Government

Local Historic City News reporters were on hand during the City Commission Workshop yesterday afternoon for what could be fairly described as the proverbial hornet’s nest — stirred up over what the mayor described as the “premature” publication of a draft carriage ordinance.

Historic City News readers will be interested in three major efforts on tonight’s City Commission agenda including a post office downtown without dozens of mail trucks, a partnership with the University of Florida and passenger rail service along the east coast with a station in St. Augustine.

Historic City News local reporters learned that at tonight’s regular meeting of the St. Augustine City Commission, Chief Operations Officer John Regan will be confirmed to become city manager as of July 1st.

The City of St. Augustine announced to local Historic City News reporters the following meetings scheduled for the week of Monday, May 24, 2010 through Friday, May 28, 2010.

Local Historic City News reporters learned today that St. Johns County residents will have the opportunity to be among the very first to secure a preferred spot for their boats when the St. Augustine Municipal Mooring Field begins accepting reservations on June 1.

Has the city created a black market in horse carriage permits?

As it stands today, the city allows a total of 46 permits to carriage operators which can be renewed annually for $80 per carriage. A man who once sued the city for its role in allowing a carriage permit “monopoly” now owns all but three of the permits, himself.

Local Historic City News reporters learned that St. Johns County Environmental Division Historic Resource Coordinator, Robin E. Moore, has been in communication with new and returning members of the Historic Resource Review Board to welcome them aboard.

The St. Johns County administrative offices informed local Historic City News reporters that all departments of the Board of County Commissioners will be closed on Friday, May 28th as an unpaid staff furlough day.