First America Foundation, a nonprofit formed in July and hired by city contract in August, announced Monday night that it plans to discuss its up-to-the-minute progress and partnerships at its first news conference, planned for Jan. 26.
But the City Commission wanted more than an announcement of a future announcement.
Commissioner Bill Leary, holding a long list of questions for Foundation Director Jamie Alvarez, asked her, "In what direction are you taking us? I'd like to see the framework of a plan. How can you entice partners (to join the foundation) without some level of (program) detail?"
Alvarez explained that the last five months were spent organizing the foundation and added that the foundation's plan is constantly changing.
"We're doing the groundwork," she said. "The board of directors has not made a decision on our six-month strategy. We initially planned 40 committees, but that was replaced with a decision to form partnerships. This is a public program. This is a (commemoration) that the community will host."
City Manager John Regan said the city already has two partners, the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation, which aims to build ships, and Romanza, which aims to build public participation in musical venues.
"We need to know if we are on track or off track," he said. "The train has left the station."
He said Romanza is seeking ways to work with the Gamble Rogers Festival, coming in 90 days.
"People are trying to work out things more programmatically," he said.
City Attorney Ron Brown said First America was "a separate and distinct corporation" that acts like "a vender that will deliver a service or product to the city."
He said First America meetings are private and not open to the public or commission.
Some residents outside the City Commission chambers said that a lawsuit will soon to be filed by a group challenging that position under the Sunshine Law. They said the city's payment of $275,000 to the foundation in August makes the foundation a city agency.
But last week, St. Augustine attorney Don Wallis, chairman of the foundation's board, said the money was not a gift or loan.
"It was payment for services. It was a fee," Wallis said.
Alvarez said it was difficult to put together a nonprofit's budget until she knows how much revenue will be coming in.
"We recognize the city as a partner," she said.
The foundation is contracted to organize, fund and program four major milestones: The 200th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution in 2012, the 500th anniversary of the founding of Florida in 2013, the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act in 2014 and the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine.
Regan said the 2012 celebration "may just be events within a month, not a year-long celebration."
The commission briefly discussed the bureaucratic difficulties in getting approval for a license tag that would celebrate the 450th anniversary.
Commissioner Errol Jones said it would be hard but it can be done.
"If they can honor a fish, they can honor St. Augustine," he said.
Leary said the story of the Spanish Constitution is a fascinating one.
"We'd like people in St. Augustine to see the relevance to their lives in St. Augustine and this constitution's connection to the U.S. Constitution," he said.
Vice Mayor Leanna Freeman wanted to know if she could sit in with the foundation's board just to see how they do business, without offering ideas of her own.
That was discouraged by Brown as being outside the scope of a policy making board like the commission.
Freeman said, "But every step of the way we've been promised transparency."
Mayor Joe Boles, a member of the foundation's board, said everyone he's met is "energized and concerned. I think everyone here wants (the foundation board) to hear our desires. If it's going to be done, it's going to be done right."
If you go:
First America Foundation's initial press conference is set for 10 a.m., Jan. 26, at the Llambias House, 14 St. Francis St. The public is invited.
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