Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
June 7, 2017 5:36 p.m.
Three local residents who have filed to run for City Commission seats in the November 2017 election took advantage of the opportunity to provide input to the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) on items not on the FBCC’s Regular Meeting agenda for June 6, 2017.
Ronald J. “Chip” Ross, candidate for Group 3
Chip Ross, who is seeking election to the seat currently held by Mayor Robin Lentz, made a brief presentation calling into question the city’s spending $11,500 that could have been spent on a variety of social and/or public improvement projects, but which was the cost of one day’s work for consultants, who met individually with each commissioner on May 31.
Ross said, “That’s what we paid Dix.Hite [the waterfront consultant] to come up here for one day to meet in private, secretly—if you want to use the word—to find out the scope they wanted for the [downtown waterfront] project.”
Ross expressed concern that the meetings were not open to the public, citing case law that he believed supported his position. He summarized his concerns as the amount of money that was spent; his belief that the city’s actions are not in concert with the Consulting Competition Competitive Negotiating Act, which limits negotiating to terms and price, not scope; and violation of the Open Meetings Act.
“I would ask the commissioners,” Ross said, “Where do we go from here?”
Mayor Robin Lentz asked City Attorney Tammi Bach to comment. Bach said that she had spoken to Ross prior to the meeting and explained that there are meetings with individual commissioners “all the time.” She said, “Unless there is an official action that comes out of those meetings that’s taken prior to [convening as a body], there is no violation. There was no action taken as a result of those meetings. The consultants needed clarification from each commissioner as to their view of the scope of the project. That information will be shared with the public when it comes before the commission for approval.”
Vice Mayor Kreger added, “I think it is important to point out that at the May 2 FBCC meeting it was actually stated that [commissioners would meet individually with the consultants on May 31]. I was unaware that we were paying [the consultants] until the day before the meeting. But we did say we were going to meet with them.” He confirmed with the City Attorney that the meetings were in compliance with the law.
Philip A. Chapman III, candidate for Group 2
Philip Chapman, who has filed to run against Commissioner Tim Poynter in the fall election, addressed the FBCC on the city’s support for economic development efforts. He said, “It’s time to put your muscle where your mouth is with respect to economic development. We have sea captains who are struggling to survive, in particular Kevin McCarthy has to spend a great deal of time and money to fuel his boats.”
Chapman stated for the record that McCarthy, who owns and operates Amelia River Cruises, had not asked him to speak. Chapman claimed that McCarthy has been denied use of a fuel tank that he brought in. He claimed that a Mr. Higginbotham had denied him the use of the tank even though a similar tank at the former Fernandina Lumber facility had been approved. “You need to think about what he brings economically to this city, to the downtown,” Chapman said. “It takes effort to help him. If you truly believe in helping the economy of this island, then every one of you should step up and say, ‘Mr. McCarthy, we will do whatever it takes to allow you to fuel your boats so you don’t have to drive 2 hours wasting time and money to do that.’ I believe the city owes it to him.”
At the end of the meeting the City Manager addressed the fuel tank issue. Marina Manager Joe Springer has received a quote of $180,000 to put in a new fuel tank. The city is in the process of repurposing FIND grants and getting formal approval to use some of that money for the purchase. Mayor Lentz asked that the purchase be prioritized, because the city is losing money by not being able to sell fuel to boaters since Hurricane Matthew.
Medardo Monzon, candidate for Group 2
Medardo Monzon, who has filed to run for the seat that will be vacated by Robin Lentz, addressed the commission with a call for civility throughout the community in discussing public issues. “Part of what makes this island so special,” he said, “is the courtesy, professionalism and dedication to serve the community exhibited by city staff. So I am here to thank city staff. But I would also like to thank this commission specifically. I have disagreed with you several times on specific ordinances but I want to express my gratitude. I want to speak about an illness that I think is permeating through our community. That is very dangerous and getting worse: a lack of civility.”
He went on to cite instances over the last 2 years involving social media, commission meetings and the press where “individuals have accused commissioners – in my point of view baseless—by rumor, innuendo and hearsay, of collusion and unethical behavior and illegal behavior. From my point of view, that needs to stop.” He said that judging elected officials to be guilty in such a manner violated principles laid out in the Constitution.
“As citizens,” Monzon said, “we undermine our local institutions and government. We have a lot of young people coming up behind us. When you create that skepticism, you destroy a community. You create a toxic environment.”
Finally, he suggested that perhaps those who spread such rumors and falsehoods are revealing more about themselves and how they would act rather than those whom they accuse.
He asked the FBCC to do what it can through its new communication director to stress the importance of civility. “We can disagree,” he said, “but I think it is completely out of bounds to start leveling charges of impropriety, collusion, unethical or illegal behavior without proof. If anyone truly believes these things, then they should take action. But until then, we owe one another—and we owe you [the commission] respect.”
During commissioner remarks, Mayor Lentz thanked Monzon for his call for civility, indicating that she has avoided social media this year because of the tone of the discussions.
Monzon also asked the FBCC to consider joining other cities around the country in supporting the Paris climate accord. He thanked the FBCC for supporting the Ligno Tech venture last year, which allowed Fernandina Beach to meet and surpass the environmental goals stated in the Paris accord by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 236 million pounds per year. “This little community was able to do that while creating 50 important jobs,” he said. “We can be proud of that and can say that our community is helping the environment.”
Commissioner John Miller asked City Attorney Bach to work on a resolution that would show the city’s support for adhering to the spirit of the Paris accord. He added that reducing greenhouse gases is also a way to prolong the life of concrete.
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.