July 16 City Commission Meeting – Highlights

Submitted by Eric Bartelt

While Commissioners voted down the proposed Amendment to the City Charter that would have extended commissioners’ terms to four years, they did approve another Charter Amendment during their July 16^th regular meeting. This amendment, which will go forward as a referendum question on the November ballot, eliminates the 2% limitation on the total taxable value of property within the City’s CRA (Community Redevelopment Area). The CRA includes all the public and private property along the riverfront, from the Port south to the Cook property. It also includes properties north of downtown between Centre St. and Calhoun St., within two blocks of the the river.

This area was designated a CRA in 2005 in order to encourage redevelopment of the area and to provide tax incremental financing that could be used for infrastructure improvements. The Commission also removed a restriction on the number of CRAs the City could create in the future.

The Commission also gave final approval for an agreement that the City had worked out with Florida Public Utilities (FPU) to avoid a lawsuit against the City. FPU purchased land from the City for FPU’s new operating center just off Amelia Island Parkway. After they purchased the land, FPU discovered it had been used in the past as a dump site. The City claimed it had no knowledge of the dump site and so, in order to avoid a lawsuit over the matter, the City negotiated an agreement with FPU. The agreement extends FPU’s electric franchise with the City from 2033 to 2043 and the City gives up its right of first refusal to purchase the utility. The agreement also extends FPU’s natural gas franchise from 2042 to 2043 and clarifies that property owners are responsible for the cost of extending underground electric service from the public right-of-way to the property owner’s meter. Not all the Commissioners were happy with this agreement – Commissioners Boner and Gass voted against it. Commissioner Boner had indicated previously that he was uncomfortable with the agreement, believing it was FPU’s responsibility to do due diligence and determine exactly what they were buying before they bought it.

A resolution authorizing payment to the county for library services was also on the agenda.Commissioner’s agenda. Each year, the City pays the County $51,667 to cover a portion of the operating expenses for the downtown library (the City owns the building, but the County provides the library services). This year’s payment is now due, but the City Commissioners weren’t yet ready to approve it. While the City has made the payment for several years, the Commissioners and the City Manager were puzzled about what the County actually uses the money for. Commissioner Corbett suggested the City Commissioners sit down with the County Commissioners “to talk about it”, so they can “persuade us why they need this money, other than they just need it”.

Friends of the Library President Bill Flynn, addressing the Commission, thought the money was used for “new books, databases, recordings, books on tape and reading materials.” Commissioners also wanted to know if Callahan and Hilliard also paid the County for their library operating expenses.

Commissioner Gass offered that “…if others are paying rent then perhaps we want to think about it. But just to arbitrary pay something when you don’t know why, or for how long…doesn’t seem responsible…I just don’t want these taxpayers in this city to be carrying the load for everybody else”. Concern was also expressed about whether withholding the payment would jeopardize the County’s $600,000 contribution to the Fernandina library renovation and expansion. The resolution authorizing the payment was tabled pending Clerk Pro Tem Kim Briley providing more information to the Commissioners about the other branch libraries’ agreements with the County.

Last on the July 16^th meeting agenda was an item brought forth by Mayor Pelican. In 1998,the then City Commission agreed to allow former City Commissioners and retired City employees with 25 years of service, to play golf at the City course for reduced fees. Given the state of the City’s finances today, Mayor Pelican wanted to revisit this agreement to see if the current Commission wanted to continue it. Commissioner Corbett asked how many retirees were taking advantage of this and City Manager Gerrity indicated there were few rounds played by former Commissioners but that the number of rounds played by retired employees was “substantial”. It appeared the consensus was to continue on with the agreement, and the City Manager would bring it back to the Commission in the form of a resolution. Commissioner Filkoff seemed to capture the sentiment when she said, “I think anyone who survives 25 years working for the City deserves something.” And, since most large corporations do something for their retired employees, she felt it was appropriate for the City to do something also.

On a final note, Commissioner Boner mentioned that Marina Director Joe Springer showed him a copy of Yachting Magazine, which ranked Amelia Island as the “2^nd Best Town in America for Boating in 2013.” That, on the heels of the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge being listed by Travel and Leisure Magazine as the the 25^th best hotel in the world for 2013. Not 25^th best in the United States. 25^th best in the world.

Editor’s Note:  Eric Bartelt retired as a corporate design consultant and moved  to Fernandina Beach in 2004.  His previously lived in Wisconsin.  Since Eric’s arrival in Fernandina Beach, he spends his time volunteering, and playing soccer.  We thank Eric for his contribution to the Fernandina Observer.

July 18, 2013 9:35 p.m.