[00:00:03]
ADJOURNED. >>> NOW I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF
[Call to Order]
THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, APRIL 7, 2020, AT 10:41.WE'LL NOW MOVE ALONG. WE DO HAVE EVERYBODY IN ORDER. I WOULD LIKE TO JUST REITERATE A FEW THINGS THAT I HAD MENTIONED EARLIER IN REGARD TO THIS MEETING IN CASE ANYBODY NOW HAS SEEN FIT TO JOIN US. THIS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IS BEING CONDUCTED WITH CONSENT OF GOVERNOR DE SANTIS BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 20-69 SUSPENDING THE REQUIREMENT OF A PHYSICAL QUORUM AND PROVIDING FOR A VIRTUAL QUORUM DUE TO THE CURRENT STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA RESULTING FROM THE SPREAD OF THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS COVID-19. IN ORDER TO FURTHER MITIGATE THE TRANSMISSION OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND REDUCE RISK OF COVID-19 ILLNESS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAS ADOPTED PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT MEETINGS USING REMOTE PARTICIPATION THROUGH EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION NUMBER 2020-3. SO THAT THE PUBLIC HAS A MEANS TO COMMENT DURING THE MEETING WITHOUT PHYSICALLY ATTENDING. ALONG WITH PRIOR COMMUNICATIONS INCLUDING EMAIL, THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO COMMENT BY TELEPHONE WHILE WATCHING THE MEETING VIA GTV OR BY STREAMING POSTED ON THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE. THE WEBSIT ALSO PROVIDES THE TELENUMBER PHONE -- TELEPHONE NUMBER TO USE TO CALL INTO THE MEETING.
EVEN IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DO NOT PROVIDE COMMENTS PARTICIPANTS ARE ADVISED THAT PEOPLE MAY BE LISTENING WHO DO NOT PROVIDE COMMENT AND THOSE PERSONS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES. THIS MEETING IS BEING RECORDED. FOR THOSE CALLING IN COMMENT, IF YOU RECEIVE A BUSY SIGNAL, PLEASE CALL BACK. IN ADDITION, CONTINUE TO WATCH GTV WHILE YOU ARE COMMENTING BECAUSE A THREE MINUTE TIMER WILL BE VISIBLE TO YOU.
WHILE AWAITING TO COMMENT.PHONE- PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A SLIGHT DELAY, MAYBE FIVE TO NINE SECONDS, IN VISUAL PRESENTATIONS AND PERHAPS UP TO 30 SECONDS IN VERBAL RESPONSE TIMES.
IF WE HAVE ANY DIFFICULT DIFFICULTIES WE MAY RECESS OR TRY TO ADDRESS THOSE AS WE MOVE ALONG. ALSO THE MEETING MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE UNDER AGENDAS AND MINUTES. AND ONCE YOU FIND THE MEETING AGENDA YOU CAN CLICK ON THE AGENDA ITEM TO ACCESS ALL THE SUPPORTING MATERIALS.
ALSO, IN THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WE WILL BE CONDUCTING OUR VOTES VIA ROLL CALL VOTE AND MOVE ALONG INTO OUR REGULAR MEETING NOW.
MAY I HAVE THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CHAIR COMMISSIONER JEB SMITH.
>> YES. >> VICE CHAIR JEREMIAH BLOCKER. >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER JOHNS. >> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER PAUL WALDRON.
>> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER HENRY DEAN. >> PRESENT.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH COMMISSIONERS. WE'LL NOW HAVE INVOCATION.
PASTOR GATLIN. IF EVERYBODY WOULD PLEASE STAND. DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. WE THANK YOU FOR THE MEANING AS CHRISTIANS WHAT THIS WEEK MEANS AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR. WE LIFT UP THIS COUNTRY AND ITS LEADERS.
GOD WE LIFT UP THIS STATE AND ITS LEADERS AND WE LIFT UP THIS COUNTY AND ITS LEADERS.
MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE WORKING TIRELESSLY TO MAKE HUGE DECISIONS.
A LOT OF THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE WILL NOT BE POPULAR. GOD WE PRAY THEY WILL BE PEPPERED WITH PRAYER AND BE WHAT'S RIGHT. GOD WE PRAY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WORKING TIRELESSLY AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE DECISIONS TO PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. WE PAY FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY SEE THEIR LOVED ONES COME IN TO WORK AND WORK TIRELESS HOURS AND COME BACK HOME.
WE PLAY FOR YOUR HEDGE OF PROTECTION AROUND THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR MARRIAGES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS. GOD WE PRAY FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S DISCUSSED IN THIS MEETING. GOD MAY WE SIT BACK AND REST AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF EVERY ATOM, EVERY MOLECULE, EVERY GERM. AND WE PUT THIS MEETING IN YOUR HANDS AS WELL. GOD WE LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU LOVED US FIRST.
WE ASK THESE THINGS IN GEES JESUS'S NAME. AMEN.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU. WILL YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[Proclamations]
[00:05:07]
NOT HAVE -- THAT WILL BE READ INTO THE RECORD. WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE ANYBODY PRESENT TO BE RECEIVING THEM. SO WE'RE GOING TO READ THEM FROM THE DAIS THIS MORNING.AND WE'LL START OFF WITH A PROCLAMATION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
>> GOOD MORNING. THIS IS NEEDED PROCLAMATION FOR THE PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE.
NOT A GREAT ONE TO HAVE TO GIVE THOUGH. WHEREAS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH IS INTENDED TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS WIDESPREAD AND HAS PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS FOR EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
AND WHEREAS RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IMPACT OUR CMMUNITY AS SEEN BY STATISTICS INDICATING THAT ONE IN FIVE WOMEN AND ONE IN 16 MEN WILL HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ASSAULT DURING THEIR TIME IN COLLEGE. WHEREAS SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION MUST BE A PRIORITY TO CONFRONT THE REALITY THAT ONE IN SIX BOYS AND ONE IN FOUR GIRLS WILL EXPERIENCE SEXUAL ASSAULT BEFORE THE AGE OF 18. AND WHEREAS WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HOW TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS.
AND WHEREAS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OF ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAMS AT THE BETTY GRIFFIN HOUSE ENCOURAGE EVERY PERSON TO SPEAK OUT WHEN WITNESSING ACTS OF VIOLENCE HOWEVER SMALL.
AND WHEREAS WITH LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT, THERE IS COMPELLING EVIDENCE THAT WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN ST. JOHNS THROUGH PREVENTION, EDUCATION, INCREASED AWARENESS, AND HOLDING PERPETRATORS WHO COMMIT ACTS OF VIOLENCE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. WHEREAS BETTY GRIFFIN HOUSE STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL PAR PARTNERS AND OF EVERY CITIZEN TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EFFORTS INCLUDING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS, HOW TO PREVENT IT, HOW TO HELP SURVIVORS CONNECT WITH SERVICES, AND HOW EVERY SEGMENT OF OUR SOCIETY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO BETTER ADDRESS SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA THAT APRIL 2020 BE DESIGNATED AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA THIS 7TH DAY OF APRIL 2020. SIGNED JEB S. SMITH CHAIRMAN. ATTEST BRANDON PATTY CLERK OF
COURTS. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU COMMISSIONER WALDRON. OUR NEXT
PROCLAMATION IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.
WHILE IT'S A SOMBER SUBJECT IT'S SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO BE AWARE OF, BE VIGILANT ABOUT TO ERADICATE THIS SCOURGE FROM OUR COUNTRY AND OUR WORLD. A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA. WHEREAS ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING ITS MOST VULNERABLE AND WILL ALWAYS EMPOWER OUR CHILDREN TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND LEAD HEALTHY LIVES. AND WHEREAS EACH CHILD DES A SAFE, HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOME WHERE THEY'RE DEVELOPMENTALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY ON TRACK.
WHEREAS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CAN IMPACT A CHILD'S LIFELONG HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
WHEREAS CHILDREN ABUSED AND NEGLECTED MAY SUFFER PHYSICAL EMERGENCIES, EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES AND LONG-TERM AFFECTS OF TRAUMA. WHEREAS RESEARCH SHOWS THAT PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WHO HAVE SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND SEEK HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE ARE MORE RESILIENT AND BETTER ABLE TO PROVIDE SAFE ENVIRONMENTS AND NURTURING EXPERIENCES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. AND WHEREAS EVERY PERSON SHOULD MAKE CHILDREN A TOP PRIORITY AND TAKE MEANINGFUL ACTION TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WHEREAS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO PUT CHILDREN FIRST AND ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA THAT APRIL 2020 BE DESIGNATED AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.
IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND CALL UPON ALL CITIZENS, COMMUNITY AGENCIES, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND BUSINESSES TO INCREASE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN OUR EFFORT TO PREVENT CHILD AB ABUSE THEREBY STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE LIVE. PASSED AND ADOPTED ABOUT I THIS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA THIS 7TH DAY OF APRIL 2020. ATTESTED BY BRANDON PATTY, CLERK OF COURTS. THE BOARD OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CHAIR JEB SMITH.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU. OUR NEXT PROCLAMATION IS RECOGNIZING APRIL 2020 AS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH. PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA. WHEREAS WATER IS A BASIC AND ESSENTIAL NEED TO EVERY LIVING
[00:10:03]
CREATURE AND WHEREAS THE STATE OF FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS AND THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER CONSERVATION. WHEREAS ST. JOHNS COUNTY THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS DESIGNATED APRIL TYPICALLY A DRY MONTH WHEN WATER DEMANDS ARE MOST ACUTE FLORIDA'S WATER CONSERVATION MONTH TO EDUCATE CITIZENS ABOUT HOW THEY CAN HELP SAVE FLORIDA'S PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES.AND WHEREAS THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED WATER CONSERVATION THROUGH VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS AND WHEREAS EVERY BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, SCHOOL AND CITIZEN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO CONSERVING WATER AND WHEREAS EVERY BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, SCHOOL AND CITIZEN CAN ASSIST BY TAKING PART IN WATER SAVING TECHNIQUES AND THUS PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY AND COMMUNITY.
THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA, THAT APRIL 2020 BE DESIGNATED AS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH. CALLING UPON EACH CITIZEN AND BUSINESS TO HELP PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCE BY PRACTICING WATER SAVING MEASURES AND BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE NEED TO SAVE WATER. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA THIS 7TH DAY OF APRIL 2020.
ATTEST BRANDON PATTY, CLERK OF COURTS. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA JEB SMITH CHAIR. WE HAVE READ THREE PROJECT LA PLACES. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THESE PROCLAMATIONS.
>> COMMISSIONER: MOTION TO APPROVE >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER JOHNS. A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON. WE'LL DO AS ROLL CALL. COMMISSIONER DEAN?
>> YES >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER?
>> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER WALDRON.
>> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER JOHNS?
>> YES >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I'M A YES AS WELL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE PROCLAMATIONS PASS 5-0. ALL RIGHT WE'LL MOVE INTO PUBLIC
COMMENT. COMMISSIONER? >> COMMISSIONER: AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS THAT ARE NOT ON REGULAR AGENDA.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD SHOULD COME TO THE PODIUM OR PHONE IN AND SAY HIS OR HER NAME AND ADDRESS.
EACH PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE BOARD'S RULE OF DEC DECORUM. COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE AND NOT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER AND MAY NOT INCLUDE A DEPLANNED FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD. NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PERSONAL, PERTINENT OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ANY DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATION OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF COMMENTS. I WOULD ASK THAT ANY PERSON THAT PRESENTS ANY OVERHEAD MATERIAL PLEASE PRESENT THAT MATERIAL TO THE STAFF OF THE CLERK OF COURT TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD. THANK YOU. PLEASE COME FORWARD OR PHONE IN.
SEEING NONE, I HAVE NO PUBLIC COMMENT, MR. CHAIR. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: WITH PUBLIC
[Consent Agenda]
COMMENT CLOSED. WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD FOR ANY DELETIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.COMMISSIONER DEAN? >> NO. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
BLOCKER? >> NO SIR. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
WALDRON? >> NONE. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
JOHN? >> NONE SIR. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH:
ADMINISTRATION. >> NONE SIR >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: LEGAL.
>> NONE >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER JOHNS, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON. WE'LL DO A ROLL CALL. COMMISSIONER DEAN?
>> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER?
>> YES, SIR. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: MISSIONER WALDRON.
>> YES >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER JOHN.
>> YES. >> I AM A YES AS WELL. DELETIONS TO THE LAST AGENDA
[Regular Agenda]
MARCH 31ST THIS BOARD VOTED TO POSTPONE THE EX-PARTE PORTIONS OF THIS AGENDA WHICH WOULD BE AGENDA ITEM NUMBERS 1, 2, 3, 4, 11 AND 12. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MODIFICATION TO AS WELL BECAUSE WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS AGENDA TODAY TO APPROVE, AGENDA ITEM 12 HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO BE WITH WITHDRAWN.SO, WE HAVE POSTPONED AGAIN, WHICH WE VOTED FOR LAST TUESDAY, MARCH 31ST, AGENDA ITEMS NUMBERS 1, 2, 3, 4, 11 AND 12. BUT EVEN AS BETWEEN TUESDAY AND TODAY, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 12 -- FIVE AS WELL. AND AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 12 HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO BE WITH DRAWN.
[00:15:07]
SO, ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE NEED IN REGARD TO ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THIS REGULARAGENDA. COMMISSIONER DEAN? >> NONE.
>> COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? >> NO SIR. >> COMMISSIONER WALDRON?
>> NONE. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNS? >> NONE SIR.
>> ADMINISTRATION, LEGAL. >> NONE. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: WITH THAT SAID, AS AMENDED WITH THAT REQUEST, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS AGENDA.
>> COMMISSIONER: MOTION TO APPROVE. >> COMMISSIONER: SECOND.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED, COMMISSIONER JOBS.
A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON. ROLL CALL.
YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I WILL BE A YES AS WELL.
ALL RIGHT WE'RE MOVING ALONG INTO THE REGULAR AGENDA WHICH WILL BEGIN WITH AGENDA ITEM
[Items 6 & 7]
NUMBER 6. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6. MR. SEERLY.ACTUALLY WE'LL HEAR NUMBER 6 AND 7 TOGETHER. NUMBER 6 AND 7 TOGETHER.
GOOD MORNING, SIR. >> SPEAKER: GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE ALL HEALTHY. IT IS THE CREATION OF THE WORKFORCE HOUSING ZONING
DISTRICT. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: CAN YOU PULL THAT MICROPHONE UP JUST A LITTLE
BIT. I'M HAVING TROUBLE HEARING YOU. >> SPEAKER: SO THIS IS ON THIS AGENDA ITEM WE'LL BE HEARING THE LDC AMENDMENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES AMENDMENTS FOR THE CREATION OF A WORKFORCE HOUSING ZONING DISTRICT. THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TEXT AMENDMENT THIS IS THE TRANSMITTAL HEARING WHERE YOU WILL APPROVE TO MOVE IT TOWARD STATE AND EMERGENCY REVIEW. AND TO ANNOUNCE FUTURE HEARING DATES OF MAY 21, 2020, FOR PZA AND JULY 7, 2020, FOR BCC. THAT IS A 5:00 P.M. HEARING. WITH A MAJORITY PLUS ONE VOTE THE BOARD CAN CHOOSE TO PUT IT ON THE REGULAR AGENDA 9:00 A.M. WHICH WE CAN TOUCH BASE ON AFTER THE PRESENTATION. THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS REZONE THE DENSITY CHARTS. IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR DENSITY MAXIMUMS AND ADDITIONAL DENSITY AND LAND USE DESIGNATIONS FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING. THE LAND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT CREATES A NEW ZONING DESIGNATION AND PROVIDES FOR NEW SITE DESIGN STA STANDARDS. NOVEMBER 5TH LAST YEAR WE BROUGHT THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU GUYS AS A DISCUSSION ITEM. AND WERE DIRECT TO CREATE THIS ZONING DISTRICT TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF WORKFORCE HOUSING AND THROUGH THE CREATION OF REGULATIONS AND DENSITY BONUSES THIS CAME AT THE COLLABORATION OF COMMISSIONERS AND VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS AND STAFF AND RESULTED IN A MORE REFINED PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ALLOW THE FREE MARKET TO PRODUCE WORKFORCE HOUSING AT A FIXED MARKET RATE PRICE THAT FELL WITHIN THE FLORIDA STATUTE DEFINITIONS AND HUD DEFINITIONS OF AFFORDABLE. SUMMARIZE.
THIS AMENDMENT CREATES ADD ADDITIONAL DENSITY TO INSEN VAT CONSTRUCTION OF HOMES.
ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OFHO WORKING CLASS WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
I WILL PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF A SUMMARY OF THE COMP PLAN AM AMEN AMENDMENTS. I'LL HAVE TO APOLOGIZE IN THE STAFF REPORT FOR THE LDC WE HAD LISTED ANOTHER CONCEPT, THE DENSITY BONUSES FOR THE FIRST CONCEPT WE HAD.
AND I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION. HOWEVER, THE COMP AMENDMENT SUMMARY DOES ALLOW ADDITIONAL DENSITY IN THE REZ B LAND USE. IT ALSO AMENDS PROVISIONS TO ALLOW THE CURRENT MAXIMUM DENSITY WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL C AND MIXED USE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS WITHOUT THE NEED TO REZONE THE PUD. WE HAVE A PROVISION THAT ALLOWS FOR ADDITIONAL UNITS PER ACRE IF YOU REZONE TO PUD WE'RE ELIMINATING THAT SIMILAR TO THE ST. AUGUSTINE OVERLAY DISTRICT. IT ALSO -- ONE OTHER THING WE DIDN'T BRING UP LAST TIME AND I THINK I DISCUSSED THIS WITH COMMISSIONER WALDRON AND SEVERAL OTHERS, WE DIDN'T INCLUDE THE RESIDENTIAL D LAND USE AND THESE AMENDMENTS. I'VE FIELDED PERSONALLY SEVERAL CALLS FROM SMALL DEVELOPERS IN WEST ST. AUGUSTINE THAT WOULD LIKE TO UTILIZE THAT ADDITIONAL DENSITY FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING. SO IT WOULD BE MY REQUEST, STAFF'S REQUEST THAT WE WOULD INCLUDE THAT RESIDENTIAL B FUTURE LAND USE AS WELL. ADDITIONALLY WHAT THE SUMMARY DOES, IT INCLUDES WORKFORCE HOUSING THROUGHOUT THE POLICIES OF THE TERM OF WORKFORCE HOUSING
[00:20:03]
AND DEFINES IT AND REFOR MATS THE DENSITY. THE LAND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENTS, IT IMPLEMENTS THE DENSITY BONUS WITHIN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT.CREATES A NEW ZONING DISTRICT WITH NEW SITE DEPARTMENT STANDARDS.
ALLOWS FOR MORE DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES. AND RELAXES THE SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS. THE NEW ZONING DISTRICT WOULD WORK IS THAT A DEVELOPER WOULD BE REQUIRED TO DEDICATE 40 PERCENT OF OVERALL UNITS AS WORKFORCE UNITS.
AND THESE UNITS WILL BE SOLD WITH MAXIMUM SALES PRICE OF $210,000 OR BELOW.
THEY MUST BE OWNER OCCUPIED UPON TRANSFER OF TITLE AND REQUIRE LANDOWNERS TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION WITHIN 21 MONTHS OR REVERT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ZONING DISTRICT. STAFF HAD ACQUIRED SOME DATA FROM THE PROPERTY APPRAISER OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS UP TO 2018 AND WE SAW THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A TREND IN HOMES BEING SOLD ABOVE $300,000 AND DECREASING TREND OF HOMES BEING SOLD BELOW THAT. SO THE PRICE POINT, MEDIAN ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS 7,300. THE MODERATE INCOME BRACKET OF THIS FAMILIES MAKING BETWEEN $58,087,000 A YEAR AND THAT CAPTURES MOST OF THE -- $58,000 AND $87,000 A YEAR.
THEREFORE A FAMILY MAKING 100 PERCENT OF THE ANNUAL MEDIAN INCOME COULD AFFORD A HOME PRICE OF $244,000. THEREFORE STAFF AGREES A PRICE POINT OF 210,000 WILL HIT OUR GOAL OF HOUSING THE WORKFORCE HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THE NEW STANDARDS WOULD REDUCE LOT SIZES AND WIDTHS, REDUCE SETBACKS, PERMIT MULTIPLE HOME TYPES, INCREASE LOT COVERAGE, AND PROVIDE FOR THOSE DENSITY MAXIMUMS AND THE DENSITY BONUS IN RESIDENTIAL B.
SO, IN CONCLUSION THE NEW WORKFORCE HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE FREE MARKET TO PRODUCE ATTAINABLE HOUSING FOR THOSE PEOPLE MANAGING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 80 AND 100% OF THE ANNUAL MEDIAN INCOME. I THINK THE $210,000 PRICE POINT IS ABOUT, IF MY PATH IS CORRECT, IS ABOUT 88% OF THE ANNUAL MEDIAN INCREASE OF $73,300. SO, BEFORE WE CONCLUDE WITH THIS, I HAVE -- WE CAUGHT SEVERAL AMENDMENTS WE'D LIKE TO INCLUDE WITHIN THIS PROPOSAL.
AND THESE ARE JUST TO CLARIFY. SO STAFF DFRNT CATCH THIS. WE'D LIKE TO INCLUDE THIS IN THE VERBIAGE. THE MIXED USE LAND USE DISTRICT, WE WANTED TO CLARIFY IN POLICY 8194 THAT MIXED USE DISTRICTS OVER TEN ACRES ARE REQUIRED TO DO A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT.
WE'D LIKE TO EMIT THAT PROVISION AND ADD THE CAVEAT THAT THIS REQUIREMENT SHALL NOT APPLY TO DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE WORKFORCE HOUSING ZONING DISTRICT. THE OTHER POLICY WE'D LIKE TO INCLUDE IN THIS VERBIAGE BEFORE IT'S SENT TO THE STATE. POLICY A191.
THIS IS WHERE IT SPEAKS TO OPTIONAL DENSITY BONUSES. THIS WOULD NOT APPLY TO THE WORKFORCE HOUSE ZONING DISTRICT. TO SUMMARIZE. ANOTHER ADDITIONAL CORRECTION WITHIN THE STAFF REPORT. IT REFERENCES A ONE-YEAR DEED RESTRICTION.
NOW THAT WAS INCORRECT. IT WAS FROM A PRIOR CONCEPT. WE TRIED TO COMPILE MULTIPLE STAFF REPORTS INTO ONE. MY APOLOGIES. BUT THE DEED RESTRICTION WOULD BE FROM THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOME AT A PRICE POINT OF $210,000 TO THE INITIAL SALE.
AND THEN THE DEED RESTRICTION WILL BE COMPLETE AND FINISHED. WE WILL PROVIDE DURING THE ADOPTION HEARING IF WE DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD WE WILL PROVIDE A COPY OR TEMPLATE OF THAT DEED RESTRICTION FOR YOUR REVIEW AS WELL AS A COA. SO, WE'LL -- WILL BE HEARD BY THE BCC ON APRIL 7, 2020. I'M SORRY. MAY 21ST.
[00:25:01]
JULY 7TH, 2020. IF APPROVED, BOTH AMENDMENTS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE STATE AND AGENCIES FOR REVIEW. HERE ARE YOUR MOTIONS AND LIKE I SAID THERE ARE SOME VERBIAGE CHANGES THAT I JUST PROVIDED FOR YOU SO THE MOTION WOULD CHANGE AT THE ANNOUNCED PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PZA AND BOARD AND ALSO TO TRANSMIT WITH CHANGES AS PROVIDED.SO THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I'M HERE AS WELL AS I THINK THERE'S A FEW PEOPLE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS.
WE DID HAVE ONE EMAIL THAT WAS SENT TO ME. I WAS ASKED TO READ IT DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. I'LL DO THAT AFTER EVERYONE ELSE SPEAK.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. SEER? COMMISSIONER DEAN, COMMISSIONER
BLOCKER, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. SEERLY? >> THIS IS COMMISSIONER BLOCKER.
NONE AT THIS TIME. >> THIS IS DEAN. I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION AT THIS POINT BUT JUST A HEADS UP SINCE I'M REMOTE. I WILL BE OFFERING OR I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO THIS MOTION BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT, WITH NO QUESTIONS, WE'LL WE'LL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> COMMISSIONER: WE'LL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6 AND 7.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY, FIRST, THANK YOU ALL FOR WORKING ON THIS AND I THINK JOE DID A GREAT JOB OF EXPLAINING. WE BEGAN A GROUP OF PEOPLE BEGAN WORKING ON THIS ALMOST A YEAR AGO INCLUDING STAFF, ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS. I WAS PART OF THAT AND SOME OTHER INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES. I THINK WHAT WE HAVE, IT MAY NOT BE PERFECT, I'M SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE IT, BUT I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL WORK AND I SUPPORT IT AND I INTEND TO AND I STATED THIS BEFORE I INTEND TO PUT TOGETHER A PROJECT UNDER THIS NEW ZONING. AND I THINK WE CAN MAKE IT WORK. AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. I WON'T BELABOR THINGS I KNOW WE'VE BEEN HERE LONGER THAN
EVERYBODY EXPECTED. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU. ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT?
IF YOU WILL READ THAT IN RECORD. >> BEING WE ONLY HAVE ONE I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BENEFIBENEFICIAL. THIS IS FROM BETH. SHE WAS ILL TODAY.
SHE SAID I'D LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK ON THE ISSUE.
EVERYTHING HERE IS HELPFUL TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PRODUCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. TO WE HAVE ONE REQUEST IN THIS UNCERTAIN UNECONOMIC TIME EVEN MORE OF THIS PRODUCT WILL BE NEEDED. CAN YOU PLEASE RAISE THE MAX PRICE FROM 210 TO 250. I'VE HEARD FROM THE COMMISSION THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHOULD BE LOCATED NEAR SERVICES. IN THOSE AREAS THE LAND IS MORE EXPENSIVE.
I DON'T SEE A DOWNSIDE FOR THE COUNTY TO RAISE THE MAX TO $250,000.
IT COSTS THE COUNTY NOTHING BUT HAS EVERYTHING TO GAIN BY PROVIDING A HOME TO RAISE A FAMILY ESPECIALLY NOW WITH PEOPLE ORDERED TO STAY HOME. ADDITIONALLY I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ACCESSORY UNIT AT DISCUSSION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A PHONE CALL, MIKE? OKAY. GOOD MORNING. IF WE COULD HAVE YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PLEASE. >> PUBLIC SPEAKER: JOAN TISHER AT 2350 GOLDEN LAKE LOOP ST. AUGUSTINE. I AM A 65-YEAR-OLD OR 66-YEAR-OLD SENIOR AND MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN THE MODERATE INCOME BRACKET. AND I JUST WANT TO RECOMMEND THAT SOME OF THE HOUSING BE FIRST FLOOR HOUSING. I'VE LOOKED AND LOOKED AND ALL OF THE CHEAPER NEW CONSTRUCTION ARE TWO STORY TOWN HOMES WHICH IS UNACCESSIBLE.
AND ALSO IT'S IN A HIGH CRIME OR FLOOD PRONE AREA. THAT'S NOT A BARGAIN.
210,000. AND, AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT'S NOT EVEN 210,000 IS NOT EVEN A GREAT SAVINGS FOR A TOWNHOUSE. THAT'S PRETTY EXPENSIVE WHEN YOU ADD IN ANY CBD FEES OR HOAS.
[00:30:02]
AND SO IF THE FOCUS COULD BE ON PROVIDING FIRST FLOOR HOUSING AND FREE STANDING HOMES, NOT TOWNHOUSES, NOW WE'RE TALKING. THOSE ARE COMPLETELY UNAVAILABLE.AND, BY THE WAY, I LIVE OFF OF SCRANTON BOULEVARD AND YOU'RE ABOUT TO APPROVE -- I LIVE IN REAL WORKFORCE HOUSING,L ALREADY EXISTED, THE VERY SHORT SUPPLY. AND AT THE ENTRANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY AT SEBASTIAN COVE YOU ARE ABOUT TO APPROVE COMMERCIAL WARE WAREHOUSES LIKE ON DOBBS ROAD AT THE ENTRANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY. WHERE THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE ROAD, THE EAST SIDE OF THE ROAD IS SEBASTIAN COVE WHERE D.R. HORTEN IS BUILDING BRAND-NEW $300,000 HOUSES. NOW I LIVE IN THE CONDOS IN FRONT.
AND WE CAN LOOK OUT OUR WINDOW INTO A COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSE THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO APPROVE.
AND AND HE'S ALREADY BUILT THE FIRST WAREHOUSE BEFORE THE APPROVAL.
SO, IT MUST HAVE BEEN SOME PREARR PREARRANGEMENT.
SO, YOU'RE TRASHING OUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY AND ALSO THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL INLET FOR A WALKING TRAIL ON THE SIDE OF -- IN THE BACK WHERE WE LIVE. AND THE SIDE OF OUR COMMUNITY UP TO STATE ROAD 16 THAT COULD BE PAVED AND DEVELOPED INTO A BEAUTIFUL WALKING TRAIL.
AND YOU'RE TRASHING THAT TOO. THANK YOU. THANKS.
I KNOW YOU ARE INTELLIGENT PEOPLE AND PLEASE CONSIDER MY INPUT.
THANKS. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU.
ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PLEASE. >> PUBLIC SPEAKER: YES. RICHARD HILLSONBECK 213 AGENCY BOARD. AND WHEN THIS CAME BEFORE US A MONTH OR SO AGO THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION CONCERNING THAT THIS WORKFORCE HOUSING PROPOSAL, WHICH I DEFINITELY SUPPORT AND WE NEED THIS IN THE COUNTY, BUT IT WASN'T STATED BY THE PRESENTER BUT THE WORKFORCE HOUSING WOULD ALLOW AN EXEMPTION FROM THE 25 PERCENT OPEN SPACE AND ACTIVE RECREATION REQUIREMENTS. AND I STATED AT THE PZA BOARD MEETING THAT I THOUGHT THAT PEOPLE OF LOWER INCOME ALSO DESERVED TO HAVE OPEN SPACE AND RECR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN ORDER TO INCREASE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
I ALSO ASKED THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF WORKFORCE HOUSING AND QUALIFYING DEVELOPMENTS BE INCREASED TO AT LEAST 50 PERCENT THRESHOLD RATHER THAN THE 40 PERCENT UNDER THE CURRENT PR PROPOSAL. SO THOSE WERE NOT FORWARDED TO YOU IN THE COMMENTS AS I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD BE. BUT THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS. SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THIS ITEM UP. AND I DO SUPPORT IT. THANK YOU.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER: THAT'S IT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: ALL RIGHT. WITH PUBLIC COMMENT NOW CLOSED WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. COMMISSIONER DEAN, YOU SAID YOU HAD SOME COMMENTS YOU'D LIKE TO
MAKE? >> YES. I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO MAYBE THE PROTOCOL MIGHT BE THAT THERE'S A MOTION, A SECOND AND FIRST ON THIS ITEM.
IT'S UP TO YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. BUT LET ME JUST SAY MY AMENDMENT IS GOING TO ADJUST INCREASING THE MAXIMUM CEILING OF THE PRICE POINT FROM $210,000 TO $250,000 BASED ON THE FACT THAT OUR MEDIAN PRICE OF HOMES IN THIS COUNTY, THE LAST NUMBER I'VE SEEN BASED ON DATA IS AROUND $315,000. THE MEDIAN PRICE. AND I THINK, TO ME THAT REFLECTS THE NEED TO HAVE A HIGHER MAXIMUM ON THE PRICE POINT FOR THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE FROM 210 UP TO 250. THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION. BUT WE CERTAINLY CAN TAKE IT UP
AT YOUR DISCRETION, M MR. CHAIRMAN. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION BEFORE WE END UP AMENDING. THANK YOU FOR THAT
>> THIS IS COMMISSIONER BLOCK. I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: WELL WE HAVEN'T HAD A MOTION YET. I GUESS THAT WILL BE -- HE IS DESIRING TO HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO
[00:35:02]
THE MOTION LATER, COMMISSIONER BLOCKER. >> MY APOLOGIES.
MY AUDIO'S OFF. THANK YOU. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: NO, THAT IS FINE. ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF?
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER JOHNS? >> MR. SEERLY, THE CONSIDERATION OF INCREASING THE VALUE FROM 210 TO 250, WHAT IMPACT DOES THAT HAVE ON THIS RECOMMENDATION AS FAR AS THE NUMBER OF HOMES, THE VALUES? BECAUSE ONCE SOLD COMPARABLES WILL BECOME, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY HOMOGENEOUS AMOAN ALL THE HOMES WITHIN SO MANY FEET OF A HOME. TO MY KNOWLEDGE ASSESSORS DON'T LOOK AT A HOME THAT'S PRICE FIXED VERSUS ONE THAT'S NOT. WE'LL MAKE IT EASY. SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
IF YOU'VE GOT 40 PERCENT THAT ARE -- AND A FIXED PRICE, GOVERNMENT CONTROL, WHATEVER THE PROPER TERMINOLOGY IS TO BE ACCURATE, THEY JUST LOOK AT THE SALES PRICE, THE SIZE OF THE HOME, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS, BATHROOMS, CONDITION, ETC. CHANGING THIS NUMBER, WHAT AFFECT DOES IT HAVE ON THE VIABILITY OF THE INTENT OF THE PROGRAM?
>> SPEAKER: I THINK ATTAINBILITY COMES INTO PLAY HERE. YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE COLLECTED ALL THIS PROPERTY APPRAISER DATA AND WE HAVE A PRICE RANGE FROM THE MODERATE INCOME PRICE RANGE OF PEOPLE THAT CAN AFFORD A HOME FROM 195 TO 294.
THE FURTHER YOU GO UP -- YOU KNOW WE'RE SELLING PROPERTIES ABOVE 300 AND BEYOND.
WE'RE SEEING THE TREND HOLD. WHERE WE'RE NOT SEEING THIS TREND HOLD IS AT 195 TO 294.
WE'RE SEEING IT 40 PERCENT BOOK IN 2014 TO 26 PERCENT OF NEW HOME SALES.
IT'S DROPPING. SO, WE'RE TRYING TO LIFT UP THAT AND KEEP WORKERS HERE.
250, I MEAN, I THINK WE HAVE A STOCK OF 250 HERE. WHAT WE DON'T HAVE A STOCK IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY OF HOMES WITHIN THE 210 PRICE RANGE AND BELOW. I MEAN, THE NUMBERS SHOW IT.
YOU KNOW, SO, I MEAN, COULD A HOUSE -- I WANT TO DO THE MATH AND SEE WHAT YOU WOULD -- WHAT A FAMILY OF THREE WOULD HAVE TO BE MAKING IN ORDER TO AFFORD A HOME LIKE THAT.
I WOULD SAY IT WOULD BE CLOSE TO 100 PERCENT OF THE AMI. SO, JUST DEPENDS.
BUT I THINK WE ARE MISSING THAT LOWER INCOME BRACKET STOCK OF HOUSING IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
>> COMMISSIONER: THANK YOU. WOULD YOU NEED MORE TIME TO ANALYZE IT? I KNOW IT WOULD SLOW THE PROCESS DOWN BUT I DON'T WANT TO UNFAIRLY ASK YOU QUESTIONS YOU
COULDN'T ANSWER TODAY BUT COULD IN A WEEK OR TWO. >> SPEAKER: LET ME GO BACK TO THIS GRAPH HERE REAL QUICK. LIKE WE GOT THE DATA HERE. THESE ARE NEW HOME SALES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. AND, YOU KNOW, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE 2019 DATA, MY APOLOGIES. I EMERGENCY THE TREND IS FURTHER GOING DOWN.
BUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT YOUR HOME SALES IN THE MODERATE INCOME RANGE, AND I SAY MODERATE INCOME, THAT'S A HUD TERM BASED ON ANNUAL MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME. IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT 195, WHICH IS ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT. WE'RE AT 210 PRICE POINT AND BELOW.
WE'RE SEEING THAT TREND SLOWLY TAPER OFF AND VERY FEW BEING BUILT.
I COULD GET THE DATA FOR 250 TO SEE WHERE IT'S AT. BUT WE'RE JUST GOING TO SEE THE TREND DROPPING. ANYTHING ABOVE 300,000 IS STAYING STABLE.
BUT I THINK WE'RE OBVIOUSLY LOSING A STACK CLOSER TO THAT BLUE LINE ON THE BOTTOM THERE, THE 210 MARK. THAT'S BASED ON THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE.
>> COMMISSIONER: I APPRECIATE THAT. EVERYBODY I TALK TO IN THE HOME BUILDING, REAL ESTATE MARKET ARE EXPECTING A DRAMATIC DROP IN THE AVERAGE SALE PRICES OF HOMES, EVALUATIONS OF -- VALUATIONS OF HOMES AND THE NUMBER OF HOMES TRANSACTIONS AS A RESULT OF WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. THE BIG QUESTION IS FOR HOW LONG.
IS IT A SHORT DIP AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BUY AS THEY DROP EXPECTING IT TO COME BACK UP? OR WILL IT LAST MULTIPLE MONTHS OR YEARS WHICH WE OBVIOUSLY HOPE NOT.
AND TIME WILL TELL IN HINDSIGHT BUT THAT WILL PLAY A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE STATISTICS OVER
THE NEXT SIX MONTHS TO A COUPLE OF YEARS AS WELL. >> SPEAKER: THAT'S CORRECT.
>> COMMISSIONER: THANK YOU SIR. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER WALDRON?
>> COMMISSIONER: AS FAR AS THE 250, I CAN'T SUPPORT THAT. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE FIRST STARTED MEETINGS MR. PORTER WILL TELL YOU, WE WERE SHOOTING FOR 195.
MR. PORTER AND OTHER DEVELOPERS THAT WERE THERE WERE VERY HONEST ABOUT WHAT THEIR COSTS WERE.
VERY HONEST WITH WHAT THEY NEEDED TO MAKE PROFIT WISE. ANDS THAT WHERE WE CAME UP WITH 210. WE'RE TRYING TO WORK AT A WORKFORCE HOUSING TO HELP OUR WORKFORCE. YOU KNOW, AT 250, I MEAN, TO SIT HERE SAYING 250'S GOING TO BETTER HELP THE WORKFORCE THAN 210 MAKES REALLY NO SENSE TO ME. PERSONALLY.
[00:40:01]
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE 50 PERCENT, YOU KNOW, AT FIRST WHEN WE FIRST MET I WANTED 100 PERCENT. YOU KNOW, WE AGREED AT 40 AND 50 OR 60 MAY BE A BETTER SPOT.AND, YOU KNOW, I AM JUST CONCERNED IF WE PUT IT UP THERE, YOU INCREASE THE PRICE, THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT ANY WAY IN THIS MARKET. YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS SOMEBODY TO BUILD. AND THAT'S WHAT THE ORIGINAL GROUP THAT MET ON IT WAS OKAY WHAT CAN WE GET BUILT. BECAUSE IT'S GREAT FOR US TO STAND UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT IT AND WE DIDN'T WANT IT SUBSIDIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT. OTHER THAN DENSITY BONUSES.
THERE'S NO MONEY WE ARE HAVING TO PAY OUT. WE EXPECT IT TO BE NEAR ESSENTIAL FACILITIES LIKE, YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE NEAR A PARK, ONE OF OUR REGIONAL PARKS.
IT COULD BE NEAR SOMETHING ELSE TO HELP BRING THE RECREATION PART OF IT ASIDE.
SO, REALLY THE INCREASE OF PRICE RIGHT NOW TO ME IS NOT FEASIBLE. I MEAN, THEN YOU ARE REALLY BACKING THE OTHER MARKET. THEY COULD BUILD IT RIGHT NOW AND SELL IT FOR 250.
THEY'RE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW IN THE MARKET AS WE SPEAK. YOU KNOW, IN THAT PRICE RANGE.
I MEAN, IF YOU FOLLOW REAL ESTATE RIGHT NOW PRICES ARE ALREADY DROPPING.
I MEAN, THEY'RE GETTING AHEAD OF THIS UNLIKE LAST TIME. BUT I JUST -- TO ME, I WANT TO LOOK AT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TRULY HELP THE WORKFORCE. IF YOU GO FOR 250 YOU ARE AT 100 PERCENT OF THE AMI. WE'RE NOT REALLY HELPING THEM IN MY OPINION.
AND MR. PORTER MAY HAVE SOME THOUGHTS ON THAT TOO BUT I DON'T WANT TO CALL HIM OUT.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION IF
SOMEBODY WANTS TO MAKE ONE. OR WE MOVE ALONG. >> COMMISSIONER: DEAN, DID HE
WANT TO MAKE A MOTION? >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: WHAT HE WANTED TO DO WAS--
>> I WAS WAITING. I UNDERSTOOD YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION AND A SECOND AND THEN ASK FOR DISCUSSION AT WHICH TIME I WAS GOING TO MAKE
MY AMENDMENT. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: YES, SIR. THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTOOD.
>> BUT I'M WAITING ON A MOTION AND A SECOND IN ORDER TO ENTERTAIN MY AMENDMENT.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: YES. THEN WHAT WE'LL DO IS THIS AND I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR.
WE'RE WAITING FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND. HE'LL OFFER AN AMENDMENT.
WE'LL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
>> THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YES. >> COMMISSIONER: OKAY I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO TRANSMIT COMP PLAN 2020-01 AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SUBJECT TO THREE FINDINGS OF
FACT. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON.
DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? >> COMMISSIONER: I'LL SECOND THAT AS OF.
IT'S COMMISSIONER BLOCKER. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BLOCKER. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
COMMISSIONER DEAN? >> YES. AT THIS POINT I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT WHICH I ASSUME WOULD APPLY TO BOTH NUMBER 6 AND NUMBER 7.
AND THAT AMENDMENT WOULD BE TO RAISE THE CEILING OF THE PRICE POINT FROM $210,000 TO $250,000.
AND LET ME SAY JUST THE BASIS OF THAT IS FOR. AND, AGAIN, IT IS THAT THE MEDIAN PRICE FOR HOMES IN THIS COUNTY IS ABOVE -- AT OR ABOVE $315,000.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT MY MOTION DOES NOT SET A REQUIREMENT THAT ALL HOMES BE SOLD AT $250,000. IT SIMPLY WILL ALLOW MORE HOMES TO BE BUILT UNDER THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM. THERE WILL BE HOMES BUILT FOR LESS.
BUT IF THERE'S A DEVELOPER WHO CAN PROVIDE MORE SERVICES WITHIN THE IMMEDIATE AREA AND IT SO HAPPENS THE PRICE POINT IS $250,000 IT WILL ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.
I DON'T THINK THIS WILL BE DETRACT FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I THINK IT WILL ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING GIVEN THE MEDIAN PRICE OF OUR HOMES IN THIS COUNTY. AND LET ME JUST ADD, SINCE THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP.
WITH RESPECT TO WHERE WE'RE HEADED IN OUR ECONOMY OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
I THINK THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS WHO KNOWS. PROBABLY IN THE SHORT-TERM DOWN AND MAYBE IN THE LONG TERM UP. BUT I WILL SAY THIS. I HAVE SEEN NUMBERS COMING FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR FORECASTING AND THEIR ACCURACY AND SEVERAL HAVE INDICATED THEY ANTICIPATE A HUGE BOUNCE IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
I.E., JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. SO, I DON'T THINK WE CAN ASSUME THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A DOWNTURN IN THE MARKET FOR MONTHS OR YEARS TO COME FOR HOUSING IN THIS COUNTY. I THINK THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE YET TO SEE AND
[00:45:03]
WE'LL BEA JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. SO THAT'S MY MIND FOR THATAMENDMENT >> COMMISSIONER: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER I THINK YOU WERE
FAVORABLE TO IT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SECOND THAT? >> YES.
JUST MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY. THIS IS THE POINT WHERE WE TAKE THE SECOND. IF THAT'S SO I'LL SECOND THE MOTION.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: YES, SIR. I WILL ENTERTAIN THE SECOND. >> THANK YOU SIR
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: ALL RIGHT THEN WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT, MOTION FOR AMENDMENT AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT WHICH IS RAISING THE PRICE POINT FROM $210,000 TO $250,000. ANY DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT? ALL RIGHT.
WHAT WE'LL DO IS A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT. THIS IS NOT THE ORIGINAL MOTION BUT THE AMENDMENT TO ALTER THE NUMBERS. COMMISSIONER DEAN?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER WALDRON? >> NO. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNS?
>> NO >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: AND I AM A NO AS WELL. SO THE A I MENDMENT FAILS 3-2. NOW WE'LL MOVE TO ORIGINAL MOTION.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION? >> MR. CHAIR.
I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY. MR. SEERLY MENTIONED IT DURING HIS PRESENTATION BUT THERE WERE SOME CHANGES AND SOME ADDITIONS IN THE STAFF REPORT AND I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT THAT THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN YOUR MOTION FOR THE REGULAR PART THAT YOU ARE VOTING ON NOW.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: LET ME MAKE SURE THAT WAS INTENDED BY THE ORIGINAL MAKER OF THE MOTION.
YES. SO THAT WAS UNDERSTOOD. WE HAVE AN ORIGINAL MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION WE'LL GO THROUGH WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE.
COMMISSIONER DEAN? >> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
BLOCKER? >> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
WALDRON? >> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
JOHNS? >> YES >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: AND I AM A YES AS WELL. THE MOTION PASSES FOR AGENDA IT ECK NUMBER 6 WITH 5-0.
WE'LL MOVE ALONG TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7. AND THIS HAS A DIFFERENT PROPOSAL FOR A MOTION. ANY DESIRE FOR ANY OF THESE TWO PROPOSED MOTIONS I'LL ENTERTAIN.
>> COMMISSIONER: I'LL MAKE A MOTION. A MOTION TO ANNOUNCE PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY ON MAY 21, 2020, AND BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON JULY 7, 2020, AT A HEARING BEGINNING AT 9:00 A.M. AT 500 SAN SEBASTIAN
WAY IN THE COUNTY AUDITORIUM. >> COMMISSIONER: SECOND. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER JOHNS.
ANY DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER DEAN? ANY DISCUSSION?
>> NO. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER ANY DISCUSSION?
>> NO SIR. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE THROUGH WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE. COMMISSIONER DEAN YOUR VOTE?
>> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER?
>> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER WALDRON?
>> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER JOHNS?
>> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: AND I'LL BE AS YES AS WELL.
THAT IS 5-0 ON THE MOTION FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7. ALL RIGHTY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I THINK THAT WRAPS UP AGENDA ITEMS NUMBER 6 AND 7. THANK YOU MR. SEERLY.
WE'LL MOVE ALONG TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8 NOW. IS SHE CALLING IN.
[Item 8]
>> MS. LEVY WILL BE CALLING IN. THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A DANCE BETWEEN HER COMMENTS AND I'M GOING TO PUT SOME STUFF UP ON THE OVERHEAD.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY RIGHT OFF THE BAT THOUGH THIS HAD BEEN INTENDED TO BE KIND OF A ONE-HEARING ORDINANCE. THE BOARD HAD MADE PROVISION TO ADOPT OR TO PASS AND ENACT IT IN ONE HEARING RATHER THAN TWO. HOWEVER, WE RECENTLY DISCOVERED NOT IN THE STATUTE BUT THERE IS A FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE RULE WHERE WE THINK IT NEEDS ANOTHER NOTICE.
SO, OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO TREAT THIS AS A FIRST READING THEN TO BRING IT BACK TO YOU ON THE 21ST. SO, WITH THOSE INTRODUCTORY XHEBLTS, MS. LEVY ARE YOU READY
TO START BRIEFING. >> SPEAKER: I AM READY. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: WELCOME.
PLEASE GO THROUGH YOUR PRESENTATION. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.
AND I'LL KEEP THIS AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE. THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS OFFICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH PARKS AND RECREATION HAD RECEIVED A REQUEST TO EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING A SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE ZONE IN THE METANSIS INLET.
[00:50:08]
THAT WAS BROUGHT UP DURING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND THE BOARD AUTHORIZED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ORDINANCE. DUE TO CHANGING CONDITIONS IN THE METANSIS INLET, INCLUDING THE EXPOSURE OF SAND BARS AT LOW TIDE HAVE MADE IT A INCREASINGLY POPULAR DESTINATION FOR BOATERS AND SWIMMERS. THIS HAS LED TO UNSAFE LEVELS OF VEHICLE CONGESTION IN THE AREA AND HAS CREATED SIGNIFICANT RISK TO PERSONS BOATING AND/OR SWIMMING IN THE AREA.I INCLUDED IN YOUR AGENDA MATERIAL SOME PICTURES OF THE AREA SHOWING THE VEHICLE CONGESTION. AND, PATRICK, IF YOU COULD PUT THOSE ON THE OVERHEAD SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THEM DISPLAYED. I APOLOGIZE. MY VIDEO IS A LITTLE BIT -- HERE WE GO. SO THAT IS THE MAP OF THE AREA THAT IS -- THAT WOULD HAVE THE SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE ZONE CREATED. AND AS WELL YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR AGENDA MATERIALS SOME PICTURES JUST SHOWING THE CONGESTION IN THE AREA.
>> SPEAKER: IF I MAY THROUGH THE CHAIR. I THINK WHAT YOU ARE WATCHING ON THE SCREEN IS A FEW SECONDS AFTER OUR COMMENTS. SO, YES I HAD DISPLAYED BOTH THE OVERHEAD DEPICTION OF THE AREA AND THE SORT OF THE CROWDED BOAT PICTURES.
>> SPEAKER: ALL RIGHT THANK YOU. I DO SEE IT NOW. >> SPEAKER: RIGHT.
AND NOW BACK UP IS THE ACTUAL DESIGNATED AREA. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SO, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2019, ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS RESPONDED TO 54 CALLS TO ASSIST BOATERS. THEY HAVE ISSUED CITATIONS FOR 73 WAKE ZONE VIOLATIONS. CONDUCTED 86 WAKE ZONE PATROLS. RESPONDED TO 12 BOATERS OR SWIMMERS --
LOOKS LIKE -- NOW SHE'S BACK >> SPEAKER: WHAT THE ORDINANCE WOULD DO IS CREATE A SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE ZONE DESIGNATED FOR ALL THE WATERS SHORELINE TO SHORELINE IN THE AREA SHOWN ON THE MAP. BY SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE, THAT IS A STATUTORY DEFINITION THAT IS PROVIDED IN THE ORDINANCE. AND IT MEANS THAT THE VESSEL IS OPERATING FULLY -- IT'S DEFINED AT THE SPEED OF WHICH A VESSEL IS FULLY OFF PLAIN AND COMPLETELY SETTLED IN THE WATER PROCEEDING AT A SPEED NO GREATER THAN THAT WHICH IS REASONABLE AND PRUDENT TO AVOID THE CREATION OF EXCESSIVE WAKE OR OTHER HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS UNDER THE EXISTING CIRCUMSTANCES.
UPON THE BOARD'S ENACTMENT OF THE ORDINANCE AT THE NEXT AVAILABLE MEETING, THIS ORDINANCE WOULD HAVE TO BE SENT TO THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION AND WOULD BE EFFECTIVE UPON A DETERMINATION BY THE COMMISSION THAT THE ORDINANCE IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY. AGAIN, I DO HAVE SERGEANT UNDER WOOD AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE REGARDING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: CAN YOU BACK UP AND REVIEW OR REPEAT YOUR STATISTICAL DATA OF WHAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD ENCOUNTERED BEFORE. YOU BROKE UP WHILE YOU IN THE
MIDST OF THAT. >> SPEAKER: YES, SIR. SINCE JANUARY 1, 2019, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS RESPONDED TO 54 CALLS TO ASSIST BOATERS, ISSUED CITATIONS FOR 73 WAKE ZONE VIOLATIONS, CONDUCTED 86 WAKE ZONE PATROL.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THAT'S WHERE SHE BROKE UP LAST TIME.
[00:55:04]
>> COMMISSIONER: APPARENTLY THERE'S SOMETHING THERE WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO GET.
IT'S THE EXACT SAME PLACE. >> SPEAKER: MR. CHAIR, IT DOES SEEM THAT MS. LEVY MAY HAVE
DROPPED OUT. >> SPEAKER: I'M SORRY. I AM BACK IN NOW.
ALTHOUGH I HAD A -- I HAD A DEAD SPOT SO I APOLOGIZE IF I MISSED A QUESTION OR COMMENT.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: YOU HAD THE EXACT SAME DEAD SPOT ON THE EXACT SAME STATISTIC YOU HAD LAST TIME AS WELL. WITH 86 CITATIONS. CAN YOU PICK IT UP THERE?
>> SPEAKER: YES, SIR. AF AFTER -- THERE WAS 86 WAKE ZONE PATROLS AND RESPONDING TO 12 BOATERS OR SWIMMERS IN DISTRESS, AND RESPONDING TO TWO BOATING
ACCIDENTS IN THE AREA. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: OKAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT'S WHAT WE WERE MISSING LAST TIME. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS.
LEVY? COMMISSIONER DEAN? >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? >> NO, SIR.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THERE ARE NONE HERE.
YOU SAID THAT YOU HAVE DEPUTY UNDERWOOD WITH YOU AS WELL. HE IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY
QUESTIONS TOO? >> SPEAKER: YES, SIR. AND HE WAS GOING TO BE CALLING
IN AS WELL. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: OKAY. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR DEPUTY UNDERWOOD? I SEE NONE. ALL RIGHT.
I THINK WE'LL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> COMMISSIONER: WE'LL NOW HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 8. PLEASE COME FORWARD OR PHONE IN. SEEING NONE, MR. CHAIRMAN, I'LL
CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: ALL RIGHT WITH PUBLIC COMMENT CLOSED WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD FOR DISCUSSION OR COMMENTS, QUESTIONS OR A MOTION.
>> COMMISSIONER: I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ENACT ST. JOHNS ORDINANCE 2020.
>> SPEAKER: IF I MAY. AGAIN, IT IS MY RECOMMENDATION, SEEING HOW WE HAD DISCOVERED THE FWC RULE, SOMETHING THAT INCLINES US TO BELIEVE WE SHOULD DO A SECOND READING.
SO IF THE BOARD WILL JUST CONSIDER THIS A FIRST READING TODAY THEN I CAN BRING IT BACK ON THE 21ST. SO, NO ACTION NECESSARY. SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: NO SIR. THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE? ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER DEAN, COMMISSIONER BLOCKER, ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO
ADD BEFORE WE CLOSE THIS ITEM? >> NO >> NO.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: ALL RIGHT. WE'LL HAVE A SECOND READING. IT APPEARS ON APRIL 21ST.
WITH THAT BEING DONE, WE'LL MOVE ALONG TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9. THANK YOU.
[Item 9]
>> SPE >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH:
>> SPEAKER: GOOD MORNING. DISASTER RECOVERY. I'LL BE HERE TALKING ABOUT THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS FOR HURRICANE DORIAN. THERE'S ACTUALLY TWO ITEMS THAT I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THIS MORNING. FIRST IS WE HAVE BEEN APPROVED THROUGH FEMA TO GO THROUGH THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE HAVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE STATE AS WE ARE THE SUB-GRANTEE AND THEY'RE THE GRANTEE. SO THAT WILL BE THE FIRST MOTION WITHIN THIS PRESENTATION.
THE SECOND IS GOING TO BE GOING OVER THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAD DONE DURING DORIAN AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF PROJECTS THAT STILL NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING IF WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE PROJECTS. THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE DONE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.
THERE IS NO FUNDING SOURCE BEING REQUESTED TODAY. IT'S ALREADY BEEN BROUGHT TO THE BOARD AS WELL AS THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. SHELTER BING IS ONE THAT NEEDS ADDITIONAL FUNDING TODAY. THIS IS THE OPERATION OF THE SHE SHELTERING. BUT GOOD NEWS WITH THE SHELTERING PROJECT WORKSHEET, IF YOU WILL, GOING THROUGH THE FEMA PROCESS, IT'S ALREADY BEEN OBLIGATED.
SO, ONCE WE PAY THE SCHOOL BOARD AND I HAVE THE FINAL DOCUMENTS SHOWING THAT WE'VE PAID OUR BILLS I CAN GET THAT MONEY BACK RIGHT AWAY. NO FUNDING TODAY.
YOU'VE SEEN THE BOAT RAMP AND SPY GLASS ARE TWO ADDITIONAL PROJECTS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE
[01:00:02]
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. THEY ALSO DO NEED FUNDING TODAY IF WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE FRIDGES. AND -- PROJECTS AND I DO HAVE PARKS HERE IF WE HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ON THOSE PROJECTS. THAT IS IN A NUTSHELL DORIAN.WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS. WE ARE PRETTY FAR AHEAD OF THE PROCESS.
ONCE WE SIGN THE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE WE'LL THEN BE ABLE TO START WORKING THE ACTUAL REIMBURSEMENT PAPERWORK AND GETTING MONEY FLOWING BACK INTO THE COUNTY FROM HURRICANE DORIAN. WITH THAT SAID, SHORT AND SWEET, I HAVE THE TWO SUGGESTED MOTIONS ON THE OVERHEAD. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD, ANY QUESTIONS IN REGARD TO THESE ALLOCATIONS? COMMISSIONER DEAN, DO YOU HAVE
ANY QUESTIONS? >> NO SIR. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
BLOCKER, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> NO SIR.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: ALL RIGHTY. WE'LL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT THEN.
>> COMMISSIONER: WE'LL NOW HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 9. IF YOU ARE A CALLER PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PLEASE. I JUST HEARD THE BEEPS.
OKAY. MR. CHAIRMAN, I SEE NO PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: WITH NO PUBLIC COMMENT WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD.
WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION OR TWO. ANYBODY WANT TO MOVE THESE TWO ITEMS?
>> COMMISSIONER: I'LL MAKE THE MOTION. MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-96 AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTEROR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE HURRICANE DORIAN DECLARATION FE FEMA-4468-DRSL IN THE SAME FORMAT AND FORMAT AS ATTACHED
HEREIN. >> COMMISSIONER: I'LL SECOND. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BLOCKER.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE WE'LL ROLL CALL. COMMISSIONER DEAN?
>> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER?
>> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER WALDRON?
>> YES >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER JOHNS?
>> YES >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I'LL BE A YES AS WELL.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION THE SECOND RECOMMENDED HERE IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED.
>> COMMISSIONER: I'LL MOVE IT. A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-97 RECOGNIZING AND APPROPRIATING A DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FEMA HURRICANE DARION GRANT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,463,000 IN A STATE OF FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GRANT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $410,500 WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR 2020. AND A MOTION TO APPROVE THE
TRANSFER OF $284,750 FROM GENERAL FUND RESERVE OFS. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I HAVE A
MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> COMMISSIONER: SECOND.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I HAVE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER JOHNS. ANY DISCUSSION?
SEEING NONE. COMMISSIONER DEAN YOUR VOTE? >> YES
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? >> YES.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER WALDRON? >> YES.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER JOHNS? >> YES.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I'LL BE AS YES AS WELL. ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS. MOVING ALONG TO AGENDA ITEM
[Item 10]
NUMBER 10. MF MRS. LON KIST.GOOD MORNING. >> SPEAKER: GOOD MORNING. ITEM NUMBER 10 IS TO CONSIDER AN APPOINTMENT TO THE NORTH FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION ORGANIZATION'S CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
WE DID ADVERTISE THIS POSITION SINCE WE HAVE THREE SEATS ON THIS PTO CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT DESIGNATED AS ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS. THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL SEAT.
THAT ONE IS FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: IF YOU DON'T MIND. HOLD ON JUST A SECOND. COMMISSIONER BLOCKER OR COMMISSIONER DEAN, CAN YOU MUTE YOUR PHONE? THERE'S A LOT OF BACKGROUND NOISE COMING IN. THANK YOU. PLEASE.
>> SPEAKER: SO THE VACANCY THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE FOR THE THREE SEATS DESIGNATED AS ST. JOHNS REPRESENTATIVES IS THAT OF MR. WARREN BUTLER WHO RESIGNED AFTER BEING ON THERE FOR SOME TIME. WE DID ADVERTISE THIS FROM EARLY FEBRUARY TO MARCH.
AND WE DID RECEIVE THREE APPLICATIONS. A COUPLE OF SWITCH CAME IN AHEAD OF THE ADVERTISEMENT AS WE'VE HAD FROM MY KNOWLEDGE PROVIDED BY MARCI LARSON OF THE TPO.
THEY'VE HAD A COUPLE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN ATTENDING THESE MEETINGS THAT APPLIED. SO, IN YOUR PACKET ARE THE THREE APPLICATIONS THAT WE RECEIVED.
AND THE BASICS FOR EVERYTHING. I DO BELIEVE TWO OF THE APPLICANTS INDICATED THEY WOULD BE CALLING IN TODAY. SO, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY MAY OR MAY NOT WANT TO MAKE COMMENTS.
[01:05:05]
BUT JUST FOR YOUR AWARENES. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OF ME, THAT'S THE BASICS OF THISITEM. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: ANY QUE QUESTIONS?
>> COMMISSIONER: NO. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER DEAN, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> NONE. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER, DO YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS? >> NO SIR. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: VERY GOOD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> COMMISSIONER: WE'LL NOW HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 10 FOAM PLEASE COME FORWARD OR CALL
IN. I SEE NONE AT THIS TIME. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: ALL RIGHT.
WITH NO PUBLIC COMMENT, AT THIS POINT, WE'LL NOW -- I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
>> COMMISSIONER: I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION MR. CHAIRMAN. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO NOMINATE LISA REPRESENTATIVE FOR A FOUR-YEAR TERM SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE APRIL 7, 2024.
>> COMMISSIONER: SECOND. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHTY. WE'LL GO WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE.
COMMISSIONER DEAN? >> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
BLOCKER? >> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
WALDRON? >> YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
JOHNS. YES. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: AND I'LL BE A YES AS WELL. PASSES 5-0. CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. MCGRIEVY.
>> COMMISSIONER: IF I MAY -- THIS IS DEAN -- I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT WHAT THE VERY, VERY EXCELLENT RESUMES ALL THREE OF THESE APPLICANTS HAVE. ANY ONE OF THEM WOULD HAVE BEEN I THINK A VERY VIABLE APPOINTMENT AND CERTAINLY I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO NOT
APPLY IN THE FUTURE. THE OTHER TWO. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. THEY ARE VERY WELL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS AND THANK YOU FOR THAT, COMMISSIONER DEAN. ALL RIGHTY. WITH THAT BEING DONE, I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES OUR REGULAR AGENDA. WE WILL NOW MOVE ALONG INTO
[Reports]
COMMISSIONER REPORTS OR COMMENTS. AND I'LL START WITH THOSE THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE ROOM. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR CALLING IN TODAY.I JUST WANT TO SAY IT'S BEEN -- IT'S ALMOST BEEN FLAWLESS. IT'S BEEN VERY WELL DONE.
THANK YOU STAFF AS WELL. COMMISSIONERS I THANK YOU ALL FOR CALLING IN.
IT'S WORKED OUT REALLY REAL WELL ON OUR END AND I HOPE IT'S BEEN AS EQUALLY HELPFUL ON YOUR SIDE AS WELL. WE'LL START WITH COMMISSIONER COMMENTS.
COMMISSIONER DEAN, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY? >>
>> COMMISSIONER: VERY QUICKLY I WOULD JUST SECOND YOUR MOTION ABOUT HOW WELL THE STAFF HAS PERFORMED TO GET THE BUGS WORKED OUT. I HAD NO PROBLEM AT ALL.
AT LEAST I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I DID. CHIMING IN WHEN NEEDED AND SHUTTING UP WHEN I NEEDED TO. KUDOS TO THE STAFF. ONE COMMENT, AND THIS IS PROBABLY -- IT'S DIRECTED TO THE COMMISSIONERS BUT ALSO TO HUNTER CONRAD.
LAST WEEK, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE ALL OBVIOUSLY OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY RIGHT NOW IS DEALING WITH THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE HEALTH OF OUR RESIDENTS IN THE FACE OF THIS CORONAVIRUS. BUT WE GOT SOME GOOD NEWS LAST WEEK.
FEMA, AFTER SEVERAL YEARS FINALLY APPROVED FUNDING FOR FOR MATTHEWS.
THE HURRICANE MATTHEW FUNDING FOR BERMS. AND THAT INITIAL FIGURE, $16 MILLION. AND I THINK THAT EVEN IN THE FACE OF THE CRISIS WE'RE DEALING WITH IT BEHOOVE US TO HAVE STAFF IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL FOR ENGINEERING THAT WE WOULD GO FORWARD WITH IN ANTICIPATION OF THESE FUNDS THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO REPLENISH AND RESTORE THOSE BEACHES THAT WERE IMPACTED BY MATTHEW. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE STAFF TO FOLLOW THROUGH WHEN IT'S FEASIBLE. WHEN YOU HAVE TIME.
TO GET SOMETHING TO US THAT WE COULD CONSIDER REGARDING THE FEMA FUNDING THAT WAS ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK. I THINK THAT'S MY ONLY COMMENT, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU COMMISSIONER DEAN. PROFUSELY TAKING NOTES.
COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? >> COMMISSIONER: THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO AGAIN JUST ECHO THE COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONER DEAN. I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF FOR THE HARD WORK. I KNOW IT'S CHALLENGING TO TRY TO PUT THIS TOGETHER FROM A DISTANCE. I APPRECIATE YOUR FLEXIBILITY AND HARD WORK IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STAFF AND PEOPLE ANSWERING THE PHONES, YOU KNOW, IN MEETINGS TRYING TO STRATEGIZE HOW TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME. I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OUR PRIMARY FOCUS AND GOAL AND OBJECTIVE IS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND OUR COMMUNITY IN EVERY DECISION WOE MAKE WHETHER THERE'S AGREEMENT OR DISAGREEMENT IS TO SAVE OUR COMMUNITY AND SAVE LIVES. AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT CHALLENGE BUT ONE WE'RE GOING TO
[01:10:04]
RISE UP TO AND ADDRESS. I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR BUSINESS OWNERS THAT ARE WORKING HARD IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT ARE KEEPING THEIR BUSINESSES OPEN AT GREAT RISK AND GREAT CHALLENGE AND THEY'RE STILL PROVIDED NEEDED SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.SO, VERY GLATTFUL FOR THAT. GRATEFUL FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND RAIMENT ON THE FRONT LINES OF THIS. EXPOSING THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO THE RISKS.
ALSO WANT TO THANK THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PROVIDING FOOD. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A LOT OF FARMERS AND PEOPLE OUT THERE WORKING HARD TO CONTINUE TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE SO WE ALL CAN EAT AND STAY HEALTHY. I ALSO WANT TO THANK MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD THAT ARE WORKING HARD AS WELL. YOU KNOW, HERE IN ST. JOHNS WE HAVE THE UNIQUE PRIVILEGE OF BEING HOME TO THE NATIONAL GUARD AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR GREAT EFFORTS AND THEY'RE WORKING WITH THE FAMILIES AS WELL. AGAIN, JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID.
THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS AS A COMMUNITY AND WE'RE GOING TO RISE STRONGER THAN THIS AND WORK HARD TO FOCUS ON RECOVERY ONCE WE GET PAST THIS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER WALDRON?
>> COMMISSIONER: THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE AND THANK STAFF, YOU KNOW, AND THE COMMISSIONERS TOO BECAUSE WE'RE ANSWERING EMAILS EVERY DAY AND TALKING WITH RESIDENTS TRYING TO KEEP THEM CALM. BUT I APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK STAFF'S DONE EVERY DAY.
YOU KNOW, ONE THING ABOUT IT, WE'VE BEEN OPERATIONAL AND UP SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
YOU KNOW, ANSWERING PHONES, TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE EDUCATED ON WHAT'S GOING ON.
AND I APPRECIATE THAT PART. I ALSO APPRECIATE ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THEIR PATIENCE IN THIS. THEY'RE DOING JOBS THEY'RE NOT NORMALLY SUPPOSED TO DO. JUST LIKE OUR STAFF -- YOU KNOW ONE THING ABOUT STAFF.
IF WE HAVE A DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONAL PROBLEM THAT'S GOTTEN TAKEN CARE OF WHETHER WE'RE DEALING WITH A VIRUS OR NOT, THEY'VE GONE OUT OF THEIR WAY TO MAKE SURE THOSE JOBS ARE DONE WHICH IS COMMENDABLE. ALSO, YOU KNOW, ONE WE'RE FORGETTING A LOT, I WANT TO THANK THE PHARMACY WORKERS, THE GROCERY STORE WORKERS, AND THE FARMERS.
PEOPLE OUT THERE, YOU KNOW,S THERE A LOT OF ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES THAT WERE LISTED, BUT, YOU KNOW, GETTING FOOD AND GETTING YOUR MEDICAL STUFF IS ESSENTIAL.
KEY NUMBER ONE ESSENTIAL. AND I APPRECIATE THOSE PEOPLE BEING THERE AND WORKING, YOU KNOW, AND THEY HAVE A RISK INVOLVED. THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
AND THEY SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND OTHER THAN THAT, I JUST WANT TO ASK THE RESIDENTS, YOU KNOW, BE PATIENT, BE SAFE, BE DILIGENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING.
NUMBERS ARE LOOKING GOOD BUT ARE GOING TO FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.
AND JUST BE SAFE AND, YOU KNOW, THIS SHALL TOO PASS. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
JOHNS? >> COMMISSIONER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
I WANT TO SAY HAPPY EASTER. SO MANY TIMES IT'S EASY TO LET IMPORTANT CELEBRATIONS GO BY AND BEING THE FOCAL POINT OF ALL CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD, FOCUSING ON THE DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT IN THEIR LIVES.
WHILE WE CAN EASILY GET DISTRACTED BY VERY IMPORTANT THINGS, SOMETIMES THEY'RE NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT. WHILE WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD HANDS OR HUG FAMILY MEMBERS OR BE WHERE WE ARE TIP WHICH I DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, LET'S REMEMBER WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT ON A DAILY BASIS. JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE EVERYBODY THAT IS TRYING TO BE SOMEWHERE OR GO SOMEWHERE TO BE WITH PEOPLE DURING THIS IMPORTANT HOLIDAY SEASON TO ALL OF US AS CHRISTIANS. I WANT TO SAY THAT'S BEEN WEIGHING ON MY HEART AND MIND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. BUT THIS TOO SHALL PASS. WE ARE A CREATIVE, INGENIUS COUNTRY. AS OUR STAFF HAS DEMONSTRATED BY THEIR MCGYVERING OF OUR 15-YEAR-OLD SYSTEM TO EFFECTIVELY CREATE TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION IN AN AUDITORIUM THAT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO DO SO. I CANNOT IMAGINE THE HOURS YOU HAVE PUT IN ON TOP OF YOUR REGULAR JOB TO MAKE TODAY'S MEETING SUCCESSFUL. SINCERELY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN WE CAN SAY WE HAVE FLATTENED THE CURVE AND GOTTEN THIS DISEASE BEHIND US AND CAN GO BACK TO SAFY CONDUCTING OUR BUSINESSES AND HOME LIVES AND SCHOOLING. ALL OF OUR TEACHERS, TEACHING FROM HOME REMOTELY TO STUDENTS THEY CAN'T LITERALLY KEEP AN EYE ON. I HEARD FROM MANY OF THEM THAT THE CHALLENGES WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE THEY ARE FINDING WAYS TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE OUR YOUTH OF AMERICA IS ALSO VERY ENCOURAGING. I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESS OWNERS TO CONTACT ME. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU RECOMMEND TO GET THINGS BACK TO BUSINESS FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES, FOR YOUR CUS CUSTOMERS AND TO GET PRODUCTS TO YOU SO WE CAN PASS THAT ON OUR CHAMBER, TO OUR STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES SO WE CAN GET THE GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY OUT OF PEOPLE'S WAY AND BACK TO NORMAL MUCH MORE QUICKLY THAN WE DID TEN YEARS AGO. I THINK WE HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT POSITIONS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT THAT ARE MORE BUSINESS MINDED NOW AND WE'LL SEE THE RESULTS OF THAT MOVING FORWARD. BUT I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM
[01:15:01]
PEOPLE. BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR BUSINESSES ARE ABLE TO EMPLOY OUR RESIDENTS SO THEY CAN MAKE ENDS MEET AND HAVE ONE LESS THING TO WORRY ABOUT.BECAUSE OUR MENTAL HEALTH IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. >> CHAIRMAN SMITH: THANK YOU. I'VE GOT A FEW THINGS I'D LIKE I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO STAFF THIS MORNING. WOW.
Y'ALL DID -- THAT WAS IMPRE IMPRESSIVE.PWILE, MICHAEL, DANNK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE THIS MORNING. I THOUGHT PUBLIC COMMENT WAS VERY WELL DONE TODAY. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE THAT MAY NOT HAVE EVEN DONE SO BEFORE. AND VERY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE WAY IT WENT.
IT DID TAKE A LITTLE ADJUSTING TO, WHAT TO EXPECT, BUT IS I THINK YOU GOT THE BEEPS DOWN, COMMISSIONER WALDRON. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL. THIS WAS MANY, MANY -- IN ONE WEEK IT'S BEEN AMAZING WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. I'LL GIVE YOU TWO THUMBS UP BACK THERE. THAT'S FOR SURE. THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL ADDRESS FIRST OF ALL, WE DO HAVE POSTPONED AGENDA ITEMS. AND TODAY WE HAD SIX OF THEM THAT ARE POSTPONED. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, AND 11. WHAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD WITH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE'VE HAD HERE AND THE ABILITIES THAT WE'VE HAD TODAY? WOULD WE LIKE TO HEAR THESE APRIL 21ST? SPLIT THEM UP BETWEEN APRIL 21ST AND MAY 5? SPLIT THEM UP MORE THAN THAT? DELAY HEARING THEM. I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE BOARD WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE. BEFORE WE DO SO, MR. MCCORMACK, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING?
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TOPIC UP. MR. CONRAD AND I WERE BRIEFLY DISCUSSING THAT. I DO THINK THE BOARD MAY CONSIDER ASPECTS SUCH AS HOW TIME SENSITIVE AN ITEM IS. HOW MUCH PUBLIC INPUT AND FOR LACK OF A BETTER PHRASE DISPUTE OR OPPOSITION AN ITEM HAS. INCLUDED AMONGST YOUR DECISION HERE.
I DO THINK THE TECHNOLOGY FOR THIS MEETING WAS QUITE GOOD. THE BOARD MAY REMEMBER LAST TUESDAY A LITTLE BUMPY. THURSDAY AT THE PZA IT WAS VASTLY IMPROVED OVER LAST WEEK'S TUESDAY. AND TODAY IMPROVED EVEN FURTHER. ONE THING ABOUT TODAY THOUGH, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE SORT OF APPEARING REMOTELY. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT A QUASI JUDICIAL ITEM, ITEM 8 WITH MS. LEVY AND MYSELF, THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF THE TIME THING THAT WENT TO SORT OF PUTTING EXHIBITS DOWN. I THINK IT'S VERY GOOD BUT I DO THINK IF SOMETHING IS VERY SORT OF CONTESTED TYPE OF THING THE BOARD MAY WANT TO HAVE SORT OF ONE MORE ROUND BEFORE DOING THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE PRESUMPTUOUS MR. CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS BUT OF ITEMS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BENCHSHIP ITEM.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS A DISPUTED TYPE OF THING, FOR ONE, ITEM NUMBER FIVE, WHICH WAS THE -- THE STOKES INDUSTRIAL, I DON'T RECALL A LOT OF SORT OF DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY ABOUT THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS MAY HAVE HEARD DIFFERENTLY.
THE STRATTON ROAD BOULEVARD WHICH HAD BEEN BROUGHT BACK ALREADY ONCE, BUT THAT WAS ALSO 70. I THINK THAT THAT STILL MAY HAVE HAD NEIGHBORHOOD -- SOME CONCERN. THE GATE -- THE GATE MATTER, WHICH WAS ITEM NUMBER ONE, MY SENSE IS THAT THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOME KIND OF CONTESTING.
[01:20:07]
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THOSE KIND COMMENTS. THE BOARD CAN GIVE SOME KIND OF DIRECTION TODAY WERE OF COURSE, THE CHAIR AND ADMINISTRATOR AT THE TYPICAL DAY AFTER THE THURSDAY AGENDA COULD ALSO DO THAT, BUT I THINK THE CHAIR IS LOOKING FOR DIRECTION.>> THANK YOU. I DO WANT INPUT FROM THE BOARD OF HOW YOU ARE KIND OF SENSING THIS. I'D LIKE TO HAVE YOUR INPUT IN REGARD, ESPECIALLY AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE. IS IT ADEQUATE? IS IT INSUFFICIENT? COMMISSIONER JOHNS.
>>MR. JOHNS: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I'D LIKE TO SEE HOW OUR MEETING GOES NEXT WEEK. I UNDERSTAND THE CONSIDERATIONS OF THE POSSIBLE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, BUT I WANT BUSINESS TO CONTINUE. PEOPLE ARE WAITING IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO CONDUCT THEIR BUSINESS KEY PEOPLE EMPLOYED. THE BOARD ITEMS DON'T HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONTROVERSY TO BE PUT ON THE AGENDA. MY QUESTION IS HOW MUCH TIME DO WE NEED FOR RENOTICE? IS TWO WEEKS TODAY SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THESE QUASIJUDICIAL ITEMS? BECAUSE IF SO, AND WE DO NOT PUT ALL OF THE ITEMS ON THE MEETING IN TWO WEEKS WE'RE LOOKING AT FOUR WEEKS AWAY. AND I'M HOPING WITHIN TWO WEEKS, WE WILL HAVE EVEN MORE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WE'VE EXPERIENCED, TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE DO HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS ON THE
ITEMS. >> AND IF I MAY, MR. CHAIR, COMMISSIONER JOHNS, I BELIEVE THAT THE EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION YOU DID TODAY, WHICH IS TO FOLLOW THE STATE LAW, BUT MAKE SOME PROVISION FOR RELAXATION FROM THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE RESTRICTIONS. THAT WOULD PUT THE BOARD AND THE APPLICANT'S IN THE REPUBLICAN POSITION TO HAVE SOME OF THESE HEARD ON THE 21ST.
IT ALSO -- BECAUSE THE LDC EXTRA NOTICE REQUIREMENTS DO NOT HAVE TO BE MET THROUGH THE PROCLAMATION, IT DOES ALSO GO TO THE POINT, HOWEVER, SHOULD THEY IF SOMETHING IS VERY CONTROVERSIAL. OBVIOUSLY, THIS BOARD NEEDS THE BEST PUBLIC INPUT AGAIN.
THE PUBLIC, OF COURSE, DESERVES THE REASONABLE NOTICE. AND THAT'S WHY THAT LANGUAGE IN THE EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION SAID REASONABLE. I THINK PARTLY ON THAT DEPENDS ON, AGAIN, HOW ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD WANT THAT NOTICE THAT IN THE PAST THEY RELIED ON. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION. SO, TECHNICALLY, IT CAN BE DONE ON THE 21ST BUT THEN I THINK IT IS A JUDGMENT CALL WHICH OF THOSE REASONABLY SHOULD BE DONE.
THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONR WALDRON?
>> ONE OF THE CONCERNS -- I'M FINE EITHER WAY. BUT -- ONE CONCERN I WANT TO ASK OUR ADMINISTRATOR. DO YOU FEEL THAT STAFF WOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE WORKING FROM HOME, THE NUMBERS WE HAVE HAD TO SEND HOME, WOULD WE BE PREPARED TO HAVE THE HEARINGS AS WE GO FORWARD? BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT TO PUT THEM IN JEOPARDY EITHER. NOT BEING PREPARED.
>> YOU SAW -- MOST OF THE ITEMS THAT COME BEFORE YOU ARE FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
ANYTHING RELATED TO QUASH I JUDICIAL HIS WORD STEMS FROM. I'M CONFIDENT THAT BETWEEN MR. ROBBERSON AND THE STAFF THAT WE CAN GET SOMEONE HERE OR IT CAN BE DONE SIMILAR TO HOW MR. MCCORMICK DID IT THIS MORNING. IT'S YOUR DISCRETION AS TO WHAT YOU PREFER AND HOW YOU LIKE BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED. AS FAR AS THE COUNTY SIDE THERE MAY BE SOME SMALL HICCUPS, BUT HOPEFULLY NOTHING SIGNIFICANT THAT WOULD INTERRUPT BUSINESS. AS FAR AS A STAFFING STANDPOINT, I THINK WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> I THINK WE CAN DO IT EITHER WAY.
>> COMMISSIONER DEAN, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, PREFERENCE, OBSERVATION?
>> I DO. BE SAY THIS, ONE OF THE I THINK, BEST THINGS OF OUR LOCAL
[01:25:08]
AND STATE GOVERNMENT IS THAT WE HAVE A SUNSHINE LAW AND WE PUT GREAT EMPHASIS ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO QUASIJUDICIAL ITEMS. AND I WILL AGAIN, ALTHOUGH GREAT KUDOS TO THE STAFF ARE GETTING OUR REMOTE ACCESS HE WELL WORKED OUT, THERE'S A -- IT CREATES, IN MY OPINION, SORT OF AN UNLEVEL PLAYING FIELD WHEN YOU HAVE AN APPLICANT APPEARING IN PERSON WITH THEIR ATTORNEY FOR SOMETHING AND YOU HAVE THE ADJACENT OWNER OR COMMUNITY INTEREST PARTICIPATION -- I DON'T THINK THIS COMMISSION SHOULD ANTICIPATE WHICH ITEMS MAY OR MAY NOT BE CHALLENGED OR MAY OR MAY NOT FACE THE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAD ONE RECENTLY WHERE I THINK NONE OF US HAD MUCH OF THE PUSH BACK IN THE DAY OF THE MEETING, THE MORNING OF THE MEETING WE HAD A NUMBER OF HOMEOWNER SHOW UP TO SPEAK. JUST AS ONE EXAMPLE.I THINK THAT WE HAVE A PRESIDENT, WE HAVE A GOVERNOR -- HAS ASKED THE NATION AND STATE TO HUNGRY DOWN FOR 30 DAYS AND LET'S DO ALL WE CAN TO FLATTEN THE CURVE.
SO I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE TAKE NO JUDICIAL QUASIJUDCIAL ITEMS EX PARTE ITEMS UPUNTIL THE FIRST MEETING IN MAY. THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. MR. BLOCKER ANY COMMENTS OBSERVATIONS OR ANYTHING THAT
YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN SAID I THINK IT WOULD BE PRUDENT FOR US TO CONSIDER WAITING UNTIL 1 MAY. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A NEED TO KEEP BUSINESS GOING AND WE WANT TO SUPPORT THAT. I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO AND ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THAT BUT WHAT MAKES ME CONCERNED IS SOME OF THE QUASIJUDICIAL MATTERS I THINK IN AN ABUNDANCE OF FAIRNESS AND TO MAKE SURE WERE FOLLOWING THE DUE PROCESS, AND WE HAVE TO FOLLOW I THINK IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO AT LEAST POSTPONE UNTIL MAY.
I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE CAN CALL IN. I THINK MANY PEOPLE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY OR RELUCTANCE TO DO IT OR SIMPLY SAY SHE'D BE AT A DISADVANTAGE.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE LOSE ANYTHING BY WAITING A FEW WEEKS ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT. I WILL CONTINUE WITH MY COMMENTS.
I WANT TO SAY THAT FOOD FOR THOUGHT, THE PALM TREES BUDDING.
WINTER IS OVER. IT IS. CICADAS ARE ALSO CHIRPING NOW IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S LUMBER TIME OUTSIDE. DR. CHRISTIAN CHRISTIANSEN IS THE NEW DIRECTOR FOR THE HASTINGS AGRICULTURAL CENTER. LIKEWISE, WE'VE HAD 6/10 OF AN INCH ON MY FARM IN THE LAST WEEK. IT WAS VERY MUCH NEEDED AND THANKFUL FOR. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY PRODUCT MOVEMENT IN THE FIELD FROM AGRICULTURAL STANDPOINT IS VERY SLOW. THAT'S A VERY DIFFICULT THING IN THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GO WITH PERISHABLE COMMODITIES.
SO ARE FARMERS ARE HAVING SOME STRAINS FINANCIALLY. IT WILL BE UNTIL THIS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IS ABLE TO CATCH UP. I'D LIKE TO HAVE ADDRESSED A MATTER THAT HAS -- THAT I THINK MOST OF US HAVE. YOU HAVE A COPY OF THE LETTER HAS EVERYONE RECEIVED ONE? THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM EITHER.
>> THEY HAVE NOT. >> WE WILL DO THAT.
I HAVE A -- JEFF WONMAC ÃMAKE THIS ONE HAS DRAFT ON IT, WHICH IS FINE.
WE CAN PUT IT UP THERE. >> THIS IS A LETTER THAT HAS BEEN COMPOSED I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER WALDRON YOU REQUESTED THIS AS WELL IN REGARD TO FRIENDS OF THE A1 A APPLICATION. IT'S A SUPPORT LETTER TO DESIGNATE A1 A AS AN ALL-AMERICAN ROAD. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SUPPORT LETTERS LIKE THIS WRITTEN BY SENATOR HUDSON, I BELIEVE. WHO ELSE?
[01:30:24]
-- FROM THE CHAMBER. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER LETTERS OF SUPPORT RICK.I PUT THIS BEFORE YOU AS -- THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THIS BOARD WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OR NOT. ANY COMMENTS?
>> THIS IS DEAN, I CERTAINLY SUPPORTED. I WOULD RECOMMEND WE GO FORWARD
COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? JOHNS SIR, I WOULD SUPPORTED.
>> OKAY. VERY GOOD. LEGAL, DO YOU HAVE PUBLIC
COMMENT ON THIS AS WELL? >> YES.
YOU SHOULD HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. ONE THING I WAS INQUIRING, I THINK -- AND MELISSA MAY KNOW THIS. AND I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT KNOWING THIS ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
I THINK THERE WAS A REACH OUT TO SEE WHAT, IF ANY, KIND OF RESTRICTIONS OR OBLIGATIONS OR THAT TYPE OF THING. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S COMMON TO BE MADE.
I THINK OUR OFFICE WAS LOOKING AT THAT BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD THE FINAL RESOLUTION.
>> YES. WE HAD AN EMAIL WHICH I THINK I SHARED WITH THE CHAIR AND THE ADMINISTRATOR. HER RESPONSE THAT THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS.
THIS JUST TAKES IT FROM A HIGHER LEVEL FROM THE A1 A PHOENIX HIGHWAY OR BY WAY THAT IT IS CURRENTLY -- IT TAKES IT ONE MORE LEVEL TO THE ALL-AMERICAN.
AND I THINK YOUR STAFF, MS. LEVEE HAS THAT IS WILL.
>> I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANY UNDUE OR UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD, THIS DESIGNATION. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD.
COMMISSIONER JOHNS? >> SOMETHING THAT POPPED IN MY HEAD. SOMEBODY MAY WANT TO LOOK INTO THE POTENTIAL FOR THE BIKE LANES AND IS NOT IMPACTED BY THIS DESIGNATION? ARE WE STILL ALLOWING IT, PREVENTING IT, IS IT BEING DESIGNED OR CONSTRUCTED?
>> DO WE HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT? CAN WE GET AN ANSWER FOR THAT.
>> IN THIS ONE ALSO IN ONE OF HER LETTERS WAS TIME SENSITIVE. BUT HOW QUICKLY WAS IT NEEDED?
I HATE TO MAKE YOU WAIT. >> SO WHAT I KNOW IS THEIR QUEST WAS TO HAVE THEIR PUTTING THEIR DRAFT TOGETHER THIS PAST FRIDAY.
SO THEY ASKED FOR A DRAFT OF THE LETTER, WHICH WE GAVE TO THEM.
THEY ARE WAITING, HOPING THAT THEY CAN GET A SIGNED LETTER SOMETIME TODAY.
WHAT THEIR DEADLINE IS, I'M HONESTLY UNCERTAIN. I'M SURE WE CAN GET AN ANSWER.
I KNOW MR. SHRINK WE HAD CALLED ME AS WELL AND I KNOW HE HAS JUST BEEN MADE AWARE YESTERDAY.
SO, YOU KNOW WITH THE CONSTRAINTS OF STAFF AND HAVING TIME, I DON'T THINK HE HAD BEEN ABLE TO LOOK INTO IT EITHER. WE JUST STATED FROM OUR AND WITH MS. LEVEE AND MYSELF.
WE CAN ASK THAT QUESTION IF YOU APPROVE THE LETTER TODAY, WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT IT DOES NOT PUT ANY RESTRICTIONS ON ANYTHING WITH THE BIKE LANES OR CAUSE ISSUES THEY ARE BEFORE WE HAVE THE CHAIR SIGN IT IF YOU'RE AGREEABLE TO THAT. THAT'S THE BEST I CAN OFFER.
WE CAN ALWAYS BRING IT BACK TO NEXT TUESDAY.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE MAKE IT CONTINGENT UPON NO RESTRICTIONS OF THE BIKE LANE. ALL RIGHT? WILL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT. >> WE WILL NOT HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE A1 A SCENIC AND HISTORICAL COASTAL BYWAY ALL-AMERICAN ROADWAY.
PLEASE COME FORWARD OR CALLING. QUICK ICING ON MR. CHAIRMAN WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> PUBLIC COMMENT -- I THINK WE HAVE CONSENSUS, BUT WE WILL DO SO WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>>CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER BLOCKER.
>> YES, SIR. >>CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER
>>CHAIRMAN SMITH: COMMISSIONER JOHNS.
>> YES. >>CHAIRMAN SMITH: I'LL BE A GUESS AS WELL. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE BIKE PASS.
[01:35:14]
I THINK THAT WRAPS UP EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR JUST LIKEWISE I WANT TO SAY IT'S A TREMENDOUS WEEK TO REMEMBER WHY CHRIST, JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD.HE CAME TO SERVE SINNERS AND THANKFUL FOR HIS DEATH FOR HIS BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.
WHAT A BLESSING. ADMINISTRATION? NOTHING THIS MORNING, SIR.
>> COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? >>.
>> THE ONE THING I WANT TO SAY MR. CHAIRMAN COMMISSIONERS, ONE OF THE THINGS I MOST ENJOY ABOUT THIS JOB IS ACTUALLY THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I THINK THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE BEACHES TODAY -- I KNOW -- I'VE BEEN PUTTING A LOT OF WORK INTO SORT OF BEACH ISSUES, THIS KIND OF THING. BUT I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THE TYPE OF PUBLIC COMMENT THAT WE HAD THIS MORNING. IT WAS RESPECTFUL. 99 PERCENT.
AND I THINK JUST THE VARIOUS ISSUES. I THINK THEY WERE VERY INFORMATIVE FOR MR. CONRAD AND MYSELF AND OF COURSE, THE COMMISSIONERS.
AND I THINK OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU ABOUT THAT. I WILL SAY THE BEACH ISSUES, THERE WILL BE CONTINUED INTEREST IN ISSUES ABOUT THEM. THERE'S BEEN LITIGATION TO CLOSE THE BEACHES.
THERE'S BEEN SOME LITIGATION AND SOME CIRCUMSTANCE TO OPEN THE BEACHES.
IN OTHER WORDS, I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THE BOARD HAVE THE EXPECTATION THAT THAT IS A DYNAMIC OVERALL ISSUE THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYTHING ELSE NEED TO COME BEFORE THIS BOARD.
ALL HEARTS AND MINDS CLICK MR. DEAN COMMISSIONER BLOCKER, ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO AD
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.