St. Augustine Report

Published by the Department of Public Affairs, City of St. Augustine. Florida May 24 2011

A city initiative to go into "operational mode" in planning for the upcoming commemoration period, and possible renegotiation of the city's contract with the secretive First America Foundation, were outlined by City Manager John Regan as city commissioners met in workshop Monday to discuss a lack of progress in commemoration planning.

"Ten months ago we had a business model and contract with the (First America) foundation," Regan said. "The foundation has to up their work rate or we have to find someone else."

Commissioners Nancy Sikes-Kline and Bill Leary joined Freeman in criticizing the foundation, designated to manage the city's commemorations last August and given $275,000 in start-up money.

Regan said the city has "space, time, and knowledge" to contribute to the commemoration effort. "I want to engage our staff," he said. "Great ideas are part of the process."

The workshop preceded the regular commission meeting, where a team of consultants reviewed potential exhibit space. Outside of existing facilities, suggestions include temporary structures at $175-$250,000 a year, expansion of the seawall area for small exhibits like art fairs, and GPS programs to tie visitors to locations and events in the city.

"I question whether we should move forward at all with the First America Foundation," City Commissioner Leanna Freeman said. "I can't count the number of times transparency was promised, but now I'm told the board of directors ordered a code of silence."

Click It

or Ticket

Law enforcement's Click It or Ticket mobilization is credited with increasing the national belt usage rate from 58 percent in 1994 to an observed usage rate of 85 percent in 2010.

But the other 15 percent be warned, St. Augustine Police will join local and national law enforcement officers across the country for the 2011 national Click it or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization May 23 - June 5, covering the Memorial Day period.

"Law enforcement will be cracking down on Click It or Ticket violators around the clock," Police Chief Loran Lueders promises.

"Local motorists should buckle up. If law enforcement finds you on the road unbuckled anytime or anywhere, you can expect to get a ticket - not a warning. No excuses and no exceptions," he said.

Proposals to be sought for M&M property use

Commissioners want to fine-tune a plan to seek proposals for the former M&M Market property on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and allow extended time for submission of proposals.

A request for proposal plan was prepared by Planning & Building Director Mark Knight to "compare all ideas uniformly" for the property, seized and then purchased by the city as its owners faced criminal charges.

Knight suggested a base price of $310,000, but said leasing is also possible.

Commissioners will submit their thoughts to Knight and review a modified plan at their next meeting.

Sidewalks for Marine Street

Plans have been designed, a meeting with residents will be scheduled, and if all goes well sidewalks will be installed on the east side of Marine Street from St. Francis Street to the area of the Council on Aging.

Public Works Director Martha Graham told commissioners Monday the project could be completed by the end of summer.

She added "this street is too narrow for parking, and that will have to be addressed."

Crosswalk markers planned

Public Works Director Graham also told commissioners the Florida Department of Transportation will install center line signage at pedestrian crosswalks on San Marco and other streets with mid-street crosswalks, if the city will assume maintenance of the signage.

Carriage ordinance modified

Modifications to the recently passed horse carriage ordinance were approved by commissioners Monday after public hearings with no speakers.

The maximum franchise agreement term with the city is extended to ten years, and a 4:30 to 6 p.m. carriage curfew is eliminated.

The modifications and ordinance take effect June 1, but no acknowledgement was given to Murphy McDaniel, who hoped to win authorization to transfer nine of his existing permits to C.B. Hinson before the new ordinance takes effect.

McDaniel holds 43 permits under the current system, but will be limited to a maximum of 15 after June 1.

City bicycle study report Thursday

Proposed bicycle routes and parking locations around St. Augustine will be presented in a public session Thursday 6 - 8 p.m. in the Alcazar Room at City Hall.

"The public will have the opportunity to view and comment," says City Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline, who requested the study through the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization.

Study Consultant SPRINKLE will present a draft plan report, with route recommendations, a way finding signage protocol, and an analysis of bicycle crashes in St. Augustine.

The plan "identifies opportunities for improved bicycling conditions within St. Augustine, allowing residents and visitors to explore this historic city in a new, healthy, and exciting way," the consultant says.

Plaza concerts herald Memorial Day

The gazebo in the Plaza de la Constitución is showing its age, roped off for some column repair, but Concerts in the Plaza Gazebo under repair remains fresh and exciting, entering its 21st year this Memorial Day on a temporary stage adjacent to the gazebo.

The traditional opening concert will be 1-5 p.m., featuring the St. Augustine Jazz Society.

Concerts will continue through the summer Thursday nights at 7 with a variety of talent.

The concert is part of a number of activities as the oldest city kicks of the summer season. Among them:

Ø The Pilot Club of St. Augustine will sponsor a Memorial Day Patriotic Tribute May 29-30 with a display of flags in front of the Lightner /City Hall Building. The club maintains the war memorial in the Plaza de la Constitución.

Ø The St. Augustine Air Show at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include wing-walkers, biplane stunts, an all-women's parachute team, and tactical demonstrations by a U.S. Air Force F-16.

Saluting outstanding HS seniors

With graduation comes recognition from St. Augustine's City Commission to high school seniors nominated by their schools for leadership and service to their school, community and fellow students.

Receiving a city coat of arms pin and $100 scholarship award at Monday's commission meeting are Allie Ford - Bartram Trail High School, Amber Rene Savard - Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind/Deaf Department, Russell Potter - Pedro Menendez High School, and Casey Sacco - St. Augustine High School.

Also, Kaitlin Savannah Harris - Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind/Blind Department, Michael Grew - Creekside High School, Bruce "Eric" Morris - Ponte Vedra High School, Launa Nelson - St. Johns Technical High School, and Mary Catherine Serfilippi - St. Joseph Academy.

History's Highlight

St. Augustine's Coat of Arms

4 years, 3 months, 16 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary

The history and symbolism of the St. Augustine Coat of Arms, represented in the lapel pin given outstanding high school seniors at Monday's City Commission meeting.

In 1715 the citizens of St. Augustine petitioned King Philip V of Spain to grant the city a coat of arms for its faithful and courageous service to Spain. In 1991, finding no record of the request being fulfilled, the City Commission made a formal request to King Juan Carlos I.

Vicente de Cardenas y Vicent, Herald, King of Arms, Dean of the Corps of Heralds for Spain, found that a Coat of Arms for the City had indeed been authorized November 26, 1715 - 276 years after it was granted. St. Augustine Coat of Arms

The shape is a 16th century Spanish shield, quartered by a gold cross representing Christianity.

The first quarter, the upper left side of the shield, is a gold fleur-de-lis on a royal blue background. This is a symbolic connection to the French House of Bourbon as King Philip V (1683 - 1746)was the grandson of the French King Louie XIV, who aided Philip in gaining the Spanish throne.

The gold of the fleur-de-lis denotes generosity, valor and perseverance. The fleur-de-lis itself is a three leafed flower or lily, the leafs representing faith, wisdom, and valor. The blue background represents loyalty and splendor.

The second quarter is a golden castle with black masonry joints, windows and door in red, on a red background. This corresponds to the arms of the former kingdom of Castille. The castle is a sign of defense and safety. The red background represents fortitude and creative power.

The third quarter has the purple Lion of the province of Leon. The Lion is rampant, standing erect in the fighting position signifying majesty and kingship. In the Middle Ages the lion represented strength, courage, and generosity. The tongue and claws are red, and the gold crown on the lion's head alludes to the fact that Leon was once a kingdom. The silver background shows nobility and serenity.

In the fourth quarter is an arm in armor, holding a silver sword on a red background, indicating a military connection. It honors the military garrison in St. Augustine as a Spanish military outpost. King Philip wanted to be sure the military history of the city was remembered. The silver of the armor indicates nobility and serenity and the red background is a tribute to the military garrisoned in St. Augustine.

On the crest, the circle of walls with gates, towers, windows and sentry boxes in gold indicates that this coat of arms is for a city.

The Coat of Arms is the official city seal and cannot be used without the consent of the City Commission.

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