Published by former Mayor George Gardner August 20 2016
The Report is an independent publication serving our community
|
Francis Field to be 'Francis Field'
 City commissioners are expected to pass without comment Monday a resolution to officially name Francis Field Francis Field. The resolution is on the consent agenda, usually passed without comment. Monday's regular commission meeting begins at 5 pm in the Alcazar Room at City Hall and is live-streamed on CoSA.TV. Legally the special events field behind the Visitor Center parking facility is the San Marco Lot. Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline urged the name be formally changed in recognition of Fred Francis' "fostering of athletic teams and sporting events and his generous contributions to the community." She notes in the resolution "the City of St. Augustine declared September 11, 1934 as 'Francis Day' in honor of Mr. Francis and the City will host a re-dedication ceremony on Friday, September 9, 2016," complete with signage "that will denote the field's name and its history." The commission asked City Attorney Isabelle Lopez to research the history of the field. When Francis was no longer actively participating in sports as a player, he became manager and promoter of the St. Augustine Saints in the semi-professional Northeast Florida League and the Class D Florida State League. On December 20, 1937, the city entered into agreement with Francis to purchase equipment and build a city baseball park on the San Marco Lot. While the City designated the baseball field as Francis Field during 1937, that field now no longer exists.
|
|
|
Lightner Museum will preview the Sing Out Loud Festival with guitarist and song writer Sam Pacetti Thursday, August 25, from 5 to 7 pm in its Historic Pool Area.
Lightner After Hours, the last Thursday of every month, is part of "focusing on adding new programs and events in an effort to bring a more diverse audience to the museum," says Director Robert W. Harper.
Cocktails, a specialty dinner menu at the Café Alcazar from 6 to 8 pm, and an opportunity to view the America's Parks exhibition await guests.
|
|
|
34 make the cut
on TDC grant list
All 34 applications for grants have been recommended for funding from $583,000 in bed tax monies.
While scoring by a review panel ranged from 58 to 93 percent, the Tourist Development Council (TDC) last Monday used a scoring system to include all, though each grant was less then requested.
The TDC list must still be approved by the County Commission. $847,666 in grants was sought.
Among the high-scoring applications, St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum Marketing (94%, request $20,000, grant $17,660), St. Johns Chamber Ponte Vedra Auto Show (93.4%, $18,476, $15,792), Lightner Museum - Annual Marketing (92.6%, $20,000, $16,658), Cultural Center Ponte Vedra Beach Arts Marketing (92.5%, $20,000, $16,605), Lightner Museum Dressing Downton Program Promotion (92.4%, $40,000, $33,102), Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach Home Art Tour (92%, $8,000, $6,300), and EMMA Ukraine to Spain (91.4%, $40,000, $32,039).
Highest grant awards went to Romanza Celtic Festival, sought $80,000, received $62,824, and St Augustine Film Festival, sought 80,000, and received $61,178.
View the complete 2017 grant list here.
|
Ageless, mile-less
taxi code returns
As instructed by commissioners two weeks ago, Assistant City Attorney Denise May returns Monday with a taxi ordinance stripped of vehicle age and mileage requirements but with stiffer safety and cleanliness standards.
The ordinance had vetting through public comment and commission discussion June 27 and again July 25 before the decision to remove the age and mileage requirements.
Assistant City Attorney Denise May notes, "There are substantial changes to the equipment standards and annual inspection by an ASE certified mechanic, definitions for pedicabs and low speed vehicles, and standards and equipment for those vehicles" remaining in the ordinance.
Commissioners will decide Monday on advancing the revised ordinance to public hearing and final action at a later meeting.
|
Public hearings
One-way streets
An ordinance designating Lincolnville's Moore and Pomar streets one-way, to "test the waters to go with one-way streets, very narrow streets" as Public Works Director Martha Graham puts it, goes before the City Commission Monday for public hearing and final action.
Commissioners two weeks ago were concerned whether residents had opportunities for input on the plan. Graham said letters were sent to residents along the streets in the vicinity of the Excelsior Museum and Cultural Center, "and the second reading will provide a public hearing," she added.
Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline said more neighborhood dialog on such projects is needed. "We've moved ahead before only to have it blow up with a neighborhood association," she commented.
And Mayor Nancy Shaver said, "That's the process we will follow, to be sure that when we do (such projects) there's broad participation."
Fire fee resolution
A modest fee adjustment for city fire services goes to public hearing and final action Monday.
Residential property owners will see a decrease in fire assessment fees while commercial properties will be increased a penny a square foot in the resolution after commissioners rejected a more severe increase.
The current fee is 6 cents a square foot for all properties. City Budget Director Meredith Breidenstein said an increase to 7 cents a square foot for residential and to 12.7 cents a square foot for non-residential properties would fund 52% of the city fire budget.
Commissioners chose instead a 30 percent level, which will actually decrease residential fees to 4 cents while raising non-residential to 7 cents a square foot.
|
A variance to allow off-site parking more than 400 feet from a business location is possible, but nearly a mile from the location?
No, said three of five Planning and Zoning Board members two months ago.
Commissioners Monday will hear an appeal of that decision against the Bayfront Marin House at 142 Avenida Menendez. Sandy and Mike Wieber, owners of the 15 guest room property, hope to use a parking lot at Bridge and Riberia streets.
Also under appeal Monday, a Planning and Zoning Board denial of a variance to reduce the required rear yard building setback for a residential addition at 207 Coquina Avenue.
|
 Internet-Computer Pioneer, Inventor, Entrepreneur and friend Alan Kay died at 90 last Wednesday. Kay, who lived with his partner Hazel Henderson at 10 Carrera Street, was featured in the Report several years ago as one of the pioneers in computing and internet development. He was so much more. Read his obituary here.
|
|
|
|
Revamping connection financing
Commissioners Monday will hear a plan to increase deferred commercial account water and sewer connections from $25,000 to $125,000 maximum balance, increase required down payment from 10% to 25% and decrease the finance period from 10 to 5 years.
For a second time City Manager John Regan will tell commissioners that, while he has the power to establish a policy, "due to the magnitude of change and commitment of the policy to advance the 'Vision' of our City, I would prefer to provide the commission a presentation and the opportunity to review the policy."
He previously brought plans to modify street patterns to prevent traffic cut-throughs in the Nelmar Terrace neighborhood.
Deputy Finance Director L. Carl LaF1eur writes in a memo to commissioners, "During the 2016 review of the deferred commercial utility connection policy, it was determined that changes to the November 21, 2002, program would promote historic preservation and economic development by providing small local businesses the easy access to 'safety net' credit.
"Safety Net credit is the ability to finance utility connection charges with the City by addressing unforeseen conditions that often arise during historic preservation projects."
LaF1eur's optimistic view: "With special incentives added to the policy, it is held that these enhancements will also promote historic preservation, encourage a return of downtown residences and offer more employment opportunities."
|
|
Happy 150th Lincolnville 1866-2016
Music, dancing, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction and of course a birthday cake are on tap Friday, September 16, 6 to 9 pm at the Galimore Center for Lincolnville's 150th anniversary.
Donation is $25 in advance, $30 at the door to support the 37th Annual Lincolnville Festival.
 "Help us keep this historic music festival free," says Rev. Ron Rawls of the Festival sponsor, St. Paul Development Center. The center provides education and resources for economically disadvantaged families with no faith-based activities. Feature of the evening will be "Lincolnville: A Historic Timeline," donated to the City as a permanent display in the Galimore Center. The timeline was made possible by Lift Up Lincolnville Revitalization Corp. and the City of St. Augustine Neighborhood Development Grant Program.
Contact Alice Long Owens, office@saintpaulfamily.com, by Sept. 2 or to pay in advance visit the website. Image: Annual Emancipation Day Parade, 1920, St. Augustine Historical Society glass plate negative, Photographer Richard Aloysius Twine, 1896-1974
|
 History's Highlight
|
Photographer captured an era
Without the professional artistry of Richard Aloysius Twine, the Lincolnville timeline would be a lot slimmer.
 Twine, born in St. Augustine in 1896, had a brief but notable career as a professional photographer in Lincolnville, the center of the black business and residential community in St. Augustine during the first few decades of the 20th century. Twine captured the vibrancy in its people, homes, businesses and recreation from 1922-27.
But for an observant demolition crew his work might have been lost. The Twine home on Kings Ferry Way had been damaged by fire and was about to be torn down in 1988 when the crew discovered 103 glass negatives in the attic.
The negatives were restored and placed in the custody of the St. Augustine Historical Society.
The black-and-white images reflect the social and cultural environment of the Lincolnville community in the 1920s. Images depict individuals and groups on both public and private occasions, including marriage ceremonies, funerals, school graduations, and cultural and community events.
Perhaps the most celebrated occasion photographed by Twine was the Emancipation Day Celebration, a special observance which united the black community. Portraits of older men and women are especially poignant, with their facial expressions reflecting the burdens that must have weighed heavily upon them.
View the entire collection here
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
