St. Augustine commission approves Army Corps funding amendment, Medici Lions work and Nights of Lights shuttle change

The St. Augustine City Commission voted unanimously to amend the city’s feasibility cost-share agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accept additional federal funding that will complete a Back Bay coastal-storm-risk feasibility study through 2028 without requiring the city to provide additional matching cash.

Why it matters: The study—aimed at reducing coastal flood risk to critical infrastructure, cultural resources and the local economy—had an estimated total cost of about $7.5 million. The city previously committed a $1.5 million share funded from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. Commissioners were told the remaining nonfederal share (roughly $4.3 million) has now been covered by federal appropriations; that eliminates about $2 million the city had been preparing to allocate as a match.

Study detail: Jessica Beach, the city’s chief resilience officer, and Jason Harrah, the Corps’ project manager, told commissioners the study will continue through environmental, engineering and economic analyses and community outreach. The Corps identified a “final array” of alternatives in June 2025 and is now developing detailed alignments and renderings to show what walls, earthen levees, pump stations and nature-based features could look like behind individual properties. The Corps presented a timeline that includes a tentatively selected plan and public rollout in 2026 and a final feasibility report in 2028; if adopted, the report would be submitted for congressional authorization to proceed to design and construction.

Other commission actions and background: - Medici Lions agreement: The commission adopted Resolution 2025-31 to update a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reimbursement agreement for removal, conservation and reinstallation of the Bridge of Lions “Medici” lion statues. Staff said the new agreement increases the previously estimated budget from about $100,000 to $152,315 to cover conservation costs; the commission approved the resolution by roll call vote. - Environmental Impact Award: The commission approved naming an environmental-impact award the “Red Cedar Award” (resolution 2025-529) and adopted the associated materials. The vice mayor moved the resolution and the commission voted yes. - Star circulator route for Nights of Lights: Staff proposed a trial reroute of the Star Circulator for Nights of Lights (Nov. 16–Jan. 11) to serve Anastasia Island and the beach, running 5 p.m.–11 p.m. at roughly 30-minute headways and stopping at 16 locations. Commissioners approved the trial by voice vote, subject to staff attempting to keep the shuttle on Anastasia Boulevard where feasible and to evaluate whether a safe U-turn point can preserve schedule headways. FDOT grant funding was cited as covering the shuttle trial costs. - Consent and appointments: The commission approved the consent agenda (which included ratifying a collective-bargaining agreement with the St. Augustine professional firefighters and authorizing participation in the opioid settlement distribution process) and reappointed Dr. Ashley Barnes to the Planning & Zoning Board.

Quotes and context: "The city doesn't owe anything else for completion of the study through 2028," Corps project manager Jason Harrah said, crediting congressional support for securing the federal share. Chief resilience officer Jessica Beach told commissioners the amendment formalizes use of Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations funds to cover the city’s anticipated remaining match.

Procedural note: A speaker during the meeting raised a procedural question about whether a proposed transit-route change met a 30-day public-notice requirement in state law; the city attorney said staff would review the legal requirements and follow up if further action was needed.

Ending: Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the amendments and resolutions presented that evening and directed staff to continue community outreach for the Back Bay feasibility study and to report back on operational details for the Nights of Lights shuttle trial.