Last minute change precludes broadcast of commission meeting

On less than five hours’ notice today, City Manager John Regan informed Historic City News that tonight’s meeting of the city commission has been moved from the Alcazar Room, previously announced, to the lobby of the Lightner Museum across the courtyard. The St. Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, scheduled for 4:30pm today, will be rescheduled.

The St Augustine City Commission meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. with an abbreviated agenda so as to only include matters that are “time sensitive”.  A revised agenda was not provided. There are no video broadcast facilities in the Lightner lobby, so tonight’s meeting will not be aired to the public.

“Last Friday APEX Environmental performed a detailed assessment of The Alcazar Room and until we receive the results of that assessment it is best to not hold a meeting in that room,” Regan told local reporters in a 12:30 p.m. e-mail. “Tonight’s meeting will only address those matters on which a decision by the Commission is needed today.”

Historic City News editor Michael Gold contacted City Clerk, Darlene Galambos, who advised that if her office is not able to establish an audio recording of the meeting, the Clerk will transcribe the minutes by hand.

“Knowing how much the community depends on Commission meetings being broadcast and streamed, we determined it is was better to postpone presentations that would be of most interest to the community,” Regan also remarked. But, Galambos reported that the condition of the meeting room likely precludes live broadcasts to resume before January.

Tonight’s meeting was to include a presentation of the Final Mobility Framework Plan, a status report on repairs to St. Francis House necessitated by Hurricane Matthew, and updates on storm debris removal and the Planning and Building Department’s assistance for those who have flood damaged properties.

Regan stated that all skipped items will be added to an agenda of a future meeting.