Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
January 9, 2017 8:00 a.m.
The Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) last year selected GAI Consultants, Inc. of Jacksonville to update the city’s stormwater master plan, created in 1998 and last updated in 2009. GAI representative Ron Hoogland devoted half an hour to briefing the FBCC on elements of the new plan during the FBCC’s January 3, 2017 Regular Meeting. The plan itself comprises two volumes, one of reports and one of data, representing GAI’s findings.
The last update targeted 13 areas for stormwater improvements with an estimated cost of $15M. The update has slimmed down the plan to 9 areas with an estimated total improvement cost of $9M. The 2009 plans were adjusted downward both to reflect standards more appropriate to a small city and the completion of various projects in the intervening years. The map below provides a general view of the projects targeted in the current, updated plan:
Costs to complete these projects include recommended drainage infrastructure improvements. The cost by project is broken down in the chart below:
The type of work to be performed in these areas is characterized below:
The FBCC did not discuss rates in connection with accepting the plan. However, the consultants provided the following slide that demonstrates that while the city of Fernandina Beach has more acreage affected by stormwater, its current rates are significantly lower than other surrounding communities. Therefore the money it collects to address the stormwater problems does not allow for rapid fixes.
The downtown area, as witnessed during Hurricane Matthew, is very prone to flooding, not just due to stormwater but also due to exceptionally high tides.
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.