Table the table

During tonight’s St. Augustine City Commission meeting, a proposal from local architect Jerry Dixon for the replacement of the commissioner’s table, or, the construction of a stage and re-orientation of the audience seating, piddled out before it gained any traction.

Dixon, introduced by Director of General Services Jim Piggott, presented renderings which he felt were suitable alternatives after the Lightner Museum recovers the existing commission table which has been on loan to the City since the 1970’s.

The cost estimated by Dixon for a replacement table was $8,500; drawing verbal objections from public speakers and raising some eyebrows on the commissioner’s faces.

Dixon presented an alternative that re-oriented the “front” of the room to the east wall and included relocation of the speaker’s podium inside the Alcazar Room. Dixon said the City would likely spend between $20,000 and $25,000 in order to comply with handicap accessibility requirements and complete necessary rewiring.

Commissioner Jones took the discussion into concerns for the safety of the commissioners; indicating his concerns that there is currently no protection should a member of the public come forward to harm them.

Dixon explained that he could incorporate Kevlar sheeting under the table to add some measure of security.

Commissioner Sikes-Kline admonished Jones not to “give anyone any ideas” and added that she was completely opposed to sitting with her back to the glass windows if the room were to be re-oriented.

On the suggestion of the Mayor, the four commissioners in attendance decided to table the discussion for another night after more consideration is given to locating a possible replacement table. Commissioner Freeman was not in attendance tonight.