[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6530080,"mediaKeyId","3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb","parentId",3731029,"title","Votes at a glance: key actions taken by City Commission on June 23, 2025","audioSeconds",4876,"startMs",3902000,"endMs",8778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb&start=3902&end=8778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb/thumbnail_3902000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530080/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-key-actions-taken-by-City-Commission-on-June-23-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530080-69995e827a8fa345ba0d8d0ea8c4d3ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144885&Signature=H5pMGJrhNvWYBHEFJCqIs23f1zmfdRmN5KNsWQi308dxyY2dI1QkW8GyfUOWz~bfFDIle8HunYSjxkBKJ07SMjw0~lkvdwkuvRco6Ur8E4MA40cApGhi2UCb0LiInGcp7qp-C-E8rp-OaL4c7ynjzkMv-bDq0OK-OzfToCMrkeqNPtcAkhEaK0oHvBq45ynZiNZUCbFBo0n4L5w0EGSyE1h0PRavDSK6Q5rDw589wcNzCVVZS7THxPhSHx7G6YcP9hgtcoNk4A-9f41L79nxDkB3SWVEkfpURljS5ypm92D2zFRzDrMZNWS7u~Pv-8zGFzcPY56tK9UDydJVUwiGHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Augustine","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","The St. Augustine City Commission took several formal votes at its June 23 meeting. Below is a brief summary of each formally recorded action, the outcome, and key details. Links or ordinance numbers (where provided) are included for reference.

Votes at a glance

- Firefighters pension share plan (Ordinance 2025-02) — Passed (unanimous)
- Action: The commission amended the firefighters’ Share Plan split of premium tax revenue. The split will change from 50/50 to 60/40 (60% to individual firefighters and retired firefighters; 40% to the city pension contribution).
- Who presented: City staff (Isabel Lopez).
- Why it matters: Staff and union support were noted; commissioners said the change modestly increases retirement supplements to firefighters.

- Medici (Bridal Of Lions) reimbursement agreement with FDOT (Resolution 2025-14) — Passed (unanimous)
- Action: City authorized the city manager to execute a reimbursement agreement with FDOT for removal, conservation and reinstallation of the lion statues impacted by a seawall project.
- Funding: FDOT will reimburse $100,000 for removal, storage, conservation and replacement; professional conservators with prior experience on the statues were identified by staff.

- FDOT shared-use trail grant agreement (Resolution 2025-22) — Passed (unanimous)
- Action: Commission authorized execution of a grant agreement under the Florida shared-use non-motorized trail program; staff showed a conceptual alignment through downtown linking to Menendez and the Bridge of Lions area. Design and public outreach will follow.

- Saint Johns River Water Management District / DEP reduced-fee status (Resolution 2025-21) — Passed (unanimous)
- Action: City accepted reduced-permit-fee eligibility due to local population and ad-valorem exemptions; staff will pursue the fee status with agencies.

- Purchase of 160 Marine Street for Lake Maria Sanchez project (Resolution 2025-18) — Passed (unanimous)
- Action: Commission approved purchase of vacant parcel at 160 Marine Street for $1,475,000 to support construction of a flood wall and use as a staging area during the Lake Maria Sanchez drainage improvements project. Staff said the acquisition avoids potential eminent-domain costs and can be resold later if the commission chooses.

- Noise control ordinance (Ordinance 2025-08) — Passed (unanimous)
- Action: The commission adopted an amended noise code that combines plainly audible standards, distance limits and meter-based measurements. Staff will implement outreach and training for businesses.

- PUD amendment at 36 Granada Street (Ordinance 2025-09) — Advanced to date uncertain
- Action: The commission read an ordinance to amend the PUD for the property at 36 Granada Street (the applicant sought to remove a previously required mural). Commissioners requested that the applicant return with a defined historic marker/plaque design and location; the item was advanced to a date uncertain for follow-up materials.

- Appointments and consent agenda
- Lincolnville CRA steering committee: two incumbents reappointed and one new appointment (Tyra Kindler) approved by ballot.
- Corridor Review Committee: Michael C. Blake appointed to fill a vacancy.
- Consent agenda items (minutes, license agreements, professional-services invoices, July meeting schedules and other routine items) were approved unanimously.

Roll-call results shown in the official transcript record indicated unanimous support on all adopted ordinances and resolutions. Several items (for example, the West City CRA plan adoption and noise ordinance) included extended presentations and public comment and were discussed in depth; staff follow-ups and outreach tasks were assigned for implementation where noted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Augustine - City Commission - Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal votes taken at the June 23 meeting including pension split change for firefighters, Medici lion reimbursement agreement with FDOT, grant and fee resolutions, appointments and consent agenda items.","taxTitle","St. Augustine, St. Johns County , Florida","taxId",4620,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530084,"St. Augustine issues Pride (\"Bridal\") proclamation; public comment draws sharply divided views",2274,356000,2630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb&start=356&end=2630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb/thumbnail_356000.jpg","/articles/6530084/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/St-Augustine-issues-Pride-Bridal-proclamation-public-comment-draws-sharply-divided-views","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530084-f310fffc93409a7c36469903b55d092e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144885&Signature=GvW2WGpvO13rN8Cm53kQQ-E~EZs98Qjkeqy93J8dFShu232ch1YvTk9c70myJNoZd8kmshV1keYmYjDrWqGAYdg6CGNYnVXvskA1msOiYGaXiT9-L~hwxCOkWlCKY1aPTr1k8hISBD4qWjj6Js-BXIZvH2trzA~wWdqyHyjItZhbU55vVrRZRq2dAiFql35SY7U-QLhE-Zzph1JcGenwOZipPlQoG0q0u1c77595Q9Y~4Z8GOSM14vSnS2ff1DGAO8g2-FFTbpow2TY~fAru8sC4ApxSo-mqYW2oixqh7Wbm6AQN4NcjcHlt-Wnq9mnf3VCKqLu8iNd5PzGhejC6yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Augustine City Commission issued a proclamation recognizing June 2025 as bridal month (the transcript uses the term “bridal month”) and urging citizens to embrace diversity. Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder presented the proclamation; city officials invited members of the LGBTQIA community to receive it and speak.

During the public-comment period that followed, speakers sharply divided the room. Supporters described the proclamation as an important recognition of residents’ rights and safety. Chris Fulmer told the commission, “Representation matters. Recognition matters. And especially now, diversity matters,” and several other speakers thanked the commission for the proclamation and urged continued support for LGBTQIA residents.

Other speakers used religious language to oppose the proclamation and urged the commission not to endorse it. A number of comments invoked scripture and called the proclamation an affront to their faith; several speakers used condemnatory language and said publicly they considered the proclamation immoral. Those comments drew brief admonitions from the mayor to maintain decorum.

Commissioners did not rescind the proclamation. Commenters also raised unrelated issues during the public-comment period, including neighborhood traffic and requests to accelerate neighborhood traffic-calming measures and questions about the West City CRA steering committee process.

The exchange in public comment reflected the broader community debate; commissioners acknowledged both the contention and the many supportive voices and said the proclamation and inclusion work are part of ongoing community engagement.","Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing Pride month; public comment that followed included multiple supportive statements about inclusion and several speakers using scriptural arguments condemning the proclamation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530089,"Commission approves purchase of 160 Marine St. for Lake Maria Sanchez floodwall staging and protection",430,10564000,10994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb&start=10564&end=10994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb/thumbnail_10564000.jpg","/articles/6530089/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/Commission-approves-purchase-of-160-Marine-St-for-Lake-Maria-Sanchez-floodwall-staging-and-protection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530089-bb4ac2cbfe0b348db2829eb88dd44b9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144885&Signature=FrbSvEHXm1hKGUX5wr4HiOt25QCIgKQkAvKm~qHoT0Ne9hq2tdMWevQjYmun621R8kw0P911q0lkWtZFS1-7BdEmmhmI23KtozVqcCmgRfRBeOijHHFXke37FCVnP94spO4x1CWTYEhMT-NDLZcNDyC9XmvyXlov6HuuwL1VzFV2TzkdRd1A28GP4xqGEKUEv1TTqiFqDmapCi8GrPpZjxZIFRZOVlpYWBaEGBFdnl2-O2vorUZggnUjrIrjIdZ6yfhzVtS2VJr5XW~FcqAs2SovYSR0lq0CcHLqX-~09EhAnTV4MH21UiteZ~IvjLCmK7xbZlEEiZ68AKHfQMZAyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Augustine City Commission on June 23 approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to purchase the vacant parcel at 160 Marine Street for $1,475,000 to support construction of a flood wall tied to the Lake Maria Sanchez drainage improvements project.

City staff told commissioners the appraisal for the parcel was $1,284,000; staff and the seller negotiated a purchase price above the appraisal but said the city would avoid additional legal costs and potential eminent-domain litigation by purchasing the site now. Staff estimated that avoiding eminent-domain litigation and related legal costs would save roughly $228,426, reducing the net premium to about $37,426 above appraised value.

“The property at 160 Marine Street is a vacant parcel that is one of the three properties the city needs to construct a flood wall on the east side of Maria Sanchez Creek to protect the southern portion of downtown from flooding,” City Manager Steven Bertram told the commission. Bertram said the city plans to use the parcel as a construction staging area during the project and could sell the property after improvements are completed, with the property’s value increased by the new flood wall and associated maintenance easement.

Staff said the purchase would support construction sequencing and reduce the need to rent an off-site staging area; the property would be connected to the broader basin improvements that are expected to protect roughly 186 structures in the southern downtown basin.

Commissioners approved the resolution by roll call. Several commissioners said they preferred to leave future decisions about resale or long-term retention of the parcel open, and staff said any future sale would be a separate city decision and subject to market conditions and future commission direction.

The purchase is part of the Lake Maria Sanchez drainage improvements project; staff said acquisition is necessary for the flood-barrier construction and to keep the overall program on schedule.","The City agreed to buy 160 Marine Street for $1.475 million to allow construction and staging of a flood wall that is part of the Lake Maria Sanchez drainage improvements; staff said the purchase avoids eminent-domain costs and could be resold after the project.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530094,"St. Augustine commission adopts West City CRA plan amid policing, facade and funding questions",765,4080000,4845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb&start=4080&end=4845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb/thumbnail_4080000.jpg","/articles/6530094/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/St-Augustine-commission-adopts-West-City-CRA-plan-amid-policing-facade-and-funding-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530094-ce6f7958bd62fa8f6b0716eded24fb54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144885&Signature=XPd~ecUgxB76LUqVtx2jsTULcEsUkMCPhuRsM2svPz2z6oDiQvXXA5zbg6LCCR1y9yrVcui7KExkwQqFJdE3EgPM2Tt9OSNYLZtLNoVY78ltH80DvYCnT9wtuugVSY78hKDNB23~2soE6x2F3PAMA9SPqaWIQjYgjkG7ayeZnJ7YVSd9fGTj5NN86hrsOWpEBcdQWovYmQ1CdODR9RDvdpZmzm2LgxsDK-8W-k9VRdgwgFzKoO6mVpRift~owoGO9isokrHD1zyExy4G699y4qInPeC5Y6O0vFA3nARaCmHeAyu~0pYe-KuB9ZUO6tNLrBqQI3xKKtJonjJjm8LUsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Augustine City Commission on June 23 adopted the West City Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) plan, clearing the way for a new CRA that city staff, the steering committee and residents said aims to preserve local history while directing investment to West City neighborhoods and commercial corridors.

Jamie D. Perkins, Neighborhood Services and CRA Manager, presented the final plan and told the commission the document incorporated several edits requested by the commission and the Community Redevelopment Agency. Perkins noted the plan’s six-point action list and said staff had added chapter headings, clarified historic-preservation language and moved a mobility recommendation addressing heavy commercial wear and delivery zones into a more prominent mobility section.

“On page 7 of the plan we do address community policing and, with this board's approval we would be able to expend funds, through the West City CRA for additional policing efforts in West City CRA,” Perkins told commissioners during her presentation.

The plan also includes goals for locally oriented business development (including a building façade grant), historic preservation collaborations, mobility and connectivity measures, and potential public–private collaboration language vetted with the city attorney. Perkins said the CRA could be a potential funding source for future improvements to the Middleton House archaeology center, if the agency chooses to allocate funds in the future.

Public speakers included neighborhood residents and West City stakeholders. BJ Kaledi (spelled in the public record) questioned whether CRA funds would be used for policing and whether city-owned property shown on a map would be used for an archeology/community center project, and asked whether those projects were already in the CRA budget. Perkins said no specific CRA budgeted dollars had been committed for the archaeology center; the plan simply identifies the CRA as a potential funding source.

Commissioners praised the steering committee and staff for broad outreach and said the plan reflected community input. Several commissioners emphasized that the Community Redevelopment Agency (the legal entity) would decide how CRA funds are spent and that funding policing through CRA dollars would require an explicit decision by the agency.

After discussion, the commission approved ordinance 2025-07 adopting the West City Community Redevelopment Plan by roll call vote. The commission and staff said next steps include steering-committee implementation planning and potential budget conversations tied to the FY26 budget.","The commission approved the West City Community Redevelopment Area plan after minor edits requested by the commission; the plan includes business façade grants, mobility measures and language allowing CRA funds to be considered for policing if the agency so chooses.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530099,"St. Augustine adopts new hybrid noise ordinance after yearlong study",3877,4898000,8775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb&start=4898&end=8775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731029-1f3561528443cfd59e31f559fd01a0bb/thumbnail_4898000.jpg","/articles/6530099/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/St-Augustine-adopts-new-hybrid-noise-ordinance-after-yearlong-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530099-31683b2697d81b392555936d9a32a837/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144885&Signature=SrxuIxTPkH2JnhESP1KniWDQm0s5~eglXPqlxqOTNNktgq997NgOYy0CrgWpi5ofjU8UlN9ZaIIxNL19mJl6ZHBzD41QY~M~5svozfhXKow~mSVVoDZA9DCmOgkuYBYwkQ3WO0ZfAqyVikXl2g3oC7Ua-7adNr5k9~NszeadgtQmmO4orIgEhaQcSeddFNjnT67tRUOIIDL4uBXIPNcc~q5k3xNdj4slD6la6mJe8BrWeYlyl6KGGwNtHJ~RFYEtQjyoZzG~EbRxu-yZsvHSaYES4vdHxHcN19zV2UpJRhEvom3fGYwlOxAxwgFZNqIbBm6TWhWEnj43jciYf4qMVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Augustine City Commission on June 23 adopted an amended noise control ordinance that creates a hybrid enforcement system combining a plainly audible standard, distance-based limits, and meter-based measurements.

City officials said the change follows roughly 15 months of data collection and legal review designed to produce a standard that is enforceable and workable for both residential and commercial settings. Assistant Chief Anthony Cuthbert of the St. Augustine Police Department and consultant Eric Zwirling briefed commissioners on the scientific and legal work behind the rewrite.

“This provision here addresses the deficiencies that I found in the Miami Beach and the Gainesville codes. This allows for that observation to be made immediately in proximity to the facility,” consultant Eric Zwirling told the commission during the presentation, describing why a plainly audible test that can be applied inside a dwelling at night was added to the code.

Under the new rules, the code sets distance-based plainly audible limits that vary by zoning district and time of day; for some historic and residential zones sound may not be plainly audible at 50–150 feet depending on the hour. For late-night hours the ordinance also allows an officer or investigator to determine a violation based on whether a sound production device can be plainly heard inside the home of an affected person, regardless of the measured distance between source and receptor.

The ordinance retains a metered alternative for investigators trained in sound measurement: inspectors may take three or more measurements for comparison against permissible levels at a location specified in the code. The city added updated definitions for “sound production device,” “affected person,” and other terms to clarify enforcement scope and to treat devices whose primary function is making sound differently from incidental noise from construction or machinery.

City Attorney comments and commissioner questions led to three policy choices the board clarified during debate: whether hotel rooms, short-term rentals and bed-and-breakfasts should be treated as residential receptors (the commission agreed they should for purposes of the ordinance); whether Thursday night should be treated as an extended weekend hour (the commission decided not to extend Thursday late-night limits and set quieter hours earlier); and whether measurements taken inside a dwelling should require windows and doors to be closed (the commission left the draft silent and retained flexibility, noting building construction and open-window habits vary).

Assistant Chief Cuthbert said the hybrid approach is aimed at compliance rather than punishment and that staff will provide practical guidance to businesses and residents. The ordinance also creates an alternate enforcement track using the city’s code process (special magistrate) in addition to county-court citations; the commission was told that complaints taken forward as code enforcement require an identified complainant under state rules.

Commissioners asked staff to conduct outreach and at least one business workshop before full enforcement to explain locations where measurements would be taken and how businesses can self-check compliance. The commission approved the ordinance by roll call; the clerk recorded unanimous support.

The ordinance amends Chapter 11, Article 4 of the City Code and will be codified after final processing. Staff said they will return with an outreach plan and recommended operational procedures for officers and code staff.","City Commission approved an amended noise control ordinance that combines plainly audible standards with meter-based measurements and expands enforcement options after a year of field testing and legal review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key actions taken by City Commission on June 23, 2025

St. Augustine issues Pride ("Bridal") proclamation; public comment draws sharply divided views

Commission approves purchase of 160 Marine St. for Lake Maria Sanchez floodwall staging and protection

St. Augustine commission adopts West City CRA plan amid policing, facade and funding questions

St. Augustine adopts new hybrid noise ordinance after yearlong study