OOPS

   Two award nominations, one slot 

   Civil Rights leader Robert B. Hayling and Herbie Wiles Insurance founder Herbie Wiles have been nominated for one of the city's highest awards, the La Florida Award, but there's only one space available on the roster - limited to eight living persons.

   The situation arose at last Monday's City Commission meeting, as Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline advanced Hayling's name, then suggested the guidelines be extended to ten living persons, an idea rejected by fellow commissioners.

   Commissioner Bill Leary has nominated Wiles, a former county commissioner active in a wide range of community organizations and causes.

   The current situation has never occurred since the award and guidelines were adopted in the mid-1970s - before the Sunshine Law governing public bodies. Whatever has developed behind the scenes, commissioners are now faced with debating the merits of two worthy citizens.

   At least one honoree will go undisputed: archaeologist Stanley Bond will receive the de Aviles Award at the January 28 commission meeting. He developed the city's archaeology ordinance 25 years ago.

   Commissioner Bill Leary "wanted to be more active" when he served on the city's Entry Corridor Review Committee, originally created to review any disputes in guidelines regulating development applications along King Street, San Marco Avenue, and Anastasia Boulevard.

   Fellow commissioners agreed, calling for redesign of the committee to look at beautification and other elements as well along those entry corridors.

   The matter came up as commissioners discussed a consent agenda item on renewing the Parking and Traffic and Entry Corridor Review committees which are sunsetted annually. Commissioners will act on both at their January 28 meeting.

   A summary of proposed changes to the city's complex Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance will be posted on the city's website, and commissioners will hear a city attorney's presentation January 28 and seek public comment February 11 as they move cautiously on altering the much maligned ordinance.

   Assistant City Attorney Isabelle Lopez says PUD zoning - which sets aside all zoning regulations to allow creative property uses, subject to government review - is necessary because all requested variations in a development plan can't be handled by making exceptions to zoning codes.

   The sensitivity of PUD zoning, highlighted in Flagler College's plan for classrooms in a Historic Preservation District, prompted commissioners to assure ample time for community input on changes.

'Odd process' of adopting ordinances

   Commissioner Bill Leary took the occasion to note the "odd process" of moving an ordinance through commission adoption. A proposed ordinance is often first brought to light as a first reading by the commission, where it is decided if it has merit to go to second reading. At that second level there is a public hearing, then final vote.

   "If enough changes are made, we go through the whole process again," Leary noted. "Why not introduce it before first reading to make changes before starting the process?" 

   "To true up and make sure we're all synchronized" on planning for the city's 450th commemoration," City Manager sought and got City Commission support for a 2-hour workshop February 20 from 2-4 pm.

   The future of the city's mini golf site on the bayfront had gone through a workshop, and commissioners Monday decided it should move to a presentation stage with city staff preparing a report on possibilities for its future use.

   Both Commissioners Leanna Freeman and Bill Leary wanted assurance that a bid process completed last June, in which current tenant Ripley's Entertainment was successful bidder, be included in options for future use. Mayor Joe Boles had called for further study last year before commissioners could vote approval of the winning bid.

   The matter first came up when Ripley's asked the city for an extended lease in order to invest in handicapped access elements required by federal law. Discussion since has brought forth ideas such as a seawall promenade extension and events and dining venues. 

   A Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) is one of government's more sensible programs to improve communities - tax increases through property value increases go toward improving the community, which can increase property values, and community pride along the way.

   A CRA for Lincolnville is now under study, and residents are being asked to share their thoughts and concerns on needs for the neighborhood. 

   Meetings are scheduled at the Galimore Center at 2 pm Tuesday, January 22, and 6 pm Wednesday and Thursday, January 23 and 24.

   Get details and the required "finding of necessity" here.