Tuesday Briefing: New Precinct Chief, Palm Coast Data’s Pink Success, Community Center Prized

FlaglerLive | January 15, 2019

The Palm Coast Community Center is among the winners of the 2018 Florida Recreation and Park Association Facility Showcase. The Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and advocacy of the Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services profession, highlighting newly designed or renovated park or recreation facility spaces that serve communities across Florida. Each year, the FRPA Journal winter edition features these facilities as a sort of yearbook of the achievements made throughout the Sunshine State. The Palm Coast Community Center, which reopened last year following a major $8 million dollar renovation and expansion, was chosen to be showcased based on a number of factors–economic, environmental, communal. The city’s Parks & Recreation team completed an extensive application for the recognition. The showcase of all winners including Palm Coast can be viewed here. ‘The renovation and expansion of the Community Center has allowed us to reach a wider demographic, as well as increase our number of activities offered to our community,’ said Alex Boyer, director of Palm Coast Parks & Recreation. Community Center reopened last March with 21,000 square feet. Its size was tripled, and it was transformed it into a multi-generational facility offering many popular programs ranging from youth to seniors. ‘The ‘new’ Community Center is truly the heart of our community, providing residents so many opportunities to socialize, exercise, learn and meet their neighbors,’ said Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland. See a profile of the center here.

Today:: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. North winds around 5 mph. Details here.
Today’s document from the National Archives and the Astronomy Picture of the Day.
Today’s tides: at the beaches, at the Intracoastal Waterway.
Drought Index: 85
The OED’s Word of the day: butterfingered, adj.
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

First Light
In Flagler and Palm Coast
Flagler Jail Bookings and Last 24 Hours of Incident Reports
Announcements
In State Government
In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
Fact-Checking the Knaves
Palm Coast Construction and Development
Local Road and Interstate Construction
Cultural Coda

“I’d like to apologize to all the “banana republics” I’ve offended over the decades with snarky references to their dysfunction. This is karma: I now live in a nation where a petulant president has shut down much of the most powerful government in the world — so the White House isn’t even paying its water bills. The government has shut down before, under presidents of both parties. But this shutdown is particularly childish and unnecessary; to revise Churchill, rarely have so many suffered so much at the hands of so few.”

–From Nicholas Kristof’s New York Times column, “Trump’s Five Craziest Arguments About the Shutdown,” Jan. 12, 2019.

Previously:

In Flagler and Palm Coast:

Note: all government meetings noticed below are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated. Many can be heard or seen live through each agency’s website.

The Sheriff’s daily incident reports and jail bookings are posted here.

The Palm Coast City Council meeting scheduled for today was cancelled due to council members traveling or being ill, thus making a quorum impossible. The council had been scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. at City Hall in Town Center. The council was to be presented with its new Palm Coast sheriff’s coordinator, David Williams, who is replacing Mark Carman, who is to be the chief of police in Crescent City. See the story here. Palm Coast Data’s team in the Pink Army run for breast cancer awareness was to be presented with a best-of-teams participation certificate. The council was also set to approve a development plan for a 233-unit apartment complex at Town Center.

The Flagler County School Board meets in workshop at 1 p.m. on the third floor of the Government Services Building, Bunnell, a closed-door expulsion hearing at 5 p.m., and in an open meeting at 6 p.m. in board chambers, same building. At the information workshop, the board will consider a proposal by FPL to take part in a proposal that FPL words this way: “SolarTogether, an FPL Shared Solar Program is an exciting new program that allows your company to participate directly in large-scale solar projects in Florida. As a participant, you will be able to offset up to 100% of your energy usage with solar and receive monthly bill credits on your FPL bill for a fixed subscription rate. The program will be filed with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) in the first quarter of 2019. Based on preliminary feedback, we anticipate that this program will be very well received, and we’re providing you with the opportunity to pre-register starting Nov. 29, 2018, through Jan. 25, 2019. By pre-registering, you are reserving your spot in the program.” See FPL’s presentation here.

The Bunnell Planning and Zoning Board meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 201 West Moody Boulevard, Bunnell.

County Commissioner Joe Mullins holds a pair of town hall meetings with emergency management and fire rescue personnel, the first at 9 a.m. at Fire Station 51, 3055 County Road 13, the second at 6 p.m. at Hidden Trails Community Center, 6109 Mahogany Boulevard in the Mondex.

The Flagler County Library Board of Trustees meets at 4:30 p.m. at the Flagler County Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast.

Flagler Beach’s Beach Management Plan Ad-Hoc Committee meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall.

The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board meets after holding committee meetings. Committees start at 10 a.m., with full board at 11 a.m., district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.

Blood Donations: The Big Red Bus will be at the following locations this week (schedule your donation by going to the website and entering a Palm Coast zip code, then locating one of the venues below):

Tuesday: Flagler Animal Hospital, 130 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach, from 10 a.m to 1 p.m.
Tuesday: Coastal Cloud, One Hammock Beach Parkway, Palm Coast, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: Flagler County Public Transportation Department, 5400 State Road 100, Palm Coast, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday: Aldi, 5095 State Road 100, Palm Coast, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Saturday: Chick Fil A, 1000 Palm Coast Parkway, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jail Bookings and Last 24 Hours' Incidents in Flagler, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell


Jail Bookings, June 21-24 Sheriff's night shift incident reports, June 23 Sheriff's day shift incident reports, June 23 Flagler Beach's night shift incident reports, June 23 Flagler Beach's day shift incident reports, June 23 Bunnell police's night shift incident reports, June 23 Bunnell police's day shift incident reports, June 23
Previous and archived reports

Sources: Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Flagler Beach Police Department, Bunnell Police Department. This is Flagler County's only comprehensive, one-stop compilation of all local law enforcement's daily day and night shift commanders' reports.

Announcements:

Flagler County Land Management on Thursday conducted its first prescribed fire of 2019 on an 11-acre section of Princess Place Preserve. Land Management assembled a team that also includes Flagler County Fire Rescue, Florida Park Service, and Florida Forest Service. “This is our first prescribed fire of the year and all of us working together, so we wanted to start small,” said Land Management Technician Mike Orlando, who was “burn boss” for this fire. Flagler County hired Orlando in April 2018 for his expertise as a Certified Burner Manager. He has worked about 500 prescribed fires in Florida. Fire is a natural and necessary component of wildfire mitigation and ecosystem maintenance within nearly all of Florida’s ecosystems, and vital to local Land Management duties as it maintains about 10,000 acres within Flagler. A successful prescribed fire, also referred to as a “controlled” fire, removes the hazardous level of fuel in a given area. Unplanned wildfires have a greater risk of being destructive, because the accumulation of vegetation serves as the fuel for these hotter, faster moving fires. Flagler County’s goal with prescribed fire in Princess Place Preserve is longleaf pine restoration. Longleaf pine already exists in the area of Thursday’s burn – which mimics the natural fires that have historically occurred every two to three years within longleaf pine ecosystems. A thriving ecosystem reduces the invasive species populations while enhancing other native plants and animals. “It’s all about the trees,” Orlando said. “Periodic fire supports a healthy forest, which has a diversity of plant and animal species.”

In Florida and in State Government:

Note: Some proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel. Most legislative proceedings can be followed through the Senate or House websites.

INSURANCE ‘SUMMIT’ BEGINS: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will start a two-day insurance “summit,” with speakers including Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier and state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

LAWMAKERS SEEK ARTS FUNDING: Orlando Democratic House members Carlos Guillermo Smith and Anna Eskamani will push for increased funding for arts and culture during a town-hall event. (Tuesday, 3 p.m. Orlando Repertory Theatre, 1001 E Princeton St., Orlando.)

PARK RESTORATION EFFORTS DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting about Hurricane Michael recovery efforts at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Gulf Coast State College, Gulf/Franklin Campus, Building A, 3800 Garrison Ave., Port St. Joe.)

ST. JOHNS RIVER BRIDGE AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a meeting about proposed improvements to State Road 44, from west of County Road 42 in Lake County to east of Ed Stone Park in Volusia County, including a new bridge over the St. Johns River. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Sanborn Activity and Event Center, 815 South Alabama Ave., DeLand.)

GULF RED SNAPPER AT ISSUE: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will continue a series of meetings about state management of Gulf red snapper. The council is seeking input on a draft plan that would allow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to set the recreational red snapper fishing season and, potentially, other management measures in state and federal waters off Florida. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Ave., Key West.)

—-Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

In Coming Days in Palm Coast, Flagler and the Occasional Beyond:

To include your event in this section, please fill out this form.

♦ June 26: Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins hosts a "business town hall" meeting for Flagler Beach businesses to, in his words, "unify businesses to have a strong voice" and "combine marketing efforts." The meeting is at 3 p.m. at Key West Eats, 1112 South Oceanshore Boulevard, Flagler Beach.
♦ June 26: A meeting of Facing Grief Together, formerly known as Compassionate Friends, is scheduled at the Vitas Office at 4 North Old Kings Road (across from Kentucky Fried Chicken) in Palm Coast. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Facing Grief Together, a nonprofit self-help bereavement support organization for families that have experienced the death of a child. The meeting is open to all parents, grandparents, and siblings over age 18 who has suffered the loss of a child of any age. For more information, call John Brady at 610-428-3139. To learn more about Facing Grief Together, visit their national website at www.compassionatefriends.org.
♦ June 27: The Palm Coast Beautification and Environmental Advisory Committee meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall in Town Center. The committee will discuss climat change and sea level rise.
♦ June 27: The Flagler Beach City Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 105 South Second Street. The commission will get the annual update from the Flagler County Health Department's Gretchen Smith, and will consider a resolution providing for a temporary limited exception to the prohibition against signs being placed within public rights of way within designated areas of the city uniquely impacted by the SR A1A project. The commission will also discuss amendments to its murals ordinance, and an ordinance increasing Municipal Business Tax rates by not more than five percent.
♦ June 27:

Another unveiling of the latest turtle sculpture to be added to the Turtle Trail: "PABLO" has been a work in progress this school year by the Flagler Palm Coast High School art club in collaboration with students from Old Kings Elementary School, the Marine Sciences flagship school for Flagler County. It will be unveiled at 1 p.m. at Old Kings Elementary School, 301 Old Kings Road South. Pablo's sponsor is Palm Coast Arts Foundation Trustee G. Lindsey Florence.
♦ June 28: The Scenic A1A PRIDE Committee meets at 9 a.m. at the Hammock Community Center, 79 Mala Compra Rd. off A1A. See the full agenda here.
♦ June 28: The Flagler County School Board meets in a special session to financially close out the year at 9 a.m. at the Government Services Building, Bunnell.
♦ June 28: Urban Surf 4 Kids Surf Camp, starting at 9 a.m., South 6th Street on the Beach.
♦ June 28: "Opry Reunion" debuts. This family style variety show features cast members of Daytona Opry, Downtown Opry and a few new entertainers. Linda Cole, Firecrackers, Michael Leone (Elvis), Eddie Davis, Kaitlyn Kent and Michele Marie will return. Each show will also feature a special guest or two. Bring your family to this high energy variety show, similar to the shows in Branson and Myrtle Beach. This show features classic standards from Gospel, Country, R&B, Motown & much more. Opry Reunion is at Oceanside Inn 1909 South Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores. Showtime is 8 PM and doors open at 7:30 PM. Reserved tickets are $20. A VIP table (comfortably seats 8) is $150. Call (386) 307-0922 for ticket information.
♦ June 29: First Aid and CPR/AED 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fire Station 25, 1250 Belle Terre Pkwy., Palm Coast. This class is a seven-hour course (one hour for lunch) designed to meet OSHA regulations and teach administering CPR to children and adults, using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), using a mask or barrier device, assisting with bleeding, broken bones. $50/person with registration required by 9 a.m. June 27. Register at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2300 and cprcertification@palmcoastgov.com.
♦ June 29-20: Jr. Lifeguard Camp, 8 a.m-12p.m. at Palm Coast Aquatics Center, 339 Parkview Drive. The Junior Lifeguard Camp offers step-by-step lifeguarding skill development. Learn water safety, lifeguard rescues, and First Aid CPR/AED in a weekend camp. Class attendees will receive a CPR mask, Red Cross whistle and T-shirt. For ages 11-15 years. $70/session. Registration required at www.parksandrec.fun/camps. More info: 386-986-2323.
♦ June 29:

"Transitions: The Art of Trish Vevera, Past and Present," opens at Berkshire Hathaway with a free reception at 6 p.m. The show is curated by Paul Beaulieu and Thomas Anastasio. At 101 Palm Coast Parkway, European Village. Vevera is the reigning Flagler County Artist of the Year.
♦ July 1: Nar-Anon offers hope and help for families and friends of addicts. Every Monday, 6 p.m., St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church, 303 Palm Coast Pkwy NE, Palm Coast, Fellowship Hall Entrance. See the website, www.nar-anon.org, or call (800) 477-6291.
♦ July 2: The Flagler Beach Planning and Architecture (or PAR) Board meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 105 S 2nd St. The board will consider a new ordinance relating to the protection of gopher tortoises, with new regulations applicable during development activities.
♦ July 3: Fireworks in the Park: Kick off your Independence Day celebration one day early July 3. Pack your picnic basket and bring your blanket and chairs to watch the free colorful display at Central Park at Town Center, 975 Central Ave, beginning at 9 p.m. Entertainment and food vendors will begin at 6 p.m. A patriotic ceremony starts at 7 p.m.
♦ July 5: First Friday Garden and Butterfly Walk at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd., 10 a.m. Join a ranger at 10am for a walk through our historical gardens. Learn about the history of our park while exploring the beauty of the formal gardens, with an emphasis on butterflies. The walk is approximately 1 hour. Please bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Meet in the garden parking lot. Garden walk included with park entry. No registration required.
♦ July 5-7:

"A Midsummer Night's Madness," a summer workshop production at Palm Coast's City Repertory Theatre. Tickets are $15, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Book here.
♦ July 6: The Palm Coast Arts Foundation hosts its First Saturday Creative Bazaar, an arts and crafts flea market. at 1500 Central Avenue in Town center. Arts foundation members and other vendors will have booths of goods for sale. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
♦ July 6: World Cup Finals Watch Party: The women's soccer World Cup is here again. Join fellow residents at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy NE, as they watch the finals match to see which country is crowned the best in the world July 7. There will be snacks, giveaways and activities for kids. The event costs $1 per person. The final's kickoff is 11 a.m.
♦ July 8: Nar-Anon offers hope and help for families and friends of addicts. Every Monday, 6 p.m., St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church, 303 Palm Coast Pkwy NE, Palm Coast, Fellowship Hall Entrance. See the website, www.nar-anon.org, or call (800) 477-6291.

For events beyond this date, see the fuller Coming Days here.

To include your event in this section, please email the details, including date, time, a brief description of the event, contact information, and, if you wish, an image, please use this form.

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Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

Here’s a summary of the latest city developments as of Jan. 11, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Road and Interstate Construction: