County Administrator’s Bi-Weekly Letter

The St. Johns County Administrator’s Bi-Weekly Letter filed Friday, April 18, 2008, provided announcements regarding the following members of the Board:

Commissioner Jim Bryant attended the 2nd Annual Chase-Rescorla Scholarship Fundraiser on Friday, April 5, at the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village.

Vice-Chair Cyndi Stevenson participated in the St. Johns Riverkeeper’s Eco-Heritage Boat Tour from Tuesday, April 8 through Thursday, April 10. This was a unique opportunity to learn about water connectivity, the impacts land use has on water quality, and some of the issues we currently face.

Commissioner Jim Bryant attended a reception in honor of US Congressman John Mica at The Reef restaurant and a dinner at the Serenata Beach Club on Friday, April 11.

Vice-Chair Cyndi Stevenson attended the funeral of State Representative Don Davis on Saturday, April 12. Representative Davis passed away last week after a battle with cancer.

Highlights from Michael D. Wanchick’s latest updated report included:

• St. Johns County Construction Services is proud to announce the construction of the new Administration Building continues on time and within budget.

• The Northeast Florida Regional Council has been designated to lead and coordinate the statewide effort to update all Regional Evacuation Plans with the state of Florida.
• The Health and Human Services Department is celebrating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

• A second event to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month is the Gold Prevention Walk, to be held at the County Health and Human Services Building on Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• April 13th kicked off National Library Week, which celebrates the contributions of libraries, librarians, and library workers in schools, campuses, and communities nationwide.

• The Library is saddened to have announced revised hours set to begin on Monday, May 5.

• On April 15, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) presented the updated County’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (2009-2013) to the Board of County Commissioners.

• OMB also continues to prepare for the County Administrator’s 2009 Requested Budget Hearings for County departments, which are open to the public and will be held April 30 through May 5 in Conference Room 1A and 1B of the County’s Permit Center.

• The Fleet Management Division achieved 130% mechanic productivity during the month of March, which is the 6th consecutive month above 100%.

• On Saturday, April 5, the Solid Waste Management Division coordinated a Special Community Collection day at the TPC parking lot in Ponte Vedra.

• The Engineering Division now has all the right-of-way needed from private property owners for the Federal Point Road Bridge.

• Recent strong northeast winds and high tide conditions have created critical erosion in the 3500 block of Coastal Highway north of Vilano Beach. An emergency declaration was promptly issued by the County, which enables the homeowners to obtain expedited reviews by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for potential temporary bulkhead construction to protect their properties. An instruction sheet and application form was sent to each homeowner in the affected area. The professional expertise and extraordinary effort of County Engineer Press Tompkins and Assistant County Engineer Andy Ames have been critical in getting the State, Federal, and private players in this complex process coordinated and cooperating to benefit the impacted property owners.

• The Recreation and Parks Department is partnering with Weed and Seed and Community Action to co-sponsor a “Money Smart” seminar Wednesday, April 23, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Calvin Peete Park.

• In the Northeast part of the County, the new concrete walkways at Davis Park from the softball complex to the parking area will be finished this week.

• St. Johns County Utility Department’s CR 214 Water Treatment Plant has won another award.

• On Saturday, May 3, from noon to 4:00 pm at the St. Augustine Elks Lodge, the Florida State Elks Association will be sponsoring the Army of Hope Picnic to honor Armed Services Personnel of the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflict and their families.