On Monday, October 13, the City of St. Augustine City Commission proclaimed the week of October 20-26, 2025, Florida City Week, joining other cities across the state in recognizing the many services provided by city governments and their contributions to a better quality of life in Florida. Because city government is the government closest to most citizens, and the one with the most direct daily impact upon its residents, it is important that residents understand how their city operates.
“Florida City Week is an opportunity for us to remind residents of just how much our city does – from the services we provide and the employees who do the work, to the facilities that we own and operate and even a chance to get to know our elected officials,” Communications Director Melissa Wissel commented. “It’s a time for us to engage with residents about local government, encourage them to be active participants in our events, and to stay informed, get involved.”
Activities planned for next week include a daily “Coffee with a Commissioner” meetup, a walking tour of Fish Island Preserve, a docent tour of the Visitor Information Center, a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant with Flagler College students, and a robust social media campaign on the City of St. Augustine’s Facebook, Instagram, and X pages.
For “Coffee with a Commissioner,” each City Commissioner has scheduled a meet-up spot at a local coffee shop, and residents are invited to stop in and say hello:
- Monday, October 20, 9:00am to 10:00am: Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline at Calico Cactus, 833 S. Ponce De Leon Blvd.
- Tuesday, October 21, 8:00am to 9:00am: Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder at Juniper Market, 48 San Marco Ave.
- Wednesday, October 22, 8:30am to 9:30am: Commissioner Jon DePreter at Flamingo Coffee, 322 Anastasia Blvd.
- Thursday, October 23, 9:00am to 10:00am: Commissioner Cynthia Garris at The Blue Hen, 223 West King Street.
- Friday, October 24, 9:00am to 10:00am: Commissioner Jim Springfield at DOS Coffee, 300 San Marco Ave.
City government is administered by and for its citizens and is dependent upon public commitment to carry out its responsibilities. Outreach, educational programs, partnerships with civic organizations, and public workshops are just some of the ways the city can encourage and facilitate better understanding with residents.
Florida City Week, sponsored by the Florida League of Cities, is a weeklong celebration that raises awareness about the importance of municipal government and its daily impact on residents. The League is the official organization of the municipal governments in Florida.
Learn more about the Florida City Week events and other city programs and initiatives @CityStAug on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
For media inquiries, contact Melissa Wissel, Communications Director, at 904.293.3307 or via email at mwissel@citystaug.com.