September 3 – County Commission Meeting

The regular meeting of the St Johns County Board of Commissioners was held Tuesday September 3, 2013, 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:

Proclamations
-The Board proclaimed September 2013 as Library Card Sign-up Month
-The Board proclaimed the week of September 17 through 23, 2013, as U.S. Constitution Week

Regular Agenda Item A One – Resolution Recognizing the Vilano Beach Main Street 10th Anniversary
The Board recognized Vilano Beach Main Street and its citizen advocacy group, the North Shores Improvement Association, for ten years of accomplishments including promoting economic development and embracing the area’s history, culture and environment and acting as citizen advocates obtaining state and private grants. The Board unanimously adopted the resolution.

Regular Agenda Item One – Public Hearing – Transmittal Hearing – St. Johns Marketplace
Teresa Bishop, St. Johns County AICP, Long Range Planning Manager, presented a request for transmittal of COMPAMD 2012-01 St. Johns Marketplace, a proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the Future Land Use Map from Residential B to Business and Commerce Park and Mixed Use for approximately 282.58 acres of land located on the north side of SR 207, east of I-95. The Board approved the transmittal, adopting findings of fact 1-3 to support the motion. State and regional agencies have 30 days to comment prior to the County scheduling an adoption hearing.

Regular Agenda Item Two – Public Hearing – Land Development Code Amendments for Articles II–IX
As a continuation from the August 20, 2013, public hearing, Lindsay Haga, AICP, St. Johns County Development Review Director presented changes to eight articles of the Land Development Code (Articles II–IX). On August 20, 2013, the Board requested that changes be assessed regarding Section 38 and Exhibit A of the Ordinance to reflect a required review process by the Board for historic structure development incentives and include an Outdoor/Passive Use category. Overall, this amendment series implements recent comprehensive plan amendment changes and addresses exemptions, exceptions, and permit consistency for the Overlay Districts. The Ordinance reflects the PZA recommendation for approval, incorporating changes to address banners and color palettes, and replacing the merger with alternate membership for each board. The Board approved the motion to enact the Ordinance amending Articles II–IX, finding the modifications are consistent with Florida law and the St. Johns County comprehensive plan.

Regular Agenda Item Three – Revisions to the Board of County Commissioners Rules and Policies
Patrick McCormack, St. Johns County Attorney, proposed revisions to the Rules and Policies of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, updated from the August 20, 2013, BCC meeting. The Board adopted Resolution 2013-201 to revise the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners’ Rules and Regulations as provided by Exhibit A, along with additional revisions presented by the County Attorney, as well as recommended revisions by Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson. These recommendations include moving the public comment segment of the meetings to precede the approval of the consent agenda – a change that would apply to public participation for any Board-appointed committee’s public meeting – and to require an affirmative consensus by a Board majority before directing the County Attorney to proceed with the development of an ordinance. Additionally, the Board requested the County Attorney look into the possibility of having two readings of an ordinance.

When the Board reconvened at 5:01 p.m., a motion was passed unanimously to reconsider resolution 2013-201. A motion to adopt resolution 2013-201 revising the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Rules and Policies, as provided by Exhibit A including the adjustment pertaining to two readings of an ordinance, was passed unanimously.

Regular Agenda Item Four – Public Hearing – Adoption of FY-2014 Tentative Millage Rates and Budget
Doug Timms, St. Johns County Director, Office of Management and Budget, presented the tentative County millage rates and budget for FY 2014. The County’s tentative aggregate millage rate is 7.2551. The Board approved the motion to adopt resolution 2013-202 establishing the tentative millage rate for FY 2014. Although the budget amount will be the same, the Board requested allocation changes to subcategories prior to final budget adoption. Commissioner Ron Sanchez requested, and the Board agreed as a whole for the need, to consider a salary increase for County employees prior to approving the final budget. The Board adopted Resolution 2013-203 establishing the tentative budget for 2014. A motion was passed to set public hearing at 5:01 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, in the County Auditorium for the Final Hearing to consider the adoption of the final millage rate and budget for FY 2014.