Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) meetings are running so long these days that it took two meetings to get through one agenda. The “special meeting” that preceded the regular meeting on May 6, 2014, addressed the leftovers from the previous meeting. The special meeting lasted 50 minutes, allowing commissioners a 10-minute break before going to their next meeting that lasted until 10:10 p.m.
Emergency Management
Billy Estep, Nassau County Emergency Management Director, briefed the FBCC and the public on his approach and plans with respect to local emergency management. He said that he endorses a “whole community” approach to emergency management and that includes preparedness. He emphasized that under home rule the City of Fernandina Beach has a right to dictate its path going forward, especially with respect to handling recovery operations. He cited a new inundation study that reflects significant changes along Florida’s northeast coast. A higher percentage of the population will be required to leave evacuation zones during flood emergencies. He indicated that one of his goals is to receive national accreditation for the county’s emergency management program. He emphasized that recovery efforts are dependent on a community’s preparedness.
In response to questions he added that “inundation” comes from storm surge and does not include already saturated land or rain events.
FBCC Appointments
By unanimous votes, the FBCC made the following appointments:
- Board of Adjustment: Walter “Eric” Lawrence
- Arts & Culture Nassau: Robert Bolan, representing Amelia Island Chamber Music
- CRA Advisory Board: Rick Daniel
Proclamation Policy & Procedure
City Attorney Tammi Bach advised commissioners that currently there is no policy in place on issuing city proclamations. Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican indicated that in the past the City Clerk’s Office has been overseeing that activity. City Clerk Caroline Best briefed commissioners on the types of proclamations the city is called upon to issue, noting that some are done annually to meet state or federal requirements, residents or organizations request some, and that mayors and commissioners also request proclamations. Best tracks proclamations electronically.
Both Mayor Ed Boner and Commissioner Pat Gass expressed concerns over lengthy proclamation lists on commission meeting agendas.
City Manager Joe Gerrity said that he reviews recommended proclamations and sometimes removes them from the list because they are generic in nature or no one will be available to receive the proclamation. Commissioner Charlie Corbett said, “So what you’re saying is to use common sense in bringing proclamations forward.”
Commissioners reviewed policies and procedures of seven other Florida cities provided by staff and decided to opt for the one adopted by Orange Park:
“No written policy. In practice a citizen or a group can request [a proclamation]. The Clerk’s Office or Manager’s Office gets approval from the Mayor or a Commissioner before proceeding. It is possible, but rare, for a council member to request a proclamation.”
Commissioner Gass said that she felt it was “the final kick when you are going out the door” for a retiring employee to be required to stand before the commission to receive a proclamation. Mayor Boner said that proclamations do not always need to be delivered at commission meetings and that he had recently delivered one to Texas Roadhouse in appreciation for their community improvement efforts at the Peck project site.
Old Town Bluff
Community Development Director Adrienne Burke reported back to commissioners on her investigations into ways to further recognize the historic significance of the Old Town Bluff and to protect it from vehicular traffic. Listing the Bluff on the Florida Master Site File of historic places requires the signature of the owner, which is CSX Railroad. To date they have not signed the form.
She reported that she has been working with Fort Clinch and Old Town residents Michael and Jennifer Harrison on ways to protect the plaza. For an estimated $850, a border of muhlenbergia, or muhly grass, can be planted in the city right-of-way surrounding the plaza and plaza corners can be more strictly delineated with split rail fencing elements. Michael Harrison added that the planting would stop the casual visitor from driving across the plaza, but not those intent on doing so.
Jennifer Harrison explained to commissioners her thoughts for making the plaza and the bluff more accessible and safe to visitors with walkways and better viewing areas, including a possible kayak launch site.
The Harrisons again brought up the gate across Estrada Street at the intersection with Garden Street. The city and Rock Tenn dispute ownership of the now-closed portion of Estrada. Mayor Boner said, “It bothers me as a commissioner when people take over our easements. And then it is expensive for us to get them back.” He renewed his request for a qualified title opinion. City Attorney Bach and City Manager Gerrity continue to work with Rock Tenn on this matter.