Published by former Mayor George Gardner January 21 2012
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George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084 |
City/FSDB settlement on agenda
A proposed settlement agreement between the city and Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind goes before the City Commission Monday for approval.
Under the terms, the school could build eight Mediterranean-style residences on the Genoply/Alfred streets block, would replace a contentious fence along Nelmar Avenue with a six-foot fence set 20 feet back, would be licensed by the city to use an alleyway between the Collins and President's houses as long as students occupy the Collins House, and would license to the city a 20-foot strip along Nelmar and 80-foot strip along Hospital Creek for public access.
"It wasn't all I wanted, but we have to close the wound," said Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline, the commission representative in the mediation. Sikes-Kline is sponsoring a resolution Monday opposing State Rep. Bill Proctor's legislation giving the school power of eminent domain and reducing requirements for cooperation with the city.
The regular commission meeting begins at 5 pm in the Alcazar Room at City Hall. | |
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Smokey & friends
at Arbor Day 2012
Smokey Bear was on hand to greet Ketterlinus 2nd graders during Friday's Arbor Day ceremonies at Eddie Vickers Field in the Lincolnville Farmers Market area.
Two live oaks were planted, as well as a Southern Red Cedar - the official city tree - in honor of Street Tree Advisory Committee Member Robin Nadeau, who passed away recently.
It was the 29th year for the city as a Tree City USA, named by the National Arbor Day Foundation. |
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"The proposal includes specific language that the parties recognize the existence of pending legislation which may affect the legal rights and duties of the City and the FSDB, but that the parties intend to be bound by the provisions of any agreement reached" City Attorney Ron Brown wrote in a preamble to the commission.
Aware that the pending state legislation could trump the local efforts, the agreement states, "If any portion of the legislation shall pass, the parties confirm their agreement that this agreement is ... drafted and entered into with mutual intent to have all rights, obligations, limitations and conditions set forth in this agreement hereunder vest under such legislation according to and to the extent set forth in this agreement."
At the same time, the agreement provides that the contentious Nelmar Avenue fence realignment will be completed by July 1, when any state legislation would take effect.
The resolution
The resolution the commission will consider opposes "those provisions of House Bill 1037 and Senate Bill 1348 relating to the City of St. Augustine and the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind."
It notes "the preservation of the City's neighborhoods requires cooperation by and between the City and government institutions ... to ensure that conflicting land uses ... do not destroy either the architectural integrity, character or functioning of those neighborhoods."
Commissioner Leanna Freeman sought passage of such a resolution earlier this month, but was only able to get approval for a request that legislative committees delay consideration of the legislation. In Tallahassee the following week, a House subcommittee voted for the legislation following an appeal by the bill's author, State Rep. Bill Proctor. |
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Updates |
Colonial Spanish Quarter
Assistant City Manager Tim Burchfield will report to commissioners Monday on a proposed Invitation to Negotiate procedure for interest in the private sector to operate the Colonial Spanish Quarter, and University of Florida's Ed Poppell on projects in the 34 state-owned historic properties here - including the Spanish Quarter - now managed by the university.
The city closed the Spanish Quarter in October, reopening to host school groups with temporary interpreters and opening occasionally on Saturdays for Colonial Market Days. Pat Croce & Company, St. Augustine Historical Tours, Inc., and Orlando Dinner Entertainment, Inc. have each presented qualifications to the city for possible public/private operation of the Spanish Quarter.
North City Waterworks Building
Planning and Building Director Mark Knight will report on the North City Waterworks Building, closed three years ago after its long-term tenant, the Garden Club of St. Augustine, discovered structural weaknesses during a remodeling project.
The city did some stabilizing work on the crumbling brick walls and fenced off the property. Architect Dave Mancino estimated restoration at $1.2 and $1.8 million, and Contractor Colin Bingham proposed the building could be made usable for $600,000 and offered a long-term lease to do the work and operate the building for community gatherings and events.
Galimore Center
General Services Director Jim Piggott will report on current operations at the Galimore Center since the county discontinued its management in October. The county gave the city $400,000 with the discontinuation, and the City Commission committed those funds to the center and called for a solid management plan "no later than June 11, 2012."
The city has been operating the center with $40,000 from that $400,000, using a city Human Resources aide to schedule and two temporaries to open the center for events. |
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Pardon city's dust - VIC redesign begins | |
Reconfiguration of the Visitor Information Center (VIC) is under way, the first phase including installation of a sprinkler system, remodeling of the catering kitchen, and revising the layout of the kiosks.
City General Services Director Jim Piggott says target date for its completion is March 2. "We want to be ready to host a 450th Commemoration Kick-Off event in the Expo Center (VIC) in mid-March," 450 Development Director Dana Ste. Claire said.
The second phase will be installation of a climate-controlled system for the building and the installation of moveable display cases to attract international exhibits such as Picasso, discussed last year with officials in Cadiz, Spain.
The City Commission approved $500,000 for the first phase. The center will be able to host a capacity of 350, and up to 500 depending on event configuration, Assistant City Manager Tim Burchfield said. |
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First America! series continues Wednesday | |
The Madness of King George!, a presentation by British colonial historian Roger Smith, continues The First America! series Wednesday, January 25 at Flagler College auditorium. The recounting of the last days of the British reign in America will include Jesse Fish, the persuasive British real estate broker (John Stavely), and a town meeting of British colonists with Redcoats standing guard.
Doors open at 6 pm with lobby displays, and the program begins at 7. |
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Herschel Sheppard proposed for deAviles Award | |
Herschel Sheppard, research associate with the Historic St. Augustine Research Institute and award-winning historic architect, is being proposed for St. Augustine's de Aviles Award.
Sheppard has served on St. Augustine's Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and was a member of the St. Augustine Task Force studying the future disposition of the 34 state-owned historic properties here.
Among his credits: restoration of the historic 1902 Florida State Capitol, Florida Theater restoration, and Ximenz -Fatio House restoration.
Honors include the State of Florida Senator Bob Williams Award in 2002, St. Augustine Historical Society Award in 1992, and Florida Trust for Preservation Awards in 1986, 1983, and 1995.
Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline made the nomination. |
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Commentary | |
Legislative disconnect with home
Bill Proctor's legislation providing eminent domain and disregard for St. Augustine's codes continues to sail smoothly through the state legislature, and only a strong show of opposition by our City Commission and residents can hope to prevent it.
Proctor, with his education credentials and pedantic arguments, is highly regarded in Tallahassee, a legislator assured me when he made a visit here to better understand how the legislation will impact us. He's opposed to eminent domain on principal, but had to wonder why the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind should be "the only school district without it."
Proctor scoffs off the opposition as "a few strident voices," or "just a neighborhood tiff" and legislators, hearing it from the "representative" of the affected district, accept it.
St. Augustine's City Commission Monday will consider a resolution in opposition, and activist Gina Burrell has checked out bus prices - a 29-passenger bus at $40/passenger or 47-passenger bus at $35/passenger - to bring the opposition to Tallahassee. Problem is, committee meetings are scheduled only 48 hours in advance - difficult timing to assemble a protest.
Without it, legislators rely on representatives of districts affected by legislation, and we've already seen our "representative's" assurances to them on that score.
When our city, its Heritage Department under new management with a solid business plan, pleaded with Proctor to back off legislation to turn 34 state-owned historic properties over to the management of the University of Florida, he told me he has more faith in the trustees of the university than our City Commission.
He now trusts the appointed trustees of the Florida school - and himself - to move forward with the school's mission unimpeded by the codes and history of the nation's oldest city. |
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History's highlight
State's first library here | |
3 years, 7 months, 19 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
Tuesday, February 14, at 9:30 am, the 25th anniversary of the Main Library will be marked. Here's an account of the library's history.
In 1874, St. Augustine opened the first library in Florida as a "subscription library," the St. Augustine Free Public Library.
Patrons gave money to help buy books, and there was no charge to check out books.
The prime mover was Frances L. Wilson, who worked steadily on 1ibrary matters. Wilson negotiated with the US Government for rent-free use of two rooms in the US Customs House for the library. 
In 1895 the Wilson family purchased the birthplace of Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith on Aviles Street to use as a library. The house was given to the St Augustine Library Association under trusteeship as long as the building was used for a library for the public.
It was hard times for the library in the 20s, 30s and 40s. Methods of non-governmental funding were tried. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, president of the association in 1942-1943, lent her name to various fundraising drives.
In January, 1976, a movement toward a county library system was led by the American Association of University Women, joined by the Junior Service League and others.
In 1977 an ordinance was passed setting up a county system and appointing a five member advisory board. The following January, the Friends of the Library of St. Johns County was formally organized.
A contract was signed in February 1978 between the County Commission and St Augustine Library Association for use of the Aviles Street building as a main county library.
In 1981, Richard Waters began a library development study under a grant from the State Library. In 1984, Davenport Park was the recommended site for a new library building and a request was made to the St. Augustine City Commission.
The city deeded a portion of Davenport Park to the County for the new main library of the St. Johns County Public Library System. On November 6, 1984, the voters passed a countywide referendum for $1 million for the new library. The groundbreaking ceremony was held one year later.
On February 14, 1987, the dedication for the Main Library was held. |
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The St. Augustine Report is published weekly, with additional Reports previewing City Commission meetings as well as Special Reports. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com |
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