What’s happening at the November 19 meeting?
During the past campaign season it was very difficult to report on the Commissioner’s Meetings. So many candidates were taking up Public Comment time using their 3 minutes to campaign.
Now the campaigns are over and the transition to the new Board happens next week. Perhaps that is why this is one of the shortest Agendas I recall seeing in the 2 years I’ve been reporting on the meetings.
There are technically 2 meetings next Tuesday. The first is the Special Reorganizational Meeting where the newly elected Commissioners will be sworn in.
Returning Commissioner Christian Whitehurst will be sworn in by Judge Lauren Blocker.
Newly elected Commissioners Clay Murphy and Ann Taylor will be sworn in by Judge Charles Tinlin.
Following the swearing in will be a review of the nominating procedures for the Chair and Vice-Chair. And then the nominations begin.
Historically, the Vice Chair from the previous year is nominated to be Chair. That year as Vice-Chair is a bit of a training ground for them. However, former Commissioner Roy Alaimo was the Vice Chair and he is being replaced by newly elected Commissioner Clay Murphy.
Who will be the new Chair? The three returning Commissioners are Joseph, Arnold, and Whitehurst. Joseph has not been Chair or Vice-Chair in her 2 years on the Commission. Will she be nominated for one of those roles this year? Will a freshmen Commissioner be nominated for one of the roles?
Watch on Tuesday to find out.
Following the reorganizing meeting, the Regular Meeting will be called to order. And this is where we have the very short agenda.
Consent Agenda
After the Public Safety update and the Constitutional Officer’s update, the Consent Agenda will be voted on. There are 29 items on the Consent Agenda. Rumor has it that some of the new Commissioner’s want to do away with the Consent Agenda. Does that mean these 29 items would all have to be heard and voted on individually?
Regular Agenda
There are only 3 items on the Regular Agenda and 2 of those will be heard together.
Agenda Item 1 – The first item is Accessibility Needs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.
“Presentation by Calvin Britt of SeaMe Systems. Currently, there are no emergency alert notification systems on beaches in Florida that provide immediate and on-demand information to the deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) community at public beaches during an emergency evacuation. Discuss information about the accessibility tools in public spaces such as beaches, public parks, etc. that may assist the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in the event of an emergency. Highlight a system similar to the Beach Emergency Evacuation Lights System (BEELS) at public beaches. BEELS is an emergency alert notification system that incorporates programmed audio loudspeakers and LED lights that provide real-time alerts on beaches for the general public and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The system alerts the public of shark sightings, lightning, rip currents, etc.”
Read the presentation here: Agenda item 1
Agenda Items 2 & 3 are for the St. Augustine Marketplace. There is a Small Scale Comp Plan Amendment and a Rezoning request. The requested change is from Res-B to Mixed Use. This is for 5 acres of land located southwest of the I-95 and SR 207 intersection.
Links to the materials for items 2 & 3 are here: Agenda Item 2 – CPA and Agenda Item 3 – Rezoning
There is still time certain Public Comment at 11:30 or the conclusion of the meeting, whichever comes first. With such a short agenda, there may only be one Public Comment session.
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Beth Tate 