Posts tagged Cuna Street
News highlights for St. Augustine October 26, 2012
Oct 26th
City initiates standard storm preparedness ahead of Hurricane Sandy
As Hurricane Sandy continues to move north out of the Caribbean, the City of St. Augustine is proceeding with its standard storm preparedness.
Even though forecasts call for the storm to remain well east of the coastline, rain bands and wind gusts are expected into the weekend. In addition to monitoring a storm’s progress, city emergency personnel remain in close contact with the St. Johns County Department of Emergency Management.
According to Mike Arnold, the city’s fire chief and emergency preparedness official, an increase in wind speed is expected through Saturday with gusts possibly reaching 35 mph, as well as periodic rain bands coming on shore, some very heavy. Chief Arnold also notes that as Sandy is a very large storm the public should be alert to the times of high tide as that is where localized flooding is most likely. Friday’s evening high tide is at 6:16am and 6:38pm, and Saturday’s high tides are at 7:01am and 7:22pm.
At this level of preparedness, the city ensures its fleet of trucks, heavy equipment and emergency generators are fueled and that lines of communication between departments are updated.
For the most up-to-date local information, the public is advised to visit the web site of the St. Johns County Emergency Management at www.sjcemergencymanagement.com.
Avenida Menendez crosswalk installation continues next week
Traffic reduced to one lane Sun, Oct 28 – Wed, Oct 31
The continued installation of crosswalks on Avenida Menendez will necessitate the reduction of traffic to two lanes, one for northbound traffic and one for southbound starting on Sunday evening, October 28. Work next week will be at the crosswalk at Cuna Street since work on the one at Fort Alley was completed earlier this week.
To accommodate the work, Avenida Menendez will be reduced to two lane, two way traffic starting on Sunday, October 28 at 7:00pm and will continue through Wednesday evening October 31. At no time will Avenida Menendez be closed, but traffic will be slowed through the area during the work.
The project, replacing the stamped asphalt that simulates brick with historic, authentic brick, is the final element of an extensive project that began in early February of this year that included pedestrian improvements along South Castillo Drive with new street lights, widening of sidewalks, and improved signalization for both pedestrians and vehicles. Funding for the project was secured by Congressman John Mica who, during a visit to St. Augustine, noticed the challenges pedestrians had in the congested area lying between popular St. George Street and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. He then set about seeking an appropriation to fund the changes needed to alleviate those challenges. To read a story on the city’s Web site regarding the project, click here.
For more information, contact the Planning and Building Department at 904.825.1065.
Commission sets alternative meeting date in November
December meeting schedule includes two workshops
The Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving Holidays have necessitated the rescheduling of November’s only Commission meeting from the usual second and fourth Mondays to November 14. This will be the body’s only regular meeting in November.
In December, the Commission will meet on Monday, December 3 for its reorganizational meeting which will include the administering of the oath of office to Joe Boles and Leanna Freeman who were reelected to their offices, and the winner of the general election on November 6. The reorganizational meeting starts at 7:30pm.
December’s busy holiday season will result in the Commission having only one regular meeting which is set for December 10, but the commission has also scheduled two workshops that month. The first workshop, set to start at 4:00pm on December 10, concerns the future of the carpet golf facility located near the City Marina. The second workshop, set for Wednesday, December 13 at 9:00am, the topic of discussion will be modifications to the city zoning code, starting with the use of Planned Unit Developments (PUD).
All of the meetings will be held in The Alcazar Room in City Hall, 75 King St. When available, agendas for the meetings will be posted on the city’s web site here.
22 days until Light-Up! Night
Nights of Lights’ 19th season begins on November 17
Have you seen your neighbors checking their holiday lights? Seem a little early? Not really when you consider that the 19th season of Nights of Lights is only a few weeks away.
Recognized as one of the Southeast’s major seasonal events, Nights of Lights has brought holiday excitement to the Nation’s Oldest City annually since 1994. The 10-week long event begins each year with a simple flip of a switch on the Saturday before Thanksgiving known as Light-Up! Night. To read about last year’s opening night, click here.
Don’t be “left in the dark” when the Nation’s Oldest City is transformed into an enchanted city of light. For guidelines to participate in the Nights of Lights by adding displays to property in the city’s historic districts, click here.
For visitor information including dining, shopping, lodging, attractions, and tours, during the ten weeks of Nights of Lights, contact St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast by calling 800.653.2489 or visiting www.nightsoflights.com.
PD’s Community Recourses Division is this week’s topic on The Break Room
St. Augustine Police Department Commander Steve Fricke stopped by The Break Room this week and took a few minutes to discuss the work of the Community Resources Division and their unique role in serving the public. Commander Fricke also shared with host Paul Williamson how the division interacts with other agencies during visits to the city by dignities such as recent stops by Governor Rommey and Vice President Biden.
Each week the friendly and informative style of The Break Room offers the community an opportunity to know a little more about how their city works by getting to know those who do the work every day. The Break Room airs Wednesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 8:00am, and each program is archived at www.breakroom.info as podcasts available for download anytime. To listen to this week’s program immediately, click here.
Early voting begins tomorrow
If you are ready to vote, don’t wait until Election Day
Even though Election Day is not until November 6, there are two ways voters may cast their ballots before the big day: either by visiting one of the polling sites available for early voting or by using an absentee ballot.
Vote by mail
Since General Election ballots will be very long, some voters may find use of an absentee ballot preferable to going to the polls on Election Day. All voted ballots must be received in the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7:00pm on Election Day. To request an absentee ballot, contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at 904.823.2238. There are multiple locations where ballots may be dropped off instead of mailing them, including the city’s Financial Services Center. To see a complete list of locations, click here.
Vote in person
And if you want to “go vote,” but not on Election Day, then vote early at any one of the six different locations located throughout the county. Early voting starts on Saturday October 27 and continues each day 7:00am – 7:00pm through Saturday, November 3. For locations, click here.
Election Day
Of course, you may wait and visit your precinct’s polling location on November 6 to cast your ballot. For complete voting information, including seeing sample ballots and locating your polling place visit the Supervisor of Elections Office online at www.sjcvotes.us.
Stories you may have missed
Lighthouse Park area next on the list for new water mains
A long awaited water main replacement project will finally get underway in a portion of Lighthouse Park starting in early November. The project, set to be completed before March 1, will replace aging, cast iron pipes, often the source of “red water,” because of the corrosive nature of the pipes.
To read the story, click here.
Cleaner & Greener St. Augustine is goal of increased recycling
Chances are if you, as a resident of St. Augustine, recycle you are not recycling as much material as you could. Most everyone is certain they can place newspapers, glass and cans in their recycling bin, but those are just a few of the items welcomed. The city and its contractor, Advanced Disposal, launch the Make St. Augustine Cleaner & Greener campaign to encourage residents to recycle and thus increase the amount of recycled material collected. And with increased recycling comes the need for increased capacity, so a second bin was provided, free of charge, to every one of the city’s more than 4,600 customers.
To learn more, click here.
4 Ways 2 Stay in the City-Info-Loop
The city has four avenues through which it strives to keep its constituents informed by making information
readily available.
You can learn what they are by clicking here.
Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to educate
For the last 90 years, the week in which October 9 falls has been designated as Fire Prevention Week, but for the St. Augustine Fire Department, what is nationally a week is locally a month. Taking advantage of the nation-wide emphasis on fire prevention in October each year, the St. Augustine Fire Department uses the themed month to educate the public on fire safety with a focus on this year’s national theme: Have 2 Ways Out.
To read the story, click here.
City plants 23 trees in just two days
If it is true that any day is made better by the planting of a tree then the City of St. Augustine gave the community some great days recently by planting over 20 new trees in just a two-day period.
To read the story, click here.
City receives recognition for innovative wastewater treatment process
St. Augustine is once again recognized for being first, but this time it is not for something historical. Rather, the city has garnered statewide and national recognition for the implementation of cutting edge technology in the treatment of wastewater. To learn more about the new process and to see a presention developed for the statewide and national conferences, click here.
Opportunity to serve: Code Enforcement, Adjustments & Appeals Board
The City Commission is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Code Enforcement, Adjustments & Appeals Board. Interested individuals who reside within the city limits of the City of St. Augustine are invited to submit applications for this volunteer board. Applications are requested by Friday, November 30 with appointments tentatively scheduled for the City Commission meeting of Monday, December 10. For information concerning qualifications and applications please contact the City Clerk’s office at 825-1007. The application form is available on the city’s web site by clicking here.
Agendas
The Historic Architectural Review Board meets on October 30. The agenda is available here.
The Planning & Zoning Board meets on Tuesday, November 6. The agenda is available here.
As Hurricane Sandy continues to move north out of the Caribbean, the City of St. Augustine is proceeding with its standard storm preparedness.
Even though forecasts call for the storm to remain well east of the coastline, rain bands and wind gusts are expected into the weekend. In addition to monitoring a storm’s progress, city emergency personnel remain in close contact with the St. Johns County Department of Emergency Management.According to Mike Arnold, the city’s fire chief and emergency preparedness official, an increase in wind speed is expected through Saturday with gusts possibly reaching 35 mph, as well as periodic rain bands coming on shore, some very heavy. Chief Arnold also notes that as Sandy is a very large storm the public should be alert to the times of high tide as that is where localized flooding is most likely. Friday’s evening high tide is at 6:16am and 6:38pm, and Saturday’s high tides are at 7:01am and 7:22pm.
At this level of preparedness, the city ensures its fleet of trucks, heavy equipment and emergency generators are fueled and that lines of communication between departments are updated.
For the most up-to-date local information, the public is advised to visit the web site of the St. Johns County Emergency Management at www.sjcemergencymanagement.com.
Avenida Menendez crosswalk installation continues next week
Traffic reduced to one lane Sun, Oct 28 – Wed, Oct 31
The continued installation of crosswalks on Avenida Menendez will necessitate the reduction of traffic to two lanes, one for northbound traffic and one for southbound starting on Sunday evening, October 28. Work next week will be at the crosswalk at Cuna Street since work on the one at Fort Alley was completed earlier this week.
To accommodate the work, Avenida Menendez will be reduced to two lane, two way traffic starting on Sunday, October 28 at 7:00pm and will continue through Wednesday evening October 31. At no time will Avenida Menendez be closed, but traffic will be slowed through the area during the work.
The project, replacing the stamped asphalt that simulates brick with historic, authentic brick, is the final element of an extensive project that began in early February of this year that included pedestrian improvements along South Castillo Drive with new street lights, widening of sidewalks, and improved signalization for both pedestrians and vehicles. Funding for the project was secured by Congressman John Mica who, during a visit to St. Augustine, noticed the challenges pedestrians had in the congested area lying between popular St. George Street and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. He then set about seeking an appropriation to fund the changes needed to alleviate those challenges. To read a story on the city’s Web site regarding the project, click here.
For more information, contact the Planning and Building Department at 904.825.1065.
Commission sets alternative meeting date in November
December meeting schedule includes two workshops
The Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving Holidays have necessitated the rescheduling of November’s only Commission meeting from the usual second and fourth Mondays to November 14. This will be the body’s only regular meeting in November.
In December, the Commission will meet on Monday, December 3 for its reorganizational meeting which will include the administering of the oath of office to Joe Boles and Leanna Freeman who were reelected to their offices, and the winner of the general election on November 6. The reorganizational meeting starts at 7:30pm.
December’s busy holiday season will result in the Commission having only one regular meeting which is set for December 10, but the commission has also scheduled two workshops that month. The first workshop, set to start at 4:00pm on December 10, concerns the future of the carpet golf facility located near the City Marina. The second workshop, set for Wednesday, December 13 at 9:00am, the topic of discussion will be modifications to the city zoning code, starting with the use of Planned Unit Developments (PUD).
All of the meetings will be held in The Alcazar Room in City Hall, 75 King St. When available, agendas for the meetings will be posted on the city’s web site here.
22 days until Light-Up! Night
Nights of Lights’ 19th season begins on November 17
Have you seen your neighbors checking their holiday lights? Seem a little early? Not really when you consider that the 19th season of Nights of Lights is only a few weeks away.
Recognized as one of the Southeast’s major seasonal events, Nights of Lights has brought holiday excitement to the Nation’s Oldest City annually since 1994. The 10-week long event begins each year with a simple flip of a switch on the Saturday before Thanksgiving known as Light-Up! Night. To read about last year’s opening night, click here.
Don’t be “left in the dark” when the Nation’s Oldest City is transformed into an enchanted city of light. For guidelines to participate in the Nights of Lights by adding displays to property in the city’s historic districts, click here.
For visitor information including dining, shopping, lodging, attractions, and tours, during the ten weeks of Nights of Lights, contact St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast by calling 800.653.2489 or visiting www.nightsoflights.com.
PD’s Community Recourses Division is this week’s topic on The Break Room
St. Augustine Police Department Commander Steve Fricke stopped by The Break Room this week and took a few minutes to discuss the work of the Community Resources Division and their unique role in serving the public. Commander Fricke also shared with host Paul Williamson how the division interacts with other agencies during visits to the city by dignities such as recent stops by Governor Rommey and Vice President Biden.
Each week the friendly and informative style of The Break Room offers the community an opportunity to know a little more about how their city works by getting to know those who do the work every day. The Break Room airs Wednesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 8:00am, and each program is archived at www.breakroom.info as podcasts available for download anytime. To listen to this week’s program immediately, click here.
Early voting begins tomorrow
If you are ready to vote, don’t wait until Election Day
Even though Election Day is not until November 6, there are two ways voters may cast their ballots before the big day: either by visiting one of the polling sites available for early voting or by using an absentee ballot.
Vote by mail
Since General Election ballots will be very long, some voters may find use of an absentee ballot preferable to going to the polls on Election Day. All voted ballots must be received in the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7:00pm on Election Day. To request an absentee ballot, contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at 904.823.2238. There are multiple locations where ballots may be dropped off instead of mailing them, including the city’s Financial Services Center. To see a complete list of locations, click here.
Vote in person
And if you want to “go vote,” but not on Election Day, then vote early at any one of the six different locations located throughout the county. Early voting starts on Saturday October 27 and continues each day 7:00am – 7:00pm through Saturday, November 3. For locations, click here.
Election Day
Of course, you may wait and visit your precinct’s polling location on November 6 to cast your ballot. For complete voting information, including seeing sample ballots and locating your polling place visit the Supervisor of Elections Office online at www.sjcvotes.us.
Stories you may have missed
Lighthouse Park area next on the list for new water mains
A long awaited water main replacement project will finally get underway in a portion of Lighthouse Park starting in early November. The project, set to be completed before March 1, will replace aging, cast iron pipes, often the source of “red water,” because of the corrosive nature of the pipes.
To read the story, click here.
Cleaner & Greener St. Augustine is goal of increased recycling
Chances are if you, as a resident of St. Augustine, recycle you are not recycling as much material as you could. Most everyone is certain they can place newspapers, glass and cans in their recycling bin, but those are just a few of the items welcomed. The city and its contractor, Advanced Disposal, launch the Make St. Augustine Cleaner & Greener campaign to encourage residents to recycle and thus increase the amount of recycled material collected. And with increased recycling comes the need for increased capacity, so a second bin was provided, free of charge, to every one of the city’s more than 4,600 customers.
To learn more, click here.
4 Ways 2 Stay in the City-Info-Loop
The city has four avenues through which it strives to keep its constituents informed by making information
readily available.
You can learn what they are by clicking here.
Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to educate
For the last 90 years, the week in which October 9 falls has been designated as Fire Prevention Week, but for the St. Augustine Fire Department, what is nationally a week is locally a month. Taking advantage of the nation-wide emphasis on fire prevention in October each year, the St. Augustine Fire Department uses the themed month to educate the public on fire safety with a focus on this year’s national theme: Have 2 Ways Out.
To read the story, click here.
City plants 23 trees in just two days
If it is true that any day is made better by the planting of a tree then the City of St. Augustine gave the community some great days recently by planting over 20 new trees in just a two-day period.
To read the story, click here.
City receives recognition for innovative wastewater treatment process
St. Augustine is once again recognized for being first, but this time it is not for something historical. Rather, the city has garnered statewide and national recognition for the implementation of cutting edge technology in the treatment of wastewater. To learn more about the new process and to see a presention developed for the statewide and national conferences, click here.
Opportunity to serve: Code Enforcement, Adjustments & Appeals Board
The City Commission is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Code Enforcement, Adjustments & Appeals Board. Interested individuals who reside within the city limits of the City of St. Augustine are invited to submit applications for this volunteer board. Applications are requested by Friday, November 30 with appointments tentatively scheduled for the City Commission meeting of Monday, December 10. For information concerning qualifications and applications please contact the City Clerk’s office at 825-1007. The application form is available on the city’s web site by clicking here.
Agendas
The Historic Architectural Review Board meets on October 30. The agenda is available here.
The Planning & Zoning Board meets on Tuesday, November 6. The agenda is available here.
All agenda, minutes and GTV info
Agendas and minutes for all city meetings can be found at www.staugustinegovernment.com with a schedule of upcoming meetings listed under City Calendar. City Commission meetings are broadcast live via GTV (Comcast Channel 3 in St. Augustine) each second and fourth Monday at 5:00pm. Commission meetings are also recorded and rebroadcast as are Planning and Zoning Board and Historic Architectural Review Board meetings. For a current schedule of all programming on GTV, click here.
Source: City of St. Augustine
St. Augustine News and Notes for October 12, 2012
Oct 14th
Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to educate
This year’s theme, “Have 2 Ways Out,” gets extra emphasis from fire department this month
This year’s theme, “Have 2 Ways Out,” gets extra emphasis from fire department this month
For the last 90 years, the week in which October 9 falls has been designated as Fire Prevention Week, but for the St. Augustine Fire Department, what is nationally a week is locally a month. Taking advantage of the nation-wide emphasis on fire prevention in October each year, the St. Augustine Fire Department uses the themed month to educate the public on fire safety.
Much of that education takes place in the community’s elementary schools, pre-schools and daycare centers where fire personnel are greeted by an audience ready to listen and willing to learn. According to John Rayno, St. Augustine’s Fire Marshal and Assistant Fire Chief, having firefighters visit schools is a very effective way to get information into the home.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week’s theme is “Have 2 Ways Out,” focusing on the need for escape plans to incorporate two exits for each room. Taking stock of available exits is essential to every escape plan, whether for home or business, and those plans need to be well known and practiced.
While the month of October has an emphasis on prevention education, fire department personnel are ready to bring tailor made programming to civic associations, businesses, living facilities, churches and anywhere else a group wants to know more about fire prevention.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and the work of the St. Augustine Fire Department,
click here.
This week on The Break Room: Fire Prevention Week
Assistant Fire Chief and City Fire Marshal John Rayno stops by The Break Room this week to discuss this month’s educational efforts as part of Fire Prevention Week and, shares with program host, Paul K. Williamson, some specific fire safety guidelines.
Each week the friendly and informative style of The Break Room offers the community an opportunity to know a little more about how their city works by getting to know those who do the work every day. The Break Room airs Wednesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 8:00am, and each program is archived at www.breakroom.info as podcasts available for download anytime. To listen to this week’s program immediately, click here.
Avenida Menendez crosswalk installation necessitates lane closure
Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction during installation work
The installation of crosswalks at two locations on Avenida Menendez will necessitate the reduction of traffic to two lanes, one for northbound traffic and one for southbound, in two locations on two different occasions in coming weeks. The crosswalks at Fort Alley and Cuna Street, currently delineated with stamped asphalt to simulate brick, will be replaced with historic, authentic brick.
To accommodate the extensive work, Avenida Menendez will be reduced to two lane, two way traffic for a period of four days lasting from mid-day Sunday through Wednesday evening. At no time will Avenida Menendez be closed, but traffic will be slowed through the area during the work.
The work is scheduled for:
— Fort Alley crosswalk installation: mid-day Sunday, October 21 through the evening of Wednesday, October 24.
— Cuna Street crosswalk installation: mid-day Sunday, October 28 through the evening of Wednesday, October 31.
The crosswalk installation is the final element of an extensive project that began in early February of this year and includes extensive pedestrian improvements along south Castillo Drive that have included the installation of new street lights, widening of sidewalks, and improved signalization for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Funding for the project was secured by Congressman John Mica who, during a visit to St. Augustine, noticed the challenges pedestrians had in the congested area lying between popular St. George Street and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. He then set about seeking an appropriation to fund the changes needed to alleviate those challenges.
To read a story on the city’s Web site regarding the project, click here.
For more information, contact the Planning and Building Department at 904.825.1065.
City plants 23 trees in just two days
Live oaks, red cedars and magnolias replace trees removed following tree assessment program
If it is true that any day is made better by the planting of a tree then last week the City of St. Augustine gave the community some great days by planting over 20 new trees in just a two-day period.
Most of the plantings are replacement trees for those that had to be removed following receipt of the results of a tree assessment that identified 15 trees in the city right-of-way that were deemed to be so far decayed as to be unsafe, commonly referred to as hazard trees.
The new trees included Live Oaks that were planted along the most northern section of San Marco Ave. and at Vickers Field, Magnolias planted on Riberia St. next to Francis Field, and Red Cedars along Flagler Blvd. and at the Visitors Information Center.
To learn more, click here.
Thirty-six days until Light-Up! Night
Nights of Lights’ 19th season begins on November 17
Have you seen your neighbors checking their holiday lights? Seem a little early? Not really when you consider that the 19th season of Nights of Lights is only a few weeks away.
Recognized as one of the Southeast’s major seasonal events, Nights of Lights has brought holiday excitement to the Nation’s Oldest City annually since 1994. The 10-week long event begins each year with a simple flip of a switch on the Saturday before Thanksgiving known as Light-Up! Night. To read about last year’s opening night, click here.
Don’t be “left in the dark” when the Nation’s Oldest City is transformed into an enchanted city of light.
For guidelines to participate in the Nights of Lights by adding displays to property in the city’s historic districts, click here.
For visitor information including dining, shopping, lodging, attractions, and tours, during the ten weeks of Nights of Lights, contact St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast by calling 800.653.2489 or visiting www.nightsoflights.com.
4 Ways 2 Stay in the City-Info-Loop
The city’s Public Affairs Department strives to keep the city’s constituents informed by making information
readily available and does so in a number of formats. In fact there are four ways to stay in the information loop. To learn what they are read this new story on the city’s web site by clicking here.
Opportunity to serve: Code Enforcement, Adjustments & Appeals Board
The City Commission is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Code Enforcement, Adjustments & Appeals Board. Interested individuals who reside within the city limits of the City of St. Augustine are invited to submit applications for this volunteer board. Applications are requested by Friday, November 30 with appointments tentatively scheduled for the City Commission meeting of Monday, December 10. For information concerning qualifications and applications please contact the City Clerk’s office at 825-1007. The application form is available on the city’s web site by clicking here.
Agendas
The Code Enforcement, Appeals and Adjustment Board meets on October 9. The agenda is available here.
The Historic Architectural Review Board’s October meeting date has been rescheduled from October 18 until October 30. The agenda is available here.
All agenda, minutes and GTV info
Agendas and minutes for all city meetings can be found at www.staugustinegovernment.com with a schedule of upcoming meetings listed under City Calendar. City Commission meetings are broadcast live via GTV (Comcast Channel 3 in St. Augustine) each second and fourth Monday at 5:00pm. Commission meetings are also recorded and rebroadcast as are Planning and Zoning Board and Historic Architectural Review Board meetings. For a current schedule of all programming on GTV, click here.
Source: City of St. Augustine
News from the City of St. Augustine
Oct 14th
Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to educate
Prevention message and this year’s theme, “Have 2 Ways Out,”
gets extra emphasis from St. Augustine Fire Department this month
For the last 90 years, the week in which October 9 falls has been designated as Fire Prevention Week, but for the St. Augustine Fire Department, what is nationally a week is locally a month.
Taking advantage of the nation-wide emphasis on fire prevention in October each year, the St. Augustine Fire Department uses the themed month to educate the public on fire safety.
Much of that education takes place in the community’s elementary schools, pre-schools and daycare centers where fire personnel are greeted by an audience ready to listen and willing to learn. According to John Rayno, St. Augustine’s Fire Marshal and Assistant Fire Chief, having firefighters visit schools is a very effective way to get information into the home.
“For instance, we spend time talking about the importance of not just having smoke alarms, but taking the time to test them. After one of our visits, I’m sure there are parents being asked to check smoke alarms by students we met that day, and that’s good,” said Rayno in an interview on WFCF’s weekly program, The Break Room. To hear the entire interview, visit www.breakroom.info.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week’s theme is “Have 2 Ways Out,” focusing on the need for escape plans to incorporate two exits for each room. Taking stock of available exits is essential to every escape plan, whether for home or business, and those plans need to be well known and practiced.
While the month of October has an emphasis on prevention education, fire department personnel are ready to bring tailor made programming to civic associations, businesses, living facilities, churches and anywhere else a group wants to know more about fire prevention.
For more information about National Fire Prevention Week visit www.fpw.org. For more information about the St. Augustine Fire Department’s fire prevention programs contact the department at 904.825.1098.
See also this related story:
http://www.staugustinegovernment.com/the-city/featured-stories-archive/FirePrev.cfm
————————————–
City plants 23 trees in just two days
Live oaks, red cedars and magnolias replace trees
removed following tree assessment program
If it is true that any day is made better by the planting of a tree then last week the City of St. Augustine gave the community some great days by planting over 20 new trees in just a two-day period.
Most of the plantings are replacement trees for those that had to be removed following receipt of the results of a tree assessment that identified 15 trees in the city right-of-way that were deemed to be so far decayed as to be unsafe, commonly referred to as hazard trees. The inventory was made possible by an Urban and Community Forestry grant provided through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services which provided $6,000 that was matched by the city. The funds made possible the long overdue inventory and assessment of over 500 trees in the city rights-of-way and parks within the historic areas of St. Augustine.
The new trees included live oaks that were planted along the most northern section of San Marco Ave. and Vickers Field, magnolias planted on Riberia St. next to Francis Field and red cedars along Flagler Blvd. and at the Visitors Information Center.
The Urban and Community Forestry grant was used to retain the services of an International Society of Arboriculture Board Certified Arborist to provide the initial tree inventory baseline data which provides the basis for the development of an urban forestry management program. That program specifies recommended management practices, provides guidance for the City Manager and maintenance supervisor in allocation of tree maintenance resources, and documents the inventory and required maintenance.
For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 904.825.1040.
————————————–
Avenida Menendez crosswalk installation
necessitates lane closure
Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction
The installation of crosswalks at two locations on Avenida Menendez will necessitate the reduction of traffic to two lanes, one for northbound traffic and one for southbound, in two locations on two different occasions in coming weeks. The crosswalks at Fort Alley and Cuna Street, currently delineated with stamped asphalt to simulate brick, will be replaced with historic, authentic brick.
To accommodate the extensive work, Avenida Menendez will be reduced to two lane, two way traffic for a period of four days lasting from mid-day Sunday through Wednesday evening. At no time will Avenida Menendez be closed, but traffic will be slowed through the area during the work. The work is scheduled for:
• Fort Alley crosswalk installation: mid-day Sunday, October 21 through the evening of Wednesday, October 24.
• Cuna Street crosswalk installation: mid-day Sunday, October 28 through the evening of Wednesday, October 31.
The crosswalk installation is the final element of an extensive project that began in early February of this year and includes extensive pedestrian improvements along south Castillo Drive that have included the installation of new street lights, widening of sidewalks, and improved signalization for both pedestrians and vehicles. Funding for the project was secured by Congressman John Mica who, during a visit to St. Augustine, noticed the challenges pedestrians had in the congested area lying between popular St. George Street and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. He then set about seeking an appropriation to fund the changes needed to alleviate those challenges.
For more information, contact the Planning and Building Department at 904.825.1065.
Source: City of St. Augustine
