FBCC discusses fees, taxicabs, Amelia Park, alcohol servers and more

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
August 20, 2015 4:20 p.m.

As the City of Fernandina Beach nears the end of its fiscal year, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) took care of several routine matters of business necessary to set the budget for the FY 2015/16 fiscal year, which begins on October 1. But other agenda items left some commissioners and audience members scratching their heads. The August 18, 2015 FBCC Regular Meeting lasted more three hours and followed an hour and a half-long workshop on budget matters. Although the Budget Workshop had concluded with a strongly worded statement from the city manager indicating that the new budget was now set, commissioners voted for additional changes during this meeting, which immediately followed the workshop.

During the Regular Meeting the FBCC unanimously approved with little discussion resolutions:

• 2015-116 amending the current year budget with budget transfers between specified accounts;
• 2015-117 opposing “fracking” within the state of Florida;
• 2015-118 amending FBCC rules of procedure to eliminate the so-called “15 minute rule” that required speakers to sign up no later than 15 minutes following the start of a meeting;
• 2015-119 adopting a social media policy for city-sponsored social media outreach and communication efforts.

The Commission bogged down, however, when they turned their attention toward ordinances.

(Note that because of technical problems with the original post, comments were being unintentionally blocked.  After many attempts to solve the problem, Fernandina Observer staff  decided to post the ordinances and discussion items as separate posts. We apologize for the confusion and frustration that the technical situation has caused.  We invite you to read the individual discussions that follow this abbreviated original post.)

Editor’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.