And now, the rest of the story . . . Main Beach boardwalk, airport manager position

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter News- Analyst

The Fernandina Beach City Commission moved quickly although not always unanimously through their August 21, 2012 agenda on consent and action items other than the franchise fee (see separate article):

• The FBCC unanimously approved the consent agenda and Resolution 2012-131, which authorized a grant agreement with FDOT for the design of city airport taxiway B & E lights, signage and navigational aids.
• Commissioners reconsidered and voted 4-1 with Vice Mayor Jeffrey Bunch dissenting to approve a request amending the Land Development Code (Ordinance 2012-17) to allow for the sale of prepared or processed food items at outside sales facilities.  This item had been voted down at the previous commission meeting on a 3-2 vote.  Commissioners Poynter and Pelican had asked for its reconsideration following the receipt of additional information.  The people requesting the change plan to open a farmer’s market at the corner of 14^th and Lime streets in front of the movie theater.
• Commissioners approved unanimously both the Master Fee Schedule (Ordinance 2012-19) that established and amended city fees for all city departments for FY 2012-13 and the Master Fee Schedule Amendment (Ordinance 2012-15), which amended golf course fees for the current fiscal year.  In general, fees remain constant except for the Recreation Department, which will add modest increases.
• Vice Mayor Bunch was the lone dissent in a vote to approve the city’s Pay and Classification Plan for FY 2012-13 (Ordinance 2012-20), despite city staff’s explanation that only the minimums and maximums of pay ranges for various jobs were changing, not salaries for city employees.  The proposed schedule reflected striking several positions from the city’s table of organization and the following three changes:  a newly described administrative position in the city manager’s office; conversion of a part-time to a full-time position at the airport; and the redescription of a police captain position to that of deputy police chief.  Mayor Arlene Filkoff stepped down to second Commissioner Tim Poynter’s motion to approve this action.
• On second reading the FBCC unanimously passed Ordinance 2012-14 clarifying procedures relating to special events permitting.
• The FBCC appointed all 7 applicants Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board.  Appointed to 3-year terms:  Andy Curtin, Asa Gillette, Lou Goldman, Debra Stephenson and Mike Zaffaroni; to 2-year terms:  Tony Herndon and Marla McDaniel.

The two most significant discussions on topics not directly related to the budget concerned the question of a full time airport manager and the Main Beach boardwalk.

City Manager Joe Gerrity brought before the FBCC an email from the city’s Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) calling into question Gerrity’s decision not to fill the airport manager position on a full-time basis at the current time.  Gerrity explained his position to the commissioners, citing his belief that a team approach to running the airport at this time would allow him to strengthen relationships with the FAA and FDOT, resolve the outstanding issues with Island Aviation and handle the tree issues.  He believed strongly that until those matters could be resolved or improved, he needed to be directly in charge.  He said that his position could change, but that for now he is comfortable with that added duty.  He said that he would respect the FBCC’s decision on this matter.

Vice Mayor Bunch said that he was fine with that decision and that under the City Charter, the City Manager is the airport manager.  Commissioner Charlie Corbett agreed with the city manager.  A brief discussion ensued during which the history of airport management was recapped for the benefit of newer commissioners.

Commissioner Tim Poynter said that he did not share in that opinion.  He said that based upon previous action of the commission, he was under the impression that commissioners wanted to expand the economic development role of the airport.  He did not question Gerrity’s commitment or ability, but he did express his fears that the city manager was becoming overburdened and lacked time to devote to the marketing role better conducted by a full time manager.  Gerrity disagreed, saying that as part of his airport management team, a city planner would work on marketing.  Gerrity also emphasized that after airport matters settle down, he will probably bring a suggestion to the commission to hire a full time airport manager, but not until next year’s budget.

Mayor Filkoff weighed in with support for the city manager’s team approach.  She believed that it was important for the city manager to be the relationship manager with the FAA, the FDOT, the city’s consultant and airport tenants at this time.  She said that it makes sense to look at rules and procedures at the airport to determine what makes sense with the new emphasis on making the airport an economic engine for the city.  She suggested that she and Gerrity meet with the AAC to discuss the topic “where are we trying to take the airport?”  Gerrity proposed that they do that the first week in September.

Vice Mayor Bunch asked Filkoff and Gerrity to emphasize during that discussion the role of the AAC.  Filkoff responded that that she believes that the role of any city committee is to challenge city government’s thinking by getting managers to look at issues from different perspectives.

City Manager Gerrity dropped a bombshell on the commission during his end-of-meeting reports when he informed them that it now appears that the city will not get state permission to move the Main Beach boardwalk.  His recent inspection revealed maintenance problems including rotted stringers.  He reported that he has been led to believe that the boardwalk may be maintained exactly where it is.  Construction of a new boardwalk 10-15 feet west of the current one would apparently further adversely impact the beach dune system.  Several commissioners expressed consternation at this report, since the same permitting body turned down earlier requests to replace/repair the existing boardwalk.  Gerrity agreed to seek further clarification.

Mayor Filkoff ended the meeting with a quotation she found during a recent visit to the Franklintown church on Amelia Island:  Lord, treat me tomorrow the way I treated others today.  And with that, she adjourned the meeting.

August 22, 2012 3:05 p.m.