Feb 20, 2024 Regular Meeting

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:10]

CALLING TO ORDER THIS MEETING OF THE FERNANDINA BEACH CITY COMMISSION. AS ALWAYS WE ARE GOING TO START WITH THE ROLE.

>>

>>I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR

ALL. >> PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE INVOCATION TONIGHT BY THE BLACK ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH.

>> BOW YOUR HEADS AND LET'S RAISE OUR HEARTS. GOD, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE. I AM GRATEFUL FOR MANY THINGS, ONE OF THEM IS YOUR WORD. THE WORD TEACHES US THAT DECLARES THE GLORY AND THE SKY DECLARES THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR GLORY. I AM SURROUNDED TONIGHT BY IMAGE BEARERS OF VIEW. WE ALL BEAR YOUR GLORY. I PRAY THAT WHATEVER TAKES PLACE, GOD, IN HERE TONIGHT, LORD GOD, WILL REFLECT YOUR GLORY. YOU HAVE ORDAINED PEOPLE, GOVERNMENTS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT. TAKE YOU VERY MUCH FOR HOW YOU WILL HELP US TONIGHT. GIVE US WISDOM AND GUIDANCE AND HELP US TO REFLECT YOUR GLORY. WE THANK YOU FOR FERNANDINA BEACH, THIS TOWN, YOU ARE SO GOOD TO US. WE THANK

[4.1 PRESENTATION - CITIZENS' TASK FORCE FOR SAFE WALKING AND BIKING IN FERNANDINA BEACH]

>> YOU MAY BE SEATED. TO KICK US OFF WE WILL ONCE AGAIN INVITE CHAIRMAN MIKE SPINO TO THE PODIUM. WE ARE GOING TO KICK THIS OFF WITH OUR CITIZENS TASK FORCE FOR SAFE WALKING.

THIS WAS A WONDERFUL TASK FORCE OF FIVE OF OUR CITIZENS WHO CAME TOGETHER. HOW CAN WE WORK ON THE STATUS OF WALKING AND BIKING IN OUR CITY? THEY HAVE SOME GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS. WE ARE HERE TO GET THE UPDATE ON THE CHAIR MIKE SPINO.

>> MR. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO UPDATE YOU. THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE NEED TO GET DONE. MY NAME IS MIKE SPINO. I LIVE IT 317 SOUTH FIFTH STREET IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN FERNANDINA BEACH. LET ME THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT LAST SUMMER. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE OTHER FOLKS WHO SERVED WITH US LAST YEAR. THE CITY STAFF WHO DID SUCH A GREAT JOB.

THERE IS AN AXIOM AND POLITICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. THE MORE RESPONSIVE THAT -- YOU WILL SEE THIS TONIGHT. YOU WILL RECALL WE ASKED FOR SAFETY THAT IS ON TOP FLETCHER, ATLANTIC AVENUE AND THE RESPONSE WAS TO DO 10 MINUTE BLOCK CROSSWALK STUDIES ON THE STREETS. OUR GOAL WAS TO IMPROVE BIKING AND WALKING SAFETY BY SLOWING TRAFFIC AND PROVIDING SAFE CROSSWALKS TO GET AROUND. WHILE WE MUCH APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF FDOT, WE ARE NOT SATISFIED THAT OUR CONCERNS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. FDOT FOUND INSUFFICIENT FATALITIES TO WARRANT CROSSWALKS. THE EFFICACY OF THIS METHODOLOGY IS QUESTIONABLE. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY DID NOT MAKE US VERY HAPPY. WE WANT MORE THAN BODY COUNT AND CROSSWALK STUDIES.

JASMINE? HAVING SAID THAT FDOT HAVE COMMITTED PROVIDING CROSSWALKS WITH AN RRFB. A RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACON. SOUTH FLETCHER CITY STAFF HAVE NEGOTIATED WITH FDOT AND IS WORKING WITH CONTRACTORS IN THE 1500 BLOCK, 1600 BLOCK M 2400 BLOCK. THIS WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO JEREMIAH AND HIS TEAM FOR WORKING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. I WAS OUT THERE TODAY AND I COUNTED NINE STORM DRAINS THAT ARE ALL SOMEWHAT SUNKEN. OTHER THAN THAT JASMINE FDOT HAS NOT ADDRESSED OUR REQUEST TO DIVIDE SAFE CROSSINGS AT SOUTH FLETCHER. ON ATLANTIC AVENUE WE KNOW FDOT HAS BEEN SERVING ATLANTIC AVENUE RECENTLY. THEY DID DO A CROSSWALKS STUDY AND FOUND INSUFFICIENT PEDESTRIAN

[00:05:03]

MY DESIRE WOULD BE TO PURSUE AFTER THE MAIN SPINE IS COMPLETED. THE TRAILS ARE NOT SOLELY FOR RECREATION RATHER RECREATION AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION, TRAFFIC VOLUME AND BUSINESS ALONG 17TH STREET MAKE IT A HIGHER PRIORITY.

AGAIN, LOCAL GOVERNMENT LISTENING AND RESPONDING.

AS YOU CAN SEE HERE IS THE SKETCHING OUT OF THE TRAIL THEY ARE WORKING ON AND TYING IN THE ONE THAT I WILL TALK ABOUT YOU LATER -- TO YOU LATER, WHICH YOU ARE AWARE. THE COUNTY IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE DESIGN FOR MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO WILL HARD, SATTLER AND SOUTH 14TH THIS SPRING. AS YOU KNOW THE AMELIA ISLAND PARKWAY TRAIL IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS WE SPEAK.

I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE OPEN IN MAY. THIS IS THE DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT TRAIL. THIS WILL PROVIDE A SAFE ROUTE FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL AND THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, SOUTH 11TH TO THE PECK CENTER AND SOUTH THIRD STREET. THE COUNTY HAS COMMITTED TO THIS PROJECT THROUGH THE TPO. AS YOU SAW IT IS EXPECTED TO GO FORWARD. WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR EMBRACING THE TRAIL AS PART OF YOUR VISIONING PROCESS. WE CAN TELL YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE COMMUNITY. I ASK THE CITY SHOULD PROCEED WITH THE TRAIL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING PERHAPS USING PARK IMPACT FEES IF AVAILABLE. WE KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF HANDS REACHING INTO THAT. WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS. YOU PROBABLY KNOW THIS, WE HAVE ALREADY MADE A $20,000 COMMITMENT WHEN WE DID THE PULMONARY SCHOOLS AND THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN. IF WE DO THE ENGINEERING AND THE BROTHER DESIGN THIS WILL REALLY STRENGTHEN OUR CASE WITH THE TPO. STAFF HAVE POINTED OUT TO ME THAT TPO GETS TO THE END OF THE YEAR AND THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY. THAT ONE ALREADY HAVE THE DESIGN WORK DONE. PERHAPS WE CAN KICK IT OVER THERE. THIS IS SOUTH EIGHTH STREET. WHEN WE MET LAST JULY WE TALKED ABOUT CROSSING SOUTH EIGHTH STREET. HERE IS THE CASE WERE STAFF HAVE EXPLAINED TO ME THIS IS AN UNSAFE INTERSECTION. PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO CROSS. FDOT MEASURES AND NO ONE IS CROSSING THEIR . IT IS AN UNSAFE INTERSECTION. THE CROSSWALK STUDY DID NOT YIELD ENOUGH TRAFFIC TO MERIT CHANGES AT THIS TIME. THEY ALSO DID NOT ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT THE SHAVED BRIDGE ENTRANCE AND EXIT. ONCE AGAIN WE TURN TO THE COUNTY. IT IS INDICATED THE COUNTY ASKED FOR AND WAS GRANTED STATE FUNDING TO DESIGN A POSSIBLE TRAIL THAT CONNECTS SOUTH EIGHTH STREET I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS TO EIGHTH OR THE BRIDGE. THAT IS STILL IN DESIGN. WE HOPE THAT THE COUNTY WILL WORK TO EASE ACCESS ONTO AND OFF OF THE BRIDGE AS A PART OF THAT PROCESS. AGAIN, TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY. I BOTHER ANDRE ALL THE TIME WHEN I SEE LEAKING FIRE HYDRANT OR STORM WATER PROBLEMS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE BECAUSE IT GETS THINGS FIXED QUICKLY. ONE THING YOU CAN SAY ABOUT THE

[00:10:05]

THE GOAL IS TO ACCOMMODATE PARKING, WALKING, CYCLING, AND PROVIDE A MODEL THAT COULD BE USED LATER ALL THE WAY UP TO SOUTH 14TH. SINCE BEECH STREET IS ON THE REPAVING SCHEDULE FOR 2025, THESE IMPROVEMENTS NEED TO BE ACCELERATED AND TO COORDINATE WITH THE DESIGN PROCESS. THIS IS REALLY PRETTY COOL. I WAS ON THE TRC MEETING 10 DAYS AGO LISTENING TO THE ENGINEERS TALK ABOUT HOW THIS MIGHT WORK. IT IS NICE TO TAKE THE ANARCHY OF THE CURRENT PARKING SITUATION AND FORMALIZE IT WITHOUT LOSING ANY SPACES. THE COUNCIL HAVE EMBRACED CYCLING ON THE ISLAND WITH CYCLING RAMPS AND A DECLINE AND UNWIND AMELIA ISLAND CAMPAIGN. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR DESIRE TO CALM TRAFFIC. THE TDC HAS COMMITTED TO PARTNERING WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE AMELIA ISLAND TRAIL TO INSTALL BIKE ACCESS AND BEACH ACCESS. WE THINK WE WANT TO EXTEND THAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. WE DO APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATIVE ATTITUDE OF THE TDC. THE 15TH STREET CONNECTOR FROM AMELIA PARK, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON A CROSSWALK AND RRFB FOR JASMINE AT SOUTH EIGHTH STREET. IT IS A SMALL STEP BUT WOULD PROVIDE A PAID SURFACE FROM AMELIA PART TWO ATLANTIC AVENUE. THIS LITTLE STRETCH RIGHT HERE IS THE ONLY PLACE BETWEEN AMELIA PARK AND ATLANTIC AVENUE THAT IS NOT PAVED. WHEN I WENT TO ROBERT AND SAID CAN WE GET FIVE FEET OF ASPHALT HE SAID THINK YOU WANT A CROSSWALK. I AM NOT GOING TO ARGUE WITH ROBERT. SO A CROSSWALK AND AN RRFB. WE HAVE ASKED YOU TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY IN AN EFFORT TO PUT A TRAIL ON NORTH 14TH. LET'S SUMMARIZE. LIME STREET, DON. SOUTH SUCH A STORM DRAIN REPAIRS IS IN THE FDOT PROCESS.

BEECH ST. SOUTH EIGHTH TO SOUTH 10TH, ENGINEERING. WILL HARDY, SATTLER, COUNTY PROJECT. THAT IS FUNDED AND IN DESIGN SOON, IF I UNDERSTAND ROBERT CORRECTLY. JASMINE FLETCHER CROSSWALK AND AN RRFB , FDOT SAYS THISSUMMER. THE AMELIA ISLAND KINDNESS CAMPAIGN IS UNDERWAY. BEACH ACCESS AND BIKE RACKS IN PROCESS. AND IN THIS LITTLE BIT OF PAVING AT SOUTH 15TH AND JASMINE THIS SUMMER. BONNYVIEW TRAIL IN DESIGN SOON.

THE FDOT 2024-2025 ATLANTIC AVENUE REDESIGN. WE ASKED FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP. LET'S MAKE SURE THE STATE KNOWS WHAT WE AS A COMMUNITY WANT. PLEASE HELP US GET TO THE TABLE IN ANY WAY THAT YOU WANT TO DO IT. WE THINK THEY DO BETTER WHEN WE ARE IN THE ROOM. WE OFFER YOUR SUPPORT FOR STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOL'S TRAIL. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING YOU MAY BE ABLE TO USE PARKS IMPACT FEES TO MATCH OR AS A MATCH FOR OTHER STATE FUNDS. WE DO KNOW SECURING GRANT FUNDING WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED IF WE USE PARK IMPACT FEES NOW TO DO DESIGN AND ENGINEERING. IT IS JUST COMMON SENSE. IF THE PROJECT IS DESIGNED YOU HAVE A BETTER CHANCE. WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT TEXT BY GOV. WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO KEEP WALKING AND BIKING SAFETY AT THE TOP OF YOUR AGENDA. WE CAN TELL THAT YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION. WE CANNOT BUILD ANY MORE ROLES ON

[00:15:03]

HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. >> WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND THE CITIZENS THAT PARTICIPATED. WE APPRECIATE THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING. LIME STREET HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS. WE DO HAVE QUESTIONS. LET'S START WITH

COMMISSIONER ROSS. >> I DON'T REALLY HAVE A QUESTION. I WONDER IF THE CITY COMMISSION COULD DIRECTTHE CITY MANAGER TO SEND OUT AN RFP FOR THE SCHOOL TO DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT TRAIL TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT WOULD COST. TO PUT

TOGETHER AN RFP. >> FOR THE DESIGN WORK?

>> THE DESIGN WORK. >> LET'S JUST FIND OUT.

>> IT IS ABOUT A $2 MILLION COST. SO PROBABLY ABOUT 10% OF THAT. WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE OTHER PRIORITIES. WE KNOW THAT THE BALL FIELDS, ANYTIME YOU CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND SHARE COSTS, DO IT. WE KNOW THAT YOU MAY WANT TO COMMIT SOME OF THOSE FUNDS TO THE WATERFRONT. THOSE ARE HIGH

PRIORITIES. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER

ANTUN . >> PIGGYBACKING OFF OF THE SUGGESTION, I ALSO THINK MAYBE IT WOULD BE A LITTLE MORE APPROPRIATE TO NOT PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE AND HAVE A WORKSHOP TO PRIORITIZE THE USE OF IMPACT FEES. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A WAY TO GET DOWN TO OUR BEST USE BETWEEN THE PROPOSED YOUTH SOCCER FIELD AND THE SCHOOL BOARD, DOWNTOWN AND THE PARK THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. I THINK IT IS BEST TO

KNOW WHICH TO START WITH FIRST. >> I ECHO THAT SENTIMENT. I THINK WE GET OUT TO THE IMPACT FEES WE WILL START TO SEE EXACTLY WHICH ONES. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS IF WE DO THE DESIGN WORK, WE ARE STILL EXPECTING FDOT TO FUND IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY. I WOULDN'T COME TO YOU AND ASKED FOR $2 MILLION. THE OPERATING BUDGET IS $60 MILLION AND THAT DOESN'T ADD UP. I THINK FROM THE BEGINNING BACK IN 2018, WE ALWAYS ANTICIPATED STATE FEDERAL FUNDS WOULD BE USED TO BUILD THE TRAIL. WHAT I AM SUGGESTING IS IF YOU HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THAT POT OF MONEY THAT YOU COULD LEVERAGE THAT STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING SOONER, BECAUSE YOU WILL LOOK STRONGER AS A GRANT APPLICANT.

>> OKAY. >> WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO FIND FROM OUR CITY

BUDGET. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR.

COMMISSIONER ROSS, PROVIDED THE LAWN.

>> CAN WE HAVE CONSENSUS? IT DOESN'T COST US ANYTHING TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT IT WILL COST TO DO THAT ENGINEERING

STUDY. >> YOU KNOW, IT HAS CAUSED STAFF TIME. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD PROBABLY SAY I LOVE THE IDEA OF THIS TRAIL. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I CERTAINLY WISH TO PURSUE IN THE FUTURE. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS IN OUR DOCKET RIGHT NOW TO IMMEDIATELY FUN. FOR THAT REASON I DO NOT KNOW IF I WANT TO USE STAFF TIME AND GET AN

RFP. >> I TELL YOU WHAT, I'LL MAKE A DEAL AND I WILL WRITE THE RFP. IT WILL NOT CAUSE THE

STAFF AT ANY TIME. >> I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT.

I DON'T KNOW, I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTS.

>> I WILL WRITE AND CHARLIE CAN EDIT.

>> LET ME HEAR MRS. GEORGE'S OPINION. DO YOU THINK IT IS TIME TO SEND AN RFP OUT OR WITHOUT BENEFIT OF IT ALL?

>> I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A SHOT AT IT ON MY OWN.

>> MR. GEORGE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.

>> WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? >> MET STAFF, BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW WITH THE SCHOOL, WE HAVE ENOUGH THINGS DONE AROUND HERE TO, WITH THE MAGNITUDE COST AND THEN ONCE YOU GET THAT, WE CAN

GO FOR THE RFP . >> GOT IT. I THINK THAT WILL BE FINE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. WITH THAT I WANT TO END BY THANKING MR. SPINO FOR THE GOOD WORK, SIR. WE APPRECIATE YOU.

[4.2 PRESENTATION - FERNANDINA BEACH CITYWIDE RESILIENCY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT - FINAL REPORT -]

[00:20:05]

>> THAT EVENING. MY NAME IS SEAN LEHAV WITH HALFF RESILIENCE WITH A REGIONAL OFFICE LOCATION IN JACKSONVILLE. WE HAVE A CONTINUING SERVICE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST TIME WORKING WITH FERNANDINA BEACH. I USED TO BE THE RESILIENCY COORDINATOR FOR THE SEVEN COUNTY REGION, AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON SOME COMPREHENSIVE AMENDMENTS AS WELL AS COVID-19 RESPONSE. IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE BACK THIS EVENING. LET ME PULL UP THIS PRESENTATION. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRESENTATION IS TO REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHT THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH RECENTLY COMPLETED VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT. BEFORE GETTING TO THIS PRESENTATION I WANT TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT ABOUT WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT CAME INTO EXISTENCE. BACK IN 2021 THE STATE OF FLORIDA THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR PASSED A LAW INTO PLACE THAT CREATED THE RESILIENT FLORIDA PROGRAM. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS TO PROVIDE PLANNING RESOURCES TO HELP WITH THE POLITIES AND COUNTIES CONDUCT BLOOD MOBILITY ASSESSMENTS TO EVALUATE WHERE VULNERABILITY EXISTS. MORE IMPORTANTLY TO FIND AND PRIORITIZE IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS INCLUDING DESIGN AND ENGINEERING. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP AND THE FOCUS THIS EVENING IS TO SHOW THE RESULTS OF THAT PROCESS AND WHAT IS TO BE EXPECTED COMING NEXT. WE ARE GOING TO START WITH A BRIEF PROJECT OVERVIEW. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT IS FOCUSED ON EVALUATING FLOOD HAZARDS BOTH CURRENTLY AND WILL BE INTO THE FUTURE. OUR CONCERNS WERE TIDAL FLOODING, SEARCH AND SEA LEVEL RISE LOOKING INTO FUTURE DECADES. MOST IMPORTANTLY THIS ASSESSMENT WAS FOCUSED ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND I WILL EXPLAIN IN A BIT. THE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT WAS A THREE-STEP PROCESS. IT LAUNCH WITH GIS DATA COLLECTION. WE EVALUATED AND CATALOGUED ALL CRITICAL ASSETS LOCATED WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES OF FERNANDINA BEACH. AFTER WE OBTAIN THAT DATA FROM FERNANDINA BEACH AND NASSAU COUNTY WE DEVELOPED BLOOD ROSTERS. WE LOOKED AT FEMA DATA, NOAA DATA AND CONDUCTED AN EXPOSURE ANALYSIS. IT OVERLAYS BLOOD DATA WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND TELLS YOU WHICH ASSETS ARE VULNERABLE TO DIFFERENT PLANNING SCENARIOS. THE FINAL COMPONENT OF THE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT WAS TO CONDUCT A SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS WHICH MEASURES WHAT PERCENT OF THE INVISIBLE JURISDICTION IS INUNDATED BY EACH SCENARIO AS WELL AS IDENTIFY FOCUS AREAS. SECTION 380.093 OUTLINE STATUES THAT IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO FOLLOW WHEN CONDUCTING A VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT. WE FIRST LOOKED AT CRITICAL ASSETS DEFINED AS CRITICAL AND RIGIDLY SIGNIFICANT AND THERE ARE A FEW OF THEM. THE FOUR MAIN CATEGORIES ACCORDING TO STATUES IS TRANSPORTATION ASSETS AND EVACUATION ROUTES, INCLUDING THE AIRPORT, MAJOR ROADWAYS, ET CETERA. THEN, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS, WATER TREATMENT PLANTS AND SO FAR.

CRITICAL COMMUNITY AND EMERGENCY FACILITIES INCLUDING FIRE STATIONS, POLICE STATIONS, THE BUILDING WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW. AND THEN NATURAL, CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES INCLUDING WATERS, PARKS, AND NATURAL AMENITIES. LOOKING AT STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS THERE ARE DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR FLOOD HAZARDS. PART OF THIS VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT WE LOOKED AT EACH OF THESE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS. WE LOOKED AT TIDAL FLOODING BOTH CURRENTLY AND MOVING INTO THE FUTURE ALL THE WAY OUT THROUGH 2040-2070. WE LOOKED AT STORM SURGE FLOODING. WHAT TYPE OF FLOODING WOULD YOU SEE DURING A MAJOR HURRICANE EVENT, FOR EXAMPLE. RAIN ALL AND DO FUNNY AND COMPOUND FLOODING. COMPOUND FLOODING IS MORE OF AN EMERGING TOPIC, LOOKING AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE ELEVATED WATER LEVELS AND A STORM HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME AND YOU HAVE COMPOUNDING EVENTS. THIS BRINGS US TO THE FRAMEWORK OR CONCEPT OF RESILIENCE. YOU MIGHT'VE HEARD OF THIS, IT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT ACROSS GOVERNMENT CIRCLES AND IN THE PUBLIC. THE WAY WE VIEW RESILIENCE IS THE ABILITY OF COMMUNITIES TO BOUNCE BACK TO NORMAL CONDITIONS AFTER EXPERIENCING AND LOSS OF FUNCTION BECAUSE OF AN ADVERSE EVENT. THE WAY THAT I LOOK AT IT AND THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, IMAGINE A DAY

[00:25:03]

THESE ARE HURRICANES AND ALMOST TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AND CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF FUNCTION. WE HAVE OTHER VARIABLES RELATED TO STRESSES THAT TAKE PLACE OVER TIME. THIS CAN BE A PERIOD OF 30 TO 100 YEARS. SEA LEVEL RISE AND AGING INFRASTRUCTURE IS HAPPENING, BUT NOT BEFORE OUR EYES. YOU HAVE TO PLAN FOR IT. IN CONDUCTING THE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT THE TWO MAIN CONCEPTS ARE EXPOSURE VERSUS SENSITIVITY, OUTLINING TWO DIFFERENT COMPONENTS. THE IMAGES ON YOUR SCREEN, WE HAVE TWO HYPOTHETIC NEIGHBORING BOOMS. ONE IS AT THE GROUND LEVEL AND ONE IS ELEVATED ON STILTS. THEY ARE BOTH RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND RIGHT ON A WATERWAY. THEY HAVE THE SAME EXPLOSION -- EXPOSURE TO FLOODING. THEY HAD DIFFERENT SENSITIVITY. A HOME ON THE LEFT MOST LIKELY WILL FLOOD. THE HOME ON THE RIGHT CAN ACCOMMODATE THAT FLOODING AND SURVIVE. WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT FLOOD RISK MAPS, IT ONLY SHOWS YOU ONE COMPONENT. WHEN YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND SENSITIVITY YOU HAVE TO DRILL DEEPER INTO BIGGER DETAILS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GET TO PLANNING AND DESIGN.

THIS IS A BRIEF SLIDE LOOKING AT RESILIENCE PLANNING. THE FIRST STEP IS TO CONDUCT A EXPOSURE ANALYSIS, UNDERSTAND WHERE GEOGRAPHIC VULNERABILITIES ARE, AND A SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS TO TRY TO DIVE DEEPER. THE NEXT STEP WHICH IS NOT BEEN COMPLETED IS TO IDENTIFY ADAPTATION STRATEGIES. THIS IS INFORMING WHAT TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE DECISIONS YOU WILL MAKE MOVING INTO THE FUTURE. THESE ARE PHOTOS FROM AMELIA ISLAND OF BLOOD EVENTS OVER THE PAST DECADE. FERNANDINA BEACH IS A COASTAL COMMUNITY, A BARRIER ISLAND IS IN NATURAL PROXIMITY TO THE OCEAN AND DIFFERENT WATERWAYS. THIS IS A NATURAL PART OF LIVING IN FLORIDA. I AM ORIGINALLY FROM SOUTH FLORIDA. THIS IS A PART OF THE REALITY.

THE QUESTION HERE IS NOT PREVENTING FLOODING, IT IS HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH AND LIVE WITH THE FLOODING? IT IS ALL ABOUT HOW YOU DESIGN PHYSICAL ASPECTS TO WITHSTAND THOSE IMPACTS.

JUST A FEW EXAMPLES. THIS IS FROM 2017, HURRICANE IRMA. YOU CAN SEE THE SHEER SIZE AND HOW IT IMPACTED THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE HAVE A LOT OF IMPACT FROM JACKSONVILLE TO NASSAU COUNTY. MORE RECENTLY IN 2022 THIS IS A TOTAL OF HURRICANE IAN. THIS WAS A CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE. YOU CANNOT EVEN SEE FLORIDA FROM A MAP SHOWING THE SHEER SIZE OF WHAT WAS EXPERIENCED. THESE ARE SOME OF THE IMPACTS THAT WERE EXPERIENCED FROM STORM SURGE IN SANIBEL ISLAND, AND NAPLES AS YOU ALL REMEMBER. THESE COMMUNITIES WERE DEVASTATED.

WE ARE STARTING TO LOOK BACK AT HOW SOME OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. MORE RECENTLY, RIGHT AFTER HURRICANE IDALIA IN 2023 I TRAVEL DOWN TO PASCO COUNTY. THESE ARE PHOTOS THAT I TOOK OF HOMEOWNERS WHO LOST ALL OF THEIR BELONGINGS BECAUSE OF FLOODING ENTERING THEIR HOMES. THIS BRINGS US TO THE RESILIENT FLORIDA PROGRAM AND WHAT IS THE POINT OF ALL OF THIS? WE HAVE AN ISSUE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE ARE DEALING WITH WATER. HOW DO WE DEAL WITH IT? THAT IS THE BIG QUESTION. THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ARE MAKING PROACTIVE INVESTMENTS TO PROTECT CRITICAL ASSETS AND COMMUNITIES FROM THESE TYPES OF EVENTS. THE RESILIENT FLORIDA PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN 2021 HAS THREE POTS OF MONEY THAT ARE STARTING THE CONVERSATION . HOW DO WE APPROACH THIS? THERE IS $20 MILLION AVAILABLE IN PLANNING GRANTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THIS VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT WAS 100% FUNDED BY FDP. AND IN THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH ALSO RECENTLY RECEIVED AND $95,000 GRANT FOR AN ADAPTATION PLAN, 100% COVERED WITH NO MATCH REQUIREMENT. NOW THAT THE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT IS COMPLETE THE NEXT STEP IS TO PURSUE IMPLEMENTATION GRANT. THAT IS GOING TO BE A BIG PRIORITY OF MRS. JACOBS MOVING INTO THE NEXT FEW YEARS. AT A MINIMUM $100 MILLION IS AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT INCLUDING DESIGN AND ENGINEERING. IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM THE DEDICATED HALF A BILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE OF FEDERAL FUNDING. WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE 300 MILLION BUT AT A MINIMUM THEY ARE COMMITTING $100 MILLION AND THAT IS A 50% COST SHARE. THERE IS REGIONAL RESILIENT GRANT. MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYER, THEY ARE LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO APPLY FOR REGIONAL PROJECTS THAT CAN BENEFIT BOTH

[00:30:04]

APPENDIX A FIVE BLOOD EXPOSURE ASSET TABULATIONS. IT TELLS YOU FIRE STATIONS, IT WILL GIVE YOU HOW MANY FIRE STATIONS ARE LOCATED IN FERNANDINA BEACH. ACCORDING TO EACH SCENARIO HOW MANY ARE INUNDATED OR EXPOSED. APPENDIX B. THE MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCTS ARE THE FLOOD RISK MAPS. WE TOOK THESE FOUR CATEGORIES OF CRITICAL ASSETS AND PRODUCE ABOUT 60 BLOOD RISK MAPS BASED ON CURRENT CONDITIONS AND THROUGH 2040 AND 2070 TO MAKE LONG-RANGE PLANNING DECISIONS. APPENDIX C ALSO IS A RANKING MATRIX. WE DID VULNERABILITY RISK SCORING FOR EVERY CRITICAL ASSET LOCATED WITHIN FERNANDINA BEACH, EVALUATING CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS. THIS IS GOING TO BE USED TO PRIORITIZE GRANT APPLICATIONS. AS PART OF THE PROCESS, WE WORKED PRIMARILY WITH KELLY GIBSON, LAURA MARC JACOBS AND ANDRE DESANEY AS FAR AS WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES IN TERMS OF GRANT APPLICATIONS AND FUTURE PROPOSALS. WE HAVE JUST THAT SOME OF THOSE SCORES TO MATCH THE PRIORITIES OF FERNANDINA BEACH. WE ALSO EVALUATED TWO FOCUS AREAS THAT I WILL HAVE IT IN A FEW SECONDS. I WON'T GO TOO MUCH INTO THIS LIE. THIS IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION AFTERWARDS. THERE ARE A LOT OF FINDINGS. SOME OF THEM ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE REPORT . BASED ON YOUR OWN LOCAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY YOU CAN LOOK AT THE BLOOD RISK MAPS. THE MAP ON THE RIGHT IS LOOKING AT A 100 YEAR STORM SURGE EVENT. A1-100 CHANCE BASED ON CURRENT CONDITIONS AS OF 2020-2024. AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE THE FLAT LAYER HIGHLIGHTED AND THEN IT SHOWS ALL OF YOUR CRITICAL

[00:35:02]

WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT ESCALATING FEE LEVELS BASED ON THE BEST AVAILABLE DATA SINCE ABOUT 1930 THERE HAVE BEEN APPROXIMATELY NINE INCHES OF RISE. WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE THAT WILL GO IN THE NEXT 70 YEARS. WE TOOK BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION, EVALUATED DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND PROVIDED THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU TO MAKE DECISIONS. AS I MENTIONED, I'M AN ECONOMIC, FISCAL PERSPECTIVE, YOUR PRIMARY CONCERNS OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, THE DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT, AND THE SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS WHERE YOU HAVE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. THIS IS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

WHEN LOOKING AT TIDAL FLOODING SEVERE TIDAL FLOODING IS STARTING TO BE WITNESSED MORE EQUALLY IN PLACES LIKE MIAMI OR SOUTH BEACH. IT IS CAUSING HUGE IMPACTS ACROSS FLORIDA. TIDAL FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE MOVING INTO THE FUTURE . STORM SURGE FLOODING. THIS IS LOOKING AT AN ABSOLUTE WORST-CASE SCENARIO. THIS IS NOT EXPECTED TO HAPPEN. IT IS SHOWING ALL POSSIBLE SCENARIOS BASED ON YOUR ELEVATION AND HOW EXPOSED YOU ARE TO THE WATER. I WILL LEAVE THIS, THIS IS SHOWING THE FORMULA THAT WAS APPLIED TO RANK DIFFERENT ASSETS AND PRIORITIZE GRANT APPLICATIONS. THESE ARE SOME OF THE DATA TABLES MADE AVAILABLE THAT CAN HELP YOU INFORM DECISION-MAKING. THESE ARE THE FOCUS AREAS HIGHLIGHTED WHERE WE BROKE EVERY SINGLE CRITICAL ASSET IDENTIFIED FOR FUTURE USE WITH GRANT APPLICATIONS.

IN CONCLUDING I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW TAKEAWAYS. JUST ON HOW TO UNDERSTAND THIS PRODUCT. IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE CONFUSING AND IS LOOKING AT ALL OF THESE UNCERTAINTIES. BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE ABILITY ASSESSMENT. YOU KNOW THE COMMUNITY BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE. YOU LIVE HERE. RELATED TO YOUR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, MAYBE IDENTIFY WHERE YOUR HOME, YOUR BUSINESS IS, THINGS THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND SAY THAT THIS MATCHUP? RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHERE WATER WILL TRAVEL AND HOW DEEP WATER WILL BE. AS PART OF THE STUDY WE PROVIDED FLAT DEPTH. IT WILL TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW DEEP BASED ON DIFFERENT SCENARIOS. THERE ARE A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS LIKE THE TERM 100 YEAR FLOOD EVENT. IT DOESN'T MEAN IT WILL HAPPEN ONCE EVERY 100 YEARS. THOSE TYPES OF EVENTS ARE INCREASING. THERE IS A 1-100 PROBABILITY THAT TYPE OF LOVE RISK WILL TAKE PLACE IN ANY GIVEN YEAR.

RECOGNIZE UNCERTAINTIES ASSOCIATED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

SEA LEVEL RISING WILL HAVE LITTLE IMPACT. WE DO NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS, WE CAN USE THE BEST AVAILABLE DATA TO INFORM DECISIONS. WITH THAT I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. ANY QUESTIONS? I ACTUALLY HAVE ONE. YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU HAVE THESE WORKSHOPS. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE FINDINGS FROM THE COMMUNITY INPUT? WHAT WAS A KEY

TAKE AWAY THAT USA? >> WE HOSTED ONE WORKSHOP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROJECT WHERE BEFORE EVEN SHOWING ANYTHING WE WANTED TO HEAR ABOUT LOCAL CONCERNS. IT'S WAS MAINLY , A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME TO A WORKSHOP LIKE THAT TALK ABOUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. THEIR OWN PROPERTY. WE HAVE FLOODING IN OUR BACKYARD, HOW CAN WE PREVENT IT? THE END THERE WERE TRANSPORTATION SEGMENTS, DIFFERENT INTERSECTIONS OF FOLKS TALKED ABOUT, JUST ABOUT WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES LOOKS LIKE. IN THE SECOND WORKSHOP WE TALKED ABOUT THE FINDINGS. WE HAD A LOT OF NONPROFITS PARTICIPATE. THE BIG TAKE AWAY FROM THAT IS COLLABORATION IS GOING TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT KEY OF MOVING THIS FORWARD. IT IS NOT JUST GOING TO COME FROM GOVERNMENT. A BIG PART OF THE PUZZLE B HOW CAN WE WORK TO -- WITH THE COMMUNITY. HOMEOWNERS, WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AND BUSINESS. A LOT OF COLLABORATION WENT INTO THIS PROCESS AND MEMBERS OF THE

PUBLIC HAD A VALUABLE ROLE. >> AWESOME. ANY FURTHER

[4.3 BUDGET SUMMARY]

>> MOVING ON TO 4.3. WE WILL GO TO MRS. .

[00:40:06]

>> THAT EVENING. YOU HAVE A COPY OF MY REPORT. JANUARY IS THE FOURTH MONTH AND REPRESENTS 3.3% OF THE BUDGET THE SCHOOL YEAR. FOR THE GENERAL YEAR-TO-DATE REVENUE IS AT 67.5%. THIS IS DUE TO THE TIMING OF THE PROPERTY TAX AND LOCAL BUSINESS TAX. YEAR-TO-DATE PROPERTY TAX RECEIPTS ARE AT $16.3 MILLION OR 90.5% OF THE BUDGET.

OVERALL AND YEAR-TO-DATE GENERAL FUNDING EXPENSES ARE 26.4%. HOWEVER, SOME DEPARTMENTS ARE OVER THE 33.3 DUE TO ANNUAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. FOR SOME OF THE OTHER FUNDS, FOR THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR I.T. EQUIPMENT, STREET PAVING AND RESURFACING, THE DOWNTOWN RESILIENCY DESIGN AND BEACH ACCESS. FOR THE GOLF COURSE THE ANNUAL MENTORSHIP REVENUE IS AT 82.2% OF THE BUDGET. FOR THE MARINA IS A FUEL SALES REP 45.2% OF THE BUDGET. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> MR. ROSS HAS QUESTIONS. >> I HAVE FOUR. FIRST, HAS THE

BUDGET PROCESS BEGUN FOR 24-25? >> THE BUDGET PROCESS STARTS AT THE END OF MARCH. WE HAVE A KICKOFF AND THE DIRECTORS ARE WORKING ON THEIR BUDGETS IN APRIL.

>> IS THE BUDGET THIS YEAR GOING TO BE BASED ON THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE OR THE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATES OR THE ROLLBACK RATE OR HAVE YOU DECIDED? WHAT WHAT WE DO TO

DECIDE THAT? >> WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHETHER THE PROPERTY APPRAISER GIVES US. THEN, WE WOULD HAVE TO SEE WHETHER MILLAGE RATE IS AN IT IS REALLY THE CITY MANAGER WHO WORKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH WHAT HE HEARS FROM THE COMMISSION AND THEIR DIRECTION ON HOW THEY WANT TO GO WITH THE MILLAGE

RATE. >> HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE GOING TO HAVE FROM LAST YEAR LEFT OVER ? LAST YEAR WE HAD QUITE A BIT, HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO HAVE LEFTOVER THIS YEAR?

>> WE ROLLED OVER A GOOD BIT FROM LAST YEAR BECAUSE WE COULD NOT GET THE PRODUCT THAT WE PLANNED. THE WAY THAT THIS YEAR IS GOING WE WILL HAVE VERY MINIMAL ROLLOVER.

>> SO THERE WILL BE NO ACCESS?

>> NO, NOTHING LIKE LAST YEAR. >> ONE LAST QUESTION, I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER, BUT IF YOU COULD. HOW MUCH MONEY WILL WE SUBSIDIZE THE MARINA THIS YEAR? IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT THE CITY TAXPAYERS WILL PAY ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE MARINA

GENERATES IN REVENUE. >> WE SUBSIDIZE THE MARINA.

>> $698,000. THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. ANY MORE

[ 5. CONSENT AGENDA]

>> MOTION TO APPROVE? IT IS JUST THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES. I

DO HEAR A MOVE. >> SECOND.

>> I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND. WITH THAT, CITY CLERK,

PLEASE, CALL THE ROLE. >>

>> THAT PASSES. I AM GOING TO GO A LITTLE OUT OF ORDER AND

[6.1 AWARD OF INVITATION TO BID 24-01 - JOE PAYNE INC. ]

IF YOU WISH TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD, FEEL FREE TO FILL OUT A FORM IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM. TURN THEM INTO OUR CITY CLERK AND WE WILL HEAR YOUR COMMENTS TONIGHT. WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, WE WILL HEAR THAT ALSO.

IN FACT, WE HAVE ANOTHER REQUEST RIGHT HERE. WITH THAT WE WILL START WITH ITEM 6.1, AWARD OF BID TO JOE PAYNE INC.

RECALL LAST YEAR WE REORGANIZED THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES AS NEEDED WITH INSPECTORS AND SUPPLEMENTAL BUILDING OFFICIALS OR WITH OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL OUT AT TIMES.

WE DID AN RFP. WE GOT PRICES IN THAT WERE UNIT PRICES BASED ON

[00:45:06]

>> PERFECT. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE I HAVE NO REQUEST TO SPEAK. DO I HEAR A MOTION? ANY COMMISSION OR DISCUSSION ON THIS? SEEING NONE, CITY CLERK, PLEASE, CALL

THE ROLL. >>

[6.2 AWARD OF INVITATION TO BID 24-06 - FLORIDA RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC ]

>> THAT PASSES. ITEM 6.2, AWARD OF INVITATION TO BID FLORIDA RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION LLC.

>> THIS IS A RESOLUTION 2024-31 AWARDING INVITATION TO BID TO FLORIDA RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC. THIS WILL BE A PHASED APPROACH. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL CONTRACTORS FLORIDA RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC, A LOCAL CONTRACTOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $52,779.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, DO I HEAR A MOTION? WITH A MOTION AND A SECOND, COMMISSIONER ROSS.

>> MY ONLY COMMENT IS WE SPENT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY TO GET A ATLANTIC AVENUE RECREATION CENTER JOAN BEAN AUDITORIUM CONDITION ASSESSMENT DONE IN FEBRUARY 2023. DO YOU

REMEMBER HOW MUCH THAT WAS? >> I THINK IT WAS

14,000-$15,000. >> WE HIRED AN EXPERT. WITH THE EXPERTS THAT WAS THAT THE AUDITORIUM WAS IN POOR CONDITION. THEY RECOMMENDED THE CITY BUDGET DEMOLITION AND COMPLETE REPLACEMENT IN THE NEXT 2-4 YEARS AND THAT WAS ONE

YEAR AGO. >> MR. GEORGE, WITHOUT THE ONLY RECOMMENDATION? COULD YOU PLEASE TALK ABOUT IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS PRESENTED. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WAS THE

ONLY OPTION. >> THAT WAS ONE OF THEIR FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS. THERE WERE CERTAIN COMPONENTS LIKE THE WINDOWS ON THE WEST AND THE NORTH SIDE OF THE AUDITORIUM ARE LEAKING. WE HAVE HAD CRACKS IN THE WALLS ONNORTH SIDE OF TH AUDITORIUM. THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPONENTS IN THERE TO DO DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAD DIFFERENT CRITICAL ISSUES TO THEM. WE ARE DOING THE CRACK FIXES RIGHT NOW AND BRICK REPOINTING. WE NEEDED TO DO THAT BEFORE THE WINDOW REPLACEMENT. THAT WILL STOP THE LEAKING, WHICH WAS A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS INSIDE OF THE AUDITORIUM, MOISTURE CONTROL.

>> CONTINUE. >> I AM NOT DISPUTING ANY OF THAT. WE ARE PUTTING LIPSTICK ON A PIG. WE HAVE A BUILDING THAT NEEDS TO TOUR NOW BRINGS IN $10,500 WORTH OF REVENUE. I CANNOT VOTE TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT I THINK IT'S PRETTY GOOD MONEY UP TO BAT. THAT IS MY ONLY COMMENT.

>> THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? SAYING THAT I WILL CONTINUE. I WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF FOR THEIR WORK TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN. WE ARE DOING WONDERFUL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON OUR RECREATION CENTER. IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR THE COMMUNITY. FOR ME IT IS ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY AND IT MEANS A LOT. IF YOU GREW UP HERE YOU KNOW THAT IS WHERE YOU HAVE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL PROM, THE ATLANTIC RECREATION CENTER OR MANY OTHER THINGS FROM DIFFERENT CHARITY

EVENTS TO THE LIST GOING ON. >> AND THANK YOU MRS. PHILLIPS. LEONARD SKINNER DID PLAY IN THAT AUDITORIUM. WITH THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THIS BUILDING. I APPRECIATE CITY STAFF MAKING IT HAPPEN. A MOTION AND A SESSION -- SECOND, NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. PLEASE

[6.3 AWARD OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 24-02 - HISTORIC DOWNTOWN DESIGN GUIDELINE UPDATES AND THE AMELIA RIVER WATERFRONT CRA DESIGN GUIDELINES UPDATES]

>> THIS IS ABOUT UPDATING OUR DESIGN GUIDELINES. THIS IS NOT A DESIGN PROJECT THAT WILL CREATE A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

THERE ARE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES IF SOMEONE WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING IN THAT TERRITORY LIKE COLORS, PATTERNS, TYPES OF MATERIALS, ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. THOSE TWO BOARDS USE GUIDELINES TO DETERMINE IF A PERMIT IS COMPLIANT OR NOT. IT IS NOT A DESIGN TO GO OUT AND BUILD SOMETHING. IT IS JUST A

[00:50:05]

THAT PARK -- >> ONE SPACE.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT. THAT AREA IS ABOUT 64,000 SQUARE FEET WHICH WOULD EQUATE TO 64 SPACES. WE DO GET A 10% INCREASE. IF YOU TAKE ALL OF THAT THAT 71 PARKING SPACES AND RIGHT NOW CURRENTLY WE ARE SHOWING 74. WE CANNOT PUT ANY MORE PARKING SPACES THERE BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF OUR CODE. THERE IS A LOT OF ANGST ABOUT MORE PARKING BUT WE CANNOT DO THAT. WE HAVE THIS PLAN, WE HAVE TO REQUEST OUT FOR PROPOSAL TO DO THE DESIGN BASED ON THE CONCEPT THAT CRA APPROVED. THAT IS STILL GOING FORWARD. PART OF THAT PLAN IS A MULTIUSE AREA THAT CAN BE USED FOR RECREATION, IF THERE IS AN EVENT LIKE FARMERS MARKET YOU HAVE THIS AREA WHERE YOU CAN PUT UP TENTS. YOU CAN PLAY FRISBEE AND DO ALL OF THAT. IT IS NOT DESIGNATED AS ANY ONE SPECIFIC ACTIVITY. IT IS A MULTIUSE AREA. I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO CLEAR THAT UP. WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL FOR AWARD OF THIS PROPOSAL.

>> MR. GEORGE WE HAVE THE COMMISSIONER QUESTION SECTION.

JUST SO I CAN BE CLEAR ON WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON THIS IS THE STORY GUIDELINES FOR DOWNLINE -- DOWNTOWN. WE UPDATE THESE OFTEN. THESE ARE INCLUDING GUIDELINES ON HOW WE RENOVATE BUILDINGS. DO YOU KNOW OFF THE TOP OF THE HEAD WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE UPDATED HIS STORY GUIDELINES?

>> 2013. >> IT IS USUALLY ABOUT 10

YEARS. >> COULD YOU ALSO REITERATE WHERE FUNDING IS COMING FROM. COULD YOU TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH THIS DESIGN GUIDELINE UPDATE IS COSTING CITY TAXPAYERS?

>> $49,880. >> IS A VERY GRANT FUNDING

COMPONENT WITH THAT? >> I THINK THERE IS.

>> 100%. >> I THINK IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO COVER THE GRANT. CAN WE TALK ABOUT A 100% GRANT PAYING FOR

THIS PROJECT. >> GOOD EVENING. THE GRANT WAS 2013, 10 YEARS SINCE WE HAVE HAD DESIGN GUIDELINES COMPLETED. THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO COMPLETE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO MATERIALS THAT PEOPLE CAN USE FOR REPAIRS, SIGNAGE. WE ARE GOING TO ADD A LOT OF MORE VISUALS TO THE NEW GUIDELINES.

IT WILL REALLY LIMIT PEOPLE HAVING TO GO THROUGH A VARIANCE PROCESS. I THINK IT WILL BE A VERY GOOD COMMUNITY SERVICE.

THE GRANT APPLICATION WITH USE FOR THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN GUIDELINES. THE LOWEST BID AND THE MOST RESPONSIVE BID CAME IN AT $35,916. THE GRANT WILL PAY UP TO $15,000. AT THE SAME TIME PLANNING CONSERVATION PUT OUT A BID FOR THE CRA DESIGN GUIDELINES UPDATE. THAT WAS NOT ENVISIONED IN THE GRANT. THAT WAS ENVISIONED TO BE COVERED WITH CITY DOLLARS, $14,964.

HOWEVER, A PORTION OF THE CRA IS IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT. WE WANT TO GO BACK TO THE FUNDING AGENCY AND FAITH AS WE HAVE CONSUMED OUR GRANT FUNDING THIS PERCENTAGE OF CRA IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, CAN WE COVER THAT WITHIN THE GRANT? WE ANTICIPATE A YES. THERE WILL BE SOME CITY EXPENSE, I WOULD THINK ABOUT $10,000 TO DO BOTH DESIGN GUIDELINE UPDATES.

>> PERFECT. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. FINALLY, BASED ON WHATI WAS HEARING, AND YOU TOUCHED ON THIS, IS A REASON TO DO THIS IS IT MAKES IT MORE USER FROM AS OPPOSED TO BEING ALL TECHNICAL

[00:55:03]

CITIZENS TO LOOK AT, RIGHT? >> CORRECT.

>> AWESOME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT. THAT IS THE ITEM AS PRESENTED. ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, I DO HAVE THREE REQUESTS TO SPEAK ON THIS. I'M GOING TO CALL YOU UP TO SPEED AND I KNOW IT IS NOT NECESSARILY ON THE SAME ITEM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR COMMENTS ON 6.3. WITH THAT WE START WITH MRS. MARION

PHILLIPS. >> THAT EVENING, COMMISSIONERS.

724 SOUTH SIXTH STREET, FERNANDINA BEACH , FLORIDA.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS WATERFRONT. IT IS A WORKING WATERFRONT. I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT TO GET RID OF THE WORKING WATERFRONT. I SIT ON THE MARINE ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEE. I SPECIFICALLY GOT REALLY HOT AT THE LAST MEETING. WE HAVE TO PROTECT THAT WATERFRONT. YOU WANT TO CALL A PARK? A PARK'S TREES AND PLANTS. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. WHEN YOU START CHANGING THE WATERFRONT FROM THE WAY IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN I AM NOT FOR THAT NOBODY ELSE EITHER. I GOT ON THE BANDWAGON ON FACEBOOK ABOUT THE CLOSING OF THE BOAT RAMP. I KNOW TONIGHT YOU ARE SAYING YOU'RE GOING TO MOVE IT, BUT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO CLOSE IT. WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GET IN.

SOMEBODY SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT PEOPLE CAN GO TO DEDE BARTELL.

IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE GOOD ACCESS FOR PEOPLE TO GET IN WITH BOTH AND STOP. THE SHERIFF AND ALL NEED TO BE ABLE TO LAUNCH YEAR TOO. THIS MARINA NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED. I AM TIRED OF PEOPLE PUTTING OFF ABOUT THE SHRIMPERS. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS SOMEBODY WORKING TO TRY TO GET THE WOODED DOCS AND NOT THIS UP OUT HERE FOR REGULAR BOATS. WE ARE THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE MODERN SHRIMPING INDUSTRY. YOU CANNOT SAY THAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE BOTH OUT HERE. THEY NEED TO UNLOAD THEIR CATCH. THERE IS SHRIMP IN THESE RIVERS. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? I'M REALLY AGGRAVATED ABOUT ALL OF THIS. I AM TIRED OF THIS MESS. I AM TIRED OF PEOPLE CONTINUING TO WANT TO DO THINGS THAT WE DO NOT WANT HERE. YOU CAME HERE, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I SAID IN THE OPEN MEETING. YOU LIED WHEN YOU GOT HERE AND NOW YOU WANT TO CHANGE IT. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM. I'M GOING TO STAND ON THAT. I'M TIRED OF PEOPLE TRYING TO CHANGE FERNANDINA BEACH. LEAVE IT

ALONE . THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE APPLAUSE, HOWEVER, WE NEED TO MAINTAIN DECORUM. I APPRECIATE THE SENTIMENT OF BEING HERE TONIGHT. MRS. PHILLIPS, I DO HAVE ONE POINT I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU SAW THE LAST MEETING THAT WE DID WORK IT OUT WITH THE SHRIMP FEST TO HAVE SHRIMP BOATS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU SAW THAT.

>> I AM REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. AFTER BARKING ABOUT THAT FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS, I AM REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. PEOPLE WILL COME AND SAY OH, WE HAVE SHRIMP BOATS. GIMME THEY EXIST IN THIS WORLD? I AM REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. I AM REALLY

THANKFUL. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS AS GOOD OF A TIME AS ANY. IT IS SOMETHING THAT I INTENDED TO DO TONIGHT. IT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA JEZEBEL IN THE PUBLIC.

THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED FLORIDA SUNSHINE LAW, WHICH SERVE THE PURPOSE OF MAKING SURE ALL DISCUSSION HAPPENS BEFORE YOU. THERE IS NO DISCUSSION AMONGST COMMISSIONERS OUTSIDE OF THIS CHAMBER WHERE WE CAN ALL TALK.

ONE THING THAT CAME UP THAT I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND SAY. IT WASN'T ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT. BUT I DID SEE IT ON FACEBOOK. I DID SEE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS BOAT RAMP CLOSING. I AM UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH FELLOW COMMISSIONERS OUTSIDE OF HIS CHAMBERS I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT NOW AND MRS. PHILLIPS SEGUED BACK. I CAN GUESS YOUR OPINION, BUT I CANNOT CONFIRM WORKING ON FUNDING, BUT I WANT TO HEAR FROM THIS COMMISSION. DO WE SUPPORT KEEPING THE BOAT RAMP WHERE IT IS ? FOR ME IT IS I GUESS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE MARINA AND TO OUR COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO GO ON RECORD SAYING THAT. I WILL NOT THE FLOOR ON THAT ITEM. WE WILL GO BACK TO 6.3, BUT I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT TO

[01:00:01]

LIKE TO SPEAK? >> I WILL SECOND MY SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ANTUN.

>> I WOULD NEVER HAVE ANY PLANS TO CLOSE DOWN THE BOAT RAMP. IT IS HISTORIC. IT IS ALWAYS NEEDED. I AM ONE OF THE BIGGER SUPPORTERS OF OUR CHARTER CAPTAINS DOWN THERE IN THE WORKING WATERFRONT, WHAT WE HAVE LEFT OF IT. I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS DOWN IN THAT AREA. I KNOW HOW HARD THEY HAVE TO WORK. I KNOW THEY ARE IN THE OFF SEASON RIGHT NOW AND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO MANAGE. SUMMER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. FAMILIES WILL BE CHARTERING BOTH AND CATCHING FISH. THERE WILL BE PICTURES WITH THE SHARK AND EVERYTHING ELSE. I WOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE NO PLANS HOWEVER CLOSE THE BOAT

RAMP. IF I APPRECIATE THAT. >> I WILL GO AHEAD AND SPEAK ON THIS. I'M TRYING NOT TO SEGUE BACKWARDS TOO FAR, BY THE COMMISSION AS A CITY COMMISSION, WE HEAR A LOT OF THINGS ON FACEBOOK. IT HAPPENS LIKE EVERYBODY IS CONNECTED TO FACEBOOK. WE ARE ALL CONNECTED AND I MIGHT LOOK AT IT ONCE A DAY. I MIGHT LOOK AT IT ONCE EVERY THREE DAYS. HOWEVER, AS A CITY COMMISSION WITH THE SUNSHINE LAW, I WILL GO AND SPEAK ANOTHER 30 SECONDS ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE DON'T CONTROL WHAT ADVISORY COMMITTEES BRING UP AND DISCUSS. WE DON'T CONTROL OR SHOULD NOT INTERJECT ON WHAT ADVISORY COMMITTEES THAT WORK FOR THE CITY, WITH ON THEIR OWN. WE CAN SUGGEST, WE CAN MAKE COMMENTS, OR JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DISCUSSION DOES NOT MEAN THAT CAME FROM THIS BODY FOR US TO TELL THEM WHAT TO DO. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT. I HAVE BEEN A BIG SUPPORTER OF THE BOAT RAMP. I HAVE BEEN A BIG SUPPORTER OF THE SEAWALL. I HAVE BEEN A BIG SUPPORTER OF CHARTER FISHERMEN.

I WOULD NEVER CLOSE THE BOAT RAMP IN THE CITY. REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING THAT YOU MIGHT HEAR OR SEE ON FACEBOOK THAT DOES NOT CONTROL. WE AS A COMMISSION DID NOT GENERATE THAT.

>> AND BEFORE WE GO TO MR. GEORGE, COMMISSIONER ROSS, DO

YOU WANT THE OPPORTUNITY? >> I WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> I WANT TO BE CAREFUL WITH THE TERMINOLOGY. ALL OF Y'ALL ARE SAYING "CLOSED." WE WILL HAVE TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY.

>> YOU MAY REPAIR, WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE MEAN. COMMISSIONER ROSS,

GO AHEAD, SIR. >> I WAS ELECTED MORE THAN SIX YEARS AGO. PART OF THE PROBLEM THEN WAS THERE WAS NO FUNCTIONING MARINA. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME MAKING SURE THAT THE MARINA WAS REBUILT. PART OF THAT REBUILDING WAS MAINTAINING THE BOAT RAMP. I HAVE CHAMPIONED OR TRIED TO CHAMPION PUTTING IN FLOOD PROTECTION FOR THE CITY. PART OF THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINING THE BOAT RAMP WHERE IT IS. THERE IS NO, CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU SAID, THERE IS NO PLAN TO MOVE THE BOAT RAMP. THERE IS NO PLACE TO MOVE IT TO. THERE IS NO FUNCTIONAL PLACE. I THINK ALL OF THIS STARTED WHEN I SENT AN EMAIL OR I GOT AN EMAIL FROM SOMEONE, ACTUALLY FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MARINA ADVISORY COMMITTEE, TELLING ME THAT THE COUNTY AND THE CITY DID THINGS BETTER. I SIMPLY ASKED WE HAVE TWO BOAT RAMPS, WHY DON'T WE CLOSE THE CITY BOAT RAMP IF THE COUNTY'S BOAT RAMP IS SO GOOD? HE WANTED TO CLOSE THE CITY FUNCTIONS AND LET THE COUNTY TAKE OVER. I THINK THAT WAS THE BEGINNING. THESE EMAILS ARE PUBLIC RECORD . I THINK THAT IS THE BEGINNING OF A LOT OF THE MISUNDERSTANDING. I NEVER ADVOCATED OR SUGGESTED THAT WE CLOSE THE BOAT RAMP. I DID POINT OUT THAT IF YOU GET 35 MORE PARKING SPACES -- WE WILL LEAVE THAT ALONE. I HAVE NO DESIRE TO CLOSE THE BOAT RAMP.

>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THAT. WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK SADDAM 6.3, BUT WHAT I WANT TO REITERATE TO THE COMMUNITY IF YOU HEARD HERE, FIVE OUT OF FIVE CITY COMMISSIONERS A GREAT THAT BOAT RAMP NEEDS TO STAY RIGHT WHERE IT IS. ON TOP OF THAT LET'S GET SOME MONEY. WE ARE WORKING ON PLANS TO REVAMP. RIGHT NOW IT NEEDS SOME LOVE. WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON FUNDING THAT. WITH THAT WHERE GOING TO GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE. THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME. WHERE WE WERE,

[01:05:02]

GO TO MR. MAC MORRIS. >> MARK MORRIS, 828 PARK VIEW.

THIS IS NO INFORMATION ABOUT ONE PARKING SPACE PER 1000 SQUARE FEET. CAN YOU CLARIFY, IS THAT FLORIDA OR IF THE CITY

OR COUNTY? IF THAT IS THE CITY. >> OKAY, WELL THEN WE ARE GOOD.

CITY COMMISSIONERS HAVE FREQUENTLY CHANGED DIFFERENT CODES. WE CAN PUT MORE PARKING IN THERE IF WE WANTED. I UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS NOW THE DESIGN IS THAT BASED ON THOSE PARAMETERS ON THAT NOTE, I JUST WANT TO BE ON RECORD I AM NOT AGAINST THE PLAYERS. I THINK IT IS A COOL SPORT. I WATCHED WHEN I LIVED IN ENGLAND. I REALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IF THEY ARE. JUT LIKE THIS FROM FESTIVAL, I THINK THEY OUGHT TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT EVERY YEAR. I DO NOT THINK IT SHOULD BE A PERMANENT FEATURE. IF NECESSARY, AND I WAS THE MORE IT, LET'S EXPAND THE PORSCHE CENTRAL PARK. IF AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT WAS HERE THEY CAN UTILIZE TWO SIDES OF IT. THEY CAN USE THAT IT MAY BE. THEY COULD STILL APPLY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT PERMITS TO PUT IN TEMPORARY COURTS. TO BE PERMANENT, I DO NOT SEE HOW THAT SERVES OUR COMMUNITY. IT DOES NOT MAKE IT MULTIFUNCTIONAL ANYMORE.

I HAD A QUESTION OR I ALMOST HAD IT. IT WAS ABOUT THE PLANNING. I AM RUNNING THROUGH MY CHECKLIST. I THINK THAT MOST OF THEM WERE ADDRESS. THE IMPORTANT POINT IS AS OUR LAWMAKERS, YOU CAN CHANGE THINGS SO THAT WE COULD GET OUR PARKING AND MAKE IT MORE FUNCTIONAL. FIFTH-GRADERS GET HOW IMPORTANT OUR VIEW IS FOR THE BEACH AND THE RIVER. THEY HAVE A CUTE PHRASE. IT WAS LIKE THE VIEW IS IMPORTANT SO KEEP IT. ONCE IT IS GONE, IT IS GONE. WE HAVE AN OLDER POPULATION. LET'S ALLOW THEM THE ABILITY TO GO DOWN THERE AND PARK. WHEN YOU GET OLDER YOU HAVE TROUBLE WALKING. SOME DAYS ARE EASIER THAN OTHER -- OTHERS AND I AM FIT. LET'S MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO PARK AND VIEW OUR SUNSET.

>> MR. GEORGE, I SEE YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. HOW CAN WE MAKE THAT BETTER?

>> THE COURTS THERE ARE NOT PERMANENT. THERE ARE TIMBERS THAT CAN BE PULLED UP AT ANY TIME. IT IS NOT PERMANENT WHERE IT CANNOT BE MOVED, ADJUSTED OR WHATEVER. THE GOAL THAT THE CONCEPT CAME UP WITH WAS TO USE THIS AS A MULTIUSER AREA SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE A FARMERS MARKET. YOU COULD HAVE ADDITIONAL PARKING WITH SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE SHRIMP BEST, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT. MY THOUGHT HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOU HAVE TO BALANCE THE NATURAL COMPONENTS OF A WATERFRONT THAT HAS LANDSCAPE, BENCHES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS. YOU DON'T WANT TO TURN YOUR WATERFRONT INTO A PARKING DECK. I WOULDN'T WANT THAT IF I WAS IN CHARGE. I THINK THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO ACHIEVE THAT. IT DOES ALLOW SOME FLEXIBILITY TO ADJUST FOR HEAVY USE OF AN. THAT IS WHY WE ARE CALLING IT MULTI USE. YOU CAN USE IT FOR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT. I APPRECIATE YOUR SENTIMENT, BUT WE CAN'T BE -- THE DEFORMED CAKE -- DECORUM DICTATES WE CANNOT CLAP. WITH THAT WE HAVE MICHAEL SHARP TO

SPEAK. >> JEFF, I'M GOING TO DISAGREE WITH THIS ARM. MIKE SHARP, 130 NORTH NINTH STREET, FERNANDINA

[01:10:06]

BUSINESS LEADERS AND DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS TOLD YOU THIS IS A BAD PLAN. SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES ARE BUILT WITH COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE. THERE WAS NO NEED TO RUSH THROUGH THIS. JUST BECAUSE IT IS THE BEST PLAN PRESENTED SO FAR DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD APPROVE IT. THE LAND IS IT GOING ANYWHERE. THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES THAT EVERYONE CAN ACCEPT. THE CURRENT PROPOSAL WILL BE MET WITH STIFF OPPOSITION AND A REFERENDUM TO STOP ANY DOWNTOWN PARK WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL. I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK WE SHOULD DO ANYTHING DOWN THERE. I'M WILLING TO ACCEPT COMPROMISE.

DON'T GO TO WAR WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS OVER THIS. IT IS A LOSING POSITION. STOP THE FUNDING UNTIL YOU CAN GET SOMETHING THAT A MAJORITY OF US CAN LIVE WITH. I PROVIDED YOU WITH A PICTURE THAT SHOWS AMPLE PARKING LOT WITH CARS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE BOAT RAMP AND TRAILER SPOT AS WELL. THIS IS -- WITHOUT PARK IMPROVEMENTS IT JUST DOES NOT WORK. TO SPEND MONEY ON IT WITH THIS MUCH OPPOSITION IS WRONG. MAYOR BEAN SPECIFICALLY COMMITTED IN 2021 TO NOT DO THAT. YOU MADE A MISTAKE. YOU CAN CORRECT IT OR CHOOSE TO CONTINUE ALONG THIS PATH. THEY REALLY DON'T GO TOGETHER IN THE SAME SENTENCE.

I ASKED THE LEADER IF THE FEDERAL PART WERE SUFFICIENT TO MEET DEMAND OR IF THEY CAN BE EXPANDED OR APPROVED. ACCORDING TO THE LEADER THE CENTRAL PARK COURTS ARE COMPLETELY FUNCTIONAL AND CAN BE APPROVED OR EXPANDED AS NECESSARY.

EVERYBODY DOES. WINTER AND SUMMER COURTS SEEM TO BE A BIG FOR 50 OR SIX TAXPAYING CLUB MEMBERS. I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD FIND THAT EXCESSIVE. IN ANY CASE TO THE COMMISSIONERS THINK THE VOTERS ARE TOO DUMB TO DECIDE THIS ON THEIR OWN OR THAT WE WON'T COME TO THE RIGHT CONCLUSION? I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THE CLUB OR ITS MEMBERS. THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN THE AREA RIGHT NOW WITH THE NEWLY IMPROVED ATLANTIC SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, THE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE THAT IS GOING TO OPEN UP. THE DUST REALLY HASN'T BEEN SETTLED.

THAT MAN ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE. WHAT IS THE RUSH? IF THE CITY COMMISSIONERS FEEL THEY MUST MOVE FORWARD THEY ARE GOING TO MEET CONTENTIOUS DEBATE AND THAT OLD CONTROVERSY. SO JUST

GO TO THE VOTERS. >> THANK YOU, MR. SHARP.

SINCE WE ARE ON THE TOPIC, I HAVE TWO OTHER REQUESTS TO

SPEAK RELATING TO THIS. >> THE MARINA RESTAURANT WON'T BE OPENING ANYTIME SOON. THEY'RE GOING TO CLOSE THE

SHELL AND STOP WORK. >> NEVER?

>> NOT IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THAT UP.

>> JUST KEEPING THE INFORMATION CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT AND I WILL LOOK INTO THAT LATER ON. WHAT I AM GOING TO DO, I AM GOING TO MAKE AN EXECUTIVE DECISION. THESE ARE TWO OTHER ITEMS RELATED TO THIS. THE TO CALL MR. JOHN ABBOTT TO SPEAK.

LIVE IN 1971 NEIGHBORS STREET IN FERNANDINA BEACH. I HAVE TWO CATS THAT I'M WEARING. THE FIRST IS OF A RETIRED ARCHITECT. I RETIRE HERE IN 2018 AFTER 40 YEARS OF ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE AROUND THE SOUTHEAST. I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PARK PLAN. I THINK IT IS A REALLY GOOD PLAN. I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF WORKING WITH LOCALITIES AND SMALL TOWNS LIKE FERNANDINA BEACH ELSEWHERE. WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN DONE BY THE TEAM THAT PUT IT TOGETHER I AM PRETTY IMPRESSED. IT IS SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD AND VERY AFFORDABLE. THE ONE ASPECT THAT I KEEP HEARING IS THAT IT IS

[01:15:03]

YOU GO INTO THAT TERRAIN AND YOU TAKE UP THE CENTER INTERIOR TIMBERS, REMOVE THOSE. YOU PROVIDE ACCESS FOR MAINTENANCE OR WHATEVER AND YOU WILL HAVE A 10,000 SQUARE-FOOT OPEN FLEXIBLE SPACE . WIDE OPEN, NO OBSTRUCTIONS. YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL STILL ALLOW US TO PLAY A LITTLE PATONK EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE IDEA IS OUR CLUB IS ON BOARD WITH BEING A PLAYER AND UNDERSTANDING HOW TO MAKE THIS PARK WORK. WE KNOW THAT WE ARE ONE ELEMENTS OF ITS. WE ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU TO REVISE THE LAYOUT SO THAT IT IS NOT PARTICULAR TO PATONK AND MORE OPEN TO PUBLIC ACCESS. IT

IS THAT SIMPLE. >> THANK YOU. MRS. LISA

FICKELSTIEN. >> THANK YOU, 492 STAR BOARD LANDING. ALSO HERE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR MAIN STREET AND THE CHAIR OF THE CRA ADVISORY BOARD. I'VE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT THIS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE SOME OF THE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS REGARDING THE PARK PLAN AND QUITE FRANKLY A LOT OF MISINFORMATION, SOME OF WHICH HAS BEEN CORRECTED TONIGHT. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE US START FROM A POSITION OF AGREEMENTS. WHEN THE CRA ADVISORY BOARD STARTED TO REALLY LOOK AT WHAT WAS GOING TO BE IN THIS GREEN SPACE BETWEEN THE PARKING AREA AND THE SEAWALL, WHICH YOU ALL ASKED US TO DO, WE WENT BACK TO THE 2017 COMMUNITY OUTREACH STUDIES THAT WERE DONE AND THE 2020 FEEDBACK. WE GATHER SOME OF THAT INFORMATION TOGETHER.

WE WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE COMMUNITY THOUGHT WAS A PRIORITY FOR THAT AREA. WHAT WE SAW WAS A VIEW OF THE SUNSET, THE ABILITY TO WALK ALONG THE RIVER, BECAUSE THE RIVER WAS THE STAR OF THE SHOW, A PLACE FOR MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT, A WALKING CONNECTION TO DOWNTOWN AND SHADE TREES. THOSE WERE THE THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAVE PRIORITIZED IN PREVIOUS COMMUNITY OUTREACH STUDIES. WE ALSO PRIORITIZE THAT WHEN WE STARTED TO LOOK AT THE DESIGN. WE WORKED INTO THE DESIGN THAT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU ALL 21 DIFFERENT ELEMENTS. ELEMENTS THAT WE FELT REALLY TOUCHED ON ALL AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THERE IS A MULTI USE PAVILION THAT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A STAGE, AND ALSO REVISE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY, A WEDDING RECEPTION, THAT TYPE OF THING. THERE IS A SEATING AND GATHERING AREA ADJACENT TO THAT THAT COULD HAVE A CHESS TABLE. IT COULD HAVE BENCHES TO SIT ALONG THE RIVER. THERE IS A PICNIC AREA, AN INFORMAL PLAY AREA. THERE IS OPEN SPACE SO THAT PEOPLE CAN THROW A FRISBEE WITH HER DOG OR RUN WITH THEIR KIDS. RESTROOMS, BECAUSE YOU ARE AT THE WATERFRONT, THE CHILD IS PLAYING ON THE PLAYGROUND AND NEEDS TO GO TO THE RESTROOM. WE TRY TO WORK IT ALL IN. I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH THOSE POSITIVE THINGS. THE THINGS THAT WE FEEL EVERYONE IS IN AGREEMENT WITH BECAUSE THEY MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND WERE EXPRESSED IN PREVIOUS STUDIES. IF WE CAN WORK ON ADDING THE MULTI USE PAVILION, ADDING FEEDING, ADDING A SHADE TREE, AND THEN WE CAN GO FROM THERE. THE PATONK COURT, THAT AREA IS ALREADY THERE, BUT IS INCREDIBLY FLEXIBLE. YOU CAN PULL THOSE WOOD PIECES OUT IN A MATTER OF HOURS TO USE IT FOR OTHER THINGS, OR IT CAN BE USED AS IT IS FOR VENDOR BOOTHS, ADDITIONAL SEATING OR WHATEVER.

I WOULD ASK THAT WE FOCUS ON THE ELEMENTS THAT WE HAVE ALL

[01:20:04]

>> THANK YOU. I JUST HAVE ONE MORE IN FROM SOMEONE.

>> THANK YOU, 802 PARK VIEW PLACE EAST. I WANTED TO COMMENT AND SAY THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR PUTTING FORTH THE PLAN.

WHEN I SAW IT, AS A PERSON WHO SAT IN YOUR POSITION FOR 3 YEARS AND PRIOR TO THAT WORKED ON SEVERAL COMMITTEES IN THE CITY, AS A RESIDENT OF 21 YEARS HERE IN NASSAU COUNTY WE HAVE BINS OF PLANS FOR THE WATERPARK -- WATERFRONT PARK. TO HEAR MR. SHARP SAY DON'T RUSH INTO THIS, PULL THE TRIGGER, GUYS. I THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE WHEREWITHAL TO SEE THIS PLAN FITS ALL THE NEEDS, JUST AS LISA SAID. IT REALLY FITS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. WHEN I SAW THE PATONK COURSE I WAS VERY EXCITED, NOT BECAUSE I PLAY, BUT I TOO THOUGHT AS VERY MULTIFUNCTIONAL FOR ALL THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE DOWN THERE. AND SOMETHING ELSE THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS BROUGHT UP IS VERSUS AN OPEN LANDSCAPE GREEN SCAPE AREA THAT CREATES FOR MAINTENANCE FOR CITY STAFF, WHICH ALSO COST MONEY. I LOVE THE FACT THAT CRUSHED GRAVEL WITH NO MAINTENANCE. I WANT TO THANK YOU AND TELL YOU FROM A PARENT STANDPOINT, I HAVE CHILDREN. I ATTEND LOTS OF EVENTS. ME AND MY CROWD OF FRIENDS VERY MUCH SUPPORT THE PLAN PUT FORWARD. I DO KNOW THAT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT WENT INTO THIS AND I THANK YOU.

>> THAT IS ALL PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM. WITH THAT, JUST TO REMIND YOU GUYS WHAT THE ITEM IS, ITEM 6.3. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT. PEER -- DO I HEAR A MOTION? I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND. WITH THAT IN A DISCUSSION ?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS.

>> I SUPPORT GETTING THE HISTORIC GUIDELINES. I THINK THOSE ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. WHAT I DON'T SUPPORT IS HIRING MARQUIS LATIMER TO DO THIS PROJECT. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH MARQUIS LATIMER TWICE IN THE LAST SIX YEARS. BOTH OF THE PLANS IT WAS DIFFICULT WORKING WITH THEM AND THEY DID NOT PRODUCE SOMETHING USABLE BOTH TIMES. I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS ISSUE, JUST BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE HIRING. I SUPPORT DOING IT.

I UNDERSTAND THE REASONS WHY. I WENT TO THE BID OPENING, I WENT TO THE EVALUATION. I LISTEN TO THEM. I AM NOT CONFIDENT IN

MARQUIS LATIMER. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ROSS. I ACTUALLY HAVE A QUESTION . WE HAD A BID AND A BIG MATRIX PROCESS. COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THIS WON SUGGESTED

BID? >> WE DID AN RFP. WE GOT FOUR IN. WE HAD A EVALUATION COMMITTEE WHO RANK THEM BASED ON CERTAIN CRITERIA. WHAT WAS PRICE, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE IN THE AREA, AND PROXIMITY TO THE CITY. YOU GO GET SOMEONE FROM TOLEDO, CHANCES ARE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO REALLY UNDERSTAND HERE. YOU LOOK AT PROXIMITY, PAST EXPERIENCES AND PRICE WITH AN OPTION. THEY WERE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER PRICE. THE COMMENT ON THE COMMISSIONER ROSS COMMENT ABOUT THE FIRM.

PROJECTS THAT THEY DID BEFORE WERE CONCEPT PLANS, MASTER PLANS. THEY WERE ITEMS LIKE THAT. THIS IS BASICALLY A SPEC TO CRAIG I LIVE FOR THE CITY TO IMPLEMENT. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE SOMETHING THEY ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND BUILD. IN THIS ROLL I THINK THEY ARE ADEQUATELY QUALIFIED AND WILL DO A GOOD JOB FOR A MUCH BETTER PRICE THAN THE OTHER THREE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE RECOMMENDATION. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, CITY CLERK, PLEASE, CALL THE ROLL.

>>

[6.4 GRANT APPLICATION - DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE]

[01:25:06]

>> WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS A POTENTIAL GRANT APPLICATION TO EMPLOY OR TO CREATE THREE NEW FIREFIGHTER-PARAMEDIC POSITIONS. THE GRANT PAYS FOR 100% OF THE ENTIRETY OF THE SALARY AND THE BENEFITS OVER THREE YEARS.

>> MRS. JACOBS, I APPRECIATE YOU PRESENTING. I KNOW IT IS A LOUD ROOM AT THE MOMENT. I WILL GO AHEAD AND LET THE ROOM FILTER OUT. I GUESS EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT A NEW

FIREFIGHTER. PLEASE CONTINUE. >> THAT REALLY IS AN ADEQUATE SUMMARY. WERE YOU ABLE TO HEAR IT?

>> IT IS A GRANT THAT WILL PAY FOR NEW FIREFIGHTERS. ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, DO I HEAR A MOTION?

>> I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF WILCOX IF THAT'S

POSSIBLE. >> CHIEF, WELCOME.

>> DO YOU WANT TO GET A MOTION FIRST?

>> OUR NEW RULES HAVE A QUESTION SECTION. I WILL GO AHEAD AND ALLOW THE QUESTION TO BE ASKED BEFORE THE DEBATE.

>> FIRE CHIEF FOR CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH.

>> WHY DO WE NEED THREE NEW FIREFIGHTERS? THEY ARE NOT JUST

FIREFIGHTERS? >> THERE FIREFIGHTER-EMS PERSONNEL. WE HAVE BEEN UNDERSTAFFED FOR THE NINE YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN THE FIRE CHIEF HERE. BEFORE I LANDED HERE AS YOUR FIRE CHIEF, THE CHIEF BEFORE ME STOOD BEFORE A COMMISSION AND TOLD THAT COMMISSION THAT WE WERE 12 PERSONNEL BELOW WHAT WE SHOULD BE TO REACH THE NATIONAL STANDARD. WE HAVE ADDED SIX PERSONNEL OVER THE NINE YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN FIRE CHIEF. WE ARE STILL SIX SHORT OF WHERE WE SHOULD BE TO MEET STANDARDS. IT HAS BEEN MY DUTY TO TRY TO DO THIS IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT WAS NOT ONE BIG CHUNK AT ONE TIME, BUT TO TRY AND DO THIS IN SMALLER BITES SO THAT WE COULD ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW SOME SPECIFICS OF WHY, ONE OF THE THINGS IS B■EING UNDERSTAFFED, WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO COVER VACATIONS, SICK LEAVE, INJURIES THAT TAKE PEOPLE OUT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WE HAVE A YOUNG STAFF.

OUR STAFF IS BUILDING FAMILIES. WHEN THEY HAVE CHILDREN WE LOSE THEM FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THEREFORE, THAT INCREASE IS MANDATORY OVERTIME ON THE OTHER FIREFIGHTERS. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE SEEING IN THE FIRE SERVICE THAT WORK-LIFE BALANCE IS OUT OF BALANCE. ONE THING THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH IN THE FIRE SERVICE TODAY THAT WE HAVE NEVER REALLY REALIZED, BUT WE ARE STARTING TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO IS THE MENTAL HEALTH CAPACITY OF OUR PERSONNEL. FIREFIGHTERS ARE 28% GREATER SUICIDE RATE THAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THAT IS DUE TO THE THINGS THAT THEY SEE AND DEAL WITH ON A DAILY BASIS.

ADDING PERSONNEL TO BE ABLE TO RELIEVE THEM. THEY WORKED 24 HOUR SHIFTS. THEY ARE EXPOSED TO THIS 24/7 -365. THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR THE ABILITY TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT WORKING THOSE EXTRA HOURS, 48 HOURS STRAIGHT OR 72 HOURS STRAIGHT. WE ARE TRYING TO DO BETTER AT THAT. I COULD GO THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS. LANDMARK STUDIES THAT COMPARE 2-3-4-5 PERSONNEL FIRE COMPANIES ACCOMPLISHING THE 22 TASKS THAT OCCUR ON A

[01:30:03]

PERSONNEL. >> AND YOU NEED THEM NOW?

>> WE ABSOLUTELY COULD USE THEM RIGHT NOW.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER LOSS, ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, DO I HEAR A MOTION? I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMITMENT.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> I AM NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT?

>> YES, YOU CAN PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT.

>> FEEL FREE TO. >> I WOULD PROPOSE THAT WE ADOPT THIS, BUT I WOULD ALSO ADD IF THIS IS NOT PUNDIT TO COMMIT TO HIRING THREE NEW FIREFIGHTER EMS PARAMEDICS IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET. IF WE ARE GOING FOR A GRANT AND YOU SAY WE MEET THE PEOPLE NOW, WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO PAY IN THE NEXT UPCOMING BUDGET. THAT IS MY MOTION FOR AMENDMENT.

>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> WE HAVE A SECOND. WITH THAT WE WILL DISCUSS THE AMENDMENT. ALL DISCUSSION SHOULD BE BASED ON THE AMENDMENT THAT HAS BEEN MOTION AND SECONDED. I WILL START WITH A QUESTION. CHIEF, HOW MANY OPEN FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS DO WE HAVE RIGHT NOW? CURRENTLY WE ARE FULLY STAFFED.

IN THIS MOMENT IN TIME WE DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS READY TO LEAVE AND GO TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT.

>> UNDERSTOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS MOTION ? WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS AMENDMENT. VICE

MAYOR. >> THANK YOU. CHIEF, HAD A WE APPLY FOR THIS EVERY YEAR FOR A FEW YEARS, UNLESS WE MISS IN

ONE YEAR? >> WE HAVE APPLIED. THIS WILL BE OUR THIRD ATTEMPT AT THE GRANT. WE DID MISS ONE YEAR DUE TO SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH SUBMISSION. IF I AGREE THAT WE DO NEED MORE FIREFIGHTERS. HOWEVER, UNTIL WE GET BUDGET TIME AND I'M READY TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET, PERSONAL OPINION IS I AM NOT READY TO PUT IT IN BUDGET MODE UNTIL WE SEE WHERE WE ARE AT. THAT IS MY COMMENT.

>> THANK YOU. IF I KNOW THAT I'VE GOT SOME NUMBERS OF WHAT THIS WOULD FIND. WHAT IS THE ROUNDABOUT CAUSE FOR 3

FIREFIGHTERS FOR A YEAR? >> I DIDN'T BRING THE NUMBERS WITH ME. MRS. JACOBS HAS THEM. SPEAK A THREE-YEAR TOTAL -- IF

NOT THREE YEARS, ONE YEAR. >> OKAY. ONE YEAR PER FIREFIGHTER IS $101,000 IN SALARY AND BENEFIT. AN ADDITIONAL PERSON OR COST OF ABOUT $5500 FOR EQUIPMENT.

>> I'M GOING TO BE FULLY COMMITTED TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND PUBLIC SAFETY. IN MY OPINION THAT'S NUMBER ONE. I DON'T MIND COMMITTING TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO GET THE THREE FIREFIGHTERS HIGHER THIS YEAR. WE CAN DO IT SOONER, I WOULD. AS FAR AS COMMITTING TO THE BUDGET, I THINK THAT IS KIND OF A REALLY STRONG TERM TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO COMMIT THIS TO THE BUDGET. WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS NO ABILITY TO SELF OR THERE IS THE ABILITY TO DO SO NEXT BUDGET YEAR IF WE DON'T GET SAFER ? THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT WE GET SAFER. ONCE THAT HAPPENS, YOU KNOW, THEN WE ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING THEM ON AFTER THAT. I AM COMMITTED TO DOING THAT.

IF WE CAN SAVE 100% FOR YEARS INSTEAD OF IT BEING YOU WERE JUST CUT LOOSE, WE ARE GOING TO BUDGET THAT IN FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS. I AM ON BOARD WITH IT. I THINK THAT AMENDMENT IS A LITTLE TOO STICKY. THAT IS IS WHERE I AM. I AM COMMITTED TO

[01:35:04]

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I WILL GO AHEAD AND AGREE. YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK AFTER I FINISH UP THIS. THE VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONER BROUGHT UP EXCELLENT POINTS. IT IS NOT THE BUDGET CYCLE. WE ARE NOT IN THE BUDGET CYCLE. AS STATED EARLIER TONIGHT IT IS NOT A PART OF OUR BUDGETING PROCESS. WHILE I WILL COMPLETELY AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER AYSCUE THAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS. IN FACT WHILE WE CUT TAXES THIS YEAR WE STILL PUT FORTH THE LARGEST POLICE AND FIRE BUDGET IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY. WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT THANKS TO EFFICIENT BUDGETING. THANK YOU TO THIS COMMISSION FOR ALWAYS TAKING CARE OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS. WITH THAT IN MIND I THINK IT IS WORTHY GOAL. IT CERTAINLY IS WORTHY TO APPLY FOR A GRANT THEY GIVE US FREE MONEY TO FUND FIREFIGHTERS. I CERTAINLY THINK WE WILL BE FOCUSED AGAIN ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

HOWEVER, I DO NOT THINK IT IS TIME TO DO THAT IN THE BUDGET

AND COMMIT TO IT RIGHT NOW. >> I AM A LITTLE DIFFERENT. I AM WILLING TO COMMIT. WE HAVE THE FIRE CHIEF HERE, IT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. THE FIRE CHIEF SAYS WE NEED THREE PEOPLE NOW AND WE HAVE A BUDGET COMING UP. I'M WILLING TO COMMIT. IF YOU WANT TO NOT COMMIT TO YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT YOU ARE TALKING THE TALK AND NOT WALKING THE WALK. THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE TO SAY. YOU ARE RIGHT. LET'S HAVE A QUICK

COMMENT FROM THE CITY MANAGER. >> THIS MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE, BUT UNTIL I BRING YOU THE BUDGET I AM IN CHARGE OF THE BUDGET. I MEAN I'M GOING TO LOOK INTO THIS. AS WE PRESENT THIS BUDGET AND GET IT GOING IF WE DON'T GET THE GRANT WE SET IN. IF WE HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT, TAKE IT OUT. RIGHT NOW I AM COMMITTED TO STAFFING WHAT WE NEED TO STAFF TO MAKE THIS

WORK. >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE

THAT. >> TO THE CREDIT OF WHAT MR. GEORGE SAID, I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING IF WE ARE GOING TO APPROVE TO HOPEFULLY GET A GRANT WHILE WE WOULD POTENTIALLY BUDGET FOR THIS? IF WE DON'T BUDGET FOR AND NOW WE CANNOT AFFORD THE NEW OFFICES. WE CAN ALWAYS USE THAT FUN SUMMER ELSE IF WE DO GET THE MONEY. IT MIGHT AS WELL BE IN THE BUDGET. IT IS JUST GIVING US A SAFETY NET.

>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER AYSCUE ? >> JUST SO WE ARE CLEAR. I TALKED TO THE CHIEF AND THE CITY MANAGER. I HAVE EXPRESSED I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS IN THE BUDGET I WILL BE CLEAR, 100% I AM GOING TO FIGHT FOR THE THREE POSITIONS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. THAT IS AS CLEAR AS IT CAN BE. THE CHIEF KNOWS THAT THE CITY MANAGER KNOWS THAT. THAT IS NOT EVEN A QUESTION. YOU WILL SEE IT. I WILL FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL TO GET THEM IN THERE. I JUST DO NOT THINK THE AMENDMENT THAT COMMISSIONER ROSS JUST PUT FORWARD IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME FOR US TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. I AM FULLY COMMITTED TO DOING IT. I AM TELLING YOU THAT I WILL FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD CONSENSUS OF WANTING TO DO IT. WE WILL WORK HARD FOR IT. I JUST DO NOT THINK THIS AMENDMENT IS THE TIME. THE BUDGET PROCESS IS THE TIME AND I AM FULLY COMMITTED TO DOING SO. I DO NOT THINK THIS AMENDMENT IS FOR WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AYSCUE. I WILL HAVE THE AMENDMENT SECTION WITH ONE FINAL THOUGHT. IF WE COMMIT RIGHT NOW TO HIRING THEM EITHER WAY, JUST SO YOU GUYS KNOW, THIS IS A STATE PROGRAM. WE ARE TRYING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS. IF WE COMMIT RIGHT NOW WHY WHAT THEY GIVE US THE GRANT? THAT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. FOR THAT REASON I WOULD AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER AYSCUE THAT WHILE IT IS A GREAT GOAL, IT IS JUST NOT CORRECT TO DO IT IN THIS ORDER. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE PROCESS AS IT STANDS. IT LOOKS LIKE WE DO HAVE A COMMENT OF THE AGENDA AMENDMENT. DEBBIE GRIFFIN, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM. IT IS ABOUT THE AMENDMENT AND NOT THE ORIGINAL ITEM?

>> IT IS ABOUT THE FIREFIGHTERS BEING HIRED.

>> WILL COME SPEAK NOW.

11TH STREET. I WAS A NURSE AT BAPTIST NASSAU FOR 18 YEARS, THE TRIAGE NURSE. I WORKED WITH DR. ROSS. WE WERE BUSY. I CAN

[01:40:02]

MAKE IT HAPPEN AND MAKE IT HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY.

>> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENT. WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER AYSCUE, PLEASE , GO AHEAD.

>> I WANT TO CLARIFY, OUR FIRE CHIEF KNOWS, OUR CITY MANAGER KNOWS, I AM FOR HIRING THESE THREE FIREFIGHTERS. I JUST DO NOT BELIEVE THIS AMENDMENT IS PROPER FOR WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO. I WILL GO TO BAT FOR GETTING THE THREE HIRED AS THEY GO BY RIGHT NOW AND AS WE SAW THEM EARLIER. I AM GOING TO BATTLE TO GET THEM HIRED AND PUT IN THE BUDGET, I JUST DO NOT THINK THIS AMENDMENT IS THE PROPER WAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE POINT, COMMISSIONER. WITH THAT WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON NOW, A YES VOTE AMENDS THE RESOLUTION. A NO VOTE KEEPS AT THE SAME. PLEASE CALL THE VOTE.

>> TO THE ORIGINAL ITEM WHICH HAS BEEN MOTION AND SECONDED. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE GRANT APPLICATION WHICH WILL FUND THREE FIREFIGHTERS FOR 3 YEARS IF WE ACHIEVE THE SAME PROGRAM. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I WILL THINK OUR GRANT ADMINISTRATION, MRS. LAURA LIE. YOU DO GREAT WORK.

WITH THAT, PLEASE, CALL THE VOTE.

>> COMMISSIONER ANTUN . >> YES.

[6.5 GRANT APPLICATION - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES, COPS HIRING PROGRAM (COPS CHP)-]

>> COMMISSIONER AYSCUE >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER ROSS . >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER STURGES . >> YES.

>> THAT PASSES. >> SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THIS IS THE SAME FUNDING AGENCY. THROUGH THIS GRANT APPLICATION WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR 3 NEW POLICE POSITIONS. SAVE HER IS FUNDED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, THEREFORE THEY HAVE A LITTLE MORE MONEY.

100% OF THE SALARY AND BENEFITS OF THE GRANT ARE FUNDED. THIS GRANT IS FUNDED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. IT IS NOT ALLOCATED TO PAY 100% OF THE SALARY AND THE BENEFITS. I THINK THE REASONING THAT THE CHIEF GAVE APPLIES VERY SIMILARLY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT TO SPEAK TO THE DIFFERENCE THIS GRANT ONLY PAYS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 125,000 OVER THREE YEARS FOR EACH POSITION. I MEAN IN TOTAL. AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS GRANT WOULD PAY FOR THE THREE POSITIONS OVER THREE YEARS, $375,000. THAT WOULD LEAVE I MET OVER THE THREE YEARS THE COST OF $884,000 FOR THE I MET SALARY BENEFITS AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDING A POLICE VEHICLE AND OVERTIME. THAT IS THIS GRANT.

>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MRS. JACOBS OF THE POLICE

CHIEF? >> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE

POLICE CHIEF. >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ROSS

[01:45:01]

. >> DOING ME THREE NEW POLICE

OFFICERS RIGHT NOW? >> YES, WE DO. I HAVE A BUNCH OF DATA AND A BUNCH OF STATISTICS. I THINK THE MOST COMPELLING IS LAST YEAR 47% OF THE TIME WE WORKED AT MINIMUM STAFFING IN OUR PATROL DIVISION. THAT MEANS WE POLICE TO THE CITY WITH THREE OFFICERS OR A COMBINATION OF TWO OFFICERS AND A SUPERVISOR. ONE HOUR PATROL SQUADS ARE FIVE.

THAT IS DUE TO VACATIONS, ILLNESS, HAVING A BABY, WORKERS COMPENSATION. THIS IS THE CULMINATION OF A TWO-YEAR PROJECT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON. WE FIRST STARTED WITH REZONING OUR TWO ZONES. WE RESTRUCTURED TRYING TO ALLEVIATE ONE THAT HAD A HEAVIER CALL VOLUME THAN THE OTHER OR ONE THAT HAD A BIGGER GEOGRAPHICAL FOOTPRINT THAN THE OTHER. AFTER WE DID THAT WE DID A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL OF OUR DIVISIONS IN OUR UNITS. WE DOWNSIZED AND REALLOCATED PERSONNEL TO TRY TO HELP FILL IN THE GAPS. THIS YEAR WE COMBINED THE TWO PART-TIME POSITIONS AND HIRED THE ONE FULL-TIME CIVILIAN EVIDENCE PERSON, WHICH ALLOWED US TO TAKE THAT POLICE OFFICER EVIDENCE AND ASSIGNED THEM TO POLICE OFFICER DUTIES. THIS IS OUR LAST CLOG IN THAT WHEEL. THAT WAY WE CAN BE POWER PATROL SQUADS UP TO SIX. IT WOULD BOOST MINIMUM STAFFING TO FOUR.

MORE IMPORTANTLY IT WILL GIVE OUR PEOPLE THE TIME OFF THEY NEED AND REDUCE OVERTIME FOR MANDATING PEOPLE TO COME IN TO COVER MINIMUM STAFFING AND TO KEEP OUR CURRENT STANDARDS. WE FEEL THIS IS VITAL AND THIS IS NECESSARY. OUR DEDICATED TIME, THE TIME AN OFFICER IS ON A CALL HAS INCREASED. THAT IS BECAUSE OUR CALL VOLUME HAS NOT NECESSARILY INCREASED. IT HAS SLIGHTLY, BUT THE AMOUNT OF OFFICERS TO ANSWER THOSE CALLS HAVE DECREASED. AN OFFICER IS STAYING ON CALLS LONGER TO FINISH IT AND HAVING TO GO TO ANOTHER ONE. WE ARE STARTING TO HAVE TO HOLD CALLS. DURING THE DAY WE TRY NOT TO. WE HAVE OTHER OFFICES THAT WE CAN ASSIGN. AT NIGHT WE UNFORTUNATELY HAVE TO HOLD THE CALL UNTIL WE HAVE SOMEONE

AVAILABLE. >> I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER, I DO KNOW THE ANSWER. HOW MANY POLICE ARE ON THE ISLAND AND NIGHT INCLUDING THE SHERIFF DEPUTIES?

>> FIVE OFFICERS AT UP TO TWO DEPUTIES, BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT IS ONE. IF ONE DEPUTY MAYBE, BECAUSE OFTEN THEY ARE PULLED ACROSS THE BRIDGE. WE HAVE FIVE OFFICERS ON THIS ENTIRE ISLAND

FOR POLICING AT NIGHT, CORRECT? >> SIX IF YOU WOULD THE DEPUTY.

THESE POLICE OFFICERS NOW? >> YES. IF YOU WERE TO SAY YOU COULD HIRE AN OFFICER TODAY, OUR MINIMUM SIX MONTHS TO GET SOMEBODY ADVERTISED, HIRED AND PUT THE TRAINING AND ON THEIR OWN. IT IS ANOTHER THING THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DEVELOP FOR

THE FUTURE AS WELL. >> THANK YOU.

>> MRS. JACOBS, DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?

>> YES. I WANT TO AFFIRM THE POINT THAT YOU MADE, MAYOR BEAN, THAT IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO BUDGET SOMETHING WHEN YOU ARE PURSUING A GRANT FOR THAT. TWO SEPARATE PROCESSES

WOULD BE MUCH BETTER. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. YOU

CERTAINLY DO GREAT WORK. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE WE DO NEED THESE POLICE OFFICERS IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM IN THE NEAR FUTURE. IF YOU'RE TALKING 1.2-$1.3 MILLION IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS AS BASICALLY WHAT YOU ARE TALKING FOR 3 POLICE OFFICERS IN THREE YEARS WHAT AMOUNT OF OVERTIME, CAN YOU PUT AN ESTIMATE OF HOW CLOSE YOU CAN GET OR WHAT IT WOULD REDUCE

IN COST? >> I WOULD SAY ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL $20,000 WAS SPENT TRYING TO OVER -- BACKFILL. OFFICERS GET THE OPTION OF TAKING COMP TIME OR OVER TIME. I WOULD SAY THE HIGHEST PART WOULD BE THAT.

>> FOR A WHOLE YEAR IT WILL SAVE US $20,000?

>> YES. >> THAT DOESN'T FALL A LARGE DISCOUNT TO ME. I AM JUST VERBALIZING THIS RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S ALL MY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VICE MAYOR, WE APPRECIATE THAT. BEFORE WE HEAR A MOTION THIS IS PUBLIC OPS -- PUBLIC COMMENT.

[01:50:05]

>> CHIEF, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BUT 911 WILL DISPATCH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AVAILABLE IF THEY ARE ON OTHER CALLS? THEY MIGHT REQUEST CITY POLICE BACKUP, CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. IF THE COUNTY IS BUSY WILL HELP.

>> AND THE SAME IN REVERSE IF ALL OF OUR OFFICERS ARE UP HERE AND THEY NEEDED IT THE DEPUTY WOULD COME?

>> YES. >> HAS THAT BEEN IN YOUR EXPERIENCE WHERE A LOT OF OUR OFFICERS END UP OUT OF THE CITY

LIMITS? >> I CAN TELL YOU WE HELP OUT

MORE THAN WE GET HELP. >> THAT IS WHY I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS GRANT AND FINDING MORE MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR 1ST RESPONDERS. THEY DON'T JUST PROTECT US, THEY PROTECT THE ENTIRE ISLAND, WHICH I THINK IS APPROPRIATE. WE ARE ALL

NEIGHBORS. >> EXCELLENT POINT. WITH THAT IN MIND DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE GRANT APPLICATION?

>> WE NOW GO TO A REQUEST TO SPEAK FROM COMMISSIONER ROSS .

AMENDMENT JUST LIKE I DID WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WE COMMIT TO HIRING THREE NEW POLICE OFFICERS. THE GRANT PERSON SAYS THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA SO I WON'T DO THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM EACH ONE OF YOU THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO COMMIT, TO WALK THE WALK THAT IF WE DON'T GET THIS GRANT WE ARE GOING TO FUND POLICE OFFICERS. THEY COME HERE WITH A NEED, IT IS A SAFETY NEED AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO FUND IT JUST AS YOU HAVE SAID YOU WOULD FUND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO COMMIT TO FUNDING THREE NEW POLICE OFFICERS.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ROSS. I'M GOING TO STATE MY POSITION AS TO WHY I WILL NOT VOTE FOR THAT MOTION. THE POSITION IS THE SAME, WE ARE APPLYING FOR A GRANT RIGHT NOW.

THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO GET FUNDING . WHAT THE GRANT PROVIDER IS HOPING IS THEY CAN INCREASE THE NUMBER OF POLICE AND FIRE. THEY WANT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER. THAT IS WHY THEY ARE OFFERING THIS MONEY. IF THEY WERE WATCHING THE STATE RIGHT NOW, IF THEY SAW THAT WE COMMITTED EITHER WAY TO FUNDING. IF WE DID THIS UNEQUIVOCALLY RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT AND WE WOULD NOT GET IT.

I AM NOT SAYING THAT THEY WOULD WATCH, WHAT I'M SAYING IF THEY DID THAT WOULD NOT BE THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO HANDLE THIS.

WHAT I AM GOING TO COMMIT TO IS DOING THE SAME THING WE DID THIS YEAR. THIS YEAR THIS COMMISSION TOOK CARE OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS COMMISSION, THE SPINE, WE PUT FORTH A BUDGET THAT WAS THE HIGHEST IN THE HISTORY OF FERNANDINA BEACH, THE LARGEST BUDGET EVER FOR OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT. PUBLIC SAFETY WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF WITH THIS BUDGET. I WILL COMMIT TO TAKING CARE PUBLIC SAFETY BY MAKING SURE OUR PUBLIC'S FAITH IN OUR FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED. I AM NOT GOING TO FIGHT FOR THE DISCUSSION. THAT IS AS FAR AS I'M GOING TO SAY. COMMISSIONER AYSCUE, GO AHEAD.

LIKE WE ARE ALL COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SAFETY. I AM WILLING TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THE GRANT TO GET THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS. IT IS NO SECRET, THE CITY MANAGER KNOWS WHERE I STAND. I MENTION IT ALL THE TIME. IT IS NOT A SECRET. I STAND FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AT EVERY STEP AS LONG AS I SIT HERE. I AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENTS. LET'S WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS AND STILL STAY COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AYSCUE. WITH

THAT, COMMISSIONER ROSS ? >> WE ALL TALK ABOUT SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE. THE WAY TO SUPPORT THEM IS TO HIRE THEM

AND PAY THEM. >> EXCELLENT POINT. ALL RIGHT.

ANY FURTHER COMMENT? SEEING NONE, CITY CLERK, COLORADO.

>> COMMISSIONER ANTUN . >> YES. VICE MAYOR STURGES .

[6.6 GRANT ACCEPTANCE AND BUDGET AMENDMENT - FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT]

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS .

>> YES. >> THAT PASSES FIVE-ZERO. THIS

[01:55:10]

IS 6.6. >> I AM HAVING A BIG NIGHT

TONIGHT. >> GOOD WORK TONIGHT.

>> THE CHIEF CAME TO ME A FEW MONTHS AGO AND INDICATED THERE WAS A NEED FOR INJURY KIT BACKPACKS. IT IS WILL A BACKPACK BREACH VEHICLES OR STRUCTURES. WE APPLY TO FDLE AND THEY AWARDED US FAT. $2600 TO COVER THREE ENTRY KITS WITH TOOLS. THERE WILL BE A $247 ALLOCATION.

>> PERFECT. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MRS. JACOBS? SEEING NONE DO I HEAR A MOTION? A SECOND? ANY COMMISSION OR DISCUSSION? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS. WITH THAT LET'S CALL

THE VOTE. >>

[6.7 INSURANCE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ]

>> THIS WAS A TRIP AND FALL ON HICKORY STREET NEAR THE SIDEWALK THERE IS A WATER METER AND THE TOP WAS BROKEN AND STICKING UP. GWANDAS PINKNEY TRIPPED. THE CITY HAS NO DEDUCTIBLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL PAY FOR DAMAGES.

WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL. >> A QUESTIONS?

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I DO HAVE ONE FOR THE CITY MANAGER. IT'S ABOUT TRIP AND FALL HAZARDS.

>> WE HAVE AN ANNUAL BUDGET TO REPAIR AND RENOVATE SIDEWALKS.

WE HAVE DONE A FLAT INVENTORY AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SOME OF THE ONES THAT WE SAW THAT ARE MOST CRITICAL. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT WILL TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF THOSE SIDEWALKS. OBVIOUSLY IT IS A LONG PROCESS. WE HAVE LOTS OF LINEAR FEET OF SIDEWALK. WE DO A WALK-THROUGH TRYING TO MEASURE THEIR CONDITIONS AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE KNEE. IT IS A SLOW PROCESS BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF SIDEWALKS AND A LOT OF ACTIVITIES. IF ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. DO I HEAR MOTION?

>> SECOND. >> EMOTION AND A SECOND. CAN I ASK ONE MORE QUESTION, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M CLEAR ON THIS. OUR CITIES AND CLIENTS -- OUR CITIES INSURANCE COVERS IT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT. BEFORE SOMEONE SAYS ALL BUT THE PREMIUMS, THE PREMIUMS HAVE REMAINED PRETTY MUCH FLAT.

BECAUSE IT IS PART OF AN INSURANCE TRUST AND WE ARE SO SMALL AND PART OF THIS TRUST WITH MANY MORE LARGER ORGANIZATIONS OUR CLAIMS ARE MINUSCULE. WE HAVE NOT HAPPY GREAT INCREASES. THIS IS UNDER THE GENERAL LIABILITY LINE OF COVERAGE. WE HAVE ZERO DEDUCTIBLE. THEY PAY UP TO $3

MILLION IN CLAIMS. >> UNDERSTOOD. I APPRECIATE THAT. PER OCCURRENCE AND $3 MILLION.

>> AND THE OCCURRENCE? >> I DON'T KNOW, AND MAYBE FIVE, BUT IT IS $3 MILLION PER CLAIM. SOMETIMES THIS IS CONFUSING. AS A CITY, CITIES, COUNTIES, AGENCIES, WE ALSO HAVE SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY WITH A PARTIAL WAIVER UNDER FLORIDA STATUTES WHICH PUTS OUR LIABILITY AND $200,000 PER CLAIM AND $300 -- $300,000 IN THE AGGREGATE. GENERALLY THAT IS THE X DOZIER INCLUDED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. WHICH AGAIN IS WHY THE PREMIUMS DO NOT GO SKY HIGH AND CHANGE THAT MUCH. WE HAVE LIMITED LIABILITY AND ARE COVERED UP TO $3 MILLION BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE ACCIDENT IN THE PAST THAT WAS CATASTROPHIC. WE HAD A SANITATION DEPARTMENT AND SOMEWHAT INJURED BY A SANITATION TRUCK. THAT WENT THROUGH THE CLAIM BILL PROCESS, TO THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE WHERE THEY CAN THEN FIND LIABILITY BEYOND SOVEREIGN

IMMUNITY LIMITS. >> THAT WAS MY NEXT QUESTION.

WAS THE EXPOSURE UNDER THAT? >> UNDER SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY?

>> UNDER THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.

>> THERE IS NO LIMIT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER

[02:00:02]

PLEASE CALL THE VOTE. >> THAT PASSES 5-0. 6.8, CIVIC

[6.8 CIVIC ORGANIZATION FEE WAIVER/COSPONSORSHIP GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION]

ORGANIZATION THE WAIVER. >> IF YOU REMEMBER TWO WEEKS AGO WE HAD A MEMBER OF THE BABE RUTH LEAGUE, AND ASKED FOR A WAIVER ON THE FEES. AT THE TIME THE COMMISSION INSTRUCTED STAFF TO COME UP WITH A PROCESS OF HANDLING THAT IN A MORE FORMAL WAY AS OPPOSED TO SOMEONE WALKING UP AND WANTING TO DO THIS. WE CREATED A GUIDELINE AND APPLICATION FORM THAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR PACKET. IT DEALS WITH DIFFERENT ACCESS OF IF IT IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THERE IS A CERTAIN WAY. THEY HAVE TO JUSTIFY WHY THEY EXPECT TO HAVE A WAIVER. A LOT OF IT IS DO THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE MAINTENANCE OR UPKEEP OF WHATEVER FACILITY. IT FORMALIZES WHAT THEY CAN DO TO COME UP AND ASK FOR THIS AND LEAVE IT UP TO THE COMMISSION TO DECIDE IF THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THEIR NEED IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY. ALL OF THIS WILL GO TO PARKS AND RECREATION IF THE APPLICATION GOES THROUGH AND WE BRING IT TO YOU FOR APPROVAL. WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE FOLLOW THIS PROCESS FOR FUTURE APPLICATIONS FOR USING OUR FACILITIES.

>> PERFECT. I KNOW TO GET THIS ON THE AGENDA IT WAS A REALLY QUICK TURNAROUND. I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME. >> MS. BEST, THANK YOU FOR GETTING IT ON THE AGENDA. DOES THIS GO AHEAD AND EXEMPT THE

BABE RUTH WAIVERS? >> NO. PEOPLE NEED TO FILL THIS OUT AND COME OUT TO THE NEXT MEETING. THAT WAY IT IS DOCUMENTED TO EVERYONE WHAT HIS REASONING IS AND WHAT YOUR JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT JUSTIFICATION WAS.

>> THIS REALLY ISN'T A POLICY. THIS IS A GUIDELINE ON HOW YOU GO TO GET THE CITY COMMISSION TO WAIVE YOUR FEES?

>> YES. IT DOESN'T PROVIDE A FLOOR OF HOW MUCH A PARTICULAR GROUP CONTRIBUTES TO A FIELD MAINTENANCE OR FACILITY MAINTENANCE. THIS IS BASICALLY A WAY TO FORMALIZE THE APPLICATION PROCESS SO THE STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

>> THERE IS STILL NO POLICY ON THE CITY'S POINT OF VIEW ON WHO SHOULD GET WHAT OR WHAT THE CRITERIA IS?

>> NO. THE POLICY IS YOU FEEL THIS OUT AND YOU GO TO THE CITY COMMISSION AND GET THEM TO WAIVE THE FEE.

>> CORRECT. >> SO THAT'S OUR POLICY.

>> WELL, GET THEM TO REVIEW AND DETERMINE IF IT IS WORTH

BEING WAIVED. >> THE LAST SIX YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE WE'VE NEVER DONE THAT.

>> ALWAYS A FIRST TIME. >> I'M SURE.

>> IT IS A GOOD WAY TO GO. >> IT FORMALIZES AS OPPOSED TO AN INDIVIDUAL COMING UP AND SAYING PLEASE.

>> IT IS A PROCESS AND I APPRECIATE THAT. DO I HEAR MOTION? A SECOND? ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER

AYSCUE? >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A POINT. THIS IS NOT A POLICY. IT'S A GUIDELINE. IT IS EXTREMELY VAGUE. I AM IN SUPPORT OF ITS. I WILL SAY ON RECORD I WAS HOPING THAT IT WOULD BE A LITTLE MORE DIALED INTO YOUTH SPORTS. THIS IS EXTREMELY BROAD TO ANY CIVIC GROUP, ANYBODY, WHICH I DON'T NECESSARILY SAY IS A BAD THING.

IT IS JUST EXTREMELY BROAD. >> I THINK IT HAS TO BE. IF YOU JUST HAVE IT ESPORTS WE HAVE OTHER ENTITIES THAT WANT TO USE OUR FACILITIES THAT WE PROBABLY WOULD CHARGE A FEE FOR. IF THEY ARE A PART OF THE PROGRAM TO UPKEEP THAT FACILITY OR IMPROVE THAT FACILITY, THEY HAVE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME

AND ASK FOR THAT DECISION. >> I WILL DISAGREE. I JUST WANT

[02:05:01]

TO POINT THAT OUT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AYSCUE. WITH THAT , PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER ANTUN . >> YES.

>> VICE MAYOR STURGES. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER ROSS . >> YES.

>> I RECALLING ONE MORE TIME THIS MEETING TO ORDER AND I'M GOING TO START WITH ITEM SEVEN. I'M GOING TO DO A QUICK PLUG FOR A PRODUCT. YOU MIGHT'VE SEEN THE POPPY SODA IN THE SUPER BOWL AD. I'M NOT REALIZING IT IS A PROBIOTIC THING. I CAN CONFIRM

IT WORKS. >> THAT IS WHAT WE CALL TOO

MUCH INFORMATION. >> MR. GEORGE THOUGHT THE

[7.1 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT - COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT ]

>> LET'S GO TO ITEM SEVEN, IT'S OUR THIRD READING. A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT. IF ONE IS 2023-2024 AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ALLOW REASONABLE REINVESTMENT IN EXISTING COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES BY MODIFYING THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT POLICY 1.0 8.05 .

AND BY STRIKING THE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT POLICIES 2.1 3.06 REQUIRE PLACEMENT OF PARKING, 2.1308 ZERO VISUAL SCREENING OF PARKING. 2.1 3.11 REQUIREMENTS FOR PREVIOUS -- EXCUSE ME, PERVIOUS PARKING MATERIALS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS A PROCEDURAL THING. THIS AMENDMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE TRANSMITTED TO THE STATE AND DID NOT GET TO THE STATE IN TIME AND SO THEY WANTED US TO HEAR IT AGAIN SO THAT WE CAN

TRANSMIT. >> ANY QUESTIONS WITH THAT?

SEEING NONE DO I HEAR MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> LET'S GO TO COMMISSIONER ROSS.

>> I VOTED AGAINST THIS ON THE SECOND READING AND I WILL VOTE AGAINST IT AGAIN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LOST OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE VIABLE PARKING AND ALLOWS FOR UNLIMITED BUILDING SIZE AND THAT IS NOT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE ON THE ISLAND. IT WAS POORLY WRITTEN. I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[8. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA ]

>> THAT PASSES 4-1. LET'S GO AHEAD TO GO TO ITEM EIGHT, PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. WE DO HAVE A FEW

REQUESTS TO SPEAK. >> I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK, BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED DURING THIS MEETING. IT'S MAYBE A POINT TO HAVE IT AT THE END. WHEN AN ANNEXATION OCCURS IN THE PROCESS THERE WILL BE A STAFF STUDY AND THEY ASK ABOUT LEVELS OF SERVICE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LAST ONE, EVERYONE MEANT THE LEVELS OF SERVICE. FOR A LONG TIME I HAVE WONDERED HOW I COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CHAMBER FOR 7 YEARS AS COMMISSIONER AND EVERYTHING ALWAYS MET THE LEVELS OF SERVICE. I KIND OF ADDRESS THAT'S A STAFF. I WASN'T GOING TO DO MUCH ABOUT IT OR PROGRESSIVELY TALK ABOUT IT, BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAVE A POLICE AND FIRE CHIEF UP HERE AND WE DON'T HAVE POLICE AND FIREMEN. I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE LEVELS OF SERVICE AND TIME ELEMENT , BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG. IF WE ARE ANNEXING LISA NOT ADDRESSING THAT WE NEED THESE THINGS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE'RE GOING OFF OF GRANTS AND NEEDING THEM I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK CLOSELY. ANOTHER ONE THAT I WANTED TO MENTION IS I LOOKED AT THE RESILIENCY STUDY. I WAS REALLY PLEASED. WHEN I HEARD THAT GUY TALK WHO WAS VERY ARTICULATE TONIGHT, I WAS SOMEWHAT CONCERNED. IT SOUNDED TO ME LIKE HE WAS LISTENING TO STAFF LOOKING AT GRANTS AND

[02:10:06]

YOU. >> APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.

LET'S INVITE JACK EMBER TO COME ON DOWN.

>> JACK EMBER, 1003 ROOM STREET, FERNANDINA BEACH. WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT COVERS PRETTY MUCH ALL SUBJECTS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. FIRST RESPONDERS IN TAKING CARE OF PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH Y'ALL SAY IS A BIG PRIORITY AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE. MY EXPERIENCE IS 14 YEARS REMEDIATION EXPERIENCE, SEVEN YEARS OF COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE, IN GEORGIA. THE DEFINITION OF AN EXPLOSIVE OR EXPLOSION RATHER IS AN INSTANTANEOUS RELEASE OF ENERGY IN THE FORM OF LIGHT, SOUND, HEAT OR PRESSURE. AN EXPLOSION REQUIRES FUEL, AN OXIDIZER AND EXTERNAL FORCE IN THE FORM OF HEAT SHOCK AND FRICTION. IT DOESN'T NEED ALL THREE.

CASUALTIES FROM EXPLOSIONS ARE THE RESULT OF CONSUMPTION OF THE BLAST, BURN INJURIES, FRAGMENTATION BECOMING PROJECTILES FROM THE BLAST. BLAST PRESSURE INJURIES AND ORGAN DAMAGE DUE TO TISSUE IMPACT. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES, DISMEMBERMENT AND OBVIOUS INJURIES. ALL INJURIES SURVIVED A LONG-TERM ISSUES DEPENDING ON THE VICTIM'S PROXIMITY TO THE EXPLOSION. AS AN EXAMPLE ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008 THE IMPERIAL SUGAR PLANT AT FORT WENTWORTH NEAR SAVANNAH WAS A SUGAR DUST EXPLOSION. THERE ARE 14 DAD, 38 INJURED AND OF THOSE 14 WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE BURN UNIT IN ADJUSTER AND -- AUGUSTA AND CHARLESTON. IN A/-- A FLASH BURN YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TRANSFER THEM BECAUSE FLASH FALLS OFF. THE IMPORTANT ISSUES ARE IN THIS SUGAR MILL FIRE IT WAS A RURAL AREA. CASUALTIES WERE MINIMIZED. IT WOULD'VE BEEN FAR WORSE IF IT WERE RESIDENTIAL. THE OVERWHELMED FIRST RESPONDERS, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND VOLUNTEERS ALL AROUND THE STATE, SECONDARY EXPLOSION RISK WAS REAL AND THE COLLAPSING STRUCTURES RISK WAS REAL. THE CDC IN ATLANTA REALIZE THE INFORMATION WAS INADEQUATE AND CREATED EXPLOSION AND BLAST INJURIES COURSES FOR WHICH I CONTRIBUTED. AN ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITY IS INSANE HERE. ON OUR ISLAND, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS ADJACENT TO A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING IS NOT ALLOWED HERE. NO INFORMATION HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL. MANY OTHER ETHANOL PLANTS IN THE U.S. AND WORLDWIDE HAVE HAD MAJOR EXPLOSIONS. I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE MORE THING IF I MAY. TRANSPORTATION OF 75 MILLION GALLONS OF ETHANOL IS HAZARDOUS. EVACUATION DURING A CATASTROPHE IS VERY PROBLEMATIC. MY PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IS TO DENY THE MANUFACTURERS OF ETHANOL ON AMELIA ISLAND AT ALL COSTS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. YOU KNOW ON THAT ONE I UNDERSTAND. JUST FOR EVERYONE'S BENEFIT I WORK THERE. I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE COMPANY. I DO UNDERSTAND THEY ARE HAVING A PUBLIC MEETING.

MR. GEORGE, DO YOU KNOW THE DATE AND TIME? I DO KNOW THE PUBLIC DATE AND TIME IS MARCH 6 FROM 4:700 -- 4:00-7:00. I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE COMPANY. ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT WE DO HAVE ONE LAST REQUEST TO SPEAK AND THAT IS MORRIS.

>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. MAC MORRIS 821 PARKVIEW, CITY RESIDENT. I USED TO LIVE IN A PLACE CALLED VENICE BEACH, CALIFORNIA. IN SOME WAYS IT WAS LIKE THIS COMMUNITY WAS ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO. IT WAS QUIET. IT HAD A NOT HIGH IMPACT TO IT.

[02:15:03]

I AM ASKING FOR YOU TO CONSIDER WHAT I TOUCHED ON BRIEFLY EARLIER. YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THE CODES SO THAT YEAH, I AGREE PARKING AT THE WATERFRONT IS NOT THE PRETTIEST, BUT I REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS ALL PARKING DOWN THERE.

WE HAD THREE ROWS OF PARKING ON THE GRAVEL LOT. WE HAVE BOAT TRAILERS AND OTHER CARS THERE. THERE WAS ANOTHER ROW IN THE MIDDLE. AS A COMPROMISE, AND I THINK I UNDERSTOOD, IT WAS SUGGESTED TO REMOVE THE WOOD BARRIERS AND USE THAT AS A HASSLE MENTION FOR CARTS, MOTORCYCLES, SMALL COMPACT VEHICLE SPIRIT USE THAT AS FLEXIBLE PARKING. IF THE PATONK PEOPLE WANT TO PLAY THEY JUST MOVE OVER THE BARRICADE FOR THAT MORNING AND THEY CAN PLAY PATONK AND THEN MOVE IT OUT FOR PARKING. OUR PARKING NEEDS ARE NOT ALL DAY LONG. THEY START AT LUNCH AND THEY MOVE . THEY ARE REALLY STRONG WHEN IT COMES TO DINNERTIME. I'VE SEEN CARS JUST ROLL AROUND AND THEN FINALLY THEY JUST LEAVE. I'VE GONE THERE JUST TO WATCH THAT. WE DON'T WANT THAT. WE WANT OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES HAVE MORE BUSINESS SO THEY CAN HIRE MORE PEOPLE. RIGHT NOW THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING STAFFED AS MOST BUSINESSES ARE. WE NEED FUTURE PLANNING. Y'ALL ARE OUR LAWMAKERS. WE RELY ON YOU. SOME ARE LEANING TOWARD INCREASING DENSITY, BUT YOU NEED TO INCREASE PARKING AVAILABILITY OR OTHERWISE WE CANNOT GO TO OUR OWN DOWNTOWN. PLEASE CONSIDER DOING THE UNPOPULAR THING WHICH IS INCREASING PARKING AT THE WATERFRONT. THAT IS THE MOST CONVENIENT. OTHERWISE WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH 50 MILLION-$20 MILLION OR MORE AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE LAND, THE ADDITIONAL LAND HAS TO BE PURCHASED. THAT WILL BE AN UNPOPULAR THING FOR TAXPAYERS. THIS ONE IS A QUICK FIX, NOT THE BEST, BUT IT'S A COMPROMISE AND THAT IS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT BEATS ON. THAT IS THE MAIN MEAL OF GOVERNMENT.

[9. CITY MANAGER/CITY ENGINEER REPORTS]

THANK YOU. >> THAT IS ALL OUR PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT. WITH THAT LET'S CALL UP OUR CITY ENGINEER/MANAGER. I THINK IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT WEEK.

>> THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK. I'M NOT EXPECTING A PROCLAMATION. I WILL SAY MOST OF THE PROCLAMATIONS THAT YOU DO ARE FOR A MONTH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. ENGINEERS ARE SO GOOD WE ONLY NEEDED WEEK. THE SECOND THING IS STARTING TOMORROW WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING IN A TEMPORARY VOLLEYBALL COURT TO ALLOW THE HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL TEAMS TO START PRACTICING FOR BEACH VOLLEYBALL. IT WILL BE UP BETWEEN THE PUPPET BUILDING AND THE PARKING LOT, TWO COURTS. MINIMAL DISRUPTION OF ANYTHING.

GETTING BACK GOING SO THEY CAN START THEIR PRACTICING FOR THE

SPRING SEASON. THAT IS IT. >> WHATEVER HAPPENED TO PEG LEG

PETE? >> HE STILL STANDING WHERE HE WAS. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I MET WITH THE HTC. THEY WERE PRESENTING AN OPTION TO PLACE THE EXISTING PEG LEGGED PETE. I WENT OUT TO TAKE A LOOK TO SEE IF I CAN DO SOME MAINTENANCE TO MAKE THEM LAUGH A LITTLE LONGER. THEY WANTED NEWLY CARVED AND NOT DOING ANYTHING TO THIS OLD ONE OTHER THAN DONATING TO A MUSEUM. THEY WANT HIM TO CONTINUE TO BE AN ALL WOOD STATUTE. THERE HAVEN'T BEEN DECISIONS YET UNDOING THAT OR WHERE IT IS GOING TO BE. THEY DID NOT REALLY ENDORSE TRYING TO REPAIR THE EXISTING ONE. THEY WANT TO DONATE IT TO THE MUSEUM BECAUSE IT DOES CONTAIN THE ASHES OF A FORMER

PIRATE CLUB MEMBER. >> AND THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING, THEY TALKED ABOUT NEW FAA GUIDELINES THAT COULD

IMPACT THE CITY? >> YES. THE AIRSPACE RIGHT NOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE LOWERING THE CEILING. THE AIRCRAFT GOING

[02:20:07]

TO DISCUSS. >> ONE LAST QUESTION, DREDGING AT THE MARINA, HOW IS THAT GOING?

>> 75% DONE. WE ARE GOING TO BE COMING TO THE COMMISSION WITH A REQUEST FOR A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO INCREASE CUBIC YARDS A LITTLE MORE. WE'VE HAD BETWEEN THE TIME THAT WE AWARDED THE CONTRACT AND THE DREDGING WAS ABLE TO GET HERE BECAUSE OF THE BUSINESS OF THE MARINA AND HIS OTHER WORK WE INCURRED MORE SEDIMENT COLLECTION. WE ARE GOING TO COME BACK WITH A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO INCREASE CUBIC YARDAGE 1400-1500 JUST TO GET THE DEPTHS THAT WE NEED TO GET US TO THE NEXT BUDGET

CYCLE. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. GEORGE?

[10. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS]

>> YOU CAN MAIL ME THE PROCLAMATION. BE MY THANK YOU, SIR. WITH THAT LET'S CALL UP OUR CITY ATTORNEY.

>> THE MAYOR AND I MET WITH PORT AUTHORITY, THERE ATTORNEY ON MONDAY AFTERNOON AND WE WOULD LIKE TO COME AND TALK WITH YOU AGAIN IN A SHADE MEETING AT 4:00 P.M. ON MARCH 5. WE HAVE A WORKSHOP SCHEDULED AT 5:00. IF WE CAN DO THE SHADE MEETING AT 4:00 P.M. THAT WILL BE HELPFUL. THAT IS ALL.

>> I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION. >> PLEASE, GO AHEAD.

>> THERE HAS BEEN TALK AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I'VE BEEN ASKED IS WHETHER THAT IS AN ALLOWABLE USE IN THE CITY. IF WE COULD GET AN OPINION ON THAT?

>> THAT WAS MY PLAN TO GET AN OUTSIDE WRITTEN OPINION. I WILL BE REQUESTING THAT IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. IT WILL PROBABLY

TAKE 30 DAYS TO GET IT BACK. >> COMMISSIONER AYSCUE .

>> THAT IS AN OUTSIDE OPINION FROM?

>> FROM A LAND-USE EXPERT, AS IN MIND, BUT IT IS AN OUTSIDE ATTORNEY. IT IS REGARDING THE COMP PLAN AND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. THERE ARE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT BELIEVE AN ETHANOL PLANT IS A CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING PROCESSING PLANT THAT IS NOT PERMITTED UNDER OUR HEAVY INDUSTRIAL USES. MY OPINION IS THAT IT IS MORE COMPLICATED, JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING ETHANOL THERE. I THINK IT IS BEST TO SEND IT OUT AND HAVE IT RESEARCHED AND CITED AND ALL THAT. IT TAKES HOURS OF TIME. IT WILL BE GOOD TO HAVE SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE AREA WAY IN BASED ON WHAT OUR CODE SAYS.

>> THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CITY CLERK. COMMISSIONER ROSS.

[12. MAYOR/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS]

>> TWO THINGS. NUMBER ONE MY CONDOLENCES TO THE CHAPMAN FAMILY. TWO, I RECEIVED A LETTER TODAY FROM THE SENIOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL. I REQUESTED AN ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, BECAUSE THE ISSUE DID NOT AFFECT ME PERSONALLY IN THAT I AM NOT RUNNING FOR OFFICE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD NOT ISSUE AN OPINION.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE. I FORWARDED A COPY TO THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS. THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE TO SAY.

>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER ANTUN.

PRESENTATION I WANTED TO SEE IF WE COULD POSSIBLY SET A WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS PRIORITIZATION OF SOME OF THESE PARKS AND REC USAGES. ASSESSING MY SOMETHING EVERYONE IS

AMENABLE TO? >> NEXT AVAILABLE WORKSHOP LET'S PUT PARKS AND RECREATIONAL IMPACT FEES.

>> I THINK WE HAVE AN IMPACT FEE STUDY COMING UP SOON.

>> EXCELLENT. >> ACTUALLY THE STUDY IS RATHER TO INCREASE THE IMPACT YOU ARE NOT .

>> OR DECREASE. >> I THINK THAT IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO DO AN INVENTORY. THAT IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY. HOLDING IT IS NOT THE CORRECT MOVE. WE NEED

TO BE SPENDING. >> I WAS ONLY ACTING -- ASKING

[02:25:04]

? >> I THINK YOU OUGHT TO WAIT UNTIL THE STUDY. PARKS AND RECREATIONAL IMPACT THESE FOCUS ON A LOT OF OUR CAPITAL PRODUCTS. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT. BUT I THINK LOOKING AT ALL OF THEM IS PROBABLY MORE

BENEFICIAL. >> THE ONLY OTHER PIECE WHICH I MENTIONED IN A PREVIOUS MEETING, I DON'T NEED TO USE ANY NAMES BECAUSE I DIDN'T MEAN TO BRING IN PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT IF WE DISCUSSED WHETHER OR NOT MR. GEORGE WOULD DEPUTIZE A STAFF MEMBER FOR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER AND HOW THAT PROCESS WOULD GO. AS CONSTITUENTS HAVE ASKED, IF WE ARE GOING TO HIRE FROM WITHIN .

I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE OPINION IS. I THINK WE SHOULD BE MOVING TOWARD WHAT THAT DECISION SHOULD BE.

>> COMMISSIONER ROSS . >> WE HAVE NO PART IN THAT. THE CITY MANAGER OR THE POLICY IS THAT THE CITY MANAGER TAKES CARE OF THAT. WE DON'T HAVE ANY INPUT FROM MY UNDERSTANDING

IS THE CITY MANAGER AND DECIDE. >> I AM CONSIDERING. I JUST HAVE NOT FORMALIZED WITH THE JOB DESCRIPTION IS. I AM STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST METHOD GOING FORWARD. IT IS ON

MY MIND. >> MY POINT WAS MORE TO FINISH OFF WHERE WE LEFT OFF THE DISCUSSION. ARE WE GOING TO COMMIT TO A LONGER-TERM AGREEMENT TO MR. GEORGE OR ARE WE GOING BACK TO THE HIRING FIRM?

>> THAT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT KETTLE OF FISH.

>> AS OF THIS POINT I THINK WE ARE ALL VERY HAPPY WITH THE CURRENT SET UP. I SEE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND I THINK THAT WILL BE SOMETHING AWFUL FOR A FUTURE WORKSHOP. I THANK YOU FOR RAISING THAT CONCERN, COMMISSIONER AYSCUE. ALL

RIGHT, COMMISSIONER AYSCUE. >> MY CONDOLENCES TO THE LOTT FAMILY. FRANCIS LOTT PASSED AWAY LATE LAST WEEK. HE WAS A TRUE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN AND SOMEONE WHO I ALWAYS HAVE ENJOYED SPEAKING WITH. HE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING. THAT WAS ALWAYS HIS FIRST QUESTION. NO MATTER WHAT WAS GOING ON HE ALWAYS MADE IT A POINT TO MAKE YOU FEEL SPECIAL. MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY. HE IS GOING TO BE A BIG LOSS. OTHER THAN THAT THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE.

>> VICE MAYOR. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WILL ECHO THE COMMENT. I DID SPEAK TO MR. LOTT A FEW TIMES. HE WAS VERY INTERESTING . I WOULD LIKE TO REACH OUT TO GIVE MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AS WELL AS MARLENE CHAPMAN, PHIL AND THEIR FAMILY. I WANT TO GIVE MY CONDOLENCES TO THEM AS WELL. OTHER THAN THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FURTHER

THIS EVENING. >> THANK YOU. JUST A FEW THINGS FOR ME. I WILL ECHO WHAT WE SAID TONIGHT. WE WILL MISS HIM.

I WANT TO GIVE CONDOLENCES TO COMMISSIONER PHIL CHAPMAN, OUR CITY STAFF, OUR CITY PLANNER MRS. TAYLOR HARTMAN ON THE LOSS OF MARLENE. SHE WAS A REMARKABLE WOMAN WHO WILL BE SURELY MISS. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS CONTINUED DONATING TO CHARITY.

THIS YEAR IS THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE NEW BUILDING. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ON THEIR GOOD WORK. AS AN ENGINEER MYSELF I WILL ECHO THE COMMENTS TO ALL THE ENGINEERS IN THE ROOM. WE APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO. MR. GEORGE DOESN'T KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO SAY THIS, BUT LAST WEEKEND I WENT TO THE DOG ADOPTION OF AND IN CENTRAL PARK. IT WAS A GREAT EVENT. I SPOKE WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY LADY. THIS IS JUST

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