Fernandina Beach & Nassau County hold JLPA meeting

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
October 27, 2016 1:47 p.m.

 

dscn7765Fernandina Beach City Commissioners and Nassau County Commissioners met in Fernandina Beach City Hall on October 25, 2016, as the Joint Local Planning Agency (JLPA). During a cordial and productive exchange, commissioners discussed land conservation, beach reourishment, alternatives to the current Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) and Tourist Development Council (TDC) funding. This was the final 2016 meeting of the JLPA, and the last meeting for both County Commissioner Walter “Junior” Boatright and County Administrator Ted Selby, who are retiring at the end of the year. City Commissioners thanked County Commissioners for their attendance and participation in the JLPA meeting.

City Commissioner Len Kreger and District 3 County Commissioner were not in attendance at the meeting.

Land Conservation

dscn7761On behalf of absent City Commissioner Len Kreger, City Attorney Tammi Bach asked for county input on creating a land bank for Amelia Island. She raised the possibility of creating a fee or a tax to be able to buy undeveloped land as conservation areas. She said that if both commissions expressed interest, she and County Attorney Mike Mullin could explore the possibility of creating a land trust for that purpose.

District 1 County Commissioner Danny Leeper recalled that the Trust for Public Lands played a role in establishing the Egans Creek Greenway. He suggested that might be pursued as a funding source. “I don’t know that I would be in favor of creating another tax for this purpose at this time,” he said. County Administrator Ted Selby added that the concept of a land bank had been raised several years age with the County Commission and “never got out of the starting blocks.”

dscn7759Vice Mayor Robin Lentz asked if the county had been approached by citizen advocates for such a plan at any of their meetings. She said that both city and county residents had expressed support to the City Commission during public meetings. Selby said that a family had offered to donate property for conservation purposes on the west side of the county, but that to his knowledge, no citizens had approached the County Commission about creating a land bank.

County Commission Chair Boatright said that the Trust for Public Lands had approached the county in 2008-09 about purchasing land along the St. Marys River. At that time the county did not have the money to match. He suggested that if there were a specific piece of property that the city and county wanted to protect, that might be the time to explore such an idea.

Selby said that the county does own a small piece of ocean front property for which it has no use. The parcel, near Kentucky Avenue, is too narrow for a building. He suggested that the parties might want to explore whether this piece could be used for a beach access or some other public purpose. Leeper suggested that the commissions might work together on this matter.
Bach agreed to investigate this matter on behalf of the city.

Fernandina Beach Mayor John Miller also raised the status of a parcel of what was once part of Central Park, but which was used by the School Board for an elementary school which no longer exists. County officials referred Miller to the School Board, which now owns that property.

Beach Renourishment

dscn7763City Manager Dale Martin said that this issue is in flux in light of Hurricane Matthew. He said that beach consultant Eric Olson was flying drones in an attempt to assess the total damage. Selby said that from the SAISSA portion of the island (south island) it appeared that the cost of the damage is $2.3M, which would be rolled into their entire beach renourishment plan of $18M.

Martin said that the city will get Olson’s data to the Corps of Engineers for quick action as soon as possible. FEMA and the state are also involved in this matter.

Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU)

 

Ted Selby
Ted Selby

Selby said that this item has been the subject of much discussion over the past few years. On behalf of his Commission, he suggested that the city and county come to agreement to shut down the MSTU and replace it instead with a rebate to the city in terms of an annual cash payment or a reduction in millage rate. He said that if the plan under consideration were to be applied to the current year, it would involve a $2.5M cash payment to the city or a 1.438 reduction in millage. He said that it would take a year to allow this to happen, and that any change to the original settlement agreement would need approval from the judge.

“We would take the total dollar value of what’s paid for fire, a large chunk of law enforcement, and animal control in the county. The city’s taxable value of property according to the Property Appraiser’s records is about 25 percent. We would impose a tax to cover those services, and rebate the city approximately 25 percent of that amount.”

County taxes for county property owners as well as city property owners would rise. But the city could lower city millage rates for its citizens to reflect the rebate from the county.

“This will solve several issues for us. It will make it cleaner. It’s basically a wash for people in the unincorporated areas and in the city.” Selby said, “We will have to hold meetings with the city of Callahan and the town of Hilliard, because they do not currently pay for these services [law enforcement, fire protection, animal control]. That’s been an issue we’ve been trying to deal with for years. They all see the same increase in general fund taxes but will not get the rebate that Fernandina Beach will, since they do not provide those services.”

Selby said that if both parties are in agreement, city and county staff can begin working on the changes that would not take place for a year, assuming a quick judicial approval.

City Commissioner Tim Poynter voiced strong support for the proposal. “I think with the calculations [for the MSTU] right now the city is not getting its fair share of revenue,” he said. Vice Mayor Lentz and other commissioners agreed.

Selby said he would meet with city staff to begin the work so that the change could be implemented next fiscal year.

“Hilliard is not going to be happy,” District 4 County Commissioner George Spicer said, “but it is what it is.” Selby replied, “But it’s fair. It should have been done years ago.”

City Attorney Tammi Bach stressed that this matter has nothing to do with levels of service, the ongoing controversy over whether the city provides more service to the unincorporated parts of the island in terms of fire protection. The question of the county’s reimbursing the city for those services is a separate issue.

In response to a question from City Commissioner Roy Smith, Selby replied that because the county and the city have never been able to agree on values, the county has not been willing to cede to the city fire protection, law enforcement and animal control for the entire island.

Tourist Development Council (TDC) funding

dscn7764City Manager Martin raised the question of TDC funding for beach cleanup, noting that the County Commission and state law govern use of those funds. Under the county’s Leave No Trace ordinance, the city would like TDC money to be used to clean up personal items left on the beaches after visitors leave. Although the county had gone out to bid this project, all bids were rejected. Currently, existing clean up is being funded on a month to month basis, until a contract can be rebid and approved, ideally by the first of 2017.

Martin clarified that once the city passes a parallel ordinance to the Leave No Trace ordinance, it can be rolled into the county contract.

Selby opined that once the ordinance becomes effective, the money needed for clean up will decrease over time. “People are only going to have their stuff taken so many times before they get the picture,” he said. “It’s already dropping off.” TDC signs and local hotels have helped the education effort, Selby added.

dscn7762District 1 County Commissioner Danny Leeper lauded the county and TDC efforts in post-Matthew beach clean up, noting the upcoming Georgia Florida Weekend that always generates lots of island visitors. Leeper, who also chairs the TDC Board, noted that prior to the JLPA meeting the Board of County Commissioners had met to approve using TDC reserves for this purpose with the proviso that reimbursement will be sought from FEMA and DEP. County staff has already begun to reach out to contractors.

County Attorney Mullin added that per the county resolution the county will reach out to the city manager to prioritize beach areas within the city for clean up efforts.

Beach driving ban remains in effect

In response to a question from City Manager Martin, County Attorney Mullin reported that the beach driving ban is in effect until November 1, consistent with the declaration of the state of emergency. That could be extended, if necessary, one week at a time.

Selby said that American Beach residents had asked for an extension of the ban due to debris buried in the sand. He said that the county would look into those concerns, and “would proceed with caution.” He said he hoped for the city’s support in this action.

Use of Beach renourishment MSTU funds

On behalf of City Commissioner Kreger, City Attorney Bach asked when the commissions would discuss the beach renourishment MSTU, allocation and use of funds. City Commissioner Poynter quipped, “First we have to get some money in that fund.” He expressed concern that as that money accumulates it be held in reserve for major renourishment efforts as opposed to routine maintenance. Both Martin and Selby indicated that use of the funds depend heavily on the reports of beach consultant Eric Olson. The amount of the tax was based on a 5-year cycle of beach renourishment. Selby said the initial thought was not to use the money for 5 years, but save it for the major renourishment efforts.

Farewell addresses

District 5 County Commissioner Walter "Junior" Boatright
District 5 County Commissioner Walter “Junior” Boatright

Retiring District 5 Commissioner Boatright said, “It’s been a pleasure working with you folks. Back when I was in high school, Peter’s Point was known as Callahan Beach. That was where we all went, and I’d like to see it stay the same. I’ve enjoyed representing the whole county, not just District 5, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know each one of you.I appreciate everyone who puts their name on the line [to serve as a representative of the people].”

County Administrator Ted Selby said that in January he will leave his position for retirement. He said he has enjoyed “almost” every moment of the 6 years he has served in his current position.

City visioning session December 14

City Manager Martin announced that the city has scheduled its annual visioning session for all day on December 14, 2016. He invited county commissioners and staff to attend the afternoon session, so that the county might become aware of the goals that the city is establishing. He said that the city would welcome input and acknowledgement “to continue building the partnership that we have.”

Suanne Thamm 4Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.