The St. Augustine Beach City Commission this week examined two proposed ordinances: one to prevent the use, sale, and distribution of single-use plastic bags and another concerning plastic straws and Styrofoam.
The wording of the ordinances will be studied, reviewed and updated for the first reading at next month’s commission meeting. The City Commission is taking public comment on the proposals through the city’s website.
At the same time, pharmacies, including those selling medical marijuana, will soon be allowed in part of St. Augustine Beach after a vote by the Commission on Monday.
The new ordinance allows pharmacies in what’s called the South business district. It will not affect any existing pharmacies in the city.
“New Business” items that were on the March 4 Commission meeting agenda, including live televising of public meetings, the urban forestry master plan, citizen survey, and revisions to workers’ compensation, will be discussed at a continuation meeting on Tuesday, March 5, at 5 p.m. at St Augustine Beach City Hall, 2200 A1A S., St Augustine Beach, FL, 32080.
The commission was also set to discuss paid parking Tuesday at a special meeting immediately following.
St. Augustine Beach City Manager Max Royle said the idea of charging for parking has been under discussion for some time.
“We’re just gradually putting in place the framework of regulations. We’ve got about 75 percent of that in place right now, so what you’re looking at on the agenda is sort of the final steps,” he said.
For example, the plan approved by the commission in December didn’t include a method of payment.
“Is it to be a smartphone app system or some other means like a kiosk or even the old fashioned parking meter? We’re leaning toward the app system because that’s the most modern,” he said.
But charging St. Augustine Beach residents to pay for parking at their hometown beach has not been well received.
The city’s original goal was to start charging for parking this spring. But after much pushback, Royle said implementation is delayed until Memorial Day at the earliest.
Tuesday’s special meeting on paid parking started at 6 p.m. at City Hall. It was also be streamed live on the city’s website.
Photo used under Creative Commons license.
