During a recent government meeting, tensions rose as public comments highlighted concerns over scheduling conflicts and the treatment of community members in the agenda process. Ellen Avery Smith, the applicant for a project at 24 Cathedral Place, requested the board to rearrange the agenda to accommodate her prior commitment to another required community meeting. She expressed her inability to be in two places at once, emphasizing the importance of her attendance at both governmental meetings.

In response, Kalei West, a resident of St. Augustine, criticized the board for frequently accommodating attorneys and developers at the expense of public participants, urging that all voices should be treated equally. Another resident, Lehi Keyes, cautioned that moving the Cathedral Place discussion up could leave some community members uninformed about the change.

The board proceeded to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and addressed modifications to the agenda. Notably, a certificate of demolition for a property on North Ponce de Leon Boulevard was withdrawn after the owner indicated plans to relocate the building instead.

The board also discussed the implications of moving agenda items, particularly the potential impact on public attendance and participation. Members acknowledged the challenges of scheduling but emphasized the need for respect towards all participants, suggesting that conflicts should be managed more effectively in the future.

The meeting concluded with plans for the next session scheduled for October 17, where further discussions on community projects are expected to take place.