Thursday Briefing: Meet the Mayors, Sheriff's Building Bid Opening, Panhandling

flagler mayors — The Flagler County Association of Realtors is hosting a Meet the Mayors morning today. Above, Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland, Bunnell mayor Catherine Robinson, and Flagler Beach mayor Linda Provencher. (© FlaglerLive)

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the mid 80s. West winds 5 mph shifting to the north in the afternoon. Chance of rain 70 percent. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows around 70. East winds 5 mph shifting to the west after midnight. Chance of rain 40 percent.
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: 162
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: hapless.
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
Flagler Beach A1A Construction Updates
US 1-Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates
Announcements
In State Government
In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
Fact-Checking the Knaves
Palm Coast Construction and Development
Cultural Coda

“There is a quaint old theory that man may have two souls — a peripheral one which serves ordinarily, and a central one which is stirred only at certain times, but then with activity and vigour. While un der the domination of the former a man will shave, vote, pay taxes, give money to his family, buy subscription books and comport himself on the average plan. But let the central soul suddenly become dom inant, and he may, in the twinkling of an eye, turn upon the partner of his joys with furious execration; he may change his politics while you could snap your fingers ; he may deal out deadly insult to his dearest friend ; he may get him, instanter, to a monastery or a dance hall ; he may elope, or hang himself — or he may write a song or poem, or kiss his wife unasked, or give his funds to the search of a microbe. Then the peripheral soul will return; and we have our safe, sane citizen again. It is but the revolt of the Ego against Order ; and its effect is to shake up the atoms only that they may settle where they belong.”

–O’Henry, from “Cabbages and Kings” (1904).

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.

Common Ground Breakfast: Carolyn Gosselin, Vice President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, is the featured speaker at the Flagler Chamber’s Common Ground breakfast, 8 a.m. at the Palm Coast Hilton Garden Inn, 50 Town Court. Registration is required by July 19. Members can preregister for $25, Guests and future members can attend for $35. No walk-ups.

Meet the Mayors: Join Flagler Beach Commission Chairman Donald O’Brien and the mayors from the cities of Palm Coast, Bunnell, Flagler Beach and the Town of Beverly Beach in the Flagler County Realtors Association’s 11th Annual Breakfast forum. The forum format will include updates from all cities, the county and district representatives, including questions if the time permits. Invitation is open to the public. For more information and to RSVP contact the Association at (386) 437-0095. A catered breakfast begins at 9 a.m. at the Flagler County Association of Realtors, 4101 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell.

A Selection Committee meets to review proposals submitted in response to RSQ# 19-042Q, Professional Architectural & Engineering Services for a $12 to $15 million Sheriff’s Administration and Operations Complex next to the public library on Palm Coast Parkway. Location: Government Services Building, Financial Services Conference Room, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg 2, Bunnell, 2 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

The Flagler Beach City Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 105 South Second Street. Commissioners will hear a request from Moose Brown to co-sponsorship of an event, “Surfers for Autism.” They will discuss their 2020 legislative priorities. And they will consider approving, on first reading, an anti-panhandling ordinance prohibiting “Aggressive Panhandling.” Commissioners will also discuss a new proposed agreement with Flagler County government controlling uses at the Moody-Wickline Senior Services Center on South Daytona Avenue.

The Palm Coast Beautification and Environmental Advisory Committee meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall in Town Center. The committee will discuss climate change.

I-95 Resurfacing this week: Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. single outside lane closure on NB I-95 from north of Palm Coast Parkway to south of Pellicer Creek.

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):

Friday: Walmart, 174 Cypress Point Parkway, Palm Coast, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: Epic Theaters, 1185 Central Avenue, Palm Coast, 1 to 6 p.m.
Sunday: Bealls Outlet, 9 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast, 1:30 to 5 p.m.

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


Jail Bookings, June 19-22 Sheriff's night shift incident reports, June 21 Sheriff's day shift incident reports, June 21 Flagler Beach's night shift incident reports, June 21 Flagler Beach's day shift incident reports, June 21 Bunnell police's night shift incident reports, June 21 Bunnell police's day shift incident reports, June 21
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.

Flagler Beach Is Open For Business: A1A Construction Update:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to year-long construction on and near State Road A1A in Flagler Beach as the Florida Department of Transportation rebuilds a 1.5-mile segment from South 9th Street to South 22nd Street, and builds a sea wall at the north end of town. These updates are provided through DOT or local officials. If you have any relevant information or images, you’re welcome to email them to the editor here.

IMPORTANT: Safety in the Work Zone: Drivers are reminded to obey all posted speed limits, and to be alert to vehicles turning onto northbound S.R. A1A from side streets or businesses. Pedestrians and bicyclists are asked to remain aware as construction activities continue and designated pathways are moved. Please use extra caution walking, bicycling or driving through the area. Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Last Updated: July 15

Protecting Turtles

Now that turtle nesting season has started in the Flagler Beach area, local Turtle Patrol volunteers are checking the beach within the project limits every day to locate any new nests. In Segment 3, north of North 18th Street, work cannot begin until the beach is checked. If a nest is discovered, the nest will be marked, and work will not be allowed within 10 feet of the nest, as specified in the environmental permits issued for this project.

The Turtle Patrol also is monitoring the beach in the project limits of Segment 1, from South 25th Street to South 22nd Street, where plans call for dune revetment involving additional sand and plants.

Segment 1 South 25th Street to South 22nd Street):

The contractor this week also finished all work on Segment 1 with installation of the final plants.

Segment 2 (South 22nd Street to South 9th Street):

Crews are removing the old water main between South 13^th Street and South 17^th Street. French drain construction continues between South 18^th and South 15^th streets.

Sidewalk installation is expected between South 16^th and South 17^th streets. Roadway construction is underway south of South 18^th Street.

Segment 3 (North 18th Street to Osprey Drive) Project Update:

The contractor reached a major milestone this week, finishing the installation of more than 1,800 concrete piles that will form the buried secant wall.

Crews are continuing to place the concrete cap on the piles, place sand on top of the cap and install plants. The contractor expects to finish the wall cap in about three weeks.

Excavation of the drainage swale between the roadway and dune also has begun.

See Also:

The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1 is intended to drastically reduce the number of severe crashes at one of the county's most dangerous intersections. Two other such roundabouts are proposed for other dangerous intersections in Flagler. Click on the image for larger view. (DOT) — The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1 is intended to drastically reduce the number of severe crashes at one of the county’s most dangerous intersections. Two other such roundabouts are proposed for other dangerous intersections in Flagler. Click on the image for larger view.
(DOT)

U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to the planned 15-month, $4.1 million construction of a roundabout at U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway. The project started in late January and is scheduled for completion by spring 2020.

The Florida Department of Transportation will be closing Old Dixie Highway and C.R. 325 at U.S. 1 on Monday night, March 4, from about 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The closure is needed to allow the contractor to make improvements to the crossover at the temporary intersection. U.S. 1 will remain open in both directions.

More details here.

See Also:

I-95 Construction, Repaving: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., single lane closures on NB I-95 from north of Palm Coast Parkway to the St. Johns County line. Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 7 a.m., double lane closures on NB I-95 from north of Palm Coast Parkway to the St. Johns County line.

See this week’s full Interstate Construction Report for Flagler, Volusia and St. Johns here.

Announcements/Press Releases:

None.

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.

RUBIN FATE COULD BE DECIDED: Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet — made up of Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis — will meet. They are expected to discuss an inspector general report about Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Ronald Rubin, who was suspended from his job after sexual-harassment allegations. Patronis has pushed to fire Rubin. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

TECO POWER PLANT AT ISSUE: Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet will decide whether to give a key approval to a Tampa Electric Co. power-plant project in Hillsborough County. Acting as the state Power Plant Siting Board, DeSantis and Cabinet members will consider an administrative law judge’s recommendation that they approve the project at the utility’s Big Bend Power Station. Under the Tampa Electric plan, one old generating unit, known as Unit 2, at the Big Bend site would be shut down. Another old unit, known as Unit 1, would be upgraded as a natural-gas plant, eliminating the use of coal in the unit. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., and environmentalists have raised concerns about the project, pointing to emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

LAND PURCHASES EYED: Gov. Ron DeSantis and Cabinet members will consider spending just over $11 million of Florida Forever conservation funds to acquire more than 900 acres in three parts of the state. The pieces of land targeted for conservation are 717 acres within the Wakulla Springs Protection Zone in Wakulla County, 129 acres in Charlotte County and the 57-acre Fish Island in St. Johns County. Fish Island, the most expensive of the proposals at $6.5 million, is one of the last remaining undeveloped waterfront properties in St. Augustine. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

SECRETARY OF STATE AT MAIN STREET EVENT: Secretary of State Laurel Lee is scheduled to take part in an awards banquet that is part of the Florida Main Street annual conference. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant, 125 West Church St., Orlando.)

—-Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

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

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A Twitter List by PierreTristam

Keep Up with Donald Trump’s attacks on the press through the ACLU’s running tab here.

Keep Up with mass shootings in a running database here.

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

Here’s a summary of the latest city developments as of July 19, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Click to access week-in-review-july-19-20191.pdf

Cultural Coda

Baldassare Galuppi’s Sonata Nr. 5 in C major, Vadim Chaimovich