By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
November 28, 2018 10:37 a.m.
Newly sworn in commissioners Aaron Bell and Tom Ford joined current Chair Pat Edwards, Co-Chair Justin Taylor and Commissioner Danny Leeper for their first official meeting of Board of County Commissioners on November 26, 2018. When the BOCC meets next month Chair and Vice Chair will be Taylor and Leeper respectively.
The agenda was packed as was the room with additional individuals outside in the hallways watching the proceedings via video. Most of those assembled came to speak for or against a proposed reclassification of 265 acres in Callahan. The parcel of property, located on the west side of Lem Turner Road between Lawhon Road South and Dornbush Road – most of which is known as the 18-hole Deerfield Lakes Golf Club.
A staff report described the action this way: “The proposed amendment to the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) of the Comprehensive Plan consists of seven (7) parcels totaling approximately 265 acres. This application requests to change the existing FLUM designation from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Recreation (REC).” A chart contained in that report compares what exists and what it proposed. As it exists, 500 single family dwelling units are allowed. As proposed, just 416 RV sites would be permitted. A recreation designation (REC), would lessen the need for new highways and byways and schools.
Greene and Grogan Properties, LLC, the developers, would like the reclassification to develop an RV park, maintain 9 holes of the existing 18 hole golf course, and construct a possible water park.
As is customary with any discussion involving reclassification, rezoning or development in Nassau County, water management and flooding were common themes from residents resisting the change.
Those in favor mentioned how nice it would be to have someplace closer than Jacksonville to enjoy something like a water park, and “there is nothing to do in Callahan” were common refrains from those in favor. Other comments included, “nobody wants to live next to an RV park,” “this is not what the people want,” and “I don’t think any of this is on the up and up.”
Chad Grogan, of Greene and Grogan Properties, LLC, described the project as a “preservation and park project,” The company had gone before the Planning and Zoning Board on October 2nd when their request was denied. The BOCC affirmed that denial by a vote of 5-0.
Bids
The discussion regarding the ongoing Thomas Creek Restoration Project which involves a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) raised concerns because all bids came in higher than construction costs budgeted by the county.
Commissioner Edwards expressed concerns that no local companies had bid on the project. Although Hayward Construction was the lowest bidder, all bids came in higher than the allocated construction cost in the grant. At the end of discussion, commissioners agreed to attempt to negotiate with the company for the amount actually budgeted.
Commissioner Edwards reiterated his point about local companies during the discussion of the Design-Build project for Fire Station 71 saying “we need to take every opportunity to get local bids.” Station 71 will be located on Chester Road just north of Heron Isles Parkway.
As the lowest bidder, C.C. Borden Construction had been awarded the contract. However, an additional request of $132,500.00 for a total of $3,018,011.00 was made due to a design calculation error. Commissioner Bell questioned what other options might be available to which Mullin replied the C.C. Borden Construction bid could be rejected and the project re-bid. To re-bid would take another 90-120 days and construction would be subsequently delayed. The land for the station had been donated and plans began taking shape in 2007. The commissioners were united in their discomfort with the additional monies requested and by a vote of 5-0, affirmed that C.C. Borden Construction would retain the contract but only for the original amount of $2,885,511.00.
As to the bid process, office of management and budget director Justin Stankiewicz explained there is a three prong process for awarding contracts. First, there is an online vendor registration process which utilizes a commodity code after which vendors who register are automatically notified from that point forward when an RFP matches their qualifications, that proposals are broadcast on DemandStar, a network for business-to-government contracts and the county also advertises in the local newspaper.
Commissioner Comments
During the commissioner comments section of the meeting Commissioner Bell took the opportunity to describe his “ride-along” with public works director Becky Bray and their tour of the roads and bridges of Nassau County. His observations included culverts being dug by the county which is a very time consuming and expensive process. The equipment and man hours required are outrageous. He questioned why the county still dug culverts for free when an ordinance — from 1999 — stated culverts are supposed to be the homeowners’ responsibility. Acting interim county manager Mullin responded that if Mr. Bell and the entire board made such a request, it would be done.
Bell continued on the subject of road paving which has long been an issue, especially on the west side of the county. To pave a road, however, the county must get a right-of-way from each and every homeowner. Getting those easements is the greatest challenge, as relayed to Bell through pubic works director Bray. Without easements from everyone on any given road, the paving is patchwork.
Commissioner Bell also stated he believes Nassau Amelia Utilities, whose systems are terribly outdated, needs some attention. Mullin replied that he is working on proposal to address just that.
Finally, Commissioner Bell shared that he received a phone call from the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce with an offer that they would pay all costs to broker a meeting between Nassau County and Rayonier.
Mullin quickly referenced a lawsuit had been filed by the developers of Wildlight and noted that any such meeting could complicate matters greatly, from a legal standpoint. Commissioner Edwards concurred and said “. . . I can never vote to approve that.”
When it came to Commissioner Tom Ford, he stated that it was his understanding that he had the authority, as a sitting commissioner, to appoint a person from his district to the Planning and Zoning Board. He asked to put Barry Holloway, a former county commissioner and small business owner on the board in place of Roland Green. That request was approved by a vote of 4-1 with Chairman Edwards voting against.
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 pm the third Wednesday of each at 9:00 am
Commission Chambers are located within the James S. Page Governmental Complex at 96135 Nassau Pl., Yulee, FL.
Editor’s Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.
I only hope folks learn patience. Easements, “public right of ways”, maintaining a bid process to ensure fairness, time to review bids/proposals, time to think things through instead of an “I want all of what I want – and want it now” mindset. Measure twice, cut one.
Congratulations to former Commissioner Barry Holloway on his appointment to the planning and zoning board, his knowledge and experience will serve the community well. This was a wise choice and a good use of Commissioner Holloway’s experience. We have many experienced former public officials who have great depth of knowledge that can benefit the citizens and the current team of public officials. As a business owner I am pleased to see this collaboration, it always makes sense to put the community interests ahead of politics and make good use of the hard earned experience of our former elected officials. Good move in my view.
Welcome aboard to Commissioners Bell & Ford……do what is best for Nassau County.
Help me understand. The term keeps being used of an “RV Park” which I think of as like a KOA Campground where there are short-term users. Instead, it seems like the concern of nearby residents is that this will become a mobile home on wheels community of long-term residents living in RVs that are in different stages of overall condition and may be road worthy or not, like the one adjacent to Lofton Creek. Is that the issue?