE COMING FROM AND PLEASE PUT THE SUPPORT INTO WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR. WHAT HAS BEEN PUT OUT THERE SO FAR ARE PUSHES SHORTER THAN MY 4-YEAR-OLD SON. COME INTO MY BACKYARD AND SEE WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH.
WE WOULD SUPPORT AND REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT FROM ALL OF YOU GUYS.
I LIVE AT 507 IN THE ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I AM AGAINST THE TRAIL AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE MONEY SPENT ON SAN SEBASTIAN PARK. IT'S SO UNNECESSARY AND SO BEAUTIFUL LIKE IT IS. IT'S NOT LIKE THERE'S A BUNCH OF ROCKS. I'M FROM MAINE, SO IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S REALLY THAT DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE, I DON'T THINK.
>> BETH, 1368 BIRMINGHAM SOUTH, JACKSONVILLE.
GOOD NEWS, I HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO TALK ABOUT.
I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT -- AS YOU KNOW I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF WORK FORCE HOUSING. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE REPORT OF SOME OF THE O O PEOPLE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE WORK FORCE HOUSING AND WHO'S MOVING IN. SO VERY HAPPY TO SAY LAW ENFORCEMENT 11, FIRST RESPONDER 7, EDUCATORS 32, GOVERNMENT 29, HEALTH CARE 58, HOSPITALITY 14. AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE 26 HOMES THAT WERE PURCHASED BY PEOPLE THAT ARE SOLELY ON SOCIAL SECURITY. SO JUST EXCITED.
SO PLEASE AS THOSE PROJECTS COME BEFORE YOU, REMEMBER IT REALLY IS SERVING THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE ZONING DESIGNATION WAS GIVEN, AND PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, AND PLEASE APPROVE MORE.
>> GOOD MORNING. CHARLEY HUNT.
MILL CREEK ESTATES. YES, I LIKE THE PICTURES OF WHEN IT SHOWS THE GREAT BUILDING BEING BUILT OVER THERE FOR BASICALLY PERMITS. BUT A LITTLE BACK STORY FOR THAT WAS BACK IN 2024 CITY BILL 18 PASSED AND THAT WAS CO- WRITTEN BY TRAVIS HUDSON, WHEN HE SAT THERE ON THE SENATE SEATS, AND IT'S TO INCREASE THE PERMIT STATUS FOR A DEVELOPMENT FROM 10% BEING SUBMITTED TO UP TO 50% BEING SUBMITTED.
SO THAT'S WHY THEY NEEDED A BIGGER BUILDING OVER THERE SO THEY COULD PUT IN FOR MORE PERMITS ALL AT ONCE.
ALL RIGHT? SO A LITTLE BIT OF BEHIND THE STORIES ON THAT ONE RIGHT THERE. ALSO ALL THE PICTURES UP THERE ON THE PARKS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE SURTAX BACK IN '22 EVEN THOUGH WITH THE BIG PUSH ON THAT.
YES, THERE WAS A TAX THAT WAS ADDED ON, SO NOW IT DON'T MATTER IF YOU VOTED FOR OR AGAINST IT, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT. WHAT IT SHOWED WAS THE PRICE OF THE PARKS AND THE LIBRARIES.
BUT WHAT IT DIDN'T SHOW WAS THE ACTUAL PRICE AND THE PARKS AND THE LIBRARIES WITH INTEREST ON THEM.
[01:50:04]
BECAUSE IT'S A BOND THAT WAS TAKEN OUT TO PAY FOR THOSE THINGS. SO IT LOOKS NICE AND NEAT.BUT, HEY, IF SOMEBODY DON'T LIKE THE TRUTH, DON'T SHOW IT. OKAY? THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
DO IT, SHOW IT. WHAT'S COMING UP IS THE BIG PUSH WE ALL KNOW ABOUT HOUSE BILL 180, HOW MUCH Y'ALL SETBACK FOR A WHOLE YEAR AND GAVE NOTHING BUT BLUE STICKY DOTS FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO THESE MEETINGS, PUT THEM ONTO SAY HOW CAN IT WORK TO SAVE THE COUNTY. AND THE BIGGEST SUBJECT THAT WAS BROUGHT UP AND BY THE COUNTY WAS THE BIGGEST ONE THAT TOOK THE CUT ABOUT TRYING TO SAVE MORE OF THE PROPERTY OR TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE NATURAL OR MORE FOREST OR MORE TREES, MAKE A MORE RELAXING AREA.
BUT THAT'S NOT WORKING NOW BECAUSE OF SENATE BILL 180 -- EXCUSE ME, HOUSE BILL 180.
>> MR. HUNT, I BELIEVE THAT'S AGENDA ITEM NUMBER
1. >> THAT'S FINE THEN. BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT WHAT'S COMING UP AND MY GENERAL --
>> OKAY, BUT YOU'RE TALK ABOUT AN AGENDA ITEM, SO --
>> OKAY, 812 WAS NOT AN AGENDA ITEM.
BLUE RIBBON PROJECTS WAS NOT ON THAT ITEM.
THAT'S WHAT'S COMING UP NOW, AND I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PROCRASTINATION OF THIS BOARD OF HOW IT TAKES -- AND THEN THEY DRAG IT OUT.
DRAG IT OUT, AND THEN AT THE END WHEN THEY GET WHAT THEY WANT, THEY JUMP ON IT.
>> WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. A PROPOSED NEW METHADONE CLINIC IN THE COUNT PAEFS WEST AUGUSTINE CRA WAS WITHDRAWN.
OUR WEST CITY CRA AND THE LINCOLNVILLE CRA LOCATED IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION. MARKET FORCE ADVERTISING 840 WEST KING STREET, THE CLOSED FAMILY DOLLAR INCLUDED THE CITY U.S. 1 AND KING STREET PROPOSED GARAGE IN THEIR ADVERTISEMENT FOR A METHADONE CLINIC. THE SHERIFF'S BUILDING IS STILL LOCK. IT WAS INTERESTING. I WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE CAN ANSWER WHEREVER THIS IS GOING TO BE, WILL THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, WILL IT BE LOCKED LIKE THE PRESENT SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS LOCKED TO THE PUBLIC? MUG SHOTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE UNLESS ONE KNOWS THE INMATE'S NAME. I'M GOING TO CONTINUE ON THAT. REMEMBER TAXPAYERS PAY WASHINGTON POLITICIANS A YEARLY SALARY OF $170,000. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, MS. ANDREWS, YEARLY SALARY IS 300,000 TAX DOLLARS PLUS BENEFITS. EVERYONE CAN SMOKE CIGARS, NOT CIGARETTES ON ST. JOHNS BEACHES. THAT'S CALLED DISCRIMINATION. AND I HEARD ON THE RADIO I THINK THE STATE'S GOING TO BE DOING SMETHING ELSE ABOUT THE SMOKING OF TOBACCO -- ANY KIND OF TOBACCO -- ON OUR BEACHES.
YOU CAN'T THERE UNTIL A CERTAIN DAY FOR RECORDS, AND YOU HAVE TO CALL.
YOU CAN'T GO IN. IT'S LOCKED UP AND YOU PAY FOR THAT. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS NEEDS TO BE MOVED AFTER APPROVAL OF REGULAR AGENDA BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU SPENT 45 MINUTES -- A LITTLE BIT MORE -- ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE. AND HERE WE ARE, WE SPENT 45 TO ALMOST 60 MINUTES ON PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE TO MOVE THE PUBLIC COMMENT QUICKLY ALONG BECAUSE THIS IS A LONG, LONG AGENDA WHENEVER YOU DO THAT. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC COMMENTS, THAT YOU PUT AT THE END BE AT THE BEGINNING BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO LEAVE. THEY'RE NOT LIKE DEVELOPERS OR LAWYERS OR LITTLE TEAMS. THEY GET PAID.
WE DON'T GET PAID, AND I THINK SOME OF US ARE GETTING UPSET THAT WE HAVE SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO ALL THESE THINGS.
BUT WE'RE WILLING TO DO IT. THANK YOU PEOPLE FOR COMING IN AND SPEAKING ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY. WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING IT WHETHER ANYONE RESPONDS TO YOU.
AT LEAST YOU'RE LETTING THE COMMUNITY KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING.
[01:55:02]
AND I JUST WANT TO REITERATE I KNOW THERE'S SOME COMMENTS BEEN MADE A LOT OF PEOPLE FOR THE PATH.
I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FOR THE PATH. WE'VE GOT 600 SIGNATURES, AND WHERE ARE THEIR SIGNATURES? AND THEE JUST IS -- OPPOSITION IS LARGE. AND ALSO IT'S COME TO MY ATTENTION RECENTLY, AND I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE IN A HARD SITUATION, AND YOU GUYS HAVE GOT TO DEAL WITH THIS, SO I RESPECT THE POSITION Y'ALL ARE IN. IT'S NOT EASY WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR OPENNESS AND CONTINUING WITH ALL THIS. BUT HOPEFULLY IT'S WHAT COMES TO -- HOPEFULLY MAYBE YOU GUYS WOULD TAKE THAT MONEY AND MOVE IT OVER TO THE BIG PROJECT ON -- THAT'S MY THINKING, BUT I'M JUST A PEON. I THINK ALSO IT'S ARISEN THERE'S AN OWNERSHIP ISSUE. I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT -- THAT THEY HAVE OVERSTEPPED THEIR BOUNDS ON THE OWNERSHIP. SO I THINK THAT THERE'S -- THE I THINK THE LEGAL ASPECT ABOUT THE OWNERSHIP. AND THEN I THINK THE COMMUNITY OWNS IT RATHER OPPOSED TO THE PEOPLE THE COUNTY TAKE IT OVER AND DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING. SO JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE Y'ALL ARE WITH US -- THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THERE'S A GIGANTIC GROUP OUT HERE THAT IS VERY MUCH AGAINST THIS AND SCARED OF THE CARNIVAL THAT'S GOING TO COME AND THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR BEAUTIFUL QUALITY OF LIFE. AND IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT HAPPENING OVER THERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF 312. THERE'S A GREAT PLACE WITH A PARK AND A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN HAVE A PATH AND A TRAIL.
AND THEY CAN GET THE SAME THING DONE RIGHT THERE, AND EVERYBODY WOULD BE HAPPY. SO THANK YOU VERY
ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE ANY OTHER GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME FOR NONAGENDA ITEMS? GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RUTH. I LIVE AT -- IN ST.
AUGUSTINE SOUTH. I'M ACTUALLY HERE ON OTHER BUSINESS. JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE ORGANIZED AND LOUD DOESN'T MEAN THEY SPEAK FOR THE MAJORITY.
I AM OUT ON SHORE DRIVE EVERY DAY FOUR TIMES A DAY WALKING MY DOGS.
I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S A HUGE NEED TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE ROAD, CHILDREN OFF THE ROAD, PEOPLE WITH DOGS, OLD LADIES LIKE ME OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAS BEEN AGREED A LONG TIME AGO, THE OPPOSITION USED TO SAY THEY WANTED A SIDEWALK SO IT DIDN'T DESTROY THE PARK, IT DIDN'T GO ACROSS THE GRASS IN THE PARK, THERE WAS NO DANGER TO ANYTHING ELSE.
NOW THAT THERE'S A COMPROMISE BEEN AGREED -- BEEN DEVELOPED, THE OPPOSITION NO LONGER WANTS TO COMPROMISE. I THINK YOU HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT WHO MAKES DECISIONS. A LOCAL GROUP SHOULD NOT BE MAKING A FINAL DECISION ON A COMMUNITY- WIDE, A COUNTY- WIDE COMMUNITY. IT'S SETTING A HUGE PRECEDENT IF YOU ALLOW A SMALL VOCAL MAJORITY OF MEMBERS TO SAY WE DON'T WANT A TRAIL, WHEN IN FACT THERE ARE MANY OF US WHO DO WANT AND DO NEED, AND THAT'S BEEN AGREED A LONG TIME. COMMISSIONER MURPHY HAS GONE BACK ON A DECISION IN THE PAST HAVING HAD A CHANGE OF HEART. I APPEAL TO YOU TO SAY THAT WE, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SHOULD MAKE THE DECISION AND WE SHOULD MAKE IT ON THE BASIS THAT PARKS AND REC HAVE GONE THROUGH A HUGE PROCESS TWICE IN DESIGNING THIS TRAIL TO MAKE IT SAFE AND USEFUL.
AND YOU ASKED THEM TO DO IT AND TO DO IT WITH A COMPROMISED AGENDA -- A COMP MISSED DESIGN, WHICH THEY DID. AND I ASK YOU TO GO THROUGH WITH THAT PROCESS, TO FINISH INFORMING THE COMMUNITY BUT NOT GIVING THEM THE FINAL DECISION. YOU SAID YOU WANTED A COMPROMISE. THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED. IT'S STILL AMENABLE TO BEING FINELY TWEAKED ON THE DESIGN, BUT I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THOSE OF US IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WANT THIS INCLUDING PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE ST. AUGUSTINE SOUTH WHO NEED AN ACCESSIBLE TRAIL FOR PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS, ON MOBILITY SCOOTERS.
[02:00:01]
THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT, ANY OTHER GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME?
[1. Public Hearing * 2050 Comprehensive Plan - Transmittal Hearing - Restrictive and Burdensome Revision; Statute Update. ]
OKAY, SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSEPUBLIC COMMENT. >> OKAY, WE'LL GO RIGHT INTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1. AND MR.
MICROBARSON, DIRECTOR OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT. BEFORE I JUMP INTO THE PRESENTATION AS THEY MOVE TO THE FIRST ITEM, LET ME THANK THE COUNTY COMMISSION STAFF. I'VE TALKED TO A LOT OF MY STAFF AND I'M SURE THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE TALKED TO THEIR STAFF ABOUT THE EXTRA HOLIDAY YOU PROVIDED US FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. MOVING ON, WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE 2050 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. THIS WILL BE A TRANSMITTING HEARING, AND WE'LL TALK A LITTLE ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT AND IF WE'RE GOING TO GO ANYWHERE.
SO THE STATE STATUTE REQUIREMENT, THERE'S BEEN SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS. SO EVERY SEVEN YEARS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO LOOK AT THEIR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND SAY, HEY, DO YOU NEED TO MAKE ANY UPDATES? AT MINIMUM, YOU MUST UPDATE YOUR STATUTE CHANGES. AND THAT, BY THE WAY, I THINK WAS BROUGHT UP AT THE %-Ú WHAT ARE THE STATUTE CHANGES? AGAIN, THOSE ARE MANDATORY BUT THEY'RE IN THE STAFF REPORT.
YOU NOTIFY THE STATE LAND PLANNING AGENCY OF ANY DETERMINATIONS LIKE POPULATION PROJECTIONS.
IF AN UPDATE IS REQUIRED, YOU MUST TRANSMIT IN A YEAR.
WE HAD A POPULATION PROJECTION, HAD SOME DISCUSSION ON THAT AND DECIDED ON THE MEDIAN PROJECTION. FROM THERE EVALUATE AND UPDATE THE PLAN TO REFLECT THE STATUTE.
SO THE COUNTY COMMISSION DECIDED NOT ONLY TO UPDATE WITH STATUTE CHANGES BUT UPDATE FOR YOUR LOCAL CHANGES.
SO THE REQUIREMENT ARE WE'VE GOT INTO THIS BEFORE AS WELL, RIGHT, IF YOU FAIL TO TRANSMIT WITHIN A YEAR, IT DOES RESTRICT WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO DEAL WITH ANY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS. THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THE STATE LAND PLANNING AGENCY DID RECOGNIZE IT.
THEY SAID YOU'RE MORE RESTRICTIVE AND BURDENSOME.
WE DO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OR TWO FROM STAFF THAT IS WAITING TO BE PRESENTED TO YOU PROBABLY PRETTY SOON.
SO JUST SO YOU KNOW THERE'S A BIT OF WORK WORKING ON THAT. THE LAND PLANNING AGENCY MUST PROVIDE THE REQUIRED POPULATION PROJECTIONS, WHICH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MUST USE TO UPDATE THE PLAN. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WELL, I DON'T KNOW. IT'S IN THERE.
HAVE PROVIDED POPULATION PROJECTIONS, BUT THEY DIDN'T ACCEPT THAT, SO I'M JUST GIVING YOU THIS AS TO WHAT THE STATE CAN DO.
SO JUST A QUICK, RIGHT, WE TRANSMITTED.
THE STATE DIDN'T ACCEPT IN OCTOBER. WE'RE HERE ON JANUARY 20TH AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO TRANSMIT. MOVING FORWARD, IF WE DO TRANSMIT, THEY GET 60 DAYS TO LET US KNOW PROJECTIONS AND AND COMMENTS REPORT, AND THEN WE COULD COME BACK FOR ADOPTION WITHIN 180 DAYS. OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD BE A LOT FASTER MORE THAN LIKELY, AND THEN THE STATEWIDE LOOK AT IT ONE MORE TIME TO BASICALLY LOOK AT IT AND MAKE SURE IT'S GOOD. WITH THAT SAID, SO STAFF HAS PROVIDED YOU HERE WITH JUST SOME -- SOME OF THE BIGGER CHANGES THAT YOU HAVE MADE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THERE ARE OTHER CHANGES. OF COURSE WE'VE REMOVED SOME BECAUSE THEY'RE MORE RESTRICTIVE OR BURDENTIUM, BUT THESE ARE THE ONES THAT REMAIN AT THIS POINT IN TIME. YOU CAN SEE THEM HERE.
REAFFIRM THE BOUNDARY AREA AND INCREASE WITHIN THE TEN YEARS TO LOOK AT IT, AND PRESERVATION, ESTABLISH RURAL STRATOMIES, THOSE ARE ALL IN THERE.
WE WERE GOING TO INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL "D," GIVE OPTIONAL BONUS FOR WETLANDS AS WELL AS MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING.
MODERNIZE TRANSPORTATION, PLANNING WITH COMPLETE STREETS.
AGAIN, DEFINITIONS FOR BOTH OF THOSE FOR THE HOUSINGS, PROTECT WATER QUALITY, ENHANCE WETLAND PRESERVATION. SOME OF THESE ARE BEST PRACTICES THAT THE CONSULTANT HAD PUT IN FOR US, JUST BETTER LANGUAGE THAT DIDN'T GET HIT BY THE STATE.
ESTABLISH RURAL CONSERVATION. THAT'S STILL IN THERE.
EXPAND AND DIVERSIFY TAX BASE. SO THOSE ARE JUST SOME IDEAS
[02:05:01]
FOR YOU TO CONSIDER, IF YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD, THAT YOU DO HAVE SOME THINGS THAT ARE IN THERE THAT ARE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, AT LEAST IN MY OPINION. GRANTED, IT'S NOT EVERYTHING YOU CHOSE. THERE ARE STILL SOME THINGS IN THERE THAT WERE MOVED DUE TO SENATE BILL 180.BUT IF YOU WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD, YOU HAVE THIS.
AND YOU DO HAVE THAT ABILITY SHOULD THE NEW GLITCH BILL, SHOULD IT MAKE IT THROUGH. YOU COULD STILL COME BACK, RIGHT, AND ADD THOSE OTHER THINGS IN ADDITION TO THE ONES YOU ALREADY HAVE.
AGAIN, IT'S A COMMISSION DECISION. I'M JUST POINTING THESE THINGS OUT. THAT, I'LL SHUT UP AND LET Y'ALL TALK AND ASK US ANY
QUESTIONS. >> ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD?
>> YES, I DO. I ACTUALLY HEARD FROM A FEW TONE ATTORNEYS, AND THEY RECOMMENDED -- THEY SAID THAT ABSOLUTELY WE CAN ASK FOR AN EXTENSION AT THIS TIME.
AND THEY CITED STATUTE 163. 3184, ESPECIALLY THAT WE ARE IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY AT THIS TIME. I STRONGLY SUPPORT JUST WAITING A FEW MORE MONTHS. THIS IS -- THIS IS NOT WHAT WE -- ULTIMATELY WHAT WE WANT, AND I SEE NO REASON TO SUBMIT SOMETHING AT THIS TIME WHEN WE'RE JUST A FEW MONTHS AWAY FROM SOMETHING. AND AGAIN, THIS IS COMING FROM A NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS THAT RECOMMENDED THERE'S NO REASON THAT WE CANNOT -- THAT WE CANNOT ASK FOR AN EXTENSION.
>> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
YOU KNOW, I JUST -- THE COUNTY HAS FIVE COMMISSIONERS.
WE DON'T HAVE A MAYOR. THIS IS SOMETHING WE WORKED FOR TWO YEARS ON TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU GUYS GOT IN YOUR CAR.
YOU CAME OVER HERE, PUT STICKERS ON SIGNS.
YOU FILLED OUT NOTICES. OUR STAFF WORKED HOURS AND HOURS ON THAT AND ACTUALLY WERE TEAM DID, AND THE COMMISSIONERS WORKED HARD ON IT.
I AM SUPPORTING COMMISSIONER TAYLOR BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE A WASTE OF MONEY AS WELL.
WELL, IT WAS A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS, AS WELL AS YOU'RE BASICALLY IGNORING THE PUBLIC, AND YOU'RE IGNORING WHAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY WANT.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR IS TO GIVE YOU GUYS WHAT YOU WANT, AND I THINK YOU CAN DO.
WE HAVE ATTORNEYS. AND I DO NOT RECOMMEND TRANSMITTING TODAY.
>> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, DID YOU HAVE SOMEONE ELSE --
>> THE EXTENSION WOULD BE AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS, WHICH WOULD HOPEFULLY BE IN A FEW MONTHS, SO WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT EXTENDING IT FOR THAT LONG, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE LEARNING A LOT WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION JUST IN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS.
>> OKAY, ANYONE ELSE? I JUST HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT REQUESTING AN EXTENSION. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT'S -- WE CAN REQUEST 180- DAY EXTENSION.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THIS LAW THAT'S BEING BROUGHT
UP -- >> FOR THE CHAIR, THAT IS UNDER ADOPTION OF THE PLAN. SO IT SAYS LOCAL GOVERNMENT FAILS TO HOLD A SECOND HEARING AND ADOPT THE AMENDMENT WITHIN 180 DAYS, SHALL BE REDEEMED UNLESS EXTENDED BY NOTICE TO THE STATE. THE EXTENSION, THE 1800 DAY LIMIT ACHES APPLIES DURING THE ADOPTION PHASE AND TRANSMITTING.
>> OKAY, SO THAT DOESN'T APPLY FOR US.
OKAY, SO MY QUESTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME THING. WE HAD A GREAT PLAN.
I'M COMMITTED TO THE PLAN THAT WE WORKED SO HARD FOR.
MY QUESTION THEN WOULD BE HOW DO WE GET THERE? IF THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS FOR US TO TRANSMIT, AND WE'RE TRANSMITTING WHAT'S BEEN CALLED THE WATERED DOWN VERSION, MY COMMITMENT IS TO AS SOON AS WE CAN -- AS SOON AS THE GLITCH BILL IS EITHER IN PLACE OR SENATE BILL 180 SUN SETS TO MOVE BACK AND CHANGE IT TO THE ORIGINAL. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT AT ANY TIME AS LONG AS WE GET SOMETHING THROUGH, RIGHT? OKAY.
I GUESS MY QUESTION NOW GOES TO THIS IS A GRAY AREA FOR EVERYBODY IN THE STATE, SO IS THERE A NEGATIVE TO JUST HOLDING OFF UNTIL SENATE BILL 180 IS -- -- THAT'S NOT A QUESTION YOU CAN ANSWER, RIGHT? SO MAYBE I AN TURN TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. SO SOME OF THE NEGATIVES ARE THINGS LIKE YOU SAW THE INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE TODAY.
YOU SAW UTILITIES TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT WELLHEAD POSITIONS THAT NEED TO BE COMPLETED IN ORDER FOR US TO TONE ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
WE HAVE ACTUALLY A COMP PLAN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD FOLLOW THIS IF THIS WAS APPROVED THAT NEEDS TO BE PUT THROUGH THE PROCESS.
UNFORTUNATELY, IF WE DON'T HAVE THESE AMENDMENTS FOR
[02:10:03]
THE EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL, AND YOU KEEP HEARING MR. ROBERSON REFER TO THEM AS THE EAR SUBMISSIONS. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE EAR SUBMISSIONS DONE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE CHANGES FOR THE WEALTH HEAD TO COME THROUGH.IT STOPS US FROM BEING ABLE TO FILE SUBSEQUENT PLANNED
YOU. >> I WOULD SAY -- APOLOGIES.
I WOULD SAY THE OTHER THING THAT WAS POINTED OUT AT THE LAST MEETING THAT IN THIS CASE WE HAPPEN TO BE UP -- WE'RE ON OUR 2026 AND WE HAVE THE 2025 COMP PLAN POINTED OUT LAST TIME. THAT'S KIND OF A UNIQUE SCENARIO IN THIS CASE IT'S COMING UP IN 15, WHENEVER OUR 2010 COMP PLAN WAS. SO THAT'S KIND OF UNIQUE. THAT'S AN DISH THING AND JUST MEANS WE'RE OUT OF COMPLIANCE FROM THAT
>> I JUST WANT TO REINFORCE WE NEED TO THINK OF THIS COMMUNITY, OUR CONSTITUENTS.
IF WE SUBMIT THIS AT THIS TIME, I LOOK AT IT AS SUCH AN INSULT AND A SLAP IN THE FACE TO EVERY TAXPAYER IN THIS COUNTY, AND I MEAN IT'S JANUARY 20TH.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A HUGE, HUGE DELAY.
WE'RE JUST TALKING TO THE END OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SO I DON'T THINK WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS THAT UNREASONABLE. LIKE I SAID, I JUST CAN'T SHARE ENOUGH THAT MANY ATTORNEYS DO FEEL THERE'S NO REASON THAT WE COULD NOT GET UP FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED. >> YES, I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE LEGAL -- MAYBE WE GET ANOTHER OPINION FROM A COUPLE OF ATTORNEYS.
I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING MAYBE.
WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. WE MIGHT KNOW FOR SURE.
MAYBE YOU CAN PUT IT TO BED. I DON'T BLAME YOU. IT'S LIKE HAVING YOUR HOUSE DIRTY AND YOU WANT TO PUT IT AWAY. I JUST THINK WE'RE NOT THAT FAR OFF, AND IT'S UNCHARTERED TERRITORY, AND I THINK WE SHOULD HOLD THE LINE. AND WE'VE GOT SO MUCH LEGAL HELP, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHY WE CAN'T DO THAT.
>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, YOU HAVE
IT FLOOR. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I'M GOING TO VOTE TODAY TO TRANSMIT THIS PLAN FOR THESE REASONS. WE LISTEN TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. IT'S NOT A SLAP IN THE FACE. WE TOOK THEIR VOICE. WE TOOK THE DOTS ON THE BOARD, WE TOOK THE HARD WORK THIS COMMUNITY PUT INTO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND WE VOTED I BELIEVE UNANIMOUSLY TO TRANSMIT THAT TO THE STATE. IT'S THE STATE SAYING, NO, THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE PER OUR GUIDELINES, PER OUR STATUTES. IT'S TOO RESTRICTIVE, IT'S TOO BURDENSOME. THAT'S THE STATE SAYING THAT BACK TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY. NOW HERE WE ARE BACK IN 2026 OPERATING WITHOUT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
I'M GOING TO TRY AND CHOOSE MY WORDS CAREFULLY.
THAT'S NOT REAL SMART TO OPERATE THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND BE THIS EYESORE IN THE EYES OF THE STATE.
ONCE AGAIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS NOT DOING WHAT I'LL EQUATE TO JUST ESSENTIALLY TYING YOUR SHOWS SO YOU CAN WALK.
HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS ESSENTIAL TO RUNNING THIS GOVERNMENT. NOW OUR STAFF CAN'T BRING FORWARD THE NEEDED CHANGES TO SERVE OUR RESIDENTS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
I WAS ON A LEGISLATIVE EXECUTIVE CALL WITH THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, WHICH I'M HONORED TO BE A MEMBER OF THAT COMMITTEE. SENATOR DESIGLY IS GOING TO DOING EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO PASS THE GLITCH BILL. I'M TOLD THAT'S THE ONLY THING HE'S FOCUSED ON. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. WE HOPE THE GLITCH BILL WILL PASS, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANY ASSURANCE IT WILL PASS.
IN MY VIEW WE NEED TO DO WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTERESS OF OUR RESIDENTS, WHICH IS TO TRANSMIT THIS PLAN.
AND ABSOLUTELY WE CAN GO BACK AND WHEN THE GLITCH BILL IS PASSED TO REPRESENT THE VOICES OF OUR PEOPLE TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND. SO I'M GOING TO BE VOTING TO TRANSMIT, AND I HOPE THE REST OF THE BOARD DOES THE SAME
COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, YOU'RE NOW
RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. A COUPLE OF THINGS. I'M ALSO GOING TO BE VOTING TO TRANSMIT IT TODAY. IT'S OUR JOB TO DO THE BUSINESS OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND I THINK IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE TO NOT DO SO AT THIS POINT.
IN THE EFFORT OF TRANSPARENCY, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, WOULD YOU MIND PUTTING ON THE RECORD WHAT ATTORNEYS YOU SPOKE TO? CLEARLY OUR STAFF
ATTORNEYS -- >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
[02:15:03]
MUTANSA RIVER. >> THEIR LAND USE ATTORNEYS? I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT'S ON THE
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU GET TO -- THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE ARE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GOING FORWARD.
I'VE STATED ON THE RECORD MANY TIMES THAT I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE ORIGINAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT WAS TRANSMITTED.
I AM GOING TO, AGAIN, REITERATE MY -- MY PROMISE THAT WHEN WE -- WHEN THE LEGAL DOORS ARE OPEN FOR US TO TRANSMIT THE PLAN THAT WE ALL AGREED ON, THAT I'M GOING TO BE LEADING THE CHARGE TO DO THAT, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE A COMP PLAN, SO I'M GOING TO ALSO BE VOTING TO TRANSMIT TODAY.
YOU WANT TO GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> THERE WE GO. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1.
>> WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. MS. TAYLOR GOT THE KWGZ, QUESTION, QUESTION. I WANT TO KNOW IF MS. ARNOLD'S HAS HAD ANY INPUT BECAUSE I BELIEVE HE IS A LAWYER. OR DO ANY OF YOU OTHER PEOPLE GET ANY INFORMATION OUTSIDE OF WHAT'S BEEN GIVEN BY THE STAFF.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO OVER AND QUESTION ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS, THEN I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SAY WHO THEY TALK TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO TODAY.
ONCE AGAIN, 3- 2 VOTES. 3- 2 VOTES, 3- 2 VOTES.
I COULD MAKE A MILLION DOLLARS AND YOU WOULDN'T SEE ME AGAIN.
3-2 VOTES, AND IT'S JUSTIFIED IN YOUR MINDS THAT'S FINE, WE'LL SEE WHAT'S GOING ON BECAUSE THAT WHOLE 45- MINUTE PRESENTATION ON INFRASTRUCTURE HAD TO DO TODAY. HAD TO BE DONE TODAY.
IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO COME IN HERE AND LISTEN TO THIS AND TO KNOW THAT THIS BOARD HAS BEEN SPLIT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
AND WE'LL SEE WHEN IT GOES TO STATE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN UP THERE. BUT I THINK IF YOU'RE GOING TO QUESTION ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES -- MUST BE WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY. SO WHETHER YOU DO IT OR NOT, I'M ON THE
I'M VICKY PEPPER. I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE. AS URBAN AND I STATED OCTOBER 17TH AND I REPEATED DECEMBER 16TH CARE HAS BEEN MONITORING THE RESPONSE REJECTING THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. WE BELIEVE THE FLORIDA STATUTES MADE BY SB 180 PASSED AT THE END OF THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT LED TO COMMERCE REJECTING THE NUMEROUS PROVISIONS REPRESENTING UNNECESSARY STATE OVERREACH. SINCE LEARNING IT STATE HAD REJECTED OUR PLAN, CARES ADVOCATED THE COUNTY DO WHATEVER IT CAN TO INSPIRE PLACE MAKING AND ANY STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING THE PUBLIC PUT IN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS TO DEVELOP A STRONG AND THOUGHTFUL PLAN THAT WILL MOVE US FORWARD TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY BY KEEPING THE UPDATED PLAN YOU'VE ADOPTED AND TRANSMITTED TO THE STATE ON BEHALF OF OUR COUNTY.
SO WE CONTINUE TO BE DISAPPOINTED IN THIS APPROACH OF WATERING DOWN OUR NEW PLAN WHICH CAN BE RESTRICTIVE AND BURDENSOME, WHICH REPRESENTS A HUGE STEP BACK OUR COMMUNITY HAS MADE IN THE PLAN.
I'LL NOTE THIS MANY OF US BELIEVE CONSIDERABLE WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN EVEN FURTHER. THE COUNTY FOLLOWED THE PROCESS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA LAW. AND DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, FLORIDA COMMERCE REJECTED THE PLAN CITING SEVERAL PROVISIONS WITHOUT EXPLAINING THEIR OBJECTIONS. AS I SAID LAST MONTH, APPARENTLY, THERE'S NO SPECIFIC TIME LINE IDENTIFIED UNDER FLORIDA LAW FOR THE COUNTY TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S OBJECTIONS AND RESUBMIT THE PLAN. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME CONFUSION REGARDING THE FACT, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME OUR COUNTY IS NOT WITHOUT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BECAUSE UNTIL SUCH TIME THE NEW PLAN IS APPROVED AND IMPLEMENTED THROUGH
[02:20:06]
REVISIONS IN OUR DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE IN ANY EVENT, THE COUNTY IS USING THESE PRE- APPROVED PLANS.THE PLAN SHOULD BE THE RESUBMIT THE COUNTY'S UPDATED PLAN BUT WAIT TO CHANGE THE PROBLEMATIC PROVISIONS OF FLORIDA LAW CITED BY FLORIDA COMMERCE AND REJECTING OUR PLAN HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. I HOPE I'M WRONG, BUT IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE YOU MAY BE MOVING FORWARD TO SUBMIT THIS WATERED DOWN PLAN IN SPITE OF OUR PREFERENCES, SO WE'D LIKE TO LEAVE YOU TODAY WITH A NEW ALTERNATIVE REQUEST, WHICH I THINK I'VE ALREADY HEARD COMMISSIONER MURPHY SUPPORT.
IF YOU'RE UNWILLING TO DELAY, PLEASE COMMIT TO THE PUBLIC TODAY TO RESUBMIT THE COUNTY'S REJECTED PLAN TO REPLACE THE WATERED DOWN VERSION AT THEIR EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY AFTER THE INPEDIMENTS CREATED BY SB- 180 ARE ELIMINATED.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON -- NO, IT'S STILL MORNING.
I AM ONE OF THOSE CITIZENS THAT WORKED VERY HARPED ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, SPENT MANY HOURS AND LOTS OF READING AND TALKING TO PEOPLE. I'M ALWAYS GOING TO PLACE WHO I AM ON GOD'S PERSPECTIVE. THE GOVERNMENT RESTS ON JESUS' SHOULDERS. ALL GOVERNMENT IS ORDAINED BY GOD, AND RIGHT NOW THE REALITY THAT WE HAVE MAY NOT BE THE REALITY THAT WE WANT.
SB-180 IS THE LAW OF THE LAND RIGHT NOW TODAY AT THIS MOMENT. I DO NOT HEAR DISUNITY.
I DON'T. I HEAR A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.
WE ALL ARE HEADING TO THE SAME GOAL.
WE ALL WANT THE BEST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND WE ALL WANT TO REPRESENT THIS COUNTY VERY WELL.
THE DIFFERENCE IS WHEN DO WE DO IT? AND FOR ME MY PERSPECTIVE THE REALITY THAT WE HAVE IS THAT WE ARE UNDER THE RULE OF LAW. AND TAKING A CHANCE ON POSTPONING NOT ONLY WILL MAYBE BACKFIRE ON US BY CAUSING A LITTLE BIT OF A DISCREPANCY IN OUR DISREGARDING THE LAW OF THE LAND, BUT ALSO IT MAY WORK AS WELL. BUT I THINK THAT THE COMMENTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE THAT WE WANT THIS PLAN THAT EVERYBODY WORKED SO HARD FOR TO BE PASSED DOES NOT HAVE TO BE TODAY. I DON'T SEE THIS.
IT IS A WATERED DOWN BILL. I'LL ALL FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS BEING BOOSTED UP, AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THOSE THINGS ARE STILL PRESENT. THOSE THINGS ARE STILL IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WE PUT TOGETHER AS A COUNTY.
THIS IS NOT GOING IN THE CARBAGE CAN. THIS IS STILL OUR VISION, THIS IS STILL OUR GOAL. SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO TAKE A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE AND TAKE OUR SMALL, INCREMENTAL CHANGES.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. I WANT AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO MOVE LIKE THIS. I WANT IT TOMORROW.
I WANT EVERY WORK FORCE HOUSING TO BE APPROVED AND WANT IT AFFORDABLE. BUT THE REALITY IS WE TAKE OUR SMALL STEPS. I BELIEVE THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR US AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE TO HONOR THAT AND TO TRANSMIT TODAY, AND THEN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE VISION OF THIS COUNTY AS ELECTED OFFICIALS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOD BLESS YOU IN THIS DECISION.
>> 1368 BIRMINGHAM HOUSE SOUTH. -- COULD NOT ATTEND.
WE DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL YESTERDAY THIS HEARING WAS TODAY, SO WE APOLOGIZE FOR NOT HAVING MORE PEOPLE. ONE I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AS A CONSERVATIONIST I LOVE THE CONSERVATION PORTIONS OF THAT ARE IN HERE. WE DEFINITELY NEED TO MOVE THEM FORWARD EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE OTHER THINGS SOME PEOPLE MIGHT WANT. LET'S GET THE CONSERVATION IN.
LET'S PROTECT THOSE FLATLANDS. IF ST. JOHNS COUNTY WANTS MONEY FROM THE STATE FOR THE COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO COOPERATE WITH THE STATE. WE DON'T HAVE TO LIKE THE RULES THAT THEY HAVE, BUT WE HAVE TO ADHERE TO THEM JUST LIKE DEVELOPERS HAVE TO ADHERE TO THE RULES OF THE COUNTY.
I'M JUST CURIOUS ARE THE POPULATION FIGURES, HAVE THEY BEEN MADE TO MATCH THE POPULATION FIGURES THAT WERE USED FOR THE IMPACT FEES BECAUSEBECAUSE TWO POPULATION FIGURES ARE DIFFERENT.
AND SO I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO GIVE POPULATION FISSIONIERS, THEY NEED TO MATCH IN EACH THING THAT THE COUNTY DOES AND MOVE FORWARD.
THAT BEING SAID, I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO SHOW A LITTLE MORE RESPECT FOR LEGAL STAFFER. I CAN'T IMAGINE COMING TO WORK EVERY DAY AND EVERY TIME I GIVE MY OPINION WE'RE TOLD, WE WENT OUT AND OUTSIDE AND GAVE A PUNCH OF OTHER OPINIONS.
WE SUPPORT OUR STAFF, WORK HARD, AND THEY COME IN EVERY DAY UNDER HORRIBLE CONDITIONS. LET'S SUPPORT THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE. LET'S STOP GOING BEHIND
[02:25:02]
THEIR BACKS. LET'S JUST GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOBS EVERY DAY. THANK YOU.>> 1821 CASTILLE STREET. I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU SUBMITTING HE REVISED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WE HAVE TODAY.
WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE CHANGES GOING TO BE MADE.
WE KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW THEY ARE WORKING ON WHAT IS IT 840 THAT WILL GIVE US ALREADY -- IT GIVES US THE IDEA THERE'S GOING TO BE REDUCING THE GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE, CLARIFIES RESTRICTIVE RULES, ALLOWS WATER AND SEWER PROTECTIONS. AND ONE OF THE OTHER THING THAT IT'S GOING TO DO, AND WE SEE THAT IT'S GOING TO COME THROUGH AND JUST GOING TO BE A SHORT TIME IS IT SHORTENS THE FREEZE TIME. THE RESTRICTIONS IN THE ORIGINAL LAW WERE SET TO LAST UNTIL OCTOBER 27.
THIS NEW STATE BILL 840 PROPOSES ENDING THESE RESTRICTIONS ON JUNE 30, 2026.
WE HAVE TIME TO WAIT. WE HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD ON THIS. WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE DISMISSIVE OF WHAT THE STATE SAYS. WE'RE TAKING IT IN.
YOU ALL MEET ALL THE TIME. WE NEED SOME EXTRA TIME TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE STATE IS GOING TO TELL US, JUST AS WE LISTEN TO WHAT THE STATE SAID WHEN THEY SAID NO. OUR REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE THERE ARE WORKING HARD FOR US. THEY KNOW WHAT IT IS DOING TO OUR HOME RULES, AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST THEM LEGALLY, AND I AGREE WITH THAT.
BUT IT IS TIME SOMETIMES TO STAND THE GROUND.
AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE, WE KNOW THAT WE'VE LISTENED TO RICHARD GRASSO, WHO'S A PROFESSOR THAT'S A WELL- KNOWN AND RESPECTED LAWYER AND A PROFESSOR THAT'S OUT THERE. THESE ARE THINGS WE'VE BEEN TOLD LET'S WAIT, LET'S LISTEN TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES. THEY'RE THERE TO FIGHT FOR US, JUST AS YOU ALL FORFOR US.
SO WE ASK YOU BECAUSE WE WANT YOU -- WE VOTED FOR YOU TO SPEAK FOR US. SO I THINK WE CAN WAIT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME RATHER THAN JUMP ONBOARD AND TAKE DOWN THE WATERED VERSION THAT WE'VE GOT AND COME BACK AND WORK EXTREMELY HARD FOR IT. SO JUST GIVE IT SOME TIME.
WE DO HAVE MORE TIME. IT'S NOT LIKE IT HAS TO BE DONE RIGHT AWAY, AND I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU THAT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND LISTENING TO US
TODAY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I WISH A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE CAME HERE THROUGH LAST YEAR AND SEEN THE PROFESSIONALLY PAID PROCRASTINATION THAT WAS BEING TAKEN PLACE ON THIS COMMISSION BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF WE NEED TO READ MORE ABOUT IT, WE'LL COME BACK NEXT TIME AND DO IT.
CAN WE JUST -- WE'LL MAKE THESE FEW LITTLE CUTS, AND WE'LL COME BACK IN THE NEXT SESSION AND TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN. AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN.
ALL RIGHT? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET ME GO AHEAD AND TELL YOU THE ONES THAT WAS WANTING TO TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN ARE THE ONE THAT WANT TO VOTE IT NOW AND SEND IT ON UP.
OKAY? YES, WATCH THE VIDEOS, WATCH THE CLIPS OF ALL THAT. IF THEY'RE SO WORRIED ABOUTABOUT HAVING A -- SOME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT WAS WRITTEN ON YELLOW STICKY NOTES, BUT NOW THEY WANT TO SEND IT UP. NOW THAT'S WHAT THE -- THAT'S WHAT THEIR MAIN FOCUS IS TO SEND THIS PLAN THEY PROCRASTINATE -- THEY SAT ON UNTIL THAT BILL WAS PASSED.
AND BEFORE THAT INK WAS DRY WHEN DESANTIS SIGNED THAT BILL, THOSE THREE WERE LIKE LET'S GO. LET'S GO.
LET'S GET IT PASSED. AND, WELL, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE CHANGES NOW BECAUSE THAT'S NOW ALL RIGHT. WE CAN FOLLOW BILLS THAT ARE GOING ON AT THE STATE, AND YOU GET SOME INFORMATION FROM PEOPLE LIKE LEEK, OKAY, WHO WAS A BIG SUPPORTER OF THAT. BUT THIS JUST A DAY OF SIGNING THIS -- THIS IS FROM THE TWO YEARS OF THIS BIG PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN THAT WAS PUT ON BY THIS COUNTY TO GET THIS PASSED, TO PROJECT OUR NEXT 25 YEARS, WHICH ISN'T JUST 25 YEARS. IT'S HOW MANY YEARS AFTER IT WILL GOING TO END IN 25 YEARS WHENEVER IT'S GOING TO PASS. THIS SHOWS THE PURE OUT TRUE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS THAT GO ONON LITTLE COUNTIES LIKE THIS.
[02:30:01]
SIT BACK, WAIT UNTIL YOU GET YOUR OWN WAY, AND THEN GO WITH IT. ALL THE PEOPLE THAT THEY WORK FOR, I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT. BECAUSE WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IS WHAT YOU SEE ON THE NEWSNEWS HAPPENING UP THERE IN THAT BIG WHITE HOUSE. IT HAPPENSDOWN HERE. >> THANK YOU, MR. HUNT. THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON AGENDA ITEM 1? OKAY, SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS.
>> OKAY, BACK TO THE BOARD. ANY -- YOU'RE ACTIVE. YEAH, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY ONCE AGAIN, WE WERE UNIFIED.
WE VOTED FOR THE NON- WATERED DOWN PLAN UNANIMOUSLY, SO WE ARE NOT -- IT'S NOT 3-2.
WE ARE 5- 0 IN SUPPORT OF THE FULL PLAN.
I THINK WHERE THERE'S A RESPECTFUL DISAGREEMENT UP HERE IS WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS FOR THE TIME BEING AND THEN COME BACK LATER.
AND THERE'S -- YOU KNOW, THERE'S CERTAINLY ROOM TO SEE THAT BOTH WAYS. VICKY PEPPER ASKED US TO MAKE THE PLEDGE THAT WILL THEN COME BACK AFTER SB- 180 PASSES, ASSUMING IT PASSES, AND TRY AND PASS THE REST OF THE PLAN THAT WE VOTED ON THE FIRST TIME. AND IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A COMMITMENT TO DO THAT, I CAN COMMIT THAT I WILL DO THAT.
I VOTED FOR IT BEFORE. I WILL CERTAINLY VOTE FOR THOSE ITEMS AGAIN ONCE IT IS LEGAL IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I'M HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION IF YOU'RE READY TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION, MR.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO ADD TO THAT BEFORE YOU GO IS I'VE MADE THE COMMITMENT SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE ORIGINAL BILL WILL BE IN PLACE AS SOON AS WE'RE LEGALLY ABLE TO DO IT, SO YOU HAVE THE
FLOOR. >> I'M GOING TO MOVE TO TRANSMIT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY 2050 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
>> OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND. OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. MR. ARNOLD, DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING BEFORE WE STARTED? OKAY, LET'S BRING UP THE VOTE.
OKAY, THAT PASSES 3-2. LET'S MOVE ONTO AGENDA ITEM
[2. Public Hearing * REZ 2025-11 Nothing Putt Fun. ]
NUMBER 2.>> I JUST WANTED TO SET SOMETHING RIGHT ON THE RECORD. IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN I LOOKED AT THE LAST VOTE IT DID NOT HAVE MY NAME UP THERE, AND I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT I VOTED NO ON THAT.
BUT IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE JUST VOTED ON, IT DID NOT SAY TAYLOR. I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT I VOTED NO BECAUSE, AGAIN, MY NAME WAS NOT UP THERE.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS QUASI- JUDICIAL ITEM.
OKAY. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH -- LATE LAST WEEK ABOUT THE PROJECT AND ABOUT SOME OF THE CONCERNS THOSE BOARD MEMBERS HAD.
COMMISSIONER JOSEPH? >> YES, I'VE GOT SEVERAL E- MAILS ACTUALLY IN THE LAST THREE DAYS BUT NO MEETINGS.
>> YES. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS MOSTLY IN SUPPORT OF THIS. I HAD A MEETING WITH MATT, TAMMY HAMMOND, JACKSON HAMMOND, AND CHRISTINA EVANS AND STAFF.
WHITEHURST? >> I HAD MEETING WITH THE APPLICANT AND STAFF AND ALSO A HANDFUL E- MAILS IN FAVOR OF
PROJECT. >> AND ALSO HAD A SURPRISING NUMBER OF E- MAILS IN FAVOR OF THIS, AND DID HAVE A COUPLE OF THAT WERE AGAINST IT.
ALSO HAD A MEETING WITH MATT, AARON AND CHRISTINE. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR,
WE'RE HERE TO PRESENT ON BEHALF OF THE LANDOWNER AND APPLICANT THE NOTHING NOTHING PUTT FUN PROJECT.
THE NOTHING PUTT FUN AND GAMES PROJECT THIS PROJECT IS
[02:35:04]
LOCATED ONTO THE SOUTH SURROUNDED BY THE PALENCIA PDP. WITH THE CURRENT LAND USE AND PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING EAST THERE IS IN THE MIXED USE DISTRICT. WE ARE PROMISING TO REZONE THIS PROPERTY TO CHT.AGAIN, YOU HAVE THE PUD TO THE NORTH OF US, WHICH HAS A VARIETY OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL USES. AGAIN, WE ARE ZONED -- CURRENTLY PROPOSING TO BE REZONED TO CHT.
THEN YOU'LL NOTICE TO THE SOUTH OF US THERE AT THE CORNER OF WHITE CASTLE AND U.S. 1 A ZONED A PIECE CI. SOME COMPATIBILITY COMPONENTS HERE OF THE MAP. WE'VE GOT SEVERAL CALL IT BAR PUB TYPE RESTAURANTS AND COMMERCIAL AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF INDUSTRIAL ACROSS FROM U.S. 1 THERE.
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS -- COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORHOODS ON THE LEFT THERE IS INTENDED TO SERVE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, REQUIRE DIRECT ACCESS TO COLLECTORS, OPERATE PRIMARILY DAYTIME OR EARLY EVENING HOURS.
HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL, CHT AS WE'RE PROPOSING, AGAIN, INTENDED TO SERVE THE TRAVELING PUBLIC.
REQUIRES DIRECT ACCESS TO AN ARTERIAL OR MAJOR COLLECTOR AND U.S. 1 IS CATEGORIZED AS A MAJOR COLLECTOR THERE.
JUST THE COMPARABLES HERE AND SIDE BY SIDE OF PERMITTED USES.
AGAIN, COMMERCIAL ZONING PROMISED TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER COMMERCIAL ZONING.
AGAIN, THE MAIN REASON FOR THAT IS AS YOU'LL SEE AT THE TOP THERE COMMERCIAL RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CN CATEGORY. AS YOU'LL SEE LATER IN THIS PRESENTATION, THIS PROJECT ACTUALLY HAD PLANS ADVANCED FOR COMMERCIAL USE UNDER THE CN UNTIL THIS APPLICANT CAME ALONG TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY. CI ZONING TO OUR SOUTH, YOU'LL SEE AGAIN FAIRLY COMPATIBLE TO THE CHT THAT WE'RE PROPOSING THERE.
COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE ALSO DOES ALLOW FOR THAT COMMERCIAL RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT, BUT IT DOES ALLOW FOR A VET OFFICE WITH OUTDOOR BOARDING.
AGAIN, MAIN REASON FOR THIS REZONING REQUEST IS THE FACT THAT A NOTHING PUTT FUN ENTERTAINMENT VEN IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE CN CATEGORY. SOME ADDITIONAL USES IN CI THAT ARE ALLOWED TO THE SOUTH OF US THERE, AGAIN WE'RE PROPOSING THIS MINI GOLF COURSE. IT'LL BE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR.
WE'LL HAVE SOME ARCADE- STYLE VIDEO GAMES AND GAMES IN THERE, EVENT SPACE, FOOD TRUCKS AND RESTAURANTS. WE WILL DIRECTLY ACCESS U.S. 1 HERE. TRY TO PLAY THIS VIDEO.
I HAD SOME AUDIO ASSOCIATED WITH IT, BUT THIS IS A VIDEO OF THE APPLICANT'S SON WITH HIS FIRST MINI GOLF HOLE IN ONE.
THIS PROJECT IS REALLY BORN OUT OF THEIR FAMILY AND TRAVELING AND AN AFFECTION WITH PUTT PUTT. THEY'VE TRAVELED THROUGH THE U.S. AND REALIZED THERE WAS NO ENTERTAINMENT LIKE THIS REALLY IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA. WE FEEL THIS SITE IS A GOOD SPOT FOR THIS. AGAIN, YOU'VE GOT FOR SIMILAR EXAMPLE TO THE SOUTH OF US HAS AN OUTDOOR PLAY AREA, A VERY SUCCESSFUL FULL BAR, RESTAURANT. THIS IS JUST ADDING A LITTLE BIT MORE ENTERTAINMENT AS THE BASIS FOR THIS WHERE ENTERTAINMENT IS THE PRIMARY USE AND THE FOOD IS MORE SECONDARY. AND THE RENDERED SITE PLAN HERE.
YOU CAN SEE THE CONDOS KIND OF TO THE NORTH WEST OF US THERE BUFFERED BY THEIR STORM WATER POND. YOU CAN ALSO SEE HOW WE'VE ATTEMPTED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING TO PLANT SOME EXTRA TREES AND EXTRA BUFFERING IN THERE TO AFFECT THAT LINE OF SIGHT. AGAIN, THIS IS ONE- STORY PROPOSED BUILDING. EXISTING CN ZONING DOES ALLOW UP TO 35 FEET. THIS APPLICANT IS PROPOSING A ONE- STORY, APPROXIMATELY 16,000- SQUARE FOOT BUILDING.
DEFINITELY IS GOING TO HELP WITH THE BUFFERING AND IT SCREENING. JUST A BLOW UP OF THAT PLAN, YOU CAN SEE ON THE NORTH SIDE WE'VE TRIED TO ADD SOME EXTRA TREES WHERE THE EXTRA TREES ARE NOT -- NOT FILLING IN THE GAPS THERE.
HERE'S A COLORED RENDERING OF WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE. IT'S GIVING SOME OBSIS VIOUS SCALE, SOME SORT OF TURF BASE PUTT PUTT
[02:40:02]
HERE WITH A LOT OF NATIVE VEGETATION PLANTED AS INFILL.JUST SOME OF THE FINDINGS OF FACT FROM THE STAFF REPORT HERE. AGAIN, WE'RE DIRECTLY ACCESSING THIS FROM U.S. 1. WE'RE WITHIN THE COUNTY'S DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY. THIS IS CONSIDERED IN- FILL DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE CENTURY UTILITIES DIRECTLY ABUTTING THE PROJECT. ANY ENVIRONMENTAL OR WETLAND IMPACTS, FLOODPLAIN IMPACTS ARE BEING PERMITTED BY THE STATE AND/OR APPLICABLE STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCIES. THIS WAS WHAT WE HAD ORIGINALLY PROPOSED UNDER THE CN FOR THE NORTHERN PARCEL. AGAIN, A TWO- STORY, 17,600 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY, AND THIS WAS JUST ON A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY. JUST SOME OF THE COMPATIBILITY COMPONENTS HERE. THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE PUD AND THE MUA MIXED USE AREA OVERLAY, AS YOU CAN SEE JUST TO THE NORTH OF US. THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF COMMERCIAL USES ARE ALLOWED THERE. JUST A CONTINUATION OF THAT.
AND AN EXCERPT FROM THE TABLE HERE JUST SHOWING MINIMUMS, BUFFERING, AND, AGAIN, WE'RE EXCEEDING THE BUFFERING AND WELL WITHIN OUR UNDERNEATH THE MAX HEIGHT. WITH THAT, WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY
HAVE. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
>> OH, YEAH, I'VE GOT A BUNCH JUST BECAUSE OF SOME ISSUES AT HOME. I WASN'T ABLE TO MEET WITH YOU. DO YOU MIND IF I ASK YOU REAL QUICK?
>> AS AN ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY, IS THERE ANY WAY TO KEEP FROM -- WHAT IF IT FAILS? DOES IT GO BACK TO CN OR --
>> I GUESS IF THE BUSINESS FAILED, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE
SAYING? >> IT WOULD REMAIN CHT
ZONING. >> FLORIDA A LIVE LOCAL OPTION ON THAT?
>> BELIEVE IT'S ADDITIONALLY EXCLUDEPED ON
THIS. >> YOU PUT IT ON THERE WE CAN'T
>> WHAT ABOUT VAPING AND THINGS LIKE THAT SINCE IT'S ADULT ENTERTAINMENT.
>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S ALLOWED ADULT ENTERTAINMENT IN THE CHT
ANY WAY TO PUT THE VAPING IN THERE OR NO VAPING? NOT SURE HOW TO RESTRICT VAPING AS PART OF A ZONING APPLICATION?
YOU KNOW. I MEAN, IF IT BECAME A CAR WASH AND A GAS STATION, I MEAN NO WAY TO PUT THAT IN THERE ? I'M JUST WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AFTERWARDS.
I KNOW IT'S A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON WETLANDS.
SO THE OUTDOOR AREA GOING TO TRY TO WORK WITH THAT?
ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE OUTDOOR? >> THESE ARE ACTUALLY FRINGE WETLANDS THAT ARE EMANATING FROM THE STOKES CREEK HEAD WATER, SO WE'RE AT THE UPSTREAM COMPONENT OF THAT.
THEY'RE MODERATE LOW QUALITY WETLANDS, SO WE WILL BE REPLANTING THOSE AREAS WITH NATIVE VEGETATION.
BUT REALLY NOT MUCH OF A WAY TO WORK WITHIN THE FOOTPRINT OF WHAT'S THERE ON THE SITE.
PART OF OUR STORM WATER POND WILL BE GOING INTO SOME OF THAT IMPACTED WETLAND AREA. BUT, AGAIN, WE WILL REREPLANTING TREES ON THE PERIMETER, PROVIDING BYPASS SWALES AND PROVIDING COMPENSATED STORAGE PERMIT WOULD THE STORAGE REQUIREMENTS.
>> ANYONE ELSE? >> YES, I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION. I KNOW WHEN WE WET WE HAD DISCUSSED THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT PROPERTIES THAT YOU'RE COMBINE PURCHASING.
>> AND YOU ALSO HAD A PICTURE OF WHAT WAS EITHER PLANNED AT ONE POINT OR WHAT COULD BE A COMMERCIAL BUILDING.
>> YES, MA'AM. WE AS PART OF THE PRESENTATION WHAT WAS FILED ON THE NORTHERN
PARCEL. >> NOT THIS PROPERTY BUT WHAT IT COULD BE. IF WE DIDN'T REZONE, WHAT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY COULD GO
THERE? >> YES, MA'AM, THAT WAS IN THE FIRST LIST OF USES FOR CN HERE. CHILD CARE, ADULT CARE, SCHOOL, CHURCH, PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITY WITH LIGHTED FIELDS AND COURTS.
YOU COULD HAVE PICKLE BALL COURTS OUT THERE.
YOU COULD HAVE LIGHTED BALL COURTS, BATTING CAGES.
YOU COULD HAVE A BILLIARD AND POOL PARLOR.
YOU COULD HAVE GROCERY STORES, HOTELS, AND THERE'S OTHER SOME THINGS IN THE DEVELOPMENT CODE WE JUST PUT A HIGHLIGHTED LIST HERE.
COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME WE'LL BE TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2.
>> I'M A RESIDENT OF OF PALENCIA.
[02:45:06]
IN THE BACK THAT BUILDING THAT YOU SEE -- I HAD A PICTURE BEFORE THAT I FORGOT TO BRING YOU THIS TIME.IT'S A BEAUTIFUL VIEW, AND I'M GLAD IT'S GONE DOWN TO ONE FLOOR THAT LIMITS IT.
AND I APPRECIATE THE CHANGE. AND THE ADULTS ARE SITTING AROUND PERHAPS SMOKING, DRINKING.
AND ALL THAT WHEN THE WIND SHIFTS, IT'LL BE COMING STRAIGHT INTO MY LANAI, AND I THEN CANNOT ENJOY MY PROPERTY I'M PAYING A LOT FOR BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT DOOR.
I APPRECIATE YOU PLANTING MORE TREES, YES.
BUT WE -- YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE -- IT ALWAYS GETS TORN DOWN.
WHEN FLORIDA BUILDS THEY THINK THEY CAN REPLANT AND THAT CHANGES THE PROBLEM. YOU'RE CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF WHAT I PAID FOR. I KNOW PROGRESS MUST GO ON, AND I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THE CHILDREN. I'M AN EX SCHOOLTEACHER. SO ON THE CONTRARY, CHILDREN ARE LOVED. THEY CAN MAKE ALL THE NOISE.
IT'S THE GANG STUFF THAT WE HEAR, IT'S THE LANGUAGE THAT WE HEAR WHEN ADULTS START DRINKING.
IT'S THE ATTRACTION OF OUR LAKE. EVERYBODY HIDES AND TRIES TO GO FISHING THERE, AND FISH ARE VERY HIGHLY EXPENSIVE FISH THAT ARE SPECIAL TO EAT THE WEEDS OR WATER ON THE LAKE.
AND EVERYTHING WAS PLANNED FOR PLEASURE, AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE AMUSEMENT, WHICH I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST IF IT'S CHILDREN.
BUT ONCE YOU GET DRINKING ADULTS, SMOKING ADULTS BECAUSE THEY ARE OUTDOORS, IT CHANGES MY LANDSCAPE VERY MUCH. SO I APPRECIATE YOU CONTINUING TAKING -- BEING AS CONCERNED AS I AM AND TRYING TO SUPPORT ME.
>> SAME OPPOSITE SIDE OF MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO RAISE SOME OF MY CONCERNS. I WASN'T ABLE TO BE AT THE DECEMBER MEETING BUT SENT A LETTER. THE PRESENTATION, LIKE SHE SAID, I'M GLAD IT WAS PUT DOWN TO ONE BUILDING, BUT WE RIGHT NOW AREN'T A TOURIST AREA.
THIS AREA DOESN'T REALLY DRAW PEOPLE TO TOURISM.
MAYBE WITH THIS SITE YOU'LL SEE MORE TOURISM COME IN. BUT IF THE EXIT IS ONTO U.S.
1, AND YOU CAN ONLY GO RIGHT -- IF YOU GO DOWN ONE AND WANT TO TAKE A RIGHT ON NATIONAL BOULEVARD, THAT TRAFFIC LINE GOES PRETTY FAR DOWN. AND THEN IF YOU CAN'T GET INTO THAT LINE, YOU END UP GOING INTO INTO PALENCIA, AND THE ONLY PLACE IF YOU WANT TO GO SOUTH OR INTERNATIONAL IS RIGHT AT PUBLIC, AND CHASE BANK IS NOW THERE. I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TRAFFIC OR THE SAFETY.
I DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THE ALCOHOL AND THE FACT THEY'RE REQUESTING THE ALCOHOL CHANGE ALSO, WHICH I THINK BRINGS IN A LOT OF CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY AS BEING AN ENTERTAINMENT CENTERCENTER AND IF A LOT OF THE EVENTS ARE NIGHT EVENTS. I JUST THINK THERE'S A LOT THAT HAS NOT BEEN EXPLAINED WELL AS TO WHAT THIS IS. I'M HIGHLY CONCERNED IF IT DOESN'T -- IF IT GOES UNDER, WHAT'S GOING TO BE THERE THEN. PUTTING SOME TREES IN THAT BUFFER IS NOT SUFFICIENT IN TERMS OF PROTECTING WHERE WE'RE AT. THE NIGHT- LIGHTING THAT WILL OCCUR AND THE IMPACT OF THE NIGHT- LIGHTING IN THAT AREA. SO I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS, AND HOPE YOU CONSIDER IT SERIOUSLY AS I KNOW YOU WILL WHEN YOU VOTE.
NEXT. >> HI, MY NAME IS -- AND I LIVE IN SHORES. I HAPPEN TO BE AT THE DECEMBER 18TH MEETING. AND WHAT WAS REALLY CONCERNING TO ME IS THE AMOUNT OF WETLANDS IT WAS GOING TO COVER. I MEAN, THE PARKING LOT, AS YOU CAN SEE BY HIS EXAMPLE, IT REALLY COVERS A LARGE PORTION OF THIS PROPERTY.
[02:50:03]
I MEAN, LIKE 78%. AND IT'S LIKE WHERE'S THAT WATER GOING TO GO? BECAUSE DOWN AT THE SHORES IT -- WE HAVE WATER PROBLEMS FROM OTHER SUBDIVISIONS THAT ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR US NOW.AND IT'S LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT WATER WOULD GO OR IF THEY'D EVEN REPORT ON WHERE THE WATER WOULD GO IF ALL THAT LAND -- I GUESS WE'RE OPPOSING IT AND PUT THAT UP TO YOU GUYS. THANK
YOU. >> HELLO, I'M TOMMY HAMMOND.
I LIVELIVE 304 KENSINGTON NOT FAR FROM THE SITE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL YOU ALL BECAUSE I WAS A COMMISSIONER AT ONE TIME SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND I UNDERSTAND HOW THANKLESS YOUR JOB IS AND HOW YOU GET ACCUSED OF THAT. YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO DO WHAT YOU KNOW -- I KNOW YOU DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF COMMUNITY AND OTHERS. I'M A 13- YEAR RESIDENT OF ST.
JOHNS COUNTY. I'M A CIVIL ENGINEER.
I'M SEMIRETIRED NOW, AND I'M JUST HERE TO ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THIS FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES THAT I KNOW.
WE NEED A FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT VENUE LIKE THIS IN THAT AREA. IT'S BADLY NEEDED.
THERE'S JUST HARDLY ANYTHING TO DO.
THERE'S A LOT OF GROWTH. THERE'S A LOT OF SUBDIVISIONS WITHIN 3 MILES OF THIS PLACE.
THERE'S JUST NOTHING FOR ENTERTAINMENT.
AND THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THIS IN T. JOHNS COUNTY.
THERE'S NO INDOOR, OUTDOOR, WHICH I DON'T THINK HAS BEEN EMPHASIZED ENOUGH.
IF IT RAINS AND THERE'S BAD WEATHER, PEOPLE CAN STILL COME AND ENJOY THIS. AND SOME OF THE PUBLIC'S VERY MISINFORMED ABOUT THIS PROJECT. THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT THE ZONING THAT ALREADY EXISTS ALLOW ALL THESE USES THAT YOU SAW. THEY COULD BUILD A THREE- STORY 35,000 SQUARE FOOT HOTEL ON THIS PROPERTY RIGHT NOW, AND IT'S ALREADY ZONED FOR THAT.
THE COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE ZONING THAT BUTS THE PROPERTY TO THE SOUTH, YOU CAN DO EVEN MORE USES. THEY CAN PUT A WAWA, ANOTHER WAWA WE DON'T NEED. THERE'S A LOT OF USES YOU DON'T WANT.
THEY COULD DO FLEX HOUSES, EVEN MICROBREWERIES ARE ALLOWED.
SO THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS. HE'S DOING A ONE- STORY REALLY NICE FACILITY. FROM MY MEETINGS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH MANY NEIGHBORS AND THE FELLOW HOA MEMBERS AND MEMBERS IN THE COUNTY, ONCE THEY WERE MADE AWARE ABOUT THE FACTS OF THE PROJECT MOST WOULD PREFER A 12,000 OR 16,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING THAT'S BUFFERED. I DON'T DRINK, BUT I DON'T SEE AN ISSUE WITH HAVING A 19- HOLE TYPE SPORTS BAR FOR FAMILIES, FOR THE PARENTS TO DO ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE'S A DONOVANS IRISH PUB LESS THAN A THOUSAND FEET FROM THIS PLACE. SO I'M JUST ASKING LET'S GET THIS NICE FACILITY WITH THE WATER FEATURES, EVEN PUTTING IN EDUCATIONAL PLAQUES AND THINGS FOR THE SCHOOLS. HE'S DOING STUFF -- HE'S GOT A VISION TO DO STUFF WE REALLY NEED. AGAIN, IN MY OPINION IT'S A WONDERFUL PROJECT AND I ASK YOU SUPPORT IT.
NEXT. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS CHRIS WARD. I'VE LIVED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY MY ENTIRE LIFE. SOME VERY GOOD- BYE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PEOPLE AND SOME NOT WELL.
I'M NOT ANTI- DEVELOPMENT, BUT I AM SUPPORTIVE OF DEVELOPMENT. THESE ARE THE GUYS YOU HAVE POINTED TO LOOK AT THIS STUFF WAY MORE INTELLIGENT THAN I AM. FROM WHAT I READ THERE'S 68% OF THE WETLANDS GOING TO BE COVERED UP.
I'M ASKING YOU GUYS TO FALL IN LINE WITH PEOPLE YOU GUYS HAVE POINTED TO ZONING TO DENY THIS APPROVAL FOR THIS LAND USE. THANK YOU.
>> HI. I'M KAREN SANDS, AND I ALSO LIVE IN A VILLA, AND LIVE ON THAT POND. AND HE WANTS -- HE'S SAYING HE'LL PLANT TREES AS A BUFFER. TREES ARE NOT -- WELL, YOU CAN'T PLANT 20- FOOT TREES. AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BUFFER THE LIGHTS. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BUFFER THE SOUND THAT'S GOING TO COME ABOUT YOU'RE PUTTING THIS IN MY BACKYARD. AND I'M ASKING YOU TO THINK BEFORE YOU VOTE. WOULD YOU WANT IT IN YOUR BACKYARD?
[02:55:03]
>> ALL RIGHT, CHARLIE HUNT, MILL CREEK ESTATES.
OKAY, NOTHING BUT FUN. I'VE BEEN CHECKING THE PROPERTY RECORDS, AND IT HADN'T REALLY SHOWN THAT PROPERTY'S BEEN BOUGHT. IS THIS A FALL BACK, OR IF IT'S BEEN APPROVED THEY DIDN'T LOSE MONEY ON IT ALREADY? AND, YES, I WENT AND LOOKED THROUGH THE WHOLE AGENDA WHEN THE PZA HAD IT.
I MEAN, I WAS THERE ANYWAYS. AND THE WETLANDS, THE BACK FILLING THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE ON THAT.
SO IT'S LIKE IT ALWAYS IS NOW. WE FILL THIS IN AND THE WATER GETS PUSH SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS GETTING SENT SOMEWHERE ELSE. IT SHOWS IN THE AGENDA ROUGHLY 3 ACRES OF THE 4 1/2-ACRE PROPERTY WILL BE USED.
SO -- AND LOOKING AT THE MAP OF THE WETLANDS AREA THAT WASN'T SHOWED UP ON THE OPENING STATEMENTS THAT, YES, I'D SAY -- I JUST CAME UP WITH 60%, BUT IT IS.
IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE BACKFILLED AND PUSHED OUT SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT AS I SAID, I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING IN THE RECORDS THAT THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN PHYSICALLY ACTUALLY BOUGHT BY THESE ONES WHO WANT TO PUT THIS SO- CALLED PUTT PUTT PLACE FORWARD. WHAT'S KIND OF STRANGE TO ME WHY RIGHT THERE? WHY NOT SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU'RE IN A BIG HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AREA LIKE NOCATEE OR RIVER TOWN? SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT'S RIGHT THERE, WHERE YOU AIN'T GOT PEOPLE TRYING TO GET IN AND OUT OFF OF THAT ROAD U.S. 1 AND GOING IN RIGHT THERE.
IS IT LOCATION? WELL, MAYBE NOT? IT'S THE CHEAP PRICE OF THE PROPERTY THAT THEY CAN JUST FILL IN THAT THEY HAVEN'T REALLY BOUGHT YET.
OR LIKE I SAID, HAVEN'T SHOWED RECORDS OF IT.
BUT WHAT'S OF THE MAIN THINGS TO ME THAT WASN'T BROUGHT UP BY THE PRESENTER IS THIS WILL BE A FULL BAR, FAMILY FUN TIME.
FULL BAR, FAMILY FUN TIME. SO IF YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR FAMILY THERE, LET YOUR KIDS GO OUT THERE, AND YOU GET A FULL BAR. I MEAN, REALLY? COME ON.
IF THAT'S THE MONEYMAKER, THAT'S PATHETIC OF HOW PEOPLE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HAVING TO HAVE A FULL BAR TO TAKE THEIR KIDS SOMEWHERE AND LET THEM PLAY A LITTLE MINI GOLF. ALL RIGHT? IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF THE ETHICS ABOUT IT.
YEAH, I GOT KIDS. WE NEED A FULL BAR HERE SO THE KIDS CAN GO AND PLAY. THAT'S THE MAIN FACTOR THEY WANT TO ADD IN AND DON'T REALLY PUT UP AND SAY.
>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEM 2 AT THIS TIME? OKAY, SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS
TIME. >> ALL RIGHT, BACK TO THE FULL BOARD. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS AS FOLLOW-UP? COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
>> YES, I HAVE A QUESTION. SO I'M CONCERNED THAT IT -- I MEAN, I MIGHT AGREE WITH THISTHIS I KNOW FOR SURE THIS IS GOING IN AND IT'S GOING TO BE EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. WHEN I MOVED FROM ARIZONA TO HERE, ALL THE ENTERTAINMENT PLACES HAVE BARS, WHICH IS THE WEIRDEST THING EVER ESPECIALLY GOING TO BUSCH GARDEN AND ALL THAT. I GET PARENTS SAYING WHY CAN'T BE HAVE AN ENTERTAINMENT CENTER FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS. I GET IT.
MY CONCERN IS THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK AND YOU GET SOMETHING BIGGER. HOW DO I GET ASSURED IT'S GOING TO STAY THE ONE- STORY PUTT PUTT THING YOU WANT BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN SOLD OR WHATEVER. I'M JUST CONCERNED.
>> YOU WANT MY TRUE SUGGESTION? CALL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS ONCE IT'S UP AND HAVE THEM COME SUPPORT A LOCAL FAMILY OWNED
BUSINESS. >> BUT, SEE, I'VE GOT TO HAVE IT COME FROM YOU THAT YOU ARE DOING THIS AND YOU'RE NOT JUST SWITCHING THE ZONING BECAUSE THERE'S A -- THERE'S A HOME SCHOOL -- THERE'S A HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM UNDER THE TWO BRIDGES, AND I THINK BRAD WESTER HAD THIS AGREEMENT TO PUT A STORAGE UNIT THERE, WHICH I THINK I AGREED TO.
IT'S STILL UP FOR SALE, AND THERE'S NO STORAGE UNIT THERE. AND THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO. SO MY CONCERN IS THE SAME THING'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE AND THE PEOPLE WANT IT AND I WANT TO VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE, BUT THEN NOTHING'S EVER GOING TO
[03:00:02]
GO THERE. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY EXCEPT I CAN'T TELL PEOPLE TO GO USE IT. YOU HAVE MY VOTE IF YOU CAN CONFIRM THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, IF NOT, I'M AFRAID I HAVE TO VOTE AGAINSTIT. >> I GUESS I'M UNSURE HOW TO GET THAT TO YOU, BUT I'M HAPPY TO WORK THROUGH THAT TO ADDRESS MAYBE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE OTHER PLOEKT, I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT HAPPEN. BUT I CAN TELL YOU INTEREST RATES ARE VERY HIGH RIGHT NOW.
CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE VERY HIGH. COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE OTHER PROJECT THAT CAN BRING THE APPLICANT UP HERE.
HE CAN TALK ABOUT HIS DESIRE FROM HIS HEART AND WHAT HE'S TRYING TO DO. SOME OF THIS IS CALL IT THE THROES OF CONSTRUCTION AND PERMITTING. EACH HAS TO BE CONSIDERED ON ITS OWN MERIT AND NOT COMPARED TO OTHERS. I DON'T BELIEVE I'VE DONE ANYTHING TO LEAD PROJECTS ASTRAY.
OBVIOUSLY I CAN'T CONTROL THE LANDOWNERS AND THE APPLICANTS, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU YOU HAVE WHAT'S DESIRED TO BE A SINGLE USE TENET HERE, AND THAT MAN'S GOING TO DO EVERYTHING HE CAN TO DELIVER HIS PROJECTS SUCCESSFULLY FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
HE'S HERE WITH HIS SON TODAY. I CAN ASK HIM TO COME UP.
HE'S NOT A PUBLIC SPEAKER. HE ASKED ME TO TRY TO PRESENT THIS AS BEST I CAN, BUT I CAN ASK HIM AFTER MY REBUTTAL TO DELIVER ANY ASSURANCE ONON SUCCESSFUL PROJECT.
>> SURE. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> MR. CHAIR, I WANT TO MAKE SURE HE HAS HIS OPPORTUNITY TO AND I'VE GOT A COMMENT.
>> THEN DON'T PUSH YOUR BUTTON
OFF. >> I'LL GO THROUGH THE NOTES HERE. HAPPY THE PLACENCIA CROWD WAS HAPPY WITH THE ONE STORY. IT TREES WE ARE PROPOSING AT PLANTING WILL BE A MINIMUM 10 FEET IN HEIGHT.
SO ALL OF TREES YOU SEE THERE ARE PROMISED TO BE A MINIMUM OF 10 FEET WITH A ONE- STORY BUILDING THERE. ADDRESSING THE MUSIC AND THE OUTDOOR AND THE NOISE, THIS PROJECT IS -- HAS ITS PRIMARY ENTERTAINMENT VENUE DIRECTLY FACING U.S. 1.
I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER IN MY HEAD, BUT I BELIEVE IT'S NORTH OF 50,000 CARS A DAY GO UP AND DOWN U.S. 1, AND I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY TRAINS BLOW THEIR HORN AT INTERSECTION THERE. I'M NOT A NOISE EXPERT, BUT I HARDLY BELIEVE ANY POTENTIAL LOUD MUSIC THAT IS ENFORCED BY OUR WONDERFUL SHERIFFS, I DON'T SEE THAT NOT COMPLYING WITH THE COUNTY NOISE ORDINANCE. ALL LIGHTING MUST COMPLY WITH THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. THUS WE WON'T HAVE ANY LIGHT TRESPASS HERE, AND THAT IS THE TENT. WE HAVE PUSHED THE PARKING LOT TO THE SOUTH SIDE AS WE CAN, AGAIN, TRYING TO GET ALL THE ECVOOS ON SITE AND IN HERE. SO ANY PARKING LOT LIGHTING IS REALLY GOING TO BE CENTERED BACK THERE. I NOTICE THAT ONE PRESENTER TALKED ABOUT THE TOURISM COMPONENT OF CHT. REALLY NOT THE INTENT AS A TOURISM DRAW HERE. THAT'S JUST THE NAME OF THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION AND THE TYPES OF USES THAT IT PROVIDES. AGAIN, THESE WETLANDS ARE RELATIVELY LOW TO MODERATE QUALITY WETLANDS.
THEY'RE DIRECTLY ABUTTING A FEDERAL HIGHWAY.
NOT THE PLACE FOR WETLAND PRESERVATION, TRUTHFULLY. ENCOURAGING PRESERVATION OF THIS SITE, THERE'S MUCH BETTER PLACES CONTIGUOUSLY ALLOWING THIS WETLAND PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION TO OCCUR. THE PROPERTY APPRAISER TO ADDRESS MR. HUNT'S COMMENT, NOT TO DIVULGE DEVELOPER SECRETS, BUT THAT'S NOT MANY DEVELOPERS THAT COME TO YOU OWNING A PROPERTY. IF THEY HAVE A REAL ESTATE CONTRACT, THIS BOARD'S APPROVAL IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE CRITICAL COMPONENTS TO FINALIZING THAT TRANSACTION.
WHY NOT SOMEWHERE ELSE? A LOT OF THESE MASTER PLAN COMMUNITIES ARE DEED RESTRICTED.
THEY HAVE ARBS. THEY'RE CONTROLLING WHAT GOES IN THERE.
OUR CLIENT IS NOT A DEVELOPER. HE'S A VISIONARY.
HE'S AN ENTREPRENEUR. HE RETIRED FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD.
THIS IS HIS PROJECT. THIS IS HIS DESIRE.
THIS IS HIS LEGACY. THIS ISN'T A CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT FIRM. THIS ISN'T ONE OF THE KNOWN STRIP CENTER DEVELOPERS YOU'VE SEEN UP HERE ASKING FOR THINGS DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THIS IS A MAN WHO LEFT THE CORPORATE WORLD, LIKE I SAID, WITH HIS FAMILY AND IT'S HIS DESIRE TO BUILD THIS PROJECT.
AND TO ADDRESS THE VAPES, CN DOES ALLOW CONVENIENCE STORES, WHICH TO MY KNOWLEDGE SELL VAPES. SO THERE COULD BE A VAPE STORE THERE NOW UNDER THE CURRENT
ZONING. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.
[03:05:02]
YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. SO THE WETLANDS IN TERMS OF A PLANNING PURPOSE, THE WETLANDS ARE ALREADY IMPACTED BECAUSE THIS IS ZONED FOR DEVELOPMENT. SO JUST FROM A PLANNING PERSPECTIVE, I THINK WE CAN CONSIDER THESE WETLANDS ALREADY IMPACTED IF YOU CAN BUILD A THREE- STORY HOTEL. I THINK WE CAN SAFELY ASSUME THERE WOULD BE SOME IMPERVIOUS SURFACE THERE FOR PARKING LOTS. THAT IS WHAT ENTITLED, AND THEY HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO BUILD TODAY PRIOR TO THIS HEARING.
I'M ALSO NOT CONCERNED ABOUT INTRODUCING ALCOHOL TO THIS AREA.
I CAN GO TO DONOVAN'S IRISH PUB AND THE RUMOR IS NOT EVERYBODY DRINKS THEIR COCA- COLA WITH THEIR FISH AND CHIPS, RIGHT? SOME PEOPLE ORDER A SHEPHERDS PIE, AND SOME MIGHT EVEN ORDER A JAMISON. PEOPLE ARE CONSUMING ALCOHOL IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AS WE SPEAK. AND SO, AGAIN, JUST CONSIDERING THE FACT THIS IS ALREADY ZONED FOR DEVELOPMENT, WE'RE NOT -- WE WOULD NOT BE REZONING AN OR PARCEL FOR DEVELOPMENT. AND ALWAYS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND THE FACT THAT IT'S COMMERCIAL ZONED PRELIVED LOCAL ACT MEANS SOMEBODY COULD COME IN AND BUILD LIVE LOCAL ACT AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THIS PARCEL TODAY BY RIGHT. THIS IS GREAT COMMUNITY USE, HAVING CONSIDERED EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED AND HAVING CONSIDERED SOME OF THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY, WHICH ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS. I'M NOT SAYING THEY'RE NOT, BUT I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A QUALITY OF LIFE ENHANCEMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO MEET ALL THE STANDARDS OF THE ST.
JOHNS WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AS IS REQUIRED BY LAW, AND SO I'LL BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF
THIS. >> OKAY, WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION?
>> CAN I HAVE YOUR SON UP HERE, TOO? I HAVE A QUESTION FOR HIM.
>> WHEN YOU'RE DONE, I WANT TO ASK HIM A QUESTION.
SO MY QUESTION IS ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE OVER THE BUSINESS?
>> IF THAT PLAN GOES DOWN, THEN YES, I THINK I WILL.
AFTER SCHOOL. >> YES, MY NAME IS BARRETT.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING MY TIME AND MY SON, COLE.
EVER SINCE HE WAS 3 YEARS OLD WE LIKE TO GET OUT AND DO FAMILY ACTIVITIES TOGETHER. FAMILY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. AND HAVING -- SEEING WHAT GOES AROUND WITH HIS PEERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THEY DON'T GET THAT. AND THIS IS JUST SOMETHING TO BOND WITH FAMILIES. AND IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE HIM AND I BOTH LOVE GOLF. IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN AROUND AND IT ALWAYS WILL BE AROUND.
AND THE AVERAGE AGE OF A PUTT- PUTT PLAYER IS 25 YEARS OLD. YOU WOULD THINK IT'S 12 BUT IT'S NOT. PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY I WENT ON MY FIRST DATE WITH MY WIFE PLAYING PUTT-PUTT.
IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT RESONATES IN YOUR HEAD. AND JUST TO DO SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS, JUST THE ALCOHOL- TYPE OF THING, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST TO HAVE A REFRESHING BEER, BUT IT'S JUST LIKE GOING TO OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE. THEY HAVE ALCOHOL AS WELL, AND IT'S A FAMILY TYPE OF STEAKHOUSE. BUT IF THERE IS OO GOING TO BE A NOISE, THE ONLY NOISE THAT WOULD POSSIBLY BE KPG FROM WOULD BE -- JUST LIKE MATT SAID, WOULD BE -- IT WON'T BE FROM THE PUTT-PUTT. AND THERE WON'T EVEN BE -- THERE'LL BE A ONE- PERSON BAND A COUPLE OF NIGHTS A WEEK, BUT THEY WOULD STOP BEFORE 10:00, AND THAT WOULD BE ON THE FRON PATIO, WHICH YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR.
THE LIGHTS -- THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT WOULD AFFECT WOULD BE THE PARKING LIGHTS, BUT THEY WOULD BE DIMMED OUT STRAIGHT DOWN, SO THEY WON'T BE GOING ANYWHERE ELSE. THE OTHER LIGHTS WOULD BE ON THE PUTT-PUTT ITSELF, WHICH WOULD BE LOOKING DOWN. WE KNOW HOW KIDS ARE WHEN THEY HIT THEIR BALL AND THERE GOES ANOTHER LIGHT, SO WE HAVE THEM PERFECTLY SET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.
THE REASON I HAVE NOT PURCHASED THIS PROPERTY YET IS BECAUSE OF DUE DILIGENCE, TO GO THROUGH EVERYTHING. TRUST ME, I'VE SPENT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MY OWN MONEY TO GET TO WHERE WE'RE AT NOW. AND HOPEFULLY HIM AND HIS FRIENDS -- WE'VE ALL DONE MARKETING RESEARCH ON
[03:10:05]
THIS PROJECT, AND A FANTASTIC IDEA.THERE'S 70,000 VEHICLES THAT TRAVEL THROUGH THAT ROAD EVERY SINGLE DAY ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT LOCATION FOR THIS. AND IT'S JUST NOT BECAUSE OF PALENCIA BUT FOR NOCATEE, FOR ALL OF STAUNT COUNTY THIS IS GREAT TO GO TO AND HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME.
I WILL HAVE SIGNS UP THAT SAY IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GOOD MOOD, YOU CAN JUST GO BACK UP. IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S JUST GOING TO BE GREAT FUN. AND THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMUNITIES, I LIKE TO HAVE THEM OVER THERE BEFORE IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, BUSSED IN, HAVE THAT SOCIAL TIME AND GET THAT EXERCISE IN, AND THEN HAVE THE FOOD TRUCKS ACCOMMODATED TO THEM ALONE BEFORE IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
I HAVE MANY OTHER IDEAS I COULD GO OVER WITH YOU ALL AT ANOTHER TIME, BUT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE EVERYTHING AWAY. THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE KIND OF HIDDEN. BUT, YES, I MEAN IF ANYBODY HAS ANYMORE QUESTIONS FOR ME OR MY
MENTOR. >> YES, I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION. HAVE YOU BEAT HIM IN GOLF
>> MY SON WAS -- MY SON WAS 25 BEFORE HE BEAT ME.
HOLY COW, THAT'S CRAZY. OKAY, COOL.
ANYONE ELSE? COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
>> NO, I WANT TO THANK YOU. IT WAS VERY NICE TO MEET YOUR SON.
I CAN HONESTLY SAY I HEAR FROM SO MANY RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA.
THAT THEY ARE VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN ENTERTAINMENT- TYPE THINGS AS THIS.
THAT THEY REALLY WANT SOMEPLACE TO GO, AND, UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING -- ANYTHING LIKE THIS AS YOU HAD MENTIONED.
ALSO WHEN I THINK ABOUT THAT COULD GO THERE, SOME TYPE OF MULTI-LEVEL STORY BUILDING OR SOMETHING, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT'S GOING TO BE ONE STORY. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU'RE GOING TO BE PUTTING IN SOME TREES.
RIGHT NOW THERE AREN'T VERY MANY. I APPRECIATE IT. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE LISTENED.
AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD GO THERE, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPTION, SO I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION, UNLESS ANYBODY ELSE HAD ANY COMMENTS. ALL RIGHT, I MAKE A MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2026 DASH.
>> 1. >> APPROVING RES 2025- 11 NOTHING PUTT FUND BASED ON FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT FROM STAFF REPORT.
>> I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION. A VOTE? AND THAT PASSES 5-0. DO WE HAVE TIME TO GET ONE MORE IN? CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS.
[3. Public Hearing * REZ 2025-13 James-Cogo Commercial.]
>> THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.
NOW, LUNCH IS READY. BUT DO WE HAVE TIME TO GET ONE MORE IN? LET'S GO TO AGENDA ITEM 3, PLEASE. AND LET'S GET THAT DONE, AND THEN WE'LL BREAK FOR LUNCH. OKAY, WHILE WE'RE WAITINGON THEM, WE'LL DO OUR EX PARTE. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I HAVE NO RECORD OF E- MAILS, PHONE CALLS OR MEETINGS.
COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> I ALSO HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY E-MAILS, PHONE CALLS OR
MEETINGS? >> AND COMMISSIONER TAYLOR.
>> AND I HAVE NO RECORD OF E-MAILS OR
YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND BEING AINATEF OF ST. AUGUSTINE WITH KIDS EXCITED FOR THIS PROJECT ALSO. ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GOOD THINGS TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITY.
ALEX WITH DCCM COMING BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR A REZONING OF THE COMMERCIAL PROJECT IN SOUTH ST.
AUGUSTINE. THIS IS IN FRONT OF THE SUBDIVISION SOUTH OF WATSON ROAD AND NORTH OF 206 OFF OF U.S. 1 SOUTH.
IT'S ABOUT A 0. 68 ACRE PARCEL. CURRENTLY IN A MIXED USE LAND USE DISTRICT WITH A -- IT'S A COMMERCIAL ZONING OF CG. IT WAS DONE IN 1986 WITH CONDITIONS. SOME CONDITIONS WERE -- IT WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR AN EXPANSION OF THE JAMES FORUM DEVELOPMENT BUILDING THAT'S DIRECTLY TO THE NORTH. THOSE CONDITIONS WEREN'T MET, SO IT HAD A FIVE-YEAR, LIFE- SPAN
[03:15:12]
SO TECHNICALLY REVERTED BACK. YOU'VE GOT CI ZONING TO THE NORTH, WHICH WAS REZONED IN 2016.YOU'VE GOT CI TO THE SOUTH THAT WAS DONE IN 2005.
THERE'S A PUD DIRECTLY TO THE WEST OF IT THAT HAS SOME COMMERCIAL ALSO ALONG WITH A SINGLE-FAMILY. ANOTHER BIG COMMERCIAL PUD TO THE SOUTH OF THAT. QUICK AERIAL OF THE PROPERTY.
WITH THE RESIDENTIAL TO THE WEST, THERE WILL BE A 20B BUFFER PROPOSED FOR THIS PROPERTY.
THEY DON'T HAVE ANY DEFINITIVE PLANS ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
JUST WANT TO GET THE ZONING CLEANED UP TO REZONE IT TO CI TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE NORTH AND SOUTH PROPERTIES. IT'LL HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO U.S. 1 BARRING PERMITTING EFFORTS WITH FDOT AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY ON ACCESS.
THERE'S AN EXISTING TURN LANE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE FRONT OF THIS PROPERTY. PERMITTED USES WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE ADJACENT DEVELOPMENTS. SO IT'S REALLY JUST CLEANING UP THE ZONING TO GET IT BACK TO CI CONSISTENT WITH THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES. I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS Y'ALL MAY HAVE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT THEN.
>> OKAY, AT THIS TIME WE WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. PLEASE STEP FORWARD.
I LIVE IN THE SHORES. I'M ASKING MORE A QUESTION THAN MAKING A COMMENT. WHAT IS THIS OPENING UP TO BE? HE'S SAYING WHAT THE ZONING SHOULD BE.
BUT WHAT IS THE ZONING NOW, AND WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE OPEN IT UP TO BE IF YOU CHANGE IT -- FOR ME YOU'RE CHANGING ZONING LIKE THE PUTT-PUTT.
YOU'RE OPENING THE DOOR TO LET THE DOG IN, BUT WHAT IF A RAT ROLLS IN? YOU KNOW, IF THEY END UP WITH NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT UP THERE, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE FUN. AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BE OPEN TO ANYTHING.
>> ALL RIGHT, ANYONE ELSE? OKAY, SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
>> MAYBE YOU COULD ADDRESS THAT.
>> YES, THANK YOU. IT IS ONLY A 0. 68 ACRE SITE.
VERY LIMITED AND ONLY 125 FEET OF WIDTH, SO THE OPTIONS ARE PRETTY LIMITED.
I MEAN, THEY LOOKED AT DOING AN RV BOAT STORAGE, WHICH IS A VERY LOW TRAFFIC GENERATOR.
THAT ONLY YIELDED ABOUT 20 TO 21 SPACES. SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING VERY LOW INTENSE ON THIS PROPERTY JUST DUE TO THE SIZE AND WHAT CAN ACTUALLY FIT.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? OKAY, I GUESS WE'LL ENTERTAIN A
MOTION. >> CLINT LYNCH, GROWTH MANAGEMENT CHIEF ENGINEER. THE CURRENT MOTION HAS A SHARED ACCESS TO THE NORTH. WE SPOKE WITH D.O.T.
AND THEY SAID THEIR PREFERENCE WAS TO LEAVE THAT CONDITION IF IT'S REZONED, SO JUST WANTED TO RELAY THAT TO YOU ALL.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OKAY. I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2026 DASH.
>> 2. >> TO APPROVE REZ 2025- -- OKAY, MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE
TWO. >> REZ 2025- 13 JAMES- COGO COMMERCIAL. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
LET'S VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0. WE'RE GOING TO ADJOURN THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION FOR --
>> WE HAVE TO ADJOURN ANYWAY, DON'T WE?
[03:20:12]
>>> WE'RE BACK IN SESSION. WE'LL CONVENE THE AGENCY AT THIS TIME. WE WILL GO STRAIGHT TO TARA.
WAIT A MINUTE. TYLER, ARE YOU READY? WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO BEFORE WE START IS WE'RE GOING TO ANNOUNCE THAT COMMISSIONER JUSTICE HUSBAND PASSED AWAY JUST ABOUT 20 MINUTES AGO.
SO WE WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR RON, FOR HER, AND HER FAMILY, AND WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE LEGEND THAT HER HUSBAND WAS AS A DOCTOR AND AS AN OLYMPIAN, SOMEONE WHO -- HE WENT TO THE OLYMPICS SUPPORTING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND IT'S A LOSS FOR US.
WE JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN RECOGNITION OF RON. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TYLER, FOR
[4. Interlocal Agreement - St. Johns County Community Redevelopment Agency and Flagler Estates Road and Water Control District.]
THAT. AND THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.WE WILL NOW GO ON WITH OUR AGENDA NUMBER 4.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M TERA MEEKS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS. AND WE ARE HERE TODAY CONVENE ING THE CRA TO DISCUSS ROAD PAVING IN FLAGG LETTER ESTATES REDEVELOPMENT AREA.
JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON HOW WE GOT HERE TODAY. THIS PAST SUMMER, COUNTY STAFF CONDUCTED A SERIES OF VISIONING SESSIONS WITH THE RESIDENTS.
>> THANK YOU FOR KEEPING ME IN LINE.
THE SERIES OF VISIONING SESSIONS WITH COUNTY STAFF AND THE RESIDENTS.
WE HAD PRETTY GOOD PARTICIPATION. WE HAD 20 OR SO MEMBERS COME OUT AND WORK WITH US AND LET US KNOW WHAT THE PRIORITIES WERE.
AND THROUGH THOSE KIND OF LISTENING SESSIONS, WE HEARD THAT ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES WAS PAVING ROADWAYS.
IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE APPROVED TLAG LETTER ESTATES REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT IT WILL HELP THAT AREA CONTINUE ON TO HAVE SUCCESSFUL ROBUST ECONOMIC VITALITY AND IMPROVED DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA. FLAGLER ESTATES IS DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO ROAD PAVING THOUGH, IN THAT THE ROAD AND WATER CONTROL DISTRICT OVERSEES THE PAVING OF ROADS IN THAT AREA.
THE FLAGLER ESTATES DISTRICT IS AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT. THEY ARE DUALLY ORGANIZED UNDER THE PROVISION OF CHAPTER 98 LAWS OF FLORIDA AND 298 FLORIDA STATUTES AS AMENDED.
SO STAFF BEGAN WORKING WITH BOTH THE FLAGLER ESTATES ROAD AND WATER CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS TO COLT UP WITH A PAISING PLAN ANDING IT OUT WHAT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST AND WHAT WAS DESIRED BY THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS AND WHAT WORKED WELL WITH THE ROAD AND WATER DISTRICTS PLANS, AND WE CAME UP WITH A PLAN HERE THAT YOU SEE ON THE BOARD THAT RESULTS IN ABOUT 4.5 MILES OF PAVED ROADS. WE HAVE ALSO WORKEDS INTO THE PLAN INSTALLATION OF NEW DIRECTIONAL SIGNS, THE STREET NAME SIGNS BECAUSE A LOT OF THOSE ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, AND WE HAVE FUNDING DOWN HERE FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THE CAA PROVIDED FUNDING.
YOU WILL NOTICE FOR 4. 5 MILES, WE HAVE THIS VERY GOOD COST EFFECTIVE PRICE OF $761,896. THAT'S BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE ROADS HERE IN THE PAVING OLYMPIAN ALREADY HAVE THE MILLINGS IN PLACE.
THE MILLINGS ARE THE GROUND UP OLD ASPHALT ROAD WHICH ARE LAID DOWN AS THE BASE, AND HERE THROUGH THIS PLAN FOR THE MOST PART, WE'RE JUST GOING TO BE I LAYING THAT TOP LAYER OF THAT INCH TO INCH AND A HALF OF ACTUAL ASPHALT OVER THE TOP OF THOSE MILLINGS.
WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MILTINGS IN THE PLAN HERE AS WELL. THAT IS PREDOMINANTLY TO GO OVER THE ROADS AND IT'S JUST THE MILLINGS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR AWHILE.
THEY ARE A LITTLE ERODED. WE JUST NEED TO SMOOTH IT OUT BEFORE THE PAVING GETS LAID ON TOP.
SO THIS PAVING PLAN, WE ALL WORKED TOGETHER ON IT, BUT IT WAS PRESENTED BY COUNTY STAFF TO THE FLAGLER ESTATES ROAD AND WATER CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD
[03:25:04]
AT THEIR DECEMBER 18TH BOARD MEETING. AND THAT PLAN WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THEIR BOARD. WE THEN HELD A COMMUNITY MEETING ALL THE FLAGLER ESTATES, SO LAST WEEK, TO REVIEW THE PAVING PLAN AND ALL THE RESIDENTS WHO CAME OUT WERE VERY POSITIVE AND EXCITED ABOUT POTENTIAL TO PAVE THESE ROADS.SO IF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, WHICH IS YOU ALL, DESIRES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PAVING PLAN, WE WOULD NEED TO ESTABLISH AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE FLAGLER ESTATES ROAD AND WATER CONTROL DISTRICT. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE USE OF OUROUR CRA FUNDS, THE TAX FUNDING TO BE UTILIZED IN THAT IDENTIFIED PLAN. THE DRAFT IN A LOCAL AGREEMENT, WHICH IS BEING PROVIDED HERE FOR CONSIDERATION TODAY, DOES INCLUDE DIRECT PAYMENT TO THE SUB CONTRACTORS FOR THE WORK, SO THAT WE DO HAVE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY AND ASSURANCE THAT THE WORK IS BEING DONE OUTLINED IN THE PLAN.
THE PROJECT BUDGET FOR FY '26 IS CURRENTLY SET AT $500,000. THERE'S A LINE IN THE CRA BUDGET THAT IDENTIFIES THAT FUNDING.
THIS PAVING PLAN DOES EXCEED THAT ALLOCATED FUNDS BY $261,896. WE ARE REQUESTING CONSIDERATION TO MOVE THAT FUNDING FROM THE FLAGLER ESTATES CRA TRUST FUND RESERVES UP TO THAT PROJECT LINE SO THE PROJECT CAN BE COMPLETED IN ITS ENTIRETY.
AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS PAVING PLAN, WE DID KEEP IT AT A LEVEL WHERE WE'RE UTILIZING I WOULD SAY THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDS THAT ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN THE CRA, BUT ALSO LEAVING SOME FUNDING IN THE ACCOUNT SO THAT WE HAVE MONEY TO PURSUE SOME OF THE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS.
SO THERE'S A MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION TODAY. WHICH INCLUDES AMENDING THE BUDGET TO UTILIZE SOME OF THOSE RESERVES AND BRING THEM UP INTO THE PROJECT IMPROVEMENT LINE AND TO AUTHORIZE THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND THE ROAD AND WATER CONTROL DISTRICT SO THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PAVING AS THEY ARE CHARGED WITH DOING.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR. SHIRLEY, 4554 CALVIN STREET.
I'M ALSO THE SECRETARY ON THE FLAGLER ESTATES CRA.
THIS IS A REALLY EXCITING PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF YOU BECAUSE BOTH THE CRA AND ROAD AND WATER ARE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THIS. OBVIOUSLY, I'M HERE IN SUPPORT, BUT EVEN ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT, I WANTED TO SAY A FEW THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT THAT BROUGHT US HERE TO THIS POINT, BECAUSE SO MANY TIMES PEOPLE THINK ONE PERSON. ONE PERSON'S IDEA, NOT AT ALL.
WE ARE BOTH THANKFUL FOR TERA THAT HAS LED THIS TO THIS POINT. HAVING THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT DRIVING AROUND FLAGLER ESTATES. AND LOOKING AT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE ROADS AND THE AGREEMENT THAT HAD TO GO MEET WITH THE FORE MINNESOTA OF ROAD AND WATER AND REALLY TO BRICK THIS ALL IN FRONT OF YOU, IT IS EXCELLENT BECAUSE THEY ARE EVEN LIKE BEING SO GOOD WITH THE MONEY PART. SO THANK YOU.
I HOPE YOU ALL MOVE THIS. THANKS.
>> MY NAME IS WILLIAM FISHER WITH MAN AVENUE, FLG LETTER ESTATES. I'M PRESIDENT OF FLAGLER ESTATES ROAD AND WATER CONTROL DISTRICT. I HAVE BEEN THE PRESIDENT FOR THREE TERMS, AND I HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO THEIR BOARD SIX TIMES. AND THIS IS THE LARGEST AND
[03:30:03]
MOST IMPRESSIVE THING THAT HAS EVER COME BEFORE THE BOARD SINCE I HAVE BEEN THERE.OUR CRA WAS CONCEIVED, IT'S QUITE AWHILE AGO.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT CONCEIVED IT ARE GONE NOW. THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED WITH IT.
I HOPE IT CONTINUES. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS HAS BEEN AWHILE IN COMING, BUT I AM SO PLEASED THAT WE'VE GOT IT WORKED OUT AND GOT WHAT I CALL A REASONABLY STREAMLINED KIND OF MECHANISM SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE WITH THIS INTO NEXT BUDGET YEAR THAT WE CAN PLAN AHEAD AND BE ABLE TO SET THINGS UP BECAUSE WE KNOW SOMETIMES TIMING IS VERY IMPORTANT, SO THAT'S VERY GOOD.
WHAT I WAS I GUESS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT, I GUESS, IS THAT THE CONTRACT IS ALSO PART OF THIS.
SO YOU'RE ACCEPTING THE HALIFAX PAVING COMPANY'S SUBMISSION FOR THIS WORK.
AND I AM -- I HAVE BEEN ASKED, AND I HAVE TO PASS THIS ON, THAT WE DO HAVE A MINORITY BUSINESS PERSON WHO DOES THIS KIND OF WORK, AND HE'S COMPLAINEDCOMPLA INED ME OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO BID ON THIS KIND OF WORK.
AND I'M NOT THAT ADEPT, AND I HAVE ASKED THE QUESTION IN TERMS OF -- I I KNOW THERE'S A MECHANISM WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A SINGLE SOURCE SUPPLIER THAT SOMEBODY IS ON AN APPROVED LIST, AND IF I COULD JUST HAVE THAT CONFIRMED SO I CAN PASS THAT ON.
BUT I HAVE WORKED WITH THE BOARD AND THEY HAVE BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE TO TRY TO HAVE SMALLER WORK AND PARTIAL JOBS, THINGS LIKE THAT THAT HE CAN DO.
SO WE ARE WORKING WITH THAT BUSINESSMAN, BUT I WANT TO JUST MAKE YOU AWARE OF THE FACT THAT IT WAS VOICED TO ME, AND I WOULDN'T BE DOING MY JOB UNLESS I PASSED IT ALONG. I APPRECIATE IT.
BUT OTHERWISE, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? OKAY, SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> OKAY. DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT?
>> IT'S NOT A COUNTY CONTRACT. THE DISTRICT HAS ITS OWN PROCUREMENT PROCESS, SO THAT WAS JUST AN EXHIBIT TO OUR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT. IT'S NOT A COUNTY CONTRACT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? MOTION?
>> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. MOTION TO ADOPT CRA RESOLUTION 2026- 1, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 FLAGLER ESTATES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BUDGET FOR THE FLAGLER ESTATES ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO INCREASE THE PROJECT BUDGET FROM $500,000 TO $761,896, TRANSFERRING FROM THE FLAGLER ESTATES TRUST FUND RESERVES, APPROPRIATING $761, 698 FROM THE FLAGLER ESTATES TRUST FUND TO BE USED FOR EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT.
>> SECOND. >> AUTHORIZING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FLAGLER ESTATES
WATER. >> SECOND TO THAT VERY LONG MOTION. SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE.
>> IT'S NOT ON YOUR SCREEN. WHAT SAY YOU? THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE ARE GOING TO ADJOURN THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND CONVENE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING BACK FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5. BEFORE WE DO, I WANT TO CLEAR SOMETHING YOU WANT.
BECAUSE WE PULLED 6 AND ADDED ONE FROM THE AGENDA
[03:35:01]
ITEM, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MAKE IT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7, NUMBER 8, 7, AND THE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 23 -->> COMMISSIONER, IT MAYBE EASIER FOR THE CLERK'S OFFICE IF YOU LEAVE THE NUMBERS THE WAY THEY ARE AND WE GET -- UNLESS YOU'RE MOVING THE ORDER AROUND.
>> WOULD IT BE EASY TO PUT THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM AS NUMBER 6?
>> YOU CAN HEAR IT NEXT. IF THAT MAKE
SENSE? >> LET'S PUT IT IN THAT POSITION. THE ONE THAT WAS PULLED, I THINK IT WAS 26, IS GOING TO BE NUMBER 6.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIR. I JUST SINCE WE'RE DOING THIS AND RECONVENING, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT ITEM NUMBER 7 BE PULLED AT THIS MEETING. DUE TO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH NOT BEING ABLE TO RECONVENE. IF WE CAN MOVE NUMBER 7 TO OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING, I WOULD
GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO PULL AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7 OFF THE AGENDA FOR A FUTURE MEETING. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? OKAY, WITHOUT A SECOND, THAT WILL FAIL.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.
THIS WAS CONSENT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 26, NOW NUMBER 6, THIS IS THE SUNSETTING OF THE COMMUNICATIONS TOWER A ADVISORY BOARD.
[5. Septic-to-Sewer Connection Policy Discussion. ]
>> I THINK WE MOVED 5. I THINK IT'S NEAL.
>> I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO
BEFORE NEAL. >> I'M COMPLETELY FINE WITH
THAT. >> YOU'RE UP, BROTHER. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD AFTERNOON.
UTILITIES DIRECTOR. THE ITEM IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY IS A SEPTIC-TO-SEWER DISCUSSION THIS ISSOMETHING THE BOARD WANTED TO COME BACK WITH FOR STAFF TO COME BACK WITH A PRESENTATION. WE'RE HERE TODAY WITH THAT PRESENTATION.
A QUICK AGENDA. WE'RE GOING TO GO TO PRESENT TO YOU AN EXISTING POLICY. SOME OF THE BARRIERS TO ENTRY THAT WE HAVE SEEN, BEFORE WE GIVE YOU SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, WE WANT TO GO TO GOALS OF THE NEW POLICY AND HOW THIS RECOMMENDATION IS GOING TO HELP THE COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT IN GENERAL. SO WHAT YOU SEE IS SECTION 5 OF OUR UTILITY ORDINANCE. IT'S CALLED LINE EXTENSION PROGRAM. THE UTILITY CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE A SEPTIC TO SEWER PROGRAM THAT'S SPECIFIED. BUT INDIRECTLY, WE HAVE BEEN PRACTICING SORT OF THIS SEPTIC TO SEWER EX- CANS THROUGH OUR LINE EXTENSION POLICY, BECAUSE WHAT LINE EXTENSION MEANS IS EXTENDING THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO EITHER WATER CUSTOMERS OR NEW SEWER CUSTOMERS. SO THE SEWER PART OF THAT IS SORT OF OUR GIVING TO HAVE THAT SEPTIC TO SEWER PROGRAM. WE DON'T HAVE SPECIFICALLY NAMED THAT WAY. BUT JUST TO GO THROUGH THE APPLICATION IS A RESIDENTIAL ONLY. IT DOES NOT APPLY TO INFIELD HOMES, NEW GROWTH.
THE REASON FOR THAT IS THE HISTORICALLY HOW THIS THING CAME IN PLACE, IT WAS FOR EXISTING HOMES THAT DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO BRING FINANCING. WHEN YOU CONSTRUCT A NEW HOME, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.
SO THIS IS ONLY LIMITED TO RESIDENTIAL CONNECTIONS.
A FEW HIGHLIGHTS THAT ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND ACTUALLY THE POLICY IS JUST ONE PAGER, SO THAT'S SUMMARIZING THE HIGHLIGHTS. THE CURRENT ORDINANCE AND POLICY RESTRICTS TO 200 FEET. IT DOESN'T RESTRICT NEW CONNECTIONS TO 200 FEET, BUT IT'S SIGH LENLT ON HOW YOU DEAL WITH MORE THAN 200 FEET. THE POLICIES WORKED WELL SO FAR, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. THIS IS ONE AREA FOR SURE. F1 THE LINE EXTENSION COSTS VARY. SO RIGHT NOW, THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN, IT'S MORE OF A CURRENT CUSTOMER EQUITY, PER SE, MAKING IT ACCOUNTABLE SO EVERY TIME ANY RESIDENT COMES TO US FOR ANY SEWER CONNECTIONS, WE DO A COST ANALYSIS.
THERE'S A DITCH, CONNECTIONS ARE ON THE SIDE AND THE PRICE CAN
[03:40:02]
VARY. YOU CAN SEE LATER ON HOW THE VARYING OF THOSE COSTS ARE.WE ALSO ADD A 25% ADMINISTRATIVE FEE, AS REQUIRED BY THE ORDINANCE. CURRENTLY, ANOTHER THING IS THE POLICY CURRENTLY DOESN'T DEFINE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES. IT KIND OF DOES.
IT KIND OF DOESN'T, THAT ARE GREATER THAN 200.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT. IF YOU SEE THE THE LAST, IF YOU CAN READ THE LAST LINE, SO IT'S NOT PROPER. IT GIVES DIRECTION TO STAFF TO DO WHAT THEY FEEL IS RIGHT, SO WE WANT TO CERTAINLY CURE THAT AREA.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, IT DOESN'T GIVE US A CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, A CPI, FOR FUTURES.
SO WHENEVER WE CONNECT PEOPLE, WE CONNECT THEM TO THE PRICE TODAY. BUT IF YOU GO IN THE FUTURE, IT DOESN'T -- THE CPI IS INCLUDED. IT'S UNFAIR WHAT THEY PAY TODAY.
FIVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, THEY ARE PAYING FOR THAT SAME CONNECTION AT THE SAME PRICE. SO SOME EQUITY THAT'S OUR EXISTING POLICY. IT'S WORKED, BUT THERE'S CERTAINLY NUANCES AND SOMETHING THAT WE CAN IMPROVE ON.
BARRIERS TO ENTRY, WHAT YOU SEE ON THE RIGHT- HAND SIDE IS AN EXAMPLE.
I KNOW COMMISSIONER JOSEPH IS NOT THERE, SHE HAD SPECIFICALLY ASKED A QUESTION, BUT IT'S COUNTY WIDE, SO IT APPLIES TO ANY AREA. BUT THAT EXAMPLE THERE IS TREASURE BEACH. SO SOME OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO SHARE IS HIGH COST OF CONSTRUCTION. THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE ITEM THAT COMES WITH OUR CUSTOMER BASE. AND REALLY THERE'S TWO COSTS.
THERE'S A PUBLIC SIDE OF COST, WHICH IS OUR FEES, AND THEN THERE'S A PRIVATE SIDE OF COSTS, WHICH THE HOMEOWNER HAS TO DO.
WE'LL GO THROUGH THAT, BUT THAT'S CERTAINLY COST PROHIBITIVE FOR A LOT OF CUSTOMERS TO CONNECT. SECOND IS LACK OF COORDINATED INTEREST. IF YOU CAN SEE THE FIGURE ON THE RIGHT, THE GREEN DOTS ARE WHERE PEOPLE ARE CONNECTED, BUT THE STARS ARE PEOPLE THAT WOULD LOVE TO GET CONNECTED.
THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE, SO CERTAINLY, YOU'LL SEE LATER ON THAT THE COORDINATION DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY WHEN WE GET THESE REQUESTS BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL -- THEY ARE SEPARATED BY A THOUSAND FEET, SOMETIMES 2,000 FEET, THE AND THE CURRENT POLICY IS DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT IN THOSE CASES.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS OPERATIONAL ISSUES.
WHEN WE CONNECT PEOPLE FURTHER AWAY FROM EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE ASK THERE'S ONLY ONE HOME, IT CREATES A A LOT OF MAINTENANCE ISSUES BECAUSE THE FLOW IS NOT THERE.
THERE'S ONE HOME. THERE'S NO FLUSHING POINTS REQUIRED, AND THAT THAT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY, SO STAFF IS NOT INCENTIVIZED TO IMPROVE PROJECTS THAT ARE AWAY FROM THESE SYSTEMS. AND REALLY THE THREE THAT I MENTIONED ARE SORT OF IN A LOOP. ONE CAUSES, ONE TRIGGERS THE OTHER, AND THEY ARE ALWAYS IN THAT LOOP. THE RESULT IS PEOPLE GET AWAY IN CONNECTING THE SEWER. AND LAST, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO APPLAUD THE BOARD.
WHAT YOU'RE ASKING TO DO RIGHT NOW IS I'M PERSONALLY REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.
IT'S A PERFECT TIME BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF STATE AND LOCAL MANDATES THAT ARE ON BOARD.
AND THINK FOR US AS A COUNTY TO DO THIS PROACTIVELY TODAY WITH THE BOARD IS A GREAT SIGN BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, YOU ALL ARE TRYING VERY HARD FOR GRANTS.
I KNOW THAT'S BEEN ON THE AGENDA FOR ADMINISTRATION SO IT'S THE PERFECT TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO JUST THE COSTS THAT MENTIONED, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP COSTS ARE THE UTILITY FEES. VERY QUICKLY THAT WAY, THE FIRST ONE IS INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS IS THE PHYSICAL CONNECTION FROM THAT THE HOUSE TO THE REQUESTING HOUSE AND THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE. AS YOU CAN SEE, IF YOU'RE CLOSE TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE, IT COULD BE AS LESS AS $800.
IF YOU'RE FURTHER AWAY, IT COULD BE $6,400.
THESE ARE NUMBERS THAT WE PULLED FROM DATA THAT WE HAVE, SO KIND OF AN AVERAGE FROM HISTORICAL NUMBERS.
SEWER CONNECTION FEE IS A CON STANDPOINT.
THAT'S SOMETHING EVERY CUSTOMER PAYS FOR.
IT'S A CAPACITY FEE THAT EVERY HOME IS REQUIRED TO PAY. SO THERE'S NO EXEMPTION TO THAT ONE FOR ANYONE.
THE SEWER TAP FEE, SOMETHING WE PLUG IN IS JUST A CONNECTION FEE THAT'S BEEN THROUGH OUR ORDINANCES FOR A LONG TIME. ADMINISTRATIVE FEE MENTIONED IS 25%. IN THIS CASE, IT'S 25% OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGE. SO AGAIN, IF YOU SEE THE UTILITY- ONLY FEES CAN VARY FROM $8,000 TO $15,000, CERTAINLY COST PROHIBITIVE, BUT THE
[03:45:01]
EQUATION DOESN'T END THERE. YOU HAVE PRIVATE COSTS BECAUSE RESIDENTS HAVE TO ABANDON THEIR SEPTIC TANKS.THIS IS REALLY A PROXIMATE NUMBER I PUT THERE.
DEPENDING ON THE SIZE, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE, WHAT KIND OF DEAL YOU GOT FROM THE CONTRACTOR, THAT NUMBER CAN VARY DRASTICALLY. AND IT'S A COMMON WAY TO CONNECT THESE PEOPLE.
THAT'S A NUMBER THAT ALSO VARIES DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF YOUR HOME AND AVERAGES ANYWHERE FROM $4,000 TO $5,000. SO TOTALITY, IT'S QUITE THE NUMBER, LIKE I MENTIONED.
AND EASILY WILL BE COST PROHIBITIVE. THESE HOMES ARE EXISTING. THEY HAVE TO FINANCE THESE COSTS, SO CERTAINLY ARE FIXED INCOME PEOPLE IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.
ANY TIME YOU WANT TO RECOMMEND SOMEONE, YOU WANT INTENT OF GOALS THAT WE HAVE. SO WE'LL GO WITH THE GOALS OF WHAT WE HAVE AS STAFF IN MIND BEFORE WE RECOMMEND YOU SOMETHING. FIRST THING COMES TO MIND, SOME THINGS THAT I JUST TALKED ABOUT IS REALLY IN AN ATTEMPT TO INCREASE HOMEOWNER PARTICIPATION THROUGH FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY, BECAUSE COST IS CERTAINLY THAT PROMPTER FOR PROVISION OF OF DOING THIS.
SECOND IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE CUSTOMERS ARE PROTECTED.
WE'RE AN ENTERPRISE FUND. WE DON'T WANT TO SUBSIDIZE. AT THE PSALM TIME, WE HAVE TO WATCH FOR THAT, SO WE WANT TO ASSURE YOU WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT AND NOT JUST RECOMMENDING YOU WITHOUT THAT. LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS THE SUPPORTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. I MENTIONED IN THE MORNING, AND COMMUNITY HEALTH GOALS. THESE ARE THE COUNTY AND STATE THAT OUR COMMUNITY RECREATES.
WE WANT IT TO BE HEALTHY. AGEING SEPTIC ARE NOUN TO CAUSE THAT POLLUTION. SO IT'S THE RIGHT THING.
THAT'S CERTAINLY A HIGH- END GOAL FOR US AS STAFF.
AND LAST NOT LEAST IS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDELINES AND THIS IS SOMETHING OUR ADMINISTRATION CREATED THE STRUCTURE WITH OUR OPA. AGAIN, IT'S WORKED SO WELL. COMMISSIONER MURPHY, YOU WERE THERE AT THE MEETING TO SEE FIRSTHAND. JENNIFER FROM THE OPA WAS THERE REPRESENTING US. REALLY THEIR HELP HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT TO US, ASK NOW WE HAVE THAT RESOURCE FOR US.
NOT ONLY REACH OUT, BUT EXPLAIN IT WELL WITH PAMPHLETS AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF. THAT RESOURCE IS -- WE WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT TO COMMUNICATE ALL THIS THAT THAT'S LAST GOAL. SO GOING BACK FROM THESE GOALS, HERE'S WHAT WE RECOMMEND TO YOU AS A BOARD. THE FIRST THING IS I'M GOING TO REFER TO THESE THINGS LATER. OFFER A ONE- STOP SEPTIC TO SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGE RATHER THAN A VARYING RATE BECAUSE WE KNOW AT THE END OF THE DAY AS A UTILITY AS A WHOLE, WE'LL BE OKAY.
SO WE WANT TO PUT A ONE CHART. I THINK THIS IS THE MOST EFFICIENT THING TO DO.
I THINK WE HAVE ONE STAFF MEMBER THAT DOES THESE ANY TIME WE GOT A REQUEST, THEY GO OUT THERE. THEY ARE SPENDING THEIR TIME.
SO I REALLY PROVIDE A LOT OF EFFICIENCY FOR US.
SO ONE CHART. THIS IS NOT A RANDOM CHARGE.
WE'RE USING DATA ANALYTICS FROM HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CONNECTIONS PREVIOUSLY TO COME UP WITH A NUMBER THAT WE FEEL IS AN AVERAGE NUMBER OUT THERE.
WE ARE ALSO GOING TO SUGGEST THAT WE NOT NECESSARILY EXEMPT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND SEWER FEE, BUT MAKE IT AS A WHOLE, SO A BECOMES B.
WE DON'T HAVE A SEPARATE FEE. WE HAVE ONE CHARGE.
THIS IS WHOO WHAT I CALL THE ENVIRONMENTAL WFT.
I THINK IF YOU KEEP THE WATERS OF THE STATE RIGHT, I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT BENEFITS THE UTILITY IN THE LONG RUN IN THE PERMITS THAT WE DISCHARGE AS A STATE BECAUSE WE ARE A POINT SOURCE OF DISCHARGE.
THE AGEING SEPTIC TANK REASONS A NONPOINT.
THIS IS GETTING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE SUGGESTING THAT THE B BE EXEMPT TO ZERO. THE C IS REALLY ALLOWING FINANCING. THIS IS A BIG CHANGE.
WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW A NEW CUSTOMER THAT ARE WANTING SEWER TO FINANCE THIS WITH A SEVEN- YEAR FINANCING AT A 5% RATE. THAT'S A RATE IT'S A THERE IN THE ORDINANCE CURRENTLY.
IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE CHANGED. WE CAN PIGGYBACK THAT RATE.
IT'S NOT LOW. THE WAY WE LOOK AT IT, IT DOESN'T COST THE UTILITY ANYMORE, SO WE FEEL A 5% IS VERY LEGITIMATE NUMBER FOR IT.
PLUS IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD RATE AT THIS TIME FOR ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO TAKE USE OF THAT SEVEN- YEAR FINANCING.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I TALKED ABOUT THE 200 FEED AND THE COORDINATED EFFORT. WE WANT TO EXTEND THAT FROM 200
[03:50:07]
TO 1,000 FEET. THAT WILL REALLY ALLOW US TO LOOK AT PROJECTS COMPREHENSIVELY. THERE IS A SMALL ASTERISK ON IT.THAT GOES BACK TO THE OPERATIONAL ITEM.
WHEN WE BRING POLICY TO YOU, WE'LL PROBABLY SAY, WELL, IF IT'S A THOUSAND FEET, WE NEED FOUR CONNECTIONS. SO WE DON'T WANT TO CONNECT JUST ONE PERSON A THOUSAND FOOT AWAY, BUT WE'LL COME WITH THAT DETAIL LATER ON. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE WILL INCLUDE IN- FILL LOTS. IT'S A GOOD THING.
EVEN THOUGH IT'S A NEW HOUSE AND THEY HAVE FINANCING AVAILABLE, IF THEY ARE OPTING TO NOT PUT A SEPTIC TANK, WHICH THEY CAN, I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING FOR US.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST WHERE THIS GOES, IF THE BOARD IS OKAY WITH IT, AND THIS IS AN OPEN DISCUSSION, WE CAN HEAR COMMENTS, BUT IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH THIS, WE CAN TAKE THE NEXT STEPS FOR AMENDING OUR COUNTY ORDINANCE AND THAT REQUIRES HEARING SEPARATELY. REALLY HERE'S A SUMMARY ACTUALLY. I FORGOT ABOUT THIS. THIS IS KIND OF A SUMMARY THAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE. WE HAVE THE CURRENT THAT I WENT THROUGH. AND THE A, B AND C ARE THE ONES I DISCUSSED. IF YOU LOOK AT THE ONE CHARGE IS $2,250, WHERE WE FEEL COMFORTABLE. THE B IS WE'RE EXEMPTING THAT TO NOTHING.
THAT'S A PART I TALKED ABOUT THE ADMIN FEE AND FORGOT WHAT THE OTHER ONE WAS. AND THE C IS REALLY THE ABILITY TO FINANCE THAT CHARGE. SO IF YOU LOOK AT THAT AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THE COMPARISON, WE'RE TRYING THE BEST WE CAN, AND ALL OF THAT 8,155 COULD BE FINANCED BY THE CUSTOMER.
SO REALLY WHAT THIS MEANS, AND I REPEATED SOME OF THIS, AGEING SEPTIC TANKS, MINIMIZING RISK TO GROUND WATERS, REALLY THESE ARE ALL COMMUNITY BENEFITS. ENHANCING THE PUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF OUR INTERCOASTAL WATERWAYS. I TALKED ABOUT FISHING AND PROMOTES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SEWER IS WHAT OUR GOAL WAS. IT'S A GOOD THING.
AND REALLY MENTIONED TO THE GRANTS, THIS IS A PROACTIVE MEASURE THE BOARD COULD TAKE TO BE READY FOR THE NEXT STEPS TO COME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET. NOTHING HAS BEEN MANDATED YET FROM THE STATE, BUT WE SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL WHERE IT'S HEADED. SO WE'LL BE IN BETTER POSITION.
WITH THAT, WE'RE HERE FOR QUESTIONS. I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CHIEF ENGINEER OF PLANNING.
>> THANK YOU. DURING THE INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE, WHICH WAS SPECTACULAR, I WISH WE COULD TALK ABOUT THAT ALL DAY. YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE PREVENTING A MILLION POUNDS OF NUTRIENTS FROM REACHING OUR WATERWAYS. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE MORE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY
EXCITING. >> THE NEW FACILITY IS A STATE OF THE ART ADVANCED WASTE WATER FACILITY. SO NUMBER ONE, IT PRODUCES THE BEST, THE LOWEST NUTRIENT COMING OUT OF THAT TREATMENT FROM THE WASTE WATER.
THE REASON I MENTIONED THE MILLION IS CURRENTLY MOST OF THAT WATER IS BEING TREATED AT OUR WASTE WATER FACILITY, WHICH IS NOT IN ADVANCED WASTE WATER FACILITY. WE ARE TRYING TO SHIP A ALL OF THAT WASTE WATER THROUGH THAT PROJECT I MENTIONED IN THE MORNING TO THE 207 FACILITY.
SO CURRENTLY, THAT WASTE WATER, BECAUSE WE'RE LANDLOCKED. WE CANNOT MAXIMIZE RECLAIM THE WATER IN THAT AREA, WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH THAT IS CURRENTLY GOING TO SOME GOLF COURSES, BUT MOST OF IT IS GOING OUT IN THE RIVER.
WHEN IT'S SHIPPED TO 207, ALL OF IT WILL BE RECLAIMED, ASK THAT AMOUNT OF WATER THAT USED TO GO TO THE RIVER IS NOW GOING TO BE GOING FOR IRRIGATION.
THAT DELTA OF WATER AND THE DELTA OFF THE TREATMENT AND NUTRIENTS AND NITROGEN WILL NO LOCK LONGER BE GOING THERE.
IF YOU DO THE MATH, IT COMES TO ABOUT A MILLION POUNDS FOR THE
NEXT 20 YEARS. >> I JUST THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT, WHO CARE ABOUT THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACT THAT DEVELOPMENT HAS ON OUR WATERWAYS, AND I DIDN'T WANT TO GLOSS OVER THAT. THERE'S SO MANY THINGS I COULD HIGHLIGHT FROM THIS MORNING, BUT WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY HOURS IN THE DAY. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS JEPD ITEM, I'M COMFORTABLE ADOPTING THE STAF RECOMMENDATIONS PENDING THE COMMENTS OF THE
ANYONE ELSE? >> JUST A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU, NEAL.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF A NEIGHBORHOOD DO YOU REALLY NEED TO OPT IN TO MAKE IT VIABLE FOR YOU?
>> REALLY, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A PERCENTAGE. IT COULD BE ONE.
[03:55:01]
IT COULD BE TWO HOMES.I MENTIONED IN THERE, IF YOU LOOK AT ITEM D, IT SAYS BEYOND A THOUSAND FEET, STAFF WILL SEEK APPROVAL.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE A LARGER COMMUNITY, AND IF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY COMES TO THE FOREFRONT, WE WANT TO GET OUR SEPTIC TO SEWER PROGRAM, IT BECOMES A LARGER PROJECT.
SO WE'RE OPEN TO THAT. THAT IS VERY UNIQUE. YOU DON'T NEED ANY PERCENTAGE. THIS POLICY, AS IT STANDS, CAN BE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES, IT CAN BE ANYTHING, AS LONG AS IT FIT THIS IS PATTERN.
THAT'S WHY WE MADE IS AS FLEXIBLE AS POSSIBLE.
SO YOU'RE A HOME THAT IS 300 FEET AWAY, YOU'RE CONNECTED RIGHT AWAY. YOUR FIVE HOMES WITHIN THAT DISTANCE, YOU CAN BE PART OF THIS POLICY.
>> OKAY. IS THERE A -- I NOTICED THERE'S A COUPLE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS WE CAN LOOK AT. TRUE GRAVITY SYSTEMS. DO YOU HAVE A PREFERENCE OF COST CONSTRUCTION? MOST OF THESE SEPTIC TANK CONVERSIONS ARE USUALLY IN COASTAL AREAS.
AND THEY ARE ALREADY EXISTING COMMUNITIES.
WHEN YOU GO TO THESE NEIGHBORHOODS AND REOPEN THE ROADWAYS AND THESE GRAVITY SYSTEMS ARE 10 FEET DEEP ASK YOU NEED A LIFT STATION, THEY ARE CERTAINLY EXPENSIVE. SO GRAVITY WOULD ALWAYS REMAIN THE NUMBER ONE OPTION FROM A LONG-TERM STANDPOINT.
UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF THE COST EFFECTIVELY OF IT, WE TEND TO GO TO THE GRINDER SYSTEM.
MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD ALWAYS BE GRAVITY, BUT AT A CERTAIN COST. AND A GRAVITY SYSTEM, THE EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE GRANTS. SO IF IT YOU WERE TO GET A GRANT, AND LET'S SAY I'M JUST MAKING IT UP, IT WOULD BE $2 MILLION FROM THE STATE. WE'LL DEFINITELY GO WITH THE GRAVITY SYSTEM WHERE YOU CAN USE THOSE DOLLARS. YOU'RE LOOKING AT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PUT THESE GRAVITY SYSTEMS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE TREASURE BEACH.
THEY ARE GOING TO VARY DEPENDING ON SIZE OF THE COMMUNITY AND WHERE THE SEWER IS.
>> DOES THE 207 FACILITY HAVE THE CAPACITY FOR THE INCREASED BE COMING TO IT?
>> YES, SIR. THE 207 IS A 3. 25 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY FACILITY. IT'S CONSTRUCTED IN SUCH A SENSE THAT WE COULD DUPLICATE IT. WE DOUBLE THE CAPACITY FROM IT.
SO WE ALWAYS LOOK AT THESE PLANNING NUMBERS FROM I THINK WE'RE GOOD FOR THE NEXT 10 TO 15 YEARS FOR SURE.
AND. >> SO JUST ONE MORE QUESTION.
IN YOUR EXAMPLE, YOU GAVE A FEE OF $8155 PER UNIT.
AT 5% FOR 7 YEARS RKSZ ANYBODY GOT AN IPHONE WITH A CALCULATOR, CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA OF THE MONTHLY FEE WOULD BE ON THAT FOR 84 MONTHS? $8155 DIVIDED BY 84.
ANYBODY GOT THAT. PLUS 5% INTEREST.
>> I HAVE A CHEAP COUNTY PHONE AND THEY DON'T HAVE A CALCULATOR
ON IT. >> FOR THE CHAIR, THE COST I JUST DETERMINED ON THE 5% ANNUAL INTEREST RATE FOR 7 YEARS ON $8155 IS A MONTHLY PAYMENT OF
I GUESSED $115. SO THAT WASN'T BAD.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I'M GOING TO MOVE WE ADOPT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION INCLUDING UPDATING OUR ORDINANCE.
COMMENT AFTER WE GET A SECOND. >> IF WE GET A SECOND.
DO YOU WANT TO GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> YES. WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER A 5. >
>> I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT WHERE A WATER COMES FROM.
I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT WHERE OUR SEWAGE GOES TO. I TOURED THE FACILITY.
IT WAS AMAZING. WHAT A BRILLIANT ASSET TO THE COUNTY.
THIS IS SO HELPFUL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN MY MINIMAL KNOWLEDGE OF THIS.
[04:00:01]
IT'S A BIG PART OF THIS HINDRANCE OF IS SEWER TO SEPTIC AND THERE'S JUST NOT CONNECTIONS.THIS IS REMARKABLE AND WONDERFUL.
LIKE I SAID, LITTLE INCREMENTAL STEPS. THIS IS GREAT. I'M SUPER LIT UP A ABOUT THIS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS VICKI PEPPER.
>> BY IDENTIFYING RESOURCES INCLUDING FUNDING SOURCES AND LINKING THEM WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO OFFER MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HER FAMILY.
WHEN IT COMES TO ADDRESSING NEEDS RELATING TO UTILITIES AND SEPTIC TO SEWER IN PARTICULAR. ONE IDEA WE'D LIKE TO SEE THE COUNTY EXPLORE IS IDENTIFYING A REVENUE STREAM AND ESTABLISHING A FUND TO ASSIST LOW, VERY LOW, AND EXTREMELY LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, ESPECIALLY THOSE ON FIXED INCOMES WITH THE COST OF SEPTIC TO SEWER CONVERSION, WHICH WE DO BELIEVE IS IN THE INTEREST OF OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. ALTHOUGH, WE'D HOPED EVEN MORE COULD BE DONE TO APPROVE AFFORDABILITY AND EQUITY IN A BROAD SENSE, WE CONSIDER THESE PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES TO BE A POSITIVE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THEREFORE, WE URGE YOU TODAY TO ADOPT THE DIRECTOR OF UTILITY'S REPRESENTATIONS, THE DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A FORMAL POLICY FOR YOUR FUTURE CONSIDERATION.
>> SHIRLEY LAST TERSE, IN FLAGLER ESTATES, WHICH WE ARE PRETTY MUCH ALL WELL IN SEPTIC IN THE COUNTY.
OUR UTILITY ISN'T REALLY PAID HERE FOR SEWER OR WATER.
BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE AND ALL THIS TALK ABOUT SEPTIC TO SEWER. OUR I'M CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE WHOSE SEPTIC GOES OUT AND MAYBE THERE'S MORE REGULATIONS NOW FROM THE STATE OF WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO PUT IN AND THE COST OF THAT.
OBVIOUSLY, YOUR PROPOSED PLAN LOOKS A HECK OF A LOT BETTER ON THE BOTTOM LINE, BUT THEN IT EVEN BRINGS QUESTIONS TO ME IF IT EVER CAME A DAY WHERE WE WANTED TO CONVERT OR HAD TO CONVERT, OH MY GOSH, I COULD NOT COME UP WITH THAT MONEY.
AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THAT. DID I ALREADY GO ON THREE MINUTES? SO I GUESS MY CONCERN WOULD BE IS THE 5% ONLY FOR THE SUB TOTAL AMOUNT THAT YOU HAD CALCULATED THE MONTHLY FEE, OR IS IT FOR ALL OF THE COST FOR THIS? IF NOT, THEN IS ANY OF THAT COST BEING PICKED UP FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT ARE % HAVING TO DO A CONVERSION WITH GRANT MONEY? I THINK WE NEED AN EDUCATION PIECE, SO I WOULD ASK THE COUNTY MAYBE. I KNOW I WILL WORK WITH TERA AND SARA TO GET SOME ANSWER, BECAUSE WHEN I SAW THAT WONDERFUL PRESENTATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING, IT LOOKED LIKE HASTINGS WAS GETTING SOME UPGRADES WITH SEWER. THAT'S ONLY EIGHT MILES AWAY FROM US. SO IT FEELS LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR DOWN THE LONG ROAD, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO BE -- WE DON'T WANT TO MISS A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IF THERE WAS SOME KIND OF FINANCING AVAILABLE TO OUR RESIDENTS.
>> WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THE ONE WE DID IN THE MORNING WAS WATER.
BUT THERE'S SEWER IMPROVEMENTS.
IS THIS A COMPLETELY VOLUNTARY PROGRAM.
[04:05:07]
>> WE HAVE A PLOEGS AND A SECOND.
DO YOU WANT TO DO 26 NEXT? OR 7?
[6. Urban Flex PV, LLC Economic Development Incentive Request.]
LET'S DO 7.>> I ACTUALLY HAVE THE 6 AND THE 7 NOW, I THINK.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER. YOUR PREVIOUS CONSENT AGENDA ITEM, NOW YOUR REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 6 IS THE NORTHWEST TOWER OF CITIZEN ADVISORY PORD WE ARE SUNSETTING THAT BOARD AND TRANSFERRING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OVER TO THE REC ADVISORY BOARD. THERE WAS A CONCERN, I BELIEVE, SO THAT WAS ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE OF RESOLUTION NUMBER 98-117.
THAT RESOLUTION HAD OTHER THINGS IN IT TO INCLUDE FUNDING AND THE USE OF THOSE FUNDS. WE ARE NOT REPEALING THAT RESOLUTION. SO THAT FUNDING REMAINS THE SAME. THE USE OF THAT FUND REMAINS THE SAME.
THIS IS JUST SUNSETTING THE BOARD AND ALLOWING ANOTHER BOARD FOR EFFICIENCIES AND QUORUMS TO TAKE OVER THOSE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MY APOLOGIES TO THE BOARD.
I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP IN BRIEFING, BUT I DIDN'T THINK WITH THE LONG WEEKEND, I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO ASK AGAIN. I NEEDED TO CLARIFY THAT THOSE FUNDS WOULD BE, IN FACT, KEPT IN THE COUNTY AND THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE NORTHWEST TOWER FUNDING MECHANISM.
WITH THAT CONFIRMED, I'M READY TO MAKE A MOTION WHENEVER YOU'RE READY TO HEAR ONE.
>> AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.
PLEASE COME ON UP. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-28, SUN SUT SETTING THE TOWER CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD AND TRANSFERRING ITS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD.
>> I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION. >> LET'S VOTE.
[7. Land Acquisition and Management Program (LAMP) Funding. ]
THAT PASSES 4-0. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'RE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7.>> THIS IS USE OF THE TREE FUNDING FOR CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITION SO AFTER THE NOVEMBER 4TH MEETING, YOU GAVE DIRECTION TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES TO RESTORE LAND TO ITS PREVIOUS ANNUAL FUNDING LEVEL OF $2 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF $1 PANT 5 MILLION ABOVE TE CURRENT APPLICATION.
ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE TREE BANK FUND. LET ME GIVE YOU THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. THE FUND IS A DEDICATED FINANCIAL FUND CREATED TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS OR PROTECTED TREES ARE THE NOT REPLACED AFTER REMOVAL. TWO OF THE MECHANISMS ARE THE TREES ARE LOST, SO IF A DEVELOPER CAN'T REPLANT, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO PAY INTO THE TREE FUND AND THE OTHER MECHANISM IS PAYMENT OF FUNDS IF SOMEONE TAKES DOWN TREES AND A FINE IS WARRANTED.
UNDER THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, USES ARE EXPRESSLY STATED.
TO PURCHASE TREES FOR COUNTY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND LANDSCAPING PROJECTS.
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS, CONSERVATION, MITIGATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, LOSS OF TREE ACHE RANG THROUGH PRESERVATION AND ACQUISITION.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS TO MEET TREE REQUIREMENTS. THOSE ARE THE USES OF THE TREE FUND. THE TREE FUND EXPRESSLY GIVES ACQUISITION AUTHORITY. IT EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZES USE OF FUNDS AND ACQUISITION.
APPLIES WHERE ACQUISITION MITIGATES OR WILDLIFE DISPLACEMENT.
IT REQUIRES REASONABLE DETERMINATION BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR USING ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION PRACTICES. LAMP IS TO ACQUIRE AND
[04:10:14]
CONSERVE ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR RECREATION LANDS. THE FOCUS ON WILDLIFE HABITAT, OPT FOR RECHARGE, GREEN SPACE AND NATURAL QUARTERS AND PASSIVE RECREATION. LAMP ALIGNMENT PROTECTS ENDANGERED SPECIES. MIGRATION QUARTERS AND REFUGE FROM DEVELOPMENT. CERTAIN PROPERTY CANS DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH TREE FUND PURPOSES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION.CURRENTLY, WHICH ARE LISTED BEFORE YOU.
SOME OF THOSE WOULD ALIGN WITH THE TREE FUND USES.
RESIDENTIAL IN THE ST. JOHNS RIVER, YOUR TORSED AREA ON COUNTY ROAD 13 SOUTH. SOME OF THEM JUST GOING THROUGH THE DESCRIPTION WOULD NOT NECESSARILY ALIGN WITH THE USE OF TREE BANK FUNDS.
RESIDENTIAL HISTORIC RANCH LANDS PROBABLY WOULD NOT ALIGN.
SO THE USE OF TREE BANK FUNDS IS PERMISSIBLE.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ACQUISITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, WILDLIFE MITIGATION AND PUBLIC BENEFIT.
IT MAYBE USED ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER FUNDING SOURCES.
THE OTHER ASPECTS I WANT TO POINT OUT IS THAT YOUR TREE FUND DOLLARS IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC RECURRING SOURCE OF REVENUE.
THE NUMBERS TOGETHER, THIS IS THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TREE OPPORTUNITY OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
AGAIN, THE SOURCE COMES IN FROM THE TWO SOURCES. SOME YEARS WE RECEIVE MONEYS AT THE VARYINGLEVELS. BELOW THAT ARE YOUR EXPENSES.
THEY GO TO GROWTH MANAGEMENT. THEY USE IT FOR PRESERVATION AND MITIGATION THAT OUR REGIONAL AREAS.
PARKS AND RECREATION USES THOSE MONEYS WHEN THEY PUT IN PARKS.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET, PARKS AND RECKS HAS SET ASIDE FOR THE NEW PARKWORK. WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING WE HAVE USED IN THE PAST FOR LAND ACQUISITION. IT YOU LOOK AT THE PROPERTY, WE USE $2 MILLION TO ASSIST IN THE PURCHASE OF THAT PROPERTY.
AS WELL AS WE USE FOR A LAND PURCHASE PROPERTY.
SO WE CONCLUDE THAT IT IS PERMISSIBLE USE TREE FUND DOLLARS. IT DOES TRANSFER SOME LAND TREE FUND DOLLARS TO THE LAND. CURRENTLY, THERE'S AVAILABLE TREE FUND. FISCAL YEAR 2026 RESERVE BALANCE IS $2.3 MILLION.
THE OTHER AVAILABLE MONEYS WOULD BE RESERVES. GENERAL FUND RESERVES.
>> THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT INFORMATION. I THINK JUST REGARDING AS THE LIAISON TO THE LAMP BOARD, MANY OF THE PROJECTS DON'T ALIGN AND CAN'T BE USED.
SO I THINK IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST TO TAKE IT FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
WE KNOW THE TREE FUNDS ARE GOING TO BE PUT TOWARDS THAT. WE CAN SEE THEY ARE USING THE TREE FUNDS ALREADY IN A NUMBER OF PLACES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. SO I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE THOSE FUNDS COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND THOT THE TREE FUND.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR VIEW. I KNOW THE COUNTY HAS NOT BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT BY A MAJOR STORM IN QUITE SOME TIME, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THERE ARE FOLK ON OUR STAFF WHO REMEMBER WHEN MATTHEW AND IRMA DEVASTATED THIS COUNTY BACK TO BACK. I THINK YOU DON'T WANT TO START SETTING THE EXPECTATION WE CAN DIP INTO THOSE GENERAL FUND RESERVES.
ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BOARD MADE A POLICY DECISION TO CUT THE MILLAGE RITZ SO WE CAN SAVE OUR RESIDENTS SOME CASH IN THEIR POCKETS.
BUT MAKING THE POLICY DECISION MEANS WE CAN'T DUOBACK IN THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES.
I'M PLEASED THAT WE HAVE THE TREE FUND BECAUSE I WANT TO BRING THE LAND BACK UP TO WHERE WE HAD IT WHICH WAS $2 MILLION A YEAR.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT CONSERVATION FUND.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WORKED HARD TO GET TO THIS POINT, BUT I JUST WANT TO BE
[04:15:02]
CAREFUL THE WAY WE EGOAFTER THOSE GENERAL FUND RESERVES. ALL IT TAKES IS ONE BIG EMERGENCY. IT'S NOT THE COUNTY, IT'S THE RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY LEFT HOLDING THE BAG. WE NEED THAT MONEY TO RESPOND TO A AN EMERGENCY IF AND WHEN IT HAPPENS.>> I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION. IS THIS A ONE- TIME THING FOR THIS YEAR? THEN WE CAN LOOK AT THE BUDGET FOR L.A.M.P. NEXT YEAR? THIS IS A ONE-TIME THING?
OKAY. THAT WAS ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAD.
>> I GUESS GOING FORWARD, I WOULD WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WOULD BE A MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET TRANSFER OF $1.
5 MILLION FROM THE TREE TREE FUND TO L.A.M.P.
FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CONSERVATION LANDS.
COMMENT NOW? >> DO WE NEED A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A SECOND. >> AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7. PLEASE COME FORWARD.
SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. GO AHEAD AND VOTE. AND THAT PASSES 3-1.
[8. Median Opening - Shores Boulevard. ]
THANK YOU.OKAY. ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. YOU HAVE TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HEAR ME OR NOT. THE MIC IS A LITTLE LOW. I AM HERE FROM THE DECEMBER 16 BOARD MEETING. IT WAS BROUGHT UP DURING THE COMMISSIONER UPDATES TO POTENTIALLY PROVIDE AN OPENING ON SHORES BOULEVARD.
I'M HERE TO PRESENT SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND
SAFETY LS ANALYSIS ON THAT. >> YOU MAY HAVE TO GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE.
>> SO I'M HERE TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND AND SAFETY INFORMATION ON THE DISCUSSION FROM LAST MEETING.
THE DECEMBER 16TH , ABOUT AN OPENING ON SHORES BOULEVARD AT SEVILLA DRIVE.
FOR BACKGROUND, SHORES BOULEVARD IS A COLLECTOR ROAD THAT PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE ST.
AUGUSTINE SHORES COMMUNITY FROM U.S. 1. SHORES BOULEVARD AS A WHOLE IS A FOUR- LANE DIVIDED COLLECTOR ROAD WITH ACCEPTING TO A ONE-MILE PORTION ON THE SOUTH ENDS THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING TO A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED ROAD THROUGH THE SAN ANTONIO PUD. NO IMMEDIATE OPENING WAS PROVIDED AT THE SEVILLA DRIVE OPENING BECAUSE IT DID NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS PER CODE. SO JUST AN OVERVIEW ON MEDIANS.
MAJOR COLLECTORS ARE INTENDED TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY, GENERAL WELFARE AND PROVIDE FOR MOBILITY OF PEOPLE AND GOODS AND PRESERVE THE FUNCTIONAL INTEGRITY OF THE COUNTY ROADWAY SYSTEM.
MEDIAN SPACING STANDARDS LIMITS POINT OF INGRESS TO ENSURE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY. OUR CODE TABLE 603 ALLOWS FOR AN OPENING EVERY 660 FEET ON SHORES BOULEVARD.
JUST 209 FEET AWAY FROM THE TROOIF, THERE'S A FULL MEDIAN OPENING, WHICH IS WHY IT DIDN'T MEET THE MINIMUM STANDARD. SO HERE'S AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT IS CURRENTLY PERMITTED AND WAS APPROVED BY STAFF.
SO HERE'S KIND OF THE THERE'S A FULL MEETING OPENING OF THE CIRCLE ON THE LEFT.
THAT'S 400 FEET FROM SEVILLA DRIVE.
JUST 209 FEET TO THE EAST IS CORTEZ DRIVE.
HERE'S LOOK AT THE ONGOING IMPROVEMENTS.
THERE'S NO OPENING. AND SO WITH THE PLAN, HERE IS THE THE ACCESS TO SEVILLA. IT'S HIGHLIGHTED IN YELL LEE.
IN RED IS ONE ROUTE AND GREEN IS ANOTHER ROUTE.
IF YOU TAKE THE RED ROUTE, YOU'D TURN LEFT AT
[04:20:01]
DOMENICO CIRCUMSTANCEAL AND GO TO TURN RIGHT AND HAVE ACCESS.THEN THIS IS COMING FROM U.S. 1. IF YOU TAKE THE GREEN ROUTE, YOU'D DO A U- TURN AT CORTEZ, WHICH IS TO THE EAST OF SEVILLA. HERE'S WHAT'S EXISTING ON THE LEFT. THEN A CONCEPT OF IT WOULD BE ON THE RIGHT.
FROM A SAFETY ANALYSIS, ANY TIME YOU ADD A FULL OPENING, IT PROVIDES A CONFLICT POINT, WHICH WHERE OPPOSING TRAFFIC AS A CHANCE TO INTERACT. THAT THE CONSTRUCTION IS $50,000. AND AN ADDITIONAL $10,000 IS ESTIMATED FOR ENGINEERING, PERMITTING, AND PROJECT CLOSE OUT. THERE'S NO CURRENT BUDGET ALLOCATED FOR THIS WORK.
SO SHOULD THE BOARD CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CONSTRUCTION, THE ACCESS POINT, WE WOULD NEED FUNDS APPROPRIATED. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? LET'S GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8. WE HAVE NO CROSSOVER.
SO A FEW OF US THOUGHT WE WOULD CHECK IN AND DID A SURVEY.
AND CLOSE TO US. WE FOUND THAT SO WE ACTUALLY NAMED THE STREETS THAT HAVE LESS THAN IT'S LESS THAN A TENTH OF THE MILE. WHICH OURS HAS MORE THAN THE STREETS THAT WOULD BE MORE SPACE BETWEEN OUR CROSSOVER AND THE NEXT CROSSOVER THAN MANY OF THE STREETS ON SHORES BOULEVARD THAT DO HAVE A CROSSOVERS. THE NAMES OF THE STREETS THAT HAVE SMALLER DISTANCES BETWEEN THE CROSSOVERS AND THEY ARE SAYING ARE DEEMED DANGEROUS, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S BEEN ACCIDENTS.
I HAVE BEEN THERE 25 YEARS AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW OF ONE.
THESE ARE CLOSER THAN OURS WOULD BE.
THESE STREETS ARE CORTEZ, THE GOLF COURSE OPENING ACROSS, THE SECOND, SEDONA, THESE ARE JUST EXAMPLES OF SOME RIGHT BY US.
BY WHERE OUR CROSSOVER WOULD BE. THESE ARE, LIKE I SAID, MUCH SMALLER THAN OURS IS FROM EXISTING OTHER CROSSOVERS THAT THEY ARE SAYING WOULD BE A DANGER.
IF THE OTHERS ARE A DANGER AND THEY ARE EVEN CLOSER THAN OURS WOULD BE, WHY CAN'T WE HAVE ONE. WE ALSO ARE THE ONLY STREET, THE ONLY ONE SKRKS THERE ARE MANY STREETS IN THE SHORES, THAT ARE ON SHORES BOULEVARD.
EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS A CROSSOVER, EXCEPT SEVILLA DRIVE.
WE'RE BEING PENALIZED FOR A NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT CAME IN. THE ONE STREET THAT HAS LESS THN A TENTH OF A MILE HAS 25 HOUSES ON IT. THEY HAVE TWO CROSSOVERS.
COMPARED TO THESE 25. THEY HAVE TWO CROSSOVERS. WE HAVE NONE.
AND THEY ARE RIGHT THERE BY US. SO WE FEEL THAT THE FACT THAT IT'S A DANGER FORFOR TO HAVE CROSSOVER DOES NOT COMPUTE.
>> I LIVE ON SEVILLA ALSO. GOING ALONG WITH WHAT WAS
[04:25:03]
SAID, WE ARE THE ONLY STREET IN ALL OF THE SHORES THAT HAS BEEN PENALIZED BY THE NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT'S COME IN.EVERYBODY ELSE HAS GOT ALL THESE -- THE NEW DEVELOPMENT HAS TWO CROSSOVERS. WE HAVE NOTHING.
AND I HAVE BEEN LIVING THERE FOR 17 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEING A ABLE TO GET ACROSS THE SHORES, AND NOW I'VE GOT TO GO DOWN AND MAKE A U- TURN, WHICH IS NOT PARTICULARLY SAFE.
THE PLACE WHERE THEY'VE GOT THE CROSSOVER THERE, IT'S ONLY WIDE ENOUGH FOR ONE CAR, ONE SMALL CAR. THE OTHER DAY THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS MAKING THAT U-TURN.
I CAME IN BEHIND HIM. I WAS BLOCKING THE TRAFFIC ROUTE. I WAS BLOCKING THE ROD. A BIG DUMP TRUCK COMES UP BEHIND ME. IT'S NOT PARTICULARLY SAFE.
ALSO WHEN YOU MAKE THAT U- TURN THERE, THE TRAFFIC COMING UP IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IS COMING UP OVER A HILL.
YOU'RE SITTING THERE. YOU'VE GOT TO JUDGE WHERE THE TRAFFIC IS COMING UP OVER THE HILL BEFORE YOU CAN MAKE YOUR U-TURN. AND ALSO WHEN YOU MAKE THAT U-TURN. THERE'S A HOUSE SITTING THERE ON SHORES. AND YOU'RE TURNING RIGHT INTO THE FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE. THEY ARE GETTING ALL THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. AND I UNDERSTAND THEIR MAILBOX HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT A COUPLE TIMES ALREADY AND THERE'S A FIRE HYDRANT SITTING RIGHT THERE.
I'M WAITING FOR THAT TO GO. A FRIEND OF OURS HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A POLICEMAN, WHO LOOKED AT THE INTERSECTION AND SAID IT WAS RIDICULOUS. THERE IS NO WAY THAT AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE COULD GET THROUGH THERE. WE HAVE A LOT OF OLDER PEOPLE ON THAT STREET, PLUS WE HAVE HAD SOME FIRES THERE BECAUSE WE BACK UP TO THE WOODS.
AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO WAY A VEHICLE COULD MAKE THAT U-TURN. IF WE GO DOWN TO DMIN CO, WHICH I HAVE CHECKED THAT. IF I DID UP TO MY HOUSE, IT'S A LITTLE OVER A MILE. AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DROIF AN EXTRA MILE EVERY TIME I COME AND GO FROM MY HOUSE. SO I FEEL THAT WE ARE BEING PENALIZED BECAUSE OF THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT, WHENEVER THEY ENLARGE THE ROADS TO MAKE IT FOUR LANE. SO THANK YOU.
>> HI, DENISE LOCK, I HAVE BEEN HERE A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE.
JUST TO START OUT, U-TURNS ARE NOT SAFE.
I HAVE ALREADY HAD SCARES DOING IT. I TRIED TO TURN AROUND TO GO TO THE CONDOS TO PICK SOMETHING UP, AND NO ONE IS COMING WHEN I TURN OUT OF SEVILLA.
YOU HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE THE U-TURN.
AS I'M DOING THAT, I ALREADY HAVE SOMEBODY BEHIND ME BECAUSE THEY HAVE COME OVER THE MILL.
COMING HOME AT NIGHT, I MADE THE U- TURN TWICE. I HAVE GOT BLINDED BY THE SUN.
WHEN YOU TURN AROUND, YOU'RE HEADING DIRECTLY WEST.
THE SUN WAS RIGHT IN MY FACE. I HAD TO STOPT CAR BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE WHERE I WAS GOING.
SO SAFETY, TRY DRIVING IT. THERE'S SEVEN DRIVEWAYS, TWO GOLF CARTS AND A STREET.
KIDS PLAYING WITH BALLS, PEDESTRIANS WALKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, THAT'S NOT SAFE ADDING ANOTHER 50 CARS GOING DOWN THERE. SORRY.
I GET NERVOUS. CORTEZ, WHICH WAS REFERRED TO, IS A SMALL HORSESHOE WITH 25 HOUSES, TWO OPENINGS.
THAT'S WHERE THEY EXPECT US TO MAKE THE U-TURN.
CLOSE IT. THEY HAVE A WAY IN AND OUT. THEY CAN STILL GO OUT OUR ENDED AND TAKE A RIGHT. THE ONLY THING THEY CAN'T DO IS GO OUT AND TAKE A LEFT, WHICH THEY CAN MAKE THE TRIP DOWN AND MAKE THE U-TURN.
IT'S PROBABLY FIVE OR SIX HOUSES ON THAT END OF CORTEZ.
SO IT AFFECTS A LARGE DIFFERENT AMOUNT OF COMMUNITY PEOPLE.
I DON'T LIKE SPENDING THE $10,000 EITHER.
HAD WE BEEN ABLE TO SEE PLANS BEFORE IT WAS MADE, WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE SOME INPUT. BUT WHEN NO ONE NOTIFIED US, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR STREET.
LIKE SHE SAID, THE MEDIAN IS NARROW. ONE SMALL CAR SORKS IF
[04:30:01]
THERE'S TWO OF US COMING, WE'RE BLOCKING THE LEFT LANE.PEOPLE DON'T DO 30 MILES AN HOUR ON SHORES BOULEVARD. YOU'RE LUCKY IF THEY ARE DOING 40. SO SAFETY AND THE EMERGENCY VEHICLES IS THE ANOTHER THING.
DOTTIE IN THE HOUSE, SHE HAS TWO GRANDCHILDREN IN THAT HOUSE THAT ARE AT RISK WITH PEOPLE FLYING UP THAT STREET ALREADY.
NEVER MIND HAVING TO SWING BY SOMEBODY MAKE A U- TURN OR TURNING INTO CORTEZ. IT'S NOT A VERY BIG OPENING.
SO IF NEED BE, MAKE ONE GIANT OPENING OR CHANGE FROM CORTEZ TO US IF THE DISTANCE IS AN ISSUE.
I THINK IT'S WRONG TO HAVE IT THE WAY IT IS.
I THINK IT'S DANGEROUS AND YOU'RE GOING TO FIND THERE WILL BE ACCIDENTS AND PROBLEMS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE
PUBLIC COMMENT. >> DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS?
>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.
MR. LYNCH, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN -- BECAUSE CORTEZ HAS TWO DIFFERENT OPENINGS ON TO SHORES BOULEVARD. WHAT'S THE DISTANCE FROM CORTEZ? DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT DISTANCE IS?
>> I DON'T. I CAN GET THAT CALCULATION FOR
YOU, THOUGH. >> THAT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE.
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE WOULD BE OPENING ANOTHER MOOD YAN CUT THAT WOULD BE 209 FEET AWAY FROM THE NEAREST MEDIAN CUT. IS THAT RIGHT? 209 FEET AWAY.
THAT'S LESS THAN ONE- THIRD OF THE COUNTY STANDARD.
>> IT'S 209 FEET FROM CORTEZ AND 400 FEET FROM THE MULTIFAMILY TO THE WEST.
>> SO WE HAVE BASICALLY TWO CONFLICT THERE IS.
>> ARE YOU WORKING UP THE DISTANCE NOW?
>> STAFF JUST TEXT ME. ABOUT 1500 FEET.
>> A AN OPENING BETWEEN CORTEZ IS 1,500 FEET?
>> YES, SIR. SO THAT'S OVER TWICE THE STANDARD. MY THOUGHTS ARE THIS.
I HAVE A HARD TIME GOING AGAINST STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
WE HAVE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS. LADIES, I APPRECIATE YOU COMING AND VOICING YOUR OPINION. I HAVE BEEN IN CUSTOMER SERVICE ALL MY LIFE. ALL I WANT TO DO IS MAKE YOU HAPPY. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO, BUT I'VE GOT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS TELLING ME IT WOULD CREATE CONFLICTS.
THAT IT COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. I'M HAVING A HARD TIME VOTING TO SPEND -- I HEAR YOU. I HEARD YOU.
I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW I'M HAVING A HARD TIME GOING AGAINST OUR STAFF. THIS IS WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVE. IT'S ONE-THIRD THE RECOMMENDED STANDARD. THAT'S WHERE I'M AT ON IT.
>> NO, MY ONLY QUESTION IS, IF YOU COULD, MR. LYNCH, I'M A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED BY CORTEZ WITH ONLY 25 HOMES. THE OTHER HAS MORE THAN 50 HOMES. WHAT WAS THE RATIONAL?
>> JUST LOOKING AT OUR SPACING STANDARDS IN OUR CODE.
JUST TO THE WEST OF SEVILLA DRIVE IS A MULTIFAMILY COMPLEX. THAT'S 400 FEET AWAY. IF WE WERE TO SHIFT, DURING THE DESIGN OF IT ALL, IF WE WERE TO RECOMMEND THAT OPENING, IT STILL WOULDN'T HAVE FALL WITHIN THE MINIMUM SPACING IN OUR CODE. IT WOULD BE 400 FEET.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? I WENT OUT THERE YESTERDAY ON THE MOTORCYCLE. I RODE ALL OVER THIS PLACE.
I MADE U-TURNS. I WENT DOWN SEVILLA.
I WENT DOWN SHORES BOULEVARD. I CAN SEE WHAT THE NEIGHBORS ARE TALKING ABOUT.
[04:35:04]
THERE'S NOT A DECELERATION LANE FOR THEM TO GET OUT OF THE WAY TO MAKE A US-TURN. THEY ARE MAKING A U- TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOUR-LANE. I'M PERSONALLY GOING TO SUPPORT THIS. I'M GOING TO ACTUALLY TRY TO MAKE A MOTION TO GIVE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO SEE ABOUT PLANNING FOR THIS. THAT WILL BE MY MOTION.WHAT'S A BETTER WAY TO WORD THAT? I MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO PLAN THIS CUT? IS THAT GOOD? TO BRING BACK A PLAN TO CUT SEVILLA DRIVE.
>> YOU WANT DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE AND COLT BACK WITH A PLAN AND COSTS RELATED TO CUT THROUGH THE MEDIAN.
YEAH, THANKS. THAT'S MY MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WITHOUT A SECOND, THAT MOTION
[Commissioners' Reports ]
DIES. ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE BOARD? WE'LL MOVE NO TO COMMISSIONER COMMENTS. CAN WE START WITH YOU COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN TO OUR INCREDIBLE STAFF FOR PUTTING ON THAT INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY UPDATE.
I KNOW IT WAS A LONG VIDEO AND THERE WAS SOME COMPLAINTS A ABOUT IT, BUT IT'S BEEN A FULL YEAR OF AMAZING PROGRESS.
I THINK IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO SEE ALL THAT. I KNOW Y'ALL WORKED REALLY HARD ON THAT.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE DIRECTORS, THE WHOLE TEAM IT WAS FABULOUS.
AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY HAPPY NEW YEAR. THAT WILL CONCLUDE MY REPORT.
>> MR. WHITEHURST? YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I HAVE A COUPLE THINGS.
A LITTLE BIT OF BUSINESS. I GOT A CALL FROM BILL DUDLEY.
WE HAVE ALL BEEN OUT TO VETERANS VILLAGE. WE KNOW THE WORK THEY DO. THE VETERANS COUNCIL, THEY ASKED FOR SO LITTLE.
THEY RAISE A LOT OF MONEY. THEY ARE DOING A TON OF FOOD FOR OUR HOMELESS VETERANS IN ST.
JOHNS COUNTY. SO THEY ARE SEEKING A GRANT FOR $15,000. I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET BOARD APPROVAL FOR THIS. BEFORE I DO THAT, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE TO SUSPEND BOARD RULE 4. 304 REGARDING FUNDING LIMITATION.
>> WE HAVE A SECOND. YES, WE DO.
>> NONDEBATABLE RULE. WE JUST VOTE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. HAVING SUSPENDED THE RULE, I'M GOING TO SEEK BOARD APPROVAL FOR $125,000 IN FUNDING TO ST.
JOHNS FOR VETERANS VILLAGE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO A FUNDING AGREEMENT.
>> DO WE NEED PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ONE?
>> AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. LINE UP.
>> CHARLIE HUNT, MILL CREEK ESTATES.
WHY WASN'T THIS ON THE AGENDA? IT'S $125,000.
JUST OUT OF THE BLUE FOR THEM TO REQUEST $125,000 AT THE END OF THIS ENTIRE DAY TO GET VOTED, IS THERE SOMETHING RESPECTFUL TO HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA? IS THERE SOMETHING TO SAY WE'D LIKE TO GET $125,000 AND THE CAUSE AND THE PURPOSE FOR WHO IT'S FOR AND WHAT IT'S FOR AND ALL THIS, SO WE'LL HIDE EVERYTHING UNTIL THE END WHEN NOBODY IS HERE.
LET'S PUT IT OUT. SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
IT IS A FACT. LET'S SEE WHAT YOU GOT.
WHEN YOU WANT TO HIDE THE MONEY UNTIL THE END, ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF THE BLUE, THIS CAME IN? IT WAS AN EMERGENCY CALL? YOU GO TO THE BAT PHONE OR SOMETHING? $125,000 JUST LIKE THAT.
CAN THE PEOPLE HAVE A WORD IN WHAT TO SAY? NOT AT THE END.
DON'T JUST HIDE IT. PUT IT OUT.
. YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S JUST SHOWING HOW EVERYTHING IS JUST GETTING COVERED OVER AND TO MAKE ME LOOK
[04:40:02]
NICE, I WILL WAIT UNTIL THE END AND DON'T LET THE PUBLIC KNOW. MAYBE THE PUBLIC WILL WANT TO COME OUT HERE AND SAY YES OR NO.THE POINT OF THE MATTER IS TRYING TO THROW IT IN AT THE VERY END, ALL WE SEE ON THE NEWS WHERE THESE DEMOCRATS THROW STUFF AT THE END OR REPUBLICANS THROW STUFF AT THE END. IT'S THE PROFESSIONAL MANNER OF HOW IT'S BEING CARRIED OUT OF JUST THROW IT IN AT THE END AND WE'LL GET A VOTE AMONGST OURSELVES.
YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND QUESTION MY MY -- THIS IS A GOOD REFLECTION OF HOW THIS COMMISSION WORKS. THROW IT IN AT THE END. COME ON.
>> I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYBODY IN THIS COUNTYCOUNTY AGAINST VETERANS GETTING SOME MONEY FROM ST. JOHNS. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY.
>> WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. TRANSPARENCY.
YOU DON'T HAVE IT. THAT'S WHY IT SHOULD BE AT THE BEGINNING SO PEOPLE COULDCOULD AND SPEAK. MR. DUDLY WAS HERE THIS MORNING.
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE. DID HE HAVE ANY IDEA IT WAS GOING TO BE BROUGHT UP AT THE END? THERE'S BEEN SOME CONVERSATION PROBABLY WITH MR. DUDLEY, HOW WOULD YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY TO ASK FOR. WHY DID WE STOP AT $125.
THEY COULD USE A LOT MORE MONEY. THAT'S NOT THE POINT.
TRANSPARENCY. I TRULY AM APPALLED AT THE FACT THAT ONE COMMISSIONER CROSS EXAMINED ANOTHER COMMISSIONER AND WOULDN'T EVEN ANSWER A QUESTION. BUT THAT'S FINE.
WE CAN SEE WHAT WE HAVE UP HERE.
WE'LL GET THE VOLT AGAIN. JUST REMEMBER THAT, FOLKS.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE VOTE AGAIN.
I'M GLAD THAT THIS IS OUT THERE AND THE PEOPLE CAN LOOK AND SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING. BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE MAYBE JUST SPEAKING OUT SO THEY GET A HIGHER JOB SOME PLACE. WE'RE LOOKING AT IT.
AND VOTING COUNTS, FOLKS. I DON'T CARE HOW YOU VOTE.
BE KNOWLEDGEABLE WHENEVER YOU'RE DOING IT. THANK YOU.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME?
CHAIR. >> I JUST WANTWANT SAY THAT I'M SHOCKED AND APPALLED AT THE A ACCUSATIONS THAT GET SLUNG AROUND HERE UNDER THE GUIDES OF PUBLIC COMMENT . I'M SHOCKED AND APPALLED.
I HAD NO IDEA HE WAS GOING TO BRING THIS UP, BUT HAD I KNOWN ABOUT IT, I WOULD HAVE MYSELF. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THE TREATMENT WE HAVE TO TAKE FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS.
I ACCEPT IS THE CRITICISM FOR THING THIS UP AT THE END OF THE MEETING. I WAS NOT MADE AWARE THAT THIS REQUEST WAS COMING IN FROM MR. DUDLEY UNTIL THE AGENDA HAD ALREADY BEEN PUBLISHED, SO IF YOU WANT TO CRITICIZE ME, I ACCEPT THAT. IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT WELCOME OF TRANSPARENCY. I ACCEPT ALL YOUR CRITICISM. LET ME SAY THAT. I DON'T THINK WE'RE WORTH OUR SALT UNLESS WE TAKE CARE OF OUR VETERANS. I DON'T THINK WE'RE WORTH MUCH AT ALL IF WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF OUR VETERANS.
THIS IS COMING FROM DUDLEY. HE'S WIDELY RECOGNIZED AROUND OUR STATE AND IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
HE DOESN'T TAKE A DIME. HE DOESN'T WANT ME TO SAY STUFF LIKE THIS. HE TRAVELS AT HIS EXPENSE.
HE TAKES CARE OF VETERANS AT HIS EXPENSE. HE DOESN'T TAKE A PENNY TO COVER THE EXPENSES OF WHAT HE DOES FOR VETERANS. HOME AGAIN ST. JOHNS, THE VETERANS VILLAGE, WE HAVE ALL BEEN OUT THERE AND UNDERSTAND THE GOOD WORK THEY ARE DOING. JUST TO HELP OUR VETERANS IN ST.
FOR THIS REASON, YES, AT THE END OF THE MEETING, I'M BRINGING THIS UP.
I ACCEPT YOUR CRITICISM FOR DOING THAT.
[04:45:02]
>> I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION.
>> YES, MA'AM. YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
>> IF I COULD JUST ASK A QUESTION.
I WOULD LIKE CLARIFICATION? IS THIS A VETERANS GRANT? CAN YOU JUST CONFIRM? THANK YOU.
>> SORRY, MR. CHAIR. THIS WOULD BE A ONE- TIME GRANT OF $125,000. JUST FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
I'M OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE SPEAKING WITH COLONEL DUDLEY AND OTHERS THAT MAYBE WE WANT TO INCLUDE THIS FUNDING IF HE ANTICIPATES FUNDING TO INCLUDE IT IN THE BUDGET PROCESS SO FOLKS HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS.
>> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. WAS THIS GRANT APPROVED LAST YEAR?
>> WHAT ABOUT THE YEAR BEFORE?
>> I'M NOT SURE WE DID IT THE YEAR BEFORE.
I THINK LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRGS YEAR WE HAD THE VETERANS VILLAGE THAT WAS OPERATIONAL. I KNOW WE DID ALLOCATE SOME FUNDING WITH ARPA DOLLARS.
SO THIS HAS BEEN A PROJECT THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED PUBLICLY FOR YEARS, YES, SIR.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? >> LET'S VOTE.
>> I NEED TO PUT MY DPLASS ON. IS THAT 4-0? PASSES 4-0. THANK YOU.
>> MR. CHAIR, I WOULD LIKE FOR THE SAKE OF CLARIFICATION.
IT'S GENERAL FUND RESERVE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I STILL HAVE A COUPLE MORE THINGS?
>> I KNOW. I'M STILL GETTING USED TO IT.
FORGIVE ME. THERE'S A LEARNING CURVE HERE.
I DO WANT TO END ON A GOOD NOTE. WE STARTED THE MEETING WITH GOOD NEWS WITH ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES. I WANT TO END THE MEETING WITH SOME GOOD NEWS. JANUARY 31ST, THE FIELD OF DREAMS IS HAVING THEIR SEASON OPENING DAY CEREMONIES.
IT'S IN MY DISTRICT, BUT I WILL TELL YOU I NEVER MET ANYBODY WHO CAME OUT TO FIELD OF DREAMS OPENING SR. POINTS THAT DIDN'T LEAVE WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACE.
THERE'S KIDS RUNNING AROUND THAT FIELD, THE HOT DOGS ARE FREE.
WE DON'T CHARGE -- THE GUYS WHO PUT TOGETHER FIELD OF DREAMS, THEY DON'T CHARGE ANYBODY FOR ANYTHING. IT PULLS IN KIDS FROM ALL COUNTIES, BUT IT'S PRIMARILY FOR J. STONS COUNTY KIDS.
IT'S A WONDERFUL EVENT IN ABERDEEN PARK AT 11:00 IN THE MORNING OPT JANUARY 31ST. AND THE LAST BIT OF GOOD NEWS TO ROUND OUT MY REPORT IS SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE NEWS STORY THAT CAME OUT THAT ST.
JOHNS COUNTY IS THE ONLY COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY WITH A POPULATION OF OVER 300,000 PEOPLE THAT DID NOT HAVE A CRIMINAL HOMICIDE IN THE YEAR 2025. SO SOME OF OF Y'ALL CAN TAKE TO THE SHERIFF AND ASK HOW HE PULLED THAT OFF, BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS A TESTAMENT TO THE GOOD WORK OF OUR SHERIFFS OFFICE AND THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE HERE. WE LIVE IN A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL PLACE WITH GREAT PEOPLE. AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS A PRETTY INCREDIBLE STAT. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER TAYLOR?
>> THANK YOU. ON THAT NOTE, I'M GOING TO GO RIGHT INTO A SHARE OF STORY. WE DO AN AMAZING SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT. I AM REALLY EXCITED TO SHARE SOME PHOTOS THAT I RECEIVED FROM MICHAEL CLARK LAST WEEK.
AND THESE ARE FROM TWO RECENT HOMELESS CAMP CLEANUPS.
ONE IS ACROSS FROM THE LIBRARY, AND THE OTHER IS ACROSS FROM THE VILLAGE INN. BOTH WERE VERY VISIBLE FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND THEY WERE BOTH CLEANED UP AND HAVE THREE TRAILERS FULL OF TRASH, AS YOU CAN JUST SEE HOW MANY BAGS IN THAT ONE PHOTO.
STARTING THIS MONTH, THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE, THEIR REENTRY OUTREACH TEAM HAS INITIATED SOMETHING CALLED OPERATION SWORD. AND THEY WILL ADDRESS ANY OCCUPANTS RESIDING WITHIN THE CAMPS AND OFFER SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO POTENTIALLY HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. AND ONCE THE OCCUPANTS ARE VACATED FROM THE CAMP, THEY HAVE WORK SQUADS THAT COME IN, THEY REMOVE ALL THE DEBRIS. THIS PROGRAM WILL HELP DRAMATICALLY TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COUNTY THROUGH GROUP EFFORTS WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCE PARTNERS AND THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE. THIS ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION PROGRAM STARTED THIS MONTH AND IT'S GOING TO BE RUNNING THROUGH MARCH OF THIS YEAR. SO PLEASE CONTACT SERGEANT CLARK AT THE CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE SCREEN. I WANT TO THANK HIM SO MUCH FOR ALL HE DOES FOR OUR COUNTY. WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE HIM IN THIS COUNTY.
WE'RE SO BLESSED. GOD BLESS HIM ASK WHAT HE DOES.
ALSO I DID WANT TO COMMENT ON -- I REALLY APPRECIATED SUNNY AND
[04:50:06]
ARTHUR THIS MORNING. THEY WERE SPEAKING ON THE ST. AUGUSTINE COMPASSIONATE VILLAGE.JOHNS COUNTY WITH THE GROWING SENIOR POPULATION AND LIMITED ACCESS TO SERVICES. I WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME FLORIDA'S MODEL COUNTY FOR THE AGEING PLACE. SENIORS WANT TO BE INDEPENDENT FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
AND THIS PROGRAM CAN REALLY HELP WITH THAT.
SO I'M VERY PROUD TO SUPPORT THE FIRST VILLAGE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND WE'RE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE IT RIGHT HERE, POSSIBLY IN OUR BACKYARD.
SO I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO EACH OF YOU AND SEE IF I COULD GET CONSENSUS TO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR THIS AMAZING NONPROFIT.
I KNOW THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE COMMITTED TO $20,000.
I THINK THIS MORNING THEY WERE ASKING FOR AT LEAST $40,000 TO HELP THEM GET STARTED AND GET LAUNCHED SOON, SO I WOULD JUST LOVE SOME FEEDBACK.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE READY TODAY OR WOULD LIKE TO BRING IT BACK AS AN AGENDA ITEM, BUT REALLY EXCITED A ABOUT THIS PROGRAM THAT CAN REALLY HELP OUR SENIORS.
>> THANK YOU. I LOVE WHAT THEY DO. I THINK IT'S A GREAT SUGGESTION.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF IT.
>> DO WE VOTE ON THAT FOR THE $40,000?
>> TAKE IT TO STAFF. >> SO IS THE CONSENSUS TO BRING YOU BACK A FUNDING AGREEMENT? WE HAVE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT, SO I NEED TO RESEARCH THE NONPROFIT AND SET UP DELIVERABLES.
WE ALREADY HAVE THAT WITH VETERANS VILLAGE, SO WE KNOW THAT FUNDING AGREEMENT, BUT SINCE THIS IS A NEW NONPROFIT, I NEED TO LOOK AT THEIR STATUS AND FIGURE OUT THE DELIVERABLES FOR THEM. WE CAN BRING YOU BACK THAT AGREEMENT.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I KNOW THIS IS NEW.
GREAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, EVERYBODY. ASK JUST REAL QUICK AS WELL, I KNOW WE ARE ALL AWARE THAT NIGHT OF LIGHTS OFFICIALLY ENDED ON JANUARY 11TH. I ATTENDED A COMMUNITY ALLIANCE MEETING THE VERY NEXT DAY ON JANUARY 12TH AND HEARD A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS. I DID A WALKING TOUR WITH THE MAYOR ON DECEMBER 26TH. SHE HELPED PICK THAT DATE.
IT WAS A VERY QUIET EVENING. I'M BEING SARCASTIC.
WE RODE THE SHUTTLE FROM THE COUNTY BUILDING, AND WE DID KIND OF A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT NIGHT OF LIGHTS. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE DETAILS ABOUT HOW THE CHANGES IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR WENT, AND WHAT CHANGES NEED TO BE WORKED ONGOING FORWARD.
THE SHUTTLES DID HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN USAGE THIS YEAR.
LAST YEAR THERE WERE AROUND 19,000 RIDERS THAT USED THE SHUTTLE. THIS YEAR THERE WERE AROUND 76,000. SO SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE SHUTTLES.
ALSO THE NEW NIGHT OF LIGHTS, OUR FIRST YEAR WITH THAT NIGHT OF LIGHTS APP HAD OVER 60,000 DOWNLOADS OF THAT. SO WE'LL BE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THAT. I WAS DOWNTOWN THIS PAST HOLIDAY WEEKEND, MLK WEEKEND, AS WE ALL KNOW.
UNFORTUNATELY, FRIDAY EVENING AS WELL AS SUNDAY EVENING, WERE VERY, VERY SLOW. SO SATURDAY NOT SO MUCH, BUT FRIDAY AND SUNDAY WERE VERY, VERY SLOW. BUT THAT JUST ABOUT CONCLUDES.
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS FOR COMMISSIONER JOSEPH AT THIS TIME. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT SHE'S GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST HAVE A COUPLE THINGS.
I ALSO WANT TO ADD MY VOICE TO YOURS AND SAY MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.
SHE'S GONE THROUGH AN AWFUL LOT THIS YEAR IN LOSING HER HUSBAND TODAY AND HER OWN PERSONAL HEALTH BATTLE. JUST WANTED TO GIVE MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES AND REMIND HER WE'RE HERE FOR WHATEVER SHE NEEDS. ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
WENT TO D.C. LAST WEEK. WE GOT A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT OUR BUILD GRANTS. WE HAVE ACTUALLY IED FOR TWO BUILD GRANTS THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF $25 MILLION EACH. WE GOT COMMITMENTS FOR SUPPORT LETTERS FROM SENATOR SCOTT, SENATOR MOODY, REPRESENTATIVE FINE, REPRESENTATIVE RUTHERFORD, REPRESENTATIVE DONALDS.
WE ALSO GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO D.O.T.
WE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED BACK COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE
[04:55:02]
STAFFER THAT WE MET WITH ABOUT SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR THOSE GRANTS, SO WE'RE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE VISIT THAT WE HAD TO PUSH THIS FORWARD. THE BUILD GRANTS WOULD COVER $25 MILLION OF THE WIDENING AND $25 MILLION OF THE 2209 INTERCHANGE, WHICH WE SO DESPERATELY NEED.THOSE ARE ORGANIC CHOKE POINTS THAT A FIX WILL GO A LONG WAYS TOWARDS HELPING. ESPECIALLY PEOPLE COMING OUT OF JACKSONVILLE IN THE AFTERNOON. SO IT WAS A GOOD, PRODUCTIVE MEETING. WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN A
[County Administrator's Report]
GOOD POSITION TO GET THOSE GRANTS.>> THANK YOU. I JUST HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE.
THE UTILITY DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A RATING INCREASE THIS MORNING FROM MOODY'S RATINGS. THEY UPGRADED ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO AA-1. 2026 BONDS AND STABLE OUTLOOK.
I'M JUST GOING TO READ A COUPLE SENTENCES FROM THIS REPORT. I THINK THAT'S WORTH NOETING.
THE UPGRADE TO AA-1 REFLECTS THE ENTERPRISE'S EXCEPTIONAL CASH POSITION AND STRONG SERVICE COVERAGE, WHICH CNSISTENTLY EXCEEDS PROJECTIONS.
THE STABLE OUTLOOK REFLECTS STRONG MANAGEMENT, A GROWING CUSTOMER BASE AND ADEQUATE CAPACITY. WE WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE TEAM, SPECIFICALLY WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO JAMES, AN DILIGENT WORK. AND ALSO DO WANT TO SHARE THAT I HAVE JUST COMMUNICATED WITH COMMISSIONER JOSEPH AND MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HER AND HER FAMILY.
SHE'S GOING TO SHARE WITH MORE
[County Attorney's Report]
SERVICE DETAILS AND I'LL MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY RECEIVES THAT INFORMATION. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.>> THANK YOU. JUST OFFER ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OCA OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH AND HER FAMILY.
WITHOUT FURTHER BUSINESS, WE ARE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.