St. Augustine commission approves $693,621 settlement to end eminent domain dispute

The St. Augustine City Commission voted unanimously to authorize a settlement that will end the city's eminent domain case against property owner Lynn Kluger and provide the easements needed for the Lake Maria Sanchez drainage and resiliency project.

Michael Cavendish, outside counsel for the city, told the commission the settlement included $625,000 in compensation to the landowner plus statutorily required attorney fees, court costs and expert witness fees. "Adding those components together on top of the $625,000 and then subtracting the city's good faith deposit ... yields a net cash outlay number to fund this settlement of $693,621.35," Cavendish said. He recommended the commission approve the agreement to remove the final legal impediment to the project.

Chair Nancy Sykes Klein moved to accept the agreement and the commission called the roll. Commissioners Barbara Blonder, Cynthia Garris, Jim Springfield and John DePrater joined the mayor in voting yes, producing a unanimous approval to authorize payment and finalize the easement settlement. The commission did not open a second public hearing; City Attorney Isabel Lopez said there was no statutory requirement and noted the public comment period had been offered earlier in the session.

Commissioners and staff thanked counsel and city staff after the vote, and the mayor said she looked forward to seeing the Lake Maria Sanchez project move forward now that the legal impediment was resolved.