Published by former Mayor George Gardner April 23 2016
The Report is an independent publication serving our community
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Sebastian Inland Harbor
project restart in 2022?
Developers seek time extension for new design
 The new developers of Sebastian Inland Harbor go before the City Commission Monday April 25 for a time extension to 2027 to complete the city's western gateway project at US 1 and King Street, dormant for more than a decade. An ordinance goes before the commission for first reading to advance to public hearing and final action May 9. Monday's session begins at 5 pm in the Alcazar Room at City Hall, and will be live-streamed on CoSA.TV. The property owner, SA Marina Holdings, LLC, an extension of the group that renovated the San Marco Inn into a Doubletree, testified at the April 5 Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) meeting they intend to submit a major amendment to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) and would need more time. Requested is a completion date extension from April 23, 2017 to January l, 2027. The PZB recommended approval for a 10 year extension and that the project must commence by April 23, 2022 and be completed by April 23, 2027.
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As many as 750 bicyclists may navigate the city Sunday, April 24, in the North Florida Bicycle Club's 25th annual Tour de Forts Classic.
The ride starts at St. Augustine High School at 7:30 am with groups of 30 riders a minute leaving the school.
The route includes Lewis Speedway, State Road 16, San Marco Avenue, Avenida Menendez, the Bridge of Lions and Anastasia Blvd., continuing south on State Road A1A to Fort Matanzas.
Information available here.
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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hosts a public hearingTuesday, April 26, at the Holiday Inn & Suites on N. Ponce De Leon Boulevard on its design to relieve congestion at San Marco Avenue and May Street.
An open house will he held 4:30 to 6:30 pm to review project displays and speak with FDOT staff. At 6:30 pm a brief presentation will be followed by a public comment period.
FDOT has held two public meetings to present alternative designs, and has participated in several other public sessions hosted by the city, resulting in selection of a preferred alternative. FDOT has since refined the alternative. Tuesday's hearing will give the public with an opportunity to review the refined alternative and comment on the new design.
Key to the plan was city purchase of the former proposed 7-Eleven site at the intersection, which the city quickly resold to FDOT to provide room for what Project Manager Eric Shimer describes as a single quadrant / off-set T-intersection designed to keep traffic moving through the area.
Features will include a dedicated left turn lane on West San Carlos to US 1, extended left turn lane on San Marco to May Street east, and multiple lanes to increase traffic flow.
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 Hidden Colonial Quarter
The quest for more ticket sales to the Colonial Quarter ran into the passion for historic authenticity Thursday as the Historic Architectural Review Board continued an application for a ticket booth on St. George Street after an hour-long discussion.
"We want it there because we want to use the de Mesa house as an orientation center," Colonial Quarter Manager Cindy Stavely told the board of the proposed location between the de Mesa House and Bull and Crown Publick House.
"Garden walls part of the authenticity" board member Paul Weaver said. "But then you have the problem of trying to get people in there. Maybe people are not going in there because it's not interesting. Maybe it's the program.
"But (the location) is an open area because of the British architecture. And it's also one of the dilemmas; it's a mish mash of colonial, British, Territorial - that was part of the problem with the de Mesa Sanchez - it's a territorial building."
Board members offered suggestions - a sign or flag and walkway "so they can see what's going on back there," Board Chair Randy Roark offered.
To the idea of having a period dressed reenactor to attract people, board member Toni Wallace said, "We tried that when I worked there and were told it's a violation of the ordinance on street entertainment."
The application will be reviewed next month. Said Weaver of mechanical elements being added, "This was supposed to be an authentic reconstructed property, and any change to it must have a basis in history."
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One change would help me - using actual dates in your articles when things are scheduled instead of today, tomorrow and Saturday or Sunday.
Reader comment
The original street was 2½ feet below where it is now.
Architect Les Thomas, during discussion with the Historic Architectural Review Board on plans for a replica Milltop Tavern on St. George Street
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Proposed taxi limits would reduce fleets
"There are 61 motor vehicles for hire in service with an average age of 9 model years.
"Based on a restriction of 10 model years, 25 of the 61 motor vehicles or 41% would be removed from service," Assistant City Attorney Denise May will tell commissioners Monday.
"This would impact 13 of the 18 registered companies or 72%. Five companies or 28% would lose their entire fleet."
Commissioners asked for more detail before acting on a proposed ordinance to limit taxi vehicle age to 10 years or less and vehicle mileage to less than 250,000 miles.
"The 250,00 mileage limitation was harder to calculate," May says. "Only seven companies responded and not all of those responded with complete information. We were able to gather information on only 24 of 61 vehicles in service or 39%.
"Only one is over 250,000 miles, three are over 200,000 miles, and ten are pushing the 200,000 mile mark."
Dozen apply as Special Event Venues
A dozen venues in the city, nine of them bed and breakfasts, have applied for vested rights as Special Event Venues under a recently enacted ordinance requiring such venues to be registered.
In addition Villa Zorayda Museum, Ximenez-Fatio House Museum and Government House Museum are listed.
All are likely locations for weddings and/or receptions but can as well host gatherings such as anniversaries and conferences.
The list and request for approval is on the City Commission's consent agenda for Monday night, which is usually passed without discussion.
HARB alternate positions - 2; applications, 1
Responding to the City Commission decision for two alternates on the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), just one application has been received.
"An advertisement requesting applications was placed in the St. Augustine Record on March 25 and posted on the City website," City Clerk Darlene Galambos will tell commissioners Monday.
"One application was received from Ms. Karen Harvey, a former HARB member. Ms. Harvey meets the eligibility criteria and may be appointed should the Commission wish to do so."
Another advertisement will be placed to seek additional applications for the open alternate position.
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Freeman has challenger in commission race
Susan Rathbone, president of the St. Augustine North Davis Shores Neighborhood Association, is the latest to file for City Commission in this year's elections.
She'll take on incumbent three-term Commissioner Leanna Freeman.
Their platforms are similar. Rathbone lists Infrastructure, traffic, congestion and parking, but adds "a growing chasm in the city ... not only government, but I think residents are now angry and frustrated."
Freeman wants to "resolve some of the issues that are before us such as mobility and pedestrian safety."
Freeman is an attorney, and Rathbone an educator.
Incumbent Mayor Nancy Shaver is at this point opposed by WFOY Radio Station owner Kris Phillips, and incumbent Commissioner Roxanne Horvath by Sandra Flowers and Ron Stafford.
Qualifying for city offices is June 20 - June 24.
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History's Highlight
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This is the second of two Highlights featuring Little-known Stories, from the Imagining la Florida exhibition in Tallahassee two years ago and available online.
Runaway Wives - Transatlantic Bigamy
In 1576, a Cuban official named Baltasar del Castillo conducted a secret inquiry into governance in the Florida colony. Castillo learned that two married women living in St Augustine had abandoned their husbands in Spain and had been "living with" other men.
One of the women, Ana López, had recently given birth to a daughter. To avoid further scandal, Castillo ordered their immediate return to Spain and that they pay their own passage. If they refused, they would be denounced as bigamists before the Spanish Inquisition.
Within eight days, Ana López and María Tome began their return to Spain. Their fates are unknown.
America's First Irish Priest
On June 2, 1597, an Irishman named Richard Arthur arrived in Florida. Arthur had enjoyed a distinguished Spanish military career, serving in campaigns in Italy, Malta, and Flanders. He later served as chaplain of the Order of Malta to the soldiers of the Castillo of San Juan (Puerto Rico) and to Spanish artillerymen stationed in Lisbon, Portugal.
 In 1596, Florida's newly- appointed governor, Gonzalo Méndez de Canzo, recruited Arthur to serve as St. Augustine's parish priest. He is the earliest known Irish priest to serve in any region of the future United States.
Don Juan: Forgotten Chief
At the end of the 16th century, Don Juan was among the most powerful Indian rulers in la Florida. From the Island of San Pedro (modern Cumberland Island, Georgia), he ruled over dozens of Timucuan communities.
Don Juan was also one of the wealthiest individuals in the region. He received an annual salary from the Spanish Crown and he owned a horse. In exchange for his "loyalty," the Spanish Crown regularly rewarded Don Juan with elaborate gifts of clothing, metal tools, fine beads and wheat.
One contemporary Spaniard described him as a man of great carriage and countenance, with impressive physical strength.
African Nurse in 16th Century Florida
Maria was an African slave who looked after the sick and injured in St. Augustine's first hospital, Santa Barbara.
Aware of her important role, the Governor successfully petitioned the Spanish Crown to provide her with a modest salary for her work.
Little is known about Maria´s life in Florida, but perhaps she is the same Maria who, in 1605, married the African slave Simon, in a February ceremony, in the company of her African godparents, Baltasar and Felipe.
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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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