By Tracy McCormick-Dishman
The Fernandina Beach City Commission could consider postponing paid parking implementation until after a citizen petition reaches the ballot, Commissioner Genece Minshew proposed at the Nov. 18 commission meeting.
Minshew, who emphasized she still strongly supports paid parking as a necessary revenue stream, said she would consider delaying implementation if certain conditions are met: withdrawal of the lawsuit against the city, cessation of recall efforts against commissioners, and an end to heated social media commentary.
“If and only if we can have assurances that all of this going away means the lawsuit against the city will be withdrawn, the recall effort will stop, and the vitriol and hateful commentary on social media will calm down or be eliminated,” Minshew said.
The commissioner said Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue previously stated that allowing residents to vote before implementation would resolve the controversy. The enabling ordinance for paid parking is scheduled for the Dec. 2 commission agenda.
Minshew cited several major projects requiring commission attention, including the demolition of Brett’s, seawall and bulkhead reconstruction, downtown infrastructure replacement, and pending lawsuits over the proposed RYAM bioethanol plant. She described the ongoing opposition as “an unneeded distraction” from critical city work.
The commissioner defended the paid parking proposal as a way to ensure downtown revitalization projects reach completion, unlike past efforts that stalled due to lack of funding or leadership changes. She pointed to the undergrounding of utilities, which stopped at Fourth Street instead of continuing to Eighth Street as originally planned.
“Tying these kinds of projects to a longer-term revenue stream will be a positive step in preventing that from continuing to happen,” Minshew said.
The city has been served with a lawsuit by a Political Action Committee (PAC) as part of a heated controversy over the implementation of paid parking in the downtown area. The PAC, which is linked to local residents and business owners opposing the plan, is seeking an injunction to prevent the city from implementing the paid parking program before a public vote can take place. The case is filed as Paid Parking of Political Action Committee versus the City of Fernandina Beach. City Attorney Teresa Prince announced plans for a closed session on the matter Dec. 2 at 4 p.m.
In other business, the commission approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association. The agreement includes a wage increase of approximately $7,400 per officer for the first year, with an overall impact of about $413,000 that was budgeted in the current year.
Police Chief Jeff Tambasco said the agreement includes administrative changes such as increasing night differential pay from 2% to 5%, adding a 2% bilingual incentive, and switching to a local dry cleaner for uniform cleaning that will save money.
Public access issue raised
During public comment, Taina Christner raised concerns about restricted public access to the marina main dock. Christner said a sign reading “boat owners only” with the city seal was recently posted, effectively removing public access that had been guaranteed during 2023 discussions about gate installation.
“Public access has effectively been taken away from one of our most treasured areas shared to the public without ever a city commission discussion,” Christner said. She noted the facility has been funded with federal FEMA dollars and city tax dollars.
Christner asked the commission to remove the sign and restore daytime public access, or make the decision to restrict access through a public commission vote.
Project updates
Deputy City Manager Jeremiah Glisson provided updates on several capital projects. Four projects are awaiting regulatory permits: Brett’s demolition, beach harmonization, waterfront resiliency design and permitting, and Atlantic Seafood demolition. The city expects to receive a permit for Atlantic Seafood within three to four weeks.
Street resurfacing work on North Second Street was completed, with phase one covering approximately 1.5 miles largely in Seaside and Oceanside subdivisions. North Second Street redevelopment is scheduled for completion before this weekend, ahead of the Thanksgiving deadline.
Beach boardwalk rehabilitation should be completed within the next few weeks, with replacement of access No. 9 scheduled for early 2026. The goal is to complete all beach projects before the beach season begins.
Glisson said a workshop tentatively scheduled for early 2026 will address phase two of the Brett’s redevelopment, focusing on landward improvements, parking lot reorientation, and the underground fuel tank system.
The commission also heard a request from Waldemar Borrero regarding the city skate park. Barreiro reported that local youth skateboarders recently placed first, second and third at the Supergirl Pro Surf Competition in Jacksonville, with one athlete also placing first in California. He asked to present the design concept funded with $30,000 last year and discuss accessing the remaining $60,000 budgeted for blueprints and construction.
The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2.
tdishman@nassaunewsline.net
