Published by the Department of Public Affairs, City of St. Augustine. Florida September 28 2010
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Commission okays needs study for VIC expansion, exhibit hall |
City commissioners Monday approved $20,000 to assess the value in a proposed expansion of the Visitor Center to 20,700 square feet, with an 8,200 square feet exhibit area before moving into actual design work.
The commission also supported a potential sale of its West Augustine utilities to the county, tackled Galimore Center needs and a noisy downtown neighbor, learned that Castillo tickets can be sold in the Colonial Spanish Quarter, and approved a test traffic flow improvement at King and Cordova streets while questioning plans to replace a bridge so close to the commemoration period. |
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Art Walk for Breast Cancer
October's First Friday is dedicated to an Art Walk for Breast Cancer as a month of activities opens to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention and detection.
The Art Walk, from 5 to 9 p.m. will feature original art from breast cancer survivors at local galleries, along with music, refreshments, and breast cancer information in the Plaza.
Our city's firefighters are joining in the breast cancer awareness effort, wearing pink work tee-shirts in place of traditional blue "to help raise awareness," Fire Chief Mike Arnold told city commissioners Monday.
October is both Breast Cancer Awareness and Fire Prevention Month. |
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First: a VIC business plan | | City Manager John Regan said the expansion would cost $1.5 to $2 million and could be completed in time for the 200th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution in March 2012.
"Nothing can preclude the functionality this provides," he said, noting that major elements for such a project are already in place at the VIC and parking facility.
His $100,000 request included $20,000 for a basis of design report - a business model to sustain the facility, and the balance for architectural and engineering plans.
"What would we use it for in 2016?" Commissioner Don Crichlow asked, referring to the period after the commemorations.
"Can we make better use of the space we already have?" Commissioner Leanna Freeman asked.
"Right now we have no space large enough to hold the Martin Luther King breakfast," Vice Mayor Errol Jones countered. "Our schools are going to Jacksonville for proms. It's time for us to meet current and future needs."
"We've got to have vision," Mayor Joe Boles said. "For $2 million we can have a hall we don't have now. River House cost $3.5 million," said Boles, who is also chair of the Council on Aging. We hoped to get enough events to cover some costs, but we now have 76 events booked and 46 weekends next year are taken."
Utility sale supported
"To me, this is a legacy project for St. Augustine, to get the people of West Augustine the water and sewer lines they deserve," Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline said as commissioners Monday approved $25,000 for an acquisition consultant to assess the value of a proposed sale of West Augustine utility service to the county.
"The county is strapped," County Commissioner Ken Bryan said. "But our utility fund has the resources for an acquisition, and it's also possible to swap other assets with the city. Most importantly, we'd be able to start within two years, compared to the eight to ten years the city would be delayed."
Most of West Augustine is outside the city limits, but part of our utility system extends through the area. Assistant City Manager Tim Burchfield will head up a team to evaluate with the county the potential acquisition.
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Galimore Center a city priority |
Repair of the Galimore Center pool was targeted as a priority of city commissioners in their August budget workshop, and negotiations with the county as well as repairs in the center itself have been ongoing since, City Manager John Regan said Monday.
But both he and County Commissioner Ken Bryan noted, "There's no money," and "the county is in a service contraction mode."
The pool has been closed for two years, and the center has limited hours.
Regan said one possibility is the county turning the pool over to the city in repaired condition, "but the cost for eight months of operation is $190,000. We would have to find revenue streams to support it."
Regan said a private benefactor has offered "significant" help, "if the community is involved."
A stakeholder meeting is planned for next Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Galimore Center.
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Castillo OKs ticket sales in Quarter |
Sale of Castillo tickets in the Colonial Spanish Quarter has won the approval of the National Park Service (NPS) office in Washington, Castillo Superintendent Gordie Wilson told commissioners Monday, and the program could begin in mid-October.
Wilson noted the plan supports the NPS 1977 master plan for a "unified interpretation of Spanish Colonial history" in St. Augustine.
The city sees eventual joint ticket sales to the Castillo and Quarter - managed by the city under the University of Florida, as a strong revenue generator, and such a program is included in the university's St. Augustine Historic Area Strategic Plan.
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'Mortifying aesthetics,' but will it work? |
 City commissioners Monday endorsed a plan for plastic Quick Curb channeling devices at the intersection of King and Cordova streets, but quickly authorized $7,000 for design work to replace them.
"I'm mortified by the aesthetics," Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline told Public Works Director Martha Graham, who said the Quick Curb is a temporary measure "to see if it works."
"I can tell you if it works in eight days," Mayor Joe Boles said, and he and Vice Mayor Errol Jones suggested a permanent median - with perhaps a statue or fountain - should be planned as soon as possible.
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Commission: delay bridge work |
Commissioners Monday approved vacating an alley as part of the planned San Sebastian bridge replacement on US 1 north of King Street, but balked at an easement agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) until it can be assured that project will be completed before, or delayed until after, the commemoration period.
"We've asked time and again that no projects be started, or any projects under way be completed before, the 2013-1015 commemoration period," Mayor Joe Boles said. "They just don't care."
Public Works Director Martha Graham said FDOT "is trying to accelerate the project," but commissioners opted to table the request until its October 11 meeting.
In the meantime, commissioners hope for some answers when FDOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos and Congressman John Mica visit here next week.
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Local Heroes not for neighbor |
A $100 fine for a $3,000 business night doesn't compute, a bed and breakfast neighbor of Local Heroes on Spanish Street told commissioners Monday, opening up a discussion of noise and drinking violations, citations, and expected court dates.
John Johnson of Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast on Cuna Street said continuing late night noise from Local Heroes, with estimates ranging from 75 to 300 patrons, is bringing cancellations to his business.
"We've arrested tons and had plainclothes officers there every weekend for the past two months," Police Chief Loran Lueders said. Florida's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) has also been called in.
And Planning and Building Director Mark Knight said the business is applying for use by exception as a bar, which can increase fines for violation to $500 on each occurrence. Five citations are currently awaiting court dates.
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History's Highlight
Mission song 'put us on the map'
One in a series of historic features as we prepare for our 450th, researched by George Gardner
4 years, 11 months, 12 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
St. Augustine a city of song(s) in Friday's Report stirred memories among readers and details from a 2007 newspaper column.
Sandra Parks noted, "My Grandfather Richard Parks Sr. wrote two published songs - The Ponce de Leon March for the Ponce de Leon celebrations, and Where December Turns to May. My sister and I have copies."
And strummer/singer Holly Mulkey recalls a visit by Jack Chiarelli, who authored In the Mission of St. Augustine, "to be honored by the St. Augustine City Commission." The song was adopted as the official city song in 1988.
 "At the time I was singing in the South Seas restaurant for Ralph Giannotta and I was the only professional entertainer in the city, then, who knew the song," Holley says. "Then Mayor Kenny Beeson had (Commissioner) John (Giannotta) bring me in to sing it to the city commissioners.
"I was the first, and I think last, person to sing and play guitar for that body.
"I squired Jack from one area radio station to another, spreading the news. At night we took his trombone and my guitar from club to club, performing his song and giving the old guy one last hurrah."
Natalie Lucas' Neighbors column in the St. Augustine Record in February, 2007, provided greater detail:
"Jim Raab, author of W. W. Loring, Florida's Forgotten General, sent us a note about the song In the Mission of St. Augustine. Back in 1988 The St. Augustine City Council voted it the official city song. They presented Jack Chiarelli, the songwriter, with a commemorative plaque and a key to the city.
"The song was recorded in 1953 by Sammy Kaye and his orchestra and reached No. 6 nationally on the Billboard Chart and television's Hit Parade. It was sung by Perry Como on national television.
"Raab says: 'We thought that Jack Chiarelli, age 92 at his death in November 2006, should have some mention since he did help put us on the map.'"
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The St. Augustine Report is published by the Department of Public Affairs of the City of St. Augustine each Tuesday and on Fridays previewing City Commission meetings. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, former St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a longtime newspaper reporter and editor. Contact The Report at gardner@aug.com |
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