St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Chair Krista Joseph spoke on a number of topics Monday, Jan. 13, during a well-attended special meeting hosted by the Palm Valley Community Association.
She began her presentation with the annual Palm Valley Boat Parade, held Dec. 7. The holiday tradition attracted an estimated 300 spectators to the area under the bridge. The experience was enhanced with the addition of special facilities set up by the county Parks and Recreation Department.
The commission had approved $5,000 to cover the cost of a free shuttle service, safety lighting, additional portable restrooms, trash cans and more. Bleacher seating and the presence of food trucks further enhanced the event.
“I think the boat parade was one of the most successful things that the county has partnered with,” Joseph said Monday. She predicted that the county would do more next year.
Joseph gave an update on the progress of the Palm Valley sidewalk project. She pointed out that the county had encountered some water mitigation problems that need to be resolved so that the work can continue.
She also said she was working with Landrum Middle School in hopes that a gate in the vicinity could be left open for students as they walk to school so that they could avoid more highly traveled thoroughfares.
Several of those attending the meeting expressed an interest in Joseph’s 14-point tree ordinance, which she intends to bring up during the first commission meeting in March. Her proposals would help protect trees from clear-cutting.
Some residents at the meeting reported that the company collecting their trash hasn’t been conducting separate collections of recyclables.
The county terminated its contract with FCC Environmental Services Florida in August over missed pickups. That company and others have been serving the county as it seeks a new provider.
Joseph said she plans to address the “garbage debacle” at a future meeting.
Seeing the devastation by fires in California, Joseph reported that Fire Rescue Chief Sean McGee was scheduled to speak during the next commission meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21. He will provide a brief update on the wildland fire danger for St. Johns County and an overview of the county Fire Rescue department’s operations plan and resources.
One of the first things Joseph did after being elected commission chair in November was move the public comment section to the beginning of the board’s regular meetings. Monday, she explained why.
“The people are first in my book,” she said.
Joseph indicated that several issues would be taken up by the board at future meetings: commercial concurrency, the comprehensive plan, impact fees and the status of the World Golf Village property and the IMAX theater there.
She also reported that work on the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall was going well and that it may be ready to open as soon as mid-summer.
