Published by former Mayor George Gardner November 7 2015
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Resignation, quorum issues
Grants for neighborhoods,
reenactors on city agenda
City commissioners Monday will consider formats for grants up to $10,000 for neighborhood projects and $500 to $1,200 for reenactment events and programs.
The commission meeting begins at 5 pm in the Alcazar Room at City Hall.
$12,500 has been budgeted for neighborhood projects and $5,000 for reenactment programs.
The neighborhood program could include public improvements, communications such as print material, web design/maintenance, and education projects.
The reenactment program would be administered by the St Johns Cultural Council and provide up to $500 for single day events and up to $1,200 for multiple day events and include permits, fees and direct costs required by the city, stipends for reenactors if needed, and in-county advertising and promotion.
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300th for city
Coat of Arms
In 1715 St. Augustine was granted a coat of arms for its faithful and courageous service to Spain, but the city didn't realize it until 276 years later.
Be that as it may, the City Commission Monday will recognize the 300th Anniversary of the City's official Coat of Arms.
In 1991, finding no record of its request being fulfilled, the City Commission made a formal request to King Juan Carlos I.
Vicente de Cardenas y Vicent, Dean of the Corps of Heralds for Spain, found that a Coat of Arms for the City had indeed been authorized November 26, 1715.
The story of the city's coat of arms is today's History's Highlight (below).
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Looking at city
board alternates
Following the City Commission's recent endorsement of adding alternates to the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) to provide quorums, City Attorney Isabelle Lopez Monday will provide commissioners with research on how several other Florida cities handle alternates for city boards.
Included are the Planning and Zoning boards in Deerfield Beach (Five members and five alternates), Monteverde (Five members and one alternate), and Apalachicola (seven members and one alternate).
No shortage in
HARB interest
From a dearth of applicants for the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) - which in part prompted commission discussion of alternates for city boards - now there are seven applicants for commissioners to consider Monday for a HARB vacancy.
Applicants include Walter O'Kon, Susan Messersmith, Catherine Duncan, Robert E. Olsen, James Solana, Barbara Wingo, and Wolfgang Schau.
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Wendler lawsuit in review in 6th year
Jarndyce and Jarndyce drones on. This scarecrow of a suit has, in course of time, become so complicated that no man alive knows what it means.
Wendler v City of St. Augustine goes back into a shade meeting of the City Commission Monday before its regular session.
The lawsuit on city denial of historic property demolitions to build a boutique hotel on King Street is now in its sixth year. City Attorney Isabelle Lopez was outside counsel representing the city in 2009 when the lawsuit began.
At last accounting Lopez, now city attorney, said the case is a bifurcated trial in circuit court under the Bert Harris Property Rights Act, "first trial to determine if there is (city) liability, the second to determine damages if liability is found," Lopez says.
Attorney Susan Erdelyi of Marks Gray law firm represents the City in the continuing litigation.
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Because "the presiding officer at a local government meeting has a significant governmental interest in managing an efficient public meeting agenda, in conserving time, in ensuring that others have an opportunity to speak, and in preventing disruptions, and removing a disruptive individual from the meeting is a reasonable time, place and manner restriction of speech," city commissioners Monday will consider a resolution of decorum for meetings.
Discussion on disruptive behavior was sparked last month when Commissioner Todd Neville skirmished with the media on a report he considered slanderous. He noted disruptive behavior "is not covered (in current commission policy), other than a very broad 'don't use disruptive behavior'."
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Castillo opens gate for Veterans Day
"On Veterans Day Wednesday, the Castillo de San Marcos will be open free to the public in honor of our veterans' service to our nation," Castillo spokesperson Mary Sims says.
Noting "the Veterans Day Military Review parade that will pass the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument at 11 am," she says, "After the parade, vehicles and volunteers will make their way to the Castillo, where the vehicles will be on display in the visitor parking lot from 1-3:30 pm.
"This will include a timeline of the Castillo's military history, represented by park volunteers. The timeline will include representatives of the First and Second Spanish periods, the British period, the Civil War Federal Navy, World War I, and World War II."
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History's Highlight
St. Augustine's Coat of Arms
The history and symbolism of the St. Augustine Coat of Arms.
 In 1715 the citizens of St. Augustine petitioned King Philip V of Spain to grant the city a coat of arms for its faithful and courageous service to Spain. In 1991, finding no record of the request being fulfilled, the City Commission made a formal request to King Juan Carlos I. Vicente de Cardenas y Vicent, Herald, King of Arms, Dean of the Corps of Heralds for Spain, found that a Coat of Arms for the City had indeed been authorized November 26, 1715 - 276 years after it was granted.
The shape is a 16th century Spanish shield, quartered by a gold cross representing Christianity.
The first quarter, the upper left side of the shield, is a gold fleur-de-lis on a royal blue background. This is a symbolic connection to the French House of Bourbon as King Philip V (1683 - 1746) was the grandson of the French King Louie XIV, who aided Philip in gaining the Spanish throne. The gold of the fleur-de-lis denotes generosity, valor and perseverance. The fleur-de-lis itself is a three leafed flower or lily, the leafs representing faith, wisdom, and valor. The blue background represents loyalty and splendor.
The second quarter is a golden castle with black masonry joints, windows and door in red, on a red background. This corresponds to the arms of the former kingdom of Castile. The castle is a sign of defense and safety. The red background represents fortitude and creative power.
The third quarter has the purple Lion of the province of Leon. The Lion is rampant, standing erect in the fighting position signifying majesty and kingship. In the Middle Ages the lion represented strength, courage, and generosity. The tongue and claws are red, and the gold crown on the lion's head alludes to the fact that Leon was once a kingdom. The silver background shows nobility and serenity.
In the fourth quarter is an arm in armor, holding a silver sword on a red background, indicating a military connection. It honors the military garrison in St. Augustine as a Spanish military outpost. King Philip wanted to be sure the military history of the city was remembered. The silver of the armor indicates nobility and serenity and the red background is a tribute to the military garrisoned in St. Augustine.
On the crest, the circle of walls with gates, towers, windows and sentry boxes in gold indicates that this coat of arms is for a city.
The Coat of Arms is the official city seal and cannot be used without the consent of the City Commission.
Image: Coat of Arms cut into center of a compass rose on the walkway between the Visitor Information Center and parking facility. Etched in the center of the compass rose: "Our shores have been a place of discovery for over 441 years. We dedicate this site to explorers of the past, present, and future."
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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 a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com or gardnerstaug@yahoo.com
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