 Visit us at SJCRoundtable.org Roundtable Meeting Monday, December 12 JOIN US! Come and join us on Monday, December 12th at noon. Either meet us at Waterworks, 184 San Marco or join on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5593999943 Why? The purpose of the St. Johns County Civic Roundtable is to preserve and improve the quality of life in St. Johns County. The Roundtable is a network of committed citizens, civic, neighborhood, community and homeowners associations who come together for the good of our County. We meet monthly to hear and discuss issues with local officials and community leaders. We are a non-partisan organization whose members have a wide range of expertise and interests. Our committees stay abreast of issues and make recommendations to our elected leaders on issues of importance to our County and State. Your participation is invited! Join us! 12/6 County Commission Overview Special Session The St. Johns County Commission elected Christian Whitehurst as Chair and Sarah Armstrong as Vice-Chair for the new term.  Regular Meeting Public Safety Update The Fire Rescue department’s FEMA grant application for 24 new firefighter positions is still pending a decision. The Firefighters for Families have adopted 299 families with over 700 children for their annual “Wonder of the Holidays” program for toy and food donations. As the Christmas season approaches, new unwrapped toys or non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any fire station location through December 20th. The Sheriff reported that Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties are participating in an initiative to address increasing violent juvenile crimes. Since May in St. Johns County, there have been 34 juvenile offenders who have committed over 200 crimes. The Sheriff reports that 80 handguns have been stolen from unlocked cars in our county. The Sheriff urges citizens to beware of telephone and internet scams and to never provide personal information and money to any entity you do not know. The Clerk of the Court alerted residents of a recent scam with a misleading mailer from a Tampa company, County Records Office, charging steep fees, $89, for a copy of their official recorded deed. The Clerk’s website does list ongoing scams and it changes frequently. Agenda #1 Home Again St. Johns, which is dedicated to helping the homeless, requested rezoning 1.8 acres from Residential to Public Service on SR 16 between Masters Drive and Lewis Speedway. Home Again serves everyone who walks through their door and provides a comfort station with shower and laundry facilities as well as a host of services and counseling. The Board unanimously approved the rezoning. Agenda #2 The Bella Terra PUD request to rezone 31.589 acres to allow 240 multi- family residential units raised concerns for its high density development, 8.6 units per acre, as compared to nearby developments. Located on US 1 and Watson Road, many objections were raised about increased traffic at an existing busy intersection. Since Bella Terra is in District 3 and without representation on the Board since the death of Commissioner Waldron, a motion to continue this debate after a new commissioner has been appointed was adopted by a vote of 3-1 (Joseph). The applicants were also encouraged to reduce the size of the apartment project and to consult further with surrounding neighborhoods. Agenda #3 & 4 The Maples Family Neighborhood at the corner of CR 13 and Palmo Fish Camp Road requested a small-scale comp plan amendment to change 5 acres to Neighborhood Commercial for RV/Boat storage. The items were approved 3-1 (Joseph). Agenda #5 & 6 Another request for a small-scale comp plan amendment to change 2.26 acres to commercial at US 1 at Dupont was unanimously approved. The property is between the Public Library and convenience/gas station. Agenda #7 A request to vacate a portion of Riverside Boulevard and First Street in Riverdale was approved 4-0 as no adjacent property owners will be affected. Agenda #8 Staff gave an informational update on the ongoing improvements in Hastings and summarized the process of creating a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) should the Board consider it for Hastings in the future. A cost benefit study of a CRA would be needed for further consideration. While there was clear support by the Board for continued support of Hastings, concerns about creating a CRA were expressed. The Board urged staff to pursue all grants suitable for the community. Agenda #9 Victoria Crossing Apartments, 96 units, being built at SR 207 and Wildwood Drive is requesting a Brownfield Area designation at this first of two hearings. Commissioners wanted more information on why this site should be granted tax-exempt status under the Brownfield Florida statute. The second hearing will be at the next commission meeting on December 20th. Agenda #10 The Ponte Vedra Greenway Alliance has offered the County conveyance of Mickler’s Wharf which is in need of repairs and maintenance. Staff presented the completed structural analysis of Mickler’s Wharf. The Board voted unanimously to deny conveyance. Agenda #11 The county’s legislative action plan and its top priorities were presented to the Board, and it will be highlighted at a meeting with our state legislative delegation on December 19th. The top priorities are transportation infrastructure, economic resiliency, coastal protection & flood mitigation and a resilient future for children. Agenda #12 The director of Emergency Management, Joe Giammanco, gave a comprehensive post hurricane update of beach projects and funding. The initial loss of sand from hurricane Ian is 1.9 million cubic yards as compared to hurricane Matthew loss of 1.4 million cubic yards. The data from hurricane Nicole is still being compiled. Applications for future FEMA Berm Projects under category B are underway and the cost share is 75% federal, 12.5% state and 12.5% county. Agenda #13 New Commissioner Krista Joseph offered a motion to move general public comments to the beginning of the meeting or time certain for a maximum of one hour for the benefit of the general public so they do not have to wait hours to comment at the end of the meeting. She conducted a survey of the other Florida counties and found that 80% have general public comment at the beginning of meetings. It was pointed out that the Board has a rule which allows the chair to set the agenda for meetings. There being no second of the Joseph motion, the motion was denied. Commissioners Reports Commissioner Joseph enjoyed attending the Gullah Geechee festival in Armstrong the past weekend and she has enjoyed running in every race through Hastings. Commissioner Arnold welcomed Commissioner Joseph to the Board and is pleased to be elected Vice Chair. Chairman Whitehurst reported that he had received a request from the Chamber of Commerce and General Dynamics to move consideration of the affordable housing ordinance to February. ______________________________________________________________ Roundtable Legislative Agenda for 2023 The Roundtable will participate in the Legislative Delegation meeting later this month to share our list of key issues for consideration during the state legislative session. Our priorities include: Conservation and Preservation of land and natural resources Sea Level Rise and Resiliency Stop Pre-emption of local governments Transportation Affordable Housing Click here to review the entire list This list will be reviewed at the Roundtable 12/12 meeting.  County Legislative Agenda The County Legislative Agenda was considered and adopted at the 12/6 meeting. The text of the Legislative Agenda can be found here Legislative Delegation Meeting – Monday, 12/19 Florida State Representative Cyndi Stevenson, Chair of the St. Johns County Legislative Delegation, announced that the St. Johns County Legislative Delegation meeting will be held on MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the St. Johns County Commission Chamber Auditorium, located at 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, Florida. Discussion of issues regarding local legislation for the 2023 Legislative Session will be held at this time. If you would like to participate in the meeting during the public comment section, please contact Representative Stevenson’s office to be placed on the agenda for the December 19th meeting. The deadline for requesting to participate is December 15th, 2022. Those that would like to provide materials or handouts may mail or hand deliver them to Representative Stevenson’s District Office, located at 309 Kingsley Lake Drive Suite 902, St. Augustine, FL 32092. These materials may also be emailed to Shorty Robbins. All handouts or materials must be received by 12:00 PM on December 15th 2022. . St. Johns County Delegation meetings are open to the public. The proceedings will be available on GTV to watch live. _____________________________________________________ St. Johns County Annual Beach Driving Passes St. Johns County resident passes are $50, non-resident passes are $100, and ADA-accessible passes are $40. Passes will be available during normal business hours at the following locations through March 1, 2023: Tax Collector’s Main Office – 4030 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine Tax Collector’s DuPont Center Office – 6658 US 1 South, St. Augustine Tax Collector’s Julington Creek Office – 725 Flora Branch Blvd., St. Johns Tax Collector’s Ponte Vedra Office – 151 Sawgrass Corners Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach St. Johns County Beach Services Office – 901 Pope Road, St. Augustine St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier Gift Shop – 350 A1A Blvd., St. Augustine Residents must present a valid I.D. with a St. Johns County address or present proof of property tax payments in St. Johns County to purchase a resident pass. A disabled person parking permit or proof of qualification must be presented when requesting an ADA-accessible pass. Disabled military veterans are eligible for a free annual pass by showing their military I.D. or a letter from Veterans Affairs verifying their disabled status. Vehicles accessing the beach do not need a beach pass until March 1, 2023. After March 1, 2023, annual and daily beach passes will be available for purchase at tollbooth locations. Purchases made at toll booths are cash only. If passes are lost or misplaced, a new pass must be purchased. Vehicular access is dependent on beach conditions. _____________________________________________________  Winn-Dixie Bloomin’ 4 Good Program COA will receive a $1 donation from the purchase of every Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet with the red circle sticker. _____________________________________________________ Thank You Jim McLane! A very special and grateful thank you to Jim McLane who has served the Roundtable in various capacities, most recently as Chairman, for over 20 years. Jim has been a thoughtful, calm and guiding voice during his time as Chairman. He has overseen the growth of the Roundtable and during his tenure the Roundtable was recognized by the Board of County Commissioners for the efforts to work towards the betterment of the County. Stepping down after his long tenure and participation, Jim said he has honored and proud to serve and knew that now was a great time to turn over the reins. We thank you Jim! ______________________________________________________________ Roundtable Monthly Meetings are Open to All! We want you! Please join us on Monday, December 12 in person at Waterworks, 184 San Marco Avenue. We want your input on issues of importance in our County. Is there an issue in your neighborhood? Or an item that needs to be considered? Let us know! Come and find out what is going on around the County, discuss issues of importance and join with us as we work to preserve and improve the quality of life in St. Johns County. For more information, contact us at info@sjcroundtable.org _____________________________________________________ Officers: Lisa McGlynn, Chair Elizabeth Tate, Vice Chair Karen Foy, Recording Secretary Committee Chairs: Janet Patten, Government Affairs John Pilecki, Education Barbara Olson, Health Care Working Together For Our County St. Johns County Civic Roundtable Policy Positions · About Us · Links to Elected Officials · Roundtable Resolutions and Letters · Minutes Contact Us : info@sjcroundtable.org |
St. Johns County Civic Roundtable News
