Published by former Mayor George Gardner July 16 2014
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City Candidate forum

Well orchestrated session before a full house

What impressed at Tuesday evening's Neighborhood Council-hosted City Commission candidate forum was a packed house of interested residents, a dozen questions honed from hundreds submitted beforehand, and Council President/moderator Rhey Palmer's announcement that the forum was being video recorded to be on YouTube this morning.

The time frame was 7 to 9 pm, but the carefully orchestrated program, with questions flashed on a screen as candidates responded alternately - all keeping within the two-minute time limit, resulted in the session wrapping up at 8 pm.

They were soft questions - Why do you want office? What do you hope will be your legacy?, with some home-hitting like the role of Flagler College and balancing tourism with residents. But as Palmer noted in opening the forum, "This will be a learning experience for both of us, the residents to learn about the candidates and the candidates to learn about residents' concerns."

The video will be self-explanatory. Look for it on YouTube.

City attorney

Brown retiring

Ron Brown, St. Augustine's city attorney for the past eight years, announced Monday he's retiring September 15.

City commissioners quickly appointed Assistant City Attorney Isabel Lopez to replace Brown.

Brown, 65, said filing for social security was a heads up for him.

"We live in a city that faces more challenges than most cities our size," he remarked, praising the dedication of city workers in meeting those challenges.

Lopez joined the city in 2011 and in 2013 was named to Florida Trend's Government and Non-Profit Florida Legal Elite list.

Winners, losers (so far)

in bed tax grant review

Unless the County Tourist Development Council or County Commission increase the estimated $500,000 grant money available, just half the forty applicants for 2015-16 bed tax grants will be funded for Arts, Cultural and Heritage events.

The scoring results of the funding review panel cut the list off at 87.8 percent, with scores at or above sharing $491,000. Adjustments are traditionally made to the available amount.

Among major requests making the cut are the city's Celebrate 450 program (95.8% $20,000), Tapestry (90.8% $80,000) andFirst City through Eyes of the Masters (90.4% $20,000) exhibits, and Concerts in the Plaza (88.6%, $9,000).

Romanza's Celtic Festival (89% $40,000) made the cut but its annual Festivale (83.4 % $80,000) did not.

Among those the cutoff: Easter Parade, Changing of the Guard, Greek Festival, Holiday Regatta and Paseo Pastel.

Last year's funding review drew criticism leading to some revisions.

Find the complete funding review panel rankings here.

Looking at muffling noise

Walking down St. George Street, sometimes you walk past a place where the amplified music is so loud you can't have a conversation. Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline

Decibel ratings in public spaces, amplification over water, even questioning later alcohol serving hours are being considered by the city attorney's office and police as complaints increase over loudness and lateness of outside amplified music.

Asst. City Attorney Isabel Lopez told commissioners Monday "the present ordinance is focused on the receiving end. Those numbers have to be fairly high. One of the things we're looking at is a public space decibel rating.

Commenting on later 2 am bar hours approved by the commission several years ago, Donna Duval, who lives on North St. Augustine Boulevard, said, "They're not finalists for American Idol. At 2 am you just don't want to hear any music."

Commissioners endorsed continuing study for muffling noise.

ORANGE STREET REVAMP - Orange Street is seen in present and future with brick pacing, part of the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks grant program, presented to commissioners Monday by Project designer Jeremy Marquis of Marquis Halback. He said the street will remain two-way from Cordova to Avenida Menendez, a change from earlier plans to close off eastbound traffic. He said he hopes for project completion before the annual Nights of Lights begins November 22.

After Riberia Pointe, public notice

is strengthened in new ordinance

WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to provide for better early communication with the community regarding city funded or city initiated projects ...

Tucked away in a "housekeeping" ordinance passed by the City commission Monday is a section Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline says, "will have a positive effect if citizens and neighborhoods know it is within their right to get noticed and be given an opportunity to comment which includes the

choice to request a public meeting on the proposal."

The ordinance was largely recognized as adopting a city purchasing

manual. Sikes-Kline called for the community notice provision "after seeing what has happened over time pertaining to the handling of city owned property (example: Riberia Point), where the city courted first a privately-held coral growing business, then an aquarium, both later scuttled when mayoral candidate Nancy Shaver rooted out flaws.

The ordinance provides, "The city manager will provide reasonable community notice and an opportunity for public comment prior to the commission approving any contractual obligation of city funds to construct a new building or its supporting infrastructure, to initiate a change in the comprehensive plan or a rezoning for a project expending city funds or to enter Into a public-private partnership as allowed pursuant to Florida law.

"... Community notice pursuant to this section shall include a notice mailed to the Neighborhood Council of St. Augustine Inc. or its successor .... In addition, the city manager may provide additional courtesy notice and information to the community at large in person, by regular U.S. mail or electronic mail posting on the city's website or as otherwise provided by the city clerk.

Neighborhood meet for Fullerwood/Hildreth area

As the strength of neighborhood associations grows, neighbors in the Fullerwood Park, Hildreth Back Bay and Lew Lot areas at the north end of the city are invited to an information/organizational meeting at DOS on San Marco Avenue Friday, July 25 from 7 to 9 pm.

RSVP to Gina Burrell, 825-6746 for a head count.

City rejects HUD grant plan

City commissioners Monday rejected a county request to join it in a federal Urban County Community Development Block Grant Program, scuttling the county plan which needed the city to meet population requirements.

Assistant City Manager Tim Burchfield explained that the county would be guaranteed $898,000 a year for three years in the program, but the city would have to give up eligibility for up to $750,000 in grants under current policy.

Quotable

This is probably one of the only perfect public/private partnerships I've witnessed.

Mayor Joe Boles, commenting on his partnership in 81 St. George Street, the land leased from the city with Florida Cracker, Savannah Sweets and public restrooms built by Boles, former Mayor Len Weeks and Restaurateur Chris Way in 1989. Boles and Weeks are entering the second of three five-year extensions of their lease.

It's really cool to have the oldest city in America home to cutting edge technology.

Brian Bosley, CEO of Solar Stix, describing his St. Augustine founded and based business in the former Morrison's Hardware on West King Street to city commissioners Monday. He noted Solar Stix' portable power operations worldwide as well as support of local organizations.

Sparing those trees

The city's Street Tree Advisory Committee will take a look at fines for illegal tree removal, a flow chart for planting in rights of way, and beautification projects for the city's 450th anniversary in a session Thursday, July 16, 3:30 - 4:30 pm in the Financial Services Conference Room at 50 Bridge Street.

Committee Chair and Arborist Chuck Lippi has

long urged stiffer penalties for tree cutting violations. Acting Planning and Building Director David Birchim will brief the board.

"It was a suggestion of the Planning and Zoning Board to look at a graduated fine scale for tree removal without a permit, a higher 'after the fact' tree removal permit fee for larger trees," says Birchim..

Parks Supervisor Char Putz will describe planting parameters in rights of way, and committee member Gina Burrell will discuss 450th beautification projects.

History's highlight

St. Augustine history quiz

420 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary

Here's a brief quiz on St. Augustine history. First entry with most correct answers wins both series of St. Augustine Bedtime Stories. email gardnerstaug@yahoo.com before Tuesday July 22.

What does the name "Reynolds" imprinted on St. Augustine's brick street pavers refer to?
What event prompted Spain to build the Castillo de San Marcos?
What famous Indian was captive in Fort Marion in the 1830s?
When was the Constitution Monument erected in the Plaza de la Constituci�n?
What was a favorite teenage sport involving cannon balls in the 1950s?
To whom is the Mission of Nombre de Dios bridge dedicated?
Who raided St. Augustine in 1586? In 1668?
Who came to St. Augustine in 1866 to teach freed slaves?
How many different governmental flags have flown over St. Augustine?
Who met Menendez' landing party in 1565 and how did they react to the newcomers?
Henry Flagler built the Hotel Ponce de Leon and Alcazar. What was his third hotel?
What does the restored area refer to and when was it created?
What was the Georgia area considered by English and Spanish in the 1700s?
Name the St. Augustine event of May 5, 1777.
Where was the original Fountain of Youth?
Name British East Florida's two governors.
Name two primary English commanders attacking St. Augustine in the 1700s.
What was the St. Augustine Diocese's major contribution for the city's 400th anniversary?
What was the state's major contribution for the city's 400th anniversary?
What was Spain's major contribution for the city's 400th anniversary?

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