Five Republican County Commissioners took only six (6) minutes to sell out our St. Augustine Lighthouse neighborhood -- seven (7) acres and Lighthouse privatized for only $150,000 without neighborhood knowing about it -- IN HAEC VERBA -- It's our money

Five Republican County Commissioners took only six (6) minutes to sell out our St. Augustine Lighthouse neighborhood on March 4, 2015 -- seven (7) acres and our St. Augustine Lighthouse were privatized for only $150,000 without the neighborhood knowing about it.

Under the Neighborhood Bill of Rights approved by St. Johns County in 2007,  neighborhoods had to "register" with the county to be notified.  The Lighthouse Neighborhood Association was inactive, and may not have received any notice.  As JFK said during the Cuban Missile Crisis, "there's always some poor SOB who doesn't get the word!"

Then-Commissioner CINDY STEVENSON is now a state representative. Commissioner RONALD LEE SANCHEZ was defeated for re-election.  Commissioner WILLIAM McCLURE, JOHN H. "JAY" MORRIS and PRISCILLA BENNETT a/k/a "RACHAEL BENNETT" still encumber positions as St. Johns County Commissioners.

It's our money.

St. Johns County Commissioners, minutes for March 4, 2014 meeting, taking six minutes to decide to sell seven (7) acres to Lighthouse for only $150,000
(03/04/14 - 11 - 10:06 a.m.)
4. CONSIDER SALE OF THE PROPERTY ON LIGHTHOUSE AVENUE TO THE
ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE AND MUSEUM. THE JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE OF ST. AUGUSTINE, INC., A FLORIDA NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, LESSEE (“JSL”) ENTERED INTO A LEASE WITH THE COUNTY IN 1982, FOR THE PROPERTY ON LIGHTHOUSE AVENUE. WITH CONSENT OF THE COUNTY, JSL ENTERED INTO A SUB-LEASE WITH THE SAINT AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE AND MUSEUM, INC., A FLORIDA NOT- FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, (“SAL&M”) IN 1998, TO USE THE PROPERTY FOR COMMUNITY MEETINGS, CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL FACILITY BY THE PUBLIC. SAL&M HAS LEASED THE PROPERTY FROM THE COUNTY AT A COST OF $1.00 PER YEAR SINCE 1982. PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE LEASE, THE COUNTY IS OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR THE INSURANCE AND ANY MAINTENANCE OVER $1,000. THE SAL&M HAS EXECUTED AND PRESENTED A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH AN OFFER $150,000 TO PURCHASE THE COUNTY PROPERTY. FULL OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY WILL PROVIDE FURTHER GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE PRESERVING THIS HISTORICAL SITE AND THE SITE WILL REMAIN ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
Mary Ann Blount, Director of Land Management, stated in 1982 the County leased the Lighthouse to the Junior Service League for 99 years for a $1.00 a year. She said over the years the League had greatly improved the property, and with their sublease to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum Group, it had become the public attraction and the popular museum that it was today. She mentioned per the term of the original lease, the County was obligated to pay insurance and to pay any maintenance and repairs over a $1,000. She said the records back to 1999, indicated that the County and the Lighthouse had spent over $267,000 on HBAC, plumbing, electrical, structural and roof repairs. She mentioned that the Lighthouse was offering to purchase the fee ownership interest in the property for $150,000. Therefore, ownership of the property will provide further grant opportunities to continue preserving and maintaining this historical site. She said an independent real estate appraiser’s opinion was that due to the long term nature of the lease and the unknown future financial obligations for any future maintenance over $1,000, that the $150,000 offer was an equitable amount for the County’s lease fee interest in this property. She said the U.S. Government, in 2002, conveyed the lighthouse itself, and the pad property in the middle of the property to the Lighthouse Museum, with historic and maintenance reverted language in their deed. She said the proposed County Deed also included language that, should the property not be operated for community cultural, and/or historical use for the public, the property would automatically revert back to the County. The resolution before the Board would approve the conveyance and authorize staff to move forward with the transaction. McClure asked about the appraised value, with Blount replying. Discussion ensued on the appraised value.

(10:12 a.m.) Kathy Fleming, Executive Director Lighthouse, said they appreciated this opportunity very much.
(10:12 a.m.) Motion by Bennett, seconded by Sanchez, carried 5/0, to adopt Resolution No. 2014-61, authorizing the terms and conditions of a purchase and sale agreement conveying the Lighthouse property to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum; authorizing the county administrator, or designee, to take all action necessary to close and complete the transaction, in accordance with Section 125.38, Florida Statutes; and authorizing the Board Chair to execute the County Deed as revised.
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-61
A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT CONVEYING THE LIGHTHOUSE PROPERTY TO THE ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE AND MUSEUM, INC.; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OR DESIGNEE, TO TAKE ALL ACTION NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CLOSE AND COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 125.38, FLORIDA STATUTES; AND AUTHORIZING THE BOARD CHAIR TO EXECUTE THE COUNTY DEED