FBCC rejects proposed naming policy for public facilities

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
April 6, 2016 5:37 p.m.

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The city of Fernandina Beach currently does not have a policy for naming public facilities. Vice Mayor Robin Lentz, working with City Attorney Tammi Bach, tried to develop such a policy, which was presented in the form of a resolution to the full commission at its April 5, 2016 Regular Meeting. After public input and considerable discussion, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) rejected the proposed policy on a 3-2 vote, with only Lentz and Commissioner Len Kreger in support of the proposal as written.

Commissioner Tim Poynter attempted to table the item before it came up for a vote on the grounds that it needed more work. But Lentz beat him to the punch with a motion to approve, which Kreger seconded. Following the failed vote, it was agreed that Poynter would meet with City Attorney Tammi Bach to draft a new or revised resolution to address concerns that had been raised by commissioners and local resident Lynn Williams. The second attempt at passage of a naming policy will come before the commission soon.

The 6-page proposed policy failed to win approval because three of the commissioners—Mayor John Miller and Commissioners Poynter and Roy Smith—believed that more details needed to be included in the policy. Commissioners believed that without specifying under what circumstances a building, street or facility name would be approved, the city was opening itself up to charges of unfair treatment that could lead to charges of cronyism and hurt feelings.

Lynn Williams amplifies on reasons for not adopting the proposed resolution.
Lynn Williams amplifies on reasons for not adopting the proposed resolution.

Lynn Williams asked that constraints be added to the policy by requiring that an individual finance a specific percentage—generally 80-85 percent, as he recalled from his experience in Chicago—before the FBCC would consider naming a public facility for a private benefactor. He also suggested that there should be an accompanying petition with a specific number of supporters and a unanimous vote of the FBCC to name a public facility.

Commissioners were generally in agreement with the need to add constraints, although not necessarily agreeing to those proposed by Williams. They considered requiring a super majority, as opposed to a unanimous vote, for approval. But while Vice Mayor Lentz believed that many concerns could be addressed following passage of the resolution, other commissioners were not comfortable approving a policy without more generally accepted and understood criteria.

Suanne Thamm 4Editor’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.