Board of County Commission Regular Meetings: Held monthly on the first and third Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. in the County Auditorium. BOCC Agendas | Minutes | Calendar

Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings

• Planning & Zoning Board Regular Meeting is scheduled for August 6
• The Arts, Culture, & Heritage Grants Panel Meeting is scheduled for August 12
• Meeting Notices /  Event  /  Advisory Calendars

Boards and Committees Public Comment Call-in Participation & Telephonic Public Meeting Information

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COVID-19 Drive-thru Testing at Flagler Hospital Resumes Tuesday, August 4 – The COVID-19 Drive-thru Testing Site located at Flagler Hospital will resume operations at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4. A partnership with St. Johns County, the testing site is located in Parking Lot B and is available from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, or until the maximum number of daily tests are collected. Testing is available for all ages, and patients do not need to exhibit symptoms, possess a doctor's note, or make an appointment. A parent or guardian must be present for children under 18 to be tested. While insurance cards are not needed, a photo ID is required. For more information, please call 904.824.5550.

St. Johns County Beaches Open to Swimming and On-beach Driving Tuesday, August 4 – All Tropical Storm Isaias-related prohibitions on swimming at St. Johns County beaches, including the Fort Matanzas National Monument beaches, will be lifted at dawn on Tuesday, August 4. Beach visitors are asked to exercise caution when swimming. In addition, on-beach driving is anticipated to be reinstated at 8 a.m. on Tuesday; however, gate openings may be delayed due to tidal flooding. For the most up-to-date information on beach access and driving conditions, please download the Reach the Beach Mobile App or visit the SJCBeaches Facebook and Twitter. For additional information, please visit www.sjcfl.us/beaches or call 904.209.0331.

St. Johns County Trash and Recycling Collections not Impacted by Tropical Storm Isaias – St. Johns County garbage, yard debris, and recycling collections will not be impacted by Tropical Storm Isaias and will proceed as scheduled during the week of August 3.  Residents are asked to please continue following regular schedules on standard collection days. For more information regarding St. Johns County garbage, yard debris, and recycling collections, please call 904.827.6980.

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St. Johns County Mandates the Use of Face Coverings in all County Facilities – In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19, a face covering mandate for all St. Johns County-owned facilitiesis in effect. All employees and any person working, doing business, or visiting a County facility are required to wear a face covering when social distancing of six feet or more cannot be maintained. For a full list of exemptions and enforcement policies, please visit www.sjcfl.us. This Emergency Order will remain in effect through the duration of the St. Johns County Emergency Proclamation 2020-1, unless otherwise rescinded by the County Administrator or his designee. For more information, please contact 904.824.5550. Use of Face Masks in All County Facilities Fact Sheet

St. Johns County CARES Act Funding Program for Residents, Businesses, and Nonprofits – The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners approved Phase I of a $46 million CARES Act funding program in response to COVID-19. The program focuses on assistance for small businesses, residents, nonprofit organizations, and other COVID-19 response-related projects. Grant criteria for each category are currently under development and will be posted on www.sjcfl.us with applications in the coming weeks. For more information related to the CARES Act and funding programs, please call 904.209.6050 or email sjccares@sjcfl.us.

"Pledge St. Johns County" Program Encourages Business Commitment to CDC Health Guidelines – The "Pledge St. Johns County" program offers businesses the opportunity to commit to CDC guidelines and ensure St. Johns County residents, visitors, and employees are safe and comfortable in their establishments. Created in partnership with the City of St. Augustine, the City of St. Augustine Beach, the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, "Pledge St. Johns County" features a pledge in which businesses vow to adhere to guidelines regarding cleaning and disinfecting protocols, group size limitations, social distancing recommendations, and enhanced employee protocols and training. In addition, they pledge to encourage the use of face coverings by staff and customers. Organizations that take the Pledge will receive a toolkit of printable display materials to let employees and customers know they are a "Pledge St. Johns County" business. Pledged businesses will also be recognized on the "Pledge St. Johns County" website directory. Business owners or managers who would like to take the Pledge, or patrons who would like to support "Pledge St. Johns County" businesses, may do so by visiting www.pledgesjc.com.

St. Johns County Garbage, Recycling, and Yard Debris Collection Delays – Due to an increased demand for solid waste collection services, St. Johns County's garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection schedules may be delayed in some neighborhoods. Residents are asked to please continue following regular schedules on standard collection days. The Tillman Ridge and Stratton Road solid waste scale houses are open during standard business hours. For more information, please call 904.827.6980 or email solidwaste@sjcfl.us.

Florida Power & Light Financial Assistance – Having trouble paying your FPL bill because of COVID-19? You may qualify for local, state and/or federal financial assistance, which has increased significantly due to the pandemic. And, we're here to help. All it takes is a phone call. We will continue working closely with you to do everything we can to avoid turning lights off for nonpayment, which is and has always been a last resort. Call us directly at 800.226.3545.

Free Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing at Flagler Hospital – St. Johns County and Flagler Health+ are offering free drive-thru COVID-19 testing Monday through Friday at Flagler Hospital, 400 Health Park Blvd. The testing site is located in Parking Lot B and will remain open from 7 to 11 a.m. or until the maximum number of daily tests are collected. Testing is available for all ages, and patients do not need to exhibit symptoms, possess a doctor's note, or make an appointment. A parent or guardian must be present for children under 18 to be tested. While insurance cards are not needed, a photo ID is required. More information regarding Free Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing at Flagler Hospital

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Encourages Businesses to Require Masks – The St. Johns Board of County Commissioners strongly encourages local businesses to mandate that employees and customers wear masks while inside their establishments in order to further prevent the spread of COVID-19. The recommendation is made in conjunction with Pledge St. Johns County, a program that offers businesses the opportunity to pledge to adhere to CDC guidelines regarding cleaning and disinfecting protocols, group size limitations, social distancing recommendations, and enhanced employee protocols and training. Businesses that take the Pledge are eligible to receive a limited mask allotment for distribution to their customers and employees. Business owners or managers who would like to take the Pledge, or patrons who would like to support "Pledge St. Johns County" businesses, may do so by visiting www.pledgesjc.com. For additional information regarding mask allotments for businesses that take the Pledge, please call 904.824.5550 or email pledgesjc@sjcfl.us.

St. Johns County Approves CARES Act Funding Program – The St. Johns Board of County Commissioners approved Phase I of a $46 million CARES Act funding program on July 14, 2020 that focuses on small business recovery, resident assistance, and non-profit organizations. County staff contacted community stakeholders to conduct a needs assessment and gather feedback to fund programs essential to recovery efforts. With $10 million allocated to an expanded Back to Business Grant Program, the funding reinforces St. Johns County's commitment to ensuring small businesses remain at the forefront of the economic recovery effort. More Information regarding St. Johns County Approves CARES Act Funding Program

Hastings Branch Library Open for Curbside Service Only – The Hastings Branch is temporarily closed to walk-in patrons. Curbside service is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Patrons can utilize curbside service by placing items on hold by calling a library or online at www.sjcpls.org. The Health and Human Services Drop-in Center and CareerSource Florida satellite offices are also closed at this time. For more information on curbside services at the Hastings Branch Library, please call 904.827.6970 or visit www.sjcpls.org for alternate locations and digital services.

State of Florida Restricts On-Premises Alcohol Consumption Effective June 26, 2020 –  Per the State of Florida's Emergency Order 2020-09, issued on Friday, June 26, all vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, and who derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages, shall suspend the sale of all alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, effective immediately. Vendors may continue to sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off the premises. Vendors who are also licensed as public food service establishments or restaurants may continue to operate for on-premises consumption of food and beverages at tables, provided these vendors derive 50 percent or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption. For more information, please call the St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center at 904.824.5550.

St. Johns County Recommends All Residents and Businesses Adhere to Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Health Advisory – The Florida Department of Health issued a Public Health Advisory on June 20 in response to COVID-19, providing recommendations to protect Floridians and visitors from this virus. The advisory recommends wearing masks in public, encourages elderly and vulnerable populations to limit interactions outside of the home, and urges all individuals to refrain from participating in gatherings of more than 50 people. All persons who work in long-term care facilities should be tested for COVID-19 on a routine basis. In addition, Governor DeSantis also directed the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to increase inspections to ensure that businesses are adhering to applicable Phase 1 and Phase 2 guidance.

The Public Health Advisory provides the following recommendations:

1. All individuals in Florida should wear masks in any setting where social distancing is not possible, unless certain conditions apply.

2. All individuals over the age of 65 and all individuals of any age with high-risk health conditions should limit personal interactions outside of the home.

3. All individuals should refrain from participation in social or recreational gatherings of more than 50 people. For all gatherings of fewer than 50 people, individuals should practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least six feet from each other and wearing a face covering.

St. Johns County is currently in Phase 2, which dictates:

• Restaurants, bars, and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, excluding nightclubs, may operate at fifty percent of the establishment's indoor capacity and at full capacity outside with appropriate social distancing. Bar areas may operate with seated service.
• Entertainment businesses, including but not limited to movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys and arcades may operate at fifty percent of the establishment's capacity with appropriate social distancing between groups and proper sanitization protocols.
• In-store retail businesses, gyms, and fitness centers may operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing measures and proper sanitization protocols.
• Personal services including but not limited to barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, tattooing, body piercing, tanning, and massage may operate while adhering to appropriate safety guidelines outlined by the Florida Department of Health.

For more information or a complete review of the State of Florida's recent Public Health Advisory, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

Updated St. Johns County Short-Term Vacation Rental Reopening Plan – The amended plan became effective June 10, 2020 and addresses factors including time between rentals, cleaning and sanitization requirements, and visitors from states listed in the Governor's Executive orders. Please review the updated St. Johns County Short-Term Vacation Rental Reopening Plan or call 904.824.5550 for additional information.

Local State of Emergency in St. Johns County – Local State of Emergency in St. Johns County Details

FYIs

Encompass Health Expanding to St. Johns County with New Rehabilitation Hospital –   St. Johns County Administration and the St. Johns County Economic Development Office have worked with Encompass Health to expand its network of state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospitals and bring high-quality, inpatient services to St. Johns County. Encompass Health recently announced the purchase of land at the northwest corner of Silver Lane and State Road 207 for the future development of a 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Encompass Health Expanding to St. Johns County

JTA Provides St. Johns Express Select Route from St. Augustine to Jacksonville – The Jacksonville Transit Authority has established the St. Johns Express Select bus route to provide a convenient connection between St. Johns County and Downtown Jacksonville. The route begins at the St. Johns County Government Center, 4010 Lewis Speedway, and makes a stop at the Pavilion at Durbin Park before arriving in Downtown Jacksonville. Service is offered from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is not available on weekends or holidays. One-way passes are available for $3, one-day passes for $5, and 31-day passes for $90. For more information, including bus stop addresses and pass fees, please visit https://www.jtafla.com/schedules/regional-services/st-johns-express-select/.

Sign Up for Alert St. Johns Emergency Notification System to Receive Updates during Hurricane Season – With June marking the beginning of the 2020 hurricane season, St. Johns County is encouraging all residents to sign up for Alert St. Johns, a new emergency notification system that provides critical information during emergency situations. Residents can sign up at www.sjcemergencymanagement.com.

Boards and Committees Volunteer Opportunities – Please visit www.sjcfl.us/Boards to view current vacancies,  requirements and duties of each board and committee, download an application, or contact the Board of County Commissioners office at 904.209.0300 or mlundquist@sjcfl.us for more information. Boards and Committees Vacancies

The Fire Watch Program and Mobile App – According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately twenty veterans commit suicide each day in the United States. In an effort to respond to this national epidemic, St. Johns County has joined surrounding communities and local organizations in Fire Watch, a program that provides a support system for veterans in crisis. The Fire Watch mobile app enables veterans and volunteers to foster positive relationships and ensure veterans get the help they need. Available on both the Apple App Store and Android Google Play, the app will allow veterans in crisis to quickly receive emergency assistance and connect them with local resources and allies that will help them build relations and provide one-on-one counseling and support. For more information on the Fire Watch program, please visit www.thefirewatch.org.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season – SJC beaches are home to several species of endangered or threatened sea turtles. Sea turtle nesting season begins May 1, and St. Johns County officials are asking residents, visitors, and businesses to help protect natural habitat by observing all nesting season laws and regulations. 2020 Sea Turtle Season

Current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps – Flood Zone Viewer

Events & Activities

Contract awarded for County Coastal Storm Risk Management Project –  The Jacksonville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $15,179,050 contract July 7, 2020, to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC, of Oak Brook, Ill., to restore critically eroded shoreline along the coast of St. Johns County, Florida. Vilano Beach 50-year Army Corps Beach Project Contract Awarded

Free "Living on a Few Acres" Workshops – The St. Johns County UF/IFAS Extension Office is hosting free monthly "Living on a Few Acres" workshops. These workshops will provide participants with information on cottage food industry laws and berry production and will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Registration is required. For more information or to register, please visit www.lofa.eventbrite.com.

County Commissioner Invitations – From time to time the County Commissioners receive invitations to attend various events. On occasion, more than one County Commissioner may attend and participate at the event.  For more information regarding the Notices for the events, visit the Board of County Commissioner’s Invitations webpage

Projects, Advisories, Status Updates

Temporary Lane Closures on Race Track Road –  JEA is installing electric transmission poles and power lines along Race Track Road. Temporary lane closures will be required on portions of the eastbound lane during the the project, which is scheduled to be complete in December. Pole installation sites and lane closures will move each day. For more information regarding this project, please visit www.jea.com/us1.

Alternate CR 210 Temporary Closure – Alternate 210 will be closed to all traffic from the CR 210 to Twin Creeks Dr for utility and drainage improvements through July. The CR 210 and Alternate CR 210 intersection will only be open for east-west travel. Detour routes will be posted and motorists are advised to monitor project message boards for updates. For more information, please call 904.209.0684.

Race Track Road at Veterans Parkway Turn Lane Construction – Construction is anticipated to be complete in July. Periodic lane closures are anticipated. For more information, please call 904.209.0122.

See more Project, Advisories, and Status Updates

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Public Records Requests

Government records may be seen and copied from a records custodian at the County Administration building, via specific County Departments responsible for their own records, from records custodians at Elected Officials Offices and at other levels of government such as state agencies, local, county and state authorities. Public records requests to the County may be made by completing the Public Records Request Form or by contacting the County’s Public Records Custodian at:

Office of the County Attorney, Attn: Public Records Custodian
500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, Florida 32084-8686
E: publicrecords@sjcfl.us   |  P: (904) 209-0805  |  F: (904) 209-0806

For more information, please view the Public Records Request Brochure or visit the Public Records / Open Government page.

 

Special Districts Information can be found at www.sjcfl.us/SpecialDistricts