City of St. Augustine: St. Augustine Report re: First America Foundation

First America Foundation: Partners, not committees, for 450th The private, non-profit foundation designated by the city to manage the upcoming commemorations plans partnerships rather than committees to develop programs and projects. "If groups have an idea for the commemorations, they can apply for recognition," First America Foundation (FAF) Staff Director Jamie Alvarez told city commissioners Monday in the first public presentation since the foundation's formation last August. Commissioners' questions on the foundation dominated Monday's meeting, which also included official designation of a new archaeology facility on Pellicer Lane as the Dr. Sue A. Middleton Archaeology Center, plans for public input on the future of the M&M Market, traffic regulation during upcoming King and Riberia streets projects, an update on the Home Again St. Johns program, and presentation of a $754,764 grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District for Salt Run dredging.

Gala to benefit monument Profits from a beefed-up Noche de Gala in February will go toward a $15,000 dressing up of Constitution Monument in the Plaza, in anticipation of the 200th anniversary in 2012 of the Spanish Constitution it represents. The annual gala, commemor-ating the birth of St. Augustine Founder Pedro Menendez, will feature period music and dance, and reenactment of a 16th century banquet in Lightner Museum. Plans for the monument include fencing, a marker, and possibly lighting. Foundation details promised January 26 First America Foundation Staff Director Alvarez said many details on the foundation's plans and operations will be presented at the foundation's news conference set for January 26 at 10 a.m. at the Llambias House. Newly seated Commissioner Bill Leary led commission questioning, along with In the foundation's initial quarterly report to the Commission, Alvarez said the 22-member FAF board of directors rejected a potential of more than 40 community committees for program development in favor of organizations within the community initiating ideas for foundation support. Newly seated Commissioner Bill Leary led commission questioning, along with Commissioner Leanna Freeman - concerned about the "transparency" of FAF. The city will request a workshop in February to review details from the January 26 news conference, and continuing quarterly reports as well as monthly updates on FAF progress. City Attorney Ron Brown cautioned that, "while the city may certainly require information as to the progress made by FAF in meeting the contract requirements," the foundation is like any vendor under city contract, and commissioners are limited on probing its internal operations. "The stuff of the foundation is not a matter of hauling dirt from one location to another," Leary responded. "We're talking about a significant impact to the citizens of St. Augustine over the next four years."