All regular County Commissioner meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the Month in the County Auditorium at 500 San Sebastian View.
The BOCC Agenda for November 21 is packed with 12 items, some of which may be lengthy discussion items.
The meeting Tuesday is posted as 2 separate meetings with the first one being the “Reorganizational Meeting” for the Board. This is the normal process of electing the Chair and Vice-Chair for the coming year.
Following the Re-organizational Meeting, they will begin the Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting.
Full Agenda is here: November 21 BOCC Agenda
Consent Agenda
There are 22 items on the consent Agenda. Here are a few of interest:
Consent Agenda item 7 is a lease agreement for additional space for the county to provide services at 16 and N. 5th Street.
Consent Agenda Item 9 is to terminate a sales agreement for land recommended to be purchase through the LAMP program. Consent Agenda Item 9
The purchase and sale agreement was initiated September 8 for 30 acres of land off of 13 South. Within the agreement was a clause that within 90 days of the purchase the buyer could enter the property and assess suitability of the property for use by the County.
“The County has found through inspection of the property, including but not limited to staff visits, a title search and Phase I Environmental Site Assessment that the property is not suitable for the County’s intended use and purposes. It is in the interest of the citizens of St. Johns County to terminate the Purchase and Sale Agreement and request return of the Deposit monies prior to the Inspection Termination Date, as provided in Section 10 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.”
There was some debate about approving this purchase initially so expect there may be some discussion about this Consent Agenda Item.
Regular Agenda
Agenda Item 1 is to approve a settlement agreement in a lawsuit brought against the County in March of 2020. This is related to an accident where a deputy in a marked car pulled in front of a motorcyclist on SR 16. The net amount, after the insurance coverage, is $6.3 Million.
Agenda Item 2 – Charting Performance: A Framework for Open Governance and Efficiency
“County Administrator Joy Andrews will introduce a framework aimed at enhancing open governance and operational efficiency within the County. A newly developed organizational chart, highlighted changes, and their intended purposes will be provided.”
Agenda Item 3 – Consultant Briefing on the County’s Comprehensive Plan Update
“The County’s Comprehensive Plan is in the process of being updated. The Board of County Commissioners directed that a consultant be hired to assist the county through process. The consultant, Inspire Placemaking Collective, will provide a briefing on the overall process including the schedule.”
Agenda Item 4 – a request to rezone approximately .84 acres of land at 5461 & 5467 A1A S. from Commercial General (CG) to Residential, Single Family (RS-3).
“The Planning and Zoning Agency heard this request at their regularly scheduled public hearing on Thursday, October 5th, 2023, voting to recommend approval of the request by a vote of 5-0. Members of the Agency had questions of the applicant about how the proposed homes would be accessing A1A South.”
Agenda Item 5
REZ 2023-02 St. Marks Industrial Presentation
This is a request to rezone approximately 13.26 acres of land, located south of International Golf Parkway, just west of US 1 North, from Open Rural (OR) to Industrial Warehousing (IW). This was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Agency (PZA) at their Thursday, June 1, 2023 meeting. Since that time, the County learned that a portion of the property was the subject of pending private civil litigation. The applicant has revised their application to remove that portion of the property from the request, reducing the proposed acreage for the site from 15.98 acres to 13.26 acres.
Agenda Item 6
PLAT 2023-21 Orchard Park Phase 3
This is the final plat approval for Orchard Park Phase 3.
Materials are here: Orchard Park, Phase 3
Agenda Item 7 – FEMA Public Assistance Category G (Permanent Work) for Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, specifically South Ponte Vedra Beach.
This is an update on use of a FEMA grant to be used to address damage to South Ponte Vedra Beach by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole
See the materials here: South Ponte Vedra Beach FEMA
Agenda Item 8 – Fiscal Year 2023: End of Year Budget Compliance
This is the year end review of the budget and approval of required adjustment entries to ensure compliance with Section 200.6 [Budgetary Control Procedures] of the St. Johns County BCC Administrative Code. This is the process where reserves are transferred to appropriate accounts to cover expenditures or Intra-fund department transfers are approved.
“To accomplish these transfers, the BCC will need to approve the respective transfers for each Department as per the attached schedule. Under Florida Statutes, these adjustments may be made up to 60 days following the end of the Fiscal Year.”
The County CFO will review the items to be approved in the presentation at this link. Budget Reconciliation
Agenda Item 9
First Reading of Proposed Amendment to St. Johns County Ordinance No. 2018-42 regulating the operation of Golf Carts, Low Speed Vehicles, and Mini Trucks within St. Johns County.
At its August 1, 2023 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners authorized the Office of County Attorney to prepare a proposed amendment to Ordinance 2018-42 to conform to recent changes in state law addressing the operation of Golf Carts on all public roads in Florida. The proposed amendment requires anyone 18 years or younger who operates a golf cart to possess a valid learners or driver license and anyone 18 years or older to posses a valid form of identification.
The entire ordinance can be found here: County Golf Ordinance
Agenda Item 10
First Reading of Proposed Amendment to St. Johns County Ordinance 20028-29 regarding St. Johns County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
Details are here: AHAC revision
At its September 19, 2023 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners authorized the Office of County Attorney to prepare a proposed amendment to Ordinance 2008-29 to conform to recent changes in state law regarding the composition of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. The proposed amendment requires that the committee must consist of one member from the Board of County Commissioners and one representative from at least six of the categories identified in section 420.9076(2), Florida Statues.
The categories are:
a) One citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing.;
b) One citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing.;
c) One citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.;
d) One citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.;
e) One citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing.;
f) One citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.;
g) One citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.;
h) One citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency pursuant to Section 163.3174, Florida Statutes.;
i) One citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing bodymaking appointments.;
j) One citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction.;
k) One citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.
Agenda Item 11 – This item is a “Proposed Settlement of Southeast Development Partners, LLC v. St. Johns County State Court Litigation”
“St. Johns County (“County”) is currently defendant in Case No. CA23-1265 in the Circuit Court in and for St. Johns County, filed by Southeast Development Partners, LLC (“Southeast”), relating to certain record requests. The County has defended, and continues to defend, its responses as consistent with Florida law. Pursuant to court order, the parties participated in mediation on October 30, 2023, and produced a tentative mediated settlement agreement, subject to approval of the Board of County Commissioners, to avoid the costs and uncertainty of further litigation of this matter. A copy of the mediated settlement agreement is attached to this agenda item for review and consideration. (This proposed settlement does not resolve the pending federal litigation regarding Southeast’s concurrency obligations.)”
This item is interesting, not only because of the litigation and proposed settlement, but a read of the presentation materials is educational in understanding the scrutiny of county employees’ communications. I often hear residents complain about the email responses they get from county representatives or the lack of written response. County officials and employees are subject to Florida Sunshine laws and must be careful how their communications are worded.
As an example, I have heard residents complain that a Commissioner would not commit in an email response that they would vote a certain way on an upcoming rezoning request. By law, they can’t decide on a quasi-judicial matter until it is presented to them at the public hearing. If they have committed to a resident that they will vote for or against a request, they have broken the law, and that email could become evidence if the applicant, or anyone, sues the county over the decision.
Read the details here: Proposed Settlement
Agenda Item 12 – Consider appointments to the Land Acquisition Management Program (LAMP) Conservation Board
“Currently, there are (4) vacancies on the LAMP Conservation Board due to expired terms. Members of the LAMP Conservation Board are required to be registered voters of St. Johns County and have experience or expertise in one or more of the following areas, with at least five of these areas represented at all times: Agriculture, Archaeology, Business/Finance, Eco-Tourism, Education, Engineering, Environmental, History, Parks, Planning, Real Estate, Recreation, Soil/Hydrologic, and Natural Sciences, such as Biology, Botany, Geology and Zoology. “
Included in the packet are (9) applications and a recommendation letter from LAMP: Robin Robbins Dist. 1, Dirk Lobenbruck Dist. 1, Wayne Flowers Dist. 1, Dist. 3, William Miller Dist. 3, Anila Lahiri Dist. 3, Nicole Crosby Dist. 4, Kate Beck Dist. 4, Garrett Colton Dist. 5, Benjamin Brandao Dist. 5.
The LAMP Board recommends the reappointment of Shorty Robbins, Wayne Flowers, and JB Miller. They recommend the new appointment of Nicole Crosby.
Packet details here: LAMP Board Nominations
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Beth Tate 