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Oldest city going high tech
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Published by former Mayor George Gardner August 24 2013
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George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084
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Oldest city going high tech
Amid the high profile Picasso and Mumford experiences, St. Augustine's 300-plus workforce has been quietly revolutionizing city operations to what Assistant City Manager Tim Burchfield calls "20th century technology, moving toward the 21st."
From moving the city's financial systems to Cloud for remote operation in emergencies, to moving toward a paperless system for police operations, to a pilot program for automated trash can pickup, to automated external defibrillator (AED) placements and countywide 800 mh radio system ...
As City Comptroller Mark Litzinger put it during a 2-hour budget workshop Thursday, "In this economy we're using technology to replace bodies for an increased level of service."
Among a range of disclosures and City Commission concerns covered:
State funding for repair of the Lightner Museum roof and work on the North City waterworks building
Development opportunities to be disclosed shortly for Riberia Pointe at the south end of Riberia Street and the Sebastian Inland Harbor project
Two new charging locations 24/7 for ParkNow cards, at the Visitor Center and Financial Services, 50 Bridge Street
A new city/county fire station on SR 312 to replace St. Augustine Pier and Island fire stations
City Manager John Regan said the fourfold goal is fiscal responsibility, the basics of quality of life, protecting the economic engine, and enhancing the city's sense of place.
The city's $50 million budget goes to public hearings September 5 and 19 before final passage.
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Behind scenes
at Lightner
Lightner Museum, dubbed the "Smithsonian of the South," has elements of Otto Lightner's vast collections as yet unseen, but of those on display, museum curator Barry Myers offers insights on their origin and history the first Wednesday of each month at 10 am. The curator tours are included with museum admission.
Take Matched Pedestals for instance. These ebonized walnut figures and other exotic pieces from the Middle and Far East or Western objects and art influenced by the decorative styles from these countries are featured September 4 along with how they fit as an exotic alternative to the more traditional and prevalent styles of the 19th century.
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The Report is free as water, but like water, contributions appreciated for piping it to you.
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Picasso 'not about money'
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Citing suggestions in the Report that the city expected to generate revenue from the Picasso exhibit, City Commissioner Leanna Freeman said during Thursday's budget workshop "We never said we were going to make money."
She was countered by resident Pat Riley during public comments, "I think the big reason the thing came up about Picasso was the article in the paper that said that it made money," referring to an April 9 article in the St. Augustine Record, "Picasso exhibit, a financial success, extended into August." The lead paragraph: "The Picasso exhibit at the St. Augustine Visitors Center has made enough money to cover its costs and to provide income to the city, and because of its popularity, it has been extended for three more months through Aug. 11."
(The next day, after revelations from City Comptroller Mark Litzinger that it was losing money, the Record ran the headline, "St. Augustine Picasso exhibit extended into August" and lead: "The Picasso exhibit at the St. Augustine Visitors Center, because of its popularity, has been extended for three more months through Aug. 11.")
Freeman urged that "we improve our public relations. We should do a better job of controlling what gets out to assure accuracy, whether through press releases or hiring someone to do press releases."
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Next VIC exhibit
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As commissioners Thursday discussed the next Visitor Center exhibit - a $240,000 Journey: 450 years of the African American Experience planned for January 20-July 15, 2014 - Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline stressed, "We don't want to raise expectations this exhibit is going to make money."
 Assistant City Manager Tim Burchfield said partial funding will come from $190,000 left over from $385,000 in funding authorized for the Picasso exhibit, potential admission ($5/person), merchandise sales and corporate events.
He said the plan for future exhibits is to draw from and pay back to those original monies approved by the commission.
450 Director Dana Ste. Claire said the Journey exhibit "will feed to other exhibits around the city" - Fort Mose and sites of the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and civil rights demonstrations, while the VIC exhibit will feature the original Woolworth's sit-in lunch counter with lifestyled figures.
Image: Accordfreedomtrail.org
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City doing more with grants
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Police Chief Loran Lueders will seek a federal grant for two more bicycle police downtown, bringing the number to six, the city providing a 25% match.
Fire Chief Mike Arnold will seek a federal SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) grant for three additional firefighters and training officer, 100% paid through two years.
Planning and Building Director Mark Knight will add an assistant for City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt as property development increases.
Knight's department will also seek three matching grants for historic preservation survey and digital collection, adding archaeological sites to the master site file, and improvements to the North City waterworks building.
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"The Visitors and Convention Bureau has been tasked with providing information (at the Mumford concert). We have the 'combat duty' volunteers."
VCB Director Richard Goldman at Uptown Neighborhood/city discussion.
"One reason I look forward to Mumford is looking for ways to improve overcrowding during peak times that make it difficult to live here."
Commissioner Leanna Freeman at city budget workshop
"This is different from Picasso. This is telling our story about our community."
Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline regarding planned Journey: 450 years of the African American Experience exhibit
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Limelight Theatre Opens 22nd season
The warmth of community live theater unfolds for its 22nd season Wednesday, September 11 with a Kickoff Party and premier of the award-winning Broadway musical SPAMALOT!
A special dinner at Raintree Restaurant will be followed by a Champagne Reception at Limelight Theatre and the Florida Community Theatre Premiere. Tickets $60 per person in advance and include the show.
Season subscription packages are available. Contact the box office (904) 825-1164 or e-mail limelight@bellsouth.net.
Executive Director Beth Lambert says seven main stage productions are on tap this season:
SPAMALOT Musical Comedy September 12 - October 13
Bad Seed Drama/Mystery/Thriller November 1 - November 24
The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays Comedy/Mystery December 13- January 5
Butterflies Are Free Comedy/Classic January 24 - February 16
The Miss Firecracker Contest Southern Comedy March 7 - 30
Other Desert Cities Contemporary Drama April 18 - May 11
Oliver! Musical June 6 - July 6
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History's highlight
Voyage to a founding
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2 years, 16 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, principal priest with Pedro Menendez de Avilés on the Spanish fleet's voyage in 1565, wrote a 10,000-word Memoir of the Happy Result and Prosperous Voyage of the Fleet commanded by the Illustrious Captain-General Pedro Menendez de Avilés, which Sailed from Cadiz on the Morning of Thursday, June 28th, for the Coast of Florida, and Arrived there on the 28th of August, 1565.
 "Very often the sea washed completely over the deck where we were gathered, one hundred and twenty men having no other place to go, as there was only one between-deck, and that was full of biscuit, wine, and other provisions.
"... It appears that the storm had injured also our first galley. A severe gust of wind snapped off their foremast, and blew it overboard with the sail and rigging; and, as many of the ropes were fastened to the sheets, it caused the ship to lean so that twice they saw their topmast dip under the waves.
"On Wednesday, the 15th, more than thirty men deserted and concealed themselves around the (Porto Rico) harbor ...
"When (a Spanish royal dispatch boat) arrived off Mona Island, she was attacked, and compelled to surrender to a French vessel. The enemy boarded her, possessed themselves of all her papers, (and) read the plans for the conquest of Florida.
"On Monday, August 27, while we were near the entrance to the Bahama Channel, God showed to us a miracle from heaven. About nine o'clock in the evening a comet appeared, which showed itself directly above us. It went towards the west, that is, towards Florida. According to the sailors, this was a good omen.
"On Tuesday, the 28th, we had the pleasure of seeing land. We steered in that direction, anchored near a point of land, and found ourselves actually in Florida, and not very far distant from the enemy, which was for us an occasion of great joy."
Image: Father Lopez statue before Great Cross at Mission of Nombre de Dios
Excerpts from The Voyagein 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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