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>> GOOD MORNING. I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE SPECIAL MEETING OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APRIL 14TH, 2020.
I WOULD LIKE TO DO AHEAD AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE OUR COMMISSIONERS ON THE PHONE
THAT SHOULD BE THERE. COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? >> JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER: YES,
SIR. >> COMMISSIONER DEAN ARE YOU THERE?
>> HENRY DEAN: YES, SIR. >> THANK Y'ALL FOR CALLING IN THIS MORNING.
LIKEWISE, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THE PUBLIC CAN CALL IN AS WELL.
904-209-19265 IS THE NUMBER. LIKEWISE, THE PUBLIC CAN VIEW THIS MEETING ON GTV.
WE ARE MAKING IT AVAILABLE AS A RESULT OF THE GOVERNOR DESANTIS' EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 2069 SO FOLKS CAN CALL IN AND LIKEWISE WE CAN HAVE A FORUM THAT IS REMOTE.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WOULD THE CLERK PLEASE CALL ROLE. >> CHAIR COMMISSIONER JEB
SMITH. >> JEB S. SMITH: PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER JAMES JOHNS.
>> >> JAMES JOHNS: PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER?
>> YES. >> AND COMMISSIONER BLOCKER AND DEAN ARE REMOTE.
>> CAN YOU HEAR THAT? >> YES, SIR. >> VERY GOOD.
AND NOW IF YOU WOULD PLEASE, LET'S MOVE INTO THE INVOCATION AND IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STAND. LET'S BOW OUR HEADS AND PRAY. FATHER, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE STATE YOU GAVE TO US. THIS IS THE DAY YOU HAVE MADE TO REJOICE AND BE GLAD.
FATHER, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GRACE AND YOUR LOVE AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICE OF YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST AND THE DEATH FOR OUR SINS AND HIS RESURRECTION.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER TODAY FOR THIS MEETING TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS ITEMS NECESSARY TO BE UPDATED AND IMPORTANT ISSUES AT HAND AND LIKEWISE LORD TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THE BETTER MEANT OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE PRAY FOR WISDOM.
IF YOU LIKE WISDOM AND YOU SHALL ASK GOD AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN.
DRIVEN WITH THE WIND, LET NOT THAT MAN RECEIVE ANYTHING OF THE LORD.
FATHER WE PRAY FOR THIS. GUIDE US. BE ABLE TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS FOR YOUR GLORY. FATHER, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EACH PERSON HERE TODAY.
WE PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES FOR SAFETY AND LIKEWISE EACH INDIVIDUAL HERE.
WE PRAY FOR THEIR WELL BEING. FATHER, WE THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
THE BUSINESS THAT IS BEING CONDUCTED AND OTHERS THAT WERE SHUTDOWN.
WE PRAY FOR OUR BUSINESSES THAT ARE SUFFERING AT THIS TIME.
WE JUST PRAY THAT YOU WOULD ASK IT TO BE DONE IN JESUS NAME.
IF YOU WOULD PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION, UNDERGOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU. YOU MAY BE SEATED. >> WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO
[Item 1]
FIRST OF ALL IS WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION BY MR. CONRAD AND THEN OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AFTER EACH ITEM. MR. CONRAD, IF YOU WILL COME FORWARD.>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING MR. CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS.
OUR WEEKLY UPDATE FOR THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY. I WANT TO GO OVER THE NUMBERS WHERE WE STAND AND THEN I WILL SIT DOWN AND TURN IT OVER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. AS A QUICK UPDATE OUR POSITIVE CASES, WE ARE UP TO 170 RESIDENTS. SIX NONRESIDENTS FOR 176 POSITIVE TOTAL CASES. HOSPITALIZATIONS WE HAVE 29. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT THE LISTENING PUBLIC TO RECOGNIZE IS ALTHOUGH THERE ARE 29 HOSPITALIZATIONS, THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE HAVE 29 CURRENT HOSPITALIZATIONS. DURING THE COURSE OF THIS THERE HAVE BEEN 29 ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED AS A RESULT OF COVID-19. SOME OF THEM AND MANY OF THEM MAY NOT BE ANY LONGER IN THE HOSPITAL. ALSO WE REMAIN AT TWO DEATHS LOCALLY.
THAT NUMBER HAS NOT INCREASED AS OF YET. ON A POSITIVE NOTE WHILE NO CASES OF COVID-19 ARE POSSIBLE -- POSITIVE WE HAVE SEEN A DOWNWARD TREND.
LAST WEEK I CAME AND SAID WE HAD THE FIRST DAY OF THE DECLINING CASES.
WE WENT FROM 13 TO 16 A DAY OVER A THREE TO FOUR-DAY PERIOD.
THAT MONDAY WE SAW A DECLINE DOWN TO SEVEN AND OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS I WANT TO GIVE YOU THESE NUMBERS AND I WILL BE BRIEF. SIX CASES, FIVE CASES, FOUR
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CASES, FIVE, THREE, FOUR, FOUR AND YESTERDAY A TOTAL OF ONE NEW CASE.THAT IS GOOD NEWS TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS BEGINNING TO FLAT LINE. THE ONLY WAY REALLY IN THIS CRISIS WE CAN TELL IT IS A FLAT LINE IS BY LOOKING TO THE PAST.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THAT DROP. HOPEFULLY WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THAT OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO, AND THEN FROM THERE WE CAN MAKE SOME DECISIONS AT YOUR DISCRETION. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO GIVE IS YOU WE ARE TESTING AT A 5.3% POSITIVE TEST RATE. THAT IS LESS THAN HALF OF THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE.
THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE IS OVER 10.5% POSITIVE TEST RATE. WE ARE TESTING AT 5.3 POSSIBLE -- POSITIVE. THAT'S GOOD SIGNS. THE ONE ADDITIONAL PIECE OF INFORMATION I WANT TO GIVE TO YOU IN REGARDS TO TESTING IS THAT YESTERDAY THEY PROJECTED THE DEATH RATE PEAK TO MOVE FROM APRIL 21ST TO MAY 6TH.
HOWEVER, WHILE THAT MAY SOUND NEGATIVE BECAUSE YOU ARE PUSHING THE PEAK FURTHER OUT, THE GOOD NEWS FROM THAT IS THE PROJECT PEAK IS MUCH LOWER THAN WHAT IT WAS A WEEK AGO.
I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS FROM THAT, BUT EVEN THOUGH THE PEAK IS EXTENDED WHERE WE WILL SEE THE HIGHEST DEATHS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, NOT NECESSARILY IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, BUT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THE DEATH RATE PEAK HAS DECREASED.
THAT'S A GOOD SIGN. IT MEANS THE MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN ARE WORKING.
WE STILL HAVE FOUR LOCATIONS FOR TESTING IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.
YOU KNOW THE REGIONAL FIELD IN JACKSONVILLE HAS MOVED OVER FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD WILL BE COMING IN TO SUPPORT THAT AND IT WILL BE A STATEWIDE EFFORT. CITIZENS CAN GO THERE. THE MEDICAL GROUP AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. THERE IS NO LACK OF TESTING CAPACITY. WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT WHEN ARE WE GOING TO RAMP UP TESTING AND ARE WE DOING MORE TESTING? AT THIS POINT WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH TESTING. WE SPOKE TO ALL THREE PARTNERS.
THEY ARE ABLE TO MEET THE NEED FOR TESTING AT THIS POINT. WE HAVE TESTED SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN SOME COUNTIES LARGER THAN US SUCH AS VALUSIA AND SEEM -- SEMINOLE COUNTY.
WE HAVE A LOWER POSITIVE TEST CASE AND LOWER CASE COUNT IN THOSE COUNTIES.
THAT IS GOOD NEWS. I WILL STAND BY FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE OF ME.
WHERE WE SIT AS A COUNTY AS FAR AS INTERNAL OPERATIONS AND OUR POSTURE THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. AT THIS TIME I WILL TURN IT OVER TO DOCTOR ALIOT OR MISS
LINDA STOKES. >> THANK YOU, CONRAD. ANY QUESTIONS?
GOOD MORNING, DOCTOR. >> GOOD MORNING. DAWN C.ALICOT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHARING A COVID-19 UPDATE. THANKS TO MR. CONRAD.
I LIKE YOUR INFORMATION. I MAY REPEAT A LITTLE BIT OF THAT, BUT PERHAPS FROM A LITTLE DIFFERENT SLANT. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A COVID-19 CASES, WE RECOGNIZE ALL 50 STATES IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO, GUAM AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS HAVE ALL REPORTED CASES OF COVID-19.
IT HAS TOUCHED EVERY PART OF FLORIDA. TH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LAUNCHED A DASHBOARD WHERE YOU CAN GO DOWN TO THE ZIP CODE DATA AND THAT HAS BEEN HELPFUL FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE. TO REVIEW THE DATA THAT OUR COUNTRY ADMINISTRATORS SHARED WE HAVE TESTED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS OF YESTERDAY MORNING 196,819 INDIVIDUALS. THAT'S ALMOST ABOUT 1% OF FLORIDA'S POPULATION.
IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY LIKEWISE, WE HAVE TESTED ABOUT 1%. THE STATE, AS MR. CONRAD STATED, HAS A 10% POSITIVITY AND IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY A 5 TO 6%.
HOSPITALIZATION RATES, FLORIDA WE HAD A 13% RATE, BUT IN ST. JOHN'S RATE IS 16%.
AS MR. CONRAD SHARED, THE NUMBERS DO NOT ACTUALLY MEAN THAT WE STILL HAVE THOSE NUMBERS IN THE HOSPITAL. THAT'S BEEN OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
FLORIDA HAS ABOUT A 2.3% MORTALITY RATE AND ST. JOHN'S ABOUT A 1.2.
WE ARE ABOUT 50% LESS. TO DRILL IT DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER.
WE HAVE, AS MR. CONRAD STATED 175, 176 CONFIRMED CASES IN ST. JOHNS A COUNTY AND THE RESIDENTS ARE AGED ABOUT 2 YEARS TO 91 YEARS OLD. EARLIER SURGES I SHARED, 25% OF THE PEOPLE INFECTED MAY NEVER HAVE SYMPTOMS. ANOTHER SET OF INDIVIDUALS WILL NOT SHOW SYMPTOMS, BUT WILL ACTUALLY TRANSMIT IT UP TO 48 HOURS BEFORE.
MITIGATION STRATEGY, SOCIAL DISTANCING. THIS IS VERY SIGNIFICANT TO OUR ARSENAL, AND WE ARE LOOKING TO EMBRACE IT AS FULLY AS WE CAN TO HAVE A MORE OPTIMAL DE -- DE -- DE DE DECREASED. SIX FEET DISTANCE DOES WORK
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AND SOCIAL DISTANCING SHOULD CONTINUE AND IT IS A MUST. AND ANOTHER POINT ON SOCIAL DISTANCING, WE HAVE REAL DATA THAT INDICATES THAT IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THE MITIGATION EFFORT SUCH AS SOCIAL DISTANCING, THIS PHYSICAL SEPARATION, THEY ARE ACTUALLY HAVING A POSITIVE EFFECT AS MR. CONRAD SHARED. WE ARE SEEING THE PEAK AS BEING LOWER. EVEN IN THE HOTSPOTS IN THE U.S. SUCH AS NEW YORK NEW YORK CITY. THIS IS CONFIRMED TO SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THAT IT IS WORKING. WHAT DOES HITTING THE PEAK MEAN? HITTING THE PEAK OF ACTIVE CASES, WHAT DOES THIS REALLY MEAN? PERHAPS THE WAY IT CAN BE BEST DESCRIBED IS THAT WE ARE ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE FIRST PHASE. AS ONE EXPERT PUT IT, IT IS NOT LIKE YOU CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN AND WE WILL TUMBLE DOWN TO THE BOTTOM. THE SECOND HALF WILL BE JUST AS HARD AS THE FIRST HALF. EXPERTS POINT OUT THAT MOST OF THE MODELING, BOTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS, IS PREMISES ON SOCIAL DISTANCING. CONTINUING FOR QUITE SOME TIME.THUS SHOULD WE BECOME COMPLAISANT AND EASE UP ON THE SOCIAL DISTANCING THE TRAJECTORY OF THE PANDEMIC CAN DRAM -- DRAMATICALLY CHANGE FOR THE WORST AND ECONOMIC COSTS WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW. CORONAVIRUS BEING AERSOLAIZED THROUGH TALKING.
THEY CONCLUDED THE CORONAVIRUS IS AESOLIZED THROUGH TALKING. IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THE VIRAL PARTICLES ARE VIABLE AND EMITTED IN THOSE EFFICIENT ENOUGH TO CAUSE INFECTION.
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION CONTENDS TO SHOW THAT COVID-19 VIRUS IS PRIMARILY TRANSMITTED THROUGH RESPIRATORY DROPLETS AND CONTACT ROOTS. AND IT CAN ONLY BECOME AIRBORNE WAYS TO GENERATE AIR -- AEROSOLS. SO THE CDC'S MASK RECOMMENDATIONS WE LOOK AT IT IN TWO WAYS. A REASON TO PROTECT ME AND/OR USING IT TO PROTECT SOMEONE ELSE FROM ME IF I AM WEARING A MASK.
WHAT IS YOUR DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH? HEALTH DEPARTMENT DOING? MONITORING CONTACT TRACING. WHEN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECEIVES NOTICE OF A POSITIVE TEST WE CONDUCT AN EP DEEM LOGICAL INVESTIGATION AND WE DETERMINE WHO THE CLOSE CONTACTS ARE AND WE WORK TO HAVE CASE IDENTIFICATION AND CONTACT TRACING TO IMPEDE THE DISEASE. WE MONITOR OUR VOL -- VULNERABILITIES.
WE TRY TO LIMIT THE BREAKS IN THE INSTITUTIONS AND NOT FORGET THE YOUNGER INDIVIDUALS. WE HAVE SEEN HOSPITALIZATIONS IN 20, 30 AND 40 YEERTS ---YEAR-OLDS THAT REQUIRED INTENSIVE CARE. OUR PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SIX FEET APART AND WASHING OUR HANDS AND ENSURING WE COVER OUR COUGH AND HAND SANITIZER, 60% ALCOHOL AND STAY HOME IF WE ARE SICK.
IN CONCLUSION AS THIS PANDEMIC IMPACTS OUR COMMUNITY MY HEART IS WITH THE INDIVIDUALS AND THE FAMILIES AFFECTED AS THEY STRUGGLE WITH ILLNESS AND DISEASE.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DOCTOR. ANY QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, LINDA STOTIN, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR SAINT ST. AUGUSTINE. THE EOC REMAINS AT LEVEL 2 OPERATIONS. I WON'T REALLY GO INTO ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THAT.
LOGISTICS IS WHERE WE ARE WORKING EXTREMELY HARD TO HELP OUR PARTNER AGENCIES AND RESPONDERS. TO DATE WE RECEIVED 21,279 BOXES, BOTTLES AND CASES OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND HAND SANITIZER IN ALL SHAPES AND FORMS THAT HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED OUT TO OUR RESPONDERS, HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND PARTNER AGENCIES FOR THEIR USE IN COVID-19. WE HAVE ALSO STARTED TO SEE A RISE IN NEED FOR SHELF STABLE MEALS FOR OUR FOOD PANTRIES AS MORE FAMILIES OF OUR UNEMPLOYED OR HAVE BARRIERS TO FOOD AND WE ARE SEEING THE NEED SO WE CONTINUE TO SEND OUT THE SHELF STABLE MEALS TO THE FOOD PANTRIES AND ARE WORKING WITH THEM MUCH MORE CLOSELY THIS WEEK IN WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AND WHAT THEIR PROJECTED NEEDS ARE.
FOR PLANNING WE CONTINUE WITH OUR DAILY SITUATION REPORT WHICH WE HAVE MODIFIED TO MAKE IT SO PEOPLE ARE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH IT AND IT SHARES THE INFORMATION NEEDED. WE HAVE FLAGLER HOSPITAL IN THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER PROVIDING MODELING INFORMATION FOR US WHICH HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND MEDIA ATTENTION HAS BEEN POSITIVE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SEND OUT MESSAGING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY UPDATED WITH THE HELP OF MIKE O'BRIAN
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AND HIS TEAM. AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE STARTED PUSHING ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY WAS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY ALL 50 STATES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNDER A PRESIDENTIAL DECLARATION FOR A SINGLE DISASTER.WE HAVE BEEN DECLARED FOR CATEGORY B EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ACTIONS.
AND NOT ONLY INCLUDING ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND OUR MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUT SOME OF OUR NONPROFITS OR NOT FOR PROFIT AGENCIES MAY BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THAT FEMA DECLARATION. WE STARTED YESTERDAY AT THE EOC PUSHING THAT INFORMATION OUT. IT WAS BY E-MAIL AND THE FEMA WEBSITES. THEY CAN ALSO REGISTER FOR FEMA AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE AND RECOUP THOSE COSTS WHEN THE EVENT WAS OVER.
WE THOUGHT THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO PUSH THAT INFORMATION OUT. WITH THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY
OTHER UPDATES. >> THANK YOU, MS. STOT -- STOTIN.
ANY QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU. >> MR. CONRAD:
>> ONE MORE UPDATE AND I THINK I ADDRESSED WITH EACH OF YOU INDEPENDENTLY.
A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE TALKED ABOUT SETTING UP A POST COVID TASK FORCES AND THOSE ARE IN PLACE. THERE IS ONE SMALLER POST-COVID TASK FORCE THAT IS WORKING ON A PR CAMPAIGN TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OUR LOCAL ECONOMY WHEN THIS IS OVER. THE SECOND PART OF THAT TASK FORCE -- THE SECOND TASK FORCE IF YOU WILL IS COMPOSED OF CIVIC LEADERS AND YOUR STAFF LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE AS FAR AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE GRANTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND THE FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE. AS PART OF THAT TASK FORCE WE ALSO HAVE TODAY, THIS AFTERNOON, WE SHOULD HAVE THE NUMBERS AND WE WILL PUT THOSE OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE COUNTY'S WEBSITES TO SET UP A HOTLINE FOR INDIVIDUAL AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.
TWO SEPARATE HOTLINES. ONE WILL BE TO HELP PEOPLE WITH UNEMPLOYMENT PAPERWORK ANSWER PHONES AND TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST THEM AS THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH TO GET THE RECOVERY AVAILABLE FOR THEM THROUGH THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THE SECOND IS THE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE HOTLINE THAT WILL HELP SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LOCALLY TO WALK THEM THROUGH THE PAPERWORK. WE UNDERSTAND THAT RIGHT NOW THAT IS BEING COMPLEX AND BURDENSOME. WHILE WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE ANSWERS WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY WORKING THROUGH IT.
WE WANTED TO GIVE THAT TO YOU AS AN UPDATE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANY QUESTIONS ? >> I CAN SEE WE HAVE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH US THIS MORNING. THANK Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE. CHIEF FOX, LIKEWISE CHIEF HARD WICK, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. DO Y'ALL HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD, YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME FORWARD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WITH THIS UPDATE NOW DONE WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT AND COMMISSIONER WALDRON. >> PAUL WALDRON: AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR MATTERS NO THE ON THE REGULAR AGENDA. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD STATE HIS OR HER NAME AND EACH PERSON WILL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND ABIDE BY THE RULES OF DECORUM. COMMENTS SHALL BE ADDRESSED AS A WHOLE AND NOT ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER AND MAY NOT INCLUDE A DEMAND FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD. NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PETTER -- PERNT NENT OR SLAIN DRUSE REMARKS OR BOYS TRUSS BEHAVIOR.
MEMBERS FROM THE AUDIENCE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM DEMONSTRATION OF DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS. FINALLY I ASK ANY SPEAKER WITH OVERHEAD MATERIAL, PLEASE PRESENT THAT MATERIAL TO THE STAFF AND IT WILL BE ENTERED PUBLIC RECORD.
THANK YOU. >> RIGHT. MR. CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS, I WANTED A CLARIFICATION. I BELIEVE WHAT THE PLAN WAS WAS THAT THERE WOULD BE ITEM NUMBER ONE AND PUBLIC COMMENT AND PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER ONE WHICH I THINK SHOULD BE UP FOR NOW. AND ITEM NUMBER TWO AND A COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER TWO AND THEN IF THE CHAIR WISHES TO OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT IN GENERAL FOR LATER, IS THAT --
>> YES, SIR. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.
I WAS JUST READING A SCRIPT AND SOMETIMES THAT IS DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE.
NEVERTHELESS, WHAT WE WILL DO, THIS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE AND WE WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT. THE NUMBER FOR THOSE WATCHING TV IS 209-1265.
IT IS A 904 AREA CODE. GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.
>> TON REYNOLDS, 32080. COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS AN UPDATE, SHARE -- SHERIFF DEPUTIES AND FIRE AND THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS HERE AND I WOULD THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM AND HOW THE PARAMEDICS ARE DOING.
I WAS LUCKY I DID SPEAK TO THE COMMANDER AND HE HAS EXCELLENT NEWS.
I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM. I TELL YOU WHO I AM REALLY
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DISAPPOINTED IN COUNCIL NOT HERE GIVING US AN UPDATE, BUT THEY WILL BE HERE WHEN THEY NEED MONEY. COUNTY CORN -- COUNTY ATTORNEY COULDN'T CALL? I THINK CONRAD IS DOING A GREAT JOB. MEGAN WALL, ATTORNEY FOR LEGAL AID, WHY ISN'T SHE HERE? SHE WILL BE HERE FOR HER $400,000.THAT'S A PERSONAL FRIEND OF PATRICK MCCOR -- MCCORMACK.
HE COULDN'T SAY WE HAVE 97 RESTAURANTS AND YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE UNEMPLOYED IN THE COUNTY, DON'T YOU? ALSO LET'S GO DOWN HOW ABOUT OUR STATE REPS? RENA, STEVENSON, THEY ARE NOT HERE. THEY ARE NOT PART OF THIS COUNTY? THAT'S RIGHT. THEY ARE IN TALLAHASSEE PROBABLY -- WHAT? PROMOTING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
HOW ABOUT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE? ALTHOUGH CONRAD DID TOUCH ON SOME OF THE GOOD STUFF WITH THE BUSINESSES AND THE UNEMPLOYED.
WHICH IS A GOOD THING. ALSO TOO DO WE HAVE ANY FURLOUGH IN THE COUNTY? THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. COMMISSIONERS, A LOT OF BAD INFORMATION.
YOU ALL KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN SENDING YOU THE STORIES. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT GIVES NUMBERS. THEY ARE NOT ACCURATE. THEY ARE NOT COUNTING THE DEATHS IN THE NURSING HOMES IF THE PEOPLE WEREN'T TESTED BEFORE.
THEY ARE NOT TESTING THEM AFTERWARDS. WE DON'T REALLY KNOW.
THE FIGURES THEY ARE GIVING, KEEP IN MIND, THEY ARE NOT ACCURATE FIGURES.
THERE ARE REAL NEWSPAPERS IN THE STATE LIKE TAMPA BAY TIMES AND MIAMI HERALD AND TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, THEY ARE ALL DOING SOME GOOD REPORTING.
UNFORTUNATELY WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A NEWSPAPER. WE HAVE THE ST. AUGUSTINE RECORD AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT IS GREAT FOR WRAPPING MULLETS.
EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE IS FAILING THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA.
WE FOE THAT -- WE KNOW GOVERNOR DO SAN THUS -- GOVERNOR DO SAN -- DESANTIS IS FAILING. I LIKE THE GUY MYSELF. I GOT A CHANCE TO MEET HIM.
HE IS A GOOD SPEAKER, BUT HE HAS COMPLETELY FAILED US AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS NOT BEEN UPDATING THE REGISTRY PROPERLY. WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE DEAD ALL OVER THE STATE. THEY HAVE PNEUMONIA AND THEY DIDN'T GET TESTED IT WON'T BE PLACED IN THERE. WHEN YOU ARE MAKING YOUR DECISIONS, KEEP THE FAILURES OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, KEEP THE FAILURES OF THE DESANTIS ADMINISTRATION IN MIND. THIS IS WHEN LOCAL PEOPLE, THEY WANT TO LOOK AT LOCAL LEADERS. YOU HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS. YOU ARE ALL VERY EDUCATED PEOPLE. WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS THEY ARE GIVING YOU, THINK, WE ARE HOME TO THE NATION'S OLDEST PEOPLE, THE OLDEST CITIES.
BY THE WAY, WHO IS HERE SPEAKING FOR THE HOMELESS? DO WE KNOW HOW THEY ARE BEING TEST SNED ARE THEY BEING HOUSED -- TESTED? ARE THEY BEING HOUSED?
HE OWNS 80% OF THE HOTELS. THANK YOU GENTLEMEN. >> ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT WITH US THIS MORNING, PLEASE COME ON UP WE HAVE TWO MICROPHONES.
>> COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND THANK MR. CONRAD.
I FIND THE UPDATES -- MY NAME IS HOWARD GAFNEY, DISTRICT MANAGER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.
THOSE DISTRICTS COME PRIZE OF ABOUT 10% OF THE POPULATION IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY COMBINING ALL OF THOSE. THE INFORMATION THAT I FIND ON THE WEBSITES, THE UPDATES I GET FROM YOU INDIVIDUALLY AS WELL AS FROM MR. CONRAD AND FROM LINDA STOTIN IS VERY HELPFUL IN THE MANAGING OF OUR LOCAL ENTITIES WE MANAGE. I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND YOU ON GETTING OUT THE INFORMATION THAT IS NECESSARY FOR ME SO I CAN GET THE INFORMATION OUT TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WELL AS TO THE PUBLIC. I KNOW THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE OPPORTUNITIES. WE CAN SIT HERE AND PROBABLY DO A POST POUR -- POST PORTEM NOW, BUT IN THE END YOU CAN SAY WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER AND THAT'S WHAT GOOD LEADERS WILL DO. I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH SOME OF THE ITEMS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION, BUT YOUR CALM LEADERSHIP AND YOUR CONFIDENCE IN HOW YOU ARE MANAGING THIS
CRISIS IS TO BE COMMENDED AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> IF YOU ARE HERE AND YOU WANT TO SPEAK, COME FORWARD. IF NOT, WE HAVE A DOCKET FULL
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OF TELEPHONE CALLS. PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> WE HAVE TWO MICS.
>> MY NAME IS MARK GALANCINI AND I LIVE ON PREMIERE VISTA WAY, 32080.
I GUESS I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE -- I AM IN FAVOR OF OPENING BEACHES IF THAT IS THE AGENDA ITEM WE ARE SPEAKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW. I CALLED IN LAST WEEK.
I DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT MORE I GUESS TO SAY AND I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF STATISTICS.
I MAY BE A LITTLE OUT OF MY LEAGUE HERE, BUT I JUST DO KNOW THAT THE SITUATION OBVIOUSLY HAS CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY JOB SO I DON'T TAKE IT LIGHTLY.
LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAS BEEN SAYING YOUR JOB IS NOT EASY AND WE KNOW THAT.
I FEEL LIKE AT THIS POINT GIVEN WHAT MR. CONRAD SAID THINGS SEEM TON -- TO BE DECLINING. IT MAY BE PRIVY TO READDRESS THE POSSIBILITY OF OPENING UP BEACHES FOR LIMITED ACCESS. I JUST KNOW PERSONALLY FOR ME WHEN I GO THERE FOR SURFING, IT IS -- I'M NOT GROUPING WITH PEOPLE. I AM GOING TO THE OCEAN AND I AM COMING BACK AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE AT LEAST WANT AT THIS POINT.
IT IS JUST A QUICK SURF OR RUN OR WALK AND THE LIMITED HOURS MAYBE FROM 7 TO 11 OR 7 TO 9 AS WE DISCUSSED LAST WEEK IS SOMETHING THAT TO ME SEEMS REASONABLE.
SCO -- SO I GUESS JUST ME SHOWING UP HERE I AM TRYING TO BE A VOICE FOR PEOPLE THAT MIGHT FEEL THE SAME WAY. AGAIN, I DON'T ENVY YOU GUYS. I KNOW IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND I RESPECT ANY DECISION YOU MAKE. I FEEL LIKE THE WORRY OF IT BEING OVERCROWDING ON THE BEACHES IS MITIGATED BY THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO PUBLIC PARKING SO THIS ASSURE THAT'S MAINLY LOCALS CAN ACCESS THE BEACH.
I THINK I SPEAK FOR MOST PEOPLE WHEN I SAY THAT I DON'T THINK I EVER TOOK THE BEACH FOR GRANTED, BUT AFTER THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE I WILL NEVER TAE IT FOR GRANTED AGAIN.
I THINK OTHER PEOPLE FEEL THAT WAY AND WILL TREAT IT WITH RESPECT AND FOLLOW THE
GUIDELINES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MR. CONRAD.
ERIC HYERS, 9 EUGENE PLACE, 32080. IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR YOUR WORK AND YOUR LEADERSHIP.
IT IS APPARENT THAT IT IS WORKING AND WE ARE HAVING SOME SUCCESS KEEPING THE VIRUS AT BAY AND APPLAUD YOU GUYS FOR THAT. SO I WROTE THE PETITION THAT NOW HAS 11,775 SIGNATURES AS OF THIS MORNING. I CAME HERE IN THE RAIN THIS MORNING BECAUSE OF THEM. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A LITTLE SCRUTINY ON THIS PETITION SO LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR THAT ZERO DOLLARS WERE SPENT PUSHING THIS PETITION.
IT IS COMPLETELY GRASSROOTS. I TEXTED ABOUT 15 FRIENDS AND IT SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE FROM THERE, JUST PEOPLE SHARING IT. AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OUT OF COUNTY SIGNATURES. I TRIED TO COUNT THEM, BUT 12,000 SIGNATURES IS A LOT OF PAGES AND I GOT BORED. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN -- FROM WHAT I COUNTED 5 TO 10% WERE OUT OF COUNTY. FOR THE SAKE OF FAIRNESS LET'S CALL IT 20%.
9,000 RESIDENTS SIGNED THIS PETITION FOR BEACH ACCESS. AND NOW LET'S READ WHAT VALUSIA COUNTY IS DOING FOR RESIDENTS FROM THEIR WEBSITE. VALUSIA COUNTY BEACHES ARE CLOSED. HOWEVER, IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE AN OUT -- OUTLET FOR PHYSICAL EXERCISE VALUSIA COUNTY RELAXED THE PROHIBITION TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES ON THE BEACH. WALKING, JOGGING, BIKING, FISHING, SURFING AND SWIMMING. ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SUN BATHING AND SITTING IN CHAIRS AND ORGANIZED SPORTS OR LYING ON BLANKETS IN GROUPINGS OF PEOPLE ON THE BEACH REMAINS PROHIBITED. MINIMUM OF SIX FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING SHALL APPLY AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ORDERS ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS MUST BE OBSERVED. BEACH SAFETY STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO FLY THE DOUBLE RED FLAG AND SWIMMERS SWIM AT THEIR OWN RISK AND LIFEGUARDS MAY NOT BE ON DUTY.
BEACH SAFETY STAFF WILL EDUCATE VIOLATORS. THOSE WHO REFUSE TO COMPLY WILL -- ORIE PETEED LEVI LATE THE -- OR REPEATEDLY VIOLATE ARE SUBJECT TO A MISDEMEANOR.
IT SEEMS LIKE A GREAT SOLUTION. I AM HERE FOR OUR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY RESIDENTS AND HERE FOR LIBERTY AND FREEDOM. MR. DEAN SAID LAST WEEK IF OPENING THE BEACHES FOR EXERCISE WOULD COST ONE LIFE HE COULDN'T DO IT AND I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. LET ME ASK YOU THIS, MR. DEAN.
CAN YOU LIVE WITH THE GOLF COURSES BEING OPEN AT THE COST OF A LIFE?
[00:30:04]
IS IT WORTH IT FOR SOMEBODY TO RISK THEIR LIFE TO GO TO HOME DEPOT TO BUY FLOWERS OR PAINT? THAT IS HAPPENING. AND I DON'T DISAGREE WITH IT BECAUSE DESPITE THIS PANDEMIC, WE ARE STILL A FREE COUNTRY. THE PEOPLE CAN SOCIAL DISTANCE AT HOME DEPOT THEY CAN DO IT ON THE BEACH. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THERE IS MORE AT PLAY HERE WITH OUR BEACHES THAN WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR CITIZENS.IS IT OPTICS? IS IT HOW IT WILL LOOK IN THE MEDIA? I KNOW DUVALL IS A FACTOR, BUT BOUGH -- BAVARD AND VALUSIA HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT AS WELL.
FOR THE MEN IT WILL -- MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL BEING I ASK FOR A VOTE ON LIMITED BEACH
ACCESS. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
>> HI, GOOD MORNING. HOW ARE YOU GUYS? MY NAME IS MEGAN JOHNSON AND I LIVE IN 3 ATLANTIC AVENUE. I AM HERE REPRESENTING THE SURF COMMUNITY TODAY.
ALSO DOG WALKERS AND MOMS AND DADS WITH KIDS THAT ARE OUT OF SCHOOL, AND I AM HERE ASKING FOR LIMITED BEACH ACCESS BECAUSE THIS IS WHO WE ARE. WE ARE COASTAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE A LOVE AND A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION TO THE OCEAN. I KNOW, I BELIEVE A LOT THAT YOU GUYS WANT US TO STAY HEALTHY IN THIS TIME, AND I DON'T -- WE WANT TO LIVE LIFE AS REGULARLY AS POSSIBLE DURING THIS REALLY BIZARRE TIME.
I WAS ACTUALLY LISTENING TO THE MEETING WHILE AT WORK LAST TUESDAY AND I KNOW IT IS A HUGE CONCERN THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE OVERCROWDEDNESS AT THE BEACHES.
I ACTUALLY CALLED YESTERDAY, VALUSIA CITY COMMISSIONERS AS WELL AS BAVARD AND THEY ARE TAKING ACTION. THEY HAVE A SIMILAR AMOUNT OF CASES OF COVID TO US.
I THINK BEVARD IS 121 AND VALUSIA AT 191 AND WE ARE AT 165.
YOU SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT I THINK, BUT THEY CHANGE FROM DAY-TO-DAY.
VALUSIA IS MAKING SIX SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES, WALKING, JOGGING, BIKING, FISHING, SURFING AND SWIMMING OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC UNTIL APRIL 30TH. ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM AN OFFICE, I THINK IT WAS JOHN TOBIA, SAID -- WHEN I WAS ASKING HIM HOW IT WAS GOING HE SAID WHY WOULD WE TAKE AWAY THE PERSONAL LIBERTIES OF THE PEOPLE? THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE VALUSIA COUNTY BEACH SAFETY DIVISION STATED THAT LIFEGUARDS AND POLICE OFFICERS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO LIMIT THE BEACH AND THOSE ACTIVITIES. I AM BLESSED TO STILL HAVE A JOB, BUT I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS. IF WE COULD GET LIFEGUARDS TO HAVE THEIR JOBS BACK AND WORK TOGETHER WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT I FEEL LIKE IT WOULD LIFT THE SPIRITS OF OUR TOWN AND I REALLY -- I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IT WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE CASES.
I KNOW THE SURFING COMMUNITY HAS TAKEN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MOVE AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER. I THINK A COMBINATION OF CLOSING THE PARKING LOTS LIKE BOUGH -- LIKE BEVARD HAS DONE OR LIMITING THE SOCIAL ACTIVITY TO SIX.
I THINK IT IS REALISTIC. I DON'T THINK IT IS REALISTIC CLOSING THE BEACHES.
I THINK YOU ARE MAKING YOUR COMMUNITY REALLY LOSE ITS MIND.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. I HOPE YOU TAKE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY WITH HEART.
THANK YOU. >> ANYBODY ELSE? MAYBE WE CAN PATCH THEM
THROUGH. >> GOOD MORNING. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS JACKS TARPLEY.
32082. >> YES, GO AHEAD. >> OKAY.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY. I KNOW THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED TIME.
HAVE YOU YOUR OWN FAMILIES TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT AND YOUR OWN ISSUES SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR US. ALSO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK AND GIVE OUR OPINIONS ON THIS. AGAIN MY NAME IS JACK AND I AM CALLING FOR WHAT MAY BE A
[00:35:05]
TIRED ISSUE TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND IT IS AGAIN BRINGING UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO AT LEAST PARTIALLY OPEN THE BEACHES. I KNOW THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY. HOWEVER, AS TIME CONTINUES TO ROLL ON WE ARE -- IT IS BECOMING DIFFICULT TO ACTUALLY WALK DOWN THE ROAD ON THE SIDEWALK BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE WALKERS AND THE JOGGERS AND THE DOG WALKERS AND BICYCLISTS THAT WOULD RATHER BE ON THE SIDEWALKS THAN THE STREET. TO ACTUALLY WALK AND FEEL ENGAGED AND GETTING SOME EXERCISE AND GET OUT AS EVERYONE NEEDS TO DO, IT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO SOCIALLY DISTANCE ON THE SIDEWALK. YOU HAVE TO WALK INTO THE ROAD MANY TIMES TO AVOID COMING WITHIN SIX FEET OF SOMEONE. SO ONCE AGAIN I AM JUST ASKING THE COMMISSIONERS TO RECONSIDER A PARTIAL OPENING OF THE BEACH THAT'S WOULD ALLOW SENSIBLE ACTIVITIES THAT DO NOT THREATEN SOCIAL DISTANCING VIOLATIONS.THINGS LIKE WALKING AND RUNNING AND FISHING AND THINGS THAT OTHER BEACHES ARE ALLOWED TO DO IN FLORIDA. THEY ALLOW THEIR RESIDENTS TO DO THOSE THINGS.
I CAN CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND -- WHEN YOU CLOSED THE BEACHES I CAN UNDERSTAND IT.
IT WAS OUT OF HAND. PEOPLE WERE COMING FROM OTHER COUNTIES.
IT WAS A DIFFICULT SITUATION AND I GET IT. HOWEVER, NOW THAT TIME HAS GONE ON WE BELIEVE MORE AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE REALLY TAKING IT A LOT MORE SERIOUSLY AND PERHAPS WE COULD OPEN UP THE BEACH ITSELF WOULD HELP THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THE BEACH TO WALK SAFELY AND DISTANCE THEMSELVES AND IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY AT THIS POINT IN TIME. MY 83-YEAR-OLD MOTHER WHO LIVES WITH ME, AND THIS IS TRUE. I AM NOT TRYING TO EMBELLISH THE STORY. SHE WAS ON THE SIDEWALK AND SHE GETS CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE NOT STAYING WITHIN SIX FEET. SHE GOES INTO THE ROAD.
YOU HAVE TO DO THAT. SHE ALMOST GOT RAN OVER BY A BUS THE OTHER DAY.
SHE WAS WALKING AND DOESN'T SEE SOMEBODY COMING UP BEHIND HER PRETTY FAST.
AT THE LAST MINUTE SHE HEARS SOMETHING. AS A REFLEX SHE JUMPS TO THE RIGHT. THE BICYCLE WAS ALSO GOING TO THE RIGHT.
IT WAS A BAD SITUATION. I AM JUST ASKING THE COUNTY TO PLEASE CONSIDER NOT RESTRICT EVERYONE FOR THE ACTIONS OF A FEW. MOST PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE AND I HOPE THERE IS A WAY AND IT CAN GIVE US HOPE FOR MORE PEOPLE TOO --
>> THANK YOU. >> TO SEE SOMETHING POSITIVE HAPPEN.
I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION AND THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU AFFORDED ME.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND I HOPE WE CAN ALL WORK
TOGETHER. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THAT CONCLUDES MY -- >> YES, SIR IF YOU CAN JUST HANG UP PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. IF WE CAN GET YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS JERRY AND I LIVE AT 504 BELLA ISLAND. >> GO AHEAD, SIR.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH TO LOOK FOR PRB -- [INAUDIBLE] IT LEAD TO ME CALLING AND EXPRESSING THE BEACH CLOSURES AND HOW IT WAS HANDLED. I THINK ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IS PUT UNDER PRESSURE BY OTHER OUT -- OUTSIDERS WHO DON'T LIVE HERE TO CLOSE OUR BEACHES.
I THINK SOME OF THE OTHER COMMUNITIES TOOK A SENSIBLE APPROACH.
IT ALLOWS ACCESS TO THE BEACH FOR ACTIVITIES THAT DON'T IMPACT OR CROSS OVER INTO AREAS THAT WOULD BE LOOKED DOWN BY COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS.
A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH IS AN EASY ONE. FOR THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE COUNTY AND WANT TO USE A FACILITY SHOULD NOT BE BLOCKED BY THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR AND FROM THOSE THAT COME FROM OUT OF THE AREA FOR OUR PRIVILEGES TO BE SUSPENDED. I FEEL THAT THIS APPROACH IS NOT ONE THAT IS OF INTEREST
[00:40:03]
FOR THE COMMUNITY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> GOOD MORNING. IF WE CAN GET YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PLEASE. >> YES, MY NAME IS PATRICIA BRIAND. I LIVE AT OCEAN GROVE RV. 4225 [INAUDIBLE] AND LIVE AT
J113. >> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT THAT I WOULD -- [INAUDIBLE] AND I'M [INAUDIBLE] MY ADDRESS IS AT HOME. I NEED TO GO BACK TO NEW JERSEY RIGHT NOW, BUT I HAVE BEEN ENJOYING THE EASTER SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE EVERY DAY.
I AM 67 AND I LOVE THE BEACHES. [INAUDIBLE] AND I HAVE MY FRIENDS WITH ME THAT I WALK WITH THEM. I HAVE THE PERMIT FOR THE BEACH.
I LOVE THE BEACHES AND I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE YEAR-ROUND AND WE ALL MISS GOING TO THE BEACH. WE RESPECT THE BEACHES AND WE STAY DISTANED FROM EACH OTHER.
IT IS WALKING AND IT IS GREAT EXERCISE FOR US. I THINK THAT'S IT.
WE JUST LOVE TO GET ON THE BEACH. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> OKAY.
BYE. >> GOOD MORNING. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> DON JACKSON, 4225-A1A SOUTH
ST. AUGUSTINE. >> YES, SIR, GO AHEAD. >> I JUST HAVE A FEW WORDS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BEACH OPENED FOR AT LEAST RESIDENTS FOR WALKING AND EXERCISING.
BEING COUPED UP IS NOT HEALTHY FOR AN OLDER PERSON, BUT HAVING SEPARATION FROM EVERYBODY. IT IS A COMPROMISE-TYPE THING.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. I JUST WANT TO PUT MY VOTE IN FOR OPENING UP THE BEACH UNDER
CONTROLLED CONDITIONS. THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR, THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. IF YOU WOULD STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD
192 KING ARTHUR COURT. COMMISSIONERS, FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. IT IS EVIDENT THAT YOU AND ALL OF THE OFFICIALS ALWAYS PUT IN A GREAT AMOUNT OF WORK TO MAKE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY THE BEST IT CAN BE ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDST OF THE CURRENT STATE. AND IT IS BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN YOUR ADMINISTRATION THAT I AM SPEAKING WITH ONE REQUEST. AND THAT REQUEST IS WHILE KEEPING THE BEACHES CLOSED TO PREVENT ANYONE SPENDING CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS OF TIME ON THE SAND MIGHT YOU ALL CONSIDER LETTING SURFERS, SWIMMERS AND KAYAKERS PASS BY THE SAND TO THE WATER WHERE THEY CAN SOCIALLY ISOLATE WHILE ENJOYING SAID ACTIVITY. I KNOW VALUSIA AND BEVARD HAVE DONE THIS AND IT IS WORKING OUT WELL AND I KNOW IT IS DONE IN HAWAII AND OTHER AREAS TOO. I AM ASKING IF WE MIGHT CONSIDER THIS.
AFTER ALL, GOVERNOR DESANTIS MENTIONED IN HIS STATEMENT THAT SWIMMING COUNTS AS AN ESSENTIAL ACTIVITY UNDER THE CATEGORY OF RECREATION. THIS CATEGORY IS SECOND ONLY TO RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS. RECREATION BRINGS PEOPLE PEACE THROUGH EXERCISE AND A CLEARING OF MIND. IT SEEMS SELF-EVIDENT THAT PEOPLE NEED MORE OF THIS PEACE
[00:45:01]
IN THIS MOMENT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE
RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS HOUSTON WRIGHTLY.
I AM A FULL TIME RESIDENT. 32080. FIRST OF ALL I WANTED TO THANK YOU FORECLOSING THE -- FOR CLOSING THE BEACHES. I THINK IT HAS SAVED MANY LIVES. I AM CALLING TODAY ABOUT A DIFFERENT CONCERN.
MY CONCERN IS ON VRBO'S UNTIL MAY 1ST. IN OUR COMMUNITY I SEE THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING AND CHECKING IN. JUST SATURDAY SOMEBODY CHECKED IN WITH A NEW YORK LICENSE PLATE. THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S STATE AT HOME ORDER. THEY GATHER AROUND OTHER RENTERS ON THE SMALL PATIOS. THEY GATHER AROUND OUR POOLS WHICH HAVE REMAINED OPEN.
THEY ARE NOT ADHERING TO ANY SOCIAL DISTANCING. I AM WONDERING WHO IS ENFORCING THIS ORDER PREVENTING IT DURING THIS PERIOD.
>> IF YOU WOULD HOLD ON FOR THE REST OF THE MEETING WE WILL TRY TO GET THAT ANSWERED
FOR YOU. >> OKAY. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
I AM JUST CONCERNED THAT IT IS NOT BEING ENFORCED AND LIKE I SAID IN MY COMMUNITY THEY ARE CONTINUING TO COME. I WON'T TAKE UP ANYMORE OF YOUR TIME THIS MORNING, BUT I
APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
YES. HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> YOU TOO.
>> GOOD MORNING. IF WE CAN PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE
RECORD. >> YES, MY NAME IS BARBARA BYER AND I LIVE AT 4225-018 IN ST. AUGUSTINE. I MOVED HERE 9 YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF THE SAINT ST.
AUGUSTINE BEACHES. I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH THE BEACHES.
EVERY DAY I GO DOWN TO THE BEACH AND TAKE MY LITTLE DOG. I WAS THINKING MAYBE JUST OPENING IT UP TO ST. JOHN RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE STUCK HERE.
THERE IS NOT MANY PEOPLE LEFT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. IF YOU CAN JUST ATTENDANTS THAT COLLECT THE MONEY RIGHT BY THE BEACH. THEY CAN CHECK TO SEE IF YOU ARE A ST. JOHN COUNTY RESIDENT AND IF YOU ARE RENTING A PLACE AND STUCK HERE AS WELL, MAYBE YOU CAN SEE THE RENTAL AGREEMENT OR SOME PROOF TO SHOW THAT YOU DO LIVE HERE AND YOU ARE STUCK HERE IN THIS AREA. I WOULD LIKE TO GET BACK TO ENJOYING THE BEACH, THE FRESH AIR, THE WATER. THERE IS A TERRIBLE STORM GOING ON RIGHT HERE. ANYHOW, I WAS INUNDATED WITH THE SPRING BREAKERS SCO -- SO I KNOW WHAT THEY DID TO US. I'M SURE THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THEIR ERROR AND THEY ARE STAYING HOME, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE TO KEEP THE DISTANCE.
WE CAN'T BE REMINDED WITHOUT GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE. DO YOUR BUSINESS AND DON'T GATHER IN GROUPS AND I'M SURE OUR ST. JOHN COUNTY RESIDENTS WOULD APPRECIATE HAVING THE BEACHES OPEN SO THEY CAN GET THEIR EXERCISE AND SOME SENSE OF NORMALITY WITH ALL OF THIS
GOING ON. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> YES, MA'AM.
THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU.
>> HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> YOU TOO. THANK YOU.
>> IMORNG -- GOOD MORNING. IF YOU WILL PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE
RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING. THIS IS SANDRA MARVIN, 5024 ST. AUGUSTINE, 32080. FOLLOWING UP ON THE REQUEST FOR OPENING THE BEACHES, I DO WANT TO STATE ONE POINT I DON'T THINK HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IS THAT AS A FISHERMAN FAMILY
[00:50:04]
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BEACHES OPEN FOR FISHING AS WELL AS THE OTHER ISSUES BECAUSE RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE HURTING FINANCIALLY. PEOPLE CAN FILL THEIR FREEZERS WITH FOOD IF YOU CAN JUST ALLOW US TO GET ON THE BEACH TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT AS WELL. I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC POINT FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST THEM IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES AND HAVE ACCESS TO A FREE FOOD SOURCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, GENTLEMEN.WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO. >> THANK YOU, MS. MARVIN. HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS CARL GILL, G-I-L-L. I LIVE ON ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH. MY COMMENTS ARE FOCUSED ON REOPENING THE BEACH WHICH I THINK YOU ARE LOOKING AT TODAY.
I AM APPEALING ON TWO FRONTS. THE FIRST IS DATA DRIVEN. I AM A MATH PROFESSOR AND I COMPARED THE VAW LOUSE YAW -- VAW LOUSE -- VALUCIA COUNTY NUMBER COUNTY OF DEATHS OF CORONAVIRUS WITH ST. JOHN'S COUNTY WHICH IS CLOSED AND THEY ARE VERY, VERY SIMILAR.
THERE IS VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE. I WENT TO GLEN COUNTY IN GEORGIA WHERE SAINT SIMON ISLAND BEACH IS REOPENED AND THEY ARE EQUIVALENT TO THAT OF SAINT JOHN SATISFIES COUNTY WHICH TO ME SHOWS THERE IS VERY LITTLE RISK IN OPENING FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME EACH DAY, AN EXERCISE CAPABILITY ON THE BEACH.
THE SECOND THING IS THERE IS AN INEQUALITY OF TREATMENT. LOOK AT GOLF AND TENNIS THAT PRODUCES A DOLLAR REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY OR EVEN BASEBALL AND THE HOOPS ARE STILL OPEN.
THOSE ARE ACTIVITIES WHERE PEOPLE BREAK THE PAY -- SPATIAL RELATIONSHIP IF YOU WILL AND THEY ARE ALLOWED TO BE GOING ON. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN
INEQUALITY THERE. >> YES, SIR, THANK YOU. >> THANKS, STIR -- SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> MY NAME IS CORY. -- >> MY NAME IS MARIA AND IT IS 650 WEST COCOA ROAD. I AM CALLING TODAY IN FAVOR OF PARTIALLY REOPENING THE BEACHES FOR SURFERS AND FISHERMEN AND WALKERS AND RUNNERS AND ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THAT I MISSED. I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THE MENTAL WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ALL LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING CLOSE TO THE WATER AND TO ENJOY THE COASTLINE. THE POLICE AND FIRE COULD JUST MAINTAIN THE PATROL OF THE CDC SOCIAL DISTANCING BEING ENFORCED. I THINK OUR COMMUNITY IS AWARE OF THE PRESENT SITUATION AND WE WILL ABIDE BY THESE REGULATIONS AND USE THE BEACH FOR ACTIVITIES. I KNOW THE BEACHES ARE OPEN TO SURF AND IT WOULD HELP MY MENTAL HEALTH AND I JUST WANTED TO CALL AND REPRESENT EVERYONE ELSE THAT SURFS AND USES THE BEACHES AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT BEING OPEN.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL FOR HEARING EVERYONE THAT SPOKE AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> YOU TOO. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER AND
I LIVE AT 548 SAINT ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA 32086. >> GO AHEAD, CHRIS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. YOU ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB.
I UNDERSTAND THE COMMISSIONERS ARE PROBABLY GETTING TIRED OF HEARING IT NOW, BUT PEOPLE ARE CALLING IN SUPPORT OF THE LIMITED BEACH ACCESS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND FOR PHYSICAL HEALTH. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW OF A PLAP -- PLAN.
IT SEEMS LIKE A ONE SIZE FITS ALL PHILOSOPHY OF WE ARE JUST GOING TO CLOSE IT FOR EVERYTHING. I FEEL LIKE THE PUBLIC IS REALLY FEELING LIKE, WE WANT TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT OF SOCIAL DISTANCING BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS THIS BUT THERE HAS TOE SOME MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN ALLOWING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON THE BEACH THAT CAN BE SOCIALLY
[00:55:04]
DISTANCED OR JUST POLICING IT TO KEEP PEOPLE OFF. LIKE MANY OTHERS SAID, GOLF COURSES, OPEN. GREEN SPACES OPEN. JOGGING, BIKING.THE GOVERNOR SAID THESE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES ARE IMPORTANT AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE BEACH SIDE OR FOR SURFERS LIKE MYSELF, WE ACCESS THAT AND THAT STRESS RELIEF IN THE OCEAN. SO HAVING SOME LIMITED ACCESS WHERE WE CAN SOCIALLY DISTANCE ESPECIALLY WITH THE VIRUS GOING DOWN IS AMAZING. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COMMISSION FOR, IF THE BEACHES CAN'T BE OPEN THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK WHICH IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PLAN PUBLISHED.
WHEN WE FEEL IT IS SAFE ENOUGH, HOW WILL WE START TO ROLL THIS OUT? AS OF NOW THE ONLY THING WE ARE HEARING IS IT IS CLOSED AND IT WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. I THINK WHAT THE PUBLIC REALLY WANTS TO KNOW IS WHAT IS THE PLAN? IT SEEMS TO A LOT OF US THAT THE REASON WE CAN'T HAVE LIMITED ACCESS FOR RECREATION AND FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND STRESS RELIEF IS BECAUSE DUVALL COUNTY WILL FLOOD THE COUNTY LINE AND THOSE THINGS. IS THERE A PLAN TO MITIGATE THAT? HAVE WE CONSIDERED CALLING DUE -- DUVALL COUNTY AND WORKING WITH THEM? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME KIND OF A PLAN GO INTO WORK AND DISCUSS MOVING TO THAT END. I THINK EVERYONE WANTS TO GET TO THAT END SAFELY AND BEING ABLE TO USE THE BEACHES FOR RECREATION. A PLAN IN THAT EFFECT I THINK WOULD PUT A LOT OF PUBLIC TENSION AT EASE AND GIVE US SOME KIND OF A RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING AND PLEASE CONSIDER THOSE THINGS.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES AND GOD BLESS ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.
>> THANK YOU, CHRIS. >> GOOD MORNING. CAN WE GET YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PLEASE. >> MIKE RILEY, 826-A1A.
>> GO AHEAD, MR. RILEY. >> GOOD MORNING. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR TAKING ACTION AND KEEPING THE BEACHES CLOSED THIS PAST WEEK.
AND TO STRONGLY CONVEY MY SUPPORT FOR EXTENDING THE CLOSURES UNTIL WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION THAT THE WORST IS BEHIND US. ACCORDING TO EVERY METRIC AVAILABLE THE NATION IS FACING ITS MOST GRIM DAYS. TENS OF THOUSANDS ARE DEAD AND THOUSANDS MORE WILL DIE BEFORE THIS IS OVER. U.S. HAS ECLIPSED EVERY OTHER NATION ON THE PLANET IN NUMBER OF CASES AND DEATHS. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF WEAK LEADERSHIP NATIONWIDE. BEING A LEADER MEANS MAKING TOUGH CHOICES THAT SOME WILL DISAGREE WITH. IN GIANT -- IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IT IS TELLING PEOPLE THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR FUN DAY AT THE BEACH BECAUSE HUMAN LIVES ARE ON THE LINE. ST. JOHN'S HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE AS IT HAS THESE LAST FEW WEEKS AND CONTINUE TO MAKE A HARD CHOICE. TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO IS VOICING THEIR OPINION TO RE-OPEN THE BEACHES PREMATURELY, I ASK THAT YOU REFLECT ON THE FACT THAT DURING THIS NATIONAL CRISIS, YOU HAVE THE LUXURY OF BEING UPSET ABOUT THE DISRUPTION OF YOUR USUAL ROUTINE INSTEAD OF WONDERING IF THERE WILL BE A RES SPIR RATER -- RESPIRATOR WHILE LAYING ON A HOSPITAL BED AND GASPING FOR AIR. THAT IS A VERY REAL SCENARIO THAT MANY AMERICANS ARE FACING RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN HERE.
TO THE COMMISSIONERS, KEEP LEADING AND KEEP MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES AND KEEP THE BEACHES CLOSED TO THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY. IT WILL NOT LAST FOREVER.
PLEASE HANG ON. SELF-ISOLATE AND WE WILL ALL GET THROUGH THIS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, MIKE. >> GOOD MORNING.
IF WE CAN GET YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
>> HI. GOOD MORNING. JEFF, 506B STREET ST.
AUGUSTINE. >> GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE COMMENTARY FROM OTHER FOLKS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BEACH REOPEN FOR A LIMITED BASIS, AT LEAST TO PHASE IT IN FOR EXERCISE, SURFING, WATER SPORTS, FISHING AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY DO SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT VALUSIA AND BEVARD DID. MAYBE REACH TO DUVALL COUNTY AND ASK THE MAYOR THERE TO OPEN THE BEACHES UP ON A LIMITED BASIS TOO.
I THINK THAT WOULD HELP US IN ST. JOHN'S. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL. HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> YES, SIR, THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. CAN WE HAVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD,
PLEASE. >> YES, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CAROL.
206, ST. AUGUSTINE. I LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE WHICH I CALL PARADISE.
[01:00:10]
I WANTED TO TALK ON BEHALF OF THE HANDICAPPED POPULATION. I HAVE A HANDICAPPED STICKER ON MY TRUCK. I USE IT CONSTANTLY EVERY DAY.I CAN'T LEAVE THE HOUSE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR OR TWO. IF I DON'T GET OUT INTO THE SUN AND INTO THE FRESH AIR, MY MENTAL HEALTH GOES DOWN QUICKLY.
IF -- IT HAS BEEN FOUR WEEKS NOW AND IT IS TIME TO OPEN THE BEACH AND NOT JUST FOR RUNNING AND SWIMMING. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO SIT IN THE SUN FOR HEALTH REASONS. I DON'T GOLF. I DON'T FISH, BUT I DO HAVE A VOICE AND I AM THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THE BEACHES OPEN.
PLEASE, SIR, CONSIDER OPENING THE BEACHES BACK UP FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THIS IS BECOMING A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. WE NEED OUR BEACHES.
I -- I APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO. GOD BLESS YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. CAN WE PLEASE GET YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> YES. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS IAN KRAW.
AND I LIVE AT 850-A1- -- A-1A AND I AM CALLING IN TO SUPPORT LIMITED OPENING OF THE BEACH.
I THINK IF YOU LIMB -- LIMIT THE HOURS TO A COUPLE OF HOURS IN THE MORNING AND A COUPLE OF HOURS IN THE EVENING IT WILL BE SELF-REGULATING SO THERE WON'T BE ANY ADDITIONAL POLICING EXPENSE. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTIES TO BE HERE ON THE BEACH FOR AN HOUR OR TWO, AND I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE TESTED AND TRIED OUT AND SEE HOW IT GOES. THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAD TO SAY, BUT I AM IN FAVOR OF
LIMITED OPENING OF THE BEACH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> YES, SIR, THANK YOU.
>> GORN -- GOOD MORNING. IF YOU CAN PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE
RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JONATHON AND I AM A
FULL TIME RESIDENT [INAUDIBLE]. >> GO AHEAD.
>> I AM CALLING TODAY TO REQUEST THAT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY ALLOW RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE BEACH FOR ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES LIKE GETTING EXERCISE. I HEARD IT MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THERE WAS CONCERN THAT IF EVEN ONE LIFE WAS LOST DUE TO REOPENING THAT IT WASN'T WORTH OPENING THE BEACH. I KNOW THE DECISIONS MADE HERE CARRY A BURDEN OF POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING CONSEQUENCES AND THEY REPORT MADE LIGHTLY. I DO WANT TO PUT SOME PERSPECTIVE ON THAT STATEMENT. I CURRENTLY HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE WHICH PUTS ME AT HIGHER RISK IF I GET INFECTED FROM THIS PANDEMIC.
I MEASURE THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE BY GETTING EXERCISE THROUGH SURFING, SWIMMING AND EXERCISING AT THE BEACH. REGULAR WATER SPORTS HAVE BROUGHT MY HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE TO NORMAL LEVELS. WHEN I AM UNABLE TO GET THE EXERCISE IT RISES WHICH HAS BEEN OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I HAVE A STATIONARY HIGH STRESS AT HOME JOB AND SURFING AND SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN IS MY OUTLET. NOW THAT I HAVE NO ABILITY TO GET TO THE WATER HAVE I NO MEANS TO STAY HEALTHY IN THE FACE OF THE PANDEMIC.
I AM UNABLE TO RUN BECAUSE OF A LOWER BACK INJURY AND WATER SPORTS HAS BEEN THE ESSENTIAL MEANS IN WHICH I COULD KEEP MY BLOOD PRESSURE LOW. I WANTED TO SAY THAT THE OCEAN IS REALLY PART OF WHO I AM. IT IS SPIRITUAL. IT IS ESSENTIAL.
IT PROVIDES ME A STRESS RELIEF AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. MY FAMILY MOVED TO THIS BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY THREE YEARS AGO SPECIFICALLY TO BE BY THE OCEAN EVERY DAY.
I NEVER IMAGINED THAT SWIM AND SURF WOULD BE TAKEN AWAY. I FOUND OTHER COUNTIES IN FLORIDA THROUGH RESEARCH AND OTHER STATES LIKE HAWAII HAVE IMPLEMENTED SUCCESSFULLY A RESTRICTED ACCESS POLICY THAT ALLOWS ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES TO BE CONDUCTED WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING IN PLACE SO PEOPLE CAN GET THEIR ACTIVITY IN. THE POLICE HAVE I SEEN ARE POLICING THE BEACHES TODAY AND THEY CAN ASSURE SOCIAL DISTANCING IS MAINTAINED IF WE ALLOW RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE BEACH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. IF YOU WILL PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> HI, YES.
THIS IS SHANNON CONLEY. I LIVE IN THE ISLAND SOUTH CONDOS 816 SAINT ST. AUGUSTINE
>> SO I HAD TO CALL IN. I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY QUITE FRANKLY INSANE THAT THIS IS EVEN OPEN FOR DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF REOPENING THE BEACHES.
[01:05:03]
FIRST OFF, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FORECLOSING -- FOR CLOSING THEM.LEGITIMATELY THAT SINGLE ACT HAS SAVED A LIFE DURING THIS PANDEMIC.
THE FACT THAT THERE IS A MEETING BEING HELD RIGHT NOW TO POSSIBLY REOPEN THE BEACHES WHEN THE CDC IS STILL COMING OUT WITH NEW INFORMATION, GUYS.
LIKE FLORIDA HAS NOT HIT ITS PEAK YET. THERE IS STILL A LOT BEING LEARNED. WE KNOW THAT IT IS FAR MORE AIRBORNE THAN IT WAS BEFORE.
THE FACT THAT WE DON'T KNOW THE ENTIRE NATURE OF THE BEAST WE ARE DEALING WITH AND WE ARE ALREADY DISCUSSING THE POSSIBILITY OF REOPENING THE BEACHES IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD.
IT IS NOT THE CORRECT LEADERSHIP. THE BEACHES NEED TO REMAIN CLOSED, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS CRUCIAL TIME. THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE SUGGESTING TO REOPEN THEM IS NOT -- THIS IS WHY FLORIDA HAS , YOU KNOW, THE SORT OF REPUTATION THAT IT DOES. WE NEED STRONG LEADERSHIP. EVEN THOUGH SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT LIKE IT, YOU KNOW, CHILDREN WOULD LIKE ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST.
BUT GUESS WHAT, THIS IS THE HEALTHY OPTION. THE BEACHES NEED TO REMAIN CLOSED. THE FACT THAT THIS IS EVEN A DISCUSSION SEEMS JUST CRAZY, YOU GUYS. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE. THIS ISN'T -- THIS SHOULDN'T EVEN BE UP FOR DO -- DEBATE. THIS IS ABOUT SAVING LIVES. YOU NEED TO MAKE THE CORRECT CHOICE. I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE ARE CALLING TO SUGGEST TO OPEN
THEM SO I HAVE TO SAY THAT. >> YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> HI, GOOD MORNING.
REI LEEP COOPER AND -- CALEB COOPER, ST. AUGUSTINE. >> GO AHEAD, CALEB.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING MY CALL. I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY OPINION HERE HERE ON THE RECORD. MY WHOLE FAMILY DEPENDS ON HAVING ACCESS TO THE BEACH.
MY WIFE PLAYS VOLLEYBALL. I SURF. MY KIDS LOVE GO GOING TO THE BEACH. THAT'S THE MAIN REASON WE LIVE HERE.
I UNDERSTAND YOU GUYS ARE IN A TOUGH SITUATION HERE. YOU HAVE OPINIONS FROM BOTH SIDES, BUT I WOULD JUST PLEASE ASK YOU TO CONSIDER OPENING THE BEACHES TO LIMITED ACTIVITIES. THIS ISN'T JUST AN INCONVENIENCE.
THIS IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR US. WE DEPEND ON THE BEACH FOR HAPPINESS AND WITHOUT HAVING ACCESS TO IT AND WITH NO END IN SIGHT, THERE IS A TON OF DEPRESSION GOING ON AND IT IS NOT JUST HERE IN MY HOUSE -- HOUSEHOLD. THERE ARE FRIENDS AND FAMILY ELSEWHERE THAT ARE SERIOUSLY HAVING SOME TERRIBLE THOUGHTS GO ON AND WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF PLAN IN PLACE FROM YOU ALL. IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO IT TODAY, THEN AT LEAST VOTE ON IT AND AT LEAST MAKE A DECISION ON IT SO WE CAN KNOW GOING FORWARD, YOU KNOW, WHAT TO EXPECT. I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION ANOTHER THING PREVIOUS CALLER MENTIONED ABOUT GETTING WITH JACKSONVILLE AND THE JACKSONVILLE LEADERS AND INSISTING THEY DO A LIMITED OPENING AS WELL AND MAYBE THAT WILL TAKE DOWN SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING DOWN HERE AND TRYING TO ACCESS OUR BEACHES. I WILL JUST END WITH SAYING PLEASE OPEN THE BEACHES FOR US.
WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING.
THIS IS VALERIE BARTAL. I LIVE AT NUMBER 7, 9TH STREET ST. AUGUSTINE AND IT IS 32080. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.
I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO PHONE IN AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU ALL ARE DOING TO KEEP US SAFE. SO I AM CALLING THOUGH IN SUPPORT OF REOPENING THE BEACHES. I AM SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY TO ST. AUGUSTINE.
I UNDERSTAND IT IS A BIGGER YOU ARE Y IN THE COUNTY. I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE COUNTY AND TO MY CITY. BY THE WAY, I AM IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE WAY VALUSIA COUNTY IS MANAGING THE BEACHES. LIMITED ACCESS FOR EXERCISE, SURFING.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A WAY WE CAN INCREMENTALLY MOVE BACK TO WHATEVER A NORMAL USE
[01:10:01]
IS GOING TO BE. I REALLY WOULD WANT US TO DO IT IN A MINDFUL WAY THAT WE ARE WORKING BACK TOWARD THAT NORMAL USE. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR HOW THEY MANAGED THE EARLY STAGES. THEY TRIED TO KEEP IT OPEN AS LONG AS THEY COULD AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM. I PROPOSE THAT THE BEACH BE OPEN MAYBE A CERTAIN SECTION FOR LIMITED TIMES AND LIMITED ACTIVITIES AND YOU CAN EVEN DO IT FOR MAYBE EVEN A WEEK AND THEN REEVALUATE BASED ON WHAT OCCURS DURING THAT TIME. AND THEN I PROPOSE THAT THERE IS A REGROUP AND A REDESIGN FOR A NEW PLAN IF NECESSARY TO MOVE FORWARD.I AM ONE WHO BELIEVES WE START WITH THE END IN MIND WHICH IS GETTING THE BEACH REOPENED IN A SAFE AND TIMELY MANNER. I AM PROPOSING ALSO THAT WE MAY ACTUALLY CONSIDER SMALL COMMITTEES. RESIDENTS MAYBE SIMILAR TO THE TURTLE PATROL.
I AM NOT ON THE TURTLE PATROL, BUT I HELP PATROL THE TURTLES.
I LIVE ON THE BEACH. SOMEBODY LIKE ME WHO IS ON THE BEACH CAN BE AVAILABLE TO EASILY OBSERVE A CERTAIN STRETCH OF THE BEACH AND REPORT BACK TO THE CITY POLICE AS NECESSARY. I CAN EVEN TAKE PICTURES. ALL OF THIS IS ACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT CAN BE USED TO NOT MAKE IT A FEAR-BASED REACTION OR DECISION.
GRANTED I UNDERSTAND THIS WAS THE DECISION TO MAKE BASED ON THE INFORMATION WE HAD, BUT I REALLY WOULD LOVE FOR US TO FIND A WAY TO INCORPORATE NEW ACTUAL EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION AS WE MOVE FORWARD. I AM PROPOSING ALSO THAT THE CITY POLICE BE PRESENT AS NEED BE ON THE BEACH PATROLLING THE PEACH THAT CHOOSE TO GO TO THE BEACH RATHER THAN SITTING IN EMPTY PARKING LOTS. THIS SEEMS TO ME LIKE A WASTE OF MAN POWER THAT COULD EASILY BE SPENT ACTUALLY ON THE BEACH.
I INVITE THEM TO CALL UPON RESIDENTS LIKE MYSELF TO CALL IF NUMBERS BEGIN TO GROW ALONG THE STREETS. THIS CAN BE PATROLLED AS WELL IF AND WHEN IT OCCURS.
I WAS ACTUALLY PREPARED TO GET ORANGE CONES AND PUT ON THE STREETS NEXT TO MY HOME WITH POLICE PERMISSION DURING THIS PERIOD TO REDUCE CROWDS. SO I AM ASKING YOU --
>> THANK YOU. >> -- LET'S UTILIZE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND WANT TO FIND
A BALANCE -- >> YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU. >> -- OR MAINTAIN THE SAFETY AND ALLOWS FOR US TO STAY ON THE BEACH. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> HI. I AM DANA WEAN -- WEDL. I AM ON SOUTH WINTER HAWK
DRIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA 32086. >> GO AHEAD.
>> I AM CALLING TO HAVE THE BEACHES OPEN FOR EXERCISING AND MOVEMENT.
I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE RIGHT NOW TO HAVE A NATURAL PLACE TO RELEASE STRESS FOR ANXIETY AND FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND VEST REDUCTION.
TO BE ABLE TO -- AND STRESS REDUCTION. TO GO OUT ON THE BEACH AND WALK OR JOG AND TO BE ABLE TO SWIM OR SURF. JUST GET TO MOVE OUR BODIES OPEN AND FREELY ON THE BEACH. I KNOW WHY THAT'S A LOT OF US LIVE HERE AND THERE IS NOTHING LIKE BEING ABLE TO GO OUT ON TO THE BEACH AND JUST TO BE ABLE TO FEEL GROUNDED AND CLEANSED AND NOT ONLY FOR MENTAL HEALTH, BUST -- BUT A WHOLE CLEANSING OF YOUR SOUL.
I KNOW THE SALT AIR IS GREAT FOR US TO BE BREATHING THAT IN.
AND JUST MOVEMENT AND BEING OUT IN THE SUNSHINE IS GREAT FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM IN GENERAL. IT ACTUALLY CAN BENEFIT ALL OF US TO GO OUT THERE AND MOVE AROUND AND HAVE FUN AND RELIEVE STRESS. I KNOW MY DAUGHTER AND I JUST LIKE TO STAND IN THE WAVES AND JUMP OVER THE WAVES AND GET MOVEMENT AND HAVE FUN AND LAUGH AND IT IS A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR -- I KNOW THIS IS A TOUGH DECISION. THANK YOU FOR THINKING ABOUT IT AND FOR -- I KNOW YOU WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING. SO, YEAH, JUST THANK YOU SO
MUCH. THAT'S ALL. >> THANK YOU, DANA.
>> THANK YOU, PAUL. >> GOOD MORNING. IF YOU CAN PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WALDRON. SHAPIRO. I KNOW YOU WILL BE ADDRESSING
[01:15:02]
THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL SITUATION SHORTLY. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO STATE MY SUPPORT OF WHEN YOU DO OPEN THE BEACH OR HOWEVER YOU CONTINUE TO CONTROL THE SITUATION THAT YOU BE AWARE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING INTO THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND COMING HERE ON VACATION. WE ARE SEEING FAMILIES STILL CHECKING INTO RENTALS ON OUR STREET. THEY ARE COMING HERE SPECIFICALLY TO VACATION HERE. SO I THINK IF YOU DO OPEN THE BEACHES THAT WE NEED TO LIMIT THE ACCESS BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL STILL BE POURING INTO THE COUNTY TO COME HERE ON VACATION. S THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO CONTROL THE PARTY HOUSE SITUATION AND THE FAMILIES COMING HERE TO PLAY ON THE BEACH NEED TO BE CONTROLLED IF WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE
DONE. >> YES, THANK YOU. DID YOU HANG UP?
>> GOOD MORNING. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DARBY MOORE AND MY ADDRESS IS 5238MADORIS AVENUE,
SAINT AUGUST -- ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. >> GO AHEAD.
>> PELL -- WELL, FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL.
EVERYONE HAS BEEN DOING THAT, THANKING YOU FORGIVING US A PLATFORM TO VOICE OUR FRUSTRATION AND OPINIONS AND LET US CHEW YOUR EAR OFF A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF PARTIAL OPENING OF THE BEACHES. I THINK THAT THERE IS A STRANGE DYE COT ME THAT A LOT OF US SERVICE WORKERS ARE STRUGGLING WITH HERE WHEN IT COMES TO THE BEACH CLOSURE. I WAS A RESTAURANT WORKER. BEFORE THE RESTAURANT I WORK AT WAS CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS, I I WAS PERMITTED TO GO TO WORK, DO DELIVERIES, HAVE TO GO ORDERS AND BE INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC AND EXCHANGING FUNDS AND EXCHANGING MONEY AND TOUCHING TO GO BOXES. MY SISTER IS AN ESSENTIAL WORKER. SHE IS AN MA FOR A SURGEON IN TOWN.
SHE IS HIGH RISK AND A TYPE 1 DIABETIC AND SHE IS STILL PERMITTED TO GO TO WORK FOR SURGERIES THAT ARE ELECT TIFF IN A LOT OF CASES. SO I THINK THAT IT IS A STRANGE FACT TO WRESTLE WITH THAT WE ARE PERMITTED TO GO TO WORK TO GO TO PERFORM SERVICES THAT ARGUABLY ARE NOT ESSENTIAL. EATING OUT IS NOT ESSENTIAL.
I KNOW THAT A LOT OF LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW, AND I MYSELF HAVE LOST WORK BECAUSE OF THIS, BUT I AM HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING WHY AN INDIVIDUAL CAN GO TO WORK AND RISK THEIR HEALTH WHEN THEY ARE A HIGH RISK INDIVIDUAL IN ONE ASPECT, BUT THEY AREN'T ABLE TO ENJOY SOMETHING THAT COULD ADD A MOMENT OF CLARITY AND ENJOYMENT TO THEIR LIVES IN THIS TIME OF STRESS. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT IS AN EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE AND HE EXPRESSED SUCH DISTRESS ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GO INTO THE OCEAN AND TO BE ABLE TO SURF AND ENJOY THE WATER THAT BRINGS US CALM AND REJUVENATION. WE ARE MORE THAN TOOLS. PEOPLE ARE PERMITTED TO HAVE LUXURIES AND ENJOYMENT IN THEIR LIFE AND TO BE ABLE TO PERMIT THOSE SERVICE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REJUVE -- REJUVENATE THEMSELVES AND PERFORM THE ACTIVITIES IN A HEALTHY MANNER IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR LETTING US VOICE OUR OPINIONS. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. IF YOU CAN PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING.
THIS IS ADAM MORLEY, 1205 EAST STATE ROAD 206. THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL.
I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF MAINTAINING THE CLOSURE EXCEPT FOR ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES AS DISCO -- AS DEFINED IN THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR'S ORDER. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO AT LEAST OPEN IT UP FOR FISHERMEN. I CAN SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE REGULARLY THAT ARE ON FIXED, LOW OR CURRENTLY NO INCOME THAT DEPEND ON THE FISH THEY CATCH FROM THE SURF IN ORDER TO PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLE AND STOCK THEIR FREEZERS IN TIMES LIKE THIS.
SO IF THERE WERE ANYWAY TO MAKE THE EXCEPTION AT LEAST FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FISHING FOR SUCCESS STAW -- SUSTINANCE WHICH WE SEE A LOT OF THEM THAT WOULD BE GREATLY
[01:20:04]
APPRECIATED. I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD WHEN I CALLED DURING THE WEEK THAT SOUND SUPPORTIVE. I HOPE THAT SOMEONE WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO PLEASE OPEN THE BEACHES FOR THE FISHERMEN SO THEY CAN PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS AND THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. IF YOU CAN PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> MY NAME IS FRANK GASMAN.
I LIVE ON ANDERSON STREET IN AIN'T AUGUSTINE. >> GO AHEAD, MR. FRANK.
>> YES, SIR. JUST A FEW COMMENTS. YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN ON THAT BEACH SURFING AND FISHING AND, YOU KNOW, MY WHOLE LIFE, THE LAST 67 OF MY 69 YEARS.
MY CONCERNS ARE HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD ACTUALLY WEAR MASKS TO THE BEACH? I UNDERSTAND BY WATCHING THE NEWS ALL THE TIME THAT WIND BLOWN DROPLETS CAN GO ANYWHERE FROM 12 TO 17 AND YOU MAKE MORE IF YOU ARE SWEATING OR RUNNING.
LET THEM CONTINUE THE CLOSURE UP THERE FOR 30 DAYS AS YOU KNOW.
IT IS TO KEEP PEOPLE IN ALIGNMENT AND I WOULD SEE IT PUTTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AT RISK IF THEY HAD TO TALK TO MANY PEOPLE. YOUR WALK OFFICERS ARE -- WALK OVERS ARE MUCH TOO NARROW TO PASS. THE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC IN AND OUT OF BEACH. YOU HAVE TO WATCH IF SOMEBODY IS COMING ONE WAY AND THEN RUN TO THE OTHER END TO NOT GET AROUND ANYBODY. AND THIS LOCALS ONLY THING DOES NOT APPLY. I DON'T BELIEVE YOU CAN DO THAT.
FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL FOR NOW AND SURE I WOULD GO AND LOVE TO WALK DOWN THE BEACH AND GET SOME SHELLS AND TRY TO CATCH A FISH. I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE DONE MY WHOLE LIFE. I AM PROBABLY YOUR BIGGEST BEACH BUM IN ST. JOHN SATISFIES CON -- ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.
BUT FOR US AND FOR OTHERS DOWN THE ROAD, IT IS A NEW NORMAL. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT REMAIN CLOSED AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EVERYBODY STAY AT HOME AND TRY NOT TO GO ANYWHERE TO MAKE
THIS THING GET WORSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.
>> I THINK THAT'S IT OR IS SOMEBODY ON THE LINE? >> YES, MY NAME IS GREG BLAND, 5225 ATLANTIC VIEW ST. AUGUSTINE, 32080. I LISTENED THIS MORNING TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE CALLING IN SUPPORT OF OPENING THE BEACHES WHICH I AGREE WITH, AND I HAVE LISTENED TO PEOPLE WHO CALL IN AND ARE OPPOSING REOPENING THE BEACHES.
THE THING I WOULD SAY IS WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE HAVE A CHOICE.
WE HAVE A CHOICE EVERY DAY. WHERE WE GET UP AND HOW WE SPEND OUR TIME AND HOW WE SPEND OUR DAY. MUCH LIKE GOING TO PUBLIX, OR HOME DEPOT OR LOWE'S.
YOU CAN PLACE AN ORDER ON AMAZON AND HAVE THEM DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME OR GO OUT AND SOURCE THEM FOR YOURSELF. MY PURPOSE FOR MAKING THIS CALL IS WE NEED TO GET OUR BEACHES OPEN. WE NEED TO EXPERIENCE THE LIFESTYLE THAT WE HAVE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HERE. I THINK EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUTSIDE AND WILL PRACTICE PROPER SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THE NEED TO BE ABLE TO EXERCISE AND RIDE OUR BIKES AND FISH AND WALK. TAKE A LOOK AROUND THE CITY. I WENT OUT THIS WEEKEND AND THE SIDEWALKS ARE CROWDED WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING.
THOSE WOULD BE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE WALKING THE BEACHES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR OUR CITY. >> YES, SIR, THANK YOU.
>> AND THERE ARE NO MORE CALLS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME.
>> THANK YOU. >> DID ANYBODY COME IN LATE THAT WANTED TO SPEAK OR
COMMENT? >> OR ANYBODY THAT JUST WANTS TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THERE -- WE HAVE TIME FOR EACH PERSON AND IF ANYBODY HASN'T SPOKEN. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
IF ANYBODY HASN'T SPOKEN THAT WOULD LIKE TO YOU ARE WELCOME TO.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. THE PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOW CLOSED.
WE ARE BACK TO THE BOARD. ANY COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER DEAN, ANY
[01:25:10]
COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION? >> HENRY DEAN: NOT AT THIS TIME.
>> COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? >> JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER: YES, SIR.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I JUST HAD A QUESTION FOR MR. CONRAD. MR. CONRAD, HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE WITH YOUR STAFF AND THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND MAYBE REACH A POINT WHERE YOU FEEL A DECISION THAT IS SAFE FOR THE COMMUNITY CAN BE MADE?
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, SIR. >> YES, SIR, WE HAVE. ONE OF THE CALLERS MENTIONED ABOUT GIVING IT TIME TO LET THE PUBLIC AND THE COMMUNITY KNOW AND EITHER MYSELF OR A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY OR THE BOARD BY BOARD ACTION WOULD BE MOVING TO OPEN THE BEACHES. WHAT I WOULD SAY AND I RESPONDED IN SEVERAL E-MAILS TO INDIVIDUALS AS WELL IF -- THERE IS NOT A SET TIMELINE, BUT THERE ARE PLANS BEING MADE IN PREPARATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF WHAT THAT OPENING WOULD LOOK LIKE. FIRST A LIMITED ACCESS, OPENING LIKE MUCH OF THE COMMUNITY IS CALLING FOR. AND THEN PROBABLY ANOTHER STEP IN A LIMITED OPEN AND THEN TO A POINT OF FULL OPENING. THAT WOULD BE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. YES, SIR, WE HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW IT AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO REVIEW IT EVERY DAY AND GETTING CLOSER BY THE MINUTE.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONER BLOCKER?
>> JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER: NO, SIR. >> MR. CONRAD DURING THE QUESTIONS WE HAD SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND THEY NEEDED CONTACT.
CAN WE GET THAT OUT? >> I HAVE THE INFORMATION. JUST TO GIVE UH QUICK UPDATE.
AS YOU RECALL THE GOVERNOR ORIGINALLY PLACED AN ORDER FOR THE VACATION RENTALS, A BAN ON VACATION RENTALS FOR 14 DAYS. THE COUNTY EXTENDED THAT TO 30 DAYS AND THEN OVER THE WEEKEND I BELIEVE IT WAS FRIDAY THE GOVERNOR EXTENDED HIS AS WELL FOR 30 DAYS.
THERE ARE TWO MECHANISMS IN PLACE THAT CAN ADDRESS THIS. ONE IS THROUGH THE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY ORDER AS WELL AS THROUGH THE STATE'S EMERGENCY ORDER.
IF SOMEONE WISHES TO GO THROUGH THE COUNTY THEY CALL CODE ENFORCEMENT.
209 -- OBVIOUSLY 904-209-0734. CODE ENFORCEMENT WILL REVIEW IT AND TAKE IT UP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS.
DDPR'S NUMBER IS 850-487-1395 AND I WILL REPEAT THAT. DBPR IS 850-487-1395.
THE MECHANISMS IF PLACE ARE OBVIOUSLY A CIVIL INFRACTION OR WARNING AND THEN IT IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE AFTER THE WARNING. >> THANK YOU.
MR. MCCORMACK I KNOW WE SAID THIS AT THE LAST ONE WE STILL HAVE CALLERS SAYING FOR RESIDENTS ONLY, BUT WE CANNOT LEGALLY CLOSE A BEACH OR OPEN A BEACH FOR RESIDENTS ONLY.
>> THROUGH THE CHAIR, IF I MAY, I BELIEVE THAT WOULD BE BOTH LEGALLY FOUGHT AND PRACTICE PARTICULARLY -- IT WOULD BE VIER TILE -- VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DO
FROM MY SENSE. THANK YOU. >> MR. CONRAD ON COMMISSIONER WALDRON'S ADDRESS, THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS WE HAD TWO CALLERS THAT QUA -- THAT ASKED ABOUT THAT. I THINK IT WAS MS. SUSAN BRADLEY AND LESLIE SHAPIRO.
IT WAS CALLER NUMBER 11 AND CALLER NUMBER 26, IF WE CAN CONTACT THEM WITH THAT
INFORMATION SO WE CAN HELP THEM WITH THEIR CONCERNS. >> YES, SIR.
AND I WILL GET WITH THE I.T. STAFF AFTERWARDS TO SEE IF WE HAVE THE NUMBERS LOCKED IN THE SYSTEM. IF NOT AND THEY ARE LISTENING THEY WILL GET BACK TO US.
IF WE HAVE THEIR NUMBERS WE WILL REACH OUT TO THEM. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNS?
>> JAMES JOHNS: THANK YOU. I RECEIVED SEVERAL CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT PEOPLE ASKING WHO TO CONTACT IF THEY SEE CONCERNS ABOUT PEOPLE NOT SOCIAL DISTANCING.
I PROVIDED THE NON-EMERGENCY NUMBERS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
AT THE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OR LAW ENFORCEMENT WE ENACT THE LAWS AND THEY ENFORCE THE LAWS. WANTED TO GIVE THE RIGHT NUMBER OUT.
824-8304 NUMBER. THAT'S THE NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER?
>> YES, SIR. STAFF -- STAFF IS INDICATING THAT THAT IS CORRECT.
>> IF YOU SEE SOMETHING OF CONCERN, SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
USE THE NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER UNLESS IT IS A 9-1-1 TRUE EMERGENCY.
THAT ANSWERS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE HAD TODAY. AS THEY SAY, IF THEY ARE PLAYING BASKETBALL AND DOING OTHER THINGS THAT MAY NOT BE ENFORCING THE INTENT OF THE LAW. THAT IS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ON
WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO FOR THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH. >> ANYTHING LITTLE FROM THE
[01:30:02]
BOARD? MOVING ALONG TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO.[Item 2]
MR. MCCORMACK. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
BEFORE YOU IS A EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF EXTENDING THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY. THIS IS ONE MORE IN A SERIES. THE LAST ONE THE BOARD HAD APPROVED WAS ONE WEEK AGO. THAT WAS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION 2020-6.
THERE WAS ALSO AN INTERVENING PROCLAMATION THAT WAS NOT TO EXTENSION SHOULD THE BOARD CONSIDER TO APPROVE THIS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION IT WOULD BE 2020-8.
THE BOARD TODAY HAS HEARD FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THEY HEARD FROM DR. ALICOT FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. IT'S HEARD FROM THE COUNTY'S DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. IT'S HEARD FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THE BOARD IS IN A INFORMATION -- THE BOARD IS IN A POSITION TO CONSIDER APPROVING THIS SEVEN-DAY EXTENSION OF THE LOCAL STAY OF EMERGENCY.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MCCORMACK. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD?
ALL RIGHT IF NOT WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> WE WILL NOW HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO. MR. CHAIRMAN I SEE NONE HERE
OR ON THE PHONE. >> THE PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOW CLOSED AND I WILL ENTERTAIN A
MOTION FOR EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION FOR 2020-8. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, A MOTION?
>> THE PROCLAMATION EXTENDING THE STAY OF EMERGENCY FOR THE FLORIDA STATUTE OUTS FOR THE
2019-4 AND LISTED THE EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION. >> A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
JOHNS DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTIONS AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON. WE WILL NOW DO A ROLE CALL
VOTE. >> COMMISSIONER DEAN? >> HENRY DEAN: YES.
>> COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? >> JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER: YES, SIR.
>> COMMISSIONER WALDRON? >> PAUL WALDRON: YES. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNS?
>> JAMES JOHNS: YES. >> AND I AM A YES TOO. IT PASSES 5-0.
ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT WE WILL MOVE ALONG TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
[Item 3]
MR. MCCORMACK DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING TODAY?>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I DID WANT TO MENTION FOR YOUR REGULAR MEETING NEXT WEEK, THERE WAS A CHANGE TO THE FOOTPRINT A LITTLE BIT THAT WAS ADJUSTED. YOU WILL SEE THAT IN THE REGULAR AGENDA ITEM THAT'S -- ITEMS THAT COME OUT. I WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE, THANK YOU. >> IN THAT MAP -- THAT MAP DESIRES TO BE MODIFIED AND AMENDED AND IT WILL BE IN THE BACK UP MATERIALS. WHAT IT DOES IS IT ACTUALLY SHORTENS THE NO WAKE ZONE BACK UP TO WHAT IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE GRANNY HULL TO ALLOW
FOLKS TO GET OUT OF THE INLET? >> THAT'S CORRECT.
WHEN SHE PRESENTS THIS ITEM, I BELIEVE REMOTELY NEXT WEEK AT YOUR MEETING, I BELIEVE SHE WILL HAVE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT THAT SHE HAS CONFERRED WITH FOR THAT RECOMMENDATION.
THANK YOU. >> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? COMMISSIONER JOHNS? >> JAMES JOHNS: THANK YOU, SIR. I WILL TRY TO BE MORE BRIEF THIS WEEK.
I AM HEARING FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LOST WORK AND THEY MADE REFERENCE TO THAT.
LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHORT-TERM LOANS OR GRANTS TO OUR SMALL BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS AND OUR MICROBUSINESSES TREMENDOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME OF UNEMPLOYENT IN. THEY APPLIED FOR AND -- FOR MANY OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL LOAN PROGRAM THAT'S ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE MULTIPLE DAYS IF NOT WEEKS AND TO BE ABLE TO BRIDGE THE GAP FOR EVEN A FEW WEEKS MEANS THE BUSINESS TO BE ABLE TO STAY OPEN.
I TALKED TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS AND THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATORS AND THE OFFICE OF THE BUDGET TO FIND OUT WHAT IS LEGALLY POSSIBLE IF POSSIBLE FOR THE COUNTY TO SERVE IN SOME CAPACITY TO HELP THOSE BUSINESSES THAT NEED IT, A VERY SHORT-TERM LOAN. I TALKED TO SOME BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS IN OUR AREA TO SEE WHAT THEIR CAPACITY IS FOR BOTH FINANCES AND PEOPLE. THEY ARE PUTTING TOGETHER SOME PROCESSES. I KNOW WE CAN APPROVE IT, BUT I WANT TO SEE THE PATH FORWARD AND GET FEEDBACK FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS GONNA MEET THE NEEDS.
[01:35:05]
A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO A 500-SMALL BUSINESS DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS A TWO OR 10-PERSON BUSINESS. IF WE CAN BRIDGE A GAP UNTIL THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS MEET THEIR NEEDS IT WILL LITERALLY KEEP PEOPLE EMPLOYED EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE AT WORK, TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT THAT THIS IS HAVING ON OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE SMALL BUSINESSES. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THE RESULTS OF THE FEEDBACK OF THAT INITIAL CONVERSATION WE ARE HAVING. I TALKED TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER. THERE ARE MANY AVENUES.IT IS ABOUT EDGE -- EDUCATING PEOPLE WHERE THE RESOURCES ARE AND FINDING A WAY TO BRIDGE THE GAP THAT APPEARS TO BE GROWING IN WEEKS AND NOT MONTHS OF MEETING PEOPLE'S NEEDS THAT ARE BY NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN UNEXPECTEDLY OUT OF BUSINESS AND UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO PAY EMPLOYEES. THEY WANT TO PAY. THERE IS JUST NO WAY TO DO
SO. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JOHNS.
YOU WILL PROVIDE A HOTLINE IS THAT WHAT I UNDERSTOOD EARLIER SO THE TWO VENUES, FOLKS -- THAT SMALL BUSINESS OWNER CANS ACCESS THIS INFORMATION AS WELL AS CLARITY?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. IT IS PART OF ONE OF THE TASK FORCES WE HAVE SET UP.
WE SHOULD HAVE A HOTLINE READY TO GO BY TOMORROW. WE WILL BE FINISHING THAT UP TODAY. IT WILL HELP NOT ONLY THE INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE, BUT WITH BUSINESS ASSISTANCE TO NAVIGATE THE WATERS OF THE SBA LOANS, FEDERAL LOANS AND STATE LOANS AND HELP WALK THE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS. THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE LINES,
TWO TO CALL TO HELP WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS. >> I KNOW THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS BEEN VERY, VERY PRO-AGO -- PRO ACTIVE ON SOME OF THEIR PRESENTATIONS OF THESE AS WELL. AS COMMISSIONER JOHNS AS -- HAS ELUDED TO, THESE ARE SLOW IN COMING TO FRUITION. THERE WILL BE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
I HAD ONE THAT ASKED ME THIS WEEK ABOUT LOAN APPLICATIONS AND THINGS AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER MR. CONRAD, VERY DIFFICULT PAPERWORK, BUT WE CAN OFFER THAT ASSISTANCE AS WELL. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JOHNS AND THANK YOU FOR THE CONCERN FOR ESPECIALLY OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AS WELL AS OUR INDIVIDUALS.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO COME BEFORE THIS BOARD?
COMMISSIONER DEAN? >> HENRY DEAN: I JUST WANT TO BRIEFLY, IF I MAY, I WANT TO REACH OUT AND THANK THE MAYOR AND THE COMMISSIONERS, AND THE MAYOR OF COMMISSIONERS OF ST.
AUGUSTINE AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH CARE WORKERS. IT AIN'T OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER.
LET'S LOOK BACK AT THIS MEETING WHEN COMMISSIONER CONRAD GAVE US THE NUMBERS.
WE ARE SEEING A SLIGHT FLATTENING IN OUR COUNTY. I THINK THAT THIS MIGHT BE PRIVY TO LEADERSHIP AND FORE SIGHT THAT OUR CITY -- OUR TWO THINGS WE PUT DOWN ON MARCH 20TH. THIS IS A HARD TIME. I WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE TODAY THAN TO OPEN OUR BEACHES EVEN JUST FOR LIMITED ACTIVITY , BUT LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS AND SEEING PROGRESS BEING MADE I AM HARDLY -- I AM IN A POSITION TO CONTINUE THE BEACH CLOSURE FOR ANOTHER WEEK OR LONGER KNOWING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DISTRESSED OVER THAT DECISION AND I AM MYSELF. IT IS A HARD DECISION I HAVE TO MAKE.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN.
COMMISSIONER BLOCKER? >> JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I WANT TO TANK -- TO THANK OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE STAFF WITH THE WORK THEY ARE DOING ESPECIALLY AND -- WITH THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY. I KNOW THEY ARE WORKING HARD ON THIS WITH THE CHAMBER AND WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS AND BEING PRO ACTIVE.
COMING TO US WITH SOLUTIONS. WE APPRECIATE YAILT -- UH -- APPRECIATE THAT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC IS PROTECTED. THEN WE NEED TO GET BACK ON TRACK WITH ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND MAKING SURE THE AFTERMATH OF THIS, THE SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY ARE SUPPORTED AND WE REINFORCE AND HELP THEM AS MUCH AS WE CAN. THANK YOU, MR. CONRAD AND THANK YOU TO YOUR TEAM AND MICHAEL RYAN AND HIS TEAM FOR BT COULD -- FOR CONTINUING TO
FACILITATE THIS. WE APPRECIATE THAT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BLOCKER. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE STAFF TODAY.
I THINK THINGS HAVE GONE WELL. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER WALDRON FOR STEPPING IN AND TAKING OVER THE PHONES AND THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
THAT IS A BIG TASK AND A HEAVY LOAD TO LIFT. THANK YOU Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE HERE AND COMMISSIONER BLOCKER AND DEAN FOR BEING ABLE TO CALL IN.
I THINK IT WORKED VERY, VERY WELL. I THINK OUR AGENDA WILL BE OUT TOMORROW OR MAYBE EVEN -- OR TODAY, MAYBE LATER TODAY FOR OUR NEXT WEEK'S MEETING WHICH
[01:40:05]
IS A REGULAR MEETING ON APRIL 21ST. ON THAT AGENDA I WANT TO BE PREEMPTIVE IN LETTING FOLKS KNOW THERE ARE NO EX-PARTE ITEMS ON THAT AGENDA.IT IS A CONSOLIDATED AND A VERY TIGHT AGENDA, BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING HERE AGAIN NEXT WEEK ON TUESDAY FOR A REGULAR BOARD MEETING AS WELL AS LIKELY ANOTHER SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FLORIDA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THAT BEING SAID ANYTHING ELSE TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD? SEEING NONE WE ARE HERE BY ADJOURNED
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.