Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 8, 2016 10:39 a.m.
During the December 6, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission, City Manager Dale Martin provided an update on the status of repair work to the city marina in response to a question from marina patron Kevin McCarthy.
Martin reported that marina manager Joe Springer has successfully relocated all the permanent slip holders. FEMA procurement training has been scheduled for December 8 in Jacksonville and will be attended by Fernandina Beach Fire Chief Silcox and Comptroller Patti Clifford. The focus of the training is to facilitate and assure compliance with the federal FEMA requirements.
The training precedes the official FEMA assistance kick-off event scheduled for Tuesday, December 13 at Fernandina Beach City Hall. This event involves city officials and FEMA representatives. That event begins the official 60-day period during which the city can request assistance for recovery efforts associated with Hurricane Matthew.
Martin reported that the city is currently soliciting proposals for several smaller scale projects at the marina, tentatively approved by FEMA. Responses are due by December 22. But to be eligible for reimbursement FEMA has asked the city to demonstrate its compliance with federal procurement statutes. The training on December 8 will help the city in this regard.
A proposal to conduct a damage assessment of the floating breakwater has also received conditional approval, Martin reported. But the original proposal requested an allowance (a not-to-exceed amount), but FEMA requirements demand a specific fee. The allowance originally was about $21,000. If that allowance is reformulated as a specific fee, it will be eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
Martin credited both Chief Silcox and Comptroller Clifford for their efforts on behalf of the marina. He said that once the kick-off meeting is held, the city can gear up recovery work.
Ten bid projects are listed on the city’s website www.fbfl.us. Martin said that work would commence no later than mid January. He added that because of the wide impact of the hurricane, demand for many of the contractors is high throughout the area.
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.