Submitted by Eric Bartelt
April 23, 2015 4:50 p.m.
A Proclamation and Four Presentations
The April 21st City Commission meeting began with Fernandina Beach Police Department Chaplain Don McFadyen’s invocation in which he acknowledging the contribution of the many people who make government in Fernandina Beach function. He cited not only the five Commissioners, but the 200 employees, 25 managers and 100 volunteers who contribute through the various advisory boards and committees.
PROCLAMATION
Following the Invocation, Mayor Boner presented the only Proclamation of the evening, awarded to the 52nd Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival Committee. Nine members accepted the Proclamation and they were a happy bunch indeed, as they approach the end of the many months of planning they have put in to bring about this year’s Shrimp Festival.
PRESENTATIONS
Four presentations were on the meeting’s agenda:
A TROLLEY LOOP
Mr. Ernie Saltmarsh proposed a Trolley Loop pilot plan that would expand Mr. Saltmarsh’s tourist oriented trolley business to include public transit. He thinks a trolley loop would help both residents and visitors navigate the city and that “residents could use it for day-to-day work, play, dining, shopping.” As an added benefit, the trolleys would help reduce the number of cars downtown.
The trolleys would run on a prescribed transit route, stopping to pick up and drop off passengers at 20 or so stops, for a cost of $3. The route would be a large loop running from the Marina to Main Beach along Centre St. and Atlantic Ave., then south on Fletcher to Sadler Rd. The trolley would then head west on Sadler to 8th St., then north on 8th to Gum. From Gum, the trolley would wend its way to Ash St. and back to the Marina. The pilot program would begin Memorial Day weekend and end Labor Day weekend. If successful, Mr. Saltmarsh wants extend the program, hopefully so it can operate year-round.
Mr. Saltmarsh was seeking a financial partnership with the City. His plan has riders, local businesses, advertising on the trolleys and the City sharing in the cost in order to keep the cost of ridership as low as possible. He noted that without help from the City, the cost to ride would be $7 to $10 per trip, which he felt would be too high. He said he would try to reduce the City’s financial contribution as ridership increased. He also indicated the Ritz Carleton and Omni Plantation have long wanted such a transportation link and that both expressed interest in having the route extended to their locations in a second phase.
The Commissioners were enthusiastic about Mr. Saltmarsh’s proposal and had many questions regarding how the plan would work, including where stops would be and whether various payment options, such as day passes, would be in the offing. Commissioner Gass inquired as to whether bike racks could be added to the trolleys and also included at stops. Commissioner Lentz suggested a smartphone ap would make it easy for riders to obtain information about the trolley. City Manager Gerrity also weighed in, indicating the City’s portion of the funding would come out of the City’s Contingency Fund. He expressed enthusiasm for the plan and the City funding aspect since “it doesn’t benefit just one part of town, it benefits the entire town.”
A PERFORMING ARTS TENT
The second presentation was from Mr. Drew Scott and Mr. Dan McCranie. They proposed building a multi-purpose performing arts tent at Main Beach. The tent would be used for music events, such as the Chamber Music Festival, theater productions, cookouts and BBQ events. It might also be used for wedding receptions and parties as well as a shaded picnic pavilion. It would be large enough to host an entire symphony orchestra. The 110 m.p.h. rated tent is a “saddle spine” design that is both semi-permanent and demountable. Mr. Scott described it as looking like a Pringle potato chip. The cost would be between $50,000 to $55,000 for the tent, with additional cost for lighting, a stage, enhancements and site improvements.
Like Mr. Saltmarsh, Scott and McCranie are seeking a financial partnership with the City. They would like to split the cost with the City, with their portion raised through donations from about 75 people. Those people would become “Tent Founders”. Each would receive a “medallion” designed by Mr. Scott’s jeweler (Mr. Scott owns Scott and Sons Jewelers) that would be their ticket for free admittance to all City sanctioned events held in the tent. The Founders would also have a reserved seating area near the stage, cordoned off from the rest of the audience. Mr. McCranie said that all engineering costs would be donated (Mr. McCranie is a Civil Engineer) and he would prepare all permit applications and ensure that the tent is in conformance with all turtle nesting regulations.
Both Scott and McCranie emphasized that the shape of the tent, with its relatively low profile, would minimize the blocking of ocean views. The tent would not be as elaborate as a traditional bandshell and event goers would bring their own chairs instead of fixed, on-site seating being provided.
There appeared to be a question among Commissioners as to why the tent proposal had not gone before the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee first. City Manager Gerrity offered that a performing arts tent had already been proposed and discussed by the committee months ago and that the uniqueness of the proposed public/private partnership deserved Commission review sooner than later. Commissioner Miller, who is the Commission liaison to the committee also mentioned that a tent had been discussed by the committee and that they considered it a high priority (note: in the interest of transparency, the author of this article is a member of the committee).
A member of the public, Len Kreger, addressed the Commission and expressed concern that such a tent, in the location proposed, would violate the City’s Land Development Code with respect to lighting during sea turtle nesting season. He also said it would be in conflict with the next phase of the boardwalk and would have an impact on storm water drainage. In response, Scott and McCranie said they would look again at the proposed location, and again reassured the Commission that they would conform to all sea turtle nesting regulations.
The Commission expressed unanimous support for the project and directed that it be referred to the Parks and Recreation Committee for further review.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The third presentation was by Laura DiBella, the recently appointed Executive Director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board (and notable runner, having recently won, again, the Seven Mile Bridge Race in Marathon, Florida). Ms. Dibella appeared before the Commission in order to introduce herself, clear up any misconceptions and describe the economic development efforts she is undertaking for the County and City. She is originally from Ft. Lauderdale and has a background in aerospace and defense manufacturing. After relocating to Nassau County, she began working as a commercial real estate broker in 2010, a position she held until her was appointment to the Economic Development Board. She emphasized that she knows Nassau County very well.
In her current role, she determined there was a need to introduce Nassau County, beyond just Amelia Island, to the business world. She felt Nassau County wasn’t well known to businesses, even though the county has the assets necessary to generate significant economic development opportunities. She cited the beaches and picturesque history on the east, the unique Crawford Diamond industrial site on the west, and the city center being created in-between. She pointed out the many rail lines the county has, which is important because intermodal transportation is the future of manufacturing. Important, too, is the large amount of land available for manufacturing that is adjacent to rail, which makes the “factory-to-store-shelf-in-one-container” concept feasible. She said Nassau County is a manufacturing county and has been for over 75 years, with Rayonier, RockTenn, the Port and rail being the “foundation of our economic existence” and huge economic drivers of the community.
One of those economic drivers, Rayonier, was cited by Ms. DiBella for a remarkable accomplishment – the building of a $35 million, 19 megawatt powerplant on their property. The plant will reduce both pollution and electricity bills, and potentially be able to power the entire island during power outages. It is the first such power plant in northeast Florida and according to Ms DiBella will be “a benchmark for the entire nation in providing clean, green power.”
Ms. DiBella then turned to the question of economic development in the City. She said sites near the airport are the most logical for manufacturing, since airports are major drivers of economic development. Several recent requests for information she has received are for airport sites for aerospace and aviation related businesses.
She also cited the importance of the healthcare industry for economic development, saying that Nassau County is in “the healthcare hub of the northeast”. Healthcare opportunities have surfaced recently and demand for training entry level healthcare workers is on the rise in Florida. She mentioned that a new private college for healthcare training will be opening in the City soon. Healthcare tourism is also a growth area and Amelia Island is well positioned for that with the island’s resort facilities.
She also pointed to the A-rated education system in Fernandina and Nassau County as an important economic development factor. The A-rating, she said, “Should be shouted to the rooftops.”
As for actual projects the County is competing for, that may be located in or near the City, she mentioned five:
Project B – a national healthcare service center with 510 jobs
Project V – an aviation and aerospace manufacturer with 448 jobs
Project L – a clean energy manufacturer with 50 jobs
Project F – a professional services company with 25 jobs
She also cited interest by two different parties in the vacant movie theater on 14th St.
Ms. DiBella concluded by saying that, “Fernandina Beach sells the county.” She said she can’t do her job without the City because “it is the City that sets us apart from the competition.” And, while tourists don’t want to tour the mills, they find it interesting that tourism and industry seem to harmoniously co-exist here.
CRA UPDATE
The final presenter was Mr. Mike Zaffaroni, who updated the Commission on the recent activities of the CRA Advisory Board, of which he is the Chair. He said the Board has been exploring changes to the Land Development Code that would make development in the CRA more attractive to developers. He urged the Commission to continue looking into the use of directional horns at the rail crossings in the CRA as an alternative to the loud train horns that are now in use. He also suggested the City approach the train users – the Port and the mills – and ask if they could alter their schedules so that fewer or no trains operate during the night time hours to altogether avoid the horn sounds late at night.
Editor’s Note: Eric Bartelt retired as a corporate design consultant and moved to Fernandina Beach in 2004. His previously lived in Wisconsin. Since Eric’s arrival in Fernandina Beach, he spends his time volunteering, and playing soccer. We thank Eric for his contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
Nice Coverage Eric.
Sadly what’s missing here is the City Manager’s “60 day report on FBFRD”.
Oh wait. It was also missing from the meeting. When will he be held accountable to do his job?
I think the trolley idea is long overdue. It would be a great benefit for locals, tourists, and business. The only draw back to this is the projected fare of Three Dollars. It was explained at the meeting that the proposed fare would be paid each time you got onto the trolley. For instance if a family of 2 adults and two kids took the trolley from the beach area to downtown for shopping and back the total cost would run them $24 dollars. If that same family on the way back from downtown wanted to stop off at T Rays to grab a bite, the total cost would be $36 dollars. I doubt than many family’s on vacation would spend that much to avoid a five minute drive. The fare, especially in the pilot has to be attractive enough to encourage its use and to encourage the rides to hop on and hop off as much as they want in order to shop or eat. It was also pointed out at the meeting that as with any form of public transportation, passes are needed not only to cut costs and make it more user friendly, but also to speed up the boarding process at each stop.
Hopefully these issues will be worked out and this program goes into effect and proves itself.
the trolley idea is long overdue and makes a lot of sense. I believe the same as the comments about the fare. But given a chance, hopefully they can look at that and see if they could reduce the amount. Passes are great so many local could use them and it would effect the amount taken in. The tourist would be served a lot better if the issue of that $3 could be reduced. (perhaps a family charge with children less depending on age) I don’t know the numbers tourists with children but at times it seems it is big. That has to be worked out by the two individuals and the city. Sounds like a good idea!
I have been on the trolleys several times. I think they are old and dangerous. I can’t believe the city would consider entering a venture with this kind of liability. I would love the idea if the owner wanted to update the vehicles with safety features, but one accident would be horrible for our area. All councilpeople should ride before they sign.