The Break Room

July, 7, 2026 |  In this episode of The Break Room , St. Augustine Police Department Marine Operations Officer Pat Harvey shares essential boating safety tips for the busy summer season, covering heat-related risks, boating laws, required safety equipment, no-wake zones, and the importance of courtesy on local waterways. He also discusses how Marine Operations partners with local, state, and feder...

June 30, 2026   |  In this episode of The Break Room , St. Augustine Fire Chief Carlos Aviles joins Communications Director Melissa Wissel to discuss fire safety, hurricane preparedness, and the ongoing King Street Bridge detour. Chief Aviles shares practical reminders about avoiding fire station access points, safely charging lithium-powered e-bikes, preparing homes and insurance documentation be...

June 23, 2026   |  In this episode of The Break Room , St. Augustine Police Chief Jon Marston discusses his transition into the chief’s role, reflects on his 17-year career with the department, and shares how regional law enforcement partnerships help keep the community safe during major events. He also outlines traffic and crowd-management plans for the city’s July 4th celebrations, including str...

June 16, 2026   |  In this episode of The Break Room , Communications Director Melissa Wissel talks with St. Augustine Harbormaster Eric Mauldin about the start of the busy summer boating season and ongoing improvements at the city marina. Mauldin shares updates on seawall repairs, marina resiliency projects, dock upgrades, and the marina’s renewed Clean and Resilient Marina certification, while a...

June 9, 2026   |  This episode of The Break Room features part two with Jen Lomberk of Matanzas Riverkeeper, discussing her environmental advocacy work, including land conservation, water quality protection, and community engagement efforts. She highlights the hidden challenges of nutrient pollution and the importance of preventative actions like Florida-friendly landscaping to protect waterways....

June 2, 2026   |  In this episode of The Break Room , Communications Director Melissa Wissel reflects on receiving the Tourism Government Employee of the Year Award and shares insights into the evolving role of city communications in St. Augustine. She discusses the challenges of coordinating messaging during Nights of Lights season, the importance of community engagement, and the rewarding experi...

May 19, 2026 |  This week on The Break Room , we’re joined by Dee Brown, Public Information Officer for the City of St. Augustine, as he prepares for retirement. Dee reflects on his time serving the city, sharing some of his favorite memories, memorable moments, and the experiences that shaped his career. He also opens up about what’s ahead in this next chapter of life. Tune in for a conversation...

May 12, 2026  |  In this episode of The Break Room, Assistant City Manager Reuben Franklin highlights the success of the City of St. Augustine’s second annual Citizens Academy, where 20 residents and business owners received a behind-the-scenes look at city operations, including public safety, mobility planning, budgeting, and volunteer opportunities on city boards. Franklin also provides an updat...

With local elections approaching, this episode breaks down what Saint Augustine voters need to know. St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes explains the upcoming city races, including open seats, key deadlines, and how candidates qualify for the ballot. From petition requirements to how primaries are determined, this conversation offers a clear overview of the election process and wh...

May 26, 2026   |  This episode of The Break Room features Jen Lomberk, Executive Director of Matanzas Riverkeeper, discussing her recognition as the inaugural Red Cedar Award recipient for environmental impact. She highlights the community-driven effort to save Fish Island from development, emphasizing its ecological and historical significance and the power of grassroots activism. The conversatio...

April 28, 2026 |  This episode of The Break Room features historian Dr. Roger Smith discussing St. Augustine’s role during the Revolutionary War, particularly the unique treatment of over 2,000 prisoners of war held in the city, including signers of the Declaration of Independence. The conversation highlights how many prisoners lived relatively freely under parole agreements and shares intriguing...

April 21, 2026   |  This episode of The Break Room features Solid Waste and Sanitation Manager Steve Wright and Deputy Director of Utilities and Public Works Glabra Skipp, who discuss St. Augustine’s recycling programs and Earth Month initiatives. They cover services like glass and electronics recycling, environmental efforts such as tree planting and native species programs, and promote an upcomi...

This episode of The Break Room highlights Fire Marshal Abby Pedigo’s work in public education, including CPR training, fire safety programs, and smoke alarm initiatives in St. Augustine. A key story features a successful cardiac arrest rescue at the lighthouse, demonstrating how recent CPR training helped staff save a life. The discussion also covers fire prevention efforts, common fire risks, bui...

April 7, 2026  |  This episode of The Break Room features City Clerk Darlene Galambos continuing a discussion on influential women who shaped St. Augustine, highlighting figures in historic preservation, archaeology, education, and business. The conversation emphasizes their lasting impact on the city’s cultural heritage, including contributions to museums, historic sites, and community developmen...

March 31, 2026  |  Part 1: This episode of The Break Room highlights influential women who have shaped St. Augustine’s history and development, featuring City Clerk Darlene Galambos discussing female city leaders, historians, and community contributors. The conversation explores their impact on areas like environmental preservation, arts, civil rights history, and city planning, while also encoura...

March 24, 2026 | This episode highlights Dr. Andrea White’s work on major archaeology projects in St. Augustine, including recent discoveries and ongoing excavations tied to city improvements. She also shares updates on a new archaeology center and reflects on how these finds connect the community to its past.

This episode of The Break Roo m features City of St. Augustine Finance Director Melissa Burns during Women’s History Month and Government Finance Professionals Week. Burns discusses what distinguishes government finance professionals from other accountants, emphasizing their role in responsibly managing and safeguarding public funds. The conversation highlights the work of the city’s Finance Depar...

In this episode of The Break Room , Communications Director Melissa Wissel talks with Assistant City Manager Meredith Breidenstein about her 21-year career with the City of St. Augustine and her role as the city’s first female assistant city manager during Women’s History Month. Breidenstein discusses the city’s strategic planning efforts, priorities for the 2026 state legislative session—includin...

In this episode of The Break Room , Engineer Isaac Kiltz explains how the City of St. Augustine uses smoke testing and other inspection methods to find leaks and improper connections in the wastewater system. He also shares what residents can expect during upcoming neighborhood testing and how these efforts help protect and improve the City’s infrastructure.

In this episode of The Break Room , Assistant City Manager Reuben Franklin shares details about the City of Saint Augustine’s 2026 Citizens Academy. He and host Melissa Wissel walk through the six-week program’s sessions, highlighting hands-on experiences with public safety, utilities, planning, and new conservation initiatives. The conversation also includes updates on major city projects, includ...

2.17.26  |  Environmental Project Engineer Marcus Pinson joins us to discuss two major capital improvement projects currently impacting the City of St. Augustine. Marcus provides updates on the recent relocation of the iconic Bridge of Lions statues ahead of the upcoming seawall replacement project, as well as infrastructure work in the Flagler Model Land neighborhood that will close part of Sevil...

2.10.26  | In Part Two of a two-part episode, Melissa Wissel continues her conversation with Charles Ellis, President of the Fort Mose Historical Society, as he reflects on his journey to St. Augustine and the importance of preserving Black history. Ellis discusses the impact of the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Festival and the Flight to Freedom reenactment, highlighting how these events help tell t...

2.3.26  |  In Part One of a two-part episode of The Break Room , Charles Ellis, President of the Fort Mose Historical Society, reflects on Black History Month, his journey to Saint Augustine, and his work preserving the powerful history of Fort Mose. Ellis shares what it meant to become the first Black store manager in JCPenney’s history and explains how the Flight to Freedom reenactment brings th...

X Pellicer joins this week’s episode of The Break Room to reflect on his retirement after nearly fifteen years with the City. As the City’s Mobility Manager, X shares highlights from his career and discusses key projects he helped lead during his time at the City. He also talks about what retirement means for him as he closes this chapter.

1.13.26  |  Mark Hartley, Streets and Grounds Manager for the City of St. Augustine, joins The Break Room to reflect on the recently concluded 2025 to 2026 Nights of Lights season. He shares insight into the behind the scenes work of coordinating city crews, installing and maintaining lights, decorations, and the holiday tree, and also discusses Arbor Day and how the city prepares for the annual c...