Here’s a high level view of what happened last week!
The morning started with two Proclamations. The first Proclamation was to recognize 100 Years of the St. Augustine Art Association and was presented by Commissioner Whitehurst. Founded January 18, 1924 it is the 13th oldest continually operating Art Association in the United States. The Art Association operates free of charge and has 10,000 visitors annually.
You can learn more about the Art Association at this link: St. Augustine Art Association
The second proclamation of the morning was to recognize Patti Greenough Day. Do you know who Patti Greenough is?
Patti became CEO of EPIC Behavioral Healthcare in 1990. Over the last 33 years she has expanded it from one campus, 14 staff and a $300,00 budget to a multi-behavior healthcare delivery service with 6 campuses across multiple counties, 130 staff and a multimillion dollar budget. Under her leadership they opened a 16 bed critical inpatient detox and residential treatment center to St. Johns county and established other much needed critical substance abuse and mental health disorder programs and services.
Learn more about Epic Behavioral Care and the work Patti has led at this link: EPIC Behavioral Health
Public Safety Update
Director Scott Beaver from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office focused his report on traffic. While we have sadly had 3 fatalities already this year, in the 2023 statistics we have had a continued drop in traffic incidents overall by 15%. Serious bodily injury incidents dropped by 15% and fatalities dropped by 14%. The Sheriff will continue his aggressive approach to traffic safety and DUI enforcement.
Chief McGhee from St. Johns County Fire Rescue thanked the Commissioners for the 2 new Fire Engines put into service in the West Augustine King Street Area and the Pine Island station.
Clerk of the Court Brandon Patty highlighted that through aggressive money management, the comptroller has generated over $20 Million in earned interest in the 2023 calendar year.
Scott Teckler from Legislative Affairs presented on several bills to watch in the upcoming Legislative session. Slides below detail the bills.
Mr. Teckler recommended the county draft formal opposition to the Community -Based Child Welfare Agencies bill as it would have negative fiscal impact on St. Johns county as well as negative impact on needed child welfare services in the county.
Motion to draft the formal opposition was approved 5-0.
The Consent Agenda was approve with no further discussion or public comment.
Regular Agenda
County Attorney Migut made a recommendation to pull Agenda Item 15 from the Regular Agenda because litigation has been filed and this matter should not be discussed in public at this time.
Because this was a ministerial motion, no public comment was allowed.
What is a ministerial motion? “A duty or act is defined as a ministerial when there is no room for the exercise of discretion and the performance being required is directed by law.” (reference link: https://criminaldefenseattorneytampa.com/appeals/writ-of-mandamus/)
Motion to approve was passed 4:1 (Joseph being the no vote.)
Agenda item 1 – Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service, Inc. Economic Development Incentive Request
This property is located in an area that is designated Industrial on the Future Land Use Map, and was rezoned to that designation at the November 21st Board of county Commissioner’s Meeting, Agenda Item 5.
Previous Blog Post Covering Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service Project
The request on January 16 was for an economic development incentive of $118,784 as they complete the project that was approved in the November 21st meeting. It was not to approve the project to be built.
“The St. Johns County Economic Development Agency has received an application from Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service, Inc. for economic development incentives to develop a total of 32,000 square feet of space located near the intersection of US 1 and International Golf Parkway. The Applicant is a construction equipment merchant primarily selling machinery and parts required to conduct vital agricultural and manufacturing operations, as well as sales of associated parts and services. This project will serve as a regional headquarters for the business. After the Applicant submitted their application, they subsequently withdrew their request for confidentiality. The project scored 5.5 points under the new industry category of the County’s Business Incentive Program, which makes it eligible for expedited permitting and an economic development grant of up to 50% of fees paid to the County by the Applicant (impact fees and water/sewer connection fees), two years ad valorem taxes paid by the Applicant (general County portion) on capital improvements and two years tangible personal property taxes paid by the Applicant (general County portion). Completion of the project is anticipated by the third quarter of 2025. With this schedule, the first annual grant payment would be anticipated during FY27. The total estimated value of the incentive is $118,784. In accordance with Program requirements, the Agency is required to review the application and make a written report to the Board of County Commissioners. Staff recommends support of this incentive application.”
Project Descriptions:
Discussion at the Board and in public comment indicated that people were confused about this Agenda item. Concerns were raised about the location of the project and whether it was appropriate to build this project.
Commissioner Whitehurst emphasized during Board discussion that this is for an economic incentive approval, not to approve the project. The project will be built whether they approve the incentives or not.
The Incentive package was approved 4-1 with Commissioner Joseph being the No vote.
Agenda Item 2 – 2024 Roadway and Transportation Alternatives List of Priority Projects (LOPP)
Annually the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) request project priorites from local governments for potential funding in FDOT’s Work Program. There is a Transportation Advisory Group in St. Johns County made up of representatives from local municipalities and concerned citizen’s groups. Assistant Director of Growth Management, Dick D’Souza presented the priority list for approval by the commissioners.
You can watch the presentation by Mr. D’Souza at this link: LOPP Presentation
Note the Sidewalks to Schools list comes from the School Board and is unchanged from 2023.
Commissioner Whitehurst raised a question about the list of Trails. Representative Stevenson had made a request to move the Orangedale to Mickler Trail up on the list. It is currently #5 in the Priority list.
Commissioner Whitehurst also noted that he was recently selected as Chairman of the TPO and invited the public to attend the meetings to hear the discussions about funding of transportation projects. The public is able to ask questions.
Commissioner Whitehurst made the motion to approve the list with the amendment of moving the Orangedale to Mickler Trail to the top 3. This was approved 5-0
The slides may be difficult to read. You can read the full presentation at this link: LOPP Presentation Materials
Agenda Item 3 – Establishment of the Greenbriar CDD
This establishes the CDD for the Greenbriar Helow PUD. Those who are not currently residents of a CDD may not understand the purpose and structure of a CDD.
Purpose of CDDs is explained in this request:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT REVIEW
Florida Statutes Chapter 190 and Part 5.06.00 of the St. Johns County Land Development Code govern procedures, approval and implementation of a Community Development District (CDD). Section 5.06.01 of the Land Development Code provides the intent of a CDD within St. Johns County is to encourage a strong commitment to capital facilities planning, management and financing to ensure the provision of adequate capital infrastructure to serve projected growth without overburdening the general taxpayer. The intent of Florida Statutes Chapter 190 is similar. The Greenbriar CDD proposes to fund improvements to roadways, stormwater, site amenities, landscaping, irrigation, and water/sewer. The Petitioner also requests the County consent to powers to finance, fund, plan, establish, acquire, construct, reconstruct, enlarge or extend, equip, operate and maintain systems and facilities for parks and facilities for indoor and outdoor recreational, cultural, and educational uses, and security, including but not limited to guardhouses, fences and gates, electronic intrusion-detection systems, and patrol cars, as authorized and described in Section 190.012(2), Florida Statutes.
By establishing a CDD, the infrastructure is funded by the property owners within that CDD boundary and not by the general taxpayer across the county.
You can read the full presentation here: Agenda Item 3 – CDD
This was approved 5-0
Agenda Item 4 – Sandy Creek PUD Modification
“Request for a Major Modification to the Sandy Creek PUD (ORD. 2003-67, as amended) to add a secondary access to CR 210; to remove all the currently allowed industrial entitlements; to add additional multi-family and single family units; and to revise the Master Development Plan (MDP) text and map. The Sandy Creek PUD is located on the south side of CR 210 at Sandy Creek Parkway and CR 210.”
“The applicant is requesting a Major Modification to the Sandy Creek PUD (Ordinance 2003-67, as Amended) to do the following: – Add a secondary access to CR 210 by constructing a road off-site connecting Sandy Creek Parkway to Moon Bay Parkway to provide access to a signalized intersection at CR 210. – Remove all currently allowed Light Industrial entitlements (487,000 square feet) – Subdivide the 128.02 acre Light Industrial parcel into two parcels o 36.18 acres will have 310 multi-family units (115 to be transferred from the current multifamily parcel, and 190 new multi-family units) o 92.81 acres will have up to 74 additional single family homes – Subdivide the 50.78 acre multi-family parcel (currently approved into two parcels) o 30.51 acres of the multi-family parcel will remain multi-family, and the allowed entitlements will be reduced from 465 to 320 o 20.27 acres remaining will become a passive park subject to a conservation easement – Revise the MDP text and Map to reflect these changes and areas of new development”
This modification increases the overall dwelling uits from 818 to 1,082 and removes 487,000 sq feet of light industrial entitlements.
This PUD was originally approved in 2003 and has been modified over the years.
Questions were raised about the impact on schools. Commissioner Whitehurst confirmed with County Administrator Andrews the discussion from the recent joint School Board/County Commissioners Meeting that the School Board does have an opportunity to approve or deny the Proportionate Share Agreements. If the School Board denies the Proportionate Share Agreements, the proposal does not move forward to the Board of County Commissioners for approval.
After Commissioner Dean made a motion to approve, Commissioner Whitehurst asked if the applicant would agree to delay construction of the new units until aver the six lane improvements are finished and the second entrance is activated.
The applicant had verbiage prepared that would not go above 383 units until the completion of the six lane expansion fo CR 210 from Trinity Way to Beach Walk Blvd. or 18 months from the date of the Board of County Commissioners approving this modification.
The motion was amended to include those conditions and approved 4-1 with Commissioner Joseph being the no vote.
Read the details here: Sandy Creek PUD
Agenda Items 5 & 6 – 4400 South Francis
“Request to rezone approximately 28.37 acres of land from Open Rural (OR) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow for approximately 100,000 square feet and allow for Community Commercial uses, which also include, the sales, rental, service, repair and storage of vehicles including new or used automobiles, recreational vehicles, boats and related watercraft, motorcycles and residentially scaled farm and garden equipment. Residential uses are not allowed. The property is approximately 28.37 acres and located at 4400 South Francis Road. This application is companion to CPA(SS) 2023-04. The Planning and Zoning recommended approval with a 5-2 vote at its regular December 7 meeting, with Dr. Hilsenbeck and Ms. Spiegel dissenting.”
There were several interesting slides in this presentation.
After public comment and Board discussion, there was a motion from Commissioner Arnold to deny the request and that passed 5-0.
Agenda Item 9 – Second Reading of Proposed Amendments to St. Johns county Ordinance – Beach Code
This was the second reading of proposed changes that are covered in these slides:
The Ordinance changes were approved 5-0
Agenda Item 10 – Second Reading of the St. Johns County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
This update brings the make-up of the Committee Membership in line with Florida Statutory requriements. At the First Reading Commissioner Joseph objected to the requirements and voted against accepting the change. She again voted no to bringing this county ordinance in compliance with the Florida Statutes. It was approved 4-1.
Agenda Item 11 – Second Reading St. Johns County Golf Cart Ordinance
This Ordinance update was to bring the County Ordinance in line with the updated Florida Statutes (championed by Representative Cyndi Stevenson in 2023.) The update requires drivers of a golf cart who are under the age of 18 to have a valid Learner’s Permit or Driver’s license and anyone over the age of 18 to have a valid government issued ID.
This passed 5-0
Commisioner’s Reports
Commissioners’ Reports
Commissioner Joseph thanked Fresh Market for recently sending sandwiches to an event and thanked Joy Andrews for helping to reschedule games at Davis Park for a large soccer tournament impacted by the heavy storms over the weekend. She will be holding a town hall in Ponte Vedra sometime in March. She also asked that the public keep two Navy Seals lost at sea in their thoughts and prayers.
Commissioner Alaimo attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the PAL (Police Athletic League) Sports Complex. The 37 acre complex in Elkton will be able to handle a variety of sports events.
Commissioner Whitehurst asked for Board consensus to ask staff to study the feasibility of incorporating the inclusion of golf cart paths in the intersection improvements already approved by the Legislature. He also asked for additional “Do Not Block the Intersection” signs to be added at CR 210 and east I-95. He also made a motion to waive event fees when the Park Foundation meets to raise monies for parks. The motion carried 5-0.
Commission Dean shared that 40 years ago, almost to the hour, in 1984 he completed negotiations for the acquisition of Guana River Preserve for roughly $48 million.
Chairman Arnold honored the loss of Dr. Pat Laurenelle, who was a champion for libraries in the county, and died on Dec. 27, 2023, at age 100.
Attorney’s Report – In the matter of Krista Joseph v. St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners and State’s Attorney R. J. Larizza, he will schedule an Executive Session of the Board of County Commissioners. The subject matter will the specifically the litigation and held in full compliance with Florida law. Commissioner Alaimo asked if she would be in attendance at the meeting. Attorney Migut is in conversation with her attorney on that matter.
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Beth Tate 