CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE
City Commission Workshop
Monday, November 4, 2013
The City Commission met in formal session Monday, November 4, 2013 at 9:30 A.M. in
the Alcazar Room at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Joe Boles,
and the following were present:
1. Roll Call:
Joe Boles, Mayor/City Commissioner
Nancy Sikes-Kline, Vice Mayor/City Commissioner
Leanna S. A. Freeman, City Commissioner
Roxanne Horvath, City Commissioner
Don Crichlow, City Commissioner
John Regan, City Manager
Tim Burchfield, Assistant City Manager
Ron Brown, City Attorney
Alison Ratkovic, City Clerk
Mark Knight, Director, Planning and Building
Jim Piggott, General Services Director
Mark Litzinger, Comptroller
Paul K. Williamson, Director, Public Affairs
Dana Ste. Claire, Development Director, 450th Commemoration
Isabelle Lopez, Assistant City Attorney
Loran Lueders, Police Chief
Martha Graham, Director, Public Works
Darlene Kirkland, Recording Secretary
2. St. Augustine Vision Planning Project
1995 – Historic Perspective.
Greg Baker, former Mayor, 1992-1995,
stated that the original process began
because of his campaign promises. He
said that a discovery trip to Charleston was
made to gather information. He said one
aspect of the trip was to view a parking
garage. He stated that the group met with
a number of community leaders, and the
emphasis was to conduct a “grassroots”
initiative, and over 200 individuals worked
on the project. He said that a facilitator
was hired to train individuals on the
process of visioning, and the Chamber of
Commerce also worked closely with the
City to assist with the effort. He said that
the Vision Plan was adopted by the
Commission with the requirement that the
Plan be updated once per year. He noted
that approximately 50% was accomplished
within the first year and nearly 80% was
completed within the first three years.
Mayor Boles questioned the ability to move
forward considering the current Sunshine
Law restrictions.
Mr. Baker replied that the laws would make
the process more difficult; however, during
the previous process, public officials from
the same entity were careful to not attend
meetings and functions at the same time.
He added that given the number of
City Commission Workshop
November 4, 2013
participants, he felt the laws were not
difficult to abide by.
chairperson and facilitator was chosen by
the steering committee based on expertise
and interest, and each was a member of
the steering committee.
Commissioner Sikes-Kline questioned
whether the Commission’s role in the
original process was considered in the
beginning.
Dr. William Abare, Ed.D., Member,
Steering Committee, 1995, stated that
during the discovery trip to Charleston the
importance of public safety and parking in
the downtown area was a main focus. He
felt that the process was more strategic
planning than visioning. He stated that one
of the issues with the visioning process
was the possibility of overlooking
something that could be considered
important.
He said that one of the
hallmarks of the planning process was
having a clear focus on what the City
should be like in ten years. He suggested
determining one single strategy if only one
could be completed, and establish a
timeframe with measurable goals.
Mr. Baker replied that the process evolved
over time as he became more educated on
the functions of the City Commission.
Commissioner Horvath stated that there
would be a steering committee that would
be held under the Sunshine.
Joe Gordy, Chairman, Vision Planning
Project, 1995, stated that the process
started with researching the most optimal
way to proceed. He said that organization
was important, and should include
achievable clear goals. He explained that
areas of interest were established and
members were divided accordingly. He
advised that each group included a
chairperson and trained facilitator to assist
in driving comprehensive discussions. He
said the vision process should be
structured similar to the strategic planning
process.
Commissioner Sikes-Kline stated that the
original process seemed to include both
visioning and strategic planning.
Dr. Abare stated that it was important to
clearly understand the terms, mission,
planning, vision, strategy, goals, objectives
and the right path to take.
Commissioner Crichlow asked if the
original Plan’s progress was rewarding,
and the response was affirmative.
Mayor Boles questioned the process that
should be taken regarding public input and
ideas.
Mr. Gordy stated that funding would be an
issue that should be considered when
developing ideas.
Dr. Abare replied that clear guidelines
should be established in advance that
would help facilitate ideas.
Commissioner Horvath agreed and stated
that both short and long term goals should
be established.
3. Status
project.
Commissioner Sikes-Kline asked if private
funds were used during the beginning of
the original process.
Mr. Gordy
Commerce
corporate
individuals
expenses.
briefing
on
1995
Vision
John Regan stated that an update to the
original Plan was completed during 1998
that outlined the portions of the Plan that
had been accomplished. He said that the
arts and culture portion of the Plan was
being accomplished through the 450th
Commemoration. He said that a number of
annexation programs over the years
assisted with economic development and
replied that the Chamber of
provided funding, in addition to
sponsorship
and
some
covered their own travel
He said that each committee
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City Commission Workshop
November 4, 2013
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would continue with the development of the
Riberia Pointe and San Sebastian
properties. He noted that the City lacked
certain tools that would allow it to be more
progressive with economic development.
He noted other projects that had been
completed over the years as follows:
Governance:
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Historic Resources:
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Casa Monica
Bridge of Lions
Archaeology Center
Improvements to the Historic
Architectural Review Board Code
Citizen participation in significant
projects and improvements such as
the Seawall
Recent discussion with County
regarding a possible joint fire
station
Mr. Regan provided a current list of
departmental goals and objectives were
established during the budget process.1
4.
Updated
discussion.
Pedestrian and Vehicular systems:
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Grant funding
Budget cuts
Parking garage
Wayfinding signage
ADA Compliance
Vision
Statement
Commissioner Horvath reviewed the
suggested changes to the vision
statement.
Public Safety:
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Commissioner Freeman questioned the
reason to change the statement.
ISO rating improvement
800MHz System installation
All bridges in the City but one were
less than 15 years old
Additional bicycle police
Water plant renovations
Commissioner Sikes-Kline agreed that the
suggested changes were not substantive
and felt that if it were changed, the
changes should be community driven.
Commissioner Crichlow stated that if any
changes were made it should occur at the
end of the process.
Recreation and Leisure:
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Galimore Center improvements
Joe Pomar Park
Waterfront improvement emphasis
Festival atmosphere with the
upcoming 450th Commemoration
Mayor
Boles
suggested
each
Commissioner establish their own view of
what they would like to see occur over the
next ten years.
Tourism and Visitor management:
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Commissioner Sikes-Kline agreed and
added that each view should include one
top goal as recommended by Dr. Abare.
Visitor Information Center upgrades
University of Florida partnership
Commitment to historic accuracy
Spanish Quarter investment
5. Introduction of Constituency Input.
Residents:
Funding and Finance:
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Ray Palmer, Neighborhood Council,
provided a summary of discussions held
3% decrease in the reliance of ad
valorem taxes
State revenue sharing
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Attached to original minutes
City Commission Workshop
November 4, 2013
during council meetings that included its
mission statement, community goals and
recommendations.2 He stated that one
improvement that was made was changing
the expectation of how an issue should be
handled by providing recommendations by
the community.
should view businesses as a whole and not
by districts. He stated that consideration
should be given to what would benefit both
residents and businesses.
Nancy Shaver stated that she had
significant experience with strategic
planning. She provided a recommended
outline for the planning process.3 She said
that the initiative should be fact based and
a combined effort of the City and
community. She felt that the process
should be completed in a timely fashion.
Commissioner Crichlow stated that one
aspect of the process should be to
establish the criteria of a livable city and
potential conflicts.
Commissioner
Sikes-Kline
felt
that
engaging citizens was most important.
Ed Slavin suggested that the existing state
parks and water management district land
should be renamed as a National Historic
Park and National Seashore. He stated
that the visioning process had to comply
with Sunshine Laws and include diversity.
Businesses:
Len Weeks, President, St. Augustine
Historic Council, stated that he participated
in the original 1995 process. He felt that it
was important to bring people together to
share ideas and goals for the future. He
said that the business community desired a
healthy environment with a balance
between the resident’s, tourists and
commercial needs. He said that most
business owners recognize the value of
tourism. He agreed with the importance for
parking because the main mode of
transportation was by automobile. He said
that the desire was to have an environment
that promoted healthy businesses through
improved public safety and sufficient
parking. He stated that the parking garage
met the initial expectations for visitors;
however, the issue was how to attract
locals to support downtown businesses.
He added that visitors come for numerous
reasons not just Heritage Tourism.
James Kelly expressed concern regarding
issues not being addressed, which he
noted as follows:
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7. Adjournment
There being no further business, the
meeting was adjourned at 11:38 A.M.4
__________________________________
Joseph Boles, MAYOR
6. Public input.
David Breezing stated that he had been
involved in the community over the years
and agreed that a clear reason for
visioning should be established. He said
that recent events and the 450th
Commemoration put the City in a
worldwide spotlight. He felt that the City
__________________________________
Alison Ratkovic, CITY CLERK
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Speeding
Pedestrians not using crosswalks
Lack of enforcement related to City
Codes and laws
No sidewalks on certain streets
Maintenance of privately owned
properties
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Attached to original minutes
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Attached to original minutes
Transcribed by Darlene Kirkland