St. Johns Vision

St. Johns Vision Strategic Plan
Updated October 16, 2006
• WORKING DOCUMENT - COMMUNITY PROGRESS ON STRATEGIES
St. Johns Vision attempted to contact each agency and organization throughout the county for input to progress on the strategies. Not every agency responded and a few may have been inadvertently missed. Please accept our apology and know that we will be adding the strategies in this format to our website, where we will be able to add in other agencies responses as they report in on their efforts to improve the Quality of Life in St. Johns County.

I. EDUCATION
VISION
“St. Johns County will have a comprehensive and high quality life-long education system, encompassing arts, academics and technical.”

A. Pre-Kindergarten
1. Increase early childhood intervention and opportunities so that each student enters kindergarten ready to learn, to communicate, and to respect teachers and other students.
2. Strengthen Day Care and After School Care Programs for all ages.

B. Kindergarten through Grade 12
1. Expect all students to graduate capable of either going directly to work, attending a technical school or a university. In order for our young people to compete for higher wages and/or a better quality of life, prepare them for the new technological world beginning in kindergarten. As a requirement for promotion and to prepare for a literate and thinking citizenry, ensure that every student demonstrates proficiency in English, reading, writing, math, and science at each grade level. Identify at-risk students early. Provide remedial assistance, including one-on-one tutoring and counseling.
2. Encourage parents to take responsibility for their children’s education. Provide assistance and guidance for parents where helpful. Expect parents to support their young people in educational achievement but, where the parents cannot provide this support, the community will provide mentors.

3. Align teachers’ salaries to be competitive with surrounding counties, Florida and the Southeast. Provide training for teachers in their subject matter area, teaching methodology and technology. Reduce teacher bureaucracy, paperwork and prep-time. Provide support for teacher burnout and low morale. Focus on teacher accountability and attraction/retention of the best teachers.
4. Ensure school curriculum results in basic knowledge, critical thinking, understanding of business, financial management, entrepreneurship, the arts and music, physical education, history (including local), government, and other life skills.
wThe Academy of Business and Leadership Education (ABLE) School opened this year offering middle school students an alternative to traditional learning.The school delivers a flexible curriculum designed around completing projects, utilizing the basic elements of education: mathematics, technology, reading and sciences.
wThe Flagler College Education Department provides majors in Elementary Education K-6 with ESOL endorsement, Education of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing/Elementary Education K-6 with ESOL endorsement (dual certification program), Exceptional Student Education/ Elementary Education K-6 with ESOL endorsement (dual certification program), Art Education K-12, Secondary Drama Education, Secondary English Education with ESOL endorsement, and Secondary Social Studies Education. Flagler College has a close working relationship with the local St. Johns County School District where most of the students do their course-related practicum assignments and complete their final semester long internship requirement. 68 students completed their teaching internship during the 2005-2006 academic year.
5. Increase technical education programs including curriculum in computer science, construction trades, auto mechanics, etc. Encourage more students to consider technical education in high school and beyond.
6. Reduce the ratio of students to teachers and eliminate overcrowding.
7. Increase high school graduation rates while improving standardized test scores and the overall knowledge base of graduates.
8. Require the School Board to be accountable for student achievement and efficient use of available funds. Encourage every citizen to help provide this accountability. Make Kindergarten through Grade 12 education a total community issue that results in excellence and equitable use of school resources.
9. Maintain business advisory groups that help the school system understand the requirements and opportunities of jobs in St. Johns County.
wThe Business Partners in Education committee of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce began in 1991. Through the years BPIE has worked closely with the St. Johns County School District to provide more knowledge in the schools of what the business community is doing as well as trying to ensure that the students of St. Johns County are adequately prepared upon graduation to successfully function in the workplace. BPIE is led this year by John Birney, the immediate Past Chairman of the Chamber. BPIE will once again sponsor the STAR Awards Banquet in April 2007 that recognizes the top 5% of the graduating seniors in St. Johns County. They will again co-sponsor with the St. Johns County School District the High School Academy Showcase on January 11, 2007. BPIE continues to work with the School District and supports the academies that have been established in the county high schools.
10. Promote returning State and Federal control to the local school district.
11. Encourage student participation in community service.
12. Encourage foreign languages at all grade levels.
13. Develop additional programs that retain our most gifted students in the public school system.
14. Provide math and reading specialists in elementary school.
15. Make the schools available for community use on a year round basis.
16. Increase guidance counselor support for all students including referrals for academic and mental health counseling.
17. Identify developmentally delayed children and provide remedial programs.
18. Provide middle school sports programs.
19. Create opportunities for internships for employees of St. Johns County businesses.
20. Respect students and seek their input.
21. Encourage innovative pilot programs.
wThe Academy of Business and Leadership Education (ABLE) School delivers a flexible curriculum designed around completing projects, utilizing the basic elements of education: mathematics, technology, reading and sciences.
wUnited Way provides funding to Communities in Schools, St. Gerard Campus, Classroom Scouting through the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
22. Institute solid support for instructors by School Board and Administration in matters of discipline, behavior and academic concerns including support in lawsuits.
23. Develop alternative routes to teacher certification.
wAmeriCorps St. John's Reads, k-3, in partnership with the Florida Commission on Community Service, the program places 27 reading tutors in nine St. John's County elementary schools including the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. The mission of St. John's Reads! is to help children read well and independently by the end of the third grade. The AmeriCorps members also tutor in after-school programs and are available for community service projects.
wHand Up To High School, 6th-12 grade, is a peer mentoring program designed to provide support, guidance, and a positive role model to middle school students. The goal is to help bridge the gap from middle school to high school. The relationships between mentoring pairs helps to ease the transition for middle school students into high school in addition to expanding friendships between the schools. Hand Up To High School is currently in seven local schools.
wGirls Circle, 6th- 8th grade, targets middle school girls who are referred for academic failure, low self-esteem, truancy, foster care, or involvement with the juvenile justice system. Girl Circle is an after school prevention program that meets twice a week.
wCollege Reach-Out Program (CROP), 6th -12th grade, is in partnership with Flagler College and the Buckingham-Smith Benevolent Association, a college reach-out program designed for middle and high school students who have the potential but not the vision to attend college. During the summer, day and residential camps are provided for free to all qualifying students. Throughout the school year students meet two Saturdays a month on the Flagler College campus and attend weekly tutoring provided by Flagler College students.
C. Higher Education
1. Create and expand higher education facilities and programs focused on technology, clean industries, and meeting the needs of local employees and residents. Through a “Center for Higher Education”, distance learning, co-op programs and expanded local higher education, make the best programs in the world available to St. Johns students and adults.
2. Support existing and additional four-year university branch campuses in St. Johns County.
wFlagler College offers 20 Majors, 26 Minors concentrated in Liberal Arts, Business, and Education.
D. Skills Training and Life-long Education
1. Provide competitive skills training for employees and potential employees for existing, expanding, and new employers. Provide classes and programs on TV or the Internet for Kindergarten through Grade 12 and adults. Strive to eliminate adult illiteracy. Maintain consistency in education delivery and standards throughout the county.
wO.U.R. Center, sponsored by Communities in Schools, can help with: 1) Getting a GED for All people 16 years or older; 2) Assistance in registration for food stamps, WIC, finding a job, housing, or contacting other agencies; 3) Emergency food or clothing; and 4) Early Literacy Program.
wFlagler College Television (FCTV) is a news magazine operated and produced by Flagler College students. Programming is scheduled to run from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. FCTV began in the fall of 2005 as a way for Flagler College students to get their work on-air and cultivate contacts with professional organizations throughout the community. For students, the ability to produce professional work and compete with their peers is important for building quality portfolios and resumes. According to Department Chair, Tracey Halcomb, 70 percent of programming for FCTV focuses on community personalities, issues and events. One of the programs, “Greetings from St. Augustine,” is a promotional segment designed to highlight St. Augustine's unique culture and history. Another local program, “FCTV Journal”, focuses on profiling members of the community. FCTV will also cover sporting events at local middle schools, high schools and colleges. The Flagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy, and other lecture series, will be aired in their entirety on FCTV. The broadcasting of these events will allow Flagler College to share the forums with a larger audience, while engaging students and the community in professional and academic discussion on a broad range of issues.
2. Expand and coordinate the county library systems to meet the needs of residents, students and employers.
wSt. Johns Library District provides innovative thinking and considerable planning in the implementation of their programs. When reviewing the “Vision” document, it was found that the library districts in all areas of the county were meeting and exceeding the expectations. Through the efforts of the Friends of the Library affiliates to each library system, concentrated programming for youth, seniors and the community have flourished. The Library has a new five-year plan in which services will continue to improve and their commitment to the quality of life in St. Johns county will be strong.
3. Encourage the use of the library for arts, economic development, community service, students, research, enjoyment and learning. Provide neighborhood community based computer training for young people and adults. Improve rural access to education.
wSt. Johns Library District provides access to community organizations, offers computer training and provides remote services to rural areas.
4. Provide “Character Counts” training for adults.
wUnited Way provides a yearly grant to St. Johns County Character Counts program.
5. Promote the use of public school personnel and facilities to focus on remedial reading math, and life skills for adults.
II. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Vision
“St. Johns County will have an excellent global reputation for economic development as a business-friendly community for environmentally sensitive companies that provide quality jobs for our citizens.”
A. Business Development
Maintain an aggressive business development program that results in high-paying jobs from expansion and retention of existing businesses, relocation of businesses, and creation of new business enterprises. Create strategic partnerships within St. Johns County, the First Coast Region, State of Florida, United States and globally. Create a “brand” that identifies St. Johns County internally and externally. Increase average earnings per job and reduce the number of individuals living in poverty by pursuing high-paying jobs in the following St. Johns County targeted business clusters but not limited to:
1. Corporate Offices
2. General Offices
• Support Operations
• Data Processing Centers
• Claims and Credit Centers
• Software Developers
• Computer On-Line Service Providers
3. Specialized Health Services
• Research
• Database Management
• Medical Product Development
for the Elderly
• Sports Medicine
4. Distribution
5. Tourism and Visitors
• Heritage and Historic Preservation
• Golf
• Beach
• Nature Based and Eco-tourism
• Culture
• Conventions and Business Travel
• Leisure and all Sports Travel
• Spiritual-based Heritage
wFlagler's Legacy Historical Tours: Legacy Tours of Flagler College highlight the architectural heritage of the former Hotel Ponce de Leon.
wFlagler College became a Historic National Landmark spring 2006.
wSt. Augustine Public Archeology Regional Center is located on Flagler campus.
6. Agriculture
7. Education
8. Manufacturing
• Recreational Equipment
• Aviation and Aerospace
• Food Products
• Automotive Parts and Accessories
• Medical Equipment and Technologies
wSt. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) serves as the interface between businesses and government in St. Johns County. The EDC maintains on it’s website a database of available building and site locations throughout the county, The EDC also serves as a lobbying arm for the business community on issues that have an impact on doing business in St. Johns County.
B. Business Attitude
Create a business friendly attitude that includes a competitive tax and regulatory environment, competitive utility rates, a competitive incentives package for new and existing businesses, and high technology infrastructure.
wSt. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) serves as the interface between businesses and government in St. Johns County. They assist in relocation efforts, work on incentive packages for new, relocating and renovating businesses and focus on increasing the commercial tax base for St. Johns County. The EDC is involved in recruitment of new business to St. Johns County.
wUnited Way is partnering with member agencies and the engagement of an independent consulting firm, United Way has begun the research and will publish the findings on the economic impact of the United Way non-profit sector in St. Johns County
C. Think Big
Expand our concept of St. Johns County’s ability to attract businesses with high quality, high standards, high pay, and a commitment to enhance quality of life and the environment.
wSt. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s Historic St. Augustine Area Council has sponsored five topical programs geared toward the business community in the Historic District of St. Augustine. Our January program featured John Regan, Chief Operations Officer giving us the city's Transportation Plan Overview. Regan was followed in March by Matt Merritt with a detailed update on the San Sebastian Harbor Project. May brought us Elaine Carmichael, AICP President, speaking on Historic Preservation and its positive effect on the business community. In July we had our summer mixer, a joint program with the city to highlight the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum. We finished FY2006 with Glenn Hastings giving us an overview of the Visitors Convention Bureau strategic plan and how the business community can coordinate with their marketing plan.
wThe St. Johns County Chamber's South Beaches Area Council again this summer hosted Family Dance Nights for families on Friday nights at the St. Johns County Pier Park. The Council is now hosting a brick drive to raise money and gain support for the Splash Park at the Pier project - an interactive fountain which will be built where the current playground now sits at Pier Park. The South Beaches Area Council, The Tourist Development Council and City of St. Augustine Beach will come together for a festival of food and fireworks on Sunday, December 31, 2006 to present a New Year's celebration, “Beach Blast Off 2007,” that will also benefit the Splash Park At The Pier project. Reviving an area tradition of a chili cook off, combined with a fireworks show this event will enhance an already festive holiday season in St. Johns County.
D. Entrepreneurship
Encourage and support entrepreneurship in the creation and expansion of small businesses. Create an “angel investor” network to assist in start-ups with money and expertise and build a business incubator. Make a concentrated effort to capture the talent and resources in St. Johns County citizens.
wFlagler College Students in Free Enterprise accomplishments:
1. Kids Marketplace: Children learn how to develop ideas that can be made profitable. They are taught the responsibilities involved in managing their own small business.
2. West Augustine Marketplace: An area of Calvin Peete Park being cultivated for a Saturday “Marketplace” where local children and families can sell homemade products and produce. This opportunity teaches communities how to organize their own businesses successfully.
E. Funding
Aggressively pursue Federal and State dollars for economic development and community grants.
F. West Augustine & Southwest St. Johns County
Provide a major economic development focus for West Augustine and rural Southwest St. Johns County that results in achieving equity.
wThe West Augustine CRA was formed to actively work to bring services to West Augustine, making proactive changes that affect workforce housing, employment opportunities, redevelopment and infrastructure improvements.
wFlagler College West Augustine Garden and Marketplace projects: FCSIFE initiative with the West Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency, Living Waters Ministry, and the Boys & Girls Club.
wSt. Johns County Chamber of Commerce has set up area councils that concentrate on issues specific to Hastings and Historic St. Augustine, which includes West Augustine.
G. Promote Small Business
Simplify the small business development process.
wSt. Johns County Chamber of Commerce has set up five area councils that meet throughout the county, concentrating on issues specific to doing business in those geographic areas. Councils include: Hastings, Historic St. Augustine, South Beaches, Northwest and Ponte Vedra.
wFlagler College SIFE small business endeavors:
1. Kids Marketplace: Children learn how to develop ideas that can be made profitable. They are taught the responsibilities involved in managing their own small business.
2. West Augustine Marketplace: An area of Calvin Peete Park being cultivated for a Saturday “Marketplace” where local children and families can sell homemade products and produce. This opportunity teaches communities how to organize their own businesses successfully.
H. Agriculture
Support agriculture and agriculture products manufacturing. Limit regulations for agriculture. Pursue innovative uses of farmland such as equine activities that result in tourism.

wFlagler College West Augustine Garden project: A FCSIFE project that created farm space in which the community of West Augustine can grow their own produce and then sell their produce at the marketplace. Three locations have been donated: St. Augustine Tech Center, The Projects, and Murray Middle School.
I. Poverty and Hunger
Ensure that the economic development process reduces poverty and hunger.
wFlagler College FCSIFE West Augustine Garden and Marketplace Projects
wFlagler College Feeds: A project designed to provide food and volunteers for all dinners at the St. Francis House during the entire month of March, hunger awareness month.
J. Tourism Development
Ensure that Florida tourism development organizations include St. Johns County in all their pertinent promotion activities.
K. Pre-Development
Maintain an inventory of pre-developed sites and speculative buildings to expedite the business development process.
wSt. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) maintains on it’s website a database of available building and site locations throughout the county,
L. Heritage Tourism and Preservation
Ensure that St. Johns County becomes known as a world-class destination for heritage tourism and that preservation of historic sites and character becomes a priority.
wFlagler's Legacy Historical Tours: Legacy Tours of Flagler College highlight the architectural heritage of the former Hotel Ponce de Leon.
III. INFRASTRUCTURE
Vision
“St. Johns County will have infrastructure that supports a vibrant economy and educational system while protecting the environment and overall quality of life.”
A. Growth Management and Land Use
1. Maintain and/or create a comprehensive land use plan that is coordinated with countywide infrastructure plans.
• The countywide plan will include a infrastructure master plan for the following elements: transportation (including all modes – roadway, air, train, pedestrian, bikeways, sidewalks, and waterways), water, sewage, parks and recreation, storm water, solid waste, air quality, education, public safety, health/social services, housing, government facilities, historical preservation, environment, economic development and land use. Each physical infrastructure element will have a required level of service.
• The land use and infrastructure plans will include sector plans that encompass the wide diversity of the county. The sector plans will incorporate the visions and overlay districts for Ponte Vedra, Vilano Beach, Mid-Anastasia Island, South Anastasia Island and Southeast. They will also be coordinated with plans from the cities of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach and Hastings. Also included will be the Northwest Sector Plan and other plans that may be developed in the future.
• The land use plans and infrastructure plans will provide the capacity required to meet the St. Johns Vision Key Benchmarks and Strategy Benchmarks.
• The major focus in all parts of this plan will be to create sustainable neighborhoods. This will include redevelopment of existing neighborhoods and rural areas, where needed, such as West Augustine and the rural Southwest section of the county.
• Emphasis will be placed on reducing urban sprawl, encouraging smart growth and concentrating development that utilizes existing infrastructure and the most economic build-out of new infrastructure. Smart growth will result in higher densities concentrated in smaller areas with the surrounding areas being used as open space. The result will be a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly community with a reduced dependency on the automobile.
• All of the master plans will be coordinated and build-out phased for the most efficient and effective construction of the infrastructure elements. Decisions will be made that are based more on engineering, science and fact rather than emotion.
• Promote proper drainage by keeping drainage ways and tributaries clean.
• The countywide plan will include a capital improvement plan that considers innovative funding for all infrastructure development on an annual basis with a multi-year projection.
2. Avoid development in important environmentally and archaeologically sensitive areas consistent with the principals of private property rights.
3. Resolve the issue of whether impact fees should pay for infrastructure.
wSt. Johns County Chamber’s Economic Development Commission commissioned a study by Fishkind & Assoc. on impact fees and infrastructure funding in 2006. The cost of creating infrastructure is the largest single impediment to keeping workforce housing prices within range of local wages. The study suggested ways to plan for future infrastructure that will complement the need for both rental and homeownership opportunities.
4. Encourage mixed-use zoning to provide more housing options as well as sustainability and social interaction.
5. Minimize negative impacts from strip commercial development.
6. Enforce zoning density codes.
7. Streamline the permitting process.
B. Environment
1. Inventory the lands currently in open space, greenway and conservation ownership by type; then, determine the amount of new acreage needed by type and priority. Establish a budget for land purchase that can be used to attract other public and private funds for conservation land purchases.
wA inventory of wetland corridors is underway by University of North Florida’s Environmental Center to look at current and planned developments to determine if there are wetland corridors that can be connected to each other, that otherwise may not be protected. This information will be used to assist in future initiatives for conservation. The county purchased 8.6 acres for Mussallem Beachfront Park in Vilano, accepted the deed for approximately 1600 acres for the Nocatee Preserve required per the Development order, and closed on 118 acres of mitigation properties, conserving 1726.6 acres in 2006.
2. Protect habitat, silviculture, wetlands, wildlife, air quality and water quality through innovative management. Seek alternatives to regulations such as incentives, acquisition of conservation easements and mitigation.
3. Restore and conserve fresh and salt-water resources.
4. Develop a land trust for acquiring preservation lands.
5. Provide for increased usage and public access for all government owned land.
6. Promote the use of “Florida Friendly Landscaping” that emphasizes plants selected for the site, using fertilizer in appropriate amounts, irrigating efficiently, controlling yard pests responsibly, recycling grass clippings, leaves, and other yard wastes, mulching where practical, attracting wildlife to home landscapes, reducing storm water runoff, and protecting waterfront property.
wMCS Development is committed to preserving the environment and utilizing the attributes of nature to preserve the vegetative cover and indigenous species when planning developments.
7. Utilize renewable energy sources where economically feasible.
8. Provide environmental preservation education.
wFlagler College offers three courses that emphasize environmental preservation.
9. Balance sound and light pollution with economic and social needs.
10. Support connected greenways for citizen use (bike paths and trails) and wildlife habitat preservation.
C. Housing
1. Promote housing that is affordable for each income level for residents of St. Johns County:
• Place special emphasis on existing lower income households.
wUnited Way provides funding and support to Habitat for Humanity and St. Johns Housing Partnership.
wUnited Way supports the RealSense Prosperity Campaign that helps low-income families save for home ownership.
wSt. Johns Housing Partnership offers credit counseling for local employees challenged by the disparity between local wages and rising housing costs.
• Encourage affordable housing through fewer restrictions, increased density, lower impact fees, expedited permitting, reduced time from concept to occupancy with realized savings passed to homeowner.
• Provide a land bank for future affordable housing.
• Provide inclusionary zoning that encourages affordable housing in each new development.
• Develop governmental partnerships to apply for State, Federal, and private housing subsidies and grant resources.
• Include an affordable housing element in each of the comprehensive plan sector plans.
• Address existing sub-standard housing.
• Encourage programs to rehabilitate and reuse existing housing stock.
wSt. Johns Housing Partnership works to create low- and moderate-income housing, rebuild neglected homes and neighborhoods, benefitting disadvantaged areas and enhancing community economic and social development.
D. Utilities
1. Develop a St. Johns County long-term water supply for current residents and planned growth through alliances with public and private organizations and agencies.
2. Encourage the provision of adequate pump-out stations for the boating community.
3. Consider consolidation of water and sewer utilities to result in lower rates and competitiveness.
4. Place utilities underground on major thoroughfares, scenic highways, and evacuation routes whenever feasible.
5. Promote and maximize water reuse.
E. Historic Preservation
Develop and implement a long-term plan for historic preservation. The plan will recognize and conserve our historical resources as an essential part of the economic core of St. Johns County.
wFlagler College Mission Statement: The College is pledged to the preservation and use of Ponce Hall and the other historic and architecturally unique campus structures.
wFlagler's Legacy Historical Tours: Legacy Tours of Flagler College highlight the architectural heritage of the former Hotel Ponce de Leon.
F. West Augustine Development
Improve West Augustine infrastructure, economic development, services and utilities. West Augustine will be a sector in the countywide land use and infrastructure plan.
wFlagler College FCSIFE West Augustine endeavors: Kids Marketplace, West Augustine Garden project and West Augustine Marketplace.
G. Transportation
(A comprehensive transportation master plan is in A1 above)
1. Relieve traffic congestion.
wCouncil on Aging provides both para-transit and fixed route transportation services to the entire St. Johns County community. Blue and white COA busses provide door-to-door transportation for the less mobile, over 60 population; the yellow Sunshine Bus Service has no age restrictions and is the only form of public transportation currently available in St. Johns County.
wMetropolitan Commuter Assistance Program (MPAP) provides assistance and incentives for multi-rider transportation. They can provide individuals with a vehicle to establish van pools, or setting up carpools using your own vehicle with insurance, incentives and expense sharing. Program is for travelers who commute over 20 miles per day, even between counties. Call 904-306-7504.
2. Expand the emergency evacuation routes
3. Develop better parking and shuttle service in or to downtown St. Augustine.
4. Develop multi-modal transportation in St. Johns County.
5. Improve the airport and attract commuter airlines.
6. Identify and protect scenic highway corridors countywide.
Continue to improve traffic patterns through coordinated signalization countywide.
Continue to develop better traffic patterns at all intersections countywide with specific emphasis on US 1.
Complete State Road 312 expansion.Participate in the Maine to Florida Keys Bike Trail by constructing bike paths.
H. Code Enforcement
1. Accelerate the removal of abandoned buildings.
2. Ensure an effective and efficient Code Enforcement process is in place.
I. Property Rights
1. Restore rural property rights and values.
2. Honor and respect all property rights.
IV. QUALITY OF LIFE
Vision
“St. Johns County will have a safe and secure quality of life with excellent access to the arts and entertainment, healthcare, social services, parks and recreation while maintaining cultural and historic heritage.”
A. Public Safety
1. Create a safe community where citizens feel secure from crime, fire, health and accident emergencies, and disasters.
wSt. Johns Sheriff’s Office encourages community partnerships to help maintain a high quality of life in St. Johns County. We support this goal through the following objectives:
-ShAdCo - The Sheriff's Advisory Council, which will be implemented in 2007.
-CLEA - The Citizen's Law Enforcement Academy, Class 6 is currently under way.
-Teen Driving Program - A joint program with the St. Johns County School District.
-Substance Abuse Program (inside Jail) - where inmates are counseled in a group environment to help them break away from addiction which will help them avoid re-offending.
-Career Criminal Program - where career criminal offenders and sexual offenders/predators are monitored, incarcerated and vigorously prosecuted for violating conditions of their sentence.
wThrough a cooperative relationship with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Department, and numerous other county departments , The St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department (SJCFR) strives to provide a quality way of life for the citizens and visitors of St. Johns County.
-SJCFR is a full service fire department directly responsible for the operation of the County's fire rescue system. Department personnel perform life safety and fire suppression activities at fires, and respond to motor vehicle accidents, disasters and hazardous materials incidents. An additional service that the department provides is quality advanced life support pre-hospital emergency medical care and ambulance transportation.
-In addition to these duties, SJCFR strives to promote a fire safe lifestyle through proactive fire safety, water safety and EMS safety programs developed for target audiences in St. Johns County. In addition to these programs the department's fire prevention section performs life safety inspections on existing and new construction occupancies.
wCouncil on Aging facilitates communications between the elder community and city, county and beach police, sheriff, fire rescue and emergency management departments through regularly scheduled speakers who represent each agency. Officer Rene Morris with SAPD visits each center each month, fostering a rapport between the elder citizens and law enforcement. Representatives from St. Johns County Fire Rescue present seminars on home safety.
wYMCA of Florida’s First Coast provided 480 hours of free swim lessons to children in West St. Augustine , Lincolnville and Hastings communities. Financial assistance is awarded to qualifying families for free and discounted swimming lessons. No child is turned away from the Learn to Swim program due to the inability to pay.
wRay Ashton with Emergency Management holds regular programs focusing on emergency preparedness.
2. Focus on crime prevention with programs such as: neighborhood watch, improved relationship between residents and law enforcement, bike and pedestrian safety consciousness, increased public involvement in all elements of public safety, conflict resolution, and concentrating enforcement in areas with high crime rates.
wWeed and Seed program funded to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in the West Augustine area. This program will be expanded to Armstrong, Lincolnville, Hastings and Flagler Estates.
wUnited Way helped form Lincolnville Neighborhood Crime Watch Association approximately 10 years ago and the Association members meet often in our building at 117 Bridge Street.
3. Provide competitive salaries for police, fire and rescue to ensure attraction/retention of qualified personnel. Produce the lowest crime rate per 1,000 persons within the State.
wSt. Johns County Sheriff’s Office works to improve working conditions for everyone and provide opportunities for personal and professional development by establishing the following objectives:
-Be the best compensated Criminal Justice Agency in Florida. Our pay plan for the 2006-07 budget year begins the process of raising deputy sheriff pay for veteran deputies, to be followed by starting pay in years to follow.
-We have created a workforce committee that assists management in identifying items and areas for improvement.
-Implementation of pay for “prior service”, this is an outstanding recruitment tool.
-We continue to support various undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong affiliation with Flagler College.
wSt. Johns County Fire Rescue works to maintain competitive salaries for our personnel. Since the implementation of the new pay plan in 2005 we have been able to greatly reduce the number of firefighters lost to surrounding departments.
4. Reduce beach and water deaths and enhance watercraft safety. Maintain clean and safe beaches.
wThe mission of the Marine Rescue division of the Fire Rescue Department is to decrease the number of water related injuries and fatalities in St. Johns County; to increase the number of successful water rescues; and to accomplish both with increased safety to County Personnel. To this end, the Department has increased the operational readiness and effectiveness of emergency service personnel through additional job training and quality assurance reviews. Additionally, the County continues to educate the public to the potential hazards associated with aquatic activities through an aggressive community based public education program. Statistical indicators demonstrate a reduction in rescue and fatalities over the past decade. In our efforts to provide a safe, clean and enjoyable beach experience, the department has implemented several new programs to monitor beach water quality and contractor compliance.
wThe Sheriff's Office has created a full-time Marine Unit that is tasked with monitoring the safety of our waterways. This effort will receive additional resources in the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The Sheriff's Office also has a person assigned as Beach Master, who is responsible for scheduling deputies to work beach patrol and monitors the overall safety of our beaches.
5. Remove empty, dilapidated buildings and other enticements for drug and crime opportunities.
wThe Sheriff's Office COPS (Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving) deputies work with community leaders to identify structures used by drug dealers. They work with Code Enforcement Officers of St. Johns County and neighborhood watch groups for solutions involving property owners.
wThe Sheriff's Office has agreed to manage the County's Weed and Seed program in West Augustine. The purpose of this program is to “weed” out community problems like dilapidated housing and “seed” the same community with positive attributes.
6. Ensure an up-to-date and comprehensive response to natural and man-made disasters.
wThe Sheriff's Office maintains an Emergency Tactical Deployment Manual with individual plans and checklists to ensure correct responses to unusual and emergency occurrences.
wThe Sheriff's Office performs scenario driven training events throughout the year to sharpen our response to natural and man-made disasters.
wThe Sheriff's Office has implemented “CodeRed” which is an internet based telephone dialing program capable of notifying thousands of residents within a specified geographic area within minutes of a critical event, such as an approaching hurricane, escaped prisoner, water contamination problem, et cetera.
7. Maintain zero-tolerance for child abuse, elder abuse and domestic violence.
wWithin the Investigations Bureau of the Sheriff’s office are specially trained detectives that investigate these crimes. We also employ victim advocates, who to assist the victims of crime in their struggles toward a normal life. We also offer Crime Prevention Programming in awareness and prophylaxis to the issues.
wThe Sheriff's Office has recently implemented project SAFE (Sheriff's Ambassadors for the Elderly). This an elderly advocate program that addresses a variety of issues including prevention and investigation of elderly abuse and financial exploitation of the elderly, safety and welfare checks and home security surveys.
8. Provide safe mosquito control throughout the county.
9. Ensure class five fire protection service in all areas of the county that are not rural.
wSince the last ISO reclassification in 1999, St. Johns County Fire Rescue has transitioned from a primarily volunteer firefighter force to the current status as a career fire rescue department. Since that time 150 career firefighters have been hired to staff 18 fire stations which had previously been volunteer. An ISO reclassification has been scheduled for St. Johns County in the near future. Based on the department transition during the past seven years we expect a significant improvement in the countywide rating.
10. Consider consolidation of existing public safety departments.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue has explored the option of consolidation of public safety departments and at the current time does not appear to be a supported initiative.
11. Maintain zero-tolerance for drug abuse in all areas of the cities and county.
wThe Sheriff's Office Youth Resource Deputies teach the TGFD (Too Good for Drugs) to our sixth graders. This program is a cooperative effort of the St. Johns County School District and the Sheriff's Office. We also present programming to parent teacher groups and other community groups to make them aware of the affects of substance abuse on our community. There is also the Inmate Reentry Program, which educates and trains sentenced misdemeanor offenders to stop the addiction cycle so that when released, they do not re-offend and contribute to the “revolving door” phenomena at our correctional facility.
wThe Sheriff's Office has a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) which focuses on mid to upper level distributors of narcotics.
wWeed and Seed program funded to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in the West Augustine area. This program will be expanded to Armstrong, Lincolnville, Hastings and Flagler Estates.
wFlagler College Drug and Alcohol Policy: Alcohol and illegal or mind altering drugs are prohibited from campus. “Any student who violates this regulation is subject to immediate suspension, dismissal or expulsion from Flagler College.”
12. Decrease the response time for emergency service calls in remote areas.
wThe Sheriff's Office is currently studying the redeployment and allocation of patrol deputies to make them closer to the geographical areas where most calls are received. After that, our current zone configuration will be redistributed to make deputies more responsive. Both of these initiatives are currently being planned. Simultaneously, we will begin using a new computer system, SmartCOP, which will give us the data we need to analyze calls for service data that will assist us in effectively deploying our patrol resources. Additionally, we will be decentralizing the Sheriff's Office, as a part of our ten (10) year Building Plan, which should enable us to decrease our response time. Part of our decentralizing efforts will be the construction of District offices in the northern and southern parts of our county. These District offices will be full service law enforcement facilities that move our services closer to our constituents.
wAs a result of the St. Johns Fire Rescue Department’s transition from a volunteer to a career fire and rescue department, our emergency services response times to remote areas of the county have vastly improved. We will continue to work diligently to improve our emergency services response times in all areas of St. Johns County.
13. Maintain and enforce regulations to discourage vandalism.
wThe Sheriff's Office deploys Youth Resource Deputies, during holidays when school is not in session, in an effort to deter criminal mischief. These deputies know the juvenile and youthful offenders; they are in the best position to be able to deter juvenile crime.
-Additionally, the Sheriff's Office sponsors numerous crime prevention programs that encourage the recognition and understanding of those underlying conditions that foster crimes like vandalism.
14. Reduce the number of fatalities for miles driven.
wIn an effort to increase traffic safety, the Sheriff's Office is adding twelve (12) new traffic deputies, effective 01 October 2006. These deputies will deploy strategically to deter traffic violations and decrease fatalities.
wThe Sheriff's Office participates in several statewide programs including “Buckle-up”.
wThe Sheriff's Office conducts numerous DUI checkpoints throughout the County every year focusing on those areas that have been identified as experiencing a disproportionate number of alcohol related accidents.
B. Parks and Recreation
wThe County Recreation and Parks Department hired a consultant in 2004 to prepare a county-wide master plan for parks and recreation. This plan was completed and approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 2005. The approved plan meets all the goals and strategies of the Vision.
1. Implement a comprehensive plan for the full spectrum of county recreational facilities and resources. This will include all types of recreational needs, active, passive, inclusive of all ages and socio-economic groups, and geographically diverse. Professional standards for minimal facilities should be reviewed for approval by our citizens. The master plan should include a capital improvement budget to eliminate any gap in current facilities and to provide for projected growth. Design and maintain parks and athletic facilities to attract State and regional sporting events and for use by tourists. The capital improvement budget will include acquiring future parklands at the most efficient prices. The plan and budget will recognize and conserve our recreational resources as an essential part of the economic core of St. Johns County.
wFort Mose was a frontier community that provided Spain’s northernmost defense in North America. The Fort Mose Historical Society sponsors public programs to increase knowledge of the Fort Mose story, worked to acquire the land to that a museum could be built. The groundbreaking for the site was earlier this year.
wThe Winston Family YMCA and St. Augustine Family YMCA served over 1,800 children this past year in youth programs such as flag football, basketball, indoor soccer, cheerleading, and summer sport camps. These programs created new friendships, increased awareness of physical activity, focused on the importance of sportsmanship and team work, and allowed the children to grow not only physically and mentally, but spiritually as well.
2. Protect public beach access; open all currently public owned beach access points. Buy off-beach property in anticipation of its need for beach access parking.
wIn 2005 the County Recreation and Parks Department began opening pedestrian access points in the Sawgrass/Ponte Vedra area. The Beach Management Plan calls for the opening of additional access points each year. All access points are now marked with appropriate signage. The County has been directed to remove vegetation blocking each access point no later than September of 2006.
wThe County has purchased two additional sites for off-beach parking at Windswept Cottages and the Nease Park locations. The City of St. Augustine Beach and the County are cooperating on the purchase and development of additional off-beach parking sites within their city limits.
3. Coordinate the use of public school facilities for park and public use.
wIn 2003 the County Recreation and Parks Department entered into a “Joint-Use Agreement” with the School Board on the use of its outdoor facilities. The County also purchased a fourteen acre site adjacent to the Southwood Elementary School for a future park. Our Department regularly assists the school system by providing ball diamond clay each spring, sports field lighting, and the regrassing of ballfields.
wFlagler College Athletic Department hosts numerous home games that members of the community can attend. These include men and women's tennis, basketball, and soccer, men's baseball and women's volleyball.
wFlagler College coaches host youth athletic camps during the summer months.
1. Volleyball - 70 attendees
2. Basketball - 300 attendees
3. Soccer - 240 attendees
4. Provide supervisory personnel for parks and recreation facilities that ensure their effective use.
wThe County Recreation and Parks Department has always provided supervisors at parks where we have afterschool programs. Additionally, as new community centers come online we will be providing additional supervisor staff for each new park. We currently have four supervisors plus assistants and have requested another four for the new parks expected in 2007.
5. Develop boat ramps and parking.
wAfter five years of waiting for environmental permits, the County Recreation and Parks Department has begun construction at the popular Vilano Boat Ramp. This will provide an additional 40 parking spaces, bulkhead improvements, and new permanent restrooms.
-Additionally, the County purchased 20 acres of property next to the Palmo Boat Ramp for additional parking and renovated the existing ramp and bulkhead.
-The County also entered into a thirty-year lease at North Beach to provide an additional boat ramp and 45 parking spaces just north of the Vilano Boat Ramp.
-An additional ramp and parking were constructed at the Doug Crane Boat Ramp. Next years plans call for the renovations and dredging of the Butler West Park Boat Ramp site.
6. Build more community pools with swimming and safety instruction.
The County approved in 2005 funding for the construction of a second public pool in the West St. Augustine area. Plans are being drawn.
-Additionally, the Board of County Commissioners is expected this year (2006) to approve the funding mechanism for the construction of three additional swimming pools throughout the County.
7. Replenish or renourish beaches at public access points dependent on availability of Federal dollars.
wThe County, in cooperation with the State and Federal government began a $20 million dollar renourishment project in 2000 and 2001. Due to the storms of 2003, a second $15 million dollar renourishment project was done in 2004, a year earlier than scheduled. Renourishment plans are also being considered for two other critically eroded beaches in the County at North Beach and Summerhaven.
C. Health Care
1. Encourage efficient, effective and affordable total health care for all our residents. Increase mental health services and provide cooperation between health care and mental health delivery. This will include dual diagnosis for mental and physical problems. Include wellness programs for prevention.
wThe YMCA focus is on wellness for youth and adults. We strive to reduce childhood obesity through fitness programs and classes at the YMCA. Numerous wellness programs including, classes for seniors, children, and teens along with Home school physical education are provided by the YMCA.
2. Develop a stronger public health system that is integrated with social services and health care delivery in St. Johns County. Maintain the Community Action Program (CAP) and Federal Qualified Healthcare Center.
3. Continue and enhance the implementation of the Community Health Improvement Partnership.
4. Enhance social support services for individuals involved in the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders. Include family counseling, psychiatric care, childcare, parenting classes, transportation, housing and educational vocational training.
5. Increase substance abuse services by implementing a continuum of care model that includes detoxification, residential services, halfway houses, outpatient treatment and prevention services.
6. Better communicate existing programs to the community.
wHealth & Human Services provides Mental Health/Substance Abuse; Social Services; Emergency Shelter and Foster Care (care, food, clothing and shelter for youth); Respite Care (free time for caregivers); Family Integrity Program; Therapeutic Day Program; Emergency Services; Homeless Coalition Transitional Housing; and the CARE Program (Counseling, Advocacy, Resources and Education). These programs are designed to support and improve the lives of families who are facing challenges, crisis or stressful situations.
wSt. Johns County Health Department provides immunizations, epideminology, medical and dental services, women’s health services, and outreach and prevention for the community.
wThe St. Johns Welfare Federation is a private not-for-profit comprehensive continuum of healthcare provider founded in 1920. Currently, the St. Johns Welfare Federation provides healthcare and charitable services to the citizens of St. Johns County through: the Samantha Wilson Care Center at Bayview, a 120-bed rehabilitation and skilled nursing center; The Pavilion at Bayview, a 59-bed assisted living facility; Buckingham Smith Assisted Living, a 36-bed subsidized assisted living facility; BayView Home Health, a Medicare certified home health agency; Community Charitable Assistance; and, Caring Hands-Caring Community.
The multilevel continuum of care we operate is a vital resource for our local community and connects directly with the goals and strategies of the St. Johns Vision Strategic Plan, specifically the Quality of Life Foundation and in particular the Healthcare, Social Services and Senior Support Strategies.
D. Social Services
Coordinate the services of social and health care. Maintain a master plan that ensures effective and efficient use of funding for social services on a priority basis. Adopt the best practices of other communities. Ensure accountability from social service providers and successful rehabilitation for their clients.
wHealth & Human Services manages a Community Resource Directory online that provides contact information for organizations throughout the county that provide social services. A database to assist in prevention and provide intervention is also available online, both on the County’s website.
wThe Safety Shelter of St. Johns County, Inc., dba: Betty Griffin House, provides emergency shelter to abused women and their minor children and temporary shelter for rape victims in danger after the crime. Other support services available to shelter residents and nonresidents include a 24-hour crisis hotline, individual and group counseling, case management, civil legal representation, and court advocacy. Betty Griffin House provides all services to men who are abused with separate accommodations.
Improve adult day care.
wThe Sunshine Center Therapeutic Adult Day Facility focuses on adult day care with an emphasis on cognitive awareness exercises and socialization opportunities in a safe and structured environment. Paulette Kozlowski, R.N. and a certified rehabilitation specialist estimates that over 50% of those who participate in the Sunshine Center do so to allow the primary caregiver to continue a regular work schedule.
wHealth & Human Services Therapeutic Day Program, providing meaningful day activities for youth and young adults.
Coordinate social service delivery in all minority communities.
wThe St. Johns Health Department responds to environmental health issues such as animal bites, bioterrorism, water quality, and sanitation issues. They do regular inspections of migrant labor camps and residential migrant housing.
wSt. Johns Welfare Federation services include in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation, twenty-four hour skilled nursing care, two assisted living facilities, home health care, enhanced social support through transitional healthcare planning and charitable assistance. By offering a unified comprehensive continuum of care we are able to provide healthcare services and complete the circle of care for each client we serve in the most efficient, effective and affordable manner. One of the great advantages of offering a “Continuum of Care” approach is the cost savings to the community by avoiding the more costly and highly institutionalized options of care. It is through Caring Hands - Caring Community, the community awareness and support building program of the Welfare Federation that we are currently able to provide more than $850,000 in uncompensated patient care, charitable assistance and non-reimbursed skilled nursing healthcare. Once a client is in our continuum we are diligent to provide the care in the most appropriate environment with the highest level of services necessary in order to maximize his or her quality of life and functionality.
wEarly Learning Coalition works through its subcontractor, Episcopal Childrens Services to assure the direct service needs of clients are met. ECS manages Child Care Resource and Referral, which helps to connect families with community agencies. ECS also refers families, when needed, to other United Way and community agencies for a range of services to include food pantry, literacy and assistance with light bills.
E. Arts and Culture
1. Develop an umbrella local arts coalition and central arts council for private solicitations that implements an arts community master plan. Increase support and awareness of the arts for the enjoyment and education of our residents and visitors and to assist in business development. This master plan could include development of:
• Support for all existing and proposed arts and cultural facilities.
wUnited Way provides funding to numerous health and social service organizations in St. Johns County for people from all walks of life and ages, and supports Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach that provides arts and music programs to at-risk youth in our public schools.
wThe County Recreation Advisory Board, in 2006, recommended that the Board of County Commissioners establish an umbrella arts and/or cultural council for the County. Additionally, the County Recreation and Parks Department contracts with the Council on Aging to provide art classes and cultural programs at our community centers. A new community center with these types of activities is currently under construction in the Ponte Vedra area.
wSt. Johns Cultural Council’s (SJCC) mission is to promote St. Johns County as one of the nation's premier arts destinations where the lives of both residents and visitors are enriched through arts and culture. The Council is renovating a historic hotel just south of the pier in St. Augustine Beach. Plans for the second story of the hotel include rooms where artists may utilize facilities at reduced fees or free of charge in return for exchanging free lessons to the community. The SJCC is actively promoting the arts countywide, and working to collaborate with other arts organizations to provide a collective voice on the arts in St. Johns County.
• St. Johns County as a regional center for training in the performing arts (Dance, Music, and Theater).
wThe Limelight Theatre is a major stakeholder in the County's initiatives to: (1) position itself as a regional center for training in the performing arts; (2) to offer cultural classes; (3) to garner private and public support of the arts; and, (4) to make St. Johns County a place where culture counts. During the 2005/2006 theatre season, the Limelight produced nine main stage theatrical productions, facilitated six outside shows, held nine art exhibits and hosted 13 youth camps, which together totaled 158 theatrical performances. The theatre was also awarded a facilities grant of over $398,000 by the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs to make capital improvements and build a second stage. These facility enhancements will allow the Limelight to bring even more classes and quality productions to St. Johns County.
wThe Dance Company, a non-profit dance company, with offices in the newly remodeled Cultural Center in St. Augustine Beach, provides workshops and classes in performing arts for the community.
• Initiatives to support the present cultural organizations and introduce new venues.
wSt. Johns Cultural Council will offer information to via a new kiosk that will be located within the St. Augustine Visitor Center, promoting local arts organizations, events and activities throughout the community.
wFirst Friday Art Walk is held on the first Friday of each month, showcasing local artisans. Tours begin at Rembrandtz Fine Gifts for Fun People at 131 King St. Galleries are open from 5-9 p.m. Admission is free.
wArt Advocate, a retail establishment on San Marco Blvd. opened to promote local artists from throughout the community. Proceeds help local artists and assist in the funding of the St. Johns Cultural Council.
• Programs which can enhance the performance of present arts organizations such as workshops on planning, fund raising, publicity, marketing, coordination of calendars and brochures, and grant writing expertise.
• Support of the performing arts.
• Cultural classes available to community, adult education, and children’s summer workshops.
wThe Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach provides arts programming and exhibits for schools and the community, having served over 8,000 annually. The Cultural Center provides classes and workshops for adults and children, children’s art camps, workshops in the arts for educators, and field trip programs that bring classes of students to the Cultural Center during the school day for hands-on art making activities.
wThe Limelight Theatre held nine art exhibits and hosted 13 youth camps.
wLocated below is a list of events Flagler College provided for the public during the 2005-2006 academic year.
1. Theatre Arts Department: 13 performances
2. Emma Concert Series: 12 performances
3. Emma Lecture Series: 6 Lectures
4. Historical St. Augustine Research Institute Spring Lecture Series: 4 Lectures
5. Outside groups hosting cultural events in the Flagler Auditorium: 11 events
6. Flagler College 9 Carrera Art Gallery: 4 Bachelor of Fine Art Student Exhibits and 6 outside artist shows.
wFlagler College sponsors a Lecture Series, Writers in Residence, and Political Forums each semester. These programs are open to the public and provide education opportunities to the community.
wFlagler College radio station, WFCF, is a non-commercial, educational radio station that offers quality radio programming to the greater St. Johns County area.
• An expansion of access to local, State, Federal, and private funding for cultural programs.
• A master calendar of events.
• A home to teach colonial arts and crafts.
• A program to teach historic arts before it is too late and there is no one left who knows these arts.
wHistorical St. Augustine Research Institute was created in 1999 as a cooperative effort between Flagler College, the University of Florida, and the St. Augustine Foundation. The mission statement of the Institute is to promote and support studies, publications, research and other investigative enterprises that enrich the culture and history of St. Augustine.
wFlagler College hosts the St. Augustine Public Archeology Regional Center. The three primary goals of the center are:
1. To participate in a range of public outreach programs.
2. To assist local and county governments in their efforts to preserve and protect regional archeological resources.
3. To assist the state's Division of Historical Resources in its archeological responsibilities.
• St. Johns County as a place where culture counts.
2. Support for historical resources such as the St. Johns County Historic Resource Review Board (HRRB), The St. Augustine Historical Society, Beaches Historical Society (St. Johns County), St. Augustine Trust for Historic Preservation, Genealogical Society, etc.)
wThe County Recreation and Parks Department is currently constructing two new historical parks at Alpine Groves and Beluthlahatchee Parks. These sites will offer historical renovations and interpretive programs.
F. Sense of Community, Image and Race Relations

1. Unify all part of the county where there is geographic, social, economic, and racial diversity.
2. Create an identity or brand for St. Johns County internally and externally that might include our history, professional sports affiliations, natural resources, an emerging center for technology, and our rich diversity.
3. Increase volunteerism and community involvement.
wThe Limelight Theatre's commitment to building long-lasting bonds with the community and to increase volunteerism is evidenced by our expanding volunteer base. In 2005/2006 the Limelight Guild increased its membership to over 100 volunteers, who serve as ushers, painters, builders, craftsmen, artisans, costumers, servers, copiers, hosts, hostesses, mailers, cooks, ambassadors, and a myriad of other roles. The Theatre is also supported by a Board of Directors made up of 21 community volunteers who very actively serve in numerous capacities. In addition to its own organization, the Limelight also provides meeting space and support to numerous outside community groups and service organizations.
wThe mission of the YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice for programs that build a healthy mind, body and spirit for all. Financial assistance is available for membership and programs. The YMCA policy is “No one is turned away from the YMCA…financial assistance is available for all”. Last year the St. Augustine and Winston Family YMCA's provided $272,000 dollars of financial assistance.
-The YMCA of Florida's First Coast has been providing services to St. John's county for 100 years. We are volunteer-driven organization dedicated to building a better community. Our programs on based on our 4 core values which promote good character development.
-Over 150 members of the community came forward to volunteer their services at the YMCA as a head or assistant coach, team parent, clinic instructor and/or scorekeeper. These community volunteers play a key role in the success of our programs and help us positively impact, through sports, the youth in our community.
wWFCF-Flagler College Radio. St. Johns County Volunteer and Student Radio Station. Currently utilizes 52 volunteers.
4. Expect all citizens to take full responsibility for their actions and work together as a community for its betterment.
wCouncil on Aging instituted a Mayor’s Senior Advisory Council who’s goal is to encourage and foster communications between the elder community and elected officials. The COA also hosts candidate forums where elders can engage in one-on-one interaction with those seeking public office.
5. Develop countywide beautification programs.
6. Develop a means for countywide communications for public information and education.
wPonte Vedra Chamber of Commerce provides a monthly lunch and learn program to educate the community on community issues such as hurricane preparedness, legislative updates and economic development.
7. Build good character.
wFlagler College Mission Statement: providing students with an environment in which students acquire knowledge, exercise good citizenship, and adhere to high ethical standards.
8. Provide access opportunities for the physically challenged.
wThe County Recreation and Parks Department provides ADA compliant facilities at all of our parks and community centers. We have hired a full time safety officer who is certified as a playground safety inspector and ADA Compliance officer. We provide activities for all youth and adults regardless of their challenges (e. g. wheelchair members of indoor volleyball programs). While not specifically offering therapeutic programs, we do try to mainstream challenged persons into our existing programs and employment.
9. Reduce billboard clutter while providing fair compensation for owners.
G. Youth
1. Be a child and youth friendly community.
wThe County Recreation and Parks Department provides free after school programs for youth, including teenagers. We also offer a free summer camp program at 12 different sites around the county. Additionally, the existing community centers (Ketterlinus, Hastings and Galimore) offer programs for youth. Three new centers are expected to be approved for funding this year.
wCouncil on Aging encourages youth volunteer participation from area schools and civic organizations. Two beautification projects have been implemented and completed through different Scout programs, county youth volunteer in many capacities within the organization, and area high schools and colleges continue to participate on a regular basis through on-going and time specific projects.
2. Provide more positive activities for our children including youth gathering places.
wThe County Parks & Recreation Department provides gathering places at the Hastings, Ketterlinus, and Galimore Centers. An additional four community centers are expected to be funding this fiscal year. Additionally, the Ketterlinus Center offers a drop-in teenage program.
wThe St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is committed to our youth in the county through programs such as the SJSO Explorers, the Police Athletic League (PAL) and participation in the St. Johns Youth Leadership Program. Youth Resource Deputies also participate in school functions and facilitate positive activities and interaction with our youth.
wThe St. Johns County Chamber's South Beaches Area Council is now hosting a brick drive to raise money and gain support for the Splash Park at the Pier project - an interactive fountain which will be built where the current playground now sits at Pier Park. The South Beaches Area Council, The Tourist Development Council and City of St. Augustine Beach will come together for a festival of food and fireworks on Sunday, December 31, 2006 to present a New Year's celebration, “Beach Blast Off 2007,” that will also benefit the Splash Park At The Pier project.
wGirl Scouts of Gateway Council (GSGC) provides girls age 5 - 17 an accepting and nurturing environment where, in partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop assets that will serve them all their lives: leadership, decision-making skills, and social conscience. Through activities that are fun and personally challenging, girls develop self-esteem based on achievement. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.
wGirl Scouts of Gateway Council, Inc. serves approximately 25,134 girls and adults in 16 north Florida counties, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. In 2005, Girl Scouts of Gateway Council served 1,702 girls and 889 adults in St. John's County. Examples of program and training provided by GSGC include the following:
-Passages, a transitional program for rising 6th graders, was held at 3 middle schools in St. John's County in 2005, serving 41 girls.
-A partnership with Head Start in St. Augustine provided a pre-literacy program for 28 5-year-olds
-A new program, Learn to Earn, at St. Gerards helped girls at risk of dropping out of school before graduation increase their knowledge of the long-term financial disadvantages from dropping out of school and inspire the girls to make choices toward continued educational opportunities.
-Free training was provided to adult volunteers so they can provide girls with quality program.
wPrYme Time is the after school; programs that are provided at local schools and the YMCA, serving an average of 350 kids a week while providing character development and social skills, and fulfilling their needs with physical activity, homework time and the arts. PrYme Time is provided for 39 weeks at South Woods, Hartley, Webster, and Ocean Palms Elementary Schools. Over 111,000 dollars of financial assistance was provided at these schools.
wYMCA Summer Programs:
-Summer Camp is an 11 week program which serves over 430 kids weekly in St. John's County. Camp was held at 5 locations and over $51,000 in financial assistance was provided. This year marked the first time a camp for Special Needs children was held. The program was held at Webster Elementary for 9 weeks . It enabled 14 children to have a fun filled summer.
-Over 480 hours of free swim Instruction was provided to children in West St.Augustine, Lincolnville and Hastings. Groups that benefitted from this instruction were from Calvin Peete, the Homeless Coalition ,and Marine Science. Financial assistance is awarded to qualifying families for free and discounted swimming lessons. No child is turned away from the Learn to Swim program due to their inability to pay.
-The YMCA does focus programs on youth inactivity and obesity. Kids have their own wellness classes and orientation to use all cardio and weight equipment.
-YMCA offers home school PE with the ultimate goal to train and compete in Presidential Fitness testing.
wAmerican Legion Post 194 provides a kid-safe zone after school tutorial program in West Augustine.
wAmerican Legion Post 194 established and manages the Leo C. Chase, Jr. Scholarship Fund.
wSt. Johns County 4-H is the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension Service, a joint effort to teach young people leadership, citizenship and life skills.
wCommunities in Schools provides quality of life programs for youth through mentoring, tutoring, counseling and College Reach-Out. Their mission: “To Champion the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school, graduate and prepare for life.” Included 60 St. Johns County students in their programming.
wFlagler College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Programs
1. Kids Marketplace: Children learn how to develop ideas that can be made profitable. They are taught the responsibilities involved in managing their own small business.
2. West Augustine Marketplace: An area of Calvin Peete Park being cultivated for a Saturday “Marketplace” where local children and families can sell homemade products and produce. This opportunity teaches communities how to organize their own businesses successfully.
3. West Augustine Garden project: A FCSIFE enterprise that created farm space in which the community of West Augustine can grow their own produce and then sell their produce at the marketplace. Three locations have been donated: St. Augustine Tech Center, The projects, and Murray Middle School.
wSummer Programs: Flagler College organizations and coaches offer youth summer camps that are held on the Flagler College campus.
wThe Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach provides arts programming and exhibits for schools and the community, having served over 8,000 annually. The Cultural Center provides classes and workshops for adults and children, children’s art camps, workshops in the arts for educators, and field trip programs that bring classes of students to the Cultural Center during the school day for hands-on art making activities.
3. Prevent and/or reduce youth alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug abuse by implementing effective best practices in the field of substance abuse prevention and treatment.
wSJSO Youth Resource Deputies consistently engage in programs with State Beverage agents targeting the illegal sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco by minors. The deputies enforce a zero-tolerance policy focusing on enforcement and education on the dangers of these substances.
wWeed and Seed program funded to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in the West Augustine area. This program will be expanded to Armstrong, Lincolnville, Hastings and Flagler Estates. West Augustine will have a number of Safe Havens, where youth and adult-oriented services will be delivered, but the main Safe Haven will be a new $4.5 million community center.
wPACT Prevention Coalition of St. Johns County is a group of community organizations, businesses, churches, elected officials, youth and parents working together for a safe, healthy and drug-free community. PACT works to raise awareness of the prevalent substance abuse issues for county youth.
4. Provide county incentives for youth programs.
5. Provide assistance hotline.
H. Senior Support
1. Enhance and improve senior support services and expand in-home services for elders which may include:
• More medical services for seniors
• Promotion of wellness programs
• Creation of an ombudsman program to facilitate elders in their access to resources in the community.
wCouncil on Aging, in partnership and with a grant from Flagler Hospital facilitated by Joe Gordy, instituted a prescription assistance program where eligible seniors can receive prescription medications at either a reduced rate or at no cost. Since January 2005, this program has saved the elder community over $890,000.00.
wThe YMCA Active Older Adult programs focus on wellness instruction and education, providing seniors with field trips opportunities and social activities. The Silver Sneakers program’s motto is “Get fit, have fun, make friends”. Class movements are non-impact and tailored to each participants fitness level. All classes are taught by certified SilverSneakers instructors.
wCouncil on Aging has formed partnerships with the St. Johns Health Dept., the nursing program of the First Coast Technical Institute and NE Florida Community Hospice, among others, thus providing on-going exercise classes (including weight and strength training), health and wellness programs and regularly scheduled grief and loss counseling.
wCouncil on Aging’s Community Center volunteers lead chair and stretching exercise classes for the less mobile and more physically challenged individuals. A mobile podiatrist visits the center regularly which makes those types of services more readily accessible to those facing mobility challenges.
wThrough an Information and Referral program, the Council on Aging strives to be a gateway of information for all elders in the community. By contacting our Information & Referral specialist, any elder can receive information on and assistance with specific issues affecting their daily lives and can be referred to other organizations or sources of information that could be beneficial as well.
wThe Recreation and Parks Department, in an agreement with the Council on Aging offer support services in the Trout Creek, and Ponte Vedra areas. An additional center is under construction in the Landrum Lane area.
wAmerican Legion Post 194 provides all Veterans in St. Johns County a free pre-Thanksgiving meal annually.
2. Encourage families to begin preparing at a young age for their elder year needs through savings, investments, and life, disability, health, and nursing home insurance. When an elderly person or their family cannot provide needs, the community will attempt to provide a safety net.
wCouncil on Aging recently instituted a series of seminars focusing on the importance of financial planning and the factors that have made advanced retirement planning even more crucial. These seminars are offered at no charge, and are not age-restricted and all residents in St. Johns County are encouraged to attend.

V. GOVERNMENT
Vision
“St. Johns County will have a responsive, efficient, effective, equitable and accountable government.”
A. Expectations
Expect all levels of government in St. Johns County to be responsive, efficient, effective, equitable and accountable.
B. Endorsement of St. Johns Vision
Encourage all levels and departments of government in St. Johns County to endorse St. Johns Vision and actively work to make the Strategies, Visions, and Key Benchmarks reality and use the Core Values as guides in decision-making.
C. Organization
Consider options for reorganizing St. Johns governments that would result in more responsive, efficient, effective, equitable, and accountable government.
wPonte Vedra Beach Coalition, along with other interested citizens have researched and are in the process of garnering support for an initiative to implement a Charter form of Government for St. Johns County.
How is the charter different from current government?
-The Charter provides for voter initiative, which is the opportunity for voters to propose and amend local ordinances for referendum.
-The charter upholds property rights by restricting eminent domain.
-The charter includes commission term limits (as exist for state officials).
-District residency requirement for commission candidates.
-A charter government includes a provision for recall of elected officials.
-Reduction of the maximum campaign contribution to $250.
-Required electronic filing of campaign finance reports.
D. Distribution of Services
Ensure services are equitably distributed throughout the county in a socially responsible manner.
E. Funding
Aggressively pursue State, Federal, and private funding resources and alternatives.
F. Economic Development
Encourage government to strongly support economic development, and provide resources for business location and recruitment.
wSt. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) serves as the interface between businesses and government in St. Johns County. The EDC maintains on it’s website a database of available building and site locations throughout the county, The EDC also serves as a lobbying arm for the business community on issues that have an impact on doing business in St. Johns County.
G. Service Consolidation
Consider consolidation of services through inter-local government agreements.
H. Evaluation
Provide a means for public evaluation of St. Johns County government on a regular basis.
I. Communication
Develop and expand communication between government and residents.
wAn initiative to provide better communication between landowners and new development land use requests resulted in a draft document, “Neighborhood Bill of Rights.” This document, if adopted by the Board of County Commissioners is designed to ensure notice to residents of proposed changes to codes and potential development in neighborhoods.
J. Trust
Increase trust in government.
K. Asset Sharing
Insist on the sharing of government assets to maximize use. This would include using school facilities year round.
L. Cooperation
Improve cooperation between units of government in St. Johns County.
M. Land Use Laws
Reevaluate existing land use laws.
N. Youth
Encourage the participation of young people in government.
wFlagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy is open to the public and many teachers offer extra credit to students that attend.
O. School Board Accessibility
Improve interaction with the public at school board workshops.
P. CRA’s
Increase government participation in Community Redevelopment Areas.
Q. Taxation
Monitor per person cost of total taxation.
R. Public Meetings
Encourage attendance at county commission and school board meetings.
VI. PRIVATE SECTOR LEADERSHIP
VISION
“St. Johns County will have private sector leadership that is the leading pillar in partnership with government and citizenry in ensuring St. Johns County is the preferred place to live and work in America..”
A. Endorsement of St. Johns Vision
Encourage all levels of Private Sector Leadership (for-profit and not-for-profit) in St. Johns County to endorse St. Johns Vision and actively work to make the Strategies, Visions and Key Benchmarks reality and use the Core Values as guides in decision-making. Expect the private sector to mobilize leadership, volunteers, and resources to make the Vision a reality.
B. Education
Expand and strengthen the business partnership with education. Provide business advisory councils to provide skill level requirements for St. Johns County jobs. Increase school to career programs.
wThe Business Partners in Education committee of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with the St. Johns County School District to provide more knowledge in the schools of what the business community is doing as well as trying to ensure that the students of St. Johns County are adequately prepared upon graduation to successfully function in the workplace. BPIE will once again sponsor the STAR Awards Banquet in April 2007 that recognizes the top 5% of the graduating seniors in St. Johns County. They will again co-sponsor with the St. Johns County School District the High School Academy Showcase on January 11, 2007. BPIE continues to work with the School District and supports the academies that have been established in the county high schools.
wFlagler College offers programs that concentrate on the College's core strengths. The College works hard to keep costs low-so it may offer each student bigger opportunities and more value. Programs such as liberal arts, business, or education, are among the region's best programs. Students benefit from highly interactive classes (more than 94 percent of classes have less than 35 students), friendly professors who combine theoretical knowledge with professional experience, and hands-on learning opportunities at every stage.
wAmerican Legion Post 194 hosts an annual career day program for youth each year.
C.Partnerships
Enhance the development and expansion of public and private partnerships to achieve the St. Johns Vision.
D. Leadership
Enhance leadership training for all ages and make it available for a broad variety of St. Johns residents.
wBob Kolenda Leadership Retreat. Flagler College SIFE brought in Bob Kolenda to facilitate 2 leadership workshops (October 2005 & February 2006). These workshops were offered to Flagler students, staff, and faculty, as well as local business leaders.
wSt. Johns County Chamber of Commerce provides instruction courses to the business community through their leadership academy. Classes focus on managerial and technical training for entry-level employees, managers and supervisors, depending on topic.
E. Communication
Develop strong communication program at grass roots level for St. Johns Vision and its Vision Partners.
F. Affordable Housing
Encourage the private sector to help government meet the affordable housing requirements for St. Johns residents.
G. Civics
Emphasize civics in school by hands-on training in the private sector.
H. Volunteerism
Expand volunteerism.
wFlagler College faculty and staff volunteer hours: over 1,000 hours.
wStudent Volunteer Hours/Activities: Flagler College strongly encourages student involvement in the St. Augustine community. There are many opportunities to affiliate with organizations that are geared to assist in helping others. Some of these include Habitat for Humanity, St. Francis Soup Kitchen, Guardian Ad Litem, St. Augustine Youth Services, and Council on Aging. All athletic teams and clubs and organizations are required to perform community service.
wThe Flagler College Home Team donated 388 volunteer man-hours during the spring 2006 semester. They volunteered their time on such projects as “Basic Necessities” Drive for the Betty Griffin House and with the St. Johns Housing Partnership building a ramp, making sidewalk repairs and painting houses in a St. Augustine neighborhood.
Girl Scouts of Gateway Council offers free training to adult volunteers so they can work with youth in learning skills that will serve them all of their lives: leadership, decision-making skills, and social conscience. Girls learn to volunteer within their communities.
I. Faith-Based Initiatives
Involve faith-based initiatives and church leadershp in the implementation of St. Johns Vision while recognizing the separation of church and state..
J. Leadership Programs
Expand Leadership St. Johns Program and the regional leadership program.
wLeadership St. Johns, sponsored by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to developing an increased awareness of many aspects of life in St. Johns County for individuals in leadership positions, or those aspiring to be future leaders. Through education and networking, this program will provide tools for these individuals to succeed. At the same time the community will benefit from having business, government, education and community leaders who are more knowledgeable about St. Johns County.
wYouth Leadership St. Johns, sponsored by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is a program designed for high school juniors so that they may gain a full understanding of the county in which they live! Training starts with an Opening Retreat in August, eight full program days throughout the school year, and a graduation ceremony with family and friends. The mission is to develop a corps of informed, committed and qualified young people capable of providing dynamic leadership in their schools, their careers and in their communities as they mature into adulthood.
K. “Character Counts”
Increase participation in “Character Counts.”
L. Youth Development
Seek involvement of faith-based leadership for youth development programs.
wThe Young Life/Youth Ministry Program at Flagler College provides a rich educational experience through challenging academics, fieldwork, and Christian fellowship. Flagler faculty and Young Life leaders have been working together since 1975 to train students to minister and serve today's youth in the St. Johns County community. Young Life is a non-denominational Christian outreach ministry for youth. Its mission is to help middle and high school adolescents develop and foster a relationship with Christ through weekly club meetings, camps, special groups and personal contact with other youth and Young Life leaders. Many Flagler students in the Young Life/Youth Ministry Program serve as volunteers in the local Young Life Ministry. The relationship has benefitted Flagler students as well as the youth of the St. Augustine community.