Tuesday was a surprisingly long day, largely because of Agenda Item 6, the Heritage Park PUD, that had a large number of residents in attendance.
Note: The next Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting will be January 16, 2024.
Tuesday’s meeting began with a Recognition of Vilano Beach Main Street Board for the work they have done revitalizing Vilano Beach.
A proclamation was presenting declaring January 2024 as Human Trafficking Awareness month.
Regular Agenda Items
Public Safety Update
SJSO Director Tara Wildes provided a PSA about staying safe during the Holidays, including don’t drink and drive. She also shared that a new class of K-9s for Warriors was graduating on Tuesday with 2 dogs graduating at the jail. Inmates have worked with the program providing a needed service training the dogs and learning a skill that they can use upon their release from jail.
Fire Rescue Chief McGhee provided a PSA on charging lithium-ion batteries and recommended that they not be left unattended when charging.
Service Delivery Update
There was a lengthy Service Delivery Update that you can watch here: Service Delivery Update
Highlights included:
Library Services – Food for Fines
Parks and Recreation – the Hastings Christmas Parade, Phone Calls from Santa, and the Treecycling Program
Veterans Services – Marine Corp Toys for Tots, Firefighters for Families
Health and Human Services – Christmas Party with Santa and Mrs. Claus, provided gifts for 160 children in care.
Emergency Management – Adopted a family from Firefighters for Families
Fire Rescue – Firefighters for Families served 295 families
Director Larson shared how the Office of Public Affairs is integrated marketing communications to tell the story of the county. He highlighted how they used the great story of the historic 2023 sea turtle nesting season. Check out the video for that alone!
The Director of Library Services shared St. Johns Reads and distributed copies of the new book for the program, “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams.
Regular Agenda Items
Agenda Item 1 was a presentation from the Prevention Coalition of St. Johns County on their Hidden in Plain Sight Program. This is an adult education program begun this year. The target audience is parents, grandparents and any adult caregivers of teenagers.
Please watch the video here – very informative! Hidden in Plain Sight
They also shared about how they reach out to youth to educate about the dangers of substance abuse.
The mission of the organization is about loving, nurturing, educating, and encouraging people to make better choices.
“Susan Jackson, Executive Director of PACT, has requested the opportunity to do a brief presentation to the Commission on PACT initiatives and to discuss the Hidden in Plain Sight program. The Hidden in Plain Sight trailer will be on site in the County Administration Parking lot for Commissioners and the public to participate. The cargo trailer is staged as a youth’s bedroom designed to provide eye-opening education about dozens of things that could be indicators of risky behaviors or mental health concerns. There is also a slide presentation and backpack demonstration showing parents, grandparents, and adult family members problematic things that may be hidden in plain sight.”
Learn more about this organization here: Prevention Coalition of St. Johns County
Agenda Item 2 – Award of RFP 23-32 Residential Solid Waste, Recycling and Yard Waste Collection Services
This presentation was a recommendation for the awarding of an RFP for Waste Collection services.
There are currently 3 contracts for solid waste collection. Two will expire July 31 of 2024 and one will expire July 31 2029. They will consolidate these contracts into one contract. This agenda item is to approve the award to FCC Environmental Services Florida, LLC.
Materials are found here: Agenda Item 2
Key slides below:
During Public Comment, two of the competitors spoke. The Waste Management representative asked about the wisdom of changing service during hurricane season and opined that low cost does not always mean best value. The Meridian Waste Management representative asked that the county continue with 2 vendors and award the south part of the county to them.
The motion to award the bid to FCC was approved 4-1 with Commissioner Joseph being the No vote. Staff will return with a recommendation on the funding options.
Agenda Item 3 was a presentation on the Design-Build Services for a New SR 207 Water Reclamation Facility and Associated Improvements
This is to enter into a contract with Jacobs Project Management company to complete Scope 1 of Design-Build for the new 207 Water Reclamation Facility. Materials are here: Agenda Item 3
With no public comment, the motion to approve and the motion to transfer money from reserves was approved 5-0.
Agenda Item 4 – Summer Haven – Study of Summer Haven River and Surrounding Areas and Study of Summer House Erosion Findings, including potential FEMA Category B emergency protective measures.
500+ page presentation is here: Summer Haven Presentation
A motion was made to have staff continue researching and come back to the Board with recommendations on how to proceed with protecting this vital area of the county. It was approved 5-0
Agenda Item 5 – Heritage Park PUD
“MAJMOD 2023-10 Heritage Park PUD, a request for a Major Modification to the Heritage Park PUD (Ord. 2000-4, as amended) to divide Parcel B into two sections (B-1 and B-2); to add 12 multifamily residential units to the allowable uses for Parcel B-2; to remove the use of a 7,200 sq ft daycare facility from the list of allowable uses on Parcel B; to provide parking and design criteria to Parcel B-2 for the proposed 12 multi-family units; and to provide a revised MDP Text and Map, specifically located at 227 Hefferon Drive.”
Read the materials here: Heritage Park PUD
This item turned out to be the most contentious of the day, lasting about 2 hours with much public comment from residents of Heritage Park.
You can watch the video here: Heritage Park PUD Video
The request was denied 5-0.
Agenda Item 6 – the 2023 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Annual Report
The Chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) presented the report which is required by law to be presented by the end of each year.
Read the full report and recommendations here: AHAC Annual Report
The motion to approve the report was passed with a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Joseph being the no vote.
Key slides are below:
Commissioner’s Reports
Commissioner Joseph shared her appreciation of the people who spoke in Public Comment supporting her. She wished everyone Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas; expressing hope for the New Year.
Commissioner Alaimo congratulated the St. Augustine High School Football team for making it to the finals. Even though they didn’t win, it was a great accomplishment to get there. He also congratulated Dylan Rumrell for being elected as St. Augustine Mayor for the coming year. He asked staff to research the concerns raised during Public Comment about dues paid to the Library Association. And he asked if the staff could be awarded an extra day off for the Holiday in appreciation for their hard work this year. By consensus, the staff will have that extra day off this coming week.
Commissioner Whitehurst wished everyone a Merry Christmas
Commissioner Dean expressed appreciation for the good dialog on Tuesday and the ability to focus on the important elements of the people’s business; the reclamation facility, the solid waste collection, and the eco-system.
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Beth Tate 