The Break Room

This week on The Break Room, we’re chatting with Julie Courtney, the City of St. Augustine’s Historic Preservation Officer! Julie will give us an update on the latest preservation efforts, including the monumental rehabilitation of St. Benedict the Moor Schoolhouse by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Plus, she’ll share important reminders about permitting for repairs, remodeling, and demolition, details...

This week on The Break Room, we’re sitting down with the City of St. Augustine’s Poet Laureate, Ann Browning Masters! Ann will share what inspired her to start writing poetry, how her work connects to the city’s rich history, and what it means to serve as Poet Laureate. Plus, she’ll treat us to a special reading of one of her poems. Tune in and celebrate the power of storytelling and poetry in our...

This week on The Break Room, we’re sitting down with Solid Waste and Sanitation Manager Olivia Smith! Olivia will share all the details about the upcoming recycling event on Friday, April 25th, as well as how you can take part in the city’s composting program. Learn how you can contribute to building a greener future for St. Augustine!

This week on The Break Room, we’re catching up with City Archaeologist Dr. Andrea White! Dr. White will share updates on city archaeology volunteers, how you can get involved, and her latest project at Francis Field with Flagler College students. Discover the fascinating work happening right here in St. Augustine and learn how you can contribute to uncovering our city's history. Tune in!

This week on The Break Room, we’re celebrating Earth Month with Sustainability Specialist Liz Johnson! Liz will share all the details about the exciting Earth Week Awareness events, including the Fish Island Tour, the Resiliency Tour, and our upcoming recycling event. Discover how you can get involved and make a difference for our planet. Tune in! Fish Island Tuesday Tour: https://www.eventbrite.c...

This week on The Break Room, we’re celebrating the end of Women’s History Month and Archaeology Month with City Archaeologist Dr. Andrea White! Andrea will delve into the recent British Redoubt findings, revealing fascinating stories unearthed from the past. Don’t miss it!

This week on The Break Room, we're joined by Chief Resilience Officer Jessica Beach! Jessica will explain the City Commission's recent resolution approving the procurement of easements through negotiated conveyance—which, to most of us, is eminent domain. We'll dive into how this decision advances vital flood mitigation and drainage improvement projects at Lake Maria Sanchez, and what it means for...

This week on The Break Room, we're joined by Code Enforcement Manager Barry Fox! Barry also oversees our homeless outreach specialist. He'll share the latest updates on the Homeless Drop-In Center and where we are in the process of that project. Listen to find out what services will be provided at the Drop-In Day Center!

This week on The Break Room, we're joined by Neighborhood Services and CRA Manager Jaime D. Perkins! Jaime will be giving us an update on the exciting projects that have been launched with the CRA. She'll share the latest news on the Eddie Vickers Park sports courts grand re-opening and the progress with Cordova Street Public Engagements. Tune in for the inside scoop on these fantastic development...

This week on The Break Room, we're joined by Assistant City Manager Reuben Franklin! Reuben will be giving us the inside scoop on the City of St. Augustine's Citizens' Academy. He'll provide insights on how this program aims to engage and educate residents about the workings of the city. View the City of St. Augustine's Citizens' Academy application here: City of St. Augustine's Citizens' Academy

This week on The Break Room, City Manager David Birchim is back in the studio! David will be recapping his Nights of Lights presentation from the February 10th Commission Meeting. He'll provide insights on the next steps and how we will proceed to make future large-scale events a success.

This week on The Break Room, we're joined by Assistant City Manager Meredith Breidenstein! Meredith will help us connect the dots between the city's annual budget and strategic plan. It's been a few years since Meredith was last on the show, and we're thrilled to welcome her back to provide her expert insights on how these initiatives align with our city's vision and goals.

This week on The Break Room, we welcome Visitors Services Supervisor Jessica Joyce and General Services Deputy Director Barb Moore to join us! Jessica takes us behind the scenes of the VIC's modified daily operations and details the upcoming transformation of the newly restored floors. Then, Barb shares with us the multitude of projects the city is tackling with funding assistance through a state...

This week on The Break Room, we're joined by Land Management Coordinator JB Miller! We discuss the completed acquisition of the Fish Island Preserve and get all the details on its upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony. JB also updates us on the city's ongoing conservation program and it's future plans.

This week on The Break Room, we're joined by City Manager David Birchim! David shares his journey with the city from starting as a City Planner in 1997 to becoming the City Manager, reflecting on the changes and challenges he has faced over the years. We also discuss Nights of Lights and how the city is planning to manage future large-scale events.

In this episode, we wrap up our City Commission series with Commissioner Cynthia Garris, the first Black female elected commissioner in St. Augustine. Cynthia shares her story from city employee to public office, emphasizing her commitment to community engagement and addressing local issues like traffic and safety. She also hints about running for a second term, inspired by the positive changes sh...

Join us on The Break Room as we sit down with Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline to discuss her 16-year tenure and what's on her radar for the new year. From historic preservation to resilience in the face of hurricanes, find out how the city is tackling its biggest challenges. Tune in to hear Mayor Sikes-Kline share her insights on growth, transportation, and community development in St. Augustine.

Welcome to The Break Room! This week, we are joined by Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder as she discusses her environmental initiatives, including reducing fertilizer use and safeguarding our precious waterways. Join us as we dive into the key issues that drive this dedicated leader and learn about her efforts to help make St. Augustine an extraordinary place to live.

In this episode of The Break Room, City Commissioner Jim Springfield shares his experiences halfway through his first term in office. He discusses various city projects, including a potential park in Francis Field, improving mobility and parking options, and his vision for a more walkable and bike-friendly St. Augustine. With his background in public service, Commissioner Springfield offers insigh...

Communications Director Melissa Wissel sits down with newly elected St. Augustine City Commissioner Jon DePreter to discuss his background, motivations for running for office, and experiences as a commissioner so far. They cover topics such as the differences between serving on the planning board and city commission, getting used to public life, and learning about the inner workings of city operat...

Jamie D. Perkins, Neighborhood Services and CRA Manager, joins The Break Room this week and talks about the latest developments in Lincolnville, including the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new park dedicated to George and Ollie Smith. Also, other exciting topics include the renovation of the Willie Galimore Center and the redevelopment of Eddie Vickers Park and Dr. Robert B. Hayling Park.  ...

In this episode of The Break Room, the City’s Mobility Manager, X Pellicer, discusses the re-launch of St. Augustine's bike share program, which has been revamped with a new vendor, Drifters Rentals.  Hear from Drifters’ owner, Ian Gutherie, how they are working to create a unique and user-friendly experience for residents, with custom-built bikes and a focus on promoting local businesses.  This b...

Fire Chief Carlos Aviles joins The Break Room for a recap of the 2024 hurricane season and shares insights on how the community responded, particularly after Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. As they discuss the lessons learned from these storms, they also shift focus to holiday fire safety tips, including safe use of space heaters, turkey frying, and Christmas tree care. Finally, Chief Avile...

In this week's episode, Todd Clark breaks down all things related to parking and transportation in St. Augustine during Nights of Lights season! From park-and-ride shuttles to the STAR Circulator, Todd shares insider tips on how to navigate the city without dealing with traffic chaos. Tune in to learn about shuttle schedules, digital signs, and online tools like Modii's Parking Spot Finder to make...

Tune in to this week's episode of The Break Room for a closer look at the magic behind Nights of Lights, the city’s cherished holiday display. Joel, assistant manager of the grounds division, shares insights into the planning, dedication, and teamwork involved in bringing this festive event to life. From coordinating decorations to handling unexpected weather, this conversation gives listeners a b...