Submitted by Adam Kaufman
Legal Analyst
On Special Assignment
May 4, 2016 8:11 a.m.
If the fundamental responsibility of our City government is to ensure and improve the quality of life of its citizens, the result of actions by the City Manager and the Commission with regard to public transportation and code enforcement on May 3, 2016 may be as significant as any taken so far this year.
During the opening portion of Tuesday’s meeting, Janice Ancrum, Executive Director of the Council on Aging, introduced COA’s concept of an improved City transit service, the “Island Hopper,” to replace the unsuccessful Island Trolley which operated a loop around historic downtown and the beach. City Manager Dale Martin in his Friday April 29 report to City residents stated he “strongly” believes “that public transportation services represent a quality of life investment in a community.” Martin has been engaged in a series of discussions with Ancrum and Michael Hays COA Transportation Director. The presentation was a product of that dialogue.
The Hopper route would be similar to the Island Trolley, beginning on Ashe and Front Streets to Centre north to Fletcher to Sadler to North 14th Street but with a final stop at the Peck Center, before restarting its loop. The Hopper will also provide a “wave down” on and off service option along the route providing added flexibility to passengers that require its service.
Martin acknowledged in his Friday report: “The system cannot solely be oriented toward visitors and tourists, but must also provide access to residents who have their own transportation needs, whether it be for errands, appointments or livelihood.” The Hopper bus will also provide system connections to COA Nassau Transit service to Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard, River City and Jacksonville. Cost per trip will be $1.00. Mayor Miller underscored what the service might mean to service workers within the City who may not have access to personal vehicles.
The operating cost estimates for 6 loops five days per week result in a monthly cost of $1.600. Initial cost estimates included the cost sharing of repairs by the City and the COA on an out-of-service COA bus. During the presentation it was announced that WestRock would fund the costs of that repair estimated at $6500. The City will now share the costs of daily operation equally with the COA once the bus is ready for operation. No action was taken by the Commission as the operational cost contribution is within the authority and discretion of the City Manager. The Hopper will run at least through Labor Day.
The Commission later took final action to strengthen code enforcement, providing code enforcement officers and law enforcement officers the authority to issue citations for any violation of the Code of Ordinances or Land Development Code. Violators will be given notice and time to correct the violation unless the violation affects health safety and welfare or is irreversible or irreparable in nature, for example, temporary signs placed in a right–of-way or the carrying of open alcohol containers. Those cited may appeal to a special City Magistrate within 10 days of receiving their citations by paying a $75 fee.
Commissioner Roy Smith thanked his fellow Commissioners for supporting enactment of the ordinance. City Commissioners have regularly expressed their displeasure and frustration with the numbers of deteriorating and unsightly properties within the City as well as their concern with properties that are potential health and safety hazards. Commissioners have voiced their exasperation that certain property owners on 8th Street and in other areas of the City have failed to correct violations or have not cooperated in City code enforcement efforts.
A number of residents of Old Town appeared at the meeting, each to address plans to repave White Street. The item was not on the Commission agenda. Before the speakers were to address the issue, Mayor Miller called upon Manager Martin who announced that the plan would be to restore the pavement that was in place on White Street before the City replaced and repaired water service infrastructure. This did not dissuade residents from offering their opinions as to the various merits of asphalt, shell, dirt or alternative surfaces, drainage or the configuration for roadways in Old Town. As former Commissioner Pat Gass, an Old Town resident, said to the Commission: “There is no one spokesperson for Old Town.”
The Commission, by proclamation, recognized the retirement of Police Lieutenant Jack L. Bradley after over 21 years of service to the City. An overflow standing room only crowd was present to acknowledge his service and to honor him. Bradley, among his other duties was liaison to the Police Auxiliary Corp. The Commission also proclaimed May 15, as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and May 15 – 21 as “Police Week” and recognized 4 police officers who have died in service to the City. May 1 – 7 was also proclaimed “Municipal Clerks Week.” The proclamation was accepted by City Clerk Caroline Best.
Wanda Hair, a City resident and long-time volunteer on the Shrimp Festival Committee addressed the Commission. She is close friend of Mrs. Rosa Adams who was instrumental in the early coordinating and publicizing of Fernandina’s Annual Shrimp Festival. Mrs. Adams who is now in her 90’s and living in Tennessee wanted to ensure the delivery to the City Clerk of a computer disc recording and preserving historic documents representing the evolution of the Shrimp Fest. The City Clerk and Mayor Miller accepted the gift and committed to archive its documents.
During Commissioner Comments at the close of the meeting, Vice–Mayor Robin Lentz raised the question of whether or not the Commission wished to revisit the issue of establishing a policy with regard to the naming of City buildings and properties. An attempt at establishing a policy had been previously voted down by the Commission. Commissioners Poytner and Kreger declined, suggesting that “good judgment” on the part of the Commission would be sufficient.
The City Manager noted that the Commission would once again revisit “the waterfront” and the proposals for its redevelopment at a workshop next week.
Adam Kaufman is a semi-retired mediator and attorney. A graduate of Northwestern University School of Law, he was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. and attended NYC public schools, including Stuyvesant High School. He still serves on the American Arbitration Association Labor Panel. From 1994 – 2005, he was Regional Director for the New York State Public Employment Relations Board.