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Votes at a glance: St. Augustine commission approves vendor ban, mitigation plan, several resolutions and first reading of firefighters' pension change
Summary
The commission approved Ordinance 2025-06 restricting mobile vendors in downtown high‑congestion corridors and unanimously approved a package of resolutions and a first reading addressing FDOT signal maintenance reimbursement, the local mitigation strategy, a historic‑resources grant application, and the city’s 2024 vision plan update.
The City Commission approved multiple items during its May 20 meeting. Key formal actions included adoption of an ordinance restricting mobile vendors in designated high‑congestion downtown corridors and unanimous approval of several resolutions and one ordinance on first reading.
Votes and motions recorded at the meeting (summaries below) were unanimous among commissioners present unless noted. The mayor was absent for this meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 2025‑06 (mobile vendors): Adopted at second reading. Roll call recorded yes votes from John DePrater, Jim Springfield, Cynthia Gares and Barbara Blonder. (See detailed article on the ordinance.)
- Ordinance 2025‑02 (firefighters pension trust fund share plan): Approved on first reading (read by title only). The ordinance changes the split of premium tax revenue from a 50/50 city/firefighter split to a 60/40 split in favor of individual firefighters (including retirees); the union voted in support. Vote recorded in favor by commissioners present; motion passed.
- Resolution 2025‑15 (FDOT traffic signal maintenance reimbursement): Approved. The agreement reimburses the city $116,123 for traffic signal maintenance in fiscal year 2026; the city maintains signals within its limits and receives annual reimbursement from FDOT.
- Resolution 2025‑16 (adoption of the Local Mitigation Strategy): Adopted. The commission formally adopted the five‑year local mitigation strategy update, allowing projects to be ranked for FEMA hazard mitigation grant programs and other mitigation funding.
- Resolution 2025‑17 (Florida Division of Historical Resources small matching grant application): Adopted. The Historic Preservation Division requested commission support to apply for a $50,000 small matching grant to develop an archaeological heritage trail; as a certified local government the city is not required to provide a local match.
- Resolution 2025‑19 (adoption by reference of the 2024 Vision Plan update): Adopted. The commission approved the updated vision plan, which adds resiliency as a distinct theme and incorporates public engagement results gathered at six community meetings and an online survey.
- Consent agenda: Approved. The consent agenda included items such as a time extension for the Fountain of Youth Elk Lodge grant agreement to 12/31/2025, a Marlow v. City of St. Augustine invoice for professional services, and notice of public hearings and proclamations scheduled for upcoming meetings.
Procedural notes and next steps
- For items funded through external programs (for example FEMA mitigation grants), staff noted the LMS adoption is required for project ranking and for submitting grant applications.
- The firefighters pension change reflects distribution of premium tax revenue; staff noted those premium tax receipts are state transfers and not direct city general‑fund expenditures. The union voted in support of the change.
- Staff will coordinate implementation details for adopted items (e.g., FDOT reimbursement agreement execution, grant application submittal, LMS project prioritization and vendor‑ordinance enforcement and signage).
Sources: staff presentations and roll‑call votes recorded in the May 20 meeting transcript.
