Tuesday’s meeting was another long day with some important discussion points throughout the day.
The full agenda can be found here: BOCC Agenda 9/19/23
During the Public Safety Update, Director Martin from the SJSO shared some of the mental health initiatives they are engaged in, including working with inmates pre-release to prepare them for success upon release. They are seeing good results here. They also have a partnership with Social Services to engage a mental health specialist jwith first responders to address these related issues.
The Supervisor of Elections shared some important updates. Every mailbox in St. Johns County should have received the new voters election guide. They are doing their bi-annual voter list maintenance, as required under new state laws. Every voter who has not voted in the last 2 General Elections gets a notice asking them to update their information. In St. Johns County that notice went to 17,000 registered voters. They received 1500 responses with a good portion of the notices being returned for a bad address. For voters who did not respond, or their correspondence was returned, they will be marked as “inactive” voters. If they show up to vote in a 2024 or 2026 election, poll workers will confirm they are a St. Johns County resident and they will be returned to the active voter rolls. If they do not vote in these elections, they will be dropped from the voting rolls. We currently have 213,00 registered voters in St. Johns County. A question was asked about the use of drop boxes. Ms. Oakes shared that all drop off boxes are located inside early voting locations and can only be accessed for drop off of ballots during manned hours.
Here’s a link to information on the List Maintenance process: Voter Roll List Maintenance
She also reminded citizens that they are welcome to schedule a tour of the Supervisor of Elections offices where they can learn about the process. I have done this tour and highly recommend it!
Here’s a link to resgister for a tour: Register for a tour
Consent Agenda
Commissioner Dean asked to move Consent Agenda Item 30, Six Month Extension of Tourism Marketing Contract from the Consent Agenda to Regular Agenda Discussion.
Here is the link to Consent Agenda Item 30: Consent Agenda Item 30
Commissioner Dean’s concern was that the 6 month extension was not sufficient. This was discussed and a 12 month extension was approved unanimously during the Regular Agenda items.
Regular Agenda Items
Agenda Item 1 is in District 2, Elevation Pointe was approved 4-1 with Commissioner Joseph being. the no vote. The request was to increase wetland impacts with a decrease in preserved wetlands, open space, and upland buffers and was driven by the addition of a Publix supermarket as a tenant in the shopping center.
Presentation is here: Elevation Pointe
Agenda Item 2, also in District 2, was the Deer Run Road PUD. This request to rezone 25 acres of land from Open Rural to Planned Unit Development for 26 duplexes, total of 52 dwelling units was denied unanimously. Concerns noted were the additional traffic on Holmes Blvd and Four Mile Road and impact to schools.
Presentation is here: Deer Run Road PUD
Agenda Item 3 is in District 5. The Whole 9 Yards is in the Airport District was to rezone 1.37 acres of land from Open Rural to Industrial Warehousing. Many of the same concerns from local residents were voiced at the BOCC meeting. Commissioner Dean noted that this business has been operating for 7 years and is seeking. tocorrect the zoning to reflect the usage. They added some conditions of operation and the project was approved 5-0.
Presentation: Whole 9 Yards
Agenda Item 6 was a combined public hearing item including the Approval of the 2023 Inventory List of Land available for Affordable Housing in St. Johns County and the available affordable housing strategies through the Live Local Act that passed in the 2023 Legislative session.
This is an important topic for addressing attainable housing in St. Johns County.
Presentation is here: 2023 Inventory of Land
A review of the inventory list shows almost 300 properties, many of them in West Augustine, Elkton, and the Armstrong area. During Public Comment questions were asked about how to make this inventory of properties available for affordable housing. Many have been on the inventory for years but there is not sufficient infrastructure to support building on the property.
Also during public comment was noted that affordable housing, with government assistance, is targeted. for individuals making between 30-60% of Area Median Income (AMI.) In St. Johns County that is the range of $37,000 to $70,000. It is impotant to note that in St. Johns County that range includes our teachers, deputies, firefighters, and other public workers as well as many other employees in the service industry.
During discussion on the Live Local Act, Commissioner Alaimo indicated he would like to have staff research and bring back an Ad Valorem tax exemption for affordable housing, similar. to what was done in Clay County.
The motion to bring back an ordinance around the tax exemption was approved 4-1, with the no vote from Commissioner Joseph.
This is a very complex and sensitive topic. I encourage you to watch the full presentation and discussion at this link: Agenda Item 6
Agenda Item 8 – Public-Private Partnership with SJC Cultural Events, Inc for Operations and Management of St. Johns County Cultural Events Public Private Partnership – SJC Cultural Events
This partnership would allow a nonprofit oganization, Cultural Events, Inc. to operate the St. Augustine Ampitheater, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and local cultural events like Sing Out Loud. andthe Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series. This was approved unanimously
Agenda Item 9 was the Second Reading of Proposed Amendments to the St. Johns County prohibited Holiday Activity Ordinance for Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators, followed by Agenda Item 10, the Second Reading of the Proposed Amendments to the Child Safety Zone Ordinance. Both were approved 5-0.
Agenda Item 11 is a Proposed Settlement of Lupoli v. St. Johns County and Guilmar, LLC Litigation and Statutory Demand. This stems from a lawsuit filed by residents as a result of a denial decision made by the Board of County Commissioners in 2022. Settlement Proposal.
The Board approved the settlement that will have a payment of $450,000 to Guilmar and $30,000 for attorney fees.
This was a reminder that the Board of Commissioner can put the county at risk of a lawsuit if their project denials are not based in sound legal facts.
Agenda Item 12 is to consider the proposed 2024 St. Johns County Legislative Action Plan. You can read the presentation here: SJC Legislative Agenda Proposal
and watch the presentation and discussion here: Legislative Priorities
During discussion, Commissioner Dean asked to add an item to the priority list. This would be to request funds for renourishment of a small section of beach south of Ponte Vedra Beach.
During the discussion, there was conversation about the priority of asking the Legislative Delegation to work on modifying the PECO (Public Education Capital Outlay) requirements for rapidly growing counties like St. Johns County. Mr. Tecler, who was giving. the presentation, noted that this has been discussed with the folks. inTallahassee previously and again this year. There. are indications it is being looked at closely.
Commissioner Whitehurst spoke about coordinating with the School District in this effort and getting them on board with supporting the change.
Here are some highlights from the presentation:
Improve the Transportation Infrastructure
- East-West Corridors Upgrade State Road 16, County Road 210, State Road 208, State Road 207, and State Road 206 to provide traffic relief, improve connectivity, fortify hurricane evacuation routes, and enhance safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
- North-South Corridors Address overcapacity along US 1 and I-95 and strengthen connectivity between employment centers and residential communities by completing extensions of County Road 2209, State Road 312/313, and related connectors.
- State Road 16 St. Johns County requests $20 million in state appropriations to design and construct a new 4-lane divided roadway with a multiuse path from International Golf Parkway to I-95
Strengthening Community Resilience
- Fire safety improvements
- Beach stabilization and renourishment
- Youth Mental Health
- Changes in state laws around distance of commercial sales of nicotine products to schools
- Youth Sports
Sustaining Economic Prosperity
- Vilano Beach Street Improvements
- World Golf Village Hall of Fame site improvements
- School Capacity – importantly “School Capacity St. Johns County requests the Legislature identify and modify provisions of law and/or administrative rules that may limit the construction of new school facilities, or tie the authorization of construction of new schools to existing school capacity. Additional flexibility will facilitate strategic planning for high-growth districts.”
- Revisions to the Live Local Act. “Affordable Housing Compatibility Revise the Live Local Act to restore local government review of multifamily housing projects proposed for land zoned for commercial or industrial uses.”
- Hastings Water infrastructure
- Unfunded Mandates – “Request the Legislature oppose legislation that requires utilities to expend funds providing information, reports, or other documents to the State without providing a funding source for development of those reports. Specifically, the Legislature should pay careful attention to unfunded reporting mandates related to SB 712 (2020), HB 53 (2021), SB 64 (2021), and HB 1379 (2023).”
Protecting Natural and Historic Resources
- Historic Farming Communities
- Consider the City of St. Augustine as a location for the State Museum of BlackHistory
Commissioner’s Reports
Commissioner Joseph shared she would like to consider a rollback for millage for the 2025 budget.
Commissioner Alaimo thanked staff for their work on the ceremony recognizing the 200th Anniversary. ofthe Treat of Moultrie Creek.
Commissioner Dean shared that Lowe’s Lumber is opening a new store at US1 and CR 210, provigind 300 new jobs. He also formalized the requst to staff to arrange a meeting between the Board and the School Board to discuss support for revising the PECO funding statute.
Commissioner Arnold expressed appreciation for the work staff did on the Hasting Library meeting “re-do” and encouraged residents. toattend the World Golf Village workshops. onSeptember 27 and 28.
Commissioner Whitehurst expressed concerns about new preemption bills that may come up in the 2024 Legislative session. He wants the county to work with the Florida Association of Counties to push back on these bills.
County Administrator Report
Interim County Administrator Joy Andrews requested and received received unanimous approval to appoint Jamie Locklear as Director of Purchasing. She also shared a new website for the Hastings community as they work on the comprehensive plan.
Last item for the day was the second Public Hearing of the millage rates and 2024 Fiscal Year Budget.
The Board unanimously approved the final budget of $1,665,664,624. Included in the budget are funds for 45 new firefighters, add 35 hours to Libraries for Sunday and Monday operations and a $18 assessment for solid waste collections.
The Board unanimously adopted a millage rate of 6.8265%.
Presentation can be found here: TRIM and 2024 Budget Presentation
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Beth Tate 
Beth once again I want to compliment you on this service and your ability to consistently delivering a quality product