March 18 – County Commission Meeting
The regular meeting of the St Johns County Board of Commissioners was held Tuesday March 18, 2014, in the County Auditorium in the St Johns County Administration Palace located at 500 San Sebastian View in St Augustine.
The following items of business came before the Board for action:
Regular Agenda Item One – Financing of Bonds by St Johns County Industrial Development Authority
The Board considered a resolution that would approve the issuance of tax-exempt obligations (Glenmoor Project) by the St Johns County Industrial Development Authority in an amount not to exceed $57,145,893.75 to restructure debt repayment obligations of Life Care St Johns, Inc. The Board unanimously adopted the resolution.
Regular Agenda Item Two – Public Hearing DEVAGRMOD 2013-04
The Board heard the second of two required public hearings concerning a request to terminate the H.E. Wolfe Development Agreement Modification based on the results of a new Application for Concurrency Determination for development of 345 single family homes. The subject property is located on the south side of International Golf Parkway, east of I-95. The Board unanimously approved the request with minor language changes.
Regular Agenda Item Three – Public Hearing NZVAR 2013-06, Bishop Property
The Board considered a request for a Non-Zoning Variance to allow more than two adjacent homes to have access to an existing easement. The subject property is located north of Roberts Road and east of Sun Marsh Court. The Board unanimously approved the request.
Regular Agenda Item Four – Public Hearing REZ 2013-04, Continental Auto/Truck Service Center
The Board considered a request to rezone 9.9 acres from Commercial Highway Tourist to Commercial Intensive to allow for the relocation and expansion of a local auto/truck service center. The subject property is located on the southeast quadrant of the S.R. 206 west and I-95 interchange. The Planning and Zoning Agency unanimously recommended approval of the request at the February 6, 2014 meeting. The Board unanimously approved the request.
Regular Agenda Item Five – St Johns County 2014 Comprehensive Plan Text Amendments
The Board heard a transmittal hearing concerning a Comprehensive Plan Amendment that would revise the text of the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The amendments for consideration would improve the County’s Comprehensive Plan by modifying policies and procedures to reflect current state law, address outdated timing standards, and reflect current Board goals. The Planning and Zoning Agency unanimously recommended transmittal of the amendments with minor language changes at the March 6, 2014 meeting. The Board unanimously approved transmittal of the text amendments, with minor language changes, to the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan to State and regional agencies for review.
Regular Agenda Items Six – Appointments to the Contractors Board of Adjustment and Appeals
The Board appointed John Ruggeri, Alia Reimer, Peter Pollicino, and Charles White to the Contractors Board of Adjustment and Appeals. The Board reappointed Keith Burney, Lawrence Evans, and Nick Andrade.
Regular Agenda Item Seven – Appointment to the Industrial Development Authority
The Board appointed George Olsen to the Industrial Development Authority.
Regular Agenda Item Eight – Public Hearing, Nuisance Abatement Board Amendment Ordinance
The Board heard the first of two required public hearings concerning an ordinance that would repeal and replace the existing nuisance abatement ordinance. The intent of the proposed ordinance is to promote, protect, and improve the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens, businesses, and property owners within the West Augustine Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) by authorizing imposition of administrative fines and other noncriminal penalties in order to provide an equitable, expeditious, effective, and inexpensive method of enforcing the ordinance within the CRA under circumstances when a pending or repeated violation continues to exiSt The second public hearing for this item is scheduled for the April 1, 2014 Board meeting.
Regular Agenda Item Nine – Emergency Proclamation
During an emergency meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2014 the Board approved an emergency proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to coastal storm erosion in the areas of South Ponte Vedra Beach and Summer Haven. By approving the proclamation, the Board expedited the permitting process for affected homeowners to take immediate action in filing for authorization to protect eligible structures against further threats of erosion through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The proclamation included eligible structures in the vicinity of 2839 to 2935 South Ponte Vedra Blvd., and seaward adjacent to the paved portion of Old A1A in Summer Haven. Having passed the emergency proclamation during the emergency meeting on March 13, the Board unanimously moved to remove this item from the regular agenda.
Regular Agenda Item Nine – Consideration of Board Rules and Policies
(This item was added, without public notice, by Commissioner Ronald F. Sanchez, at the start of the meeting). The Board discussed provisions within the County’s Administrative code governing requirements for volunteer activity within County facilities including completion of background checks, limitation of access to secured work areas, and adherence to appropriate levels of supervision. The Board directed the Office of the County Attorney to draft a policy prohibiting unsupervised public access to secured County areas.
Regular Agenda Item Ten – West Augustine Lighting Contract Approval with M. Gay Constructors
(This item was added to the regular agenda following completion of item three). The Board considered a request to negotiate and enter into contract with M. Gay Constructors for the installation of a Musco Sports lighting package at the West Augustine Park. By contracting with M. Gay Constructors for a direct purchase in lieu of a subcontract thru Musco, the County was able to achieve a savings of $11,000. The Board unanimously approved the request.
Commissioners’ and Staff Reports Action Items
- Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson requested Board concurrence to authorize staff to research funding opportunities available to help identify the best alternative rail-trail corridor(s) between Ponte Vedra and St Augustine. The Board voiced unanimous approval for the request.
- Commissioner Rachael Bennett requested Board concurrence to send a letter to the members of the St Johns County Legislative Delegation in regards to Medicaid managed assistance relating to non-emergency transportation. The Board voiced unanimous approval for the request.
- County Attorney Patrick McCormack requested Board concurrence to send a letter to Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown in opposition to any proposed plan of the City of Jacksonville that might raise St Johns County JEA consumer rates in order to fund pension and retirement plans in Duval County. The Board voiced unanimous approval for the request.
- County Attorney Patrick McCormack requested Board concurrence to send a letter of support to Senator Thrasher and Representative Hutson in regards to proposed legislation reestablishing the County’s home rule authority to regulate certain aspects of short term vacation rentals. The Board voiced unanimous approval for the request.
- County Attorney Patrick McCormack requested Board concurrence to send a letter to the Florida Association of Counties detailing the County’s position on proposed State legislation altering Florida Department of Juvenile Justice cost sharing and reimbursement methods. The Board voiced unanimous approval for the request.
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