By Kate Kimmel
Fernandina Beach commissioners took up a wide range of issues during their Jan. 20 meeting, including a pending lawsuit over paid parking, major land-use changes, contract awards and updates on long-delayed demolition projects, alongside routine budget matters and festival fee waivers.
Paid parking lawsuit moves forward
Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue cast the lone dissenting vote against a resolution authorizing the city attorney to take action in a lawsuit filed by the political action committee Paid Parking.
The PAC served the city with a pre-suit notice on Jan. 7 demanding the repeal of the paid parking program within 14 days or it would amend its complaint and proceed with litigation. The commission, with the exception of Ayscue, voted to keep the program in place and move forward with a legal defense.
Code enforcement overhaul advances
Commissioners also conducted the first reading of an ordinance that would dissolve the city’s existing code enforcement board and shift to a special magistrate system. Under the proposed change, code enforcement cases would be heard and decided by a special magistrate, with appeals routed through circuit court.
All commissioners voted in favor of the ordinance except Ayscue, who said he was concerned about resident feedback on the change.
Land-use changes
Commissioners unanimously approved reclassifying three parcels donated by Steve Sjuggerud adjacent to the Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway as conservation land on the city’s future land use map. The move expands existing conservation acreage at Egans Creek, and several commissioners expressed gratitude for the donation.
The commission also conducted the second reading of a future land use map amendment and ordinance allowing commercial development on 18 acres at Amelia Island Parkway and Bailey Road, land the city plans to voluntarily annex from Nassau County. The property is owned by Amelia Holdings LLC and Parkway Commons North Property Owners Association Inc.
Commissioners have acknowledged public speculation that the owners intend to build a retirement community on the site, though no formal proposal has been submitted.
Commissioner Joyce Tuten noted that a wetland delineation conducted since the first reading found no wetlands on the property. Some residents have raised concerns that development of the currently vacant parcel could worsen flooding in the area.
Utilities Director Andre Desilet said the site would be subject to stricter drainage standards than much of the city, adding that any necessary infrastructure upgrades — and associated costs — would be the responsibility of the developer.
Demolition projects move closer to construction
City Manager Sarah Campbell told commissioners her office had received a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to demolish the Atlantic Seafood building. City staff will now begin soliciting bids for the project, she said.
Commissioners also unanimously approved changes to the demolition plan for Brett’s Waterway following a presentation by consultant Andrew Halesko, a senior planner with Passero Associates.
The revised plan calls for construction of a new timber walkway rather than rehabilitation of the existing structure, demolition of the marina operations building and the concrete structure beneath it, and leaving the fuel tank in place. Halesko said the changes would save weeks of construction time and hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“I applaud the savings in money and work time,” Mayor James Antun said.
Contract award and festival fee waivers approved
Commissioners voted to award a $139,000 contract to Liberty Landscape Supply, the low bidder, for installation and establishment of trees and palms at the Downtown Waterfront Park. Tuten said she appreciated that the revised plan includes native palm species, which were not part of the original proposal.
The commission also approved a cosponsorship agreement and fee waiver totaling $6,065 for Keep Nassau Beautiful’s “Wild Amelia Nature Festival,” scheduled for May 12–16.
In a separate vote, commissioners waived approximately $107,000 in marina slip fees, special event permitting fees and waste collection fees for the 61st annual Shrimp Festival. The waste collection costs will be covered by the sanitation fund.
December budget update shows stronger fund balance
City Comptroller Susan Carless presented the December budget report, the third month of the fiscal year. General fund expenditures were led by public safety at 45%, followed by administrative costs at 21%, transfers and other expenses at 14.6%, parks and recreation at 12.9% and streets at 5.9%.
Carless said three departments exceeded benchmark spending: the City Commission, due to a large upfront payment to Light Up Amelia; and the City Clerk’s Office and Finance Department, due to annual software subscription fees.
Notable expenditures during the period included $29,000 for an automated flagger for streets work and $26,000 for fencing at Joe Velardi Field. Carless said the city’s fund balance is now more than $1 million higher than it was at the same point last year.
kkimmel@nassaunewsline.net
