Thank you for registering for the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners District 2 newsletter. Inside you will find an update regarding projects and events in District 2 and timely information about St. Johns County programs, services, and initiatives.

Upcoming District 2 Events

I would like to personally invite you to two events taking place in District 2 this month. The next Farm Share will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 20 at Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park, 10 N. Holmes Blvd., St. Augustine. Under the direction of Brian Phelan, local farmers will collectively distribute fresh and nutritious food to families in need. To learn more about Farm Share, please visit FarmShare.org.

There will also be a memorial service for Dr. Robert Hayling beginning at 10 a.m. on February 20 at St. Paul AME Church, 85 Martin Luther King Ave., St. Augustine. Led by Reverend Ron Rawls, this public service will celebrate Dr. Hayling's life as well as his monumental contributions to the civil rights movement in St. Augustine and St. Johns County.

SJC Board and Commission Vacancies

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners provides residents who have an interest in participating in their local government with a variety of board and commission opportunities. Depending on the board or commission, the volunteer positions consider and make recommendations regarding a myriad of topics including planning and zoning issues, development projects, the library, parks and recreation facilities and programs, and arts, culture, and tourism matters. Please visit the Boards and Commission Webpage to view an updated list of board and commission vacancies and download an application, or contact the Board of County Commissioners office at 904.209.0300 or mlundquist@sjcfl.us for more information.

"Made in St. Johns County" Features Local Manufacturers

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners and the Economic Development Division opened "Made in St. Johns County", a public exhibit featuring local manufacturers at the February 2, 2016 regular meeting. Small businesses and major employers showcased a diverse range a products, from surfboards to airplanes. The Board of County Commissioners would like to thank the companies that participated in this event. The exhibit will be on display through February 19 at the County Administration Building, 500 San Sebastian View.

"Give Back to the Beach" Coastal Clean-up

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners would like to thank those who recently came out to the "Give Back to the Beach" clean-up. Participants were given gloves and trash bags at five different St. Johns County beach locations and worked as a community to make our beaches cleaner and safer for visitors and wildlife.

Pre-Season Beach Toll Passes On Sale through March 1

On-beach driving passes for St. Johns County beaches are on sale through March 1. The cost of a pass is $30 for county residents, $40 for non-residents, and $20 for handicapped motorists. Beginning Monday, November 23, passes will be available during normal business hours at the following locations:

Tax Collector's Main Office, 4030 St. Lewis Speedway
Tax Collector's DuPont Center, 6658 US1 South
Tax Collector's Julington Creek Office, 725 Flora Branch Blvd
Tax Collector's Ponte Vedra Office, 5430 Palm Valley Road
Tax Collector's Hastings Office, 6195 S. Main Street
St. Johns County Beach Services Office, 901 Pope Road
St. Johns County Pier Gift Shop, 350 A1A Blvd

Residents must present a valid I.D. with a St. Johns County address or present proof of property tax payments in St. Johns County. When requesting a handicap pass, a vehicle with a handicap hang-tag or license plate must be presented. Disabled Military (100%) are eligible for a free annual pass by presenting military I.D. or a letter from Veterans Affairs (VA). Passes are required for motor vehicle access March 1 through September 30, and pass prices will increase March 2. To learn more about beach parking passes, click here or call 904.209.0331. To find beach access updates, click here.

2016 St. Johns Reads Program Features Harper Lee's
To Kill A Mockingbird as Community-wide Reading Project

The St. Johns County Public Library System is pleased to announce that it has chosen Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird as the featured book for the February 2016 "St. Johns Reads" community-wide reading project.

A true classic, To Kill a Mockingbird is sure to be a crowd pleaser for the 11th year of the "St. Johns Reads" program. Libraries throughout St. Johns County will feature a variety of programs highlighting the lasting literary and cultural impact of To Kill a Mockingbird during the month of February. Events will include book discussions, films, and presentations that will touch upon the many themes covered in Lee's tale of Jim Crow justice set against the mysteries and wonderment of a 1930's southern childhood.

The month will culminate with a screening of the 1962 film version of the book and an appearance by Mary Badham, the actress who played Scout in the movie, at 6 p.m. on February 27 at the St. Augustine Amphitheater, 1340C A1A South. She will discuss her on-set experiences, her lifelong friendship with Gregory Peck, and the continuing impact of the novel and film.

To read To Kill a Mockingbird and to learn more about St. Johns Reads 2016, contact your local library, call 904.827.6928, or visit www.sjcpls.org and www.staugamphitheatre.com.

Solomon-Calhoun Pool Closure

The Solomon Calhoun swimming pool will be closed for routine repairs through April 30. All programs and classes are canceled during the closure. Thank you for your patience during this time of progress. For additional information, please call 904.209.0395 or email wcooper@sjcfl.us.

St. Johns County Budget Process

St. Johns County's budget process generally begins in January with the updating of the County's five-year Capital Improvement Plan. This Plan not only identifies important capital project funding needs, but may also impact County debt management.

The County budget review process normally takes place from March through August, and includes several public meetings that are open to citizen participation. All County department and agency expenditures, accomplishments, and objectives are reviewed. Additionally, newly requested personnel, vehicles, capital outlay, and computer hardware and software, in particular, are closely reviewed.

Final adoption of the County budget occurs statutorily in September after two advertised public hearings. For more information on St. Johns County's budget process, please visit the County's Budget Policy or www.sjcfl.us.

St. Johns County Land Development Code Considerations

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is currently considering several amendments to the Land Development Code. For more information on these amendments, please see below. For more information on the County's Growth Management Department or the Land Development Code, please visit www.sjcfl.us.

Urban Chickens
Possessing chickens on residential properties for the benefit of personal food production has become a growing trend in St. Johns County. The County currently requires a Special Use Permit to allow chickens within these residential zones. The Board and County staff are exploring options and restrictions to regulation how chickens are maintained, the height and size of chicken coops, and reparation requirements from neighboring properties.

Feral Cats
A feral cat colony is described as free-roaming cats that congregate where food and water are being provided by humans. These cats have an adverse impact on domestic animals and other wildlife, as well as properties within the areas in which they assemble. The Board and County staff are looking into enacting regulations that would promote the humane and responsible maintenance of feral cat colonies in the interest of public health and welfare.

Digital Billboards
The Land Development Code currently does not allow billboards that incorporate flashing, scintillating, beacon, or running lights, animated copy, or any automatic changeable messages. Recent Board and Staff discussion has focused on allowing electronic billboards along Interstate 95. County staff is currently looking into other zoning areas along evacuation routes that would benefit from the public use of such signage during natural disasters.

Rural Industry
The Board has directed County staff to create a new Special Use permit in Open Rural and Commercial Rural zone districts for "rural industry." Currently, the Open Rural zoning allows Rural Home Industries as use allowed by right for businesses such as welding services, repair of farm equipment, furniture creation, lawn maintenance services, and tool sharpening. The employment is limited to immediate family members or other residents of the property.

Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, please use the link below to unsubscribe to the St. Johns County E-Newsletters.