Published by former Mayor George Gardner July 27 2016
The Report is an independent publication serving our community
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Mobility contract's first change order, $
11,476
Weeks into a $108,219.18 Littlejohn Engineering contract to develop mobility phase 1, the first  change order will add $11,476.27 to the contract.
City Manager John Regan defended the addition of two task force meetings, a commission presentation and outreach meeting.
"Getting this right on the front end will save us millions of dollars in the long run," he said. "On the parking garage we spent about $100,000 to control the spending of $25 million. And this is probably bigger than that."
The current mobility plan calls for three months of data collection and analysis and 6-12 months of visioning and design, with implementation time to be determined.
Regan said "quick wins" being developed by staff include
- Satellite parking for the holidays
- A pedestrian only pilot program for Hypolita, Treasury, Spanish and Cuna during event evenings
- A traffic calming policy
- A Nelmar Terrace cut-through study with a report at the next meeting
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Job offer for
commissioners
Long time carriage operator C. B. Hinson Monday offered commissioners "$1,000 to a cause of your choice to work one day in the carriage business.
"Your day will begin at 7:30 at a farm in Putnam County, cleaning stalls, feeding horses and getting them ready to move into the city. (After lunch) you will be with your hack until 11 or 12 o'clock at night.
"Then you will return back to the farm with the horses and if everything works okay, you may get home by 12:30 or one o'clock in the morning.
"I'll arrange it so you will know what it's like to work all those hours for eight dollars an hour."
There were no takers.
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Moderate fee increase
for city fire services
Residential property owners will see a decrease in fire assessment fees while commercial properties will be increased a penny a square foot if City Commission action Monday survives a public hearing and final action august 22.
Commissioners had five alternatives prepared by City Budget Director Meredith Breidenstein. They ranged up to 52% of the fire budget with increases from the current 6 to 7 cents a square foot for residential and to 12.7 cents a square foot for non-residential properties.
Commissioners chose a 30 percent level, which will actually decrease residential fees to 4 cents while raising non-residential to 7 cents from the current 6 cents a square foot for all properties.
Mayor Nancy Shaver voted against the moderate adjustment, arguing, "Every dollar that we move toward 50 percent (of the fire budget) frees up dollars in the general fund, and the general fund is our only source, currently, for addressing our streets issue. And that was given to us as a priority."
Commissioner Todd Neville countered, "Every dollar is a dollar out of a taxpayer's pocket. Even in a revenue-neutral (plan), we're talking about a 24.5 percent increase to our nonresidential properties. That's a big chunk for people to bite off."
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Chimes video demonstration Monday
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Chimes ring true
for commissioners
The City Commission gave unanimous consent to accept a Let Freedom Ring chimes project at Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park - the chimes ranging from 7 to 9 feet tall.
Caren Goldman, executive director and co-founder of Compassionate St. Augustine, described the project with the Keep Riberia Pointe Green organization.
Commented Commissioner Todd Neville, "Caren, we definitely believe you will get this done." Goldman co-founded Compassionate St. Augustine and spearheaded the OA450 project creating and exhibiting obelisk art throughout the city.
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Taxi ordinance to shed
limits on age, mileage
Commissioners voted Monday to send a proposed taxi ordinance back to first reading, removing limits on vehicle age and mileage.
Commissioner Leanna Freeman said, "I wanted to increase the safety and cleanliness, and I'm not sure the age and mileage (measures) are going to get me there."
Assistant City Attorney Denise May said Tuesday, "There were substantial changes to the equipment standards and annual inspection by ASE certified mechanic, definitions for pedi-cabs and low speed vehicles and standards and equipment for those vehicles.
"The only change (to the ordinance) would be to remove the section in regards to age and mileage and leave the other changes."
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One way streets
get a narrow pass
An ordinance to make Moore and Pomar streets in Lincolnville one way was advanced to public hearing and final action at a later meeting by commissioners Monday, but not after grilling city staff on procedures for public participation in decision-making on future one-way street planning.
Public Works Director Martha Graham said this one-way plan is to "test the waters to go with one-way streets, very narrow streets."
She said letters were sent to residents and the second reading will provide a public hearing.
But Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline favors more neighborhood dialog on such projects.
"We've moved ahead before only to have it blow up with a neighborhood association," she commented.
Mayor Nancy Shaver said, "That's the process we will follow. To be sure that when we do it there's broad participation."
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 City bed tax 'a heavy lift'
Commissioners decided Monday to hold off on pursuing a one percent city bed tax, Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline saying Tourist Development Council officials tell her "It's a heavy lift, with several steps including getting a bill passed in the legislature."
Mayor Nancy Shaver brought the proposal to commissioners for the bed tax under state law allowing bed tax dollars to support museums.
"We have these historical and cultural assets that no one else has," said the mayor. "Monroe County has a one percent tourism impact tax. Do we want to seek a similar tax, only for the beds within our city?"
"I don't think we're ready for it," said Commissioner Todd Neville. "Our highest priority is mobility."
And Commissioner Leanna Freeman added, "Let's start by getting presentations on what our options are."
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 Scholarships
Furthering medical studies
Jensen Thompson of Bartram Trail High School and Cynthia Hund of St. Joseph Academy have won St. Johns County Medical Alliance scholarships to pursue studies in the medical field, Jensen to study Biology on a pre-med track for pediatric cardiology at the University of Florida and Cynthia for a pre-med major in Biology at Clemson University.
The alliance will also fund continuation of former award winner Matthew Guthrie's studies at the University of Florida.
The St. Johns County Medical Alliance of spouses of St. Johns County physicians promotes health education, identifies and addresses health-care needs and issues, participates in health-related legislation, and provides college scholarships to St. Johns County students.
From chemistry to astrobiology
Three St. Augustine High School graduating seniors, all members of the National Honor Society, have won scholarships from the St. Augustine/Ketterlinus High School Alumni Association.
Brooke Alexandra Woods: The Carol A. Melton Scholarship. Brooke plans to attend the University of Florida and to study chemistry/chemical engineering.
The Carol A. Melton Scholarship fund was endowed in 2012 by Carol Melton to encourage leadership and achievement through educational opportunities.
Rebecca Ann Roberts: The Terrell G. Davis Scholarship. Rebecca plans to attend the University of North Florida to study math education and become a math teacher.
The Terrell G. Davis Scholarship fund was established in 2008 by the Class of 1963 and the Davis family. This scholarship is awarded to the SAHS senior who best represents Terry's academic standards and service to the community.
Deryl Eden Long: The Dr. Ione L. Perry Scholarship. Deryl plans to attend the University of Michigan and to study astrobiology, astrophysics, or astronautical engineering with a focus on space exploration research.
The Dr. Ione L. Perry Scholarship fund was endowed in 2013 by Dr. Ione Perry to recognize a student with a thirst for knowledge and drive to make a difference.
The SA/KHS Alumni Association of former St. Augustine High School and Ketterlinus High School students supports students of St. Augustine High School through scholarships and classroom enhancements, as well as providing mentoring through its annual Hall of Fame induction events. Its "Jackets Forever" endowment fund is on its way to its $200,000 goal.
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History's Highlight
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Flagler the railroad man
From drbronsontours.com
Henry Flagler's Union Depot in St. Augustine was the Union Depot because the Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Halifax Railway, St. Augustine & North Beach, St. Johns Railway, and St. Augustine & Palatka Railroad used the depot. These were all railroads that Henry Flagler would own.
 The park itself had fountains and even kept an alligator in them to entertain the guests on arrival to St. Augustine. You would take the short ride from the depot to the hotels in St. Augustine by carriage on streets that Henry Flagler had paved with asphalt in 1888. From the St. Augustine Weekly News, February, 1889: Around the New Depot The work of asphalting the pavement around the new depot is going on quite rapidly, and the appearance of the vicinity is being much improved. A very pretty little park has been enclosed, which will be set out with flowers and plants, and a handsome fountain will be placed in the center, making to the traveler, as he first enters the Ancient City, a very pleasing picture. Henry Flagler probably had experience on railroading not only from his Standard Oil days where the company had a railroad department, but also from his grain shipment days. Flagler became a director on December 9, 1885 (he was also going to be a director on The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, and the Duluth & Iron Range Railroads.) He purchased the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railway on December 31, 1885. In 1887 he acquired the St. Johns and Halifax River Railroad. By 1888 Flagler built a branch to San Mateo. In 1892 the railway operated to New Smyrna and by February 1893, the road was completed to Rockledge on the Indian River. The FECRR had docks, piers and other facilities for handling freight in South Jacksonville. He built the bridge at Jacksonville over the St. Johns River. In Palatka the Palatka Bridge Company built a bridge across the St. Johns River in August 15, 1888. Flagler bought the bridge on May 2, 1892. In 1893 the road was started toward Palm Beach and by 1896 the road extended to Miami. Image: Hacks lined up at Union Depot to take rail passengers to St. Augustine hotels. Florida State Archives
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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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