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Published by former Mayor George Gardner February 9 2013
The Report is an independent publication serving our community.
Contributions are greatly appreciated. Click or mail to
George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084
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City commissioners Monday will be asked to approve a fee schedule for use of city property, including $3,000 a day for the renovated Visitor Center, $500 for the Municipal Marina area, and $300 for Francis Field.
Other areas:
- Plaza gazebo $200/day
- Lightner courtyard $200/hour
- Visior Center promenade $1,500/day
- Visior Center fountain courtyard $500/day
- Galimore Center rooms large $35/hour; small $25/hour; both $55/hour
The fee schedule is in the commission Consent Agenda, usually approved without reading or discussion.
Image: Visitor Center and promenade
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City schedules British
City officials have announced plans for a Gentlemen of the Road stopover tour Sept. 13 and 14 at Francis Field with England's superstar band Mumford & Sons.
It's billed as a signature event of the city's 450th commemoration. City Manager John Regan says, "They want to use their superstar status to shine a light on our community because we have something to say."
Officials are estimating a crowd of 25,000 for the two-day concert, eclipsing the overflow gathering in May 2009 for the Ancient City Crawfish Boil featuring Snoop Dogg.
Exhibitions
Picasso, Art & Arena, continues at the Visitor Center Expo Hall through May 11, an exhibit of the 20th century Spanish artist's examination of the bull.
Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado, continues at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts through March 31, featuring Spanish masters such as Goya and Velázquez, but also foreign luminaries who worked for the Spanish court, including Rubens and Titian.
The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits from Imperial Spain, has no US visits scheduled, but last exhibited at Washington's National Gallery of Art in 2009, illustrating the use of luxurious armor in projecting an image of royal power in Imperial Spain. Madrid's Royal Armory was created by King Philip II, who contracted with Pedro Menendez in 1565 to establish a presidio in La Florida.
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FDOT to report on
fatal intersection
The Florida Department of Transportation will present its thoughts to commissioners Monday on safety measures for the intersection of Anastasia Boulevard and Red Cox Road, site of frequent accidents including a recent double fatality.
Commissioners last month requested FDOT help "in funding and conducting an appropriate traffic safety study at this location and in funding and initiating such additional safety measures deemed appropriate by that study."
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Ten vie for commission seat
City Manager John Regan will submit ten names to city commissioners Monday, the number so far interested in the 2-year City Commission vacancy being created with the resignation of Commissioner Bill Leary, effective February 18.
They include one former commissioner, three former candidates for commission and a former candidate for County Commission.
The commission will have ten days after February 18 to name a replacement. The candidates:
- Randy Brunson - who lost a 2012 race against Rachael Bennett for County Commission
- Steve Cottrell - a former 4-term Nevada City CA councilman
- Larry Crews - a consultant with Florida Blue
- Don Crichlow, former city commissioner who stepped down in 2010
- Don Heine - unsuccessful in the 2010 mayoral race
- Deltra Long - unsuccessful in bid to replace Commissioner Errol Jones in 2012
- Bruce Maguire -unsuccessful in bid to replace Commissioner Errol Jones in 2012
- Grant Misterly - past chair of the city Planning and Zoning Board
- Steven Schuyler - past chair of the city Planning and Zoning Board
- Herb Rippe - currently serving on the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach Commission
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Capturing city's maritime history
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The community-based St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation board met Thursday in its 41st session over the past six years developing programs to build 16th century ships, promote greater under-standing and use of the city's waterways, and educate the public on the nation's first port area.
Board President Maury Keiser (right in photo) heads a team Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9-noon building a period wattle and daub shipwright's house at the foundation's boatyard at Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. Already completed, a thatch-roofed boathouse in the area of St. Augustine's founding settlement.
Visit www.staugmaritimeheritage.org to join, donate, and follow progress.
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News and notes
PUD under public microscope
City commissioners will get an early start on Monday's regular session with a workshop at 4 pm to discuss and get public comment on revisions to the city's Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance.
The regular session begins at 5 pm - both sessions in the Alcazar Room at City Hall.
Concern with the much maligned ordinance, which sets aside all zoning regulations to allow creative property uses, subject to government review, was highlighted in Flagler College's plan for classrooms in a Historic Preservation District.
Lincolnville CRA in review
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St. Benedict School among images of dilapidated structures in CRA report
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Citing substandard lot sizes, Lack of sidewalks and transit service, substandard streets, deteriorated structures, and unkempt vacant lots, consultant Prosser Hallock will try to make the case before the City Commission Monday for a Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Area (CRA).
A resolution to create the CRA will include a public hearing. The consultant study included three days of public sessions in which dozens of residents sorted through data and targeted greatest concerns.
A CRA would reinvest property tax increases into neighborhood improvements.
 $92,740 to nudge the 'bug' Tucked into the commission's Consent Agenda - usually approved without reading or discussion, is a request by 450 Director Dana Ste. Claire to use $92,740 in left over 450 commemoration funds from last year for pole banner production, brand identity elements, and website and merchandise development with the city's adopted brand "bug."
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History's Highlight
St Augustine in World War II
2 years, 7 months to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
From the Florida Division of Historical Resources Florida Heritage series, excerpts from Florida World War II Heritage Trail.
Hotel Ponce de Leon - The Great Depression caused guest occupancy to decline 10 percent by 1932. Fundraisers for British relief efforts were conducted there prior to the United States entry into the war. With the virtual collapse of Florida tourism after Pearl Harbor, the owners of the Ponce de Leon were willing to lease the facility to the U.S. Coast Guard as a training facility. From 1942 to 1945, 2,500 recruits trained and resided in several St. Augustine resort hotels. The Hotel Monson and the Hotel Bennett also served the Coast Guard. With the Allied victory in August 1945, the Ponce de Leon returned to service as a luxury hotel. Flagler College tours include an exhibit which recognizes the United States Coast Guard training that took place there during WWII. 
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum - During World War II the United States Coast Guard stationed armed lookouts at the site, keeping one man on watch at the top of the tower at all times. The beacon's light was dimmed to prevent friendly ships from being silhouetted in the beam when German U-boats patrolled the Atlantic. A WWII Coast Guard barracks building on site serves as offices and an archaeology laboratory.
St. Augustine National Cemetery - World War II soldiers are buried at this site, including some veterans who were disinterred in Belgium for reburial here.
World War II Memorial - At Charlotte Street and Cathedral Place. In memory of citizens of St. Johns County who gave their lives in military service during World War II, the St. Augustine Pilot Club presented this memorial to the city in 1946. The six-foot-square masonry shaft, finished in shell-dash stucco, originally listed the names of only those who died during WWII. In later years, bronze plaques were added to include those who died in Korea and Vietnam.
Image: World War II Memorial in the Plaza de la Constitución
St. Augustine Bedtime Stories - Dramatic accounts of famous people and events in St. Augustine's history - in booklets designed for quick reads before bed. Information here
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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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