St. Augustine Report

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Published by former Mayor George Gardner April 6 2013

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Fiesta de la Florida

Look for the variety of Hispanic culture this weekend, beginning with Ponce de Leon landing ceremonies at 10 am at the Ponce statue on the east end of the Plaza and continuing at venues along north St. George Street.

City to appeal Wendler

case to Supreme Court

The city will appeal to the Florida Supreme Court an appellate court decision dismissing the city's argument that Scott and Donna Wendler filed a complaint too late on their claim that denial of demolition permits to build a boutique hotel has created an economic hardship.

In a notice filed with the Fifth District Court of Appeal, City Attorney Ron Brown argues, "the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court to review the decision of this Court rendered on March 15, 2013. The decision expressly and directly conflicts with a decision of another district court of appeal or of the Supreme Court on the same question of law."

The appellate court reversed an earlier decision by Circuit Judge J. Michael Traynor.

The Wendlers seek $3.5 million in damages under the Bert Harriss Property rights Act after assembling eight properties along King and Oviedo streets, then being denied demolition permits under a stiffened demolition ordinance. They had planned a replica of the Henry Flagler estate on Valencia Street - bulldozed in the 1960s and now site of several modern homes.

Toe-tapping,

lip-smacking

Lots of ribs and rhythm on tap this weekend at Sunrise Rotary's Rhythm & Ribs at Francis Field.

Hours Friday 4-10 pm, Saturday 11 am - 10 pm, and Sunday 11 am - 6 pm.

Great bands, kids activities, vendors and voting for BBQ People's Choice Award.

Last year's event provided nearly $100,000 to community charities, according to the event website.

Traffic relief for city's oldest street

Artillery Lane bollard An ordinance before the City Commission Monday would close the east end of Artillery Street to traffic, providing some relief to the city's oldest, now pedestrian-oriented, street.

The meeting begins at 5 pm in the Alcazar Room at City hall.

A bollard has been in place for some time to test reaction and traffic flow. As part of its Aviles Street redesign which included room for sidewalk cafes, the city reached agreement with the Episcopal Church to provide metered parking at the west end of Artillery. The partial closure allows flow in and out of that parking area.

Traffic access to Aviles remains, one-way off King Street.

Also to be considered Monday is an ordinance "prohibiting vehicular traffic on that portion of St. George Street lying between the southern boundary of Orange Street and the northern boundary of Hypolita Street as Hypolita Street crosses St. George Street."

It's a housekeeping item, Public Works Director Martha Graham says. "Closures should be done by ordinance and this section of St. George was missed somehow."

If approved by the commission the ordinances will go to public hearing at a later meeting.

Lincolnville CRA public hearing Monday

Public hearing and final action to create a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) for Lincolnville is on Monday's City commission agenda.

Chief Planner Tony Robbins of consultant Prosser-Hallock will make the case for the CRA, which
funds improvements to an area through future property tax increases.

Commissioners will also consider a resolution "adopting the Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Plan; reaffirming that a necessity exists for the rehabilitation, conservation or redevelopment of Lincolnville ..."

Relief sighs for archaeologists

Following notice of the state considering a Citizen Archaeology Permit program which would allow individuals to collect and keep archaeological materials from state-owned lands, St. Augustine Lighthouse Director Kathy Fleming sends word, "The only bill that has been filed regarding this is one that actually increases restrictions on areas and provides permits but ONLY for museums (and) organizations that can perform research and only with approval by the Department of State."

The bill specifies, "The Division (of Historic Resources) may issue permits ... to institutions which the Division deems to be properly qualified to conduct such activity, subject to the Division rules and regulations, provided such activity is undertaken by reputable museums, universities, colleges, or other historical, scientific, or educational institutions or societies that possess or will secure the archaeological expertise ..."

Archaeologists led by the Florida Public Archaeology Network argued the proposed Citizen Archaeology Permit program, "is contrary to the public trust and would result in the archaeological heritage that belongs to all of Florida's citizens disappearing into private collections or being sold to collectors in other states or countries, thereby depriving us all of valuable information about our common past."

Stormwater study targets

coquina, debris and runoff

Coquina may be the stuff of St. Augustine history, but coquina gravel is no treasure in the city's stormwater collection system.

Debris-clogged street drain Rain barrels suggested for city hall An evaluation by consultant CDM Smith of the city's stormwater system targets the loose gravel as well as yard debris as "generating a significant amount of sand and sediment load to the City storm water infrastructure."

The report also suggests systems such as rain barrels to collect and recycle water runoff.

Public Works Director Martha Graham cautions, "These are topics that our staff and a public stormwater committee is reviewing and will be formulating responses to in the next few months."

For coquina gravel in driveways the consultant suggests "a recess of the proposed driveway, to allow temporary ponding and ... grading the site to promote runoff to a swale, or permeable cover prior to discharge to the City infrastructure.

For water runoff, "The City could start a pilot program on City-owned buildings to educate its residents and evaluate the appropriate size, setup and aesthetics of the rain barrel that would be most appropriate for the City."

CDM Smith estimated that the City Hall building could have up to 40 rain barrels and collect "potentially up to 4,000 gallons per storm," and "discharge directly to landscape and garden areas, to a swale or the street, and/or as appropriate, be connected to drip irrigation systems for landscape areas or gardens."

History's Highlight

Fiestas few and far between in 1700s

2 years, 5 months, 3 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary

This weekend's Fiesta de la Florida captures the spirit of bygone community festivities - more frequent in modern times but scarce in earlier times.

Early 18th century social life in St. Augustine wasn't the glitter and pomp of larger territorial governments. In this harsh, out-of-the way frontier area, social activities had a crude simplicity.

Fiestas for a new monarch were the exception, and eagerly anticipated. The colonists could feast freely on the food and liquor provided by the governor. Hispanic Folklore Dancers

Trumpeters, drummers, and pipers of the presidio gladly turned from martial music to join guitarists of the town for dancing and singing. Candles lighted St. Augustine's narrow streets, doorways, and windows and put the town in a festive mood.

Church and convent bells were rung joyously, and soldiers in dress uniform, civil officials in their best clothes, and women in their most elegant finery, promenaded along the gaily decorated streets and attended Mass at the parish or convent church.

In the spring of 1747, Governor Manuel de Montiano declared April 30 and May 1 as the time to honor the newly crowned King Ferdinand VI.

In the plaza, on a stage constructed for the festival, officials proclaimed their great love and devotion for Ferdinand VI and solicited donations from the crowd.

Montiano entertained the principal military, civil, and religious officials and a "few notable residents" at a resplendent banquet in his residence, while the rank-and-file feasted on free food and liquor in the public square and surrounding streets. As they celebrated, the residents shouted continually, "Long live our King, Ferdinand VI."

Plays, masquerades, and dancing on the newly constructed stage entertained the residents throughout the afternoon. The liquor flowed far into the night, and some of the soldiers, emboldened by the heady draughts, intruded on the governor's more sedate gathering.

Entering the courtyard of the governor's residence, they began shouting loudly to get Montiano's attention. When he appeared, they pointed out boisterously that no festival in Havana had ever compared with the one now taking place in St. Augustine.

Montiano listened politely, and then urged them to leave, personally accompanying them to the door of the courtyard where they made a noisy exit. Later, the governor wrote that he was proud of the loyalty of his men, despite the fact that an excess of drink may have clouded their judgment.

These high points of social life in early eighteenth century St. Augustine occurred all too seldom. The accessions of Philip V, Ferdinand VI, and Charles III were times for rejoicing, but they took place only three times in sixty years, an average of once every twenty years.

Small wonder the celebrations took on the aspects of a bacchanalian revelry.

Image: Hispanic Folk Dancers at this weekend's Fiesta

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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