|
Published by former Mayor George Gardner November 16 2012
The Report is an independent publication serving our community.
Contributions are greatly appreciated, by mail or 'Donate' button below.
George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084
|
| Roundabout favored | |
Possible solution for May/San Marco intersection
 | | Crude sketch of roundabout at May/San Marco |
"The district secretary (for the Florida Department of Transportation) stood on the street from 10:30 to 11 in the morning and could not believe the level of congestion at this intersection in an off-peak period," City Manager John Regan told commissioners Wednesday, prompting strong endorsement to pursue a traffic roundabout to ease traffic congestion at May Street and San Marco Avenue.
Regan said other options could include signal relocation and road redesign, but commissioners decided a roundabout would have greatest effect.
Regan presented a crude sketch that was part of the recent Mobility Institute in the city, the roundabout an effective way to handle multiple streets intersecting at different angles.
The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization which conducted the Mobility Institute plans to have a final report completed by the end of this month, Regan said.
|
|
|
|
 Water taxi
on the bay
City commissioners Wednesday approved use of its bottomland at Vilano pier for a commercial water taxi service between Vilano Beach, Camachee Island and St. Augustine's Municipal Marina, overriding restrictions on commercial use in the interest of public benefit.
Initial service, with $5 fare, runs every two hours. For local residents and commuters, there's a ten ride punch card for $30.
The schedule, subject to adjustment after November, includes departures from Vilano at 10, 12, 2, 4 and 6. On Friday and Saturday add 8 and 10 pm. From Camachee add 20 minutes to the Vilano Schedule, and departures from the City Marina are at 11, 1, 3, 5, and 7. For Friday and Saturday add 9 and 11 pm.
The service is being provided by Jax Water Tours, which also offers eco tours, sunset cruises, parties and, during Nights of Lights, evening tours aboard a 14-passenger boat. Visit www.JaxWaterTours.com. Contact Captain Brooks Mitchell at (904) 714-8172, jaxtours@earthlink.net.
|
|
|
|
Historic preservation
Revisit - 'It's a start'
|
"It's a start," said City Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline as commissioners Wednesday approved by resolution two of three elements from a 2003 ad hoc Historic Preservation Committee's recommendations.
Approved were development of an inventory of city-owned historic properties and a schedule for time and budget priorities for necessary preservation and maintenance projects, and studying "to fund the needed work through budgetary alternatives."
But commissioners rejected consideration of ordinance changes including establishment of conservation districts, deciding this will be part of upcoming workshops on the city's zoning codes beginning December 13 from 9 to noon in the Alcazar Room at City Hall.
1st initiative - $525,000 for Lightner
"Funding needed work" is already under way, as commissioners Wednesday also approved a $175,000 match to apply for a $350,000 grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Historic Resources for "repair/replacement of the tile and membrane roof over the Lightner Museum, replacement of a number of the remaining deteriorated aluminum-framed windows with wood-framed replicas of the originals, and sealing of the exterior building envelope."
City General Services Director Jim Piggott corrected an earlier report on a maximum amount the city hopes to get; it would be $350,000 from the state plus the $175,000 required city match, "which can include in-kind services by city employees," Piggott noted.
|
|
Wedding wars
City, Society battle
on Llambias House
|
A strongly worded letter from the St. Augustine Historical Society on control of wedding receptions at the city-owned Llambias House was "unacceptable" to commissioners Wednesday, who called for continuing negotiations which could result in the city taking back the property - cutting off $60-$70,000 in society income from the receptions.
An estimated $3,500 per event amounts to some 20 events a year, and angry neighbors disrupted by loud music. The letter from the society's Board of Directors said it would only reduce the noise level. Commissioners directed City Manager John Regan to seek more concessions.
Among options, Regan said, are employing off-duty police for compliance or taking back the historic property, managed by the society under agreement with the city.
|
|
|
|
|
Scooter appeal fails 4-1
|
An hour of argument and debate resulted in failure for one scooter business, appealing a decision to allow a competitor to open without the restrictions the appellant has.
Only Commissioner Errol Jones maintained the Planning and Zoning Board should revisit its action, arguing, "When we know (evidence of previous actions was not presented) are we going to be blind to it and let it go or address it?
Bond refinance = more funds plus savings
Commissioners Wednesday authorized utility bond refinancing which will increase a current $13.6 million bond to $18 million and extend the bond period from 2021 to 2023.
Lower interest rates - dropping from the current 4.87% to 2.75% - will allow that additional $4 million earmark for water line replacement while saving the city some $1 million in repayments, City Comptroller Mark Litzinger told city commissioners.
|
|
Commission endorses 'La Florida' Island
|
City commissioners Wednesday endorsed the name La Florida for the island mass stretching from Duval into St. Johns County.
It was not the latest in a series of name proposals, including Pablo and Veterans. Not considered, or likely known to commissioners, is a suggestion advanced by Robert Hall: "Why not go back to the historic source, Ponce de Leon? Name it Isle de Ponce, honoring the explorer who began it all," says Hall, who founded the Florida Historic Militia in the 1980s.
Pablo, the name favored by Duval tourist interests, has won little favor in St. Johns County, where two-thirds of the island is located; it's hard for anyone to speak against anything honoring military veterans, but the most recent suggestion, La Florida, "is already taken," Hall suggests. "It's the whole state."
Commissioners authorized a letter to the county commission supporting La Florida. A federal island-naming agency will have the final say.
Kinsey exhibit in renegotiation
Departing City Commissioner Errol Jones, promising to remain active in city affairs, was credited Wednesday by City Manager John Regan with reactivating negotiations to bring the Kinsey Exhibit of African-American artifacts here in 2014, the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement in St. Augustine.
"The original plan was so high we walked away," Regan said, "but now we may be at half the original pricing."
Discrimination ordinance advances
A housing discrimination ordinance amendment to include sexual orientation as a protected class was approved Wednesday for public hearing at a later date, despite legal language including "a 304-word sentence I read and could make no sense of," said Commissioner Bill Leary, a retired lawyer.
City commissioners reaffirmed a standing ordinance in August, but voted to add protection "regardless of sexual orientation."
Greater communication idea approved
Commissioners Wednesday approved a recommendation by the city's Neighborhood Council to include it in certified mailing notices on zoning changes.
Council President Rhey Palmer said those notices will be forwarded to neighborhood associations, providing more advance notice "to avoid later anger and frustration."
Neighbors have argued more notice was needed in two recent contentious issues: a 7-Eleven store and gas pumps at May Street and San Marco Avenue, and Flagler College classrooms at Cordova and Cuna streets.
|
|
History's Highlight
|
Sacred Ground: Military Cemetery at St. Augustine
2 years, 9 months, 23 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
Several buildings and structures have come and gone since the encampment of Native-Americans in the mid-1600s to receive religious training from Franciscan missionaries at the adjacent Convento de San Francisco.
 | | Moore with Ron Birchall (left) at recent video presentation of 'Sacred Ground' |
During the British occupation of Florida, 1763-1784, an imposing three-story barracks was built on the site to house two regiments of soldiers - 500 troops.
That wooden structure burned to the ground, its place filled in 1866 by a military hospital, and that hospital was moved across Marine Street in the early 1900s to allow expansion of the old post cemetery - today's St. Augustine National Cemetery. That building is today's King's Bakery.
It was difficult for Lt. Col. (Ret) Greg Moore, command historian with the Florida National Guard for more than a decade, not to think about the lives of those names carved into simple marble markers as he conducted tours of the cemetery and recounted its centerpiece, three coquina pyramids covering the final resting place of officers and soldiers who died during the Seminole Indian Wars.
In a Veterans Day speech at the cemetery in 2009 he told the stories of seven of those fallen. The "overwhelming" response inspired Greg to search further, his efforts evolving into Sacred Ground: The Military Cemetery at St. Augustine, a compilation of twenty biographical sketches. Greg hopes to have it published early next year.
"Only a few of these veterans have names that are well known in history," says Greg, "but all of the stories reveal the true character of 'ordinary' individuals who served their nation with pride and dignity."
This year, give the gift of history, St. Augustine Bedtime Stories, dramatic accounts of famous people and events in St. Augustine's history. Information here.
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
