VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1                                                                                                 JANUARY 2005

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Mr. George Richardi (right) receives plaque for his service on the City's Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Board from July 2002 to September 2004.

                                                                                                                

Left to right: Mayor Charles, Ms. Mary
McCarthy and Ms. Dena Tuten-Arvin.
At the Commission's December meeting Mayor Charles presented plaques to Ms. McCarthy and Ms.

Tuten-Arvin for their years of service to the City on the Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Board.

Ms. Sharon Widdifield (right) receives plaque from Mayor Charles in recognition of her 15 years of employment with the City. Ms. Widdifield's position is Administrative Assistant III. Her job duties are many and diverse, They range from advertising of Commission meetings and ordinances to personnel matters, payroll preparation, record keeping, purchasing, taking of minutes at Commission meetings, insurance matters and doing special reports for the City Manager. She also keeps the City's website up to date.

Mayor Charles presents plaque to 

Ms. Gwen Harmon for her service to 

The City on the Beautification 

Advisory Committee from May 2003 

to November 2004. 

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BEACH RESTORATION

From left to right: Richard Bonner, U. S. Army

Corps of Engineers; Congressman John Mica;

And Mayor Frank Charles at County pier.

On November 3, 2004, Congressman Mica and staff persons from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers met with Mayor Charles and County Commissioner Jim Bryant at the pier. Other City Commissioners and County and City staff persons also were there. Congressman Mica explained that the eroded parts of the beach in tHe State park and St. Augustine Beach would be renourished in 2005, a year earlier than scheduled. This is because the past summer's hurricanes accelerated the erosion in certain parts of the beach. The Federal Government is providing $15 million for this project, with the State and the local sponsor, St. Johns County, contributing money as well.

The Federal money is from an emergency appropriation for hurricane relief projects, while the County's share is from the bed tax that tourists pay. The Corps expects to advertise for bids in early summer.

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During January, February and March 2005, the following holidays will change the City's garbage/trash collection schedule: Friday, December 31^st, which the City employees will take off because the New Year's holiday falls on a Saturday; Monday, January 17^th (Martin Luther King Day); and Monday, February 21^st (Presidents' Day). Therefore, the City's garbage/trash collection during the weeks of these holidays will be as follows:

Monday, December 27:                               Normal pickup of household wastes.

Tuesday, December 28:                              Normal pickup of household wastes.

Wednesday, December 29:                         Residents scheduled for pickup on Thursday will have pickup on

                                                                 WEDNESDAY.

Thursday, December 30:                             Residents scheduled for pickup on Friday will have pickup on

                                                                 THURSDAY. THERE WILL BE NO PICKUP OF YARD

                                                                 TRASH/SPECIAL WASTES.

Friday, December 31:                                  HOLIDAY. CITY OFFICES CLOSED. NO PICKUP OF

                                                                 HOUSEHOLD WASTES.

Monday, January 17:                                    MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY. CITY OFFICES CLOSED. NO

                                                                  PICKUP OF HOUSEHOLD WASTES.

Tuesday, January 18:                                   Residents scheduled for pickup on Monday will have pickup on

                                                                  TUESDAY.

Wednesday, January 19:                              Residents scheduled for pickup on Tuesday will have pickup on

                                                                  WEDNESDAY.

Thursday, January 20                                   Normal pickup of household wastes and yard trash/ special

                                                                   wastes.

Friday, January 21:                                       Normal pickup of household wastes.

Monday, February 21:                                   PRESIDENTS' DAY. CITY OFFICES CLOSED. NO PICKUP OF

                                                                   HOUSEHOLD WASTES.

Tuesday, February 22:                                   Residents scheduled for pickup on Monday will have pickup on

                                                                   TUESDAY.

Wednesday, February 23:                             Residents scheduled for pickup on Tuesday will have pickup on

                                                                  WEDNESDAY.

Thursday, February 24:                                 Normal pickup of household wastes and yard trash/special wastes.

Friday, February 25:                                     Normal pickup of household wastes.

There will be no change to the Wednesday and Thursday schedule of recycling pickups during the weeks of the

three holidays.

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The information below was provided by Mr. William A. Schuerman, Jr., Local Coordinator for AARP's Taxaide Program.

The volunteer tax counseling program sponsored by the IRS and the AARP Foundation will again be providing tax services to individuals in the St. Augustine area. One of the four local working sites will be in the small conference room at the southwest corner of St. Augustine Beach City Hall. Mr. Manuel Machuca is scheduled to head up our operations.

The hours of operation for our service at the City Hall will be from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week during tax season starting Tuesday, February 1, 2005 and ending on April 15, 2005.

This service is for individuals who feel tax challenged by the complexities of the current US income tax system. All services provided by the program are free of charge to the users. We will prepare tax returns for individuals only and not for most businesses. We will also stick to the simpler returns which include all filing statuses and income from wages, interest, dividends, capital gains, retirement and IRA income, social security, gambling winnings and the like. Our counselors will not attempt to do complex returns that include depreciation for business equipment or rental real estate.

We prepare all returns using IRS furnished computers and software, and we encourage all taxpayers to allow us to file their returns electronically for them. All taxpayers filing electronically receive a paper copy of their return for their records, and refund payment, if direct deposited to their bank account, arrives within two weeks of the filing date. Refunds from paper returns mailed in to the IRS Service Centers take about three to four times as long to receive. For those owing taxes, a form 1040-V is provided for the taxpayer to send in to the IRS on or before April 15, 2005, even if they actually complete and electronically file their return in February or March.

All services are provided on a first come, first serve basis. It is important that each taxpayer bring his or her last year's tax return (2003) to the counseling session with him or her, as it simplifies and speeds return preparation.

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Here is information to help you call or e-mail various City departments:

City Manager's Office: Telephone: 904-471-2122

Fax: 904-471-4108

E-mail: sabadmin@bellsouth.net

Police Department: Telephone: 904-471-3600

Fax: 904-471-0737

E-mail: sabpd@bellsouth.net

Public Works Department: Telephone: 904-471-1119

Fax: 904-471-4191

E-mail: sabpwd@bellsouth.net

Building Department: Telephone: 904-471-8758

Fax: 904-471-4470

E-mail: sabinsp@bellsouth.net

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Each year, the University of Florida's College of Business and Economic Research provides an estimate of the population of each municipality and county in the State. The 2004 population estimate for St. Augustine Beach is 5,578, which is 364 more residents than the 2003 estimate, which was 5,214. The City's official U.S. Census population in 2000 was 4,683. Between 2000 and 2004 the City's population grew at an average of about 224 residents per year.

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Below we describe the remaining large areas of the City still undeveloped and the plans, if any are pending, for their development.

• London Tract. This 18.1 acre parcel is located on the east side of the Boulevard between the Bermuda Run and Sea Colony subdivisions. The developers, St. Augustine Development Associates, proposed to build 72 clustered, single-family residential units, to change to conservation the 1.6 acres of commercial land along the Boulevard, and to dedicate land along the southern border of the subdivision to the City for a public pedestrian access to the beach. However, the Commission at its November 1^st meeting voted not to increase the density and not to change to commercial the 1.6 acres along the Boulevard. At this time, the developers indicate they will submit to the City Commission at the January 3^rd meeting two options: one to develop the property with 72 residential units and no motel on the commercial part of the property; or 66 residential units with a motel on the commercial area next to the Boulevard. Both options do not provide a beach access walkway. If the Commission selects the first option, then the commercial acreage next to the Boulevard would be left in its natural condition as an open space/conservation area.

 

• Atkerson property. The 6 acres of this parcel are located north of the Publix shopping plaza. A local developer, Mr. Jay McGarvey, had proposed a subdivision of 26 single-family residential units. An ordinance to change the land use from commercial to medium density residential would have been required, as well as an ordinance to adopt a planned unit development narrative for the subdivision. The Commission reviewed Mr. McGarvey's request at its October 4, 2004 meeting, but further action was postponed. Since October, Mr. McGarvey has not requested any new project or modification to his original proposal. However, at its December 6^th meeting the City Commission considered an offer from the owner, Mr. Charles Atkerson, to sell the 6 acres to the City for $1.7 million, with $425,000 as a down payment and a term of 15 years to pay the remainder owed at 5.5% or 7% interest. The Commission made a counter offer: to exchange the two City-owned lots at the east end of 15^th Street for the 6 acres. Because the lots are oceanfront, their value for residential development is considerable, as there re few remaining vacant oceanfront lots in the City. The Commission will consider Mr. Atkerson's response to this counter offer at it January 3^rd meeting. In the meantime, the Building Department has been informed of a developer who may buy the 6 acres from Mr. Atkerson for a subdivision of 30 homes.

 

• Ocean Forest. A proposed subdivision of 36 single-family homes at 24 acres located east of Mickler Boulevard and south of 11^th Street. This is owned by Runk Properties. At its March 16, 204 meeting the City's Planning Board approved a final development plan for the subdivision. However, no plat for it has yet been submitted to the City Commission.

 

• Vacant land on the west side of the Boulevard between 4^th and 8^th Streets. This area is about 5 acres. Most of it is vacant, except for two houses and an auto repair business. A local developer, Mr. Winston Radford, Jr., this past summer proposed building 20 single-family homes on the vacant block between 4^th and 5^th Streets. The subdivision would have been called Palm Row. The City Commission reviewed Mr. Radford's request for land use change and planned unit development ordinances at its September 13, 2004 meeting and then, at Mr. Radford's request, postponed further action on whether to have the ordinances written for first reading. Possible in January or February the developers will submit a proposal to the Planning Board for review.

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1. Sewer System Improvements. This project is for the placing of underground sewer mains in the City's older subdivisions where the residents now rely on individual septic systems for the treatment of sewage. The City through the St. Johns County Utility Department has received a State grant of $3 million; the County will provide an additional $1.5 million. At the Commission's November 1^st meeting, Mr. Bill Young, County Utility Department Director, told the Commissioners that six or eight neighborhoods had been targeted for the project. Residents of these neighborhoods would be invited to workshop meetings so that County staff persons could explain the project. The individual neighborhoods will be surveyed to see if a majority of the residents of each want the central sewer system. The survey work and the workshops will likely be done in the spring of 2005.

2. Drainage Improvements. The Public Works Director, Mr. Marc Chattin, has developed an extensive list of drainage improvements. These include the piping of the 2^nd Avenue ditch between 3^rd and 11^th Streets; improvements to Atlantic Alley between 6^th and 9^th Streets; a forcemain and pumping station for the Linda Mar subdivision; and other projects to improve the drainage at the west ends of 7^th, 8^th, 9^th and 10^th Streets. The Commission reviewed the list of projects at its November 1^st meeting and approved a contract with the City's civil engineering consultant, Stone, Joca and Mahoney, to do the design, engineering and permitting work for the projects.

3. Lakeside Park, South of Police Station. The City has received a State urban forestry grant of $9,377 to purchase trees and shrubs. The City will match the grant with $9,377. In addition, a local Boy Scout, Mr. Joshua Longstreet, has been given permission by the City Commission to put picnic tables, pavers and other improvements in the park as a project to help him attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Once Florida Power and Light provide electricity to the site for the irrigation pump, the irrigation system will be laid by Public Works personnel and the purchase of the trees and landscaping will be done. The project must be completed by the end of September 2005.

4. Visioning for A1A Beach Boulevard. With the approval of the City Commission, the City's Building Official, Gary Larson, has written a questionnaire so that residents and business owners can tell the City what improvements they would like to see made to the Boulevard, which is the City's "main street." The questionnaires have already been delivered to business owners along the Boulevard. In December, the questionnaires will be mailed to residents. When the questionnaires are returned to the City, staff will then take a few months to compile the data and write a report with recommendations to the Mayor and Commissioners and to the public.

5. Family Fountain. This is a project with several participants: the South Beaches Council of the Chamber of Commerce, the County and the City. The fountain will be located east of the pier information center and south of the pier itself. The fountain itself will have a flat, circular surface with recessed nozzles for the water. Children and adults will be able to walk amid the jets of water. The cost of the project is about $125,000, with $92,000 of that amount to be provided by a State grant. The remainder is coming from local sources, including the City, which has contributed $19,000. Funding for the grant will depend on the State Legislature in the spring of 2005 appropriating the month. The County and the City should know by next March if the grant has been awarded.

6. Restrooms for Beach Visitors. On November 8^th the City Commission held a workshop meeting about various matters concerning the beach. One of the major needs concerning the beach is restrooms and shower facilities. During the coming months, the City will check on the costs and types of restroom facilities, possible sources of grants to pay some of the cost to build them, and where they might be located. The State has approved the City putting a shower at the east end of A Street.

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During the past three months, the City Commission made the following decisions, among many:

• Approved the following ordinances:

• -to adopt the 2004 codification of the amendments to the City's General Code and Land Development Regulations.

 

• -to amend the Land Development Code to provide standards for the granting of variances and for an application form.

• Approved the following resolutions

• -to recognize October 2004 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

 

• -to recognize October 17-23, 2004 as City Government Week.

 

• -to certify the results of the August 31^st referendum on the amendments to the City Charter.

 

• -to declare November 2004 as National Epilepsy Awareness Month.

 

• -to list the specific accomplishments regarding the implementing of the City's Comprehensive Plan goals and objectives between August 2003 and August 2004.

 

• -to regulate the use of City-owned cellphones.

 

• -to amend Section XIII.17 of the Personnel Manual to regulate the assignment of City vehicles to City employees.

 

• -to repeal Resolution 00-11 and adopt new policies concerning the use of computers and e-mail by City employees.

 

• -to extend the probationary period for police officers from six months to one year and to regulate pay for probationary employees.

 

• -to authorize Mayor Charles to sign a disaster relief funding agreement with the Florida Department of Community Affairs for Hurricane Frances assistance.

• Did the following miscellaneous actions:

• -presented a plaque to Police Officer James Rousseau for 25 years of employment with the City.

 

• -heard an update report from Mr. Len Weeks concerning the renovation of the former city hall as a dance studio and cultural center.

 

• -reviewed the Building Official's annual report on the implementation of the goals and objectives of the City's Comprehensive Plan.

 

• -approved the correction of the bid price for the excavation of the remaining five acres of the City's Mizell Road retention pond. The Commission awarded the bid for $180,000, which was incorrect because of a clerical error by the contractor. The correct bid price was $188,000.

 

• -approved the Building Official applying for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to raise the house at 12 Oceanside Circle to prevent it from being flooded during storms.

 

• -approved Mayor Charles writing to Florida Power and Light about the need for the company to regularly trim tree branches that are close to electric lines.

 

• -made the following appointments to the Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Board: Dr. Patricia Gill, Ms. Margaret England, Mr. Roger Miller, Mr. Rich O'Brien, Robert Samuels and Mr. Alfred Hirsch as regular members; and Dr. Sonia Planey as an alternate.

 

• -appointed Mr. Doug Macke as regular member of the Code Enforcement Board and Mr. George Richardi as the Board's junior alternate.

 

• -made the following appointments to the Beautification Advisory Committee: Ms. Jan Heusdens as regular member and Ms. Elaine Wallace as alternate.

 

• -decided to postpone consideration of providing compensation for the Mayor and Commissioners until September 2006.

 

• -approved a five-year contract with The Lake Doctors for aquatic weed control in the City's main drainage ponds and canal.

 

• -approved the name "Lakeside Park" for the City-owned property south of the police station which is to be developed into a park with additional landscaping, another fishing dock, paved surfaces for handicapped accessibility, picnic areas and other improvements.

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The City has three boards or committees whose members are appointed by the City Commission. They are: the Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Board, the Code Enforcement Board, and the Beautification Advisory Committee. From time to time, vacancies occur on each. If you're interested in serving on one of the boards or committees, please let us know and we'll send you an application form. At this time, the City is looking for someone to be an alternate on the Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Board. That Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. to consider such matters as requests for variances, land use changes, conditional use permits and final development plans. An alternate member of the Board serves when one of the seven regular members is absent.