Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
In a workshop held at the unusual time of 2:00 p.m. on November 13, 2013, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) revisited a report of investigations and recommendations on the strengths and deficiencies of the advisory board process currently in place for four standing committees: Airport Advisory Commission (AAC), Golf Course Advisory Board (GCAB), Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) and Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board (CRAAB). The report had been authored by Commissioner Arlene Filkoff and Deputy City Manager Marshall McCrary, who facilitated the two-hour workshop, designed to seek guidance on implementing proposed changes. Commissioners agreed that the four committees added value to their decision making, and reached consensus on working with the individual committees to clarify roles and reporting relationships. Effective with the December reorganization meeting of the FBCC, each of the named committees will have an assigned liaison from the city commission to improve two-way communications between the boards and the FBCC.
Despite discussion at an earlier meeting, there was still some confusion among commissioners on the meaning of “advisory board” and the exclusion of several standing city committees from the report. Filkoff and McCrary reminded commissioners that their study did not deal with the so-called Land Development Code Committees (Board of Adjustments, Historic District Council, Planning Advisory Board), because the duties and responsibilities of those bodies were spelled out in the city’s Land Development Code. City Manager Joe Gerrity asked, “I assume the committees (under study) advise the FBCC, not city staff?” Commissioners agreed.
Vice Mayor Charlie Corbett supported increased involvement of city commissioners in advisory board deliberations. He emphasized the need for a clear chain of command, suggesting that a commissioner assigned to each board could carry information and issues from the FBCC to the boards and vice versa. McCrary expanded this idea to include making a commissioner a “champion” for a specific board, suggesting that the assigned commissioner attend at a minimum one meeting each quarter for his or her assigned board. Consensus was to make committee assignments at the annual commission reorganization meeting.
Airport Advisory Commission (AAC)
Commissioners grappled with the language of the existing resolution governing the AAC in an attempt to respond to questions from City Attorney Tammi Bach and City Manager Joe Gerrity (Interim Airport Manager) to define the level to which AAC involvement is appropriate in maintenance and day-to-day operations. Gerrity suggested that the value of the AAC lies in its ability to take a broad view on long-range issues. Gerrity said that he did not believe that it was in the city’s best interest to run every hangar lease before the AAC prior to approval, since such a policy would be so time consuming that it might cost the city business. Sam Lane, a member of the AAC, told the FBCC that as an advisory board, the AAC’s duty is to expand the list of pros and cons of taking or not taking specific actions so that the FBCC has sufficient information to make good decisions. Lane reminded commissioners that it was the AAC that engaged local residents on the proposed airport tree-cutting plan. Andy Curtin, a former AAC member also spoke, opining that it is in the city’s best interest to have a non-governmental body such as the AAC serve as a 2-way conduit between the FBCC and airport tenants.
Commissioners agreed to hold a joint workshop with the AAC in January 2014 to seek input on clarifying the board’s role and revising its enabling resolution for accuracy. It was also noted that the AAC has recently prepared a mission statement. Commissioners also agreed that the AAC’s input is needed on review and revision of the airport’s master plan and layout plan. Additionally, the FBCC will seek their input to assist in evaluating and making recommendations on the development of an airport welcome center.
Golf Course Advisory Board (GCAB)
Vice Mayor Corbett said that the enabling resolution for the GCAB, dated October 1988, is now outdated in light of the city’s decision to contract out golf course management. Commissioners wanted to see the board remain. Commissioner Pat Gass said that citizens should be able to raise concerns and make suggestions, and that the GCAB provides one such avenue to do so. Mayor Sarah Pelican and Commissioner Ed Boner talked about possibly transforming the board into a greens committee, but Vice Mayor Corbett believed that the FBCC needs to “start all over again” with this board because of all the changes that have occurred.
Commissioners agreed that the FBCC would seek advice from the GCAB on its future viability. Both Filkoff and Corbett articulated their desire to see the GCAB become more of an oversight committee, to provide the FBCC with insight on making the golf course more competitive with other courses. Filkoff defined the role as “relationship management.” When asked what would happen if the current GCAB members rejected the new mission, Corbett replied, “Then we’ll find different members.”
The consensus of the FBCC was to redefine the role of the GCAB in consultation with the current members to transform the existing board into a golf course management oversight board that would review items such as financials, membership plans, and marketing plans.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC)
Consensus was this committee is operating as intended. The biggest problems this committee encounters appear to result from a lack of communication among city departments that sometimes result in actions that violate master plans for areas like Main Beach. The FBCC noted that citizens have expressed concerns that the Peck Committee, which concentrated on city park and recreation areas in the Southside neighborhood, has in effect become defunct. Consensus of the FBCC was to combine the Peck Committee with the PRAC and designate 2 positions on the 7-person PRAC specifically for Peck concerns.
Parks and Recreation Director Nan Voit reassured the FBCC that any recommendations of any sub group or city working group on matters within the purview of her department would be vetted by the PRAC before presentation to the commission.
Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board (CRAAB)
Commissioners agreed that of the four boards studied, they feel most connected to the CRAAB, probably owing to their regular meetings and workshops with this board and having a commissioner serving as a liaison. While they want the CRAAB to have the opportunity to review and provide input on their mission, the FBCC appears content with the board’s current mission and role.
As the meeting came to a close, Commissioner Filkoff strongly suggested to City Manager Gerrity that accountability for board operations and effectiveness of staff liaisons should be built in to the performance appraisal process within the city. Corbett agreed, again suggesting the importance of chain of command. Gerrity replied, “That’s fine.”
November 15, 2013 2:00 p.m.