Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach
July 8, 2016 1:00 a.m.
Approximately six months ago, the City Commission conducted its annual visioning session. The day-long event included a facilitator as well as departmental directors. The results of the session were subsequently formally adopted by the City Commission as Resolution 2016-51 (Apr 5, 2016) as goals, opportunities, and considerations. Let me provide a brief update on the status of the Commission’s direction.
The six goals adopted were:
1. Open Alachua Street (crossing opened no later than Sep 30, 2017): Discussions continue with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the agency responsible for managing railroad crossings. FDOT officials have been very responsive to recent City efforts, and those officials are preparing to meet with railroad officials to complete the regulatory process to re-open the crossing.
2. Examine beach safety (report delivered to City Commission no later than Sep 20, 2017): Lifeguards (under the direction of the Fire Department) have been deployed since Memorial Day weekend. The expected report at the completion of the summer season will provide insight for next year’s personnel, equipment, and procedures.
3. Address storm water issues (revised storm water report completed by Dec 31, with a review of associated rates completed by Jun 30): The City’s storm water plan dates back to 1999, so it is obviously somewhat dated. A consultant has been retained to examine the storm water issues. Additionally, grant funding has been secured for storm water projects. Personnel responsible for storm water maintenance are likely to be included in the proposed budget.
4. Install soccer field lights (lights installed no later than Mar 31, 2017): Due to the location of the soccer fields, approval from the Federal Aviation Administration was required, and such approval was received last week. The costs associated with the light installation are included in the proposed budget.
5. Increase downtown density (regulations adopted no later than Sep 30, 2017): several downtown property owners have previously raised the issue of upper level residences and the City Commission has expressed support for this effort. Recent actions by other boards apparently indicates growing support for this density.
6. Recognition of City compliance and support for accessibility (recognition awarded no later than Sep 30, 2017): The City has already achieved a measure of popular recognition through the purchase and installation of the Mobi-Mats, which facilitate accessibility on the beaches. Additional efforts to improve accessibility elsewhere are ongoing.
Several other issues were raised by the Commissioners at the visioning session, but none of these issues garnered consensus. Nonetheless, staff understood the desire to work on these issues. These additional issues have been classified as Opportunities and Considerations.
Some of the Opportunities include finalizing 8th Street improvements (currently under consideration by the City Commission), improving Municipal Service Taxing Unit administration (a beach renourishment proposal was recommended to the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners), improving code enforcement activities (additional code enforcement staff is included in the proposed budget), hiring an airport manager (selection process is nearly completed), and improving trolley operations (a trolley is now operational thanks to the efforts of the Council on Aging).
The Commission also offered a series of issues that were primarily for discussion only, but staff noted the interests of the Commissioners. These issues are the Considerations and, in part, include review of departmental staffs, recommended recycling efforts, purchase of waterfront property (completed), encourage public input, review and complete redevelopment of Parking Lot B, develop plans for Parking Lots C and D, ands assist with the review of the Port of Fernandina charter.
Staff continues to support the strategic direction provided by the City Commission. Many of the projects will actually be included in the proposed budget, as reflected by the expected completion dates. A new series of goals (as well as the status of the current goals) will again take place in January as part of the next visioning session. If you have any comments regarding the goals, opportunities, and considerations, please share those comments with City Commissioners so that staff can continue to implement the policies of the elected officials.
Keep up the good work!