[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6485822,"mediaKeyId","5558920-b7f965c1015827e8e37410207174828c","parentId",5558920,"title","Residents press St. Augustine commission for stricter oversight of horse-drawn carriage operations; operators urge preservation of tradition","audioSeconds",1471,"startMs",563000,"endMs",2034000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558920-b7f965c1015827e8e37410207174828c&start=563&end=2034","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558920-b7f965c1015827e8e37410207174828c/thumbnail_563000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485822/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/Residents-press-St-Augustine-commission-for-stricter-oversight-of-horse-drawn-carriage-operations-operators-urge-preservation-of-tradition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485822-b7fbbe59dbd0d1d9f182506d11cf72cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448684&Signature=fkHnMTIVm-ey1JtBYZQSPbudiotd6BPJpKsfG6QmtXG8wS2ht4vzARPLBJ-3~93OmcL7n71mu8XORumVwAbk0gr5PsYYDL7JOE1myX3AfAKz6cnx1IOEp2IY7jgI6gvW1y4S~8qNM7FbyaqxbfymZa1nsb9dBi-diaN6vi9rwjIa-1m4gOEG0oIwf1Fq2uAnM9TE59jGhc6rHqC4JLN73gjBUiIqzWHd6xZgd6nSfYasTjrAyyNWObYjX-ByUfpVBwmidDtSTaV~7nW380ODNAqIukHeX9paE7xHUPik0WauJuT0gWQcWE7HVh7wRywIXSv~Ap29boER--Ir~Kuo7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Augustine","date","2025-08-11T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents urged the City Commission on July 28 to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of the city's horse-drawn carriage franchises, citing photos and videos the speakers said show tethering, unsanitary housing conditions, missed rest periods and unlicensed operators. Representatives of the carriage industry and a local tour operator said drivers care for the animals and support working with the city to improve practices.

\"These animals need us,\" Heather Wilson told commissioners, saying she had photos and videos showing horses tethered with leads so short they \"could barely move their heads\" for more than an hour and exhibiting signs of distress. She said enclosures at the horses' holding area were muddy, with feces and standing water, and that horses were forced to graze through chain-link fences because of lack of forage. Wilson requested production of records she said the city is required to keep under the franchise agreement.

Residents raised several compliance allegations in public comment. Patricia Ramos said she had identified at least one carriage company operating in the city without a license or franchise agreement and said she expected those operators to return for the busy \"Nights of Lights\" season, creating public-safety and liability concerns. Catherine Zoda submitted photos and cited specific city code sections she said were being violated, including references to City Code Chapter 27: Sections she referenced were identified in public comment as City Code 27.145 (rest periods) and 27.140 (conditions at stabling locations). Zoda flagged multiple examples that she said showed a mandatory 15-minute rest period being reduced to eight minutes for a carriage on a sample day.

A number of speakers asked the commission to place the issue on a future agenda. \"We really need to have the horse and carriages placed on the agenda, especially before the inevitable happens,\" Patricia Ramos said, citing public-safety and animal-welfare risks during high-traffic events.

Representing the industry, Aaron Jockers (who identified himself as a carriage driver/operator) described the carriage trade's long local history and said drivers \"love\" the animals, that horses receive alfalfa and turnout as required by ordinance and that local veterinarians have helped set guidelines. Amanda Gerber, who operates a golf-cart tour company, said she works alongside carriage drivers and defended them as part of St. Augustine's tourism mix.

Other factual details raised in public comment:
- Several speakers said the franchise agreement requires operators to submit lists of horses every six months; at least one speaker (Heather Wilson) said a public-records request sent in early July had not been fulfilled and that a check for $46.10 had been delivered for records production but she had not received the required list.
- Catherine Zoda presented photos she said show standing water at stabling properties and multiple examples of carriage vehicles operating without visible company identification as required by the franchise agreement.
- Patricia Ramos and others alleged unmarked carriages and violations of mandatory rest periods; Zoda pointed to a specific example in which a carriage returned after an eight-minute break, not the 15 minutes she said City Code requires.

Commissioners responded in discussion and several asked staff to increase oversight. One commissioner said they had already asked staff to \"step those up and get organized,\" and the city manager noted staff were monitoring and would continue enforcement contacts with operators; the city manager also said carriage routing will change during future seawall work on the Bayfront, which will require relocation of operations for the construction period.

No formal action was taken at the July 28 meeting; the concerns were recorded in public comment and commissioners asked staff to investigate and report back and to schedule a discussion item on the subject prior to the upcoming busy season.

Speakers (public comment) relevant to this topic
- Heather Wilson, visitor/resident (presented photos and video evidence of tethering and stall conditions).
- Aaron (Aaron) Jockers, carriage driver/operator (defended industry practices; described veterinary input and feeding/turnout practices).
- Patricia Ramos, resident (reported unlicensed operators and safety concerns during busy events; requested the issue be placed on a future agenda).
- Catherine Zoda, resident (presented photos; cited City Code sections and rest-period examples).
- Carla Wilson, resident (urged removal of carriages and expressed concern about accidents and animal welfare).
- Bridal Wilson (speaker name as recorded), resident (cited a news example of a horse collapse elsewhere and urged preemptive action).
- Amanda Gerber, tour-operator (golf cart tours; supportive of carriage drivers and their care of horses).

Authorities cited by public commenters
- City Code Chapter 27 (as referenced by speakers; specific subsections cited in public comment included references given as \"27.145\" and \"27.140\" in the transcript). These code citations were raised by speakers and appear as the basis for rest-period and stabling-condition claims.

Clarifying details and evidence provided by speakers
- Rest-period example: a carriage was documented returning after an eight-minute break; speakers said the municipal code requires a 15-minute rest period.
- Public-records request: a records requester said she mailed a $46.10 check in early July to obtain required horse lists that franchisees must submit every six months and had not received the requested lists by the July 28 meeting.
- Photographic/video evidence: multiple speakers offered photos or video to the clerk to document tethering, mud, standing water, and lack of company identification on some carriages.

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion only: Public comment focused on alleged code violations, animal welfare, unlicensed operators, and requests for enforcement and scheduled review.
- Direction: Multiple commissioners asked staff to increase monitoring/enforcement and to prepare an agenda item for the commission to consider regulatory changes or enforcement updates prior to the busy season; staff indicated they would follow up.
- Decision: No formal vote or regulatory change was adopted at this meeting related to carriage operations.

Why this matters
Horse-drawn carriage operations occur in high-traffic, tourist areas; allegations of animal-welfare violations and franchise noncompliance raise public-safety, liability and reputational issues for the city. Operators and residents urged enforcement or policy change before seasonal peaks in tourism.

Next steps noted in the meeting
Commissioners requested staff follow-up, including verification of franchise compliance, review of public-records responses, and scheduling a commission agenda item to examine carriage regulation and enforcement before the Nights of Lights season.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Augustine - City Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Residents urged the City Commission to tighten oversight of horse-drawn carriage operators, citing photos and videos that speakers said show tethering, muddy/unsanitary holding areas and rest-period violations; carriage drivers defended the trade and said they work with local veterinarians.","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},6485828,"St. Augustine commission approves lot-grading updates, designates Brownfield; parking fine increase moves to second reading",1046,2318000,3364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558920-b7f965c1015827e8e37410207174828c&start=2318&end=3364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558920-b7f965c1015827e8e37410207174828c/thumbnail_2318000.jpg","/articles/6485828/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/St-Augustine-commission-approves-lot-grading-updates-designates-Brownfield-parking-fine-increase-moves-to-second-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485828-af4d40c594f80eabc832582e2c66ee61/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448684&Signature=WXUsmjsSM0K0wyxGzod~32r5RTPTsHMshmGQ6OkKsvQIiK1aswLatFWquWmAaBeFqlvEwOl-x0YwCoMKpqiOC0lMld2GEzb342rvXxi-ZvhgEFjh5o-Shu2bNt1LCfd~ytz4raSub9etCknfXBu5jpJVzgBw7tGihbGWZ~R-MbsFZik5YY~RcQF2nh~oBonqfmPLx2zz~2N2~sNjdVFXU0aAzsI8SCXYwfZKYRqIy62RG7vSSFiuHJpxUF~erjw8uodn9LX-rAqcmpYXcQopFK2VnY9KRMfzzFniFAWyNgdgNo3stXyVbtdaoP7jlUOQEx2bgtf8yfCU-E9-Wxtz-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Augustine City Commission on July 28 adopted a set of land-development code changes aimed at lot grading and flood-prone construction, unanimously approved a Brownfield designation for a Riberia Street property, advanced an ordinance to raise illegal parking fines to a second reading and tabled creation of a city environmental-impact award for additional refinement.

The lot-grading ordinance (Ordinance 2025-21) updates the zoning code and environmental protection chapters to clarify requirements for single-family and duplex lot grading, set grading standards tied to mapped elevation areas, emphasize erosion control and low-impact design, and create incentives for shoreline-compatible shoreline modifications and public access in commercial and multifamily projects. Amy Skinner, director of Planning and Building, presented the staff draft and said the changes respond to public input and Planning & Zoning Board recommendations. The motion to adopt the ordinance carried on second reading with unanimous roll-call approval.

Separately, the commission approved Resolution 2025-27 designating the 4044 Riberia Street parcel as a Brownfield site. City staff explained the designation is an applicant-driven, statutory process through which a developer seeking to purchase and rehabilitate contaminated property may access state Brownfield assistance to offset cleanup costs; the city itself does not fund the remediation. Christina Nelson, attorney for the applicant, confirmed community notices and a community meeting were held. Commissioners discussed environmental justice and the public‑benefit of removing pollutants; the resolution passed unanimously.

On first reading, the commission advanced Ordinance 2025-22, amending city code sections related to illegal parking to raise fines from $35 to $100 inside a defined downtown boundary (Old Mission Avenue to the north, South Street to the south, Matanzas River to the east and San Sebastian River to the west), and to add franchise stops, transportation network company stops and controlled residential parking areas to places where stopping/standing/parking is unlawful. Assistant City Manager Ruben Franklin said the change is intended as a deterrent, not a revenue measure; meter-expiration fines would remain $25. The motion to send the ordinance to second reading passed 4–1 (Cynthia Garris voted no).

The commission also considered Resolution 2025-29 to create an environmental-impact recognition award and to adopt an image for the award. Commissioners discussed eligibility language (clarifying that nominations should demonstrate benefit to the City of St. Augustine), the award's name and the material award image. The commission selected a photograph (the panel'preferred image) and voted to table the resolution for up to one month for finalization of the award name and eligibility language; the motion to table carried.

The consent agenda, including routine minutes, a release of lien, and the city attorney's quarterly report, was approved unanimously earlier in the meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 2025-21 (lot grading; second reading/adoption): Passed (roll call unanimous). Action: ordinance adoption.
- Resolution 2025-27 (Brownfield designation, 4044 Riberia Street): Passed (roll call unanimous). Action: resolution adopted.
- Ordinance 2025-22 (increase illegal parking fines; first reading advanced): Advanced to second reading (vote 4–1: Yes — John DePrater, Barbara Blonder, Jim Springfield, Nancy Sykes Klein; No — Cynthia Garris).
- Resolution 2025-29 (environmental-impact award): Motion to table carried; commission selected an image and directed staff to return with refined language and an award name for final action.
- Consent agenda: approved unanimously.

Why it matters: The lot-grading changes aim to tighten development standards in flood-prone and infill areas and to encourage low-impact stormwater solutions; the Brownfield designation funnels state remediation mechanisms toward a parcel with a proposed redevelopment; the parking ordinance would significantly raise downtown fines to deter illegal parking inside a defined core; and the award would create a formal city recognition for environmental stewardship. Each decision affects land-use rules, redevelopment incentives and downtown mobility enforcement.

What comes next: Ordinance 2025-22 will return for a second reading and public hearing as scheduled. Staff will finalize language and the commission will revisit the environmental-award resolution with a proposed name and clarified eligibility.","On July 28 the City Commission adopted updates to the land development code addressing lot grading and flood-prone development, unanimously approved a Brownfield designation for a Riberia Street parcel, advanced a proposal to raise illegal parking fines to $100 to second reading, and tabled creation of an environmental impact award.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents press St. Augustine commission for stricter oversight of horse-drawn carriage operations; operators urge preservation of tradition

St. Augustine commission approves lot-grading updates, designates Brownfield; parking fine increase moves to second reading