Home port for El Galeón? 

 City would 'keep the light on' for Spanish ship

 

Reenactors dine with crew aboard El Galeón

   City Manager John Regan will ask the City Commission Monday for "authorization to execute a 'Home Port' Agreement with the El Galeón," the Spanish replica galleon that's received overwhelming community support since its arrival May 21.

   The meeting begins at 5 pm in the Alcazar Room at City Hall - for the first time including body searches before entry as a security measure.

A revenue sharing agreement would make St. Augustine home port for the ship while in American waters.

"In the three weeks she's been here, she's had 20,000 visitors, making well over the $200,000 monthly maintenance expenses," Regan says.

Under the agreement discussed with owner Nao Victoria Foundation in Spain, the city would waive the $3,700 monthly dockage fee and share proceeds from visitors on a 90/10 percent split, the latter for the city. Events such as on-board receptions - estimated at $5,000, would split 60/40, and merchandising programs 50/50.

Its success in just the first week of paid admissions prompted an extension of its current stay from June 9 to June 23, and just yesterday extended to July 8. The reception of its young crew by the community, and their embrace of the city "like cities back home," likely helped in reaching this point in negotiations.

   The crew has exchanged visits - and entertained on board - the crew of Espiritu, a shrimp boat being converted to a 16th century caravel, and historic Florida Militia, even taking part in the recent Drake's Raid reenactment.

Says Regan, "It's an agreement that says, 'whenever you're in the area, you'll find with us clean sheets and a lot of love."

Wendler, Whetstone lawsuits continue

City commissioners will meet in executive (shade) session at 4 pm Monday, before their 5 pm regular meeting, to discuss with City Attorney Ron Brown pending litigation between the city and Scott and Donna Wendler.

Donna Wendler's plan to demolish eight properties along Oviedo and King Streets to build a boutique hotel was denied by the city's Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), prompting the lawsuit under the Bert Harris Property Rights Act.

Meanwhile the consent agenda, usually passed without comment, includes approval of a $1,955 fee to Historic Society Director Susan R. Parker "for research and historical assessment of documents regarding the Whetstone v. City of St. Augustine pending lawsuit. This lawsuit contests ownership of bayfront bottomlands in front of the Whetstone Bayfront Motel, where they want to build a dock.

Alcohol, vendors in public hearings

Two hotly debated ordinances go to public hearing and final action before the City Commission Monday, while another urged at a previous meeting will be considered.

Ordinances to allow alcohol service within 100 feet of a church and to regulate transient vendors could draw comments from clergy and vendors.

And an ordinance to extend a vending/performer ban along Hypolita Street in front of the city-owned Casa Hidalgo will be considered by commissioners for advancement to public hearing a later date. A merchants petition urged the action.  

The alcohol ordinance was prompted by owners of the former Exchange Bank building, considering creating a marketplace in its vacated bank lobby. The vendor ordinance began as an effort to move vendors from the edge of the Visitor Center promenade and evolved into $75 a month fees for all vending permits plus $50 a month for the popular "designated spaces" adjacent to the Visitor Center promenade.

A third ordinance in public hearing Monday would vacate a dead-end alley in the Lighthouse Park area while another, more contentious, ordinance to vacate an alley some residents say is used to access the Little Beach is off the table for further review.

Public Works' full platter

City Public Works Director Martha Graham has had a full platter of late, and Monday she'll present updates to commissioners.

On that platter, restoration of Riberia Street which is nearing completion, the program to replace aged water mains throughout the city, efforts to expand recycling in the city, and developments in the Stormwater Advisory Committee. 

Paddling for Mother Ocean

Justin Riney dipped his paddle in the waters at the western end of Florida's panhandle on New Year's Day to begin a scenic journey with a mission - to raise grassroots participation and awareness of the ocean's majesty - and fragility.

   Five months later, stand up paddle boarder and Mother Ocean CEO Riney will arrive at 3 pm Monday at the St. Augustine bayfront as part of his Expedition Florida 500.

   The landing begins two days of community paddling, shoreline cleanup, 16th Century Marine Combat Landing Salute, and question and answer session.

   Paddlers are welcome to join Justin paddling from the bayfront to the lighthouse Monday, followed by an Ocean Hour Shore Line Cleanup 4-6 pm.

   Tuesday Justin will paddle to a 16th Century Marine Combat Landing Salute in honor of Expedition Florida 500, 10:30-noon at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, hosted by the Saint Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation and St. Augustine Cruisers Net/Sailors, and Tuesday evening he'll tackle a question and answer session hosted by Flagler College at Kenan Hall, corner of Cordova and Valencia streets, 6-7 pm.

   Visit the Maritime Foundation's website for details.