The new partnership between the Ponte Vedra Beach Municipal Service District and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, in which the MSD hires off-duty deputies for extra patrol has some kinks that need ironing out.
According to MSD chairman Brad Wester, he was informed that there had been no off-duty patrols in the area since the last board meeting Dec. 13, 2021.
Wester stated during the Jan. 10 meeting that the Sheriff’s Office did not continue to post the off-duty patrol sheet over the holidays.
He said that he was surprised by the information he received, especially after specially talking to the Sheriff’s Office about the need for holiday patrol.
Trustee John Cellucci asked if there is someone that could monitor the situation, so they don’t have to wait until the end of the month before realizing it again.
Wester agreed that there should be a trustee assigned with tracking the off-duty schedule.
Also discussed, was an email Ben Bright with the St. Johns County Public Works Department sent to Wester that mentioned the county is looking into a study pertaining to traffic calming on San Juan Drive.
However, any study would not start until the waterline and paving project on Ponte Vedra Boulevard is complete.
Other approvals included the placement of a streetlight at the intersection of Maria Place and Le Master Drive. Trustees Gary Jurenovich and Mack McCuller opposed the addition of the streetlight.
Jurenovich was not sure if all the residents with houses near that intersection would be in favor of it, but Trustee Holly Kartsonis assured that she went to each house and spoke with the owners, who were in favor of it.
The board also approved Trustee Kitty Switkes’ request for $840 to pay Bob’s Backflow & Plumbing Company for work needed at the intersection of State Road A1A and Corona Road, as well as a resolution for the allowance of dual driveways along Ponte Vedra Boulevard for lots less than 150 feet wide that will be taken to the St. Johns County Commission for approval.
Kartsonis was the lone opposition to the proposed dual driveway allowance.
The MSD also held the board’s annual election of officers, and Al Hollon was unanimously named the new chairman.
Hollon replaces Wester, who served back-to-back terms as chairman and will remain on the board as a trustee.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself,” Wester said.
Hollon has held the role of chairman on the board in the past.
“It’s certainly a high honor,” Hollon said.
Switkes will replace Hollon as vice chair following a unanimous vote as well and Jurenovich will remain treasurer.
