The St. Augustine City Commission addressed a wide range of community concerns during their September 22nd meeting, from ongoing debates about horse-drawn carriages to infrastructure projects and budget adjustments for the upcoming Nights of Lights celebration.
Recognition and Celebrations
The evening began on a positive note with the commission recognizing State Representative Sam Greco for his legislative support. Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline presented Greco with a photograph, stating the recognition was “for your commitment to SB 582 HB 717, known as Protecting Historic Structures in Florida from the 2025 State of Florida Legislative Session.” The legislation significantly increased penalties for illegal demolitions of historic structures from a maximum of $5,000 to up to 20% of the property’s appraised market value.
Greco also helped secure substantial funding for the city, including $550,000 for West Augustine sewer connections and $2.5 million for a new fire station in Davis Shores. “We were able to do some really big things this year, which was not necessarily that easy,” Greco told the commission, noting the challenging legislative session.
The commission also proclaimed September 2025 as the 100th Anniversary of Davis Shores, with neighborhood president Roger White outlining celebration plans including hibiscus plantings, walking tours, and historical exhibits.
Horse Carriage Industry Under Scrutiny
The meeting featured intense public debate about the city’s horse-drawn carriage operations, with multiple speakers on both sides of the issue. Animal welfare advocates raised concerns about working conditions, while carriage operators defended their practices.
Katherine Zader criticized the city’s handling of horses during Hurricane Ian in 2022, stating, “horses were left confined to their stalls and muddy floodwaters for two days. Yet the city allowed the franchisee to walk away with no public accountability.” She called for the city to ban horse-drawn carriages entirely.
Heather Wilson questioned veterinary records, pointing out discrepancies in horse identification documents. “These are geriatric horses that are working on the streets,” Wilson said, criticizing what she called inadequate veterinary examinations.
Country Carriages owner William Cushion strongly defended the industry, explaining that “horses slobber. That actually means they are well hydrated.” He addressed concerns about pavement heat, noting “we have shoes on them” and explaining that horses naturally tolerate outdoor conditions.
His wife, Jennifer Cushion, added, “These horses love their jobs. They love attention. They love people to stop and visit and scratch and love on them.” She emphasized their commitment to horse care, including importing an Amish farrier from Ohio every eight weeks.
The debate became heated when Patricia Ramos showed videos of what she described as inappropriate behavior by drivers, including misogynistic comments made to advocates in front of children. Commissioner Cynthia Garris acknowledged the ongoing tension, stating, “I know we said we were going to get that on the calendar soon,” and expressing hope to resolve the matter to avoid having “the same stories” at every meeting.
Infrastructure and Budget Decisions
The commission rejected a revocable license agreement for a fence at 117 Inlet Drive that was built in the city’s right-of-way without proper approval. Vice Mayor Jon DePrater noted that while the fence appeared to align with neighboring properties, “this is taxpayer-owned property that the fence is sitting outside of.”
Mayor Sikes-Kline explained her opposition, saying “I generally don’t view after-the-fact approvals or workarounds” favorably, particularly on vacant property, where it could set a precedent. The motion to deny passed 3-1, with DePreter dissenting.
In contrast, the commission unanimously approved updates to the city’s water supply plan, incorporating changes from the 2023 North Florida Regional Water Supply Plan. DePrater highlighted the plan’s goals for water conservation and septic tank phase-outs, asking staff to explore incentive programs for retrofitting existing buildings with water-saving fixtures.
The commission also approved fee increases for development permits and short-term rental programs. The permit fees, unchanged since 2015, were adjusted using Consumer Price Index calculations. Finance Director Melissa Burns explained these fees “compensate for the time and expense to review applications for compliance, coordinate, and inspect the development projects.”
Short-term rental fees saw minimal increases, with Commissioner Garris noting “it doesn’t look like a large increase” and supporting the roughly nine-dollar annual increase as reasonable.
Nights of Lights Financial Challenges
Assistant City Manager Meredith Breidenstein presented on budget details for the 2025 Nights of Lights celebration. The city originally requested $1.2 million from the Tourism Development Council but received only $851,000, creating budget pressures.
The city’s total contribution to Nights of Lights will reach $508,392, significantly higher than last year’s “just under $300,000,” according to Breidenstein. DePrater emphasized this represents over half a million dollars from city taxpayers, with $58,392 requiring coverage from the general fund.
“Where do general fund dollars come from?” DePreter asked, with Breidenstein confirming, “Over half is ad valorem tax revenue.” DePreter stressed that city taxpayers will pay 37.4% of the total Nights of Lights costs, calling it “a lot of money” from “a small tax base.”
Mayor Sikes-Kline acknowledged resident concerns about tourism costs, noting “the cost of tourism is high” and that residents “bear a larger burden of the cost of tourism, because we don’t have a way to collect revenue directly from the event.
To address the budget shortfall, staff proposed purchasing barricades for $300,000 instead of renting them and reducing portable restrooms from 116 to approximately 50 units.
Transportation and Safety Improvements
Assistant City Manager Reuben Franklin updated the commission on plans to use the Star Circulator bus service to connect St. Augustine Beach to the city during Nights of Lights. Despite resident concerns about using Agricola Avenue, Franklin explained that safety considerations prevented alternative routes.
“We got with our operator and asked them about making a U-turn on Anastasia Boulevard. They’re not able to make a U-turn on Anastasia Boulevard safely,” Franklin reported. To address neighborhood concerns, the city will implement no-parking zones in the Agricola and Zorayda area during peak times.
Public speaker Scott York raised alarm about criminal activity near the former Scarlett O’Hara’s location, describing “extreme public intoxication,” “numerous blatant drug deals,” and “grown men on e-bikes, waiting outside of the bar, waiting for groups of individual drunk girls or groups of drunk girls, walking out of the clubs and following down our public streets.”
Commissioner Garris responded strongly, stating, “We do not need any Flagler College students falling victim to this situation, being asked about drugs, or being abducted. We’re definitely going to need to have some people on the ground to oversee that particular area.”
Infrastructure Successes
Utilities Director Stephen Slaughter announced the completion of a major water main replacement project on King Street and San Sebastian. The project replaced the city’s last aerial water crossing with an underground directionally drilled main beneath the river.
“This project eliminates the last aerial crossing of a water main in the city and, in doing so, improves the resiliency and reliability of our drinking water supply and fire suppression capabilities,” Slaughter reported. Final paving work was scheduled for completion by Thursday.
Other Business
The commission approved a pilot bike valet program for the October 9th Redevelopment 25 event, partnered with the Old Beach Bike Riders Association at no cost to the city. The program aims to encourage alternative transportation and reduce parking pressures.
Commissioner DePreter requested “don’t block the box” intersection markings for King Street to address traffic congestion, though Commissioner Garris suggested clearer language like “don’t block the intersection” to ensure driver understanding.
The meeting also addressed ongoing concerns about deteriorating historic buildings, particularly 46 Spanish Street, which City Manager John Birchim confirmed would be addressed through updated property maintenance codes rather than lengthy demolition-by-neglect proceedings.
Mayor Sikes-Kline concluded the meeting by announcing that the Spanish Ambassador’s acceptance of an invitation to visit St. Augustine during May’s Historic Preservation Month, receiving commission consensus to develop educational programs around the visit.
The nearly three-hour meeting demonstrated the complex challenges facing St. Augustine as it balances resident quality of life, tourism demands, historic preservation, and municipal finances in one of America’s oldest cities.
