Monday will be busy for city commissioners

On Monday, October 14, Historic City News reporters will be watching as St Augustine City Commissioners earn their $1,230 monthly salary when they hold public hearings on seven new ordinances which will be voted up, or down, during that meeting.

In addition, Dana Ste. Claire, 450th Commemoration Director, will introduce the commission to a postage stamp project his department has been working on, and a reminder to commissioners and Historic City News readers that the second Vision Workshop, this time with allocated public comment, will be held Monday, November 4th, at 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Public Hearings will be held on the following:

1) Ordinance 2013-19, is a request to annex 1.4 acres of property lying between Old Dixie Highway and SR-207.

2) Ordinance 2013-25, would amend the city’s comprehensive plan, future land use map, to incorporate and designate approximately 1.4 acres of property between Old Dixie Highway and SR-207, and south of the intersection of those rights-of-way as “Commercial Medium”.

3) Ordinance 2013-26, if passed, would establish the zoning for property containing approximately 1.4 acres lying between Old Dixie Highway and SR-207 and south of the intersection of those rights-of-way to the classification of “Commercial Medium-Two “.

4) Ordinance 2013-22, would establish the “24 Cathedral Place Planned Unit Development”, allowing an events venue hall with alcohol sales and consumption; and recognize the existence of telecommunications equipment within the cupola of the building located on the property, and provide for the installation of additional telecommunications equipment, internal to and concealed within the building located on the Property, and within the cupola.

5) Ordinance 2013-24, if passed, allows modification of the Ice Plant planned unit development to permit an outside wall mural, a new handicap ramp, and new fencing around outside equipment.

6) Ordinance 2013-27, amends the City Code to permit an exception for the consumption of alcohol in public for passengers of horse-drawn carriages on city’s rights of way if the carriage driver holds a valid commercial driver license with a passenger endorsement.

7) Ordinance 2013-28, amending Chapter 26, Article III of the Code; amending Section 26-51(c) of the Code to continue the Northwest Area Force Main Surcharge and to provide for the creation of additional water and sanitary sewer surcharge areas and fees.

This is going to run into a little money but reporters are not sure exactly how much. The commission plans to hear a presentation regarding the revised proposal to update the waterfront around the City marina;. Discussion will include a request for funding in an unknown amount.

Commissioners will hear two staff presentations; one relevant to Stormwater Utility Rates and the other relevant to establishing an assessment to re-pay the costs to implement a streetscape plan for Spanish, Hypolita and Treasury Streets and a request for $125,000 in funding for a detailed design by Marquis-Halback.

The City Manager, John Regan, will seek approval of two Memorandums of Agreement relevant to development of Riberia Pointe. One between the City of St Augustine and the Children’s Museum of St. Johns, for use as a children’s museum; the other, between the City and the Marine Conservation Partners, LLC for use as an urban in-fill aquarium. If approved, both agreements have a one (1) year extension option.

If you are planning to attend — the regular St. Augustine City Commission meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. Monday and will be held in the Alcazar Room; on the first floor of City Hall, located at 75 King Street in St. Augustine. It will be broadcast live on Comcast Government TV (Cable Channel 3).