A kinder, gentler meeting of the boards

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
February 24, 2022

In a joint meeting held on February 23, 2022 at the Page Government Center in Yulee, 3 members of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) and 4 members of the Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA) met in the first of their planned three meetings per year.  Absent from the meeting were City Commissioners Len Kreger and David Sturges; and Port Commissioner Carrol Franklin.  In contrast to many previous joint meetings, this one was characterized by friendly exchanges between members and what appeared to be a genuine desire to tackle some long standing problems.  As one City Commissioner opined, it was a kumbaya moment.

OHPA members (l-r) Commissioner Miriam Hill, Attorney Patrick Krechowski, Chairman Danny Fullwood, Commissioners Mike Cole and Scott Hanna

OHPA Chairman Danny Fullwood welcomed the City and expressed a desire to discuss outstanding issues with civility.  FBCC Mayor Mike Lednovich thanked Fullwood and talked about the need to rebuild trust between the Boards.  He said that each body has a goal, and that the challenge confronting the bodies is how to move forward to achieve both goals which could be seen as conflicting.  The City’s primary goal is to maintain the quality of life for city residents; the OHPA goal is to maintain a profitable port, which happens to abut residential areas.

Fernandina Beach City Commissioners (l-r) Commissioner Chip Ross, Mayor Mike Lednovich, Commissioner Bradley Bean

Trucks

As has been the case in past meetings, the problems relating to truck traffic to and from the Port remain.  Trucks destined for the Port are regularly seen on North 3rd and 4th Streets in the Historic District.  City Commissioner Chip Ross noted that trucks destined for the Port have been photographed on Escambia Street, an unpaved street.  OHPA agreed that such a route should not be taken by Port traffic.  OHPA Commissioner Scott Hanna advised that the port operator has set up a website so that incidents like this can be reported immediately:  [email protected].  Chairman Fullwood asked that OHPA also be included as an addressee at :  [email protected].

OHPA Commissioner Miriam Hill informed the FBCC that OHPA is investigating the possibility of queuing trucks outside the Historic District.  She added that OHPA has discussed several possible solutions to monitoring problems with trucks and truck drivers including improving lighting and setting up cameras.

City Commissioner Bradley Bean also raised problems with debris from trucks littering City streets and residential property.  He was assured that this problem has been dealt with.

OHPA Commissioner Hanna said, “We are trying to rectify situations as they occur.  We do not want to perpetuate problems.”

Fernandina Beach Mayor Mike Lednovich said, “The solution will involve constant monitoring.  The Port is in an area zoned industrial.  But port access runs through residential streets.”

Trash

City Commissioner Chip Ross raised the problem of trash along the truck route as well as between the railroad tracks and the warehouse.  Chairman Fullwood agreed that is a problem and indicated that he drives around the port area several times a week and has noted it for the Port Operator.  Fullwood raised the possibility of OHPA’s working with Keep Nassau Beautiful to renew the OHPA commitment to removing litter from Dade Street [truck queuing area].

Cruise ships

Chairman Fullwood sought City support in appealing to Westrock for permission to serve as a port of call for small cruise ships.  He noted that the cruise ships bring business to Fernandina Beach as well as income to the port.  He said that earlier mill opposition to such activity arose when consideration was being given to making Fernandina a port of embarkation/disembarkation.  “Westrock needs to know that cruise ships are good for local business,” he said.

Fullwood said that the Coast Guard has no problem with cruise ships stopping at the Port of Fernandina.  He said that it is not anticipated that large ships would visit, but rather ships carrying around 200 passengers.  Passengers would be transported between the Port and Centre Street via trolleys, not large buses.

City Commissioners appeared receptive to considering endorsing OHPA’s request, provided that they receive details on what size ship, duration of visits, number of visits anticipated per year.

City Commissioner Ross reminded OHPA that 1.6M visitors cross the bridge to Amelia Island each year.  The City is responsible for the infrastructure to support those visitors.  Cruise ships add yet more burden to the City, which is at a tipping point.  “We are not just picking on you guys,” Ross said. “We have made similar arguments to the County.”

OHPA Master Plan

Work had begun on OHPA’s Master Plan, but it stopped when funding ran out.  Mayor Lednovich asked its status.  “Enlighten us,” he said, “on how the Master Plan will increase Port business without expanding the Port’s footprint.”

Fullwood said that work had already begun to reach out to the City when funding ran out.  OHPA is trying to resume the planning with American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding, which has not yet been approved.  Currently, they hope to resume work on the Master Plan in June.

OHPA Commissioners explained that many of the City’s questions and concerns will be answered in the new Master Plan.  “We are doing our best to do right by the City, the County, and the residents,” Fullwood said.

OHPA Commissioners reminded the City that the Master Plan is not limited to the Port of Fernandina.  It encompasses OHPA activities throughout the County.

Mayor Lednovich (back to camera) and Chairman Danny Fullwood

Concluding remarks

Chair Fullwood said that OHPA’S goal is to improve its relationship with the City.  He said that while OHPA has taken steps in that direction, he believes that those steps tend to be overlooked.  He said, “Communication is the key.”  He expressed hope that more meetings between the boards, the use of the websites to solve problems, and resolution of the ongoing legal dispute over PILOT [payment in lieu of taxes] payments would help reset the relationship between the boards.

Fernandina Beach Mayor Mike Lednovich harkened back to his opening statement with the question:  “How do we rebuild trust?”  Commissioner Ross said, “We need to make an effort to ensure a good quality of life for our residents and a successful business for the Port.”

4 Comments
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Paula Mutzel
Paula Mutzel(@paula-m)
2 years ago

Hallelujah….they’re learning how to play in the sandbox! Hat’s off to all it’s about time! Thank you.

Cindy Jacoby
Cindy Jacoby (@guest_64058)
2 years ago

Suanne- thanks for writing this summary. It was eye-opening and nice to see the both Boards recognize the importance of relations ships. I hope the City and the County can start making the same steps.

Danny K Ferreira
Danny K Ferreira (@guest_64062)
2 years ago

Sounds like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic

Tammi Kosack
Tammi Kosack(@tammi-kosack)
2 years ago

Not only rearranging the deck chairs, but hiring a ship consultant for a full redesign while the water gushes in.

The two parties can meet all they want, but until a Port Operator with integrity, that can be trusted, is in the sandbox–or until a Port Director is hired that can govern the rogue Operator–there is much to be desired based upon the recent track record.