New Fernandina Beach City Commission begins new year

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter – News Analyst

The Fernandina Beach City Commission kicked off its schedule of regular meetings for 2014 on a cold Tuesday, January 7 with a meeting that lasted slightly more than a half hour.  Commissioners approved unanimously and with little or no discussion: 2 consent agenda items, 3 resolutions, 2 proposed ordinances on first reading dealing with zoning and Future Land Use change for a .52 acre parcel on West 4th Street, 6 ordinances on second and final reading concerning voluntary annexation and zoning and land use change for a 4.47 acre parcel and a 6.53 acre parcel both located on Hirth Road at Amelia Island Parkway.  Commissioners also unanimously agreed to appoint Evelyn McDonald (Friends of the Library) and Liz Taylor (Amelia Island Museum of History) to the Arts and Culture Nassau Board, while reappointing Don McFadyen to the Board of Trustees of the Fire and Police Pension Plan.

City recognizes Walter Gray

Retiring city employee Walter Gray listens as Mayor Ed Boner reads a proclamation of appreciation.
Retiring city employee Walter Gray listens as Mayor Ed Boner reads a proclamation of appreciation.

Mayor Ed Boner delivered a proclamation to retiring city employee Walter Gray in recognition of Gray’s more than 36 years of dedicated service to the city as an employee of the Utilities Department.  The proclamation has been made a part of the permanent record of FBCC proceedings as a testimonial of the city’s gratitude.

Impact fee lawsuit

DSCN1562During Public Input, local citizen Lynn Williams rose to chastise those in the community who were celebrating the recent court ruling against the city on the use of impact fees to pay for the acquisition of the water system more than 10 years ago.  Calling it a Pyrrhic victory at best, Williams went on to explain how, if the ruling stands following appeals, most of the money will go to pay legal fees and expenses for the plaintiff’s team of attorneys for which “we’ll all pay.”  He said that the ruling would not benefit “the people” because it will result in higher taxes and fees that all users of the city’s utilities would be required to pay.  He characterized the lawsuit as being “as close as we can get to a shakedown by lawyers.”  Mayor Boner reminded Williams and the audience that because this is a matter of pending litigation, the commissioners were not able to respond at this time.

 

Negotiation of purchase and sale agreement for city property on S. Fletcher Avenue

City Manager Joe Gerrity sought and received unanimous support to market for sale city property consisting of one vacant lot (14,317 square feet) located at the corner of South Fletcher Avenue and Bill Melton Road (Resolution 2014-05). Commissioner Pat Gass questioned whether this could be done without a voter referendum.  She was informed that voter referendum was only required if the city proposed to sell recreation lands.  Gerrity said that the property has been appraised at $235K.

Naming library building

Commissioner Pat Gass brought to the commission concerns she has
received from citizens who believe that since renovation of the existing building is being financed with $600K of city money, they should have a say in naming the building.


Click on arrow to watch one minute video.

These concerns were raised in light of Friends of the Library fundraising activities that offered naming rights for the building for a $500K donation.  City Attorney Tammi Bach reassured commissioners that the city has the final say on naming rights for city buildings. Gass suggested a contest to name the building.  Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican agreed that a contest was a good idea. Mayor Ed Boner suggested that this item should be a discussion topic on a future meeting and that Friends of the Library should be invited to participate.

Other reports

City Manager Gerrity asked commissioners to communicate with him regarding topics for discussion at the January 23 goal setting workshop.  He also agreed to reschedule the joint FBCC/CRA Advisory Board meeting originally scheduled for January 13 due to the conflict with city clerk interviews.

Interim City Clerk Kim Briley advised the public of city advisory board vacancies and asked the commission’s help in recruiting citizens to fill vacancies on the Board of Adjustments, Code Enforcement Board and Planning Advisory Board.

The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Suanne ThammEditor’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.

January 8, 2014 2:35 p.m.

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Patrick Keogh
Patrick Keogh (@guest_17149)
10 years ago

Lynn’s position is the equivalent of arguing Bonnie and Clyde should not be required to disgorge their stolen money because it would leave the thieves impoverished. We only sued the City after years of fruitless efforts to persuade Commissioners, the City Attorney and the City Manager that their actions were illegal. The way our system of governance works is that when the executive and legislature ignore their responsibilities that citizens are blessed with a last resort to the judiciary. The combined legal team of Clinch Kavanaugh and Tanner Bishop have worked for over two years to enforce citizens’ rights with no compensation. The City has spent about $600,000 of our money in defending what the court has now found is legally indefensible. The Citizens’ legal team can only be compensated when the City is proven to have unlawfully taken its citizens’ money. I warned in a recent News Leader Viewpoint that the City would launch a “blame the victims initiative”. We can now view Lynn as the City’s Charlie McCarthy