The Ponte Vedra Municipal Service District held its first meeting of the year and it including voting on the officers on its board during 2023.
Al Hollon was unanimously voted as chairman of the MSD for a second straight year after initially nominated by fellow trustee John Cellucci.
“Brad (Wester) proved what a great job can be done with a second as chairman,” Cellucci said.
According to Wester, continuing with the same chairman and vice chairman for consecutive years is key to maintaining consistency, and that includes when it comes to how the trustee reports are sorted out, which will take place at the next meeting scheduled for Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Public Library.
Kitty Switkes was also once again named to the position of vice chairman for a consecutive year, while newcomer Rick Brown was voted treasurer.
Brown takes over as treasurer having had 38 years in the mortgage industry and dealing with finances.
In other news from the meeting, Hollon and the board discussed the possibility of looking into providing more street lights at the school bus stops, because of recent complaints by residents pertaining to how dark it can get in the mornings during certain times of the year.
The board will look into the best way of approaching this further.
Hollon also provided police reports from the MSD’s extra off-duty officers, which included 58 citations and 182 traffic stops given during the month of December 2022.
Some of the reports included helping with parking complaints and issues along San Juan Drive. Hollon said that the construction along that stretch of road causing the issues is hoping to wrap up soon.
An air-conditioned unit at A1A Storage was rented by Cellucci for between $90 to $100 with taxes included to store 182 American flags and holiday paraphernalia.
According Cellucci, after attending the most recent Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley Citizens Traffic Task Force board meeting, the CTTF made clear that they opposed the recent plan discussed to install lights to the ball fields behind the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, stating added traffic and lack of parking space as the major reasons why.
Wester informed the board that after speaking with Nathan Otter, Environmental Technician Beach Lightning Officer with St. Johns County, that all beach walkover repairs have been completed that occurred during the recent hurricane season.
He also stated that last year the United States Army Corps of Engineers changed their policy lasting year when it comes to selecting dredging projects, and it is something the MSD will have to watch and stay on top of moving forward.
