Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach
May 10, 2019 12:00 p.m.
Just some brief updates on a variety of issues this week.
Marina– The on-site effort is now primarily related to preparation for utility services at the Marina, specifically electrical. Most of the work continues elsewhere. Dredging operations are nearly completed. The most significant task related to the dredging at this time is the removal of the dredge spoils to Airport property and the restoration of the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) spoil site (located on Crane Island).
The southern attenuator docks- concrete sections approximately sixty feet long (significantly larger than the previous eight-foot sections)- are being constructed in St. Petersburg, Florida. When completed, the sections will be transported via truck to a facility on the St. Johns River to then be delivered via water to Fernandina Beach. The interior southern basin docks, which are smaller, are being constructed in a Georgia facility.
Since the engineering and design of the heavy attenuator docks has been completed for the southern attenuator, the City will simply purchase several more sections of the same style of dock directly from the manufacturer. Bids for the demolition and reconstruction of the northern attenuator (docks and pilings) are currently being solicited (due June 4). The City has an existing contractor retained for the installation of utilities, including fuel systems, for the northern attenuator.
Coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is nearly completed for the southern attenuator: a final review by Congress is necessary due to the financial magnitude of the project. FEMA review of the northern attenuator, while informally in-process, will officially commence when the City can provide the appropriate contracts related to the northern attenuator. Between FEMA and the State of Florida, nearly ninety percent of the anticipated $10,000,000 replacement cost of the southern and northern attenuators will be reimbursed to the City.
Airport– Significant interest contains with regard to additional hangars, both bulk hangars (in which many aircraft are stored) and T-hangars (used for individual aircraft storage). The City currently has approximately fifty T-hangars, and the waiting list continues to grow, nearing another fifty potential tenants. Design standards for hangars are currently under development and review to prepare for additional hangar construction.
Interest also continues in the Amelia River Golf Course lease. Developers have expressed interest in acquiring the lease, not the property, and re-purposing a portion of the leased property. It is anticipated that nearly half of the existing leasehold will be reclassified as conservation land and remain undeveloped. The subject property is owned by the City, but financially bound to support Airport activities. Preliminary discussions related to the site were scheduled to begin at Thursday evening’s Airport Advisory Commission meeting.
Golf Course– The greater challenges associated with golf, in general, continue: according to national data, the number of golfers remains somewhat stagnant, if not slightly diminishing. The real growth associated with golf is in what is considered “non-course activities”: simulators and what is commonly referred to as “Top Golf”- an “arcade-style” entertainment. Discussions with local, regional, and national representatives of Billy Casper Golf continue on how to best utilize the existing property and assets of the City’s Golf Course. It is an opportunity to be creative for the future of golf in the City.
Beach Walkovers- Nearly all of the closed walkovers have been re-opened, albeit some of which are now “walk-throughs.” The City did received bids for the reconstruction of the walkovers at Beach Accesses #35S and #40, which, since no demolition was required, were substantially less expensive than when bids were solicited last year. The City is also on the cusp of receiving State funding for the construction of additional walkovers.
A serious discussion about the future of walkovers, though, has to begin. With the cost and liability of walkovers, could walkthroughs serve the same purpose at a fraction of the cost and to a greater benefit to the dunes? What if only smaller walkovers were constructed over the most critical foredune (the dune closest to the ocean)? Staff will present options for such consideration to the City Commission.
National Citizen Survey– Postcards to randomly selected addresses have been distributed. The first wave of surveys should be mailed this week. It is a lengthy and comprehensive survey. Please take the time to complete. City Commissioners are eager to use the results (first expected to be received in late July) to formulate key policies for the next budget year.
Thank you for your continuing interest in City issues.
Thank you for updating all of us on many of the issues that are important to us. As you said, FEMA will reimburse for the outer marina attenuators (break water docks) only. All the other “inside” docks, unfortunately, will be solely funded by the City. Has any research been done on obtaining insurance on the inside docks for the future? It is possible that the millions spent on the inner docks could be wiped out with the next hurricane the next day. The City would then be attempting to replace them again (no FEMA money) but still be carrying the debt on the last set. And THANK YOU for conducting the survey again. It is important to get feedback to identify priorities in the City. Thank you for all you do!