Posts tagged recycling
City of St. Augustine news
Nov 11th
Offices for the City of St. Augustine will be closed on Monday, November 12 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday, but the solid waste pick-up schedule will remain unchanged.
For more information, call the Public Affairs Office at 904.825.1004.
Community readies for start of Nights of Lights – 19th season begins on November 17
With the start of the Night of Lights just days away, there is a noticeable increase in activity as city crews are joined by residents and business owners starting to inspect their lighting displays and their inventory of bulbs. Reason is simple: No one wants to be in the dark when the Nights of Lights begins its 19th season on Saturday, November 17.
It all begins with one of the city’s biggest events, Light-Up! Night, when thousands crowd into the heart of the historic downtown to countdown together for the lighting of the city. “3…2…1!” and in the blink of an eye, the Ancient City instantly dazzles in the brilliance of holiday light.
What started as a suggestion by a city commissioner as a way to distinguish St. Augustine for an extended holiday season by decorating it with white lights, has become one of the Southeast’s most recognized holiday events. Running annually from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through the end of January, Night of Lights was named by AAA as one of its 12 Favorite Places to Catch the Holiday Spirit in the USA and Canada, recognized by the American Bus Association as one of the nation’s top 100 events several times, and was identified by National Geographic magazine as one of the top 10 places to see holiday lights.
Light-Up! Night takes place in the Plaza de la Constitución on Saturday, November 17 at 6:30pm. Pre-light-up entertainment includes Showtime USA at 4:00pm in front of City Hall/Lightner Museum, followed by holiday and big band sounds of The All Star Orchestra performing from The Gazebo in the Plaza. The lighting ceremony starts at 6:30pm with light-up set for 6:45pm.
“It makes a special place more special”
Recognized as one of the Southeast’s major seasonal events, the Nights of Lights has brought holiday excitement to the Nation’s Oldest City annually since 1994. The 10-week long event begins with a simple flip of switch that magically fills every corner of the city with brilliant white lights, transforming the Nation’s Oldest City into an enchanted city of light.
Certainly there is pleasure enough walking St. Augustine’s old world streets anytime of the year, but during the Nights of Lights when historic buildings, downtown parks and the city’s historic Bayfront and Bridge of Lions sparkle with over two million individual lights, the delight is greater than ever. As is often overheard by visitors during the Nights of Lights, “It makes a special place more special.”
St. Augustine’s success with the Nights of Lights lies partially in the fact that the city has such a large volume of unique historic structures in a very compact area. When outlined in light, the sweeping Bridge of Lions, the many arched doorways of Spanish Colonial homes, the sturdy towers of the 19th Century hotels together with the huge oaks in the parks and the tall straight palms that line the streets all contribute to what is a seamless display of light.
More than something to see…it’s something to do
But Nights of Lights is more than something to see; it is something to do. Boasting a full calendar with a wide array of special events and activities visitors will find things to do day and night. Truly it is one of the most festive times of year for a city that thrives on festivals.
Night-time tours of ancient buildings and inns led by storytellers in period clothing, rollicking train and trolley tours through the narrow brick streets, art walks featuring more than 30 galleries serving free holiday refreshments on the First Friday in December and January, special Saturday night antique shopping events, a dazzling regatta, Florida ice skating, holiday concerts, even a Christmas parade, are among the special events to be added to the memory books of visitors and residents alike.
For complete visitor information including a calendar of upcoming events during the Nights of Lights visit. St. Augustine-Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast.
It begins with Light-Up! Night
As it has since its initial season, the Nights of Lights begins with a spectacular lighting ceremony appropriately called Light-Up! Night staged in the city’s historic Plaza de la Constitución located in the heart of the historic district.
The program begins at 4:00pm with a spirited holiday performance by Showtime USA, a high energy fun filled singing and dancing troupe of children and teens that has delighted audiences at Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, and Six Flags Over Georgia. For the Light-Up! Night, Showtime USA will deliver a wide variety of holiday musical favorites. Showtime will perform in front of City Hall/Lightner Museum.
Then at 5:30pm, the All Star Orchestra, under the direction of Gary Strohminger, returns yet another year, now being as much of a tradition as the lighting ceremony itself. The popular 16-piece band, performing from the Gazebo, will fill the Plaza with great swing and big band sounds all in grand holiday style.
The most exciting moment on Light-Up! Night is the light-up itself and has been since Nights of Lights began. In the early years of the event, governmental officials were called upon to flip-the-switch, then later the honor was given to members of the community identified as unsung heroes, those who contributed to the betterment of the community often without recognition.
Current Mayor Joe Boles took the best of both traditions and created a new one by recognizing those who have given of themselves as public servants to the city but who may have been forgotten. Mayor Boles has invited all former St. Augustine Mayors to join him in Light-Up! Night ceremonies and then each year one of those present has the honor of flipping the switch to light the city.
Mayor Boles is St. Augustine’s 118th Mayor since the city became part of the United States in 1821. Currently there are 11 living former mayors. They and their years of service are: John Bailey (1965-1967), Arthur Runk (1973-1975), Edward Mussallem (1975-1979), Fred Brinkhoff (1979-1981), V. Noel Helmly (1981), Ramelle Petroglou (1981-1982, 1983-1985), Tracy Upchurch (1990-1992), Greg Baker (1992-1995), Len Weeks (1995-2000), Mark Alexander (2000-2002), and George Gardner (2002-2006).
For more information
Nights of Lights is funded by the City of St. Augustine and the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. The City of St. Augustine manages the installation and maintenance of displays at over 100 locations, including buildings, parks, and gardens throughout the city, but credit for the success of the Nights of Lights is shared with area businesses and residents who voluntarily participate at their own expense truly making the city a city of light.
For visitor information including dining, shopping, lodging, attractions, and tours, visit St. Augustine-Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or call 800.653.2489.
Additional information regarding the St. Augustine & St. Johns County Visitor Information Center and adjacent Historic Downtown Parking Facility visit www.vicparking.com.
For general questions regarding Light-Up! Night and the Nights of Lights, call the city’s Public Affairs Department at 904.825.1004 or email info@citystaug.com
Light-Up! Night and running events necessitate traffic disruptions
Events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18
Activities related to Light-Up! Night, the start of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, and running events associated with the St. Augustine Half Marathon will necessitate several disruptions of traffic in St. Augustine on Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18.
On Saturday, November 17, the Plaza de Constitución will be the site of Light-Up! Night, the kick-off ceremony for the 19th annual Nights of Lights. The annual event draws thousands into the downtown, necessitating street closures and detours in the area surrounding the plaza. The lighting ceremony starts at 6:30pm. All streets are expected to reopen by 9:00pm.
On Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18, running events associated with the St. Augustine Half Marathon will necessitate traffic restrictions and detours along the route. Those areas include: the Bayfront north of the Bridge of Lions, the bridge itself, Anastasia Blvd./State Rd. A1A, State Rd. 312 east of Sgt. Tutten Dr. A1A Beach Blvd., and the Lighthouse Park area. Traffic restrictions will be in effect on Saturday from 6:00am until 1:00pm and on Sunday from 5:00am until 1:00pm.
Law enforcement agencies from the City of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns County and Anastasia State Park have worked diligently with Miami Tri-Events, sponsor of the event, to provide a safe environment for participants while minimizing disruptions to residents and businesses in the area.
Details regarding street closures and detours are below. The City of St. Augustine encourages residents, businesses and visitors to plan accordingly so as to enjoy these events as much as possible while being inconvenienced as little as possible.
For information on Light-Up! Night, visit www.lightupnight.info.
For information regarding the running events visit www.staugustinemarathon.com.
Nights of Lights Light-Up! Night – Saturday, Nov 17 / 4:00pm – 9:00pm
Closed to traffic
• Cathedral Pl., St. George St. from Cathedral Pl. to King St., Charlotte St. and Ponce Cir. from Cathedral Pl. to King St.
Detours
• Bridge of Lions westbound traffic will turn north on Avenida Menendez.
• King St. eastbound by the Plaza will be restricted to one lane.
St. Augustine Half Marathon / 5K and 10K races – Saturday, Nov 17 / 6:00am – 11:00am
Race course for 5K and 10K
• Start at Francis Field on W. Castillo Dr., continue south on S. Castillo Dr./Avenida Menendez, over the Bridge of Lions, continue on Anastasia Blvd. to White St. for the 5K and on into Anastasia State Park for the 10K, then north on Anastasia Blvd. over the Bridge of Lions, west on Orange St., north on Cordova St. to the starting point at Francis Field.
Closed to all traffic
• W. Castillo Dr.
• Northbound lanes of S. Castillo Dr./Avenida Menendez from the Bridge of Lions to the City Gate.
• Westbound lane of the Bridge of Lions.
• Inside lanes, northbound and southbound of Anastasia Blvd. from the Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Park Road.
Detours
• The Bridge of Lions – two-way traffic alternated using eastbound lane only.
• Anastasia Blvd. from the Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Park Road – all traffic restricted to outside lanes.
St. Augustine Half Marathon – Sunday, Nov 18 / 5:00am-1:00pm
Race course for half and full marathon
• Start at Francis Field on W. Castillo Dr., continue south on S. Castillo Dr./Avenida Menendez, over the Bridge of Lions, south on Anastasia Blvd., west on State Road 312, make a u-turn at Sgt Tutten Rd., continue east on State Rd. 312, south on State Rd. A1A, east on Pope Rd., north on A1A Beach Blvd., north on Santander St., east on San Juan Ext. into Anastasia State Park, then north on Lew Blvd., north on Red Cox Dr., east on Carver St. E., north on Lighthouse Ave., west on White St., north on Anastasia Blvd. over the Bridge of Lions, and north on Avenida Menendez ending near the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Closed to all traffic
• W. Castillo Dr.,
• Northbound lanes of S. Castillo Dr./Avenida Menendez north of the Bridge of Lions.
• Westbound lane of the Bridge of Lions.
• Inside lanes, northbound and southbound of Anastasia Blvd./State Road A1A from the Bridge of Lions to State Rd. 206 and along State Rd. 312 from State Rd. A1A to Sgt. Tutten Rd.
Detours
• Bridge of Lions – two-way traffic alternated using eastbound lane only.
• Anastasia Blvd./State Road A1A from the Bridge of Lions to State Rd. 206, and State Rd. 312 from State Rd. A1A to Sgt. Tutten Rd. – all traffic restricted to outside lanes.
Thanksgiving holiday closings for the City of St. Augustine
Offices for the City of St. Augustine will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, but the solid waste pick-up schedule will remain unchanged.
For more information, call the Public Affairs Office at 904.825.1004.
City and County offer post-Thanksgiving
cooking oil collection for second year
Two locations for cooking oil drop off on Monday, November 26
The City of St. Augustine and St. Johns County Utilities have joined together for the second year to collect used cooking oil and grease following the Thanksgiving holiday.
The recycling collection is set for Monday, November 26, 7:30am–3:30pm at two recycling drop points: 25 W. Castillo Drive (Francis Field downtown); and 840 West 16th Street on Anastasia Island.
This opportunity allows residents to properly dispose of large amounts of used cooking oil to be recycled into usable products such as biodiesel fuel. Participants are asked to allow used cooking grease to cool prior to delivering it in a safe container that will not melt or shatter. Also, to help in collecting oil in the future, each participant will receive a free funnel for future recycling efforts.
When cooking oil is improperly disposed of down the drain, it can clog sewer pipes and create environmental and public health hazards. Problems with sewer lines typically increase around the holidays when people are washing a lot of greasy and fatty foods down the drain. The fats, oils and greases build up inside sewer pipes and can cause raw sewage to back up and overflow into homes, businesses and the environment.
Used cooking oil may be dropped off throughout the year at six other locations: St. Johns County Fleet Maintenance Biodiesel Dept., 2730 Industry Center Rd.; St. Johns County Solid Waste transfer stations, 250 North Stratton Rd. and 3005 Allen Nease Rd.; St. Johns County Utilities, 860 West 16th St.; the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 13 South Dixie Hwy.; and the City of St. Augustine Wastewater Treatment Plant, 501 Riberia St.
For more information on the collection and other cooking oil recycling efforts, contact Glabra Skipp, City of St. Augustine at 904.209.4284 or Stacy Kowlsen, St. Johns County at 904.209.2662.
Source: City of St. Augustine
St. Augustine news and notes – November 2, 2012
Nov 3rd
Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 4 at 2:00am, so remember to turn clocks back one hour before retirning on Saturday night, so you’re on-time on Sunday morning. Daylight Saving Time begins each year on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Tuesday is Election Day – Early voting ends tomorrow
Early voting ends tomorrow, Saturday November 3. Polling locations will be open from 7:00am-7:00pm. For a list of locations, click here.
If you have not retuned your absentee ballot, you may wish to drop it off to ensure it is received by the Supervisor of Elections by Election Day. There are 11 locations across the county where ballots may be dropped off, including the city’s Financial Services Center. To see a complete list of locations, click here.
To get ready for Election Day, visit the Supervisor of Elections web site at www.sjcvotes.us for complete voting information, including sample ballots.
No trucks on Lemon St.
Effective immediately and continuing through the construction work on the US-1/Ponde de Leon Blvd. San Sebastian Bridge, trucks are prohibited on Lemon St. Earlier this week the city placed signs noting the prohibition on the western end of Lemon St. at its intersection with US-1/Ponde de Leon Blvd.
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 Thursday, 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.
North Davis Shores sanitary sewer inspections involves smoke
In this case, where there’s smoke…there’s I & I
One of the biggest challenges to operating an efficient sanitary sewer system is to ensure that all the water that needs treated gets treated, and water that does not need treatment doesn’t get it.
Seems simple, but when aging pipes allow rainwater or groundwater to enter the sewer system, a lot of water that does not need to be treated, gets treated; not an efficient use of resources.
The solution? Find the leaks and stop the leaks.
That’s the basis of current inspections of the sanity sewer systems in the North Davis Shores area with the goal of eliminating rainwater inflow and groundwater infiltration. Commonly referred to as “I & I,” the problem occurs when groundwater and/or rainwater enters the sanitary sewer system, travels through pump stations and ends up at the wastewater treatment plant necessitating its treatment just as if it were waste water.
One the the most efficient ways to find the sources of I & I is by distributing smoke into the system and then watch for the smoke. Where there’s smoke, there’s I & I.
To learn more about the inspections and upcoming tests. click here.
In just two weeks…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, visit www.nightsoflights.com.
The Break Room: City Clerk keeps City records, and much more
City Clerk Alison Ratkovic stops by The Break Room this week and discusses the work of the Clerk’s Office as well as explains the City Commission’s reorganization process held every two years following an election.
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.
Discover First America! Program Adventure returns November 20
The Discover First America! Program Adventure returns starting on Tuesday, November 20 at 7:00pm. The free, five-part entertainment series, held at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada Street, explores facets of St. Augustine’s rich history and culture. Each program will begin at 7:00pm with the doors opening at 6:00pm for seating, lobby displays, information and book signings. The Discover First America! Program Adventure is presented by the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration in partnership with Flagler College, Florida Power & Light Company.
The program schedule is:
– November 20, 2012: Mythbusters! Fact & Fiction in St. Augustine’s History
– December 5, 2012: Ancient City Musicale: 450 Years of Song & Dance
– January 9, 2013: Palace in Paradise: The Hotel Ponce de Leon Turns 125
– January 23, 2013: Juan Ponce de León Finds La Florida
– March 14, 2013: Revolt! Revolutionary War Trials & Tribulations in St. Augustine
St. Augustine 450th Commemoration passports will be given to all participants. Souvenir stampings in the passport will be provided at each program. The Discover First America! Program Adventure is sponsored by the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration, Flagler College, Florida Power & Light Company, St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast, The St. Augustine Record, Augustine.com, SGS Art & Design, and City Gate Productions.
Additional details about the entire The Discover First America! Program Adventure at www.staugustine-450.com.
Got papers to shred? Let Advanced Disposal do it for you.
Advanced Disposal is sponsoring its second annual St. Johns County Shredding Event. St. Johns County residents and businesses are invited to safely destroy old personal documents that should not be carelessly thrown out with the trash. Note that there is a three-box limit per household or business.
Planned for Saturday, November 17 from 9:00am until 1:00pm at the Anastasia Square Shopping Center, corner of SR 312 and Hwy A1A. To see and print a flyer for your information or to share, click here. For more information on the shredding event, call Advanced Disposal at 904.827.1005.
Post-Thanksgiving FOG collection returns
Used fats, oils and grease to be collected on Monday, November 26
The City of St. Augustine and St. Johns County Utilities have joined together for the second year to collect used cooking oil and grease (FOG) following the Thanksgiving holiday.
The recycling collection is set for Monday, November 26, 7:30am–3:30pm at two recycling drop points:
25 W. Castillo Drive (Francis Field); and
840 West 16th Street on Anastasia Island.
This opportunity allows residents to properly dispose of large amounts of used cooking oil to be recycled into usable products such as biodiesel fuel. Participants are asked to allow used cooking grease to cool prior to delivering it in a safe container that will not melt or shatter. Also, to help in collecting oil in the future, each participant will receive a free funnel for future recycling efforts.
When cooking oil is improperly disposed of down the drain, it can clog sewer pipes and create environmental and public health hazards. Problems with sewer lines typically increase around the holidays when people are washing a lot of greasy and fatty foods down the drain. The fats, oils and greases build up inside sewer pipes and can cause raw sewage to back up and overflow into homes, businesses and the environment.
But it is not necessary to wait until Thanksgiving to recycle cooking ooil. There are six locations throughout the county that accepts used cooking oil year round. For a list of the locations and directions, click here.
For more information on the collection and other cooking oil recycling efforts, contact Glabra Skipp, City of St. Augustine at 904.209.4284 or Stacy Kowlsen, St. Johns County at 904.209.2662.
Veterans Day holiday closings for the City of St. Augustine
Offices for the City of St. Augustine will be closed on Monday, November 12 in observance of Veterans Day, but the solid waste pick-up schedule will remain unchanged.
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.
Meeting Agendas
Planning & Zoning Board, Tuesday, November 6. Agenda is here.
Code Enforcement, Appeals & Adjustment Board, Tuesday, November 13. Agenda is here.
City Commission, Wednesday, November 14. Agenda will be available here.
Historic Architectural Review Board, Thursday, November 15. Agenda is 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 highlights for St. Augustine October 26, 2012
Oct 26th
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