FBCC formally adopts goals, timetable for FY2017-18

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
February 9, 2017 3:00 p.m.

The Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) formally adopted via Resolution 2017-23 goals for Fiscal Year 2017/18 during their February 7, 2017 Regular Meeting. These goals were identified during a visioning session conducted at the Fernandina Beach Golf Course Clubhouse on December 14, 2016, which was moderated by City Manager Dale Martin:

Two members of the public spoke on this agenda item, offering comments and asking questions.

Lynn Williams, who also serves as a commissioner of the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND), cautioned commissioners about tearing down the derelict, city-owned, waterfront structure commonly called the Vuturo Building. He claimed that because of various state requirements for building on waterfront properties the city needed to be assured that they could rebuild on the same footprint, if they were not prepared to build anything at the time of demolition. He also suggested that it would make more sense to dredge before realigning the southern docks in the city marina. He appeared to suggest that FIND money might be available to help in that regard.

Former mayor/commissioner Ron Sapp asked if the FBCC had removed the goal to increase downtown density, because it did not appear on the list attached to the resolution. Mayor Robin Lentz indicated that the density goal had been identified in the previous year’s visioning session and was in progress. She informed Sapp that the item had already undergone review by the Planning Advisory Board and that the FBCC had approved it unanimously on First Reading. It is currently undergoing state review and will return for Second Reading later this spring. Sapp indicated his opposition to increasing downtown density as currently being proposed.

Vice Mayor Len Kreger agreed in principle with the goals, adding that he wanted to see Consideration 17 (Improve downtown street lighting) expanded to include improving street lighting throughout the city. He also stressed the importance of acting on special events recommendations quickly.

In response to a question from Commissioner John Miller, City Manager Martin said that the consultant who will be retained this spring to help the city grapple with waterfront redevelopment will also make recommendations on downtown parking issues after receiving commission and public input. He acknowledged that commissioners had also raised concerns about paid downtown and beach parking, which he thought the consultant could also address.

Mayor Lentz stressed that adopting the goals and timeline did not mean that there would not be changes made in timetables. “We want to save money; we want to do what is most efficient,” Lentz asserted. The schedule, she said, was a template, not a hard and fast rule.  Kreger agreed, adding that the language of the Resolution gives the FBCC the latitude to alter the timetable.

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.