The FBCC marches on …

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 13, 2021

 

During the December 7, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) the following items were also addressed.  This is not an inclusive list.  The entire agenda is available on the City website, along with a video recording of the meeting.  Thanks to City staff for providing the synopsis presented for each item.

1995 Clinch Drive

Resolution 2021-190:  Voluntary Annexation Agreement – 1995 Clinch Drive

Owners of Record, Joseph M. + Dana Strickland, completed the City of Fernandina Beach Voluntary Annexation Agreement/Petition for Annexation application pursuant to Chapter 171.044, Florida Statutes, for one parcel containing approximately 1.04 acres located at 1995 Clinch Drive. Staff determined the request is consistent with the City’s Municipal Code Sections 82-44 and 82-403, its Comprehensive Plan, and Land Development Code, and recommended approval.

Vote: 5-0 aye

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Resolution 2021-191:  Special Event Co-Sponsorship Approval

On March 20, 2018, the City Commission expressed an interest in co-sponsoring events in the City of Fernandina Beach. On January 19, 2021, the City Commission approved Resolution 2021-07, authorizing the City co-sponsorhip of five special events recommended by the Special Events Committee and four special events recommended by Fernandina Beach Main Street.

These events were selected for sponsorship based on the following criteria: community impact, longevity, and feedback from City staff. City-related fees, with the exception of fees related to Police and Fire personnel and additional costs associated with event trash support and collection, will be waived for the co-sponsored events selected.

The proposed co-sponsored events nominated by the Special Events Committee for 2022 are: Sounds on Centre, the Nassau Sports Association Fishing Rodeo, Petanque Amelia Island Open, Hometown Fourth of July, and Shrimp Drop. Additionally, the Committee recommends waiving City fees for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade, Memorial Day Ceremony, Veterans Parade, and the Lighted Christmas Parade.

The proposed co-sponsored events nominated by Fernandina Beach Main Street for 2022 are: Dickens on Centre, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Road Tour, the 8 Flags Car Show, the Black Friday Pajama Party, and one other event to be determined.  City-related fees totaling approximately $10,000 will be waived for these events/parades. The event organizers will still be responsible for paying for Police and Fire personnel, as needed, as well as additional trash collection costs associated with the event.

Vote: 5-0 aye

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Resolution 2021-192 Authorization To Defend – Center Street Restaurant Group Inc et al

City Charter Section 31 requires that the prosecution and defense of litigation involving the City, by the City Attorney, be authorized by the City Commission. This Resolution authorizes the City Attorney to work with City claims administrator, Preferred Governmental Claim Solutions (PGCS), appear on behalf of if necessary, and defend the City in the matter of Center Street Restaurant Group Inc.et al, v. City of Fernandina Beach. This matter involves the City’s finding of the structure known as Brett’s Waterway Cafe to be unsafe.

Vote: 5-0 aye

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Resolution 2021- 193:  Cracking down on unlicensed short-term rentals

In response to the rapid rise in unlicensed short-term rental activity, the City issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 21- 03 to provide unlicensed short-term rental identification services/solution. Staff recommends awarding RFP 21-03 to LTAS Technologies Inc. d/b/a Harmari, whose proposed fees identified in their submittal, are anticipated not to exceed $135.00 per new Resort Rental Dwelling Permit issued; cumulatively not to exceed $15,000 in Fiscal Year 2021/2022.

Vote:  5-0 aye

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Resolution 2021-194:  Seaside at Amelia boardwalk repair

The City Commission, at their May 18, 2021, Regular Meeting, adopted Resolution 2021-70, authorizing the City to take over maintenance of the Seaside at Amelia Subdivision/Egan’s Creek Greenway walkway/boardwalk as a public benefit; accepted the City Engineer’s Structural Condition Assessment indicating that the Seaside at Amelia Subdivision/Egan’s Creek Greenway walkway/boardwalk timber handrails are in need of replacement; and directed the City Manager to acquire, manage, and authorize acceptance of the deed of dedication for the portion of the walkway located on private property.

Staff subsequently issued Invitation to Bid (ITB) 21-08 and received two responses for the removal and replacement of the walkway/boardwalk timber handrails. Following review of the responses, staff recommended awarding ITB 21- 08 to Hayward Construction Group, LLC., in the amount of $99,772.00.

Vote:  5-0 aye

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Resolution 2021-195:  Repointing bricks at Peck Center  

The City Commission, at its May 19, 2020, Regular Meeting, adopted Resolution 2020-72, authorizing a grant application for State funding to assist with extensive exterior repairs needed to restore the Peck Center’s failing 120-year-old mortar and bricks. Staff subsequently issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 21-11 to secure competitive bids. Following review of the submittals received, staff recommended awarding RFP 21-11, including the Base Bid, Bid Additive No. 1, and Bid Additive No. 2, to Western Specialty Contractors of America in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000.

In 2020, the State awarded the City $500,000 for the purpose of initiating Peck Center mortar and brick repairs. Additional work will be pursued once supplemental funding becomes available.

Vote: 5-0 aye

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Resolution 2021-196:  Replacing 2 fuel tanks in City Public Works Complex

This project consists of the replacement of two 2,000 gallon fuel tanks, installed in 1994, at the City’s fueling station located at the Public Works Complex. The inner liners are beginning to degrade as the tanks are at the end of their useful life. City fuel consumption has increased over the last twenty-five+ years, and the existing tanks lack the necessary reserve capacity. Part of the replacement project for these tanks will be the upgrade to a larger 6,000 gallon dual compartment tank.

Invitation to Bid (ITB) 22-01 was released for the replacement of fuel tanks at the City Public Works Complex and the City received six submittals. Following review, staff recommended awarding ITB 22-01 to Veterans Fuel Management in an amount not to exceed $99,642 (cost of 6,000 dual compartment tank $86,644 and 15% contingency).

Vote:  5-0 aye

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Ordinance 2021-28:  Private property rights

The Florida Legislature, during their 2021 session, passed a statute requiring municipalities to add an element to their Comprehensive Plans related to private property rights. This Ordinance was reviewed by the Planning Advisory Board and is required by law to be in place before moving forward with any other change to the Comprehensive Plan or Future Land Use Map.

 Vote: 5-0 aye on second and final reading

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Ordinance 2021-29:  Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Port Facilities Element

The Planning Advisory Board (PAB) created a subcommittee to amend the Port Sub-element of the Comprehensive Plan. This sub-element, formerly Goal 9, is proposed to be moved into Goal 5 as part of the Conservation and Coastal Management Element. The PAB voted on the recommended changes at its August 11, 2021, meeting. The City Commission approved Ordinance 2021-29 at 1st reading for transmittal for expedited state review on September 21, 2021. The State Land Planning Agency responded and provided a technical assistance comment to identify spoil sites within Fernandina Beach. The City does not currently have any active spoil site locations within its jurisdictional boundary. A map indicating the location of Florida Inland Navigational District (FIND) spoil site located just outside of the Cty boundary will be provided to address the agency comment and transmitted as part of the amendment package following the 2nd reading of Ordinance 2021-29.

Vote: 5-0 aye on second and final reading

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Ordinance 2021-30: Voluntary Annexation – 2754 & 2766 Bailey Road

Ordinance 2021-31: Future Land use Map Assignment – 2754 & 2766 Bailey Road

Ordinance 2021-32: Zoning Map Assignment – 2754 & 2766 Bailey Road

The applicant requested annexation for City water and sewer services, assignment of Low Density Residential Future Land Use Map designation, and R-1 zoning district for approximately 4.85 acres of land off of Bailey Road.

Vote:  3-2 aye on second and final reading of all three related ordinances

(Mayor Mike Lednovich and Commissioner Chip Ross voted nay)